War of Leaves Chapter 3
Luanma stared at the bamboo in front of her. It was
thick and spotted and shot straight out into the sky,
mingling with other bamboo forming an impenatrable mess
allowing just enough light for Luanma to see. But that
would not last long. Luanma gripped her belly in a useless
attempt to stop the gnawing pains. Three days lost already
and the dim light only lasts long enough to get you even
more lost. She opened the gourd that hung at her belt and
was seized instantly by an impulse to drink the entire
thing, but she wasn t sure how much longer she would need
the water and savagely supressed the urge.
Luanma looked at her other side where another gourd
hung. It was her father s gourd and she picked it up and
opened it, unsure why. She knew what it was. A foul water
that her father drank all the time. Worthless. She was
about to close it when the same impulse struck her again.
She stared at the first gourd and remembered that she had to
save it. But this. This she could get rid of. It was
water after all. No. What was she thinking? Was the
hunger already affecting her mind? But still... Luanma
poured a little out onto her cupped hand and sniffed it.
She scrunched her nose and shook her head to rid herself of
the noxious fumes, but then turned back to it and took a
little sip. She almost dropped the gourd as she reacted
violently to it and began to spit again and again. And
suddenly her stomach warmed up and Luanma felt a small edge
of her hunger dissipate. She took another sip, this time
from the gourd and quickly swallowed it, trying to keep
herself from gagging. Her stomach turned hot and suddenly
Luanma felt dizzy and grabbed the bamboo in front of her.
Suddenly her entire body was hot and her soaked clothes no
longer bothered her as much. She took another sip from the
gourd and then a bigger sip. Finally she took a giant gulp
and sat down, unsure how to react to the swinging bamboos.
Luanma was suddenly reminded of a song and she began to
sing, from time to time taking another sip from the gourd,
no longer trying to gulp it past her tongue, feeling quite
content. In fact, her tongue was entirely numb at the
moment. Luanma liked the song she was singing and was quite
sure the song must have come from her mother. Where else
could the song have come from? Odd, Luanma suddenly felt
like crying, something she never does. It didn t seem so
bad. And Luanma sat there gripping the gourd and forgot
about the powerful liquor and cried and cried, her tears
slowly sliding down her face and dripping off into the gourd
and then Luanma cried some more because she was wasting
water by crying.
Light appeared to Luanma s right. Luanma turned her
head slowly and was surprised at the sight of a tall light
skinned woman dressed in white silks, slowly walking towards
her. She stopped in front of Luanma and opened her mouth
and said, Child, that song can t be from your mother. It
is a Chinese song.
It must be from my mother, said Luanma, hugging the
gourd and turning away.
It seemed to Luanma that the woman sighed, even though
she stood as straight and impassive as before. The woman
held out her hand towards Luanma and then said, Come child,
to me and my brother s glade. You can sleep there tonight
and at morn, you shall find yourself outside of this dark
forest of spotted bamboo.
Luanma yawned and shook her head and then stubbornly
said, I don t want to go. I like it here, and then lay
down, still hugging the gourd.
Luanma! the lady suddenly spat out shocking Luanma
into sitting up. Its time to go.
Luanma rubbed her eyes and held out her hand to the
woman who promptly turned around and walked away. Luanma
jumped up and ran to catch up to her.
They walked through the forest of bamboo, Luanma never
quite able to catch up to her, but always able to see her at
a short distance. It seemed to the young girl that the
woman ahead of her must be her mother, and Luanma s heart
beat harshly and rapidly at that thought. Maybe they ll
find father and they could go back to Japan where they were
supposed to live in luxury. Luanma pumped her thin strong
legs, faster and faster, but the lady stayed ahead of her,
calmy walking silenty through the forest.
Suddenly the space around Luanma exploded into light
and she had to close her eyes to re-adjust them. She
blinked several times and eventually saw a large clearing
amongst the bamboos and a large cave that disappeared into
the ground with a shiny lake in front of it. Luanma
suddenly felt how dry her mouth was and forgot all about the
lady and ran to the lake and thrust her shaking hands into
it and started scooping handfuls of the water into her mouth
and then just as suddenly felt akward and turned quietly
towards the lady who was calmly looking away during Luanma s
frenzied actions. Luanma opened her gourd and poured out
the old water and then dipped it silently into the lake.
Then she tipped the gourd to her mouth and took giant gulps
over and over as if she could never stop. Finally, her
stomach full of water, she took a better look around her.
Next to her was a short stone pillar with an image of the
sun and a full moon next to it covering part of it facing
the cave. Luanma gripped the soft grass beneath her and
then looked at the lady, unsure what to do.
What a nice mother she would be, thought Luanma
standing up. She slowly approached the tall woman, who
slowly turned to watch her, and then Luanma wrapped her arms
around her and began to cry, and cried louder when she felt
the woman wrap her own arms around Luanma and slowly stroked
her hair.
Something lightly nudged Luanma and she turned around
to see a big panda pushing its nose into her leg. BABA!
she cried and hugged the large bear.
The woman looked down at Luanma slightly confused and
then slowly turned around and walked toward the cave.
The panda bear pulled out of Luanma s grip and followed
after the woman.
Luanma stood up, now unsure if the panda was her
father, and followed too.
The woman stopped in front of the cave and said,
Brother, I must tend my forest. I m leaving this girl
behind.
