Ranma stared at the wall in front of him as he mindlessly followed the Song towards the Musk city. The wall is made of very smooth limestone which seems out of place since there isn't any trace of limestone near the city. The guards on top of the wall all carried a long bow, which is slung on their backs, a quiver of arrows, and a simply looking long sword. As they approached the gate itself, Song looked upwards and gave a quick hand signal to the gate keeper.

"I hope the two of you do not mind walking up stairs," Song said as the trio waited for the gate to open, "It is one of the natural defenses of our city. Our city is built in a half dried up lake on top of this very mountain. It is said that the water of Jusenkyo comes from the very lake that our city lays."

Kikori and Ranma both nodded and pulled the hood of their cloaks over their head to hide themselves, "How long is this set of stairs that we're about to walk up?" Kikori asked curiously.

"We never measured it," Song said as he led the two through the gates towards the stairs, "But people have counted the steps and ended up with a count of nine-hundred-five thousand six hundred and eighty-three steps."

Ranma whistled appreciatively, "That's some LONG stairs."

Song chuckled, "Yes, these stairs are also part of the final ceremony before a young one of our city can become a warrior."

Kikori looked up the stairs, squinting her eyes from the bottom, not following her Ranma and Song, "What's that over there?"

Song frowned, "What are you speaking of?"

Kikori squinted more, "That wooden cross far over there."

The wolf-man blinked in surprised, "You have good eyes, those are the gravesites of two of the most respected people to have ever tried to get pass our defense. Those crosses marked the place where they died."

Kikori whistled and held up her left arm.

"Umm, Kikori," Ranma said scratching his head, "I don't think Fudari can follow you across the se- OW!"

The priestess stifled a giggle as her pet eagle, Fudari, pecked the spirit mage once before landing on arm, "Who said she flew all the way here? When you weren't looking, I had the tower send for her." Kikori said smugly, "Fudi, can you go up there to that wooden cross and get me that shiny thing on it?"

The eagle rubbed herself against Kikori affectionately before chirping and flying off.

Song blinked, "You are really full of surprises, if I didn't know better, I would say that you are one of the original descendents of our tribe."

Kikori blushed, "Thank you for your compliments."

Ranma sighed loudly, "So, why did you call that eagle of yours."

"I don't know," Kikori said and started to walk up the stairs with the two others, "Something about this is bothering me."

After a few minutes of walking, Fudari glided down from above and landed on Kikori's shoulders with a necklace between her beak. Kikori stared at the necklace. The chain is made of pure silver with a very small pearl at the middle of the whole necklace.

"Father…"

A single tear fell from the priestess's eyes as she continued to stare at the necklace.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Act 1: Chapter 19

Sibling rivalry

Ranma watched as Kikori dashed up the stairs ignoring everything surrounding her to reach the two wooden crosses that she has her eyes on. Her eagle jumped off her and landed on Ranma's shoulder roughly.

"Will your partner be alright?" Song asked with a concerned filled voice.

"She'll be fine, let's go catch up with her." Ranma replied and started to jog up the stairs, being careful not to run fast enough to make the eagle lose her balance, following the wolf man.

"I would suggest that we don't jog up Ranma Saotome." Song suggested, "I doubt your partner can run all the way to the wooden crosses from here."

"I guess your right," Ranma said slowing down his pace, "How do you know Kikori can't make it up, after all, I can jog up there no problem, and can probably run there if I have the proper motivation."

"The crosses are beyond the outer ring of our city," Song replied, "It is our first line of defense in the event of an invasion. The guards there won't let her pass unless I am with her."

"Oh…" Ranma scratched the back of his head nervously, "I still think we should at least catch up with Kikori before she reaches the outer ring."

Song nodded and started jogging again along with Ranma again.

************************************************************************

Ranma placed his hand on Kikori's shoulder, letting Fudari off his shoulder and hop onto her owner's who knelt on the stairs, gasping for air, "Take it easy Kikori," Ranma whispered in her ears, "You'll see them soon."

The priestess nodded mechanically and stood up, "I'm sorry about my outburst, Song."

