Chapter Seven: Unintended Consequences

Urd blinked as she looked around the devastation.  What had happened?

She hadn�t left her room for the last several days, sulking while trying to 
come to grips with the encounter she had had with Hild, and wishing she 
wasn�t stuck with this damn assignment.  Belldandy had tried coaxing her out 
with sweets, and even Skuld had tried to cheer her up, but nothing could 
drag her out of the black mood she had sunk into.  She hadn�t even been able 
to get a good drunk on; she�d drained all the sake the first day and 
Belldandy wouldn�t buy her any more, so she�d just sat in her room sober and 
hating her life.

But something had finally prompted her out of her funk, a nagging sense of 
something . . . missing.  It had been growing for the last couple of days, 
and she�d spent several hours this morning trying to narrow down what it 
might be, and eventually, she had come looking for Mara.  Regardless of how 
strange the demoness had been acting, or how frightening she had been since 
the Terrible Master had possessed Urd, something had told the goddess that 
Mara needed her.

No matter how she had fought it, that sense wouldn�t go away.  It nagged at 
her, pushed her out of her room, and finally driven her to the apartment 
complex where Mara had made her lair.  There had been no answer, but all her 
senses screamed at her at the residuals of power within.  It had taken her 
all of three seconds to pick the door with a credit card.

Now, surveying the ruins of what had once been an apartment, she wondered if 
she had come too late.  At a guess, this had happened days ago.  She looked 
at the scorch marks on everything, and the two wooden spikes embedded in the 
wall, trails of blood dried under them...

So much blood.

She touched the dried stain cautiously, and shuddered at the torrent of pain 
that clung to the blood and the sure knowledge that it was Mara�s.  What 
could have done this to a Demon First Class?  She looked around again, sure 
whatever it had been was gone, but on edge.  If it could kill a demon...

A faint groan came from the bedroom.  Urd blinked, then pushed on the badly 
scarred door.

A soft golden glow came from the bed, but Urd couldn�t make out what, or 
who, was on it.  She started to move forward, then stopped as light poured 
from a magical circle on the floor.  The golden glow flared brightly for a 
second as a pair of burning eyes floated above the circle, seeming to stare 
right through her.  Urd took a step back as the eyes closed and the circle 
faded.  She recognized the signature on the ward, though she�d never seen 
anything like it before.  What was the Dragon up to?

Another groan drew her attention back to the bed, and she tried to step 
forward again, cautiously touching her toe to the edge of the circle.  This 
time, it raised no protest and she crossed into the ward.

Instantly, she felt the world outside fade from her senses, the ward sealing 
even her goddess powers.  She staggered for a second as she felt herself cut 
off, but concern for the still figure in the bed overrode her wariness.  She 
knelt next to the still form of Mara and brushed the hair back from the 
demoness� face.

She breathed a sigh of relief as she reassured herself that Mara was alive, 
the silent dread that had driven her here fading.  Regardless of how Mara 
had been acting, they had once been friends.  They had grown up together, 
and played together, inseparable to the point many had thought they were 
twins, but Urd�s decision to become a goddess had driven a wedge between 
them, one that had widened over the years as Mara had risen to become her 
nemesis.  Urd had at first been confused by the change in Mara, then 
resentful, but she�d never been able to bring herself to hate her one time 
best friend, no matter how angry she had gotten at the demoness for 
disrupting her life or trying to mess with Belldandy and Keiichi.

She examined the sleeping form more thoroughly, and her breath drew in as 
she noted one very minor, but very significant change about Mara�s face.

Mara�s demon marks had changed.  The scarlet split v and paired triangles on 
her cheeks had vanished, to be replaced by golden teardrop shaped designs 
noticeable against her pale skin only by the reflected light of the sun 
peeking through the window.  Urd blinked at the curved teardrops, noting 
they looked almost like. . .

Claws?

Mara tossed again and moaned slightly, then her eyes fluttered open.  As she 
focused on Urd, she smiled weakly.  �Urd?� she said softly, just barely loud 
enough to hear.  �He said you would come.  He promised me you would be here 
when I woke.�

Urd blinked, but nodded.  �Yes Mara.  I�m here.�  She knelt by the bed.

Mara�s hand shakily rose and touched Urd�s.  �I-I�m sorry.  I never wanted 
Ragnarok.  Hild - Hild clouded my mind.�  She coughed weakly.  �She clouded 
my mind with hate.�

Years seemed to roll back as all Urd could feel was concern for an old 
friend.  She couldn�t even feel the demonic aura Mara had developed over the 
years.  �Don�t try to talk Mara.  You�re weak.  Let me take you back to 
Morisato�s.  Bell and I can help you get better.�

�Never hated you, Urd.  Never...�

Urd nodded.  �I know Mara.  Rest.  You need to get better.�  She reached out 
to stroke the demoness�s hair.  �Go back to sleep for now.  I�ll get 
Keiichi.�

The demoness nodded.  �He said you�d come.�  She smiled.  �He promised.�

Her voice faded as her eyes closed again and she drifted back to sleep.  Urd 
sat back on her heels as she contemplated the demoness� words.  Legend had 
been talking to Mara?  And promised the demoness that she was coming?  What 
was going on?  More and more she was starting to feel like a pawn being 
played in some vast chess game, and she didn�t like the feeling.

Whatever was up, Mara wasn�t the psycho she�d been lately.  And she was weak 
and injured.  She looked down at the hand that was still holding hers, and 
shuddered at signs that they�d been healed from being pierced.  Had Hild 
done this to her?  Had her mom tortured Mara?  Because she wasn�t hindering 
Urd enough?  Or because Mara�s creature had killed Zhu Shu?

She wished she had the answers.

Gently, she extracted her hand and went to the window, looking down to where 
Keiichi was patiently waiting by his bike.  �Yo! Morisato!  I need a hand up 
here.�  He looked up at where she had her head poked out and waved before 
heading towards the building.

He was up a few minutes later, blinking at the rubble.  �What happened here? 
  She blow herself up?�  He kicked a burned pillow out of the way.

Urd gave him a dirty look.  �No.  I think she was attacked by my mom.  She�s 
been healed by someone, the Dragon, I think, but she�s too weak to take care 
of herself.  We need to get her back to Bell.�

Keiichi did a double take.  �Whoa.  She�s a demon, Urd.  And our biggest 
headache!  Even you said she�s been acting crazy.�

�She�s hurt, Keiichi.�  Urd said, pleading.  �And I think she�s back to 
normal.  I can�t leave her here.  What if my mom comes back!  She�s 
defenseless!�

Keiichi looked at the blood on the wall and the uncharacteristic desperation 
in Urd�s eyes and nodded, �Okay.  I think there�s room for you both in the 
side car, but you�re going to have her on your lap.�

Urd let out a sigh of relief.  �That�s fine.  Let�s just get her out of 
here.�  She looked around the apartment nervously and wiped her hands on her 
skirt.  She led him into the bedroom, noting that the ward had already 
faded.

As Keiichi looked at Mara, he noted her extremely wan appearance and shook 
his head.  Then he blinked several times, sure his eyes were playing tricks 
on him.

�Hey, what happened to her markings?�

�I don�t know.�  Urd confessed.  �This is how I found her.�  She lifted the 
sheets to slid Mara out of bed then dropped them again.  �Oh, cripes.  She�s 
naked.�

Keiichi shrugged.  �Just wrap her up in the blanket.  I�ll come back to grab 
some clothes for her.�

Urd grimaced, but nodded.  She put her hand on Mara�s shoulder and gently 
shook her.

�Mara?  We need to move you.  We�re going to take you to Belldandy.�

Mara�s eyes fluttered open and focused on Urd again.  �You�re still here?�  
she whispered, smiling.  �I thought it had to be a dream.�

�No Mara.  But we need to move you.  We can�t carry you.  You have to 
stand.�

The demoness smiled dreamily and nodded.  She did her best to help Urd and 
Keiichi as they managed to get her on her feet and down the hall to the 
elevator.  Mara pouted as they waited for the car to go down.  �I�m sorry.� 
she told Urd, trying to focus. �I feel so drifty.�

�It�s okay, Mara.  You lost a lot of blood.� Urd said, doing her best to 
hold up her side of the demoness

Getting her into the side car with Urd was even trickier, but finally, the 
goddess had Mara arranged on her lap so that Keiichi could drive without 
having a wreck.  Mara giggled softly as they pulled out of the lot.

�He said you�d come for me.� she whispered, so softly Urd barely caught it 
over the sound of the engine.  Her next words were lost to the wind as they 
merged with traffic.

But Urd still looked down at the demoness in shock at what she thought she�d 
heard.  As Mara laid her head on Urd�s shoulder and fell asleep again, Urd 
blinked.

