Here's the revised Chapter 2.  New scene, cleaned up some of the
dialogue that didn't sound right.  Did I mention plot changes from the
original drafts?  Oh well, I doubt anyone's reading this anyway... but it
never hurts to try I guess.


--------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 2 - Girls will be girls


        Spice awoke the next morning with a growl before slamming the alarm
clock into submission.  She got an extra two minutes of sleep before the
other eight went off.  "DADDY!!!!!"

        Mousse made it a point to enroll Spice in school, he felt that she
needed a standardized education in addition to what she was taught in the
village.  Back home it was mostly physical training.  The extent of Spice's
reading was some Sun Tsu scrolls, the village wasn't big on literature.
Mousse did manage to teach her basic Japanese at some point though.

        Cologne did most of Spice's training personally, to a higher degree
then she ever did with Shampoo.  She felt she never trained Shampoo enough
to do the job properly but mostly it was because she felt her failure in
Shampoo could be redeemed in Spice.

        Fortunately Spice was a natural born fighter, it was almost
unnatural how she managed to learn new skills and techniques.  Cologne made
sure to use that ability to it's utmost potential.

        With some reluctance Spice headed off to school, in her new sailor
uniform.  Along the way she ran into Kune, who was quite lost.  "Kune-kun!"

        Kune was only dimly aware of her, for some reason he felt
incredibly tired this moring.  "Umm.. your name is Spice right?"

        "Yup, are you going to Furinken high?"

        "Well I'm trying to.. I think it's in that direction somewhere."

        Spice smiled at her good fortune, "can you walk me there?  It's my
first day and I want to make a good impression."

        Kune yawned as Spice took his arm.  "Sure, no problem."

        Kune was so out of it he missed the looks everyone gave him as he
entered the gates with Spice on his arm.  From the second story, Megumi
began to glow brightly.

        Spice looked around until she saw a sign leading to the Main
Office.  She gave Kune a quick kiss on the cheek before heading off.
"Thanks cutie, I probably couldn't have made it here without you."

        Kune yawned again and watched her go as thunder could be heard in
the distance.  "Same here, see you later."

        He snapped out of his daze once the kiss reached his brain.  It was
a pleasant but sinking feeling.  Perhaps it was a dream or some kata
induced nightmare.  In either case he decided he should just get to class
and worry about it later.

        Spice took up a seat in the main office next to a young boy about
her age.  He was somewhat handsome but a tad conservative despite his black
hair tied back in a simple ponytail.

        She didn't have time to get a better look since a teacher arrived
with their room assignments.  "Kuonji Seki?  Hmm.. second floor, 2-B.
You've signed all your medical clearance right?"  Seki nodded.  "Well good
luck to you then."

        Spice looked up as her name was called.  "Spice?  1-A.  Right down
the hall."

        Seki aproached 2-B with caution, for some reason it emitted a sight
blue glow.  Upon entering he noticed the glow came from a cute red haired
girl in the back row.  Not seeing any other available seats he took one of
the ones next to the glowing girl and prayed for a short class.

        Spice peered her head into her class noting that there didn't seem
to be any available seats.  She did notice that Kune was in there trying
valiantly to stay awake.  Without another course of action Spice walked up
to Toshi, who happened to be sitting next to Kune.  "Excuse me, but I could
I please sit here?"

        Toshi for the most part fainted, falling out of his seat.

        Spice looked to Toshi on the floor, "thank you."

----------------

        Mousse could hear Shampoo's cries and the sound of furniture
breaking behind her bedroom door.  Making a decision he entered quietly,
just in time to see the last piece of furniture Shampoo owned smashed to
pieces.  He knew this day would come, a part of him always hoped she would
react diferently.  It was the same part of him that hoped Shampoo loved him
despite anything she did to the contrary.

        The letter had arrived earlier that day, the wedding invitation
sent with Ranma's unmistakable scrawl of a signature.  It was like a stake
through the heart, driving home every doubt she had about herself and her
future.

