All Ranma characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi, first published by 
Shogakugan in Japan and brought over to North America by Viz Communications.

A Different Viewpoint: Curses and Demons:

        Chapter 29

He hated these jobs. As head of Homicide, it was all too often his duty to 
inform people of the loss of a loved one. It was far worse when it came to a 
situation like this, telling a mother about her child's death.

Inspector Jyuzou Megure shook his head sadly. < There is little chance the 
girl is still alive though... not much chance. It's such a puzzling 
situation. Where is the girl's body, and where did that panther come from?>

He looked up to the building he had arrived at. < Here's the hospital... 
better get this over with.> He got out of his car an started trudging up the 
steps.

Several minutes later a nurse showed him into Dr. Mizuno's office. "Here you 
go, Detective."

The doctor looked up from the computer on her desk. "Detective? Well, am I 
in some sort of trouble?" She had a rather bland expression on her face and 
it was a moment before Inspector Megure realized he was being kidded.

"Ah, no Ma'am, um Doctor. That's not why I'm here. You see, it's about your 
daughter..." He trailed off. "I'm afraid I have some bad news for you...."

It took him a few minutes to give the doctor all the details. Through out 
his rather grisly story, the Doctor sat very still, hardly breathing. When 
he had finished however....

Doctor Mizuno looked the police inspector in the eye dubiously. "My daughter 
is not dead. There is no evidence that supports that."

"Nothing conclusive," the detective admitted. "But the circumstances don't 
look very good I'm afraid. We should be prepared...."

"For the worst?" Dr. Mizuno shook her head. "I refuse to accept that... that 
my daughter is gone... not without more proof. You've said that the blood 
found on her clothing wasn't hers, and there was no trace of her aside from 
her clothing, correct?"

Inspector Megure sighed. "We're still looking, of course, Doctor. I just 
don't want you to get any false hopes."

Doctor Mizuno looked at the rather large, grim faced man calmly. "I've given 
this speech before, Detective. You don't have much of a bedside manner, do 
you?" She bowed her head. "I'm sorry, I'm not myself right now. I should go 
home, get some sleep. You'll keep me informed of any news?"

The detective nodded, standing solicitously to offer her his hand. "Of 
course. You'll be the first to know."  He hesitated, obviously uncertain of 
what he wanted to say.

The doctor frowned slightly. "Yes, Detective. What is it?"

He sighed, scratching his head. "Well Doctor, the case is a rather unusual 
one, but If you wouldn't object I know someone who specializes in... odd 
cases. If your daughter is alive, he'd be the man to find her."

Dr. Mizuno gave the detective a sharp look. "Oh? And who is this man?"

The police inspector looked at her for a second then nodded. "Perhaps you've 
heard of him? Kogorou Mouri?"

The doctor looked mildly impressed. "The famous 'Sleeping Kogorou'?"

"Yes, and I think he's just the man for this job." The inspector dared a 
slight smile.

"Well, then what are you waiting for, Inspector? Give him a call!" With a 
swift movement, she handed the detective her desk phone.

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

"I got a very interesting case today." Mouri Kogorou grumbled to his 
daughter over his morning coffee.

"That's nice father." Ran said as she fried the eggs over the stove. "What 
makes it so interesting?"

The famous "Sleeping Detective" frowned. "Well, it's a missing girl... only 
she's probably been killed."

Ran shook her head. "That's terrible father, but why is that interesting? It 
sounds all too common really."

Her father shook his head. "An escaped panther was found near the girl's 
clothing and purse, with blood on its jaws. The panther wasn't from any zoo 
either... probably an exotic pet, or that's what the police think at least." 
He frowned. "The girl's body hasn't been discovered yet."

The Mouri's houseguest, 7 year old Conan Edogawa was listening intently 
behind his school books. < I wonder... the girl's clothes could have been 
dumped there by a kidnapper, but where does the panther come in? That is 
what makes this so interesting....  Could it have been a guard animal, or an 
experiment subject? I'll have to check this out.>

Kogorou was still talking to his daughter. "My client wants me to check the 
places her daughter could have been, but I'm going to the zoo first to get 
some more information."

"Oh, the zoo?" Conan chimed in with childish enthusiasm. "Can I come too? 
Hmm, Ran-neechan? Pleeeeease?"

"Of course you can come, Conan-kun...." She glanced at her father. "Right?"

"The still half awake and unshaven detective shrugged. "What does it matter, 
bring the little brat." He stood up slowly. "Guess I'll... go get ready... 
or something." < I need a drink.> He wandered off into the living room.

"Thanks, Ran-neechan." Conan said. "I'm sure I'll have a lot of fun at the 
zoo!" < And find a clue or two, I hope.>

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

The zoo veterinarian was filling them in. "The animal was in very good 
health, except for some minor damage to it's jaw and some neck trauma.  It 
was well groomed, with a clean pelt, and it was well fed. It was obviously 
used to captivity, for it didn't react overtly when it awoke in our 
facility."

Mouri frowned.  "What about the blood?  Have you examined it?"

The vet looked at the detective.  "The blood found was all the panther's.  I 
can not believe that animal injured the girl in any way, there were no signs 
of that at all."

Conan shook his head. "Um, Sir, what do you mean, 'was in good health'."

The vet blinked. "Well, the panther is no longer in our keeping. She was 
shipped to another zoo last night."

Mouri, hearing this, turned around. "Ah hah! As I thought, the panther did 
come from a zoo! It was stolen from a foreign zoo and smuggled here! The 
girl obviously came across the smugglers by accident, and they had to grab 
her to keep her quiet!"

The vet blinked at the detective's vehemence. "Ah... no, I'm afraid no zoo 
has reported losing one of its black panthers. The panther was shipped to 
our sister zoo last night to aid in a breeding program we've been trying 
recently."

Ran blushed. "Did you say... a breeding...."

Conan was shuffling his shoes in an agitated way. "Doctor, sir... why did 
you send the panther away so soon?"

The vet scratched his head. "Actually, that's been puzzling me as well. The 
word came down that the need for this panther was immediate, but no one 
asked me if she was ready for a mating, I never even got to run any tests... 
they just sent her away, just like that."

Ran was still blushing. "Without any warning? The poor panther! I hope she's 
OK!"

Conan looked over at Kogorou. "Mouri-san, I'm sure 'you' could find out why 
they took the panther away... and where?"

Kogorou puffed himself up. "Well of course... Doctor, where did that panther 
get sent and why? Who authorized it? This is a very important witness...." 
He frowned, "Or do I mean piece of evidence?" He said low under his breath. 
"Well, it's important to the case!" He told the veterinarian firmly.

The vet looked startled. "Well, It's not supposed to be told to any 
outsiders... but as you're investigating this for the police...." He walked 
over to the desk and picked up a file from it. "Here's the information."

Kogorou puzzled over the file for a few moments, muttering to himself. "It 
says here that the panther was... shipped to San Francisco? For a chance 
test... what does this mean?"

The vet took the file back. "It's as I told you. Our director decided at the 
last minute that this panther would be perfect for the oversea breeding 
program."

The detective straightened up. "Well, I'll see your director then!"

