A New Awakening

by Dani Yanega

Ranma and Nodoka have a new beginning in the Faerie Realm. Though they and their new friends are needed to defend their old home. There is some strong langauge and some LIME content.

10. Chapter 10

Ranma 1/2:

A New Awakening

Alternate Continuation (minor crossovers)

By: Dani Yanega

Concept by: Jerry Unipeg (starfire)

(Dani: Legend is listed in Profile. My profile is also where I will address specific questions or issues that readers ask about.

I do not own many of the Characters in this story though some are mine all the KNOWN characters belong to those who originally created them. Thxs.

Please also NOTE I write Alternate Universe (AU) stories whether they are crossover or not. The AU applies to ALL characters. Thus this will make them OOC to the original Story and I like it that way. So if you plan to comment that Akane is not like that sorry I writer her like I like to. This goes for all the characters it makes the story more fun for me to write that way. Got to have some antagonist and some friends :D)

Chapter Ten

Yirko slowly moved around the throne room her eyes widened with awe at the beauty even though it was in a state of destruction. She spotted two high elves near a window and headed for them. She tried to do as her mother told her, which was make alliances with the other high elves to find a suitable husband. As she neared, they had not known she was there and Yirko heard the gossip of the day, though she was not sure if she could believe it.

"It is true Tia I heard one of the guards involved tell that golden mage." The young high elf spoke in hushed tones.

"But Siera to give the order to have her own husband thrown out and he, was wounded as well...!" Tia spoke her voice trembled with her disgust and shock.

"Not only that Tia but she said to throw him in the gutter for the dragons to eat him and in front of her son!" Siera continued.

"Well what do you expect she was banished from high elf society? It is a shame though that poor Corsan married her." Tia stated as she wrinkled her nose in distaste.

"Yes I know and imagine her wanting to push that half breed daughter onto our brothers. I don't think I would mind it so much if it wasn't for who her _mother_ is!" Siera also showed distaste as well.

Yirko moved into the shadows as she listened. Her thoughts going to her father's bloodied face as she remembered it from the night before as her father's body covered her and her mother. She also remembered how her mother's only concern was her new dress. Yirko's eyes narrowed, as she felt angered, as it was not her father keeping her from finding a good marriage alliance it was her mother. Yirko missed totally the fact at what her mother tried to do to her father as if she could not be bothered with such minor nuisances, since her future was at stake. Yirko waited as the young high elves moved on assessing the damage done by the fight the day before. She then turned and headed toward her family's suite.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Yirko hid in the shadows by the door she listened as her grandmother defended the mongrel her eyes flashed red with rage as she stared at Ranko flanked by her parents. Then her eyes widened at the last comment that came from her grandmother's lips.

"...to much like you!" Yirko stared at her mother incomprehension on her face.

Her mother had always tried to teach her how to behave as a high elf. Gray elves were all right, but one should always be a proper high elf in poise, demeanor, and attitude, especially if one wanted to be liked. She thought being like her mother was what everyone wanted of her. She then thought back to how carefree Ranko had been acting and how everyone even the King and Queen seemed to enjoy being around her. Her eyes narrowed again with jealous rage when her mother's next comment filtered through her preoccupation.

"...ld do better if he was not here to hinder he...my efforts *GASP*!" Yirko put her hand against her mouth to stifle her own gasp.

Yirko thought about what she heard did she feel that way. Did she want her father gone from her life? She thought over her life and no matter what happened, her father was always there for her and Erin. He always showed in many ways how much he loved them. A small smile came to her face as memories of her father teaching her to fly, of chasing monsters from under her bed so she could sleep, of being the one who found her when she got lost at the family picnic, of him sitting with her when she had gotten so sick she nearly died. Yirko looked to her father then to her uncle and as she watched Seran she saw the same love for that mon...Ranko and her siblings she saw in her father's eyes for her and her brother. Her smile faded as those same memories played over in her mind only this time her mother took center stage. Yirko thought, of her mother's presence in her life. Either she was not there for her, or if she was present, she was either mad or disgusted at her. Yirko slowly slid down the wall in the dark corner of the entry. She pulled her legs up close to her chest, put her head down on the top of her knees, and wrapped her arms around her legs. She did not hear the person approach nor did she see as they knelt down in front of her. She jumped when she felt strong arms go around her and pulled her into to a hug.

"Da...Daddy?" She whispered into the neck of the person that held her.

She felt herself being lifted and amazed as she felt herself glide smoothly into the room. The next thing she knew she was being lowered into another strong pair of arms she looked up and saw she was now in her father's lap his eyes filled with worry as he pulled her tightly to him. A small smile crossed his lips as he brushed a strand of her golden hair from her eyes. She turned her head in time to see Ranko return to her position between her father and mother a somber look on her face.

"Tha...Thank you *pause* cou...cous*GASP*in!" She said with a soft and frightened voice.

Ranko looked at her and Yirko gasped at the deep pain she saw there. Yirko could not believe she had never seen it before but like most people, Ranko knew they never tried to go beyond the surface of her behavior or cocky attitude. Ranko nodded slightly to the young elf then sat back down between her parents. She leaned her head against her father's shoulder and stared out the window behind Corsan and Yirko. Nodoka took her daughter's hand in hers and gave it a firm squeeze. When Ranko turned to her mother, Nodoka smiled warmly at her. Ranko smiled back and returned the squeeze.

"*SNORT!* They all turned at the disgusted snort and stared at Jara, she ignored the looks as she glowered at Ranko then her daughter.

"Don't act like a sniveling baby Yirko these people are beneath you! Once we get control of the clan's wealth those haughty high elves will beg for an alliance with us!" She told her daughter her eyes narrowed to tiny slits.

"Momma why is she, saying all that bad stuff?" Setsuko asked as she came and sat next to her mother as Micca sat on the other side of his father as Erin had crawled in next to his sister on his father's lap holding onto his crying sister.

"I don't know dear but it does seem strange doesn't it." Nodoka leaned down to her newest daughter as she draped her free arm around her.

Jara opened her mouth to snap then shut it quickly with a snap. Her eyes nearly bulged out of her head as she quickly went over in her mind what she had just said. Her hand shot up to her mouth as she realized she had just made a big mistake. She turned to face her husband and children. Yirko and Erin's faces were buried in their father's chest. His gaze was filled with shock and rage. He tightened his grip on his children, which caused him pain as it played out on his face.

"Then I think you should take what you have here for you will get nothing else and go find another family to destroy, Jara. I will allow you supervised visit with our children if you wish but they will stay with me and I will make sure that they will not be able to aid you in anyway once they inherit from me." Corsan told his wife as she took a step back her eyes getting bigger, Micca waited to see if they would fall out of her head, her eyes were so wide.

"Corsan you can't mean that! They're my children!" Jara said as she tried to think of a way to remain in the family, she could not stand to be cast out again,

"I do Jara, though I am not keeping you from the children I am taking them from your lack of care." He scowled as he kept wondering also, why she seemed to be telling the truth to them now.

"You can't Yirko is mine! She is not yours!" The room gasped as Jara snarled at her husband.

"You are wrong Jara, I am Yirko's father I have been since the day I married you! I knew you were pregnant with Yirko but I wanted the child so badly whether it was a boy or a girl. She was my daughter until you started tainting her outlook. I will not allow you to continue down that road any longer." Corsan glowered at his wife trying not to see the broken heart on his daughter's face but he tightened his hold on his young daughter.

"I won't allow it! You throw me out I take her with me and you will never see her again!" Corsan smiled he had planned for this day.

As he looked at Jara, she started to fidget nervously at the look her husband was giving her. She tried to think quickly what he might have on her that would prevent her from getting her way. She could not think clearly she was getting frightened. Corsan held out his hand to his brother who disentangled himself from Ranko and Micca. He walked to his brother an evil smile on his face that made his family very nervous. They watched as he pulled a large rolled up cloth from his stuff space and held it out to Corsan.

"Give it to father, brother I seem to have my hands full. Now I know why you are so happy, when your children need you so much." Corsan said as he laid his head down on top of Yirko first giving her a kiss.

"It is great to be loved so much by your children brother!" Seran said as he moved to his father.

"EEEK!" Seran turned to see Jara fall back ungracefully as something had hit her square in the chest. He looked to his wife she pointed to Setsuko with a wide 'sorry she did it' look. Seran stared at Setsuko who was to busy glaring at a sprawled Jara on the floor the front of her gown still smoldering. Seran turned as a hand landed on his shoulder. He found his father standing next to him taking the leather role.

"You think she would learn not to make threatening moves toward you in your children's presence or your family.

Mychol moved back to his wife as Seran headed back to his family. He stroked Setsuko's hair tenderly then bent down and kissed the top of her head. He then glared at Jara as she shakily rose to her feet her eyes flashed red with rage then turned to fear. He turned and found his wife and children glaring at Jara encased in their auras. The smirk of Raist and Cologne was not missed by Seran. As he sat down, he heard Cologne as she told his wife something he did not understand.

"This is better than my soaps!" His face showed confusion as Nodoka chuckled then leaned close to him.

"I'll explain later, dear." She whispered to her nodding husband.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Akane and Nabiki woke as the sun filtered in on their faces. They opened their eyes to stare confusedly at each other. They sat up quickly, as they realized they were in bed together. They also realized they were holding each other tightly. The anger rose in both of them as they stared at each other. When they sat up quickly something bounced of their chests they looked down and found the Alexandrite pendants hanging around their necks. They stared at the shifting green-blue stone as fear began to rise in their hearts. They started to rise still staring at the stones when Akane's hand brushed something soft and velvety. She looked down to see the black velvet bag between her and her sister.

She also noticed the red one that was lying next to her. She picked up the black bag and the red one. She stared at the bags one in each hand. She jumped slightly as Nabiki took the red bag from her sister. Nabiki plopped down next to her sister as she stared at the red bag cupped tenderly in her hand. Akane stared at the tears that streamed down her sister's cheek. There was supposed to be remembering but she could not remember. She looked at the black pouch then opened it and pulled out the locket. When she opened it and saw the pictures the memories of the previous night came back to her.

"She is gone Akane. Daddy drove her off!" Nabiki said which caused Akane to jump at what she said and the pain...no torment in her voice.

"Gon...Gone!" Akane said as she looked at Nabiki then noticed where they were.

"Kasumi abandoned us!" Akane grew red with anger but it winked out as Nabiki slapped her face.

"DON'T YOU DARE BLAME KASUMI!?" Akane shrunk back, as Nabiki glowed a bright red.

"Don' you dare blame her for what da...that asshole down stairs did to her! I am going to see you cured of your re-writitis (Dani: I know it is not a word) if it kills you!" Akane stared at the back of her sister as she stormed out of the room.

