(part 2 of a 2 part post)


### Day 3. ###

Dawn, like any other dawn, save that for this one - to a minute group
of ninja in a foreign land - this was to be the dawn of new members
to their elite cadre.

It seemed like any other day at the Joketsuzoku village, at first.
Unconventionally though, there was a great deal more activity than
one would have expected in the darkness before sunrise. As per
usual, amongst the earliest occupants of one Elder Cologne's
household to arise were Shampoo's father, Kwai Lien - to prepare
the morning meal for the family, and one pigtailed ninja trainee - to
prepare for the morning battle.

Of course, neither Ukyou, nor Shampoo were aware of this, since
they were to awaken a good half-hour later.

"Ohayo, Kwai Lien-san." The brown haired chef greeted somewhat
sleepily. Descending the stairway, she noted the absence of
occupants at the breakfast table. "Where did everyone go?"

"Ranma ate and left early - he wanted to head out towards the
Cursed Springs." The man opened his hands beatifically. "Although I
am not privy to such matters, I do believe that the elders and your
Masters were up at pre-dawn preparing Jusenkyou for the trials -
which is probably where Elder Cologne-sama is at as well."

Staring quizzically at the rather diminutive Amazon man, Ukyou tried to
imagine a meekly gentle soul such as him fathering a tempered girl
like Shampoo. To that end, the only item which she could have linked
parent and child were their almost startlingly similar crimson eyes.

"Oh...and as for my daughter, well, she's behind you."

Turning about, her eyes fell upon the rather impatient gaze of the
lavender haired girl. "Spatula girl is blocking way."

Mildly irritated by the Amazon fighter's belligerent attitude, Ukyou
decided to forgo breakfast this morning, and head off straight to find
her friend.


*********


She found both the pigtailed boy, and his Korean friend standing side
by side over the bluff that overlooked the infamous Jusenkyou
Springs. Jusenkyou being Jusenkyou, and the kind of anathema that it
was seen as by the Joketsuzoku people - this was a place which she
had not even once ventured to visit.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Lano commented, as she joined the pair.

And looking out into the dazzling array of almost glowing pools,
highlighted by the morning Sun, and frosted by the miasma of the
rising mists, well, she had to agree. "Strange to think that a place like
that can be so dangerous, eh Ranchan?" She nudged her companion.

"Only dangerous to some." Pointing, he indicated the distant figure of
the well-known Jusenkyou guide, and several other groups of people
milling about between the pools. "Apparently the Amazons have some
sort of special soap that you wash yourself in - supposed to stop
water from coming into direct contact." He shrugged. "So they walk
amongst the pools comfortably enough, it seems."

Squinting through the glare of the reflected sunlight, the chef could just
make out the drab images of the darkly clothed Shinkasa ninjas
amongst those below. "What are they doing down there anyway?"

"The Jusenkyou guide is the only person who knows exactly which
pool gives what - he shows us which pools are 'bad' pools, and..."
Ranma gestured towards another party, who were lugging an
impressively sized tarpaulin across the banks. "...and we cover them."

"I'm so disappointed," Lano added. "All this talk back at Yamakaro
about the Masters having their 'special' ways to stop us from falling
into the wrong Springs, and it turns out to be a canvas sheet."

"I hope they nail those pegs in tight."

"I don't like that guide person - it creeps me out the way he keeps
pulling signs out of nowhere, and talking about tragic stories."

The group laughed at that.

"Well anyways, I haven't had breakfast yet - what time should I be
back down there?" There was no need for her to ask what for.

"We start in two hours, or thereabouts." Ranma answered sombrely.

"Ah, well I guess I'll see you then, Ranma-honey." She finished off
uncomfortably, quietly feeling the dampening mood.

The remaining pair stood for a few more minutes, continuing to
observe the organised bustle of the ant-like workers dotting the
Jusenkyou Springs. The pigtailed ninja looked ready to follow after his
chef friend, before Lano's restraining hand forestalled him.

"Ranma?" Serious eyes conveyed the somewhat uncustomary gravity
to his voice. "I have a...a proposition for you."


**********


Fitting in as best as a be-spectacled, long-haired, white-robed Hidden
Weapons Master could, Mousse milled about the borderlines of the
Jusenkyou Springs. He had, of course, taken the precautionary
measure of soaking in the water-proof soap, but then again the
Amazon teenager wasn't here to test the thoroughness of the
substance.

Only one thing mattered - that cursed Saotome was going to fight
here, and he was going to fall here as well.

And just what Springs would be available for him to soak was the
subject of Mousse's presence.

*Damn foreigners, and their damn customs.* To all sane people, the
curse of a water reacting body was a terrible dishonour - a fate
reserved strictly for punishments amongst the Joketsuzoku. And here
these Japanese were making it their ultimate privilege.

*We'll just see about this privilege, Saotome.*


*********


"I don't like this, Lano." Looking to the skies, Ranma almost wearily
ran his hand through his thick hair. "I really don't."

"Look at it this way - what was the very first thing we were taught as
ninjas?"

His reply was almost automatic. "Survival, and success - by any
means...but..."

"But what? What chance do you reckon either of us stands alone?"
The Korean indicated towards the rather subversively dark presence
of Kagora and Kinaro as they stood several metres away, discussing
unknown matters.

"Yes, but by this way, you forfeit your chance..."

"Like I even had a chance before." Lano cheerfully slapped his
slenderer companion on the back. "As long as there is victory, that's
all that should count, right?"

"Well..."

"Right?"

Ranma looked decidedly discomforted. "I *really* don't like this, but..."

"That's all I needed to hear." The muscle-bound ninja interrupted
happily. "Let's show 'em what Shinkasa's finest pair can do, eh?"

"Look, if you ever change your mind..."

"Yes, yes..."


*********


Ukyou didn't need the prior knowledge to tell that something big was
coming up. Knowing the way her Ranchan usually fought - his
trademark unassuming, almost casual style, and the fact that he
seemed perpetually ready for combat - whatever the dress or
environs, well, this was different.

Starting from the bottom up, the methodical, careful way he armed for
this battle revealed a side she doubted any, save for perhaps Lano
and Ranma's teachers had ever seen. The simple black silken shirt
and trousers which had been sufficient for daily training were now
accompanied with cloth ankle guards, leather leg and arm bracers,
steel knuckle guards, shoulder belts, wrist bindings...

"Ranma honey, you look ready to infiltrate the Imperial Palace." She
inwardly smiled as he clipped a pair of her throwing spatulas to the
bandolier across his breast. "How come I've never seen you dressed
up like this before?"

"Because there was never a need to." Turning, the ninja trainee made
a show of posing before his best friend. "Two katanas, one kodachi,
two throwing knives, and two spatulas - so how do I look?" He smiled
dryly.

"Like a true Shinkasa ninja," came the reply from behind.

Both turned to see the Korean Weapons fighter standing by the door
frame. "I won't bother to tell you what *I'm* carrying - I'm not even so
sure myself anymore."

Ranma allowed his eyes a brief travel to the heavens. Amassed by an
uncountable number of instruments, it was only Lano's impressive
strength that allowed him to stand without toppling over his own
weight.

And that was just the visible ones.

"Let's get going Ranma - they're waiting for us."

Silently, the pair headed for the path to Jusenkyou.


**********


Shinkasa Meyah stood proudly, as she watched her son march
resolutely up to the confrontation point, her swords - their swords -
strapped to his shoulder belt. Lano had already performed the brief
ceremony, and now stood to the side, sporting a new black head
bandanna with its silver Dragon and Tiger emblem. As the
presentation was traditionally carried out in order of age, the pigtailed
boy was to be the next to receive.

Looking to the small crowd of observers, the Swordmaster allowed
herself a brief consideration over the exclusive choice of viewers to
this - a most secretive of Clan traditions. Elder Khu Lon was present
of course, with two other matriarchs, as was the Jusenkyou Guide
and his daughter, but the others? The two clan guard members, Kino
and Nagara had invited none but their host family lady, Siu Wei, and
as for Ranma - well, she wondered if there was any meaning in that
both of his guests were girls, and his age.

And here she was, standing as a Master of the Shinkasa Clan, while
her own son approached to swear himself to their name - yes, today
was truly a good day.

"Brings back memories, doesn't it, Daikoto?" Kuranami murmured to
her long time partner in the Shinkasa guard.

"Stop talking like an old woman - it's only been six years since we
were 'ordained'."

"Still, what I wouldn't give for another venture with old Samatoru-
sempai."

As he had been instructed, Ranma walked evenly, straight-backed,
and eyes raised to meet those of his Master and mentor. Though over
fifty years his senior, there was an almost uncanny resemblance
between the two - one that descended beneath the outward form, to
grasp at that unnamed element beneath that the pair seemed to
share.

As bright blue, young eyes met and bowed once before the grey,
weather worn and experienced eyes, Meyah was once again forced
to wonder as to what depths the Catfist could change the soul.

"Saotome Ranma, under what accolades do you seek to place your
name in honour under the Tiger symbol of the Shinkasa?"