And suddenly clouds covered the sky and darkened the
clearing beneath it as a tall man in blue silk robes calmly
walked out of the cave.
Luanma stared at the tall man and could feel her heart
once again begin to beat faster. Dangerous, she could tell,
his calmness only a cover hiding something furious as a
storm within.
The man turned his eyes toward Luanma and for a second
she thought she saw lightning strike out from his eyes and
she flinched and partially hid behind the tall woman.
Child, this is my brother. Stay here as I tend my
forest. Go to sleep and when you wake, you will find
yourself outside.
But I don t- the woman put her finger s to Luanma s
lips and slowly bent down and slightly kissed her cheeks.
She turned around and walked away towards the forest, the
panda following after her.
Luanma watched her leave and then turned around and
then almost fell over as she bumped into the man s chest,
his shadow covering over her like a dark veil and it seemed
to Luanma that the entire clearing was now dark as night.
Luanma looked up into that darkness and saw two shiny stars
peer down at her and then she did fall, too scared to do
anything else.
A giant hand shot out of the darkness and gripped her
chin fiercely and lifted her up, bring her face to those
sharp stars and Luanma wanted to scream in fear.
A young girl, not even begining her cycle of
maidenhood. A time when there is hardly a distinction
between mortal man and woman. The giant hand rotated
Luanma s entire body left and right.
Luanma could feel her heart beat even faster than
before and her face flushed as she tried at the same time to
breath and break the grip that held her head up so high
above the ground.
A virgin... the stars returned to Luanma s eyes and
this time lightning threatened to strike the distance
between them over and over again. But how did this girl
enter my sister s forest? Nobody is allowed into my
sister s forest. Only if I want them to enter. Only then
can they enter MY forest. How? and then the lightning
snapped out and latched onto Luanma s eyes and she screamed
in pain and then suddenly she bounced off the floor.
Luanma shook her head, unsure what was going on.
Bright morning light entered the clearing again and she
looked up, the man several feet away from her, holding his
hands in front of his eyes. No, he said then yelled,
NOOO! The future... the gods... ! It can t be! IT WON T
BE! The tall man lifted off the ground and swiftly glided
into the cave and suddenly appeared back in front of Luanma,
who jumped back as the man raised a sword above his head,
the sword glowing a gentle blue. A hidden sex, gasped the
man, his eyes large and bulging, like a hidden power.
No, shouted Luanma. No! and she leaped into the
man, slamming her shoulder into his chest, blue sparks
spread out as if two swords had collided.
The man gasped, his eyes wide in surprise, as he flew
backwards in the air then dropped into the shiny lake that
reflected the sun. The light danced off the bamboo
chaotically as the man s body created waves across the lake
as he plunged heavily through it.
Luanma held her breathe, waiting for him to reappear.
She scrambled backwards as his head gradually appeared at
the edge of the lake as he slowly walked out, the sun
peering out brightly behind his head. He raised the blue
sword again and then arched back and opened his mouth to
scream, but instead thunder rocked the clearing and bamboo
leaves shook off their holdings and fluttered down as Luanma
held her head and screamed against the thunder.
Then silence. The sword dropped out of the man s hand
and landed softly in the grass and he stood there, palm
open, mouth open, eyes open...dead.
Luanma daren t breath. She gripped her chest, her eyes
threatening to jump out of their sockets, cold sweat pouring
down her face.
Then another scream and Luanma twisted her face in that
direction and saw the woman, now looking accusingly at
Luanma. Suddenly her silk dress and hair floated upwards as
did the bamboo leaves around her and she pointed at Luanma.
The panda next to her roared and lumbered foward, faster
than could be imagined, and tackled Luanma, biting deep into
her slim shoulder, cracking it like a dry twig.
Luanma cried out in pain and suddenly blue light
surrounded her.
The woman blinked as the panda shot by her crashing
through the bamboo forest.
The two stared at each other.
Why? Asked the woman to the younger female. Why?
Why did my brother yell WAR when you killed him?
I don t know, pleaded Luanma, scared of the blue tint
surrounding her, coming off of her, I don t know!
Why? I can t live without my brother! Look, my
forest! And Luanma followed the woman s finger and could
see the forest slowly melting away, as if the bamboo had
begun to grow backwards, quickly turning back into sprouts,
then seeds. And already, the woman too, looked as young as
Luanma, her clothers no longer fitting her, no longer as
tall, and now, she looked five. I loved you, said the
five year old girl, even though it was only yesterday.
Luanma could feel more tears trickle down her chin and
she cried out as the five year old girl suddenly fell over
and crumbled away like dust. The sun was high again, the
whole night and morning had passed in an instant. Luanma
looked around her and the lake, the bamboo forest no longer
surrounding them.
The man too had crumbled away leaving only the blue
sword.
Luanma reached down and picked up the sword. Suddenly
she could feel herself changing into a boy again, there was
no change in her chest, they have not yet grown, but she
could feel the odd light weight grow between her legs, and
the closing of space withing her. Then suddenly he changed
back to female, still gripping the sword. Storm-Gatherer,
said Luanma then tossed it into the cave. Luanma grabbed
the gourd again and filled it with water. She took a gulp
from it, turned toward where the panda was flung and said,
I have awakened.
