Chapter 2

11 years later...

"HIIYYAAA!!" * splash whoosh splash* "YAAAAAA!" The Elder watched sadly as Akane practiced her katas. She still remembered the day that Akane, as a 5 year old child was brought to them, the Dryads of the White Forest. Cologne had taken Akane in as her own and taught and trained her in the ways of life. The two of them were closer than mother and daughter. But now, Cologne was gone and the Elder had come to b reak the awful news to Akane. She sighed watching the beautiful young woman. Akane's long blue hair spilled over her back, swirling and flowing about her with momentum of her body as she performed her katas. The armband given to her so many years ago glittered in the morning sun. Dressed in a shimmering blue shirt made out of the magical water of the White Forest with matching pants that stopped right below her knees.

Suddenly Akane disappeared from sight., only to appear seconds later in front of the Elder, acknowledging the older woman with a bow of respect, "What's wrong?" Akane asked immediately. The Elder was surprised yet not at the girl's perceptiveness and skill. Akane had always been different. She was always more powerful, more accurate, more graceful and faster than all the dryads. The very wind and rain and waters of the streams obeyed her commands. Akane's powers were beyond the Elder's or Cologne's ever were. The Elder sighed, remembering the task at hand. Cologne....

----@

Nabiki was young for a queen. Not the youngest ever to rule, but still, she was very young. At 16 she controlled the kingdom formerly belonging to Orgoff the Dwarf. But that changed in time. She discovered that the orb she had had ever since she was a child gave her strange powers. She was naturally perceptive and crafty, but the orb enhanced those powers. She noticed things everyone else missed. She understood the most complex of things, and she was simply a good politician and business woman. On top of that she had an uncanny way with fire. She wasn't a bad person, there was something in her that told her she must never use her abilities for evil. She just simply didn't use her abilities for good. She did things for her own benefit and the benefit of those around her that she cared for, and those that paid her enough. But she never did anything truly evil. But as a result, her kingdom had grown very large and prosperous, though there were many thieves and vagabonds, and such in her domain. But hey- she thought, it's good for business. Besides, it wasn't like they were doing any real harm.

"Your highness," a man entered her chambers.

"What is it Gosunguki?" Nabiki rose, her black evening gown falling around her in a seductive way.

"The spies have discovered a riot, a disturbance in the peace in the northern city of Bulgotha. It seems there is a man named Happosai causing it."

"And what is the cause, of this you say riot?" she held her orb in her hands, peering closely into it to see the face of such a man, a short balding man appeared. "Hmm..."

"Happosai supposedly stole a very valuable item from a dryad hag named Cologne. She came into out kingdom a few days ago to reclaim her lost possession, you highness. The city has been in an uproar ever since as the two of them are both very skilled martial artists. It is rumored that Happosai may have already killed the dryad Cologne in a mad rage after she burned his panty collection."

"Don't make me drag it out you man! What is this precious item that he stole from her?"

"Yes your highness, it is a magical staff capable of granting the wielder a single wish. It seems that Happosai wished for a pair of dryad panties and has been using the staff as a walking stick ever since."

"Hmm.. this Happosai- tell me about him."

"As I said your highness, he is a perversion addict. He is motivated by womanly charms as well as panties and bras- which he has a collection of. He has been in our kingdom for over a few months now, living next to a whore house. He has been good for our economy your majesty- except for occasional panty raids."

"Bring this Happosai man to me, and tell him to bring the magical dryad staff. That will be all Gosunguki." Nabiki returned to her lounging position on the bed as a servant fed her grapes.

"Of course your highness."

----@

"Great Grandmother is WHAT?" Akane was on the verge of crying. Cologne was the one who had taken her in, and cared for her all her life.

"I'm afraid Cologne is dead," the Elder replied solemnly.

"Cologne was one of the best. How could she be defeated? What happened?" Akane brushed the tears out of her silvery blue eyes. Cologne had left only a few weeks ago after the thief Happosai who had stolen the staff of the Elders as well as all the underwear in the village. How could that little freak have defeated Cologne? Her great- grandmother? The one who taught Akane all she knew.

"We sent Tsubasa after her. He returned only today, bearing the news. He reported that Happosai and Cologne ended up in the city of Bulgotha, in the Kingdom of Cascala, ruled by the notorious Queen Nabiki," at this name, Akane looked up. "What is it Akane?" the Elder asked.

"No, nothing, it's just that name seemed very familiar with me...it's like I knew this Nabiki in another life of something. But it's nothing. Elder please continue."

"Hmm..." perhaps the potion King Soun used wasn't so potent afterall, or perhaps, Akane's spirit is stronger than we expected, or perhaps... it is time... but now is no time to ponder such things, the Elder was silent before she continued. "Happosai was more powerful and dangerous than we ever perceived. He used the dreaded Happo-Fire-Burst technique. May the gods rest her soiul.

