Chapter 2: Tendo Doujou

Seven hours after the discovery that Akane was missing, the sun was now setting over the quiet neighborhood of Nerima. Suddenly, a yell broke the silence, "That's it! I can't bear it anymore!" came the cry from the middle Tendo. Dashing through the house with a wild look in her eyes, Nabiki covered her ears with her hands to block out the awful noise of her fathers crying. She cringed as she passed the living room where her father currently sat,wailing.

"AAAAKAAANEEEEE! MY BABY!!!!" Soun cried as he sat in the living room while Genma tried to console him. Soun had been crying non stop for over five hours now and showed no signs of stopping.

Nabiki finally had had enough, reaching her older sisters side, she begged, "Please...sis.....please let me get it and put us out of our misery."

Kasumi frowned while replying, "Now, Nabiki. You know that's not nice."

Practically in tears herself due to the throbbing headache pounding in her skull from her fathers crying, Nabiki was desperate; kneeling, she grasped Kasumi's apron and cried, "I'll give you anything! Just _let_ me_ make__ him_ stop!....I....I can't take it anymore!"

Placing a hand to her forehead, Kasumi massaged her temples as little stabs of pain raced through her brain. Secretly she agreed with Nabiki; chancing a glance towards her father, she winced at the site before her. The living room floor was covered by two inches of water that thankfully, was making its way outside by way of a channel created from all of the towels in the house. "Oh....my," Kasumi murmured, wincing at the damage to her newly acquired wooden floors. "I suppose it might be a good idea to get father to calm down...."

"YES!" Nabiki yelled, jumping to her feet, she planted a kiss on Kasumi's cheek before running out of the room to get her secret weapon.

Kasumi smiled as she envisioned the impending silence while eyeing the stairway in anticipation. Turing so she caught Genma's eye, she whispered, "Psst....Mr. Saotome!" she lifted her hands up and gestured for him to back away.

"Mmmm?" Genma replied as he glanced towards her. Recognizing the gesture, his eyes widened to the size of oranges. Not one to argue with Kasumi, he quickly scooted out of the way. Fortunately, it was just in time as a whistling sound filled the air followed by a soft thudding noise as the dart met human flesh.

Pausing in mid wail, Soun's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates at the sudden stinging sensation in his backside. he squeaked before slumping to the floor, unconscious.

"Mmmm?" Genma replied as he glanced towards her. Recognizing the gesture, his eyes widened to the size of oranges as he quickly scooted out of the way just as a whistling sound filled the air followed by a thudding and a grunting noise. Two minutes later, Soun slumped the ground, unconscious. "God! I thought he'd never stop!" Genma complained, holding his aching head while leaning against a wall for support. He had never realized how much his friend could loose all control when a loved one went missing or died.

"Thank god he did....I don't think even_ I_ could take it anymore. Although, when mother died...he was much worse," Kasumi replied as she pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Yea, with Akane missing...there's no telling when daddy will stop," Nabiki said as she entered the room with something hidden behind her back. Bouncing across the room she revealed her weapon to the Saotome patriarch and replied, " I'm glad you taught me how to use a blow gun, Kasumi...and those tranquilizer darts from Dr. Tofu's sure do come in handy!"

Genma's jaw dropped in shock as he glanced from the blowgun in Nabiki's hands towards the dart currently residing in Soun's backside. Shuddering in fear, Genma realized that the two before him had many hidden talents that had yet to reveal themselves. Taking a deep breath, he gathered his thoughts to speak but was interrupted when Kasumi spoke instead.

Blushing at the complement, Kasumi said, "Mr. Saotome...please close your mouth or you'll catch flies." and smiled as his jaw closed with a loud clacking sound. "Would you kindly put father to bed? I have to start cleaning up this mess," she said, pointing towards the mess on the floor. "Nabiki?"

"Yes?" she replied.

"Would you please call the carpenter and have him install a new floor tomorrow...maybe one with water proof sealant on it?" Kasumi said thoughtfully, tapping a finger against her chin.

Ginning from ear to ear, Nabiki chirped, "Sure! And while I'm at it...I can get him to fix the dojou that the Kuno's wrecked last week."

"We don't have enough money for that," Kasumi said, eyes widening slightly at the thought of how much it would cost.

