[FF] The Ways of the Amazons: Thy Inward Love : Aftermath

The customs agent looked at the long line of people and tried to contain his
boredom.  The process for entering China was slow and tedious, even for 
citizens.  After this planeful, another was waiting. He tried to control his 
discontent.  This was an important job, and the Party depended on him.

Looking down the line, he spotted an unusual couple.  His pulse quickened; 
they promised to break the tedium.  He hurried through the next few returning 
nationals, anxious to get to the good part.

The man and woman stepped forward.  The agent looked expectantly at the tall 
young man, and was surprised when the woman held out the papers for them 
both.

He looked at her curiously, refusing to take the papers.  She just stared 
back at him steadily, her hand not wavering.  His irritation rose.  She was 
trying to make a fool out of him.  That was a mistake.

He tried not to smile.  This was going to be fun.  And he thought the day was 
going to be boring.

He waited for a minute, trying to gauge her.  She was very young, probably 
not twenty yet.  She had very long hair which she had dyed purple, of all 
colors.  She was wearing a purple outfit which hugged her body. A remarkably...
fit body.   It was certainly not appropriate for a proper Chinese woman.

They stared at each other for a while.  The other people in line began to 
shuffle impatiently as he and the young woman held each other's eyes.  She 
showed no signs of irritation.  Her face was carefully neutral, if somewhat 
arrogant.  She held the same pose, her hand outstretched, not a single part 
of her body moving.

Realizing that he wasn't going to win this battle, the agent raised an 
eyebrow and slowly took the woman's papers.  He flipped through them, finding 
her passport and examing its details.

"Xian Pu?"  He looked at her.  "Do you have no family name?"

"No."  Her answer was clipped, as if she was using the absolute minimum 
amount of breath necessary to say the word.

The agent looked at the credentials again, looking at her place of birth.  He 
couldn't help drawing in a quick breath when he saw it.

Joketsuzoku.

That explained a lot.

He examined her again.  Now that he knew what to look for, he could see all 
the signs of arrogance and sheer bull-headedness that made up a typical 
Amazon.

His eyes flicked over to the man.  His lip curled into a sneer.  A man of the 
Amazons was no better than a woman.  The agent flipped to his passport.  "And
you are Mu Zhu?"  He put as much contempt into the words as he could.

The young man nodded.  He had very long hair...just like a woman.  He looked
to be about the woman's age.  The agent smiled.  "Are you Xian Pu's wife?"

The man didn't react at all.  The agent looked at him a moment, then smiled
condescendingly before returning to Xian Pu.

"What were you doing in...."  he looked at the passport, and felt his lip 
curl further, "...Japan?"

"Conducting business on behalf of the Amazon tribe."  She was talking in the
same clipped voice. She produced some more papers and held them out to him in
the same manner she had held out the passports.

This time he knew better than to try to wait her out; he countered by 
snatching the papers out of her grasp.  Her expression remained neutral.

He looked at her a moment, then examined the papers.  They appeared to be 
well in order, with the proper taxes and fees on the profits earned in Japan
paid to the PRC government.  He looked at all the details, and was disappointed
to find every one of them correct.

His eyes moved to the bags the man was carrying.  "Anything to declare?"

Mu Zhu placed one bag on the desk while Xian Pu held out yet another sheaf of 
papers.

The agent took the papers and leafed through them.  They described various
treasures of the Amazons, taken legally out of China several months ago, now
being returned.  Curious, he opened the bag.

He gasped.  There was an incredible amount of jewelry and other things in the
bag.  The agent ran his hand through the jewelry.  There was enough here to 
pay his yearly salary several times over.  He picked up a brooch.  It was 
green, with an odd face on it.  Is seemed to capture the light and reflect
it back in a peculiar way.  He stared at it, mesmerized.

With reluctance, he replaced the brooch.  He saw another package, carefully 
wrapped.  His pulse quickened; hopefully this was something he could detain
them over.  He picked it up and placed it on the table in front of him.

"Be careful."  Xian Pu's voice was the same neutral, business-like thing it
had always been.  The agent looked at her with disdain, concealing his 
excitement.  This was sure to be something dangerous, something he could get
good and worked up over.

He unwrapped it, and was frankly disappointed.  It was just an irregular 
jade tablet, carved with a dialect he was unfamiliar with.  Certainly there
were many other pieces in the bag that were much more valuable than this.  
He moved his hand over the tablet to trace the carvings.

"Do not touch it."  The agent jerked his head upright, glaring at the 
Amazon.  How dare she presume to tell him what to do?  With a sneer, he
placed his hand deliberately on the tablet.

His vision grayed out, turned to blackness.  His whole body was paralyzed.
In the blackness, shapes moved.  Voices whispered to him, asking him who
he was and what he was like.  The voices moved into his brain and began
rummaging around, commenting on what they found.  They exposed his fears
and weaknesses, found every thing he didn't like about himself and 
pointing out new things he could hate himself for.  They laughed at the
pettiness of his life, and derisively consoled him on his failures in
life and the unrealized dreams of his youth.  They also told him the root
of all his problems: he was the wrong gender.

The blackness cleared and he could move again, enough to quiver.  He 
quickly lifted his hand off the tablet.  He looked up at Xian Pu, and the
voices were quick to tell him that she was someone to be treated with
the utmost respect.  Quickly, eager to please, he put their papers in 
order while Mu Zhu replaced the treasures in the bag.  He offered his
apologies and obsequiously wished Xian Pu well on her return to China.  
She nodded her head at him, and he basked in her approval.

He watched as the young couple moved away.  The voices congratulated him
on a job well done.  They also let him know that he had merely taken the
first step on a very long road to personal salvation.  He quavered at that;
how was he to know when he had achieved that?  The voices, amused, assured 
him that they would be with him all the way, even if it took him the rest 
of his life.

He trembled in fear as the voices in his mind laughed.

***

Xian Pu moved quickly out of the airport, finding the line of people 
waiting for the bus that would take them to the train station.  They
still had a long way to go before they reached Joketsuzoku.

Mu Zhu stood next to her, his face carefully neutral.  Nevertheless, 
his voice contained a hint of disapproval.  "Did you need to do that?"

Xian Pu shifted her gaze to his face, her expression hardening.  "I
did nothing; he did it to himself."

"You could have stopped him."  Mu Zhu readjusted his glasses.  "The
spirits might have been angry at you for disturbing them unnecessarily."

"The situation would have deteriorated quickly if I had attempted to
stop him.  You saw what he was like."  Her lip curled into almost a
snarl.  "So like a man, trying to control me because I am a woman.
The spirits of the Ancestor Stone knew his soul, and punished him.  I
was never in danger."

Mu Zhu sighed.  "I suppose it could not have been helped.  He was out
to cause trouble for us.  Yet, I still feared for you.  We have seen
what the spirits can do when they're angry."

Xian Pu nodded.  The memories of her great-grandmother surrounded by
the spirits, screaming as they took her to the spirit world with them,
were ones she would never forget.  She bit her lip.  She knew some blame
in the matter.  If only she had done any of a thousand things differently,
great-grandmother would still be alive.

She drew a deep breath.  No use brooding over it; she would be judged 
soon enough.

***

The train station was not one that was used frequently.  Xian Pu and Mu
Zhu stood alone on the mostly empty platform as the train pulled away.

Mu Zhu looked at the single paved road and sighed.  "I hate this part of
the journey."

Xian Pu hated it to, but wasn't about to admit it.  No true warrior 
should ever admit to discomfort; she was a little disappointed in Mu Zhu.

Taking her share of the bags, she moved down the road.  Mu Zhu quickly
grabbed his bags and followed her.  They had a few hours journey ahead of
them.

The founders of Joketsuzoku had chosen their spot well.  At the end of a 
narrow pass surrounded by sheer cliffs, the village protected the good
farm lands that ran along the valley.  The village itself was not 
strategically placed in mainland China, was well away from any major port,
and had no valuable resources other than the crops it grew.  No one truly
had ever developed a strong motivation to conquer the Amazons.  The few that
had tried over the centuries had found themselves trapped in the pass, 
attacked on all sides by fierce warriors.  The risk simply wasn't worth
the reward, especially since it was apparent that the Amazons simply 
wanted to be left alone.  

The only people who ever came near the village were usually those in 
search of the legendary springs of Jusenkyo, found in the nearby 
mountains.  If a woman wandered perchance into the village, she was 
greeted politely, asked if any help was need, then usually sent on her
way.  Men who wandered into the village left either parts of their bodies
or their lives behind.  The reputation of the Chinese Amazons grew, and 
the rest of China soon learned to avoid the ara.

The Communist revolution in China changed all that.  When it became 
apparent that the Amazons were not going to willingly recognize the
authority of the new leadership, the People's Liberation Army had stepped
in.  The Amazons saw the tanks and PLA regulars coming from miles away,
but they had been unable to do anything to stop them.  The use of the
Ancestor Stone had been debated, and while the spirits might well have
been able to kill each member of the invading army, they wouldn't have
been able to stop the tanks from levelling the village first.  Technology
had finally surpassed the ancient magic.  The majority of the Elders
had voted to surrender, despite the vehement protests of a few of the
matriarchs.

The forced insertion of Communism into Joketsuzoku had been very 
difficult.  The first decade had been very tense, as Communism did not
see much merit in the matriarchy of the Amazons.  Slowly, however, as
problems developed for the Party elsewhere in China and the importance
of keeping the Amazons in line lessened, the Party's presence in 
Joketsuzoku had dwindled.  

These days, Joketsuzoku was as close to an indendent state as you were
likely to find in China.  The village paid its dues to the Communists,
but mostly governed themselves.  A very few times over the years the
interests of the People's Republic of China and the Amazons had collided,
but the Amazons had learned to quickly give in to the government, and when
its attention wandered elsewhere within the vast expanse of China, the 
Amazons had gone back to doing things their way.

Among the things insisted upon by the government was the building of
a modern road into Joketsuzoku.  While the Amazons didn't particularly
like the idea of being so easily reached by the outside world, they did
find the road useful for their own purposes.  It was this road that
Xian Pu and Mu Zhu were trudging along now.  It went through the narrow
pass, over a small rise, and into the village proper.

