All Ranma characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi, first published
by Shogakugan in Japan and brought over to North America by Viz
Communications.  And the Kung Fu characters aren't mine either.


A Different Viewpoint:  American Vacation pt 9

    The room went silent.  The faint noises of the office outside came
through clearly as everyone tried to respond to that.

    Captain Simms spoke up first.  "I... see.  You two are... fiancees?"

    Akane nodded, still blushing.  "Yes... I don't generally like to
tell people....  Most people don't understand."

    Ranma shrugged, trying not to blush herself.  "When people see two
girls together...."

    Skalany nodded, coming immediately to the wrong conclusion.  "So you

claimed to be engaged to your brother, because you were embarrassed to
admit you were engaged to another girl?"

    Ranma shrugged, red-faced.  < Well, it is something like that,
anyways.>

    Skalany nodded again.  "Now that all makes sense.  It is an unusual
relationship you two have."

    Akane sighed.  "You have no idea."

    There was several long moments of silence, then Peter Caine brought
out a tape recorder and put it on the table.  "Alright.  Now that that's
all settled, why don't you tell us exactly what you saw yesterday, when
that car tried to run you down."

    Johnathon hesitated, then spoke.  "I guess I'll start."  The police
listened quietly as Johnathon gave a slightly edited version of the
previous days events.

    Captain Simms questioned him after he had finished.  "Did you see
anything strange?  Anything out of the ordinary, after you heard the
shots?"

    Johnathon shook his head honestly.  "I didn't see anything
surprising.  The most unusual thing there that I saw was people carrying
guns."  < Its not like me seeing a half cat is unusual.  I see one all
the time, in the mirror.>

    Ranma gave her statement next, following Johnathon's version
exactly, insisting that she had seen nothing out of the ordinary,
besides the men with guns.

    Peter questioned her after her statement.  "Did you see your friend
Johnathon here leaving?  He says he ran away before we showed up."

    Ranma nodded.  "Yes, Johnathon-san leave before you come.  Nothing
strange about that, yes?  People with guns around."

    Peter nodded in agreement, favoring Johnathon with a shrug.  "No,
nothing strange about running away from guns."  He turned to Ranma. "You
didn't run away.  Why?"

    Ranma grinned cockily.  "Akane always say I too headstrong for own
good.  Johnathon not as stubborn."

    Akane rolled her eyes.

    The desk sergeant came to the door and knocked before opening it.
"Detective Caine, you father is here to identify the suspects."

    Captain Simms nodded.  "Start the line up.  We'll do this all at
once."

    They all headed for the room where they'd see the line up.  Kwai
Chang Caine was coming out even as they arrived.

    Peter went up to him.  "You identify those men, pop?"

    Caine nodded calmly.  "I have."

    Captain Simms smiled and went over to him as well.  "Master Caine,
thank you for saving my life yesterday."

    Caine shrugged.  "I was not alone."

    Karen Simms nodded, turning back to Ranma.  "Yes, I have Ranma to
thank as well.  Ranma, are you ready to identify those gunmen now?"
Ranma nodded and the Captain indicated the door.  "Why don't we do this
one at a time.  Ranma, you can take a look first."

    Skalany opened the door for Ranma and led her in.  "This will just
take a minute."

    The door closed behind Ranma, and Johnathon waited patiently for his

turn.  Caine approached him slowly, an unreadable expression on his
face.  The Shaolin stopped a few feet away and placed his right fist in
his left palm, bowing slightly to the younger man.  Johnathon imitated
Caine a second later, hastily, slightly surprised.

    Johnathon tried not to sweat as the Shaolin priest stared at him
calmly.  < Does he know?  Did he see me transform?  What is he going to
do?>

    Caine spoke softly.  "It is good to see you again, Johnathon."

    Johnathon cleared his throat.  "It's good to see you too, Master
Caine.  I hear you and Ranma helped save Captain Simms."

    Caine's eyebrow rose.  "Did you not help as well?"

    Johnathon coughed.  "Ah, well, with people like Ranma and yourself
around, I wasn't really needed."

    Caine quirked his head to the side.  "Do not downplay your own
courage and abilities, lest you believe yourself less than you are."

    Johnathon nodded slowly.  "Ah...."

