This is a monster, I know.  Submitted for C&C, comments, ripping apart ect, 
is the full text of the revised Ranma 1/2: The Mandarin, and the still in 
progress second part, The Dragons Child.

Some of you may have read the first part of this previously.  If you have, I 
would very much like your impressions on the revised document.

Please, be as vicious or as through as you like.  I like rigourous 
criticism, ask Harold.

Also, many many thanks to Harold for the aid he has given, and is still 
giving.  This is a draft, working for a final revison, and Harold's input 
has been inspiring.  I'm posting this because I have basically revised the 
entirety of the document, and I really need help finding the weak 
characterizations, plot holes, and problem spots.  If you can help me find 
them, and work them out, particularly with the scouts and the goddesses, it 
will make the story flow much better.

So basically, this is a plea for help.  I'm in a hole and I'm trying to dig 
myself out.  Any and every aid I can get in this would be appreciated.  I'm 
discovering Fanfic is harder to do than Original.

Without further ado:

Ranma 1/2: The Dragon's Child Chronicles

Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 Characters property of Rumiko Takahashi.  Sailormoon 
Characters property of Takeuchi Naoko.  Both are used without permission.  I 
did not write this for profit, but for practice.  Will be removed at request 
of original creators or authorized rep.


Part One:  The Mandarin

Prologue: The Fall
Chapter One:  Unexpected Meetings
Chapter Two:  Catalyst
Chapter Three:  Beginnings End
Chapter Four:  Twists, Turns, and Other Convolutions
Chapter Five: Black Rose and Thorns
Chapter Six: Hearts on the Line.
Chapter Seven: Ceremonies

Part Two: The Dragons Child

Prologue: The Dance of Shadows
Chapter One: A Fall of Cherry Blossoms
Chapter Two: Shadows of the Past
Chapter Three: Reversals
Chapter Four: The Storm
Chapter Five: Mousetrap


Part One:  The Mandarin

Prologue: The Fall

  Day broke over the bowl shaped valley, and turned the morning fog to gold. 
  Birds began their morning rituals of greeting the sun as the warmth began 
dissipating the mists, revealing a landscape dotted with numerous pools.  
Bamboo poles stood among the pools like silent sentinels over the strangely 
still valley.  No animals came to the water to drink; no birds flew down to 
bathe, only the wind played over the pools.  The wind, and a lone figure 
that danced from pole to pole as she flowed through her katas.
  Casually balancing on a pole as her twin Tai Chi swords flashed through a 
complicated form, she effortlessly moved through the air to land on another 
pole.  She stood motionless in the final stance, a sculpture of leashed 
energy frozen in time, radiating an aura of vibrant life even in her 
stillness.
  Zhu Shu had come to Jusenkyo a week earlier, hoping the training ground 
would test her skills, yet she had found none of the monsters, vengeful 
spirits, or any of the hundred other dangers the storyteller had claimed 
could be found there, only the silent pools and the wind.  Even the small 
guides' hut had been empty.  She had set her small camp by a freshwater 
spring on the cliffs overlooking the valley and explored the area, but had 
found nothing to explain the training ground's evil reputation.  The cliffs 
her grandfather had trained her on were far more deadly than the bamboo 
poles, and they had nothing as soft as water to land in after a fall.
  So she had started her practice on the morning of her second day, finding 
the quiet valley a perfect place to reflect on the quest she had embarked 
on.  She had found the solitude and the daily rituals calming after the last 
year.
  She finished yet another form as she contemplated what she should do.  The 
thought of returning home a failure burned deeply, but there was nowhere in 
China she had not searched.  Starting a new kata, she leapt to another pole, 
her hair streaming behind her as she flowed through the air to land softly 
on a pole ten feet away, the sole of her purple shoe making no more noise 
than the whisper of her swords as she moved through the Opening Fan and into 
Summer Raindrops.  Her short, tight, sleeveless cheongsam clung to her like 
a second skin, leaving no loose folds of cloth to catch her arms or blades.  
The short skirt left her legs free to propel her into a leap that, after a 
twist in midair, landed her on yet another pole forty feet deeper into the 
grounds.  The long ribbons trailing from her sword hilts danced around her 
like living snakes, their coils never touching or getting in the way as her 
swords flew through Hummingbird Kisses the Rose.
  A faint echo from the far end of the valley caught her attention.  A 
voice.  After a week of solitude, someone else had entered the valley.
  Curious as to who else would travel to such an out of the way training 
ground, Zhu Shu moved towards the sound.  Dancing from pole to pole, she 
crossed the small valley.  As she drew near, she heard a Chinese voice 
speaking in Japanese little better than her own.
  "And now we come to Legendary Training Ground of Accursed Springs..."

  * * * * *

  The speaker was a chubby Chinese guide in the standard issue Communist 
uniform, leading two Japanese tourists in gis.  The taller of the two was 
rather heavyset, and was wearing a bandanna around his head.  Strings around 
his ears held a pair of round glasses in front of his eyes.  His aura showed 
him to be a strong martial artist; however, there were signs of moral 
weakness as well.
  The young man with him though...
  Zhu Shu stopped on top of a pole to study him more closely.  He moved 
casually, yet with the assurance of a master martial artist.  His aura was 
equally as strong as the older man's, yet there was strength of character in 
him that the elder lacked.  It wasn't obvious, and his pride outshone it, 
but it was there.
  Intrigued, she watched as they dropped their packs and jumped to the pole 
tops as easily as she could.  Over the protests of the guide, they assumed 
stances on poles not far from Zhu Shu, seemingly oblivious to her presence.  
She hopped a pole closer as they challenged each other, then watched in 
approval as they met in mid air and traded a volley of kicks and punches.  
She barely heard the guide warn, "Is very bad you fall in pool!" as she 
hopped to another pole for a better vantage.  The older man went flying with 
a splash into the pool at Zhu Shu's feet.
  The young man landed on a nearby pole and they both watched as the water 
settled.  The young man called, "Hey Pops!  We done already?"
  At the edge of her consciousness, Zhu Shu heard the guide moaning.  "Oh 
no!  You fall in Spring of Drowned Panda!  Tragic legend, very tragic..."  
The rest faded as to Zhu Shu's shock, a giant panda erupted from the pool 
straight at the young man.  Too stunned to move, she watched as it batted 
the young man right at her.  Stepping back, her foot found only air...
  The boy's trailing foot caught her already off balance as he flew by to 
land in a pool about fifteen feet away.  She fell towards the clear surface 
of a spring, and as the water closed over her, she heard the guide lament, 
"You fall in Spring of Drowned Young Girl..."
  The water was far colder than she expected and deeper than it had looked.  
She experienced a strange surge of dizziness that made her lose her bearings 
for a second, and then her head broke the surface.  As she opened her eyes, 
she saw the panda run by, being chased by a buxom redheaded girl, in turn 
being chased by the guide.  She blinked in confusion.  They had the same 
auras as the older man and the boy.  They disappeared into a swirl of fog, 
and as she turned to dive after her swords, she heard a yell and another 
splash.
  It took her nearly five minutes to find her swords among the rocks at the 
pools bottom.  As she came up for the final time, a low growl from behind 
made her turn and freeze.
  Two large feline eyes looked at her from over a pair of canines a good 
nine inches long.  She floated frozen for a few seconds until she realized 
that the huge cat didn't look hungry, but wet and disgusted.
  And if anything, she'd swear it was leering.
  It looked her up and down, then shook its head and turned to pad off with 
a sound suspiciously like a chuckle.
  Stranger and stranger.  Zhu Shu watched as the enormous catlike creature 
disappeared into the fading morning mist before swimming to the edge of the 
pool.  She grimaced as she realized the knots securing the front of her 
dress had come undone and as she pulled herself up onto a rock, she pulled 
it closed...
  Or tried to...  It didn't want to stretch enough to cover her bosom.  Her 
fingers found torn cloth where the knot-work had ripped free.  She looked 
down and froze as she caught sight of her hands.
  She had three fingers and a thumb, with no sign she had ever had a fourth 
finger.  Then she noticed her raven black hair was now sun gold.  Momentary 
confusion gave way to the sudden memory of the guide's voice, "Now whoever 
fall in pool take form of panda..."
  In shock, she raised one of her swords and looked in the long narrow 
mirror.  Her normally oval face was now more heart shaped, and her normally 
jade green eyes were a luminous emerald with a more pronounced tilt.  They 
dominated her face and the slit pupils recalled the eyes of her guardian 
deity.  Ebon lashes swept out to frame those dragon eyes, and spun gold, 
upswept eyebrows gave that face a nearly unearthly, exotic beauty that her 
pointed, almost animalistic ears only accented.  The pointed upper and lower 
canines added to the wildness of her appearance.  As she stood, she realized 
she had gained nearly a foot in height and had filled out enormously.  Her 
expanded bust had ripped the ties free on her dress, and the skirt had 
ridden up several inches.
  Strangely, her shoes were only a little tight.  Beyond the lost fingers 
and that exotic face, she was still human looking.  Remembering the panda, 
she figured she was extremely lucky.  She had no idea what she was, but at 
least it wasn't completely an animal.
  She took off the dress and wrung it out, then did the same for her 
underwear; damp was better than soaked.  She rigged a way to tie the dress 
closed and redressed just as her ears caught the sounds of distant combat 
from the cliffs above.  She sprang towards a pole to investigate, and 
narrowly missed falling into another pool as her altered size threw off her 
reflexes.  Opting for the safer course of running, she sprinted towards the 
distant noise.

  * * * * *

  Several minutes later, she was on a ledge partway up the cliff when she 
caught the sound of a lone hiker above her.  The sounds of the panda and the 
girl were fast approaching too, and as she was trying to find a way up, the 
pair passed by and a large object came over the cliff towards her.
  She dived to the side as the shadowy form plummeted past, realizing too 
late it was another poor victim of the duo, a fairly nice looking boy with a 
huge pack.  She winced as he landed in a pool below her with a huge splash.
  Zhu Shu hurried back down the path from the ledge, not trusting her 
jumping ability.  It took several minutes to get back down to the edge of 
the pool.  She was too late, the panda had already snagged the small black 
piglet that had crawled out of the pool, half drowned.  He skipped away with 
the piglet as Zhu Shu drew up to the edge of the pool.  She snagged the 
unfortunate boy's pack with one of the ribbons on her swords and dragged the 
incredibly heavy thing out of the pool.  She left it at the water's edge and 
snapped the ribbon dry as she followed the panda's trail.
  She arrived at the guide's hut just in time to see him holding the piglet 
over a large cooking pot and called out to him, "Don't cook that pig!"
  It was too late; even as the guide turned towards her, his eyes widening, 
his hand had released the piglet and it was falling towards the boiling 
water.  Zhu Shu dived to rescue him from the scalding water, but as her hand 
and the piglet hit the hot water, two things happened simultaneously...
  Zhu Shu lost her balance as she suddenly lost a foot of height and about 
thirty pounds; and a naked boy replaced the piglet...  Zhu Shu couldn't stop 
herself as she crashed into him and they both fell over the stove to the 
floor, followed by the pot of water.  The boy scrabbled wildly to avoid the 
water and gallantly tried to push Zhu Shu out of the way as well, but his 
hand met the already ripped ties and with a loud rip, the dress and Zhu Shu 
parted ways...
  She landed in a sprawl with a bruised rear, clad only in her panties.  The 
boy on the other side of the puddle of steaming water looked at the shredded 
dress in his hand, then at Zhu Shu.  A gout of blood poured from his nose as 
his eyes rolled up into his head and he fainted.
  For a few seconds, there was only stunned silence, then the guide spoke.  
"So sad.  Now have no pig to cook nice for lunch..."

  * * * * *

  Zhu Shu fled the hut long enough to retrieve a new dress from her campsite 
before returning, but found the pig boy had gone while she was gone.  The 
panda had obviously availed himself of the hot water as well, since the 
older man had replaced him.  She noted he gave her an appraising look before 
bowing, like he was checking her for visible weapons.
  "Hello, young lady.  I am Genma Saotome of the Saotome school of Anything 
Goes martial arts, and..." he waved over at the table where a once again 
male teen sat eating ravenously from a big bowl of noodles, "this is my 
son..."
  "Ranma."  He said around a mouthful of ramen.
  Zhu Shu bowed and assayed her broken Japanese.  "Song Zhu Shu, Song school 
of Sword Dance."  She noted the nod from the boy as well as his appraising 
look.  She glared up at the father.  "Zhu Shu upset with panda man.  Knock 
in spring.  Not look where throw son.  Careless!"  She put real venom in her 
look.
  "See Pops!  You've ruined more than just my life!"  Ranma chimed in.
  "Um...err...well..."  Genma grinned sheepishly.  "I - I don't suppose a 
simple apology would be enough?" he asked hopefully.  Zhu Shu shook her 
head.  Genma eyed his son rather appraisingly, then asked, "Um...  Do you 
think we could discuss this... err... privately?"  His eyes darted towards 
the door.
  Zhu Shu noted his look, and the fact that his aura was betraying a 
duplicitous nature, but curiosity won and she nodded, wanting to see what he 
planned.
  She followed Genma outside to a stand of trees out of earshot of the hut 
and asked him, "What you up to, panda man?"
  "Well, as you can see, we are but poor wandering martial artists, and I 
possess nothing with which to repay you for the unfortunate accident you 
suffered, unless...  May I ask you why you are in Jusenkyo?"
  "Why?"
  "Perhaps, if I know the nature of your quest, I can aid you in some manner 
to repay my debt."
  His aura showed he was stalling, but Zhu Shu answered anyway.  "Zhu Shu 
seek husband."
  Genma's eyes lit up as he saw an apparent easy way out.  "Then nothing 
could be simpler.  My son is nearly finished with his training and must soon 
seek a wife, a martial artist of equal skill.  You appear to be such a 
godsend.  I offer you Ranma's hand in marriage."
  His aura said he was sincere, but she could see it was only for the 
moment.  As soon as he could slip away, he would.  He would only honor those 
commitments he was forced to.
  But, Zhu Shu recalled that buried streak of nobility in Ranma's aura.
  And... his curse was... intriguing.  How would he handle it?
  It was better than returning home in shame.  The consequences of that were 
too horrific to contemplate.
  "Zhu Shu tells you what do.  Panda man visits training grounds, yes, no?"
  "Yes."
  "Zhu Shu travel with.  See what kind of husband Ranma make.  If like, will 
betroth.  If not..."  In a lightning fast move, she pulled her swords from 
behind her back and caught the surprised man against a tree, her crossed 
blades just touching Genma's Adams apple.  "Zhu Shu takes payment out of 
panda man's backside..."  She grinned at Genma's uneasy swallow.

  * * * * *

  Zhu Shu retrieved her small pack from her camp and returned to the guide's 
hut to find the Saotomes sparring again.  She watched them, and had to admit 
Genma had trained Ranma well.  His style was unorthodox, a blend of so many 
schools that Zhu Shu could identify barely a dozen moves.  She had sparred 
with many masters of various schools in the last year, yet she was unsure 
she could beat Ranma in a challenge.  His very unpredictability would give 
him an edge.  She had at best a fifty-fifty chance without calling on her 
clan's secret techniques.
  She was thoroughly annoyed at the loss of her best practice dress.  It had 
been the only one she had that could stand up to the contortions of her 
daily katas.  The rest would survive a normal fight well enough, but she was 
out of luck for practice.  Early morning katas seemed her only option.  She 
found a good spot to continue watching the pair as she began to alter her 
remaining dresses to accommodate a sudden dousing.  As she sewed she studied 
Ranma out of the corner of her eye, observing his various moves and style.  
She was definitely intrigued.  She smiled as she put the finishing touches 
on her last dress and put it away, returning her gaze to the ongoing brawl 
just as Ranma landed in the pond next to the guide's hut yet again.
  Now seemed as good a time as any to begin feeling Ranma out.
  The now female redhead emerged from the pool to find Zhu Shu standing in 
front of him with wooden practice swords point downward in her hands.  He 
flung the long ponytail back over his shoulder.  "Whadda you want?" he 
grumped
  "Zhu Shu is honored Ranma spar?"
  He gave her an appraising look and shrugged halfheartedly "Yeah, I guess 
so.  Hey Pops!  I'm gonna spar with Zhu Shu!"
  The panda grunted and wandered back into the hut.
  Zhu Shu stood by politely as Ranma stripped off his shirt and wrung out 
the water, his rosy pink nipples erect from the cold pond.  "You've been 
watching me.  I saw you while Pops and I fought."
  Zhu Shu nodded, a slight smile on her face.
  "Studying my moves, right?"
  "Yes."
  "What ya think?"  He asked, cocking a hand on one hip jauntily as he slung 
the shirt over his shoulder.
  Zhu Shu smiled.  "Ranma very good.  Unpredictable.  Against opponent who 
never fight before, Ranma probably win quick."
  "You think you could beat me?"  The challenge in the redhead's eyes was 
unmistakable.
  "Zhu Shu sees."  She raised the twin swords.  "Zhu Shu face many in last 
year.  No-one beat."
  "I ain't just anyone," Ranma grinned.  "And I never lose."
  Zhu Shu tilted her head at the boy-turned-girl.  "Zhu Shu sees."  She gave 
Ranma a warm smile.
  Ranma put his shirt back on and assumed a stance.  "Whenever you're 
ready."

  * * * * *

  They sparred most of the afternoon, Ranma learning quickly that Zhu Shu 
was too fast not to take seriously.  A few good hard smacks had gotten him 
over trying to hold back.  By early evening, they had begun feeling each 
other out as friends, deciding they actually liked each other.
  He certainly liked her cooking.
  They talked while Zhu Shu was cooking, and afterwards while doing dishes.  
Genma had spilled the dish water on Ranma after that, and Zhu Shu had made 
the panda clean up the mess, secretly enjoying the grin on the redhead's 
face.  It made her feel good to know Ranma had appreciated the support.
  That night brought the first test of the budding friendship.
  Around midnight, Zhu Shu woke to a scream.  A quickly lit lantern revealed 
a horrified Ranma standing in the middle of the hut staring at the trickle 
of blood running down his legs.  Zhu Shu shook her head, her heart going out 
to the newly female Ranma.  She'd been horrified her first time too...
  The Panda grunted, holding up a sign that Zhu Shu couldn't read.  She 
waved him away.  "You go sleep.  Zhu Shu deals with.  You no can help."
  "What's wrong with me?  Why am I bleeding?" a plaintive wail came from the 
frightened redhead.
  "Nothing wrong.  Ranma be okay.  Is female thing."
  Genma grunted, then went back to his mat.  The Guide turned beet red and 
dove for his bed as well.
  Zhu Shu paid them no mind as she drew her small brazier out and blew the 
coals back to life.
  "How can I be ok?!!  I'm bleeding to death!!!"
  "Ranma be silly.  Not bleed to death.  Is only female cycle.  Happen every 
month."  Zhu Shu said matter of factly.
  "Every MONTH!!!!"  Ranma whimpered, his eyes huge.
  Zhu Shu nodded "Every month."
  "You mean I'm going to bleed like a stuck pig every month?!!"  He sounded 
on the verge of hysteria.
  Zhu Shu set a kettle on the brazier and looked at Ranma patronizingly.  
"Ranma be okay.  Zhu Shu knows.  Zhu Shu have cycle too.  Stop whining."
  Ranma recoiled, but anger replaced the near panic in his eyes.  "I am not 
whining!"
  "Are too.  Cycle fact of life.  Accept."
  "I'm a guy!!  I don't have to get used to it!!"
  "Ranma is girl now.  Must deal with fact of life."
  "Only until that water's hot!"
  Zhu Shu shook her head.  "No.  Water not for change.  Ranma stay girl 
until cycle done."
  "Like hell, I will!!"
  Zhu Shu put her hands on her hips and glared at the redhead.  "Idiot.  
Many waterfalls near.  Much rain.  Many ponds.  Ranma cannot stay boy.  Will 
change many times.  Cycle is there each time.  Blood on clothes unless use 
pad.  Will use many pad.  Zhu Shu not has many.  Cannot waste or Zhu Shu 
have none for her cycle.  Ranma stay female.  Get over cycle.  Use fewer 
pad.  Not waste!"
  "But this is ridiculous!  I'm bleeding everywhere, and I'm cramping!!!"
  Zhu Shu rolled her eyes.  "So?  Zhu Shu does same every month.  Ranma not 
get sympathy.  Stop whining."
  "I'm not whining!  I'm in pain!"
  Zhu Shu folded her arms and nodded sagely.  "Ah.  Zhu Shu understands.  
Zhu Shu stronger than Ranma.  Zhu Shu not run from basic fact of life.  
Ranma whine and give up."  She loaded as much sarcasm into her voice as 
possible.
  "I've never given up on anything in my life!"  Ranma hissed.
  "Ranma give up now."
  "Like hell!  If you can stand this, I can!"
  Zhu Shu raised an eyebrow archly.  "Ranma think can match Zhu Shu?"
  "Damn right!!!"
  "Zhu Shu sees."  She said as she poured warm water on the towels she had 
brought out.  "For now, we clean Ranma and brew tea for cramps."  At the 
startled look from Ranma, she laughed.  "Zhu Shu deal with fact of life, not 
mean she like cramp."
  Ranma couldn't help but laugh.

  * * * * *

  The next morning, Zhu Shu rose before the others and took out her bathing 
supplies.  Through half closed eyes, Ranma watched as she looked over her 
dresses and sighed before grabbing one and heading out the door.  After she 
had left, Ranma opened his eyes fully and sighed as well.
  Zhu Shu made him feel so strange.  The Chinese girl was an absolute 
enigma.  She was demure, but at the same time possessed an aura of complete 
confidence.  She'd cleaned the hut and cooked dinner last night with 
competent ease, radiating an aura of contentment and tranquility, but when 
she'd made his dad clean up the mess he'd made after she had neatened up, 
she'd displayed a mettle that had commanded his father's swift obedience.
  Then there was their sparring match.  Zhu Shu had treated him as neither a 
competitor nor an incompetent like his dad did.  She had simply shown him he 
actually had to take her style seriously, or take hits.
  She'd simply accepted Ranma as he was.  Like Ukyo always had.
  Zhu Shu had nothing else in common with Ukyo, the boy Ranma had been a 
friend with when he was six, but she treated him like Ukyo had.  Like...  A 
friend.
  Zhu Shu hadn't put on any airs or condescended to him or belittled him, 
she'd just been herself and let Ranma be himself...
  Or herself as the case may be at the moment...
  He sighed as he sat up, only mild twinges from his stomach and the heavy 
odor of blood reminding him of why he was still a girl.  He was embarrassed 
about last night.  He'd been convinced at first that he had irreparably 
damaged himself experimenting, but Zhu Shu had been the calm rock in the 
storm he had needed.
  And he had yelled at her.
  Another sigh escaped his lips.  He really owed Zhu Shu an apology.
  He stood to follow the Chinese girl and slipped out of the hut 
noiselessly.  He followed the path around the hut to the small pool with the 
waterfall, then stopped to stare at the vision in the mists before him...
  Zhu Shu was standing on one foot on a rock beside the pond and Ranma drank 
in the sight of her...  Zhu Shu extended one leg and Ranma's' eyes followed 
the long graceful arc of her calf up to her thigh and from there to the 
joint of her legs, then up the soft flatness of her stomach.  From the swell 
of her breasts to the arch of her supporting foot, she was all smooth curves 
and shapely muscle.  Ranma had never seen anyone so exquisitely and 
completely feminine.
  She watched as Zhu Shu completed her warm up katas, and then reached 
behind her back to draw forth her swords.  Ranma's eyes widened...  Zhu Shu 
was just as nude from the rear; she'd confirmed that just seconds ago... 
then the question of where Zhu Shu had hidden the swords faded from her mind 
as she flowed into her sword forms.
  Ranma had speed.  He had skill.  And until now, he had thought he had 
grace...  but for all the styles he knew, he had to admit he could not match 
Zhu Shu's elegance of motion.  Almost, he could hear music as he watched her 
dance through the katas of the Song school, and he could not find any better 
term for how Zhu Shu moved.
  Strange emotions warred within him, causing unnatural hormones to flow as 
his female body began to feel flushed with warmth and unfamiliar pressures 
began to build.  He felt strange as the sight of Zhu Shu made him wish that 
he could possess that same aura of desirability.
  Ranma's breath caught when he realized what he'd just thought.  Wanting to 
be desirable?!!  What kind of thing was that to be thinking?  Everyone would 
laugh at him and his father would hold him up to ridicule in shame of a son 
who had such thoughts!  He had to get rid of this curse!  He had to find a 
way to be a male full-time again!  Before this female body drove him mad!
  Zhu Shu apparently knew he was there though.  Ranma watched as Zhu Shu put 
away her swords with a flourish, then turned to look at him standing there 
limply like a fool...  But the sparkles in her eyes made Ranma realize she 
wasn't angry or embarrassed.
  "Ah.  Ranma.  Come join Zhu Shu in bath.  Zhu Shu smell blood from here.  
Come!  You wash her back, she wash yours." she said with a laugh.
  Ranma stood there in shock as Zhu Shu gracefully did a back flip to dive 
with barely a splash into the pool.  Then his jaw dropped further as a pale 
blonde head broke the surface and green dragon eyes sought his.  "Come!  
Come!  Zhu Shu cannot wash back by self!" the vision sang in a musical voice 
that rang in his ears.
  Ranma shook himself as he thought Ahwhathahell; we're both girls anyway.  
It's not like the water will reveal my real body anyway.  What's the big 
deal?  She doesn't have anything as a girl that I don't have, right?  
Slowly, he approached the pool with its wet dream.  His Dad had told him Zhu 
Shu had been cursed, but...
  "I had no idea you'd look like that in your cursed form." he finished 
aloud.
  Zhu Shu shrugged.  "No big deal.  Annoying.  Zhu Shu has enough men try 
use her already.  Only make worse."
  "Use you?"
  Zhu Shu gave Ranma a long look as the redhead slipped off his loose top 
and shorts before gingerly removing the panties Zhu Shu given him.  Ranma 
was relieved to see only a little fresh blood.  As he slipped into the 
water, Zhu Shu finally answered.
  "Ranma will find pretty is not always good.  Many men find Zhu Shu pretty. 
  Want to posses her.  Think in love only because she pretty.  Try to make 
Zhu Shu into pet.  Now she is more pretty.  Make problem worse.  Ranma girl 
now.  Will find out."
  Ranma blushed "Umm..."
  Zhu Shu smiled "Zhu Shu not worry about Ranma.  Is friend.  Zhu Shu safe.  
Yes, no?"  She smiled warmly, showing too-long canines.
  Ranma blushed harder "I-I wanted to apologize for yelling at you last 
night..."
  Zhu Shu laughed.  "No worry.  First day hormone very bad."  She held out a 
washcloth and a bar of soap.  "Now, is Ranma ready for female lesson?"
  "Lesson?"
  Zhu Shu nodded emphatically.  "Lesson.  Ranma have female body now.  Have 
much to learn about.  Must take care of."
  Ranma stared at her "How can you be so calm and matter of fact about 
this?"  He shook her head.  "I mean, this must be the worst thing to ever 
happen to either of us and you just shrug it off."
  "Zhu Shu no can change curse.  Ranma no can change curse.  Could be 
worse."
  "How?  I'm a boy who turns into a girl!  How could it be worse?!!"
  Zhu Shu shrugged as she began soaping up her arms.  "Easy.  Could be pig."
  Ranma started to say something, then stopped.  He shook her head and 
laughed.  "You're right.  It could be worse.  Very well Zhu-Sensei.  Teach 
me."

  * * * * *

  An hour later, after Zhu Shu had finished her lesson, Ranma realized there 
was a lot about females he had been ignorant of.  He was glad Zhu Shu had 
been willing to teach him, and that she had been so patient, and hadn't 
laughed, or made him feel dumb.  She'd been completely straightforward and 
honest with all her answers.  Ranma had blushed till his ears burned asking 
some of his questions, but Zhu Shu had never betrayed a trace of 
embarrassment, nor had she balked answering any of them...  She'd been such 
a good teacher that it wasn't until Ranma was watching her dry off that he'd 
realized that he had not even thought of Zhu Shu as sexy the entire lesson.  
It surprised him.  He had just seen Zhu Shu in more intimate detail than 
most husbands saw their wives and it hadn't even occurred to him how weird 
it all was.
  He'd just spent an hour with a stunningly beautiful girl and had just 
accepted it as natural!  He had to get out of this female body before it 
drove him crazy!
  He dressed hurriedly and went around to the front of the hut just as Genma 
was coming out.
  "Ah.  There you are son.  Prepare yourself!  I won't go easy on you just 
because you're a girl!!!"

  * * * * *

  Normally, it took two days to travel to the Amazon village, which was just 
over a day's travel from Zhu Shu's' home, but the Saotomes sparred so much 
and meandered so much that the journey looked like it would take closer to a 
week.  Zhu Shu really didn't mind as it was giving her the opportunity to 
spend time with Ranma and get to know him better.
  It had been three days since they had left the guides hut, and Ranma's 
period had been blessedly brief.  He had stopped bleeding on the second day 
and the poor boy had been overjoyed to return to being male.
  At least until the brief shower near morning.
  Ranma had gone out looking for breakfast as Zhu Shu was doing her katas 
and while he had returned male, he hadn't said much about where he'd found 
hot water.  Genma hadn't even bothered to ask, just started in with 
"Training", but Ranma had been giving Zhu Shu furtive glances since then.
  It was dinner time before they really had a chance to talk though.  Ranma 
casually volunteered to help Zhu Shu clean the dishes at the small stream a 
little ways from their camp.  Zhu Shu raised an eyebrow, but nodded when 
Genma just grunted as he lay down to sleep.
  At the edge of the stream, Ranma looked over at the forms of the two men 
by the fire to make sure they weren't close enough to hear before sighing in 
relief.
  "What Ranma want?"  Zhu Shu asked.  "Been looking Zhu Shu all day."
  Ranma sat down on a log.  "Do you know anything about Chinese magic?"
  Zhu Shu perched beside him.  "Zhu Shu know herbs.  Some magical.  Zhu Shu 
not know much."  She gave him a raised eyebrow.  "Ranma need spell?"
  Ranma sighed.  "Maybe.  I don't know.  I was hungry this morning and found 
an inn.  The innkeeper was making porridge and it smelled so good..."
  "What Ranma do?"
  "I was hungry!"  He said defensively.  "I didn't know it was some screwy 
spell!"
  Zhu Shu nodded sagely.  "Ranma want know if can undo."
  Ranma grinned ruefully.  "Yeah...  I mean you're Chinese and all."
  Zhu Shu rubbed her temples.  "Zhu Shu Mandarin.  Not mean Zhu Shu know 
all.  What spell?"
  Ranma undid his ponytail for a few seconds, and in the time it took for 
him to retie it, it had grown six inches.  "It's a hair spell, and the only 
way to stop my hair from growing until it's all gone is if I keep it tied 
with a Dragons Hair."  He held up a long strand of thick hair.  "Do you 
think you can fix it?"  He asked hopefully.
  Zhu Shu took the strand and looked at it dubiously, then at the desperate 
hope in Ranma's eyes.  "Zhu Shu not know.  Not know the ingredients of 
spell."
  Ranma handed her a piece of parchment.  She looked the ancient slip of 
paper over and sighed.  "Zhu Shu try.  Not make promise."  She took out her 
small brazier and blew the coals to life, setting a small kettle on it to 
warm.  Then she pulled out her herb kit as she scanned the parchment over 
carefully.  Ranma watched her as her hands rifled through the kit and pulled 
out various items to toss into the kettle.
  "Don't you need to look for which herbs you're grabbing?"  He queried.
  Zhu Shu shook her head.  "No.  Aunt make sure Zhu Shu can do blindfolded."
  Ranma nodded as Zhu Shu finished with the small kettle.  "Is that the 
cure?"
  Zhu Shu looked down at the pot.  "Not know.  Zhu Shu only know few herbal 
charms.  Healing, love, luck.  This charm of reversal.  Maybe fix Dragon 
Hair spell."  She handed him the kettle.
  Ranma looked down at the mix.  "I have to drink this?"
  Zhu Shu nodded.  "Dragon Hair was in porridge.  Charm is same."
  Ranma lifted the pot and gulped the potion down.  He wiped his lips.  
"Hey, that was pretty good!  How long does it take to work?"
  Zhu Shu reached up and tugged the hair holding his pony tail loose.  Ranma 
held his breath.
  His hair just laid there.
  "Yes!"  He exclaimed softly as he jumped up "I'm cured!"
  He didn't see the branch he stepped on that tipped up and dumped him in 
the stream.  He stood spluttering in the cold water.  "Damn it!"
  Zhu Shu handed him the hair.  "Zhu Shu sorry."  She said apologetically.  
"Seem only fix part of spell."
  Ranma looked down to see a long mass of red hair, growing longer by the 
second.  He quickly wrapped his hair into a pony tail and tied it off.  
"It's not supposed to grow when I'm a girl!"
  They looked at each other.  "Reversal," they said simultaneously.
  Zhu Shu gave Ranma a downcast look.  "Zhu Shu is sorry."
  Ranma trudged out of the stream dragging the sodden mass of his soaked 
hair.  "It's not your fault Zhu Shu.  I asked you to try."
  Zhu Shu tilted her head.  "Maybe less likely to lose hair as girl type 
Ranma.  Still, Zhu Shu wish had been able to help."
  Ranma smiled at her.  "Hey, you tried.  That's what friends do..."

  * * * * *

  Zhu Shu looked at the wall of weapons that surrounded her and remembered 
Ranma's words from that night and sighed mentally.  She should have known, 
should have paid better attention to the pair when they had arrived at the 
Amazon village.  She knew about the Amazons, but when she heard the guide 
telling the pair about them, she had thought it would be okay.  She had 
wanted to see the tournament better, thinking the purple haired warrior was 
overmatched by the huge woman she was facing.  She hadn't thought to keep an 
eye on the pair.
  Her mistake.
  Green fire rippled down her blades and a faint green aura surrounded her 
as she turned to survey the hard faces that had surrounded her following 
Ranma and Genma's hurried departure, but she didn't believe her clan's 
secret techniques would do more than slow the Amazons down.  So far, they 
hadn't attacked...
  A disturbance in the crowd attracted her eye and she watched nervously as 
the ripple moved towards her.  The crowd parted and a small, wizened figure 
balancing on a pole hopped into the ring, followed by the dark purple-haired 
Champion that Ranma had just bested.  Zhu Shu gulped and quickly grounded 
the points of her swords and allowed her chi to drain back into her.
  "Most Revered Elder, I am at your mercy.  I ask forgiveness for any 
offense I have given." she said.
  The crone nodded approvingly.  "You have manners at least."  Her gaze 
rested for a moment on the faint dragons etched on Zhu Shu's swords and her 
gaze softened.  "You are Clan Dragon," she stated.
  Zhu Shu nodded as a murmur ran through the crowd.
  "Tell me, Child of the Dragon, why do you travel with such ill mannered 
fools?"  The elder asked more gently.
  "I am on a Husband Quest, Revered Elder.  I wished to see if Ranma Saotome 
would prove to be a worthy mate."
  The Elder raised an eyebrow, "The girl who defeated Shampoo?  Do you seek 
a Husband or a Sister-Wife?  Explain yourself, child."
  "I would think the answer obvious, Loremaster.  The child smells of 
Jusenkyo."  another voice said behind Zhu Shu.  She turned her had slightly, 
but could see only another staff from her current position.  "There is no 
need for forgiveness, Child of the Dragon." the second voice ordered, "You 
have not offended us.  Stand proud as the warrior you are.  We will not harm 
you."
  Zhu Shu turned to face another elder who, if anything, looked even older 
than the Loremaster.
  "I am Cologne, Warleader of the Amazons, Child of the Dragon.  Shampoo is 
my great granddaughter.  This Ranma Saotome, he is a Jusenkyo-cursed male?" 
the old woman asked sharply.
  "He is, Revered Warleader."
  The Elder looked her up and down appraisingly.  "Have you a claim on him, 
Child of the Dragon?"
  Zhu Shu bowed slightly, "I am his friend, Revered Warleader."
  "Friend?  What kind of friend abandons his companion to face possible 
vengeance for actions he has done?"  The elder asked, eyebrow raised.  "For 
all they knew, you too could have received a Kiss."
  Zhu Shu nodded.  "Ranma is new to friendship, and his father controls his 
actions too often.  Ranma Saotome has much in him of Honor, yet it is often 
overshadowed by his father's questionable actions.  Genma sought to betroth 
Ranma to me secretly to repay his debt to me for causing my curse.  I 
arranged instead to travel with them to observe Ranma's worth as a Husband 
instead."
  "Seek you his hand?"  The Elder asked intently.
  "My quest has not yet been fulfilled, Revered Warleader.  I am Ranma's 
friend.  I claim no other ties.  I am aware of Amazon Law, and I seek no 
challenge for his hand.  He is for Shampoo to take as Husband.  And yet..." 
she trailed off.
  "Yes, child?"  Cologne asked gently.
  "Ranma Saotome is not like other men.  I do not believe he can be tamed to 
be an Amazon male.  To try and make him such may break him."
  Cologne gazed at her silently for a long moment, then waved the ring of 
warriors away.  She addressed Zhu Shu again.  "It is said that Children of 
the Dragon see much that others do not.  Would you join us in my hut for 
tea?  I feel we have much to discuss before my great granddaughter sets out 
on her hunt...."

  * * * * *

  Cologne interrogated Zhu Shu for hours, digging for every scrap of 
information she had on Ranma.  Shampoo sat by, listening, at first 
jealously, but soon realizing she had no cause.  She was soon laughing at 
Zhu Shu's descriptions of Ranma reactions to being treated as just another 
girl.  Zhu Shu found her heart going out to the cute Amazon girl.  For 
Shampoo, the world was mostly black or white, with very few shades of gray.  
She was a warrior; proud of her strength, and for her, losing to Ranma had 
been a shame beyond bearing, redeemable only with Ranma's death.  Yet once 
she had found out that Ranma had been male, her shattered world restored 
itself and her spirit had soared.  Amazons admired strength and skill above 
all, and for a male to possess enough of both to defeat any Amazon, let 
alone a Champion, made him a more desirable mate than any amount of wealth 
or beauty.
  It was all over her aura, Shampoo was head over heels in love.
  And beneath that warrior's persona, the Amazon had the potential to be as 
sweet and likable a girl as any Zhu Shu had met.  It hadn't taken long for 
Shampoo to decide they should be friends, and would allow no refusal.  Zhu 
Shu had agreed, knowing from her aura it was truly meant.  In some ways, 
Shampoo reminded her of Cherry Blossom.
  Cologne wasn't so simple though.  She was far too old to think in black 
and white, and as she heard more of Zhu Shu's story, her brow furrowed 
deeper in thought.
  Finally, she sent Shampoo off to make dinner and talked to Zhu Shu alone.
  Cologne looked at Zhu Shu intently for a long moment, then asked, "Tell me 
what you See, Child."
  Zhu Shu looked into her teacup.  "It will not be easy for her, Revered 
Elder.  Ranma has...  much to learn...  I fear he will break her heart, and 
she will have no defense against it.  They have no common bonds.  If she 
tries to take him as an Amazon would, she will only drive him away.  He 
cannot be conquered; he must choose to give himself.  And as yet, he has no 
knowledge of the Way of Hearts.  His pride and hers will clash."
  Cologne nodded.  "I fear I agree with you.  Ranma is a worthy warrior in 
combat, but there is more to a warrior than skill at arms.  He is worth 
cultivating.  I know that to be true, else you would not be his friend.  
Would you see him happy?"
  Zhu Shu nodded.
  "As I would see Shampoo happy."  Cologne looked thoughtful.  "Happy or 
unhappy, he will be her Husband; there is no choice in Amazon Law in this.  
Shampoo must marry Ranma, but I fear they shall both require much 
cultivation.  She must learn not only how to love him, but how to make him 
love her.  That will not be easy."  Cologne looked at Zhu Shu in appeal.  
"Would you aid me in achieving this end?"
  Zhu Shu stood and bowed deeply.  "I am honored beyond words at the 
request.  I will Revered Elder."
  Cologne smiled.  "Good.  You shall leave after tomorrow's practice 
then..."

  * * * * *

  THWACK....
  Shampoo's bomburi intercepted the lightning-fast thrust of the practice 
sword in Zhu Shu's left hand as she just barely jumped over the blade 
sweeping for her feet.  She carried the motion into a full somersault as Zhu 
Shu quickly turned the sweep into a cut through the bamboo pole she'd been 
standing on.  She landed on another behind the Mandarin girl, but just as 
quickly abandoned it as Zhu Shu's sword flickered through it as well.  
Shampoo launched her own attack in mid leap, the air pressure wave 
shattering the bamboo pole a second after Zhu Shu blurred into motion 
straight up.  As Shampoo landed, she had a sudden sense of danger, and 
barely raised her bomburi in time to intercept the swords descent towards 
her head...
  Green fire flickered along the blades as they sliced through the shafts of 
her bomburi like they were air.  Shampoo turned her crouch into a drop down 
the side of the pole, catching it just long enough to halt her momentum and 
brace her feet for a leap past another pole...
  The pole snapped off at its base as she snagged it in passing, splinters 
trailing from the ragged end as she landed by a small boulder.  She took two 
steps and used the pole to vault upwards.
  Zhu Shu met her in mid air, her blades blocking every move of Shampoo's 
staff.  Green fire twined around the sphere defined by Shampoo's spinning 
weapon as she turned Zhu Shu's ribbons aside, then with a violent explosion 
of air pressure, they flew apart.
  Shampoo marveled again at Zhu Shu's speed and skill as she angled for a 
new perch.  The Mandarin girl had been no challenge in unarmed combat, but 
she was nigh unstoppable with her swords.  Shampoo had had to delve into the 
Amazon secret techniques to hold her own.  Zhu Shu's style was so fast and 
furious it was like fighting an octopus.  She'd gone through eight bomburi 
in the course of the sparring match.
  She used the springiness of a bamboo pole to absorb her momentum and 
landed on a nearby rock, scanning for Zhu Shu.  A flicker of green from far 
overhead gave her a split second warning before a bolt of chi shattered the 
rock under her feet.  Shampoo flipped in mid-air and began grabbing the 
flying shards, launching them at Zhu Shu in a cloud.
  Zhu Shu's ribbons flashed around her in a globe and pebbles flew in all 
directions.  Her descent slowed until she almost seemed to be floating as 
she dropped down lightly on a pole top in the middle of the training ground. 
  Shampoo waited, catching her breath as Zhu Shu closed her eyes.  Warily, 
the Amazon prepared to defend.
  Zhu Shu inhaled a long breath, then with a shouted, "Revealing the Mind's 
Eye!"  she jumped simultaneously in two directions...
  Shampoo did a double take at the twin Zhu Shus, trying to figure out which 
one was real, but neither sight nor sound gave an immediate cue.  Zhu Shu 
was too skilled to make any noise when landing.  Shampoo looked over to 
where her great grandmother watched.  How could the Mandarin girl know the 
Amazon technique of "Splitting Cats Hair"?
  No matter, the figure on the pole to the right was too still.  A light 
breeze rippled the skirt of the real Zhu Shu's dress.  Shampoo feinted 
towards the fake, then launched herself at the real one.
  To her horror, at the last second, the illusion faded away, pole, ground, 
and Zhu Shu vanishing to reveal the...
  Shampoo rolled through the pile of practice weapons at the edge of the 
practice grounds with a clatter, rolling to her feet as Cologne called a 
halt.  She walked forward to meet Zhu Shu at the center of the Amazon's 
training ground as Cologne hopped over on her stick.
  "Very good.  I would say you should balance each other out nicely."  
Cologne said approvingly.  "I have your supplies packed and you may leave on 
your quest immediately."
  Shampoo nodded as she turned to the shorter girl.  "I haven't had that 
good a match in months.  I almost wish you had been in the tournament."
  Zhu Shu smiled.  "Almost?"
  Shampoo's smile widened.  "Almost.  You might have won, and then you'd be 
marrying Ranma."
  Zhu Shu's smile seemed to sadden slightly.  "No," she said simply.
  Shampoo cocked her head.  "Why not.  I can see you like him."
  Zhu Shu shook her head.  "Ranma is for you.  He is my friend, nothing 
more."
  Shampoo gave her a sidelong look.  "You could marry him with me.  I would 
be honored to have you as a sister-wife."
  Zhu Shu raised her eyebrow.  "Sister-wife?"
  Cologne interjected.  "Amazon law allows more that one warrior to share a 
husband as sister-wives, Child of the Dragon.  We have always out-numbered 
our men, so long ago, we made... accommodations."
  Shampoo nodded happily.  "And then you could have Ranma too!"
  For a long moment, Zhu Shu considered, and looked almost as if she was on 
the verge of accepting, then a shadow crossed behind her eyes, and she 
turned away.  "I am honored by the offer Shampoo, but I cannot.  I have not 
yet fulfilled my quest.  I can make no decision till then."
  Shampoo's eyes narrowed for a second as she thought.  Then she brightened 
again.  "Then, if you will not be my sister-wife, will you be my 
blood-sister?  I owe you so much for enabling me to redeem my honor, Zhu 
Shu.  Please let me do something to thank you."
  Zhu Shu's emerald green eyes met hers.  "I have never had a sister, 
Shampoo.  I hope I will prove worthy of the honor."
  Shampoo hugged her and whirled her around.  "Wonderful!  There is nothing 
two sisters together cannot do!"
  Cologne nodded.  That couldn't have gone much better if she had planned 
it...

  * * * * *

  Following the brief ceremony of joining, the pair headed off along the 
trail left by the fleeing Saotomes the previous day.  Cologne stood and 
watched as they vanished into the trees before turning and going back to the 
elders hall.
  "They are off?"  The Loremaster asked as she entered.
  "Yes."  Cologne answered.  "Though from the speed with which her fianc�e 
ran away yesterday, it may be some time before she catches him.  Still, 
Shampoo is our finest young warrior.  She will succeed."
  "And what of the Child of the Dragon?"
  "She is wise in many ways, but still a child.  I'm hoping her friendship 
with Shampoo will temper my great granddaughters impetuousness."  She sat 
down.  "Primarily, I am relieved to have found that Clan Dragon yet 
survives."
  "Are you sure she is truly a Dragon?"
  Cologne nodded.  "She bears the swords.  Only the true Heir would bear 
them."
  "She may have found them.  It has been three hundred years since we last 
heard of the Clan."
  "No.  She is the Heir.  Of that, I have no doubt.  She knows the Song 
School too well."
  "Strange then that she seems so... unprepossessing."
  "Yes.  I will go to her home village and talk to her grandfather.  There 
are many questions that need answers.  For now, she is safest with Shampoo."
  "Very well, Cologne.  We will leave this in your hands."  The Loremaster 
looked around at the nods from the other elders.  "It will be interesting to 
see how things develop."
  Cologne nodded.  "Indeed..."

Chapter One:  Unexpected Meetings

  Rain is supposed to a cleansing, a refreshing of the Earth as it washed 
down the dust and fed thirsty crops.  All of her life, Shampoo had liked 
rain.
  Until she came to Tokyo.
  Now, it was just another sign of the depression she had sunk into.  She 
had never thought any place could ever be as huge as Tokyo.  Nine days of 
searching high and low had revealed not a single clue to Ranma's 
whereabouts, and only a small part of the city had been explored.  It was 
far worse than she had anticipated, and she had not counted on the problems 
she had encountered as a girl alone in Tokyo.  While she had been safe 
enough from any of the muggers she had met, she spoke poor Japanese, and 
what little money she had had soon been gone.  Nothing in her life as an 
Amazon warrior had prepared her for a place like this insane city.
  At present she was setting in the rain on a low railing overlooking one of 
the cities drainage canals, feeling like she would never redeem her Honor.  
It had seemed like such a smart suggestion for her and Zhu Shu to split up 
and search the city for Ranma.  In retrospect, it had been anything but.  
She had come no closer to finding her groom, and had not seen her 
blood-sister in days.
  "Why, hello there, little one."
  The voice coming from so close behind her nearly made her jump out of her 
dress.  She warily turned to look at it's source, ready to fight in a 
heartbeat...
  But there was no need.  The woman may have been dressed a trifle oddly, 
but the smile on her beautiful face held no malice, only a kindly warmth.  
The tattoos on her forehead and cheeks didn't even look strange; on her, 
they just seemed to belong, like she would be incomplete without them...
  "You poor dear, you must be freezing with that wet dress.  Won't you come 
in to dry by the fire?  I'll get you a cup of hot tea..."
  Shampoo debated.  She was rather chilled, but she had had offers like that 
before, and they had not been at all innocent.  But hot tea did sound nice.
  The woman nodded and her smiled widened.  "I can certainly understand 
that, but you need have no fear.  I am Belldandy, of the Relief Goddess 
Helpline, and I am here to help.  I can assure you, only safety lies 
within..."
  Shampoo decided she believed her.  She was so kindly looking and exuded an 
aura of such caring and peace that not trusting her seemed foolish.  Shampoo 
followed the woman into a warm and cozy room before she realized she hadn't 
yet said a word...  She turned to look back at the door she had entered, 
debating about bolting, but instead of the cold alley, she saw a walled 
courtyard and a shrine.
  The shrine reassured her, because it gave her the clue to identify why she 
wanted to trust Belldandy.  She felt like a priestess.  Feeling more 
confident, she tasted the cup of hot tea the beautiful girl held out for 
her.
  "You're welcome to stay the night if you like, or longer.  Keichii is away 
visiting his mother and won't be back till Monday, but I don't think he'll 
mind you staying for awhile.  We have a nice guest room you can stay in and 
Skuld must have some clothes that will fit you after your bath.  You are 
welcome to rest here for as long as you wish before resuming your search..."
  Shampoo gave her a startled glance over the rim of the cup, examining 
Belldandy's still ever so kind face.  How could she know so much?  And speak 
the Amazon dialect so well?
  A small touch of a blush touched Belldandy's cheeks as one hand went to 
her lips in an unconscious gesture.  "Oh, well, I'm a Goddess First Class.  
It's just one of those things we do... like granting wishes to people who 
truly deserve them..."
  "A goddess?"  Shampoo blinked at the tall woman.
  Belldandy nodded.  "Yes, Shampoo."
  Shampoo shook her head, the small bells on her odangos chiming.  She'd 
never heard of a goddess granting wishes.
  Belldandy smiled.  "It's what Kami-Sama created the Goddess Relief Office 
for.  My sisters and I find out what our clients wishes are and aid the 
ultimate force in accomplishing them."
  Like her wish that her relationship with Ranma would work out happily for 
everyone concerned?  She shook her head.  How could she be sure of that when 
she couldn't even find him?  It would be foolish to even utter a wish like 
that to someone who had been so kind.
  She broke off her musings as the tattoo on Belldandy's' forehead flared 
into light.  Shampoo found herself floating in mid-air in front of the 
goddess as electricity seemed to fill the air.  Wonder filled her eyes as 
small objects swirled around the room and Belldandy floated off the floor to 
slowly spin in the center of the room.  Her head tilted back as her tattoo 
glowed ever brighter, then a shaft of argent light rose from her forehead to 
pierce the ceiling.  Time seemed to freeze for an instant as everything 
settled to the floor.
  Belldandy opened her eyes and smiled at Shampoo.
  "Your wish has been approved..."

  * * * * *

  Zhu Shu had to admit she was lost.
  She hated having to admit it; it was too close to admitting defeat, that 
she had failed in her quest to find Ranma.  In the month since she and 
Shampoo had left the Amazon village on the husband hunt they had repeatedly 
almost caught up to the pair only to have them slip away in the chaos that 
seemed to follow them.  They had succeeding in tracking the pair all the way 
across China to a small seaport, only to find they had escaped by swimming 
to Japan.
  Then, once they had seen the enormity of Tokyo, they'd made the mistake of 
splitting up to search for Ranma, and Zhu Shu had found out how ludicrous it 
was to hope they could find a single boy in the huge city.  She'd been 
confused by the lights and noise, the constant confusion of the crowds, the 
sheer enormity of the bustling city.  Less than a day after leaving the 
harbor, she had fled the massive downtown district seeking the relative 
sanity of the suburbs.
  She'd had several adventures in the days since; finally tracking a story 
of a red haired girl fighting a panda to a Ginza in Nerima.  She tried 
searching an ever widening spiral, but had quickly gotten turned about.  
Now, after wandering through the mazes the locals called streets for hours, 
she had climbed to the top of a shrine in hopes of seeing a landmark, 
anything that looked vaguely familiar...
  She surveyed the Tokyo skyline over the cherry trees that surround the 
hilltop shine in resignation and sighed.  Nothing.  She raised an eye to the 
lowering clouds overhead, noting the signs of rain scattered across the 
city.  She needed to find shelter soon or she was likely to spend the night 
soaked.
  Without warning, a bolt of light pierced the heavens, so bright it had 
made the night seem like a stark black and white drawing.  As it faded, 
clouds swirled around the hole the beam had made in the sky...
  Zhu Shu blinked, trying to clear her eyes from the blaze of light.  She 
had never felt a surge that strong.  It had ripped through the night like a 
maelstrom, leaving her senses reeling and raw.  A footstep behind her caused 
her to turn quickly, swords in hand.  Green fire flickered along the edges.  
She'd heard no sounds of approach, and she'd found that in this city stealth 
usually meant trouble...
  The fires died as her concentration was shattered at what greeted her eyes 
though.
  The girl who stood behind her was wearing a variation of the typical 
school uniform that Zhu Shu had seen all over Tokyo, yet it looked far 
different in major ways.  White gloves covered her arms to her elbows, form 
fitting and trimmed in red.  Her top was fitted so closely to her torso that 
Zhu Shu figured it couldn't just be cloth.  Her red pleated skirt was so 
short that it barely passed her hips, and a large red bow adorned the back.  
A ruby heart held the center of a large blue bow on her breast and a tiara 
of gold made a V above her blue eyes.  Her long shapely legs ended in a pair 
of red high-heeled shoes.  Her waist length black hair framed a pretty face 
that was currently occupied with a puzzled look...
  "Well, you don't look like a Cardian, but what are you?  I felt you the 
moment you entered the temple's grounds, and those swords fairly screamed 
with energy a second ago, but now you feel like a normal girl."
  Zhu Shu returned the puzzled look.  "Zhu Shu is Zhu Shu.  Is only girl.  
Not know what other things is."
  "She doesn't seem to be radiating any negative energy right now, but her 
signature is really weird this close up.  Similar to Alan and Ann's." 
another voice chimed in.  Zhu Shu spun to see another girl in a sailor 
outfit, similar to the first, but in blue and white, who was looking at her 
through a set of lenses.
  "So is she a left over Cardian?  I thought Alan and Ann took all of them 
with them." asked a third, this one with two long blonde ponytails and round 
odangos.
  "I don't know."  Blue replied.
  Zhu Shu counted five girls surrounding her and cutting off any direction 
of escape.  Her senses were still too raw from the aftereffects of that 
weird mana bolt for clear sight, but their auras radiated too much energy 
for them not to be prepared to attack.  Chi began to flicker along her 
blades again.
  "She's spiking again!" Blue cried.  "That weird biosignature is getting 
stronger!"
  The red suited girl stepped in front of the orange and green suited girls 
as they took stances.  "Hold it!  Hold it!  I really don't want to start a 
fight on top of THIS shrine!!!"
  The other girls stepped back as Zhu Shu said, "Zhu Shu want know who girls 
and why threaten?!"
  All five of the girls looked shocked.
  The blonde with the red bow in her hair recovered first.  "Who- who are 
we?!"  she asked unbelievingly.
  "Yes!  Zhu Shu just stands here!  No look for fight!  Who girls want fight 
Zhu Shu?!!"
  The twin pony tailed girl stammered "W-w-w-we're the Sail- Sailor Scouts!  
Don't you know who we are?!"
  Zhu Shu shook her head.
  "But, we're famous!  We're in every paper in Japan!"  The red bowed blonde 
protested.  "I've even got a Manga!"
  "Zhu Shu not read Japanese.  Zhu Shu Mandarin."
  The red sailor laughed.  "Serves you right Sailor Venus.  It seems your 
fame isn't quite as universal as you thought."  The orange clad girl looked 
crestfallen as the odangoed blonde stuck her tongue out at her.  The red 
suited girl kicked her in the shin.  "Sailor Moon!"
  "Wha-" the blonde started, straightening up.
  "Don't you think we should introduce ourselves?"
  "Oh... yeah...  Right!"  The blonde stepped back and struck a pose.  "For 
Love and Justice, I am the pretty sailor suited soldier, Sailor Moon!  In 
the name of the Moon I... um... greet you?"
  Sailor Venus broke out in a mad fit of giggles.  Sailor moon glared at 
her.  "What?!  I'm used to introducing myself to bad guys right before I 
blast em'.  Give me a break!"  At Venus' continued giggles, she crossed her 
arms and pouted...
  The blue suited girl went next.  "I am the pretty sailor suited soldier 
Sailor Mercury!  For the element of water, I greet you!"  She ended with a 
sweet and friendly smile and added, "And maybe we can figure out why you 
keep spiking on my sensors..."
  The orange suited blonde continued, "For the planet of love, I am the 
pretty sailor suited soldier, Sailor Venus!  I shall deliver loves heavenly 
vengeance!"  She gave Zhu Shu a wink.  "Or at least I shall to those who 
deserve it." she finished as an aside, then looked at the red suited 
sailor...
  "For the element of flame, I am the pretty sailor suited soldier, Sailor 
Mars!  In the name of Mars, I will destroy evil!"  Mars finished her speech 
and turned to look at the tall girl in green.
  "By the element of lightning, I am the pretty sailor suited soldier, 
Sailor Jupiter!"  She looked around at the other girls.  "And we are the 
Sailor Scouts."
  Zhu Shu stifled her laugh at all the posturing, then bowed, "Song Zhu Shu, 
of China."  She looked around at the Scouts.  "Still not tell why want to 
attack!"
  Just then, the still swirling clouds overhead let loose with a light rain.
  "Energy spike off the scale!"  Mercury shouted as the other scouts looked 
on in amazement at the suddenly blonde, animalistic girl.
  "Possession!"  Mars cried.  "She is a Cardian!"  She began a chant as her 
hands began to move in a pattern.
  Zhu Shu recognized the patterns of a spell even though it was in Japanese 
and her swords flared as she moved to stop the girl's casting.  As she 
stepped forward, ribbons ready to tangle Mar's hands, Mercury cried out 
"Mercury Bubbles, Blast!"
  Zhu Shu launched herself straight up over the spray of bubbles that sprang 
from Mercury's hand.  In mid air, she crossed her swords and focused.  
"Dragon Tail Whip!"
  The ribbons of Zhu Shu's swords streaked down towards Mercury and at full 
extension launched a small ball of green fire at the blue clad Sailor.  It 
struck the girl in the chest in a small explosion that knocked her backwards 
several feet.
  Zhu Shu grimaced.  The girl should have been knocked out at least.  She 
angled for a spot on the roof away from the girls.
  "Venus Crescent Beam" called the blonde called as she launched a shaft of 
golden light at Zhu Shu.  Zhu Shu deflected it with her swords, but the 
impact threw off her landing and she came down badly on her ankle, twisting 
it as she hit the roof.  Through the pain, she sensed the ionization of the 
air and Lum born reflexes tried to move her away as Jupiter called, "Jupiter 
Thunder, Strike!"
  Her ankle betrayed her, and the edge of the lightning bolt caught her in 
the back.  Her world went black and white, then only black...

  * * * * *

  The five Sailorscouts stood around Zhu Shu's unconscious body as Mars 
finished her exorcism.
  "That was weird."  Sailormoon said as Mars carried out the last few 
chants.  "How could she be able to deflect Venus's attack like that and not 
be able to handle Jupiter's lightning bolt?"
  As her chant concluded, Sailor Mars looked puzzled as well.  "She should 
have changed back to normal and the Cardian forced out of her."
  Mercury tapped her computer.  "That's not the weirdest part.  Now that 
she's unconscious, all traces of that bioenergy are gone, but I've still got 
massive traces of the other kind.  She's definitely one of the sources we've 
been tracking all week, but it's wild.  It's almost impossible to detect 
from any kind of distance, except when it spikes, and then it's too quick to 
triangulate.  I've gotten three other spikes since we got her, but I can't 
get a lock on any of them.  And those swords...  I can't make heads or tails 
out of the readings on them."  She sounded frustrated.
  "It's okay, Amy."  Mars said from where she sat with her hand on the 
unconscious girl's forehead.  She looked over the prostrate form.  "Now that 
I've had a chance to get a really good look at her, I think I know what your 
readings are.  I'm so used to fighting evil villains that I wasn't thinking 
like a priestess."  She sounded upset.
  "Raye?  What's up?"  Sailormoon looked worried.  When Mars was upset, it 
usually meant that she had screwed up.
  Raye stood.  "Serena, help me get her down to a bed in the shrine.  I'll 
explain inside."
  Sailormoon nodded and moved to help pick up the unconscious girl.  Venus 
bent down to pick up the pair of fallen sword and just for an instant, the 
faint dragons etched on the blades flared brightly.
  Amy dropped her computer and ripped the visor off her eyes with a cry of 
"Ouch!"  She rubbed her eyes.
  "What happened?"  Venus asked, looking at the swords in askance.
  Mercury picked up her computer.  "Silver Millennium energy spike off the 
scale.  It almost overloaded my computer."
  "Silver Millennium?"  Raye looked at her.  "From the swords?"
  "I can't tell.  It was too quick a flash."
  Jupiter looked at the unconscious girl.  "What is she, Raye?  Is she a 
Cardian?  I've never seen one so quick."
  "She's not a Cardian, Lita."  Raye said as they jumped down and entered 
the shrine.  "And as a Shinto priestess, I should have known..."  She looked 
down at the strangely beautiful face of the changed girl.  "It's my fault we 
nearly killed this poor girl.  Her only crime was trying to defend herself 
against the five of us."
  "Hey."  Amy called.  "The readings on her are much clearer in here.  She 
almost glows."
  Raye nodded.  "I thought that would be the case."  She nodded down at Zhu 
Shu as Mina and Lita slid back the doors of a spare room.  "This girl is 
probably perfectly human, and I suspect she's under a spell of some sort."  
She settled Zhu Shu onto the bed.  "I should have known.  Close as we were, 
I felt the spike when she changed, like that huge bolt that occurred just 
before we got to the roof.  It could only have been magic."
  She pulled out her pen and transformed.
  Back in her normal garb, Raye continued.  "I'm a priestess.  I should have 
recognized it immediately.  I suspect the surge you keep reading is the 
spell which transforms her."
  Amy nodded and started tapping away at her keyboard.  Mina closed the door 
to the room and asked, "But what about that weird green energy she hit Amy 
with?  Or that flash from her swords?"
  Raye closed her eyes and sighed.  "I don't know maybe it's ki?
  "Just plain old ki?"  Lita asked.  "She's got to be one hell of a martial 
artist to control it so well.  I've never seen anyone who can manifest 
enough ki to even be visible, much less anything else she did."
  Raye shrugged.  "It's not magical.  Anyway, it's my fault she's like 
this...  I'll take care of her till she's awake."  She laid a hand along 
side the scorched girls cheek.  "She's a hell of a lot tougher than we had 
any right to expect for a simple human, even a cursed one.  She'll be okay, 
but we were lucky this time."
  Lita nodded.  "Yes.  We owe her a big apology when she wakes up.  I'll 
cook dinners for her."
  Serena suddenly got a big grin.  "I know!" she said, her finger held up to 
indicate her great idea.  "We can take her to that new restaurant in the 
Ginza!  That'll make a great apology!"  She beamed in happiness at the 
thought.
  Raye nearly kicked her...

  * * * * *

  Following Serena's comment, Raye chased the other scouts out of the 
shrine, then returned to her patient.
  "Whoever you are, I hope you can forgive us."  She whispered as she knelt 
beside the bed with a bowl of warm water and a washcloth.  She looked over 
the scorched girl, taking careful stock of her condition.  Her clothes were 
charred and useless, as well as her pack, but surprisingly little damage had 
been done to her body.  Raye thanked her ancestors for that.  Gently, she 
rolled the unconscious girl over to check her back, where the lightning bolt 
had impacted.
  Most of the back of the silk dress had been charred to ash, coating the 
girls skin with black smudges, but here and there, faint metallic gleams 
caught Raye's eye.  Reaching for her small first aid kit, she took out a 
pair of bandage scissors.  With enormous care, she began to cut away the 
rest of the ruined dress.  Afterwards, she took the washcloth soaked in warm 
water and began to wash away the soot.
  At the first touch of the cloth, Raye jerked her hand back as the 
unconscious girl shifted back to her original form.  She watched carefully 
for a few moments, but there was no other reaction, so she resumed.  
Cautiously, she wiped away the ash...
  The first stroke revealed a brilliant pattern of red and gold; scales 
picked out in metallic ink along a sinuous form.  Gently, Raye washed more 
of the ash and soot away from the rest of the tattoo, revealing an elegant 
Imperial Chinese Dragon.  Golden eyes seemed to watch her as the girls 
breathing seemed to make the Dragon writhe.  It's long serpentine form 
crawled across her back from her right shoulder in spiraling coils down to 
its tail just above the joint of her left leg.  Enwrapped in those coils was 
a long golden staff that Raye found hauntingly familiar, yet could not 
place.  In overall appearance, it vaguely resembled an old fashioned key 
topped by a large ruby...
  In one of it's four claws, the Dragon gently held cupped a pink flower, a 
cherry blossom, so exquisitely drawn as to almost seem real.  A single 
dewdrop traced down a petal, almost like a tear.  As she touched it, Raye 
sensed an enormous sadness, and an almost unbearable sense of loss...
  She looked away, not sure if the feeling was hers.  Her "feelings" were 
never predictable, or controllable, and she wished she understood them 
better...
  Another claw was reaching out towards a tiger as beautifully drawn as the 
flower.  It seemed as if the Dragon yearned to reach the tiger, but it was 
just beyond reach.  Raye had a strange sense of connection, however, as if 
the Dragon and the Tiger were in some way a part of each other in a way she 
could not describe...
  She shook her head and moved on to the next claw.  The symbolism was 
puzzling to say the least.  This claw gripped a sword identical to those 
born by the unconscious girl, complete with the long ribbons, but those 
ribbons twined about an object that Raye had to look twice at to be sure of. 
  It appeared to be an oversized spatula.  The ribbons twined around the 
object in a tight spiral that tied the two together as one...
  The last claw also held a sword, this ones ribbons wrapped around a 
throwing star.  The four objects made a complimentary spiral down the girls 
back, from the flower on her left shoulder opposite the dragons' head down 
to the star on her right cheek, they formed a double helix around the golden 
staff.  Raye was reminded of a DNA helix.  The artistry throughout was a 
master's handiwork, and surely, to have spent such a long time detailing the 
individual items, they must possess a significant meaning to the unconscious 
girl, but Raye had no clue as to their purpose...
  As she cleaned the last of the soot away, a final detail emerged.  At the 
base of the long staff, just above her coccyx, a group of golden symbols 
circled a gold ring with a dot in it's center...
  Raye's breathe caught at the sight of those symbols, and her hand reached 
out involuntary to the uppermost one...
  Her symbol...  For Mars...
  As her fingers brushed the sign, a feeling of an electric shock coursed up 
her arm and images formed in her mind...  A pink haired girl with sad eyes, 
waving goodbye, a black haired Japanese girl holding twin tiger-head 
pommeled swords, a flash of golden cat slit eyes glowing in the darkness, a 
flash of fire followed by a vision of a girl dressed in a boys outfit, 
holding out a okonomiyaki with a heart on it, replaced by a female in a red 
ninjas gi, holding a fan and a spray of darts...  A flash of light 
illuminated one of the dragon etched swords, a golden fire burning along 
it's blade as the dragon blazed like the sun...  As the light faded, the 
ring with the dot burned in the darkness, then drew back to assume it's spot 
in the center of the ring of nine before darkness covered them all.  In the 
darkness, those golden eyes opened again, then as the Dragons face appeared 
around them, it drew back to form the heart of a burning mandala.  Raye felt 
a surge of power throw her backwards, and she lost contact with the tattoo.
  As quickly as it had come, the vision passed, leaving her no wiser than 
before.  Shaken, Raye dropped her cloth into the basin and willed her heart 
to stop racing.  She looked at the still form of the Chinese girl and 
whispered.
  "You become more of a mystery yet..."
  Finally getting a hold of herself, Raye finished the sponge bath, then 
tucked the girl into the bed.  Taking the girl's swords to her room with 
her, Raye sat and started to polish the soot off of them, humming a song 
that was running in her head, then softly singing the lyrics...
  It never even occurred to her to wonder that they were all in Chinese...

  * * * * *

  Zhu Shu woke up in a place far softer than she'd thought she'd be after 
the lightning bolt had hit her.  As her eyes opened, they focused on a vase 
of flowers sat on the table beside the bed that she was tucked into.  She 
stretched under the blankets, and, reluctant to leave the warmth of the bed, 
felt gingerly along her spine, where she remembered a burning sensation 
before blacking out.  Her skin felt fine, but the explorations confirmed she 
was nude under the blankets.  She looked around the room.
  A cheongsam hung above a Japanese sword stand where both her swords were 
set with honor.  They had been cleaned and polished, and shone brightly.  A 
small meditation mat had been set before the swords, and Zhu Shu smiled at 
the thoughtfulness.  She peeled back the blankets and stood, her ankle 
giving her barely a twinge.
  She stepped over to the mat and sat on her knees to begin her exercises.  
She opened her chakras first and purged her channels of the chaotic energy 
she'd absorbed from the lightning and the huge bolt of mana and began to 
re-establish her normal flows.  She was surprised that her environment 
seemed to be free of the typical disruptions she was used to dealing with in 
cities.  The local energy was clean, almost purified, which could only mean 
she was in a shrine.  It took her less time than anticipated to clear the 
wild energy out.  Calm again, she reached out to re-link with her swords.  A 
wild surge swept back through her channels as her hands touched the hilts 
and a wave of dizziness washed over her.  She shuddered, and shook her head 
to clear it.  Apparently, the bolt had left her farther off center than she 
had thought.  She closed her eyes and sought her center, grounding herself 
before she placed the swords behind her back.
  Pleased her control was returning, she focused her chi along the side of 
her hand and began to clear her body of all the hair that had sprouted since 
she had been knocked unconscious, the exercise one her grandfather had 
insisted on to teach her fine control of the Dragons Claw technique, now 
performed as a calming routine.  Once again hairless from the neck down, she 
relaxed, assured she was once more in control of herself.  She stood and 
stretched again before starting her katas...
  Her warm-up routine took about twenty minutes, and her ankle gave her 
almost no trouble, a sign she'd been unconscious at least a day.  She 
finished with her workout and stood in front of the mirror on the folding 
screen, examining herself.  She seemed to have no burns, and her hair had 
only a few frazzled ends.  Somehow, she'd survived the bolt almost 
unscathed.  Her eyes locked for a moment on the slit pupiled eyes of her 
Guardian's in the reflection of her tattoo and she smiled.  Grandfather had 
asked for him to watch over her, after all.  She closed her eyes and 
concentrated for a moment.  When she opened them, the tattoo had vanished.  
Satisfied, she reached up for the silk dress...
  A few minutes later, she stepped from the room she'd been put into a 
hallway.  A quick search along the hall showed her a small bedroom piled 
with clothes and lots of thin books full of pictures and Japanese text.  A 
second door led into the main shrine area.  As she stepped into the large 
room, she saw a girl on the outer steps sweeping.  The girl looked up at Zhu 
Shu's entrance.  "Hello.  It's good to see you awake."
  Zhu Shu jumped back, both swords at the ready.  She knew that aura.  
	"Why?!  Wait for second chance to kill Zhu Shu!?!"
  The girl looked puzzled, then alarmed "Wha- ...  Why would I- ... you 
think I- you think I tried to kill you?"
  "Zhu Shu not fool!  Not wear Sailor suit, but aura not lie!  Sailor Mars 
try kill Zhu Shu once already!  She game for rematch!!"
  Panicked, the girl stepped inside and slammed the shrine doors closed.  
Zhu Shu stepped further back into the hall, watching the girl warily, but 
not wanting to fight in a shrine.  Raye turned to her hands up.  "Wait!  
Please!  Will you accept my word as a Shinto priestess that I mean you no 
harm?!"
  Zhu Shu blinked as her swords lowered.  "Priestess!?!"
  Raye nodded.  "Hai.  Raye Hino, priestess of Hikawa Shrine, Juuban ward."
  "Why priestess attack Zhu Shu?"  She asked in wonder.
  Raye looked downcast.  "I- I made a mistake.  I... thought you were 
possessed.  I wanted to exorcise you.  We didn't know you were under a 
spell..."
  Zhu Shu put her swords away and put her hands on her hips.  "Nearly kill 
with lightning.  Zhu Shu not build tolerance from Lum, WOULD kill!"
  Raye was really shame faced, and answered in a little voice.  "I know.  I- 
I am sorry.  I didn't know."
  Zhu Shu hesitated, then nodded.  "Can accept.  Zhu Shu knows about demons. 
  Priestess must fight."  She cocked her head.  "Beside.  If want dead, Zhu 
Shu not wake up"
  Raye seemed to deflate in relief.  "Thank you."  She looked around to 
double check that they were alone, then looked back at Zhu Shu.  "How can 
you know I'm Sailor Mars though?
  Zhu Shu cocked an eyebrow.  "Raye is priestess?  Not know auras?"
  "You- you can see auras?"
  Zhu Shu nodded.
  Raye leaned against the wall.  "That- that is incredibly dangerous for 
both of us.  Spirits help me, but I have no idea what to do about you.  I- I 
have to call the others..."  She looked up at Zhu Shu.  "Please don't be 
alarmed when they arrive.  I- I won't let anyone hurt you, and I'd rather 
die than cause you further harm, but we must decide what we should do about 
you.  There are creatures out there who would stop at nothing to enslave you 
for the knowledge you possess."
  Zhu Shu sighed.  "Why not surprised.  Is okay.  Call friends.  Zhu Shu 
have more important thing do."  She rubbed her flat belly.  "Zhu Shu hungry. 
  Make lunch..."

  * * * * *

  Raye sat on the temple steps waiting for the other scouts a few minutes 
later, trying to figure the Chinese girl out.  She had presented mystery 
after mystery since her appearance, and Raye had a hard time getting her out 
of her mind.  There was something about her that...  Mina's arrival 
disrupted her train of thought.  The leggy blonde looked askance at Raye's 
gi top and skirt.  "I thought this was a Scout meeting?"
  Raye shrugged.  "It is."
  "Shouldn't you change?"
  Raye shook her head.  "There's no point."
  Mina looked at her oddly, but as Amy and Lita arrived with Serena, she 
refrained from any more questions.
  "Hi, guys!  What's up?"  Serena asked brightly, then saw Raye.  "Whoops!  
What's going on?"
  Raye looked over her shoulder at the closed shrine doors.  "We have a 
problem."
  "Oh, no!  Don't tell me she died!!?!"  Serena looked horrified, both fists 
pressed together under her mouth.  "Wahhhh!!!  We killed her!!!!"  Streams 
of tears poured from her eyes.
  "Will you dry up!!!"  Raye shouted.  Serena froze, her ponytails straight 
out behind her from the force of Raye's shout.  Raye crossed her arms and 
tapped her fingers as she growled, "Just come inside and see for yourself."
  Raye stormed into the shrine, followed by the other girls and stopped at 
the cheerful "Nihao!"  from Zhu Shu.  She stared at the small grill and wok, 
the cloth laid out on the floor with full place settings and the nearly 
complete meal Zhu Shu was cooking.  Where had Zhu Shu gotten all this?  And 
how?  She'd only been outside for ten minutes!
  "Oh, wow!  Chinese!"  Serena cried.
  Zhu Shu finished chopping vegetables for her stir-fry and turned the 
shrimp over on her grill before she looked up.  "Sailor Raye say must talk.  
Never talk on not full stomach.  Come!  Eat!"
  Amy looked over at the priestess.  "Sailor...  Raye?!"
  Raye nodded as she led the way to the table setting.  "That's what we need 
to talk about..."

  * * * * *

  It had been a tough two days for Ranma.  His first day of school had ended 
up being as much of a disaster as his meeting with the Tendos.  He hadn't 
even made it to school before he'd been doused, and Akane had had to get him 
some hot water from the crazy Doctor she was sweet on.
  Then he'd watched as Akane plowed her way through the schools boys just to 
get in the gate.  Then he'd had a fight with the mad kendoist, Kuno.  He 
would have won if it hadn't rained.  Changing back had made him late to 
class and he'd had to stand in the hall with Akane.  Then Kuno had to go and 
attack him again.  And to top it off, he'd molested him in the pool!  And to 
add insult to injury, Kuno had gone and insulted his bravery, so he had had 
to beat him into the ground!  For most people, that would have been enough, 
but not for Kuno!  No!  He'd had to go and issue a challenge to Ranma's girl 
side too!
  So here he stood, waiting in the field by the school, ticking off the 
minutes till the appointed hour, getting more and more pissed.  He wasn't 
going to settle for unconsciousness this time!
  At precisely ten o'clock, Kuno appeared.  "So.  You have come, my tree 
borne kettle girl!"
  Annoyed, Ranma shot back.  "You don't learn quick, do you pal?"  He looked 
around for Kuno's boken, but it was nowhere to be seen.  "Where's your 
sword?!"
  "Heh."  Kuno smiled.  "I have no need of a sword."
  "Yeah?  Pretty confident, I guess."
  "Confident enough to give you-" with a sudden motion, Kuno threw 
something.  "-THIS!!"
  Ranma caught it easily, intending to throw it back, but the odd way it 
crinkled drew his attention.  He lowered it slowly, not believing his eyes.
  Kuno blushed as he turned to walk away, but Ranma heard him clearly.  "I 
love you..."
  Wide eyed in shock, Ranma could only stare after him...  Then his legs 
gave way and he slid to his knees, setting and holding the roses as a wind 
blew the petals away.
  The only thought he could form was to recall Zhu Shu's words from the 
pond, and realize how right she had been...

  * * * * *

  Urd walked into the house, hunting for her sister.  "Hey, Belldandy!  
Who's the Chinese girl practicing in the courtyard?"
  Belldandy poked her head out of the kitchen, and smiled.  "Her name is 
Shampoo, and Father said to tell you she's your next assignment."
  Urd made a noise that might have been "Urk!" and froze.  "Um... sis...  
I'm on PROBATION, remember!?!"
  "I know!"  Belldandy beamed.  "Isn't it wonderful?  Kami-Sama is giving 
you a chance to get your license back!"
  "Oh great."  Urd muttered.  How Belldandy could see the bright side of 
what was sure to be a hellish assignment, she could never understand...
  The phone rang.  Urd stared at it in horror...
  Oblivious to her sisters state, Belldandy called to her.  "Urd?  Could you 
get that?  My hands are covered in flour."
  Urd looked sick.
  Picking up the phone, she answered.  "H-hello?"
  Belldandy finished her dumplings and washed her hands, then went into the 
hall to see her sister still standing by the phone, her hair blown into 
disarray and a frozen grimace on her face.
  "Urd?" a concerned Belldandy asked.
  "I'm doomed..."  Urd croaked...

  * * * * *

  Shampoo finished her practice session in the courtyard and sat at the 
entrance to the shrine to meditate.  She hadn't really meant to spend the 
last three days here, but the place just radiated such an aura of peace and 
tranquility, like Zhu Shu when she was cooking, only magnified a thousand, 
ten thousand times.  She'd found the last couple of days to be a perfect 
remedy to the depression she'd felt on arriving here.
  She'd so rarely had truly quiet times like this at the Amazon village.  
She had so much to live up to as Cologne's Great Granddaughter, and she'd 
trained hard all of her life.  It had been the joy of her life to be 
Champion!  Then one kick from Ranma had changed all of it.
  At first, it had been such a humiliation.  To have been bested so easily 
by an outsider!  A non Amazon!  The shame of being defeated so quickly had 
been more than she could bear.  She'd been so gleeful to give her the Kiss 
of Death!
  Then Zhu Shu had told her the truth about Ranma, and it had all changed 
again.
  The Amazon mindset was peculiar.  Men were considered the caretakers, 
women the warriors.  For a man to possess the skill to defeat an Amazon 
warrior was a sign he would give her strong children.  The Amazons were not 
a numerous tribe and survival was very important.  She could not let a prize 
like Ranma get away!  All Zhu Shu's tales had done was increase the burning 
desire she had for him. She found her thoughts returning to the day of their 
fight constantly, the flash of blue eyes, the sun on red hair...
  Despite Zhu Shu's descriptions, her mind could not conjure up a male 
version of Ranma's face.  Her mind refused to stop glorifying the image 
beyond any sort of reality.  If his female side was so beautiful, what a 
handsome man he had to be!
  Shampoo sighed and dismissed her daydream.  She believed Belldandy's 
assurance that her wish had been approved, and that now the Ultimate Force 
was at work, she just wished it would work faster...
  But, then, Shampoo really had no idea how big her wish was....

  * * * * *

  Serena was so busy stuffing her face she could barely mumble, "So what?" 
when Raye told them Zhu Shu could read their auras well enough to identify 
them, but Amy realized what she meant right off.
  "You mean she can see through our disguises?"
  Raye nodded.  "She took one look at me and knew I was the same girl who 
had led the attack on her.  And with the speed of her reactions, I doubt I 
could have changed in time before she would have cut me to ribbons.  I'm 
glad she went on the defensive at first and gave me a chance to talk..."
  "Zhu Shu never attacks first.  And would not kill priestess.  Much bad 
Karma.  Only sought to stop from casting spell first night.  But can see 
would take as attack."  The Chinese girl added, without looking up from her 
cooking.
  Amy looked over to where Zhu Shu was chopping vegetables for a second 
round of stir fry.  The knife moved almost too quickly to see as the 
vegetables appeared to fairly fly into the wok.  Despite the aura of happy 
tranquility Zhu Shu exuded, Amy had no trouble contemplating what those 
knives could do to her before she could say "Mercury Bubbles"  and shuddered 
as Lita looked on jealously at the speed with which Zhu Shu was making the 
meal.
  The gruesome thought sparked a revelation in the studious girls mind.  She 
looked over at Raye in sudden understanding.  "You didn't transform so she 
wouldn't feel threatened..."
  Raye nodded.  "And also because there was no point to it.  She'll 
recognize me in any disguise.  It would take years to learn how to change my 
Ki aura enough for me to hide from her."
  Amy nodded, noting the raised eyebrow of the Chinese girl.  "I agree."  
She took out her pen and stepped away from the table.  "Mercury Power, 
Makeup!"
  Sailormoon looked at her, a pair of chopsticks halfway to her mouth.  
"Whatcha do that for?  Now she'll recognize you."
  Raye glared at her.  "Haven't you listened to a thing I've said!?!"
  Serena emptied another bowlful of stir fry.  "I've listened!"
  "Then what did I say?"  Raye challenged.
  "Um..."  Serena thought, but couldn't answer.
  Raye buried her face in her hands...
  "Serena, what Raye-chan said was that Zhu Shu can see who we are whether 
we are in Sailorscout guise or not."  Amy sat down. "I think she has a 
point.  We can't hide from her, and she already knows too much about us for 
us to just ignore her.  We should make friends.  She's far too dangerous for 
us not to.  We can't afford for her to be an enemy."  She turned to Zhu Shu 
and bowed.  "I am Amy Anderson.  Juuban Junior High."
  Zhu Shu bowed back.  "Song Zhu Shu of Clan Dragon.  Song school of Sword 
Dance."  She intoned formally, giving her full name.  They were trusting her 
with a secret, after all.
  Serena looked at them and muttered.  "Luna will be sooo pissed about this 
if she ever finds out..."  but she took out her locket...

  * * * * *

  When introductions had been made all around, and the third round of stir 
fry had been eaten, the question and answer began.  Zhu Shu told about her 
quest... (Wow!  You mean they still do things like that?  Sigh  That's sooo 
romantic!) (Hush Serena!  Let her finish!)  and the Sailorscouts had told 
her about the fight with Queen Beryl and how they had just defeated an alien 
pair who had been stealing life energy.  Zhu Shu forgave them for being 
nervous about her being a Cardian.  She could understand the mistake, and 
the fact that the Sailorscouts would think she was one of those creatures in 
her cursed form....
  Still, they did owe her, and they decided to take her to the Ginza and do 
some shopping for clothes... or so they  said.  Zhu Shu found out quickly 
that "Shopping" meant running from store to store trying different makeup 
and squealing over "cute" outfits...  She got made up three different ways 
by Serena, Raye and Mina, and completely confused by Amy showing her a dozen 
small gadgets.  Lita actually had her trying out clothes, but the only real 
silk panties she could find were useless, tiny things with string sides.  
After looking at the other offerings available, she sighed and gave up 
looking.  Dresses were almost as bad.  She did find several silk cheongsams, 
but they were as poorly made as the one she was wearing.  With a 
philosophical shrug, she resigned herself to more early morning katas again. 
  Sooner or later, she had to find a real dressmaker.
  Following the trip, Raye invited Zhu Shu to stay at the temple until she 
had found Ranma.  Zhu Shu thought that would be a better alternative than 
Lum's invitation to stay in her saucer.  It would certainly be safer, Lita 
wouldn't throw lightning bolts as casually as Lum.  They spent an afternoon 
telling each other about their adventures, and Zhu Shu promised to not tell 
anyone about their secret.  She also told them a little about her style, and 
after several requests, demonstrated one of the actual dances her form was 
based on.  She was immediately besieged following the dance with pleas to 
teach them a few steps. She finally capitulated, but made them promise to 
learn the whole style, not just the dances.  Hearing them talk, she had come 
to realize only Lita had any formal martial arts training, and that they 
relied solely on their powers.  She got five eager students who promised to 
show up for daily lessons after school, providing their Sailor duties didn't 
interfere...
  And five best friends...