        Mousse stood passively and looked at Shampoo with sad eyes.  <I
know this must be hard for you Shampoo.>

        Shampoo looked to him with tears and anger in her eyes.  Her voice
dripped with venom, marking her normally beautiful Manderin.  <You know
nothing Mousse!  You who reject our ways, what can you know about what I've
lost?  The shame I face?>

        Mousse stood his ground in the face of her rage.  <I may not agree
with the old laws but I know them just as well as you.  They mark the
distance between you an I every moment I'm near you.  This is a matter of
the heart Shampoo.  If you must feel for something, at least feel for that.
Pain so deep is for love not law.>

        Shampoo anger spent itself into a whisper, <I know love.  I know
the love I used to see in your eyes, but that is something I could never
find in myself.>  Mousse could see the tears began to form, <love may die
but honor will always be there.  When.. if.. I become matriarch, what else
is there for me?>

        <Love... my love, your father's love, even obaba.. but our love
means nothing if you cannot love yourself.  The lighted path is dark for
you Shampoo.  I can't help you help yourself, but I will always be there
for you as long as you'll have me.  If you won't accept my love then at
least accept my friendship.>

        Mousse turned away as tears began to form on both their eyes.  He
left Shampoo to be with her thoughts.  He needed time to be alone with his
as well.

-----------------

        Megumi felt a little better after P.E. but she still wasn't very
talkative.  Seki would have asked about it but he was a bit unsure after
watching her maim several large, rather heavy pieces of gym equipment.

        Normally he would avoid such a violent and obviously strong
individual but since she was assigned to show him around for the day he was
left with little choice.  Seki was beginning to think things would be okay,
right up to the point they got stopped in the hall.

        "I fear far too much of the folly of youth is spend in the
hindsight of wisdom.  Miss Saotome, it is also my fear that your mind flows
too freely to be bound by your studies."

        Megumi turned and immediately looked to her feet.  "Yes principal Kuno."

        Kuno retained much of his looks over the years, this included his
wordrobe which still consisted of a black hakama and blue keikogi.  The
only change from his high school days was a bamboo shinai in place of his
bokken.

        He looked down from his lofty gaze.  "Very well, you will spend the
rest of the day with custodian Sasuke beautifying the grounds of Furinkan
High.  I have cleared you for the rest of your classes, you may report to
the main field at your leisure...  and let us hope tomorrow is not met with
such adversity."

        "Yes principal Kuno."

        Seki watched the two begin to part ways leaving him stranded in the
middle.  "Principal Kuno.  What about me?"

        Kuno turned to look at the worried lad, "you must be the new
transfer, Kuonji Seki.  I believe I shall bestow upon you the choice.  You
may either accompany Miss Saotome to the main field or you may follow the
path I lead which as the fates would have it coincide with your next
class."

        Seki considered for a moment.  Better the danger he knew, "I will
follow Miss Saotome sir."  Besides that he decided she was kinda cute.

        "So let it be written and so shall it be done.  I shall clear it
upon my return to the office."  Kuno continued walking before stopping
briefly to look back at Seki, "beware the fire which burns in that one
student Kuonji, lest like the moth you are consumed by the flame."

-------------------------

        Megumi began to cheer up after an hour of picking weeds.  Seki for
his part was just thankful Sasuke gave them a break for lunch.  It was an
interesting hour, Seki got to hear a bit about her parents and fiance.
Seki always changed the subject when it came to his own family.  She was
curious but decided not to push the matter.

        Seki was starting to feel like things were going well until he
began to notice Megumi becoming noticably aggitated.  He could follow her
gaze about as far as a group of boys orbiting around a boy and a girl, the
girl he remembered seeing earlier in the office.

        Megumi began a brisk walk towards the couple.  "Remember how you
said you'd like to meet my finance?"

        Seki had to up his pace in order to keep up.  "Umm, yeah... is that
him?"

        "Yes, and if you still want to meet him you should do it now while
he can still walk."

        Seki looked once to Megumi and then to Kune.  He decided to take
her advice and broke into a run, stopping in front of Kune and Spice.  Seki
shook Kune's hand and began talking at an accelerated rate. "You must be
Hibiki Kune, my name is Kuonji Seki; I'm very pleased to meet you, Megumi
has told me so much about you; why don't we go somewhere and talk about
something before your lovely fiancee decides to join us?"

        The only word that made sense to Kune was 'Megumi' but it was
enough.  Kune turned just in time to dodge Megumi's schoolbag.  Seki wasn't
quite as fortunate.

        Kune took the initiative and stepped up to Megumi, taking her into
a hug which pinned both her arms to her sides.  "Megumichan!  Dear!  How
I've missed you... let me introduce you to the new student I was assigned
to show the school to..."

        Megumi softened a bit losing most of the edge in her voice, "I'm
not going to kill you Kune.."

        Kune released his hold as Spice happily cut in, "does that mean
you'll walk me to my next class Kunchan?"