    Caine's eyes moved just slightly toward his son and Captain Simms,
who were listening intently.  "Ah."  He raised an eyebrow.  "I
understand.  We will speak no more of it."

    Peter came up to them, holding a pair of black running shoes.  "I'd
like to talk about it a bit more."  He held up the shoes to Johnathon.
"Lose something?"

    Johnathon blinked, then slowly took the shoes.  < No use lying
here.  They probably can trace these back to me.>  "Yup.  I lost these
yesterday, ran right out of them, in fact.  I didn't really feel like
going back into a gun fight to get them you understand."

    Peter Caine nodded in agreement.  "I don't blame you.  It was pretty

hairy yesterday."  He pointed.  "In those shoes, I mean.  Hairy that
is.  Can you guess what we found in them?"

    Johnathon's expression went blank.  "Why don't you tell me,
detective."

    Peter's eyes narrowed.  "Alright, why not.  We found cat hairs,
black cat hairs in both of your shoes."

    Johnathon stared silently at the detective for a moment, then
nodded.  "That's very good.  I do, in fact, own a black cat.  I guess
that proves the shoes were mine."  He glanced over at Akane.  "I should
say, we own a cat.  It's really all of ours."

    Akane nodded, smiling.  "C-chan is such a cute kitten.  I think I
have a picture somewhere."  She fished around in her purse, coming up
with a photo of a black kitten curled up on the Tendo living room floor
with Kasumi (in her human form and asleep).

    Captain Simms and Peter looked at the photo with interest.

    Peter pointed to Kasumi.  "That's your wife, right, Johnathon?"

    Captain Simms smiled softly.  "How cute.  You have a lovely wife.
It's an adorable kitten too."

    Johnathon smiled widely.  "Yes, that's Kasumi.  She's very fond of
the kitten.  Almost like it's her child."

    Peter and Captain Simms nodded at that, then their eyes went wide a
few seconds later at the implication.  Johnathon pretended not to
notice, confident now that they had no real proof of his transformation.

    Kwai Chang Caine glanced at the photo and nodded politely.  "A very
nice picture.  Professionally done."

    Akane looked slightly embarrassed.  "My sister Nabiki is really into

photography.  Its her hobby."

    The door to the one way mirror room opened up and Ranma came out.
"They ready for you, John-san."

    Johnathon nodded.  "Alright."  He passed Ranma in the doorway and
went in.

    Skalany closed the door behind him.  "Alright, all you have to do is

identify the four men you saw out of this line up."  She pointed through

the glass to a room on the other side, where 10 men stood shoulder to
shoulder.

    Johnathon stepped up to the one way mirror and looked carefully at
the men.  "Number 3, 4, 7, and... 10.  Those are the guys I saw."

    Skalany nodded, pleased.  "Both Ranma and Caine identified them as
well.  With your statements and the Captains, and all the evidence we've

gathered, this case is air tight."

    Johnathon nodded to the detective.  "I'm glad we can help.  If
there's nothing else, I have a honeymoon to get back too."  He went to
the door, followed by Skalany, and opened it, stepping out.  "Captain
Simms, detectives, is there anything else?"

    Captain Simms nodded seriously.  "I'm afraid there is.  You were
targeted yesterday for a reason.  A notorious gang boss, Lon Phat, was
running an illegal gambling ring at the tournament you two won
yesterday.  He lost face, and a lot of money, because of you two, and
it's not very likely that he's given up on revenge."

    Johnathon blinked.  "Alright, what do you suggest we do?"

    Captain Simms didn't hesitate.  "Lon Phat is likely to try again,
soon.  I'd suggest you accept police protection for the next few days."

    Johnathon winced at that.  < A few days?  Our secret will never last
that long.  I've been lucky to keep it from my folks, but these cops
already suspect.  Not to mention the fact that they carry guns.  I have
no desire to be shot by some rookie cop that panics.>

    Akane and Ranma exchanged meaningful glances as Johnathon winced and

thought.

    Ranma whispered to Akane in Japanese.  "They want to stay with us?
For days?  Oh great."

    Akane answered quietly in the same language.  "They just want to
help.  Even you can't dodge bullets."

    Ranma looked thoughtful.  "Oh?  I'm not so sure about that."

    Johnathon sighed.  "Let me talk this over with my friends.  In
private."

