Okay, I've decided to add a chapter between Beginnings End and Twists, 
Turns.  To do that effectively I had to rewrite the ending of the chapter.

I've included the major changes I made in the last posts, the fight with Ai 
and crew, and the new ending.  These are major changes, so any commentary is 
desperately desired.  And I apologize for the spelling errors, I haven't 
spell checked this yet.

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

* * * * *

A half hour later, Zhu Shu waved good-bye to the cheerful Senshi.  A bemused 
and still slightly dazed Akane stood next to her.  _Still,_ Akane thought, 
_who wouldn't be.  Next to that near invasion of the world by the alien Oni, 
the Senshi have been the most popular news item in Japan for the last few 
years.  And now, I know them personally.  What's next?  Space visitors?_

A hum in the air made her look up as a tiger stripped saucer dropped down to 
hover over the Dojo.  She stared as a hatch opened in the bottom and Japan's 
Number One Famous Alien poked her horned head out.  "Konichiwa, Zhu Shu.  
Have you seen Darling? He ran away again!"

Zhu Shu waved.  "Nihao, Lum.  Zhu Shu not seen Ataru.  Found Ranma!"

"Wonderful!"  the Oni flew down to give Zhu Shu a hug.  "Is this where you 
disappeared to?"

Zhu Shu nodded.  "Must come visit.  Zhu Shu miss first friend in Japan."

"Ok.  But I have to find Darling!  He ran away to be with Shinobu again!"

Zhu Shu nodded.  "Understand.  Come visit!"

"I will.  Saucer!  Remember this address!"  She gave Zhu Shu another quick 
hug and flew up to her ship.  "Bai Bai!  See you soon!"  With a further hum, 
the saucer shot out of sight.

Zhu Shu turned to apologize for her eccentric friend, but a wide-eyed Akane 
stopped her.  "Is there anyone famous in Japan you AREN'T friends with?"

Mischievousness won.  She giggled and gave Akane a peck on the cheek.  "Zhu 
Shu not meet Emperor yet!"  She vanished into the house.

After all the shocks she had gotten, it was a relief for Akane to beat the 
tar out of Ranma when he insulted her figure after Kasumi and Nabiki dressed 
him in one of Akane's outfits because all of his were in the wash.  In fact, 
upon reflection, it was the most normal thing she'd had happen all afternoon 
....

* * * * *

Saturday afternoon found Nabiki going over the school schedule with Zhu Shu.

"Now, I managed to get you put into my homeroom, so I can help you get 
adjusted, and we can work out a deal for me to help you get up to speed on 
your schoolwork.  However, it's only fair to warn you that most of the boys 
at our school are hentai, and were rather fixated on my little sister.  They 
may have claimed to have given up on her since she's engaged to Ranma, but 
that just means they're looking for a new target."

Zhu Shu sighed.  "Zhu Shu understands.  She spend week at Tomobiki.  Have 
deal with Hentai squad."

Nabiki shrugged.  "I'd almost suggest letting your preferences be known, but 
that might cause you more problems.  One, it'd get you labeled as a pervert 
while not neccessarily keeping the boys from chasing you, and second, it 
might make you a target for Ai."

"Ai?"

"The head of our cheerleading squad.  She's been fuming since Akane's the 
only girl in Furinkan who can beat her, and with Kuno's proclamation, she 
lost her place as the focus of the school's Hentai Squad.  And to top it 
off... she likes girls as much as she likes guys.  There's no telling if 
she'd ask you for a date, or a duel."

"Zhu Shu sees."  She shrugged.  "Zhu Shu no can change.  Tomobiki boys not 
leave alone, even when Zhu Shu hides.  Give her many presents."

Nabiki raised an eyebrow.  "Oh?  Like what?"

Zhu Shu smiled.  "Rei supposed to bring today."

The doorbell rang.  Nabiki raised an eyebrow in the general direction of the 
door.  "My, what coincidental timing."

There was the sound of Kasumi opening the door and starting to say hello, 
but it was replaced by a suprised squeal and a rumble, followed by silence.

