Author notes: Hello and welcome to chapter 3 of our little AU adventure where Shampoo returns. There's a little plot twist somewhere, but I'll never tell! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! *coughs rapidly.* Hooo, never tried to sustain one of those for that long. *there is a knock on the projection room door.* Now who could that be? *goes to the door and opens it revealing Akane, Ranma and Nabiki.* Oh, hello there, what can I do for you?

*Ranma*: Where did you get that film at?

*Akane*: What film Ranma? You said he was spreading dirty pictures of me around!

*Ranma*: Ehehehehehehehehehehehe.... *rubs the back of his head.*

*Nabiki*: *gives Ranma a dirty look.*

*Marik*: Hah? Oh, THAT film..... *gets a shocked look.* You mean that was real?

*Nabiki*: *rushes forward and clamps a hand over Ranma's mouth.* No, no. He was just wondering how you managed to splice it togther to make it look so real, right Saotome? *clinches her teeth.* RIGHT?

*Ranma*: H-hai.

*Akane*: Ranma, you lying jerk! *storms out of the projection room.*

*Marik*: *once he's sure Akane is out of earshot.* That's the last time I lend any of my video equipment to either of you.

*Nabiki*: Will ya shut up?

*Ranma*: Right, just start the picture, we need to talk.*

*walks over to the projector and presses the button to start the picture.*

First I Giveth

Chapter 3: The Return of Shampoo

by Marik Kurakashi

The world was so cold, so unforgiving to the Amazon Shampoo. Only a handful of days before, she was the happiest she had ever been in her entire life. She had found herself a husband, a male of rare character and skill. She felt that he was the one for her, the one to dispell her loneliness.

Only it had all been a lie.

Her beloved husband had a Jusenkyo curse which turned him into the red-haired girl who had shattered all of her dreams. On the day she had arrived, Shampoo was supposed to claim her spot as the future Matriarch of Joketsuzoku. It was to be her defining moment, her time in the sun outside of her great-grandmother's shadow.

If only she hadn't shown up.

No, that wasn't right. If not for the red-haired girl, her great-grandmother would have continued to lay off the more powerful techniques she had wanted to learn. It was a simple task, track down and kill the girl who had disgraced her so.

If only she hadn't really been a boy.

It should have been so easy to kill the red-headed devil and avenge her honor. She would take the head back to her villiage and display it for all her rivals and doubters to see. She would once again be the standard for the warriors of Joketsuzoku.

But she knew that was a lie.

There were plenty of times she had come upon the girl while she slept. It should have been easy to kill her, but for some reason her heart cried for her to stop. She felt shame at the mere thought of doing something so dishonorable as killing her prey in its sleep.

That had to be the answer to her internal strife.

With a heavy heart and eyes that had cried too many tears, Shampoo pulled herself off of the floor of the abandon Chinese restaurant that had been her bed for the night. It was another miserable day, as she continued to steel herself for eventual return to Joketsuzoku. She could feel the dread creep through her soul.

She could almost feel the pools of Jusenkyo calling her.

Pushing it from her mind, Shampoo left the building. She continued to debate whether or not she should return to China today. A small but rebellious part of her mind told her to stay out and let Great-Grandmother come and retrive her if she was so important to her. The practical part of her mind warned her not to disgrace her heritage and family. It veritably screamed that being proud of her heritage set her apart from these barbarian Japanese. The rebellious part countered the practcal's claim by simply asking what that pride had gotten her.

She found herself agreeing completely with the rebellious part.

And that thought gave her pause. What had happened to her that she would turn her back on her heritage? She found that she couldn't answer that, at least not yet. It frightened her to think that she was coming down with the very barbarism that these backward Japanese displayed.

It was downright scary.

She bumped into a young man whose features were hidden by the hood of his cloak, "Shampoo sorry, I not see you there," she said, though she had no idea why she was apologizing to this stranger.

"It's okay, young miss," the stranger replied, his blue eyes shining in the darkness of his hood.

"Who you be," she asked, deciding to be polite.

"Me? I am called Shue," he answered, chuckling slightly under his breath.

"Shue," she questioningly repeated, "You have funny name."

"No funnier than Xian Pu, I guess," the stranger replied, eyes twinkling mirthfuly.

"How you know me?" she asked, readying to draw her bonbori should he be the Amazon her great-grandmother sent.

"Mmm, that is a good question," he mused, his right hand tapping his concealed chin. "I suppose I could have gotten lucky and guessed your name," he said nonchalantly.

"You no from Joketsuzoku?" she asked, confusion evident in her tone.

"Goodness no child," he replied, his eyes widening in shock. "What would make you think that?" he asked, a curious tone to his voice.

"Because Shampoo fail in her quest to kill girl who had defeated her," she said dejectedly, wondering why she was opening up to this stranger.

