A Saiyan Tail
Part 24
The Sacred Waters of Jusenkyo.
++++++++++
Akane sat in the bath; it had been two days since the incident at
the beach. The water was steaming hot, and filled the bathroom with a
thick steam. She frowned and looked around for a moment. "Still not
enough." A moment later her aura flared to life, soon the water was
boiling and she relaxed a bit. "Ahh, much better."
A moment later the door to the room slid open, followed by a
screech of surprise. "Oh my!" said Kasumi as she entered the room for
a moment, and then backed out again.
"Huh? Kasumi?" muttered Akane in surprise. She stepped out of the
furo and wrapped a towel around her waist. "What's wrong?"
"Akane! Are you all right?" said the older girl with concern on
her face as she looked at the steam cloud that was billowing out of
the room. "You're not burned are you? I'll have to call the plumber
and get the hot water fixed!"
"Huh? I suppose, it isn't very hot anymore," said Akane as she
began to get dressed.
Kasumi blinked and looked at her younger sister in surprise. "Are
you feeling all right Akane?"
"Of course, why?" said the younger girl obliviously. "If you want
to take a bath, I'm done now."
Kasumi looked at the steam filled room and then back to her sister
again. "Oh my. I think I'll wait a little while."
++++++++++
"But...why?" said Akane in confusion as she looked at the entire
household. They were sitting around the table in a meeting of sorts.
"Akane, your training didn't go away when you were cured of the
Cat's tongue. You should be the last one to take a bath from now on,"
said Ranma with a small frown on his face.
"What do you mean?" said the girl as she tried to understand what
they were talking about.
"We mean, that the rest of us can't sit in boiling water like you
can," said Soun. "I understand Akane, but it's just easier to deal
with this way. You will be the last one to bathe from now on. Unless
you stop boiling the furo when you get in."
"Oh," muttered the girl in embarrassment. "I understand, I guess."
"Don't be upset, Akane," said Kasumi sweetly. "We aren't mad at
you."
"Thank you, Kasumi. I'll try to be more careful from now on," said
the girl with a small bow to her family.
"That's all we're asking," said Soun cheerfully. "I am pleased
with your progress Akane, you've done very well."
"Um, thanks," said the girl with a slight blush forming on her
face.
"Yeah, maybe we should go see Master Roshi one of these days?"
offered Goku with a grin. "I'm sure he'd offer a few tips for you."
"Hey! That's a good idea!" agreed Ranma.
"I'm not so sure..." muttered Soun with a slight frown. After all,
both of his old masters were rooming together now. Sending Akane to
visit them both didn't sit well with him.
"I'd love to meet them!" said Akane excitedly.
"Maybe this weekend would be a good time?" offered Goku.
"Great!" exclaimed Akane as she stood up. It was a Sunday, and the
seasonal break had just ended. Meaning they had school for the rest of
the week.
++++++++++++
"I said I don't want you here this evening Shampoo," said Cologne
calmly. "This isn't a good place for young girls to be today."
"Aiya! What Great Grandmother talking?" exclaimed the girl
irritably.
"We're having some visitors today. It's Amazon business, why don't
you go out and try to find your husband?" Cologne smiled at her.
Shampoo shifted uncomfortably at this, the old woman had told her
that the boy and girl versions of her Ranma, were in fact the same
person. Apparently, she had picked up a curse, from a place called
Jusenkyo, while in China.
Mousse growled at this announcement, but returned to cleaning
tables.
"Yes Great Grandmother!" she said while putting on a cheerful
smile. Secretly, she had no intention of crossing Akane Tendo, despite
having mastered the Katsutenshin Amaguriken, she knew the girl was
much more powerful than she was. The fight would be short, and end in
her defeat without a doubt at the moment.
Cologne snorted in disgust. "You don't fool me for a moment
child."
Shampoo frowned at the hag irritably. "Shampoo not stupid enough
challenge Turtle Shell Girl. She wait until much stronger first, then
fight when know win."
"A very good idea," agreed Cologne. She actually looked impressed
with her Great Granddaughter. "It seems you are learning after all
child. Go and visit anyway, you'll be safer there, and it will help if
you are on good terms with the Son in Law."
"Yes, Great Grandmother," said Shampoo as she bowed and stood up.
+++++++++++++
"Stay close," said a cloaked figure that walked through the
streets of Nerima. Beside him were two young boys in their mid-teens.
One was dressed in a cloak of wolf skin, while the other wore garments
fashioned from a tiger.
"Lord Herb, do you think we'll get to meet any girls?" said the
wolf-skinned boy.
"We aren't here for that, Mint," snapped the cloaked figure
angrily.
"But if we should happen to find some?" said the tiger-skinned boy
hopefully.
The man in the cloak sighed. "Fine, you can go off and look around
a bit, but we aren't here to find wives. Our mission is more important
than that. Don't forget it Lime."
The tiger boy got a huge grin on his face. "Yes sir!"
"Idiots," muttered Herb as he watched them jump away happily.
++++++++
"I don't like this, Shampoo," said Mousse as he walked beside the
young Amazon, she was riding along lazily beside him on her bike.