Then she passed it off as a trick of the wind.  There was no way Mara could 
have said, �I love you.�


* * * * *

Kasumi came in from shopping and stopped as her ears twitched at a faint 
noise.  She put the groceries down and listened.

Was that... water?

Yes.  It was the sound of someone bathing.  She looked out the kitchen 
window over to the bathing room as the sound came again.

Curious.  Soun and Genma had taken Sandal out to a local gaming room, so the 
house should have been empty.

She quietly crept down the hall past the dining room and approached the furo 
door, rolling pin in hand.  As her hand touched the door, there was a sound 
of the water bucket falling over.

She slid open the door to find a wet and bedraggled kitten on the floor, 
looking up at her curiously.  The overturned water bucket was lying next to 
her.

�China?  Whatever happened?�

The kitten meowed, as if to say �I got wet!�

Kasumi laughed.  �You poor thing.  Here let me get you dried off.�  She 
picked up the wet kitten and stepped towards the towel draped over a hook by 
the tub.  Noting the strange fact that the furo was full of fresh, steamy 
water, she failed to see the bar of soap, and with a �Whoops!�  and a yowl 
from China, she pitched forward into the tub.

She rose up out of the water and wiped it out of her eyes to find herself 
face to nipple with a full breast.  Her gaze rose to meet the violet eyes of 
a very worried Amazon.

�Shan Pu?�

�Please not be angry.  Great Grandmother say must do to cure Ranma of cat 
fear, and learn more about Airen!�

Kasumi blinked, noting the sudden absence of China.  �Oh my.�  She wrung out 
her hair as she stood.  �Did she curse you just to do this?�

�No.  Shan Pu be cursed many years now.  Since thirteen.�  She frowned.  
�Musk who attack village.  Shan Pu meet before.  Make fall in spring.  Part 
why cousin hate so much.�  She sighed.  �Is why so upset when find Ranma 
fear cat.  Do not want Airen run from Shan Pu.  Run from Shan Pu enough 
already.� she finished sadly.

Kasumi wrung out her skirt as she nodded.  �I know, dear.  But are you sure 
this is the best way?�  She finally gave up wringing the water out and began 
undressing.  Nothing in the groceries would spoil, and she�d been intending 
to get a bath before dinner anyway.  �Akane is really happy with having a 
pet.  I don�t know how she�ll take finding out it�s you.  She�s not always 
the most rational or forgiving person.�  Hanging her wet clothes from a 
nearby hook in the washing area, she settled into the water across from Shan 
Pu.  �I mean, I know I told you that you need to work on being subtle, but 
not outright deception.�

Shan Pu hung her head.  �Great Grandmother say must need learn more about 
Airen.  She say be pet for while so be close to Airen, not be pushed away 
like have been.  Learn how make Akane and Ranma love like Shan Pu love.  
Learn how win heart.�

Kasumi sighed.  �I�m sorry she�s like that, Shan Pu.  But you were a little 
bit of a surprise for all of us.� she paused, reflecting, �Then again, so 
was Ranma.  Father neglected to tell us about him until he was on our 
doorstep.�  She sighed again.  �Plus, there�s the fact my last advice led to 
the pair of you destroying the dojo.�  She laid her head back against the 
tub.  �Oh dear.  I don�t know, Shan Pu.  Your grandmother could be right.  I 
guess for now I will keep your secret.  But please, don�t do anything to 
abuse Akane�s trust while you�re a cat.�

Shan Pu  nodded.  �Not wish to abuse trust.  Not even sleep in Akane bed.  
Sleep under so not even hear words she say in sleep.�

Kasumi smiled at her.  �Very well.  I will keep quiet and help if I can.  
Just be careful.�
The Amazon nodded enthusiastically.  �Shan Pu try very hard.�

Kasumi smiled.  �Good.�  A sudden thought hit her.  �Oh my... were you 
listening to Akane and I talking yesterday?�

Shan Pu colored as she hung her head.  �Shan Pu in basket.  Could not help 
but hear.�

Kasumi frowned.  �You really should try to avoid that in the future, dear.  
It�s not polite.  Still I suppose it can�t be helped.�

Shan Pu shook her head.  �Shan Pu did not do on purpose, but did listen to 
Airen.  Why Akane no wish have babies?  Is not proper way show love for 
husband?�

Kasumi sighed.  �I suppose for your village, that is the way, but we have 
changed here in Japan.  We don�t have to have lots of children in the hopes 
that a few will survive.  Father is unusual in that he has the three of us.  
One or two children is more common these days.  And Akane wants to be more 
than just a mother.�  Kasumi leaned back as she let the warm water soak into 
her bones.  �Our mother used to be a martial artist, and was well on her way 
to being one of the best.  When she met Father, they fought like cats and 
dogs, but she could never defeat him.�

Shan Pu nodded �Is best way.  Strong man insure strong children.�

Kasumi smiled.  �I suppose that�s true.  Anyway, eventually Mother fell in 
love, and I was conceived.  That was the last bit of scandal my mother 
allowed my father to engage in.  They were wed and I was born... and Mother 
had to give up being a martial artist to take care of me.�
Shan Pu blinked.  �Why?�

�Because taking care of me and Father was too demanding to allow her the 
same kind of time and dedication to martial arts she had previously.   And 
she insisted on stability for the family.  She insisted that she and Father 
could not live as wanderers anymore.  Father returned home and took over the 
school from Grandfather, and Mother learned how to be a mother from 
grandmother.  By the time our grandparents died, Nabiki had been born, and 
mother had settled into being a housewife.  She still practiced in the 
mornings with Father, but I always got the sense she�d felt like she lost 
something.�  Kasumi traced circles on the top of the water as she stared off 
into the distance.  �I tried as hard as I could to help around the house, 
and take the burden off of her, but I never understood until later what it 
was that she missed.  I never realized how much she had given up until she 
died, and I was helping to raise Akane.  She is so much like Mother at times 
it�s scary.  Father always used to brag that he had tamed a shrew in Mother, 
and Akane�s drive and temper came from her.�

Shan Pu giggled as she rubbed the back of her head.  �Shan Pu have felt 
Akane�s anger.  Is not worried.  Shan Pu proud Akane is such strong warrior. 
  But being mother does not mean is not warrior.�

�Do the women of your village share the responsibility for raising 
children?�  Kasumi asked.

Shan Pu nodded.  �Men mainly do care, but all village help.�

Kasumi nodded.  �In Japan, only the family helps, and men are generally off 
earning money to support the family.  The school was Fathers� job, but when 
Mother died, he just kind of fell apart.  If it hadn�t been for the money 
Mother had put back, and Nabiki�s gift for managing money, we would have 
lost our home years ago.�

Shan Pu gave her a horrified look.  Finally she blinked and shook her head.  
�Japanese very strange.  Understand now why Akane not want children right 
away.�

Kasumi nodded.  �We don�t have the same ways as your village, Shan Pu.  And 
it is hard for a woman in Japan with children to be anything but a 
housewife.  It�s what�s expected.�

Shan Pu nodded.  �Is same for men in village.  Not think Ranma be good 
househusband.�

Kasumi giggled.  �No, I can�t see Ranma in that role.�

Shan Pu nodded.  �Shan Pu will think on this.  She want make many babies for 
family, but things not like at village.  May be best to wait.  Akane want us 
three be family first.  Shan Pu devoutly wish for this as well.  When Shan 
Pu, Akane and Ranma _all_ decide is time, then Shan Pu give many babies.�

Kasumi gave her a warm smile.  �That sounds like a very wise plan, 
Shan-chan.�

Shan Pu blinked, then smiled.  �Shan-chan.  Will need get used to, but like. 
  Very happy Kasumi will be sister as well.�

Kasumi laughed.  �I�m hearing that from a lot of people these days.�

* * * * *

The warehouse was old and rickety, like the dock.  Tao-Ching looked it over 
and grinned.  According to his source, Herb�s boat would be here by dusk.

The Prince had done a good job of seeking unobtrusive entry to Japan, having 
hired a private luxury yacht last night to take him across to Tokyo.  His 
only mistake had been paying in gold.   The yacht�s captain had had no 
choice but to try and fence the metals, since had he tried to sell it under 
normal channels, the PRC would have been sniffing around trying to find out 
how he had come across such a large cache of antique coinage.  Attempting to 
avoid the PRC had forced the captain to contact a Japanese �merchant�, whose 
connections reported directly to Tokyo.  As a �favor� to Tao-Ching, the 
yacht crew had been replaced while Herb slept and he had boarded it this 
morning unaware that the crew was under orders to bring him directly to this 
old, disused Hibiki warehouse in Chiba.  Further arrangements had been made 
to ensure the docks were empty for a half mile around.  Five million 
American dollars could buy a lot with the Yakuza.  Twenty million all told, 
if you took into account hiring the mercenaries of Area 88 to blow up the 
Musk fortress.

