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.

21. Chapter 21: Trouble from China

Ranma 1/2

Altered Destinies: A scary thought

Chapter 21

Life is a confusing thing, especially when you realize there are no rules. Kasumi had come to realize that over the past several days and justly she was feeling more then a little ill used. It had all seemed nice and simple once upon a time. She was a woman and thus must live up to her mother's image. Now, that seemed awfully silly in light of finding out her mother was nothing like the image of her Kasumi had carried in her mind for so many years, like some sort of mystic talisman to protect one small part of her from Uncle Genma's influence.

Now what talisman was Kasumi going to use to protect her inner self? What was she going to strive for? She would have to find something quickly. Cologne seemed determined to hone Kasumi's fighting skills. Her father was set on having her marry Ranma. Shampoo desired to get back her… husband… wife… mate probably would be the best term for it at the moment. The school wanted her to continue on with her work. Kuno wanted her to marry him, or at least date him. Mousse was of similar mind, and some contended so was Ryoga, although Kasumi still had trouble believing that one.

In some ways it was nice having so many men interested in her. She had once believed she would be lucky to find a single interested man. However, now she was being pulled in five different directions at once. Well, Ranma was content with the situation, not enthusiastic. Kuno… Tatewaki was just a little outside Kasumi's interest. He was a nice boy and all, just a bit too… Kuno. Shampoo wanted nothing to do with Mousse, although she showed little interest in any of the men, but Mousse was of particular distaste to her. And Ryoga, he was Kasumi's friend. Surely those that thought he wanted more were mistaken. Although, maybe they were not… The revelation about her mother had been a blow to her confidence. She found she was no longer able to feel positive about anything. She did not think Ryouga felt that way about her, but she could no longer trust her own judgment on such matters.

Then there was her… wife. The term still felt uncomfortable, but not quite as much as it once did. Kasumi did not know whether to be worried or pleased about that. The nights together were interesting for lack of a better word. Shampoo certainly was happy, despite the restrictions Kasumi had insisted on if they were to share a room. In fact, Kasumi could only remember one time Shampoo had been this happy and that was the night they met. The current situation was a very pleasant change from the way Shampoo had been for the since coming to Nerima. Kasumi was very happy about that. She really did hate seeing anyone unhappy.

However, Shampoo's feelings were one thing, Kasumi's were another. In truth, Kasumi was not sure what she felt. She liked Shampoo being happy, and even in some ways enjoyed being able to hold her at night and give her that happiness. It was hard to admit it, but Kasumi felt she did desire to give Shampoo the emotional love she wanted. However, the physical part was where Kasumi pulled to a stop. She was a little uneasy with sex in general, and sex with another woman was that much more unsettling.

Which lead Kasumi to her present thoughts, what to do? Her work at school continued, as did her training. Those were the easy bits. Marriage was the hard bit. Frost was right in that Kasumi could not keep Shampoo on hold forever. It was not fair to her. So, the solution seemed to be compromise and consider those radical paths Kasumi had been avoiding contemplating, the ones that lead to a three-way relationship. It was something Kasumi had up to now not let herself truly think about. It was so unusual. However, when compared to the alternatives, that solution was looking more appealing every day.

Kasumi could try and convince Shampoo that they needed a third partner, maybe by telling her that Kasumi desired a man in her life. Then together they could hopefully find one. That way, Shampoo's legal difficulties were done away with, and Kasumi could avoid that pesky issue of being physical with Shampoo. Of course, she would have to quietly withdraw, and hope Shampoo did not wonder why she was not sleeping with their new husband.

Hopefully, Shampoo would be so caught up with her new love, she would forget Kasumi. After all, she couldn't really love Kasumi. Could she? Kasumi shook her head. Of course Shampoo did not truly love her. It was simply a crush born of their mutually complicated situation. The plan would work. It had to work. It was all nice and neat. So no doubt it will be harder than hell to pull off, Kasumi thought pessimistically, slipping once more into the depressed state that was becoming her normal mood lately.

Kasumi came out of her thoughts at that moment to see Genma standing before her with a perplexed look on his face. "Where have you been girl? You've been walking like a zombie for the past 20 minutes. The others are probably already home by now."

Kasumi looked around her, and indeed noticed her thoughts had taken her far off course. Morning training sessions usually kept her attention. Today it apparently had not. "I'm sorry Uncle Saotome, I was just thinking."

"Pretty deep thought," Genma remarked, and motioned behind Kasumi. "I don't even think you noticed the extra weight."

Kasumi blinked and looked behind her to see a pair of steel balls attached to her ankles that must have each weighed a good hundred pounds. "Oh yes, I guess I didn't. There is so much happening lately…"

"Hmm, yes, but that is no excuse for letting your mind wander so far off the matters at hand. What if you were to be attacked? You could be caught off guard and defeated, and we can't have that can we. At least not until after Ranma has defeated you."

"Has it ever occurred to you, Uncle, that me marrying Ranma may not be the best thing?"

Genma smiled and waved off the question, and began to walk off, forcing Kasumi to follow, dragging the clanking balls behind her. "Nonsense girl. It was decided when you were but a child that the Saotome and Tendo families would be united, and united they shall be. Together you will carry the Anything Goes school into the next generation."

"I don't see how. I can't even have children," Kasumi said with a downcast look. "At least, not as a woman."

"A small technical problem that we can surely overcome in time. After all, with all the advances in reproductive science these days, anything is possible."

Kasumi looked off to the side with a frown. "I would not need such radical solutions if you had bothered to tell me you hadn't read the brochure. I would have never gone to the training ground."

"The way of the martial artist is a difficult one."

"Humph, perhaps, but particularly under your guidance," Kasumi criticized.

"Oh come now. Everything we did was to further the art."

"Everything? Humph. Uncle Saotome, we may be home, but do not think I have forgotten what you put me through."

"Oh, come now Kasumi, it wasn't that bad," Genma replied with a touch of nervousness. When Kasumi started to get critical, he knew he was in for it.

"Oh no? You practically sold me into slave labor under Mr. Kuonji."

"You're exaggerating."

"It was either that or don't eat. And, don't you start telling me I should have just taken the food, because that is wrong. Thanks largely to that, Ukyo now hates me. Then there was that cat fist training and this phobia I now have. After that Thailand where you nearly got me killed trying to save you after you stole that kick boxer's dinner. You are lucky we found Dhalsim shortly after or you'd be explaining my injuries to everyone. Then of course we cannot forget Jusenkyo and my curse. Then you got me married to Shampoo, again thanks to your stomach. Oh, and then there was that other time you stole those two boys' lunch and I nearly got killed trying to bail you out of that mess."

By this point Genma was looking around for a means of escape. Kasumi had gone past critical to downright angry, and that was not good. However, past experience told him running would only make things worse, so he just listened.

"Where does that leave me? Ukyo hates me. Frost is just looking for an excuse to kill me. I'm married to another girl. Kuno is trying to date me. Mousse is trying to force me into a marriage. Oh, and I'm engaged to Ranma now thanks to you. It was that bad or worse." Kasumi finally stopped to merely glare at her trainer and one time guardian.

In response to this, Genma quickly went down to his knees and began employing one of his Moko rakuchi-sei technique. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry..." Kasumi shook her head, and pulled Genma back to his feet.

"Cut it out," Kasumi ordered in a tired voice, and Genma promptly complied. A moment of silence passed as Kasumi cooled off, continuing to glare at Genma who hung his head in shame. However, finally the look on Kasumi's face broke. It just was not in her to maintain that level of displeasure for long.

Genma took this as a cue to get going, and quickly proceed on his way with Kasumi following. After a minute, he built up enough courage to speak. "Well, just look on the bright side girl. You're alive. You have a good job. You even have your own restaurant. Not so bad."

"I suppose," Kasumi conceded.

"And besides, you've weathered the worst of it. Nothing else could possibly go wrong." No sooner had the words left his mouth than a splash of water hit him. Genma looked to his side to see an old woman serenely tossing water onto the sidewalk with a bucket and ladle. He stared at her for a moment, wondering just what purpose this action served, while she continued about her business heedless of Genma's transformation or presence.

After a moment, and noticing Kasumi had suddenly vanished from sight, Genma looked about. He came to a paralyzed stop when he saw two familiar boys coming up the street, and directly at him. What are they doing here, Genma asked himself in a panic. They're supposed to be in China.

"Hey Mint, isn't that the panda that stole our lunch a couple months ago," the boy in tiger skinned armor asked his companion.

Mint nodded. "Yeah, I think so."

"Speaking of food, I'm awfully hungry."

"Come to think of it, so am I," Mint replied, a grumbling in his stomach.

"What do you think panda tastes like?"

"Don't know. Let's find out," Mint answered, and the two boys began approaching, Mint drawing his sword from his back.

Genma of course, not knowing a word of Chinese, did not understand what they had said. However, he knew enough that he would not like the results, and turned to run. He made about 5 feet when he found Mint standing in his path. Genma quickly hid his face, and held up a sign saying, 'please, I'm too young to die.'

The sound of two startled cries, followed by two bodies falling heavily to the ground, caused Genma to un-shield his face, and find Mint struggling against a steal ball resting on his stomach, and the other boy collapsed on the ground with another ball on his head. He blinked in confusion, but then spotted Kasumi jumping down from the street side fence, two broken chains around her ankles.

"Come on. That won't hold them long," Kasumi ordered urgently, and together the two raced off down the street.

A few seconds later the boy in tiger skinned armor removed the steel ball from his head, and rubbed his skull briefly before heading over to Mint. "I think I have a bruise," he complained as he removed the other ball from his companion. "What happened?"

"It was that girl Herb-sama is looking for."

"Oh her. Should we go after her?"

The two boys thought for a moment, but finally Mint shook his head. "We better not. Herb-sama said she wants to deal with her." The other boy nodded, and helped Mint to his feet. They began to head on their way when Mint stopped and pointed at the other boy. "Hey Lime, where's the Chiisuiton?"

Lime looked at his belt where the object in question had been, but found nothing there. Both boys panicked when they could not immediately find it. "Oh great! Herb-sama's going to kill us!" Mint exclaimed as he began racing around in a blur to find the missing artifact. Lime likewise began searching then noticed the old woman's bucket and ladle resting by the gate to her home.

"There it is," Lime said, pointing out the bucket and walking over. Mint joined him and looked at the bucket skeptically.

"You sure? This doesn't look like it."

"Hey, it's magical. It can look like whatever it wants."

