Switching Heirs:
An Altered Destiny

By: Dreiser

-Nineteen-

	"It was a dark and stormy night," noted a cloaked figure in dry 
tones as it paused in the winding streets of Nerima to observe the 
increasing levels of rainfall. Pulling the hood closer to it's face the 
figure muttered, "Sometimes this job just seems like one giant cliche."
	An echoing crash of thunder sounded and the air crackled 
with electricity causing the figure to pause in its steady walk. "I can 
sense it," said the figure. "The great evil that Grandmother warned me 
about. The reason I've been sent here."
	Tapering hands reached up to trace the outline of the hood 
which was pulled away to reveal the sharp features of a beautiful 
young girl with mahogany hair pulled back in an odd odango styling. A 
dangerous glint appeared in her eyes as she yanked off the rest of her 
cloak in a dramatic gesture and flung it into the wind. Raising her 
hands in the air the girl held a golden whip in her grasp and as it shone 
in the darkness of the rain filled night she declared loudly, "Hear me 
demon! I, Mano Ayako the 109th Devil Hunter, am coming for you!"
	After these words were spoken another crash of thunder 
sounded and the girl known as Mano Ayako disappeared into the 
night with a series of abrupt sneezes following her. Her departure left 
the few Nerima citizens who noticed her actions more than a little bit 
wary about just what was happening in their all too unusual district 
now.

	Across town the rain hit the pavement making a strangely 
peaceful scene. It was a scene that wouldn't last as the piercing 
screams of several hundred women resonated in the air while they 
chased a diminutive man out of the local bath house. The man seemed 
unconcerned with their hostility and laughed quite freely as he 
bounded off into the rainy night while shouting a cheery goodbye.
	Losing the mob of angry women quite easily the man chuckled 
to himself as he said, "Sorry my dears. It takes more than a few angry 
words and some hastily thrown objects to stop me when I'm in need 
of a recharge."
	Breaking out into hearty laughter the man was about to say 
something more when he abruptly stopped in his roof top run as a 
shadowy figure appeared before him. Narrowing his eyes the man 
stood his ground but cautiously observed the statuesque figure as it 
moved gracefully forward to reveal its face in the light of the street 
lamp.
	"Happosai," said the voice from long ago. "How fortunate I 
am to have found you so quickly." Stepping fully into the light the 
sculptured features of the oni Ganglot were shown and sensing his 
surprise she smiled. "Not expecting me my disciple? That's quite all 
right. A normal reaction considering how I've been out of the game for 
some time now."
	Slowly pulling down the ninja style mask he'd been wearing 
Happosai questioned, "How?" Stepping forward hesitantly he stared 
at her svelte figure in amazement, eyeing the school uniform with some 
speculation. "I saw you drown in that spring. The Guide said that you 
would never be reborn, that the energies weren't right..."
	"Energies," scoffed Ganglot as she casually flipped some silver 
hair over her shoulder. "It had nothing to do with energies. I was 
waiting."
	"Waiting?" questioned Happosai.
	"Yes," said Ganglot. "I was waiting for the perfect vessel to 
arrive. It took quite some time to find the one who would serve me 
best but I eventually found her. And now she has finally succumbed to 
my will. Thus leaving me free to use this body however I wish." 
Pausing Ganglot inclined her head to one side, a glint showing in her 
golden eyes as a feline smile spread across her beautiful features. "Do 
you recall the promise you made me Happy?"
	Acting on sheer reflex Happosai backed away from the oni 
and said, "I remember." Tearing his gaze from her grip he asked 
hesitantly, "What do you want from me?"
	An ethereal light shone on Ganglot's features as lightning 
struck, accenting her every feature to make them all the more 
frightening. Seconds later thunder crashed and a smiling Ganglot said, 
"Your heir. I want Kuonji Ukyo for my very own. She is to be the 
next of my sacred chosen."

	Shivering a bit as the echoing sound of thunder met his ears 
Ukyo wished that the weather straight out of the bad horror movies 
would go away already. It was really starting to wear on his nerves. 
That and he found it fit the current mood of the dojo a little too well 
for his liking.
	"You mean to say that this... woman trapped you in your male 
form?" questioned Natsume bitterly as she shifted her tawny eyes 
from Ukyo to Cologne then back again.
	Ukyo gave a silent nod then Natsume met Kurumi's eyes and 
together the twins turned to face Cologne as they slowly stood up. 
Raising her weapon, that had since been identified by the others as a 
rug beater, in her grip Natsume said, "I can never forgive such a 
thing..."
	"We demand you return Ukyo back to her proper form right 
now!" shouted Kurumi in certain outrage as she yanked the oversized 
ribbon from her hair.
	"I'm afraid that cannot be," said Cologne in calm polite tones. 
She steadily observed the actions of the two girls with a gleam of 
interest floating in her gaze. "Until I have discovered exactly where 
certain loyalties lie Kuonji shall have to remain in her current 
condition. It is a test of not only her will but her own iinazuke's 
strength."
	"Very well," seethed Natsume as she summoned the icy chill 
that was the power of her chi.
	"You leave us no choice," finished Kurumi as she herself 
summoned the fiery heat of her own chi.
	"No!" the shout of Perfume pierced the air as the Amazon 
Enforcer retrieved her axes and stood protectively in front of 
Cologne. "I no let you hurt Great Grandmother. You want her you go 
through me first."
	"And me," said Shampoo, rising to her feet to join her Cousin 
in forming a protective wall to guard Cologne. "I no let you hurt Great 
Grandmother either. I no like what she do to my Airen but she still is 
my Great Grandmother and Matriarch. So," said Shampoo while 
flexing her hands which caused her bonbori to appear in her grasp. 
"What you do now? We fight?"
	"As I thought," Natsume bit out. "You don't even care for 
Ukyo... you turn on her at the first chance. What kind of person are 
you Shampoo? You claim to love Ukyo but you'll defend the monster 
who did this to her?"
	"You don't know the meaning of love," Kurumi said in disgust. 
"How could you? You're an Amazon."
	"What you say?" asked Shampoo in certain rage as she took 
a step forward.
	"You heard her," replied Natsume icily. "No Amazon could 
possibly know the meaning of true love."
	"That it," hissed Perfume, moving forward to join Shampoo as 
they prepared to attack. "I no let you insult any Amazon sister in such 
manner. Especially not the Champion of our tribe. You will pay."
	"As will you," said Kurumi tartly. "For what you've done to 
little Ukyo."
	Just as battle auras were flaring to the highest level a calm 
clear voice cut through the air and announced with definite authority, 
"Enough!"
	Simultaneously all the heads in the room turned to stare at the 
figure of someone unfamiliar to most and long lost to the others. But to 
one person in particular they were the best sight for their sore eyes.
	"Master Happosai!" cried Ukyo joyfully as he leapt from his 
sitting position to dash to the side of the man he had served faithfully 
for so many years. Kneeling before him Ukyo continued, "You've 
finally come back! I thought you'd never get here!"
	Smiling indulgently Happosai gently touched Ukyo's shoulder. 
A gesture which caused Ukyo to loose all the stress he has previously 
possessed in his body. Then in a decisive movement Happosai turned 
his penetrating gaze to Cologne and said in steely tones, "What's this I 
hear about you bothering my little Ukyo?"

	Breathing heavily Kodachi ran like madwoman through the 
long halls to her huge ancestral estate until she at last reached the 
bedroom that was once hers alone but she now shared happily with 
Sakura. She had frantically searched the gym and their spacious 
entertainment room, the two most likely places for Sakura to wander, 
and had come up empty. And as her quest to find her beloved 
became more futile by the minute Kodachi's panic grew to mammoth 
levels.
	Violet eyes scanned their bedroom in a frenzy of energy when 
a low chuckle filled the air. A shiver ran down Kodachi's spine as she 
turned towards the sound of the laughter. Slowly the figure of a svelte 
woman shimmered into view in front of her and Kodachi stared at the 
woman with wide eyes. Several moments passed before she could 
finally access that the woman was wearing Sakura's school uniform.
	"No..." whispered Kodachi in tormented disbelief. "No... no... 
it cannot be."
	"Kuno Kodachi," the woman breathed, tilting her silver head 
to gaze at Kodachi closely. "She confesses much to me about you... 
your Sakura darling does. That is what you like to call her, isn't it? 
Your Sakura darling."
	"What have you done with her?" asked Kodachi, her eyes 
pleading with the woman for an answer.
	"I have done nothing with her," the woman replied. "It was her 
who did this when she surrendered her will over to me. Her spirit has 
been buried beneath my own. She is as I was before I was granted 
freedom. Right now I'm all that remains of your Sakura darling."
	Lowering her raven head Kodachi clenched her fists quivering 
in barely controlled rage. "Who," she pronounced bitterly. "Are you?"
	"Who am I?" repeated the woman. "I am your Sakura 
darling's curse. I am the oni Ganglot."
	A split second after she said this Kodachi flew at Ganglot in 
an act of absolute fury. Her nails digging into the milky white skin of 
the oni's neck the dark gymnast met their eyes as she hissed, "Give 
her back to me demon. Give her back to me or I swear I'll kill you."
	"Foolish child," said Ganglot gently. "You cannot kill me and 
even if you could, doing so would remove any chance you might have 
of seeing your precious Sakura ever again. Now," Ganglot said with 
slow deliberation as she tenderly disengaged Kodachi's frozen hands 
from around her neck. "Do you realize the ramifications of such a folly 
as attempting to injure my person?"
	Violet eyes helplessly lifted to meet gleaming golden ones. 
"Yes," whispered Kodachi. "I do."
	"Good," said Ganglot, her hand moving to lightly caress 
Kodachi's cheek. "Because I have a task arranged especially for your 
talents Miss Kuno."

	Ganglot observed as Kodachi's trim figure disappeared into 
the night with some satisfaction. The girl was really quite skilled and 
would be of enormous use.
	She did feel for Kodachi... she didn't like the idea of using the 
girl's love for Sakura against her in this way but it was necessary to 
the plan. Besides that, if things were to work out perfectly she would 
need Kodachi on her side. The gymnast was the key to winning 
Sakura over completely and when that happened the merging would 
be complete.
	"Soon," said Ganglot softly. "This will all be done and life will 
be as it should. I merely have to take care of the last minute details."
	"And what details would that be demon?" demanded a harsh 
voice and Ganglot shifted her gaze to the svelte figure that appeared in 
the rain soaked night.
	"A Devil Hunter," stated Ganglot as she took in the girl's 
outfit. "How utterly predictable. I'm not in the mood to play with you 
now little girl. Go and hunt a demon you'd actually have a chance of 
beating."
	The girl released an abrupt sneeze then pulled out a golden 
whip and declared, "I am Mano Ayako, the 109th Devil Hunter, and I 
will destroy you!"
	"Well," Ganglot sighed. "You can't say that I didn't warn you."
	Ganglot stepped out into the night dark from the after effects 
of the falling rain and prepared to do battle with the Devil Hunter.

	"Belldandy," said Urd as she set down her dinner on the table 
and floated to her feet. She looked to Belldandy and said, "Do you 
feel it? She's finally awake."
	"Oh dear," said Belldandy quietly. "I do hope she doesn't 
cause too much trouble." Rising to her feet she smoothed out her 
dress and continued, "At least Keiichi isn't here. I know he wouldn't 
like what we're about to do."
	"Pff," dismissed Urd with a wave of her hand. "Keiichi is a 
bore. He doesn't like anything fun."
	"Most wouldn't call trying to stop a renegade demon fun Urd," 
Belldandy noted. "I'll go to her first... she won't be all that happy to 
see you again. You go and find Skuld."
	"Skuld?" whined Urd as her face scrunched up. "Why do we 
need that little brat?"
	"Urd," said Belldandy in warning tones. "You know we'll need 
Skuld's power if Ganglot refuses to cooperate. We can't possibly 
restrain her on our own."
	Scowling Urd muttered, "Fine. I'll go find Skuld but you owe 
me for this."
	"I know," said Belldandy with a smile as she watched Urd 
walk over to the television set. "Hopefully by the time you arrive I'll 
have her calmed down."
	Urd snorted at this as she slipped into the television screen. 
"Don't get your hopes up. I've known Ganglot ever since we were 
kids and she's a stubborn one."
	"Like some goddesses I might mention," Belldandy teased and 
smiled as she saw Urd stick out her tongue before transporting away. 
Now left alone the elegant goddess sighed then said, "I do hope she'll 
listen to reason."

