Chapter 5

Ukyo was standing outside her restaurant, hanging her store sign when Ryoga stumbled up to her and asked, Ukyo, have you seen Ranma and the Tendos?

No, I haven't had a chance to visit since I've been so busy this past couple of days. I've even had to miss some school because of it. Why do you ask? Ukyo replied with a frown.

Well, I was over at the Tendo's two days ago and I didn't see anyone home. I waited around so see if they had just gone out to eat, but no one returned, Ryoga said as he scratched the back of his neck.

"They're gone? Are you sure you didn't see them and that they were really home?" Ukyo asked him as she grabbed his arm, leading him into the restaurant to a stool. Sitting Ryoga down, Ukyo walked behind the grill and started preparing him something to eat.

"I'm very sure Ukyo. For all we know, their parents are probably making them get married!" Ryoga replied as his imagination kicked in, painting a scene of Ranma and Akane standing in front of a priest.

"Why that hussy! Trying to steal my Ran-chan like that...Come on Ryoga, we're going to look for them!" Ukyo growled as she turned off the grill and started grabbing all the supplies that she would need.

"Umm, Ukyo?" Ryoga said as he tried to get her attention. "Can I eat that before we leave?" he said as he pointed to the okonomiyaki that sat on the grill.

"Go right ahead and finish that sugar, I have a few things to get from upstairs," Ukyo replied as she walked through the curtain to the back stairs.

"You know that we probably won't find them since we don't know where to start looking!" Ryoga yelled to her as he heard Ukyo slamming some draws. Ryoga heard her mutter a few expletives but decided to ignore them as he finished gulping down his breakfast.

"Then we will have to get the amazon trio to help look for them!" Ukyo muttered loudly as she descended the stairs. "As much as it pains me to bring them into this...the more people we have looking for them, we'll have a better chance of finding Ranma and Akane."

"All right, let's go," Ryoga said as he stood up and started walking towards the back of the restaurant.

"Not that way, you jackass!" Ukyo yelled as she ran over to his side and hit him on the back of the head to get his attention. Unfortunately for Ukyo she forgot just how hard headed the lost boy was. "Oww!" she yelped, grabbing her hand in pain.

"Did you say something Ukyo?" Ryoga asked her as he turned around.

"Yes, I did, you baka!" Ukyo yelled at him while continuing to hold her hand, testing it out a bit for any broken bones. Moving it a few times, Ukyo decided that it was only bruised. "I said that you were going the wrong way!"

Ryoga grinned sheepishly, grabbed the back on his neck with his left hand and started to laugh nervously, "Ahehehe...s...sorry about that, Ukyo. I thought that if I was able to find your place so fast that I might have lost my direction curse."

"Apparently you haven't lost it yet, Ryoga," Ukyo muttered as she grabbed his sleeve, dragging him out the door and down the street towards the Nekohanten.

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Ku-Lon made her way back inside the restaurant, leafing through the mail. Spotting a letter from home she quickly pulled up a chair and began reading the letter that was sent by express mail. She was surprised when she came to the ending of the letter to see that it was her old friend that was writing her. The letters contents told of the current events from their village over the last few months since the last letter that had been sent.

Elder Ku-Lon,

Greetings.

It has been long since we have last corresponded and I have some wonderful news to report. It seems that Hair-Spray and Tooth-Paste are to be married in two months time. You should have been here to oversee the challenge match. It was glorious! Hair Spray held her own remarkably well against Tooth-paste, but was beaten in what we are still calling an amazing feat of ingenuity and cunning! It's no wonder you favor that boy, even though you don't show favoritism since he is your nephew.

How is your great granddaughter's pursuit of that horse boy? What was his nameAh yes, Ranma? Yes, I believe that was his name. I pray that she will return soon with her prize. If she is unable to return with him, then you know what you'll have to doit is regrettable to loose someone so skilled in the tribe, but we all must follow the laws. I hope that won't happen though.

