Kasumi woke up, as she had every morning since the moronic duo moved her into her fiancé's room, alone. Of course, it was now her and her husband's room. Her husband was either at work, or on his way to Tachikawa, to Yokota Airbase. As Kasumi climbed out of bed and put her robe on, a wave of nausea hit her. Maybe we shouldn't have tried that new Mexican place last night, she thought to herself, as she swallowed it back. As she walked out of the room, the second wave hit, and almost landed on the polished hardwood floor. Kasumi ran to the bathroom, and barely made it as the third wave came up, along with last night's enchiladas. "You all right, sis," Akane asked through the door.

"I'm fine, Akane. I think I have a bit of a bug."

"Would you like me to make breakfast instead of going on my morning run?"

"Kitchen Destroyer, go on your run," Shampoo could be heard from upstairs. "Last time you made dinner, it almost ate stupid panda man. I'll make breakfast." Kasumi could almost hear her little sister muttering the dirty names about her accidental niece, as she rinsed her mouth out with a glass of cool water.

I'm late, I'm throwing up in the morning…Oh my! I think, I hope, Chris'll be happy, she thought to herself, as she made herself presentable to the rest of the family. And it was a smaller family in the past few weeks. Nabiki was home only on weekends from Todai; Ranma had moved to Juuban, and Nodoka had come by to remove her wayward husband. Now the only time Soun saw his friend was when Genma stopped by to play shogi, and commiserate with his friend on the collapse of the Tendo-Saotome union. Granted Chris and Shampoo were there, but they didn't really cause the same huge dents in the food bill that the Saotomes caused. But to be sure, I'll need to call the doctor. I wish Tofuu-sensei didn't have that problem he has with me, I hate to inconvenience Mizuno-sensei with this kind of visit.

Shampoo brought Kasumi a steaming mug of herbal tea. "Here, Kasumi," she said, handing her the mug. Kasumi sniffed the steaming mug, and gave her adopted daughter an arched eyebrow. "It's an ancient Amazon remedy for early pregnancies. It'll help take the edge off. Now, sit and relax. It's my turn to help you."

"Thank you, Shampoo," she replied.

00000

Marx sat in his office, an earthenware cup of green tea steaming away untouched on the desk next to him, as he read the court martial transcripts of Sgt. Harnett's statutory rape in Chiba. The board found him guilty after only a few hours of deliberation. Even though the American military wanted to wash its hands of the whole affair, the Tokyo area judicial system transferred authority back to the Air Force. "Such a waste of a good NCO," he said out loud.

"I know what you mean, Marx," Captain Schuler said, from his XO's door. "It's a damn shame he got caught up in that sting operation." Schuler walked in, closing the door behind him, and looked around his XO's office. He noticed three pairs of black boots, all with professional polishes and lace-in zippers, a pair of tan boots and a pair of low quarters sitting next to the door. "He'll be breaking big rocks into little rocks for a long time to come. I doubt that he'll have a good time in prison."

"Can I get you a cup of tea or coffee, sir?" CPT. Schuler declined. "Why is it that the military has such bad apples in it?" Marx asked rhetorically.

"Because we're in an all volunteer system, Lieutenant; which means we can no longer weed out the good from the bad in basic training and technical school."

"I know sir, I know." Marx rubbed his temple.

"Eyes bothering you?"

"Every now and then sir. I guess maybe that Chinese solution for my eyes didn't work after all. Funny, though, is it hasn't affected my distance vision. I can see well enough to qualify on the range."

"Chris," Schuler said, "you get 40 out of 40 every time, center mass. And before you say it was from your time in the Army, I've seen those records. The highest you ever got was 32 out of 40. Schedule an appointment with the hospital to get your eyes checked."

"Roger, sir."

"You going to the chow hall for lunch later?"

Marx smiled. "No sir. Kasumi packed me a bento."

Schuler shook his head. "Marx, I swear you're turning Japanese on us."

"Well, sir, you did want someone to handle your military-civilian affairs staff." Marx shrugged, and added, "And I did marry a proper Japanese housewife, after all. Can I help it if she doesn't want to see her husband go hungry?"

"And I'll be you're wearing house slippers too." Marx grinned sheepishly. "You are turning Japanese," Schuler shook his head again, and, as he left Marx's office, wondered who he pissed off to get such an oddball executive officer.

