"All Ranma characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi, first published
by Shogakugan in Japan and brought over to North America by Viz
Communications. and are used here without permission or license. No
claims to the above copyright are made by the author of this work. This
work is for non-commercial use ONLY, and is produced for the enjoyment
of fans only. This work is the expression of the author and the
depiction of the Ranma 1/2 characters herein are in no way represented
to be a part of Ranma 1/2 as depicted by the original author and
copyright holder(s)."

                    Confrontations and Expectations Pt3
                    (continuation of A Different Viewpoint)

    Shampoo lowered her head.  "Shampoo sorry, she understand
Johnathon's plan to use water.  Shampoo think plan too dangerous,
someone get hurt, maybe killed in traps.  No can trust Cliopatra."

    Johnathon nodded slowly.  "It is pretty risky, but what else can we
do?"

    Shampoo looked at the floor.  "Have done already, but Shampoo afraid
Johnathon not like..."

    Johnathon looked worried.  "What is it Shampoo?  You can tell me."

    Shampoo sighed.  "Shampoo think of plan to save everyone's lives,
but plan have large cost to one.  Shampoo go and ask if that one willing
to pay cost.  That one willing, agree.  Kasumi is out of Catacombs now."

    "What?"  Johnathon's eyes were wild.  "What are you trying to say?"

    Shampoo kept her eyes downcast.  "Traps stop any humans, anyone not
as light as cat.  So Shampoo brought water to Kasumi... Kasumi agree,
become cat..."

    Johnathon nearly stopped breathing.  Kasumi came out from under the
bed and jumped up next to him.  Johnathon looked down in shock.
"K-Kasumi?"  The lithe black cat looked up at him and nodded.  "Oh
Kasumi."  He picked her up and cradled her tenderly.  "I'm so sorry."
His voice cracked in anguish, and a tear rolled down his cheek.  Kasumi
purred and meowed happily, trying to cheer him up.  Johnathon looked at
Shampoo, his voice tight.  "How could you do this?"

    Shampoo looked back, meeting his gaze bravely.  "Shampoo is sorry as
well, not blame Johnathon for being angry."

    Johnathon's eyes betrayed that anger, he was cold with rage.
Johnathon controlled himself with an effort.  "Now's not the time.  We
should leave, and quickly."  He looked down to the sensation of
something hitting his leg.  "Ryoga."  The little black pig was trying to
get his attention.  "Right, time to change you back as well."  Johnathon
went to his little stove to prepare more water.  "Shampoo, you get
dressed.  We'll change Ryoga and Kasumi and get out of here."

    Shampoo blushed.  "Shampoo leave dress in corridor, and think Kasumi
should stay cat."

    Johnathon got his jacket out of his pack and tossed it to Shampoo.
"Why should she remain a cat?"

    Shampoo put the jacket on.  "We running away right?  Have to run
fast, maybe fight?"

    Johnathon nodded.  "Oh, I understand, they would try to take Kasumi
back if they saw her, maybe try to kill her."  <Not to mention Kasumi
probably can't run very fast or far.>  He looked at Kasumi.  "Would you
mind riding in my backpack?"  Kasumi meowed and shook her head, then
hopped unto his pack.  "Ok, that's probably best."  He put a cup of
water on the stove and got Ryoga's clothing out of his pack.

    Shampoo got off the bed and stood.  Johnathon's jacket made her look
like a little girl.  The arms were much to long and it hung halfway to
her knees.  Shampoo folded the cuffs back until her hands showed.
Kasumi made an approving sound.  Shampoo smiled at the little black cat,
Kasumi was never one to hold a grudge.  Shampoo hoped that Johnathon
would forgive her too.  Johnathon poured hot water on Ryoga while
Shampoo and Kasumi's backs were to him.  Ryoga grew in a flash and
Johnathon handed him his clothing.

    Ryoga quickly dressed and turned to face Shampoo.  "Shampoo!  How
could you do this to Kasumi!"  He started towards the Amazon and
Johnathon grabbed his shoulder firmly.

