Some of you might remember a spamfic I wrote a year ago with the same
name.  This is an expanded version of that spamfic and I also added
another spamfic I wrote to this one, by the name of Fickleness.  So the
story my seem disjointed and familiar.  It's not really dark, well dark in
my mind at least.

Disclaimer:  All characters portrayed in this story are the property of
Rumiko Takahashi and co.  I don't own any of them.  Please don't sue me.

This story takes place after volume 38 of the Ranma manga.  It draws
ideas from both the anime and the manga.

C & C welcomed.  Flames not.

The Better Woman

By

Donny Cheng

	Akane concentrated on the stone blocks in front of her.  With a battle
cry, she brought her hand down upon the blocks.  All six broke under her
attack.  She gave a satisfied sigh.  She felt much better now.  The
stresses of life had been getting to her lately.  Most of it was Ranma
related.  Why couldn't that jerk just act the way she wanted him to? 
Ranma did not seem to be angry at the other girls at all after that
fiasco everyone called a wedding.  He still went to the Nekohanten and
Ucchan's to bum off free food every now and then.  She still remembered
her argument with him over it.

			* * * * *

**flashback**

	"Ranma, I can't believe you.  How can you be so friendly to them, after
they tried to kill us?"  Akane stared at Ranma angrily.

	Ranma shifted uncomfortably under his fianc�e's gaze.  "Aw, jeez Akane,
they didn't mean it.  We've never actually seen or heard of Shampoo
actually killing anyone.  I don't think she can.  Ucchan wouldn't kill
you or me.  She's my friend."

	"Oh?  This is a girl that came all the way from China just because you
beat her.  I'm not too sure about Ukyo too.  Those were explosives they
were using!"  Akane was shouting right now.  He still has the audacity
to call Ukyo by their pet name for each other.

	Ranma just shrugged.  "So what.  Shampoo turns herself into a cat when
she's angry at me and I'd rather face a bomb than that.  Ucchan has hit
me with her spatula more times than I can count.  They're both naturally
violent like you.  Besides, if anything got out of hand, I could've
saved the both of us."  Ranma stopped talking as a blue aura formed
around Akane.  What did he say now?

	"Ranma, you jerk!"  Akane punted Ranma into the air.  She still
couldn't believe her ears.  Ranma compared their violence with hers. 
They tried to KILL her.  What irked her the most was that Ranma
insinuated that they were better than her by telling her that he would
protect her.  HA!  After all the fights she'd gone through this past
year, Shampoo or Ukyo would be lucky to even touch her.

**end flashback**

			* * * * *

	Akane tightened the belt on her gi.  Shampoo beat her?  No way.  Sure
Shampoo had proven her superiority when she erased her memory and beaten
her in arm wrestling, but that was months ago.  Being with Ranma gave
her more than enough training to beat Shampoo now.  With that last
thought in mind, Akane headed towards the Nekohanten.  It's not like she
was going to pick a fight.  If she knew Shampoo, fists, if not insults
would fly her way the moment she stepped in.

			* * * * *

	Akane looked at Shampoo with a confidant grin.  All her training over
the year was going to pay off.  With a battle cry, she ran at Shampoo
and met nothing.  Shampoo just disappeared.

	"Up here, Akane."  Shampoo was in the air.  She landed neatly on top of
the Tendo girl's head.  "Why violent girl no give up and go home?"

	A vein protruded from Akane's forehead.  She will win if it was the
last thing she did.  Her battle aura flared as a huge kick ass hammer
mysteriously appeared in her hand.  She immediately swung at the figure
atop her.  Again, she met nothing.

	Shampoo was again in the air.  Instead of landing on Akane's head this
time, she decided to have a little fun.  A tiny hammer appeared in her
hand with '1 T' in cute letters written on its side.  She tapped it
lightly on Akane's head.  "Akane no baka."  Shampoo giggled to herself
at her joke.

	"How?  What?  But Ranma always..."  Akane sank to her knees, stunned. 
Shampoo had totally outclassed her.

	"Silly Akane.  Only Ranma let girls attack and not do anything. 
Shampoo not stupid to let hammer hit like groom."

	Impossible, Akane thought.  How could Shampoo still be so far ahead of
her?  Shampoo must have cheated or lucked out.  Akane forced herself the
believe that.  To believe otherwise, was to admit that no matter how
much she trained, Shampoo was just be plain better.

			* * * * *

	Ranma felt the same sharp sting to his heart he felt whenever he saw
Akane's angry expression.  What did he do now?  He continued to avoid
Akane's blows as their training session dragged on.  It wasn't training,
really.  Just him dodging and Akane trying to hit him.  It seemed that
the longer he avoided a blow, the madder she got.  Ranma decided to get
it over with.  The faster they stopped, the earlier he'll know what the
problem was.

	Akane stared at Ranma as her fist managed to plant itself firmly within
his face.  Shampoo was right.  Ranma had let her hit him.  During the
sparring practice when Akane has gone a little slower on purpose, she
found Ranma slowing down.  If she went faster, Ranma increased his
tempo.  He was matching her speed for speed and had suddenly slowed down
drastically and the next thing she knew she had hit him.  He was toying
with her.  "You let me hit you!"

	Ranma glanced nervously at Akane's accusing glare.  "You look like your
angry at me for some reason.  I had to stop the fight and get you to
talk to me.  Getting hit was one way of doing it.  What did I do this
time?"

	"You didn't do anything!  I'm a martial artist too you know.  Can't I
just spar with you without you asking so much questions?"  Akane hated
that infuriating look on Ranma's face.  He didn't think she was
serious.  She was a martial artist and she would prove it.

	"Okay, whatever.  Look, I'm going to turn in now."  Ranma wished that
Akane would get out of this 'stage' in her life.

	"You go on then.  I'm going to stay and train some more."  Akane didn't
go to bed until three that night.

			* * * * *

	Ranma looked over at Akane, who slept peacefully at her desk.  She
seemed to be always tired this past couple of weeks.  Night after night,
Akane trained in the art until her body gave way.  It pained him to see
her this way.  He had been sure that she was mad at him, yet there was
nothing to prove this.  She still talked with him and tried to get him
to spar with her.  Something must have been eating at her.

	"Shampoo!  I'll get you this time..."  Akane mumbled in her sleep.

	The teacher bigsweated and continued on with the class as if nothing
happened.  Nerima had taught many a teacher to keep their mouths shut
when dealing with martial artists.

	Ranma stared at Akane.  It was Shampoo that Akane was mad at.  Relief
at not being the one to blame flooded him for a moment, before he tensed
up again.  Akane and Shampoo were fighting?  He shuddered as he
remembered the time Akane forgot her memory.  He did not want to go
through with that again.  He and Shampoo would have a little chat.

			* * * * *

	Shampoo looked at Akane with a guarded glance.  "Akane, Shampoo no want
to fight anymore.  Ranma not like it."

	"What are you scared?  Figures you start to give up when I'm getting
better."  Akane frowned.  Ranma had somehow found out.  How could he do
this to her?  Just when she was improving too.

	Shampoo's sense of pride surged pass her fear of making Ranma mad at
her.  "Ha!  Shampoo show Akane who scared of who."

			* * * * *

	Shampoo edged herself slowly away from Ranma piercing gaze.  She knew
that Ranma would never think of striking a girl, but at that moment she
wasn't so sure anymore.  Tears fell from her eyes involuntarily.  Not
wanting anyone to see her like this she ran back into the Nekohanten.

	 Ranma gently picked Akane up.  She was still unconscious.  As
carefully as possible he headed for Dr. Tofu.