She watched as she headed not toward her room but to the stairs. Akane rubbed her cheek as what happened last night replayed in her mind. Nabiki and she found Kasumi crying on the floor in the dining room. Her father as he stood before them, ordering them to move away from their sister. She then remembered the katana he held so tightly his knuckles popped and were so white. Then the memory of her father nearly killing Nabiki to get to Kasumi to...to, she did not want to think what might have happened. She began glowing, a darkening red as she remembered Kasumi leaving her home for good. She turned and ran after Nabiki she was going to make her father wish he had never let Ranma and Genma in their home.

Akane ran down the stairs and stopped behind Nabiki who was still on the stairs at the third from the bottom. Akane looked at her and shivered as the Ice Queen had returned but there was something else in her visage as she stared blankly into the dining room. Akane gasped as she saw hate more intense then Ryoga or her. She followed her gaze and saw her father still standing in the dining room his gaze fixed on the bloody Tendo Honor blade still on the floor. Akane placed her hand gently on her sister's shoulder. She quickly backed up a step when the rage and hate she was directing at their father was directed at her.

"I...I am sorry Akane it is not you I am furious with." Nabiki's voice was hoarse as she snapped out of her daze once she focused on her little sister.

"It is alright Nabiki what are we going to do? I can't live with him any longer. He not only tried to kill Kasumi but you just to get to her." Akane said as she glared angrily at her father but Nabiki recognized the love Akane still had for him for she still loved him too.

"I don't know sis, let's go somewhere to talk." Nabiki said as she moved down the stairs Akane behind her.

Akane paused as Nabiki entered the dining room and picked up the katana. She watched as her sister quickly moved down the hall to their father's office. Nabiki came back a minute or two later carrying the scabbard for the now incased blade. She paused next to their father as he still stared where the sword had been. She looked down and saw that some of Kasumi's blood had dripped to the floor. He was still staring at the blood. Nabiki did not even shake him to his senses she just glared at him and moved toward the front door. She and Akane left and headed toward the only safe place they had now. The lawyer Nodoka had used Hiromi Masaki. First, though they needed to talk and hopefully Akane could control her anger.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Akane and Nabiki entered the coffee shop in the Juuban Business district. She went to the counter, placed her order, and ordered a raspberry mocha coffee for Akane then a plate of cheesecake for each of them.

She led her sister to a table in the back away from the door. Nabiki took the seat that faced the door while Akane sat across from her. Both were wearing the gifts left for them by their mother. Neither wanted to say anything until they were served as they feared once they started they would not be able to stop.

"Thank you." Nabiki said when the server brought their order to them.

"Thank you." Akane commented as the waitress, placed the items Nabiki had order for her, in front of her.

The waitress smiled then went back to the counter to take care of the next customer. Akane watched her go back to work then bowed her head as she realized she could have been more help to her family. A tear began to roll down her cheek when she realized she could not do anything that would have made money to help them. Ranma had helped them more than she had and he was not even a part of her family.

"Sis it is alright with the training we are getting now we will be able to find ways to support ourselves." Nabiki said as she placed her hand on top of Akane's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Doing what Nabiki? I can't cook you all and Ranma told me that! I can't sew! I don't know the first thing about managing money...*SIGH*! I am useless!" Akane's tears flowed down her face as Nabiki reached over and grabbed her other hand tightly.

"You're right to a point sis. You can't do anything _now_ however, if you work hard to learn what our sensei are trying to teach you we might be able to turn that into a money making talent for the both of us." Nabiki told her sister with a warm smile.

"Why do you care Nabiki after all the trouble I caused you and the family!" Akane asked trying to understand the dynamics of her family.

"Well first what I made off Kuno for pictures of you then Ranma kept us out of the poor house. The second thing is that we love you Akane you are our baby sister. Third once we learn from those women you and I might be able to find a way to market what we learn and I will teach you how to manage the money we make while being taught the other stuff we need to know." Nabiki gave her a cocky grin that reminded Akane of Ranma.

"How can we do that Nabiki those are just some of the classes we missed out on in school?" Akane was getting depressed but she stared curiously at her sister.

"Well fashion design is a business, a chef is a business, I am not saying we would ever get that good. I do think if we go to the library and look at the books on hobbies, fashion design, and cooking we might be able to learn more then what we are being trained. We might even be able to be trained for a short amount of time. We might be able to figure a way to use what we learned to help support us until we get out of college." Nabiki's eyes glittered excitedly, Akane marveled that Nabiki had the same love of learning as Ranma had only she loved to learn things other then the art.

Akane thought about what Nabiki had just said she was still depressed, as she could never learn this kind of stuff. Then she thought about what people had tried to tell her. She always just grabbed things not verifying it was what she wanted or should be using in her cooking. Therefore, she needed to calm down maybe that was all she needed. She sighed as she realized she also needed to keep her anger in check when someone criticized her.

"Alight Nabiki I will do my very best at our training and promise to slow down and learn and do everything they tell me." Akane felt she was letting herself in for a lot of criticizing.

"Don't be scared sis I am in the same boat I never learned any of this stuff like the rest of the family I just let Kasumi do everything. We now...!" Nabiki could not finish her statement, as she did not want to believe they were now alone since Soun was never really a father to them.

"We will make her proud and maybe she will come home...to visit." Akane wanted Kasumi to come home but she had a life of her own now and she hoped they would get to see her regularly.

"Yeah we can hope. Now we need to decide what we are going to do about da...Tendo." Nabiki did not want to claim him as her father not after last night.

"I can't agree to hurt him Nabiki! He is our father!" Akane said her eyes wide with fright and shock.

"By all rights he should be in jail! He nearly killed me last night just to get to Kasumi to _kill_ her!" Nabiki stopped and took a deep breath.

"Let me tell you what I want to do then we will talk about what ever ideas you have then work together to come up with something we both can agree to alright?" Nabiki asked her sister, she smiled as she saw the small smile on her sister's face at actually being asked her opinion.

Nabiki pulled out her laptop from her backpack she had left at the front door the night before. She then opened the computer and created a file. She handed Akane her backpack, Akane shocked that she had not thought of bringing hers but Nabiki had. Akane dug into the backpack and took out a notebook and some pencils. Nabiki pushed her laptop to the side after plugging it into the provided outlet at the table. She then began to explain what she wanted to do about their father and their lives.

She talked for hours as she talked she typed everything down as Akane wrote down what Nabiki explained just quick references for her to go over later. When Nabiki finished she sat back after saving her file. She then waited for Akane to start. She saw her younger sister was having trouble with all the information she just gave her. She watched, as her frustration became anger and moved quickly into rage. Nabiki reached over, took Akane's hand again, and gave it a squeeze. Akane looked at Nabiki and saw the proud smile her sister directed at her. She sighed deeply and then thought a few moments she knew Nabiki was going to give her some time to think through what she proposed.

Akane looked at what Nabiki wanted to do, she was glad she had listed them as bullets it made it easier for her to follow. She went through the bullets and began to mark the ones she agreed with. If she came across one that she did not understand, she asked Nabiki and the middle Tendo explained it to her. Once Akane and gone over her notes she put down her notebook and looked up at her sister.

"There are many of your suggestions I agree with." Akane told Nabiki who smiled as she took Akane's notebook and quickly marked those items in her computer file.

"Now those that I don't agree with are not the entire idea behind them that I don't like just maybe some tweaking and I do have some ideas of my own." Akane said with a nervous look at Nabiki.

"Ok sis let's hear what you think." Nabiki told her as she prepared to start typing.

Akane looked shock at Nabiki. She was going to take her changing things that easily. She never liked people changing her ideas. She lowered her head as she realized neither did she. She took a sip of her cold coffee then looked back up and Nabiki and began to explain what she would like to change on the portions of Nabiki's idea and then brought up the new ideas she had. She watched as Nabiki nodded and typed everything into her laptop.

When they finished putting Akane's ideas into the laptop Nabiki noticed it was getting dark. They paid their bill and Nabiki left the waitress a large tip for taking up the table for so long. They then left and headed for their training session with the four women...elves. Nabiki scowled as she remembered that Kasumi told her who they were. She decided Kasumi only did that because she wanted Nabiki to teach them a lesson as only Nabiki could.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Nabiki and Akane headed home from their training Akane was surprised if she stayed calm, she could accomplish more and do a better job. She kept wondering though why Nabiki's opinion of the four women had changed so drastically from their first lesson. She learned from them but she bated them every step of the way. Akane was certain that some of the times she tried to provoke her against the four women. Then Akane shook her head she was making things to fit her little world and she wanted to move out of Akane-land and into the real world. She needed to do this if she and Nabiki are going to make the changes they needed to survive.

They entered the gate of the Tendo compound and headed toward the front door. When the door flew opened and Soun Tendo ran out to his two daughters. Nabiki and Akane glared at the distraught look on his face as they felt he had no right to be upset about anything.

"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!?" His face showed fear, confusion, and rage.

"After last night Tendo you have no right to question us!" Nabiki told their father as she pushed passed him and entered the house Akane behind her with a withering glare at her father.

The girls had decided to start implementing what they agreed on the first being neither would remove Kasumi's blood from the floor or the katana Nabiki now had. They would not take care of their father any longer. He wanted anything he would have to get it himself. The girls went up stairs to their rooms. As they passed Kasumi's room, they turned and entered it. They then each took a side of Kasumi's bed and laid down on it. They stared at the ceiling their faces filled with pain and confusion. It was hard for them to do that to their father but because of him, they lost their big sister and the only mother they remembered.

(l(l(l)l)l)

The rock in the hidden grove glowed brightly filling the glade with golden light. When the light cleared, two people stood in the glade. Cologne and Tofu moved into the trees and headed to their final destination. Cologne went to the Nekohanten and Tofu his clinic. He hated leaving his patients but he now had a life to live for himself and his wife. He twirled the white gold band shaped like a silver dragon with its tail in its mouth that was on his finger.

"How long will you be here doctor?" Cologne had broken into his thoughts.

"Not long I will be going back tonight. I am just going to pack up my books. Kasumi had gotten a hold of Nodoka's lawyer and she has already located a doctor to take over my practice. She is meeting me at my office." The good doctor told the diminutive woman.

"You are very lucky doctor not only to finally marry the woman you love but to be going back." Cologne told the man before her.

"Elder, when the Aurora's come to train at the village may I also be trained. I had thought before my crossover that your village and I should teach Ranko and her family all we knew about being a doctor or healer. So theinformation would not be lost to antiquity." Tofu asked as the elder thought about his request.

"I will talk with Lilac that is a good idea though. If we should die out it would be nice to know that there are those we trained that knows our techniques." Cologne stated with a whimsical smile.

As they walked quietly for a bit, they looked up to see a woman standing at the door to Doctor Tofu's clinic. He headed toward the woman Cologne close behind. She figured it might be a good idea to build an alliance with the new doctor just in case they needed her.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Doctor Tofu walked silently as he thought about what training he was going to start soon. He after talking to Kasumi had asked to be an Aurora Clan member. This provided him with a family in the Faerie Realm but also a link for Kasumi to her roots, and gave her a new family, as she was now part of the clan when they got married. Tofu stopped when he felt Cologne's hand on his shoulder.

"You have a guest." The elder said as she pointed to the woman that stood by the door to his clinic watching their progress.

