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.

12. Chapter 12

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 Twelve

The training of the new family members had progressed to where the rest of the Aurora clan could take it over until the clan elders and the triplets returned from earth. The new clan members had slowed down to a trickle. Which Nodoka was sure pleased the queen. She was sure the royal mother was getting worried as to the growing size of the new clan she created. As the small group took to the sky toward the palace, the spectators smiled and marveled as the triplets flew circles around the adults and dragons.

Suddenly several mothers turned and sped off just as fast as the elders after their own children now nearly as fast as the triplets. They both cursed and praised the training, as they now knew nothing on Illondra could harm an Aurora clan member. That strength would also serve to protect the queen, king and the two new bundles that were delivered a week after the Aurora family picnic.

The mothers caught their children and headed them off to training. Today Kajri would be there to train all interested especially the children in court protocol. A must since they would need to interact with the royal family since they were the protectors of the royal house of Illondra.

As the training ground filled Kajri was surprised it looked as if the entire clan was there. She smiled when she felt Jonta's hand on her shoulder as he agreed to come and help her train. His father took his job as temporary captain of the guard today so he could help and get to know his other clan members. Since his participation was for only the one day as his queen had agreed.

"Greetings, I am Kajri and this is my grandson Jonta an Aurora clansman and a member of the queen's guard." Kajri started as the group quieted down.

"He is just here today to help me get started we will discuss protocol when entering the palace and the queen and kings presence. He is here to explain what you might expect from the guards." Kajri started she smiled as many had brought their laptops or notebooks to take notes.

(l(l(l)l)l)

As the Aurora Clan landed Seran, Nodoka, and Raist all took a hold of one of the triplets. Nodoka's eyebrow rose, as it seemed he always got Setsuko. She then entered the palace followed by the kittens and Cerulean-duck. Kiri was back at home as she was a target back on earth. As the group walked up to the herald, Nodoka asked him a question.

"How is she doing?" Nodoka asked as she nodded to the queen as she talked with some visiting delegates.

"She needs to rest more than usual but she is happy. She refuses to allow anyone to take care of the twins and she wants them with her all the time." The herald told the Aurora matriarch as he smiled at the queen her hand on the bassinet rocking it gently as she talked with her visitors.

"How is the king doing?" Seran asked as he smiled at his queen.

"The same boat I think but she won't even let him take them to the realm of Shadows yet." The herald told them with a sad smile.

"Well, maybe when they are a bit older. We might even get her to allow it if one or two of the Aurora clan goes with them." Nodoka said as the children looked at her hopefully.

"Can we do it momma huh can we!" The triplets all asked at once dancing from foot to foot.

"I don't know dears but we will ask." She smiled down at the children as the herald tapped her arm to go forth.

"ANNOUCNING THE AURORA ELDERS, SERAN AND NODOKA AURORA, THE GRAY MAGE RAISTLIN MAJERE, THE TRIPLETS RANKO, MICCA, SETSUKO, THE LADY DRACON. THE ANIMALS OF THE AURORA CLAN CERULEAN-DUCK, LAVA AND FROST." The herald smiled at the bright happy smile of the children had returned to their faces.

The children had calmed down a bit when dealing with the queen after the birth of her babies. Qarie had much to do with that. She instructed them how careful they needed to be with the children and new mother for a while anyway. They walked sedately toward their auntie Tatiana then they saw her smile at them, hold open her arms and winked at them. That was all they needed they were gone in an instant. When their family looked up they saw the children being hugged tightly by the queen and answering their questions about the prince and princess as they slept in the bassinet between the thrones of the royal couple.

"Your majesty you are making it hard to teach them the proper way to enter your throne room." Nodoka mock scowled at the happy queen.

"Well yes I guess so but right now I don't care I am so happy!" Tatiana smiled at the mother of the triplets as they stood in front of the bassinet and looked down at the sleeping twins.

"Can they play with us yet?" Micca asked as he looked up at his auntie Tatiana.

"No but I wish they could play with me!" They all turned to see that King Oberon had arrived, a smile on his face as he held out his arms to the Aurora children.

They obliged him since they could not give their usual glomp hugs to Tatiana at the moment they gave him a double portion. As they hit him, he quickly wrapped his arms around them and they all took to the air in a spinning hug. The children were laughing and so was Oberon. When they landed, they were next to the throne and Oberon took his place then smiled evilly at his wife.

"I can't wait for when the twins to learn to give that kind of hug!" Tatiana looked first shocked then smiled at the thought.

"Your majesties I was wondering when we get back if you feel it would be time if the children could go with King Oberon and the twins to the realm of Shadows to meet his court?" Nodoka phrased to leave it open for when they thought the babies were ready.

"That would be a good idea, the triplets are almost fully trained in the power of the shadows. Would that include Cerulean and the kittens?" Oberon asked as he ignored the fear and glare of his wife.

"I am afraid so they won't let the children go anywhere without them and Kiri will probably go as well. We can't take her to earth for fear of someone stealing her." Nodoka said as she kept an eye on her queen.

"Well I think it will be a wonderful idea and they will get a chance to see how my court is run. Of course, Tatiana and I will need to discuss it together. Right now I am afraid with Balkier still loose they are safest here in her court." Oberon had been monitoring his wife and at his last statement, he saw as she relaxed.

"True probably not until they can walk?" Nodoka said as she watched as Tatiana slowly calmed down again.

"Well not that long but just a bit longer." Tatiana said as she realized her babies were the rulers of two courts and they would need to visit their father's court.

"Alright dear but let's see if they have the shadow magic I want them to be able to protect themselves." Oberon said as a way to make her understand he would wait for her to be comfortable with them going.

"That would really be to long with the triplets going as their honor guard I don't see anyone bothering them do you?" Tatiana's eyes filled with so much love for her husband it lit the room, as she knew he was allowing her the right to say when.

"Alright dear we will talk about it later." Oberon said as he took her hand over the cradle where the twins slept.

As they looked down, they started laughing, as the Aurora triplets were again plastered at the foot of the cradle staring in at the twins. They would each reach in and gently stroke their faces or cover them a little better. The adults noticed as each time they would stroke the babies' faces or hands the babies would smile and coo at them. Tatiana looked down and found Cerulean-duck as he poked her leg gently with his bill. She smiled and reached down and picked him up.

The kittens startled the king as they jumped into his lap and all three looked into the bassinet. As they watched the sleeping babies, the twins acted as if they knew they had an audience and began to coo and giggle in their sleep. The triplets smiled at them then turned to their auntie Tatiana.

"They will make good students when they are older." Setsuko and Micca both nodded their agreement.

"Can we train them now?" Ranko asked as no one saw the pain on her face but her siblings felt it.

"Uh oh!" Oberon and Tatiana both said as images of the twins streaking through the castle at speeds that made them invisible.

The Aurora adults laughed as they gave the royal couple a look of 'now you will know to be careful what you wish for' looks as they continued to laugh. They had not seen as Rohn came into the room he carried, with him one large and three smaller packages. He frowned as the Aurora children bent over the cradle and he cringed as they gently caressed them.

"Ah, Rohn thank you please give those to Seran." Tatiana said as Rohn brought the gifts for the Emperor and his family.

"The smaller ones are for the Emperor and his family I put their names on them. The larger one is a gift from myself and Oberon since this treaty is for both realms for the Japanese people." Tatiana explained after Nodoka explained how the gifting worked.

"Thank you majesty we will return as soon as we can. Who knows maybe by there Prince Jerron and Princess Amera will be able to _play_ with the triplets." Nodoka said with a smirk as Seran put the gifts in stuff space.

*GIGGLE* They all turned to the cradle and saw both babies awake and looking happily at the triplets.

"Well I guess they can't wait!" Oberon said with a smile as he reached down and stroked the cheek of his daughter.

"Good luck Nodoka and let us know what happens or if you need a rescue or anything." Tatiana said as she stepped down from her throne and hugged the adults tightly then the triplets.

"We will check in with Ejien and Naja while you're away." Oberon said with a warning smile.

"Yes that will be fine. They would like the company they complained the last time it got to boring." Seran told them as he put a warning hand on Ranko as her mouth opened.

The emissaries left the throne room and headed out to return to earth. They hoped this time they would not have trouble with the hotel. As they flew toward their first training area, they were joined by Silverfire. She flew up along side Cerulean though he was a blue and her mortal enemy he had proven himself trustworthy where the Aurora children were concerned. However, she was happy the copper was now a part of the clan and would keep him in check.

As they landed, Nodoka reached out as did Raist and Seran and grabbed the children. They had spotted a dragon Faerie and wanted to play with it. The children pulled against their elders' grasps but could not break them. They landed and pouted as they watched as the dragon Faeries fluttered off toward the lake in the woods.

"AAAAWWWW momma can't we play with them!" The three triplets asked as they watched the little flying creature disappeared into the woods.

"No we have to finish our mission for the queen and king." Seran told them with a smile.

"You can play with them when we get back!" The three children jumped into his arms and hugged him tightly.

"YEAH!" The all shouted together.

Seran led his family and friends through the portal. The others started laughing at the excitement of the children. As the door to earth began to shimmer, they moved toward it to enter. The roar made them pause as they looked up they saw Wind Raven flying overhead. The Aurora elders feared something was wrong but he waved his wing as a way of saying goodbye. The group waved back as he flew back toward the valley. When he was gone, they entered the doorway and it closed behind them.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Hiromi waited by the area the doorway would open onto the Tokyo Tower. She smiled, as she was the only one there. The monument closed an hour ago. Since she had wings, she did not need to worry about getting to the platform, nor did she have to cast any spells to make people not look. She however really liked that spell. She and other Sylphs had to use it if they needed to let their wings show when in public. As she waited, she thought about Kodachi Kuno she was beginning to feel sorry for the girl. Her life in some ways were much like that of the Aurora children but she could not see her joining them there was a connection between them Nodoka had told her about it.

Hiromi felt the doorway opening she turned quickly when she heard voices coming from the other side of the platform. She quickly cast the spell to make those there not to look here while her friends came through. When the last of the party exited the portal, she quickly rushed them off before the voices came their way.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Akane and Nabiki slowly walked home they had a good day at training though the woman Miya still said Akane's food was toxic but Nabiki was wondering if they were not doing as her father would have done if Nabiki refused to tell the, who made what. She could not do that during the class because they would not leave them alone in the kitchen.

"Akane can I tell you something?" Nabiki asked as she did not know how to broach this subject.

"Yeah I guess." Akane was so depressed Nabiki had expected her to glow greenish yellow.

"Do you remember what I told as to why I won't tell daddy who made what?" Nabiki wanted to see if she rewrote in her mind what she had told her.

"Yeah so he won't taste my food with a preconceived idea that it already tastes bad, why?" Akane asked as she looked at Nabiki who walked with her head bowed.

"I think it is happening with our teachers they know you can not cook and made toxic food before you got there. They even had to eat some of it for a while." Nabiki said, as she looked at her sister as she glowed red.

"OH STOP IT AKANE! You were a lousy deadly cook but your getting better as long as you stay calm. Now _help_ me here!" Nabiki turned Akane to face her, as she got up close and personal.

"Help with what?" Akane's aura winked out as no one had ever asked for her help with anything.

"We need to figure out a way to get them to taste our dishes without them knowing who fixed what." Nabiki continued as Akane's eyes brightened as she smiled and nodded.