    Johnathon shook his head at the enraged youth.  "Not now Ryoga,
we'll discuss this when we are safely away."

    Ryoga looked at, he could see the anger and depression in
Johnathon's eyes, firmly held back by his will.  Ryoga nodded, after a
short hesitation.  "Right."  He looked back at Shampoo.  <We will
discuss this later.>

    Johnathon quickly packed his pack and put Kasumi in the box inside.
"We will get you home safely Kasumi, I promise."

    Johnathon started to shoulder it and Ryoga stopped him.  "Why don't
I carry that.  It's weight won't slow me down.  Anyway, you've carried
it far enough."

    Johnathon stopped to consider that.  He had wanted to protect Kasumi
personally, but Ryoga made sense.  The pack did slow him down a bit.
Even in half-cat form Ryoga was much stronger than him.

    Johnathon handed the pack carefully to the lost boy.  "You take good
care of  Kasumi, Ryoga."

    Ryoga nodded.  "I'll guard her with my life."

    Johnathon looked at him and Shampoo.  "Ok, here's the plan.  I'll
lead the way.  Ryoga, you follow right behind, don't lose sight of me
ok?  Shampoo you'll bring up the rear and guard our backs, and make sure
nothing happens to that pack, ok?"  Ryoga and Shampoo both nodded.
"Right."  Johnathon picked up his mini stove and tossed it on the bed.
The sheets immediately started to smolder.  "That should keep some of
them busy.  Lets go."  Johnathon moved to the door and opened it.  The
guard was still unconscious.  "Your work Shampoo?"  Johnathon didn't
wait for an answer.  "Good, time to move."

    Johnathon started to jog, quietly heading for the front entrance.
Two guards stood lazily by it and started into full awareness as
Johnathon rounded the corner.  Johnathon broke into a sprint as he
rounded the corner, they started to lower their spears and shout when he
barreled into their upper bodies with a flying tackle, throwing both of
them into the stone doors hard enough to knock them out.  He rose to his
feet, looking carefully at the stone bar that had the door securely
shut.  It went into the wall, there had do be some sort of lever
nearby...

    Ryoga raced up.  "Stand back!"

    Johnathon realized what Ryoga was going to do and obeyed.  <Oh well,
someone probably heard the shouting anyway.>

    Ryoga brought an arm back, pointed with one finger jabbed the door.
"Breaking Point!"  The door exploded, Ryoga weathered the blast and
started forward.  He suddenly stopped and Johnathon walked past him
before realizing why.

    "Oh no."  Johnathon stared outside.  Rain was falling steadily into
the dark night.  The lights from the villagers homes shining dimly
through, dimly illuminating the path out of the hidden valley.
Johnathon turned around and grabbed for his pack.  "Ok, ok, we can do
this."  Out of a long side pocket he pulled a collapsible umbrella,
handing it to Ryoga.  "It's kinda fragile, so don't hit anyone with it
Ryoga."

    Ryoga pushed a button on the handle and it instantly folded out.  He
whistled.  "No problem, I'm used to handling an umbrella, I'll be
careful."  Shouts could be heard coming from inside the pyramid.  More
guards were coming for sure.

    Johnathon rummaged through the center portion of his pack, tossing
Shampoo some socks and a pair of plastic tubes.  "Put on both pairs of
socks, and those things on your legs.  They are called gators, they'll
keep your legs dry."

    Shampoo started to do as instructed.  "But what about Shampoo's
head?"

    Johnathon quickly reached around behind her neck and unzipped a
zipper there.  A thin hood was stored there.  "Tuck your hair into the
jacket and wear the hood.  It won't keep you dry forever, but maybe for
long enough."  Johnathon quickly closed his pack.  Six guards turned the
corner just then, carrying spears.  Johnathon charged them, Shampoo and
Ryoga close behind.  Seconds later all six guards were down unconscious
or rapidly becoming so.  They could hear more guards coming.