"Shampoo not like either. Boy much too strong, Great Grandmother
not understand this," agreed the purple haired Amazon with a frown.
"It do no good, and Shampoo not strong enough to beat Turtle Shell
Girl. Even if Shampoo could, it not make Ranma happy."
Mousse looked at her for a moment in surprise. The trip to Japan
had done quite a bit for her humility, and her pride. She had also
grown more careful, and it showed dramatically in her actions. "Hmm, I
don't know what's wrong with that guy. How could he pick a woman like
that over you?"
"Mousse not get anywhere with flattery. Shampoo still say no,"
snorted the girl as she glanced back at him for a moment.
"Darn," grumbled the boy irritably.
A shadowy figure stood on the wall above them for a moment. Mousse
turned in surprise and forced Shampoo out of the way. Well, he tried
too. He ended up saving her bike instead. A large net landed on the
ground where they had been standing moments before.
"Shampoo! Have you lost weight?" cried the boy as he hefted the
bike up protectively.
"How long you being stupid, Mousse?" snapped Shampoo angrily.
Mint jumped down in front of Shampoo, holding a large mallet in
his grip. He was slowly edging towards her. "Um, if it's not too much
trouble, would you mind going on a date with me?"
Shampoo paused, staring at the boy for a moment. "Boy action not
match words," she said pointedly.
"What? Who are you?" snapped Mousse as he jumped up in front of
his beloved. "You're a hundred years to young to date with her!"
"If you're going to interfere," said the boy in a warning tone. He
vanished from in front of Mousse, and appeared behind him in an
instant. "Ro Ga Ryusei Dan!" Dozens of small knives shot towards
Mousse from behind as the boy attacked.
"Mousse!" exclaimed Shampoo in alarm.
+++++++++++
Akane was walking home from school. Ranma, having decided that he
was hungry, decided to stop by his old friend Ukyo's restaurant. She
didn't like that one bit, but said nothing. At least the girl's father
was there to keep an eye on things.
Without warning, the wall beside her buckled suddenly, shattering
inward, leaving a cloud of dust and rubble. The girl raised her
eyebrow slightly at the figure that stepped out of the debris.
"You! Are you a girl?" said Lime as he glared at her for a moment.
"What else would I be?" snorted Akane in annoyance.
"This is the first time in my life that I've spoken with a girl!"
said the tiger boy to no one.
"Um, excuse me..." said Akane in confusion.
"I will try touching a girl now!" said the boy as he turned to
face her.
"What?" said the girl in shock as she backed away for a moment.
She put up her fists and growled at the boy. "Keep your hands to
yourself!"
Lime paused and looked at her in shock. "But...I just want to see
what it's like..."
"So do a lot of people, but that's not how you ask a girl out,"
said a new voice. Ryoga floated down from the air, and landed opposite
the stranger.
Lime glared at the boy for a moment. "Don't interfere! This is a
special moment for me! It's my first time talking with a girl!"
"I don't need your help," said Akane with a small frown.
"I'm not doing this to help you. I've been watching this idiot for
a while now. What if he had happened upon some poor innocent girl, who
couldn't take care of herself?"
Akane paused for a moment, and nodded. "Right, but he didn't, so
you can leave now."
"I think not, this one has a powerful aura. He's more than you can
handle," said Ryoga calmly. "You go on, I'll deal with this fool."
"Jerk! I don't need you to protect me! You murdering bastard!"
snapped Akane angrily as her aura flared to life.
"Um, excuse me..." muttered Lime as he stared at the two arguing
teens for a moment. He stopped when he noticed the tail waving behind
Ryoga's back. "He's... is he Musk too? Could there have been others?"
"You're coming with me. I can't have you wandering around
terrorizing innocent girls," said Ryoga as he finally decided to
ignore Akane for the moment.
"What? I'm no a mission! You can't order me around!" snapped the
boy bitterly.
"Wanna bet?" said Ryoga with a small chuckle as his aura flared to
life around him.
Lime stepped back; his expression changed to one of caution. "I
won't be stopped!"
+++++++++++++
"I had thought all of your kind were destroyed," said Cologne as
she sat at a table inside the Cat Cafe. Across from her, a figure
hidden in a long cloak sat silently as she talked. "Who could have
imagined that there were survivors? What is it you want here?"
"I'm looking for someone," said Herb calmly.
"Oh?" said Cologne carefully.
"I'm looking for the man who destroyed the sacred springs. He must
be punished," Herb's voice changed to one of anger, but he calmed
visibly after he finished speaking.
"Destroyed?" muttered Cologne in shock. "I had not heard of this.
I must say, that I am not entirely sympathetic. Those springs, while
sacred to you, were a curse to all others."
"I understand, but I must find this one. He will not escape our
wrath," said Herb in reply.
"How were the springs destroyed? Was Jusendo involved?" said the
old woman cautiously. If the people of Phoenix Mountain were on the
move again, it could threaten her tribe.
"Jusenkyo is nothing more than a lake, completely eradicated by a
man known as Ranma Saotome," said Herb.
"Ranma Saotome?" gasped Cologne in shock. The cup of tea she had
been drinking shattered on the ground at her feet. "You are certain of
this?"