"Ok let me think about it after dinner let's sit down and see what we can figure out." Akane said, as she wanted time to come up with a real good idea.

"Ok Akane after dinner, I will think on it some more and see what I can come up with." Nabiki and Akane walked home Akane a bit happier as she was excited that someone asked for her help.

Though she thought, she ought to show them what her toxic cuisine really tasted like. She might save that for later as she wanted to pass the classes first before she got even. As they walked home, they were stopped by an obstruction in front of them. They however did not want to fight Kuno they just wanted to get home.

"AHH my beauteous Akane Tendo! Now all I need find is my pigtailed goddess! Enter the embrace of this humble warrior and fulfill his most ardent desires!" Akane began to glow as she reached for her mallet but Nabiki stopped her.

"Well, well, well. It seems to me the pigtailed goddess left you because you did not do as you swore you would!" Nabiki told him as she put herself between him and her sister.

"What doest thou talk about mercenary!?" Kuno asked as he glared at her.

"Did you or did you not in front of the entire school promised them both that you would hunt down the evil shape shifter that has cast a spell on them, Ranma and our family!? Did you not promise to destroy him?" Nabiki asked as Kuno looked at her confused Akane took this moment to do as she and Ranma did that day he left she let her tears flow.

"You *SOB* did and *GASP* we are still his *SOB* his prisoners! You *SNIFF* promised to *SOB* save Ranma *GASP* as he was *SOB* under his spell also! *SOB* now he is dead by the evil's hand. You *SNIFF* promised you *SIGH* would save us all!" Akane brought forth her tears as she lowered her head as she could not help it but start to laugh she jumped slightly as she felt Nabiki's arms go around her.

"Do not bother us again Kuno if we can't depend on a samurai to save us...!" She left the insult trail off as she guided Akane passed the stunned delusional swordsman.

As Akane and Nabiki disappeared around the corner, they took off running toward their home. They only prayed, they would make it before Kuno came out of his stupor after them. When they reached, the Tendo compound Kuno's scream reached them they giggled as they entered the gate then closed and locked it.

"DIE EVIL SHAPE SHIFTER! YOU WILL NO LONGER KEEP MY TIGESS AKANE TENDO FROM ME OR MY PIGTAILED GODDESS." The two girls walked to their home.

"The funny thing is that Ranko no longer wears her hair braided." Nabiki said as they entered the house.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Hiromi led the Aurora clan into a compound of a house. The house was not large it would hold everyone that would arrive with them. She had made sure to have a room for Aran but he did not come with them this time. It seemed Hiromi was a bit sad about that.

"Hiromi why a house?" Nodoka asked as they walked up to the door.

"Well this way you will be more comfortable. I talked with the queen and king at the party. They thought it be better for you and as Faeries come back and forth a place for them to stay. It is not huge by Kuno standards but it is bigger than the Tendo home and will hold quite a few Faeries especially if they shrink down when they can." Hiromi said a sad frown at the cringe from Ranko.

Nodoka nodded as Hiromi showed them around. The guardian Faeries right behind the tour. As they moved through the downstairs, there was the living room. The dining room was actually blocked off by a half wall with a built in curio cabinet. Nodoka liked that. They followed Hiromi down the hallway to the furo half bath and an office. On the way to the upstairs, they stopped off in the kitchen it was nice sized but not to large. There was a pantry and laundry room combination, Nodoka smiled, as that would make it easier.

The house had three floors and a finished attic. As they, went upstairs Hiromi showed them the five bedrooms on each floor and the half baths for each level. There were two per floor as there could be a lot of people. The completed attic was one large room with a half bath and walk in closets. The whole house was already furnished Seran and Nodoka decided to let the children have the attic bedroom.

"This is lovely Hiromi and far away from Nerima." Nodoka whispered as the children looked around their room.

"Yes well your business is here with the Prime Minister and the Royal Family." Hiromi said with a warm smile as she watched the children.

"Nodoka we need to talk away from the children." Hiromi whispered as they explored the attic then took off back down the stairs to do the same for each floor.

"Well that took care of that. I wanted to let you know Kodachi Kuno came to me and is now one of my clients. She needs help getting away from her abusive brother and father. I am telling you this because it turns out her crazy act was just that an act and she said she needed free of them before she would not be able to come back from what she called her citadel." Hiromi spoke and Nodoka listened intently.

"I have her permission to explain this to you she is sorry now that because of what she had to do to protect herself cost her a chance to have Ranma now Ranko, Ukyo and Mousse as her friends. She also gave these to me she would like me to give them to the children." Hiromi said as she pulled out three letters addressed to each of her babies.

Nodoka took the letters. She had to resist the urge to tear them up into tiny pieces. That however would not be right. Nodoka nodded her ok and returned the letters to Hiromi. Hiromi saw the indecision on the Aurora Matriarch's face. She knew she would act the same way but she decided to allow her children to decide what to do after they read the letters. The only thing would be is that she would not bring Kodachi over into the Faerie realm. They could come to visit if a friendship grows but nothing more.

"Children!" Nodoka spoke normally but within seconds all three where standing in front of their mother.

"Yes momma!?" They all asked her with happy smiles.

"Hiromi wants to talk to you please sit on your bed." Nodoka told them with a warm smile as she pulled one of the desk chairs next to them.

"I was telling your mother that Kodachi Kuno is now one of my clients." Hiromi put up her hand to forestall any complaints.

"She wanted to apologize for her behavior. She has lived a life of abuse her fantasy world was a way to protect herself. She has asked me to get her out from under her father and brother before the fantasy becomes reality. Do you understand?" Hiromi asked them, as they looked a bit confused.

"I think so." Micca said but not real sure.

"The reason I brought this up is at our first meeting she gave me these. There is one for each of you." Hiromi gave them each the letter Kodachi wrote to them.

"After you read these talk it over with your parents and if you feel you want to reach out to Kodachi and be a friend then I will help you. Just remember though she can't crossover. Do you understand?" Hiromi had seen that on Nodoka's face and she wanted the children to understand that Kodachi can be their friend when they were on earth but could not be a sibling.

"Yes Hiromi-Chan." The children told her as they stared down at the letters with the elegant handwriting.

"Alright dears we will leave you to read your letters now they might all say the same thing but that does not mean they are not sincere. When you are done come downstairs and we will talk about what she said and how you feel about it." Nodoka kissed each of her children then left with Hiromi.

As Nodoka and Hiromi left the attic bedroom, they shut the door on the third floor that led to the room. The two women headed downstairs. Nodoka's face had a scowl and Hiromi's was full of sadness. When they entered the living room, they were met by Lady Dracon, Seran, and Raist. All three wanted to know what was wrong. Hiromi smiled and said Nodoka would explain she had to get back to her office but would be here tomorrow to pick them up for their meeting with the Emperor of Japan.

"Bye Hiromi and thanks I will contact Cologne and let her know to meet us here tomorrow morning." Seran said with a warm but confused smile.

"Now dear what is wrong!?" Seran said as he turned to his wife who was still scowling as he took her in his arms.

Nodoka explained what had happened and that they would need to council the children once they finished with the letters. She also told the other adults that she would not take Kodachi as a one of her children. She felt sorry for her, and what her childhood was like but she now had a way out with Hiromi and she would not bring Kodachi over since she had the means to start a new life.

(l(l(l)l)l)

The triplets sat on the center twin bed they each looked at the letters addressed to them. Only Ranko's letter had her new name on it. They just stared at them for the longest of time not sure what to do with them. Setsuko and Micca bent down and picked up Lava and Frost as they were tapping at their legs. Cerulean-duck sat behind Ranko and peeked around her at the envelope.

"Well I guess we should read them." Setsuko said as she wrinkled her nose.

"Yeah I guess so." Ranko said a frown on her face.

"Who first?" Micca asked, as he did not know why she sent him a letter, as he really never interacted with her except as fallout from attacks on Ranma.

"I guess I will." Ranko said as she opened her envelop and pulled out the letter.

*-*-* KODACHI TO TRIPLETS *-*-*

Ranko;

These letters I gave to Masaki-san are actually the same, as I need to apologize to you, Ukyo and to some extent Mousse. Though, the last few paragraphs for you and them are different as they are my apology. My life I fear was much the same as yours and though that is no excuse, I needed to protect my heart. So, I built a citadel around me and became the Black Rose more as protection from my family than anything else.

I now know that in the way I treated you all I missed a chance to have you as friends and someone to protect me. I think that was why I latched onto you Ranko. I saw how fiercely you protected Tendo and the others and only received distrust and hatred for it. I wanted to show you that people could be friends with no hidden agendas. I wanted to be like Ukyo though she claimed you as a fiancé she was always your friend first. I however could not leave the citadel where my brother and father might see me.

I would just watch as you tried to be, as everyone wanted you to be. I watched, as no one wanted to let you. I am sorry this includes Ukyo and Mousse but in the end and I believe deep down during the last year or so years they knew they wanted more they wanted to be a family with you. I saw it in the way Ukyo's attitude changed after the wedding attempt. I saw the change begin in Mousse also but I don't think he saw or understood it.

I do also want to apologize for my part in the stopping of your wedding but I do believe it was for the best as I knew if you married Akane. I believe your live would have ended because of her temper. You may have loved her on some level Ranko but you cannot have love if there is no respect or trust.

I hope that someday we can all be friends after I am free of my family. I hope also you will forgive me my past behavior and understand I was the Black Rose to fight off the Blue Thunder and the Wahini. Please be happy and enjoy your new life I plan to enjoy mine and grow. I hope to find someone that will love me as your family loves you all.

Ranma

I address this section of my letter to that name as some little part of you is still Ranma.

The night you saved me from the crash landing Akane sent me on. I saw in your eyes something I had not seen since I was six. I saw worry, I also saw the pain and loneliness hidden deep within your blue orbs. For I have seen that same pain and loneliness in my own eyes. I fell in love with you at that moment and wanted to make the pain and loneliness disappear.

I found out you were engaged to Akane and felt I would have to be just a friend. I wanted more but I could not have it. Then I watched how she treated you and each time took that Hibiki cretin's word over yours I saw the pain and the loneliness grow deeper and stronger in you. Ranma I used my lunacy to prevent you from being put into an abusive relationship. I have lived with that kind of abuse and did not want you to live through it married to Akane because she would continue the abuse because Ranma she knew she could, she knew you would do nothing to stop her and she loved being the only person to be able to beat the 'Great Ranma Saotome'.

My mother also was abused by my father that was why she left. What broke my heart was she left me to take her place. Then abandoned me to the abuse and would never, respond to any letters I sent. When your mother gave up her human life to make a new life for you both I was jealous that your mother loved you that much. I was also happy because now I knew you would be safe from Akane and your ex-father. Someday soon, I will be safe also and will start my life for me.

Kodachi Kuno

*-*-* END LETTER TO TRIPLETS *-*-*

"Ours are the same as yours I guess she felt she owed us all a letter. They are just directed more to us instead of you." Micca said as he put his letter on the desk along with Setsuko and Ranko's letter.

"What do you guys want to do about her? I don't know if I can trust her but if she was the Black Rose because of her family and she is trying to change...!" Ranko left it hanging as she did not know what to do.

"Well my first instinct is to say ignore her but then I can't do that she had a life so much like ours." Setsuko said as she leaned against Ranko's shoulder.