    Johnathon turned towards the door.  "Lets get out of here!"  He took
off, Ryoga and Shampoo following.  Ryoga kept the rain off himself with
the umbrella.  Shampoo followed close behind him, head down and her
hands in her sleeves.  Johnathon lead the way, his cat's night vision
enabling him to see pretty well.  He avoided puddles as best he could,
and moved quickly, but not so quickly that Ryoga and Shampoo would have
trouble keeping up.

    Normally they could run as fast or faster than him, but trying to
stay dry slowed them down a lot.  Ryoga had to hold the umbrella just
right, it was pretty fragile he had realized.  If he wasn't careful a
good wind might snap it.  Shampoo had to run on her heels.  She had not
pulled the water proof leggings up all the way, leaving enough material
to cover her feet.  Her toes were exposed however, and even the two
layers of socks wouldn't keep her feet dry if she ran normally.  Shampoo
wasn't sure if just getting her feet wet would be enough to change her,
but she wasn't taking any chances.

    Even so, they were making good time, leaving the pyramid guards
behind in the darkness.  They left the village behind and ran into the
narrow pass that led out of the hidden valley.  They spotted a patrol of
ten cultists coming up the path, just before cultists spotted them.
There was nothing else to do, the cultists were between them and the
outside world, cliff walls rose high on either side.  Both groups
charged each other.

    Johnathon, in front, charged a hedge of spears.  He leapt, as if he
planned to hit them high, and the cultist's spears came up.  Johnathon
fell short, turning his leap into a slide, going under the spears before
they could be brought down to skewer him.  He crashed through, taking
the legs out from under three of them.

    Ryoga was just behind and he jumped at the last second, barely
clearing the spears and going high into the air.  Normally he would have
just barreled through, but he had to protect Kasumi.  His free hand went
to his brow, gathering bandanas as he jumped.

    Shampoo charged in behind him, moving into the gap made by
Johnathon.  Her arms blurred as she attacked furiously, trying to keep
inside their guard.  Ryoga's bandanas came down, disarming the cultist
who had stepped clear of the melee to get a good shot at Johnathon or
Shampoo.  Johnathon had pounced on the three he had dropped, elbow,
knee, and fist all found his opponents solar plexus before they could
get to their feet.  All three stayed down, curled in pain.

    Shampoo's fists found jaws aplenty to punch, noses to break, and in
seconds five cultists fell, unconscious or wishing they were.  The last
three stepped back to use their spears, and suddenly found themselves
holding broken sticks, as Ryoga's bandanas chopped the heads off their
spears.  A second volley snapped their sticks in mid shaft as well.
There might have been some trouble at that point if they had been
escrima (Stick fighting) experts, but they apparently weren't, because
they broke and ran towards the village.

    Johnathon rose to his feet and Ryoga landed next to him, still
holding the umbrella expertly.  Shampoo gave off a little shriek,
realizing that her hood had been thrown back in the scuffle.  She leaped
toward Johnathon, vainly trying to pull it back up before she was
completely soaked.  Johnathon caught his jacket as it slapped wetly into
him.  He could feel the cat's body inside it.  Johnathon held Shampoo
tightly as he ran off down the trail, followed again by Ryoga.
Shampoo's head stuck up from the neck of his jacket and she meowed in a
resigned tone.

    Johnathon patted the top of her head.  "That's ok Shampoo, we're
probably clear of their patrols for awhile, you've done enough for
now."  They hurried on, hoping to get clear of the hidden valley before
they ran into more patrols.

    A week earlier, in Nerima, Ranma headed for Ucchans, intending to
enlist her help in rescuing Kasumi.  As usual she was at the grill,
serving customers with her own special flair.

    "Ranchan!"  Ukyo greeted him with a smile and as usual started to
cook him a special okonomiyaki.

    Ranma went up to the grill and looked at her seriously.  "Can we
talk Ucchan?  In private?"

    Ukyo looked questioningly at him then nodded.  "Sure Ranchan."  She
left Konatsu to cover the grill
and took Ranma into the back.  "Ok, what's up Ranchan?"

