I do not own anything written by Rumiko Takahashi.
In a secluded corner of a large city park beside a small grove of trees, Ku Lon patiently sat watching a chanting Pa Fum. The young healer had Xian Pu's head in her lap with her hands gently placed against the Champion's temples, the two girls surrounded by candles flickering in the light breeze, their familiar scent wafting over the elderly woman.
As she watched the up and coming healer performing the long-familiar ritual, her two fellow elders settled next to her, Lo Shun handing Ku Lon a bowl of stew. The two sat quietly for a time as Ku Lon ate her dinner. Finally, as Ku Lon laid aside the now empty bowl, Dao Paz spoke up in their native tongue. "Your great-granddaughter's attempt to circumvent the laws governing the Kiss of Marriage does not speak well of her husband." Glancing sideways at her centuries-long rival, she added, "That is what she was attempting, of course."
Ku Lon chuckled. "Now, you don't really expect me to agree with that. Let us wait to hear Xian Pu's explanation. She may well show promise as a future Elder."
Lo Shun laughed softly, keeping it down to avoid disturbing the chanting healer. "Yes, splitting hairs, torturing logic, and ass-covering are all useful to a member of the Council. So, let's see how well she does."
The three fell silent. After a time, Ku Lon murmured, "You do have to admit that great-granddaughter's original husband will have to be very impressive to outshine the Wanderer. You did study our records on them before we left?"
The other two nodded. "Yes, I did," Lo Shun said. "I must agree that they do make ideal Outsider husbands — around enough to provide fresh blood to the tribe and some training in the high quality of fighting skills they seem to always have, not around so much as to give our men ideas, and no need for a constant watch to keep them from running away."
Dao Paz quirked an eyebrow at Ku Lon, which she studiously ignored. No point in bringing up my hopes for the tribe, the circumstances aren't close to right, yet. The world has changed a great deal in the last thirty years — especially the prices! She continued to watch the healing ritual, once again considering the irony that it was her rival that knew of her hopes and was at least keeping silent.
When it became clear Ku Lon wasn't going to respond, Dao Paz added, "Of course, there's the little fact that this particular Wanderer is already the husband of Pa Fum. That leaves Xian Pu with such an ... interesting set of choices."
Ku Lon winced, but reluctantly nodded. "True. Still, much will depend on what she reports once she wakes up. Until then, we have nothing but pointless speculation. Let us wait until then to continue this discussion, if it is even needed."
Dao Paz shrugged, but fell silent.
/oOo\
It was late afternoon, when Xian Pu finally awoke to aching ribs and a dull headache.
"So, you're awake. You've had quite a time since leaving the village."
The teenager jerked upright at the sound of her great-grandmother's voice, suppressing a wince at the twinges of pain her movements caused. "Great-grandmother!" Looking over, she froze at the sight of the three Elders sitting nearby. "Ah ... I mean 'Honored Elders'," she hastily corrected, bowing from where she sat. "Yes, I have much to report."
"The young, always so hasty — eat, first," her great-grandmother's long-time rival said, handing her some travel rations. "Then you can tell us all about it."
/\
"However, even with the cover provided by the spray of water, he was too fast and I was unable to avoid his counterstrike — he had truly defeated me. I managed to hold onto consciousness long enough to give him the Kiss of Marriage, but only just," Xian Pu said. Her report concluded, she carefully kept herself from tensing up. Please, let them accept this! she prayed silently as she waited for the Elders' verdict. Her great-grandmother's she was sure of, but it would take the agreement of all three to disavow her first husband for her second.
Lo Shun gazed sternly at the young warrior from where she sat between her two fellow Elders. "So, you chose to intervene in the duel between Ryoga and your very interesting son-in-law because Ryoga's reckless attacks were endangering not just Ranma but also his wife and sister-in-law?"
"Yes, Honored Elder," Xian Pu replied. "The way one of the disks he threw altered its course probably showed that they could affect son-in-law, and while the other two were not within the arc of the first ones thrown, with Ranma invisible there was no telling in what direction he would throw them next."
The three Elders exchanged glances. "I must agree that this Ryoga is a more promising candidate than Genma," Dao Paz finally said. "Not as skilled, perhaps, but that is actually a good thing given the circumstances. And if we did try to capture and hold the Panda I would not want to have to deal with a nature spirit of an unknown type that is also a highly skilled fighter that most of our warriors cannot even see." Then, before Xian Pu had a chance to slump in relief, she added, "Still, do you swear on your honor as warrior and Champion that you did your best to overcome Ryoga?"
Without hesitation, Xian Pu replied, "Yes, Honored Elder, I so swear.
Dao Paz gazed at her for a long moment, then to the teenager's surprise began to chuckle. "Yes, definitely a possible future Elder, here," the old woman said, glancing across at her eternal rival. "Very well, I will vote in favor of disavowing the Kiss given to Genma in favor of Ryoga's — if she still wants us to after you explain the complication."
"Complication?" Xian Pu asked, looking in confusion at her great-grandmother.