Zhu Shu was down the steps followed almost as quickly by Ranma, then Nabiki 
and Akane.  At the front door, they found a sheepish Rei helping Kasumi dig 
herself out of a pile of stuffed animals.  The pile completely filled the 
doorway to a height of a couple of feet, and the pile grew larger outside, 
where a large delivery box had given way from the pressure of the stuffies 
within.

Rei saw Zhu Shu and gave her a apologetic smile.  "I guess I shouldn't have 
tried to put them all in one box."

Kasumi finally regained her feet, a Mokona stuffie poking out of her apron 
top.  "Oh my!  Where ever did you come by such a collection?"

Zhu Shu lowered her eyes.  "Boys at Tomobiki give as gifts.  Try to get Zhu 
Shu to date with them."  Zhu Shu grabbed a huge pikachu and held it against 
her.  "Zhu Shu think are cute." she said defensively at the raised eyebrows 
from the Tendo sisters and Ranma.

Ranma surveyed the massive pile of stuffed animals.  "An we gotta take these 
upstairs?  Ah man, that's going to take all day."

Zhu Shu gave him big pleading eyes.  "But they cute!"

Nabiki couldn't hold in the laughter anymore...

* * * * *

Monday morning was a change of pace as it was Zhu Shu's first day of school. 
  Her grandfather's permission had arrived on Sunday along with paperwork 
detailing her "schooling".  She smiled at Sung Po's signature on the 
paperwork.  At least it seemed the local magistrate did not hold her choice 
to try and not have to marry his son against her.  Her Grandfather had also 
sent her a letter to tell her that Ke Lun had met with him and advised him 
of her current quest.  She had his blessing and approval.  He also informed 
her that Pin Ke had showed up in town, looking for yet another rematch.  She 
had been irate to find Zhu Shu gone.  Lin Ke had been, as always, apologetic 
for her sister.  Zhu Shu had sighed at that.  One day, she'd have to deal 
with Pin Ke once and for all, only her friendship with Lin Ke had prevented 
her from paying Pin Ke back for all she and Ying Ying had endured from the 
bullying girl as they grew up.  The girl from the next village had a lot to 
answer for, and not just from her.  Shan Pu had had stories of Pin Ke to 
tell too ....

Still, she had what she needed for her current quest, so that morning found 
her walking to school with Nabiki.  They talked about Ranma and Akane and 
other topics until they arrived at Furinkan High.

Kuno was waiting.

"Ah Nabik-  Oh!  Can it be?  My beautiful Chinese Goddess!  Oh!  As the 
Apple tree doth shake off the snow and lift it's branches to the sun of 
spring, so does my heart throw off the cold snows of it's desolation at the 
joyous return of your beauty!  Yea, My heart doth rejoice at the happy fates 
which hath returned you to me, My Goddess!"  He lunged to envelop Zhu Shu.

Zhu Shu had forgotten about Kuno.  She leaped straight up as his arms closed 
around air and did a back-flip to land on the post by the gate, both swords 
coming out.

Nabiki watched from half lidded eyes.  "Interesting ...."

Kuno's boken had appeared in his hands as tears of gladness streamed from 
his eyes.  "My Goddess, I rejoice at your challenge for my favor!  Happily 
will I allow you to date with me if I, Tatewaki Kuno, should lose!"

Zhu Shu sighed.  "Zhu Shu not date Kuno!"  He was completely oblivious to 
her protest as he closed in.  She leaped above his attack as his boken 
shattered a three-foot section of the wall. She landed behind him as he 
whirled.  Green fire flickered along her blade as she moved to parry him and 
slice through the wooden blade.

Thunder rumbled as the swords connected and Zhu Shu's sword barely nicked 
the boken. Kuno retaliated with a super-fast blur of thrusts which Zhu Shu 
bounced away from, her momentary handstand revealing the pink panties under 
her short skirt, which drew a whistle of appreciation from the boys watching 
the fight.  She dodged another flurry of blows and leaped, her ribbons 
swirling in a cyclone around her.  Thirty feet above Kuno, her ribbons 
snapped into a tight spiral as she cried "Dragon Tail Whip."  A ball of 
green fire arrowed down to envelop Kuno in a rumbling explosion.

