Chapter 6

As the sun rose in the western sky, a figure slowly went through the forms of her art. Testing every movement for any flaws, Shan-Pu leaped, swung, and rolled through her Kata, her concentration so deep that you couldn't detect if she were breathing. On the edge of her awareness, she detected a subtle ripple of chi that disturbed the air to her right. That ripple was heading straight for her head and would have connected if she had not back flipped out of the way.


Great grandmother? Shan-Pu said in surprise when she finally got a look at her attacker. Then grinning, battle lust running through her veins, Shan-Pu retaliated. Lifting her arm in a lightning fast maneuver, she swung her bon bori straight at Ku-Lon.

Yes, Shan-Pu what is it? Ku-Lon replied as she casually blocked Shan-Pu's bon-bori strike that was aimed for her head.

Shan-Pu so excited about tournament this year. But...very worried that when Shan-Pu gone, Kitchen destroyer or Spatula girl get hands on Airen! she said.

Don't worry child, we will have to get Ranma to come with us. I'm sure he would enjoy the idea of going to see a tournament. It would be even better since this year he will be allowed to participate. I know he will win against all of his opponents, as you will against yours. Then, we will finally have him in our grasp," Ku-Lon explained as she lunged, poking a spot in Shan-Pu's arm, causing it to go numb and disabling Shan-Pu's ability to use it.

Realizing her mistake, the younger Amazon jumped back and quickly countered the pressure point attack. Grinning once more at her grandmothers surprised expression, Shan-Pu replied. "Shan-Pu practice with book and visit Tofu-san often to learn right place to hit." Putting her bon bori away, she pulled out her sword and leapt again towards her great-grandmother, confident that the War master of her tribe would be able to block any attack she made.

"Great-grandmother? How we have Airen when we go to tournament? Shan-Pu no understand all of it."

"That is the easy part great-granddaughter." The elder blocked the sword strike and deflected it to the left while she continued to talk. "When you and Ranma fight in front of the village and he wins again, you will be officially married by the laws of our tribe and by the laws of China. We do have some of our people in high places you know. This law was just put into effect last year and is recognized by the Japanese government as well," Ku-Lon replied while grinning evilly.

"Aieya! Shan-Pu is too too happy when Airen be husband by both laws" the busty Amazon squealed as she barely evaded being hit on the leg.

The sparing session had been going on for a good ten minutes when Ku-Lon decided that her great-granddaughter needed to be taught a lesson since Shan-Pu's mind was not on the sparring match. Swiftly, like a striking snake, Ku-Lon stuck a pressure point on her granddaughter, causing Shan-Pu's whole body to lock up. "This session is over and it is time for you to realize that you must concentrate on your opponent and not get distracted by anything else! I have taught you this in the past and you seemed to have forgotten it. I'm very disappointed in you, Shan-Pu!"


Unable to move or even reply, Shan-Pu followed her grandmother with her eyes as Ku-Lon paced in front of her. With every poke of her staff aimed directly at her, Shan-Pu flinched inwardly. Her great-grandmother, it seemed, was very upset. She desperately wanted to answer her great-grandmother at the moment but she could see that Ku-Lon wasn't done with disciplining her. I'm in big trouble nowwhy couldn't I keep my mind on the training lesson instead of letting it wander to that male? Shan-Pu thought to herself as she pushed her great-grandmothers' voice to the background so that it sounded like the angry buzzing of bees.

Finally, Ku-Lon wound down and gave a final glare at her great-granddaughter before pressing the release pressure point. This caused Shan-Pu to wobble slightly as her muscles relaxed. Come, it is time for breakfast. You will take a quick bath before entering the restaurant. After breakfast we will resume your training. Turning, the elder left the roof expecting her great-granddaughter to follow without question.