  * * * * *

  Urd looked through the folder Skuld had given her, looking more and more 
despondent.  Kami-Sama had to be punishing her for that whole bit about the 
Terrible Master.  She'd never seen such a tangled wish!  She sighed.  Well, 
a wish was a wish, and she was a Goddess!  Second Class!
  Or at least one on probation...
  She slumped, resting her head on one hand as she looked down at the folder 
yet again and read the original destiny.  Poor Shampoo was to have been 
destined to be a failure, trying time and again to win Ranma's love, but 
doomed to never succeed.  Urd could sympathize... She had days like that 
too.  No... let's be honest... she'd had years like that...  In fact, she'd 
swear she was having a year like that now!
  Sheesh!  She'd just been trying to help out her little sister!  It wasn't 
her fault Belldandy was such an innocent!  Or that Keichii couldn't get a 
single one of her plans right!
  A rumble of thunder derailed that train of thought and she hastily went 
back to reading the folder.
  Ranma.  Akane.  Shampoo.  Ukyo.  Kodachi.  Tatewaki.  Mousse.  Zhu Shu.  
Ryouga. Nabiki.  Tao-Ching.  Nodoka.  Cologne...  Her head started to spin 
as she looked over the alternate threads of destiny.  So many people 
impacted by this one wish!  It was worse than her favorite soap opera!  And 
the further one got into the future, the worse it got!
  Maybe she could get Skuld to help her out by calling future Urd and asking 
her how she'd done it.  A glance up at the boiling cloud that had appeared 
over her let her know what Kami-Sama thought of that idea.  She sighed 
again.  Dad hadn't forbidden her to ask her sisters for help, after all, her 
domain was the past, but just as obviously, he wasn't going to allow her to 
cheat either.  She had to come up with a plan on her own.
  It shouldn't be that hard.  It was fairly routine goddess work after all.  
It's just she couldn't remember the last time any goddess had been given a 
mess quite this tangled...
  Did she really want her license back that much?
  Yes.  Yes, she did.  She wasn't cut out to be a mortal and she really 
didn't want to take the only other option open to her.  Demon, Third class, 
limited, Urd just was not a title she'd be able to bear.  Mara would never 
let her live it down!
  No.  Kami-Sama had made it quite clear this was her last chance to get her 
license back, and had been very explicit with the description of exactly 
what failure meant to her personally... She imagined her face with the twin 
red slashes she'd borne as the Terrible Master and shuddered.  Maybe mortal 
life was better...
  She leafed through the folder again, and sighed once more.  At least there 
wasn't much she could do to make the situation worse!  It was a time bomb 
all on it's own.
  She closed her eyes and checked the variables with Yggdrasil, the tattoos 
on her face glowing briefly, and shook her head in disbelief.  This had the 
potential to spawn four blood feuds, one of which could lead to a major war 
that could escalate into a world war.  Another timeline led to a world 
controlled by Chaos.  A third led to a long and bloody vendetta that ended 
with all of the principle participants dead or suicide.  Yet another led to 
Shampoo's death at Ranma's hands...
  Urd shuddered, it could all get out of hand so easily...
  Face it Urd-  She told herself,  There is no easy solution to this one.  
You're actually going to have to work at it...
  And that, she had to admit, was probably why Kami-Sama had given it to her 
as a test.
  She glared at nothing and pouted.  She felt so picked upon.  Belldandy 
would never have a test like this!
  Then again, Belldandy would never get herself put on probation either.  In 
fact, Belldandy could probably solve this tangle, so all Urd had to do was 
try hard to think what Belldandy would do...
  So what would Belldandy do?  Urd thought for long moments before it 
finally occurred to her.  Belldandy would try to find a way to make 
everybody happy.
  She scowled.  It was a perfectly obvious answer, the only question was 
how...
  She checked with Yggdrasil again, running profiles of all of the varied 
characters in her little drama, and a germ of an idea began to form in her 
mind...  She thought and checked personalities, cross checked 
compatibilities, and all the while a smile grew wider and wider on her face. 
  As she finished laying out the possibilities to Yggdrasil, the world 
computer laid out possible courses of action...
  She laughed.  She could do it!  She knew she could!
  After all, she was a goddess of love, right?
  She gave herself a hug of delight then exploded into a dozen chibi Urds, 
all zipping off in different directions to check on the players in her 
little game.  Behind her, forgotten on the step, the folder lay unattended, 
but not for long.  As the shadow of a tree fell across the folder, a figure 
emerged.
  In form, she looked much like Urd, with pale blonde hair, only the scarlet 
split V on her forehead and the double triangles on her cheeks made her look 
more sinister.  She smiled, a long slow smile that showed extended canines, 
and bent to pick up the folder.  She flipped through it slowly.
  "So." she said "Urd has a new assignment.  How... interesting..."  She 
came to the final page. She looked over it for long moments, a wild light 
beginning to grow in her eyes.  She laughed maniacally...  "Urd, Demon, 
Third class, Limited!"  She hugged the folder to her chest.  "Now, I will be 
able to get my revenge!"  She hissed.  "I will pay her back for making me 
her slave!  For trying to feed me to Fenrir!"  She dropped the folder back 
on the step.  "I will make the Terrible Master bow before me!"  She stepped 
back into the shadows, her laughter now undistinguishable from sobs.  As she 
faded from view, a final whisper could be heard.  "Finally, Urd will be mine 
once more..."
  With a last whisper of wind, Mara vanished back into the shadows...

  * * * * *

  Tuesday morning in Juuban found Zhu Shu up and performing her katas at a 
small pool behind the temple.  She was regretting more than ever that her 
travels had been so hard on her clothes.  The scouts had been kind enough to 
buy her a few new dresses to replace the ones they'd destroyed, but the 
machine made silk just wasn't as good as the ones she had lost.  She 
especially regretted losing her new practice dresses, a gift from Cologne 
and Shampoo.  They had been her only clothes that could endure the 
contortions she put her body through in practice, which meant that once 
again, she had to do her katas in the nude.
  It wasn't that she really minded that; she was discovering that it was 
actually kind of refreshing to not have to pull a stretch because the cloth 
of her dress bound, but Raye's grandfather was nearly as bad a hentai as 
Ataru had been and she was having to get up at dawn to do her exercises 
before he woke, otherwise she would have had to deal with him spying on her. 
  But at dawn, she had the small pool all to herself...
  She had spent yesterday helping Raye around the temple, until it was time 
to go to school, then she had searched the schools around Juuban for signs 
of Ranma.  After school, she had given the scouts their first lessons...
  She had decided to start simple and see what they already knew, so had 
started out by having them attack her.  She'd been amazed at their 
ineptness.  She had tried to tell them they had been lucky so far none of 
the villains they had fought had been as quick as she was.  They had laughed 
and Serena responded with "We took you down didn't we?"
  Zhu Shu had told them to transform and attack her again...
  Two minutes later, Zhu Shu sat in the middle of the mat holding four 
transformation pens and a locket.  Groans and whimpers came from the five 
girls lying around the room in various impossible positions.  Over the 
noise, Zhu Shu had told them they were lucky no-one had attacked them before 
they could change, then given them back their pens so they could heal.  They 
listened carefully after that, memories of broken bones following a 
whirlwind attack giving them plenty of incentive.
  She smiled at the memory of their clumsy attempts to duplicate her easy 
motions.  Then she let out a giggle at the thought of how their eyes would 
bug out if they could see her morning exercises!
  Still, nice as the gaggle of fifteen year old girls were, she still had 
Ranma to find and a quest to fulfill...
  She stopped in mid kata as she realized she was no longer alone.  She 
turned, swords ready, to face the intruder.
  Standing in the shade of a cherry tree was a beautiful woman with tousled 
blonde hair.  She was dressed in an ornate outfit of black and red that 
despite it's intricacy left little to the imagination.  A scarlet split V 
tattoo adorned her forehead and twin double triangles defined her cheeks.  
She smiled and Zhu Shu saw a hint of tooth at the corners of her smile.
  "Song Zhu Shu?" the sinister looking woman asked.
  Zhu Shu's eyes narrowed.
  The woman spent a long moment looking Zhu Shu over like she was a delicacy 
she was about to devour, then said, "If you want to find Ranma Saotome, be 
here at this time."  She walked up to Zhu Shu like a hungry cat, and stuck a 
folded piece of paper on the end of one sword.
  Zhu Shu tried to move, but the woman's gaze held her frozen.  She felt 
like a mouse fixated by a snake.  The woman walked around her, looking her 
up and down.  "How interesting.  You can actually sense my true nature?" she 
purred.  Zhu Shu shivered.  "Usually, only priests like your fifteen year 
old defender over there can do that."
  Zhu Shu heard a gulp, and the sound of hurried chanting.
  The woman laughed, unconcerned.  "Don't bother.  I'm only here to pass a 
message and was leaving anyway.  Besides, that charm won't have any effect 
on me dear."  She turned and walked back towards the shadows under the 
trees.  At the edge of the shadow, she turned and looked back over her 
shoulder.  "Don't forget to say hi to his fianc�e for me!"  She laughed as 
she disappeared back into the shadows and faded from view.
  Raye rushed up and grabbed Zhu Shu in a hug from behind.  "Are you ok?  I 
was so afraid for you.  She radiated such evil she had to be a demon or an 
evil spirit!  I woke up as soon as I felt her presence and ran down here!"  
She hugged Zhu Shu tighter.
  Distracted, Zhu Shu answered.  "Zhu Shu fine, but could Raye please let go 
of breast?  After way woman look at, Zhu Shu really not in mood."
  She could feel Raye's blush of embarrassment right through the girls 
pajamas as she reached to pluck the slip of paper from the end of her sword.
  It had two items.  A time, and  the name Furinkan.

  * * * * *

  A few hours later, Zhu Shu stood on the roof of an apartment building near 
the school Raye had directed her to as Ranma was pulled past by a pretty 
Japanese girl who had him by his braid.  She had debated about the meaning 
of the mysterious visitor, but it seemed she had been a godsend.  Zhu Shu 
followed Ranma, studying the girl.  Her aura showed her to be a strong 
martial artist, only she had a streak of violence she did not control.  She 
brought to mind the image of a young tiger cub, and Zhu Shu could only 
imagine how beautiful she could be if she would let herself be.
  Zhu Shu stopped that dangerous line of thought.  That's how she and Cherry 
Blossom...
  Her thoughts were interrupted by her quarries arrival at school.  She 
found a vantage in a tree just as the girl slammed Ranma into the wall just 
inside the gate at Furinkan High.
  "Listen Ranma!  Why don't you keep your big mouth-"
  "Whadda ya mean 'Big Mouth'?!"  Ranma interrupted.
  "I mean about Dr. Tofu and..." the girl broke off to stare at Ranma's 
chest then ripped open the front of Ranma's shirt, revealing his breasts.  
"When...  When did-???"
  "I told you to wait!"
  Behind them, unnoticed, a crowd of boys had gathered, dressed in various 
sports outfits.  They looked on to the scene between the two and gave a 
collective low whistle.
  Ranma yelled, "Hey!  Get outta there you perverts!" as the girl whipped 
around into a defensive pose.  "So-" she called, "Who's first today?"
  The crowd sobbed collectively as one of the boys spoke.  "Akane...  We 
shall no longer challenge you."
  "Instead, we shall swallow our sobs..." another boy said, "And give our 
approval to your engagement to Ranma!!"
  Zhu Shu almost fell out of her tree...
  "What in the name of..." a still open shirted Ranma started, but was 
interrupted by an aside from Akane.  "Button your blouse!"  She hissed, then 
turned back to the crowd.  "Now.  What in the name of..."
  "So then..." A new voice interrupted.  "You have all heard this rumor... 
this falsehood-"  the newcomer was a tall male who's chest and face were so 
swaddled in bandages that only his eyes were visible, "that Ranma Saotome 
defeated me!"  Maniacal laughter echoed around the yard.  "Upperclassman 
Kuno does not admit to defeat!"
  The crowd of crying boys turned back to Akane.  "Kuno was the greatest 
fighter at Furinkan High!"  one said.
  "Yeah!  And it's greatest pervert!" an anonymous voice called.
  "Pervert!"  Kuno steamed.
  "If it's Ranma you've chosen..." the first speaker sobbed, "then we shall 
give you up"
  Akane looked at Ranma, "they don't know a real pervert when they see one." 
she giggled
  "I'll let that one slide."  Ranma growled.
  The kendoist started to unwrap his bandages.  "Kuno shall not give you up! 
  A hundred, two hundred kicks..." huge foot shaped bruises were revealed as 
the bandages fell away, "from a coward like Ranma... do not even itch!!"
  Zhu Shu watched as Ranma steamed and shook her head.  He had never 
listened to Zhu Shu about the importance of keeping his temper.
  "Just who are you calling a coward?!" he asked as he stepped forward.  
"Can't admit that you lost, huh!?!"
  "Watch it Ranma!" Akane called.
  Kuno meanwhile had seemed to notice Ranma for the first time.  "Ohhh!  It 
is you!"  He sobbed in joy.  "My pigtailed goddess!"
  Ranma froze.  "Urk!"
  Zhu Shu giggled.  She had warned him!
  "You just can't remember, can you" Akane said resignedly.
  Kuno stepped close to Ranma.  "How I have pined to see you!"  tears of joy 
dripped down his face.
  "Whoa! Whoa!"  Ranma protested  "I thought you liked Akane!"
  "Of course I do."  Kuno replied puzzled.
  "She's watching, you know!"
  Kuno looked over to where Akane had deliberately turned her back.  "No 
she's not."
  Ranma looked at her.  "Hey! Akane!  Watch us already!"
  "Please...  Upperclassman Kuno... " Akane turned wide eyes towards the 
kendoist, "if you really love this girl...  I won't stand in the way!"  The 
one hand poised below her mouth gave her a look of heartbreak barely hidden. 
  Zhu Shu had to admire the artistry.
  "Oh, Akane.  Akane..." Kuno murmured in wonder as an irate Ranma called 
out,  "Hey!  What gives here!?"
  To thin air, Kuno emoted, "I won't stand in your way!  So noble!  So 
touching! So sweet!  Oh Akane!  How can I discard you!?!  I love you both!"  
he cried as he lunged towards the two girls and was met with a simultaneous 
kick and punch.  He went down twitching.
  The crowd of boys looked on.  "Well.  We've said our piece!"  They turned 
to go.  "Give our congratulations to Ranma!"
  Akane pushed the female Ranma the other way.  "When I...  uh... see him.  
Sure"
  Ranma said not a word as he walked off...  Zhu Shu sat back in the tree 
and thought about what had just happened.  There were so many levels to 
consider.  Shampoo...  Ranma... and now Akane...
  She decided she was just going to have to watch them for a while and 
gather more information before deciding on a course of action.
  Below her, Kuno groaned and set up.  Zhu Shu watched, approving of his 
stamina.  He might have been worthy as a possible husband candidate if it 
hadn't been so obvious he was as crazy as a loon.  He stood and looked 
around.  "Oh, curse my weakness that I fainted!  My beloved's are gone!"  
His sword lashed out to slice through  a tree.  Unfortunately, it happened 
to be the one Zhu Shu was using as a perch.  She leaped across to another 
tree, but Kuno was at the base of it too.  "Spy!  Villain!  Assassin!  Show 
yourself!"  His blade hit the trunk and there were no other trees nearby.
  Zhu Shu did a flip in mid air and led with one foot.  Kuno watched her 
descend, mesmerized.  He whispered, "lovely" just before her foot impacted 
with his face, and he crashed to the ground once again.  Zhu Shu landed 
lightly and frowned at the smile on Kuno's face.  She really was going to 
have to do something about panties soon...

  * * * * *

  At Gym class, Zhu Shu spied on Akane and Ranma as they participated in 
their separate activities, her vantage point too far away to hear what was 
being said.  The boys were apparently impressed with his gymnastics ability, 
but Zhu Shu knew he was just playing.  Ranma mostly ignored the boys, 
staring distractedly at Akane playing softball...
  Zhu Shu smiled.  She knew that look.  He might fight it, he might deny it, 
he might even run away from it, and if she knew Ranma, he refused to admit 
it even to himself... but he was hooked.  Lost.  Head over heels.  She 
should know... Shampoo had demonstrated that look often enough during their 
search.
  She sat back and considered.  This definitely meant complications for 
Shampoo.  She thought about several different plans, and concluded she still 
needed more information before she could decide.  She had to find out if 
Akane shared the same feelings...

  * * * * *

  From her vantage in a squirrels nest, the Chibi Urd who was watching Zhu 
Shu stared in amazement.  The Chinese girl might not have the ability to 
read minds, but she was better at untangling the conflicting array of 
emotions she could see from auras than Urd would have given anyone credit 
for.  Intrigued, she looked deeper into her.  What she saw brought a wide 
eyed look to her face and an awed "whoa."  Compared to the intrigues of the 
Mandarin court Zhu Shu had been trained to serve in, this was fairly simple. 
  She understood the emotions involved and even had a dozen different plans 
for either eliminating Akane as a rival if she didn't love Ranma, or 
grooming both of them to wed Shampoo if she did.  She even had half a dozen 
herbal recipes to sway things either way if needed.  She had to admire such 
practicality!
  Away on his throne in Asgard, Kami-Sama shook his head.  Urd had missed 
the point again.  She'd forgotten to look at the one truly important thing 
he had hoped she would see:  Why Zhu Shu was doing it...
  He had not yet given up hope that his selfish daughter would learn what it 
meant to do something just because she cared about a friend.
  Still, it was one of the reasons he'd given her this assignment, though it 
was the smallest one.  She still had much to do to see it
  through.  So much depended on it.
  He sighed.  Sometimes, even an Almighty has to have faith...

  * * * * *

  Zhu Shu followed Ranma and Akane for the rest of the day, having taken a 
break during their classes to return to the shrine and leave a note for the 
girls that she would be out late so there would be no class tonight.  Ranma 
had a bandage on his cheek from where Akane had hit him with a foul ball.  
She couldn't see what went on in the doctor's office, but when Akane left 
shortly after the arrival of a tall beautiful girl with a ponytail, Zhu Shu 
followed her.  After a period of wandering, she went into a large dojo house 
combo.  Zhu Shu found a vantage point to watch as she set up a training 
session.  Akane broke brick after brick until Ranma found her.  Zhu Shu 
moved to where she could watch Akane's face as they sparred.
  "Come on!  Fight back!" Akane yelled as Ranma dodged "How can I work out 
my stress if you won't fight !?!"
  "Akane, " Ranma said as he dodged several other blows, "Don't you ever get 
tired of being angry all the time?"
  "That's my business!"  She yelled as he dodged yet another blow.
  "Okay, but you know, you're cute when you smile."
  From her tree, Zhu Shu smiled at the expression in Akane's eyes and aura 
for that split second before Ranma caught her with a nerve strike to the 
forehead.  "Blew it!"  he cat called
  Zhu Shu departed her tree to the sounds of Akane's protesting, "That 
wasn't fair." and made her way to the walkway outside.  She had her answer 
now.  She wouldn't have to make Ranma unhappy, even for the best of 
reasons...  Nor would she have to remove Akane from the equations... Shampoo 
had already given her an option.  All she had to do was find a way to get 
Shampoo worked into the picture too, then get Shampoo to accept Akane as a 
Sister-wife.
  Whistling merrily, she headed back to the shrine.  Tomorrow was time 
enough to get things rolling...

  * * * * *

  The next morning, she pretended not to notice Raye trying to watch her 
secretly at her katas, but she did do her hardest forms.  No sense in 
wasting the opportunity to show her exactly how much she had yet to learn.  
Raye's aura worried her a little, but at least it wasn't Serena or Mina.  
Raye was a priestess, and hopefully mature enough to recognize a minor 
fascination as what it was.  She could read the swirled tangle of 
admiration, envy and desire and know it wasn't serious, however muddled 
teenaged hormones could make the situation seem.
  Zhu Shu sighed.  She could sympathize with her.  Those years hadn't been 
easy on her either.  She'd had her own share of confused feelings.  She 
recalled that spring day in their cave with Cherry Blossom, and how mad her 
mother had been at the blood on her dress.  How she had beaten her until she 
had told her what had happened.  How if her grandfather had not intervened, 
her mother might have beaten her to death.  Nor had she forgotten one word 
of the Lectures on Familial Duties, or the Duty of the Wife to produce an 
Heir.  That one day of innocent exploration and tenderness had led to two 
years of her mother training her in the Marital Arts as well as her duties 
as an Imperial servant, and a further year of training in the Duties of a 
Concubine to her Emperor.
  She'd always wondered if her mother had been responsible for Cherry 
Blossom's family moving to another village a week after that day.  She'd 
stood at the edge of the village watching her wave goodbye from the back of 
her family's wagon, promising she'd never forget Zhu Shu.  Zhu Shu had 
watched until they were out of sight and had turned to find that miserable 
Sung Li looking at her with a grin.  "Well, babe.  There goes your only 
competition for me!  Guess you win by default!"
  She hadn't even been able to summon the will to hit him...
  Back in the present, she closed her eyes and walled off the thoughts once 
more, only a single tear falling down her cheek as she exerted all of her 
mental discipline on her unruly emotions.  She brought her forms to a close 
in a long moment of stillness, then put away her swords and walked over to 
put on her dress.  A mischievous impulse made her smile, and she blurred...
  From Raye's point of view, Zhu Shu disappeared, only to reappear right 
beside her.  Zhu Shu gave her a quick peck on the cheek, then vanished again 
as Raye collapsed in a heap, wide eyed and heart hammering, unsure if she 
was dreaming, and not sure if she wanted to be...

  * * * * *

  The Chinese herbalist had stared wide eyed at the list Zhu Shu had given 
him, written in neat Mandarin pictograms, and fingered the circular seal at 
the bottom.  "Where did you get this symbol from, little one?"
  Puzzled, Zhu Shu answered.  "It is my clan's crest."
  The herbalist blanched and a big drop of sweat rolled down his temple.  
"I- I will have this order made by tomorrow, Revered One!"  He bowed and 
bowed as he vanished into the shops back room.  Even more puzzled, Zhu Shu 
left the shop when it became clear that he wasn't coming back.  She walked 
down the street, feeling the weight of eyes all around her as the people all 
stared at her, and the air buzzed with a thousand conversations.  Unnerved, 
she ran...
  On a rooftop outside of the Chinatown, She sat and tried to figure out 
what had happened, but none of it made sense.  They'd been staring at her 
like she was a goddess, a dream made real...  She couldn't understand it.  
What did they think she was?
  No answers came, and it was almost time for Ranma's school to start...

  * * * * *

  Zhu Shu spent the day observing Akane, and studying the Japanese school 
system. She wasn't sure how long she would be at this, and she might have to 
enter school to keep an eye on things.  She watched as Akane talked to her 
friends about Ranma and Akane's boy troubles, and other normal topics for 
schoolgirls, and by listening, Zhu Shu came to the conclusion that Akane was 
as confused about her feelings as Ranma had always been about his.  And like 
Ranma, she was very competitive.  By the end of the school day, she'd had 
two more fights with Ranma, and Zhu Shu decided that the time had come for 
direct action.  She waited until Akane was alone in the practice yard 
working off her frustrations.

  * * * * *

  Akane smashed another brick with a cry of  "Ranma!  You jerk!" and looked 
around for another one, but that had been her last.  Disappointed, she 
kicked a piece into the Koi pond and plopped down on a bench under a tree.
  "Confusing he is, yes no?"
  Akane nodded.  "Very!"
  "Give insult, then say nice thing."
  "He's such a JERK!"  Akane growled.
  "He confused.  Not know how to say he love."
  "Ha!  Right!  I wish I could believe that!"
  "Akane confused too.  She not know how say either."
  "Like I would want to!"
  "Akane does.  Zhu Shu has seen way look at him."
  Akane sighed, then did a double take and whirled.  A beautiful Chinese 
girl hung upside down from the tree looking at her curiously.  "Akane not 
make easy for Ranma either.  Is too competitive too!"
  Akane gaped "W-w-w-who are y-you?"
  The girl flipped and twisted midair to land in front of Akane.  She bowed. 
  "Song Zhu Shu of Clan Dragon.  Song School of Sword Dance."  She 
straightened.  "Friends call Zhu Shu.  Hope Akane is friend."
  "Zhu Shu??" Akane asked.  The girl nodded.  "What were you doing in my 
tree?"
  "Zhu Shu watch Akane and Ranma.  Think Akane need someone talk to know 
Ranma well."
  "You know Ranma?"  Quick surge of jealousy.  "But- how?!  I've never seen 
you before!"  Ranma knew this beautiful girl?
  Zhu Shu giggled.  "Silly.  Ranma not just start existing on Akane 
doorstep!  Zhu Shu follow Ranma since Jusenkyo."  She looked both ways as if 
looking for listeners then added in a conspiratorial tone.  "Zhu Shu have to 
teach Ranma how to deal with curse.  Ranma nearly panic when have first 
period!"  She laughed infectiously.  Akane had to join in, the image of what 
Ranma's reaction had to be was hysterical, and then Zhu Shu added, "Ranma 
thought he broken!"
  "He must have thrown a fit!"  Akane giggled.  "I'll bet he couldn't wait 
to change!"
  "Zhu Shu not let!  Not have many pad!  Not let Ranma waste!"
  "You mean he had to stay a girl all through it?!"  Akane had to hold her 
sides as she laughed.  "Oh, what poetic justice!"
  "Hey!  What are you laughing about Aka-"  Ranma froze at the door.  "Zhu 
Shu!?!"
  Zhu Shu waved.  "Nihao, Ranma!  Zhu Shu come to Japan help with Fianc�e!"
  "WHAT???"
  Zhu Shu hopped over and patted Ranma on the cheek.  "Of course.  Ranma not 
be trusted on own without friend to help!"
  "Hey!  I'm not doing that badly!"
  Zhu Shu looked over at Akane.  "Zhu Shu would not have guessed!"
  He fumed.  "You don't know what she's like!  She acts like a guy!  Not 
like y-"  He broke off when he realized what he had been about to say.
  "Not like WHAT!?!"  Akane yelled as she took a step towards him.  Zhu Shu 
casually sidestepped and neither Ranma nor Akane saw her quick foot as she 
caught Akane's heel and gave her a boost.
  Ranma had been prepared to dodge a punch, not the lurch Akane gave.  
Before he could move, Akane had stumbled into his arms and her lips met his.
  They both froze for a split second, then both jumped back, hearts 
pounding, looking wide eyed at each other.
  "W-w-what w-was t-that f-for?!"  Ranma stuttered.
  Akane blushed and turned away.  "What was what for?"
  "Y-you kissed me!"
  "I-I did not!  I-I just...  fell!"
  "Oh."  Ranma actually looked disappointed.  "Well, if you had just a bit 
of grace!"
  Akane's embarrassment turned to fury.  "Why you- you- "  She swung a punch 
at Ranma which he started to dodge.
  Again, their lips met.  Zhu Shu had caught Ranma's foot just as he had 
begun to move, and as a result, Akane's fist was straight out behind his 
head as he found himself face to face and lip to lip with her.
  The frozen tableau held long enough for the sound of the wind to whistle, 
then they both jumped back, blushing furiously.
  "So nice.  Ranma kiss Akane for apology."  Zhu Shu said sweetly.
  "Wha-" Whatever else Ranma had been about to say was muffled by Zhu Shu's 
hand over his mouth.  "How cute."  Zhu Shu continued, "Ranma all tongue 
tied!"  She smiled winningly at Akane.  "He say he sorry.  Ask forgive?"  
She gave him a nerve poke and his eyes glazed in pain.  "Right?"  Ranma 
looked at the finger still at the ready and nodded furiously.
  Akane looked bewilderedly from the mad Chinese girl to a Ranma who was 
rapidly turning purple and looking at her with big pleading eyes.  Her lips 
still burned with the feel of Ranma's and she felt like she was in a daze.  
"It's alright..."  She said faintly "I forgive him..."  She turned and 
wandered into the house.  She needed to sit down and let her head clear and 
maybe figure out what had just happened.

  * * * * *

  Ranma blinked twice after Akane, and even after Zhu Shu's hand left his 
mouth, it took him a few seconds to remember to breathe.  He'd never seen 
Akane act like that, except when looking at Dr. Tofu.  Certainly never after 
a fight with him.  He scratched his head and looked over at the Chinese girl 
sitting on the bench.
  "Two questions, Zhu Shu.  One.  Why'd you do that for?  And two.  What's 
up with her?"
  Zhu Shu shook her head.  He had so much to learn...  but it was a start...

  * * * * *

  Kasumi came out of the kitchen to see Akane staring off into nothing, a 
stunned expression on her face as she absently pressed her lips.  "Akane?"  
she asked worriedly.
  "He...  kissed me..."  was Akane's only reply.
  Kasumi beamed.  That was so wonderful!  She went back to the kitchen to 
get Akane a cup of tea, but paused, looking out over the Koi pond.  Who was 
that Chinese girl Ranma was talking with?  She approached quietly to ask him 
and heard him talking to her.  "But she's so angry all the time, Zhu Shu!  
It's like she hates me!"
  "Same girl who dazed by Ranma kiss?"
  "Oh, come on Zhu Shu.  You know that only happened because you tripped 
me!"
  "Zhu Shu should not have had to trip!"
  "Ahem."  Kasumi cleared her throat to let them know she was there.  "Hello 
Ranma.  May I meet your friend?"
  Ranma jumped.  "Oh.  Hi Kasumi... um  yeah...  This is Zhu Shu.  She's 
from China..."  He seemed a little embarrassed.
  The girl rose and gave Kasumi a deep bow and introduced herself formally.  
"Song Zhu Shu of China."  Pleased at such politeness, Kasumi smiled and 
introduced herself .  "And I am Kasumi Tendo.  Would you like some tea?"
  "Zhu Shu would be honored."  A glance and a slight roll of her eyes 
indicated she thought Ranma should have already offered, and Kasumi silently 
agreed.  She invited them into the house and inquired as she led the way, 
"May I ask what brings you to Japan?"  Ranma's body language told her there 
was far more between them than a casual acquaintance.  He was far too 
relaxed around her...
  "Zhu Shu comes hunt Ranma.  Abandoned at Amazon village.  Zhu Shu think 
should kill for leaving her to fight Amazons alone.  But decide too much 
friend to kill."  the Chinese girl said lightly.
  "W-w-what!?!"  a very taken aback Ranma looked at her in horror.
  Kasumi could tell from her tone and body language that she wasn't serious, 
but Ranma obviously didn't.  "Abandoned!?!  Pop's said that you had asked us 
to escort you there!  I thought it was were you were going!"
  Zhu Shu sighed.  "Should have guessed.  Panda man big liar."  Kasumi noted 
the resignation in the Chinese girls voice and figured she had reasons not 
to like Mister Saotome much.  She was very curious, but it would be impolite 
to ask.  She got them sat around the small kitchen table and bustled around 
getting tea things together as Ranma continued.
  "You mean that wasn't where you were going?  Man, if I had known that, I 
would never have left you there!  I thought you'd be safe."
  "Zhu Shu nearly have to fight whole Amazon tribe.  Only fact Clan Dragon 
she did not."  there was a strong hint of amusement in her voice.
  "Oh man, Zhu Shu.  I am so sorry!"  Kasumi raised on eyebrow.  He not only 
sounded sincere, but actually contrite.  This girl must mean a lot to him... 
She studied her in the reflections on the kettle.
  Zhu Shu was looking him up and down with a calculating look in her eye.  
"Ranma sorry?  Wish make up to Zhu Shu?"  Kasumi frowned.  The girl was 
definitely up to something.  Kasumi hoped she wasn't setting Akane up for a 
heartbreak.
  "Anything!" Ranma said firmly
  "On honor Saotome name?"  Zhu Shu prodded.
  "Yes, Zhu Shu.  Just tell me what you want me to do!"
  The small Chinese girl got up and leaned over to poke Ranma in the chest.  
"No punish Akane for not be Zhu Shu!"
  Kasumi dropped the kettle as Ranma froze.
  In the silence that followed, Zhu Shu spoke.  "Ranma not want Akane be 
like Zhu Shu.  Believe Zhu Shu."  She turned and sat down again.
  Kasumi recovered and moved to pick up the kettle.  "Oh, how clumsy of me." 
  She grabbed a mop to clean up the mess.
  Ranma finally got his voice back.  "But Zhu Shu, she's so unfeminine!  She 
acts like a boy!  Not like a girl at all!"
  "And think Zhu Shu does?"
  "Yes!  You act like a girl!  You're the classiest girl I know!"
  "And think Akane should be like?"
  "Yes!"
  Zhu Shu looked away.  "Really think Akane should be like Zhu Shu?  No.  
Ranma not know what he say."  There was a strange edge to her voice.
  "Yes I do.  You taught me all I know about females!  You showed me what a 
real female acts like!"
  "So you punish Akane for not be like Zhu Shu!?!"  Shadows overhung the 
Chinese girls face.  "Maybe want Zhu Shu teach Akane be like her!?"
  "Why not?" Ranma yelled.  "Then she'd act like a real girl."
  Zhu Shu stood.  "Maybe Zhu Shu should show what type of girl is.  Maybe 
not want Akane act like that."  Her voice was strained.  Kasumi paused her 
mopping to look at her.  Was she okay?
  Ranma was oblivious, caught up in his rant.  "But I like your type of girl 
Zhu Shu.  You're all soft and fem...a..."
  He trailed off out of pure shock.  Zhu Shu had moved and swept Kasumi into 
an embrace as she planted a long kiss on her.
  The mop handle bounced on the floor.
  Kasumi was too shocked even to protest, and by the time she had recovered 
enough composure to act, Zhu Shu had released her, and turned to Ranma.  
"Now understand?  Ranma take care!  Not treat Akane better, maybe Zhu Shu 
steal!"  She turned and stalked out the door.
  Kasumi and Ranma stared after her, then Kasumi looked down to the small 
note that had been left in her hand.  She read the barely legible Kanji, 
written even more brokenly than Zhu Shu's speech, and blushed slightly.  Her 
hand came to her lips as she said "Oh my!" softly and looked out the door 
after the vanished girl again.
  She agreed with the letter that Ranma would not have gotten the point any 
other way, and she could forgive Zhu Shu for the surprise...
  But she hadn't expected to be thanked for such a wonderful kiss...

Chapter Two:  Catalyst

  Kasumi had to douse Ranma with a glass of water to get him to stop staring 
blankly out the door after the vanished Zhu Shu.  He blinked at Kasumi as 
the taller girl handed him the tea tray.  "Why don't you take this and share 
a cup of tea with Akane." Kasumi smiled, faint color still in her cheeks.  
"And I put an extra cup in case your friend comes back."
  Ranma nodded, still too shocked to speak.  He took the tray into the 
dining room and sat down next to Akane, who was also staring out the door 
the way Zhu Shu had gone.  "W-what did she do in there?" Akane asked.  "I-I 
heard part of your argument.  Did she say she would steal me?
  Ranma nodded and gulped.  Akane looked at him wide-eyed, then looked down. 
  "I- I heard what she made you promise..."
  Ranma looked down and scratched his head.  "Uh... Yeah."
  "Who is she Ranma?"  Akane looked up with something pleading in her eyes.
  Ranma shrugged.  "I- dunno...  I would have said my best friend in the 
world a few minutes ago.  Now.."  he trailed off.
  Now?  Now maybe she was someone he'd hurt really badly without meaning 
to...  He felt miserable.  He wished he knew what that scene in the kitchen 
had been about.  Was Zhu Shu really happy that he and Akane were engaged?  
She had been trying to get Ranma and Akane to stop fighting in the garden.  
And he had to admit that this was the least angry he had seen Akane since 
that first day, But what of Zhu Shu?
  Did she really like girls?  Or had she just tried to pull another stunt to 
drive him away and hide her own heartbreak?
  Akane was still looking at her.  He didn't know what to say.  Then, 
something caught her eye.
  From the tree next to the Koi pond a single petal from a cherry blossom 
floated down to land on the water.  Then another followed it.  And, like 
clockwork, a third.  It took him a second to tag what her subconscious was 
telling her.
  It wasn't a cherry tree.  That was way across the garden.
  Suddenly, he knew what she had to do.  After all, it was a point of honor.
  "Akane," he said quietly. "Zhu Shu is the girl who taught me all I know 
about being a female, little as that is."  Ranma laughed ruefully.  "I met 
her the day I was cursed.  She came storming into the Guide's hut and wanted 
to know what kind of repayment Pops was going to make to her for knocking 
her into a Jusenkyo pool.  They went outside to talk about it and when they 
were done, Pops told me we were gonna escort her to the next village as 
payment."  Ranma poured the tea for them both, surprised that Akane was 
being so attentive and quite.
  Cherry blossom petals were still falling.
  Ranma continued.  "I kinda thought she'd laugh at me when I was helping 
her dry the dishes and Pop knocked over the bucket on me, but she just made 
him mop it up and scolded him."  Akane smiled behind her teacup at that.  
"After lunch, we sparred some, and she made me feel like I was a friend, not 
a rival.  Then that night, when I started to bleed all over the place, she 
had not a single unkind word, and even told my Dad to go back to bed.  She 
helped me clean up, and made a tea to help with the cramps...  but she 
wouldn't allow me to change to boy again."  She sighed.  "Actually, she 
shamed me into staying female.  I mean, if she could deal with it, I could, 
right?  She has to live with it all the time."
  Akane was still drinking her tea and listening quietly.  It was still so 
odd and un-Akaneish.  She'd never acted like this before...
  It never occurred to him that he'd also never actually talked to Akane 
either, instead of insulting or belittling her.
  Kasumi wandered through the room with some laundry, saw the two of them, 
and smiled as she exited.
  "Anyway, she lent me some underwear and a pad, and her tea knocked me 
right out, and the next thing I know, it's dawn and I see Zhu Shu heading 
out the door to do her morning Katas.  I thought I should and maybe 
apologize to her for getting mad at her about not letting me change, so I- 
uh-  followed her..."  Ranma trailed off, blushing at the memory.
  Akane caught the blush.  "What?  Something more embarrassing than a boy 
having a period?!!"  She giggled.  "Whatcha do, catch her naked?"
  Ranma started and blushed brighter.  Akane laughed.  "Oho!  So I'm not the 
first girl you've spied on!"  She smiled even wider at Ranma's confusion.  
"Well, I already knew you were a letch.  On with the story!"
  Ranma blustered.  "Hey-" but Akane put her finger on his lips.  "Hush!  
I'm only teasing."  Further confusion was evident on Ranma's face, so she 
continued.  "I'm not mad.  Really.  I expected it sooner or later with your 
luck.  Go on. I want to hear the rest."
  Ranma nodded, still looking dubious.  "Uh... yeah... well... I found Zhu 
Shu doing her katas by the bathing pool out back, and... well...  she was 
doing them nude...  I- I kinda sorta froze in shock..."
  "Um hmm, I see."  Akane poured them some fresh tea.  "So.  What did she 
look like?"
  "What?"  Ranma asked shocked.  "Y-you want to know what she looked like 
naked?"
  "No, silly.  What did she look like doing her katas?  I can imagine what 
she looks like naked!"  She giggled again at Ranma's bewildered look.
  "Uh... right!  Well... she moves like flowing water.  I mean even in slow 
motion she's so smooth that it's like watching liquid.  I've never seen 
anyone move like she does, like every action is part of a dance.  It's so 
incredibly beautiful it's almost painful to watch.  I don't think I took a 
breath the entire time."  Ranma shook himself out of the memory and hung his 
head.  "And she made me so incredibly jealous.  Watching her, I would have 
sold my soul to have her grace, her beauty..."
  Akane knew that feeling well.  It wasn't easy having Kasumi as an older 
sister...  but she held her peace.  This was a side of Ranma she'd not seen, 
and more than anything, she didn't want it hidden again... not yet...
  "Then I had to breathe and I broke the spell."  Ranma sighed.  "She turned 
and her eyes met mine, and I saw something I'd never seen before..."  Ranma 
sipped his tea as out by the Koi pond, the steady fall of petals ceased.  
Outside the door, Kasumi intercepted Nabiki before she could open it, then 
she sent her father and Genma out to dinner.  Inside the room, Ranma was 
staring off into space and saw none of it.
  Akane scooted over to lean against Ranma, not caring that they were both 
female.  "So what was it you saw.?"
  "I- I don't know.  I mean I've fought all kinds of people, and I know a 
challenging look well enough, but this was different.  I mean, it was a 
challenging look, but it wasn't at the same time, ya know... It..." he 
trailed off, unable to find the words.  He stared fixedly at the tea tray, 
oblivious to the scene Akane was now staring at.
  The garden had disappeared, and been replaced by a small clearing behind a 
primitive hut.  In that clearing stood a female Ranma, wearing only a tee 
shirt and shorts, watching a nude Zhu Shu finish her katas and turn to look 
at him.
  "Then she laughed and asked me to come take a bath with her, and did a 
back flip into the pool..."  Ranma continued as Akane watched the scene 
playing outside, showing her everything Ranma described about Zhu Shu's 
lesson...
  She couldn't be angry, or even jealous.  Zhu Shu had tried to do in a hour 
what Akane's mother had spent years doing before she died.  She'd been 
direct, she'd been blunt, and had done things that Akane would have died of 
embarrassment trying, but she'd gotten her lesson across... and Ranma would 
never forget what she'd taught her...
  And as the scene faded, she realized that that was exactly Zhu Shu was 
trying to tell her...  She looked to the Chinese girl standing on a rock 
next to the Koi pond, a strained and exhausted look on her face, and nodded 
that she understood.  Zhu Shu gave her a smile as bright as the sun, then 
blurred and disappeared as Ranma continued.
  "After that, we were kinda best friend, ya know?  We spent hours talking 
over the next five days until we got to the next village, and... well... we 
kinda got into a little trouble and left in a hurry, so I didn't get to say 
goodbye.  I regretted that, but Pop's said it was where she was going 
anyway.  I should have known better."
  "So.  She was a friend when you really needed one, huh?"
  "Yeah... and tonight, I would have done anything but made her mad.  I 
mean, I've never ever seen her upset before.  She's always been so calm 
about everything.  Even when she told Pops that if she wasn't satisfied with 
her payment, she would carve it out of him!  And to have her go off on me 
because of how I treat you?!"
  Akane gave her a sidelong look, but decide to let it go.  "Just what did 
she do in the kitchen?"
  "Um... She kissed Kasumi."
  "That's all?  Here I thought it was something massive."
  "Umm... no.  I mean she kissed Kasumi...  Like in the movies.  Long 
romantic type kiss..."
  Just then, Kasumi wandered through the room, whistling happily.  "Oh, 
dinner will be here soon, I asked Father to get take out."  She wandered 
into the kitchen still humming.
  Akane double blinked after her...  "Uh.. and then?"
  "She threatened to steal you if I didn't shape up."
  Akane turned huge eyes towards Ranma.  "And do you think she could?"
  Ranma wouldn't meet her gaze.  "Akane...  If there is one thing I do 
believe about Zhu Shu, it's that if she is serious about liking girls, and 
she sets her sights on you..."  the way he trailed off told Akane all she 
needed to know.  If it came down to it, Ranma believed she'd already lost...

  * * * * *

  After dinner, as Ranma went to take a bath, Akane got Kasumi to make up an 
extra plate, and took it out to the tree next to the pond.
  "Would you like some sukiyaki?"  she called up into the branches.  With 
out a rustle, Zhu Shu blurred into existence before her.
  "Yes.  Zhu Shu hungry.  Revealing Mind's Eye take much energy."
  Akane sat the tray down on the bench and handed Zhu Shu one of the pillows 
she had brought, sitting on the other herself.  She took a deep breath.
  "I- I wanted to thank you."
  "Why for?  Zhu Shu only do what need done."  The Chinese girl looked Akane 
over.  "Zhu Shu want Akane and Ranma be happy.  Make job easier."
  "Huh?  I don't get you."
  Zhu Shu looked at her critically.  "Let Zhu Shu ask this.  Does Akane love 
him?"
  "That egotistical, arrogant, self-righteous-"  She broke off as Zhu Shu's 
fingers pressed her lips.
  "Not ask for description.  Ask if love."
  Akane looked away.  "I... don't know."
  Zhu Shu nodded. "Is first problem."  She reached out and cupped Akane's 
face in her hand and made her look into her eyes.  "Head must admit what 
heart know.  Forget anger, forget insults, forget taunts.  Remember kiss.  
Remember feel of being snuggled to side, of laughter, of heart revealed.  
Remember how felt when listen to talk.  Of Ranma behind mask shows world.  
Ask self if love..."
  Akane couldn't meet her eyes any longer and turned away.  Zhu Shu sighed 
and continued eating.  "Zhu Shu sees still much work needed."

  * * * * *

  Silence reigned for a long while before Akane spoke again.  "W-w-were you 
serious?" she asked in a small voice.
  Zhu Shu debated for a long while before nodding.  "Zhu Shu on quest to 
find Husband.  Must find Husband to fulfill Family Duties."  She sat the 
empty plate back on the tray, then knelt in front of Akane.  "Zhu Shu must 
marry to have children.  Is last of Clan.  Must bear heir.  But Zhu Shu is 
serious.  Ranma can be fool, but Zhu Shu see truth.  Akane can be jewel 
beyond price if can learn to control temper.  If Ranma too much fool to 
see..."  She trailed off, caught between desire and family honor.
  But the wide-eyed look Akane gave her let her know she had understood the 
unspoken feelings.  It was true too. While she had made the threat for 
Ranma's sake, he would be a fool not to take her threat seriously.  He might 
take what he considered his for granted, even act as if he didn't want it, 
but the threat of it's loss would show him how much it really meant to him.
  He'd fight ever so much harder for her if he had some competition.  Then, 
once he was firmly attached, it would be time to bring Shampoo in and 
introduce her to her future Sister-wife...
  Zhu Shu was determined to see her friends happy, whatever it took.  If 
Ranma wouldn't be happy without Akane, and Shampoo wouldn't be happy without 
Ranma, then that's how it had to be.  Akane would eventually have to accept 
Shampoo as her Sister in marriage to Ranma, and if it couldn't be arranged 
any other way, she had the herbs she had ordered to take care of it.  She 
gave Akane a sidelong look and sighed mentally.  Why couldn't Ranma see what 
he had?
  Zhu Shu gathered up the tray while Akane sat and stared off into space, 
thinking.  She shook her head sadly as she headed for the dining room door 
for what duty would never allow.  Perhaps Ranma wasn't the only fool.
  She bowed to Kasumi as she entered the kitchen to return the tray.  "Many 
thanks.  Zhu Shu honored would feed after actions.  Must beg forgiveness for 
rudeness."
  Kasumi beamed and bowed back.  "You have no need to ask forgiveness.  I 
did not take offense.  I agree with the intent of the action, and I am most 
pleased with the result."  She said formally.  She smiled wider, and said 
less formally, "Just give me warning next time you kiss me so I can put down 
my mop!"  She blushed and one hand came up to her lips.  "Oh, my!  I can't 
believe I just said that!"
  Zhu Shu wasn't listening.  The relief she felt that Kasumi wasn't angry 
with her combined with the emotional stresses and the drain of holding her 
illusion so long caught up with her, and she could no longer fight it...

  * * * * *

  Kasumi caught her as she fell and called for the others.  Akane, Ranma, 
and Nabiki arrived to find Kasumi cradling Zhu Shu's head on her lap and 
stroking her hair.
  "She's alright."  She told a worried Ranma.  "She's just exhausted all her 
Ki.  She just needs sleep is all.  Poor dear."  She got Ranma to pick the 
small girl up and move her to a guest room before chasing everyone out so 
she could tuck her in.  Carefully undressing her, so as not to wake her, 
Kasumi was surprised to note the ornate metallic gold and scarlet imperial 
dragon tattoo that coiled down her back.  She thought it was funny that 
Ranma had not mentioned such a distinctive mark when he had described Zhu 
Shu to Akane.  She shrugged, if Zhu Shu wanted to tell her about it, she 
would.  She tucked the sheets around the exhausted girl and gathered up her 
few clothes to wash.

  * * * * *

  Outside the window, Mara watched as Kasumi closed the door to Zhu Shu's 
room.  "Dammit!" She muttered.  That hadn't gone at all like she had 
planned!  Zhu Shu was supposed to cause trouble by telling Ranma about his 
other fianc�e.  What the hell was she doing helping him out with this one?  
She rolled her eyes disgustedly.  "Mortals!  You just can't trust them!"  
She was about to fly off when Zhu Shu turned over and the covers slipped off 
one shoulder to reveal the dragon.
  "Wha-" Mara stared.  "I know she didn't have that yesterday!"  She 
considered for a long moment.  "This is going to take some research."  She 
said finally.  With a last look at the dragon gleaming in the moonlight, she 
turned and flew off...

  * * * * *

  Morning at the Tendo Dojo.  Ranma beating the tar out of his dad, who had 
a hangover.  Nabiki watching them from the dining room, figuring odds on who 
would go in the Koi pond first.  Kasumi calling a sleepy headed Akane down 
for breakfast as Ranma did a head dive into the pond.  Soun Tendo greeting 
his family as if the fight happening in the garden was beneath notice until 
Ranma stepped out of the pond and stripped his wet shirt off to wring it 
out, all the while yelling at the panda and never noticing the stunned look 
on Soun's face.  Akane yelling at Ranma about feminine modesty.  Kasumi 
being the epitome of gracious calm.  A normal typical morning.
  Then Nabiki asked how Zhu Shu was.
  Genma froze, his chopsticks halfway to his mouth.
  Kasumi beamed.  "Oh, she was still sleeping when I checked.  I didn't want 
to wake the poor dear."
  Akane and Ranma nodded at her, then looked at each other and blushed.  
They hurriedly began shoveling food into their mouths.
  Soun asked "Who's Zhu Shu?"
  Genma tried not to look panicked.
  Kasumi turned her smile on Soun.  "Oh, she's Ranma's girlfriend from 
China."
  Ranma choked while Genma began looking for a place to crawl into.
  Soun blinked.  "I see."  He took out a cigarette, lit it and took a long 
puff...
  The Soun demon head fixed the pair with it's blood shot eyes.  "WHAT IS 
THE MEANING OF THIS!!!"
  Surprisingly, it was Akane who spoke up in the speechless pairs defense.
  "Daddy!  It's not like that.  She's his best friend!  And she's my friend 
too!"
  The head blinked, then vanished.  Soun looked at Akane questioningly.
  "She's a nice girl and she's my friend as well.  She collapsed from 
exhaustion last night and Kasumi put her in one of the guest rooms." Akane 
explained.
  Soun gave the Saotomes one last glare, then smiled.  "Well, that's alright 
then.  It was certainly the right thing to do.  We can sort it all out 
later."  He went back to his breakfast as if nothing had happened...

  * * * * *

  As Akane and Ranma walked to school, Akane got irritated at Ranma's 
silence.  "Well!  Don't thank me or anything!  It's not like I was defending 
you!  I just wanted to make sure Dad didn't have the wrong idea about Zhu 
Shu!"
  Ranma walked along the fence top and bit back his first retort.  Zhu Shu 
would have known how he felt without a word, but Akane was not Zhu Shu, and 
he had promised Zhu Shu he would remember that.  All he said was a quiet 
"Thank you."
  Prepared to fight, Akane opened her mouth to yell, then stopped.  "What 
did you say?"
  Ranma looked down.  "I said thank you.  You're right.  You defended me and 
I forgot to say thank you."  He shook his head.  "Sheesh!  You try to 
apologize-"
  "You're welcome."  Akane interrupted.  She turned back towards school.
  They walked in silence for a while, then Ranma asked, "So.  What'd you two 
talk about?"
  Akane looked sidelong.  "Humm?"
  "You and Zhu Shu.  I saw you take a tray out before I hopped in the bath, 
and it was on the floor next to Zhu Shu in the kitchen, so you had to have 
talked."
  Akane nodded.
  "So what did you talk about?"
  "Why?  Jealous?"
  "Jealous?  Why would I be jealous?"
  "Because your fianc�e went to talk to your oh-so-sexy lesbian best 
friend?"
  Ranma refused to look at her.  Amused, Akane relented.  "We talked about 
you."
  "Me?"
  "Yes."
  "What'd she say?"
  "That you were a fool."
  "Wha-?"
  "I believe she said that if you were such a fool as to not want me, then 
she would be happy to steal me away from you."
  "I... see."  He looked glum.
  They walked in silence for a while further.
  "So would you?" he asked finally.
  "Would I what?"
  "Um... well... you know..."
  Akane arched an eyebrow.  "Date her?  Over you?"
  Ranma nodded, dread in his eyes.
  Akane saw it.  She could crush him utterly.  His fragile ego could never 
put up with it.  Anger, hatred, even despair would never bow him as much as 
losing even his token fianc�e to the girl he considered the epitome of 
femininity.  It was the victory she'd dreamed of during so many of their 
fights...
  But Zhu Shu's words echoed in her ears.  "Ask self if love..."
  A lie that might not be a lie, or a chance, however slim, that she might 
actually get through to him?
  Did she love him?
  Zhu Shu said her heart already knew.
  Yes.  At least enough to give him his chance.  But she couldn't let him 
off the hook entirely.  "Humm, why don't you actually try asking me out on a 
date and we'll see?"
  Hope rose in his eyes, burning away the dread. "Uh.. yeah... I'll see what 
I can do."
  He whistled happily as they finished walking to school, with Akane giving 
him sidelong looks occasionally.
  Maybe the big lunk did care for her after all...

  * * * * *


  Zhu Shu woke when Kasumi brought in the breakfast tray and sat up in 
alarm.  It took her a second to realize where she must be and a further 
second to realize she was nude.  She scrabbled for the sheet and held it 
over her breasts as Kasumi laid out the tray.
  "Good morning!  I brought you breakfast since you slept right through 
everyone else's."  Kasumi beamed
  Zhu Shu bowed in the bed.  "Thank you.  Zhu Shu very hungry."  Her stomach 
growled in agreement.  "Not mean pass out.  Hope was not much trouble?"
  "Oh my.  Not at all."  Kasumi smiled again.  "Ranma carried you up here 
and I got you ready for bed.  Your dress is on the little table there, along 
with some panties.  We're the same size and I had extras."
  "Thank you."  She leaned forward to take the teacup and heard Kasumi gasp. 
  She froze, looking to see what Kasumi had been startled by.
  Kasumi was looking at her back in astonishment.
  "That's very strange.  I could have sworn I saw a tattoo there last 
night."
  Zhu Shu sighed.  As she picked up the tea, she relaxed the part of her 
mind that was always on automatic, unless she was unconscious or out of 
chi...
  Across her back, the Dragon faded back in from under the illusion she 
usually covered it with.  She looked at Kasumi.  "Is not safe always be Clan 
Dragon.  Has caused Zhu Shu trouble.  So Zhu Shu hides Guardian mark.  Not 
tell?"
  Kasumi looked stricken.  "Oh my, you poor dear.  I won't tell anyone, I 
swear.  It was just so lovely!"
  Zhu Shu nodded and swept her hair to one side as she stood to let Kasumi 
see all of it.  "Imperial Dragon.  Guardian spirit.  Marked when Zhu Shu 
thirteen.  Song family Imperial servants.  Zhu Shu train all life serve 
Emperor.  Now Zhu Shu of age to marry.  Must find husband worthy of Imperial 
service, of her.  Must bear Heir for Song family." she finished sadly.
  "Oh my."
  Zhu Shu sat back on the bed.  "Zhu Shu been on quest for year.  Not find 
husband who pass tests."
  "What tests?" Kasumi asked.
  "One.  Beat Zhu Shu in fair combat."
  "I can see where that might be rather hard."
  "Two.  Must prove love of Zhu Shu."
  Kasumi nodded.  "That would be the really hard one.  So few people look 
beyond appearances."
  Zhu Shu shrugged.  "Many people want Zhu Shu body.  None want Zhu Shu."
  Kasumi patted her shoulder.  "They can be so blind, no?"
  Zhu Shu nodded.  "Why Zhu Shu put quest on hold.  Help Ranma."
  Kasumi looked wide-eyed.  "Oh my.  You put your quest on hold for him?"
  "Yes.  Ranma like Zhu Shu.  Need friend.  Ranma need someone be honest 
with who not laugh and Zhu Shu..."
  "Zhu Shu hoped to find what she needed to fulfill family duty, and her own 
desires at the same time."  Kasumi finished.
  "Yes."  Zhu Shu admitted.
  "But you'd give him up for Akane?"
  "No.  Ranma is friend.  Will always be friend.  Zhu Shu fool to think 
otherwise once.  Ranma is not Zhu Shu type."  A whole world of understanding 
passed unspoken between the girls with that statement.  Ranma was a male 
first, and always would be...  The understanding in Kasumi's eyes made it 
easier.  "Zhu Shu help because is friend.  Ranma love Akane, even if not 
admit to self.  She same way.  Zhu Shu be poor friend if not help friends 
find happiness, yes no?"
  Kasumi hugged her.  "Not many friends would think that way.  For what it's 
worth, while we'd never work out for anything else, I'd be honored to be 
your friend too."
  Zhu Shu laughed.  "Zhu Shu is honored.  And know Kasumi not Zhu Shu type.  
No can fight."
  The air cleared between them, the girls laughed as only true friends 
can...

  * * * * *

  After the two girls chatted through breakfast, Zhu Shu helped Kasumi clean 
up while telling her of her adventures so far, but omitting things that 
Kasumi didn't need to know yet.  All she told her was that she had traveled 
to Japan with a friend and was staying temporarily at a Shinto shrine, 
following which Kasumi insisted she come stay at the Dojo.  She introduced 
Zhu Shu to her father, Soun and made arrangements for Zhu Shu to have the 
Dojo for her training classes with her quintet of "friends".  Zhu Shu 
thanked him and so charmed Soun that he told her to think of him as her 
father while she was there.
  Afterwards, she went with Kasumi to the shrine to get the few items Zhu 
Shu had, and Zhu Shu introduced Kasumi to Raye.  Kasumi's smile won another 
heart and soon she and Raye were chatting like old friends.  She helped pack 
up Zhu Shu's few clothes and promised to tell the other girls about the 
Dojo.  She was happy Zhu Shu had found her friend and had a place to live, 
but Zhu Shu could see the slight wistfulness in her look too.  She kissed 
Raye on the cheek as she was leaving and told her that maybe she'd let her 
spy on her katas again sometime.  Raye blushed from her hairline down to her 
gi top as Zhu Shu gave her a hug and made her promise to show up for lessons 
on time.
  "I think she likes you."  Kasumi said to Zhu Shu as they were getting back 
on the subway.
  Zhu Shu sighed.  "Zhu Shu knows.  Raye young and trying to find own way.  
Zhu Shu may be good influence as teacher, but not wish hurt Raye.  Zhu Shu 
may tease, but would not take advantage of confused feelings of girl."
  Kasumi looked at her with a measuring gaze.  "You amaze me dear.  It's so 
easy to forget you're younger than I am.  You remind me of my mother."
  Zhu Shu shrugged.  "Zhu Shu have been trained very long time.  Must 
understand people to serve.  Most important, must know why people do what 
do.  Cannot advise if not know what behind actions."
  Kasumi pursed her lips.  "I see."  She looked at Zhu Shu for several 
minutes as the train clattered through tunnel, then reached out to pat Zhu 
Shu's hand.  "I imagine you must be as lonely as I."
  Zhu Shu looked up in surprise.
  Kasumi smiled sadly.  "I know how it feels dear.  I've had to be the 
mother to my whole family since mother died.  Even dad hasn't been the same. 
  Mother's death hit him so hard.  Poor Nabiki does everything she can to 
keep the Dojo solvent, and Akane feels like she has to carry the honor of 
the school on her shoulders.  They all have so many concerns that I just try 
to keep our home a pleasant place so we all have our own safe haven.  I know 
it makes many people think I'm just a simpleton, but it's all I know to do.  
It's the only way I can give Akane and Nabiki the freedom to be even as much 
normal teenagers as they are."  She sighed.  "But it's lonely.  I never get 
to go out except for shopping and occasionally to go see Doctor Tofu, but I 
fluster him so much he's impossible to talk to and I have to pretend not to 
notice because he'd have a heart attack or stroke if I didn't. He nearly 
killed poor Ranma the other day when I visited."
  Zhu Shu nodded.  She remembered Kasumi entering, but had left when Akane 
had.  But she did remember Ranma's tilted head later.
  Kasumi looked out the window.  "Hell.  If I was any less afraid that it 
would almost certainly be fatal for one of us, I'd seduce him."  She rolled 
her eyes.  "But either he'd accidentally break me, or he'd have an embolism. 
  So I'm stuck with fantasies..."  She sighed again.  "Maybe when Akane and 
Ranma are married and Nabiki has her own place; when I don't have to be the 
mother..."
  Zhu Shu hugged her.  "Is hard, yes no?"
  "Very"
  "Maybe Zhu Shu help.  Zhu Shu good with house and family."  She smiled at 
Kasumi.  "And Zhu Shu good at Shiatsu."
  Kasumi caught the twinkle in her eyes and laughed.  "I may take you up on 
that my little mouse!"
  "Ah.  Is what Zhu Shu mean.  Little Mouse.  Grandfather say Zhu Shu always 
have look like mouse who stole cheese from trap!"  Zhu Shu twitched her 
nose.
  "He's right."  Kasumi smiled, the sadness gone from the back of her eyes.  
"I guess I'll have to hide all the cheese!"
  "Where?" Zhu Shu made a show of looking everywhere.  Kasumi took one look 
at the girl bouncing around the car looking for cheese and couldn't help but 
laugh...

  * * * * *

  They swung through the China town on their way back, Zhu Shu hurrying to 
the herbalist's shop in hopes of avoiding a repeat of the other day, but the 
herbalist handed her a note with the package.  Puzzled she looked at the 
slip of Mandarin.
  "They are watching."  was all it said.
  Worried, Zhu Shu directed Kasumi to stay behind her and to hold the 
packages.  Kasumi looked at Zhu Shu's eyes and nodded.
  Outside the shop, the street was empty.  Zhu Shu looked around.  With 
Kasumi along, her options were limited, it was the street or nothing.  She 
couldn't carry Kasumi to the rooftops.
  Her swords appeared from behind her back, green fire flickering along the 
blades as she advanced up the street.
  Her only warning was a whistle of wind as the shuriken sliced air.  She 
shifted to combat time and the world slowed to a crawl.  She batted the star 
away, part of her mind analyzing the path even as she deflected another.  
Anger flared as she realized they had been aimed to wound.  Whoever it was 
they, wanted her alive.
  She blocked three more, hampered by the need to ensure that none of the 
deflected stars went near Kasumi.  Then she heard the slow sound of a 
gunshot.  Desperately, she intercepted the bullet with both swords, rolling 
with the impact as she realized it had not been aimed at her.
  Training was all that controlled the rage, channeled it into her chi.  The 
slow crawl of time came to a near halt.  Still in mid-air, she screamed 
"Talon Storm!" and launched herself at the gunman.  Solid green blades swept 
through the gun, then the man holding it.  As the pieces slowly began to 
part, Zhu Shu was already at the next assailant.  She didn't even slow as 
her sword sliced through his middle, her spin carrying her second sword 
through the neck of the last thug.
  Coming to the forms completion behind the falling body as time slammed 
back to it's normal pace, Zhu Shu took a deep breath.  She felt faint, too 
little of her chi having returned from being drained yesterday.  She turned 
to meet Kasumi's worried look.
  "Zhu Shu?"
  Zhu Shu tried to take a step forward, tried to summon the speed to reach 
the thug who'd appeared behind Kasumi, but her legs wouldn't work.  Even as 
she was falling, she heard Kasumi's startled yelp.
  Cursing her weakness, she struggled to stand as she heard a loud thunk, 
like something striking bone.  As she lifted her head to look over the 
bodies before her, she damned herself for what she expected to see.  She had 
failed her friend, a crime that to her was as grievous as failing her 
Emperor...
  But it wasn't Kasumi's body lying on the ground.
  Kasumi put the rolling pin back into her purse.  "I swear.  People these 
days!"
  Zhu Shu couldn't help but laugh...

  * * * * *

  Kasumi helped Zhu Shu back to the subway and they quickly left the 
Chinatown behind.  Zhu Shu caught her breath and looked apologetically at 
Kasumi.  "Zhu Shu sorry endanger life and fail slay last assassin."
  Kasumi looked at her sternly.  "I won't hear it!  You did nothing of the 
sort!  If anything, it was the other way around.  I put you in danger 
because you had to protect me!  You took care of the really dangerous ones!  
All I did was club one guy with a knife.  I am a Tendo.  The day I can't 
handle one maniac with a knife... why... why... I'll take up chainsaw 
juggling!"  Her sudden fury ended and she looked at Zhu Shu with a strange 
gleam in her eye.  "And don't think I didn't see you stop that bullet!  I 
owe you my life!  And for that, all I have to give you as a reward is this."
  The entire car grew silent as every last eye turned to see Kasumi cupping 
Zhu Shu's face, returning her stolen kiss with interest...

  * * * * *

  Passengers waiting in the Nerima subway were treated to an unusual show 
that morning as trains unloaded.  From one car, no one exited for several 
seconds as Kasumi regally walked forward to the door.  Every eye was upon 
her as she walked and stunned passengers cleared a path for her.  At the 
door, an elderly gentleman bowed her through and offered her a hand to the 
platform.  She stepped lightly, then turned and offered her hand to a 
bemused and slightly dazed Zhu Shu.  She gave a small nod of her head to the 
rest of the train, then, like a Queen proceeding to take her throne, she 
turned and led the Mandarin girl towards the stairs.
  Behind her, the entire coach broke out in applause...

  * * * * *

  Nabiki was finishing her lunchtime business when one of her factors came 
running up waving a photo.  "Miss Nabiki!  I just got this from an agent on 
the subways!  It was taken less than two hours ago!  I got him to hold onto 
the negatives until you told us what to do!"
  "What are you going on about?"  Nabiki asked, bored.  It had been an 
excruciatingly dull day.  Ranma and Akane hadn't fought all day and 
Gosunkugi hadn't turned in his next batch of Akane pics for selling to Kuno. 
  She gave her factor a sour look and reached out to snag the photo.
  One look, and all the boredom went out of her day, replaced by panic.  She 
grabbed the factor by the shirt.  "Did anyone else get pictures of this!!!" 
she screamed.
  "I-I-I d-d-don't k-k-k-now!"  the factor stuttered as Nabiki shook him.
  "Find out!!!  I want every last copy accounted for and the negatives in my 
hand by days end!!!  Find out everyone who was on that train!  Steal the 
film if you have too!"  She let the pale factor go and looked at the picture 
again.  She felt the strength give out in her knees and she sank limply to 
the ground.  The picture fell from her hand to land in her skirt as she 
shook her head slowly.
  "Akane I half expect...  Me, I'd just have a few copies made and keep the 
negatives..."  Her eyes turned down to the impossible photo.  "But I never, 
ever, would have suspected Kasumi..."

  * * * * *

  Three people had taken photos.  It took all her CD money and selling her 
entire stock of Akane pics to Kuno to get the money, but by days end, Nabiki 
had the negatives of Kasumi's kiss.  She locked them away in her book bag 
and turned to get her second shock of the day.
  Ranma was waiting for her.
  "Hey, Nabiki... I... umm... that is..."
  "Spill it, Ranma."
  "Um...  Would you know where I could take Akane out on a date so she'll 
have a good time?"
  Two fundamental shocks to her system in one day was one too many.  Faced 
once more with the impossible, her brain took the easy out.
  She fainted...

  * * * * *

  "What did you do to her, you jerk!"
  "Hey!  I didn't do nuthin!  I just asked her a question and she fainted!"
  Akane's eyes narrowed.  "What did you ask her?"
  "Umm... It's kinda personal."  Ranma blushed.
  "I'll bet!"  Akane huffed.  "Well, don't just stand there like an idiot!  
Pick her up!  We have to take her to see Doctor Tofu."
  Ranma sighed and bent to pick Nabiki up.  As he did, a picture started to 
fall out of Nabiki's shirt pocket, but Akane caught it and poked it back in.
  "Be careful!  She'll bitch to high heaven if anything gets lost."
  Ranma sighed and kept reminding himself that Akane was not Zhu Shu over 
and over.
  All the way to the Doctors.

  * * * * *

  Kasumi was waiting outside the Doctor's office, a slight flush on her 
face.  "Oh my!  what happened to Nabiki?"
  Akane double blinked.  "Kasumi?  What are you doing here?"
  Kasumi blushed. "Oh my... um... I'm afraid I caused Zhu Shu to pull a 
muscle, so I brought her to the Doctor to be checked out.  I thought that 
after last night and, um...  well, I wanted to make sure she was ok.  But 
what's wrong with Nabiki?"
  "Dunno."  Ranma supplied.  "She just fainted."
  "Why are you out here instead of inside?"  Akane asked.
  "I thought it might be safer.  Doctor Tofu gets so distracted when I'm 
around."  Kasumi gave her a glowing smile.
  Akane did another double blink.  "Uh... Yeah.  I've noticed."
  "Well you two get Nabiki in there and make sure she's ok!" Kasumi beamed.
  As they walked into the clinic, Ranma's head turned to watch Kasumi.  "Is 
it my imagination, or is she glowing more than usual?"
  Akane turned and looked back at her sister.  "Now that you mention it..."
  In the examination room, Dr Tofu was feeding an exhausted looking Zhu Shu 
a herbal tea.
  "You drink that first to help your ki, and in a few minutes I'll work on 
those muscle strains."  Zhu Shu nodded as Tofu turned to Akane.
  "Why hello Akane, Ranma.  What's happened to Nabiki?"
  "Dunno Doc.  She fainted."  Ranma said.
  Tofu turned towards another bed.  "Well bring her over here and we'll see 
what's up!"  As Ranma turned towards the other bed, the photo fell from 
Nabiki's pocket and fluttered to the floor under Zhu Shu's bed.
  Ranma put Nabiki on the bed as Doctor Tofu said "Zhu Shu tells me she's a 
friend of yours, Ranma."
  "Yeah, we met in China."
  "She's a very nice girl.  You haven't been fighting with her have you 
Akane?"
  Akane started.  "Huh?  Me?  No sir.  She's my friend too."
  "Ah.  Well, I could have sworn some of those pulled muscles were your 
trademark!  Ah, well nothing's wrong with Nabiki at least.  Probably just 
mental stress!"  He did something with the sides of her head, and Nabiki's 
eyes flew open.  "There you are!  You just take it easy now, Nabiki!  I've 
got to check on Zhu Shu."
  Nabiki sat up in horror, one hand slapping her pocket.  "Oh, no!"
  "What?" Akane asked, then saw what Nabiki was reaching for.  "Ranma!  I 
told you to keep an eye on that photo!"
  "Hey!  It's not my- ulp!"  Nabiki had him by the arm in a death grip, her 
eyes locked on the floor by Zhu Shu's bed.
  Ranma looked and saw the photo.  "See!  There it is.."
  "Ranma!"  Nabiki hissed.  "If Tofu sees that picture, he'll kill her!"
  "Huh?  Who?"
  "Zhu Shu!  Ranma, if you value Zhu Shu's life, you can't let Doctor Tofu 
see that picture!"

Chapter Three:  Beginnings End

  Doctor Tofu looked Zhu Shu over critically.  "Well, well, you've certainly 
managed to pull these muscles good."
  Zhu Shu nodded glumly.  "Zhu Shu not do katas this day.  Wish could have 
avoided.  Not have choice."  She winced as Tofu straightened her neck, then 
sighed in relief.
  Tofu nodded.  "You should be ok.  That tea will help you restore your ki, 
and this salve will help those strained muscles.  But just what style do you 
fight that would pull those muscles?"
  Zhu Shu blushed.  "Not all pulled in fight."
  Ranma moved over and dropped his bag down almost on top of the photo.  
"What happened?  Did someone pick a fight with you?"
  Zhu Shu gave him a sidelong glance.  "Ranma could say that."
  "Must have been a tough fight to bang you up like this."
  "They not lay hands on.  Zhu Shu very fast.  Not warmed up though.  
Overextend self."
  "They?  Were you ganged up on?"
  She nodded.  "Deal with three before chi gone."
  "Three?  I hope you taught them a lesson."
  Shadows haunted Zhu Shu's eyes for a second before she answered.  "They 
learn lesson.  Never bother again."
  Ranma nodded, distracted.  Zhu Shu's eyes narrowed.  He was up to 
something.
  Doctor Tofu finished rubbing the salve into Zhu Shu's lower back, then 
proceeded to put her spine back in place as Ranma bent down to pick up his 
bag...
  And a photo he was rather covert about picking up.
  He quickly palmed it as Doctor Tofu finished with her back.  "There you 
go.  All your bones are back where they should be!  You should be more 
careful though."
  Zhu Shu nodded as she stood, the examination gown she was wearing 
billowing slightly.  She held the back closed with one hand as she stretched 
and bowed without pain.  "Thank you."
  Ranma, too busy looking over his shoulder to make sure no one had seen him 
pick up the photo, put his foot down on the soapy brush Tofu had been 
cleaning the floor with when Zhu Shu had arrived.  His footing went out from 
under him and he landed on the bucket by the brush.  Soapy water splashed as 
books and photo went flying.
  Akane dived for the photo, and snagged it, but as her foot came down into 
the soapy water, she skidded.  She slid headlong into Zhu Shu, knocking them 
both down as the photo fluttered into the air again.
  "Humm?  What's this?"  Doctor Tofu asked as his fingers closed on it.  He 
reached to adjust his glasses to look at it...
  The door slid open as Kasumi looked in.  "Hello Doctor.  Is Zhu Shu ok 
now?"
  The photo dropped unlooked at from nerveless fingers as the Doctors 
glasses steamed instantly.  Nabiki snatched it from mid-air as the Doctor 
stuttered.  "K-K-Kasumi? Imagine meeting you here of all places!"
  Kasumi laughed.  "But Doctor, this is your office."
  "Oh yes!  Imagine that!"
  Kasumi looked around the room and uttered a single "Oh, my!"
  Ranma was on her knees, her white top soaked to near transparency.  Zhu 
Shu was lying on the floor, her examination gown up around her shoulders.  
Akane was straddling her, not noticing her hand was firmly planted on Zhu 
Shu's right breast.  Nabiki was holding the photo, looking at Kasumi with a 
pale and wide-eyed expression on her face.
  Silence held for a long second before Doctor Tofu held up his skeleton.  
"W-well Kasumi!  As you can see, Zhu Shu is back to perfect health!"
  Kasumi looked to the Mandarin girl, who had a quixotically amused 
expression, and smiled.  "Why, yes.  I can see that."  She beamed at Akane.  
"I'm so glad to see you all getting along so well."
  Zhu Shu giggled.
  Akane looked down and noticed where her hand was.  "I... uh... I tripped!"
  Zhu Shu giggled harder.  "Not mind.  Maybe Akane trip like this more 
often."
  Akane blushed all the way down to her shoes.  She quickly got up and 
straightened her school dress, too embarrassed to say anything.  Zhu Shu 
continued to giggle as she drew her gown down.
  "Yes!"  Doctor Tofu said.  "Akane and Zhu Shu were becoming great 
friends!" He addressed the skeleton again.  "Weren't you Zhu Shu?"
  "Zhu Shu over here!"  The Chinese girl called from her seat on the floor, 
still giggling.
  "Ah yes!"  He scurried over to Ranma.  "Oh!  Ahem... It seems I've 
developed X-ray vision!"
  "That Ranma!" Zhu Shu laughed.  She looked to where Kasumi was hiding a 
smile.
  Tofu double blinked.  "Oh.  My.  Ranma?  I'm afraid I'm completely out of 
my depth here.  You'll need to see a psychologist about this transvestite 
problem..."
  Ranma rolled his eyes.  "Gee... Thanks..."

  * * * * *

  Kasumi finally herded Tofu away long enough to allow Zhu Shu to go and get 
changed and Ranma, Akane and Nabiki to escape outside.  As they left the 
clinic, Akane turned to a visibly relaxing Nabiki and demanded "Ok!  Now 
what was so important about that photo!"
  Nabiki showed her.
  All Akane managed was a strangled "Urk!" as extreme shock set in.  Ranma's 
jaw dropped.
  "Oh my!  Someone took a picture?"  Kasumi plucked it out of Nabiki's hand. 
  "How wonderful!  I must get this framed for Zhu Shu.  It will make a 
wonderful apology for causing her to pull those muscles this afternoon!"
  Nabiki blinked as Akane and Ranma stared wide-eyed.
  "I suppose I should have known better, exhausted as the poor dear was, but 
I thought she would enjoy it, and I did want to thank her for saving me from 
those thugs...  This will make such a lovely memento!"  She smiled as she 
turned back towards the Dojo, humming happily.
  Staring after her, Akane murmured, "She... she... Kasumi?!?"
  Ranma turned as Zhu Shu came out of the clinic, back in her usual dress.  
"Zhu Shu?"
  "Yes Ranma-chan?"
  "Y-y-y-you and Kasumi?"
  Zhu Shu raised and eyebrow, then smiled her mouse who got the cheese 
smile.  "Why Ranma want know?  Not Zhu Shu place tell."  She sauntered past 
the trio, and right before she turned the corner, she threw a look back over 
her shoulder.  "All Zhu Shu say.  Shiatsu can be wonderful thing."  She 
cocked her hip jauntily as she swung her hair back over her shoulder, then 
vanished.
  Still frozen in the pose she had been in when Kasumi took the photo, 
Nabiki fainted again...

  * * * * *

  Dinner at the Tendo house that night was a little quiet.  Zhu Shu sat 
quietly, eating little.  Akane and Nabiki gave sidelong glances at both Zhu 
Shu and Kasumi.  Ranma watched all of them, but finally started watching Zhu 
Shu most of all.  Despite her flippant attitude earlier, something was 
wrong.  She was barely touching her meal and avoiding looking at anyone 
directly.
  Kasumi merrily told about the day she and Zhu Shu had spent, telling her 
family about meeting Raye, and their visit to Chinatown.  She described the 
fight as an attempted mugging, but the way she watched Zhu Shu carefully 
while telling about it made Ranma think there was more to it than either one 
was saying.  By the end of dinner, Akane had noticed too.  She looked at 
Kasumi questioningly, but got a shake of the head for her reply.
  After dinner, Zhu Shu went out to the garden.  She sat under the tree by 
the bank of the Koi pond and assumed a meditation pose.  After a few 
minutes, Ranma came and sat beside her.  Several minutes passed before he 
spoke.  "There's something you're not saying."
  Zhu Shu sat motionless for a long moment.  Finally, she nodded.
  Another long moment passed before Ranma spoke again.  "Something about the 
fight."
  Again, Zhu Shu nodded.  A single tear escaped her closed eyes and rolled 
down her cheek.  A slight tremor was all the sign she gave that inside she 
was screaming...
  For once, Ranma saw it.  He moved and there was the sound of a hand 
dipping in water, then the wet haired girl gathered Zhu Shu in her arms.  
"You had to kill someone didn't you."
  Zhu Shu nodded again as more tears fell, but she refused to break.  She 
had been trained to deal with this!  She was a bodyguard as well as a 
servant!  It was a duty like any other!
  But the images of death had refused to leave her mind.  For all her 
fights, she had never had to kill.  Memories of the shock that ran along her 
arm as she cut into the assassins, of the hot bloody spray that followed the 
path of her blade, they haunted her.  Kasumi had tried to help, had tried to 
distract her by getting her to demonstrate a few moves, but the pulled 
muscles she had developed had only served to remind her of why she had them.
  And she damned herself for feeling this way.  She had been trained to kill 
without remorse...
  But inside she was still crying...
  Ranma wasn't done turning the tables yet.  She held the Mandarin girl to 
her and spoke. "You've been trained all you life to care for others, but 
what of you?  Can't someone care for you?"  She pulled Zhu Shu tighter.  
"You don't have to be steel for me.  I know I can be a jerk, and an idiot, 
but a very wise person once told me everyone needs someone for whom there 
are no masks."  Zhu Shu shook slightly as Ranma quoted her from one of their 
fireside talks in China.  "You can see beyond my masks better than I can, 
and if you say I am in love with Akane, I have to believe you, but what of 
you?  Why can't I be the one behind your masks.  The one who is allowed to 
see the girl instead of the sword?"
  Zhu Shu looked at Ranma, her eyes brimming.  She stared into the redhead's 
eyes and understanding dawned.  "She send you, yes no?"  She whispered.
  "Kasumi?  Yes.  She stopped me after dinner and sent me after you.  She 
said sometimes, people need a friend instead of a sister."  She reached out 
to pull Zhu Shu's head against her again.  "I want to be that friend Zhu 
Shu.  I think I'm only just beginning to see how much of a friend you are, 
but you need a friend like you too.  I don't know if I can be that friend, 
but I want to try."
  The weight of secrets tore her heart.  She tried to pull away, guilt at 
what she had hidden driving her to run, but Ranma wouldn't let her go.  "You 
not even really know Zhu Shu." She protested weakly.
  "Your mysteries don't matter to me Zhu Shu.  I know enough to treasure you 
as my best friend."
  "My secrets can kill Ranma!"  Zhu Shu sobbed.
  "I don't care!  Zhu Shu, you're my friend.  That's all that matters!"  
Ranma raised Zhu Shu's face to look into her eyes.  "You're my friend.  You 
want to see me happy, I want to see you happy."
  She wanted to tell her.  She wanted to let her know about Shampoo, about 
her quest, her plans, but as she opened her mouth to tell her everything, 
Ranma place a finger on her lips.  "Don't speak.  Don't be Zhu Shu the 
Sword.  Don't be the Imperial Servant.  Just be Zhu Shu...  My friend, and a 
girl who had to do something more dreadful than she should ever have had to 
do to save the life of someone she cares about..."
  She stared into Ranma's eyes and saw only concern. Within her, the iron 
dam broke, and for the first time since the loss of Cherry Blossom, She gave 
in to the tears...

  * * * * *

  Ranma held her throughout the crying fit, and listened as Zhu Shu told her 
about the fight.  Zhu Shu had to admit that this was not the first time she 
had had to fight thugs like these, and that there was someone in China that 
had sent them, but that she didn't know for sure if the attackers had been 
sent by the same person, or who that person was.  She had learned not to 
advertise her Clan following that incident though.  Ranma nodded.
  "Why didn't you ever tell me this?"  He asked
  "Zhu Shu not thinks be danger outside Peking.  Not attacked since."  She 
brought her knees up and curled her arms around them.  "Did not think would 
be danger to friends..."  She finished sadly.
  "You're not Zhu Shu.  There's no way they could know where you are if you 
stay out of the Chinatown.  And you're not alone here.  We'll protect you 
too."
  Zhu Shu nodded sadly.  "Thank you."
  Ranma rose.  "Will you be alright now?"
  She assayed a weak smile.  "Is ok.  Ranma help."
  The redhead nodded.  "If you need anything..."
  Zhu Shu nodded.  "Just one thing." she said as she stood.
  "Yes."
  "Try, once, listen Akane same way."  She smoothed the hem of her skirt.  
"Zhu Shu want Ranma and Akane be happy, but not much time be alone as 
couple."  She disappeared before her heart betrayed too much, leaving a 
wide-eyed and very puzzled Ranma looking at the vacancy she had left 
behind...

  * * * * *

  "So why did you send him to talk to her?"  Akane asked, looking up from 
her cup of hot chocolate.
  Kasumi finished up with her preparations for breakfast as she answered.  
"Because she's his best friend.  He knows her better than anyone."
  "But he's hopeless!  He can't seem to ever say the right thing!" Akane 
protested.  "He'll make a mess of it!"
  "I don't think so.  He has a good heart Akane.  He may not be all that 
great at showing it, but I think that might have to do with the fact that 
he's your Fianc�."
  "What would that have to do with anything?"  Akane grumped.  "He treats 
her way better than he does me!"
  "I think you make him nervous, Akane."  Kasumi washed her hands and sat 
down for a cup of tea.  "He's just more relaxed around her, is all.  She's 
his friend.  You are much more, at least potentially."
  "That's a wonderful reason to insult me all the time."
  Kasumi shook her head.  "You intimidate him, Akane.  I think you'd be 
surprised at what he might be like if he didn't think he had to prove 
anything to you."
  "I don't want him to prove anything to me!  Except maybe that he's not a 
jerk!"
  "Have you told him that?"
  Akane looked at Kasumi oddly.  "Well, no."
  Kasumi rose and placed her teacup by the sink to wash up in the morning.  
She stopped at the door just before exiting and looked at Akane.  "Maybe you 
should."
  She turned and left just as Ranma entered, his shirt still damp from 
comforting Zhu Shu.  He saw the hot chocolate Akane was drinking and asked 
"Is there any more of that?"
  Akane nodded to a kettle on the stove.  "Help yourself."
  Ranma did so, and settled into the chair opposite of Akane, a subdued 
expression on his face.
  "What's wrong with Zhu Shu?"  She asked.
  Ranma stared into his cup for a long time before answering.  "She...  
She'll be okay."
  Akane glared.  "That's not what I asked."
  Ranma looked up.  "I'm not sure I should tell you.  I don't know if she 
wants you to know."
  "Oh.  I see how it is.  I'm not enough of a friend."  Akane crossed her 
arms and slumped sullenly.
  "That's not-"  Ranma started, then shook his head.  "Think what you want." 
he said disgustedly.  "You're only looking for an excuse to fight anyway."
  "I am not!  Just because you and her have your little secrets means 
nothing to me!"
  "Why do you have to be angry all the time?" Ranma asked.  "She's my friend 
and I just went to comfort her because I saw she wasn't feeling happy.  I 
don't want to fight!"
  "Oh.  So you care more about her feelings than you do mine!  Some fianc�e 
you are."
  "Yes, I care about her feelings!" Ranma growled, leaning over the table.  
"She had to kill three people today to save your sisters life!  And she's 
feeling bad about it!  I think that's a little more important than your fit 
of jealousy!"
  Akane stared in shock.  "What?"  she whispered.
  Ranma sat back down, his fury suddenly spent.  "She had to kill those 
muggers.  They were trying to shoot Kasumi."
  Akane was speechless.
  "That's why Kasumi kissed her on the train.  To thank her.  For saving her 
life.  I don't know if they did anything else, but in retrospect, I just 
can't seem to care, except to hope that if they did, they both enjoyed it.  
And I feel like a complete jerk for reacting the way I did at the Doctors 
office.  So Zhu Shu likes girls.  Big deal.  She's my friend, and I care 
about her.  Nothing else matters..."  He hung his head between his hands.  
"And all she wants is for us to be happy with one another.  After all the 
crying and the tears, her last words to me before going to bed were to ask 
me to listen to you the way I listened to her.  That's why I came in 
here..."
  Akane looked down into her cup.  "I- I'm sorry."
  Ranma shrugged.  "What does it matter?  What ever I do, it makes you 
angry."
  Akane looked up, stung, and glared.  "That's because you go out of your 
way to aggravate me!"
  Ranma looked at her for a second, then lowered his eyes and stood to 
leave.  As he passed through the door, he stopped and looked back at Akane.  
"Nabiki fainted because I asked her where you'd have fun on a date.  Now, I 
don't know why I bothered..."
  Akane sat and looked out the door after her for a long, long time...

