SHE'S ALL ALONE

The Three R's, Ranma, Ryoga and Ruckus

Disclaimer: I don't own Takahashi-sama's wonderful characters. All I own are a mop and two buckets, one for the floor, one for my head.

All the focus is now the two plots, the main one of course involving Ukyo (and in this case Ryoga and our not so mystery guest) and the other is Ranma working on a professional bushido tournament…if he makes it.

I noticed a few reviews saying it's isn't the dark fic that I had invisioned. You're right. It isn't…SO FAR. At the moment, it's in the 'potential for disaster' stage. Later in the fic, things…will happen. I promise. I know that two characters will get killed later (and just to satisfy the Shampoo fans who obviously want to throttle me, IT ISN'T SHAMPOO!) plus Ukyo also facing problems, not to mention what will happen to poor Konatsu…

…oops, said too much.

* * * *

"Why…me?!" Ryoga groaned after 'recovering' from Ukyo's trademark spatula to the face.

"Well sugar, I didn't expect someone to be falling on me this early in the morning, never mind you…" Ukyo said as the two were busy scarfing down okonomiyaki like nobody's business.

"Well…thank you anyway for your hospitality…but no offense, how come you are here?" Ryoga asked the million dollar question.

Ukyo sighed. She had really hoped not to see anyone from Nerima again, because of that question. Sadly, she also knew if someone would have found her, it would have been Ryoga.

She'd quiz him later, but curiosity got better of the okonomiyaki chef.

"O.K…I left Nerima to change my life for the better. Without Ucchan's, without fiances, and without Ranma. Happy?" Ukyo said.

"Well…confused…" Ryoga said. "I was just wondering when I went into Ucchan's when I…" Ryoga stopped. He remembered that Ukyo didn't know that he was getting married to Akari.

That didn't help when Ukyo's next question was a bit harsh.

"What? You missed me? Maybe as a way to get Akane-chan to you and Ranchan to me?" Ukyo smirked. Ryoga was a nice enough boy, but the guy was so dimwitted and shy he was a gulliable fool, and Ukyo didn't mind teaming up with him because he was easy to manipulate. The two worked together to help their own needs, with Ukyo the instigator 99 times out of 100. She wasn't proud of what she did then, especially despite his brute exterior, Ryoga was the most shy and nervous person she had ever met.

"Hey, that was uncalled for!" Ryoga said.

Ukyo shook her head. "I'm sorry sugar…just things never seemed to work out for me there. Besides, as long as Akane-chan is there…I don't…have…"

Ryoga saw the tears under her eyes which she desperately tried to hide.

"Aw, damn…onions I cut up…" Ukyo lied.

The two ate for a bit more, a bit of tension now. Then…

"So sugar…why are you here? Got lost again, although I don't know how even you can get to China from Japan in a few days…" Ukyo said.

Ryoga gritted his teeth. How was he supposed to say 'Well, I was getting home, then I got splashed, turned into a piglet, got abducted by a Chinese couple who wanted to make me a pork special, got into a plane, escaped, and found myself in the capital city of the country where all my troubles started!'

Ryoga bowed his head. "I just got messed up that's all. After all…"

Ukyo swore that the lost boy blushed.

"Ryoga?"

Ryoga lifted his head up. "Well…"

* * * *

Ranma was outside the Nerima tryouts for the UBF, the Ultimate Bushido Federation, where they would take new stars into their wing if they had the skill.

From what Ranma learned from Nabiki, no more than 4 people were selected from these things. Ranma was pretty confident in his own abilities and skills, and he knew that no-one at least his age had as good skills as he did around Nerima. Maybe Ryoga…but he was gone now.

Actually, Ranma did feel a bit good about his rival for more than one reason. Akari was as sweet and lovely a girl that you could meet, and with her work in pigs, I guess the two were perfect for each other.

The two had shared each others blame for each others problems, but I guess that after everything Ryoga had suffered, a bit of happiness was needed. At least it got the wonderpig out of Akane's bed…

Ranma blushed slightly. I guess that was the other reason he was happy…

Although in the back of his mind, he wondered what would have happened if Ryoga and Ucchan…

Ranma shook his head. 'No, can't think of her now. She's doing fine, I know she is. I've got to worry about my own…'

"So, the wizard comes to display his magic."

Dammit, of all people…

"What you doing here Kuno?" Ranma idly said.

