Okay, been offline for a bit... but on to the next chapter.

AND PLEASE, any commentary is greatly appreciated... particuarly since I'm
not quite happy with this chapter... but I'm not sure how to fix it to my
liking... so please, rip it apart as you please, you never know what I might
find useful.

Thanks.

Usual disclaimers apply.




Chapter Three:  Cat Fight

Shan Pu had a smug grin on her face as they all walked home.  Ranma ignored
it, walking slightly ahead of her two fiancees, her head lowered as she
trudged along.  Akane kept stealing looks at her, hoping that Ranma wasn't
being jealous of Shan Pu's arm twined about hers, or the collar around the
Chinese girl's neck claiming her as Akane's pet.  Shan Pu herself had seemed
to take inordinate pride in the token.

But, as accepting of the fact that Shan Pu was her fianc�e as she was, Akane
wasn't sure she was remotely ready for the next steps... If Ranma couldn't
resolve her fear of cats, it would continue to make things awkward, and as
much fun as she'd been having playing with Ranma recently, she'd feel guilty
playing with Shan Pu the same way so long as Ranma was having problems with
the Amazon, regardless of how appealing the idea had become once she'd
finally accepted the engagement.

She looked around, wishing that Zhu Shu hadn't disappeared.  She really
needed to talk.


* * * * *

Ukyo unlocked the door to her shop and flipped on the lights.  She tossed
her book bag into the back room as she ignited the grill, then did a double
take at the quiet figure standing on the other side of the bar.

"What do you want?"

The Help Wanted sign that had been in the window was raised.

Ukyo looked at it a long time.  Finally, she shrugged.  "When can you
start?"

"Have class train after school.  For hour.  Can work after."

"Ever work in a restaurant?"

"Grow up in aunt's inn."

Ukyo was quiet for another long pause as she oiled her grill.  "Want an
okonomiyaki?"

"Not know. Never have before."

There was a sizzle as batter was poured and Ukyo's knife blurred.  A few
seconds later she tossed a plate at the still unmoving girl.

Zhu Shu caught it and sat down at the counter.  Ukyo watched as she took a
bite.  The Chinese girl chewed thoughtfully, then nodded approvingly.  "Is
very good."

Ukyo smiled.  "Okay.  I suppose you can have the job then.  I already know
you'll be a draw for a lot of the school boys."

Zhu Shu smiled.  "Zhu Shu cannot stop hentai boys from chase, no matter how
often say no interested in boys."

Ukyo shuffled her feet uncomfortably.  "Um... yeah.  Well, I suppose having
a dragon girl waitress is novelty enough."

Zhu Shu tilted her head at Ukyo as she finished the okonomiyaki.  "Zhu Shu
not mean make nervous."

Ukyo shook her head.  "I just wish I knew what to make of you.  No matter
what I do, you won't get out of my mind."

"Ukyo not leave Zhu Shu mind either."

Ukyo sighed.  "I'm not like you.  I LIKE boys.  Gods, I can't even tell you
how many girls have thrown themselves at me, and I've had to chase them
off."

Zhu Shu nodded, looking down.

Ukyo sighed.  "Look... for what it's worth, I'm sorry."

"Zhu Shu understand.  She hope Ukyo still let work."

"Yeah, you've got the job.  Wings and all."

"Zhu Shu can be normal, but may cause much water be spilled."

"Hell no.  Stay a dragon girl during your shift.  The hentai will kill
themselves trying to come here to eat."

Zhu Shu nodded.  "Must go.  Students expect Zhu Shu for class."

Ukyo nodded.  "Be ready to work when you get back."

With a soft flutter of wings, Zhu Shu bowed in mid air and turned, setting
her feet on the floor as she walked towards the door.  Her hair had been
caught by her wings and swept aside, revealing the ornate tattoo.

Ukyo found her gaze caught by the tattoo's eyes... the same gold eyes she
had stared at in Zhu Shu's face, and she swallowed.  Her eyes traced down
the spiraling dragon until it came to the swords, and her heart nearly
stopped as she saw her spatula entangled within the ribbons embrace.

Then, the door swung shut behind Zhu Shu, and the dragon girl was gone.