    Ranma had a serious expression on his face.  "Kasumi's been
kidnapped."

    Ukyo was shocked.  "What?  You're joking!  When did this happen?"
Ranma slowly explained the whole situation to her as he understood it.
Ukyo listened patiently until he finished.  "Naturally I'll come and
help Ranchan, Kasumi's never done anything to harm anyone.  Besides, you
are my fiancee.  I'd do anything for you Ranchan!"  As she said those
words Ukyo felt a pang of guilt over how she had treated Kasumi the last
time they had met.

    Ranma fidgeted, uncomfortable with Ukyo calling him her fiancee.
This was more true now than before, especially now that he had admitted
to Akane that he wanted to marry her.  He did want Ukyo's help but Ranma
did not want to deceive her to get it.

    Ranma stuttered awkwardly.  "Ucchan... I, I don't want you to
misunderstand, you are my best friend, and I really do care for you, but
I am going to marry Akane."  <I, I said it.>

    Ukyo's face had gone ashen.  "But, but you're engaged to me!"

    Ranma nodded very sadly.  I'm engaged to you and Akane.  I can only
marry one of you.  I never wanted to have to choose between you.  I care
about you Ucchan, I didn't want to hurt your feelings.
My father did a terrible thing when he took your father's cart and left
you behind.  Somehow, somehow
I will repay you for that, but, Akane is who I am going to marry.  I
can't let you sacrifice anymore because of what my father did to you."

    Ranma babbled on, trying to say the right thing, but each sentence
seemed to drive a dagger into Ukyo's heart.  She was on the verge of
tears when he ground to a halt.  Ukyo turned away from Ranma, not
willing to let him see her cry.

    Ranma put a hand on her shoulder.  "Ukyo..."  He said her name
gently, and Ukyo could hear the pain in his voice.  She suddenly
couldn't stand it any longer.  Ukyo whirled on him, pounding his chest
with blows.

    Ukyo railed against Ranma, crying.  "No, no, no, nooo!"  Ranma
didn't defend himself.  Instead he reached out and pulled Ukyo into his
chest, hugging her too him.  Ukyo stopped hitting him and simply cried
into his chest, sobs muffled by his shirt.

    Ranma closed his eyes and raised his face to the ceiling.  <Why, why
did I do it?  Why did I go and have to hurt Ukyo?>  He opened his eyes
and looked down at her.  <I care to much to lie to her anymore.  This
had to happen, eventually.>

    Ukyo finally stopped crying, and pushed away from him.  "Just, just
tell me why Ranchan, why did you pick her instead of me?"  Ranma looked
away, unable to speak.  She looked steadily at him, wiping the moisture
from under her eyes.  "I've got to hear it from you Ran, Ranma."

    Ranma stammered.  "I, I..."

    Ukyo cried angrily.  "Dammit Ranma, look at me!"

    Ranma faced her with an effort.  "You are my best friend Ukyo, but I
l-love Akane."

    Ukyo was watching his face.  <He actually means it.  He said it!>
She felt her knees go weak and she wished her heart would stop, it hurt
so much!  Ranma watched Ukyo's face grow even bleaker, like she no
longer wanted to live.  She looked away from him.  "K-Kasumi"  She said
quietly, focusing on each word to prevent her voice from betraying her
anguish.  "Kasumi needs help.  I'm coming, she needs help.  I'll come
for her sake."  Ranma stepped toward her.  "Don't!"  Ukyo had steel in
her voice.  "Don't come any closer.  I'll come to the Tendo's tomorrow
morning."  Ranma stood silently, unsure of what to say.

    Ukyo shook her head once, slowly.  "Go home Ranma, I, I need to be
alone right now."

    Ranma paused, unsure still.  <What should I do?  What can I do?>  He
slowly turned and headed for the door.  As he walked out he looked back
briefly.  "Ukyo..."  Then he turned and ran.  From a roof of a nearby
building Tatiwati Kuno watched Ranma run by.

