{These characters are not property of me. I would never attempt to claim them as my own. This story may not be used without my permission, and may not be used to make money in any way, shape or form. Characters and certain situations were created by Rumiko Takahashi, so don't try any funny stuff!}>
"Shampoo, are you ready for your final test?"
Shampoo froze like a deer in headlights. "Final test? Now?"
"Yes, Shampoo. It is time." Cologne went back to the kitchen, expecting Shampoo to follow.
For a moment, Shampoo considered running, but this was her right, as Joketsuzoku, to become a warrior. A true warrior finally. Standing up straight, her head held up high, Shampoo went to the kitchen.
Several of the customers sitting in the restaurant stared at the kitchen with their mouths agape. They stood, quickly paid for their food and left, not wanting to find out what was going on in the kitchen.
"Shampoo, are you prepared? This hurts me as much as you, but you can be proud of it if it is done. It means you are a true warrior in every sense of the word." Cologne's voice softened. "This could make up for your disgrace; we could go back..."
"No! I do it! And I take Ranma back!" the young Amazon snapped, tears rolling down her cheeks.
Cologne nodded, smiling, however grimly. "Very well. You know what you must do after this?"
Shampoo nodded. It was all part of the process.
"Good. The sooner it is done, the easier it will be for you to adjust. Take your dress off."
As Shampoo began to remove her dress, Cologne got a large knife from the rack.
As Ranma walked slowly into the Nekohanten, Shampoo approached him, but not with her usual bounce. "Shampoo have special ramen for airen," she said somewhat happily. She seated him at a table. "You wait here. Special ramen ready for you."
Fidgeting, Ranma kept looking back, not sure just what to expect from this "special" ramen of Shampoo's.
Shampoo returned, a steaming bowl of ramen in one hand, but still without her vibrance. She set the bowl in front of him, then stood back. "Airen eat now."
Ranma looked from Shampoo's hopeful face back to the ramen. It looked fine. He smelled. Smelled fine. With that, he began to eat.
Shampoo smiled then. "Airen like ramen?"
Ranma nodded and grunted.
"Good. Shampoo hope airen like Shampoo breast ramen. Is final step to be true warrior."
Ranma looked up at her, eyes wide, wide mouth hanging open a little. He started to mouth what might have been the word "breast", but never actually spoke.
"Special breast ramen is warrior offering to airen. You eat. Is good."
Ranma turned his head like it was glued in place and stared at the ramen. It took two seconds of contemplation for him to spit out what little he had in his mouth and double over, trying to throw up the rest of it.