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


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.   
Begin Chapter 3    

      With Friends Like These . . .


Chapter 3

"You stand funny. Move feet more like this."
Akane copied Shan Pu's stance. "Like this?"
     "Not so bad. Now try defend from low strike." Before she
finished speaking Shan Pu's fist was on its way toward Akane's gut.
Even as Shan Pu struck Akane was moving away from the blow, her
right hand slapping aside Shan Pu's 'Stone Breaker' fist ;her own
left hand moving in a 'Spear Point' strike for Shan Pu's temple.
Shan Pu was faster. HER right hand rebounded from Akane's
blocking strike to grasp Akane's 'Spear Point' just behind the wrist.
Left hand coming up under Akane's elbow Shan Pu lifted and
rotated the limb, hyper-extending it. Off balance Akane was helpless
to resist as Shan Pu continued moving in the direction of her 'Spear
Point' strike and Akane went sailing across the dojo to slam into the
wall and fall limply to the floor. With an expression of disgust Shan
Pu stalked over to the limp form lying on the floor like a pile of
discarded rags. 
     "Stupid Akane. You no listen. Shan Pu tell and tell but you
no listen. You lose center you lose battle." There was no response
from the crumpled figure. "Hey . . .stupid girl . . .you no get hurt
from little blow like that? Amazon man-child tougher than that."
Cautiously Shan Pu toed the crumpled figure, suspecting a trap. "Ha
. . .slow , clumsy and weak Akane. Real warrior not eeeeeeeeeeep!"
Shan Pu squawked as the twisted figure suddenly erupted from the
floor; one hand knifing between her legs, the other grasping her
shoulder in a powerful grip as she folded in two. Before Shan Pu
could recover from this sudden attack she found herself whirling
around and around in a maneuver familiar to any devote of
American Pro-Wrestling. Knowing she had only a moment before
Shan Pu recovered and started playing temari with her head Akane
took two quick steps toward the Dojo door and heaved. Shan Pu had
a brief slithery sensation of silk as she and her dress parted
company, cool air on bare skin, and a vision of the Koi pond filling
her vision.
     "Mrrrrrrooooooowwww!"
     "Don't complain to ME. You lost fair and square."
     "Mrrrrr. Rooooowwwwl!!"
     "OH! You take that back." Akane stalked angrily forward,
Shan Pu's dress draped over one arm. "I did NOT cheat. That was a
perfectly legitimate ruse. It's not MY fault if you let your guard
down.
     "Rrrrrrr.Owwwwww. Mrrrroooowl?"
     "Huh! I am NOT a pervert! What about when you tickled
me half to death? I . ." Akane replied virtuously. " . . .was just
keeping your clothes dry."
     "Mraaa aaaa choooo!"
Akane reached out and snagged the still spitting cat buy the scruff
and hauled her out of the water.
     "Come on out before you catch cold. You can complain
later. And remember our deal. YOU win I wash your hair. I win and
you teach me to cook."
The small sopping cat gave a pitiful mewwl and looked at Akane
with pleading eyes.
     "NO I do NOT want any 'Secret Techniques'" Akane
retorted. "Our deal was cooking lessons. Besides, why would I want
to breath fire?"
The tiny cat drooped dejectedly, a small tear of despair dropping
from one eye as it was carried triumphantly inside toward the
'Kitchen of Doom'.
Neither combatant sensed that they were being observed from a
rooftop almost a thousand meters distant. The leotard clad figure
swung idly back and forth in her swivel chair as the video recorder
rewound. She would play the tape back later. This one from the
giant Questar telescope and all the other tapes from hidden cameras
inside the Dojo.  But they didn't matter really. She had seen enough
over the past week. She knew exactly what to do.

