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Title: The Countdown to Matrimony (Ch. 2 of Part 4)
Anime: Ranma 1/2
Author: Denise Cameron aka Elena99
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Chapter Two: Bittersweet

Ukyo watched with baited breath as Mousse stormed into the room,
battle aura flaring. He was upset, angry, and incredibly distressed,
as was obvious to every occupant in the room.

_Well, everyone who can see right now..._

Worriedly, she looked from Akane, to Gosunkugi, to Shampoo, all on the
ground, all currently unresponsive in one way or another. No, this was
not good at all. All these thoughts passed through her head in the
matter of a second, but it was one of the longer seconds she had felt
since before Gosunkugi had released Ranma from one of the curses.

She wanted to cry for Ranma to look out, to get out of the way, to do
something, anything, but before she could open her mouth she realized
that Cologne was already in control of the situation.

"Son-in-law, get in the circle! We cannot afford to fight here!"
Seeing the wisdom, he jumped, and Ukyo was almost surprised to see
that he could. After all their effort to keep Ranma from Gosunkugi,
here she was ordering Ranma into the protected circle with his limp
body. Ukyo shuddered as she saw Mousse lunge, bouncing off the barrier
with a wince. He attacked it once more, then groaned, looking at the
barrier in defeat. Ranma, seeing his advantage, stuck his tongue out
at the Chinese boy.

_Oh, for crying out loud..._

"Ranma! This is not the time for that!" she shouted, taking a step
forward. Scowling, he shrugged his shoulders, obviously feeling much
more confident with Mousse out of his range.

"Come off it, Ucchan. You're starting to sound like Akane." But
Ranma's words pierced straight through her, more then he probably
would ever realize. They stung, and made her stagger.

_Heh...does he even remember how much I'd like to be in Akane's
place?...that...that...Idiot!_

Feeling the tears in her eyes, Ukyo lowered her head and took a step
back. Ranma did stop the taunts to Mousse though, and she heard rather
then saw Mousse go to Shampoo's side.

_Jerk..._

"Now calm down Mousse. Nothin' bad happened here...Gosunkugi just lost
control of his ki and hit Shampoo, but..."

"Ranma, you idiot!" yelled Ukyo, before she could hold it back. Hands
raced to clamp over her mouth, and she realized that they were her
own, and too late. As though in slow motion she saw Ranma's head turn
to face her, his blue eyes looking confused, and...hurt? Surprised?
Before Ukyo could explain, about how Shampoo had no doubt lied to
Mousse, and how Mousse would get the wrong idea if he didn't keep
quiet, and how she had really meant to explain before putting them in
danger, she sensed a tingling in her aura. From Mousse.

_Too late..._

It was too late to warn Ranma; her belated warning was only an insult,
a juvenile insult that was misunderstood by everyone. Most of all
Ranma. Feeling her entire being slump, Ukyo fell to her knees, sitting
herself firmly on the ground.

"Ucchan..." She heard Ranma say. But his voice just floated over her
head. Nearby, Mousse held the fallen Shampoo, stroking her hair
protectively. Possessively. Suddenly she felt herself longing for
someone to hold her like that. Like a child, and comfort
her...understand her. It was around then that Ukyo felt the first tear
fall.

"Gosunkugi did this...to Shampoo...," Mousse was saying, his voice was
full of daggers.

_Ranma, Shampoo and Mousse wanted to kill Gosunkugi! That's why 
Shampoo came in here earlier, to kill him, and that's why Mousse wasn't
supposed to know that, because now he thinks it was done maliciously,
not in accident. But you're such a...you're so...you're just...ugh,
Ranma you idiot! You stupid...stupid...fool..._

The words rang through Ukyo's head, held prisoner there by the sobs
that robbed her of her voice. Ranma should be angry with her. Maybe
even hate her, now. He thought she was the fool here, she was sure of
it. Ukyo, the idiot who couldn't have warned them...who should have
had a guard on Shampoo and Mousse, but didn't. Why hadn't they thought
of that? Were they too tired? Too worn out? Too trusting? Or too eager
to have Ranma and Akane back to normal?

Ukyo shed bitter, bitter tears and stared at the floor, mute.

"We should have killed him while we had the chance...oh, Shampoo! I'm
sorry I doubted you...I'll never doubt again, or question you, or
annoy you...just be okay. Please!" Mousse was wailing hysterically,
holding Shampoo in such a way that, if the girl were conscious, would
result in the overly concerned Chinese boy being hit. Hard, and
repeatedly.

>From the other side of the room she began to hear the gentle tap of a
cane, bouncing from one spot to the next. A feeling of dread filled
Ukyo as the sound came closer, and closer, finally stopping at her. As
Ukyo looked up slowly, she found that she had stopped crying. It was
an accomplishment, really. Feeling childish and hating it, Ukyo
cowered under the scrutiny of Cologne. The old woman frowned, and Ukyo
felt ashamed beyond her wildest fears.

"I'm...sorry...," she whispered hoarsely.