His voice was as clear and steady as it was direct - with neither pride
nor shame. "As a practitioner of the Art of Shinkasa Taijutsu, the
Tanpuku Kenbu Ryu,..."

*Tanpuku Kenbu Ryu.* Meyah stifled a smile - that was a name she
had not heard in many years. She would later have to ask Ranma how
he had come by it.

"...Nichieju no Wu-shu, Mutsbetsu Kakuto Ryu and the Shikontsume
Moukoken...."

Almost as one, both Kinaro and Meyah straightened very slightly at
that. *Fang and Claw of the Tiger?*

"...do I challenge any who see me as unfit for the Shinkasa name."

"Swear by your chosen weapons, to uphold the honour and creeds of
the Clan Shinkasa."

With an eerily silent hiss, a katana was drawn, and presented in both
hands to the Masters. The Swordmaster only barely withheld a most
inappropriate giggle at the noiselessly mouthed curse from her father
- yes, those weapons probably gave him bad memories.

With the utmost care, Ranma drew his fingers along the length of the
razor edge, opening a paper sliver cut down his hand. "I swear by the
sword, in blood." Grasping the well-worn handle, he lightly coated the
weapon haft with his life-fluid.

And finally, at last, Kagora brought forth the jet black cloth that had
been held in his right hand. "Then take this, the symbol of the
Shinkasa, and wear with it the burdens of your duty - eased by the
skills you have proclaimed to have learnt to this day."

Without even realising it, Ukyou released a shuddering breath, the
suspense and tension to the moment easing away to a relieved
nothingness. It took her breath away to see her Ranchan, for the first
time since they were little, to hold a full, genuine, and unmarred grin
as he knelt and removed his grey bandanna.

And to the boy himself, it was a strange non-event to feel the cool,
clean fabric of the silken cloth embrace his forehead. *How strange
that I can attach so much sentiment and importance to a piece of
black fabric.*

"Arise then, Saotome Ranma, ninja of the Shinkasa."

And thus standing, Ranma met his teacher eye to eye once more.

*Trainee no more.*

And all that remained was to prove it.


**********


Infirmary.

A place that Kuno Tatewaki, in his senior high school years, had
grown accustomed to. "Verily, as doth the incandescence of this
vicinity's fluorescent lighting do blind mine eyes, do I realise my own
lack of foresightedness."

Rolling to his side, despite the chorus of complaints that issued from
his body, Kuno refrained from staring at the lights any further. It
should have been obvious, that in the months he had spent in
seclusion, training his mind and body for combat, the goddess Tendo
Akane would have done the same for herself.

Oh but this morn's battle had been so close...*so* close. To tag her,
even once, was a momentous achievement - and heralded to the
upperclassman that his goal was within the reach of mortal hands.
"Twouldst have been beyond even my broad insight to imagine that a
single contact with the goddess in the throes of battle would fill my
loving breast with such hope and confidence. Surely the Gods do
smile upon the Great Shooting Star, and present me a clear avenue to
victory." Yes, if indeed he could keep the training up - the day would
come when he would conquer the unconquerable.

And yet, in the end, and as of today, he had still lost. Maybe perhaps
it was time to impose upon Saotome-dono to invest her Nito-Ichi Ryu
knowledge upon himself.

*Tendo Akane.* Oh yes, truly the Way of Heaven was a strenuous one.


*********


"Now Ranma, who shall it be?"

A simple question, but loaded with a vast array of considerations.
Who indeed would be the one to test his spirit over the Springs of
Jusenkyou? But then, there was also the consideration of...

"Excuse me, sensei?" came the tentative query. It seemed the entire
entourage had their attention now drawn to the source of that
disruption.

Lano shifted to his other foot. "We have a...a proposal."

Wordlessly, Kagora gestured for the Korean to continue.

"We ask that our duels be carried out in tandem."

"Together." Ranma added. "Two students against two Masters."

More silence.

"You realise that this against tradition?" Kinaro said firmly.

"More a habit, rather than a tradition, Master Kinaro - simply that
nobody ever thought to do otherwise." Kagora rubbed his eyes fitfully.
"Ah, you young ones and your innovations."

Eyes twinkling, Meyah not-so-surreptitiously elbowed her father. "Why
not? Afraid they have something nasty planned for us old-timers?"

The Swordmaster received what she had commonly categorised as
'narrowed eyed look number two' - translation, like all others: *Insolent
child.*

"Allow us to confer."

Not liking his extended stay within the centre of attention, Ranma's
eyes flew pensively about. Ukyou could almost have laughed at the
caged expression on his face.

"These are the conditions." Now, that drew everyone's notice. Kagora
lightly clasped his hands. "We duel in pairs over Jusenkyou - should
one of you fall, the remainder must fight both Masters."

"And if a Master should fall?"

If Kagora was perturbed by the suggestion, he gave no sign other
than the slightest of nods. "Should a Master fall, then the challenger
who selected him or her has the choice to drop out of the battle then,
and claim his form, or to continue and assist his partner."

"Seems fair enough." Lano shrugged with forced indifference. "Master
Kinaro, and Kagora, could you do us the honour then?"

With a curt nod, Kagora indicated his acceptance. "I take it that
speaks for Ranma as well?"

"Indeed."

"Well then, let us proceed."

As one, the two men and two boys paced almost casually towards
the outer limits.

"Look at them," Ukyou whispered to her Amazon friend. "You'd think
they were discussing the weather, just before a Sunday stroll."

"Shh..." Shampoo murmured hastily. "Airen and muscle boy is planning
something."

Feeling the inexpressible tingling of close anticipation coursing down
her spine, Ukyou tensed up - she hated suspense.


********


"They're planning something, Kagora." The Weapons Master
muttered. "You know it...I know it, so why did you agree to this?"

"My my, Kinaro, are you actually worried that you might for the first
time be defeated as a Master over Jusenkyou?"

His reply came as a suppressed growl. "Anyone else, and I'd have
little concern - but your boy and mine are full of dirty tricks."

"It matters not - aye we win, or we lose." Absently, the old ninja
master straightened the cuffs to his robe. "Think back to our days -
we were never short of tricks." If it weren't for the fact that Kagora
was, by nature, a very mild mannered man, his smile might have been
interpreted as predatory. "My pupil thinks he can beat me eh?"

Looking to the heavens, as if asking for divine forbearance, Kinaro
silently mouthed his prayer.


********


"What did he just say?" Ukyou asked the Swordmaster, who had just
joined their group.

Meyah laughed in consideration. "*Kagora is annoyed, Kami-sama
preserve us - especially me.*" Gazing towards her son as he took
position, she added, "And I can share his sentiment, and be right glad
that neither Ranma, nor Lano chose me to be their opponent."

Shampoo looked to the taller lady, obviously surprised. "Is not great
honour to be asked?"

"Perhaps." Meyah hesitated for but an instant. "However, it is the duty
of the student to go 'all out' to try and defeat his Master - no
considerations for his enemy's safety; and thus the onus is on the
Master, not only to topple her student, but to ensure that neither is
seriously hurt in the process."

"Soo..."

"So I am not sure if Ranma, by his nature, could ever seriously try to
injure me - and if he could, well...well I know for sure that I would
have trouble fighting my own son at that level."

"In Amazon Championships Shampoo have no trouble fighting for real
against enemy."

"You will soon get to see what it means to remove the restrictions off
a Ninjitsu warrior."


*********


"You take the bamboo post, Ranma." Lano indicated the delicately
swaying post embedded into the muddy earth. "I'm a little weighed
down for that."

Glancing towards their opponents, who were taking similar stances,
with the heavily laden Weapons Master also on the ground, the
pigtailed trainee had to wonder at the true usefulness of them
doubling up the battles. Staring, as Kinaro steadily unlatched his
sword - a giant no-dachi, Ranma remarked mildly, "You know, in all
these years, I never did get around to learning how to wield one of
those."

"They come."

Master and pupil sized each other up - the twenty metres between
them now seeming longer than ever. He thought he might have seen a
single nod of acknowledgement from the old trainer, or perhaps
Kagora was merely gauging the lie of the Sun.

All consideration of that was discarded, two seconds later.

They came at once - Kagora from above, and Kinaro from below.
Tracking their movements with his cat quick eyes, Ranma noted that
the Ninja Master was attacking with a sai in both hands.

*The sai - a weapon to disarm a swordsman.*

And, in an astonishing display of speed that belied his massive
appearance, the Weapons Master was rumbling towards his own
student, no-dachi in hand.

*They aim to keep us separate and fighting individually.* Not bothering
to wonder if Lano had guessed the same in that critical half-second,
he tossed his katana down towards the Korean - the other hand
already extended to catch the bo-staff that would soon be sent up.

It was somewhere between that point of decision and action, that
Kagora comprehended the change - that Kinaro was now facing a
katana wielding ninja, and himself...a bo-staffed pigtailed boy.

Bouncing under his own inertia, he furiously parried a stabbing jab
from the iron capped tool, grunting as the shock of the impact
travelled up the arm. Ignoring the numbness, he stabbed from below,
seeking to undercut the boy's guard.