After three hours of following the road, Xian Pu stopped atop the rise
to survey the village.  It looked largely unchanged since she had last
seen it a few months ago.  Somehow, though, it seemed smaller.  Almost
provincial after a year of living in crowded Tokyo.

Xian Pu shook her head to rid it of these thoughts.  The village had a 
population of around five thousand, the most ever in its long history.
Its primary export was the excess rice the populace grew in the farm 
lands beyond.  The village was largely self-sufficient, but there was
still a demand for the luxuries that could be had from the rest of China
and the outside world.  Trade flourished in Joketsuzoku, as it hadn't in
centuries.

Mu Zhu was peering at the village through his glasses; another luxury 
obtained from outside.  His expression was wary and nervous.  "Somehow, I'd 
thought I'd be happier to be home."

Xian Pu, with a start, realized that she wasn't as estatic as she'd
thought she would be.  She'd been looking forward to this for weeks,
preparing herself to rejoin the Amazons and make herself a useful part
of their future once again.  Now that she was actually here, she found
herself almost wishing she was back in Japan.

Xian Pu grimaced; what was in Japan for her?  Ranma was married, the
restaurant sold.  Even if the Japanese had eaten at her restaurant, 
they had never made her feel entirely welcome.  The people here in
Joketsuzoku were her people; the accepted her as a member of the tribe
and would eventually accept her as an Elder.  Of that, Xian Pu had
no doubt.

Well, hardly any doubts.

She looked to see two Amazon warriors approaching.  Even today, the
village kept a guard up at all times.  Xian Pu recognized them both;
she had beaten them in the many tournaments the Amazons held.  They
were both capable warriors.  She and Mu Zhu could defeat them in 
seconds if they wanted to.

Xian Pu nodded at the closest warrior.  "Ying Li.  It is good to see you
again."

Ying Li nodded.  "Xian Pu.  Too long have you been gone from the tournament.
I have risen to the top of the ladder, and look forward to seeing how much
of your edge you have lost in Japan."

Xian Pu couldn't help smiling.  If Ying Li thought that Xian Pu had gone 
soft in Japan, she was in for a rude awakening.  "I, too, look forward to
continuing our long association on the Battle Tree.  I would like to improve
upon my time spent there; I was much too slow last time."

Ying Li gave her a hard smile.  The last time they had fought, Xian Pu had
sent her flying within thirty seconds.  Ying Li had been ridiculed widely
for providing such an inadequate challenge, even if everyone recognized
Xian Pu as the finest of the young warriors.  "I will do everything in my
power to see that our next contest is determined just as quickly, even if
the outcome is changed."  Ying Li looked around.  "Is Khu Lon still in 
Japan?"

Xian Pu's smile fled.  "Do not speak her name."

Silence descended for a few seconds.  There was only one reason not to speak
someone's name among the Amazons.  Xing Li bowed her head.  "I grieve for
your loss, Xian Pu."

Xian Pu shook her head.  "Do not grieve yet; I may not be worthy of your
sympathy.  I call upon the Elders to come together and judge a crime against
a member of the Amazons."

Ying Li glanced at her companion, who noddeed and ran off.  Ying Li examined
Xian Pu steadily for a moment.  "There appears to be an interesting story 
behind your words, Xian Pu.  I can see the weight of some guilt pressing on
your soul.  I do hope you find absolution among the Elders; I would hate to
miss meeting you again in combat."

Xian Pu nodded, realizing that there was genuine concern behind the other's
banter.  "Thank you, Ying Li.  I am going to go restablish my household, then
I will go to the Equal's Hall to await the Elders."  She reached out her
hand, and they clasped each other's forearms.  "Be diligent in the watch, 
Ying Li."

"Be prepared for the call, Xian Pu."  Ying Li glanced briefly at Mu Zhu,
then returned to her post at the side of the road.

Xian Pu continued further into the village, until she came to a dirt path

that led off in the direction of Mu Zhu's dwelling.  She turned to face him.
His expression was carefully neutral as he handed her the bag with the Amazon
treasures.

"I will drop my things off and meet you at the Equal's Hall."  He sounded
anxious.

Xian Pu shook her head.  "It will be a while before the Elders come together.
I do not plan to arrive there for an hour or more.  Take your time, Mu Zhu.
I'm sure you'll want to touch base with Guo Wen before the meeting."

Mu Zhu nodded gravely.  "You are probably right.  Very well then; in an hour."

They stared at each other a moment.  Even if they had stayed in separate
rooms, they had lived together for almost a year.  They had gone through some
very bad times together, not the least of which was the battle outside the
Tendo Dojo.  Xian Pu had leaned heavily on Mu Zhu for support after her
great-grandmother's death, and again after Ranma's wedding.  Now they were
going back to their separate lives, and there was a significant chance that
their two paths would not allow them to socialize again.

Xian Pu looked at Mu Zhu, not quite understanding what she was feeling.  
Scared, mostly.  Afraid of never being this close to him again.  Afraid that
whatever fragile link they had established would be shattered by the events
to come.

Fear was not worthy of an Amazon.  She had to put this aside.  She had wasted
too much of her recent life on men; time to move on to more important matters.

Part of her mind quailed at this thought.  Wasn't Mu Zhu important, too?

Before any rational part of her mind could object, Xian Pu dropped her bags,
walked up to Mu Zhu, grabbed his head, and kissed him.  Not a passionate or
desperate kiss, but not merely a friendly kiss, either.  He didn't much 
respond, but as she pulled away and looked into his stunned face, she knew 
that she had made an impression.

Smiling somewhat mischievously, she turned, gathered her bags, and went home.

***

Mu Zhu watched as Xian Pu bounced merrily away, looking happier than he had
seen her since the wedding.  All because she had kissed him.

Had kissed *him*.

His mind was still trying to compensate.  How long had he wanted this kind of
affection from her?  Anger and disgust began to build in him.  When she had
finally kissed him, all he could do was stand there and look stupid.  He
looked down to notice that he was still holding his bags.

His heart racing, he turned and walked down the dirt path.  He didn't know 
how to feel.  He wanted to feel exultation; a life-long dream had finally
come true.  Yet, fear fought with the excitement, fear that what she had given
him was a goodbye kiss as much as anything else.  Although he believed the
Elders would exonerate her, there was still a chance that she would receive
some form of punishment.  Amazons punishments were not to be taken lightly;
anything from a beatings to banishment was possible.  Executions had dropped
significantly in the past 50 years, mostly out of fear of drawing unwanted
attention from the PRC government.  But anything up to that was possible.
The next few days would tell.

He drew some deep breaths, trying to recall the lessons of his teacher.
One of the things he had been taught was that no matter what, tomorrow came.
You could not stop it from coming, nor could you force it to come too soon.
Therefore, one should not spend one's day worrying about tomorrow, but let
tomorrow come at its own pace, and deal with it then.

Mu Zhu gritted his teeth in frustration.  There was too much at stake to 
simply try to ignore.  He wished he knew what to expect.  So much could change
in a year.

He arrived at his small house and pushed open the door.  There were no need
for locks among the Amazons; they were scrupulously honest within the tribe.
Mu Zhu dropped his bags in the bedroom and did a quick tour of the house. Not
that there was much to tour.  Everything was in order.

He went back outside and walked down the road a little further.  He knocked
briefly on the door of another cottage, then quickly made his way to the top
of a nearby telephone pole.

The door opened and an older man looked out.  Mu Zhu spread his arms and 
dropped from the pole.  The man looked up just as Mu Zhu brought his steel
claws to bear.

The old man tried to jump back into the house, but Mu Zhu's claws caught his
robes and dragged him outside.  There followed a rapid exchange of blows, 
which was followed by a weapons display by both men that left an impressive
number of swords, chains, and shuriken littering the ground between them.

They looked at each other evenly for a moment before nodding their heads at
each other.  Then Mu Zhu broke out into a wide smile.  "It is good to see you
again, Master Guo Wen."

"I wonder if it is I who should be calling you Master, Mu Zhu.  You have 
improved tremendously over the past year."

Mu Zhu's head swam with the praise.  "I had some good teachers."

"I imagine."  Guo Wen shook his head.  "Despite her other faults, Khu Lon is
an excellent instructor."

Mu Zhu was brought back to earth by the comment.  "Do not speak her name."

"Ah."  Guo Wen considered Mu Zhu for a moment.  "It seems by your attitude 
that this was not a simple passing.  Come inside and tell me all about it."

Guo Wen went back into the cottage while Mu Zhu gathered the weapons.  He
followed his master inside and dumped his share of the weapons on the table.

Guo Wen offered him a chair.  "Tell me of your time in Japan, and of the death
of a matriarch.  This will cause no little concern in our tribe."

Mu Zhu nodded.  He had much to tell, but little time before the meeting of
the Elders was sure to take place.  Gathering his wits and his breath, he
began.

***

Xian Pu entered her house, one of the largest in the village.  To her surprise,
she found it empty.  She'd expected to find her father here, along with her
sisters.  Still, it was the middle of the day; surely they had lots of things
to do.

She went to her room and began unpacking, trying to gather her thoughts at the
same time.  She had quite a story to tell the Elders, and she needed to make
sure it was clear and concise the first time.  She needed to make a good
impression.

"Little Xian Pu, how you have grown.  I hear you bring grave news back to
Joketsuzoku."

Xian Pu quickly turned and adopted a fighting stance.  She only slightly
relaxed when she recognized the speaker.  Jei Fang.

Jei Fang was one of the Elders of the tribe, as powerful as Great-grandmother
had been.  Jei Fang was as different from her rival as it was possible to be.
She was tall, a direct descendant of the founder of the Amazons.  She was
very old, and leaned on her staff heavily.  Yet her eyes were as bright as
ever, and they looked at Xian Pu appraisingly.

Jei Fang was infamous for one other reason.  Alone among the Elders, she was
a member of the Communist Party.  She and Khu Lon had represented the extremes
of Amazon policy.  Kho Lon had advocated isolationism and a return to the days
of Amazon self-rule.  Jei Fang cooperated freely and openly with the PRC, and
was always pushing for greater intergration with the rest of China.  They had
always seen each other as the greatest threat to the Amazon way of life.

Xian Pu had watched her great-grandmother and Jei Fang collide many times over
the years.  Xian Pu felt the way most of the Amazons felt; Jei Fang went too
far.  It was all well and good to pretend to submit to the government's rule
while the Amazons went their own way.  Jei Fang took the game too far.  The
Amazons had survived centuries without the help of the outside world; they
would survive centuries more.  To allow themselves to be submerged within the
PRC would be to lose their identity.