  * * * * *

  Back in her room, Zhu Shu shut the door and leaned back against it.  She 
hoped she had not said too much, but for the first time since losing Cherry 
Blossom, she had lost control of her emotions.  Her feelings were a storm of 
chaos inside her that raged unchecked, but quixotically, she felt more alive 
than she had in years.  She didn't want to analyze the feelings, to sort 
them and categorize them and tuck them back in their niches, not now.  They 
were still too raw for that.  Tonight she simply wanted to forget...
  She drew a deep breath.  Kasumi's scent was still heavy in the air, a 
light floral fragrance that reminded her of spring.  She'd been in the room 
recently.  She looked around the room, her eyes finding a small silver frame 
placed artfully so a beam of light from the street outside illuminated it.  
She stripped out of her dress and panties, folding them by the door, and 
moved over to the bed to look at it.
  The photographer had gotten the best possible angle, showing the kiss 
Kasumi had given her on the train.  A light outside the train window had 
been passing as the shot was snapped, and a trick of the light made it look 
like a halo...
  She lay down on the bed and let the happiness of that memory drown out the 
sadness, her eyes locked on the photo until they just couldn't stay open...

  * * * * *

  On a rooftop several houses away, a black figure had observed Zhu Shu's 
preparations for bed.  As she drifted off to sleep, the figure made it's way 
around the dojo, occasionally crouching on all fours as it seemed to sniff 
the ground.  After several circuits, it seemed satisfied and slinked away 
into the shadows to report.

  * * * * *

  Friday dawned bright and clear over Nerima.  Kasumi hummed happily at her 
work as she prepared breakfast.  Nabiki sat and laid odds on who would go 
into the Koi pond first. As Ranma once more landed in the pond, Akane came 
down to breakfast.  Kasumi brought out several trays as Ranma wrung out her 
shirt, studiously ignoring Akane.  Akane looked at Ranma with a strangely 
subdued expression as she sat down at the table.  Nabiki watched both of 
them curiously.
  As Kasumi brought out the last of the breakfast dishes, Zhu Shu came down 
as well.  She was smiling her usual smile, and only a small hint of sadness 
behind her eyes betrayed the last traces of yesterday's stresses.  Akane 
watched her wide eyed as she came and sat down.  Zhu Shu's gaze flickered 
between Akane and Ranma, and a small sigh escaped her lips.
  Kasumi noted all of this and tried to ease the tensions by starting a 
conversation.  "Did you sleep well last night, Zhu Shu?"
  A real smile came into Zhu Shu's eyes as she turned to Kasumi.  "Yes, 
Kasumi-san.  Zhu Shu sleeps well.  Have pleasant dreams."  The sparkle in 
her eyes left little doubt what those dreams had been about.  Kasumi blushed 
slightly.
  Nabiki looked up.  "Zhu Shu, I was wondering when you would be starting 
school.  You and I can go together.  Do you need your transcripts sent from 
China?"
  Zhu Shu considered.  Grandfather would need a reason for why she would 
need to go to a Japanese school, and an explanation for why she was in 
Japan.  But it would make guiding Ranma and Akane to a happy relationship 
easier.  She weighed the advantages and disadvantages, then decided it was 
worth it.  "Yes.  Zhu Shu will need send to home village."
  Nabiki smiled.  "Wonderful.  Now I'll have someone to walk to school with 
again."  She smiled.  "If you will write the message, I'll take you to where 
you can send it."
  Zhu Shu nodded, noting Kasumi's happy smile.  Akane and Ranma both looked 
surprised, but happy about it as well.  Soun just beamed and cried at how 
happy he was that his new "Adopted Daughter"  would be starting school.
  So Friday began...

  * * * * *

  Zhu Shu spent several hours composing her letter to her Grandfather while 
Akane and Ranma were in school, then helped Kasumi clean house until they 
got a visit from a wealthy gentleman by the name of Tsukino who spent 
several hours looking over the dojo and talking to Soun before deciding that 
it was ok for his daughter and her friends to attend Martial Arts classes.  
Why his little Serena wanted to learn Martial Arts was beyond him, but he 
approved of the idea of her getting some discipline.  Soun wept for joy 
again when the man handed him the check for the girls entire first year...
  Following school, the five girls showed up for their lessons, and ran to 
hug Zhu Shu.
  "We've missed you!"  They chorused.
  Zhu Shu gave hugs all around, then led them inside to be introduced to 
Ranma and Akane, who she had talked into being sparring partners.  She 
frowned at the cat Serena was carrying, but Serena swore Luna would behave 
herself.  Zhu Shu nodded, but made a note to watch and make sure the cat 
wasn't distracting the girls.  She followed them into the dojo...
  But it wasn't the moon marked feline who caused problems.  Ranma took one 
look at the girls, screamed, and fell over twitching.  Luna jumped down and 
walked over to the prostrate boy and meowed worriedly.
  Genma came running into the dojo following Ranma's scream, but was quickly 
pelted out again when he started yelling about how his son was such a 
failure and began calling him names.  Zhu Shu and Akane finally took the 
unfortunate boy up to his room to lay down and recover from whatever it was. 
  Then they returned to give the girls their lessons.
  She felt the cat's eyes upon her the entire time, making token attempts to 
appear as if she was washing whenever Akane or Zhu Shu looked directly at 
her, but by the end of class, Zhu Shu had studied her aura enough to know 
she wasn't an ordinary cat.  She sent the girls out to shower and get 
dressed, but shut the door on the cat when she tried to follow them out.
  "Wha-uh- Meow?"  The startled cat said as the door closed in her face.  
She turned to look at Zhu Shu, then backed up hastily at the sight of a 
green burning sword an inch from her little nose.
  "Not fool Zhu Shu.  Not cat!  What?!" the annoyed Mandarin girl asked.
  "Meow?"  Luna tried.
  "No good.  Heard start to talk!  Watch Scouts too close!  You spy?"  Her 
eyes narrowed.  "Maybe Zhu Shu should kill!"
  "Me-uh- oh no!  Wait!"  The bemooned cat cried as Zhu Shu's sword sank 
into the floor a whiskers width from a paw.  The she jumped as the other 
blade descended.  "I AM NOT A SPY!"  She yelled desperately.
  The blade stopped a fraction of an inch from Luna's nose.  Zhu Shu looked 
down the glowing length.  "Why watch Sailor Moon so close?  Answer good!  
Zhu Shu have no patience with lie."
  Luna looked at her wide-eyed.  "Y-y-y-you know she's Sailor Moon?"
  "Zhu Shu ask questions."  She tapped Luna's nose with the point of her 
sword for emphasis.
  Luna clapped both paws over the sensitive organ.  "I'm her Guardian!"  She 
yelped.
  Zhu Shu tilted her head.  Her aura said she was telling the truth.  She 
nodded and put her swords away.  "Humph!  Should have said so.  Why no have 
girls trained?  Lucky no-one kill yet!"
  "No-ones supposed to know who they are!" Luna protested.  "So they'll be 
safe!  They shouldn't have told you!"
  "They not.  Zhu Shu have good vision.  See Aura.  No matter if in 
costume."
  "You can see their Auras?!"
  Zhu Shu sighed.  "Yes.  See Aura.  How know cat not lie."
  "Eeep!"
  "Still no answer.  Why no train!?!"
  "They're Sailor Scouts!  Re-incarnated warriors of the Moon Kingdom!  They 
know how to fight!"  Luna yelled.
  "That why Zhu Shu break bones and take pens away?"  She tilted her head 
and sighed.  A quick motion slid the door aside to let the five girls tumble 
out, Serena as usual landing on her chin as the other Scouts fell on top of 
her.  Zhu Shu glared at Luna.  "And now raise voice in dojo with paper 
wall!"
  Luna stared at the semi dressed girls, then raised her eyes to an Akane 
Tendo who was standing in only her bra and panties, the shirt she had been 
about to put on still held in frozen hands.
  Zhu Shu nodded.  She'd heard alright.  Zhu Shu was very glad the Dojo was 
so isolated from the main house, or a major disaster might have ensued.  She 
could trust Akane and her sisters, and probably Ranma, but Genma would have 
been a major problem.
  She looked down at the tangle of fifteen year olds and frowned.  "Serena!  
You leader of Scouts!  Should behave better!  Be example!  Not first listen 
at door!"
  Serena groaned.  "My chin's broken!"
  "Poor bunny.  Now up!  Zhu Shu see girls dressed, in dojo, five minute!  
Or else!"  She raised her look to Akane.  "Akane too!  Five minute!"  She 
turned to Luna, a knife and a wok appearing in her hands.
  "Wh-wh-what are you doing?"  Luna said as she backed up and up.
  "Zhu Shu tries remember recipe for Cat Tongue!"
  "Eeep!"  Luna cried and looked for a place to run, but there wasn't one...

  * * * * *

  Fortunately, Zhu Shu wasn't serious about the recipe.  By the time the 
girls came out four minutes later, Zhu Shu's show having been sufficient 
motivation for speed, she had laid out a light snack of rice and stir-fried 
vegetables.  She noted their apprehensive looks, but waited till they were 
all seated.
  "Serena.  Why keep Zhu Shu secret from Guardian?"
  "Um-"  Serena hemmed.
  "Luna!  You be upset Serena tell about Zhu Shu?" Zhu Shu's gaze caught the 
cat in a driving glare.
  "Uh- Of course not!"
  "Not tell all truth Cat!  Now know Zhu Shu.  What then?"
  "Well- maybe."
  Zhu Shu nodded.  "Better.  Zhu Shu meet Scouts on Hikawa Shrine.  Mistook 
Zhu Shu for demon.  Nearly kill but realize mistake.  Take care of Zhu Shu.  
Zhu Shu wake, see Sailor Mars as Raye.  Recognize.  Mars decide better off 
if friends.  Zhu Shu have dangerous knowledge.  Good idea, yes no?"
  Luna nodded.
  "Zhu Shu show why should train.  Take pen, break bones.  Make point.  
Scouts listen. Zhu Shu help in own way to fight evil."
  "That's wonderful!"  Luna exclaimed
  "Serena!  Should have told Guardian.  Small mistake.  Understandable in 
young girl."
  Serena blushed shamefacedly.
  "Now, must deal with consequences."  She turned to Akane.  "Know of Sailor 
Scouts?"
  Akane nodded furiously
  "Better than Zhu Shu when first meet then."  She turned to the others.  
"Scouts, make up and introduce selves.  Is only polite when meet new 
friend."  She turned her attention to her bowl of rice.  The girls all 
looked at each other, then at Luna, who was apparently totally fascinated 
with her bowl of shrimp in a cream sauce.
  Finally Raye nodded.  "She's right and we really only have ourselves to 
blame."  She stood.  "Raye Hino."  She brought out her pen.  "Mars Power, 
Make up!"

  * * * * *

  A half hour later, Zhu Shu waved good-bye to the cheerful Scouts.  A 
bemused and still slightly dazed Akane stood next to her.  Still, Akane 
thought, who wouldn't be.  Next to that near invasion of the world by the 
alien Oni, the Scouts have been the most popular news item in Japan for the 
last few years.  And now, I know them personally.  What's next?  Space 
visitors?
  A hum in the air made her look up as a tiger stripped saucer dropped down 
to hover over the Dojo.  She stared as a hatch opened in the bottom and 
Japan's Number One Famous Alien poked her horned head out.  "Konichiwa, Zhu 
Shu.  Have you seen Darling? He ran away again!"
  Zhu Shu waved.  "Konichiwa Lum.  Zhu Shu not seen Ataru.  Found Ranma!"
  "Wonderful!"  the Oni flew down to give Zhu Shu a hug.  "Is this where you 
disappeared to?"
  Zhu Shu nodded.  "Must come visit.  Zhu Shu miss first friend in Japan."
  "Ok.  But I have to find Darling!  He ran away to be with Shinobu again!"
  Zhu Shu nodded.  "Understand.  Come visit!"
  "I will.  Saucer!  Remember this address!"  She gave Zhu Shu another quick 
hug and flew up to her ship.  "Bai Bai!  See you soon!"  With a further hum, 
the saucer shot out of sight.
  Zhu Shu turned to apologize for her eccentric friend, but a wide-eyed 
Akane stopped her.  "Is there anyone famous in Japan you AREN'T friends 
with?"
  Mischievousness won.  She giggled and gave Akane a peck on the cheek.  
"Zhu Shu not meet Emperor yet!"  She vanished into the house.
  After all the shocks she had gotten, it was a relief for Akane to beat the 
tar out of Ranma for insulting her figure when Kasumi and Nabiki dressed her 
in one of Akane's outfits because all of his were in the wash.  In fact, 
upon reflection, it was the most normal thing she'd had happen all 
afternoon...

  * * * * *

  Monday morning was a change of pace as it was Zhu Shu's first day of 
school.  Her Grandfathers permission had arrived on Sunday along with 
paperwork detailing her "schooling".  She smiled at Sung Po's signature on 
the paperwork, he at least did not hold her choice not to marry his son 
against her.  Her Grandfather had also sent her a letter to tell her that 
Cologne had met with him and advised him of her current quest.  She had his 
blessing and approval.  He also informed her that Pink had showed up in 
town, looking for yet another rematch.  She had been irate to find Zhu Shu 
gone.  Rink had been, as always, apologetic for her sister.  Zhu Shu had 
sighed at that.  One day, she'd have to deal with Pink once and for all, 
only her friendship with Rink had prevented her from paying Pink back for 
all she and Cherry Blossom had endured from the bullying girl as they grew 
up.  The girl from the next village had a lot to answer for, and not just 
from her.  Shampoo had had stories of Pink to tell too...
  Still, she had what she needed for her current quest, so that morning 
found her walking to school with Nabiki.  They talked about Ranma and Akane 
and other topics until they arrived at Furinkan High.
  Kuno was waiting.
  "Ah Nabik-  Oh!  Can it be?  My beautiful Chinese Goddess!  Oh!  As the 
Apple tree doth shake off the snow and lift it's branches to the sun of 
spring, so does my heart throw off the cold snows of it's desolation at the 
joyous return of your beauty!  Yea, My heart doth rejoice at the happy fates 
which hath returned you to me, My Goddess!"  He lunged to envelop Zhu Shu.
  Zhu Shu had forgotten about Kuno.  She leaped straight up as his arms 
closed around air and did a back-flip to land on the post by the gate, both 
swords coming out.
  Nabiki watched from half lidded eyes.  "Interesting..."
  Kuno's boken had appeared in his hands as tears of gladness streamed from 
his eyes.  "My Goddess, I rejoice at your challenge for my favor!  Happily 
will I allow you to date with me if I, Tatewaki Kuno, should lose!"
  Zhu Shu sighed.  "Zhu Shu not date Kuno!"  He was completely oblivious to 
her protest as he closed in.  She leaped above his attack as his boken 
shattered a three-foot section of the wall. She landed behind him as he 
whirled.  Green fire flickered along her blade as she moved to parry him and 
slice through the wooden blade.
  Thunder rumbled as the swords connected and Zhu Shu's sword barely nicked 
the boken. Kuno retaliated with a super-fast blur of thrusts which Zhu Shu 
had to bounce away from, her momentary handstand revealing the pink panties 
under her short skirt, which drew a whistle of appreciation from the boys 
watching the fight.  She dodged another flurry of blows and leaped, her 
ribbons swirling in a cyclone around her.  Thirty feet above Kuno, her 
ribbons snapped into a tight spiral as she cried "Dragon Tail Whip."  A ball 
of green fire arrowed down to envelop Kuno in a rumbling explosion.
  The clearing smoke revealed Kuno, his clothes in tatters, standing in a 
small crater, the shattered remains of his boken in hand.  Wind whistled as 
he blinked twice, then, like a tree, he slowly fell over, unconscious.
  Zhu Shu landed at the edge of the crater and for several seconds, silence 
reigned  Then a buzz of conversation broke out all around...
  "Who is she?"  "Gods, she's cute!"  "Did you see what she did to Kuno!"  
"Humph!  Well anyone would look cute to you if they wore a skirt like that!"
  Nabiki stepped up to Zhu Shu as she put her swords away.  "Well, I see 
you've already met Kuno.  Well, come on.  We wouldn't want you to be late on 
your first day of school!"  She led the Chinese girl inside by the elbow...
  Ranma and Akane arrived a few minutes later, and stared at the 
devastation.
  "Humm, I see Zhu Shu is already here."  Akane said.
  A drop of sweat rolled down Ranma's temple.  "Remind me not to get her mad 
at me."

  * * * * *

  Things went well that morning for Zhu Shu, even though she was in the same 
homeroom as Nabiki and Kuno.  After the second eraser, Kuno had been sent 
into the hall with a bucket and Zhu Shu had had some peace.  Then lunchtime 
had arrived...
  She had been walking towards Nabiki when a student tripped because he was 
watching her instead of where he was going, and with unerring accuracy, the 
curse had brought his glass of ice water down on her thin sleeveless dress.
  The dress pulled tight as she gained a foot in height and a cup size.  For 
a single long moment, no one moved as the blonde dragon-girl stood 
motionless, then the hentai squad decided that ice water and Zhu Shu did 
mix, particularly with that short skirt...
  Nabiki arrived a second later with a kettle of warm water, and a muttered 
"I should have guessed," but the damage had been done.  For the rest of 
lunch, every time she changed back to normal, another "accident"  would 
happen.  She gave up on hot water, at least till every male was gone from 
the lunchroom.  She was very glad her dress wasn't white, damp as it was by 
the end of lunch.  Then to top it off, she'd gotten very rudely snubbed by 
the entire cheerleading squad and told that if she was going to be such an 
obvious tease, she could expect nothing but trouble.  Nabiki told her to 
ignore them, since they were just jealous that she was prettier than any of 
them, but Zhu Shu still had misgivings.  Then, to make a bad situation 
worse, she ended up having to hold a bucket of water in the hall for being 
late to class because she had had to wait till everyone had left the 
lunchroom before she could get hot water.
  Then at gym class, she had to admire the ingenuity of the "accident" that 
soaked her on the bench of the softball field, and she hoped the Hentai 
squad had enjoyed the wet tee shirt, because she had sent most of them to 
the nurse's office.  And then had to knock out Kuno, now madly in love with 
his "Sun Gold Dragon Maiden"...

  * * * * *

  By weeks end, it had actually become a game.  The Hentai squad had squirt 
guns, and Zhu Shu had an umbrella.  The girls and the Tendos had even 
chipped in to buy her a nice set of dresses with matching umbrellas.  She'd 
even been mischievous enough to get a white one with gold plum blossoms...
  In fact, by the weekend, things had settled down into a routine both at 
school and home.  Ranma and Akane had their fights, and sometimes Zhu Shu 
would step in, sometimes she let it take it's course, which usually ended 
with Ranma airborne.  Nabiki was making a tidy profit from Kuno from 
pictures, and usually only one of the three "Beloveds"  had to flatten Kuno 
per day.  Zhu Shu and Kasumi had the house so well taken care of that Kasumi 
actually had time to herself during the days, and Soun took to calling Zhu 
Shu his fourth daughter.  Things were going so well that Zhu Shu didn't even 
mind it when Nabiki found her two biggest weaknesses.
  Nabiki actually thought it was ironic that given her training, Zhu Shu had 
no head for money, at least until she really thought about it.  But in 
retrospect, since Zhu Shu had come from a small village where barter was 
more common than coin, it was understandable...
  It was the other weakness that Nabiki found hilarious.  Zhu Shu was 
addicted to magic girl anime.  Rayearth, Card Captor Sakura, anything and 
everything that was cute and magical... By the end of the week, she had a 
small mountain of stuffed kawaii animals filling her bedroom, all gifts from 
the various boys hopelessly vying for her favor.  Nabiki couldn't help but 
laugh at the image of Zhu Shu and her stuffies.  It was just such a contrast 
to the normally controlled Mandarin demeanor.
  Still, by weeks end, normality, of a sorts, was restored...
  Then Monday, things changed...

Chapter Four:  Twists, Turns, and Other Convolutions

  This was certainly harder than Urd had expected it to be.  She'd had to 
keep Shampoo occupied for nearly two weeks now because she still hadn't 
gotten all her players in the right places yet, and they had an annoying 
habit of randomly shifting locations, sometimes even planets, and in this 
case, even realities.
  How it had happened, she didn't know, but somehow two of the more 
important players in her little drama had managed to wander even further 
from the beaten track than even she had ever been before.  She'd had to ask 
Kami-Sama's help to even get here and try to set things back on course.
  Now, if she had everything right, one of her problems would be walking 
into the door of the restaurant she was in any moment...
  It was a rundown little place on a main highway running from this 
realities Tampa to Miami, and it had definitely seen better days.  It 
belonged to some chain she had never heard of called Denny's and it's main 
advantage was that, while near empty, it was the one place where someone who 
could help, even in so minor a way as giving directions, was.
  She peeked out from behind the flower pot she was hiding behind in the 
decorative ceiling nook.  There was only one couple in the place.
  The male was tall and massively built, like a normal person with an extra 
foot or two most directions.  His long blonde hair and beard reminded Urd of 
Thor without all the testosterone and muscles.  He laid a card down on the 
table in front of him, then tapped the card he had laid the second one on.  
"Colossus of Sardia with Eternal Warrior.  Nine points with trample."
  The girl he was sitting with would have made anyone give her a second 
glance.  She was much shorter than the male and voluptuously built.  Urd had 
to admit, if she put on the same muscle tone, she would surpass Zhu Shu's 
cursed form in cup size.  She looked down at her hand, a small frown on her 
face, then she looked down at the table and turned a card.  Pulling a card 
to show to the male, she said.  "Nope.  Hyrkul's Recall will send it back to 
your hand first!"
  Urd shook her head.  She'd given up on trying to understand the game a 
while ago.  It seemed to have a different rule for every card.  Give her 
poker any day.
  Her attention was caught as a vehicle drove up outside.  Her quarry had 
finally arrived.  A large Japanese man in a business suit stepped out of the 
Humvee and entered the restaurant.  He waited patiently until one of the 
waitresses stopped gossiping long enough to notice him.  As the girl 
approached he bowed.  "Where Nerima Ward?"  he asked politely in very bad 
English.
  The male at the table straightened like he'd been shot.
  The waitress scratched her head.  "Nerima?  Nevah heered of it.  That neah 
Tampa?"
  The tall man approached.  "Nerima Ward, Tokyo?"
  The Japanese man bowed.  "Hai!  GPS not work.  Say Flor-Ida!"
  The blonde man raised an eyebrow.  "You related to Ryouga Hibiki, or 
what?"
  A look of near panic crossed the mans face and he whirled into a Martial 
Arts pose, eyes scanning.  "Where?!"
  "No, no, no.  Are you a Hibiki?"
  Coming out of the crouch, the man bowed.  "Hai!  Tao-Ching Hibiki."
  "Oh god..."  In a daze, the man lead him back outside and pointed north on 
US41.  "Go that way.  You'll get to Nerima eventually."
  The Japanese man bowed again.  "Domo Arigato."  He climbed back into the 
Humvee as the blond male turned.
  Urd hadn't been paying attention, and was standing in full view in chibi 
form in a flower pot.  The blonde man stared in shock...
  "Urd?!?"
  "Oops."  Urd muttered as she disappeared.
  Too late, the blonde turned to run after the Humvee.  "Wait!  Take me with 
you!"  But the Humvee was already out of hearing range...
  He stopped at the edge of the road, hands falling to his side, a picture 
of despair.
  The girl came up to his side.  "Lance?  What was that about?  You okay?"
  Ok? he wondered. I've missed my chance to get out of this place and go be 
with Ranma and the Tendos and, yes, URD!!!  To live in a world created by 
anime!!!  His heart sank.  Even Jenny would have killed to go and meet the 
Sailor Scouts, but the Humvee and Urd were both gone, and his world had no 
Goddess Relief Office...
  "Yeah, Beloved.  I'll be fine... probably just my overactive imagination 
anyway..."
  "Well come on...  It's your turn."
  He turned to go back into the Denny's, more convinced than ever that his 
reality sucked...

  * * * * *

  A few miles north, the second "coincidental" meeting was taking place.
  The driver of the Humvee was cursing, having just smashed the GPS.  He 
could never figure out why the damn things kept going haywire on him.  He 
had set it just before leaving the auto accessory shop, and the dealer had 
warrantied it for a year, but the thing had still started jumping before he 
had even left town.  Right before he had gotten feed up with it, it had told 
him he was someplace called Death Valley then had jumped to saying Florida.  
He growled at the mangled glass and plastic.  American made...  Give him 
dependable Japanese technology any day.  It was frustrating how hard it was 
getting to even find a good Japanese dealer.  The Gaijin were creeping in 
everywhere.
  He had to be near the north end of Honshu, what ever the GPS had said.  He 
knew he hadn't crossed any oceans while driving.  No, somehow, he just had 
gotten lost again.
  A figure in his headlights flagged him down and he slowed as he 
approached, then recognition set in and he couldn't believe his eyes.  He 
thought about running him down, but decided he'd probably only damage his 
bumper.  He wondered if the AK47 in the back seat would work.  He sighed.  
It was too late to pretend he didn't see him, the figure in the headlights 
had already recognized him and was waving.  Grandfather would chew him a new 
one if he didn't extend the traditional Hibiki family courtesy, no matter 
how much he hated this particular relative.  Gritting his teeth, he pulled 
to a stop beside his cousin.  Maybe Ryouga wouldn't leave him stranded in 
Tau Ceti Ward this time...
  "Hello Cousin.  Hop in."  He unlocked the door to let Ryouga in. "Where to 
this time?"
  "I am hunting a boy named Ranma Saotome.  He ran out on our fight and I 
will not rest till I have found him and gotten my revenge!"
  Tao-Ching Hibiki resisted the urge to sigh.  More likely, Ryouga had 
gotten lost on the way to the fight.  He started driving down the road, 
glancing down to the shattered GPS again.  "I don't suppose you have any 
idea where he is?"
  "He's going to Furinkan High in Nerima."
  Tao-Ching looked back up at the road, ignoring the pink crystal buildings 
sliding by on either side.  He hung a left at the light.
  "Any particular reason for this particular feud?" he asked.
  "He has offended my Honor!  What other reason do I need?!"
  Good old Ryouga, going off half cocked again.  Tao-Ching thought as he 
rubbed his eyes.  When he looked out the window again, it was daylight.  He 
turned right at the corner.
  Finally, he was on a street he knew.  "Furinkan High?"  He drew up in 
front of a gate and stopped.  "Well, Ryouga, I think it's right over that 
way."  He pointed to the gate and watched as Ryouga got out.  "Nice seeing 
you cousin!" he lied as he peeled out, leaving skid marks as he put distance 
between them.  Of all his family, he hated Ryouga most.  The boy could get 
lost in a closet, and get anyone with him lost...
  Tao-Ching had REALLY not liked Tau Ceti...

  * * * * *

  Zhu Shu was sitting in a tree, hiding out from the Hentai Squad during 
break.  She watched as Ranma and Akane came out of the school.  "Ranma!  
Stop!"  Akane called after the fleeing boy.
  Ranma pulled one of his jumps.  "Come and get me!"
  A shadow moved to intercept him.
  At the last instant, Ranma sensed danger and looked up as out of the sun a 
figure with an umbrella descended.
  "Ranma!  Prepare to Die!"
  Ranma barely dodged the umbrella as it impacted where he would have 
landed, and he had to throw himself backwards to land on the edge of the 
impact crater next to Akane.  "You!"  he said as some vague recollection 
struck.
  The boy in the crater stood and spoke.  "You haven't changed, Ranma.  
You're still good at running away."
  Zhu Shu stared.  There was something familiar about the boy.  She knew 
she'd seen him somewhere before.
  "Someone you know?"  Akane asked, quarrel forgotten.
  Ranma tried to remember.  He thought and pondered, then excitedly said 
"Yeah!  Uh sure!  He's... he's..."  It slipped away again.
  Looking at him sidelong through half lidded eyes, Akane said sarcastically 
"Don't strain your brain remembering, Ranma."
  "Just tell me one thing, Ranma."  The boy started calmly, then screamed 
"Why did you run out on our fight?!!"
  Recollection came.  "Wait!  I remember!  You were in my class at my old 
school!  Ryouga Hibiki!  Long time no see!"
  "Answer my question!"  Ryouga growled.
  Confused, Ranma said "I waited three days at the appointed place!"
  "Three days?" Akane asked in disbelief.
  "Yes!  And when I came on the fourth day, you had already run away!"  
Ryouga yelled.
  Ranma stared.  "Uh...  Ryouga?  Can I ask you something?"  He paused.  
"Why did it take you four days to get there?"
  Angrily, Ryouga answered.  "Why you!  Do you think I was out for a casual 
stroll for four days?!!  I suffered to meet with you!!"  He trembled in 
rage.  "Breaking a vow between men and running to China with your father!"  
He punctuated with a swipe at Ranma with his umbrella.
  Ranma dodged easily.  "In other words-"  he said as he landed, "You want 
to finish our fight?"
  "Finish our fight?!"  Ryouga snapped open his umbrella.  "How feeble!"  He 
threw the umbrella as he screamed, "THIS IS REVENGE!"
  Like an oversized shuriken, the umbrella whizzed at Ranma, who dodged it 
by inches.  It curved in flight like a boomerang and caught several students 
as it whizzed back past Ranma to be caught by Ryouga.
  "No matter what it takes, Ranma, I shall destroy your happiness!"
  "My Happiness?"  Ranma asked as Ryouga turned to leave, his challenge 
issued.  Ranma turned to Akane.  "Am I happy?"
  She gave him a disgusted look.  "Don't ask me!"
  From her tree, Zhu Shu stared after the departing figure.  China...  he 
had something to do with China...

  * * * * *

  Less than three miles away, the Humvee pulled up to a palatial residence, 
a massive estate in the style of an ancient samurai family marked only a 
small name plate with the word Hibiki in elegant Kanji.  Of the five such 
estates in the Nerima ward, only the Kuno's was bigger.  Tao-Ching went in 
and eventually found his rooms, throwing down his bags.  He had been gone 
almost three weeks this time, having gone to the bank to check on a few 
investments.  He'd certainly never expected the short drive to end up as it 
had.  At least taking the Humvee had kept him in civilized areas, unlike the 
stroll a couple of months ago that had ended him in a valley filled with 
small springs...  It had taken him three days to figure out that hot water 
would change him back from a smilodon, and he'd had to get completely new 
IDs and Credit cards.  He'd decided then that taking a waterproof pack he 
could drag with his teeth was a good idea.
  He took a bath, cleaning the grime of travel off.  He could never figure 
out why it was so hard to find a proper bath in so many hotels around Tokyo, 
and it was depressing how many Wards didn't even speak Japanese anymore.  
The Gaijin were invading everywhere.
  At least the person he'd lost that deal to last week had been properly 
Japanese.  He pulled up the map of Nerima up on his notebook and a small red 
dot blinked on and off.  He got out of the hot tub and looked in despair at 
all of the cat hair on the floor of the wash area.  He was shedding again.
  Back out in the main room, he dressed in a smart black suit and repacked 
his bag with clean clothes.  Looking in the mirror, he checked himself.  
Looking good, he thought to himself.  He picked up the Glock 9mm and checked 
it before putting it in his shoulder holster and buttoning his coat over it. 
  He smiled, the Hibiki family fangs showing in his grin.  Not bad at all 
for twenty.  He  nodded.  He was ready to meet this mistress of finance 
who'd out maneuvered him in his latest deal, this... Nabiki Tendo...

  * * * * *

  It only took him an hour to find his way the seven blocks that separated 
the mansion from the Tendo dojo, and he'd only gotten lost briefly when he'd 
made a wrong turn into Minsk ward.  Pulling up to the curb, he surveyed the 
Dojo.  It was a nice enough place, though several steps down from an estate. 
  He figured the Tendos must be from a samurai line that had fallen on hard 
times, or they were a cadet branch.  He was a little surprised.  That deal 
had needed  some hard cash, and this place gave no indication of a family 
with such holdings.
  He approached the door with it's traditional wooden sign "Tendo Dojo, 
School of Anything Goes Martial Arts"  An odd school, but then, so was the 
Hibiki's.  He smiled at the smaller sign set off to one side, "To defeat 
owner in savage combat, use rear door."  He rang the door chime.
  A beautiful woman with long brown hair tied to one side answered. "Yes?"
  Tao-Ching bowed.  "Konichiwa.  My name is Tao-Ching Hibiki.  I have come 
to see Nabiki Tendo.  Do I have the honor of addressing her?"  He poured on 
the charm.
  "Oh, my!"  The girl put one hand to her lips.  "I'm afraid I'm not Nabiki. 
  I'm her sister Kasumi.  Do come in and I'll get her."
  Tao-Ching did so, wondering at Kasumi's use of a word denoting elder 
sister.  The woman looked to be his age, and he hoped that her sister wasn't 
much younger.  As good as Kasumi looked, she was likely a looker too and 
there were things other than business he might wish to discuss...  Also, it 
would have been embarrassing to have been outmaneuvered by a child.
  He waited nervously as Kasumi disappeared into the house, but breathed a 
sigh of relief a few minutes later as another beautiful girl entered, at 
most a year or two younger than the first.  She had short reddish brown hair 
in a bob cut which looked sexy and businesslike at the same time.  And a 
body to die for... Or kill for, he conceded; he'd never much cared for the 
notion of dying, a fact that had gotten him kicked out of the JSDF for 
insubordination.
  "My sister said you wanted to see me?"
  Oh yes, preferably unclothed, he thought as he bowed.  "Hai.  I wanted to 
meet the woman who had out maneuvered me so neatly on the Systemek deal."  
He stepped forward to take her hand and bowed to raise it to his lips... and 
look down her cleavage.  "I had no idea you'd be as beautiful as you are 
talented."
  Nabiki's heart hammered on her breastbone, trying to get out as she 
blushed furiously.  Most boys were too scared of her to try and flatter her, 
and this wasn't a high school boy...  This was one of the big boys she 
competed with in the stocks.  He had to have money, and big money to have 
learned who had outbid him in a sealed stock auction of a small but 
lucrative company.  The buying and selling of that company's stock had 
enabled her to put the Dojo back in the black with just the money from Zhu 
Shu's students...
  "I'm flattered.  It took me a week to set up that deal."
  "Talented indeed.  It took me two."  Two pairs of eyes measured one 
another.  Tao-Ching was very impressed.  "I have done little research on 
you.  I always like to know my opponents..."  He paused, "Or possible 
allies..."  He noted the slight flush the hint brought to her face.  "But I 
am curious.  You evince enormous talent, yet you play in such small ponds.  
Why aren't you living you up to your potential?"  He waved his hand around 
to indicate the Dojo.
  There was a rather intense look in Nabiki's eyes.  "I do what I can with 
limited resources.  I'm a little short of capital."
  Tao-Ching raised an eyebrow.  She'd risked a deal like Systemek on limited 
funds?  It was suicidal!  Then he remembered she'd come out with nearly 
double what she'd gone into the deal with.  His nose twitched...
  "Really..."  He leaned forward.  "I think that could be... remedied..."  
He considered.  "Would you be interested in a little bet?  It will take 
awhile to get set up, and will take several months to determine the out 
come... but if you win, you may never have to worry about that problem 
again..."
  Nabiki weighed him with her eyes, trying to burrow into his thoughts.  
"What do I have to put forward?"  she asked guardedly.
  He let his eyes roam over her.  "Just your talents..."
  Nabiki caught the double reference.  "Oh... really?" She gave him a 
challenging look.  "And on your end?"
  In answer, Tao-Ching brought out his cell phone, and pressed a button.  
"Sasuke?  Put Tatawaki on.  This is Tao-Ching."  Nabiki's eyes widened at 
Tao-Ching's grin.  "Tatawaki?  You still wanting a rematch?  Tell you what, 
here's your chance to double what you lost.  One hundred million yen.  
Terms?  Ok, here's the deal.  I've got a talented nobody who I think can 
take a million yen and turn it into three million in three months time.  
Taking advantage of me?  Okay, I'll sweeten the deal.  Five to one she'll 
take the three million and turn it into twelve in a year.  One million a 
month.  Done?  Good.  Have your lawyer call my lawyer and draw it up.  I'll 
work up the contract for the player and pass it over for inspection...  Game 
start?"  He looked at Nabiki, a smile on his face.  "One month from today.  
That'll give the lawyers time to fuss.  Humm?  Oh, Grandfather is fine and 
as well as I know, so's the rest of the family.  How's 'Dachi?  Really?  
Into roses now?  Well tell her I said hi.  Gotta go now, things to 
arrange..."  He snapped the phone closed and looked at the frozen expression 
of stunned disbelief on Nabiki's face.  "He's such a sucker about some 
things."
  Still stunned, Nabiki nodded.
  "Well beautiful, I must be off, but I do indeed look forward to our little 
business venture...  I take it that sixty-forty will make my little game 
worth your time?"  He nodded at Nabiki's double blink.  "Good.  I look 
forward to our future...  partnership..."  He left Nabiki no doubt he meant 
that in more than one way as he turned to go...
  Too weak from shock to even move, Nabiki could only hope the spreading 
damp spot on the pillow she was sitting on wasn't visible...

  * * * * *

  Zhu Shu was annoyed.  And wet.  She'd avoided the hentai squad all day 
only to get caught by a little old lady on the way home.  Now her white silk 
dress was tight against her, the water soaking it making it nearly 
transparent.  She trudged along the walkway, studiously ignoring the stares 
and appreciative whistles she drew, her ears quivering...
  Just outside the Dojo, she stopped to look at the Humvee parked in front.  
As she turned to enter, Tao-Ching stepped out.  His eyes took in her see 
through dress and he grinned.  "I see you still have a problem with water."  
He said.
  Zhu Shu looked up at him with her large green eyes.  "Have met?" She asked 
in her Chinese accented Japanese.
  "At least once."  Tao-Ching replied in Mandarin.
  "I'm very sorry, sir, but I do not recall the occasion of our meeting."  
Zhu Shu answered formally.
  Tao-Ching curled a hand into the semblance of a paw and went "Merrow" as 
he waved it like a cat batting something.
  Zhu Shu looked puzzled.
  Tao-Ching laughed.  "You must of hit the bottom of the pool with your head 
when you fell in.  I would have thought you'd have been afraid I would have 
eaten you, though given the view then and now, I'm tempted."
  Thoroughly confused now, Zhu Shu shook her head.
  Tao-Ching rolled his eyes.  "I guess the Gaijin are right, getting turned 
blonde does make you an idiot."  He leered.  "But it does make you cute 
too."
  He dodged Zhu Shu's umbrella.  "Now, now.  An umbrella isn't a sword, 
completely different moves are called for."
  Zhu Shu grounded the umbrella and glared.  "I don't like being made fun of 
sir.  You obviously know I've been cursed at Jusenkyo, but I don't recall 
having ever met you before."
  Tao-Ching smiled.  "Ok.  You're right.  I am making fun of you.  But 
there's only one person you met at Jusenkyo that I know about."
  Zhu Shu raised an eyebrow.  "Humph.  There was the Guide, the Saotomes, 
the boy who turned into a pig..."
  Tao-Ching held up his hands.  "Ok, ok.  There were a few I don't know 
about.  Anyway, did you ever get the dress you were wearing fixed?"
  Zhu Shu blinked.  "The dress?!?"  the image clicked, long teeth and that 
same leer...  "You're the big cat!"
  "Bright one aren't you?  Your grasp of the obvious is amazing."
  "You have no call to be insulting.  I am not amused in the slightest."
  "Maybe not, but I am."
  Zhu Shu sniffed and turned to enter the Dojo.
  "You didn't answer my question."  Tao-Ching observed.
  Zhu Shu stopped at the door.  "And what question was that?"
  "About your dress."
  Zhu Shu gave an annoyed sigh.  "If you must know.  It was destroyed when 
the pig boy ripped it off me."
  Tao-Ching leered wider.  "Ah.  A fellow admirer of fine female forms."
  Zhu Shu gave him an evil eye.  "I wouldn't know.  He fainted with a 
massive nose bleed when he looked at me."
  "Sounds like my cousin, Ryouga."
  Zhu Shu blinked in surprise.  "Ryouga Hibiki?"
  "You know him?  Poor thing.  You have my sympathy."
  "He fought with my friend Ranma Saotome today at school."
  "I know.  I dropped him off there to get rid of him."
  The nagging familiarity finally clicked in Zhu Shu's head.  "That's were I 
remember him from.  He's the boy who destroyed my dress, the one who fell in 
the pool of drowned piglet!"
  "A piglet?!?"  Tao-Ching convulsed in laughter.  "Oh how I wish I could 
have been there to see that!"
  "You left five minutes too early." Zhu Shu observed sourly.
  Tao-Ching straightened.  "Anyway, I must apologize for my cousins rude 
behavior at fainting while beholding such divine flesh.  I am pleased to say 
that I don't share that problem."  He ogled the still semi see-through 
dress.
  Zhu Shu gave him another dirty look, to which he replied with a leer.  
"Hentai!"
  "Domo Arigato."  He chuckled.  Zhu Shu slammed the door behind her as she 
stalked to the kitchen.  Ranma was sitting in the dining room, having 
recalled why Ryouga had wanted to fight him.  He finished telling the Tendo 
girls as Zhu Shu walked in.
  "It sounds like a case of a lot of straws on one camels back!"  Kasumi 
said.
  Akane looked up from the paper she was reading.  "Uh, Ranma?  The date of 
your showdown was yesterday!"
  "No problem.  That guy's got the worlds worst sense of direction.  Right 
now he's probably asking 'Which way to Tokyo?'."
  Zhu Shu sat down as Kasumi poured her some tea.  "Humph!  Zhu Shu meet 
Ryouga cousin!"  she muttered.
  "Oh, yes!  Isn't he gorgeous?"  Nabiki grinned.
  "Zhu Shu not think so.  Like better as cat.  Less insults."
  "Cat?"  Ranma said looking around.  "Who?  Where?"
  "Ryouga cousin!  Turn to cat.  Long teeth."
  "Long teeth?" Nabiki asked curiously.
  "Like so."  Zhu Shu indicated teeth around nine inches.  "Zhu Shu see 
skull in rock once with
  teeth like."
  "A Smilodon?"  Nabiki was awed.  "Interesting..."
  "He fell into a Jusenkyo spring and turns into a cat?"  Ranma shuddered.
  "Not fall.  Pushed.  By you or Panda man."
  "What?"  Ranma and Nabiki cried at the same time.
  Zhu Shu nodded.  "Same day as Zhu Shu.  Saw by pool.  All wet.  Much nicer 
as cat.  Quiet."
  "A Smilodon..."  Nabiki drifted in thought.  "The possibilities..."
  Zhu Shu fixed Ranma with a look.  "Still, might give apology to Ryouga 
cousin."
  Ranma had finally taken a good look at Zhu Shu.  "And you might want to 
change out of that dress.  It's distracting."  Akane whacked him in the back 
of the head.  "Hey, what I say?"
  "I think she looks lovely." Kasumi said, beaming absently, seeming 
oblivious to the stares from her sisters.
  Zhu Shu blushed.  "Zhu Shu go change now..."

  * * * * *

  Several days later, Nabiki and Zhu Shu were about to leave for school when 
they found a smilodon on the doorstep.
  "Tao-Ching?  What do you want?"  Zhu Shu asked in Mandarin.  "You need hot 
water?  Or did you come to insult me some more?"
  The big cat shook it's head and stood, looking at his back.  He reached 
out a paw and scratched out the Kanji for "ride".
  Zhu Shu looked to Nabiki, who was oohing.  "A ride to school?"
  The big cat nodded, and laid down so they could mount.  As he stood, he 
looked  over his shoulder at Nabiki and then down at the ground.  He 
scratched out more kanji.  "Guide me.  I was supposed to be here yesterday."
  Nabiki laughed.  "I see Ryouga's not the only one with a bad sense of 
direction."
  Tao-Ching shrugged, then wrote "Family trait."  He started padding 
forward, then stopped when Nabiki tapped him on the shoulder and pointed the 
other way.  He moved off towards Furinkan, letting the girls get used to his 
gate before he started purring...
  Nabiki gasped, then hummed happily, enjoying the ride.  Zhu Shu sat 
quietly for a few moments, then murmured, "Yes, Zhu Shu like better as cat."
  Judging from the damp fur on his back, Tao-Ching felt sure Nabiki 
agreed...

  * * * * *

  They made an impression in the schoolyard when they arrived.  The hentai 
squad took one look at Zhu Shu on the big cat's back and ran away, leaving a 
scattering of squirt guns on the ground.  Kuno for once showed some brains 
in the face of the fact that Tao-Ching was twice the size of a tiger and 
only made some quip about how his "Chinese Goddess had tamed the very wild 
beasts"  while holding his boken reversed at his side.
  At the entrance, the girls dismounted.  Zhu Shu had much better control 
than Nabiki, who had to take several minutes to get her knees steady beneath 
her.  She looked the smug cat in the eye.
  "Don't think a ride to school is anywhere near enough to buy my 
affections!"
  The cat looked slightly offended, as if to say that wasn't even a thought 
that had crossed his mind.
  "Right.  Like I believe that.  Look, I don't care how rich you are, you 
could at least ask me on a date!"
  The cat blinked innocently.
  "Ok.  I'll admit you've got my attention, and I'm more than interested, 
but a girls gotta have standards.  A few flowers!  A nice dinner!  A movie!" 
  She reached out to scratch between the cat's ears.  "You've got permission 
to date me, ok!  Just give it a try!"
  The big cat grinned and nodded.
  "Now get outta here, ya walking vibrator.  I have work to do!"
  The smilodon yawned, and padded over to the side of the entrance and 
started to wash his paws, making sure to show everyone who had watched the 
strange exchange what large, sharp, claws he had.
  Nabiki smiled and turned to enter the school.  Zhu Shu looked at her 
sidelong.  "Still say is Hentai."
  Nabiki nodded.  "Yes.  But he's my kind of Hentai."  She chuckled.  
"However, if he pulls this again tomorrow, remind me to bring an extra set 
of panties."
  The Mandarin girl nodded.  "Yes, Zhu Shu think is very good idea."

  * * * * *

  That afternoon, Ryouga showed up for the duel.
  Zhu Shu was up a tree, taking a break from Hentai squad baiting when the 
news started to spread.  She hopped to another tree with a view of the field 
of battle, but as the fight began, a scene going on at Nabiki's usual tree 
distracted her.
  A skinny black man had come from somewhere and was talking to Nabiki.  He 
was nervously eyeing Tao-Ching where he was lounging in the shade of 
Nabiki's tree.  He seemed agitated.  Curious, Zhu Shu moved closer, to a 
tree above the water fountain where she could just hear.
  "Ya, Mon!  I been trying to find a way of fixin' this curse, Mon!  I been 
in Japan a week now!  Nobody knows nothin'!  You being my last hope, Mon.  
Been tol' you know 'bout e'vryting!"
  Zhu Shu's English was even worse than her Japanese, but it was enough to 
get the gist of what the man was saying.  Nabiki apparently understood him 
better.
  "What curse?"  She asked in English.
  "My vodoun put it on me, Mon.  I get wet, I change Mon!"  The man crouched 
down on his haunches.  "It was somting Japanese!  I saw writin' on de 
bottle!"
  "Information not free."  Nabiki said carefully.
  "Shit, Mon.  I got nutin'.  Spent my roll gettin' here.  You do a trade?"
  "What offer?"
  "I'm a voodoo priest, Mon!  Know all de charms, de rituals.  'Bout all but 
zombie drug.  You need a blessin'?"
  Nabiki glance sidelong at the cat.  "No."
  "So put it on tap!  I got nowhere ta go, Mon!  Mebbe we can work sumting 
out.  I need dat information!"
  Nabiki nodded.  "Yes.  Deal can make.  Jusenkyo curse I have information 
on, but favor for favor, No?"
  "Yeah, Mon.  Got no problem with dat.  Lemme find a pad to crash.  I'll 
check back."
  "No need.  Can work?"
  "Yeah.  I be a carpenter too."
  Nabiki nodded pleased.  "Have room.  Need fix.  You work for room?"
  Zhu Shu was distracted from the last few moments of the conversation 
because just then, Ranma and Ryouga crashed into the fountain below her.  A 
wave of water knocked her out of the tree.
  She landed on her side, her head slamming into the fence.  Dizziness 
washed over her, and her vision blurred.  She tried to orient herself, but 
by the time she could focus well enough to move, she saw Ranma jump over her 
holding Akane.  She  tried to stand.  Double vision struck, and she stumbled 
in the direction they had gone.
  A few minutes later, after a couple of wrong turns, she arrived at the 
bike shed just as Ryouga cut the supports.  She tried to focus better as 
Ryouga attacked.  Ranma blocked the belt with the umbrella, but had it cut 
in half as Akane screamed "Let me go!"
  "What?"  Ranma yelled back. "You don't think I'm holding you because I 
want to!"
  Zhu Shu shook her head in disbelief, then groaned at the pain that washed 
through her head.  He always knew exactly the wrong thing to say.
  When she could see again, Ranma was looking after Akane with a massive red 
mark on his cheek.
  "Ignore me will you!?"  Ryouga yelled as he attacked.  Ranma kicked the 
belt out of his hand.
  "Give it a rest!"  she yelled as she went after Akane, realizing she'd 
said exactly the wrong thing.
  Zhu Shu's eyes tracked the belt.  Instinctively she calculated where it 
would land.  Without thinking, she started a desperate run.
  "Akane!  A... Akane...  I"  Ranma tried to explain, but his words just 
wouldn't come.
  Akane stopped and sighed.  "You don't have to explain.  Because starting 
now-"
  Zhu Shu's feet connected with Ranma's back, shoving him forward as Akane 
started to yell, "You and I are- Ulp!"
  The belt came down where Akane had stood just a second earlier, missing 
Ranma's skull by a fraction of an inch.  His pigtail was severed as the belt 
shredded the back of his shirt before plunging into the ground.  Ranma 
tottered for a second with Akane, then in an explosion of red hair, they 
fell over...
  Zhu Shu lay on the ground, seeing they were both safe before the pain in 
her skull made her pass out.
  Akane pushed Ranma off of her.  "You pervert!  It's not enough to insult 
me, now you have to molest me too?!!"  Akane sat up.  "Why I oughta-  Huh?  
What happened to your hair???"
  She stared in shock at Ranma.  The girl sat looking at Akane with a hurt 
look, surrounded by a swirling mass of red hair.  Ranma looked away, the 
motion causing the shredded shirt to fall to his waist.
  Akane looked down at her feet to the belt still standing like a sword in 
the ground, the tatters of Ranma's shirt and the severed pigtail.  A shadow 
fell across her and she looked up.
  Ranma bent down to pick up his pigtail and unwrapped the tie around the 
end.  He gathered his hair which even as he had bent, Akane had watched grow 
another six inches, and tied his hair in a massive ponytail.  His hair 
stopped growing just short of his ankles.  He looked at Akane.  "Another 
little 'gift' of my trip to China."  was all he said as he turned to Zhu 
Shu.  "She pushed me into you to get you out of the path of that thing."
  Ryouga was standing in shock as Ranma knelt next to the gold haired girl.  
Ranma noted the bruise on Zhu Shu's temple as he picked her up and turned to 
Akane, his long hair covering the tatters of her shirt.  "I-I think she has 
a concussion.  I-I..." words wouldn't come.  He turned and walked off, 
carrying Zhu Shu away.  The crowd of students parted to let him pass...
  Akane stared after him, her mind a mass of conflicting emotions as around 
her a buzz of conversation started.  "Who's that girl?  Where's Ranma?"
  A hand reached down to help her up.  "That cretin Saotome!  To run off 
from our fight like that!"
  Akane's eyes caught a scrap of silk hanging from the fence next to the 
burst water fountain, the belt still standing like a blade in the ground at 
her feet, Ranma walking off with Zhu Shu...
  Nobody knew where she got the mallet she used to hit Ryouga with, but they 
all agreed it was very, very large...

  * * * * *

  From where she sat on the bleachers, Mara watched the whole show and 
cursed.  That hadn't gone at all like she had planned.  Zhu Shu was tougher 
than she'd given her credit for.  She'd played a lot of probabilities and 
wasted a lot of magic to make this fight happen today and ensure that Akane 
had an "accident" that ended with her dead or hospitalized, so a guilt 
ridden Ranma would be easy prey for her next trap.  But that meddling 
Chinese girl had interfered again!  She was supposed to be out cold!
  A sudden odor of ammonia made her look up.
  Urd was standing on a nearby pole, holding a bottle of smelling salts.
  "Why, Mara, dear.  Imagine us meeting here, of all places."
  Mara's eyes narrowed.  "Urd..."  Her voice dripped venom.
  "I didn't know why you wanted Zhu Shu unconscious, but I figured it was 
for no good.  Glad I woke her.  Which brings me to my next question.  Why 
are you here?"
  Mara's eyes sparkled with such malice that Urd felt a cold chill go down 
her back.  Mara had never looked at her that way before
  "What else would I be here for Urd, dear.."  the last word dripped ice.  
"Revenge."  She smiled a smile that would have frosted molten steel.  "And 
my job, of course.  But getting to mix the two just makes it sweeter, no?"
  Urd felt her stomach sink.  "R-revenge?  W-what for?"
  Mara leaped into the air to hover just before Urd.  "You don't recall?"  
Liquid nitrogen dripped from her whisper.  "How you tried to feed me to 
Fenrir, 'Mistress'?  Believe me, O 'Lord of Terror', I most certainly do.  
The humiliation, the degradation, the casual order to feed all my energy to 
Fenrir, your order to die!"  The split v on her forehead glowed red.  "You 
may not remember, Urd dear, but I will most certainly make you pay."
  Urd was white, to stunned to even move.  Mara was scaring her 
speechless...
  From the bleachers below, another voice called.  "Mara!  You can't blame 
Urd for that!  She wasn't herself!  It was the Master of Terror in her 
body!"
  Mara laughed, a laugh barely touching sanity.  "Well, well.  If it isn't 
the sweet voice of reason.  Hello Belldandy."  Her eyes never left Urd's.  
"Stay out of this one dear.  It's between Urd and I.  I'd rather not hurt 
you more than I have to." There was a hard edge to Mara's voice that led 
Belldandy to believe she was serious.
  "But you were friends!"  She pleaded.
  Mara spat. "Friends!"  She drifted forward and grabbed the still frozen 
Urd by the hair and yanked her head back.  Tears welled up in the corners of 
Urd's eyes.  "Friends don't try to kill friends."  She trailed her 
fingernail across Urds throat, then whispered in her ear.  "But don't worry, 
Urd my love.  I shan't kill you.  Oh no.  I have much better plans than 
that.  I'm going to break you."  Her nail trailed down to rest over Urd's 
heart.  "I'm going to break you... And make you mine!  What you tried to do 
to me, instead, I shall do to you.  Her mouth dropped down to Urd'd throat, 
and sharp teeth just pierced skin.  Urd finally unfroze enough to scream.  
Mara laughed, a trickle of Urd's blood running down the side of her chin as 
she vanished.
  A sobbing Urd collapsed in Belldandys arms.  "It's alright.  I'm sure 
she'll get over it.  She's just angry."  Belldandy said soothingly.
  Terror filled eye's meet her worried ones.  "No.  Bell, you didn't her 
what she said.  You didn't see her eyes...  S-she meant it!"  Urd sobbed.  
"She meant it..."
  Below them, oblivious to the affairs of gods and demons, the students of 
Furikan headed home...

  * * * * *

  "Ranma!  Wait!  Please!"
  Ranma stopped, hair swirling around him as he waited till Akane caught up, 
then started walking again.  Akane walked beside him, looking at the still 
form of Zhu Shu in his arms.  "Is she ok?"  she asked finally.
  "She's breathing regularly.  I think that's a good sign."  Ranma said 
quietly.
  They arrived at Doctor Tofu's and Akane held the door while Ranma carried 
Zhu Shu inside.
  "Why hello Akan-  Oh my!"  the Doctor started as they entered.  "Put Zhu 
Shu here and let me look at her!"
  Ranma put Zhu Shu on the bed with a small grimace of pain.  Then as Doctor 
Tofu shooed them out, he hissed.
  Akane looked at the red head, who gingerly pulling his tattered shirt back 
up.  "Ranma?  Are you alright?'
  "It's nothing."
  Akane started to say something sharp, then stopped when she saw the blood. 
  Ranma's hair around his shoulders was bright with it.  Alarmed, she 
grabbed the emergency medical kit Tofu kept in the waiting room and sat down 
next to Ranma, wincing at her own twisted ankle.  "Don't tell me nothing!  
You've got blood all through your hair!"
  Ranma started to turn angrily.  "I said I'm-"  He met Akane's eyes and 
stopped, reaching out to touch the tears.  Then wordlessly he turned to let 
Akane look at his back.
  Akane gasped as she gently moved the hair off Ranma's shoulders.  The belt 
had cut a series of shallow parallel arcs down his back as it had whizzed 
down.  Blood caked his back and had matted in his hair.
  "Oh Ranma!  Your poor back."
  Ranma shrugged.  "It's nothing.  I've had worse."
  Emotions rolled and boiled in Akane as she began to gently clean away the 
blood.  Anger that Ranma thought he had to be brave and ignore the pain.  
Anger at herself for not noticing the pain Ranma had to have been in while 
carrying Zhu Shu.  Anger that Ranma was dumb enough to think that false 
bravado impressed her.  Admiration that he'd been so concerned with Zhu Shu 
first.  Shame at the way she had called Ranma a pervert.  Shame at the hurt 
her words had caused.  Guilt for causing that pain...
  She'd twisted her ankle, and Ranma had saved her.  Then he'd walked away 
from a fight because of her.
  He'd walked away...
  The Ranma who had never refused a challenge, who's pride was that he never 
refused a challenge...
  He'd walked away...  because of her...
  And in her anger, Akane had yelled at him, called him a pervert after the 
belt had ravaged his back, accused him of...
  The silence in the room was deafening.

  * * * * *

  After Akane had cleaned away the blood, she silently got the hot water 
kettle and a towel.  Ranma hissed as she dampened the towel and began to 
gently wipe upwards to clean away the last of the clots without opening the 
cuts back up.  Ranma used a little of the water to splash himself male.  
Akane laid the towel down on the small emergency table and laid her hands on 
Ranma's shoulders.  She kissed him lightly at the base of his neck and 
whispered "I'm sorry..."
  Maybe he was too worried to mess up, but for once, he did the right thing. 
  Reaching up to touch her hand, he whispered back "Thank you..."

  * * * * *

  Akane sat quietly as Tofu came out to say that Zhu Shu was okay, and she 
waited as Ranma was taken back to have his back treated.  Thoughts roiled in 
her head, of who she was, and who she wanted to be, of her dreams and 
aspirations, and her family's desires.  Of Ranma and Zhu Shu.  Of a belt 
that could have taken her life...
  When Doctor Tofu came to get her and take her back to look at her ankle, 
she was more confused than ever.
  "Doctor Tofu?"
  "Yes Akane?"  He answered as he was examining her ankle.
  "I- I-... Did Ranma tell you how he'd got hurt?"
  "Humm? Oh, he just said he'd been a worse idiot than usual... Claimed it 
was less than he deserved.  Did you two fight again?"  Akane shook her head. 
  He smiled and looked at her ankle again.  "That's good.  I think he really 
cares for you..."
  A small droplet of water landing on her ankle distracted him.  He looked 
up to see tears pouring out of her eyes over a small smile.  Concerned, he 
stood. "Did that hurt?  I'm sorry."
  Akane rubbed the tears away from one eye.  "Oh jeez.  It's not that."  She 
sat for another second as more tears flowed.  "This is so embarrassing, but 
it just won't stop."
  Doctor Tofu might not have been a psychologist, but he could tell there 
was more to it than her ankle.  He sat down beside her and clasped her 
shoulder. "Tell me what's wrong..."
  Akane looked at him as the tears flowed freely, then buried her head 
against his chest as she sobbed. "Oh Doctor..."
  He held her, knowing that sometimes it's the only thing you can do when 
someone is mourning the loss of childhood dreams...

  * * * * *

  Doctor Tofu released Zhu Shu an hour later, warning her to take it easy 
for the rest of the day.  No jumping and no violent exercise.  He allowed 
Ranma and Akane to walk her home.  Genma had already called the Dojo to ask 
Soun to monitor the afternoon training session Zhu Shu usually led for the 
Juuban girls.  Even Zhu Shu had to admit that at their present level, Soun 
could teach them an enormous amount.  It may not be Sword Dance, but the 
basics were the basics.
  The walk home started silently.  Akane walked more sedately than Zhu Shu 
had ever seen her, and her face bore marks of crying.  Ranma was watching 
her curiously, his hair billowing down to his ankles in a loose cloud.  The 
two had an electricity between them Zhu Shu had never seen, and she didn't 
have a clue as to what had caused it.
  Finally, Akane sighed.  "Nothing like a good cry."  She looked back as 
Ranma stopped.  "What's wrong?"
  Ranma stepped over to look out over the canal as Zhu Shu faded off to one 
side.
  "Uh... look...  Akane...  About the fight..."
  "What about it?"
  "I- I'm sorry I nearly killed you when I kicked that belt."
  "Don't be silly, Ranma... It wasn't your fault."
  "Yes it was...  And I'm sorry I insulted you."
  Akane gave him a weird look.  "Are you feeling ok?  I thought Zhu Shu was 
the one who hit her head?"
  "Hey!  Listen- I was just-"
  "Try tell Akane were scared for safety, yes no?"  Came Zhu Shu's voice 
from a tree across the street.
  Ranma nodded, looking glum.
  "Ranma have hard time say what feel.  Maybe get angry Akane put self in 
danger, worried she be hurt?"
  Ranma hung his head over the fence and nodded.
  "Maybe even apologize for belt because think how much grieve if Akane 
hurt?"
  Ranma was too miserable to even nod.  Zhu Shu had always been able to see 
him too well.
  A soft hand stroking his hair startled him.  He looked up to see something 
special in Akane's eyes.  "Doctor Tofu told me what you said.  He said you 
must really care for me..."
  Ranma didn't know what to say, and wisely, didn't say anything at all.
  "You have beautiful hair, you know.  Why do you keep it so short?"
  "Uh... I like short hair."
  Akane looked at him and smiled.  "Really?  I think you'd look good with a 
longer braid.  Maybe to about here."  She slid her arm around his waist and 
stepped against him.
  Ranma stood in shock, but a ribbon snapped down to snag his wrist and pick 
up his arm to place around Akane's shoulder.  Akane giggled.  "I think she 
despairs of you ever getting this right."
  They stood there for a time without end while Zhu Shu watched happily from 
her tree.  A bump on the head was a small price to pay for results like 
these...

  * * * * *

  At the Tendo Dojo, Nabiki was introducing the Voodoo priest to Soun and 
Genma, telling them she'd hired him for room and board to make needed 
repairs around the Dojo.  Soun had nodded at the need and Nabiki left the 
three to talk before dinner.  It wasn't long before the sake had lubricated 
tongues.
  "Ya, Mon!  You want a body raised, I can't help you, Most all me charms be 
ta keep a body in da ground!  Big money in Haiti, Mon, ta bless de graves 
and cast a ritual seal.  Dere more to voodoo than just de zombie, Mon!"  The 
priest laughed to their drunken questions about zombies.
  Soun and Genma sobered instantly.  "Seal Grave?"  They asked in tandem.
  "Ya, Mon!"  The still drunk priest missed the sudden seriousness.  "I got 
seals not even de Loa can break.  Nottin be gettin out of a grave I seal but 
de worms!"
  Genma and Soun were still staring at each other.  In unison they nodded.  
"We leave in the morning."
  Behind the TV, Urd sighed in relief.  After her meeting with Mara, she'd 
been terrified something disastrous was about to happen, but this part of 
her plan had worked perfectly.  Now for the second part of it...
  With a small pop, she disappeared...

  * * * * *

  Cologne stood on the end of the dock, examining the massive city of  
Tokyo.  Somewhere in there was her great granddaughter, and her adopted 
sister, Song Zhu Shu.  She looked down at the address she had gotten from 
Zhu Shu's grandfather, and proceeded down the dock.  A woman with hair as 
white as her own and a golden tan waited at the end.  "Greetings Revered 
One."  The Warmaster said as she bowed.  "I have come as requested.  It is 
not everyday the Amazon council receives a call from a Kami."
  Urd bowed back.  "I am honored that you have come, Respected Elder.  I was 
not sure you would not dismiss me as a madwoman."
  "Your message was such we dared not take the chance.  The future of our 
tribe is a foremost concern of the council, as is vengeance for old 
grievances.  I will also admit to some small concern for my great 
granddaughters happiness on my part as well."  Cologne smiled.  "The message 
left by the lightning bolt didn't hurt your cause either."
  Urd blinked.  "Lightning bolt?"  A drop of sweat rolled down her forehead 
as she looked apprehensively at the sky.
  Cologne nodded.  "It said 'My daughter speaks the truth'."  She thought it 
politic not to add the "for once."
  Urd gulped.  Kami-Sama was certainly keeping a close eye on her 
assignment.  At least he seemed to approved so far.
  Cologne cleared her throat to get her attention.  "If I may ask, Revered 
One, how my great granddaughter came to the personal attention of a 
goddess?"
  That seemed a safe enough topic to start on.  "She's my assignment. I'm in 
the process of trying to grant her wish."
  Cologne nodded.  "I see.  May I be permitted to know what that wish was?"
  "That her relationship with Ranma be resolved happily for everyone 
concerned."  Urd nodded at the raised eyebrow Cologne gave her.  "She has no 
idea how convoluted that wish actually is."
  "It is rather vague and open to interpretation.  I do hope you are aware 
that Amazon law will allow only one acceptable resolution between Shampoo 
and Ranma."
  Urd sighed.  "I am, Respected Elder.  That is part of the reason I have 
asked for your presence.  I need a witness to an event which may allow a 
resolution from which the Amazons, the Saotomes, and the Tendos may gain 
much, while allowing Shampoo to gain the happiness she desires as part of 
her wish."
  "I am wary of easy solutions.  They rarely hold for long."
  "This is no easy solution, Respected Elder.  It will open the way for 
Shampoo to become Ranma's betrothed, but it will still need much work for 
her to achieve the happiness she desires."
  "I see.  I am familiar with the name Saotome, as it is the name of my 
son-in-law to be, but I am unfamiliar with the family of Tendo."
  "It is the name of Ranma Saotomes current Fiancee."
  "Indeed.  Well that shouldn't be a problem.  Shampoo can just kill her and 
all will be properly taken care of."
  Urd shook her head.  "I'm afraid the conditions of the wish forbid that, 
Respected Elder."  Urd was really beginning to sweat this. Belldandy had 
tried to coach her on how to deal with the Amazon Warmaster, but she hadn't 
really expected to meet someone this formidable.  She was running out of her 
carefully rehearsed answers.  "The death of Akane Tendo would cause 
complications which would prevent Shampoo's wish from being granted."
  Cologne nodded, seemingly lost in thought.  "And how long have you been 
practicing answers?"
  "Two day-" Urd started automatically before the question properly 
registered.  "Uh..."
  Cologne laughed.  "Your pardon, Reverend One, but one does not reach my 
age without learning to recognize when one is getting rehearsed answers.  
Okay, so Ranma must have feelings for this Akane Tendo if her death would 
ruin Shampoo's  chance for happiness.  I would assume as well you have not 
told Shampoo about this little obstacle, or she would have likely tried to 
solve it that way already.  I take it you have invited me her to witness 
something that could lead to an alliance between these Tendos and the 
Amazons?  A solution which will allow Ranma to marry both Shampoo and 
Akane?"
  Urd blinked.  "Um..."
  Cologne smiled.  "Ah, the shock the young feel when their elders see right 
through them.  How old are you dear?  No, never mind.  I don't suppose age 
really means anything among the Kami.  Well, my dear goddess, shall we go 
and see what you've set up?  Maybe this old ghoul can show you a few of the 
finer points of manipulating one's descendants into doing exactly what is 
best for them..."
  Feeling like a small child, Urd followed Cologne into the night...

  * * * * *

  After dinner, Kasumi was putting away the last of the dinner dishes when 
Akane walked in with a pair of scissors and a towel.  "Kasumi?  Can you help 
me?"
  "Humm?"  Kasumi took in the scissors, unused since Akane had decided she 
wanted long hair like hers, and the fact that Akane's hair wasn't in her 
usual ribbon.
  "Akane?  Are you sure?  You've spent ever so long growing it."
  "I- I feel like a change."  Akane's eyes said a lot more.  Kasumi nodded 
as she put up the last dish and sat Akane down to brush out her hair.  As 
her scissors began their snipping, her ears caught the barely murmured 
whisper "Besides, he likes short hair..."
  Smiling hugely, Kasumi hummed a happy song as she set to with a will...

  * * * * *

  In the bathroom, Zhu Shu combed out the last tangles in Ranma's now waist 
length hair and began to braid it.  Another long braid of red hair lay on 
the floor next to the nude girls.
  "I really wish I could understand her, Zhu Shu."
  Zhu Shu raised an eyebrow.  "Akane easy understand.  Ranma dunce."  she 
ogled Ranma's body "And despite pretty body, male."
  Ranma rolled his eyes.  "You make me feel like a piece of meat."  Zhu Shu 
nodded unapologetically as she grinned.
  "I just wish she acted as feminine as she did today all the time, instead 
of being such a tomboy!"  Ranma continued.
  Zhu Shu paused in braiding Ranma's hair.  "You do good.  Akane way to 
reward."  She gave Ranma a sidelong look in the mirror.  "You want Akane be 
all time, must do much work on self."
  "Hey!  I'm trying not to fight with her, but she- she..."
  "Push Button?"  Zhu Shu supplied helpfully.
  "Yes!"
  The Mandarin girl shrugged.  "Is Akane way.  Must learn how deal with.  
Learn which button push back."
  "It seems that's all I do!"  Ranma sighed.
  "Not button for anger.  Button for care."  She finished the braid and 
secured the end with a Dragons hair, then released the other one from the 
top of the braid.  "Think.  What do get Akane hold close?"
  "I dunno.  Apologizing I guess."
  Zhu Shu sighed as she shook her head.  He was hopeless.  She turned the 
redhead around to look at her.  "Only part!  smallest part!  Ranma do one 
thing over and over which make Akane hold close.  Think!  What was?"
  Ranma thought about it, but in the end he shrugged again.  "I dunno.  I 
did lot's of things."
  Zhu Shu sighed.  "Talk Nabiki.  Get report.  So can tell.  What do when 
Akane trip?"
  "I had to get the klutz out of there before she got killed, so I grabbed 
her and jumped away."
  "It man to man fight.  What of Ryouga?"
  "She could have been killed!"  Ranma protested.
  "Zhu Shu point.  Akane more important for Ranma.  What do when Ryouga 
attack as fall?"
  "I kept her behind me so I could block with the umbrella."
  "Second point.  Shield Akane.  What do when slap?  Maybe most important."
  Ranma looked troubled.  "Uh...  I realized that I had maybe gone to far 
and started after her to apologize.  Then Ryouga attacked me and I kicked 
that stupid belt and nearly killed her.  If you hadn't been there..."
  "Zhu Shu point three.  Ranma walk away from fight.  Belt mean nothing.  
Ranma walk away from challenge.  Maybe for first time in life.  For Akane.  
See point yet?"
  "Not really.  I just did what I had to."
  Zhu Shu smiled sadly.  "Point four.  Ranma do by instinct.  No thought.  
Still no see?"
  "You know I'm not as good with this stuff, Zhu-chan."  Ranma said 
defensively.
  "Ranma have big pride.  Never walk from challenge.  Never give up.  Never 
accept defeat."  Zhu Shu took Ranma's head in her hands and made the other 
girl look at her.  "Ranma walked away from fight.  Away from pride.  Because 
heart not give choice.  Akane more important."  She placed a finger between 
Ranma's breasts. "Heart knows what head not see.  That what make Akane hold 
close.  What her heart see too..."
  Ranma just stared at her, too stunned to speak.  Zhu Shu stood and held 
out her hands to the redhead, picking him up.  Then she opened the door and 
pushed the girl out into the outer bathroom.  "Now Zhu Shu takes bath! Not 
proper for boy share tub!  Fianc�e maybe not understand!"  giggling madly, 
she closed the door on Ranma's protests...

  * * * * *

  It felt weird to have short hair again, but Akane was kind of glad it was 
gone.  It had always been such a hassle, and when she had looked in the 
mirror earlier it had only reminded her of why she had grown it in the first 
place.  Doctor Tofu had never noticed her the way he had Kasumi, no matter 
how long she had grown it.
  She looked into her heart, where her crush on Doctor Tofu had been, and 
wondered why she felt no loss at it's absence.  Instead she felt curiously 
light, as if a shackle had been taken off.  She smiled at the mirror in her 
room as she donned her bathrobe.  Kasumi had done a wonderful job and her 
bob cut looked very cute and chic. She hoped Ranma liked it.
  She wandered down the hall and hesitated outside the bathroom as she heard 
the inner door open and Zhu Shu's voice saying "Now Zhu Shu takes bath.  Not 
proper for boy share tub!  Fianc�e maybe not understand!"
  Anger flared.  Why that- then she recalled Zhu Shu's preferences and heard 
Ranma's female voice calling "Hey!"
  She slid the door open, a thunderous look on her face.  A long red braid 
hanging to the cleft of Ranma's cheeks was the first thing she saw before 
Ranma whirled and backed up against the door at Akane's look.  "Akane!  I- I 
can explain!"
  Akane kept the thunderous look on her face as she closed the door.  She 
looked Ranma up and down, noting the terrified look and his erect nipples 
stiff with fear.  Privately, she admitted to herself that she was jealous of 
Ranma's female figure, and even more privately, she could see why Zhu Shu 
thought he was terribly sexy as a girl.  She decided she'd held Ranma in 
terror long enough. "And why would you think I would need a explanation when 
it is so obvious what is happening?"  She really put ice into her voice.
  "But- But- "
  Akane put her towel down and undid the tie to her robe, then advanced on 
the smaller redhead.  "You...  have... been..."  She placed a hand on either 
side of  Ranma's shoulders as her bathrobe parted.  "Getting Zhu Shu to cut 
your hair."
  Ranma couldn't help but look.  "Uh... Uh..."
  Akane smiled.  "I got Kasumi to do mine.  Like?"  She slipped the rest of 
the way out of the robe.
  Ranma could only stare in shock and nod.
  Akane slipped the door to the bath proper open and said "I like yours 
too!" before she closed the door to the sound of gales of giggles.
  Ranma just blinked and blinked.
  (That couldn't have just happened, could it of?)

  * * * * *

  "Go way Ranma!  Zhu Shu play with girlfriend now!"  The Chinese girl 
called merrily as Akane sat down on the bathing stool.
  A sarcastic "Riiiiiiiiight."  came back through the door.  "I know better 
Zhu-chan.  Okay, okay. I get the picture.  It's time for girl talk and I 
don't qualify."  sounds of a robe being put on and the outer door opening 
filtered through the closed door.
  "He bright boy.  Sometime."  Zhu Shu observed.
  "Akane was blushing furiously.  "I can't believe I just did that!  I don't 
know what I was thinking!"
  Zhu Shu laughed.  "Maybe Zhu Shu rub off.  Am happy to see!"
  Akane looked at her for a second, then she had to laugh too.  "Yeah.  In 
the back of my mind I was thinking about what you'd do in that situation."  
Akane shook her head.  "You and that bold as brass attitude.  You should 
have seen his face!"
  "Saw Akane's.  Can imagine."
  Akane finished soaping up and washed off.  She couldn't help but notice 
the Chinese girls appreciative look.  "Zhu Shu, if you were any other girl, 
I'd be utterly shocked and outraged at that look."
  Zhu Shu averted her eyes.  "Apologies."
  Akane stood up.  "I said any other girl.  You can look all you like.  I 
kinda like it when you do."
  "Is true?"  a coyly arched eyebrow met Akane's gaze.
  "Yes.  Because you're probably the best friend either of us have ever had. 
  Ranma thinks the world of you, and I'm coming to."  She climbed into the 
tub next to Zhu Shu.  "And you probably saved my life today.  Look all you 
want, Zhu-chan.  It's a small enough reward.  And I know you'd never go 
father than I'd want you too.."
  Another arched eyebrow made Akane laugh.  "Hey!  Don't get me wrong.  My 
biggest complaint with boys is the way they treat me.  Hell, I'd deck a guy 
who looked at me like he's undressing me."
  "But not Zhu Shu?"
  "No"  Akane gave her a smile.  "It's different when you do it.  It makes 
me feel desirable and a little sad.
  "Sad?"
  Akane looked over at the curvaceous Chinese girl.  If ever there was a 
body to be jealous of...  even in water she seemed so fluid.  "Because you 
deserve to be happy Zhu Shu.  And somehow, I just don't see how you ever 
will be.  I feel sorry for myself sometimes for being engaged to Ranma, but 
like you, I feel bound by family duties to at least try, even though he can 
be such a jerk.  He's so arrogant, and he rushes in half cocked, and... 
and..."  Her tone dropped to a whisper.  "And then he can be like this 
afternoon at the clinic.  So strong and noble and..."  Her voice trailed off 
as her eyes finished.
  "Ranma not perfect.  But is good man."
  Akane nodded.  "But for you?  Even if a man passes both of your tests, and 
truly does love you, I can't see you being happy.  I wonderful, caring, 
dutiful wife, but not happy..."
  Zhu Shu looked off into nothing.  "Zhu Shu give up on 'happy' long ago.  
Must settle for best can get to fulfill duties."
  "And that's why I feel a little sad when you look at me, that sense that 
you've given up hope."
  Zhu Shu shrugged.  She wasn't used to being the one analyzed.
  "I don't know what all you and Kasumi did that day, or even if you did 
anything.  I don't care either.  I think I understand how Kasumi felt, and I 
even admire her for it.  I would have done the same thing."
  Zhu Shu looked wide-eyed at Akane...
  A drop of water falling from the faucet broke the long stillness.
  Akane blushed, and turned away.  "I'm being all out of character today.  I 
don't know what's come over me..."
  "Zhu Shu not mind."
  "I- I'd never have the courage to say something like that normally."
  "Akane be human.  Nearly killed.  Strong emotions.  Is normal."
  "Oh.  A near brush with death makes people think about things a lot, huh?"
  Zhu Shu nodded, and turned away.  "Yes.  Zhu Shu been where Akane is.  Is 
normal."
  Akane nodded, then turned to look at the door.  "He's going to be like 
that forever, isn't he?  The boy girl bit, I mean."
  "Not know.  Anything possible.  Zhu Shu not know of cure for Jusenkyo 
curse."
  Akane sighed "Ahh... Zhu-chan, until you came along, I doubt I ever would 
have contemplated the thought that I'd ever look at another female and think 
they looked sexy."  She blushed, "But looking at Ranma just now...  Well, I 
think part of the reason I was so bold at teasing was that I was just so 
turned on by how good he looked..."
  The Chinese girl laughed.  "Zhu Shu relieved.  Means can be sure Akane and 
Ranma be happy eventually."
  A knocking at the outer door got their attentions, then Ranma's voice came 
through.  Are you going to stay in there all night?  Some of us would like 
to take a bath!"
  The two girls didn't stop giggling till they were back upstairs.

  * * * * *

  Akane lay on Zhu Shu's bed reading the latest Sailor V manga while Zhu Shu 
sorted out a small box of silver and gold charms.  She watched curiously as 
the Chinese girl selected a assortment of small bells and then took the 
thick braid of red hair she had acquired from Ranma and began to brush it 
out.  "Whatcha doing."
  "Something Zhu Shu learn from wandering American."  She picked up the shoe 
box she'd gotten from Kasumi before coming upstairs and pulled out a mass of 
raven black hair held by a ribbon.
  "That's my hair." Akane noted.
  Zhu Shu nodded.  "Thought shame let fine hair go waste."  She brushed out 
the black hair and then selected a thick lock of both the red and the black 
hair.  She laid them out along with the selected charms and set down next to 
Akane on the bed.  "Girl learn from use braid to commemorate happy event.  
Today is happy day for Akane and Ranma.   Want to make Akane braid to 
commemorate."  She blinked at questioningly Akane.
  Akane smiled.  "Ok."
  Thirty minutes later, she looked at the long braid Zhu Shu had constructed 
in the mirror.  The braid started out with Akane's hair woven into a tail 
almost an inch thick and secured to her head so skillfully Akane couldn't 
see where the hair had been woven.  The braid descended down to about 
mid-back then began fading over to the red hair of Ranma's braid so smoothly 
that it looked like one  continuous length of hair.  Interspersed along the 
length of the braid were the small bells in silver and gold, with a trio of 
them holding the tuft at the end, which hung below her knees.  It tinkled 
softly as she moved, and when she tugged on it, it felt as firm her own 
hair.
  "Zhu Shu can take out if not like."
  "No.  I like it.  It'll take a little getting used to, but it'll remind me 
he's not always a jerk.  That he can be wonderful sometimes.  And besides, 
he left his braid long for me."  She looked at the mass of hair left over, 
then at Zhu Shu.  "Can you teach me how to do them?"
  Akane smiled at the pleasure in Zhu Shu's eyes...

  * * * * *

  Akane woke from dreams of a Ranma who took her dancing across the stars to 
the sounds of combat.
  "What's all that racket in the garden?"  She murmured as she rubbed her 
eyes.  The sound of a pot breaking was drowned out by a crash of thunder as 
her door opened and Kasumi poked her head in.
  "Akane?  Are you awake?"
  "You too, Kasumi?"  she looked at the clock.  It was after 2:30 in the 
morning.  She leaned down to pick up her practice sword, the braid swinging 
around to hang over her shoulder in a shower of soft chimes.  She shuffled 
out into the hall.  Zhu Shu was poking her head out of the room across the 
hall.  "What noise?"
  "We're about to find out." Akane said grimly.
  Zhu Shu nodded and slipped out to join them, her thin silk robe flapping 
softly
  "Do you think it's a burglar?"  Kasumi asked nervously as they crept down 
the stairs.
  "It had better not be."  Akane gripped her sword tighter.
  A crack of lightning illuminated the garden, showing them a silhouette of 
a figure with a large pack jumping through the air.
  "It... It is a burglar!  With a pack for stolen good!"  Kasumi whispered.
  Akane was pissed.  Someone had dared to break into her home to steal?!!!  
"I'll beat his brains out!"
  "No!!"  Kasumi grabbed her arm.  "It's too dangerous!"
  "But- " Akane started, then stopped as Kasumi handed her a small dumbbell 
instead.
  "Here."
  Zhu Shu blinked, then shook her head as Akane hefted the dumbbell and 
threw it.
  The dumbbell flew through the air and impacted against the head of the 
shadow who was fighting against a drenched Ranma.  The figure seemed to hang 
in mid air for a second as his umbrella fell, then he dived over the garden 
wall into the shadows.
  "Ryouga!"  Ranma called after him.
  Akane glared.  "Ryouga?!"
  Kasumi let out a sigh of relief as Ranma dived off the wall after the 
other boy.  "Oh!  It was only Ranma's friend!"
  Zhu Shu looked out at the rain and then down to the umbrella, collecting 
water by the path.  She sighed and turned to the other two.  "Zhu Shu needs 
help.  Must find small black pig."
  Kasumi blinked at her.  "A small black pig?"
  Zhu Shu nodded and pointed to the umbrella.  "Ryouga get wet.  Small black 
pig not be able heat water on own."  She shook her head, the twin red and 
black braids that framed her face chiming softly.  "Zhu Shu have saved from 
cook pot once..."
  The two girls looked at her in disbelief for a second, then split up to 
search...

  * * * * *

  Out in the rain, Ranma ran down the ally outside the Dojo, stopping at a 
pole where Ryouga's pack and clothes lay.  He knelt next to them.  "So...  
he really did..."  He hadn't believed Ryouga's claim to have followed him to 
China to continue their duel. All the way to Jusenkyo.
  A growl and the sound of a footstep made him turn.
  Two eyes glowed back at him and another growl came out of the dark...