Kuno, dressed in his trademark clothing and his bokken out, plus a bag of whatever he had with him (carried by Sasuke) addressed his formidable opponent. "Why, the great Tatewaki Kuno, the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High, undefeated kendo master has decided to show the world what he can do…"

Ranma sighed. "You moron…don't you know there are no weapons allowed?"

Kuno gasped. A crack of thunder could be done.

"Disaster! Tatewaki Kuno in misery!"

And as always when in anger, guess who he put the blame on?

"Curse you vile Saotome! You deliberately waited on me knowing that you couldn't beat me in honourable combat, and then with the same black magic that you've got over the pig-tailed girl, you controlled this tryout for your own wicked needs! I SHALL SMITE TH...oofff!"

Ranma 'Boot to the Face'™ struck it's target…just as a bicycle ran over the bokken boy.

And the figure glomped Ranma as boredom was replaced with squirming and a bit of terror.

"Nihao!" Shampoo squealed with glee as the inevitable fear was on Ranma's face.

"S-S-Shampoo?"

"Ranma-airen! Shampoo hear about silly tournament, Shampoo compete with Ranma, make you forget about silly other girls!" Shampoo said in glee.

'Crap.' Ranma didn't realise that girls were allowed in it as well. I guess it was an equal-opportunity corporation in terms of how blood was spilt…or fan-service I guess.

Ranma almost half-expected Akane to come up and smash her with her trusty mallet. Heck, if she knew about it, he'd know that she'd be here in a heartbeat…

"SHAMPOO!"

The old phrase 'At least things couldn't get any worse' didn't seem to apply to Nerima to be perfectly blunt.

"Mousse here too?" Ranma said as Shampoo pouted.

"Stupid Mousse. Why you here?" Shampoo sighed as she resumed trying to glomp Ranma.

"Wherever Shampoo goes, I goes as well, and keep your filthy hands off her!" Mousse said as a chain headed Ranma's way.

Ranma casually grabs it and sighed. "Mousse, why are you here? Are you going to enter this as well?"

Mousse nodded. "If this is a way I can prove my worth to Shampoo, then it will be worth it. (And if it also means getting away from the monkey-mummy as well…)" Mousse did not add in front of Shampoo.

Kuno was rising from his grave as Ranma smirked. "Well, I guess you and Kuno can hit the bricks…after all, no weapons allowed."

Mousse glowed red. "I can fight without my weapons Saotome!"

Ranma chuckled. "Maybe, but I think using your Hidden Weapons skills for so long may have dulled your actual martial arts skills down…"

Shampoo nodded. "Mousse weak."

Mousse's heart nearly went in two….for a moment. For once, he didn't rise to the bait. Instead, he turned a corner…and began rummaging through his robes and began the rather arduous task of removing every single one of his weapons out of his robes…

"Mousse have no chance, right Ranma?" Shampoo turned…and realised she was hugged nothing. "Ranma?! Ranma?!"

Saotome had escaped her clutches for the moment, but he knew that he was never that lucky.

"BOO!"

"GWWWWWAAAAAAHHHHHH!" Ranma was so rare to be surprised as he usually had a sixth sense for these kind of things.

"Surprised you did I Ranma Saotome?" said a kind and indeed, surprising, voice.

Ranma turned and was greeted with a very familiar face, but one he never expected to see at a place like this…

"T-T-Tofu sensei?" Ranma exclaimed with surprise.

"Heh, I guess you're surprised to see me then." Tofu stated the obvious.

That was the understatement of the century. "Just a bit." When Ranma had first met Dr. Tofu, he knew the guy was a good martial artist and throughout the years, had realised he was an expert in many practices involving Chinese and Japanese styles of martial arts, with even some European knowledge. However, he had never seen Tofu even throw a punch.

"Er…are you entering this Tofu-sensei?" Ranma asked.

His answer didn't come from Tofu, rather from another surprise voice.

"That's right, Ranma-san!"

To the untrained eye, or those who didn't know who it was, someone who was appearing in kunoichi clothes, with the mark of a ninja and a very pretty face would have seen a beautiful ninja girl enter alongside the good doctor.

To Ranma, he was surprised, because he had no idea why HE was here as well…

"Konatsu?"

The she-man ninja smiled. "Surprised?"

Understatement of the century…again.

"But…what about…" Ranma asked.

