Ranma 1/2
	Altered Destinies:  A scary thought

	What's happened so far:  Kasumi Tendo and Ranma 
Saotome were switched at an early age and raised by the other's 
parents.  Now Kasumi is cursed to change to a man and has just 
recently returned to Nerima with Genma after a training trip in 
China.  She is now engaged to Ranma, who isn't pleased, has 
attracted Kuno's attention, and isn't pleased, and has to deal with 
a very upset Ukyo who turns into a wolf (which is often mistaken 
for a dog) and guess who's fault that is.  Then there's the matters 
of Ranma taking Ukyo-wolf as a pet and Akane taking C-chan, a 
pink furred cat who's lost her memory, as a pet.  Of course there 
are other problems as well, like a certain group of costumed 
young super powered heroines taking an interest in the events at 
Nerima, Kodachi taking an interest in Kasumi-kun, Ms. Hinako 
arriving as Kasumi's assistant and Kasumi is stuck as a man due 
to the cat tongue.  Right now Ranma and Akane are out to rescue 
Ryouko (that's Ukyo's wolf form's name) from Azusa.  Oh, I 
guess I should mention that Kasumi is married to Shampoo, and 
they have the papers to prove it.

%Chapter 11

	Kasumi-kun's eyes blinked as he returned to the land of 
reality.  He felt a cold cloth on his forehead and looked up to see 
Akane tending him.  All around them was pandemonium.  Soun 
was in the process of strangling the life out of Genma, Nodoka 
was arguing with Shampoo's great grand mother, Nabiki was 
rubbing her temples, mumbling to herself, and Ranma was 
pacing back and forth impatiently.  About the only calm person 
was Shampoo who seemed too perplexed by the chaos around her 
to act, so she merely sat next to Kasumi quietly.  When Kasumi 
saw her she had her eyes turned away, and  was directing a look 
of gratitude at Akane.  For a minute he looked at her, and then 
his fathers yells drew his attention.
	"Saotome, how could you do this?!!!"  Soun shouted as he 
thumped Genma's head on the floor boards.
	"It wasn't my fault!  I had no choice!"  Genma tried to 
plead.
	"Don't hand me that Saotome!!  You've gone too far this 
time!!"
	"Father, killing him won't help."  Kasumi said as he sat 
up aided by Akane, and a second later Shampoo, who went back 
to sitting quietly when he was up.  His words brought all 
attention in the room squarely upon him.
	"Ah, I see son-in-law is awake."  The old woman said 
with a smile.  Kasumi felt a shiver run through his body, not only 
from the feeling  that smile elicited,  but more importantly from 
the words she used.  He resisted the urge to look around at 
Shampoo to see her reaction, if any, to those words.
	"Would you like to explain this Kasumi?"  Nodoka 
asked.
	Kasumi's reflexive response would probably have been, 
no, not really.  Unfortunately he couldn't just ignore this latest 
problem.  "Um, I'm not exactly sure where to begin."  Kasumi 
managed to say as he tried to recall the `wedding'.  This was 
important but he was coming up blank.
	"Can this wait?"  Ranma asked finally as he stopped his 
pacing.  "I have got to get Ryouko back before that wacko does 
something to her."
	"This is serious Ranma."  Nodoka replied.
	"And this isn't?!"  Ranma almost yelled, in his frustration 
at not being able to immediately go after Ryouko's kidnapper.
	Nodoka was about to chastise her son then thought better 
of it.  She wanted some time to talk with Shampoo's great 
grandmother.  It would be easier if there were not so many people 
gathered around.  This would give her a chance to talk this over 
with the old lady without a lot of distractions.  "Very well.  I 
think we should let them go."  Nodoka said, looking at Soun.  
Soun merely nodded his compliance and released Genma.  
Nodoka looked back at Kasumi.  "However, we expect an 
explanation when you return."
	Kasumi nodded, but in his mind he was thinking that he 
needed an explanation as much if not more than anyone else.  
After all, he was the one who had suddenly found himself with a 
bride, and with no recollection of how he had acquired her.  
Akane grabbed Kasumi by the arm and began to lead him out 
with Ranma.
	"Go with them child."  Shampoo's great grand mother 
said to Shampoo.  Shampoo who had already risen, nodded and 
followed the others.

