Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma ½, Birdy the Mighty, Dirty Pair Flash, or Tenchi Muyo.

Author's Notes: Yet another chapter is here! As we left off our intrepid heroine had a brilliant idea for getting Madison out of the hell she was living, but what could the brilliant idea be? Would it really help? Find out now!

Kikuko the Mighty

Chapter 12

The streets of Tokyo were bustling with activity making it easier for the somewhat shell-shocked girl to avoid detection. She was attractive but had an air about her that kept any potential perverts at a distance. The girl was predominantly Kikuko Saotome, but the body was of Madison Avenue or Gains as she discovered. Her father was a total idiot. That thing calling itself her mother nearly kills him and she's the bad guy. Nice. With a slow shake of her head, the confused girl made her way steadily towards her destination.

'Where are we going? This isn't the way to the Tendo dojo.' Madison asked in a subdued voice.

'We're going to a place where I'm sure we can get help.' Kikuko replied but her passenger seemed skeptical.

'Who would help us and for how much?' the girl asked.

'Trust me, these people will help us. We're going to the Nekohanten for assistance. They'll take us in simply because of the abuse you suffered and for the promise of a strong warrior. You've been absorbing all of my knowledge about fighting whether you know it or not and you're innate ki control is actually impressive. Not as if there isn't room for improvement, but you have the ki level of someone a decade your senior. That might be my fault however since my ki is always flowing and increasing.' Kikuko told her as she crossed the street, talking to the real owner of the body took little to no thought so she just let the talk flow.

'When you leave, will I lose all of this?' the girl asked, sounding strangely fearful, but considering what she went through it was understandable.

'Oh please. From your memories I could see that you were in rhythmic gymnastics and martial arts and have continued to practice whenever your mom wasn't around. Simply put, you got my knowledge and your prior training. It would put your skill at around maybe Akane in the Art, but with your focus you could stand up to Ukyou the okonomiyaki chef.' The redhead told her charge.

'My mom can't hurt me now…' Madison thought in wonder as she remembered what Kikuko had done. A simple stomp had broken the maniac woman's hand easily as if it were rice paper. She was only using a little ki and with what she learned she knew that her ki would be sufficient. The girl wanted to jump for joy and try some of this stuff out but Kikuko was in control.

'You wanna play a little? Then you can!' Kikuko thought devilishly as she thrust the natural owner's persona forward. It was a rush for Madison to once again be in control but instead of panicking she kept walking normally. The girl was finally noticing the easy way she was walking and knew that this is what confidence could do. She decided to take a short cut through an alleyway that her new friend recommended.

"Whew…what a nice figure on this one huh?" a voice said in a leering tone. Her first response was to cringe and hunch but her friend was telling her to stand firm. She noticed there were several of them. Punks from a different high school that had decided to skip school to find girls. The familiar sense of powerlessness had a different side effect this time.

"I'm tired of being so weak…if Kikuko can do it then so can I. A woman can be as strong as she wants to be and I am STRONG!" she shouted at the boys circling her causing them to back off a step. Without stopping to wonder how she would beat them, the girl acted. A core tenet of the Anything Goes Style is the ability to adapt on the fly and with power and skill comes the ability to adapt to any situation at a moment's notice. With a fierce cry one thug was flattened by a sharp blow to the stomach while his buddy standing beside him experienced difficulty seeing straight from the palm strike dead on his nose. A spinning knuckle let the boy behind her know that she was aware he was there and a sudden sweep left the remaining young man's world in a whirl. It was the work of a few minutes to beat them. None of Kikuko's amazing ki but plenty of skill. Madison was thrilled because it was all her!

"Yeah, don't come around here again or you'll get more of the same!" she exclaimed in a cocky tone that her friend found amusing before sashaying away from the scene of the crime leaving four stunned and beaten would-be thugs in her wake.

'Very good and very quick. Playing with your opponent is never encouraged since it can often give you a false sense of power. Finishing your opponent quickly is the proper way to go. And against multiple attackers, never lose sight of them. You did very well for your first real fight.' Kikuko congratulated her causing the girl to flush with pride. It was amazing what somewhat reaffirming your abilities could do for you she thought happily.

'Give me enough time and I'll be one of the best in Nerima right?' the girl asked, preening visibly. How could Kikuko tell her that she still had a long way to go? Then it hit her. This was either the past or an alternate world. Either way, the people here aren't as strong as in her own place. In terms of skill levels, she had indeed hit the nail on the head except for one thing. Even Shampoo would be swept under by this suddenly cheerful and enthusiastic girl. The rest of the trip to the Nekohanten went off without a hitch. She practically bounced through the door in a display of bubbly cheerfulness that made even Shampoo pause.

