Dear Listmembers,
I would like to present the following draft
for C&C. I am looking for pre-readers.
Begin Chapters 1-2

The  characters  of the Ranma �  universe  are  the
creation   and   possession  of  the  brilliant   Rumiko
Takahashi.  They  belong  to Rumiko  Takahashi  and  her
licensees   (Shogakukan   Inc.,   Kitty-Fuji   TV,   Viz
Communications   Inc.)  No  copyright  infringement   is
intended.       

      With Friends Like These . . .

      Chapter 1

     "Tendou Akane must die."
Kuonji Ukyou stiffened on hearing the words. The calm reasonable
tone blew through her bones like a chill east wind. Striving to keep her
face blank Ukyou watched a figure detach itself from the shadows of
the warehouse and step into the dim half-light.
     "Why kill Akane? She stupid violent pervert girl . . .but no
need kill.  Also no need help  . . .if want dead."
A sinister laugh seeped from the darkness on Ukyou's other side as a
second figure stepped forward.
     "Truly the barbarian speaks, as truly as a broken clock may
show the correct time twice daily. Yet, even should the vile man-
stealer (whose name shall never pollute the lips of the Black Rose)
need killing, why should the Black Rose need assistance from a
nameless assassin?"
Deep within the recesses of the darkness, a deeper dark stirred and
Ukyou had the shivery feeling that it was a living shadow and no
human thing that lurked in the darkness. Again the voice spoke; it's
evil metallic tones echoing off the walls like roaches boiling from the
belly of a corpse. 
     "Tendou Akane must die for you to find love . . . Tendou
Akane must die for you to return home . . .Tendou Akane must die for
you to regain your honor . . .Tendou Akane must die . . ." The final
word tolled through the darkness, finally vanishing as the shadow
cloaked figure fell silent. It could have been speaking to any or all of
them.  Ukyou's mouth opened in question, then hastily shut. She
wasn't sure she wanted to draw this . . .thing's  . . .attention. Yet
finally the pressure of questions unasked and answers hidden drove
her tongue, like whips drive a frightened horse. 
     "Who . . ." She moistened her mouth and tried again. "Who
are you?  You send me a note . . .send all of us." Ukyou indicated the
other two. "Send all of us notes to meet you, to hear something
VITAL" Ukyou stressed the word. "VITAL to our futures. To solving
our problems. And all you have to say is . . .'Tendou Akane must
die?'" Ukyou laughed, or tried to. "We're not killers. And we have no
reason to help you kill Akane. What do you really want?"
     "Tendou Akane must die." The voice repeated, as if Ukyou
hadn't spoken. "She stands between you and happiness" Again the
voice spoke as if speaking to one of them was speaking to all of them.
" She stands between you and the way home . . .between you and your
honor . . .between you and Satome Ranma."
     "HA!" A bark of genuine seeming laughter came from the
Black Rose. "Between me and my darling Ranmasama? You are
ridiculous! Ranmasama will never love that peasant. Ranmasama will
come to me, love me. Ranmasama will . . ."
     "Crazy talking girl right." Shan Pu interrupted. "Pervert girl
no problem. Husband come for Shan Pu soon. We go home. Build
house. Husband learn Amazon ways. Learn cook, clean, satisfy wife.
Make strong daughters, great warriors.  I  have many babies." The
thought of all those pint-sized Amazons . . .(and the details of their
production) caused a temporary endorphin overload. Ukyou resisted an
impulse to wipe the drool off Shan Pu's chin.  Shan Pu shook herself
back to reality and faced the deep shadows. Before she could speak 
the voice came again, low and insulting.
     "Husband will come soon . . . Ranmasama will come to me."
The voice mimicked.  "And you cook? What do you have to say? 
What protestations will you make, what flights of fancy will you
spin?" Before Ukyou could answer the shadow loomed suddenly
upright, seeming to grow to an impossible size. Despite herself Ukyou
shrank back, as did the other two girls. "Husband will NEVER come .
. .Ranmasama will NEVER come . . .Ranchan will NEVER, NEVER,
NEVER come to you. Not while Tendou Akane lives."
Ukyou wanted to cry out that her love for Ranchan (and his for her)
was strong, that he WOULD come for her. But the words wouldn't
come. Here, in this place, she could no longer lie, not even to herself.
Instead she remembered . . . Ranma at Christmas, wearing a ridiculous
scarf; Ranma at Togenkyou, destroying his cure; Ranma on Mt.
Phoenix . . .crying.
     "So"  Ukyou forced the words past a constricted throat. "what
do you have to do with  . . .with Ranma and us?" She would draw this
maniac out . . .find out what . . .the voice . . .wanted. Ranma would be
grateful . . .would see how brave, how smart she was. Would see that
she, Ukyou, would be a better wife. "Even if Ranma does lo . . .even if
Ranma  . . .even if. What are YOU going to do about it? Kill Akane?"
     "Yes."
There was a surprised hiss from the corner.
     "What need creepy voice for? Amazon womans no need help
for killing. If Shan Pu want, she kill pervert girl anytime. No need
help."
     "'Pervert girl' may not be as easy to kill as you think. Many
have tried; Taro, the Demon Doll, Saffron. And yet she is here still."
The voice sounded disgusted. Ukyou wondered what Akane had done
to incur the wrath of this shadowy figure even as the voice continued.
" . . .succeed in removing Tendou Akane you . . .all three of you would
be immediately suspect. Even if you escaped the police, you would still
have Satome Ranma to contend with. And beyond him Hibiki Ryouga.
And, if they should fail . . . Shinnosuke and his grandfather, Prince
Toma, Prince Kirin and the Seven Lucky Gods, Akane's sister's
Natsume and Kurumi. And there are others. Tendou Akane has a  . .
.gift . . .for making friends." The voice practically spit . . .as if
Akane's friends were a personal affront . . .as if the voice were
jealous.
Ukyou had a sudden chilling insight

