Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma ½ use it merely for entertainment purposes.
Cologne sat in her room at the Neko Haten reading over the message one more time. It was the message that she received yesterday and like she predicted the contents were not to her liking. The message detailed that Prince Herb of the Musk Dynasty was attacked and sustained quite a few number of injuries. Normally this would actually make her happy, as the Musk had long been enemies of her people. This time however it disturbed her greatly, as the message contained what had beaten the Musk Prince, Weretigers. Weretigers had long been enemies of the Amazons' allies the Lupines. And because of the alliance Weretigers thought of the Amazons as their enemies as well. The contact between Weretigers and Amazons were few and far between however because the Weretigers did not seem interested in any of the land around Jusenkyo. Now however it seemed to have changed. She did not know the full details but if Weretigers were interested in Jusenkyo she could understand why they attacked the Musk first. Currently they were the weakest and easiest to take out. And because the Amazons and Phoenix Tribe did not go into Musk territory all that often it would be a good place to set up a base of operation. The message told her to return so they could prepare for the coming attack and asked her to contact Aishia and let her know what was going on. Problem was Cologne had no way to contact Aishia at this point because she was teaching Ranma how to be a Lupine.
Right now she was torn in two. On one side she wanted to take Shampoo and Mousse back immediately and help in the planning of the defense of the village. And on the other side she wanted to stay here and wait for Aishia and Ranma to return. She had no doubt that Ranma would wish to help, and with his and Aishia's help they would be in a much better situation to help. Aishia said that they would be back by the full moon and that was coming in the next three days so she only needed to wait and the two would soon show up. The problem was waiting for the full moon could be disastrous as with all Lycanthropes a Weretiger's power was at its maximum during that time. Meaning if the Weretigers had enough people, which Cologne suspected they did, it would be the best time for them to attack. "The three of us would not be of much help if went know," Cologne admitted to herself. "Three extra warriors would not make much difference during a full moon. With the effects of silver lessoned Mousse would not be nearly as effective as he normally would be with his Hidden Weapons. Shampoo does not have the experience in fighting a Lycanthrope to be of as much help and even I have trouble facing more than two of three of even moderately skilled Lycanthropes during a full moon." Taking a deep sigh Cologne forced herself to see reason, "We need to wait until Ranma and Aishia get back. Those two would be of a great help, Aishia is quite a seasoned warrior when fighting Weretigers and Ranma," a smile came to her aged face, "He's Ranma."
In the kitchen Shampoo was busy cooking up some ramen for the customers in the restaurant but her mind was focused on the upstairs because that was where her Great Grandmother was for the past several hours straight. That however was not what truly worried her, as Cologne would often go into her room to meditate for several hours and not come out. What was worrying the Amazon Champion was the look on Cologne's face as she went upstairs. A look that Shampoo had never seen before, one of fear, even during the time when they went to fight Saffron Cologne did not show fear. What ever was bothering the Matriarch was big. So big in fact that Mousse had not once tried to embrace Shampoo in the entire time Cologne was upstairs. "Has she come down yet?" the poor eye sighted young man asked.
"No," Shampoo answered. "Great Grandmother still no come down." She took a glance towards the stairs, "Shampoo worried, Great Grandmother never like this."
"I know," Mousse said. "The old mummy has never acted like this. I wonder what the message that came in said? OW!" The unexpected hit on the head by a staff told him said 'old mummy' had come down and heard him.
"To answer your question Mousse," Cologne said moving so both could see her, "The Message was to inform me that Musk was attacked."
"By what Great Grandmother?" Shampoo asked.
"By Weretigers," Cologne answered in an even voice. The two Amazons jerked in response. "It is only matter of time until they attack the village."
"Then we go!" Shampoo said with Mousse nodding in agreement.
"No we wait," Cologne countered. "I've thought about this for several hours and waiting is our best option."
"Why Great Grandmother?" Shampoo asked.
"We will need help to fight the Weretigers," Cologne answered. "Especially with the full moon coming in a few days. Our presence alone will not help all that much. But if we were to have two Lupines with us…"
"Ranma and Aishia!" Shampoo said realizing who Cologne was talking about."
"Correct," Cologne said. "With their aide we will have a greater advantage in defending our home."
"And if the Weretigers attack while we're waiting for them to get back?" Mousse asked.
"Then our presence will not make much difference because of the upcoming full moon," Cologne answered honestly.