The clearing smoke revealed Kuno, his clothes in tatters, standing in a 
small crater, the shattered remains of his boken in hand.  Wind whistled as 
he blinked twice, then, like a tree, he slowly fell over, unconscious.

Zhu Shu landed at the edge of the crater and for several seconds, silence 
reigned  Then a buzz of conversation broke out all around...

"Who is she?"  "Gods, she's cute!"  "Did you see what she did to Kuno!"  
"Humph!  Well anyone would look cute to you if they wore a skirt like that!"

Nabiki stepped up to Zhu Shu as she put her swords away.  "Well, I see 
you've already met Kuno.  Well, come on.  We wouldn't want you to be late on 
your first day of school!"  She led the Chinese girl inside by the elbow...

Ranma and Akane arrived a few minutes later, and stared at the devastation.

"Humm, I have a feeling that Zhu Shu is already here."  Akane said.

A drop of sweat rolled down Ranma's temple.  "Remind me not to get her mad 
at me.  And to get her to teach me how she does that."

* * * * *

Things went well that morning for Zhu Shu, even though she was in the same 
homeroom as Nabiki and Kuno.  After the second eraser, Kuno had been sent 
into the hall with a bucket and Zhu Shu had had some peace.  Then lunchtime 
had arrived.

She had been walking towards Nabiki when a student tripped because he was 
watching her instead of where he was going, and with unerring accuracy, the 
curse had brought his glass of ice water down on her thin sleeveless dress.

The dress pulled tight as she gained a foot in height and a cup size.  For a 
single long moment, no one moved as the blonde dragon-girl stood motionless, 
then a riot of conversation broke out across the lunch room.

Nabiki arrived a second later with a kettle of warm water, and a muttered "I 
should have guessed," but the damage had been done.  For the rest of lunch, 
Zhu Shu was stared at, and finally, one of the Hentai Squad got brave enough 
to dump another glass of cold water on her.

After that, it was non-stop.  Every time she changed back to normal, another 
"accident"  would happen.  She gave up on hot water, at least till every 
male was gone from the lunchroom.  She was very glad her dress wasn't white, 
damp as it was by the end of lunch.  Then, to make a bad situation worse, 
she ended up having to hold a bucket of water in the hall for being late to 
class because she had had to wait till everyone had left the lunchroom 
before she could get hot water.

Then at gym class, she had to admire the ingenuity of the "accident" that 
soaked her on the bench of the softball field, and she hoped the Hentai 
Squad had enjoyed the wet tee shirt, because she had sent most of them to 
the nurse's office.  And then had to knock out Kuno, now madly in love with 
his "Sun Gold Dragon Maiden"...

And all the while, she was the subject of intense scrutiny by five sets of 
eyes...

* * * * *

The tall busty blonde watched as Zhu Shu disappered into the girls changing 
room and gave a slight frown.  This new girl was formidible, possibly even a 
match for her, and the way the Hentai Squad was chasing her irritated her.  
She was going to have to teach the fools who were still the beautys of 
Furinkan High.

"She's kind of cute." said the red-head next to her.  "And she's got that 
gymnastic figure you like.  Thinking of asking her out?"

The blonde looked over.  "Maybe later, Megumi.  Once we've shown her who's 
in charge around here.  I think she needs to be shown what's acceptable at 
Furninkan."

"Yes." said the tall raven haired girl on her other side.  "After all, every 
one knows only we're allowed to dress that sexy.  Right, Ai?"

Ai nodded as the other blonde girl in the group gave a huff from where she 
was watching the unconscious boys being hauled off the feild.  "You'd think 
from their behaviour, they think she's prettier than me!"

"But she is prettier, Kaede.  I saw her up close in the lunch room.  And she 
has a better figure." the last girl spoke up.

"Shut up Kyoko!"