     "Nabiki!" 

Ukyou didn't realize she'd spoken aloud . . .until she felt eyes fasten
on her from the darkness.
     "You would be best advised to keep unfounded speculations to
yourself."
     "No . . .no . . .it's you. It has to be you." Ukyou was horrified
at the thought. "Why would you want to kill Akane?"
The voice . . .Ukyou was sure now it was Nabiki, her voice changed
somehow. Maybe electronically. She'd seen toys advertised on TV that
would disguise your voice. And surely Tendou Nabiki, if anyone
would, had sources for more sophisticated devices. The voice spoke
again, ignoring Ukyou.
     "All of your lives, your hopes, dreams, happiness . . .all held
hostage to the life of one silly, selfish girl. A clumsy girl, who hits
Ranma, calls him names . . . hit's him if he looks at another girl. Yet
calls on him when SHE needs help. Calls HIM into danger . . .
Unconsciously Ukyou nodded in agreement. She could sense the others
in like agreement with the voice. The soothing , reasonable voice. It
wasn't hard to agree with what the voice said. It wasn't anything she
hadn't thought to herself before. Thought in her lonely room. All
alone at night. Always alone . .  now and forever alone . . .because of
that girl. Anger and resentment built as the voice skillfully brought
out
hidden resentment, fears, anger.  Anger at Akane, selfish, stupid
Akane. Anger at Akane for abusing and neglecting Ranma. Anger at
Akane living easy at the expense of others.  Anger at Akane for 
having to be rescued, coddled, cared for while other people had to
work, struggle, suffer. It wasn't fair . . .it wasn't right . . .it
wasn't
necessary. Ukyou suddenly came to herself . . .as if waking from a
deep, uneasy dream.
     "Wha . . .what did you say?"
     "I said that it wasn't necessary for you , for any of you , to
endure this humiliation, this degradation. Your pride, your honor . .
.simple justice demands a remedy."
     "That right." Shan Pu was flushed with emotion. Her war
hammers flashed into existence and a savage cry rang through the
building. "Obstacles are for killing. I go . . ."
     "Idiot." The sharply spoken word froze Shan Pun in her
tracks.
     "What you mean? Shan Pu kill Akane, take back honor. Take
back husband."
     "Shan Pu go to jail."
 Shan Pu growled at the vicious mimicry.  Kodachi chose that moment
to speak up.
     "You have yet to explain your purpose in summoning us here.
Why should you wish 'that person' dead? And what can you do for us
that we can not do for ourselves?"
     "My reasons are my own. It is sufficient for you to know that
I can help eliminate our mutual problem . . .for a price." Ukyou's hand
flashed up in a defensive block as a small object sped from the
shadows toward her face. A small square of plastic smacked into her
hand. Startled, she glanced at it to see it was covered with neat
typewritten script. On either side she could see the others examining
similar small cards.
     "Eye of the moon, heart of the sun?  That greatest of Amazon
treasures. How you know . . . ?"
     "Juzumaru. One of the Tenka Goken." Kodachi practically
growled. "Who are you that you can demand a national treasure like
'The Rosary', from 'The Five Swords Under the Heavens'?"
     "My resturant? Ukyou's Okinomyaki! You want my
restaurant?" Ukyou couldn't believe it. This . . .this . . .shadow
wanted
her restaurant. Her baby.  That she built with her sweat, her tears. 
The
one thing in life that truly belonged to her.  And this voice expected
her to give . . .
     "Problem solving is not cheap." The voice slithered out of the
shadows like a poisonous serpent. "And I must have surety of your . .
.commitment."
     "So we just give you our lives" Ukyou could sense that the
things required of the others were also of great personal value,
separate of any monetary worth. "What guarantee do we have . . ."
     "My word . . . It's poor business to default on an agreement."
     "So . . . all we have to do is give you what you want and you
kill Akane . . .just like that?"
     "Not quite." There was faint amusement in the voice. "I will
provide the plan. A plan which will eliminate our problem with
no . . .mess to clean up. YOU must implement the plan, all three of
you so no one if free to betray the others."
     "And just what does this great plan consist of? Some secrete 
technique? Or maybe a demon curse?" Ukyou asked sarcastically.
     "It would be . . .imprudent . . .to reveal my plan in advance of
payment. However I ca tell you that you must first make friends with
Tendou Akane."
     "What!!"
     "What you saying . . .you crazy?"
     "That's insane! Why would we . . ."
     "You and Tendou Akane are going to become fast friends.
Such good friends that, upon her untimely demise, you will be chief
mourners at her funeral. And entirely above suspicion."
     "Forget it!" Ukyou snapped. "You talk about regaining
honor? What honor is there in murder for money?  I'm out of here." 
There were murmurs of agreement from either side. As she turned to
leave the voice stopped her.
     "Should you change your mind . . .leave the agreed upon
price here. You will get further instructions."