Tao-Ching felt the scar along his side and smiled.  A small price to pay for 
revenge.  Mint and Lime had already paid with their lives for his 
humiliation at their hands.  They should have made sure he was dead.  This 
time, he wouldn�t give Herb a chance to use his fancy chi techniques and 
throw him over a cliff.  That had cost Shan Pu a lifetime cursed to be a cat 
and him six months healing from being impaled on a bamboo pole.  Herb had a 
lot to answer for.


* * * * *

�I can�t believe you asked her to introduce you to VENUS!�  Ayeka screamed, 
causing Kyoko to wince.

Ai looked at her coolly, leaning back in the hot tub she�d arranged to have 
installed in the cheerleaders dressing room.  She stretched her arms out 
along the side, lifting her breasts to just above the waterline as she got 
comfortable.  She gave the raven haired cheerleader a slow examination, 
making the naked girl feel like her skin was being flayed, and Ayeka 
resisted the urge to cover herself.

Finally, Ai spoke.  �Yes.�  Ai said icily.  �We talked about the Senshi.  I 
needed information on exactly how involved with them she is.  The last thing 
I want is to beat her down only to have to fight five super powered magical 
girls.  It�s called intelligence gathering.�  Ai shook her head at Ayeka�s 
failure to see the obvious.  She should have avoided mentioning asking for 
Sailor Venus� autograph.

�It looked more like flirting!�  Ayeka said, crossing her arms under her 
breasts as she cocked one hip in annoyance.  �And most of the school thinks 
so too!�

Ai sighed, wishing Ayeka�s eagerness to be her pet wasn�t part of a massive 
inferiority complex that made the girl a great submissive, but incredibly 
insecure.  �Enough Ayeka.  Attractive as Zhu Shu is, until this matter of 
challenge is settled, she�s off limits.�

Ayeka wouldn�t be mollified.  �Attractive!  What does that little Chinese 
bitch have that I don�t!� she screamed, lifting her arms and turning to 
display her lithe figure.

Ai shook her head.  Telling the girl to shave had been a mistake.  Nice as 
she looked bare, Ayeka had obviously taken it as an attempt on Ai�s part to 
make her substitute for Zhu Shu.  It hadn�t been.  She�d just discovered she 
liked the look, and had made Ayeka her first experiment, trying to decide if 
she was going to have the entire squad shave.  In the tall girl�s mind, it 
had been far more significant.

�She does have bigger breasts.� Kyoko added helpfully from where she was 
busy massaging Megumi�s legs.  Megumi was watching the fight with an air of 
�enough already�, supporting herself on her arms as she lay on the massage 
table, her legs spread to let Kyoko rub muscles sore from practice.  She 
looked down at the younger girl�s comment and rolled her eyes with an amused 
smile.

Ayeka glared at the chestnut-haired girl, her hands rising into a 
strangulation grip as she almost advanced on the kawaii brunette.

Ai waved her off.  �I said enough.  Seriously Ayeka, you�re acting like 
you�re jealous.  You�ve never raised a fuss like this over anyone else I was 
looking at as a play toy.�

Kaede looked over from where she was filing her nails on the other side of 
the hot tub.  �No one else you�ve played with could fight us to a draw.� she 
said, matter of factly.  She examined her perfect nails and dropped the file 
on the side of the tub as she stretched out, her toes casually finding a 
soft and furry target.  �Akane doesn�t count because you weren�t ever 
interested in her.  She�s always been too much of a tomboy for you.  You 
like your women feminine, and your guys masculine.� she finished, her toe 
stroking up and down gently.  Ai spread her legs slightly but didn�t react 
otherwise.

�She certainly isn�t acting that way as much since Zhu Shu started living 
with the Tendos.�  Kyoko added.  �She�s nowhere near as violent.�  She 
sighed.  �Which makes Kuno give her googly eyes worse than ever.�  She 
stopped rubbing Megumi�s thigh as she daydreamed.

Megumi looked down at Kyoko over the mute evidence that she was no more a 
natural red-head than Ai was blonde, and rolled her eyes.  �Why you care 
that Kuno chases her is beyond me.�

Kyoko gave a pretty little pout.  �He�s only done that since he came to 
Furinkan.  He always used to chase me when we were in junior high.�

�And I remember him being just as obnoxious about it.�  Megumi shook her 
head.  �And you playing hard to get just made him worse.  Now he assumes 
every girl is doing it.�  She fluttered her eyes at the brunette and looked 
down meaningfully.  Kyoko blushed as she started rubbing again

Ayeka growled.  �And all of that is beside the point!�  She turned to Ai.  
�When are we going to challenge that bitch!�

�When I can find some way to cancel out those chi attacks!�  Ai exclaimed.  
�As good as we are, none of us know any chi based attacks that 
sophisticated.  We need some way to counteract those.�  Ai rubbed her 
temples, tired of the argument.  She laid her head back against the tub�s 
soft side as she felt Kaede�s toe begin making small circles.

�We could always insult Ayeka until she explodes.�  Megumi suggested, to a 
glare from the dark haired girl that the red-head ignored.   �It worked 
against your sister�s school.�

�Mariko�s squad got cocky.  She needed to be reminded who the real master of 
combat cheerleading was in the Konjou family.�  Ai said with a frown.  She 
reached down to tap Kaede�s foot away.  �And Ayeka is uncontrollable when 
she�s berserk.� Ai said as she rose from the tub and began drying off.

The dark haired girl glared at all of them, the faintest hint of a violet 
aura shimmering around her.  �Keep it up and you�ll find out just how 
uncontrollable I am!�

�Calm down Ayeka.  We will redeem ourselves against Zhu Shu.  As soon as I 
feel we are ready.�  Ai said as she picked up her bra and started dressing.  
�You all did well in practice today.  I just need to figure out how to even 
things up in our favor, and we�ll teach the entire school who�s still the 
best.�

The rest of the squad nodded, except for Ayeka, who fumed still.  �I won�t 
wait forever Ai!�

Ai fixed her with an icy glare that dissipated Ayeka�s aura.  �You will wait 
until I say or I will do something far worse than punish you.�  She made 
very sure Ayeka met her eyes.  �I�ll stop.�

The cowed girl nodded as Ai turned and left, her yellow skirt flaring as she 
stalked out of the room.  Megumi�s eyes followed her before turning back to 
Ayeka.  �Stop pouting.  Ai�s never let us down yet.  She�s right.  You�re 
acting like you�re jealous.  Ai�s had plenty of other girls and guys and 
you�ve never acted like this.�  She looked down at Kyoko and smiled, 
shifting her hips.

Ayeka looked at her.  �Why shouldn�t I be jealous?  That bitch has all the 
guys in school drooling over her, and half the girls!  And ever since she�s 
come, Ai�s barely even looked at me!�  She looked down at herself, running a 
hand along her flat stomach and over her freshly shaved pubis, then sighing 
as she sat on the edge of the tub.

�Zhu Shu�s not even interested in any of them, Ayeka.  Haven�t you noticed 
she�s barely noticed anyone other than Akane or Ranma?� Megumi said.  �I 
don�t think you need worry about Ai ditching us for the little tramp.�  She 
lay back on the table, her hands behind her head as she hooked one foot 
behind Kyoko and pulled her closer, smiling as the brunette knelt.

�Besides, � Kaede added, coming up beside the tall raven-haired girl and 
rising out of the warm water to press against her back as her arms encircled 
Ayeka�s neck. �We all know how obsessive she gets over anyone challenging 
her martial arts prowess.  Or any other prowess she has.  She�ll figure out 
how to counter those chi attacks, and then turn Zhu Shu into our personal 
pet.�  Kaede�s finger traced lazily down Ayeka�s breast bone.  �Once she�s 
been broken in, she�ll make a fine addition to the squad, just like you 
were, Ayeka.  Just like we all were.�

�Exactly.�  Megumi added.  �Think about how much fun that will be.   Just 
like it was breaking in Kyoko here.� She reached down to stroke the curly 
chestnut hair of the other girl.

Kyoko nodded, too polite to speak with her mouth full.  The motion caused 
Megumi to gasp as her back arched and she moaned softly.