Konatsu sighed. "I left a letter to Nabiki-san and Kasumi-san and left Ucchan's as soon as I arose. Nabiki-san mentioned this in casual talk and I kinda overheard. I felt…it could be a new beginning for me Ranma-san."

"We just happened to meet on the way. I'm glad he's feeling much better now." Tofu said.

Ranma was quite confused, but he knew about this tournament would mean leaving home. Konatsu maybe, but…

"Um…Tofu-sensei? If you enter this and get accepted, it means…" Ranma asked.

Tofu bowed his head, looking a bit sad. "I know. And I know what you're going to say…let's just say, it might be better this way."

Ranma was stunned. Dr. Tofu was so much in love with Kasumi Tendo it was borderline scary. However, Tofu obviously had a reason for doing this…and he felt maybe without him, it might be better for Kasumi. The way he acted around her…maybe it was embarrassing to him or something…

Deep in his heart however, Ranma knew that what he was doing would hurt Kasumi…perhaps as much as it would hurt Akane.

"Ranma, you there?" Shampoo said turning the corner.

'Aw nuts…forgot about her…' Ranma said, as Tofu and Konatsu flanked him. As Shampoo turned the corner, Mousse also turned and glomped…Konatsu?

"SHAMPOO, PLEASE LOOK AT ME! I WILL SHOW YOU HOW GOOD I AM, WEAPON FREE!"

"Gee, this is all so sudden…" Tofu chuckled as Konatsu looked on in bewilderment. I guess he now knows how Ukyo felt when he glomped her the first time…

A quick elbow smash knocked down the duck-boy as they heard…

"Will all entrants please enter the tent? We will being a medical examination before anything else for both male and female entrants…"

Konatsu gulped.

"…before we get to the main stuff. We will have up to 4 entrants from the Nerima branch, both male and female entrants will be considered. I'd advise you to be prepared for anything. Good luck."

Shampoo hummed a little ditty, hugging onto a bewildering Ranma's arm. Konatsu meanwhile was having a panic attack, Mousse was being dragged up by Tofu and various other fighters who had lined up were smirking, grinning or whatever.

The future would be decided.

* * * *

"So son-in-law has decided to try and enter this fighting school then?" Cologne said whilst munching on an okonomiyaki. Morning business was slow, but more so when Konatsu decided to enter. Nabiki hadn't been too pleased about that. Fortunately, mornings were usually slow so Kasumi certainly didn't mind. Then again, Kasumi never seemed to mind about anything.

"Hai. That's right." Kasumi said, whilst preparing an okonomiyaki.

"A good chance for Shampoo and son-in-law to elope then…" Cologne chuckled to herself.

"I didn't hear that." Said a familiar voice.

"Why hello Akane-chan!" Kasumi said. "What are you doing here?"

"Class got cancelled, teacher got sick, so I've got a free first period, thought I'd come along and see how my sis was doing…" Akane gave a stern look towards the elder, who didn't seem to mind at all.

As Kasumi began to prepare another okonomiyaki, (and wisely avoiding asking for Akane's help) Cologne asked another question.

"And where's dear Konatsu today?" Cologne's eyes noticed almost anything, and the usual presence of the chirpy cross-dresser was an obvious missing link in the running of this restaurant.

"Oh, I believe Konatsu left a note, something about 'trying to become a man' or something…" Kasumi said in her usual smiley tone.

What was said was totally different.

"Konatsu? Where has he gone?" Akane said.

Kasumi shook her head. "All I know was he left a note and hasn't been in. Nabiki wasn't pleased I can assure that, and is going to cut his wages for it."

Akane neglected to mention that Konatsu was barely paid anyway.

Cologne however took the conversation between the two Tendo sisters more interest than even the prospect of Shampoo and Ranma getting together. She had sent Shampoo to prove the strength of Chinese Amazon warriors around the country (of course, that buffoon Mousse had to go along as well, oh well, he'd get kicked out soon enough…) and expected that Ranma would have gone there.

Cologne however suspected that Konatsu had gone there as well…a suspicious mind maybe…but Cologne had a hunch.

Konatsu had been raised a woman, that was for sure, and working here hadn't helped because Ukyo often dressed in men's clothing. However, since she left, Konatsu has been working with two beautiful young women in Nabiki and Kasumi, and probably had problems fitting in with his role as waitress.

Was it a link to when he destroyed Azusa on the ice rink? Or was it something to do with Ukyo herself?

