Chapter 6.

A huge roar shattered the morning stillness.

"He certainly knows how to make an entrance, doesn't he?" Konatsu stood up from where she had fallen over, dusting off her clothes. Ku Lon hadn't fallen over, but was clutching her chest as if she were in the midst of a heart attack.

"Remind me to smack him for scaring me like that."

"Will do, Elder."

============

"Shall we see what the child's been up to this whole time?" The two continued down the steps into the courtyard, where several figures were stirring.

Inside his mind, Ranma was locked in a pitched battle with his feline foe. No matter how hard he fought, the cat was always faster, stronger, and better. Even the brief moment he took to reflect had been costly. Ranma picked himself up off the dreamscape, his body registering yet another blow he hadn't even noticed.

"I've got to be doing something wrong…"

The feline was in fine shape. There were no noticeable wounds, and the cats sides were expanding regularly, lightly winded but with ample energy left to expend. The battle had been completely one-sided. Ranma was being trounced, plain and simple.

"But I am really fighting myself..." With a groan, Ranma staggered back to where the giant cat was waiting. "Why do I do this?"

Because your father asked you to.

Oh yeah.

Ranma lurched back into battle. Each successive attack failed even more miserably than before. No matter how inventive, how varied his tactics, he was swatted away like a toy; the cat anticipated his every move. He would pick himself up off the ground again, only to find the cat watching his every move, tail flicking back and forth.

"A matter of will, huh? I'll fucking show you some will."

Yet again, his attack was deflected with alarming ease. Sailing through the air on his way to another painful landing, Ranma reflected. He stood, a little shaky, but still going strong.

"Had enough yet?"

Apparently not, Ranma thought as his body met the hard dreamscape flooring again. He knew he was missing something obvious, but too many blows to the head had long since clouded his judgment. With a sudden flash of insight, Ranma knew of one attack he hadn't tried. With a smirk, he stalked towards his prey.

"I've got you pegged now, you little mother fucker. Come to daddy!" With glee, Ranma leapt forward to strike.

====

"How's he doing?"

Konatsu knelt by Ranma's side, checking his vitals. "I don't believe this… He's asleep!" Konatsu sighed in exasperation, and stood. "Let's get him to a bed, at least."

The remark caused a few chuckles among the assemble crowd. They carefully picked up the boy, and carried him to a room.

====

"Yeah, you liked that, didn't you?"

After all those attacks, Ranma had finally figured out the one that would work. He could have smacked himself for not thinking of it earlier. He knew what he had to do, but in his anticipation of the confrontation he had turned the meeting into a battle needlessly. All he needed to do was show love.

The cat in question had shrunk in size, to the size of a kitten. It was currently curled up in Ranma's lap, purring like a motor while Ranma rubbed its belly. With every stroke, it became a little smaller, till finally, like a dust mote, it vanished into the shadows.

Satisfied, Ranma stood and turned around. Standing behind him was the same cat, full-sized. It stood nearly as tall as Ranma. He strolled up, gave the feline an affectionate pat on the head, and began preparations to return to conscious thought.

Shall we prepare?

"Let's."

With a nod, the cat walked over to Ranma, and knelt. With a smirk, he jumped on the feline's back, and rode his mount out of the dream.

====

Ranma groaned as he finally awoke. He felt as if he had been through a meat grinder, twice. When he opened his eyes he was startled to find himself not in the courtyard where he had started, but in bed. Throwing back the sheet that covered him,

Ranma sat up and stretched his arms above his head. "What happened?"

"That's what I had hoped to ask you, Ranma. You've been out of it now for about eighteen hours. When you finally broke out of your trance, you did so with a roar that woke the entire palace." Ranma turned to look at the speaker. Basil was the person who had spoken to him, but Ku Lon and Konatsu were both by the side of the bed as well. Herb was no where to be seen.

"Nothing much, really." Ranma shook his head to clear the cobwebs in his mind. "Eighteen hours?" Basil shook nodded. "Only felt like two…Weird." Throwing his legs over the edge of the bed, he planted his feet on the ground and stood, pushing off from the bed. "Got into a fight with the cat, and in the end we called it a draw. At least he came out to play this time."

Ku Lon narrowed her eyes. "A draw?"

"Yeah. I think we left this one as equals."

"Excellent," said Basil. "Looks like you are finally making progress with the feline aspect of yourself. Feel like running through the kata with me to see if there have been any changes?"