The musk guide nodded, "It is quite all right, I understand you want to see your parent's death place. Do not fret, we are close. Once we pass the outer ring we should be within two minutes walk from there."

Kikori nodded again and followed the Song up the stairs as he begins to tell the two mages of legends and myths of the city and the shallow mountain top lake that the city resides in.  After a while, the trio reached a relatively small gate that blocks anyone from going further. Beside the gate, walls with small holes on them, a bit taller than the gate itself, reached from one side of the stairs to the other, covering the rest of the area in which a person can pass.

"Who walks these stairs?"

"Song of the tracker wolf clan with the two mages from afar." Song replied lifting his right fist and placed it on his forehead.

"Open the gate!"

The gate opened with a loud creaking sound revealing a short, flat strip of land where some Musk guards stood sparring with each other. Song nodded at the guards as he led the two mages pass the gates, "This is the outer ring of the Musk city, only the veterans or the more experienced warriors of Musk are allowed posted here. So you do not need to worry about unmarried Musk just yet." Song said with an amused smile on his face.

Ranma and Kikori kept silent as they walked pass the older warriors of the Musk army, observing their activities.

"Isn't this place a bit too small for defense?" Ranma asked curiously, "I don't think it a whole lotta people can stand here and fight."

Song nodded, "Yes, which is why only veterans are posted here. We cannot afford putting inexperienced warriors here, if we can't have quantity, go for quality."

The pigtailed mage nodded at the bit of information and looked at the next set of stairs they are about to set their feet on, "Man, if I ever need to walk up a set of stairs like this again, I swear I'll blow something up."

No one spook or reacted to Ramna's comment. The trio walked silently, as the wooden crosses that marked Kikori's parent's grave became closer and closer. Minutes later, they stopped in front of the wooden marker.

Kikori knelt down before the crosses and placed her hands on it, "I went to they're funeral back in Japan, but it feels like they are here instead."

"I know what ya mean Kikori." Ranma said solemnly, "Saiko was buried in Japan too, but it's always in Tibet where I feel she's 'there'."

Song watched the two mages and shook his head sadly.

"Let's move on," Kikori said steeling her voice, "and hopefully we'll be able to accomplish something without too much trouble."

************************************************************************

"We are here." Song said once again, signaling the two Japanese mages to stop, "This is the inner ring, and immediately connected to it, is the inner city. Most of the soldiers in training and soldiers without too much experience are stationed here until they are sent out on missions and such."

Ranma stared up at the gate before them. It is much larger compared to the one of the outer gate, but a bit smaller than the main gate.  Although small in size compared to the main gate, it is much better fortified. More guards are patrolling the top of the walls and the gate, heavily reinforced by iron bars, are defended by some holes on the side of the large path that clearly had soldiers hidden behind it with crossbows and such.

"I am Song of the tracker wolf clan, here to guide the mages from afar to meet his Majesty." Song announced. Without an answer, the gates opened slightly, allowing one person to cross at a time.  The wolf man nodded to the two and led them across the gates revealing rows and rows of buildings and people practicing with they're swords and spears. Further ahead, another wall stood, but with the gate wide open showing a busy street and at the end, a large castle stood proudly with two flags, one with a green claw, another with a blue claw, watching over the lively city.

"This is the inner ring, most of the people practicing here are actually in training." Song explained, "Of course, these are the advanced groups. Through those gates are the city itself, and the castle in the middle is where you will be staying for the time you are here."

The two mages nodded and followed their guide through the gate and into the city. Children ran around cheerfully chasing a ball. Normal looking women talked to each other and laughing occasionally. Men with animal ears and claws manned the shops or worked away in front of an anvil hammering away at hot pieces of metal, shaping it into tools. At seeing all the people, Fudari lifts off and flew away from Kikori's shoulders.

"Excuse me," Kikori said half way through the walk, "Why is it that I don't see any women with any animal traits?"

Song nodded, "It is one of the reasons why the Musk has used Jusenkyo to bring us brides for so long.  Our people never did have daughters." Song paused and thought for a moment, "Well there HAS been a true female Musk, but she was the child of an honorary member, but I do not think that this is what you mean."

