Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 characters property of Rumiko Takahashi. Sailormoon 
characters property of Takeuchi Naoko. Ah! My Goddess characters property of 
Fujishima Kosuke. Other characters who may cameo are property of respective 
owners.  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.

Zhu Shu (who shoo),  Tao-Ching, Xi'an Chi (zy-an chee), and Clans' Dragon 
and Skorpion are mine, and may be used so long as I am asked before hand.



Book One: The Mandarin

Chapter Eight: Ceremonies

Zhu Shu raised tear filled eyes to Shan Pu. "Please," she whispered in 
Chinese "Ranma has done nothing to be blamed for, Shan Pu. 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."

Shan Pu 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, Shan Pu lifted 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...

Shan Pu looked after her, wondering what she'd done wrong when Ke Lun spoke. 
"Ah, great grand daughter. I know you meant well, but can you not tell her 
heart is lost to the girl as well?"

Shan Pu hung her head. "I had not. I am ashamed of the hurt I caused"

"Zhu Shu will understand, Shan Pu, 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." Ke Lun 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?"

Ke Lun hopped over on her stick and waved a small vial under Ranma's nose. 
Ranma sneezed and sat up, looked at Ke Lun, Nodoka, and Shan Pu, eeped and 
jumped up to run away. Her foot was intercepted by Ke Lun's stick, and she 
flipped over a rock, legs flailing uselessly in the air. Shan Pu 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 Ke Lun'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. Shan Pu 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!" Shan Pu 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.

Shan Pu'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 Shan Pu 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! Shan Pu!" 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. "Ke Lun it is..." They stared at 
the tableau before them, Shan Pu unconscious, Akane over her still in a 
partial stance, Ranma staring wide eyed at Akane, Nodoka looking 
concerned...

Ke Lun shook her head. "Child... Child... what have you done?"

"It was self-defense! I was mad at Ranma! I just reacted!" Akane protested.

Shan Pu 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.

Shan Pu shook her head and sat up. Her eyes fell on Akane. Akane stepped 
back and set herself as Shan Pu 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 Shan Pu's hand reached 
out to slowly cup Akane's chin. Akane never flinched.

The moment froze as time seemed to cease to flow...

* * * * *

Ke Lun, 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 Shan Pu'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 Shan Pu 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 Shan Pu'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 marriage.  The law was absolute, but so was 
her heart ... and in the duel between them both, her heart won.

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 Ke Lun's stick tapping the ground as she 
drew closer could be heard. It stopped close by and a long moment of 
stillness passed before Ke Lun 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." Shan Pu 
whispered in Chinese. A murmur arose from the elders and a gasp came from 
Akane. Ke Lun turned to her. "You understood her answer, Child of the 
Tendos?"

Wide eyed, Akane nodded, astonishment in her eyes.

Ke Lun nodded and continued in Chinese. "Shan Pu, 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 that law. Have you a defense?" Her 
voice was cold, emotionless... a judge declaring court.

"The law is absolute.  A death must be given.  I offer my own.  I cannot 
slay one I love.  Kill me and let my heartbreak end." was Shan Pu's 
whispered reply.

Ke Lun turned to Akane. "Outland warrior. You have heard and understood her 
words. Our law is clear. Do you have anything to say?" Ke Lun 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 within 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 Shan Pu when they became blood sisters. She 
knew the law of the Amazons was absolute, and yet...

Shampoo had choosen to sacrifice herself... rather than kill her and destroy 
all chance of love.

Akane looked at Ke Lun 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.

Ke Lun 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."

Ke Lun switched back to Japanese as she turned to Shan Pu. "Rise child, and 
hear the judgment of your Elders."

Shan Pu rose, relieved she was to be allowed to die on her feet as a warrior 
should. Her eyes met Ke Lun'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," the Loremaster intoned, "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 
Goddess, golden of skin and pale of hair, 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 Shan Pu. "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.

Shan Pu fainted, along with Zhu Shu ... Ranma turned wide eyes to Akane and 
asked "What the hell just happened?"

Nodoka was looking at Ke Lun. "Yes. I am curious as well."

Ke Lun 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 Shan Pu. Shan Pu could 
not give her the kiss of death, because she would not kill one she loves, 
and she knew that Akane's death at her hands would likely have lead to such 
deaths. Akane asked for her life in the name of love. She chose the one 
defense for Shan Pu 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 Shan Pu for her defiance. I hope you shall 
prove a worthy wife for her.  But I will warn you as well.  The heart of an 
Amazon, once given, is forever." 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 among 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 Shan 
Pu to a resolution Urd had not expected, but it looked like it would be a 
better way of making Shan Pu 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 vicious 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 Shan Pu."

"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!"
Genma had the grace to look shamed faced as Nodoka continued.  "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 Shan Pu, and because of it, the Saotomes will gain 
common cause with the Hibikis, because Tao-Ching Hibiki is an adopted Amazon 
and Shan Pu's cousin. Akane will marry Ranma and Shan Pu 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 katana 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 everything, 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 son's betrothal, and our daughter-in-law's 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 Shan Pu 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.  And I fully intended on making you carry it out too.  One Genma in 
the Saotome line is bad enough.  Had he made you a carbon copy of him, it 
would have broken my heart, but I would have had to redeem my families 
honor, Son.  But I heard you in the garden before Shan Pu and Ke Lun 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." Shan Pu said as the other girl was helping her 
with her dress for the ceremony

"I've missed you too, Shan Pu.  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.  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, Shan Pu." 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?�  Shan Pu 
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, Shan Pu, but my body makes no response save 
those I have been trained to give.�

She turned her tear streaked face to Shan Pu.  "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, Shan Pu.  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.

Shan Pu 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.�  Shan Pu 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?�  Shan Pu 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 cousin's good fortune. Warriors of Ranma's caliber 
are rare.  Shan Pu 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." Ke Lun 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...."

********************************************************************
Authors Notes:  And so we come to the end of Book One.


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