"Sounds like an excellent idea. Mind if I bathe first?" Basil laughed, favoring Ranma with a wry grin. Ranma trotted off in the direction of the baths as Basil headed towards the courtyard. "Yo, Konastu, follow me to the baths?"

"Sure." The two walked down a colonnaded promenade. Ranma noticed that Konatsu was pre-occupied, and asked a question.

"Hm?"

"I said, 'do you want to spar today?'"

"Oh. Um… Yes, I'd love to."

"What's up, Konatsu. You are not normally this distracted."

"It's nothing." She bit the corner of her lower lip.

"Nothing my foot. Come on, spill it." They had arrived at the bathhouse. Ranma walked in, nodding to the attendants. "Tell me about it over a scrub down. I'll wash your back, you wash mine."

The now male Konatsu spilled the story while they soaked in the tub. "It's about Herb, you see."

"Surprise, surprise, surprise." The comment earned Ranma a face full of water from his friend. "Sorry. Good news or bad news."

"Unsure news."

"Care to explain?" Ranma leaned back into the tub, and placed his wash cloth over his eyes.

"Well, Herb left my room late last night and never came back. He wasn't there when I woke up this morning."

"You mean he usually is?"

Konatsu blushed deeply. "well, I mean… err.." He sank into the water upto his eyeballs, his forehead and ears still stained a deep crimson.

"You dog! I didn't know you two had gotten that far yet! Why didn't you tell me?"

"We aren't having sex, Ranma! It's not what you think!"

"Why aren't you?"

"Because neither one of us wants me to get pregnant."

"Oh."

"Yeah. Oh. Anyway, like I was saying, he never came back last night, and I haven't seen or heard anything about him yet today. He's just sort of… well, vanished."

"hmm…. Are you worried?" Konatsu shook her head. "Then why be bothered about it?"

"I have this feeling that somehow something fundamental has changed. It isn't a bad feeling, though."

"Konatsu, can I tell you something? You've got to keep it quite, for now at least."

The look Konatsu favored Ranma with was all the reply he needed. "Do you really need an answer to that?"

"I know, dumb question. Anyway, something happened last night to me. While I don't think I mastered the Neko-ken last night, I know something changed last night."

"What changed?"

"I wasn't honest with Ku Lon. It wasn't a draw. I won, but not a complete victory. We didn't leave as equals as much as we left as partners. I also came to understand some other things that were bothering me."

"Like what?"

Ranma sighed. "I won't master the Neko-ken here. I can't. The last key to the puzzle is missing, and I won't know what it is till I find it. I have to leave, Konatsu."

Konatsu bolted upright, causing waves to spill over the side of the tub. "You're leaving? When?"

"As soon as I can."

"But… I mean… Why?"

"There isn't much left for me here. Plus, I still have to find that Tendo guy and let him know what happened to my father."

"I'm coming with you of course. If you're going back to Japan, this would be a good time for me to finally get revenge on the woman that killed my father."

Ranma snorted.

"What, you think I had forgotten about that?"

"No, but in a way, I was hoping I could go alone."

"Why?"

"Because you have Herb. You have a life here, a family of sorts, and I don't want to drag you away. I don't know how long I'll be gone, but it will most likely be years. Neither of you deserves to be apart for that long."

"It doesn't matter. I'll deal, and I know he will, too."

Ranma was unconvinced. The two sat silently for a while, until Ranma stood and walked to the changing room. Konatsu walked in as Ranma was getting dressed. Sitting on a stool provided, Ranma waited until his friend finished dressing to speak.

"Hey, Konatsu, mind if I ask you something?"

"Shoot."

"So how far have you and Herb gone, anyway?"

"None of your business, you pervert!!!"

=====

Ranma faced Basil in the courtyard, both at the ready.

"That's quite an interesting hand print on your cheek, Ranma." Basil grinned. "Think you can get your mind out of the gutter long enough to practice?"
"Ah, stuff it. Let's just get on with it, Basil."

"That's Captain Basil to you, Ranma." Ranma snorted. Basil chuckled, but quickly became serious. "Let's try the first Kata together, Ranma. Prepare your mind, and see if you can access any of the power of the Neko-ken."

Ranma nodded. Taking slow, even breaths, he stepped forward, and threw the opening punch of the kata. Right away, something felt different. His movements felt clumsy, his muscles tight, almost as if he were constrained in some fashion.

Concentrating harder, he continued with the kata, moving his arms into a blocking position to accept the counter blow from Basil. It felt wrong, like something was out of place. He concentrated on his breathing, trying to shake the feeling. The muscles on the back of his neck and between his shoulder blades felt tight, as if he were being watched. He kept catching glimpses of something at the edge of his peripheral vision, and he felt certain that no matter how fast he turned, he would never be able to catch the specter.