Kikori nodded, "Do you know why that is?"

"We do not know," Song said with a shrug, "A curse for using the spring in this way? Or maybe some magic on this mountain that no one can see? We just live as we have lived and not think about it."

************************************************************************

Herb sat on his throne and tapped his fingers impatiently, I hope the negotiations will go well, if worst comes to worst, I'll have to do as brother have suggested and raid some of the neighboring villages to survive.

"The representatives of the Mage tower has arrived my prince." An announcer with large eyes, slick looking skin, and a bulging throat bellowed.

The dragon prince let a small smile appear on his face, "Let them in."

Song, Ranma, and Kikori, all entered the throne room one after another and stopped in front of him. Song dropped to his knees and bowed, while Ranma and Kikori bowed stiffly in Japanese fashion.

"My prince, I present to you Ranma Saotome and Kikori Sekihara of the Kyoto Mage tower." Song said loudly.

"I expected the tower to send someone from the Chinese tower," Herb mused out loud, "may I inquire why they send someone from afar?"

Ranma was about to reply but Kikori gave him a look and replied herself, "The Mage tower in China are busy due to all the trouble that has arisen."

"I see." Herb said, "I must apologize though, the negotiations can not begin until tomorrow due to some events I must deal with today. I will have some of the servants lead you to your rooms. Once again I must apologize."

The two mages bowed, "Thank you for your hospitality."

A girl, a few years older than the two mages, timidly led the two mages away from the throne and out of the throne room.

"Councilor, come forth." Herb said after the two left the room.

"My liege." The councilor said kneeling on the floor before Herb.

"What do you think of the representatives from the tower?" Herb asked.

"They are young and seemingly inexperienced with these types of environment." The councilor replied, "It seems to me they tower isn't taking us seriously. Although, the girl has a good head on her shoulder, the boy doesn't seem to know what he is doing."

Herb nodded, "It is either that or the random attacks from factions against the towers are not only affecting the Chinese tower."

"The situation looks very dreary my liege," The councilor said plainly, "Most probably, they are sent just to listen to us and then reject our proposal so that we are not insulted."

"It seems that way doesn't it?" Herb said holding in a sigh, "You may leave Councilor."

"By your leave."

Herb pinched the bridge of his nose, There is still hope; I refuse to let the Musk be reduced to pillaging villages after father's effort.

"Still clinging to that stupid ideal of yours brother?"

Herb growled, "It is the legacy that our father left us Spice. I will not let it fade away in just one generation."

Spice stood a head taller than Herb. He wears the same dragon scaled armor that Herb has, but it has a bluish sliver tint to it, rather than the gold color on Herb's armor. In all aspects, Spice looks exactly like a older, grown up version of Herb, but his hair is has blue stripes to it, and not the pink stripes that are on Herb's hair.  His hand also has more of an animalistic look to it. Where Herb's hands are generally human like, Spice's hands is missing one finger, and looks more rigid.

"Bah, the fools dream that is never meant for the Musk." Spice scoffed, "Do as you like brother, but know this, you are starting the downfall of the Musk. Our tradition and believes are slowly being striped away because of father, and you are furthering our demise."

Herb winced internally and watched his older brother leave the room, Father… should I continue to build from the frame that you have started, or are you wrong? I hope with all my heart that you are right…

************************************************************************

"These are the rooms you are given, dinner will be served at sundown, someone will come and tell you when it is time." The servant said with her head bowed to the two mages, "If you need anything, pull on the rope beside the bed and someone will come as quickly as possible. Hot water is available during night time only and-"

"We'll be fine." Kikori said cutting off the maid, "Thank you."

The maid curtsied and walked away.

"So, what do ya think?" Ranma said casually, opening the door to one of the rooms for Kikori, "Impressions? Thoughts? Sudden burst of enlightenment?"

Kikori ignored Ranma and walked towards the extremely large bed, surround by silk veils. On either side of the head of the bed are stands with unlit lamps. A large, full body mirror stood right beside a door made of glass, framed with bronze, leading out to a veranda.