	"Cologne," pronounced Happosai grimly as his eyes bore into 
hers. A moment of pure electricity passed between them when 
Happosai suddenly burst into tears and wailed, "How could you trap 
my little Ukyo as a boy?! It's inhumane! There are far too many boys 
in the world!"
	The dojo was filled with the sound of a large crash as 
everyone present except Happosai and Cologne collapsed to the 
ground. Cologne sighed at this then lifted her staff to hit Happosai on 
the top of his head as she said, "Can't you be serious for even a 
moment?"
	"You want serious?" said Happosai as he moved in battle 
stance. "I'll give you serious. On the behalf of little Ukyo I challenge 
you to a duel for the Phoenix pill!"
	Narrowing her gaze Cologne replied, "I accept."
	With that the two wrinkled martial arts Masters flew at each 
other at speeds so fast that they appeared to be nothing more than a 
blur to the naked eye. The entire group of dojo occupants was so 
mesmerized by watching what glimpses they could catch of the fight 
that no one noticed when the stealthy form of Kodachi dropped from 
her place hanging upside down on the ceiling to land behind Ukyo.
	Kodachi produced a black rose from thin air and softly 
touching it's petals released a small puff of gas behind Ukyo's head. 
The gas moved in slow wafts of air which the okonomiyaki chef 
unwittingly breathed in and seconds later Ukyo quietly slumped back 
against Kodachi who caught the bishonen boy in her grasp. It was 
then that Ranma turned his attention to his iinazuke to make a 
comment and saw the scene at hand.
	"Hey!" Ranma exclaimed as he rose to his feet. "What do you 
think you're doing Dachi?"
	Violet eyes lifted to meet cobalt ones and Kodachi said 
painfully, "Forgive me my friends. I must do as she asks for the sake 
of my dearest Sakura."
	Before anyone could react to this Kodachi produced a smoke 
bomb and threw it on the floor. And as a thick cloud of smoke 
enveloped the dojo the dark gymnast made her escape carrying an 
unconscious Ukyo in her arms.

