Ok.  I've finally settled on the final name for the series.  For those of 
you who've made suggestions on the working title, thank you, but as you can 
see, I finally just decided to name it after the song that more or less is 
what I see as Zhu Shu's theme song.

This is the final version.  While I welcome any and all C&C I think I'm 
happy with this chapter finally, and do not plan on making any changes 
beyond spelling/grammer.  For those who've betaed for me, many, many thanks.

Without further ado:


The Tears of a Dragon

by L.S. McGill

Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 Characters property of Rumiko Takahashi.  Sailormoon 
Characters property of Takeuchi Naoko.  Ah! My Goddess characters property 
of Fujishima Kosuke.  All 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.



Tears of a Dragon

For too long now,
There were secrets in my mind
For too long now,
There were things I should have said

In the darkness,
I was stumbling for the door
To find a reason,
To find the time, the place, the hour

Waiting for the winter sun,
And the cold light of day,
The misty ghosts of childhood fears...
The pressure is building
And I can't stay away.

I throw myself into the sea,
Release the wave,
Let it wash over me,
To face the fears,
I once believed,
The tears of a dragon,
For you and for me.

Where I was,
I had wings that couldn't fly,
Where I was,
I had tears I couldn't cry
My emotions,
Frozen in an icy lake,
I couldn't feel them
Until the ice began to break

I have no power over this,
You know I'm afraid
The walls I built are crumbling
The water is moving,
I'm slipping away.

I throw myself into the sea,
Release the wave,
Let it wash over me,
To face the fears,
I once believed,
The tears of a dragon,
For you and for me.

Slowly I awake
Slowly I rise
The walls I built
Are crumbling
The water is moving,
I'm slipping away...

I throw myself into the sea,
Release the wave
Let it wash over me,
To face the fear,
I once believed,
The tears of a dragon,
For you and for me.

BRUCE DICKINSON 1994


Part One:  The Mandarin



Chapter One: 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.

The figure casually balanced on a pole as her twin Tai Chi swords flashed 
through a complicated form, before 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 whitehaired storyteller had 
claimed could be found there, only the silent pools and the wind.  Even the 
small guide's 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.

Starting her practice on the morning of her second day, she had found 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 as she contemplated 
what awaited her on her return to her home village.

She finished yet another form as she vainly sought a way out.  The thought 
of returning home burned deeply, but there was nowhere in China she had not 
searched.  As much as she hated the thought, the only honorable thing left 
was to return to her village and accept Sung Li, as her aunt had arranged 
prior to her quest.

She shuddered at the memories of his roving hands on the occasions he had 
cornered her, the unconcerned stares she had gotten when she complained to 
her aunt about him, the way he had tormented her and Cherry Blossom as they 
grew up, how much more open he was about molesting her after Cherry Blossom 
was gone...

Desperation had sent her to her grandfather to beg she be allowed to search 
for a better husband, one who  could at least compete with her in combat, 
and could prove he loved her.  He had smiled and asked if she had been 
listening to the wondering storyteller too often and thought she was an 
Amazon.  But he had allowed her to search, had given her a chance to find, 
if not happiness, at least a more tolerable husband.  He had known her 
requirements were more for show than what she was really expecting to find.

Yet she had failed.  She had searched the entirety of China, fought hundreds 
of opponents, and had found no-one who could pass both her tests.  Some 
could match her or best her, showing they were at least more worthy of 
learning Clan Dragon's arts than Sung Li, but had demonstrated that they 
were unworthy in other ways.  A few had shown they might come to care for 
her, but possessed none of the skills she sought.  She had learned to her 
sorrow most only saw her as a trophy, a beautiful possession, or a means to 
aquire her Clans knowledge, which was no better than what she was hoping to 
escape.  She wanted someone to value her for herself, not her body or the 
secrets of Clan Dragon.  The very thought of either made her shiver.  The 
sole person she had found who could have passed both tests was... 
unacceptable... much to her regret.  She had learned much from their time 
together, before duty had forced them to part.

Duty demanded she return home and accept her fate, to bear an heir and train 
him.  As the sole heir of Clan Dragon, she had to ensure the Clans 
traditions were passed on, though it was likely Sung Li would squander what 
little wealth the Clan had left.  At least his bloodline had some nobility, 
whatever he personally lacked, and no... darker... ambitions beyond bedding 
her.  A mix of the right herbs in a tea, and she'd be too numb to notice 
whatever he did.

She sighed heavily.  If only she had been male.  Maybe her aunt wouldn't 
have resented her so much, maybe Cherry Blossom...