"This is not a time for apologies; it's a time for explanations."

Ukyo nodded, stunned, and straightened herself into a sitting
position. She could feel Ranma's eyes looking at her; the curious,
boyish look, no doubt. She chose to picture it in her mind rather then
actually see. Even Mousse tore his eyes away from Shampoo long enough
to glance at her, then went right back, too concerned to care at the
moment.

"Me and...me and Ryoga...were searching for Gosunkugi. During our
search...we...discovered clues. Clues that worried us, and we weren't
sure what to believe...but clues all the same." Ukyo gulped back a sob
as Cologne and Ranma watched her intently. All was quiet, except for
the wailing of Mousse, still trying to revive Shampoo and promising
that he'd be better. More then anything, Ukyo wanted to not have to
finish. She wanted someone, anyone, to walk into the room, pick her up
and carry her off. Sorry, she'd say, but I can't finish showing what a
fool I am. I have to go.

But no one came, no one rescued her. The sound of her heartbeat grew
loud, and she cleared her throat, knowing she had to continue.

"We found that...Shampoo and Mousse were set to kill Gosunkugi. It
was...Shampoo's idea, I guess. When we found him...Mousse and Shampoo
were there too. And Shampoo was all fired up to kill Gosunkugi. I'm
sure, now that I think back...Mousse hesitated. I...think Shampoo had
convinced him. Mousse was surprised that we weren't on their side."
She felt her throat dry up, and watched as Mousse was now looking at
her, eyes wide as realization was slowly dawning on him. She turned to
him and nodded.

"Your precious little cat-girl lied to you, Mousse. But you're so
blind...not just with your eyes, but with your heart. You and your
damned trust...you were supposed to be out looking for Kuno and
Kodachi! But no, I suppose Shampoo told you half truths, or maybe told
you the whole thing, but twisted it. You moron...you really thought we
were out to kill Gosunkugi? When he was the only one who could undo
the curse? Idiot!" She found the heat rising in her easily now that
Mousse was before her. It was comfortable to have him as a target,
especially since her ally had been fighting against him earlier.
Comfortable, and too convenient, but she did it anyway.

She thought he'd lash out. Yell at her, or maybe threaten, just get
angry. Show some sort of emotional response. She expected anger.
Weren't they all angry with her? But when Ukyo's out-of-control voice
finally stopped, Mousse just looked down at Shampoo. Looked at her
with hard, unsure eyes, but silently all the same. Without a word he
adjusted Shampoo in his arms and began walking out of the room.

"Mousse," said Cologne. In her voice was the command to wait, and wait
he did. But he didn't turn around.

"Is what Ukyo says the truth?" Her voice lacked emotion like the
desert lacked moisture.

There was a long pause, in which Ukyo wasn't sure if she even could
breathe. If she could think enough to get her lungs to function. The
silence was deafening as they waited for Mousse to reply.

"Yes...but I'm sure Shampoo was only doing what she thought was
right," said Mousse, defensive to the very end. Ukyo sighed, letting
out the air in one long breath. She saw Cologne stiffen, and watched
as Mousse took a step forward. He stopped again, though, when Cologne
began to speak.

"Keep her confined to her room, if you can, when she wakes up. Tell
her that, for her shocking display of disobedience and idiotic
endangering of the lives of others, especially her own future
husband...that we are going back to the village. As soon as this
business is over. She must bear the punishment of the council, for
acting like a fool child. This girl is no longer a woman, in my eyes.
She has much to learn, and I'm afraid I underestimated her when I
brought her to Japan. I will bear punishment as well for my oversight,
when we go to China."

"I'll tell her. And travel with you to China as well."

"So be it. Now...get out of my sight. We have things to do."

Without another word, Mousse left the room, closing the door behind
him with his foot.

"Ukyo," said Cologne, her voice heavy. Ukyo was starting to get tired
of all the commands; her anger was already stirred, and Mousse had had
only a part of it. However, she decided not to lash out, and instead
just looked up at the old woman.

"Why didn't you tell us earlier?"

"I don't know...I was just so mad, when I saw Gosunkugi again...and
then...I..." began Ukyo, her anger slipping through her fingers as she
struggled to explain.

"Hey, guys? I think curse-boy is startin' to come around," said Ranma.
Ukyo felt oddly surprised to hear his voice, as though she had
forgotten he was there. But there he was, crouched down over
Gosunkugi, who moaned loudly. Ukyo felt sick as she realized what
Ranma was planning to do, sitting close to him like that.

"Cologne-" But the old ghoul was already on it; the barrier shimmered
out of existence, and Cologne jumped into the circle to Gosunkugi's
other side.

"Son-in-law. I know what you're planning, and I won't allow it."

"I'm not plannin' nothin'!"

"Then leave the circle."

Ranma shot her an incredibly put out look, and they glared at each
other a moment, Ranma's aura flickering around him soundlessly. But he
actually did concede, and stood up, walking away just as Gosunkugi
opened his eyes. The look of horror at seeing Ranma so close to him,
not realizing he was walking away, was so priceless that Ukyo almost
wanted to tell Ranma to turn around, so he could see.