* * * * *

Zhu Shu fluttered down to meet Akane and Ranma at the dojo door just as they
were about to start class.  Akane raised an eyebrow at the slight smile on
Zhu Shu's face.

"You look like a cat who's eaten a canary."  She commented.  "Looking
forward to taking Rei off for another 'talk'."

"Maybe.  Zhu Shu also think of solution to other problem."

Akane blinked.  "Oh... um... Ukyo?"

Zhu Shu nodded.  "Took solution sister use for Ranma.  Take job.  Work for
Ukyo after classes."

Akane blinked again, then comprehension dawned.  "Oh, I get it.  Repeat
exposure."

Rei poked her head out the dojo door.  "You're going to be working at
Uc-chans?  Cool!  Then you'll see her every day."

Zhu Shu nodded.  "Is okay with Rei?"

Rei smiled.  "Of course it is, Zhu-chan."  She leaned forward and kissed the
Chinese girl.  "I told you I'll help you in any way I can.  I'm happy to be
with you till then, but you have a destiny, and I'm not going to stand in
the way of it.  I learned the hard way that you can't avoid destiny; like
Mamoru and Usagi.  I'm not going to set myself up for another heartbreak
like that.  I'm just going to enjoy the time I do have with you."

Zhu Shu smiled.  "Zhu Shu happy Rei be so wise.  Not sure Zhu Shu could do
same."

Rei kissed her again.  "I never said it was easy, Zhu-chan.  But I know it's
for the best.  I'm a priestess, the least I can do is not go against what
the gods have set in motion."

Ranma raised an eyebrow at that thought, then shrugged.  "So, you two
joining us for class today?"

Zhu Shu blushed as Rei gave the red-head a look.  "Well..."

Akane grabbed Ranma's braid and pulled the smaller girl against her.  "She
has no room to complain, Rei.  She's been having way too much fun with me to
begrudge you two some time alone, especially since Zhu-chan now has a job."

Rei smiled and took Zhu Shu's hand, dragging the still blushing girl off
towards the house.  She waved to Akane as they entered, smiling at the fact
that Akane had Ranma bent over backwards as she was kissing her.  Akane
waved back as she supported the limp red head, then pushed the shaky girl
into the dojo.

Zhu Shu giggled.  "Zhu Shu see Akane figure out how do deliberately."

Rei gave her a raised eyebrow.  "What?"

Zhu Shu stopped Rei at the door to her room.  "This."

As Zhu Shu's lips met Rei's a flash of fire burned through her as her entire
body seemed to ignite.  A surge of white fire burned along her skin as her
clothes vanished, energy crackling around her as her henshin started.  She
finally drew back as her fuku formed, looking at Zhu Shu in wonder.

"Wow... how the hell did you do that?"

Zhu Shu blinked.  "Not know.  Meant show chi kiss.  Not sure why make
change."

Rei's knees gave way as she collapsed in the doorway laughing.  "Oh man, my
legs won't hold me after that orgasm...  I don't know what you did, but wow
did it feel good!"

Zhu Shu lost her worried look in a smile of relief.  "Is what supposed to
do.  Chi kiss make feel very good.  Is part of Zhu Shu training for
courtesan."

Rei dragged herself back to her feet.  "Cool.  You're going to do that to me
several more times... right after I get on the bed!  There's no way I can
stand through another of those."  She opened the door, already pulling her
uniform top off.  "And I think I'm going to stay transformed, or I might set
the house on fire when I henshin again."

* * * * *

There was pain.

There wasn't supposed to be pain... only oblivion.

But there was pain.  And the faint taste of roses on her tongue.

The agony finally settled itself in her wings, and she faintly remembered
the shards of glass that had impaled them...yet had not had the mercy to
pierce her heart.

She moaned softly, cursing the cruelness of having been denied release.

A soft touch and cool dampness caressed her forehead.  She forced her eyes
open to look in bleary amazement at the gentle hand that comforted her,
unable to believe that after cruel love had treated her so unkindly that
anyone could treat her with mercy.  She was dead!  A ghost!  The only
kindness she could expect was to be utterly unseen in her shame and misery!

She whimpered softly as the hand withdrew.

"Hush, my angel.  You are safe."