  * * * * *

  Kasumi had taken the upstairs while Zhu Shu searched the Dojo and Akane 
had taken the downstairs.  She had already searched her room and Zhu Shu's, 
and as she opened Akane's door, a small black shape dove off a shelf at her. 
  She slapped at it in a panic and a small oink of surprise came from the 
shape as she smacked it across the room.  A small piglet wearing a yellow 
and black bandanna bounced to the carpet and took a defensive stance.
  Kasumi couldn't help herself.  "Oh my!  How absolutely darling!"  She 
knelt and smiled at the piglet.  "Are you ok?  I do hope Akane didn't hurt 
you much with that dumbbell.  Zhu Shu sent me to find you."
  The piglet stared in amazement.
  "I have some hot water in the kitchen and some warm towels to get you 
dried off.  Zhu Shu didn't tell me you were so cute though."  Kasumi turned 
her smile on high.  The piglet fairly melted and allowed her to pick him up. 
  She frowned at the small bump on his head.  "What's this?  Oh my.  That 
dumbbell left quite a lump.  Let's get you down to the kitchen and get that 
taken care of."  She clasped him to her chest and wrapped her shawl around 
him.  "There.  That'll keep you warm.  I'll send Ranma to find your things 
when he gets back."
  She met Zhu Shu coming back from the Dojo at the base of the stairs.
  "He no in Dojo.  Hope Panda man not see.  Last time try to cook"  Zhu Shu 
said as she came in, looking in the garden as she walked up to Kasumi.
  "Mr. Saotome tried to cook such a darling looking piglet?!  How could 
he?!"  Kasumi cried.  She looked down to the covered piglet who had poked 
his head out to look at Zhu Shu.  "You poor thing."
  Zhu Shu looked down at the piglet.  "Ah.  Good. "  She leaned over to look 
Ryouga in the eye.  "You owe Zhu Shu dress."
  At the kitchen door, they heard Ranma talking.  "Listen Ryouga.  I'm sorry 
about what happened to you, but you gotta cut out these late night attacks!  
I'm a guest here!  I gotta be careful!"  They walked in to find Ranma 
talking to the neighbor's dog.
  "Why you talk to dog, Ranma?  Ryouga not dog."  Zhu Shu cocked her head to 
one side and looked at Ranma curiously.
  "Huh?"  Ranma replied intelligently.  The piglet let out an annoyed squeal 
and tried to dive out of Kasumi's arms towards him.
  "Ryouga!  Behave yourself!"  Kasumi chided.
  "Ryouga!?!"  Ranma asked, astonished.
  "Remember pool, Ranma.  When Zhu Shu say could be worse?"  Zhu Shu looked 
at Ranma with a half smile, her braids chiming softly.
  "Hey Kasumi?  I couldn't-  Oh!  There he is.  Why were you jumping around 
the garden at 2:30 in the morning?!  You scared us half to death thinking 
you were a burglar!"  Akane said as she entered the kitchen after searching 
the downstairs.
  The piglet looked from girl to girl and looked properly ashamed of 
himself.
  "Waitaminute!  How do all of you know that that piglet is Ryouga!"  Ranma 
exclaimed.  The piglet let out another outraged squeal.
  "Because Zhu Shu see fall in pool after Ranma knock off cliff at 
Jusenkyo."  Zhu Shu looked at Ranma with her arms crossed.  "And then have 
to save from Panda man and Guide when try to cook!"  She turned back to the 
pig  "And Zhu Shu get dress ripped off as thank you."  The pig looked 
embarrassed.  Zhu Shu turned back to Ranma. "Ranma owe apology!"
  "But- but-"  Ranma couldn't find anything to say to the matching glares.  
Kasumi took the pot from her nerveless fingers and poured some on the 
piglet.  A quick change later, Ryouga stood with the shawl wrapped around 
his waist.
  "This is all your fault!"  He growled.
  "I- I didn't know!"  Ranma protested.
  "Ranma and Genma owe big for Jusenkyo.  Knock Zhu Shu, Ryouga and 
Tao-Ching in pool same day."
  "Tao-Ching?"  Ryouga looked surprised.  All Ranma could managed was a 
strangled "Eeep."
  "Oh, my.  They were rather careless, weren't they?"  Kasumi's hand was at 
her mouth.  She smiled at Ryouga.  "I know an apology won't be enough, but 
it was an accident on Ranma's part."
  "Yeah, even he wouldn't do it on purpose."  Akane chimed in.
  "Hey!"  Ranma stopped at three feminine stares.  "Oh, Alright.  Ryouga.  
I'm sorry I knocked you in the pool of drowned pig."  he looked at Akane who 
was fingering her braid and gazing back at her with half lidded eyes.  He 
sighed.  "I don't know if there's anyway I can make up for it, but you have 
my apology."  A slight smile on Akane's face made him sigh in relief 
internally.
  Ryouga was still giving him a hard stare, but then Kasumi smiled at him 
and it melted.  "I-  I guess it's ok.  No real harm done."  He blushed to 
nearly terminal red.  "I- I suppose it could have been worse..."  he 
shivered.
  "Oh my.  I completely forgot!  You must be freezing!  Ranma, be a dear and 
find Ryouga's clothes, would you.  I'll take him up to have a nice warm bath 
while I dry them."
  "They're in the corner there, but what about me?  I'm freezing too!  And 
my clothes are soaked!"
  "You can have the bath after Ryouga."  Kasumi led the other boy away to 
the bathroom as Zhu Shu threw Ranma a towel.  Muttering he dried off and 
looked at the two girls who were staring at him with crossed arms.
  "What did I do now."  He asked plaintively.
  "Nothing.  Just being yourself."  Akane said, still fingering her braid 
and making it chime softly.  Ranma noted the last three feet was his shade 
of red hair.  "I suppose you can't help yourself, but I wonder what other 
little 'Accidents' are going to catch up to you."  She turned to go to bed 
and didn't see the guilty starts on both of the other girls' faces.
  Ranma turned to Zhu Shu, and did a double take at the matching red and 
black braids she had framing her face, but Zhu Shu turned away quickly to 
make some hot chocolate.  Ranma sighed.  "I certainly hope Ryouga's the only 
problem from China to follow me."
  Zhu Shu dropped the pot she was about to pour water from.  Ranma mistook 
the reason.  "Hey, I don't mean you.  You certainly are not a problem."
  Zhu Shu quickly poured the water and mixed the cocoa, putting it on the 
table in front of the redhead.  "Ranma..." she seemed on the verge of saying 
something, then turned to the door.  "Zhu Shu go bed now."
  She was stopped at the door by Ranma's puzzled "Zhu-chan?  Did I say 
something wrong?"
  For a long moment, Zhu Shu hesitated at the door, then as she vanished 
into the shadows beyond, her last words drifted back...
  "Amazon...  Shampoo...  Never give up...."
  Behind her in the kitchen, the cup shattered unnoticed in the hand of a 
very pale Ranma...

Chapter Five: Black Rose and Thorns

  Dawn broke over Tokyo like a cresting wave, illuminating the darkness in a 
rush.  Small eddies of light swirled into dark alleys and over the tops of 
buildings as the sun rose, waking the city to life.  At a small temple in 
Juuban ward, the light spilled over the form of a sleeping Raye, caught in 
confusing dreams of fire and golden eyes.  She woke with a start, wiping the 
sleep from her eyes and pondering what it might mean.
  Across the city, in another temple, a goddess looked out at a lonely 
Shampoo practicing her katas, a sad smile on her face for how long it was 
taking her older sister to grant the poor girls wish.  Said sister was 
currently groaning with a hangover after a night of finding out that Cologne 
could apparently drink an infinite amount of saki.
  In Nerima, Cologne stood atop a phone pole watching as Soun and Genma 
dragged a groggy voodoo priest out of the house and into a taxi, then 
bounced along behind them.
  In the kitchen of the Dojo, a still pale Ranma sat unmoving at the kitchen 
table, a puddle of congealed cocoa pooling around a hand still clutching the 
fragments of a cup.
  In the hall outside the kitchen, Zhu Shu shook her head before continuing 
to the dojo, where she locked the door and stripped off her robe to begin 
her morning katas.
  Time ticked inexorably forward....
  When Kasumi entered the kitchen for breakfast, she uttered her trademarked 
"Oh, my!"  Then waved a hand in front of Ranma's blank stare.  Slow as 
granite, the red-heads eyes rose to meet hers.  "Are you okay, Ranma?"
  Ranma shuddered, then seemed to unfreeze.  "Just reminded of something I'd 
rather not think about.  I'll... be okay."  She took a deep breath and 
seemed to mentally take hold of herself.  Finally, she noticed the shattered 
cup.  "Sorry..."
  Kasumi decided it was not the time to pry, and just smiled.  "It's okay, 
accidents happen..."
  In the bathroom, Akane was brushing her hair as Nabiki entered and did a 
double take.  "Hey, Akane.  You cut your hair!"
  Akane looked at her in the mirror and nodded.  "Last night."
  "Humm...  And what brought this on?"  An amused tone was evident in the 
inquiry.
  Akane shrugged, making her braid chime.  "Just felt like a change."  She 
wasn't about to tell Nabiki the real reason, knowing her she'd blackmail 
Akane in order to keep her from telling Ranma.
  "Um hmm..."  Her tone made it plain she knew there was more, but that 
she'd dig it up later.  "So what's with the braid?"
  "Zhu Shu thought it would look nice and I agreed.  She taught me how to do 
them."
  "Akane put in Zhu Shu hair too."  The Chinese girl called from the tub, 
where she had gone after her katas.
  Nabiki stuck her head in. "Ah, but why black and red?"
  Zhu held up her red and black twined braid and pointed to the black 
strands "From Akane-chan." then the red "From Ranma-chan."
  Nabiki looked at the red end of Akane's braid.  "Nice work."
  "Domo Arigato."  Zhu Shu bowed from the tub.
  "Breakfast!"  Kasumi called from the dining room.
  Fifteen minutes later, they were all seated around the table and wondering 
why Soun and Genma weren't there...

  * * * * *

  Several hours later and many miles away from Nerima, Soun, Genma, and the 
voodoo priest Sandal traipsed up the side of hill near Mount Fuji towards a 
long deserted cave, sealed by a large boulder around which magical wards had 
been tied.  As they came to the clearing around the cave and stopped, Sandal 
was looking wide eyed at the boulder.
  "Here.  Seal?"  Genma asked in very bad English.
  "Hoo, Mon! You got no idea what you askin' Mon!  Plenty big spirit locked 
in here.  Almost free.  Gonna take some puttin down and a massive seal to 
lock it in.  What you bury, Mon?  A big fuckin' Demon?!"
  "Master Happosai."  Soun said nervously.  "Seal?"
  Sandal nodded.  "Hey Mon, can do, but it's gonna take a while and I'm 
gonna need a lot of things to do it proper."
  "We get."  Genma said, a determined look on his face.
  They turned back toward the small village they'd come up from and headed 
away.
  As they vanished into the trees, Cologne dropped from the tree she'd hid 
in.  She walked over to look at the boulder and shook her head.
  "Amateurs."  It was a wonder it had held so long already.  Another year at 
most and the old devil would be on the loose again.  She cocked her ears at 
a faint sound, almost on the verge of audibility.
  
"Ppaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnttttttttttttttiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeessss."
  She sat down on the boulder that sealed in her ex-fianc�e and contemplated 
what the three who had gone down the hill were planning.  If they succeeded, 
then that young goddess was correct in thinking it was a service to the 
Amazons.  Happosai was a very old matter of tribal vengeance, even more so 
than her own personal score as a jilted bride.
  But she had to smile at the irony.  Betrothing Shampoo to the son of the 
old letches student and allying the Tendos and the Saotomes to the Amazons 
for the service of ridding them of Happosai on a more or less permanent 
basis was a rather fitting vengeance for having been left to explain to her 
mother that her groom had departed with the family heirlooms and the Amazon 
treasures, but without her...
  As she leapt away cackling, a faint sound could be heard, so low it might 
have been a trick of the wind...
  "Mmmmmmyyyyyyyy 
pppppppprrrrrrrreeeeeeetttttttttttttttttiiiiiieeeeeessssss..."

  * * * * *

  Time passed as it was wont to do and a passing week found Ranma walking 
the Ginza looking for a snack and wondering at the fickleness of fate and 
Akane Tendo.
  She was still trying to figure out how the girl could be so sweet and 
cuddly one minute and so violent the next.  Ever since that fight with 
Ryouga, she'd been more confusing than ever.  She would tease him, and he'd 
swear the five or six times he'd run into her topless or naked hadn't been 
complete accidents, but she'd been easier than ever to anger.  Only this 
afternoon Akane had walked in on him in the bath and then had thrown him 
bodily from the room when he'd asked "What happened to your hair?" in a 
surprised tone.
  How was he supposed to know Akane would get angry over such a simple 
question?  He'd been surprised when Akane had walked in minus the tangle of 
black curls she'd used to have, that was all!  He sighed.  Maybe he just 
should have kept his mouth shut.
  Still, he had to admit Akane was looking really nice lately.  The sessions 
she spent helping Zhu Shu train her friends had been toning her already 
athletic body along Zhu Shu's curvy lines.  She was beginning develop the 
sword dancers rounder figure, and when she wasn't being angry or tomboyish, 
she could be pretty cute.
  Maybe Zhu Shu was teaching Akane a few of the things that Ranma had 
learned by watching her.  He'd used several of Zhu Shu's cuteness tricks to 
snag a few freebies as he'd wandered the Ginza and he could attest that 
cuteness had it's advantages.  Now if Akane would only use it more often!
  He sighed. At least he wasn't having to fight Ryouga constantly. He was 
only annoying occasionally, even if he was always underfoot. He wouldn't 
stop making moon eyes at Kasumi, and she thought he was cute as a piglet and 
charmingly chivalrous as a boy. Ranma couldn't tell if she genuinely liked 
the Hibiki boy or if she was just flattered at the attention and flowers, 
and chocolate, and flowers, and teas, and flowers and by the way, had he 
mentioned flowers? Where Ryouga had managed to find some of the wild 
bouquets Ranma would rather not contemplate. He'd nearly lost a finger to 
that one tigerlily with a real tigers head in it's blossom, however small. 
At least Kasumi had liked it; Ranma just had to walk wide of it in the 
garden.
  He jumped up onto a fence next to a vacant lot he used as a short cut to 
the Ginza, preparing to make him way home in hopes Akane was out of the tub 
and that he would be able to finish his bath, but stopped at the weird scene 
before him.
  A very pretty female in an expensive uniform from a private girls school 
stood surrounded by three people dressed in non-descript gray outfits and 
swathed in bandages, and holding gymnastics clubs. The girl they surrounded 
had jet black hair pulled into a ponytail on the side, and held herself as 
if she was completely confident of her safety.
  "Pardon me, but you are from Furinkan High School, are you not?" the girl 
in black asked, catching Ranma's complete attention. "Please, no need to 
rush on my account." she continued. "If I'm not mistaken, we'll be having 
our match in one week." She smiled condescendingly.
  "No more talk!" one of the swathed figures yelled. "We've got you at 
last!"
  Ranma squatted on the fence, nibbling absently on a fried dumpling, and 
wondered what was up with all the bandages.
  "We're finishing you off here and now!" the last figure screamed "Prepare 
to die!" They rushed the girl in black together.
  Still supremely confident, the girl dropped her bag. "Forgive me, please, 
if I've failed..." a long ribbon appeared, stretched between her hands, 
"...to convey my message!!" Like a lightning fast snake the ribbon lashed 
out to knock the onrushing attackers off their feet.
  Ranma was impressed.
  The ribbon whirled around the girl in black like a living thing. "If I may 
restate it..." a sharp crack echoed as it connected with one of the figures. 
"...perhaps this... or this... or this will be clearer!" Each statement was 
punctuated by another lash to the prostrate and helpless forms.
  Enough was enough. As the ribbon struck again, Ranma moved.
  There was a loud snap. The girl in black looked down the taut length of 
her ribbon to Ranma's hand in surprise, then raised them to meet Ranma's.
  "Don't cha think that's enough?" Ranma asked casually. "I mean, You've 
already won right?"
  Half lidded eyes took in Ranma's casual stance, but the girl held the 
ribbon taut for a long second before she replied.
  "You caught that ribbon as if it were nothing." She shifted her stance 
slightly." If you'll forgive me, you seem no ordinary girl." She tugged 
slightly on the ribbon, but Ranma's hand didn't budge.
  "Uh... Yeah." Ranma was privately amused. "I guess you could say that!"
  The other girl nodded once. "Good..." Her foot hooked under one of the 
abandoned clubs. "Because I prefer not to treat girls..." She blurred as she 
released the ribbon and kicked the club into her hand, attacking even as she 
spoke, "with ordinary courtesy!!"
  Ranma dodged the face shot almost contemptuously and intercepted her 
leading foot. The girl flew forward, but caught herself on her hands and did 
a split handstand to land on her feet as Ranma pivoted to face her.
  They stared at each other a second, waiting to see what the other planned 
to do, then the girl in black made a depreciating 'Heh' and spoke. "Well, 
you are... very good!"  She straightened. "Remember... I am called the Black 
Rose of Saint Bacchus's School for Girls." A rose appeared in her hand, it's 
petals as black as her dress. "Kodachi the Black Rose." A sly smile crossed 
her face as she tossed Ranma the rose. "Please don't forget it!" With a 
maniacal laugh, she bounded off in a series of leaps worthy of Zhu Shu as 
Ranma stared after her.
  Behind him the swathed figures began to sob heavily. "Oh, how 
humiliating."  Ranma turned and bent down. "Hey! What's with the crying? 
Remember, you're men!"
  "That's what you think!" Bandages were ripped away revealing three cute 
faces heavily band-aided. "We're the Furinkan High Gymnastics team!"
  Ranma stared in shock. All three girls were from his homeroom. All of a 
sudden he was glad he'd not had a chance at the tub, because none of them 
recognized him. He stared after them as they limped off, looking anything 
but athletic, then followed them to the Dojo. This was getting curiouser and 
curiouser.
  Kasumi let them upstairs to see Akane, then handed Ranma a tea tray to 
take up after them. He sat down on Akane's bed as the leader started.
  "Akane! We've been humiliated!"
  Ranma stretched his back as Akane looked at the other girls. "Everyone on 
the team injured?!" Akane asked in disbelief.
  "We were ambushed!" the leader continued.
  Ranma raised an eyebrow, but didn't say a word.
  "Now we'll have to withdraw from the match!" The girl laid it on thick, 
eyes dripping tears of bitterness.
  "Then..." Akane pondered, "You want me... to take your place?"
  "Please Akane! There's nothing else we can do!" Desperation colored their 
voices. "You see, this next match is Rhythmic Gymnastic Wrestling!"
  That threw both Ranma and Akane for a loop. "What the heck is that?!" 
Ranma asked.
  "This!" A diagram was slapped in front of them showing two female 
combatants attacking each other with gymnastic equipment. "The schools 
champions fight with the techniques of Rhythmic Gymnastics!"
  Akane stared, then said slowly "I'm still not sure I get it... But 
alright. I will avenge you!"
  The gym team girls clutched at her oversized sweater. "Oh!! Thank you 
Akane!!"
  Ranma shook his head in disbelief...

  * * * * *

  Watching Akane staring at the supposed weapons of her bout several hours 
and a hot bath later, he knew he'd been right.
  "You shouldn't have agreed so quick. Do you even know how to use these 
things?" He idly twirled a club quickly enough to buzz.
  Akane said a lot more confidently than she felt "You just watch!"
  A snort from the door drew their attention as Zhu Shu walked in carrying 
Ryouga the piglet. She looked curiously around the Dojo and gave Akane an 
inquisitive look. "What do?"
  "Akane has to fight a rhythmic gymnastics match. She's 'Practicing'." 
Ranma said wryly.
  "Hey! I can do this!" Akane protested, adding an "I think" under her 
breath.
  Zhu Shu sat on her knees next to Ranma and put the piglet down with an 
absent pat. Ranma watched and leaned over on one elbow. "Yo, Ryouga, looks 
like you're letting the "cute piglet" routine go to your head."
  Ryouga bit him.
  Ranma pried the annoyed piglet off his arm and prepared to punch him as 
Zhu Shu hissed "Behave or throw both out!"
  Ranma refrained from booting the piglet into orbit. "He started it!" he 
huffed.
  Ryouga put on an innocent look. As Zhu Shu petted him, he gave Ranma a 
gloating look.
  Akane interrupted before Ranma could hit him. "Now watch this!" She did a 
leap, performing a split in mid-air as her clubs twirled up in beautiful 
arcs...
  And landed on the far side of the Dojo as she touched down.
  "Are you supposed to let them drop like that?" Ranma asked.
  Frustration colored Akane's cheeks. "Very funny." She glared at the 
traitorous clubs then bent down. "Let's try the ribbon."
  A few minutes later, Ranma asked "Are you supposed to get tangled up?"
  Akane forced a "Shut up!" past the ribbon wrapped around her throat... and 
the rest of her body.
  Zhu Shu and Ryouga looked at each other, then the Mandarin girl picked up 
the piglet and carried him outside.
  Akane untangled herself and tried the hoop. She caught it well enough, but 
as she tried to slide through it, she snapped it.
  "Are you supposed to break the hoop?" Ranma asked from the sidelines as 
Akane yelled "That does it!" and threw away the pieces in frustration. He 
couldn't resist adding "Aren't you supposed to have just a little bit of 
grace?"
  Outside in the garden, Zhu Shu stood by the entrance to the house as 
Ryouga emerged. "You wanted to talk to me?"
  "Ryouga know what Akane do?" the small Chinese girl asked.
  "Rhythmic Gymnastics? Yeah. I know the style, but I doubt Akane will let 
me teach her. She just gives me dirty looks."
  "Show Zhu Shu. Then she teach." She hopped up on a convenient bench. "Zhu 
Shu know ribbon, but not other weapon."
  Ryouga nodded. "Okay. If you know ribbon, the other stuff isn't to hard. 
The secret to Rhythmic Gymnastics is that you can't attack barehanded...."

  * * * * *

  Ten minutes later, Zhu Shu and Ryouga entered the Dojo to hear Akane 
crying "I'm a klutz! I'm a klutz! I'm a klutz!"
  "Hey! What can I do about it?" Ranma said unhelpfully.
  "Ranma, you always know exactly the wrong thing to say." Ryouga commented.
  "Oh yeah? Well what should I say Pig Brain? I don't know this Rhythmic 
Gymnastics stuff!" He crossed his arms. "You think you can do better, be my 
guest!"
  Ryouga's eyes narrowed and he reached down to pick up the ribbon Akane had 
dropped. It blurred into a spiral that slammed Ranma into the wall.
  Ranma glared at Ryouga murderously, his cut clothes hanging off him. "Why 
you!"
  Ryouga bowed to Akane. "Zhu Shu asked me to show her what's involved with 
Rhythmic Gymnastics. If you'll let me, I'll show you how to use the basic 
weapons, the ball, the hoop, the clubs, and rope. Zhu Shu will teach you how 
to use the ribbons. I know you don't like me much but I can help."
  Akane's eyes narrowed. "What's in it for you."
  Ranma smacked him on the back of the head. "He just wants to score points 
with Kasumi and Zhu Shu!"
  Ryouga growled. "Why you-" His hands came up in claws as he launched 
himself at Ranma.
  "Will you two stop acting like children!!" Akane yelled.
  Zhu Shu looked at the two boys bouncing around the Dojo with half lidded 
eyes. "Zhu Shu thought scouts bad. Begin wonder maybe mistake." She sighed 
as she took out her swords and began to spin.
  Loud cracks echoed across the Dojo as a swirling tornado of cloth forced 
Ranma and Ryouga to opposite sides of the Dojo. At the storms center, Zhu 
Shu danced, her swords moving so quickly she appeared to have six arms. The 
rhythmic cracks of her snapping ribbons matched the intricate steps of the 
spinning dance and within their spirals, she seemed some how obscured and 
hard to see. With a last snarling whirl, the dance came to the utter 
stillness of a completed form and as the ribbons slowly floated down, Zhu 
Shu fixed Ranma and Ryouga with a hard glare. "We here teach Akane, yes no?"
  "Jeez, Zhu Shu, where did you learn that?" Ranma asked amazed. He looked 
down to the tattered scraps of cloth that had once been his shirt, the over 
at Ryouga, who was in a similar state.
  Akane grinned. "That was wonderful! That was an absolutely gorgeous 
dance!"
  Zhu Shu blushed. "Um... Domo Arigato. Zhu Shu learn 'Dance of Veils' from 
Indian Dancer..."
  "You gotta teach me that!" Ranma said. "That's a hell of a technique."
  Zhu Shu blushed even deeper. "Um... Not think Ranma really want Zhu Shu do 
that."
  Akane looked at her curiously. "Why? It's a lovely looking dance?"
  Zhu Shu blushed almost down to her toes. "Um... Zhu Shu not do full 
dance... Zhu Shu still have clothes on..."
  Akane stared at her for a moment as that penetrated, then her mouth 
rounded into an O as she too blushed. "Oh... I... see..." then she looked 
sidelong at the wide eyed stare Ranma was giving Zhu Shu. "Maybe you should 
teach me that dance."
  Ryouga's nose gushed blood as he ran out of the room. Ranma just looked at 
the two girls and shook his head. "Girls..." he muttered disgustedly.
  Zhu Shu and Akane broke out in wild giggles.

  * * * * *

  Outside in the darkness, a cloaked figure listened to the sounds from 
inside the Dojo and thought "So, they've sought help. These Furinkan high 
gymnasts are bad losers."
  The cloak dropped away to reveal Kodachi in a black leotard, holding a 
large mallet. "Akane Tendo..." she said around the rose in her mouth, 
"Kodachi, The Black Rose, will cripple you!"
  She vanished into the darkness above the walls...

  * * * * *

  Zhu Shu sat on the dojo floor shaking her head as Ryouga coiled his ribbon 
and told Akane "Enough special drilling for today."
  Akane knelt on the floor catching her breath. "Thank you... so much."
  "You handled the ribbon very well. You're making very quick progress..."
  Zhu Shu sighed. She was glad someone thought so. She'd tried having the 
returned Ryouga teach Akane the basics of ribbon so she could observe and 
see where Akane needed the most help...
  Akane looked at Ryouga hopefully. "You really think so, Ryouga?"
  Ranma looked at her with half lidded eyes. "You don't really buy that 
stuff do you?"
  So thoroughly tangled that she couldn't move her arms, Akane rounded on 
him. "You shut up!"
  Ryouga looked at Zhu Shu and scratched his head puzzledly.
  Zhu Shu gave him a "what can you do?" kind of shrug, and fell back spread 
eagled on the floor as she sighed. "We do tomorrow. Same time."
  Ranma untangled Akane and watched as she stormed off, then turned to Zhu 
Shu. "You make it look easy. Why don't you fight the match?"
  Zhu Shu gave him the evil eye. "First. Zhu Shu not asked. Two. Is Chinese 
exchange student. Three. Is sempai. Match between lower classes." She looked 
back to the ceiling and sighed. "Or Zhu Shu would. How Akane have such good 
combat skill and be so clumsy? Serena be more coordinated, Zhu Shu thinks." 
She put her hands palm up across her eyes. "Must think. Ranma shoo now."
  He nodded and wandered into the garden to plop down on a stone birdhouse 
next to the Koi pond. It was almost bed time and he could hear Kasumi in the 
kitchen prepping for breakfast. Ryouga walked out to stand near the pond and 
looked towards the kitchen with a smile.
  "It's embarrassing to watch." Ranma said to him. "And you! Have you no 
shame? Flattering her like that!"
  "You should be ashamed of yourself, Ranma-for your jealousy!" He stepped 
into the pond.
  "Who's jealous?" He watched as Ryouga crawled out of the pond. "What? You 
off to charm Kasumi into giving you a few treats again? At least I don't 
have to resort to being cute to be near Akane! What do I have to jealous 
of?"
  Ryouga bit him. Hard.
  "Youch!" Ranma howled "That's it, Pig! Bacon time!" He dived for the 
piglet who bounced away...

  * * * * *

  Akane opened the door to her room with a creak. Now that she'd taken her 
bath, she was really feeling the effects of the exercise she'd been through. 
She flopped down on her bed and muttered "I'm exhausted." She rolled over 
and her eyes focused on a long tassel of black hair. She followed the tassel 
up with her eyes to the girl in a black leotard clinging to her ceiling. Her 
eyes widened as the girl cried "Prepare yourself, Akane Tendo!" and dropped 
towards her with a large mallet.
  Akane forced tired muscles to move as she flipped out of the bed to land 
in front of the bookcase in a crouch. As the mallet impacted the bed, she 
asked "Who are you?!"
  The girl rolled to the edge of the bed and stood primly, the mallet 
balanced easily in one hand. "I'm from St. Bacchus's school for girls! 
Kodachi, The Black Rose!" She swung the hammer at Akane, who dodged. "I 
shall be your opponent next week!" She missed again. "So... Let us both do 
our best..." She tried to catch Akane with a downward blow, but missed again 
as Akane dodged. "...and fight in all fairness!" the girl finished.
  Now Akane was mad. "You call this..." she cried, "in all fairness?!" She 
launched a kick at Kodachi, but the girl dodged and came up standing by the 
door. "It's you, isn't it!" Akane realized. "The one who's been ambushing 
the team!"
  "Ambush?!" Kodachi actually sounded surprised. "What a nasty way to put 
it." She gave Akane a sly look. "I simply believe in fighting in all 
fairness before the match!"
  "That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever..." Akane started, but at that 
moment a small black rocket slammed her door open into Kodachi's face. Then 
she was slammed back into the wall as Ranma slammed it the rest of the way 
open with a cry of "Bacon! Pork Chops! Sausage!"
  They bounced around the room like super balls and were back out the door 
almost before Akane had a chance to react. She leaned out the door after 
them and yelled "Ranma! You better not hurt him till he's done teaching me 
for the match!" The whistle of the wind warned her and she turned to kick 
the mallet out of Kodachi's hands...
  They glared at each other as the mallet crashed to the floor, then Kodachi 
pulled out her ribbon. "So. The rumors are true. You are good aren't you?" 
Black rose petals swirled in a blizzard as she spun her ribbon in a spiral 
and she vanished from sight.
  "Rose petals?" Akane asked in puzzlement, but as the petals cleared, only 
the fall of a single black rose answered her. Kodachi was gone.
  She stood before the open window and yelled "Who-" Then in a quieter tone 
"who do you think is going to clean up this room?" she looked around at the 
mess. "Kodachi, the black rose, I'll repay you for this at our match!"

  * * * * *

  Kodachi stood on the roof over Akane's room and contemplated her failure. 
She'd lost, something that hadn't happened in so long she'd grown 
contemptuous of her competitors, but this Akane Tendo could not be so easily 
dismissed. She had to crush her before the match, no matter what! It was bad 
enough to have been bested by her tonight, but to be shown unworthy in front 
of the entire school would be unbearable... No, she could not allow the 
world to know what a failure she was in truth...
  She began to run along the roof and away, but had taken no more than a few 
steps when a small black rocket flashed towards her. She had only the time 
to notice that it was a baby pig before a vengeful spirit rose before her 
and cried something she couldn't make out in her surprise. Then the brass 
kettle in it's hand connected with her forehead and stunned her.
  The sound of brass rang in her head as she watched the moon arc by in slow 
motion. Seconds moved at a crawl as her world turned upside down and the 
ground fell towards her face.
  How fitting, she thought. Slain by a spirit for my clumsiness. An 
appropriate end to a life so filled with failure. A broken neck. The slow 
asphyxiation to follow... Mother would have said it was just what I 
deserve...
  Then her slow approach to the ground ceased as a pair of strong arms 
surrounded her and bore her away from her fate. The wind made her close her 
eyes as she was lifted and felt the world go right side up again, then the 
voice of a god asked her "You okay?"
  She opened her eyes to gaze upon her savior, and she knew then, that 
somehow, karma had relented and released her from her terrible destiny. He 
was beautiful. An Apollo. A Hercules. He was even more handsome than her 
hated, gods favored brother, Tatewaki!
  She blushed and looked away. To think that such a beautiful man had cared 
enough to rescue a clumsy, ugly girl like her! She threw her arms around his 
strong shoulders and cried, "I was so frightened!"
  His hesitancy made her blush again.  Only a true gentleman could act so. 
Oh, the gray dreary life of a girls school! she thought. I had given up hope 
of finding a man to love! To think that such a wonderful encounter was 
awaiting me!  He couldn't be like the others who had taken their pleasure of 
her then left!  He couldn't be!  He was the One!  Her romantic god upon his 
white steed come to bear her away to bliss!!!
  "Please sir.." she prayed. "May I ask your name?"  She burned with the 
desire to hear his divine voice again.
  Ranma was rather nervous at the intense look the black clad gymnast was 
giving him. "R-r-Ranma Saotome" he stuttered.
  Kodachi smiled. He was shy! How divine! She had to encourage him! She 
handed him a bouquet of roses to show how much she wanted him. "For you, My 
Ranma!"
  He took it with a surprised look, and as he took a sniff, the aerosol can 
released.
  Kodachi was oblivious to her own maniacal laughter as she looked down to 
where Ranma had collapsed twitching in response to her "encouragement". "A 
bit of paralysis gas in the bouquet!" she explained to allow Ranma to 
appreciate her aid in overcoming his shyness.
  "What?!" Ranma said in shock, his body refusing to obey his will. "Are you 
crazy?!"
  Still so shy! Afraid to admit his love!  Kodachi marveled. she threw 
herself on his manly form. "Now, My Ranma. Be brave." She cradled his face 
in her hands and the wild look in his eyes inflamed her desires to their 
peak. Her heart hammered in her chest and she could barely breathe. "Take 
these lips of mine!" She panted.
  Then a foot caught her in the side and sent her flying.
  "Right over my bedroom yet!" Akane growled.
  The villianess! Kodachi thought. To interrupt the consummation of true 
love!
  "Such tragic timing!" she lamented as she landed. So close, and yet the 
vile girl stood over her god like a vengeful demon. Oh the tragedy!
  But such was her fate. As always, to come so close and to fail. Her mother 
was right...
  No. she would prevail! The gods could not be so cruel as to give her Ranma 
and take him away! This was a test! The vile wench was her challenge to 
overcome.
  But now was not the time. She turned to look at her beautiful god. "My 
Ranma, let us meet again!" She turned and vanished into the night.
  Akane watched her go in a furious rage. "Feh. Ridiculous!" She snarled. 
The bitch had not only tried to ambush her, she'd tried to seduce her 
fianc�e. And him! She turned to look at the still unmoving Ranma. How could 
he have fallen for that innocent act! She tugged her braid in a fury. Served 
him right! Letting her cling to him like that! And allowing her to almost 
kiss him!
  Almost, she shoved him off the roof and let him dash his brains out on the 
rocks around the Koi pond. Almost...
  She shrugged out of her house coat and dropped it over him. "Sorry I got 
in the way of true love!" she turned to stomp off. "Nighty night!"
  As she disappeared, a light sound came to Ranma's ears and his eyes turned 
to see Zhu Shu looking after Akane as she crouched next to him. "Humm... Zhu 
Shu see Akane jealous..."

  * * * * *

  Downstairs again in her bed, Akane punched her pillow. Kodachi, the Black 
Rose!!!! It was unfair! She had a body to kill for, a gracefulness Akane 
would give anything to posses, and she had to be rich! Why did she have to 
have so many advantages over a clumsy girl like herself? How could she 
compete? A girl like that could have any boy she wanted! Why Ranma!?!"
  One thing was certain. Come hell or high water, there was no way she was 
going to lose to her. Not in the ring... or out of it!!!
  But dammit! Why'd she have to make a play for Ranma!!!!!!!!!!
  Sleep was a long time coming...

  * * * * *

  As silence descended over the Dojo once more, a black figure detached 
itself from the shadows it had concealed itself in as Kodachi moved past, 
and watched it's quarry help Ranma down into the house.  For just a second, 
red eyes gleamed in the darkness of it's face, then vanished as it once more 
slipped into the dark.

  * * * * *

  Morning in Nerima after wonderful dreams.  Leaves fell slowly through the 
air as birds sang joyfully, and the demoness Akane Tendo was right below 
her...  Her practice sword overhead primed for a killing blow, she descended 
like a vengeful angel.  "Akane Tendo, prepare yourself!!" she cried as she 
delivered her death stroke.
  Akane caught the blade in one hand and stopped it cold. Kodachi fumed at 
how easily the beast had foiled her attack, but she had only been a target 
of opportunity. She glanced around for her real quarry as Akane growled "You 
again! Ambushing me first thing in the morning!"
  Kodachi was taken aback. The offensive cow! How dare she! "Ambushing?!" 
She cried, outraged. "I was doing no such thing!" She informed the girl of 
her purpose of her visit in a haughty voice. "I have merely come to visit 
with Ranma!"
  Rage kindled in Akane's eyes. "Oh?! Then why don't you go right to him!!!" 
With the strength of an Oni, she threw Kodachi through the air towards her 
god, who apparently hadn't noticed her and was running away. "Oh! Wait! 
Please!" She called after him as she landed, but he was so preoccupied with 
his thoughts he didn't hear. She ran after him as he approached her thrice 
bedamned brother, then leaped over Kuno's boken swing to plant his foot 
firmly into that oh so blessed by the gods handsome face.
  The sight warmed her heart, but she didn't allow it to distracted her from 
the burning passion in her heart. As Kuno grabbed Ranma's shirt and they 
talked, she latched onto Ranma's divine back with a contented sigh. "Oh 
Ran-ma Sa-ma!"
  A frozen moment passed as Ranma politely bowed his head to Kuno to await 
his decision. Oh, to think that Ranma loved her so much to approach her 
brother so quickly!
  Kuno pondered them for a moment, then gave them both a hearty clap. "Yes!"
  Ever modest Ranma asked "Yes, what?"
  A victory fan appeared in Kuno's hand as he clasped his soon to be brother 
in law on the back. "Yes, you have my permission to go steady!"
  In a haze of bliss, Kodachi looked into her god's eyes. "I am so happy!"
  Then cruel fate once more made a mockery of her happiness. "Wait a 
minute!" Ranma cried, his words venomous daggers to her heart. "You can't 
tell me what to do!" Oh the pain! The shame! "I have no intention of going 
st-" her sobs broke off his hateful words as once again she could see how 
she had failed to live up to her dreams. Tears poured like rivers from the 
pain and shame and anger at her failure... "So!!" she cried, stepping 
forwards as he backstepped. "You hate me!!"
  His words stopped her. "No. No. It's just..." he laughed nervously. "I 
have a fianc�e!" He placed his hands around the demoness Akane's shoulders. 
"Her. Really!"
  The splintered pieces of her heart came to a crashing stop. 
"F-f-f-f-f-fianc�e? You?" She stared at the ugly cow with her short hair and 
that ridiculous braid.
  "More or less." Akane admitted.
  Understanding came. "So" she said. This demoness had trapped Ranma into 
this unholy pact, and he was too noble to save himself. "How interesting." 
Her ribbon lashed out, but Akane dodged it. She had too much space here, 
Kodachi realized, but in the ring, she had the advantage. A solution to the 
dilemma presented itself. She smiled.
  "What do you say then? Shall we wager for Ranma in the upcoming match?" 
She would free her Ranma by defeating the wretched girl, humiliating her, 
and defending her school all at the same time. Perfect!
  "Wha-" Ranma started to say, but he was overrun by Akane.
  "What did you say?!" she balled her fists. "Are you insane?!"
  Kuno's hand on her shoulder stopped her. "I think it's a fine idea, Akane. 
If you wish to leave Ranma... you need only lose."
  Kodachi laughed at her brothers pitiful attempt to help her. "She needn't 
worry about that! She'll be losing in any case!" She wouldn't fail this 
time. She wouldn't!!!! She turned to her poor trapped god. How happy she 
would make him! "Ranma! When this match is over..." she bit a rose stem as 
she blushed at the wonderful things they would do together. "You shall be 
mine!" The shock on his face at the realization that freedom was so close 
made her heart nearly burst . She closed her eyes and released the rose 
petal blizzard. "Farewell." Her joy at having outsmarted that fiendish Akane 
lent wings to her feet...
  Staring in shock at Kodachi's departure, Akane and Ranma heard Kuno sigh. 
"Really, that girl is such a deviant." They watched Kodachi vanish in the 
distance. "But even so, Ranma Saotome, take care of my little sister." He 
gave Ranma a comradely pat on the back.
  Ranma looked at Kuno in disbelief. "Huh?" He did a double take. "Wait a 
second, What did you just say?"
  Kuno looked at him coolly. "I said, 'take care of my little sister'." He 
turned. "Even though I am her brother, I have to admire her for being so 
wicked... so nasty... so spiteful... and so thoroughly twisted!" He 
presented the bouquet of roses he was holding to Akane. "Please Akane, try 
not to let her injure you." He turned to walk away. "When Kodachi wants a 
man, she doesn't let go. She'll surely try something evil in the match."
  He disappeared into the building as Ranma and Akane stared.
  "Ku- Kuno's sister?" Ranma finally spoke.
  Just as stunned, Akane answered. "Now that I think about it... they're 
identical!"
  A low cough made them turn to see Nabiki and Zhu Shu on the back of the 
smilodon. Zhu Shu looked around at the carpet of rose petals and sighed. 
"Zhu Shu think Akane need go advanced training..."
  Akane looked into her friend's eyes and nodded...

  * * * * *

  School dragged on forever with Akane fuming over Kodachi and fighting with 
Ranma. Zhu Shu saw them at various times during the day, noting the massive 
streak of jealousy in Akane's aura and sighing as she contemplated her 
course of action. She had to teach Akane the art of the ribbon, and no 
matter how she ransacked her knowledge of techniques and herbs, she came 
back to only one solution, and a potentially dangerous one at that. The 
question was whether Akane could allow herself to relinquish that much 
control of herself...
  Days end finally arrived and Zhu Shu decided to give Ranma and Akane some 
time alone. She meandered over the rooftops in no particular hurry as she 
approached the Dojo, but mid-way there, her danger senses tingled and she 
barely had time to draw her swords and block a lightning swift attack from a 
gray blur.
  She blocked several more attacks with her ribbons, shifting fully into the 
ribbon form as she descended to a telephone pole, more puzzled than alarmed. 
The attacks were just probes, testing her defenses more than serious 
attempts to harm. She balanced on the pole as her ribbons danced, blocking 
the attempts of the gray blur to penetrate her defenses. Finally, the gray 
streak landed and resolved itself into the Warleader of the Amazons, 
Cologne.
  Zhu Shu finished the form and put away her swords before clasping her 
hands before her to bow. "Greetings great grandmother. I trust my defenses 
have met with your approval?"
  "They have, Child of the Dragon. A most interesting use for the Dance of 
Veils. Are you schooled in the full technique?"
  "I have learned the full Dance of Shiva, great grandmother." Zhu Shu 
admitted.
  Cologne appraised her carefully. "I will keep that in mind the next time I 
have you spar with Shampoo. She has grown used to your usual forms. And 
perhaps I should have you teach her the Dance of Veils for her husband."
  Zhu Shu blushed as her eyes darted around. Cologne noted them and shook 
her head.
  "Shampoo is not with me, Little Mouse. I decided to come speak with you 
alone. A most interesting occupation you have had of late." Cologne said 
dryly. "I have watched you for the last few days. A very interesting way you 
have of fulfilling your quest to secure Ranma for Shampoo as her Groom."
  Zhu Shu stood very still and said nothing.
  "Were I Shampoo, I might question your methods. Suspect you had betrayed 
your quest."
  There was nothing she could say in her defense. Cologne had not yet asked 
a question. She hoped Cologne did not believe she was guilty of betrayal. 
She had no chance if the elder decided to kill her, and by Amazon law, she 
was an adopted sister to Shampoo. Her death for betrayal would not be quick. 
She could gain no clue of Cologne's thoughts though. The Warleader 
controlled her aura too well.
  Cologne watched her eyes for a long moment before nodding. "Good. You are 
confident you do right. I needed to see if that was the case. I am not 
Shampoo, great granddaughter, and once I have explained your reasons, she 
will understand what your friendship means. I had underestimated your 
wisdom, my child. And your devotion to your friends. I see what you are 
attempting and I approve. Had you the time, you might have succeeded."
  Zhu Shu looked at Cologne wide eyed in alarm. "Shampoo-!" she started, 
visions of her purple haired adopted sister fighting Akane to the death 
flashing through her mind.
  Cologne held up her hand. "Calm yourself child. Shampoo is far from here. 
You need have no fear she will fight this Akane Tendo. There now is no need. 
Her father and Ranma's have performed a service to the Amazons of such 
magnitude that an alliance can be forged. Shampoo shall be engaged to Ranma 
as part of this alliance, and so Amazon law can be met. But for this to take 
place, the Tendos must not object to the alliance, and the Saotomes not 
refuse our offer. To do such an insult can result only in blood feud. You 
know them granddaughter. Will this happen?"
  Zhu Shu closed her eyes and thought. The Tendos depended on the marriage 
to Ranma to ensure the School of Anything Goes continued. Soun might object 
at first, but so long as the marriage to Akane wasn't jeopardized, he most 
likely would eventually accept, particularly if the alternatives were 
explained. Saotome merely needed to have the threats told to him. He was 
never adverse to saving his own skin. She looked back to Cologne. "They may 
object at first, but I believe if it were made clear to them why they must 
not refuse, their objections can be overcome."
  Cologne nodded. "I had assumed so based on their actions. They show that 
their own skins means much to them. Can you explain this to them?"
  Zhu Shu shook her head. "I fear I am too much another daughter to them."
  "I see. Well there is one whom we could trust in Nerima who could deliver 
the message,and advise on how best to deliver it. I will contact him." She 
looked again at Zhu Shu through half lidded eyes. "And how will Ranma and 
this Akane take the addition of Shampoo as a second fianc�e?"
  Zhu Shu sighed. "It will take much work, great grandmother, but I believe 
they will accept her in the end. Ranma has much honor in him, as well as 
pride. He is learning to express it gradually, and he is at heart a good 
man. If Shampoo is patient and loving, demanding no changes of him, she will 
win him. He resists demands, but can be subtlety guided. It is Akane I am 
worried about. Like Ranma, she is strong willed and full of pride, and just 
as stubborn. She, too, has to be won, else she will see Shampoo as a rival."
  "But you believe it can be made to come to pass?"
  "Yes." Zhu Shu averted her eyes lest Cologne see too much in them. "Akane 
has already learned much about herself, and I am helping her build up her 
self esteem. She has suffered much since the death of her mother and has 
hidden away the side of her she considered weak, believing she had to be 
strong. It is not easy for her to draw it out again. I do think she is 
learning that to be feminine is not always to be weak. Yet, she is still 
confused in matters of the heart."
  Cologne looked at her for a long moment, her aura unreadable, and  Zhu Shu 
feared she had said too much.
  Finally, she spoke. "And what of your own quest, child?"
  Zhu Shu had dreaded that question. "It... it is not the time to continue 
it, great grandmother. I am not yet done with my quest to aid Shampoo."
  Cologne tried to catch her eyes, but Zhu Shu avoided them. Cologne nodded. 
"There is that you have not said, Little Mouse. I have spoken with your 
Grandfather, child. Reluctant you may be, but your quest must be fulfilled. 
You are the last Dragon, my child. There must be an heir. On this Clan and 
Tribe both agree."
  "I am aware of my familial duties, great grandmother." Zhu Shu answered 
sadly.
  Cologne laid her hand on Zhu Shu's shoulder. "I am sorry you have no 
brother, Little Mouse. I would free you from this burden if it could be 
done." She lifted Zhu Shu's chin to look her in the eyes. "It does not have 
to be unpleasant, granddaughter. Surely there is one with whom you can be 
content?"
  Tears fell from the corners of Zhu Shu's eyes. as she whispered. "One with 
whom I can be content?  There is no-one, great grandmother.  The one whom I 
could accept is betrothed already and soon will be again. Yet even were he 
to ask I would deny him. He is my friend... I cannot curse him with my 
hand... I cannot condemn him to share my fate..." She closed her eyes to 
fight the tears. "I could not do that to anyone I love..."
  "Will you deny yourself love child? There can never be any good to come 
from that. And what of your tests? Did you set them only to insure your 
failure?"
  Zhu Shu shook her head. "No... I... will fulfill my duties to one who can 
pass the tests... but I cannot love them back... I am cursed..."
  "No child. You are no more cursed to be what you are than any woman. There 
is no shame in love Zhu Shu, so long as it is true."
  "And yet my duty bars me from the love I desire."
  "Duty is as heavy as a mountain, Little Mouse, yet we must fulfill it 
nonetheless. To do otherwise robs us of honor." She gently brushed Zhu Shu's 
braid back over her shoulder. "Do not despair, Little Mouse. I will think on 
this. Mayhap there will yet be a way to fulfill duty and still bring you 
happiness... I would do much to see you happy, Child of the Dragon, for the 
happiness you have brought to others. Do not give up hope yet..."
  "Thank you, great grandmother. I... will try."
  Cologne kissed her on the forehead and with a whisper of wind was gone. 
Zhu Shu stood on the pole for a long while as the tears fell like rain...

  * * * * *

  Akane was waiting at the door to the Dojo when Zhu Shu finally arrived, 
and upon seeing the Chinese girl, gave her a doubletake. "Zhu-chan? What's 
wrong? You've been crying."
  Zhu Shu nodded. "Zhu Shu be okay. Just talk with great grandmother. She is 
worried for Zhu Shu is all." Zhu Shu wiped her eyes. "Could not stop tear is 
all. Zhu Shu give up on happiness. It seem no one else do. All think Zhu Shu 
should be happy. Cannot be and fulfill duties."
  Akane hugged her at the sound of sadness in her voice. "We care for you, 
Zhu-chan. We hate the trap you're in and want to find some way for you out 
of it." She hugged her tighter. "And we're going to!" she said fiercely.
  "Yeah!" came a five voice chorus from the doorway, where the Juuban girls 
were once again eavesdropping avidly, eyes wide.
  Zhu Shu essayed a sad smile at her students. "Almost, Zhu Shu believe."
  "Believe, Zhu Shu." Akane said. "Somehow, we'll find the right girl for 
you."
  "She likes girls?" Serena said right before Raye bopped her on the head 
and knocked her over. "Owwww! What was that for?"
  "Dummy!" Raye was furious. "How blind can you be!"
  "Well, I didn't know. No-one told me." Serena whined as she rubbed her 
head.
  "Um... Raye? I didn't know either." Amy said.
  "I suspected, but I didn't know." Mina added.
  "And how did you know?" Lita asked.
  Raye blushed furiously.
  Zhu Shu laughed weakly. "It not matter. Zhu Shu appreciate try cheer her 
up. Domo Arigato. But is time for lesson, yes no?" She straightened her 
dress and dried her eyes. "Lessons best thing for Zhu Shu now. Help clear 
mind." reasserting her iron control, she ushered the girls into the Dojo.

  * * * * *

  Zhu Shu noted Akane watching her closely through practice, and was glad to 
see her trying to learn the katas so ardently, but unfortunately, she 
overreached and pulled her shoulder muscle. Zhu Shu had her sit to the side 
working the muscle to keep it from stiffening until she had finished with 
the Juuban girls and they were on their way home. As she worked on Akane's 
shoulder in the massage room, Akane surprised her with a question out of the 
blue.
  "Zhu-chan? What is it like to make love to another girl?"
  Zhu Shu's hands froze. "W-what?"
  Akane turned to look at her, the towel draped over her slipping to the 
floor. "What is it like to make love to another girl?" she was blushing a 
deep red, but her eyes were pleading.
  Zhu Shu took a deep breath, then bent to pick up the towel and put it back 
over Akane's body. "That evil thing do Zhu Shu. Ask question like that and 
lose towel." She sat down across the room and looked at her. "Why ask?"
  Akane sat up, holding the towel to cover herself, much to Zhu Shu's 
relief. "I-I-I was... curious... a-a-about w-w-hat it would be like f-f-for 
me and R-r-r-Ranma." Her blush deepened and spread all the way to her towel. 
"I-I-I mean, I know what's done... I-I-I've seen magazines. But you're the 
o-only girl I k-k-know who's done it."
  Zhu Shu looked at her for a long time before answering. "Zhu Shu cannot 
describe. Words not say what Zhu Shu mean. Can describe actions, can 
describe feelings, still not come close."
  "Oh." Akane's voice was disappointed
  Zhu Shu looked off into nothing. "Zhu Shu only make love twice. Both times 
different. Both times mean more to Zhu Shu than words can say." She looked 
back to Akane. "In this, Zhu Shu think she luckier than most."
  Akane cocked her head. "Why?"
  "Listen girls from school, ones admit not virgin. Most say first time not 
pleasant. Messy. Painful. Man not know what do, hurt girl, not care for her 
pleasure. Most only did to keep boyfriend. Were pressured to do. Others feel 
only way get boyfriend at all. Only few do because really want to, because 
feel is sharing between two kindred souls. Not like that for Zhu Shu. Cherry 
Blossom best friend in village. We love one another for long time before do 
anything. Spend hours learning how to pleasure one another. Both young yes, 
and just learning and experimenting, but feelings there. Never feel pain 
when Cherry Blossom tear hymen, but blood on dress betrayed. Cherry Blossom 
parents decide move week later..." Zhu Shu's voice broke as she sobbed 
silently, then continued in a whisper. "Nine month later Zhu Shu learn dead. 
Fall from cliff..."
  "Oh, Zhu-chan..." Akane whispered.
  Zhu Shu wrapped her arms around herself tightly, still staring blindly 
into the past. "Zhu Shu stop fighting family duties on day she learn"
  A rustle of cloth hitting the ground was the only indication of Akane's 
motion until she laid an arm across Zhu Shu's shoulders. "I'm so sorry... 
I... didn't know."
  Zhu Shu closed her eyes and shrugged, her voice steadier. "Is old pain... 
Zhu Shu learn to live with long ago..." She sat there a long time, the 
warmth of Akane's body doing little to fight the chill of old angers and 
regrets. Finally she continued. "Second time, Zhu Shu older, trained in many 
ways to please. Yet find herself student to one who know far more. She train 
Zhu Shu in art of dance, but she also teach much about pleasure, and 
passion. Zhu Shu learn much from her of the physical. Will always cherish 
time as her student..." a faint smile came to her at the memories of those 
long days with her teacher in Shiva's Dance, The beautiful Indian dancer 
Sarhia she'd met in Beijing. "Zhu Shu learn from her that there can be much 
pleasure for oneself in pleasing another..." She gave Akane a look with a 
little of her normal sparkle returned. "Zhu Shu think Akane do much worse 
than Ranma for fianc�e. He have unique appreciation of the pleasure of a 
woman. Perhaps have taught enough that he make first time with Akane 
wonderful..."
  Akane rose to stand before her and give her a hand up, then pulled Zhu Shu 
into an embrace. "Oh, Zhu-chan... I want that first time to be with you... I 
want you to teach me..." One hand rose to cup Zhu Shu's head as she bent to 
kiss her.
  Zhu Shu's hands on her shoulders stopped her. "No..." She looked into 
Akane's eyes as she took a deep breath. "Akane... please... Zhu Shu..." She 
swallowed hard and concentrated on her Japanese. "I-I would like nothing 
better, but I-I can't." She had to look away from the hurt in Akane's eyes. 
"Please, if you were not Ranma's fianc�e... I-I would have given anything to 
have heard those words from you. But I would not be true friend if accepted 
offer. I could not play with your heart like that. Ranma deserve better. 
Akane deserve better... Sha-..." she caught herself just in time. "Ranma is 
your fianc�e... Zhu Shu know Akane care about Zhu Shu... Know Akane think 
she make Zhu Shu feel better this way. Know Akane think is what she want 
do... But I cannot allow this... there is no honor..."
  "Honor be damned" Akane whispered, tears in her eyes.
  "No... Akane-chan mean too much to Zhu Shu to hurt like that." She held 
the other girl in her arms, letting her head rest on her shoulder. "I am 
sorry Akane-sama..." she whispered.
  "I hate you..." Akane sobbed.
  "Why?" Zhu Shu asked soothingly.
  "Because I don't want you to be right..." She turned to look into Zhu 
Shu's eyes. "I wanted you to make wild passionate love to me... to..."
  "Show Akane she truly desirable... show her she match up to Kodachi 
Kuno..."
  Akane looked away. "Damn you and your dragon eyes..." She laughed 
bitterly. "I wanted to be swept away in passion... and you stand there with 
your implacable will, unmoved while I crash and break around you... Can 
nothing break you?..."
  Zhu Shu took Akane's hand and moved it downwards to touch her thighs, then 
raised it again to let the other girl see the fluid on her fingers. "Akane 
come very close... Zhu Shu go take very cold bath now..." On unsteady legs, 
she turned to go.
  Behind her, unseen, Akane rubbed her wet fingers together, then slowly 
raised them to her lips to taste...

  * * * * *

  The masked Chinese wizard Mara faced was not the person she had expected 
to find as the head of a clan of assassians, yet this was the person her 
spell had lead her to, the person she had traced the dead assassins in Tokyo 
to. He was not at all what she had expected.
  Then again, neither was the Hexagram she found herself trapped in. She 
felt along the invisible walls around her, but they were like iron. The 
wizard laughed.
  "Your Mistress herself could not break that seal, Oni. Why not desist and 
tell me why you have invaded my domain."
  Mara looked at him, and reasserted control of herself. "I believe we may 
have a mutual interest."
  The old man steepled his fingers. "Indeed. Skorpion has many interests, 
Oni. Only a few involve the affairs of your realm or the Kami's."
  Mara nodded as she sat cross-legged in midair. "This is a mortal affair in 
which we may share a common cause." She smiled evilly. "Shall we suffice it 
to say we both wish this mortal harm?"
  "And you cannot eliminate this 'mortal' yourself?"
  "I am... restricted in direct action. But a mortal may do that which the 
Kami will prevent an Oni from accomplishing. Direct action on my part 
towards this mortal can be thwarted by the goddess who watches over this 
ones companions, but she cannot block what one mortal may do to another."
  "Ah... and what grudge do you suspect Skorpion holds against this mortal."
  "She has slain those whom you sent to Japan to capture her."
  The man's knuckles whitened against the arms of his chair, but he gave no 
other outward sign. "Yes... The Heir." The ice in his voice at the end 
dropped the room temperature several degrees. "In truth, I cannot say I 
regret their deaths. They acted against orders. Still, such offense cannot 
go unpunished. And her death would do much to repay the debts owed to Clan 
Dragon."
  Mara smiled wider. "And if I could arrange that?"
  The wizard smiled coldly. "She is a warrior trained equal to any ten of my 
best assassins. The men in Japan tried to capture her only because they 
sensed she was low on chi, yet she still bested them easily. I will not 
waste men uselessly."
  "Perhaps if she were unable to fight?"
  The wizards eyes glittered behind his mask. "And you believe you can 
arrange this?"
  "Perhaps. I must investigate the possibilities, which I cannot do from 
this Hexagram..."
  "Agreed." He muttered a cryptic phrase and the symbol ceased glowing. "If 
you can arrange for Song Zhu Shu to be captured, we will be in your debt, 
Oni. Clan Skorpion never forgets its debts." The glitter in his eye made 
sure she realized both meanings of that promise. Mara didn't care. The 
absence of that maddening Chinese girl would make Urd's assignment 
impossible. And once Urd failed, she would be right where Mara wanted her, 
on the end of her leash...
  "We shall see what can be arranged, wizard.  By the way.  Why does she 
hide that dragon tattoo she bears?"
  The man laughed. "It marks her, Oni, for all the world to see. It marks 
her as what even she herself does not know. It marks her as the Heir."
  "I don't understand."
  "No, Oni. Nor do I wish you to. It is a Clan matter Oni. That is all you 
need know." The finality of his statement dissuaded her from further 
questions. It didn't matter anyway, so long as the Chinese girl was out of 
the way...
  There was still much to do yet, and other 'allies' to find. Curiosity 
could wait...

  * * * * *

  Shampoo stood at the door to the mansion and pressed the funny little 
button like she'd been told, even though it looked nothing like a bell. A 
sound of chimes came from far inside, and she nodded. Now, if she remembered 
her older cousin correctly, it could be awhile before he found the door. 
Rinse's adopted son had always had the worst sense of direction. It had 
worried his mother when he had disappeared for days at a time whenever sent 
on simple errands, but eventually she'd gotten used to it when nothing 
they'd tried had ever worked for long. When she was little, Shampoo hadn't 
minded that he got lost so easily, he'd had an uncanny knack for showing up 
at the right time to help the younger kids out of trouble. She'd been 
especially grateful at thirteen when he'd shown up and rescued her from 
Herb, the neophyte leader of the Musk. Nor had she forgotten how badly hurt 
he'd gotten doing so. He'd left the village to find his real parents 
following his recovery, and Shampoo suspected, to find a way to get revenge 
on Herb.
  She sat down on the step, thinking back over her childhood and the various 
little misadventures she'd gotten into with him. The encounters with the 
twins from the next village over, Pink and Rink and their plants... the time 
she'd fought that arrogant Tarou, even the one time she'd gone for a walk 
with her cousin and ended up in Zhu Shu's village when she was six. Her 
cousin had wandered in and out of her life like he had wandered across the 
land.
  Finally, she heard footsteps behind the door and hopped up to greet him 
when he opened the door.
  The door opened inwards to reveal a slightly feline face that broke into a 
wide grin when he saw her. "Shampoo! Little Cousin!" What brings you to 
Japan!" He stretched his arms out for a hug.
  Shampoo let herself be engulfed by the much larger figure. "I'm on a 
husband quest." she responded as she hugged him back. "I'm getting married!"
  "What? My little cousin? Don't tell me you caved in to Mousse?"
  "Don't be silly. I'm getting married to a proper husband for the best of 
all reasons. He defeated me in fair combat!" She beamed. "Isn't it 
wonderful?" She sighed.
  Her cousin took in the starry eyed look and shook his head. She had it 
bad. "Shampoo. If he beat you in a fair fight, why are you questing? You 
should have been married on the spot!"
  "Well... he was a girl at the time and I didn't know it so I gave him the 
kiss of death. Then his traveling companion told us the truth and we came to 
Japan to find him. We had to split up because Tokyo was so big, but now 
she's found him and great grandmother and Zhu Shu have worked out a plan to 
settle things to overlook the fact that he already has a fianc�e."
  "Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Zhu Shu? Song Zhu Shu?"
  "Yes! She's my Blood-Sister. She'd been living with my groom preparing 
things so that when we arrive, Ranma can't escape again. And great 
grandmother has a plan to ensure his family doesn't ruin things by 
objecting."
  "Ranma... Saotome?" He sat down and shook his head. "Shampoo, he's engaged 
to Akane Tendo. How in Hell does Cologne think she can convince them to 
engage him to you as well, short of wholesale slaughter and kidnapping? I 
know that's the normal way, but this is Japan. Cologne may be a stickler for 
traditions, but..."
  "Great grandmother has her reasons cousin. She's the Warleader, and must 
uphold the traditions." Shampoo looked at him crossly.
  "No matter how out of date they are?"
  "Cousin!" she said in shock. "You were raised on those traditions!"
  "Humph. Two years in the JSDF mellowed my opinions on 'traditions' 
Shampoo."
  "Do not let great grandmother hear you say that or she will re-educate you 
in them."
  He shuddered. "I don't intend to tell her." He stood again. "Anyway, 
little cousin. I take it you were sent to fetch me for some reason?"
  Shampoo nodded. "Great grandmother will tell you what she plans so you may 
advise her on how best to proceed."
  "Cologne?! Listen to me? What a novel idea!"
  "Tao-Ching!" Shampoo chided.
  "Just kidding, Little cousin. Just kidding. Lead on..."

  * * * * *

  Honey and cinnamon.
  She couldn't get the taste of honey and cinnamon out of her mouth or off 
her fingers, nor did she really want to despite the guilt the taste brought. 
She'd give anything to take back those moments and the words she'd said to 
Zhu Shu. She had never meant to hurt her friend like that and she'd undo it 
if she could... and yet at the same time, she couldn't stop thinking about 
that last moment, when Zhu Shu had taken her hand and showed her the effect 
she'd had on her...
  Honey and cinnamon...
  She'd run to her room, unable to bear the feelings of shame at what she'd 
done, and the fire between her thighs. She'd exhausted herself over the last 
hour between mind numbing orgasms and bouts of crying...
  How could Zhu Shu not hate her for torturing her like that?! She was 
engaged to Ranma! Zhu Shu's best friend! She should have known better, 
should have thought first, should have realized it was going to backfire. 
All she had wanted was to make Zhu Shu feel better, to cheer her up... to 
caress her and kiss her and...
  She was in the middle of her eighth climax when the door opened and Kasumi 
slid into the room. Too shocked to move, she lay there with one hand cupping 
her breast and the other between her legs, staring guiltily.
  Kasumi tilted her head and looked her over. "She said you'd probably be 
doing this or crying, but from the state of your pillow and sheets, I'd say 
you've been doing both.
  Akane sighed and blushed simultaneously as she covered herself with her 
sheet. "She must hate me."
  "She said you'd say that too. She asked me to tell you that were you not 
engaged to Ranma... she would have accepted." Kasumi sat on the edge of her 
bed. "She's not upset with you Akane. She's flattered. And she said it boded 
well for Ranma."
  "But I-I..."
  "Tried to seduce her and almost succeeded." Kasumi smiled. "In my opinion, 
it might have been a good thing if you had..." She rolled her eyes. "Then 
again... she'd be the one doing this right now and convinced that she had 
betrayed you both by shaming the fianc�e of her best friend." She sighed. "I 
love her to death, the dear, but she can be ever so stubborn about some 
things. Then again, so can you and Ranma. No practicality at all..."
  Akane stared. Kasumi noted the shocked look and chuckled. "What? I'm your 
big sister, Akane. You're supposed to talk about sex and things like that 
with me." She reached down and poked at the damp sheet. "Besides, who does 
the laundry? I've been a little worried by the fact that I don't have to 
change your sheets as often as Nabiki's." She smiled. "It's nice to see you 
finally admitting to being a normal girl."
  Akane blinked repeatedly.
  "But still... we really should talk about things like contraceptives and 
sexually transmitted diseases, as well as techniques and..." She looked at a 
beet red Akane who appeared to be trying to crawl into the headboard. "Oh, 
do calm down, Akane. You were just soaking your sheets thinking about sex 
with another girl, why are you getting so flustered by my talking about it?"
  "But- but- you're my sister!"
  "Exactly my point." She sighed and folded her hands in her lap. "Akane, 
you never had the chance to learn any of this from our mother. She had a 
talk with me about all this when I was much younger than you. Mother was a 
very practical woman, she had to be to balance out daddy, and she raised me 
to be practical too. I try my best to be like her, and even though mom might 
not have handled these things exactly like I am, well, I've had to learn to 
be more pragmatic about things. Raising you and Nabiki and taking care of 
daddy demands it. But I enjoy it too; it makes me happy to have everything 
running smoothly because I feel like I've accomplished something important."
  Akane sat limply against the headboard, to shocked to do more than nod.
  "And I know you admired Zhu Shu's pragmatism about educating Ranma in the 
finer points of female anatomy."
  Akane nodded again.
  "So why does my pragmatism about teaching you about sex embarrass you?"
  "Umm... It's just an attitude I'd expect from Nabiki, not you. Although 
with her, I'd expect a ton of laughter and a lot of blackmail." She 
shrugged. "It's just unexpected, Kasumi. I mean, yeah, I can see your logic, 
but, it's you!"
  Kasumi laughed, a bright merry chuckle. "Oh, my. I'm just too 
straight-laced, am I?"
  Akane nodded furiously. "You're just so... so... conservative... and 
traditional!"
  There was a bright sparkle in Kasumi's eye. "Really... Well Akane, geisha 
training is very traditional. I may not know everything Zhu Shu does, but I 
do read a lot, and I've studied it over the years... Anyway... I've decided 
to give you a few lessons in the 'traditional' arts, like the tea ceremony 
and such.  Zhu Shu could give you a far better education in those arts, than 
I, but when I asked her, she said she'd enjoy it far too much if you were 
her student in those arts." She laughed again at the return of Akane's beet 
red blush. "She also said to tell you to be glad I'm not her Aunt. I gather 
her Aunt was a very strict teacher."
  Akane gulped. "Geisha training? Zhu Shu's a geisha?"
  "She didn't call it that, she used a Mandarin word, but the closest match 
in Japanese was geisha. She said it was just another way of serving her 
emperor." She looked towards Zhu Shu's room. "From the slight bitterness in 
her voice, I would take it her lessons weren't very pleasant for her. Then 
again, knowing her preferences..." She left the rest unsaid. "Still, I 
figured that if you might be getting sexually active, I should do my best to 
make sure you were safe about it. I know what kind of urges teenagers get, 
Akane. I went through it all myself just a few years ago. If I hadn't had to 
take care of you all, I'd have made some terrible mistakes. Nabiki has made 
a couple, and if she hadn't been so insistent that she knew what she was 
getting into..." She sighed. "Well, she's still stubborn and will make up 
her own mind. But you, Akane; you're my little sister, and I don't want you 
to be hurt. There are a lot of guys out there who will do nothing but use 
you. I've been so worried about all the boy problems you had at school until 
Ranma came along. I was afraid that you might... well, it didn't happen and 
I'm not one for 'what might ofs'." She sighed again. "I'm really starting to 
get jealous of you these days Akane. I think maybe I was far too quick to 
pass Ranma off on you just because he was younger than me. He's not perfect, 
but he is a really nice person at heart. And with Zhu Shu helping him out... 
He's still got a long way to go, but I'm starting to see what he could 
become..."
  Akane looked at her even more shocked.
  "Oh my, I've shocked you even further now have I?" Kasumi giggled.
  Akane nodded. Then curled her feet up to wrap her arms around them. 
"You're jealous of me? Over Ranma?" She smiled. "Who would have figured. 
He's arrogant, proud, stubborn..."
  "And he cares about you... and you care about him." Kasumi finished.
  Akane blushed. "Yeah... He's a jerk sometimes... but he's my jerk..."
  "I'm glad to hear that. I hope someday, I'll find someone like him."
  "What about Ryouga? He's always hanging around you."
  "He's a very nice boy too... And very chivalrous. I haven't made up my 
mind about him yet." Kasumi admitted. "I do like older men because it 
usually means they've matured enough to think about my feelings as well as 
their own... I just don't know yet with Ryouga..."
  Akane grinned. "Sounds to me like you do like him..."
  Kasumi blushed delicately. "Maybe a little..."
  "Oh, my." Akane giggled softly.
  Kasumi batted her foot. "You're terrible."
  "ME! You're the one sitting there telling me you're gonna teach me to be a 
geisha!"
  "Well... it's better to teach you than to let you learn from mistakes... 
And I'm not teaching you to be a geisha, I'm just going to teach you a 
little about sex, and things to maybe help your romance with Ranma along..." 
She looked at her seriously again. "It's not something to just gloss over. 
It would cause so many problems if you came up pregnant. And don't bother to 
tell me you haven't even thought about it. I've heard about your little 
'accidental' flashes."
  Akane blushed again. "Ok... yeah... I've thought about it... What it would 
be like with..." She blushed harder. "Well... with him in either form 
really... I guess it'd be kinda pointless to deny I'm attracted to him as a 
girl too... considering..." She looked down to the mute evidence of her 
fantasies.
  Kasumi noted her gaze and nodded. "There's nothing wrong with that, Akane. 
You're in a unique situation. I've had my share of fantasies along those 
lines too..."
  Akane looked at her wide eyed. "You?"
  "This from a sister who suspects I've slept with Zhu Shu... Yes. I've 
fantasized, but on the whole, I guess I like men entirely too much to really 
do anything with a woman. I love Zhu Shu as a friend, and yes... I've kissed 
her... But we've never done anything else."
  Akane looked at Kasumi's smile... still the same warm caring smile she had 
trusted all her life. And yet... "You know Kasumi, before Zhu Shu came, I 
could have sworn I knew you so well... Now..."
  "She has a way of bringing out of people things that are normally hidden, 
yes no?"
  Akane laughed at Kasumi's imitation. "Yes yes." She tilted her head at 
Kasumi. "If she had asked, would you have slept with her?"
  Kasumi smiled. "That... is something I don't know the answer too. I guess 
I will just have to wait and see if she ever asks me. I can't say that I'd 
rule out the possibility I'd say yes..."
  Akane smiled. "At least I'm not alone in that..."
  "No. But I am curious about something Zhu Shu said... she said you had 
tried to seduce her because you were jealous over Ranma? What happened today 
to make you jealous?"
  Akane's eyes hardened. "That bitch sister of Kuno's, Kodachi. It's bad 
enough I have to fight her, it's bad enough she's rich and graceful and 
pretty. Oh no. She just has to fall all over Ranma and he lets her! I found 
them on the roof last night almost kissing! Then she fawns all over him in 
school today and wants me to wager Ranma on the match!"
  Kasumi nodded. "Oh, my. And what did you do?"
  "Well what could I do? The whole school was watching!"
  Kasumi shook her head. "Oh, my. Akane... you really need to learn to 
control your temper... I really don't think that Ranma's encouraging this 
Kodachi, is he?"
  "Well, he's certainly not discouraging her either!" Akane fumed.
  "Akane. What do you want him to do? Punch her? From what Zhu Shu told me, 
he's done almost everything short of violence to discourage her..."
  Akane glared at nothing.
  "Akane, is it really even that you're angry with Ranma? Or are you afraid 
that Kodachi might be successful? Are you afraid of losing Ranma?"
  Akane wouldn't meet her gaze.
  Kasumi sighed. "Oh well, it was worth a try." She got up and straightened 
her skirt. "I really think you should think about it, Akane. Anyway, I have 
to go and get dinner on the table before Ranma starts eating the house." She 
looked over her shoulder just before slipping out the door. "I really do 
love you, Akane. I'm just trying to help."
  Akane hung her head. "I know Kasumi. I'm sorry... It's just so hard to..."
  "I know. It'll come in time..." She slipped out the door with barely a 
whisper.
  Akane stared after her for a long time, asking herself over and over, what 
did she really feel?

  * * * * *

  After a rather quiet dinner, Ranma sat on a rock by the Koi pond and 
pondered the strange tensions he'd felt in the room at dinner. Zhu Shu had 
seemed... strange, almost as if she felt guilty about something, and Akane, 
when she had finally come down, had seemed to spend more time looking at him 
than eating. It was weird... he wondered what he had done now.
  A whisper of cloth made him turn to see Kasumi sit down on the bench next 
to him. He blinked. "Hey, wasup?"
  "Ranma, what happened in school today?"
  "Huh." The question caught him by surprise. "Uh...nothing much I guess... 
When we got to school Kuno's crazy sister attacked Akane and tried to glue 
herself to me. And Akane got mad when I tried to tell her I had a fianc�e. 
Then Kodachi challenged Akane... that if she lost the match next week, she 
had to give me up too... and that idiot Kuno encouraged her. I can't believe 
she went along with it. I dunno... maybe she wants to get rid of me... I 
can't make heads or tails of her... one minute she's so... um... well... she 
can be really nice you know, then bam she's angry and I get hit. I can't 
figure her out. And now at dinner, she looked at me the whole meal and I 
couldn't tell if she was mad at me, or what..."
  "How do you feel? About her?"
  "I don't know... I mean... " He looked down into the water. "I-I like 
her... and I want her to like me... but I always seem to mess things up... 
and then she's mad at me... and half the time I don't know what I did 
wrong..."
  "Have you ever told her that?  I mean, in words, just like that?"
  "I- I..." His voice lowered to a whisper. "I can't..." what if she laughs 
at me? his mind said what if she tells me she hates me when she's not mad?
  <<Why?>> a voice whispered back... barely loud enough to hear.
  <<Why? Whywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhy!>>
  "Because...I- I..." He took a deep breath. "I-I'm afraid.... she.... might 
laugh at me."
  A noise made him raise his eyes to where Akane was crossing the garden to 
the Dojo for her lesson in rhythmic gymnastics with Zhu Shu. Kasumi looked 
into his eyes as he watched her, and nodded. "You might be surprised at 
that..." She rose and picked up a cloth wrapped bundle from the bench. "I 
actually came to ask you a favor from Zhu Shu. She asked me if you would 
guard the Dojo tonight. Make sure no-one enters. She said what she would be 
doing tonight could be dangerous if any distractions occur. And she gave me 
this to give you." She handed the bundle to Ranma.
  Puzzled, he slowly unwrapped the bundle, and his breath caught.
  On the silk lay Zhu Shu's swords, minus the long ribbons.
  Ranma stood, holding the bundle reverently. "Yes. On my honor, no-one 
shall pass." He escorted Kasumi to the Dojo and bowed to her. "Tell Zhu Shu, 
her Honor is safe with me."
  Kasumi smiled. "She said she already knew that... but she's not the one 
who you are guarding tonight. She said Akane was who needed protection..."
  Ranma nodded, stroking his hair nervously. "Uh... well... I will keep them 
both safe."
  With a final smile and nod, Kasumi slid the Dojo door closed. Ranma turned 
and sat on the step where he could see both entrances and placed Zhu Shu's 
swords on his lap. What could she be doing tonight that would prompt her to 
ensure Ranma's vigilance by giving him her swords? It meant she was placing 
her life in his hands...
  What could she be doing?

  * * * * *

  Zhu Shu sat motionless in the center of the Dojo, meditating and cleansing 
her chi flows. Before her sat a bowl of strong tea that had a pungent, spicy 
odor. The vapors from the tea helped her deepen the trance, calming the 
raging flows of emotion kindled earlier in the day. She needed to be 
absolutely calm and centered for what she planned to do tonight. She had 
racked her brains since yesterday night, but the only solution she could 
think of that would teach Akane what she needed to learn to win her match 
was this. She had spent the last few hours following her cold bath preparing 
the dojo and herself, reviewing all the things her teacher had done when she 
had undergone this same process almost nine months ago, learning a new 
technique in one night.
  Akane could do it, she knew. She had the training and the skill, but not 
the confidence or patience, or for that matter the co-ordination at the 
moment. She had the potential, but had never bothered to learn to be 
graceful. Zhu Shu had to bypass all of that. She had to get past Akane's 
subconscious resistances and preconceptions of what she should do, and get 
her body and mind to learn the techniques so well they were reflexes, 
something done without thought...
  Akane entered, a curious look on her face, but wearing the Indian dance 
outfit that Zhu Shu had left for her in the dressing room. She started to 
ask about it, but stopped when she saw Zhu Shu dressed in a matching outfit. 
When Zhu Shu didn't move, she nodded, and came to sit across from her in the 
same pose.
  After Akane had settled, Zhu Shu spoke, her state of extreme concentration 
perfecting her Japanese. "You are here to learn the Dance of Shiva, and in 
doing, you will learn the art of the ribbon. We have no time for you to 
learn it in any normal way, as there are only five days to your match. I can 
teach it to you tonight, but I must first know the true answers to two 
questions."
  Akane nodded. "I will answer truthfully, sensei." she replied formally.
  "Is defeating Kodachi worth this? You will be changed by this, you will 
learn things you may not want to know. The Dance is all or nothing, to 
master it, you must give up all you know, only to regain it as you absorb 
what you have learned. It may be days before you recover the knowledge of 
the skills you have now. Is he worth this?"
  Akane thought about it for a long moment. She had had no idea that what 
Zhu Shu had planned was so drastic, but...
  Finally, she nodded. "Yes."
  "Then I must ask my second question." She held up the bowl of tea. "To 
train your body in what it must learn, you must relinquish your will, give 
up thought, give up time. You must exist only in the now. If you drink this, 
you will lose all conscious control, able to do no more than obey my 
commands. You will see and hear everything, but you will be a passenger in 
your own body as the dance controls you, and burns itself into you. There is 
danger in this, for you will obey any command, even those that will result 
in your death. For two hours, you will be a slave to anyone who commands 
you..." Zhu Shu opened her eyes to look directly into Akane's. "So I must 
ask you.  Do you trust me?"
  Akane looked at the bowl, a slight hint of dread in her eyes. "Is it 
safe?"
  Zhu Shu nodded. "Ranma sits without bearing my swords to bar all who might 
enter. Kasumi sits here with the antidote if needed. I can make it no safer 
save to seal us both in a vault."
  "Is it necessary?
  "To learn the Dance in time, yes."
  Akane gulped. She took the bowl in both hands and closed her eyes before 
draining it.
  Zhu Shu took the bowl from her and tossed it to Kasumi. At that signal, 
Kasumi started the CD player and a low throbbing beat filled the room. Zhu 
Shu rose, drawing Akane up with her. "Open your eyes Akane-chan. Move as I 
move, do as I do." She began a slow dance step, mirrored flawlessly by 
Akane.
  "Hear my words and remember." Zhu Shu started, the words given to her by 
Sarhia, her teacher, coming to her lips almost unbidden. "To learn the 
Dance, you must be the Dance. Forget your fear, forget your worry, forget 
your doubts and pride. You can make no errors because the Dance dictates 
your moves. There is only yourself, and your partner, be they rival or 
companion. The Dance defines you. You are motion, you are desire, you are 
life. You will only fail if you admit to the possibility of failure, if you 
give less than your best. You are the Dance. Hear and remember." She moved 
into a more complex pattern as the tempo increased. "There is no time during 
the Dance, Akane-chan. All is one, the future is the next step, the past is 
the one finished, the present is your partner." In a flowing sweep, she 
picked up her ribbons in a move still echoed flawlessly by Akane, the motion 
flowing so smoothly that the ribbons twined about them both in a helix 
before settling in to swirling patterns about them as the tempo increased 
again.
  "There is more to the Dance than just motion. The Dance is of the spirit 
as well. To know the Dance you must release the locks on your spirit as 
well. Let your spirit flow, let it rise, let it join in the Dance. As you 
have abandoned your body to the Dance so too must follow your spirit. Allow 
your spirit to flow as the Dance wills!" With that last command, Zhu Shu 
released her own hold on her conscious mind and lost herself within the 
Dance. The moment she could have stopped the training was past; from here it 
was all instinct and the rapidly escalating effects of the potions.
  As she relinquished her conscious mind, green tendrils of light wisped 
along her ribbons as they caressed the ribbons surrounding Akane. After a 
few minutes, wisps of blue flickered along Akane's ribbons to twine with the 
green of Zhu Shu's and a breeze began to rise.
  Kasumi watched from the sidelines as the glows from both girls grew and 
the energies slowly formed globes around each other. The tempo increased 
again and with a sudden rush of glowing fire, the two were no longer 
mirrors, but separate parts moving as a whole. As they swirled into 
complimentary dances, the wind in the Dojo rose to a peak and streamers of 
blue and green chi began to merge into gold.
  Entranced by the Dance, Kasumi lost track of time, aware only of the 
patterns of light and motion before her. Unnoticed, the CD stopped, but the 
music continued, it's rising tempo driving the Dancers even harder. As the 
music rose to a fever pitch, a haze of golden light swallowed the last of 
the streamers of green and blue, and a soundless explosion lit the Dojo.
  Time ceased to exist...