_I wonder if he's mad at me...he's being odd, now...or am I the one
that's being odd?_

"Girl, you should go get Kodachi and Kuno now. Have them wait in the
hallway. Gosunkugi will lift the memory curse from them, and the aura
one as well..." Eager to get out of there, Ukyo jumped out and was
surprised to see that Cologne had followed her to the door. The old
ghoul jumped up to her cane, then leaned in close as though to
whisper.

"We'll take off the aura curse, and the memory, but not the emotion
one. Take Ryoga with you; I don't know if we'll have to restrain
anyone or not." Ukyo nodded in understanding and headed downstairs,
trying to figure out what she was going to say to Ryoga.

* * *

Ryoga watched as Nabiki walked down the stairs again, Kodachi and Kuno
following. They were headed towards the exit of the Nekohanten, with
two of the curses gone. None of the three, not even Nabiki, knew the
emotional curse was still there. Kuno and Kodachi would be repelled
still by the sight of Akane and Ranma, and even the female Ranma, he
was sure. He sighed as he watched them go, and felt a gentle tug on
his shirt. Ukyo.

She had told him everything that had happened, in a burst of words in
the kitchen downstairs. He had thought she was going to cry again, and
grab him, and wasn't sure how to deal with it. He hadn't known how to
last time, and hadn't thought to plan ahead. But she had maintained
control, and then took them upstairs once more to finish the next
stage. Now he didn't know whether to be impressed with her bravery, or
feel incredibly sorry for her. All the same, she was tugging him back
into the room now, her eyes sad as she did so.

"Hey...remember Akane...," she said, as though to egg him on further.

"Akane! She was hurt..." He took off in a sprint towards the fallen
girl. She lay still on a blue mat, her head resting on a soft, yellow
pillow. Ryoga looked at her sadly, still wincing from the tale of how
she got that way. Her own aura, slammed back into her body with force
enough to knock her out. Although Cologne swore that she was alright,
Ryoga had his doubts. Never before had he heard of such a thing
happening. Would Akane really be alright? Sadly, he watched her,
barely noticing as Gosunkugi was relieving Ranma of curses on the
other side of the room.

He touched Akane's face gently, brushing back the bangs from her eyes.
She was so perfect. As though hypnotized, he watched as her chest rose
and fell with breath, and noted her pink cheeks and warm face. Yes,
she was still alright. Barely, but alright. No doubt her whole
strength was back too; he could feel her aura, peaceful and powerful,
barely radiating off of her.

"Ryoga...it's, uh..Akane's turn." He heard Ranma say, and spun around
to look. There stood Ranma, tired, and dominating, and something in
his eyes spoke of a possessiveness towards Akane. Getting the feeling
that Ranma was now looking at Ryoga as an obstacle, he slowly stood
up, however unwillingly.

"The curses are all gone?" he asked, already knowing the answer. The
light in Ranma's eyes was completely different then the last time he
had seen his old rival.

"Yeah. Now we need to fix Akane's messed up head. Hey, and uh, thanks
for your help, Ryoga."

"How did you know?"

"I caught a few words here and there. I was cursed, not stupid." His
face looked serious as he knelt beside Akane, tentatively touching her
shoulder, then moving his hand to her wrist to check her pulse. He
only had eyes for her now, and Ryoga realized she would probably
reciprocate the feelings once she came to.

Cologne and Gosunkugi soon joined them as well, and Ryoga felt himself
pushed back away from them out of necessity for room. Stepping
backwards as he was, his eyes on Akane and Ranma, and his heart sadly
not wanting to move, he bumped into someone and stopped.

"Watch where you're going," said Ukyo, her voice oddly soft for the
words. Ryoga quickly turned around, then moved to her side.

"Sorry, I was..."

"Distracted? I noticed."

They stood silently for a moment, then something occurred to Ryoga.
Ukyo shouldn't be there. They had an excuse earlier, but now that
Ranma was in his right mind again...Ukyo needed her distance. With a
sinking feeling, he remembered that Akane would be regaining
consciousness soon. Uncursed Akane. He didn't want to be there for
that; he wasn't ready to actually face her. And watching Ranma lean
over Akane now, concern on his face that he'd deny in an instant, her
unconscious form still, and strong, and beautiful...

"I'm ready to go when you are, sugar."

"What?"

"I said I'm ready to go. Don't you listen? You need me to get out of
here. And I..."

He watched her as she didn't finish her sentence, and felt incredibly
uncomfortable. But if he had to decide between staying there and being
uncomfortable with Akane and Ranma, and going with Ukyo and possibly
being uncomfortable with her...

He shifted his weight, feeling suddenly bashful. It mixed in oddly
with the depression and rejection, like oil and water.

"Let's go, then."

Ryoga didn't know whether to be sad or relieved when no one seemed to
notice that the forever lost boy and okonomiyaki chef left the room
without another word.