Ku Lon sighed. "Yes, a complication. You see, Xian Pu, this isn't the first time that this Wanderer has crossed paths with the Amazons. Shortly after you left on your husband hunt, he wandered into the village. Pa Fum thought he was threatening a group of children and attacked."
Xian Pu blanched. "Pa Fum? But ... but she ..."
"Is hopeless in a serious fight, yes — not too bad when it comes to sparring, but simply unable to bring herself to inflict serious injury." Ku Lon shrugged. "The result is that this Ryoga already has an Amazon wife but hasn't yet consummated the relationship. Since the three Elders sitting in judgment are willing to allow you to choose Ryoga as your husband rather than Genma ..." She quickly glanced at the other two Elders, and both nodded, " ... you have three choices: stay with the Panda; duel Pa Fum for her husband; or, if she is willing, accept the position of Second Wife under her."
Xian Pu simply stared while her mind raced. Okay, staying with the Panda is flat out. But Pa Fum — fighting a duel with her would be like assaulting a child! And I wouldn't be able to hold back, either, there's no way the Elders would simply accept a bloody nose as proof she'd been beaten. But if I accept Second Wife status, any future chance of joining the Council would be gone, only if Pa Fum joined it would we be able to exercise a joint position on the Council with hers the deciding vote if we disagree. And as shy as she is ...
Face troubled, she opened her mouth to respond — and belatedly noticed Ku Lon's subtle signal. Without a break, she bowed even as she asked, "Honored Elders, may I have some time to consider this? Whichever I choose, the impact will affect my entire life."
Dao Paz glanced at a nonchalant Ku Lon, then shook her head bemusedly. "Of course you may. But not for too long, it might be taken as an attempt to delay a decision."
/\
"Great-grandmother, why did you signal that you wished to speak to me before I chose?" a confused Xian Pu asked as soon as the two were alone.
Ku Lon glanced around, then closed her eyes for a long moment. Opening them, she replied, "Because, child you were about to state your willingness to challenge Pa Fum to a duel. True?"
"I ... yes, of course, it is the only real option ... isn't it?" Xian Pu responded, her confusion deepening. Surely Great-grandmother didn't want her to stay with Genma?!
Ku Lon was silent to a time, then sighed. "Child — Xian Pu — I know it is a great sacrifice, but I would ask you to consider becoming Second Wife to Pa Fum."
Xian Pu stared at the shrunken old woman, stunned. "I ... but ... you ... but why? Am I really such a poor prospect for the Council that I should throw away all chance of joining it? Great-grandmother, I know I'm young and inexperienced, but I'll learn, get better, however I've disappointed you, just tell me —"
Ku Lon hastily lifted a hand, and Xian Pu's flow of word cut off. "No, Xian Pu, you have not disappointed me, just the opposite. You are the youngest Champion in centuries, and the way you've carried out your husband hunt has shown both your honor and your intelligence.
"No, what causes me to ask you to consider this is Pa Fum's quality." Ku Lon turned to gaze at the afternoon shadows stretching across the park. "The truth is, child, that Pa Fum has something that the Council needs, and badly — a stubborn gentleness, an instinctive urge to peace that few warriors have and that we are going to need in the years ahead as the world continues to get smaller. But can you see Pa Fum putting herself forward, seeking a seat on the Council?"
Xian Pu laughed, shaking her head. "Not a chance! There isn't a more shy, retiring woman in the village."
"Well, so long as you don't threaten children or interfere with her treatment of a patient," Ku Lon amended, "or we wouldn't be talking about this right now. But if you become her Second Wife — no one is going to think it is because of the usual reasons for such: that you are seeking to rise to power in her trail, or a lesbian seeking to shirk her duty to the tribe. And there will be many who accept — even wish for — your leadership, even as a Second Wife."
"But they will only be able to do so through Pa Fum," Xian Pu continued thoughtfully. "By our traditions, I can only do so if she is a part of it, even taking the lead." Ku Lon silently nodded, and her great-granddaughter rose smoothly to her feet, wincing only slightly at how the motion awoke her slowly fading headache. "Thank you for your advice, Honored Elder," she said quietly, bowing to the diminutive ancient. "I will consider it." And with that she turned and walked into the small grove of trees beside the camp.
/oOo\
Pa Fum glanced up as Xian Pu stepped up beside where she was sitting, watching the light fade with the gathering dusk, the last remnants of the sunset losing their luster. "How are you feeling?" she asked. "Any unusual twinges, unexpected pain?"
"No, nothing unusual, and what there is, is fading, as usual for your work," Xian Pu assured her as she dropped down to sit beside the healer, and the two watched the approaching night together in silence.
"This has always been my favorite part of the day," Pa Fum finally said in a voice almost too quiet to be heard. "When, barring some accident, all work is finished or put off for another day, and everything goes soft and muted, and it sometimes seems as if in the haziness anything is possible."