	"I have you demon!" cried Ayako in triumph as she wrapped 
her whip around Ganglot's forearm.
	Staring at the whip with certain disdain Ganglot met the Devil 
Hunter's gaze then said, "You must be kidding." With a flick of her 
wrist the oni caused the whip to unwrap as a massive wave of energy 
flowed through it towards Ayako.
	Tan eyes widened in shock and as the energy entered her 
system Ayako released a scream of pure agony before she flew high 
into the air only to land in the arms of a surprised Kuno who was 
following his escaping sister along with the rest of the Tendo dojo 
household.
	"Maiden?" questioned Kuno as he looked upon the beautiful 
yet dazed features of the slowly awakening Ayako. "Are you injured?"
	"Hmm?" said Ayako blearily. Blinking several times she stared 
up at Kuno's handsome face in awe before she coughed and said in 
husky tones, "I'm fine..." She held his gaze a moment longer as he 
gently allowed her stand on the ground. Ayako then whirled around to 
face Ganglot who was gingerly taking the burden of the male Ukyo 
from Kodachi's arms and into her own. "Demon!" Ayako declared as 
she snapped her whip into place. "This is far from over! I won't allow 
you to possess innocent people!"
	Not moving her gaze from Ukyo's peaceful features while she 
pushed a stray lock of hair out of his eyes Ganglot said, "My current 
situation wasn't of my own doing human. Someone else caused this 
travesty." Golden eyes lifted to search decisively through the crowd. 
"Isn't that right Cologne?"
	"Ganglot," said Cologne in bitter contempt as she hopped 
forward on her staff. "I should have known you were behind this 
trickery. What is it you're after?"
	"Oh," said Ganglot casually. "Nothing much. Just the 
opportunity to secure my place in this world."
	"Fiend," hissed Ayako and in a flash of movement she sprung 
into action. Just as she was about to pounce on Ganglot once more 
Kodachi intercepted her and smoothly wrapped her violet ribbon 
around Ayako's ankles.
	The Devil Hunter landed on the street with a loud thud and 
Kuno rushed to her side. Bending over the fallen warrior he looked to 
his sister and said, "Why are you doing this? Surely you have not 
allied yourself with a being of such obvious nefarious tendencies?"
	"Brother dear," said Kodachi in choked tones, wavering in her 
protective stance in front of Ganglot. "I cannot allow any of you to 
harm this creature because beneath it all lies the soul of my dearest 
Sakura."
	"Sakura?" said Ryoga quietly. Pushing through the crowd he 
blinked when he saw Ganglot. "You again?!" He narrowed his gaze 
and said lowly, "It doesn't matter. I've gotten rid of you before and I 
can do it again. Someone go get me some hot water..."
	Taken aback by the lost boy's sudden appearance Ganglot 
smiled and murmured, "Ryoga-kun. Every time I see you the 
resemblance to your Mother strikes me."
	Ryoga was stunned at this and at his side Ranma cried out, 
"Let go of Ucchan!" He was about to move forward in an attack 
when Cologne's staff stopped him.
	"No," said Cologne solemnly from where she stood on the 
ground holding her staff to keep Ranma from making his attack. "She 
would surely defeat you Son-in-law and I will not have Shampoo 
grieving both her Airen." Cologne looked to Happosai and said, "He's 
the one who knows what this creature wants with Kuonji."
	All eyes turned to Happosai and Soun was the first to react as 
he said, "Is this true Master?"
	"You always did like dramatic revelations," groused Happosai 
as he glared at Cologne. He turned his gaze to Ranma and Shampoo 
who wore the same frightened expressions. "Don't worry," he assured 
them calmly. "She won't hurt little Ukyo. If anything she wants to help 
her."
	"Demon want help Airen?" asked Shampoo doubtfully. 
Scarlet eyes looked to Ganglot who was placing her hands on Ukyo's 
forehead as glow surrounded them.
	The oni began to chant softly and the blue light increased in 
brightness and when it faded away shimmering particles fell off Ukyo 
who was now in her natural female form. Ganglot looked to Cologne 
and said, "It seems I've undone your petty schemes yet again."
	"Ucchan!" cried Ranma and Shampoo simultaneously as they 
dashed to Ukyo's side who was still unconscious.
	"She'll be fine in a few moments," said Ganglot in soft almost 
kindly tones.
	"Why did you do this?" questioned Cologne sharply. "What 
interest do you have in young Kuonji?"
	"Ukyo is of my chosen," replied Ganglot as she relished the 
look of shock on Cologne's wrinkled features. "That's right Cologne. 
I've finally been granted my revenge. There's no way you'll be able to 
push me out of this world again. I have too big a foothold now."
	"Who wants you to leave?" questioned a gentle melodic voice 
as a figure slowly appeared next to Ganglot.
	Golden eyes widened and the Ganglot whispered in 
revelation, "Belldandy."
	"Hello Ganglot," said Belldandy politely. "It's good to see you 
again after so many years."
	"My Goddess..." breathed a shocked Cologne.
	Turning her attention to the Amazon Matriarch the goddess 
Belldandy smiled and said, "Cologne. It's a pleasure to finally meet 
you my chosen."
	"A pleasure?" growled Ganglot as she fumed. "Do you know 
what this mortal did to me?! She imprisoned me in that Jusenkyo 
spring out of sheer spite!"
	"Well," said Belldandy hesitantly as she looked a bit bemused. 
"Technically that's true but it wasn't you she was trying to banish when 
she made that wish." The goddess was slightly red as she continued, "I 
do dislike to point the finger of blame but I'm afraid it was more Urd's 
fault than anyone else's. You see, when Cologne told Urd that her 
wish was to banish the 'evil demon' she wasn't talking about you, 
Ganglot, she was talking about him..." Belldandy trailed off as she 
gestured towards Happosai who stared at her with wide eyes.
	"It figures," muttered Genma darkly.
	"I should've known," growled Soun harshly.
	Meanwhile Happosai was trying to deal with the fact that 
Cologne had wanted to banish him. "Hey!" he exclaimed as he looked 
to the Amazon Matriarch. "That's not true is it?"
	"It's completely true," said Cologne dryly. "You were a 
continual nuisance to us you realize. When the goddess Urd came 
before me saying that she could grant me wish I could think of nothing 
I wanted more than to be rid of you." She turned her gaze to Ganglot 
and said, "Unfortunately she misunderstood my words and delivered 
sentence unto you. We have never been on the best of terms but it 
was never my intention for you to be sealed in that Jusenkyo spring."
	"So you see?" said Belldandy, offering a soothing smile. "You 
needn't carry out this plan on revenge against my chosen. It was never 
her fault, it was Urd's."
	"Urd..." seethed Ganglot while she twitched with barely 
restrained rage. When this moment passed she looked to Happosai 
and said, "It seems that your debt to me is larger than I thought my 
disciple. Will you finally relinquish your heir to me? I have greater use 
for her now."
	Happosai clenched his jaw in deep contemplation as he 
considered his answer when Ukyo blearily opened her eyes. Sitting up 
she said, "What's going on?" Ukyo paused as she realized that she 
was in back in her natural female form. "No way!" she exclaimed 
happily before she embraced Ranma and Shampoo in a mutual hug. "I 
can't believe it! How'd this happen?" asked Ukyo as she pulled out of 
the hug. Looking at their frozen faces she frowned before following 
their gazes to look at the at the sharp features of Ganglot. "Who're 
you?" Ukyo questioned. 
	"I'm the oni Ganglot," replied Ganglot simply. "Your true 
Master."
	"An oni? My Master?" repeated Ukyo blankly. She focused 
on the pained form of Kodachi who was standing at Ganglot's side 
and whispered, "You mean you're the oni from Sakura's curse? Oh 
no..."
	"Oh yes!" proclaimed Ayako as she pushed through the 
crowd. Cutting her hand through the air she pointed at Ganglot and 
said, "I've had enough of this demon! It is my duty as the 109th Devil 
Hunter to slay you!"
	Sighing at this Ganglot covered her eyes with her hand and 
muttered, "Not again..." Lifting her gaze she said in exasperation, 
"What do I have to do to get rid of you?"
	"You can do nothing demon!" said Ayako haughtily then in a 
lightning fast movement she flung her whip through the air to wrap it 
around Ganglot's wrist. "You shall never be rid of me! I will hunt you 
till your death day!"
	"Oh my," said Belldandy and Kasumi simultaneously before 
they looked at one another then did a double take.
	Ayako was readying herself for yet another attack on Ganglot 
when suddenly Happosai's fleet figure jumped up behind her and 
struck a pressure point on the back of her neck causing the Devil 
Hunter to collapse in Kuno's waiting arms. Landing on the ground 
Happosai said, "I hate to do that to such a pretty lady but you left me 
no choice. I can't let you attack my Master."
	"Your Master?" all the dojo occupants mimicked.
	"Is there an echo?" said Ganglot sardonically. "You heard 
correctly. I'm his Master. Who do you think granted him the wish that 
gave Happosai his wondrous skills in the martial arts? It isn't like 
every panty thief in existence has his kind of power."
	"Master Happosai," began Natsume with alarm as she went to 
Happosai's side.
	"Is this true?" finished Kurumi as she knelt at Happosai's other 
side.
	Scratching the back of his head Happosai clucked his tongue 
then said easily, "You betcha."
	There was a loud thump as nearly everyone toppled over in 
surprise at this response. Sighing at this reaction Ganglot explained, 
"Like my goddess counterparts as an oni I too am allowed to grant 
the wishes of those approved by the system. Happosai was one such 
individual and I granted him the wish to be the most powerful martial 
artist in the world."
	"That explains some things," said Nodoka dryly. "I should've 
known the little pervert could've never been that powerful without 
some sort of magic."
	"Happosai is one of Ganglot's chosen," informed Belldandy 
pleasantly as she smiled softly. "Just as Cologne is one of my own. 
Those who are the chosen of deities such as us are often blessed with 
special abilities and long lives."
	"No wonder we couldn't kill him," said Genma lowly to Soun 
who nodded his head in morose agreement.
	"Wait a minute," said Ranma as he stood in front of Ukyo and 
Shampoo rather protectively. "If Happosai is your chosen then why 
are you so interested in Ucchan?"
	Studying Ranma with curious golden eyes Ganglot replied, 
"From each generation I must chose those whom I will imbue with 
some of my own essence. When doing so I grant my chosen a portion 
of my own abilities while I in turn am able to learn the lessons of 
humanity through them." She paused to consider her next words 
carefully. "This process is especially important due to my... unique 
situation. If I do not imbue my essence into a mortal I will fade from 
existence entirely."
	"What?" asked Cologne sharply. "I didn't know this."
	"Few do," said Ganglot as she offered a wan smile. "I didn't 
want to possess the body of Kurasawa Sakura but I had little choice. 
Out of the hundreds who have visited Jusenkyo only she fit all the 
requirements needed in order to endure what I must do for my 
survival..." Golden eyes turned to the figure of Kodachi who had 
lightly touched her forearm. "Do not worry," she said in loving tones 
as she delicately ran her fingertips across Kodachi's cheek. "I won't 
harm her. When this is all over with Sakura will be alive and well."
	"And you?" asked Kodachi. "What becomes of you when my 
dearest Sakura returns?"
	"The merging process will begin and then the day will come 
when we two are one," informed Ganglot quietly. "In other words I 
will become a part of Sakura. That is why making Ukyo one of my 
chosen is so important to me. She alone has a strong enough aura to 
take in a portion of my essence. If Ukyo does this the effect will slow 
the eventual merging to give my and Sakura's soul a greater amount of 
time for adjustment to our ultimate fate."
	There was a long moment of silence as everyone digested 
Ganglot's words when Ukyo stepped forward and said firmly, "I'll do 
it. I'll be the next of your chosen."
	"NO!" cried Ranma and Shampoo together in emphatic tones.
	Shampoo was the first to rush forward and clutching to 
Ukyo's arm she said, "Airen no do this. Is very bad to side with 
demon."
	"Shampoo," said Ukyo softly as she looked to the Amazon. "I 
have to do this, for Sakura's sake. She was my first love and I still 
care for her deeply. I can't turn my back on her. Besides," Ukyo said 
while she looked to Ranma then reached out to hold his hand. "I don't 
think she'll hurt me. The Master wouldn't allow that..."
	"He wouldn't?" said Soun and Genma skeptically.
	"Of course not!" said Happosai indignantly before he hit the 
both of them over the head with his pipe. "I would never let anything 
bad happen to my chosen heir!"
	"One of your few redeeming qualities," said Cologne in 
sarcastic tones. She looked to Belldandy then continued more 
respectfully, "My Goddess... a question if I may?"
	"Certainly," replied Belldandy as she tipped her shining 
chestnut head to one side.
	"My time has long past as your chosen," said Cologne 
regretfully. "And that duty has been past on to my Great 
Granddaughter Shampoo. For the past weeks I have been placing 
both her Airen through great trials in hopes of discovering the purity of 
their hearts so I might determine if their pairing would be apt for all 
involved. In particular I had doubts when it came to Ukyo whom I 
knew to be the heir to Happosai who was in turn entangled in this 
demon's web," Cologne paused to gesture towards Ganglot. "But 
you, who are so much wiser than I, know their true hearts 
instinctively. Might you tell me if Shampoo has made the right choice 
in regards to her Airen?"
	Belldandy was silent for a long moment as she wore a 
thoughtful expression then forming the sweetest of smiles she said, "I 
can find no better pairing if I searched the world through. For they 
each represent an ideal placement in this world. Shampoo is a 
reflection of myself and represents the present. Ukyo is now a 
reflection of Ganglot and in turn is linked to the past as she is. While 
Ranma..." she trailed off to gaze at the wide eyed pigtailed boy. "Is the 
most important element of all. The future." Turning back to Cologne 
the goddess smile widened and she said, "Yes. I approve of this 
pairing indeed. And so should you my chosen."
	"It's like scales," said Nabiki to herself then jumped when 
everyone turned her way. She looked somewhat embarrassed as she 
explained, "Together they're equal and everything is even but if you 
take one of the elements away it goes all out of whack."
	"You're a clever one, aren't you?" said Ganglot with an 
interested gleam in her golden eyes. "That's precisely the logistics of 
the pairing. Only it's Ranma who remains the equalizing element. As 
Belldandy said, he is most important, for it is he who links them all 
together. You see," Ganglot began in slow careful tones. "From each 
generation there is a nexus. A single person who is the focal point for 
all the cosmic energy from which millions of realities diverge. Upon 
that person's decisions the world around them slowly shifts and 
changes to their will. And for this generation that person is Ranma. 
Only he as the nexus can level the influence that Belldandy and I grant 
over our chosen."
	On hearing this Ranma looked like he could be tipped over 
with a feather he was so shocked. Finally he managed to whisper in 
stunned tones of disbelief, "Are you sure?"
	"She speaks the truth," said Belldandy in gentle reassuring 
tones as she offered the kindest of smiles. "You may have never 
thought so but you are a very significant person in history Saotome 
Ranma." She walked forward with graceful strides and stopped in 
front of Ranma to lean in then whisper in his ear, "They need you just 
as surely as you need them... I know you have doubts and fears about 
their love but listen to me now when I their feelings are true." Pulling 
back Belldandy smiled again and lightly touched his cheek with the 
back of her hand. "Trust in your heart and it will never lead you 
astray." She then turned her attention to Cologne as she questioned, 
"Have they passed their tests my chosen?"
	Cologne flushed bright red while Shampoo and Perfume 
observed her with interest. Coughing a bit Cologne replied politely, 
"Absolutely my Goddess. They've passed them with flying colors."
	There was a single second of complete silence then in 
combination Ukyo and Shampoo released cries of joy as they both 
embraced Ranma with certain excitement.
	"This has been an odd day," Natsume noted and next to her 
Kurumi could only nod in agreement.
	"Saotome," said Soun lowly to his friend. "Cologne has just 
given her approval for Shampoo marrying both Ukyo and Ranma. 
You know what that means don't you?"
	"Oh yeah," replied Genma proudly as he formed a wide grin. 
"My son is a man amongst men all right."
	From behind the two men Nodoka held back the urge to 
smack her husband in the back of the head for saying that and merely 
sighed deeply in reservation. Standing beside her Happosai blew 
several rings of smoke into the air as he mused, "The sooner we have 
the wedding the better..."
	"Wedding?" said Ranma and Ukyo together as they wore 
identical faces of shock.
	"Wedding!" exclaimed Shampoo in giddy tones before she 
began bouncing around ecstatically discussing the details of the 
ceremony to no one in particular.
	"We'll need to go back to China," said Cologne decisively. 
"The entire village should see Shampoo's honor vindicated... it would 
it make it all the more official."
	"A wedding would be a lovely way to end any conflict and 
ensure future happiness," said Belldandy pleasantly.
	"Wedding," echoed Ranma and Ukyo dumbly.
	Releasing an abrupt snort Ganglot shifted her attention to 
Kodachi and gracefully crossing to the dark gymnast she knelt next to 
her collapsed figure. Ganglot paused to tip up Kodachi's chin and 
when their eyes met she said softly, "Sakura is much me as I am her... 
because of that I know what it is to love you. It hurts me to see you in 
pain. Know that I only plan to stay as long as I need to seal the future 
firmly in place. When the wedding is over and done with Sakura will 
return to you once again."
	"Wedding!" screeched Ranma and Ukyo in panic.
	Ignoring this outburst Kodachi sniffled slightly as Ganglot 
gently wiped her tears away. Reaching up to hold the oni's hands in 
her own she said, "As you are a part of my darling Sakura I wish to 
know you... I wish to love you as I love her. Would you allow this?"
	"Dachi..." said Ganglot in quiet amazement. "I-I..."
	"Ah," murmured Kodachi in amusement. "I can see parts of 
my dearest arising already. That stammer is most definitely in the style 
of Sakura. I hardly think an all powerful oni like yourself would be so 
nervous from my words."
	"Nah," a sultry voice pronounced. "She's always been a tad 
on the edgy side. Haven't you Ganglot?"
	Her silver head slowly turning around golden eyes flared 
viciously to life and Ganglot hissed, "Urd."
	"Glad you remember," said Urd. She paused as she noted the 
look of rage on the oni's face. "Don't tell me that you're angry about 
that wish I approved? Look, I was only doing my job..." While she 
said this Urd started to back away from the slowly approaching 
Ganglot rather nervously. "You can understand that... right?"
	For a response Ganglot released a blood curdling scream of 
righteous fury as she pursued the already fleeing Urd into downtown 
Nerima.
	"Huh," said Skuld as she watched the scene of Urd trying to 
escape from the manic Ganglot. After a few minutes she moved her 
gaze to the stunned dojo occupants. She offered a cheery smile then 
asked, "What did I miss?"
	The sound of echoing silence then the loud crash of several 
collected bodies collapsing served as her answer.

	"Wedding?" questioned Ranma and Ukyo as they sat on the 
rooftop to the Tendo dojo. Sitting in front of them wearing a face of 
concern was Shampoo. When the group had returned to the dojo in 
order to discuss the multitude of revelations made tonight they broke 
away to talk about things on their own. And as always the slightly 
damp rooftop provided all the seclusion that they required.
	"Is only suggestion," said Shampoo hesitantly. "Airen no have 
go through with it because Great Grandmother give her approval. 
Shampoo no mind waiting."
	Cobalt eyes snapped out of their dazed state and Ranma 
focused on the Amazon. "Shampoo," he began. "What did the old 
ghoul mean when she said that your honor would finally be 
vindicated?"
	"Yeah," said Ukyo in slow realization as she turned to 
Shampoo as well. "What did she mean Shamchan?"
	"Is nothing," Shampoo said uncomfortably while she squirmed 
under the combined force of both their stares.
	"Shampoo..." said Ranma and Ukyo together in warning tones 
before they looked to one another with wry smiles at this unconscious 
action.
	Sighing deeply Shampoo said reluctantly, "Great Grandmother 
mean that I has lost respect in tribe as it take longer and longer for me 
to bring Airen home She think today was good turn for Shampoo's 
luck. That if we return to Joketsuzoku for Amazon joining ceremony 
this would restore Shampoo's family honor."
	"What if your family honor isn't restored?" prodded Ukyo as 
her sandalwood eyes narrowed. "What would happen to you then?"
	"Shampoo be exiled," said Shampoo quietly. "Or worse..." 
Scarlet eyes lifted and locked on their companions. "But I no care 
about that. I want Airen to marry me for love and nothing else."
	"Shampoo..." whispered Ranma after a moment of silence 
passed between them. He scooted forward and took the Amazon's 
hands in his own as he said, "Didn't you listen to what they said? 
We're meant to be together... the three of us. It's fated to be."
	"And I dunno about you," said Ukyo as she sidled up on the 
other side of Shampoo to rest her chin on the other girl's shoulder. 
"But I'm not about to argue with the opinions of omnipotent beings 
when it comes to my love life. I figure that they know these things 
better than me. Besides," drawled Ukyo humorously. "It isn't like we'd 
be trapped in a loveless marriage. We're both already in love with 
you."
	Shampoo moved her teary gaze from Ranma to Ukyo then 
back again before she whispered, "Airen..." Releasing a high pitched 
wail Shampoo threw herself on the pair who shared a bemused look.
	"Uhm..." said Ukyo puzzled while she rubbed Shampoo's 
back in a circular motion. "What'd we do?"
	"Beats me," replied Ranma as he ran his fingers gently through 
the texture of silky lavender hair. "Maybe she's not feeling well. Are 
you sick Shampoo? Did that all that rain give you a cold?"
	"No," said Shampoo sniffling slightly. She lifted her head and 
gazed at the pair with partially teary eyes as she offered them a tender 
smile. Slowly reaching out her hands she lightly touched their cheeks 
and murmured, "Wo ai ni."
	Returning her smile the pair repeated, "Wo ai ni."
	The couple then shared in a mutual embrace as they clung to 
one another and felt the tension from the past weeks leave their 
bodies for a sense of overwhelming peace. When they finally parted 
Ukyo looked a little teary herself. 
	"Well," said Ukyo as she rubbed her eyes. "I guess this means 
we've got a wedding to plan, huh?"
	"What do you mean?" asked Ranma wryly. "It sounds like the 
old ghoul has it all worked out for us."
	"Is Amazon tradition," informed Shampoo. "Head of family is 
in charge of wedding."
	After she said this there was a moment of silence as all three 
paused to meet their gazes and together they said in stunned tones, 
"Wedding."