    Captain Simms hesitated, then nodded.  "You can use the conference
room."

    A minute later, Johnathon, Akane and Ranma were alone in the police
conference room.

    Ranma turned to Akane and Johnathon, speaking in Japanese.  "So,
what do you think?"

    Johnathon shrugged.  "I think we're in trouble."

    Akane rolled her eyes.  "What gave you that idea?"

    Several minutes later, the door opened.

    Ranma waved the Captain, Peter, and Skalany in.  "OK, we work with
you.  But on our terms."

    Captain Simms hesitated, then nodded.  "Alright, let's hear what you

have in mind."

    Johnathon stepped forward.  "The deal is this.  We help you get Lon
Phat, and then we leave.  No court appearance, no publicity, we're out
of it."

    Captain Simms hesitated, then came to a decision.  "If we get
evidence to put Lon Phat away, it's a deal.  On one condition.  The
truth.  What happened yesterday, what really happened.  The TRUTH."

    Ranma locked eyes with the police captain.  The two women stared at
each other for several long moments.  Peter Caine looked at Johnathon,
then at the two women locked in a battle of wills.  Ranma gazed into
Karen Simms eyes and saw determination there, and a need.  Captain Simms
saw a young woman who was much more than she appeared at first glance.

    Ranma sighed, and turned to Johnathon.  "It's your call, John-san.
It's not really a problem for me, but...."

    Johnathon sighed.  "It seems the only way.  The truth... but not
here.  There are too many eyes here, too many ears.  The truth... has to
remain a secret."

    Peter spoke up.  "My fathers apothecary.  If you need to keep a
secret, you can trust him."

    Ranma nodded.  "Master Caine?  I think that would be a good idea."

    Johnathon nodded.  "Alright.  Then, there, you three, Caine.  No one
else."

    Peter didn't hesitated.  "Captain?"

    Captain Simms nodded.  "I agree.  Lets go."

    Fifteen minutes later they were all at Caine's door.

    An ancient chinese man opened the door for them.  "Enter, enter.
We've been expecting you."

    Captain Simms, Akane, and Johnathon all started to ask how they knew

they were coming, then thought better of it.  The wizened old man
brought the group into the back room, where Caine was sitting in
meditation.  The Shaolin priest rose to his feet easily and bowed, fist
against open palm.  Johnathon, Akane and Ranma returned the bow, while
the the three police officers nodded in response.

    Caine nodded at the ancient.  "This is Lo Si, my mentor, and
friend.  We have been hoping you would come here to us."

    Johnathon sighed.  "I guess one more can't hurt."  He turned to the
whole group.  "We're here, because Captain Simms wanted to know the
truth.  Well, first I need all your words, that what I'm about to show
you does not leave this room.  Otherwise, we walk away, and take our
chances with Lon Phat following us back to Japan."

    Lo Si and Caine nodded immediately, Skalany a second later.

    Mary Margaret Skalany's look was serious.  "I can agree to that."

    Captain Simms hesitated a few moments longer, then nodded as well.
"I owe you that much, at least."

    Peter Caine nodded firmly, a second later.  "Alright.  I give my
word.  I won't reveal what I see here."

    "I swear,"  Kwai Chang Caine said with conviction, nodding again.
"Your secret I will keep."

    Lo Si spoke up as well.  "I will keep your secret, on my oath."

    Johnathon nodded.  "Very well.  Ranma, do you want to go first, or
should I?"

    Ranma shrugged.  "I go first.  One shock at time, I think."  He
bowed to Kwai Chang Caine.  "Master Caine, you have pitcher of hot water
I can use?  And some cold water?"

    Kwai Chang nodded.  "I do.  I will bring them."

    Akane and Johnathon exchanged surprised glances.  Lo Si just smiled
enigmatically.  Caine went out and came back in several moments later
with two kettles.

    Ranma took them and felt the temperature with his wrists.  "A bit
too hot."  The red haired girl carefully poured some water from one
kettle into the other.  "There, that just about right."  Ranma lifted
that kettle over her head and poured.  An instant later, Skalany,
Captain Simms and Peter Caine gasped in astonishment.  Ranma had gained
just over half a foot in height, appeared quite male, and his hair had
changed to black.  The young man bowed.  "I am Ranma Saotome."  Lo Si
just nodded, while Kwai Chang Caine lifted an eyebrow.