  * * * * *

  Honey and Cinnamon...
  Akane floated in a void, her mouth once more heavy with the taste of honey 
and cinnamon, her skin on fire with a thousand pinpricks of ice. Energies 
she had never felt before flowed through her, making her insides feel like 
they had melted into molten gold, and electric sensations jumped along her 
nerve pathways. Slowly, like a glacier calving into the sea, the sensations 
faded and sorted themselves into currents and flows that ran through her 
body and mind.
  Is this what Zhu Shu feels? she thought  Is this what it feels like to be 
aware of your ki?
  She opened her eyes to find herself staring at the ceiling of the Dojo, 
her sight blurred by a golden haze. She tried to set up, but for all of the 
energy flowing through her, she could not use any of it to make her body 
respond. With a faint groan, she closed her eyes and fought with the wild 
floods of energy within her. After what seemed an eternity, she finally 
tamed the raging surges and it settled into a broad placid river, bringing 
with it bits and pieces of memories not her own: Faces she didn't recognize, 
names she couldn't place. They came in a sprinkling of images, like 
snowflakes that melted away and were gone, leaving only the strongest to 
remain in the fore-front of her mind.
  A beautiful Chinese girl with cherry blossoms in her pink hair, her face 
forever frozen in that last sad look as she waved goodbye. Behind the image 
of her face emotions lay buried. A grief so strong that Akane could bear to 
only brush the fringes of it and another emotion...
  It wove through every hint of memory and even the grief.  Every trace of 
the ghost of memories associated with the girl bore its mark...  every flash 
of a memory of shared laughter, or the guilty pleasure of sneaking off to 
hear the stories told by a blind old woman.  Seeing it, separate and apart 
from herself, Akane had no choice but to name it for what it was, and 
recognize the echoes in herself.
  Love.
  It ran through her own memories as well; of Ranma when he smiled, or the 
utterly shocked look on his face that one time in the bath.  It tinged the 
edge of every memory she had of him, even the arguments, and seeing it so 
clearly, she finally knew the answer to the first serious question Zhu Shu 
had ever asked.  "Do you love him?"
  Zhu Shu had been right.  Her heart had known all along.  It didn't make 
Ranma easier to live with, or change his irritating habits, or anything 
else... but that didn't matter.  She knew... and with the knowing she 
realized she had taken a step towards her own happiness.
  Carefully setting aside the memories of Cherry Blossom, she turned to the 
next strongest memories that had somehow found their way into her head, 
memories of herself and a purple haired Chinese girl sporting odangos. A 
part of herself she couldn't put a finger on whispered the girls name... 
Shampoo... and told her that she was...
  Ranma's Fianc�e?!!!!
  She tried to untangle it, but the memories of herself and Shampoo were 
intertwined and inseparable. Zhu Shu appearently thought of both of them, 
equally, as Ranma's fianc�e...  Akane's eye's snapped open again and she sat 
up to see a dazed Zhu Shu sitting up and shaking her head to clear it.  
Puzzled, Akane asked, "Who is Shampoo?"
  Dazed, off guard and unprepared for the question, the Mandarin girl 
answered automatically.  "Ranma's Amazon Fianc�e and my Blood-sis...ter."  
As she realized what she was saying she trailed off, looking in dread at 
Akane.
  Kasumi, recovering her own wits nearby, gasped. "Ranma's Fianc�e?"
  Glumly, Zhu Shu nodded.
  Akane rubbed her temples. "Zhu-chan... when were you going to tell me 
about her?" a undercurrent of anger tinted her voice.
  "Zhu-chan?" Kasumi's voice held more of a plea for a reason to understand.
  Zhu Shu sat and folded her legs under her. "Akane-sama, Kasumi-sama, I 
must beg your forgiveness, but I could not tell you."
  "Why!" Akane glared. "I trusted you! Why didn't you tell me!"
  "Please, Zhu-chan. Tell us why you kept this from us?"
  "Because... because I did not have a choice. Shampoo gave Ranma the Kiss 
of Death when he defeated her. By Amazon law she would have hunted Ranma 
down and killed him, believing him female, but I told the Amazons about his 
curse.  Shampoo gave the Kiss of Death to Ranma's female half for defeating 
her in battle, but Amazon law says a man who beats an Amazon must marry her. 
Shampoo has to marry Ranma, even if Shampoo has kill his other fianc�e. But 
when I found Ranma, I found Akane, and saw that Ranma and Akane were in 
love, whether they would admit it or not. If Shampoo had come too soon, 
before I had a chance to prepare things she would have killed Akane.  Ranma 
would have been devastated and most likely would have hated Shampoo. Shampoo 
is my Blood-Sister. Ranma is my friend. Akane has become my friend. What was 
I to do?  As Shampoo's Blood-Sister, I too am bound by Amazon law to see 
Ranma wed to Shampoo, but Ranma loves Akane.  Without her, he will never be 
happy. I can't let Shampoo kill Akane, but if she doesn't marry Ranma she is 
disgraced and would probably kill herself in shame..."  Her voice broke.  "I 
had to find a way to arrange things for both Akane and Shampoo to marry 
Ranma, to make her a sister-wife by Amazon custom... I couldn't bear to let 
Shampoo kill herself... I already have one suicide I'm responsible for... I 
couldn't bear another..." Sobs racked her as she collapsed in tears. "It's 
the only way I could make everyone happy and no-one had to die..."
  Kasumi reached out to hold her close and stroke her hair. "Oh, you poor 
dear... You've been doing this all this time, just so you could make all of 
your friends happy?" She looked at Akane. "I think it's a wonderful thing 
you've done."
  Akane looked guilt stricken. "Zhu-chan, would Shampoo really kill me?
  Zhu Shu's agonized eyes gave her the answer. Akane had to look away. "Who- 
who's suicide do you think..." her whispered question trailed off as she 
realized she knew the answer even as she asked... and why Zhu Shu would 
rather die than see another friend lost... the knowledge was there in the 
memory of her face as she waved goodbye...
  "Cherry Blossom didn't fall..." she whispered.
  She threw herself across the floor to hold Zhu Shu as well, tears falling 
from her eyes. "I'm sorry! I didn't know. I never realized..."
  Kasumi held both the sobbing girls until they had quieted, stroking their 
hair until they cried themselves out. Finally Akane asked. "What is Shampoo 
like?" as she rubbed her eyes.
  Zhu Shu looked down at her hands. "She's the Amazon's Champion. A very 
strong warrior. She can be a vicious enemy or a wonderful friend. I- I miss 
her very much."
  "Will... will I like her."
  "I hope so. She's like you in a lot of ways, like Ranma in a lot of ways, 
even like me in some ways. She is an Amazon. She has much Honor and pride. 
I'm a match for her in weapons, but she can defeat me in moments unarmed. 
Ranma's the only person to beat her since she turned thirteen. She has a 
very strong will, like you." She looked up to meet Akane's eyes. "I fear the 
two of you will squabble worse than you and Ranma do. She's under no 
obligation to love you like Ranma, and she won't settle for the role of a 
lesser wife. She must be first, or equal."
  "So... I have to accept her as a second wife, or she'll kill me?"
  "It's the Amazon way. They are as old as Clan Dragon. Even the Communists 
fear them."
  "And Ranma was stupid enough to get himself in this position." She sighed. 
"Oh well. I guess I'll deal with her when she shows up. One Fianc�e at a 
time.  I can't say I'm thrilled at the thought of a mystery fiancee, but-"  
She smiled at Zhu Shu. "-I had contemplated the idea of sharing him.  Just 
not like this."  She looked around the dark dojo. "I guess it's a good thing 
Ranma's guarding the door. A fine sight we must look huddled on the floor 
like this." She stood and bent to kiss Kasumi on the forehead. "Thank you... 
for being a wonderful big sister." Kasumi blushed as Akane turned to Zhu 
Shu. "I- I think I know now why you said no. You're in love with me aren't 
you?"
  Zhu Shu looked away
  "You're afraid you wouldn't be able to let me go afterwards. I understand 
it now." She offered her hand to the Chinese girl and helped her to her 
feet. "If you want the truth, Zhu-sama... " she whispered gazing into her 
eyes, "I'm not sure I could have let go afterwards either. I don't know if I 
could have been able to chose between you or Ranma. I might have ended up 
breaking both of your hearts.  Why do you think I've thought about sharing?" 
  She looked at the ribbons lying on the Dojo floor where they had fallen. 
"That's why it got out of hand isn't it? When our ki touched, neither of us 
wanted to let go... we bound ourselves so close I have some of your 
memories... I know now how to recognize love from your memories of it... and 
my feelings for Ranma and you..." She hugged Zhu Shu close. "I will find a 
way to repay you for all you have given me, I will find a way to allow you 
the happiness you deserve... I swear I will...  And I'll try to accept 
Shampoo.  For you."
  They shared the hug for a long moment before Akane stepped back and turned 
towards the dressing room, then hesitated, looking back at Zhu Shu. "It's 
funny, you know... you still glow gold..." she turned and disappeared into 
the dressing room as Zhu Shu and Kasumi stared after her.
  As the door slid shut, Kasumi asked. "Glow gold?"
  Zhu Shu looked at her wide eyed. "She's seeing my aura...chi... She's 
right. I had green chi, but now, it's gold... so is hers..."
  "She moves like you too... so fluid, and she feels different somehow."
  Zhu Shu shook her head.  "I am a fool. I should have seen this would 
happen. Akane's a complete novice in chi manipulation. When we blended... we 
couldn't unblend... We- we're sisters now in the same way Shampoo is my 
sister.  Our chi is bonded, but where only a small part of my chi is bonded 
to Shampoo, much more has been bonded between us."
  Kasumi looked after her little sister. "I very much doubt she will mind 
one bit , Little Mouse."
  Zhu Shu nodded. "I certainly hope so..."

  * * * * *

  Akane smiled as she opened the door to the Dojo and saw Ranma setting on 
the step, his red aura flickering faintly as he breathed. The swords in his 
hand moved a bare fraction as he tensed at the sound of the door, then 
relaxed as he recognized her. "Oh. It's you. You ok? It sounded like you 
were pushing pretty hard in there earlier."
  She smiled even more broadly. He'd been curious, but had kept his promise. 
She nodded. "I think, in many ways, I'm finer than I ever have been before 
Ran-chan." she looked out over the garden and fingered her braid. "I think I 
learned more tonight than I have in my entire previous life, I certainly 
have a lot to think about." She looked up at the few stars visible through 
Tokyo's light pollution and smiled. "Have you ever noticed the stars, 
Ranma?"
  "Yeah... out on training trips with Pops, I looked at them all the time. 
When you're out away from the city, you can see them fill the night sky. 
Once, I stood on a mountain where all I could see in my entire vision was 
the night sky. I almost felt like if I just pushed off, I could fall into 
the sky..."
  Akane looked at his face and saw he was looking up at the stars as well. 
The revelation surprised her. She'd never thought he could be sensitive. He 
caught her looking and looked down at her. "What?"
  "Nothing... just..." She smiled. "Make sure Zhu Shu and Kasumi get to the 
house alright." She started across the garden to his puzzled look.
  Halfway across, she stopped and looked back. "Before I go though, I think 
you should know two things... One.  I don't think you truly realize what 
kind of a friend Zhu Shu really is..." She stopped and looked at him 
directly. "And two.  And this one you had better remember, Ranma Saotome."  
The strange light in her eyes made him swallow.  "I love you."
  She left him there, staring after her with no words he could find worth 
saying...

  * * * * *
  In the deepest shadows by the Dojo wall, another guardian watched their 
exchange and smiled. At least this part of Urd's crazy plan seemed to have 
worked. He looked down to the angelic face of his most beloved Belldandy 
cradled in his lap as she slept. He snugged his Nikomi Tech jacket closer 
around her shoulders as she smiled and snuggled closer. It would be 
pointless to try and wake her for several hours yet. She always had to sleep 
whenever she had created a major spell, and she had worked this one for 
almost an hour and a half before passing out. He'd ask her later what the 
point of those two colored balls of light, one blue, one green, she had 
joined into a single ball of golden light. She'd stared in to it for over an 
hour before releasing the spell and falling asleep. Maybe for once, her 
explanation of it would be something he could understand.

  * * * * *

  Ranma turned as Kasumi and Zhu Shu exited the Dojo. "No-one came in, but 
Nabiki wanted to know what the light show was. Pop's and Mr. Tendo showed up 
too, with that weird voodoo guy in tow. Wouldn't tell me where they'd been 
all week. That Voodoo guy said there was a 'heap o magic' flowing out of 
there, but he didn't want anything to do with a 'Loa' that big, whatever 
that means." He handed Zhu Shu back her swords. "I have guarded your Honor 
and now return it to you unshamed."
  Zhu Shu took the swords. "I thank you for that guarding." She bowed.
  Ranma nodded. "What's up with Akane? She was acting kind of weird."
  Zhu Shu nodded. "The training didn't go exactly as I planned it." She 
looked up as the light went on in Akane's room. "And truth to tell, I don't 
know yet if that's a good thing or a bad thing. I don't know at all..."
  Ranma tilted his head at her. "Zhu Shu, what happened to your accent?"
  "What? I can't help having an accent. I would have thought you'd be used 
to it by now..."
  "I am... but it's missing."
  "What?"
  "He's right." Kasumi added. "It wasn't there in the Dojo either. You're 
speaking Japanese fluently."
  "Yeah, much better than the broken pidgin you usually speak."
  "I'm Mandarin. I speak a proper tongue! If I have trouble wrapping my 
tongue around... around..." She broke off as she realized she had been about 
to punch Ranma into next week, and that he was cringing.
  "Jeez Zhu Shu, what's got into you? I'd expect that from Akane, not you!"
  She unballed her fist and stared at it in astonishment. She'd never 
punched anything in her life. All her training and reflexes were with her 
swords or ribbons, and she'd been trained to channel anger into her chi. Her 
reaction to the casual barb from Ranma was as alien to her as... as...
  Akane's ability to see auras?
  She searched her emotions to try and find what had sparked her sudden 
rage, and almost cried when she found it.
  Didn't he realize how much his words could hurt her?  How could he insult 
her like that?  Didn't he realize she...
  Loved him?
  Memories and emotions not her own lurked inside her head, mixed into her 
subconscious...
  Sisters indeed... in so much more than blood.

  * * * * *
  From his seat in the shadows, Keiichi Morisato watched as the Chinese girl 
burst into tears and was lead away by the taller Japanese one, leaving Ranma 
standing speechless in the garden once more. He looked down at Belldandy's 
peaceful face. What had she done? He watched as Ranma entered the main house 
and settled himself. He leaned his head back against the wall and looked at 
the stars. He hated to see girls cry. He hoped the end results of Urd's 
scheme made what ever had just happened worth it, that for once in her 
career as a goddess, she was doing the right thing...

Chapter Six: Hearts on the Line.

  There was definitely something different.
  Ranma couldn't put his finger on it, but there was something different.
  Oh, Akane still got mad at him, still called him a Baka when he did 
something dumb, still walked in on him nude in the bath... She was still the 
Akane he knew...
  But different.
  He watched her for the four days to the match, trying to figure out what 
exactly was different. Bit by bit, it came to him.
  She moved like Zhu Shu.
  He couldn't deny it by the fourth day. She had lost the faint awkwardness 
of her movements, the feeling that she was bludgeoning her way through 
invisible walls, and all traces of tomboyishness from her form, if not from 
her attitude. She moved with the same liquid, thoughtless grace that made 
Zhu Shu so mesmerizing. He found himself being fascinated with just watching 
her walk.
  He finally had to admit, if only to himself, that she was... cute.
  No, he corrected himself, she went way past cute... gorgeous wasn't even 
close... she was, quite simply...
  Beautiful...
  As they entered the main hallway of St. Bacchus's School for Girls, he had 
to tear his eyes away from the sway of her hips... the lithe way she...
  Fortunately, Kodachi interrupted his wandering thoughts.
  "Well... I see the clumsy cow has arrived. Are you ready to free my Ranma 
from your vile clutches?"
  Akane's eyes narrowed. "No. I'm here to use you as a floor mop."
  Kodachi laughed in a stilted manner and gazed over Akane's shoulder to Zhu 
Shu and a currently female, due to a small accident with a little old lady 
with a water scoop, Ranma.  "And these two?"
  "My coach and my second." Akane growled. Ranma could see that Kodachi was 
already making Akane seethe.
  "Ah." Kodachi started to dismiss them, then she took a closer look at 
Ranma. "You! The pigtailed girl! So... we meet again. "She smiled viciously. 
"I still owe you for the other day. Perhaps I'll cripple her so I can show 
you a proper thanks."
  "Anytime." Ranma replied.
  Kodachi laughed at the ice in her voice. "I suppose we should be 
sporting." She stuck out her hand. "May the best girl win!"
  Akane started to reach for it, then grabbed Kodachi's wrist and turned it 
to show her palm.
  Kodachi feigned horror. "Oh, however did these tacks get between my 
fingers?" she said unapologetically. "Well, I must be off to my dressing 
room... I am so looking forward to this match." With another dose of her 
maniacal laughter, she skipped away.
  "She has a very black aura." Zhu Shu murmured, her voice soft and still 
accent free.
  Akane nodded.
  "That's the color of sickness... the color of despair. She's not as 
confident as she acts."
  Akane turned to raise a quizzical eyebrow.
  "And she's not quite sane." Zhu Shu added.
  Akane humphed. "I don't know about her sanity, but she's defiantly 
twisted." She hefted her bag and began walking towards their dressing room. 
"But what I don't understand is why you are spending so much energy showing 
me peoples auras." She waved a vague hand. "I mean, you've been glowing for 
days. Isn't it tiring?"
  Ranma raised an eyebrow.
  "I'm not, Akane. Somehow, you've gained my ability to see auras."
  Akane stopped. "What?"
  "You're seeing auras. You have been ever since we blended chi."
  "Say what!" Ranma blurted in shock.
  Zhu Shu turned to Ranma. "When I was teaching her the Dance, something got 
out of control. I don't know how, but we blended chi... entirely."
  "Th-that's not supposed to happen, except... except..." the redhead 
blanched as he looked at them.  "To lovers..." he finished in a whisper.  He 
closed his eyes as it felt like something inside of him was dying and taking 
him with it. He sighed. "Oh, well. I suppose it was inevitable."
  He wasn't looking at them, or he might have seen the pain his words caused 
in Zhu Shu's eyes... or the sheer rage that burned in Akane's. Then he was 
picked up and bodily slammed six inches into the wall and had to meet 
Akane's infuriated gaze.
  "Ranma Saotome. You... you... BAKA! I'll have you know nothing of the sort 
happened!" The fire in her eyes was hotter than Ranma had ever seen. "I 
don't care how little you think of me..." She snarled, "But I will not stand 
here and let you insult Zhu Shu's honor that way!"
  Ranma tried to say something, but Akane slammed him back into the wall "I 
asked. I even tried seducing her! But she wouldn't. She thought she would 
betray you if she did, and she realized I was angry and jealous... over 
you." She turned and threw Ranma against the opposite wall. "And you accuse 
her! If I weren't engaged to you Ranma... I would go to her" She stood over 
the smaller girl, slumped to the floor staring in shock at her. "But I told 
you something the other night, and I told you not to forget it! But I can 
see you can't even do that!"
  Ranma gulped and whispered, "You said you love me..."
  Akane's hands opened and closed in fury as she started to say something 
several times, then finally just screamed "MEN!" and stormed into her 
dressing room, leaving a speechless Ranma behind looking at Zhu Shu's 
tapping foot. Down the hallway on either side, small crowds of girls looked 
on excitedly.
  Ranma looked at Zhu Shu's tapping foot. "I- I really blew it this time , 
didn't I?"
  Zhu Shu's foot continued it's slow deliberate tapping.
  "You're mad at me too, aren't you."
  The tap continued for a few more beats, then stopped. "Do you really think 
so little of me?"
  Ranma shivered at the ice in her voice. "No... I- I think the world of you 
Zhu Shu."
  "But you casually assume that I seduced Akane behind your back?"
  Ranma curled his knees up against his chest as he sat against the wall. 
"I- I wasn't thinking... I- I was..."
  "You were jealous."
  Shamed, Ranma nodded.
  "When Kodachi nearly kissed you, Akane got jealous too. She started 
thinking why would you want her when Kodachi was rich and pretty and sexy 
and not clumsy. Things she felt because of the way you treated her in the 
Dojo while she was trying to train. Why would you want her when there was 
Kodachi?"
  "But I don't want Kodachi."
  "But have you ever said so to Akane? No. Even the next morning when 
Kodachi was chasing you, You used Akane as an excuse, not as a reason for 
why you didn't want to date Kodachi. Great way to make Akane feel really 
wanted.  Is it any wonder she felt hurt? Or jealous? She had a need to feel 
wanted, and when she saw me feeling sad, she thought she could cheer me up, 
and maybe feel like someone really cared about her. She wanted me to make 
love to her, to make her feel loved, to hurt you the way she felt you had 
hurt her. She wasn't thinking about how badly she could hurt anyone else, 
how badly she could hurt both of us. She wasn't thinking about how it could 
destroy our friendship, because I wouldn't have been able to let her go if I 
had allowed her to go so far. I love her, Ranma, and the only reason I 
stopped her is because you're my friend and she's your fianc�e." She made 
the stricken girl look into her eyes. "If she were free, I would give up my 
family, my honor, everything I am to be what you are! If I could have her by 
my side forever... But I will not betray a friend!" She looked at Ranma's 
pale face, and looked away. "Akane knows this. There wasn't anything you 
could have said to have hurt her more..."
  Shame filled Ranma's eyes. "Oh, gods... Zhu Shu... I gotta apologize!" She 
turned to open the dressing room door and stepped inside, not hearing Zhu 
Shu's final whispered words. "Not to Akane... or to me...

  * * * * *

  Akane stood by the window, staring blankly while idly playing with her 
braid and humming a sing song tune. At her feet lay a bouquet of black roses 
surrounded by a faint haze of white powder.
  Ranma stopped at seeing her. "Akane?"
  Akane giggled. "Ran-ma-sa-ma-I-was-thin-king-of-you." She sing-songed as 
she turned and moved towards the redhead, snagging her foot on her bag and 
tripping. She did a handstand and flipped, her legs catching Ranma on either 
shoulder as she bore her over and down. Akane landed sitting on Ranma's 
chest and looked around. "Ran-ma-sa-ma, where-are-you?"
  She lifted her skirt at the muffled reply and looked down at the redheads 
face between her legs and giggled again. "Silly Ran-ma. You're not supposed 
to be there. I'm mad at you!" she crossed her arms and nodded, nearly 
tumbling over.
  "Are you ok?" Ranma asked, worried.
  "I'm Fiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnneeeeee..." Akane giggled again and reached down to 
pull her panties aside to reveal her bare pubic area. "See!  I shaved for 
you, so I'd be just like Zhu Shu... Just for you." She placed a finger on 
Ranma's nose. "And then you have to make me mad at you." She trailed her 
finger down Ranma's face and up her pubis. "So... none for you!" She let her 
panties go with a snap as she giggled and this time did fall over.
  "Zhu Shu!" Ranma called as she untangled herself from Akane's legs. "Zhu 
Shu! Something's wrong with Akane!"
  Zhu Shu slipped into the door, took one look at Akane and dived to her 
side. She examined the madly giggling girl and looked around to see the 
roses. She dusted her finger and looked at it. "Poppy." she said 
disgustedly. "With several other ingredients I suspect."
  "Can you do anything?" Ranma pleaded. "She can't fight like this and I 
don't know the style!"
  Zhu Shu sat the still giggling girl up. "Zhu-sa-ma! Ran-ma-sa-ma was 
between my legs! Naughty girl!" Zhu Shu grimaced.
  "Definitely more than just poppy." She reached behind her back and pulled 
out her herb case, opening it to withdraw a small vial. "It's not a real 
antidote, but the effects will offset the worst of this. But there are going 
to be some side effects, especially with what she's already on." She said as 
she looked at Ranma. "It will make her capable of fighting, but..." She 
looked at Akane setting on the floor still laughing madly. "Well... I 
suppose it really couldn't make her less inhibited."
  Ranma nodded. "Will she be ok?"
  Zhu Shu nodded. "It won't hurt, and it will definitely overcome this 
lethargic state..."
  Akane stopped the debate by snatching the vial out of Zhu Shu's hand. 
"Sake!"
  Zhu Shu and Ranma both looked on in astonishment as she drained the vial. 
Ranma looked at Zhu Shu. "I never saw her move!"
  Zhu Shu blinked a few times and stole a quote from Kasumi. "Oh, my.  She 
wasn't supposed to drink the whole bottle!"
  Akane sat with her head tilted and blinked a few times as her pupils 
un-dilated, then looked around the room as if she'd never seen it before. 
Her gaze came to rest on Ranma and strange look came to her eyes. She 
stretched, cat-like, then stalked over to the red head on all fours and 
meowed. Then she batted the confused Ranma over and crawled up him until 
they were nose to nose.
  "Akane?" Ranma asked nervously, staring at the purring girl in shock.
  "You. Are. Purrrrrrrrr-fectly. Sexy." Akane said as she nuzzled Ranma's 
face, then her eyes fell upon her bag and the black roses laying by it and 
her eyes lit up. "And you're MINE!" She giggled and leaped upwards.
  Ranma caught only a glimpse of the blur that hit the door as a rain of 
Akane's clothes began to fall...

  * * * * *

  Ranma and Zhu Shu caught up to Akane at the ring, where she prowled like a 
playful tigress. She had changed into the black and orange striped tights 
she'd brought somewhere during her blur and twin ribbons lashed behind her 
like tails. Then she caught sight of Ranma and waved before bouncing over to 
plant a kiss on her nose before giggling and bouncing into the ring again.
  "Is she alright?" Ranma asked Zhu Shu.
  "She's awake." Zhu Shu sighed. "I don't have anything to counter the fact 
she's as high as a kite."
  "Oh great." Ranma groaned.
  A commotion arose at the door as they opened and the audience started to 
filter in, along with Genma and the other two Tendo girls. They took seats 
at the front, the audience choosing not to argue with a giant panda. Kasumi 
looked at Akane and asked, "Is she ok?"
  Ranma shook her head. "Kodachi hit her with some kind of weird drug that 
started to put her to sleep. Then Zhu Shu gave her something to keep her 
awake. Now, we aren't really sure what she's going to do."
  "Oh, my." Kasumi looked worried.
  Akane meanwhile had lashed her ribbons to the overhead beams and was using 
them as a swing. She swung back and forth in lazy arcs, staring off into 
space dreamily. The crowd buzzed with whispers as the seats filled with 
students from both schools commenting on her odd behavior.
  Finally Kodachi entered, a small frown crossing her face when she saw 
Akane had made it to the ring. She greeted Kuno as she proceeded to the ring 
where she threw off her robe to reveal a skintight black leotard of black 
with a stylized rose design. She stepped into the ring, a black rose between 
her teeth. Akane looked at her curiously and dropped to the mat, ribbons 
once again lashing like a cat's tail.
  The Referee looked at her nervously before proceeding with her opening. 
"And now the Champions of the Schools! In this corner... From St. Bacchus 
School for Girls... Kodachiiiiii Kuuuuuuuunnnnoooo!"
  Kodachi waved to the cheering crowd and threw her rose into the audience. 
The announcer turned to Akane. "And in this corner... umm... what's your 
name?" she finished in a stage whisper.
  Akane stared at Kodachi intently as she murmured her name.
  The Referee stepped back and continued. "And representing Furinkan High... 
Akaneeee Tennnndoooo!"
  The Furinkan students broke into cheers as Kuno threw roses at the stage.
  "Champions to the center!" The Announcer called. Akane looked at Kodachi 
with her head tilted to one side as she tucked her ribbons behind her back.
  Zhu Shu and Ranma both blinked.
  The two girls approached each other and the Referee made them shake hands. 
Kodachi had to get another dig in. "Well cow, are you ready to lose your 
claim to my Ranma?"
  Akane gave her a curious look. "Over your dead body." She tilted her head 
the other way and reached out and snagged Kodachi's leotard by the V between 
her breasts and pulled her close. "Or maybe not, cute and psychotic."
  Kodachi sprang back as Akane turned and giggled all the way back to her 
corner. Kodachi stared at her retreating form. "Y-y-you dare!"
  "You betcha!" Akane answered. She leaned over the ropes to look at Ranma 
curiously, then whispered conspiratorially at Zhu Shu. "I don't know why'd 
she want him though. He's a bitch! Thinks nothing or ripping out hearts. 
Maybe I should let her have him." She looked at the stricken redhead and 
winked. "Or maybe I'll go to her. I'm already a slut, right! You said so. 
Wanna bet I can get her out of that outfit before the end of the fight." She 
giggled and leered at Ranma. "Hot girl girl action, doncha know."
  "Akane, please! Don't be like that." Ranma pleaded. "I'm sorry. I didn't 
mean what I said. You aren't yourself right now! It's what Kodachi drugged 
you with!"
  "I can't hear yooou!" Akane sang as she rolled to look at Ranma upside 
down. "My head is full of fluff and my ears are ringing!"
  "That's the bell! Look out!"
  "Whups!" Akane giggled as she dodged Kodachi's club attack. She flipped to 
the top of a corner pole and shook her finger. "Naughty, naughty! Attacking 
while I'm yelling at Ranma. Bad girl! Mommy spank!" She jumped over another 
blow.
  Kodachi steamed. "How dare you mock the Black Rose!" She screamed as she 
launched the club straight at Akane's head.
  At the top of her leap, Akane's ribbons reappeared and intercepted the 
club, knocking it flying before they quested downwards after Kodachi.
  Kodachi laughed and knocked them away with her rope, the cord standing as 
stiffly as a sword.
  "Just what we've come to expect from the Flower of Martial Gymnastics, 
Kodachi Kuno! She handles the rope as if it's a rod!" the Announcer called.
  Akane landed while dodging another blow, and one of her ribbons caught her 
leg momentarily, making her stumble. Kodachi took advantage of her misstep 
to clobber her with her stiff rope, revealing it wasn't a rope at all.
  "Wait a minute, the Announcer cried. "It is a rod!! A rod disguised as a 
rope!"
  "Akane!" Ranma yelled as she stumbled away from Kodachi, dazed by the 
blow. Zhu Shu yelled at the Referee "Kodachi's cheating!"
  The Referee looked at her. "So long as it's not a bare handed blow."
  Kodachi laughed and twirled her clubs, then jabbed at Akane, who just 
barely dodged as she was recovering. Then she dived against the ropes as 
with a pong, spikes sprang from the club and clipped her ear.
  "She's using spiked clubs!" Zhu Shu yelled at the Referee. She turned to 
look, but as she did, the spikes snapped back into the club. "I don't see 
any spikes." The Referee called back.
  "I do all this so that I may date Ranma!" Kodachi cried to the crowd. "Oh 
how inspiring the lengths to which I'll go!!"
  Akane had regained her balance and giggled. "Dream on cutie!" she cried as 
a ribbon shot out to snare Ranma and drag the girl into the ring. "He's 
mine! Lock, stock and cute little curly red pubic hairs!" She kissed the 
completely bound Ranma to a 'Oooooh' from the crowd, then tilted her head. 
"That's right. I'm mad at you!" She pulled her ribbon and sent Ranma 
spinning like a top to careen into Kodachi.
  "An ingenious attack from the crazy girl from Furinkan High! Is a second a 
valid weapon?" The Announcer asked.
  The judges waved their flags. "Valid!"
  Kodachi meanwhile had been pressed to the ropes by a dizzy Ranma. "Away 
from me!" Kodachi yelled as she pushed the disoriented girl. A flailing hand 
caught her leotard top and with a loud rip, Kodachi's entire left sleeve 
tore free. Ranma fell to the mat and shook her head.
  Kodachi looked down at her torn leotard and screamed. "You wretched girl! 
Look what you have done!" She grabbed her clubs and swung repeatedly as 
Ranma dodged and scuttled towards the edge of the ring. Then a pair of 
ribbons wrapped around her waist and pulled her back in front of Akane. 
"Now, now. Ranma is my Fianc�e. I'll do my own beating up." Akane giggled. 
"But thank you for the kind thoughts." She leaned forwards and the entire 
crowd ceased all noise as she kissed Kodachi on the lips.
  Kodachi stumbled backwards as sounds of disbelief, and the occasional 
cheer, echoed through the crowd.
  "This match has... has taken a truly unexpected turn!! Can a kiss be 
considered a bare handed blow? It certainly has set our Champion reeling!"
  The judges consulted in a flurry of voices before their flags came up. 
"Valid! No hands or feet involved!"
  Kodachi wiped the back of her hand across her lips, a lost look in her 
eyes, then Akane giggled again and Kodachi's eyes flared. "So! Now you would 
toy with my Heart! Such insult cannot be allowed! You dreadful girl!" She 
launched a furious assault on Akane, but Akane's ribbons kept intercepting 
them.  Akane skipped backwards as she sing-songed "Dachi and Akane sitting 
in a tree-whups!" The rings ropes blocked her as Kodachi grabbed a hoop from 
her second and screamed "I shall punish you!" as she threw the ring at 
Akane's throat.
  Akane dodged the hoop and it sliced through the top of the corner pole 
she'd been next to. She stared at the cleanly sliced pole and mumbled 
"Whoa...Burma shave." as Kodachi's ribbon reached out to snag the hoop and 
draw it back towards Akane's back.
  "Watch out!" Ranma and Zhu Shu screamed in unison as the crowd drew a 
breath in horror.
  Akane sensed the ring at the last second, did a mid-air cartwheel and 
flipped to balance on the rope on one foot.
  Ranma blinked. "Since when is she that good?"
  Kodachi angled her hoop at Akane again. Akane frowned and lashed out with 
her ribbons. Gold fire flickered along their length as they slashed 
Kodachi's hoop into pieces.
  "And Akane razors Kodachi's hoop!" The Announcer screamed as Zhu Shu did a 
double-blink. That wasn't part of Shiva's Dance.
  Akane giggled. "That's not playing nice! I'll teach you to play with sharp 
things!" She giggled again as her ribbon blurred into a flicker of golden 
light that played around Kodachi's waist and spun the girl around. She 
staggered after she stopped spinning and small wisps of thread fell from the 
halter top and g-string Akane had left of her leotard. Shreds of black cloth 
littered the ring, and only her right sleeve remained intact. Murmurs of 
appreciation arose from the male students in the crowd at the sight of how 
little Akane had left of Kodachi's outfit. Akane sat down and bounced on the 
ropes as Kodachi took stock and catcalled "Now play nice or I'll take the 
rest."
  Kodachi's fists clenched as she howled "You BITCH!" She grabbed her clubs. 
"I will pay you back for this a hundred fold! Now! Witness the secret 
technique of the Black Rose! The Blow of a Thousand Hands at full frenzy!"
  Akane laughed as she dodged the massive volley of blows. Air pressure from 
the misses shattered the first two rows of bleachers and sent spectators 
flying. Screams of panic went up from the crowd.
  "My God!" yelled the Announcer. "It looks like she's using twenty clubs! 
There's no doubt about it! The madwoman from Furinkan has definitely raised 
Kodachi's ire as well as her hemlines!"
  A ball flew up at Akane from the sidelines, and she idly batted it at 
Kodachi's still futile attempts to hit her. The ball smashed down through 
the volley of clubs and popped loudly against the mat as clubs rained down 
around Kodachi.
  "And the truth is revealed!" The Announcer called, still clutching her 
mike amid the wreckage Kodachi had made of her table. "She was using twenty 
clubs!"
  Kodachi looked down in disbelief at the clubs surrounding her, then over 
to where Akane was casually strolling along the rope singing a nursery 
rhyme. Her eyes hardened. "This is only the beginning!" she cried as she 
pulled her ribbons from somewhere. "The true essence of Martial Gymnastics 
is control of an endless array of weapons!" The ribbon reached out to snag a 
bell from the wreckage around the ring and hurled it at Akane.
  Akane intercepted the bell with her ribbons and it fell to the mat in four 
pieces as she laughed. "Oho! Trying to ring my bell and we haven't even been 
on a first date!" Her ribbon slithered around in a spiral to smack Kodachi 
on the rear with a loud crack. Kodachi jumped and a blush spread across her 
cheeks at the yelp she had let out. Akane stood on a corner pole and looked 
at her with her head cocked. "Whadda ya know, I think she liked that!"
  Kodachi eeped and grabbed a chair to throw at Akane, but as she turned, 
she found Akane right in front of her. The chair clattered to the floor as 
her momentum carried her against the other girl and she stared into the 
strange expression in Akane's eyes. Only she heard the words Akane spoke. 
"Yep. You need a good fucking." But the tone made her stagger backwards a 
half dozen steps in shock.
  She stared at Akane as her heart hammered. Akane stood there like a hyper 
eager airline hostess. Her feet were together and her hands were behind her 
back as she leaned slightly forward while her ribbons danced behind her back 
like tails. On her face was a friendly smile...
  Wind whistled through the silent auditorium.
  Like a trapped animal, Kodachi looked around wildly, finally spying her 
brother looking at her coldly. In almost terror, she snagged him and hurled 
him at Akane.
  Whatever spell had existed for that frozen moment broke as Kuno yelled and 
swung his boken. Akane moved aside and used her ribbons to hurl Kuno into 
the crowd.
  "Use of brother valid!" The judges called as Kodachi began to hurl 
everything she could at Akane.
  "It's a battle for the ages!" the Announcer called. "The Black Rose is in 
rare form today, but her opponent isn't giving an inch! What will happen 
next! And all our male fans are wondering, I'm sure, will Kodachi lose any 
more of her outfit? It's still anyone's match!"
  Ranma and Zhu Shu were still watching slack jawed when the panda, 
seemingly uninterested in the match tapped Ranma on the shoulder and offered 
her a cup of tea.
  "Pops! This is no time to be relaxing! Akane's higher than a kite! She 
could be killed!"
  The panda gave the ring an eye, then shrugged unconcernedly as he sat down 
with his kettle and tea cup.
  Kodachi was still desperately attacking an Akane who seemed to be having 
more and more fun blocking her attacks and snipping more of Kodachi's 
outfit. The right sleeve was now gone and only a thin band covered her 
breasts. She'd also lost the right side of her bottom and only a single 
strand kept the cloth covering between her legs. She was despairing because 
Akane still only seemed to be half paying attention and hadn't stopped 
giggling. As the rebuff to one last attack severed the cloth between her 
breasts, her eyes feel on the kettle next to the panda. Heedless of the loss 
of her top and the whistles of appreciation from the crowd, she snagged the 
kettle and held it triumphantly.
  "Hah! Even a cockroach will surrender in the face of the Attack of the 
Boiling Water!" She leaped to pour steaming water on Akane but was 
unsuccessful.
  "And Akane retreats!" the Announcer yelled. "But then that water does look 
hot!"
  Akane leaped high to avoid the splashes, but Kodachi anticipated her. As 
she descended, the kettle was slashed apart right in front of her and as a 
cloud of steam covered her a nonsense yell came from her mouth.
  Nonsense to everyone but Zhu Shu. It was Mandarin Chinese for Dragons Egg 
Shield. The same technique she used to shield herself. But that would mean 
Akane was using the Song School of Sword Dance's secret techniques...
  A golden globe of light dropped from the bottom of the cloud of steam, 
revealing a completely dry and unharmed Akane. She dropped into a perfect 
stance atop a corner pole as the globe faded. "That was mean!" Akane called 
as her ribbon flashed out to wrap the nearly nude Kodachi and hurl her 
through the air, the last piece of her leotard fluttering to the mat.
  "Is this it." The Announcer called. "Has Akane stripped Kodachi of not 
only her clothing, but victory as well?"
  A shrill whistle came from the airborne Kodachi and the ring shuddered 
into motion towards her.  It crossed the wreckage to intercept her and as 
she landed smugly, she struck a pose and cried "Out is an impossibility for 
me!" She laughed maniacally. "And the loss of my clothes means nothing! I 
shall prevail! I shall win my Ranma from you! I refuse to be beaten by a 
perverted girl like you!"
  Akane looked at Kodachi's dramatic pose and giggled. "Ya know, you're cute 
when you're naked and angry." Her ribbon lashed across Kodachi's nipples, 
electing a gasp of involuntary pleasure from the girl. "But Ran-ma sa-ma is 
mi-ine! No-ot your-ors!" She frowned. "Even if he does think his best friend 
slept with me!"
  A shocked hush crossed the auditorium as the redhead hung her head in 
shame. In the silence a shocked "Oh, my! Ranma how could you!" came from 
Kasumi, and the thud of Nabiki's soda hitting the floor was like a rock 
fall.
  Akane's glare left Ranma and returned to the still stunned Kodachi. "And 
you! It's all your fault! If you hadn't tried to kiss him!" Her ribbon 
lashed across Kodachi's nipples again and made her arch her back. "Then you 
tried to steal him!" The ribbon lashed between her legs. "Then you had to 
come to my school-" flick "and attack me!" flick "Then chase him!" Akane's 
blows came more and more frequently and Kodachi's eyes were glazing. "And 
then you had to be Kuno's sister! And cute! And rich!" with every 
exclamation, Akane's ribbon struck again. Kodachi stood frozen, her ribbon 
falling from nerveless fingers as her breath came in short gasps.
  "Then you had the nerve-" Akane yelled, raw fury in her eyes now. "To try 
and take him from ME! Take that! And that! And that! And that!" Akane 
punctuated each statement with another blow. "Why! Can't! You! Under! Stand! 
That! I! Love! Him!"
  As the last blow landed between her legs, Kodachi could take no more. She 
screamed as her body convulsed in a massive orgasm. Adoring eyes fell on 
Akane's tear streaked face and she whispered "I'm sorry mistress..."
  Then she fainted.
  Akane collapsed into tears as the shaky Referee stepped up to her and 
raised Akane's hand. "And the winner is..." The Announcer spoke in a quiet 
voice. "Is Akane Tendo."
  Ranma and Zhu Shu rushed forward to shelter Akane as the crowd erupted in 
wild cheers...

  * * * * *

  The nurse looked over Akane and sighed. "She'll be ok, but damned if I've 
ever seen this combination before. Kodachi's potions usually result in 
sleep, paralysis, or some other type of incapacitation in one way or 
another. I'd suspect she was on some kind of speed, but that's not something 
Kodachi uses."
  "She took a ginseng potion to counter the sleepiness." Zhu Shu said, a 
worried look on her face.
  The nurse nodded. "Strong potion that. She's exhausted. I'd say the potion 
burned the other drug out of her faster then it would have gone normally, 
but it drained her in the process. She'll likely sleep till tomorrow. Still, 
it explains some of the strange behavior she was exhibiting, but not all of 
it.
  Zhu Shu blushed.  "It was a Nuptial potion.  I was only going to give her 
a small dose, but she took the whole bottle."
  "Well, that explains that." The Nurse smiled. "She'll probably not 
remember much of anything she did. Kind of a pity really. Kodachi has needed 
a come down for awhile. It's amusing that she had a hand in her own 
downfall. Still, I'd tell her to be careful. Kodachi's the type to hold very 
long grudges and she was utterly humiliated..."

  * * * * *

  The subject of the Nurses comments sat in the locker room staring off into 
space. She was still nude, the marks of the lashing she had received a 
bright red against her skin. The other girls of the Gymnastics team cowered 
around the room fearing her reaction when she finally moved. She had never 
been a kind mistress, and every girl there had felt her ribbon in a manner 
similar to what she had received at Akane's hands. They all feared her 
wraith.
  But Kodachi had not reacted yet. She was still contemplating the fight...
  Finally, she moved. She stood and moved over to the full length mirror and 
stared at herself. For almost half an hour she stood there, the team barely 
daring to breathe lest they spark her wraith, yet she never moved.
  At the last, she turned walked to her locker, apparently not seeing the 
team. She slowly dressed, her motions almost robotic, then she turned, her 
eyes raising to look at the most senior girl of the team.
  "I am unworthy to lead you. You must be the captain."
  To stunned silence, she turned and vanished out the door.

  * * * * *

  A strange procession traipsed home from St Bacchus towards the Tendo Dojo. 
In the lead was a morose redhead who contrary to her usual habits plodded 
along as if her feet were made of lead. Behind her came a concerned Kasumi 
and a depressed Zhu Shu followed by the panda carrying Akane. Finally came 
Nabiki, watching all the others curiously.
  "So the Nurse said she'd be ok?" Kasumi asked Zhu Shu again. "That all the 
effects would be gone when she awoke?
  "All the effect of the drugs Kodachi gave her. I'm not sure about other 
things." She gave the redhead in front a look and sighed.
  "Oh, I'm sure we can work that out." Kasumi said. "I'm just glad the match 
is over with. Your teaching Akane really helped. I had no idea that you had 
taught her so much else besides the Dance! She could never do half the stuff 
she did in the ring before. And all I saw you teach her was the ribbon! Why 
didn't you tell me you'd taught her all that other stuff? I never saw you 
training."
  "I didn't, Kasumi. After what happened with the Dance, I didn't dare. And 
I didn't teach her anything of my Clan's secret techniques.
  Kasumi stared. "But- but how could she... I mean... she was never that 
good at ki before!"
  Zhu Shu lowered her head. "I suspect we shared a lot more than just a few 
memories and feelings when our chi merged." She looked at Ranma and the 
heartbreak in her eyes was plain. "A lot more. I can't separate my feelings 
from Akane's feelings..."
  Ranma stopped. "You shared her feelings?" She turned to Zhu Shu, 
realization dawning in her eyes.
  "No." Zhu Shu said. "I have her feelings."
  It was confirmation of Ranma's thoughts. He groaned as Kasumi said. "Oh, 
my. Then that must mean you-" She broke off.
  Zhu Shu nodded. "I'm in love with Ranma too."
  Ranma turned away lest Zhu Shu see the tears in his eyes.  He'd hurt Zhu 
Shu as much as he'd hurt Akane...
  It was a long silent walk home.

  * * * * *

  Time passed slowly... day crawling into night, night crawling into 
morning, morning crawling into...
  Akane awoke to a bright morning. She had a few faint traces of a headache, 
but other than that, she felt wonderful. Still sleep fogged, she lazed with 
her eyes closed and cleared her chakras and cleansed her chi, letting it 
flow through her body and wipe the lethargy of sleep from her mind.
  It came to her then exactly what she was doing, and in the calm clear 
state of mind she found herself in she realized it seemed she had always 
known how to do it, yet she could also clearly remember never having done so 
before.
  Curious, she searched through the rest of her mind, astonished by what was 
there. A vast store of skills lay dormant in her mind, poised on the verge 
of her consciousness, and as she acknowledged them, it seemed as if a signal 
had been given. With an almost audible click, they settled into her mind and 
body as if they were her own...
  And with them came memories...
  She knew they were Zhu Shu's, but the feelings they evoked were her own. 
They flowed through her consciousness and settled into their places in her 
mind, bringing with them Zhu Shu's past...
  She understood now, so much that had puzzled her about the Chinese girl 
and understanding nearly broke her heart. Zhu Shu had spent her life 
training for a role she could never fulfill. She would never be able to 
serve her Emperor, but the need to serve had been driven so far into her 
that it consumed her life. Her friends had become her only release for that 
need. Zhu Shu could no more not serve than she could give up breathing, but 
she was caught between the need to serve and her own desires.
  The fullness of that realization nearly made her cry. She could see the 
memories Zhu Shu had of Cherry Blossom and her feelings for her, the 
attraction that had grown over years... and the actions her aunt had taken 
when those feelings had been revealed... She could feel the hollowness Zhu 
Shu felt when she looked at men... the utter lack of a response on any level 
beyond friendship...
  Zhu Shu might have learned to like men, Akane thought, but her aunt had 
ground it out of her with her lessons on how to please men. Zhu Shu knew a 
thousand ways to arouse men, to seduce men, to please men, some of which had 
long ago become unconscious actions, but men would never be to her more than 
a rote set of stimulus response reflexes.
  Men simply were not appealing to her. She had no more response to them 
sexually than she did to a rock. Even Ranma, much as she liked to look at 
him when he was female, evoked no interest. Zhu Shu had toyed with the idea 
when she had first met him, but interest had died as he had proven that even 
as a girl, he was forever male...
  Akane mourned for her. She herself had always liked men, and had never 
even thought about women until Zhu Shu had arrived. The thought of liking 
them sexually had been alien to her, yet Ranma had awoken strange feelings 
in her that Zhu Shu had helped her define. She liked men. Ranma had been 
right about her taking a long look that first day, and as frightened as she 
was, she had also been incredibly aroused. He'd been so good looking. Then, 
the whole Fianc�e thing had gotten her riled, and she'd hated him for being 
forced on her. What she had hated the most about Kuno and his idiotic 
challenge had been the forced attentions she'd had to fight off. If Kuno had 
just asked for a date, she might have gone out with him.
  Then she'd found out Ranma was just as unhappy with being forced, and that 
he had been taking it out on her as badly as she had been taking it out on 
him. And, yet, she had admired him for the way he had stood up to Kuno... 
the attraction had been there for Zhu Shu to see.
  She had to admit that while Zhu Shu had complicated her life enormously, 
she had simplified it in some way as well, ways which had confused her 
immensely . She would have bungled her relationship with Ranma, she was 
sure, and taken who knows how long to recognize or even admit to herself 
that she loved him, let alone that she loved him in either form. How long 
would she have fought herself over that? Over admitting that his female side 
fascinated her?
  Then Kodachi had brought it all to the fore. She'd liked Zhu Shu, and had 
been fascinated with her preferences, but until her jealousy had prompted 
her to try and seduce Zhu Shu, she had still seen her as a much loved 
friend.
  And Zhu Shu's refusal to betray Ranma that way had shaken her, had shown 
her a meanness in herself she would have rather not admitted to; a 
selfishness that was willing to hurt even her friends for a pointless 
revenge over something that had existed only in her own mind...
  But Zhu Shu had forgiven her... Had sent Kasumi to reassure her. She 
couldn't show Akane her love directly, but indirectly, she'd done all she 
could to make sure Akane knew she cared. She'd given Akane all she could and 
still be honorable.
  Then... had come the Dance.
  Whether she had intended to or not, Zhu Shu had given Akane the greatest 
gift she had ever received. Direct knowledge of what it was like to be in 
love. The traces of her memories of Cherry Blossom had shown her what she 
was feeling in a way she couldn't deny.
  Had the accident not happened, she probably would have spent several more 
months of being terribly flirtatious before she'd dare admit to her love, 
even to herself. The mishap had changed that, it had changed a lot of 
things... She'd grown up a lot that night. She realized she loved him... was 
in love with him...
  And with Zhu Shu as well...
  What she had gained from Zhu Shu had enabled her to see how much she had 
hurt her friend, and how close she had driven her to committing what was for 
her the ultimate sin... Betraying a friend.
  In Zhu Shu's mind, betraying a friend was as bad as betraying her 
Emperor... and there was only one sentence for treason...
  Akane had spent that first night following the accident trying to avoid 
thinking. There had been too much to assimilate, so she had pushed most of 
it aside, but the shame of what her selfishness had nearly caused had 
refused to go. She had hated what life had done to her... had hated it's 
unfairness in taking her mother... in forcing her to be engaged to Ranma... 
in having Kuno set all the boys at Furinkan on her... But her shame had 
burned it all out... all the anger she had over life's unfairness... Yes... 
she had dealt with a lot of disappointments, but her self justifications had 
died with the old rage...
  Then shock had set in over all the alien memories and she had forgotten 
all but the strongest impressions. Her mind had simply refused to deal with 
everything else she had gained. Only the lingering guilt had remained...
  That was what had sparked the rage at Ranma... the guilt that she nearly 
had done exactly what he thought she had... guilt and the need to defend Zhu 
Shu... the one who deserved the accusation least...
  She couldn't remember too clearly what had happened after that, just vague 
memories... she knew that somehow, her current hyperaware state was an 
aftereffect of whatever she had been hit with, and it was slowly fading. 
Still, it had enabled her to absorb all the knowledge she had gained from 
Zhu Shu. It was like she had lived with her all her life and knew her like 
she knew her sisters, but the memories weren't hers anymore. They had faded 
to the background as her mind had resorted herself from them. Only the 
skills had remained as hers, the skills and a strange new sensation at the 
back of her head...
  She felt along the strange new sense, finally realizing it was a link... a 
connection between her and Zhu Shu... like they were...
  Twins... that's the only thing she could recall that matched what she was 
sensing, the description of the connections between twins...
  That link let her know that Zhu Shu fighting her own rampaging emotions as 
well...
  She wished there was something she could do to help... She knew she hadn't 
been all that easy to get along with, and compared to Zhu Shu's, her 
thoughts and emotions raged like a wildfire. Calm, contemplative Zhu Shu 
must be fighting a battle with what she had gained from her.
  One thought came wending way to the forefront out of nowhere and made her 
giggle... Zhu Shu was probably having the hardest time trying to forget 
Akane's skills at cooking...
  Gods, she had been bad at that... her new skills cringed when they 
contemplated what she had used to call cooking... She was glad she'd never 
had a chance to cook for Ranma... he probably would have thought she was 
trying to poison him...
  The thought prompted her to really take stock of her skills and what she 
found shocked her... She had trained with her father and knew a good deal of 
the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts, but she'd never driven herself as 
hard as Ranma had... she had never been a master...
  Now...
  She could recall the lessons with Zhu Shu's grandfather teaching her the 
Song School of Sword Dancing... the years of training... learning how to 
focus her ki, channel it, use it... learning how to use the sword...
  And years of learning to cook, to sew, to do all the duties of an imperial 
servant, from lowest maid to Chamberlain... and the fun of using her martial 
arts training to make the other work easier... the joys gained by doing 
things better and quicker than her aunt expected...
  And the whirlwind night where Zhu Shu had learned the Dance of Shiva, the 
massive set of skills passed on in the same way she had passed them to 
Akane...
  But Sarhia had only given Zhu Shu the skills... not her memories or 
feelings or anything else beyond the Dance... Why had it been so different 
with Akane?
  She had no answers... and the clarity was fading... normal thought was 
returning and with it, the sensations of her body...
  She was laying in bed, and from the feelings, she was in her pajamas. she 
smiled... it had probably been Kasumi... she always thought of those 
things... she took a long languorous stretch and purred at the sensations of 
the cloth on her nipples. Whatever she had taken had left her very sensitive 
and...
  She opened her eyes and slowly scanned the room, seeing an exhausted 
redhead passed out in a chair next to her bed... Ranma had stayed with her 
in worry. Akane smiled, her gaze slowly wandering over Ranma's body, coming 
at last to rest on where her shirt had fallen aside to reveal one rosy pink 
nipple. Akane slipped the sheets back noiselessly and tip-toed across the 
room. She knelt, a canary grin on her face, and gently began to lick at the 
proffered treat.
  Ranma moaned softly as her nipple hardened, then her eyes fluttered open 
sleepily as a small gasp escaped her lips. "Wh- what are you doing?" She 
whispered.
  Akane laid a finger against her lips as her teeth gently nipped and held 
the nipple and flicked her tongue across it faster. Ranma's eyes glazed and 
another gasp escaped her lips, followed by a moan as Akane's hand trailed 
down her body and slid inside Ranma's shorts. Ranma bit her lips to stifle 
her moans as Akane brought her to a climax, her body arching as her breathe 
came in hard gasps, then she slowly relaxed with a soft moan. Her eyes 
opened to see Akane licking her fingers. She stared, questions huge in her 
eyes.
  Akane giggled.
  "Oh no... you're still high as a kite!" Ranma muttered.
  "Nope." Akane propped herself on the arm of the chair next to Ranma's legs 
and looked up at her. "I'm fine. I'm just a little... well a lot... horny. 
And I do remember you apologized. Think of this as my way of telling you 
apology accepted. You aren't perfect Ranma Saotome, but then neither am I. 
We both have a lot to learn to make this relationship work. You tend to be 
thoughtless, and I, well, I do have a temper... but at least you're trying. 
I love you, Ranma. I know that for a fact... Even if our fathers all of a 
sudden called off our engagement... I'd still want you to be my husband. We 
will make this work somehow. This... was a promissory note... When we work 
out our difficulties, and we finally get married... On that day, and not 
before, will I take you to my bed as a man, and have you be with me as a man 
should. Until then... well... there may be occasions where I will want you 
to be with me like this. I've come to realize I like you as both a man and a 
woman, Ranma. I want to be with you, but I won't risk being pregnant. I will 
not dishonor our families that way. I just want you to know I want this to 
work... I want us to work...
  "Oh, Akane... I am so very sorry for assuming you..."  Ranma's voice 
trembled. "I-I want us to work too. I'm sorry I can be a... a... a jerk." 
She lowered her eyes. " I-I just want you to know... that..." She stopped as 
Akane laid a finger against her lips.
  "Before you go and give me permission to go and bury my head between Zhu 
Shu's legs- "Akane told the blushing redhead. "-I will tell you why that 
will never happen. Zhu Shu loves me, Ranma, but she loved you first, as a 
friend. She could not betray you Ranma, anymore than she could betray her 
emperor, because in her heart, they are one and the same thing, with the 
same consequences. Even with your permission it would still be a betrayal 
because she knows she would have to give me up to you eventually, and she 
wouldn't be able to if we were lovers. She has my love and I have hers, but 
we will never be anything more than sisters, because if we become anything 
else it could destroy us. She could not bear to give me up and would destroy 
herself in guilt, and I... I would not be able to live with her suicide..."
  Ranma stared in dismay at Akane's words.
  "She was wise enough to know this... and despite her desires, she resisted 
me. I nearly broke her, Ranma... My jealous fit over Kodachi made me do 
something I regret now. I would undo the hurt I did to her if I could. But I 
can't. I'm just glad she's forgiven me." Her eyes came up to look into 
Ranma's. "And I have to ask you to forgive me too... I'm sorry. I love you 
and I regret what I tried to do with Zhu Shu. I... I was jealous... I'm 
sorry."
  "Is that what you meant when you said I didn't realize what kind of friend 
she was to me?" Ranma asked.
  Akane nodded. "In part... whether you realize it of not, she's taught you 
a lot about how to love as well."
  "I hurt her as badly as I did you... She- she's got your feelings inside 
her head and she can't separate them. She- she's in love with me too... I 
never meant to hurt either of you."
  "You never do, Ranma. That's why I can forgive you..."
  Ranma grinned. "I like the way you showed that." she said. "But it was 
kind of a shock."
  "Get used to it. Nabiki was being mean when she said your being half girl 
was perfect for me, but she was absolutely correct. I like you being both. I 
can't do anything with you as a boy until we get married, but damn it Ranma, 
I want you! And as a girl, I can have you, without the fear of pregnancy or 
anything else. Get used to the thought, Ranma. I won't say I won't get mad, 
or even that we may do anything like this very often, but the possibility of 
this happening again is there. I also plan to teach you a lot more about 
being female, because I think the better you understand women, the less 
mistakes you'll make." She gave her a near smirk. "And it'll make you a 
better lover too. As well as give me an excuse for stuff like this..." Ranma 
didn't react in time to stop Akane from swiping her shorts.
  "Hey!" She stopped when Akane captured first one leg, then the other. She 
stared down at Akane's face over a tangle of red curls. She was grinning 
evilly. "What are you doing? This is embarrassing. You have me displayed 
like an oyster! And why are you grinning like that?"
  Akane looked her over carefully. "Humm... an oyster? You really don't look 
anything like one, but now that you mentioned it; well, what does one do to 
oysters?"
  "Well, you..." Ranma couldn't finish the thought, and had to grab a pillow 
to smother the screams...

  * * * * *

  "That was mean..." Ranma said when Akane got back from the bathroom. "I 
had no idea girls could climax that hard. I mean I've certainly never been 
able to make myself orgasm like that." She was still curled up in a ball and 
shivering.
  Akane smiled. "Obviously, you have no real idea how to make yourself 
climax as a girl."
  "First time I tried I started bleeding everywhere. I've only tried a few 
times since..." She whimpered as Akane sat down by her legs again. "Please 
not again... I couldn't take that again... not right now."
  "Relax, silly. I'm going to clean up the blood and apply some salve. You 
probably haven't noticed the tear yet with the nerve overload."
  "You tore me? D-does t-that mean-"
  "You're not in danger of being hauled off for a virgin sacrifice? Yes."
  Ranma blushed crimson down to her toes. She watched Akane in silence for a 
few moments before she spoke again. "I don't get you. You've called me a 
pervert and slapped my silly for even looking at you cross eyed, and now you 
do this..."
  Akane laughed. "Don't get used to it. I suspect that whatever Kodachi gave 
me put me in this playful mood. It had some weird effects."
  "I'll say. You cut off Kodachi's leotard and whipped her to an orgasm 
while yelling at her about trying to steal me. She passed out."
  "Humm... really... I'll have to ask Nabiki for a copy of the tape I'm sure 
she had made. I don't remember much past entering the dressing room."
  A light knock on the door announced Kasumi's arrival. She looked at the 
two girls and gave an "Oh, my!" before slipping in quickly and shutting the 
door. "Zhu Shu said she thought the drugs would have worn off by now and 
that you'd be waking soon. She was apparently a little off."
  Ranma had frantically tried to cover herself until Akane had smacked her 
on the rump. She gave Kasumi a sheepish grin. "Ah... Umm... You're probably 
wondering what I'm doing to your sister." she said lamely.
  "Oh, my, no. I'd say rather it's what she's doing to you. And to that, 
I'll say I'm relieved she's playing with you as a girl.
  "Kasumi!" Akane rolled her eyes.
  "Well it is sensible, Akane. It would cause ever so many complications if 
you got yourself pregnant." Kasumi chided.
  "I know that! No boy-girl stuff until I'm married. Right, Ranma?"
  Ranma looked from one to girl to the other, wide eyed in shock. "Uh... I 
guess so." was all she could say.
  Kasumi laughed. "Poor Ranma. Yes, I am the real Kasumi. I'm sorry if I 
embarrassed you, but I happen to agree with Zhu Shu about treating you as 
just another girl when you're female. So you're like another little sister. 
I've got quite a collection now, you know." She went to sit on Akane's bed 
in a swirl of skirts. "And you're going to be my sister by marriage too, So 
get used to me big sistering. And like I told Akane a few days ago, big 
sisters are supposed to guide younger sisters in all kinds of things... sex 
among them. I don't mean to be embarrassing, but I'm not shocked by any of 
this either."
  "I am." Ranma muttered.
  "And besides..." Kasumi continued. "It wouldn't hurt you try and treat me 
like a big sister. I know you've been raised by your father to be tough and 
strong, but you're not alone anymore. And... well... until you find a cure, 
you are going to be my sister half the time." She took in the look that 
passed between Ranma and Akane at her mention of a cure. "That is... If you 
still want one."
  Ranma looked at Akane's face, the gentle smile she had, and thought about 
what had passed in the last half hour.  She had fought this curse tooth and 
nail, but really, what could she truly say was didfferent about her?  She 
was still Ranma, in either form.  Zhu Shu had told her that there were times 
to accept what couldn't be changed, to save your strength for fights that 
can be won.  If he was truly to believe Akane, this was a fight he might be 
better off not fighting at all.
  Was it truly so bad to be a girl half the time?  A sudden thought occurred 
to her that made her smile softly back at Akane.  Akane's happiness mattered 
to her more than the curse.  "I'm starting to think it might not be so bad a 
curse after all." she said quietly.
  Akane's eyes met hers and for once, no words were needed. Akane's eyes 
said volumes. Ranma smiled as Akane finished applying the salve and patted 
her legs she sat back. Ranma made no further move to cover herself or 
uncurl, her eyes never left Akane's. "I'm actually starting to think that 
being a girl part time might be a good thing..." Akane smiled shyly. "In 
fact... it probably wouldn't hurt if I maybe learned a little about being 
female, since I'm going to be spending half my life as one..."
  Some people just have a longwinded way of saying three little words...

  * * * * *

  Zhu Shu sat on a rock in the garden, her legs crossed into the lotus 
possession and her hands resting on her knees. She hadn't moved since she'd 
finished her katas, even when she had sensed Akane had woken a few hours 
ago. Listening, she had heard when Kasumi had finished the breakfast dishes 
and had gone to check on Akane, and when she had come back downstairs twenty 
minutes later humming merrily. She'd been pleased about something. Zhu Shu 
suspected she knew what. She had sensed Akane was very pleased about 
something too.
  She had to fight the wave of jealousy that that realization had brought, 
something she thought she'd never feel, but Akane's emotions had made her 
own hard to control. In fact, Akane's emotions made everything hard to 
control. She had had to struggle for the last five days against the tidal 
surges of Akane's emotional roller coaster.
  It hadn't been easy... and... Ranma was going to be the hardest part of it 
all.
  So... she sat and she waited, praying to the Dragon for strength, knowing 
that sooner or later, Ranma was going to think he had found the perfect 
solution.
  Ranma sat down in front of her, copying her meditation pose.
  Zhu Shu opened her eyes, and the sight she saw made her smile. Ranma sat 
across from her in nothing but one of Akane's oversized sweaters, and from 
where she was sitting...
  Ranma followed her gaze and blushed. "The heart was Akane's idea... she 
insisted it looked 'cute'."
  "It does." Zhu Shu replied. She closed her eyes again. "Something 
significant has happened between you two. Your aura has changed."
  Ranma blushed. "Umm..."
  Zhu Shu nodded. "I see. Akane seduced the right person this time."
  "Huh? How'd ya know that?"
  "Your aura has changed, you are wounded, Akane has trimmed you to suit 
her, your skin is still slightly flushed, your chi is jittery, your chakras 
are disarrayed, you smell of sex... and perhaps most important... you seem 
to have an air of peace with being female at the moment... You finally seem 
comfortable in your body."
  "I keep forgetting you don't miss much." Ranma said ruefully. "Yeah, Akane 
had her way with me while I was too shocked to do more than enjoy it. We- we 
had a long talk too. She said a few things that made me rethink some 
things."
  "Like your curse."
  "Yeah. I think maybe... well... I think I can live with it. It just 
doesn't seem so bad anymore." She shrugged. "Maybe I should learn a little 
more about how to be a female."
  "You have picked up a fair amount from observation, though you should 
learn to flirt less obviously."
  "Uh...yeah" She blushed brightly and put her hands into the sweater, 
pushing it down to cover her curly red heart. "Anyway, I- I came down here 
to apologize... for a lot of stuff..."
  "I have already forgiven you Ran-chan. There is no need for further 
apology." she said quietly.
  "Yes, there is. I need to apologize for being a jerk and for being afraid 
you were after Akane... and... well... for not realizing how much you love 
me..." She stood silently for several long moments as if summoning her 
courage to speak. "And... I wanted to ask you... to... marry me. I mean if 
you marry me, you can fulfill your quest and you can be free to have Akane 
and..."
  "No."
  Ranma stopped... and a tear rolled down her cheek. "But- but why?" She 
whispered.
  Zhu Shu sighed. She this was what she had anticipated... she just wished 
it had not come. She stood and held out her hand to Ranma. They stood eye to 
eye for a second before Zhu Shu stepped forward to embrace Ranma and to lay 
her head on her shoulder.
  "Were you a woman who had fallen into the spring of drowned man, I would 
be the happiest woman in the world. But you are Ranma Saotome... and you are 
who you are, and all my wishing will not change that. You could fulfill my 
quest, for I cannot fight you, and I have all the proof of your love I need, 
but always, in the back of my mind, you will always be Ranma Saotome, the 
man. Even were you to never come to me as a man save for those times needed 
to fulfill my duties and produce an heir, it would still prey on me. I 
cannot make you pay for a failure within myself. My destiny is unhappiness, 
Ranma, I cannot bring that despair on you... Because I love you too much." 
She sobbed until Ranma's shoulder was soaked. "I love you... and I hate 
myself for my weakness... for my failure... Part of me wants to say yes, to 
let you take me and love me and do with me as you will; to give myself to 
you and Akane and surrender for all time my honor, my duties, my hopeless 
destiny. Let love conquer all... let passion rule... But my training and my 
wisdom reveal the hollowness of the lie and the misery it will bring... Yet 
even so, were you to ask me again... I could not deny you twice..." Her 
voice broke. "You could take me and have your way with me as male or female 
and I would not be able to resist you... So much of me wants you to do just 
that..." she whispered.
  They stood there for a long eternity while Ranma stroked her hair and she 
cried. Zhu Shu clung to Ranma like a drowning victim as she shook with sobs. 
Ranma held her till the tears were out, and finally spoke.
  "I'm sorry Zhu Shu. I- I came to apologize and to try and make you happy, 
because... because I finally realized how much you mean to me... and now all 
I've done is caused you further pain. I'm sorry..." She stroke Zhu Shu's 
hair again. "I- I'd like to argue with you, tell you you're wrong, that we 
could find a way to work it out, but you've never been wrong in these 
things. You see so much more than anyone I've ever known... How could I tell 
you you're wrong this time? I trust you too much to doubt you no matter how 
much I want to..."
  "I am sorry, Ranma-sama... I am a failure as a woman..." Zhu Shu whispered
  "How can you say that? You are not! Not to me, not to anyone who knows 
you. You are the nicest woman I know, and none of it's artistry!"
  "Yet I am a failure in the most basic thing a woman can be..."
  "Oh, Zhu Shu. You're not... Akane told me about what happened in the Dojo, 
and I know with what you said yesterday that your emotions are all confused. 
Akane is acting like you, you're acting like Akane... Zhu Shu... You are not 
a failure in anything! You are one of the most wonderful people I have ever 
known..."
  "Don't say that! You don't know the truth! You don't know what I've kept 
from you!"
  "No. And I don't need to know to know that you care for me and would do 
nothing to hurt me or Akane."
  She tried to run from Ranma then, but blinded by tears, she stumbled and 
fell. Ranma knelt and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Zhu Shu, what ever it 
is, it can't be as bad as all that." Ranma said encouragingly.
  Zhu Shu shook her head and whispered "Shampoo..."
  Ranma started, and took a deep breath. "What about Shampoo? Did she hurt 
you when we left the Amazon village?"
  Zhu Shu couldn't look at Ranma. "She knows you're not a girl..." She 
whispered.
  Ranma stared. "I don't get it, if she knows I'm a guy, why'd she chase me 
all over China trying to kill me? I thought the law only applied to 
females?"
  Zhu Shu whispered something Ranma couldn't hear. Ranma took her in her 
arms and lifted her face to see her eyes. "Whatever it is Zhu Shu... I'll 
understand."
  "What my great-granddaughter is trying to tell you, Son-in-law, is that 
she led Shampoo on that chase, so that Shampoo could wed you as the Law 
requires."
  Ranma looked up in shock at the new voice, and scrambled backwards in 
surprise. An old, old woman with long white hair stood before them on the 
path. Beside her stood the only girl Ranma had ever feared, but beside 
her...
  Standing beside Shampoo, in full formal kimono, stood Nodoka Saotome, her 
katana as always in hand, and her eyes told Ranma she knew about the curse.  
Ranma stared in pure horror, frozen like a deer in headlights.
  Zhu Shu collapsed into renewed tears as Shampoo looked at Ranma with 
narrowed eyes. "Ranma should not make sister cry!"
  Ranma paled further. "S-s-sister?!!!" She looked in horror from Shampoo to 
Zhu Shu.
  "Yes, son." Nodoka said quietly.  "The young lady who has just so ardently 
refused to marry you, despite her obvious love for you, is the Blood-Sister 
of Shampoo, your second Fianc�e..."
  Ranma's knees gave way... and she fainted...

Chapter Seven: Ceremonies

  Zhu Shu raised tear filled eyes to Shampoo. "Please," she whispered in 
Chinese "Ranma has done nothing to be blamed for, Shampoo. If you must be 
angry, let it be with me." Her voice was barely audible between her sobs. 
"It is I who has nearly betrayed you. Ranma has done nothing."
  Shampoo stepped over to the distraught girl and knelt to lift her face to 
hers. "Zhu Shu. Blood-Sister. I told you once that I would be overjoyed to 
have you as a sister-wife. Knowing that what you have done was on my behalf, 
as well as Ranma's, I cannot be angry. I know not what you feel you have 
done to betray me, but I can see you love Ranma... I do not view that as a 
betrayal, Zhu Shu. If anything, I view that as proof of his qualities as a 
Husband." Heedless of her formal garb, Shampoo lifter her hem and wiped away 
tears. "Besides, I need you more than ever. I need your advice on how to 
deal with this barbarian girl who is to be his other wife." She rolled her 
eyes to get Zhu Shu to laugh, but her attempt at humor failed. Zhu Shu 
choked and ran from the garden in tears...
  Shampoo looked after her, wondering what she'd done wrong when Cologne 
spoke. "Ah, great granddaughter. I know you meant well, but can you not tell 
her heart is lost to the girl as well?"
  Shampoo hung her head. "I had not. I am ashamed of the hurt I caused"
  "Zhu Shu will understand, Shampoo, when she can think rationally. I will 
speak with her. But I must say it bodes well for your future. For both your 
Groom and his Fianc�e to have won her heart so completely, they must have 
much in them to love." Cologne turned to where Nodoka was bending over 
Ranma, switching to Japanese. "How is my future Son-in-law?"
  Nodoka was staring at Ranma, and wonder was evident on her face. "I 
couldn't believe you when you told me of his curse, yet he looks as I did at 
sixteen. I cannot doubt you now. He must be such a handsome boy." She looked 
up. "When he wakes, we must get him some hot water." She looked back down. 
"Red hair? I wonder who's side of the family that's from?"
  Cologne hopped over on her stick and waved a small vial under Ranma's 
nose. Ranma sneezed and sat up, looked at Cologne, Nodoka, and Shampoo, 
eeped and jumped up to run away. Her foot was intercepted by Cologne's 
stick, and she flipped over a rock, legs flailing uselessly in the air. 
Shampoo blushed as Ranma let out another "Eeep!" and righted herself, 
pulling the oversized sweater back down. She stared at the trio, her face a 
bright red.
  "Cute heart." was Cologne's only comment.
  Ranma's eyes slowly lost the deer in the headlights look as she realized 
the three women were making no move towards her.
  "Do calm down, son." Nodoka said soothingly. "I know you must have had a 
few shocks this last little bit, but you're perfectly safe. Shampoo has no 
intention of killing you. In fact, we're here for your formal betroth-"
  "RANMA SAOTOME! YOU BITCH! HOW COULD YOU MAKE ZHU SHU CRY LIKE THAT!" 
Akane stormed into the garden, murder on her face.
  "You no talk to groom like that!" Shampoo jumped into Akane's way and went 
to shake her finger in Akane's face. Akane registered only that a strange 
girl was moving to an attack position and reacted before recognition sat in.
  Shampoo's hand was intercepted in mid motion and before she could react, 
she sailed over Akane's head and landed headfirst against a rock. The rock 
cracked from the impact as Shampoo dropped like a pole axed steer.
  Zhu Shu's memories finally penetrated Akane's anger and she looked at the 
unconscious Amazon in horror. "Oh no! Shampoo!" She looked around, finally 
noticing the other two women in the garden. Confusion loomed large on her 
face. "Who are you?"
  Before anyone could say anything, a clatter came out from the house as the 
Amazon village elders came into the garden. "Cologne it is..." They stared 
at the tableau before them, Shampoo unconscious, Akane over her still in a 
partial stance, Ranma staring wide eyed at Akane, Nodoka looking 
concerned...
  Cologne shook her head. "Child... Child... what have you done?"
  "It was self-defense! I was mad at Ranma! I just reacted!" Akane 
protested.
  Shampoo groaned. Ranma's face went absolutely white as Zhu Shu ran up to 
the dining room door and stopped in horror. A heartbroken wail escaped her 
lips.
  Shampoo shook her head and sat up. Her eyes fell on Akane. Akane stepped 
back and set herself as Shampoo stood and approached her, a dangerous glint 
in her eyes. Akane met her gaze, not moving an inch. All eyes were locked on 
the pair. Zhu Shu let out a soft moan of anguish as Shampoo's hand reached 
out to slowly cup Akane's chin. Akane never flinched.
  The moment froze as time seemed to cease to flow...

  * * * * *

  Cologne, Nodoka, and the Village elders looked at the loss of the alliance 
they had spent the last week arranging, and the possible beginning of a 
blood feud. The law was clear... It all rested in the palm of Shampoo's 
hand.

  * * * * *

  Ranma was preparing to spring to Akane's defense, fear writ large in her 
eyes as well as her determination to die before allowing Akane to come to 
harm...

  * * * * *

  Zhu Shu looked upon the failure of all she cared about. No-one could look 
at her and not know her life would end along with that of one of her 
friends...

  * * * * *

  Akane stared Shampoo in the eye, and not a trace of fear could be found. 
She would fight to the last breath if she had to... but she would never 
surrender...

  * * * * *

  Three thousand years of Amazon law stared at Akane through Shampoo's eyes. 
A law that demanded death for the shame of loss. To break the law was 
unthinkable. To keep it was a pain she would not be able to bear. Ranma 
would die for this girl. Zhu Shu would die of her loss. Yet the law was 
clear.  Death was the only acceptable choice....
  So...
  She chose her own.
  Her lips met Akane's in a passionate kiss. Ranma loved her. Zhu Shu loved 
her. She could not be the instrument of her death... Defeat by an outlander 
could only result in death or love...
  As the kiss ended, she raised her eyes to look into Akane's and whispered 
"You, I love..." Then she stepped back and knelt to accept the deathblow she 
knew would be delivered. She had defied the law in front of the Elders, 
there could be no other sentence. A single tear for what might have been 
fell down her cheek and splashed against the ground.
  Silence reigned. Only the sound of Cologne's stick tapping the ground as 
she drew closer could be heard. It stopped close by and a long moment of 
stillness passed before Cologne finally spoke in Japanese. "Child. Do you 
know what you do?"
  "I cannot slay one whom I love. Kill me and let my heartbreak end." 
Shampoo whispered in Chinese. A murmur arose from the elders and a gasp came 
from Akane. Cologne turned to her. "You understood her answer, Child of the 
Tendos?"
  Wide eyed, Akane nodded, astonishment in her eyes.
  Cologne nodded and continued in Chinese. "Shampoo, Daughter of Perfume, 
you are the Amazon's Champion, yet you stand defeated by this outland woman. 
The law demands death, yet you have defied the law. Have you a defense?" Her 
voice was cold, emotionless... a judge declaring court.
  "A death must be given; I have chosen my own. I cannot slay one I love. 
Kill me and let my heartbreak end." was Shampoo's whispered reply.
  Cologne turned to Akane. "Outland warrior. You have heard and understood 
her words. Our law is clear. Do you have anything to say?" Cologne held up a 
hand as Zhu Shu tried to say something, then looked at Akane again. "I ask 
again. Do you have anything to say?"
  Akane looked down at the Amazon girl, her emotions churning. Images of 
Shampoo laughing, smiling, even the look of concentration she had when 
fighting floated through her mind from Zhu Shu's memories. Emotions of 
caring, affection, even lust lurked with in those memories. Zhu Shu loved 
her like a sister, and through the link she shared with Zhu Shu, she could 
feel the link Zhu Shu had made with Shampoo when they became blood 
sisters... She knew the law of the Amazons was absolute... and yet...
  Shampoo had sacrificed herself... for her...
  Akane looked at Cologne and spoke the only words she could say. "I beg for 
her life... I beg for mercy on her behalf... In the name of love, let her 
live." She spoke in perfect Chinese, not knowing where the words came from, 
but knowing it was the only reply that stood a chance of being heard.
  Cologne nodded. She turned to the Elders. "You have heard and witnessed. 
The law gives but one answer in this."
  Ranma, Zhu Shu and Nodoka looked on as the Elders nodded and spoke as one. 
"Agreed."
  Cologne switched back to Japanese as she turned to Shampoo. "Rise child, 
and hear the judgment of your Elders."
  Shampoo rose, relieved she was to be allowed to die on her feet as a 
warrior should. Her eyes met Cologne's face, and she was surprised to see a 
gentle smile.
  "Your heartbreak will end, Child of my child's child, but not in death." 
She turned as the Loremaster moved forward.
  "The Law of the Amazons is absolute, yet the Elders have long realized 
that there are times where the word of the Law can not be the only 
consideration. Long ago, an Amazon woman was defeated by an outland male, a 
man who had been married before the battle, and was Husband to a friend of 
the Amazon woman. The law demanded the man wed the woman he had defeated, 
yet the wife challenged for her husband. She fought well and defeated the 
Amazon, and with tears in her eyes, prepared to fight to the death. Yet the 
Amazon woman refused to slay her, saying only she would not kill a loved 
one. The Elders met to deal with her crime, yet before they could mete out 
the sentence, the Outland woman stood before them to beg mercy for her 
friend. Love did not deserve death, she argued, and her words moved the 
Elders, and they considered the law. After much deliberation, it was decided 
to uphold the law, for the law defined two courses of action for the defeat 
of the Amazon woman. If the woman could not choose the one, she must fulfill 
the other. Only by such actions could Honor be maintained. By the Law, she 
was wed, to be both Wife and Sister-Wife, thus was the law met. Then there 
appeared to the Elders a Kami who told them of her testing. She praised them 
for the quality of mercy they had shown in the face of absolute Law. There 
would times, she said, where mercy would save the Amazons from destruction. 
She bade us remember always the need for both wisdom and mercy, for if we 
forgot so would we perish. We have held to her words over the centuries and 
have endured where those around us have vanished. We hold to her words 
today."
  The Loremaster turned and faced Shampoo. "The law is clear, Daughter of 
Perfume. Death or Marriage. Honor is met either way. You have been defeated 
by Ranma Saotome. By Law shall he become your Husband. You have been 
defeated by Akane Tendo. By Law shall she become your Wife. May love last as 
long as life. The Elders have spoken."
  The other elders echoed her last words as the Loremaster turned and 
rejoined the rest. "We are finished here and must prepare for the betrothal 
of Ranma Saotome and the alliance of the Amazons and Clan Saotome. In one 
week, at the Amazon village, we will hold the betrothal of Akane Tendo and 
the alliance of the Amazons and Clan Tendo."
  With the Loremasters last words, the elders turned and re-entered the 
house.
  Shampoo fainted, along with Zhu Shu... Ranma turned wide eyes to Akane and 
asked "What the hell just happened?"
  Nodoka was looking at Cologne. "Yes. I am curious as well."
  Cologne cackled. "We do not often hold court in front of those not Amazon, 
but you are to be a part of the tribe. Akane defeated Shampoo. Shampoo could 
not give her the kiss of death, because she would not kill one she loves. 
Akane asked for her life in the name of love. She chose the one defense for 
Shampoo we have no choice but to hear." She turned to Akane. "I do not often 
thank anyone for anything... But I thank you. I do not think I could have 
borne having to kill Shampoo for her defiance. I hope you shall prove a 
worthy wife for her." She turned to Nodoka. "I will leave the children in 
your care Sister-in-law. I must join the other Elders to make the 
preparations." with a last cackle, she was gone.
  Nodoka clasped Ranma on the shoulder. "Well son, I dare say your life will 
be interesting." She turned to the three other girls, two unconscious and 
one staring into space. "From your words to Zhu Shu, I can see you have a 
noble heart, and to be so loved by three different girls, you must be quite 
a man indeed, regardless of your curse. Your father has had his ten years, 
and I have a son who is a man amoung men. You will not have to commit 
seppuku."
  Akane and Ranma's eyes locked on Nodoka, and the dead seriousness of her 
voice... it was too much...
  Nodoka sighed as she looked at four unconscious girls... "Children..."

  * * * * *

  Up in her tree, Urd still sat in shock. The ultimate force had guided 
Shampoo to a resolution Urd had not expected, but it looked like it would be 
a better way of making Shampoo happy than any of her love potions... She was 
relieved, but the Loremasters tale had stunned her... A goddess with white 
hair and golden skin...
  She had to consult with Yggdrasil...

  * * * * *

  Hidden on a roof a block away, Mara smiled and pulled out a mirror.

  * * * * *

  In a fortress in China, The masked man smiled at the news then tucked the 
mirror in his sleeve.  A week from now in China. He would have to move 
quicker, but they couldn't have played into his hands better.  The Oni had 
indeed been useful.  Now to arrange his end of their bargain.
  Grandly, he strode out into the main throne room and floated up to the 
shadowy throne. "Have you come to a decision?"
  "We have been enemies of the Amazons for generations, Wizard, but I am 
still not sure this alliance with Clan Skorpion is in our best interests... 
or in yours." A feminine voice replied from the shadows.
  "Both, My dear Herb. You need troops, and you need to revitalize your 
Dynasty. For the first, the Skorpion Clan can provide you with men, and for 
the second, the Amazons you capture will make excellent breeding stock." The 
old man eyed the figure in the throne. "Unless, that is, you want to 
volunteer yourself to breed heirs."
  "I would advise you to watch your tongue, Wizard. I may not be as powerful 
in this form, but I can still deal with you."
  "Why, Herb, I thought we were friends." the old man smiled, then changed 
tactics as he saw Herb's eyes narrow. "Very well. What if I told you of a 
way to undo the the effects of the Chiisuiton and free you from that female 
form?"
  The white haired female with a black streak in her hair leaned forward 
from the throne, a viscous expression robbing her face of whatever 
loveliness it might have had. "Then I would say, Xian Chi, that we have a 
deal..." The smile on her face would have frosted glass...

  * * * * *

  Soun Tendo wasn't sure he understood everything exactly, but it seemed to 
him that incredible fortune had smiled on him. He beamed down at the empty 
cup of Sake, and Tao-Ching refilled it.
  "Let me shee-see if I got thish straight." Soun smiled. "I scheld-sealed 
up my old bastard- oops! Master and the Amaschons want to al-ally with my- 
my family?"
  Tao-Ching nodded. "And the Saotomes."
  "And the Schow- and the schow- and them. Scho Ranma's gotta marry thish 
Schampoo to scheal the deal?"
  "Yes."
  "But he's still marrying my lil' girl too?"
  "Yes. Amazon Law allows multiple wives, and as the Saotomes are from a old 
Samurai family, he is technically allowed multiple wives. I've pulled some 
strings to make sure no-one in authority will raise a fuss."
  Soun nodded wisely and drained his Sake. "Gatcha. Scho why go to Chi- 
China."
  "So that Akane may be betrothed to Shampoo."
  "Right." Soun smiled again as Tao-Ching refilled his cup. "My lil' girl 
beat her up. Scho they gotta get married too!" He drained his refilled cup 
and fell over.
  Tao-Ching looked down at the unconscious man. "That went rather well."

  * * * * *

  "There is nothing to discuss, Genma." Nodoka said firmly. "Your ten years 
are up, and I have decided you have fulfilled your promise. I have a son who 
is a man among men, even when he is a woman. He is not to blame for his 
curse. You are." She sighed.
  "But honey-" Genma began, but stopped when Nodoka drew an inch of steel.
  "No excuses, Genma! You've done so little right in your life that your 
mistakes are all anyone remembers! My family still thinks I am mad for 
marrying you! This ten year training trip was all that kept them from 
disinheriting me! Even I had lost faith in you. For all you hated what your 
master had done to you, you were becoming just like him! But you did it 
Genma. Your blundering disaster prone existence wrought something wonderful. 
Our Son! Genma, our son will inherit the Saotome family fortune, and it's 
estates and titles, all because your blunders and your desperate ploy to 
seal up your master made this alliance with the Amazons possible. Father has 
agreed to this alliance, so Ranma will be adopted into the Amazon clan and 
he will marry Shampoo, and because of it, the Saotomes will gain common 
cause with the Hibikis, because Tao-Ching Hibiki is an adopted Amazon and 
Shampoo's cousin. Akane will marry Ranma and Shampoo as well, bringing the 
Tendo's into the alliance as well, and unless I've misread things, gain us 
another tie to the Hibiki's if Tao-Ching weds Nabiki Tendo. Father is 
overjoyed at the situation. He even forgave me for marrying you! And I- I 
have a son again. " She slid the blade back in. "And a husband who, despite 
his flaws, I was once very much in love with.  I have waited ten long years 
for you to prove yourself Genma. Despite yourself, you have proven you can 
raise a son to a nobility which you hide so well in yourself. You have 
proven your worth as a father, but only time will tell if you can prove 
yourself to me as a man."
  Genma looked down at his feet, for once in his life, truly shamed.
  "There is nothing more to discuss." Nodoka said finally. "You will 
attended our sons betrothal, and our daughter-in-laws betrothal, and you 
will smile, and make pleasant noises and you will show everyone how happy it 
all makes you, because you are his father, and that is what fathers do. Show 
me that somewhere in there is still the man I once loved..."
  Genma nodded. "Yes, Nodoka." He said quietly as he bowed and turned away, 
yet before he had quite turned, Nodoka saw something which gave her hope for 
her husband, and opened a crack in the wall she had built around her heart.
  She had never before seen him cry...

  * * * * *

  "How did this mess ever happen?" a recovered Akane asked Kasumi as they 
were preparing for the ceremony. "I finally admit to myself and Ranma that I 
like him as a girl as much as a guy, and 'Poof' I'm going to be engaged to a 
girl who's a girl full time! A girl I barely know, who's also supposed to be 
engaged to Ranma! And to top it off, the one girl I am in love with won't 
marry Ranma, or me, because she's convinced that doing so will only lead to 
misery because she doesn't like guys, and who just happens to be the adopted 
sister of the girl I am supposed to marry! WHY ME?!"
  Kasumi didn't have an answer. "At least you know that if Zhu Shu loves her 
enough to be her sister, Shampoo must be a nice person."
  "Oh, I have enough of Zhu Shu's memories of her to know she's a nice 
person.  But not enough to understand her!  I looked into her eyes, Kasumi!  
Until the last minute, she was ready to kill me!  Only her love for Ranma 
and Zhu Shu stopped her!"
  "Yet you pleaded for her life." Kasumi noted.
  "I- I had to. She's Zhu Shu's friend...  Zhu Shu herself told you what 
would happen if she had to watch one of her friends die..." Akane said 
quietly.  "She's spent all this time bringing me and Ranma closer and 
getting me to realize my preferences just so that this could happen!"  Akane 
sighed.  "If I didn't love her so much...  I could kill her for doing this 
to me..."
  "You don't really mean that, Akane." Kasumi chided.  "And can you really 
say that bringing you and Ranma together, for whatever reason, is really a 
terrible thing?"  Kasumi put her hand on Akane's shoulder.  "Everything 
she's done has been for someone else, Akane.  She's sacrificed her own heart 
in the hopes that you could be happy... with both Ranma and Shampoo."
  Akane looked at Kasumi's reflected face in the mirror.  "I know..." she 
sighed. "That's part of why I'm so frustrated at the whole thing.  I know 
what she's done.  I know that she started the whole thing so that Shampoo 
and Ranma could be married and so that I could be part of that too...  I- I 
just never expected it would be so soon..."
  "Your betrothal to Shampoo will make her happy.  She's worked so hard to 
see something like this happen." Kasumi said gently.
  "That's the main reason I am doing it, though gods know I wish it were Zhu 
Shu instead."  She sighed and looked at the formal Kimono on the bed.  "You 
know, I never got a formal engagement.  How does she rate?"