Plans
No!! Luanma sat up, all covered in sweat. The dream
again, so unclear. Luanma remembered only parts of the
dream, only the begining, and the deaths. She looked down
at her chests, remembering their recent rapid growth and the
rapid growth of lude stares amongst men, as her face too,
followed her body and matched.
The panda, resting at her feet, raised its head
questioningly. Luanma lightly kicked it in its padded belly
and it grunted in aknowledgement and fell back asleep.
Luanma smiled, unsure if she preferred her father this way
or the other, then frowned as she remembered another part of
the dream and examined her shoulder. There was a scar
there, though she couldn t tell if they were done by teeth
or not.
She turned her head as she heard a couple of giggles
and she slowly slid the door open and peeked out.
Maids everywhere and they seemed excited about
something.
Ryouga pounded by yelling, Which way! Which way! and
then continued on as the maids pointed in one direction.
What s going on, thought Luanma and she got up to get
dressed.
Tendo-san, I see you held well under the recent
storm.
Soun sat on a cushion, as did Kuno, both facing each
other respectfully. How did you know, answered Soun.
The Kuno s too, have been attacked. Although Ise
Taira will always be devoted to destroying wretched pirates,
our men are trained in field combat as well, the best in
both areas. Those monsters were easily beaten and then
chased away. How they ran. It reminds me of a poem written
by my grandfather, Kuno took a deep breathe.
As I am quite sure we would all love to hear you
recite, Kuno-sama, said Tendo Akane as she walked in
elegantly placing herself next to her father. I would not
mind hearing how the trip down to father s estate was.
Oh, quite wonderful. Wonderful indeed, said Kuno.
The recent weather has been kind to the roads, allowing us
to traverse the terrain quite easily, as well as allowing us
to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Tendo lands. Oh, how
wonderful it is to allow my grande steed to let loose with
its lungs and race as fast as it wanted across the rolling
green fertile hills.
Will Ise Taira not miss its most prodigal son, said
Soun.
We have driven the monsters away, they will not return
for a long time. Plus, is it not appropriate for Ise Taira
to help protect its surrounding friendly neighbors and also
its interests, with that, Kuno turned toward Akane, who
blushed appropriately and looked away, covering her face
with one long sleeve.
Tendo-sama!
Ah, Ryouga. Sit down, sit down.
Ryouga plopped himself unceremoniously down next to
Kuno and said, Tendo-sama, is he here yet?
Akane kept the laugh from bursting out.
Kuno went red faced.
Tendo laughed out loud. Kuno-san, I m quite sure you
recognize my favored roto, even though he does not recognize
you. He recently recieved a sword from me.
Kuno s eyes went wide in shock. To a commoner!?
Oh, come now. It is not unheard of.
Ryouga was about to react when he saw Akane s smile and
instead, he blushed and bowed his head towards Kuno.
Kuno leaned back and sighed and turned toward Akane and
noticed her proud smile toward Ryouga. He turned back to
Soun and then said, But he is not learned. Perhaps I could
teach him the basics of the warrior s code.
That would be good, Kuno-san. How long do you and
your men plan on staying over?
The pirates are acting up again, but I am willing to
sacrifice my time for your estate. A few days should be
long enough- Kuno suddenly turned toward the door.
Akane noticed the sudden change in direction of Kuno s
eyes and she too turned to look but didn t notice anything.
Well, I am glad that you will even stay a couple of
days, as these monsters are surely dangerous and I am a bit
under-manned. Do you know if the emperor has been informed
of these recent circumstances?
Well, I-I-I believe so, but I m quite sure the emperor
is already planning to scourge our noble lands of this
nuisance. Kuno turned back to the doorway, sure that the
most beautiful girl he s ever seen had blushed and turned
away when he saw her.
Well, what a royal buffoon, said Luanma smiling to
herself, flowing through the maids rushing about. So
that s what they re all excited about. Things just kept
looking up for Luanma.
Kuno Tatewaki stared towards the sun thinking. Tendo
Akane, he thought, so different than all the other noble
ladies, so full of vigor and energy. Every time he spoke
with her, he found himself suddenly lost within his words,
the very presence of Tendo Akane could so unbalance his
prominent mind. Her sharp eyes and firm mouth reminded him
of the most proud of men and yet at the same time, her long
lashes and rosy lips upon that wonderfully light skinned
face with all her delicate curves raised the highest desires
in him. But suddenly a stray thought entered Kuno s mind.
That girl, he said to himself, who is that girl.
Perhaps Kuno Tatewaki should not spend tonight alone.
The two men bowed and Tendo Soun nodded toward them and
asked them to speak.
Tendo-sama, the man looked at his comrades who nodded
in encouragement, Ise Taira...Ise Taira... the man
stopped, suddenly firming his lips.
What about Ise Taira? Tell me now.
The man suddenly looked down and Tendo realized that it
was better to leave the man alone. The other two were
looking at the floor too.
Tell me, he bade those two, what is it about Ise
Taira that you cannot tell me in front of Master Kuno?
And then suddenly the first man stared, eyes red,
straight into Tendo s eyes and said, Ise Taira is gone!
WHAT! Soun stood up.
Destroyed completely. Those monsters...those
monsters... the man looked back down again. My home, he
whispered.
But Kuno said...
Something has happened to Kuno-sama, said the man
still looking down, he does not acknowledge the destruction
of our home. Look at our equipment! We hundred men barely
escaped! The surrounding villages!? Gone!