    The kendoist resisted an impulse to run after.  "My pig tailed
goddess, sharing a body with that cur Ranma.  No wonder she has resisted
my advances.  I must find a cure for this curse!"

    Ranma ran all the way to the Tendo Dojo.  His mother was waiting for
him at the gate.  She greeted him warmly.  "Ranma my son, I have hear
about Kasumi's kidnapping.  I have discussed it with Soun, I will be
staying here with Nabiki until you return.  I am very proud of you
Ranma.  I know you will succeed."

    Ranma looked gratefully at his mother.  "Thanks mom, that means a
lot."  The two of them went
into the house.  Genma and the Tendo's were waiting inside.

    Nabiki spoke first.  "I've gotten five tickets to China for tomorrow
afternoon.  Did you get Ukyo to come Ranma?"

    Ranma nodded.  "She'll be here tomorrow morning."  Akane noticed the
sad look in his eyes when Nabiki asked about Ukyo, and wondered what had
happened.

    Later that night Ranma was sitting on the roof.  He had watched the
sun set, but didn't feel like going inside right away.

    Ranma heard a light thump from behind him but didn't turn.  "Hello
Akane."  The youngest Tendo daughter walked over and sat next to him on
the roof.  The two teenagers sat in comfortable silence for
some time.

    Akane finally broke the silence.  "What happened with Ukyo?"

    Ranma had been expecting the question.  "I told her about Kasumi.
Ukyo told me that she'd come, because she was my fiancee."  He was quiet
for several long moments.  "I didn't want her to help me because of
that.  I wanted her to know, that I'm going to marry you."  Akane
remained quiet, not wanting to interrupt him or say the wrong thing.
"She was hurt.  I never wanted to hurt her Akane!"  Ranma hung his head,
Akane put an arm awkwardly over his shoulders.  "She wanted to know why,
she needed to know why I choose you.  She was my best friend Akane, But
I had to tell her I didn't love her.  I'm going to marry you Akane,
because I, l-love you."

    Akane hugged him impulsively.  <He said it!>  "Oh Ranma."  Ranma had
stiffened up in the effort to say those words.  He now relaxed into her
hug.  "Ranma..."  Akane needed to tell him.  "I, love you too."  Ranma
stiffened again in surprise, then relaxed, putting his arm around her
shoulders and pulling her into him gently.  They sat that way for a long
time, neither wanting the moment to end.

    Finally Ranma spoke.  "It's going to be a long day tomorrow, we'd
better get some sleep."

    Akane nodded.  "Yup."  She squeezed him tighter for several seconds
before letting go, and stood. "Ukyo is a good person, I'm sorry she was
hurt... But I'm happy, being with you."

    Ranma stood up.  "I just hope that we can still be friends."

    Akane sighed.  "I do too."  They went inside to get some sleep then,
feeling very tired.

    The next day everyone gathered in the main room.  Ukyo arrived just
after dawn, wearing her chef outfit, complete with bandolier of spatulas
and her huge combat spatula on her back.

    Nabiki eyed the giant spatula.  "We're going to be taking a plane
Ukyo, do you have a case or something for that?"

    Ukyo looked over her shoulder at the weapon.  "Oh yeah, I've got
something I can use.  When's the flight?"  Ukyo concentrated on Nabiki,
she couldn't look at Ranma or Akane without felling sad or angry.

    Nabiki handed Ukyo her ticket.  "Three P.M.  Don't be late."  She
got out the map Johnathon had left her.  "Ok, here is the route you'll
take when you get to China.  I've arranged for a guide to get you to the
bottom of the pass.  From there you have to hike in.  Johnathon says
it's a three day hike to the hidden valley.  During the last day you
will have to worry about getting spotted by the villagers.

    Ranma took the map.  "So this is what he was talking about.  What is
plan C?"

    Nabiki smiled in her best predator imitation.  "Leave that to me,
it's best you don't know for now."

    Ranma frowned but nodded.  "Alright, Johnathon trusts you, I will
too."