The vet sighed. "I'm sorry, but that won't be possible. He's on safari in 
Africa until next month. He keeps in contact through his daily e-mails to 
us."

Ran sighed. "On safari in Africa... how wonderful."

Conan frowned. < I'll have to check on this... I'll use Dr. Agasa's computer 
to have a look at these e-mails... something doesn't seem right. Why would 
the director make such a hasty decision, without the approval of his chief 
vet? Is he tied somehow to what's happened to this girl?>

As the trio left the zoo, Mouri confided to his daughter. "I've made an 
appointment to talk to the girl's mother.  She works in Tokyo General, not 
far from here."  While they drove, Conan puzzled over what he had learned.  
< It is very suspicious, the way the panther was moved so quickly.  But why? 
  Who could do that, and why? It's not as it the panther could tell anyone 
what happened....>

At the doctor's office, the detective and his charges were quickly shown 
inside.

Mouri looked surprised when he realized there were others present, a old 
Shinto priest and a fairly plain looking housewife were sitting in front of 
the doctor's desk.  "Ah, are you Dr. Mizuno?"  He asked the woman in the 
long white coat siting who was sitting behind the desk.

"I am.  I am sorry to presume, but I invited some others, who are possibly 
involved in this case."  Dr. Mizuno gestured to the two seated.  "This is 
Ikuko Tsukino and Grandfather Hino.  Mrs. Tsukino's daughter, and Hino-san's 
granddaughter vanished, together we think, last week for over 4 days."

Mouri stared at them in confusion.  "Vanished, for four days?  But they came 
back?"

Ikuko spoke up.  "Yes, but my daughter wouldn't  tell me where they were, or 
why she came back without her luggage, or anything."

Rei's grandfather nodded his head.  "My Rei won't talk to me either, and 
then there's the missing clothes."

Ran spoke up, blushing.  "Umm, missing clothes?"

Dr. Mizuno nodded.  "Yes... in several instances our children or their 
friends have apparently lost their clothing."  She glanced at Ikuko, who 
reluctantly nodded.

"Yes... Several weeks ago, a close friend of my daughter showed up 
unexpectedly... naked at my house.  She couldn't give any explanation for 
her missing clothing."

The old priest spoke up.  "Yes, and their friend Makoto was over at the 
temple wearing my Rei's clothes, which were obviously too small for her.  
Then Ikuko and I saw Atlanta naked at Mamoru Chiba's apartment."

Ikuko frowned, "And such an obvious excuse, they were lying about it 
certainly...."

Dr Mizuno nodded.  "And the night before last Ami came home in one of Rei's 
outfits.  She wouldn't tell me what happened, simply that she 'lost them'.  
She was at Hino-san's shrine that day."

The old man nodded.  "I saw her earlier that day wearing one of her usual 
outfits.  She left wearing it.  When she lost hers and borrowed Rei's, I 
don't know."

Mouri was following this exchange with growing confusion, Ran was blushing 
up a storm, but Conan's face was blank.  He was thinking hard. < This Ami 
loses her clothes a lot....  They were found at the crime scene...  A 
different set of clothing from the ones she lost previously it seems...  
What happened to her?>

Mouri spoke up.  "It sounds very serious... A perverse sexual situation, 
which is no doubt the reason for the girls' refusal to speak!  The criminal 
mastermind behind this has damaging photos of the girls, and is blackmailing 
them into silence!"

Ikuko spoke up fiercely.  "I can't believe that!  My daughter told me that I 
would be proud of her, that nothing was improper... and I believe her!"

Dr. Mizuno shook her head.  "Ami told me much the same thing, Ikuko, but 
what the Detective suggests may be true.... We can't discount the 
possibility."  She looked at Mouri.  "I think however, that we would know if 
our children had been so traumatized... my daughter was upset that she had 
to keep a secret from me... but she did not seem traumatized... I have seen 
raped women before, Detective.  They are never as calm about it as my 
daughter and her friends seemed to be... not without other signs.  
Physically, my daughter was undamaged... She showed no signs of shock or 
fatigue... in fact, she was not apparently in any great emotional distress 
when I first saw her yesterday.  She seemed fine until I asked her about her 
missing clothes!"

Mouri shook his head.  "Of course, Doctor.  I'm sure you know your 
daughter."

Conan piped up with a quick question.  "Do any of your children or their 
friends have any pets?"

Ikuko spoke up. "Why yes, my daughter and Minako Aino have cats."

Mouri smacked Conan on the head.  "Don't ask stupid questions!"  He turned 
back to the doctor.  "You told the police that your daughter and her friends 
have been going to this... Um, Tendo Dojo for several weeks?"

Dr. Mizuno nodded.  "That is correct."

"Well I'll investigate there next.  You have my number, call me if you think 
of anything else that might help."

As they left the Hospital, Conan was still trying to put the facts together. 
  < Several girls go missing, their clothes go missing... The panther is now 
missing... What am I not seeing? There must be a connection.>

As they drove towards Nerima, Mouri confided to his daughter. "We'll be 
checking out this 'Tendo Dojo' next. Strange animals and people have been 
spotted there on occasion. There is supposed to be an escaped panda living 
there as well. I'm sure that's these 'Tendo's' are part of the smuggling 
ring! This Ami has been taking martial arts lessons there."

Ran was looking puzzled. "Tendo Dojo? Why does that sound familiar?"

"Do you know anyone named Tendo, Ran-neechan?" asked Conan innocently.

Ran shook her head. "No, but I think I remember an Akane Tendo at the last 
high school women's Karate championships. She's my age, but we never 
sparred."

Conan edged up to her. "Why not?"

Ran blushed. "Well... She was kind of... intimidating. She was eliminated by 
a ring out just before I was going to fight her... and I was relieved, to be 
honest." She shook her head. "I thought she was going to win... I think the 
judges just don't like these small schools winning the competitions... it's 
bad for the schools they represent." She shook her head. "I'm sorry 
Conan-kun, I guess I got off track a bit." Conan was still staring at her 
intently. He suddenly shook his head and flushed slightly, and she had to 
smile. < He's so cute when he's upset.>

Conan's thoughts weren't on what Ran had just been saying though. < She's so 
beautiful... when she's talking about something she really cares about, 
she's amazing!>

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

Nodoka sat on the back porch of the Tendo home, quietly sipping a cup of tea 
while her husband battled Soun only a few feet behind her in their never 
ending battle of tactics and guile--otherwise known as Shogi. Sometimes it 
was Go, and today Shogi, but the battle was in general the same one, played 
over and over again between the two men. Nodoka thought they would never 
tire of it, and truthfully that was fine with her. The clack of tiles, the 
constant cheating, all faded to a pleasant drone in the background that was 
quite soothing.

She needed something to calm her nerves, really, with all the stress she was 
going through with worrying about her son and his extended family. A 
demoness, of all things, was the last thing she wanted to be thinking about, 
although Nodoka supposed it was appropriate, having a demoness show up to 
balance out her husband and Soun's demon master Happosai. Not that Happosai 
was really a demon, as much as he seemed to be sometimes. Nodoka looked up 
at the sound of Nabiki entering the
living room from the hall and turned to glance back at her with a smile.