******************************************************
Tendou Akane skipped along the street swinging her book bag,
occasionally twirling in a joyful circle, enjoying the feel of her skirt
swirling around her legs. Tossing her bag high into the air she spun
in a huge circle watching her bag hang in the air, framed by blue
sky and white, white clouds. She was sure that NEVER in all Japans
long history had there ever been a bluer sky, fluffier clouds. Never
had the smell of cherry blossoms been so sweet.  She hugged herself
in delight then snapped her arms out with a little squeal of fright
and snagged her bag just before it hit the ground. Flushing a little in
embarrassment she glanced around to see if anyone had observed
her almost mistake. Seeing no one she giggled to herself as she
realized it didn't matter if her bag smashed against the ground. If
she embarrassed herself it was nothing and less than nothing. Her
rice . . .her rice had been . . .her rice had been . . . OK! Sensi had
said so. In her mind Akane played back the scene . . . the small
wooden bowl . . .the white puffy grains . . .slightly sticky. Sensi
taking the bowl . . .the chopsticks reaching down . . .a small clump
of the white goodness passing Sensi's lips. And then the words . .
.the words she'd longed to hear for so long:
     "Tendou Akane . . .rice dish OK."
She would have to something nice for Shan Pu she thought. The
incongruity of the thought made her laugh out loud. Who would
ever have thought that she would LIKE Shan Pu. But over the past
week Shan Pu had gone from . . .well from whatever she'd been to
being a friend. Or more than a friend. Almost like the sister she'd
never had. She loved Kasumi and Nabiki; but Kasumi was more like
a mother than a sister and Nabiki . . .well she loved Nabiki but she
didn't always LIKE her. And she certainly didn't understand her.
But Shan Pu . . .over the past several days . . . Shan Pu had treated
her like an equal . . .like a martial artist. And she'd been so nice . .
.There'd been a cooking lesson every day even when Akane lost
(which had been often.) The only difference being that Akane had to
wash Shan Pu's hair first when she lost. Even that had been fun
with a lot of splashing and giggling and gossiping (about martial
techniques). Akane had friends but Shan Pu was her first martial
artist friend and that made her special. And the cooking lessons just
made it better. She almost dreaded Ranma and the others coming
home. But she had several weeks yet. Ranma's training trips always
lasted a long time (privately Akane thought her father and
Genmasan had wanted an excuse to get out of fixing the roof),
Kasumi was visiting a sick friend in Hokkaidou and Nabiki . .
.Akane frowned. She wasn't sure exactly where Nabiki was.
Shrugging she dismissed the minor mystery. Nabiki had her own
agenda.  Still she had at least a few more . . .the sound of battle
jerked her out of her musing.
     "DIE . . .you cheating   . . .!"
     "Oh ho ho ho! The Black Rose is not so easily defeated."
Kodachi? Akane pulled herself over the fence  to see Kuno Kodachi
facing off against an even dozen black clad figures. As she watched
Akane saw Kodachi  blind an opponent with a spray of black petals.
Another two were felled with a quick double snap of her ribbon.
Like black lightening Kodachi flashed among her attackers striking
,vanishing  and reappearing to strike again. Her chilling laugh filled
the air like a cold wind off a graveyard. Shivering in distaste at
Kodachi's underhanded fighting (she winced at Kodachi flicked her
ribbon in an opponents eyes before smashing them between the legs
with a gymnastic club) Akane nevertheless admired her smooth
flowing grace . . .like water over stones . . .like a forest fire
sweeping all before it . . .like . . .
 With a shrill soprano scream Kodachi collapsed as one of her
attackers smashed her behind the knee. At once the figures still
standing swarmed the fallen Kodachi like jackals on a wounded
lioness.  For a moment Akane remained frozen, unable to believe
that Kodachi had really been beaten . . .waiting for Kodachi to burst
forth, laughing at how she'd tricked her enemies. Another moment
passed with Kodachi still on the ground and the air filled with the
sounds of fists and feet thudding into unresisting flesh. 
     "HEY!" Akane jumped down from the fence. "HEY . .
that's enough. Stop that." No one paid any attention to her shouts. 
She did get their attention when she grabbed the first one and threw
him half way across the field. One of the figures tried to shove
Akane out of the way. His hand hit Akane on the breast. Her fist hit
him . . . Screaming in a voice only dogs could hear he fell to the
ground. 
     "HENTAIIIIII!!"
Screaming the Tendou war cry Akane scattered the black clad
figures like dandelion fluff in a typhoon.  Chest heaving, hands
fisted at her side Akane watched the last of the figures flee the field
carrying their wounded with them.
     "Kodachi? Hey . . .Kodachi. Are you all right?" Akane
knelt in the dirt beside the tattered and bloody figure. Running her
hands over Kodachi's prone figure she couldn't feel any broken
bones . .. but there could be internal injuries.
     "Kodachi . . .can you hear me? I'm going to get help. I'll be
right back." A hand weakly grasped the hem of her skirt as she
started to rise. 
     "Don't  . . .don't leave me."
     "I've got to get help. You could be bleeding inside. Or your
back.  You could have a back injury. I'll call an ambulance and . . ."
     "no . . .no doctor . . .no hospital."
     "That's crazy! You've got to go . . ."
     "no hospital . . .my mother died . . .in hospital."
Akane went cold hearing that faint whisper. HER mother had . . .
     "please . . . i'm afraid."
Akane couldn't resist the weakly pleading voice.
     "Can you move your legs. Can you feel this?" Akane
watched as Kodachi moved her limbs at Akane's command.
     "OK . . ." Gently she bent to lift the fallen Kodachi in her
arms. "I'll take you . . ." Akane thought a moment. They were near
her home. "I'll take you home. You can call someone from there."
     "thank . . .thank you."
Akane started home at a slow jog.  A brief sound caused her to look
down in concern.
     "Did I hurt you? Are you alright?"
     "no . . .i'm fine." Kodachi looked up into Akane's
concerned eyes. "i'm just fine." Kodachi replied, lowering her lashes
to hide the gleam of triumph in her eyes. 

