(A/N)

It probably would have been a lot longer before I got around to writing this, but I got a little curious and looked at my stats page. I was stunned to find that this story was on a whopping eleven c2s, and had collected over 3,000 hits! That's more than the rest of my stories all together! That, combined with the 47 story alerts and some of the reviews, has blown my ego up to enormous proportions.

Also, just in case someone is wondering about Ranma's thought-processes, he's been acting intelligent because he is. Genma actually left his son to local monks and people while they were in Japan (in this story) and he received a decent, if scattered, education that he's had to hide from Genma until now. Now that Genma can't understand a word he says, Ranma can be as intelligent as he wants to be.

As before,

"Japanese"

Narration

Thoughts in Japanese

Draconic

Chinese

Thoughts in Chinese

And telepathy

With the addition of:

Signs

So, thank you, and as a reward for the hits, reviews, and blown up ego, here's chapter three.

Thisisalinebecauseffnetdeletedtheonesinthepreviouschapters

Dragon's Hope Spring

Chapter Three:

Preparations

The Amazon village was a peaceful scene. The matriarch perched, perfectly balanced, on a wooden cane, watching the entrance to the village along with a stout, balding, middle aged Japanese man and the majority of the village's warriors, as well as the plump guide to the local cursed springs. They were waiting for the return of the village champion and the man's son. Anyone who knew anything about this village would likely guess that the champion and the foreigner had already fought, and that she had likely lost and they were, by Joketsuzoku law, married.

The assemble martial artists did not have long to wait, for the champion's voice rang out, announcing their presence to all those awaiting the return of the two youths.

Everyone! We have returned! And great-grandmother, you were right! IT WORKED!!! After this cheerful announcement in mandarin, the young woman let out a loud and cheerful whoop.

As the purple haired Amazon and the pigtailed apparently Japanese young man jogged though the village gates, Kuh Lohn sighed. "Xian Pu, as I do not know what happened while you were out, and Ranma cannot speak Japanese, you will have to explain to his father what happened."

"Why should Shampoo tell stupid panda-man what happened?"

"Because, as this young man's father, he has a right to know."

Unfortunately, Xian, she's right. Pops should know, or he'll drive us crazy by trying to find out.

"Fine! All right, stupid panda-man, you listen, and you listen now, because I is not going to be repeating this! Ranma and Shampoo is going out because that is what great-grandmother said to do. Shampoo is becoming Ranma's dragon-partner, so Shampoo and Partner is coming back to village. I is going to be traveling with Partner, so you is having to get used to Shampoo being along with Partner and stupid panda-man on training journey."

"Well, if that's the case, I suppose you'll be coming back to Japan with us. Jusenkyo was going to be that last stop before our return."

"Oh, good!" the elder enthused. "Shampoo, the total immersion in the Japanese culture will be good for you."

"But…great-grandmother! Shampoo is not wanting to be separated from family. Is important, I know, but can someone from home come with Shampoo?"

"Hm…well, I have been wanting to travel, so I suppose we could open a restaurant."

Well, that's a bit stereotypical, Ranma muttered.

"What was that, Ranma? I can't understand draconic, you know."

He said it was stereotypical, Elder. Xian Pu translated.

Hm…since you two are bonded, you don't exactly need that amulet anymore, do you, Xian?

Oh, you're right! Instead of handing it to the elder, however, she tried to return it to the guide.

No, I have several. Give it to your partner, the guide said softly.

Thanks, Ranma commented as she handed it to him. I'll be sure to keep this safe, where a certain panda's sticky fingers won't be able to get at it. Knowing him, he'd trade it for a bowl of rice the moment he got hungry.

That's horrible! We have to teach him to respect other people's property.

Genma sweated as the purple haired Amazon and his son turned to look at him with calculating expressions, like they were planning just how thoroughly to beat him once they left the village. He had no idea how close to the truth he was.

Fromnowontheseindicateascenechange

That night, while Ranma and Genma slept in the visitor's hut, her friends ambushed Xian Pu.

Come on, Xian, tell us the truth! You're married to him, right?

No, I'm not.

Then what happened?

Well, you aren't going to believe this, but…

Come on, try us!

You've heard of the Dragon's Hope Spring, of course.

Of course we have. We're not fools!

He fell in that!

So he's a dragon?

And I'm his partner! Xian Pu squealed the last part excitedly. Her friends congratulated her, but looked jealous as well.

The following morning found Ranma and Kuh Lohn conversing in the Elder's hut, with the use of a technique both Ranma and his father were working on master—the ancient technique of sign-talk, used by mute martial artist everywhere!