Kaede watched for a few seconds before concentrating on Ayeka.  �Just 
watch,� She purred in Ayeka�s ear as she rubbed her shoulders.  �Ai will 
find some way to handle Zhu Shu.�

Ayeka nodded, surrendering to the other girls kneading fingers.  �Alright, 
but if that wench makes a move on our Ai, I�m gonna kill her.�


* * * * *

Ranma looked around the dojo, then down at her watch.  �Okay, so where are 
the girls?�

Akane shrugged, the motion making her rabbit ears sway.  �I don�t know.  Zhu 
Shu said they were going to come by and to give them their lessons this 
week.  I don�t know where they are.�  Her ears twitched towards the house.  
�Hang on, Kasumi�s calling.�

Ranma blinked, not having heard a thing.  �Okay.�

Akane was back a few minutes later.  �Kasumi said Mr. Tsukino called to let 
us know the girls apparently went to Hong Kong.  Something about a school 
project.�  Her frown showed annoyance.

�Oh, man.  Zhu Shu�s gonna kill em.�  Ranma shook her head.

Akane stepped up behind her and picked up Ranma�s long braid , idly playing 
with it.  �Especially after she made them swear they�d stay here until she 
had a chance to scout it out.�

�Oh, I take it you heard the girls went to Hong Kong?�

They both turned to see Luna coming into the dojo.  Ranma eeked and backed 
up to the far side of the dojo in one leap, Akane fortunately having let go 
of her braid.  �She talked!� the terrified red-head squeeked.

Luna gave Ranma a curious look.  �Usagi said you knew about the Senshi.�

Akane laughed.  �Ranma does.  We forgot to tell him you talk though, and he 
has a phobia of cats.�

Luna gave Ranma a curious look.  �Oh.  I�ll be quick then.  Sorry I�m late.  
It�s ever such a long walk on foot.  The girls tricked us and took off.  We 
don�t know what�s going on, but they�re okay so far as we�ve been 
monitoring.  I just came to let you know that we felt a major surge of 
Silver Millennium energy a few days ago, when you went to China.  Artemis 
and I are sure it came from Zhu Shu.�

Akane nodded.  �We were attacked at the Amazon village.�  She pointed to her 
rabbit ears.  �These are a remnant.�

�Oh my.  I thought they were a headband.  Usagi has a pair just like those.�

�Well, these are real.  Zhu Shu saved the village.  Shan Pu said that she 
had run to Jusenkyo for water from the spring of drowned girl to turn 
everyone back from being bunnies.�  She turned to show the fluffy pink and 
white tuft poking out the top of her pants.  �We�re no longer rabbits, but 
as you can see, there are still some issues.  I was in the village square 
when Zhu Shu got back, and she just appeared on the dais in a small 
explosion of light.�

Luna blinked.  �Oh?  Interesting.  It takes all five of the girls joining 
powers to teleport.�

�She collapsed afterwards, exhausted.� Akane said.  �The elders say she 
overused her chi severely.�

Luna nodded.  �Well, I just wanted to let you know what was going on.  
Artemis is waiting outside and it�s a long walk back.�

�Why�s he outside?�

�Said he smelled a strange cat.�

�Oh, that�s China.  She�s mine.  Shan Pu gave her to me.�

Luna looked over at the still cowering Ranma.  �And he�s afraid of cats?�

�We�re hoping repeat exposure will help him overcome the phobia.�

�Ah.  Well, I suppose that�s all to the good.  Anything I can do to help?�

�Don�t really know.  Right now I guess not.�

�Well, at least now we know why he had a fit the first day I came with 
Usagi.�  She tilted her head at the unmoving girl.  �Good luck with the 
phobia, Ranma!�

�Gah!�  was the red-head�s response.

Akane sauntered over to the smaller girl as Luna nosed back out the dojo 
door.  �Well, it looks like we�re stuck with no class to train.  Care to 
spar?�

Ranma�s eyes stayed glued to the door until Luna�s tail disappeared, then 
let out a sigh.  �Dammit, I did it again!�

Akane tugged the smaller girl away from the wall and rubbed her shoulders.  
�It�s going to take time Ranma.  You did very well.  Especially considering 
that we didn�t warn you about her speaking.�

�I hate this.  I used to like cats!�

�Give it time.  No-one but you expects results overnight.�  She stepped back 
and gave the red-head a mischievous look as she untied her gi top.  �Now, 
are you going to spar with me, or not?�

Ranma watched as Akane removed her gi, admiring the curves her body was 
developing, and smiling as Akane�s bunny tail came fully into view.  Akane 
noticed her watching and gave her rear a shake.  �So, do I have a nice 
tail?�

Ranma gulped hard.  �Umm...�

Akane laughed as she reached behind her back and pulled her swords.  Ranma 
barely had time to blink as she blurred towards him, her long braid whipping 
into a loud crack as she moved.  She stopped behind Ranma, her breasts 
pressed against Ranma and her arms encircling the other girl, swords once 
more put away.  Ranma gave the grinning girl a raised eyebrow.

�What was that about?� she asked, prompting Akane to giggle.

Then, her clothes fell off, the garment sliced neatly into pieces.

�I wanted you naked.� Akane explained with a quirked eyebrow.

Ranma gave her the evil eye.  �You could have asked.�

�It�s more fun this way.�  Akane smiled.  �Besides, it gives me a chance to 
let my hands wander.� she added as her hands began to do just that, one hand 
moving up, the other down.

Ranma blushed.  �Um, are you feeling okay?  I mean, Kodachi wasn�t even in 
school today, so I don�t think she slipped you something.�

�I�m horny.  It�s a natural thing for most people, Ranma.  Especially people 
in love.�  Akane murmured as her fingers began playing with Ranma�s curls.  
�I�ve been horny since we left China, and this is the first time I�ve been 
able to express it.�

Ranma gasped as Akane�s fingers found their target.  �Ah, okay.  It�s just 
your usually so- so-�

�Sexless?� Akane teased.  �I thought I broke you of that idea.�  She tossed 
her head so her braid wrapped around them both, pulling Ranma closer.

�Ah... yeah... um...  well... I...  just never expected you to be so 
forward.�  She leaned back against Akane as the dark haired girl�s fingers 
began provoking the responses Akane sought.

�So? I want to make out like bunnies.  I...�  Akane stopped and blinked.  
�Oh my god.� she said, her lips right next to Ranma�s ears.  �That�s exactly 
what I want to do.�  Her ears twitched.  �I�ve wanted to drag you off and 
play with you ever since I got cursed.�
The red-head blinked.  �Huh?�

�Since I got cursed, whenever I�m not doing something, I�ve been daydreaming 
about having sex.  With you, with Shan Pu, even Zhu Shu.  Gods, I�ve been 
fantasizing about just about everyone,� She nuzzled Ranma�s ear.  �And 
getting hornier and hornier.�

Ranma blinked.  �Everyone?�

Akane pulled her head back and gave the red-head a sour look.  �Get over 
yourself.  Like you haven�t done it too.  I have noticed your tendency to 
let your eyes wonder towards pretty girls.�

Ranma blushed.  �Okay, okay.�

�Besides, the only people I�d actually do something with are you, and 
eventually Shan Pu.�  She leaned back to start nuzzling again.  �I love you, 
and I never meant to hurt you.�

Ranma smiled.  �I know.  I�m sorry.  Just have a hard time accepting that 
you really find me desirable.�

Akane blinked. She leaned forward to look at Ranma�s face.  �Jeez.  I should 
have known the overbearing ego had a hidden insecurity problem.�

�Hey, I ain�t insecure!� Ranma protested.

Akane giggled.  �Of course you are.  When it comes to me anyway.  I think 
it�s cute.�  She hugged Ranma tighter for a second, then her hands resumed 
their explorations again.  �Anyway, I wonder if being a bunny girl has side 
effects, like an increased sex drive.�

Ranma sighed softly as Akane�s fingers slid deeper.  �Umm... I dunno.  
Maybe.  I ain�t complaining.�

Akane nipped him lightly on the neck.  �Of course not.  You�re the one being 
molested.�  She grabbed Ranma�s hand with her unoccupied one and guided it.  
�A fact that I expect you to correct immediately.�

Ranma smiled as her fingers complied.


* * * * *

Nabiki growled as she closed the cell phone.  Tao-Ching still wasn�t 
answering.  And after she�d gone and spent so much effort buying clothes!

She looked down at the pair of stiletto heeled platforms she had bought, and 
sighed.  All dressed up and no place to go.  Stepping in front of the 
mirror, she examined the deep v front dress she�d bought, the neckline 
plunging down so far that she�d had to shave, and the lower hem barely 
hiding the fact she�d dispensed with underwear too.  The back of the dress 
actually plunged below her tail, leaving the soft brown puff of fur fluffed 
out behind her.   The black heels accented the ensemble, the open toes 
showing off her candy apple red nail polish, and the extra two inches of 
height from the platforms and the seven inch heels would have brought her 
almost level with Tao-Ching.  The daringness of the outfit had left her 
feeling incredibly sexy.