			* * * * *

	Ukyo watched Ranma sadly as he picked at his food.  She had heard about
the incident with Shampoo and Akane.  It was the first time her heart
went out to the poor amazon.  Ukyo had a similar experience with Akane. 
She should have known something was wrong earlier, when Akane had asked
for a little sparring session during an impromtu visit without Ranma. 
Akane seemed to take it quite hardly at being easily pinned down on the
floor by her spatulas in about a minute.  "So, it really isn't Shampoo's
fault, Ranchan."

	Ranma felt lower than dirt.  How could he have done that?  He should
have known.  All the signs had been there pointing straight at him. 
Shampoo probably hated him right now.  Ah well, at least that got rid of
one suitor.  Not the best way to end it and he hoped he didn't have to
push Ukyo away the same way.

	"I heard Akane had been the best martial artist in Furinken until we
all got here.  That combined with the fact that she's irritated with us
with ruined wedding, probably just made her want to vent out some
frustrations on us."  Ukyo didn't think it to be prudent to add that
Akane usually vented out said frustrations on Ranma.

	Second best, actually, Kuno was holding back, Ranma thought to
himself.  But he still couldn't see how she would be mad.  He and the
rest of the other's trained in the art since they were no older than
babes.  Akane's doing it because she just happens to like it at the
moment.  If something ever came up to peak her interest she would
abandon the art.  She probably would even go to, Ranma snorted, college
after graduation.  Maybe if he fixed the fight so that Akane would win,
she would give up this foolishness.

			* * * * *

	Shampoo's head was down and facing away from him.  Ranma was happy for
that.  He didn't know if he could possibly stand to see whatever her
expression could be.

	"You want Shampoo to give up fight?  Shampoo, the best fighter of
generation.  The pride and heir to three thousands years of tradition. 
You want Shampoo to give up?" Shampoo repeated the last question.

	"Er... yeah, actually," Ranma was starting to freak out.  Shampoo's
voice was not angry.  It was rather soft and quiet.  It scared him for a
reason he could not understand.

	"You, who would not give up fight with Mousse or any other, would want
Shampoo to give up?  Is Shampoo pride not as great?  Why, you ask this? 
No.  No need answer.  Just ask Shampoo to do, and Shampoo will.  Ask."

	Though her voice had not changed in tone, Ranma felt the last word to
be a command, or rather a dare.  Ranma suddenly knew of the big
sacrifice he was asking of Shampoo.  There were not many sacrifices
greater than this.  A martial artist fixing a battle.  Not only did this
request demean her honor, but his as well for asking it.

	An image of Akane came before his eyes.  She was crying in her sleep. 
Her hands and face showed some of the bruises cosmetics could not hide. 
It was then that he made his decision and told it to amazon girl before
him.

	Shampoo stopped chopping as Ranma left the Nekohanten.  Her eyes
watered.  She cursed herself for not cutting the onions properly. 
Sighing, she left the kitchen and prepared for the upcoming battle.

			* * * * *

	"Oh, my daughter!  You do me proud.  You're a Tendo alright!"

	"Oh, my!  There, there father.  We're happy for Akane too. 
Congratulations, Akane."

	"Way to go Akane!  You could have told me that you might win.  I could
have changed the odds slightly.  I lost a few thousand yen because of
you."

	"You bet against me!?"

	"Akane-chan, it isn't proper behavior for a young lady to get in
brawls."

	[When do we eat?]

	Ranma tried to ignore the sound below him.  The sounds of celebration
for Akane's 'success'.  He lay flat on the roof with every ounce of
energy within him spent.  He could literally feel the slight on his
honor slowly eating away at him.  Sorry, Shampoo, but I like Akane
more.  He finally admitted it.  All it took, was for him to break one of
the rules he set for himself.  Never hurt a woman.

			* * * * *

	Cologne asked the question one more time.  <Are you absolutely sure of
this?  I don't think the time is right to try this.  Son-in-law may not
make the right decision.>

	<If Ranma cares at all, he will make the right decision.  I'm tired of
waiting.>  Shampoo knew what Ranma would do, just as her
great-grandmother did.  She just wanted him to say it to her, just as he
asked her the last time.  If he could destroy her honor twice just for
Akane, it would prove to her that she really had lost.