"BREAK!" The two combatants returned to their start positions. "Something wrong, Ranma?"

"Yes. I feel slow… almost clumsy. And wary."

"Really. Anything else?

"I feel like I am being watched."

"Hmm… You seemed to be doing even better than normal, however. Perhaps you would like to take a minute to calm down?" Ranma shook his head. "Shall we start again?"

Again the two faced off. Ranma threw the opening punch, and immediately the same feelings came back. He felt as if a weight had settled on his shoulders. He felt harassed. Anger bubbled up from inside of him for no reason. He focused on his breathing, trying to calm the emotions and concentrate on the kata. His vision narrowed. All he could see was his opponent, readying to throw the next blow. His anger blossomed into rage. He wanted to scream.

Ranma jumped back, quickly putting distance between himself and the Captain. He was visibly shaking, clenching and unclenching his fists, breathing in ragged gasps.

"What's wrong, Ranma?"

"Such rage! Where did this rage come from?" Ranma turned to face Basil again. "Do you mind if I try it on my own? I can't get myself under control, and I am afraid."

"Be my guest." Basil stepped away, giving Ranma the floor.

Ranma took a ready position in the front of the middle of the training ground, facing no one in particular. He threw the opening punch. His body was trembling, and the veins on his arms stood out. He whipped through the kata as if he were fighting some unseen opponent, an opponent he desired to destroy.

Basil stepped back to where Konatsu watched. Whispering softly, Basil pointed to Ranma, who had just finished the first kata and launched right into the second. "I think we may see a breakthrough today."

Neither said anything more as Ranma launched into the third kata with a roar. He began moving faster, racing through the motions until his limbs blurred. He finished the third, the fourth, and yet he only sped up. Yet even for his speed, the precisions of the movements varied not a millimeter, each motion tightly focused and even more tightly controlled.

Basil frowned. "He's too tight. He's holding himself back, somehow." He waited until Ranma had finished the last kata before crying out, "Ranma! Let go! Don't hold it in. Release must release it before you can master it. Run it again." The boy nodded, even though he was breathing heavily with sweat running down his face.

Ranma took the ready position again, throwing the opening punch. The air sizzled and popped as Ranma went all out. His aura came to life around him, filling the air with the smell of ozone. The courtyard echoed as sonic booms from his punches layered one on top the other, until it sounded like one long, continuous peal of thunder.

Konatsu and Basil watched in awe as his aura expanded, shining a brilliant blue, vanishing all shadows from the training ground. The air pressure from Ranma's strikes began to create dust devils and cause small flakes of stone to chip away from the wall nearly fifteen feet away. His body blurred, and his motion became untraceable as he sped up yet again, racing through the forms. A roar filled the grounds as Ranma threw the last attack of the thirteen kata. He stood poised, arms held dramatically in front of his body, gasping for breath.

Basil leaned towards Konatsu. "He's close." Turning back towards the boy, he yelled, "Again, Ranma. Faster!"

Ranma obliged. He became invisible to the eye, movements only visible by the after images he left, the dust swirls from his foot falls, and the sonic booms echoing around the area. Soon, a new sound joined the cacophony. It started softly as a low growl and in a crescendo of fury turned into the ki-laced roar that rattled the stone around them. His aura tightened into a corona around his body, vibrant and alive, and too bright to look at. His final strike of the routine shocked even Basil. Eight tightly focused claws of ki shot from his outstretched arms almost ten body lengths from his strike, slicing through everything it is path.

"Bravo, Ranma! Now I hope you can pay for the damage you've done to my Palace!" With a smirk, Herb descended the steps into the courtyard, surveying the carnage. He let out a slight whistle as he fingered the cuts the ki had made in solid stone. "Nice handy work. If you don't make it as a martial artist, you can always find a job cutting stone."

Ranma gave a weak grin before falling to the ground in a heap. When he had finally found his breath, he managed a weak, "Oh man, that sucked," before heaving up the contents of his stomach.

"Hard work, isn't it, Ranma?" The boy only responded by letting lose another mouthful of liquid. Basil and Konatsu joined Herb in the courtyard, watching the boy coughing up bile. The captain squatted, and gently patted the boy on the back. "Not perfect yet, but you are pretty close. I must say, the power you show is impressive. Hell, I wouldn't want to spar with you."