She stood five feet eight inches and had long chestnut brown hair that went to her waist. She had dark brown almost black eyes that sparkled with curiosity and mischief. She was a plump one hundred and fifty pounds, but it seemed to add to her beauty. Her face was oval and her features kind and intelligent. Her eyes were large and almond in shape and were set on either side of a small straight nose almost aquiline in shape. Her full red lips had made most of her male patients drool. She was very shapely even if plump and her body moved with a gently caring grace.

"Nodoka's lawyer found her she wants to take over my practice. She was at a large hospital in Hokkaido but decided she wanted a more personalized practice." He told the elder as he moved more quickly toward the woman, Cologne behind him.

(l(l(l)l)l)

The woman watched as the young doctor headed toward the clinic. She raised an eyebrow at the little dwarf on the staff. She was amazed that she could travel on top of the staff as she did. She watched as the small staff rider she thought must be a woman tapped the man whom's mind seemed to be elsewhere then pointed to her. She saw him look at her and she smiled slightly. She watched as both headed for her.

"Greetings Doctor Misuki. I am Doctor Tofu. This is Cologne she runs the Nekohanten up the street a few blocks." Tofu said as he bowed at the doctor who bowed back.

"Please let us go inside and get started. Elder thank you for your help I will contact you later." Tofu said as he bowed at the elder and turned to enter his clinic.

Cologne stood there with a scowl she did not like being dismissed like she was. She however, shrugged her shoulders, as she knew the doctor wanted to get done quickly and return to his new wife. She hopped away her staff *thunked* as she went. She wanted to stay for the wedding and she enjoyed it greatly but she had to get back home, as the dinner rush would be starting any minute now.

(l(l(l)l)l)

"Doctor Misuki this is the waiting room you patients generally include mostly elderly, some families and quite a few martial artists. Though, since Ranma Saotome is gone the number may drop. Please this way and I will show you your office and exam rooms." Doctor Tofu waved her toward a hallway as she looked around she was making mental notes of decor changes.

"This is the office. I have everyone on my laptop here but since I won't need it where I will be living, I am going to leave it here with you. Please pay close attention to those with Jusenkyo curses. Most businesses keep a kettle of hot water ready for them." Tofu said as he turned on the computer to show her how he had things setup, he did not see the skepticism on her face.

She looked over his shoulder at the way he had the files labeled and organized. She liked it he set it up like a virtual file cabinet. At least she would not have to change that right away. He rose and held out the chair for her to check some of the records. The new doctor noticed the clipboards from earlier that day. She looked through them and smiled, as she and this Doctor Tofu were a lot alike when it came to their patients. She turned at the noise behind her and noticed that all the esoteric books he had were now gone.

"The books are not included?" She asked with curiosity.

"No I will need them where I am going." He said as he headed toward the door with her behind him.

"You have four exam rooms they are similar in design and size the only difference is the fixtures may be on different walls." He said as she opened the first door for her to check it out.

Doctor Misuki entered the room and looked around. She liked everything he had but she might rearrange some of the furniture in the room. She went to the sink, counters, and opened the cupboards above the sink and below it. She liked he kept the rooms well stocked that meant she would not have to leave patients unattended while getting supplies. She noticed the last two doors over the counter were for view x-rays.

"Do you send patients elsewhere to get x-rays?" She asked pointing to the doors.

"HAHAHAHAHA! Not in Nerima that is one piece of equipment, you will want to keep in good working order. Since the other exam rooms are similar, I will show you the rest of the building.

He led her out the exam room across from the office and she saw it was the first one. The next room they entered was next door to the office. As Tofu turned on the light, she found they were in the x-ray room. She smiled and her eyes lit up like a kid in a candy shop. She went and examined the machine and was quite pleased. She knew it was not but it looked almost brand new. As they left, she looked at the machine over her shoulder until Tofu turned off the light and moved on to the door next to the x-ray room.

He opened the door to a landing and a set of stairs. She started to go upstairs when Tofu stopped her and pointed to the last door at the end of the hallway. She nodded and followed him. There was a door under where the stairs were which Tofu showed her was a coat closet. She smiled it was not very big but she did not need a large closet. He led her into a small kitchenette and laundry room. She smiled broadly; as this would be great, she would not have to go upstairs all the time to make tea. She then frowned, as the thought came to her that this might be the only kitchen she had.

"Now this is just a small apartment stove and microwave. Under the counter I have a bar refrigerator it will hold quite a bit if you pack it right. Inside there are storage containers I bought that fit just right and help me to get quite a bit in there. I also use this to hold samples of blood and other things for the patients until I can send them off to the lab for testing." The female doctor nodded as he closed the door to see a list of several laboratories in the area that pick up regularly with their phone numbers and who to talk to, she also saw the phone hanging behind the door.

She looked at the apartment-sized washer and dryer the washer was a front loader she liked that they clean better. Doctor Tofu was able to get them stacked on top of each other to save space. There was also a utility sink for quick cleanups. As they started out, she saw a door that would be under the stairs she moved to it and found it to be a utility closet with all the cleaning supplies stored in it. She closed the door and followed Tofu up the stairs.

She liked that there was two windows in the stairwell. There was one on the first floor landing and one on the second floor landing. This would keep the small space well lit. She noticed there were small narrow shelves on the left side of the stairs she decided she would put out her collectables there. When they reached the top floor, the stairs ended at a landing. She watched as Doctor Tofu removed his shoes and slipped into a pair of slippers left there for him to use. She then removed her shoes and put them in the boot pan he had there for snowy or rainy days.

He opened the door on the landing and she stepped into a room that was the width of the downstairs from the stairs to the laundry room. She loved the fact that all three walls were full of windows. Tofu then led her to the left around the door from the stairs. She noticed that the left side of the living room was set up as a dining room with a table and pillows. They passed the small wall next to the stairway door. It was about eight inches passed the doorframe. There was a small hallway.

They headed down the hallway and found the first door to be a smallb well equipped kitchen. It was just big enough for a bistro set with two chairs and table. She liked the wrought iron design. As well as the inlaid, tile work on the table and seats of the chairs. There was even an apartment-sized dishwasher. She smiled broadly at that. She really hated to wash dishes. Over the sink was an awning window that she could use to get fresh air into the room on nice days.

She followed Tofu down the hallway and found the door to the furo. The first part was the actual bathroom with a commode and hand sink then to the left was another door as he led her there she saw it was the furo room. There was no dressing room since it was a small building. She was glad to see a closet for linen just to the right of the door to the furo room. He pointed out that the far corner across from the furo held a shower.

Tofu led her out and they continued down the hall. As they got past the portion of the furo room, the hallway ended at a single door. He opened and allowed her to enter. She looked around again all three walls in the room were filled with windows. It was the size of the downstairs to the stairway toward the front. She liked the room it was large and would allow for many other things she liked to do. Tofu led her to a door to the right of the bedroom door. He opened it and her mouth dropped opened it was a walking closet that went over the stairs and looked to stop about four feet from the landing.

Doctor Misuki walked out and continued to look around the room. She looked out the windows on the left side of the room and it looked over a small yard. She then walked to the windows on the right and saw there too was another small plot of land. She was glad she really did not want to have to contend with alleyways and squalling cats in the middle of the night, not to mention the smell. She heard Tofu come out of the closet as he shut the door she saw it was empty. She was wondering where he was putting all his things.

She watched as he moved to the dressers and cleaned them out and off. Her eyes opened wide as his belonging disappeared into a shimmering light. She watched as he removed his personal effects from the headboard bookcase and then emptied the dressing table of his brushes and combs. He emptied the drawers as well. He stood and looked around the room one last time. He really had no collectables to gather he never went in for that. When he was satisfied, he turned to Doctor Misuki with a sad smile.

"I have been the doctor here for almost twenty years. I will miss my patients. I have also listed their more peculiar habits. I hope it helps you. If you need to get in touch with me for something please contact this number." He handed her the business card of Hiromi Masaki.

"So your leaving now!?" She asked confused she had told Ms. Masaki he could stay until the end of the month.

"Yes, my new bride is waiting for my return. Oh, the Amazon Elder that was with me she is very knowledgeable on the Jusenkyo curses since she is from the valley where the springs are. She also has a three thousand year old history of esoteric medical knowledge. Though they are very protective of their techniques she will help if asked." Tofu said as he headed for the stairs.

Doctor Misuki followed him down the stairs. He went into his office and took one more look around once satisfied he headed for the front door of the building. When he reached the door, he stopped and turned to the doctor. He had a scowl on his face as he looked at the floor as if trying to decide something. He looked up at the doctor before him and smiled tentatively.

"I will give you a word of warning. Although they are trying to change, they may not totally. Nabiki Tendo use to let's say do some unsavory things to support herself and her family. I would have the building checked for listening devices regularly until she has proven she has changed. Her younger sister Akane is very violent when her world is threatened and very dangerous. Their father Soun Tendo is just as bad if not worse. I would recommend you request they find another doctor just for your own safety." Tofu opened the door and walked out leaving a stunned Torika Misuki to watch him disappear down the street.

She stood there staring stunned out the door she did not know how long she was standing there but evidently long enough for the elderly lady before her to enter. She shook her head and smiled down at the woman. She led her to a chair, as she seemed ready to fall down. She closed the door and turned to her new patient. She led the woman to an exam room. She got her comfortable then went to hang up her coat and get a clipboard to begin the physical.

(l(l(l)l)l)

As Akane and Nabiki slept, they dreamed they were in a beautiful palace with gold plated window frames around frosted glass topped of a half moon topper done in a Tiffany style. Each of the windows had a different Tiffany style flower over the top of the window while under the windows were potted plants of the flower at the top of the window. In the center of the room was a pair of crystal thrones one looked like it was a beautiful clear white diamond. The other looked as if it was made of the deepest blackest onyx and shone brightly next to the white crystal throne. Above the throne was a large stain glassed dome of midnight blue glass that had different depictions of the night sky. The only difference with these skies was they were not found on earth.

The two Tendos continued to look around as they saw how beautiful the room was decorated. There were orchids of white, pink, and lavender between all the windows there were stings of pearls, pink and lavender crystals hanging from each orchid. The isle between the sections of seats was decorated with the orchids and beads. They hung from poles of shimmering green-blue and were topped by the different colored orchids. Down the center of the isle was a carpet of white trimmed in green-blue crystals that looked a lot like their pendants from Kasumi.

They turned as they heard a deep soothing voice as it started to announce people. There was a shriek of terror, or it could have been someone being startled. They could not tell. They turned to where the noise was and saw a large copper dragon's head sticking through the window. Nabiki tapped Akane's arm and pointed to the implanted medallion. They stared at it but could not get a good look at it. As they turned to the announcer, again they watched as more people entered the room. Nabiki had to hold Akane down when Ranko and her mother entered. The Tendo girls dropped their jaws as the family was announced.