Shan-Pu grumbled under her breath as she glared at her great-grandmother. Feeling like a petulant child, she quickly stuck out her tongue at the departing back. Shan-Pu is no child to be told what to do, when Shan-Pu already know what to do after practice. She thought to herself, noticing a slight twitching of her great-grandmothers' head, Shan-Pu expecting her to turn around at any moment, quickly pulled her tongue back into her mouth, putting a blank expression on her face Shan-Pu followed her great-grandmother inside.

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Finally, after a good twenty minutes of franticly cooking and cleaning, Mu-Tsu finished putting breakfast on the table when the front doorbells rang, signaling the entrance of new customers.

Hello, what can I do for you? Mu-Tsu asked, adjusting his glasses and squinting to get a better look, grabbing two menus from the rack by the door and not giving them a chance to reply, he led them over to a table. Pulling out a pad and pencil, he readied himself to take their orders.

Ryoga and Ukyo rolled their eyes at each other, they were well used to Mu-Tsu's behavior since he was blind as a bat. Just as they were about to make him aware of their presence, Shan-Pu came down the stairs and headed directly for them.


Stupid Mousse! That not new customers! That is Spatula girl and pig-boy! she yelled, slapping him up side the head.

Ow! Shan-Pu what'd you do that for? he asked as he glanced at her, rubbing his head to ease the pain. Taking out some glass cleaner, Mu-Tsu cleaned his glasses, put them back on and finally managed to make the two figures out. he thought to himself. Turning around and facing his friends he took a deep breath, opened his mouth and asked, Hey guys? How come you were posing as customers?

We are not posing as customers. You didn't give us a chance to say a word before you tried to take our orders, Ryoga growled while scowling.

Still fuming slightly from the news of their friends' disappearance, Ukyo glared at the lost boy before smacking him on the back of the head with her good hand. Be quiet if you don't have anything nice to say! she yelled at him. Turning her attention back towards the Amazons, she decided to ask them if they had seen Ranma or the Tendo's lately.

Clearing her throat before she said anything, Ukyo thought of a way to phrase her question. Have you guys seen Ran-chan or the Tendo's lately?


Shan-Pu see Airen two days ago. Went to deliver too too delicious ramen. But, have been working since, not have time yet to go see Airen. Shan-Pu was going to go today and ask if he want to come to tournament, she said as she brought her breakfast to the table next to Ukyo and Ryoga.

I didn't see anything since I was busy serving our customers for the past few days, Mu-Tsu replied.


Ku-Lon entered the dining room and couldn't help overhearing the conversation. We haven't seen son-in law or the Tendo's for few days. Why do you ask? she said as she hopped towards them.

Taking a deep breath, Ryoga started to tell his story all over again. Finally finishing with his visit to Ukyo's restaurant. so you see, I haven't been able to find them anywhere. I think it would be a good idea to go back to the doujou and look for them, just in case I missed them.

Aieya! Husband gone with Kitchen destroyer! the purple hared Amazon yelled as she jumped up and pulled out her sword. Shan-Pu Kill! she growled as she started for the door.

Ukyo growled quietly to herself as she tried to calm her nerves. If Ranma had left with the Tendo's then it was a very good idea to start searching for them. Count me in! I'll help you look for them.


Just as Ukyo turned to follow the purple hared Amazon, Ku-Lon blocked her great-granddaughter's path. Hold on a second, we have to rule out the chance that they went on a vacation. In the meantime, I will have some of my sources scour the city for a trace of where they went. We will head over to the doujou in an hour after we finish our breakfast, Ku-Lon said as she turned, hopping back towards the stairs to do some research and make a few phone calls.

Shan-Pu called out to her.

Turning at the bottom of the stairs, Ku-Lon glanced back and asked, Yes, Shan-Pu what is it?

Shan-Pu done with breakfast. Is ok go now to doujou?

Signing, Ku-Lon decided to let her go to see if her great-granddaughter could find a trace of the Saotome's and Tendo's even though she knew that her great-granddaughter wouldn't find a trace of them in the city. She had felt the disappearance of the strong traces of ki a few nights ago and didn't think anything of it then. Now, she had something to be concerned about along with the strange stirrings in the air. I'm getting too old for this sort of thingbut I do have to admit that my golden years are never boring around here, she muttered to herself as she ascended the stairs while calling over her shoulder, Go ahead child and look for your Airen. I will stay here and await my contacts reply.