* * *

Ranma resisted the urge to pick up the unconscious Akane, and just
hold her. He knew it was a stupid thing to do; Akane would get really
mad, for one. Plus, there were others in the room. Gosunkugi and the
old ghoul were still there. He didn't want to be acting like that, in
front of them. Even if for the moment the two weren't enemies, they
had been before, and they would be again. He didn't want to show
weakness now.

But he was still consumed with worry. He did remember most of the time
when he had been cursed; the fuzzy feelings, the misplaced longings,
the weakness. The memory of lusting after Kodachi alone made him
shudder wildly, and he tried to push it aside, replacing it with the
image of Akane. But she was still off in another land right now;
Cologne had assured him that she wasn't the first person to have her
battle aura slammed into her, and she'd be just fine. Yet Ranma wasn't
inclined to believe that until he saw the proof. He was also hesitant
to stay here with them, and was making up his mind to leave when he
tore his eyes away from Akane to look at Cologne and Gosunkugi. Before
he left, he needed to make sure of something.

They were talking quietly near the door; apparently, Gosunkugi was
just leaving as well.

"Hey! Gosunkugi." He watched in amusement as the boy jumped, turning
to him with eyes full of fear. The amusement faded fast, though; worry
was a hard feeling to shake off.

"She's okay now, right? All three of the curses are gone?" he asked,
putting on his best intimidating look. The boy shook, but appeared to
regain control.

"She's...uncursed. Completely, I swear, I would never intentionally
hurt her."

"It's the accidental ones ya need to worry about. That's twice now!
Two days in a row." Gosunkugi put his head down slowly, bangs falling
over his eyes.

"I...know. I'm sorry...it...may not mean much, but...tell her I'm
sorry. Please," he said, his voice sounding heavy.

"Yeah, whatever. But just remember somethin'. Akane is mine, got that?
Don't get anymore funny ideas. She wants nothin to do with you," said
Ranma angrily, looking back over to his fiancee. He seriously doubted
that was the way she wanted it said, but it'd have to do. At least
like this, she couldn't punch him for it. Something in him wished she
could, though.

As he began scooping her up in his arms, planning to take her to Dr.
Tofu, he heard Gosunkugi start to leave again, Cologne following.

"Don't forget to seek out a master! And don't dare use your powers
unsupervised until then." He heard Cologne say, but her voice faded as
she bounded down the hallway. Getting a good grip on Akane, he was
suddenly concerned by how light she felt. Had she lost weight from the
ordeal? She didn't look thinner; there was the same chubby face, and
legs, and waist. But something about her still didn't feel whole, or
right. Worried, he got up faster, and walked out the door with her
cradled securely in his arms.

_Huh, Ryoga and Ucchan took off...guess that's for the best...I'm
surprised Ucchan stuck around as long as she did._

He had remembered the promise as soon as he saw Ukyo, after the curse
was removed. Her eyes had never looked so wide, as she realized that
they both knew what the other was thinking. Clearly, she hadn't liked
it, as she had run out with the excuse of getting Ryoga.

_Something's definitely going on between those two...Akane'll be
pleased...she wanted to get them together before. I think._

He was walking down the hall now, towards Cologne and the exit. But
once he was about to pass her, she instead matched stride with him, an
odd smile on her face. Remembering what she had said about Shampoo
earlier, he cleared his throat, then looked at the old ghoul.

"So uh...since you're taking Shampoo to China...that means you're
giving up right? Because it's about time," he said, a smirk gracing
his face. Not missing a step, Cologne shook her head, following him to
the door.

"What gave you that idea? As soon as the punishment is over, we're
coming right back here, and you're going to marry Shampoo."

_Dammit! I knew it'd be too easy. But what if..._

"How long will the punishment take, anyway?" Cologne shrugged, though
her face was suspicious.

"Maybe a few months. Why?" she asked, as Ranma headed out the door.

"No reason."

_Maybe if Akane and I can get married before that, and move somewhere
for a while...ugh, but I can't just marry her for that reason...
though...we've been preparin' for it..._

Feeling a blush coming on, Ranma ceased his thoughts and took a
tighter grip on Akane.

"We'll be leaving tonight, as soon as Shampoo comes to."

"Heh. Don't waste any time, do ya."

"Must you always get the last word in, son-in-law?" she asked
rhetorically as he walked out the door. Turning around, he let out
steam by sticking his tongue out at Cologne. Then, turning right to
get to Dr. Tofu, he heard the door to the Nekohanten shut. And with
it, he felt one of the many weights lift off of his shoulders. At
least, for a few months.

Now that Gosunkugi wasn't there for him to intimidate, or Cologne to
mock, Ranma let himself look down at Akane again. He couldn't decide
on what he was feeling; he was worried, definitely, but the others
seemed so confident she'd be fine. Then again, he was wary about
trusting anything Cologne said. And she had sounded so sure about
Shampoo claiming him. He had an odd feeling about the whole business
that he knew would only be put to rest after Akane had been examined
by Dr. Tofu and given the clean bill of health.