"The guide told us of him. He was living quite nicely in
retirement. The man I speak of, created an explosion so powerful, that
it destroyed all of Jusenkyo."
Cologne did her best to regain her composure. "And you intend to
fight him?"
"I will destroy him, my power has been magnified many times. We
were forced to unseal a sacred artifact that I am sure you are
familiar with," said Herb as he brought out a sharp looking white
object from behind his back.
"Sheng Long's tooth!" gasped Cologne. "I remember, we owe your
people our very existence. Your ancestor destroyed the invading armies
from the north, saving both our tribes."
"You know of this 'Ranma', I can see that much. Tell me what I
wish to know," said Herb firmly. His tone was still respectful, and he
bowed his head slightly.
"I have no choice," muttered Cologne as she turned her head away
from him for a moment.
Her mind was now remembering something the boy had said to her on the
beach. "You haven't even seen half my true power."
If that was even remotely true, she had to have him in the Amazon
nation more than ever. He was far too valuable to lose now. She prayed
that Herb would not kill him. A cold smile formed on her lips, and she
looked up at the man across from her. "There is one way, that you can
punish Ranma Saotome, more than death ever could."
Herb leaned forward, suddenly very interested in what she had to
say. "I'm listening."
++++++++++++
"Huh?" said Ranma as he looked up at Ukyo. She was smiling at him
cheerfully.
"I said, are you and Akane getting along well?" She casually
brushed her hair over her shoulder, pretending to not really care
about the answer. All present could tell that she was very interested
though.
"Yeah! She's great!" chimed Ranma happily.
The girl's face fell slightly, but she returned to her cheerful
demeanor once again. "So, what have you been up too?"
Ranma blinked, stuffing the last one of his seven whole
okonomiyaki into his mouth he looked at her. "Well, we went to the
beach the other day. That was kinda nice. It was a family type thing,
I could tell everyone missed Nabiki."
"Nabiki?" said Ukyo with a small frown.
"Yeah, she's Akane's sister. She died a few months ago, we're
gonna bring her back to life in a couple of months though!" said the
boy cheerfully.
Ukyo looked at him for a moment. "Um? You can do that?"
"Well, I can't, but the Great Dragon, Sheng Long can! If you
gather together these seven balls, and say the right words, he'll
appear, and grant you a wish!" Ranma grinned dumbly at her.
"You can be so weird sometimes, Ranchan," said the girl as she
brushed it off as a joke of some kind.
"Anyway, we went to the beach, and Ryoga showed up. It was great!
He helped us beat up this hundred year old woman, who gave Akane this
weird curse."
Ukyo sat and listened intently for a moment, unsure of what to
say. "So, Ryoga is that guy I saw at the school? The one who threw
that energy thing at you, and was flying around?"
"Huh? No, that's just Kuno. He went off and trained with Master
Roshi, and Master Happosai. Ryoga trained with Piccolo."
"That demon thing from a long time ago?" said the girl as her eyes
went wide.
"Yeah, the one my dad fought," said Ranma obliviously. He took a
gulp of his drink and chuckled. "I hope I get to fight him some day!
He's real strong!"
Ukyo stared at him in shock. "You can't be serious!"
Ranma blinked and looked up at her. "Sure. Why not?"
The girl shook her head for a moment. "So, what happened to your
tail?"
"It got cut off," replied Ranma with a small shrug.
"What?" said Ukyo as she stood up suddenly.
"Yeah, Pop said they had to do it, after I turned into a monster
and attacked Tokyo," said the boy with another shrug. "No big deal
really."
Ukyo was having trouble standing. "You're joking right?"
Ranma simply shook his head from side to side for a moment. He
seemed uncertain what the excitement was all about.
"I've got to sit down," grumbled Ukyo. "What's wrong? Why is he
avoiding the truth? Could it be that he doesn't want to tell me about
this girl?" she thought in frustration.
"Yup...Uh, I gotta go! Akane'll get mad if I take too long. Thanks
for the food Ucchan!" said Ranma as he jumped to his feet. He tossed a
few yen bills on the table and dashed out the door with a grin on his
face.
"Right," said the girl as she waved him off. She looked down at
the floor and sighed, brushing the front of the skirt from her uniform
off a bit.
"Ukyo," said her father Gruffly as he walked up behind her. "If
you keep this up, he's going to hurt you. I don't want to see that."
"Dad...I..."
"I know, I tried my best, but Goku Saotome is a man of great
honor. I could not persuade him to break his promise to his old
friend, no matter what I said. I imagine his son will be no different.
Ukyo, if you continue down this path, he will hurt you." The man
walked away, leaving her to think on her own.
Ukyo looked at the doorway for a moment. She sighed and turned
away, determination burning in her eyes. "I won't give up! Ever! I'll
show him I can be a much better bride than that girl will ever be!"
+++++++++
Ranma paused as he looked at Ryoga Hibiki, who was imbedded in the
ground in the middle of the sidewalk.
"Saotome," said the boy in greeting from his place on the ground.
"Are... you all right?" said the pigtailed boy as he leaned down
to peer at him for a moment.