It was only Ranma's Amaguriken speed training that saved him from a
nasty stomach wound - his katana only half-drawn when it blocked
the darting sai. Twisting away and flipping over the crouching Ninja
Master, he let the bo-staff fly to strike Kinaro in the back.

And Lano did not fail his partner, having already flung the borrowed
katana back. He could have smiled at their perfect coordination, were
it not for the fact that the Weapons Master had seemingly shrugged
off the strike, and was battering him with his massive Japanese
sword.


*********


"They've been practicing for this." Cologne commented appreciatively.
"Neither even had to look to see where the other's weapon was
coming from, nor was there any sign to change."

Ukyou cringed as she watched her childhood friend mercilessly stab
at his Master, who was only just able to deflect the lightning quick
sword points. "They're gonna kill each other."

Block, strike, slash high, slash high again, low stab... She found
herself chewing her lower lip in nervousness. "Oh God."


*********


Ranma had long ago recognised that the level of dexterity being
employed was well beyond even his own conventions. The battle had
not even reached the first minute, and he could feel the strain of too
many super-speeded movements wearing down his endurance.

Slashing wildly, he cleared a moment's space - sheathing one of his
blades, and in the same movement flipping a throwing knife into the
free hand.

Trained from childhood to avoid flying projectiles, Kagora easily
twisted around the path of the speeding blade - but the recognition
that he had had not been the target only came during his descent.
Nonetheless, he had no time to dwell on that as his student attacked
with a vicious cross-cut - both razor edges coming to within
millimetres of shaving off his nose.

Deaf to the reflexive gasp of shock from the crowd, Lano reached
behind and caught the throwing knife that would have impaled itself in
his back. "Kachu Tenshin Amaguriken!" Twisting in a full circle, he just
as quickly sent it flying back - the other hand catching Kinaro's
downward slicing cutlass on his bracer.

*Cutlass?*


**********


Shampoo had fought many Amazons to establish her position as best
maiden warrior in the village - indeed both the bruises and details of
her championship match were still very fresh.

But this was different. Upon the training log, you fought to win, but you
fought with rules - many of them unspoken, but common sensical
laws of respect and honour to a martial artist.

She blinked as Lano gouged a hefty amount of muddy soil with his
machete, sending it flying towards Kinaro - who promptly re-directed
it towards her Airen.

Oh yes, this was very different.


**********


"This match would have been straightforward were it not for their
damn trickery." Kinaro muttered.

The two teams had separated, and by unvoiced agreement settled for
a thirty second breather - unprecedented, since up till now, all
Shinkasa duels over the Jusenkyou Springs had been settled in less
than half the time.

The Weapons Master had doffed several of his heavier inventory in
favour of more mobility. Unlike his taller, slenderer companion, he had
taken injuries - amongst other minor cuts, a somewhat painful slice
across the cheek from a thrown spatula.

"They keep us off balance with their constant exchange of weaponry."
Kagora eyed his student warily. "Throwing knives between them, such
that we can never tell when they are actually aimed at us."

"We finish this in the next three minutes, Kagora, else I'll..." Kinaro
was never able to finish his statement, as he was forced to expend air
dodging the incoming arrow.

Wondering just where the hell Iyarasora had kept his five foot bow -
The Weapons Master moved once more into battle.


*********


The mental clock that ticked continuously within Ranma's mind - what
with Kagora's lightning speed for even his most basic manoeuvres,
and Master Kinaro's penchant for destroying anything in front of him, it
was only the partners' timing that saved them from being dunked.
Trampolining off a tarpaulin covering a banned Spring, Lano tossed a
short dagger, linked to his wrist by a long cable, apparently aiming for
Kagora's chest.

Bending over the arcing blade, the Ninja Master moved to ensnare the
whipping line, hoping perhaps to pull the running youth off balance.
Closing a hand on the cable, he inwardly winced - the wire had been
dipped in liquid glass, and cut painfully across unprotected flesh.

And only then came the realisation that the line was already very
taut...and...

Having caught the projected dagger, the pigtailed ninja flew in tandem
with the Weapons ninja - the pair crossing each other, still carrying
the wire between them.

He saw the loop, the curve of the snare as it closed in at an
unbelievable speed, seeking to tighten and trap an unwary Ninja
Master of the Shinkasa.

But Kagora was accustomed to the unbelievable, bending over
backwards in mid-air, and still somehow managing to fend off the
double bladed attack of his pupil.

But only barely - and he was poorly prepared for the blindside surge
from the other ninja.

And in one of those instants of clarity - despite the milliseconds of
instants, Kagora found the time to ask himself two questions:

Where the hell was Kinaro when you needed him? And why were both
he and Iyarasora heading for an uncovered Spring?


**********


As far as Master to student battles were concerned, this particular
one had not being going well for Kinaro. He was certainly no stranger
to Jusenkyou - having initiated several groups over the waters in his
long career as Weapons Master of the Shinkasa.

But what was even worse was that, though just for a few terse
seconds, he had been left entirely alone by both ninja fighters.

And to have the opportunity in a duel to totally ignore a Shinkasa
Master spoke of planning - and Kinaro could feel it in his experienced
bones that the culmination of the dratted student's plotting was soon
to be realised.

As if in answer to his gut suspicion - the Weapons Master watched
with a detached fascination as both black band ninjas moved in
concert about Kagora. Ripping the net that had been used to bind him
apart, the massive fighter roared like the Grizzly bear he resembled.


**********


Feeling the world turning about, Kagora urgently jabbed at all the
critical points - knowing that time was almost up. The dratted Korean
had him in a very stubborn, and certainly most un-ninjerly bear hug,
pulling both of them to their doom in the inviting waters of Jusenkyou.

Weaving a tight circle about the struggling pair, Ranma relentlessly
hauled the cable that connected his arm to his friend - pulling the
entire lot towards the nearest pool.

As had been planned.

And as the plan had intended, left without a foot hold, both Master
and ninja toppled off the muddy bank.

Out of time, and out of room for elaborate thinking, the old Master
wedged his open hand between their torsos, and somehow managed
to find the room for a furtively quick gesture.

To be able to count the time that passed as gravity asserted its
dominance would have been impossible, and yet Ranma could see
with crystal clarity, as his companion's eyes widened in shock when a
massive slam of force punched his sternum. And that piercing, almost
painful clearness continued to reveal a black-band ninja flying
helplessly to his doom, as the Ninja Master used the inertia of the
near invisible chi-bolt to springboard himself off the Korean fighter.

Straight into Kinaro.

"Aaaauuuuggghh!!!!!!"


**********


"Oh...dear." Cologne commented mildly.

"I'll say," Ukyou muttered, only then realising that her hands had been
tightly clenched for an uncomfortably long time.

The splash was certainly impressive enough.

And if Ranma was disappointed by the fact that there was still one
survivor from the mess - notably his sensei, well, his expressionless
gaze certainly hid it well.

"Dammit Kagora, I was trying to *help* you!!" Kinaro shouted as he
struggled for a decent foothold in the soft bed of the pool. Almost as
an afterthought, he turned about, in search of his wayward student.

He didn't really have to look far - after all it's not that difficult to
overlook a floundering fox, when you're squashed up against it.

"Oh sir, you fall in Hunichuan, Spring of Drowne....."

"I *know* what Spring he fell into!" Kinaro barked roughly. "Help me get
him out of here."

Visibly disappointed, the Jusenkyou Guide pocketed the sign he had
already prepared, as well as the tragic story that was to be attached
to it. However, on hand with a spacious towel, he delicately gathered
the confused animal into its drying folds.

"Oh...my." She'd been told of it, talked of it, and thought about it
nearly every close day leading up to this moment.

But to see it before her very eyes... "Okay...wow."

At least outwardly not as perturbed, Shampoo's only comment was a
mild, "Somehow, Shampoo think curse is very...suitable for muscle
boy."

"Before we get too distracted..." As one, all eyes, including the fox's,
turned to the old Ninja Master, still standing patiently against a
bamboo pole. "Ranma?"

"Hai, sensei."

And once more, they were at it again.

Sighing, Ukyou wearily rubbed her eyes. "I don't think my nerves can
take much more of this."

"It only been five minutes, spatula girl."

"Like I was saying..."


**********


Balancing delicately upon the precariously thin bamboo pole, Ranma
cautiously gripped his last remaining throwing knife - eyes riveted
solely upon the rangy Ninja Master that stood upon the post across
the covered pool before him.

He could feel it in the atmosphere - knowing that a mistake, any
mistake, would cost him the battle. And the way that Master Kagora
now fought spoke of a pristine, systematic methodology that had
never been apparent in the previous four way duel.

In the first thirty seconds, he'd lost a katana - sent spinning off to sink
at the bottom of a Spring. It took a further minute or so to be relieved
of the second.

*Remove the cat's claws before you skin it.*

A low, almost feral growl escaped his throat - Saotome Ranma,
practitioner of the Anything Goes unarmed style wasn't going to be
taken down that easily.

Without even thinking, the pigtailed fighter leapt off his high perch,
landing on all fours.