"Why'd ya have to go and let yourself be hit by your own aura, stupid?
Only you could be slow enough for that to happen," he chastised, not
realizing how harsh the words were until they were out of his mouth.
He did realize, though, that if his fiancee were awake he'd be flying
to the next block by now from one of her punches. Ashamed, he shook
his head then looked at her face.

"I didn't mean it. Well, not all of it...you're not stupid. But you
are slow. You know it, and I know it, and..." A mischievous glint came
into his eye, and he looked around as he walked, as though making sure
no one could listen.

"And you can't cook!" he finished, grinning. The grin faded as he
realized it just didn't feel the same. His heart ached for Akane's
voice, her smile, heck even her touch in the form of a punch would be
nice. But none of that happened.

"Okay, so I'm an idiot. Just get better, alright? You're makin' me
worried here, and worryin' is your job, not mine."

Adjusting her weight in his arms, he realized that she was still
wearing the clothes from the 'date'. Except now her dress was very
wrinkled, and her socks were creeping down towards her ankles. Her
hair had stayed well in place, though. The bag of poison antidotes
still hung, mostly unused, from the belt of her dress. Ranma himself
hadn't messed up his clothing, as far as he could tell. But he knew he
would have, and more, if he could have prevented any of what had
happened in the past couple of days. In fact, he'd give a pretty penny
and supper for a week to go back to last Friday even, and eat
Gosunkugi's note without even reading it.

"But we got rid of Kuno and Kodachi...Gosunkugi said they still have
the curse that makes 'em hate us. Don't worry, he took off the other
ones. I made sure of that, cause I...I thought you'd get mad, if I
didn't," confessed Ranma, looking at Akane's closed eyelids as he
spoke. It felt less eerie, and sad, if he was actually talking to her.
He did keep his voice low, though, to avoid attention. He didn't want
anyone realizing that the girl he was holding so carefully in his arms
wasn't just tired, or sleeping; she was knocked out. Ranma didn't know
what he would say if someone asked how it had happened, or if she was
alright.

"Hey, I just realized something. We're done. We did it! All the
suitors, in one blow. Kodachi, Kuno, Gosunkugi, and Shampoo.
Well...not really Shampoo. She'll be back. But don't worry 'bout it,
I'll think of somethin'," he said, more to himself then to Akane this
time.

His steps quickened, impatient to get to Dr. Tofu's to find the real
answer to the question that burned his mind.

Was Akane really alright?

Determination plain on his face, he ran as fast as he safely could
down the last block, all the way up the sidewalk and into Dr. Tofu's
hospital. He just hoped the doctor wasn't trying to do anything,
because he was about to get a serious interruption.

* * *

Akane Tendo found that she couldn't feel. She couldn't see anything,
couldn't feel whether it was warm or cold, couldn't smell, and wasn't
even sure if she could hear. The silence was deafening, as she tried
to open her eyes in the emptiness. But she couldn't tell if they even
worked; her eyes, her hands, her body no longer seemed to be under her
control.

_Where am I?_ she thought.

"That's always the first thought. Where am I? Where am I? Oh wherever
have I ended up this time? Feh. How about showing some originality?
How about when am I, or how am I, or the more philosophical, who am I
or why am I?" a voice mocked. Surprised, Akane paused for a moment
before reacting with the obvious question.

_What? But...who are you?_

"And there's the second thought! I swear, after so many cases like you
coming through, you'd think I'd accept it...move on, stop expecting
originality from humans. But no. I'm an optimist. I keep on believing
that someday, one of you sheep will develop an independent thought,
and steer away from the routine. I've been waiting centuries now, and
I think it may happen in the next eon."

_I didn't ask to be here._ Akane felt her mind swim with blackness. 
Was it her mind? Where...was she, anyway?

"Now that one usually comes in later, though it's always before they
realize just where they are. Except for a few cases that you don't
need to know about. Heh, I have to hand it to you, you're one of the
quickest to get mad at me yet. I think I'm going to like you."

_Oh gee, thanks. Now would you mind telling me where the heck I am 
and who you are? I was in the middle of something back there!_

"Whoa, whoa, calm down. No need to throw a fit. But then...oh. Ohoho,
maybe you do need to throw a fit to let out some of that fire. Aiy,
but your mind is a complicated thing. I haven't had one of you for a
long time..."

_Get out of my head, you...pervert!_ Akane wasn't even sure if the voice
was male, it was just...there. It was almost her voice, too, in her
head. Like she was reading, and listening in her mind to the words. It
was in her head though, wasn't it? The idiot that was being smart with
her still hadn't really let her know.

"Pervert? Oh. I'm sorry, I'm not your Ranma. You don't get to call me
names."

_Why you...! Hey...you know about Ranma. Is he okay? We had a 
curse on us, but...I feel fine now._

"Are you sure you can feel? You shouldn't be able to. Unless that was
a figure of speech...you humans have so many of those. Oh, and yes,
your fiance is fine. In fact...he's carrying you right now."

