Send C&C to: oddball22@hotmail.com Find my stories at: www.geocities.com/kaiphantom2000 DISCLAIMER: What do you want me to say here? Ranma 1/2: New Challenges All That We Have Known Chapter 5 The day of the challenge match arrived, and the crowd gathered in the appointed place. This being Nerima, that meant the appointed place was a empty, conveniently placed, nearby lot, which had seen a great majority of the epic martial arts struggles that tended to pop up. The gathered crowd consisted of the Tendos, Saotomes, the Ucchan group, and the Nekohanten gang, plus one other. Nabiki had invited Kuno when he found out about it. Ranma didn't want him to show, but Nabiki said he was going to come, regardless, so she had done it in a way that would ensure he wouldn't interfere. When Ranma asked what she meant, she simply smiled and winked. He wisely decided not to pursue the issue. Shampoo and Mousse were already waiting at one end of the lot, as well as two other women Ranma didn't recognize. But they were dressed in robes similiar to Shampoos, the one that was almost like Cologne's that she had worn during Kenji's memory restoration. He guess they were more Chinese Amazons. Mousse started foreword when the crowd took their places at the sideline. As he walked up to them, Ranma loosened up his arm that, until a couple of days ago, had a cast on it. He couldn't believe how fast it had healed; probably thanks to that new technique Happosai had taught them. When the doctor examined his arm during the last checkup, he had to double and triple check his readings. The bone had completely mended itself. When the doc and his family asked how, Ranma said nothing. For now, he and Akane decided to keep the technique to themselves. Mousse reached the center of the field and raised his arms, signaling for quiet. As he spoke, Ranma couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. It wasn't the kind of premonition that he was about to be attacked, that was different. No, this was something else, a sense of something out of place. He shook his head and tried to dispel it. . He tuned back in to what Mousse was saying. "...between Shampoo and Akane," the nearly blind boy was saying. "Observing the match are Lotion and Floss of the Joketsuzoku. The combatants can fight only with what they bring to the match. No outside help of any kind is permitted. The match will be over when one of the combatants are either dead, unconscious, leaves the area, or if one forfeits the fight. Now we shall begin. Warriors, prepare yourselves." Ranma thought. He turned to Akane who was dressed in her combat gi. It was similar to her practice gi, but with some slight differences; she was wearing some leather padding underneath it in various places. Not enough to hinder movement, but just enough to help cushion some blows. She smiled at him and he smiled back. There was no need for words, since they had said everything to each other that morning. Instead, he wrapped her in a big hug, followed by a deep kiss (To give her a bit of a ki charge). When they parted, they bowed to each other and she headed out into the field, opposite of Shampoo. Ranma tried to ignore the sensation of his heart and stomach sparring inside him. Turning back, he noticed Kuno staring at him with his mouth open. A quick poke from Nabiki though, and he closed his mouth and turned away. Ranma shrugged slightly in response, then slowly scanned the faces of his friends and family. Soun wasn't crying like he expected him to be, rather he was doing his best to act brave. His mom and dad were standing side by side looking mainly confident, but with a bit of worry thrown in. Ukyo was talking to Kenji and Yuri, apparently explaining things to them. Tofu was standing next to Kasumi with his arm around her. Ranma had heard that they'd grown closer after their first date went well. And Nabiki was checking things in a notebook. he thought to himself, slightly disgusted. He turned his attention back to the field. Shampoo removed her and handed it to one of the Amazons with her, revealing her combat body suit and leather breastplate underneath. The other Amazon handed her a pair of bonbori and then moved off the field. Mousse backed up when the two warriors assumed ready positions, then gave the signal to begin. For a few seconds, neither one moved. Then, by some unspoken signal, the two charged each other. Akane feigned a punch, but then dropped to the ground with a leg sweep. The Amazon jumped back, then forward swinging the heavy maces. Akane had no choice to but to retreat until she found an opening, though Shampoo wasn't giving her any. Ranma's heart dropped as he saw her slowly forced back. If she went back much farther, she would leave the lot and lose. A gold aura suddenly flared to life around Akane. With a couple of quick punches, she destroyed the two bonbori and backed Shampoo off. The aura promptly faded afterward. Ranma was hoping she wouldn't have to use the Tora Dokiken until later in the match to surprise Shampoo and finish it quickly. Now that her opponent knew about, Shampoo would be much more careful. "No..." Ranma heard Soun mumble. "How could she know that?" Ranma moved to his side. "What