I'd like to thank everyone that responded to the flaw in that last chapter 
dealing with Shampoo's father.  This chapter is dedicated specifically to 
fix that.  I also will start giving names to the chapters, from a request 
that it would make things a little easier to follow.  I have a little more 
time, so these chapters should come out a little faster than before.

Also, I see there is a need for me to explain the names that I made.  I made 
the name of the new characters Chinese and they are expected to be sounded 
out just like Shampoo and Mousse's Chinese names are converted into English. 
  They are just a group of related word jumbles.  The easiest way to figure 
them out is to just sound out every syllable.

Xian Pu    = Shampoo
Mousse     = Mu tse

Kodi Shina = Conditioner
Lo Shin    = Lotion
Xian Pan   = Champagne


Chapter 5  "Pu Long's Tale"




"My beautiful Shampoo.  Please, come sit next to me.  I have a story to tell 
you, a story that can help you understand what has happened."

Shampoo was very confused.  Here, there was a man claiming to be her father. 
  Yet she knew that her father was a little old cook.  However, she felt 
this strange ease, as she inched closer to him.  The man smiled as she sat 
down in the chair that rested next to him in bed.  He lifted one of his up 
and touched the side of Shampoo's face.  He then brought his hand back to 
his side and began to talk.  He stared upward at the ceiling as he said, 
"Once upon a time...."

*****

There was a adventurous young man named Pu Long.  He left home to explore 
the world, in search of new martial arts for him to learn.  To keep his 
parents from worrying about him, he told them that he had gotten a job as a 
sailor and had to travel east.  It really wasn't a lie, he did get a job as 
a sailor on a boat.  However, he had an ulterior motive behind it.

After traveling for a year he reached a strange land.  There he met a master 
of Capoeira.  The kindly old man taught him.  It was an art that Pu Long 
took to like second nature.  When his training was complete, he set back in 
search of more martial arts knowledge.  He had heard word of a group of 
fighting women back in China.  Going back would give him a chance to see 
their unique fighting style.

While searching he ran across a young lady wearing a Yukata who was being 
chased by several men.  She had bumped into him, causing both he and she to 
topple over.  The group of men surrounded  them and tried to take her.    Pu 
Long would not allow it.  He quickly found himself testing his new fighting 
skills.  With little effort he managed to best the drunken mob, but the 
young lady was still a little shook up.  In fear that she may get attacked 
again, Pu Long escorted her back to her home.  They walked together till 
they arrived at a large village.  The girl happily ran in, as the young man 
entered, another young woman jumped out in front of him.  The two of them 
stared at each other, the young lady had long blonde hair that was keep in 
high point ponytail.  Her eyes sparkled like gemstones.  She looked as 
delicate as a rose by her face.  The two of them where trapped in each 
others presence.  Then their gaze was disturbed by the sound of a someone 
yelling behind the young lady. The voice screamed, "Xian-Pan!"

The girl shook her head a little and her expression changed as she slowly 
dropped down into a fighting stance.  Pu Long could see the one who called 
out.  Behind her stood an old looking woman.  She was dressed in green, and 
carried a staff.  Her hair was grey with streaks of midnight blue.  She had 
a displeasing look on her face as she stared back at him.  Pu Long noticed 
the young lady was beginning to swing at him.  Just as her fist was about to 
make contact with his face, Pu Long flipped backward and landed in a hand 
stand.  He caught her hand in between legs with a scissor hold.  The two of 
them once again paused in the awe of one another.

The young lady, that Pu Long escorted, ran back over to them and pleaded 
with them to stop.  She explained that he had helped her back in the 
marketplace.  The old lady walked up to the young lady and scowled her then 
asked what she was doing in the marketplace this late at night.  The young 
lady replied that she wanted to see her fiancee that was still at work down 
there.  The old lady looked annoyed by her words, she then turned back 
toward Pu Long and the other young lady, who were now standing side by side. 
  She walked from his side and stepped besides the old lady, and the two of 
them bowed and apologized to Pu Long for their intrusion.  He told them no 
apology was needed.  He could understand them being cautious to a stranger 
entering their village so late at night.  The old lady introduced herself as 
Cologne.  She then introduced the young lady that attacked him, as Xian Pan.