	Once outside they met Akira who was waiting, and began 
quickly walking down the street, in the direction of the more well 
to do part of town.  "Ka...neda , this is Akira, he works at the 
animal shelter.  Akira, this is my cousin."  Shampoo gave 
Kasumi a short glance upon hearing the different name.
	"Hello," Kasumi greeted and Akira nodded in response 
with a friendly smile.  Kasumi then turned his attention to Akane.  
"What exactly is going on Akane?"  Kasumi asked.
	"Some girl named Azusa stole Ryouko.  We have to go 
get her back."
	"Why do you need me?"
	Akira spoke up at this point.  "I figured it would be smart 
to get as much help as possible.  I asked Ranma and Akane to 
bring all the reinforcements they could."
	"I told you, I didn't need any help," Ranma said.
	"And I said, I wouldn't take you there without 
reinforcements," Akira retorted before continuing his explanation 
to Kasumi.  "You wouldn't believe this girl.  Last time we went 
to get an animal from her place we ran into some pretty nasty 
traps.  I wouldn't be all that surprised if she's added a bit more 
security after the last time.  Beyond that, we usually do this sort 
of thing when she's not around.  She can be quite dangerous if 
you get her mad, and a sure way to do that is to try and take one 
of her cute little friends away.  I heard she put a whole hockey 
team in the hospital.  This time we have to do it while she's 
home."
	Kasumi nodded in understanding then noticed Akane 
giving her a questioning look.  "So, what's this I hear about you 
being married?  We didn't exactly get any details."  Akane asked.
	Kasumi opened his mouth to respond but was beaten to it 
by Shampoo.  "He married to Shampoo."
	Akane looked over at Shampoo.  "And just who, or what 
is a Shampoo?"
	"I Shampoo!"  The strange girl responded in annoyance.  
Both Ranma and Akane looked at Kasumi and Shampoo in 
shock.
	"You two are... married?"  Ranma asked, dumfounded.
	"I suppose... so."  Kasumi answered then turned his 
attention to Shampoo.  "Shampoo, when did this happen?  I don't 
remember anything about a marriage."
	"How you no can remember?  Was big celebration after 
you beat Shampoo."  Shampoo responded in surprise.
	"That was a wedding?!  Oh my, but why?  We had barely 
met."
	"Is law, Amazon must marry man who beat her in 
combat."
	"But-"  Kasumi started to say in surprise, but was 
interrupted before he could continue.
	"Sounds like a dumb law to me."  Akira commented.  
"You Amazons ever heard of a thing called love?"
	"Know love, and marry for love too, not always for law, 
and not always different things.  Love, Law, sometime go 
together."  Shampoo answered, not looking at Kasumi.
	Kasumi started at this.  Could Shampoo actually have 
feelings for him?  No!  She couldn't, not after the way she reacted 
to his curse before.  Could she?
	While he was thinking, Ranma picked up the 
conversation.  "So, let me get this straight, if some jerk comes 
into your village and knocks you out you have to marry the guy, 
no matters what you think on the matter?"  He asked, and 
Shampoo reluctantly nodded in response.  "And... Kaneda here 
came to your village, beat you, so you married he... him?"  
Ranma cast a quick look at Akira to see if he had caught 
Ranma's slip.  Shampoo again nodded.
	"Sounds suspiciously like rape to me."  Akira said.  
"How the hell can a bunch of Amazons justify such a ludicrous 
law?"
	"Is to bring strong blood into village."
	"Strong blood?!"  Akira echoed, he began to shake his 
head in disbelief, when a thought occurred to him.  He frowned at 
Kasumi  "I dearly hope you didn't do this on purpose?"  He 
asked Kasumi in a censorious voice.
	"No!  I knew nothing of this law.  I didn't even know 
until just a while ago that I was... married.  I still can't remember 
anything about signing papers."  Kasumi quickly replied as he 
tried to force the memories to the surface.
	"That's good to hear.  I can understand a little lack of 
communication, but forcing a woman to marry you..." 
	"Is no force!" Shampoo retorted.  "Amazon woman obey 
law.  Man beat Amazon in combat, but Amazon marry because 
of law, not because man force her."
	Akira looked at her skeptically, he clearly did not accept 
her qualifier.  He said nothing further on the topic however.  He 
brought their group to a halt by a street corner.  "We're here.  
Better be quiet.  We don't want to run into her unless it's 
absolutely necessary."  Everyone nodded and they proceeded 
forward.

	"This is totally out of the question."  Nodoka said in 
frustration.  "You cannot truly be considering forcing Kasumi 
into a marriage-"
	"Kasumi is already married.  It is a simple fact you 
cannot deny."  Shampoo's great grand mother responded.  "We 
even have the official documentation to prove it."
	"I thought we already established that the marriage was 
between Kasumi as a man and Shampoo.  Kasumi isn't a man.  
She's a woman.  The marriage certainly cannot be valid."
	"He is as much a man as a woman, it is simply a matter 
of your point of view, particularly now."  The old woman 
countered.
	"Which is another thing, how could you do such a thing 
to her?  It-"
	"How could he do such a thing to my great grand 
daughter?  He-"
	"She!"
	"_He_!"  The Amazon retorted quickly causing Nodoka 
to sigh in defeat and let the matter drop.  "As I was saying, _he_ 
left my great grand daughter disgraced, dishonored and 
emotionally distressed."
	"And you wish to force this marriage on them?!"  Nodoka 
shot back.
	"As I have already said, they are already married.  The 
point is mute.  He must fulfill his obligations to her."
	Nodoka retreated into thought while Soun took up the 
fight.  "But my daughter is already engaged."
	"Irrelevant, he is already married, and therefore the 
engagement must be called off."
	Soun sat back in defeat.  A few seconds passed, then 
Nodoka took up the fight once again.  "Are you totally unwilling 
to compromise?"
	"Why should I?"
	"We are dealing with two people's lives here.  Do you not 
wish to see your great grand daughter happy?"
	"Yes, of course I do."
	"Then call this marriage off.  It can never work out-"
	"You place powers in me that I simply do not have.  It is 
true that I am the elder council leader, but I am as bound to the 
law as anyone else.  I cannot simply change the laws to suit my 
own interests, or for Shampoo.  This is the only way."
	Nodoka shook her head.  "I do not see how this will help 
matters."  She paused a moment then continued, hoping to get 
something from the old woman.  "Could you at the very least 
allow Kasumi to change back."
	"No."  The old woman replied resolutely.
	"Why not?  If Kasumi is a woman then the male Kasumi 
does not exist, there is no marriage."
	"Not so," Cologne said.  "Same sex marriages are 
recognized as legitimate between two Amazons."
 	"But Kasumi is not an Amazon!"  Nodoka said, her eyes 
brightening with the thought that she had found a loophole.
	"Unfortunately he is.  The instant he married Shampoo he 
became an Amazon.  I wish that were not the truth, it would 
make matters much simpler."
	"How so?" Nodoka asked.
	Cologne shrugged.  "Then Shampoo could kill her and we 
could go home."  The others all stared at her in shock.  "That is 
one of our most basic laws.  If an Amazon is defeated by an 
outsider female she must give the kiss of death and kill without 
delay.  Unfortunately, when Kasumi married Shampoo he 
became an Amazon, and that law no longer applies."
	Nodoka was shocked by this revelation, but was not done 
fighting.  "Very well, if Kasumi is still married as a female we 
can deal with that in some manner.  But, until we do can you not 
at least allow her to live her life in her natural body?"
	Cologne shook her head in denial.  "In doing so I'd hand 
over Shampoo's life to her.  The Amazon laws regarding same 
sex marriage clearly state that the stronger of the pair takes all 
honors and position of the weaker.  Shampoo would effectively 
be left with nothing, particularly if Kasumi decided to fully 
exploit his advantage."
	"Kasumi would never-"
	"What he would, or would not do is really irrelevant.  If 
anyone from the village found out about this, and believe me they 
would, they would enforce it simply to force my family from the 
council once I step down.  My family has headed the council for 
centuries, and there are many who would use this to force a 
change.  If Kasumi were female, on my death or retirement only 
she would have the right to that position.  Whether he 
acknowledges that right or not would change nothing.  That does 
not even consider the hardships Shampoo would have to endure 
since she officially would have no status or position that did not 
flow from Kasumi."  The old woman paused a second then 
continued.  "Centuries ago when the council was petitioned to 
allow same sex marriages they were reluctant.  Our's is a small 
village and we cannot afford to lose the blood lines that those 
females who would chose this lifestyle represent.  The Elders 
agreed to the petition, but they created conditions and rules that 
would preserve the village.  They also decreed that the junior 
partner would have the status of a married male.  They did this in 
order to make the option unappealing to all but the most 
determined lovers.  We may allow same sex marriages, but no 
Amazon enters into one casually.  It is Shampoo's misfortune to 
have slipped through a crack that the Elders never foresaw.  
Believe me, no other Amazon will ever suffer a similar fate, but 
that does not aid my great grand daughter.  So believe me when I 
say nothing will change my mind on this matter."
	"I don't suppose divorce is an option?"  Nodoka tried 
desperately.
	"Oh, it's an option, but I don't believe you would be all 
that pleased with the Amazon laws regarding divorce.  They 
would call for one party's death, a thing I am sure you do not 
want and neither do I."
	Nodoka and Soun nodded quickly and fell into thought.  
Nodoka shook her head as she realized how efficiently they had 
been trapped into seeming like the `bad guys' should they not 
concede the marriage.  The only option left was to somehow 
show the marriage was invalid.  Nodoka looked over at her 
husband who had been quiet the whole time, nervously twiddling 
his thumbs.
	"Okay, Genma, perhaps you would like to tell us exactly 
what happened?"  Nodoka asked, her expression making it clear 
that `no' was not a acceptable answer.