The voice was soft. feminine.

"Not an angel" she whispered softly.  "I am. a ghost."

"Rest.  I have bandaged your wounds.  You will be fine."

"No. " she whispered, even more softly.  "I am dead."

Then blackness claimed her once more, and she gratefully fell into it.

* * * * *

A week passed with no decision from Ranma on whether he wanted Shan Pu to
become a cat girl, though she had at least managed to stop shying away from
the Amazon.  She had been quiet whenever Shan Pu was around, in either form,
and had not raised a single objection to the occasional kiss Akane bestowed
or the petting Shan Pu got as a kitten.

Shan Pu, for her part, had been trying not to be too demanding, but she was
still spending several hours a day as a cat in hopes it would help.  She had
officially moved in, into Zhu Shu's room for the moment, and had started
helping Kasumi around the house during Zhu Shu's work hours, hoping that
just being around would eventually lessen the tension, though so far without
much success.

Zhu Shu, on the other hand, had actually started to relax again.  Between
Rei's support and caring, and the fact that Ranma wasn't going out of her
way to increase the rift she had inadvertently caused with Shan Pu, she had
been free to enjoy working at Ukyo's.  Even the Hentai Squad had been giving
her a break, once more chasing after the cheerleaders who kept
"accidentally" losing articles of clothing.

And Ukyo, while still uncomfortable with Zhu Shu's occasional flirts, had
relaxed around the dragon girl as well, though Zhu Shu was half certain that
it was because her job there had ensured not only a steady clientele, but
that Ranma, Akane, Shan Pu and the Juuban girls showed up regularly.  After
practice sodas had become an instant tradition the first day.

All in all, things had gone exceptionally smooth.  Even Ryouga had found his
way back for a visit, bringing Kasumi a small bush filled with small
lopsided purple flowers he had said were called Adara's Rose.  Kasumi had
planted them, and the scent of the flower had permeated the house, seeming
to drive the lingering odor of Soun's cigarettes into non existence.  He
had, of course, gotten lost again on the way to school two days later, but
the rivalry between him and Ranma had been less heated, and was starting to
seem more like habit every time he came by.

Even Kodachi had been strangely absent as a cause of nuisance, though the
entire school was buzzing in anticipation of the Rhythmic Gymnastic tryouts.
The video of Akane's match with Kodachi had been selling like mad, and hopes
were high of a repeat performance.

Shan Pu, beyond sparring with Akane in the evenings, was unconcerned with
the upcoming match, far more worried about Ranma than the obsessive gymnast.

And the Senshi had been talking about how quiet it had been, Usagi's strange
pink haired girl seemingly having vanished back wherever she had come from.

Pity no-one remembered about the calm before a storm.

* * * * *

Usagi stretched again as she walked up the path from the gate to her door.
She did have to admit this continued exercise had stopped being quite so
bad.  She was nowhere near as sore as she had been the first few weeks.  She
yelled hi to her family as she ran up to her room, looking forward to taking
a long soak before dinner and homework.

She stopped at the doorway in horror.  Her precious room had been ransacked!
Clothes were strewn about, and drawers pulled out and tossed on the floor!
Everything was a mess!

Rational thought fled as one urge came to mind.

MUST KILL LITTLE BROTHER!

* * * * *

The rest of the sailors looked at Usagi in disbelief.

Rei finally said it.  "What do you mean she's your cousin!?!  You don't have
a cousin!"

They all looked out of the dojo to the garden, and the pink haired girl
quietly playing with her cat head ball.  Usagi shrugged.

"I know that, but my mom and dad all say she's visited before.  They even
have pictures!  And she ransacked my room!"

Rei closed the dojo door again as Kasumi came out of the house with a tea
tray and stopped to talk to the small girl.  She turned back to Usagi.

"What was she looking for?"

"The Silver Crystal!  She even attacked me in bed last night!"

Everybody stopped talking as Kasumi knocked, then brought in the tea tray.
She smiled and said "Enjoy your tea."  as she stepped back outside.  They
took cups as Ami poured the tea, Usagi not even paying attention to it as
she devoured the cheese and crackers on the tray.

"So, who do you think she is?" Makoto asked, taking a sip of her tea.