"But it's only the truth-"  The short girl with curly chestnut hair broke 
off as as Ai turned.

"Enough.  I'll decide who's prettier later.  Maybe I'll even give her a 
collar.  But first, we're going to show Little Miss China her place."

* * * * *

The school day finally ended and a still damp Zhu Shu met Nabiki by her 
locker.  "Zhu Shu seriously think tell boys she only like girls."  The 
Chinese girl said in frustration.  "Then maybe Zhu Shu get through day in 
dry dress.

"Well, I could have prepared you a little better if you'd told me about your 
curse."  Nabiki replied. _And had a camera ready at lunch._  she thought.  
Her pocketbook had already gained a pleasent weight from the few pics she 
had gotten during lunch and at gym.  Kuno had paid triple for the wet tee 
shirt pics.  Zhu Shu was going to be a gold mine.  The only worrisome part 
was that Ai had bought one of the wet tee shirt pics too.

"Zhu Shu has grown used to. Forgot."  She shrugged.  "Zhu Shu just need 
remember not wear white dress."

Nabiki watched the students hurrying to the front of the school and sighed.  
She had figured this was inevitable, and had told her factors to handle the 
bets, but for once a guilty conscience nagged at her.  As they approached 
the front doors, Nabiki stopped Zhu Shu.  "Wait."

Zhu Shu looked at her.  "Yes?"

"Give me your books.  And... and be prepared to get in a fight when you go 
out those doors."

Zhu Shu tilted her head curiously.  "What Nabiki mean?"

"The rumor mill's been going all afternoon, ever since your gym class.  You 
remember I warned you about Ai?"

Zhu Shu nodded.

"I think that she and the rest of the cheerleaders are waiting for you out 
there."

Zhu Shu nodded.  "Challenge." she said quietly.  Nabiki nodded.

Zhu Shu handed her book bag to Nabiki, then reached behind her back and drew 
her swords.  She detached her ribbons from the pommels and returned the 
blades, drawing out the wooden practice swords she used to spar.  After 
tieing the ribbons back in place, she nodded at Nabiki.  "Zhu Shu is ready."

The large entrance area had already had the crater left from that morning 
repaired, and as Zhu Shu and Nabiki stepped out of the building, they saw a 
crowd had gathered to either side.  Ranma and Akane stood off to the side of 
the door, Ranma's fists clenching and unclenching as he looked at the blonde 
girl waiting in the center of the cleared area, surrounded by the other four 
girls of her squad.  When he saw Zhu Shu he stepped up and growled.  "Those 
girls said they were waiting to challenge you."

"Zhu Shu knows."

"All five of them."

Zhu Shu nodded.

"That's not right.  Five on one isn't fair, even if they are girls."

Zhu Shu raised her eyebrow.  "Ranma."

"Yeah?"

"Zhu Shu not say this often, but please to shut up."  She stalked forward, 
her ribbons lashing.

"What I'd say?" Ranma asked, looking puzzeledly at the annoyed Chinese girl.

Nabiki gave him a amused look.  "Offhand, I'd say you insulted her with that 
remark."

Zhu Shu paid the spectators no further attention as she approached the 
blonde girl in the lead, examining their matching blue tops, yellow skirts 
and black shoes with white socks.  The word Furinkan was written in Kanji 
across their chests, and their hands were concealed inside fluffy blue and 
yellow pom poms.  Their stances were not typical martial arts, but she could 
tell they held themselves ready to move in any direction.  Their leader 
almost oozed confidence.

Individually, Zhu Shu would rate them decent martial artists, though not a 
challenge to her skill.  Togther was something else.  She had no way to 
gauge how well they may work as a group.  She stopped in front of the leader 
and gave a half bow before raising and meeting her opponents gaze.

"Nabiki say you wish challenge Zhu Shu."

The blonde gave her a nasty smile.  "Challenge makes it sound like you have 
a chance.  I'm here to teach you your place.  We're the only ones allowed to 
put the boys around here in the nurses office."

"And are?"

