Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma ½ use it merely for entertainment purposes.
The reception the group from Nerima received as they entered the Amazon Village was one that was slightly off from what they were really expecting. For one even though they were expecting guards to be near the gates they were not expecting to see a Lupine with the Amazon women. The guards easily recognized Shampoo, Mousse and Cologne and let the group pass. The Lupine recognized Aishia and nodded to her in greeting, he also seemed to note that Ranma and Ryouga were also Lupines because he watched them as they passed. When six travelers entered the village all of them saw repairs and fortifications were being added to walls. As they reached the center of the village they were greeted by two of the other elders. "Greeting Ku Lon," Lo Xian said in Mandarin. "I am glad and relieved you have returned. We have a lot to tell you."
Not wasting anytime with pleasantries Ku Lon asked, "How many casualties did we suffer from the attack?"
"No deaths fortunately," Lo Xian answered. "How ever there were some serious injuries. Fortunately they should be healed soon." She then turned to Aishia. "Your four friends that were here in China have all arrived as well as three of your pack mates. Have you heard any word about other Lupines that are coming?"
"Scot Stalk called me on the way here," Aishia answered. "He and two others should be arriving with in the next week or so. And on the subject of rainforests, these two," pointing to Ranma and Ryouga, "Are also Lupines. Recently turned but both rather strong."
"I guess that changes things in your Great Granddaughter's Husband Hunt doesn't?" Ma Scra said.
"Now is not really the time to talk about that," Ku Lon said.
"You are correct," Ma Scra admitted. "Still even if he wasn't Lupine his presence would have been appreciated. Any human that can take on Saffron and win would be a big help."
"And with him being a Lupine now it'll only make things better," Lo Xian added. "With your arrival and Stalk's coming that will put us at thirteen Lupines. That should be at least an adequate defense against the pride Weretigers."
"What about Herb?" Ranma asked drawing everyone's attention. "I know he's your enemy but currently the Weretigers are all our enemies, 'Enemy of my enemy' and all. He's a pretty good fighter and would want to get back at them for his people, he could be of some help."
"The Musk Prince is too injured to be of any use," Lo Xian said. "We have considered your suggestion but even though he heals quickly he won't be in fighting shape for several weeks." She then turned back to Ku Lon and Aishia, "In any event we were about to have a strategy meeting, and you should attend."
"Xian Pu," Ku Lon said, "You and Mu Tzu take Ranma and Ryouga to where they will be staying." The Village Champion and the Hidden Weapons Master nodded and started to guide Ranma and Ryouga off. "Oh and Ryouga," The four stopped and turned to the aged Amazon, "You might want to stay in your bipedal form. And while I doubt many are thinking about it some might challenge you and the Marriage Laws do not apply to Lupines. It will just be easier in the long run."
Ryouga nodded his thanks but Ranma had to ask, "What about me?"
"Even if you weren't a Lupine you would be Xian Pu's husband," Ku Lon answered. "That means you are off limits unless Xian Pu gave her permission first. So either way you are off limits it terms of Challenges." Ranma oh'ed in understanding and the four marital artists left once again.
When they arrived at the hut Ryouga and Ranma would be staying at Ranma went inside and Ryouga followed not more than two steps behind him. They quickly unpacked their things. "Ryouga you might not want to hear this but you need to stick to either Shampoo, Mousse or I for as long as we're here."
"I know," Ryouga said seriously. "Mousse told me about Weretigers on the boat."
"At the level we'll be fighting at the loss of one person could be the difference between life and death of a lot of people," Ranma said. "We can't afford to have you getting lost especially if you're a part of the defense. It'll leave a hole for them to come through."
"Right so lead the way and lets go find out what we'll be doing," Ryouga said. Ranma gave his rival a smile and led him out to where the others were waiting.
When they left the hut Xian Pu walked up to them. "I need to go to the armory and replace my sword and bonbori with silver weapons," she said in Mandarin. "You should also know where he is if for any other reason to know where the highest concentrations of silver are."
"Sounds good," Ranma said. "After that lets find your Ku Lon and see what's going on." The others agreed and after Xian Pu retrieved her new weapons the four made their way to the building that housed the Elders when they were in a meeting.