00000

Kasumi sat in the kitchen, drinking a cup of tea; or at least looking like she was drinking it. The tea cup hadn't left the table, and had the same amount of fluid in it as when she poured it. The Wa of the house had sensed her desire for privacy, and kept her father out of the kitchen. Even Shampoo could see that her foster mother wanted to be alone. She was unsure of what to do, or how her husband would react. As she stared at the cooling cup of tea, Kasumi even thought about the danger to her child from both Firespur, if she were still alive, and the Amazons.

There was a commotion coming from outside, and as Kasumi got up, she could see Shampoo visibly stiffen. "So, the rumors that Kuh Lon exiled her own heir weren't falsehoods," followed by a cackling laugh. There aren't many things that would cause an Amazon warrior to pale, but the sight of your great-grandmother's arch-rival on the Council cackling her head off should probably rate up there with "The PLA is attacking again." Insert sigh here, followed by "And this time our agents report that they've gotten permission for special weapons."

Kasumi made her way to the engawa, and looked at the three foot tall gnome, er…Elder standing in the yard. "May I help you," Kasumi asked politely, if testily.

"Forgive my intrusion. I am Elder Bin Gai. My family once held the seat of Matriarch, until my ancestor died and Rol Lon took over. Young Herb of the Musk approached me under embassy, that Yin Zi would be willing to propose a truce between the Amazon Nation, the Musk and the Phoenix."

Kasumi nodded. "My husband is at work right now. Baring traffic, he should be home sometime around six thirty."

"I take it your husband is Yin Zi?" Kasumi nodded again. "I suppose I could ask what proof there is of that."

"My husband was the last person to fall into any spring of Jusenkyo, let alone Dai Ryuujin no Nishi. Prince Herb has acknowledged my husband's status as forbearer of the Musk Dynasty. Those two things should be enough, Honored Elder," Kasumi replied, rather testily. She was being interrogated for no reason, she was aggravated, and her hormones were bouncing around, getting that part of the pregnancy started early. But before Elder Bin Gai could answer, a particular golden key appeared in Kasumi's hand. "Perhaps this key, which Kuh Lon claims as an Amazon treasure, is proof enough, Honored Elder."

Shampoo's eyes went wide when she saw the key. "If I hadn't already known that my foster father was Dai Ryuujin no Nishi and my foster mother soulbonded to him, then I would not doubt Kasumi's claim," the former Amazon remarked.

Bin Gai reached out for the key, only to have her hand smacked away by a wooden soup spoon, like a naughty schoolgirl. Kasumi made the ring disappear again. "So, it is true. The ancient stories, the ones not told to the Warriors or the other Amazons about Dai Ryuujin no Nishi tell that Peng Xuan Yang was not ensorcelled by the dragon, that she could call the key at any time as well as her husband."

Bin Gai looked at Shampoo. "There are the stories that my family carried down through the generations after my ancestor, the last of the Greek matriarchs, died. Unfortunately, what the Elders were taught about Yin Zi are lies and fabrications spread by Rol Lon and her family. I assume that Yin Zi told you the truth of the Valley of Jusenkyo?" Shampoo nodded.

"Then I am sorry Xian Pu that your great grandmother could not find it in her heart to live in harmony with the dragon and his allies. And I regret that you were cast out of the tribe. Kuh Lon always did think that our tribe was still something to be reckoned with. That began to end when we heard of the horrors during that particularly nasty family fight in Europe back in the second decade of the 20th Century, and then when we heard of what happened to Nanking and Shanghai by the Japanese forces. Of course, Stalin and Hitler weren't anything to laugh at, either." She smiled at the amazed look on Kasumi's face, and cackled. "Oh yes, despite what my dear colleague may have told you, the Council is quite current on world events. It helps us keep up to date with our perennial adversaries in Beijing.

"With your permission, Lady Dragon, I would like to wait for your husband here."

"I have no problem with that, Honored Elder. Would you care for some tea?"

"Thank you, deary. And congratulations."

"Congratulations?" Kasumi asked, pausing in her preparations of a new pot of tea. Her pregnancy was only known to Setsuna, Shampoo and Dr. Mizuno. She hadn't even had the gumption to tell her husband that their honeymoon in London had results.