  * * * * *

  "I hate formal garb." A once more male Ranma said. "And I hate formal 
ceremonies." He frowned at his Samurai topknot and sighed. He pulled it 
straight again before tightening the ties.
  "You look very nice in it, dear." his mother commented. "Very Samurai. Now 
fix your swords, dear." She went back to hemming the ankles of his outfit.
  Ranma glared at his sword. The katana and wakazashi were crooked. He 
sighed again and straightened them too. "I still don't get this, mom. I 
thought she wanted to kill me, and you say she's been hunting me down just 
to marry me, so now Granddad's made a deal with the Amazons to marry me off 
to her."
  "There's more to it than just that, dear. Your Father and Mr. Tendo did 
something that the Amazons considered enough of a service to them that they 
were willing to make a formal alliance with the Saotomes and the Tendos.  
The Elders came to Tao-Ching Hibiki to discuss how to approach the Saotomes 
and the Tendos to arrange the alliance and he took them to your grandfather. 
  Your grandfather saw an advantage to accepting the alliance.  Your 
betrothal and marriage is a separate affair.  You defeated Shampoo in 
combat.  Under Amazon law, that makes you her husband.  Father is following 
Amazon law as a token of good faith.  He thinks your having two wives is a 
sign of virility and he also believes that you must fulfill your duty to the 
Saotome clan.  The arrangement with the Tendos was made before your 
grandfather decided that Genma was a grave mistake on my part, and whether 
he regretted allowing the agreement to be made, your grandfather never goes 
back on his word.  This marriage to Shampoo is also something he sees as 
being honor bound to do because of the alliance."
  "But gramps thinks the Chinese are barbarians, and he still calls Tokyo 
'Edo'.  Why does he want this alliance?"
  "You are young yet, Ranma.  There is still much time left for you to learn 
the politics your elders play.  Your grandfather sees an advantage; that is 
all you must know for now."  She finished the hem and stood up to examine 
the entire outfit.  "Ah.  Now you look like a man!"
  "So long as no-one spills water on me." Ranma grumped.
  "If they do, I have a formal Kimono for you." Nodoka smiled.
  Ranma raised an eyebrow at her.  "I'm still surprised you are taking my 
curse so well.  I never would have believed Pops if he had told me he had 
made that promise to you."
  "He did.  I heard you in the garden before Shampoo and Cologne joined me.  
Your words made me proud of you.  You acted nobly in asking Zhu Shu to marry 
you in an attempt to make both her and Akane happy.  You accepted her 
refusal with dignity.  In all ways, you were a gentleman.  Beyond that, you 
have faced your curse and made a decision to make the best of it.  A strong 
man accepts what he cannot change son.  A lesser man rails against it.  Your 
curse would break many men, yet you learned to accept it, and that makes me 
proud.  It is no shame for you to be female at times, Ranma.  Like a Kabuki 
player, it is a mask.  Underneath, it has not made you less of a man, 
indeed, your choice to learn more about being a woman shows you have enough 
confidence in your masculinity to explore your femininity.  All people 
posses both yin and yang, my son, you simply posses the ability display both 
equally.  If you can learn to balance your male and female sides, you will 
become a better man for it.  In all ways, this shows that you will be a man 
like no other...  And to me, that shows that you will be far more than I 
ever expected when your father took you off on his training trip."
  Ranma gulped.  "Um-gee...  Thanks mom."
  "However, the verdict is still out on your father..." she looked grim. 
"And if I ever find you playing geisha to anyone other than your 
fianc�es..."
  Ranma shivered at the unspoken threat...

  * * * * *

  "I've missed you, Zhu Shu." Shampoo said as the other girl was helping her 
with her dress for the ceremony
  "I've missed you too, Shampoo.  If you had been here, maybe I wouldn't 
have come so close to betraying you."
  "You never did, Zhu Shu.  I didn't hear all of what you said to Ranma, but 
great grandmother said you told him of your love but would not marry him."
  "I could not have said no a second time, Shampoo.  I had resisted my 
desires as far as my strength would go.  Had he kissed me or asked me again, 
I would have gone to him, Shampoo." Zhu Shu said sadly.
  "And where would the betrayal have been in that?  I have asked you to be 
my sister-wife, and from your own words, it seems my other sister-wife would 
welcome you as well, and you, she.  Must I propose to you as well?"  Shampoo 
looked at Zhu Shu challengingly.
  "Please, I have no more strength for refusals." Zhu Shu whispered.  "My 
heart is too divided to choose..."  She sank to the bed.  "And I do not want 
to destroy those I love..."
  "That's what I just don't understand, Zhu Shu.  Why do you feel you must 
choose?  If you accept, you will have all three of us!"
  "No..."  Zhu Shu shook her head.  "If I accept, in the end, I will have 
none of you... and I will destroy your happiness in the process."  She 
turned away.  "My head knows what my heart does not want to accept.  I love 
Ranma, yes, and at this moment, I am in love with him.  But that will fade.  
As much as I want him, as a woman I still feel nothing!  He could take me, 
and make love to me, and I would never deny him, but I have no passion for 
him." she sobbed.  "I feel... nothing...  I could hide that from him.  I 
know all the ways to make him feel desired as a man... but I would be living 
a lie... my heart yearns for him, Shampoo, but my body makes no response 
save those I have been trained to give."  She turned her tear streaked face 
to Shampoo.  "Akane makes my every sense burn at her touch, you can make my 
heart flutter, but gods help me, as much as I love him, I cannot burn for 
Ranma.  Sooner or later he would learn, I could not live the lie forever, 
and he will come to resent the fact he can never do for me what you or Akane 
could do. It would gnaw at us both till love became hate.  I do not want to 
hate him, Shampoo.  I want to spare him that, and you and Akane too.  It is 
better for you all if I find another who can fulfill my quest, a man who 
loves me, and will father my children, but whom I do not love.  It will hurt 
us both less when he eventually goes out to seek the passion I cannot give 
him..."  She shivered as she hugged herself.
  Shampoo cupped her face.  "You paint such a bleak future for yourself, 
Sister.  Is there no way for you to achieve happiness?"
  "Only if I forsake Honor..."  Zhu Shu whispered
  "I do not accept that, Zhu Shu."  Shampoo said quietly.  "I will never 
accept that.  There must be some way."
  Zhu Shu looked away.  "Perhaps... but it will not be today.  Today, you 
become what you should have always been... what I have striven so hard to 
see..."
  "But at what cost to yourself, Zhu Shu?"  Shampoo asked softly.  "At what 
cost to you...?"

  * * * * *

  The limousine pulled up to the Tendo Dojo in silence.  The chauffeur got 
out and opened the rear door for an elderly gentleman in formal garb as a 
Daimyo.  "We have arrived at the address you gave me, Master Saotome." the 
man said as he bowed.
  The elder Saotome nodded.  "Yes, my grandson's betrothal is to be here, as 
the formal conclusion to the alliance.  Thank you, Hiromi.  I will call for 
you when the ceremony is over."  He straightened his swords as the chauffeur 
bowed and moved to stand at attention by the car door, then stepped forward 
to meet Tao-Ching at the entrance to the Dojo.
  "Greetings, Saotome-sama.  I trust you are in good health."
  "I'm fine Hibiki.  Is everything prepared?"
  "Hai." Tao-Ching confirmed with a slight bow.  "We were awaiting only your 
arrival to begin."
  "Good.  Maybe this warrior cousin of yours will make an honorable man out 
of my grandson.  His father is worthless, and I must confess, I've feared 
for the boy.  Your showing up was the best news I've had about the boy in 
ten years."
  "I, too, was happy at my cousins good fortune. Warriors of Ranma's caliber 
are rare.  Shampoo could not have been beaten by a lesser man."
  "Ah yes.  The Amazon laws.  Genma has a knack doesn't he?"
  "We are fortunate it worked in our favor this time."
  "Indeed we are my boy, indeed we are."  The elder Saotome turned to the 
door.  "Well, shall we go and formalize this fortuitous happening?"
  Tao-Ching bowed and followed him through the door.

  * * * * *

  The ceremonies went smoothly, other than a lot of nervousness on Ranma's 
part. Fortunately, he didn't have to say anything. The Elders were old hands 
at not giving men the chance to screw things up. Ranma just had to sit and 
accept his betrothal.
  Once it was over, and the Elder Saotome had departed, everyone breathed a 
sigh of relief...
  Until, that is, Akane had found Zhu Shu's formal outfit on her bed 
untouched, and some of her clothes gone...
  Everyone ransacked the house, but no trace of her could be found until 
Kasumi called from the families Shrine. They piled into the small room to 
find Kasumi sitting before a sword stand sat before the alter. On the stand 
sat both of Zhu Shu's swords, minus ribbons. They faced in opposite 
directions and from them hung the fine silver chain that held the Dragon 
signet ring Kasumi was staring at tearfully. "She left the most important 
things she owned..." Her voice choked off.
  Akane dropped to her knees beside her sister. "But why? Oh, gods no... you 
don't..." Horror filled her eyes. "Oh please no..." she whispered, her 
thoughts filled with Zhu Shu's despair.
  "Calm your fears, child." Cologne said from the doorway. "She would not 
have left her weapons here if she had gone to die. Can you not see? She 
could have made no more sincere a promise that she will return." She looked 
around the faces depending on her for hope. "Her heart needs time to sort 
itself out. Give her that time." She hopped forward to lay a hand reverently 
on the blades. "When it is time, she will return." She traced along the 
delicate carving of the dragon along the blade, so faint as to be just 
visible. "Do not fear for the Dragon, my child... She will be back..."

Part Two: The Dragons Child

Prologue: The Dance of Shadows

  Zhu Shu watched Shampoo walk down the hall towards the stairs and sighed.  
She was happy her friend was on her way to her engagement, she just 
wished...
  She turned and looked at the formal Mandarin gown laid out on her bed. She 
really should put it on and go down to join the ceremony... but she just 
couldn't summon the will to.  Her mind whirled with too many conflicting 
emotions... happiness, jealousy, relief, despair...
  She sat on the edge of the bed and picked up the small framed picture 
Kasumi had given her of their kiss on the subway.  Her first day with the 
Tendos had been so chaotic... and yet...  Kasumi had made her feel so 
welcome, despite the way she had surprised her the night before...
  And Akane....
  She shut the thought out as she stood and went to her closet, choosing a 
few simple dresses...  She had to go away... she needed time to think... to 
figure out which of the emotions rampaging in her head were really hers...
  After she had packed the dresses, she reached behind her back and drew her 
swords...  After removing the ribbons, she picked up her pack and the small 
sword stand Raye had given her, then headed down to the small shrine the 
Tendos kept.
  The peace that washed over her as she entered helped her calm her raging 
thoughts... She needed that calm... she needed a counter to the chaos her 
life had become...
  As she set the swords down and draped her signet ring over them, she 
realized where she should go... where she could find enough peace to 
think...
  She prayed to the Dragon to watch over the Tendos while she was away, and 
she felt the comforting sense of his presence... It gave her the strength to 
push her mental storm back and gain at least a little equilibrium.
  Control. How had she lost control? She had only intended to prepare Ranma 
for Shampoo, and to guide him to happiness with Akane... How had she allowed 
herself to become so entangled?
  She found herself looking at the small duck nameplate Akane had on her 
door... She'd been so engrossed in her musings, she had wandered back 
upstairs... more evidence of her loss of control... but she had her 
answer...
  Akane... the unexpected Fianc�e... the wild card...
  Akane, the girl who had found the chinks in the armor she'd built around 
her heart... the girl who had stolen away that heart...
  And yet... it was never to be... She was Ranma's Fianc�e, and soon to be 
Shampoo's... she could never be hers, not in any honorable way...
  Back downstairs... She stood in the shadows to see Ranma accepting 
Shampoo's betrothal, noting the jealous look on Akane's face... She sighed, 
hoping Akane would not cause Shampoo too many problems for a few days...
  Outside... she walked down the street, not really going in any particular 
direction, just wandering...
  She passed Ryouga, determinedly heading for the Dojo. She figured he might 
find it next week, as he was heading in exactly the wrong direction. She 
smiled. She could sympathize with the lost boy... she had felt like she was 
lost all the time recently too...
  Why had Ranma had to go and ask her to marry him?... why hadn't he just 
left their friendship alone? She had never meant for him to learn of her 
love...
  Her heart ached... and the loneliness threatened to overwhelm her...
  Alone. She'd been alone for too many years... ever since Cherry Blossom... 
until she came to Japan... where everyone cared for her...
  The aloneness had been easier to bear when no-one cared... when no-one 
knew about her heartache and failure but her aunt and grandfather... the 
caring all her friends showed her had thrown the loneliness into sharp 
relief.
  Footsteps... behind her. She stopped and turned.
  A shadowy figure walked up the street towards her, her features lost in 
the twilight. The dying rays of the sun twinkled off the headpiece of her 
long golden staff, the ruby seeming to draw the light in and burn. Long 
silver hair swirled about her ankles along with the long white robe trimmed 
in red and black. Zhu Shu blinked.  As she drew closer, that sense of 
familiarity grew stronger.
  "Who are you?" She asked.
  "A messenger, My Little Mouse with the eyes of a Dragon."
  Recognition came... She had seen her nearly five years ago... after...
  The memory swept across her, of the grief she had felt at Cherry Blossoms 
loss, the wind through her hair as she stood on the cliff where they had so 
often come to get away from the village, where they had... the grief had 
been so overwhelming... all she had wanted to do was see Cherry Blossom 
again... She had stepped forward...
  And awoken in her bed to the kind face before her, all memory of how she 
had gotten there missing... lost in a golden fog... and yet her grief had 
been easier to bear... more distant...
  And she had been marked. When she had awoken, she had the Dragon tattoo on 
her back.
  "I remember you..." Zhu Shu said slowly. "You came the day..."
  "The Dragon claimed you..." the old woman finished. "Yes. That was the 
first of our meetings. There will be others..."
  "Why are you here?"
  "As I said... I am being a messenger."
  "And what is the message?" Zhu Shu looked at her curiously... was that a 
faint trace of green in her hair?
  "The Wheel of Souls has spun out once more that which once was. Look to 
the past to find the answers of the future. Be strong Dragons Child, for the 
future you choose may affect more than just yourself. The game has just 
begun. You may face many dangers and many foes, yet behind them all is the 
same enemy. Choose your destiny with care, Little Mouse..." She turned to 
go.
  "Wait!" Zhu Shu called. "Who are you."
  The old woman turned. "You will meet me soon enough... for my first time 
anyway... I will not look as I do now." A sad sigh came from her lips. "I 
fear I must apologize for my actions when I first meet you... I... regret 
them very much... I hope you will remember that, after..." She turned and 
continued down the street.
  Zhu Shu wanted to run after her... to ask her what her puzzling words 
meant, but she couldn't move her feet. Then, she was gone, lost in the 
shadows...
  A wave of dizziness washed over her as she sat up... suddenly aware she 
was laying on a bus stop bench. She couldn't remember how she had gotten 
there. A golden haze lay over her memories of the last several hours... She 
had been walking in the early afternoon and now... a glance at a bank clock 
down the street showed it to be after midnight...
  She shook her head... such a strange dream.
  She stood and looked around, realizing the street looked vaguely familiar, 
then turned around and realized why. Behind her, steps rose up to a hilltop 
covered in cherry trees around a shrine... She was where she had been 
heading: Hikawa Shrine...
  Dismissing the strange dream, she climbed the steps to the first place in 
Japan she'd actually felt comfortable at and quietly opened the shrine 
doors... The main shrine was quiet, the still glowing embers of the fire 
dimly illuminating the room. Zhu Shu nodded to herself.
  Stepping into the shrines center, she mentally laid out a dragon mandala 
on the floor, fixing its boundaries in her minds eye and ensuring there were 
no obstructions with in it's confines. Satisfied, she finally closed her 
eyes and saw only the mandala as she drew out her ribbons and began to 
dance...

Chapter One: A Fall of Cherry Blossoms

  Time is a tapestry.
  If one could step back and somehow view the universe from outside, one 
could see that all of time exists simultaneously.  The past, the future, the 
now, they all exist at the same time in the grand weave, but for those of us 
who are the warp and the woof of the tapestry, we can never see how our 
threads intertwine...
  Or tangle, as the case may be...

  * * * * *

  Silent footsteps moving through intricate patterns. Long ribbons curving 
through the air in swift motions.  One form following another in endless 
array. Wall of shadows, dance of flame, veil of ice.
  Zhu Shu had been doing her katas for hours, lost in the dance as her mind 
whirled its own dizzying patterns.  The physical exercises, ingrained so 
deeply they were reflexive, had helped her to tune out the outside world and 
focus inwards, trying to once more find her center Amidst the raging 
emotions in her mind.
  She'd at last conquered the jealousy she'd felt at Shampoo's betrothal, 
filtering her true feelings from the remnants of Akane in her mind. Her 
refusal to Ranma's offer of marriage had been sound, however personally 
painful it may have been. He was better off with Shampoo and Akane, women 
who felt the passion of his touch.
  He deserved better than her; a woman who could only feel passion with 
another woman.
  She loved him. For all her searching and separating her own feelings from 
those Akane had left in her head, she realized that. Akane's feelings had 
merely complimented what she had already felt. She loved him as deeply as 
she had ever loved anyone, but there was no passion for him in her. His 
touch sparked nothing sexual. She would have gladly given him her body, had 
he desired it, but it would have been empty... as meaningless an act as any 
she had been taught to perform as an Emperor's concubine.
  And he would have felt that... and been hurt far worse than her refusal 
had done.
  Yet everything she could not feel for Ranma, she did for Akane. She could 
scarcely contain herself in Akane's presence for desire of her. She would 
have thrown away her family honor, thrown everything to the winds for her 
love, given up on everything she had lived for...
  Had it not meant betraying Ranma...
  And even that had almost occurred. Had Akane not relented that day in the 
massage room... she would have fallen...
  Too close. Her heart had come too close to betraying them all...
  And yet... even now... she would not change what had been, or the wondrous 
things that had occurred... especially the miracle she had explored in her 
meditations...
  Somewhere... on some level... she and Akane had never unmerged. There, in 
the back of her mind, was a connection... a bond. She could feel Akane 
through it, could feel her moods, and even a sense of some of her thoughts, 
but over everything else... she could feel her love.
  Sisters... in so much more than Blood...
  Zhu Shu had worried her by leaving so abruptly, but she had come to 
understand why she had, and her concern had not lessened in the slightest. 
Like a mental caress, her subconscious whispered reassurances to Zhu Shu...
  She had been grateful for those reassurances the first few hours of her 
katas, and her attempts to order her thoughts, for they had kept her from 
drowning in despair, and had helped to distinguish Akane's emotions from her 
own. She was finally able to regain the calm which had eluded her of late...
  Finally centered once more, and in control of her raging heart, Zhu Shu 
opened her chi paths again, feeling the warmth of the golden flow. She would 
forever share Akane's energy, as Akane shared hers, but like the link, she 
considered that a blessing. She might have lost her center for awhile from 
the shock, but she had gained so much more...
  She had... a sister. Someone she could talk to, and share her heart with, 
and never fear she would drive her away... She would never be alone... Not 
like she had been.  She had been blood-sister to Shampoo, but the bond to 
Akane was far deeper.
  She gradually let her awareness return to the world around her, and as she 
expected, found another concerned aura near her, this one sweetly confused. 
She finished her form and opened her eyes to gaze into the violet eyes of 
Raye Hino, her student and Sailor Mars.
  "Zhu Shu? How long have you been here? Why didn't you wake me?" Raye's 
voice was as concerned as her aura, her Shinto vocation as discerning as Zhu 
Shu's training.
  "I apologize if I have offended Raye-chan, but there was no need to awaken 
you. I know my way around the shrine and what I needed most was solitude, 
yet I welcome you now." It would do no good to attempt to hide the pain 
behind her eyes... Raye would not be fooled.
  "Oh, Zhu-chan, what happened? What's the matter?"
  Zhu Shu sat on a bench and sighed. "I have accomplished my task Raye-chan. 
Shampoo is betrothed to Ranma. That which I have worked for is done, but 
it's doing nearly unmade me."
  "Oh Sensei!" Raye came and sat beside her, putting her arm around Zhu Shu 
and hugging her. "I'm glad you came here as a haven."
  "It has always been thus, from the first day that I awoke within its 
peace."
  Raye finally did a double take. "Your accent?"
  "I have changed in ways Raye. I bear within me pieces of another's heart, 
as she bears pieces of mine. It was unexpected, yet I count it a blessing. 
We will never be separate again." Zhu Shu smiled sadly. "Perhaps, it is 
fate's way of soothing the pain of the fact that we will never be together 
either..."
  Raye looked away, shadows in her eyes. "You mean Akane don't you?" A faint 
wistfulness was in her voice.
  Zhu Shu nodded. "Yes. I am in love with both of them Raye-chan, if in 
different ways. Yet I cannot have them, for their sakes. But my heart aches 
with the desire for that which is forever out of reach."
  "I know exactly how you feel." Raye whispered softly, forgetting how sharp 
Zhu Shu ears were; nor did she see the long look that Zhu Shu gave her. Raye 
finally spoke louder. "You must love her a lot."
  "Raye-chan, I love her to the point I nearly destroyed both of us. I would 
have forsaken everything for her sake, except loyalty. In the end, I could 
not betray a friend. I love her, Raye-chan, but I love Ranma too, so I held 
her away, for his sake and the love that he and Akane share. I held her 
away, and Ranma, and Shampoo... Three times. Raye-chan, three loves, three 
offers of happiness I knew to be a lie. For their sakes... I had no choice."
  "But why? If Akane and Ranma and Shampoo all love you?" Raye was looking 
at her, puzzled.
  "Because, I would have destroyed their happiness, Raye-chan. It is my 
curse to see too clearly." She sighed. "I know an old lady who calls me a 
'Little Mouse with the eyes of a Dragon'. I think I finally understand what 
a curse that is."
  "The Eyes of a Dragon see only truth." Raye quoted. "How's that a curse?"
  Zhu Shu looked down, her eyes lost in shadow. "I cannot veil my eyes to 
see only what I want to see. My heart cannot blind me to the consequences of 
my giving in to my desires..."
  Raye was quiet for a long moment. "As a Shinto priestess, I guess I can 
see where that makes sense... but as Raye Hino, I know what pain that must 
cause. It is not... easy... to examine your own heart and desires with clear 
sight." Her eyes fell on the altar "But as a priestess, I'm supposed to see 
the truth." Her voice held a tone of resignation.
  It would be simpler, Zhu Shu knew, to let it pass, but she had caused too 
much pain by not telling the whole truth to Akane and Ranma... She could not 
allow herself to cause anyone any more pain...
  She reached out to cup Raye's face and drew her eyes to meet her own... 
Raye flinched when she realized what Zhu Shu sought there and tried to look 
away again...
  "What do you desire Raye?" Zhu Shu whispered before Raye's eyes left her.
  Raye stared, caught in the gaze of the Dragon. She had asked herself that 
very question a thousand times, a hundred thousand. What did she want? And 
still her heart had no answer. She had nearly caused Zhu Shu's death, yet 
had been forgiven so casually. She had envied her, for Zhu Shu was so much 
of what she longed to be: confident, graceful, poised, yet none of it was 
pretense. Raye had sneered along with the rest of the scouts when Zhu Shu 
had claimed they had been lucky so far, yet she too had had bones broken for 
her arrogance. She had hated her for how easily she seemed to get respect 
despite her seeming contentment to play the role of a traditional female in 
every way but one, and she had been so jealous of the way males seemed to 
lock on to Zhu Shu whenever they had been together, almost completely 
ignoring her...
  Then she had spent time with Zhu Shu, and had come to realize it was just 
Zhu Shu's way... She had no expectations of anyone, and desired none of the 
male attention she got, yet could not escape either. She cared for her 
friends unconditionally, regardless of who they were... and when she was 
teaching, she asked for no more than their best, because she would give no 
less herself...
  And when she had discovered Zhu Shu's preferences... she had become more 
confused than ever... Raye had been her first friend among the Scouts, and 
she had always felt she was closer to her than the other Scouts were. She 
had tended to her following her near death at their hands; she had won her 
trust following that... She had cared about Zhu Shu from the start... but 
the day she had spied on her... things had... changed...
  Zhu Shu's quick kiss, following so close on the feelings watching her 
practice had caused had sparked a part of Raye she had never acknowledged... 
a part she had really never recognized was there... but that part had 
whispered to her what might have happened had Zhu Shu stayed at the 
shrine...
  And that small voice had prompted her to spy on Zhu Shu's katas the 
following day, and to the love of friendship was added the element of 
desire...
  In the weeks that followed... she had wondered, and explored her 
feelings... yet she had no answers... only confusion... She liked men... she 
had a crush on Mamoru, and the boy who helped around the temple... and half 
a dozen other guys... but she couldn't deny her attraction to Zhu Shu 
either...
  "The eyes of a dragon see only truth..." Raye whispered, never realizing 
she was quoting in Chinese. "The flames of a dragon burn away lies... The 
soul of a dragon is honor... the heart of the dragon is love... the tears of 
a dragon wash away sorrow... the laugh of a dragon is joy..." Raye turned 
away from Zhu Shu, her eyes once more resting on the altar, her voice 
dropping even lower. "Beware the love of a dragon, for only the worthy 
survive..."
  "Yet one dragon loved shall never die..." Zhu Shu finished as Raye's voice 
trailed off. "My father would sing me to sleep with that song when 
nightmares woke me as a child... before he... before he died. It has never 
failed to comfort me with a sense of The Dragons presence, even here so far 
from home. I have never heard it from anyone before... How come you to know 
it?"
  Raye shook her head. "It's been stuck in my head ever since I took care of 
you after the fight... ever since I had a vision when I touched my symbol in 
your tattoo... now... whenever I see you I hear that song... and..." her 
voice trailed off for a long moment... "By my ancestors, Zhu Shu... I'm so 
confused..." She buried her face in her hands.
  "Do you want me?" Zhu Shu asked quietly.
  "I don't know." came Raye's strangled reply. She stood and started to walk 
forward. "Gods... I'm sorry Zhu Shu... You came here to get away from stuff 
like this..."
  "Wait." came Zhu Shu's quiet reply. Raye froze. Zhu Shu stood and stepped 
up to the taller girl. "What did you see?" her eyes held a plea as she gazed 
into the priestesses violet eyes.
  Raye closed her eyes. "I saw a girl with cherry blossoms in her pink 
hair... I saw Akane with a pair of tiger pommeled swords... I saw... a ring 
of fire surrounded by the symbols of the scouts being swallowed in 
darkness... and... I saw... The Dragon..." Her voice hesitated. "There was 
more, I know... but I can't remember it ..." She opened her eyes to look at 
Zhu Shu sadly. "I don't know what any of it means..." She turned and made as 
if to leave again.
  "Raye?" Zhu Shu voice again stopped her.
  "Yes Zhu-chan?" Raye asked quietly.
  "Why have you never told me?"
  Raye knew instinctively that Zhu Shu wasn't referring to her vision. She 
laid a hand against a pillar and whispered, "Because I never had a chance. 
You love Akane and Ranma... gods, Zhu Shu, how could I compete with that? 
Compared to Akane, I'm a graceless cow. She's learned everything you've 
taught her and I can't even finish my katas without messing up." She laid 
her head against the pillar. "And I can't even honestly make up my mind if 
I'm in love with you or not! How could I possibly ask you out on a date or 
anything? I can't even get up the courage to ask Chad out! And he's a boy!"
  "I see." Zhu Shu sat back down on the bench. "Raye... There is no shame in 
being confused. You are young yet. It is hard to know what your feelings are 
during this time of your life."
  Raye sighed. "Don't you think I know that? I've told myself that a 
thousand times... then I dream about you, or I watch you during classes and 
think about how you looked performing your katas that morning... and then I 
don't know how I feel any more... other than how much of a fool I am..."
  Zhu Shu whispered something too faintly for Raye to hear, but suddenly, 
light was pouring over her shoulder. Unable to resist, she turned to look at 
the source of the glow.
  A vision of herself stood before her, a mirror image, yet what it showed 
was far more than just a simple reflection. Her vision self stood naked, 
clothed only in wisps of flame. Wings of fire fluttered from her back, their 
slight motions leaving trailers of flame. A sense of presence emanated from 
the figure, seemingly vulnerable and untried, yet a strength stronger than 
steel hid within it. It reminded her of a flower, still in bud, but on the 
verge of blooming into something indescribably beautiful...
  "You asked me once how I could tell who you were both in and out of 
costume." Zhu Shu said quietly. "I told you then that I could see your 
aura... but there is more to it than just colors, Raye-chan, at least for 
me. This is how I see you, how I see all of the Scouts. This is my curse, 
Raye, my Dragon sight. When someone lies to me, or is ill, I can see it in 
their Aura, just as I can when someone tells the truth. Akane's gained a 
small part of this ability, to be able to see colors, but I see it 
all...Look at yourself, Raye. See yourself as I see you..." Zhu Shu shook 
her head. "You are young, Raye, and unsure of yourself... that does not make 
you a fool."
  Raye was still staring at the vision. "How can you bear it? How can you 
stand to see that way?"
  Zhu Shu shrugged. "Like all things, you grow accustomed to it in time." 
She let the illusion go. "Raye... I knew from the beginning that you were 
curious, but I will not play with your emotions. I do not wish you harm, 
Raye, and all my love seems to bring is pain. My duty is to produce an heir, 
I must eventually marry a man, no matter how I feel about them. I could not 
marry Ranma because I love him, and my lack of passion would only hurt him. 
I could see that as clearly as I can see you..." Her voice trailed off as 
she sighed. "Raye-chan... You are my friend... and I love you as such. I do 
not know if I am ready to be more, if I can be more, and I do not know if I 
will cause you pain because of my obligations... but if you decide to pursue 
me, I will not refuse you. I cannot offer more than that..."
  Raye's gaze locked with hers for a long moment, searching. Finally she 
nodded. "So it is up to me..." she laughed tiredly. "Now all I have to do is 
make up my mind what I want... and to figure out if I dare to love a 
dragon..."  She stepped away from the pillar and met Zhu Shu's golden gaze. 
"Well, at least you didn't laugh at me."
  Zhu Shu blinked, then smiled, her green eyes lighting. "Raye-chan... you 
should have known I would never have done that." She stepped forward to give 
her a hug. "I may be your Sensei, but I am also, and always your friend."
  Raye smiled. "Hey, Mina-chan's latest Sailor-V movie is premiering today. 
You wanna go?"
  Zhu Shu smiled "There! See! It wasn't so hard to ask me on a date."
  Raye blinked. "Uh- well... yeah, I guess so." She blushed. "Um... I gotta 
clean up the shrine first-" She broke off as she turned to look at the 
shrine, now finally illuminated by the early morning light. "By my 
ancestors."
  Zhu Shu joined her in staring. On the floor where Zhu Shu had been 
practicing, the wood had apparently reshaped itself. A pattern of small 
wooden tiles now adorned the floor, seemingly as old as the floor itself. 
Zhu Shu looked at Raye. "I didn't do it. I don't have that kind of ability."
  Raye shook her head. "I'll just chalk it up as one more of the many 
mysteries that surround you. But we better both go and tell grandfather... 
he's going to freak."
  Zhu Shu nodded and followed Raye out of the shrine, as puzzled by the 
appearance of the Dragon Mandala as Raye was.

  * * * * *

  Akane awoke from dreams of dragons and birds of fire with a sense that 
something she couldn't quite put a finger on had happened. The depression 
she had been sensing faintly from her connection with Zhu Shu had vanished, 
replaced with a sense of acceptance and faint amusement. Wherever she was, 
she at least seemed to be doing better. Akane stretched, still feeling a 
little wrung out from the events of the day before, then rolled over to find 
herself face to face with Shampoo, curled up on the bed next to her. Purple 
hair curled around her face as sleepy eyes opened and smiled at Akane. 
"Nihao, Ai Ren."
  Downstairs, Kasumi looked up at the scream, then heard the sound of 
Akane's door slamming as steps came storming down the stairs. Akane slammed 
into the kitchen and stopped. "That... That... AMAZON!"
  "Oh, my, Akane. What ever happened?"
  "Shampoo! She snuck into my bedroom last night and crawled into bed with 
me!"
  "Oh, my."
  Shampoo stuck her head in the kitchen. "Why is Ai Ren angry?  Is what 
couples do."
  Akane sighed. "Shampoo... we won't be engaged for a week!"
  "Humph... Akane not seem have problem with other Fianc�.  Shampoo hear 
what Akane and Ranma do yesterday. Why not Shampoo?"
  Akane blushed furiously. "I was still under the influence of some kind of 
drug!  And I barely know you!"
  Shampoo stepped closer. "Is simple remedy."
  Akane blushed even brighter and muttered. "I'm going to the Dojo!" She 
turned and fled. Shampoo pouted. "What do wrong?" she asked of no-one in 
particular.
  "I think you just may have come on too strong, dear." Kasumi said 
helpfully. "Akane's the kind to resist if you come across as too forward."
  "Is Amazon way! Warriors are direct! Akane is Fianc�e like Ranma."
  "I know, dear. But maybe you should try subtlety."
  Shampoo sighed. "Great Grandmother tell Shampoo should win Akane's heart 
first, or be much jealousy... Shampoo thought was being good Fianc�e. 
Shampoo want be good Fianc�e."
  Kasumi looked at the miserable Chinese girl. She was completely sincere, 
and as far as Kasumi could tell, was telling the plain truth. And... she was 
Zhu Shu's adopted sister... and sooner or later, would be hers too. Zhu Shu 
trusted her enough to arrange for her to marry Ranma...
  Besides... she hated to see anyone unhappy. "Maybe I can help..."

  * * * * *

  Akane was nearly three quarters done with a morning workout before she 
realized she was copying Zhu Shu's routine perfectly. She'd come into the 
Dojo, stripped out of her house coat, stepped onto the tatami mat naked, 
picked up a pair of Chinese broadswords and begun the intricate steps of the 
Song school of sword dance.  She missed a step when she realized what she 
was doing, but reflexes took over and she corrected.  She was amazed at 
herself.  The memories she had absorbed from Zhu Shu had gone deeper than 
she had realized.
  A polite cough as she finished the last form drew her attention to the 
side of the mat.  Shampoo stood next to the mat, holding her bonburi, but 
otherwise, just as naked as she was.  Akane blushed slightly, but gazed back 
at the Chinese girl defiantly.
  "Shampoo only see Zhu Shu use techniques.  Shampoo spar much with Zhu Shu. 
  Will Akane spar?"
  Akane considered, unwilling to back down.  "Any other laws of the Amazons 
I should know about first?"
  Shampoo shook her head.  "Is already betrothed.  No can challenge to 
marriage duel."
  "I meant more along the line of Death stuff."
  Shampoo smiled.  "Akane is Ai Ren.  No would kill Ai Ren.  Just spar."  
She looked at Akane eagerly, the desire to test herself against Akane's 
skill apparent in her eyes.
  Akane shrugged.  The damage had already been done.  They were going to be 
betrothed in six days whatever she thought.  And... she knew there was a 
question they both needed answered.  "Why not."
  Shampoo nodded and bowed before stepping onto the mat and assuming a 
stance.  Akane took the chance to study her for a second.  She really was 
beautiful, nearly a match for Zhu Shu, but she had a hardness Zhu Shu 
lacked.  Her muscles were more defined, and her moves spoke of a lot of 
power carefully controlled.  Her long purple hair swayed behind her, the 
small bell ornaments chiming softly in time with the ones in Akane's braid.  
There was silence as for a long second neither girl moved, sizing each other 
up, then they simultaneously attacked.
  In a blur of motion, Akane intercepted Shampoo's right bonburi as her 
other sword flickered towards Shampoo's head. Shampoo dodged behind her, her 
second bonburi flashing at Akane's legs, but Akane flipped over the swing 
and curled around the other weapon as Shampoo tried to intercept her in 
mid-air. She flipped and landed out of Shampoo's range as they guarded 
again.
  Shampoo licked her lips, her nipples hard as rocks. "You good." was her 
only comment.
  Akane launched herself, her body spinning as her blade arched towards 
Shampoo, then reversing her spin as the blade was intercepted. Shampoo threw 
herself into an aerial cartwheel over the blade and launched an attack at 
Akane's extended arm. Akane's whirl carried her arm out of the way as both 
blades circled towards where Shampoo's legs would impact.
  Shampoo bounced into a high split over the swords and attempted a 
counterstrike at Akane's head. Akane blurred out of the way as the 
floorboards erupted from the air pressure of the missed blow. She continued 
her cart wheels as Shampoo launched a rapid fire series of jabs, exploding 
the floor just behind her elusive opponent. As Akane did a high flip over 
Shampoo, the Chinese girl took a deep breath and seemed to blur.
  Akane dodged the first of the series of lightning fast blows as instincts 
took over and the world slowed to a crawl. She parried blow after blow, the 
air growing as thick as molasses and waves slowly rippled out from behind 
their furiously striking weapons. Then, as the waves met and merged in a 
dull rumble, a vast surge blew them apart.
  Time resumed its normal flow as they both rolled in the air and the dull 
rumble became the roar of a sonic boom. The walls of the dojo ripped apart 
in the angry wind, swirling paper around the two girls as they landed with 
barely a thump. For a long second, only their hair moved in the swirling 
wind, then they blurred again.
  Shampoo managed to deflect the flashing blades, but realized her mistake 
as the long ribbons attached to the pommels wrapped around the hilts of her 
bonburi and with a wrench they were gone. Out of the corner of her eye, she 
watched as they narrowly missed a Ranma who had frozen outside the dojo in 
shock.
  Shampoo flipped over Akane's head and back flipped out of the immediate 
reach of her swords to land in a crouch.  "Hah!  Shampoo not need weapon!"  
She returned to the fray with a volley of kicks and punches that Akane was 
hard pressed to avoid, then her return attack with her ribbons was caught by 
Shampoo, and her swords were wrenched out of her hands and hurled across the 
room.  Akane bounced back out of Shampoo's range and the two girls circled 
warily.
  "You match Zhu Shu in blade."  Shampoo admitted.  "But Song school have 
big weakness.  No sword, no defense."  She smiled as she attacked once more.
  Akane smiled as she blocked the first attack and bounced back across the 
Dojo.  "Maybe, but I'm also a student of Anything Goes!"
  In a blur of kicks and punches, block and counter block, they whirled 
around the Dojo, the air once more turning to molasses.

  * * * * *

  Soun and Genma arrived at a dead run to see the two girls moving almost 
too fast to see through the shattered walls of the Dojo.  They joined Ranma 
in an open mouth gape at the display.
  "Soun.  When did you teach Akane that?"  Genma whispered in awe.
  "I didn't know I had."  Soun whispered back.
  All Ranma could see was that all traces of the awkward tomboy he'd fought 
on his first day at the Tendo's was gone.  Akane's style had merged with Zhu 
Shu's grace and fluidness to give her a kinesthetic all her own.  She moved 
with all the lethal grace of a tigress, right down to the lashing tail of 
her braid.  To him, she had never seemed more beautiful.
  And Shampoo...  He'd never had a chance to appreciate how skilled she was. 
  He'd taken advantage of her tiredness to get in a quick power shot that 
had knocked her off the challenge pole.  Now, watching her fighting Akane, 
he realized he might have had an entirely different kind of match had she 
not just won several challenges in a row.  He still would have beaten her, 
he was confident, but he would have been in bad shape afterwards... and 
seeing her in this light, he was struck by how beautiful she was as well...
  Nodoka Saotome arrived on the scene finally, her kimono in disarray from a 
hurried dressing, and her sword half drawn.  "What is going on?  It sounded 
like a bomb went...  Oh my..."  Her voice trailed off in amazement as well.
  A golden globe shattered a wall and resolved itself into Akane.  She spun 
in mid-air to land on her feet and launched herself straight up as Shampoo's 
kick ploughed into the ground where she had landed.  Shampoo launched 
herself upwards after Akane, but was met in mid-leap and borne to the 
ground. They froze, Shampoo on her back looking up at the hand Akane had 
poised to strike, her eyes locked on the long, glowing gold claws that had 
sprung from Akane's fingertips. Her eyes dropped down to meet Akane's, a 
fire burning in them like none Akane had ever seen.
  "You have conquered Shampoo, Ai Ren." She stretched her arms languorously 
and lifted her breasts into Akane's view. "She is yours yet again. Is fight 
Shampoo should have had."
  Akane's blush broke her hold on her ki, and the claws vanished. "What do 
you mean?"
  Shampoo reached out to stroke the small bells along Akane's dangling braid 
"Shampoo no lose to fluke. Shampoo conquered as Amazon should be." Her eyes 
met Akane's again, the need in them intense. She raised her hand to Akane's 
cheek and attempted to draw her down for a kiss, heedless of the others.
  Feeling trapped by Shampoo's obvious desire, and her own conflicting 
feelings about the Chinese girl, Akane did the only thing she could do. She 
ran.
  Shampoo cried out after her as she vanished, her hand held out in longing, 
then she collapsed sobbing, her fist denting a rock as she shattered it in 
frustration. "Shampoo such fool! Fool! Fool! Fool!" she cried, the rock 
reducing towards rubble with each exclamation.
  Nodoka was the first to recover, and she tried to go and comfort the 
sobbing Amazon, but the proud girl fled into the house as well. Nodoka wrung 
her hands and sighed, then turned to the other three. "Quite a pair of 
warriors."
  Ranma, Genma and Soun nodded. Creaks and groans came from the Dojo behind 
them.
  "That my son bested the Amazon speaks volumes. That Akane matched her is 
impressive as well. Ah, Ranma. I think your life is going to be interesting. 
I am so proud!" She hugged him.
  "Aw, mom." Ranma blushed
  "Just stay in shape. I'm already worried enough about you surviving the 
wedding night, and I do expect grandchildren." She turned and reentered the 
house as behind the men, the Dojo gave a last groan and collapsed.
  Kasumi peeked out of the dining room door. "Oh, my. I suppose I had better 
call your students and inform them lessons are canceled today." She started 
to turn then stopped. "Oh, yes. Breakfast is ready as well."
  The Dojo gave a last creak as Soun settled to his knees and cried.

  * * * * *

  "So, she plans to go out socializing with one of the Scouts."  The figure 
in the mirror mused.  Mara nodded.
  "Yes.  She will be alone with her."
  "Which one?"
  "Mars."
  The wizard growled.  "I should have guessed.  She always was partial to 
the bitch."  He steepled his fingers.  "I have things I must see to here, 
but I think we should not let our nuisance free to enjoy herself.  
Especially with a Scout."
  Mara nodded.  "I agree.  I have an imp I can send to annoy them.  Anything 
more will alert the goddess watching over her to my meddling."
  The wizard scowled.  "No.  I have something better in mind."

  * * * * *

  Zhu Shu sat at the small Koi pond behind the shrine and meditated, sorting 
out the last of the chaos in her mind.  She could still feel Akane, and it 
seemed something had happened between her and Shampoo, but she couldn't tell 
what, only that her emotions were swirling and the Amazon occupied her 
thoughts...
  She sighed, hoping they hadn't fought, and concentrated on the strange 
golden haze in her memories.  It wasn't the first time she had experienced 
the disjointed feeling the haze caused, she had had it happen several times 
before, once on the day she and Cherry Blossom had finally made love, and 
again ten months later as she had stood on the cliff ready to join her.  The 
first time, it had blended into the rest of those ecstatic hours so smoothly 
that she had thought it was simply part of the ecstasy, but the second time, 
she remembered clearly.  She had awoken in her own bed to the sight of the 
woman in her dream, her love for Cherry Blossom no less strong, but her 
grief had seemed... muted... lessened to the point she could bear to live 
and feeling a certainty that that was what Cherry Blossom wanted.
  It had also left the Dragon tattoo on her back, and she had cried for 
hours when she had first seen the Cherry Blossom in it's claw, and had 
wondered what the other objects meant.  Her aunt had always glared at her 
whenever it was visible, her eyes accusing her of making it appear just to 
spite her, but she had never said anything about it after her grandfather 
had told her it was a sign her niece had been claimed by the Dragon. It had 
been just another thing in the list her aunt had hated her for...
  She felt something soft brush her face and land in her cupped hands.  She 
opened her eyes to see a single cherry blossom, a drop of dew falling down 
its side like a teardrop.
  << A bloom cannot live away from the tree that nurtures it.>> a quiet 
voice spoke in her mind.  She turned but saw nothing.  Only a wind through 
the trees.  She turn forward again and stared at the flower as the single 
drop of dew was joined by another.  It had sounded so much like her voice...
  <<Of course it did, love.  It is my voice.>>
  Zhu Shu looked up and froze, her gaze lost in a pair of bottomless blue 
eyes surrounded by pink hair.  "Cherry Blossom..."
  <<Yes.>>
  Zhu Shu shook her head.  "I must be..."
  <<Dreaming?  Most definitely.  You haven't slept in over twenty-four hours 
and you sat down to meditate.  You fell asleep and I took advantage of your 
proximity to the shrine to enter your dreams>>
  <<Oh...>> Zhu Shu thought back, then jumped up to hold her. <<Gods, Cherry 
Blossom, I've missed you!>>
  The pink haired girl stroked her hair. <<I know, Love>> She let Zhu Shu 
hold her for long moments.  <<I've missed you too, Little Mouse.  And I'm 
worried for you.>>
  Zhu Shu lifted tear streaked eyes to Cherry Blossoms face.  <<Worried?>>
  <<Yes.>> Cherry Blossom stepped away from Zhu Shu so she could look at 
her, but kept her hands intertwined. <<You have been so distressed lately.  
And I know that a part of you fears betraying me.>>
  Zhu Shu gave her a startled glance.  <<I- I>>
  <<Oh, Love.  I know that consciously, you don't think about it, but I 
could always read your heart.  I came to comfort you.>>
  Zhu Shu looked away. <<Beloved...  I wish you could... but my heart feels 
so...>>
  <<Divided?>> Cherry Blossom smiled.  <<I can tell.>> Her fingers reached 
out to touch Zhu Shu's back, Zhu Shu's clothes suddenly vanishing as Cherry 
Blossom traced out the pattern of petals on her back. <<Without you, I faded 
as a flower torn from a tree will.  The Tiger will always be a part of you, 
yet ever apart as well.  And there are two you have yet to meet.>>
  Zhu Shu whirled, her eyes locked on Cherry Blossoms smile.  Her look was 
one of utterly stunned amazement.  Cherry Blossom leaned forward to peck her 
on the lips.
  <<You never realized?  That I am the Flower and Akane is the Tiger?>>
  Zhu Shu shook her head.
  <<The Dragon gave you signs, Love.  To show you your destiny.>>
  <<Am I destined to lose my loves then?  Like you and Akane?>>
  <<No. I was the Flower...  Like any flower, I was not destined to 
remain...  I grieve for the pain my loss caused you, yet we were not 
destined for more than our brief span.  But the Flower turns into the seed, 
as I planted the seeds of the woman you have become in you.  Akane is the 
Tiger and like the tiger, you needed the strength her love will give you, as 
she needed the control you gave her.  Together you will both be more than 
either of you would have been apart.>>
  <<Yet we will never be more than we are?>>
  <<Do not mourn for that Beloved.  There is happiness in store for you 
beyond all measure.>>
  <<How?  I am destined to wed one whom I can never love and fulfill my 
family duties.>>
  <<No... you are destined to fulfill your family duties with one you will 
love.>>
  Zhu Shu turned away again.  <<I wish that could be true.  Yet I know this 
is a dream...  How much of you is true, and how much is my own fantasies?>>
  Cherry Blossom stepped forward, turning Zhu Shu to face her as she wrapped 
her arms around her and pressed her body against her. <<All of it and none, 
Love.  Yet I would give you a parting gift before you go back to the waking 
world.>>
  <<Yes?>>
  <<I want you to have better memories of me than just our parting...  
Happier memories.>>
  Zhu Shu melted with her kiss...

  * * * * *

  Akane sat on her bed, thinking about the events of that morning. After her 
bout with Shampoo, she had more or less gone through the school day in a 
daze, trying to sort out the welter of emotions the fight had brought out.
  She had not before realized exactly how much of Zhu Shu's skills she had 
been given when they had merged ki. The ease with which she had used it had 
frightened her and thrilled her at the same time.  She had occasionally 
damaged the Dojo before by putting a hole in the wall, or breaking a board 
here or there, but she and Shampoo had leveled the place.  That was the kind 
of property damage she would associate with Serena and the other Scouts, or 
their enemies.  Even Kuno at his worst couldn't level buildings so quickly.  
Had she met Shampoo with the training she had had from her father, she would 
have been slaughtered.
  And Ranma had beaten her without Zhu Shu's abilities, just his own 
training in Anything Goes. And if he could be believed, he'd beaten her 
quickly.
  She understood now how he could view Kuno with contempt.
  It threw into bold relief just how lackadaisical her training in Martial 
Arts had been.  Yes, her dad had taught her everything he had known, but he 
had never pushed her...
  No.  To be fair, she had never made him push her.  She had never had the 
drive to be the best that had driven Ranma and Shampoo.  She could have 
spent years training and never have caught up to them...
  But now?  Zhu Shu had told her that Shampoo could beat her easily in 
unarmed combat, but Akane had held her own... and won.
  No... she had been evenly matched... but Shampoo had acknowledged defeat.
  Maybe she'd been wrong about Shampoo's reasons for wanting to spar. At 
first she had thought the Amazon had wanted a little revenge for losing to 
Akane the day before, but now she didn't think so... It had been more like 
she had wanted to meet her as an equal... which was why she'd met her with 
nothing more than Akane had had... weapons alone.
  Shampoo hadn't fought at anything less than her best, but it seemed she 
had wanted to lose... she had needed to lose after giving her all. She had 
needed to prove to herself that she had given her love to someone worthy. 
She was an Amazon... and the Champion... her pride demanded she give herself 
only to best...
  And Akane had proven to her that she was at least an equal. She had not 
needed to win to know who was truly better, the fight alone had proven her 
love was worthy. She hadn't cared who was there other than Akane. She had 
desired only to be taken with a passion as wild as the fury of their fight. 
She had needed to be taken.
  And the depth of her need had frightened Akane.
  She'd been forced into this engagement, even if by her own actions. She'd 
been deliberately corrupted by Zhu Shu to make her amiable to the idea of a 
female lover, even if she did love Zhu Shu too much to really be angry about 
it. She'd been manipulated by the old ghoul Shampoo called her great 
grandmother into begging for her life...
  No... the parts of her that were touched by Zhu Shu wouldn't let her take 
the easy way out... Zhu Shu had never done anything more than be a friend... 
Akane had been the one to make the decisions. Shampoo had only jumped to 
Ranma's defense... much as Akane might have done. Akane had only herself to 
blame for knocking Shampoo out. Had it not been for her ties to Ranma and 
Zhu Shu... Shampoo would have given her the kiss of death... and now... 
Shampoo was only trying to win the heart of someone she had already given 
hers to...
  Could Akane really be angry with her for trying to do to her what she had 
done to Zhu Shu? Or Ranma?
  The whirlwind in her head continued...

  * * * * *

  "Well I still say it's weird." Serena said to Mina. "I mean why would she 
want to take Zhu-chan to a movie and not want the rest of us to go too?"
  "Serena, you can be so dense. Zhu Shu came to her last night because she 
was so upset about stuff over at Akane's. She needed a break, and peace and 
quiet. And you can't sit through a movie without running commentary and at 
least five trips to the concession stand for more popcorn." Mina replied.
  "So why'd she get so dressed up?" Serena pouted.
  Lita looked up from the stove where she was cooking. "Think about it, 
Serena. You know how Zhu Shu looks before she puts on make up... and they 
were going to that nice restaurant in the Ginza after the movie. Raye had to 
dress nice to even get in there."
  Serena humphed. Mina giggled. "I think you're just sore she wanted to go 
alone."
  Serena curled into a knot of arms and legs. "Well... I wanted to see the 
movie."
  "No... you wanted Raye to pay for you to see the movie." Lita called. "Now 
go set the table. Dinner's almost done."
  Mina sighed and got up. "Come on Serena."
  "Aww, do I have too? My butt still hurts."
  "Then you should have known better than to ask Raye if she had become a 
pervert and was she really taking Zhu Shu on a date." Lita said 
unsympathetically.
  Mina giggled, receiving a glare from a red faced Serena. "Hey!"
  "Oh, come on Serena-chan. It was funny watching Raye turn you over her lap 
and paddle you. I should have taken pictures. Lots of magazines would pay 
good money for them." Mina's eyes danced.
  "YOU WOULDN'T DARE!!!!" Serena yelled, then reconsidered. "Would you?"
  The other two girls howled with laughter, but broke off as Amy came into 
the small kitchen dining room of Lita's apartment.
  "Hey guys, this is pretty weird." She looked up at a beet red Serena, then 
at the other two swallowing giggles and asked "Did I miss something?"
  "They're being mean!" Serena wailed.
  "Oh... well... I think you might want to look at this." She waved the 
little mini computer in her hand. "Might even want to call in Artemis and 
Luna."
  The other three girls got serious in a hurry. "What is it Amy-chan?" Lita 
asked.
  "I was running some comparative analysis on my scans for the last few 
months... and... well... I'd really rather only try to explain this once, 
but I think it might be important."
  That was enough for the others. By the time dinner was out, the two 
felines had arrived.
  "What is it Sailor Mercury? We haven't monitored any suspicious 
activity..."
  Amy shook her head. "I've been going over my sensor logs." She turned to 
Lita's monitor and an image of Zhu Shu standing on the roof of Hikawa Shrine 
appeared. Next to it, a sensor trace appeared with labels indicating what 
the various colors meant. "This is what Zhu-sensei read when we first met 
her. As you can see, she has absolutely no trace of negative energy, but 
extremely high levels of what Raye said was Chi, and strong traces of 
Magical energy. At the time, there was a last trace I ignored as 
unimportant." She pointed to a small gold trace barely visible at the bottom 
of the readout. "This is Silver Millennium energy. It's very faint and I 
dismissed it then because it's fairly common to find people with traces." 
She ran the log forward to the point it had rained. "Here is where she 
transformed. As you can see, the magic trace spiked off the scale for this 
one split second, but look at the other traces."
  Serena said it first. "They ain't there?"
  Amy nodded. "Exactly. For this one instant, it appears Zhu Shu existed 
only as magical energy." She ran ahead a few frames to Zhu Shu's elf form 
and the traces reappeared, but even Serena's usually unobservant eyes could 
see the difference.
  "Her bands have shifted." Artemis observed.
  "Yes. Her magic trace has climbed almost an order of magnitude, and there 
is a significant change in her chi trace... it almost seems as if her change 
intertwines her chi and this strong magical trace. I'm still trying to 
figure out what that means." She added a split screen of Raye. "And for 
comparison, here's Raye."
  "Wow... She's got a magic trace too!" Serena noted.
  Amy nodded. "Well, she is a priestess... But as you can see, her major 
trace is Silver Millennium energy, about ten orders of magnitude over 
Zhu-sensei." She pressed a few buttons on the computer. "Now I'm going to 
the readings a few days later, when we all came to the shrine to meet 
Zhu-sensei." The graphs shifted and everyone gasped.
  Amy looked at them seriously. "You won't notice unless you're looking for 
it, but like this, it's rather obvious. Raye's magic trace has elevated over 
an order magnitude, but what's really strange is this." She pointed to the 
gold trace on Zhu Shu's graph. "Zhu-sensei's Silver Millennium trace also 
has increased by nearly an order of magnitude."
  She tapped a few more keys and the screen jumped ahead to a time reference 
of just a few hours previous, and everyone gasped. Amy looked grim. "This is 
our sensei today. As you can see, somehow, she's undergone a massive change. 
Her chi has leaped almost five orders of magnitude and her magic trace is 
off the scale and staying there. Something very strange has happened to 
her."
  "Hey! What happened to her Millennium trace?" Serena asked.
  Amy looked at her in surprise. "Good question. Let me check." She tapped a 
few more keys and the other traces vanished to reveal the previously hidden 
trace.
  "Oh... my... gawd..." Serena mumbled slack jawed. The others wore equally 
shocked expressions.
  The gold trace was off the scale.
  "Where are Raye and Zhu Shu now?" Luna asked quietly.
  "They were going to see the new Sailor V movie and then to dinner at the 
Ginza." Lita supplied.
  "We've got to get to them quick. We need to find out what is going on." 
Artemis said, his voice more serious than they had heard it in weeks.
  An alarm began beeping on Amy's computer. She looked down. "Damn! I have a 
massive magical trace building."
  "Where?" Luna's voice had a tight edge.
  "Juuban Ginza." Amy's voice was as colorless as her face.

  * * * * *

  "You'd think the way she carries on, Mina would be a better actor." Raye 
commented over her chow mien. "I mean, who writes her scripts?"
  Zhu Shu laughed, surprised at how much she was enjoying herself. She had 
woken from her dream of Cherry Blossom still feeling the touch of her final 
kiss, and surprisingly feeling better than she had in years. Whether it had 
been real or her own fantasies, it had been therapeutic. When Raye had come 
home from school and they had decided where to go eat, she had actually made 
the effort to use some of her training to dress herself and Raye up. She had 
dug into Raye's closet and found her an elegant Mandarin style dress and had 
dressed in a complimentary one, and the pair of them had turned all kinds of 
heads that night. Zhu Shu had smiled repeatedly at Raye's blushes when 
various boys had whistled at them; she had made a huge effort to ensure that 
Raye had outshone her for the night.
  "I don't know, Raye-chan. I thought it was very entertaining." Zhu Shu 
answered. "It was interesting to see her pretending to fight. I will have to 
remember those moves when we train. It will help me to train her better."
  "She was on wires most of the time, Zhu-chan... It wasn't real."
  "Yes... but there is no reason she can't use what she learned for that to 
help her out in training. Or combat." Zhu Shu picked at her so-called 
sachezuan... she could make better in her sleep. "Anyway, I thought she did 
a good job. It's not her fault they have her sounding like a cheap American 
superhero."
  "Except I know she adlibs half her lines." Raye laughed. "You know, I'm 
actually having a lot of fun." She smiled at Zhu Shu.
  Zhu Shu nodded. "I was just thinking the same thing. Maybe this was just 
what I needed... a complete break from-" She was cut off by the sounds of 
screams from down the street, immediately followed by the commotion of 
people running past the railing of the open air restaurant. A shudder ran 
through the ground followed by the roar of something gigantic.
  "Dammit!" Raye cursed. "Why tonight of all nights!" She stood and began to 
search for someplace private, then she felt an arm wrap around her waist.
  "Hold on." Zhu Shu told her. Raye grabbed her as she leaped, and tried to 
make herself as small as possible as Zhu Shu rebounded off the wall. She 
bounced from wall to wall, gaining speed with each bounce until she cleared 
the upper stories and landed on a rooftop halfway down the street. She sat 
Raye down and smiled. "Time to be a warrior."
  Raye smiled back and held up her pen. "Be right back."

  * * * * *

  The imp roared happily as it reached down to scare yet another running 
human. It hadn't had this much fun in centuries.  The wizards sending was 
feeding it enough power it felt invincible! Even holding to its current 
giant size was child's play. And with the havoc it was creating, its prey 
should be drawn to it soon, her noble instincts wouldn't let her stay away.
  "Villain! Monster! For the suffering you have caused innocents, in the 
name of Mars, I will make you pay!"
  The imp looked up to the rooftop across from it to see Sailor Mars. It 
laughed, a vast booming chuckle. Already, its lures were arriving. The 
Dragon girl couldn't be far behind. "Will you stop me all by yourself, 
meat?" The imp called as it shrugged off a Fire Soul.
  "She is not alone, Villain!" Sailor Moon called from behind it. "Moon 
Tiara Action!"
  The imp continued laughing as it deflected the spinning disc with a claw. 
So all of its lures were coming to play. The teacher had to be close. "So 
good of you all to come my little Sailorscouts." It smiled as the five girls 
surrounded it. "Now my pet!"
  Only Serena had time to scream as tentacles shot out of shadows all over 
the rooftops and enveloped the quintet, then even that was cut off as her 
mouth was clamped closed. They struggled, but for every tentacle they 
wiggled free of, eight more clamped on.
  "Do you like my little ally, Scouts?" The imp gloated. "I would have 
thought you would have been more wary.  You fell into my trap so quickly."
  A whistle and a sharp report announced the rose bouncing off the imps 
scaly hide, followed by a pronouncement in a deep voice.
  "Those who seek to destroy beauty may find instead they are destroyed by 
it!"
  The imp turned to Tuxedo Mask. "How sweet. More bait." It ignored the 
spatter of roses as it lashed out at the building under Tuxedo Mask's feet. 
Darien flipped through the air towards a new perch, but was snagged by a 
dozen tentacles and dragged down into the shadowy mass that had almost 
completely enveloped the Scouts. The imp laughed insanely. The Dragon girl 
had to come now!
  From out of the darkness overhead a flurry of ribbons flickering with 
golden light flashed down to a call of "Ashura's Whip!"
  Roars of pain arose from the shadow beast as the light ripped through 
dozens of tentacles, freeing the Scouts enough for them to breathe. The imp 
screamed as pain rushed along the connection it had with the unseen beast. 
It looked up at the source of the ribbons and howled.
  Hovering in a whirlwind of ribbons was a golden haired figure in a 
gold-skirted sailor suit. Golden light poured down from the globe of energy 
that surrounded the figure as she danced in the air, her arms moving in a 
hypnotic pattern that almost made her seem to have six of them. A clear 
voice called out over the howls of the imp.
  "For Crimes against the Earth, and for Crimes against Love, I sentence 
you. In the name of Honor, you shall be destroyed." The quiet pronouncement 
held just a hint of sadness, but carried the finality of doom. The figure 
put back her head and screamed. "Ashura's Call! Scouts! Lend me your power!"
  Raye responded with all the strength she could muster. "Mars Firebird, 
Ignite!" A flaming phoenix flashed upwards into the swirling vortex around 
the figure.
  "She can absorb our attacks!" Mercury yelled. "Mercury Ice Bubbles, 
Blast!"
  One by one, the scouts added their attacks until the figure glowed like 
the sun. The imp hurled fireball after fireball to no effect. "What does it 
take to kill you!" it screamed as yet another fireball was sucked into the 
golden orb. The golden figures scream faded as the ribbons around her pulsed 
with power, leaving streamers of plasma. In the sudden silence, her voice 
seemed to echo forever.
  "Shiva's Dance, Final Attack. SWORD OF HEAVEN!"
  The ribbons blazed into a helix before the figure as she flared brighter 
than the sun. A vast crescent speared towards the transfixed imp, then 
through him and into the shadow beast.
  For a second, the imp appeared unharmed as lightning crackled through the 
shadow beast, then as the shadows consumed themselves, it slowly began to 
part. Arcs of energy lashed across the divide before it flared into a 
concussive wave that flattened the Sailor Scouts.
  Above them, the golden figure flickered like a dying ember and began to 
fall.
  Raye screamed in denial as Zhu Shu impacted the rubble with a sickening 
thud, and scrambled in her direction heedless of her own wounds and bruises.
  Zhu Shu lay like a broken doll in a pool of her own blood, her spine 
severed by a jagged piece of concrete. She coughed, a harsh rattling sound, 
and blood poured from her mouth. Her eyes opened to focus on the priestess, 
and her hand rose shakily to brush Raye's hair out of her eyes. "I could not 
stand by and watch you die, Raye-chan... I... could... not bear... 
to...lose... a friend." Her hand fell as her head rolled back, the light 
fading from her eyes.
  In Nerima, Akane's scream ripped out her soul...

Chapter Two: Shadows of the Past

  In the shrine on Cherry Blossom Hill, the Dragon Mandala suddenly ignited 
into crimson as a portal opened in it's center. Two figures emerged from the 
sunbright hole in the air and resolved themselves into a pair of feminine 
forms. The taller of the two looked around and nodded. "Good we have arrived 
correctly. Now we must hurry! There is no more time!"
  She raised the long golden key shaped staff in her hand and cried "Scout 
Power Teleport!"
  The two figures faded from view.

  * * * * *

  Akane's scream ripped through the evening and drew everyone running to jam 
in the door to her room. Akane was curled up on the bed crying piteously, 
projecting an aura of pure despair.
  "Akane?" Ranma asked with more concern than anyone had ever heard in his 
voice. "What's wrong?"
  She looked up, her face a mask of misery. "Zhu Shu... She was in a 
fight...  Oh gods, Ranma...She's dead!..."
  Ranma hit his knees as a collective gasp arose. Shampoo came stumbling out 
of Zhu Shu's room partially dressed and with a look of murder in her eyes.  
She pushed through the crowd to meet Akane's tearful gaze. "Shampoo feel.  
Tell who did. Shampoo kill."
  Akane nodded, her tears giving way to a look of pure rage. "I'm coming 
with you."

  * * * * *

  In a house by a shrine in Nikoma, a vase shattered as it fell from 
Belldandy's nerveless fingers and a rain began to fall on Tokyo.
  Urd and Skuld rushed into the kitchen, concern an uncommon expression on 
Urd's face while Skuld was crying unabashedly as she ran to hug Belldandy 
tightly.  Belldandy stroked her hair as she cried as well, listening to the 
sounds of a God mourning the loss of a mortal child...

  * * * * *

  In the heavens, Kami-Sama stepped down from his throne, a tear crawling 
down his face from his single blue eye at the sound that rang through the 
myriad of worlds in his care. He placed his hand on the arm of his throne 
and bowed his head.
  "Soon, old friend. It is almost over. Soon you will need grieve for your 
children no more..."

  * * * * *

  In her lair, Mara had watched the battle in her scrying mirror. As Zhu Shu 
fell, she had laughed at the irony of it all... To have gone through so much 
trouble in China only to have this happen?!!!
  Her laughter was cut short as her ears picked up a sound that cut through 
the haze that had filled her mind of late and drained away the rage that had 
fed it.
  The Dragon was mourning the loss of his child...
  She slowly sank to her knees, her eyes locked on the still form in her 
mirror as the realization sank in.
  "By Hela... what have I done?!!!"

  * * * * *

  In a pagoda in China, an old, old man knelt in front of an altar shaped in 
the form of an Imperial Dragon. Around him, the Dragon Mandala slowly faded 
from crimson to blue. Tears ran from his eyes as he knelt. Even here, locked 
away in the shrine, he gave no other outward sign of his grief, anymore than 
he had the day his granddaughter had left his protection to seek her 
destiny, or the day he had found her body broken and cold at the base of a 
cliff. An ancient woman had found him there, holding her silent form and 
given her back to him... along with a warning...
  It had not made it hurt any less the second time...

  * * * * *

  Nabiki watched as her sister and her two fianc�es disappeared into the 
rain. It was a truly mind numbing event to find she was so upset over what 
Akane had said had happened. Kasumi was in the kitchen making tea in a daze, 
her dad and Mr. Saotome were in the dining room getting drunk, and here she 
was staring off after the fighters and wishing, for the first time since she 
had convinced her dad to stop dragging her into the dojo and trying to teach 
her to fight, that she had continued the lessons...
  And she had certainly never expected to feel like she had just lost a 
sister...

  * * * * *

  Zhu Shu opened her eyes to the soft fluttering of petals against her 
cheek. She was surprised to find herself in a grove of cherry trees. She 
remembered thinking that she was dying, but now the pain was gone, and she 
was here.
  Wherever here was.
  She stood and looked around. In every direction stood cherry trees, all in 
bloom. A soft breeze was stirring the branches and the fall of petals was as 
thick as snow. Overhead was only a soft pink sky, like the last moments of a 
setting sun...
  She turned, her ears catching a sound other than the wind in the trees and 
found a faint path leading between the trees towards what looked to be a 
small clearing. Slowly she walked towards the brighter light. As she 
approached, the sounds resolved themselves into a cheerful humming of the 
song her father had sung to her.
  She stepped out into the clearing to find a large stone covered with the 
Dragon Mandala. Beyond it an arch of stone stood. Setting in front of the 
arch, blocking it completely was a stone bench. Sitting on the bench was...
  "Cherry Blossom?"
  She looked up. "Nihao, my love. I'd say nice to see you again, but not 
here..." She looked around. "If I had my way, we'd never meet here again."  
She sighed.
  "Where is this place?" Zhu Shu asked, puzzled.
  Cherry Blossom grimaced. "Death's door."
  Zhu Shu started. "I'm dead then..." Zhu Shu looked down at herself. "I 
feel fine."
  Cherry Blossom smiled. "Of course you do, Love. This place is a place of 
souls."
  Zhu Shu turned wide eyes on Cherry Blossom. "Have you come to meet me?"
  Cherry Blossom laughed, her bright voice tinkling. "Oh, Beloved... It's 
really too bad I can't let you remember this anymore than last time. That's 
exactly the same thing you asked the last time you were here. My answer is 
still the same. This is where I have always been. This is where the Dragon 
has requested I remain. This is my Destiny..."
  "Your Destiny?"
  "Yes, Love. The Destiny I chose so that I could always remain with you 
even though we could meet only in dreams. I am your Guardian. I bar the 
door."
  "I don't understand." Zhu Shu said uncertainly.
  "Yes, you do, Beloved. You just don't want to. I could not bear a life 
apart from you, it was just too painful to feel both my own loss and your 
loneliness. I-I took my life to escape from that pain, yet as I left the 
Mortal world behind, I faced the Dragon. He gave me a choice. I could go to 
the spirit realm, and you would join me there soon, or I could wait here, at 
the boundary of your life and death and bar your way." She smiled as she 
gestured around. "It was an easy choice to make. Here, I can be with you, 
watch as you live your life, watch as you find your loves, and as time 
passes and your grief fades, I can come to you in dreams. I am forever with 
you, my Love."
  Zhu Shu sat down on the bench beside her. "I wish you could be with me in 
life."
  "But I am, Love. I am always here, you just have not found the way to 
visit me yet, because you have not searched for me. Nor were you ready to. 
You have traveled far in your quest, both physically and spiritually. Soon, 
you will find the path to me... Then, you will know I am always here."
  "You speak as if I am to leave."
  "You soon shall. I told you. I bar the door. So long as I stand guard you 
cannot die. You still have a Destiny to find in Life, as I found mine in 
Death. You are on the path towards what you must become, this is just a fork 
in the path, a place to rest. When last you were here, I comforted you for 
my loss, and even though you remember it not, when you were healed, your 
grief for me had begun to heal too. You will not remember this either, but 
this too is a time of healing. I started it early when I came to your 
dreams, but here, I can do much more." She patted her lap. Zhu Shu smiled as 
she turned and lay back to look up at Cherry Blossom's beautiful face.  As 
Cherry Blossom stroked her hair, she closed her eyes.
  "I love it when you stroke my hair."
  "I know. I love stroking it. It's one of the things I miss most. I really 
wish I could let you keep more than just impressions of our meeting here, 
but I can at least comfort you with the fact that it will not always be so. 
When you can find your own way to me, there will no longer be any need."
  "But why must it be so?"
  "Because, Zhu Shu, you have a Destiny that you must find on your own. I 
can guide you only so much. I don't know all of your future, Love, but I 
know too much. If I say too much, I may guide you towards that future, or I 
may destroy all possibility of you ever achieving it. The risk is too great 
at this point. As much as it saddens me, the only way to be sure you are the 
one who makes your own choices is to cloud your memories of these times."
  "Is my Destiny so important, then?"
  Cherry Blossom smiled. "To the world? I cannot say. But to those whose 
lives you touch, and to me, yes. You affect the lives of everyone you meet 
Zhu Shu, and because of you, they grow, or they change, sometimes in small 
ways, sometimes in large. You are a catalyst, an agent of change, and your 
part in the lives of your friends is not yet over. But for everyone whose 
life you touch, they touch you as well. You learn from them and care for 
them, as the Dragon cares for you. You are the last Dragon's Child."
  Zhu Shu looked up at Cherry Blossom. "I don't understand."
  "You will, in time, Beloved. For now, it is time to sleep. When you awake, 
you will be with your friends once more... and in time, you will remember 
this. But for now... sleep..."
  Zhu Shu's eyes drifted closed slowly as her breathing grew quiet. Cherry 
Blossom continued stroking her hair as she drifted deeper into sleep. 
Finally, she asked the air "I didn't tell her too much, did I?"
  "No child. And as you said she will not remember this."
  "This is the only part of my choice I regret. The need to make her forget. 
The loneliness she will continue to feel, not knowing I am here."
  "Yet you know the necessity of it."
  Cherry Blossom sighed. "Yes."
  "We can at least do what we can to make her task easier. She has been 
burdened with emotions and learning not her own. I will remove that burden 
and make it so she will assimilate the knowledge in time."
  Cherry Blossom nodded. "It would help. I know Belldandy and Urd meant 
well, but I fear they did not expect the exchange to be so hard for her."
  "Akane's mind is far more chaotic. She had less trauma from it."
  "Yes. Zhu Shu was always far too organized. I love her to death..." She 
giggled, "obviously, but sometimes, I wish she wasn't so serious. I like it 
when she actually lets that impish sense of humor out."
  "She is what she is, Ying Ying."
  Cherry Blossom smiled. "I know... That's why I love her." She looked up at 
the glowing Mandala "Thank you again for allowing me to stay with her."
  "She is my Child, Ying Ying. I cannot spare her from the pain life will 
bring, but I can do what I may within the boundaries placed on me by the 
Ultimate Force. I too grieve for her."
  "I know. I can feel you crying." She held the sleeping form of Zhu Shu 
tightly. "It will not be much longer, Legend. Soon, she will come to me 
without having to be at Death's door."
  "It is time..."
  Cherry Blossom nodded and traced the curve of Zhu Shu's face one final 
time as she faded from view.
  "I just wish it wasn't so hard to wait..."

  * * * * *

  "Truly a tragic loss of one so brave." Tuxedo Mask said quietly, allowing 
Sailor Moon to sob against his chest.
  Raye sat numbly staring, Zhu Shu's hand still clutched in hers while 
around her, the other scouts huddled on their knees, crying.
  Then a soft golden light surrounded them and a kindly voice spoke. "Your 
grief does you credit, Scouts, but you mourn too soon."
  All eyes but Raye's turned to look at the figures outlined in the golden 
glow as they stepped out of the light.
  An ancient woman with ankle length hair walked towards the still and 
bloody figure. Faint hints of green could still be seen in the sable mass, 
and her robe was trimmed in red and black. Her face was smooth, but her skin 
was as thin as parchment, and the hand that gripped her long golden staff 
was almost pure bone. Eons lived within her eyes.
  Beside her walked a girl of about thirteen, dressed in a Sailor suit with 
spiky shoulders and a purple fuku. She carried a glaive with a double blade 
somewhat reminiscent of a can opener and the shadows of a thousand sorrows 
haunted her eyes.
  They stopped by Zhu Shu's body, untouched by the rain, and the elder 
reached down to place a hand on Raye's shoulder. "Rise, Soul of Fire. Do not 
mourn for the Dragon."
  Raye turned her tear streaked face, her eyes a frozen wasteland, and 
stared without seeing the figure in front of her. "She is gone..." She 
whispered.
  "No, child. The Dragon but sleeps." The old woman reached down and with 
surprising strength, drew Raye to her feet. "Watch, and grieve no more."  
She turned to the young girl. "Hotaru."
  The girl nodded and raised her hands as energy coursed through her body 
and into the still form on the ground. Zhu Shu rose slowly into the air as 
her broken form began to knit itself back together.
  The Scouts stared in shock as blood flowed back into the slowly spinning 
figure and a halo of energy grew brighter and brighter. Her body seemed to 
fade into transparency as her cloths burned away in the flow. Only the 
dragon tattoo on her back remained visible, seeming to acquire a strange 
three dimensionality as she spun.
  Then streamers of energy spun around her transparent form and a vision of 
her reformed, and yet, it was not. A Tiara graced her forehead, carved into 
the silhouette of a dragon clutching the ruby at her brow. From her ears 
dangled paired yin yang symbols, while she was dressed in a variant of a 
Sailorsuit that was distinctly Mandarin, her scarlet fuku trimmed in gold. 
In her hands, she held her swords, long scarlet streamers trailing from 
them, but the dragons burned with a white light on their blades. Her feet 
bore elegant scarlet slippers with small gold ribbons and she was surrounded 
by a corona of golden flame.
  The vision hung there for seconds only as the scouts gasped, then faded 
along with the energy pouring from the other girl. Zhu Shu hung in the air 
before them, sheathed in a plain red Mandarin dress. As her spin came to a 
halt, she suddenly took a deep shuddering breath before descending to the 
ground. As her feet touched, her eyes opened and locked on to the face of 
the old woman supporting a near fainting Raye. "You???"
  The old woman nodded. "Once more we meet outside of dreams, for the second 
time." She let Raye go as the other girl stepped beside her. She smiled as 
she looked at Zhu Shu. "Three times must we meet, while the Dragon sleeps. 
Three times I will call, in answer to your fall. The times must you face, 
the price of defying fate. Three times must I mourn, ere the Dragon stands 
reborn." She stepped back into the light. "Farewell, my Little Mouse with 
the eyes of a Dragon. We will meet again, for the last time and the first 
time. Until then..." In a fall of golden light, they were gone...
  For a moment, all was silent, then like a meteor impacting a planet, Raye 
impacted into Zhu Shu's arms...

  * * * * *

  The other scouts were still standing frozen, too stunned yet to move, when 
a sound like a bomb dropping came from overhead and an explosion sent Sailor 
Moon flying as the ground under her disintegrated.  A battle cry of "Shampoo 
kill!" echoed across the battlefield as the purple haired Amazon launched 
herself at another Scout.
  "Shampoo!  NO!"
  The voice stopped the rampaging Amazon dead in her tracks, her bonburi a 
fraction of an inch from Sailor Mercury's face.  Her eyes turned slowly to 
the direction the sound had come from as Akane dropped down to the 
battlefield as well.
  "How could you let her get killed!"  She yelled through her tears.  "You 
were her..." her voice trailed off as she realized Shampoo wasn't moving.
  Her eyes turned to follow where the Amazon was staring.
  "Zhu Shu..." She whispered, not daring to believe her eyes, but the 
miracle didn't vanish... and with the vanishing of her rage, she could once 
again feel that the missing part of her mind had returned. She stood stunned 
for the space of too many heartbeats as Raye stepped out from in front of 
the blonde dragon girl, then with a flicker and a sonic boom, she was 
twirling Zhu Shu in an embrace.
  "YOU'RE ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
  "Yes. Zhu Shu alive! Careful! No want Akane to break!"
  Shampoo caught them in her arms and held them tight, then one by one, the 
other scouts joined in the group hug and happy noises arose.
  Lost and forgotten, a pair of legs flailed wildly from the pile of rubble 
which concealed their owner as muffled cries for help could be heard. Tuxedo 
Mask finally noticed them and the group broke up to go and help him dig 
Sailor Moon out...

  * * * * *

  Ranma dropped into the happy fray a few seconds later, overjoyed as well 
at finding Zhu Shu alive, but the wet redhead warned them as well that she 
had seen a few JSDF helicopters on the way. With a quick scurry, they all 
darted for cover.
  Thoroughly wet from the rain, the group found cover in a nearby parking 
garage, most of the girls having to wring the water out of their hair. Ranma 
for once was self conscious enough to not pull her shirt off to wring it 
out. Akane finally released Zhu Shu long enough to ask "What happened?"
  Zhu Shu looked sheepish. "Zhu Shu put too much chi in attack. Pass out in 
mid-air."
  Akane blinked. "Your accent's back!"
  "She was dead, like really messed up and blood everywhere!" Sailormoon 
said.
  "She-she fell on some rubble... and- and she died holding my hand." Mars 
said quietly, still distressed over it all. "Then- then an old woman came 
with a girl dressed like us and healed her."
  "Who kill? Shampoo no see anyone else!" The Amazon asked.
  "There was this big creature, like a demon, and it was controlling 
something else... a creature like living shadow." Mercury said. "She 
destroyed it.  She destroyed them both, using her own energy and everything 
we could give her. She was absorbing everything, even what the creature was 
throwing at her. Then she threw it all back at it. She destroyed it 
utterly."
  Ranma stared. "What kind of school is that? I've never studied anything 
like it. And I've never seen you use it before."
  Zhu Shu shook her head.  "Shiva's Dance too dangerous.  Dance of Veils is 
only part of Dance.  Zhu Shu use Dance of Ashura.  Zhu Shu only spar with 
Ranma, use Song School.  Sword dance. Shiva's Dance use ribbon.  Zhu Shu 
leave swords in Tendo's care.  Only have ribbon. Saw Scout's in danger. Have 
to help." The elfin girl turned emerald green eyes to Akane. "Zhu Shu have 
to help."
  Akane hugged her. "Yes. You did. I'm glad that you're alright now."
  Mercury was looking over her computer. "As far as I can tell, Zhu-sensei 
is in perfect health, at least for this form."
  Sailor Moon was looking over her shoulder. "Hey! What happen-Ulp!" She 
glared at Jupiter over the hand covering her mouth.
  "Zhu Shu is fine. And we should thank this wonderful citizen for helping 
us like she did. Don't you agree Sailormoon?"
  "Yes, indeed. We should definitely thank her. That someone who doesn't 
know us would lend a hand like that is very noble." Venus said.
  "Don't bother, Mina. I already know who you all are." Ranma said. "You 
think I could watch Zhu Shu train you five and not recognize the way you all 
move? Or Serena's hair?"
  "What's wrong with my hair!?!" Serena shouted as she yanked Lita's hand 
away.
  "Nothing, if you want to look like a meatball head."
  Serena sniffed. "I'll have you know Darien adores them." She stuck out her 
tongue. "So There!"
  Ranma stuck out her tongue back. "Odango Atama!"
  "Baka!"
  "Scarecrow!"
  "Femboy!"
  Akane gave the two name callers a cool look. "And to think, Japan depends 
on her to save it from evil..."

  * * * * *

  After they got everything sorted out, Zhu Shu elected to go back to the 
Shrine with Raye for the night, needing a quiet place to meditate and see 
what her near brush with death had done to her. Akane, Shampoo and Ranma  
had all pouted, but acceded to her request. Zhu Shu noticed that Akane and 
Ranma were still giving Shampoo a wide berth, but there was respect there as 
well. At least it hadn't gone all that badly, but she couldn't go back just 
yet, not until she had accustomed herself to the reversion she had 
undergone. It was very strange, like there were things she could almost 
remember...
  At least she didn't feel like Akane's emotions were raging just under her 
consciousness, just barely contained. She felt like her self again, and 
while her chi was still intertwined, and she was still linked, she was 
herself again... fully and only herself. After the last week, it was a 
definite relief... but it would take a few hours of peace for her to recover 
her equilibrium from her near brush with death.
  And yet... despite how strange she felt... there was a feeling of peace in 
her... like... like... like the way she had always felt when Cherry Blossom 
had held her and stroked her hair after she had gotten into trouble with her 
mother once again... or when Sung Li had tormented her...
  Even walking through the rain with Raye in soaking wet dresses, the memory 
made Zhu Shu smile...

  * * * * *

  "What do you mean the trace has changed?" Luna asked Amy. "Has it jumped 
again?"
  Amy looked up from the computer and looked to where Luna was trying to 
stay dry while Serena combed the water out of her tails. "It hasn't jumped, 
it's just weird. Her magic has seemed to have altered, and the Silver 
Millennium trace seems to have diffused into the rest. It's harder to filter 
out now, but it hasn't dropped in strength."
  "And you say she absorbed all of your attacks?" The black cat was wide 
eyed.
  "And the monsters. I can't figure it out yet."
  Luna looked to Artemis. "Is she a hidden scout?"
  Artemis shook his head. "I don't know. I'll have to check."
  Lita and Mina looked at the cats. "So what do we do in the mean time?" 
Mina asked.
  Artemis looked at Luna for a long moment. "For now, we do nothing. I need 
to research this." The white cat finally said. "At least, for now, we know 
she's safe, and on our side."

  * * * * *

  Nabiki stared blearily at the morning paper and wondered if she should be 
shocked. She was barely awake enough to actually care, but still...
  She had still been standing in front of the dojo when Akane, Ranma, and 
Shampoo had come home. She had listened incredulously as they had told her 
the story of Zhu Shu's death and revival. She was glad Zhu Shu was alive, 
but it had just been too much to assimilate. And now...
  The Headline read "A NEW SCOUT?" and had a brief description of the 
battle, but it was the picture that horrified her.
  It had apparently been taken by a brave photographer during the battle. It 
was a telephoto of the so-called new scout, but despite the gold fuku and 
the halo of gold light, it was recognizably Zhu Shu in her cursed form. For 
all her skill at manipulating information, this was way out of her league.
  Too many people at Furinkan knew what Zhu Shu looked like in both forms, 
and they knew she lived at the Tendos. The last thing they needed was Scout 
level threats showing up at their door. Shampoo and Akane where destructive 
enough on their own.
  She needed help on this one... it just required too much spin control.
  She pulled out her new cell phone and hit the speed dial.