******************************************************
     "What SHE doing here?" Shan Pu indicated the recumbent
Kodachi with a jerk of her chin. 
     "Some goons beat her up. She was afr . . .ummm she didn't
want to go to the hospital so I brought her here. I've called her home
but no one answers."
Shan Pu scowled.  She was willing to bet there wouldn't be an
answer from the Kuno estate for a good long while. She knew what
Kodachi was up to, she just wasn't sure what to do about it. Before
she could think of something Akane looked at her watch and gave
an exclamation of disgust.
     "OH RATS! Look at the time."
Startled Shan Pu pulled away from contemplating Kodachi laying
on a futon to look at the watch Akane had thrust beneath her nose. 
     "We're not going to have time to spar today . . .you have to
get back to the Nekohaten."
     "That OK. Shan Pu stay late today."
     "Oh could you . . ." Akane started happily, then shook her
head. "This is your busiest time. I don't want you to get in trouble
with Cu Lon."
Shan Pu started to disagree, then realized Akane was right.
Missing the dinner crowd would lead to awkward questions from
her great-grand-mother.  She hadn't told Cu Lon about her
arrangement with the voice because . . .because . . .She wasn't sure
why . . .whether she was afraid Cu Lon would interfere. Or if she
was more afraid that Cu Lon would approve. And until she decided
she couldn't afford Cu Lon asking questions.
     "You right Akanechan." Shan Pu smirked inwardly as she
saw Kodachi's features tighten at Shan Pu's use of the familiar.
"Shan Pu go now.." She paused as if realizing something. "But I
come early tomorrow. Tomorrow Sunday. I come very early. We
spend all day together." She shot a sly glance at the silently fuming
Kodachi. "I teach new technique. One that make you fast. Plus we
try new cooking. You ready for special fancy cooking."
     "OH! Oh that would be great " Akane's face lit up with
such innocent joy that Shan Pu grinned back in sympathetic
response, forgetting her purpose for a moment. In fact she so far
forgot her purpose that when Akane's face fell Shan Pu was
genuinely distressed. "What the matter Akanechan. Why sad?"
     "Kodachi." Akane stage whispered. "I still can't get an
answer at her home. And it's getting so late. As hurt as she is I
think she better stay the night and rest. And our practice is so 
noisy . . ." Out of Akanes sight Kodachi shot a look of triumph at
Shan Pu.
     "Shan Pu be very quiet. Quiet as grave." Akane completely
missed the savage look Shan Pu shot at Kodachi. "If Kodachi still
sick, Shan Pu know many remedy . . .old Amazon medicine cure all
illness."  Shan Pu stared directly at Kodachi . "Amazon medicine fix
all problems . . .fix for good." 