	Perfume directed her glowing sapphire gaze at the ceiling to 
Nabiki's room and wondered about the loud thump she heard from 
above. Obviously her cousin was enjoying her time alone with her 
Airen. Then again, it wasn't like she was one to talk. She was ecstatic 
to be inside the inner sanctum that was Tendo Nabiki's bedroom.
	"So," said Nabiki as she swiveled around in her chair away 
from the computer monitor she'd been facing. "What do you think 
about all this? Why are they rushing to get the three Musketeers 
married now?"
	"Is simple," said Perfume easily. "It's the next logical step in 
their relationship. Great Grandmother approve of pairing and is clear 
they all care for one another. To hesitate in marriage would only bring 
Shampoo further dishonor and if I know her Airen at all they won't 
want that." Perfume smiled fondly. "I bet they'll soon be announcing 
the wedding date themselves."
	"Further dishonor?" repeated Nabiki. "Do you mean to say 
that the longer it takes for you to make an engagement of marriage 
official the more face you lose in the tribe?"
	Perfume shifted on the edge of bed where she was perched. 
"At certain times." She paused and lifted her gaze to meet Nabiki's. 
"Airen," she said slowly. "I know what you is thinking. It's not the 
same for me as it is for Shampoo. I am not part of the tribe in the way 
she is. Shampoo is Great Grandmother's heir and the chosen of our 
Goddess. While I remain tribal Enforcer I stay outside the jurisdiction 
of many of our laws. It does me no dishonor to wait for our marriage 
to sealed until you consent. In fact," said Perfume in soft husky tones 
as she pushed off of the bed to walk towards Nabiki. "I would much 
rather wait to be wed."
	"Oh?" questioned Nabiki hoarsely as she attempted to 
swallow the large lump in her throat. "And why is that?"
	A feather light touch graced Nabiki's cheek as she lowered 
her head closer to Perfume's who was kneeling before the other girl. 
"Because," Perfume whispered and in a smooth movement she rested 
her hands on Nabiki's thighs as she pushed herself upwards. "I only 
want what you want. And you," Perfume said sensuously with a tilt of 
her head. "Aren't ready to be married just yet. Am I right?"
	Nabiki nodded for a reply and chuckling at this Perfume 
slowly moved in for an involved kiss. When they parted Perfume 
watched Nabiki regain her senses and said, "Of course it not like 
Shampoo and her Airen are ready to be married either though."
	"Mmm," said Nabiki as she traced the Amazon's full lips. 
Dipping her head down for another passionate kiss Nabiki murmured 
against her lips, "That's their problem, not ours. We're perfectly happy 
the way things are. Right?"
	For a response Perfume returned Nabiki's kiss with certain 
fervor and as their embrace deepened no doubts could be left as to 
exactly how happy the Amazon Enforcer was about her current 
romantic situation with her Airen.

	"Well," said Happosai thoughtfully. He looked up at the ceiling 
to the sitting room where another loud thump had sounded. "What do 
you suppose they're all up to?"
	"Master," began Natsume warily.
	"Shame on you," finished Kurumi in chiding tones.
	Blowing smoke rings from his pipe Happosai gave a low 
chuckle before he said, "What? Can't an old man have his simple 
pleasures anymore? I was only speculating."
	"He hasn't changed at all," said Nodoka with a sigh. "Once a 
pervert always a pervert."
	"Nodoka!" cried Genma in panic. He whirled around to face 
Happosai and said quickly, "She didn't mean it honorable Master! 
Please forgive her rudeness!"
	"I certainly did mea--" Nodoka started to say but was soon 
cut off by Genma's hand being placed over her mouth. She narrowed 
her brown eyes and considered biting his hand before she settled for 
shoving it aside. Sniffing at the fearful face her husband wore she 
continued, "I speak the truth and I never mince words when I do."
	"That's very true," said Happosai as he blew more smoke 
rings. He looked at Nodoka with lidded eyes as he said, "You were 
always the feisty one. I think that's why I liked you best. Even over 
Silk."
	Flinching at this Nodoka wore a pained expression before her 
face changed back into the same controlled mask. "Thank you," she 
said tightly. Rising to her feet she exited the room as she continued, 
"It's getting late and I should prepare for bed. I wish you all a good 
night."
	Genma watched his wife exit before he swiftly followed after 
her seconds later. This left the room empty with the exceptions of 
Soun, Kasumi, Natsume, Kurumi, Happosai and Cologne. The Kuno 
siblings having left for their Mansion with Ryoga and Akane 
accompanying them along with the grumbling figure of Mano Ayako.
	"That was uncalled for," said Cologne lowly as she directed 
her gaze to Happosai.
	"Maybe so," said Happosai. He blew another smoke ring and 
watched it dissipate in the air. "But I'm not the one responsible for 
giving her that pain in her life, am I now?"
	Cologne narrowed her gaze at this but said nothing more. 
Watching this interaction with careful eyes Kasumi said, "If Ukyo and 
Ranma decide to proceed with your plans when will the wedding take 
place honored Elder? I assume that you will have a large say so in the 
proceedings."
	"If all goes as hoped I would like to depart for Joketsuzoku 
within the week," said Cologne solemnly. "My Goddess informed me 
that Ganglot refuses to relinquish her temporary body until she sees 
them wed. During the ceremony she plans on infusing Ukyo with a 
portion of her own powers. Once that has occurred Ganglot will 
surrender control over to Sakura. In the meanwhile," she sighed. 
"We'll simply have to put up with her presence."
	Considering this all the dojo occupants with the exception of 
Happosai and Cologne met their gazes as wary expressions crossed 
their faces.

	"Then you truly do not fault me for my treacherous actions, 
dear friend?" asked Kodachi hesitantly as she met Akane's eyes.
	The group were heading at a steady pace back to the Kuno 
Mansion and had remained in silence while doing so until Kodachi 
could stand it no longer. She had to know what her closest friend, her 
only friend at one time, felt about her actions this evening.
	"Of course not Dachi!" exclaimed Akane. Her light brown 
eyes were gentle as they bore their gaze into timid violet ones. "What 
you did might've not been the nicest thing in the world but I 
understand why you did it. You were only trying to help Sakura. And 
that's something I could never fault you for." Akane paused to reach 
out and hold Kodachi's hands in her own. "In fact," she said tenderly. 
"I'm not all that sure that I would've reacted differently if I had been in 
your shoes and it was Ryochan possessed by an oni." She then 
released Kodachi's hands and gently touched the gymnast's cheek as 
she said, "And about your actions? They weren't treacherous at all. If 
anything they show just how much you really do love Sakura."
	"Akane," said Kodachi in shaky tones. "I thank you."
	Smiling softly at this Akane felt a light touch on her shoulder 
and looked up into Ryoga's gentle gaze. "For the record," he began 
quietly. "I agree with everything that Akane just said. It seems that 
Sakura knew what she was doing when she fell in love with you 
Kodachi. I don't think I've ever met someone who's as loyal to her as 
you are." The lost boy extended his hand to Kodachi and said, "And I 
just want to thank you for that. For caring for her as much as I do. I'm 
sure that together we can keep her safe."
	Accepting Ryoga's hand Kodachi gave it a firm shake as she 
replied, "It is a task I gladly accept and I thank you just as equally for 
your support Hibiki-san. It means much to me."
	"Well," said a sensuous voice and everyone turned their 
attention to see Ganglot hovering above them. "If this isn't a touching 
scene I don't know what is."
	"Demon!" snarled Ayako as she once again produced her 
whip from out of nowhere. "Now I really will vanquish your evil from 
this world!"
	"You know," said Ganglot in dry observation. "I'm beginning 
to think that you don't like me."
	"I exist only to destroy you!" declared Ayako hotly.
	Raising a silver eyebrow at this comment Ganglot said, "That 
doesn't sound like much of a life. You must have it worse than I did 
when I was trapped in that spring."
	"Die!" shouted Ayako as she snapped her whip into place at 
Ganglot who quickly dodged the attack.
	"This starting to get annoying," commented Ganglot. Her 
golden eyes reflected certain boredom while she calmly evaded 
Ayako's series of whip assaults. She briefly looked to Kodachi as she 
said, "I don't suppose that you've told her anything about my condition 
involving your Sakura darling? That might help in the way of making 
her desist with these inept attempts at trying to killing me."
	"I hadn't gotten around to it yet," confessed Kodachi a bit 
sheepishly. "But it isn't as if you're actually in danger from her attacks, 
is it now?"
	Ganglot snorted in way of reply as she tilted her head to one 
side to dodge Ayako's whip. "If I wasn't already fond of you I might 
be put out by that statement my dear," said Ganglot sardonically. She 
turned her attention back to the enraged Devil Hunter and with a snap 
of her wrist Ganglot caught the golden whip in her grasp. Floating 
down to meet Ayako at eye level she extended her elegant index 
finger and tapped the girl on the forehead as she said, "Sleep."
	Seconds later Ayako's eyes fell shut and her body lost all it's 
tension as she collapsed backwards into Kuno's waiting arms. The 
Kendoist had been watching the one sided battle with sharp eyes and 
after catching the fallen Devil Hunter in his arms he lifted his gaze to 
Ganglot's figure.
	"My lady," said Kuno solemnly. "Was that really necessary? 
You might've explained the situation to Miss Mano and most likely 
she would have ceased her attacks against your person."
	"Yeah, yeah," Ganglot dismissed with a wave of her hand. 
"I've heard it all before lover boy. You think that she's all that easy to 
talk to then you explain things to her. I don't find it the best policy to 
try and hold conversations with whacked out mortals who think it's 
their destiny to destroy me."
	"Very well," Kuno said as he hefted Ayako's sleeping frame 
more firmly into his grasp. "I shall inform her when she wakes of the 
situation in which you exist within the frame of the most honorable 
Sakura. It is a duty that I take humbly onto my person."
	After saying this Kuno began walking ahead of the group and 
towards the front gates of the Kuno Mansion at which they had finally 
arrived.
	Floating down to stand on the ground with the others Ganglot 
rested her gaze on Ryoga and said, "Before all this is through we two 
have much to talk about." Seeing the lost boy form a nervous 
expression at this she chuckled. "But now isn't the time. You and your 
lovely companion need to be heading back home where I'm sure 
much more interesting events are taking place."
	Ryoga mutely gave a quick series of nods as response while 
he backed away before both he and Akane took off in a large cloud 
of dust as they shouted their rather anxious good-byes to the 
observing Kodachi.
	Turning her cool violet eyes towards Ganglot the dark 
gymnast questioned lightly, "Amusing yourself?"
	"Always," purred Ganglot while she moved closer to 
Kodachi. Smoothly touching the soft skin under the girl's chin she 
tipped up Kodachi's head to meet their gazes. "What you said to me 
earlier," she said quietly. "Was it the truth? Do you truly want to know 
me as you know Sakura?"
	"Yes," answered Kodachi in her heartfelt tones. "I would 
never lie about a revelation such as that. If what you say about 
eventually combining your essence and person with that of Sakura's is 
true I feel that I should know you... love you as I do her. For one day 
you will be a part of her and she a part of you. And when that occurs 
then I will not be with one of you but rather, with you both."
	"And we with you," said Ganglot. Cupping Kodachi's face 
with expert hands she lowered her face closer as she said, "How 
lucky we are..."
	"It is I who am lucky," said Kodachi softly. "To be cared for 
by not one but two extraordinary beings."
	"We're all lucky," murmured Ganglot as her lips were only 
millimeters from the dark gymnast's. "All three of us."
	"Yes," breathed Kodachi, her head craning upward to meet 
the oni's lips against her own. "We are."
	In front of the gates to the Kuno Mansion no more words 
were spoken as lives were entwined and new bonds forged with the 
simplest of things. A single kiss.