	"Akane, would you mind being a little more careful?"  
Ranma asked as he held Akane by the arm as she dangled over 
an open pit of wooden stakes.
	"Shut up Ranma, and pull me up!"  Akane yelled back in 
a mix of fear and anger.  Ranma hauled Akane back onto solid 
ground while the others examined the trap Akane had nearly 
fallen into.
	"That's new."  Akira commented.  "I really should get 
overtime for this.  There's nothing in my job description about 
avoiding death traps."
	"Perhaps it would be better to go straight inside."  
Kasumi suggested.
	"Yeah, that way she can kill us nice and legal like."  
Akira replied deadpan and walked over next to the wall of the 
house.  "Any of you good a climbing shear walls?"  Akira asked 
sarcastically.
	To his surprise everyone answered simultaneously.  
"Yes."
	"O...kay, well then, why don't you guys look in the 
windows and see if you can see anything.  If we're lucky we'll 
find your dog and we won't have to search through the whole 
house."  The others nodded and started climbing up the wall to 
various different windows on the upper floors while Akira 
searched the lower windows.
	"What dog look like?"  Shampoo asked as she looked 
inside one of the windows.
	"Well, she's real big, has grayish fur-" Ranma began to 
answer as he looked through another window.
	"Look like wolf?"
	"Ahhh, sort of."  Ranma responded, a hint of nervousness 
creeping into his voice.
	Akane and Kasumi notice this and gave Ranma 
suspicious looks.  "Ryouko's a wolf?!!"  Akane blurted out.
	"Ahhh, do you see her Shampoo?"  Ranma said, avoiding 
the question.
	"See girl and wolf, but wolf have pink fur."  Shampoo 
answered.  The others climbed over to her and looked in as well 
while Akira waited below.
	As soon as Ranma looked in he let out a startled yell.  It 
was indeed Ryouko except her fur was dyed pink and she had 
numerous red bows tied into her fur.  She lay unconscious on the 
ground as Azusa happily tied another bow onto her.  Ranma let 
out another yell, this time of outrage, and before anyone could 
stop him he smashed the window and jumped in.  The others 
quickly chased after him.
	"You little brat!  What did you do Ryouko?!"  Ranma 
yelled out as he ran towards them.
	"Who are you?!  Go away!  You can't have Azusa's little 
Charolette!"  Azusa said as she stepped between Ranma and 
Ryouko.
	"Get out of the way or you're going to get-"
	Ranma never finished his threat.  Instead Shampoo 
suddenly appeared and threw a punch at Azusa, sending her 
flying through the air into the far wall and knocking her out.  "No 
bother with silly talk.  Take animal and go."  Shampoo said,  
turning her back on them and walking over to the window 
Ranma had smashed.  Everyone looked between her and Azusa 
in shock for a moment then Ranma took her advice and picked up 
his unconscious pet.