"That is true but she is not part of the link between us but that does not mean we can't be friends with her when she is able to get away from her family and have a normal life." Micca said as he wondered what she would be like as Kodachi and not the Black Rose.

"Why don't we go down and talk to momma and poppa?" Setsuko said as she got up to leave the room.

"Alright let's take the letters they may need to read them to help us make our decisions." Micca said to a depressed Ranko as she rose.

"Alright, but I am afraid I agree with mom I will be friends maybe but not siblings." Ranko said with a confused look in her eyes.

"We agree sis!" Micca and Setsuko both said at the same time.

(l(l(l)l)l)

*RING; RING; RING*

"Nekohanten how may I help you?" Cologne said as she answered the telephone.

"Yes, I will be there tomorrow early yes that will be fine. I would like to...let me talk to her if she refuses she will be sent home. Yes alright thank you." Cologne spoke softly as Shampoo cleaned up after the dinner rush.

Cologne hung up the phone and looked down thoughtfully a scowl on her face. She finished cleaning the kitchen then made tea for the conversation to come. She moved into the dining room toward the table used for the meeting about two weeks or so ago. She sat the tray down on the table and watched as Shampoo finished mopping then put her cleaning instruments away. She came back into the dining room and sat down at the table.

"Shampoo you and I have to talk and what you do when we are done will either end your right to be my heir or make your claim stronger." Cologne said as she poured tea for her and her granddaughter.

"Maybe we can help make that decision." Cologne cringed as she turned to see Silverwind and Lilac.

"You are here because?" Cologne asked her eyes narrowed.

"Silverfire has been sending me reports especially of your granddaughter's attempts to force Ranko to be Ranma again." Silverwind raised her hand and scowled.

"My granddaughter though not as proficient as I am, she is getting better and read her intentions when they were last here! Your granddaughter is an opened book to us even without touching her. She wants to force Ranko to Jusenkyo to bring back Ranma and force him to marry her!" Silverwind snarled as she glared at a defiant Shampoo.

"I see and you Lilac?" Cologne asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Silverwind said the Amazon nation needed to give a gift to the royal family and the people of Japan in honor of the new alliance. We are still working on for the royal couple of Illondra and the twins they just had." Lilac said as she and Silverwind moved to the table.

"Shampoo get cups for our guests." Cologne frowned at her granddaughter who got up and retrieved two more cups.

When Shampoo returned the adults stopped talking as soon as she entered the room. Shampoo tried not to show fear as all three glared at her. She did not care what they said she was going to get Ranma back or kill Ranko if she had to. They would not keep her from her rightful Airen.

"Shampoo, tell me something how did Ranma beat you? You never did tell me." Cologne asked her voice told Shampoo not to refuse.

"I tell great grandmother Airen challenged Shampoo! Shampoo told him if he win we married." Shampoo fidgeted as she knew that was a lie but she did not want any other male.

"I see and he continued with the challenge?" Lilac asked her with a sugary sweet smile.

"Yes." Shampoo lied as she remembered what had happened but used it to get out of her arranged marriage with Mousse.

"Hummm, then why do your memories keep showing your trying to kill the Tendo girl and Ranma knocking _not you_ but your weapon from your grasp?" Silverwind asked as Shampoo's eyes bulged from their sockets.

"AIREN BEAT SHAMPOO! HE SHAMPOO'S!" She screamed as she got to her feet.

"Sit down girl!" Lilac snarled as she used her staff and tapped Shampoo's shiatsu points.

"Not according to your old laws or the new ones. Your own weapon defeated you _MARRY IT_!" Silverwind snarled as Shampoo could not help but cringe this time as the dragon's maul was superimposed over her face.

"My granddaughter had told me what you planned to do the last time they were here so the council has taken the decision from Cologne. You will not be her heir. Since you refuse to follow the laws to they have been changed to we will make an example of you!" Lilac said as Cologne gasped and looked frightened at her granddaughter.

"What are you going to do?" Cologne asked not wanting this to be happening.

"It is quite simple first which of your sister's daughters will be your replacement heir."

"If Shampoo refuses to honor our alliance and the new laws I will have to replace her as my heir with Cognac her eldest she has been working with the other elders in an effort to help when needed." Shampoo stared at her great grandmother with shock.

"I heir to great grandmother! Not stupid Cognac!" Shampoo would have stood but she was still paralyzed.

"Not if you do not stop trying to force Ranko to be your Airen! Ranma is dead the only thing remaining of him is Cerulean! It is your choice be your grandmother's heir or be a village slave!" Lilac told the young girl!

"Sla...Slave!" Shampoo asked as she stared at Lilac with wide frightened eyes.

"Yes we will not allow Ranko to show you mercy you have done nothing but push your prideful wants onto her and refuse to honor our alliance with Illondra! We thought of locking your curse but we felt it would be more beneficial to let others that refuse to change to see what would become of them if they didn't." Lilac told the girl as images of being the sexual toy of every male in the village and being the punching bag and servant of every female as well ran through Shampoo's mind.

"That law has never been used Lilac! Was it not removed during the rewrite?" Cologne asked as she hid the fear from her voice but not her eyes.

"No it has not on both counts Cologne but you have tried everything and she still refuses to listen. It is now her choice. Stay your heir or be the village slave for the rest of her life." Lilac glared at Shampoo as the young girl's mind went over what her life would be like if she did not accept.

"The council has decided to overlook the lie about the challenge because it brought us an important alliance. We will not however overlook her refusal to follow laws the council ratified and the revoking of her 'Kiss of Marriage' and 'Kiss of Death'. So what is your answer Shampoo and it better not be 'Ranma is my Airen' because we all know it is not true!" Lilac glared at the young girl her frown deepening, as Shampoo was about to say that but quickly closed her mouth at the glares of the two elders and silver dragon before her.

Shampoo's mind went over her options she could still force Ranma to be hers once she got them to Jusendo valley as she thought of ways to get back her Airen. Then images of her being continually abused both physically and sexually by the village. She would not survive that and her great grandmother could not help her. She would have to sleep with the animals and she would be used as fodder in battles with the Musk and Phoenix people. Shampoo's shoulders slumped as she realized she had no choice and she looked up at the women before her with a sad frown.

"Shampoo no force Air...Ranko be husband! Shampoo want be great grandmother's heir." Shampoo told the women then she leaned back when Lilac stood before her.

"You will sign this in your blood girl! It is a contract you will never as long as you live ever force Ranko or any male to marry you under the penalty of becoming the village slave!" Lilac placed the document on the table and a small dagger slammed into it pinning the paper to the table.

Shampoo reached out with shaky hands as she pulled the dagger from the table and made a cut in her index finger and signed her name to the paper. She then threw the dagger and paper across the table a scowl on her pretty face.

"Just remember Shampoo you try anything we will know immediately and your grandmother cannot cover it up. This contract you signed is magically enhanced by dragon magic and if you break any part of what is written here it will activate and exchange you and Cognac." Lilac left the rest hanging as Shampoo nodded her eyes wide with fear.

"Is that necessary?" Cologne asked afraid her granddaughter would not be able to control herself around the Aurora children.

"Yes her attempt was not just against Ranko but Micca and Setsuko as well. We cannot afford to lose our alliance with the Faerie Realm even worse we absolutely cannot lose the alliance to the other tribes in the valley." Lilac told Cologne as she glared at the purple haired warrior.

"Now enough about Shampoo, she will do what is required or suffer the consequences. We brought the gifts from the Amazons for the royal family and the people of Japan. We will have the gifts for the Royal family of Illondra when the Auroras return to the Faerie realm." Lilac said as she put one large box and three small ones on the table.

Cologne put them in her hyperspace then looked at her granddaughter from the sides of her eyes a frown not only on her face but on Shampoo's as well. She then turned her attention back to their visitors. She smiled at the dragon as she began to speak.

"So are you now bound to earth Lady Dracon? Cologne asked with a raised eyebrow.

"No child no I am just here to make sure the new laws are enforced and do not go back to the prideful ones of the last thousand or so years. They were very counterproductive." Aneika said with a laughter that whispered like a breeze through the trees.

"Though if it is alright with you I would like to go with you tomorrow just as far as where the emissaries are to see my granddaughter before you go to court." The silver haired elf said with a proud smile.

"Are the metallic dragons looking for an alliance with this plane as well?" Cologne asked a bit curious.

"No, not at all, our alliance is with Queen Tatiana and King Oberon. We will however help them if they must come to the aid of this world." Lady Aneika explained to the two elders and distracted warrior.

"Very well we are leaving early around four we need to discuss our plans for when we meet the Emperor and how we will address the Amazons' alliance with the Faerie Realm and what they can expect from both of us." Cologne said as she looked at the other elder and dragon.

"Very well I will return then tomorrow morning." Aneika said as she and Lilac rose and left the Nekohanten.

Cologne sighed as she rose and left a still thinking Shampoo. She was getting to old for this. She headed upstairs to her room and left the young warrior to come to grips with her future if she did not stop these attempts to reclaim what she never had to begin with. She was now sorry she never forced the marriage between Shampoo and Mousse as he would have been a part of this adventure either way and she would have had a Sylph as a part of her family.

(l(l(l)l)l)

The compound came alive at four o'clock as all residents were in front of the dojo being trained. The glows from the six people filled the yard like the sun. One member just sat on the porch drinking tea as the glows turned her silver hair to a shimmering rainbow. She watched as the sapphire blue duck and two kittens worked out with the family and marveled at the skill of the animals. She then smiled as she watched the Aurora elders work out with the Aurora triplets. She felt them long before they came near the house she had already gotten the guests chairs and had tea waiting for them.

"Hello grandmother, Cologne, Shampoo." Shampoo's name was said with disdain and anger.

"It is alright granddaughter the Amazon council has put into place something that will prevent any more pain to young Ranko and her siblings." Lady Aneika told her scowling granddaughter.

"We will see grandmother we will see. Please sit down they are just about finished." Lady Victoria said as Cologne and Aneika took the offered chairs and cups of tea, Shampoo just sat on the steps to the porch and watched the workout.

Shampoo's eyes fell first to Ranko the longing evident but her wanting the martial artist was not against the contract she signed. Her gaze then fell on the other two Aurora children. She scowled at not only Mousse but also Ukyo. She should be there it should be her right as her Airen's wife. She then hung her head, as she knew deep down she would have never married Ranma he did not love her or even want anything to do with her way of life.

Her gaze was soon drawn to the blue duck and kittens. As she watched, she realized they were doing the art. She watched amazed that her Air...Ranko could even train animals but not the violent-kitchen destroyer. Though, she was not sure if he even tried. Shampoo watched as the kittens began to grow to their larger forms. It still amazed her to see that. She watched as they worked in that form as well but still could not beat the duck.

"Greetings Elder, Lady Aneika, Shampoo." Shampoo did not miss the anger in the voice of the mother of the desire of her heart.

"Please would you like to wait here or come inside while we wash up and get ready? It won't take us long." Nodoka said as she smiled down at the women.

"We will wait here child it is a beautiful morning." Cologne told them her gaze on the horizon.

She watched as it started to glow in bright reds, oranges, and purples. She did not hear as the Auroras went inside she just sat and reflected on the meeting for today and the one from yesterday. She looked down when she felt something pull her hair. At the bottom of her chair was the two kittens playing with her hair. She smiled down at the kittens then started moving a strand and watched as the kittens jumped at that moving target.