    The group went carefully over the map, making plans for the trip.
Finally Ukyo left to pack, declaring that she'd meet them at the
airport.  Ranma and company arrived at the airport and boarded their
plane with little difficulty.  Ukyo had no difficulty getting through
customs at either end, "Cooking tools" eliciting no comments from the
customs officials.  At the airport in China a guide was waitingfor them,
he hustled them over to a rugged land rover and they drove into the
night, stopping at an inn well after dark.

    They drove for the next three days.  They reached the end of their
road on the morning of their fourth day in China.  They started hiking
into the mountains immediately, intending to get into the pass before
dark.  That night the weary travelers set up the two tents they had
brought on either side of a fire.  Ukyo cooked a quick dinner and they
went to sleep.  Ukyo and Akane had ended up sharing one of the tents.

    Akane had wanted to talk to Ukyo during the whole trip but had not
gotten a chance so far.  Ukyo had been avoiding her mostly, and they had
never been alone together since they had set out.  Akane waited for Ukyo
to enter the tent, while thinking about what she would say.  After a few
minutes the okonomiyaki chef entered the tent and started unrolling her
sleeping bag.  Akane was silent at first, now that she had an
opportunity she didn't have a clue where to start.

    Finally Akane forced herself to speak.  Ukyo was getting into her
sleeping bag.  "Ukyo..."

    Ukyo didn't look at her but spoke.  "What is it Akane?"

    Akane gulped.  "I, I wanted, um... Ranma thinks of you as his best
friend."  Ukyo was silent.  "I, I like you too Ukyo, I wish we could all
be friends."  There was silence for awhile longer, then Akane could make
out the noise of Ukyo quietly crying.  Akane rolled over and put a hand
on her shoulder.  "Ukyo, I'm sorry..."

    Ukyo turned to face Akane, throwing off her hand.  "I don't want
your sympathy."  There was a tinge of anger in her voice.

    Akane took back her hand and looked Ukyo in the eyes.  "Forget
sympathy, you're Ranma's friend.  We're friends too, if we hadn't been
fighting over Ranma, we'd have been good friends.  Do we have to give up
on that?"

    Ukyo looked sad.  "I, I don't know, I'm not sure how I feel about
it, give me some time Akane"

    Akane nodded.  "Sure."

    Ukyo looked away.  "Long day tomorrow, goodnight, Akane."

    Akane looked at her back, then closed her eyes.  "Goodnight Ukyo."

    The next day passed uneventfully.  Everyone was in a subdued mood,
worried about the day ahead.  They all wondered the same thing, what
would happen when they reached their destination?  On the third day in
the mountains a white duck dropped out of the sky, landing in front of
Akane.

    She regarded him with outward calmness, although inside she was
worried.  "What is it Mousse?  Do you want some hot water?"  The duck
quacked and nodded.  Ranma got a thermos of hot water he had heated over
the fire this morning out of his pack.

    He stepped up to the white duck.  "Akane, Ukyo, turn around a
second."  He poured the still hot water over the duck.  Mousse
transformed instantly.  He got a robe out of nowhere and had dressed in
a few seconds.

    Mousse stood and addressed the group.  "Johnathon, Shampoo, and
Ryoga have been taken into the pyramid.  I believe this is also where
Kasumi is being held.  I have been watching the village's patrols, I can
lead you in without being spotted."

    Ranma spoke up.  "Do they know about Shampoo and Ryoga?"

    Mousse shook his head.  "I don't think so, Johnathon kept his pack
on the whole time.  If they had known I think they would have taken his
pack."

    Genma stroked his chin.  "Yes, that's logical."

    Ranma looked around his group once.  "Ok Mousse, take us in, we'll
se what happens."  They camped early that afternoon.  Mousse had
recommended they stop before hitting the villagers patrols and rest up
now, then move in after dark.  The group agreed to the plan and everyone
tried to get some rest.  They set out again well after dark.  Mousse had
started flying over head to spot patrols and he would drop down and
direct them away from any he spotted.  it started to rain softly as the
night wore on.  Ranma and Genma transformed, but they kept moving.