Ranma rocked back till he was sitting on his legs, his hands out to either side for support. "Got any water?" He croaked out. Herb lifted him to his feet, throwing Ranma's arm around his shoulder. Konatsu quickly took up the other side. Together the pair dragged the boy into the palace to be cared for.

Herb was pacing the bedroom where Ranma was recuperating. Konatsu, still in male form, was sitting on the edge of the bed. Ranma had seriously overexerted himself, and his muscles were starting to protest in a major way. Everything hurt, even the roots of his hair.

"So you really do intend to leave, Ranma?" Herb continued to pace.

"Yes. Just as soon as I can. I figure I'll have trouble moving for a day or two, but after that…"

"Why? Are you not happy here?"

Ranma shook his head. "Couldn't be happier. But I still have things to do, and I won't accomplish them here. I fully intend to return." He offered Herb a smile, but holding it hurt his jaw too much, and let it drop. "Anyway, I already had this discussion with Konatsu."

"Do not miss understand, Ranma. I have no intention of keeping you here." Herb stopped pacing, and pulled a stool up to the bed. "It is simply that I had planned to leave too, but not quite so suddenly."

Konatsu and Ranma both whipped their heads around to look at Herb.

"WHAT?" Konatsu was, if anything, even more emphatic than Ranma.

"I am not needed here." Herb held up his hands to cut of the denials that sprung forth. "Please. My place is ceremonial at best. My father handles everything really important, and besides… I would like to see the world beyond the Jusenkyo valley." Herb smiled wanly. "He has all ready given me permission to do so, but only on one condition."

"What the condition?" Konatsu edged a little closer to Herb.

Herb didn't answer. Instead, he simply got up from his chair, and moved over to the flower vase on the nightstand. Pulling out the blossoms, he up-ended the vase over his head. Both Ranma and Konatsu gasped as he turned into a she.

"The condition was that I travel on my honeymoon. So what about it, Konastu? Will you marry me?"

====

The news of Herb's engagement spread like wild fire through the two tribes. Herb picked Ranma's male ego as his go-between to represent the Musk for his male half, and Ku Lon as the go-between representing the Amazons for his female half. Alternatively, Konastu choose Ranma's female side to represent her as an Amazon, and Herb's father to represent her male half as Musk. By involving so few people in such a complicated ceremony, it drastically simplified affair, but came close to killing poor Ranma.

Being chiefly responsible for negotiating the terms of the weddings between the tribes was taxing. Since Konatsu had no 'real' family in the Amazons, Ku Lon adopted her into her lineage to provide a home and 'family' for the negotiations, as it wouldn't do to have the Prince of the Musk marry a commoner. This led to quite a few internal Amazon squabbles as the Amazon women rushed to be included in the bride-to-be's list of 'friends' for the events.

Similarly, the male Konatsu had to be adopted by a high ranking Amazon family to give equal weight to the proceedings in terms of negotiations. Since Ku Lon's family had already adopted a bride, some in the village felt it was unfair for them to also have a groom. The argument was quickly settled when Xian Pu stepped in and thrashed some of the loudest dissidents. Things quieted down considerably, and the real negotiations took place. The whole affair took almost two months before an adequate bride price (in both instances) had been agreed upon and dates finalized.

It was agreed that the male Herb should pick up the female Konatsu first, and then the male Konatsu would return the favor. All parties involved agreed to hold only one wedding banquet though, both to minimize time and stress. To minimize damages to either the Amazonian compound or the Musk Palace, Xian Pu had the brilliant suggestion of erecting two staging houses away from both settlements to allow the number of high powered warriors certain to take place in the events on both sides free reign.

Dresses were made for both brides, as were matching formal wear for the men. Dowries were prepared, the tent for the wedding banquet set up between the settlements, (and out of way of the path the grooms would take), and wagons either commandeered or built for the occasion.

Neither Herb nor Konatsu really had time to spend with each other due to the preparations. Ranma was forced into the awkward position of carrying love letters back and forth for the two. Given the highly stressful atmosphere, the affianced couple held maintained surprisingly good spirits throughout. There were tears and tantrums occasionally (more from Herb than Konatsu, truth be told), but when the day finally arrived, all the preparations were in place and the event was ready to roll.

Of course, no one could keep it from raining. The procession from the Musk settlement set out early in the morning during a torrential downpour. A very wet and very female Herb sat on in the passenger seat of the ox cart, holding an umbrella more for show than anything else. In the back an elaborate palanquin rode to be used in the next part of the ceremony. Because Ranma driving, she wasn't fairing much better, but had one hand to shield his eyes from the rain.