"That fiancee of yours is a real bitch," said Ryoga as he stood up
and dusted himself off. "She hit me from behind, and then attacked
some guy."
"Akane?" said Ranma in shock.
"That's right, last I saw. She was carrying the poor man over her
shoulder," said Ryoga with a small frown.
"Akane's been kidnapped?" gasped Ranma in shock.
"Apparently you weren't listening, she carried him off. Meaning,
she kidnapped him," said Ryoga with a frown.
"Where were they going?" said Ranma as he glanced around.
"Well, after she scared him half to death, he muttered something
about the Cat Cafe, and I guess she took him there."
"Right! Thanks!" said Ranma as he dashed off in pursuit.
"Hey!" grumbled Ryoga as he attempted to follow, but gave up and
shrugged. "I guess it's none of my business. We'll meet again Ranma,
I'll deal with you then."
+++++++++++++
"You is staying at Cat Cafe? Is Great Grandmother's guests?" said
Shampoo cheerfully.
"Yup! Uh huh!" said Mint happily as he walked with the girl.
Mousse was still pinned to the wall nearby, muttering to himself.
"More than I can handle, huh?" snapped Akane angrily as she
rounded a nearby corner. She paused when she saw Shampoo standing with
another young boy. "Does this belong to you?"
"Aiya! Turtle Shell Girl find other guest!" said the Amazon
cheerfully.
"Wow! We both got to talk to girls!" said Mint as he looked at the
prone and beaten form of his companion over Akane's shoulder.
"I had no idea girls were so strong," said Lime, he was still in a
slight daze. "Can we still have tea or something?"
"No, now shut up, or I'll just dump you here," snapped the girl
angrily as she turned towards the Cafe.
"Yes, Ma am," grumbled the boy.
+++++++++++++
"Interesting," said Herb calmly as he stood up and glared down at
her. "I assume you want him alive for something?"
"You'll understand when you meet him," said Cologne with a small
nod.
"I'll consider it," said the man with a slight smirk.
"My plan will benefit us both," said Cologne smugly. "However, I
cannot force you to comply."
Herb frowned slightly, seeming to lose interest for a moment.
"Where are Lime and Mint?"
"Your two wards?" said Cologne with her eyebrow raised.
"Yes, they should have been here by now," snapped the man with a
slight growl.
"They'll be along," said Cologne with a small nod. "There isn't
much in Nerima that would be dangerous to them."
"Those two idiots are likely to find the one thing that could,"
grumbled Herb as he looked across the room, towards the door for a
moment.
"Is here now," said Shampoo as she walked in with Mint at her
side. "Hello Great Grandmother. Shampoo find guests."
"Women," said Herb as he stood up again, staring at the young
Shampoo in shock.
Akane Tendo walked in behind her, with Lime hanging over her
shoulder. "Where do you want this idiot?"
Cologne instinctively moved between Herb and Shampoo. The man's
gaze had changed, and he was staring at Akane now. "Young girls. I've
never seen..."
"Well hello Akane Tendo," said Cologne with a small nod. The girl
was placing Lime in one of the chairs in the restaurant. She looked up
and blinked at the old woman.
Herb's smile widened, and he removed his hood. His hair was long
and white, with dark colored bangs that surrounded his face. A cold
smile formed on his lips as he glared at her. "So, you are Akane
Tendo?"
"Another one?" snapped Akane irritably as she moved into a
fighting stance.
"Hmm, perhaps we will change the plan, I may decide to keep this
one," muttered Herb to himself as he looked the girl up and down for a
moment.
"What?" gasped Akane.
Herb shot forward, and appeared in front of her. He glared down
imposingly, the cloak rustled slightly, revealing a wide and well-
muscled chest. "Hello. Would you like to go on a date with me?"
The last thing Akane remembered, was Herb's fist slamming into her
face.
+++++++++++++
Goku sat with Soun at the shogi table once again. It was a lazy
afternoon, and the children would be home in a few moments. Both men
paused, frowning slightly.
"Did you feel that, Saotome?" asked Soun.
"I did," muttered Goku as he glanced around for a moment. "That's
a pretty big power, and it isn't familiar either."
"Should we?" muttered Soun.
"I can feel Ranma nearby," commented Goku. "It doesn't feel
dangerous, not yet."
"We should be fine then," said Soun cheerfully.
"Right, I don't see any reason to worry yet," agreed Goku as he
went back to the game, which was now in favor of Soun somehow. With a
single move, Goku managed to change that.
Soun's jaw dropped as he looked at the board again.
++++++++++++++
Ranma frowned, something was wrong. Akane's ki flared for a
moment, and then dropped dramatically. There was also a strange power
coming from his destination. "Something is up. I'd better hurry."
Ranma's aura flared, and he blasted into the sky.
++++++++++++++
TBC...
Next time: The Monkey and The Dragon!
Why is Herb a guy?!!!
Well, cause Ranma blew up Jusenkyo, that's why. He couldn't get
cursed without the spring, right?
Usually I'd keep something like that dragon tooth a secret.
Without it, Herb would get creamed. I'm assuming everyone would know
that. So I went ahead and revealed it now.