"Ranma, I would like to know exactly where you and your father are going in Japan, so that I can set up a restaurant there."

Elder, perhaps you should wait. Pops has a tendency to get into trouble, but he said something about moving in with a friend. Once we have a stationary address, Shampoo and I will send a letter to the village, letting you know where we are.

"Speaking of my great-granddaughter, how is she holding up?"

Now that she's more used to the idea, she's looking forward to the trip. Personally, I'm looking forward to a new sparring partner. Pops is…getting predictable.

"Heh…as is Shampoo. She seems to have hit a dead-end in her training."

So how is she still Champion?

"Her dead-end is, regrettably, above everyone else's level."

Dead-ends don't last long with Pops around. Seems the only thing he's good at is teaching people how to fight. You can expect her to come back stronger, tougher, and faster.

"Good."

Xian Pu, meanwhile, was saying farewell to her friends.

Partner, are you certain that we must leave as soon as possible? She asked.

Positive. Pops will try to steal anything that's not nailed down soon if we stay here much longer.

Then we should leave. I would hate for the village's justice to have us helping your wounded father across the continent.

That makes two of us! And he'd whine the whole way!

Hee hee, the purple-haired warrior giggled.

Xian Pu! Please, don't go! a handsome young man cried, addressing a nearby tree.

Mu Tze! I'm over here! And I have to go. My Partner is going, and I have to go with him.

Turning to face the correct direction, Mu Tze sighed. But…I'll miss you.

As will the rest of the village. And you are a good friend, but I need some space. I'll write to you, Mu Tze.

Do you promise, Xian Pu? Do you promise to write to me on the road, and when you get to Japan?

I promise that I will keep in touch. Now go find someone else to bother! I'm not finished saying goodbye to everyone yet, and we leave at noon, just after lunch!

Why so soon?

To stop the thieving panda from stealing from the village.

Mu Tze bowed his head and walked on.

After he finished packing, Ranma glanced up and noticed that there were still several hours to go before he had to go, so he set out to speak with some of the villagers.

Mu Tze grumbled to himself as he walked. It's not fair. Xian Pu becomes a dragon's partner, and suddenly she's going away with her Partner and his father…of course I'm happy for her good fortune, but I wish I wasn't being left behi— His thoughts were abruptly cut off as he walked into someone.

Oh, excuse me. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going, the nearly blind hidden-weapons master automatically replied.

The fault was mine, as well read the sign the victim of Mu Tze's carelessness held up, once the Amazon male put on his glasses and squinted at it.

Your writing is horrible, he commented, looking at the other man. This must be the dragon.

I'm sorry, I do not speak this language well. Do you know Japanese?

"Yes, actually, I'm fluent."

Thank you!

"You're Shampoo's partner, aren't you?"

Yes, who are you?

"My name is Mousse. I'm Shampoo's suitor, though she doesn't like me much."

Really? Xian Pu, who is…uh…Mousse?

His name is Mu Tze, and he's been my good friend since childhood. Lately, though, he's been proclaiming his never-ending love of me…to inanimate objects. It's not that I'm not willing to give him a chance, but something needs to be done about his eyes!

Thanks. I was just wondering, because he walked into me.

Stupid Mu Tze; walking into people.

Shampoo just sees you as a friend.

"I knew that! So, are the stories true? You can really talk telepathically?"

Yeah, how do you think I knew she saw you as a friend?

"Good point. I don't suppose you could convince her to let me tag along?"

Why do you want to come?

"I'd like to get to know her better."

Then, maybe you should be her friend.

"But…I love her!"

Then practice Blind Sight until you can tell her to her face. Or get new glasses.

"Blind Sight? What's that?"

An aura-sight technique. I can train you in it if you tag along.

"Really?!"

Sure. Pops taught it to me years ago, made me wear a blindfold all the time and everything. It's actually better than normal eyesight in a fight, though more tiring, and you can't read with it.

"Better? How?"

Less limited. You can see all around you with it, even above and in the ground, though that's really hard and gave me migraines.

"So, what do you suggest?"

Can you already sense auras?

"Yes, in fact, I'm one of the village's best aura trackers."

Then after we leave, track us. We can train when it's my turn to keep watch, but I think you'll have to run it past Cologne.

"I'll go ask her right now! You leave at noon, right?"

Yeah, to stop my stupid Pops from stealing various small, valuable items from the village.

(A/N)

So…like it? Hate it? Glad I updated? Think I should have updated sooner?