Xian Pu chuckled. She leaned back and gazed up as what stars could be seen through the light pollution began to twinkle. "For me, this is a dangerous time, when warriors are tired from the day's exertions, thinking of their bedrolls ... careless. The only time more dangerous is pre-dawn. But for all that, it is beautiful," she admitted.
The two again fell silent for a time, listening to the nighttime insects beginning their serenade. "I expected you to seek me out hours ago," Pa Fum eventually said, a questioning lilt to her voice.
"I had to collect my own gear and bring it here. Besides, I had a lot to think about," Xian Pu responded with a sigh, sitting up and instinctively feeling to make sure her chúi were still beside her.
Pa Fum glanced at the dark shape sitting beside her. "I know I'm everyone's favorite helpless child to be protected at all costs," she said, Xian Pu wincing slightly at the touch of bitterness in her voice, "but was it really that hard to tell me that you need to beat me like a drum? It's not a problem, really — once I found myself with a husband I did some deeper research into our laws, so I knew it was coming as soon I saw who you were fighting. And while Rwo An may not be my equal as a healer I'm sure he could handle any wounds you might have to inflict on me."
Xian Pu shook her head. "No, it wasn't that — if it had simply been reluctance to hurt you, the duel would already be done with and you'd be without a husband. No, it's ... Pa Fum, would you consider taking me as Second Wife?"
Pa Fum whipped around to stare at Xian Pu. "What!? Why? You never struck me as leaning that way, and as for using my increasing authority to advance your own, the idea's ludicrous! What increasing authority?"
Xian Pu laughed, shaking her head. "No, I don't lean that way. Not that an occasional girl can't be fun, but don't you think it's all foreplay without the main event?"
"Uh ..." Pa Fum instinctively turned her head, eyes dropping, to hide the blush that Xian Pu couldn't see in the darkness, anyway.
"Oh. You don't know, do you?" Xian Pu said quietly in sudden realization. "You aren't a virgin, are you? I know you're shy, but surely there've been at least a few men you've been attracted to enough to proposition?"
"I ... no, but ... there have been a few men that have taken mercy on me, and offered. They were kind, gentle, I enjoyed it, but what man in the tribe would want a weakling like me for anything but an occasional bedmate?"
Xian Pu stiffened at the self-loathing that came through Pa Fum's last statement. You really mean that, don't you? I wonder how many of those men wanted to become your husband but couldn't get the message through to you? Well, probably too late now. She reached out to lay a gentle hand on the healer's shoulder. "No, Pa Fum, you may be no kind of warrior, but you are no weakling. I don't think so, and neither does my great-grandmother — if she did, she wouldn't have suggested that I seek to become your Second Wife instead of challenging you for your husband."
Pa Fum stiffened in shock, staring again at her younger companion. "Elder Ku Lon suggested that?" she asked in amazement.
Xian Pu nodded. "She did. She says you have an ... 'an instinctive gentleness and urge to peace' is how she described it, that we are going to need badly as a voice on the Council. And with me as your Second Wife, you'll get the support you need to eventually get us that joint seat."
"I ... do you really mean it? She really said that? You aren't just being nice to the poor girl that can't muster the courage to get anything for herself?"
Xian Pu laughed softly. "No, we're not just 'being nice'. Surely you've heard comments on how ambitious I am?" Pa Fum nodded stiffly. "Well, the comments are true — I'm the youngest Champion in generations, and until now intended to eventually be the youngest Elder. I may be willing to abandon that dream, take a secondary role, for the good of the tribe, but just to 'be nice'? Not a chance."
Pa Fum looked away, staring out over the nighttime park. Finally, she murmured, "You know that as Second Wife you'll be expected to share my bed and ... and see to my needs?"
"Of course," Xian Pu responded instantly, her shrug unseen by her companion. "That's no hardship — you're hardly going to be a demanding, overbearing First Wife, and I have no problem with foreplay at all. And I suspect our husband will be 'main event' enough for both of us."
"When he's around, assuming we can hold him somehow," Pa Fum commented drily.
"What? Why wouldn't he be around?" a now confused Xian Pu asked.
"Because he's a Wanderer," Pa Fum replied. "Do you know anything about them?" Turning to see Xian Pu shake her head in the dim light of the night, the healer continued, "Neither did I, before I found myself married to one. Very well, for the good of the Joketsuzoku, if we can find and keep this man for our husband, I will accept you as Second Wife. Let's go announce our decision to the Elders, then I'll tell you about the husband hunt we've set ourselves."
Even as she agreed, Pa Fum found herself beginning to shake as just what her decision meant for her future, her voice quavering at the end. Xian Pu glanced up sharply at that, then reached over and pulled the older woman into a hug. "That can wait until morning. Let's get to sleep — just sleep," she quickly added as she felt Pa Fum stiffen. "Even if I didn't still ache, I think we should wait for more until we capture our husband."
At that, Pa Fum relaxed again. "Thank you," she whispered softly. Then her own arm went around Xian Pu's waist, and the two sat silently for a time listening to the night sounds of Tokyo before rising together to walk hand in hand toward the camp and Pa Fum's tent.