The two of them were in the Warrior cast of the Amazon tribe.  The young 
lady that he helped was an Amazon also.  However, she was a member of the 
Sovereign cast.  Her family sat upon the Council of Elders that Cologne was 
a member of.  In so, she insisted to see the young lady home herself.

Pu Long started to leave the village.  Then Xian Pan softly grasped his 
shoulder, as he walked away.  She told him it was to late for him to travel 
all the way back to the town to find a place to stay.  So she offered him 
lodging for the night.  Pu Long graciously accepted.

What started off as a place to stay for the night, turned into a place of 
dwellings for a year in which Pu Long stayed with Xian Pan and Cologne.  The 
two Amazon took him on as a student of their.  He did the same with Xian Pan 
whenever she asked to learn any of his moves.  Even more important was the 
fact that he and Xian Pan were growing closer with each passing day.  
However, Cologne became worried by this.  She was happy for Xian Pan in the 
beginning, but she noticed that; with only a few months left before the 
Great Amazon Fighting Tournament.  Xian Pan was not focusing on it at all.  
Cologne had been training her for that moment all of her life, but with Pu 
Long around her she no longer cared about it.

One night, after the trio had eaten an left to their separate quarters, 
Cologne entered into Pu Longs room and asked him to go on a walk with her.  
As they strolled their conversation was quite casual.  They spoke on the 
weather, the meal they had just eaten, and then about Pu Long's training.  
Cologne inquired about the way he sparred with Xian Pan.  He would face her, 
but not once would he try to actually attack her.  Instead, he only blocked 
her attacks.  Cologne told him by doing that, he was indeed hurting her.

Pu Long was so concern with Xian Pan's welling being, he had not noticed the 
warrior that lived inside of her.  Cologne told him by doing that hi 
presence had robbed  her granddaughter of her skill.  She then told him 
about the tournament, and how the winner of this particular one would gain 
entry into the Amazon Warrior cast High Council.  Pu Long was sadden by 
Cologne's words.  He knew he loved Xian Pan, but he knew the importance of 
her training.  The same desire caused him to travel around the world for new 
skills.  He hated the decision he was faced with, but he knew what he had to 
do.

The next morning Xian Pan woke up and entered Pu Long's room with some 
breakfast for him.  However, neither him nor any of his things were anywhere 
to be found.  The only thing she saw was a piece of paper wrapped around a 
rose, resting on the part of the floor where he would be sleeping.  She 
opened it and slowly read the brush script.  It was a farewell letter from 
him.  It said that he had completed his training and must continue in his 
search for new skill forms.  It ended with him telling her good luck in the 
up coming tournament.  There were no words of what she meant to him or how 
he felt about her.  The joy she felt for the past year was once again ceased 
from her, as she dropped to her knees and wept.

Three months passed and the tournament was at hand Xian Pan raised her skill 
back to par.  Yet she still was without that spark that made her complete.  
It was now the day of the tournament.  Xian Pan was prepping in a spot near 
the fights.  She was physically ready to battle, but she was still mentally 
unprepared.  Pu Long's sudden departure still haunted her with depression.

While she stretched she saw a man walking toward her from the distance.  Her 
heart began to beat faster as he got close enough for her to see his face.  
It was Pu Long, he had returned to her.  He walked up to her and just as she 
was about to speak; he placed one of his fingers over her mouth.  They 
stared at each other as he said what he traveled back to tell her.  He 
smiled as he said, "I guess your wondering where I've been?  I searched to 
find a love within.  I came back to let you know; I've got a thing for you, 
and I can't let go."

Xian Pan walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his body.  She 
clutched him tightly as she rested her head up against him.  She could her 
his heart beating just as fast as hers.  She keep her head in that spot as 
she said, "Some people go around the world of love but they may never find 
what they dream of."  Their embrace felt timeless as they stood there.  They 
stood in that position till Cologne's voice disturbed their moment.

Cologne looked at them both as she told Xian Pan that her first battle was 
about to begin.  Cologne was surprised to see Pu Long back.  She walked over 
to her granddaughter and took her hand.  Pu Long pulled her back.  He looked 
at Cologne and demanded that he get to say something to Xian Pan.  He looked 
back at her and stared into her eyes as he said, "I know you can win this, 
and I will be there for you in the end.  You don't have to worry, I'm not 
going to leave you ever again."  He then took a hold of her chin with his 
hand and guided her face to his.  Their lips exchanged a moment and then he 
pulled back and told her, "Now get in there and win this."  Xian Pan smiled 
and then nodded.  She turned around and ran toward the fighting area.  
Cologne harshly stared at Pu Long.  She then turned around and rejoined her 
granddaughter's side.