One thing was for sure as the matriarch left the restaurant.

"Things are beginning to get interesting."

* * * *

Happosai was angry.

No, not dismissed by girls angry, no, not precious collection destroyed angry, not even lustful for Ranma pictures in girl's lingerie angry.

He was 'he was left out and no one gives a damn' angry. Which is quite appropriate because that was true.

Since the girls and now Ranma had left to their own devices from today (and Happosai hated to admit it, but that fool Ranma would probably get in), all Happosai could do was watch those two buffoons Genma and Soun cower in fear when they said anything even remotely wrong.

Sure, it had it's perks, but that and his daily raids were the only things that mattered to him now. And he admitted it, he wanted to do something drastic for a change.

But he needed a victim.

He wanted to get Ranma back, but how? Akane? Too obvious…and if his daughter was in trouble, even Soun could get through his cowardice, not to mention all those guys that were friends or in love with Akane…of course, she would marry Happosai anyway so it didn't matter…

Shampoo? Shampoo-chan was cute and had a voice that maidens would be envious of, but even Happosai knew to trifle with Amazons was risking life. And Happosai preffered life over revenge. Cologne was still a formidable opponent against Happy, and facing a village of Amazons was something he didn't want to deal with. Besides, the relationship between Shampoo and Ranma wasn't as close as Ranma and Akane in his opinion.

But who else? Certainly not that Kodachi girl…and Ranma's feelings towards his father were pretty much obvious. That lost boy…Ranma and him were rivals…but Happosai rather not deal with males.

Suddenly a light bulb went in his head. He totally forgot about…

It was perfect. She was a close friend of Ranma's, and probably the only rival towards Akane that was genuinely serious about Ranma. Happosai hadn't dealt with her too much, she was like a dark horse in the sea of fiances.

But a horse can be wild…and Happosai liked taming wild horses.

"Genma, Soun…" he said.

The two pathetic fathers begged in mercy for whatever tirade Happosai was going to unleash on them.

"I'm going away for a while. You may not see me again…I'll bid you farewell."

And just like that, the greatest evil in all Japan was gone.

Soun and Genma were confused. They had been dreaming about ridding of their evil master for years…and he went…just like that?

Something was up. That's for sure.

But they were too damn happy to care.

Tonight, the Tendo's and the Saotomes were going to party.

Tonight, the Happy was going to go to an airport…steal a list of the past few weeks schedules for passengers (and a few cutie's underwear as well, hey he has to have standards) and then sneak on board a plane.

Happosai was going to have some real fun for a change…

* * * *

There are times at any man's life where shame must come before anything.

Sadly, for Konatsu, he had experienced it one time too many already…one more for the road I guess…

"This is ridiculous, he's a cross-dresser!" one of the bushido representatives was asking his colleague.

Whilst the first one was obviously the business and ethics guy, the other was the business and even more business guy.

"Why not? A cross-dressing gimmick would probably draw in the crowd. I mean, a she-man in bushido? It would be hilarious!"

Ranma overhead this and sighed. "Please let no water hit me…" he said with a silent prayer, whilst glancing over at Shampoo swatting away at Mousse, now robeless and showing his much more impressive than you'd expect physi que.

Ranma chuckled. He had a better body than Mousse anyway. Then again, maybe he was thankful that Ryoga wasn't here. The one thing the lost boy did have over Ranma was that he was stronger than Ranma, probably the only thing going for him and learned the breaking point. He joked a number of times about Ryoga and Akane being together as a pair of barbarians (of course, Ryoga took it to heart…as did Akane, guess which one was the more violent…)

Konatsu was obviously in deep fear and embarrassment, especially as a number of the Nerimian fighters who didn't know who he was were chuckling and calling him names.

"Aw, and I was going to ask a date with you as well?"

"Nah, you're as weird as he is!"

"Cross-dressing freak!"

Ranma probably wanted to tear them to bits, but calmed down. Konatsu on the other hand, seemed near borderline tears…

"O.K…we'll let you try out…" the first official grudgingly said.

Konatsu looked up, a bit depressed and returned to Ranma and Tofu-sensei.

"Ranma-san, Tofu-sensei…" the poor guy was near tears. How could a guy this docile be so skilled in battle?

"It's O.K Konatsu-chan. You'll get through this." Tofu kindly said as Ranma just glazed around.