    It was just getting light, the rain had stopped  half an hour
earlier, when Mousse came down and urgently pointed to the left.  They
followed his directions and came across Johnathon in his half-cat form,
and Ryoga carrying an umbrella.

    Soun charged forward.  "Johnathon!  Ryoga!  Where's my daughter,
where is Kasumi!"

    Johnathon's smile, which had lit up his face upon seeing Ranma and
company, faded at Soun's words.  "Kasumi is safe Mr. Tendo.  Let's get
clear of the area, and get some hot water ready.  I'll tell you the
whole story on the way."

    Soun protested.  "But where is Kasumi?"

    Johnathon put his hand on Soun's shoulder.  "I'll tell you as we go,
but there is bound to be pursuit hard on our heels, so lets get moving.
Trust me!"  Soun retreated and everyone got moving quickly down the
trail.  Johnathon started speaking as they walked.  "Please don't
interrupt me until I've finished my story.  All will be made clear."  He
looked around once at everyone.  "Mousse, watch our back while I tell
the story, don't worry, Shampoo is right here."  He brought the cat out
of his jacket which he was now wearing.  The duck sighed in relief and
took off into the sky.

    Johnathon started walking again, everyone moving with him to hear
his tail.  "When we arrived at the Pyramid, I was taken to Kasumi, she
was safe but trapped in a catacomb filled with death traps.  No one
could get past the traps without triggering them.  Anything heavier then
a few pounds would set them off, unless you followed an exact path, one
that changed constantly thanks to the labyrinth's mechanisms.  Only
three men knew the pattern, they were mutes, religious fanatics, chosen
for their complete devotion and loyalty. Men completely willing to die.
I was stumped.  Shampoo or Ryoga could reach Kasumi, but Kasumi couldn't
get out without setting off the traps.  If you guys arrived I figured
Cliopatra would just use Kasumi to take the rest of you hostage.  I
finally decided to try plan C."

    Johnathon paused and Soun started to speak.  "But what...?"

    Johnathon raised a hand to interrupt.  "I'll explain, when I went to
Jusenkyo I brought back thermos's of water from the springs of drowned
man, drowned girl, and drowned cat.  I wasn't sure what I would do with
them, so I put them in a safe deposit box.  I had planned to use the
drowned cat water to get Cliopatra to free Kasumi.  Either I would
threaten to use it on her, holding it over her head until Kasumi was
freed.  Or I would drench her with it and bribe her with the drowned
woman water, which I left with Nabiki."

    Johnathon sighed.  "Either plan was risky, and had no guarantee of
working.  In the end someone would have to either stay with Clio,
holding the water over her head until everyone else escaped, or we would
have to trust her to release Kasumi.  I had decided to use the first
plan, letting Shampoo and Ryoga get Kasumi out of there.  Last night,
after I went to sleep, Shampoo went ahead with a plan of her own.
Shampoo realized the consequences of my plan and decided to see if she
could keep everyone alive."

    Johnathon looked down at the white and pink cat in his arms.  <I do
understand your actions Shampoo, I just wish there had been another
way.>  "Shampoo went to Kasumi, using her cat form to avoid setting off
the traps, and brought Kasumi the drowned cat water.  Shampoo let Kasumi
decide her own fate, and Kasumi chose to use the water on herself.
Ryoga..."  Johnathon turned to the lost boy as everyone started to
react.

    Soun started to glow, Akane yelled at the cat in Johnathon's arms.
"Shampoo!  How could you?"  Shampoo cowered under the verbal assault.
Ryoga removed his pack and opened it.  A small black cat, the color of
Kasumi's hair, climbed out of the pack.  Kasumi ran over to her father
and put a paw on his leg.

    Soun immediately came out of his rage and started to bawl.
"Kasumi!  Kasumi!"  Genma said nothing, as he was still a panda.  Ranma
had stepped away when Johnathon had first brought out Shampoo, and now
tried to force himself to approach Kasumi.

