Disclaimer: Nihao everyone! I no own this,… do I really need to repeat this? You know I don't own it, I know I don't own it. Let's leave it at that. [Sorry if I sound rude, but I've had a tough week.]
( ) = Actions during speech
= Character's thoughts
[ ] = Author's opinion's & chance for cheap puns at the stories expense
{ } = Character's speaking in foreign language.
# # = Sound effects
Review responses: I would like to thank the following people for their reviews; Sieg1308, Zoko, XStylus, taxzombie, Ranko Urameshi, D-Chan3, Pilgrim, Jerry Unipeg, Karibanu, & Aondahafka. I appreciate your comments & enjoyed reading them as much as you must have enjoyed writing them. As for my critics, I thank you for your opinions. I appreciate the insight from other writers more experienced then myself. Please keep it up. I also want to apologize for some mistakes I've made. The first was that Nabiki was suppose to know all major forms of Chinese, not all of them. Second for forgetting to mention that also in this chapter that we would learn why Cologne wanted the girls in the tribe, & why Shampoo was so quick to forgive & forget. Also, I would like to mention that the fathers will return in the next chapter. Thank you, & enjoy the story.
The Unknown Family: part threeTwo weeks had passed since the day that the Tendo sisters had been inducted into the amazon tribe. During those two weeks they all awaited the return of Soun & Genma so they could tell them of the current developments & then travel with Cologne to China to complete their training. As it were, Cologne had got tired of waiting &, with the help of Shampoo, began the sisters training in the basics. Nothing like Breaking point, or the Chesnuts roasting in an open fire technique, but proper stances & such.
Cologne had been really impressed with how Akane had picked up some idea of how the techniques she'd witnessed being taught to Ranma, & Ryoga. She wasn't ready to actually attempt them, but she would be if her current lessons were any indication. The same could also be said about Nabiki & Kasumi, who hadn't kept up their training in the art, but had still kept in pretty good shape. [Personally, I think keeping a place like the Tendo household clean considering what happens around there everyday is more then enough exercise for anyone? Don't you?]
Today, Akane had decided to voice her opinion, in private, to Cologne. Something had been bugging her for the last two weeks & she decided now would be the best time to ask.
"Cologne, may I speak with you privately?" asked Akane to the tribe elder during their now daily exercises they had been going through. Today, they were training outside, as it was a beautiful day to do so.
"Of course child." Cologne said, indicating for Shampoo to continue the lesson, while she took Akane inside the house. She knew there would be no chance of Ranma listening in as he was out shopping with his mom to pick up some ingredients for tonight's dinner. She'd been helping out around the house after being told of the girls heritage, & offer to help so that Kasumi could focus her attention to training.
"What troubles you child?" asked Cologne as they sat down at the coffee table.
"Well, I was kind of wondering…" said Akane dragging it out.
"Let me guess. You were wondering why I quickly inducted you into the tribe?" said Cologne knowing what was bothering Akane. "You also wonder why Shampoo was so quick to forgive & forget?"
"Uhhh, yeah." Akane said, surprised it was that easy to guess what bothered her.
"The last question is easy child." Cologne explained. "She made amends, because I ordered her too."
"Why?"
"That falls under the first question young Akane." Cologne continued. "It all begins at the battle, Shampoo is named for. During that battle, my great, great, grandmother was almost killed when she was shot through the chest with an arrow. She would have died on the spot, as our healers could not cross the battlefield. So, at great risk for her own safety, you greatX4 grandmother held off a hundred Musk warriors, just so our healers could save her best friend, my greatX2 grandmother. She lost an eye, and almost much more, just to save her friends life. My family owed her a great debt of honor for that day. They tried to repay her but she refused it. However, grave misfortune struck when the musk warriors recognized the threat Conditioner had become & decided to take action."
"What did they do?"
"Simply put, they framed her."
"They framed her?" said Akane in confusion. "Why didn't they kill her?"
"If they killed her, they would make her a martyr child." The elder explained. "However by framing her they made the council of elders think that she was secretly making love to a Musk general, thus disgracing her & causing her to be banished. My family eventually proved her innocence, but by then it was too late & we had no means of finding where she had gone. After all, traveling into different countries was unheard of at the time. Although how she got to Japan I'll never know."
"Anyway, when I read that diary, I knew the fates had granted me the way to repair the honor had been granted. I was not about to give up that chance. I had only hoped that your natural instincts might kick in, making you agree to join the tribe."
"Instincts?" asked Akane.
"Every amazon feels it in their blood. They feel the need to always be there for there fellow sisters. To always protect themselves, & other people. To try to their best outwit the smartest off all opponents. I'm ashamed of myself for not noticing these trademarks in you & your sisters earlier."
"I guess that makes sense." Akane said. "I was wondering what that glowing bowl was though?"
"That simply unlocked the natural instincts in your blood." Cologne said. "I you truly didn't want anything to do with your heritage, the bowl wouldn't have glowed at all."
"Is that all you wished to know child?"
"Yes honored elder." Akane said bowing her head in respect. As she got up to leave, Cologne stopped her.
"I doubt that is all." Cologne said. "I'm sure you also want to know why I ended the engagements right?"
"Uhhh, the thought had crossed my mind." Akane said embarrassed.
"I ended them because no two amazons can be engaged to the same man. It creates a conflict of interests, & sometimes fighting between sisters. It almost destroyed us long ago, so the law was put in place & commanded to always be obeyed."
"I see." Akane said.
"Now let's go & continue your lessons child." Cologne said as the two of them went back outside to continue their daily lesson.
"Cologne, you are planning to tell my sisters about Grandma right?" asked Akane.
"Of course child." The matriarch said. "They deserve to know of their heritage. "Since Shampoo offered to help Kasumi with dinner tonight, I will tell them afterwards."
"Thank you." Akane said bowing respectfully as they joined the Kasumi, Nabiki, & Shampoo out in the back yard to continue the training for the day.
To Be Continued…Author's Notes: I hope you enjoyed this chapter & I hope you will all continue to read & review. In our next chapter, Genma & Soun return to learn what they have been missing out on for the last couple of weeks. How will they take it? Also one of the other suitors will make an appearance. Who is it? Wait & see. Until next time.