_He is? Where to? Hey...why is he carrying me, what's going on?_

"Has anyone ever told you that you ask way too many questions?"

_Once or twice. Are you going to answer them?_ The voice laughed, 
though again she wasn't sure if it was just her interpretation of the
laughter.

"You are here because your body is in shock. Don't worry, you're not
dead or anything. Just...on hold."

_In shock? But why would I be in shock?_

"Okay, fine. You did still ask two questions, but thankfully they were
the same, so I'll be nice and answer. You humans are so
redundant...you are in shock because you had your battle aura removed
from your ki, then it was put back much too forcefully. Sort of like
slamming a door too hard and breaking the hinge. It got back to you
alright, but it was too much for your mind, so it needed a break."

_I see. So my aura is back...hey, how long is this break going to last?
I have things to do you know._

"Like that handsome little fiance of yours?"

_What!? You ARE a pervert!_

"No, I'm not. In fact, I'm sexless, neither man nor woman, so I'm
certainly not a pervert. I have been accused of having an odd sense of
humour before, though, so bear with me."

_Heh. I'd believe it._

"Hey, no need for that. But look, you stopped with the questions. Good
girl. I'd give you a cookie, if either of us could actually touch it."

_So where are we?_

"And here I thought you were smart. Well, Ranma did call you slow a
few minutes ago..."

_He what?_

"The questions again! Arg!"

_Okay, okay, I'll stop. Sorry. Now, please. Go on._

"How belatedly polite of you. Alright Akane, I'll level. We are in
your head. Your soul hasn't left your body, or anything weird or
morbid like that. You're still alive and in reasonable health,
depending on how good your doctor is."

_Ranma's probably carrying me to Dr. Tofu's, and if that's the case, I
have the best doctor I know._

"Good, one less thing for you to worry about. Since you showed
restraint again, and didn't ask a question, I'll answer another. Who I
am. Akane...do you know what an angel is?"

_An angel? Isn't that a being with wings and a halo, a messenger of
Heaven?_

"Interesting way of putting it. That's not what I am, but I've gotten
into the habit of bringing up angels first. Humans always seem to want
to call me that...their guardian angel. Well I'm not."

_Hey, you asked if I knew what an angel is, and I answered!_

"With a question! But wow, where are my manners going. I'm sorry, it's
been a while since I was in the mind of someone so...fiery. You see,
when I'm in the mind of a person with a coma like this...I tend to
take on their mannerisms a bit."

_I'd say you're acting more like Ranma then me._

"You and Ranma have more in common then you think."

Akane didn't reply.

"Silence, Akane Tendo? But you're worried..."

_I'm worried about Ranma._

"He's fine. Talking to your body like some kind of idiot, but fine. I
think you're in the doctor's office, now."

_You can see? Or hear, even?_

"Not so much. As long as someone's close to you, I can get a sort of
sense of what's going on in his or her head. I just felt the presence
of someone much smarter then him, who just touched your vital ki
points in a specific order. I assumed it was the doctor."

_Dr. Tofu..._

"Nice guy. Has a thing for your sister, doesn't he."

_Badly. But you didn't finish explaining who you were._

"Right, sorry. I'm a spirit, essentially. Whenever someone's in a
coma, as a coping mechanism all humans find themselves dealing with
their own mind. And that's it. They can't see, touch, feel, taste,
smell, or do any of that martial artist sensing that about one out of
fifty humans can do. But they can think. And some people, alone with
their thoughts like that, drive themselves crazy."

There was a pause, where Akane didn't know what to think.

"A captive listener. How sweet. I tell you Akane, I'm touched. Anyway,
a few centuries ago...or was it a few eons, I can never remember...a
Bodhisattva in what is now southern India created me."

_A Bodhisattva? But isn't that...?_

"A Buddhist on his way to nirvana, yes. This one didn't quite make it,
but he was very talented in certain abilities."

_So Buddhism is real..._

"Did I say that? I don't think I said that at all."

_You said something like it._

"Did not."

_Did too!_

"Didn't I tell you I'm not Ranma? Stop being childish and listen!"

_...sorry. It's a force of habit._

"It's one you need to lose, and fast. Anyway, so I was created, and
suddenly people were able to maintain sanity during comas. A coma used
to be a very serious thing...in some cases, where there's physical
damage, it still is. But not in your case, as it wasn't physical at
all. When you fell, you fell softly on a mat, from a sitting
position."

_So you're here to keep me sane._

"More or less. Is it working?"

She didn't have an answer to that.

"Your mind is tired. Rest, Akane. Don't worry...I'll be here when
you're ready to talk again."

_...okay. It won't be long will it? The coma? You were so 
vague..._

"Hush. I can't answer that, because I don't know. Just rest."

After a pause, the voice came once more.

"Good girl. Your mother...sorry, I mean your mother figure,
Kasumi...would be proud."