A shame Tao-Ching couldn�t see it.  She lifted the dress to look at the 
small tuft of fur she�d left as a teaser and pouted.  She�d so looked 
forward to driving the furball crazy with tantalizing glimpses until he 
couldn�t take it anymore, then letting him take the dress off of her for a 
little fun.

She sighed again and headed down to the kitchen to tell Kasumi she wasn�t 
going out after all.  Pausing at the kitchen door, Nabiki blinked, then gave 
a slow smile.

�Umm... Kasumi?�

Kasumi smiled at Nabiki.  �Yes?�

�Um... you did realize you weren�t wearing anything but that apron, right?�  
Nabiki took advantage of the fact to admire Kasumi�s excellent curves.

Kasumi blushed prettily, but didn�t seem too bothered by Nabiki�s appraising 
looks.  �Oh my.  I was... well... I took a break for a few minutes.  If you 
must know, I was fantasizing.  I was so caught up in my daydream I didn�t 
notice I hadn�t gotten re-dressed.�  She took in Nabiki�s clothes.  �That�s 
a new look for you.�

Nabiki thought about it, looking down at herself.  �You�re right.�  She 
looked around.  �Good thing Genma and Sandal aren�t here.  I�m practically 
giving a free show, too.�  She shrugged.  �Though they�d probably run for 
the hills in terror if they were.  The Ice Princess on the prowl.�

Kasumi laughed, the motions making her breasts bounce rather enticingly.  
Nabiki licked her lips, feeling a sudden urge to nibble.

�Mr. Saotome is currently rather... occupied, with Mrs. Saotome.� Kasumi 
confessed.  �She actually dragged Mr. Saotome into his room.�  Kasumi nodded 
out at the dojo.  �And if I�m interpreting the noises coming from over there 
correctly, I believe Akane is entertaining herself with Ranma-chan.�

�Ranma-chan?�  Nabiki grinned.  �How cute.  I can�t wait to call him that.�

�Her.  We really need to treat Ranma as a girl when he�s female.  After all 
she�s not going to get rid of the curse any more than we are.� Kasumi said 
brightly.  She played with one of her ears, pulling it down to toy with 
idly.  �We�re bunny girls for life.�

Nabiki nodded.  Then did a double take.  �Hey, wait a minute.�

Kasumi nodded.  �You didn�t realize being a bunny girl was throwing your sex 
drive into high gear.�  She smiled.  �Yes.  I noticed that earlier.  I was 
going to warn you before you went out.�  She looked down at herself and gave 
Nabiki an amused grin.  �And as you can see I got distracted.�

Nabiki laughed.  �So I see.  Nice to see you�re normal in that regard too.�

Kasumi blushed again.  �Well, I am human Nabiki.  I�m just not usually so... 
blatant... about it.�  She turned to finish draining the sink from washing, 
her pale brown tail accenting her pear shaped rear.

Nabiki licked her lips absently thinking about how nice a closer inspection 
would be.  She shifted her hips.  �Well, hopefully, if Tao-Ching isn�t home, 
he got some lead on where Herb is so we can get this damn lock broken.�

Kasumi nodded as she wiped her hands on the apron.  �Well, I should 
definitely get dressed before anyone comes in.�

Nabiki gave her a evil grin.  �Want some �help�?�

Kasumi raised an eyebrow.  �Nabiki!�

Nabiki shrugged.  �Hey, I�m incredibly horny,� she admitted 
unapologetically.  �And you were the one to kiss Zhu Shu.  And run around 
naked!  Can I help it if the entire Tendo family has the trait of being at 
least curious about lesbianism?� She stepped into the kitchen with a teasing 
whirl, showing the dress off in full.  �Just watching you at the moment has 
made me want to lay you back on the table and have you for a snack.�

Kasumi wrung her hands.  �Oh my.  I can�t say I�m not tempted,� she 
admitted, unable to hide the signs of that temptation behind her thin apron. 
  �But I know it�s just the effects of being a bunny girl.  Besides we�re 
sisters.�

Nabiki laughed.  �Don�t give me that.  I heard you talking to Akane about 
geisha stuff.�  She stepped up to Kasumi and backed her against the counter. 
  �Did it ever occur to you that I might be interested too?� she asked, 
reaching around Kasumi to grab the ties to her apron and pulled them loose 
as she stepped back, drawing the apron up to reveal Kasumi�s curly locks, as 
impeccably trimmed as always.

�But Nabiki, Akane and I aren�t doing any thing like what you�re 
suggesting.� Kasumi protested, gently tugging her apron out of Nabiki�s 
hands.

Nabiki laughed and hiked her skirt to reveal what she wasn�t wearing 
underneath.  �Does this tell you how horny I am?�

Kasumi blushed prettily.  �Yes, but we�d probably regret it later.�

�Now you�re rationalizing.�  Nabiki sing-songed.  She continued pulling the 
dress off and tossed it on the table as she sat down on it with her legs 
spread.  �Now, I wanted Tao-Ching tonight, but he�s not available, nor has 
he actually even asked me to be his girlfriend yet, or out on a date, and I 
am getting rather tired of waiting.�  She casually traced down the joint of 
her thigh, drawing Kasumi�s eyes to her mostly shaven state as she smiled 
languidly.  �And in retrospect, he�s not as safe to play with as you are.  
Akane is playing with Ranma, and even _Genma_ is getting some.�  She batted 
her eyes playfully at her sister.  �Now I could just go and find some random 
individual to play with, I suppose.  But then I�d never be absolutely sure 
they wouldn�t use this little weakness I�ve acquired to blackmail me, and 
there�s always the possibility I�d get pregnant...�

Kasumi�s apron sailed past her sister�s head as she smiled indulgently.  
�You�re terrible.  I just want you to know that.� she said as she turned and 
sashayed out of the kitchen.

Nabiki just smiled as she sauntered out after Kasumi.  �Of course I am, but 
you love me anyway.�

�Yes... but that doesn�t mean I�m going to say yes.�

�You haven�t said no either.�  Nabiki said as they headed up the stairs

Kasumi just laughed.


* * * * *

China watched the two girls disappearing up the stairs and laughed 
internally.  She really hadn�t meant to spy, having just come down to beg 
some milk from Kasumi and catching the show between Nabiki and her sister.  
She didn�t think Kasumi was actually going to give in to Nabiki, considering 
she�d seen the mischievous look in the older girl�s eye as she�d taken off 
her apron, but she wasn�t sure why the older girl was being so resistant.  
Must be another of those weird notions these Japanese had.

It was amusing watching some of the antics her Japanese sisters went through 
about something as simple as sex.  Sex was a natural expression of love, 
whether it was between sisters or mates.  Amazons kept it simple.  Sex for 
fun was fine between fertility periods; procreation was reserved for 
marriage.  Sex with a sister was always for fun, regardless of whether they 
were blood or not.  Really, how else was anyone to learn the proper ways to 
stimulate a partner without practice?  She�d been surprised that all Zhu 
Shu�s training had been rote memorization, and that she had never been 
trained to read her body�s own signs of when she was fertile, though she had 
been trained in herbal techniques to control conception.  She�d remedied at 
least that much during their two months hunting Ranma, teaching Zhu Shu how 
to note the various signs of the feminine cycle.

Still, judging from the little exchange between Kasumi and Nabiki, and 
Akane�s concerns about playing with Ranma as a male, it looked like she 
would need to educate her new sisters and Airen as well.  Some of these 
outlander customs were just too silly.

She nosed the refrigerator door open and stood on her hindquarters to reach 
the bowl of milk Kasumi had promised her she�d leave and drank.  Thirst 
satisfied, she returned to contemplating, realizing she also needed to let 
Kasumi know about the lecture her great-grandmother had given her about 
avoiding being in her cursed form as she approached her fertile phase, as 
the animals instinct�s could become strong enough to overcome her 
rationality.  The Tendo girls were unprepared for anything like this, and 
were locked in cursed form.  And, like most women who shared living spaces, 
their periods were probably fairly close to each other.  This increase in 
their sexual appetites was probably going to get worse as their periods drew 
closer, though hopefully, being only half rabbit would mitigate it somewhat. 
  She�d learned the hard way exactly how overpowering that instinct was in 
the animal form, and was glad Ke Lun had been nearby with hot water.  As it 
was, she still had a problem with attracting felines when she was on her 
cycle, even in human form, and went to great lengths to avoid cold water 
those three days.