	"Nodoka," said Genma quietly. He paused to close the door 
to their bedroom as he looked at the kneeling figure of his wife who 
was transfixed staring out the window.
	There was a long moment of silent tension before Nodoka 
replied in pained tones, "Why must it all return Genma?" Her dark 
brown eyes were teary as they shifted to gaze upon his solemn visage. 
"Why does it seem that our lives never change but instead remain the 
same?"
	"I don't know," said Genma with hapless honestly. In a 
smooth movement he crossed to her and knelt at her side to match 
her gaze staring out the window. "I guess you might call it fate or 
something along that lines."
	"I don't like it," Nodoka said plainly as she released a 
shuddering sigh. "When we married and had Ranma I vowed that our 
son would never be forced to follow my path... and I thought I had 
kept that promise. Ranma doesn't know any of the techniques of my 
school of martial arts, all of what I've taught him is from your school. I 
kept the duties of my clan from him so that he could never fall prey to 
them as I did and I thought... I thought that would keep him safe." She 
paused to study the form of her katana lying in her lap. "But it seems 
even that hasn't kept history from repeating itself."
	A gentle hand clasped Nodoka's shoulder and looking up she 
saw Genma wearing an unusually tender expression on his rough 
features. "Nodoka," he whispered. "You shouldn't blame yourself for 
this. No one could've predicted how things would turn out. Least of 
all you..." He trailed off as he softly cupped her face in his hands. 
"You're a wonderful Mother. Never doubt that."
	"Genma," breathed Nodoka in wonder. Seconds later she 
diverted her gaze from his and stared out the window once again. Her 
jaw clenched she said quietly, "I don't know if I can go back with you 
to Joketsuzoku..."
	"I understand," said Genma.
	"She'll be there," continued Nodoka, not noticing Genma's 
interruption. "I don't know if I could stand facing her again. Not with 
how we parted..."
	"Nodoka," Genma pronounced forcefully and dark brown 
eyes lifted to look at him in surprise. He slowly reached out to pull her 
to him in a soft embrace. Nodoka's head rested in the crook of his 
neck as he released the clasp that held her hair in its bun to leave it 
loose and flowing. He ran his fingers through the silky texture as he 
said, "I'm your husband. I know I might not act like it at times but I do 
love you very much..." Genma paused to pull her back so their eyes 
locked together. "And the last thing that I want is you to do something 
that's going to make you unhappy. If you can't return to Joketsuzoku 
for the wedding that's fine. I'll make up some excuse to tell Ranma. 
I'm sure he'll understand."
	"Genma," said Nodoka in ragged tones. Her eyes glistened 
with tears as she released a choked sob before she threw herself back 
into the safe haven of his embrace. She clung to his muscular frame as 
sobs shook her body.
	Holding Nodoka tightly to him Genma murmured, "Shh. Don't 
cry... it'll be all right. You'll see."
	"I love you Genma," said Nodoka quietly as she buried her 
face against the soft texture of his gi.
	"I love you Nodoka," replied Genma. He leaned down to kiss 
the top of her dark brown head as he said, "With all of my heart."

	"So soon?" asked Ranma anxiously.
	He and Ukyo were sitting in the Nekohaten at a table along 
with Shampoo as all three stared at the shrunken figure of Cologne in 
front of them clinging to her tall staff.
	"We have no time to waste," said Cologne gravely. "It is for 
the good of all if the wedding proceeds swiftly. Only when the 
ceremony is complete will this... creature leave our lives in peace."
	"I like that," sniffed Ganglot as she folded her arms across her 
chest. The oni was floating cross legged in the air and listening to the 
conversation with clear interest. "I'll have you know that I'm a wish 
granting demon and not a creature. There's a difference you know."
	"Not much," muttered Cologne under her breath. She turned 
her attention back to the three youths and said, "Now do you 
understand the urgency of matters? The sooner that it takes place the 
sooner things may return to normal."
	"Normal?" said Ukyo dryly. "I dunno about you old ghoul but 
I don't think things will ever get back to normal around these parts. 
Not that things ever were normal."
	"What's normal?" said Ranma philosophically. "I'm not sure if 
that word even applies to Nerima logic."
	"Is for certain," said Shampoo in agreement. "Not much in 
Airen lives that is normal. I not think this ever be something 
happening, yes?"
	"I suppose," said Ukyo wearily. She looked to Cologne and 
asked bluntly, "So when do we leave?"
	Raising an eyebrow at this Cologne replied, "That depends on 
you. I had hoped to leave as soon as possible but I had expected 
some reluctance on your parts."
	"Maybe once," said Ranma quietly. "But not now. Not with 
everything Shampoo has told us about your laws and her treatment 
under them. Granted this is going a whole lot faster than we'd like but 
we're prepared to go through with this. You just say the word."
	A wolf whistle echoed through the restaurant and all eyes 
went to Ganglot who was floating in a lounging position as she 
commented, "You mortals never cease to amaze me. Just when I think 
I've got you pegged you do something else to surprise me." She 
formed a lascivious smile as she directed her gaze towards Ukyo. 
"That's some man you've snagged heir of mine. A reality nexus and a 
smooth talker. He's one in a million, that's for sure."
	"I know," said Ukyo smiling. She reached her hand out to 
cover Ranma's as met eyes with Shampoo. "We both do. Right 
Shamchan?"
	"That very true," said Shampoo returning the smile. "Ranchan 
is special... we always know this to be true."
	Ranma could only stare wide eyed as the two girls then 
proceeded to sidle up to him as he gaped at this action. Watching this 
Cologne chuckled and said, "You're a lucky man Son-in-law. Lucky 
indeed."
	Forming a wry expression Ranma said faintly, "You're telling 
me?" He smiled at Ukyo and Shampoo then lifted both his arms to 
wrap each one around their shoulders to pull them closer to him. 
Meeting their eyes Ranma said, "What do you two say? Are we ready 
for this?"
	"Not really," said Ukyo humorously. She then ran her lithe 
fingers along the side of Ranma's chest. "Then again, it's not like we'll 
ever feel ready. Wedding day jitters seem to follow all couples. But I 
have to say," she said while her eyes went to Shampoo's pretty 
features. "I never figured that I'd be getting hitched this soon in my 
life." Ukyo paused to smile softly. "But it's okay. This feels..." She 
trailed off while she searched for the words. "Right," said Ukyo, her 
smile widening. "Yeah... it feels right. All of this. Us."
	"The same for me," said Ranma with quiet emotion as he 
locked cobalt eyes with sandalwood ones. He then turned to 
Shampoo and questioned, "How about you Shamchan?"
	"Airen know how I feel," said Shampoo beaming. "I can't 
think of anything make me happier than be with you both for rest of 
life. Shampoo will be ready whenever Great Grandmother say is 
time."
	After this was said the three became entrenched in their own 
private discussion while Cologne and Ganglot left them in peace. 
Looking up at the oni floating over her head Cologne questioned, 
"Would you be able to transport us back to Joketsuzoku tomorrow?"
	"Sure," said Ganglot easily as she smiled. "But only if I get to 
bring along a guest of my own."
	"The Kuno girl," stated Cologne. She sniffed at this then said, 
"Very well. It's none of my concern anyway. The wedding will take 
place in two days."
	Saying that the Amazon Matriarch hopped away on her staff 
leaving Ganglot hovering alone. Her golden eyes glinting with humor 
she murmured, "On Valentines day. How utterly romantic. I never 
knew she had it in her."

	Nodoka watched with careful eyes as Natsume and Kurumi 
battled Happosai around the koi pond to their yard. The twins moved 
with incredible speed and precision but it was their technique which 
intrigued her the most. It was a very familiar one... belonging to 
someone she had tried her best to forget but somehow couldn't.
	Silk.
	It was Silk's style in which they were fighting and Nodoka 
knew it to a distinctive form that belonged to few in her tribe of 
Chinese Amazons. The question that lingered in Nodoka's mind was 
this: why would Happosai decide to train his two disciples in that 
particular style?
	Narrowing her dark brown eyes Nodoka silently vowed that 
she would find the answer to her question. No matter what it took.
	In the meanwhile Natsume and Kurumi had finished their bout 
against Happosai and were breathing heavily as he stared at them 
from his perched position on the high wall that surrounded the Tendo 
dojo.
	"You girls," Happosai tsked while he took a seat on the wall. 
"Are getting slow. Even little Ukyo seems to have been slacking while 
I've been gone. She hardly looks like the whirlwind I used to train..." 
He trailed off as he rose to his feet. Happosai formed a thoughtful 
expression while he paced back and forth across the high wall. "Do 
you know what I think we ought to do?"
	"No," began Natsume, gasping as she wearily lifted her head 
to look at her Master.
	"What?" finished Kurumi, still heaving as she tried to catch her 
breath.
	A manic gleam surfaced in Happosai's gaze as he slowly 
pronounced, "Special training."
	Hearing this the twins met their gazes before they released a 
simultaneous groan and collapsed to the ground.

	"Now do you understand the circumstances Miss Mano?" 
questioned Kuno cautiously as his tawny eyes searched her 
expression for any type of reaction.
	Ayako remained stone faced as she stared at the paneled 
floor to the living room where she sat with Kuno enjoying a cup of 
tea. He had just explained to her the exact nature of the demon she 
had been pursuing for the last few days and she was a bit put out to 
say the least.
	"Grandmother is going to be furious," Ayako finally said in a 
dull monotone.
	"Grandmother?" questioned Kuno curiously.
	"She was the one who sent me here," supplied Ayako 
miserably. "This mission was supposed to prove that I'm a superior 
Devil Hunter to my Cousin Yohko but it seems that I've failed... this is 
one demon that I can't banish."
	"Ah," said Kuno in comprehension. "It all becomes clear in the 
light of day. But you do see why you cannot pursue any action against 
Ganglot do you not?"
	"Perfectly," said Ayako with a sigh. "It's against my code as a 
Devil Hunter to hurt innocent people and if I kept up my quest to slay 
her it would be doing just that..." She paused to lift her head. "Are you 
sure that an exorcism wouldn't work?"
	"Under the circumstances?" began Kuno wryly. "I would 
hardly think so. From what I have been informed of Jusenkyo curses 
they can never be lifted. The only plan we have been offered is that of 
Ganglot's where she intends to merge her spirit with that of Sakura's."
	"Sakura," Ayako said slowly, tasting the name on her lips. She 
drifted off with a thoughtful expression before she said, "When her 
body has been returned to her I'll have to keep a close watch. To 
ensure that the oni within never forces back her spirit again."
	Taking a sip of his tea Kuno murmured, "I'm sure Sakura 
would appreciate any such gesture Miss Mano."
	Studying Kuno with interested tan eyes Ayako smiled for the 
first time since entering the Nerima district. "Please call me Ayako," 
she said in husky tones.
	"Ayako," repeated Kuno as a smiled touched his lips in return. 
"Very well. And I in turn request that you call me by my little used 
name of Tatewaki."
	"Tatewaki," said Ayako, a warm glow entering her eyes that 
matched her smile. Their gazes held for a moment longer until she 
reluctantly rose to her feet. "Meeting you has been a pleasure but I 
must be going. Grandmother will want to know of everything that has 
transpired here."
	"Of course," said Kuno with a nod. He then smoothly rose to 
his feet. "Allow me to escort you to the door. After all," he offered a 
soft smile. "That is the proper thing for a courteous host to do."
	The two made their way to the front of the estate where they 
exchanged polite and friendly good-byes before Ayako bounded off 
into the night leaving Kuno to watch her exit with a wistful gaze.
	"Mano Ayako," he murmured to himself, observing as her 
figure faded out of sight. "A most enchanting lady." Kuno then smiled 
as he made his way back into the mansion. "And she's a Devil Hunter 
at that. One can't help but wonder if our earlier conversation suggests 
that she might soon become the newest resident to our humble 
district." Chuckling at this idea he commented, "Stranger things have 
happened."

