Well, here's the next episode!!  This is, as with the
previous stories, based heavily on events and situations
from the preceeding ones, which are available on my
Web Site:

http://www.geocities.com/coutuva

As always, C&C is anticipated, accepted, and appreciated.
All original Ranma1/2 Characters and Backstory Copyright
Rumiko Takahashi, and are used without permission.

**Note:  This story was actually written a while ago, but then
rewritten just recently, which has left some of the event
references dated.**

Please Enjoy.
Coutuva.



As Long As You Love Me - Part 1
-----------------------------------------------------------------


	As she watched Hitomi and Kikyo leave for work, Shampoo's
usual happy smile faded quickly, replaced by a dark, brooding
frown.  Now that she was alone, she allowed her heartache to
express itself fully, which drew a heavy sigh from the depths
of her depression.
	The news of Kikyo's pregnancy had hit her in exactly the
place that hurt most.  Its impact had been so incredible that it
shattered all of the barriers that she had erected to keep herself
from admitting the truth.
	Lin Shan Pu, Champion Warrior of the Northern Amazons,
finally knew why her life had felt so empty, and why she tried so
hard to find someone to love her.
        She wanted desperately to have a family... in particular,
a baby of her own.
        She had realized with Kikyo's proud announcement that the
one thing that she desired most, the one thing that had fueled her
relentless pursuit of Ranma Saotome, and the one thing that she
felt would make her truly happy was slipping further and further
away.
        Long ago, she had given up on the idea of ever carrying her
Ailen's child, consigning the thought to the realm of unfulfilled
fantasy.  That, however, didn't stop it from resurfacing when she
met Hitomi.  Now, she found herself increasingly jealous of
Kikyo's gesture, feeling cheated and ignored yet again.
        Deep down in her pride, she was unable to get past the
thought that *she* should be the one carrying this baby, not Kikyo.
To Shampoo, it simply made more sense.  She was a Champion Warrior;
Kikyo was just a woman.  She had known Ailen far longer than
Kikyo had known Hitomi, meaning she had a better idea what Hitomi
would likely want the child raised like, and she was also much
better looking.  On those points, Shampoo couldn't understand
why someone who wanted a strong, healthy child would pick Kikyo
over her.
        Making matters worse was the fact that she really did
like Kikyo, their time together in battle having left her with
great respect and admiration for the girl, and she truly considered
her to be a sister.
	Slumping on the couch, Shampoo sighed again, lowering her
purple-maned head sadly.  Briefly, her thoughts drifted back to
Mousse, and how despite his many attempts, he had not been able
to get her pregnant.  She knew the situation had nothing to do
with her, as she had gone and had herself tested, worried that
her 'physical' life had done some harm.
	Her face darkened as she recalled how, in the beginning,
she had resigned herself to her fate, and tried to accept her
inept but persistant suitor as her husband.  She had consoled
herself then that he could at least father her children, but,
as per usual, he proved to be a disappointment.  In accordance
with the laws of her tribe, she no longer considered herself
married to him, as he had shown himself unfit in every area that
mattered.
	Shampoo also realized resignedly that time was rapidly
catching up to her.  She was over 30, alone and childless, which
in her tribe usually meant a life of spinsterhood and scorn.
	That thought almost brought tears to her eyes again.
	Finally, forcing aside the sadness and jealousy
threatening to bury her heart, she rose from the couch and moved
to the windows that overlooked the river.  Peeking out through
the blinds, she was pleased to see a beautiful day, and decided
to try taking a walk along the beach to forget her troubles.
	Once outside, she wandered aimlessly along the water's
edge, flirting with her curse as she deftly avoided the low,
lapping wavelets near her feet.  The distraction helped her
sagging spirits a bit, but as soon as her mind was not otherwise
occupied, her troubles would again come to the forefront.
	Not helping matters was the proximity of several young
families, each enjoying the magnificent day with their children.
By the time Shampoo spotted the third group, she cursed to
herself and strode purposefully and quickly up the beach,
hoping to get as far away from the sounds of playing children
as she could.
	Finally, she came to a stretch of beach punctuated by
outcroppings of rock, and sighed with relief as she noticed that
there wasn't another soul around.
	Walking toward the closest cluster of rocks, she climbed
atop them and sat heavily, peering out over the waters of the
river absently.  She didn't even notice the serene beauty of the
clear sky reflected in the slightly chopped surface, as her
attention was still captivated by her thoughts.
	Picking a chunk of stone from the cracked surface of her
seat, she tossed it into the river with a huff, struck by the
similarity between the fate of the small fragment and her life.
	Abruptly, she found herself wishing she had never met
Ailen.  Sadly, she noted that perhaps she would have had a real
husband and several strong children by now, instead of having
wasted her life chasing a man that didn't want her.
	As that painful thought ran through her mind, she felt her
large eyes begin to sting, and her chest tightening noticably.
	"NO!  Stupid Shampoo!  No cry!  No more cry!!"  she
shouted at herself, her anguish causing her Japanese to slip.
	Abruptly, she relaxed the fists she had balled her hands
into as a realization struck home.  Her eyes went wide and her
mouth dropped slightly.
	"Shampoo... *is* stupid.  Stupid, stupid girl," she said
aloud softly.
	Covering her eyes with her hands and fighting as hard as
she could, the Amazon tried desperately not to start bawling, but
was unable to keep her tears in check.
	Breaking down in a few powerful sobs, she knew that she
wasn't going to win this battle, so she opted for the next best
thing; escape.
	Wiping her tears to clear her eyes, she leapt down from
the rocks and ran headlong into the water.
	