"Oh, okay." The wolf boy picked up the bucket, leaving the ladle behind. "We better not lose this again." Lime nodded, and the two boys headed off.

Moments later, the old woman returned with another bucket full of water, picked up her ladle, and continued about her daily routine.

XXXXX

"Ranma, I… I… Ranma, I lo… lo… Ah, geez! I can say this. Ranma, I lo… lov… AH! I'm pathetic!" Ukyo cried out to the sky as she continued her solitary walk to the Tendos'. "He's not even here and I can't say it! What malicious deity cursed me with this damned inability to tell the man I love my feelings? Well, answer me!" Ukyo bowed her head after receiving no response. Letting out a frustrated puff of air to blow an errant strand of hair out of her face, Ukyo renewed her practice.

Ukyo, her concentration locked firmly on the task at hand, did not notice the old woman going about her daily routine. Naturally, Ukyo walked directly in the path of the water, and immediately transformed. Grumbling angrily, she looked over at the woman who continued about her task unaffected by the transformation that had occurred right in front of her. If she wasn't an old lady I'd break that damn bucket over her head, Ukyo thought, but instead of any such drastic action she headed off.

XXXXX

Several blocks away, one former prince of the Musk Dynasty was sitting at a lonely table in the back of one of the local cafes. It was not that Herb had lost his royal blood, or that his family's place on the throne of the Musk had been taken away. No, what had happened was far worse than that. Herb, prince of the Musk, most recent heir to 10 generations of the dragon clan and countless ages of true dragons before that, who's very blood surged with the power of the dragon, the most fearsome of all creatures, had been undone by a blasted monkey! Even after all this time the embarrassment was almost too much to bear.

She blamed her teachers and guardians for this blasted curse she had. It was their fault for keeping her so isolated from women. If it were not for that isolation, she would have been used to the sight of breasts, but no, that was not the case. Instead, the very sight of them had paralyzed him at the time, leaving him wide open for that damn ape to knock him into the spring. Now he was a she, and just to rub salt in the wound the curse was made irreversible by that same ape knocking using the Chiisuiton on him as well. Rightly Herb should have hunted the blasted creature down and burned it to a cinder, but it had eluded him.

Then… then there was Kasumi Tendo. Oh, how that face was burned into Herb's consciousness. Her meeting with Kasumi had been a turning point. The woman who shared her own curse in reverse had taught Herb an important lesson, among other things. Since that day Herb had set her mind to overcoming her deficiencies. It had been difficult, but in the end she had become stronger. Now it would soon be time to face Kasumi once more. However, one thing remained. She had to get back her male form. It was the only way to truly face Kasumi. In this form, she simply could not.

Sighing, Herb eyed her untouched breakfast. She simply had no appetite. Instead, Herb busied herself recalling her last encounter with Kasumi, paying special attention to each and every nuance of the Tendo girl. Even Mint and Lime's arrival took a moment to shake her out of the thoughts.

"Finally, what took you two so long?"

"We got attacked by that Kasumi girl," Mint explained, and immediately Herb rose out of her seat to glare down at Mint.

"When? Where? You did not fight her did you?"

"Well, it was about 14 minutes ago," Mint started.

"Yeah, about 4 blocks from here to the east," Lime continued.

"And we didn't fight her," Mint finished.

Herb examined her two men for a moment then sat down slowly. "Very well, then we must be quick. You did get all the supplies we will need?" Both the boys nodded, Lime picking up a large sack to show Herb. "Good," Herb said with a nod, and pulled out her map. "It is only a few days travel from here if we make good time. Once there it should be no problem locating the Kaisuifu. Give the Chiisuiton to me."

As instructed, Lime put the bucket up on the table. Herb studied her map a moment longer before looking up at the nondescript bucket before her. "What is this?" Herb asked.

"The Chiisuiton," Lime answered.

"This is not the Chiisuiton. This is bucket, a plain, old bucket. Where is the Chiisuiton?" Herb demanded, anger clear in her voice.

Both boys became very nervous at that point, and looked to each other for the other to explain. Mint took the initiative. "Well, you see, when Kasumi attacked us, we sort of… lost the Chiisuiton. But we saw that bucket and thought that-"

"Thought? Did you say thought? No, I must have misheard because you couldn't possibly have thought! You know why? Because if you had, I would be looking at the Chiisuiton and not this piece of cheap driftwood!" Both boys hung their heads in shame under Herb's glare, but urgency demanded she relent. "Alright, alright. We'll hunt it down later when we have the Kaisuifu."

"Why don't we look for it now?" Lime asked.

Herb got to her feet and looked down at her two companions. "There is no time. Kasumi is aware of our presence. As such I must be cured so I can face her as soon as possible else she shall have time to prepare. This map is accurate enough that we don't require the Chiisuiton to find the Kaisuifu. It'll just have to wait till later." Without further explanation, Herb headed off, Mint and Lime soon following.

XXXXX

About this time Ryouko finally arrived at her home, at least it had become that for her over the last several months. Yet, as she walked into the yard near the dojo and found Ranma practicing, Ryouko was reminded of just what she was doing to keep this home. Her whole life was a big deception at the moment. She was lying to him, abusing his trust, even sleeping in his bed with him. Of course, she had her reasons. Kasumi could not be trusted, and since Ukyo was unable to convince anyone of Kasumi's true nature, her only option was to keep on guard for them. However, she still felt guilty about it.

Ranma executed a spinning roundhouse kick, breaking the rope-padded log he was practicing against. He looked at his work in satisfaction before noticing Ryouko and brightening up. "Hey Ryouko," he called out as he walked over. "There you are. Where do you keep going off to anyway?" Ryouko shriveled up a little at the question as it just reaffirmed her complicity in this deception. "Something wrong girl?" Ranma asked, and to try and forestall any further concern, Ryouko turned on her happy pet routine.

It was really quite the soppy affair. Wagging her tail wildly and panting, tongue and all. If it were not for Ranma she would feel truly stupid about the whole thing. However, it did its job, and Ranma gave her a quick petting before directing her to follow him. Oh, the things one will do for love, Ryouko thought to herself as she complied.

Ranma stopped briefly in the kitchen to poor himself some tea his mother had prepared. As was usual for her as well, Ryouko received some brief attention before Nodoka began lecturing Ranma about his recent school performance. Ranma did his own routine of, "yes mom. I know mom. I'll do better mom…" and took the first opportunity to get away. After that, he headed upstairs to his room, and Ukyo followed, dark thoughts clouding her mind. Damn that Kasumi, if she was not causing so much trouble, poor Ranma would not be so distracted, and would be doing much better in school. On the mental note board in her mind, she added one more mark to the extensive list on the side of the board that said 'reasons for Kasumi to die'.

Once there, Ranma closed the door with a sigh, and sipped at his tea while casting a weary eye at his schoolbooks. "I hate studying," he commented, and Ryouko nodded her agreement. Of course he did, poor boy. Damn that Kasumi, why was she piling so much work on poor Ranma.

With a smile at his pet, Ranma sat on his bed, and lost himself in thought. Most of it was directed it seemed, at his book, although he did cast her the occasional look. With a sigh of resignation, Ranma put down his cup of tea on the desk, seemingly by chance just over Ryouko, and began to pick up his books. In the process, the glass tipped over.

Ranma's quick reflexes saved the cup, but its contents fell directly on the unsuspecting Ryouko. Ryouko let out an instinctive yelp of pain at the sudden heat, and dodged away. At the same moment Ranma cast her a confused look. She cast him back a stunned look.

"Sorry about that Ryouko. I got to be more careful." Ranma said after a moment, then, glass in hand, headed to the door. "Better go give this to Mom before something else happens."

Ryouko watched him leave, still in shock.

XXXXX

Just outside in the hallway, Ranma paused to look back at his door. A regretful look crossed his face then he shrugged and headed on his way. "Ah, don't be silly Ranma. You're luck isn't that good." With a shake of his head, Ranma headed down the stairs.

XXXXX

Back in the room, Ryouko's mind finally began to process data once more. That was just too close, she thought at first, relieved, then nearly crashed into another processing block. Why didn't I change? That was hot water. I should have changed. Maybe it wasn't enough. Yeah, that's it. Nothing to worry about…

No sooner had she thought that than she was racing out the door and down the stairs. She passed Ranma on the way, and ran directly for the bathroom.

XXXXX

Inside, Soun Tendo was taking a peaceful soak in the tub, without worries or concerns. His relaxing time was suddenly interrupted when Ryouko practically smashed through the door and dove into the hot bath water. Natural, a hundred plus pounds of wolf jumping into a large quantity of water at a breakneck pace caused a wee bit of a splash. Soun managed to keep his response to a few blinks of confusion as he eyed Ranma's pet standing in the water across from him.

The two exchanged looks for several seconds, until Ryouko looked down, and seeming very displeased with what she saw, let out a rumbling growl that changed quickly to a whimper. Then, she rushed out as fast as she had come in.

Soun watched her go, blinked a few more times, and then resumed looking across the room at the opposite wall as he had been doing before the interruption. "I knew letting him have that dog would be trouble," he mumbled, but then shrugged and promptly forgot the whole incident.

XXXXX

Kasumi was outside the San Cheng-Huang, putting out the garbage. However, her mind was occupied with more pressing concerns. It seems that with unusual and disturbing regularity, Kasumi's troubles were following her here to Nerima. The Musk was just the latest, but were a cause for a great deal of concern. Her previous encounter with the Musk had been difficult and exceedingly dangerous. To have them here in Japan was not good.

Kasumi tried to convince herself that it was just a coincidence and that nothing would come of it. Somehow, it did nothing to calm her. Naturally Genma had gone off to hide at home. He was the fortunate one. At least they did not know his human form. Kasumi had no such protection.

Looking back at the restaurant, Kasumi considered sending the girls away, perhaps to stay with her family. It would be safer that way with Cologne off on business for the day. However, she knew Shampoo would never go, and had her suspicions that Makoto would be likewise minded. Neither were the type to stand aside while she was in danger, and she couldn't think of any good non-dangerous reason she could give them that would work. It seemed best not to tell them anything at all to avoid either of them doing something foolish. The best thing was to remove herself from their vicinity.

Kasumi was just about to head back out when a sense of warning alerted her to trouble nearby. An instant later, a loud growl caused her to turn just in time to see Ryouko leap at her. Kasumi reacted quickly, grabbing a nearby trash bag and using it to knock Ryouko off her flight path, while simultaneously dodging to the side. Kasumi rolled across the ground, and quickly flipped to her feet to face Ryouko.