	"This is all my fault," said Ryoga morosely and a forlorn 
expression crossed his features as he buried his hands in his thick 
bangs. "If I had only made her stay here with us this wouldn't have 
ever happened. Sakura never had any problems with her oni side 
before this... it was fine before. Twice we had problems. Twice! And 
now look," he muttered. "She's gone and that... thing is in her place."
	After their fast departure from the Kuno Mansion the pair 
returned to the dojo only to find empty as it seemed everyone had 
went their separate ways. Even Kasumi was no where in sight. Feeling 
more than a little bit curious about Ganglot's treatment of her 
boyfriend Akane had quickly set Ryoga down in the sitting room and 
began to question him about the oni's actions. Which of course led to 
the present situation with Ryoga blaming himself for everything that 
had occurred involving his best friend.
	"Ryochan," said Akane. She reached out to cover his hands 
with her own. "It's not your fault. There was no way you could've 
known what was going on with Sakura. None of us had any idea... 
even Dachi." She paused then after a moment questioned, "Why does 
that demon seem to know so much about you? She even mentioned 
your Mother."
	Heaving a great sigh Ryoga leaned forward to bury his head in 
his arms that were folded on the table. Behind him Akane scooted up 
against him and rested her face on his strong back while hugging his 
waist. "I don't know..." started Ryoga slowly. He clenched his jaw 
then said tightly, "But whatever it is I don't like it."
	Contemplating this Akane lifted her head and moved to sit at 
his side. Meeting Ryoga's eyes with her own she said hesitantly, 
"Could you tell me about your Mother, Ryochan? You never told me 
about her or your Father. Do you know where they are?"
	"No," said Ryoga sadly. "Mom could be anywhere. Her sense 
of direction is worse than mine..."
	"And your Father?" prodded Akane.
	"I don't have a Father," Ryoga snarled. Seeing Akane's eyes 
widen at this harsh reaction he softened his voice and said, "I'm sorry 
Akane. It's just that I never knew my Father.  He and my Mom 
parted ways before I was born. Mom tried to find him again but with 
her horrible sense of direction..." He shrugged then gave a wan smile 
as he continued, "It was kind of a lost cause."
	"Oh," said Akane softly. "I'm sorry."
	"It's okay," replied Ryoga. He slowly lifted his hands to cradle 
her face gently in his grasp. "Do you really want to know about my 
family, Akane?" Ryoga paused and formed a loving smile. "You're my 
family now. You're all I ever wanted and all I ever needed."
	"Ryochan," said Akane as her eyes sparkled with certain 
adoration. She leaned forward to meet his lips as the couple 
exchanged a sweet kiss. When she pulled back she gave him a fond 
smile as she said, "I love you... but don't think I'm letting you off the 
hook that easily. I still want to know about your Mother. What type 
of person is she?"
	"Mom?" asked Ryoga thoughtfully before formed a glowing 
expression of pride. "She's the best! I mean it... she taught me 
practically everything I know about the martial arts. And if you think 
I'm strong? You haven't seen anything! I've seen Mom pull an oak 
tree out by its roots one handed. She's got some power on her side, 
that's for sure. I think what I miss the most about her is just talking to 
her. She's the best listener out of everybody I know. Other than you 
and Sakura Mom's my closest friend." Sighing Ryoga continued, "I 
really do miss her."
	Watching Ryoga shift back into his former melancholy mood 
Akane touched his arm and said, "I have a great idea Ryochan. Why 
don't we go on a journey of our own after we get back from 
Joketsuzoku and the wedding? We could try and find your Mother. 
How about that?"
	"Akane..." said Ryoga in slow wonderment. He broke into an 
ecstatic smile before sweeping her up in his arms and holding her tight. 
"Thank you! That's the best idea I've ever heard! And with you at my 
side I know it's possible!"

	"Special training?" questioned Nabiki as she lazily stirred her 
spoon inside the chocolate sundae she ordered.
	Nabiki had been on her way to introduce Perfume to the 
decadence of eating ice cream when they ran into Shampoo and 
Ranma leaving the Nekohaten. They quickly decided to make it 
foursome and journeyed to the ice cream shop to chat while they 
enjoyed some of the delicious treats on the menu.
	"Yup," affirmed Ranma. He then swallowed a large spoonful 
of his banana split and said, "We were barely out the door to the 
Nekohaten when Master Happosai shows up with Natsume and 
Kurumi saying that Ucchan needed to go with them for some sort of 
special training." Ranma shrugged as he focused back on eating his 
desert. "Don't ask me what it's all about but the Master seemed pretty 
serious."
	"Well Ucchan did say that the Master was pretty extreme in 
his training at times," commented Nabiki. "I just hope that he doesn't 
wear her into the ground so she'll be inactive for your guys 
honeymoon." Forming a naughty smile Nabiki pointed her spoon at 
Ranma and said, "It would be such a shame if she couldn't perform 
her wifely duties, hmm?"
	Ranma turned beet red at this then began coughing loudly and 
Shampoo hit his back as he went into spasms before spewing out a 
piece of banana which would've hit Nabiki in the face if an observant 
Perfume hadn't blocked it with her spoon.
	"Nabiki," said Shampoo as she rubbed a slowly recovering 
Ranma's back. She gave the middle Tendo sister a reprimanding look. 
"Is not nice to shock Airen Ranma like that. He obviously not used to 
such talk."
	"Duh," Nabiki said smirking. "Why do you think I did it? He's 
always been fun to tease."
	Flicking the piece of spit out banana across the length of the 
ice cream shop Perfume remarked, "Don't scold my Airen, Cousin. It 
not her fault she's more adventurous in her actions of romance than 
your Airen is." She watched with certain pleasure as the piece of 
banana splattered against the face of a local reporter on the television 
screen. Sapphire eyes then turned to Nabiki as Perfume said 
sensuously, "I happen to appreciate my Airen's experience. It's very 
useful."
	"Hmmph," sniffed Shampoo. She then leaned her head against 
Ranma's strong shoulder as the pigtailed boy began eating his banana 
split again. "Shampoo like my Airen just the way he is. It no problem 
that he not worldly. That just mean that I get to be one to teach him." 
Looking up into Ranma's suddenly frozen features Shampoo traced 
her finger lightly along his jawline as she purred, "That something I 
looking forward to very much. Teaching both my Airen."
	"That's going to be some honeymoon," said Nabiki teasingly 
as she traded deserts with Perfume and watched as the Amazon 
Enforcer eagerly dug into her sundae. "You sure that I can't video 
tape it for posterity?"
	"Nabchan!" Ranma exclaimed, sputtering some of his ice 
cream across the table in the process.
	Wiping her face off with a napkin Nabiki said in droll tones, 
"Food goes in your mouth, not out of it Saotome."
	"Sorry," said Ranma sheepishly. "But you were the one who 
made me do it. Saying all that stuff."
	"That right," agreed Shampoo smugly before she took a long 
sip of her strawberry milkshake. "Nabiki should watch her mouth. It 
could get her into trouble one day."
	"A lot of things could get me into trouble and the least of 
which that worries me is my mouth," replied Nabiki smoothly as she 
took a bite of Perfume's super mega pink sugar heart attack sundae 
special. A moment later her cheeks sunk in and she formed a fish 
face. "Uck," said Nabiki. She pushed the sundae towards Shampoo 
and traded treats with the other Amazon. "That's way too sweet for 
my tastes."
	"Maybe because you're a sourpuss Nabchan," said Ranma 
slyly. He then formed Nabiki's patented smirk and continued, "You 
can't take sweet stuff... it goes against your internal nature."
	"Hah," said Nabiki dryly. "Very funny. If Ucchan was here 
you wouldn't be making jokes like that."
	Quirking a jet black eyebrow Ranma's smirk widened as she 
said, "But Ucchan isn't here, is she?"
	"No," Perfume intervened calmly. Still eating Nabiki's 
chocolate sundae she didn't look up as she tapped the window their 
booth was located next to. "She outside."
	"Huh?" said Ranma and Nabiki together.
	They turned their eyes towards the window and gaped at 
what they saw. Ukyo along with Natsume and Kurumi wore a large 
cloth sack on her back and had a handkerchief tied around her face. 
All three girls were huddled in the corner of an alley across the street 
while a mob of roughly around a hundred angry women surrounded 
them. Standing on top a nearby fire escape was Master Happosai 
who was laughing madly as he shouted advice to his trapped disciples. 
Ranma and Nabiki noticed with some chagrin that the Master was 
wearing a lacy pink bra on his head.
	It seemed they had discovered exactly what the Master 
considered to be special training.