Silence.
I see, said Tendo as he stood up. You are good men,
Kuno Tatewaki should be honored that his men are intelligent
and silent. Keep this silent as you have been doing. With
that, Tendo left the room.
Bastards. All of them. Hiroshi glared behind soft
eyes at anyone and everyone. How he hated them all. He
pulled his sword out and swung it THUNK into the dummy and
then pulled it neatly out and THUNK swung it deep again and
then THUNK again. He felt strong, he was strong. But not
strong enough. He knew his enemies, bastards, all of them,
and they were strong. Hey Keisuke! No, just practicing!
I ll see you later! Bastard. I ll kill him first. No.
First Tendo, then Keisuke. No... first the boy... What!?
Oh! Okay. Hiroshi got out of the way and let the other
soldier use the dummy and walked along, not sure what to do
now. He heard sounds of admiration and turned toward the
main courthouse where a small crowd of men watched Kuno
Tatewaki shoot arrows at a target. Bastards.
THUNK! CHEER! THUNK! CHEER! THUNK! CHEER!
Luanma watched from the edge of the crowd, waiting for
her chance. She recognized the look that Kuno had given her
when she had peeked in from the door and was insured when
she came out, playing shy, head down and saw the same look
cross over Kuno s face like hot steam.
She watched as he stood straighter and stretched his
neck and then carefully slid around and smoothely pulled
back the arrow and shot it. She watched from the corner of
her eye as he quickly glanced in her direction and then she
blushed and could almost see the desire rise within him.
Kuno s next shot was a little off. Luanma smiled and walked
back into the main house again, this she would hold onto
just in case. Suddenly she heard somebody familiar. She
stepped back outside.
Ryouga got up when Kuno beckoned him, unsure why.
Yes, Kuno-sama, said Ryouga.
While we re outside today, why don t I teach you some
of my swordmanship.
Uh... Ryouga looked around him at all the other
soldiers, some of them familiar to him. Sure. Ryouga
took a couple of steps fowards.
What!? Luanma couldn t believe it! That bastard
intends to humiliate him in front of all his men and
Tendo s.
Now pull out your sword. Kuno pulled his out
followed by Ryouga. You re holding it wrong, peasant, hold
it like this! A few chuckles from Kuno s men and a few
grumbles from Tendo s.
Ryouga blushed and moved his sword into the proper
position. The word peasant ran through his mind and he
blushed even more as anger and humility ran through his
blood. He gripped the sword harder. He heard a gasp and
turned around to see Tendo Akane and Ryouga s grip
unknowingly loosened.
Pay attention! Kuno swung his sword down at the base
of Ryouga s sword and made him drop it.
Ryouga looked at Kuno with slimmed eyes.
Kuno smiled and said, Pick it up... peasant.
Ryouga picked up his sword and returned it to the
original position he held it at before.
Hold it like I to told you to!
Ryouga stared hard-eyed at Kuno.
Oh... going against the teacher?
You re not my teacher.
But your superior.
Superior? Ha!
This time Kuno s face went red. Deep red.
Involuntarily Luanma yelled, Ryouga, up!
Ryouga swung his sword up just in time as Kuno s
blurring sword swung down, nearly impossible to see. Kuno
continued his attack swinging from every direction at
blurring speeds, Ryouga stiffly blocking each time.
Kuno kept swinging, his blows getting stronger and
stronger as he got more and more angry each time Ryouga
blocked. And as Ryouga blocked more and more, the more
confident he got and began to even smile. Kuno s blows? He
could hardly feel them, his strength easily holding the
sword, now that he was paying attention. Kuno s speed?
Ryouga could see each and every swing ahead of time.
Suddenly Ryouga swung his sword.
Akane gasped.
Luanma cheered.
Kuno blocked.
Ryouga s sword broke in half but completely knocked
Kuno s sword out of his hands, the sword flew to the edge of
the men and fell to the ground.
The men around them stood up, the two sides facing each
other as Kuno and Ryouga did too.
Tendo s men saw and heard what Ryouga did for them. He
saved not only their lives, but the lives of their women and
children who lived there. They were insulted when Kuno
called him a peasant, but then to attack a man untrained in
the way of the sword? That was too much. Even Kuno s clan-
men should realize this.
Kuno s men barely escaped their home which had become a
raging inferno. But each and every one of them realize that
even though they had lost their home, if not for Kuno s
leadership, they would have lost their lives too. For them,
seeing Kuno teach this peasant a lesson was more than
appropriate. For the peasant to fight back? That was too
much. Even Tendo s men should realize this.
And now they stood. Facing each other. Kuno and
Ryouga, as well as the men. Some swords were pulled out
when Kuno suddenly turned and walked in-between all of them,
out of the circle, leaving his sword behind.
They re good, almost too good, Cologne slid behind
the tent just in time, holding her breathe. She waited for
the next guards to pass by before breathing again. Whew.
No more sweetbuns for me, said Cologne and silently moved
on.
It seemed like forever, but she eventually reached the
main tent, which was as large as five. Here she would find
the answer to her question.
At the edge of the nearby forest hid Benren1 and
Benren2, who have taken a liking to their new names as well
as their new mistress. Their new mistress was smart and
tough. A smart and tough leader meant that Benren1 and
Benren2 will live very well. The two couldn t help but
smile at each other. They eagerly waited for her to return.