It was only Jei Fang's bloodline that kept her a part of the Elders.  That, 
and her good ties within the Party often smoothed conflicts between the 
Amazons and the government.  Plus Jei Fang had been getting more and more
support from the younger members of the tribe.  Xian Pu's great-grandmother
had seen this as a danger to the Amazon way of life, and had made it much of
her life's work to thwarting Jei Fang as much as possible.  As close to her
great-grandmother as she had been, Xian Pu couldn't help feeling much of that
same distrust.

"Honored Elder, you intrude in my home.  I respect you and wish you well.  I
will see you at the Equal's Hall."

"Such impertinence!  I wonder if I should get a bucket of water and a mouse
to keep you occupied for a while."

Xian Pu fought an impulse to knock Jei Fang's staff out from under her.  "All
the water would do is get me wet."

"Indeed?  It seems you have a story to tell.  Tell it to me."  The command
was unmistakeable.

Xian Pu nodded her head.  "Of course, Jei Fang.  I obey the Elders.  I will
tell my story to all of the Elders at the Equal's Hall in an hour."

Jei Fang cackled.  "You have much of your ancestor's rude spirit and willful
way.  Yet, you do not have the authority of being an Elder to protect you."
The older woman's gaze pierced Xian Pu.  "You should think of the future,
Xian Pu."

Xian Pu bit her lip, letting more of her nervousness show than she meant.
Jei Fang was right; Great-grandmother wasn't here to protect her, and Xian Pu
had no political clout of her own, other than being considered Khu Lon's
heir-apparent.  Support from her great-grandmother's colleagues was likely
to disappear once she told her story.  Jei Fang was sure to exploit that
vulnerability.

Xian Pu gathered herself; even if she had opposed Great-grandmother at the
very end, she still honored her.  She had learned some very valuable lessons
from her.  Among them was to fight back in the face of fear, to take the 
fight to the enemy.  "Honored Elder, I think of the future often.  There will
come a time when I am here and you are not.  We shall then see whose authority
rules."

Jei Fang seemed amused.  "We shall indeed."  She walked slowly up to Xian Pu
and looked deeply into her eyes.  Xian Pu held her breath, resisting the urge
to step back.  "Xian Pu, you may not believe this now, but I am your friend.
You would do best to be my friend as well, or you will be in a great deal of
trouble.  Consider that as you speak to us in the Equal's Hall."

Jei Fang held her gaze a moment longer, then turned and made her way out of
the room.

Xian Pu let out her breath.  She realized for the first time how alone she
was.  Assailed by Jei Fang and her supporters, and soon to be hated by 
Great-grandmother's followers.  Who was left to stand with her?  Only Mu Zhu,
and as a man he had little sway within the Amazons.

Xian Pu fought back the tears of helpless frustration she felt gathering in
her eyes.  It was perhaps what she deserved for opposing Great-grandmother
in the first place.  Yet, what could she have done differently?

Many things.  Xian Pu had a terrible foreboding that soon all she would have
left in her life would be regrets.

***

Mu Zhu looked calmly at Guo Wen.  He had finished his story five minutes ago,
and was now waiting for a reaction from his master.  The longer he waited, 
the more nervous he became.

"This... complicates things, Mu Zhu."  Guo Wen sounded very grim.  "Jei Fang
has strengthened her position in the absence of the recently deceased Elder.
I can only guess how the Elder would have used this Japanese man to overcome
Jei Fang, but she was certainly taking a gamble in being away from the tribe
for so long.  This is probably why the Elder resorted to such desperate
tactics.  She knew she could not afford to stay away any longer."

Mu Zhu nodded thoughtfully.  "Her gamble backfired, and she lost her life."

"She lost more than that, Mu Zhu.  She may have lost you and Xian Pu your 
lives as well."

Mu Zhu jumped up.  "Surely you don't mean that, Master!"  His own life was
somehow much less important to Mu Zhu than Xian Pu's.  "We were not the 
ones who misused the Ancestor Stone."

"True.  There are several other factors here.  First and most important, 
you and Xian Pu disobeyed the orders of an Elder."  Guo Wen raised his
hand to forestall Mu Zhu's protests.  "It matters little that she was 
ordering you to do dishonorable things.  While Xian Pu may be able to 
use such an argument, you had no choice but to obey."

Mu Zhu nodded reluctantly.  Men of the Amazons obeyed the women, without
exception.  All boys, when they reached adulthood, were given a choice:
a vow to always obey Amazon women, or banishment.  Nearly all young men
of the Amazons gave their vow.

In practice, the vow was seldom enforced rigorously.  Men often disagreed
with women and said so.  However, if it came down to a serious argument,
the women of the Amazons could invoke the vow to insure compliance by the
men.

Khu Lon had implicitly invoked Mu Zhu's vow, and Mu Zhu had disregarded it.
That made his position among the Amazons tenuous at best.  "All right, I
may have to accept banishment.  But that shouldn't endanger Xian Pu, 
master, should it?"

"It is just one factor.  There are others.  One that matters a lot to the
older generation is that Xian Pu allowed an outsider to defeat her and go 
unpunished.  Plus, she was required to marry this man in Japan, and instead
allowed him to marry another.  The ancient laws are not strictly followed
anymore, of course, but Xian Pu's double failure to uphold these traditions
weakens her standing.

"Jie Fang will use these things against her.  As the former Elder's 
protege, Xian Pu would have been potentially in an excellent position to
win the favor of the old guard and the popular affection of the younger
generation.  Now the old guard will punish her for not upholding the 
traditions, and for causing the former Elder to behave dishonorably."

Again, Guo Wen overrode Mu Zhu's objection.  "I know, she had nothing to
do with her great-grandmother's dishonor.  The old guard will want 
someone to blame for losing their most powerful spokesperson, and you
and Xian Pu make convenient targets."

Guo Wen drew a deep breath.  "Jie Fang wants the Amazons to send a 
representative to the National Party Congress.  This has met with
considerable resistance, as you can imagine."

Mu Zhu nodded.  Amazons, becoming part of the government of the PRC?
The concept was unthinkable to most Amazons.  Amazons knew best how to
conduct Amazon business, and they had no interest in participating in
the government that would try to make them do things any differently.
Becoming such an active part of the outside world went against the
very concepts that went into the forming of Joketsuzoku.

"Jie Fang knows an opportunity when she sees one.  The old guard has
lost face.  The younger generation will be less willing to be led by
a woman with Xian Pu's soon-to-be tarnished reputation.  She will step
in, put you both down as ruthlessly as possible, and have herself 
appointed to the NPC within the month.  Possibly within the week."

Mu Zhu's head was spinning.  He sat down heavily in the chair.  Life
in Japan had been much simpler.  He had reassured Ranma that Xian Pu
was in no danger of losing her position in the Amazons.  How naive he
had been.

He looked at Guo Wen, desperation in his voice.  "Master, what can we
do?"

Guo Wen sighed.  "As men, there is precious little we can do.  It is
up to Xian Pu."

Mu Zhu bit his lip and tried to think it through.  "Maybe...maybe she
doesn't have to tell them."

Guo Wen's eyebrows raised.  "She must.  An Elder has died.  She has no
choice."

"She can simply say that the Ancestor Stone was misused, and the 
spirits punished her for it."

"They will want details."

"She can refuse to give them.  She can invoke the Grieving Period."

Guo Wen considered that.  "It will only buy her eight days.  In the
meantime, Jie Fang can use her silence almost as effectively as the
story you gave me.  It will just be more ammunition to use against her
when she is finally forced to tell the whole story."

Mu Zhu drew a breath.  What he was thinking about was dangerous, and
not just to himself and Xian Pu.  Could he really hope to win her 
freedom with such desperate tactics?  Yes, there was hope.  At 
tremendous risk.  All it took was faith.

Mu Zhu made his decision.  Leaning forward, he quickly outlined his
plan to Guo Wen.

***

Equal's Hall was the largest building in Joketsuzoku.  It had been expanded
several times in recent years.  It was a place where the entire Amazon tribe
could come together.  In a tradition that could be traced back to the founding
of Joketsuzoku, anyone could speak freely within the confines of Equal's Hall.
Equal's Hall was where marriages were performed, new births celebrated, and 
other tribal business discussed.  

It was also the place where the death of an Amazon was announced.

Xian Pu slowly made her way into the hall.  She had already had a brief
reunion with her father and sisters, who had run in from the fields when
told of her return.  The knowledge of Great-grandmother's death had dampened
any thoughts of celebration.  They were anxious for details; Xian Pu had
assured them that all would be told in the Equal's Hall.

Looking around, she was surprised at the number of people in the Hall.  For
an impromptu meeting, word had spread quickly.  The passing of an Elder was
no small thing.  Xian Pu grimaced, thinking of what their reaction might be
to the news of the circumstances surrounding Great-grandmother's death. 
Still, she was looking forward to defending herself.  She knew some blame in
the matter, but she felt strong enough in her position to withstand any
challenge.

The inside of the Hall was very much like an auditorium.  A circle of space
in the center was surrounded by rows and rows of benches.  In the center,
the Elders sat at a simple wooden table.  Xian Pu stepped into the circle
with them, and the hall began to quiet down.

"Xian Pu!"  Mu Zhu's voice sounded urgent, almost desperate.  Frowning, she
turned to watch him run up to her.  He grabbed her shoulders, which caused
some murmurring within the crowd; this was not the way a man treated an
Amazon warrior.

He leaned down to whisper in her ear.  "You must not tell them everything.
Tell them that she misused the Stone, and then invoke the Grieving Period."

Xian Pu's eyebrows shot up her forehead.  Why would she want to do that?
She had come here to bare her soul and to accept judgement.  Why did Mu Zhu
think she needed to hide anything?  She brought her arms up, knocked his
hands off her shoulders, and glared at him.

Mu Zhu took off his glasses, and his eyes bored into hers, imploring.  "Please,
Xian Pu.  Trust me."  He spoke quietly, although he could still be overheard
by those nearby.

Xian Pu sniffed and spun on her heel.  She approached the Elders, nodded
respectfully at them, then turned to survey the crowd.  Silence descended.