"They do that to me and Ranko all the time. It is very difficult to sleep when they start doing that though." Cologne and the others looked up to see Setsuko standing in the doorway watching her kittens play.

"I noticed the duck and kittens workout with you?" Cologne asked as she smiled at the young girl.

"Well Ranko had taught Kiri chi blasts so we thought they needed to be able to fight as well. I mean they have natural weapons but sometimes they can't use them because of the innocents around them." Setsuko smiled at the kittens as they smacked into each other as they charged the moving, waving hair from opposite sides.

"How is the Queen doing my dear?" Cologne asked as she looked at Setsuko when her gaze fell on Shampoo.

"She is fine the twins are great. When they get old enough we are going to train them so that what happened to Oberus won't happen again." The rage that came across her elfin face, made the others shiver.

"*GIGGLE* Tag your it Micca!" The giggles and laughter of the other two children drew Setsuko's attention then she disappeared into the house.

"TAG SETSUKO'S IT NOW!" Micca's voice was so full of love and happiness that Cologne could not believe it was he.

"Breakfast is ready." The people on the porch looked up to see Nodoka standing there a small smile on her face at her guests.

The people rose and headed into breakfast. Nodoka had fixed a typical Japanese breakfast, which everyone enjoyed. However, Shampoo just pushed her food around her plate as she glared at Setsuko through her lashes. As they ate, they talked about the meeting with the royal couple of Japan. As the time drew closer, a knock was heard at the door. Setsuko went to answer under the hateful gaze of Shampoo. Setsuko came back leading Hiromi. The lawyer smiled as Nodoka asked her joins them for breakfast.

"Oh I already ate. Besides, we need to get going. The meeting was pushed up an hour. So we need to leave now." She smiled apologetically at the group but they all just smiled at her.

They rose as Lady Aneika returned to the village. The family moved through the house and gathered their things as they expected to return to Illondra after the meeting since the Prime Minister still had no openings for the United Nations. They moved out the door Hiromi locked it up behind them. They moved to and through the gate, which was locked behind them.

"Do we need to teleport?" Lady Victoria asked as she looked at a sullen Hiromi.

"No they are sending a limo and I am a bit confused." Hiromi said with a scowl.

"Why is that not normal? After all we are here as emissaries from the Royal House of Illondra." The elfin dragon continued.

"No it is not normal." Hiromi said as her scowl depended.

"Then I say let's go to the palace on our own. If they did send a car we will just say it was late." The dragon cast the teleportation spell after getting a location from Hiromi's mind.

Before Hiromi could stop her, the entire party disappeared. They however were just missed not by the Emperor's limonene but a black van with a group of mercenaries. They jumped out of the van looking for their targets. They tried the gate and found it locked. The leader scowled and sent two men over the wall. He became angry when they came back saying the place was locked up tight. He pulled out a cell phone and waited.

"Get me Jackson!" The leader waited for the person he requested.

"Their gone! I don't know where! They probably went to see the Emperor!" The voice of the lead mercenary got angrier as he listened.

"ARE YOU NUTS? ATTACK THE ROYAL PALACE!?" The man was getting frustrated with this gajin doctor.

"*DEEP SIGH* We do not attack the Emperor of Japan and you Jackson had best be careful, hold on!" The leader turned to one of his subordinates an angry scowl at the interruption until he handed him his cell phone with a text message being displayed.

"Contact the head of Tanaka Labs find out if this idiot has gone rogue and tell him he is demanding we attack the palace!" The leader turned back to his cell phone then notified the head office of the problem.

The leader was in his early forties and was five feet seven and half. He had a muscular build and dark leather like skin from being in the sun. He was Japanese as was the rest of his team. They wore military camouflage fatigues and black army boots. His face was square and there were wrinkles forming at the edge of his black angry eyes. He had a short slightly bulbous nose over a pair of thin cruel lips.

"You better back off Jackson you are about to start an international war. I don't care! You lost them the first time not us! Besides according the message from headquarters, these people are _off limits_. Everyone pullout this mission is over!" The leader told his men as they all piled into the van.

"Headquarters will be contacting Tanaka directly about your going against our government's wishes! We are now under strict orders to protect them whenever they are here so that means you try, this again and we will end it and you!" The man hung up his rage flowed over him and his entire van.

"Get me headquarters I want to talk to the general." As he waited and tried to calm down the soldier did as ordered and made contact with their, own bosses.

"Yeah I told him, but I don't think he will give up! I don't believe they are what he says they are. It doesn't matter one way or the other! The Prime Minister and Emperor have placed them under their protection! That's right they didn't tell you that did they! You could have checked it was sent to all military commands! Then learn to do your job..._SIR_!" The man hung up and handed the phone back to the solider his brow knitted in rage.

"Go to the palace! Even if we don't get in the guards will take him a message." The colonel glared as his driver turned toward the Japanese palace.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Jackson hung up the phone his face a mask of rage! He wanted those Faeries he did not care if the Japanese government put them off limits. If he had to he would capture them then take them out of Japanese jurisdiction. He was brought out of his introspective as his office door slammed open.

"Dr. Daniel Jackson?" The doctor looked at the five soldiers before him, he fidgeted as he stared at the rifles over their shoulders.

"Ye...Yes I am Daniel Jackson what can I do for you?" The doctor asked as he stared at the men nervously.

"Sir we are to escort you to our offices along with the head of this lab which we already have in custody." The man said as he waved in two of his men to take the doctor.

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!? I am a United States Citizen!" He screamed as they jerked him to his feet.

"That is here under a work permit by the Japanese government and is subject to our laws and government commands!" The doctor was led out to the van.

Jackson was forced into the van and was sat next to his boss. He did not even acknowledge him, as he looked straight forward and out the front window. Each time Jackson tried to talk to him, his boss glared at him out of the corner of his eyes then faced front again. After five attempts, the doctor gave up.

(l(l(l)l)l)

The Illondra emissaries appeared in front of the gate to the palace. The guards jumped with fright and pulled their guns. Hiromi shook her head and scowled at the silver dragon turned elf. Then turned and faced the gate not moving any closer to it. She announced whom they were and that they had an appointment with the Royal family.

"I am Hiromi Masaki I am acting liaison between the emissaries of King Oberon and Queen Tatiana of Illondra. We have a nine o'clock appointment with the Royal family. Though I am not sure, we were scheduled for eleven but I received a call from the Emperor's assistant asking we come at nine and that they were sending transportation." Hiromi told the guards who stared at her then one moved to the telephone and quickly relayed what she had said.

"There was no change in your time Masaki-san but Nogata-san says to allow you in while they look into it." The guard signaled for the gates to be opened and he led the group to the palace.

They were met at the door by a man in a butler's uniform who nodded to the guard then took control of the group and led them to a waiting room. As they, moved slowly through the palace the children tried hard to contain their excitement. Even though they were now citizens of Illondra they were still part Japanese and were excited to meet him and his family. They were escorted into a private waiting area. The butler then bent down to try and pick up the duck, and kittens only to have Cerulean start to form an electrical attack.

"No Cerulean!" Ranko said as she grabbed the duck as her mother stepped forward.

"We were told the animals could come with us. I am afraid they will not allow the children out of their sight and protect them ferociously." Nodoka nodded to the animals.

As the kittens transformed, which to the butler's credit, he acted if, it was nothing new. It was however, a different story as Cerulean took over the entire room. The poor man nearly fell over backward and would have it it was not for the fact Micca was behind him and prevented it. The blue dragon put his maul into the face of the butler and growled low. The man nodded and with the help of Micca was able to leave the room. Cerulean returned to his duck form and waddled over to Ranko and Micca when he returned to his seat. He then sat in Ranko's lap so he would be near all three children.

"I suppose that was necessary. Poor man I just wish people would quit with the 'them protect the children?' comments. Though he didn't say it he was going to." Seran said with a frown.

"Well at least we don't get it back home any longer." Raist said as he reached down and ruffled the blue duck's feathers.

"QUACK!" Cerulean quacked indignantly at the mage.

"I am glad we are leaving after this meeting I need to let her majesty know that we were being threatened again by Tanaka labs or another lab all together." Nodoka scowled as suddenly several flutes began to play and Setsuko leaned against Ranko to listen.

"It seems some of the sprites and pixies play the flute. Just let the music wash over you guys it will make you calm before the meeting." Hiromi said as she also listened, as it had been a long time since she heard the lovely strains of a Faerie played flute.

As they waited to be seen by either the Emperor or his assistant, they all leaned back and listened quietly to the music being played for them. Micca and Setsuko leaned into Ranko from opposite sides and listened lazily. Nodoka watched as they yawned deeply but refused to fall asleep. Raist had sat next to the door and heard footfalls as they came closer. He signaled the small Faeries and they darted into the long locks of the Aurora clan though the ones assigned to him took residence in his hair as well.

The footsteps stopped outside the waiting room. There was a long pause at the door then it opened. The man stood and glared at the animals. But quickly looked away when he spotted Raist glaring at him. He moved to Seran and ignoring Nodoka bowed to him alone. Seran raised an eyebrow. Hiromi stepped in front of the man and glared at him.

"This is Seran and Nodoka Aurora the leaders of the Aurora clan and protectors of the royal house of Illondra!" Hiromi growled as the man showed little concern of his treatment of the matriarch of the Aurora clan.

"I am Ryoushi Nogata the personal assistant of the Emperor. He is not able to see you until your original time. I was made to understand that someone called you pretending to be me." He asked ignoring the lawyer and looking directly at Seran.

"I have no idea Masaki-san is our liaison and lawyer during this and she was the one that received the call.

The man looked at the lawyer still standing in front of him her face a mask of rage. Ryoushi Nogata stood five feet eight inches tall. He was thin and wiry but held a presence of great power. He had black hair cut close to his head but not a military buzz cut. His dark brown eyes were small but not beady. He had a long thin nose that ended over a pair of medium full lips. He was wearing a dark charcoal gray double-breasted suit. Pinned to his right lapel was a small silver cone it was an open filigree design of swirls. It was used to hold a flower to his lapel. It was holding a red rose with a sprig of white babies breathe. Under his jacket, he wore a white dress shirt with a dark red tie and black loafers.

"The call came at seven o'clock this morning. At first I was inclined to believe it was a legitimate call until the caller said a car would pick everyone up." Nogata raised an eyebrow, as it was unusual for the Emperor to do such a thing.

"Did anyone wait for the car?" He asked as this would have been the best thing to do." He glared at the lawyer before him.

"No, if it was Tanaka labs again we did not wish to have a war started when the Emperor through the Prime Minister promised us they would not need to worry about them again." Hiromi stepped closer to the man who tried to step back but found his path blocked.

He looked over his shoulder and found a ghoul on a stick behind him. He was surprised he could not move her perched on the staff but it was like hitting a brick wall. He turned to face her and gulped at the cold stare she gave him. He opened his mouth but closed it quickly as she moved closer to him.

"I am Cologne of the Joketsuzoku Amazons my tribe has an alliance with the King and Queen of Illondra. I would hate to have to notify the Emperor that his assistant was responsible for notifying Tanaka laboratory to the whereabouts of the Aurora clan!" Cologne snarled as the man's face suddenly filled with shock.

"I never called anyone, their visit is considered national security! Besides I had no idea where they were staying." Nogata told the old woman.

"Then you had better start showing respect for the matriarch of their clan or you will find yourself and Japan out in the cold where Illondra and the Amazons are concern!" Raist said as he stepped forward not liking this man and his attitude.