"Ukyo, why are you attacking me?" Kasumi asked, but gained only another growl and attack from the transformed girl. Kasumi once more dodged, but this time noticed the shear reckless nature of her opponent's attack. Whatever was bothering Ukyo, it had overridden her combat sense. As Ryouko came about for another attack, Kasumi readied to end the conflict. One last leap allowed Kasumi the opportunity to get at a paralysis point. Normally Ukyo could dodge such a precise attack, but in her current state of mind she did not bother. As such, she fell limply to the ground.

"Alright Ukyo, as soon as I change you back, you better explain why you're so much madder at me then usual all of a sudden," Kasumi said, and headed inside to retrieve some hot water, and something to cover Ukyo with once she was back to normal. She returned a moment later with a coat and a kettle of warm water. "Okay Ukyo, what is this..." Kasumi began to say as she poured the water on Ukyo then fell silent when nothing happened. Kasumi looked at the kettle in confusion, and poured some more water on her own hand to be sure. The water was easily hot enough, which meant... "Ukyo, you can't transform?"

Being paralyzed, Ryouko could do little more than give Kasumi a nasty look. Realizing this, Kasumi released the paralysis point, and warily took a step back, ready for Ryouko to attack her again. However, having had the time to calm down somewhat, and to come to the conclusion that hard as it was to believe, Kasumi had not had anything to do with her present state, Ryouko did nothing more than lay on the ground whimpering.

"When did this happen? How? Can you..." Kasumi began to ask, then shook her head. "Of course, sorry, you can't answer me." Kasumi took a moment to think as Ryouko remained on the ground too depressed to care about much of anything. After a minute, Kasumi snapped her fingers. "Come on Ukyo, let's go see Frost. Maybe she knows what is wrong with you."

Ryouko gave Kasumi a suspicious look. However, in the end, how could things get much worse? Ukyo could not really think of any way it could so she stood up and reluctantly nodded.

XXXXX

"Come on, that's it. You stupid beast. I have you now! Fall before my might! One last spell and... NO! AAHHH!" Frost screamed then hung her head. Game over the screen read, and Frost could do little more than glare at it. "This thing is rigged! That boss is too tough. Who the hell tested this stupid game anyway?" Frost yelled at the screen for no particular reason besides letting off steam. Irritated, she reset the system and prepared to reload. "Alright, this time I'll just summon-"

"Frost!" Kasumi called from the door to the clinic, causing Frost to look back at the door to her room in further irritation.

"Now what? I'm in here!" She called out then turned off the television to see what Kasumi wanted. As Kasumi walked in, Ryouko following her, Frost gave the both a displeased look. "I'm busy with important work, so make this quick. What do you want?"

"Well, we have a problem."

"We? No, you have the problem obviously," Frost responded irritably.

"No, I mean..." Kasumi began to explain then looked at Ryouko. "Can I tell her?" Frost looked at both her visitors in mild confusion, and watched as Ryouko reluctantly nodded. "Frost, you know Ukyo right?"

"Yeah, the one that tried to beat you up during your little liaison with that Ranma boy."

Kasumi was about to correct Frost on the nature of Ranma and hers date, but decided against it. Frost was simply too stubborn to listen. Instead she continued on with matter at hand. "Well, she has a Jusenkyo curse."

Frost eyed Ryouko, then Kasumi. "You mean to tell me that is Ukyo?"

"Yes."

"Okay, so what? I can't cure Jusenkyo curses you know. The magic is far too well protected from magical manipulation."

"No, you see, Ukyo can't seem to transform back to normal."

At this point Frost eyed both of them suspiciously. "Is this some sort of joke? You just conveniently tell me that Ukyo has a curse now when there is no way to prove it."

"It's true," Kasumi insisted, but Frost dismissed her.

"Yeah, yeah, we'll see," Frost replied, and walked over to Ryouko. "Bet you didn't know I could detect the magical aura of Jusenkyo, did you? So, if this dog doesn't have one..." Frost said as she knelt down to inspect Ryouko, giving Kasumi the evil eye. However, after only a few seconds, her expression changed to one of mild surprise. "So, it is true, or at least the part about this dog having a curse."

Ryouko gave Frost an exasperated growl, causing the magus to look up at Kasumi questioningly. "She doesn't like being called dog," Kasumi explained, and Frost nodded.

"Alright, alright. Now let me see." Frost took a moment longer to examine Ryouko then stood up. "There is definitely something here. Her Jusenkyo curse has been augmented in some way.

"I thought you said that wasn't possible."

"No stupid! I said no manipulatory magic! Don't you listen?" Frost snapped, prompting Kasumi to shrink away a few steps. "This magic is on top of the Jusenkyo curse. It doesn't affect the curse's function at all. Changing back is not part of the curse's function. Now, Ukyo, when did you last transform? Today?" Ryouko nodded. "Okay, was there anything odd about that transformation? Anything at all? Somebody out of place? An unusual item nearby?" Ryouko shook her head, but then shrugged. "Don't recall huh? Alright, let me think."

Frost went over to a stack of books she had beside the television and began rummaging through them. "You're lucky I've studied Jusenkyo fairly extensively. Not many want to go anywhere near that place. A bunch of people believe the springs actually draw you into them. Bunch of nonsense really seeing as how none of the guides have ever fallen in one. It just takes some caution," Frost commented then found the particular book she was looking for. "Now let me see. There aren't many who dabble in Jusenkyo related magics so we could get lucky."

"Lucky?" Kasumi asked in some concern. "You mean there might not be a cure."

"Might be. We Amazons have a few spells that can lock a Jusenkyo curse. Fortunately I think I can counter those. Failing that the Elder surely can get it done. However, seeing as how there are presently only three Amazon maguses, only two of which can cast those spells, one of which is me, I sort of doubt that's your problem. However, if you're unlucky, you've been nailed by one of the irreversible types of locks." Ryouko tensed up at that, and began to whimper once again. "Hey, don't worry so much. Just because no one knows how to reverse them now doesn't mean they can't be. Besides, those types of locks are very rare... Hmmm, now, that could be... Right configuration..." Frost said as she stopped at one particular page then turned it to show to Ryouko. "Did you happen to notice this anywhere nearby last time you transformed?"

Ryouko looked at the picture of the Chiisuiton, and dimly she recalled the old woman having such a bucket. With a vigorous nod, Ryouko confirmed that she had seen it. "Right, that's the Chiisuiton, an artifact of the Musk Dynasty. They developed it to trap animals in the cursed form of women so they could marry them. Sick huh, but that's the Musk for ya. A bunch of male barbarian pigs if ever there was! Anyway, that's not really important. What is important is that it has a counter-active opposite artifact called the Kaisuifu. However, how in heavens name did the Chiisuiton get to Japan?" Frost directed the question to no one in particular, but noticed once she looked about the room that Kasumi was unusually nervous. "Alright you, what part have you played in this?"

"I didn't, honest!" Kasumi pleaded, and noticed that Ryouko had regained a large amount of her anger. "Look, I have had a run in with the Musk before. I encountered them earlier today as well. They must have brought it here."

"THE MUSK IS HERE IN JAPAN!" Frost yelled out. "What the hell are they doing so far outside their territory? What in the world did you do to them? Assassinate a Prince or something?"

"No!" Kasumi protested.

"Then what?"

"I got into a fight with a few of them, but it was nothing to hold a big grudge over."

"I'm sure," Frost said, not in the least convinced, but took a sudden swing about in behavior, and returned the book to its place on the pile. "However, seeing as how they are the Musk, I don't really care. If you did something to piss them off, it must have been good. Now then, we have to find the Chiisuiton. With it I can track down the Kaisuifu. Ukyo, take us to where you last saw the Chiisuiton. There is no time to waste. The Musk could already be on the move."

Ryouko nodded and proceed to take the lead, with Kasumi and Frost following. Tofu managed to catch up to them at the door just before they left. "Is something wrong?" he asked, causing Frost to give him a haughty look, but only for a second.

"We have important business to take care of. We may be gone for sometime, possibly days," Frost explained.

"Days?" Kasumi and Tofu echoed in surprise.

"Well, the Kaisuifu most likely won't be near here. Days is being optimistic. However, I do recall hearing that the Musk had either given away, or lost the Kaisuifu, and its most likely location happens to be somewhere in Japan."

"Then, maybe that is why they are here," Kasumi suggested. "Perhaps they are searching for it."

"It could be, and that's all the more reason to hurry. They have a head start on us," Frost pointed out, putting her day gear on in a rush.

"Okay then," Tofu said. "This seems important so good luck to you."

"Thank you doctor. Oh, could you tell everyone not to worry, and that I'll hopefully be back soon." Kasumi said and the doctor nodded. Then, Ryouko, Frost and Kasumi took their leave, and headed off.

XXXXX

A short time later the trio arrived at the street of the old woman. As she had been doing earlier, she was wetting the street, and in her possession was the Chiisuiton. "Hold it!" Frost warned, pulling the other two to a stop. "I'll handle this. Last thing we need is for an accident to happen."

Both Ryouko and Kasumi relented and hung back while Frost cautiously proceeded to approach the old woman. "Um, honored elder, I am sorry to indispose you, but I have need of that bucket you are using."

The old woman looked up at Frost in mild interest, and looked at the bucket. "Yes deary, is this yours? I seem to have somehow got this one in place of my own. I only noticed a short time ago. I figured the owner would come back sooner or later to retrieve it."

"Yes, thank you very much. Could I have it?"

"Oh certainly dear," she said, handing the Chiisuiton over to Frost. "You wouldn't happen to have mine would you? I don't want to have all that street dust getting all over my yard you see."

"No, but..." Frost said, and with a quick gesture conjured up a fresh bucket. "Will this do?"

"My dear, you are something of the magician. Yes that will do just fine, thank you." The old woman replied, taking the offered bucket from Frost and continuing about her task. Frost quickly emptied the Chiisuiton's remaining water content on the street herself, and headed back to the others.

"Okay, gotten, and this is definitely the genuine article. Funny, I wonder why they would leave a valuable artifact like this lying about?"

Kasumi hung her head and explained. "They must have lost it during our fight earlier. This is right where I fought them."

Frost and Ryouko both scowled at Kasumi, but Frost quickly ended the blame giving. "No time for that. This thing has an inbuilt homing magic..." she said as she set the bucket on the ground then placed the ladle on the rigid handle. However, after being released the ladle simple fell to the ground. "Okay, it's not near by then. Here, hold this, and make sure you have a good grip."