"Wow…"

Ranma scratched his head, "Yeah, first time I've seen a room with a bed this big."

The priestess shook her head and flopped down onto the bed, "Prince Herb seems to be new to his position."

The pigtailed mage gave his partner a stare, "What are ya talkin' about?"

"My thoughts," Kikori replied with her eyes closed, "You asked about them."

"Err, right." Ranma said scratching his head again, "Forgot how serious ya get on serious missions."

"This will affect the tower in very serious ways Ranma," Kikori said exasperated, "Can't you at least TRY to be a bit more serious?"

"I'll be serious when I need ta." Ranma said dismissively, waving his hand in the air, "We're 'lone right now, no need ta get all uptight and all that."

Kikori huffed, "Anyways, from what I can see, Herb seems to be new to this. So we're both on equal grounds so to speak. But, he's been raised to do this, or so I think, and we are not, obviously, so…"

"We're back at Go wit'out the two hundred dollars." Ranma finished, "We don't need to worry about it too much. We're just here to listen and report back to see if the offer's any good. From the looks of it, I don't think there is any way this can get shot to hell."

"Yes, the Musk doesn't seem as brutish and bestial as Shampoo labeled them as." Kikori remarked, "In some ways, they seem more organized that the tower."

"Yeah?" Ranma grinned, "Well, nothing ta do till tomorrow and still six hours 'til dinner, any suggestions?"

"I'm going to take a nap." Kikori said crawling towards the pillows and snuggling to them, "Wake me up when it's time for dinner."

"I'll check out my room then." Ranma muttered, walking towards the door. Before he leaves the room, Ranma turns and looks towards the bed to see Kikori asleep already. He let out a breath and walked towards his partner and folded the bed cover over her, "That's what ya get for sleepin' OVER the blankets." Ranma snickered softly, "Sometimes I wonder, is it you that takes care of me, or is it the other way around."

The door closed with a soft click, leaving the room void of anyone except a sleeping Kikori.

************************************************************************

"Excuse me."

Kikori opened her eyes slowly and rubbed it, "Yes?"

"Dinner will be served soon; Prince Herb wishes to dine with you and your partner." A voice said from outside the room.

"Thank you." The priestess pushed herself up, letting the sheets fall off her body. Looking out of the glass door, a red tinge filled the sky. The moon barely visible in the sky and only the brightest stars twinkled weakly.

Knock Knock

Kikori turned towards the sound, "Who is it?"

"It's me Ranma."

"Come in."

Ranma opened the door and stepped in with his cloak draped over his arm, "Prince Herb invited us ta dinner."

"I heard."

"Guess we need ta wear formal wear right?" Ranma said sheepishly, "I really dun wanna wear our official tower uniform."

Kikori rolled her eyes at Ranma's groan, "I don't know what you have against your uniform, I thought as long as its clothes you'll wear it."

"As long as it's COMFORTABLE clothes." Ranma said, "The collar is so stiff and the pants get so tight when I sit down."

"At least you don't need to wear an oversized robe with unusually large sleeves." Kikori mumbled, "Now I remember why I agreed with you to never take missions like these."

Ranma shrugged and laid his cloak on the floor and folded it in half. Lines appeared on his black cloak, forming a square and flared in a brilliant white glow. He reached into the square and felt around for a moment before pulling out a black formal shirt, with silver trims. On the left side of the chest, the Japanese Kanji for Wind is embroiled in green and on the right sleeve an intricate pattern of lines that intertwine each other is also embroiled.

"At least we don't need ta carry around any bags or back packs," Ranma said shrugging off his red Chinese style shirt and putting on his uniform, and then pulled a plain black pair of pants, "Seriously, I have ta get the tailor ta make the pants more comfortable."

"Umm, Ranma," Kikori her voice muffled by the pillow her face is buried in at the moment.

"Yeah?"

"Can you change somewhere else?"

"Oh… right… sorry." Ranma stuttered and shuffled out of the room as quickly as possible.