Cologne cut the bottom of the tent and slid in slowly
and then looked up to see the most beautiful face she s ever
seen. Then felt something crack into her head and she
passed out.
And then found herself staring into two wide blue eyes,
that slowly blinked once, then twice. Cologne swung her
head around to get a better view of where she was, but she
managed to move her head slightly before the pain paralyzed
her. Whatever hit her head must have been hard. She looked
about her. She was still in the tent, but now in the
middle. No guards, except for the blue eyed girl next to
her. Cologne realized that her hands and feet were tied and
ignoring the young girl staring impassively at her, she
began to struggle against her bonds.
Forget it, said a feminine deep voice behind her.
They are unbreakable.
Cologne shuffled around, surprised that she hadn t
sensed the woman behind her. You! It was the same woman
she saw before. The woman who lead the Musk Dynasty,
something unheard of. She was still pregnant.
Yes. It is I. I presume you entered this tent to
find me. Now before I kill you, woman, tell me why you re
here. The woman raised her arm and it began to glow,
lighting up the entire tent. The blue eyed girl next to
Cologne squeeked and shuffled away.
Why are you here!? Cologne boldly asked.
Tsk... I had hoped to satisfy my curiousity. Oh
well, the glow brightened and the pregnant woman raised her
arm higher.
It s almost time, said Cologne quickly trying
something else.
Eh? Time for what.
The child you hold. At best, two weeks.
Two weeks! The woman said in a harsh whisper and
stepped back, the glow dimming. Two weeks! The glow
dimmed even more. TWO WEEKS!! The woman shrieked
deafening Cologne and the tent went pitch black and then
suddenly erupted in light and...
nothing happened. Cologne let the blotches of color
slowly disappear before she tried to see what was happening.
The woman was on the floor, unmoving. Suddenly men burst
into the tent.
Prince Herb! Prince Herb!
Herb! A tall handsome man in blue silks sat next to
Herb s still body and picked her back up and stared vividly
into Herb s still face.
Men surrounded Cologne and aimed their swords and
spears at her.
Herb opened her eyes and was fascinated by the amount
of concern on Cai s eyes. Cai, I m unhurt. Something
happened but its alright now. She patted the tall man s
hand and pushed it away as she stood up. As for the rest
of you, the woman suddenly had a fierce voice and Cologne
could feel the rest almost shrink around her, how did this
woman get in!?
Silence.
Go back out and search the entire area thoroughly!
Yes milord! The men thinned out of the tent, except
for the thin one named Cai.
Prince Herb? Cai took a step forward toward Herb who
sat down on a group of cushions.
Two weeks, said Herb.
Heh, more like two months, said Cologne under her
breathe. The lie worked.
Two weeks? Cai reached for the nearby table and
poured some clear wine for Herb and passed it to her.
We must find it in two weeks! We leave within the
hour! I was rash. Tell the men to forget about the
search.
Yes. Cai turned around and left the tent.
Cologne recognized the look in Herb s eye as the man
named Cai left the tent. Another weapon gained.
The blue eyed girl appeared from underneath a blanket
amongst the cushions and tenderly approached Herb. She
picked up a giant fan and began to slowly wave it at Herb.
I m cold, said Herb harshly at the young girl who
dropped the fan and ran out of the tent. Herb stood up
slowly and went toward the table to pour herself some more
wine and then turned toward the stranger tied up on her
floor. You speak chinese, said Herb.
Yes.
You wear the dress of the amazon. Tell me why an
amazon would follow me to Re-Ben. Herb stood up and
approached her.
I saw the Musk Dynasty army quickly crossing our lands
from atop the Amazon city walls. Tell me why the Musk
Dynasty is led by a woman?
Herb kicked Cologne in the stomach swiftly and
powerfully, sending the woman five feet back.
Cologne gripped herself, seeing black spots floating
around her. She had never felt such a powerful kick! She
finally got her breathe back and the spots cleared. Cologne
gasped as she saw two small lights above her, like stars,
stare down impassively at her.
Herb raised her arm ready to kill the woman.
Wait! Wait! Please tell me! Cologne face went red
in humiliation. She had never begged before. Why are you
here!? I followed you all this way!
I m looking for the magic pot of great power. My
ancestors gave it away long ago to someone who went abroad.
It was rumored that he settled at Re-Ben.
He settled at Itsuku, a city south of here! Cologne
made up the name. We have a similar myth, of a man who
walked through the Amazon village with a wondrous pot. One
of our own women left with him and later returned when he
had died at an early age.
Oh? Herb lowered her hand.
Ryouga held the umbrella tightly as he wandered about
the estate. He was happy and nervous too. He saw Luanma
watching him when he defeated Kuno. Ryouga imagined how
impressed Luanma would be with him. He thought he heard her
and he ran around the corner and stopped suddenly. It was
Luanma, talking to Kuno.
Only a true noble man would graciously offer to teach
someone so unskilled, said Luanma, who had practiced her
entire role before perfecting her Japanese. Not only did
you never truly attacked him, but you let him defeat you
too, allowing his pride and confidence to grow. You even
quelled the growing dispute amongst the men. How truly
great you are. Luanma looked up, blinking her eyes once
and lightly placing her powerful hands on Kuno s impassively
excited hand.