Akane stood up straight. "Elder, there is nothing left for me here in the White Forest. I have learned all I will ever learn, and my time here has been fulfilled. I would like to request your permission in avenging Cologne. I will honor my great-grandmother and I will honor this tribe. I will bring back the staff of the Elders as well as Happosai's dead body." Akane was crying tears of anger and frustration. The stones on her armband shone a dark blue, emitting a great force of power about her. The rain swirled behind her and the wind howled at her pain. The very skies echoed her grief.

"My child," the Elder began. "As you know, you are not one of us. As of late, I have been having terrible dreams, and finally I know what they mean. You are a child of destiny and part of something greater. I feel that it is your destiny to go to Bulgotha to avenge Cologne, and I know that I could not stop you if I tried. But once you obtain your revenge upon Happosai, you have no obligation to return to us. Keep the staff and remember us. In fact, you must not return. It is your destiny not to do so. Before you leave however. I will give you 3 pieces of advice. (1) Travel disguised as a man. The road is full of perils, and this disguise will protect you from many of them. (2) The first people you meet are to be trusted. Heed this particularly. You will not meet many trustworthy people on your journey. Gain the friendship of these people and use this friendship to your advantage. (3) Be wary of your sister. Though I may not tell you which."

"Elder?" Akane whispered as the storm behind her raged. "I have... I have sisters....?"

"Shh.. my child. I know you know nothing of your past, but one day you shall. I tell you only what is trust and only what you need to know. You path is wrought with perils. But be true to yourself and never yield to evil. Heed my advice."

"Yes, Elder. And thank you." The rain had stopped but the wind still blew whipping Akane's hair about her face as she bowed once before her Elder and headed towards the tree she and Cologne had once called home. She carried only two things out of the tree-born house. A long, dark blue traveling robe, which she threw on over her very feminine dryad clothing. And her beloved weapons- twin tritons. Her blue eyes glinted silver as she strapped them across her back. Tying her long blue hair high up on her head as many men did, she bade her village farewell with a blast of wind and water straight into the air, before walking away from all that she once knew, in search for one by the name of Happosai.

"May the gods watch over you my child..."

----@

The dust from the road covered the two travelers almost completely as they traveled down the ocean path. One was a ruggedly handsome young man with brown hair and a green bandana. He wore a white sailor shirt, and over it a green vest, and a medallion, with black pants and black boots. He carried a large nunchak made out of some green stone. His companion a busty, red-headed, pig-tailed girl. She was dressed in a similar outfit with twin swords strapped across her back as she trudged beside him complaining.

"Wait until I get my hands on some hot water. Gods I'm hungry! Why are there no other travelers on this road? Then maybe we could get something to eat." A loud growl emitted from her stomach. "Yep- definitely hungry. Ryu? Aren't you hungry? I am. Oh... food.... Man this-" A punch from her companion silenced her.

"Shut up will ya Ranma? You're staring to sound like a real girl ya kno-" the pig-tailed girl efficiently tripped him, before continuing on whistling.

"You were saying?

Ryu smiled as he gracefully jumped back up onto his feet. An evil glint in his eyes. "I was saying- OH!! FOOD!!" He began running down the road, completely leaving Ranma behind.

"You don't think that I'd fall for that old trick didya? OH! It IS food!" the pigtailed girl spotted the wealthy man and his manservant eating along the roadside and took off after her friend toward them.

"Ah... what beauty is this that mine eyes behold? I am Lord Tatewaki Kuno of Cascala. Come my pigtailed pretty." The rich man immediately stood up at the sight of Ranma enamored by her beauty. Let me be your knight in shining armor. I will save you from this cretinous fool." He ran towards Ryu with his sword lifted high above his head.

Ryu smirked as Ranma turned beet red. "Shall we?" he winked. Ranma nodded.

"AAAAHHHHH!!!" Lord Kuno and his manservant Sasuke flew heavenward as Ryu and Ranma sat down to enjoy their new found meal.

----@

"It's rare for us to dine so luxuriously nowadays, Kumon." The pigtailed girl began packing up the leftovers from their meal in a little bundle.

"Only because you spent all my hard-earned money gambling, Ranma. But I forgive you, what can one expect from a GIRL." Ryu replied picking up his pack and strapping it to his back.

"And WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN RYU?!?!? I AM NOT A GIRL!!" Ranma was enraged and turning red almost dropping the food back onto the ground.

"Oh nothing partner." Ryu smirked. "Where are we headed again?"

Ranma growled. "Heh, like I should tell you. The capital city of Cascala. The Queen Nabiki's black orb remember stupid?"

"Oh yea... how could I forget? Two million gold pieces- as good as ours. I wonder what that mysterious priestess Kasumi wants with that black orb anyway. Hey didn't that Kuno guy say he was from Cascala?" Ryu winked. "I'm sure he would have been happy to escort his pigtailed princess but I suppose we have to find the place on our own no-" He was interrupted by Ranma's foot in his face.

"You shut up Ryu. I can't wait til I get my hands on some hot water-oomph."

Fighting and bickering, the two thieves, medallion glittering the midday sun, continued toward Cascala.