Luckily, that had just passed, and she had most of a month left.  Ke Lun 
would be in Japan long before then and she�d be able to just avoid being 
China during the danger period.
She wandered over to the dojo and climbed up to the sill of one of the high 
windows, her sharp ears and nose having caught the evidence of loveplay 
within.  She arranged herself on the ledge, watching as her two beloved 
fianc�es played with each other, wishing she could join in.  Comforting 
herself with the hope she�d learn enough about Akane and Ranma to win their 
hearts, she laid her head down on her paws to study what her fianc�es seemed 
to enjoy most, for future reference.


* * * * *

In another part of Tokyo, Ai was rummaging through the dusty shelves of a 
curio shop, indulging in her secret vice, antique jewelry.  She had quite a 
collection of rings and brooches, and one could never tell when one might 
find something nice in a little shop like this.  She had sighted the shop 
when she�d been on her way home from school, and grumbling about her squad 
complaining and the way Ayeka had been bitching about her talking to the 
Chinese girl instead of fighting her.  If it hadn�t been for the fact that 
Ayeka really was such a good sub...

She sighed.  The problem was, she did want to beat Zhu Shu, but she wanted 
to do it more to save face for the cheerleading squad than out of pure 
animosity.  As aggravating as losing to her had been, she had to admit that 
Zhu Shu had fought fairly, and had been graceful enough to call it a draw, 
when she could have possibly won.  Zhu Shu had been tired, but Ai hadn�t 
been certain the metamorphosing girl hadn�t had another trick to pull out of 
her bag, and with the rest of her squad down, Ai had lost a lot of the 
mobility she counted on in a fight.  She still had to be defeated, but Ai 
couldn�t make herself hate Zhu Shu like she did most of her rivals.  And it 
wasn�t because she was attracted to the Chinese girl, regardless of what 
Ayeka thought.  Beyond making her a pet, Ai had absolutely no romantic 
interest.  Not in Zhu Shu anyway...

She had to find away to soundly beat Zhu Shu, to humiliate her like the 
squad had been, so that there was no question of who the ruling beauties of 
Furinkan were in the mind of the students, while still leaving a means for 
her to talk the Chinese girl into introducing her to Sailor Venus!  Then 
she�d be able to tell the incredibly lovely blonde Senshi how much she 
worshipped her from afar... and Sailor Venus would...

�Humm.  I sense a spirit searching for answers.�  A voice said from next to 
her, disrupting her fantasy.  Ai turned to see the shop keeper, a wizened 
old man of indeterminate race.  �You seek to best a rival?�

Ai nodded.  �How did you know?�

The old man laughed.  �You get to be my age dearie, it�s a lot of been 
there, done that.  You�re looking, but not at what your hands are touching.  
Deep in thought.�

Ai raised her eyebrow.  �Yeah, so?�

I might have something that can help.�  He waved at the back of the store.  
�Come, let me show you my real stock, not this useless trash I keep out here 
for the common herd.

Curious, Ai moved in the direction indicated.  The old man took her to a 
small room behind a curtain, and turned on the lights.  Ai stopped and 
blinked.

The walls were filled with shelves containing a vast array of knick knacks 
ranging from grotesque to indescribably lovely.  Rings, mirrors, daggers, 
shrunken heads, and other less identifiable items, crowded the various 
displays, and the very air felt strange, like it was filled with static 
electricity just below the level of lightning.

The old man crackled.  �Here, my dear, you will find a means for what you 
seek.�

Ai looked at the disarray.  �In here?  How?�

�Magic.  I have charms for all sorts of things.�

Ai blinked, then grinned.  �That would be rather appropriate.  My �rival� 
uses magic.  She turns into a dragon girl.�

�A dragon girl?�  The shopkeeper chuckled.  �I�ve always appreciated a fine 
piece of tail.�

Ai sniffed.  �What am I, a side of beef?�

�Not at all. Not at all.� the shop keeper chuckled.  �But I never molest 
customers, however much I might want to.  Bad for business.�

Ai nodded, mollified.  �So what do you have that can help me beat her, 
without actually permanently hurting her?�

The old man rummaged the shelves for a few moments before emerging with a 
flask.  �This.  Dragons are very magical.  This is the juice of a rare berry 
that affects only dragons.  It will disrupt her magic, and cause it to 
fluctuate wildly.  She will be unable to use her dragon magic for a time.  
But be aware, its effect is short term.  A matter of fifteen to twenty 
minutes, then she will experience a surge that she will not be able to 
control.  It will leave her weak and intoxicated.�

Ai raised an eyebrow.  �I see.  Will it harm her?�

�No more than you drinking an entire bottle of sake, sweet cheeks.  It�ll 
leave her with a huge hangover.  It�s not called Dragon Wine for nothing.�

Ai�s eyes glittered.  �That will be perfect.  Imagine her trying to fight me 
drunk.�

�Make sure you give it to her in dragon girl form.  It won�t work 
otherwise.�

Ai nodded.  �That can be arranged.�


* * * * *

Tao-Ching watched as the yacht pulled up at a slow pace and a lone figure 
jumped to the dock.  His eyes narrowed as the yacht bounced off the peir and 
veered off into night.  He studied the figure on the dock.

The figure turned.  �You may as well show yourself, assassin.  I can sense 
your presence.  You do not wish to anger me, as your friends aboard yon boat 
found out.�

Tao-Ching didn�t move from the shadows.  �Saves me some money paying them 
then.  Long time no see, Herb.�

The cloaked figure turned more fully.  �Your voice is familiar, assassin.�

�Your�s is a bit higher pitched.  Mint�s words make sense now, �princess�.�

The figure lashed out, a line of explosions crossing the dock to shatter the 
crate Tao-Ching had been behind, but he�d already moved.  His last encounter 
with Herb had taught him the value of not being seen until he was ready to 
strike.

�You are quick, assassin, but you cannot hide forever.  I will kill you.� 
Herb said.

�You make a lot of threats, Herb.  Last time you swore you�d douse me in 
Nannichaun and lock me as a woman for your amusement.  I see the worm has 
turned.�

The figure reached up and lowered its hood, revealing Herb�s face.  
Tao-Ching blinked.  Other than Herb�s hair coloring, she could have been a 
twin of Zhu Shu�s cursed form.  Herb finished drawing off the cloak, 
revealing the dragon scale armor she had always favored.

�Yes, I do indeed find myself in an unpleasant situation, Tao-Ching.  But I 
am still more than a match for an orphan castoff that the Amazons took pity 
on.�

�I have found my family name, Herb.  But it seems you have lost yours.  You 
were a fool to join with the Scorpion.�

Herb turned further, her eyes probing the darkness trying to find 
Tao-Ching�s hiding place.  �The Scorpion have their uses.  When I have 
retrieved the Kaisufuu, I will dispense with them.�

�It�s much too late for that Herb.  They have already dispensed with the 
Musk.  I slew Lime not four days ago when he dared to assault the Amazons.  
Mint died two days after, sacrificed by your ally to keep us from 
questioning him.  You are the last, Herb.  When I kill you, the Musk will be 
gone.�

Herb lashed out again, destroying a large pile of crates.  �You will pay for 
this murder, Tao-Ching.�

Tao-Ching laughed from another shadow.  �Murder?  You dare accuse me of 
murder?  Your assault left twenty Amazon warriors dead, and half the rest of 
the village cursed.  Ripping out Lime�s throat with my teeth has barely even 
begun to repay the debts you owe, Herb.�

Herb lifted off the dock as the air swirled around her.  �So, have you 
brought more Amazons to their deaths in a futile attempt to best me?  Even 
as a woman, I am far your better!�  The wind lashed out, destroying all the 
crates between the dock and the warehouse wall.

The warehouse groaned as the explosion shattered the wall as well, leaving a 
huge cloud of dust.  The wind grabbed it and blew it away, leaving Herb a 
clear view of the devastation, but no sign of Tao-Ching.

�Your fortress looked a lot like that as it slid down the mountain.� 
Tao-Ching�s voice mocked from the depths of the warehouse.  �It was very 
pretty how it fell apart.�

Herb began to glow.  �I will slay you and every single Amazon who ever drew 
breath for this outrage Tao-Ching!�  The glowing wind tore the warehouse 
apart.

�I�ve heard your threats before, Herb.  Like your attacks, they�re full of 
flash and fury, but you keep missing the target.�

�Coward!  Face me!�  Herb screamed.  �Fight me like a man!�

There was the sound of a metallic click.  �I see you�ve misunderstood the 
situation Herb.  This isn�t a fight.�

A red pinprick of light touched Herb�s temple and she started to turn as 
Tao-Ching continued.