"I suggest Nogata-san that you find out _who_ told Tanaka where the Aurora clan was staying and do it before we see the Emperor for I will be telling him of the incident and you might want to cover your ass as soon as possible." Hiromi said as she waved the man off as he headed for the door he turned and stared at the animals.

"Those things will not be broug...!" He is cut off by Raist.

"Actually yes they are or you will find the palace leveled because _you_ kept them from their job of protecting the children." Raist then turned from the man as Hiromi escorted him out before he asked the same question everyone kept asking about the animals.

"Do you think someone on the staff of the Emperor contacted Tanaka?" Nodoka asked frightened as she looked at her beautiful children.

"I don't know. I didn't tell anyone about the house. Unless someone in the court of Tatiana did it, but they do not know enough about earth to do that." Hiromi said as Rohn came into her mind.

"I wish grandmother was here. She is so much better at gleaning information from humans without having to be to close." Lady Victoria said as she glared at the door.

"He is telling the truth though he does not like women of authority and will snub them when he can he did not contact the laboratory." The group turned to Cerulean-Ranma as he smiled at the shocked look on the silver elf dragon's face.

"What? I have lived as long if not longer than your grandmother and I know how to do the same thing." He glared at Lady Dracon with a wry smile, which defeated the anger behind the scowl.

"How close do you have to be?" Lady Dracon asked though not intending to be rude she had a plan.

"As a dragon not that close as a duck I do not know my full distance but I could read him as he entered the hallway to this room." Cerulean told her as he looked curiously at the silver haired woman.

"That is good enough. I want you to search people's minds as we pass rooms and people the more we test before we meet the Emperor the better we can defend ourselves and the Aurora clan." She told Cerulean who nodded at her.

"Then when we get back home you will work with me on training how to increase my ability do gleam information from a distance and I will help you in your human and duck form. This is a technique we need to have especially here to protect our family!" Lady Victoria said with a deep angry scowl as Cerulean nodded.

"You don't really think the Emperor or his staff would do this do you." Nodoka asked shocked at her impugning the integrity of her Emperor.

"No not him or his family but it is not the first time an employee of the crown had betrayed that crown." Lady Victoria said with determination.

"I will do as you ask I will quack if I find the culprit." Cerulean told her as he returned to his duck form and crawled back into Ranko's lap snuggling deeper into her lap when Setsuko reached over and scratched his back.

"I don't feel right about this! He is the Emperor!" Nodoka said with shock and fear.

"It must be done to protect you and the others that follow. We must know if they can be trusted." The silver elf said as she looked at the children who seemed to be ignoring them but Silverfire knew better.

(l(l(l)l)l)

The black van pulled up outside a military compound as they parked near the entrance of the main complex the mercenaries got out of the van. As men exited the van, they dragged Tanaka and Jackson with them. They pulled them through the build deeper into the interior. Jackson tried to get a good look around if he had to find his way out later. The problem was that he could not as they kept dragging him passed hallway after hallway that looked like the previous hall. They finally stopped in front of a nondescript door. The door was opened and both men were pushed inside. The door slammed behind them. The two men heard the click as the door was locked from the outside.

Jackson looked around the room. It had bare gray walls one window with blinds. There was a rectangle shaped oak table large enough for six people to sit at but there were only chairs enough for four. The chairs were also oak and were straight back dining chairs without arms. He looked to his boss as he sat at the table his back straight and his eyes fixed on something on the wall across from him that only he could see. That frightened Jackson. He was after all only doing what he was told to do. Tanaka wanted the Faeries even though it was forbidden under penalty of jail. He wanted to be the first to dissect them and see what made them tick so to speak. Jackson deep down was happy they were not captured. He was not going to take the fall for this and if Tanaka thought he was he was sorely mistaken.

Jackson turned to face the door as it was being unlocked on the other side. Tanaka did not move he continued to stare at the wall across from him. Jackson watched as it opened and a decorated soldier walked in. By his insignia, Jackson saw he was a general. The man was accompanied by a lieutenant and three privates with very large guns. The general and lieutenant sat down. The general pointed to the chair next to Tanaka as he looked at Jackson. The doctor moved to the chair and sat down trying not to touch his employer.

"Now, Tanaka-san Colonel Komoshi notified me after his attempt to capture Nodoka and Ranma Saotome. I then informed him they were under the protection of the Japanese government and were to be left alone. Imagine my surprise when I found out the communication operator at Colonel Komoshi's office was under your payroll and was ordered by you not to notify him of their standing." The general glared at the fifty-something man as he sat in his chair as if he was a stone statue.

Tanaka was fifty-eight years old, his black hair riddled with gray but most of the gray was at the temples of his round face. He had dark brown eyes almost black that were medium in size. They framed his short slightly bulbous nose that sat over a pair of thin angry lips. He stood five feet seven inches and was thin and frail looking but he held a countenance of great strength. He wore a navy pinstriped single-breasted suit which had a white handkerchief in the breast pocket. Under the jacket, he wore a sky blue shirt adorned by a satin necktie of sapphire blue with a paisley print in all the colors of the rainbow. On his feet, he wore black loafers with tassels just where the top of the shoe met the sides.

"You are mercenaries what do you care what the government wants!" Tanaka snarled out as Jackson looked between the two men as they fought for dominance.

"We are all ex-military. The government gave us a license to operate in this country. We by that contract must adhere to what is in the best interest of Japan and follow what they decree. That includes protecting the two _people_ you want to murder!" The general snarled back but his attention was finally on Jackson.

"THEY'RE NOT HUMAN THEY'RE FAERIES! DON'T YOU SEE THE INFORMATION WE COULD GET WOULD BE INVALUEABLE! WE COU...!" Jackson sat back down and stared into the muzzle of an AK-47.

"They are Japanese Citizens that were taken to this Illondra to become emissaries of the rulers, rulers that want to trade with earth!" The general snarled at both men.

"AH I see now you want to get a foothold in that realm to take it over by force." Tanaka said with a sadistic grin.

"If we could but study the two we want we could find their weaknesses and thus allow our Emperor the information he needs to depose the existing rulers.

"I can't talk with you. Tanaka-san you are now under arrest your company will be closed until the government can decide what to do with it." The general waved the privates forward and at the point of a gun led the two men out toward a holding cell.

"General the doctor was only following Tanaka's orders." The lieutenant said with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes but he knew they were off limits and protected guests of the Emperor and Prime Minister." The general said as he got up and left.

After several minutes, the lieutenant rose and walked out the door. As he left, he turned off the lights and closed the door. His head bowed he followed his commander toward their offices. He wondered what it was like in this other world. Was it truly a world of myths and legends? He wondered if there were real unicorns, dragons, trolls, and such. He sighed as he entered his office and closed the door. He wondered if he could crossover as well.

(l(l(l)l)l)

The time had arrived that the emissaries of the King and Queen of Illondra was taken to meet with the Emperor and Empress of Japan. As they walked through the palace, the children held tightly to their animals. Ranko and Setsuko each had a kitten while Micca carried Cerulean-duck. The children looked around and marveled at the difference between this palace and Queen Tatiana's palace. Though not as opulent, it was still very beautiful.

They moved quietly through the palace except for Cologne as her cane made a tapping with each step. Raist decided to add to the tapping so that Nogata would quit glaring at the Amazon matriarch. However, he could not help but smirk when Cologne got tired of the glaring and returned his glare back at him tenfold, which made him shrink away.

"Shampoo not like sour man!" Shampoo whispered to her great grandmother but her eyes were glued to the back of Ranko.

"Every royal couple has at least one child. They have in their minds they are more important then others because of their station as the Emperor's assistant." Cologne whispered back as an image or Rohn came to her mind.

They had walked passed many rooms and offices. All were filled with people talking as they did their jobs. The emissaries noticed that when they passed a room of people the workers stopped talking and watched them walk by the room. None of the people knew they were having their minds scanned by the blue duck with amber reptilian eyes. As they moved passed each room Cerulean did as Lady Dracon had asked and he found that of the Emperor's employees none were traitors. Cerulean turned at a gentle touch as they neared the throne room. He looked to see a quizzical expression on Lady Dracon's face. He shook his head and she nodded and went to tell Hiromi-san.

The group was led into the throne room of the Emperor and Empress. As they were led to the thrones, the three Royal family members watched as they came forward. The teenage son of the Emperor kept his eye glued to the sapphire blue duck as he decided no matter what the duck would be his.

The entire party bowed low to the royal family except the Amazons. They bowed only half as deep since they were a race of warrior _women_ but they still showed their respect by bowing at all. The group, stood and they waited for the Emperor to address them.

"Greetings to you and the royal house of the land of Illondra." The Emperor started.

"Greetings sire, to you from the throne of Illondra." Seran stepped forward his arm linked through Nodoka's arm as he led her forward.

"In honor of our alliance the Crown of Illondra has sent you and the people of Japan gifts." Nodoka said as she stepped forward, handed out the gifts to each member of the royals before her leaving the larger package between the thrones of the Emperor, and is wife.

"And you are?" The Emperor said preventing his wife and son from opening their gifts yet.

"I am Cologne of the Joketsuzoku Amazons we are the first in alliance with the Crown of Illondra. We have also signed an alliance with the Prime Minister for your country." Cologne told them as she moved forward and bowed slightly before giving each their gifts then taking out a large package just over four feet tall.

"These are the Amazons gifts to the Crown of Japan and its people." Cologne said as the Emperor looked at her confused then dawning struck him.

"AH yes the Valley of Jusendo and the 'Springs of Sorrow'." The Emperor said with a warm smile.

"Yes sire." Cologne said as she stepped back in between her great granddaughter and Ranko as Shampoo had tried to move closer to the Sylph.

"Excuse me husband may I?" The Empress asked her husband who nodded a bit confused.

"Aurora-san my son wishes to have the sapphire duck as his gift." The Empress said as she stared longingly at the duck.

"NO!" The Aurora triplets all shouted at once.

"Hush children, remember your manners!" Nodoka said soothingly to her children.

{"Don't worry my darlings Cerulean is not part of this exchange!"} Nodoka telepathically communicated with her children, as that was hers and Seran's gift during their last rebirth.

"I am sorry majesty but the Crown of Illondra does not offer its citizens as gifts. Cerulean is more then he seems. He has soul bonded with our children and in so doing has taken the Jusenkyo curses from Ranko and Micca. His true form is to frightening for humans and Faeries alike so he uses the duck form or his human form." Nodoka explained to the Emperor who nodded as he remembered the report from when Tanaka Labs first tried to capture the two Saotome women.

"So the reports were accurate he is a blue dragon?" The Emperor leaned forward licking his lips slightly as he looked at the duck.

"Yes sire and he has the right to turn down or accept your request on his own. However, if he is forced then I fear there is nothing here on this planet that could stop an angry dragon." Nodoka continued as she watched the prince out of the corner of her eyes, as he was getting angrier.

"Then Cerulean will remain with you dear lady, the last thing I want to be remembered for is bringing down the wrath of a dragon on our empire." The Emperor stated as he smiled down at the blue duck.

"WHAT! I AM THE PRINCE I DEMAND THA...!" The prince stopped as dragon fear over powered him.