Just then the front doorbell rang, and Nodoka automatically rose to get it. 
"You two go ahead and keep playing." She told the two martial artists. "I'll 
get the door."

The doorbell rang again as she went to get it, and Nodoka hurried the last 
few steps and pulled the front door open wide, only to face a tall blond 
woman wearing a rather scandalous outfit in black leather and sporting a 
unique looking set of tattoos on her forehead.

"Hi!" Mara said cheerfully to the surprised housewife. The sound of a katana 
sliding out of a wooden sheath was Nodoka's only response, the blade nearly 
taking the demonesses head off in mid swing, surprising Mara as much as she 
had Nodoka. From the hall, Nabiki gaped at the older woman as Nodoka showed 
an amount of competence with her blade that she had never before shown, 
driving the demoness back with a series of deadly strokes that Mara was only 
barely able to evade. The
middle Tendo sister did not stay around to watch, however, and darted out of 
the hall, heading for the living room.

Mara backflipped out of range of Nodoka's sword. "Well now... you're rather 
dangerous with that, aren't you?" < That katana is the problem... where do 
these mortals keep finding these things? How many anti-demon warded katanas 
could there possibly be in Tokyo?>

Nodoka held her weapon at the ready as she crouched down into a position 
that showed that she was getting ready to leap.  "I'm sorry about this, but 
you have threatened not only the protectors of Tokyo, but my family as well. 
I have no choice in what I do." < How in the world am I doing this? I don't 
know how to fight this well!>

Mara chuckled. "Everyone wants to be a hero these days. Luckily, I do have a 
choice in what "I" do." She wrinkled her nose. "Now let me see... what 
should do...." < Preferably something she won't fight... an inner wish of 
some kind?>

Nodoka did her best to breathe slowly, hiding her fear with rigid control. 
"Leave now. We don't have to do this." < I'm too old for this... I wish....>

Mara smirked. "Oh yes we do. You wish you were younger eh? Fine! Wish 
granted!"

Nodoka's eyes went wide as Mara's hands went up and energy gathered in them. 
"What!?! How did you...?" The demoness threw her hands forward, a wave of 
energy throwing Nodoka to her knees. There was a sudden shrinking sensation, 
and Nodoka was finding it hard to keep her suddenly huge katana pointed at 
the blond haired demon. Mara hopped down out of the tree, looking slightly 
surprised.

"Well well!" Mara said with an eyebrow raised. "That should have aged you to 
infancy. Either I'm slipping, or you were a lot older than I took you for." 
She nodded to herself slowly. "Oh of course, you must have had plastic 
surgery! I hear they can take years away nowadays."

Nodoka glared at Mara in anger. "I'll have you know my family has always 
aged very well, thank you."

Mara shrugged. "Whatever. I'll just zap you again, and you'll be reduced to 
an embryo. Sound good to you?"

Nodoka stepped back slowly, nearly tripping on her oversized kimono. "You 
won't win...."

Mara scoffed. "Oh? What is that?"

Nodoka suddenly smiled. "Because my husband has finished sneaking up behind 
you."

There was a sudden shout, and Mara felt a sudden breeze, then saw two long 
furrows plow into the ground in front of her, just before the top half of 
her body fell face first into the dirt. She looked up with a pained grimace, 
only to see Nodoka looking back at her with a shocked expression on her 
face.

"Damn." Mara glanced back at her lower half, only to watch it topple over a 
moment later, her legs and lower body falling over to the side, even as 
Genma Saotome landed lightly behind her. "Damn!" Mara levered herself up 
with one arm slowly, and pointed her other hand, palm first, at the rotund 
martial artist. "Now... you've really pissed me off." With an explosion of 
black energy Genma flew backwards into the far wall, cracking it, then 
slumped to the ground, head lolling to one side.

Nodoka gasped in fear and tripped herself on her kimono as she quickly 
stepped backwards, falling on her back just outside the front door. Mara, 
however paid her no attention, instead focusing on herself. Slowly her lower 
torso started to slide toward her upper body, then rejoined it, coming 
together as one unit with a bright flash.

Mara slowly stood, brushing herself off and and glaring at Genma angrily. 
"Now that HURT! You're going to pay for that, mortal." She grinned slowly. 
"And when a demon says you're going to pay...." Genma leaped away from her, 
jumping to the rooftop and leaping out of sight in only moments. "Wow!" Mara 
said, sounding slightly impressed. "Now that was some fast running away...." 
She levitated after him, following Genma into the backyard, leaving Nodoka 
alone by the front door. Ranma's mother turned around to follow, only to 
fall flat on her face as she tripped on her oversized kimono.

Mara had the large martial artist trapped in the corner of the Tendo's back 
yard when a sixth sense warned her of danger behind. Mara glanced backwards 
just in time to dodge the warded arrow that an armored samurai warrior had 
launched at her only an instant before. "Whoa!" She skittered backwards 
quickly, getting some distance between her and the samurai as he nocked yet 
another arrow to his great bow. Mara heard Genma rising to his feet behind 
her at the same time and sighed. "I don't believe this." She raised a hand. 
"Fine, you win this round." Snapping her fingers, she vanished in a puff of 
smoke.

As Nodoka slowly pulled herself up off the ground, a car pulled up to the 
front walk, and several people got out. A man about Soun's age, looking 
almost like a long lost brother, a tall girl about Akane's age and a little 
boy not much younger than she appeared herself.

"Are you alright, little girl?" Ran asked the scared looking waif. < Is 
that... a katana?>

"Ah, yes... I'm fine. I'm... just fine." Nodoka said shakily.

Kogorou looked at the gate sign. "Ah, the Tendo Dojo! This is it alright!" 
He turned to look at Nodoka. "Hello little girl, do you live here?"

Nodoka shook her head at first. "No, I don't, the Tendo's are good friends 
of mine...." Then she trailed of into silence. The look of shock on her face 
deepened for a moment. "Ah no!" She said suddenly in a very different tone 
of voice. "My... Daddy is here! He's Mr.. Tendo's friend! I'm too little to 
practice the martial arts, my Daddy says so! I'm waiting for him."

All the time, Conan was watching Nodoka, a growing comprehension and horror 
growing on his face. < This little girl... the way she was talking just 
now... it was like an older woman... a traditional type, maybe 30 or 40 
years old... and her kimono is much to big for her... it can't be! She's 
pretending to be a little girl... but she can't be... it must be... APTX! 
The same drug that changed me into this child's body!>

Ran focused on the girl. "What's your name, little girl?"

"Oh?" She seemed at a loss for a moment. "Um... my name?" Nodoka thought to 
herself. < Should I use my real name?> "I'm not... supposed to talk to 
strangers...." She said to gain time to think.

Conan was remembering a similar occasion in Dr. Agasa's house, being asked 
the same question, by the same person.

He strode forward, extending his hand with a deliberately cheerful grin. 
"Hi, my name's Conan! You said your father is a martial artist right? That's 
so cool!"