"Don't worry. I got the Kuno's to pay for the damages," Nabiki ginned, slyly. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out one hundred thousand yen and waved it in the air. "And the best part is....We would have been able to afford to go on that Hawaiian vacation with the left overs. But," Nabiki bowed her head in grief, "now that Akane's missing, I'll have to wire the money to Ranma when he needs it."

A tear gathered in Kasumi's eye and she braced herself from shedding it and whispered, "Don't worry. Ranma will find her" Turning away, Kasumi walked back into the kitchen to gather her cleaning supplies and said too quietly for Nabiki and Genma to hear, "......he has to."

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China:


Deep within a valley shrouded by the mists of time, a lone figure stood atop a rock slowly going through an intricate kata. The figure's hair hung past her waist in a blue-black tumble. Sharply pointed ears listened for any trace of sound that would signal an oncoming attack. Muscles rippling with hidden strength as the figure ducked and wove to avoid her imaginary opponent. The girl focused all of her attention on her opponent while strategies ran thought her mind.

Suddenly, the figure stiffened, sensing an oncoming attack, shifting her balance, she managed to block the death strike aimed for her nose and retaliated with a direct chop to the throat, only to pause before the blow could be fatal. As the match ended she heard a murmur of approval from her Sensei, "Very good my daughter, you may open your eyes now. This time I will teach you a new kata. It is one that uses the elements and combines them with one's ki."

Thank you, mother. I will master this technique as well. I am very honored that you have taken me as your student," the girl bowed out of respect for her master and remained there until she was released.


"You may get up, daughter. I think we have done enough for today Xanixi turned to leave but was halted by the sound of her adopted daughter's voice.

Yes my daughter? she replied turning, she faced the girl once more.

Can you tell me about how you came to find me in the forest? tilting her head to the side, her hair rippled in the wind. The girl jumped down from the rock and made her way towards the old woman.

I'm sorry my daughter but...all I know is that I found you lying injured on the forest floor. I know that you are being hunted." Xanixi gave her adopted daughter a warning glare and continued," You are in grave danger should you venture out of this valley. And that is why I'm training you." She sighed, suddenly weary of the days events.

Biting her lip nervously, the girl decided on a change of subject. Moving closer she murmured quietly, Have you thought up a name for me yet?

Yes. I will call you, Storm. Smiling gently at her charge, the old woman raised a finger to make her point and continued, Only because I found you in the middle of one. That will have to do until you remember who you truly are. Now, lets forget about this and hunt for our supper," she replied.

All right. How about we have venison today? Storm said, rubbing her stomach in anticipation.

That sounds like a good idea. However, I think you should practice your archery skills. Otherwise, you will never learn to fend for yourself when I'm away on business, Xanixi replied warmly.

Fine, but let me get my bow, Storm muttered good naturally as she swiftly ran to the edge of the trees to grab them off of a low branch. Once back in her possession, she quickly made her way towards her teacher. Ok, now we can go.


Good. Now stand back so I can change. We will have to go many miles today to find a heard big enough to feed both of us, Xanixi said, moving back a short distance herself to allow herself enough room. Suddenly, her form began to shimmer like heat waves off of asphalt and then with a bright flash of light the change was complete.

Storm grinned as she watched her sensei unfurl her massive wings. I'll never get tired watching mother change, Storm whispered quietly to herself . I could sit and watch her transform a million times and never loose my fascination with it. Furrowing her brow in thought, Storm reasoned, I mean, mother can be beautiful and menacing to behold at the same time. Smiling, Storm thought, The beauty comes from the site of watching such a huge animal move about with grace. But, the menacing aspect comes from that time when I had been out hunting and encountered that basilisk. Mother came to my rescue and she quickly dealt with it by charring it into so many ashesonly after an intense and violent battle. Returning from her musings, Storm glanced towards her mother and laughed, Hahahahaha! Mother, are you ready to go now?

Yes. Now come on and hop on my back, came the rumbling reply as the large scarlet dragon crouched lower to the ground.


Do you think we can go look at the human settlements outside of the valley? We don't have to land.could we just fly close enough to see them?" Storm asked as she quickly made her way over. Grasping one massive wing in her hand and bracing herself, she climbed on.

I really don't think that is such a good idea, Xanixi said hesitantly.

Please, Mother? Storm pleaded.


We shall see.but, I wont guarantee it, she replied quickly and with a hint of reproach in her voice. Now hang on! Bunching her muscles, she leapt into the air, beating her wings and rising into the sky. Within one moment and the next both the girl and the dragon were gone.


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