*********************************************************


     "Tendou Akane must die." Ukyou muttered under her breath
as she worked on the pipe fittings under her grill. "How could she
possibly think that I . . .that we . . .would pay to murder Akane.  She
has to be insane." Ukyou was more and more convinced the 'voice'
was Tendou Nabiki. " . . . and why would she want to kill her own
sister?" That was the most repugnant  part to Ukyou. Family should be
sacred. Thinking of family made Ukyou's  stomach cramp.  She hadn't
seen her own family in years  . . .and she never would again, unless
she married Ranma. Regained her honor. Then she could go home.
But she wouldn't murder to go home. She would never . . . The bell on
the shop door jingled as someone entered. Before Ukyou could
disentangle herself from the plumbing she heard a voice.
      . . .doesn't look like she's here. Do you want to wait? It's
really very good okinomyaki. The best in Japan."
     "The best in the world." Ukyou thought flushing with
pleasure at the words. 
     "No . . .she's probably out chasing that boy again. It's really
pathetic. And the way she dresses!" Both girls laughed. 
     "Yeah, you're right. It's sad really, the way Ukyou pants after
Ranma, like a dog after her master. And all she ever gets is a pat on
the head. Just like a dog."
     "Actually . . ." The second girl giggled . "I think the technical
term is bitch."
Ukyou remained under the counter as the two girls left, still laughing.
As the shadows lengthened . . .as customers came and went  un-fed
from the restaurant . . .Ukyou stayed frozen in place. She was cold . .
.so very cold. She didn't' think she would ever get warm again.

*********************************************************

In the early morning dark .  . .when cold neon washed the streets of
Tokyo in a sterile light . . .a shadow, darker than old sin stood in the
center of a deserted warehouse. At its feet lay a sword, a Chinese jade
carving . . .and the deed to a small okinomyaki restaurant. 