        Megumi scowled, "...I am going to break your kneecaps however."

        Kune took that as his cue and grabbed hold of Seki.  "Well me and
Seki here have important guy things to discuss."  Turning to Seki, "why
don't I buy you some curry bread; we should hurry before they run out."

        The dazed Seki simply nodded in agreement as he got dragged into
the nearest building.  Spice watched them go and frowned slightly, she had
no idea where her next class was.

        Megumi turned her attention back to Spice.  "As for you, I know I
told you to stay away from my fiance!"

        "Humph!  What do nice guy like him see in crazy violent girl like you!"

        "Like he'd be interested in a Chinese bimbo like you!"

        Spice took up a stance.  "Crazy violent girl must really want
lesson in manners!"

        Megumi smiled and took up her stance.  "Your daddy isn't going to
save you this time."

        "Funny, I think same for you."

        It only took a couple minutes for most of the school to get in
viewing range, word spread like wildfire that the main event was starting
on the main field.  A large group including Toshi and Yoshiki managed to be
there from the opening blows.  Kune sighed, alongside Seki who had
recovered enough to see the fighting.

        "Aren't you going to stop them?"

        "Seki my friend, I couldn't stop either one of them if I tried.  As
it is we're all still well within blast radius if things get out of hand."

        Megumi started with a grab attempt hoping to throw her opponent to
the ground.  She was surprised by Spice's quickness as she dropped into a
sweep.  It was all Megumi could do to launch herself over the kick and
defend herself from Spice who had already recovered from her sweep.

        Spice used her speed to attack with a variety of punches throwing
in a kick now and then to keep Megumi off guard.  After a few seconds of
blocking Megumi managed to grab a high kick.  For her part Spice continued
to throw punches which Megumi had to block using the captured leg.

        Megumi gave Spice's foot a hard twist outward which Spice followed
by a horizontal jumping 'dachou kyaku' kick to keep her ankle from
breaking.  Not expecting the kick Megumi took a grazing blow to the face
stunning her.  Both combatants fell, but even stunned Megumi was able to
land hard on Spice's leg.

        Both stood slowly to face each other, slightly battered and very
pissed.  Neither were expecting the competition they were getting, and both
decided it was time to stop holding back.

        Megumi began a drive forward as the words escaped her lips, "kachuu
Tenshin AMAGURIKEN!!!"

        It was one of the first techniques Cologne had taught Spice, but
unprepared and unexpecting she had to take the brunt of the attack.  Megumi
began panting heavily as Spice flew back to the ground.  The amaguriken was
still new to her, she had a preference to ki based attacks but in this
fight she needed the extra speed.

        To Megumi's grim amazement, Spice got up even after getting hit by
over a hundred blows.  Her dress was a mess and she was visibly injured but
she had nowhere near the level of damage Megumi had inflicted upon her.

        Spice cursed herself silently for getting caught in the chestnut
fist.  She took a deep breath and began a series of flip kicks bringing her
close enough to perform a 'kachuu kyaku.'

        Cologne had taught her it to her shortly after the amaguriken by
lighting her pant leg on fire.  It wasn't as fast as the amaguriken since
she could only use one leg at a time but it made up for it in power and
range.

        Megumi was able to take kicks until Spices leg finally gave out and
they both collapsed.  Megumi was too exausted to perform any ki based
attack, and she could see Spice was already getting up for another attack.
It only left her one option which she dreaded to use.

        Megumi got back into her stance and prepared herself mentally.  She
never thought she'd ever have to use it but it was too late for anything
else.  She only hoped she could deal with the consequences.  "Saotome-ryuu
ougi!"

        Those in the crowd close enough to hear gasped.  Toshi and Yoshiki
looked on in anticipation, Seki with worry.  Kune just covered his eyes and
shook his head as  Megumi suddenly dashed into the crowd, leaving behind a
very stunned and confused Spice.

        Spice raised an eyebrow and relaxed her stance.  "Forget this. I go
home."

        Spice made her way through the crowd and eventually out the front
gate, leaving behind a field full of confused spectators.  Kune continued
to sit there and shake his head in dismay.

-------------------

        Akane sipped her tea quietly, watching the conversation.

        "I think a spring wedding would be nice."

        "I don't know what's worse, Akane allowing the wedding or you
planning it."

        "Don't be that way Nabiki, I think Megumi and Kune make a lovely
couple."

        "You would.  I still think they're too young."

        "Now now.   Ranma and Akane were that age, and see how well they
turned out."