"Look at it this way, Herb. It could always be worse!" Ranma's attempt at joviality failed miserably. Herb said nothing in response. She just sat there, looking straight ahead, blue hair plastered to her scalp, looking thoroughly miserable. Ranma glanced back to make sure the other four wagons were still following. Each was loaded to the seams with precious jade, gold, silver, gemstones, weapons, and other valuable items. Even though it was hard to see much in the rain, she could make out the wagons because they had all been painted a vivid read with bright golden characters that said "double happiness." The irony was not lost on Ranma.

"Hey, Herb, we're getting close, so be prepared for the first wave." This brought Herb to life. In the distance, they could see the house constructed for the wedding standing alone in a field not too far from the Amazon compound. The wagons pulled up to the door and were shortly surrounded by hordes of Amazon men, all drenched, but wanting to take part in the ceremony.

The ceremony began. The family and friends of the bride refused to allow Herb entrance to the house until an acceptable bride price was paid. Even though it had been agreed upon before hand, it did not stop the Amazons from haggling for all they were worth. Herb gave as good as he got, and in the end paid exactly the agreed upon sum. Transaction completed, the Herb and his entourage hopped off the wagons as all but the lead ox cart was led away.

Herb strolled up to the front door, but this time his advance was stopped by a large group of Amazons, deemed friends of the bride. They barricaded the doors, and attacked. While it was only friendly, the blows traded were still serious, and by the time the crowd had been dispatched, a number sported black eyes and bloody lips. Herb himself didn't escape unscathed, either. His garments were torn, and he had a slight gash above his left temple where someone had smashed him with mace.

The door fell quickly to a few precisely placed punches. Herb strolled into the cabin, to find Konatsu waiting demurely in a chair. Together the two walked over to a low alter in the corner, where they prepared tea and poured rice-wine for bride's ancestors while burning incense. At that point, Ku Lon and other village elders entered the cabin, shaking off the rain and waiting patiently.

Together, Herb and Konatsu offered tea to each elder, and received gifts of jewelry and money. Ku Lon went last, and offered the pair a matched set of golden rings. Herb turned to Konatsu and nervously slid one of the pair onto her left hand. Konatsu returned the favor, but unfortunately the ring didn't fit due to the change in size.To compensate, Herb simply took one of the necklaces he received and placed the ring on it, and allowed Konatsu to fasten it around his neck. After some contemplation, Konastu removed her ring, and also strung it on a necklace. The pair enjoyed a brief chuckle before they stepped out into the rain.

An ornately appointed sedan chair waited outside. Konatsu climbed in, hurrying to avoid the worst of the rain. The sedan chair headed back to the Musk kingdom born by Ranma and the rest of the Musk. Nobody said a word as the troop marched.

When the party arrived at the Musk staging area, Konatsu clambered out, and hastily ran into the building. Herb followed closely behind. Konatsu and Herb changed garments, with Herb wearing the bride's clothes and vice versa.

"Wait here, love. I'll be back shortly!" With that, Konatsu gave Herb a quick kiss and headed out into the rain. Ranma and the rest Musk began preparations to receive the Amazon groom's wedding party.

"How you doing, Herb? Hanging in there?" Ranma was leaning against the door jamb, watching Herb wring water out of her hair.

Herb simply flopped back onto the bed.
"Yo, Herb," Ranma teased, "You might want to get on the floor. You have to sleep there tonight, and you don't want it to be all wet before you have to."

"Doesn't matter anyway, Saotome. Konatsu always forces me to sleep on the wet spot, regardless."

Ranma blanched. Herb laughed at his expression, and got off the bed. Walking over to Ranma, Herb clasped forearms with the girl.

"Ranma, I don't know if I ever said this, but… Thank you."

Ranma nodded, not trusting himself to speak. Herb dropped his grip, and they turned to wait for the Amazons.

The Amazon part of the wedding ceremony was the same. Herb's family haggled over the bride price, and then the friends of the bride barricaded the cabin from Konatsu. Unfortunately for her, the Musk were, by and large, stronger fighters and there were a lot more of them, considering that every noble lineage was related to the ruling line by blood, even if only remotely.

When Konatsu finally managed to break down the barricade, she was exhausted and bruised, but in high spirits. Again, the two prayed to the bride's ancestors, but in this case, Herb had quite a few. The tea was poured and the rice wine served, and then Herb's father and the older members of Herb's line entered for the ceremonial tea. Again, gifts were exchanged, and Herb's father presented a pair of rings to the new couple. These went onto the necklaces along side with the pair from the Amazons.