	"All right girls!" said Happosai cheerily. He sat down cross 
legged on the fire escape and beamed as he took in the large mob of 
angry women below. "Take care of them!"
	"Take care of them?!" cried Ukyo. Looking up at Happosai 
she shouted, "Master! We can't just beat them up! They're not even 
martial artists. It wouldn't be fair!"
	"Precisely," said Natsume coolly. She kept up her icy veneer 
as she eyed the approaching women carefully.
	"Little Ukyo is right," said Kurumi as she too looked up at the 
Master. "We can't fight them!"
	It was then that the mob of women circled around them 
completely inside the small alley as their angry shouts filled the air with 
impending doom.
	"Give us back our panties!"
	"And our bras! Don't forget about them!"
	"Perverts! What kind of girls are you?!"
	"You capitalist scum! We'll never fall to the monarchy of 
commerce!"
	The three girls blinked at the final statement and were backing 
up against the wall considering their escape routes when the Master 
called out, "A true martial artist must gauge the situation they're in and 
decide what can be done! Not all maneuvers are harmful to the 
victims my disciples."
	Meeting their gazes Kurumi was the first to speak as she said, 
"He's right. We have to find another way to defeat them and make it 
quick. They're moving in closer."
	"I know!" exclaimed Ukyo. "Lets do that special attack that's 
sorta like Hinako's! We can just drain all their aggressive energy using 
our combined chi then we won't have to fight them. What do you 
think big sisters?"
	"Good idea," began Natsume with soft pride.
	"Little Ukyo!" finished Kurumi smiling widely.
	Simultaneously they dropped their sacks full of lingerie to the 
ground and closed their eyes. Seconds later a powerful blue aura 
surrounded them and the crowd of angry women suddenly stilled as 
waves of red energy flowed out of their bodies towards the three girls. 
There was a long moment of utter silence then with a combined crash 
all the women collapsed to the ground in sleepy exhaustion.
	"All right!" said Ukyo happily as she looked at the passed out 
women. "We did it!"
	"So you did," said Happosai solemnly. He landed in front of 
them before he suddenly bounded about inspecting the forms of the 
collapsed women very closely. To a lesser eye or perhaps a more 
honest one it would look like he was groping them. Of course his 
disciples knew better than that. The Master simply needed a recharge. 
When he walked back to them he carried several more bras which he 
stuffed into his shirt as he said, "Good job girls. You did well."
	Simultaneously Ukyo, Natsume, and Kurumi all broke into 
wide smiles as they bowed their heads and said, "Thank you Master."
	"What are you thanking him for?" Nabiki's voice echoed in the 
alley. "It seems to me that you're doing all his dirty work for him."
	Ukyo's eyes widened as she took in the forms of Ranma, 
Shampoo, Nabiki, and Perfume standing at the front of the alley 
staring at them with certain interest.
	"Airen," said Shampoo in puzzled tones. "What you doing 
here? And why you wear strange mask?"
	"It's training," said Ukyo weakly as she pulled the 
handkerchief mask from away from her face.
	"Could have fooled me," Perfume snorted. "It more look like 
you is helping your pervert Master to steal ladies unmentionables. 
That is it, yes?"
	"Well," began Natsume slowly.
	"That all depends on how you look at the situation," Kurumi 
continued as she offered a nervous smile.
	"Some would say that we're just doing our duty to our 
Master," finished Ukyo lamely.
	"Who's some?" asked Ranma. Taking a step forward he said 
incredulously, "You can't possibly be telling me that you're not only 
helping this old pervert but you're condoning his actions well?"
	"Their actions technically," put in Perfume.
	"Cousin!" growled Shampoo as she shot Perfume a look of 
definite hostile warning. The Amazon Enforcer simply raised an 
eyebrow at this while remaining unruffled.
	While this occurred Happosai went around gathering up the 
sacks of women's lingerie and carrying them in a great pile on his back 
he then turned towards the four non-disciples and studied them 
closely. Flipping his pipe in his grasp Happosai narrowed his gaze and 
said, "I don't think I like where this conversation is leading so I'll be 
taking my leave if you don't mind." With that Happosai raised his pipe 
high into the air and opened his shirt as a great wind funnel surrounded 
him. The whirlwind soon obscured his tiny figure and the only thing 
that could be seen were the several hundred bras that were caught up 
in the funnel. Suddenly the Master's voice rang out as he shouted, 
"The Silky Storm Escape! Good luck my loyal disciples!"
	Seconds later the whirlwind of bras lifted into the air then 
swiftly moved towards downtown Nerima much to the surprise and 
dismay of the shopkeepers located there.
	Turning back to the four friends at the entrance to the alley the 
disciples of Happosai wore similar faces of nervous anticipation. It 
was never easy to account for their Master's odd training methods. 
For some reason the purposes behind them were always being 
misinterpreted.
	"Uhm..." said Ukyo as she flashed them an apprehensive 
smile. "We can explain?"

	"And what exactly is it that you wish me to see?" questioned 
Kodachi lazily. She rolled over in the steaming water of her familial 
bath house then rested her body against the smooth marble edge. 
Violet eyes gazed at Ganglot who was floating in the air in a lounging 
position. "Surely it cannot be of such large importance. After all, 
Joketsuzoku is an isolated village."
	Popping open a single golden eye Ganglot studied Kodachi 
with certain regard and said, "I'm not one to judge whether it's 
particularly important or not. What I want you to see is simply my 
oldest temple on the mortal plane."
	"Temple?" said Kodachi in soft wonder. "I wasn't aware that 
you had any constructed."
	"Few do," said Ganglot with dry humor. "I'm not exactly one 
of the big forces on this world anymore. But it isn't like there are a lot 
of powerful deities these days anyway. You mortals have pretty much 
forced most of us remain in our own planes of existence just to retain 
our powers. So," Ganglot said softly. "Are you interested in seeing it 
with me?"
	"Certainly," said Kodachi her violet eyes filled with quiet 
emotion. "When do we leave?"
	"Tomorrow," said Ganglot as she leaned back in the air and 
gazed at the high glass dome that covered the bath house. She tilted 
her golden eyes to meet Kodachi's and smiled playfully. "We're with 
the wedding party."
	Smiling in return at this Kodachi sunk deeper into the steaming 
water and murmured, "How very fortunate for us."

	Ukyo wore the biggest pair of puppy dog eyes on the known 
planet and had the most remorseful expression that both Ranma and 
Shampoo had ever seen.
	"Ucchan," began Ranma slowly as he looked into sad 
sandalwood eyes that glistened with a hint of tears. Releasing a sound 
of pure frustration and winding his hands in his thick head of hair 
Ranma cried out, "Would you please stop looking at me like that?! 
You're making me feel guilty and you were the one stealing panties!"
	"Bras too," Perfume's voice filtered in from the open window 
to Nabiki's room. Much to her delight Perfume had discovered that 
she could hear their roof top conversation almost perfectly from her 
current vantage point.
	Glaring at the edge of the roof Shampoo gritted her teeth and 
shouted, "Cousin! I warning you only once! Stop eavesdropping or I 
do something far worse than kiss of death to you! I be telling Nabiki 
your big secret!"
	There was a long pause before Perfume responded, "Fine. I'll 
go spend some time with my Airen..."
	Seconds later there was a sudden shriek then the familiar 
sound Nabiki's ticklish laughter and the loud slam of a window 
closing. Heaving a sigh Shampoo murmured, "I don't think we has to 
worry about Perfume interrupting us anymore Ranchan."
	"Good," said Ranma lowly. Turning back to Ukyo he sighed 
at her still woebegone expression. "Ucchan," Ranma said helplessly. 
"Stop that. You know I can't talk to you with you looking like that. 
Come on, this is serious. We can't just ignore what happened tonight." 
Walking to Ukyo he knelt in front of her and took her hands in his 
own. "I don't love you any less but we're getting married in two days 
and I don't want our marriage to start off with us having any secrets. I 
need you to tell me what this was all about Ucchan."
	"Tell us," corrected Shampoo as she took her place at 
Ranma's side while gazing at Ukyo with introspective scarlet eyes.
	"Tell us," said Ranma while grinning at Shampoo. He looked 
back to Ukyo then said, "Please Ucchan. Tell us why you did what 
you did tonight."
	Looking at their faces for a long while Ukyo grimaced before 
bunching her hands into fists. Suddenly leaping to her feet she 
exclaimed, "I dunno why! I was just doing what I've always done! It's 
the Master's special training... for as long as I can remember I've done 
this sorta stuff. So have my big sisters. Plus Hinako-san, who I haven't 
seen in a real long time but that isn't the point!" Turning around to face 
them both Ukyo said plaintively, "Look. I know what I did was wrong 
but it's all for the sake of training. I'm the Master's chosen heir and I 
gotta use his training methods!"
	"Even if it mean you steal underthings of other women," said 
Shampoo angrily. For so long she had heard the tales of the great 
demon, now revealed to be Ukyo's own Master Happosai, and to say 
the least it disturbed Shampoo that her Airen held such a creature in 
high regard. Rising to her feet she narrowed her gaze and said, "That 
not right Ucchan. You know it not right so why you do so?"
	"Because the Master told me too!" said Ukyo irately. "He's 
the one who rescued me from the orphanage. He's the one who took 
me in. He's the one who gave me everything that was his. And most of 
all," she looked at them both with wide pleading eyes. "He's the one 
who brought me to you both. Without the Master I never would have 
met either of you... I owe him everything. That's why I did it."
	"Airen," said Shampoo quietly. Walking forward she cupped 
Ukyo's cheek while Ranma moved to stand behind the okonomiyaki 
chef to wrap his arms around her waist. "We no attacking you. It 
just... very disturbing for us to see you doing such things. Tell you 
what. We make a deal. You don't do any special training with the 
demo--Master until after we get back from wedding in Joketsuzoku. 
Then we all talk together about how to resolve this, okay?"
	Smiling tenderly Shampoo leaned forward to wrap both Ukyo 
and Ranma in her arms while Ranma moved his hands to touch 
Shampoo's waist as well. In between this gesture of pure love and 
acceptance Ukyo's throat closed from the emotion of it all and buried 
her face in Shampoo's sweet smelling lavender hair as she melted in 
their combined embrace. Right then and there Ukyo knew that it 
would be all right. As long as she had Ranma and Shampoo with her 
she could do anything.
	Ukyo was in love and when you're in love there's not much 
that you think love can't solve. It was lucky for her that Ranma and 
Shampoo felt that lingerie thievery was one of those things that love 
could indeed solve.
	It's just too bad that Happosai happened to be the Master of 
the Anything Goes school of martial arts for which Ukyo was the heir. 
And it was even more unfortunate that he was a force of some respect 
in Ukyo's life. And to make it all worse he was the one ordering these 
lingerie raids to happen in the first place.
	They would have to deal with all of these issues once the 
heady exhilaration of true love finally seeped out of their brains and 
reality set in once again. But that wouldn't happen until long after the 
honeymoon was over.
	And by then Ukyo hoped that she would have been able to 
come up with a convincing argument to justify the odd training 
methods of Master Happosai to her Airen.