Shan-Pu thank, she replied as she bounced up and began walking over towards the door once more.

You're not going without me! Ukyo called as she followed.

Hey, wait for me, Ryoga said as he tried to follow. He had only gone five steps before he felt something latch onto him from behind.

I shall come too, my love! Mu-Tsu yelled as he squeezed the blurred figure in his arms.

Get," Ryoga said as he took in a calming breath.

--"off," closing his eyes he started counting to ten.

-- "me," he started growling when the blind boy was still hugging him.

--"OR," he started to raise his voice as he felt Mu-Tsu squeeze him tighter.

--"DIE! Ryoga yelled, way beyond angry now. He had slowly started to loose his patients over the last few days, due to the fact that he couldn't find Ranma or Akane anywhere. Now, Mu-Tsu was using him for a squeeze toy. This was too much for the lost boy. Ryoga grabbed the amazon male's arm and shoulder threw him towards the spot where Shan-Pu was standing.

Mu-Tsu yelled as he flew towards the two blurry figures and landed with a thump at their feet. Spotting the one on the left that had to be his beloved, Mu-Tsu latched onto it while yelling,

Unfortunately for the visually challenged martial artist, his choice proved to be the wrong one again. Once his arms were around the figure, his hands grabbed something round and soft albeit not as large as he was used to. Shan-Pu, when did you get a breast reduction? he asked the blur while he squeezed again.


The purple hared Amazon backed away from the two figures as Ukyo started glowing, a bright yellow-red color. The chefs' hair was literally floating in the air due to the large outpouring of ki. The growling noise that came from her throat was so deep that it shook the fixtures on the ceiling. It took a few minutes for Mu-Tsu to register the sound as his brain processed the information. Warning bells started clanging. Mu-Tsu squeezed one last time, finally realizing that he wasn't holding his Shan-Pu in his arms. But before he could even begin to back away or let go, the volcano that was Ukyo erupted.


Grrrrrrrr! You the enraged okonomiyaki chef screamed as she reached over her shoulder, grabbed the blind martial artist by the hair and flung him to the ground where he impacted with the floor, creating a slight crater. Before Mu-Tsu could even plead his case with the enraged girl, Ukyo pulled out her battle spatula and proceeded to make him into a pancake.

The force of Ukyo's enraged blows deepened the crater to a hole over six feet deep. Ryoga and Shan-Pu could hear whimpering noises coming from the hole in the floor. They winced in sympathy but they knew that he deserved it for what he had just done. Ryoga for his part decided to never do that to Ukyo if he wanted to continue living.

Finally, Ukyo stopped yelling death threats at the blind boy and stood there shaking for a few more moments before she growled one last time, If you ever touch me there again...I will castrate you! then she turned and stomped out the door towards the doujou.


Shan-Pu walked over towards the crater and glanced down into the darkness trying to see if Mu-Tsu was still alive. Mu-Tsu should no have done that, Shan-Pu said in a singsong voice. Then, glaring at the moaning boy she yelled down new hole in the floor. Stupid duck boy get new pair glasses and stop grabbing everything that think resemble Shan-Pu! Then grabbing Ryoga's arm, she stomped out of the door trying to catch up to the chef.


As Mu-Tsu lay in the darkness, pain echoing throughout his limbs, he decided that he would save up enough money to visit a eye surgeon to see if he could get his eyes fixed. Maybe then Shan-Pu will notice me if I stop grabbing everything when I'm able to see normally. Groaning, he slowly started pulling himself out of the hole. When he finally managed to roll himself onto the floor, he forced himself to stand and winced as a sharp pain stabbed through his ribcage. Then, he slowly stumbled out the door after the others.

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