are you talking about?" he whispered. But the elder Tendo didn't respond, so fixed on the match he was. Ranma thought. Akane took a kick to the side and felt pain lance through her body. She grabbed a hold of the leg and leaped sideways to deliver a quick double kick to her opponent's face before flipping the leg and sending Shampoo to the ground. The Amazon was back up in no time, countering and dodging Akane's moves. Akane thought grimly. Akane ducked under a roundhouse. Shampoo didn't complete the turn, but instead planted her hands on the ground and flipped her other foot up, striking Akane's face with her heel. The other girl hit the ground, then rolled away from a strike that was intended for her stomach. Akane did a kippup to return to her feet. They collided again in a flurry of punches and kicks, and Akane realized she was receiving more than she was giving. As Shampoo's latest attack spun her away, Akane feigned dizziness, hoping to draw the Amazon in. It worked. As Shampoo came at her, Akane waited until the last possible second before activated the Tora Dokiken again. She easily blocked Shampoo's attack and delivered a quick, yet devastating six hit combo that sent the Amazon reeling. The young Tendo didn't pursue. She was probably in the same shape as her opponent, if not worse, and she needed to catch her breath. Shampoo couldn't know it, but Akane figureed that she probably only had enough ki left to do one, maybe two more of those. When Shampoo got up, she wisely kept her distance as the two circled each other. Shampoo had a bloody nose and Akane could tell she was sporting some kind of chest injury. Akane realized. Her arm was sore, as was her leg from an earlier kick. Shampoo could probably tell that was causing her to limp slightly. It was also causing her some pain whenever she stepped, but she wasn't letting that show. Suddenly, Shampoo's aura flared purple briefly as she brought her hands in front of her, palms outward. A small purple ball formed in her hands and from that shot several purple comet-like lances. Akane dove forward and rolled trying to avoid the ki attack. One of the lances managed to strike her back and Akane cried out when it burned her. she thought. When she finally got back to her feet, Shampoo was letting another wave of the lances go. Akane was closer to Shampoo now and dodging the second wave seemed almost impossible. Instead, she made a quick decision. The flaxen outline popped into existence once more as a speedier Akane bulldozed through the multiple ki blast. Where the lances struck the golden aura, they simply fizzled. Akane closed the distance and began her attack, but Shampoo managed to dodge the few punches she threw until the Tiger effect wore off. Shampoo jumped back in and attacked in full force, not caring about her own defense and it was all Akane could do to deal with the attacks. Then one after another, punches and kicks got through Akane's own defense and she was sent tumbling away to land face down in the dirt. With a cry, Shampoo leapt into the air and came down on Akane, her feet outstretched and poised to crush her opponent once and for all. Time slowed to a virtual standstill for Ranma. Dread welled up in him when he realized Akane wasn't moving. he wanted to yell. He watched as Shampoo continued her descent, her intent clear. Akane flared to life, rolling on to her back and bringing her hands up. "Moko Takabisha!" Shampoo was clearly surprised by the move, and there was nothing she could do about it. The ki ball slammed into her stomach, shattering the chestplate, sending the Chinese girl twisting out of the air as Akane struggled to her feet. The youngest Tendo limped over to the fallen form of her opponent, holding her stomach and breathing raggedly. The Amazon wasn't moving. Akane nudged Shampoo with her foot, then turned her onto her back. Her eyes were closed. Akane felt her opponent's neck for a pulse, then looked up and nodded at Mousse, who was clearly feeling torn up at the abuse Shampoo had suffered. He stepped foreword and examined Shampoo while Akane staggered back. He got up and nodded to the two Amazons. Ranma was elated. She had won! He was about to run over to her, but before he could, something else happened. In the next instant, a nearby pile of rubbish burst open and a ribbon snaked out, wrapping itself around Akane's neck. With a jerk, Kodachi dragged Akane to her and grabbed her with her free hand. Well, the hand wasn't exactly free. It held a small knife which she place near Akane's throat to stop the rush of people, Ranma included, from getting to her. "Let Akane go, Kodachi," Ranma growled. A chilling laugh was his only reply. "Oh, my Ramna-sama, it's okay!" Kodachi purred. "I know this witch has you under some sort of mind control. Once she is out of the way, we can be together. Isn't that what you truly want?" "Just let her go, and we can talk about this," Ranma tried to reason with her. Actually, looking at her he had to wonder what her state of mind was. Though she was wearing a light green leotard, it was covered in filth. Her eyes looked slightly wilder than usual. Kodachi seemed to think about it for second. "I'm afraid I can't do that