'At this rate, I could get through easily. The problem is…if Shampoo also gets excepted…' Ranma thought. If Akane found out that Shampoo was going to be around him for lord knows how long, it could cause sudden panic.

And he didn't want THAT on his mind…

The problem was Shampoo was easily stronger than pretty much all the women fighters here, and most of the men as well, maybe all except Ranma himself, which meant she was a shoe-in…

…unless…

"O.K, we are moving now onto matches. The rules are simple. All the men and women will pair off into groups of 8, 7, 8 and 7. As there are 30 here, the last one in each showdown will get a spot in the Nerimian Bushido roster. To win, you have to either knock out everyone else in the ring for 10 seconds or throw them out of the ring."

A wrestling like ring had now been constructed outside, as they finally realised the significance. Mousse put on his glasses, realising that to impress Shampoo, no room for error was needed.

"To show fairness, most of the girls have been assigned into the same rings as well, so hopefully we will have a couple of males and females…or maybe some in between…" one of them said snidely to Konatsu.

Ranma noticed the look in Konatsu's eyes. Amidst the tears…was the determination. He may be docile, but he was one of Ranma's toughest opponents, he had the skills…just how could he use them?

"The first round of 8 will be…."

* * * *

"And why are you following me?" Ukyo complained to Ryoga.

"Well…aren't you going to come down? I need to get back…"

A simple tap wasn't going to get through that thick skull.

"LISTEN IDIOT! DIDN'T YOU LISTEN TO A WORD I SAID? I'M HERE TRAINING!"

I guess Ryoga didn't get the concept of any girl other than Akane training as another 'Huh?' came out of his mouth (which earned him another whack with the spatula).

"One more time…I'm here to get away from my life. And it appears you need to get away from yours…"

"NOW WHO ISN'T LISTENING! I HAVE…I NEED TO GET BACK AND GO TO AKARI!"

Ukyo seemed shunned a bit. She still wasn't used to Ryoga's temper, he was usually shy and nervous around her, more from fear of her stubbornness.

"Well sugar, I'm not the lost boy around here…" Ukyo said.

"But you look like one."

That comment from Ryoga had come on instinct, but he immediately regretted it when he saw the look on Ukyo's face.

Ryoga rarely insulted girls, especially considering the way Akane reacted whenever Ranma made Akane angry. However, that was simply something to try and get her away from his thoughts of Akari.

So when he saw Ukyo's battle aura rage up, he knew that was the wrong thing. Like with Akane, Ukyo was dangerous when angry.

But Ryoga was totally surprised for Ukyo's punch powered by her fighting aura…and the familiar blasting off usually reserved for Ranma.

"DROP DEAD YOU BASTARD!"

Ryoga hard skull landed in the same spot, and some rocks smashed, as Ryoga staggered up.

"WHAT WAS…"

He was very surprised to see Ukyo, one of the toughest people he knew, crying.

"Crying…because of…"

Ukyo's tears weren't fake either. They were flooding, like of despair.

"Ranchan…never saw me like that…you never saw me like that…no-one ever saw me like that. I was just some weirdo…I was just…just…"

"RYOGA NO BAKA! BAKA! BAKA! BAKA!"

Ukyo super jumped up the mountain, fueled by despair and adreneline as Ryoga watched her retreating figure up…and up…and up.

Ryoga sighed. He hated being mean to girls…heck, he hated being mean period. He never felt he was mean to anyone, his rivalry with Ranma was born after his curse.

His curse? He was in China…maybe he could…

He shook his head. No…Akari would probably be heartbroken. If his curse was a price to pay for happiness, then Ryoga Hibiki was winning to pay for it.

"Now…which way is the airport?"

* * * *

Ukyo's tears however were seen by someone else as well.

"Useless pig boy…I have no time for a buffoon like that." The figure in black on the top of the mountain.

However, his interest of the girl was surprising, because they had never met.

"Still…maybe the girl can be of some use. I still have to pay back fem-boy someone…and maybe…"

The figure's grin was recognisable.

Pantyhose Taro was on the prowl.

* * * *

"And the winner is Ranma Saotome!"

Ranma nodded to the applause (and cheers from Shampoo) of the selectors and the crowd. Ranma had no problems with the 7 others in there. He hadn't gone head to head with Konatsu, the one he was most worried about. Mousse was a good martial artist, but without his weapons he wasn't as strong. Shampoo may have been a problem…

…he glanced over to Tofu-sensei. He was drawn into the next round, Konatsu was in round 3 and Shampoo and Mousse were in round 4.