"I have come to tell you of the passing of an Elder.  She who was my Great-
grandmother has passed from this world to the next.  Let no one speak her
name so that her soul may know peace."

The crowd rustled.  She turned to regard the Elders once more.

Jie Fang spoke up.  "This is sad news indeed.  How did the Elder come to 
leave this world?"

Xian Pu studied Jie Fang.  She seemed excited, not sad.  She was leaning 
forward, apparently eager to hear Xian Pu's words.

Xian Pu hesitated for a split second.  "She used the Ancestor Stone."  Xian
Pu placed the bag of treasures she was carrying on the table in front of the
Elders.  "The spirits decided her use was inappropriate, and punished her."

Gasping could be heard from all over the Hall, with some of the loudest coming
from the table in front of her.  She kept her eyes on Jie Fang, who smiled
widely before quickly resuming a serious expression.

Xian Pu's mind was in a whirl.  Suddenly she could see it, see that Jie Fang
was going to destroy her in an effort to consolidate power for herself.
Xian Pu had no defense, absolutely none.  She looked around, caught Mu Zhu's
eyes.  He had put his glasses back on, and when he saw her look at him, he
spread his hands in supplication.  "Trust me." The words floated in her
mind.  

"Xian Pu."  Jie Fang's voice rang out, quieting the crowd.  Xian Pu turned
back to face the Elders.  "Tell us all of the details.  How did your great-
grandmother come to use the Ancestor Stone?  Why did the spirits claim her
for their own?"

Xian Pu stared at Jie Fang.  She tried to control her face, to keep from biting
her lip.  She took a deep breath.  "She who was living is now an ancestor.
This grieves me, and I must come to peace with her spirit, and my own."  Xian
Pu looked down at her feet.

The murmurs from the crowd rose again.  Excited whisperings surrounded her.
Xian Pu took several deep breaths; she was committed, now.  Mu Zhu had better
know what he was doing.

"Xian Pu!"  Jie Fang's voice sounded angry now.  "You will tell us what 
happened!  You have had your entire journey from Japan to use in grieving!
The Elders will know now what has happened!"

"Xian Pu was not among her family."  Mu Zhu's voice spoke from the crowd
behind her.  "She was not with the tribe at Joketsuzoku.  Now that she is,
she needs to lay the spirit of her ancestor to rest.  It is her right, and
you cannot gainsay it."

The crowd's rumblings grew, with a few gasps thrown in.  The right of any
Amazon to speak in Equal's Hall was one thing.  To have a man argue with an
Elder was another.  Xian Pu grew worried for him.  He was within his rights,
but he was risking ostracization, if not worse.

Jie Fang's voice grew tight.  "Mu Zhu, you have picked up many bad habits
from Guo Wen.  Among them is this tendency to not know your proper place
within the Amazons.  Speak cautiously, or leave the village once again."

Mu Zhu sounded almost serene.  "Equal's Hall was created so that all could
speak their mind without fear of reprisal, regardless of their gender.  Would
you question the wisdom of the founders in creating this place?"

The crowd responded to this as well.  Xian Pu tried to listen, and got the
impression that they agreed with Mu Zhu.  He had been very clever; Jie Fang
could not censure him without seeming to go against her ancestor.

Jie Fang seemed to sense this as well.  She tried another tack.  "You were
in Japan as well, Mu Zhu.  Surely you can tell us what transpired there."

"It is not my place to do so, Elder.  Xian Pu is the descendant of she who
was taken from us recently.  It is her duty to speak of her passing.  She
need only make peace with her ancestor, and then she will tell you all."

Silence stretched for several moments.  One of the other Elders spoke up.
"This young man speaks true.  I, too, am anxious to know what happened in
Japan.  The use of the Ancestor Stone is a grave matter, and I would like to
know how it could come to pass.  But Xian Pu has invoked the Grieving Period,
as is her right.  I respect the old ways, even if you do not, Jie Fang."

Jie Fang spoke quickly and angrily.  "I do respect them, Mei Ming.  My
ancestor, she who created the Amazons, wrote those laws so that the Amazons
could survive in the world as it was then.  The world was changed, and our
ways must change with them."

Another Elder spoke.  "You would have us do more than change.  You would have
us submerge our identity into the so-called People's Republic."

"Would that be so bad?"  Jie Fang spoke clearly, her words echoing throughout
the auditorium.  "The People's Republic of China, alone among the nations of
the world, has written guarantees for equal rights for women in the 
Communist Party.  The Amazons were founded so that women could find a place
of power within China.  Now, after all these centuries, China has changed
and acknowledged our right to power.  Let us go forth and claim it."

"Surely you don't expect them to honor those words?  You are not so naive as
to think that the men in power in the outside world would listen to a woman,
even an Amazon?"

"They will, and they do.  There are many women in the National People's
Congress.  The NPC shapes destiny for all of China.  I have worked hard
over many years to create this opportunity for us.  Let us go forth and
take our place among them."

"Among those who act so dishonorably?"  Mei Ming's voice was full of contempt.
"Need I remind you of Tiananmen Square?  It should shame you to think of
participating in a government that commits such atrocities."

Jie Fang's voice grew sad, yet still forceful.  "There is not a government
in the world that does not stumble upon occasion.  There are some who would
call the Amazons oppressors and murderers for what we have done to men who
came upon our village.  But what is the right course of action?  To hide
from the government and hope that it doesn't notice you?  Or to try to guide
its course and prevent it from repeating such mistakes?  To do the first is
to act as a coward.  To do the latter is to behave like a true warrior."

This last bit seemed to be spoken directly at Xian Pu.  Jie Fang was making
more than one point here.  Xian Pu swallowed.  In truth, she felt like a 
coward.  She wanted to respond, but a person in grieving didn't speak, and
didn't look up.  Xian Pu stared at her feet, and let her hair fall over her
face so that no one could see how red her cheeks were becoming.

Another of the Elders, a quiet woman called Chiu Li, spoke up.  "We cover no
new ground here today.  Rehashing old arguments serves no purpose.  As I see
it, before we can vote on Jie Fang's proposal to join the NPC, we must first
find a new Elder.  Before we can replace she who has recently departed, we
must first know how she died.  And we cannot know that until Xian Pu has come
out of her grieving period.  Let us open up Equal's Hall again in eight days.
One way or the other, Xian Pu will be done with her grief then, and we will
be able to proceed on these issues."

The other Elders agreed.  As the crowd began to disperse, Jie Fang came up to
Xian Pu.  Xian Pu could not look up at her, but she could almost feel the
other's appraising stare.

"You and Mu Zhu play a dangerous game here.  I do not see how this delaying
tactic will help you at all.  We will know the truth, and knowing it now or
eight days from now makes no difference.  I am trying to be your friend,
Xian Pu, but displays like these make it difficult.  Remember that."

Xian Pu stood still as Jie Fang left.  Her father and sisters came up to her
and led her from the Hall.  There was so much she needed to know, but the
Grieving Period kept her from speaking, or taking an active part in anything
around her.

Damn Mu Zhu anyhow.  Her trust in him had better not be misplaced, or he would
suffer.

If she didn't suffer first.

***

Mu Zhu watched as Xian Pu left the Hall.  His heart went out to her, as it
always did.  She was a very proud woman, and to act so meekly must gall her.
He had to make sure her sacrifice was worth it.

He turned to Guo Wen.  "I guess that went as well as we could have hoped."

Guo Wen nodded.  "She scared me there for a moment.  She is so full of 
pride.  She must have a great deal of faith in you."

Mu Zhu sighed.  He had to have faith as well.  "Now I need some money.  A lot
of money, if we're going to get through the bureaucracy quickly.  It's too bad
we can't ask Jie Fang for help."

Guo Wen thinned his lips and nodded.  "As to that, I do have some put away.
I can think of no better use for it."

Mu Zhu closed his eyes.  He didn't want to impose upon Guo Wen in this way,
but he could see no alternative.  "Thank you, master.  I will repay you as
soon as possbile.  Your generosity in my time of need is overwhelming."

An amused sparkle enter Guo Wen's eyes.  "Enough, Mu Zhu.  If we get through
this with you and Xian Pu alive, it will be well worth it."

Mu Zhu sighed.  Being alive would be nice, but making sure Xian Pu kept her
honor was equally important.  If only this worked.

***

Ying Li watched as the figures approached.  She had seen them coming from 
miles away.  They didn't look like tourists, or people who had lost their
way.  They seemed to be coming directly towards the village, as if it were
their goal.

The fact that she didn't recognize the two young women disturbed Ying Li.
The whole village had been on edge during the past week, waiting for the
situation between Jie Fang and Xian Pu to erupt.  Outsiders entering the
village at this time were surely here to cause trouble.

As they topped the rise that allowed them to see the village, Ying Li stepped
out of hiding and approached.  The taller one seemed startled, but the shorter
one merely gazed at Ying Li as if expecting her.  

"Who are you and why do you attempt to disturb the peace of the Amazons?"  It
was the challenge given all strangers attempting to enter.

The two merely looked blankly at her.  Now that she was closer, Ying Li could
see that weren't merely strangers, but foreigners.  They very likely didn't
speak any dialect of Chinese.  Ying Li scowled at them.  As women, they were
welcome to enter the village - Joketsuzoku was open to all women who wanted
to come - but as a protector of the village, Ying Li needed to know their
names and their business.

The shorter one asked Ying Li a question.  It made no sense, of course.  Ying
Li would have thought these two women would be better prepared if they had
intended to come to Joketsuzoku.

The shorter tried again.  "Mousse?"

Ying Li frowned.  That sounded almost familiar, as if she were asking for...

"These two women are here to see me."  Mu Zhu came up behind her, sounding a
bit out of breath.  "I have invited them to be my guests.  I apologize for
not informing you; I did not expect them for a few more hours."

Ying Li frowned at him.  Her instincts had been right:  these two women *were*
here to cause trouble.  Still, as women she could not deny them the right to
enter.  "I hold you responsible for their behavior, Mu Zhu."

Mu Zhu nodded.  He looked over at the women and spoke to them in their
language.  They nodded, and bowed to Ying Li.  Ying Li frowned; this was
probably meant as a respectful gesture.  She grudgingly nodded back at them.