	A short time later Akira left the foursome plus wolf at the 
gate to the Tendo home.  Ryouko was stuck presently in what 
Kasumi could best describe as a mixture of complete catatonic 
shock and overboiling fury.  Despite Ranma's best efforts to 
cheer her up she remained despondent.  Kasumi feared that once 
the shock broke Ryouko's anger would be violently released.
	Once they stepped inside they heard Nodoka's, Soun's 
and Genma's voices.  Genma appeared to be recounting the early 
part of their arrival at the Amazon village, although it was clear 
from the shake slipping into his words every few seconds he 
wasscared out of his mind.  Kasumi could somewhat feel for him.  
He was dreading the inevitable explanation himself, especially 
now with the complication of this marriage.
	"Maybe a bath would-"  Ranma started to say much to 
Ryouko's dismay but Kasumi quickly jumped in.
	"I don't think that would be wise.  She's seems way too 
tense for one right now.  Besides, the dye is already set in."
	"Yeah, guess you're right.  Come on Ryouko."  Ranma 
said and started to lead a slightly relieved Ryouko upstairs.  
Kasumi sighed, disaster temporarily averted.  Now was not the 
time for Ukyo's secret to be revealed.
	"I guess we should wait till they're through with Uncle 
Saotome."  Akane said, then followed Ranma.  Kasumi gladly 
took advantage of the temporary reprieve and went with her, 
Shampoo coming up behind them.  Ranma stepped into his room 
with Ryouko while Akane stopped in front of the door to 
Kasumi's room.
	"Is boy brother?"  Shampoo asked, gesturing towards 
Ranma's room.
	"Ah, no, not really.  Actually he's my... fiancee.  My 
future husband," he continued when he saw Shampoo's blank 
look.  Shampoo looked back at the door to Ranma's room with a 
pensive expression.  He has a lover, Shampoo thought and almost 
felt stabbed by this new information.  As if her situation wasn't 
bad enough as it was.
	Shampoo took her eyes from the door and walked on into 
Kasumi's room followed by Akane.  The sound of scratching at 
Akane's door quickly caused Kasumi to dash in after them.
	"Shampoo, about this cat tongue thing, can you not 
convince your great grand mother to remove it?"  Kasumi asked.
	Shampoo shook her head.  "Great grand mother say bad 
for marriage be girl, girl.  Shampoo title Kasumi title then."  Both 
Akane and Kasumi tried to puzzle through the meaning of 
Shampoo's statement.  Shampoo sighed then tried again.  "Sorry, 
Shampoo still learn Japanese.  If Shampoo married to girl 
Kasumi then Kasumi take all Shampoo title.  You understand?"
	"I believe so, but could we not work that out later?"
	"What if no can work out?  Shampoo have nothing then.  
No, you stay boy.  Better that way."
	"But that's not fair."  Akane responded.
	"Life no fair.  This no fair to Kasumi.  Other no fair to 
Shampoo.  Less two evil."  Shampoo said then sat down on the 
bed.  At this moment Ranma walked in.  Shampoo glared at him, 
but he was oblivious.
	"How's Ryouko?"  Akane asked.
	"Miserable, what do you think?"  Ranma snapped back.
	"Gees, just asking."
	"Sorry," Ranma mumbled then looked at Shampoo.  After 
a moment a small smile appeared on his face.  "Guess the 
engagement is off seeing as how you're married and all."
	Shampoo jolted at this.  He dared to treat her husband's 
love so casually, the pig!
	"You're a tactless jerk Ranma."  Akane said with a angry 
shake of her head and Shampoo nodded in agreement.
	"What?  It's the truth, isn't it?"
	"Yeah, but it's not like Kasumi wanted this you dork."
	The two quickly degenerated into a match of heated 
words.  Kasumi shook his head and was about to cut off the 
argument when he noticed Ryouko walk by the doorway.  Having 
Ryouko wandering around in her present state of mind wasn't 
good.
	Akane opened her mouth to respond to Ranma's rebuttal 
but Kasumi spoke first.  "Akane, it's all right.  Why don't you 
two show Shampoo around.  I could use the time to think."  
Akane reluctantly nodded and directed Shampoo to follow her 
and Ranma.
	Shampoo did not want to go want to leave, but then it 
occurred to her that this was an opportunity to observed her 
husband's lover.  She followed Akane out of the room.

	Kasumi waited a minute to be sure that the three were 
well on their way to the dojo.  That, of course, was in the minds 
of all three of them, the primary feature of the house.
	Satisfied that the coast was clear, Kasumi slipped out of 
his room and headed in the direction of the bathroom.  He was 
worried about Ukyo.  Despite her anger she had still been very 
groggy a few minutes ago, walking with a pronounced stumble 
as she made her way past Kasumi's room.  Anger, depression and 
a clouded mind could be a dangerous combination.  He was glad 
that Ranma had not spotted her.  There was no telling what she 
might do if Kasumi's suspicions turned out correct.  Not having 
to worry about Ranma's reaction was a welcome relief in a day 
already overfull of disasters.
	Moving as silently as a shadow he ghosted down the 
hallway, pausing at the top of the stairwell and listened intently.  
>From below floated up the heated voice of Nodoka and his father.  
Their voices only paused every few minutes to allow Genma to 
make an explanation.  Genma was lying of course.  Kasumi could 
not make out his words, but if he was speaking he was lying.  Of 
that fact Kasumi was certain.  He desperately wanted to question 
Genma himself, but the opportunity for that would not come for a 
while.  Hopefully father would not hurt him too badly.  Kasumi 
did not want to have to worry about his conscience being pricked 
by an injured Genma.  He did not want anything to interfere in 
his interview with his 'teacher'.
	All that had to be put aside for now.  Kasumi could only 
deal with one disaster at a  time and it was Ukyo's turn at the 
moment.  Having determined that it was safe to proceed he made 
his way down the stairs and around the corner to the bathroom.  
With relief he made his objective undetected and taking one last 
look around he slipped into the laundry room.  He slid the door 
shut behind him, and breathed a sigh of relief at having made it 
this far with no new disaster appearing.  He moved stealthily 
towards the other end of the laundry room, and the entrance to the 
bathroom.
	Before he had managed more than two steps a sound 
came from the other side of the door that raised Kasumi's 
hackles.  From the bathroom came a curious mixture of laughter 
and crying mixed together in a most unsettling way.  Stealing 
himself for what he knew he was going to see Kasumi slid the 
door open.  On the other side of the room Ukyo stood.  She had 
changed forms, and was now standing in front of the mirror 
staring at herself, all the while running her hands through her 
hair.  Something in the transformation process had warped the 
dye that Azusa has used, and instead of one uniform shade of 
pink it now covered the full spectrum of pink, from pale almost 
blond to so deep it was almost as purple as Shampoo's hair.  
Ukyo stood there laughing and crying as she stroked her fingers 
through the nightmare her long beautiful hair had become.
	Now that he was close enough Kasumi could make out 
words mixed in with the other noises Ukyo was making.  
"Wanted to tell Ranma, guess I don't have to worry now.  Pink 
wolf, pink Ukyo, what's to figure."  Slowly she collapsed, folding 
up until she was kneeling on the floor, a pink and brown ball of 
misery.  This was not good, Ukyo might truly do something 
stupid if Kasumi did not do something.
	Before he could think of anything Ukyo noticed his 
presence.  "What the hell do you want?!"  She yelled, standing up 
and facing Kasumi.  She lifted a hand and dashed the tears from 
her eyes.  Then, she glared at Kasumi, daring her to say 
something.
	"Ukyo-"
	"Shut up!!"  Ukyo yelled.  "You haven't won yet you 
know.  I don't know how, but I'll beat this thing."
	Kasumi was amazed at the change in Ukyo, from 
despondent to rock certainty in the space of a few seconds.  Then 
he realized what it was.  As much as her experience had affected 
Ukyo there was one thing that was more powerful then her recent 
trauma, her hatred of Kasumi.  No matter what, Ukyo would 
never allow herself to surrender if it meant she had to concede a 
victory to Kasumi.
	For the first time since she had appeared Kasumi was 
glad of Ukyo's unreasoning hatred.  It gave her something to hold 
on to in the face of adversity.  He looked at her in admiration.  
She had gone from a huddled ball of misery to a proud defiant 
woman in the space of a few breaths.  The straggled multi shaded 
hair now dried, flared around her head in a corona.  An sudden 
impulse took hold of Kasumi and like a witness at an auto wreck 
he found he could not resist looking.  For just a second his eyes 
flickered down, just for a fraction of a second but enough to show 
that whatever else she might be Azusa was certainly thorough.  
He blushed at his weakness, but thankfully Ukyo did not notice 
his momentary lapse.  He had enough problems with Shampoo 
without adding that complication as well.  All he needed was 
Ukyo to decide he was a pervert on top of everything else.
	This situation seemed relatively stable for the moment.  
However, it was best to let Ukyo think she had the field for now 
and not antagonize her further.  "Well, I guess you win this round 
then Ukyo."  Kasumi said and, nodding his head at the defiant 
girl, he stepped out into the laundry room.  Once there he leaned 
against the linen closet, and sent a prayer to the gods, thanking 
them for sparing him at least one problem.  Not having to deal 
with a clinically depressed wolf was at least one thing he would 
not have to worry about. 
	"Kasumi!  Could you come in here please."  Nodoka 
called out from the common room.  Kasumi sighed, the time had 
finally come.
	Just a few short minutes later everyone was gathered in 
the common room.  Kasumi sat at the table the object of 
everyone's attention in the room, particularly one pink wolf's.  
He still wasn't ready for this, but it was useless to delay any 
longer.
	"When you're ready."  Nodoka prodded and Kasumi 
nodded.
	He took in a deep breath that helped to calm his nerves.  
"Well, I'll tell you what I remember, which is a bit sketchy.  It 
was shortly after we went to Jusenkyo..."  Kasumi began and let 
his mind regress back to that day.