**********


Ukyou painfully swallowed a gasp - she knew that stance very well.

"Shampoo know that stance very well."

And apparently so did others.

"Look to the other." From her diminutive position close to the ground,
Cologne pointed out his opponent with her cane.

Shinkasa Kagora - crouching predatorily, on hands and feet.


**********


On some unseen signal, Master and student burst towards each other
in a blast of graceful speed - and though no one could track the
events that transpired at their point of meeting, the after-effects were
apparent enough.

Sparing a risky moment of inattention, Ranma looked down to see the
collar of his silken shirt hanging loosely open, supported by the few
threads that had remained intact. But before he could investigate
further, the pigtailed ninja was forced to evade once more, slamming
to the dirt to avoid an arcing swing from the Master's sai.

Rolling and scrabbling desperately on the ground, he was millimetres
from being clouted as Kagora mercilessly kicked and stamped, never
allowing the boy a moment to regroup himself.

"Soon now." Cologne muttered, more to herself than anyone else.

Sensing, more than seeing that Kagora had been steadily steering him
towards an open Spring, and that he was very nearly out of room,
Ranma blindly reversed his direction, and in his variation of the
Amazon's Splitting Cat Hair's technique, flung his aura to the right
while moving to the left. That instant's distraction was all that was
needed to slam into the slender Ninja Master, and use an Anything
Goes technique to literally clamber over the top of the surprised
attacker.

Though in the end he had not gained much - the narrow borderlines
between the pools resulting in his deposition into a neighbouring
Spring.

Which by the God's luck just happened to be covered.

Except...

"KUSO!" The boy gasped, as the tarpaulin gave way under his weight.
This wasn't right - they were supposed to be secure enough to take a
man's weight. Feeling the flimsy cloth starting to cave, he risked all in
a sudden leap, grabbing the nearest solid support, and praying that
the surface tension against the canvas would support his movement.

And it did - though only barely - and added to that his choice of
support could have been somewhat wiser.


*********


Master Kagora found himself caught in a quandary - immense pride
at the equally immense skill displayed by his own student, and the
irritation that the damn boy just wouldn't lie still and get dumped like a
decent ninja.

And that was the *second* time he'd been used as a vaulting pole.
Revealing an unusually expressive frown, the old ninja twisted about,
and in a lightning quick jab seized Ranma by his pigtail and viciously
yanked downwards.

*Nobody touches my pigtail like THAT!*

It was as if there were some gravitational force that drew him
inexorably towards the nearest water source - no matter what
methods he devised, no matter the extent of his skills, somehow,
Master Kagora was always able to counter them and steer him
straight back.

And this time, the Ninja Master was taking no chances, keeping a firm
reverse grip he dashed for the water, intent on throwing the both of
them to the Spring. Yes, he would make sure the stubborn boy was
dunked even if both of them had to get wet for that to happen.

Face whitening with the strangling pain of Kagora's grip at the base of
his neck, Ranma watched with a semi-detached interest as the view
of the serene waters rose to encompass his vision.

*For the honour of the Shinkasa*...clasping his hands before his head
like a diver, he made the slightest of gestures. "Amaguriken."


*********


"What was..." Shampoo blinked, astonished. "Shampoo miss what..."

Unexpectedly, it was Ukyou who answered her. "That invisible chi
blast Master Kagora uses." The chestnut haired girl smiled, in martial
artist's appreciation. "Ranchan saw how Master Kagora used it -
damn he learns fast."

The Amazon eyed her companion suspiciously. "Shampoo no know
Airen already know technique. How..."

Any further comment was cut off once more.


*********


Swearing lividly, the Ninja Master felt the both of them drifting away -
riding on the force of Ranma's blast into the Spring.

*Not bloody likely.*

A quick slice with a Catfist blade, and he requisitioned a bamboo rod
in passing - using it to pole-vault them straight back.

If he had the time and breath to sigh, Ranma certainly would have.

*I give up.*

"And *stay* down you stubborn boy!!"

The splash, as before was *very* impressive.


**********


The feel of the cool, almost seductively embracing wash of the
Spring's waters as he sank through them was very quickly eliminated
by a constrictingly tight, yet still strangely pleasant hold.

A hold, but on what?

Intellectually realising that he was now, as the Amazons would have
named it 'cursed' - he tried to mentally brace himself for the change -
that one moment he had been preparing for months, finally arriving.

The chilly gust of Bayankala's mountain air as it toyed with the fresh
droplets still trickling in rivulets down his skin was a welcome...wait a
moment, skin?

"Oh sir, you fall in Nuannichuan, Spring of Drowned Girl." Delighted
that nobody had sought to interrupt, the Guide continued avidly. "Very
tragic story about young girl who drow..." The focus of his explanation
was in no mood to register his informative speech.

This wasn't right. He still had hands - human hands that is. Just to
make sure, Ranma lifted them out of the shallow water to examine
them.

Yes, his hands - perhaps there had been some...mistake? Looking up
to see Master Kagora staring at him intently, the ninja ambiently
wondered why everyone had gone all so quiet. "Um, am I..."

Startled, Ranma very nearly toppled over. *That wasn't my voice.* It
was too high pitched - like when he was a *lot* younger. But then,
who's voice was it?

He certainly didn't feel any younger...

"Uh, R-Ranchan..."

As the seconds passed, he began to feel more and more uncertain.
As a matter of course, the ninja stood up to give himself a rudimentary
check.

Although he didn't get very far.

"What the..." *That voice again.* But more importantly - what the hell
was stuffed down the front of his shirt?

"Ranma..." Kagora began patiently, placing a gentle hand on the
bo...err...child's shoulder.

*They're breasts.*

"...There's no need for alarm now..."

*They're MY breasts.*

"...this is still, err, normal..."

"NyaAARGhhhHH!!!!!!!!"


********


And off to another land, where people were considerably
more...calm...

"The Nito-Ichi Ryu?" Nodoka, to say the least was quite surprised.
"Two Swords as one?" Setting down her teacup, she laid an uncertain
gaze upon her sole student, who was still sporting various bandages
about his form. "I do not consider *myself* sufficient to practice it - are
you so sure that you are capable?"

"Nothing is beyond the Great Shooting Star...Nothing!!"

A sword style so intricate and complex, that its existence bordered on
the mythical - whether even as great a warrior as Musashi could have
fully mastered it was debatable. And here was this high school
student, asking for her to teach him - teach him kenjutsu with twin
katanas.

"I have texts, handed down through generations of my line, holding the
teachings of the Nito-Ichi Ryu, but..." Nodoka uncomfortably
straightened her kimono, "...but, I myself never even dreamed of
consulting them. I can read from them, and instruct you, though
perhaps it would be better if you could find yourself a true..."

The boy hastily interrupted. "Twould seem my faith in you surpasses
that which you hold for yourself." His upraised hand halted any further
argument. "I ask that you try your best to tutor me - nothing more.
Let my conquering of mine love be the adjudicator of our success."

Nodoka beamed happily - he was such a manly boy to be doing so
much in the pursuit of a girl. Although, he did tend rather heavily
towards the...

"Verily do I cometh towards thee with open arms of welcome -
against all odds, against all that might oppose, against..."

...shall we say, melodramatic?


********


Looking up, Ryouga wondered at the faintly familiar voice that echoed
across the roadway. *That almost sounded like...*

But that couldn't be right - if it was Kuno, then he'd still be within the
Nerima precinct, when that rice farmer had specifically stated that
they were in Shikoku. Of course, that had been yesterday, but
Ryouga was fairly sure he hadn't crossed any significant bodies of
water recently. *Maybe he was lying.* Groaning forlornly, the muscled
fighter threw aside his doubts, and once more, like he had at least a
hundred or so times before, looked down to consult his well-worn
map.

It didn't seem to particularly bother the boy that it was, in fact, a map
of South East Asia - and even then one pulled from a nineteenth
century history text - there were several island groups that, if you
turned the sheet sideways, bore a passing resemblance to Japan.

Here seemed to be about as good as any place to take a breather -
and thus Ryouga dumped his schoolbag to the side and settled in for
a good half-hour's worth of moping. It had been his first night in many
months out in the open, without the familiar comforts of his own futon
underneath a solid roof that didn't ripple with the night breeze.

He would have given much for that even - after all this time of relative
security, the wanderer had eventually stopped bothering to carry
around his old travelling backpack and tent - where it had been a
practical necessity for one who was bound to lose his way within the
day, with Akane to guide him it only served to garner peculiar stares
from his fellow highschoolers.

At least that had been the mentality two days ago...and
now...brushing back dirty, unruly hair, the martial artist swore heavily.

He was cold, he was lost, and he had no Akane.

Man, life sucked.


*********


"How is he doing?" Meyah worriedly queried, her voice layered with
noticeable concern.

Kagora toyed with his fingers thoughtfully. "Actually, with all things
considered - I think he is taking it a lot better than I would have
expected." Looking to is daughter, he added. "Why don't you ask him
yourself?"