"Okay," Kasumi said, taking the proffered Chiisuiton and doing as instructed. Frost then closed her eyes, and held her hands over the bucket and began a barely audible chant. As the seconds passed, Kasumi began to feel a slight pull on the bucket, then a stronger one, until finally the bucket literally was lunging sideways from her hand instead of toward the ground as it naturally should.

Frost completed her chant, opened her eyes, and nodded. "Good, I knew I'd fixed that spell. It didn't knock anyone out this time." Frost receive two questioning looks from her companions, and subsequently went defensive. "Never you mind! I just put an enchantment on the bucket. It's temporary, but it changes its magical field into something akin to a magnetic field. If you know your basic magnetism, opposites attract, so naturally, the Chiisuiton is now attracted to the Kaisuifu."

"Does that mean the Kaisuifu will come to us?"

"No, unfortunately. The spell is only on the Chiisuiton, so it won't affect the Kaisuifu. However, at least we know which way to go." Frost said, then gave the Chiisuiton a slight pull of her own to test the attraction. "It seems we're in luck. The Kaisuifu must not be too far to give that kind of attraction. I'd say a day or two away tops."

"Then we had better get going," Kasumi said, and began to walk off with Ryouko, but Frost pulled them to a stop.

"Wait, one last thing, just in case the Musk are after the Kaisuifu," Frost said, and raised her hand to the sky. As she swirled it through the air, she said, "Forest of thorns shall be its tomb, form through the skies of a fog of doom. Now go with a curse and serve me well, round the Kaisuifu cast my spell." In response to Frost's words, a dark cloud formed above them, swirled briefly then quickly moved off, directly in line with the way the bucket was pointing.

"What will that do?" Kasumi asked.

"Cause an impenetrable forest of thorny bushes to grow around the Kaisuifu for about a hundred meter radius. That should slow anybody up for several hours. However, since I cast it, we can get past it with no problems."

"What happens if someone is living near it?"

Frost blinked for a moment then nervously scratched the back of her head. "Well, it will only be a problem for a few days." In response, Kasumi hung and shook her head.

XXXXX

So it was that both groups rushed on their way, each pushed on by their own concerns. There was little thought of rest for either of them. They used spare moments aboard various trains and other transport to sustain themselves, both hoping to waste as little time as possible in reaching their goal.

Much of the travel for both was spent in relative silence. Herb could never get a good conversation out of her two companions at the best of times and she was little in the mood to suffer their stupidity while in a race for her cure. By contrast, Kasumi was not adverse to a little discourse, but given that Ukyo wasn't able, and Frost was unwilling, they too had fallen into quiet throughout most the trip.

However, as Kasumi's group finally neared their goal, Frost broke the quiet and decided it was time to get some information. "So, are you going to be nice enough to tell us what happened or what?" Frost asked to break an over hour-long silence. Kasumi looked at her questioningly, so Frost elaborated. "Between you and the Musk. What happened?"

Kasumi once more looked at Frost and Ryouko, considering the request. It was pertinent information, so despite having to recall something less than stellar in her past to the two she got along with the least, Kasumi sighed and began. "Well, it was only a few days after I left your village. Uncle Saotome and I were going from place to place looking for transport. I wanted to get home by that time, but we had little money so we had to mostly walk, and pick up supplies wherever we could. It was in an unremarkable village that we stopped for some such supplies..."

XXXXX

Kasumi-kun and Genma-panda, heavily laden with backpacks, came to a halt outside a small village inn. Those few villagers who were outside gave them curious looks, but went about their business. "Perhaps we can find some hot water here." Genma's stomach growled, as did Kasumi's. "Perhaps some food too. Last time we ate was at the Amazon village. Do you have any money?"

Genma growled out an unintelligible response while holding up a sign. 'Sorry, I'm broke.'

"Wonderful," Kasumi replied with a glare at his guardian. "I suppose I'll have to see if I can get some odd job around here."

Genma shrugged apologetically, leaving Kasumi to head off and begin questioning the locals. Genma meanwhile eyed the inn's entrance.

XXXXX

"I didn't fair so well in trying to find a job, especially since most the villagers didn't understand Japanese. So, I headed back to see if Uncle Saotome had found anything..."

XXXXX

Kasumi-kun walked back in front of the inn and looked around in confusion for Genma. "Where is he?" He asked no one in particular then a shout from inside the inn caught her attention. "Oh no! He didn't!" Kasumi exclaimed, but knew in his heart he had.

Kasumi rushed into the inn to find a large boy, dressed in Tiger skinned armor, holding Genma-panda by the arm. In his Genma's paw was a piece of half eaten bread, which if Kasumi guessed right, showed the marks of panda teeth. Another boy was by the first's side, this one dressed in a wolf skinned cap, and together they were looking at Genma in anger, making what sounded like accusations in Chinese. Much of the rest of the inn's patrons had either taken their leave of the establishment or were in the process of doing so. Kasumi shook his head, and approached the two boys.

"Excuse me, can I help you?" Kasumi asked the two boys, and the wolf clothed one turned to Kasumi.

"This your Panda?"

"Ah... yes, it is."

"It stole our lunch!" The other boy said, giving Genma an irate glare.

"Wait, wait, hold on a moment. I'm truly sorry. I'll be sure not to let it happen again."

From behind Kasumi, a voice spoke out. "Your pet has taken our property, and we will be compensated." Kasumi turned in curiosity to see a third figure, concealed mostly in a dark cloak, sitting at the table. "So, you will pay them for their lost food."

"I... have no money to pay."

"Very well then, we will simply take the panda."

Kasumi looked back at Genma who had a pleading look on his face. Kasumi sighed and turned back to the cloaked figure, a sense of Deja vu coming over him. "Is there no other way we could solve this?"

The cloaked figure let off a single laugh, but then fell silent. After nearly a minute, the figure spoke. "I tell you what. I could do with a little amusement," the figure said in a slightly bitter way. "If you can defeat my two men, you can have your panda."

Kasumi looked back at the two boys, sizing them up. The one dressed in tiger skinned armor was a giant. He was practically all muscle, and if Kasumi were to hazard a guess he would say that he had at least twice his own strength. The other with wolf skin cap was less remarkable in appearance, but Kasumi sensed he was equally dangerous in his own way. In Kasumi's opinion, he might be able to take one, but both... However, he had no choice. "Very well."

Again the figure laughed then turned to the two boys. "Mint, Lime, be sure to give this man a good beating."

Both boys smiled and rubbed their hands together in anticipation. "Hold on a moment. Can I do something first?" Kasumi asked, directing the question at the figure.

The figure remained silent for several seconds then nodded. "Very well, prepare yourself if you must. I would advise against trying to escape."

"I won't. Could I get some hot water?" Kasumi asked the innkeeper. He nodded and quickly left. Kasumi turned to examine each of the people, and noticed the cloaked figure seemed to have tensed. The innkeeper soon returned, and handed Kasumi a kettle. He proceeded to upend it over his head, and reverted to his natural female form.

The figure and the two boys were shocked. "You're... you're... you're... a girl!" The larger boy said.

"Yes, is that a problem?"

A groan was let out by the cloaked figure, while the two boys seemed stunned. Kasumi looked back at the cloaked figure for a moment, till at last she got her response. "Alright, it makes no difference. No woman can beat my men. Mint, Lime!" The figure called out, gaining back the two boys' attention. "Win this fight or I shall be very displeased, and don't get distracted."

Kasumi seemed confused at the statement, but it had a significant effect on the two boys. They both looked very fearfully at the figure at the table, then in determination at Kasumi. "Alright, let's get her!" They said together and flanked Kasumi. Kasumi took up a defensive stance, while Genma watched anxiously from the side.

A moment passed with no motion, then as one the two boys advanced, Kasumi began to blink vigorously, and put her hand to her eye. "Hold on a moment. My contact lens. I think I've lost my contact lens. Oh dear, I'm totally lost without it." Kasumi dropped to her knees and began poking around the floor, much to the two boys' confusion. "I just have to find it. Can you help me find it please? I'd be ever so grateful."

Mint and Lime blinked, then both dropped to the floor and began searching. "Oh sure, sure, sure. What does a contact lens look like anyway?"

Kasumi stood up, overlooking the two boys. "Oh, I'm sure you'll recognize one if you see it," she said then calmly struck at the exposed critical points on their necks causing both boys to crumble to the ground. "Sorry about that."

XXXXX

"What the? What kind of a technique is that?" Frost asked, causing Kasumi to look down at the ground self consciously.

"The innocent looking young girl school of martial arts cheap and dirty tricks."

"Right," Frost commented, scowling at Kasumi, then exchange a shake of her head with Ryouko.

XXXXX

A groan came from the cloaked figure once again. "I can't believe they fell for such a stupid trick."

Kasumi turned to the figure. "You agreed to let the panda go if I won."

"Yes, I did, and it may go. However, you may not."

"What, but..." Kasumi began to say, but trailed off as the figure rose, and pushed back its hood to reveal what looked like a white and pink haired boy. His eyes also stood out, being unusually slanted, but more importantly glowing red.

"No one insults the Musk like this. Now you will face me."

"Please, I don't really want a fight," Kasumi pleaded, backing away, sensing a great energy from this boy.

"No choice, you have one." And, as he said this, a bright aura surrounded him. In response, all who had remained in the inn evacuated.

XXXXX

"Hold on a minute. Did you say white and pink hair and glowing eyes?" Frost asked.

"Yes, why?" Kasumi responded.

"Strong aura?"

"Yes."

"Herb."

"Herb?"

"Dragon prince of the Musk Dynasty. His two men fit the bill too. Yeah, definitely Herb. You picked a hell of a person to cross."

Kasumi blinked, in slight confusion. "I'm not so sure about that..."

XXXXX

Kasumi barely had the opportunity to dodge before Herb let off a large blast of chi at her. His power was awesome. He generated and let lose the blast within a second, and didn't seem in the least strained. Kasumi rolled away, then jumped to avoid a second blast, and finally dove behind a counter to evade a third. The counter lasted only a second against the assault, which blew it to splinters. Kasumi hid behind a support beam to gather her wits.

"Can't we talk about this?" Kasumi asked from hiding.

"You're agile, I'll give you that. Come out and I'll make your end quick."

"I'd prefer not to," Kasumi answered, and dove out of the way as Herb disintegrated the support. "Uncle, take the boys and get out of here. I have an idea." Genma nodded, and began to drag Mint and Lime out of the building.

Meanwhile, Kasumi switched to the offensive. Diving among a collection of table and chairs, Kasumi avoided another blast. "You are very slippery," Herb commented as he closed in.

"Thank you," Kasumi replied, and began tossing furniture at Herb. Herb just growled and proceeded to disintegrate the nuisances as they approached. Not one made it close. However, it gave Kasumi enough of a distraction to close the gap. To Herb's surprise, Kasumi assaulted him with a rapid succession of punches and kicks. Herb managed to dodge most the attacks, and retaliated with a set of rapid, chi charged punches of his own. One particular punch scorched away Kasumi's sleeve, close enough that it caused a surface burn to Kasumi's skin.

Instinctively Kasumi clutched at her arm to cover the wound, and fell back several paces. Herb seemed momentarily surprised, giving Kasumi an opportunity to reassess her situation, while mending the wound with a healing technique. His chi is too dangerous, Kasumi thought. Even a touch of it is like fire, and he seems to have no limit to it. Got to play this more cautiously.

Kasumi's momentary reprieve did not last. Herb reinitiated his assault, starting with a paired blast of fiery chi from his hands. The blast was somewhat sloppier than his previous attacks, allowing Kasumi ample opportunity to evade it. At long range Herb had the advantage, but even in close Kasumi could not be sure of her victory. So, looking at the damaged support, Kasumi committed herself to another possible strategy for escaping alive.

Kasumi evaded another blast of chi, and was surprised to see this one literally change direction. She was forced to evade a second time, and at last the blast slammed into one of the outer walls, destroying it, and setting debris on fire. Kasumi positioned herself in front of another of the supports, and waited. Sure enough, Herb fired without thought again, and once again Kasumi dodged. This blast cleanly destroyed the support, causing the building to begin creaking under the structural strain.

"I didn't give you enough credit. What is your name?" Herb asked.

"Kasumi Tendo," Kasumi answered, discretely making her way to another support.

"Kasumi Tendo," Herb repeated then his eyes glowed more intensely. "I give you the opportunity to surrender. Pledge yourself to me and I shall spare you."

Kasumi shook her head. "I am sorry, but I couldn't do that. I must go home. Thank you for the offer though." A blast of energy across her path stopped Kasumi cold.

"You would deny me?" Herb asked in outrage, then shifted into a smile. "You have a strong spirit. Very well then. I'll just have to show you who is the superior." Herb let off another bolt of chi, forcing Kasumi away from her intended destination. Kasumi once more tried to make for the support pillar but Herb cut her off again.

I think he's figured out my strategy, Kasumi thought then switched tactics for a moment. Rushing headlong at Herb, she caught him off guard. He attempted to blast her back but she leapt over the attack and directed an aerial kick at him. She successfully landed the blow against his chest, knocking him back. Landing, Kasumi pressed her advantage, and spun into a kick with caught Herb under the chin. Kasumi followed that up, maintaining her turn, with a backhand that sent Herb sprawling.

Herb was only momentarily stunned however. He quickly flipped back up and caught Kasumi's incoming fist in his own. His own strength gave way until he reinforced himself with chi, sending a wave of pain down Kasumi's arm. Kasumi cried out, blinded by the pain and in a desperate measure to get away, used her free hand to grab Herb's cloak. She pulled him in then kicked.

It was successful. Herb fell backward, freeing Kasumi to fall to her knees. She recovered quickly and stared briefly at the cloak she had in her hand. Then she looked up to see Herb and noticed an important detail she had missed before due to the covering. Under the cloak, Herb was wearing a white outfit, trimmed in red. On top of this was a set of golden armor covering Herb's arms and legs, but leaving the chest, which was covered only by a light silk shirt, exposed, and Kasumi quickly noticed a particularly interesting fact from that. Herb had breasts.

Herb was momentarily transfixed, looking at Kasumi. However, Kasumi only managed to regain her footing before Herb recovered and faced her once more. "You're a girl?" Kasumi asked, although she already knew the answer.

Herb did not respond. Instead she closed her eyes, seemingly fighting with her own anger. Kasumi did not waste this opportunity. She rushed Herb and prepared to strike to paralyze her opponent and end the duel. However, just as Kasumi got in range, Herb recovered, and energized a chi blast. Kasumi switched strategies, and attempted to throw Herb across the room. She managed to get close enough to grab Herb, but Herb let off her blast at that very second. Kasumi was caught fully by this one, and was sent flying backwards. The close proximity of the blast did not serve Herb well either though. She flew backwards herself.

Kasumi crashed into a pillar, by chance another of the support pillars, cracking it with the force of her impact. She was in pain, and realized her top was one fire. She quickly removed it, tossing it off to the side to be safe, but then could hear the groan as the building began to collapse under its own weight. She prepared to retreat in the confusion of the falling building, but noticed Herb across the way. She was injured, and for some reason was not moving. Instead she seemed concerned with Kasumi for some reason Kasumi could not fathom. In fact, she seemed to have entered a trance like state.

Kasumi looked at the exit, then back at Herb in consideration. Seeing Herb still was not moving, and did not appear to be going to, Kasumi rushed over to assist her. As she did, bits of roof gave way, crashing to the ground and made crossing the room treacherous. Kasumi managed to dodge most the larger debris, and ended up next to Herb just as several major support beams began to fall. Kasumi grabbed up Herb, and leapt at the nearest wall, hoping it would give way to their combined weight. Thankfully, it did, not without causing some pain though, and Herb and Kasumi rolled clear, seconds before the whole building collapsed.

Herb looked at her in confusion for a moment close up, but Kasumi allowed the fight to go no further. Using this moment of distraction, she discretely manipulated a sleeping point on Herb, sending her to dreamland.

XXXXX

"After that, Uncle Saotome and I left before any of the three could wake up," Kasumi said in conclusion.

"Hold it, you're telling me Herb, prince Herb, is actually princess Herb?" Frost asked in disbelief.

"I did examine her afterwards, and it was unmistakable. He was definitely a she."

"But that makes no sense. I know Herb is a male."

"And I know what I saw."

"Then... then, has the Musk lied and Herb really is a girl?" Frost asked herself then shook her head. "Why would they? They've had female heirs before. They just marry them off to some strong family or another and let their husbands rule until their son comes of age. It doesn't make sense. There is no reason for them to conceal Herb's true gender, unless... unless they didn't at all." Frost said then started to laugh.

"What is it?"

"I got it. That explains it. It explains also why they would have the Chiisuiton. They were at Jusenkyo." At this point Frost began to laugh hysterically, much to Ryouko's and Kasumi's confusion. "Don't you get it? The prince fell into a cursed spring, the spring of drowned girl. I wouldn't even be surprised to find out he fell victim of the Chiisuiton too. That may explain why they're here."

"Are you sure?"

"No, but I'd say the odds are good."

"Then they're not after me?"

"Didn't say that, but maybe. Or, you may be just another objective. Can't be sure of anything till we get to where we're going. However, we have a good chance of running into those three."

"Which means we'd best do this as carefully, and discreetly as possible. Those same tricks I used won't work a second time."

Frost nodded, and the three continued on in silence for another few minutes before Frost made another comment. "You should have just let him die."

"I couldn't do that," Kasumi said in shock.

"He was trying to kill you."

"Maybe so, but I'm not him," Kasumi replied. Frost just shook her head. Ryouko likewise shook her head, not believing that Kasumi was telling the whole truth anyway.

XXXXX

Mint was scouting ahead of the others, immersed in his own thoughts. It was quite the diverse set of information going through that brain of his. He was noting his position relative to the emerging stars, checking out the local fauna for anything interesting or dangerous, smelling the air now and then for anything out of place, in addition to finding a clear path to their intended destination. He was also thinking about all the lovely titties he had seen over the last day. Of course they had all been covered up, but they certainly were a strange thing. He was also wondering if he'd ever get the opportunity to examine some up close.

However, beyond thoughts of duty and pleasure, his mind was also trying to understand Herb's recent behavior. He supposed being changed into a girl would cause some changes, but he had thought those mostly physical in nature until their encounter with Kasumi. Meeting her seemed to have really done something to Herb. Herb was almost obsessed with Kasumi. He and Lime had caught Herb more than once brooding about her, and even talking in her sleep about her, a very unusual thing for Herb. Oh well, Mint thought. When Herb feels like explaining it, she'll explain it.

Mint was about to stop and head back when he came up to something peculiar. He had reached the mountain where the Kaisuifu was suppose to be at, but a good portion of it was cover in a black and brownish growth. Perplexed by this, Mint closed in to inspect it, and found the growth to in fact with large thorny vines and bushes, many standing twice his height. The unusual thing was that these bushes had no leaves of any sort on them. They seemed eerily dead.

Judging this was something important for Herb to hear about, Mint raced back to join the others.

XXXXX

"So, what have you found?" Herb asked as Mint came into range.

"Herb-sama, there is a strange mass of bush ahead. I didn't like it. They seemed unnatural somehow."

Herb's eyes immediately glowed with added intensity. "Show us." Mint lead the way, and within a short time, they all arrived at the perimeter of the thorns. Herb walked forward to touch one of the vines, and grew tense. "Magic, I feel it all over these things. Recent too by the feel of it. Someone is trying to stop us from reaching the Kaisuifu."

"Who would do that?" Lime asked.

Herb did not answer immediately, instead remaining in council with herself for several minutes. "Be on your guard. We may have competition for the Kaisuifu. No matters what, do not let the Kaisuifu be taken or come to harm, understood?" Both boys nodded in understanding. "Good. Now, both of you, cut us a path into this mess. We may have little time." Mint pulled out his sword and began to hack away while Lime simple tore thru the bush. It gave ground only slowly, and, watching from behind, Herb was worried.

Could they have tracked me here? No, damn it, not yet! I must get the Kaisuifu first.

XXXXX

Some time passed as the Musk continued their assault on the thorns. It was a stubborn obstacle, and both Mint and Lime were showing more than a few cuts and scratches from it. However, it had finally given way enough that they set about looking for the Kaisuifu itself. Unfortunately, that was proving difficult.

Herb was hanging back from her men as they make rubble out of large sections of mountainside. There was little choice. The Kaisuifu was buried in the mountain stone and these damned thorns obscured all the markers. Herb had no good idea where the Kaisuifu truly was even with the map. It was buried in the rocks somewhere. Where precisely was up to speculation. It troubled her that it was taking so long. Someone was out there, and they obviously wanted to keep Herb from the Kaisuifu. That was bad news.

However, Herb could do little about it at the moment. She sensed no one nearby, so she left Mint and Lime to their work and returned to remembering her fight with Kasumi. What a stupid disaster, she thought. Herb was supposed to be the Prince of the Musk dynasty, not some girl. Damned monkey, Herb once more thought, but knew blaming the primate was a useless gesture.

No, Herb thought, it was a good portion my own fault for being so easily distracted. Fortunately Herb had dealt with that problem. It had taken a great deal of time of just facing her own body, but at last she had overcome her preoccupation with the female anatomy. Such could not be said about Mint or Lime though.

Still Herb could not help but berate herself about the whole fight. She must have seemed such the fool, even weak before Kasumi. That was not acceptable, not by any means. Herb would remedy that, as soon as she was back to being a he. Then Herb could face Kasumi properly.

She knew much about the Tendo girl by now. She and her men had tracked her path and she had learned much during that time. That knowledge gave her the means with which to get what was hers. Soon Kasumi Tendo would be hers.

Herb smiled with that thought then suddenly switched to a frown as a great shift in the energy field came to her notice. It was not far off, no more than 20 meters north, and for a moment Herb was puzzled on how exactly such an energy had gone without her notice until that moment. Then, sensing closer she found the reason. There were three beings, all three with magical auras, one's magical aura far stronger than the others. In fact, that aura was configured to suppress detection. The other auras were familiar. She had felt one before in fact, and knew it by heart. "Kasumi."

Both the boys stopped their work to look in Herb's direction. Herb looked back at them then pointed in the direction of the three people. "Go, quickly, Kasumi is with two others. One is likely a magus, so be cautious. They may have the Kaisuifu."

"Yes Herb-sama," Mint and Lime answered simultaneously, and raced off in the appropriate direction, with Herb following close behind.

XXXXX

"Dragon Fang Fist!" Kasumi called out another time, sending a blast of energy into the surrounding rock, this time fully releasing the object caught in the rock. She quickly grabbed it out of the newly formed hole and showed it to Frost. "Is this it?"

Frost snatched the object from Kasumi's grasp eagerly, and nodded. "That's it all right. The Kaisuifu is ours."

"Good, then we can-" Kasumi was cut short as a blast of energy destroyed a large amount of the thorns, revealing the three people Kasumi had wished to avoid. "Oh dear."

Herb looked at Kasumi intensely, the glow in her eyes bright. "What is this? Hand over the Kaisuifu now. It is an artifact of the Musk, and rightfully mine."

"Go stick it! I don't recognize any member of the Musk, and certainly not a princess of the Musk" Frost snapped back, hiding the object in question behind her. Herb glowed briefly in anger and took a step forwards, but Kasumi stepped in between the two groups.

"Wait, wait, everyone please. We can work this out. Herb, we simply need the Kaisuifu for a short time then you can have it."

Herb opened her mouth to respond, but Frost cut in. "Like hell! I am not giving this over to that Musk barbarian pig!"

"Frost!" Kasumi tried to plead, but Herb countered, overriding what Kasumi was going to say.

"An Amazon magus! I should have realized your kind of inbred degenerate scum would stand in my way. Hand it over, or die!"

"Inbred... Degenerate! Come and get it if you can!" Frost said and started to ready a spell. Herb gestured for Mint and Lime to move forward, and together they advanced. Ryouko sided with Frost, leaping to her side to protect her only hope at a cure and being a human ever again. Kasumi shook her head at the drastic escalation of the confrontation, and reluctantly joined on Frost's side, even though she believed the Amazon of being overly adversarial.

The first move was made by Mint. As Lime and Herb advance in frontally, keeping everyone's attention, Mint suddenly ran off in a blur. To Ryouko's, Frost's and Kasumi's collective amazement they found him behind their ranks. Before anyone could sufficiently react, he grabbed the Kaisuifu from Frost, and held it up victoriously. That was his mistake, as Frost finally responded, turning around and yelling aloud, "Fulmenos venite!" The resulting lightning bolt caught Mint solidly in the chest, sending him and the Kaisuifu flying.

A mad scramble then started. First Frost managed to lay a hand on the artifact, but then Lime bumped into her, sending it once more into the air. Then Kasumi dived for it, but ended up butting heads with Herb. Finally, however, Ryouko leapt in, and snatched the Kaisuifu in her teeth. Herb was not thru however, and fired off a blast of chi at the wolf. Ryouko was forced to dodge and abandon the Kaisuifu, allowing Herb the opportunity to get it. Kasumi was about to make a jump at her, when Herb suddenly glowed and took off into the air.

Herb flew off, yelling behind her, "Keep them here, but remember: Kasumi is mine."

Frost tried to spin and direct a shot at the fleeing Musk Prince, but unfortunately for her, Mint knocked her shot off, and the lightning bolt blasted off the top of some of the surrounding bushes. Mint and Lime then took up position between the three girls and Herb, effectively blocking their path. Ryouko, however, was undeterred. She rushed the two boys, in particular the one who happened to be wearing wolf skins. That was reason enough for Ryouko to not like him. She had no desire to become his next pair of shorts. So, she leapt at the boy with all her strength.

For Mint's part, he had finally registered just what exact this animal that was with the others was. Realizing that in a sense he was facing a kind of relative, and not giving this animal credit for human intelligence, Mint fell victim of a bite and toss maneuver that put him out of the way. Ryouko then proceed on after Herb, evading Lime's feeble effort to make up for Mint's error.

XXXXX

Water, all I need is water, Herb thought as she scanned the area. Kasumi was right here. All she needed to do was get cured, and then Kasumi would be hers. Finally, a small mountain stream presented itself, and Herb landed. After dipping the Kaisuifu in the water, Herb held it in her hands, concentrating her chi into heating it, a sort of giddy anticipation overwhelming her. Her distraction did not serve her, however, as she failed to take notice of the wolf heading directly at her. Instead, she heated the water, and held the Kaisuifu above her head, unaware of Ryouko's approach until it was too late.

Ryouko jumped into the air, and snatched the Kaisuifu away from Herb before she had a chance to pour its contents onto herself. Herb was caught so much by surprise that it took her three full seconds to properly react. "Come back here you mutt!" She yelled after Ryouko, who was racing off at top speed. Herb was about to pursue when Mint raced up. "Well, why are you standing around for like an idiot? Get the Kaisuifu back!"

"Yes Herb-sama," Mint quickly said, and raced off after Ryouko.

Herb shook her head, mixed anger and worry on her face. "This is not the way it is supposed to go," she mumbled to herself, noticing Lime's efforts to hold the others were not much more successful than Mint's, as Kasumi and Frost were running up. "Blast it! I need to be cured now!" Herb once more energized her aura, and rose into the air to follow Mint.

XXXXX

Ryouko dodge down amongst a pile of boulders and trees then looked about cautiously. Good, looks like I lost them, she thought, then without further delay, tipped the contents of the Kaisuifu onto herself. She closed her eyes, afraid that just maybe it wouldn't work, but when she reopened them, the sight of her normal human hands before her was cause for celebration. "Alright! I'm human again!"

The joy was a bit on the overwhelming side for Ukyo. She began dancing about in a circle, yelling out in happiness. That is until her eyes caught on something that pulled her to an abrupt stop. The boy she had successfully outmaneuvered before, the one in wolf skins, was standing beside one of the boulders, staring at her with his jaw wide open, a thin stream of drool coming from it. It took Ukyo a second to realize why he was just standing there staring at her instead of attacking. She was naked.

Ukyo immediately blushed, practically her entire body changing red. "Why does this always happen to me?" Ukyo asked no one in particular, but then glared at the still paralyzed Mint. "Die you pervert!" Ukyo shouted as she decked Mint and sent him into dreamland. She continued to glare at the fallen wolf boy for several moments, before sighing and leaning over him. "Got to wear something."

Ukyo proceeded to confiscate some of Mint less needed bits of clothing to cover herself. In the end she looked like she was modeling for the caveman swimsuit edition. "God these smell. Doesn't this guy bathe?" Ukyo asked as she tied the last bit on.

Her answer came in the form of a chi blast that caught her on the arm. Ukyo tumbled through the air, but managed to control most of her fall and landed on her feet before collapsing to the ground in pain. Herb took the opportunity to grab the Kaisuifu. "So, that is why you were here after the Kaisuifu," Herb noted to Ukyo, who only glared back at her in response. Herb was about to turn and return to the stream to get some more water when a shout caught her attention. She turned to see Frost, her hands already raised in an incantation.

"By nature's hand, by crafts, by art, what once was one, now fly apart!"

Now, Herb was a fairly well taught girl, and knew a good deal of English among other languages. The whole tone of that spell did not sound good, in fact it sounded exceptionally bad. Her instinctive response to the beam of energy that shot forth at her from Frost's upraised hand was to duck and bring the Kaisuifu up to block it. The duck did not help as the beam was simply too fast. However, fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately depending on your point of view, the Kaisuifu took the brunt of the hit.

XXXXX

A great light filled the air, blinding all who were nearby, including Kasumi who along with Lime was racing after Frost. Kasumi shielded her eyes then felt a great wave of energy wash over her. It was not an attack, more like a dam had broken and this was the spilt water. The light faded as quickly as it had come, leaving the whole area strangely quiet.

"Oh no," Kasumi said to herself and proceeded on, fearing something bad had just happened. She finally came to the location of Frost and the others. Frost was sitting on the ground, exhausted. Mint was unconscious. Ukyo was recovering, but holding her injured arm. Herb was unaware of any of that. She was looking at something on the ground. "What happened?" Kasumi asked Frost just as Lime arrived.

Frost looked up at Kasumi to answer, but Herb spoke first, although not at Kasumi. "It's gone," she said, holding up a piece of the former Kaisuifu. "It's destroyed."

Kasumi looked on in confusion then realized just what Herb was holding. "The Kaisuifu was destroyed? How'd that happen?"

Herb stood up, the broken piece of artifact still in her hand, and pointed an accusing finger at Frost. "You Amazon witch! You destroyed my only chance at a cure!"

So, it is true, she really is a man, just cursed, Kasumi thought, but seeing Herb's aura growing in intensity decided there was a more pressing concern than Herb's true gender.

"You'll die for this!" Herb yelled as she recklessly charged at Frost. Frost was in no condition to defend herself, so Kasumi moved into Herb's path.