They left with Mu Zhu, while Ying Li resumed her post.  Mu Zhu was up to 
something, probably some sort of effort to help Xian Pu out of whatever
trouble she was in.  Ying Li, somewhat to her suprise, hoped that he would
succeed.

***

Xian Pu sat in her room, staring listlessly at the walls.  The Grieving Period,
she decided, was awfully boring.  She supposed people who used it appreciated
the solitude it gave them.  As a political tactic, it had its drawbacks.  She
had been unable to contact Mu Zhu, and had no idea what he was up to.  Her
Grieving Period would end tomorrow; she would know then.

The door to her room opened, and she immediately looked down at her feet, as
someone in grieving was supposed to.  Her father spoke from the doorway.
"Mu Zhu has called for a challenge.  There is to be a meeting in the Equal's
Hall in a few minutes."

Xian Pu's heart quickened.  Whatever Mu Zhu's plan was, he was executing it
now.  Xian Pu rose to her feet, and allowed her father to guide her to the
Equal's Hall.

The Hall was full again.  Her father guided her to a front-row seat hastily
vacated for her.  She sat down and continued to stare at her feet, wishing
desperately that she could look at Mu Zhu.

After a few minutes, the crowd quited down as Jie Fang spoke.  "Mu Zhu, you
have stated you wish to challenge the Elders.  This is your right as an
Amazon.  If accepted, you can fight our designated warrir, with the outcome
of the match determing our ruling.  Remember though, since you are only a 
man; we can refuse to accept it.  State your challenge and let us decide if
it is worthy."

Mu Zhu spoke up.  "My challenge is simple enough.  I refute the right of the
Elders to know what transpired in Japan.  Since it involved issues and persons
outside of the Amazons, there is no need to discuss it.  It should be simply
known that the Ancestor Stone was misused, and that the user was punished."

Jie Fang seemed to spit out the words.  "You know perfectly well that it 
cannot be left at that.  Something transpired in Japan, something that caused
an Elder to use the Amazon tribe's most sacred treasure.  She who recently
departed would not have done so unless she had a very good reason.  We must
know this reason, and we must know why the spirits decided the reason
unworthy."

"That decision is the one I wish to challenge.  Let it be known that Xian
Pu, she who was Xian Pu's great-grandmother, and I all faced the spirits.  The
spirits spared Xian Pu and I - in fact, they cured us of the curses we had
acquired at Jusenkyo - while at the same time they condemned she who was an
Elder.  The spirits have already judged us; who are you to disagree?"

Jie Fang grunted.  "We are the Elders of the Amazons.  We will judge your
behavior for ourselves."  There was a pause, during which Xian Pu guessed
that Elders were glancing at each other, confirming Jie Fang's judgement.
"You challenge is denied, Mu Zhu."

A new voice spoke up.  It spoke in heavily accented Chinese; the phrase sounded
carefully rehearsed.  "I take up the challenge."

The room seemed to explode with surprised exclamations.  Xian Pu, meanwhile,
was frowning.  Where had she heard that voice before?  It sounded very
familiar.

Jie Fang sounded puzzled.  "Who are you?  You are not an Amazon.  Only Amazons
may challenge.  That you are a woman is not sufficient.  You must be made a 
member of the tribe, first."

Suddenly, Xian Pu understood.  She knew who the voice belonged to, and had an
idea of what Mu Zhu was up to.  She lifted her head and stood up.  "I recognize
her as an Amazon."

The crowd gasped.  Xian Pu had just given up her Grieving Period, but she was
fairly sure Mu Zhu was depending on her to do this.  Jie Fang seemed as
surprised as the crowd; then her eyes narrowed.  "She has never been in the
village before.  She has never competed in the tournament.  She cannot be
accepted as an Amazon."

"On the contrary, Elder."  Xian Pu almost smiled.  "She was here a year ago.
She challenged the winner of the tournament, and defeated her easily."

Jie Fang clenched her jaw.  "So that was her?  And now, you would call her
an Amazon?"

Xian Pu nodded.  "As a member of the Amazons who has come to know this woman
well over the past year, I invoke the ancient law, the one law that must never
be forgotten or forsaken, that says that any woman who proves herself in the
tournament and was had her character judged by an Amazon warrior should be
allowed into the tribe."

Jie Fang's face was getting darker by the minute.  "She seeks to challenge our
right to judge you.  You cannot interfere with your own trial."

"I am not."  Xian Pu put as much confidence in her voice as she could.  "I
merely recognize this woman's right to be called an Amazon.  What she does as
an Amazon is no concern of mine."

Jie Fang stood silently, and Xian Pu knew they had her.  Jie Fang turned slowly
to look off to Xian Pu's right.  "And what is this new Amazon's name?"

Xian Pu spoke for her.  "Saotome Ranma."

Jie Fang turned her gaze back to Xian Pu with a snap.  "Isn't she a man?"

Xian Pu adopted an amused tone of voice.  "Does she look like a man to you?"

Jie Fang's voice hardened even further.  "She *is* a man.  She's been cursed
by the springs at Jusenkyo."

Xian Pu shrugged casually.  "I don't think the ancient laws made exceptions 
for how applicants came by their gender.  This is a woman who stands before
you.  I recognize her as an Amazon."  Xian Pu swept her gaze around the Hall.
"Would anyone disagree?"

There was a lot of uncertain murmuring, but no one spoke up.  Xian Pu took
that as a good sign.  Her argument was thin at best, but no one was willing
to oppose her openly.

Almost no one.  Jie Fang looked very very angry.

Chiu Li spoke from the Elder's table.  "I am getting a headache trying to
keep all of this straight.  Xian Pu and Mu Zhu are clearly trying to keep
us from knowing something, and have resorted to this desperate gamble.  Mu
Zhu knew that no one among the Amazons would dare oppose the Elders, so he
brings in this outsider to do it for him and Xian Pu.  It speaks well for
these young people that they have loyal friends such as this Saotome.

"I would suggest a compromise.  Let us have this Saotome be judged by the
Ancestor Stone.  If she passes, then let us consider her claim to be an
Amazon and her challenge to our decision as valid.  Instead of going through
the elaborate procedures her challenge entails, let us have the spirts of
the Ancestor Stone judge Mu Zhu and Xian Pu.  They both claim to have passed
their srutiny already; surely they would not object to a second such judgement.
Then we can move on to more important things, like finding a new Elder and
considering Jie Fang's proposal."

The crowd started talking excitedly.  A few people stood up and gave their
opinions, but Xian Pu ignored them.  Instead, she walked over to Ranma. To
her surprise, she found Akane there as well.

"Shampoo."  Ranma seemed quite happy to see her.  She clasped her shoulder.
"I understand you're having a little difficulty here."

Xian Pu laughed.  "Is understatement.  Shampoo is glad to see Ranma."  She
looked over at Mu Zhu.  "Shampoo wonders if Ranma knows what he is getting
himself into."

Mu Zhu looked grim.  "I let him know what the risks are.  Things are moving
differently than I expected."  He turned and spoke to Ranma.  "They are
going to ask you to use the Ancestor Stone.  The spirits will look into your
soul and see if you are worthy of being an Amazon.  If they decide that you
are not, they might...punish you."

Ranma glanced at Akane, then back over to Mu Zhu.  "How will they respond to
the fact that I'm really a guy?"

"I don't know."  Mu Zhu shuffled his feet a little bit.  "I thought the worst
that would happen was that you'd have to fight a few of our warriors to prove
your worthiness.  I knew you could handle that."

Xian Pu looked at Akane, who looked a little frightened, then back over to
Ranma.  "Shampoo does not want Ranma to risk himself so.  Is best you refuse
judgement and quickly leave.  Shampoo takes care of herself."

Ranma looked concerned.  "What will happen to you?"

Xian Pu looked down, not wanting to burden Ranma with this.  Mu Zhu spoke up.
"There's a great many things that can happen.  The worst is that Shampoo and
I will be sentenced to death for disobeying an Elder.  The most likely outcome
is that we'll both be banished."  Mu Zhu adjusted his glasses.  "She's right,
Ranma.  We can't ask you to take this risk.  Shampoo and I can start over
again elsewhere in China.  We did well enough in Japan; we can do okay in 
another part of this country."

"But you won't be Amazons."  Ranma squeezed Xian Pu's shoulder.  "You won't
have any money, or anyone to help you out.  You'll have to give up your dreams
of guiding the Amazons into the next millenium."

Xian Pu looked up at Ranma.  She wanted to tell him that it was okay, that
being an Amazon wasn't that important.  She couldn't do it.  Being an Amazon
was everything to her.  It would destroy her if she had to leave Joketsuzoku
forever.  But she could not, would not, ask Ranma to risk her life to keep
her in the village.  "Ranma, take wife and go."  She wanted to say more but
the words failed her.

Ranma looked closely at her, then turned to look at Akane.  Some unspoken
communication seemed to pass between them.  Akane smiled, still a little
afraid.  "You said it would get harder."

Ranma looked at her a moment more, then nodded.  They didn't have any more
time to speak as Jie Fang suddenly brought discussion to a close.

***

Ranma started as the tall, older woman spoke out in a voice louder than he
would have thought possible.  She looked to be even older than Cologne had
been.  Considering what that old hag had been capable of, she shouldn't be
surprised at what these other Amazons could do.

The tall woman - Jie Fang, if Ranma understood Mousse correctly - was 
making a speech of some sort.  It ended with her looking significantly at
Ranma and Shampoo.  The other Elders seemed to be agreeing with her, and
they too looked at Ranma.

She looked over at Mousse, who seemed almost reluctant to translate.
"She's asking you to step forward and touch the Ancestor Stone."

Ranma looked one last time at Akane.  Akane nodded and put her hand on
Ranma's cheek.  Ranma smiled at her, put her hand over Akane's, then
walked over to the Elders.

The auditorium became absolutely silent.  Ranma nervously felt for her
wedding ring, resting on a chain around her neck.  This was a big risk 
she was taking.

Jie Fang spoke at her.  Ranma couldn't make any of it out, but she 
followed the Elder's finger, pointing at a jade tablet on the table.
Ranma looked back up at the Elder, than over to Mousse.

"You merely have to place your hand on the tablet, Ranma."  For the 
first time since Ranma had known him, Mousse sounded afraid.  "The 
spirits will judge you then."