	Kasumi sighed and pulled the belt on Genma's second 
best Gi a bit tighter.  If things did not improve soon he would be 
able to go back to wearing his own clothes, he thought... without 
the need of hot water first.  He shifted the heavy burden of his 
two backpacks, twisting his shoulders in an effort to move the 
straps from the place where they were trying to wear two holes in 
his shoulders.  He frowned at the plump panda that was strolling 
along several feet in front of him, happy and unburdened.  
Kasumi was sure he would be whistling if he had the lips to do 
so.  Every now and then the black and white bear would snag a 
bamboo shoot, and happily chew on it while continuing to walk 
along.  Kasumi had never been that good at scrounging food and 
without the motivation of hunger Genma had no interest in 
exerting himself.  Gods I'm hungry, he thought.  This body burns 
food like a furnace.  At that moment Kasumi's stomach 
registered it's own vote on the matter letting out a loud liquid 
rumble.  Kasumi blushed as the guide turned to stare at him, his 
attention drawn by the sudden loud noise.
	"No worry Miss Customer, we find food soon.  Very 
famous village just over hill in next valley.  We get food there, I 
thinking."
	Genma looked up at the mention of food and promptly 
decided he had eaten enough bamboo for a life time.  Time for 
some real food.  He picked up the pace, and started trotting up the 
long slope ahead of them.  Soon his sensitive nose picked up the 
savory smells that were floating over the rise ahead.  Spurred on 
by the smell his pace increased to the point where the others were 
forced to run to keep up.
	Mere minutes later they crested the hill and found 
themselves looking down at a picturesque native village.  It was 
built on a rise in the bottom of the valley, in the shadow of a 
white shouldered giant of a mountain peak.  Huts were scattered 
with no apparent plan, but a broad empty area ran through the 
middle of the scattered houses.  One end of that area widened out 
into a considerable space.  In that space what looked like the 
entire village was gathered.  Genma did not give the impressive 
view a single glance.  He had spotted a heavily laden table 
holding more food then he had seen in a month, and it completely 
captured all his attention.  Unable to control himself, not that he 
really tried, he rushed ahead with no thought or caution.  Kasumi 
and the Guide trotted along in his wake.
	As he got close to the village Kasumi saw that fortunately 
for Genma the villagers were all concentrating their attention on a 
large log held a dozen feet off the ground by four ropes that 
slanted down at an angle, two at each end.  They held the log 
secure but allowed it to move lengthwise making for a less than 
secure footing for the two figures that leaped up and onto 
opposite ends of it.
	The guide exclaimed upon seeing the activity.  "Oh, we 
very much lucky.  This famous Amazon village.  We get here 
good time.  They having o so famous tournament.  This deciding 
champion of village.  Very lucky to get here now Miss Customer 
I thinking."
	"Amazon," Kasumi exclaimed.  Sure enough after a close 
examination he was able to determine that indeed both the 
contestants were women.  One, a purple haired young woman, 
was easy.  She could have been identified as female by a blind 
man... on the opposite side of  a noisy room.  The other was much 
harder to identify as female.  Indeed, if the guide had not 
mentioned they were Amazons, and by definition female, he 
doubted he would have guessed her gender.
	By now Kasumi and the guide had caught up with Genma 
who was stuffing his face with a large ham hock.  Kasumi was 
tempted, but his inherent politeness, much battered though it was 
after ten years in Genma's company, made him stand stoically 
while waiting for the current contest to end.  He could inquire 
after about getting something to eat.
	At first he thought the attractive young girl badly out 

matched by her much larger opponent.  He quickly realized that it 
was the other way around.  The young girl was faster than anyone 
Kasumi had ever seen.  She was inside her opponent's guard in a 
flash, and then demonstrated considerable strength by knocking 
her opponent's large iron headed mace aside with one of the two 
hollow steel bonbori she carried.  Then, with a blow from the 
other, she sent her opponent rocketing through the air.  A cheer 
went up from the spectators, and the young girl lifted her hands 
in victory, a broad smile on her face.  Kasumi applauded along 
with the rest.  The young girl was truly an accomplished martial 
artist.
	Turning on the log, hands still in the air, the victor's eyes 
fell on Kasumi and widened in appreciation.  Then, just as 
quickly they narrowed in anger.  One of her hands lashed down 
and the bonbori in it flashed across the intervening space between 
Kasumi and her.  Kasumi reflexively swayed to the side allowing 
it to fly past.  It continued on and smashed the bench in front of 
the banquet table dumping a startled Genma onto the ground.
	The girl shouted angrily.
	"Why you let bear eat food.  This food for winner of 
contest, she say."  The guide translated.  The girl continued on to 
say something else.  "She say you have fine panda give to them 
and leave."  The Guide gave Genma a short look.  "Make 
children in village very happy, nice plump panda. That what she 
say."  The Guide finally said after a second.