* * *

Shampoo's head was foggy. No, not just foggy. It outright hurt, too.
But she stifled the groan; she was a strong warrior woman. Last she
checked, they didn't groan at minor pain like this.

<"What happened...?"> she asked, sensing another person in the room
before opening her eyes. Realizing she had spoken in Chinese, and that
the other person hadn't questioned it, she frowned. Was her great-
grandmother there? Who else would be sitting over on the other side of
the room? The only other person who would understand her Chinese was
Mousse, but if it was him, the lovesick idiot be right beside her.
Blinking, she opened her eyes and focused on the person. Surprised to
see that it was Mousse, and feeling mad at his invasion of her
privacy, she sat straight up. Then immediately let out a groan, and
lay back down.

<"What are you doing in my room?"> Her voice sounded as weak as a
kitten. She hated that; of all people, she didn't want to show
weakness to Mousse.

<"You lied to me, Shampoo. Why?"> His voice sounded so strange. What
was he talking about, anyway? It wasn't the first time she had lied to
him. Certainly not. She had been lying to him, making up excuses,
since they were children.

_But he doesn't usually figure out the lie._

At the reminder, she creased her brow and looked up at the ceiling.
Mousse didn't get up, but she heard him shift his weight.

<"Aren't you going to answer my question?"> she asked irritably. Why
was he choosing now to grow a backbone? She had expected it for a
while; hoped for it even. However mad he was at her, though, she
didn't think it meant he was going to leave her. Mousse was too far
head over heels for that, to Shampoo's disappointment.

<"Answer mine first.">

She wanted to strike him, lash out, but she was still feeling weak.
Her head swam, and she was beginning to notice the other small pains
in her body. Her shoulders, her right arm, her right hip. Clearly, she
had fallen and hit something really hard on that side. But why?

_Stupid duck-boy._

<"Maybe I'll just wait for Great-Grandmother to check on me, and have
her explain.">

<"Oh, you don't want to talk to your Great-Grandmother right now. If
she'll even come in...she hasn't, yet. But she gave me a message to
give to you. You won't like it though...Xian Pu."> Her eyes widened,
both at the words and the correct pronunciation of her name. Her mind
raced, trying to figure out what Mousse's trick was. He was mad, but
still trying to keep her satiated. Why? And why was Great-
Grandmother...

Another groan escaped her lips as she slowly, painfully realized. She
knew. Great-Grandmother knew.

_Of course...I yelled my intentions when I entered the
room...stupid...but I thought I would get the kill...I couldn't have
anticipated curse-boy being able to defend himself._ And suddenly,
partial memories came back to her. Opening the door, but seeing Ranma
dive towards her. No, not towards her. Towards the spatula girl. He
had saved her, and then bright orange light had hit her instead,
coming from Gosunkugi. Carefully, she tried to ignore the clear fact
that Ranma had been protecting the spatula girl from her. From
Shampoo.

<"Tell me Mousse...please...she's angry at me, isn't she? Did she say
anything?"> Her voice was very passive now, as she realized that she
was scared. Very, very scared, of her own guardian.

<"I will, but first...why did you lie to me?"> His voice was sad now,
and heavy with sympathy. Shampoo realized he was fighting hard to stay
mad with her. A sick sense of amusement at being stronger then him,
even now, made her almost smile. But the fear of her Great-
Granmother's wrath kept any smile from touching her large, violet
eyes.

<"Because I needed your help, and I thought you'd ask too many
questions if I told you the truth,"> she said, still lying. She hadn't
needed his help. But she knew that saying those words would affect him
deeply. Would push his emotions back to what she needed.

<"Oh, Xian Pu...I'd always help you, you should know that. But just
don't lie to me anymore...okay?"> he asked, relief washing over his
tone that had been so firm with his first question.

_Pathetic duck-boy..._

<"I know. Now, tell me...I remember walking into the room, and being
hit by something that came from curse-boy. What happened after that?">
she asked, careful to keep her tone patient. Mousse was where she
wanted him now, but she didn't want to prod too hard. He was
sensitive, and could be a real emotional roller-coaster at times.

<"When I came in...I saw you, on the floor, knocked out. Gosunkugi,
out, and Akane, out...I didn't know what to think. Ranma was there,
and Ukyo...and Cologne, off to one side. I immediately thought that
Ranma had attacked you, so I lunged at him. But then...your Great-
Grandmother coaxed him into a protection circle that Gosunkugi was in,
and fired up the barrier. I couldn't attack him. So instead, I went to
you, to...see how you were. I was worried...for the second time in the
span of less then two hours, you were knocked out. Even for someone as
strong as you, it's not...not good..."> Shampoo quietly bit her lip as
she listened to him, feeling her rough edges smooth. So he had been
hoping to protect her. She didn't like how he had stupidly assumed it
was the fault of her beloved and attacked him, but still. She wouldn't
admit it, but it was...nice, to be worried over.

Wordlessly, she waited for him to continue.