"The Aurora Clan the Protectors of the Throne of Illondra." They looked as Nodoka and a tall handsome man they knew as her husband entered followed by a golden man with gold skin and white hair. Next to him was an exotically beautiful woman with long silver hair. There was another woman next to her who looked almost as if they were twins but her hair was down to her knees. Nabiki had to tighten her hold on Akane. As the Ranma with the blue hair, entered followed by Ranko, Ukyo, and Micca. They stared in shock as they now looked like triplets. Ukyo and gotten a bit shorter but she was still taller then Ranko. What surprised the Tendo girls was the fact that Ranko was carrying a white kitten while Ukyo had an orange tabby. They then saw as a unicorn with butterfly wings as it walked between Ranko and Ukyo.

They watched as the group was seated as more guests arrived. They marveled at the beautiful clothes they all wore. It looked to them as if the material was made of crushed gemstones. It took what seemed like hours to get everyone in the room and seated. They noticed that two men that looked a lot like Nodoka's husband sat with them. Akane was jealous at the golden blonde haired girl that sat between Micca and Ranko. They watched as Ranko allowed her to hold the kitten for a while. Nabiki was sure Akane was going to have a bruise on her wrist when this dream was over.

As the music began to play the doors opposite the ones that everyone came in were opened and both girls gasped as a beyond beautiful woman entered the throne room. Next to her was a man it was hard to pin down what he looked like as he was covered by moving and shifting shadows. They reached the dais and each stood in front of a throne. The woman stood in front of the crystal throne while the man stood in front of the onyx throne. They watched as the other door opened again to reveal someone they both knew. Doctor Tofu.

They watched as he moved toward the thrones. He was wearing a silk royal blue tunic that went to his hips. The neck had a slit about three inches down starting at the neck. There were silver eyelets going up both sides of the slit. A satin black cord was cross-woven through the eyelets up to the neck but left untied. He was wearing a pair of black silk pants tucked into a pair of black leather boots that ended four inches below the knees. A movement caught their attention and Nodoka's husband, Micca and the golden-skinned man rose and walked toward Tofu. They made a half circle behind him as they followed him to the dais. They all bowed at the couple, which Nabiki and Akane assumed was a king and queen.

The trumpets began to blare as the doors the king and queen came out of opened again. They Tendo sisters watched, as three beautiful women with dark brown hair almost black on some them walked toward the dais. They gasped, as the last person to enter the throne room was their lost sister. She was wearing their mother's wedding kimono but it was different somehow. They stared at it as it shimmered with an iridescent glow. She carried a bouquet of white orchids. The bridesmaids carried pink and lavender orchids. They wore gossamer dresses in the same color as their orchids. They were all the same style dress.

They had a scoop neck, which did not show any cleavage. They were long to the floor just allowing the slippers the women wore to peek out from under their dresses. The sleeves were of a poet style and hung loosely down from their bent arms. Their shoes were slippers with a kitten heel (Dani: no higher then two inches). They were covered in the crushed crystals that matched their dresses. The crushed crystals were also used to trim the scoop neck, the cuff of the sleeves and the hem. On their heads, they wore a wreath of white orchids that were lightly covered with crushed pink or lavender crystals depending on the dress they wore.

Nabiki and Akane were not watching anyone else their eyes were glued to Kasumi. Her hair was worn loose to her hips. Her hair had a green blue shimmer. Their mother's kimono shimmered with an, iridescence that turned the beautiful light blue to a shimmering peacock colorization. The dress was covered lightly with white, pink, and lavender orchids. On Kasumi's head was a pearl and crystal wreath. The crystals were pink and lavender while the pearls were pure white. She wore a pair of white slippers. The slippers had a white orchid on the top with a pearl, pink, and lavender crystal in the center of the orchid. She moved to in front of the dais then she and Tofu bowed to the couple before them.

Akane and Nabiki watched as the royal couple married their sister to Tofu Ono. Nabiki smile with tears of joy as she watched the ceremony. Akane watched she was happy for her sister but her heart was breaking as Tofu was becoming lost to her forever. They watched as the ceremony finally finished. When Tofu kissed his new bride, Akane woke suddenly.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Akane looked around the room it was late at night the stars were out and the crescent moon gave only a little light. She looked next to her and saw Nabiki still sleeping. The smile on her face made her smile as she then saw the glittering tears. She gently reached out brushed away the tears from her face. She did not want to go back to sleep nor did she want to sleep in her own bed. She laid, down again next to her sister. Her own tears still flowed unchecked as she took Nabiki's hand and fought sleep from over taking her. Her battle was lost quickly as her eyes closed again. This time though she did not dream as she had broken the spell that allowed her to see the event.

(l(l(l)l)l)

The queen sat on her throne as she listened to the drone of the advisors and guests before her. Her hand resting lightly on her swollen stomach it had been three months since the attack and the children were growing rapidly. Tatiana divided her attention between those before her and the feeling of the two little bundles she now carried. She had wished Oberon was with her but he needed to attend to the Shadow Realm with his brother trying to start an insurrection. He had sent a messenger Faerie to her. It seemed Balkier had not taken the Aurora clan into his plans for conquest. Once their family crest was placed over both entrances to the Aurora Borealis Valley the light of the valley started slipping into her domain and Oberon's. The people were thrilled to learn their shadow powers did not weaken in fact it seemed they got stronger. Many had asked to become a part of the Aurora clan and to their surprise; they were welcomed with open arms.

Tatiana found in creating the Aurora Clan she had opened up a world for her people. Though many of her people did not want to be part of the new clan they wanted to be associated with them. Their willingness to give anyone a fair chance meant a lot to the races that were snubbed by some of the more haughty races. Tatiana's mind filtered back to Miya and her friends. She was brought back to the requests at hand by her guests, as they wanted to move into the Aurora clan valley to open trade with the Shadow realm.

"I am afraid unless you are a clan member I cannot allow that. The valley was given to them to bring together those that need a family. However...!" Tatiana raised her hand to forestall the arguments of her guests.

"I am sure that the Aurora Clan leaders may be willing to allow you right of passage between our realm and the Shadow realm. After all there is a large portion of the Shadow Realm that is now lit by the Aurora Borealis light on both our sides." Tatiana told the guests they did not understand why that meant anything.

"The queen means that with Queen Tatiana and King Oberon's permission they have set aside that land for a vendor fair. They will be charging for booths but all money collected will go toward keeping the property in good repair and any extra is being turned over equally to each kingdom." The business groups liked that idea this way they would not only get access to the shadow realm but to the realm of light.

"Please also understand that the businesses in the Shadow Realm will be setting up booths in this fair as well. What we hope to do is get a mixture of both on each side of the fair. That way, the people have a wider choice." Tatiana saw the business people before her were not happy to have to share the lands with the Shadow Realm vendors but they had no choice.

"Who will be coordinating these fairs and when will the first one be." A haughty high elf asked, as it was distasteful to her to have to share with those of other races.

"That will be decided by the Aurora clan. They are working it out between the leaders of the clan now and when they have a recommendation they will bring before us." Tatiana told the elf and the others before her, as she was getting tired but this needed to be settled.

"Maybe we should offer our services to them." A tall wood elf stated as he thought of ways to compensate himself for his assistance.

"Thank you for your offer but that will not be necessary. They and their clan have a wide variety of skills. Plus if they are the ones solely in charge there will be no need to use any of the money collected to pay for services their clan will be able to provide." Tatiana was adept at reading people and she saw as he tried to figure a way to make more money then was his due.

"I will be notifying you and other business owners when the details are available as King Oberon will do in the Shadow realm." Tatiana stood announcing that their meeting had ended.

She watched as Rohn had led the group out she had also seen as he scowled at many of the statements she made. Mostly at the property in the Shadow realm would be primarily for the people of that realm." As he walked them out the double doors, she sat down for a quick breather. She smiled as Honeysuckle came in followed by a servant with a tray of fruits, cakes, and tea. They put down a tray for her to eat from. She smiled at both Honeysuckle and the young gray elf female. When the tray was, set up Honeysuckle sat on the arm of the king's throne and talked quietly with her queen.

"What are you doing?" The angry voice caused both women to look to the queen's right to see Rohn glaring at the little pixie.

"Well I am having a conversation with my queen while she eats to keep up her strength. What are you doing besides aggravating her?" Honeysuckle though not an Aurora clan member was a friend and had learned quite a bit from them one thing was never to allow the likes of Rohn to get the upper hand.

"What I do is none of your...!" Rohn was cut off at Honeysuckle's next comment.

"Same here Rohn, same here!" Honeysuckle watched as he turned red with anger but she ignored him and turned back to talk with her queen, as she fought to keep from laughing.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Rohn glared at the pixie his face ready to explode, as it turned purple with rage. He turned and walked away. He knew his queen was not happy with his service the past year or so because of his natural treatment of the mongrels. They were beneath contempt, once he could get rid of the king, and them he would be able to get control of her and then get rid of all but high elves from the court. He turned one last time at the thrones his eyes narrowed to tiny slits as the queen laughed heartily. He then turned and exited the throne room. He would be back with the next guests soon and by then, that useless pixie would be gone.

"You better watch what you do _son_! The queen is getting fed up with your behavior after all her kingdom encompasses all the races of Illondra not just High elves." Rohn turned to see his mother standing behind him, there was something strange in her eyes he thought, but there was nothing he noticed.

"I will do my job you do yours while you have it!" Rohn growled as he pushed her roughly into the wall never seeing the pain in her eyes.

Kajri watched as he disappeared down the hall toward the waiting room for those the queen needed to see. She bowed her head and turned toward the doors to the throne room. She paused before entering to get control of her emotions. Once she was able to put a true smile on her face, she entered the room to see Honeysuckle talking with her queen while she ate the food brought for her. Kajri's smile grew, as the radiance of the queen would not allow almost anyone to be sad in her presence.

(l(l(l)l)l)

"Well don't we look relaxed?" The two women on the throne looked up to see Kajri standing before them a broad smile on her face.

"Honeysuckle has been keeping me company while I finish the snack she had brought to me." Tatiana said as she smiled lovingly at the little pixie.

"Oh, she is very good at that. I especially love her adventures with Ranko and now her siblings as well." Kajri said as she smiled at the pixie with deep respect.

"HAHAHAHAHA! Oh yes, I am surprise Honeysuckle is still here! They can be a bit rambunctious." The queen laughed at the blushing pixie.

"Hey I am still here ya' know!" Honeysuckle showed she was spending a bit too much time with the Aurora children.

"Yes we know dear but it is so much more fun to talk about you this way." The queen busted out laughing followed by Kajri when Honeysuckle 'humpft', crossed her arms over her tiny chest and stuck out her lower lip.

Finally, though with her queen and Kajri laughing so hard Honeysuckle could not keep up the pretense of being insulted and started to laugh as well. They tried to get themselves under control when the gray elf kitchen servant returned to retrieve the queen's empty food tray. They just all shrugged, as they could not get their laughter under control. They knew it was not that funny but there had been great tension and fear around the palace since the attack a little over three months ago. The kingdom now feared for the safety of their queen and her unborn children.