"I did. He said 'I'm fine, Master Meyah.' " She frowned disapprovingly.
"It was one of those - *please go away I want to be left alone* kind of
'I'm fine's'." The Swordmaster looked ready to leave it at that, before
she suddenly blurted, "Did you have to fight him so *hard*?"

"Pardon?" The old Ninja Master appeared genuinely surprised. "We
are supposed to fight to our fullest - a true test of the candidate's
mettle - and in any case how does that affect the situation at hand?"

Staring distantly towards the afternoon Sun, Meyah murmured quietly,
"It is not just his alternate form - Ranma was honestly trying to fight to
win. Besides..." her look bordered on a glare. "I've never *ever* seen
you get so infused into a battle before - what was all that swearing
and cursing?"

And it was then that she was to observe yet another first - her father,
the enigmatic Master Kagora, looking very sheepish.

"Yes, well I cannot say I am particularly proud of that." He coughed
embarrassedly into a voluminous sleeve. "I do not know what became
of me then - that boy...that boy was just so *stubborn*."

"Perhaps he reminded you a little too much of yourself." Meyah shook
her head in amazement. "I still cannot believe it was *my* father who
bellowed at his student to stay put. It was as if you and yonder Kinaro
had exchanged places in that instant."

Kagora held his hands open in acceptance. "As I see it, it is to
Ranma's credit - there are precious few who have ever been skilled
enough to fluster me so." Whipping his right hand across with enough
speed for it to whistle through the air, he continued absently. "And
their planning - throughout the entire battle, it was intended that the
Iyarasora boy would sacrifice himself by taking me down with him,
and thus presenting your son with victory."

She shook her head disbelievingly. "I cannot tell if that was a sheer
act of friendship, or part of some higher ridiculous plan."

"Oh, definitely the latter." Kagora smiled knowingly. "Neither counted
their chances of actually defeating a Master as being very significant
- so instead, Iyarasora decided that at least one of them would be
given that opportunity." Raising his hand to rub thoughtfully against his
chin, the old fighter murmured wonderingly, "And he could have won
that battle though - had he dared to employ the Nekoken on his
Master at that last moment."

"You know Ranma - especially after how you have instructed him, he
would never have even considered it."

"Ah, but the boy did." The man's gaze glinted sagely. "I saw it as we
flew, in his eyes, that golden glow of the predator in him - daring him
to try it."

"And you are proud of that?" His daughter's demeanour was caught
midway between disgust and shock. "I always thought we had an
understanding that you would never seek to align his future with your
history."

Turning to her, the Ninja Master answered curtly. "Indeed." But before
she could relax, he continued abruptly. "But recall his words -
*Shikontsume Moukoken* - a technique that at one stage was so
infamously renown, that it took on its own nickname of sorts - the
Catfist."

"Your point being..."

"My point being that in the end it is still a warrior's technique - one
that should never have been created, one that should never be
preserved, and yet one that this Shinkasa Master before you had in
his youth come to rely on." Almost ashamedly, he whispered, "Forgive
an old man's pride at seeing his most loved and valued heir carry on
*all* the skills and knowledge of his sensei to the fullest."

Turning away from him, Meyah murmured through tight lips. "I am
heartily confused by what you say - but as my father, and the one I
have loved and trusted unconditionally above all others, I will give you
the benefit of the doubt." Holding his gaze with one last, piercing look,
she growled dangerously, "But blood ties or otherwise, Ranma is *my*
son, and the Kami forgive anyone who would disturb his sanctity."

*Because I certainly will not.*


********


Ukyou stared long at the sitting figure - still Ranma, still very obviously
a...a female.

A girl, with fiery red hair, pouty, almost elfin lips, petite, slender, and
yet devastatingly curvaceous. Her childhood friend - the lethally
deadly and sombre Saotome Ranma.

"Ranchan?" The voice was only a hesitant venture, but in the hour long
soundless void of the room, its intrusion was akin to a thunderclap.

"Greetings."

She flinched at the unfamiliar tone - a poignant contrast to the familiar
words and accent. Aware that his gaze was upon her, and that he had
most certainly noticed her reaction, she flushed in embarrassment. "I
won't lie to you, Ranchan. Talking to you like this...no, just trying to
convince my eyes that it's still *you* under there is really hard."

Emotionless eyes somehow gave their acknowledgment and
acceptance.

"But that's only for now." Taking a pensive breath, the girl dived
headlong into her next statement. "I *swear* this doesn't change
anything about us."

"Of course not." He, no *she* looked away, rubbing her arms, feeling
their slender softness.

Trying to convince herself that those arms, this body did indeed
belong to himself...herself...whatever.

Crouching in companionable silence, Ukyou hesitantly placed a
comforting arm around the smaller figure.

*Smaller...man this is soo weird.* Forcibly shutting away the errant
thoughts, she whispered quietly. "You're still my Ranchan."

Raising bright, opal blue eyes, the Shinkasa ninja looked ready to
answer - and she might have, save for...

"Shampoo *very* disappointed in Airen." The Amazon warrior had a
harsh frown to match, as well. Tossing her thick, purple hair to the
side, she marched up to the redhead, and to the utter shock of all
company present, hoisted Ranma to the sky and threw her bodily
across the room.

Perhaps it was that this new form was still unfamiliar to her, or that
she felt no inclination to put in the effort, but against her usual graceful
elegance, Ranma crashed heavily against the hard wooden wall,
bouncing off to flop to the equally solid floor.

"Heya now Sham..."

"*Quiet*, Spatula Girl!" The Amazon shot a glare at the okonomiyaki
chef. "Shampoo have words for you later."

Returning her fierce, crimson gaze to the pigtailed girl, she continued
as if uninterrupted. "Will admit Shampoo always think you people have
strange custom - jumping into cursed Springs like it be big honour.
But..." Again she grabbed the petite girl by her jet black shirt, only this
time shaking her like a rag doll. "...But Shampoo no like how you
make it big dishonour to become girl." Before he could answer to that,
she barked, "What is big problem with girl type?"

The look in Shampoo's eyes very well conveyed that it would be
better to *not* answer that question. Nonetheless, Ranma dared to
venture a reply. "Absolutely nothing - unless you're a boy."

Leaning forwards, till their noses nearly touched - her shining red
eyes filling his vision, the Amazon murmured almost defiantly,
"Shampoo was born girl. Shampoo is proud to be girl." Her gaze
turning dangerously enticing. "And Shampoo can show Airen many
*goood* things about girl-type."

He was blushing furiously at the rather blatant insinuation - although
no outward observer would have ever been able to notice, given that
the diminutive girl was more or less entirely smothered in an all-
encompassing embrace, followed shortly by a...a...

In the history of their relationship, this could have been recorded as
the second time they had kissed - or rather Shampoo kissed Ranma
- however...

"Ugh, that's *gross!*..."

Looking up at the unwelcome comment, Shampoo only grinned smugly
at the chestnut haired girl. "Now Shampoo get first kiss off both girl-
type *and* boy-type Ranma." Scrunching her brow in a mock-frown,
she rudely poked the stunned redhead in the chest. "Prefer boy-type
though - things not get in way."

"Ooohh m-man I'm glad Lano didn't see that." Ranma shakily
breathed. Almost fearfully, she furtively looked about, as if to confirm
her assertion.

"Relax Ranchan, he's still back at the kitchen playing with his forms."
Ukyou physically wrenched her gaze from the couple before her,
trying to dispel the still fresh image of their locked lips. "

"Shampoo have to go there too - making meal for great-
grandmother." Tightly, the busty Amazon girl hugged her love once
more, forcing her to look once more into soulfully expressive ruby
eyes. "Remember what Shampoo say - is no lie."

And, just as suddenly as her arrival, she disappeared out of the room.

It seemed for the minutes that followed, neither of the remaining pair
were sure or willing to break the silence.

"I...I suppose that was supposed to cheer me up?" The pigtailed girl
brought her fingers to still tender lips. "Well, it sure as hell *woke* me
up."

"I'll bet it did," the chef responded darkly, more to herself than anyone
else. *I can't *believe* she did that.*

Staring quizzically at his friend, Ranma nonetheless continued. "Do
you know what else just occurred to me? I've been sitting here
sulking, and nearly everyone I closely know has come to cheer me up
- like I'm some sorta basket-case."

"We all care about you, honey." She affectionately pushed her friend.

"I'm not going to be some pitiful wimp that runs away from his own lot
in life." Suddenly, she turned to catch the taller girl's gaze.

Deep, vividly blue orbs - so very blue - the eyes of her childhood
friend. Eyes framed by fiery, crimson...

Shuddering, Ukyou took a deep breath. "Man, this is gonna take some
getting used to, sugar." Before the pigtailed girl could turn away, she
added hastily, "You're far from a wimp, Ranchan - the Kami knows
you have to go through much more than any *normal* person." Normal
being the subjective word, that is.

Frustratedly, Ranma ran a hand through her hair. "I was prepared to
turn into any type of animal you know. *Any* type. But look at this."
Unaware of how it changed her appearance, she hefted her chest
bound assets to emphasize their already prominent existence - that is
before the feelings the action generated became too confusing. "Ack,
damn breasts."

"T-trust me, sugar - don't *ever* do that again in public."