He could see that Mousse would probably head to an early grave.

"Round 2 participants, begin!"

Ranma looked over at Konatsu as he left the ring. Konatsu looked increasingly nervous so Ranma decided to have a talk to the ninja chef.

"Konatsu…don't worry about what they say. I'm the same…in a way…." Ranma hated to say that, but it was the only way to get through to the kid. Ranma wasn't much for confidence building but he wasn't a bad guy either.

"Just kick ass."

That seemed to always work.

Konatsu smiled. "I guess…arigatou Ranma-san."

Ranma chuckled. "And lay off the respect man! You're one of the guys remember?"

Konatsu nodded. He did have a reason for entering this…but…

"Good luck Tofu-sensei!" Ranma said as Tofu nodded, wearing his glasses.

Ranma was intrigued to see how Tofu was as a martial artist. Ranma knew he was good in hiding his ki, but how was he in the ring?

Tofu was in the ring with 3 other guys and 3 women. Most of the women were in the group with Shampoo and Mousse. Ranma suddenly felt a ki of another person in the area which seemed null, but had the potential to explode.

But where was it coming from?

In the ring, the 7 fighters, which included a sumo wrestler as well as what looked like a few cocky fighters in various forms of martial arts were ready.

"Knockout or ringout…begin!"

Ranma simply timed his moves right and used his kickboxing skills to knockout and his Amaguriken to send people out of the ring. He doubted anyone else would put on as much as a show…

…until he saw Tofu in action.

The man was like a wraith, his moves incredibly quick and he seemed to duck and dodge almost as easily as Ranma. It was obvious he had some knowledge of Chinese kung-fu…but his real strength was how quick he rendered an opponent helpless so fast with his knowledge of acupuncture points.

His punch into the sonar plexus of one of the opponents seemed to stun him. As soon as he hit it, he span around so he was facing his opponent's back, and one quick chop to the neck send him out of the competition.

The sumo wrestler tried to rush him, but three quick fingers rendering him helpless. He was almost out on his feet. Tofu jumped, grabbed the sumo's face, and fell down, smashing it into his knees. Another one down.

The third guy released the skills of this guy were a bit too much…and just eliminated himself.

That left the girls.

And they were by the ropes, fighting amongst themselves, not behaving like martial artists, rather pop idols looking for fame.

Tofu took the easy way out and just rushed them and threw them over the top rope. Shampoo looked disgusted with them.

"Shampoo see females. No competition for Shampoo…"

Ranma however was seeing the fight in a rather different light.

"He's…good…" Ranma admitted as Ono Tofu had been accepted as the second member of the four Nerima bunch which would be admitted into the Bushido tournament.

The third round was again mostly men, with Konatsu taking part in this one. Konatsu heard the jeers of many of the guys there, and as soon as the match started, they all seemed to make a move for him.

"Let's make you into a real man!"

"Hardly a challenge!"

And then the fire burned.

Konatsu's eyes had enough of the teasing, the taunting…the reminder of his days past…

"KYAAAAAAHHHHH!"

…which soon would turn into future.

Konatsu slid through the rush of guys and sighed.

The guys turned around, confused…and then collapsed.

"Holy sh…" the selector who had doubts about the cross-dresser, suddenly saw him in a rather different light.

"Anyone else want to make fun of me?! Well, I've heard it all before…and I'm sick of being a docile coward! So come on then!!!" Konatsu said with more passion than anyone that knew him had ever heard.

The fear and the skills of Konatsu had been put them into a freeze. Without thinking too much, they realised that they would be no match for the ninja, and with them in this mood, they may not get away with their lives.

Ranma shuddered, seeing Konatsu like this. It seems that his past life coming to haunt him, plus Ukyo's leave, had really turned his mind inside out. Whether for better and for worse was another thing…

Konatsu victorious, it was now doing to the final ring, where Mousse and Shampoo would be competing.

Ranma isn't a religious man, but by the kami's above, he prayed that somehow Shampoo would lose…

If the gods answered him, he felt it as a chill came by him as one of the girls came by him. He had felt a pressence earlier…was it this girl?

She was dressed rather casual, long flowing auburn hair, a red t-shirt, looked to be around 14 or 15 years of age, and had her torn off jean shorts on. She was quite attractive, although Ranma had long since given up how beauty was defined.