"I don't know."  Usagi said around a mouthful of crackers as she reached for
her tea.

Makoto's cup shattered as it hit the dojo floor, followed by the others.
Usagi froze, looking in horror at the suddenly unconscious girls.

There was a creak on the porch outside the dojo, and panicked, Usagi
slumped, mimicking the others in hopes what ever it was wouldn't kill a
bunch of helpless girls.

The dojo door slid open to reveal the pink haired girl and her cat ball.
She nodded.  "Good.  Now, let's see if one of these others has the Crystal."

Usagi jumped up in anger and grabbed the girl by the wrist.  "You did this?
What did you do to my friends!?!"

The smaller girl tried to free herself to no avail.  "It was just knockout
drops!  Give me the Crystal!"

"I'll give you something alright!"  Usagi yelled back.  She sat down and
pulled the girl over her lap as she began to spank her.

The pink haired girl started to cry as Usagi paddled her, and a crescent
mark on her forehead appeared, growing brighter with each smack.  With the
last smack, a flare of white light filled the dojo.  Usagi jumped back as
the small girl rolled off her and to her feet, crying as she fled the dojo.

What the hell had that been?

There was a cry of fear from the garden, and a sound of a body hitting the
ground.  Usagi jumped up, locket already in hand as she called out her
henshin.

* * * * *

Kasumi had just opened her eyes and started to stand up as the pink haired
girl had run out of the dojo crying, running into her and knocking them both
down again.  She tried to quiet the struggling girl.

"Whatever is the matter, dear?  It's okay.  You're safe."

"Not even close."  Another voice broke in.  "In fact, I'd says she's about
as unsafe as can be."

Kasumi looked towards the voice, along with the pink haired girl.  A tall
woman with long black hair pulled up into a pair of cat's ear-like odangos
stood on the dojo roof, dressed in a pink body suit and black skirt.  An air
of menace radiated from her.

"Hello, Rabbit.  You've lead us on a merry chase, but it ends now.  Are you
going to come along peacefully, or do I get to kill your friend here?"

The pink haired girl cowered in fright as Kasumi stepped in front of her.
"I am Kasumi Tendo, of the Tendo school of Anything Goes Martial Arts.  If
you seek to harm this girl, you shall have to defeat me!"

"Brave words from a fool.  Very well, then.  Die!"

A wave of fire washed from the dark haired woman's hand, nearly striking
Kasumi as she grabbed up the girl and dodged.  She rolled to her feet just
in time to see a spinning gold disc strike the woman's wrist and knock it
aside.

"Hey, slime ball!  Why don't you pick on someone who can fight back?"

Everyone's eyes went to the gaudy, red, white, and blue uniformed figure of
Sailormoon.  The black haired woman's eyes narrowed.

"And just who are you supposed to be?"

"I'm the Pretty Sailor-suited Soldier of Love and Justice, Sailormoon!  And
for seeking to harm innocents, I shall defeat you."

The woman gave a depreciating laugh.  "Do tell.  So tell me.  Are you
FIREPROOF!?!"

Another wave of fire flew towards Usagi, and for a single horrified instant,
she simply stood there as the fire streaked for her...

Then a reflex she didn't even know she had kicked in as she leaped above the
swath of flame, performed a flip in mid-air, and landed behind the woman.  A
further reflex kicked in as she continued the motion of her landing into a
roundhouse kick that connected with the woman's temple, tossing her off the
dojo roof into the garden, unconscious.  She stared at her own foot in
amazement for a second before she lost her balance and fell off the roof
herself with a loud squawk.

She found herself caught by a pair of strong arms, and looked up to see
Tuxedo Mask.  He smiled down at her.  "I felt you in danger, and I came to
help.  Very impressive."

A round of applause came from across the garden and Usagi looked over to see
Ranma, the Tendo sisters,  Zhu Shu, and Shan Pu all clapping for her.

Zhu Shu smiled as she stepped forward.  "Very glad see training not go
waste.  Perform move quite well.  Almost perfect."

Tuxedo Mask put her down, and Usagi blushed.  "Um... well... It just kinda
happened."

"Is why make train over and over.  Body learn.  When need, body do."