The blonde motioned to the red head by her side, who struck a pose with one 
pom pom rasied and the other at her side as she gave Zhu Shu an apprasing 
look.  "Megumi Ohtama."

The second girl struck a pose the opposite of the one the first girl had 
taken on the leaders other side. "Ayeka Hibishi."

The other blonde in the group knelt before the red-head, her pom poms held 
out behind her in a pose that showed off her generous chest.  "Kaede 
Miyaki."

The last girl, with curly chestnut hair duplicated the blonde's pose on the 
opposite side.  "Kyoko Onamuri."

Then then leader stepped forward and took a pose that showed her figure off 
to the point that Zhu Shu had to sniff.  "And I am Ai Konjou.  The Captain 
of Furinkan's Combat Cheerleading Squad, and greatest Combat Cheerleader in 
the world!"

Zhu Shu nodded.  "Song Zhu Shu.  Clan Dragon.  Heir to Song School of Sword 
Dance."  She took a stance, watching Ai's eyes to see if Nabiki's statement 
was true.  Ai's eyes roamed over her as a lascivious smile crept across her 
face.

"Once we've punished you for the mistreatment of our men, perhaps I'll allow 
you to be my playtoy.  You'd look cute in a a collar."  Ai said as she 
finished her mental stripping of Zhu Shu.  Ayeka gave Ai a momentary forlorn 
look before focusing on Zhu Shu, hatred burning in her eyes.

Zhu Shu's stance didn't waver.  "Zhu Shu sees."

The attack came without warning as the two cheerleaders who where kneeling 
suddenly launched their pom poms at Zhu Shu.  She jumped straight up, the 
world slowing as she shifted to combat time, noting in passing the thin 
wires between the pom poms that would have entangled her legs.

However, fast as she had moved, Ai had matched her, stepping back into the 
cradle formed by the hands of Ayeka and Megumi and being launched after the 
Chinese girl.  Zhu Shu's ribbons surrounded her as she deflected the half 
dozen batons Ai launched at her, then they reached out towards the 
cheerleader as Zhu Shu sought to incapacitate her.

Ai was too slippery though, and manged to dodge the fast moving ribbons.  As 
Zhu Shu alighted,  Ai was caught by the pair who had tossed her.  She smiled 
at Zhu Shu.  "Oh you are quite the nimble one aren't you?  This should be 
fun."

Zhu Shu barely had a hint of a flash of silver before a pair of batons 
impacted her back and threw her forward.   Ai jumped up as Megumi and Ayeka 
caught Zhu Shu and tossed her up to where the Captain was finishing a mid 
air twist that planted her feet firmly in Zhu Shu's back and launched her 
face first towards the school wall.

Zhu Shu fought past the loss of air from the kick and managed to yell 
"Dragon's Egg Sheild" as she curled into a ball.  A glowing sphere of green 
energy surrounded her as she crashed into the wall, shattering the concrete 
before rolling to her feet on the other side of the wall.

Ai was dusting her hands and looking dissapointed when Zhu Shu reappeared 
above the wall.  The Chinese girl's swords burned with a green fire.  "Now 
you make Zhu Shu annoyed."

Ai smiled.  "Good, that might make this fight more of a challenge.  
Exploding Pom Pom Attack!"

Zhu Shu vanished into a green blur as the wall disintegrated in multiple 
blast clouds from the small pellets the bouncing girls were launching from 
their pom poms.  A trail of explosions trailed behind the elusive Chinese 
girl as she zig zaged across the feild, then through the gathered 
cheerleaders.  There was a cry of surprise as Kyoko vanished, to reappear 
tied to a tree a second later.  Zhu Shu stood beside the helpless girl.  
"One down, Four go." She said with a level look at Ai.

"Way to go Zhu-Chan!"  Ranma yelled from the sidelines.  Zhu Shu spared him 
a seconds glance, glad that she hadn't yet had to yell at him to stay out of 
a personal challenge.

Ai gave Zhu Shu a look that would maim most people.  "That will cost you!"