The royal family stared not only into the maul of an angry blue dragon but that of a silver dragon as well. Nodoka and Seran each lightly touched the dragon's flanks as they did so the silver became Lady Dracon and Cerulean instead of his duck became his Cerulean-Ranma form and glared at the prince as he collapsed back into his throne.

"I do apologize, sire but they do not tolerate those that will hurt the children. Be it physical or mental." Raist said as he stepped forward and glared at the prince causing him to shrink back in his throne.

"It is understandable I am afraid my son is behaving quite badly." The Emperor glared not only at his son but also at his wife as she started to open her mouth in defense of her son's right to take what he wanted.

"Now if we may open these lovely packages?" The Emperor asked as Nodoka, Seran and Cologne nodded.

The Emperor tore into his packages like a child at Christmas. The gift from the royal couple was the first. He stared down at an amulet three inches across formed from platinum and hung from a thirty-inch chain of platinum, the links were small and in the shape of Faerie wings. The medallion was shaped as a midlevel shield used in the coat of arms at that time. The background was done with black and white diamonds where they were magically enhanced to merged, together showing Shadows for Oberon and Light for Tatiana. On the shield done in pink sapphires was a pair of Faerie wings overlaid by a sword in platinum crossed by a staff of gold. This was the crest of the Royal house of Illondra. He stared transfixed at the black and white diamond his fingers rubbing over it gently. He then took hold of the platinum change and put the medallion over his head and then lifted the medallion in his hand and stared at it again.

He drew himself from the strange diamond and took up the gift from the Amazon Nation. He stared down at a ringlet of gold. The gold was made into a round thin solid tube that met in the front. At each end of the ringlet, tube was an Asian style dragon's maul. The two mauls met in the middle each dragon held half of the five carat emerald.

"These are magnificent just saying thank you is not, enough." The emperor said as he put the ringlet on his head, as he liked it was not as gaudy as some crowns tended to be.

He looked to his wife as she gasped and removed the gift from Illondra from its box. She pulled free a tiara made with the same black and white magically merged diamonds giving the shadow and light effect. The center design of the tiara was the same medieval shield design as the medallion of the Emperor though about a third the size of the medallion. Around the center design, the shadow and light diamonds were sculpted into an open weave design of flowering vines the highest point above the shield at four inches. The shadow and light diamonds were used to make the vines and leaves the placed sporadically around the 'ivy' were pink sapphires shaped magically into Sakura blossoms. She placed the tiara on her head and wished she had a mirror to see it again.

She then reached for the Amazons gift and began to open the package. The Empress removed a set of two clasps for her hair. One clasp was in silver one in gold. They were identical as the clasps were an Asian dragon holding its tail. The mouth and tail separate to be placed around the hair. The eyes of the dragons were made of rubies for the silver dragon clasp and sapphires for the gold dragon clasp eyes.

"Their beautiful did your people make them?" The Empress first looked to Cologne then Nodoka.

"Yes highnesses the Amazons have many warriors who also enjoy the making of such items." Cologne said to the royal couple.

"Yes the same is true for the court of Illondra." Nodoka said as she smiled at the two adults.

The parents of the prince turned to him as he stared down at the two new rings on his fingers they saw a bit of awe and a smile of pleasure on his face. The prince received from Illondra a ring that again using the same motif of the shield it was placed in a ring that fits on any finger and would magically size itself to fit. The shield was surrounded by the shadow and light diamonds that surround the shield. The ring was platinum. He touched the ring and his smile grew. He then caressed the ring he received from the Amazons. The ring the Amazon's gave him was done in the dragon motif and it was made of gold and was an Asian style dragon that where again the maul had a hold of its tail. Where the mouth and tail met was a large three-carat emerald.

The royal couple then opened the gifts for the people of Japan. The Empress took the box between the thrones and was surprised at its weight while her husband got up to open the gift the Amazon's had given them. He was still amazed that the two and half foot woman could pull such a large package from nowhere.

The Empress gasped and before the Emperor could open his package, he turned and stared in awed silence at the gift that was given to the Japanese people as its newest national treasure. It was a crystal decanter and glass set the crystal was actually the shadow and light diamonds. The decanter had a large round bottom the size of a large grapefruit. The stem of the decanter was about two inches in diameter and came up about eight inches. The mouth opened to three inches and resembled a blooming Sakura blossom. The stopper was a small crystal ball of three inches with a stopper that fit inside the neck for about an inch and half. The stopper was the same shadow and light diamond. On the front of the decanter in the center of the base was the shield design with a platinum backing. There were twelve cups with no handles about the size of a sake cup. They also were made of the shadow and light diamonds like the decanter it was one large diamond shaped magically into the shapes needed and the black and white swirl around merging into one another. On the front of each glass is a smaller version of the Illondra crest. They all sat on a large tray of blue sapphire crystal in the shape of faerie wings.

The Emperor forced himself to turn from the beautiful crystal and began to open the gift given to his people by the Amazons. As he opened the box, he had trouble getting it off the gift. Seran stepped forward and allowed his wings to appear. This caused a gasp from all three royals. He rose above the box and gently pulled free the gift, as he sat it next to the Emperor. The gift was just as magnificent as the Illondra gift. The people of Japan was given a large free standing vase of about four feet high, at the widest it was nearly six feet wide at the base it was four and half feet in diameter. The mouth narrowed from the widest point to a fluted opening of three feet. The vase's design was broken into four murals. One mural was of the Amazon Village the second was of the Musk Citadel with a dragon flying over it. The third mural was of Mount Phoenix and had several Phoenix people flying around the mountain. The last mural was the 'Springs of Sorrow' at the setting of the sun with the sky alive with vibrant colors. Each mural was framed by a raised rectangle painted in bronze the corners were curved inward. In the space between the murals was a sprig of periwinkle that started at the top of the murals and went down to about one-third the way of the mural.

"We are honored to accept these tokens given to us and our people and hope that in these gift a strong alliance is formed between the Royal House of Illondra, the Nation of the Amazons, and the Royal House of Japan." The Emperor bowed deeply to the emissaries of Illondra and the Amazons.

"We have also gifts for the Crown of Illondra and I understand they just had twins? We got this for your tribe Elder Cologne since there is no ruler we got these small tokens for the council." The Emperor said as he and his wife stood and handed the gifts to Nodoka and Cologne.

"Thank you highness." Both women said at the same time as they bowed then made them disappear into hyperspace.

As he bowed so did his wife and with a poke from his mother so did the prince. The prince kept a longing gaze on Cerulean-Ranma as he glared at him. The prince suddenly again felt the dragon fear and closed his eyes as quickly as he could. When they sat back on their thrones, they talked of Illondra and the valley of Jusendo. The Emperor marveled that the scenes depicted on the vase were based on what was in the valley. He would have scoffed at the mythical images until it was explained to him that only the flying people was real. The dragon over the Musk Citadel was because the Prince claimed to be half dragon.

That brought more questions about the valley and Illondra until they were finally interrupted by Nogata as their next group of visitors had arrived for their audience with the royal family. The Illondra group was led out of the throne room their exit watched closely by the prince as Cerulean changed back into his duck form. The prince started to rise from his throne when the clearing of his father's throat forced him back down.

(l(l(l)l)l)

"I received a call from the Prime Minister. He said to tell you that you have an appointment in six months with the United Nations. Here is all the information he gave me." The Emperor handed the piece of paper to Seran who took it with a curt nod read it then handed it to his wife.

Nodoka looked at it and smiled that would give them some time to train and maybe have some free time. She handed the paper to Hiromi, as she would need the information to set up a place to stay and get everything arranged. Hiromi took it and nodded as she put it into her satchel. Hiromi then stepped forward to address the Royal couple.

"Did he also tell you that someone _pretending_ to be your assistant called and told me our appointment with you was moved up to nine o'clock this morning and _you_ were sending a car for us?" Hiromi moved forward as she looked at the Emperor as Cerulean scanned their minds.

"No I was not told of this. Do you know who it was?" The Emperor said was he scowled that his orders were ignored.

"It was Tanaka Laboratories highness. They all turned to see the Emperor's assistance.

"Tanaka hired an elite mercenary group evidently a communication technician was on the Tanaka payroll and waylaid your decree. When they found out they _arrested_ Tanaka and a Doctor Jackson who I understand wanted them to attack the palace to retrieve the Saotome women." Nogata spit out the names of Ranko and her mother.

"Nogata! Mind your manners or find another job!" It was not the Emperor that spoke, but the Empress as she heard the disdain in his voice and was tired of his rudeness to women including her when the Emperor was not present.

"Sorry majesty." Nogata said with a deep bow as he glared sideways at her.

Nogata then informed the Rulers of Japan that their next appointment was waiting. He frowned when all three of the royal family stood and bowed to the emissaries of the Crown of Illondra. The frown deepened when the Empress stepped from her throne and hugged the women and children of the group. Nogata led them to the entrance of the palace, and when they could make it out on their own he turned to head to the waiting room to bring forth the next appointment for the Emperor.

As they entered the small anti-chamber between the outside door of the palace and the inside door they all disappeared in a flash of silver blue light. When they reappeared, it was in an alley next to Hiromi's office. She smiled at both dragons and walked out of the alley. Her clients and friends followed her.

"Thank you Hiromi. The one thing I learned is make sure Cerulean is in human form when we have these visitations. I do not want another episode like today." Nodoka said as she hugged the earth bound Faerie.

"Well at least the next time you should not have to worry about the Labs coming after you. If you like I can find another house?" Hiromi asked, as Nodoka shook her head no.

"I think they will find we are not that easily subdued. I will talk with the queen and see if there is a spell we can cast to protect the compound and house from uninvited visitors." Nodoka said with a warm smile to her new friend.

"Alright let me know what you find out and if I can I will get some of the earth bound Faeries together to cast a pre-spell that will allow us to enter." Hiromi said as it would be a good place for the those bound to earth to have a place to go where they can be just Faeries.

"Alright Hiromi I will do that." Nodoka smiled as she read in the lawyer's face her intentions.

"Elder Cologne thank you for your aid in this but we must figure out how Tanaka got the address. If you think of anything please let us know." Nodoka told her, as she looked contemplative.

"I might have an idea and if the children thought about it they might know as well. I will check then let you know." Cologne said cryptically to the Aurora matriarch.

Nodoka then smiled at Cologne she bowed to her and Shampoo as she had behaved herself that day. Cologne returned the bow and said goodbye then dragged her granddaughter off toward Nerima and the Nekohanten. No one noticed as Ranko watched them leave with sadness on her face no one that was except her brother and sister as they each placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Now let's get going we need to go home and visit with our growing new family." Seran said as he slipped his arm around his wife's waist and kissed her behind her ear.

"EEEEWWWWW!" The triplets' let loose with the standard six-year-old complaint when mom and dad got lovey dovey.

"That is enough from you three!" Nodoka said as she lunged at her children who scattered with happy squeals and giggles.

"Nodoka before you go may I have a word?" Hiromi asked as they moved away from the others as Seran was still chasing his giggling children.

"I have thought about what you asked at the picnic and if you still want me I would be honored to a member of your clan. Then when I can visit home I have a family waiting for me!" Hiromi said as Nodoka hugged her tightly and handed her the Aurora fob.