	Hitomi bit her lip and tried not to laugh as Kikyo deftly
shaped her last toenail, readying it for polishing.
	She loved it when Kikyo took a notion to do her nails for
her, but found the procedure almost torturous, owing to her very
sensitive feet.  As hard as she tried, she couldn't always keep
still, and Kikyo, one to be meticulous and proud of her work, would
often chide her for moving and messing things up.
	Finally, she breathed a sigh of relief as Kikyo put down
the emery board and quickly wiped her nails off to check how they
were coming.
	Hitomi, sitting on the couch with Kikyo before her on the
floor, looked down at her feet and winked happily at the results.
	"So, what color this time, anata?  You were red last time,
so that's out," Kikyo indicated, looking over her array of polish
bottles.
        "Hai.  What do you have in a green?  Something that would
match most of my clothes," Hitomi responded, leaning forward to
look at the bottles herself.
	"How's this?" Kikyo asked, holding up her selection.
	"Great!  Go for it," Hitomi urged, happily.
	Kikyo smiled back and cracked open the bottle expertly,
then lifted Hitomi's leg into her lap.
	Just as she began to paint, Hitomi bit her lip again, and
glanced around for something that would distract her.  Almost as
if on cue, she noticed Shampoo coming down the hallway.
	"Lin-san...  Where did you disappear to?  I haven't seen
you since I changed you back," she asked, hoping the Amazon would
be talkative.
	"I went and laid down for a while...  I have a headache
today, and it won't go away.  That's why I changed to a cat, but
it didn't help," the purple-maned one sighed, holding her forehead
for effect.  "By the way, thank you for getting my dress,
Hitomi-san."
	"It's okay.  You know...  Lots of the kids have been away
over colds lately.  You might be catching one -- want a Tylenol?"
Hitomi responded, concerned.
	"I hope that is not true...  I don't want to be sick,"
Shampoo stated, shaking her head.  "Oh!  You're getting your nails
done -- I haven't done mine in a long time."
	"Hai!  Kiko-chan is really good at it, but my feet are so
ticklish."
	"Ano...  So ticklish that I have to tie you down to do it
properly," Kikyo chimed in, feigning disgust.
	Shampoo smirked at the comment as she stepped around the
couch and sat beside Hitomi, watching the operation intently.
	"I should ask you to do me, too.  I usually do it myself,
but this looks like it is fun," Shampoo noted, nodding at Hitomi.
	Kikyo smirked up at the Amazon, who looked back at her
innocently.  "If my knees don't give out on me, I'll do yours too,
Lin-san," Kikyo responded, shaking her head in in a great display
of resignation.
	Shampoo brightened instantly.  "Arigato, Kikyo-san," she
chimed, smiling.
	Finally, as Hitomi sat still waiting for her feet to dry,
Kikyo rose from the floor and headed for the kitchen, feeling very
thirsty.  Returning with a glass of water, she settled heavily into
the wing chair opposite her girlfriend and sighed audibly.
	"Nee, Kiko-chan -- feeling tired?" Hitomi asked, concerned.
She worried about her lover steadily these days, as she knew their
child was Kikyo's first baby, and there were greater than normal
risks attached to first pregnancies.
	"Hai...  And a bit green, too.  I think the polish did it,"
Kikyo answered, waving a hand before her face.
	"You should lay down.  In my village, a new mother is
excluded from any and all responsibility while she is with child,
especially when it is her first," Shampoo noted, glancing at
Hitomi for backup.
	"Hai, Kikyo.  You probably should.  Lin-san, could you
make sure she gets there?  I would, but I'm held prisoner by my
own feet," she smirked, wiggling her cotton-stuffed toes.
	"Hai-hai!  Come along, Kikyo-san.  I will help you to
bed.  Even a short nap might help you feel better," Shampoo
offered, rising and stepping toward her.
	"I'm okay.  I can get up.  I'm pregnant, not helpless."
Kikyo stated, shaking her head at the other two.
	Shampoo escourted Kikyo into the room and pulled back the
blankets on the bed, then stepped away while the Japanese woman
settled in.  Shampoo then tucked the blankets up around Kikyo's
shoulders and turned to leave.
        "You rest now.  We will be okay without you," she added,
closing the door behind her.
	Kikyo frowned in response.  For some reason, depite having
entrusted the Amazon with her life to a degree, hearing that
remark actually made her feel jealous.  For a moment, she actually