	"That not what Shampoo say."  Shampoo jumped in, 
giving Genma a dirty look, then thought for a moment to get the 
words right.  Her limited Japanese, however, failed her and she 
spoke the proper line to her great grand mother.
	"It would seem your guide was a little less than accurate.  
Her actual statement was:  How dare you let your animal eat my 
prize!  This food was for the champion!  How dare you take what 
you have not earned!  You will have to replace what you have 
stolen.  We will take your animal and roast him for my victory 
dinner."  Genma swallowed loudly when he realize how close he 
had come to being the main course.  The old woman paused for a 
second to talk to Shampoo.  "Perhaps Shampoo should add in the 
missing bits.  It would be better for all of us if the story was as 
accurate and complete as possible."
	Kasumi sighed then nodded and continued on, Shampoo 
beginning to regress into the tale herself.

	Kasumi fought down the urge to agree.  It would serve 
Genma right to spend a week of so being pawed by a group of 
children, but he controlled the urge.  There had to be some way to 
get out of this honorably, but they had no money to pay for the 
food Genma had stolen.  "Do they have any work we could do to 
pay for the food?"
	<"The young man wishes to know if he might work to 
pay for the food his animal has eaten.">  The guide translated.
	Shampoo seethed with anger.  What an insult!  How dare 
he come here and take what's not his and think he can get away 
with it, she thought.  <"No, this is not about cost, this is about 
honor.  Each family brings food for the contest, the winner gives 
the food back to the festival this evening.  His carelessness has 
destroyed part of our festival.  We do not need money or work 
done, we need food for the party.  Tell him again, give us the 
panda to replace the food it destroyed">
	"No, that what she say."  The guide translated.  
	Kasumi blinked.  Surely she said more than that, he 
thought but dismissed it as just the quick translation and hung 
his head to think.  Reluctantly he decided there was no 
alternative.  Kasumi turned to the guide and asked him.  "Is it 
permitted that I fight for the championship?"
	The guide looked startled and exclaimed.  "Very bad 
thing, you sure you wish do?  Amazons very fierce fighter, have 
much pride, they not be gentle if lose.  Please Miss Customer, 
give bear to Amazons.  You no want fight, I thinking."  The 
Guide gave Genma a dirty look, clearly blaming him for their 
current trouble.
	"I have no choice.  There is no other way I can see to 
settle this with honor."
	"I ask then."  He turned to the girl who had been 
watching the exchange with impatience and growing anger.
	<"The young man begs to inquire as to whether it would 
be allowable for him to challenge you.">  At this Shampoo 
started, and murmurs arose from the crowd.
	<"What a waste, look at him prime stuff if I ever saw 
it.">
	<"Yeah, try not to hurt him where it counts Shampoo.  
We might get some use out of him before Cologne gets back to 
perform the operation.">
	<"Hey, maybe we could offer to let him work off his dept 
after all.  Nudge, Nudge wink, wink, if you know what I mean.">
	After Shampoo had malleted the Monty Python fan she 
turned to face Kasumi.  Challenged by a man, a good looking... 
no, gorgeous man, but still...  She examined him in a new light.  
He didn't seem the lecherous sort, out to get himself an easy 
bride.  In fact, by looking at him she would have guessed he 
knew nothing of the law at all.  However, she could certainly see 
herself with this man.  Of course, he'd have to win which wasn't 
likely.  Too bad actually, such a waste.  <"I will accept your 
challenge, but I wish you had given us your panda.  Pandas can 
be replaced.">  Turning her back she walked over to the 
suspended log, and lightly leaped onto the far end.  Turning she 
motioned for Kasumi to join her on the log.  Then, she stood there 
with a grim look on her face as Kasumi walked over to the end 
opposite hers.
	Kasumi was thinking fast as he made his way towards the 
log.  This will not be easy.  He didn't know his own strength 
accurately yet.  With his longer reach he could easily do her 
serious harm.  Striking at pressure points was out for the same 
reason.  That left throws and grips and it was not going to be 
easy getting by those maces of hers.  Still, it was the only way, 
but he might be able to up the odds a little if he played up to her 
confidence.  The woman she just beat was taller and outweighed 
Kasumi.  She wouldn't see his size as a reason to be cautious.
	Reaching his end of the log, Kasumi refrained from 
leaping lightly up, and instead looked around for some other 
means of climbing up onto the log.  After a moment the watching 
Amazons realized what Kasumi was looking for.  With much 
snickering two of them went and got the ladder that was used to 
hang the ropes from the uprights during the setup for the contest.  
Leaning it against the large cross log they waited until Kasumi 
had scrambled up and then carried it back to where it had come 
from.
	<"Not like the outsider is going to need this again,"> one 
remarked to a friend.
	<"That's so, Shampoo will be most pleased to assist him 
in dismounting.">
	Kasumi stood facing Shampoo, knees bent and arms held 
out from his side giving every impression that he was fighting to 
maintain his balance on a surface wide enough for two to walk 
abreast.  Seeing this Shampoo felt a twinge of regret.  She should 
have refused to allow him to challenge her.  He might never had 
known she was obliged to accept a challenge from an outsider 
male.  It was an uncommon occurrence given the penalty for 
losing, but her own pride had made her agree.  Now, looking at 
the discomfort he displayed, she was regretting that.  She could 
take some criticism for dodging a challenge, but he wouldn't be 
able to take the results of his loss.  She decided then and there 
that she would strike to kill.  Despite killing on the challenge log 
being considered the mark of a clumsy warrior, she would not see 
this handsome outsider suffer the consequences of his rash 
actions.
	Kasumi studied his foe intently, and noted the slight 
change in stance and the altered grip on her weapons.  She was 
not playing around.  This was not going to be a simple contest 
like the previous conflict.  He started to shuffle down the log 
towards his attractive opponent.  Holding his arms wide spread 
and sliding one foot ahead of the other, it looked like the motion 
of someone who was unsure of his balance.  However, if anyone 
had studied his stance closely they would have seen that even 
though it left him wide open, at no time was he not solidly 
planted, ready to react to anything.  Shampoo let him get to 
within two yards before making her move.  Sliding forward she 
lashed out with her right hand mace, holding the other in reserve 
for the final blow.  Kasumi swayed to the side and slipped...  For 
a moment time seemed to stand still, and then it resumed.  
Shampoo saw her opponent start to fall and lashed out with her 
reserve weapon, hoping to strike a killing blow before he fell 
beyond her reach.
	Kasumi saw the second weapon strike out at his head, 
and he pulled back just enough to allow the mace to swing by, 
brushing his hair and missing his skull by the thickness of a five 
yen piece.  His upper body fell past the log.  Suddenly the arm 
which he had held wide spread in an apparent attempt at 
maintaining his balance struck the log.  Curling his arm, Kasumi 
converted the momentum of his fall into a spinning motion as he 
rotated his body around the log, using his arm as the pivot point.  
Looping around he brought his legs up and over the opposite side 
just as Shampoo realized what had happened.  Before she could 
do anything about it Kasumi's feet had come to rest in the small 
of her back, and when he straightened his knees she was 
catapulted off  the log and landed sprawling on the ground.
	Shampoo was stunned.  The fight was won, and the next 
instant she had lost.  With a gentle thump the man dropped from 
the log, the ease of his motions in direct contrast to the clumsy 
way he had moved mere moments before.  She should have 
considered the way he had dogged her bonbori earlier.  Instead 
she had made an amateur's mistake and judged him by the 
surface appearance.  Handsome and pretty under the dust he 
might be, but now that she was looking for it she could see he 
was not just pretty.  Those were well trained muscles coating his 
body, and the smooth way he was now moving put her in mind of 