"GRAMMA!" They all stopped laughing instantly when the triple voices shouted.

They did not have time to brace as three blurs 'whooshed' passed the queen, slammed into Kajri lifting her off the ground, and spun her around in a circle. Tatiana and Honeysuckle watched as Kajri's body was soon wrapped in garnet colored hair. They shuddered glad it was not they. Suddenly though the three Aurora children stood in front of Tatiana a slightly dizzy Kajri standing next to King Oberon's throne holding on to it for aid in standing.

"AUNTIE TATIANA CAN WE PLAY WITH THE BABIES YET?!" Tatiana looked down to find her three favorite Sylphs in front of her.

"No not yet my darlings, I would say another six (Dani: Hey she is a Faerie folk gestation is different) or so months before they are born." She explained to them.

The maturity that came with them at the crossover had prevented many embarrassing questions usually asked by children of their age. Even though Micca and Ranko's ages were reset to six when they went through the conversion again they still had the same knowledge they had before and the same maturity that showed itself when others overstepped their bounds around the children.

"AAAWWW!" The three children hung their heads then plopped on the floor around the queen's throne, their legs crossed, and their elbows on their knees as their heads rested in their hands.

"Don't worry children I am sure they cannot wait to come out to play." The queen tried to console them, which did not seem to help.

"The Aurora Clan elders!" The voice of the herald at the door announced when he saw the children by the queen his eyebrow shot up, he then hung his head slightly and shook it as he tried to hide his smile.

"With the Aurora triples already here!" He then waited for the heads of the Aurora clan to enter the throne room smirks on their faces along with unspoken apologies for the children's early arrival.

"Greeting Nodoka, Seran, and Raist, it is good to see you and the children again." The queen said as she stood in front of her throne as the herald announced the next set of visitors.

"Ejien and Naja the maternal parents of the Aurora clan and the animals of the clan." They all turned to see the wood elves enter though a bit winded they were looking stronger then they had the day they asked to be Ranko's grandparents.

"Greetings Ejien and Naja you are both looking younger and stronger." Queen Tatiana told them with a smile.

"Thank you Highness we have been doing as all the new members of the Aurora clan and training with the children and the elders of the clan." Ejien told them as he smiled down at the still pouting children.

"I see you told them the babies have not yet arrived." Ejien told his queen with a smirk as the blue duck waddled up and pushed his way into Micca's lap.

"Yes I have." She smiled down at the children.

"Did Wind Raven come with you as well?" Tatiana asked as she watched the blue duck Kiri and the cats as they picked a child to sit by.

"No he has been moving his hoard into the cave on the east side of the valley. It is nice there is a large cave on each side of the valley and they are all big enough for the dragons. The nice thing is that there is still enough of a gap between them and the dwarves who have taken over the lower caves." Seran told the queen.

"So has Cerulean moved into his cave yet? Is Silverfire moving into the valley also?" Tatiana asked as she sat down to have her lap invaded by Lava who started playing with her hair.

"She doesn't know yet she has lived with the wood elves for centuries and protects them. She talked about taking a cave to have a place to call her own when she visits. Cerulean had the children help him move he would not let them out of his sight. So they put his entire hoard into their stuff space and brought it back to the western cave of the valley." Raist told the queen as the duck glared at the golden mage, Raist just stuck out his tongue amidst the giggles of Honeysuckle and Tatiana.

"It is good to see he is protecting all three of the children even though he is not bonded with Setsuko." Tatiana told the adults.

"He really has no choice because of their link if something happens to Setsuko the other two would die as well." Nodoka said with wide frighten eyes.

"That should lessen as they mature. I believe the bond between them was so strong because they were raised apart in their previous life. Oberon seems to believe that the deep soul bonding between Ranko, Micca, and Cerulean may lesson as well. He is having Silverwind look into it since she created the springs." Tatiana said as she petted the purring kitten that was curled up in her lap.

"So have you heard from Hiromi?" Tatiana changed the subject so quickly it startled the Aurora leaders from their daydreams.

"Yes, she has gotten Setsuko's property converted to gems so we will be picking it up for her and then put it in trust until she decides if she wants to start a business or go to college. As far as the meeting yes, she has scheduled the meeting with the Prime Minister he will be our link to the Emperor. She also told them of the attempt of Tanaka Labs at kidnapping Ranko and myself." Nodoka said with a scowl.

"So they have agreed to allow us a small contingent of guards." Seran completed with a wry smile.

"Though with the children's additional training with the Caiteny and all of us training with King Oberon. It may not be necessary. We have told the children under no circumstances are they to surrender to _any one_. We just did not tell them they could not rescue any Faeries that were stolen by the labs." Raist smiled a shark like smile, which caused the children to shudder as it reminded them of Nabiki.

"Very good have you chosen who will be going with you?" Tatiana hoped she would get to keep the children.

"Well we actually wanted to take the children with us but I am afraid they are still a bit too young. Though Seran and Raist believe it would be good for them to start learning what it takes to be the messengers of the throne of Illondra." Nodoka said as she watched the children as they sat quietly playing with the animals.

"Kiri will of course not be going she would be an immediate target of every lab or collector in the world. She is too valuable of an ally to lose." Nodoka said as she reached down and petted the fluttercorn.

"Since Cerulean and Silverfire can shift shapes they of course will be going with us as well as Lava and Frost. Ejien and Naja will run the clan until we get back since Raist has requested to go with us." Seran said as the elderly wood elves smiled.

"I don't think that will be enough. Earth has very powerful weapons I don't think even a dragon can survive." Tatiana said as she tried to remember a report she had read back when Nodoka and Ranko crossed over.

"Yes we thought of that but don't forget Silverwind is also on earth at the Amazon village. If we need her or the Amazons, they would be there instantly. Not to mention since we already have an alliance with the Amazons we will be taking Cologne with us as she must represent the Amazons interests in our negations." Nodoka said as she spoke Tatiana nodding her head in agreement.

"I would still feel better if you took a contingent of guards with you." Tatiana told her not liking them going back to earth where they were targets.

"Your highness may I approach?" The queen looked up and found Aran the captain of her guards standing before her.

"Yes please Aran what is your opinion." She knew that was what he wanted to say as he was one of the best strategists among her soldiers and had been working with the children and their parents in learning how to strategize.

"I feel the Aurora Clan would be best to go in as small of a group as possible. Do not forget there is already a large groups of earth bound Faeries there to help them. I do however feel it would best suit the throne of Illondra if at least one of your military goes with them. I volunteer for that assignment." Aran stated as he bowed deeply to his queen.

"Aran you are the captain of the guards we cannot leave our forces weakened by your missing presences." Tatiana told them but she knew she would give in as she had been noticing his longing when he looked at the growing clan of Aurora.

"While I am away on this mission majesty Jonta my second could serve in my stead." He told her as her eyebrow shot up a smile of pride came to Junta's grandmother Kajri.

"This would be only temporary for he doesn't have the experience to do your job permanently." Tatiana told Aran with a raised eyebrow.

"I agree highness but he knows much. I feel for the time I am on earth he should be able to handle it. Plus if I am needed you will be able to contact me and I can be back here in just a few moments." Aran said as he fought for the right to undertake this mission.

"There is more to this is there not Aran?" Tatiana finally decided to give him the opening that ne needed to make his request.

"Ye...Yes, ho...how did you know?" He asked his confusion shone in his face.

"I know your history Aran does that mean you wish to leave my service." Queen Tatiana asked a shocked Aran.

"N...No your highness I do not wish to leave your service I...I just like so many I have seen wish to be a part of a loving family!" Aran told a smiling Tatiana.

Aran jumped when he felt a tug at the hem of his shirt. He looked down into a pair of brown-ringed eyes with a lost soulful look. He saw as she held up her hand to him and lying in the palm of Setsuko's delicate hand was the Aurora fob given to all new members of the clan. He looked down confused then back at his queen who gave him a nod then to the three Aurora clan leaders. They were smiling at him as well. He looked back at Setsuko, reached out, and took the fob from her. He held it in his palm and stared at it. He smiled at the fob, then closed his hand tightly over it and knelt down to Setsuko and hugged her tightly.

"Thank you little sister!" He whispered in her ear.

"You're welcome big brother!" She whispered back as all three Aurora children liked Aran quite a bit and thought of him as their brother.

"Now I know Aran is an exceptional guard but the weapons used on your world may be more then he can handle. Therefore, with you and any time you go back to your old world you will take with you each two pixie or sprite archers and one pixie or sprite magic user. Now children please do not try to play with them while they are guarding you alright?" Tatiana explained as the room suddenly filled with rainbow lights.

"AWWWW, ok!" The three children pouted but their little Faerie protectors flew around them playing with them.

"What about the rest of your world's governments?" Tatiana asked the Aurora clan leaders.

"We will work with the Japanese government to coordinate with the United Nations for us and set up the needed meetings." Nodoka explained.

"That sounds excellent. Here are the scrolls with my and Oberon's authority for you to speak with them in our behalf. What about the Amazons?" The queen asked.

"We plan to talk with Cologne first if they want to survive another three thousand years they will need to open up trade with the rest of the world. However, the other countries will know our treaty with the Amazons take precedence and we will fight with them if they are attacked." Seran told his queen as he watched the children playing with their Faerie protectors out of the corner of his eyes.

"Good. Yes I think including Cologne will be very beneficial not only for the Amazons but for you as well. I am sure they do not want a war with a society that can do such powerful techniques." Tatiana smiled as she remembered the little two and half foot woman.

"So when will you be leaving?" The queen asked wishing the children were going to be staying with her.

"We will leave at the end of the week." Raistlin told his queen.

"Very well." Queen Tatiana stood and bowed to her emissaries as they returned the bows when she stood she noticed the children were also bowing as they planned to learn an important part of their family's duties.

"Oberon will be back tomorrow we will meet then and go over our requests and what we are permitted to trade from the other realms and what we will agree to trade from our realm." Tatiana smiled as the family headed out to the rooms Tatiana kept set aside for the clan.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Hiromi Masaki stood at the telescope on the observation tower of Tokyo Tower. She watched as people used the devices to look at some of the landmarks that could be seen from there with the aid of the devices. She stiffened as she felt the portal open. She quickly cast a spell that masked the entry of the Aurora clan to earth. As the portal opened, the people around her were compelled to turn from the portal. If they were walking toward the portal, they would suddenly turn and walk away from it.

She smiled, as the first through the portal was her friend Raistlin. He was followed closely by Nodoka and Seran. She was about to dispel the spell she had cast when she saw two more large shapes. Her eyebrow shot up as Cerulean stepped through followed by Lady Victoria. In between to two altered dragons were the triplets and their two cats. The dragons had hidden the last figure of Aran. Hiromi stared down in confusion and surprise. She had not expected them to bring the children. Not after what happened the last time, they were here. She jumped slightly at the shout.

"AUNTIE HIROMI!" Hiromi looked down as all three children had glomped onto her.

"My goodness, Ranko you have grown a bit taller after your second crossover?" Hiromi told the young Sylph.