Kuno held still but eventually stepped back. This
woman s gaze and touch excited him unlike any others. Her
fowardness, usually disruptive to his senses, heightened
them to a different level. He had talked to others. She
was foreign... exotic. Indeed I knew I had to keep the
tension down. I let the peasant have his way today, but
unless he keeps practicing with the sword, I feel he will
fall in battle.
Ryouga flushed in embarassment. Better to have let
that pompous asshole run him through than suffer hearing
this. Ryouga gripped the umbrella and ran away, forcing his
tears down.
Peasant? Fall in battle? More likely you will fall
faster than he. Oh, how kind and wonderful you are Kuno-
sama. I feel that I must leave now. I am poor and only a
visitor to the kind Tendo-sama. I must work to pay back his
kindness. Luanma strode quickly with elegant steps towards
the small houses then once around the corner, ran.
Work? Kuno could not believe that his beautiful
delicate flower must work and he ran after her and around
the corner. Where did she go?
The rest of the day passed swiftly for Luanma, who went
over to Wasabe s to help fix up the store. She cleaned,
fixed, ate, talked, and laughed with Wasabe while they went
about the store. Nighttime quickly arrived and Luanma was
saying her goodbyes when Wasabe beckoned her to come closer.
Mrs. Wasabe placed her lips next to Luanma s ears and
said, I heard rumors about Kuno-sama watching you. Be
careful, he is known to visit those he has interest in.
Luanma smiled and said, I can handle it.
Akane burned the most recent note sent by Kuno-sama.
Her father, with a bitter voice, had told her that Ise Taira
was gone, and the idiot refuses to believe it. She had
seen Kuno-sama leer towards Luanma and she couldn t help but
smile at the thought that Luanma could turn into a man.
What would Kuno-sama say to that? Well now father won t
force me to marry the imbecile.
Akane s thoughts went towards Ryouga. She hadn t seen
him since he defeated Kuno-sama. How she wanted to tell him
how proud she was of him.
Mousse stared out into the invisible hallway and sent
out a tiny squeek, suddenly basking his senses with images.
Sound was how some gifted blind walked but not he. But now
in animal form, some of his powers were lost and he was
forced to use this mundane method.
Something had disturbed him. A man s form reflected
back from his tiny shrill voice. He could also sense Luanma
through the door sleeping peacefully.
This man was up to no good! Don t disturb my dove s
sleep, Mousse flapped to the intruder.
Kuno swapped the small annoying creature out of the
air.
Damn! He still wasn t use to being so small. Mousse
sent out more shrill shrieks and saw and heard Luanma. He
nodded hanging backwards from the ceiling. He had
overreacted, forgetting that Luanma was powerful, perhaps
more so than he. She could handle herself. Another image
of another approaching figure tagged at the end of the
returned signal and Mousse sent out another to get a clearer
view. The image sent back was fuzzy, unclear but for some
unknown reason, dangerous. Mousse sent another signal and
received something completely different than before. Mousse
hugged his thin frail bat arms around him, no time! IT was
coming and he couldn t do a thing!
Luanma suddenly opened her eyes from deep sleep and saw
a handsome face approach hers, lips pursed. She squeeled
and squirmed out of Kuno s arms and crawled to a corner.
She had been warned. It was a good thing she hadn t hit
him, then all her plans would have been destroyed.
I am here, for you, said Kuno slowly approaching her,
passing the sleeping panda.
Worthless bag of fur. Kuno-sama. Please, I am not
prepared. Not dressed.
Why be dressed when I would soon rip them off? Kuno
approached closer.
Footsteps pounded down the hall. Suddenly the door
slid open and Ryouga ran into the room holding a sword.
Kuno! Prepare to die! He ran at the defenseless noble-
man and swung at him.
Kuno dodged, but not fast enough and the sword cut
deeply into his side.
Ryouga! Luanma yelled, reaching over to him, but
suddenly Ryouga turned and ran off.
The screams brought guards who yelled in surprise and
ran off in search of the attacker.
Ryouga stood outside, still gripping the umbrella. He
had been watching the moon for quite some time.
He heard noises and stood up. It was coming from
behind the wall he was leaning against. He quickly strode
around the corner and was suddenly hit by something. He
shook his head and sat up to suddenly face himself.
The moonlight shone down on two Ryouga s.
Wh-what? Ryouga reached toward his other self.
You ll find out, answered the other Ryouga and he
jumped up and ran away, leaving a sword behind.
Ryouga! Ryouga turned around and to his surprise
suddenly found himself surrounded by his friends, all
pointing their swords at him.
Mousse pumped his pathetic little wings, hurtling and
tumbling through the sky after the fuzzy figure. He
squeeked several times and could sense the somethings around
him. He needed to see.
Mousse landed on the floor. Concentrate, Mousse
gripped his clawed fists and then suddenly felt the hot
water cover him.
Ah, he stood up, already clothed. He put a hand on the
tree and sent his eyes out over the forest scanning for the
somethings he felt earlier. Now he would be able to tell
for real.
And he found them, the somethings and he was
bewildered. He could now see them clearly, how could he
have missed them when he came. Danger! Danger! He had to
do something.
Something evil hissed behind him and Mousse s foot
struck out swift and clean and it screamed something horrid.
One something dead. And then his eyes were screaming at
him. The fuzzy figure that he followed before had now
realized that it was being followed and was heading his way.