The tournament went by quickly.  Each opponent Xian Pan faced looked as if 
they were greatly outmatched.  She wasted no time defeating all that entered 
her path.  The last match was between her and another equally good fighter.  
No matter her opponent's skill, the tables where still tipped in her favor, 
as the emotional high she was ridding on carried her to a level she had 
never seen before.  Even Cologne was impressed by her granddaughter's 
abilities.

Xian Pan defeated the last fighter, with no major difficulty.  She then ran 
over to Pu Long and tightly hugged him.  He smiled down at her and then 
pushed her back a little as he went into his bag to give her something.  
Xian Pan was confused by what he had just done.  Until she saw what he was 
retrieving in his hand.  Pu Long dropped down to one knee and presented a 
ring to her.  Xian Pan's eyes filled with tears of joy as she reached down 
and gave her hand to him.  Pu Long slid the ring onto her finger and sighed 
in relief that it could fit.

Xian Pan dropped down to her knees and wrapped her arms around his neck.  
She looked so happy as all of this happened to her.  She then paused as she 
began to think of everything.  Her eyes slanted toward Cologne, who was 
standing near them.  Pu Long was afraid that She would be against them 
marrying.  However, Cologne was not angry in the least bit.  She was 
actually smiling at them.  She looked down to her granddaughter and gave her 
blessing; provided that they keep in track with Amazon tradition.

Xian Pan nodded as she told Pu Long all he had to do now is defeat her in 
battle.  He was shocked by her words.  Cologne walked up to him an placed 
her hand on his shoulder and told him, "It is Amazon tradition and law that 
an Amazon warrior female must marry a man that has defeated her in battle.  
That law also translates into the fact that Amazon warrior females can only 
marry a man that is superior than them in fighting.  If you want to marry 
Xian Pan you must beat her in a fight."

Pu Long didn't like that idea, but if it was the only way he would have no 
choice.  He agreed and then went up to the fighting area.  They ready 
themselves, and then set into the match.  Xian Pan went all out as she began 
to attack, yet she intentionally left opportunities for Pu Long to attack.  
However, he passed on each chance.  The battle went on for many minutes.  
The entire time he did not make a single offensive move.  Cologne watched 
and grow angry with each passing moment.  She could see that Xian Pan was 
trying to loose, but Pu Long was not trying to win.  The battle continued to 
the point that Xian Pan was too tired to wage an attack.  She was already 
tired from he previous matches, and now she was not any better.  Her body 
gave up from sheer exhaustion, and she began to topple over.  Pu Long 
quickly jumped to her and caught her before she fell.

Xian Pan tiredly looked up to Pu Long and asked why?  All he had to do was 
strike her once, yet he could not was his hand to do her harm.

Cologne was furious as she walked up to them.  With fire in her eyes she 
yelled at Pu Long, "What you won't do!!!"

Before she could finish he interrupted her in an angry and confused tone, 
"Do...  For love?"

Xian Pan was still weakened, but she softly pleaded, "Do it for love.   
You've tried everything, but you won't give up."

Pu Long's eyes began to water as he pulled Xian Pan up closer to him and 
said, "In my world, there is only you.  Make me...  Do for love."

Cologne scornfully stopped him as pointed the end of her staff at him and 
screamed, "What you would not do!"

Xian Pan pushed upward and stood on her own to feet.  She demanded to 
Cologne to stop.  She then turned toward the High Council of the Warrior 
cast, who had been watching from the side.  She began to speak, "I have Xian 
Pan: Amazon Warrior, granddaughter of Cologne which is a member of the 
Amazon Council, and winner of the Great Amazon Tournament.  I am due a prize 
for the being this year's winner.   I ask that I am allowed to break 
tradition and marry Pu Long, instead of joining the High Council.

The members of the Council looked at one another and then the one seated in 
the middle of them spoke out, "You do know that you are only allowed to ask 
for one prize, and you are not allowed to re-enter again since you have won 
this time?  That means you will not get another chance to win the right to 
be a member of the High Council.