"Ah! Nihao customer! Are you here for too too good ramen?" she asked cheerfully.

"May I speak with your great grandmother Cologne? I mean….Ku Lon?" Madison asked in a respectful tone. The Amazon looked briefly startled at the outsider girl who spoke so respectfully before nodding once and heading into the back after directing the girl to a booth.

'I hope the old mummy is as kind as she was when I was a child. She comes off harsh but she really is a sweet old woman. She tended to be everyone's grandmother eventually but she may have more bark on her right now.' Kikuko told her before briefly going over the plan again for clarification. In the meantime, the ancient Matriarch made her way to the table. Cologne noticed the girl sitting at the table was the same girl from the night before but something seemed different. She was full of confidence and vitality, but what could have made her so upset last night? According to Mousse this slip of a girl had nearly mangled him. The Amazon Matriarch was certain it had to do with Ranma somehow; she chuckled wryly at the thought before sitting across from her.

"You wished to speak with me?" Cologne asked. It took all of the girl's willpower not to stare in amazement at the shrunken mummy sitting with her but wisely kept her opinions to herself.

"I wish to become an Amazon." She told the old woman as she unconsciously sat a little straighter before nearly falling from her chair when the old woman laughed.

"No offense child…but why should I allow you to join us?" Cologne asked in a voice filled with mirth which almost vanished when the girl's face took a drastic downward turn.

"I have nowhere to go. My mother is an abusive bitch and my father is an oblivious, ineffective man that is apparently ruled by his penis. I can't go back to that…I-I'm still trying to shake off the effects…" Madison told her while trying not to cry. Kikuko was all set to coach her but the honest approach seemed to be working pretty well. The matriarch sat back, pondering quietly. The girl wasn't lying, she could tell that much. She was an impressive young martial artist, nowhere near Shampoo but quite good. However, tradition needed to be upheld. For a person to be admitted into an Amazon tribe they needed to first beat an Amazon and…well…suddenly the old woman burst into a fit of uncharacteristic giggles. The supplicant looked briefly hurt as she tried to understand the hilarity.

"O-oh dear…o-o-oh my…I knew today was going to be fun…and now I'm right. Normally the only way a person can become an Amazon is through marriage or by besting an Amazon. You did the second one yesterday so all we have to do is get him to admit that you were the one. Simple really. Hey Mr. Part-Time!" she shouted to the kitchen. A surly head popped out with a grumble.

"What is ya old bat?" he asked her sourly. Cologne motioned for him to come over. When he was within striking range she bonked him with her staff. When asked if Madison was the one who beat him, he wanted to deny it, but didn't. He had heard from Cologne how bad off she was last night and didn't have the heart to refuse her. With that in mind, he consented.

"Good boy, there will be a little something extra in your pay this week as well as a raise. As her sponsor, she is now your family. Congratulations Mousse, you have a sister." Cologne proclaimed and smiled at his dumbstruck expression. He was a brother now? The myopic boy looked to his new sister with a slight smile which Madison found to be rather pleasant. Since he was her brother now…she started by perfecting her Amazon Glomp on her brother.

"Shampoo think Mousse not so bad. For a male." The purple haired vixen said with a small smile at the scene before going back to the customers.

"Enough of the shenanigans you two. As Mousse's sister you now work here so get on a waitress outfit. Your agility training begins right now." Cologne said with a smile before heading back into the kitchen. The new siblings were already adjusting to one another nicely.

-Later that day-

'Agility training she calls it but I call it torture! Still, it is nicer than Mom's abuse. I get compliments, tips, and I have a brother now too. I gotta admit Kiku-chan this was the best idea anyone came up with.' Madison thought to the drowsing girl. Kikuko smiled slightly. The waitress uniform was one of Shampoo's dresses. Due to the height difference, Madison was an inch or so taller, it made the already short length of the skirt shorter. It was no wonder her tips were so good.

'The Old Ghoul ain't so bad and it was nice of her to call you granddaughter. I can't wait to see how this all turns out but so far it has turned out for the best.' The redhead told her new friend as the bell rang. Madison looked to the door and started her greeting.

"Welcome to the Nekohanten! Oh…crap…" she murmured as the vision before her became clearer. Her mother was in the doorway with her arm through her dad's. The two of them stared at her with an intensity that could be felt. Her eyes wandered to the bandage on her mother's hand before gulping and directing her gaze back upward.