I'm rambling on, aren't I? Age does show over time, doesn't it? Ah well, three hundred years of living does that to a person. To get to the point of the matter, I have enclosed a list of this year's profits from our farming industry. I hope that they are satisfactory?

Next, I'd like to point out a strange disturbance in the air. I have tried to locate this phenomenon, but so far I am unable to. We at the village are uneasy and many of the warriors jump at the slightest noise. We are wondering if you, as our War Master and resident scryer, wouldn't mind trying to find out what it is? In the mean time, I will search through the village archives to see if I can find anything useful. Looking forward to seeing you at the tournament this year.

Your friend and ally,

Elder Lo-Xion


Ku-Lon placed the letter down on the table mumbling, If she's three hundred years old, than I'm only twenty!Feh!" she spat in exasperation before continuing, "She's four hundred years old and she knows it! Closing her eyes for a few moments, Ku-Lon contemplated the latest news from her friend. Coming up with no immediate answers that she could think of, Ku-Lon sighed. It would have to wait for later since they would be very busy soon. I'd better check on Mr. Part-timer, she muttered, then glanced over towards the kitchen to see Mu-Tsu working in the kitchen preparing for the lunch crowd.

Ku-Lon knew that Shan-Pu was up on the roof training for the big tournament that came to the Amazon village once every ten years. This year it was Shan-Pu's turn to enter, since Ku-Lon had deemed her worthy of participating the elder had started training her student vigorously over the last month. Hearing dishes clattering from the kitchen, Ku-Lon decided to see what was taking that boy so long. Mu-Tsu! Hurry up and finish washing the dishes from last night! Then when you're finished, I want you to mop the floors, sweep the front walk, and restock the shelves! she yelled to him through the door from her seat at the table. Then she grabbed a pen and a piece of paper and proceeded to reply to Lo-Xion.

Slave driver," Mu-Tsu muttered quietly as he scrubbed the grime-encrusted pot. He had been up since before dawn, cleaning the kitchen and scrubbing the mountain of pots, pans and utensils. At the moment his arm felt like it was about to fall off. Why do I always have to be stuck with this type of work? It's not fair! Shan-Pu should be helping me! I know she's got to train for the tournament this year, but after that crowd from last nightI'll never finish on time!

I heard that Mu-Tsu! Just for that comment, you insolent male, you'll be doing all the work! Shan-Pu's included! That also includes all of the deliveries! Ku-Lon rose from her chair and hopped quietly into the kitchen. When you are finished you will go to your cage! Ku-Lon said menacingly as she stealthily hopped up behind the blind martial artist.

He screamed in surprise as he finally noticed her behind him. Bowing low in supplication, Mu-Tsu tried to get out of the severe beating he would receive if he didn't appease her wrath, gritting his teeth and lowering his face to the floor Mu-Tsu begged, Please forgive me honored elder. My words were uncalled for and not befitting of an Amazon male. I beg of you to let me serve you in any way that will honor my tribe. In his mind however, You're a walking mummy and should have died years ago. he thought to himself.

Ku-Lon eyed him for a few moments before she decided that he was sufficiently cowed and not acting, before she turned and walked out of the kitchen. I'm going to go get Shan-Pu and finish up her training for today. We will be down in fifteen minutes. You will have all of the chores completed and breakfast on the table by the time we return.

Yes, honored elder, Mu-Tsu replied while clenching his fists inside his robe's sleeves.

When she had disappeared and he didn't hear her anymore, Mu-Tsu started cursing up a storm using every bad word he knew in Japanese and Chinese, all of them directed at the walking coffin that had just gone up to the roof. Turning around he got back to work with an amazing amount of speed, if Ku-Lon had ever bothered to spy on him and found out his secret, he would be married to Shan-Pu even before the dust settled. But Mu-Tsu didn't want to win his beloved that way. I want her to love me for who I am, not how strong I am. I couldn't stand to see Shan-Pu hurt, even if I have to win her the hard way! he exclaimed.


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