considered getting back out of bed, but stopped herself as she
realized that she was being silly.  She knew that if there was
anyone she could trust, it was Hitomi.
	Rolling on her back, Kikyo sighed resignedly at her plight,
not having expected to find herself needing naps already.  She was
only six weeks in, and was already dealing with mood swings and
occasional dizzy spells.
	Her doctor had mentioned that first pregnancies are the
worst for such problems, especially in the early going, but even
that hadn't prepared her for how she sometimes felt.
	Out in the hallway, Shampoo smiled to herself at the
unforseen but fortunate turn of events, thinking that now would be
a good time to test the waters for her new plan.
        She had decided that all she had to do was convince Hitomi
that she was a better choice for having a baby with than Kikyo,
and the rest would follow.  Her cheeks flushed slightly as she
briefly thought of what that meant, but she stopped herself from
exploring it further, not wanting to be distracted.
        The first thing she had to be sure of was whether or not
she could count on Hitomi to react properly when the time came, or
all her efforts would be for nothing.  Once that hurdle was cleared,
she could begin the hard part.
	Opening the top few buttons of her mini, she adjusted the
bodice of her dress so that it would fall open easily.
	Drawing a deep breath to steel herself, she closed her
eyes and prepared.  She knew that once she started, there would be
no turning back, and if she failed, there would be nothing left
for her except to salvage what she could of her honor.
        She had thought long and hard about her choice, weighing
her friendship with Kikyo against missing what she felt was her
last chance to have her life's dream at least somewhat realized.
For Shampoo, despite the eventual cost, there wasn't really even
a choice.  War always has it's casualties, she reasoned, and
this was one battle that she intended to win.
	Walking back into the livingroom, she passed around in
front of Hitomi and stopped beside Kikyo's array of manicure
supplies.  Tsking, she bent over and began to pick up the
assorted bottles, scissors, emery boards et al, making sure she
was well within Hitomi's line of sight.
	As Hitomi noticed what Shampoo was doing, she was about
to voice an objection, having planned on doing her fingernails
after she was able to move again.  The words, however, stuck in
her open mouth as she caught a great view of the Amazon's ample
bosom.
	Cheeks flushing, Hitomi turned her head away for a
moment, but couldn't resist glancing back one more time.
Shampoo, listening intently to Hitomi's motions, had to supress
a grin.
	As the Amazon finally gathered all she could carry in a
single trip, she rose and carried the items to the dining table,
then returned for another load.  Hitomi tried not to look again,
but the Amazon's chest was truly a marvel to behold.
	After filling her hands for the second time, Shampoo
rose and smiled at Hitomi.
	"I want to do your hands for you...  I will check your
feet when I put these down," she announced, grinning.
        "Iya, Lin-san.  You don't have to do that.  I was going
to fix them myself," Hitomi replied, thankful for the 'change
of subject'.
	"No problem!  I want to," Shampoo dismissed, walking
back and stopping momentarily beside the redhead's feet.
	Hitomi shrugged and shook her head.
	"Hai.  If you insist," she replied, smiling.
	Kneeling in front of Hitomi, Shampoo carefully tested the
polish, then began to remove the batting between the redhead's
toes.  As she did so, she deliberately tickled the bottom of
Hitomi's foot, which made the redhead jerk her leg.
	Hitomi gasped as the Amazon toppled onto her backside,
which caused her legs to part awkwardly.  Hitomi couldn't help
but catch a good look as she stared flush-faced at the sprawled
Shampoo.
	Realizing she was gawking, Hitomi snapped herself out
of it and immediately leaned toward Shampoo, extending her hand.
	"Gomen, Gomen!" she blurted, not entirely sure which
situation she was apologising for.
	"Daijobu!  It was my fault.  I tickled you by accident,"
Shampoo immediately interjected, looking up at Hitomi sheepishly.
	"Ano -- even so, I shouldn't have knocked you down.  Are
you okay?" Hitomi countered, forcing her gaze to the Amazon's
face.
	"Hai.  I am fine.  I will get the rest of these and we
can do your fingers, ne?" Shampoo smiled, trying to look