As she looked to see, they were all about the same height. Ranko was no longer five feet two inches but still not as stall as her siblings at five feet seven inches, while Setsuko stood at five feet seven and three-quarter inches and Micca stood at five feet nine and half inches. She then looked at Aran who smiled at her and bowed to the earth bound Faerie lawyer.

"I am to help the smaller protectors guard my family." He told her as he straightened.

It was then that Hiromi noticed something shimmering at his mid thigh. She looked down and saw the Aurora fob as it hung from the belt at his waist. She smiled and as she knew, he was not welcomed in High Elf society because of his belief that the elves should work together to become a single nation.

"Congratulations Aran. I do hope you know what you are getting yourself into after all Seran does not call them hurricanes for nothing." Hiromi said as all the adults including the altered dragons laughed.

"HEY!" The simultaneous shout came from the Aurora children.

"I thought you might leave the children at home because of what happened the last time." Hiromi said as she laid a hand on Micca's shoulder.

"We discussed doing just that but they are Auroras and need to start learning what our duties as Queen Tatiana's messengers will be." Nodoka said as the children looked around the tower to everyone's surprise they stayed close.

"So is Aran the only guard?" Hiromi asked as Nodoka shook her head.

Hiromi looked around then noticed as flecks of rainbow lights materialized around each of the newcomers save the dragons. She smiled at the displeasure that showed on Aran's face as he looked at the three tiny Faeries that flew around him. She nodded they all disappeared again. She sighed she was glad she decided to rent them a suite of rooms at the hotel. She moved off toward the elevators as she was followed by the new arrivals.

"You have a meeting with the Prime Minister in two days. It is at one o'clock. I will be going with you since I will be working with the Japanese government during your absences. They do not and should not know I am a Faerie." Hiromi said as she looked at the children, to her surprise was paying attention to every word she was saying.

"We won't say not...anything auntie." Ranko said as she quickly altered her wording before her mother could correct her.

"That is very good Ranko dear. With Setsuko and Micca as your sibling let's hope you learn better grammar from them and not them learning your bad grammar." Nodoka and Seran chuckled as Ranko pouted slightly.

(l(l(l)l)l)

The large group left the Tokyo tower and Hiromi led them toward the business district and the hotel they would be staying. As they walked, Hiromi listened as the Aurora clan leaders filled her in on what they had discussed with the royal couple. Hiromi stood between Nodoka and Raistlin with Seran on Nodoka's other side. They were followed closely by Aran and Lady Victoria. Cerulean walked closely to the leaders of his clan as his hand reached up to his forehead as he, stroke the Aurora fob lightly. He was still angry at Wind Raven for implanting it there.

As he followed the others keeping an eye on the triplets, he thought about how he planned to get even with the ancient copper dragon. He wanted to decide where to implant the fob not the pompous metallic dragon. He dropped his hand and looked ahead as he listened to the conversation of the clan elders.

Cerulean listened quietly as did the children. Their eyes were the only things that gave away the excitement they were feeling at the fact the adults felt they could handle the training they needed to be emissaries of the queen and king. As they, walked next to Cerulean Setsuko held Lava and Micca carried Frost. Ranko still had troubles sometimes with their presences but it was fast fading.

The group entered the hotel and Hiromi signed them in and got their keys. They all headed to the elevators when they were stopped by a pompous looking gajin gentleman. He looked down his nose at the three children as they held their cats and blue duck since Cerulean thought it better he be a duck to take up less room. The man pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, placed it to his nose, and sniffed with disdain as he glared at the children then to the adults. He was unfazed by the glares given him by the Aurora Elders.

"Who allowed these flea bitten creatures in this hotel?!" He stated more then asked.

"I chose this hotel because animals are accepted!" Hiromi told him as she stepped between the man and three angry children.

"I was not talking about the _cats_!" He left the insult hang then looked at Nodoka as she spoke with a snarl.

"NO, Cerulean I will handle him!" The man noticed an orange glow but before he could find it, the glow had disappeared.

"Who are you?" Nodoka asked her voice dripped with venomous ice.

"I am Fredrick Wymrington! I am a guest and was led to believe children were not allowed at this hotel!" Wymrington snorted with great disdain at Nodoka as he looked passed her at the children.

Ranko handed the blue duck to Raist since Micca and Setsuko each had a cat. They however were not to be left out of the 'smack down'. Micca handed Frost to Lady Dracon while Setsuko handed Lava to Hiromi. They then followed their sister toward the man their eyes glowed red with fire. Nodoka was about to stop them when Seran stopped her. He pulled her back as the children confronted the arrogant man.

"It is alright dear they have been training with Kajri they can take him down and not lift a finger. If they can't I will do it for them." Seran whispered to his wife, his eyes blazed like his children.

"First you waste of space I and my siblings are young adults of legal age!" Ranko got up close to the man even at five feet seven inches she was still able to intimidate him by looking him directly in his eyes even though he towered over her at six feet.

"Secondly you poor excuse for a human let alone a man this hotel caters to those with or without children!" Setsuko stepped up next as she snarled into the man's face pointing to a group of young children as they ran by them.

"Third you smell like you fell into a vat of orc refuse! You have no right to insult anyone when you yourself are less then nothing!" Micca snarled in his face next as the man backed up as the children began to glow but only their family and friends saw their auras.

"That training with Elder Cologne is doing them good they can now hide their auras." Lady Dracon whispered to Raist who nodded.

"HOW DARE YOU! WHY I NEVER...!" Wymrington was cut off by a low sultry growl.

"Yes it shows but since this hotel is beneath us we will take our business elsewhere. Oh and Mr. Wymrington you can explain your actions to that gentleman over there I do believe he is the manager of this hotel. Since he was hoping our stay here would increase his business since they are emissaries of the King and Queen of Illondra and are here to see the Royal Family!" Lady Dracon said as she turned to Hiromi who nodded and they all headed back to the counter to sign out.

(l(l(l)l)l)

The manager watched as the young adults insulted one of his quests he had miss the insults the gajin had thrown down first. He was about to say something when one of his employees told him what Wymrington had done and has been doing since he got to the hotel. The manager was about to chastise his employee when he heard the sultry voice and her proclamation.

He watched as they moved to the front desk his eyes wide with fear as he _had_ been waiting for them. He moved quickly to stop them from leaving when he spotted Wymrington as he watched them leave with a smirk of disdain on his face. He felt there was something about him he did not like. He waved the head of his security forward and told him he wanted everything he could find on Wymrington as of yesterday.

The manager then walked quickly out of the hotel and found his chance to get closer to the Royal Family and their guests as they started to enter a cab. He reached the cab just in time to put a hand on Seran's shoulder. The Aurora patriarch turned and glared at the man who took a step back from the enraged man.

"Sir I am terribly sorry for what just happened please I will take care of Mr. Wymrington. I have just found out he has been doing that to many of the guests. Please allow me to show you the hospitality of the Tower Hotel." He bowed when he rose Hiromi was standing in front of Seran who still glared with rage at the man.

"Alright you can make them reservations at another five star hotel for a suite of rooms as they had here! I would not allow my clients to fall prey to your attempts to trick them to stay here so you can ride their coattails so to speak to the Royal Family!" Hiromi already had a new hotel reservation she and been calling other hotels ever since they signed out.

"But...But I can give them their room for...!" Hiromi cut him off as she snarled at the man behind him.

"What for free, yes well you see Mr. Wymrington is not worth our efforts. Oh just so you know he works for a conglomerate from the South of France that wants to buy your hotel!" With that last statement, Seran and Hiromi entered the cab and headed toward their new hotel.

The manager turned and pushed Wymrington roughly to the side. He then summoned the security guard and gave him his orders. When Wymrington returned to inside the hotel, he was met by three guards who escorted him to his room as he packed and then escorted him out of the hotel. The saboteur did not care he had hit it big and his bosses could now buy this hotel for a fourth of what it was worth. His employer will now make it big in Japan and he will make it big on a huge bonus.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Akane had finally graduated from high school she sighed, as she had no one to take her to the prom. She thought one of the boys at school would ask her but their interest in her were only hormonal and nothing more. As she walked toward her special training, she wondered if she should go to the prom since she did not have a date. As she walked she stared down at her feet as she thought about how her life had changed the day Ranma had stepped through their front door and how it had changed when she had flown out of her life that day at doctor Tofu's clinic.

She stopped and turned quickly ready to punch the pervert that had touched her. She stopped at the shocked face of her elder sister. Akane then hung her head in guilt and shame as she had been trying so hard to control her anger. She wanted to show Kasumi she could and she could learn to be almost as good as her at the things she had done for them. She turned from her sister as her cheeks reddened.

"I am sorry Akane I should not have grabbed you like that. I mean with the morning battles and all. I have been running behind you for the last two blocks. I shouted but you seemed to not have heard me." Nabiki said a little out of breath.

"I am sorry Nabiki I was just thinking." Akane said as she and Nabiki headed to their second school.

"About Ranma?" Nabiki asked as she could see it in her face.

"No...Yes, do you think they will ever come back here to live?" Akane asked her head still bowed but the anxiousness in her voice was unmistakable.

"I doubt they will sis. Ranma I mean Ranko has a new family one that loves her for who she is that respects her, and trusts her." Nabiki watched as Akane cringed, from the sideways glance she was giving her sister.

"Though maybe if we show her we can change and learn from our mistakes she might be willing to be our friend." Nabiki said as she surprised herself at the fact she really wanted Ranko to be her friend.

"I guess so I don't know what about daddy? If I or you even try he will push that stupid engagement back on us and everything will be lost again." Akane said as she tilted her head toward the blue sky above her as a single white fluffy cloud floated by.

"Yes well you have a point there but that was why I wanted to get to you before we go to our training. Come here!" Nabiki grabbed Akane's hand and pulled her to bench outside a small bookstore.

"What?" Akane asked exasperated.

"I went to see Auntie Nodoka's lawyer. She has completed making the documents we signed that night they took the panda away. You, Kasumi, and I now own everything. The courts upheld the document since she proved daddy could not be trusted to manage the family. He has no access to any of the family's money and if he tries to push anything onto us he has _no_ access to the property either." Nabiki said her sienna eyes turned to glowing embers as the flash of Kasumi's blood on the floor floated back into her mind.

"Nabiki! He is our fathe...!" Akane was cut off by the rage in her sister's pained filled eyes.

"*GASP*!" Akane leaned back as for over twelve years there was nothing in Nabiki but greed. Now there was the pain she had kept hidden since their mother's death.

"He does not deserve our respect Akane. He is our father and I love him but at this point, in time I also _hate_ him! He will follow our rules or leave! If not on his own then by us and he will be Ronin." Nabiki said as she rose to her feet and headed to the building three doors down for their training.

"We have an appointment with Masaki-san tomorrow at the house she will explain everything to him for us. Now come on or we will be late." Nabiki ended the conversation and moved quickly toward her new teachers.