			* * * * *

	"Ranma, pay attention.  The fight's about to begin.  I really think
that this time Mousse will win.  I mean if I could beat Shampoo, Mousse
should have no problem."  Akane was happy for Mousse.  He would finally
get his chance to be together with the person he loved the most, even if
it was Shampoo.

	Ranma wished he wasn't here.  He would rather eat a dozen of Akane's
home cooked meals rather than be in the same area as Shampoo.  She
didn't look at him at all the whole time Ranma sat at the side of the
arena.  He would rather have her yell at him or beat him than this
silent treatment.  She must really be mad at him.  His thoughts were cut
off as Cologne announced the start of the formal fight for Shampoo's
hand by Mousse.

	Mousse couldn't wipe the smile off his face.  He had heard about
Shampoo's loss to Akane.  If someone like Akane could beat Shampoo, he
should have no trouble at all at winning his beloved's heart.  He
figured that Shampoo's skill slipped a few notches because of her long
stay in Nerima.  Now, was the time to fight her before she could train
to regain some of her skill.  With a bow to Cologne, he turned and began
his assault on Shampoo.

	Ranma gave little interest to the battle in front of him.  There wasn't
really any surprise as to who would win.  Mousse would never dare hurt
Shampoo, while she had no such compunctions.  At least, that was what
Ranma thought.

	Mousse groaned as he slumped to the ground from the fierce roundhouse
kick from Shampoo.  No, it won't end this way!  He let out a sudden
battle cry and closed his eyes as he released ALL of his weapons out
from every which way direction.  He kept his eyes shut praying both for
his beloved's safety and her downfall.

	<Whack>

	Shampoo suddenly flew backwards as she had apparently thought Mousse
was done for.  She lay dazed for a few stunning moments.  The crowd all
stared in shock at the impossible happening.  They all leaned forward as
Shampoo slowly awoke, eager to see what would happen.  "Shampoo lose,"
she said rhetorically.  She then looked at Mousse and lunged for him. 
"You I love!"

	The crowd facefaulted.

	Akane jumped up for joy.  "See, Ranma, I told you that she and Mousse
had feelings for each other.  Aren't you sorry you didn't give up that
fight to Mousse that time he challenged you now?"

	"Um... I guess," Ranma muttered.  Something felt wrong.  He chided
himself for feeling this way.  He still remembered the bruises during
that time with the Reversal Jewel.  His ego got him into that mess that
time.  He should feel happy for that Shampoo and Mousse were together. 
So, why wasn't he?

	Cologne looked as if all remaining blood in her system had been
drained.  "Is... is there anyone else that would challenge Mousse to his
claim?"  Though she asked the general populace, everyone knew that the
question was directed to Ranma.

	However, before he could reply, Akane stepped on his foot.  Hard!
"No..." Ranma whispered out.

	Cologne without even turning to look at him declared Mousse's claim as
valid.  It seemed she had heard Ranma soft answer.

	The next day, the Nekohanten was cleaned out and shut down.  The
Chinese trio left that day also.

	Akane went to see them off, while Ranma stayed back at the dojo.  He
meditated on his head as was his wont to do at times of great
confusion.  It took him awhile within him what was bothering him. 
Shampoo, it suddenly came to him in a flash.  She could have dodged
those projectiles at that distance even if she wasn't prepared.  He
himself could have done it, totally unprepared.

	Maybe she did love the blind idiot.  However, he had the nagging
feeling telling him that he was seriously wrong.

			* * * * *

	<Are you satisfied, my child?>  Cologne looked at Shampoo with a grave
expression.

	<Yes.> Shampoo said and stepped over the unconscious Mousse back to her
room aboard the ship.  Bie liao, airen.