Continuing on as if unhearing, Ranma muttered. "I'm a guy...guy
enough to know that this body is damn cute." Uncharacteristically
emotional, she slammed her hand to the wooden floor. "Dammit, it's
bad enough to have to change genders...but this?"

"This what?" Ukyou fired back. "If you had to turn into girl - wouldn't
you want to be a good-looking one?"

"Coming out of the Springs, I could see Daikoto-sempai, and even
Lano...you know, checking me out." Sourly, he grumbled, "And the
worst thing is that I can't really blame 'em - I'd check myself out if I
saw me walking down the road."

Ukyou could think of nothing to say that would alleviate that statement.
Wordlessly, she brought her arms around her friend, ignoring the soft
feel of their pressure against each other. "Well, if it's any consolation,
I think you look cuter as a guy."

"Marvellous," Ranma responded dryly. Placing a small hand over her
companions, her tone softened. "But...thanks, Ucchan - I really mean
in it."

Eyes twinkling warmly, she cheerily said, "You've all gone and finished
your training, gotten your alternate forms - so it'll be soon time to
head back to good ol' Japan right?" Another loving squeeze, and she
murmured, "I'm in no hurry to get anywhere - I can hang around as
long as you want."

"I couldn't ask that of you - it's hard enough to believe you've stayed
with me, in a another country, for this long."

"It's not as if I missed anything back home."

The pigtailed girl eyed her meaningfully. "One year's worth of Junior
High?"

"Ah...right, I guess we all have some catching up to do then."
Sheepishly, the chef realised that she had, through all the months of
her stay here, entirely forgotten about school.

"Well," Ranma leapt nimbly to her feet. "I've had enough of sulking -
let's go see how Lano's handling himself." Abruptly she tottered as her
relatively new body asserted its relatively new sense of balance.

And was promptly stabilised by Ukyou.

"Ah right, thanks."


*********


At seeing the pair approach, Lano waved his greeting. "Consider
yourself lucky - you still have hands after you transform." He ruefully
indicated the large splash area surrounding his sitting position next to
the hot and cold water repository. "Taken me ages to work out how
to get myself back to human form."

"So...what does it feel like?"

"What does it feel like for you?" Not bothering to wait for an answer,
he scratched his head thoughtfully. "Surprisingly...normal. Well, not
normal - but not really as weird as I would have thought."

"That is because, within the magic of a Jusenkyou Spring is the
instinctive knowledge of the creature contained within that Spring."

Well grilled by Ranma's similar habit of entering unnoticed, the party
barely flinched at all - barely.

"I don't like how that sounds, Master Meyah," Ranma commented
darkly.

"We can only assume that to be so - after all, I knew how to fly
almost immediately after arising from the waters, and Iyarasora here
clearly knows how to run on four legs." She smiled mildly at the
increasing discomfort on her son's features. "I must say we have not
had this sort of...gender transformation in a long while - if at all." As if
to alleviate her son's fears, she added, "Judging from the way you
carry yourself, I would say that your male personality outweighs any
that might have been carried through by Jusenkyou."

"And it will stay that way as long as I have a say in it."

"Yes, yes." The Swordmaster hurriedly waved off her son's emphatic
declaration. "It is lunch time now, and although your deeds for today
may be done - I still have to see off our other two fine young ninjas."

Remembering then that Daikoto and Kuranami had yet to even start
their trials, Ranma cursed his own self-pity. "I guess I'd better go
have a few words with them."

After all, they would be wanting some pointers on how to fight
Shinkasa Masters over the Springs of Jusenkyou.


**********


Left largely to his own this day, one Hidden Weapons Master angrily
fumed in silence.

"Damn you, damn you, *Damn* you Saotome!!"

Alright, perhaps not so silent.

But he had just cause. Mousse had risked a great deal to intrude upon
the Jusenkyou area after it had been declared off-limits for the
Shinkasa usage - and all apparently for naught. Although the Amazon
boy had not been privy to the knowledge of just what curse that
*cursed* Saotome had been given, he was fairly certain from the
general atmosphere that it hadn't been from one of those pools that
had been covered.

It was petty - even Mousse acknowledged it to himself - but after
close to year of that dratted bastard always, and he meant literally
*always* getting the upper hand over *every* incident, the Hidden
Weapons practitioner would have been satisfied with just about any
victory, however insignificant.

Yes, it had been close to a year, and he'd never get the chance for
revenge, now that the entire training group would be leaving...

...Leaving...

"Shampoo, my LOVE!!!!"



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



### Day 4. ###

"Up so early, Kinaro?" The stout Shinkasa warrior turned to see
Kagora joining him to appraise the rising Sun.

"Yes, I awakened early - too many aches." He coughed heavily into
his cupped hands, generating a respectable cloud of steam. Although
they were beyond the end of the Winter season, it seemed that the
Bayankala Ranges were not readily willing to acknowledge it so. "The
weather does not help my bruises."

"You were rather hard done by, yesterday."

Gruffly, the Weapons Master answered, "You're one to talk - having
the entire afternoon off to watch your daughter and I beat the
remaining two into submission."

"I *was* rather impressed with the manner in which you handled young
Nagara Kuranami and her technology fetishes - although take it as a
personal piece of advice, when I suggest that the best ways to deal
with a stun grenade would *not* including sitting on it." Kagora's eyes
twinkled - the closest he would ever get to outright laughter.

"Scoff all you want Kagora - at least the rest of our troupe weren't
too scared to challenge me."

"How do you mean?" His tone, like his expression, was carefully
guarded, though the insistence was there.

"The way the two of you behaved - you and your boy - fighting like
territorial lions." Kinaro spared his fellow Master a cursory glance.
"Some hide it better than others, but I warrant that we were all
worried that you two would forget that this was just a duel, and rip
each other apart."

"Ranma is very good - I need not reiterate that to you - a ninja of his
calibre demands that I fight to the best of my abilities..." He stressed
his last phrase, "*Whatever* they may be."

"Was worried for a few moments that you were going to go 'gold' on
me, back then."

Now Kagora did openly scoff. "You know me better than that - I have
never, and will never do that - and for something as relatively banal
as a Jusenkyou trial battle..."

Grimly, Kinaro finished off the thought. "Just goes to show that even
us Masters may have grown a little complacent in the leisure of our
Clan's long time peace and stability."

"Cherish it Kinaro, cherish it - the environs tell me that this time of
calm is not forever for the Shinkasa."

The two settled in amicable quiet, resolved to watch the end of the
Sun's rise, and the peace of the moment.


**********


"For heaven's sake Ranma keep your legs *closed!*" Meyah pinched
her nose in open frustration. Following their day of honour, it had been
a more or less 'back to business' affair. And currently, business
involved the beginning of her son's crash course in 'girl etiquette' -
before the group were due to leave for home.

Fortunately for her nerves, his friend Ukyou had agreed to help -
although looking at that young lady's particular choice of dress,
perhaps it had not been so advantageous to acquire her assistance.

Her son's comment brought her back to the present. "What's the big
deal? I've always sat like this." As if to emphasise her impatience, the
girl wearily stretched her arms tightly above her head.

And Ukyou positively goggled at the change in geography that
occurred on the redhead's body. "R-ranchan, p-promise me you'll
*never* do that in public either."

"And in answer to your question," Meyah cut in, "it may seem
acceptable to you, but the social connotations of sitting like that,
especially in a skirt..." She abruptly bit her lip, the realisation of her
mistake too late to rectify.

"Skirt?!" Ranma blurted, clearly alarmed. "Since when were 'skirts'
and 'me' in the same sentence?"

Sitting off to the side, Ukyou, not for the first time, wondered if this
sputtering, argumentative redhead was really the same person as the
severe and solemn pigtailed boy in black that she had grown to know.


*********


"What was that noise?" Daikoto queried curiously, his head turning at
the echoing remains of the clamor.

"I imagine that was the sound of our young Ranma being informed of
the more basic points of womanhood." Deceptively nonchalant,
Kuranami continued to methodically pack her belongings, ignoring her
partner's noticeable shivering.

"Damn I'm glad I didn't fall into that pool."

Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "Is the possibility of being a
female *that* objectionable to you?"

*Danger question.* He sensed that a lot more than just the continuance
of this conversation hung on his answer. "No - but then how would
you feel about falling into the Spring of Drowned young boy?"

"Point taken." Yet Kuranami's eyes were smiling in ill-concealed mirth.
"Just wait till Master Meyah gets to the part about panties, bras, and
female hygiene."

"NyaAARGhhhHH!!!!!!!!"


********


"Alright, that was essentially an entire morning wasted." Meyah
commented tactfully to her father.

Either unhearing or ignoring of his daughter's words, Kagora instead
replied with, "I think it best if we start the journey as soon as
possible."

"Why?"

"The high school first term has already started, and due to Ranma's
now...unexpected requirements, I think it best that we return swiftly -
the less time spent here, the more spent tending to the needs of the
newest additions to our little family." Absentmindedly polishing one of
his kodachi, he murmured, "It has been an extremely long time since a
Shinkasa ninja was given another human body as his or her alternate
form - steps will have to be taken with our network to create a history
and record for the new girl."