Zhu Shu looked over the four remaining cheeleaders.  "Zhu Shu not think so.  
Take out cutest one."

"She is not the cutest one!" Kaede screamed.  "I am!"

Zhu Shu nodded her head no.  "Not to Zhu Shu.  Think little blonde girl have 
too thick waist."

"Why you witch!  I'll rip out your eyes for that!"  Kaede started forward, 
surrounded by a violet aura.

"Kaede, get back here!  She's trying to seperate us!"  Ai yelled, but the 
other blonde girl was to far gone in rage to listen.  She met Zhu Shu in a 
furious barrage of batons as they disappeared in a cloud of dust.

"Oh, fuck." Ai said, then turned to two remaining girls.  "Time to pull out 
the big guns."

The dust was sucked into a whirlwind as a furiously spinning Zhu Shu rose 
above the cloud, trailing an ensnared Kaede.  At the apex of her arc, the 
cheerleader managed to free herself with a triumphant cheer that ended in a 
pained groan as she crashed into the branches of a tree.

Ai whirled furiously, trying to find the vanished Chinese girl to no avail.  
Then a voice whispered in her ear.  "If want date, could have asked Zhu 
Shu."

She spun to find the Chinese girl standing right behind her.  "Cheerleader 
bomb!"  Ai screamed.

Zhu Shu didn't quite dodge fast enough to avoid the twin pom poms that 
landed at her feet and exploded.

"Zhu Shu!"  Ranma cried out in anguish as he started forward, but as the 
smoke cleared, he saw Zhu Shu was still standing.  Her dress was shredded 
and she was blackened with soot, but seemed okay.  She gave him a warning 
glance before smiling at Ai.

"Zhu Shu should warn Ai.  Clan Dragon very strong against fire."

The cocky smile was perfect, but it distracted Zhu Shu long enough for 
Megumi and Ayeka to do a syncronized "Air Kick!"  Zhu Shu was flung across 
the yard to land with a splash  in the fountain.  She emerged like a 
wrathful water dragon, her emerald green eyes burning.  The tattered remains 
of her dress had been unequal to the stress of her change though, and 
nosebleeds broke out across the crowd.

Ai found herself staring as the blonde dragon girl launched herself skyward, 
her jump seeming to reach nearly impossible heights.  Her ribbons swirled 
around her as she cried "Dragon Wing Blast!"

The glow around her swords brightened as she raised them above her head, 
then brought them down like a pair of wings and pointed them at Megumi and 
Ayeka.  A solid blast of chi slammed into the ground between the pair and a 
shockwave hurled them from their feet.

As the dust settled Zhu Shu landed between the unconscious girls and knelt, 
her breath coming in short gasps as she tried to recover from the massive 
chi blast.  Ai simply stood watching her, a small trickle of blood running 
down her upper lip .  Finally, Zhu Shu raised her head, her emerald green 
eyes fixing on Ai's blue ones.

"Four down.  Must Zhu Shu defeat Ai too?"

Ai started, and looked around at the rest of her squad, then at the 
exhausted Chinese girl.  She wiped the blood away from her lip and gave Zhu 
Shu an apprasing look.  "I'm willing to call it a draw."

Zhu Shu's head bowed slightly.  "Zhu Shu will call draw."

Ai crossed her arms.  "Another time then.  Next time, we will beat you."

Zhu Shu smiled.  "Zhu Shu sees."

Then Ranma was there with a jacket for Zhu Shu, and while Akane ran 
interference, he escorted Zhu Shu away from the cheering crowd.

* * * * *

"Are you okay?"  Ranma asked after they had cleared the school grounds.

"Zhu Shu fine.  Just had to recover.  Lose temper and use too much chi."

"What kind of crazy stunt were you pulling back there.  Why'd you take on 
all five?"

Zhu Shu gave him a dirty look.  "They challenged.  Zhu Shu honor to defend."

"Yeah, but-"

"But nothing.  Ranma seem forget that Zhu Shu not flower.  Can protect self! 
  Zhu Shu maybe take you if really tried."