        "Good one Kasumi.  The only reason they're still married is
probably the sex."  Akane choked audibly on her tea.  Nabiki looked first
to Akane and then to Kasumi, "maybe I spoke too soon."

        Kasumi frowned, "Nabiki!  That isn't very nice and Noriko's just in
the other room.  It's bad enough I had to give Megumi the talk."  Nabiki
looked with a puzzled glance to her older sister.  Kasumi reddened as her
voice dropped to a whisper, "you know... THE talk."

        Nabiki tried to surpress a giggle before turning to her younger
sister.  "Getting Kasumi to do the dirty work Akane?  I didn't think you
had it in you."

        Kasumi's frown deepened, "Ranma asked me to do it since he was
having a little trouble with the words."

        "He's got two genders of his own, you'd figure he could find
something appropriate.  I swear Akane, it's a miracle you had two kids as
it is."

        Akane placed her tea on the table, "you're getting salty in your
old age Nabiki."

        "It speaks."

        "Akane has a point Nabiki, perhaps you should get out more."

        "Oh this is rich, I'm getting dating advice from Kasumi.  This is
starting to get depressing... I need to buy something.. something
expensive.  I should hurry before the shops close.  Better yet, it's power
hour on the shopping network.  Where are my credit cards?"

        Kasumi watched her retire to the living room, "I think we need to
do something about Nabiki.  She's getting worse."

        "She's just a little lonely Kasumi, it happens."

-----------

        Ranma went down to the Nekohanten a little after noon.  He didn't
have any students today so it seemed like a good time.  The sign said
closed but the door was open so he let himself in, giving the little door
bell a gentle chime.  Everything was the way he remembered it, he felt like
a teenager again.

        He was half afraid to see the old hag behind the counter, but his
fears were quickly dispelled as Mousse emerged from the kitchen.  "Sorry,
we're not open yet.."

        "Yosh Mousse, it's me Ranma.  Megumi told me you were back in town."

        "Ah, Saotome.  I've been waiting for you.  Have a seat."  Mousse
waited until Ranma grabbed a chair before continuing, "How are things with
you and Akane?"

        "Good.  Things have never been better."

        "Does she still keep that mallet around?"

        Ranma thought about it for a few seconds, "actually I don't know."

        Mousse grinned in sad amusement.  "Well Saotome, you may be finding
out sooner than you think."

        Ranma could feel his muscles in his gut contract.  Mousse knew more
than he was letting on and that in itself was not a good sign.  He couldn't
read the emotion in Mousse's voice, but he could still tell there was thin
ice ahead.  He needed to break up the silence between them, "enough about
me.  What about you?  None of us have heard anything since you returned to
China."

        Mousse sighed, "Where should I start?  I suppose you should know
Shampoo and I married shortly after our return to China.  For once in her
life she needed me for something..."  Ranma could see the sad irony play on
his face.  "...she began helping Cologne run the village to prepare for the
day she would replace Cologne as matriarch... and I.. I became the good
amazon husband for what it's worth."

        Ranma sensed something, "but you're here running the Nekohanten now?"

        Mousse could feel himself drift.  "Isn't it ironic Saotome, the
most dishonored member of the village married to the matriarch successor?
Honor is a strange thing Saotome, perhaps stranger than love... but enough
of that.  I wanted to talk to you about about that night with Shampoo."
Mousse lost his wistful look and looked deep into Ranma's eyes.  "You never
told Akane, did you?  I won't say anything, that is your cross to bear..
but there is something you should know..."

        Ranma let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.

        Mousse continued as the front door opened and a burgundy haired
girl walked in with a school bag under one arm.  "Congratulations Ranma,
it's a girl."

        Ranma began to feel the blood drain from his body as giant beads of
sweat began to form.  He kept his attention fixed on Mousse for fear of
putting it anywhere else.

        Mousse continued to speak in Chinese, his attention still focused
on Ranma but his words focused on Spice.  <Aren't you home early dear?>

        The guilt was aparant in her voice.  <The most horrible thing
happened at lunch, but I want you to know it wasn't my fault.>

        Mousse finally turned to look at her, he could see she had
obviously been fighting.  <Well I suppose you're here now so get ready and
help me with the lunch crowd when we open.  You can explain what's not your
fault later.>

        <Yes daddy.>  Spice was starting to think it would have been better
to stay in school.  It was then she finally took notice of Ranma, <who's
your friend.. he doesn't look so well.>