Xian Pan rubbed the tears from her eyes and then looked back at Pu Long.  
She then smiled and turned back toward the Council members.  "I regret 
losing the privilege of joining the Council, but I have found something that 
is more important to me," said Xian Pan as she turned and walked back over 
to Pu Long.

Cologne could not believe what she had just said.  After all that she had 
struggled for, she was just going to throw it all away.  The Council 
discussed amongst one another.  They all reached a decision and then faced 
Cologne to tell her what they thought.  They were willing to give Xian Pan 
what she wanted, but without Cologne's vote, their decision was not final.  
She did not back what they thought.  She felt that Pu Long was clouding Xian 
Pan's judgement.  So she would not give this decision her blessing.  The 
Council was split.  Xian Pan demanded that she be allowed to marry Pu Long, 
because she would do it with or without permission.  So the Council said 
they would allow them to join till the next Council tournament meeting.

The speaker for the Council, hoped that somewhere in that 10 year span Pu 
Long would complete the tradition and all would be forgotten.  That way Xian 
Pan would be married without any problems.  However, if he did not defeat 
her by that 10th year; their marriage would be null & void and Xian Pan 
would be automatically forced into the Council.

Cologne was greatly hurt by Xian Pan's decision.  It only made her despised 
Pu Long all the more.  She had nothing to do with either of them for months, 
until Xian Pan and Pu Long had a child.  It was a beautiful blue hair and 
turquoise-eyed girl.  They named her Xian Pu.  She resembled Cologne as a 
child.  Her presence helped smoothing things over between Cologne and Xian 
Pan & Pu Long.

Two years later Xian Pan and Pu Long had another child.  This one was a boy 
they named Kodi Shina.  He was the spitting image of his father.  As time 
passed and Xian Pu and Kodi Shina grew older and inseparable.  Their great 
grandmother trained them in Amazon style martial arts.  Their father should 
them a little of Capoeira, but he had long stopped practicing the art for 
combat.  In fact, he stopped training himself all together.  Instead, he 
spent his time now being a loving husband and father.

Ten years flew by with amazing speed.  Xian Pu was 10 now and Kodi Shina was 
now 8.  In all of that time Pu Long had not once made an attempted to battle 
Xian Pan.  He had all but forgot about the command of the Amazon Council.   
However Cologne had not.  Neither did Xian Pan, who remembered but opted to 
not fight Pu Long.  She found the new life that she had to be very 
enjoyable.  Where she once spent all of her time preparing to be a warrior, 
she now spent being a mommy.

Being the breadwinner of a family, Pu Long spent time away to earn money.  
The only occupation that he had besides martial artist was sailor.  So he 
spent some time out of the year working on a ship.  While he was on his 
latest voyage, Xian Pan set out to make things right between her and the 
Council.  The decision that she had made was very harsh, but she knew it 
would be the only way that she could be free.

On the day that the Council asked  her to stand before them, they asked if 
Pu Long had beaten her in battle.  She told them no.  They then reminded her 
of the stipulation of the deal that was struck 10 years ago.  She remembered 
and then offered them a new deal;  If she was going to be forced to be a 
member of the Council, she would have the power of a Amazon Council member.  
With that ability she asked if she have her status of warrior changed.  The 
Council spoke for a minute and then replied no.

Xian Pan was angered by their response, or better yet; the response that was 
directed by Cologne.  She then gave them a demand that they could not deny.  
She said if she could not remain happy with her life as it is, being an 
Amazon.  Then she no longer wanted to be one.  Amazon law does give Council 
members a right to give up all of the status of being an Amazon period, but 
in all of Amazon history, no one has ever used it.  Cologne stood by in 
horror by the words of her granddaughter.  To get away from her watchful 
eye, she would remove herself all together.

The Council had nothing to deliberate.  This was not a decision that they 
could influence.  If Xian Pan wanted to be free of the Amazons, she could do 
that.  However, this was not a task free of all of it's judgement.  To leave 
the Amazons, one would have to forget their life as one.  In so, they would 
be stripped of their memories from their past life.  In this case, Cologne 
would have to be the one to inflict this deed own her own grandchild.

