Shampoo was rather surprised by how eager Ranma seemed. She wouldn’t have thought that Ranma would recognize Mousse as such a threat. Not that she would let surprise stop her.
“Shampoo think we use Shampoo first. Ranma know Shampoo is not real cat. Maybe only in head, but even little bit help.” She watched Ranma grow nervous. She had expected that, in fact, she expected it to be worse. “We use rope and kettle, put together and fix to wall. Shampoo change to cat under kettle, then Ranma come closer. When Ranma no can go closer, pull on rope and kettle change Shampoo back. What Ranma think?” She smiled and bounced a bit as she asked his opinion, to try and distract him.
“I… Well, I can do that.”
Shampoo’s heart beat faster. The way he looked now. Nervous and determined all at once. It made her want to hold him and tell him everything would be fine. Hold him and tell him and have him snuggle closer and nuzzle her breasts while she pulled up his shirt and … No, she’d think about that later tonight, in her bed. She had more important things to do now.
“Is only first part. Second part is lot harder. When Ranma can stroke Shampoo’s head every time, we start with second part of cure. Maoniichuan. We use instant spring of drowned cat,” she paused, knowing he wouldn’t want to consider the next bit, looked into his eyes, then said, “on Ranma.”
“What!” Ranma exclaimed. “Like that garbage you tricked me with? You’ve got some of that stuff for cats? Why the hell should I use that! You’re crazy!”
It stung. She’d been prepared for it, or something very like it, but it still stung. This time, however, she’d be able to deal with it. To answer back. “Shampoo is not crazy! If cats no scare Ranma any more after first part of cure, fine, we no need to do that! If cats still scare Ranma, what we do then? If Ranma is cat, Ranma see he no have to be afraid of cat. That what happen when Ranma go in neko ken. Ranma change into cat in head. If change into cat in body, when Ranma know is not real cat, just curse, after learn not to be afraid of cats who aren’t cats, what happen then. Ranma get more control. Unless Airen scared!”
Shampoo glared a little at Ranma, while breathing a bit faster. Now he looked a little silly, with his mouth open and his eyes a bit wider than normal, as he worked through what she had said.
“It… It… It’s too dangerous. Lots of stuff could go wrong,” he said stubbornly.
“Ranma stay in Shampoo’s room and we lock the door. We change Ranma back every morning and evening. We do the kettle thing then. If there is problem, we tell great grandmother what we do.”
“Pop’s and the Tendo’s won’t let me stay with you, they’ll think you’re gonna kidnap me or something,” said Ranma, still searching for a way out that wouldn’t make him look scared.
“Tell them Ranma going on a training trip. Then phone them every few day’s.” She continued gently, knowing it would get his agreement. “It no shame to be scared Ranma. We do this to get Airen over fear.”
“I can do it. I was just looking for problems. Besides, maybe I’ll be fine before I have to do it.”
“Shampoo hope so.”
“Say, when did you get the instant cat water?”
“Shampoo no have instant cat water. But will pay half of price.”
“Why should I pay for that!”
“Is your cure Airen. But Shampoo will help.”
“Damn. All right. How much will I need?”
Shampoo rather enjoyed the way he flinched when she told him how much his share of the costs would be. Besides, this would only help her.
“Where am I supposed to get that much money?”
“Ranma maybe come work at Cat Café with Shampoo,” she asked with a smile. “Sure great grandmother not say no.” More seriously she continued. “Could also do the kettle thing before and after work. Would be simpler.”
“Maybe for you,” Muttered Ranma. He continued in a normal tone “I’ll talk to you again tomorrow, Shampoo. Right now I’m tired and gotta think about this.”
“All right Airen,” Shampoo said with a smile. “Shampoo talk again tomorrow.” She got up and prepared to leave.
“Shampoo! Before you go, what is the last step?”
“Real cats. Airen have to face real cats before free of fear.”
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(Posted Tue, 02 Sep 2003 20:40)
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