�It�s an execution.�

Tao-Ching�s finger tightened on the trigger of the AK-47, and the first 
three round burst of steel-jacketed armor-piercing rounds left the muzzle of 
the machine gun, propelled by high velocity charges.  Blood sprayed from 
Herb�s temple as she was twisted around in the air, and the object she had 
clutched so tightly in her hand flew away to clatter across the dock.  A 
second round of bullets flew, striking Herb in the shoulder.  The glowing 
wind around her flickered out as the bullet�s impact threw the dragon 
princess through the air like a rag doll.  She crashed into the waters of 
the bay and floated face down, blood staining the water around her before 
she slid beneath the waters of the bay, pulled under by the weight of her 
armor.

Tao-Ching stood on the dock, grimly watching as Herb sank, waiting nearly 
ten minutes before lowering the weapon and putting the safety back on.  
Finally sure Herb wasn�t going to re-surface, he walked over to the object 
Herb had dropped, picking up the narrow bucket and fishing the ladle out 
from under the boards it had wedged into.  He held up the bucket and laid 
the ladle across the handle like Lo Shen had advised him, and smiled as a 
beam of light shone off into the darkness.  With a smile, he took the bucket 
to his Humvee.  With a guide like this, there was no way he�d get lost!  
He�d have the Kaisufuu back to the Tendos before morning!


* * * * *

As the lights of the Humvee faded into the night, silence reigned across the 
devastation.  Hours passed before finally the scavengers came out.  Dark 
shapes combed the wreckage pulling out whatever valuables could be found, 
before scurrying into the darkness again.  One of the scavengers looked up 
as a faint noise came to his ears.  He motioned to one of the others and 
they moved off in the direction of the noise.  After several minutes of 
searching, they found the source.

Under the dock, tossed carelessly by the tide, was a naked girl.  Blood was 
clotted from a bruised cut on her temple, a long line that creased her skull 
just above her ear.  Another obvious bullet wound pieced her left shoulder 
blade, the wound far cleaner than any the men had ever seen.    She was pale 
from blood loss, and unconscious, but didn�t seem to be in danger of dying 
immediately.  The first scavenger grinned.  �Well.  This is a pretty 
happenstance.�

The other nodded.  �Indeed.  He�ll pay nicely for a beauty like this.�

�Truly.  But we certainly can�t deliver her untested can we?� The first said 
as he used his foot to roll the girl over and spread her legs to reveal her 
virginity.

�Absolutely not.� the second grinned nastily.  �Let me get the rope.�


* * * * *

Several days passed without word from Tao-Ching, and Nabiki was starting to 
get worried.

And even hornier.  Despite teasing her, Kasumi had so far been unbeddable, 
and she was getting enormously frustrated.  She�d tried everything she could 
think of, including outright begging, and all her older sister had promised 
her so far was that if she was still that interested once the curse was 
unlocked, she might consider it.  Nabiki had been amazed by the iron will 
her sister hid under that calm, smiling exterior.  She knew Kasumi was 
feeling the same effects of being a bunny girl that Nabiki was, and was good 
naturedly putting up with them far better than either of her sisters... or 
even Nodoka.  Both of the Saotome men had been wandering around in a happy 
half daze half the time, and even though she knew Akane was making sure that 
Ranma was female when they were playing, the fact that her younger sister, 
who had finally discovered sex, was out doing Nabiki annoyed her.  So far, 
she�d managed to maintain a modicum of control at school, though it took 
almost every ounce of willpower she had, but it kept getting worse.  
Tao-Ching needed to show up before she lost total control of herself!

It had become obvious that Kasumi�s theory about her animal instincts 
getting worse as she came closer and closer to her period was correct, but 
it didn�t make it easier to deal with.  She still had a few days to go 
before her period, and the drive to mate was getting unbearable.  It was 
rare that anyone perked her interest enough for her to feel attracted to 
anything but their wallet, and she wasn�t used to having her mind wander 
constantly back to sex.  It was getting harder and harder not to look at 
everyone around her as a potential partner.  Her reputation as an Ice Queen 
was already in peril with Tao-Ching chasing her, but if he didn�t get back 
soon, she�d end up with a reputation as a slut worse than Ai!

Of course if she seduced Ai...

She sighed.  Maybe if she told Kasumi she was contemplating such drastic 
measures, Kasumi would relent and give her a little relief.  It was far more 
than frustrating hearing Akane and Ranma in the next room, and even with the 
fiber optic camera she�d drilled through the wall, she just wasn�t 
satisfying herself.  She couldn�t figure out how her older sister was 
managing to deal with it so well.  Kasumi had specifically avoided Doctor 
Tofu, and Ryouga hadn�t been around, and while she might have suspected Zhu 
Shu was helping... Zhu Shu wasn�t back from Hong Kong.  And it wasn�t that 
Kasumi wasn�t feeling it too.  Being a bunny girl had heightened more than 
just Nabiki�s hearing, and some smells were impossible to hide from her 
nose.  She knew she was getting Kasumi aroused, sometimes very highly, but 
her elder sister would just smile, tease her back a little, then gently worm 
her way out of the situation without giving in.  That one concession from 
Kasumi was the farthest she�d gotten so far!  And if it weren�t for the fact 
that Akane had Ranma...

Ooooooh, when she got this curse unlocked, she was going to seduce Kasumi 
just on principle!!!  It was totally unfair that she was being left here 
horny as a rabbit in heat while both her sisters were finding ways to 
satisfy their own urges!

The thought was broken off before it could lead into the inevitable fantasy 
that would have followed by the sound of a vehicle pulling up outside.  
Nabiki ran downstairs and threw open the door to see a weary, battered, and 
bruised Tao-Ching coming up the short walk from an equally bruised and 
battered Humvee.  She paid no attention to the muck as she threw herself on 
top of him, actually knocking the solid man down despite his larger mass.

�WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?�  Nabiki yelled.  �Oh, never mind where you�ve been!�  
She grabbed him by the collar, straddling his lap as she half lifted him 
from the ground.  �Are you ever going to actually ask me out officially?�  
She drew his face close to look into his eyes.  �Are you going to be my 
boyfriend?�  She shook him.  �And if the answer�s yes, DO YOU HAVE A 
CONDOM?�

Tao-Ching blinked, and calmly smiled, unaffected by the shaking.  �Nice to 
see you too, Nabs.�

�DON�T CALL ME NABS!  You have left me here for days with a rabbit�s 
sex-drive!  DON�T GRIN LIKE THAT!�

Tao-Ching gave her a long looking over, taking in the extremely short skirt 
and top she was wearing, as well as the evidence she wasn�t wearing anything 
under them.  Nabiki felt the reaction under her and knew he liked the look.  
Finally, he held up an old brass kettle.  �Will this help?�

Nabiki looked at the kettle and blinked.  �Is... is that it?�


Tao-Ching tipped the kettle over and a stream of hot water poured on Nabiki. 
  Instantly, she felt a twist as her rabbit ears and tail vanished.

Along with the overwhelming urge to... well you know.

Nabiki sighed in relief.  �Gods.  Thank you.  You have no idea how maddening 
being a bunny girl is.�  She released his collar and sat back, realizing the 
change hadn�t apparently dimmed her appeal to Tao-Ching.

He shifted his hips under her.  �I turn into a smilodon, Nabs.  I do have 
some idea.  I can smell a feline in heat for miles.�

A cleared throat caught their attentions and they both looked to the house.  
Soun was standing there with his arms crossed, Kasumi peeking over his 
shoulder.  Soun was giving them a hard look, and Nabiki slowly realized what 
he was looking at so sternly.

In the process of knocking Tao-Ching over, Nabiki�s really short skirt had 
ridden up even further, and the fact that she was sans undergarment was 
extremely obvious.  She blushed as Soun took out a cigarette and lit it, 
taking a long drag.

Finally, he spoke.  �Well, young man.  I think I need to ask what your 
intentions are towards my daughter, since it seems she�s made her intentions 
towards you rather clear.�
Nabiki rolled off Tao-Ching and pulled her skirt down.  �Umm.�

Tao-Ching waved her to silence as he stood and bowed.  �My intentions are 
the same as they have been since I first met her, Soun-sama.  I intend to 
woo her and win her heart, and eventually to win her hand.�

Nabiki blinked at him in shock.

�I see.�  Soun said, taking another long drag on his cigarette.  �Very well, 
I approve the engagement.  It�s a suitable one for Nabiki, as you come from 
a fine family, and Akane has accepted her familial duties to the School.�  
He took Tao-Ching�s hand and pumped it.  �Welcome to the family, son.�

Nabiki�s stared at her father in even more shock.  They were deciding on 
this FOR her?

�Hey... But... What... �she sputtered.

Tao-Ching grinned.  �You�ve been waiting to do that since I got you drunk to 
tell you about Shan Pu, haven�t you.�

Soun puffed his cigarette, not saying a word.