    Ukyo shook her head sadly at Shampoo.  "You knew what she would
decide Shampoo, of course she would sacrifice herself for Johnathon!  Or
for anyone!"  Shampoo hid her head.

    Akane went over to her older sister and picked her up.  "Kasumi?"
The black cat nodded.  "Oh sis, why did you do it?"  Kasumi looked at
Johnathon and meowed.  Akane looked at him as well, Johnathon's
expression was pretty hard to read as a half-cat, but his eyes were very
sad.

    Johnathon spoke up.  "We'd better keep moving, Cliopatra probably
has a small army after us."

    Akane nodded.  "I... Right, we should."

    Ranma and Genma took Soun's arms and led him down the trail,
following everyone else.  The group moved on till the sun was high in
the sky, and was starting it's decent.  Johnathon suggested that they
stop and rest for awhile, as none of them had gotten much sleep.
Everyone agreed with varying amounts of enthusiasm.  Ukyo got out a camp
stove and started heating some hot water.  Pretty soon two cats walked
over to her.

    Ukyo grinned wryly.  "No problem, got your hot water right here."
Ukyo pulled her blanket out of her pack, splashed both cats and threw
her blanket over them.  The blanket bulged and Kasumi's and Shampoo's
heads and feet stuck out either end.  Kasumi sat back, wrapping half the
blanket around herself.  Shampoo did the same.

    Kasumi blushed as everyone came over to see her.  "Um, excuse me?
Could I borrow some clothing?"  Soun brought out his spare Gi as he was
closest in size to his eldest daughter.  Ranma brought out his spare red
Chinese shirt for Shampoo.  Soon the two girls were sitting on, not
under the blanket, and everyone else was sitting around them.  Ranma,
Genma, and Mousse had taken the opportunity to change back, so everyone
was human, and of the proper sex, except Johnathon, who had not changed
out of his felinoid form.

    Kasumi looked cheerful as usual, happy to be amongst family and
friends.  Johnathon thought she looked cute in her fathers Gi.  Shampoo
looked fixedly at the ground, certain of the anger of the people
surrounding her.  Indeed, most had nothing but hostile stares for the
Amazon warrior.

    Kasumi noticed what was happening immediately.  <All this anger?
Over me?  This won't do.>  "Everyone!"  Kasumi spoke up in a scolding
tone.  "Shampoo rescued me, and probably saved one or more of our
lives.  She does not deserve your anger."

    "But she turned you into a cat!"  Akane glared furiously at Shampoo.

    Kasumi shook her head.  "I chose to turn myself into a cat, Shampoo
did not trick me into it.  It was my decision."  Ranma looked at
Shampoo, then at Mousse.  Mousse sat quietly, unable to speak.

    Ranma shrugged and elbowed the Chinese boy.  "Stand up for her
Mousse, she needs a friend."  Ranma whispered.

    Mousse stood up and spoke just loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Shampoo acted honorably in a dangerous situation.  She made a tough
decision that was forced by The Children of Bast.  If there is blame to
be allocated, it is their's, they and Cliopatra are responsible!"
Mousse's voice had risen until he was shouting the final words.

    Ranma nodded in support.  "Right!  This is all the fault of those
lousy kidnappers!"

    Ryoga looked at Ranma and nodded.  "Right, and now that Kasumi's
been rescued, it's about time they paid for their crimes!"

    He was about to charge off and put action to word when Ranma stopped
him.  "Hey buddy, slow down.  If you run off by yourself you'll never
find them!  You'll end up in the Sahara or something!"  Ryoga paused,
reconsidering.

    Johnathon finally stood.  "In any case, Ryoga is right, it is time
they paid for what they have done, and it's best that we do this all
together.  They are probably coming after us right now.  Even if we
elude them they will probably try something like this again, perhaps
something worse.  It's best we end it now, together."  Everyone looked
at him, questions on their faces.

    Kasumi asked what the other's were thinking.  "What do you mean
Johnathon?"

    Johnathon raised a fist.  "I mean we let them "catch" us, and
convince them of their mistake."

              End of Confrontations and Expectations part 3