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

     "The Ginza? I don't know. Shan Pu and I usually practice . . .."
     "OH . . .but you must let me . . ."
     "What must let do?" Shan Pu hopped over the wall and stood in the
Kuno
compound garden staring at Kodach and Akane. "Find note Akanechan leave.
Akanechan no have to do anything she not want to do."
Kodachi's lips tightened infinitesimally but the smile never left her
face (and never
quite reached her eyes.)
     "I was just asking Akane to let me take her shopping at the Ginza
and then
to lunch . . .in appreciation for saving my life yesterday."
     "Window shopping and pork bun pretty cheap for saving life . .
.but you
know best what worth." Shan Pu grinned evilly at the dig.
Kodachi took a deep breath, then another. She would not let this . .
.this creature
bait her. The stakes were too high. And once her darling Ranmasama
were her's . .
.she would take care of the Amazon . . .yes and that peasant cook
person too.
     "Not just window shopping . . .I wish for Akanesan to have some
little
token of appreciation, in remembrance of her heroism . . .to
commemorate a deed
worthy of the best Samurai traditions.
Akane blushed at the praise . . .Shan Pu looked narrowly at Kodachi as
she
continued the fulsome praise.
     "Naturally no material object can adequately recompense for so
noble a life
as mine . . .this is instinctively understood by the better clas . .
.well this is
understood by persons such as Akanesan." Kodachi looked pityingly at
Shan Pu.
"Not being Japanese YOU could not be expected to understand the
natural bond that
exists between those of the Samurai class. And after shopping I shall
take my
DEAR FRIEND to an eating establishment worthy of her grace and
refinement."
     "Look pretty good for so beat up just yesterday . . .You make
very fast
recovery. Please share secret."
Before Kodachi could respond Akane broke in.
     "Shan Pu . . .why don't you come with us?" Akane was oblivious to
the
look the two girls exchanged over her head. "I know we were supposed
to practice .
. .but I'd really like to get you something nice." Akane pressed her
fingers together
in a nervous gesture. "I . . .uh . . .well you've been so nice and I
haven't . . .that is .
. ." Before Shan Pu could answer, a phone rang. Kodachi dipped into a
pocket and
pulled out a cell-phone. 
     "MoshiMoshi. Yes, she's here." Kodachi handed the phone to a
surprised
Shan Pu. After a sharp rapid exchange in Chinese Shan Pu handed the
phone back
to Kodachi.
     "Great-grandmother call. Many people in Nekohaten. Many take-out
order.
She say Shan Pu must come now. Help serve . . .help delivery." Shan Pu
glared at
Kodachi. "Very unusual number order this time of day . . .never have
so many
customer before . . ."
     "How dreadful." Kodachi's voice dripped sympathy. "Now you won't be
able to come with us. And I was SO looking forward to your company."
     "That's terrible Shan Pu." Akane agreed, missing Kodachi's tone
completely. "Maybe you can . . ."
     "Yes, yes . . .but we better let Shan Pu go now. It wouldn't do
for her to be
late for work." Shan Pu shot Kodachi a snarling look that promised
retribution and
sprang over the wall. She didn't know how Kodachi had arranged it but
she was
sure Kodachi had something to do with this sudden upsurge in the
Nekohaten's
popularity. 
     "Shall we?" Kodachi gestured toward a door leading into the main
house
from the gardens. "I thought you might like some refreshment before we
leave."
     "What?" Akane was staring after the disappearing Shan Pu, a
distressed
look on her face. "Oh, oh yes. Thank you that would be nice." Akane
paused a
moment . . .then hesitantly broached a question. "Ummm . . .Kodachi .
. .why are
you doing this? I mean . . .I'm not exactly one of your favorite
people . . .the last
time I was here you tried to feed me to . . ."
     "Oh ho ho." Kodachi covered her sudden confusion with a laugh, a
technique that had served her well throughout her life. She hadn't
expected Akane
to question her . . .she was supposed to be blinded by Kodachi's
generous
condensation . . .what right did this peasant have to question her . . .
     "Ah, I suppose I have no right to expect otherwise than you would
be
suspicious. There is always a natural antagonism between two
beautiful" Kodachi
repressed a gag reflex. "women such as ourselves." She glanced slyly
at Akane and
was gratified to notice a slight pink tinge on her cheeks at Kodachi's
words.
"Despite this inevitable conflict . . .it is only meet that I show my
gratitude and
honor your great skill and courage in saving the last daughter of the
house of
Kuno." Kodachi stopped and dropped to her knees lowering her head to
the floor in
a gesture usually seen only in old Samurai movies.
     "I am greatly in your debt. Please allow me to do this thing for
you."
Tremendously embarrassed Akane tried to tug Kodachi to her feet, all
suspicions
forgotten; just as Kodachi had planned. 
     "Please get up. I didn't mean . . ."
     "Thank you. You are very generous. And now . . .I have had
prepared some
tea and cakes that you may like. Our conveyance will be ready in a few
moments."