"Why cannot we treat Ranma's alternate as we do with all other
alternates?" That being as a hidden commodity - rarely used and
even more rarely seen.

Putting away the short sword, Kagora answered curtly. "Believe it or
not, but in some ways a human would attract more attention than an
animal - whereas people will pass off the sight of say..." he eyed his
daughter speculatively, "...a golden falcon, to see a nameless red
haired girl popping up hear and there would be sure to generate
questions. And besides...", he looked out towards the mountains
thoughtfully, "Ranma may find his female form greatly useful -
especially if she has a specific identity."

"So...he is to invest an equal amount of time in both bodies?"

"Yes, if that suits him."

Sighing exasperatedly, Meyah's voice was a near mutter. "That will
involve a new wardrobe, new lifestyle, and new headaches. Oh for
the simplicity of a simple animal curse."

Returning to his original topic, Kagora promptly queried, "So, can we
be ready to make our leave, say, tomorrow morning?"

"Yes, in fact." The Sword Master sniffed indifferently. "All of us are
more or less packed and fit for travel - I take it the others just took it
for granted that our departure would be soon, following the initiation of
all."

"Well then, we leave for the foothills tomorrow morn - although
without better preparation the journey to our airstrip will have to be
made entirely on foot."

"If you want..." Meyah paused, as if in consideration. "If you want I
can...fly on ahead. If I leave tonight I can make it to the field and
commandeer some vehicular transportation in ample time to meet you
when you reach the beginning of the roads."

Making quick mental calculations, he voiced aloud his thoughts. "One
- one and a half day's decent - and it'll take the trucks half a day to
get to the meeting point." He looked over his daughter quizzically.
"Can you make the entire journey in less than twenty four hours?"

"Is that a serious question?" Meyah responded evenly. "Loremaster
Rishoto once clocked the speed of my falcon form while you were
away." She didn't bother mentioning that they had done so to evade
Kagora's strict '*no transformations while in Yamakaro territory*' policy.
"I can comfortably maintain a hundred kilometres per hour speed for
several hours."

"Have a hearty dinner, and do so then." Kagora gestured offhandedly.
"I'll have...I don't know...Kinaro and Iyarasora carry your baggage."

"I am sure they will be thrilled to hear that."


*********


Although they had slept in separate rooms, the chef and her best
friend ended up packing their belongings together - mostly because a
fair amount of Ukyou's indoor clothing had been borrowed from the
pigtailed ninja.

Sitting back for a moment, the chef looked over across the room to
her companion. "Whatcha got there, sugar?"

Caught unawares, Ranma self-consciously cleared his throat. "Heh,
nothing really." He quickly dropped the bundle to the floor.

Curiosity piqued, she closed the distance between them on hands and
knees, long, unbound hair draping over her form like a chestnut
curtain. The red silken cloth immediately caught her attention, tied
neatly at the top to form a package of sorts. Raising her head to
stare him in the eyes, she queried expectantly, "Well?"

And why was he blushing like that?

Forcing his gaze away, the boy ninja instead moved to the more
material task of untying the bundle. "It's just a bunch of stuff I've
picked up over the years." Spreading the cloth, he let the motley
assortment of mementos tumble free. "As you can see, nothing
much."

"Hey, my spatula." She gleefully picked up the name-engraved utensil,
quietly recalling the previous time she'd seen this particular item.

*The symbol of our friendship, and how he truly recognised me after
all these years.*

Almost reluctantly returning the mini-spatula, the chef instead retrieved
another article - and oddly twisted husk. "How about this?"

"A chestnut shell." Ranma replied simply. Reading her mystified
expression, he added, "Kachuu Tenshin Amaguriken - my first."

"Oh."

The pigtailed boy offhandedly commented, "Told you, it's nothing
special." But as he moved to gather the items, a gentle hand overlaid
his, forestalling his actions for a moment.

"Later on, you're gonna tell me about every piece, okay honey?"

Smiling appreciatively, though he himself could not tell why, Ranma
merely nodded. Glancing at his belongings, he turned back to the
chef. "Hey Ucchan, I'm still missing like two or three of my black silk
shirts."

Catching his gaze once more, the chef girl pouted cutely, batting her
eyelashes, and innocently fingering her long chestnut hair. "But
Ranchan, I *like* them."

Turning away from the playful girl, he managed to hide his very faint
blush, further disguised by his gruff, "Fine then, keep 'em."

"Thanks honey."

"I'm sure."

In the long quiet that resumed, the pair continued to methodically
organise their gear - occasionally passing stray items across.

"Say Ranchan..."

"Hmm...?" His eyes narrowed distractedly - mouth gripping the end of
a loose piece of string.

"Lano tells me, when we get back, you'll get to choose where you'll
live for the remainder of your high school years - sorta like a holiday
from Clan life."

"Yeah," he answered non-committedly. "It's supposed to reacquaint
us with normal Japanese life, plus catch up with education, people
your own age, socialising - normal stuff."

"Ha! Not bloody likely."

Both realising at the same time that the last comment had come from
neither of them, the kneeling pair turned simultaneously to see Lano
leaning casually against the doorframe. Seeing that he had their
attention, he clarified himself. "After all this time we've known each
other, I just can't imagine you in a normal...context."

"Hey, I can too be normal."

The Korean almost absently sent his drinking cup of water flying.

"Shaddup, Lano." The soaked girl growled menacingly.

Unable to contain herself, the okonomiyaki chef burst out laughing, an
arm snaking out to grab the fuming redhead for support.

"I...I'm *hah* s-s..sorry..." she raggedly cried out between hurriedly
gulped breaths - her attempts to suppress it not aided by the petite
girl's agonizingly cute frown - disapprovingly crossed arms only
serving to make her look petulant.

"Keep going." Ranma muttered, trying to retain a shred of dignity
through dripping wet bangs.

In time, her humour was brought under control, broken only by a few
unguarded hiccups. In a vain attempt to salve her best friend's bruised
pride, Ukyou returned to her original topic. "I was going to ask if you
had any plans...you know, for where you want to go."

Instead, it was Lano who answered first. "I've already talked to
Master Kinaro - I'll be heading back North up to my homelands for a
while." He sighed wistfully, handing over a glass of hot water that just
*happened* to be sitting in his other hand. "I haven't been back to
Korea since, well since the accident."

"You're going...overseas?" the now male Ranma blinked, startled. The
two had never been apart for more than a few days, and now he was
going... "Why didn't you mention this earlier?"

Lano shrugged. "I only just thought of it yesterday - sort of a duty
bound tribute to my homeland." He grinned modestly. "Anyhow's,
where were you thinking of going?"

"I...I don't know." At that was the truth - he'd been so geared up just
for the Jusenkyou trials, that any consideration of an 'afterwards' had
been put long on hold. And now...

Now suddenly, everyone had plans.

Feeling an unexpected pang of loneliness from nearby, Ukyou hastily
cut in. "If you didn't have any plans, I was wondering..." all of a
sudden feeling rather shy, she tentatively continued, "...I have an
unoccupied place in the Nerima Ward of Tokyo, and you know..."
Rapidly, her fingernails were growing remarkably fascinating.

"Ho ho," the Weapons ninja chortled. "The plot thickens - the bashful
maiden invites her best 'boy' friend to stay at her place."

"It's not *like* that." The brown haired girl protested, her face flushing
like a tomato.

Lano nodded sagely. "Methinks she doth protest too much."

"Methinks a certain person in this room, not mentioning any names,
*Iyarasora Lano*, should make his exit before he gets trisected."
Ranma stated dryly.

Smirking despite the threat, Lano nonetheless made good on his
departure.

"I s-swear that's not what I meant."

"Of course." Smiling uncertainly, Ranma nervously scratched at the
back of his pigtail. "Is the offer still there?"

She gazed at him hesitantly. "Yes, I guess. That is..." she finished off
in a rush, "...if you have nowhere better to go...that is." The chef
couldn't help thinking, though, that there was something rather
important she had to mention.

"No, I can't say I have." He couldn't seem to leave the back of his
head alone. "Well, yes, I guess...and thanks."

She didn't know what to say to that. "Err...Great!"

More uneasy silence.

Needing to say something, anything, to break the awkwardness,
Ranma shakily gestured to their remaining belongings. "Pack."

"R-right."

No more was said, as the pair finished off the task.



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



### Day 5. ###

Morning once more, and time to tally the good with the bad.
Unfortunately, for one prominently fanged and muscled youth, he had
all too soon run out of fingers to count the latter. Despite the positive
aspects of the new day, such as his recent, ahem*, acquirement of  a
tent, bedroll and useful camping gear - there was a single item which,
in his view cancelled them entirely, and more.

Hibiki Ryouga was still lost - but what made this aimlessness even
more disastrous was the current location.

An airport.

Hibiki Ryouga was lost, in an airport.

It wracked him with fearful shivers just to imagine where his next
fateful step could take him - for this was truly the first time in the
young man's short life, that his involuntary tourist travels showed the
possibility of leaving Japan entirely.

