Ranma 1/2: A question of confidence

Author's Note: This story is based on characters of the Ranma 1/2 universe, a creation and possession of the brilliant Rumiko Takahashi.

Chapter 1: Shampoo in trouble

"Are you sure you're alright, Ranko?" Nodoka asked with concern in her voice. 'What's wrong with her? I've never seen her that tired before,' she mused. 'And since the day we first met I can't get rid of the feeling that she's hiding something... Anyway, why is she always wet when I see her?'

"I'm fine, Mrs. Saotome, really," said red-head assured, trying to sound convincing - but without much success, she figured, seeing that the worried expression on the young woman's face was still there. She sighed inwardly. Why could she never have an ordinary morning? '´Cause you're Ranma Saotome, magnet for water an´ chaos,' she answered herself mentally. 'And because ya got that jerk of a father who gotta swear that damn oath that keeps ya away from the only woman who doesn't see ya as a price or future husband.'

As soon as he had sensed the presence of his wife, that idiotic panda had thrown a pail of water at his surprised son (more specifically at his head) who hadn't even had a chance to dodge, causing a throbbing pain as it had hit him hardly on his forehead. The pain was still there, and with each throb Ranko got angrier at the old man. He would pay for this, that was for sure.

But for now, it was time to get to school. "Akane, are ya comin´?" Ranko said habitually.

Akane noticed Nodoka snapping out of her reverie and opening her mouth to ask something and jumped in quickly. "She offered to accompany me to school, since Ranma's not there." Nodoka raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really? That's very kind of you, Ranko!"

"Well..." the girl scratched her head nervously. "It's just for today." With that, she headed for the hall, Akane followed closely behind. Both took a look over their shoulders to say goodbye before they went outside.

"What were you thinking, Ranma?" Akane asked furiously- again.

"Oh, c'mon! What else was I supposed to do? We're in a hurry, don't forget about that!" And then, much to Akane's confusion, she leapt on the rooftop to come back in the blink of an eye in his boy-form. As he ran ahead, he shouted at her. "What? Did ya think I'm goin' to school as a girl?"

Akane blinked, realizing the distance between them. "RANMA NO BAKA! Wait!" And she hurried after him. As she was nearly up to him, he stopped abruptly, causing her to jump backwards. "What are you doing, you jerk?" He didn't answer. Out of breath, she took in the reason for her fiancé's odd behaviour: That Chinese bimbo Shampoo had flung her arms around him and the stupid pervert couldn't help but blush!

"Ranma, you miss Shampoo?"

"Sh-Sha-Shampoo...," was the usual stammering reply. What happened next is all too familiar: The chill morning air had eased his headache slightly, but now, after Akane had slammed her school bag into his face, he had to deal with twice the amount of pain. He felt Shampoo loosening her grip on him and waited for the two of them to start their fight with a battle-cry...

...Strangely enough, neither Shampoo nor Akane said a word. He could even feel Akane's battle aura vanishing at once. 'What the hell's goin' on here? Shampoo hasn't used one of her Amazon tricks again, has she?... No, otherwise, she'd be happy if she'd managed to bewitch Akane..,' the male martial artist thought, taking off the school bag from his hurting face. 'What... Was that a groan?"

"Shampoo? What's wrong with you?" Unbelievable as it was: It was Akane who spoke. The concern in her voice was faint, but Ranma could make it out easily. After all, she had spoken to him like that many times in the past. Anyway, Akane avoided doing it... unless the situation was pretty serious.

Slowly, he turned his head to see Shampoo. He gasped. The beautiful face of the young Amazon was soaked in sweat. She reached up with one tender hand to wipe it away, while she took in deep quick breaths, her eyes unfocused. Instantly, Ranma was on her side, catching her collapsing form.

"R-Ranma?" Akane hesitantly approached her fiancé, her voice shaking slightly with fear. Ranma couldn't blame her for that. Indeed, he was shocked himself. He had never seen Shampoo in such a bad shape. So weak. So fragile.

Shampoo's breathing slowed down with each second now. Ranma went over to a park bench at the roadside and sat down, holding the Amazon cautiously in his arms. Akane handed him a handkerchief and watched him carefully as he began dabbing her face dry, a blank look on his face.

"Shampoo, can you hear me?" Ranma asked in an even tone.

She groaned softly. "Wh-What?"

Ranma's expression softened somewhat, now realizing for the first time how tense he had been. "It's me, Ranma!"

"R-Ranma?"

She smiled! He sighed with relief. "Yeah! Please, Shampoo, open your eyes." The last three words ended up in almost a whisper.

Only a little while later, the lovely violet eyes of the young Chinese stared into those of her beloved. The paleness in her face was replaced by a slight blush on her cheeks as she noticed how close they were, what made her look even prettier.

"Wh-What... Wh-Where...?"

"Don't worry, Shampoo. You're safe now," Ranma assured her. "We were just about to fight, remember? But all of a sudden, you were soaked in sweat," Akane joined in. "I have absolutely no clue, why, or where it ca---"

"This happen often," Shampoo interrupted.

"What?" the others interjected simultaneously, wide-eyed.

The Amazon simply nodded. "Is a week ago now. Shampoo wake up and is even more tired as she was before sleep." There was silence for a moment. Then...

"Why didn't ya say somethin'? You're possibly pretty sick. We could've helped ya!" Ranma said with a hint of ice in his voice and regretted it once he had finished, because Shampoo flinched and for a brief moment, there was that helpless expression on her face once more. How he hated it seeing women hurt.

Thus, he continued in a soft tone. "I mean, whaddya think it is? Fever? Have ya ever been ill before?" 'Please tell me, Shampoo. I'm sure you're hidin' somethin'...'

"Is summer. Is hot," Shampoo responded with a shrug of her shoulders. "Ranma... is worried about Shampoo?" she pressed, wanting to hear it again... from him... from his lips...

"I too, Shampoo," Akane said. 'I'm not going to sit back, watching you flirting with him, bimbo! Oh no, I'm still here and you better get used to the thought!' "Well, Ranma, now that Shampoo's okay so far- What about school?"

"Huh? Oh..yeah. Guess, even if we hurried we'd still gotta hold these buckets all day," he replied, not daring to look her in the eyes. "So, we could actually take Shampoo to the Nekohanten- only to make sure, she's really gonna be alright?" the pig-tailed martial artist pointed out self-consciously at the grim glare of his fiancée.

"What logic! But I reckon, that's the main thing for now. Let's move it." With that, Akane spun on her heels and went ahead.

"So whaddya think, Shampoo, can ya walk on yer own?"

"Yes! She CAN!" they heard Akane shouting angrily from a distance.

Shampoo grinned at Ranma. "Just a jealous tomboy," she murmured happily and reluctantly stood up from where she'd lain on his lap . Ranma did the same and when he walked past her, she whispered something in his ear.

"Thanks, Ranma."

And she followed him hot on his heels on his way to her home.

End of Part 1

Author's note: That's it! I've really done it! My first chapter ever is updated (at least, a part of it...)! Well, as you see I'd like to continue this chapter: (...). Right now, I'm only testing whether you're interested in the story or not by writing only a part. One thing I can tell you: I've worked a whole week to create a proper and hopefully interesting story for you. Please review so that I can make up my mind. I'd really like to finish the story, although it would take me some time, because it's not that short.

As you might have noticed, English is not my first language. So please, show me the mistakes and I'll fix them! Thanks!

Thank you very much for reading my story!