She cut off the thought as she started 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.

She sighed as she let the ribbons settle.  She might as well accept the fact 
that she'd probably never get to exercise her skills ever again, either.  
Sung Li was sure to forbid her to use her Arts after the way she had beaten 
him so throughly when he had tried to meet her challenge.

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, and eager to escape her thoughts, 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.  He possessed the aura of 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 as 
the young man landed on a nearby pole and he watched with her as the water 
settled.  Still seeming not to notice her, the young man called, "Hey Pops!  
We done already?"

Distantly , 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, but strangely shifted.  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've sworn 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 levered 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.

Her nails had grown to nearly an inch and came to razor sharp points, while 
her fingers looked to be slimmer.  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.

Remembering the panda, she figured she was extremely lucky; beyond the long 
fingernails and that exotic face, she was still human looking.  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 strong 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 left 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 suspiciously, 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."

She knew he was stalling, but she 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 didn't trust him.  Her instincts told 
her that 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.

And... his curse was... intriguing.  How would he handle it?

It was better than returning home in shame.  If Ranma could pass her 
tests....

"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, and it wasn't even certain then.

While she was happy to have found an honorable way to avoid going home yet, 
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 boy 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 be honored with 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."

"Whatcha  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, even though she had decided not to use any 
of her families secret techniques.  A few good hard smacks had gotten him 
over trying to hold back, without her having to resort to anything beyond 
purely physical skills.

  As it was, he'd managed to learn un-armed counters to almost all of her 
sword techniques in a few hours.  It was almost frightening how quickly he 
picked up things her grandfather had spent years teaching her.  All he 
lacked was training in advanced chi techniques, though from the sheer levels 
of barely disciplined energy she could feel flowing through him, once he 
learned them, likely no-one she had ever met would match him.  He had even 
started matching her un-chi-augmented speed, which no-one she had fought had 
done.

By early evening, they had forged a strong respect for their respective 
skills, and 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!" he whined.

"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 dinner, 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 was totally 
dependant on her weapon forms, which he veiwed as her biggest weakness, but 
in her specialization he had been hard pressed to match her.  He had enjoyed 
the challenge, since it had forced him to push his endurance for moving at 
speed, and he found he had enjoyed the way Zhu Shu treated him.

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; he'd confirmed that just seconds ago-- then the 
question of where Zhu Shu had hidden the swords faded from his 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 unfamiliar hormones to flow as 
his female body began to feel flushed with warmth and unaccustomed 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 _Ah, whathahell; 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, Boy.  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, 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 Guide's 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 
everything.  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 
Dragon's 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 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, and had gotten caught in the 
crowd.  She hadn't thought to keep an eye on Genma.

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 eyes 
widened slightly.  "You are Clan Dragon," she stated half questioningly.

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 Shan Pu?  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 head 
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 Ke Lun, Warleader of the Amazons, Child of the Dragon.  Shan Pu is my 
great-granddaughter.  This Ranma Saotome, he is a Jusenkyo-cursed male?" the 
old woman asked sharply.

"He is, Honored 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, Honored 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.

Zhu Shu thought about it for a long moment.  Ranma possessed so many of the 
qualities she wanted, save the one most desired aspect she had hoped for.  
Without that, making him her husband would be... too painful.  He deserved 
what she did not have to give him.  He deserved better than...

In the end, she sighed.  "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 Shan Pu to take 
as Husband.  And yet...."

"Yes, child?"  Ke Lun 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."

Ke Lun 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...."

* * * * *

Ke Lun interrogated Zhu Shu for hours, digging for every scrap of 
information she had on Ranma.  Shan Pu sat by, listening, at first 
jealously, but soon realizing she had no cause.  Before long, she was 
laughing at Zhu Shu's descriptions of Ranma reactions to being treated as 
just another girl, and the stories of their travels together.

Zhu Shu found her heart going out to the cute Amazon girl.  For Shan Pu, 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.  Her Amazon  pride 
demanded she be the best, and for a non-Amazon woman to prove better was an 
insult that could not be borne.

Yet once she had found out that Ranma had been male, Shan Pu's 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 on purely physical level, let alone a Champion, made him a more 
desirable mate than any amount of wealth or beauty.  Even tired as she was 
from having fought all of the other opponents, Shampoo would have 
overmatched most of the best Martial Artists Zhu Shu had fought over the 
last year, but Ranma's speed and power had been too much.  Shan Pu hadn't 
even had time to focus her chi.