    Peter stammered.  "You... and her... that girl... are the same?"

    Ranma nodded sadly.  "I am.  This my real form.  The body of girl,
is the curse."

    Lo Si nodded in understanding.  "The curse of Jusenkyo?"

    Ranma blinked.  "You knew?"

    Lo Si shrugged.  "We... guessed.  The cursed springs of Jusenkyo are

legendary, but not widely known."

    Skalany broke in.  "Curse?  Cursed springs?  I don't understand! How
can he... she... change like that?"

    Akane shrugged, inclining her head at her fianc�.  "You get used to
it.  No one seems to know how, or why the curses work.  They just do,
they're curses."

    Ranma proceeded to explain, setting down the kettles.  "The cursed
springs of Jusenkyo is valley filled with pools.  It supposed to be
training ground, very dangerous.  There is poles sticking out of
springs, you is supposed to fight on poles, not get knocked off.  In
each spring is curse.  Who ever falls in one takes the body of what
drown there.  I fall in spring of drowned girl.  Spring where girl
drowned one thousand five hundred year ago, very tragic story."  He
opened up his shirt in front.  "As can see, hot water change me back to
guy.  Cold water makes me girl."  Ranma picked up the kettle with cold
water in it and tipped it over his head, pouring just enough to
transform.  An instant later, a busty red head was shaking out her hair,
her breasts bouncing a bit as her head moved.  "You see?"

    Akane growled.  "Ranma, close your shirt!"

    Ranma did so with a shrug.  "So now you know, yes?"

    Skalany, Captain Simms and Peter Caine stared dumbfounded at her.

    The Captain shook her head.  "So that explains 'Ranko' and 'Ranma'."

    Ranma nodded.  "Yes, I go by Ranko when girl sometimes.  Is better
than explain curse to everyone."

    Skalany shook her head as well.  "I... I can't believe I just saw
that."

    Kwai Chang nodded slowly at her.  "Believe what you see, Mary
Margaret.  It is the truth."

    Skalany shrugged sheepishly.  "Alright, if you say so, Kwai Chang."

    Johnathon walked over and took the cold water kettle.  "Just
enough."  He turned to the police officers.  "Don't overreact, please.
This is a curse, but the body changes, not the mind.  It's still me,
right?"

    Captain Simms nodded slowly, Skalany a second later.

    Mary Margaret Skalany spoke quietly.  "You're... you're really...."

    Johnathon sighed, and poured.  Everyone froze in shock or in
anticipation of a violent reaction.  For several seconds no one moved.

    Johnathon broke the silence, moving his head slowly.  "I call this
form, a half cat form, because that is what it is."  His voice made
shivers run up and down the officers backs, but they didn't speak or
move. Johnathon continued, letting them get used to the throaty,
slightly inhuman timber of his voice.  "Over a year ago, I was splashed
with a bucket full of water from the spring of drowned cat.  For quite a
while, I changed into a little black house cat whenever I was splashed
with cold water.  Eventually, I traveled to China in search of a cure.
I ended up in Jusenkyo, and tried jumping into the spring of drowned
man."  He sighed.  "This is the result."  Johnathon shrugged
expressively.  "At that, is the truth."

    Peter Caine blinked.  "OK... I've seen stranger things... I think."
He turned to Akane.  "So, do you change into anything?"

    Akane shook her head.  "No, this is the real me."  She nodded at
Ranma.  "And Ranma really is my fianc�."

    Peter blinked again.  "Oh."

    Captain Simms came up to Johnathon slowly, tentatively she reached
toward his face.  "May I?"  She asked with slight trepidation.

    Johnathon nodded.  "Go ahead."  Karen slowly brought her hand up and

touched his face, then gently ran her fingers though his facial fur, up
to his ear.  Johnathon's ear twitched in response and the Captain jerked

her hand away.

    "Oh, I'm sorry."  Simms' face reddened slightly in embarrassment and

worry.

    Johnathon shook his head quickly.  "Don't worry, I don't bite.  My
ears are a bit sensitive, but you didn't hurt me."

    Captain Simms let out a breath she hadn't realized she had been
holding.  She tilted her head, and stared at him intently.  Kermit's
info from Japan suggested that the 'half cat' in front of her was a
monster, responsible for attacking young women, and scaring people.