"I see," he said simply, his hidden lips twisting into a frown. "What do you plan on doing now?" he asked

"Shampoo not know," she said, tears beginning to well up in her eyes, though she had no idea why.

"Surely you must have some kind of plan," the stranger scoffed, his disbelief evident in his tone.

"{I don't know, you ignorant male!}" she hissed in Mandarin, not caring if he could understand her or not.

The stranger nodded, seeming to understand perfectly. "I see.... So you have not explored all your options then?"

"{What options?}" she asked, not caring to revert to Japanese. She absently noted that he could understand her this way, so it didn't matter what she spoke.

"You could return to Joketsuzoku and get cursed, or you could just choose exile," he said simply, as if it was obvious.

"{Are you suggesting I turn my back on my heritage?}" she asked, her tone angry and incredulous.

"Not at all," he said, waving his hands in a placating gesture. "I would like to ask just what that heriatge has done for you that you so blindly follow it?"

"{It's what makes me an Amazon warrior, not just some woman of Joketsuzoku.}" came her idignant reply.

"So, you being an Amazon warrior has nothing to do with the warrior training you recieved? It's just you're heritage that makes you so?" he asked, his face still hidden.

"{Maybe you have a point, but tell me why I shouldn't just strike you down for your insolence?}" she tartly asked.

"Well, you did fail to kill the girl," he said, but stopped at Shampoo's murderous glare. "Well, why haven't you already?" he asked, a plain tone in his voice.

She grinned nastily, causing a shiver of fear to run down his spine. In a flash, she had her bonbori maces in her hand and she rushed him, swinging all the while. He made a good showing, until one of the maces bashed him upside his head. It should have been easy for his peripherial vison to pick up.

If only he hadn't been wearing that stupid hood.

He was hurled head first into a nearby post, his head making a nice clang sound when he hit. He layed quite still, barely breathing, his world beginning to dim. One thought flashed through his brain before he blacked out:

'Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut...'

Shampoo snorted and returned her maces to weapon space, gaining no satisfaction in silencing the fool. She marched on,her mind whirring with all the possibilities that lay in front of her. She would have a lot of thinking to do this night, and as such, what she decided would impact more lives than just her own.

She wasn't sure if she liked the responsibility being thrust upon her like this.

- -

It was a typical morning at the Tendo compound, the only changes being Ranma and Nabiki's budding friendship and Soun closing up the Tendo Patriarch Waterworks. Akane wasn't happy that Ranma and Nabiki were geting closer, though if it was because of jealousy or possessiveness, no one knew and Akane wasn't letting anyone in on the secret. After a nice breakfast, Ranma, Akane and Nabiki had actually managed to set out for school earlier than usual.

It may have been strange, but they didn't seem to mind actually being able to take their time to Furinikan.

Ranma, Akane and Nabiki were near the city aquaducts, when a familiar sing-song voice cried, "Nihao!"

Ranma sweated when he saw the purple-haired Amazon peddle up to them on a bike he had no idea she owned. "S-shampoo, h-how nice to see you," he stammered, hoping that she would not glomp him and get him sent into LEO.

"Nihao, friend Ranma," she said simply.

"W-what? You're not going to call him 'airen'," Akane blustered, confused that the Amazon had seemingly given up.

"Shampoo do some thinking and she decided to do what in her best interest," she replied.

"And that would be?" Nabiki asked, putting a little more anger into her voice than she had intended to.

"That Shampoo not return to Joketzusoku. All there for Shampoo is pain and torture. Shampoo no want Jusenkyo curse, so she stay here." The purple-haired girl replied, her voice not wavering once.

"Why aren't you chasing Ranma anymore?" Akane asked, confusion wrought in her tone.

"Shampoo know that Ranma no want marry her, so she think it waste of time and too much pain to continue chasing him." came the curt reply, the Amazon's eyes narrowing.

Akane opened her mouth to ask another question, but Nabiki held up an arm to silence her. She glared at her older sister, but the elder sibling just shook her head. The school bound trio started for school again with Shampoo in tow.

It was an actually pleasent walk, as there were no threats, glomps or anything else.

They finally arrived at Furinkan in due time, their conversation still being friendly in nature. Kuno attacked and was quickly sent to dreamland by Ranma. Their talk continued at a friendly level, until a painful subject was broached.

"So what do you plan now doing from now on, Shampoo-san?" Ranma asked politely.

"Shampoo plan on staying in Japan, learn its ways, and maybe find herself a good husband." Shampoo replied.

"Just remember Ranma is off limits," Akane snapped.

"You think Shampoo is stupid because she no can speak Japanese good? I already say I have no interest in Ranma anymore, so angry girl no need to worry." Shampoo growled back.

"You Chinese bimbo! Just because I don't have a top heavy figure as you, doesn't mean I'm any less a woman!" Akane shouted in reply.

A loud smack rung out through the schoolyard. Akane turned her head slowly in shock to see her sister Nabiki glowering at her. She hung her head in shame when she realized she was sniping at Shampoo for no reason.