"What are you doing here Madison? Go home. We'll talk later." The woman hissed.

"You should listen to your mother." The man told her. The two of them were obviously together on this. She wanted to crawl into a corner and die right now but her stubbornness asserted itself.

"I'm sorry but you seem to have the wrong person. My name is…Mihoshi Saotome." The girl blurted out without any preamble whatsoever. She had fished through her memories as well as Kikuko's to come up with the name. Her resident snorted in laughter at the interesting shade of red her friend's face was turning. There was no danger to her here so it was okay to find it funny. At that moment, Cologne pogo-hopped her way over.

"Granddaughter there are customers to attend to." She told the girl, shooing her off before turning to the parents. Drawing herself up to full height may not have seemed impressive, but she was pulling all three-thousand years of Amazonian tradition about herself like a visible cloak. If she realized how impressive she looked and how formidable, she might have tried it on Ranma.

"That's my daughter old woman and I want her back." Jessica demanded angrily before faltering under the woman's withering gaze.

"Get out of my restaurant. You have no right to scare the help or order me around. Leave immediately." The ancient woman boomed before returning to the kitchen. Amidst the jeers and agreements of the patrons, the two of them left quickly. Madison was standing nearby in shock all the while her friend laughed her redhead off. Mousse came out of the kitchen to stand with her. He was taking his new responsibility seriously and appreciated the gravity of the situation, but even he found it a little funny.

"Mihoshi Saotome?" he asked in amusement. Madison blinked at him owlishly causing him to force down thoughts of how cute she looked. Those wide, innocent eyes and that sweet smile made him angry at anyone who could mistreat her. Kikuko recognized the determination on her Uncle Mousse's face. He would fulfill his duties through Hell and high water. The girl in question leaned against him for support which he readily gave. She wanted to cry because of how good it felt. In just a couple days she had felt more familial warmth than in all her years on earth. She could easily become addicted to this.

'I must have done the right thing…I must have…so now to watch what develops I guess.' Kikuko thought happily as she settled in but someone had other plans. Without even a chance to say goodbye, the startled girl was pulled from Madison's mind and ended up somewhere familiar.

Right in front of Tsunami.

"Wha…?" she asked intelligently. Tsunami was gazing at her with love and kindness, but also with quite a bit of mirth.

"I simply meant for you to keep her from killing herself after school which is what would have happened had you not intervened. Instead you took her away from her primary source of depression, introduced her to the Saotomes and Tendos, and got her made an Amazon with Mousse as her brother. How you could do that with barely any information to go on is beyond me. Or maybe I had put you too close to home. Either way, results are results, and these were the best results. Don't die again any time soon or I will be cross with you. Still, I think that you definitely have a future in this business." The Goddess told her.

"Is she going to be okay? I really don't want to leave unless I know for sure. Please tell me." Kikuko begged in a small voice. She really had no right to make demands but this was eating at her.

"She returns to the Amazon village with Mousse in a week's time to secure her confirmation in the tribe. A test is held to determine where to place her and because of your coaching she is more than capable of taking the position of second best in the village. She goes back to Nerima with her brother who is now an honored citizen for bringing such a fine warrior to the tribe. Madison, or Mihoshi as she's called in jest, was present for the battle with Revi's minions and Happosai where she distinguished herself for holding her own against several Arkazoids single-handedly. Not too bad if I do say so myself. Because you passed the Ascension Ceremony with such high marks you may take your place with Jurain nobility and have access to the power of the Light Hawk Wings. Anything further to ask?" Tsunami asked with a polite air but it was clear this interview was over. Still, it made the girl swell with pride to realize how much she actually did, but to find out she was now considered nobility? That made her head spin. Seeing her silence as no more questions, the Goddess sent her charge back to her friends.

-Galaxy Police Cruiser-

Mihoshi was depressed. The interior of the ship was decked out in black to suit her mood. Her friends were on the Lovely Angel grieving together but she refused to be with them. It was her own stupidity that lead to this. It had to be. Kikuko was too strong and too smart to have been killed alone. It was her fault. She knew the honorable thing would be to join her friend in death but it wouldn't be the responsible thing. There were people still alive who needed her. It had been over a week since the Saotome girl died in the fight with Kagato and she had yet to file the paperwork. She wouldn't until she could talk to Ranma and Birdy herself to accept whatever retribution they wished to offer. Her eyes fell to the picture on the console. She couldn't cry anymore. Her eyes were dry and would be unable to sustain tears however the self loathing served just as well.