"On your pregnancy, Lady Dragon. I saw it in your aura." Kasumi stayed silent, but raised an eyebrow. "I shouldn't say anymore," the Elder said, finally after a deafeningly long silence.

"I understand, Elder. I'm still coming to terms with it myself. I love my husband dearly, but…"

Bin Gai cackled in amusement, her dark eyes shining brightly. "I swear the Goddesses placed men on this planet for their amusement; especially since they tend to cloud even the clearest of minds with indecision and frustration. I loved my three husbands all equally, but they gave me such headaches as the like I've not experienced before."

Kasumi smiled a genuine smile, nodding her head in agreement with Bin Gai. She looked at her foster daughter. "I just wish Shampoo would get over her infatuation with her uncle," she said, the smile still on her face.

Bin Gai's eyes brightened. "Surely the Saotome boy didn't marry your little sister."

"No, thank the Kami. And no, Ranma-onna didn't marry Nabiki, although that would have been an interesting relationship; the kind that would make you wonder who was going to be the husband in that couple.

"It's just that I feel that Ranma's been like the brother I wish I had. He was always so protective and supporting of me. After the wedding fiasco," there was a reproachful look at Shampoo for her role in that disaster, "he always took time to just talk to me. Even when my husband wasn't here because of work, Ranma'd always find time to just talk with me."

"I'm sure that Shampoo will find someone. It's a shame that I was the only one who saw the potential of that boy, or rather girl, and was the only Councilmember who opposed holding Xian Pu to the Laws."

"Elder," Shampoo asked, her voice small, "is there, then anything you can do about my banishment?"

Bin Gai looked at lavender-tressed former Amazon. Although her hair was now done in a tastefully short hairstyle, the pride was still evident, the courage was still there, the core of tempered steel would not be diminished, and the fire of an Amazon warrior was still in her eyes. "Even if I could adopt you into my Clan, Xian Pu, you would still be considered an Outsider. Kuh Lon contacted the Council the very day that she banished you, and followed the dictates of the banishment laws. You would be subject to the Kiss of Death, just as you placed on Ranma, when he defeated you for your feast.

"However, you have been adopted into a noble family. Dai Ryuujin no Nishi was known throughout the Valley for his compassion. My ancestors would tell our family tales of Dai Ryuujin no Nishi, tales passed down from great Hypolita, may Artemis continue to guide her spirit, that he was slow to anger, but once angered, he was an implacable enemy, as Rol Lon found out.

"There is a tale of how Mongol raiders stormed into the Valley of Jusenkyo that was already legend when we arrived. They demanded of Yin Zi horses, and women, and food, and wine.

"Yin Zi stood there, and told the Mongol chieftain: 'All that I have, you see before you. I have myself, and my wife, and my house. That is all. I can offer you shelter and dinner and fodder for your animals for the night, as my guests, but all I ask is that you leave this valley peacefully in the morning.'" Bin Gai took a sip of her tea, to wet her throat. "This is an excellent Oolong, Lady Dragon," she said in an aside. Kasumi nodded, and sipped her tea.

Bin Gai continued her tale. "The Mongol chieftain was not happy that his demands were unable to be met, and rode off, looking for another village to raid. That night, it is said, Dai Ryuujin no Nishi followed the raiders to their camp. He watched them, listened to their scheming. And the next morning, appeared before them, as a dragon.

"He grinned at the chieftain, the legend says, and this is what he said: 'Yesterday, you were offered shelter and food and feed for one night, if you would leave this valley in peace. You refused, and I know I offer you one last chance. Leave this valley now, or do not leave it. That is your choice.'

"Dragons, as you may have realized, Xian Pu, are paradoxical creatures. They are majestic in flight, yet they look like they should not be able to fly. They have long memories, but will sleep for centuries. They need not gold and jewels and precious works of art, but they hoard it for generations, never spending a Yuan, but able to know when one coin or gem is missing. The fact that his hospitality in return for safe conduct out of the Valley was refused darkened Yin Zi's brow, and that the Mongols were looking for a defenseless village to plunder did nothing to assuage that anger.

"The chieftain, it is said, ordered his men to attack Dai Ryuujin no Nishi. That was the last time a Mongol horde ever even considered approaching the Bayankala Mountains."