Ranma-sama. I know you may not love me now, but I am better for you! I can offer you so much more than this wench." Ranma tried to step slowly towards her, but she pressed the knife into Akane's neck, drawing a faint amount of blood. A look of terror passed over Akane's face, even as tears began to leak out of her eyes. "Sister, do not do this, tis not an honorable thing," Kuno addressed her, stepping foreword. Kodachi's face lit up. "Brother dear! I'm so glad you came! Don't worry, you can have this girl when I'm through. Isn't that what you want?" Kuno seemed to hesitate. "I had no idea you were this far gone. My own madness has blinded me to it. I do desire Tendo Akane, but only of her own free will. Doing this will gain neither of us what we want." "Then what of your pig-tailed goddess?" she countered. "Once I have Ranma-sama, she will be yours!" Kuno shook his head. "Nay, I cannot. `Tis dishonorable. A woman is to be won through bravery and poetry, not deceit and hostage taking. Besides, Tendo Nabiki has already promised to reveal the pig-tailed one's secrets to me, of how Saotome holds her so that I may free her." Ranma risked a glance back at Nabiki, but she merely smiled at him. He turned back. "Alright Kodachi, it's your show. What do we do?" Kodachi's face lit up. "Excellent! You will come away with me, my darling Ranma-sama. You see, this knife has been coated with a special poison that took me several weeks to cultivate. You'll notice I've already cut the wench. If she doesn't receive regular doses of a special serum, she'll die in 30 minutes." Ranma blood ran cold and anger flashed through him. He wanted nothing more than to rush foreward and tear Kodachi apart, but he realized that doing so would kill Akane. He dropped his head in defeat. "I'll come with you, just, please give her the antidote." "In due time," she said while slightly moving the knife away. "Still, maybe I should just kill her now. That way you would be totally free of her control." From out of nowhere, an arrow struck Kodachi's arm, causing her to scream and release the knife. Akane thrust her elbow into the stomach of the girl behind her and limped away at her best speed. Ranma enveloped Akane in a hug as she collapsed in his arms, sobbing. "Akane!" He looked up at the demented gymnast, who was rapidly making her escape. "Who shot that!?" "I did," Yuri said, stepping foreword, holding a small bow. "I'm sorry." Ranma's eyes blazed. "What!? WHY!? Akane'll die with out the antidote!" Ukyo was suddenly next to him, holding a vial. "You mean this?" Ranma stared at it while Tofu made his way foreword. "Let me see it." She handed it to him and he sniffed the contents. He then picked up the knife and sniffed it as well. "It's going to be okay Ranma. I recognize the poison and this is the antidote. Tip her head back. Akane, you need to drink this." She nodded slightly and he drained the contents into her mouth. After it went down, she passed out. "Akane!?" Ranma was nearly hysterical. "AKANE!" "She'll be okay, Ranma," said Tofu. "She's just passed out from the shock, and the fact that she's weak right now. It would be best if you took her to my clinic. Now." Ranma needed no encouragement and was gone before Tofu stopped speaking. The rest of the group followed at their own best speeds. A few minutes later, Akane was sleeping soundly in a hospital bed in Tofu's clinic. Tofu took some more time to examine her, before declaring that she would be alright. It took some nudging to convince Ranma to leave Akane alone so she could rest. As he walked back into the reception area, he saw Yuri standing there talking with Ukyo. The room quieted of the low-toned conversations when they saw him. "How?" he asked at last, his thoughts whirling in a jumble. "Why?" He suddenly felt very exhausted and collapsed in a chair. "Perhaps I can explain best." A small ninja clad in black stepped foreword. Ranma stared at him. "Sasuke?" "I had been very worried about mistress Kodachi for some time," he explained. "She had been acting slightly different than usual, ever since she got word of you of the fact that you and Akane-san were acting more... affectionate than usual. She found out... because I told her." "WHAT!?" Ranma tried to jump out of his chair, but a pair of strong arms held him down. "Let him finish, boy," his father said form behind him. Ranma reluctantly leashed his anger. Sasuke gulped and continued. "As I said, I feared she was slipping farther into her madness and might do something truly drastic. I, I could not take it anymore. So, I spied on her working in her greenhouse. It was easy enough to figure out what she planned, since she talked to her plants and told them all about it. I tried to get away to warn you, but one of the plants grabbed me and held me. Kodachi found me and had a few more vines tie me up. When I finally broke free, I grabbed the antidote and ran as fast as I could over here. But I was too late to stop her." "That's when he came up to Yuri-chan and I," Ukyo said next. "He briefly explained he had the antidote. The only thing was, we needed to get Kodachi away from Akane. Yuri said she could do it with the small bow she was carrying and Kenji