The plane ride over to Japan was uneventful, not that Willow noticed as she was in a state of near panic.

"Willow!"

Willow jumped. "What?"

"Finally. I've only called your name three times. Giles said aggravated. "Have you contacted the neophyte?"

"No I was waiting until we landed."

"We just did."

Oh really? Ha ha. That was quick. Wasn't that quick?" Willow said hysterically.

"Are you alright?"

"Fine, just fine. Peachy even." Willow gave him a sickly grin. Giles stared her down. Willow took a deep breath. "I'm fine. I'll contact her now."

~Akane?~

~Busy. Give me a minute.~ Willow registered pain coming from Akane.

~Akane?!~

~Oww. I'm fine.~ Willow pushed further so she could 'see' what was happening.

~Hey! Knock first~ Willow felt Akane's will push her out. ~Quit distracting me.~

~Sorry.~ Willow came out of her trance. "She's busy right now."

"Bloody hell. We don't have time for this. We will head for the hotel first, if she still isn't 'available' by then we'll have to come back for her. This mission takes precedence."

"Damn it, Shampoo. I told you I haven't seen Ranma since he left her six months ago." Akane exclaimed back flipping away from the chui aimed at her skull.

"You lie Akane. You hide husband from me."

"You are still the same stupid irrational ditz you always were." Akane blocked another chui strike, then planted her left fist in Shampoo's solar plexus. The blow picked her up off the ground and threw her ten feet. ~Whoa, I didn't even put any force behind that.~

Shampoo picked herself up. "Hmmph, Akane gotten stronger. Shampoo no hold back." Shampoo twisted the handle of her chui and metal spikes jutted out of them. "Akane, you I kill!" and in a blur of motion too fast for the naked eye, Shampoo launched a furious onslaught.

~Willow! Get her now!~ Willow got the urgent call while leaving the airport and teleported out immediately.

~Willow?~ Willow heard Dawn'sthought.

~Akane's in a fight with something…something fast.~ Willow explained and felt Dawn's smirk

~Akane, huh?~

Akane was in the fight of her life. Shampoo had never gone all out on her like this before. As if by magic small cuts appeared on Akane's skin. Akane realized she was moving much faster than she ever had before too. All the blows Shampoo was dishing out were aimed to kill.

~Akane, see if you can get some distance~

~Got it.~ "Saotome secret technique 1, 2, 3, run away!" Akane faked a punch, ducked under Shampoo's outstretched arm and took off running. Willow followed by air and set down when Akane stopped to catch her breath.

"What was that?"

"That," Akane gasped, "was Shampoo."

"Shampoo?"

"Remember, I told you Ranma had run off to be with someone else."

"That was her?"

Akane nodded.

"Akane fast, but can no run from Amazon woman."

Willow stepped in front of Akane. "I've heard of you Shampoo. I don't know why you're here. Frankly I don't care, but you will leave Akane alone."

"Hmmph, You weak girl like always Akane, hiding behind others."

"I don't need to hide behind anybody," Akane growled.

"Akane, the gift you have been given isn't meant for this." Willow said.

"I didn't start it!" Akane protested.

"Akane run away just like run away from village."

"What!?:"

"Great-grandmother tell me she see you at village. Shampoo with child or would have kill you then, but Akane run away when she see Ranma choose Shampoo."

"I don't care. You can have the jerk."

"Akane keep say that. Akane lie. Why else at village?" Shampoo smirked.

~uh oh~ Willow thought. ~I've got to derail this before I wind up with a catatonic Akane again~ "Hey Shampoo!"

"What you want outsider?"

"Sleep."

Shampoo slumped then shook her head. "No thank you. Shampoo not tired. Great grandmother use on me when I was little. You is magi. Changes things. Come for you later Akane." Shampoo jumped into the treetops and took off.

"Whoo thanks Akane. I thought she would never leave." A black haired man swung out of a tree.

"She's not gone for good. She wasn't counting on facing a magic user. She'll be back, probably with the hag."