"Oh Kiku-chan…" Mihoshi moaned softly before schooling her features. She couldn't allow her own weakness to stop her. It hurt so much that she would never see her friend again but her heart ached every time she thought of her as just her friend. The blonde groaned in annoyance with herself for having those thoughts.

"I love you…" she whispered, so caught up in her despair she missed the door opening. An amused voice broke her from her reverie.

"That's nice to hear Mihoshi-chan." The voice said. The police girl's eyes widened to dinner plates before spinning in her flight chair. Leaning casually against the doorway was a ghost. It had to be, but she prayed it was real. When the familiar redhead touched her shoulder it was clear she was the real thing. With a wail, the young woman clutched her friend tightly as if she would never let go. Without hesitation, Kikuko returned the hug with equal intensity, but nothing prepared her for what happened next. Mihoshi grabbed the back of her head and kissed her so hotly it made her hair stand out.

'Wow! I didn't know Mihoshi loved me like this! I mean I never thought of being with another girl before…brain shutting…down…' Kikuko thought dreamily as the sweet loss of oxygen got to her. It would be many minutes before either one could speak.

-Lovely Angel-

Ranko growled at ARMS II in hatred. It was the perfect weapon given to her perfect sister. This same perfect sister who was the most powerful martial artist in the universe as even their parents admitted. The fact that she died relying on something that she built was causing her indescribable anguish. The young girl's strangely ancient eyes stared at the reconstructed monstrosity before her. Despite her hatred of the thing, it was her sister's and should not have remained damaged. The redhead punched it with all her might only to get a dull clang in response. It just wasn't fair! Kagato should have been nothing! She never thought it would be easy but it was ridiculous. The deranged scientist kept returning like some lame RPG boss and Ranko got careless. It was the only conclusion. She had become careless with her big sister. Poor Hawk, or Peregrine as he was actually named, was going to be distressed as well. He knew he was no match for his sister but the two of them communicated through their fists easier than people did with words.

"I hate the universe…a universe that allows my sister to die…" she couldn't finish the statement. She was rapidly building energy for the mother of all Shi Shi Hokodans but a gentle hand stopped her. The girl glared at who dared to interrupt her only to find herself staring into the eyes of the younger Amazon Matriarch. Cologne took in the other girl's aura with a glance and decided that something needed to be done. Her own grief could come later as she gathered the stricken redhead into her arms, allowing her soothing aura to wash over them both. Ranko clung to her as a child holds onto its mother and wept bitterly until she fell into a troubled sleep.

"The universe isn't so bad child…you'll understand." Cologne whispered before, under the watchful eyes of Tick and Tock, she carried the girl to one of the rooms on the ship.

-The Bridge-

Kei was the only one on duty. Yuri and Toma were somewhere sound asleep comforting one another in their grief which left the orange-haired girl to her own devices. It sucked. They had luck in spades and had more than enough to even get other people out of trouble with it, but the one time their luck should have kicked in, it ran out. Kikuko paid the price for their blind faith and it bothered her. If she couldn't shoot it, she didn't want to know about it had been her motto but this was far out of her league.

"Maybe if I had known more this wouldn't have happened." She sighed as she kept the ship moving. Her eyes strayed to the GP cruiser and her heart went out to her cousin. It was obvious she loved the redhead and now it wouldn't happen. After hearing about Jusenkyo and the Spring of the Drowned Man she had found herself wondering if Mihoshi or Kikuko would jump in. Strangely enough, the idea of a bunch of little brats to spoil was appealing. But that wasn't going to happen now. No way it could happen. Oh well, maybe she could talk to her cousin and try to alleviate some of her sorrow, however when she kicked on the com unit she was treated to a very strange sound. It sounded like something that Yuri described once as "knocking boots" and it could not have been at a stranger time.

"Maybe she's not feeling as bad as I thought…?" she thought in confusion before a particularly loud cry called out "Mihoshi" and another called out "Kikuko". In a stunned state, Kei flicked off the com system before turning her attention back to the space before her. That didn't last long as the girl processed what she heard. With a loud yell of glee she punched on the intercom and caroled over it.

"Kikuko's alive!"

End Chapter

Author's Notes: I figured I should end the chapter on a bizarre note. Did Kei really hear what she thought she hear or was it something else? I guess you have to wait until the next update to find out. Thank you all for reading and ja ne!