backed her up." Kenji spoke up. "I apologize for gambling with Akane-san's life, Saotome. But my sister's an ace shot. I've seen her hit moving target's at twice the range with pinpoint accuracy." Ranma sat still for a few seconds while absorbing this all in. It had all happened so fast and there were so many things that could've gone wrong. If Sasuke hadn't broken free in time or what if Yuri had missed. Wait a minute, something was wrong. "Hey what about what Kodachi said about Akane needing regular doses?" "That was a lie," Sasuke answered. "I believe she would've given Akane the antidote the first time, then used regular doses of something else to keep her immobile and weak. After all, she realized if Akane died, she would lose you." "Hmmm, that's interesting," Nabiki commented. "She wanted Ranma and thought Ranma loved her, yet the fact she knew she needed Akane alive to keep you means that she knew you loved Akane. Maybe she wasn't totally crazy." "Yeah, I guess so..." was all Ranma could say before lapsing into silence. "If you'll excuse me now, I must atone for my actions," Sasuke said solemnly. "What you do you mean, son?" Soun asked. "You saved my little girl's life!" "But I betrayed the house of Kuno, that's an unforgivable sin for one of my family," he replied. "You are right when you say there must be an atonement," came a voice from the door. "Master Kuno!" Sasuke cried. Nobody had noticed the kendoist come in. "But it is I must make the atonement, old friend," he admitted, downcast. "I let my sister's madness continue unchecked for too long. I... nearly became as bad as her. I wish to repair the damage my family has caused." He turned to Ranma. "I will no longer pursue Tendo Akane, since by family honor you are engaged to her." He glanced sidelong at Nabiki. "It would be dishonorable if I continued to woo an enaged woman. But if I ever hear that you have mistreated her, or obtain proof of your black magics, the wrath of the Blue Thunder shall come down upon you." Ranma nodded. "So what made you accept this so easily all of a sudden?" "Ease is not the word, knave!" Kuno countered forcefully. "The love I carry for Tendo Akane will burn always, but the nobler gesture is to give up that love in the face of honor. There is one who made me accept that fact." He turned to his manservant. "Now, Sasuke, come. We must find my sister. I suspect she will return home and I would have thee at my side when I confront her." "Master Kuno?" Sasuke looked dumbstruck. "You still want me?" Kuno smiled a gentle smile. Truly a strange sight. "What would the noble House of Kuno do without you? You acted very nobly in a dire situation. Now, let us be off. I will make amends for the suffering House Kuno has caused this day, this I promise." Sasuke joined his master and they were gone. "Well that was strange," Ranma said at last. Ukyo echoed that statement. "You can say that again, Ranchan. He seemed almost... tolerable. What'd you do to him, Nabiki-chan?" The middle Tendo sported an innocent look. "Moi? What makes you think I had anything to do with him?" "'Cause you're the one that's always hangin' around him," Ranma stated. Nabiki smiled, but was stopped from saying more by a new figure that appeared in the clinic doorway. "Greetings, Mousse-san," Nodoka offered. "How is Shampoo-san?" "She'll be fine, at least physically," Mousse replied. Everyone understood that. She had just lost Ranma and was beaten by Akane, a girl that she considered inferior. Mentally, she would be feeling very down. Mousse cleared his throat and continued. "I've just come to say a few things. By Amazon law, Akane has proven herself the better warrior. She has won the possession rights to Ranma and Shampoo's marriage to him is annulled. We'll be around for a few more days until Shampoo is well enough to travel, then we'll return home. I don't know if we'll ever come back, so we'll most likey sell the Nekohanten." "I might be interested in that," Nabiki spoke up from her corner of the room. "But instead of buying it outright, I can run it for you. We'd split the profits. That way you can continue to receive income and I'll place it an account for use if you do come back. Or you can simply withdraw from it in China." Mousse bowed to her. "Arigato Nabiki-san, we might take you up on that. For now, I must return. I must help Lo Shun and Fu Los pack." Ranma felt compelled to speak. "I'm gonna miss ya, Mousse. You gave me some great fights." Mousse frowned. "I guess I shall miss you, after a fashion. Don't make the mistake of thinking we are any sort of friends, however, since you caused Shampoo much misery. But I do not think I hate you quite so much as when I first met you." Ranma smiled slightly and nodded, then Mousse was gone. Tofu cleared his throat. "Now, we've all had quite a day and I think everybody should go home to get some rest. I'd like to keep Akane here to keep tabs on her." Ranma stood up. "Then I'm staying, doc. Kodachi's still out there." Tofu nodded. "I thought you'd say that." Nodoka walked over and hugged her son. "I am proud of you, Ranma, of the way you handled today's events. I know you will take good care of Akane-chan." "Ah, momma..." Ranma tried