In the Qinghai Province of China lies a valley of pools, hidden by the
Bayankala Range and shrouded in mysteries.  Those who have been lucky or
unlucky enough to find the cursed springs of Jyusenkyou, know the true horror
that lay hidden beneath the surface.  Every couple of generations, a victim of
Jyusenkyou shall not only inherit the body of what last drowned within the
spring but also their soul and with it their knowledge.  

      *I can't believe I turn into a girl,* Ranma thought.  

      *What's so bad about being a girl?* a voice within Ranma's head asked.

      *Girls are weak and I'M A GUY!* Ranma mentally shouted the last part.

      Images of battles started to flood Ranma's mind.  In each one, he could
see a different girl take on dozen of men with weapons.  Somehow, Ranma knew
the men were part of the Musk Empire and the girls were members of
Joketsuzoku.  *Girls are not weak, Ranma.*

      *Who are you,* Ranma asked.

      *I am you.  I am a part of your soul now.*

      *Why is it that you are finally talking to me?*

      *Because of Jyusenkyou.*

      *Huh?*

      *Every generation plus or minus a few, a victim of Jyusenkyou will not
only inherit the body of the drowned victim but also its soul.  You were lucky
enough to have been chosen.*

      *Why is it lucky?*

      *Because you have the knowledge of all those that have gone before you.
Did you know I've been speaking Chinese?*

      *Cool.  Anything else I should know?* 

      *Just that I am a part of you and do not wish you harm.*

      For some reason, Ranma felt deep down that what he had heard was the
truth.  Cresing the hill, Ranma could see a village filled with women.  He
instantly knew the village before him was called Joketsuzoku.  Heading down
the the village, Ranma was watching the last fight when the guide's shout
caught his attention.  

     "Sir, What you do?" the guide shouted at Genma, who was busy eating his
fill.

      At this moment, a girl with purple hair leaped from the log and
approached the trio.  <Today I become champion.  Why you eat Xian Pu's prize,>
she spoke.

      Before the guide could translate, Ranma bowed to Shampoo.   pointing at
the tranformed Genma to indicate who he was talking about, <have been on the
road for some time and he could not contain his hunger any longer.  If I
challenge you for the prize would you object?>

      <Outsider no win,> Shampoo spoke in a confident voice.  

      Taking their respected places, Ranma and Shampoo squared off against
each other upon the log.

      Hopping over to the guide, a short old lady balancing on a cane asked,
<Why did that outsider call the panda her father?>

      <Young sir and his father have tragic accident at Jyusenkyou.>

      <So the girl is really a boy?>

      <Yes.>

      Before Cologne could say anything else, the guide's eyes widen in fear.
Grabbing both his clients, he rushed off, saying something about the kiss of
death.

     Shaking her head, Cologne stopped Shampoo from chasing them and explained
the situation.

      A few miles away, <Why are we running away?> Ranma asked the guide.

      <Amazon girl give you kiss of death!> the guide exclaimed.

      Knocking the guide in the head, <That is if the outsider is female and I
AM A MAN!> Ranma explained, punctuating the last three words in his sentence.

      Pointing at Ranma's breast, <You no boy right now!> the guide replied.

      Looking at her chest, <Opps, sorry!>

      Genma was confused.  *When did the boy learn Chinese?* he thought.
Waving a sign in the air, "I can't speak Chinese!!!"

To be continued: