A Scary Thought

by Derekloffin

What happens when Kasumi is the one coming back from a training trip rather than Ranma? Well, read on to find out. Chapter 33 new content not on my webpage yet.

20. Chapter 20: New students, old master

Ranma 1/2

Altered Destinies: A scary thought

Chapter 20

The sun was just in the process of setting as the various residents and guests of the Tendo home were sitting down to dinner. The guests for this particular evening's meal were Kasumi and Shampoo, the former taking a break from her training to visit with the family, and the latter being invited along by the former.

The continuing situation with the Amazons had relatively stabilized. Cologne had been true to her word, and confined herself to helping run the restaurant and training Kasumi. Frost, besides the occasional glare from across the way, had been keeping her distance from Kasumi. Shampoo seemed to have settled into a routine, and was not causing any particular problems. Even Mousse had gone quiet. Actually, he had pretty much up and disappeared, although Cologne had been adamant in saying that he was still about. Shampoo concurred with this, giving Kasumi several examples of his past actions to illustrate the unlikelihood of his having given up. Still, despite that, for Kasumi it seemed that for at least the time being, everything was calm. That meant she better make the best of it, for trouble was undoubtedly on the horizon.

"So Kasumi, I hear you've been involved in some extra training with the elder," Soun said to begin some small talk.

"Yes, father, I have. She knows a great deal that I am sure will come in useful."

"What exactly is she teaching you?" Nodoka asked.

"A little bit of everything I think. However, we've been focusing mostly on perfecting the Dragon Fang attack, and working on my speed. We were just starting with the Kachuu Tenshin Amaguriken as a matter of fact."

Ranma frowned at this, turning his attention solidly onto his plate. Despite his desire to be alone with his thoughts, Soun turned to him. "And, Son, what about your training?"

"It's going well enough I suppose," Ranma mumbled back.

"Hitting a slump period eh?" Soun sympathized between mouth-fulls of rice. "Don't worry, you'll be over that soon enough. Why, I remember a time when Genma and I were in such a slump. We just didn't seem to be getting the kind of results we wanted from our old master. Isn't that right, Saotome?" Genma nodded his agreement and Soun continued. "But before long we met… Errr, well, ahhh… It's not really important."

Genma and Soun exchanged brief looks then Genma added his own suggestion. "We could always take a short training trip to the mountains and-"

"Oh no you don't!" Nodoka exclaimed, cutting off her husband, slamming her hand firmly on the table for emphasis. "You did enough damage with Kasumi, and I can only pray that we can make amends. I'm not letting you near my son without me around to supervise. Let you run the show and you'd probably consider throwing him in a pit of cats!"

Kasumi shuddered involuntarily at the reference, but Genma protested. "Do I look foolish enough to repeat that mistake?"

"Yes," Nodoka replied flatly, folding her arms across her chest, and turning away from her husband. Genma shrank back from the open criticism.

"It doesn't matter," Ranma finally said, ending the argument between his parents. "It's got nothing to do with that. I'm getting plenty of training right here. I just… I don't know… don't feel as into it as usual." Ranma once more drooped his head and stared at his plate with a barely audible sigh.

"Son, you're not saying you're giving up on the art!" Genma and Soun exclaimed together.

"NO!" Ranma yelled back, looking up to glare at the two older men, then calmed. "It's not like that. I just don't feel motivated I guess."

"Maybe you just need a good challenge," Akane suggested. "I mean, you seem to do your best stuff when you have someone to challenge you," Akane explained, then quickly added, "not that your best stuff is much."

"I could take you any day Akane, so don't talk!" Ranma snapped back.

"I'm twice the martial artist you are," Akane countered.

"In your dreams maybe, but this is reality. I could take you on my worst day."

"Enough you two," Nodoka ordered, ending the argument, although Akane sneaked in a show of tongue to further irritate Ranma.

"Yes, well anyway Son, you just press on. With the proper training and time, I'm sure you'll be up to defeating Kasumi." Soun said, causing Ranma to choke briefly on his last bite.

"What?"

"You must realize Son that you'll have to defeat Kasumi now to marry her. This way you can satisfy the honor of our two families, carry on the dojo, and restore Shampoo's family honor all in one fell swoop," Soun explained.

"Hey now, just one minute, I'm-" Ranma began to protest, but was sharply cut off by the sound of a cup shattering. Everyone turned their attention to Shampoo, who despite her innocent smile, looked very angry, the broken remains of her cup a testament to her true feelings.

"Shampoo very sorry. Drop cup," the Amazon said, but did not sound too sincere to Kasumi's ears.

"It is all right dear. Nabiki, fetch her another," Nodoka instructed, and after sighing, Nabiki headed off for the kitchen.

"Anyway, as I was saying, I'm not interested in marrying Kasumi," Ranma said, then looked at Kasumi and quickly added. "Not that you're bad or nothing. I mean, I'm sure there are lots of guys out there. I mean, good guys… you knows, guys like me. I mean, not like me, but like… well, you know…" Ranma trailed off as he tried to find the correct words, then noticed the collective stares of all those at the table. "What?"

"Son, how can you so disgrace the family name?" His father asked.

"Me? You're one to talk Pop!" Ranma snapped then composed himself. "I just want to choose who I marry."

"Yeah, he wants to marry Dachi," Akane said with a smirk, causing both fathers to suddenly sit up and glare angrily at Ranma, who in turn shot Akane and angry glance.

"Is this true Son? Have you been having liaisons with that gymnast?" Soun asked angrily.

"Well, that is… ah-" Ranma tried to explain, nervously backing away from Soun.

"He might wish he were Daddy, but Kodachi doesn't give him the time of day." Nabiki said as she returned with a fresh cup for Shampoo.

"So that is how it is! My only Son is willing to besmirch the family name just so he can have a fling with a girl who's not even interested. Oh, what did I do to deserve such an offspring?" Genma wailed, and dropped his head to the table to cry.

"Do you want a list?" Nodoka mumbled, but went unnoticed.

"That's not fair!" Ranma protested after a moment. "I just want to choose!"

Suddenly Genma stopped his fit of grief, and stood up. "Well you can choose boy. Which will it be: Akane, Nabiki, or Kasumi? You see, you have lots of choices."

"That's not what I meant!" Ranma cried out, but Genma failed to heed him.

Instead, his father circled around the table to be behind his son, and gestured to Kasumi then Shampoo. "Look at it this way, Son. If you marry Kasumi, you get Shampoo too. Two girls for the price of one. What a bargain!" Kasumi merely bowed her head in embarrassment, while Shampoo fumed at being treated like some kind of supermarket product on promotion. "What is there to complain about?"

"Well, I-"

"Would you dare call your fiancée ugly?" Genma asked, moving behind Kasumi, and ignoring his wife hissing his name angrily at the reference. "Well, would you boy?"

"No, of course not!" Ranma said at last.

"Then what's the problem. She can cook, can clean, runs her own restaurant, has a successful job already, and is even a great martial artist. What's there to not like?" Genma pressed, backing Ranma into the proverbial corner.

Damn you old man, Ranma thought bitterly as he realized the trap he had been moved into. Anything he said now would hurt Kasumi unless he just conceded the point. Looking at Kasumi's bowed face as she looked at the floor, a face that looked like the slightest edgy comment might shatter it, made the thought of saying anything of the sort unbearable. After agonizing for nearly a minute, Ranma too bowed his head in defeat. "I guess there is nothing not to like."

"Hey now, you see. That wasn't so hard," Genma said cheerfully then everyone once more turned their attention to Shampoo as another glass shattered.

"Sorry."

XXXXX

Not that much later dinner had broken up, and everyone was returning to their regular activities. Genma and Soun were playing their unending game of shogi, while Nabiki and Nodoka cleaned up, which was complicated by having to deal with the remnants of 3 cups and 1 table, all thanks to Shampoo. Ranma had decided it best to keep his distance from the Amazon for the time being, and was out by the dojo with Ryouko.

His thoughts were not on his physical well being however. Instead they were on a matter he had not dwelled on in quite some time, marriage. He had managed to sidestep the issue with Soun and even his own Mother for a little while. However, now things had shifted.

"How do you like that girl?" Ranma asked his pet, and gained a short sad whimper from her. "And here I thought dodging my engagement to Akane was tough. It's totally different with Kasumi. I mean with Akane, we could trade insults into next week and it meant nothing. It really didn't hurt either of us, and we both knew it. It's totally different with Kasumi. It's like… it's like holding a Ming vase or something. I don't even want to take the risk of hurting her."

Ranma sighed out his frustration, only absently noting Ryouko's low growling about the whole situation. Yeah, things were a lot easier with Akane. Kasumi was a whole different story, one that he did not have a handle on. "And now I have to defeat her too. I guess it could be worse. I mean I certainly wouldn't mind being on top again." Ranma noted with a slight smile that only caused Ryouko further misery.

Great, Ukyo thought, If they do fight, I will have to rig it so Kasumi wins. God, that really goes against the grain! Ryouko let out a sputter as she thought about it. Life simply was not fair. As if in confirmation of that thought, Kasumi walked into view from around the house, causing Ranma to take particular notice. Ryouko had to fight back the urge to run over and bite the pretender in a particularly tender spot of her posterior. However, as pleasant as that thought was, she would likely end up in the pound, or worse catch some sort of horrid disease, for such a deed. No, life simply was not fair.

Kasumi did not seem to notice the attention she was receiving, and proceeded to walk about the perimeter of the stone fence, deep in thought. Ranma continued to watch her silently until she finally stopped and hopped up on the wall, and looked up at the sky. Ranma sat pensive for a minute, debating in his own mind, but then finally, much to Ryouko's chagrin, headed over.

"Hello Ranma," Kasumi greeted once Ranma was close enough, causing him to stop in mid motion, both from surprise, and nervousness. After a moment of getting no response, Kasumi turned to look back at him. "Is something wrong?"

"No. No, nothing's wrong. I just… Never mind." Ranma started to turn away, but recovered from his momentary shock before he made any progress, and instead returned to facing Kasumi. "Hey, I just wanted to say I'm sorry."

"About what?" Kasumi asked in honest confusion.

"About this whole marriage thing. I mean, I shouldn't have let you get mixed up in it. Akane and I were doing just fine, but now everything's… goofed up." Ranma finally bowed his head in depression, just as Kasumi replied.

"Oh no Ranma. You have nothing to be sorry about. It was our fathers' idea after all, and they can be ever so insistent at times," Kasumi remarked, remembering numerous times Genma had somehow managed to get her to do the silliest things.

"Kasumi, how can you be so forgiving about all of this? I mean, really, I think I'd be going crazy in your position."

"Oh, I'm sure you'd handle it just fine."

"No I wouldn't, trust me." Ranma countered then hoped up onto the fence with Kasumi to sit and explain further. "How… Why do you always want to compromise with everyone?" He asked, gaining a confused look from Kasumi. "You know, like say with Shampoo. It's only those stupid Amazon laws that-"

"Ranma, first you must learn not to so quickly judge other societies. What makes our laws good, while theirs are stupid?"

"Oh come on, marry a guy who defeats you. That's nuts."

"And I'm sure some would say marrying freely out of some sense of irrational emotional desire for another is just as… nuts," Kasumi replied with a slight smile, and looked off at the sky again. "I suppose it comes down largely to the good of society, against the freedom of the individual. We value our freedom highly, often out of fear of some larger group abusing the power we might give them. However, absolute freedom cannot be allowed either, for that would leave us in anarchy. A balance must always be struck, and some societies choose to balance differently. There's so little to say which is better and which is worse.

"The Amazon laws were not made by unwise people. They have a strong basis in the past. To defeat an Amazon is to show you have strength, either physical or by skill, both of which are valuable commodities to a small village of warriors. In addition it can be a great diplomatic device, as it creates a bond between the Amazon and the man and thus any groups he has ties with. It also is a great motivator. Those that wish to keep the choice to themselves must train themselves to become stronger so that they cannot be defeated. And, even should the Amazon end up with an unsuitable mate… well, things happen. Does the law seem so stupid now?"

Ranma shook his head. "No, I guess not. When did you learn all this?"

"The Elder has been making me study the laws extensively, and their history. I'm also learning Chinese… rather Mandarin to be more precise," Kasumi answered, then returned to the original subject. "But, you were talking about Shampoo. So, how would you handle it?"

"I… I don't really know."

Kasumi nodded in understanding then gained a thoughtful look. "How about this? If you were walking along the side of a cliff, enjoying the view, and you were so distracted that you did not notice a man standing in your path. Because of that, purely by accident you knocked him over. However, he managed to grab a handhold, and might be able to climb up, but then again maybe not. It's not a high cliff, so the fall probably wouldn't be fatal, but it's high enough that it would definitely cause him some injury. What do you do? Leave, or stay to help?"

"Well, help him of course."

"Even if you have a very important meeting to get to that is very important to your future opportunities."

"It doesn't matter. That person is in trouble. Even if I didn't knock him over, I'd still help him. I mean, a person is more important than some stupid meeting."

"How about marriage, is it more important than that person?"

Ranma scowled as he realized the path of the argument. "I guess I see your point."

Kasumi smiled. "You see Ranma, there is nothing particularly special about me. I'm sure you'd do the right thing."

"The right thing would have been to never have gotten you involved in this engagement mess," Ranma said with a sigh, then looked over his shoulder back at the house. The look Ryouko gave Kasumi he missed, but the look Shampoo was giving him caused him a great deal of concern. "I better go. Shampoo doesn't look too pleased."

Kasumi looked over at the Amazon and sighed. Shampoo was standing just outside the dojo, giving Ranma a most unhealthy look that promised trouble. "Don't worry Ranma, I'll talk to her."

"Yeah, well, I'll just keep my distance. No sense taking risks," Ranma said as he dropped down to the ground. He started to walk off, then stopped, turning back to say something, but did not quite get it out. Instead, his nerve failed him, and he simply sighed and returned to Ryouko's side.

Kasumi took a moment longer to look at the sky and think, and then she too headed back for the house. By that time Shampoo had already returned inside. "I'm really going to have to have a talk with her," Kasumi mumbled as she went inside the house. No one took note of the scratching coming from the upstairs window, or noticed the look on C-chan's face, a look that was even less amused than Shampoo's.

"Heading off Kasumi?" Nodoka asked as Kasumi entered the house, finding Shampoo sitting on the stairs, pouting. Kasumi took a second to look at Shampoo sadly then addressed Nodoka.

"Yes, I guess so. I have an orientation with two new students tomorrow at school, so I should get there early." Nodoka nodded in understanding, and began to head for the kitchen, but Kasumi called her to a stop. "Hold on a moment, Auntie. Shampoo."

Shampoo looked up from the floor she had been staring at. "What?" She asked, irritation clear in her voice.

"I want you to apologize," Kasumi answered, causing Shampoo a moment of shock, then outrage.

Shampoo jumped to her feet to confront Kasumi. "Why Shampoo apologize? No Shampoo who treat others like don't matter!"

"Shampoo, I realize that, but-"

"No! Shampoo not apologize!" Shampoo snapped out then ended the argument by marching out the door.

Kasumi frowned after Shampoo then looked back at Nodoka apologetically. "I'm sorry Auntie."

Nodoka shook her head. "No, it's all right Kasumi. I suppose I would be a little upset myself."

"That doesn't excuse breaking the table," Kasumi replied.

"It's just a table. Don't worry about it."

"It's not just that. She can be excessively… stubborn at times. Did you hear she attacked Kodachi?" Kasumi asked, gaining a concerned look from Nodoka. "Well, she did. Fortunately I made her promise not to do such a thing again, but… She just doesn't relate well to most people I've found. I understand it. She's not had much success with relations so far, but I can't just let this go on. I can't be sure she'll keep to her promise. I need her to deal with things more calmly."

"Well, if she hasn't had much experience dealing with others, then she probably isn't used to dealing with things calmly, as you say. Just give her some time."

"I have been giving her time," Kasumi replied, then sighed and shook her head. "Maybe I'm expecting too much of her."

"Or maybe you should give her the opportunity to develop those skills."

"Like what? Getting her to train with us doesn't seem to help. She's more interested in the fights than training, or getting along."

Nodoka nodded in understanding, and thought for a moment. "Perhaps something less aggressive is called for. Maybe you could get her into school."

Kasumi considered the suggestion, and finally nodded with some hope. "It could just work. I'll try it."

XXXXX

Across town, Frost was in the processes of complaining to anyone that would listen, which in this case was herself. Once more she had been relegated the task of inventory. She swore if it was not for the fact she had to stay in Nerima to make sure things worked out for Shampoo, and thus needed some place to stay, she would have given the "good" doctor a large piece of her mind. However, as disgusting as it was, she had a place to stay only at his good grace. Life was not fair.

The doldrums were finally ended with the sudden shattering of the door to the office. Frost immediately bolted upright, smashing her head against an overhanging shelf in the process. This did very little to improve her mood. After muttering out a colorful choice of words, she began to weave a protection spell, and looked out from the storeroom into the waiting room.

"Hello? Anybody home?" An old woman's voice called out, causing Frost's concern to ease somewhat. Still, she prepared the spell just in case. No telling if this was in fact a demon trying to lull her into a false sense of security.

Tofu came out from the kitchen to inspect the commotion himself. Both he and Frost came upon the sight of a large wooden cabinet, one used often as a shrine, inside the remains of the door. "Hmm, what was that sound? A family shrine? Oh, I'm sorry, I already have one," Tofu commented, causing Frost to look at him in puzzlement at his casual attitude about having his front door ruined.

"Don't tell me you've forgotten me already?" An old woman asked as she popped up on top of the shrine.

"M…mother, w…what are you doing here?" Tofu stuttered out in surprise. Since the doctor seemed to know the woman, Frost eased her guard and examined the woman. She reminded the magus of Cologne, ancient, small, yet formidable. That shrine must have weighed near a hundred pounds, yet this woman seemed to have been moving it herself with no obvious strain. With an elder like that, the doctor's position in society seemed more deserved.

"What? Aren't you glad to see your own mother?"

"Well, yes, but you could have called first," Tofu replied.

"So I forgot, sue me. Come son, pay your respects to your father then we can talk." The old woman directed. Together she and the doctor set up the shrine in the examination room on top of one of the cabinets, leaving Frost alone in the waiting room. With an absent wave of her hand, Frost changed the magical field she had developed and manipulated it to reform the door, and joined the others. After finishing her prayer, the old woman noticed the Amazon. "Oh, hello little boy, didn't see you there."

Frost involuntarily twitched at the reference, but managed to keep her temper, just barely. Bowing formally, Frost returned the greeting. "Greetings Elder Ono. I am called Frost. I am at your service. And, begging your pardon, I am a woman, not a… boy."

"Ah, yes mother, this is my new nurse," Tofu elaborated after finishing his prayer and his mother nodded in understanding.

"Oh dear, I'm sorry. It's that cloak and all. It kind of makes you look like a boy. Again, my apologies. And really, there's no need to be formal with me. Just call me Mrs. Ono, or just Kin if you like," his mother said with a warm smile.

"I could be nothing less than respectful to an Elder, even from a family of Japan," Frost replied with a shake of her head.

Tofu's mother nodded then examined the Amazon. "Not from Japan yourself I assume," Mrs. Ono speculated then after a moment's more examination asked, "Chinese Amazon?"

"Y…yes, I am," Frost answered in surprise. "In fact I am one of the village's magus's. How is it that you know of my people, if I may ask?"

The old woman smiled, and headed back out into the waiting room. "Oh, my family hasn't been limited to living on the Isles of Japan. My own mother in fact studied in China many of the techniques I passed on to Tofu here. She got around that territory a fair bit. She even studied with your Amazons for a time."

Frost looked on in mild surprise, but then smiled and nodded in approval. Of course, she thought, where else could this man have gained such techniques. Her momentary uplift in attitude, however, was cut short when she noticed the looks both the doctor and his mother had on their faces. "What?" She asked in confusion.

"Ah, Frost, the door…" Tofu replied, pointing out the object in question.

Frowning in irritation, Frost turned her attention to the door, and big sweated. Instead of the glass and wood one that had been there, a large and heavy brass gate that was certainly more fitting to a medieval castle was in its place. Frost swore in her own mind at the mistake, but then burst into anger. "Well fine! If you want the cold air, I'll just get rid of the stupid-"

"Nonono, that's not necessary! It's just fine! It's very… eye-catching." Tofu said quickly, causing Frost to ease.

Tofu's mother took a short look between the two, then in a flash Frost found the woman behind her, her hands rubbing her hips probingly. Frost barely managed to restrain herself from screaming out in surprise. However awkward this situation was, this woman was an Elder, and thus Frost's superior. Fortunately the inspection lasted only a moment, and the old woman withdrew to think. "Hmmmmm… Nope, no good. Too small."

Frost wheeled on the old woman anxiously. "What do you mean? What's too small?"

"I'm sorry to bear such bad news, but your hips are simply too small for you to marry my Tofu." The mother explained, stunning Frost.

"Marry? Mother, what are you talking about?" Tofu asked.

"Son, it is high time you got yourself a bride. I mean really, what are you now, twenty-five?"

"Twenty-six actually."

"Twenty-six, in any case, that's too old to be still single. I don't want to see our family line end with you."

"Mother, you're exaggerating. I'll get married some day. I'm just not ready to get married right now."

"What?" The old woman screamed out, then fainted. The doctor rushed to her side, managing to catch her before she hit the ground, and began a quick examination of her. However, before a second had passed, the woman seemed to vanish, but her voice could be heard from the examination room. "Father, how could our son so forsake the family name? How could he be so cruel! Where did I go wrong?"

"Mother?" Tofu quickly joined his mother in the other room, and found her with a bottle of pills in her hand.

"Well, I guess this world has no more place for me. I'll be with you soon Father." The woman said in finality, and opened the bottle.

"Mother don't!" Tofu panicked at this point, grabbed the bottle, and began to struggle for it with his mother. After a moment, the struggle ended, dumping the contents of the bottle on the ground. Any further conflict on the matter was also ended when Frost rushed into the room, a very tense expression on her face.

"What the hell do my hips have to do with my marriage potential?" The magus demanded, causing both Tofus to redirect their attention to her.

In an amazingly calm manner considering her suicidal condition seconds before, the elder Ono answered. "Big hips are the key to child bearing. They make for strong, healthy children. Strong children make for strong bloodlines that can carry the family name onto the next generation. For good luck big hips are better than a rabbit's foot. Humph, the face is the very last thing to look for." Mrs. Ono paused long enough to pull out a photo, which she handed to Tofu. "See there, now there's the woman for you Tofu."

The doctor took a glance at the photo, and immediately withdrew in shock. "She's very… very… wide."

"Isn't she though," Mrs. Ono said proudly. "She's the all Japan pelvic champion, and a member-"

"NOW WAIT JUST A DAMNED MINUTE!" Frost cried out, gaining back everyone's attention. However, having gained that attention, Frost was at a loss for what to do with it. She started to open her mouth five times before finally coming out with something to say. "You… you've got it all wrong. Physical strength means nothing. Intelligence is what made humans the dominant species on this planet. Intelligence is what defines us. Intelligence is what has allowed humans to develop skill in every aspect of life. Surely elder you know that skill more often determines the victory in a fight than mere strength?"

"Well, I suppose you have a point," Mrs. Ono conceded.

"Then you'd agree that it is intelligence that should by far be the most important factor in any joining?" Frost continued, with more confidence.

After a moment of thought, Kin nodded slowly. "You've made yourself a good argument there young lady. Very well then, you can be bridal candidate number two."

"Mother!" Tofu exclaimed in shock, but Frost looked pleased with her victory… that is until she took a moment to think about it.

"Hey, wait! That's not what I-"

"Second thoughts? Don't you believe you are up to marrying my son?"

"Well… I… Yes, but-" Frost tried to explain, but Mrs. Ono cut her off.

"Very well then, it's decided." Mrs. Ono walked back into the waiting room, leaving her son and Frost stunned behind her. A second later she poked her head back around the edge of the door. "Of course, don't get too confident now. I'm sure my son has plenty of potential wives out there."

Frost took several seconds to recover, then began to twitch violently. This isn't fair, she began to chant in her mind as Tofu gave her a sheepish look.

XXXXX

The sound of breaking wood, smashing glassware, and a voice cursing Kasumi brought Cologne hopping out to the dinning room to investigate. To her surprise, Ukyo was not paying them a visit. Instead a bewildered Kasumi was backing away from an angry Shampoo.

"Shampoo no child. You think Shampoo dumb? You think she not good enough?"

"No-"

"Does Shampoo look like little girl to you?" Shampoo drew herself up, and thrust her chest toward Kasumi, who backed away as if Shampoo was brandishing a red-hot poker.

"What is going on here?" Cologne asked with some asperity.

"I-" Kasumi started to say, but was cut off by Shampoo.

"Kasumi no think Shampoo good enough! She want Shampoo go to stupid school."

Cologne thought for a second, then replied in a calming tone, "Well then, I guess you had best start deciding what you are going to wear tomorrow."

"What?" Shampoo yelled in outrage. "Great Grandmother is joking, Shampoo too old for childish school."

"Kasumi obviously does not think so, and it is her duty to rectify any deficiencies she sees in your training. If she thinks you need this, then you must go along with it. You did agree to this arrangement with her after all, or are you abandoning it?"

Shampoo's eyes widened. "No!"

"Well then…" Cologne trailed off, giving Shampoo a speaking look. The purple haired girl looked at her with glistening eyes, clearly inches from open tears. She looked at Kasumi, then back at Cologne. Gritting her teeth, she nodded her head once, and then turned and marched up the stairs, back straight, and without looking back.

"Shampoo?" Kasumi said softly, distress evident in her voice. She made as if to go after the other girl, but found Cologne's staff barring her way. She turned to face the old woman, who looked at her searchingly.

"I think you and I had best have a talk before you go up to see her. It could save you some future difficulties with your wife."

Kasumi grimaced at the wife reference, but willingly sat down, and prepared to listen. Any thing that would explain Shampoo's distressing behavior would be welcome right about now.

Cologne sat down opposite her, and after giving her one last searching look, started to talk. "Sometimes I forget to allow for your ignorance. Physically, you are very nearly a perfect Amazon warrior. More, you have that rare combination of a mind that can not be flustered easily to go with that skill. If you had been born an Amazon you would have been assured an eventual elevation to elder. I wish I could have met your mother, she must have been a remarkable woman."

"Mother? She was a very good person, but I'm afraid I can not blame her for my faults. She would have been dismayed to see how I turned out."

Cologne arched an eyebrow in surprise at this. "Somehow I'm skeptical of that. But then you knew her and I did not."

"But what has my skill at mayhem to do with this?"

"Nothing, and everything."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Nothing, as in it has no bearing on Shampoo's behavior, and everything, because you would not have been in this position if you did not have that skill."

"Please, if you know why Shampoo is so angry with me, tell me," Kasumi begged. For once she found her patience was not equal to the task of letting Cologne pick her own pace.

"I'm sorry, but you need to understand a little of our culture, if you are to understand why Shampoo is distressed, but I'll try to make it brief. Amazons don't attend any sort of formal schooling after puberty. They learn the basics, but anything else in imparted by their chosen mentor."

"An apprentice program you mean?"

"Something like that. I trained Shampoo, and taught her the more advanced knowledge she did not learn in school."

"I see. So when I suggested Shampoo go to school, she felt I was treating her as a child."

"In part, but her reaction seems a bit extreme for that. Frankly, I would have felt being able to spend the day with you would more than compensate for that," Cologne said, looking a little puzzled.

"Well, as to that. It would not be proper for her to be a member of my class, not given our relationship."

"Oh gods!" Cologne moaned, cupping her forehead with one hand. She shook her head in dismay, and looked up at Kasumi. "You've truly put the cat among the birds, girl."

Kasumi shuddered slightly at the feline reference, but asked. "What do you mean?"

"As I mentioned, I forget that you are not truly an Amazon. What you did was about as bad as it gets in regards to Shampoo and yourself."

Kasumi eyes widened, and she looked up the stairs with a look of dismay on her face. "Oh my, what did I do?"

"I told you that Amazons receive their advanced training from an older Amazon. In Shampoo's case, that's been me for some time now. However, when your relationship with Shampoo entered its present state, you became that mentor. It does not mean that you are fully responsible for her training. She will still come to me, as will you for that matter, but it is understood that you will be one of her trainers."

"Well, of course. I would be happy to show Shampoo what little I know that she does not already possess."

"Then why did you tell her to go to someone else for that training?"

"I don't understand."

"To put it in the simplest way possible. You told her that she was not worthy of your training."

"What? I never," Kasumi said in shock.

"Oh, not in so many words, and I'm sure Shampoo did not even think of it in precisely that way. Our culture is bred into her bones. She simply reacted as any Amazon in her position would have. Her mentor sent her to someone else to learn, not just for a specific piece of training, but for general knowledge. Clearly, you thought her incapable of learning from you. Please understand Kasumi. Your position carries responsibilities. I've already told you that you are bound by the laws of the Amazons. That also includes those rules of behavior that are so much a part of us that they have never been written down."

"How can I learn them? How can I keep from making mistakes?"

"You can't, you can just try to keep from making the same mistakes twice. Shampoo loves you, no matter what doubts she might have on the matter. She is angry now, but she will forgive you, and will learn to have patience with your failings, just as you have for hers. Now that you understand at least this much, I think you should go and talk to her."

"I think you are right," Kasumi got to her feet and headed for the stairs, a thoughtful look on her face.

XXXXX

"Furinkan High School," a pink haired newcomer to the neighborhood read aloud, as she looked over the nameplate to the school in question. She stepped out into the center of the entrance to the schoolyard to give it the once over. It had a certain feel to it. That was certain. Unlike any of her previous assignments, all of which hid their true ugliness very well from the public eye, this one was a complete break with the pattern.

To a casual observer, the school looked pretty much like thousands of other similar institutions. To the woman with the thigh length pink hair however, a closer look revealed the true nature of this place, and that was a battlefield. Newer stones were freshly plastered into place in the surrounding stone fence, but still gave themselves away with their slightly cleaner appearance. Touched up paint dotted the exterior of the building. Recently poured concrete was covering up various bits of damage in the front walkway. Probably the most obvious sign of trouble was the stump at the side of the building, cut cleanly through at an angle, likely the unfortunate victim of some previous battle. Given all this, the girl was amazed this school qualified as one of the best in terms of obedience.

With a shake of her head, and a sigh, the girl headed on in. Had she stayed a mere minute longer she would have been witness to the arrival of a boy, his hair, what little of it there was, dark black. His left eye bore the faded reminder of a first class black eye. He too gave his new school a look over, but his reaction was far more excited. "I know you're here Saki Asamiya, and this time… this time… I will date you!" So proclaiming, he rushed for the school entrance as well.

XXXXX

"Shampoo, please, we're at school now," Kasumi begged as she tried to remove her arm from her wife's grip. However, Shampoo held fast, resting her head against Kasumi's shoulder, her mood much improved from the night before. Finally though, after one last moment of contentment, she relented and freed the limb to inspect the facility.

"So, this place Airen go to during day," Shampoo commented, dissatisfaction clear in her tone. Clearly she did not see how this ugly thing could possibly be more attractive than herself to Kasumi.

"Yes, this is where I work," Kasumi confirmed, and turned to Shampoo. "Now Shampoo, like I explained last night, this is not like your Amazon schools. There are lots of rules of conduct that must be obeyed here. One of those, which we'll have to correct later, is wearing a school uniform. What you're wearing now will suffice for today, but later we should get you some proper clothing."

"Make all wear same clothes is cheap attempt to break individual spirit," Shampoo noted with a frown, but nodded her head anyway. "But, Shampoo do as you say."

"Thank you. And remember that Ms. Hinako is really the teacher. I'm only the supervisor."

"Shampoo still no understand why you no teach her."

"It is not that I wouldn't want to," Kasumi explained, as she lead Shampoo inside and up to her office. "Ms. Hinako is a qualified instructor. She can teach you better than I could, much in the same way the elder is a better martial artist than I am." Shampoo nodded in understanding of the analogy. "Technically I shouldn't even have you in my class. That would usually qualify as a conflict of interest. However, seeing as how I won't be grading you I suppose it is okay. Just remember that I cannot be treating you any different than the other students. That would be unfair to them." Shampoo frowned, but again nodded her head, comparing the situation to that of a leader who simply could not show favoritism to any one member of her troop. "Good."

XXXXX

Kasumi opened the door to her office for Shampoo, and let her in. She followed her in to find one of her other new students already waiting. "Miss Asamiya, I hope you did not have any trouble getting here."

"None at all," Saki responded, rising briefly to greet Kasumi. Kasumi nodded, directing Shampoo to a free seat, and sat down herself. "I don't suppose you have seen another student here, have you? A boy?"

"No, I haven't," Saki responded, but a second after she answered the door swung open to reveal someone that Saki was quite shocked to see again. "Sampei?"

"Saki!" The boy exclaimed in excitement, and nearly rushed over to embrace the other girl. Fortunately for her public appearance, he noticed their audience and restrained himself, turning to address Kasumi. "Sampei Nowake, new transferee Madam. I was told to report here on my first day."

"Yes, please take a seat." Kasumi said with a smile then pulled out the two students' files. "I assume you two know each other. Apparently you both went to the same school for a time. Is that correct?"

"Oh yes, Saki and I go way back," Sampei answered with a strong affirmative. His enthusiasm caused Saki to look up at the roof in embarrassment.

"Well then, Shampoo this is Saki Asamiya, and Sampei Nowake. They're also joining the class today. Saki, Sampei, this is Shampoo. She's… umm, a foreign student from China coming into the school. I'm having her join our class so that I may help her personally with any trouble she may have integrating."

The three exchanged brief greetings, and gave each other mildly curious looks. Saki in particular found Shampoo giving her an odd stare. Not threatening, more inquisitive. In any case she dismissed that as Kasumi addressed them.

"Okay then, Shampoo, Saki, I'll have to ask you to wait in the hall while I talk with Sampei. Once I'm finished with him, I'll want to talk with you Saki. Okay?"

Shampoo and Saki nodded, and together they left the room.

XXXXX

Once outside, the two girls took positions on either side of the hallway, Saki absently pulling out her yo-yo and occupying her time with it, while Shampoo simply stood and examined her new classmate. The constant appraisal from Shampoo was beginning to grate on Saki when Sampei opened the door to the office, and motioned for Saki to enter.

"Take a seat Miss Asamiya," Kasumi directed as she opened Saki's records. "You have a rather… exciting record, at least prior to last year."

"If you define being in a reformatory as exciting, then yeah," Saki replied with a shrewd smile.

Kasumi nodded, closing the folder. "I also happen to know the last three schools you were at also had quite a bit of excitement during your time there." Kasumi commented, causing Saki to smirk. "I am concerned about such things happening here."

"Why? You have a drug cartel, slavery ring, or some other organized crime element around here?" Saki asked with a raised eyebrow, catching Kasumi a little off guard with her bluntness.

"Not to my knowledge. However, I do have many special students here."

"If that's what you want to call them."

"Please, Miss Asamiya, a lot of the students here have made a great deal of progress. However good your intentions may be, you could cause more harm than good by being confrontational with them. To be perfectly honest, with your record I was thinking of turning you away, but Mr. Black-"

"Mr. Black?" Saki asked, trying to keep the confusion she was feeling from her face. Good intentions? Her school records, if anything, should have hinted at her being a part of those various organizations, not that she was involved in shutting them down. Someone screwed up big time if her cover was compromised that badly.

"Yes, a police inspector or something. We only talked briefly but he recommended you personally. He said you could really benefit from this kind of environment."

What is he up to now, Saki thought with a frown on her face. I thought I was just here to keep my cover. She snorted softly to herself. Right, keep her cover, from the sounds of things it was blown completely out of the water. Did Kyiochiro keep something from me? Damn him and his shadowy boss! What are they pulling here? A thought suddenly crossed her mind, and not a pleasant one. Maybe they had decided she was compromised, and was no longer suitable to be an undercover vice cop. Maybe she was supposed to finish her school career here in this holding cell for undesirables.

"Saki?"

"Yes?"

"Is something wrong?"

"No… No Miss Tendo."

"Okay then, as I was saying, having such a recommendation changed my mind. However, I'd appreciate not having to pick up the pieces of any attempts to do a good deed. If you truly see a problem, bring it to me first."

Saki looked at her new instructor skeptically, but her orders were clear so she nodded. "Sure thing. That it?"

"Yes. See you in class. Oh, and on your way out, could you ask Shampoo to come in?"

Nodding again, Saki headed off into the hall. She gave Shampoo Kasumi's message then turned to deal with another person. Grabbing the boy by the arm, she immediately began dragging him down the hall, ignoring Shampoo's odd look. "All right Sampei, start explaining, and this better be good. What the hell are you doing here?"

"I came here to see you."

"I gathered that much. Let me rephrase the question. How did you manage to get yourself into this class? Your record is clean."

"Oh, well… I kind of hit Numa."

"YOU WHAT?" Saki spouted in shock and dismay then covered her face.

"Well, it was more like I tried to hit him." Sampei explained, and held a hand to his eye. "He's got a hell of a left hook. Maybe it wasn't the smartest tactic, but it got me here didn't it?"

"Sure did, and royally screwed up your record in the process. What the hell were you thinking?"

"Come on Saki, we made a great team. As soon as I heard about this class I knew you'd end up here sooner or later. I just kept a tab on the transfer requests and as soon as your name popped up I decided to get myself sent here too. Actually, Numa didn't much care about me trying to hit him. Said I couldn't hit the broad side of barn."

"But he sent you anyway to keep an eye on me, is that it?"

"Guess so."

"Great! My boss is messing with me, and so is Numa. Bloody lovely!" Saki said in frustration as they arrived at the classroom. The two waited only briefly at the door to the class, just until Kasumi arrived with Shampoo. Without any further delay, Kasumi directed them into the classroom, and each was treated to the bizarre, at least to them, sight of a 12 year old girl standing at the front of class, starting the morning lecture.

"Hello," the girl greeted cheerfully, and the three returned the greeting after a moment, then stared back at Kasumi.

"Oops, I forgot to get to that. I'll explain later. Just trust me for now."

"Great, I'm getting taught by a twelve year old. That's it, I need stress leave," Saki mumbled as she and the others were presented to the rest of the class.

XXXXX

After a relatively uneventful morning class, Akane was out for lunch hour together with Kodachi. The latter was engaged in rating the local male populous as potential boyfriends, while the former merely listened. Kodachi had come to the general conclusion that not a one of them held a straw to Kaneda.

"It is enough to make girl truly consider bi-sexuality, if he weren't already married." Kodachi commented then leaned in closer to her friend. "What do you think on that subject, Akane?"

"Dachi!" Akane exclaimed with a blush.

"Oh ho, so the great hater of men is uncomfortable with gaining satisfaction with another woman?"

"Boys! I hate boys! I have nothing against men!"

"Whatever. You didn't answer the question."

"It's a stupid question," Akane replied evasively.

Kodachi shook her head then pulled out a set of photos. "Shall I bring out the evidence then? Oh, this is a good one."

Akane blushed furiously at that, and immediately confiscated the offending photographs. "Dachi, I thought I told you to burn those!"

"Oh, but they're so cute."

"Cute? CUTE? Are you mad? If anyone saw these, I'd die!"

"Oh Akane, you have to loosen up. You enjoyed it."

"Quiet!" Akane hissed, covering Kodachi's mouth and looking about to ensure no one was listening in. "Do you want everyone to find out? They'd get the completely wrong impression." She asked, uncovering the gymnast's mouth.

"Oh pish-posh, Akane. Like either of us care what others think of us."

"Maybe you don't, but I certainly don't want anyone finding out, thank you." Akane replied, hiding the photos in her top. Another look about revealed no eavesdroppers. However, it did reveal a certain pink cat walking along the fence who, if her damp fur was any indication, appeared to have just gone through a sprinkler. "C-chan!" Akane called out in an improved mood, rushing over to pick up her pet. "What are you doing here?"

Kodachi smiled and shook her head as Akane coddled the cat, and walked over. "You certainly have yourself a nice pussy there Akane."

"DACHI!" Akane shouted out in frustration.

Kodachi had a good giggle at Akane's expense, but finally dropped the subject, at least partially. "Oh Akane, you're far too high strung. Surely you wouldn't mind playing doctor with the good doctor."

Akane blushed even deeper, if that was possible, and turned away. "I don't know who I'm fooling. I'll never be able to tell him anything. Like the other day. I was in there, all ready to finally tell him, and completely lost my nerve at the last second. I must have really looked stupid."

"I could always send him some copies."

"DON'T YOU DARE! I mean it Dachi!"

"Oh, for heaven sakes Akane, I was just joking. But truly, how could he resist such a willing-"

"DACHI!" Akane yelled again, causing Kodachi to break into laughter. However her laughter was cut short by the whiz of a gymnastic club barely missing her skull.

"Not again," Kodachi moaned, turning to confront her attacker, one Kimiko. "I thought we had an understanding."

"That was before I learned you intend to join the gymnastic team! I won't allow it! I'll die before I let you onto my team!"

"And here I was going to help out the team, such ingratitude."

"Shut up and fight, you!" Kimiko yelled as she charged. Kodachi did her best to try and fend off the onslaught, but was caught unprepared for the shear ferocity of Kimiko's assault.

She's not half bad, I should give her more credit, Kodachi thought as she went on the retreat, absently berating herself for once more being unarmed in Kimiko's presence.

Akane watched her friend make a hasty exit with Kimiko in pursuit with only a scowl. "She could use a few bruises, right C-chan?"

The cat nodded absently, her mind on other thoughts than Kodachi's likely fate.

XXXXX

A short distance away, Ryoga was enjoying lunch with his dog Shirokuro. Well, in fact there wasn't much enjoyment to it. For all the attention he was paying his food, he might as well have been eating a chunk of cardboard. All his concentration was focused on watching Kasumi going about her duties from a distance, and contemplating what might be. The woman he loved engaged to another man, and he could have prevented it… Well, there was also the matter of her being married to another woman, but that was just a big misunderstanding that would work itself out sooner or later. However, the engagement to Ranma was trouble. If he had the guts to tell her how he felt before she had left for China, things could have been different. But no, he was a coward.

With a sigh Ryoga hung his head, and stared at his untouched lunch, not really noting that the lid of his bento seemed to have had several chunks bitten out of it. Still, there was some hope. Ranma and Kasumi weren't in love or anything. Neither seemed even interested in the engagement. Then there was that dumb Amazon law. Of course Ryoga couldn't bring himself to fight Kasumi for any reason. The thought of harming her was simply unthinkable. Plus, getting Shampoo in the process was not what he had in mind. Still, if he could convince Kasumi to throw the fight…

Aw, who am I fooling, Ryoga asked himself. To Kasumi I'm nothing more than a friend. Ryoga sighed once more, and returned his lunch to its container. He simply had no appetite. His melancholy was abruptly interrupted when the shouts of two girls came from behind him. He managed to turn just in time to see the foot that impacted with his face, sending him crashing backwards into the ground. No sooner had that foot been removed, and Ryoga was just starting to get up, when another replaced it, sending him once more to the ground.

Shirokuro barked angrily at the two girls, but they were too busy with each other to notice. At last the girl atop Ryoga moved, allowing him to regain his senses, and roll over to see what was happening. He recognized the two girls as Kodachi and Kimiko, and right now Kimiko was giving Kodachi a very good run for her money.

"Can't we talk this over?" Kodachi asked as she barely dodged a baton strike to the head.

"Talk? Never!"

"Come now Kimiko, it was just a little practical joke that didn't quite turn out as planned."

"Practical Joke!" Kimiko exclaimed, landing a good blow to Kodachi's abdomen, sending her reeling back. "Do you have any idea what that has done to my social life? Kie is embarrassed to be seen with me, and I'm still finding pictures. Some jerk even posted one on the Internet!" Kimiko yelled angrily, tears starting to stream from her eyes. Kodachi cringed sympathetically, but had little chance to voice that sympathy as Kimiko renewed her attack.

Ryoga watched a moment longer from the sidelines as he regained his strength, but then noticed the approach of Miss Hinako, who did not look pleased. She was just starting her "delinquents" bit when Ryoga rushed forward unthinkingly. It simply was not in his nature to stand by and let a girl be zapped, even one he didn't know. Unable to help both, he shielded the closest, which in this case happened to be Kodachi. A few seconds later, what had been Kimiko crumbled to the ground while Ryoga merely felt weak, his own battle aura not nearly as hot as Kimiko's, which kept Miss Hinako from initiating a full drain.

Miss Hinako, now showing her true age, grabbed up what was left of Kimiko, the one she viewed as being the main trouble in this incident, and began to carry to her off for a talk, leaving Kodachi and Ryoga behind. Kodachi took a moment to recover from the shock of being rescued, then rushed over to Ryoga's side to render aid.

She recognized him almost immediately, despite the minimal distortion the drain caused, as one of the more interesting members of her class. A rather handsome boy saving her from a decidedly unpalatable fate caused an all too obvious reaction in Kodachi as she looked down at her savior lovingly. "That was so brave of you, shielding me like that with your own body. What is your name kind sir so that I may thank you properly?"

"Ry… Ryoga Hibiki," Ryoga managed to get out after a few seconds. Kodachi repeated the name, enjoying the sound of it, then before Ryoga realized what was happening he found himself in Kodachi's embrace.

"Oh, I've found my true love at last!" Kodachi cried out, with real tears, but then suddenly put Ryoga out to arms' length. "You're not engaged are you?"

Too startled to understand what was really going on, Ryoga replied truthfully, "No."

"Girlfriend?"

"Not really."

"Gay?"

"NO!"

"You are a man, aren't you?"

"Yes!" The flustered Ryoga shouted, wondering what was with this crazy girl, and thinking that perhaps he had stepped in front of the wrong fighter.

"Wonderful!" Kodachi cried out joyfully, hugging the boy to her once more. Only at that moment did Ryoga fully grasp the situation he had just landed himself in. Unfortunately he was too weak at the moment to do much about it.

XXXXX

"TRULY, the ways of the snow-globe are mysterious, BUT KNOW THIS, its power is undeniable. God and mortal alike fear its might. IT IS THE KEY TO THE UNIVERSE!" Proclaimed one Shin Kikai as he held one such snow-globe with a depiction of a house and snowman inside up to Saki. Saki did the only thing she could when confronted with this, humor the madman.

"Sure, right, the all powerful snow-globe. Gotcha."

"So, you understand. I welcome you among the enlightened. Go forth and spread the word. All must come to know the true glory of the snow-globe," Shin preached then rushed off in excitement.

Saki let off a deep sigh after finally getting the boy to leave. "And I thought Sampei was bad," she mumbled, then turned to find herself standing right next to the boy in question.

"I'm hurt Saki. You compare me to that reject from an insane asylum?"

Saki merely frowned, and walked around her so-called 'boyfriend'. "I don't know Sampei, trying to hit a teacher… no, no, a vice-principle just to see me again is a rather crazy thing to do. But, to be fair, that one does have you beat by quite a margin. He should be in an asylum. What is he doing here?"

"Every time they send him for psychiatric evaluation he turns suddenly sane. The question is: is his insanity, or sanity the act?" Sampei answered with a joking smile, but Saki did not even grin. "Gees Saki, are you still trying to impress everyone with that tough girl routine. You could do with a little loosening up. I mean, at least around Ju…" Sampei quickly shut his mouth, and bowed his head as Saki shot him a hurt look. "I'm sorry."

Saki turned away, and set herself against one of the outer walls of the school to survey her new classmates, absently pulling out her yo-yo and practicing with it as she watched. Sampei quickly joined her.

"Well, as long as you're here, you might as well make yourself useful. What do you know about this bunch?"

"The class, actually very little. The details of their records aren't easily obtainable. Ever since they brought in that new security program I've been having a nasty time getting even little bits of info. What I can tell you is most are here on disciplinary charges. You know, rough-housing or making a nuisance of themselves, stuff like that. I can also tell you our teacher's two younger sisters are in the class."

Saki immediately scowled. Three sisters in the same school. It gave her a disturbing sense of deja-vu. "What do you know about them?"

Sampei frowned in thought, trying to recall the records he had managed to locate, then clicked his fingers and pointed out the girls appropriately. "Oh yeah, the youngest is Akane Tendo, rough sort. She had a whole drawer full of disciplinary charges for fights. The other one is Nabiki Tendo. Unlike most the students, she's in the class because of various things, rather then for any one particular quirk."

"What sort of things?"

"What I saw didn't really say much. I got the impression it was along the lines of making money transactions that the faculty did not approve of. You know how it is, the stuff between the lines tells you a lot more then what's really there. And, as for our teacher, she's clean as you can get. Not even a warning on her record. Plus, I'm sure you're aware of her teaching performance."

"I'm aware of it. Sounds much too good to be true," Saki answered, giving her teacher a look. Except for Akane who did not quite fit the pattern, this bunch of sisters was giving Saki a very unpleasant feeling. However, no need to jump to conclusions, Saki thought. "Of course, having a twelve year old for a teacher is hard to believe too, but she apparently knows her stuff. Don't know anything on that, do you?"

"Sorry, that one caught me by surprise too," Sampei replied with a shrug. "So Saki, what exactly is your assignment here anyway? Drug dealers?"

"No."

"Protection racket?"

"Nope."

"Oh, uh, some sort of mark for money routine? Give me a clue here."

"Nothing."

"Nothing?" Sampei asked in shock.

"Nada, zilch, zippo, absolutely, positively nothing," Saki replied plainly.

Sampei stared at Saki for a moment then looked thoughtful and winked. "Oh I get it, top secret eh. Come on Saki, you can trust me."

"No, really, my assignment is simply to stay here and finish the semester. The local scene has gone quiet. Could say I did my job a bit too well. Having nothing else to do, they thought it would be best to maintain my cover here until something comes up."

Sampei again looked at Saki, this time skeptically, and sighed. "All right fine, if you don't want to tell me…"

"It's the truth Sampei… although one does have to wonder about this place…" Saki trailed off as she spied what couldn't possibly be a Yakuza thug, he seemed awfully small for the role. A closer look revealed the boy to be a fellow student from her class, who wasn't so dressed earlier. "Do you know who that is?"

Sampei examined the boy for a moment and nodded. "Think that is… Subai… nonono… Tsubasa, that's it."

"What's his deal? There is no way that little twerp is Yakuza."

"Oh god no. I would have noted anybody with that kind of record. I think he was here for being unruly. Something about dressing up constantly."

"Sounds right. Stay here, I'm going to have a chat with him."

"What for?"

"Because if he has a run in with the real deal, he'll be in a heap of trouble. Better I scare the heck out of him than he end up with a bullet in his temple," Saki explained as she walked over to intercept the boy. She maneuvered herself to approach from behind, and before he even suspected a thing, grabbed him by the shoulder and spun him about roughly.

Tsubasa was caught so off guard, he lost his balance and toppled to the ground. Once he regained his bearings, he looked up to see Saki standing almost on top of him with both hands on her hips, and a very unfriendly look on her face. "Yes?" He asked timidly, forcing Saki to pause to stop from laughing, the sound of the boy's voice being so ludicrously contrary to his appearance.

"Well, well, well, you fancy yourself as a tough guy?"

"Well… no, not really."

Saki hauled Tsubasa to his feet, and held him about an inch from her face, practically snarling at him. "And if I say I don't believe you? What if I say I want to smash your stupid face in huh? I don't like your kind of slime hanging around my school, got it?"

Tsubasa nodded vigorously. "I got it, but really, I'm not a gang member or anything. It's just a costume."

"Costume huh? And just why would you wear such a stupid costume?"

"Because he's trying to impress me," a voice said from behind Saki, and she turned to see the girl Sampei had earlier identified as Nabiki Tendo, one of the two sisters of their teacher.

Saki examined the girl intensely. Although it was well concealed, there was a touch of concern on her face for the boy. That doesn't fit the pattern either, Saki noted, but decided to push the issue. If nothing else she could feel this girl out, and reinforce her cover. So, Saki smirked at Nabiki, and turned to face her, still holding Tsubasa by the collar at her side.

"So, you this punk's girlfriend or something?"

"He's a business associate. He didn't do anything to you so let him go."

"And just why should I? You going to make me?"

Nabiki frowned. She had no leverage with this person, and that left her with no bargaining chips. She hated when this sort of thing happened. However, the situation became worse when Saki stepped forward into Nabiki's personal space, in a particularly threatening fashion.

"In that case, let's talk business Miss Tendo. I hear you've got yourself a nice little operation around here. Why don't you tell me all about it?" Saki suggested with an unfriendly smile which caused even Nabiki's normal icy calm to melt ever so slightly.

XXXXX

A short distance away, Ranma was busy joking about with his friends, including Kuno, about various bits of life. It was in one particular bout of laughter that Ranma noticed the happenings across the way, and frowned angrily. Saki had moved herself uncomfortably close to Nabiki in a manner that clearly indicated promised violence should Nabiki attempt resistance. He was of course not aware of the reasons behind this, but he did not really need to know. Nabiki could be a real pain in the neck sometimes, but Ranma felt as close to her as he would should she have been really his sister, and no one, but no one, got away with trying to muscle around his family.

With a grim look, Ranma marched wordlessly off towards the confrontation, his friends only noticing his absence after he arrived at his destination. "Hey lady, back off!" Ranma ordered, imposing himself into the small space between Nabiki and Saki, causing both girls to move back a step.

Both Saki and Nabiki were surprised by Ranma's sudden appearance, but were grateful: Nabiki because she was in a bad spot and Saki because it gave her a chance to check out Nabiki's enforcement arm.

Stepping back several more steps, and releasing Tsubasa, Saki gave her new opponent a long look. His stance was loose and unprofessional, but she concluded he was merely underestimating her at the moment. His build looked quiet formidable, and the intensity of his stare had a clear measure of confidence in it. Best to feel him out and see what he really has, she thought.

"So, who are you? Her hired muscle."

"I happen to be her brother, and I don't take kindly to bullies. I don't normally fight girls, but I'm willing to make exceptions if you don't bug off."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah, that's so."

Saki nodded, and in one swift, perfectly timed motion, struck with the yo-yo, concealed up her sleeve. Ranma was caught unawares, and found the super-strong yo-yo wire wrapped around his ankles before he could react. Saki pulled on the wire, sending Ranma crashing onto his back.

Feeling thoroughly embarrassed from being so caught off guard, Ranma just stared up at the sky and silently berated himself for being so reckless and making a fool of himself. Hasn't watching Kasumi and Ukyo taught me anything, he nearly yelled at himself in thought but quickly regained his composure. The fight was far from over. If this girl wanted a serious match, he would give it to her. Just as he began to rise however, a battle cry shattered the air, and a brown and pink blur crashed into Saki.

From Saki's point of view she was looking down at Ranma with readiness for his counter attack. She had taken him off guard once. That mistake would not be repeated on his part if she guessed right. However, that became academic as a figure cried out in anger, and came dashing in from nowhere. Saki barely looked up in time to see pink hair, almost her own color in fact, and then felt the impact of what she could only describe as a pile driver slamming into her stomach.

Saki was sent flying backward uncontrollably, the wind knocked out of her lungs cleanly. Part of her mind was doing much the same as Ranma, scolding her own foolhardiness. She should have figured there would be back up to the first one. The other half of her mind was working on a strategy for attack. Neither got much of anywhere before Saki hit ground, and was attacked once again.

This time Saki managed to glimpse her attacker's face. It was another girl from her class, Ukyo Kuonji she believed. With the dyed hairdo Saki had dismissed the girl as just some punker, but clearly that was a mistake. Saki couldn't even manage a defense before two more hard blows landed home, one to the rib-cage, again knocking the air from Saki's lungs, the next to her jaw.

Saki was spun cleanly around at least twice by the hit, and nearly blacked out, before crashing into a metal fence surrounding one of the fields. As she desperately fought for air, she knew she was in way over her head. Saki had taken her share of beatings in her life, but always there was an element of control, but not this time. This girl was striking so fast Saki could barely see her arms move, and her strength was beyond imagining. All three of her strikes had hit true, leaving Saki in a very bad position.

Saki was just starting to breathe again when Ukyo was on top of her. Saki prepared for the worst, and wondered at the strange sense of looking into a mirror as she watched Ukyo descend on her.

Ukyo cut loose with three kicks, two to the head, and one to the chest, and finished up with two more punches to Saki's mid-section, all but decimating her opponent. Saki slumped to the ground, coughing painfully. One more hit and it would have been lights out, but fortunately Kasumi finally popped up and interceded, grabbing Ukyo incoming fist before it could land the final blow.

"Ukyo, that is enough!" Kasumi said in a stern voice.

"Let go of me. I won't let her get away with attacking Ranma like that."

"Her behavior and punishment are my responsibility, not yours. Now please, calm down. If you look, Ranma is just fine."

Ukyo scowled, and turned to confirm this. Sure enough Ranma was back on his feet, staring at Ukyo in confusion. Ukyo's anger relented, at least partially, and she stood back. "Fine then, I really have no choice here. If she pulls this crap again though…" Ukyo said with clearly implied meaning then walked off.

Kasumi sighed in relief then turned to Saki, who already had Sampei by her side. "Please, let me see her," Kasumi directed, and Sampei moved aside to allow Kasumi through. Kasumi gently probed Saki's injuries, then stood up and shook her head. "I think you bruised some ribs Miss Asamiya. I guess you'll be visiting the nurse."

XXXXX

Saki winced painfully as the nurse finished with the checking the injuries. Kasumi had guessed correctly, bruised ribs, plus numerous other little scratches and scraps. All and all, she had gotten off lucky. That girl could have easily killed me, Saki thought, and thanked the nurse.

"You wait here," Kasumi said. "I'm going to get you an appointment to see a doctor. No sense taking chances."

"Yeah, sure," Saki replied absently, and leaned back on the bed to rest. What the hell have I gotten myself into here? That girl clobbered me. I've never been that badly beat in my life. If Saki didn't know better, she would have sworn that girl had been using a crowbar instead of her fists. Another encounter with her was not advisable.

And then there was Kasumi. Kasumi had handled that girl with comparative ease. Saki was beginning to suspect she really did deserve her reputation as a peacemaker. In any case, the similarities between these sisters, and those other sisters she had encountered during her first case, were getting thinner and thinner. Nabiki was no heavy pusher, and involved in relatively benign activities. Kasumi likewise actually seemed to deserve her clean record. Well, maybe Kyiochiro was right after all. This place was clean.

Saki sighed out some of her soreness then heard the entry of someone. She looked up to see the girl from the interview this morning, Shampoo, looking at her. "Yes?" Saki asked curiously.

"Is sorry interrupt. Shampoo just come by and see you."

Saki frowned, and sat up. "All right, what's up with you anyway? We don't know each other, not to my knowledge anyway. So, what do you want?"

"Want? Shampoo no want anything you give."

"What are you doing here then?"

"Shampoo is curious. Hair color is natural, yes?" Saki considered for a moment, deciding if she should reveal such information or not, but finally nodded. "Thought so. Not like Ukyo."

"Yeah, so what? Like your color is any better," Saki replied in slight frustration, causing Shampoo to scowl angrily. Not right now Saki, she thought. You're in no shape for another fight, and besides this girl hasn't done anything. "Sorry. I know it's an unusual color."

Shampoo's scowl disappeared and she nodded. "Know this. Shampoo know color such as yours and Shampoo's very rare outside village."

"Village?"

"Shampoo's village from China. Is village of Amazon warrior. Is said long ago people from stars come to village and join their blood with blood of Amazons. This why many Chinese Amazon considered best fighters on planet."

"Is that so? Sounds a bit pretentious."

"Is so. Is warriors outside village who better, but few."

"I see, and you think I come from your village because of my hair?"

"Was wondering. As said, is very rare to find pink hair outside village, but very common in village. Most do find outside do come from village at one time. Actually, Shampoo no know of anyone who no can be traced back to village. Also, your weapon. Is very rare use yo-yo as weapon, but Shampoo know yo-yo used in village at one time. Use of it still taught."

"Really," Saki said with a just a touch of interest, but then she shrugged, and her expression once again became noncommittal. "Well, I can tell you that I don't know of any Amazon village. This is the first I've heard of it."

"What about mother?"

Saki frowned, and looked away. "What about her?"

"Maybe she know."

"Look, there's no point to this."

"Maybe Shampoo talk to-"

"I said there's no point. My mom's in jail, all right? You can't talk to her," Saki explained, then noticed Shampoo frowning at her reaction once again. "Sorry, it's just that-" Saki was cut short by a scream from outside, followed by several others. Both she and Shampoo rushed to the window to look out, catching a fleeting glimpse of a crowd racing around the building. "What the…" Saki asked, looking to Shampoo who only shrugged in equal confusion.

Going against the Kasumi's orders, Saki rushed out of the room to intercept the crowd, with Shampoo following close behind. They made it down two halls before coming on a group of girls attacking Sampei. Saki stood in momentary shock then jumped into the fray, pushing the girls away from the prone boy. Shampoo joined in, and soon they managed to get all the girls off.

"All right, what's this all about?" Saki asked the girls, and got a number of responses at once. However, she managed to catch one girl's accusation over the others.

"We caught this pervert with our panties!"

"What? That's ridicu…" Saki trailed off, looking back at Sampei and for the first time noticing he was festooned with bras and panties. Instantly Sampei rose to his feet, madly waving his hand and protesting his innocence.

"Really Saki, it's not what it looks like. There was this old fella, and he was the one who took them. I just tried to stop him, really! I'm innocent!"

Saki didn't respond, instead walking up to him and removing one pair of panties from where they were dangling from his right ear. She held them up and examined them, then looked at Sampei critically. "These are mine. Matter of fact, I should be…" Saki began to say, patting her waist then blushing. "What the hell!"

"Oh, thank you, I was looking for those." A voice said from Saki shoulder, and then a dark figure blurred by, snatching the undergarments from Saki's grip, then gathering up those Sampei had.

"That's him!" Sampei quickly pointed out an old man, no taller than 3 feet, and wearing a ninja style mask.

"EW! GROSS!" Many of the girls exclaimed at learning the true culprit's identity then began to manifest a group aura. "GET HIM!"

"Silky Storm!" The old man called out, spinning his pipe and creating a wind that served as a sufficient distraction to stop the angry girls. For Saki's part, she was too busy trying to keep her skirt down to do much else. The last thing she wanted to do was to let Sampei see she was a natural pink. "Nice meeting you all, but I have to go." So saying, the old man dashed down the hall, laughing all the way. After the wind died down, everyone raced after him.

XXXXX

Down the hall, Kasumi was on her way to investigate all the commotion when she noticed the diminutive figure of the old man coming up the hall with a large crowd in pursuit. A little confused by this, Kasumi came to a halt, about to call everyone to a stop and get some answers, when the old man jumped at her. There was no hostility in his gesture, so Kasumi was slow to react, and found the old man cuddled in her chest.

"How sweet it is," he sighed in contentment as he rubbed his face against Kasumi breasts, causing her more then just a little discomfort. However, the fact that he got no immediate reaction prompted the old man to look up at her. He barely had time to register the bewildered look on Kasumi's face when a fist impacted with his skull, dislodging him.

"No touch Kasumi, pervert!" Shampoo yelled as she ground the old man into the floor with the help of the other girls.

"Ladies, that is quite enough. Release him," Kasumi calmly ordered, much to the confusion of the gather of women.

"But Ms. Tendo, this-"

"No buts. I'll sort this situation out. Now, please, let him up."

With several moans of disappointment, the girls withdrew, leaving the crushed figure of the old man on the floor. Kasumi leaned over to examine him, while Shampoo took position beside her. About this time another group of students arrived, including most of Kasumi's class.

"Are you all right?" Kasumi asked, and to her surprise, all the injuries seemed to spontaneously disappear from the old man's body, and he righted himself, looking perfectly fine given his age.

"Gone through far worse young lady, far worse," he replied, pulling out a pipe and starting to blow rings of smoke.

"May I ask who you are, and what you are doing here?"

"Certainly. You may call me Happosai. I was here looking for Akane Tendo actually. Haven't managed to find her yet."

Akane frowned, and came out from the crowd. "I'm Akane Tendo."

"Akane!" The old man exclaimed in delight, leaping for her. However, his path was intercepted by Kasumi's hand.

"Please Mr. Happosai, I cannot allow that kind of activity at this school. Why did you wish to see my sister?"

"Sister?" Happosai asked in surprise, and examined Kasumi intently. "Ah, you must be Kasumi." Kasumi expression became even more confused, as did Akane's, but she nodded in affirmation to his question. "Ah, so you don't remember good old Happosai, eh? Well, I suppose that's not surprising. It's been over ten years, and even you were… what, five?" He said, counting the years off on his fingers, but finally giving up. "Whatever. You've certainly have grown up."

"Ms. Tendo, is this some relative of yours?" One of the girls asked.

"Hey, maybe he's her grandfather."

"That pervert! You got to be joking."

"Hold it, quiet down, please," Kasumi directed, and looked at the old man, scrutinizing him. There was an ever so slight bit of familiarity to him, she just couldn't place it. Of course, if it was from that long ago, she doubted she would properly remember on her own. "Mr. Happosai, just how exactly do you know my sister and I?"

"Why, I'm your father's master of course."

"Master!" Many of the crowd repeated in shock.

Ranma finally pulled out from the crowd as well to talk. "You mean to tell us you taught Soun Tendo martial arts?"

"Sure did. After all, I am the founder of the Anything Goes school of martial arts. Taught Soun Tendo and Genma Saotome."

"You taught Pop too?" Ranma asked in surprise.

"Yep. You must be Ranma then. Hmmm, must say, I expected a better product from Genma's training."

Ranma scowled, but Kasumi interceded. "Actually, Genma taught me, not Ranma. Ranma has been living with my family for most of the last ten years, while I trained with uncle Saotome on the road."

Happosai look at Kasumi in surprise. "Is that so? A very odd arrangement. However, you do seem more polished than this one."

"Hey!" Ranma protested, but Happosai ignored him.

"So, where are those two old students of mine anyway? It has been years and I want to get reacquainted."

XXXXX

While Kasumi, her sisters, Nabiki finally having come out of the crowd as well, and Ranma dealt with the old man, Saki pulled back with a sense of wonderment. "What kind of a mad house is this place anyway?" She asked openly, not really expecting an answer, but got one.

"A total mad house actually," a girl said from her position at Saki's side. She offered Saki her hand. Saki looked at her in confusion, until finally the girl gave up and withdrew the limb. "Yeah, well I am Kitsune Maruda. Nice to meet you at last, Miss Saki Asamiya. I've been meaning to ask you some questions."

"About?" Saki asked back, Sampei appearing at her side.

"Oh, this and that. Like, let's talk hair. Is that natural?"

What's with my hair lately, Saki thought in some annoyance. "Yes it is, but… hold it. Do you know anything about this?" Sake ask, gesturing back at the old man.

Kitsune looked back at Happosai as she replied. "Him, not really, although I'm sure I can dig up something. Besides, I think you know more about it than I do."

"What are you talking about?"

Kitsune winked at her then drew in close. "Come on, it's all too obvious you're a relative of Shampoo's, and everyone knows she's married to Kaneda."

"Who?" Saki asked, but several of the girls around her drowned out the question.

"WHAT?"

"Oh, didn't you guys figure it out?" Kitsune asked in surprise then explained. "I have it on good authority that Kaneda Tendo is in fact married to our newest student Shampoo, which I guess makes her Shampoo Tendo. Of course, what I bet you guys don't know is that the Amazons were once followers of Sapho, and as you can see from the proximity which Shampoo keeps to Kasumi, our dear instructor is also a target of the girl's affections."

The topic of the old man suddenly lost interest as several of the students rushed forward to question their teacher and Shampoo about the latest rumors. Needless to say, this caught them both off guard as each was deluged with questions. Kitsune merely shrugged, and was pulling out a pen and paper to take notes, when Saki spoke to her.

"So, you know a lot about stuff that goes on around here huh?"

"Sure do," Kitsune replied.

"Good, let's go somewhere and we can talk."

Kitsune looked up at Saki with interest. Great, an avid listener, she thought and lead Saki and Sampei off.

XXXXX

For a change, Frost was in a light mood. With Kin around, she had someone to talk to and the work seemed to breeze by. Of particular amusement were her wonderful baby stories of the doctor. They were always good for a laugh, and nicely humbled Tofu. She would be completely thankful for the elder's presence if it was not for the engagement.

It was simple enough to get out of, just say she was not interested. However, every time she started with that line of reasoning, Kin turned it around into Frost feeling unequal to the task, which Frost would firmly deny. No man was above her. This left her back where she started. So, for the time being, Frost was trapped by her own pride.

However, for the moment, that subject was of little importance. A knock at the door got her attention. "Come on in," she called from the storage room, but the door did not open. Kin shrugged, and headed out to get the door. Curious, Frost paused from her work to see who it was, and found Kin coming back in with a letter in her hand.

"Very curious, whoever it was left a letter, but did not stay to see that we got it."

"Who's it for?"

"It seems to be for my son, from a girl named Akane."

Frost was surprised by this. Why would Akane leave a letter, Frost asked herself, and followed Kin as she delivered the letter to her son. Tofu was quite surprised himself as he took the letter and began to read.

"Well, don't just stand there, Tofu. Tell us what it says," Kin ordered, and Tofu reluctantly complied.

"Dear Dr. Tofu, I wish to meet you at the Petite Amour restaurant tomorrow night at six. Akane." Tofu looked at the letter in puzzlement then his mother spoke up.

"So, my son has caught the interest of another young lady, eh? Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't know," Tofu answered, still confused. What is Akane up to, Tofu thought, and the Petite Amour of all places?

"Am I to understand you are having a relationship with a girl ten years younger than you?" Frost asked angrily.

"No!" Tofu answered, but Kin cut in.

"Oh come now dear, age has so little to do with it. Sixteen is just fine. It means she'll has a lot of time ahead of her. Besides, you're only eighteen."

"That's a two year difference!" Frost pointed out, but Kin dismissed her point.

"Well, I think you should meet this young lady. Obviously she's interested and has only managed to come forth now."

"Alright," Tofu agreed, more to find out what was really going on than to go along with the marriage bit. Maybe she is trying to fool my mother into thinking I have a girlfriend, Tofu hypothesized. But, if that is true, how did she find out so quick?

Frost sniffed, and left the room to return to her duties. Let him have his stupid date. It is not like she cared. She wasn't interested in marriage anyway.

XXXXX

A short time later, Kasumi, her sisters, Ranma, Shampoo and the now infamous Happosai arrived at the Tendo home. Happosai immediately rushed in to 'surprise' his two former pupils, and surprise them he did. Genma immediately jumped for the pond, while Soun proceeded to prostrate himself in front of the master. Even Nodoka's normal placidity was shattered. She most definitely seemed less than amused at seeing the master.

"So, thought you were rid of me, eh?"

"We had hoped," Nodoka replied plainly, and pulled her panda of a husband into the room. "Oh no you don't. If we have to deal with him, you do too."

"So, Genma, what's this I hear about you trading kids with Soun?"

Genma just smiled, and played with a tire, but was soon dowsed with hot water, and gave up. "Master, how good to see you."

"Don't bother trying to butter me up, Genma. I remember what you two tried to pull. Smart of you actually, except you only used twenty pounds of explosive. You ought to know by now it takes at least a hundred to even scratch me, and far more than that to finish the job."

"We'll note that for next time," Soun mumbled, and immediately had the master in his face.

"I heard that."

"We're sorry master. We're sorry master. We're sorry master…" Soun and Genma said as they bowed repeatedly before Happosai.

With a sigh, Nodoka directed the others out of the room. "Come on, let those two fools deal with him for now."

"You mean that old goat really did teach Pop, Mom?" Ranma asked as they headed to the kitchen.

"I am afraid so. Nabiki, go fetch the photo-album," Nodoka directed, and Nabiki complied. Nodoka let off a deep sigh, and turned to the others still there. "That old man is nothing but trouble. I've only had to deal with the old… man on a few occasions, but those few occasions were a few too many."

"I can understand that," Ranma noted. "One afternoon with the freak was too much."

"Just thank your stars you are not a girl, Ranma."

"I second that," Akane noted, remembering several attempted and successful gropes from the so-called master.

"Unfortunately, it seems we will have to deal with him full time now," Nodoka concluded sadly, just as Nabiki returned, handing her the photo-album.

"Thank you dear. Now where is it?" Nodoka searched through a few pages then stopped and displayed a page to the others. "There you are. This picture was taken right after Soun finished building the dojo."

The others looked and sure enough it was Happosai standing with Soun and Genma in a group photo, along with a few others including Nodoka. Both men seemed leery of the old man. "Man, it really is true. That old fossil is the founder of the Anything Goes school. I suddenly feel much less respect for our style," Ranma commented with a shake of his head.

"Well, for all his faults, he is an excellent martial artist. He's a wily one too. Never trust that you have a firm advantage. He keeps almost his entire arsenal under wraps, hardly ever using it until you are least ready for it."

"I'll keep that in mind," Ranma said with a nod then noticed Kasumi staring at the picture in puzzlement. "Something wrong Kasumi?"

"Who is this Auntie?" Kasumi asked, pointing out a person standing next to her father. "He seems familiar."

Nodoka smiled and let out a short laugh after looking at the picture. "Kasumi, that's not a man. That's your mother."

"WHAT?" Kasumi exclaimed in shock along with Akane and Nabiki.

"I know, not the greatest picture is it. They weren't married long when this was taken. She was still dressing kind of loose."

"Loose, she looks like a guy," Ranma commented, and earned an elbow to the ribs from Akane for the comment. "Hey, it's the truth."

"Well, she did have a bit of a tomboy streak," Nodoka said with a smile at the memories.

"Tomboy streak?" Kasumi asked in shock. "But, mother never was anything less than the most… feminine of people."

"Oh Kasumi, your mother wasn't perfect, if that could even be considered perfect. I can tell you she was an excellent martial artist, although she didn't practice much after having you girls."

"Mom knew martial arts?" Akane asked in surprise, and Nodoka nodded in response. Akane exchanged surprised looks with Nabiki, but Kasumi's expression went far past mere surprise. She looked like one of the fundamental pillars of her life had suddenly been removed. However, her expression went unnoticed by most save Shampoo who watched her in puzzlement and concern.

Genma suddenly rushed into the room, unceremoniously grabbed his son, and then ran out again. After a moment of confusion, everyone followed, ending up in the common room where Genma was presenting Ranma to Happosai.

"I don't know… Looks kind of scrawny to me," Happosai criticized as he examined Ranma.

"Hey, I'm not scrawny!" Ranma protested, and found himself flying through the air. His brain finally realized what had hit him while in mid flight, and that was Happosai. Gees, he really is good, Ranma thought, just as he slammed upside down into the stone fence, then landed on his head painfully.

"Hmm, he survived, I'm impressed," the master commented with a mildly surprised look, while the rest looked on in shock. "I still don't know though."

"You old freak, just try that again," Ranma said as he regained his footing and charged. Once in range he was once more airborne, this time straight up.

"He's a determined one, I'll give him that."

Ranma came plummeting earthward, but fortunately managed to right himself enough to take the impact safely, although his legs stung like a whole nest full of bees had attacked him. However, Ranma managed to push through the pain, and went on the offensive again, and was soon once more flying through the air. Sensing Ranma had not taken his last blow well, Kasumi choose to step in. She leaped high into the air, catching Ranma on his descent and noticed he had actually been knocked out.

"I guess he'll have to do though, not like there is a big selection to choose from. If you two had been real men, I'd have a dozen boys to choose from by now," the master concluded as Kasumi landed.

"Do for what?" Nodoka asked.

"For being my heir, that's what. I'm getting on in years, so I need a proper heir to carry on the Anything Goes school."

"What, you're going to take away my son?" Nodoka shouted angrily, glaring at her husband who immediately retreated to find cover.

"No, I can train him right here."

Nodoka relented slightly at that, but still cast her husband a dirty look. Kasumi, however, had something further to say. "Master, is this what you consider training?" She asked, motioning to the unconscious Ranma.

"You could say that. Toughens the boy up."

"Or could seriously harm him."

"There's a slim chance of that," Happosai conceded, but looked unworried.

Kasumi frowned, and laid Ranma on the walkway, then walked over to the master. "Perhaps I would be more suited to your training."

Happosai looked at Kasumi with interest, while her father went into a panic. "No Kasumi, you can't. You don't know what it's like," her father said, having stepped up in front of her and holding her shoulders.

"Come now Soun, let the girl by," Happosai said, tossing Soun aside like he had Ranma and approaching Kasumi. "I don't know. Never trained a girl before," he said to Kasumi, then in a flash of motion made a play for her chest. However, a hand blocked his progress, Kasumi's hand. The master fell back to examine her. "That's pretty good." Happosai initiated another strike, this time with his pipe, but found it blocked by a single finger of Kasumi's. "You blocked my point strike. Most impressive."

"I've had a large variety of training in the field of pressure points, chi point manipulation and pin point attacks," Kasumi explained, as the master withdrew his pipe to blow some rings. His face creased in thought.

"Hmmmm, you are pretty good… but nope, I don't think so. Pretty girls are to be cherished. No true gentleman could possibly treat them the way I need to treat my students. No, one must always treat cute girls with respect and dignity." Happosai finished then vanished. Kasumi found him hugging her rear in such an unseemly manor that it caused even her to blush. Fortunately, Akane, Nodoka and Shampoo all struck him down and off of her before a second passed. Before they could finish him off though, he once more vanished and appeared before Kasumi.

"Something's not right here," Happosai said as he studied Kasumi, and dodged the attempts of the women to catch him.

"What do you mean?" Kasumi asked, and Happosai responded with a look of horror.

"You're… you're… you're wearing boxer shorts!" His face crumpled up, and for a second, it looked like he was about to break into tears.

Kasumi blushed in embarrassment, while the others simply face-faulted. "Master, that is because I have a Jusenkyo curse, like Genma's, only I change into a man," Kasumi explained, causing the master to look even more horrified.

"A man! And what fool did such a foul thing to a beauty such as you?" The master asked, and all eyes fell on Genma. Happosai scowled at the cowering man, who cast a longing look toward the Koi pond. "I'll deal with you later. Now, is there anything else I should know about?"

"Well, Kasumi is married to Shampoo, and she also engaged to Ranma," Nabiki pointed out.

Happosai surprisingly took the Shampoo bit without even a blink, but the engagement shocked him. He looked back at the now recovering Ranma critically. "That little boy is going to marry this fine specimen of a full grown woman. Not only that he has to satisfy not only her, but a full blooded Amazon at the same time. Do you really think he's man enough for that?"

This time it was Nodoka who spoke up, rushing behind her son to prop him up. "Of course my son is up to it. I raised him to be a man amongst men. If anyone can do it, he can."

Here we go again, Ranma thought as he regained his senses. Whenever the subject of manliness came up, woe be to anyone who challenged Ranma's in his mother's presence. She was absolutely impossible on the subject, and of course Ranma always ended up in the middle of things.

"You don't say?" Happosai asked with interest, and Nodoka nodded vigorously.

"I do say, and I can prove it. He can take Kasumi on a date, the best date she has ever had."

"Mom!" Ranma protested, but was out voted when both Genma and Soun shouted out their agreement for the proposal.

"Well… I don't know…" Happosai said skeptically, but found Nodoka right in his face, looking very frightening.

"You dare to think my son is unmanly?"

"Heavens no!" Happosai relented, causing Nodoka to withdraw in satisfaction. "Okay then, a date it will be."

"Hey, don't I get some say in this?" Ranma asked.

"NO!" Genma, Soun and Nodoka shouted back.

XXXXX

"Mom's one Achilles heel, questioning her upbringing of her son," Ranma said with a weak smile to Kasumi as he escorted her to the door along with Shampoo. "Sorry about this."

"It's all right Ranma. It's just a date."

"Yeah, I guess. See you tomorrow after school then?"

"Of course," Kasumi replied and began to leave, but then paused and looked back at Ranma. "Are you certain you will be all right?"

"I can take anything that old goat can dish out and more. Don't worry about it."

Kasumi nodded, but was not truly convinced. "Okay then. Good night." Kasumi left with Shampoo, who was once more showing great un-amusement with the situation, but this time kept from destroying any nearby objects. Ranma watched the two girls leave, then shook his head once they were out of sight.

"At least I didn't get hooked into a date with both of them. Don't think I could survive that," he mumbled as he turned to go back inside, but noticed Ryouko coming up the walkway. "Hey girl, where you been?" Ranma asked as he petted her. Ryouko growled out a response without thinking, but Ranma just shrugged. "Sorry, I'm still brushing up on my wolf."

Ryouko nodded. In fact she had been waylaid by an accident with some water and a group of kindergarten students, and had been forced to hunt down her clothes and equipment for most the afternoon. Seeing Kasumi and Shampoo leaving had her interest peaked though. What had Kasumi been up to here? Ryouko was about to follow Ranma in when she noticed something white just on the side of the walkway, beside the door. She paused to investigate, finding a letter then quickly gained Ranma's attention by letting out a loud snuffle.

"What is it?" Ranma asked as he came over and picked it up. "It a letter for Akane. Hmh." Ranma noted then headed inside with Ryouko. "Hey Akane, there's a letter here for you!"

"Who from?" Akane asked as she came down the stairs.

"From Doc Tofu I think."

Akane was momentarily surprised, then snatched the letter from Ranma and headed upstairs.

"You're welcome," Ranma called after her, but got no response.

XXXXX

By the time Akane reached her room she was in a state of shock. "C-chan, you're not going to believe this. Tofu asked me on a date. A date!" Akane said in delight to her cat who was laying on the bed. The cat replied with a meow and a happy look. "I don't believe this! It can't be true… but, it is. This is so… What am I going to wear?" Akane raced over to her closet and began rifling through her belongings. Behind her, C-chan smiled knowingly to herself.

XXXXX

Makoto was just finishing serving a customer, and cringing at the shattering of yet another plate. She returned to the kitchen to look at the total, seeing two piles of dishes by the sink, each about the same height. However, only one pile was intact.

Makoto cringed as yet another plate met its fate at Shampoo's hands. "Hey, do you have any idea how much those cost?" Mako called out to Shampoo, but the Amazon ignored her, and went on washing the dishes and mumbling angrily to herself.

"Now is not a time to be getting on her bad side Miss Kino," Cologne warned Mako as she came by. "Plates are replaceable. You are not."

"Yeah, but we need plates to serve the customers." Cologne merely shrugged, and returned to the stove. Mako sighed, and decided to take the elder's advice anyway. She went about her work for several more minutes until Kasumi finally arrived home from school. "Thank god. Kasumi, you have to do something about Shampoo."

"What did she-" Kasumi was cut off by uet another smash, and understood instantly. "I'll see what I can do." Kasumi headed immediately into the kitchen to see the disaster. "Shampoo!"

"Yes?" Shampoo asked innocently.

"Why don't you take a rest," Kasumi suggested, and Shampoo responded with a scowl. However, she complied, stepping out into the dining area. Kasumi considered following and trying to explain once more, but then decided it would be a futile effort. With a sigh, Kasumi picked up where Shampoo left off, although with far fewer breakages.

XXXXX

She's supposed to be my wife, Shampoo thought in a mix of anger and depression, sitting at an empty booth in the dining room. Why is she going out with Ranma? It's not fair. Never taken me on a date.

Shampoo sniffed, and rubbed away some wetness from her eye before it became full-fledged tear. Despite Kasumi's insistence that this was merely for their parents' benefit, Shampoo just could not help but feel miserable about this. Every time she got hopeful this situation would work out for the better, something messed it up. It seemed now that she would have to compete with a bunch of men for Kasumi's attention, and she did not have a clue how. She was barely familiar with how to impress a man, and that was only from seeing various relations second hand. She had no familiarity on how to impress a woman. Beyond that, she was still not certain she even wanted to.

Should Kasumi decide to pursue this relationship, at least Shampoo could console herself that this Ranma was preferable to Mousse. Then again, no one could possibly be as annoying as Mousse in Shampoo's opinion. Ranma did have a certain attraction to him, although it little interested Shampoo. She already had her husband, and she did not desire another.

Shampoo sighed and looked around the room. She needed to get away. She did not want anything to do with this dumb date. "Shampoo going out," she called out, and left before anyone could argue with her.

XXXXX

"Man, this is stupid," Ranma mumbled about the whole general affair, and in particular about the tux his mother had forced him to wear. "What was Mom thinking? Kasumi can't even wear a dress. We'll look totally mismatched." Ranma sighed away the problem and stopped in front of the San Cheng-Huang. "Well, here goes nothing."

Stepping inside the restaurant, Ranma found it to be moderately busy, Makoto busy serving the customers while Cologne could be seen in the kitchen. Everyone gave Ranma a short inspection, causing him to self-consciously look at his feet as he felt totally out of place in his present attire. Wasting no more time, Ranma made his way into the kitchen and out of general sight. "Where's Kasumi?"

"Your date is out back, Saotome." Cologne answered without looking up from her work. "She's working on relocating her center."

"Hmh?"

"A complex and deep meditation. Similar in nature to meditations you no doubt know, but far more advanced. It is a rare feat to truly master this particular meditative form. Apparently while in training under a Yoga master in India she managed to successfully complete the meditation."

"That good?"

"Good? It is excellent. Such an achievement is typically reserved for only accomplished masters who have studied the technique for decades, and even then the effect is fleeting. Kasumi did the same in less than a year, and maintained it for long periods." Cologne replied with a smile. "Of course, from a calm and pure spirit such as hers I am not all that surprised."

Curiosity got the better of him, so Ranma paused to get some more info. "What exactly is the effect?"

"Astral projection, aura suppression, an extended sense of being… there are many possible effects. It is said that some of the greatest revelations come from being in a centered state of mind. Many powerful techniques have developed this way."

"Cool," Ranma commented.

"Indeed, if she can regain it. It seems, among other things, the curse has disrupted her center. She has been unable to find it since being cursed," Cologne explained, but privately dismissed Kasumi's theory. Her knowledge of the curses said they had no such disruptive effect on mental balance of this nature. More likely the emotional shocks she had suffered at that time and after were the cause of the trouble. However, let Kasumi learn that on her own. Maybe that way she would find a true sense of herself.

Ranma nodded in understanding, and headed out back. However, part way there he ran into Kasumi who was returning inside. "Hello Ranma. Oh my, I did not realize this was going to be so formal."

"Mom's idea. Forget it. I don't mind. Want to get going?"

"I suppose," Kasumi said with a small smile. Ranma nodded, not feeling much enthusiasm for this whole affair either, and lead the way out.

XXXXX

"He gets the night off, but do I? Nooo. I'm stuck here. Him and his stupid date…" Frost mumbled to herself as she sat reviewing one of her magic tomes. Finally, she closed the book, and switched to another, trying to find something to occupy her mind, but not having much success. However, salvation arrived in the form of Shampoo walking into the waiting room.

"Frost? Are you here?"

"Be right there," Frost called back, and quickly returned her books to proper storage. "Hello Shampoo, what are you doing here? Are you not supposed to be working?"

"I had to get out for a while," Shampoo answered, looking off at a wall. "Kasumi's going on a date with Ranma."

"WHAT?"

"Don't start," Shampoo softly said, but Frost did not appear to listen.

"Shampoo, that woman treats you intolerably! If I did not know better I would think she really was a man, considering her insensitivity!"

"Frost..."

"How can you stand such insolence from her? She has no right to be running about, courting men without your leave!"

"Actually, she has every right to do so. I am the lesser partner in the relationship. I have no official say over her activities," Shampoo pointed out, but Frost just gave off a huff.

"Dumb laws. Misconceived pieces of garbage, that's what they are. You never agreed to such a marriage. You were forced into it because of that stupid loophole. The council should have simply annulled the marriage and been done with it instead of screwing you over like this," Frost complained, but noticed Shampoo seemed little interested. "Shampoo, you should not stand for this."

"It is not my place to dictate terms to Kasumi. I accepted the arrangement."

Frost frowned, and looked saddened. "I should never have put you on the spot like that. You were not thinking straight." Shampoo shook her head and waved off the argument. "Maybe if you let me try to-"

Shampoo suddenly turned on Frost with a stern look. "No! This is between her and me. I do not want you interfering."

"But Shampoo-"

"No! Last time you tried to help, you did it by trying to kill her!"

"I wouldn't do that again."

"Yes, but you might try something else I don't approve of, and I know you well enough that I know you are not prone to getting permission," Shampoo said, causing Frost to look away. Unfortunately, she had to concede Shampoo's point, especially in light of her other attempt to solve the situation.

"Alright, alright, but I still think you are making a mistake," Frost responded, but Shampoo did not heed her warning. Instead she looked around, her expression changing to a sad one which caused Frost to seethe inside all the more. Just then, an idea came to her. What she needed to do is show Shampoo, make her see that this situation was unacceptable. She had grown too accepting of it. Frost had a good idea on how to fix that though.

"Well, since you're free, do you want to go out somewhere? I've got nothing better to do, and I'm bored solid here," Frost suggested innocently, and fortunately Shampoo took her at face value this time.

"I guess so," Shampoo answered.

"Good, just let me clean some stuff up and we can get going." Frost rushed into the back, and began on a totally different task, namely divining where Ranma and Kasumi were going on this date.

XXXXX

"This is the place, Petite Amour," Ranma said as he inspected the restaurant their parents had arranged for Kasumi and him to go to. Fortunately, it did not look too fancy. Ranma was not prepared for any luxury experience. Of course, he would have much preferred it if it had been located in a different location. He firmly kept his eyes diverted from several garish neon signs advertising the amenities of several nearby hotels. Some of which his friends at school had spoken of in awed whispers. "Shall we?" he asked. Kasumi simply nodded, and let Ranma lead the way. "I hope they made the reservations correctly."

"I'm sure they did," Kasumi assured him, then suddenly focused on something coming out another door to the restaurant. Ranma, perplexed by Kasumi's strangely tense expression, turned to look and found two people exiting the restaurant. Not seeing anything particularly special about the couple, Ranma turned back to Kasumi to see her expression having hardened dramatically.

"Is something wrong?" Ranma asked, a bit unnerved by the look Kasumi was displaying.

"No," Kasumi replied plainly, then turned sharply and entered the restaurant. Ranma again looked over his shoulder at the departing couple in confusion, then shrugged and followed Kasumi inside.

XXXXX

Haruka could not explain it, but she had a sudden feeling of uneasiness, so much so, that it sent shivers up her back. Despite that it did not feel precisely like a threat, so she ignored it for a few moments. Finally, however, the itch grew too much to ignore, and she was forced to scan the area.

"Something wrong?" Michiru asked her companion, looking around as well, but seeing nothing save a boy entering the restaurant. "Did you feel something?"

"Something, but not a Youma if that is what you mean. Something else." Haruka instinctively rubbed her arms to warm herself up. "Did it get cold suddenly?"

Michiru examined the area once more to be sure, but feeling nothing merely smiled at her companion. "Come on, I'm sure it's nothing. A cold breeze. When we get home I'll be glad to warm you up."

Haruka smiled back and nodded, but stole one last glance at her surroundings. The feeling had passed, but it was certainly unsettling. It even had a slight familiarity to it, even though she could place what exactly made if familiar. Shrugging, she got into the car with Michiru and drove off.

XXXXX

Back inside and at their table, Ranma was feeling unsettled himself. However, he was well aware of the cause, namely Kasumi, who was glaring at her menu in a totally uncharacteristic manner. He was at a complete loss to explain what had brought on this sudden and drastic mood swing, and the longer it went on, the more uneasy he felt himself.

"Kasumi, is there something wrong?" Ranma asked in concern.

"No," Kasumi replied rather sharply for her.

"You sure?"

Kasumi did not respond right away, and instead took a moment to think. All right Kasumi, that is enough, she scolded herself. You need not punish Ranma for what that man did to you so stop it. Taking a second more to rid herself of the feeling building inside her, Kasumi looked over at Ranma and apologized.

"I'm sorry Ranma. I just saw someone I knew from a while ago. We parted on rather... unfavorable terms."

"Oh," Ranma said with a nod and some relief at having Kasumi at least partially back to normal. His Mom would probably keep him up all night if she learned he had left Kasumi in a foul mood. They each ordered shortly after, and sat in silence for several minutes. Looking for something to talk about, Ranma noticed several glossy brochures in the menu slot of their table. Idly, he plucked one out and opened it, right to a very graphic depiction of a room that was apparently for rent by the hour in one of the nearby hotels. Ranma closed the brochure quickly, and stuck it back in its slot, his face burning.

"What was that Ranma?" Kasumi asked curiously. She reached for the brochure herself. Ranma was tempted to snatch it out of her hand, but realized that would only make matters even worse. "Oh my," Kasumi said softly, and like Ranma before her, hastily returned the brochure to its storage space.

"Stupid parents," Ranma muttered under his breath. Then speaking louder, he said to Kasumi. "I swear, I didn't know. Pop and your father made all the arrangements."

"That's all right Ranma. It's really a very nice place. I'm sure our fathers did not realize what sort of restaurant it was."

While Ranma was looking skeptical at this, Kasumi was thinking how appropriate it was that she has seen 'him' here. It was just the sort of place she would have expected him to frequent.

After that, they ate their opening course in silence until Ranma decided to alleviate the quiet, and satisfy some curiosity at the same time, not to mention getting both their minds off of that brochure. He considered asking about the person who had gotten Kasumi so upset, but thought better of it and chose a safer subject.

"So, I heard you were trying to master some special meditation."

"Oh yes, I learned it from Master Dhalsim in India, the same master who taught me most of my pressure point, and chi point manipulations and my self healing techniques."

"You must have trained with him for a while."

"Yes, for the better part of a year actually. Unlike most the techniques I encountered, which are a simple matter of skill, his were centered on the mind. Training like that does not go fast if you want the results, although, he did say I had an advantage in not being a beast, but I really don't know what he meant by that."

"A beast?" Ranma repeated, and shrugged himself. "So, this Dhalsim is a major trainer in India then?"

"Actually no. He said he had a bad experience with a previous student and would not train anyone who wished to use his techniques for their own gain. He did apparently have two potential students a few years ago that impressed him enough to consider training them, but they left before they really started."

"Why?"

"The Master said one had stumbled on a technique while there, a very dangerous technique called the Ha Do Ken. Dhalsim was unable to train them in its use so they left, presumably to learn how to properly control it."

"Ha Do Ken huh? Never heard of it," Ranma commented.

"It is a rare technique to directly manipulate and wield external chi. If properly controlled it is far more powerful than any internal chi technique. However, no one to Dhalsim's knowledge knew the technique at that time."

"Sounds pretty awesome. Wouldn't mind learning it myself. How about you?"

"I would prefer it not come into common use. Such great power is dangerous. I suppose though, if it is only used by those that can handle the responsibility then it could be beneficial."

Ranma smiled. "Kasumi, if anyone is going to use such a technique for good, it is you."

Kasumi smiled back and blushed at the praise. "Thank you Ranma."

"Hey, well, you know, you're the nicest person I know," Ranma said, caught slightly by surprise by the extent to which Kasumi took the comment.

XXXXX

Off in the kitchen, a certain chef who despite her vocation did not belong in this particular food preparation area, began splintering the door frame in her hand as she spied on the two at the table. "Why that little, conniving, scheming, phony pretender!" Ukyo growled out angrily.

"Ah miss, you really shouldn't be..." A waiter began to say as he came up from behind her, but promptly stopped when Ukyo turned her glare on him. "My apologies. Go right about your business. Forget you ever saw me," he said, backing off and waving his hands defensively, before finally turning and making a hasty retreat.

Ukyo did exactly that, and turned back to watching Kasumi and Ranma. She knew this would happen. That blasted vulture was sinking her claws into Ranma, and had him thoroughly convinced she was miss goody-goody two shoes. Oh, it made Ukyo just want to scream in frustration at the injustice of it all.

She could not blame Ranma for falling for the act though. Hell, even Ukyo had been having doubts after some of her recent encounters with Kasumi. However, she always reminded herself just what Kasumi had done to her at Jusenkyo, and that Kasumi was obviously just trying to sow doubts in Ukyo's mind so she could get away with it, and laugh at Ukyo's gullibility. Well, it would never happen. Just look at the sort of place she had dragged poor Ranma off to. The well-shielded booths that lined the walls might have been protected from visual peepers, but Ukyo's heightened senses told her there was a lot more then merely eating going on is some of them. Well, Kasumi's nefarious scheme would come to naught. Ukyo was firm in her resolve, and right now she needed to do something about this date. Looking around, Ukyo noticed Ranma and Kasumi's waiter and followed him, deviousness on her mind.

XXXXX

"Here you are, Madam, Sir. If you need anything, just ask. Have a good meal." The waiter said as he delivered Kasumi and Ranma's main course.

"Thank you," Kasumi replied as the waiter walked off, but noticed something quite disturbing. Ukyo was standing by the door to the kitchen, a large smile on her face as she looked back. Why is she so... Kasumi thought then looked down at her food in realization. She wouldn't... would she?

Ranma looked up from his own meal a moment later to see Kasumi just eyeing hers. "Hey, you're not eating? Did he screw up your order?"

Kasumi shook her head, but continued to look at the food. "No, it is quite correct. I... just don't feel all that hungry."

Ranma frowned in confusion at that. "You can get something else if you-"

"No, no, really, it's okay. I'm fine," Kasumi assured Ranma, but he continued to watch Kasumi in puzzlement.

What now? I thought this was going to be a normal date, Ranma thought, but decided to overlook Kasumi's peculiar attitude.

XXXXX

"This way ladies. Is this table to your liking?" Another waiter asked his two new patrons, two young and very unusual women. After all, it was not the first time he had seated unusual women.

"Yes, yes, just give us the menus and make yourself scarce. We'll call you when we are ready," Frost directed, and the waiter complied without complaint. "At least he is obedient," Frost said, and sat down along with Shampoo.

"Not all men are that bad you know," Shampoo said, but Frost just sniffed.

"Have yet to meet one who isn't the same sort of scum to some degree."

Shampoo let the subject drop, and began to look over her menu. However, she lost interest in it when she spotted the couple across the room, and had a sudden desire to leave the room. Frost noticed the shift, and turned to confirm just who Shampoo was looking at. Sure enough, Shampoo was looking directly at Ranma and Kasumi. However, by the time she looked back at Shampoo, she was busying herself with looking over the menu.

"Are you just going to ignore them?" Frost asked, but got no response. "Since we ran into them, wouldn't it be best to keep an eye on them, just to ensure they're not up to something?"

Shampoo considered, and after taking another look at the dating couple, nodded. "I guess so."

Alright, perfect, Frost thought with a smile. Shampoo won't be able to take watching this. She'll surely see that this whole marriage is a farce and let me do something about it. All that is left to do is think up some suitable means to put Kasumi out of the picture. Maybe a variation on my last plan, make everyone think she's dead. That would do the trick, and Shampoo would probably go for it.

Frost smiled even wider, but then noticed Shampoo staring at Kasumi and Ranma, pain clear in her eyes. It drowned out Frost's good mood in a flash. It was enough to make Frost reconsider this being a good idea. "Maybe it is better if we leave," she suggested, but Shampoo shook her head.

"No, if it is for Kasumi to take a husband, I must accept that."

"Why?" Frost asked, showing some of her inner anger.

"Ever since I met her, and for every moment since then, Kasumi has never left my thoughts. For that one night, I was truly happy, and each time I have been with her I've been happy. At one time... at one time I could not see myself loving a woman, and the truth is that it is still the man that I am most attracted to, but now I know that one's mind and one's heart may not always see eye to eye. What I thought not possible has happened, and to deny it any longer is pointless. I love her."

Frost looked down at the tabletop at hearing the admission. It complicated everything to the point that Frost was no longer certain there was any way out of it. Just great, Frost thought with an inner sigh.

XXXXX

In yet another part of the same restaurant, Akane was sitting at her reserved table, so nervous she had to restrain herself from biting her fingernails. Would Tofu approve of her? Had he seen her attraction to him and this was some sort of way to break it to her easily? Did he share her feelings and had just been keeping them to himself? Oh, the wait was killing her, metaphorically of course.

At last though, the wait came to an end as Dr. Tofu entered the restaurant. However, his arrival just shot up her nervousness ten fold. She almost knocked over the table when she stood up to greet. "Dr. Tofu."

"Akane," Tofu greeted back, easily noticing the girl's nervousness, only increasing his confusion. However, he let his questions wait, and sat down. "This is quite a surprise," Tofu commented causing Akane to nod, but then look slightly confused.

"Surprising for you? It surprising for me. I never thought-"

"That I would come? Of course I'd come."

Akane looked even more confused at this point. "Well, I assumed you'd come having left that letter."

"What? I didn't leave you any letter. You left me one."

Akane went from confused to bewildered. "What? I didn't send any letter," Akane said, causing Tofu to match her expression. Realization dawned on Akane. "You mean... someone must have arranged this. Who would... Oooo, Dachi!" Akane said in mild anger, and major embarrassment, as she looked down at the table, her face burning. Kodachi had really worked her into something this time. How was she going to explain this? Sooner or later Tofu would want to know why Kodachi would-

"Why would Kodachi want to arrange this Akane?" Tofu asked, confirming Akane's worse fear.

"Ah, well, um, I... I..." Akane stammered out then screamed out in surprise at finding a pair of hands feeling her hips.

"Mother!" Tofu cried out in embarrassment, successfully gaining much of the room's attention, but Kin ignored him.

"She's bigger than the all Japan winner," Kin observed, finally releasing Akane, and stepping out from behind her to be seen. "She'll do very nicely. I officially declare her bridal candidate number three."

"What, but mother..." Tofu began to protest, pulling his mother aside to speak to her privately. This left Akane some time to recover, and try to piece together what was happening.

"Bridal candidate? Did she mean, me and Tofu..." Akane blushed at the idea, and wondered at just what to do. Protest and possibly get herself out of this mess Kodachi had gotten her into, or go along with it and reveal her feelings at last. She just could not decide.

XXXXX

Off watching this whole affair from her table, Frost was grinding her teeth. "Why that... I can't believe... What makes her so... Ooooo."

"Frost, are you okay?"

Frost came back to the real world, and remembered she was not alone. "I wasn't... I'm fine, perfectly fine."

Shampoo looked at Frost curiously, then over at the doctor. "Do you like him or something?"

"No! It's just that I hate seeing him dating a girl ten years younger than him. It's not right."

"I don't see that big of a problem with it. If she really likes him, why not?"

"He's far too old for her."

Shampoo shrugged, and dropped the argument, although she was sure Frost was acting odd, even for her.

XXXXX

Kasumi and Ranma finally looked away and back at each other. "What's going on over there, I wonder?" Ranma asked.

"I don't know. I had no idea Akane was interested in Dr. Tofu in that way."

"Oh sure. It's too darn obvious any time she's around him. She gets shy all of a sudden, and can't say a thing. Didn't think she had the nerve to ask him out though, and never would have thought he'd accept."

"Why, does Doctor Tofu have a girlfriend already?" Kasumi asked.

"Well, no, I guess he doesn't, but I just didn't picture him with Akane," Ranma said with a shrug.

"And could you picture yourself with me?" Kasumi asked, causing Ranma to choke on his next bite. "Ranma!" Kasumi exclaimed in concern, and began to get up, but fortunately Ranma cleaned his throat of the obstruction before it became serious.

"Where'd that come from?" Ranma asked at last.

"It has not escaped my notice that you sometimes seem uncomfortable around me, particularly during our morning practice sessions. I believe this is due to my curse, unless I am wrong." Kasumi looked at Ranma, but he looked away. "It's all right Ranma, I can understand your uneasiness with it. Despite the fact that I am a woman, my curse also makes me a man, and you are uncertain how to treat me, especially with the engagement. I just wanted to know if you think it is possible to overcome that."

Ranma swallowed in his nervousness, having been confronted with something he was unprepared to face. "Well, I... ah-"

"Saotome!" A voice growled out, and Ranma turned around to see Mousse stalking up to him.

"Mousse? What the hell are you doing here?" Ranma asked, but found himself being dragged to his feet by his collar.

"I'm here to stop this farce of a date, and stop Kasumi from making the biggest mistake of her life!" Mousse answered threateningly, causing Ranma to scowl then knock Mousse's hand loose of his shirt.

"Hey, you listen here you jerk, what gives you any right to decide anything for Kasumi, huh? If she wants to date me, that's our business, not yours." Ranma shot back, and took up a precautionary defensive stance, having learned from his mistake with Saki.

"I care about Kasumi, which is a hell of a lot more than you can say, and I don't give one damn about her curse which you seem so afraid of." Mousse said in retaliation, causing Ranma's expression to darken, but before he could say anything, Mousse continued. "The only claim you have to her is that dumb arranged marriage your parents set, which you have done nothing but complain about. You have no right to even be in Kasumi's presence let alone date her!"

"Yeah, like you're any better, trying to force her and Shampoo into a marriage neither want. You are no better than a stalker if you ask me."

"What?" Mousse growled out, near the point of outburst.

Watching the growing confrontation anxiously, Kasumi finally decided to intervene with the rise in tension, between the two boys, but found more pressing concerns when she was pulled to her feet by Ukyo. "Why you devious, underhanded witch! I knew you'd try to pull something with Ranma! I knew it!" Ukyo accused angrily. "You just couldn't keep your claws out of him."

"Ukyo! I haven't done anything to Ranma."

"No, not yet, but you were going to!" Ukyo shot back.

Meanwhile Ranma and Mousse were exchanging a number of colorful insults until Mousse finally lost his cool at being called a "girly little wimp" and initiated an attack. It was a simple one, just a single light chain connected to a small iron ball, thrown directly at Ranma's chest. He easily dodged it, and began tossing back various feminine insults that infuriated the Amazon male even more, causing him to retaliate with more substantial attacks, although all were unsuccessful.

Ukyo and Kasumi paused from their own confrontation long enough to observe the early part of the fight, but then Ukyo lost her own cool and turned on Kasumi. "This is all your fault!"

"How's it my fault?"

"You're the one that got Ranma on this stupid date, and got that wacko interested in you. Now he's after Ranma." Ukyo answered, and pushed Kasumi far enough back to draw her battle spatula. "This time we're not on school grounds, and you can't hide behind Ranma!" After pointing that out, Ukyo charged in on Kasumi trying to club her over the head with the flat of her spatula. Kasumi managed to duck away, but a table behind her paid the price and was smashed to splinters.

XXXXX

By this time, a general panic had arisen among the other patrons, and most decided it best to rush for the nearest exit. Besides the ones indulging in morbid curiosity, Frost, Shampoo, Akane, and Doctor Tofu remained, all wondering just what to do. Ukyo continued her attempts to club or slash Kasumi with her spatula, increasing the pace to the point that it was hard to count the number of strikes, while Kasumi either blocked or dodged these attacks. Ranma meanwhile was finally going on the offensive, tagging Mousse with a hit and run strategy, keeping the other boy off balance. However, Mousse was getting closer, Ranma's tuxedo already destroyed in several places due to near misses.

Finally, at almost the same moment, Akane and Shampoo decided to enter the fray, Akane on Ranma's side, and Shampoo on Kasumi's. Unfortunately, this served only as a distraction for both fighters, and Kasumi toppled over a table and onto the floor, while Mousse managed to ensnare Ranma with several sets of bolas.

"This is crazy!" Frost yelled out, even as an idea on how to end the whole affair with one simple spell popped into her mind. She closed her eyes to begin weaving it.

Meanwhile, Akane leaped to Ranma's rescue, pulling him clear of a dozen throwing knives Mousse had tossed his way. "Thanks a heap Akane. I had him on the ropes, and you screwed me up."

"Oh shut up! Next time I'll let you get impaled," she replied, quickly freeing him from his bonds and dodging another attack.

Ukyo, in the meantime, was stopped short of taking advantage of Kasumi's prone position when Shampoo gained a hold on her spatula. "Out of the way Amazon. You are way out of your league." Ukyo did not want to hurt Shampoo. After all, the Amazon had been almost as badly screwed over by Kasumi as herself.

"Shampoo no let you hurt Kasumi!" Shampoo responded. Ukyo, unhappy but determined, quickly shoved her spatula towards Shampoo's chest. Before Shampoo could adjust to the change in tension, Ukyo twisted the spatula around, flipping Shampoo over it. While Shampoo was still in the air, Ukyo used her strength to heave the Amazon across the room, and into several tables. She then spun back on Kasumi, just in time to intercept a kick with the flat of her weapon.

Tofu rushed to Shampoo's aid, but she waved off the help and ran back into the fight, blindsiding Mousse as she came by with a punch to his abdomen. Mousse doubled over, leaving himself wide open for Ranma to finish the job with knee to the face, followed by a spinning roundhouse kick that knocked him to the ground. Mousse struggled to regain his footing, but Ranma flipped through the air, and landed on Mousse's back in a standing position, knocking all the fight out the Amazon male.

"Take that you jerk," Ranma said as he dusted himself off, and turned to address the other battle. Shampoo had been once more tossed out of the fray by Ukyo, this time landing just in front of Frost. Kasumi, however, was managing to keep Ukyo at bay, although the fight was close. Ranma considered stepping in to help, but a clash between these two was not something smart to interfere with. Shampoo had already learned that twice. The consideration was further dismissed when Ranma heard Frost beginning to speak in English.

"'O mist-filled pits, dark, dank, unclear, touch all 'fore me with frost-fingered fear." Frost opened her eyes at the end of the spell, spreading her fingers before her. Unfortunately, all that was before at this point was Shampoo, both Kasumi's and Ranma's fight having moved off to the side. However, the spell was cast anyway, much to Frost's dismay.

Shampoo had turned to look at Frost when she began the spell, and now stood with unblinking eyes, staring blankly at her fellow Amazon. This lasted only a couple seconds, though, before her eyes gained a distinctly haunted look, and then one of total panic. Frost tried to approach her, but this only caused Shampoo to scream out in her panic, and turn to run. She tripped over the remains of several tables on the way, but finally dashed out the door to the outside.

Shampoo's scream brought the fight to a sharp end, as everyone turned to see Shampoo's fleeing form. "What happened to Shampoo?" Kasumi asked anxiously as she rushed to the door herself.

"Well... ah... I sorta... ah, hit her with a fear spell," Frost answered, and immediately bowed her head in shame.

"You what? What did you do that for?" Ranma asked, causing Frost to look up angrily.

"To stop you idiots from fighting, that's what. She just got in the way."

"How long will it last?" Kasumi asked as she looked outside for any signs, but found none.

"Hours! We have to find her, quick. She could do something very rash in that condition," Frost said, quickly running outside to look around herself. Kasumi followed her, as did Ranma, Akane, and Doctor Tofu. Ukyo remained behind for a moment, still hot from her fight, but then Kin came up to her.

"Coming deary? We'd best find the girl before she hurts herself."

After a second, Ukyo nodded and returned her spatula to her back. There would be plenty of time for dealing with Kasumi later. Outside, the group split up to look for the be-spelled girl.

XXXXX

"Shampoo!" Kasumi called out for probably the hundredth time, getting the same response she had gotten all one hundred times before, nothing. "Where is she?" She asked, her voice full of worry and frustration.

"Look, would you stop yelling. It's doing no good. Shampoo's under the influence of a strong fear-inducing spell. It makes one afraid of absolutely everything. Even if she could hear you, she's not likely to answer, and might even run further away," Frost explained in irritation.

Kasumi sighed but complied and remained quiet, despite a nagging desire to call out Shampoo's name once again. The two headed down an alley together, searching it thoroughly, but finding nothing. "Are you certain she wouldn't have run far?"

"No, I'm not. However, given her fear, I'd suspect she'd try to find a secluded spot somewhere to hide. A good bet is she'd pick one of the closer spots, especially since she'll have exhausted herself quickly by running off so fast." Frost answered then noticed a deep look of concern and a different breed of fear on Kasumi's face, one that was caused by no spell. This only caused Frost to scowl. "You can stop with the fallacious concern, Kasumi Tendo."

"What do you mean?"

"If you cared so damned much about Shampoo, you wouldn't be putting her through this emotional wringer of yours."

"I don't know what you mean."

"I don't know what you mean," Frost mocked, then turned to Kasumi with an angry look. "Okay, let's assume you are blind, deaf and an idiot. You have dragged Shampoo into a horrible situation with you, wrecking her life and future in the process."

"I'm trying to fix that."

"Maybe, but you're not taking responsibility for your actions. You are married to Shampoo, and here you are dating another man," Kasumi opened her mouth, but Frost cut off any counter argument. "I don't want to hear it! Apparently you feel it is perfectly fine for you to continue with your life, while keeping Shampoo on hold. I heard about your promise, that you would be her mate if you couldn't find a solution. Well, I ask you, when are you going to declare defeat, Kasumi Tendo, and live up to that promise, huh? When? And in the meantime, what should Shampoo do? Well?"

Kasumi took Frost's attack like she had been using fists instead of words, wincing at each point Frost drove home. She never did get to respond, however, as they heard Ukyo call out for the others. Further discussion ended, and both women rushed towards Ukyo's voice, finding her outside another darkened alley, this one with a large pile of trash in it.

"She's in there, hiding in the garbage bags. She almost bolted when I found her, but Kin blocked the other end so she stayed put. Now what?"

Ranma, Akane and Tofu arrived as Frost considered options. "Perhaps I can go in and talk to her. Maybe-" Kasumi started to say.

"What did I tell you? Weren't you listening? She's afraid of everything!" Frost snapped.

"Hey lady, don't get so snippy. You're the reason Shampoo's so messed up, remember," Ranma said in Kasumi's defense, causing Frost to look self consciously at the ground.

A minute more passed when Frost finally looked up with a hopeful look. "I got it. I have another spell. It's a night guard spell. It protects against several things, but most importantly, it has a strong anti-fear element."

"Why?" Akane asked out of curiosity.

"I... used to have nightmares, OKAY?" Frost snapped back in response, causing Akane to back off a step. "Look, one of the necessary elements of the spell is that the subject be in the setting sun while it is cast. It should be sundown in about twenty minutes, but we need to get her out of that alley."

"You mean we have to drag her out. Just great," Ranma said, but Kasumi shook her head.

"Is there no other way? She's traumatized enough as is. Us forcing her out will only aggravate that."

Ukyo smiled with an idea. "Frost, will a strong enough emotion override the fear?"

"Hmm, yeah, it should actually. Magic powerful enough to overwhelm strong natural emotions is very advanced, not to mention complex, and beyond the limits of this spell. However, it would have to be one strong emotion."

"Good, then I have an idea. I'll be right back," Ukyo said, and ran off before anyone could ask her what exactly the idea was. They each exchanged confused looks, but waited, having no ideas of their own save the brute force approach.

As the minutes passed, Kasumi ended up waiting at the end of the alley. She could not see Shampoo, but she could pick out her shaky breaths, and the soft sound of her crying. It reminded her off the first time she had been put through the Neko-ken training, and she had ended up trying to hide from her fears in a much similar fashion. She did not want Shampoo to go through anything like that, yet here she was.

Kasumi found her own eyes beginning to water at the thought, but before she could wipe away the tears, a large quantity of cold water was dropped on her head. She, or rather now he, spun around to see Ukyo holding a bucket, and wearing a large smirk. "There now. If anyone can get her out, her husband can."

Kasumi frowned, and looked to the others, in particular Frost. The magus seemed irritated, but nodded. So, Kasumi turned, and headed into the alley. "Shampoo?" Kasumi asked as he stopped in front of the pile of garbage. He heard a quick snuffle from inside the pile, and pinpointed Shampoo's position. Removing a couple of bags from his line of sight, Kasumi finally spotted Shampoo.

The Amazon appeared much like a frightened little animal, although the red of her eyes, and the tears staining her cheek made her appear more a child. The sight hurt Kasumi to see. He absolutely deplored seeing people in pain or misery, and deplored it that much more when he was somehow involved, even in the most minimal of ways. In this particular case, he felt like his heart would stop at any minute, so tight did it feel in his chest.

"Shampoo, it's me. It's Kasumi. Please come out. I won't hurt you. I won't let anything hurt you. I promise." Shampoo stared at Kasumi in uncertainty, but not with fear. Kasumi's hopes lifted with that, and he edged a bit closer, offering his arms to her. "Please come here, I want to help you."

Shampoo sniffed then moved just an inch towards Kasumi. After nothing happened, she seemed to grow suddenly more confident, and in one sudden motion rushed into Kasumi's arms, and held him tightly about the neck, crying out her fears in Chinese. Kasumi in turn wrapped his arms around her, whispering softly to her in a calming voice, until she at last calmed to the point of just crying. Convinced this would be the best he could managed, he stood her up carefully, and gently shielded her in his arms, and headed slowly into the street.

"Alright, everybody back off and give them room," Frost ordered, and took her own advice by keeping herself out of Shampoo's sight while staying near enough to work the spell. Looking over her shoulder, Frost confirmed the sun was in the process of setting, and began by pulling out a small crystal on a golden chain. "Touch a charm at fall of night, and you shall sleep safe from fright." As she spoke the last word, she touched Shampoo with the crystal, and instantly Shampoo feel into a deep sleep, suddenly completely calm. "There, that should do it."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and approached, including Kin who came up from the other side of the alley. "That'll keep her asleep until the fear spell wears off?"

"Yes."

Kasumi gave a great sigh of relief. "Good. Is there any way you can make her forget this time?"

"No need. The fear spell is powerful enough to make one's mind naturally shy away from recording the memories. At best she'll have vague impressions of her time under the spell."

"Sort of how my cat fear works," Kasumi noted in comprehension. "I guess I should take her home."

Everyone nodded in agreement, Frost and Ranma volunteering to accompany him. Akane and the doctor headed off on their own, while Kin paused for one little thing.

"Hmm, a good set of hips on this one too." She said as she examined the sleeping Shampoo. "You've caught yourself a fine wife there young man. You're very lucky." Kasumi blushed at the complement.

"Yes, I think they make a wonderful couple," Ukyo added, to which Kin agreed before heading after her son. Kasumi merely sighed, picked up Shampoo and headed off. After shaking her head, Ukyo followed behind Ranma.

XXXXX

By now, some distance from the others, Akane and Dr. Tofu walked in silence, until he finally spoke. "Well, that was certainly an interesting night."

Akane, tongue tied now that they were alone together, could only nod her head in agreement. Unfazed by Akane's lack of contribution to the conversation, Tofu continued. "Your sister certainly lives in interesting times." He gave a chuckle. "Makes me wonder if her Jusenkyo curse was the only one she picked up in China?"

This caught Akane enough by surprise that she actually looked at him. Seeing her puzzled expression, Tofu explained. "You know, the old Chinese curse. May you live in interesting times."

"Oh," Akane said, and went back to looking at the ground.

"I must say Akane, I was certainly glad to find out you hadn't sent that letter."

"You were?" Akane blurted out, an empty space forming in her heart.

"Well, you're such a nice girl. I couldn't imagine why you would want us to have dinner at that particular restaurant. Now that I know it was someone's idea of a joke, it makes much more sense."

Akane had stopped listening after the first sentence. Her mind had latched onto what to her was the most important part of Dr. Tofu's statement. "Really? You think I'm a nice girl?"

"Oh yes, very much so. It always gives me a lift when you come to visit. That's a good thing too, because you certainly used to come by often. You were always so happy, and cheerful, no matter what sort of bump or bruise might have brought you in to see me. I've missed those days. You don't come around nearly as often anymore." Tofu smiled over at her, which caused Akane to duck her head. "I suppose I'm being silly. That sounds like I want you to get hurt, just so I can see you. You know Akane, you don't have to wait till that happens to drop in and say hello. We are friends after all."