"You ain't that good Zhu-chan." Ranma said.  "You may be faster than me, but 
you don't have the strength or endurance."

"Ranma so sure?  Zhu Shu not show Ranma all knows.  Girls challenge, Zhu Shu 
answer!  Could take Ai maybe if not lose temper.  She only real threat."

"She's more of a danger than you might think, Zhu Shu." Akane said as she 
caught up to them.  "She's notorious for making sure she gets her way... and 
she's known for carrying grudges for years."

Zhu Shu sighed.  "Will deal with as comes."

"Don't worry about her, Zhu-chan.  I got your back."

Zhu Shu whirled to confront Ranma, the jacket falling off her shoulders with 
the speed of her turn.  "Zhu Shu not need watch back!  Does Ranma think Zhu 
Shu not warrior?  Zhu Shu train all life be master of Song school!"

Ranma held up his hands, "Hey, hey, why are you so angry?  Your my friend.  
I just want to make sure you're okay.  Okay?"

Zhu Shu pulled the jacket back around her.  "Ranma need learn that just 
because Zhu Shu female does not mean is weak."

"I didn't say that!"

"I seem to recall you saying just that before Zhu Shu had her fight."  Akane 
said helpfully.  "I believe the phrase was "even if they are girls."

"Yeah, so?  Guys are stronger than girls."

"Oh yeah?" Akane punched him in the shoulder.  There was a startled yelp as 
Ranma was knocked off the side of the bridge they were crossing.

There was a splash and then the sputtering red-head pulled himself back on 
the bridge.  "Whaddja do that for?"

"I'm strong enough to knock you off a bridge!"

"That's because you're an unfeminine tomboy!"

Zhu Shu pushed the unprepared red-head off the bridge again.  Looking down 
at the just surfacing girl, she called down.  "Zhu Shu strong enough to push 
off bridge, too.  Make her tomboy?"

Ranma growled as he jumped back up to the bridge.  "Okay, okay.  So you're 
both mad at me.  I get the picture."

Zhu Shu nodded no.  "Zhu Shu not think do."  She sighed as she snuggled the 
jacket tighter around her shoulders.  "Does Ranma even know why upset?"

The sullen female shrugged.  "No."

Zhu Shu sighed even harder as Akane rolled her eyes and muttered "baka" 
under her breath.  Zhu Shu turned to her.  "You no help.  Why insult instead 
of explain?"

"Wha-"  Akane sputtered.  "But he's the idiot!"

"Who you calling an idiot you uncute-"  Zhu Shu's hand over his mouth 
muffled the rest of the insult.

"Can please have conversation, not insult?  Zhu Shu too tired referee."

The pair of them glared at each other, but were silent.  Zhu Shu nodded.  
"You two on edge since other night.  Zhu Shu want know why."

"Because he's a baka!"  Akane spat.

"You were the one looking for a fight!"

A hand went over both mouths.  They looked at Zhu Shu, once more minus the 
jacket that had fallen off when she had reached up with both hands.  "Will 
please stop yell?"

Grudging nods followed.  Zhu Shu bent over to pick up the jacket again, 
watching Akane out of the corner of her eye.

She was watching, rather than glaring at Ranma.  Settling the jacket around 
her shoulders again, Zhu Shu asked.  "Does Akane think Zhu Shu friend?"

"Of course I do!"

"Why?"

Akane gaped as her mouth opened and closed a few times.  "Um... um... 
because you are.  I mean, you've listened to me, and... um...  well, you 
saved Kasumi from those muggers."

"Zhu Shu would have done anyway.  Not do out of friendship.  Do cause have 
no choice.  Why else?"

Akane looked sidelong at Ranma, who was sullen trudging along beside them.  
"Because, because you asked me to be, and you've acted like a friend."

"Ah.  Ranma.  Why you friend with Zhu Shu?"

"Huh?  Because we made friends in China.  You know that."

"Has Akane asked to be friend?"

Akane looked startled, and looked over at Ranma.