"No, stop, please. I'm sure it was an accident," Kasumi said

"Yeah, I was aiming at her," Frost added, causing Herb to grow even more angry.

"Out of the way! That witch stole my one chance to be normal again, and she's going to die for it," Herb said, trying to get around Kasumi, but she kept herself between Frost and Herb.

"Wait, Herb, please, we can work this out."

"How?" Herb asked in a fury, but did not wait for an answer, instead turning to her two men. "Mint, Lime, I want that magus' head!"

Kasumi looked over at the two boys in concern. Lime was momentarily perplexed, but then nodded, and advanced on Frost. Mint was still too far out of it to get up, but Frost did not stand a chance against Lime. Unfortunately Kasumi could not maneuver to stop Lime without allowing Herb a clear path. Even Frost realized the situation she was in, and lost a great deal of her confidence. Fortunately, before things could get messy, Ukyo jumped into the fray, facing off with Lime.

"You know Frost, that mouth of yours is going to get you killed one of these days if you keep this sort of thing up," Ukyo commented, as Lime just stared at his new opponent.

While things were at a momentary standstill, Kasumi redirected her full attention at Herb. "Herb, listen to me. We can-"

"There is nothing to talk about, Kasumi Tendo. Just get out of my way."

"No, I can't do that," Kasumi replied, and in her own mind asked, why doesn't she just attack me. Something weird is going on here.

"Fine, Lime, I gave you an order!"

Lime shook himself out of his daze, and looked over at Herb. "Yes, Herb-sama," he said then looked back at Ukyo with conviction. Wasting no more time, he advanced, throwing a punch at Ukyo's chest. Ukyo dodged this, and caught Lime firmly with a kick under his chin. To her immense displeasure, Lime did not even seem phased by the blow and in the time of Ukyo's surprise at that, he caught her with a backhanded blow to her abdomen. Ukyo was sent flying, the wind knocked out of her lungs, a great pain in her abdominal muscles, and the thought that this guy was damned tough.

Frost had not wasted her own time however. She stood up, and with renewed confidence called for her lightning magic. "Fulmenos venite!" The bolt hit true, but much like Ukyo's hit, had much less than the anticipated effect. In fact, Lime rocked back and forth for only a second before recovering. "I'm in trouble," Frost said at seeing this, and turned to run, Lime in close pursuit.

Kasumi cast a quick glance back at the departing fighters, then noticed Herb's aura switching to its flight mode. I can't let her past me or Frost doesn't stand a chance, Kasumi thought, and rushed in to grab Herb. Herb dodge the first attempt, flying and twisting out of Kasumi's reach, but with a powerful jump Kasumi managed to gain a hold of her legs and pull Herb back to Earth.

The additional weight threw Herb off balance and the two ended up in a pile together. "Herb, would you please just listen to me," Kasumi pleaded, causing the Musk Prince pause in her struggles just for a moment.

"There is nothing to talk about. I'm trapped in this form forever thanks to her. My life is as good as over. I will at least have my revenge for that," Herb said, then in a quick motion managed to release herself from Kasumi. She rolled across the ground then to her feet, but found Kasumi once more standing in her path. "Damn it, out of my way, Kasumi Tendo."

"You'll have to move me."

Herb's hands glowed as she aimed them at Kasumi, and Kasumi prepared to dodge, but instead, Herb unleashed the energy at Kasumi's feet. Kasumi looked down in some confusion, being unharmed, then back up. Why is she refusing to fight me, Kasumi asked herself again, but was forced to drop the question when Herb made an attempt to run around her.

XXXXX

Ukyo recovered slowly, having been tossed a good hundred meters of so and crashing into the side of a boulder. She was used to punishment, but this was ridiculous. That boy had hit her so hard it felt like a train instead of a fist. Well, perhaps not, especially seeing as how Ukyo had never had the displeasure of being struck by a moving train. However, if she were to hazard a guess, that probably wasn't much worse.

She stumbled as she regained her footing and looked up to see Frost running her way, Lime in close pursuit. Frost stopped at Ukyo, and quickly hid behind her. "You got to stop him."

"How in the hell do you propose I do that? He's built like a tank," Ukyo said as Lime stopped before them.

"Just keep him busy for a few minutes. That'll give me enough time to build up something."

"Joy," Ukyo commented with a frown then stepped forward to confront Lime. "Alright buddy, you caught me by surprise last time. This time you won't be so lucky."

Lime didn't bother with a response. Instead, he walked over to a nearby tree, one that had a trunk a good meter in diameter, and without much strain, removed it from the ground. Ukyo gawked at this, and had enough time to say, "why me?" before Lime swung the tree about at her, forcing her to jump over it.

Dodging another attempt to flatten her with the tree, Ukyo analyzed her situation. Okay, this guy is a wee bit out of my league strength wise, and from the way he shook off my punch he has a damned lot of endurance too. However, he's kind of slow, and none too smart. If I use my speed against him I might just stand a chance... or at least I might hurt him a little. With a sigh of resignation, Ukyo leapt over Lime next swing, and dove down on him. "Kachuu Tenshin Amaguriken!"

Ukyo let off a blur off punches, all directed squarely at Lime's face. However, even after hitting him with at least 500 blows, Lime seemed only a little dazed. Ukyo had enough time to swear at the lack of effectiveness, and dodge, before Lime brought the tree around and down at her. The trunk slammed into the ground with enough force to shake the ground like an earth quake. Ukyo stumbled once, which nearly cost her the use of her legs when Lime brought the tree around for another crushing blow.

At that point Ukyo decided that tree was a bit too threatening, and after jumping over a sweep, Ukyo landed, and directed her next barrage of punches at the trunk. The tree shattered under the force of her attacks, leaving Lime holding a stump. Ukyo took Lime's momentary confusion over this to get herself some room to maneuver and think up her next attack.

"All right sugar, what you going to do now?" Ukyo asked, and in response Lime tossed the stump, and proceeded to lift a nearby boulder that must have weighed somewhere near a ton. "Oh gees, forget I asked." Dropping any ideas about going offensive for the moment, Ukyo fell back even further. Lime lifted the boulder as high as he could then tossed it at Ukyo. Fortunately, Ukyo had made enough distance between them to avoid the attack by diving under it. However, this brought her closer to Lime.

This cost her. Lime closed the remaining distance, and after weathering another Kachuu Tenshin Amaguriken assault, he managed to grab a hold of the prone Ukyo. From this point the fight turned bad for Ukyo. Lime had caught her by the shoulder, and used this grip to throw her to the ground. Ukyo kicked Lime on the chin, but the attack did not even slow him down. A quick blow to her exposed abdomen knocked most the fight out of her. The two follow ups removed whatever was left. In fact, Ukyo was now buried almost a foot into the ground, and was in so much pain she could not even think. Fighting back was not an option anymore.

Lime was about to finish the job, using a palm strike that would likely put Ukyo permanently out of commission. However, that did not come to pass. Instead, Lime ended up striking the ground instead of Ukyo, as she had suddenly disappeared. Lime looked about in confusion, and was further confused to see Mint holding Ukyo in his arms.

"Hey, what do you think you're doing?" Mint asked in anger, causing Lime even more bewilderment.

"What am I doing? I was just obeying Herb-sama's orders. What are you doing?"

"Herb-sama didn't say you had to kill her," Mint responded.

"She was in the way," Lime argued back, more confused than ever at his companion's attitude.

"I'm not going to let you hurt her."

"What has gotten into you?" Lime asked, but Mint didn't answer. Instead, the wolf boy held Ukyo next to himself protectively. Shaking his head in total bafflement, Lime left Ukyo to Mint's care, and turned his attention to his main object, Frost.

"Well, come and get it, kitty-cat!" Frost taunted. Ukyo had bought her the time to recover and she was ready to end this. Lime took the bait. He growled and ran at her, allowing himself no room to escape the coming attack. Frost held her open palms before her. "Draw upon the breath of stars, and fill the sky with fiery scars!" As she said the words, streams of light poured into Frost's open hands from the light of the stars overhead. An instant later, the light exploded into a ball of flame which Frost then sent forward at Lime.

Lime had enough time to cover his face before the blast of fire hit him. An explosion rocked the area, sending the unfortunate Lime flying through the air unconscious. Even Frost, Mint and Ukyo did not fully escape the effect. The hot blast of wind the resulted knocked both Frost and Mint from their feet. However, damage to them was minimal, save Frost being left exhausted.

XXXXX

The explosion did not go unnoticed by Herb or Kasumi either. In fact, the shock wave caused by the blast was enough to throw them off balance as well. Unfortunately, Kasumi being closer took more of a hit than Herb, and subsequently this gave Herb the opening she had been waiting for. Herb did not waste it. She had felt the build up of magic and timed her own jump for the air at the correct moment, giving her a further advantage. By the time Kasumi recovered from being nearly knocked onto her face, Herb was already in the air, and out of her reach.

"Herb, stop!" Kasumi shouted after the departing Musk Prince, but Herb did not heed her. Herb had already gained about 20 feet of distance from Kasumi, and Kasumi knew she could not stop her in time. Looking off at the area of destruction from the fireball, she could also see Frost and Ukyo were both down. Neither would be able to stop Herb in the mere seconds it would take for her to reach them. "No, no..."

Time was short, too short to make up the distance. Kasumi desperately powered up her chi, reshaping it into the new form Cologne had been teaching her. She seriously doubted it would work. Her chi was minute in comparison to Herb's. However, if it bought her even a few seconds... "Dragon Fang Strike!"

Kasumi thrust her hand forward, in much the same gesture as the Dragon Fang Fist maneuver, but this time the energy shot forth from her hand in a narrow beam, directed at Herb. Unfortunately, as Kasumi expected, Herb was not stopped. Herb sensed the attack coming, and easily dodged it, although casting Kasumi a wary glance before proceeding on.

"Only one other chance, but..." Kasumi shook her head. She vowed never to use this technique again. It was as she told Ranma, simply too destructive. Yet, maybe Ranma had been right in telling her good use could still come of it. If she didn't use it now, Frost would surely die. Kasumi bowed her head for just a second then looked up to choose her target. Then, spreading her arms apart, one low and to her left, the other high and to the right, she began to trace a large circle in the air around her.