It was obvious.  Shan Pu 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 
Shan Pu 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, 
Shan Pu reminded her of Cherry Blossom.

Ke Lun 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 Shan Pu off to make dinner and talked to Zhu Shu alone.

Ke Lun 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."

Ke Lun 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 Shan Pu happy."  Ke Lun looked thoughtful.  "Happy or 
unhappy, he will be her Husband; there is no choice in Amazon Law in this.  
Shan Pu 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."  Ke Lun 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."

Ke Lun smiled.  "Good."  She looked at Shan Pu in the kitchen and sighed.  
"At least there is one area I know they will understand each other."

"Honored Warleader?" Zhu Shu asked questioningly.

Ke Lun looked back at her.  "You also were cursed at Jusenkyo, were you 
not?"

Zhu Shu nodded.

"May I see your form?  I have much to consider to ensure you both are 
prepared for your journey.  It would be helpful to know how much I need to 
protect you against your curse."

Zhu Shu nodded.  "I have no major disadvantages, Honored Warleader.  If I 
may have some water?"

"Shan Pu.  Bring water."  Ke Lun commanded.  The violet haired Amazon came 
in a moment later with a bucket.  "Dinner is ready, Great Grandmother."

"Thank you."  Ke Lun handed the bucket to Zhu Shu, and rasied an eyebrow 
after she had changed.  She seemed almost about to say something in 
surprise, then shook her head and chuckled.  "Forgive a foolish old woman 
her worries, Child.  You are correct.  So long as you practice in your 
cursed form as well, you should face no great disadvantage if you get wet in 
a fight.  Alas, Shan Pu is not quite so fortunate."

A small pink and purple kitten jumped up in Zhu Shu's lap and purred.  Zhu 
Shu looked over and saw Shan Pu's clothes laying next to the bucket.  Then 
down at the kitten.  It had Shan Pu's aura, and winked at her.  Zhu Shu 
smiled back and began scratching her head as Ke Lun continued.

"While my great-granddaughter is our village champion, she unfortunately ran 
afoul of the leader of some of our enemies when she was thirteen.  I had 
sent her out to gather herbs and she was ambushed.  She accounted herself 
well, and with the aid of her cousin, sent them running, but alas, as they 
fled, their last attack knocked her over a cliff above Jusenkyo."

Shan Pu growled for a second, then batted Zhu Shu's hand with her head in a 
demand for more scratching.  Zhu Shu giggled.

Ke Lun shook her head.  "And she'll let you keep that up all night.  Shan 
Pu.  Go change and serve dinner."

The pink kitten bounced down and scurried off, dragging her dress.

Ke Lun watched her go.  "I suppose, if she had to be wed to any outlander, I 
should thank my ancestors it's to a cursed one and a warrior.  With that as 
a base, maybe we can build a proper marriage."

She turned back to Zhu Shu.  "Having a friend who understands it will help 
as well.   We are aware of Jusenkyo, Child, but we avoid it.  Shan Pu has no 
shame from the circumstances of her curse, but she still bears the stigma of 
it.  A  childhood friend of hers left several months ago vowing he'd find 
her a cure.  He's a fool, but well meaning.  Having a strong husband like 
Ranma will counteract the effects of her curse socially."

Zhu Shu nodded.  "I can understand that. Being the female heir to my Clan 
has led to my share of strange looks."

Ke Lun raised an eyebrow at her.  "You are the last?"

Zhu Shu nodded.  "I am.  My father and mother perished when I was young.  
Only my aunt and my grandfather remain."

"And your aunt has no children?"

"She- she has proven barren."  Zhu Shu admitted.

Ke Lun nodded.  "I see.  Your grandfather has trained you well. How well we 
shall see tommorrow."  She smiled as Shan Pu came out of the kitchen with 
several plates.  "For now, we get to enjoy my great-granddaughter's cooking. 
  And be sure to rest well tonight.  You shall leave after tomorrow's 
practice...."

* * * * *

THWACK!!!!

Shan Pu's bon buri 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.  Shan 
Pu 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 Shan 
Pu landed, she had a sudden sense of danger, and barely raised her bon buri 
in time to intercept the swords' descent towards her head.

Green fire flickered along the blades as they sliced through the shafts of 
her bonburi like they were air.  Shan Pu 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 Shan Pu's 
staff.  Green fire twined around the sphere defined by Shan Pu's spinning 
weapon as she turned Zhu Shu's ribbons aside, then with a violent explosion 
of air pressure, they flew apart.