	Narrowing tawny eyes Natsume stared at the tent she and 
Kurumi had set up near the koi pond. Placing her hands on her hips 
she said, "Odd that so many people live in the same place. It reminds 
me a bit of the orphanage."
	"Mmm," agreed Kurumi. Putting the wooden stake in place 
she set about pounding it into the soft ground as she said, "It seems 
like Tendo-san likes to take in strays. Ryoga lives here and he isn't a 
member of the family. Plus that girl who turned into the oni lived here 
for awhile too. Even Ojisama Saotome is here." She paused and 
looking up at her sister Kurumi wore a worried expression. "Do you 
think we should stay somewhere else? They seem awfully crowded 
here. I don't want to impose."
	Natsume was about to reply when a gentle voice interposed, 
"You're not an imposition at all. We like having guests. Before Ucchan 
and the others came life was never so fulfilling. Please," said Kasumi 
as she stepped into the dim light that shone from the open sitting 
room. "Stay."
	"Tendo-san," said Natsume respectfully. "We thank you for all 
your hospitality but once the business with the..." Natsume grimaced 
as she continued, "Amazons is finished we will look for our own 
housing."
	Taking this in Kasumi gave a short nod then smiled and said, 
"If that's what you want. Just know that you're welcome here anytime. 
Both of you."
	"Thank you," said Kurumi beaming. "I can see why little Ukyo 
is so fond of you Tendo-san. You're a very generous person."
	Blushing Kasumi replied, "Thank you... but please call me 
Kasumi." Her dark brown eyes twinkling she said in playful tones, 
"Tendo-san is my Father's name."
	"Very well," said Natsume as the smallest smile spread across 
her solemn features. "Kasumi."
	There was a slight pause as Kasumi studied the twins before 
she said, "Could I ask you a question?"
	"Of course!" said Kurumi brightly. Turning around she sat 
cross legged on the soft grass with her shining sea green eyes locked 
onto the Tendo sister
	"Ask us whatever you like," said Natsume gravely as she 
leaned against her rug beater.
	"All right," said Kasumi in slow hesitant tones. "I was curious 
about your hostile attitude towards the Chinese Amazons. It seems 
like you really don't have a problem with Shampoo and the others 
beside the fact that they happen to be Amazons. Why is that?"
	Immediately Natsume set her jaw and directed her gaze 
towards the high wall surrounding the dojo as Kurumi watched her 
twin's actions with sad eyes. Her back facing the eldest Tendo sister 
Natsume said, "Few know this but we are of Chinese descent."
	"Chinese Amazon descent," added Kurumi softly.
	"Oh my," whispered Kasumi, her eyes going wide. Her hand 
covering her lips she tried to regain her wits before she said slowly, 
"But why...?"
	"Do we hate them?" finished Natsume coolly. She looked at 
Kasumi out the corner of her eye and said, "We also had parents at 
one time. They were taken away from us. The Amazons had 
something to do with that."
	"How?" said Kasumi with quiet dread. All her life she had 
dealt with martial artists and Kasumi was quite used to feeling the heat 
of a battle aura but what she was feeling from Natsume right now 
exceeded anything she ever sensed. The girl was literally seething 
inwardly with white hot rage.
	"Our Mother," said Kurumi. Her face twisted with bitterness 
the petite girl crushed the wooden tent stake she had in her hand. 
Kurumi lifted her gaze and Kasumi saw the icy hatred reflected in sea 
green eyes. "They killed her."
	Unease filling her system Kasumi still felt drawn to ask, "And 
your Father?"
	"Dead also," answered Natsume tightly. "But not murdered by 
those Amazon bitches. He died a true warrior in the middle of 
battle..."
	Hearing her twin's voice laced with emotion Kurumi 
continued, "Father died in battle against a member of an opposing clan 
his family had been feuding with. With him gone no one was able to 
protect our Mother." She paused to look at her clenched fists as she 
said, "Father was an outsider who didn't win Mother according to the 
rules of combat and when she became pregnant with us it was a great 
dishonor to the tribe. She was of very high stature."
	"Mother was weak after having us," said Natsume as took up 
the duties of telling the tale. "It was then that the Amazons finally 
discovered the cabin where she and our Father had been living for the 
past months. Father was late coming home as his old rival attacked 
him. He never returned that day because he died in battle but if he had 
he would have found our Mother murdered."
	"Before she was killed Mother hid us safely in the woods," 
finished Kurumi quietly. "That was where Master Happosai found us. 
He took us back to Japan and left us in the care of Takeo-san at the 
orphanage."
	"The Master saved us," said Natsume strongly. "If it hadn't 
been for him we would have been slaughtered along with our Mother 
by those evil Amazons. And for what? Their precious laws!" Her eyes 
darkening Natsume hissed, "I swear I won't let them corrupt little 
Ukyo with their ways."
	"That's why we've decided to stay in Nerima," said Kurumi. 
Standing up she locked eyes with Kasumi. "We can't let their way of 
thinking infiltrate her mind. Amazons are not to be trusted. We learned 
that on our sixteenth birthday."
	"Your sixteenth birthday?" repeated Kasumi numbly, her mind 
was still spinning from all that she had heard. "Why was that so 
special?"
	"Because," said Natsume in low tones.
	"That was the day the Master finally told us the truth about 
our parents," said Kurumi with quiet menace.
	Natsume released a dry humorless laugh and forming a harsh 
smile on her lips she said, "It was our chosen birthday present."
	Her hair flying lightly in the wind of the cool night air Kasumi's 
mind went into the final stages of shock she could think of only one 
thing to say.
	"I'm sorry," murmured Kasumi, her dark brown eyes filled 
with tears she clutched at her long skirt. "I lost my own Mother but at 
least... at least I was able to know her." Her face became resolved as 
she continued, "You mustn't let that effect your opinion of all 
Amazons. There is more than one tribe in China. Your Mother 
probably wasn't even from the same tribe as Shampoo and the others. 
Please don't hold an unchangeable past against them... they're good 
people. Really they are." Kasumi paused then said gently, "And little 
Ukyo does love Shampoo dearly or she wouldn't be marrying her. All 
of us have learned to get along in the past few weeks so might you at 
least try to do the same?"
	Exchanging grim looks the twins set their jaws then nodded in 
unison before Natsume said, "We shall respect their rights."
	"We would never do anything that would hurt little Ukyo," 
said Kurumi emphatically.
	"Good," said Kasumi as she smiled softly. Giving them one 
last tender look she turned to head back inside the dojo as she said, 
"Thank you for trusting me with your past."
	"No," began Natsume solemnly. "Thank you..."
	"For listening," finished Kurumi smiling.
	Their three gazes locked and in that moment a silent 
understanding passed between them. For all of them had lost their 
Mother and that was a pain which caused a rage inside of them that 
even the gentle Kasumi could understand.

	The Tendo dojo was again overflowing with people as all 
those who wanted to attend the impending wedding in Joketsuzoku 
gathered on the premises. Strangely enough the only people missing 
were the ones getting married.
	"I knew it," said Nabiki. "They got cold feet."
	"All three of them?" said Ryoga skeptically. "I don't know 
about that. I could see Ukyo running off but Ranma? And Shampoo 
was ecstatic about getting married."
	"Indeed," remarked Kodachi lazily from where she sat next to 
Ganglot who was hovering above her in the corner of the room. "I 
doubt that Shampoo would allow Ukyo or Ranma out of her sight 
before their relationship was sealed."
	"Ranma would never abandon his duties," said Kuno 
solemnly. "I of all people can judge his loyalty best."
	"Well," began Natsume. "We know that..."
	"Little Ukyo wouldn't leave," finished Kurumi.
	Folding her arms over her chest Perfume said, "I agree with 
everyone. Cousin would never run off before her wedding and neither 
would her Airen."
	"You're worrying for nothing," broke in the voice of Genma as 
he looked up from the continuous game of shogi he played with Soun. 
"My Ranma is a man amongst men and I know there's no way he'd 
miss his honeymoon. What real man would? That's the whole point of 
getting married."
	Scowling at this Akane muttered, "Where's Obasan when you 
need her? I'd like to see someone smack him right about now for 
saying that."
	"Crude words old friend," murmured Soun while he stole 
several playing pieces from Genma. "But the sentiment was apt 
enough. Ranma would never shirk his duties and neither would Ukyo. 
They're around here somewhere."
	"But where?" said Kasumi as she set down the tea tray on the 
sitting room table. "We've looked everywhere."
	"I have a question," said Ganglot in slow sensual tones. 
Studying her glossy fingernails she continued, "Did any of you bother 
to check Ukyo's bedroom?"
	All their gazes meeting many of the dojo occupants flushed in 
a deep red blush while Genma released a loud hoot of excitement 
before praising his son's obvious manliness.

	Blearily opening cobalt eyes Ranma wondered about the 
boisterous yells he could hear coming from downstairs. "They having a 
party or what?" he said drowsily. There was a slight shift in the bed as 
he looked up into the beaming face of Shampoo hovering over him. 
"Hey Shamchan."
	"Hey Ranchan," replied Shampoo tenderly. She rested her 
cheek against his chest and smiled at the sight of Ukyo still peacefully 
sleeping. "Ucchan a very deep sleeper, yes?"
	"She's tired," said Ranma in way of an explanation. "But what 
do you care?" he asked teasingly. "Why are you so eager to get out of 
bed? Are we really so difficult to sleep with after all? You realize that 
you were the one who came up with this idea in the first place."
	Sniffing at this Shampoo folded her arms over Ranma's chest 
and lowered her chin as she looked up into his eyes. "You no think it 
good idea? I not talk much to my Mother but I remember one 
important talk we have about getting married. Shampoo mother say 
that most important thing is compatibility and best way to find out that 
exist with your Airen is to sleep with them. Just sleep in same bed. No 
fooling around, to see if can be restful and calm with them. I think it 
very good advice. Don't you?"
	"Yeah," said Ranma softly as he lightly caressed Shampoo's 
cheek with the back of his hand. "I do."
	"You two talk way too much," muttered Ukyo grumpily. Her 
oak brown head was wild and unruly as she lifted it from where it had 
rested on Ranma's chest. "If you were good compatible Airen you'd 
be quiet and let me sleep some more."
	"Ucchan no need more sleep," said Shampoo smiling. "We be 
leaving soon for Joketsuzoku. I can hear the others downstairs talking 
about wedding."
	"Good for them," said Ukyo with a yawn as she buried her 
face in the crook of Ranma's neck while he softly kissed the top of her 
head. "I'm staying right here. It's way too comfortable for me to go 
anywhere. The sheets are nice and warm... the perfect temperature 
for snuggling." Popping open one sandalwood eye Ukyo said, "Right 
Ranchan?"
	Directing his gaze to Shampoo the pigtailed boy gave a slight 
shrug as he said, "She's got a point Shamchan. It is an awfully 
comfortable bed. And I don't really feel like going anywhere. How 
about you?"
	"Shampoo is comfortable too but--"
	The Amazon's protests were cut off as Ukyo and Ranma 
lightly covered Shampoo's lips with their index fingers. "But nothing," 
said Ukyo smiling. "It's not like they can leave without us. We're the 
ones that are getting married Shamchan. I think it's pretty safe to say 
that they need us to put on the ceremony, huh?"
	"Exactly," agreed Ranma as a smile spread across his 
handsome features. Wrapping an arm around both the girls waists he 
continued, "It's up to you Shampoo. What do you want to do? Stay in 
bed and snuggle with us for another hour or get out of bed and deal 
with the crowd downstairs who have probably figured out where we 
are by now."
	Her face contemplative Shampoo shook her head and gave a 
little laugh before burying herself underneath the warm covers and 
resting her face against Ranma's chest. "Shampoo want to stay here 
and snuggle."
	"Good," said Ranma in satisfied tones. "We're all in agreement 
then. This was a great example of teamwork..."
	"Ucchan," said Shampoo softly as she formed a sly smile. 
"You thinking that Ranchan be talking too much?"
	"Oh yeah," said Ukyo in husky tones. "He's definitely talking 
too much. Especially when he could be using his lips for something 
much better than talking."
	With that the two girls pounced on the unsuspecting Ranma 
who soon after stopped talking all together. It seemed that the 
honeymoon was coming a bit early for him.

	Across the sea in the land of China a battered and frustrated 
Mousse stood before the springs in the ancient training grounds of 
Jusenkyo. And standing next to him was the very nervous figure of the 
Jusenkyo Guide.
	"<Are you sure you want to do this?>" questioned the Guide. 
"<Once you enter the spring your life will change forever. Nothing can 
lift a Jusenkyo curse-->"
	"<Enough!>" said Mousse harshly. "<I must do this if I'm to 
ensure my victory over the evil Tendo Nabiki. With this form I will 
make Pur-fum mine, I swear it.>" He then let his long white silk shirt 
fall to the ground before he walked towards the edge of the chosen 
spring. "<You're absolutely sure that this is the spring I asked you 
about?>"
	"<Yes,>" said the Guide as he gave a short nod. "<It is but 
still, any curse is a bad curse, you should not-->"
	"<That's all I needed to know,>" said Mousse in grim tones as 
he walked forward to fall with a loud splash into the depths of the 
Jusenkyo spring.
	"<This is a tragic tale all by itself,>" said the Guide with a 
deep sigh. "<Never before has anyone ever chosen to fall into the 
spring of drowned-->"
	The Guide halted in his speech as the cursed figure from the 
spring appeared before him. He knew all the tragic tales of the 
Jusenkyo springs but before this day he had never seen the results of 
the particular spring that Mousse had chosen to immerse himself into.
	His eyes wide he stared at the enormous and fierce figure that 
inspired terror in his heart despite what he knew to be a human mind 
inside its frightening exterior the Guide whispered, "<Dragon.>"

To be continued... 

All characters in this fanfiction are from Ranma 1/2. With the 
exceptions of: Belldandy, Urd, and Skuld who are from Oh My 
Goddess!; Ayako is from Devil Hunter Yohko; Sakura is from Street 
Fighter; Perfume is borrowed from the Most Unlikely Of Friends by 
Wade Tritschler and Ganglot is an original creation by yours truly. 
This fanfiction was inspired by the works of the great goddess 
Rumiko Takahashi, Wade Tritschler, Jim Robert Bader, and many 
other cool folks. 

Send comments to: Dreiser1@ix.netcom.com

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Next up: 
The dojo gang leaves for the wedding in Joketsuzoku and poor 
Nabiki gets a fiery greeting from a cursed Mousse.

"There is no darkness other than ignorance."
-Shakespeare; The Twelfth Night-