Ranma had moved to look over the unconscious woman.  "Not your usual run of
the mill yoma.  She looks human.  Except for this black moon crescent on her
forehead."

"Let's get her into the dojo, and tied up."  Akane said.  "We can at least
maybe find out what's up."

The move took only a couple of moments, and by the time they had gotten her
inside, the rest of the Senshi had woken up.  Kasumi had also calmed down
the pink haired girl, and  Usagi had finally introduced her to everyone as
Chibi-Usa, her "cousin."  They spent several minutes getting things
arranged, Kasumi going back to the house to run interference.

Once they were sure the woman wasn't going to be going anywhere, Usagi
pulled out her scepter and prepared as Zhu Shu waved a smelling salt under
the woman's nose.  She coughed and jerked awake.

"So, you are a little more skilled than you give the appearance of."  The
woman told Usagi, her eyes boring into the blonde girl's.  "And allies as
well.  They will not help you."

"Who are you."  Rei asked.

"I am Cooan, of the Four Sisters!  You are fools to meddle in the affairs of
the Black Moon!  We will crush you!"

"Why do you want this girl?"  Usagi asked.  Chibi-Usa peeked around her
legs.

"I have answered all the questions I care to, girl.  When next me meet, I
will not go so easy on you."

Ami started to cry a warning as the woman flared and vanished in a sparkle
of light, Ranma's hand passing through her fading form with no resistance.

"Damn!"  she said.  "That was useless!"

Zhu Shu nodded.  "Least know name."

"Cooan, and Black Moon."  Makoto mused.  "And four sisters.   That's means
there's at least four of them."

Usagi turned to Chibi-Usa.  "And do you have anything to add?"

The pink haired girl turned wide eyes on her, and shook her head.  "All I
know is they want to hurt me, and they hurt my mommy!"  She started crying,
and turned to run into the garden.  Usagi started to run after her, but Zhu
Shu's hand stopped her.

"She really not know, Usagi.  Aura is fuzzy... confused.  She too young to
understand what happen."

"So she doesn't know who they are?"  Rei asked.

Zhu Shu shook her head.  "Caught flashes.  Tower of crystal, shadowy
figures, fear."

"Sounds like shock." Ami said.  "Poor kid.  We know she's been here at least
a week, whatever happened must have been really bad."

"All I know is she wants the Crystal."  Usagi said.  "And she's somehow made
my parents think she's my cousin."

Zhu Shu pointed to the door, and they turned just in time to see the cat
ball duck to the side.  "Think that have more do than girl.  Like guardian.
Machine.  But have aura.  Not sure what make of."

Ami pursed her lips thoughtfully.  "A computer maybe?  A. I.?"

Zhu Shu looked lost.

"Artificial Intelligence.  A computer that thinks on it's own."

Zhu Shu blinked.  "No understand."  she held up her hand when Ami started to
explain.  "Not important Zhu Shu understand.  Machine with spirit."

Ami nodded.  "Should we go after her?"

Akane shook her head.  "I smell Kasumi's cookies.  I have no doubt where she
is."

Mina shrugged.  "Well, I guess we just have to wait and see what happens
next.  So, we going to have class or what?"

Zhu Shu laughed.  "Class.  And today, even have Zhu Shu teach.  Seem first
exercises learned well.  Show new set to practice."

The girls all groaned.

* * * * *

There had been no sign of Cooan by the time school started the next day, so
Luna had stayed to watch the girl and promised to call everyone if any
problems occurred.  Zhu Shu made sure she had her wand with her, but hoped
nothing would happen until at least after the rhythmic gymnastics tryouts.

Whether Shan Pu was worried or not, her previous experience had made her
wary of the gymnast, and Kodachi's complete lack of attacks over the last
week was unlike her.  Zhu Shu was sure she had something planned.  She had
been far too... secretive since her return from Hong Kong, and that worried
her.

The fact that Kodachi had shown up in the company of Valmont and his
cronies, technically working for Xi'an Chi, worried her too.  She had seen
no evidence that Kodachi had been tainted by the sorcerer since her aura was
unchanged, without the swirl of blackness she had seen in Mint's, but her
experience was so limited she didn't trust it entirely.  She hoped that
Kodachi really was still herself.