Akane rose and ran after her sister. She wondered if she could throw her father from the family. Though she felt, she probably had no choice now. It sounded to her Nabiki had taken control or did she. She might have the same problem Akane did and that would be not being able to disavow their father. Maybe that is where this lawyer Masaki entered the picture. She will make the decision not them. Akane was not sure she liked that either but if he attacks either her or Nabiki as he did Kasumi...! Akane left the thought as the pain of losing her big sister still hurt her. She absently reached up and grasped the Alexandrite stone of her pendant. She felt the warmth of the stone as she turned and entered the building her anger flowed from her body as she felt Kasumi was giving her a hug she so desperately needed.

(l(l(l)l)l)

The two Tendo sisters entered their home their father no longer stood in the dining room transfixed on the puddle of Kasumi's blood. When he had come out of the trance, he had locked himself in his room. Nabiki and Akane cleaned up the dried blood once their father had gone to his room. As they looked around, they could not see their father they assumed he was still hiding out in his room. The two girls put their book bags by the closet door since they had homework for tomorrow's domestic training classes. They would work on them together. They would first try to do them by themselves if they could not, they would help each other.

"Well sis what should we try to make for dinner?" Nabiki asked, as she headed to the kitchen Akane stood shocked in the dining room.

"AKANE COME ON I AM HUNGRY!" Nabiki's shout brought Akane from her stupor as she tentatively moved toward the kitchen, she stopped at the door and stared at Nabiki rummaging in the refrigerator.

"Nabiki are you sure you want me to help?" Akane asked but not wanting to hear the answer.

Nabiki came out of the refrigerator with some fresh vegetables and a small beef roast. She moved to the table then turned and glared at her sister. Akane took a step back as the Ice Queen had returned. Nabiki put her hands on her hips as she stared at her younger sister. Then Nabiki took a deep breath and moved toward the only sister left to her. She placed her hands on both of Akane's shoulders and looked deep into the chocolate brown eyes of her baby sister. She smiled tentatively at the shocked look on Akane's face.

"*SIGH* Sis how have you been doing in training for the last month or so?" Nabiki asked the still shocked Akane.

"Wel...Well the sensei said I had improved and no longer was cooking toxic food though the appearance needed worked on." Akane frowned that she still got angry when her cooking prowess was called into question.

"What has been our assignment once you reached the ability not to kill people with your cooking?" Nabiki continued as she kept her hands firmly on Akane's shoulders.

"That we need to prepare the meals together until I quit grabbing and not reading what I use." Akane said as she remembered the casserole she had made today and forgot to verify a couple of ingredients.

Akane looked at Nabiki her face blank as she remembered what that casserole tasted like and had done to her stomach as their teachers would not eat or allow Nabiki to eat anything Akane made until she learned to cook properly. Akane rubbed her stomach as it gurgled in complaint as it felt Akane still should not be allowed to cook. Nabiki began to giggle then wrapped her arms around Akane's shoulder and led her into the kitchen.

"Sis you can't get any better unless you practice. Just remember when mixing ingredients go slow and READ what everything is. If it is not part of the recipe, PUT IT BACK! When we both get better and can cook a decent meal then we can adapt recipes to our taste but until then we follow the recipe to the letter!" Nabiki said as she pushed Akane into a kitchen chair.

Nabiki then put the meat and vegetables on the table along with the Teriyaki Beef and Vegetable recipe Nabiki had gotten from one of the cookbooks she had bought for them to work from. She next got out two sharp cutting knives and cutting boards. She placed them on the table with two large mixing bowls and a chipped mixing bowl they used for cutoffs they were not going to use.

"Now I think this should be a good and easy recipe for us to try. Do you want to cut the vegetables in Julian style or cut the meat into inch long strips about half an inch wide? Remember it does not have to be prefect yet but as we get better we will start working on appearance." Nabiki told Akane taking over the roll as teacher at home, as she progressed faster than Akane in cooking but never let her know that.

"*SIGH* I am having trouble with the Julian of vegetables so I will do that ok?" Akane asked as she saw Nabiki smile at her proudly.

"Ok then here you go. When we start cooking I will let you get the rest of the ingredients, but will stop you if you get something not in the recipe ok?" Nabiki asked her as she started cutting the meat.

"Ok, do you think we might one day be able to make dinner for Kasumi?" Akane wanted to make the only mother she remembered proud of her.

"Yep I do but I don't think we can do that until dad gets some help!" Nabiki said as she paused in her cutting and looked up passed Akane and out the window in the kitchen, her eyes blank with thought.

"Nabiki did you check out any of the hobby books at the library?" Akane did not like it when Nabiki got introspective, Nabiki did not know it, but she glowed a black red when she did it and Akane knew she was thinking of the day Kasumi left.

"Yes I got some today. Once we finish our homework, we can go through them and see what we can come up with as our options. We can turn the dojo into our workroom and I will take over dad's office. We both will be using the office especially since we need more room for me to show you how to use the laptop and keep track of the finances and monitor the money coming in and going out." Nabiki smiled at Akane with pride that shook the youngest Tendo because it had never been done before.

"Al...Alright Nabiki!" Akane was excited but she did not let it show, as she feared it would be like everything else she would not be able to do anything, she however wanted to learn she wanted to help her family and eventually herself.

The two girls prepared the food they would be eating that night. Akane had started a pot of water to boil so they could steam the rice they would need. Nabiki watched as Akane did only as the instructions told her. Nabiki smiled as Akane was getting to be a good cook. Not as good as Kasumi or her though she did not think either of them would ever be as good as Kasumi. She however did not want Akane to try and out do her so she kept her skill level a secret so Akane would learn and not try to compete with her.

Nabiki then watched as Akane retrieved the wok for cooking the vegetables and meat. Nabiki then watched as Akane looked at the recipe then gathered each ingredient. She double-checked everything she got out. Nabiki's eyebrow rose as Akane started to hum the tune their mother used to hum when she cooked. Nabiki tried to hide the pain at missing their mother so as not to upset Akane. Nabiki pulled out the Ice Queen and continued to watch as Akane made dinner.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Akane and Nabiki set the table for them and their father. They then brought in the food and tea. Nabiki carried the food as she moved into the dining room. She took a big sniff of the meal. She smiled as her sister's skill was growing. She placed the serving bowls of food on the table and watched as Akane went upstairs to get their father. She could hear Akane as she knocked on his door. Nabiki also heard her talk to her father but she got no response. Nabiki lowered her head as she heard Akane pad back down the hall and stairs.

"Still won't come out, huh?" Nabiki asked as Akane returned.

"No and still won't talk to us either. Though I think he is eating after we go to bed so he is not starving." Akane said disappointed.

"Well he does not want to enjoy this awesome smelling meal that is his problem not ours." Akane looked up at Nabiki and saw as she took a big helping of the Teriyaki beef and vegetable dish that she had cooked and put it on her plate.

"Yep I was right it not only smells awesome it tastes pretty darn good!" Nabiki said with her mouth stuffed full of their dinner.

"Thank you Nabiki, not only for saying that but going to the school with me. I don't think I could have gotten as far along as I have without you there.

"I don't give praise to make people feel better Akane. You have improved a great deal in such a short time. Once we are finished and supporting ourselves with the things, we learned we could move forward and go to college and build our own lives. If daddy wants servants he can hire them with money _he_ makes." Nabiki looked earnestly at her little sister letting her know their father is as far as Nabiki was concerned an unwanted guest.

"I guess so." Akane said as they ate.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Cologne answered the telephone that rang in the Nekohanten kitchen. She listened to the female voice that came over the receiver. As the voice spoke, she frowned a bit but wrote down the information she needed. She listened carefully and continued to write the instructions for the next few days she would need to follow.

"I have it Hiromi-san. Yes, I will be there tomorrow at seven o'clock. Would it be ok if I bring Shampoo as my heir she needs to learn her duties and needs to learn to change her behavior to the outside world?" Cologne listened to the voice the concern there was not lost on the Elder.

"She will behave as an Elder should, I will make sure of it." Cologne told Hiromi on the other end.

"Yes, we will be there. I need to get her signed up for college. Well no but she has taken an equivalency test and has graduated. If we are going to be thrust into the outside world to survive we must have outside knowledge." Cologne told the lawyer.

"Yes tomorrow then, goodbye." Cologne hung up the phone, she wanted Shampoo to start her training as an elder she just hoped it would not be a mistake to start with Ranko and Micca present.

"Shampoo!" Cologne called out not raising her voice above normal.

"Yes great grandmother?" Shampoo entered the kitchen with a tray of dirty dishes that she put next to the sink to be washed.

"How many customers do we have left?" Cologne asked her great granddaughter.

"Customers gone." Shampoo told her elder as she began to wash the dishes.

"Good." Cologne said as she went back into the dining room she returned a few minutes later and dished up some of the ramen left from the dinner rush.

Shampoo watched as her grandmother took the food into the dining room. She could not see what she did with it but she was sure she placed it on a table. The elder returned a few minutes later and took a tray of tea and cookies on her next trip. When her elder entered the kitchen, again Shampoo had finished the dishes and was wiping down the kitchen surfaces.

"Come with me granddaughter we need to talk." Shampoo put down her dishrag and followed her great grandmother into the main room of the Nekohanten.

She followed her to a large table that was blocked from the door. She took a seat in front of a bowl of ramen. Cologne disappeared once more into the kitchen Shampoo poured tea for them both. She jumped when Cologne threw a notebook and pen on the table then sat down. She began to eat her dinner followed reluctantly by her great granddaughter.

They ate quietly until their ramen was gone. Cologne pushed her bowl from her followed by Shampoo. Cologne moved the cookies to within their reach and freshened their tea. She then took a cookie and slowly began to eat it while staring off into a distant view only she could see. Shampoo watched her great grandmother nervously then as Nerima logic kicked in she figured her grandmother was going to help her get her Airen back.

"Great Grandmother have plan?" Shampoo asked the old woman with excitement.

"A plan for what Shampoo?" Cologne asked as she still stared off not focusing on anything in particular.

"To help Shampoo get Aire...!" Shampoo was cut off as she flew back from her chair into the wall behind her the chair she just left laid on the floor.

"You have no Airen! If you want to remain my heir you better start with that bit of information great granddaughter!" Cologne got up and left the dining room.

Shampoo slide down the wall after she crashed into it. She was stunned but glared at her great grandmother as she disappeared into the kitchen the words spoken to her just on the outside of her comprehension. She heard as Cologne went up the stairs to her room. She looked at the table and the notebook and pen was gone. Shampoo stood up a little dizzy she knew her grandmother also pressed a pressure point and she would be off balance for a while.

Shampoo slowly moved to the table and began to clean it off. She did the dishes then put everything away including the stock still in the pot. She cleaned the dining room quickly then followed her grandmother upstairs. She was angry that her Airen was taken from her and no one would help her to get him back. She paused outside her great grandmother's door poised to knock. She jumped when she heard the raspy old voice from within the room.

"Come in Shampoo we need to talk!" Cologne's voice was cold and threatening.