There was a throaty chuckle from behind Bin Gai. "There's one thing that the story doesn't mention. The Mongol chieftain soiled himself when he saw me, and I don't blame him. I remember that incident like it was yesterday. It was about fifty years before Hyppolita and the Amazons arrived." Kasumi smiled into her teacup, as Bin Gai turned around, and was met by the broad smiling face of a silver dragon. "Greetings, Elder. I am Dai Ryuujin no Nishi."

Bin Gai toppled from her staff, and hit the floor…hard. "I thought you'd be bigger," she said.

"Why does everyone say when they see me? Remember where I was for the past three thousand years, Elder. When I merged with Lieutenant Marx, I lost fifteen hundred years of growth. Give or take a century," he said, shrugging his shoulders. He morphed back into his public form, and walked into the house. He bowed formally, but as though a superior acknowledging a subordinate. "Elder, I am Christopher Marx, and, as I just mentioned, Dai Ryuujin no Nishi. Allow me to welcome you to my home, which I know my wife did when you arrived here." He smiled at Kasumi, who gave her husband a worn smile in return.

"Yin Zi," Bin Gai said, "I have much to discuss with you about treaties and alliances. And I fear that there are others on the Council who will not be swayed by what I have to say, or that Dai Ryuujin no Nishi is free to 'spread terror around the world'. Not my words, honored Dragon, but Kuh Lon's in an email to the Council."

Marx began to chuckle, then chortle, then full out belly laugh. "There are other things more pressing in the world than a moldy old dragon, like myself. Al Qaeda is still a threat to governments, there are wars in Iraq and Afghanistan right now that are still unresolved, and untested, nation builders. North Korea is saying that it will curtail its nuclear weapons program; and I give that about as much credence as I do rumors that Osama bin Laden shaved his beard and is now working as a crossdressing showgirl in Bangkok." He shook his head trying to clear out that particular image.

"No. All I want is a return of the peace that was in Jusenkyo when Hyppolita was Matriarch. We have much to work on, Honored Elder, but I would like to wait for the other two parties for this conference arrive."

"Of course, honored Dragon. I understand completely."

"I think we have some space available," Kasumi said, "if you would like to stay here."

"I thank you for your offer of hospitality, Lady Dragon, but I know of an Amazon embassy already in Nerima," Bin Gai said, with a wicked glint in her eye. "And I can't wait to see the expression on Kuh Lon's face when I drop in."

"Elder Bin Gai has always been a strange one," Shampoo muttered, as Bin Gai pogo'd out. "Kasumi, would you like me to make dinner tonight?"

"Thank you, Shampoo; yes please. There's much I need to talk to my husband about." When the former Amazon left for the kitchen, Kasumi looked at her husband. There was concern behind those silvery eyes of his; she could read it in his body language. "Anata, do you remember when we were on our honeymoon in London?"

"Of course. And I'm still sorry that I dragged you to all those museums. It isn't everyday that you get to visit the Imperial War Museums ((see AN below)) or the RAF Museum at Hendon."

Kasumi gave her husband a worn smile. He was still a history teacher at heart, and taught her quite a bit that wasn't taught at Furinkan when they were there. "There's something else that I wanted to talk to you about, that resulted from our trip there."

Marx's eyebrow went up. Never let it be said that he was the quickest on the uptake sometimes, but he could put two and two together to get four. Of course, sometimes his sister-in-law tried and got three. "We weren't using protection while we were…" He let his statement trail off as his wife blushed. "Then…"

"I'm two months pregnant, anata."

00000

Stop here? Sure why not. I love cliffhangers as much as the next author.

I use the plural for the Imperial War Museum, because there are five branches: South London, which is the main branch, the Cabinet War Rooms and Churchill Museum, HMS Belfast moored in the Thames, IWM Duxford and IWM North. Inasmuch as they focus on the British and Commonwealth military events, they're superbly non-critical, and the American Air Museum in Duxford has an outstanding collection of, primarily, USAF warbirds, centered around a B-52D, although they truly honor the thousands of American airmen who lost their lives in one of the deadliest campaigns of the war- the bombing of Germany. If you ever get the chance to visit England, or live there, I strongly recommend them.

Although I don't see how the Brits think Monty was such a military genius as they make him out to be. Seven months to break out of Caen?