The day went by nervously for her, though not for anyone else, and finally
last period arrived.    At the final bell, she joined the throng of students
heading to the gym for the tryout, and the fight between Shan Pu and
Kodachi.

* * * * *

Shan Pu looked down at the leotard in disdain.  "This not proper warrior
garb.  Too tight, too thin."

"It's a leotard, Shan-kitty.  And I know it's thin, and very form fitting"
Akane said.  "You look really good in it."

"It not protect anything!"

"It's not supposed to.  But it's what gymnasts wear."

Zhu Shu poked her nose in the dressing room door, her emerald eyes shining.
"Sister should not complain.  Even Zhu Shu find outfit tempting.  Hentai
will drool to death."

Shan Pu rolled her eyes.  "Hentai not touch or hands will Shan Pu break."

Akane laughed.  "Worry about Kodachi.  I kinda humiliated her by stripping
her naked and whipping her to an orgasm in front of the entire school.  No
doubt the Hentai Squad is hoping for something similar."

Shan Pu cracked her knuckles.

There was a knock on the door.  Zhu Shu opened it again.  She turned back a
few seconds later with a box in her hands.  "Student deliver.  Say gift from
supporter for Shan Pu.  Say kick Kodachi butt."

Akane lifted her eyebrow.  "A secret admirer?  Or just someone who doesn't
like Kodachi?"  She walked over to Zhu Shu as she was opening the lid.  "Or
it could be a..."

A cloud of gas escaped as Akane said "...trap."  It dissipated quickly, but
both girls slumped to the floor as Shan Pu jumped towards them.  It was
already too late, they were both sound asleep, and no amount of shaking
would wake them.  She picked up the box and caught the small note that
fluttered out, puzzling out the kanji for "Best Wishes.  K"

She stood back up as a violet aura formed around her and she turned towards
the gym.  "SHAN PU KILL!!!!"

* * * * *

It had been a forgone conclusion, once Kodachi had announced her intention
of trying out for the Rhythmic Gymnastics squad, that she'd be the only
entrant.  If it weren't for the challenge to Shan Pu, there wouldn't even
have been a contest.  As it was, Kodachi was pacing back and forth across
the ring, waiting for Shan Pu.

The crowd had already settled, Ranma and Ukyo saving seats for Zhu Shu and
Akane.  The red head was watching Kodachi, and frowning.  Something about
the girl just wasn't...right.  Her hand kept going to a hexagram shaped
pendant around her neck, and it seemed every time she touched it, she had to
fight to keep from laughing.

Then the door's from the dressing room exploded outwards with a roar and a
glowing Shan Pu stalked towards the ring.  The umpire swallowed nervously as
she stepped into the ring, her eyes boring holes into the gymnast.  The
umpire stepped between them, praying she was committing suicide.

"Okay, the tryouts are beginning.  In this corner, Kodachi Kuno!  Former
Champion of St. Hebereki's!"

There was a scattering of applause, but most of it sounded forced.

"And in this corner, fiancee to our very own Akane Tendo.... SHAN PU!"

There was far more applause this time.  Shan Pu didn't seem to notice.

"Now the rules or simple.  No bare handed blows!  You must defeat your
opponent using the weapons of martial gymnastics!"

Kodachi laughed.  "So did you enjoy my little present?"

"Sister and Airen sleep.  Miss Shan Pu.  SHAN PU KILL!!!"

"YOU LET MY GODDESS GET CAUGHT!  YOU BITCH!!!"

The umpire dived out of the way as the bell rang and both contestants did
flips away from each other.  Shan Pu grabbed a pair of clubs as Kodachi
landed in her corner laughing as she pulled out her ribbon.

"For allowing my Goddess to come to harm, I shall slay you!" she yelled as
her ribbon danced.  She leaped up for an attack as Shan Pu braced...

Then Kodachi blurred into invisibility as Shan Pu reeled.  Kodachi
reappeared behind her, laughing.  Shan Pu slowly reached up to touch a slash
in her leotard, the purple fabric turning black with blood.  Shan Pu growled
as she turned and blurred into motion.