Xian Pan and her two children gathered before the Council and awaited the 
ceremony that would render them Amazon's no more.  As the entire tribe, both 
and man and woman, and every cast of the Amazons watched this.  Cologne 
spoke her last rights to them all, then she looked into her granddaughter's 
eyes for the last time.  With the lighting fast reflexes of her quickness, 
she performed the memory erasing shampoo technique.  Xian Pu and Kodi Shina 
watched as their mothers face began to go blank.  When Cologne was through 
Xian Pu and Kodi Shina ran up and hugged her while saying mommy.  Xian Pan 
looked down at the two children with a confused look on her face.  She 
touched both of the children's faces and then told that she did not know 
them and that they must have mixed her up with their mother.  Xian Pu and 
Kodi Shina could not speak, as the lady stood up and picked up her bags.  
She then turned around and began walk out of the village.

The Council roared out in anger.  Cologne had not just erased her 
granddaughter's memory of her Amazon heritage, but she had wiped out the 
memory of her family also.  Cologne glared at the other Council members and 
declared that Xian Pan had made her decision to leave the Amazons, but her 
children were members of the Amazon's and their fate could not be decided 
for them by their mother.  Each member of the Amazon tribe in the warrior 
cast must decide their own fate, and Xian Pu and Kodi Shina were to young to 
make a decision that major.

The Council debated her words and found that she had twisted the Amazon law 
in her own favor.  The children would be raised under Cologne's care until 
they reached an age of maturity, in which they could then make their own 
decision of their fate.

A few months later Pu Long returned to the village, when he got their he 
found his family was not their.  He inquired where they could be and all 
that he saw told him to find Cologne.  When he found her she struck him in 
his chest with her staff.  Her blow caused him some pain and shock.  She 
looked like she had the rage of the devil in her.  She ordered him to leave 
and never return.  She told him that his presence had stole her 
granddaughter from her, and for that she could never forgive him.  Pu Long 
was enraged also, as he demanded that they tell him where his wife and 
children where.  Cologne told him that Xian Pan was no longer in the 
village, and her where-abouts were unknown to even her.  As for the 
children, they where not to be taken from this city which he was no longer 
welcome.

Pu Long declared that he was going to find his wife and then returned for 
the rest of his family.  He left and began to search for his soulmate that 
he needed to complete his life.  A few months into his search, a man found 
him and delivered Kodi Shina to him.  The man was the husband of the girl 
that he saved when he first arrived to the Amazon village so long ago.  He 
told him what had happened that day that Xian Pan left the tribe and told 
him that he could not relinquish Colonge's hold on Xian Pu.  Her memories 
were removed just like Xian Pan's.  However, he could do the best next 
thing, by making sure that Xian Pu was raised right.  He didn't have much 
power, but being in the Sovereing's cast he did has a enough power to 
manipulate things from Cologne.  He swore that he would act as a father for 
Xian Pu.

Pu Long looked at his son.  The only remembrance of the family he once had.  
He took him in and they both searched for Xian Pan for one more year.  Pu 
Long's health began to fail him so his search was cut short.  Four years 
later we find that broken man now holding the hand of the daughter that he 
once lost.

*****

Xian Pu tried to except the words that this man had just told her, but she 
could not.  However, she did not notice her eyes where watering until the 
first tear escaped down the side of her cheek.  She genteelly pulled her 
hand back and stood up and slightly backed away from the man laying in the 
bed.  She could not take her eyes off of him, until the awkward pause of 
silence was broken by the sound of someone entering the room.

Lo Shin walked up to Shampoo and placed her hand on her shoulder.  Shampoo 
turned around and looked at her.  She had a meek look on her face that was 
quite calming. She began to speak in a tone that was just as soothing.

"It is time for our Master to rest now.  I will show you to your quarters 
now.  Please follow me."

Shampoo nodded and began to follow.  Pu Long watched as the two young ladies 
exited.  When they were complete gone he turned his head back to the ceiling 
and closed his eyes.  In the hallway Shampoo continued to follow Lo Shin as 
she tried to make since of things in her head.  What was the truth?  Where 
did she go from here?  Both were questions that sat upon her heavy.


***TO BE CONTINUED***


Okay, I think that should tie together some of the loose ends dealing with 
the father from the Manga.  Now with that taken care of, the next most 
important thing is to dwell into the hatred between Kodi Shina and Cologne.  
And even more important, the relationship between him and Shampoo.  I hope 
no one objected to the chapter being writen in a directed thrid person/first 
person perspective.  I real hope one objected, because the next chapter will 
be similar in format.

If these Chinese names have caused any confusion, please forgive that.  I'm 
trying to keep a certain mood in this writing.


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