    < I was certainly scared.>  Karen Simms frowned slightly.  < I let
his appearance frighten me into making a rash judgment.  I won't make
another.  If... he... Johnathon Dwire, is guilty the crimes of which he
is accused, then I'll act.  But without more proof then a few frightened
people's words, I haven't the right.>

    Johnathon appeared nervous as she sized him up.  He glanced at the
other two cops.  Skalany was a bit wide eyed, staring at him intently,
while Peter Caine's expression matched his captain's, that of wary
appraisal.  Kwai Chang Caine and Lo Si were calm and collected, waiting
patiently.  Finally, Captain Simms turned away, glancing at Peter and
Skalany.

    Then nodding once, the police Captain turned back to Johnathon with
a decisive look.  "We have reports of someone matching your description
in Nerima Japan."  She paused momentarily waiting for a reaction.

    The half cat nodded once.  "Yes...."  He waited as well, for the
other shoe to drop.

    Captain Simms continued after several seconds, gauging his reactions
as best she could.  "Most of those reports lacked detail, but one
reported that the 'Cat Demon'."  She paused.  "Their term, not mine.
That you, apparently assaulted two young women and a man."

    Johnathon didn't move or speak for several seconds.  "I believe I
may know what you're talking about."  He paused.  "It's not true, but it
could have appeared that way to the crowd that gathered."

    Skalany spoke up.  "Do you have any proof that you're innocent?"

    Johnathon Dwire hesitated.  "Yes...."

    Peter Caine jumped in at his hesitation.  "If you do, let us hear
it!  What proof do you have?"

    Johnathon looked around him, wrinkling his nose.  "I thought I was
innocent until proven guilty."  He glanced hesitantly at Akane, then
back at Peter, and sighed.  "I married one of those two women... that
incident was... personally embarrassing.  I'd rather not bring it up
again...."

    Skalany glanced at Akane, who was starting to blush slightly, and
came to a conclusion.  "You were the other woman?"

    Akane nodded.  "Johnathon had nothing to do with it, besides being
there and getting splashed.  We were on a double date, Ranma, Kasumi,
Johnathon and me.  A pervert, Happosai, attacked us."

    Ranma nodded.  "Yes!  He splash me and John-san, and grab Kasumi.
Akane grab him and...."  The red head paused, looking embarrassed.
"Well, um... Akane got rid of Happosai....  John-san didn't do nothing."

    Johnathon sighed.  "Akane is a very skilled martial artist.  My
assistance wasn't needed."

    Captain Simms, Skalany and Peter glanced at each other, having noted
the long pauses by all three of the Nermities.

    Lo Si had started muttering to himself upon hearing Johnathon's
explanation, then he spoke.  "This... Happosai.  Could you describe
him?"  Everyone looked at the Ancient.

    "Huh?"  Ranma said intelligently.  "He... um, he real short, and
real old, white hair, and thin whiskers on face.  He pervert, always
grab at girls, and steal underwear."

    Lo Si nodded.  "I have heard of this... Happosai.  A Demon, they
say, of perversion.  A notorious panty thief, also, an extremely
powerful martial artist.  He is wanted for the theft of many treasures
in China, as well as for his lesser perversions."

    Akane nodded.  "That's him alright.  He's been causing problems for
us for almost a year now.  It was Happosai that attacked me and Kasumi
that night.  Johnathon was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
When that crowd showed up, they spotted Johnathon in his half cat form,
and jumped to conclusions."

    Captain Simms sighed.  "I can understand how that could happen." She

turned to Johnathon.  "I'm sorry I misjudged you.  I should know better
by now, than to judge by appearances."

    Johnathon shook his furred head in dismissal.  "Don't worry about
it.  Lots of people have made the same mistake.  You reacted quite
calmly, in fact, compared to most of them."

    Akane broke in.  "Now what?  You know the truth, so...."  A
scratching noise from the back door caught everyone's attention.  It
sounded like something scrabbling on the glass rapidly.  "What is that?"

    As a group, everyone started for the back door.  The source of the
sound was immediately obvious.  A black cat was clawing at the back door

desperately.  The cat stopped attacking the door when it saw them, but
the look of alarm stayed in it's eyes.  Ranma, Akane and Johnathon all
stopped dead upon seeing it.  Peter continued towards the door, followed
by Skalany and Lo Si, while Captain Simms and Caine noted the three
younger person's shock.