�DADDY!!!!!�  Nabiki yelled.  Soun gave her a calm glance.

�Yes, daughter?�

�You can�t just engage me like this!�

Akane poked her head around the door.  �Why not?  It�s what happened to me.�
�But, but, but...� she sputtered.

�Nabiki, you asked him if he had a condom, and you were sitting on top of 
him, giving every indication you wanted to engage in certain activities that 
should only occur between a wedded, or about to be wedded couple.  That 
certainly tells me you wanted to marry him.�  Soun tossed the stump of his 
cigarette into an empty flowerpot, earning a sigh from Kasumi.  �Now, I try 
to be a modern and liberal father, daughter, but there are proprieties that 
must be observed.  At least I�m now certain that one of my daughters will be 
in something approaching a normal relationship.  Now kiss him for pity�s 
sake and drag him upstairs.  I�m not getting any younger, you know.�

Nabiki raised her eyes to heaven.  �Am I the only one in this family who�s 
sane?�

�So far, I haven�t seen anyone who matches that description.� another voice 
broke in.

Tao-Ching straightened like he�d been shot.

The rest of the group looked over at the woman who was casually leaned 
against the Humvee, dressed in a simple Amazon style tunic and breeches.  
She was fairly tall, and whip thin, with long hair tied into a crest that 
rose above her head, and fell almost to her feet in a cascade that shifted 
through various shades of magenta.  She was holding a long shaft topped by a 
massive blade, kind of like a naginata, but the sword blade was almost 
eighteen inches wide and nearly four feet long, making the over all weapon 
nearly ten feet in length.  Despite its size, the woman carried it like it 
weighed nothing.

Tao-Ching turned slowly.

�Mother?�  he whispered.

The woman smiled, her soft expression a warm contrast to the obvious shock 
and dread on Tao-Ching�s face.  �Long time no see, Son.  I hear you�ve been 
a bad boy.  Lo Shen sent me to collect you, and the Kaisufuu.� she said 
lightly.

�Oh shit.� Tao-Ching groaned.

The woman moved in a blur, bapping Tao-Ching on the head with her spear.  
�What did I teach you about cursing!�  She asked, the amused lilt still in 
her voice.

Tao-Ching rubbed his skull.  �Alright, okay.  I�m sorry.  I went after the 
Kaisufuu alone because I wanted to get it for Nabiki and her family.  I was 
afraid if I told Lo Shen first, she�d demand I bring the Chisuitton back to 
the village first and that would take forever.  I�ve seen the elders work, 
Mother.  They�d have debated for days on who would need to be sent to 
retrieve this.�  He shook the kettle.

�That was not for you to decide, Son.  I have been sent to bring you back to 
the Council.  Don�t make me have to tie you up and spank you.�

Nabiki decided the most disturbing thing about the woman was the air of 
ineffable good cheer, like she would smile as she was cutting your head off.

�Alright.  I submit, mother.  You know I can�t beat you.� Tao-Ching raised 
his hands in surrender.

�Good.�  She turned to look at Nabiki.  �So, my son has chosen you as a 
mate?�  She stepped around the younger girl, looking her up and down.  
Nabiki got the impression that the woman was highly amused by the short 
skirt and halter top.  �Well, she has a nice body, but she�s not a warrior 
is she?�

Nabiki let out a �Hey!� in protest as Tao-Ching smiled.  �Actually, she is 
Mother.  A warrior of the mind and intellect.  In our first battle, she 
bested me in fair combat, mind to mind.  Rather easily I might add.�

�So what�s this business about engagement?  You should have begged her to be 
your wife already.�

Nabiki gulped.  �Oh my.  You mean those rules apply to the men too?�

Tao-Ching smiled.  �Yes, but you didn�t know, and I wasn�t about to try and 
force them on you, regardless.�  he turned back to the Amazon.  �This is 
Japan, mother.  I can�t apply all the Amazon laws to modern life.�

The Amazon raised her eyebrow, the dark violet blending into her pinkish 
lavender hair.  �Since when, Son?�

Tao-Ching sighed.  �Since I�m a legal citizen of Japan.  I don�t have the 
diplomatic immunity you have.  Bribes only go so far.  I can�t just insist 
Nabiki marry me because she beat me in a deal.  And besides, I want her to 
have a chance to make her own fortune, so she won�t feel like I�m richer 
than she is anymore.�

Nabiki blinked at him while the Amazon nodded approvingly.  �At least you 
haven�t succumbed to these foolish outlander notions of female inferiority.  
I�d have had to beat you senseless.�

�Mother!�  Tao-Ching rolled his eyes.  �I may not be living in the Amazon 
village these days but I haven�t lost my senses.�

She ignored him as she stepped around to face Soun.  �So, you are the father 
of my new daughter-in-law?   I am Rin Se, daughter of Lat Her.  Mother to 
this mannerless lout.�

Soun blinked.  �Um... Pleased to meet you.�

�Is Tao-Ching in trouble?�  Kasumi asked.  �He did get the kettle, after 
all.�

Rin Se shrugged.  �I don�t know.  Lo Shen was hopping mad when she ordered 
me to retrieve my son.  He�s always been trouble ever since I found him.  
Makes me wonder sometimes why I adopted him.� She gave Tao-Ching a fond 
smile.

�Because you could never be bothered with any of the Amazon men, mother.  It 
was either adoption or nothing.�  Tao-Ching said with an air of something 
said a million times.

�Paugh, weaklings all.  I brought Tao-Ching up to be a real man, almost the 
equal of a woman.  Not a shy retiring man like most males.�  Rin Se said 
dismissively, patting Tao-Ching on the head proudly.

�Well, that explains most of the arrogance.�  Akane muttered.

Nabiki poured water from the kettle over her head, far more than was 
necessary to unlock her curse.  �You�re one to speak.�

Akane glared at her as she moved on to Kasumi.  A few seconds later all the 
Tendo girls were back to normal.  Kasumi took the kettle back to the kitchen 
to fill a bottle with the water to unlock Nodoka and for emergency purposes 
before returning the kettle to the Amazon.

�Is Tao-Ching going to be punished for bringing this to us first?�  Nabiki 
asked finally.

Rin Se gave Tao-Ching a mock stern glance. �I don�t know.  I suspect that to 
gain the Chisuitton he had to kill Herb...�

Tao-Ching shrugged.  �He deserved death.  The Warleader was going to kill 
him anyway.�

�This, as my son is not an accomplished enough fighter to meet him in a fair 
fight, means he has likely acted dishonorably and ambushed the Prince.�  For 
the first time, Rin Se�s smile turned into a small frown.

�Princess.�  Tao-Ching noted.

�Ah.  Still, you were ordered to report to Lo Shen and instead took matters 
into your own hands.  None of the Elders have much tolerance for that.  I�m 
sorry, Son, but you brought this on yourself.�  Rin Se shook her head.

�Yes, Mother.�

�What will happen to him?�  Nabiki asked worriedly, visions of executions 
running around her head.

�The usual.  An impossible quest.  Righting some great wrong in repayment 
for his transgression.  Slaying a demon.  Rescuing a princess.  Something no 
sane person would ever attempt, or something no-one can succeed at doing.�  
Rin Se shrugged.  �Still, he�s a male.  They�ll go easier on him than they 
would a Warrior.  Don�t worry daughter-in-law.  They�ll leave enough of him 
to make sure I have grandchildren.�

�Mother!�  Tao-Ching said exasperatedly.

�What?  Your mate�s father is correct.  We�re not getting any younger.�

Tao-Ching shook his head.  Stepping up to Nabiki, he reached out and took 
her hand, raising it to his lips.  �Don�t worry Nabs.  I�ll be back.  If 
they were really all that mad, they�d have sent a whole troop instead of 
just my mother.  Whatever punishment they set, it was still worth it to 
repay Herb for the debt he owed Shan Pu for her curse, and for nearly 
killing me.  And if they punish me for bringing you the Kaisufuu first, well 
that was worth it too, considering the greeting I got.�

Nabiki smiled.  �Don�t get used to that.  I wasn�t entirely myself.�  She 
blushed.  �I�m not a full time rabbit anymore.�

�I�ll see about that.�  Tao-Ching said with a grin.  �You�re way too cute 
with those ears.�

He turned back to the Humvee to leave, only to have his mother push him 
towards the passenger door.  �What, you think I trust you not to get us 
lost?  Lo Shen said with all haste.�

Tao-Ching rolled his eyes before giving a �what can you do� shrug and 
climbing in the Humvee.  Nabiki watched as they drove off, hoping he 
wouldn�t be gone too long.

Then she did a double take.

Shan Pu�s curse?

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