In the Elders' meeting hall that was a strategy session taking place between the three Elders, Aishia and two other Lupines. The Lupines were in their human forms so they did not take up as much space. The first Lupine was a large European male about three meters and ten centimeters tall (six foot five inches) with red hair and green eyes. The second was an average looking Mongolian woman with only a tattoo of a wolf's paw on her left are as her only distinguishing characteristic. "So attack was just a scouting run," Aishia muttered after hearing what happed during the last full moon. "See the strengths and weaknesses of the village and the kind of opposition they will face."
"Most likely," Ma Scra said. "They did not cause much damage and only a few actually attacked. They must know by now that more help has arrived. So it does raise the question what good did the attack really do? The numbers we lost do to injury have more than compensated by your arrival."
"Psychological warfare would be my guess," the European Lupine said. "It's been a long time since the village itself has been attacked by anyone. And it has some of the warriors rattled."
"You do have a point James," Aishia conceded. She then thought for a moment before she stated. "The real question is why are there Wiretigers here in the first place? They've never shown any interest in the area before. So why know?"
"A better question is what is their strength of numbers like?" Ku Lon asked. "It would only make sense that they called in reinforcements just we did."
"In other words we need our own intelligence," the Mongolian stated. "We need to know exactly what we are dealing with."
"I agree with you on that Qauchi," Lo Xian nodded. "That would mean sending a scouting party into the enemy territory. The question is who do we send?"
"So ones that knows the area best," James answered. "Also ones that can move quickly and quietly."
"Then I would recommend Cond Shur, Bru Chu, and Sta Quing," Ku Lon suggested. "They have participated in many raids into Musk territory on rescue missions."
"Sounds like a plan," James agreed. "However I would also say sending someone that could handle a Weretiger as well would be a good idea. Just in case they get caught."
"Then the best person we should send is Ranma," Ku Lon recommended.
"Why do you say that?" Quachi asked.
"Ranma knows a specific technique that allows him to move around without people seeing him," Ku Lon answered. "He will also be able to fend off a least one Weretiger maybe two or three with the help of the others."
"Is there any objections to Ku Lon's idea?" Aishia asked. No said anything so she nodded, "then it's agreed we'll them so they reach the Musk territory around dusk. Weretigers' sight is at its worst then."
Back in Nerima Ukyou was in her apparent over her restaurant thinking about what she learned from Nodoka the night she returned. Nodoka told her that Ranma had once again left the area and returned to China to help the Amazons. Ukyou was told the reasons for Ranma going and even though she was quite upset she actually understood Ranma's reason. Ranma was a man of honor and he, as a Lupine, was honor bound to help the Amazons when they requested it. She also knew that he would have gone even if Ranma was not a Lupine, another aspect of him that she loved would have come into play. Ranma never abandoned his friends when they needed him. So it was clear to anyone and everyone, except maybe the Kunos, why Ranma left for China.
She had planned on telling Ranma about her own heritage as soon as she returned from Kyoto and hoped that her Lycanthropy would give her an edge over the other girls, everyone was still vying for Ranma's affection just not violently now. But after she heard about the Weretigers she remembered one last discussion she had with Onimai before she returned to Nerima…
"If you still plan on pursuing Wolf's Eye I would suggest you think very carefully on the subject," Ominai said.
"Why do you say that?" Ukyou asked. "I know I love him so what else is there?"
"Even though you love him there are other factors to consider," Ominai answered. "One mixing of different Lycanthropes is unheard of, you may not be able to have any kind of offspring. Two if you do end up with him then you could inadvertently bring the Kitsune into the conflict between Weretigers and Werewolves, something we really don't want any part of. And three, as painful as it may sound he may not see you as more than a friend and you would have to respect that decision." Ominai gave Ukyou a small smile, "That's the difference between love and obsession, knowing when to let go…"
Ominai's comment about Ranma caring for her as nothing more than a friend somewhat hurt Ukyou but it was the first two points that really struck her hard. Ever since she came to Nerima and, switching from revenge to wanting Ranma as her husband, Ukyou had always pictured herself and Ranma having children and raising them together. The idea that they might not be able to have children put a severely dark cloud over that dream. Then there was bring the other Kitsune in a feud they did not want any part in. On one hand she wanted to help Ranma any way she could. On another she had to consider what was best for her tribe of Lycanthrope.