************************************************************************

"Ah, I was worried you didn't have any formal wear when you entered the throne room without any luggage." Herb joked as he saw the two mages enter the dining room led by a maid.

"Being a mage from the tower does have a lot of benefits Prince Herb." Kikori said politely and curtsied. Her robe looks more like an evening gown. Made of all blue silks, the sleeves are fitted tightly on her arm until it reaches the elbow, when it flairs out in waves. The collar surrounds her neck loosely and the rest of the robe flows down. Two white ribbons that are sewn on to the shoulders are left hanging in front of her as it waves slightly with each step.

Ranma bowed stiffly once again wearing his uniformed that he changed into.

"Have a sit," Herb gestured to the seats in front of the mages, "Let me introduce the rest of the people here with us. To my left, is my brother, Spice, my right, my personal councilor Sal Te."

Ranma and Kikori nodded politely, "Pleased to meet you."

Sal Te nodded with a slight smile while Spice nodded curtly before speaking, "I am curious as to why the tower has sent two young mages from Japan to meet with us."

Kikori smiled, "The Chinese mage tower is experience lots of problems with anti-tower factions and other religious cults; the Japanese Mage tower is asked to send someone to consult with the Musk, so we are sent."

"Yes, but I am surprised they would sent someone as young as the two of you." Spice said with a smirk, "No offence of course."

Kikori continue to smile, "None taken, I assure you, we are here to hear your proposal, not to dismiss it."

Man, that other prince guy sure doesn't like us. Ranma thought as he sat quietly, observing everyone around the table, The councilor seems to be worried about something, so is the prince. Must be some internal politics

"…yes, the ribbon are actually represents which order of church I am in."

"And may I ask your partner what the lines on his right sleeves are?" The councilor asked.

Ranma jumped slightly, only noticeable to his partner who is sitting next to him, "Oh, the lines on the sleeve just mean what circle I am in."

"Circle?" Herb cut in, "Does that mean your rank?"

"Yes basically." Ranma said, stopping himself from revealing more information.

"Your partner isn't too talkative is he?" Herb jokingly said to Kikori, chuckling a bit.

"He's always quiet when we're on missions." Kikori said, with her ever present polite smile, "I see your brother is like my partner."

Herb blinked and turned to his brother, who is sitting at his chair quietly with his arms folded together and staring at the two Japanese mages, "My brother is probably just hungry and is waiting for the food to come." Herb replied and clapped his hands, "Bring in the appetizer, tell the chefs to hurry up with the food."

"Yes my liege." A servant behind Herb said and quickly walked to the kitchen.

"Something wrong Ranma?" Kikori said quietly to her partner, "You look like you saw something wrong."

Ranma shook his head, "Nothing's wrong, I don't think. At least nothing that should worry us."

The priestess smiled, "Well, at least the food is here and you'll at least be able to enjoy something."

************************************************************************

"I hope not all the meals here will have this much food." Kikori said, groaning and clutched at her stomach, "I don't think it's polite to leave any food on your plate here."

"Ya kiddin'?" Ranma said with a huge grin, "That is one of the best meals of my life!"

"It would be wouldn't it?" Kikori carefully sat down on her bed, "Ranma, you saw something wrong during dinner, I know you said it won't affect us, but I still want to know."

The pigtailed mage sighed and sat on the floor beside the bed, cross-legged, "Well, I think there's a problem with the politics here. I don't think Herb is in his proper position."

"What do you mean?" Kikori frowned.

"Well, if Herb is the leader, wouldn't he be King? And his brother, Spice, I don't think he likes Herb too much. So I'm guessing there is some problem with who is going to ascend to the throne and that Herb is just the temporary 'leader' or something." Ranma shrugged, "Not really our problem."

Kikori nodded, "So just another argument of who inherits the throne?"

"Most likely." Ranma nodded and stood back up, "Well, I'm going ta change out of this thing. It's chokin' me. See ya tomorrow mornin'."

"Good night Ranma."

************************************************************************

"I heard some more yelling again from the throne room."

"Really? Prince Herb and Prince Spice yells are very scary."