They hugged again as they flashed from the waiting room. She looked down at the fob and smiled as now she would not be alone any longer. She put the fob around her neck and went to her office as she had some work to get done. As she shut the door her wings appeared as she sat at her desk and finished up the tasks she had waiting for her.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Akane walked home her head bowed in anger. She could not however keep her anger up as her sister Nabiki kept talking with a happy lilt in her voice Akane enjoyed hearing. She was mad because that Miya kept telling her she was not doing her own work. She did not like Miya at all but the others were not to bad. They would ask her how she did parts of her projects and since she had done her own work, she was able to explain it.

She smiled evilly as this made Miya mad. She then sat back as the other instructors would declare her work hers and grade her accordingly. She and Nabiki had taken to bringing more steno pads so they could keep track of the instructors' comments. Akane liked to have one for each subject and she had gotten these stick on tabs to mark where each project notes were.

"Earth to Akane! Earth to Akane are you in there?" Akane had stopped walking and when she came out of her thoughts she found Nabiki in front of her holding one eyelid open with her index finger and thumb looking deep into that eye,.

"AAARRRGGG! DON'T DO THAT!" Akane gasped as she lightly smacked Nabiki's arm away from her eye.

"Oh sorry, but _no_!" Nabiki's laughter wrenched Akane's heart as it brought an image of her mother to her.

"Your laughter sounds like mom's!" Akane said as she now wished Nabiki had laughed more growing up it might have helped ease their pain.

"I do?" Nabiki stopped as she stared at her nodding sister.

"Thank you! I didn't think I got anything from mom." Nabiki said as her eyes filled with tears.

"It is only because you kept it hidden. Now when you laugh, we can both think of mother." Akane said with a warm smile as she draped her arm around Nabiki's shoulder and led her to their home.

"So what are we making for dinner tonight?" Akane asked as she wondered if Nabiki would ever let her pick out what to make.

"I don't know what do you feel like." Nabiki asked thinking now would be a good time to let Akane take the lead on a meal.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! I was just wondering when I could plan a meal." Akane said to a shocked Nabiki.

"Let's go to the store and see what is available I do have an Italian recipe I would like to try. I don't think I would do it on my own just yet but...!" Akane said as she stopped as they entered the store.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Nabiki and Akane entered their home. They slipped out of their outside shoes and into their slippers. They put down their backpacks and headed to the kitchen. As they sorted their ingredients, their father came to the kitchen door and watched as they moved around the kitchen as if they had been doing it all their lives.

"Did you two have a good day at your training?" Soun asked when they spotted him and stopped preparing the meal.

"Yes, well sort of." Akane said with a scowl.

"Oh what went wrong?" Soun asked, as both his daughters seemed a bit angry even Akane was only a bit angry instead of her usual full-blown rage.

"It is Miya-sensei she is always saying Akane is not doing her own work and calls her a lair when she stands up for herself." Nabiki said with a slight scowl.

"Then why not find new instructors?" Soun asked, as he did not like his daughter being insulted like that.

"We can't theirs is the only school around that teaches these courses. Besides the other instructors, believe me. They ask me how I did what I did and since I did do it all by myself then I can tell them." Akane said as she smiled at her sister.

"Oh and that smile?" Soun asked not missing the smile between them.

"Well we aren't saying we don't help each other but I don't do any of her project and she doesn't do any of mine. We ask each other question and we might show the other a stitch or something but it is always on our own projects and then we watch to make sure the other has picked it up." Nabiki continued as she put some of the more perishables into the refrigerator until they were ready for them.

"I see so you are handling it appropriately I am proud of you both." Soun said as his gaze fell on the ingredients on the counter.

"So what are we having for dinner?" Soun asked as his eyebrow rose with curiosity.

"SSSHHHH! It's a secret!" Both girls giggled at the shocked look on their father's face as they pushed him out the door.

Akane and Nabiki began to prepare the meal after serving their father some tea and cookies to tied him over until the dinner was ready. Nabiki worked on all the sides, as since this meal was Akane's idea she would be responsible for the main course. Nabiki watched as Akane took her time and doubled even tripled check each ingredient. Once Nabiki finished with what she needed to do but the pasta. She made dessert of a recipe she found on-line for banana pudding.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Soun sat in the dining room his face a mask of sadness and his mouth in a frown. They had never ever helped Kasumi with the meal preparation or cleaning the house. None of them did, they all let it fall to good-ole Kasumi to be chief cook and bottle washer. However, they did not cater to him as she had done. He guessed they wanted him to grow up for when they moved on.

The frown turned to a smile when he remembered last week after Akane went out with her friends that Nabiki came to him. He was so elated but he and the master was sworn to secrecy or they would feel the wrath of the middle Tendo daughter. Soun had no qualms that Nabiki's Ice Queen façade would come back if he or the master told anyone.

(o)(o) FLASHBACK (o)(o)

"Daddy, can we talk?" Nabiki asked as she stood at the door to the dojo as she had been watching him as he sat in front of the family shrine.

"Of course daughter what can it do for you?" Soun responded as he started to get up but sat back down as Nabiki came into the dojo and closed the door.

"We need to talk but what we say goes no further." Nabiki said as she sat in front of her father.

"My, this sounds interesting?" They looked up and found Happosai sitting next to them but the door was still shut.

"This is a private conversation Happosai!" Nabiki snarled at the old man.

"Then make me leave my dear." Happosai said as he lit his pipe while Nabiki hung her head.

"Then I want you both to promise on what honor is left in your school you will TELL NO ONE!" Nabiki shouted it in their faces as she waited for their reply.

"Daughter what is going on?" Soun asked not sure he wanted to do this as he never knew what it might cost him with his middle daughter.

"I swear my dear on the honor of my school. Now Soun my boy your turn!" Happosai said as he looked at the anguish in the young woman's eyes.

"I don't kn...!" Nabiki got to her feet and headed for the door she turned and looked at her father over her shoulder.

"Then to you daddy I have nothing to say. Jiji meet me at the coffee shop just inside Juuban in an hour and I will talk to you about it." Nabiki opened the door and started out.

"WAIT! I promise on the Tendo-Ryuu to tell no one." They both marveled as she let out a breath of air and her shoulders slumped.

Nabiki looked around outside and saw no one she then re-entered the dojo and shut the door. She moved to the farthest corner from the door and put her back against the wall to watch for eavesdroppers. Soun and Happosai moved closer to her getting a bit nervous as to the way she was acting.

"Now you both know Akane is getting better at the domestic skills we both are really. I am trying to look to the future you only have one heir left other then Akane and she _can't_ be trusted with the Anything Goes School!" Nabiki told them as she watched their faces she saw Happosai felt the same.

"But she is my heir!" Soun started and stopped as Nabiki glared at him.

"Then why did you stop training her? Why have you not started re-training her?" Nabiki asked her father who turned away shamed face.

"Because she is to dangerous as it is. I won't be responsible for her killing someone. I was hoping with this new training she might get her anger under control to where she can re-start her training." Soun said with a sad frown.

"Well I tell you now you _will_ not ever train her in the Tendo or the full school unless I say you can!" Nabiki snarled at both men.

"YOU HA...*SLAP*!" Nabiki having enough of her father slapped him hard.

"You forget daddy I and Kasumi own this house, dojo and the rights to this school. You were deemed unfit to handle these things and protect your family from the panda!" Nabiki snarled as a thin line of red formed around her.

"Now since I am the one working with Akane and know she still has a long way to go I will determine alone if she is fit to learn the art and not use it to bully or kill someone." Nabiki said with another heavy sigh then continued.

"What I want now is for you father to train me in the Tendo-Ryuu and for Jiji to train me in the full school. I don't want either school to disappear from earth. They will survive in the Faerie Realm but I want them to survive here too. My descendants will carry on the schools and if I see Akane is able to contain her rage and maybe get rid of it completely then I will train her and she can train her descendants." Nabiki said as she looked at the two men before her.

"Well what do you think?" Nabiki asked as she stared into their eyes.

Happosai she could not read. He like Cologne kept everything close to his chest and hid his emotions well when he wanted them hidden. Her father everything played out in his eyes much like Ranma when he was not fighting. She wondered if Ranma missed her. Nabiki jerked slightly as she wondered where that thought had come from. She waited and finally the two men began to talk.

"Nabiki my dear I see you have thought this out long and hard. I am proud of your wanting to keep the Anything Goes alive here on earth I am also proud that you are not locking Akane-Chan out completely. I will accept you request and promise no funny stuff just straight training. I also will demand that Akane not be trained until or if she can contain her rage for at leas one no three years." Happosai told her with a wide smile.

"I agree jiji. What about you daddy does the TENDO-Ryuu go on or does only Happosai's earth branch carry forward?" Nabiki watched him as his face showed the indecision he was feeling.

"I agree and if Akane deems herself worthy to become an Anything Goes Master then I agree she is permitted to be trained but only if she can prove herself." Soun said as he remembered he stopped training Akane because she would get violent when she did not win.

"Thank you daddy and Happosai now we need to work out a training schedule. I think we should leave the house at 'YUCK' three in the morning and get back here by six so Akane does not cook without supervision.

"I just wished I could learn as fast as Ranma had." Nabiki said but took a deep breath as she rose to leave.

"Now remember tell no one or I promise you that it will be the last thing you do!" Nabiki snarled at the men who shrank from her in fear.

(o)(o) END FLASHBACK (o)(o)

"Daddy dinner is ready." Soun came out of his thoughts and found Akane standing next him a platter in her hands.

"HHHUUUUMMMM! That smells wonderful, who made this creation?" Soun looked at the platter with a bit of trepidation which Akane saw and caused her aura to flare.

"Daddy we told you we are not telling who cooked what until you realize we are _both_ good cooks." Nabiki said as she brought in a bowl of buttered herb pasta and a salad bowl with fresh homemade rolls her last trip included the rolls.

"I am sorry I know you both have grown a lot in skill I guess old habits die hard, is that not correct Akane?" Soun asked his glowing daughter.

Akane scowled then realized his inference, her aura winked out, and she blushed with embarrassment. She put the platter on the table and went back to get the tea. She returned and sat down to serve the meal. She served her father, sister, and then herself. Once everyone had a helping of food, they all dug into their meal. Nabiki took a deep sniff of the entrée, when Akane looked at Nabiki she smiled and winked at her. Nabiki then dug into her meal as if she had not eaten for a week.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Nabiki dragged herself into the house it was six o'clock in the morning and she headed to the furo for a short soak. It was Saturday and Akane was sleeping late she did not know how long the youngest Tendo would stay asleep so they came back at six like they did every day. She scrubbed quickly and rinsed then climbed into the hot water in the furo. She hunkered down in the water and soaked away the stress and the strain of training with both her father and Happosai.

Nabiki closed her eyes and let the heat from the water sink deep into her bones. She did not know when she fell asleep she only knew when she woke up. The pounding on the door would do that when you were deep in sleep. She slowly rose to her feet and stepped out of the tub. She walked to the door and threw it opened quickly with an enraged scowl on her face. She knew it was Akane since she was the only one that felt she had a right to treat other people's right to do what she does as an affront to her personally.

"What do you want Akane!" Nabiki glared at her sister who stepped back with embarrassment.

"I have been knocking for twenty minutes I need to get cleaned up before fixing breakfast." Akane said as she held her robe tightly to her.

"The fact you nearly pounded the door off its hinges is not knocking Akane! I have a right to use this room just as much as you do! The door was not locked you could have come in and joined me in a soak!" Nabiki said as she pushed passed Akane she grabbed her robe and headed to her room to get dressed.