  * * * * *

  Kasumi was bleary eyed, but happy once more. The news Akane had delivered 
the night before had nearly destroyed her indestructible calm, and she had 
numbly cleaned a spotless kitchen for hours until Akane and Ranma had told 
her that Zhu Shu was alive again, then she had fainted. They had gotten her 
into a chair, and gotten some tea in her and she had finally realized how 
upset she had been, and how relieved she was at the news. It had been as 
devastating as the loss of her mother... or as it would be if she lost Akane 
or Nabiki.
  But the news she was alright had restored her. The news she would be home 
in a day or so had cheered her up, and it had enabled her to revive enough 
of her usual self to notice that Ranma and Akane had been particularly wan 
and drawn. She had finally gotten them to drink the tea she had made 'to 
fight off the chill' and the herbs would keep them out for most of the day. 
Then she had crawled into bed herself. Only habit had woken her up this 
morning to make breakfast.
  She took the first dishes out to the dining room, only to find a sleepy 
Nabiki already sitting there. She was just setting down a cell phone and 
looking worriedly at the paper.
  "Good morning, Nabiki. Is something wrong?"
  Nabiki nodded. "Yeah, when Akane came home and told me Zhu Shu had been in 
a fight with the Sailor Scouts, I figured I better check the paper this 
morning." She turned the paper and shoved it towards Kasumi.
  "Oh, my! Doesn't she look just like a Sailor Scout."
  "That's the problem..." Nabiki said glumly. "This is going to be a bigger 
problem than when you frenched her on the subway."
  Kasumi sniffed. "I didn't think that was a problem. She deserved a good 
kiss."
  Nabiki gave her the eye. "It wasn't the kiss, Kasumi. It was the photos. 
Same here. It wouldn't matter that Zhu Shu helped out the Sailor Scouts if 
she hadn't been photographed doing it. I just got off the phone with 
Tao-Ching about spin doctors." A slightly dreamy look came to her eyes as 
she mentioned Ryouga's cousin.
  Kasumi nodded. "I'm sure you'll work it out." She checked mentioning the 
morning paper to Nabiki off her mental to-do list. Nabiki had already 
prescribed her own therapy to deal with the residual emotional stresses with 
out Kasumi's prompting. Kasumi's smile grew a little wider as she went back 
into the kitchen to finish her father's cure to the aftereffects of his 
therapy. She hummed happily.
  Her family had survived another storm intact... that was all that 
mattered...

  * * * * *

  Raye stood in the doorway, watching the soft rise and fall of Zhu Shu's 
chest as she slept. She had tried to sleep following the fight last night, 
but her dreams had been chaotic and emotionally draining. She had gotten up 
a dozen times in the night to reassure herself that Zhu Shu was really 
alive.
  She sighed softly, her relief that Zhu Shu was really there easing the 
tangled whirl of doubts and fears her dreams had raised. She smiled at the 
sleeping girl and contemplated on how happiness felt.
  It had been so wonderful last night. Zhu Shu had done so much to make her 
feel like a star, and she had been so beautiful once Zhu Shu had done her 
make up. She had felt the eyes of every male they had passed last night, and 
it had felt so wonderful, like she had imagined it would feel when she was a 
pop idol. Zhu Shu had made sure she was in the spotlight, she had made her 
feel special, like no boy she had dated had ever done. She'd admit to her 
share of raging hormones, and to masturbating furiously to thoughts of this 
or that handsome boy making love to her, but even the best of them could 
make her feel like a trophy, or a piece of meat.
  Zhu Shu hadn't. She'd made her feel graceful, poised, confident, but still 
herself. She'd been a mighty warrior in her past life, a life she could only 
remember vague memories of, but in this life, she had felt like a pretender 
to a destiny that try as she might, she didn't always feel up to 
accomplishing. For all that had happened, she still felt like an imposter at 
times. A girl pretending to be Sailor Mars.
  Then, when the creature had attacked, Zhu Shu's confidence in her had made 
her feel like she had in her memories, like a valiant warrior fighting evil 
to defend the Kingdom of the Moon.
  Then, having Zhu Shu show up to aid her and the other Scouts, it had been 
what she sometimes was so jealous of Sailor Moon and Darien for, someone who 
had stood to give her aid when she needed it, someone who could watch her 
back. She had been proud when Zhu Shu had defeated the creature by combining 
all of their powers.
  And then Zhu Shu had fallen. Watching her, Raye had felt all of time stop. 
She had tried to move, to run, to catch her, but her body just couldn't push 
it's way through the concrete the air had become. Zhu Shu had been there to 
save her, but she couldn't save Zhu Shu.
  She had failed at the one thing that had had any meaning at that moment.
  In that one second, everything she was, everything she had felt, every 
emotion she had ever had concerning Zhu Shu had laid itself out with perfect 
clarity, and she had known, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that she had 
failed someone she cared very much for...
  She liked boys, perhaps even a little too much. Last night had proven that 
quite well. She had loved having all of the male attention...
  But Zhu Shu had a way that made her feel special... like she already was 
everything she aspired to be...
  She examined the sleeping girls body, admiring every curve. She had never 
felt like this about any girl she had ever known...
  Could it really be love?
  Zhu Shu turned in her sleep, the gold and crimson Dragon on her back 
catching the dim light of the rising sun in a flash of dazzling light, and 
Raye suddenly found herself in a vision.
  An image of the Dragon formed in her mind, riding on a huge banner above a 
throne towards which she was walking, an Emissary of the Moon Kingdom, 
Sailor Mars. Her head was lowered respectfully as she ascended the dais to 
meet the woman who sat upon the throne, and she heard a voice announce her.
  "My I present to you the Emissary sent by our Ally, Queen Serenity of the 
Moon Kingdom, My Empress. One of the Royal Guardians, Sailor Mars."
  Raye raised her eyes to take her first look at the woman on the throne, 
one of Endymion's strongest allies, and found herself lost within Zhu Shu's 
emerald green eyes...
  Then, the vision was gone, and there was only a fall of golden dust in the 
sunlight highlighting Zhu Shu's tattoo. Raye stepped back from the door, her 
heart hammering.
  Was it a real memory? Had Zhu Shu been part of the Silver Millennium too?
  Had Raye known her then, too?
  She stood in the shadows for a long time... but no answers came out of the 
dark...

  * * * * *

  Raye finally fell asleep, and the day passed slowly. The other scouts 
slept in, missing school for once for a reason other than battle. Ranma, 
Akane and Shampoo continued sleeping, Kasumi finally took a nap, and Nabiki 
spent most of the day on the phone. Soun and Genma finally awoke and availed 
themselves of the ample supply of hangover remedy that Kasumi had left for 
them. Luna sat in the window sill while Serena tossed and snored, waiting to 
see if Artemis would contact her to let her now what he found out. Finally, 
around mid afternoon, the cause of all the fuss awoke and quietly slipped 
out of the temple to the Koi pond to meditate.
  Zhu Shu had been unable to stay awake any longer than it took to crawl out 
of her wet dress and collapse on the futon, but she had slept the sleep of 
the exhausted, and could not remember any of her dreams beyond impressions 
of falling cherry blossoms, but she had awakened feeling vibrantly alive. 
She had felt better than she had in years, emotionally, and physically, she 
felt wonderful. Somehow, it felt like some enormous weight she had been 
carrying had been lifted. Even more so than following her dream of Cherry 
Blossom, she felt happy.
  There were some disconcerting effects of having died. She had been 
gradually been growing accustomed to the raging emotions she had gotten from 
Akane, and the whirlwind it had made of her own calm, but now, they were 
gone. Only her own feelings remained, and with them, the certainty that she 
had made the right choices.
  Beyond that, she had noticed as she had cleared her chakras that her chi 
had somehow been changed as well. It was still a blend with Akane, as it 
would always be so long as they were linked, but it had been affected in 
other ways as well. The sheer amount of power she had drawn upon, both from 
the Scouts, and that she absorbed from the creature, had scoured out her 
pathways, both widening and deepening them, and the chi that flowed through 
them had a feel she had never experienced before. Her chi had always flowed 
through her like a stream of warm water, but now, there was an electric feel 
to it, unlike anything she had ever felt before. When she had formed the chi 
talons of the Dragons Claw, the golden energy had borne an undertone of 
silver.
  It was mystifying, but livable. In all other respects, her chi was 
behaving normally. As best as she could tell, it seemed she was once again 
who she had been before her and Akane's strange merger.
  In a way, that was a disappointment. She could still recall the events of 
Akane's life, but no longer were they inseparable from hers. It was more 
like they had grown up together. But along with that sense of separateness, 
she had lost some of the knowledge she had gained. She could recall memories 
of Akane's lessons with her father, but the actual skills of the Anything 
Goes school were just vague impressions. Along with those memories, she had 
also lost the command of Japanese Akane had had as a native speaker. It was 
frustrating, but again, livable.
  But the bond that their merger had formed was still as strong as ever. She 
and Akane were still as linked as if they had shared the womb together. Her 
Blood link to Shampoo was still there as well, and...
  She froze when she came across what seemed to be another link, one so 
faint that had she not been examining herself so closely, she never would 
have found it... Hesitantly, she reached out mentally to touch it.
  She fought against the tears when she realized it was the remnants of her 
link to Cherry Blossom. She had believed it forever lost the day she had 
felt her die, but still, some small part remained, still faintly warm to her 
soul...
  <<I am here...>> The faint memories of her dream echoed. <<I am always and 
forever...here...>>
  And finally... her tears were gone... For the first time since she had 
lost Cherry Blossom, the grief was gone. She finally understood what her 
dreams had been telling her for so long. Even though Cherry Blossom was 
gone, that part of her that could stay had never left her. Her memories, her 
feelings, her love... they were still as much a part of her as they had been 
when Cherry Blossom had been alive...
  And only her long cherished grief had hidden that...
  She held onto the single small strand of the link in her mind as she 
whispered "I finally understand..."
  <<I am here...>> Cherry Blossoms memories said once again. <<I am always 
and forever... here...>>
  For a long timeless eternity, Zhu Shu held onto the link, feeling it's 
faint warmness, drawing strength from it, chasing the last of grief's chill 
from her soul.
  And with the final release of that grief, Zhu Shu found herself finally at 
peace with her feelings for Akane. Yes, she loved her, but she had made the 
right choice. Akane had to learn to live with her new family, with Ranma and 
Shampoo. She could help Akane with that, and her love for Akane would make 
her try all the harder to see her happy.
  Which left her with the question of Raye.
  Raye Hino had been her first friend among the Sailor Scouts, trying hard 
to make up for having attacked her, and Zhu Shu did like her, but she was 
several years younger, and very confused about her feelings. Akane had had 
traits that had made Zhu Shu suspect she wouldn't be adverse to the marriage 
to Shampoo if she could be made to examine herself, but Raye was as boy 
crazy as they came... All the Scouts were. Why was Raye fascinated with her?
  She sighed, still touching the link to Cherry Blossom, as the answer came 
to her. Because she was young, and Zhu Shu expressed a side of sexuality 
that she may have had little contact with before. And with Raye being a 
priestess, she had a personality that had to explore further. So the 
question really was more was Raye really in love with her than any question 
of why.
  And for that, only time would tell.
  Reassured, Zhu Shu reluctantly let go of the link as she slowly allowed 
herself to refocus on the outside world. She blinked in the afternoon sun 
and smiled as she watched cherry blossoms from the trees crowning the hill 
float by.
  It was funny really. She felt better about everything than she had in 
years. Even her hopeless, doomed quest didn't seem as dark as it had... She 
had her dream of Cherry Blossoms promise it would not end as badly as she 
feared... That there was a man out there who she could love...
  Death had been wonderfully therapeutic.
  In her room, Raye opened sleepy eyes to a sound she had never heard 
before. Zhu Shu had chuckled, even giggled, but Raye had never heard her 
laugh...
  As sleep claimed her once more, she smiled. It had been good to hear...

  * * * * *

  Tokyo Evening News late breaking story: Revealed to the world today were 
Hibiki Studios plans for a new Sailor V movie involving the Sailor Scouts.  
This press release followed an unscheduled publicity stunt in the Juuban 
Ginza last night which reporters mistook for a real battle involving the 
Scouts. Studio officials blame a misfiled memo for the failure of the Studio 
to properly notify city officials of the multi million yen stunt which 
showcased a prototype of a new costume for Sailor V. The Studio has issued 
formal apologies and is paying for the repairs to the damaged buildings. The 
Marketing Department officer responsible for misfiling the report has been 
disciplined. Following these commercials, we'll bring you exclusive photos 
of the monster, and later, our exclusive interview with Mina Aino, Sailor 
V!...

  * * * * *

  Nabiki put down the cell phone and breathed a sigh of relief. Tao-Ching 
had told her it seemed the whole idea of making it seem like a publicity 
stunt was working. The phones to the studio and the web site had been 
hammered since the press release and no-one seemed to be taking it as 
anything else.  She was glad Kasumi had had all of Zhu Shu's students 
numbers. It had been a flash of brilliance to talk Mina into covering for 
her Sensei like that, and it seemed the girl had a bad case of Scout 
worship. She'd been overjoyed at the whole thing and Tao-Ching had decided 
that actually going ahead and making the movie would be a worthwhile 
investment. He was even seriously considering auditioning Mina's friends to 
play the parts of the Scouts, and having Zhu Shu play Sailor Venus... And 
Nabiki had to agree they certainly looked...
  She looked out the open wall over the garden at the ruins of the Dojo, 
where the voodoo priest was slowly clearing away the debris in preparation 
of rebuilding it, per his agreement with Nabiki for room and board, and 
contemplated the unfinished thought.
  How had Zhu Shu been in the area to help the Scouts? Why had she risked so 
much to help complete strangers?
  Or were they?
  She tabled the question while Kasumi brought out breakfast and Ranma 
dragged herself out of the Koi pond, where she had ended up after the early 
morning sparring match with Genma. Akane sauntered down the steps and gave 
the redhead a sidelong look that Nabiki would have said was admiring if she 
hadn't immediately bopped Ranma in the back of the head and told her to put 
her shirt back on. Shampoo came down the steps a few seconds later, yawning 
and stretching like a cat woken from a nap. She gave both her fianc�es an 
admiring look and settled down between them at the table, frowning at both 
of them when they edged further apart.
  Nabiki watched them out of the corner of her eye as she told Kasumi how 
her and Tao-Ching's efforts had worked out. She noticed both Akane and Ranma 
start at the mention of the Juuban girls playing the part of the Scouts. Oh, 
yes... there was definitely something there.
  She jotted down a few notes to remind her of avenues of investigation as 
she finished getting ready for school, hearing Kasumi greet Cologne as 
Shampoo's grandmother came to pick up the Amazon to return to the village 
for preparations, then wandered downstairs to find Zhu Shu waiting for her.
  "Nihao, Nabiki-chan."
  "Oh, hello Zhu Shu. I- I wasn't expecting to see you."
  "Zhu Shu know. Zhu Shu feel much better. Decide go school."
  "Ah... I see. Well... I'm glad to see you up and around. I... um... kinda 
thought you might be out of it for a few days because of... well...um..."
  "No. Zhu Shu all ok. Not even remember dying."
  Nabiki blinked twice. Then even her iron control broke. "Oh, god's Zhu 
Shu, We'd thought we'd lost you." She cried as she flung her arms around the 
Chinese girl.
  Zhu Shu patted her head. "Is okay. Zhu Shu is okay now. Zhu Shu miss 
family.  Miss Nabiki and Kasumi and Akane and Ranma and fathers. Zhu Shu 
come home.
  Once more in control after the brief display of affection, Nabiki 
self-consciously straightened her skirt. "We missed you too." Then she did a 
double take. "Hey, your accents back."
  Zhu Shu rolled her eyes. "Yes, yes. Accent back. No, Zhu Shu not know 
why."
  Nabiki laughed. "I take it you've gotten that a lot."
  Zhu Shu nodded. "Raye and Serena and Mina and Amy and Lita all feel need 
to point out what Zhu Shu already know."
  Nabiki raised an eyebrow, but decided now wasn't the time to pry. She 
hooked her arm through Zhu Shu's. "Well, we better get going or there will 
be a mob scene when the family finds out you're here. I'd just as soon deal 
with that after school."
  Zhu Shu laughed. "Yes, yes. Or will be late."
  "Exactly."
  They walked towards the school, Nabiki studying Zhu Shu sidelong, watching 
as she looked around and dodged the old lady throwing out water on the 
sidewalk. There was something different about the Chinese girl... Something 
faint beyond the glow of contentment she was exuding. It took her most of 
the walk to school to pin it down, because it wasn't something that had been 
added, it was the loss of something so faint and so much a part of what Zhu 
Shu had been that only it's absence made it noticeable.
  The faint bittersweet tint of melancholy was gone, and with it had gone a 
tenseness that had never been noticeable. For the first time since Nabiki 
had known her, Zhu Shu felt like a seventeen year old girl, instead of 
ageless...
  And she was definitely more at peace with herself about something. Her 
eyes would every now and then lose focus and she would assume an expression 
that Nabiki could only interpret as fond happiness... An expression she had 
learned quite well recently from seeing it in the mirror so often when she 
thought of Tao-Ching...
  Had Zhu Shu found a new lover?
  Yet something else to investigate. Nabiki could barely wait to get to 
school to start her minions digging...

  * * * * *

  Akane breathed a sigh of relief. At last she could relax. Cologne and 
Shampoo had left for China and she didn't have to deal with the Amazon until 
the weekend. She'd already had to go out and smash more of the destroyed 
Dojo into kendling about thirty or so times, reminding herself over and over 
that Shampoo was supposed to flirt with Ranma.
  It was proving incredibly difficult.
  To Ranma's credit, though, at least from Akane's viewpoint, was the fact 
that he seemed to have the same problem with Shampoo flirting with her.
  At least she wouldn't keep waking up to find a nude Shampoo curled up in 
bed with her tonight, and she wouldn't have to apologize to Ranma again for 
knocking him through the floor like she had last night when she had found 
Shampoo curled up with him.
  Well... if it hadn't been for the fact that his hand had been cupping her 
breast, Akane might not have been as mad...
  She sighed again. The Amazon made Zhu Shu easy to understand by 
comparison. She could be a vicious opponent to anyone who crossed her, but 
once she had decided to give her heart to someone, it seemed she became an 
incredibly affectionate person. There were times Akane could almost swear 
she was purring at the least show of physical affection. She was like a damn 
cat!
  Not that she'd ever understood cats any better, either.
  She was trying, she really was, for Zhu Shu's sake, to get along with 
Shampoo, even to try and accept her advances, but they had so little in 
common, and the sheer intensity of Shampoo's emotions was a little 
unnerving. Zhu Shu had always been calm and reserved. Even her mischievous 
moods had been subtle, but nothing about the Amazon could be called subtle 
By any definition of the word. She was an inferno when angry, an iceberg 
when offended, a warm fire when pleased. She let you know what she felt 
about everything, especially her desires.
  Akane sighed again.
  "What's up Akane?" Ranma asked from where he was walking along a fence 
top. "You're starting to sound like an old steam train."
  She glared at him, then decided he hadn't meant it as an insult, so she 
said one word. "Shampoo."
  "Oh..." He looked off across the canal.
  "Ranma? How do you feel about her?" Akane asked seriously.
  Ranma shrugged. "I donno really. She still makes me jump ever time I turn 
around and see her. I mean, I thought she was trying to kill me, and now? I 
mean, I want to make her happy for Zhu Shu and Mom's sake, but I just don't 
know how." He looked down at his feet. "She seems to be a really sweet girl 
when she isn't trying to kill you, but I still barely know her."
  "You barely knew me until Zhu Shu came along and helped us."
  Ranma sighed. "Yeah."
  "Missing her?"
  He nodded. "Yeah. I mean, I know she needed some time to think and all, 
but it's been miserable without her." He shook his head. "And I hope she 
comes home soon."
  Akane nodded.
  Ranma hopped down from the fence and walked the last fifty feet to the 
school yard, where Kuno was waiting, bokken in hand.
  "Ranma Saotome! Vile Sorcerer! Undo the enchantment you have laid upon my 
sister!"
  "Huh?" asked a genuinely confused Ranma.
  "Release her from thine foul enchantment or face the wrath of Blue 
Thunder!"
  "What are you talking about Kuno?"
  "You're getting tiresome, brother dear." Kodachi's voice said behind 
Ranma, and he and Akane whirled to see her dressed in a Furinkan high 
uniform.  "And on my first day too."
  Ranma and Akane's jaws dropped as she stepped forward and knelt in front 
of Akane. "Shall I get rid of him mistress? It would not do for you to waste 
time on such foolishness." The eyes she turned to Akane were so full of 
adoration that Akane backed up a step.
  "Wretch! Villain! Release her from this curse! Release her, I command 
you!" He swung his bokken at Ranma, who dodged as the blow shattered the 
wall behind him.
  Akane flinched as shrapnel pelted her, one shard cutting her cheek 
slightly.
  "Mistress!" Kodachi's cry was anguished, then she turned towards Kuno in a 
rage. "Demon! You have wounded my beloved goddess! Feel the wrath of the 
Black Rose!"
  Kuno, still vainly trying to hit Ranma was caught from behind by Kodachi's 
ribbons and flung head first into a tree, then when he bounced, was hurled 
into another. "Thrice cursed brother! How dare you injure my Mistress!"
  Ranma stared from his perch on the gate. He'd never trashed Kuno this bad.
  "Whoa, 'Dachi! You're gonna kill him!"
  "He deserves death! He has wounded my beloved goddess!" She slammed her 
unconscious brother into the wall.
  "Kodachi! Please stop!" Akane cried, horrified.
  Kuno's battered form crashed to the ground as Kodachi bowed in front of 
Akane again. "Yes, my divine Mistress."
  Akane took a step back, then another, then turned and ran into the school, 
followed by a bouncing Kodachi crying "Mistress!!!"
  Ranma looked around at the smashed trees and wall, then down to the 
unconscious Kuno and shook his head. "Great, as if we didn't have enough 
problems already..."

  * * * * *

  Artemis looked out the window of Mina's room and sighed. "Anything at all 
that you can tell me will help Setsuna. I certainly don't seem to recall 
anyone like her in the Moon Kingdom." He told the tall green haired girl 
sitting on the bed.
  "I wish I could, Artemis. But her stream is in flux. Someone or something 
is preventing me from actually analyzing either her future or her past.  
It's like I'm trying to read my own stream. All I can say is yes, she is a 
Reincarnate, but I couldn't tell you who."
  The white cat scratched at his ear. "Best guess?"
  The green hair girl shrugged. "Only person she resembles is a young 
version of Song Lin Tzu, the Empress of China. She was one of the few on 
Earth who remained allied to Serenity when Beryl convinced Endymion's father 
to destroy the Moon Kingdom. She was lost in the fighting during the fall."
  "Empress Song?" Artemis blinked. "I had forgotten about her."
  The green haired girl smiled. "Getting senile?"
  Artemis turned and looked at her. "Are you aware of the girls full name?"
  "Zhu Shu? Yes. Means 'Little Mouse' in Mandarin."
  "No. I looked up her full name. It's Song Zhu Shu..."
  "How very interesting... The Empress wasn't one of Earth's most powerful 
rulers, but she had the distinction of being the only other female besides 
Beryl. And she stayed loyal to Serenity. Of course that might have been 
because she had no attraction to Endymion... She shares Neptune and Uranus's 
tastes. It was a small scandal actually. Empress Song had over a dozen 
wives, which was no big deal for an Emperor, but was unheard of for a 
Empress, and when she and several of her wives came up pregnant... well...  
All she would say was that the Dragon, her houses guardian spirit, had come 
to her... Like I said, she disappeared during the fall... so no-one really 
knows what happened to her. Her brother was one of Beryl's advisors, but he 
disappeared too."
  The white cat looked thoughtful. "Humm... well I guess I can't ask for 
more than that. I'd probably better let you get back before your present 
self feels your presence."
  Setsuna, Sailor Pluto, stood and nodded. "Well, you know how to call me if 
you really need me." She turned and raised her staff.
  "Wait! One last thing." A small halo of the old woman appeared. "Do you 
know who this is?"
  Pluto looked at the holo and grew pale. She looked from the sliver staff 
in her hand to it's golden twin in the old woman's hand. "Oh my..."
  "Any ideas why you, or at least a very old you, brought Sailor Saturn to 
heal Zhu Shu? Somehow, I have this feeling that the answer to that could be 
very important..."

  * * * * *

  Urd was in a blue funk. She was setting on the steps to the shrine across 
from the house, her hands propping up her head. Keichii saw her as he pulled 
up from college and thought seriously about ignoring her, but in the end, 
his kind nature won out over his good sense. He wandered over and sat down 
next to her.
  "Hi Urd. What's up? Sake hangover again?"
  Urd was so depressed she didn't even blink. "I'm a failure.  I'm doomed to 
end up a demoness." she moped.
  "You've already been a demoness Urd." Keichii shuddered as he remembered 
the mechanical monstrosity Urd had tried to flatten the house with. "I'd 
rather not have that happen again. What's got you so depressed?"
  "What else? This wish I've been assigned to. I thought once I got Shampoo 
together with Akane and Ranma it would be smooth sailing, but the whole mess 
just keeps getting more tangled. Shampoo loves them both without question, 
but they both keep pushing her away and moping over Zhu Shu, who I thought 
would be my biggest help, but now she's become a stumbling block because 
while all three of them would be willing to marry her, she won't marry them, 
and to top it off, she's the Dragon's mortal child, so I can't just love 
potion her into it because the Ultimate Force has some Destiny in mind for 
her that I have to try and accommodate in Shampoo's wish that every one 
involved is eventually happy, but I don't know what it is, and apparently I 
don't want me to know what it is because I locked myself out of my own files 
on her and I've apparently been meddling in the past, but I don't know how 
because I haven't seen fit to tell me, so I can't make sense of any of this 
mess and I'm going to fail and end up as a demoness because I can't help one 
lousy mortal to achieve her wish!!!"
  Keichii tried to puzzle out what Urd had said, having caught only half of 
the rapid outpouring, but gave up and offered her a clich�d response. "I'm 
sure you'll figure it out."
  "I'm doomed."
  Keichii frowned. He hated seeing anyone be down, even Urd. He thought for 
a long moment before he had a bright idea. "Hey, just figure out what the 
key problem is and maybe, if you solve that, the rest will be easier."
  Urd snorted. "That's easy! Me locking myself out of Yggdrasil's data base. 
  Almost everything I've tried looking up to help me is encrypted on my 
authority and I don't know what password I used! None of my regular ones 
work! Almost everything about the past beyond about 400 years ago is 
encrypted, everything on Zhu Shu's past is encrypted! Hell, I only found out 
she was Legend's Child when she was killed! How can I pass my assignment 
when the information I need is locked up!
  "I thought Shampoo was your assignment. Why so much interest in Zhu Shu?"
  "Because she's the-" Urd broke off suddenly, her eyes widening at a sudden 
thought. "Because she's the key?" she asked wonderingly.
  It couldn't be that obvious could it?
  She left Keichii staring after her as she sprinted for the TV.
  In Heaven, she threw herself into the seat in front of Yggdrasil's sysop 
station and typed one her previously refused requests.
  "PASSWORD?" Yggdrasil prompted.
  "Z.H.U.S.H.U." she hit the key as she held her breath.
  "INVALID PASSWORD." The screen blinked at her before the query returned.
  Urd sighed. She had been so sure... She stared at the screen morosely, the 
query blinking brightly. Then she thought of something.
  "S.O.N.G.Z.H.U.S.H.U." She hit the enter key without much hope...
  The massive computer hesitated for a few seconds, a pause Urd hadn't seen 
it do before. She started to set up in her chair...
  "PASSWORD ACCEPTED."
  The files that had been locked up began flowing across the screen. Urd 
read them, her eyes growing wider and wider as she did...

  Much later, a very subdued, even slightly pale Urd entered the kitchen of
  the Morisato house.
  "Belldandy... I think I need your help. I- I think I'm in way over my 
head..."
  Belldandy turned, her eyes wide. Urd, humbly asking for help? She nodded 
and lead Urd to the table to discuss it, surprised, but pleased at the same 
time. Maybe Urd was growing up?
  On his throne in the Heavens, Kami-Sama nodded approvingly. Urd was doing 
better... but her time wasn't unlimited... Would she succeed in time?
  He prayed she would... so much hinged on it...


  Akane had been overjoyed that Zhu Shu had come to school and even having 
to dodge Kodachi all day hadn't ruined that. She had eagerly agreed when Zhu 
Shu had told her the Scouts were training at Raye's until the Dojo was 
fixed, and invited her to come help still. It had been a wonderful feeling 
having Zhu Shu trust her as an equal while teaching the Juuban girls, though 
Serena was jealous Akane had learned all of Zhu Shu's skills during their 
accidental chi merger. Both Zhu Shu and Akane warned her that she did not 
want to deal with the side effects that had caused.
  After practice, Artemis and Luna called the Scouts to a meeting, and for a 
wonder, asked Zhu Shu and Akane to stay. Akane raised an eyebrow at being 
included, but was honored at the request.
  After the girls checked to make sure Raye's grandfather was napping 
soundly and that Chad was out on errands, they assembled in Raye's room, 
moving the massive manga collection around to get enough room for Zhu Shu 
and Akane to set on the bed. Artemis and Luna sat down in the middle of the 
table and looked at each other as the girls waited, looking like they were 
nerving themselves up to speak. Finally Luna took a deep breath.
  "I know this is unusual, but as this concerns Zhu Shu and Akane as well, 
we figured they should be here too." She looked at Artemis, who nodded. 
"We-we have finally possibly found out some information on the puzzle so 
recently dropped into our lap by Mercury."
  Zhu Shu raised an eyebrow. It wasn't like Luna to talk around a subject 
like that.
  Luna raised her eyes to Zhu Shu. "I'm afraid Zhu-chan, that we've been 
studying you. I do apologize, but there were several anomalies about you 
that even now, we're not completely sure of. Mercury, would you be so kind 
as to show Zhu Shu what you showed us the other night?"
  Mercury nodded and pulled out her minicomputer. She tilted the small 
screen towards the two girls on the bed and pulled up her readout. "When we 
first meet Zhu-chan, I took some readings of you that were very puzzling." 
She pointed out the relevant readings as she continued. "We were tracking 
some magical spikes, well, we didn't know they were magic at the time, but 
we figured that out later, and we found you on top of this shrine. My first 
readings showed you to be a normal human, but several strange things were 
puzzling. Since then we figured out that they were your curse and your chi, 
but you also possessed a trace of Silver Millennium energy too. When you 
woke up the next day, I took another scan, but didn't review it for a while, 
and when I did, it became apparent something strange had happened. Your 
Millennium trace had grown much stronger. The odd thing was that Raye's 
magic trace had grown too."
  Raye did a double blink. "It did? Why didn't you tell me?"
  Amy blushed. "Um... I wasn't sure if my readings were right at first, then 
we had that whole fight, and today's the first day I've seen you. I talked 
to Lita and Serena, but you go to that private school."
  "Oh."
  "Anyway, I wasn't sure of my readings at first but I showed them to 
everyone when you and Zhu Shu went to the movie. Artemis asked me to check 
your current readings then, so I called up the one that my computer made 
before you went out." She called that one up. "This is the one that made us 
kinda worried."
  Zhu Shu tilted her head. "Worried? For Zhu Shu?"
  Amy nodded, along with Lita, Mina, and Serena. "If you look here, you can 
see that somehow, your trace of Silver Millennium energy has gone off the 
scale. You radiate more energy then Serena does. We were worried you might 
be a beacon to any thing that doesn't like the Scouts , and almost as soon 
as we found out, a massive magical spike started near where you and Raye 
were eating. We got there as fast as we could and... she looked away, 
struggling to control her voice. "Anyway, after it was all over, I took one 
last reading. You still have as much power as you did before the fight, but 
somehow, it's diffused throughout your chi and the magic of your curse. You 
aren't a beacon anymore, but beyond that, I really don't know." She turned 
to Luna.
  "Is that what this is about? Did you find out something?"
  Luna nodded. "We think so. It's really hard to figure out why this has 
occurred, but as best as we can figure, Zhu Shu is a Reincarnated Warrior of 
the Earth Kingdom, as you are Warriors of the Moon Kingdom. She resembles, 
and from what we have been able to find out, her powers match those of one 
of the few generals of the Earth who sided with the Moon during the fall." 
She walked to the edge of the table and bowed before continuing. "We believe 
you are the Reincarnation of Song Lin Tzu, Daughter of the Dragon, and 
Empress of China during the Silver Millennium."
  There were gasps of surprise around the table and a protest from Zhu Shu.
  "Zhu Shu not Empress. Zhu Shu is servant of Empress! Zhu Shu is only 
servant!"
  Luna nodded. "Whatever your bloodline, you must be the heir of Song Lin 
Tzu's powers. You are still young, but already you possess much of her 
strength and abilities."
  "The Dragon..." Raye murmured, then looked up at Zhu Shu. "She called you 
The Dragon."
  "Who?" Zhu Shu asked.
  "The old woman, the one who brought the girl who healed you. She called 
you the Dragon. And I had a vision of you, but you were older, sitting on a 
throne under a Dragon banner. You were wearing a gold crown and had long 
golden fingernails, and I heard a voice announcing me to... to the Empress."
  Zhu Shu stared wide eyed until Akane laid her hand on her shoulder. "Isn't 
it wonderful Zhu Shu? You have royal ancestors!"
  Zhu Shu shook her head. "Zhu Shu not know... Zhu Shu is servant."
  Artemis stepped up. "There is more." He turned to Mercury. "Would you show 
us Akane's scan?"
  Mercury nodded. A quick tap of her fingers on the key board showed Akane's 
scan. For a long moment no-one spoke as the readouts on the screen 
registered, then Akane looked to Artemis.
  "Why do I have the strange feeling that it isn't normal for someone to 
have that high a level of Silver Millennium energy?"
  Artemis looked her in the eye. "Because it isn't. You are weaker than any 
of the scouts, but far stronger than a typical girl. At best as we can 
figure, it's another side effect of your little accident." He sighed. "As it 
is, we can't just let you walk around completely unprotected." He walked 
over to a small bag and nosed out two items. The smaller one was a slim wand 
topped by a heart, which he nosed over towards Akane. "This is a 
communication pen. It's capable of reaching any of the scouts and calling 
them for aid if you are every in danger."
  Akane took the pen and looked at it with a raised eyebrow. "Great... on 
top of every thing else, now I have to worry about weird creatures?" She 
shook her head.  "Well at least you aren't asking me to become a Scout. I 
have enough headaches already."
  Luna spoke up. "We wouldn't ask that of you Akane. We simply wish to try 
and keep you safe. You know too much about us, and even though you are 
weaker than any of the scouts, the power you possess could be dangerous if 
you fell into the wrong hands."
  "Why Zhu Shu pen different?" Zhu Shu asked looking at the larger wand. It 
was gold and the heart-shaped end bore a small Dragon Mandala.
  Luna looked at Artemis, who turned with a huff. The black cat frowned, 
then pushed the wand to Zhu Shu. "Artemis disagrees with me on this, but 
this is a transformation pen. It has all of the powers of one of the Scouts 
pens.  We are not asking you to be a Scout, and we don't know what this will 
do if you ever have to use it. It is being given to you solely because you 
have so much Silver Millennium energy. Like Akane's, if you find yourself in 
danger, please use it to call the Scouts. Only in direst need should you use 
it's other functions. You were a Warrior of the Earth Kingdom, not the Moon, 
and we cannot predict exactly what effect a transformation may have."
  "What about that vision we- Owww..." Serena rubbed her side where Mina's 
elbow had collided with her ribs sharply.
  Zhu Shu raised an eyebrow. Vision? Obviously from the glares Serena was 
getting from the other scouts, it was something they didn't want to talk 
about. But now wasn't the time. She turned back to Luna.
  "As I was saying," the cat continued "We are giving you this only for a 
dire emergency."
  "What say to activate?"
  Artemis and Luna looked at each other. Luna blushed. "Um... actually...  
it's Dragon Crystal Power, Makeup."
  "Dragon." Zhu Shu said pointedly. "Zhu Shu see. Well, Zhu Shu keep, but 
likely not need. Scouts depend on pen too much."
  "Most likely. The Sailorscouts were born to fight evil, but you are not a 
scout. Were the risk of leaving you defenseless not so great, we would never 
have considered this."
  "Zhu Shu not defenseless. But understand. Will keep pen for emergency."
  Luna breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, that's pretty much what we wanted 
to meet about. Did you have anything you wanted to discuss about practice 
today?"
  Zhu Shu nodded and gave out her end of class pointers. Following that, the 
group broke up, leaving Akane, Raye, and Zhu Shu alone at the Shrine. Before 
Akane could head out, Raye stopped her. "Could you help me and Zhu Shu pack 
her things?"
  "Huh?" Akane was taken by surprise. "Where's she going?"
  "Back home to your place, where else?" Raye said with a smile.
  "B-but I thought..."
  "Zhu Shu had enough time. Miss new family too much. Feel much better.  
Besides, Akane and Ranma need Zhu Shu."
  "Yes."
  Raye smiled. "And I can vouch for how much she misses you."
  Akane smiled shyly. "Well, I'm glad you're coming home."
  They crossed the hall to the room Zhu Shu was staying in and as Raye and 
Akane started carefully folding the few dresses Zhu Shu had brought, Zhu Shu 
excused herself to go and get snacks. She gave both Raye and Akane kisses on 
the cheek before she left...
  Raye looked after her and as the door slid closed and the faint sound of 
Zhu Shu's footsteps faded. "She always does that."
  "What?"
  "Read peoples minds. Somehow she knew I wanted to talk to you alone."
  Akane raised an eyebrow. "About what?"
  Raye sat down in an chair by the futon. "Do you have any idea how jealous 
of you I am?"
  Akane raised an eyebrow. "I? Make you jealous?"
  Raye twisted a strand of her hair. "Yeah. I mean, you know you love Ranma, 
and you know you love her... I wish I knew for certain how I feel..."
  Akane controlled the overwhelming stab of jealousy. "About Zhu Shu?"
  Raye nodded.
  Akane sat down on the futon. "Why?"
  "I- I..." Raye blushed furiously. "I know that you love her, and I know 
that you're getting betrothed to another girl in a few days, and well..." 
She couldn't meet Akane's eyes. "I- I just don't know if I love Zhu Shu 
too..."
  Almost, her gut reaction kicked in. Her first impulse was to hammer Raye 
into the ground, but the side of her that considered the younger girl a best 
friend made her stop and think for just a millisecond, and that was all it 
took for the part she had gained from Zhu Shu to assert itself. Raye was her 
friend, and as much as she loved Zhu Shu, she was engaged to Ranma, and 
about to be engaged to Shampoo, her love for Zhu Shu would never be 
consummated, and she wished Zhu Shu happiness. If Raye could give her that 
happiness, well... wasn't that what she wanted anyway?
  Ahh... but those instincts were so hard to fight.
  She put the giant red hammer back behind her back and gave Raye a rueful 
grin. "I'm sorry Raye. My jealous streak was showing."
  Raye blinked twice at her, too shocked at narrowly being missed by the 
huge weapon. "Um... "
  Akane held out her hand. "I am sorry Raye. I do want Zhu Shu to be happy, 
and we can never be more than sisters. I- I think it would be wonderful if 
you could make her happy... just... unexpected."
  Raye nodded. "Um... well... I just don't know though. I mean, she's so...  
so..."
  "Zhu Shu." Akane finished. "I know. Believe me, Raye. When Zhu Shu and I 
first met, I was totally shocked to find out she liked girls. I had never 
even contemplated a relationship with one, then I found myself in a 
relationship with Ranma, and he spends half his time as one. It really 
freaked me out at first, but Zhu Shu showed me how ridiculous I was about 
it. She just seems to exude this aura of desirability because of what she's 
been trained to do, but she never consciously uses it. I mean, her aunt made 
her learn everything there was to know about pleasing a man on the off 
chance that an Emperor would desire her as a concubine, and I have all the 
memories of that training in my head. I studiously try to avoid thinking 
about it, because otherwise I'd die of blushing. But because of it, because 
it was drummed into her just as hard as her martial arts, she can't help but 
be sexy."
  Raye nodded. "I know. I caught her practicing one morning and I just 
couldn't get her beautiful body out of my head." She curled up on herself.  
"Does that mean I'm really gay?"
  Akane shook her head. "No. I've seen the way you look at Chad when he's 
not looking, and I've listened to too many of you girl's conversation on 
boyfriends. At most, it means you're like me. I finally realized I like 
girls as much as guys, but I don't think you're anywhere near as Bi as I am. 
  You like boys too much."
  "But I care so much about Zhu Shu..."
  "That's perfectly natural, Raye. She's one of your best friends. The only 
difference is that you know she likes girls instead of guys." Akane sat 
back. "Listen to me. I even sound like her now." Akane laughed. "Raye, you 
know what you need? You need to talk to my sister Kasumi. She's the absolute 
best big sister in the world and I'm sure she'll help you figure out how you 
feel."
  "You don't think she'd laugh at me?"
  "No... I know she won't laugh at you." Akane smiled. "And, if she helps 
you decide you do love Zhu Shu, and want to make her happy, then I'll do 
everything I can to help you too..."
  Raye met her smile and for just one second, Akane saw her as Zhu Shu did, 
the glorious angel of fire, and Akane knew that as far as Zhu Shu was 
concerned, she'd never be jealous of anyone who loved her ever again...
  Outside the door, quite as her namesake, Zhu Shu smiled before going to 
get the promised snacks...



  Raye joined Akane and Zhu Shu on the subway ride to Nerima, Akane having 
invited her to dinner, and they chatted about school and the other scouts 
and boy troubles, and the ride passed quickly. They arrived just as Kasumi 
was setting out dinner, and somehow, with the unerring sense of hers, Kasumi 
had made more than enough for the two extra unexpected mouths. Everyone was 
overjoyed that Zhu Shu was back, and especially, in perfect health. Nabiki 
even spent a part of the evening asking Raye if she thought it would be fun 
to play Mars in the movie Tao-Ching had set up to cover up the fight. Raye 
managed not to reveal that she really was Sailor Mars and did a decent job 
of playing starry eyed girl who made good.
  After the delicious meal, Raye and Akane followed Zhu Shu to the family 
shrine, where Zhu Shu's swords still sat in their place of honor. Zhu Shu 
had the pair sit beside her as she knelt and prepared herself to re-link 
with the ancient blades. Akane watched closely, rehearsing in her mind the 
exercises Zhu Shu was doing to clear her chakras and channel her chi, before 
she reached out for the smooth wooden pommels.
  A spark jumped from her hands to the hafts of the blades as a sudden surge 
of energy flowed through Zhu Shu. Cascades of energy flowed down the blade, 
delineating them in golden light. As her palms clenched around the hilts, 
the faint dragons carved on their blades flared into a light as bright as 
the sun while through all of their minds came a roar of exultation. The 
dragons seemed to rise above the blades and merged to form a burning yin 
yang symbol before exploding into an arrow of power that arced into Zhu 
Shu's breast. She twirled the twin blades in a fiery arc before holding them 
straight out at her sides, as the energy streaming around them flared one 
last time and flowed back into her.
  Zhu Shu fell to her knees. She turned a weak grin at the two girls. "I 
think they're happy to see me..."

Chapter Three: Reversals


  Raye jumped to Zhu Shu's side, mirrored by Akane.  "Are you alright?" They 
asked simultaneously.
  Zhu Shu nodded. "Zhu Shu fine. Was just surprise. Swords never do before." 
She looked down at the glowing dragons etched along the blades, slowly 
dimming from the fiery display. "Always push chi through swords... Swords 
never draw."
  Raye reached out to touch the slightly humming blade. "It looked like that 
in the vision that surrounded you when that girl was healing- "
  Her fingers touched the metal and with a gasp, she found herself once more 
in a vision.
  She knelt on a dais before the throne of the Moon Kingdom and watched as 
Queen Serenity stood and waited for the arrival of a figure she couldn't see 
from her position. A tall man with long flowing hair and glasses stood next 
to the Queen holding a long case. The Silver Crystal sat on a stand just 
before Serenity and a halo of silver fire burned around it. Next to it sat a 
closed and clasped book.
  The figure finally moved into Raye's field of vision and she took a deep 
breath at the sight of Lin Tzu, clad in a long Mandarin dress that bore a 
intricate dragon design. The Song Empress bowed before Serenity. "In the 
Name of the Dragon, I have come."
  Serenity bowed back. "In the name of the Moon I welcome you."
  Lin Tzu straightened. "I have disturbing news, Serenity. My brother has 
been appointed one of Beryl's advisors... I fear no good will come of this."
  Serenity nodded gravely. "Beryl has been a staunch ally. This appointment 
makes no sense."
  "I fear the doom my scryers foresaw grows closer."
  Serenity placed her hand on the Crystal. "We are prepared. With the 
weapons created by our magi, we shall withstand the onslaught of Chaos. The 
Silver Crystal shall defend the Moon Kingdom, as the Cards and their 
Guardians shall defend the Kingdoms of Earth."
  Lin Tzu nodded. "I pray it will be enough."
  Serenity motioned to the tall man with glasses. "Clow Reed?"
  The man glided forward and held forth the long case. Serenity opened the 
top and placed an hand inside. Light poured forth from the interior as 
Serenity lifted forth a pair of swords with dragons burning on their blades. 
"I also commissioned these." She turned to Lin Tzu and held the swords to 
her pommel first. "In the Name of the Moon Kingdom, and in the name of our 
friendship, please accept these as a token of our gratitude to the Clan of 
the Dragon for it's support, and it's aid in the defense of the Moon."
  Lin Tzu slowly reached out and grasped the blades. Silver fire burned 
along the edges, then blazed into golden flame. As Lin Tzu lifted the blades 
free of Serenity's hands, the corona of flame engulfed her and the light 
grew too bright to see for several seconds... then, as it dimmed, Lin Tzu 
stood before them dressed in a scarlet and gold fuku, a dragon tiara on her 
brow. She smiled. "How appropriate." She bowed to Serenity again. "My Clan 
has vowed to defend the Moon Kingdom as your Scouts defend the Princess. I 
accept this token as a seal on our vows. My line shall bear them till the 
death of the last Dragon as a symbol of our bond." She twirled the blades 
and arcs of golden fire trailed behind the swords until with a final 
flourish, she placed them behind her back and they vanished. She then looked 
at Raye and smiled, before turning back to Serenity. "Now, I must ask from 
you a boon, for myself and myself alone."
  Serenity nodded. "All you have to do is ask Lin Tzu."
  "I fear this may be something you will be reluctant to grant Serenity... 
and my heart dreads your refusal."
  Raye felt her heart hammering in her chest as Lin Tzu's eyes held hers, 
the longing and the love in them burning brighter and brighter...
  The eyes of the Dragon...
  "Raye?"
  Akane was shaking her. "Raye? Are you ok?"
  "Raye-chan is alright?" came Zhu Shu's concerned voice.
  Raye gasped and started, her heart pounding as she realized she was still 
in the Tendo's shrine. "I'm ok, I'm ok... "
  "You just froze in mid sentence and were staring at nothing. We weren't 
even sure you were breathing." Akane said.
  Raye nodded. "I get like that when I'm scrying... I just... well... I 
wasn't trying to scry... I just touched the blade an a vision... or maybe a 
memory came to me. I'm fine..." She shook her head, the details already 
fading. "I... I saw Queen Serenity of the Moon presenting you with these 
swords... I mean Empress Lin Tzu with them... And I saw her in the same 
outfit you wore in that vision..." She looked around the room to make sure 
they were alone. "Like a Scout."
  Zhu Shu raised an eyebrow. "Swords are family heirloom."
  Raye nodded. "The Empress said they would be passed down until the last 
Dragon-" she caught her breath.
  "Zhu Shu is last Dragon. But only until bear heir." Zhu Shu smiled. "Is 
interesting, but Zhu Shu not Lin Tzu. Zhu Shu only descendant of Imperial 
Servants."
  Raye smiled. "I'm not so sure of that Zhu-chan."
  "Zhu Shu is." She stood. "And Zhu Shu want know what Scouts saw when she 
healed. Serena start to mention earlier, but get hushed. Now Raye mention. 
What vision?"
  Raye considered for a few moments then said "You were dressed in a scarlet 
and gold fuku, and had a dragon tiara on. The swords and you were surrounded 
by a golden fire. The vision I just had showed Lin Tzu the same way... and 
you do look a lot like her Zhu-chan. Maybe you really are her descendant."
  Zhu Shu shook her head. "Zhu Shu servant. Whatever honored Ancestors 
were." She put the blades behind her back.
  Raye rolled her eyes. "One day I will figure out how you do that."
  Zhu Shu smiled. "Think Zen."
  "Oh, that helps!" Raye said sarcastically.
  Akane giggled. "Don't ask me. I have no idea how I do it either. If I 
think about it, I can't"
  Raye laughed. "That's because your conscious mind interferes. It's like 
magick. You can't analyze it, you just do it."
  The sound of Ranma and Genma involved in their after dinner practice 
interrupted the conversation and they wondered back into the living room. 
Akane whispered something to Zhu Shu, and they both smiled, then nudged 
Raye. "Why don't you go ask Kasumi if she'd like some help?" Akane prodded.
  Raye blinked at her blankly for a few seconds before she realized what 
Akane was really up to, giving her an excuse to talk to Kasumi about Zhu 
Shu, then she smiled and nodded.
  Kasumi was nearly done with the cleaning up from dinner, but she'd put a 
kettle on for cocoa. When Raye came into the kitchen she smiled. "Hello, 
Raye-chan. Did you enjoy dinner?"
  "Hai. I thank you very much for allowing me to dine with you."
  "You're always welcome dear. Zhu Shu is family and you're her friend."
  Raye gave her a rueful grin. "That's kind of why I'm here. Akane said I 
might be able to talk to you."
  Kasumi wiped the water off her hands and pulled two cups off the shelf. 
"Of course. Would you like some Cocoa, or Tea?"
  Raye smiled. "I have a weakness for chocolate."
  Kasumi made them both some cocoa and settled down at the small kitchen 
table, her skirts flaring out around her as she sat on her knees. "So what 
would you like to talk about Raye-chan?"
  Raye blushed, suddenly too embarrassed to speak.
  "Oh my." Kasumi said. "Would it happen to be your feelings for Zhu Shu?"
  Raye started. "How-"
  Kasumi smiled. "Dear... it was obvious the first time I met you that you 
had a crush on her."
  Raye blushed even brighter. "Was I that obvious?"
  "To me dear. Probably not to anyone else. Zhu Shu knew."
  "What? She knew?"
  "Yes. She didn't want to play with your feelings dear. She didn't want to 
influence your choices, since she knew you looked up to her."
  Raye scowled. "I wish I had known."
  "Would it really have made a difference? Raye, she's your Sensei, and you, 
most especially, have a case of hero worship for her, because you feel 
guilty about something that happened. She could have seduced you pretty 
easily, but she didn't want to hurt you. She really cares about all of you 
girls."
  "Yeah... I guess I do feel guilty, I mean I was the one who told the 
Scouts to-" She broke off as she realized what she'd said.
  "Oh my. So that's the big secret Akane has been hiding and Nabiki has been 
trying to get you to admit to." She leaned over and patted Raye's hand. 
"Don't worry Raye. Akane wouldn't tell me, so she wouldn't tell anyone else, 
and Nabiki may have figured it out, but she wouldn't do anything to endanger 
you. And I won't tell a soul."
  Raye sighed. "It's ok, I guess. Ranma knows too. In a way I suppose it's a 
relief to have someone we don't have to hide who we really are from other 
than each other. It's even kind of amusing that Nabiki got Hibiki Studios to 
cast us as ourselves..."
  Kasumi giggled. "Oh my! That is amusing."
  "Yeah, anyway, I suppose I do feel guilty, because when Zhu Shu first 
showed up at Juuban ward, we found her on top of the Temple and Amy's 
computer said there were some weird energy readings on her."
  "And Amy is...?"
  "Oh, Sailor Mercury, she's kind of our science expert." Raye supplied. 
"And Lita's Jupiter, Mina's Venus as well as Sailor V, and Serena's... well 
she's Sailormoon."
  "So you'd be Sailor Mars?"
  "Yeah." She smiled. "Anyway, when she got wet and changed, I thought she 
had been possessed, so I started a exorcism.  Zhu Shu tried to stop my spell 
casting , and we nearly killed her."
  "Oh, my."
  "Anyway, I took care of her and when she woke up and I found out she could 
see aura's, so it was pointless to try and hide who we were, then a day or 
so later, I found her practicing her kata's in the nude... well actually, I 
was woken up by sensing an evil presence, and I found her facing an Oni. It 
was weird actually, because all she did was give Zhu Shu a slip of paper 
with an address on it and told her to say hi to Ranma's fianc�e..." Raye's 
face fell as she looked shamefacedly at Kasumi. "I'm sorry we didn't tell 
you about Shampoo. Zhu Shu asked us not to.."
  Kasumi nodded. "It's alright, it's worked out so far."
  "I feel really guilty that we didn't tell Akane..." Raye said.
  "She's most likely already forgiven you, dear. She does seem to have a lot 
of Zhu Shu's memories in her head, so I'm sure she knows." Kasumi looked 
thoughtful. "I have to wonder why an Oni would be interested in Zhu Shu?"
  Raye nodded. "I don't know, but I haven't seen her since, and I've kept a 
few charms handy.
  Kasumi shrugged. "There has to be more to this puzzle, but I don't know 
where to look." She smiled at Raye. "But we were talking about you dear."
  Raye blushed again. "Yeah... well... I... um..." She swallowed hard. "I 
spied on her kata's the next morning."
  "And?"
  "Well, I don't know... I was, well... aroused..." Raye admitted.
  "Would it help if I told you she has that effect on me a little too?" 
Kasumi noted. "She can't really help it, you know. It was ingrained into 
her."
  Raye nodded. "I suppose... I'm just so confused. She's my friend, and at 
the same time, I fantasize about doing other things with her... and when 
she's around... I feel... special."
  "She has a knack for that."
  Raye sighed. "I guess, in the end, I don't know if I want to..."
  Kasumi nodded. "How old are you Raye?"
  Raye blinked. "Fifteen."
  "And how many boyfriends have you had?"
  "Um... well... I dated Darien a few times, and then... well... "
  "Mostly just boys you know right?"
  Raye nodded.
  "You haven't had much experience yet Raye. It's only natural you're 
confused." She reached out and held Raye's hand. "Give it time dear. Let it 
grow at it's own pace, and see what happens. Don't fret over it like this."
  Raye smiled. "I suppose that's good advice... just..."
  "Not what you wanted to hear. I know. I can't tell you how to feel Raye. 
That you have to figure out on your own. But what I can be is someone to 
talk to, and I'm more than happy to be that."
  Raye nodded, her eyes shining. "Akane was right about you, you know. I 
wish I had you as a big sister."
  Kasumi smiled. "But you do dear. For so long as you want me to be one."
  A annoyed squawk from outside the kitchen window announced the arrival of 
Phobos and Deimos. Raye looked out at the two ravens, and smiled. "Ok, ok, 
I'm on my way!" She looked at Kasumi "I'm sorry, they're telling me that 
they're hungry and they want me to go home." She stood. "Thanks for the 
dinner, and the cocoa, and especially for the big sistering..."
  "Your more than welcome..." Kasumi said as she walked Raye to the door. 
"I'm here anytime, dear."
  Raye smiled as she nodded and turned to head for home. She wasn't any less 
confused, but she felt better, and she felt secure that she had a friend who 
understood...
  That by itself was priceless...


  Zhu Shu looked around the room, feeling like she had truly come home. It 
was strange really, how much the Tendo's house felt more welcoming than her 
memories of her own home in her village. She hadn't minded staying at Raye's 
for a few days, but being back was certainly a relief.
  She noted Shampoo's rolled futon against the wall with a smile. According 
to Akane and Ranma, Shampoo had been trying to win her fianc�es in the 
straightforward manner of the Amazon she was. It hadn't worked, but at least 
it seemed to have done no harm either. She was going to have to teach her 
Blood-sister the notion of subtlety. Kasumi had made a suggestion along 
those lines, and the destroyed Dojo out back was the result. That at least 
would be remedied by the time they came back from China. Nabiki had smiled 
at Tao-Ching and consented to a date after he'd offered to have the Dojo 
rebuilt.
  All, in all, she was very glad to be back... even Soun's extravagant tears 
at dinner rejoicing that his adopted daughter had returned had made her 
happy...
  Happy.
  A small bubble of laughter escaped from her lips as she realized that was 
indeed how she felt. The stress with Akane, while it would never be gone, 
was livable now that they had resolved their relationship, and without 
Akane's feelings living in her head, she was at peace with being in the same 
house with her.
  Even her friendship with Ranma was fine. He didn't like her refusal to 
marry him, but he was willing to live with it, and to try and make things 
work with Shampoo... It might take him a while to learn to love her, but she 
was confident he eventually would.
  She'd even found an unexpected ally in Nodoka Saotome. Ranma's mother 
seemed happy with her son's dual betrothal, and not all of her reasons 
seemed to deal solely with the advantages to the Saotome family the 
marriages would bring. Zhu Shu would almost think that Ranma's having two 
fianc�es made Nodoka feel Ranma was incredibly manly... despite the fact 
that he'd seemed to be more accepting of being female half the time.
  Zhu Shu sat down on her futon and picked up the picture of her and Kasumi 
kissing on the train. So much had happened since then, and yet, so little 
time had passed. She sat the picture back down and leaned back against the 
small mountain of stuffed animals she'd collected from the various boys at 
Furinkan trying to date her, musing on how she might work out the tangled 
love lives of her friends...
  <<And your own...>>
  She smiled at the stray thought... it had almost sounded like Cherry 
Blossom... She reached back to the small strand of the connection they had 
once shared and mentally caressed it. It was strange how much comfort that 
small hint of her lost love could give.
  She pulled out the bejeweled scepter Luna had given her just a few hours 
before and stared at it a long time. Why did it seem as if Luna wanted her 
to be something more than she was? She didn't know why she seemed to have so 
much Silver Millennium energy, and she had no idea how to use it either. She 
wasn't a Scout, or the Reincarnated Empress... She was a servant...
  << As are all rulers... If they love their subjects...>>
  She shook her head, dismissing the notion. It was simply too ridiculous. 
She tucked the scepter back behind her back.
  A night breeze stole in through the windows, bringing with it the scents 
of the flowers in the garden. She stood and stretched, then stripped in 
preparation for bed. She stood in the window looking at the moon for long 
moments and marveled. For all the distance she was from her home village, 
the moon didn't look any different. In a weeks time, it would be full, like 
it had been that awful night... yet for the first time in four years, she 
wasn't dreading the anniversary of Fei Ying Ying... Cherry Blossom's 
death...
  <<I am here... I am always and forever... here...>>
  She lay down to sleep, touching with her mind the links to her loves and 
let their warmth melt her into dreams...


  Akane sat at her desk in her pajamas and played with the pen Luna had 
given her. She wished she knew why the link with Zhu Shu had changed her so 
much. True, most of the changes had been needed, and had made her much 
happier... but stuff like this scared her. She wasn't a Scout... she wasn't 
a Reincarnated warrior of some long forgotten kingdom and an Age that 
history had erased... She was a teenaged girl with fianc�e problems... A 
future husband who was also likely to be just as much a wife... An Amazon 
warrior who seemed just as hot to fight her as to do other things... and a 
school full of idiot hentai who would make her life sheer hell if they 
realized the full ramifications of both...
  How were her girl friends going to react when they found out that she was 
going to be engaged to Shampoo? How where they going to act when they found 
out she was going to marry another girl?
  She sighed as she put the pen away... It really wouldn't have been any 
different than how they would have reacted if she'd actually gotten Zhu Shu 
to marry her... No... she had enough problems without the Scouts... She 
stood and stretched as she looked out at the moon. Strange to think that 
once, so long ago... There had been a Kingdom of Justice and Love there... 
She smiled as she recalled Serena's last training session... She was such a 
klutz... but there really was something about her that just made you love 
her... Like a puppy tripping over their tail...
  She started as a flash of light lit up the sky for a long moment in the 
direction of the Tokyo Tower. That had been a common occurrence of late... 
sometimes, she would even think she saw things which were obviously 
impossible... A side effect of what had happened between her and Zhu Shu no 
doubt... so many faint tuggings in so many directions. She knew from Zhu 
Shu's memories she felt them too, but was so used to them, she ignored 
them... maybe she would eventually too, but sometimes, it felt like a storm 
was brewing while the sky was completely clear.
  The light faded, along with the feeling of an intangible wind blowing in 
that direction. It was disconcerting to say the least.
  Strange thing was, she felt the same thing around Raye too... like the 
girl was the source of the wind she couldn't quit feel... and around Zhu Shu 
even more strongly...
  She shook her head... It had been too long a day... She pulled the 
curtains closed and lay down on the bed...
  Before her head hit the pillow, she was asleep.


  Amy poured over the logs on her computer yet again. It was very strange...
  During the battle with the creature, the small computer had been taking 
readings and now that she had had time to study them, it became obvious that 
more had been going on that night than they had been aware of.
  The fight had started late evening, accompanied by a massive surge of 
negative magical energy... only part of which had been centered in the 
creature that had attacked... they had been so busy fighting that she'd 
never had the chance to realize that a much larger surge had built far to 
the east... somewhere in the United States... then several hours later, when 
they had been too exhausted for anyone to notice, the surge had moved to 
some where south west of them... near Hong Kong, and the power levels had 
grown enormously... a spike of gigantic proportions... that had then reached 
a peak and fell, leaving several smaller spikes that had died down... much 
of it had been outside of her computers exact range and only detectable by 
it's sheer strength...
  Obviously, something hugely magical had happened... something that 
probably didn't bode well for whoever had been involved... but so far, non 
of it had affected Japan... or seemed directly tied to the Scouts yet...
  It had been so quiet since they had defeated the Doomtree... could this be 
a sign something new was about to come?
  She closed up the computer as she yawned. Tomorrow she had to be up early 
to study for a mid morning test...
  Hopefully, nothing more difficult would pop up.


  The masked man stood on the balcony looking like the epitome of a Chinese 
sorcerer. Even Herb felt intimidated by the cold feeling the wizard seemed 
to exude. She looked to Lime and Mint, the pair of them looking a little 
downcast and jubilant at the same time. They were happy that they would be 
leading the little excursion to the Amazon village, but were sad they 
wouldn't be joining Herb in going to Japan. Still, the thought of getting to 
fight the Amazons... and maybe even getting to do... other things... had 
excited them. The old sorcerer had been generous in supplying men and had 
bolstered the few remaining troops of the Musk with well trained soldiers.
  They were a far cry from Musk warriors, true, but manpower was manpower, 
especially against the Amazons... Herb had read too many tales of the Musk's 
dealings with those... creatures... to expect the fight to be easy, even 
with the magical aid the Sorcerer Xian Chi had promised.
  Still... it was a small price to pay for the means to find the Kaisuifuu.
  "Everything is in readiness Xian Chi" Herb said. "I leave in the morning 
with my escort. Mint and Lime will lead the assault on the village in two 
days. The flasks are all filled and waiting on the wagons. We will achieve 
our revenge easily."
  The man turned ice cold eyes to Herb. "I pray it will be so your Highness. 
I have learned to never take things for granted where the Song are 
concerned." His voice was differential, but Herb had no doubt who really 
ruled the Musk for the moment. The Sorcerer had been true to his word and 
forged the alliance, but in some ways, Herb feared she had made a grave 
mistake.
  But one that could be remedied once she had resolved her little problem 
and had her full powers back. For now, she needed the manpower Xian Chi 
brought...
  And Mint and Lime... well... She would teach them a lesson when she 
returned... show them both what a real man was supposed to do with a harem 
full of women. The troops with Xian Chi had been quick to introduce the pair 
to the pleasures women offered... Herb had refrained... for now.  But once 
this little problem was fixed...
  Xian Chi's cold eyes lit with a faint tinge of amusement. Herb's eyes 
narrowed. Allowing her mind to drift was inexcusable. Still... She could get 
some faint hint of revenge. "I am not concerned with the Song, Xian Chi. The 
false Dragons Child is yours to do with as you will. I am the only true 
Dragon's child... and I will rule all of China, if I must slaughter all who 
oppose me." She turned back to the throne room, her cloak swirling. "Leave 
me now. I must prepare for tomorrows departure."
  Xian Chi's eyes glittered at his dismissal, but he smiled coldly as he 
bowed and left, trailed by Mint and Lime. Herb stood alone in the throne 
room and pulled open her top and stare down at her breasts. "I will break 
this curse, Xian Chi... Then when I'm a man again, we'll see who really 
rules..."


  The old man strode out of the castle to the waiting helicopter. As he 
approached, a shadowy figure stepped out of the interior. He stopped and 
addressed the form. "Herb leaves in the morning. You know what to do."
  "And the Musk?"
  Xian Chi laughed. "They were amusing toys. Herb's two lieutenants were 
easy to seduce with a few spells and their own lusts. They will make an 
interesting experiment. It matters not whether Herb finds the Kaisuifuu or 
not, I have made her condition permanent. It will be interesting to see how 
she fares once returning to her friends still female... I wonder how long it 
will be before they make her forget she was ever male?"
  A thin sliver of white was the only indication the shadowy figure was 
smiling. "Truly an interesting study, Master."
  Xian Chi nodded. "I must be away to Hong Kong. Events there can not be put 
off for this amusement any longer. Bring me the Heir once she is caught... I 
have many other interesting experiments I wish to try."
  "Of course, Master."
  The old man turned just as he entered the black copter. "Do not fail. Or 
you may end up being my experiment."
  The shadowy figure bowed, then seemed to fade into the dark. The rotors of 
the copter picked up speed and the strangely insectoid appearing craft 
lifted off to vanish into the night.


  Dawn came to Nerima bright and early. Ranma woke to the faint sounds of 
two sets of swords chiming faintly in a pattern almost too fast to follow. 
He peeked out the window to see Akane and Zhu Shu practicing in the early 
morning light, their swords moving in intricate dances that formed hypnotic 
rhythms. He smiled as he realized they were up so early because neither one 
was dressed and the dojo had not yet been rebuilt. He tiptoed out of the 
room and down stairs.
  At the edge of the Koi pond, he reached down into the water and splashed 
himself, then stripped to stand on a rock by the edge of the pond and 
waited. After a few seconds, the blurs resolved themselves into the pair of 
fencers. "Yes, Ranma?" Akane asked.
  The redhead bowed. "Would you care to spar?"
  Zhu Shu smiled. That was something she had been hoping for for a while 
now. Ranma wouldn't fight anyone she didn't consider an equal in skill, 
unless attacked, and Akane had been so far below her skill level she 
wouldn't even consider really sparring with her... but in his stubborn, 
macho way, he had passed it off as "I don't fight girls." thinking that 
Akane, independent spirit that she was. would just accept it. That she was 
actually asking Akane to spar was a BIG leap.
  Zhu Shu stepped to the side and toweled off as the two faced each other. 
Akane took a stance, her swords trembling slightly. Ranma gave her a "come 
on" with her forward hand.
  Akane blinked out of existence to reappear behind Ranma, her ribbons 
wrapped around the redheads feet as she was flipped into the pond. Zhu Shu 
held up her palm. "Akane! Ranma no know secret of combat speed! Is spar 
match! Fight without chi!"
  Akane hung her head as Ranma came sputtering out of the pond. "Hey!" She 
stopped at the sight of Zhu Shu's open hand.
  "Now." Zhu Shu said as Ranma resumed a stance. "Again!"
  Akane launched herself into a spinning attack that Ranma dodged by 
flipping over, then blocked Ranma's return kick. Satisfied that Akane wasn't 
using her chi abilities, Zhu Shu finished toweling off, then used the kettle 
of hot water she had brought out. She had figured that a dip in the pond 
would be inevitable in a sparring match, as Ranma had proven over and over 
when fighting Genma, and Akane had proven her right. Once more her normal 
self, she monitored the two as she performed her routine katas


  Urd looked down on the three practicing from her perch in a birds nest and 
worried. Things were not going they way they should.
  She hadn't worried about Zhu Shu's initial refusal to Ranma, confident the 
mix of emotions she had gotten from Akane would drive her to him eventually, 
but Zhu Shu's death and the subsequent revelation that she was the Child of 
the Dragon had shocked her. Then Zhu Shu's resurrection by the Old Woman had 
added far more complications.
  As far as she could tell, someone... or something, had altered Belldandy's 
spell on Zhu Shu. Not removed it... altered it. Belldandy was much better at 
spells than she, so she couldn't make out exactly what had been done, but it 
seemed to have removed the emotional crossover of the spell from just Zhu 
Shu.
  That had to be the Dragons handiwork.
  She watched Ranma catch Akane's ribbon and spin her into the pond. He was 
learning quickly how to counter the ribbon attacks. She gave it a week 
before he could even start to match her for speed. He was like a computer 
when it came to learning new martial arts. She shook her head before laying 
back in the nest to figure out what to do next.
  There was more going on here than just her test, there had to be. She was 
running into too many stonewalls and barriers for a normal wish. The 
Ultimate Force itself should have overcome many of the obstacles she had 
encountered, yet it hadn't. Yggdrasil had so many blind or password 
protected files that what she had learned amounted to a small fraction of 
what she needed to know. She'd found enough to know she had gone back in 
time to arrange for the loophole in the Amazon laws, and evidence that she'd 
arranged other things, but no indication of what.
  It was infuriating. And to find out that apparently the Dragon was running 
his own game with her test as well only made it worse.
  What was that inscrutable overgrown lizard up to? She had never been able 
to figure out why Kami-sama gave Legend such respect. He wasn't part of the 
pantheon, but her father respected him like he did no others in Asgard.
  Yet... she couldn't shake this sense of urgency to her test, like everyone 
was waiting with baited breath to see if she succeeded or failed. And 
Mara...
  The bird whose nest she had borrowed returned and scolded her out of it's 
home as Zhu Shu, Akane, and Ranma finished up their practice and headed into 
the house before anyone else woke up. She hopped down and snuck into the 
house after them, headed for the living room and the TV. She needed to talk 
to her dad...


  Breakfast went normally, or at least as normally as it did at the Tendo 
Dojo. Kasumi, Nodoka, and Zhu Shu worked at getting breakfast on the table 
as Akane, Nabiki and Ranma prepared for school. Nodoka took the opportunity 
to quiz Zhu Shu about her son and how he had behaved himself since she met 
him. Zhu Shu told her about the misadventures in China, and some of the 
problems Ranma had had in Japan with his curse, and Nodoka smiled 
approvingly at how he had tried his best to live with it.
  Ryouga wandered in about midway through the free for all with a new flower 
for Kasumi. She smiled at the dancing bellflower as it wavered back and 
forth on the table and thanked the lost boy for such an unusual gift. Ryouga 
blushed as he stammered it was nothing, pointedly not mentioning the thin 
slashes he had gotten when the plant had launched a flight of razor sharp 
leaves at him. Or the shocking he'd gotten when he'd dived out of the way 
and landed on a large yellow rat.
  Akane smiled at her big sister as she accepted the dancing flower. It was 
getting more and more obvious everyday that Ryouga was smitten with her. 
Then she noticed as Kasumi gave Ryouga a extra large helping of fish cakes. 
Kasumi may not have made up her mind romantically, but Akane was certain she 
did like the lost boy.
  Zhu Shu watched the exchange and wondered if she should inform Ryouga that 
he might want to not stammer and stutter so much around Kasumi if he really 
wanted to get her to like him... after all, that was one of the things about 
Doctor Tofu that Kasumi found so discouraging. She watched as Ryouga tried 
to jump up to help Kasumi clear away the table, only to step on the root of 
the dancing flower, get hit by a spray of leaves and fall into the Koi pond. 
Shaking her head, she picked up her books to follow the others out as they 
headed for school.
  Ryouga followed them out only to find himself nose to nose with a very 
large saber tooth cat who Nabiki was scratching the ears of. His eyes grew 
very wide as the cat opened jaws bigger than he was and let out a loud 
Bhweee before Nabiki smacked the cat upside the head.
  "Behave Tao-Ching. That's your cousin! No eating him!"
  The big cat gave the piglet the eye and an evil grin, then shrugged. He 
scratched out a few kanji symbols that spelled "Just kidding" before nudging 
Nabiki to mount up.
  The trip to school was fairly uneventful, Zhu Shu's umbrella intercepting 
the splash from the little old lady watering the sidewalk, predictably 
diverting it onto Ranma. The red-haired girl merely shrugged philosophically 
and trudged on along the fence top.
  At the gate, A Kuno awaited. Tatewaki was nowhere to be seen, but Kodachi 
was more than willing to make up for his absence...
  "My Goddess! At last you have arrived! But allow me give you this token of 
my worship!" She knelt and handed Akane a bouquet of black roses. Akane 
carefully took them and aimed them at Kodachi's enraptured face. A cloud of 
white powder exploded into the worshipful girls face and she flushed, a look 
of pure desire lighting her eyes.
  Akane took off, a lustful Kodachi in hot pursuit. Zhu Shu shook her head.
  "More things change, more stay same." she muttered.


  Nabiki whistled happily as she wandered towards her homeroom, idly 
listening to the sounds of Kodachi pursuing Akane through the school. She 
had enjoyed riding to school on Tao-Ching's back as he purred and sauntered. 
The older Hibiki was trying his best to be charming, and she had to admit, 
it was working.
  She took the three separate reports from her factors and glanced through 
them, her thoughts more on Tao-Ching than on the reports until she came to a 
flag.
  She paid more attention to the report as she noted what her Factor had 
wanted to call to her attention. The five girls she had been asked to look 
up had a penchant for missing school on the same day, despite the fact they 
went to three separate schools.
  Nabiki flipped to one of the other reports, and quickly cross-referenced 
the dates. They all coincided with reported Scout battles.
  She flipped through the third and found pictures of Zhu Shu and Raye 
dining at the Ginza, and one of Zhu Shu taking Raye up the sides of the 
strip.
  Sailor Mars had been the first to arrive.
  She dropped the folders into the shredder she had in her locker for just 
such situations and nodded. She had enough proof. So what to do now?
  Memories of how she felt that night, watching as Akane, Ranma and Shampoo 
disappeared into the dark returned to her, and she decided that for now, she 
wouldn't do anything.
  But if they endangered her sisters again...
  Her thought was broken off as she entered homeroom.
  "Nabiki Tendo. I have been awaiting you." a hoarse voice said from under 
heavy bandages.
  "Kuno baby! I thought you were still in the hospital!"
  "A thousand foul blows from that treacherous Saotome cannot lay Tatewaki 
Kuno low."
  "I thought Kodachi did that to you, Kuno baby. All those head smashes must 
have addled your memory again."
  "My fair sister has been bespelled by that vile sorcerer. It was he who 
controlled her. That is why I have awaited you. I must know how this evil 
enchantment may be ended."
  Nabiki blinked, then did a mental shrug. Kuno would never just accept the 
truth. She'd tried explaining to him about Ranma before and had gotten 
nowhere. No matter what she said, he'd find a way to twist it into his 
little fantasy world
  Still... this was Kuno... and she needed a little extra cash.
  She motioned Kuno over to a corner, rolling her eyes as he attempted to 
sneak inconspicuously in a well lit and crowded room and whispered "I fear 
you are correct in believing Kodachi is bespelled, however, Ranma is not the 
source of this foul deed. I know of someone I could obtain the information 
of whom has cast this vile spell, but I fear I lack the price he has asked."
  Kuno bought it hook line and sinker. "Ah, what a vile creature this must 
be to desire money for such information! To stand in the way of justice for 
gold! Yea, though it doth offend my noble soul at the thought, I do posses 
the coin with which to pay this blood price. Tell me, Nabiki Tendo, what the 
miscreant demands!"
  "40,000 yen." Nabiki said. That should cover the cost of her new CD player 
and a few CDs.
  Kuno grimaced. "I have not that much in cash."
  Nabiki held out the card reader from her notebook. "Major credit cards 
accepted."
  Kuno's face lit up as he pulled out a credit card and ran it through the 
reader.
  Nabiki smiled. "Meet me at the tree after school, and I will tell you what 
I've learned." That should give her plenty of time to create a wild goose 
chase for the rich idiot.
  Kuno nodded and wandered to his chair just as the bell rang...


  "I'm telling you, I don't know what it was exactly. It's just that it was 
so powerful my computer could detect it from Japan, and the main surge was 
in Hong Kong." Amy told Lita and Serena for the fifth time.
  Serena poked her nose into Amy's bento, in hopes that maybe there'd be 
something there, having already devoured her lunch. "So you aren't sure if 
it's some new enemy?" She asked, frowning at the empty box.
  "I don't have enough information to figure it out either way." Amy said.
  Lita moved her bento further away as Serena looked at it hungrily. "I 
wonder what it was. And if it had any connection to what happened here?"
  Amy closed the small notebook computer. "I don't know. So far it hasn't 
repeated itself. I set the computer up to signal me if it detects a similar 
spike though." She looked down. "That's funny. I could have sworn I brought 
an apple."
  Serena quickly hid the apple core behind her back, "So, what do you think 
is up with Raye?" she asked to distract the smaller girl.
  "Humm." Amy blinked. "I don't think anything's up with her, Serena. She's 
felt responsible for Zhu Shu ever since we first met her. Her getting killed 
like that just upset her a lot. Now that Zhu Shu's alright, I'm sure she'll 
be fine soon."
  "Yeah, after all, Raye gets along with Zhu Shu much better than she does 
the rest of us." Lita added.
  "I get along with Raye!" Serena protested.
  "Oh course you do, Serena. That's why you two fight all the time." Lita 
rolled her eyes. "Give me a break, Serena-chan. Raye's a nice girl, and so 
are you, but you two get on each others nerves."
  Serena stuck out her tongue. "Say, you gonna eat those chips?"
  Lita laughed. "Well I was... but we can't have our illustrious leader 
dying of starvation, can we..."
  Serena gave her a haughty look. "Of course not."
  Amy looked pensively off into space. "I can't say I blame Raye for being 
worried though. Zhu-sensei may have strangely high levels of Millennium 
energy, but she's shown no indication she has any type of Scout Powers. I'm 
worried something like the Doomtree might be a danger to her."
  Lita nodded. "Yeah, Serena. We're the ones who've chosen to face those 
kinds of dangers. Zhu Shu may support us and teach us, but she shouldn't 
have to fight out battles just because she's our friend. We should have 
found a way to fight that creature. She shouldn't have had to sacrifice 
herself to save us."
  Serena blinked. "Umm... well... what do you want me to do about it?"
  "We just need to keep Zhu-sensei safe..." Amy said.
  "So we just keep her out of Scout stuff. That's easy." Serena mumbled 
around a mouthful of potato chips.
  Amy and Lita exchanged a glance. They weren't so sure it would be that 
easy...


  Nabiki looked through the contents of the email again, feeling her stomach 
sink. She'd gotten the message just as lunch began, from a contact who had 
an uncle in the Yakuza, and she was less than thrilled at what her inquiry 
had revealed.
  All in all, it was a polite response from the uncle, that essentially said 
she shouldn't pursue the line of inquiry. The uncle would overlook the 
request this time because his niece had asked him too, but that he would not 
be so lenient next time.
  However, he had answered her question even while seeming to have refused 
her completely. It was pretty clever actually, and had undoubtedly been done 
to cover himself in case his superiors intercepted the email. It's just the 
answer wasn't one she had wanted to hear.
  The email contained the three photos she had lifted from the police 
database of the "muggers" that had attacked Zhu Shu and Kasumi. Added to the 
photos was the names of all three, and the ominous title "Tong assassin, 
Clan Skorpion."
  The warning message the Uncle had sent told her to not make inquires as to 
Clan Skorpion's activities, as such inquires were as unwelcome as inquires 
into the "Families" business. It also included the passports for all three, 
showing they had come from Hong Kong... The island of Lan Tao specifically.
  Needless to say, the email had not made her very happy.
  A shadow fell across her, making her jump.
  "Girl say Nabiki wish see Zhu Shu?"
  Nabiki placed her hand on her heart, trying to make the hammering stop.
  "God's, Zhu Shu, don't sneak up on people like that!"
  "Zhu Shu sorry. No mean to sneak."
  Nabiki patted the bench next to her. "Please sit. I have to talk to you."
  The Chinese girl sat and tilted her head curiously. "What may do?"
  Nabiki took a deep breath. "First, please be careful. And if you must help 
out Raye and the other Scouts in a fight, please DON'T change first. Your 
cursed form is just a little to much of a stand out to keep secret."
  Zhu Shu raised and eyebrow. "So, Nabiki know."
  "I figured it out, yes. I would assume Akane probably knows as well. Don't 
worry. I won't tell anyone that you were on a date with Sailor Mars, just 
please be careful." She took another deep breath. "Which brings me to my 
second problem."
  Zhu Shu raised her eyebrow higher.
  Nabiki looked her square in the eye. "Can you give me any reason why the 
Skorpion Tong would want you dead?"
  Light dawned in Zhu Shu's eyes. "Clan Skorpion. That explain much Zhu Shu 
not understand."
  "Care to enlighten me?" Nabiki prompted.
  Zhu Shu looked off into space. "Zhu Shu remember Grandfather tell tales of 
Clan Skorpion. Long ago they war with Clan Dragon. They kill many ancestors. 
Grandfathers grandfather fight many time. Clan Dragon once have many enemy. 
Clan Skorpion, Musk Dynasty, Shadowkhan. All from old tales. Zhu Shu not 
know such still exist." She shook her head. "Clan Dragon barely survive 
enemies. Sad that enemies still see as threat. Zhu Shu is last Dragon. If no 
heir, Clan dies with her." She looked at Nabiki with a penetrating look, her 
gold eyes seeming to look through her. "Clan Dragon must not die."
  Nabiki looked away, unable to meet those eyes, but when she looked back, 
Zhu Shu's eyes were once more their normal jade green. Nabiki swallowed 
hard, then decided it must have been a trick of the light.
  "I don't know what Clan Skorpion wants with you Zhu-chan, but Dad thinks 
of you as a daughter, and well, if you tell anyone this, I'll have to 
strangle you, but I care about you like a sister. I'll see what else I can 
find out. All I know now is that the three you dealt with were from Hong 
Kong."
  "Nabiki should not endanger self for Zhu Shu."
  Nabiki laughed. "I won't. I have too much respect for an intact skin to 
put myself in harms way." She closed the notebook, and looked down at her 
unopened Bento. "Well, I guess I should eat. Care to join me for lunch?"
  Zhu Shu eyed the boxed lunch and reached behind her back to pull out her 
small grill. "Only if let Zhu Shu cook..."
  Nabiki handed her the bento. "You're on. Kasumi's a great cook, but it 
tastes so much better hot."


  Urd was diffident as she walked up the carpet to the dais. Being before 
her father tended to make everyone but her brother Thor humble.
  "I cannot give you the answers you seek, Urd." Kami-sama said before she 
had a chance to ask. "You must find them on your own, daughter. Those are 
the conditions of the test."
  "B-but Father! Every time I turn around this test grows harder! This one 
wish has escalated into a web of conditions and entanglements that one 
goddess simply can't handle!"
  "I have faith in you Urd." Kami-sama said simply.
  "But how can I pass this test when I don't even understand it anymore? The 
Ultimate force seems to have suspended itself, and everywhere I turn I find 
things I had once thought true are but misdirection and lies. I am the 
Goddess of the Past, yet history itself has been denied me! How can I do 
anything if the truth is hidden from me. Why all the smoke and fog? You tell 
me to grant Shampoo's wish, yet the fact that her Blood-sister was the 
Dragons Child was hidden from me. My own records have been sealed against me 
by myself from the future, and my efforts have been undermined. How can 
anyone be expected to succeed a test like this?"
  "You must Urd. The conditions for this test were set before you were born, 
and they are fair, though that may not seem true to you. You are the only 
one who may resolve this challenge. I cannot aid you."
  "Why me?!!"
  A chill laughter echoed through the throne room, sending a shiver through 
Urd's spine. "Because that is what was agreed upon, Daughter."
  Urd turned as a tall, beautiful woman with almost luminous pale skin and 
midnight black hair approached the dais. A cold aura surrounded her and the 
red slashes on her forehead made a bloody contrast with her white skin.
  Only one demon was allowed in Kami-Sama presence, and she had just called 
Urd her Daughter. The words echoed over and over in her head, and no matter 
how much she wanted to deny them, she knew they were true.
  "Hela." Kami-sama acknowledged. "You are forbidden to interfere in Urd's 
test either."
  Chill laughter echoed once again. "Interfere? I? I'm merely here to make 
sure that your 'Fatherly love' doesn't cause you to overstep."
  Kami-Sama blue eye fixed the goddess of death with a penetrating stare. 
"Be careful Hel. The test is not finished. The decision has not yet been 
made." He said ominously. "I yet abide by my oath."
  The tall woman walked around Urd, giving her a look like a snake sizing up 
a mouse. "Yes..." She stopped in front of Urd. "I was so disappointed, 
Daughter, when you chose to side with these pitiful do-gooders. I so looked 
forward to educating you on how to be a proper demon." She smiled, her teeth 
showing at the corners of her mouth. "Well, I'm sure I'll have you under my 
wing soon enough..." She laughed as Urd finally broke and ran...