She certainly didn't seem like someone with a lot of power…then again, he thought that about Rouge, Cologne and Happosai as well…

Shampoo looked bored as she entered. Mousse was only one of two men in, and it was clear he was looking a bit nervous. Mousse's skills in hand to hand combat were obvious not as good as his weapon skills, but he was still to be feared.

As the sign to begin came, Ranma wasn't looking at Shampoo, he was looking at the girl she felt the breeze from. She didn't seem powerful…

…but like Tofu, she slid in the breeze, absent mindingly avoid a girls punches before casually bending backwards, handspringing and wrapping her legs around her neck and throwing her out the ring.

Shampoo had already eliminated one with a knockout kick and Mousse took out the only guy pretty quickly with a spinning punch. Shampoo smiled evilly.

"Mousse…you go with date with Shampoo if you eliminate silly girls?!" Shampoo said in her 'Aren't I cute' pose.

Of course, this send Mousse into hysterics.

"S-S-Shampoo???!!!"

The next thing Shampoo knew was Mousse scaring the death out of the two other girls left who jumped over the top rope themselves, leaving just the two Amazon warriors and the girl which Ranma seemed interested in.

And he wasn't the only one.

'This girl…it's like a mixture of Aikido and capoeria gymnastics…' Tofu thought out loud. 'She certainly has a calm life force…almost like yours Saotome-kun."

Ranma nodded, whilst Konatsu simply watched.

Shampoo's evil smile came again as Mousse came into.

"Shampoo…I did it! Now you can…"

Shampoo boot to the face stopped Mousse in tracks.

"Stupid Mousse. Shampoo win this and go with Ranma…" Casually she tossed Mousse out of the ring.

"Airen! I win and make you happy!" Shampoo said…but she didn't notice the other girl come behind her.

'She's masking her ki like Tofu-sensei does…Shampoo doesn't have a clue!!!" Ranma thought.

Shampoo was wondering what Ranma was staring out…well, most likely Shampoo because she was going to be his wife…

…which was why she was stunned to finding herself on the floor on top of Mousse after a two footed drop kick from the girl remaining hit her on the back of her head.

"The winner!"

The girls smiled bashfully but raised her arm in victory.

Shampoo turned around in anger. "What?! Girl still in? That cheating!"

"No it wasn't Shampoo…she simply masked her ki and you weren't able to sense her…and as Mousse turned blind, he didn't notice her, hence why you two were left in the ring." Ranma explained, and in his heart, thanking the lucky stars.

But this girl was good. He was amazed he hadn't heard about her before…Ranma was 3 years older than her, but still, he knew all the fighters around here…

"And who are you young lady?" Tofu asked.

The girl smiled and said. "I'm Fujio Himejima, nice to be here…"

Shampoo however interrupted her, jumping off Mousse (who was pretty much in a state of euphoria) back into the ring.

"You girl! Amazons never lose…I give you kiss of death!!!" Shampoo screamed.

Fujio looked on, not in honour, but surprise. "Why? I didn't knock you out…"

"You beat Amazon, is Amazon tradition…"

The girl then got stern. "Well…maybe you'd like one of my traditions from Ethiopia…"

"She's from Ethiopia?" Tofu said in surprise. 'Does that mean…'

Shampoo leaned in but Fujio jumped with agility to match Shampoo's on the top turnbuckle. She smiled.

"Sorry, but you won't see me until after tomorrow…so I'm not letting you get me…" she did the eyelid tongue trick as Shampoo lunged and Fujio somersaulted back into the ring.

"She's right…tomorrow morning the four winners, Ranma Saotome, Ono Tofu, Konatsu Kunoichi and Fujio Himejima will be joining us on the bushido circuit. So stop this nonsense and get ready to say goodbye to your families…"

Ranma sighed, but he knew Shampoo wouldn't say no so easily.

Fortunately, Fujio was surprisingly far ahead of them.

"I think I'd better go…"

And with that, she smiled, put her right arm and hand in between her armpits and shouted.

"DIAMOND DUST!"

She released her hand and a flash of particles shot towards the Amazon girl. Before contact, Shampoo jumped…but the dust exploded into a gas, blinding her…

"Ai…Aiya…where she go?"

When the dust cleared, Fujio was gone.