"Um... yes, Gen... my father... is a friend of Mr.. Tendo." Nodoka was 
finding it hard to think. < How old am I? How did I talk when I was this 
young... it's so hard to remember.> She grinned back at the enthusiastic 
young boy. "Um... hello, Conan. My name is... Manami Saotome." She said, 
recalling the name of a childhood friend.

He put his hand out again. "Great, then we're not strangers, right Manami?"

She shook his hand after a moment. "I guess not, Conan-kun." He's smaller 
than me... "How old are you, Conan?"

"I'm seven..." He grinned at her, "but I'll be eight really soon!"

She nodded. < Hmm... then I might be 10 or 11 years old now....> "I'm 11 
years old." Nodoka confided. Ran and her father had started for the front 
door as 'Manami' and 'Conan' talked.

Conan gestured inside. "Come on, Manami!"

Nabiki met them at the door. "Can I help you?" She glanced at Nodoka 
knowingly. "Our "guest" has left unexpectedly, 'Manami'-chan. Who are these 
nice people?"

Mouri strode up to Nabiki with a slight swagger. "I'm Detective Kogorou 
Mouri. I'm here on a missing person investigation. May I come in?"

Nabiki blinked twice, her mind racing. "Of course. She opened the front door 
fully and loudly called inside. "Daddy! There's a DETECTIVE Mouri here for 
you!"

There was the faint sound of someone moving around quickly as Genma and Soun 
scrambled to put everything back into place, but before Nabiki finished 
escorting the detective into the living room, Soun and Genma were calmly 
sitting at the living room table, looking like they were simply having a 
quiet cup of tea.

Detective Mouri was already hot on the case. "What do you know about a 
missing girl?" He questioned the fat, balding man in the gi.

Genma was quick to deny anything. "Missing girl?" He pointed at Nodoka. "But 
who's that over there?" Everyone glanced at the small girl in confusion. 
Before they turned back, there was a loud splash from the pond nearby. When 
they did look for the man, he was gone... and a panda was playing with a 
tire near the pond.

Conan blinked. < A... panda? Maybe Kogorou was right about that animal 
smuggling ring.> He looked around thoughtfully. < Now where did the other 
man go? He really moved fast when Mouri questioned him....>

Ran pointed her hand at the animal. "Ah!!! What? There's the panda we heard 
about!"

The panda waved a sign suddenly. 'No, I'm not that panda, I'm another panda 
entirely!'

Mouri was nodding his head. "Right, it must be another panda!" Conan and Ran 
facefaulted.

Soun laughed nervously. "Yes of course... this is a family pet...." He shot 
his middle daughter an anxious look. "Nabiki, take Panda-san and feed him, 
OK?"

Nabiki rolled her eyes. "Right, Daddy, I'll take his panda-ness and feed 
him. What did you want me to feed him too?"

Soun put out a hand to indicate that his guests should take a seat. "I'm 
afraid I can't offer very good hospitality today.  My married daughters 
aren't home, but I could get some tea?"

Detective Mouri shook his head. "No thanks. We're here on business, Mr. 
Tendo."

Conan spoke up. "Could I have some tea Mister? I'm kinda thirsty!" He 
grinned winningly as he sat down at the kotatsu in the middle of the room, 
swinging his legs underneath the low table. < There are.. claw marks all 
over the floor here, but mostly by the... Shoji table?>  Conan scooted over 
towards the game.  < These pieces... they have odd scratches in the sides... 
And there are several coarse hairs here... both black and white.>  Conan 
slipped his micro recorder under the table.  < Its starting to add up... but 
I need more evidence.>

Kogorou frowned at having been interrupted. "We've come to investigate the 
disappearance of a girl. She comes to your dojo for lessons. Her name is Ami 
Mizuno."

Soun looked blank for a moment. "Hmm... Ami? I think I remember... a girl 
with dark black hair, cut short. She's a rather quiet student but she picks 
things up quickly... you say she's missing?"

Kogorou nodded. 'That's right! She's missing, and her clothing was found 
near an escaped panther." He stared hard at Soun. "You wouldn't know 
anything about a panther, would you?" He pointed outside. "You are keeping 
an endangered panda here... are there any other animals?"

Soun shook his head. "Of course not! This is a dojo, not a zoo!"

Mouri shrugged. "Then you won't mind us taking a look around, right?"

Soun paused. "Um... I suppose."

Nabiki came back into the room then. "Do you have a warrant, Detective?"

"Kogorou, Detective Mouri Kogorou." He told her again, standing up. "I'm 
working with the police on this case, Miss, and I can get a warrant if I 
need one. "Now, could we see the rest of the house?"

Upstairs, Misty could hear the conversation clearly. < I should leave before 
they see me... but where should I go?  There's no where good to hide in the 
house.> She looked around her room. < What would Johnathon do? No... what 
would Ranma do?>

Nabiki was still stalling on the stairs. "Do you have any ID, Mr. 
Detective?"  She said with a hint of irony in her voice.

"Hmph." Kogorou searched inside his jacket pocket. "Of course! It's right 
here..." He pulled a sake bottle from that pocket. "No... must be the other 
pocket...." He fished around for a few more seconds. "Ah hah! Here it is!"

Nabiki looked at the wallet for a few moments. "Huh... you sure this is you? 
Kind of an old picture...." Finally she handed it back to him. "Alright 
Detective, follow me."

Nabiki took them on a tour of the upstairs. "And this is the bathroom! Note 
the spotless tile, the old fashioned fixtures, the old geezer drying his 
bald pate...."

Genma jumped. "Nabiki!"

Soun closed the door. "Sorry old friend." He turned to Mouri. "That's just 
my old friend, Genma Saotome. His son married my daughter this year to take 
over our school of martial arts! We're both very proud."

Ran pointed at the door and whispered to Manami. "That ugly old man is your 
father?"

Manami choked, then chuckled slightly. "Ah hah... yes, that's my Daddy."

Conan shook his head slightly. < This situation isn't adding up... why is he 
inside getting dry? It isn't raining, was he taking a bath at this time of 
day?>  He moved inside and looked around carefully. < More claw marks... a 
lot of them... on the floor and scratches on the fixtures...>  He moved past 
the older balding man, looking at the floor.  < Odd... the claw marks head 
for the furo... over and over again... but none are leading away from the 
furo.>  He smiled just slightly.  < Now this is a hard one... I love a 
challenge.>

Nabiki lead them to each room in turn, noting details for them. Mouri seemed 
satisfied, but Conan was suspicious. < She's obviously stalling... why?>

"This is our guest room."  Nabiki explained in a bored sounding tone. "The 
Saotomes are staying with us today."  There were two futons side by side on 
the floor, one rolled up nicely, the other still out looking wore and 
overused.

Conan looking them both over carefully.  < The bald fellow and little girl 
slept here?  Oh really?>  He unrolled the neat futon and examined it.  < 
There is still a very slight impression in it... head and heel marks... 
about 5 feet apart... A relatively light person, but not a little girl.> He 
then went over the other one carefully.  As he was
nodding his head he was grabbed by the arm and dragged away.