As Kodachi poured tea into tiny china cups, and placed some small
cakes onto
delicate plates Akane let her gaze wander the spacious room. Delicate
sixteenth
century silk hangings clashed oddly with heavy western style furniture
of some dark
wood. Against one wall she saw a mostly complete set of haramaki style
armor . .
.rare and beautiful jade carvings, gold and silver ornaments filled
every space in the
room. It was an oppressive and overwhelming display that felt like a
cross between a
museum and a dentists waiting room. Directly across from where she sat
Akane
could see a set of six-paneled gold screens making up a willow-bridge
painting, a
conventional theme with weeping willows standing beside a curving
wooden bridge.
This set was particularly beautiful ,and caught her eye for some
reason. The willow
branches on the left screen were hanging straight while those on the
right swayed, as
if a breeze were blowing through them. To the left was the moon; on
the right, no
moon. Abruptly Akane realized the screens were depicting the
transition from night
to day, the breeze being the first breath of dawn. As she studied the
screens she
noticed the branches of the willows on the left were bare while those
of the right
hand screens were sprouting young leaves; winter passing into spring!
Excitedly
Akane began to look for other hidden things. Then it hit; water wheels
turning under
the bridge, the bridge itself, a traditional symbol of messengers from
the other world,
was curving in a great arc toward the viewer. Everything in the
pictures was turning;
dark to light, old to new, the moment before glory.  Suddenly Akane
realized
Kodachi was staring at her, a strange look on her face..
     "Please forgive me, " Akane said blushing at her inattentiveness
. "But I
was admiring those screens. They're the most beautiful thing I've ever
seen."
     "Thank you."
For a moment Akane sat uncomprehending. "YOU painted that? It's so
beautiful."
Akane said excitedly. "You are extremely talented." 
Kodachi's features tightened and Akane suddenly realized she'd
unthinkingly
spoken as if she had a right to judge the worth of Kodachi's work or
as if she were
Kodachi's superior. 
     "Forgive me. Please forgive me. I only meant to say that I
admired your
work. How beautiful it is. And I wanted . . ."
     "There is nothing to forgive." Kodachi made a dismissive gesture.
"As the
one who preserved the life of the daughter of house Kuno, who better
has the right to
judge her worth?" There was a slight edge to the words. Before Akane
could respond
the air shuddered as a Bell Jet Ranger dropped into the grounds with a
great WHOP-
WHOP-WHOP sound. Bundling her guest into the helicopter Kodachi gave
the pilot
orders and off they flew to the Ginza.

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

     "THIS is all you want?" Kodachi pointed to the small bundle in
Akane's
arms. The fruits of an entire mornings intensive shopping. Hours of
Kodachi's
efforts to entice Akane with clothing, makeup, jewelry . . .after all
that to find Akane
with . . .
     "Brushes . . .you want . . .BRUSHES?" Kodachi's voice went up a
little on
the last note.
     "Ummm . . .and ink too . . . and paper. See?" Akane pulled her
prizes out of
the wrapping and thrust them beneath Kodachi's nose. "But you don't
have to worry,
I've already paid for them."
Kodachi held her temper with an effort. "But Akane - chan." She said
with the
sweetness of a spider asking a fly over for a bite of lunch. "YOU
aren't supposed to
pay . . .I AM supposed to get YOU a gift . . .for saving . . ."
     "OH . . .well . . .about that." Akane stumbled a bit over her
words. "Ummm
. .if you don't mind . . .that is . . .if you could . . ."

     "Yesssss." Get to the point you stupid bitch . . .and quit
wasting my valuable
time. She wanted to say. But of course she could not. The plan . .
.the plan . . .the
plan. Chanting this mantra, and thinking of her darling Ranmasama
helped her
tolerate . . .

