Tachi could see little.  Dark clouds hid the sun, cutting its 
light to a fraction.  Branches heavy with rain made a dark green canopy, a 
cloak of leaves that could conceal half a dozen Amazons.  *We're 
expected,*  the short haired girl called as she searched for the 
Joketsuzoku sentry.  *Plum, the Jusenkyo Guide, brought us.*
	*I was not told of this,* the hidden voice replied.
	"What are you saying?" Shun hissed.  "I can tell it's Chinese, 
but nothing besides that."
	Tachi waved him silent.  *Are you told everything?* she challenged.
	*Few would hide anything from me.*  The voice was sure of herself.
	*Then you shouldn't be afraid to hide from us.*
	Shun grabbed his friend's sleeve.  "Tachi..."
	@Quiet,@ she whispered in English.  @I'm in the middle of a battle of 
wills at the moment, and I don't have time to explain.@
	The branches above them rustled, and a lithe, long-haired shadow 
leapt to the ground.  Tachi wasn't sure in the dim half-light, but she 
thought the sentry's twin pony tails were purple.  *I am not afraid of you.*
	Tachi's voice was steady.  *Nor I of you.  But I have no desire 
to fight with you.*
	The sentry took a step closer.  She was a young woman, in her late 
teens, and Tachi noticed with irritation that her shoes didn't sink in 
the thick mud.  *Are you that afraid of losing?*
	*No.  I'm afraid of winning.*
	The sentry laughed, amusement tinged with mockery.  *I don't think you 
need to worry about that," she gasped at last.
	Fortunately for Tachi, in the dim light no one could tell how red her 
face was.  *Accidents happen,* she said, her voice strained.  *I'm from 
Nerima, in Japan.  I've heard the stories.  I don't want to earn the Kiss of 
Death through some bizarre twist of fate.*
	*Nerima,* the sentry whispered.  *Do you know the one called, 
'Ranma?'*
	*He's my uncle.*
	The sentry frowned, disappointment evident on her features 
despite the darkness.  *Come with me, then.*  She spun, dark hair 
flairing like twin ribbons, and marched off towards Joketsuzoku.
	"Well, did you win?" Shun asked.
	Tachi narrowed her eyes at the sentry's back.  "I'm not sure.  I 
think the game was called before the final inning."
	"That's fine by me."  Adjusting the bag on his shoulder, the 
long-haired boy trudged off after their now-distant escort.  "We've met 
the bloodthirsty barbarian women, and neither of us is dead yet.  I 
guess I'm earning my keep."

* * * * *

	The Joketsuzoku sentry led them to a hut on the outskirts of the 
village.  Golden light poured from the windows; now Tachi could tell that 
the girl's odango-style hair was the deepest violet, the color of the sky 
just as the stars made their appearance.  _Out here, this far from 
civilization, I'll bet it isn't even dyed.  Supermodels from all over the 
world would kill for a body that toned and hair that shade._
	The short-haired girl shook her head as the sentry ushered them 
inside.  _I can't believe I'm jealous.  Not of someone's physical 
appearance.  That's so... ordinary._
	She caught Shun staring at the girl, openly appraising and 
admiring her.  A swift elbow to the ribs brought that to a halt.  "Hey, 
what was that for," he complained.
	Tachi's frown was all the answer he ever got.
	On the other side of the room, a long-haired man with thick, 
coke-bottle glasses shut the book he was reading with an audible snap.  
"Welcome to Joketsuzoku, Tachi Kuno," Mousse said.  He stood up; long white 
robes flowing as he moved.  "And greetings to you as well, Shun Kuonji."
	"Hello, Uncle," Tachi replied.  It seemed the safest thing to say.
	"Uncle?"  Shun counted on his fingers.  "Umm, Tachi, unless I'm 
missing someone..."
	"Uncle," Mousse agreed.  "Considering the past, and what brings 
you here, I think that is as good a title as any."
	"You know why I've come to Joketsuzoku?"  Tachi probed, trying to 
mask her eagerness.  There was still some nagging doubt in the back of her 
mind, some piece of the puzzle she had yet to ferret out.  Perhaps Mousse 
held the key to why she was _really_ in China.
	"Of course I do."  Mousse smiled, but through the distortion of 
his lenses Tachi couldn't tell if it touched his eyes.  "You are here 
because I am here.  Your mother sent you to Joketsuzoku to see me."
 ______
{B-{=__

	That's all for now.  I'm headed to Modesto for a month; no 
computer access for me there.  When I return to San Diego I'll be able to 
work on this some more.  I'll even actually get to the real plot...