			* * * * *

	If anyone were to ask, Ukyo would have denied it fiercely.  She, miss
Shampoo?  Ridiculous.  But the truth was that she did miss the girl who
often insulted her.  Though they both competed for Ranma, Shampoo was
more a rival than an enemy.  Shampoo was similar to herself in many
ways, Ukyo thought.  One of those ways was extremely saddening.

	The both of them played second banana to Akane in Ranma's heart.

	Ukyo's mind briefly flirted with the idea of leaving before Ranma could
break her own heart, but decided against it.  Where else could she go? 
Nerima was now her home.  More importantly, she loved Ranma and that
would not change even if he eventually chose Akane over her.  Besides,
where else could Ranchan get a free meal with the Nekohanten gone?

			* * * * *

Epilogue

One year later...

	Ranma snorted and quickly coughed up a storm.  Sleeping with your mouth
wide open was not a good thing, he learned.  He spat out the drool that
remained in his mouth into the empty popcorn pail beside him.  He turned
around and saw that his date was still enraptured with the movie on the
screen.  Her hand had let go of his own to wipe the tears that fell from
her face.  Funny, how with Shampoo gone and Ukyo all but given up, he
and Akane became a couple.  Without Shampoo or Ukyo to interfere, their
relationship got on smoothly.

	He looked around him and noticed Hiroshi and Daisuke looking quite
happy holding onto their Yuka and Sayuri respectively.  The two boys
weren't even watching the movie.  He turned once again to see that
Akane's eyes hadn't left the screen.  Ranma went back to sleep.  He woke
up again just as the movie ended.  He quickly put on his best smile and
agreed with Akane that it was the best movie he had ever seen.  What was
the name of the movie again?  Titanic?

	He groaned when all the girls decided that they needed to go shopping. 
Hiroshi and Daisuke groaned also, but only until they learned that the
shopping was for swimsuits.  Ranma didn't know why, but seeing Akane's
smile did more for him than seen her half naked.  This was the reason he
followed, as her lips curved at his agreement.

	He desperately needed to get back to the dojo for some training.  If he
didn't keep up with his training, he figured that the form he displayed
fighting Saffron would leave him in a matter of weeks.  Sure, he could
slowly get back up to speed, but it might take him years if his skill
started to slip.

With Ryoga happy with Akari these days and Mousse back in China, he had
nobody to spar with.  Kuno was not in his class and the Happosai just
wasn't the person he wanted to spar with on a daily basis.  As for
Akane, he had been right.  With Shampoo gone, Akane went back to her
daily routine, which wasn't really very strenuous and at most only
maintained her current skill level.

	When they finally finished shopping, his heart sank as the three school
girls decided that they wanted to do this again next weekend.  He looked
up at the sky and noticed most of the day was gone.  If he trained all
night he would miss school in the morning which Akane hated and he hated
to see Akane frown.  She seemed to take things more personally now that
they were a couple.  Sighing, he decided to go to sleep.  Tomorrow was
another day and maybe he could get some training in if he finished his
homework.

	Just before he went to sleep, he remembered he had to look over some
college pamphlets and give some suggestions to Akane in the morning. 
Damn.

			* * * * *

The End. (maybe)

Author's note:

I wrote the spamfic version of The Better Woman last year because of an
idea that had become a fanfic convention.  The idea that if Akane trained
she could beat Shampoo.  Well she MIGHT be able to, but there is nothing
stopping Shampoo from training herself and win again.

The other spamfic Fickleness I wrote because I hated the fanfic convention
that if Mousse beat Shampoo, Shampoo will turn out to be actually in love
with him.  I just don't see it.

Finally, this story encompasses maybe about a couple of other fanfic
conventions that I tend to disagree with and hope they're evident.  As I
said, not really dark since nobody died, but to me it was very dark.  I
hope you can see that it isn't Akane's anger I dislike, rather her other
qualities.

I'd like to finish this off by saying sorry to Shampoo. :(