    Peter opened the back door, looking down at the black cat.  "What's
wrong?"  He asked in a soothing tone.  The cat ran past him without
answering, and went directly for Johnathon.  It leapt into his arms and
he caught the cat automatically.

    "K.. Kitten!"  Johnathon sputtered.  "What are you doing here?"
Slightly wild eyed still, Kasumi shrugged her head toward the door, and
hissed.  Johnathon blinked in astonishment.  Kasumi had never sounded so
angry in her life, and she had never, ever, 'hissed' before.  "Something
bad?  Outside?"  Kasumi nodded emphatically.  Ranma, Akane and Johnathon
exchanged a look.   < Whatever made Kasumi this angry, must be REALLY
bad.>

    Skalany looked incredulously at Johnathon.  "You can talk to it?"

    The tall, black furred, half cat shrugged quickly.  "Sort of...
something's really wrong outside...."

    Peter reached for his gun.  "I'll check it out."  He took a step
toward the door and Kasumi hissed again loudly, shaking her head wildly
from side to side."

    "No!"  Johnathon shouted.  "It's dangerous!"  He looked down at his
diminutive wife.  "What... damn it...."  Peter Caine looked back at the
cat and half cat in astonishment.  He opened his mouth to speak, then
closed it, looking pained.

    Peter's whole face twitched and he burst out.  "This cat says it's
too
dangerous?"  He glanced at his father, who was looking at the back door
with wary anticipation.  Johnathon was staring down at Kasumi, who was
glancing around frantically.  Her eyes stopped on the kettles in the
next room and she pointed firmly at them with one paw.

    Johnathon got the message.  "Alright."  He turned to Lo Si. "Master,

where is you bathroom please?"

    Lo Si blinked once, then pointed calmly.  "Second door on your
left.  You can't miss it."

    Peter gaped in shock as Johnathon then rushed off, running into the
bathroom and closing the door behind him.  "What in the hell?"  He
frowned in anger and turned back toward the back door.

    Kwai Chang put a hand on his son's shoulder, gently restraining
him.  "Patience is always the wisest course, my son."  Running water
could be heard faintly from the bathroom, and everyone stood in various
states of confusion.

    Captain Simms frowned.  "What is he doing?"  She looked sharply at
Akane.  "Can he really talk to that cat?"

    Akane fidgeted.  "In a way... it's slightly difficult to
explain...."

    Unsatisfied with that, Captain Simms marched over to the bathroom
door, hand raised to knock.  Suddenly a woman's voice came from inside,
speaking quickly in Japanese.  It was muffled by the door, but Ranma and
Akane both made out one word in particular.

    The teenagers repeated it to each other, then said it in english for

everyone else.  "Assassins!"

    Meanwhile, Captain Simms had yanked open the bathroom door.  "What's

going on... in... there...."  She blushed and closed the door.  "Oh
wow."  Peter and Skalany were torn between the Captain and the two
Japanese girls.

    Skalany decided to tackle the more obvious threat.  "Assassins?" She

queried dangerously, looking wide eyed at Ranma and Akane.

    The two teens immediately pointed toward the bathroom.  "That's
what..."  Started Akane.

    "We heard."  Finished Ranma in a rush.

    Meanwhile, Peter went over to Captain Simms.  "What's going on?
Who's in there?"

    In partial answer, Johnathon Dwire blew out of the bathroom door.
"Everyone stay away from the windows!  There are men with guns outside,
here to kill us!"

    Peter Caine blinked, then shoved past him and the Captain, to look
into the bathroom.  "What are you talking about?  Who's in...
there...?"  The detective's eyes went wide and he froze momentarily at
the sight of Kasumi Tendo, standing before him, completely naked.

    Kasumi gave off a small scream and covered herself as best as she
could.  Peter felt himself being grabbed and thrown painfully into the
opposite wall.  Johnathon released him, glaring menacingly.  Peter went
from embarrassed to angry in an instant, but his Captain's glare cooled
him down.

    Captain Simms turned to Johnathon, shrugging out of her long
duster.  "Here."  She said, handing it to him.  "That's your wife,
Kasumi Tendo, isn't it?"