(l(l(l)l)l)

Nabiki entered her room and quickly got dressed. Since today was Saturday, she and her sensei decided they could disappear at different times to meet up again at their training ground. She was almost finished with her project due tomorrow and she would finish it when she got back. She might even take it with her, for when they took breaks to be worked on as well.

Nabiki packed her backpack with a gi and her project. She put her project into a plastic bag to keep it clean. She then picked up her shoes and headed downstairs to start breakfast. She walked past the front door to put her shoes and backpack next to the door. She then headed to the kitchen. Akane was not yet there so she began to get what they would need to make the meal well her portion of ingredients. It was important for Akane to get her own ingredients to reinforce her need to check them at least twice before using them.

"So what am I making this morning?" Akane was standing at the door watching as Nabiki prepared what she needed to make what was called 'Pull apart bread'.

"I thought you wanted to make omelets." Nabiki asked her as Akane nodded a bright smile on her face she thought Nabiki had changed what she was doing.

"Oh make extra today jiji will be here." She told Akane who nodded.

Akane headed to the refrigerator and found her recipe held there by a magnet. She looked at it without removing it and began to get what she needed. She would stop periodically to check what she had already gotten and what else she needed. Once she had what she wanted and made sure there was nothing else she started her prep-work.

"What are you making Nabiki?" Akane asked as Nabiki stood by the stove with several piles of homemade biscuit dough wedges covered in cinnamon sugar.

"It is called 'pull apart bread' I found it on the Internet. It sounded so yummy and it should go really well with the omelets." Nabiki told her as she stared at her recipe and started her caramel sauce.

The two, worked quietly together Akane watched Nabiki as she made her contribution to the meal. She decided she would start looking on the Internet for recipes she might like to try as well. She hoped someday soon she could do a whole meal by herself. She jumped when she heard Nabiki put the two Bundt cake pans in the over and set the timer.

Akane leaned over, checked the timer, and nodded. She then began to prepare the main course. Nabiki disappeared and Akane got nervous. She resisted the temptation to add more to her ingredients. Her will was weakening when Nabiki came back in with her backpack. She watched as Nabiki worked on her class project as she cooked.

"Nabiki can I tell you something and you not get mad at me." Akane asked her sister as she prepared the omelets for breakfast as Nabiki looked up at her sister.

"When you left I was afraid. I almost started grabbing other things to put in the egg mixture." Akane said as her head hung low.

"Did you?" Nabiki asked making it appear as if she knew Akane did not do it.

"No, but I have to be truthful I was weakening." Akane said with a soft sad smile.

"But you did not! Akane the more I can trust you to follow only what is written for the recipe. The quicker you learn to do that the quicker you get to prepare the entire meal and do it alone." Nabiki told her with a large grin that made Akane smile brighter.

"Alright Nabiki I will make you and Kasumi proud of me." Akane smiled and went back to finishing eggs.

"We are already proud of you little sister." Nabiki told Akane with a proud smile that caused Akane to blush brighter red.

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After breakfast, Nabiki and Akane cleaned up the kitchen then Nabiki left for a meeting with a friend of hers. Then twenty minutes later, her father received a phone call and he had to leave. Happosai had left on a panty raid right after breakfast. Akane was left alone and decided to work on her project. She kept saying her new mantra repeatedly. She was happy it worked, as she had no problems with her project.

[Stay calm; stay calm; stay calm.] Akane's mental mantra kept her so preoccupied she did not even notice as time passed until her family arrived at home at six o'clock that evening.

"Akane what are you doing?" Nabiki asked as she stared down at her sister.

"My project for class tomorrow, why?" Akane said with a tinge of anger at the stupid question.

"I see that Akane but it is almost done and...!" Nabiki bent down and took if from her sister.

"HEY I AM WORKING ON THAT!" Akane got angry at her sister's audacity to take her work from her.

"But Akane look at it! It is magnificent! If Miya can find something wrong with it, I will eat her shoes! Not really but I will belt her!" Nabiki quickly rejected the slipper idea fearing Akane would make her do it.

"Yo...you mean it? Is it really good?" Akane was shocked she had worked on it all afternoon and there was nothing wrong with it.

"Yes you should think about getting it framed to hang on the wall!" Nabiki said and Akane could have sworn she heard jealousy in her sister's voice.

"Tha...Thank you Nabiki that means a lot to me." Akane said as she took her project back as Nabiki handed it to her.

"I just hope mine is good enough." Nabiki said with a sad smile.

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Akane and Nabiki walked toward their class with the displaced elves. They talked about their projects and wondered what they were going to start learning today. Nabiki hoped it would me music she wanted to be able to play an instrument. Akane hoped it would be painting or modeling clay. As they reached the building, they entered and hoped this time Miya was not as rude.

"Good morning ladies. How was your day off?" Taleka said as they entered.

Nabiki and Akane both looked at her suspiciously. They bowed then moved to their worktable. They sat down and pulled out their workbooks to get ready for their classes. Once they were settled, they answered the woman with bright happy smiles that never reached their eyes.

"It was relaxing, I had lunch with a friend, and while I was out I worked on my project. I didn't finish it though until I got home but it was sort of nice being able to do my project while having a relaxing time with friends." Nabiki said never mentioning the friends were her father and Happosai.

"Well I didn't have any where to go so I stayed at home and worked on my project all day long. I actually got it finished about ten or so minutes after Nabiki got home." She told the smiling woman.

"So you did not work on your projects together? What about your meal preparations?" She asked as the other three entered the room.

"Well we work together on the meals. Akane is remaining calm and is doing quite well. She even picked out a couple of the main dishes and prepared them. I worked on making the side dishes. I still do not let her have free rein in the kitchen but she is getting close to being able to do an entire meal without me in there. I found some recipes on the Internet and are trying them." Nabiki said as she pulled out the recipes her and Akane had done Friday after class and Saturday as well as this morning.

"My those are ambitious!" Rada said as she peeked over Taleka's shoulder.

"How well did they come out?" Miya asked as she wondered if they would tell them the truth.

"Well we managed to keep daddy from eating all the leftovers and brought some for you to try. I can go set up some small portions for you if you like?" Nabiki said as she winked at Akane who giggled a little.

"That would be a good idea. Why don't you and Akane both set up the plates there are enough microwaves to heat them up." Neriana told them as they and the Tendos entered the kitchen.

Akane first put on a teakettle for tea. While it came to a boil, they sat out four salad plates and divvied up the samples they brought with them. They then covered each plate with a damp paper towel to help keep it from hardening and to add a little bit of moister. Once the water started boiling, Akane made a pot of tea.

While Akane did, the tea Nabiki set the table with teacups and chopsticks for them. The women watched fascinated, as they had developed a rhythm that they were not sure was a good idea. They feared if Akane got use to having someone help or monitor her, she would not grow on her own. The four beeping of the microwave brought the women from their thoughts.

"Here you go I hope you like it." Nabiki and Akane said together as they sat the plates down in front of each of the women and Akane poured them some honey tea using their recipe.

Akane and Nabiki sat down and waited for the results. As they watched their faces, only Miya seemed to have a problem with the samples. They watched as she argued with her fellow teachers. Nabiki just looked at Akane and with a low growl made a comment to her sister. The problem was instead of getting mad Akane giggled.

"So help me if Miya starts about us not doing our own work I will bury her face in that plate of food!" Nabiki whispered to Akane while she kept her eyes on their sensei.

"*GIGGLE* Stop it Nabiki don't make me laugh!" Akane whispered back at a smirking Nabiki.

"This is quite good though of course not as good as fresh but from what we can tell you are moving along quite well.

"I think your next step is when Akane is cooking you should leave her alone several times. To make sure she can continue in following the recipe. However, don't leave her completely alone, yet." Rada said with a small smile.

"Now while we are here please we would like for you to re-do the omelets and this pull apart bread. This time Akane you will not be monitored so let's see if it will be safe to allow you to do that at home." Miya said as she saw she hit a nerve.

"Don't let her psych you out sis! You know what your doing make her eat crow!" Nabiki whispered to her sister as she gathered what she needed for the recipe.

"Alright Nabiki I hope I can stay calm!" Akane whispered back not so sure as her sister was.

"Akane you did it Saturday when you were home along _all damn day_ working on your project and with no errors that I could find!" Nabiki whispered back at Akane then disappeared to her side of the large kitchen and closing the door to divide the area in two.

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The Tendo sisters finished their meals and set the meal in front of the four teaches. Akane made each a vegetable omelet and placed it in front of each woman. Nabiki made a large Bundt cake pan sized pull-apart bread dripping a warm caramel sauce over the top. There were two forks in the bread to help get pieces since the caramel was still hot and could burn them.

"This is very good. I love this bread it is sweet and the cinnamon adds a bit of savory to it. I am surprised it is not sweeter then it is." Rada said as she took another piece of the bread.

"Yes I agree and the omelets are not bad either there is so much more you can put into them." Taleka commented as Neriana and Miya nodded.

"Well I must admit you two did quite well and Akane you especially did a good job with no one watching your every move. How did you feel being left on your own?" Miya said surprising everyone.

"Well it was scary I had to keep fighting my urge to just start grabbing things and throwing them into the skillet." Akane told them truthfully, which caused Miya to frown it was as if she wanted to catch Akane lying.

"That is very good Akane if you can control those urges you will make a very good cook indeed." Rada said not seeing the glare she got from Miya as Akane smiled brightly.

"Now clean up and let us look at your embroidery projects." Taleka said not wanting to leave any of the delicious food behind but she wanted to save the bread for tea later so she and the others ate the omelets even Miya.

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Akane and Nabiki came back into the main workroom. They got out their embroidery projects. They had been working on them for almost a week now because they were large canvases. Akane unrolled her project. She had done a view of Nerima Park as if she was walking down the main sidewalk. She got the lake in and she used metallic threads to show the shimmering light on the lake. She got the trees and the ducks that swam in the lake.

The elves examined the stitches though not as tight as theirs but they had been doing it a long time she did quite well. They then took up Nabiki's project to inspect. They decided it could not have been a real place, it just could not have been. Though, it was very beautiful. It was a valley with hundreds of springs and as Akane had done, Nabiki used metallic thread to show the shimmering on the water. The pools had maybe one or as many as five bamboo poles in the center. It was surrounded on two sides by cliffs. The other sides had dense forest. In the distance was a mountain that had lost its top two thirds. Then flying over the mountain were people with bird wings.

Akane looked at Jusenkyo and wondered how Nabiki knew what it looked like. Nabiki then took out some pictures at the disbelieving scowls of the women. She threw them onto the table and Akane watched as they scatted out in front of the women. The women picked them up with shaky hands as they knew that place from somewhere but they refused to believe it was real.

"When a friend of ours saved Akane's life she had to return to this place it is cursed. She fought a demi-god the Phoenix king and forced him back into his egg. She pretty much killed him until his rebirth. _Ranko_ blew off the top two thirds of their mountain home during the fight. I had one of the other martial artist take pictures of Jusenkyo for me I wanted to see what it really looked like." Nabiki said as she picked up one of the pictures to not only look at but to hid the evil smile as she watched the four elves loose all color to their faces.

"This is a real place?" Miya gasped out as she and her friends examined the photos.

"Yes, now how did I do?" Nabiki asked as she picked up the pictures and returned them to her book bag.

"You did quite well actually. So today your lessons will be in music and if we have time we will start your painting lessons." Neriana said as she led the girls to the music room.