Ranma nodded and stretched her hand out.  She held it over the tablet,
a few centimeters above the surface, gathering her courage.

Jie Fang spoke something else, seemed to be taunting Ranma.  That was
all the motivation Ranma needed.  She brought her hand down firmly on
the surface of the tablet.

Her vision immediately blacked out.  Ranma fought back an impulse to
snatch her hand away, then realized it made no difference; she couldn't
move.  In the blackness, Ranma could make out vague shapes.  She was
pretty sure what the shapes were; she had seen them before.

They began whispering at her.  "Who is this?"

Other whispers answered.  "An applicant to Joketsuzoku, evidently."

"Is this a woman, or a man?  Its mind is so confusing."

"I think we know this person.  It's a man in the body of a woman."

"Oh yes, I recognize him now.  And he wants to be an Amazon?"

"Should we be gentle with him?  He does take the shape of a woman."

"Be gentle with one that attempts to fool us?  Let's have at him."

With that, the spirits ripped her mind apart.

Ranma cried out as they tore into her.  They brought out some of her
memories, focussing on how she treated women.  "Look at him!  He's
quite the sexist.  Refusing to hit women, even if he's been hit as
a woman many times.  As if women were fragile creatures who needed
the sympathy and protection of a man!"

"Look how he acts sometimes when he is a woman!  Fulfilling every
stereotype about women, acting cute and stupid.  This one does not
deserve any of our respect."

"He deserves punishment.  What shall we do with him?"

"He's got the shape of a woman.  Let's make him think he was born
a woman."

"Yes!  We'll steal his memories away, let him believe he was an
Amazon born and raised.  We'll lock him in this form.  He wants
to pretend to be a woman, we'll make him one in truth!"

"NO!"  Ranma fought to keep her mind together, fought through the
whispers invading her brain.  "I won't let you do that!"

"My what a will she has!  She'll make a fine warrior."

"Don't worry, daughter, you'll like who we'll make you to be.  And
you'll be a part of a superior gender."

Ranma focussed her mental energies as best she could, pushed the 
whispers back.  "I will not let you do that!  I have a wife that
I love.  You will not make me forget her!"

The whispers fell silent a moment.  Then they pushed through 
Ranma's barriers and delved into his memories again.

"Married, is he?  What is his wife like?  Some demure thing he
can easily control?"

"No, look at this!"

"Wow, his wife is a forceful one.  Look!  She doesn't allow him 
to do with her as he wills."

"She stands up to him, calls him stupid when he deserves to be
called stupid, and beats him up when he deserves to be beaten
up."

"Ouch!"  The whispers seemed to wince in sympathy as a memory
of Akane hitting him and sending him flying was shared among them.

"She is certainly fit to be an Amazon."

"He loves her for it, too."

"What's more amazing, she loves him!"

"Maybe there is more to this one than we know."

"All right, foolish man, we'll let you go this time.  Know that 
it is your wife who redeems you.  But we reject you as an Amazon;
be sure to tell the others this."

"And do not disturb us again."

"Wait!"  Ranma fought back as she felt them pushing her away. 
"You have to help Shampoo!"

The whispers stopped.  "We have seen memories of Xian Pu in your
mind.  What help does she need?"

Ranma had, by this time, figured out the best way to speak with the
spirits of the Ancestor Stone.  She concentrated on the memories of
weeks gone by.

***

Xian Pu breathed heavily as Ranma approached the Ancestor Stone.
She watched as Ranma held out her hand over the tablet, and hesitated.

"Are you afraid, little one?"  Jie Fang's voice was contemptuous.  "The
spirits go easy on women who merely touch the stone.  Surely you need
fear nothing."

Ranma couldn't understand the words, of course, but she seemed to sense
the taunting behind them.  She set her face and brought her hand down on
the surface of the tablet.

For several seconds, nothing happened.  Then Ranma cried out and almost
fell on the table, using her free hand to support herself.  Akane 
gave a small scream herself and started forward, to be held back by
Mu Zhu.

"If you try to interfere, Akane-san, Ranma will suffer more.  His mind
is intertwined with that of the spirits now.  We must wait for them to
let him go, or he will go mad."

Akane bit back a sob.  Xian Pu was having trouble keeping a neutral
expression.  If Ranma was hurt by the spirits of the Ancestor Stone,
Xian Pu would never forgive herself.  Silently she prayed to her 
ancestors to keep Ranma safe.

"NO!"  Ranma cried out again, and again Mu Zhu had to restrain Akane,
although anguish covered his face.  Xian Pu felt her sanity giving 
slowly away.  If Ranma was lost to the spirits, Xian Pu had nothing
left.

"Wait!"  Ranma spoke forcefully, but seemed not as desperate.  Xian Pu
felt her burden ease a bit.  Ranma seemed to be holding her own 
against the spirits.

Several more minutes passed, with Ranma breathing heavily and evidently
under some strain.  Finally, she lifted her head up and looked around.
Blinking at the sight of everyone, she took her hand of the tablet.

Ranma looked over at Jie Fang and, to Xian Pu's astonishment, spoke
flawless Chinese.  "The spirits of the Ancestor Stone have found me
wanting.  I am not to be allowed to join the Amazons."

Jie Fang's eyes opened wide, and she looked closely at Ranma.  "They
did not punish you?"

Ranma smiled and looked over at Akane.  "No, I'm not all bad."  She
looked once more at Jie Fang.  "They want Xian Pu, Mu Zhu, and the
Elders to all join with them so that they may share something with
you all."

Jie Fang's jaw dropped open.  "You...you lie, don't you?"

Ranma's eyes glittered, but she kept her composure.  "Not at all, Jie
Fang.  If you doubt that these are their wishes, touch the tablet
yourself.  I'm sure the spirits will go easy on one who disobeys their
orders."

Jie Fang blanched, and Xian Pu almost chuckled.  Ranma had used a most
effective threat.  Given the circumstances, she surely wasn't bluffing.

Xian Pu stepped forward, followed by Mu Zhu.  The Elders took various
positions around the table where they all could reach the Ancestor
Stone.

They all looked at each other.  Xian Pu saw fear on a few faces.  
Controlling her own foreboding, she touched the Ancestor Stone.

Her vision blacked out.  She saw shapes in the blackness, and felt
warm, encouraging murmurs from the spirits.  They recognized her as
an Amazon, and welcomed her.

She felt the presence of the others as they touched the Ancestor 
Stone.  The spirits welcomed them, although they gave Mu Zhu a hard
look before accepting him.  Xian Pu felt the thoughts of the others
flowing through her mind, to the point where it was difficult to
distinguish them from her own.

"A man was just here."  The whispers spoke to her mind and the mind
of the others.  "A very proud man, who challenged us as few others
have.  He came, willing to sacrifice his life and soul to try and
protect this woman."  The whispers somehow indicated Xian Pu.  "We
cannot help but honor him, man though he may be.  He told us a 
story of Amazons in a foreign country, who wavered between deeds
of questionable honor and deeds of heroism.  Even though he himself
was the target of some dishonorable machinations, yet did he plead
for the life of Xian Pu.  We come to share knowledge with you, to
find the truth of the story as told from the perspective of Amazons."

Xian Pu felt her mind being seized.  She kept herself from fighting
the spirits.  The drained her mind of the memories of the past year
and spread them among the others.  She felt Mu Zhu's memories being
similarly displayed for all to see.  She felt somewhat violated;
all of her private thoughts were being laid bare.  At the same time,
it was comforting to share some of the burden of the memories with
her tribe.

This went on for some time, an entire year being replayed from two
perspectives.  Xian Pu felt for Mu Zhu's memories and found them
frightening.  It seemed as if all of them were tinged with desire
for her.  She felt the aching in his heart everytime he saw her, 
and the agony he experienced everytime she rejected him.  Also, 
she felt the anguish he experienced watching Khu Lon twist Xian Pu's
mostly good nature into a caricature of Khu Lon's.  She saw all
that he did to prevent it, and the price Khu Lon extracted from
him each time.  Through it all, he never gave up hope for her
salvation, and she felt the exhiliration he felt when, that time
behind Ukyo's, she had taken her hand from his neck and restored
him to human form, with the promise that she would not try to kill
Akane again.  She saw in him the relief and joy at her redemption.
She felt the grief he had felt when they could not rescue Khu Lon
from the spirit's wrath.  She also saw the hope that grew greater
and greater over the final few weeks in Japan, that at last he had
found a way to Xian Pu's heart, and that they could return to the
Amazons together and build a better future for them and their tribe.

The memories ended, and the thoughts of the Elders were as chaotic
as her own as each tried to regain her identity.  She felt the
spirits helping with this.  When all was in order, the spirits spoke
again.

"These two have done bad things, yet they have done good as well. 
In the end, they acted honorably, and learned from their experiences
in a way Khu Lon was unable to.  As spirits no longer among the 
living, we cannot govern for you.  Yet we ask, on behalf of these
two and the one who has here before them, to be lenient.  These two
are fine examples of Amazons, and will strengthen the tribe with
their presence.  They know of the present world, better than any
of us inside the Ancestor Stone and, judging by the thoughts we see
here, better than any of the current Elders.  Keep this in mind as
you punish them.  This is not a command, but simply a request, from
those who ruled before you. Return now to the living world, and let
us rest a while.  These intrusions cost us much, and we need to 
restore ourselves."

The world came into focus once more.  Xian Pu blinked and looked 
around.  Thousands of faces watched anxiously, and they breathed
a collective sigh of relief as she and the others removed their
hands from the Ancestor Stone and moved away.

Jie Fang considered Xian Pu thoughtfully.  She cleared her throat
and looked at the other Elders.  "There...is a lot that we need
to think over.  This is an experience unlike any other I have had
in my life, and that is saying something.  Let us adjourn.  The
Elders will meet again tonight, and we will have another tribal
meeting tomorrow in the Hall."

The other Elders, still somewhat shaken by the journey into the
Ancestor Stone, agreed.  The Equal's Hall began to empty.  Jie Fang
gave the group of people around Xian Pu a hard look before moving
away.

"Shampoo."  Ranma looked curiously at her.  "What happened?"

Guo Wen smoothly cut in.  "Let us retire to Xian Pu's house first.
She and Mu Zhu need to get a good meal in them and give their 
minds a chance to rest."  He looked speculatively at Ranma.  "The
same can be said for you as well, I imagine."