unconcerned.
	"H-hai..." Hitomi answered, nervously.  Shampoo waved
off the proffered hand, swung her legs under herself and resumed
the task of removing the batting.
	Hitomi, meanwhile, was glad Kikyo was in bed, feeling
more than just a little embarrassed about her reaction to the
Amazon's charms.  Had Kikyo seen her cheeks flush the way they
did, Hitomi was sure her girlfriend would have been upset,
especially with her unstable moods of late.
	Hitomi had always thought the Amazon was more than a
little attractive, and she was also aware that Kikyo knew that.
The problem was that the Amazon also had a latent sensuality
about her that was hard to ignore, and right at the moment
she was having an especially hard time trying.
	Shampoo, meanwhile, smiled inwardly, quite pleased that
what she had guessed about Hitomi was indeed true.  She was just
like Ailen.
	A few minutes later, Hitomi sat beside Shampoo at the
table, watching as the Amazon prepared for the manicure.
	Looking up at Hitomi and grinning, Shampoo reached for
the redhead's hand and took it into her own.  The Amazon had to
steel herself against the feelings that touching Hitomi brought
out in her, knowing they could make her unable to carry her plan
through to fruition.
	"I'll get this off first," Shampoo began, tipping
the remover bottle over the cloth and starting to wipe the
existing color from Hitomi's nails.  "Then I can see if you need
the touch-up," she continued, trying to keep her voice steady and
pleasant.
	Hitomi nodded in reply, noting curiously the odd feeling
she was getting from touching Shampoo's hand.  The Amazon's skin
was soft, despite her constant training, and very warm to the
touch.  The contact was definitely pleasant, but there was
something about it that didn't seem to fit the occasion.
	About half an hour later, Shampoo sat smiling proudly as
Hitomi happily examined her perfect manicure, holding her hands
up and watching the light reflect from the shine.
	"Arigato, Lin-san.  They look beautiful."
	"Glad you like it.  I enjoy doing this, but it's been a
long time.  My younger twin sisters, Ling Ling and Lung Lung and
myself would all take turns when we went into the city," Shampoo
indicated, wistfully.
	"You have sisters?  You've never told me about them
before," Hitomi blinked, waving her hands in the air.
	"Hai.  They are Tribe Sisters.  All the women in my Tribe
are sisters," the Amazon replied, nodding.
	"Ano -- big family," Hitomi quipped, shaking her head.
"Well, I think I'll move to the couch and watch TV till these dry,
then I want to see how Kiko-chan is doing," she added, carefully
moving her chair back.
	"I will help," Shampoo immediately stated, jumping up
and helping Hitomi with the chair.
	"I'm okay, Lin-san.  Don't worry about it.  I usually
end up smudging before it's dry, anyway," Hitomi countered,
resignedly.
	Shampoo simply smiled and ignored the comment, moving
the chair anyway.
	While Hitomi settled on the couch, Shampoo packed up the
supplies and cleaned off the table, making sure it was perfect
as always.  Once she was satisfied, she wandered back into the
livingroom and demurely perched on the couch beside Hitomi.
	"What are you watching?" she asked, noting Hitomi was
completely engrossed in the TV.  After a few seconds of silence,
she reached over and tapped the redhead's shoulder.  "Hitomi-san?"
she repeated, amazed at the lack of response.
        "E.R. It's a good show," the redhead finally replied,
absently.
	"Oh," Shampoo breathed, as she leaned back into the
cushions.  She was hoping to be able to talk to Hitomi further,
but it certainly didn't seem as if that was going to be
possible.  Finally, she sighed and rose to her feet, then walked
in front of Hitomi and bowed deeply.
        "I'm tired, Hitomi-san.  I think I will go to bed.  See
you in the morning, ne?" she smiled, noting that Hitomi's cheeks
were reddening again.
        "Ah...  Sure, Lin-san.  I might as well go, too -- after
this show.  Have a good sleep, ne?" Hitomi responded, upon
gathering her wits.
        Shampoo nodded and stepped away, happy with her results.
Now that she knew her charms still worked as she had expected
them to, tomorrow was going to be a big day.



====================================================================
END  As Long As You Love Me - Part 1    A Ranma1/2 FanFic By Coutuva


Comments Welcomed, Flames Extinguished!
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