Part 24
The Sacred Waters of Jusenkyo.
++++++++++
Akane sat in the bath; it had been two days since the incident at
the beach. The water was steaming hot, and filled the bathroom with a
thick steam. She frowned and looked around for a moment. "Still not
enough." A moment later her aura flared to life, soon the water was
boiling and she relaxed a bit. "Ahh, much better."
A moment later the door to the room slid open, followed by a
screech of surprise. "Oh my!" said Kasumi as she entered the room for
a moment, and then backed out again.
"Huh? Kasumi?" muttered Akane in surprise. She stepped out of the
furo and wrapped a towel around her waist. "What's wrong?"
"Akane! Are you all right?" said the older girl with concern on
her face as she looked at the steam cloud that was billowing out of
the room. "You're not burned are you? I'll have to call the plumber
and get the hot water fixed!"
"Huh? I suppose, it isn't very hot anymore," said Akane as she
began to get dressed.
Kasumi blinked and looked at her younger sister in surprise. "Are
you feeling all right Akane?"
"Of course, why?" said the younger girl obliviously. "If you want
to take a bath, I'm done now."
Kasumi looked at the steam filled room and then back to her sister
again. "Oh my. I think I'll wait a little while."
++++++++++
"But...why?" said Akane in confusion as she looked at the entire
household. They were sitting around the table in a meeting of sorts.
"Akane, your training didn't go away when you were cured of the
Cat's tongue. You should be the last one to take a bath from now on,"
said Ranma with a small frown on his face.
"What do you mean?" said the girl as she tried to understand what
they were talking about.
"We mean, that the rest of us can't sit in boiling water like you
can," said Soun. "I understand Akane, but it's just easier to deal
with this way. You will be the last one to bathe from now on. Unless
you stop boiling the furo when you get in."
"Oh," muttered the girl in embarrassment. "I understand, I guess."
"Don't be upset, Akane," said Kasumi sweetly. "We aren't mad at
you."
"Thank you, Kasumi. I'll try to be more careful from now on," said
the girl with a small bow to her family.
"That's all we're asking," said Soun cheerfully. "I am pleased
with your progress Akane, you've done very well."
"Um, thanks," said the girl with a slight blush forming on her
face.
"Yeah, maybe we should go see Master Roshi one of these days?"
offered Goku with a grin. "I'm sure he'd offer a few tips for you."
"Hey! That's a good idea!" agreed Ranma.
"I'm not so sure..." muttered Soun with a slight frown. After all,
both of his old masters were rooming together now. Sending Akane to
visit them both didn't sit well with him.
"I'd love to meet them!" said Akane excitedly.
"Maybe this weekend would be a good time?" offered Goku.
"Great!" exclaimed Akane as she stood up. It was a Sunday, and the
seasonal break had just ended. Meaning they had school for the rest of
the week.
++++++++++++
"I said I don't want you here this evening Shampoo," said Cologne
calmly. "This isn't a good place for young girls to be today."
"Aiya! What Great Grandmother talking?" exclaimed the girl
irritably.
"We're having some visitors today. It's Amazon business, why don't
you go out and try to find your husband?" Cologne smiled at her.
Shampoo shifted uncomfortably at this, the old woman had told her
that the boy and girl versions of her Ranma, were in fact the same
person. Apparently, she had picked up a curse, from a place called
Jusenkyo, while in China.
Mousse growled at this announcement, but returned to cleaning
tables.
"Yes Great Grandmother!" she said while putting on a cheerful
smile. Secretly, she had no intention of crossing Akane Tendo, despite
having mastered the Katsutenshin Amaguriken, she knew the girl was
much more powerful than she was. The fight would be short, and end in
her defeat without a doubt at the moment.
Cologne snorted in disgust. "You don't fool me for a moment
child."
Shampoo frowned at the hag irritably. "Shampoo not stupid enough
challenge Turtle Shell Girl. She wait until much stronger first, then
fight when know win."
"A very good idea," agreed Cologne. She actually looked impressed
with her Great Granddaughter. "It seems you are learning after all
child. Go and visit anyway, you'll be safer there, and it will help if
you are on good terms with the Son in Law."
"Yes, Great Grandmother," said Shampoo as she bowed and stood up.
+++++++++++++
"Stay close," said a cloaked figure that walked through the
streets of Nerima. Beside him were two young boys in their mid-teens.
One was dressed in a cloak of wolf skin, while the other wore garments
fashioned from a tiger.
"Lord Herb, do you think we'll get to meet any girls?" said the
wolf-skinned boy.
"We aren't here for that, Mint," snapped the cloaked figure
angrily.
"But if we should happen to find some?" said the tiger-skinned boy
hopefully.
The man in the cloak sighed. "Fine, you can go off and look around
a bit, but we aren't here to find wives. Our mission is more important
than that. Don't forget it Lime."
The tiger boy got a huge grin on his face. "Yes sir!"
"Idiots," muttered Herb as he watched them jump away happily.
++++++++
"I don't like this, Shampoo," said Mousse as he walked beside the
young Amazon, she was riding along lazily beside him on her bike.