She was stuck in the middle of wanting to help the person she cared for most but also having an obligation to the other Kitsune, the ones like Ominai at least. "I guess this is somewhat how Ranchan felt with the hole fiancé mess. Wanting to help everyone he cared for yet being held back by different and conflicting obligations." Sighing at the weight that was now on her shoulders Ukyou decided she would get some sleep and think about her situation with Ranma in the morning.
At the Tendo Dojo Nabiki was just finishing up a late snack before going to bed. Tonight it was just she and Kasumi, as Akane had gone to Sayuri's house and Soun was spending the night in jail. He had learned that Genma-Panda was at the Zoo and went to free him. Soun was caught but was charged with nothing more than disturbing the peace with his loud crying once he saw the fate of his fat friend. It was not a serious charge so he would only spend one night and Nabiki did not feel like spending the money to bail him out. "Nabiki?" Kasumi asked from the stairs. "Shouldn't you be in bed?"
"I'll be going in a minute," Nabiki answered. "I was just thinking that's all."
"About Ranma?" Kasumi asked. Nabiki nodded, it was rather hard to think that Ranma was once again off to fight once more. Before he would at least be able to rest a few days before the next crisis hit. But this time as soon as he completed adjusting and learning how to be a Lycanthrope he had to go and fight another enemy he did not ask for. It was like Ranma was cursed never to be able to relax. Nabiki gave a small snort kind of laugh after she thought of that with all of the curses Ranma already had. Kasumi being curious asked, "What's so funny?"
"I was just thinking about that old saying, 'May you live in interesting times'," Nabiki said. "I was just wondering if it was a blessing or a curse when Ranma is involved."
Kasumi could not help but giggle at the thought. "It would be rather ironic if all of Ranma's excitements were the result of someone 'blessing' him to live in interesting times wouldn't it."
"Yeah," Nabiki agreed. "Well I still need to get to bed. I need to get up early so I can go down to the police station and get all the paperwork filled out for Daddy's release." Standing up and walking up the stairs Nabiki bade Kasumi a good night and Kasumi returned it before heading to bed herself.
The next day in China Ranma and the three Amazons that were accompanying him on the scouting mission had just left the village. When he left Ranma was in his biped form and when he walked around he drew the attention of everyone in the village, especially the other Lupines. None had ever seen a Lupine like Ranma before and were in fact stunned by the beauty and power the large upright white wolf presented.
"Aishia is he what I think he is?" James asked.
"If you're thinking he's a Northern White Hunter, then yes," Aishia answered with a smile. The reactions from the Amazons and Lupines were rather expected. It is not everyday a breed of Lupine comes back from extinction.
"Are you absolutely sure?" James asked. "I mean there have been several that claimed that heritage."
"I had him checked out by Riener and the old mystic confirmed it," Aishia answered.
"But I thought they were suppose to be…smaller would be the word I guess," James said. "He's almost as big as me in that form."
"Well he does have a bit of Stalker in him," Aishia answered. "That's actually rather obvious when he's in his cursed form." James gave her an odd look, "Remember I told you he has a Jusenkyo curse." James nodded remembering the brief history he was told about Ranma and Ryouga last night after the meeting. "When he turns into a girl and changes to either his full wolf form or his bipedal form he becomes almost pure silver. Trademark of Stalker females."
"I see," James said. "I actually looking forward to see if what Gramps said was true about them or if it was all just stories."
"I've sparred with him a couple of times he's still learning to fight as a Lupine but he's a fast learner and a rather skill fighter," Aishia replied. "When Scot gets here in a couple of days I'm sure he's going to want to see how much Ranma's improved."
"And don't forget he already defeated Saffron before he changed," Cologne said joining the discussion. "He's got some of our techniques, not to mention he's Happosai's Heir, and the power of Great White Hunters. Once he fully learns to fight a Lupine I think you can imagine just how powerful he could become."
After a brief moment of thought James whispered. "If he could realize his full potential? Then he could probably take on an Ebon Cat on his own in the future!" He looked at Aishia in disbelief and she gave him a single nod at his conclusion confirming she came to the same conclusion earlier. He then looked to where Ranma left the village and could not keep the smirk off his face.