"Come on, Boy!"  Mouri dragged him out of the room, but Conan held his fist 
close to his body, a smile on his face.  < The Saotomes' room?  The futon 
was crushed by something much heavier than that man, and there were claw 
marks and this fur all over it!   I'd say an older woman and... a panda were 
sharing that room!>

In the final room, a larger bed dominated. Nabiki explained. "This is my 
sister Kasumi and her husband's room. Note the large, comfortable bed, which 
is already showing signs of wear...." She grinned. "They've only been 
married a few months." Ran blushed, Mouri coughed self consciously.

Ran stammered.  "Come on, Conan, Manami, you're too young.... Conan?"

Conan was over by the open window, looking out at the ground. < Why is the 
window open? Did someone leave through here?> He examined the window sill. 
"Scratches." He said out loud. "There are scratches here, like from an 
animal."  < But not the same animal... these marks are strange.  More like a 
dog's... Or a very large cat?>  He glanced at the bed quickly.  < Cat hair, 
black cat hair...>

On the roof, Misty froze, and held her breath. < Please don't check the 
roof, please....>

Mouri pulled Conan away from the window sill. "Boy! Get away from there! 
We're leaving!"

Conan frowned. "Leaving? Why?"

Mouri pointed to Nabiki. "This young lady has shown me papers for the panda, 
and Mr.. Tendo has explained that he hasn't seen Miss Mizuno since she came 
to class last Sunday." He frowned and hit Conan on the head. "And don't 
question me, Boy! It's obvious we're wasting our time here!" He thought 
about Soun Tendo. < Besides, such a good looking fellow wouldn't stoop to 
anything criminal, that's certain.>

As they left, Conan looked everywhere for the panda. < It's gone... Nowhere 
to be seen... Just as I thought.   This almost looks like the case of the 
disappearing panda... that's the key to this mystery... the girl, the 
panther, the panda... They are all connected...>  He sighed as they led him 
into the car.  < The odd things Dr. Mizuno and the other parents noted, 
'Manami' and the Tendos' zoo...   The panther might have caused those marks 
on the window sill... But they were a bit too big I think...  And too oddly 
placed... Almost as if they were made by clawed hands, and not paws.>  Conan 
shook his head.  < No... There should be a more rational explanation... but 
what? I can't believe in people who can turn into animals.>  The logical 
part of him insisted back. < Adults can become children in your world, but 
not animals?>  Conan frowned at his tiny knees and the outsized hands 
resting on them, and thought.

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

Kasumi stretched her wings slowly, feeling a minor twinge of residual pain. 
"I think I could try flying again..." she said hopefully, although the 
quaver in her voice betrayed her. Honestly, the idea of stepping off the 
rooftop she was on and attempting to fly again was positively terrifying. 
The memory of her flight to her currently
lofty perch seemed too ethereal, too impossible to be real, and despite the 
fact that she had indeed flown to where she was, it was hard to make herself 
believe that she could repeat the performance.

The winged girl walked carefully up to the edge of the rooftop and looked 
down, noticing with a mixture of disappointment and relief that the streets 
were still crowded, and given the position of the sun in the sky, would be 
so for hours to come at the least. On the negative side, that meant she 
didn't dare attempt another flight with so many possible witnesses, but at 
the same time she was perversely relieved that she didn't have to risk 
flying again so soon.

"Johnathon will come looking for me." She assured herself confidently. "So 
will Ranma and Akane and the others. I'm sure they already know what's 
happened. They could find me any time now." Kasumi glanced down at herself 
and blushed. "I hope it's Johnathon or Akane. It really isn't proper for me 
to be dressed like this in public."
Wearing nothing but her white cotton panties and a couple makeshift bandages 
was not the way she wanted to be found, not that she really had much choice 
in the matter.

"These wings really are a bother." Kasumi frowned to herself, turning away 
from the roof's edge and folding her wings over her shoulders with a shrug. 
It still amazed her at how much control she had over her new appendages, but 
despite how powerful and flexible they were, there was one thing that made 
them extremely inconvenient. "If I keep getting splashed like this I'll run 
out of clothes in days." She sighed. "It was bad enough when I just turned 
into a cat, but at least then I didn't ruin whatever I was wearing when I 
got splashed."

Kasumi glanced back off the building, into the city, looking around for any 
sign of her family or friends come to rescue her. "I wonder if they will be 
able to find me way up here?" Just then, Kasumi spotted a figure in a black 
cloak far below, moving from rooftop to rooftop while obviously searching 
for something. "Oh my! That's Tuxedo Kamen-san! I wonder if he's looking for 
me?" Forgetting for a moment her current state of undress, Kasumi stepped to 
the edge of the building and waved vigorously down at the man below. "Hello! 
Tuxedo Kamen-san! Hello!" The caped and masked man looked upwards at her 
call, spotting her almost immediately.

Kasumi waved for a moment more, then belatedly realized that she was 
flashing the masked defender of justice, even if from almost a hundred feet 
away. With a blush so bright she wondered if he could see despite the 
distance, the winged girl covered herself as best as she could with her 
arms, her wings folding down over her shoulders as well to provide an 
additional cover. Tuxedo Mask was already glancing away, looking around for 
a good way up to the roof. Nodding to himself after a
moment, Tuxedo Mask started over toward the building's front entrance.

"I'll come up and get you, Kasumi." He called up to her, his words faint but 
clear. "Wait right there." Leaping down to the ground level from the rooftop 
of the nearby building he had been on, the masked man glanced around, then 
abruptly transformed into Mamoru Chiba, having confirmed that his 
transformation wouldn't be observed. Moments later the young man entered the 
ground floor entrance of the building she was currently standing on top of. 
Kasumi shivered and did her best to adjust her wings so that they covered 
her a bit more completely. She couldn't help admiring her feathers a bit as 
she shifted her wings one final time.

"They are pretty, aren't they? And it is wonderful to be able to fly... I 
just wish they didn't appear so suddenly." Kasumi frowned at her taloned 
hands. "These aren't quite so attractive. Perhaps I could cover them up with 
a pair of gloves?" She clenched her fist several times testingly. "They do 
appear quite formidable. Perhaps with a bit of training I could assist the 
others when they have to fight...." She sighed. "What am I thinking? I'm no 
fighter. Johnathon would never let me go into danger anyway." The winged 
woman started to slowly pace along the rooftop, her feet making distinct 
tapping sounds against the gravel as she went. After a minute or so she 
headed over to the rooftop doorway, wondering how long it would take for 
Mamoru Chiba to make it all the way to the roof.

Several minutes had passed when the handsome, young, part time hero finally 
opened the rooftop door. "Kasumi?" He had one hand in front of his eyes as 
he came out onto the rooftop. "I brought you a kettle and some clothes." 
Mamoru held up a steaming kettle and a gray pair of overalls. "I talked the 
maintenance man into letting me borrow these when I was getting the roof key 
from him."

Kasumi sighed in relief and stepped forward to take the kettle and overalls. 
"Thank you so much, Mamoru-san. I was afraid I'd be stuck up here until 
after dark." The dark haired man politely turned his back as Kasumi poured 
the hot water over her head and got dressed. When she had finished, she 
walked up behind the taller man and put her hand on his shoulder. 
"Mamoru-san, where are the others? Is everyone out looking for me?"