"What about the Neko-ken?" Mousse asked.
"Before Ranma left Aishia talked to him about the technique," Cologne began. "He told her that he did not feel it as a part of him any more."
"What you mean?" Shampoo asked.
"According to Ranma when he first changed he felt the Neko-ken was holding something back," Cologne replied. "When he saw Ryouga about to attack he pushed passed the Neko-ken and he changed into his wolf form. Ever since then, according to what I heard, Ranma has not felt the Neko-ken as a part of him anymore."
"I would normally say he was lying to cover up a weakness but…" Mousse began.
"He no lie good," Shampoo finished.
"Let's just hope Ranma no longer fears cats and the Neko-ken is no longer part of him like he says," Cologne concluded.
At the same time that the Amazons were making plans to return to China another plan that had been started weeks ago was coming to an end. The divorce papers that Nodoka and Nabiki filed had come back with Genma's signature making everything nice a legal and separating Ranma and his Mother from Genma in every way. Now any stupidity that Genma got himself involved in would only be on his head. "I'm surprised the papers went through so fast," Nodoka admitted looking over the papers in her living room.
"A couple of people at the courts owed me a couple of favors," Nabiki said. "I gave them a call and they sped up the process. I still can't believe Genma signed it so easily even after everything you said."
"Well I did say he is quite easily manipulated when he gets drunk," Nodoka said smiling. "I wonder what his face will look like when he looks at his copy after he wakes up."
"I'm recording it actually," Nabiki smirked. "A lot of people are paying good money to see his reaction. I'll get you a copy, no charge."
"Why that is very generous of you Nabiki," Nodoka said. "It will be a nice gift for Ranma when he gets back from his training trip in a few days."
"After that you're going to change your name to Wolf's Eye?" Nabiki asked.
"Yes I am," Nodoka answered. "I have wanted to take my love's name for a very long time now and I'm sure Ranma will want the name of his real Father."
"I'm sure of that as well," Nabiki agreed. "Ever since I met Ranma I had the feeling he really did not like the Saotome name and the only thing keeping him from dropping it was the life as a ronin and disappointing you."
"Well he won't have to deal with that anymore," Nodoka smiled. "Ranma deserves a name worthy of his sense of honor."
Nabiki could not help but nod in agreement. "I had better get back if I'm going to record Genma's reaction when he wakes up. I'll see you later Auntie."
"Good bye Nabiki, I'll let you when Ranma returns" Nodoka said. "And tell Kasumi I said hello."
"I will Auntie," Nabiki said leaving the house to return home.
About an hour later at the Tendo Home a giant panda with a massive hangover slowly lumbered to his hind legs and made his way down stairs so he could change back into a normal human. After changing back to a human in the furo Genma made his way to the dinning room so he could feed his fat stomach by stealing food from just about everyone at the table. When he arrived he found Kasumi setting up the table for the meal, "Mr. Saotome some thing came for you in the mail. It looks rather important." Kasumi handed him a manila envelope addressed to him.
"Thank you Kasumi," Genma took the envelope and was about to open it but quickly became distracted as soon as Kasumi put food on the table.
After the meal was finished everyone was about to go their own separate ways when Nabiki decided to ask about the manila envelope, "So what's in the envelope Mr. Saotome?"
Everyone stopped after having their curiosity peeked by the question and looked at the bald Martial Artist. "I haven't open it yet," Genma admitted. He took the envelope opened it and started to read. While this was going on Nabiki took out here video recorder and started to record Genma's face. His face went from wonder to surprise to fear. After only a few seconds he was frantically reading and flipping through the papers several times and each time the look of fear increasing on his face.
"So what does it say?" Nabiki asked with a smirk already knowing what the papers say.
"Nothing," Genma said quickly, "Absolutely nothing!"
"Doesn't appear to be nothing," Nabiki commented snatching the papers before Genma can hide them. After a brief scan of the papers, just for show, she smirked saying, "It says here that Auntie has divorced you taken all Saotome property and has taken legal custody of Ranma. And according to these signatures you have fully agreed with everything listed, Mr. Saotome."
"NOW THE SCHOOLS WILL NEVER BE JOINED! WAAAAAHHHH!" wailed Soun. After about thirty seconds of crying Soun's crying turned into anger and he used his Demon Head, "SAOTOME HOW COULD YOU AGREE TO THIS?"