"Yeah, now that Herb wants to get help from the outsiders, they have been arguing so much more now."

Ranma frowned when he heard the maids gossiping as he exited Kikori's room, "Well, that didn't sound promisin'…"

************************************************************************

"Brother! This is ridiculous!" Spice bellowed, "Its one thing to talk to these outsiders, but to invite them to our dinner table and speak as if we are friends? You are going too far Herb."

Herb massaged his temples as he listen to Spice yell at him, "Spice, we must gain the outsider's trust in order to-"

"Yes, yes, I know all about your plan." Spice spat, "I'm telling you now brother, you better stop with this fools quest, or else you'll regret it."

"No, YOU listen brother." Herb growled, "I will not let our people be degraded to being savages attacking peaceful people just to get food again! What you are suggesting is going against everything our father, our grand father, our great grand father has worked for!"

Spice turned sharply and walked away from the throne, "You'll regret saying those words brother. Don't get used to the throne, because you'll be thrown off soon when the people hear about your choice."

"Don't do anything stupid Spice." Herb warned.

"How can I do anything more stupid that what you are doing?" Spice retorted before stepping out of the room.

Herb glared at the entrance of the throne room, "I won't let you ruin the peace our ancestor has given us."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi ya, SURPRISE! Umm… yeah… Anyways, I just wanted to finish this before I go head first into studying my finals, writing all my papers and stuff like that so I don't forget about it or delay this chapter for longer than it's suppose to be… So here ya go ^^

I don't have much to say this time, just that Biology sucks, Engish papers are annoying, Sociology papers are worst, and Psycology research papers are fun to make up. You guys didn't see that last comment ok?

Kinda short for a chapter, but it gets better… trust me ^^ I mean with screwed up internal politics, two half dragons, a city filled with people that can break twenty wooden planks at once and not to mention two hapless mages from Japan that doesn't know what is going on… What possibly can be boring about that?

OH yeah… before I forget, heh, believe it or not, I DID have a pre-reader along the way. A friend on mine, but now that he got himself a real job, I can't ask him to pre-read for me anymore, So anyone interested? If you are, please send me an email or ICQ me. My info is in that author link thingymajig. I really don't want to pre-read myself I mean my grammer really sucks and if I preread myself I'll just add more mistakes to it

But enough with that… Heres an Omake for you

*Omake*Romantic getaway*Omake*

"Wow…"

Ranma scratched his head, "Yeah, first time I've seen a room with a bed this big."

The priestess shook her head and flopped down onto the bed, "Prince Herb seems to be new to his position."

The pigtailed mage gave his partner a stare, "What are ya talkin' about?"

"My thoughts," Kikori replied with her eyes closed, "You asked about them."

"Well personally, I'm not thinking about that right now."

Kikori opened her eyes to see Ramna on all fours on top of her, "I don't think it's polite to engage in lewd acts in borrowed room in another person's home."

"It's just makes it naughtier now doesn't it." Ranma grinned.

"Umm Script guy, don't you think you should stop them before this goes from PG-13 to NC-17?" Saiko said 'covering' her eyes with one hand and ready to take notes on another.

*sigh* "Well look at it this way, at least we'll have perfect blackmailing material for later."

"Yo, script guy," Ryoga said from the other side, "I don't want to ruin your fun, but Ukiko is here, underaged person, you might get sued."

*sigh* "CUT! STICK WITH THE SCRIPT FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! THIS ISN'T A SECOND RATE LEMON!"

"Sorry."

"Sorry."

"Gods… Don't they have they're own apartment to do this, I mean sure the bed is big and all they, but can't the hold it until they get home!"

 *Omake*End*Omake*

Umm… yeah… dunno what happened there… I had another Omake idea, but I think it's a bit too hentai to post on FF.net… actually I had a few Omake ideas from previous chapters that are to hentai for FF.net… talk about perverted mind huh? ^^;;

Reviews are appreciated ^^ Pre-readers are needed ^^ Click on the nifty button below to if you want to review and send me an e-mail if you want to blow me up or Pre-read for me ^^ Thanks =/