a tiger she had studied for a week three years ago.
	She became aware of the dead silence from both the 
onlookers and the outsider.  A collective holding of breath, 
waiting to see what she would do.  What could she do, it was not 
as if she had any choice in the matter, especially here and with so 
many witnesses.  She raised herself from the ground, and as she 
brushed the dust from her clothes she studied him surreptitiously.  
Her head was lowered as if she were giving full attention to the 
task of removing dirt, but from under lowered lids her eyes 
watched his every motion.  He had tensed as she had risen, 
prepared to resume the battle, and this was puzzling.  He had 
won, she would not attack now.  As she began to clean her 
clothes, he relaxed slightly only to tense again as she stood up 
and faced him.  It looked like she had guessed right, he knew 
nothing of the law.
	Slowly, offering no threat, she approached him, moving 
slowly closer until she stood within striking distance.  He 
remained cautious, but made no move to distance himself from 
her.  There was a collective in drawing of breath as she moved 
closer still and raised her hands to either side of his face.  He 
remained calm, but prepared.  He was looking at her with 
intimate awareness of every motion she made.  She studied his 
face carefully, unmindful that several of the women surrounding 
them were turning slightly blue from holding their breath.  They 
did not want to miss a single moment  of this very rare 
occurrence.  There was no dissipation in his face.  It was an open 
honest countenance.  Decision made, she exerted a gentle 
pressure on the side of his face offering no threat, but merely 
asking him to lower his face to her level.  After a second 
hesitation he did so keeping his eyes intent on hers, looking for 
the first sign of an attack.  Shampoo slowly and gently wrapped 
her arms around his neck giving him no cause for alarm.  
Bringing her lips close to his ears she murmured the traditional 
phrase.  <You _I_ love.>  She found that the line was very easy 
to say, and surprising enough she actually believed it.  Then 
gently she kissed his cheek.
	As she moved away from him a roar erupted from the 
crowd and they flooded forward to offer congratulations to the 
new bride and groom.
	Kasumi felt as if he had been branded.  His entire sense of 
touch seemed to be concentrated on two square inches of skin.  
His...no her first kiss.  He raised a hand to his cheek and felt it.  
There should be a difference, he thought, but under his fingers 
there was none.  He had been kissed on the cheek before, by her 
mother, her aunt, her sisters...  Why did this girl's kiss burn so?  
Was it because of the curse?  Was it far more complete then he 
had thought?  He had not felt any difference in the last two 
weeks.  If he closed his eyes he still saw himself as female in his 
mind.  If he did not touch his body he still felt like a female.  It 
was just his shell that was changed.  His mind was as female as 
ever.  That's what he had been telling himself.  If that was the 
case, however, why was his heart beating faster?  Why could he 
not take his eyes of the face of this girl?
	He suddenly realized that he was surrounded by a yelling 
screaming mob that seemed determined to knock his backbone 
out his chest.  The laughter and smiles reassured him.  They 
certainly take losing well in this village, he thought.  He spotted 
the guide and Genma, now in human form, waving frantically at 
him from the outskirts of the crowd.  Pushed back by the throng 
that surrounded him and the purple haired girl, he waved at them 
cheerily to show all was fine and then went back to enjoying the 
party.
	Someone shoved a chunk of fine cheese into his hand, and 
he eagerly bit in to it.  The hunger he had put aside for the fight 
was now back with a vengeance.  His Purple haired companion 
was handed two large mugs of liquid, one of which she handed to 
Kasumi.
	Kasumi cautiously sniffed and smelling only fruit juice so 
took a sip.  It was cold and refreshing.  His body was dearly in 
need of liquids so raising the mug he swallowed the contents in 
one continuous swallow.  The crowd cheered heartily and 
Kasumi flushed with embarrassment.  Suddenly a sensation like 
a fireball exploding in his belly ripped through him and he 
exhaled violently.  He was surprised to see he was not breathing 
fire.  He bent over wheezing.  His companion patted him on the 
back while the surrounding crowd laughed.  After a minute he 
was able to stand under his own power though his eyes continued 
to water.  Remembering something Genma has said in a similar 
circumstance he repeated it.  "Smoooooth."  Looking at the mug 
in his hand he wondered what it had been.  Liquid fruit flavored 
fire to judge from his experience.  That did not prevent him from 
taking another mug, however, but he was much more cautious in 
the amount he drank at one time.  As his companion linked arms 
with him he alternated eating the contents of one hand while 
sipping from the container in the other.  Whenever either hand 
was empty someone in the surrounding crowd was sure to fill it 
with either food or drink. whatever was required.
	Finally, the edge taken off his hunger, Kasumi looked 
down at the purple haired fighter who had not left his side since 
the fight.  I can't keep thinking of her as a head of hair, Kasumi 
thought.  Getting the girl's attention he pointed at his chest and 
said, "Kasumi," then he pointed at the girl and raised an eyebrow 
in what he hoped was an inquiring way.  His companion caught 
on quickly, and after a repeat performance reciprocated the 
action.
	Tapping her chest she said, <"Xian Pu.">
	"Shampoo?"  Kasumi repeated with some doubt.
	When the girl nodded her head and said, "Kasumi," 
tapping his chest and then her own saying, <"Xian Pu,"> 
Kasumi had to accept that unlikely as it seems her name was 
indeed Shampoo.
	"Well, Shampoo, now that I've eaten and drunk it must 
be time to make merry."  Kasumi was vaguely aware in a 
disconnected sort of way that he was not really behaving like 
himself.  As a she, he had learned that it was best to keep to 
herself.  Many people resented her skill, feeling that it was not 
proper behavior for a woman, especially in the more rural areas, 
and you could not get much more rural than this.  Suddenly he 
experienced what seemed a flash of inspiration.  "Hey, now I'm a 
guy, right?  Isn't that right Shampoo?"  Not waiting for a reply he 
continued.  "Damn right!  I'm a guy now.  I can do all the things 
that guys do:  Go out alone, dance at parties without all the girls 
thinking I'm trying to steal their boyfriends..."  He suddenly got 
remorseful.  "I've never had a boyfriend, can you believe that?"  
He turned so he could look straight on at Shampoo.  "I mean, 
look at me.  I'm a hot looking babe, ain't I?  I hear all the guys 
saying so when I walk by, or when I work out in a public area."  
He swayed a bit.  "So why don't I got no one eh?  Why is that?"  
	Kasumi had just drunk more alcohol in the last fifteen 
minutes then he had in the entirety of his previous life.  That 
combined with the years of associating with Genma were taking 
their toll on his reasoning ability, and in his muddled state he 
was slipping into the dialect and mode of talk that had 
surrounded him for most of the last ten years.
	Shampoo just looked at him with a smile on her face, then 
moving in closer, she hugged Kasumi rubbing his chest with her 
cheek.
	"Hey, you can't do that."  Kasumi said in a slightly 
flustered and slurred voice.  "I mean, you're a girl and I'm a g...  
O wait, that's right, I'm not a girl, am I?"  He continued in a sing 
song voice, "never going to be a guurl again, never going to be a 
guurl again."  Stopping suddenly he experienced what seemed 
like a profound insight.  He decided to share it with Shampoo.  
"Hey, guess what.  If I'm not a girl, then I don't need a boyfriend, 
right?  If I'm a boy, I need a girlfriend, right?  Will you be my 
girlfriend Shampoo?"  Kasumi paused a minute waiting for a 
reply.  When none came he gave a laugh and continued.  "O wait, 
you can't understand, can you?"  He stopped again, trying to 
think of a way around this difficulty.  Then he snapped his 
fingers, or tried to, all that happened was he rubbed his fingers 
together.  "Sign language, that's the ticket, universal language 
that is.  Now, how would you tell a girl you want her to be your 
girlfriend in sign language."  Kasumi brought his hand up near 
his face and wiggled his fingers in front of his slightly out of 
focus eyes, trying to think of a sign she could use.