Shan Pu 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.  Ke Lun had even allowed her to use 
the Amazon�s secret techniques against the Mandarin girl, and she was still 
just holding her own.  Zhu Shu's style was so fast and furious it was like 
fighting an octopus.  She'd gone through eight bon buri in the course of the 
sparring match and still wasn�t sure Zhu Shu had pushed to her maximum speed 
yet.  She focused as she descended and concentrated on moving faster.

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.  Shan Pu 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. 
  Shan Pu 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.

Shan Pu 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.  Shan Pu looked over to 
where her great grandmother watched.  How could the Mandarin girl know the 
Amazon technique of "Splitting Cat's 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.  Shan Pu 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...

Shan Pu rolled through the pile of practice weapons at the edge of the 
practice grounds with a clatter, rolling to her feet as Ke Lun called a 
halt.  She released her chi, the world resuming it�s normal flow as she 
walked forward to meet Zhu Shu at the center of the Amazon's training 
ground.  Ke Lun hopped over on her stick.

"Very good.  I would say you should balance each other out nicely."  Ke Lun 
said approvingly.  "I have your supplies packed and you may leave on your 
quest immediately."

Shan Pu 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?"

Shan Pu'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.

Shan Pu 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."

Shan Pu 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?"

Ke Lun 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."

Shan Pu 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 Shan Pu, but I cannot.  I have not 
yet fulfilled my quest.  I can make no decision till then."

Shan Pu'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, Shan Pu. 
  I hope I will prove worthy of the honor."

Shan Pu hugged her and whirled her around.  "Wonderful!  There is nothing 
two sisters together cannot do!"

Ke Lun nodded.  She smiled approvingly at  Shan Pu as she turned to the  
Mandarin girl.  "Our ceremony is simple, but binding.  If you do not truly 
wish this, it may be refused without shame."

Zhu Shu smiled shyly.  "No, Honored Warleader.  I will accept Shan Pu as my 
Blood-Sister." she replied formally.

"As I accept Zhu Shu as mine." Shan Pu added.

"Then hold forth your weapon hand." Ke Lun intoned as she pulled a long 
throwing dart from her sleeve.  The two girls held forth their right hands, 
palm up.  Ke Lun raised an eyebrow at the faint scar in the palm of Zhu 
Shu�s hand, but said nothing as she used the razor sharp tip of the dart to 
slice a small cut into each girls hand.  "By blood you are joined, by blood 
you are bound, two families joined as one, true sisters now are found."

Shan Pu and Zhu Shu joined hands, a flash of green chi swirling around 
purple as the link was forged.  As they removed their hands, only small 
scars remained where the cuts had been.

"Sisters, in so much more than blood," Shan Pu said with a happy smile.

Zhu Shu nodded.  "Yes."  A fondly distant look came to her eyes, as if she 
was recalling some memory.  Shan Pu was too excited to notice, but Ke Lun 
catalogued it, deciding she would not pry.

"Now, let�s go find my husband," Shan Pu said as she picked up her pack.  
"If we hurry, we should catch up to him by nightfall."

Zhu Shu�s raised eyebrow let Ke Lun know she thought Shan Pu was being _far_ 
too optimistic.   She chuckled as she handed Zhu Shu a pack.  "Here you are, 
great-granddaughter.  Some dresses for your travels.  I noticed yours were a 
trifle worn."

Zhu Shu blinked, then smiled as she took the present.  "I am honored, 
Honored Warleader."

"No.  Great-grandmother." Ke Lun corrected.

The smile on Zhu Shu�s face was enough repayment.

* * * * *

Ke Lun stood and watched as the questing girls vanished into the trees on 
the Saotome�s trail before turning and going back to the elders hall.

"They are off?"  The Loremaster asked as she entered.

"Yes," Ke Lun answered.  "Though from the speed with which her fianc�e ran 
away yesterday, it may be some time before she catches him.  Still, Shan Pu 
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 Shan Pu will temper my great grand-daughter's impetuousness."  She sat 
down.  "Primarily, I am relieved to have found that Clan Dragon yet 
survives."

"Are you sure she is truly a Dragon?"

Ke Lun 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.  There has been no sign of them since we avenged them 
against the Musk."

Ke Lun nodded, old memories playing behind her eyes.  "No.  She is the Heir. 
  Of that, I have no doubt."

"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 Shan Pu."

"Very well, Ke Lun.  We will leave this in your hands.  Fate has given us a 
second chance to fulfill our oaths."  The Loremaster looked around at the 
nods from the other elders.  "It will be interesting to see how things 
develop."

Ke Lun nodded.  "Indeed...."



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