But the martial arts fighter was by no means stupid - well aware of
the risks, he had quite wisely (in his opinion at least) decided to stay
put, in the hope that eventually somebody could be found to lead him
out of this mess. And at the time of its formulation, the plan had
seemed altogether quite secure - but now after the fifth hour or so,
including the time spent sleeping at the very same spot, the various
airport security guards were giving the dirty, and admittedly
somewhat suspicious looking youth, equally suspicious and dirty
looks.

Realising that time was more or less up, and resolved to do
something more decisive, be it for the better or worse, Ryouga took a
deep, cleansing breath, and took a resolute, and very random step
towards whatever fate the Gods had instilled for him this early
Spring's morn.

And not five minutes later...

"Would all passengers please pay attention to the stewards in your
section as we begin the safety instruction procedures..."

Not bothering to waste brainpower trying to figure out just how he had
managed to bypass the entry point without a ticket, or even failed to
notice walking down the long boarding corridor - Ryouga instead
focused on the massive willpower involved in trying not to cry at his
misfortune.

This just *had* to be somebody's fault - although he had no idea who.


*********


The same morning - but from a different place, and taken with a
markedly different attitude. The last Bayankala morning, experienced
from the Amazon village of the Joketsuzoku.

For Ranma at least.

As if in recognition of that fact, the pigtailed ninja - still male - took a
heartily deep breath, savouring the cool crispness of the mountain
climate, and trying to ingrain its unique atmosphere into his memory.
Looking about, he let his cat sharp eyes delicately trace the rugged
ridges of the valley walls, topped by the white peaks of the mountain
ranges.

*And so ends a chapter in the life of Saotome Ranma.*

"Feeling philosophical?"

He didn't need even need to hear the voice to tell who it was. "Why do
you suppose that, Lano?"

"You have that - 'oh the mysteries of the world' look on your face."
Raising his hand to halt any retort, he resumed. "Save the arguments
for later - Shampoo wants to meet you in private before we leave,
and..." he offered the lascivious grin that had drawn in many an
Amazon girl, "...we all know it's rude to keep a girl waiting."

Not willing to take up the Korean on his insinuations, the Anything
Goes ninja instead headed off in the indicated direction.


**********


Shampoo was waiting patiently, her back to the door, when he
entered. "Shampoo no know no right words to say now."

It took him a long moment to interpret her remark, and before he
could respond, she had already turned to face him. "Is been nearly
year, Shampoo keep promise made on second day to be just friend
for Airen - and now Airen is leaving Shampoo."

"I..." he trailed off, somehow feeling a little ashamed.

She continued, as if deaf to his meek reply. "Shampoo wonder maybe
if she had tried harder - push Ranma more, maybe he stay with her
forever."

"I can't...I'm sorry."

"Shampoo promise Airen she take whatever he give, and no ask for
much more - but Airen no give what Shampoo want."

"Shampoo please..."

The purple-haired girl walked to him, unknowingly graceful even in the
simple movement. Sliding her hands around to the back of his neck,
she forced his eyes to meet hers. "And now, Airen is leaving
Shampoo."

He drew in a shuddering, heavy breath, but her piercing crimson eyes
refused to let him escape. "It feel good to Shampoo to know, at least
Ranma no go for other girl in village - that he no choose other girl
over Shampoo." And softly, so very unlike her usual enthusiastic
embraces, the exotic Amazon warrior simply leaned against her
beloved, allowing her draping arms to take in his warmth, while she
gave hers.

"Shampoo wait for a year, and now she say at end of it..." the last
came out as a mere whisper, that only his sensitive hearing could
detect.

"Wo. Ai. Ni."

And for the life of him, he could not say anything in return, not the
words that she may have wanted from him, nor those in objection of
it. Sighing forlornly, he merely allowed his arms to wrap around her
slender waist.

"Is only second time Airen hug Shampoo back," she whispered.
Taking a deep breath, she broke their embrace, stepping back and
reaching into her thick hair.

Still dazed by their contact, it was a while before Ranma registered
what she had placed into his open hand.

An odango - one of the ball-like ties that held her elaborate hairstyle.
Raising his eyes to her head, he saw the left tress of purple hair in
front of her ear, now unbound and hanging in a pleasingly
asymmetrical curve around her pretty face.

"Shampoo give this to you - so you no forget her, and...and also give
you this..."

He caught her seductively hungry smile a little too late for a credible
defence. Grabbing his pigtail, she pulled his head back down, and...

...and gave him the wettest, hottest kiss ever experienced in his short
life. Artfully curling her tongue around his, the voluptuous Amazon took
a distractedly shaking hand in her own, and delicately cupped it to her
ample bosom.

Both cursing and revelling in his ultra-senses, Ranma instinctively
found himself leaning into both his hand, and the kiss, delighting in the
feel of her shivering murmur. Eyes closed, he never saw hers open
and give him a cruelly torturous gaze.

All at once, the lavender haired girl pushed her beloved off, with
enough force to send him stumbling for balance. "If Ranma stayed
with Shampoo, he would have got *lot* more." She slowly ran her
tongue over moist lips, leaving him in no doubt as to what the
definition of 'more' included.

Another push. "Ranma go now - everyone waiting for him."

Confused, anxious, and not a little aroused, Ranma staggered
clumsily to the door.

"Ranma?"

Risking it, he slowly turned to face her one last time.

Shampoo blew him a kiss.  "Suffer."

Gulping, and filled with a desperate need to just get *out* of here, the
pigtailed boy weakly waved, and took off.


*********


"What the hell happened to you?" Ukyou stared at the dishevelled
form of her best friend, hair all mussed up, and shirt hanging awry.

"Nothing...absolutely nothing." Ranma answered hastily, much too
quickly for the comfort of the present party. Though he suspected
from the sly, knowing smirk Lano was giving him, it wouldn't have
mattered anyway. "Just, err...reminded, about what I've missed."

Unable to fully comprehend her friend's words, she merely shook her
head, and moved on.

"So, sonny boy - it looks like you slipped through my fingers."
Unusually, Cologne saw her student eye-to-eye, perched on her ever-
present cane. "I so would have loved to steal you from Kagora-chan,
and make you *my* heir, but I guess we will have to leave that to a later
date."

Noting her 'prized-meat' speculative stare, and not liking it one bit, the
pigtailed ninja chose the more tactful response of bowing deeply. "I
cannot thank you enough for your hospitality, and education."

"You could thank me - by becoming my heir." Despite her precarious
perch, she somehow managed to lean forwards. "I haven't given up
on you yet, sonny boy." A terrible, blackboard scraping, bird-killing
cackle followed her pronouncement.

For once, even Shinkasa Kagora appeared a trifle disturbed. "Yes,
well, after all the effort Master Meyah is putting into our journey, it
would not do to be tardy."

"Yes yes Kagora, get going, and until next time..."

"Fare thee well, Elder Khu Lon."

And that, apparently, was that.



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



Some distance away, though not very far, by modern standards,
another group of people were out to test the morning mountain air.

Crown Prince Herb - ruler apparent of the Musk Dynasty, surveyed
his domain from the lofty heights of the Royal observatory.

"The winter hit us hard, my lord - we have less than..." Field General
Cayenne halted as his prince raised a commanding hand.

"We missed this Spring deadline - nothing can be done about that."
Feeling a frustration that he would never outwardly reveal to his
subjects, Herb turned away from the large open air balcony. "There is
no choice but to survive another year - and be sure that we are ready
come the end of next Winter." Abruptly, he levelled a fierce glare at
his subordinate. "Will you be able to ensure me a working force by
then?"

Though he had considerable doubts, Cayenne did not dare voice
them. "Yes, your highness, come next year we *will* be ready."

"There is no 'if' about this, General. If we are not - then we are but
one step closer to extinction." Slamming his fist against the wall, and
easily smashing through two feet of ancient granite, Herb roared
viciously, "The Musk Dynasty shall *not* fall under the rule of Prince
Herb."

"N-no your highness." Despite his rattling nerves, the General offered
the his attempt at a crisp salute.

"A year then."

"A year."





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






Authors notes.

Okay NOW it's finished. Hope you enjoyed the chapter - cause I
certainly tore out my guts getting it down and posted. I'm not sure if
it's rising standards that I set for my work, but there was a great
amount of dissatisfaction involved in writing this chapter, as well as
numerous restarts from scratch, and revisions. In the end however, no
matter how I feel about it, it's still the readers' opinions that count in
the end. So if you thought it was sub-'Jason Wong' standard then
drop me an email to voice your complaints.

The last thing I want is to live in false complacency. Of course if you
thought it was on par, an email would still be nice ^_^  . In any case I
hope I don't take so long for the next release, which will be Fate of
Love Chapter 2.

Oh, and if you were curious about the translations to the Japanese
terms used in this chapter, I can send out a list - I refrained from
putting a glossary at the end of this work, since it's not entirely
necessary to know their meanings.

Email me at dojohouse@optushome.com.au

Or check out my other works at
http://members.optushome.com.au/dojohouse/

Until next time............


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