	About this time Kasumi suddenly realized that 
Shampoo's great grand mother was doing most the talking.  
Somehow she was able to fill in the part that Kasumi memories 
were cloudy about.  But now, when he heard her speaking it 
clicked the memories into place.  Even with his recollections 
being limited and distorted he had known he had acted... oddly 
but this...  However, with a sense of growing anxiety he realized 
that none of it was being made up.

	Shampoo sighed happily as she pressed herself tightly 
against her husband.  He was babbling, but that was to be 
expected with the amount of Great Grand mothers special stock 
he had consumed.  She was feeling more than a little giddy 
herself.  Being so close to him made her feel like she had never 
felt before, sort of at peace.  So, this is what she had been 
missing all this time.  She noticed that her rubbing had caused 
Kasumi's top to part slightly.  Caught up in the moment she 
turned her face towards him and lightly kissed the base of his 
throat.
	"That's it," Kasumi shouted.  He picked up the startled 
Shampoo.  "That's how you tell a girl you want her to be your 
girlfriend in sign language.  Matching action to words."  He 
lifted Shampoo up until their faces were level and kissed her.  It 
was clumsy and awkward, but after a minute they seemed to find 
the best position and it was not so clumsy then.  After about 
twenty seconds Kasumi let Shampoo down with a rather dazed 
look in her eyes.  "That _was _interesting."  He finally managed.  
Shampoo blinked as she tried to contend with the feelings 
overwhelming her.  She really had been missing a lot.  She 
nestled back into her former position, attached firmly to Kasumi, 
head resting on his chest.

	The old woman stopped to let the last tidbit set in.  With 
the exception of the two Amazons and Genma everyone at the 
table was in various states of shock.  Kasumi just wished he 
could faint again before the inevitable explosion.

%End Chapter 11

	Don't worry, this is not even near finished.  Chapter 12 is 
in production and the story shall be continued.  C&C is, as 
always, very welcome, even flames.
	Special thanks to T. H. Tiger for his creative assistance 
which has been and continues to be extraordinarily helpful.  
Mental torment is our game.  Everyone better watch out.
	For you heathens who don't know who Artemis and the 
others are check out Sailor Moon.
	If you wish to check out my other works look at:
	http://www.mala.bc.ca/~tritscwa
	I'm presently off for the summer but I just got a ftp 
service so my page will get updated more regularly now.  If you 
missed a chapter just check there, all chapters to date are stored 
there for your convenience.
	Bye for now.