    Johnathon took the coat and held it out toward the bathroom.
"Yes..."  He admitted warily.  Kasumi's arm snaked out to take it and
Johnathon looked seriously at the police woman.  "Kasumi tells me there
are men with guns outside, here to kill us.  Me, Ranma, and Kwai Chang
Caine, specifically.

    Simms pulled her gun out of her now obvious shoulder holster.  "I
see.  Where are these men?  How many?"

    Kasumi came out of the bathroom, closing the top button of the
duster.  "There are six men.  I'm not sure exactly where.  I tried to
get in here to warn you as soon as I could.  One had a large briefcase
with a gun in it.  He was supposed to shoot you... but there were five
others with him carrying...."  Kasumi put her hands apart about a foot,
trying to think of the word.  "Carrying... machine... submachine
guns...."

    Karen Simms, Peter, and Johnathon all winced.

    Kasumi looked around worriedly.  "They were going to... cover the
doors, I think.  They talked mostly in chinese, some english.  They are
out there right now!"

    Captain Simms nodded to Peter.  "Alright, get everyone away from the

windows.  I'll call for backup.  She glanced toward the rest of the
group.  "Skalany, cover the back door...."  She blinked and looked
around.  "Where's Caine?"  There was the sound of a gun going off
outside, followed by the unmistakable rapid discharge of an automatic
weapon.

    Peter groaned.  "Where else?"  The young detective headed for the
back door at a run, ignoring his Captain's sudden protest.  Ranma
reacted a second later, running after Peter Caine.  Skalany drew her gun
and moved to cover them from the back doorway as multiple shots started
going off, breaking glass and sending Akane, Skalany and Captain Simms
to the floor.  Johnathon Dwire hit the floor an instant later, having
taken the time to yank Kasumi down with him.  Lo Si stood calmly in a
corner, out of the line of sight of the doors or windows.

    A few moments later, there was a distinctive shout from outside as
Ranma released a  "Moko Takabishi!"  Immediately afterward, the sound of
gunfire from out behind the apothecary shop stopped.  Skalany took the
opportunity to run after her partner, and Johnathon, Akane, and Captain
Simms started getting up.

    Johnathon remained crouched, one hand on Kasumi's back keeping her
down.  "Kasumi, you said they were watching all the doors?"

    Kasumi nodded faintly.  "Yes, Johnathon."

    Captain Simms exchanged a look with Johnathon and they both spoke
together.  "The front door..."

    "Kasumi, stay down."  Johnathon ordered sharply, while Captain Simms

started heading quietly for the shop's front entrance.  He began to
follow after the police captain.  "I've got your back."  Karen Simms
simply nodded, not looking back as she continued toward the front.

    Lo Si looked thoughtful.  "Someone should check the side door."

    He proceeded to follow his own advice and Akane ran after him.
"Hey!  They have guns!"

    Lo Si nodded slightly.  "You're right.  You go first."

    Akane gritted her teeth.  "Alright, fine."  She slipped by Lo Si and

headed for the side door.

    As if on cue, both the front and side doors were kicked open at the
same time.  As the front door flew wide, Captain Simms immediately fired
at the black clad assassin there, causing him to dive out of the
doorway.  The side door had had a chain holding it closed, which held
momentarily.  Akane leapt for the door, kicking it with every bit of
force she possessed, even as the assassin outside tried to kick it open
himself from the other direction.  Akane's kick turned out to be by far
the stronger.  The door flew from it's hinges, crashing into the two men
outside with stunning force.  Akane rolled to her feet, only to find one
of the two men conscious, and pointing his submachine gun at her from
under the door.  Her eyes widened as she realized she had no place to
dodge.  Before he could fire, Lo Si appeared behind him and kicked the
gun out of his hand.

    Akane blinked incredulously as Lo Si calmly knocked the weaponless
gunman out, and stuttered.  "How... how did you... how did you get
outside?"

    Lo Si Shrugged and winked.  "Ancient Chinese secret."

    A series of shots were heard from the direction of the front door
and Akane turned that way.  "Never mind."  When she glanced back to ask
Lo Si for advice on where they should go next, he was already gone.

    In the front of the apothecary, Captain Simms and Johnathon crouched

behind a sturdy table as an assassin fired blindly into the room from
the front door."