The banquet was a huge affair. It seemed that nearly all the Musk and Amazons showed how could attend did. Due to the unique circumstances of the double wedding, both families sat at the head table, signifying the bride had joined the each groom's family. Both Herb and Konatsu changed dresses for the feast, traditional pink garments with golden decals. The first dish was roasted belly pork with crispy skin, to signify virginity. Many other dishes followed in succession, including various fish dishes to signify abundance, and all manners of other foods. During the dinner, both the bride and groom wandered around greeting old friends and family.

By the time speeches were made, toasts drunk, and all around revelry was enjoyed, the night wore on well into the morning. The party began to wind down, and Herb and Konatsu greeted each guest as they left the giant canopy. Servants quickly rushed in to break down the banquet while Herb and Konatsu stood, shell-shocked and overwhelmed.

"Herb?"

"Yes, Konatsu?"

"Can we just go to sleep tonight?"

"I'd like that."

==========

A few notes- this is my first fiction writing attempt after years of reading, so be nice. I know I can't satisfy everyone (or even anyone), but this is an idea I have been enthusiastic about for a while, and I will try to finish it up in due course. I can't promise anything, but I will try to wrap it up in under 100,000 words if possible. Considering I'm only at 25,000, I don't think that will be unreasonable.

I'd like to thank those who have reviewed thus far – the encouragement is nice.

A few points brought up I would like to address:

Shadowbakasama writes:

"Only problem is Ranma traveling on his own at his age, I'd think a dojo master would track down his mother, or try and adopt the boy."

It would be a problem, but I think that it was avoided by Ranma never staying in any one place for too long. While the authorities might try to track him down, they wouldn't put much effort into it because for one, he isn't a run away, and two, he isn't registered as missing.

"Nodoka should also have been notified of Genma's death. A death certificate would have been filed and the next of kin, spouse, and clan head should be get letters from the police."

True, if there was ever a record of the actual death. Nobody but Ranma knows how or where he died. No body, no record of death, no police report, no contact with next of kin. Ranma torched the body, remember. From my understanding, this is common in Japan if a vagrant dies – with no identification or why of contacting next of kin, the body is cremated, a brief rite is read, and the issue forgotten. (feel free to correct me if I am wrong.)

Also, being only 6, I am not sure he could even give an address of where he lives. I also know that most six year olds don't even know their mother's names - Mom or Mother usually suffices until much later in life. He also never said to when his dad had died at the temple. For all the abbot might have known, the death could be at the time of Ranma's birth. Granted, this is far fetched, but then again, it is a fictional work.

"Did he get engaged to Ukyo? Or was the Neko-ken before they met."

Why give a spoiler?

"I like[d] [Ranma] meeting up with Konatsu early, but I always though that Konatsu has his personal name, and that his clan name was unmentioned. I heard that Kenzan means 'presenting' so it's like 'here is' Konatsu. It figures that he is gender confused, but I like that he figures that he is both."

I go by the manga (in Japanese) and he is presented as the "kunoichi Konatsu Kenzan" with Kuno-ichi being the family name (like Saotome) Konatsu and being his given name. As you say, one possible translation of the phrase "Kenzan" is "here is." I didn't like that, and figured enough people wouldn't know better that I sort of co-opted Kenzan as a given name. For all I know, his name may actually be Kenzan – his parents might not have been inventive enough to think of any other name than that. If you have problems with it, simply cut and paste the text, do a find/replace function, and substitute desired text where Kenzan appears.

"Have you thought of Ranma using hot and cold auras to control the water activation of his curse like in 'Growing up the Half Way' in addition to the ki control of his curse?"

Who hasn't? Not that the idea doesn't have merit, but it has been done to death. Even though controlling the curse isn't original, I have several ideas for it that are. Again, spoilers, spoilers, spoilers. I say no more.

"How did they avoid getting married to too many Amazon girls when they were found out as Musk messengers?"

Because first and foremost, they are Amazons, not Musk. If it was poorly written and difficult to understand, than I gladly change it. They are adopted amazons who just so happen to be shuttling messages back and forth between the Musk. Sometimes, it can be hard to edit your own writing, because you know the how the story goes in your head, but that doesn't necessarily translate to a good adaptation on paper.

I'd also like to thank the content on for some interesting pointers on Chinese weddings.

I will try to address any further issues in following chapters. If I don't it isn't because I don't care, but because I don't have time.