Four more somethings hurtled through the sky looking for
him. Mousse slid into the shadows as his master taught him
years ago. Those somethings are too stupid to find him.
Then his sense pricked up again. The fuzzy something was
coming nearer. Mousse took a closer look with his full
power and the image he received so daunted him that he
nearly lost control of the shadow. This was something
filled with hatred and death. The other somethings were
easily dealt with, like the one now gurgling death on the
floor, but this fuzzy something... how did it know? Mousse
could see it clearly now and suddenly wished that he hadn t.
He had no choice. It was time to retreat.
He covered himself in cold water and swished into the
air, his tiny lungs burning in fear.
The now clear something screamed in rage and pointed.
The other somethings shrieked like Mousse s own and he knew
that he was found. He hurtled into the forest, hoping that
his tiny size would be to his advantage but he could hear
the crack and pop of wood as they ignored the branches in
their path and crashed through to get him. Kill him.
He had to get to safety. The estate was his only hope.
Mousse burst out of the forest and forced his arms faster.
He could just feel the more dangerous something just behind
the other somethings.
Then it was right behind him and he felt as if he was
ripped in half. He bounced off the wall of the estate.
Concentrate. Concentrate! Mousse stood full length as
blood spurted out from his chest and he waved his now long
arm in front of him and sharp arrows shot out in several
directions. He heard several harsh shrieks and he smiled
through a bloodied mouth. This was it. His quest for love
had failed.
Then the sounds of men, they will soon be everywhere.
The somethings flew back into the forest. Mousse held his
bleeding chest and slid back into the shadows. Into safety.
So, Ryouga, what can you say for yourself? Tendo s
face was hard. Today was going to be a hard day.
I didn t do it!
How dare you lie! Kuno stood up grunting, holding
his wounded side. First you attack me then you lie to your
own master!? You don t even deserve the chance of seppuku.
Let me run him through!
Akane and Luanma stood outside of the doors.
Why aren t we allowed in? Luanma gripped her fist.
Because we re women, said Akane, this is warrior s
business.
But I have something important to tell!
It doesn t matter, said Akane quietly. Ryouga is
going to die, whether he kills himself or not.
It wasn t him! It looked like him, but I know Ryouga!
The man who attacked Kuno-sama held the sword correctly!
Akane s face lit up then went back down. But its too
late. Who is going to listen to us?
And then to Luanma s sudden surprise, Akane dropped
sobbing into her arms.
If only I was a man, came Akane s words through her
tears.
Regardless Kuno-san, we must give him a chance. Who
here has seen Ryouga elsewhere?
Two of Tendo s men raised their arms but suddenly
Hiroshi stood up and said, Forget this. I saw the bastard
run down the hall. I opened my door and saw him pass me,
holding a sword. I could see clearly, I was holding my
lamp. My room is only a few rooms down from our Chinese
visitors.
And that was it. Even one of Tendo s men claimed to
have seen Ryouga come after Kuno-sama. They took him away
and locked him up. Tomorrow, he was to commit seppuku.
Luanma opened her door and entered her room. The giant
panda walked over to her and anxiously nudged her arm.
Luanma patted the panda and then suddenly turned to the
corner and said, Why are you still here?
Mousse walked out of the shadows.
The panda jerked its head towards him in complete
surprise and snarled, bumping Luanma behind its large body.
Luanma slapped it on the head and pointed to the
closest corner. The panda moaned and nudged Luanma s hand
but Luanma was adamant. The panda walked to the corner and
sat down miserably.
Mousse, do you want to die, asked Luanma quietly
slowly turning to him.
Mousse said nothing then fell to the floor. Then from
the shadow of the corner seeped out blood, as if the walls
were bleeding, and slowly stretched out to Mousse.
Luanma shivered and took a step back.
The blood reached Mousse and then Luanma could suddenly
see the large rip in his blood soaked clothing. The blood
on the floor now looked as if it came from him.
Power, thought Luanma and then concern took over.
Mousse! Luanma kneeled besides him trying to stop the
bleeding.
No... I have to tell you something.
Shhh... don t talk, said Luanma ripping her shirt.
I just lost concentration, said Mousse and he grunted
and suddenly the blood seeped up off the floor, off his
shirt into his wound and all disappeared, the only evidence
his ripped shirt.
Luanma stared in surprise, suddenly backing up.
Luanma. Luanma! Mousse forced himself up grunting.
This entire place is in danger! Please! Come back to
China with me!
Dammit! Luanma stood up facing away. No. I don t
want you or need you.
Luanma, you don t fully understand how dangerous this
place is. It changed Luanma! Like you and me! It
changed!!
What? What changed?
It! Yesterday night! It took the form it wanted.
ANY FORM. WITHOUT WATER!
It was midnight. Ryouga sat there, staring at his
thick wooden bars thinking how weak they were and how strong
he was. His guard was Keisuke, who hadn t said a word.
Suddenly the door opened and Tendo-sama walked in with two
of his men. Ryouga stood up to greet his master.
Ryouga-kun... Tendo stood in front of the bars, face
covered in shadows. I feel that I am committing a grave
mistake, something that my ancestors will be forevered
shamed at.
I understand, Tendo-sama, said Ryouga bowing to his
master. You gave me a wonderful life and now a chance at
an honorable death.
But is there nothing more I can do!