Chapter 2

A loud cry shattered the quiet and a cloud of stone dust billowed out
into 
the morning air.
     "Ahhhhhh. That felt good."
     "Brick no hit back."
Startled, Akane spun to see Shan Pu standing behind her, hands on
hips. Akane's lips tightened at the realization the big Amazon had
gotten behind her with absolutely no warning. 
     "Easy break brick. No move, no hit back. Hit warrior not so
easy."
     "Ranma's not here Shan Pu. Uncle Satome took him off for
more training."
     "Shan Pu  already know that."
Akane waited for Shan Pu to elaborate. As the silence lengthened
Akane's anger grew. She felt it start to boil over as she noticed a
smirk on Shan Pu's face.
     "All right Shan Pu, what do you want?"
     "Why want something? Why not just visit?"
Akane took a heavy step forward, hands raised. "You've got about 3
seconds to tell me what you want or . . ."
     "Or what? Clumsy, violent, pervert girl . . . what do?"
     "Aaaaaaaaaa!" With a scream of outrage Akane launched a
bone crushing blow. Shan Pu moved a fraction and the blow
smashed  . . .air.  Insultingly Shan Pu smacked Akane on the rear.
With a snarling growl Akane whirled, launching a high spin kick
that would have snapped the top off a fire hydrate. Being somewhat
more mobile and infinitely more limber Shan Pu again shifted just
slightly . The massive blow missed and Akane was thrown off
balance ,would have fallen had Shan Pu not caught her.
     "No get so angry no miss so much."
     "When I want your opinion" Akane snarled, shrugging free
of Shan Pu's grip. "I'll give it to you."
     "O-key Do-key." Shan Pu agreed cheerfully. Springing
forward Shan Pu launched a flurry of hand and foot strikes, at first
driving Akane backwards.  One pace, two paces back. Then Akane
regained her equilibrium and started to counter attack.  Dropping
suddenly forward Akane caught herself on her hands , scything her
legs around in a smashing leg sweep. Laughing Shan Pu leapt over
Akane's legs,  only to double over as Akane's caught her in the gut
with an iron palm strike. Landing hard Shan Pu rolled quickly
away, coming to her feet facing Akane. 
     "Ha . . .pretty good trick." Shan Pu eyed Akane narrowly.
"But no catch that way twice."
Breathing heavily, Akane noticed with satisfaction that Shan Pu
slightly favored her belly. Slightly. Before she could savor the sight
Shan Pu attacked . . .and Akane was too busy fighting to think about
anything else. Five minutes later Akane found herself face down in
the dirt, one arm twisted past her shoulder blade, Shan Pu's knee
digging into her spine.
     "Pervert girl give up?"
Akane's answer was to bring her head sharply back into Shan Pu's
face. There was a flat meaty sound of bone on flesh then Akane
cried out involuntarily as Shan Pu twisted savagely on her arm.
     "Pervert girl make bad mistake. You give up now. Admit
Shan Pu winner."
     "GO . . ." Akane panted through the pain. "TO HELL!!"
Akane cried out again as Shan Pu twisted harder, digging her knee
into Akane's spine.
     "You no can win. Admit Shan Pu better. Surrender or I
break arm."
     "Do it. DO IT!" Akane twisted futilely in the dirt. Tears of
humiliation cutting tracks in her dirt smeared face. "I don't care
what you do . . .I'll never give up. NEVER!"
     "You brave girl. Maybe brave as Amazon." Shifting her
grip Shan Pu flipped Akane onto her back so that Shan Pu straddled
her waist, pinning Akane's arms to the ground with her knees. "But
Shan Pu have to teach lesson, so pervert girl know Amazon best
fighter." Akane stared definitely up at Shan Pu, but the intense look
in the Amazon's violet eyes gave her pause.
     "Shan Pu WILL make you surrender." With those stern
words Shan Pu launched her final attack.