Mamoru Chiba turned to face her and nodded. "Just about everyone came out to 
help look. I contacted them on the way up, so everyone should be meeting us 
here in a few minutes. Come on, let's go meet them downstairs." The two of 
them started down the stairs. Kasumi was thankful not to meet anyone on the 
way down, although on the bottom floor a gray haired older man poked his 
head out of the manager's office as they came near.

"Well then. Is this young lady the reason you were in such a hurry, young 
man?" The maintenance man raised an eyebrow appreciatively as he gave Kasumi 
the once over, noting her bare feet and arms under her borrowed overalls. 
"Not that I'd blame you. I'd do some pretty crazy stuff myself for a girl 
this cute, at least in my day."

Kasumi blushed bright red. "Oh my! You don't think that we... that he and 
I...? Oh dear!"

The old man laughed. "Don't worry, my dear. Think of this as our little 
secret. I was young once myself after all."

Mamoru handed the man the kettle he had borrowed, unperturbed. "Thanks for 
the kettle, Sir. I'll bring the overalls back later, OK?"

The old man nodded with a wink. "Sure, sure. They never looked that good on 
me, anyway."

Kasumi covered as much of her exposed arms and shoulders as she could with 
her hands, still blushing fiercely, but didn't protest any further as Mamoru 
Chiba led her out of the building. "Chiba-san...." She said quietly after 
they had finally gotten outside. "Please don't tell Johnathon about this. 
I... I don't...." She stopped in mid sentence
as she spotted a black furred half cat drop down from the rooftop of a 
nearby building. "Oh my."

Akane dropped down right behind the half cat, looking a bit concerned as he 
started heading directly towards his wife. "Johnathon... shouldn't you 
change first? Someone might see you."

The half cat stopped in his tracks, blinking, then reached around to pull 
his small pack off his back. "Oh right." Rummaging through the backpack, he 
brought out a thermos, unscrewed it and poured it over his head. Human 
again, Johnathon Tendo stepped out of the shadows to go straight to his 
wife's side. Kasumi, looking uncharacteristically guilty, couldn't look him 
in the eyes. Johnathon put his hand on her bare shoulder comfortingly. 
"Hey...."

Kasumi turned her head away from him, blushing. "Husband...."

Mamoru, feeling a bit uncomfortable at the married pair's reunion, slipped 
over to Akane. "So... where are the others, anyway?"

Akane hesitated. "Well, we were with Rei... she wanted to change back to 
normal first, but she should be here any moment now. I think we were the 
closest group."  She glanced at Johnathon and Kasumi in concern. "What's 
wrong with Kasumi?"

Mamoru shook his head. "She's alright. I just think she's a bit... er... 
embarrassed. The maintenance man assumed that she and I... well, were... you 
know... up on the roof."

Akane blushed, glancing at Kasumi again. "Oh. Poor Kasumi. She must have 
felt terrible."

Johnathon patted his distraught wife on the back reassuringly, not really 
sure what she was so upset about. "Listen, Kasumi, I don't care what anyone 
else thinks about you. Doesn't mean a thing. There wasn't anything you could 
have done about it, so just forget about it."

Kasumi shook her head. "I'm a terrible wife. All those people... they must 
think... oh... I can't think about what they must think."

Johnathon shook his head. "Doesn't matter. I know who you are. Your friends 
and family know who you are. You're probably never going to see any of the 
people who saw you transform again." He took her chin in his hand and gently 
turned her to face him. "And even if you do, you have nothing to be ashamed 
about. You can't control your curse, none of us can."

Kasumi sighed, then softly smiled. "You're right. The only person who's 
opinion should matter to me is you, Husband. I promise I will never make you 
ashamed of me."

Johnathon ruffled her hair affectionately. "I don't think that's even 
possible, love." He nodded past Kasumi's shoulder. "It looks like the others 
have all arrived. Let's go join them." While the two of them had been 
talking, Ranma, Ryoga, Artemis, Luna, and the rest of the Senshi, save Usagi 
had joined Akane and Mamoru in the shadows of a nearby building, leaving 
Johnathon and Kasumi to themselves. When they finally joined the others, 
Akane, Minako, Makoto and Rei gathered around Kasumi to comfort her, while 
Setsuna approached Johnathon.

"I'm glad to see that Kasumi is alright." Johnathon nodded with a smile and 
took the eldest Senshi's left hand in his right, squeezing it strongly 
before letting it go. "Thanks for the help. Now we have to help Ami. We'll 
all do everything we can to help."

Setsuna's cheeks might have been just a shade pinker, but her expression was 
as unflappable as ever as she nodded. "And your assistance is appreciated, 
of course."

Standing to one side, Haruka glanced at her watch. "Hey. We'd better hustle 
if we don't want to be late. The goddesses are supposed to be showing up at 
our place in just a few minutes. I don't think it's a good idea to keep a 
kami waiting, huh?"

Hotaru shook her head earnestly. "I don't think Belldandy-sama would take 
offense, Haruka-papa. She's much too nice a person... or goddess, for that."

Haruka shrugged. "Well, why take chances?"

Michiru smiled. "It would be rude to make them wait on the doorstep. I think 
we can still make it if we run."

Haruka grinned. "Wanna race, then?"

Micheru nodded. "With you? Anytime."

Ranma, hearing the discussion, casually slid over, Ranko just behind. "Did 
you guys say race?"

Haruka nodded, grinning. "Yup... ready... set...." She was off in a flash, 
dashing off in the direction of the home she and Michiru shared with Hotaru, 
Setsuna, and Professor Tomoe. Michiru was only a step behind her lover, 
having read the tall girl's body language better then the two martial 
artists.

"Hey!" Ranma and Ranko both yelled. "That's cheating!" They glanced at each 
other with identical grins. "Won't be enough, though." They announced in 
unison, racing after them, matching each other stride for stride.

Minako broke away from Kasumi and the others. "Oops, I almost forgot. 
Belldandy is doing that spell on me today." She sprinted off after Ranma and 
Ranko shouting.  "Hey! Wait for me!"

Everyone else started after the runners, although at a much slower pace. 
Johnathon rejoined his wife and walked along with her, Makoto, Akane and 
Rei, who were still doing their best to be supportive.

"We'll deal with these curses together." Johnathon said confidently, 
reaching down to hold his wife's hand. "As a family. Things will work out, 
you'll see."

Makoto nodded. "We'll all help, Kasumi. If you get into any more trouble 
around here, you can just drop by my place. I'll make sure to always have 
some hot water ready, just in case."

Kasumi nodded gratefully. "That's kind of you, if it wouldn't be too much 
trouble. You know, I just realized I don't know where any of you girls live, 
aside from Rei, that is."

Makoto tried to smile, laughing a bit shakily. "Well, that's easily fixed." 
She glanced over at Kasumi, then at Johnathon. "When things calm down a 
little, why don't you guys come over my place for dinner?" The tall girl 
turned to Akane and Ukyo a second later. "You guys should come too, with 
Ranma and Ranko. We can have a party to... to celebrate beating Mara." A 
desperately worried look flashed over her face for an instant before she 
covered it up with another fragile smile.