Shampoo entered the room and found her grandmother at her desk writing in the notebook she had downstairs. She moved closer to her great grandmother who without turning pointed to the chair next to her desk. Shampoo sat down and waited she was nervous though she could not see her great grandmother's aura she felt it. It washed over in waves of angry heat.

"First and foremost granddaughter, get it through your head Ranma Saotome is DEAD! If you attempt to force or attack Ranko in anyway you will be permanently turned into a cat! That is if the blue dragon does not kill you first." Shampoo sat stunned into silence as beads of sweat rolled down her face.

"Second if you can not give up this attempt to force Ranko back as yours, please remember granddaughter we have a treaty with the Faerie Realm they however will destroy us if you continue on this path." Cologne told the wide-eyed Shampoo.

"Third if you persist I will remove you as my heir and take one of my younger sister's daughters. She has many and a few of them are at this time better suited for the position then you are." Cologne heard the gasp from Shampoo and knew she got the girl's attention.

"But if they better why train me?" Shampoo asked she was her tribe's champion, no wait that was over two years ago.

"Because unlike them you have two years experience in the outside world and in that two years you and the fighters from Nerima had many life altering adventures. In addition, child you are of the blood of my daughter. You are all I have left of Cream. However I must look out for the continuance of our tribe and your antics will bring you down. The fact you are my granddaughter and current heir will not help you!" Cologne told Shampoo as she squeezed her hand fairly, hard almost dislocating her joints.

"Aye great grandmother, Shampoo will be good heir." Shampoo's heart broke as she realized there was no hope left to retrieve Ranma back from the Faerie realm.

"Good now for the next three to five days we will be going to a hotel in Tokyo we are invited to go with the Aurora Clan with their meeting with the Prime Minister and if they can get it an audience with the Royal family." Cologne smirked at her great granddaughter as shock covered her face.

"The meetings will be later this week so after our initial meeting the Aurora Clan you and I will be looking for a college for you to attend. These meetings are training for you on how to keep our laws but conform to the laws of others. The Aurora children will also be there as it is training for them as well." Cologne said waiting for a response from Shampoo.

"Air...Ranko and Micca be there?" Shampoo asked her emotions in a jumbled mess.

"Yes, as will Setsuko their new sister. Remember Ukyo crossed over to be with them." Cologne said as she watched, as Shampoo got angry.

"Shampoo!" Cologne's tone broke through her granddaughter's anger.

"Sorry grandmother Shampoo just...never mind." Shampoo wanted to say she wished it had been her and not Ukyo that had crossed over.

Cologne read her granddaughter's face she saw the longing there but she was going to have to grow up and quickly or she would be left behind. Cologne hoped this would be the start. She continued to make notes giving Shampoo time to get herself together before they talk about what she wanted to take in college and what they would contribute to the meetings.

(l(l(l)l)l)

In The suite of the Aurora clan, they were up early getting ready for the meeting with the Amazon. The children were very apprehensive as both Micca and Ranko were not sure what Shampoo would do. They feared she would try to enforce either the 'Kiss of Marriage' or the 'Kiss of Death'. Ukyo was frighten she might hurt one of her siblings. The children also planned to visit some shops with their mother and father later since her mother wanted to pick up patterns so she could open her shop back in the Faerie Realm.

"Momma?" Setsuko asked as she came into the room Frost and Lava followed close behind her.

"Yes dear, what is it?" Nodoka asked as she came up to her newest daughter.

"I was thinking, if there is somewhere we can get butcher paper by the role that might come in handy to make copies of your patterns so you have a backup of them. I was also thinking we should get some books on pattern making then we can make original designs." Setsuko looked into her mother's beautiful face she was not quite as tall as Nodoka but she was getting there.

"Hhhhuuuuummmmm! Yes, dear I think that is a wonderful idea. We could also get some books on making jewelry and accessories for the clothes. It is not that we need the money but it would be nice to have a trade." Nodoka said as she pulled the brown-eyed girl into a deep hug.

"QUACK!" The two Aurora women turned to see Cerulean as a duck, quacking while chasing Ranko and Micca through the suite.

"Children what is wrong?" Nodoka became worried at the fear on their faces.

"Momma...we don't want to be here when Elder Cologne arrives." Micca said as he lowered his head so as not to see disappointment in his mother's face.

"Ahh, it is because she is bringing Shampoo?" Nodoka asked softly a small smile on her face as she and Setsuko moved toward them.

"Yes, we don't want to be the cause of any damage she might do." Ranko said as she picked up Frost as he nudged her leg.

"Well I think that is very grown up reason why you should not be here. I do however think it is important you be here. Shampoo is heir to Cologne and needs to start learning what those duties _now_ entail as emissary of the Amazons to Illondra. She needs to learn that neither of you are hers and she has no right to attack you. There are your Faerie guards to protect you. This is your first step in learning how to handle someone with Shampoo's pride and personality. It is also important that you learn how to deal with those in alliance with the Queen and King and this is your first lesson." Nodoka knelt down and pulled both children into a tight embrace.

Nodoka reached out and pulled Setsuko into the embrace as well. She feared Shampoo might attack Setsuko because she unlike her and Akane was now a permanent part of Ranko's life and they are not. She looked up at the orange glow to her left and saw as Cerulean-duck was replaced by Cerulean-Ranma. She smiled at the dragon as he nodded knowing that he would stop the Amazon before she got near any of her children.

Nodoka worried if the Royal couple was correct and the strange bond between the blue and her children lessened would he then stop protecting Setsuko as well? She hoped not. Her biggest fear was that Cerulean might even be able to abandon Ranko and Micca as well. An act she feared would kill her two children because they loved him so much they would die of a broken heart.

"Nodoka? The Elder and her granddaughter are on their way up." Nodoka stood and turned to face Hiromi, the lawyer had a worried look on her face.

"Thank you Hiromi we were just having a family hug. However, it lacked something without Seran." She smiled as her missing husband had just walked out of their room.

They laughed a little but stopped at the knock on the door. The children moved to the small loveseat near the window Cerulean stood behind them while Frost and Lava each claimed into the lap of Micca and Setsuko. Ranko sat between her siblings, smiled as she reached out, and started to pet each cat. Hiromi went to the door to answer the knock as Raistlin joined the group standing near the end of the sofa close to the children.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Cologne and Shampoo entered the hotel. Everyone in the lobby stared as they made their way to the main desk. They stared first at Cologne with surprise and a little bit of fear that they could not understand. As they felt the power, that Cologne allowed to be felt by them. The young men in the lobby never noticed as their attention was squarely on the lavender hair beauty that traveled with Cologne. Her sensuous body drew lustful looks, as did her lethal grace. Many who had girlfriends found themselves being hit with purses or hands as the women noticed Shampoo wore no bra.

"We have an appointment with the Aurora's which room are they in please?" Cologne spoke to the dower woman behind the counter.

"We are not permitted to give that information out." The woman said as she picked up the receiver of the white phone on the counter.

Before Cologne could complain, the woman dialed the phone and handed the receiver to Cologne. The elder took the receiver and put it to her ear. She waited for someone to pick up the other end. As she waited, she looked around the lobby and found it opulent. She also noticed the looks her great granddaughter was getting and from men that were with other women. In less than a second, the nearly twenty men in the lobby had shouted and were rubbing their heads. Cologne had gotten all of them with her staff and returned to the receiver before the other end connected.

"Hello? Aurora suite." Cologne recognized the voice on the other end of the telephone.

"Hello Masaki-san this is Cologne, may we come up?" The elder asked as she watched as the significant others of the men, she 'thwacked' as they were dragged away.

"Yes we are on the fifteenth floor suit fifteen zero six." Hiromi told her and hung up when she heard Cologne disconnect the phone.

"Thank you we are on our way up." Cologne told the Faerie lawyer as she hung up the telephone, bowed to the desk clerk then motioned for Shampoo to follow her and headed for the elevators.

(l(l(l)l)l)

The Amazons rode the elevator to the fifteenth floor they were bored forced to listen to the same elevator music heard all over the world and just as mundane. As they reached the fifteenth floor, they exited the torture chamber called an elevator and headed to the Aurora's sweet. They reached the door to the suite but before Cologne knocked she turned to her great granddaughter with a scowl.

"Shampoo remember you are my heir and here for training in our new task for our tribe. You will not attack, glomp or otherwise claim Ranko or Micca in anyway!" Cologne stared at her great granddaughter as Shampoo's shoulders fell.

"Yes great grandmother." Shampoo wondered how she knew what she planned to get her Airen back.

"I mean it Shampoo any attempt to hurt Micca and just so you don't think I have forgotten Setsuko, or force Ranko into a marriage which is now forbidden and I will replace you as my heir with one of my sister's daughters!" Cologne did not want to do that, as Shampoo was all she had left of her late great daughter but this alliance was important to the tribe's continued existence.

"Ye...Yes great grandmother." Shampoo was shocked she had felt that was just an empty threat but now she was no longer so sure.

*KNOCK KNOCK* Cologne rapped on the door then waited for it to open.

They waited only a few moments Cologne could hear muffled laughter inside the suite. She wondered if they would ever trust her enough to allow her into their inner circle. She was surprised to realize she hoped they would. She looked up as the door opened and Hiromi Masaki stood before her. She saw the golden-skinned mage Raistlin as he stood behind her.

"Welcome Elder Cologne, Shampoo please, come in." Hiromi stepped back to allow the Amazons to enter.

Shampoo followed her great grandmother into the room and her gaze landed on Ranko flanked by Micca and Ukyo on either side of her as they sat on the small loveseat. Her eyes opened wide as on either side of her Airen was a kitten and she seemed to be enjoying herself as she petted them. A slight movement caught her eye as she looked up into the golden reptilian eyes of the blue haired Ranma-dragon. She gulped and stepped closer to her grandmother.

As Cologne and the leaders of the Aurora, clan moved to the two larger sofas Shampoo followed her great grandmother. She kept her gaze on Ranko and the blue haired Ranma that stood behind her with his hand on Ranko and Micca's shoulders. She smiled to herself as it seemed Ukyo was not part of that special group and maybe she could find a way to tear Ukyo from her spot in the family and take it for herself. She again looked up at the movement of the blue haired Ranma his gaze was narrowed as his hand moved from Ranko's shoulder to Ukyo's shoulder. His gaze burned with murderous rage as she swallowed hard and sat down beside Cologne on the side farthest from the cursed dragon.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Seran watched the interplay between Shampoo and Cerulean. He scowled as Shampoo smiled evilly at Setsuko then a small smile tugged at his lips as Cerulean moved his protective grasp from Ranko to Setsuko's shoulder. He knew now even though there was no bond between them the blue dragon would protect Setsuko for Setsuko's sake. He felt a gentle touch on his arm as he turned to see his wife as she had also seen the interplay. She too had a gentle smile as their newest child was being drawn deeper into the family dynamic. They then turned their attention to their guests and began their meeting and the visit with the Japanese Prime minister and possibly the Royal family of Japan.