<"Then...Ukyo and Ranma...they were yelling at each other. I wasn't
listening, until...well, the implication came out that we weren't
really supposed to kill Gosunkugi. When Ranma said that Gosunkugi had
attacked you...no, he didn't say it like that. He said it was an
accident, but I was so mad, I just filled in the blanks and assumed it
was an attack. I said that we should have killed Gosunkugi when we had
the chance. Then...Ukyo...she became really upset. And then she told
us...and told me...how we were actually supposed to be retrieving
Kodachi and Kuno. And that Cologne had wanted
Gosunkugi...alive...here, to lift the curses. I felt like such a fool,
Xian Pu."> Shampoo lay quietly, waiting for him to weep, or continue.
But he did neither. Slowly, carefully, she closed her eyes, letting
out a breath.

_Maybe I went too far...this time...I didn't know we needed Gosunkugi
though. I was going on the information that I had..._

<"Mousse...Aiyaa...,"> she began, but her throat went dry. She didn't
quite feel sympathy for Mousse, but in her heart she began to realize
that she had done a very dishonourable thing. All for the honour of
Ranma.

_I dishonoured myself completely, for a man...but if it's for
Ranma...for his honour..._

Opening her eyes, she looked over at Mousse. He was surprisingly
composed. Wondering if he could understand, if he could just realize
the duty she had towards her beloved, she felt her face soften.
Obviously misinterpreting this, Mousse learned forward eagerly.
Quickly, she schooled her face firm again, and sighed.

<"I didn't mean to make an idiot out of you. For that, I'm sorry. But
for my actions, I'm not,"> she said simply, and watched as Mousse
looked back at her gravely. His eyes, through his thick glasses,
gleamed with cold, hard knowledge.

<"I'm pretty certain your Great-Grandmother wants to see regret your
actions,"> he said all in one breath, as though he had to force the
words out. Contemplating this, Shampoo forced herself to remain calm
and not give into panic. She had disobeyed her Great-Grandmother, and
endangered her plans. There was no doubt some punishment for that, but
she wasn't sure what it was. Never before had she disrespected her own
Great-Grandmother so.

<"What did she say? I answered your question; answer mine."> Her
companion raised a hand to brush back his hair, as though trying to
delay the answer.

<"She said...she said, that for...disobeying, and endangering others,
especially Ranma...that she's taking you back to the village, for
punishment from the council. And she...she said that you are no longer
a woman, in her eyes. That you have much to learn, and that she has
punishment to go through, as well,"> said Mousse brokenly, despite
that he was now speaking the mother tongue. Shampoo wondered how much
he was softening it; no doubt it was a broken delivery because he was
sugar-coating, for her.

Her eyes gazed at him angrily, and he looked down as though he had
been hit. Despite her firm face, and his sugar-coating, the words did
still hit her hard. Not the part about the punishment; she was
prepared to accept whatever punishment there was for her actions.
Proudly, and with her head held high. But the part about no longer
being a woman...that stung.

_I'll show Great-Grandmother...I'm a woman...completely, totally, a
woman, and an adult._ But the fierceness of her thoughts couldn't keep
her from feeling soft inside. Somewhere, a part of her was still
scared and hurt, and she fought to squash it. During her internal
battle, she hadn't noticed Mousse raise his eyes again, and look at
her.

<"I was...I was going to take you away from here. Run away with you,
maybe to another part of Japan, or back to the continent...to protect
you."> Mousse's words were coming out broken again, uncertainly.

<"It's good that you didn't. I don't need your protection, Mousse.
We're both Amazons, you should know by now that any real Amazon...any
real warrior...accepts her punishment as it's given. I don't regret
what I did, but that doesn't mean I don't have a price to pay,"> she
said, and was glad to see Mousse nod.

_So he does have a brain..._

<"That's why I didn't. I knew you'd be upset with me, and wouldn't
agree. I...I'd never want to do anything that upset you,"> he
confessed, standing up and walking towards the door. Shampoo frowned.
This was new...he was going to leave her side?

<"Are you...feeling okay?"> he asked as he stood near the door.

<"I'm dizzy, but I'll be fine."> She watched him suspiciously. He
merely nodded, hand on the door to open it.

<"Rest then. Col- ...your Great-Grandmother wanted to leave
immediately. And I'm going with you...so I'll go pack, now, and let
her know you're conscious. I'll come back to see how you are soon...I
don't think Cologne will come back to check on you before we leave.">
Shampoo accepted the words, feeling herself go cold of emotions. There
would be no place for emotions, where she was going.

<"Understood. And...Mousse?"> she began, just as he was about to
leave.

<"Yes?"> The eager tone in his voice made her rethink her words, which
were supposed to be of mild gratitude.

<"Don't worry about me. I'll be ready,"> she said quietly, though
confidently.

<"R-right. I know."> And then he left the room, closing the door
behind him. Sighing, Shampoo lay back down on her bed, focusing on
healing. She had a long journey ahead of her, and she'd need every
ounce of strength she could muster.


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