"We'll beat her." Johnathon said confidently. "She's not unstoppable. We'll 
find a way."

Ukyo, a bit more insightful, put a hand on Makoto's shoulder. "We'll find 
Ami safe and sound. I'm sure of it. I just know the goddesses will help."

Makoto shook her head, not reassured. "What if they can't? They said that 
unless it has to do with Mara, they can't help. It's against their rules or 
something...." She shivered. "Poor Ami. She must be so scared... all alone. 
We've got to find her. We've got to." The small group continued walking 
toward the Tomoe home in a contemplative silence, each of them caught up in 
their own thoughts.

Minutes later, Ranko and Ranma came racing to a stop in front of the large 
residence, Haruka, Michiru and Minako several blocks behind. "I win!" Ranko 
announced cheerfully, happy to have beaten her male half at something. Ranma 
frowned just slightly, but didn't argue. He really didn't want to point out 
that he had been holding himself back slightly, ever since he had realized 
that his longer stride gave him an edge over his twin in distance running. 
Ranko glanced back curiously, looking for the others, not really noticing 
Ranma's preoccupied frown. "Boy, we really have to step up their training if 
they're still this slow."

Ranma shrugged, deciding not to say anything about it to her. "They're 
coming along OK. It hasn't been that long since we started training them 
anyway."

Ranko frowned slightly. "I suppose."

It wasn't too long before the others started arriving, first Haruka, 
followed closely by Michiru, then Minako and a few minutes later everyone 
else in a group. It wasn't until they were all going inside that the 
goddesses finally arrived, the large mirror in the living room lighting up 
first, and Belldandy stepping out, pulling her younger sister Skuld through 
by the hand.

"Hello everyone!" Belldandy said, smiling brightly. "It's nice to see you 
all again." She blinked slightly. "Oh my. Are you all here waiting for me?"

Makoto stepped forward. "Belldandy... Belldandy-sama... Ami's gone. We think 
Mara had something to do with it."

Belldandy smile disappeared, her expression becoming concerned. "Oh dear! 
Tell me what happened."

"Ami got turned into a panther yesterday, in the rain." Makoto explained 
quietly. "She tried to hide, but some people from the zoo came and got her." 
She swallowed hard, obvious affected by the memory. "They... shot her with a 
tranquilizer gun... and put her in a cage...."

Belldandy went to the taller girl's side, eyes filled with sympathy for her 
pain. "Oh my. Poor Ami! We'll have to go get her out right away!"

Makoto choked, shaking her head. "That's just it, we can't! Luna and Artemis 
checked on her this morning at the zoo, and they've already moved her! Luna 
and Artemis think that demoness had something to do about it. Bureaucracies 
never do things that quickly... and they were attacked at the zoo after they 
met up with the Saotomes and Kasumi-san."

"It was very strange." Kasumi agreed, coming over to Makoto's side with a 
nod. "Several of the workers at the zoo came looking for an escaped panda 
with nets and tranquilizers... only Saotome-san hadn't transformed at all. A 
man on the roof tops accidentally sprayed us with water, but even through 
Saotome-san managed to dodge it, the men from the zoo thought there would be 
a panda there."

Luna chimed in. "Kasumi, however, WAS splashed, and she barely managed to 
escape being captured herself. I sincerely doubt that any of that was a 
coincidence."

Artemis nodded. "Those men were possessed by some kind of evil energy, that 
much I'm sure of. It was faint, but it was there. That, combined with 
everything else makes me suspect our demoness is involved in this. Certainly 
Saotome-san has his own share of enemies, but with Ami's disappearance and 
the energy I felt, I fear it had to be Mara, or at the least someone working 
for her."

"I'm afraid you may be right." Belldandy said with a sigh. "This does sound 
like something she might do." Her face took on a serious cast. "I will do 
what I can to help find Ami-san. We should start looking as soon as 
possible."

Skuld wrinkled her nose. "If the zoo has any records of transfers I bet I 
could find out where they sent her. I just need to use my computer at home."

Belldandy smiled. "That's a good idea, Skuld. Why don't you go home and 
begin the search, while I go to the zoo." Skuld nodded seriously and ran off 
toward the bathroom. Moments later there was a flash of light as the younger 
goddess left the building. Minako cleared her throat, stepping forward, then 
hesitated, obviously uncertain. The goddess of the present still noticed the 
sound and turned to face her. "Ah, Minako. I'm sorry, I did come here for 
you, after all. It shouldn't take too long to complete the spell you asked 
for."

Minako blushed, shaking her head. "Oh no, Belldandy, that's OK. There's 
plenty of more important things for you to be doing... with Ami missing and 
everything. I'm fine, really."

Belldandy blinked. "Are you sure? I'm positive that there is no danger. I 
was most careful in my preparations."

Minako shook her head. "Oh no, I trust you... but won't this spell take a 
lot of energy? We can't take any chances with that demoness on the loose. 
You can wait until after this is all over to do it...."

Belldandy hesitated. "It is a complex enchantment, but I should be alright. 
Please don't worry about me."

Minako would have continued to protest, but Artemis took her by the arm 
firmly. "Mina, go ahead and let Belldandy do the spell. You or Akane could 
get splashed at some critical time when we need you, and we can't afford 
that kind of weakness right now."

Belldandy nodded, smiling at Minako reassuringly. "Don't worry about me, 
Minako. I will be fine. Do you still want me to do this?"

Minako hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. "Yes... and Akane wants it too. I 
just don't want you to use up your power on me when there are so many other 
problems out there."

Belldandy shook her head. "Don't worry. I was low on power at Jusenkyo 
because of the accident, but I'm fine now. There shouldn't be any problems."

Minako smiled and nodded her assent. "OK!"

Belldandy nodded and held up her hands, spreading her palms wide. "Now we'll 
need a little room, so everyone please stand back." The crowd in the living 
room gave way automatically, everyone moving back to give Belldandy and 
Minako plenty of space. The goddess of the present raised her hands and 
began to chant in a melodic voice that was hauntingly familiar, but in a 
language no one there recognized.

Minako felt herself slowly lifting off the ground as powerful forces swirled 
around her, and felt a strong influx of energy infuse her mind, energizing 
her so that every memory, every thought was crystal clear. Her eyes went 
wide in amazement as her entire life flashed before her eyes. Years seemed 
to go by like lightning, but intellectually she realized it had been only 
moments before it was over, and she was setting down on the floor, her every 
nerve tingling slightly with a fading electricity. Minako faltered slightly 
as she fought to regain her equilibrium, and Belldandy was at her side an 
instant, steadying her.

"How are you feeling?" The goddess asked comfortingly.

"Whoa...." Minako put a hand to her head and held herself upright, finding 
herself almost back to normal. "I'm OK..., I'm OK...." She told her friends 
as they started gathering around in concern. "Whoa, what a head rush. For a 
second there I thought I was dying...." There was a gasp of horror and 
Minako blinked. "Oh no, not in a bad way!" She assured them.

Makoto blinked. "Er... Mina... what are you talking about?"

"Huh?" Minako looked confused for a moment, then nodded in understanding. 
"Oh, I mean I was seeing my whole life flashing before my eyes... I wasn't 
actually dying or anything."