    "Cover me."  The half cat whispered between bursts.

    The Captain nodded quickly.  "Right, what are you...?"  In answer,
Johnathon bolted around the table heading toward the door.  She shut up
and popped over the table to fire a couple rounds out of the open
doorway, causing the assassin outside to flinch back momentarily.
Johnathon reached the wall next to the doorway and she dropped back
behind the table.  A second later the submachine gun peeked into the
doorway again from outside, held sideways by the assassin to fire in
without endangering himself.

    < Just gotta keep them busy here.>  He thought, smiling.  < Until
the others get in from the side.>  As he pulled off another random burst
he suddenly  felt a sharp pressure as something grabbed his gun and
wrist from the side, and promptly smashed both into the door frame.  The
man howled in pain as his wrist broke and he released the weapon from
his nerveless fingers.  Not quite satisfied, Johnathon kept moving,
yanking the assassin inside roughly, incidentally causing him to slam
face first into the door jam.

    Captain Simms had stood back up in response to all the noise and
blinked.  A man lay unconscious in the doorway, and the half cat,
Johnathon, was picking up his submachine gun.

    The Captain hesitated.  "Um, do you know how to use that?"

    Johnathon glanced at her, then at the gun.  "Well... probably not as
well as you can."  In two quick steps, he crossed the room and handed
the weapon to her.

    Captain Simms took the submachine gun and looked it over quickly,
before noticing movement outside the front door.  "Get down!"  She aimed
at the shadow as it came up to the door, hands raised and waving.

    "Do not shoot!"  Lo Si came in the front door with his hands up.
Captain Simms lowered her gun and Lo Si waved for Akane to follow him,
which she did.  "The coast, as they say, is clear."  The old priest
reported, bowing slightly, as Akane came in wearily, careful not to step
on the man laying unconscious in the doorway.

    Captain Simms sighed in relief.  "What about Peter, and his father?
Ranma and Skalany went after them, but...."

    Kwai Chang Caine walked in from the back, escorting Kasumi and
followed by Peter, Skalany and Ranma.  "We are all fine."  The Shaolin
said calmly.  "The assassins are unconscious, outside."

    Johnathon went to his wife's side.  "Are you alright, Kasumi?  You
look a bit pale?"

    Kasumi did in fact, appear a bit white.  "I'm fine, Johnathon, but
I'm worried about the other girls."

    Johnathon blinked.  "The others?  What are you talking about?  How
did you end up here anyway?"

    Kasumi took a deep breath.  "I was kidnapped from your parents house
by Mr. Phat.  I'm worried that the other girls he has kidnapped might be
in trouble now."

    Peter Caine came up to her quickly.  "Other girls?  Where are they?"

    Kasumi nodded.  "I should lead you there.  There isn't much time.  I

heard that the others were to be moved tonight!"  She started to
explain.  "There were six other girls in the room he put me in.  They
were all kidnapped like me.  Mr. Lon Phat was worried that the 'heat'
was on, and he was planning on having us all moved tonight."

    Captain Simms walked up as well.  "You can take us to them?  How did
you escape?"

    Kasumi nodded.  "I'll show you the way.  They had a sink with hot
and cold water.  One of the girls promised to cover up my escape for as
long as possible, but I don't know how much time we have."

    Captain Simms nodded back.  "Alright, come with me.  Peter,
Margaret...."

    Ranma interrupted.  "I coming too!  I can help!"

    Akane spoke up.  "Me too.  It's the duty of martial artists to
protect the frail and weak."

    Johnathon nodded.  "Where Kasumi goes, I go."

    Peter didn't have to look at his father to know what he intended.
"Captain, it sounds like we don't have much time.  We could use the
help."

    Karen Simms rolled her eyes.  "Fine, you're all deputized.  Lo Si,
can you deal with the men here until our backup shows to take care of
them?"

    The ancient master nodded.  "My pleasure."

    Captain Simms nodded at started walking quickly for the door. "We'll
call in support on the way.  Let's move, people!"

    The improvised posse hurried after her, Kasumi giving directions as
they piled in Peter Caine's car, and the Captain's Bronco, to go to the
rescue.

                end of part 9

I hope you liked it! C&C is always welcome.
You can find the rest of this story at:
http;//geocities.com/Tokyo/Dojo/1449