XXXXX

Herb had closed to her optimal firing range. There would be no chance for the Magus to dodge now. Still, despite her impending fate, Frost looked up at Herb defiantly. Herb was about to scoff and blast her into nothing when she felt something great pull at her chi. The shock was such that Herb was thrown off her flight and tumbled in the air. She managed to recover quickly, and began to search out the pull. To her shock, she noticed all the free chi in the area flowing to a single spot, Kasumi.

Even in a few short seconds, Kasumi had somehow built up more chi than Herb could possibly muster on her best day, and the power levels continued to increase. Herb was paralyzed in amazement at what she was witnessing. A great cloud of chi now surrounded Kasumi. Her eyes had become completely white with the energy flowing through her. Her hair was flowing as if caught in a powerful updraft. Even her skin seemed to be glowing.

At last Kasumi closed her hands together, bringing the cloud of chi around her into a ball then moved this ball of chi to her side. An instant later, she thrust both her hands forward, and let a beam of energy fly forth. The beam grew quickly in size to be about twice the size of a man, and traveled faster than Herb could track, or hope to dodge. However, dodging was unnecessary. The beam passed by her safely, the reverberating echo of, "HA DO KEN," moving with it, and traveled on to slam into the side of the mountain.

Everyone nearby was forced to cover their eyes save Kasumi. The explosion of chi against rock let off a light ten times brighter than Frost's earlier fireball, and generated a shockwave nearly as strong even at several hundred meters of range. Herb was subsequently knocked from the sky, and crashed to the ground where she lay stunned by the sear magnitude of what had just happened. Those still on the ground were send rolling away from the blast. Only Kasumi remained upright, seemingly unaffected by the attack's effects. Once the dust clear, Herb could see that most the mountain was gone.

XXXXX

"Impossible," is all Herb managed to get out for several minutes. Finally, Kasumi walking up in front of her brought her back to herself, and she stood up.

"I have no desire to use that against you, but I will not allow you to hurt Frost. I realize you're hurt, but there are options."

Herb blinked for a few moments, then reaffirmed why she was angry. "That women took away my only chance to be a man again! Without the Kaisuifu I can never change back."

"Maybe not. Frost is a magus. Maybe she can fix it," Kasumi suggested.

"Fix it?" Herb repeated in disbelief.

"You don't know unless you ask," Kasumi pointed out, and this seemed to jar Herb out of at least some of her anger. It was a chance after all, and besides, she did not particularly relish the idea of facing Kasumi after what she just saw.

Taking Herb's silence as a positive sign, Kasumi headed back over to the others, with Herb following. The others were just beginning to recover at that point, with Mint being the first on his feet. Lime was once more conscious, although still not strong enough to stand yet. Ukyo was in the worst shape, still unable to even sit up she was in so much pain. Kasumi moved to check on Frost, but she waved off the help.

"I don't need your help. I'm fine," Frost snapped, as she pushed herself to her feet. She then noticed Herb, and immediately fell back a step. "I'm ready for you."

"Hold it! Everyone just hold it!" Kasumi commanded, then noticing she had Herb and Frost's attention continued. "Frost, can you fix the Kaisuifu?"

"Maybe. Why?"

"Herb still needs to use it."

Frost looked at Kasumi in outrage. "Why would I want to help... him? He's from the Musk."

"Look here you witch, I'm going to-" Herb began to threaten, but cut herself short after Kasumi cast her a look.

Once Herb calmed down, Kasumi turned back to Frost. "Frost, I don't know what you have against the Musk-"

"Let's just say that the Musk and the Amazons don't get along. It's just a general principle," Herb explained, gaining a brief look from Kasumi before she turned once more to Frost.

"Are your two people in some kind of conflict with each other?" Kasumi asked.

"We have been, off and on for centuries," Frost answered.

"And now?"

Frost frown, then after a moment reluctantly shook her head. "Nothing much between our two peoples at the moment."

"Then there is no reason to withhold this on that basis." Kasumi argued, but Frost looked unimpressed.

"No reason other than I don't want to."

"Frost, please be reasonable. If you continue to act like this I can't solve this, and you be... killed."

"Why should I give up my valuable time to repair that artifact for him? I got better things to do with my time, like sleep."

Herb growled but held her position, letting Kasumi argue the point. "Then perhaps if you were to get something in return."

Frost opened her mouth to reject that, but then sharply closed it to think. After a moment, a small smile crossed her face then quickly disappeared under a veil of seriousness. "Okay, fine. I'll fix it, on one little condition. I get the restored Kaisuifu and the Chiisuiton for my own."

"What?" Herb asked in outrage. "Those are Musk artifacts. You have no right to them!"

"Take it or leave it. Besides, what do you care? You can use the Kaisuifu to be cured, so what further use would you have of it or the Chiisuiton? I thought you guys stopped mating with animals."

Herb growled again at the open insult, but then let herself consider the options. It was true; the artifacts were largely useless to her after she got her cure, so why keep them. "Alright, on a condition of my own. Their magic is not to be used against the Musk in any way. Agreed?"

Frost took a moment to consider then nodded. "Agreed, wouldn't need their magic to deal with you barbarians anyway."

"Frost! Please," Kasumi cautioned, heading off any more exchanges. After a moment of silence, Kasumi examined both Frost and Herb and found them passive, at least for the time being. "Alright then. I hope then that we can all call off the hostilities." Once more Frost and Herb nodded, although eyeing each other. "Good, then perhaps we can get going."

"First tell him to call off his thugs," Frost said, and without needing for the message to be relayed, Herb complied. "We'll need to hunt up as much of the Kaisuifu as we can. It'll make my job easier."

"Mint, Lime, get to it. Find all the pieces of the Kaisuifu and bring them. Mint, what are you waiting for?" Herb asked, noticing Mint hesitate to leave Ukyo, who was still in pain from her previous beating.

"She's hurt," Mint explained.

Kasumi walked over and proceeded to examine Ukyo. "I'll tend to her. You go." After confirming Kasumi was indeed caring for Ukyo, Mint helped Lime to his feet, and the two headed off. "It would be quicker if all of you searched," Kasumi hinted after noticing Herb and Frost had stayed behind. After giving each other another dirty look for good measure, then headed off as prompted.

"Nice trick," Ukyo said painful as she tried to prop herself up, but Kasumi kept her down.

"It is something I do not like to use. Now, sit still. I think you broke some ribs."

"Oh, I'm sure I did that," Ukyo responded with a weak laugh, then examined Kasumi closely. "Why are you doing all this?"

"Because, it is the right thing to do."

"When did you ever care about what was right?"

"I always have," Kasumi answered, and held her hands over Ukyo's chest. "I have some leftover energy. Now, this may sting a little."

"Kasumi."

"Yes?" Kasumi asked, before starting.

Ukyo paused a moment to scowl, looking across the ground and away from Kasumi. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Kasumi said with a smile of her own then concentrating sent her remaining built up chi into Ukyo to mend the wounds.

XXXXX

Herb paused in her search for the remnants of the Kaisuifu to look over at Kasumi. She then cast her eyes back to the ruins of the mountain in wonderment. Such power in the hands of a normal human was beyond belief, yet there was the clear-cut evidence it existed before her. When Herb thought back to the fight she knew that Kasumi could have gained victory easily with such a technique, yet being Kasumi was not willing to use it. Kasumi was totally unlike anyone Herb had met. Of course, she had known that since the first time they fought.

At first this woman had perplexed her. She had stood defiant against two foes that could surely defeat her, but then she had won. All of Herb's teaching taught her that was an incredible insult. Women were to be the inferior. Kasumi affronted that belief, so Herb challenged Kasumi herself.

Yet again Kasumi stood defiant. It was infuriating, yet also intriguing. Then, something very strange happened. Kasumi had made an error in judgment that should have cost her life. She had closed in allowing Herb to use her chi punch. Herb was quite impressed that she was dodging it so well, until that one punch finally managed to strike. She could have followed it up, and likely could have ended the fight right there, but something stopped her. It was compassion.

Seeing pain on Kasumi's face just seemed to bring it out spontaneously. Herb had never felt such a thing before. To be frank, up to that moment she thought herself immune to such flagrant emotionalism. It tainted the whole fight for her. She started getting sloppy, hesitating on attacks, not pressing moments of advantage. She even offered mercy. If her father saw her at that moment, Herb would probably have been killed on general principle for offering such a thing, never mind being in the form of a woman.

When at last Herb had Kasumi trapped in the grip of her chi, the feeling reemerged more powerful than before and left Herb wide open. From that moment her defeat was inevitable. She had lost her focus completely. Having her curse revealed just ensured it.

Had it simply ended, Herb may have dismissed it as a temporary lapse. However, it did not. Kasumi saved her. Kasumi risked her life to save a person who moments before had been trying to kill her. It was totally outrageous. It defied everything Herb was taught. One does not save an enemy, especially at the risk of one's own safety. Apparently Kasumi was of a different school of thought.

So, Herb had been left alive to contemplate her defeat. It took days to truly understand it. Here was a woman, so many ways her opposite, yet in many ways her likeness. Was it fate that they should meet? Herb could not say, but one thing she did know was she could not get her mind off Kasumi. Kasumi pried at Herb's every thought. Not a day would pass without Herb thinking about her. Herb did not think of her in malice though. No, in fact the feeling was of the opposite nature entirely. Herb still to this moment was not entirely sure of the exact nature of the feeling that had her in its grip, but if she were to put a name to it, only one seemed fitting, love.

Herb found a small fragment of the Kaisuifu stuck among some upturned roots and looked at it. Her one chance, or maybe not. Looking back at Kasumi, Herb knew if it was fate messing around with her, it was not done yet. Herb nodded to herself, and continued in her search. She was not finished yet, oh no. Kasumi Tendo would be hers and no one, and no thing would stand in the way of that.

End Chapter 21

Some edit notes for this chapter. This chapter was a bit error prone originally due to poor access to the Musk storyline in the manga (I'm more an anime person if you can't tell). However, I have since then acquired access to a proper source and thus went thru and corrected various goofs. One thing, though, that remains in a sort of 'goofed' way is the knowledge Cologne has of the Musk's survival. In the Manga Cologne only learned of their survival when meeting Herb. Here she is already aware of it. As has been noted much earlier, Jim Bader's story, A Very Scary Thought (aka Nabiki 1/2), is at least modestly related to this one, and I borrowed a little piece from that story in this regard. For those paying attention to AVST, a certain notorious Amazon encountered the Musk some years ago, and something similar happened here in AST, although the fine details of said Amazon and the aftermath and such will likely change for AST's story if I even end up using her for anything more than history which is still undecided.

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