"I'm just a cute little panda," Genma held up a sign even though he had not been splashed with any water and thus still human. Through out the entire exchange Nabiki had not once put down her camera recording the entire event knowing several people had already placed orders for it.
In the Scottish country side a call of, "Howling Blast!" followed by a bright flash that illuminated the evening sky as burst of light soured into the sky. Ranma, in his bipedal wolf form could only smirk his confident smirk as he performed one of the Ki techniques he was learning from the manuals. "You were right Aishia, my Ki attacks are a lot stronger as I am now then when I'm in my human form."
"Now that you know that you'll have to be even more careful as your Ki reserves grow," Aishia answered. "Especially with your heritage."
"Yeah I know," Ranma said thinking about how much power he put into that blast. The technique was Ki technique like his Moko Takeboshi only it was pure focus instead of emotionally channeled. And the blast was also at least three times stronger and that was his first time performing technique. Given more practice and refinement he could easily see strength would easily surpass his old technique. "Better practice this were no one will get hurt when we get back." Out loud he asked, "Hey Aishia when are we heading back?"
"Our flight leaves at nine in the morning tomorrow," Aishia answered. "Dona's done what she can by removing the water attraction part of your curse so we really don't have anything left to do here. And I said I would get you back by the full moon and that's coming up soon."
"What's the big deal with me coming back on the next full moon?" Ranma asked.
"Its when your instincts will be at their strongest," Aishia answered. "Territory being one of them. It's best for new Lycanthropes to be in an area their already familiar with when the full moon happens. Don't want you going out and causing trouble just because you're in an unfamiliar area."
"I guess that makes since," Ranma replied. "All this stuff takes some getting use to."
"I know," Aishia commented. "But you're a fast learner and are taking it better than most people do."
"That's because I was already familiar with magic and people changing into animals already," Ranma smirked. Aishia laughed a little in agreement. "Well I'm going to bed I'll see you in the morning."
In Kyoto while Ranma was flying back to Japan Ukyou was just finished visiting her parent's graves when a man of middle age approached her as she exited the cemetery, "Miss Kuonji Ukyou," the man greeted.
"Yes," Ukyou answered. "How did you know who I am and what do you want?" There was something about this man that made Ukyou rather uneasy. With a critical eye she made a quick assessment of him. The man was about two meters tall, well muscled but now bulky, stood in a relaxed yet guarded posture and had rather piercing green eyes. In short the man before her was a Martial Artist of considerable skill.
"My name is Ominai and I was an old friend of your Mother's," the man answered he reached into his pants pocket and took out a picture and handed it to Ukyou
"My Mother?" Ukyou asked caught off guard. She took a look at the photograph and it showed her mother along with the man before her, oddly enough the man did not look any younger in the picture then he did now. Seeing how she had never met any friends of her Mother's before and her Father did not talk about her much, Ukyou asked, "What do you want to talk about?"
"I would like to discuss with you what you know about her and how she died," Ominai answered.
"Well I don't know much about her," Ukyou admitted. "And my Father did not mention her much. All he would really say was that she died in an accident when I was a baby."
"Then we have much to talk about," Ominai responded.
It was early in the morning Ranma and Aishia walked out of Tokyo Airport. Ranma looked like he was only half awake and rather haggard from the plane ride. "So we left at nine what time is it now?"
"Six o'clock in the morning the next day," Aishia replied.
"Oh I hate time zones," Ranma answered.
"Well lets get a cab to Nerima," Aishia said. Ranma made no argument as he was too tired to think anything too complicated.
After about an hour in the cab they arrived in Nerima in front of Ranma's house. After saying good-bye to Ranma Aishia told the driver to take her to the Neko Haten further into the ward. Not much longer the cab stopped in front of the restaurant and Aishia paid and got out. She took note that it was not open yet but the front door was unlocked so she let herself in. When she entered she was greeted with the sight of Mousse setting up some tables by himself, "Sorry we're…" Mousse stooped when he saw who it was, "Hey Old Mummy!" He called to the back of the restaurant, "Aishia is back!"
Cologne came out only a few seconds later and moved directly to Aishia completely ignoring the fact that she would normally hit Mousse for calling her an 'Old Mummy.' With a serious voice Cologne addressed the Lupine, "Aishia there has been some disturbing news from home while you and Ranma have been away."