Ranma, clutching Akane's hand tightly, grimaced and nodded.

Together, they left the hall.

***

Xian Pu's family had an adequate sitting room.  Xian Pu sat 
staring at the empty fireplace.  There was no need for a fire in
the summer, but Xian Pu would have appreciated being able to 
lose herself watching the flames.

Still, there was pleasant company here.  She turned to watch Ranma
looking around the room.  "Gee, Shampoo, why were you working as
a crummy food server when you were this rich?"

Xian Pu smiled.  "Most of what Ranma sees is centuries old.  Family
has jewels, treasures, but not much money.  Amazons need money if
going to work in real world.  Great-grandmother preferred not to
sell jewelry, keeping for emergencies.  Shampoo agrees."

Akane spoke from where she was resting her head on Ranma's shoulder.
"So she wasn't all bad?"

Xian Pu sighed.  "No.  Great-grandmother was wise in many ways.
Shampoo honors her ancestor, will always look to her for guidance.
She had bad and good, like all do.  Shampoo prefers to remember good."

Ranma nodded.  "She taught me some good stuff, too.  I don't think
I've relied on anything as much as I've relied on the extra speed she
taught me with the Kachuu Tenshin Amiguriken.  I wouldn't have beaten
Saffron or saved Akane without the Hiryu Shoten Ha, either.  I'm just
sorry it ended as badly as it did." 

Xian Pu shook her head.  "Is no Ranma's fault.  Is more Shampoo's
fault than anyone's."

"Do not speak of fault."  Guo Wen's Japanese was nearly flawless, Xian
Pu noticed with a twinge of jealousy.  Still, Mu Zhu must have learned
his excellent Japanese from Guo Wen.  It certainly wouldn't have been
something Great-grandmother taught him.  "The circumstances just 
happened.  She who was an Elder thought she was acting in the best
interest of the tribe.  You thought so as well, whether you were
helping her or fighting against her.  You all acted as well as you
could under the circumstances.  In the end, the reason why you are
here and she is not is that you fought for honor and for the lives of
your friends.  She fought for her own glory.  Remember that painful 
lesson, and apply it to the rest of your lives.  In that way will you
honor her."

Xian Pu considered his words, and found them to her liking.  She 
looked at Guo Wen with sneaking admiration.  He was wise for a man.

Somehow, that thought didn't sound right.  She had learned over the
past year and the past few weeks that intelligence and honor were not
limited to women.  She had seen Ranma and Mu Zhu act thoughtfully and
well, and they had both saved her on numerous occasions.  Also, she
thought, looking at Ranma's female form, she had discovered that 
Ranma acted the same no matter what gender he was.  The person he
was transcended whatever form his flesh took.  As someone who until
recently became a cat at regular intervals, she should realize that
outward form had nothing to do with inward character.  It was time
that she stopped judging people on appearance and started measuring
the worth of their souls.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Mu Zhu.  "Master, what do you think
will happen now?"

Guo Wen sighed.  "It is impossible to say.  Clearly, the Elders were 
strongly affected by what transpired inside the Ancestor Stone.  I
believe that your lives are no longer in danger; they will honor
the spirits' wishes to that extent.  Neither, I think, will they
banish you.  Jie Fang, however, still seeks to discredit you two.
There will be a punishment of sorts, and it may cost you years of
your lives, if for no other reason than it will take you that long
to recover your standing among your peers after you have been
punished.  But if you are patient and wise, you will overcome
Jie Fang eventually.  Prepare for that day.  I look forward to
seeing you take your places among the leaders of the Amazons."

Silence descended.  After a while, Ranma sighed.  "I wish I could
have done better."

"What you mean, Ranma?"  Xian Pu looked sharply at him.  "You
exceeded wildest hopes.  Mousse and Shampoo have our lives back.
We never be able to repay all Ranma did today."

"That's right, Ranma."  Akane sat up and punched him in the arm.
"Stop berating yourself.  You risked an awful lot and came up a 
winner.  It's not always going to be the happiest of all possible
endings, you know.  If that were true, Ukyo would have found another
love right away, Kodachi would be sane, and Shampoo's Great-
grandmother would still be alive.  Be happy with what you've
accomplished."  Akane leaned forward to kiss Ranma lightly on the
lips.  "I am."

Ranma turned red.  She smiled at Akane, and Xian Pu could see love 
and gratitude etched on Ranma's face.  Xian Pu sighed wistfully.
Not that she wanted Ranma anymore.  She was just the tiniest bit
jealous that Ranma had found so much love.

Xian Pu looked over at Mu Zhu, and considered him.  She also 
considered what she had seen in his mind.  The thoughts caused
her to turn slightly red herself, and she hung her head foreward
so that her hair covered her face.

Guo Wen spoke up again.  "I see little energy left in this room.  Let
us retire for the night.  Tomorrow will come at its own pace, and we
musn't let it affect us now."

Xian Pu looked up to see Mu Zhu smiling at Guo Wen.  She glanced over
to see Ranma stretching herself.  

"Man, I'm tired."  Ranma looked at Xian Pu.  "Do you think I could 
change back into a guy for the night?"

"I would not recommend it," Guo Wen spoke as he rose to his feet.  
"The fact that you are a man in a woman's body is damning enough.
To be seen as a man would be to risk damaging your host's reputation
at this critical juncture."

Ranma looked at Akane and sighed regretfully.  Akane smiled back at
him.  "You're tired enough as it is, Ranma.  It would be good for you
to get at least one good night's rest this month."

This caused everyone in the room to chuckle and Ranma to blush deeply.
Akane lifted her to her feet and together they made their way to the
room provided for them.

Xian Pu smiled once again at them as they left.  To think that she had
ever tried to stand between them.

Mu Zhu came over to her and offered his arm.  She considered him for
a moment, then pulled herself up and let herself be escorted from the
room.  She wondered how she would feel if some came between her and
Mu Zhu.  She decided it was best that she not think about that right
now.  Best, too, for whatever fool attempted it.

***

Xian Pu and Mu Zhu stood closely together before the Elders.  Xian Pu
wanted to grab Mu Zhu's hand, but was afraid that would make her seem
weak.  For the next few minutes, she needed to appear to be as strong
as possible.

Jie Fang stood up and waited for the hall to quiet down.  When it did,
she looked coldly at Xian Pu and Mu Zhu.  "You have commited grievous
crimes.  You disobeyed an Elder, and contributed to the circumstances
that led to her death.  You sided with outsiders - male outsiders -
against her.  Whether or not she was acting honorably is not relevant.
It is your actions that matter."

She walked around the table and stood directly in front of them.  "Are
you ready to receive your punishment?"

They nodded.  Xian Pu was trying to read Jie Fang's mood, and somehow
got the impression that she was amused.  This did not bode well.

"First, your hair."  Xian Pu blinked.  Hair?  "Mu Zhu, your hair is 
much to long.  You will trim it to a respectful length.  Xian Pu,
there is no need to dye your hair such a ridiculous color.  You will
dye it black, and let your natural hair color grow out."

Xian Pu swallowed.  This seemed a petty punishment.  Mu Zhu had always
been proud of his long, glossy hair.  Xian Pu liked purple, and all 
of her friends had said that purple-blue hair looked somehow natural
on her.  She and Mu Zhu had to accept this punishment, of course.  Xian
Pu waited for the next one, and feared how much worse it might be."

Jie Fang looked at Xian Pu.  "In the memories we shared, you gave a
most eloquent speech on how the Amazons must learn to adapt and live
with the outside world.  Do you still believe this?"  She turned her
gaze to Mu Zhu.  "Both of you?"

Xian Pu nodded while Mu Zhu murmurred agreement.

Jie Fang nodded sharply herself. "Good.  Because the next part of your
punishment is banishment."  Jie Fang raised her voice so that it could
be heard over the gasps in the crowd.  "You will leave Joketsuzoku. 
You are still be members of the tribe and will be allowed brief visits,
but you will not be allowed to live here for at least five years."

Xian Pu kept herself as still as possible.  Where would she go?  What
would she do? Guo Wen had said they wouldn't banish her.  Well, they
hadn't been, not as badly as they could have been.  But to separated
from her family for five more years...her heart began to break.  She
rallied back against the despair and kept her face calm and accepting.

Jie Fang was watching her intently.  She seemed oddly satisfied by
what she saw.  "Good.  Wait here a while."  She turned back to the
other Elders.  "Now, let us address the issue of sending a 
representative to the National People's Congress."

Mei Ming spoke in a contemplative tone of voice.  "The spirits of our
ancestors seemed to think it necessary that we know of the outside
world."

Jie Fang nodded vigorously.  "Yes.  We must acknowledge the supremacy
of the People's Republic or risk being crushed by them.  Working with
them as friend and colleague must be better for the Amazons."

"I do not think you should be the representative, Jie Fang."  Chiu
Li's voice didn't seem accusatory, only thoughtful.  "You have made
too many enemies among the Amazons to truly represent them."

Jie Fang sighed.  "I happen to agree, for different reasons.  Playing
politics is not for one as old as me.  The post needs to be held by
one with more vitality than I hold at this stage of my life."

Mei Ming rubbed her chin.  "The post would need to be held by one who
knows the ways of the outside world, who has fought battles with 
outsiders and emerged victorious.  One who can make good and loyal 
friends, who will inspire those around her to work with her, rather 
than force them to her will."

"This one would need to be strong, intelligent, and wise."  Chiu Li
drummed her fingers on the table.  "Yet still willing to listen to the
advice of those around her.  Proud without being arrogant.  Forceful
without being stubborn."

"One who would be a fine example of the best of the Amazons.  She would
show those around her in the NPC how superior the ways of the Amazon 
tribe are."  Jie Fang looked up at the ceiling.  "Where would we find
a one such as that?"

Chiu Li's voice was as thoughtful as ever, but a tinge of humor was
beginning to seep through.  "You know, the spirits seemed to think
highly of young Xian Pu over there."

"Why, they did indeed."  There was no attempt on Mei Ming's part to 
hide her amusement.  "You don't suppose we could use her?  After all,
she's been banished anyway.  We may as well send her to Beijing,
where she can be of some use."

Jie Fang frowned.  "Shouldn't such a post, though, be held by an 
Elder?"