"I don't know if you've noticed Akane-chan, but Shampoo here can walk all over you like you're nothing. Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to provoke someone who has shown the ability yo kill you with ease?" Nabiki asked, her annoyance at Akane manifesting in her tone.

"Gomen, oneechan," the younger Tendo said.

"It's not me who you should be apologizing to, Akane-chan, it's Shampoo." Her sister retorted flatly.

"G-gomen Nasai, Shampoo-san. I shouldn't have gotten mad at you." the raven-haired girl said, her head dropping further into a bow.

"Apology accepted, Akane," Shampoo said, pausing momentarily before she added, "Maybe you and Shampoo can spar later?"

"Hai, I'd be honored," Akane said, smiling a little bit.

The Amazon turned to Nabiki and said, "Thank you, Nabiki. You have prevented Shampoo from making great error in judgment." She bowed at the end, showing her respect for the girl who had cut off a potentially disaterous fight.

"It's no problem, Shampoo-san. I figured since you were going out on a limb to be nice to us, I should extend the same courtesy to you," the brown-haired girl replied, an easy smile on her face.

The two Tendo sisters said their goodbyes to Shampoo and headed for class. Ranma shuffled somewhat nervously in the presence of the first girl to ever kiss him. He was having some difficulty believing she had given up on him, though he was unsure of why he was doubting her word.

"So," he started, "I guess the whole kiss of marrirage is nullified, huh?"

"Yes," the purple-haired girl replied with some difficulty.

"This is pretty hard for you, isn't it?" The pig-tailed boy asked.

"Aiyaa," she murmured.

"Maybe we can still be friends though, right?" He asked hopefully.

"Of course, Shampoo be honored to have you as friend." She said, a smile broadening across her features.

They all said their goodbyes and went their seperate ways. Shampoo peddled off to who knows where, and the others went to class. The winds of change had blown into Nerima, swift and fast without anyone noticing.

The changes were significant, but were not unwelcomed.

For those involved, the changes shown this morning were both refreshing and reassuring. To be certain, the gaining of allies and friends is infinitely better than new enemies. These new bonds forged this morning would be cherished for times to come.

For Akane, it was more then the elimination of a rival for Ranma that she would cherish, rather it was gaining soemone who could advance her training in the arts. Her mind and heart were still at odds with the pig-tailed boy, but she would not let that bring her down this day. No matter what, the fate of Saotome Ranma still rested in her hands.

And she wouldn't have it any other way.

For Nabiki, it was the gaining of her second friend that she would cherish, a memory that would be frozen in crystal to perserve its purity. Her heart was glad that Shampoo was out of the running for Ranma, as it made it easier for her to slowly drag Ranma from Akane. While it hurt to have to potentially crush her sister's heart so callously, she need but remind herself that Akane owed her.

And Tendo Nabiki didn't leave a debt uncollected.

For Ranma, it was the removal of guilt that he would cherish, a great burden that had been lifted from his shoulders. He swore he would value his new friendship with Shampoo as he was beginning to do with Nabiki, though it may not out gain that one in importance. He could feel his spirit continuing to soar high over the clouds.

And he wouldn't want it any other way.

For Shampoo, it was a way of weighing anchor, a way to motivate herself in her coming battle with her great-grandmother. She swore that she would not allow her friends to be involved in her problems, even going so far as vowing her life to protect them from her great-grandmother's grasp. She felt her sorrow fade, as though it were night being shoved aside for the light of happiness.

And it felt so wonderful.....

End chapter 3

Teaser for Chapter 4(assuming Ranma and Nabiki don't kill me.):

Nabiki sat at her desk, looking into a hand mirror while silently wondering what had changed in her so much. She noted that there was a distinct lack of her usual frostiness in her expression. She and Ranma had been growing rapidly closer, their new friendship becoming something totally different in a short amount of time.

She wondered if she was making a mistake doing it.

It crossed her mind that her attraction to Ranma may have been because Ranma was Akane's fiancé, not because of Ranma himself. She asked herself the same questions that she had since that first fateful night when she had impulsively kissed Ranma in his room after the Gymnastics match at St. Hebereke. Did she really care for him? Or was it because she was lonely?

What in the hell was it about Saotome Ranma that seemed to turn her insides to goo?

It was a question just about every girl who had ever become enamored with the young Saotome seemed to ask. What was this unknown quality that seemed to lift him above ordinary men and make him so damned special? It was fastly becoming hard for her not to think of him constantly, and she was certain it was just as bad for Akane as well.

She wondered just what had caused her to change.

It had started that dark night in his room. She had snuck into his room to take some pictures of onna-Ranma when she studied the boy in the minor light she had provided for her camera. She had felt things shift within herself, had clearly felt an attraction there that had not been all that present since she had first heard of this boy.

What was it about Saotome Ranma that had relit the flames of passion within her breast?