"Shampoo not like either. Boy much too strong, Great Grandmother
not understand this," agreed the purple haired Amazon with a frown.
"It do no good, and Shampoo not strong enough to beat Turtle Shell
Girl. Even if Shampoo could, it not make Ranma happy."
Mousse looked at her for a moment in surprise. The trip to Japan
had done quite a bit for her humility, and her pride. She had also
grown more careful, and it showed dramatically in her actions. "Hmm, I
don't know what's wrong with that guy. How could he pick a woman like
that over you?"
"Mousse not get anywhere with flattery. Shampoo still say no,"
snorted the girl as she glanced back at him for a moment.
"Darn," grumbled the boy irritably.
A shadowy figure stood on the wall above them for a moment. Mousse
turned in surprise and forced Shampoo out of the way. Well, he tried
too. He ended up saving her bike instead. A large net landed on the
ground where they had been standing moments before.
"Shampoo! Have you lost weight?" cried the boy as he hefted the
bike up protectively.
"How long you being stupid, Mousse?" snapped Shampoo angrily.
Mint jumped down in front of Shampoo, holding a large mallet in
his grip. He was slowly edging towards her. "Um, if it's not too much
trouble, would you mind going on a date with me?"
Shampoo paused, staring at the boy for a moment. "Boy action not
match words," she said pointedly.
"What? Who are you?" snapped Mousse as he jumped up in front of
his beloved. "You're a hundred years to young to date with her!"
"If you're going to interfere," said the boy in a warning tone. He
vanished from in front of Mousse, and appeared behind him in an
instant. "Ro Ga Ryusei Dan!" Dozens of small knives shot towards
Mousse from behind as the boy attacked.
"Mousse!" exclaimed Shampoo in alarm.
+++++++++++
Akane was walking home from school. Ranma, having decided that he
was hungry, decided to stop by his old friend Ukyo's restaurant. She
didn't like that one bit, but said nothing. At least the girl's father
was there to keep an eye on things.
Without warning, the wall beside her buckled suddenly, shattering
inward, leaving a cloud of dust and rubble. The girl raised her
eyebrow slightly at the figure that stepped out of the debris.
"You! Are you a girl?" said Lime as he glared at her for a moment.
"What else would I be?" snorted Akane in annoyance.
"This is the first time in my life that I've spoken with a girl!"
said the tiger boy to no one.
"Um, excuse me..." said Akane in confusion.
"I will try touching a girl now!" said the boy as he turned to
face her.
"What?" said the girl in shock as she backed away for a moment.
She put up her fists and growled at the boy. "Keep your hands to
yourself!"
Lime paused and looked at her in shock. "But...I just want to see
what it's like..."
"So do a lot of people, but that's not how you ask a girl out,"
said a new voice. Ryoga floated down from the air, and landed opposite
the stranger.
Lime glared at the boy for a moment. "Don't interfere! This is a
special moment for me! It's my first time talking with a girl!"
"I don't need your help," said Akane with a small frown.
"I'm not doing this to help you. I've been watching this idiot for
a while now. What if he had happened upon some poor innocent girl, who
couldn't take care of herself?"
Akane paused for a moment, and nodded. "Right, but he didn't, so
you can leave now."
"I think not, this one has a powerful aura. He's more than you can
handle," said Ryoga calmly. "You go on, I'll deal with this fool."
"Jerk! I don't need you to protect me! You murdering bastard!"
snapped Akane angrily as her aura flared to life.
"Um, excuse me..." muttered Lime as he stared at the two arguing
teens for a moment. He stopped when he noticed the tail waving behind
Ryoga's back. "He's... is he Musk too? Could there have been others?"
"You're coming with me. I can't have you wandering around
terrorizing innocent girls," said Ryoga as he finally decided to
ignore Akane for the moment.
"What? I'm no a mission! You can't order me around!" snapped the
boy bitterly.
"Wanna bet?" said Ryoga with a small chuckle as his aura flared to
life around him.
Lime stepped back; his expression changed to one of caution. "I
won't be stopped!"
+++++++++++++
"I had thought all of your kind were destroyed," said Cologne as
she sat at a table inside the Cat Cafe. Across from her, a figure
hidden in a long cloak sat silently as she talked. "Who could have
imagined that there were survivors? What is it you want here?"
"I'm looking for someone," said Herb calmly.
"Oh?" said Cologne carefully.
"I'm looking for the man who destroyed the sacred springs. He must
be punished," Herb's voice changed to one of anger, but he calmed
visibly after he finished speaking.
"Destroyed?" muttered Cologne in shock. "I had not heard of this.
I must say, that I am not entirely sympathetic. Those springs, while
sacred to you, were a curse to all others."
"I understand, but I must find this one. He will not escape our
wrath," said Herb in reply.
"How were the springs destroyed? Was Jusendo involved?" said the
old woman cautiously. If the people of Phoenix Mountain were on the
move again, it could threaten her tribe.
"Jusenkyo is nothing more than a lake, completely eradicated by a
man known as Ranma Saotome," said Herb.
"Ranma Saotome?" gasped Cologne in shock. The cup of tea she had
been drinking shattered on the ground at her feet. "You are certain of
this?"