Mei Ming sighed.  "Yes, you are right, Jie Fang.  Well, I suppose 
there's nothing we can do about that."  Mei Ming paused for a moment
before a smile came over her face.  "Unless, of course, we make her 
an Elder."

As the crowd began to murmur excitedly, Chiu Li rose to her feet.
"I propose that Xian Pu be elevated to the status as Elder of the
tribe of the Amazons: to guide the tribe through times of trouble 
and always answer the call should it come; to provide a haven for 
opressed women everywhere, and welcome them with open arms should
they wish to make a home here; and to ensure the tribe prospers
and grows, so that the world will one day know the ways of the
Amazons, and marvel.  Who among the equals of this great hall would
accept Xian Pu as their Elder?"

The hall thundered as each member of the Amazon tribe enthusiastically
shouted their name.

Chiu Li nodded.  "Who would not?  There is no shame in disagreement,
for only Amazons united behind their Elders will be strong.  Would
anyone challenge Xian Pu's worthiness to lead them?"

Silence.  Jie Fang waited a moment, then nodded.  "Step forward,
Xian Pu."

Xian Pu had spent the last few minutes in absolute shock.  Her
mind had simply refused to operate, doing nothing but relaying the
words that were being spoken.  Now she looked over at the Elders,
trying to put moisture back into her mouth and strength back
into her legs.

A hand squeezed her shoulder.  Startled, she looked up at Mu Zhu, 
who was wearing a wide smile.  He moved his head slightly in the
direction of Jie Fang.

Xian Pu took a deep breath and walked up to Jie Fang.  She stood
stiffly in front of her, uncertain how to act.  She had never seen
anyone become an Elder before.

Jie Fang smiled, but her tone was still serious.  "Do you understand
the conditions we have set here?  You must become a member of the
Communist Party.  You must live in Beijing and work with outsiders
constantly for the next several years at least.  Politics is a 
dangerous games; make the wrong allies and you'll find yourself
purged during the next Party overthrow.  At the same time, you 
will have duties here in Joketsuzoku you cannot ignore.  I imagine 
Mu Zhu over there will be willing to help, but it is still a very 
hard life we are offering you.  Would you not rather go back to 
Japan and reopen that restaurant?  You enjoyed that life; I can 
guarantee that you will not find the one we are offering you to be 
so carefree.  Think carefully, for your answer binds your soul. 
Will you accept the duties and responsibilities of becoming an Elder
of the Amazons?"

Xian Pu kicked her brain into gear and forced it to analyze what
was being said to her.  When it confirmed what she thought she
was being offered, exultation filled her.  Here were her dreams
come true.  True, it would be a difficult life, but she would not
want it any other way.  Great-grandmother had always promised that
greatness lay in Xian Pu's future.  She had to honor Great-
grandmother by fulfilling her destiny.

Xian Pu lifted her chin.  "Yes, I do accept those duties and 
responsibilities."  She wasn't sure what else to say, so she kept
silent.

Jie Fang nodded.  "Excellent.  Come take your place at the table."

Xian Pu looked at the table.  An empty place was waiting at one end.
Keeping her legs as steady as possible, she walked over to it and
sat down.  Somehow, she felt Khu Lon watching her and giving her
approval.

Jie Fang turned to the crowd.  "Is there any other business that 
needs to be conducted within the Hall?"

Xian Pu didn't think.  She hadn't thought it out beforehand, hadn't
even considered the eventual possibility.  It was a truly impulsive
act.  She lept from the chair she had barely sat down in, vaulted
over the table, and landed in front of Mu Zhu.

"Mu Zhu."  She spoke quickly, before any rational part of her mind
tried to object to what she was about to do.  "Will you be my
husband?"

He blinked at her, flabbergasted.  His jaw dropped open, and it
moved up and down, but no sound came out.  Somehow, he managed
to increase the force of his jaw movements until his whole head
was bobbing up and down.

Xian Pu turned and beamed at Jie Fang.  "I would like to announce
that Mu Zhu and I are married."

Among the Amazons, no other ceremony was necessary.  The crowd 
roared its approval, while Jie Fang laughed and shook her head.

Xian Pu clasped Mu Zhu's hands and smiled up at him.  His eyes
began to water, and soon tears were flowing.  He bent his head
halfway down, then stopped, looking embarrassed.

Xian Pu snorted in amusement.  "Stupid Mu Zhu."  She reached up,
took off his glasses, and flung them away.  She stared into his
beautiful eyes for a few seconds, then reached up and kissed
him.

The crowd roared its approval once again.  Xian Pu somehow
didn't hear them at all.

***

Xian Pu looked stood on top of the rise at the edge of 
Joketsuzoku.  She was clutching Mu Zhu's arm, not caring it it
was taken as a sign of weakness.

Ranma was holding Akane with one hand and a bucket of warm
water with the other.  She planned to use the latter when she 
was a safe distance away.  And, quite possibly, the former as 
well.  Xian Pu had already had a taste of that particular 
experience last night, and was eager to discover more.

"So, Shampoo."  Ranma was grinning broadly.  "Even if your hair
looks funny now that it's black, I would have to say this 
qualifies as a happy ending."

Xian Pu laughed.  "Shampoo is happy right now.  There is still 
much hard work in front of Shampoo, much that Shampoo needs to
learn before going off to Beijing.  There will be times, Shampoo 
thinks, that she wishes she were still in Japan, cooking ramen for
Ranma."

Ranma shrugged.  "There are times, once in a while, where I
miss wandering the world with my father.  But if I had to
choose between the life I had then, and the life I have
now, it would be no contest."  She squeezed Akane's hand, 
who sighed happily and leaned her head on Ranma's.

Xian Pu smiled, but wondered if Ranma truly appreciated how
pressure-filled Xian Pu's life was about to become.  Then
again, Ranma had come all the way from Japan and risked her
life and soul for nothing more than Xian Pu's right to a fair
hearing.  Perhaps Ranma knew a little about pressure after all.

Ranma looked at them both.  "You know, that Jie Fang woman
turned out to be much less of bad person than I thought, if
I was understanding Guo Wen's translations correctly."

Mu Zhu glanced at her in surprise.  "You couldn't understand
her yourself?"

Ranma shook her head.  "When I woke up yesterday morning,
I found that I didn't understand a word of Chinese.  I
guess the spirits gave me that gift just long enough for
me to get my message across to the Elders."

Ranma looked at Xian Pu again.  "I thought she was out to 
get you.  Yet it seemed like she was one of the ones who
wanted you to become an Elder."

She nodded.  "Shampoo had much chance to talk with Jie
Fang yesterday and today.  Is little that is understood
right with her."  She wanted to say this clearly, but
was unsure of her Japanese.  She looked up at Mu Zhu.

He understood immediately.  "Jie Fang believes in the 
superiority of the Amazon way as much as anyone.  She is
realistic enough to know that one billion Chinese against
five thousand Amazons are losing odds.  Rather than fight
them, Jie Fang believes that we must join them and change 
them from within.  Only by being good members of the 
Communist Party can we hope to subtly guide the PRC to 
become like the Amazons.  It will be the work of generations,
but it must begin somewhere."  Mu Zhu adjusted his glasses.
"Shampoo will lay the groundwork for others to follow.  It
is an extremely important responsibility.  One that I think
my wife is uniquely suited for."

Xian Pu quickly kissed Mu Zhu's shoulder before continuing
for him.  "Shampoo will have help.  Mousse will come, and
Mousse's master will come.  Others who Jie Fang has spoken
with over many years, they come too.  Shampoo no be alone."

"Good."  Ranma reached out and shook Mu Zhu's hand.
"Congratulations on your marriage.  I was sometimes worried
that you would end up as Shampoo's dinner before you had a
chance to become her husband.  I'm glad I was wrong."

Mu Zhu laughed.  "Thank you Ranma.  I must confess to similar
fears.  It all worked out right in the end."

Ranma nodded and turned to Xian Pu.  Xian Pu released Mu Zhu's
arms and reached out to hug Ranma.  "Oh Ranma, you is best 
person Shampoo knows.  You come all this way, you risk so much
to help Shampoo."  She seperated from Ranma and stared into
her eyes.  "Shampoo would give her life to you, but has already
given it to Mousse.  Still, you ask anything, you want 
anything, you need Shampoo's help at any time, you call.
Shampoo comes."

Ranma's eyes were watering.  "Seeing you this happy, with your
dreams fulfilled, that is all the reward I need.  That, and
your friendship.  I will still come to you if you need help;
don't hesitate to ask for it because of some sense of imbalance.
Our friendship is too strong for that."

Xian Pu nodded.  She looked over at Akane.  "Shampoo does not
overlook Akane's help.  Akane risked much herself.  Could 
have stopped Ranma, no one would have thought less of her.
You need anything from Shampoo, you tell.  Shampoo delivers."

Akane bowed, her face serious but tears coming from her eyes.

The four of them looked at each other for a few moments, trying
to find more words to say.  When no one said anything, Ranma
looked at her cooling bucket of water, smiled apologetically
at Xian Pu, took Akane's hand once again, and headed down
the road.

Xian Pu hugged Mu Zhu as she watched them walk down the road.
They stopped once to wave, and Xian Pu lifted one arm briefly
while Mu Zhu waved back enthusiastically.

Mu Zhu began to turn them back to the village, and Xian Pu
realized there was little point in watching Ranma and Akane
dwindle into the distance.

Xian Pu thought for a moment on the change her life had taken
in the space of the past few days.  She had aspired to someday
becoming an Elder, had never considered becoming a member
of the Communist Party, and had certainly thought any 
relationship with Mu Zhu would proceed slowly.  

Yet she was not unhappy.  She looked over Joketsuzoku.  It had
seemed small a few days ago when she had first returned from
Japan.  Now, with the knowledge of her responsibilities as an
Elder weighing upon her, it seemed impossibly huge.

Her perspective shifted, and she saw it in another way.  It
was a small model, representative of how all of China would
someday be.  While the PRC was formidable, they had yet to see
what a few Amazons in the right place could do.

What Xian Pu and those that followed her would do was change 
the face of China.  And, eventually, the world.

Feeling almost sorry for what she was about to unleash upon
the world, Xian Pu straightened herself while still holding
Mu Zhu's hand, and walked briskly back into Joketsuzoku to 
resume her duties as an Elder.