to fend her off, embarrassed. She turned from him. "Come, Genma. You may walk me home." She retrieved her husband, who gave Ranma a short nod, then left. "My baby has a fine protector in you," Soun added. "I trust you with her care." Ranma placed a hand behind his head. "Uh sure, thanks Tendo- san." He nodded, then walked out with his two older daughters. The Ucchan trio approached him to give their support as well, before they too, left. When everyone was gone, Tofu set up a cot next to Akane's for Ranma and gave him some blankets before heading to his room upstairs. Ranma draped one of the blankets over his iinazuke and moved a couple hairs out of her face. She was soundly asleep now, the day's events exhausting her. He pulled up a chair next to her and began his protective vigil. Kodachi swore and grimaced as she pulled the small arrow out of her arm. She pulled some cloth out of a pack she had hid earlier and bandaged her arm while considering her next options. She would never be welcome anywhere now, that was for certain. Almost certainly the police would be after her, and her darling Ranma- sama was too far under the witch's control. She would have to go to plan B. That would require her to get some items from home and that would probably require dealing with her brother. she decided. Laughing to herself, she disappeared into the night. Back at the Nekohanten, Mousse had placed Shampoo back into her bed after Lo Shun had changed her into more comfortable clothes. Then, her and Fu Los, who had come only to watch the fight, departed to report back to the council. Mousse and Shampoo would follow when she was able. While Ranma kept vigil over the woman he loved, Mousse did the same. He sighed. "Why can't we ever be together?" he voiced his thoughts out loud. "Because stupid duck-boy never strong enough for Shampoo," the woman in the bed mumbled as she recovered. "Shampoo!" She sat up slowly and silenced Mousse. "No say anything, Mousse. You half-blind, short-sighted, and stupid." Mousse's spirits sank, and Shampoo sighed. "But Mousse has also been good friend and warrior. Shampoo enjoy times we fight side-by-side." Mousse looked up. "Shampoo? Then is there a chance for us?" Shampoo shook her head and laid back down. "Maybe when duck-boy see Amazon future as I have seen, then know what must do. Right now, Shampoo must head back to village and assume matriarchal duty training. Would appreciate it if had someone Shampoo could count on by side, as friend." "I would be honored to be your friend, Shampoo. I hope to be worthy of your love someday." Shampoo closed her eyes and nodded. "Now go, Shampoo need rest." Mousse dropped his head and left. As he closed the door, Shampoo mumbled quietly. "Someday..." She had lost Ranma for good now. Though some small part of her realized awhile ago that he may not love her, her stubborn streak had refused to give up. Now she had to look elsewhere for a husband. For a year, the Amazon had used all her tricks and surprises to prove she was the best wife for Ranma. Yet, in the end, Akane had won. With a potion? No. She won because she didn't jump all over Ranma, nor coddle up to him. Shampoo tried to turn over onto her side, but pain in her arm and torso forced her to remain on her back. And why was she feeling this way? Because a girl Shampoo had often scoffed at and made fun of, even tried to kill, had beat her soundly in a fair fight. In two weeks, Shampoo had learned to use the Megami Ha, or Goddess Blast; a powerful ki technique she found in one of her great-grandmother's books. Yet in that same amount of time, Akane had learned Ranma's ki blast, a new technique that made her glow gold, and train her speed and strength to practically match Shampoo. It seemed that Akane, when properly motivated, could advance in the martial arts almost as fast as Ranma. On the outside, Shampoo maintained a fierce warrior image. Nothing could get to her, and there was nothing she could not do. She had worked hard to become one of the best warriors of her generation, and she was full of the revered Amazon pride. But on the inside, there was a little girl that never fully grew up. As she grew into a warrior, she retained a child's heart. One that tries to take what it wants, without concern for anyone else. One that whines, cries, and throws a fit when what it wants gets taken away. And both her great-grandmother and Ranma were taken away. She was a fierce warrior, pride of the Joketsuzoku, and she needed no one. She was Shampoo, all alone, and she cried herself to sleep. ------------------------------------------------------------- Author's notes: To all you Shampoo fans, don't get mad at me. I said I like all the characters and that includes our favorite purple-haired Amazon. I just think she needs to do some growing up, as do all the characters. She's kind of a hyprocrite in that she gets annoyed at Mousse who says he loves her and pursues her. Yet she pursues Ranma in almost the same way (glomping, saying she's the best one for him, etc.). Oh, and she uses a few dirty tricks in her pursuit that Mousse doesn't. Everybody has their flaws, this is just one of Shampoo's. Hopefully, she will become a better person.