"The guide told us of him. He was living quite nicely in
retirement. The man I speak of, created an explosion so powerful, that
it destroyed all of Jusenkyo."
Cologne did her best to regain her composure. "And you intend to
fight him?"
"I will destroy him, my power has been magnified many times. We
were forced to unseal a sacred artifact that I am sure you are
familiar with," said Herb as he brought out a sharp looking white
object from behind his back.
"Sheng Long's tooth!" gasped Cologne. "I remember, we owe your
people our very existence. Your ancestor destroyed the invading armies
from the north, saving both our tribes."
"You know of this 'Ranma', I can see that much. Tell me what I
wish to know," said Herb firmly. His tone was still respectful, and he
bowed his head slightly.
"I have no choice," muttered Cologne as she turned her head away
from him for a moment.
Her mind was now remembering something the boy had said to her on the
beach. "You haven't even seen half my true power."
If that was even remotely true, she had to have him in the Amazon
nation more than ever. He was far too valuable to lose now. She prayed
that Herb would not kill him. A cold smile formed on her lips, and she
looked up at the man across from her. "There is one way, that you can
punish Ranma Saotome, more than death ever could."
Herb leaned forward, suddenly very interested in what she had to
say. "I'm listening."
++++++++++++
"Huh?" said Ranma as he looked up at Ukyo. She was smiling at him
cheerfully.
"I said, are you and Akane getting along well?" She casually
brushed her hair over her shoulder, pretending to not really care
about the answer. All present could tell that she was very interested
though.
"Yeah! She's great!" chimed Ranma happily.
The girl's face fell slightly, but she returned to her cheerful
demeanor once again. "So, what have you been up too?"
Ranma blinked, stuffing the last one of his seven whole
okonomiyaki into his mouth he looked at her. "Well, we went to the
beach the other day. That was kinda nice. It was a family type thing,
I could tell everyone missed Nabiki."
"Nabiki?" said Ukyo with a small frown.
"Yeah, she's Akane's sister. She died a few months ago, we're
gonna bring her back to life in a couple of months though!" said the
boy cheerfully.
Ukyo looked at him for a moment. "Um? You can do that?"
"Well, I can't, but the Great Dragon, Sheng Long can! If you
gather together these seven balls, and say the right words, he'll
appear, and grant you a wish!" Ranma grinned dumbly at her.
"You can be so weird sometimes, Ranchan," said the girl as she
brushed it off as a joke of some kind.
"Anyway, we went to the beach, and Ryoga showed up. It was great!
He helped us beat up this hundred year old woman, who gave Akane this
weird curse."
Ukyo sat and listened intently for a moment, unsure of what to
say. "So, Ryoga is that guy I saw at the school? The one who threw
that energy thing at you, and was flying around?"
"Huh? No, that's just Kuno. He went off and trained with Master
Roshi, and Master Happosai. Ryoga trained with Piccolo."
"That demon thing from a long time ago?" said the girl as her eyes
went wide.
"Yeah, the one my dad fought," said Ranma obliviously. He took a
gulp of his drink and chuckled. "I hope I get to fight him some day!
He's real strong!"
Ukyo stared at him in shock. "You can't be serious!"
Ranma blinked and looked up at her. "Sure. Why not?"
The girl shook her head for a moment. "So, what happened to your
tail?"
"It got cut off," replied Ranma with a small shrug.
"What?" said Ukyo as she stood up suddenly.
"Yeah, Pop said they had to do it, after I turned into a monster
and attacked Tokyo," said the boy with another shrug. "No big deal
really."
Ukyo was having trouble standing. "You're joking right?"
Ranma simply shook his head from side to side for a moment. He
seemed uncertain what the excitement was all about.
"I've got to sit down," grumbled Ukyo. "What's wrong? Why is he
avoiding the truth? Could it be that he doesn't want to tell me about
this girl?" she thought in frustration.
"Yup...Uh, I gotta go! Akane'll get mad if I take too long. Thanks
for the food Ucchan!" said Ranma as he jumped to his feet. He tossed a
few yen bills on the table and dashed out the door with a grin on his
face.
"Right," said the girl as she waved him off. She looked down at
the floor and sighed, brushing the front of the skirt from her uniform
off a bit.
"Ukyo," said her father Gruffly as he walked up behind her. "If
you keep this up, he's going to hurt you. I don't want to see that."
"Dad...I..."
"I know, I tried my best, but Goku Saotome is a man of great
honor. I could not persuade him to break his promise to his old
friend, no matter what I said. I imagine his son will be no different.
Ukyo, if you continue down this path, he will hurt you." The man
walked away, leaving her to think on her own.
Ukyo looked at the doorway for a moment. She sighed and turned
away, determination burning in her eyes. "I won't give up! Ever! I'll
show him I can be a much better bride than that girl will ever be!"
+++++++++
Ranma paused as he looked at Ryoga Hibiki, who was imbedded in the
ground in the middle of the sidewalk.
"Saotome," said the boy in greeting from his place on the ground.
"Are... you all right?" said the pigtailed boy as he leaned down
to peer at him for a moment.