"We are?" Akane asked, her voice lifting a bit.

"Of course. I consider you one of my friends. Didn't you know that?"

"N...no."

"Oh yes. You were my very first customer. Remember that day? You were having a quarrel with Ranma, and you punched the wall outside my clinic when he ducked. I was just hanging up my sign. All three of us went inside and had cookies and tea after I bandaged up your knuckles. Ever since then I've felt we had something special, the three of us."

"Really?" Akane looked up at the Dr. and her face firmed. This was the time. She was going to do it now. "Dr. Tofu I... That is... I sort of..."

"Oh look, here we are."

"What?" Akane looked around herself in confusion, and saw to her surprise that they had reached the gate in front of her home.

"Well, I guess this is where we say goodnight, so, goodnight." Dr. Tofu gave Akane a smile, and then turned to leave, but before he had taken too many steps, he turned and smiled at her. "Oh, and Akane."

"Yes?" Akane answered, her hands clutched in front of her chest, and an expectant look on her face.

"Don't forget that you have an appointment for some booster shots in two days." Akane's face fell. "Oh, and one other thing. Don't mind my mother. She gets a little strange at times, but she's really very nice." Tofu gave her one last smile, then turned and walked off into the deepening dusk.

Akane stood and stared at the spot where he had last been visible for long minutes. Then, she turned, and with a sharp, "darn," drove her fist violently into the gate. There was a crunch of wood, and she stood there, leaning against the gate, supported by her outstretched arm. She dropped her head and swore at herself. "Dummy, dummy, dummy. Why didn't you say something? We walked the whole way back from the restaurant, and you didn't say one word about how you feel toward him."

Akane closed her eyes, and a vision of Dr. Tofu appeared there. He was surrounded by a garland of roses, and was looking at her with soft eyes. "Really, Akane?" He was saying. "You love me?" His eyes began to glisten. "Oh Akane, I never dared hope. I always thought you just saw me as a friend. I'm so very happy."

Akane sighed, Oh what could have been, if only she wasn't such a coward. Then her face screwed up in a frown, but what if, what if... Another image appeared in her mind. Of Dr. Tofu again, but this time he was looking at her is sorrow.

"You love me? I'm sorry, but you're just a little girl. I need a real woman." He held out his arm, and a shadowy woman appeared, dressed in an adult dress, and with a mature hairstyle. "I'm sorry Akane, but I'm sure you'll find a boy your own age someday." He gestured, and all the boys from the days of her being attacked were suddenly surrounding her, but they were all no older then eight years old. "Pick me Akane, no pick me Akane." They all chanted, pulling at her clothes. Akane tried to brush them off, and looked up, trying to see Dr. Tofu, but he was gone.

Akane gave a shudder, and opened her eyes. "What if he said that? If he did... if he did, I think... my heart of glass would shatter into a million pieces!" The last few words Akane shouted out at the top of her lungs. All the small nighttime noises of the neighborhood suddenly stopped, and Akane looked around, blushing in embarrassment. "Okay, maybe a little overly dramatic," she joked with herself to ease her tension then hurriedly made her way in through the gate, and into the house.

XXXXX

Back at the San Cheng-Huang, Cologne was busy dealing with clean up when Kasumi-kun came through the door with Shampoo asleep in his arms. "What's happened here?" She asked as she hopped over. Frost, Ranma, and Ukyo soon followed Kasumi inside, and Frost took the initiative to explain.

"It was my fault elder. I missed when executing a fear spell and hit Shampoo. I had to cancel it out with another spell, but it puts her to sleep."

Cologne gave her great granddaughter a quick examination then turned to Frost with a stern look. "How many times must I tell you to have proper counter spells ready, and not to cut corners? You should have been able to counter that spell with no side effects."

Frost looked down at her feet in shame. "I know elder. I'll try not to make that mistake again."

"You had best not. Kasumi, you'd best place her in her bed." Cologne said, and Kasumi nodded and headed upstairs. Cologne then turned to inspect Ranma and shook her head. "I see you had a run in with Mousse young man. I recognize his particular style. Did you manage to defeat him?"

"Of course I did."

"Good," Cologne complimented with a nod, then looked at Ukyo and Frost. "Do you two have any further business here?"

Both opened their mouths, but seeing Cologne's glare, decided to leave. Frost had done all she could for Shampoo, and Ukyo had succeeded in at least messing up the date. In truth, their jobs were done. Only moments after they left, however, Kasumi called out from upstairs.

"Something is wrong!" Sighing, Cologne headed upstairs, along with Ranma. They found Kasumi still holding Shampoo inside Shampoo and Makoto's bedroom, a look a concern on his face. "Every time I attempt to put her down, she starts acting as if she's in a nightmare."

Cologne nodded. "No doubt Frost overestimated the power of this other spell. It obviously is only doing part of the job. Contact with you is making up the difference it seems."

"What?"

"Yes. Kasumi, your aura is quite calming in itself. In addition, she does have very strong feelings for you. Those factors are keeping what remains of the fear at bay. In fact, judging from that smile on her face, they are more than adequate. However, it does mean you'll have to stay with her until the spell wears off."

"Frost said that could be hours."

"Oh, probably until sometime early tomorrow morning if she used her usual fear spell. It can't be helped I'm afraid," Cologne said with a shrug, and hoped out to complete her work, leaving Kasumi with Ranma.

Kasumi slumped his shoulders, but nodded in acceptance. "I'm sorry Ranma."

"Nothing to be sorry about. It's not like I'm going anywhere in this thing anyway." Ranma pointed out, gesturing to his destroyed tux. "And, it's not like our parents can complain about either of us messing things up. Besides, it was sort of fun. I guess I'll be seeing you," Ranma said, then turned to leave, but stopped and turned back.

"Kasumi, about what you asked. Yes, I'll admit I'm uncomfortable with this changing to a guy stuff, but it doesn't bother me that much. I mean, Kuno doesn't even blink at it anymore, and it doesn't seem to bother Ryoga either. Not that I think he's any good for you, but Mousse says he's got no problem with it, and I guess if it came down to it, it's really not that big a deal for me either."

Kasumi looked at Ranma in surprise then smiled. "Thank you Ranma."

"Yeah, well... anyway, see you tomorrow. Hope Shampoo is better by then. Seeya."

"Goodbye," Kasumi said as Ranma left, and continued to smile for several moments until Shampoo shifted in his arms. He looked down at her for a moment, then sighed, and headed for his room.

"Hey Kasumi, I just heard, is Shampoo all right?" Makoto asked as she came up the stairs and spotted Kasumi.

"She's all right now Makoto. However... she'll be spending the night with me."

Makoto blinked in surprise then slowly nodded. "Okay."

"It's because of the spell," Kasumi explained, but Makoto shook her head.

"Hey, you don't need to explain. I better go help Cologne." Mako returned downstairs, leaving Kasumi to sigh once more. After taking another moment to confirm his decision, Kasumi turned and entered his room with Shampoo.

XXXXX

Shear bliss would be a greatly inadequate way to describe Shampoo's state of mind. She was wrapped in a blanket of total protection and contentment that would annihilate any evil that even so much as looked in her direction. It was a promise of eternal happiness, acceptance and security. She never wanted to leave.

Unfortunately, it was all a dream. A dream where Kasumi had finally, truly, taken Shampoo as his wife. Where she could at last find the rapture she had always searched for, yet never truly knew she had desired so much until now. If she were to die at this very moment, she would still be happy.

However, life was against Shampoo, who came back to reality, but not without a struggle. Try as she might though, the dream faded, leaving her... right back where she started, or at least that is how it initially seemed. She awoke to find arms wrapped around her, and to find herself cuddled up to a man's chest, Kasumi's chest.

As nice as this was, it was quite confusing. How did I end up here, Shampoo asked herself as she tried to sort through her shaky memories of recent events. The last thing she could remember clearly was a fight. Then there was Frost, and... and past that the memories were foggy and unclear. All that was clear was fear, fear so encompassing that it blocked out everything else. Shampoo involuntarily tensed at the memory, and that tension immediately woke Kasumi.

Before fully awaking, Kasumi gently squeezed Shampoo in closer to himself. Throughout most the night he had repeated the same action as it seemed to calm Shampoo. However, Kasumi sensed a slight difference this time, and awoke fully to properly examine her.

"Shampoo?" Kasumi asked in concern as he noticed Shampoo's eyes were open, and looking at him in bewilderment. "Are you all right?"

"What happen?" Shampoo asked as Kasumi sat up, pulling her to a sitting position as well. Kasumi delayed answering, instead examining her intently. Shampoo took the pause to try and gain the answer herself, not learning much save noticing that both she and Kasumi were fully dressed, eliminating one possibility. In a way she was grateful. She would definitely not want to forget that.

Finally, satisfied that Shampoo was at least physically well, Kasumi turned to answering her question. "Frost said you might not remember. She accidentally cast a fear spell on you. It was necessary for you to stay with me for the duration of its effect. You do feel all right?"

Shampoo nodded. "Feel fine now."

"Good," Kasumi replied with a warm smile then got up. Shampoo remained in the bed, just a little too confused to do anything more that watch as Kasumi left the room.

XXXXX

Kasumi grabbed a towel from the bathroom and dried her hair, having just changed back to normal. "What a very interesting night," she commented as she headed back to her room. Well, at least it was over. Kasumi rethought that last thought once she entered her room and found Shampoo still sitting on her bed, a confused look still on her face. Kasumi had assumed Shampoo would go to her own room. However, clearly such was not the case. "Shampoo, there's still a few hours till morning," Kasumi hinted, but Shampoo only looked at her blankly. Kasumi frowned with worry, and approached. "Are you sure you are all right?"

With a suddenness that surprised even Kasumi, Shampoo grabbed Kasumi tightly around the waist. Kasumi barely managed to keep her balance in the face of the radical change in her center of gravity, but managed to recover and looked down at the girl hugging her. "Shampoo want talk. You listen, okay?"

"Okay," Kasumi replied without thinking, but felt immediately after that she about to be put on the spot.

"Shampoo do much thinking while Kasumi and Ranma on date. Shampoo know that wedding big misunderstanding, but she now decide she no care. Shampoo know now she love Kasumi. Shampoo no care you girl. It no change what in Shampoo's heart. Shampoo love Kasumi, and Shampoo want Kasumi love Shampoo too. Please say Shampoo no have to go."

Kasumi frowned unseen by Shampoo. I was afraid of this, she thought, a heavy feeling in her stomach. This complicated everything. Yet, despite that, Kasumi had another, lighter feeling about the declaration. However, she did not let herself dwell on feelings either way. There was a decision Shampoo was waiting for.

The decision is obvious, Kasumi thought at first, I cannot let this go on. If nothing else it would just be false hope. I could never... Kasumi paused on the last thought, uncertain about its correctness. Her life, her goals, her whole being was in question as of late. Even she could admit her own feeling were less and less known to her lately. Her own mother had turned out to be something completely contrary to what Kasumi had thought. Shampoo especially was a point her own mind did not know how to classify. So, was it truly false hope?

And then there what Frost had said. Perhaps she was right. Kasumi, although she had intended the best, had given Shampoo an open ended promise. It was unfair to exploit that. Kasumi wasn't comfortable setting any sort of time line on such things, so perhaps it was better to give a little.

Kasumi closed her eyes, and sighed. "If you really want to, you can stay."

"Oh, Shampoo so happy!" Shampoo said in delight, tightening her grip around Kasumi.

"But, you have to understand that I really am a woman, and I'm not going to sacrifice that. I also do not wish to get involved in any intimate relations at this time. I'm just not ready for that with anyone. And..." Kasumi trailed off as she noticed Shampoo's inattention. "Shampoo, are you listening to me?" Shampoo just sighed in contentment. Kasumi sighed then spoke up. "Never mind, we'll talk about it later. Look, Shampoo, like I was saying, it's still a few hours till morning..."

"Shampoo understand," Shampoo answered, finally taking note of what Kasumi was saying. "Shampoo get changed."

Kasumi just nodded as Shampoo released her and headed over to Kasumi's dresser. With yet another sigh, Kasumi laid down on the bed. For tonight at least she would go fully clothed. No sense in giving Shampoo the wrong idea, although Kasumi did have to wonder if she had already given her a wrong idea. I'll work it out later, Kasumi thought, and tried to relax, looking at the far wall.

As she lay, Kasumi let her mind float freely. An old saying Genma had once told her came to mind: unusual times call for unusual measures. Of course, at the time, he was trying to convince her to steal some okonomiyaki from Mr. Kuonji yatai, which she naturally refused to do. However, despite that, the idea did have a certain logic to it, just misapplied at that time. Well, these certainly were unusual times.

Curious as to what was taking Shampoo so long, Kasumi looked over her shoulder, and got an excellent look at 'cheek' as Shampoo rifled through Kasumi's lower drawer. Kasumi blushed, but quickly reminded herself that both she and Shampoo were girls right now, and there was nothing wrong with seeing her this way. Of course, Shampoo is technically my wife, and declaring her love for me, Kasumi thought as she looked away. This was too confusing.

A moment later Shampoo practically jumped into the bed, and cuddled herself up next to Kasumi. The touch, and especially the emotion expressed through her actions, was enough to make Kasumi turn beet red. Luckily for her though, Shampoo left it to that, and within a few minutes was once more asleep, leaving Kasumi to her thoughts.

Why must life be so complicated? Kasumi thought, looking back at Shampoo. She looked so peaceful now, quite unlike the handful she was when awake. You deserve your happiness Shampoo. I just don't know if I am the one who can give it to you.

Kasumi sighed once more, and turned to stare at the wall, trying to put aside her present situation and get some sleep. After failing at that for ten minutes, Kasumi conceded to an urge of her own and rolled over to face Shampoo, then pulled her in close. I made my promise to correct this mess, Kasumi thought, and I will, for both of us. With that last thought, Kasumi found peace easier to come by, and drifted off herself.

XXXXX

About that same time, across the sea, in the seedy underbelly of a Chinese port town, a young Chinese figure sat waiting at a table in a darkened room. A dark cloak concealed most its features, save a tuft of white hair at the front. The sound of a door opening caused the figure to turn in its seat to see the man it had been waiting for enter and sit across the table.

"Do you have it?" the figure asked, and the man nodded, producing a scroll from his shirt.

"Indeed I do. This was quite difficult to come by. What's so important about this-"

Suddenly dropping a bag of coins on the table, the figure snatched the scroll from the man. "Never mind that. That's your payment."

The man casually picked up the bag, and opened it to briefly examine its contents. Sure enough the coinage was there in the correct amount. Satisfied, he tied the bag to his belt, and examined his companion with a smile. "You know, should you really want that bobble, you'll have to travel to Japan. I happen to know some excellent sources of transport," the man said, taking the figure's hand into his own. "I could offer a lady such as yourself quite the bargain."

He barely managed to complete the sentence before two glowing points appeared within the darkness of the cloak's hood. With one inhumanly fast motion the man felt a stabbing pain in his hand and screamed out. Reflexively he tried to withdraw his appendage from the pain, but doing so only increased the sensation ten-fold. The man looked on in horror as he saw his hand pinned to the table by a dagger plunged up to its hilt in his flesh.

Standing up, the woman glared down at the man. "Count yourself lucky that I choose to spare your life. Never cross my path again." The woman turned and left, stepping into the street with a wide smile on her face as she examined the scroll. At last, I have found my cure, she thought. Three long months I have suffered. Three long months I have searched. Now, at last I have found it.

Rolling up the parchment, the woman turned down another street, and spotted the two she was looking for. Scowling angrily, she watched as the two boys gawked openly at a passing lady. "Would you two idiots get a hold of yourselves and stop staring!" she ordered as she walked over.

Instantly both boys stood at attention, the one with a wolf skin cap saying, "Sorry princess, it's just that-"

He never finished the sentence, having been blasted through a wall by a chi blast from the woman. "NEVER call me that! How many times must I explain this to you dolts?"

"Maybe just one more-" the other boy, this one clothed in tiger skinned armor, began to say, but he too received a blast from the woman. He, however, managed to keep his footing, although shaking side to side from weakness.

"That was a rhetorical question! You should understand by now! Even you two aren't that stupid!" She yelled, but then calmed, and showed the recovering boys the scroll. "I have found the location of the artifact. It is near Tokyo, in Japan."

"So, we're going to Japan?" The boy wearing wolf cap asked.

The girl sighed, and began to seriously wonder if both her companions had suffered extreme brain damage in their childhood. "Yes, of course we are! That's what we've been looking for all this time!"

"I thought you were looking for that Kasumi girl?" The wolf boy asked, causing the woman to momentarily tense up.

After a moment to collect herself, she replied. "Well, yes, that is true, but in this case it doesn't matter. I happen to know that Kasumi Tendo is also in Tokyo," The woman explained then looked off at the sky. "Oh yes, we will soon meet again Kasumi Tendo, but this time I shall be whole. Then... then you shall know my true power, and final victory shall be mine." The woman began chuckling with the thought, briefly basking in the delight of her inner vision. However, her two companions staring at her chest spoiled the moment. With an angry growl, both once more received a blast of chi energy.

End Chapter 20

Well, that concludes things for this chapter. Special thanks as always go to T. H. Tiger for creative assistance in writing this thing. Later.