On Fri, 5 Sep 1997, Coutuva wrote:

	"Indeed, my child.  The beauty of this event compares to no
other.  I have missed it."  Mu Lin replied, her voice tinged with
sadness.  "I would go to the balcony overlooking the gardens upon the
eve, and enjoy it's serenity with great pleasure.  It saddens me to

its

	"This is the one that does not rest..."  a shadowy figure
observed, regarding a bluish, glowing ball in the chamber before it.
"It is not at peace."  the figure continued, reaching a voluminous
sleeve toward the ball.

Ah.  We think we know who that is...

	"Shall I alert the Fates?"  a thin, creaky voice inquired from
the second, smaller figure.

Hmm, I wonder if these guys will play a part later on...

	"I do.  I sense within this chi a strong, righteous will.  It
will not go awry.  Mention also that it cannot be allowed to remain as
it is... they will do what is right."  the larger figure stressed,
turning and walking away slowly.

We can only hope.

	As the sun slowly rose on a new day, Akane stretched her tired
muscles and told herself she had to get up.  Of late, greeting a new day
always saddened her, given that the first thing she always saw was the
empty space beside her.   Sighing, she knew Miyabi would be up soon,
and if she didn't have a breakfast ready, the child would make her own...
and she dreaded that thought, as it was apparent that she had inherited
her cooking skills from her mother.

Yeeble.

	Throwing off her blankets, she rose from the bed slowly and went
to her dresser to select her outfit for the day.  Glancing at the mirror,
she grimaced at her hair.  Looking for a ribbon, she moved her head to
the side slightly, and caught a glance of something black slightly
above and behind her.  Looking again, she saw that there was nothing
there.  Turning to look behind her, she confirmed that there was no
black object.

hmmm.

	Kikyo also happened to notice that Shampoo wore a thin, greyish,
body-hugging workout suit, now damp in certain places from the Amazon's
exertion.  Making matters worse was the fact that as far as Kikyo could
tell, the Amazon wore no undergarments.

Still got the curse then...Though I take it the love potion that got her 
to accept marriage with Mousse has long since worn off.  And how does she 
treat the children from that marriage?

	Suddenly, it 

occurred to Kikyo that Shampoo was *kawaii*... and

about as sexy as it was possible to be while wielding razor-sharp swords.
She could see why Hitomi would have dated her.

Well, if Hitomi had known her, yes.  Ranma felt a bit differently.  And 
we note Kikyo doesn't even think about why, if she'd loved Ranma all 
those years, Shampoo wasn't "with" him...

	"Ano... where did..."  she began, only to be greeted with a
bemused grin from Shampoo.

Ancient Chinese secret.

	"You knew Ailen and have never seen someone use HammerSpace?"
Shampoo asked, raising an eyebrow.

No, Kikyo did *not* know Ailen.

	"I don't really know how to say what it is in Japanese, but it
works like this."  she explained, reaching behind her back again and
producing a bonbori.  "I get things from there and can put them back,
too.  A few other people in Nerima can do it as well... especially Akane."

First time Kikyo hears that name, though she should have before now...

she added, displaying the club before Kikyo's wide eyes.  "It just...
works."  she continued, trading the bonbori for a sword.
	"Greetings of the day, little one... Amazon.  I had wondered what
became of you, only to find you out here."  Mu Lin stated, interrupting
Kikyo's next question.  "Is not the sun wonderful this day?"  she noted,

"Who's Akane?" or "Could you teach me that?"  A lot depends on that...

	"Ailen didn't like guns at all... this Hitomi must really be
different."  Shampoo observed, casually.

yep, though how much of her is her and how much Mu Lin remains to be 
seen. 

	As she turned to head toward the stairs, she noticed a familiar
scent... the scent of her husband.  Stopping in her tracks, she lifted
the gi to her face and inhaled deeply, reveling in the smells.
	Ranma had shaved just before going out that night, and the scent
of his aftershave was still in the fabric.  Akane thanked herself for
forgetting to wash it.

awww...

it when she had a sudden realization.
	"Masao!" she blurted, and ran from the room.

uh-oh

	Sitting at her desk with her hands clasped together in front of
her, Miyabi absently watched the teacher doodle on the blackboard.  She
was never impressed with trying to learn Kanji anyway, preferring to be
on the playground  sparring.

Takes after her father that way...

last time that had happened, she caught it before it hit her, only to
end up in the hallway for her audacity.

Punishing initiative...

	Immediately, her hand shot up, and she asked for permission to
go to the bathroom.  Once it was granted, she shot from the room and
screeched to a halt just outside the door.

This is going to be one *long* potty break.

        Just then, she heard what she swore was Miyabi's voice outside,
and setting Masao on the floor, rose from her seat to investigate.  She
knew Miyabi still had several hours of school left... unless she had
been in another fight.  Of late, the little girl had been beating the
tar out of anyone who said anything disparaging about her Dad's
disappearance.

Right on, Miyabi!

	Arriving at the door, Akane was just about to open it when it
slid aside.  Before her, grinning happily and holding Miyabi's hand
stood her husband, looking very much alive... and very male.
        Akane gasped aloud, then did the only thing she could when the
sight sank in.  With a silly giggle, she fainted.

What, she didn't hammer him?

        "Hai... the outer ring has Uzi's and dogs, and the inner ring

Uzis

        "It is a barrier against those of my World, child... you may
pass though unmolested, but it will not allow my passing."

Might let Hitomi through, but I'd have to take off this bracelet...

        "Uh-oh... does this mean were sitting ducks?"

we're

	"Honor doesn't matter when you hold all the cards, Spirit.  And
now, either you leave, or your friend here dies no matter what else
happens.  You see, I know all about your pact... and I know you have
no choice but to honor it.  My contacts with the Spirit World are as
strong as yours."  the old man stated, grinning confidently.