"That fiancee of yours is a real bitch," said Ryoga as he stood up
and dusted himself off. "She hit me from behind, and then attacked
some guy."
"Akane?" said Ranma in shock.
"That's right, last I saw. She was carrying the poor man over her
shoulder," said Ryoga with a small frown.
"Akane's been kidnapped?" gasped Ranma in shock.
"Apparently you weren't listening, she carried him off. Meaning,
she kidnapped him," said Ryoga with a frown.
"Where were they going?" said Ranma as he glanced around.
"Well, after she scared him half to death, he muttered something
about the Cat Cafe, and I guess she took him there."
"Right! Thanks!" said Ranma as he dashed off in pursuit.
"Hey!" grumbled Ryoga as he attempted to follow, but gave up and
shrugged. "I guess it's none of my business. We'll meet again Ranma,
I'll deal with you then."
+++++++++++++
"You is staying at Cat Cafe? Is Great Grandmother's guests?" said
Shampoo cheerfully.
"Yup! Uh huh!" said Mint happily as he walked with the girl.
Mousse was still pinned to the wall nearby, muttering to himself.
"More than I can handle, huh?" snapped Akane angrily as she
rounded a nearby corner. She paused when she saw Shampoo standing with
another young boy. "Does this belong to you?"
"Aiya! Turtle Shell Girl find other guest!" said the Amazon
cheerfully.
"Wow! We both got to talk to girls!" said Mint as he looked at the
prone and beaten form of his companion over Akane's shoulder.
"I had no idea girls were so strong," said Lime, he was still in a
slight daze. "Can we still have tea or something?"
"No, now shut up, or I'll just dump you here," snapped the girl
angrily as she turned towards the Cafe.
"Yes, Ma am," grumbled the boy.
+++++++++++++
"Interesting," said Herb calmly as he stood up and glared down at
her. "I assume you want him alive for something?"
"You'll understand when you meet him," said Cologne with a small
nod.
"I'll consider it," said the man with a slight smirk.
"My plan will benefit us both," said Cologne smugly. "However, I
cannot force you to comply."
Herb frowned slightly, seeming to lose interest for a moment.
"Where are Lime and Mint?"
"Your two wards?" said Cologne with her eyebrow raised.
"Yes, they should have been here by now," snapped the man with a
slight growl.
"They'll be along," said Cologne with a small nod. "There isn't
much in Nerima that would be dangerous to them."
"Those two idiots are likely to find the one thing that could,"
grumbled Herb as he looked across the room, towards the door for a
moment.
"Is here now," said Shampoo as she walked in with Mint at her
side. "Hello Great Grandmother. Shampoo find guests."
"Women," said Herb as he stood up again, staring at the young
Shampoo in shock.
Akane Tendo walked in behind her, with Lime hanging over her
shoulder. "Where do you want this idiot?"
Cologne instinctively moved between Herb and Shampoo. The man's
gaze had changed, and he was staring at Akane now. "Young girls. I've
never seen..."
"Well hello Akane Tendo," said Cologne with a small nod. The girl
was placing Lime in one of the chairs in the restaurant. She looked up
and blinked at the old woman.
Herb's smile widened, and he removed his hood. His hair was long
and white, with dark colored bangs that surrounded his face. A cold
smile formed on his lips as he glared at her. "So, you are Akane
Tendo?"
"Another one?" snapped Akane irritably as she moved into a
fighting stance.
"Hmm, perhaps we will change the plan, I may decide to keep this
one," muttered Herb to himself as he looked the girl up and down for a
moment.
"What?" gasped Akane.
Herb shot forward, and appeared in front of her. He glared down
imposingly, the cloak rustled slightly, revealing a wide and well-
muscled chest. "Hello. Would you like to go on a date with me?"
The last thing Akane remembered, was Herb's fist slamming into her
face.
+++++++++++++
Goku sat with Soun at the shogi table once again. It was a lazy
afternoon, and the children would be home in a few moments. Both men
paused, frowning slightly.
"Did you feel that, Saotome?" asked Soun.
"I did," muttered Goku as he glanced around for a moment. "That's
a pretty big power, and it isn't familiar either."
"Should we?" muttered Soun.
"I can feel Ranma nearby," commented Goku. "It doesn't feel
dangerous, not yet."
"We should be fine then," said Soun cheerfully.
"Right, I don't see any reason to worry yet," agreed Goku as he
went back to the game, which was now in favor of Soun somehow. With a
single move, Goku managed to change that.
Soun's jaw dropped as he looked at the board again.
++++++++++++++
Ranma frowned, something was wrong. Akane's ki flared for a
moment, and then dropped dramatically. There was also a strange power
coming from his destination. "Something is up. I'd better hurry."
Ranma's aura flared, and he blasted into the sky.
++++++++++++++
TBC...
Next time: The Monkey and The Dragon!
Why is Herb a guy?!!!
Well, cause Ranma blew up Jusenkyo, that's why. He couldn't get
cursed without the spring, right?
Usually I'd keep something like that dragon tooth a secret.
Without it, Herb would get creamed. I'm assuming everyone would know
that. So I went ahead and revealed it now.