*******************************************************
     "N . . .no more . . .please no more."
Gasping with exertion Shan Pu dashed sweat from her eyes and
crawled over to the still weakly writhing girl.
     "Akane surrender now?"
     "I . .I . . ."
Shan Pu raised a hand trembling with fatigue and made as if to
launch another attack . . .hoping the other girl wouldn't suspect she
had reached the end of her endurance. Who would have thought this
silly Japanese girl could last so long. Any of her Amazon sisters
would have been pleading for mercy long since . . .or babbling
idiots.
     "S . . .surrender . . .or Sh . . .Sh . . .Shan Pu show no
mercy." She raised her hand sharply in the air with the last of her
strength. Squealing in fright Akane wrapped her arms around her
abused and sensitized ribs.
     "NO . . I give . . .I give."
     "Goo . . .good." Shan Pu gasped, dropping to the ground
beside Akane. "If you no give . . .then Shan Pu have to give up. No
fighting left."
There was silence. A long, long silence. Then Akane rolled over in
the dirt to face an equally prone Shan Pu.
     "I hate you."
Shan Pu opened her eyes, gummy with sweat, blood and fatigue. In
front of her was Akane's face. Bruised, bloody. One eye swollen
almost shut. Lip split, hair tangled and matted. Shan Pu ran a
tongue around inside her mouth, wincing as she touched her own
split lip. Her ribs protested with every breath and her rear was
probably a mass of bruises. 
     "You pretty good . . .for Japanese." San Pu qualified. "We
do again tomorrow? OK?"
There was another silence. Louder than the last one.
     "W . . .why?" Akane waved her hand limply to indicate the
broken dojo walls, torn up yard.
     "Shan Pu bored. Nothing to do.  Ranma gone. You only
one give Shan Pu decent work out." Narrowly Shan Pu watched for
Akane's reaction to this statement . . .this one phrase she'd worked
so hard to deliver . . .at precisely the right moment. She watched
Akane's face flush with pleasure . . .and Shan Pu knew she'd won.

     "OK." 

Akane appeared to think for a moment. "You better come upstairs
and get cleaned up." Rolling to her knees Akane struggled to her
feet. Bracing herself Akane reached a hand down to Shan Pu.  Shan
Pu had NOT anticipated this and hesitated for a moment before
allowing herself to be helped to her feet. Staggering slightly the two
battered and filthy girls limped into the Tendou home and up the
stairs.

*******************************************************
     "Here's soap and towels." Akane gathered up Shan Pu's
clothing. "I'll go put these in the wash and be right back."
Sitting on the low wooden bench Shan Pu rinsed herself off, then
started working lather into her long hair. She was inordinately 
proud of her long thick mane, but it was a pain to care for. It was at
times like this that she especially missed home. Back in her village,
as the undefeated champion (before Ranma anyway)  she would
have had her pick of young, up-and-coming warriors vying for her
favor . . .eager to run errands, prepare her food . . .she winced as her
fingers caught in another tangle. Wash her  . . .
     "Aaaaaaaaa." Shan Pu jumped as a small hand
unexpectedly covered her own. As her combat reflex launched her
away from the perceived threat, soap ran into her eyes, she inhaled
water and slipped on the slick soapy floor.  Blind, gasping and
helpless Shan Pu fell toward the hard tiles . . .when strong arms
wrenched her safely into a warm secure embrace.
     "Wait . . wait . . ." Akane grasped Shan Pu's flailing arms
in one hand while the other gently wiped her stinging eyes with a
clean wash cloth.
     "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."
     "Shan Pu Amazon warrior. She no scared . . ." Her
indignant voice trailed off as she realized she was laying cradled in
Akane's arms having her face washed like an infant. Flushing in
anger she started to berate Akane for her clumsy stupidity. As her
mouth opened for a stinging retort she met Akane's eyes. Eyes filled
with concern and remorse. Eyes that reminded Shan Pu of a puppy
waiting to be kicked. Shan Pu smiled inwardly as she realized how
well this accident suited her purpose. Guilt was a perfect key to open
the door to Akane's friendship. 
     "Shan Pu no scared." Struggling to sit up Shan Pu sank
back ,bravely suppressing a groan of pain. 
     "Oh no! What's wrong? Are you hurt?"
     "Nothing wrong. Shan Pu leave now." Shan Pu replied,
allowing a slight spasm of pain to appear on her face. Akane was
completely fooled.
     "You strained something when you slipped, didn't you?"
Without waiting for an answer Akane pulled Shan Pu more securely
onto her lap and began to finish Shan Pu's interrupted bath. Closing
her eyes Shan Pu allowed Akane to bathe her. Relaxing completely
she sighed with pleasure as Akane finished and tenderly carried her
over to the steaming furo.  
Properly prepared, Shan Pu thought, Young tender puppy
was a great delicacy.


End Chapters 1-2



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