"Yeah, she asked me.  Then she found out I was a guy and started insulting 
me."

"What happen?"

"She walked in on me in the bath!"

"He looked at me naked!"

Zhu Shu looked back and forth at the simultanious answers, blinking.

"You could have knocked!"

"I was expecting a girl!  Why should I knock!"

"I would have!"

"It's my house!"

Zhu Shu whistled.  When the two of them turned to look at her, she nodded.  
"So, why that so bad?  Ranma see Zhu Shu naked.  Akane see Zhu Shu naked.  
Zhu Shu mostly naked now."

Akane glared at Ranma.  "Because... because... He's a pervert!"

"I am not!"

"Akane.  Why Ranma pervert for looking at Akane?"

"Because a guy's not supposed to see a girl naked untill they're married!"

"So why is okay for Ranma see Zhu Shu?"

Akane blinked, non-plussed.

"Ah jeez, Zhu-chan, you're like my sister.  I couldn't think of you like 
that!"  Ranma protested

Akane looked at Ranma and blinked.   FInally Akane shrugged.  "You showed me 
what happened when you taught Ranma about girls.  I- I just-" she trailed 
off.

"No be jealous?"  Zhu Shu supplied.  Akane was silent, but Ranma gave her a 
wide eyed look and blinked.

"Jealous?"

"Why would I be jealous over you?" Akane snarled.  "It's not like you're 
some prize catch or anything!"

"Oh yeah, well at least I'm not sexless!"

"Ranma?"  Zhu Shu interrupted before things got any further out of hand.

"Yeah?"

"What you think if Zhu Shu say she wish she in Ranma place.  Zhu Shu think 
Akane very sexy."

Akane blushed as Ranma kicked a stone.  "But she's always acting like a 
boy!"

Akane's blush turned to fury as her hand balled into a fist, but Zhu Shu 
stopped her.  "What Ranma judge against?" she asked, a touch of  anger in 
her tone.

Ranma's eyes locked on hers as he realized the trap he had just set for 
himself, and he swallowed hard.

Zhu Shu stepped up to the red-head and poked her between the breasts.  "You 
make vow on honor Saotome name!  You no have honor?"

Ranma sighed.  "I'm sorry Zhu Shu."

"Zhu Shu not one should apologize to."  She said as she turned her back on 
him.

Ranma stopped walking as she seemed to deflate.  "Akane?"

Akane had stopped too, but was studiously not looking at the red-head.  
"Yes."

"I'm sorry for calling you a tomboy.  Zhu Shu's right.  I- I-"

"I accept your apology."

Ranma nodded.  "And look, I'm sorry I didn't warn you about my curse right 
away.  I- I just didn't think you'd believe me, and I wasn't really wanting 
to get engaged.  My old man just kinda sprang it on me, then knocked me 
unconscious and dragged me there."

Akane sighed.  "My dad told us about it right before you got there."

"So maybe Ranma and Akane give each other chance?  Zhu Shu know Ranma 
arrogant, and Zhu Shu must still break of notion that boys better than 
girls, but he can be trained."

"Hey."  Ranma protested as Akane giggled.

"And Akane can have short temper, but she just want respect."

Akane raised an eyebrow at the Chinese girl, but kept silent.

"Now, maybe Ranma and Akane start over?  Be friends?  Worry about fiancee 
stuff later?"

A wind whistled through the silence as the two stood looking at each other 
before Ranma stuck out his hand.  "Friends?"

Akane looked at the proferred hand for a long moment before shaking her head 
yes as she took his hand.  "You're still the most aggravating male I know, 
Ranma Saotome."

"Would not be Ranma if not." Zhu Shu chimed in.  "Is part of Saotome charm."

Both girls giggled as Ranma let out another "hey" in protest.

"Now, can please get home?  Jacket very drafty."

Akane and Ranma both laughed as they stepped up beside the dragon girl and 
began walking again, the tension between them, for the moment, gone.

And on a rooftop behind them, red eyes watched them from the shadows before 
a dark figure slipped over the edge of the roof and vanished.




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