But Kodachi faded again right as Shan Pu's club would have crushed her
skull.  Shan Pu was tossed across the ring into the ropes, and Kodachi
reappeared.  She laughed as she pulled the ribbon between her fingers, blood
dripping from the ribbon.  Shan Pu stood, another cut across her abdomen
dripping.  Kodachi smiled grimly.

"You cannot fight what moves too fast for you to see.  So long as I possess
the Rabbit Talisman, you stand no chance!"

Ranma's eyes were drawn to the hexagonal medallion that Kodachi had been
fondling, noting the faint glow.  Shan Pu nodded as her chi aura brightened.

"Then Shan Pu must move faster."

Ranma shifted her focus as Shan Pu blurred once again, the world slowing
around her as Shan Pu attacked.  The Amazon's clubs once more dove towards
Kodachi, Shan Pu choosing a two prong attack to come at the gymnast from
both sides.

Then Ranma blinked as the medallion glowed... and Kodachi vanished again.

Shan Pu just barely managed to grab the rope to keep from flying out of the
ring as she felt herself once more impacted in the chest by a massive force.
She forced herself to ignore the pain as she used the rope to bounce back in
Kodachi's direction, catching the laughing girl in the small of the back as
she was just starting to turn.  The gymnast flew across the ring to impact
face first with the turnbuckle.

Kodachi shakily got to her feet and wiped the blood from her mouth.  "You
will pay for that demon!  You and that other Chinese girl!  You have tried
to take my goddess away!  Make her love you instead of ME, her devoted
SLAVE!"

"Akane is Shan Pu Airen.  Is warrior.  Crazy gymnast girl have cheat to
stand against Shan Pu!  Akane conquer like true Amazon!  Shan Pu not waste
spit on crazy girl!"

She blurred again, this time into the air.  Kodachi tracked her, and as Shan
Pu descended, she vanished again.  Shan Pu wrenched violently in mid air,
blood spraying from a cut in her arm as a razor hoop sliced into the
ceiling.  She landed and rolled launching a kick into nothingness.

Kodachi faded into visibility as she flew into the ropes and was dumped to
the mat.  She rolled barely in time to avoid the hammer blow of Shan Pu's
club as it slashed down and through the canvas.  She came up in the center
of the mat, but slipped, catching herself as her foot slid in a puddle of
water.

Ranma's eyes instinctively went up, to where the hoop had buried itself in
the ceiling.  Water dribbled down the hoop, and dripped to the floor.  Even
as she watched, she could tell it was increasing.

She wrenched her eyes back down in horror as Shan Pu managed to catch
Kodachi in mid disappearance again, her foot darting out as she fell to the
mat.  Kodachi reappeared in mid air, managing to back flip and land on the
post instead of crashing into it again.

"You are lucky, wench.  I'll give you that. But I know your weakness!"

Kodachi's ribbon lashed out to wrap around the hoop in the ceiling, and with
a wrench, she pulled it free.  The entire auditorium watched as the ceiling
groaned, then with shudder, a stream of water began to pour down.  Shan Pu
jumped back, doing a flip to land on one of the ropes.  Kodachi laughed.

"Here's your dilemma, bitch.  Do you stay dry, and let me beat you to death
slowly, or do we end it quickly?"

Shan Pu wiped a small trickle of blood from her mouth, and smiled.  "Shan Pu
not know how give up, pervert girl.  She do know how to kill."

There was a blur of violet as Shan Pu pulled her own vanishing act.  Kodachi
staggered as her leotard shredded, blood flying as slash marks appeared.
Shan Pu reappeared on the pole behind her, her ribbon dripping it's own
blood now as she gasped for breath.

Kodachi looked down at her shredded leotard in contempt.  "Do you think
destroying my clothes means anything to me anymore?"  She laughed as she
pulled the torn cloth free and tossed it to the crowd.  "My goddess
displayed me to the world as she claimed me!  Let the world gaze and
despair!"

Shan Pu glared at the naked girl.  "Akane display Shan Pu too, and she give
Shan Pu collar!  Akane belong Shan Pu!"

Kodachi fixed her with a glare, her eyes locking on the collar.  Sheer raw
fury burned behind her eyes.  "You lie!  My goddess would never choose you
over me!"