Now which pact is this...

	"You are truly brave, little one.  You would sacrifice all to
aid others... few would behave so unselfishly."  the Princess stated,

Okay, so Kikyo can be unselfish sometimes.  But really, she was acting to 
get hitomi back.  After all, she knows if Mu Lin doesn't get her way, 
she'll keep using the body until she does...

	"Hai.  Otousan.  You know, the guy you married?"  A very
familiar voice stated, edged with mock sarcasm.
	"R.. RANMA?!?"  Akane blurted, jumping back in shock as she
caught sight of him.  "But.. I.. I thought..."  she continued, her voice
failing her.
	"Akane-chan... it's... a long story."

You can say that again.

	"You live, my child.  Wait a few moments for your body to recover
from the shock, and you will be as new."  Mu Lin stated, happily.  "In
the interim, I have some unfinished business to attend."  she continued,
nodding at Shampoo.

Presumably the same technique she used on Ranma's corpse, but a little 
too late.

	"Does this mean... it's over?"  Kikyo croaked, still shaking
off the effects of her trauma.
        "Almost, little one.  Here, one task remains."  Mu Lin
indicated, walking the case over to Shampoo.

But it's a really complex task that will take years to accomplish and has 
lots of little parts.

	"Grandpa!"  a female voice shrieked from the far end of the
room.

Whoops!  The guards keeping her in her room must have bought the farm 
with all the others...

        "What?!?  You mean she's...?"  the old man gasped, scooping the
child in his arms.
        "Yes... she simply sleeps.  I have not harmed her."  Mu Lin
replied, winking.

Good bluffer.

	"She did... and we helped.  Perhaps this honor will allow me
back to my homeland."
	"I think so... after it hits the papers, your people will know
how you helped set history right... that should be worth something."
Kikyo indicated, smiling.
	"I can hope."  Shampoo replied with a small smile.
	"You'll do fine." Kikyo assured, hugging the suprisingly
receptive Amazon.

Well, since Shampoo knows she ain't getting any nookie from Ranma, she's 
got to take it where she can get it.

	"Your contribution to righting this great wrong and preventing
a war in the Spirit World will not be forgotten.  Both of you are
assured a place of station within it."  she announced proudly.  "I am

Hmmm....

	"Arigato, Mu Lin... I'm just glad it's finally over."  Kikyo
commented, smiling as Shampoo nodded her agreement.
	"No, little one... it is not quite over.  I have a debt to
repay, and the process is already underway."  Mu Lin stated, face
becoming serious.
	"Okay.. hold it, Princess."  Kikyo blurted, angrily.  "I'm
getting really tired of being told 'One task remains.' every damned
time we finish something.  You told me that when your destiny was
done, then I would get Hitomi back... and every time there seems to
be another reason to put it off.  How much longer is this game going
to go on?"  she continued, becoming increasingly upset.

	Good question...

	Mu Lin's face dropped as she took in Kikyo's outburst, then
closed her eyes and lowered her head.  "It is true that I have kept
from you the details of my quest.  It is only because I wished to keep
it's true seriousness and complexity from intimidating you that I have

its

done so."  she explained, quietly.
	"Sure... you can say that now... so, how many more 'not yets'
are there?"  Kikyo demanded, staring hard at Mu Lin.
	"Once my debt is entirely absolved, then Hitomi shall return,
and I will go to my final rest."
	"That doesn't tell me anything!  How long?  I want a time
frame, here!"  Kikyo pressed, snarling.  "And besides... didn't you say
that you already repaid your debt by giving Hitomi life in the first
place?"
	Mu Lin only smiled in response.  "That was but part of it.

Yep, Mu Lin fibs a lot.

Be patient my child... The rest awaits us in Japan."  she winked,
motioning the others toward the wings of the stage.
	"Japan...?"  Kikyo echoed, her face suddenly draining as she
stopped in her tracks.  "No... I... can't go to Japan... ever."  she
added, fearfully.

Okay, now we have some interest.  I doubt Kikyo is thinking of her former 
employer, so it must be some other thing in her past, or her family's 
past.  And it's not supernatural in nature, yet causes fear.  This is 
interesting.
 >                  

	"Sugoi, Papa!  Does that mean you can fly and stuff?"
Miyabi chimed in excitedly.
	"It means just you, Masao and your Mom can see me, so you can't
tell anyone about me... they'll think you're Baka."  Ranma replied,
seriously.  Then, glancing quickly from side to side, he leaned
forward and whispered in the little girl's ear.  "Hai.  I can fly
too."  he stated, grinning.
	"Cool!"  Miyabi breathed, awestruck.

agreed.  Though it still isn't going to help on the playground.

	"Ranma... if... if you're dead, why are you here?  Did you
come back to haunt us?"  Akane asked, wide eyed.
	Ranma stared back at her incredulously, then broke out
laughing.  "Baka ne... I came back because the Fates knew I would not
rest until I knew my family had closure.  They gave me this chance to
come back to tell you what happened."  he explained, shaking his head.

I take it he's not back for good then...

"In fact, unless I miss my guess, the "other me" should be here
soon... with company.  Part of this arrangement still has to be
wrapped up."
	"Ano... wrapped up?  What do you mean?"  Akane stammered,
afraid of what that could lead to.
	"You'll see..."  Ranma smiled assuringly, reaching to touch
Akane's shoulder.

Yep, plenty of pain to come.

	"Akane-chan... I love you all so much I came back from the
other side to tell you so."  he responded softly, closing his ethereal
arms around her slim waist.  "And I always will."  he added, squeezing
his sobbing wife a little tighter.

Yay!

SKJAM!