  Nabiki sat beneath her tree at the end of the day, waiting for Kuno. She 
had worried all afternoon about what to tell him, and had finally settled on 
a story which would keep him busy, and maybe, just maybe, protect Zhu Shu 
and Akane from his romantic attentions... at least for awhile... while still 
allowing her to capitalize on his obsession.
  Predictably, Kuno contrived to arrive with the sun behind him. "Nabiki 
Tendo. I have come as promised to hear your tidings. Pray tell me the name 
of this vile sorcerer who hath enchanted mine sister, and how this foul 
spell may be broken."
  Nabiki stood and played to Kuno's sense of drama by clasping her hands 
before her and mimicking his speech. "Oh, Kuno. I have indeed tidings of a 
most dire nature, and I fear for you should you seek to act on that which I 
shall tell you. This enchantment is indeed the work of a most vile and evil 
wizard. This vile beast is an ancient and evil man who has destroyed many 
lives for his twisted amusement, yet I fear his bewitchment of your sister 
is but the first step of a plot against you, oh noble samurai."
  Kuno was mesmerized. "Against I? Why would - Nay! Am I not Blue Thunder? 
Am I not the finest swordsman in all Japan? He must know he wouldst need to 
best me ere his foul plots could succeed!"
  Nabiki managed to keep a straight face. "Indeed, for you are to be the 
champion of the one he doth desire to posses above all others. 'Twas for her 
sake that you have received the enmity of this wizard, and your fair sister 
hath been bewitched!"
  Kuno stood straight and tall, his conception of a noble samurai receiving 
his quest. "Tell me, fair Nabiki, who is this wondrous maiden who is 
threatened. I must hurry to her forthwith to offer her the protection of my 
sword, and to smite her foes!"
  Oops... better nip that in the bud. "Nay! If you reveal to her your 
mission, it will surely fail, and you shall gain naught. You must be her 
secret defender. You must watch o'er her and bide thy time till the sorcerer 
grows bold enough to reveal himself, believing you to be no longer a threat, 
then thou must strike without mercy!"
  Kuno's eyes shone with righteous enthusiasm. "I shall! But name to me this 
wondrous maiden who doth so need my sword arm!"
  "'Tis Zhu Shu, thy classmate."
  "My fair forest goddess! Ah what vileness must rest within this fiends 
heart that he would threaten such pure and wondrous beauty!"
  Nabiki avoided the laugh that wanted to erupt. "Aye! And if thou wouldst 
protect her, thou must pretend to have no interest, for if the sorcerer doth 
see you vie for her hand, he will never reveal himself. Nor must you show 
your love for my sister Akane, or he will surely try to use your heart 
against you!" There. That should handle two birds with one stone.
  Kuno wept. "Verily, it twill be the hardest task I have ever set myself, 
yet for their sake, and the sake of the love I bear them, I shall!"
  "You must, or all is lost, for only with the defeat of this sorcerer will 
the spell o'er you sister be weakened enough to allow the cure to be 
applied."
  "Thou hast news of that as well? Tell me!"
  "Only the kiss of her one true love will break the spell that binds her, 
and that only once the sorcerer has been laid low."
  "Kodachi has kissed many boys, and she loves each with all her heart. 
Twill be an easy spell to break." Kuno stated with a nod.
  "Nay. It must be the kiss of one who doth truly love her."
  Kuno paled. "Oh, how cruel are the fates, that my sister must forever 
suffer this vile curse! Yet even I cannot go against the will of the Gods! I 
must acknowledge the cruel fact that my sister shall never be free, yet for 
this, the foul villain will pay most dearly!"
  Nabiki blinked. "You're just giving up on her?"
  Kuno lowered his eyes from heaven to look at her. "Nabiki, thou knowest 
not my sister."
  To that, Nabiki had no answer...


  Mara could feel the situation slipping out of her control.
  She hadn't rested all week, not since the night of Zhu Shu's death and 
revival. Learning that Zhu Shu was Legend's Child had been her first sign of 
the disaster she'd created for herself. The Dragon wasn't bound to the 
doublet system that held between Asgard and Nefelheim. She'd expected at any 
time to turn around and see the jaws of The Dragon closing on her for 
causing Zhu Shu's death. She still did.
  But she was still alive. Only her carefully woven plots were dying, but 
not quickly enough. Xian Chi was ignoring all her attempts to call off the 
attack in China, Herb had been shielded against her scrying and she had 
barely escaped the abomination the old wizard had left in charge in China 
when she had attempted to call it off in person.
  Fool she was, but she now knew why the wizard wanted the Dragon's Heir.
  So she sat and watched as her carefully engineered plans unraveled 
themselves, knowing she was doomed.
  What had she been thinking? She had never been so vicious, so... driven...
  If only Urd hadn't...
  The footstep was faint, but in her present state of paranoia, Mara 
reacted. She spun, energy balls ready to blast the intruder when black 
lightning hurled her against the wall and pinned her there. Through eyes 
barely able to see from the agony, Mara watched as Hela sauntered up to her 
and allowed the lightning streaming from her hand cease. Mara fell to the 
ground in a heap, gasping for air as she vainly tried to move. A hand 
wrapped itself in her hair and drew her up to dangle a foot off the ground.
  "Mara, Mara, Mara. What ever am I to do with you?"
  "M-mistress?" Mara's whisper was agonized.
  "Here you are, a Demon First Class, Unlimited, and you can't even handle 
the foiling of one goddess on probation? And to find out you tried to stop 
one of your own plots? Are you trying to stop Armageddon?" A casual flick 
tossed Mara against the wall again.
  Mara tried to breathe. "B-but the D-Dragon..."
  "What care I for the plans of the Dragon? He is old and feeble and senile. 
So his child is part of Odin's game. I care not! I have been content to let 
you play with my Daughter so far, but she is succeeding! I will not have 
that, Mara! Urd must fail this test or all I have worked for for Millennia 
will be for naught! I have planned for Ragnarok for too long to allow your 
ineptness to ruin everything!"
  The lightning bolt that erupted from her hand flung Mara against the wall 
spread eagled as slivers of wood wrenched free from the floor and speared 
through her wrists. Mara screamed.
  "I had such hope for you, Mara. Your anger after the Fenrir affair was 
perfect, all it needed was a little push to make it an obsession. But all 
you have done is fail!" Hela stepped up to her and ripped open her blouse, 
making Mara scream again as she was pulled against the spears in her wrists. 
Blood trickled down from where she'd bitten her lip, making a trail that 
Hela's fingernail traced down her breast bone. Then, she set her nails over 
Mara's heart, the points drawing blood.
  "One last chance Mara. If I am forced to return, I will rip out your 
heart. That would be a pity, since you once showed such promise." Hela 
kissed her as her nails dug deeper, then she released the barely conscious 
demon.
  "My Daughter must fail if Ragnarok is to come. Succeed, and I will give 
her to you as you desire. Fail me again..." She left the threat hanging as 
she turned away and faded into the shadows beyond the door.
  Mara let out a sob when her mistress had gone, and in a miserable whisper 
said to the air. "Forgive me, Urd. I never desired Ragnarok..." She closed 
her eyes and tried to believe the damage Hela had done her was fatal as she 
cried.
  It had been a game. She had always been a rival with Urd in School, as 
well as best friends, but she was a demon, and Urd had chosen to be a 
goddess. She had felt betrayed by that choice, and had done everything she 
could to foil the three sisters, short of anything that would actually hurt 
them... despite it all, they were still her childhood friends...
  Even after Urd had been possessed by the Master of Terror, freed by Mara's 
own hand, she had tried to keep the destruction down, until Urd had ordered 
her to give all her energy to Fenrir. Now she could see how Hela had taken 
her anger and used it to drive her crazy...
  But she didn't want the world to end, she just wanted her friend back...
  Hela had hurt her just enough to ensure obedience. Mara could free herself 
from the wall, at the cost of enormous pain, and Hela knew once she had, she 
would be broken, willing to do whatever it took to avoid a repeat lesson. 
Only death would free her from Hela's leash...
  She would be forced to destroy those she had only wanted to call friend...
  A golden light poured into the room and Mara opened her eyes. Salvation 
had come.
  She laughed as the Dragon opened his jaws...

Chapter Four: The Storm

  Akane woke at dawn after a night of sleeplessness. She'd tried to rest, 
but worry over today's events had insured that sleep had eluded her.
  It wasn't that she particularly dreaded the betrothal, or even Shampoo, 
but it was still a step in her life she wasn't sure she was ready for. She'd 
just started to admit to herself that that she was bi, and now, not a week 
later, she was to be engaged to another girl... a real girl, one who stayed 
female full time.
  The people at school had freaked out enough when they found out she was 
engaged to Ranma. Most of them still had no clue that he was the red-head 
Kuno kept chasing, or that she wasn't fighting with Ranma as much as she 
used to. But she had no idea how she'd hide her betrothal to Shampoo. 
Cologne had already enrolled her in Furinkan, and once this betrothal was 
finished, Shampoo would be moving to Japan with her.
  All of which meant that the very direct Amazon would make it impossible 
for her to hide the betrothal anyway...
  What would Yuka and Sayuri, her best friends at school, say?
  And if that wasn't enough, she had the Scouts to deal with. She was going 
to have a few words with them when she got back. They should have known 
telling Zhu Shu about those sensor readings would get her curious... Zhu Shu 
had come home from shopping with the Juuban girls last night and told her 
she was going to Hong Kong after the Betrothal, so she had one more thing to 
worry about... (See Curse of the Banshee for details)
  Finally, giving up on sleep, she stood and stripped off her pajamas to do 
a few warm up katas. She watched herself in the mirror as she did the forms, 
noting how much her body had changed since she had started the exercises. 
She'd always thought she was nice enough looking, but the stretches and 
forms she was now doing every day had started smoothing out some of her 
curves. Her hips and stomach were becoming more defined and the muscles on 
her arms looked softer somehow, though she knew from her workouts that she 
hadn't gotten weaker. Zhu Shu had told her that the further a muscle could 
stretch, the stronger it was, and that she did not have to be bulky to be 
strong. It looked like she'd been right.
  She fingered her long braid, making the small bells chime softly, then sat 
in front of the mirror and concentrated. A long golden claw of chi sprang 
from her finger, and she began the morning ritual Zhu Shu had told her to do 
to practice the Dragons Claw. She only nicked herself twice, neither of them 
in a tender spot, and was proud of the fact that she was getting better at 
things which took fine motor control. She was still clumsy at times, but she 
was getting better.
  She rubbed a little more salve into the almost faded bruise she'd picked 
up in practice yesterday, then stood and put on her robe. She slipped out of 
her room quietly and gently knocked on Ranma's door.
  The door slid open a few seconds later to a yawning Ranma. "Wassup?" he 
murmured.
  "I can't sleep. Will you work out with me?"
  He blinked, then smiled. "Yeah. Sure. Let me get changed."
  A minute later, the now red-headed girl came out in her own robe. "Man, 
I'll be glad when the Dojo is rebuilt." She muttered.
  Akane gave her a sidelong glance as they went down the stairs. "What's 
this? You being modest?"
  They both laughed softly as they entered the garden.


  Kasumi looked out the kitchen window at the faint sound of laughter. She'd 
gotten up early to make a lunch to take along on the long ride to China, and 
wasn't expecting anyone up for another hour.
  Surprisingly, it was Akane and Ranma. They waved to her as Akane put her 
finger to her lips in a hush. Kasumi waved back and went back to her 
packing. When she looked out several minutes later, the two girls had shed 
the robes and Akane was showing Ranma one of the forms she'd learned from 
Zhu Shu. Kasumi smiled. It was so encouraging to see them both working on 
something together, even if it was martial arts.
  A movement in a window across the garden caught her eye, and she looked to 
see Zhu Shu smiling down at the pair too. It was good to see the Chinese 
girl smile like that, though it was a bit wistful.
  Kasumi smiled to herself. This morning was starting off on such wonderful 
note...
  Pity, really, she had no way of knowing what the future held...


  Some distance away from the Tendo household, Tatewaki Kuno was also awake. 
He paced back and forth as he listened to what the house ninja, Sasuke was 
telling him.
  "They are both to go to China today with Tao-Ching Hibiki. I double 
checked the airport and the Hibiki pilot has filed a flight plan to 
someplace called Joketsuzoku. Listed passengers include the both of them, 
Akane's family, and the Saotomes. They leave in just a few hours."
  "What deviltry is this?" Kuno muttered. "No sooner do I learn of this 
sorcerous peril to my forest goddess, then do both she and the beauteous 
Akane depart for barbaric lands? And with the foul Saotome as well." He 
turned to the small man. "Have you discovered the reason my loves are 
descending into such peril?"
  Sasuke blushed. "Ummm... sir... It seems Akane must attend a betrothal 
ceremony."
  "Ah. Well I suppose family obligations must be met. Which of her family is 
to be betrothed?"
  Sasuke had hoped he wouldn't ask that question. "Um. Hers."
  "What! My fair Akane is to be betrothed! Never!"
  Sasuke landed on the far side of the room from the destroyed wall, making 
a note to repair it later. "But Master, she is already betrothed to Ranma 
Saotome."
  "That is but some trick, some treachery on the part of the villainous 
Saotome. Name to me the wretch she is to be forced by her vile family to 
betroth, that I might smite him and free her from this foul bondage."
  Sasuke mentally despaired over the repairs he was going to have to make to 
the room after Tatewaki's careless swipes of his boken and answered. "To an 
Amazon. One. Shampoo."
  "To a female?" Kuno asked, his eyes wide.
  "Yes Master Kuno."
  Kuno placed his hand dramatically to his forehead. "Oh the vileness of 
this unnamed Sorcerer, to have condemned both my sister and my love to such 
a hideous curse! But despair not, my divine Akane, I shall guard you in this 
terrible time, and once I have slain this cowardly wizard, I shall be there 
to grant you the Kiss of True Love that will break this evil spell!" He 
turned to Sasuke. "Prepare the jet! I must away to the shrine to retrieve 
the sacred sword of the Kuno's!"
  "But Master, the Mistress has already departed in the jet."
  "Kodachi has taken the jet?"
  "Yes Master, She has already departed for the airfield. She is leaving for 
Hong Kong."
  "Hong Kong? Why is she going to Hong Kong?"
  "She said something about hunting a Chinese Oni, to free her beloved 
Mistress from a Curse."
  Kuno laughed. "Ah, what a supreme jest! She seeks to free Akane from the 
self same Curse, yet she has departed on a wild goose chase! The gods have 
smiled upon me! I shall free Akane, and in her overwhelming gratitude, she 
shall date with me!"
  The Kuno Mansion rang with its Master's laughter...


  The actual trip to China was pretty uneventful. Nodoka and Kasumi had most 
everyone prepared before the vans that took them to the air field arrived, 
and Tao-Ching's executive helicopter was comfortable, if a little crowded. 
Ranma and Akane spent most of the trip looking out the windows, too 
uncomfortable in front of parental figures to talk.
  Zhu Shu spent most of the trip in meditation, disliking the shuddering and 
shaking of the flying machine. She had gradually become used the glaring 
lights and the cars and the constant noise of the Japanese cities, but she 
hated not being able to feel the energy flows of the Earth through the metal 
walls of the aircraft.
  Still, being cut off from the outside made it easier to focus within...
  She lost all sense of time as she explored along the links inside her 
head. Akane was easy to trace, the connection shining and strong in the 
absence of external distractions, and it was easy to tell she was worried, 
but most of it didn't seem to center around Ranma or Shampoo. Her link to 
Shampoo was also bright, if weaker than the one with Akane. She could feel 
her Blood Sister as she dreamed, and then her happiness when she awoke and 
knew Akane and Ranma were on their way.
  But it was still the small remnant of her link to Cherry Blossom that drew 
her attention back over and over, the way a missing tooth would draw the 
tongue.
  The strangest part was that it seemed to be growing stronger as she toyed 
with it, and the farther she tried to trace along it, the stronger the faint 
sense of Cherry Blossom's presence became.
  Their arrival at the village broke her meditations finally and they all 
piled out of the chopper into the early afternoon sun on a field just 
outside of the Amazon village. Cologne stood at the edge of the field with 
an escort of two young Amazon warriors, one with red hair, one with green. 
They fidgeted as Cologne stood completely still on her stick, her hair 
blowing wildly in the downdraft from the still turning rotors.
  Soun, carefully coached by Tao-Ching, advanced to give the ritual 
greetings and acknowledgement of why they had come. He was still unsure of 
exactly how he felt about all this, but Tao-Ching and Nodoka had both 
explained to him the advantages to his family if he didn't object, and Akane 
had asked him not to as well. It was what she said she wanted.
  As the greetings concluded, the sound of a second helicopter rose above 
the falling sound of the slowing rotors, and they turned to see a chopper 
with the Kuno family emblem landing. The wheels touched down and Kuno 
stepped down. He struck a dramatic pose and said something that was lost in 
the roar of the rotor wash as he pulled a gleaming silver sword and lifted 
it in salute...
  The blade intersected the path of the turning rotor and there was a flash 
as the blade sheared through the spinning prop. The end spun away to embed 
in a tree as a howl rose from the unbalanced rotor. Sasuke dove out of the 
chopper, followed by the pilot as the main shaft snapped and the still- 
spinning prop plowed into the cockpit. As Kuno replaced his sword in its 
sheath, the chopper exploded, creating a dramatic backdrop as he began to 
walk towards them.
  "Well, there goes the idea of sending him home." Tao-Ching muttered.
  "Who is this madman?" Cologne asked in Chinese. "Should we slay him and 
put him out of his misery?"
  "He is harmless, mostly, great-grandmother." Zhu Shu replied, also in 
Chinese. "He is simply a fool who believes he loves every woman, and 
therefore every woman must love him. If he gets annoying, simply knock him 
unconscious. He has a marvelous constitution and seems to take little damage 
from multiple head blows."
  Cologne watched Kuno get up from were Akane had kicked him when he'd tried 
to glomp her and nodded. "So I see."
  Tao-Ching glowered. "I'd better go make sure he stays out of trouble." He 
headed for Tatewaki at a determined pace.
  Zhu Shu and Cologne looked after him and nodded. "That would be wise." 
Cologne said, noting the appraising looks her two escorts were giving the 
swordsman...


  Shampoo was waiting in the village, and waved enthusiastically at the 
party. Ranma and Akane looked a little nervous, but it was Zhu Shu the 
kawaii Amazon hugged as they entered.
  "I'm so happy you came!" She said in Chinese. "I missed you so much."
  Zhu Shu smiled. "I've missed you as well. I'm sorry I missed your other 
betrothal. I- I needed to work some things out for myself."
  Shampoo searched her eyes. "You are still welcome to join as a sister 
wife. I have seen Akane's feelings and yours. I wish you would accept."
  Zhu Shu shook her head. "No, Shampoo. I have a different destiny. Do not 
fear for me, sister. I am more at peace than I have been in years. This 
happiness is for you, though I fear you still have much to do before it 
rests secure."
  Shampoo grinned mischievously as she switched to Japanese. "So go best two 
for three, Akane is prize?"
  Zhu Shu swatted her on the rump as Akane's eyes grew huge. Shampoo eeped, 
then giggled. "Is only kidding." She turned smiling eyes at Akane and Ranma. 
"Fianc�es win Shampoo fairly." She hooked an arm to either of them. "Now 
Shampoo proudest warrior in village. Come! Must show off!"
  Zhu Shu smiled as the Amazon dragged the two off to see her village.
  "You seem different, child."
  Zhu Shu turned to see Cologne looking off at the threesome. "Yes, Great- 
Grandmother."
  Cologne met her gaze for a long moment, searching. "The shadows behind 
your eyes are no longer as heavy, great-granddaughter. Have you then at last 
laid aside your grief?"
  Zhu Shu's eyes widened.
  Cologne smiled. "Your Grandfather and I have spoken about you at great 
length, child. I know about Fei Ying Ying. I know you have mourned her all 
these years. I understand your grief, Little Mouse, and I sympathize. I am 
saddened by what occurred. Perhaps if Clan Dragon had not secluded itself so 
well, if we had tried harder to... The Amazons view such things differently. 
Had you been allowed to Sister-Wife Cherry Blossom, perhaps your present 
quest would not be such a burden."
  Zhu Shu looked away. "I- I cannot say, Great-Grandmother. I do wish she 
were still here, and yet... in a strange way, I have begun to feel as if she 
still is."
  <<I am always and forever... Here...>>
  Cologne smiled. "Our loved ones are always with us in our memories."
  Zhu Shu shook her head. "This is different great-grandmother. As I am 
linked by blood and chi to Shampoo and Akane, my link to Cherry Blossom 
remains as well."
  Cologne raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. We will have to look into that 
sometime. For now, we must make ready for the betrothal and our grand 
celebration." She nodded towards where many people bustled around the 
central square. Zhu Shu nodded and they walked towards the celebration.
  "Yes. Then I must prepare to depart."
  "So soon, child?" Cologne raised an eyebrow.
  "Yes. I- I need to investigate something."
  Cologne stopped, forcing her to stop and turn. "You are trying to avoid 
saying something, child. Tell me." There was no refusing the command in her 
voice.
  "I- I must go to Hong Kong. It seems that old enemies still lurk for Clan 
Dragon."
  "Elaborate, Zhu Shu." Cologne's eyes bored into her.
  "Assassins from Clan Skorpion sought to slay me in Japan. I have found 
they came from Lan Tao. Also, there have been... other signs... that Clan 
Skorpion may be there. I must go to learn what I may, and perhaps end this 
threat." She avoided telling Cologne about the strange negative energy 
readings Amy's computer had detected, knowing Cologne would have wanted 
answers she wouldn't give.
  Cologne shook her head. "No Child. You should not. We have had reports 
from a sister in Lan Tao that there are mysterious happenings there 
recently, and soon, the festival of the Crying Goddess shall occur. It is 
too dangerous."
  "I must go, Great Grandmother. I have made a promise."
  Cologne sighed. "Very well. I cannot force you to break a promise. I will 
inform Hairspray to expect you." She fixed Zhu Shu with a glare. "And you 
will report to her, Zhu Shu. She will give you much information that will 
help you on Lan Tao."
  Zhu Shu knew better than to fight that, she'd won her point. "Yes, Great 
Grandmother."
  Silently, the two continued into the square...


  By the time of the ceremonies a few hours later, the weather had taken a 
turn for the worse, clouds building as the afternoon sun crossed the sky. 
Zhu Shu brought out one of her umbrellas as it looked more and more like a 
shower was inevitable. Luckily, the only part of the celebration not under 
shelter was the actual ceremony, which would occur on the ancient dais in 
the center of the village.
  Ranma looked at the crowd of witnesses filling the square from under one 
of the pavilions and muttered. "Nobody made this much fuss over my betrothal 
to Shampoo."
  "It's a small village, son-in-law." Cologne said from behind him. "We 
don't get many excuses to party, so we make up for it when we can." She 
cackled. "Just wait until your double wedding."
  Ranma scratched his head. "Uh, yeah..." He looked around the square until 
he saw his dad, setting under a pavilion on the other side of the square 
with the other males. He wandered over to find that Tao-Ching was keeping 
him, Soun and Kuno occupied with stories and plenty of the Amazons' sake. He 
offered Ranma a cup, but was turned down. Ranma hated anything that dulled 
his edge.
  Nodoka was sitting with Kasumi and Nabiki in the front row of the seats 
the Amazons had reserved for the females in front of the dais. As Cologne 
joined them, the Loremaster ascended the three steps to the dais and called 
the square to attention.
  "For three thousand years, the Amazon tribe has held to its traditions and 
laws, and we have survived." She began in Chinese. "Today we are met to 
celebrate the following of the law. Shampoo, daughter of Perfume, Champion 
of the Joketsuzoku Amazon tribe, has been defeated by an Outlander. By the 
laws of the tribe, she has tracked down the one who defeated her, and 
betrothed him. She has also met and been defeated by the other fianc�e, and 
has chosen Love over Death. Today, we celebrate the betrothal of Shampoo and 
her Sister-Wife, Akane, of Clan Tendo. Let the brides come forward."
  From the huts to either side, Shampoo and Akane stepped forth. Shampoo 
wore an ornate form of the normal Amazon battle dress, and Akane was dressed 
in one of Zhu Shu's long dresses. Both had flowers in their hair, Shampoo's 
odangos wreathed in small white blossoms, while Akane's braid bore delicate 
lavender blooms. Zhu Shu walked behind them both in a red Mandarin dress 
bearing a gold dragon spiraling around the skirt. The three arrived and 
knelt at the dais to a rumble of thunder.
  "For a joining of one heart and one mind, two must learn to love or all is 
doomed to misery. Shampoo, daughter of Perfume, Champion of the Joketsuzoku, 
do you come to join in Sistership or Love?"
  Shampoo beamed. "Both, Revered Loremaster. I have been bested honorably, 
and I have surrendered my heart to my conqueror. I seek this joining for 
Love, and for Sistership with the fianc�e of the man who has conquered me as 
well. With me is my Blood-sister, witness to the surrender of my heart."
  The Loremaster turned to Zhu Shu. "Song Zhu Shu, daughter of Song Fa, 
Child of the Dragon. You have been called as witness. How speak you?"
  "I stand as witness to my Blood-sisters love, and her surrender." Zhu Shu 
said formally.
  Finally, the Loremaster turned to Akane. "Akane Tendo, Child of House 
Tendo. You come as an outsider. Our Champion surrenders her heart to you for 
Love, and seeks you as both Sister-wife and Sister-mate, how speak you?"
  For a long moment, Akane said nothing, and the silence grew oppressive, 
then she spoke. "I accept Shampoo's declaration of love. I cannot say that I 
love her in return yet, but for the love she bears me, and the love she 
bears Ranma, and the love I bear for him as well, I accept. I hope that time 
will allow me to learn to love her as she does me."
  The Loremaster smiled as approval noises came from the crowd. "Fairly 
spoken child, and from the heart. Shampoo, Daughter of Perfume. Rise and 
stand. Akane Tendo. Rise and stand. From this day forward, you are pledged 
to one another, as Sister-wives and Sister-mates. May fortune and happiness 
await." She struck her staff three times against the Dais as she cried. 
"Heard and witnessed!"
  The Amazons cheered loudly just as the rain began to fall.
  Zhu Shu's umbrella snapped open to cover her and Shampoo before the first 
raindrops hit. She turned to invite Akane under it as well, but instead 
froze in horror as, with the first rain droplets touch, Akane vanished, her 
gown collapsing inward on vacant air.
  She and Shampoo screamed Akane's name simultaneously, then dodged the 
Loremasters staff as it fell forward. With horrified eyes, Zhu Shu saw that 
everyone in the square who had been touched by the rain had disappeared, 
leaving only clothes behind...
  The rain ended as abruptly as it had started as from all around the square 
horrified cries arose.
  Shampoo knelt, weeping to touch the dress as Ranma charged towards the 
dais from the pavilion. Before Shampoos hand touched the dress, a movement 
began, and a pink rabbit emerged from the neck of Akane's gown. Large 
frightened eyes stared at Shampoo and Zhu Shu.
  "A-Akane?" Shampoo's question was a strangled whisper.
  The pink bunny nodded, long ears trembling.
  Ranma arrived to see the bunny and bolted off again. Genma and Soun sat in 
the front rows holding small bundles of fur to their chests and weeping. 
Amazons stared in wonder as rabbits began climbing out of piles of clothing.
  Ranma reappeared with a kettle of hot water. "I thought you had to fall 
into a spring to get cursed," he said with a smile holding up the steaming 
kettle. "Now you get to learn how it feels too. My fianc�e, the rabbit." 
Water poured down on the glaring rabbit.
  But Akane didn't change.
  An old rabbit hopped next to Akane and scratched out ideograms in the 
dirt. Zhu Shu leaned over to read them.
  "The Chiisuiton?" She looked at Ranma. "She say magick rain. Cursed 
water." She looked back to the rabbit. "Why water no change?"
  The rabbit pointed to the first symbol and scratched out more ideograms.
  "She say Chiisuiton lock curse. No can change!" Zhu Shu raised horrified 
eyes to Shampoo and Ranma as a commotion began by the village gates. Warning 
horns sounded across the village as warriors dropped the rabbits they had 
been collecting and ran.
  Shampoo looked desperately at Zhu Shu and Ranma. "Village is attacked. 
Many warriors rabbits. Need help!"
  Ranma looked at all the rabbits scrambling to get out of the able warriors 
ways and nodded. "I'll get Pops and Mr. Tendo and catch up. Go!"
  Zhu Shu and Shampoo ran towards the gate, barely pausing long enough for 
Shampoo to grab up her bonburi. They arrived at the gates to find dozens of 
rabbits, cats, and foxes amid scattered weapons as the defenders tried to 
stem the tide of black clad men with wineskins. Shampoo screamed in rage as 
they saw another Amazon warrior sprayed with water and turned into an animal 
. Shampoo threw a spray of darts as Zhu Shu scurried into the crowd, swords 
slashing wineskins. She ignored the rips as her long dress tore in a dozen 
places as she weaved through the invaders, leaving a wake of surprised male 
critters.
  Then, she tried to dive out of the way as a cloud of throwing darts came 
at her, but the shredded dress got in her way. She found herself pinned to a 
wall by the darts as a small boy with a wolf eared hood and blue hair calmly 
stepped out of the chaos.
  "Well, you're fast, but not very smart." He leered. "Still, I think I can 
have lots of fun with you. Not many girls can handle my speed." He reached 
out to fondle a breast.
  "Pig!" Zhu Shu spat. "How dare you!"
  The small boy laughed. "I am Mint, of the Musk Dynasty! We are the rulers 
of all!" He traced a knife down the front of Zhu Shu's dress, the sharp 
blade parting the cloth easily as it barely touched her skin. "And you are a 
mere woman. You Amazons need to learn your places. You exist only to serve 
us."
  "I am not an Amazon. And I do not serve you!" Zhu Shu screamed, throwing 
herself at the boy and trying to break the hold the darts had on her 
clothes. The cut down her front tore further as she ripped her arms out of 
the shredded sleeves. She staggered forward as the small boy danced to the 
side. He leered further at her nude state.
  "So, you have some strength as well. Good. I'm going to enjoy teaching you 
how to please me."
  Zhu Shu took a stance, her eyes narrowing. "I am not any man's play toy, 
pig. Especially not the likes of you."
  The boy smiled as he drew a saber. "So, you would challenge one with the 
speed of the wolf?"
  Zhu Shu smiled grimly. "I am Clan Dragon, Musk Warrior. We are speed."
  The boys smile faltered slightly as Zhu Shu struck. "You are her..." he 
said as he blocked her thrust, then reposted.
  Zhu Shu ignored the stares and reactions of the warriors around her beyond 
a grim smile that their distraction made them easy targets for the Amazons 
as she began pouring her chi into speed and shifted to combat time. She had 
hated his type of behavior from Sung Li... There was no way she'd put up 
with it from this runt! She'd show him what real speed was!
  Her smile slipped slightly too as she realized he was still matching her 
thrust for thrust. As the world slowed around them, they began to duel in 
earnest...


  Shampoo threw her last spray of darts as a huge man in tiger striped armor 
shoved aside the troops crowding the gate and hiding from the Amazons' darts 
and arrows. "Cowards!" he yelled. They're only women! Rush them! Show them 
the folly of presuming to be more than our playthings!"
  Shampoo growled. She remembered that huge shape. She'd never seen him 
clearly, but he had been there when Herb had humiliated her, and he had been 
the one...
  "Stand aside cousin." A voice behind her said as a hand was laid on her 
shoulder. She turned to see Tao-Ching, hatred burning in his eyes. "He's 
mine."
  She stepped aside as he stepped out in to the fray before the gate. "Lime! 
I warned you what would happen if you ever dared attack the Joketsuzoku 
again!" He called.
  The tiger man's eyes turned to focus on the smaller, but no less brawny 
man. "Tao-Ching." he said as his eyes narrowed. "I see I didn't break you 
sufficiently. What makes you think you have any chance against me this 
time?"
  Tao-Ching held up a water skin. "This."
  Lime lost his sneering grin as a thousand pounds of snarling smilodon 
launched itself at him...


  The sound of a snarling cat echoed across the battle field to where Ranma 
had arrived with his dad and Soun, but he was too engaged to really notice. 
He had entered the area in front of the gate and immediately gotten swirled 
into the mad melee. Red rage burned across his sight as he dodged the knives 
and swords, rage at what the battle field had shown him.
  It had been the first one he'd fought, the one he'd killed who'd made him 
so angry, who had driven him to this rage, the one who'd been laughing as he 
stepped on a rabbit, laughing as he killed the transformed Amazon. It had 
been the glee in that laugh that had sparked the fire that burned in him, 
that made him wish he could get the image out of his mind, that had made him 
respond so violently. When the man had attacked him, Ranma had deflected his 
sword thrust into his own stomach and left him choking in his own blood.
  Part of him, a part that stood back and observed everything told him that 
he hadn't fatally wounded anyone else, and that he was only minorly cut from 
a dozen near misses. It also observed as Genma and Soun moved and fought as 
a team.
  He couldn't get the sound the rabbit had made as the man had broken her 
neck, and in his mind images of a pink haired rabbit imposed itself in the 
mans hands. He broke the arm of the man he was fighting in passing.
  It wasn't fair! Why did this stuff have to happen to him? Why, when he had 
just started to learn he loved Akane, did she have to have this happen? Why 
had these men come and turned her into a rabbit?
  White fire burned across his shoulder from a sword thrust and he backed 
away from a group of fighters into a clear area. A snarl made him turn.
  The big Musk Warrior was battered and bloody, but still on his feet and 
attempting to strangle the big cat. The observer knew the smilodon was Tao- 
Ching, but it made no difference. Black fear skittered across his 
consciousness. The sounds of dying rabbits merged with the howls of the 
angry cat as the observer retreated away from the rising animal rage. His 
last conscious thought as the Neko-ken consumed him was to hope he would 
remember to protect the animals...


  Shampoo yowled in fury as she clawed at the ankles of a passing black clad 
attacker. She had been caught between two separate wineskin armed attackers 
just as she had thrown her last brace of darts, and as a result, was now a 
cat, and as such, she was now worse than useless in the aid of her village. 
She darted across the open space to a wall and clawed her way up the side of 
a hut. Maybe if she could get higher, she could jump on somebody.
  From the roof, she could see over the village wall, where hundreds more of 
the black clad attackers harried the wall's defenders and attempted to pour 
through the gates; Tao-Ching at least was helping there. His fight with the 
giant blocked the gate effectively enough that only a few managed to pass.
  She spied a red clad whirlwind sending people flying and smiled as Ranma 
proved his prowess to the Amazons. No-one would question her loss to him 
after this.
  She jumped across the space between two huts, narrowly clearing the wide 
gap and looked down at a posturing Kuno.
  "Villains! Assassins! Feel the Wrath of Blue Thunder!"
  He was an idiot, but she did have to admire his skill with the sword, even 
sheathed as it was. A trail of unconscious bodies lay behind his push into 
the gate field.
  She scampered across a line over a group of her Sisters, noting with 
approval the pathway they were paving in blood. The villains were paying for 
the harm they had caused her Sisters in the only coin Amazons accepted.
  She dodged a sword that spun towards her, the hand gripping it trailing 
blood, and reached the peak of the tallest roof by the gate. There, she 
stopped, her eyes focusing on a rapidly moving blur.
  Zhu Shu was being hard pressed by a small male in a wolf eared hood. She 
was unwounded, but Shampoo could tell she was angry. And nude. A quick scan 
of the battlefield revealed her dress pinned to a wall by several daggers. 
Shampoo hissed. She'd spent days embroidering the dragon on the dress. She 
headed for the battle between the two.
  She concentrated as she moved, meowing as she shifted towards the speed 
with which the two duelists were moving. She watched as Zhu Shu did a leap 
that took her nearly thirty feet into the air, her ribbons lashing down in a 
move she'd seen from the receiving end a few times, but her eyes widened as 
she saw the size of the chi ball Zhu Shu unleashed.
  The small boy sheared the ball in two on his blade, the energy sliding to 
either side and destroying the roof he was standing on. He laughed as he 
dodged the next few blasts Zhu Shu unleashed from where she was hovering, 
not caring that they caught his own troops instead.
  "You're good, bitch. But you will still pleasure me before I'm done with 
you."
  Shampoo shook her head. Something wasn't right about this. How did the 
Musk get so powerful? And why was the Musk soldier acting like that? She 
remembered how they had acted when she was thirteen. They had been 
fascinated that she was a female, and even though Herb had cheated when they 
fought, and might have even beaten her if Tao-Ching hadn't showed up, they 
had at least respect for her as a warrior.
  She jumped across to another roof as the Musk warrior landed on it. "Give 
it up, girl. Xian Chi protected us from Amazon magic, and I am your better 
in speed. You can't win." His grin made Shampoo's skin crawl.
  Zhu Shu landed on a pole top, her ribbons lashing. "Never."
  The small man laughed. "I like your spirit. I'm going to have fun breaking 
you. Maybe I'll train you to walk on all fours at the end of my leash."
  Zhu Shu's eyes burned with green fire as her ribbons began to shimmer 
gold. They danced out in a whirlwind, only to bounce off a shimmering 
barrier. The Musk laughed again and held up a small amulet on a leather 
thong. "I told you, you, can't touch me. This charm shields me from your 
magic."
  A small bundle of pink and white fur hurled itself from the roof peak 
behind him and four sets of claws dug into his arm as Shampoo bit down on 
the amulet. The boy screamed and threw her violently away. She yowled as she 
flew against the roof peak. The short man loomed above her, his sword 
raised. "Damn cat!" His sword started to descend.
  A golden ribbon lashed out to impale his wrist, followed by a second 
across the back of his knees. He screamed as his legs collapsed, then gave a 
low groan as he collapsed. Shampoo looked up to see Zhu Shu, glaring down at 
the unconscious figure.
  "Arrogant dog."
  Shampoo looked down to the Amulet she had torn out of the boys hand and 
nodded in satisfaction.


  A few minutes later, after tying up the unconscious boy, they looked out 
over the village.
  "This is not good." Zhu Shu muttered. The Amazons were making a brave 
fight, but they were sorely outnumbered, and even the aid of the Nerima crew 
wasn't preventing the slow advance of the black clad troops. The Amazons had 
lost too many of the best warriors to the cursed water.
  An old rabbit with white fur kicked her in the leg to get her attention, 
then hopped down to an alley between huts. She followed the rabbit down and 
placed Shampoo on the ground. The rabbit was scratching ideograms in the 
dirt. Zhu Shu read them and looked at the rabbit wide eyed.
  "Jusenkyo is two days away! Great Grandmother, even at my fastest, I could 
only make it in a day!"
  The rabbit scratched further symbols. Zhu Shu looked at them and shook her 
head. "I have never done that before. I don't know how to do that." She read 
the symbols Cologne continued to write and nodded uncertainly. "I will try, 
Great Grandmother."
  She looked around the corner to the battle. It was becoming increasingly 
obvious the Amazons were losing slowly. Cologne was right; there was no 
other way, and no one else who could have even a hope of succeeding.
  She debated grabbing one of the outfits littering the ground, but decided 
she couldn't waste the time, so she leaped to the top of the outer wall as 
she opened all her Chi paths to their fullest.
  The world around her slowed to a crawl as she stepped past a slow moving 
arrow. She leaped down onto the head of a black trooper and stepping stoned 
her way across the waiting men. At the edge of their group, she headed off 
down the path towards Jusenkyo.
  Still, time was passing too quickly. She set herself to her fastest pace 
and concentrated on moving faster. Time began moving slower still and the 
air took on the feeling of a clinging liquid. She split her chi into a 
shield around her as Cologne had instructed and began to pour more and more 
into making herself move faster and faster.
  She ran across a frozen landscape viewed through distorted glass. She 
passed leaves frozen in mid air, crossed streams of solid water, leaped up 
the spray of a frozen waterfall. Chi poured through her in rivers, in 
oceans, and still she drew it in and poured it into her speed. She ignored 
the fire in her legs, the acid each breath became, and concentrated only on 
moving faster, every second passing being one too many for someone at the 
village.
  The chi within her burned like a star, yet eventually, it began to falter, 
as she approached the Jusenkyo springs she felt the beginnings of its 
exhaustion. She pushed the thought from her mind as she stopped in front of 
the Guides hut and time slammed back into motion.
  A small girl peeked out of the hut after the gale that accompanied Zhu Shu 
had washed over it. She stared at the naked state Zhu Shu was in and asked 
wide eyed. "Who are you?"
  Zhu Shu knelt and tried to get enough breath to talk. "I seek the Guide. I 
must get water from the spring of drowned girl or the Amazons are doomed."
  The girl stared at her.
  "Please," Zhu Shu begged. "I have no time; every second I delay may mean 
more deaths."
  The girl nodded and seemed to come to a decision. "I am his daughter, 
Plum. I can show you the spring."
  Zhu Shu stood on wobbly legs. "I thank you. I will need a couple of water 
skins if you have them."
  The girl nodded and vanished into the hut, reappearing a few seconds later 
with a pair. "This way." She led Zhu Shu into the pools.
  Five minutes later, with two skins full of water, she began her run back, 
but barely a fourth of the way there, she felt as her chi finally reached 
exhaustion. Desperately, she reached out, searching with her mind for 
another source, another way of achieving her quest. Somehow, she had to find 
a way; she had to get to the Amazon village.
  And something responded to that need...
  In a flash of golden light, Zhu Shu disappeared.


  "I can't believe those girls." Luna said irritated. "To go off and leave 
us here, and break their promise."
  Artemis looked up from where he was rubbing a sore spot. "Yeah, and get us 
stuck by the vet too" He looked around the room. "I should claw up the 
sheets or something. Serve Serena right."
  "Artemis!" Luna chided.
  "I know, I know. I'm annoyed and in pain. It makes me catty!"
  Luna groaned at the pun, then gasped. She and Artemis both turned and 
stared off in the direction they had felt the surge from.
  "Zhu Shu?" Luna said softly...


  Further south, the wizard turned from the young red haired American he was 
talking to and stared off to the north. The girl trailed off when she 
noticed she had lost his attention and looked at him in puzzlement.
  "Xian Chi?"
  He focused on her for a second. "We'll continue this later, Alice. I have 
something I must check on."
  The girl blinked at the retreating back of the masked Chinese man. She'd 
never seen him so distracted...


  On an airplane just coming in to land in Hong Kong, a short beep came from 
Amy's minicomputer, but it was lost in the roar of the jet engines.


  With the flash of light, Zhu Shu had felt herself falling. She had landed 
just a second later, but it took her eyes a second to recover from the 
dazzle. Then her jaw dropped in shock.
  She was standing in the middle of the dais where Shampoo and Akane had 
gotten betrothed.
  An anxious Shampoo whirled around from where she stood next to the pink 
rabbit that was Akane.  Zhu Shu smiled weakly at her surprise, answering her 
unspoken question.  "I don't know. I have the water. How long?"
  Shampoo scratched furiously in the dirt,. "Just over ten minutes. They 
fired the huts by the gate, but we still hold."
  Zhu Shu nodded. "Then I have not failed?" She fell to her knees, too weary 
to stand as the world spun around her.
  << No, my love, you did not fail...>>
  Then there was only the scent of cherry blossoms...


  The fighting by the gate had become bloody. Faced with odds too great to 
overcome, they had had to stop pulling punches or sword strokes. Tao-Ching 
had finally felled the giant Lime and was doing his best to hold the gate 
against the invaders, aided by a yowling Ranma. Genma and Soun, both bloody, 
worked to save animals from the battlefield, and avenging the few who were 
killed. Kuno, pressed from all sides by attackers seeking his life had drawn 
his blade from the sheath. Like a mechanism, he killed with every stroke.
  Then, a volley of arrows from behind the defenders cut down the first rows 
of the attackers, and with a howling war cry, a horde of naked Amazon 
warriors charged into the fray...
  Every one sporting animal ears and tails...
  Kuno stood, his jaw dropped in amazement.
  "It's the attack of the kwaii animal girls." A dryly amused voice said 
from beside him. He turned to see an equally naked Nabiki standing next to 
him, also with rabbit ears and a bunny tail.
  It was too much; with blood gushing from his nose, he fainted.


  With the arrival of the fresh warriors, the battle turned. The savage 
Amazon warriors took their anger out on the attackers for daring to turn 
them into cute animals. As the last of the attackers fled, a cheer arose 
from the defenders, but attention was quickly diverted to putting out the 
fires and recovering their dead.
  As the sun set, twenty one women lay on the dais, returned at least to 
partial humanity by the last of the cursed water. A tall woman with long 
black hair and ears stood before the assembled tribe, clutching the cane she 
had used to defend her village as its Warleader. She solemnly spoke to the 
still living as one by one, they were covered.
  Nabiki turned from where she watched to the rest of the people in the 
large hut.
  "I don't see Zhu Shu out there, so she must still be sleeping."
  Shampoo, sitting close to Akane and looking worriedly at the black haired 
boy curled up in Akane's lap purring, nodded, her purple cat's ears 
twitching as her tail lashed back and forth.  "She very tired. Faint from 
exhaustion. She very big hero. Bring water to turn people back."
  Nabiki nodded and sat down cross-legged next to where Kasumi happily 
tended a fire, cooking them all dinner. She didn't seem to mind the long 
ears poking up through her hair in the slightest. Nabiki squirmed, trying to 
get her tail comfortable. "Or at least mostly back." She grumbled.
  "Great Grandmother tells why still part rabbit."
  "Yeah, yeah. I know. The curses combined since the first was locked into 
place, so we are all cursed by the spring of drowned animal girl." She 
sighed, then gave a wry grin. "Well, if nothing else, we're assured high 
paying careers as exotic models."
  "Oh, my." Kasumi said with a blush.
  The laughter lightened the mood, and drew a "merrrrow" from Ranma. Nodoka 
looked at him and turned to Genma. "What I want to know is what has happened 
to my son."
  Genma looked around for a place to hide, but stopped at the sound of steel 
being slid out of its sheath. "Um, well, dear, you see."
  "What have you done to our son, Genma?"
  "Yes, why Ai Ren act like cat?" Shampoo added.
  Unable to escape, Genma settled down into a cross legged position and 
pushed his glasses up his nose. "It began when I sought to teach him the 
'Neko-ken.' Ever since the training, he has feared cats, and only when his 
fear overwhelms him can he use the secrets of that deadly art." He glanced 
at the purring boy on Akane's lap. "When his fear destroys his reason, he 
becomes a cat, and until now, only a little old lady in the neighborhood we 
stayed in before going to China could bring him out."
  "And why would this training affect him so?" Nodoka prompted.
  Genma settled into his righteous indignation pose. "As I told you ten 
years ago dear, a mother's love would interfere with his training."
  A sword set its edge against his neck. "And I told you the jury was still 
out on you Genma. Answer my question."
  Genma eyed the razor sharp steel and gulped. "According to the book, you 
have to tie fish sausage to a student and drop him into a pit of hungry 
cats."
  A collective gasp of disbelief rose around the room. Soun muttered, "How 
rigorous!"
  Genma continued. "Unfortunately, it was a failure. I tried fish sausage, 
fish jerky, fish paste, but nothing worked. All that it accomplished was to 
give him this phobia of cats."
  "How could you?" Nodoka asked, looking at her son in pity.
  "Ranma scared all cats?" Shampoo asked in a small voice.
  "All cats." Genma confirmed.
  "What if small harmless kitten-type cat girl?"
  "It makes no difference. From the smallest kitten to the largest tiger, he 
fears them equally."
  "You did to Ai Ren!" Shampoo screamed shaking Genma by the collar. "You 
fix!"
  "I... can't..." Genma said between shakes. "I... tried... when... I... 
found... out... was... a... trick..."
  "Trick!" Shampoo shrieked.
  "A trick. It wasn't until I read the next page of the training manual that 
I found out that it was given as an example of what not to do. I've tried 
every thing to try and break him of his fear. I've locked him into his room 
with a bag of them, in a cage with them; I've even thrown him into a lions 
den. Nothing works!"
  "How could you do that to your own son?!" Akane yelled.
  "Yes, Mr. Tendo, you went too far, even for martial arts training!" Kasumi 
chided.
  Everyone stared at her in shock.
  "Shampoo find way to fix, Ai Ren. No must be afraid of cat." Shampoo told 
the sleeping Ranma quietly before she exited the hut.
  "Humm." Nabiki muttered. "Well, there's no wonder as to why she's so 
upset."
  "Yeah, well I don't think either us is really pleased about that." Akane 
said, giving Genma a dark look.


  "We must press them now." Cologne told the other elders meeting in her hut 
after the gathering in the square. "If we allow them to regroup, they will 
only attack again."
  "We have lost too many warriors, Cologne. We have too few to guard both 
our walls and send out a force such as you propose." The Loremaster said, 
her ears twitching agitatedly. Like Cologne, she had been restored to youth 
as a bunny girl. Fully three quarters of the other elders were similarly 
afflicted by the initial shower.
  "Yet if we allow Herb time to regroup, he will simply hire more of these 
mercenaries. Only the giant and the small one Zhu Shu defeated are Musk! All 
the others bore this mark!" Cologne tossed a piece of paper on the table 
with a drawing of the tattoo all the black clad attackers had on the left 
shoulder.
  "I do not believe the Musk hired these men, Revered Warleader." A weary 
voice said from the sleeping loft over Colognes head. "Forgive my intrusion, 
Elders, but I could not help but overhear." Zhu Shu said as she climbed down 
the ladder.
  The Loremaster nodded. "Clan Dragon is always welcome at Council, Zhu 
Shu." Several other elders nodded.
  Zhu Shu raised an eyebrow, then bowed shakily. "You honor me."
  "You have seen something, child?" Cologne asked.
  "I have no gift for visions, Great Grandmother, beyond my sight for Auras. 
But I know that sign." She pointed to the piece of paper. "I fear very much 
that you have lost warriors today because of me. I know of no other reason 
you would have been attacked by warriors of Clan Skorpion, save that I was 
here."
  The Loremaster shook her head. "No, child. We have skirmished with the 
Skorpion Tong before. They have tried to acquire herbs, magick, and lore 
that we posses. They have not succeeded before, they did not this time. The 
only surprise is that they joined with the Musk and that their leader gave 
the Musk wards against magick, yet did not grant his own troops the same 
protection."
  "Yet the Skorpion have attempted to assassinate me in Japan. I fear they 
traced me to here and-"
  "Nonsense. This attack was too prepared to have been set up in the last 
week." The Loremaster smiled gently. "Be at peace child. Your actions today 
saved our village. For that we are grateful. Do not blame yourself for those 
you could not save. And fear no more for assassins in Japan. We shall send 
two of our finest warriors with Cologne and Shampoo to see to your safety."
  Cologne held up her hand. "No. I will take Ling Ling and Ran Ran. The 
Dragons Child is equal to any of our best warriors. She can defend herself 
from most harm, and I must finish their training anyway, as well as see to 
my new Son and Daughter in laws training. She will be safe."
  Zhu Shu nodded, knowing it was useless to argue. She should have known 
becoming Shampoo's Blood-sister had its drawbacks. Plus, the Amazons seemed 
to hold Clan Dragon in some esteem, so her being the last of the Clan meant 
she had to be protected. At least Cologne had prevented the Loremaster from 
sending two adult warriors to loom over her all the time. And Cologne had 
already agreed she had to go to Hong Kong.
  "Anyway, you stated you did not believe the Musk hired Skorpion. I would 
agree." Cologne said. "I believe they have taken over the Musk. The two 
warriors with the Skorpion troops do not behave as they have in the past. 
They have no honor anymore. We must investigate, and wipe out this 
infestation if what I suspect is true. We cannot allow the Skorpion to rule 
the Musk, and we must recover the Kaisuifuu!"
  "And again, I would tell you we do not have the warriors." The Loremaster 
stated.
  "Your pardon again, Revered Elders." Zhu Shu said as she bowed once more. 
"But you do not stand alone in the need for the Kaisuifuu."
  The Loremaster blinked. "You speak of the Outlanders?"
  "Yes, Revered Elder. They have aided in the defense of Joketsuzoku, and 
they have shared in this curse. I believe if you but ask, they will lend 
their aid."
  Cologne grinned. "Indeed." She looked to the Loremaster. "The Dragon has 
given you a solution. Will you not listen?"
  The Loremaster blushed. "You are correct, Warleader. I will listen. Will 
you ask the Outlanders to aid us in this?"
  Cologne laughed, a far cry from her usual cackle. "Honestly, I think we 
would have a hard time stopping them from coming."
  The elders nodded as the Loremaster said "If nothing else, it will be the 
first test of our marriage alliance." She stood and bowed to Zhu Shu. "Our 
thanks for you wisdom, Child of the Dragon." She turned to the others. "If 
there is nothing else, I suggest we conclude. We have disturbed our rescuers 
sleep enough, and there is much to prepare for tomorrow. Cologne, you may 
take twenty warriors with you as well as any of the Outlanders who wish to 
accompany you. I will pray to the Ancestors for your success."
  Cologne nodded began putting the tea cups on a tray as the other elders 
filed out. As the door closed behind her, she turned to Zhu Shu. "Thank you. 
I was afraid I was going to have to argue with her all night. She had no 
choice but to listen to you."
  Zhu Shu bobbed her head. "I apologize for the rudeness of interrupting the 
elders meeting, but I still fear the village is in danger so long as I am 
here."
  "Everywhere is in danger from the Skorpion, Zhu Shu. I don't know why they 
tried to assassinate you in Japan, but we are not strangers to their 
depredations."
  "Yet so long as they seek me, those around me are in danger."
  "Child, if you say that we would be safer if you left us all and hid 
yourself away, I will turn you over my knee and paddle you like a child. 
That is a child's solution, Little Mouse, to run away. It would be a 
disservice to your friends, your family and your loved ones. Do they know of 
the attempt on your life?"
  Zhu Shu shook her head. "Not all of them."
  "Do Akane and Ranma know?"
  "Yes. And Kasumi. She was with me when they attacked. I was forced to kill 
them to save her life. Nabiki found out later and it was she who told me 
where the assassins were from. No-one else of the Tendos or Saotomes knows."
  "And Shampoo?"
  Zhu Shu looked away. "I have not told her yet."
  "Yet you will go to Hong Kong alone."
  "I only seek to investigate. I have means to summon aid if needed."
  Cologne sighed. "I cannot command you not to do this, Zhu Shu, anymore 
than I can command you not to accompany us tomorrow. I am honored to call 
you Great Granddaughter, but I do not rule you. But please, for the love I 
have for you, be careful. I want to see both yours and Shampoos children's 
children some day; I cannot do that if you throw your life away in a 
misguided effort not to endanger us."
  Zhu Shu lowered her head. "I swear I will do my best to stay out of danger 
when I may." she said tiredly
  Cologne nodded. "I suppose I must be satisfied with that."
  Zhu Shu's soft snore was the only answer she got.


  "So, she has escaped today." Xian Chi noted.
  "Yes, Master. But my spies confirm that they have taken the secondary 
bait. They will come here tomorrow. Everything is prepared for them. She 
will not escape a second time." The shadowy figure in his scrying mirror 
said.
  Xian Chi nodded. "There had better not be. She has begun to access some of 
those cursed Scout powers, though she doesn't know how to control them. I 
curse the day Serenity gave her those swords. They have more tricks to them 
than ten thousand magicians. Do not allow the seals on the trap to be broken 
once she has been caught or she may find a way of slipping free."
  "I will not fail, Master. No weapon forged by man may harm me."
  "Make sure of it, or I will give you to Chaos as a play toy."
  "You need not worry, Master. By this time tomorrow, The Dragons Child will 
be yours..."

Chapter Five: Mousetrap

  Dawn came to the Joketsuzoku village and found Ranma awake. He was setting 
on a rooftop overlooking the site of the battle and trying to forget what 
the day was going to bring.
  He'd come back to himself last night as Cologne was asking for volunteers 
to assault the Musk fortress, claiming that the Musk were known to possess 
an artifact that would allow the cursed girls to resume their normal forms. 
It had been unanimous, even Kuno forgoing his usual flowery speech to agree.
  Indeed, he'd been unusually quiet since yesterday, absorbed in his own 
thoughts.
  Ranma really couldn't blame him. Yesterday had been disturbing for him 
too, and he couldn't even remember the fight from the point he went Neko.
  "Is not easy to kill." A quiet voice said from behind. "This Shampoo 
knows."
  Ranma turned to see the Amazon girl as she sat down next to him. It took a 
supreme effort of will, but he managed to do no more than swallow hard at 
his fiancee's cat ears and tail.  He shook his head. "No. I keep thinking I 
should have done something different. I know there's only one that I'm sure 
I killed, and that he deserved it, and that if I hadn't he would have kept 
killing defenseless girls, but still..."
  Shampoo noted the effort not to run screaming sadly.  "Ai Ren should not 
torture self."
  "I just feel I should have found a different way."  It was best to not 
look at her, to not see the cat as part of the girl.
  Shampoo sighed. "Not way. Ai Ren not have choice. Amazon only kill when 
must, not revel in death, but do not regret when must kill. If Law demand, 
Honor demand, Justice demand, will kill, like step on insect. Is done and 
forget."
  Ranma shook his head. "I can't Shampoo."
  Shampoo nodded. "Sister say would be like this. Is why she tells Shampoo 
come."
  Ranma laughed ruefully. "I should have known. I thought she was 
recuperating."
  "She meditates. Rebuild chi for today."
  "She's not coming along?"
  "Great Grandmother tries to say no. Zhu Shu not listens. She blames self 
for Akane be cursed."
  "Oh for Kami's Sake! How can she think that's her fault?"
  Shampoo shrugged. "Is only Blood-Sister. Not always understand."
  "Great. One more thing to worry about. Akane refused to stay either."
  Shampoo tilted her head. "Why would wish? Ai Ren is warrior good as 
Shampoo."
  Ranma sighed. "Then I suppose it would be pointless to ask you to stay 
here too?"
  Shampoo stiffened. "Why would Ai Ren insult Shampoo so?" She asked with a 
glint in her eye.
  Not looking at her, Ranma missed it. "I'm not insulting you. It's just 
that I can't protect all of-"
  A bonburi impacting the back of his head interrupted him and knocked him 
off the roof.
  "Shampoo defends self! Shampoo Champion! How- how-" Anger gave way to 
tears as she turned and ran off.
  "Now what did I do?" Ranma muttered to himself as he stood up, rubbing the 
back of his head. He turned to see Akane standing in the door of the hut and 
tapping her fingers on her crossed arms, her long pink ears quivering.
  "You would think you'd get the hint when I said no." She turned and 
stormed back into the hut.
  Ranma sighed. "Women. I just don't understand them."
  "Women are easy to handle, Son. You just have to be firm with them." Genma 
said as he came out of the Hut. "Just look at how I told your mother I was 
taking you off to be trained. Just tell them what to do and that's the end 
of it."
  Ranma booted him to the far side of the village. "And that's why you had 
to make a promise I'd commit seppuku if you failed!" he yelled after the 
departing form.
  "Ranma! You really shouldn't boot you father across the village." Nodoka 
said, emerging from the hut behind Genma. "Boot him over the wall. It's 
impolite to have him possibly crash into someone's house, or land on 
someone."
  Ranma sighed... Looked like it was going to be one of those days...


  Several hours later they stood overlooking a pass into a mountaintop 
valley.
  "I don't like it." Cologne said, surveying the empty pass. "They should 
have guards here at least. It's almost like they want us to walk right in."
  "Nay. We beat the blackguards so soundly they do cower like whipped curs 
before the might of Blue Thunder." Kuno said as he flourished his sword.
  "Yeah, right Kuno." Ranma said.
  "It's obviously a trap." Tao-Ching said. "The question is do we spring it 
or look for another way?"
  Cologne pointed across the small valley to a fortress built atop the 
mountain's crest. "This is the only way. The far side of that crag is a 
sheer drop of a couple of thousand feet. That stairway is the only access to 
the fortress." She pointed to a narrow stair that wound its way up to the 
small plateau the castle was built on. Barely a hundred feet of open ground 
stood before the fortified gates.
  Tao-Ching's eyes narrowed. "That area before the gates looks rather 
sandblasted. I'd say they've been using it for a helicopter landing."
  Cologne nodded. "That would explain how Skorpion brought in so many troops 
without our scouts seeing them. I wonder what made Herb desperate enough to 
think he could trust them."
  Tao-Ching cracked his knuckles. "Doesn't really matter does it?"
  Cologne's ears twitched. "No, I suppose not."
  She looked over the group, her twenty rabbit-eared Amazons and the group 
from Nerima, and mentally ticked off assets. "Tao-Ching. You take Soun, 
Genma, Kuno and Talcum, Powder, Blush and Loofah. You're going straight in 
through the gates. Shampoo, Akane, Ranma, Zhu Shu and I will go for the 
roof. The rest of you will surround the castle and prevent anyone from 
escaping." She glared at the couple of groans. "I brought you because you're 
our best archers, so stay where you're the most useful. I'm sure we'll send 
out plenty of targets."
  Feather, a tall willowy Amazon with blue hair smacked the two groaners in 
the back of the head. "I'll see you both for practice for the next six 
months," she said ominously. Cologne nodded.
  Ranma started to open his mouth when Zhu Shu raised her hand up to him. 
"No ask, Ranma. Know you think be noble to protect women, but not now. 
Shampoo will forgive for ask this morning, but not make same mistake twice." 
She said, her voice too low to carry to the rest.
  "But-"
  "No, Ranma. If say one more word, can not keep Amazons from being angry. 
They are ones offended. They will fight to avenge. Must accept."
  Ranma grimaced. "Fine. But I don't have to like it." He stage whispered 
back
  Zhu Shu put her hands on her hips. "And think we do when put self in 
danger?"
  "Hey, I can handle myself!"
  "So can Amazons."
  "Son-in-law. It's noble of you to want to protect us, but it's unneeded." 
Cologne interjected into the whispered argument. "We are about to go into a 
battle where we all need to be focused. If you are trying to protect us, you 
will leave yourself vulnerable. That in turn will make us try to watch out 
for you and leave us vulnerable. You must swear you will concentrate on your 
own fights and only your own fights or I will force you to stay here."
  "Oh yeah, I'd like to see-" He stopped dead as Cologne poked him with her 
stick.
  "Promise, Son-in-Law." she said to the frozen figure.
  His eyes looked to Akane and Shampoo, who were both studiously ignoring 
him, then to Zhu Shu, and the pleading in hers. Finally, he relented, "Very 
well. I promise on the Honor of the Saotome name, I will not try to defend 
anyone save myself in battle today."
  Zhu Shu nodded and Cologne tapped him again. "Thank you Ranma. Zhu Shu 
knows it hard, but please, trust her, was needed." The Mandarin girl said 
softly to him. "This Amazon affair. We here because Amazon need help, and 
you are betrothed to Champion. Must not make her less in Amazon eyes. Must 
not make her seem weaker than man, or you shame her."
  Ranma sighed. "Okay, okay, fine. But I'm only doing this because I know 
they're almost as skilled as me. Don't ever ask me not to defend someone 
with no training."
  "Zhu Shu would not. Zhu Shu would not have asked now had it not been 
important." she said with downcast eyes.
  Ranma let his annoyance go. "Hey, it's okay Zhu Shu. It's just, well, I 
don't want to see either of them hurt. I mean, well, Akane's been really, 
really nice lately, and I know Shampoo's your Blood-sister and all."
  Zhu Shu gave him a small smile. "Zhu Shu sees." she said with a satisfied 
tone. She turned to go back to the others.
  Ranma gave her a puzzled look. "Now what's that supposed to mean?"


  The trip across the small valley was eerily quiet, the light seeming to 
get dimmer as they approached the fortress. No birds sang in the trees and 
no insects hummed.
  "There is magick here." Cologne murmured. "Evil magic that hates life. It 
has drained this place."
  Akane shivered. "It feels like a cold mist is hovering here, even though 
the sun is shining."
  Cologne looked at her appraisingly, and nodded to herself.
  Zhu Shu just looked sick. "Be glad do not see auras as deep as Zhu Shu," 
was all she said.
  At the lower gates, Cologne and Tao-Ching looked at each other and nodded. 
They stepped to either side of the gates and shouted in unison as they poked 
the stone. A massive explosion erupted as the walls collapsed. Tao- Ching 
stepped back from the explosion, his shirt in tatters, and looked at 
Cologne, standing completely unharmed. "One day I will figure out how you do 
that, Warleader," he grinned.
  The trek up the long winding stair was equally as unnerving as the valley 
had been. Shadows far darker than they should have been in the late morning 
sun seemed to shift of their own accord.
  "Shampoo have feeling whoever in castle try to intimidate."
  "Fear not fair Maiden. The strong arm of Tatewaki Kuno shall defend thee 
from any sorcerous threats," Kuno boasted.
  Cologne raised an eyebrow as the younger Amazon started to turn and brain 
the kendoist, but was stopped by Zhu Shu.
  "He's just trying to make himself not feel afraid," she said softly in 
Chinese. "He is not totally crazy."


  Under the shadow of the fortress, the sensation of being loomed over by a 
dark cloud was stronger than ever. They looked at the open gates and nodded. 
Tao-Ching cracked his knuckles and waited until the group heading for the 
roof had moved off a little before dousing himself with water.
  Cologne lead her group up the walls as the smilodon's scream greeted the 
horde of warriors who poured out of the castle when they passed the gate. 
She caught flashes of the huge cat throwing bodies aside; Soun's Demon Head 
attack screaming at a group and flaying the flesh from them; the panda 
braining black clad warriors with his signs. Then she was too busy dodging 
arrows from above.
  Twin whirlwinds shredded the arrows as Shampoo, Cologne and Ranma cleared 
the roof line and piled into the troops infesting the battlements. In 
moments bodies were flying from the roof as the trio opened up the way 
inside. Twin glowing orbs rained down golden destruction as ribbons tore 
across the rooftops like lightning. Then an explosion shattered the doorway 
into the castle, shrapnel cutting down black clad warriors like chaff. As 
the smoke cleared, Cologne dusted her hands and led the way inside.


  Down in the courtyard, Soun and Genma finally reached the doors and broke 
through into an empty hall. Surprised at the sudden lack of resistance they 
stalked down the corridor to a large set of double doors. They smashed them 
open and stopped.
  Genma held up a sign that read "Have we died and gone to heaven?"
  Before them lay a large room. Women crowded the room from wall to wall, 
setting or laying cushions. They were all ravishingly beautiful and dressed 
only in soft see-through silk robes. Small tables spread throughout the room 
held small glasses and large jugs bedewed with condensation. At first 
glance, it seemed a welcome invitation to debauchery, but then they noticed 
the hopeless stares, the bruises, the collars affixed to heavy chains. 
Genma's sign dropped further and further until finally he ground it 
underfoot.
  With out a word, they moved forward. Chains broke in massive paws as 
Soun's more delicate strikes shattered locks. As they moved deeper into the 
room, the Amazon warriors who Cologne had sent in with them moved into the 
room, weapons ready, and saw what the pair was doing. They nodded grimly as 
they left the pair to their work and began gathering the girls to escort 
outside. The anger that was rising from the two men was growing more 
palpable with every girl freed.
  As the last chain was cleared, they looked at the door that led deeper 
into the fortress. It was a hugely massive bronze monstrosity that looked 
more solid than a mountain. It didn't even slow them down...
  In another part of the fortress, Tao-Ching padded along another empty 
corridor. He'd gotten separated from the others during the fighting and, 
like usual, had gotten himself lost.
  He stopped outside a door that was slightly ajar as he heard a booming 
noise from the other side. He nosed the door open to find himself in a 
kitchen. The smell of blood hung heavy in the air from a butchered deer 
carcass that hung over a drain on the far side of the large room, next to a 
number of wooden casks.
  Warily, he paced into the room, scanning for any hidden attackers until he 
stood next to the deer. A wooden cask lay on the ground next to the drain, 
its lid carelessly thrown into a corner. Next to the cask was a set of 
manacles. Puzzled, He squinted at the poorly written ideograms on the casks, 
then growled. He batted the lid of the cask on the floor over and looked at 
the word on it...
  With a howl of pure rage, he bounded out of the kitchen door towards where 
he had heard the booming noise, looking for any black clad soldiers on which 
to unleash his fury. Behind him in the kitchen, the lid to the water cask 
spun and rattled before finally settling once more on its top, mercifully 
concealing the word "Deer"...


  Ranma finally had to admit he was lost. This damn castle was a maze of 
twisting corridors, sliding walls and traps. He'd been separated from the 
others as they had tried to decide which corridor they were going to go down 
and he had just stepped into the mouth of one to see if he could tell where 
it went through heavy shadows. But when he had turned back, the corridor had 
stretched out behind him as well. He had tried going through the walls but 
they were too thick and he hadn't yet figured out how Cologne did that trick 
with the exploding walls yet.
  Eventually, after what seemed hours, he came to a set of double doors. 
Faint sounds came from behind it. Cautiously, he opened the door.
  A large bed occupied the center of the room beyond, silk curtains hanging 
down and obscuring the occupants from the door. Ranma cautiously stepped 
around the bed until he could see what was occurring within.
  A girl took center place in the bed, obviously enjoying the attentions of 
three men simultaneously. Her face was obscured by the body of the man 
standing in front of her, but her bobbing motions and the way she ground her 
hips back and forth between the other two men were unmistakable. As he 
realized the girl had red hair in a long braid, they convulsed in a massive 
orgasm. Frozen in shock, Ranma could only stare as following the display, 
the girl looked at him, her blue eyes glowing as she licked her lips.
  "Come and join us Ranma." his doppelganger cooed. "You know it's what you 
want to do, to give in, to forget you were ever anything else."
  Ranma tried to back away, tried to step back but couldn't. "No! I'm a 
guy!"
  The double slithered out of the bed. "Really?" Hands tore away his clothes 
revealing a female body. "This is who you really are, you know it is." Hands 
fluttered across her skin as her body betrayed her and responded.
  "Come!" the soft voices of the waiting men whispered, echoing "Come, 
come." Their words drew her forward against her will.
  The door closing behind her cut off her screams...


  Cologne knew there was magic afoot when she was separated from her 
companions. It had been too quick to have been anything else. Now she walked 
down a featureless corridor tapping the walls and floor to see if they 
concealed hidden openings.
  A faint scream, quickly cut off drew her attention. It had seemed to come 
from ahead. She started moving in that direction.
  At the end of the corridor she found a large set of double doors. She 
looked around but there was no signs that anyone else had passed this way, 
or of any other corridors. The smell of trap was strong. She turned to look 
behind her, knowing already what she was going to see.
  The corridor behind her was gone.
  "So, I'm being herded." she muttered. She listened intently for several 
minutes, her long rabbit ears quivering, but no sound could be heard. "Well, 
then, let's see what you have for me, mine enemy."
  She glided softly forward, her youthful body making not a sound as she 
opened the door enough to slip through.
  Darkness greeted her. She strained to see through the enveloping gloom, 
but not a shred of light revealed itself. Her ears twitched as she tried to 
pick up a sound.
  Nothing.
  She stepped forward carefully, her stick feeling along the floor for 
pitfalls, but as she moved she felt herself stumble as a weakness struck 
her. She fell to the floor as she felt herself becoming heavier and all 
strength fled from her. Light returned to the room to show her that she had 
become a withered, aged thing, her health and beauty flown once more. She 
attempted to move, but the weight of years pinned her to the floor. Drool 
escaped from her lips as her head began wobbling on her pipe stem neck.
  Then a foot stepped into her sight. She fought to raise her eyes to look 
up at the strong silhouette of Shampoo above her.
  "You are old, Great Grandmother." The figure said.
  Old old old old old old old old old the wind whispered around the room as 
she felt her heart begin to slow. Time seemed to be eating her up.
  A figure appeared behind Shampoo, a figure shadowy and dim. She tried to 
speak, to warn Shampoo, but her tongue lolled uselessly in her mouth as she 
tried to form words.
  Shampoo leaned closer to hear pat her hand. "Don't worry Great 
Grandmother, I am the Champion." She laughed as she turned and embraced the 
shadowy figure, offering her lips in a kiss as Death claimed her.
  The door closed softly behind her as Death laughed, enjoying her despair 
at the helplessness she felt as age robbed her of her last joy...


  Shampoo was not happy.
  She had been wandering in this maze for what seemed hours, cut off from 
her friends and unable to find anyone to take her frustrations out on. The 
maze just wound on and on.
  She had tried bashing through the walls but they seemed to take no damage 
from her hardest blows, and she had given up on trying to keep track of the 
turns she had taken. Now she simply followed the corridor hoping that the 
end of it would bring her someone to hit.
  Finally, she came to a large set of double doors. Cautiously, she pulled 
open the door and peeked inside.
  "Oh do stop pussyfooting around Shampoo." Akane said. "I know it comes 
naturally to your kitty nature, but it's annoying."
  Shampoo blinked. "How- Where- But-" she said in shock. The last thing 
she'd expected to see in the room was her fianc�e, and Akane seemed angry 
with her.
  "Oh, come now, surely you saw it coming. Did you really think I could love 
you? I beat you twice, Ranma beat you. Some Champion you are. And to top it 
off, you're just an animal."
  Shampoo's eyes filled with moisture. "Why Ai Ren say such things?"
  "Because they're true, Shampoo." Ranma's voice said. He stepped out of the 
shadows behind Akane. "Really, did you think you could just waltz into our 
hearts and make us love you? You're worthless as an Amazon, and worthless as 
a wife. All you are is a failure! You can't even stay decently human. Why 
would you even think I would marry a cat?"
  "But- but-" Shampoo tried to back away from the accusing eyes, only to run 
into another body. She whirled to see Zhu Shu glaring at her as well.
  "So you make all the work I did pointless." The Mandarin girl said 
harshly. "Why did I even bother? Why did I let myself be Blood-sister to 
such a worthless piece of trash like you? Your mother should have saved 
everyone the bother and drowned you in a sack. Isn't that how to deal with 
unwanted kittens?"
  "No- no-" Shampoo sobbed and turned to see Cologne staring at her coldly.
  "I can't believe I thought you might be worth training. I should have 
killed you when you failed to give Akane the Kiss of Death. An Amazon does 
not submit to an Outland woman. You weak worthless creature!" Cold water 
splashed across Shampoo as she turned once more fully into a cat. "Go! Live 
out your life with the animals! You are not worthy to be an Amazon!" She 
turned her back on Shampoo.
  The closing door cut off the long drawn out yowl of pure misery...


  The corridors stretched on endlessly. For all the rage they had built up 
in the harem room, the lack of enemies had allowed it to ebb and now, they 
sought only the way out.
  Soun was worried about the women they had left to the Amazons, had they 
gotten out? It seemed like he and Genma had wandered through this maze for 
hours...
  Had they taken the fortress?
  The biggest problem with Genma being a Panda was his silence, and they 
were too eager to find the exit to take the time for him to write a sign.
  Then, they turned a corner and came to a large set of double doors.
  "What do you think?" Genma's sign asked.
  "Maybe it's the exit." Soun said softly.
  They pushed the doors open carefully. A golden light poured out from 
inside, along with a delicious smell. Mouths watering, they pushed the door 
open further.
  A huge banquet lay on a table surrounded by piles of gold and gems. Their 
jaws dropped as they took in the massive wealth and drifted towards the 
table. Genma took out his battered sign from earlier and held it up again.
  They started to descend on the table when a querulous voice stopped them.
  "You leave my treasures alone!"
  A small shriveled man in a white Gi covered in food stains emerged from 
one of the piles of gold. His head was covered by a dirty bandanna and 
cracked glasses covered his eyes.
  "Your treasures!" A second voice called. From another pile crawled another 
shriveled figure, this one in a filthy black Gi. His long white hair was 
knotted and unkempt and his mustache almost reached his toes. "Those are my 
treasures!" He picked up a jug of something from the table and smashed it 
over the first figures head.
  The shriveled, almost white panda began a furious fight with the second 
figure as Soun and Genma simply stared in horror while finding their voices.
  The closing door shut off the horrified scream of "Noooooo-"


  Akane was not happy. She had been cut off from everyone and lost in this 
maze for what seemed hours. Her ribbons lashed behind her like tails as she 
stalked the halls. She'd tried lashing out at the walls but no matter what 
she had tried, nothing made a dent.
  The place was really freaking her out though. The whole area felt strange, 
like currents blew through it constantly though there wasn't a breath of 
wind. It felt like the shadows moved when she wasn't looking, or like the 
walls slowly shifted place around her. Even the auras she could see 
seemed... misty.
  An explosion from ahead of her drew her attention and she ran for the 
noise. Several more explosions followed by a scream came before she saw the 
large double doors. She burst through into a scene straight out of hell.
  Lightning arced around the room, and Akane froze for a moment to take 
stock. What she saw horrified her. The source of the lightning was a figure 
she recognized as Lita, but the surges were completely uncontrolled, the 
last gasps of power leaking from her hands as she knelt, coughing up blood 
from a vicious stomach wound. A faint noise made it to her ears past the 
thunderclaps and she turned.
  Raye wasn't in any better shape. She was impaled by her wrists to a steel 
I- beam. Blood streamed down her face from empty eye sockets, while her two 
crows sat on her shoulders relishing the treats. It was obvious from the 
amount of blood streaming from her wrists that the arteries had been 
severed, and the fact she was still barely alive as the crows picked at her 
made Akane nauseous.
  Something hit her in the back and she whirled. The round object had two 
long tassels of blond hair. Akane didn't even try to turn it over, fearing 
what she'd see. Another scream drew her attention to Mina, busy dying while 
suspended from dozens of gold heart linked chains.
  Then, she saw Amy running towards her. "Akane! Run!"
  A shadow moved behind the terrified girl as Akane found herself unable to 
move. She couldn't even scream as the shadow caught up to Amy. Bloody blades 
appeared from her chest as she was lifted off her feet. Blood fountained 
from her mouth as she reached towards Akane, then she convulsed as the 
blades were ripped from her. She landed in a heap at the shadows' feet.
  Akane stared in horror at the blades in the shadow's hands, the ebony 
dragons seeming to drink in the light, then she saw the black fuku the 
figure wore and her eyes reluctantly rose to see the figures face.
  Jade green eyes met hers coldly from under a jet black dragon. A vicious 
smile graced the blood red lips. "Well, hello Akane. Have you come to 'save 
me' too? It's much, much too late for that."
  "Zhu Shu." She whispered in disbelief.
  "No, not anymore. Chaos has become my lover and Death my follower. I was 
reborn in the darkness. I am the Black Dragon."
  "Oh, no... no... no..." Akane's swords dropped from nerveless fingers as 
the other girl stepped up to her. One sword came to rest on her collar bone 
as tears ran down her face.
  "So, you are powerless to fight me, though you know you alone may stop 
me." Zhu Shu's laugh was tinged with madness. "So instead, I shall make you 
my play toy..."
  Akane's sobs were silenced as the door closed behind her...


  Zhu Shu mistrusted the mists around her. She sensed too many currents 
through the fog, too many shifting auras. It was definitely a spell of some 
kind.
  Time had been distorted in this place, and ever since they had entered 
from above. She had heard strange noises and echoing sounds that were so 
faint as to be barely audible. Flashes of light had also come briefly 
through the fog.
  Closing her eyes, she felt along the traceries of energy around her, 
invisible walls bright in her mind. She sensed Akane and Shampoo faintly, 
but the walls around her prevented any real sense of direction.
  Enough was enough. She drew her swords and began a dance. Reaching out 
with her mind, she grabbed a hold of the energies around her and swirled 
them into a vortex with a cry of "Ashura's Call!"
  As more and more of the energy was drawn into her vortex, the fog around 
her began to roil and tendrils tried to reach for her. They were swept up 
into her dance as well. As her energy levels continued to rise she began the 
steps of one of her family's strongest techniques. According to her 
Grandfather, the Amazons had long ago been taught part of the technique, but 
only her family knew how to do both halves of the Ascending Dragon.
  She separated her chi as she danced, filtering out the angry hot chi of 
her frustration and the energies around her from the cool calmness of her 
normal self. A spiral began to form on the floor around her, half hot melted 
rock, half frozen stone. As she reached the center of her spiral, she 
released her hold on both sides and channeled them upwards with a shout of 
"Hiryuu Shoten Ha!"
  For a second the fog fought, but it was unable to resist the howling call 
of the vortex and with a loud roar, it was sucked into the whirlwind that 
erupted through the roof of the large room that was revealed. Zhu Shu 
settled softly back to the ground, stumbling slightly as the last of the fog 
was stripped from the room. Despite the best restoratives the Amazons had 
given her, her chi was still far too low after yesterday's run.
  She found herself in the middle of a maze painted in blood. Stairs led 
upwards to the shattered roof, ending where Zhu Shu's tornado had ripped it 
apart. Another set of stairs led downwards deeper into the castle. As she 
scanned the room, her eyes fell on a massive pile of fur lying on a pile of 
what smelled to be catnip. She frowned. Someone had anticipated dealing with 
a Smilodon, and that meant this was definitely a trap.
  Large double doors stood across the room from the stairs. The maze on the 
floor seemed to exit directly to it. Cautiously, she stepped across to it, 
taking care not to step on any of the blood lines. The door was ajar, but 
beyond it, only darkness could be seen. She stepped through and tried to let 
her eyes adjust. The sense of Shampoo and Akane's presence was immediately 
obvious, but she still could not see anything beyond the single bright bar 
of light from the door behind her.
  "Zhu Shu?" Akane's voice came faintly from somewhere in the darkness in 
front of her. "Zhu Shu, help! I can't move! I've caught my foot in 
something."
  "Akane?" She stepped forward warily, peering into the darkness. Was that 
her moving at the very edge of the light?
  Then bright flares of fire surrounded her as the door slammed shut. A 
hexagram burned in the darkness around her. She tried to jump out of it, but 
she ran into a barrier, her swords sparking furiously as they skittered 
along a wall of force. Mad laughter rang out around her as the darkness was 
ripped away revealing a throne room. Her friends were chained to the walls 
on either side, blank unseeing eyes staring forward. A tall shadowy figure 
sat in the throne, his form obscured by the haze of darkness that crawled 
around him.
  "Welcome to my mousetrap, Little Mouse." He said, his voice chilling her 
as it seemed to crawl up and down her spine.
  Zhu Shu tried to draw the energy in for a second time, but to her horror, 
she felt her chi draining away, eaten away second by second by the hexagram.
  "I anticipated that, Child of the Dragon. The spells around you feed on 
you. The harder you attempt to escape, the more they will drain. Do not try 
too hard. My Master wishes you alive, and you would not enjoy the side 
effects of a resurrection spell."
  Zhu Shu hacked at the barrier, but once again, her swords simply skittered 
along the unseen wall, drawing sparks. In despair she looked at her friends, 
feeling helpless as the spell drained away her strength. Her knees gave way 
as she slowly settled to the floor, hands pressed against the invisible 
wall.
  "Fiend! Villain! Defiler of defenseless women!" A voice came behind her. 
She turned to see Kuno standing in the doorway. "Prepare to face the Wrath 
of Blue Thunder!"
  Blue light crawled along the naked blade in Kuno's hands...
  "So the fool finally made his made his entrance." the shadowy figure said. 
"I had expected you much sooner." He made a motion with his left hand as 
shadows leapt for Kuno.
  The glowing blade slid around and sliced the shadows into shred. Wails and 
shrieks could be heard faintly as the shadows faded.
  "Your sorcery is useless against one who bears the Heart of Light, 
villain. With this ancient blade my ancestor slew the Shadowslayer, a mighty 
ninja who sought his Daimyo's life. Long have I awaited a quest worthy of 
it, and today, it shall drink your blood."
  The shadowy figure had sat on the throne looking curiously at Kuno as he 
postured. "You don't really talk that way normally, do you?"
  "Fiend! Draw your blade lest I slay you out of hand!"
  The shadowy figure stood with a chuckle. "This should be entertaining." He 
drew a long Chinese broadsword, its blade black as midnight. "You stand no 
chance against one who may not be slain by mortal weapons." He assumed a 
stance.
  Kuno's eyes narrowed as he took in his opponent. Nabiki had warned him the 
fiend feared his blade, so he knew the wizard was bluffing. With a loud cry, 
he attacked.
  Blades met with a crash of thunder, blue light clashing with the shadowy 
haze around the other sword, and both opponents strove to bear the other 
back. With a grunt, Kuno forced the shadow back.
  Lightning fast thrusts met and blocked each other as they danced around 
one another in a lethal contest, neither lowering their guard even a 
fraction. Zhu Shu looked on amazed. Kuno may have been limited in his 
ability to deal with other arts, but when it came to the blade, he was every 
bit as skilled as he claimed. Had he ever fought her seriously, one sword to 
one sword, he might have been her match...
  Yet as she watched, she realized Kuno wasn't done with surprises yet. He 
had a purposefulness she had never seen before and every stroke seemed 
precise, without the carelessness he exhibited so often with the boken.
  She watched as he drew his opponent into a momentary bind that resulted in 
them both backing up a few steps and he unleashed a call of "I strike!"
  His sword flashed into a blur of thrusts as his opponent tried to dodge, 
but air pressure ripped into him, driving him back. He did a flip to escape 
Kuno's range and landed, the tatters of shadows ripped from him flowing back 
to rejoin. The shadow being laughed. "I told you, no mortal weapon may slay 
me!" He threw back his head and laughed.
  Kuno took advantage of the opening and lunged, beating aside the shadows 
blade and driving his sword through the figures heart. "'Tis fortunate 
indeed then, that the Heart of Light be no mortal blade, but a gift of the 
gods!"
  The shadow screamed as light flared from his wound, pouring from the sword 
buried in his chest. Streamers of light erupted from his eyes and mouth as 
he was consumed from within. Then, with a last wail of agony, he was gone.
  The Hexagram on the floor around Zhu Shu flared into brilliance than faded 
and was gone. Around her, one by one, the others woke from their blank eyed 
stares.
  A hand reached down to offer Zhu Shu a help up. She took Kuno's hand in 
wonder.
  "Art thou well?" he asked gently.
  "Yes, Zhu Shu thanks for freeing her."
  Kuno blushed. "There is no need for thanks, fair goddess. It is the duty 
of any true samurai."
  Zhu Shu nodded, staring at Kuno in wonder. Why was he so different than 
normal?
  "Kuno? Are you feeling ok?" Akane asked seeing the strange exchange.
  Kuno turned and bowed. "Indeed, my beauteous Akane. I have never felt 
better. I have slain the evil sorcerer to save my Chinese Goddess and free 
you from the evil spell he cast on both you and my sister, now pray, let me 
give to you the Kiss of True Love which will break forever it's evil hold on 
you and free you from this desire for thine own sex which it hath cursed 
thee with!"
  Zhu Shu sighed. She should have known. She winced as a foot and a bomburi 
connected with Kuno's head from either side.
  They managed to drag the Saber-tooth tiger off the pile of catnip and get 
him groggily awake before dousing him with hot water, then the Amazons found 
them, having been blocked from entry to the outer room until the death of 
the shadow. Along the way, they had found the treasury, and with the aid of 
the girls Soun and Genma had freed, they had emptied it.
  Daylight was fading a half hour later as they crested the pass, burdened 
with the wealth of the Musk. Tao-Ching kept looking at the sky as they crept 
down the mountain path.
  "What are you looking for, cousin?" Shampoo asked.
  The roar of several jets passing overhead drowned out his reply. As they 
dove past the crest, several white plumes erupted from their undersides and 
streaked out of sight towards the Musk fortress. Several loud explosions 
ripped through the dusk as a fireball rose above the pass.
  Tao-Ching grinned at the stunned group. "That cost a fortune, but it was 
worth it."
  Cologne laughed as she turned and lead the way down the mountain...




_________________________________________________________________
Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com


             .---Anime/Manga Fanfiction Mailing List----.
             | Administrators - ffml-admins@anifics.com |
             | Unsubscribing - ffml-request@anifics.com |
             |     Put 'unsubscribe' in the subject     |
             `---- http://ffml.anifics.com/faq.txt -----'