My mother-
The door burst in and suddenly two of Tendo s men
crashed to the floor followed by Keisuke. Tendo fought with
the intruder for a second then suddenly found himself on the
floor.
Strangely, Tendo could still see. He could not move
however. He watched the intruder stand in front of the
bars. The intruder was cloaked.
You and the other man defeated us. We had to make
sure your life was destroyed before we actually killed you.
Blue light lit the hut and suddenly the bars exploded.
How dare you hurt Tendo-sama, suddenly Ryouga jumped
through the explosion and attacked the intruder, who slipped
around him and savagely twisted his neck with a loud crack.
NOOOO!! Tendo wanted to scream. How dare you kill
my son!
The intruder picked up the limp body that was Ryouga.
And when you awaken, Tendo, the intruder kicked Tendo s
frozen body, you will think that Ryouga had fled, now
totally dishonored. Kuno s men will be angered and will
leave. Your estate will be helpless. The intruder left
carrying Ryouga s body.
A little while later, Tendo found his limbs back in
use. His men too eventually got up, all alive. But he
found out that he was the only one who saw. His enemy had
made a mistake. He had seen. He had heard. And he knows.
Let them try and take his estate. He will avenge Ryouga.
Luanma carried Ryouga s body outside the estate and
dropped it on the floor as well as a bag. He grabbed
Ryouga s head and then quickly twisted it. There was a loud
snap and suddenly Luanma fell to the floor. Along with
Ryouga revival came a revival of action. Tendo-sama!
Ryouga yelled, fist out.
Luanma scurried over painfully and covered Ryouga s
mouth. Shhhh...quiet. Tendo s still alive.
Wh-what? You! You re the Chinese man-
Yes. Now if you re smart enough you ll realize I just
saved your life. Tendo thinks for sure now that you re not
the attacker. I saw what happened and I m pretty certain
that those monsters sent in a look-a-like to attack Kuno.
Ryouga stayed silent.
There s nothing you can do now.
I know, said Ryouga suddenly solemn and looking at
the floor. I can t return either since Kuno still thinks
I m the one who attacked him.
Well, look. Luanma opened up the bag next to him.
Here s all your stuff, well, most of it. I went into your
room and grabbed whatever I could and stuffed them into the
bag.
Thank you, said Ryouga looking into the bag. The
umbrella! He pulled it out and looked at it.
The umbrella! That looks like it was made in China,
said Luanma.
It is... Ryouga looked at the umbrella endearingly.
There is a girl staying at the Tendo s... this umbrella
belongs to her. Can you give it to her for me?
Luanma was glad it was night, he wasn t sure how he
reacted. I- I can t. I have to go somewhere else now,
cannot return into the Tendo estate. Take it with you, I m
sure the girl would want you to take it.
I don t think so. After all, she likes another man.
Luanma coughed. This was bad. Take umbrella. I m
sure.
Where should I go?
Somewhere. Anywhere. Just not too far. Make sure
you find your way back someday.
Let me go with you! I can help you with whatever you
do! We make a good team, remember when we fought!?
Nah, I have to stay here.
But you just said you had to go somewhere else.
Uh... I have to stay around here. I can t go inside
the estate, but I have to watch it from outside.
Oh, said Ryouga disappointed, getting up. I better
go.
Yeah.
Ryouga started walking off into the night when he
turned around. Your Japanese is a lot better than the last
time we met, said Ryouga.
I ve been practicing, said Luanma.
What s your name?
Lei-Dian.
Oh. Okay Lei-Dian. I hope we meet again. It
started to rain and Ryouga opened the umbrella, smiled
sadly, and ran off.
Luanma s clothes soaked up the rain, drop by drop,
until he suddenly found himself a girl again. Luanma
shrugged and easily jumped over the wall.
End of Chapter Three.
Blah blah blah: Well well. Third chapter done and its a
big one! I hope you understood all of that. Oh, my
apologies for any mess ups in Japanese feudal culture. I
really have no idea and believe me, finding any reading
material in english about it is really hard. Anyway, let me
blabber. Why am I writing this? I have always been
fascinated by Ranma 1/2. Stories such as Ranma, based on
sexuality, have always appealed to me, perhaps because of my
early moments of confusion. Take that as you will. I first
read Ranma1/2 when I was twelve, about seven years ago. It
was translated in Korean. Even since then, I ve been an
avid fan. But Ranma 1/2 never explores anything deeper than
a comedic level and it is rather evident that most fans wish
it to go further than that from reading fan-fiction.
Whether they wish it to get more serious in drama, romance
or action, fans want Ranma1/2 to be more.
Well, it is more. We have made it so. I have thrown
in my own works as well.
Ranma is essentially grotesque. He is neither girl
nor boy. In reality, he should be confused, angered,
bothered and more, perhaps more than most teenagers.
Ranma s denial of becoming female is perhaps a mirror of
this confusion. What better way to react to something
possibly dangerous than by denying it? Or Rumiko Takahashi
could be using it for purely comedic reasoning.
Anyhow, I am fascinated by the idea of Ranma accepting
his female side, perhaps, becoming more female than male.
And now, readers, I give you the opportunity of one
look at this particular type of Ranma. Tell me what you
think.
I have moved from my old address to rrrgeen@epix.net.
Please e-mail me your thoughts, rants or praises. Thank
you.