     " . . . .so if you don't mind . .. I mean if you have the time .
.and. . ." Akane
noticed Kodachi glaring at her with eyes that were beginning to glaze
and finished in
a rush. 
"WouldyoupleaseteachmetopaintIwontbeanytroubleandI'llworkreallyhardbutitwassob
eautifulandI'dreallylikeyoutoteachmeplease."
Black spots dancing before her eyes Akane sucked in a great gulp of
air while
Kodachi struggled to translate.
     "You . . .want ME . . .to teach YOU . . .to paint?"
     "And calligraphy too, if you don't mind?" Akane looked at Kodachi
with
such hopeful pleading in her eyes that only a selfish unfeeling
monster could have
resisted. 
     Teach YOU." Kodachi thought savagely. TEACH YOU . . .harlot, whore,
man-stealing bitch. I'd rather see you in hell. TEACH YOU . . .you
illiterate ,
ignorant peasant. The Kamisama himself couldn't teach you to find your
bottom with
both hands.
     "You . . .surprise me Tendousan." Kodachi replied sweetly. "I
never thought
of teaching before. But if that is what you desire . . .I will try my
poor best to . . ."
     "OH, thank you Kodachi. Thank you." Akane said excitedly, grabbing
Kodachi in a spontaneous hug. "You won't regret this."
     "I'm sure I will not." Kodachi replied, controlling her revulsion
at Akane's
touch with comforting thoughts of Akane's death . "Now, I think we
should have
lunch."

********************************************************************
     "Do you know anyone who eats here?"
Kodachi's  conversation with the owner of the Doi, a lavish restaurant
in the eastern
hills of Kyoto, was not going well. 
     "I am Kuno Kodachi. That I honor your establishment with my
presence
should be . . ."
     "I am very sorry." Her soft voice did not sound in the least
sorry. "But I
must respectfully advise you to . . .forget it!"
Stunned at the excruciatingly polite  refusal Kodachi could only stare
after the
departing owner in mounting fury. Before she could act on that fury,
an act that
would likely have landed her in court or worse, Akane laid a hand on
her arm.
     "I'm sorry. I could have told you if I'd known what you wanted. 
You're
ichigen, an out-of-towner. Most places in Kyoto are like this, 
wouldn't let the
Emperor himself in without an introduction from a regular customer. 
Kodachi couldn't believe it. How dare they! This had never happened
before. In
Tokyo . . .
     "You're not in Tokyo." Akane said sympathetically. Kodachi
realized in
startled embarrassment she'd spoken aloud. 
     "This is Kyoto. Here, things are a little . . .different." Akane
thought for a
moment. "Come on. I know a perfect place. The Doi's too stuffy anyway."
Bemused Kodachi followed her new guide, only realizing later from
Akane's
statement that SHE must have eaten at the Doi before.  Some time later
Kodachi
found herself in a older part of the city, not far(according to Akane)
from the geisha
district of Gion. Walking down the narrow streets Akane gave a little
running
commentary on what they saw. Kyoto had been, Akane said, the center of
crafts such
as woodwork, silk weaving and dying and lacquer ware. Even though most
of the old
city had been destroyed, in a deliberate act of self-hatred Akane knew
of a few places
that still kept the old ways. This was one of them.  All of the shops
were intensely
specialized. Here Kodachi saw a store selling beans; in front of the
shop were four
trays, displaying black, white, red and purple beans. Nothing else. 
In another display
window Kodachi saw a gourd-shaped vase on a red lacquer stand. From
the vase a
single flower stretched forth. Next to it hung a scroll with a
whimsical paining of a
flower. It was, Akane informed Kodachi, the shop of Kusakasama, one of
Japan's
premier scroll mounters. An expert in ancient script, and other
antiquities. Kodachi
was a Tokyo-ite, rarely leaving the environs of the metropolis. This
walking tour of
old Kyoto had all the fascination of an excursion to Mars. Finally
they came to
Imamiya Shrine where two old aburi mochi shops faced each other.
Entering one of
the shops Akane bowed and murmured something  to the owner. As Kodachi
watched rice cakes were put on bamboo skewers, covered with sweet miso
sauce,
then grilled over charcoal. Kodachi couldn't believe it when Akane
motioned her to
join her in a tatami room. Gingerly sitting on the old tattered mats
and looking
around at the shabby room and gardens she was appalled.
     "I love it here." Akane suddenly announced, taking a bite of her
sweet rice
cake. "Tokyo smells of money . . .everything is polished and sterile.
And the Kyoto
city council has destroyed most of the old city in an effort to
'modernize'. But this."
Akane waved at the old tattered room, the gardens worn with age and
use. "This is
beautiful . . .you can tell that it's loved and appreciated."
Almost against her will Kodachi was drawn under the spell of the old
town . . .eating
the sweet rice cakes, talking leisurely of nothing at all. As the
shadows lengthened
and the soft golden glow of the setting sun was replaced by the silver
light of the
rising moon Kodachi realized how much she was enjoying this quiet
moment, and
made a mental note to ask the "voice" not to make Akane's death  too
painful.
                                        

  End Chapter 3
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