Shan Pu smirked.  "It say Shan Kitty.  Property of Akane Tendo."

Kodachi shook in fury.  "Then I shall kill you, and my goddess will know who
truly loves her!"  She stepped down on the soaked floor of the ring and into
the fall of water, eliciting murmurs of approval from the hentai as the
water ran down her naked body.  "Feel the fury of my Rain Dance!"

Kodachi blurred again as the falling water shattered into a spray expanding
in all directions. Shan Pu started to dodge, but all around the ring, the
fire sprinklers exploded as Kodachi's ribbon sliced through them, and even
as she sought to hide behind one of the columns, water began raining down
from above.

Kodachi stopped spinning to the sound of an enraged yowl from Shan Pu as she
clawed her way to the top of the post, soaking wet and annoyed at the
falling water.  Kodachi laughed again.  "And so you are revealed as the
beast you are!  Cower before me, and I shall spare your life!"

Shan Pu hissed in rage as she launched herself claws first at Kodachi,
landing on the laughing girls face and clawing .  Kodachi howled as she
ripped Shan Pu free, blood pouring from scratches on both cheeks.  With her
hands around the struggling cat's neck, she started to slam the cat towards
the mat, intent on shattering her spine.  Time seemed to slow as every eye
watched Kodachi raise the helpless kitten, and began to bring her down with
bone shattering force

Then her hands were gripped by iron, and she was held immobile.  Her eyes
rose to meet Ranma's cold stare.
Shan Pu's eyes were fixed on Ranma as well, but the red head showed
absolutely no signs of panic, just controlled fury.

"Enough, Kodachi.  It was bad enough when you chased after me, and bad
enough when you chased after Akane, but now you've crossed the line.  Let
her go."

Kodachi struggled to free herself.  "Stay out of this!  I will not allow
this tramp to sully my goddess!"

"That's not for you to decide, Kodachi.  Akane doesn't love you.  She does
love Shan Pu, and she loves me!  I'm tired of both you and Kuno trying to
force yourselves on us!  I sick and tired of you chasing Akane!  And I sure
as hell am fed up with you trying to hurt Shan Pu!  NOW LET HER GO!"

Kodachi let out a howl of pain as her hands convulsed, releasing Shan Pu.
She staggered back as Ranma' grip let go, and rubbed her wrists.

"HOW DARE YOU!  I will not allow this transgression to go unpunished!  Feel
the Fury of the Black Rose!"

Kodachi blurred, and everyone held their breath as they expected Ranma to
stagger from the girl's attack, but instead, Kodachi let out a yelp as she
reappeared in mid-air, outside the ring and flailing wildly as she spun out
of control into the crowd, crashing amid a group of hentai who let out a
cheer as they descended.

Ranma, still standing in the ring, apparently not having moved, lifted her
hand and opened it to look at the hexagonal medallion, the chain that had
held it around Kodachi's neck dangling broken, then closed her fist again as
she shoved it into her pocket.  She turned to look at Shan Pu, who was
setting on her haunches and staring up at her.

"I'm sorry I'm an idiot, Shan Pu.  And that it takes nearly seeing you get
seriously hurt, maybe even killed, to make me see that all I'm afraid of is
a memory... not you.  When Kodachi grabbed you, all I could see was the
Amazon I couldn't save, the woman who'd been killed as a rabbit just for
spite because she couldn't defend herself.  I couldn't let that happen again
because I was afraid.  I- I'm sorry."

Shan Pu let out a tentative meow, half afraid Ranma would bolt again and
leave her alone in the falling water, but the red head just gave her a half
smile.

And leaned down to pick her up.

Shan Pu found herself being held gently in Ranma's arms as her Airen carried
her out of the ring and the chaotic noise of the crowd as Kodachi fought
herself free of the hentai.  She scarcely dared to even breathe as she was
carried back to the dressing room, to find Zhu Shu helping Akane to sit up.
They both looked up as Ranma entered, and stared, their jaws dropping
simultaneously.

Ranma raised an eyebrow at them as her free hand began scratching Shan Pu's
ears, hitting the itch that had developed under the wet fur.

"What?"

As Shan Pu started purring in ecstasy, they both fainted again.



             .---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 -----'