Ranma looked on in relief and interest. 'She's good…'

Shampoo stormed off, intended to find this girl before she left with airen…maybe that's what she was worried about…she had lost one rival, maybe another one…

However, the sad goodbyes would be more for the other three…as Tofu had to do something he never thought he would do…and Konatsu would also the first place that would bring him happiness.

One step forward gentlemen…one step forward…

* * * *

Ukyo's rage and adreneline was giving like a spark signal as she rushed up to the top of the cliff…

'That stupid Ryoga!' Ukyo thought. 'I knew he was an idiot…but I never thought him being just a moron…jerk!'

Ukyo never realised how sensitive she was at times…Akane was very sensitive, almost any negative comment would make her angry, or at times, sad. Ukyo never knew about her though…she had spent most of her life alone away from problems.

Ranchan never hurt her like he hurt Akane. It was weird…

To douse her fire, a little rain had been provided.

"Oh great…just what I needed…" she thought…but then realised it wasn't rain at all.

It was a crack from a mountain.

"How…springs in the mountains?" Ukyo thought out loud.

"Correct…it seems you are smarter than I gave you credit for." An unfamiliar voice called out to her.

Ukyo drew her spatula on instinct and threw a couple of mini ones at the direction of the voice.

"Who's there?"

The voice chuckled. "I guess you aren't like the others…well, I would have known anyway…but I just had to make sure."

"Look, I'm not in the mood to play riddles, just come out!" Ukyo said.

"Heh heh. I'd be careful what you wish for…anyone who knows that pig-boy should be careful."

"Who…Ryoga? What are you talking ab…"

"What about fem-boy…maybe in your language known as Ranma Saotome?"

Ukyo for the first time realised the voice was speaking Japanese. The words 'Ranma Saotome' clicked in her mind, and she was now looking around carefully.

"Come out damn you!" Ukyo screamed.

"I take that as a yes…well…I don't take any liberties with women…let along cross-dressers if that pig-boy was accurate…"

Where there is smoke, there is fire…and Ukyo was burning up.

"I suggest you calm down my dear…you don't want to get hurt…"

Ukyo didn't pay the suggestion any part. She shot out two more spatulas making a carving of an X in a period of rocks…which sliced them apart.

The man standing there was wearing a scaly chainmail vest with matching bracers, delicate curls of black hair dangling down in front of his ears, the distinctive sash and belt, and a smirk of superiority.

"Well well…whilst we've never met, I wonder if fem-boy has ever told about about me? Nevertheless my name is Tarou, and you shall call me that and only that…"

Ukyo's head was running circles. Tarou? Ranchan did say something to her about it once…usually when Ukyo never got the chance to go on their 'adventures', Ranma was only happy to explain what had been going on over an okoyomiyaki or six.

But she thought that his name was…

"Are you Pan…"

A bucket of water in his hand stopped Ukyo in her tracks.

"Say that name and I put this over my head. I trust femboy has told you what happens when I do this…" Tarou chuckled.

Ukyo nodded. Ranchan had said about Tarou's transformation, being dumped in

the spring of the drowned yeti, riding a bull, carrying a crane and an eel, or the niu ho man maolen niichuan spring. Much later in life, he had also used the water of

the spring of the drowned giant octopus. The thing he became when he was splashed was a synthesis of all these beings - a hulking minotaur-like monstrosity, with wings protruding from its shoulders, tentacles sprouting from its back, and an eel where

its tail should have been.

In short, an unpleasant sight and a quick death if Ukyo wasn't careful.

"O.K then hun, you win for now. But what do you want from me?"

Tarou's smug expression grew.

"To talk."

* * * *

Next chapter;

Tofu, Konatsu and Ranma say goodbye to the Tendo house during their party of Happosai leaving. However, one member of the family suddenly goes into a slump about the news…and it isn't who you think it is…

What does Tarou wanted with Ukyo? Something to do with Ranma?

And where the hell has Ryoga gone?

* * * *

At last, another chapter done.

This chapter marks the first of many anime reference characters who will be in the bushido tournament, although their characteristics maybe different than in their animes, the names will be used and hopefully their personalities will be as well.

The first character is Miss Fujio, who comes from the anime 'I My Me! Strawberry Eggs!" She's a relative minor character in the main plot, but she's the tomboy like character in it and she is pretty cute and funny. She is also a black belt in Aikido and a softball team player. Her skills however are dramatically improved in this compared to the anime. And yes, she does have a role which will be revealed.

Until the next time I'm able to post one of these up, ookini!