Makoto looked relieved. "Oh. Then you're OK then?"

"Sure." Minako nodded cheerfully. "Never better." She smiled at Belldandy. 
"And I mean that! That was really cool, Belldandy. A bit scary at first... 
but wow, what a rush!"

Belldandy smiled faintly. "I'm glad you're alright. Are you ready to 
continue? I need to repeat the spell on Akane as well."

Minako blinked, then quickly nodded. "I'm great. Let's do it."

A quick splash of water later, a long haired Akane with a red ribbon in her 
hair stood in their midst, blinking slowly. "I... I know where I am... I 
think." She looked at Belldandy questioningly. "Did you just do the spell?" 
She shook her head. "Wait, you just said you need to repeat it on me...." 
She took a deep breath, then clenched her fists tightly as she visibly 
prepared herself. "I think I'm ready. Go ahead."

Belldandy nodded. "Alright. Now the first spell was to send Minako's 
memories to you. This one will be to send your memories to her, OK?"

Akane nodded back. "OK, Belldandy."

Belldandy raised her hands again and waited a moment to make sure that 
everyone was standing back, then began the spell once again. Akane rose into 
the air with a gasp, her eyes rolling back in her head as her brain seemed 
to catch on fire. The spell ended and the cursed girl fell to the floor with 
a gasp, collapsing in a heap. Ranma practically teleported to her side in 
concern, Ranko, Belldandy and Rei just a step behind in going to her.

"I'm alright... just a little dizzy...." Akane started, her eyes focusing on 
the person holding her. "R-Ranma...." She swallowed hard, her eyes going 
misty momentarily before pushing him softly away from her. "I... I can get 
upon my own. L-let me go." Ranma broke away from the cursed Akane 
reluctantly, looking a bit hurt, and Akane got to her feet quickly, trying 
not to look at Ranma as she did so.

Belldandy went to her side, looking contrite. "I'm so sorry, Akane-san. I 
should have taken into account the combined effect of the spells...."

Akane waved her off, shaking her head. "I'm fine. I'm feeling better 
already, see?" Akane made a muscle with her right arm and smiled. "Good as 
new, see?"

Belldandy sweatdropped. "Er... that's your arm."

Akane blinked, then laughed nervously. "Oh, right. Well my head's OK too. No 
problem." Belldandy looked at her closely, scanning the cursed girl with 
senses far beyond those of a normal human.

After several moments the goddess nodded, looking satisfied. "Good, there 
don't appear to be any adverse side effects. The spell appears to have 
worked properly."

Akane glanced at Ranma quickly, then turned away from him. "I guess I should 
test it then? I'll just go get some hot water." She started walking toward 
the kitchen. "May I, Hotaru-chan?"

Hotaru blinked, not really used to playing the hostess, then nodded. "Of 
course, Akane-san. You don't need to ask."

Soon afterward Minako came back into the room with Hotaru, her hair damp and 
a large grin on her face. "I remember everything!" She announced cheerfully. 
"It was like I was there in person, practically. The spell works great!"

Belldandy smiled softly and bowed. "I am glad you are pleased." She took a 
slow breath, then nodded. "Now then, I should go to the zoo and see what I 
can learn. Perhaps Mara left some sort of clue there that can help us find 
poor Ami-chan."

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

Later, at Dr. Agasa's house. Conan was rapidly typing into the doctor's 
computer. From behind him, a mildly curious voice of Agasa's housemate came. 
"What are you working on?"

"I think I may have found another lead to the black organization, Ai." Conan 
said, intent on his internet search. "I met a girl who acted very peculiar 
today... as if she wasn't a girl at all, but an older lady."

Ai pulled up a stool next to him and looked over at what he was working on. 
"You think she is another victim...?"

"Of the poison you created for the Black organization?" Conan finished for 
her. "Yes, nothing else makes sense. I'm trying to find clues now in the 
e-mails from the zoo director." He pointed to the screen. "You see here is 
the latest e-mail from him... he is asking about the status of his 'special 
project'." Conan studied the e-mail for a moment longer then clicked on the 
previous one. "This one is from last week, see? The director is asking about 
the daily activities of the zoo." Conan frowned. "The writing style... it 
isn't the same. The person in the last e-mail sounds like a clever, excited 
person, the person who wrote this one is a bureaucrat."

Ai looked at him knowingly. "So what does that mean?"

Conan shook his head. "Besides the fact that someone faked the latest 
e-mail, I don't know yet. I think someone wanted that panther out of the 
zoo, I just have to figure out why."  He shrugged.  "I'm working on a 
missing person case.  I have a theory about some of the odd goings on and 
disappearances that I have found out about... but I need more proof."

He looked at Ai.  "Did the Black organization do any... animal 
experimentation?"

Shw shrugged.  "Of course.  I used mainly rats in my research."

"Any larger animals?"  Conan asked.

She looked puzzled.  "Not to my knowledge... I'm fairly certain they used 
human test subjects occasionally though."

He frowned.  "I know you don't know anything about the other research the 
Black organization is doing... but... could they be trying to..."  He 
paused.  < People who change into animals.... Is it even possible?>

Dr. Agasa came into the room while Ai was still waiting for Conan to speak.  
"I think you'll both want to see this. There' s been a disturbance at the 
Tokyo Zoo."  He turned on  the TV set and turned the channel to the news.

A reporter was  interviewing a Zoo worker.  "So what you saw, sir, was a 
woman with wings?"

The Zoo worker shrugged.  "I don't know... I mean we were told a panda had 
escaped and we... Well there wasn't a panda there, but we saw this girl... 
Her dress was ripped... Someone said she was an angel, or a monster... She 
didn't look dangerous to me, but then we rushed her...."

The reporter cut in.  "And she flew away?"

The man looked puzzled. "She did... the others were afraid... but I don't 
know why."

The show shifted to the news studio.  "Here we have an amateur photo from 
the incident.."  The monitor showed a blurry picture of a group of zoo 
workers with nets and rifles and above them a blurry shape.  It obviously 
flying, and just as obviously too large to be a bird.

Conan studied the screen intently.  He pointed out the face of the Kimono 
clad lady standing by a picnic table.  "There... she looks enough like 
'Manami' to be her mother... And I do believe... Yes that's the kimono she 
was wearing... but it fits fine."  He studied the map of the zoo that 
flashed up on the news monitor.  "Ai... We were just at the zoo a few weeks 
ago for our class trip... is that?"

"Yes."  Ai nodded.  "Right behind the big cat cages... And if my memory 
serves, behind the panther cage to be more precise."

Conan shook his head.  "I don't know how they did it, but... I know what 
happened to the girl, Ami Mizuno, and where she is."

Dr. Agasa spoke up excitedly.  "You know?  Then what happened?  Where is 
she?"

Conan sighed.  "As for what happened... I'll need more proof.  But I can 
tell you fairly certainly that she's in San Fransisco."

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

        End Chapter 29

I hope you liked it! Please C&C, it's why I write!





_________________________________________________________________
MSN 8 helps eliminate e-mail viruses. Get 2 months FREE* 
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus


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