"Yeah"

"You've endangered my family."

"I told ya I'd protect them."

"Protect them? Who was hiding in a tree while Shampoo tried to shishkabob me? Get your son and go." Akane started to walk off.

"Akane don't be like that."

Willow threw up a force field. "Akane told you to go!"

"Who are you?"

I am Willow Rosenberg, a greater friend to Akane then you Ranma Saotome." Willow grabbed Akane's arm and teleported them to the Tendo's yard. Willow asked. "Akane, what's going on?"

"You've probably guessed most of it. Ranma shows up yesterday like nothing happened. I would have sent him flying except for what he was carrying. He was holding a baby, his and Shampoo's son. He told me pretty much what had happened during our trip to Phoenix Mountain. Shampoo trapped him in a magical egg, by saying she was going to kill me. As I was comatose at the time there wasn't much I could do. The egg had the effect of making him a slave to Shampoo's will. She made him sleep with her. When he was released later he didn't remember anything from his time in the egg.

Shampoo turned up pregnant and told him he was the father. If the baka is anything it's honorable, in his own way. He went back to her village and married her. While there he got a taste of what it was like for males in that village. When his son was born, as he put it, "no way am I gonna let a son of mine be treated that way by women.' We let him and his son stay in his old room."

Willow and Akane walked inside to find Kasumi holding a small infant. "Akane, what happened to you?"

"Shampoo is here."

"For little Rei Zu?"

"She didn't mention him, She was looking for Ranma. We've got to get the two of them out of here."

~Willow!~

~Not now Giles.~

~We do have a mission.~

~I know. I'll join you shortly with extra help.~

~Kennedy. I'm sending you a temporary resident for the nursery. Let them know it's a protective custody case.~

~Got it.~

"May I see him Kasumi?"

"Sure," She handed to Rei Zu to Willow.

"Hmmm, cute. Heldafell!" Willow teleported the baby to Scotland. ~His name is Rei Zu.~

~Razor?~

~Close enough.~ Willow had to cut off communication due to the sudden need for oxygen.

"What did you do with Rei Zu?!" Kasumi shouted.

~It's kinda pointless asking someone a question when you are cutting off their air supply.~ Willow started seeing spots.

Kasumi let go, "Oh dear I'm sorry. That was very violent of me. I apologize Rosenberg-san for losing my temper, but Ranma-kun left little Rei Zu in my care."

"I sent him to my home. He's safe there."

"Where is that?" a masculine voice asked by the door.

"Far away from here where your wife can't find him. Forgive me guys, but this isn't a social call. I've taken care of your immediate problem Mr. Saotome and now I need your help with mine, you too Akane if you are willing."

"Sure what's up?" Akane asked.

"Nuh uh, you bring my son back now." Ranma launched himself at Willow but was brought up short by another force field.

Calm down! Look I really don't have time for your stupidity. If what you really want is for me to bring the boy back here so your psycho spouse can pry him from your cold dead hands, that's fine, but Akane tells me you're good with heroics and that's what I need right now. So what's it going to be Saotome?"

~Umm, Willow your eyes are black~

Ranma looked at Akane, "He's safe?"

"If Willow says he's safe, he is. I trust her." Willow gave her a warm smile and she was relieved to see her eyes were back to their normal cool green color. Willow I am worried. The baby's out of danger, but my family still could be hurt. Shampoo has never tried anything before, but she might see them now as obstacles and "obstacles are for killing.'"

"Right. Plus I know Akane says you're alright, but I know Kasumi. I'd feel better if she was there. And I suppose we gotta keep Nabiki safe too."

"Thanks Saotome." Nabiki replied sarcastically.

"No problem." Ranma pulled a crumpled letter out of his pocket, "By the way, were you serious about this?"

Nabiki waved her hand dismissively. "We will settle up later Saotome."

~Kennedy. Too more incoming. Family of the tyke. Put them on babysitting duty.~ Willow teleported them away.

"So what's the caper?"

"Well, it's like this…"