Now the fun really starts! Haha!

I do not own Ranma 1/2

Chapter 4

Ryoga looked around in complete shock, he had never encountered terrain like this before.

"Where the hell am I now!" He cried to the restless wind. Then continued to walk fast and steady as always. After trudging through miserably hot, cactus and rattlesnake infested desert for what seemed like hours, the sky suddenly turned dark. He glanced up in confusion, it was dark like night but angry black clouds greeted his eyes rather than stars. The clouds were much too close to the earth, and threatening. Wind began to wail and whip him about, to and fro.

He cast about searching for any kind of shelter and spotted a rocky outcropping half a mile or so ahead. He ran for it, pulling out his bamboo umbrella as he went. But watched in horror as rain sheeted down ahead, coming his way at unbelievable speed.

"Damn it!" He yelled holding his umbrella like a shield as he ran, there was no way however to stay dry in this deluge. And all too soon the little black piglet was scrambling to drag his backpack through the rising water for the sheltering rocks.

Thunder boomed without ceasing, and lightning struck all around over and over, electrifying the water on the ground that seemed to be moving as violently as the storm above, when the piglet finally managed to find a high and somewhat dry alcove to rest in.

Ryoga was almost glad to be a pig just then, because he wouldn't have fit in the small space as a man. He turned his gaze outward, amazed. He had seen many storms, but never one to compare to the violence and fury of this one. Then even as he watched a terrible sound that made his small pig ears ring painfully, rose up louder than the thunder, screeching and rumbling like a crashing freight train, and shaking the very earth. A huge blackness filled the whole of his vision coming closer, and louder. The wind picked up blowing the little piglet around, even inside the protection of the shelter. He unzipped the bag partly with his teeth and squished himself inside, determined not to blow away, at least not without supplies.

Then just as suddenly as the storm had started, it changed directions and blew elsewhere leaving only the rumbling and distant flashes to prove it had been.

Ryoga closed his eyes, and immediately fell asleep.

He woke to something scratching at him.

'Go away!' He groggily commanded, but it came out "Buka buka! snort."

His eyes shot open and he attacked the dog from the safety of his backpack with a vehemance that the creature obviously did not expect, for it growled then turned and trotted off.

He warily emerged from his backpack and surveyed the land. The sun was out and hot, the sky clear, and hundreds upon hundreds of cows were milling about below. It was quite a sight, and he looked around in awe for a moment until his eyes lighted on a group of men, sitting around a fire.

It was a long shot, and dangerous should they catch him, but he was desperate. He shot out from the rocks, a black blur slipping between cows. He was nearly stomped more times then he cared to count. Finally he was close enough to hear them, what were they saying? He couldn't understand at first, then he recognized a word here and there, though the accent was odd. English! He said a silent thankyou to his mother for forcing him to stick with his studies even though he couldn't find his way to school.

One man lifted a pot, and poured something black into a raised cup. A little wisp of steam curled into the air. He didn't wait, the black piglet ran and jumped sailing through the air before surprised cowboys began to shout and reach. He hit the cup squarely burning his face along the way. Then he was laying on the hard ground looking up at three dumbfounded faces.

"Did y'all just see that?"

"Mmmhmm."

"Dang we been out here too long."

"Mmmhmmm."

Ryoga sat up. "Thankyou...for the coffee." He said carefully, rubbing at his burned face.

The men burst out laughing. Then one tossed him a saddle blanket.

"How the hell did ya do that?!" One with a big mustache demanded, still laughing.

Ryoga shrugged with a small smile, not quite sure how to answer.

"Can you tell me where I am?"

"You're in Texas boy, and far out. Aint nothin for a hundred miles at least."

His face fell. "Texas! How the hell did I get to Texas?! He yelled, punching a large rock in his anger. It crumbled to a pile of rubble.

"Damn." Said one of the cowboys.

"Where you from boy?" Asked the older one.

"Umm...Japan...I get lost sometimes."

They all burst out laughing, making Ryoga go red in the face. The older one slapped him on the back.

"Stick with us son, I can git ya to Dallas in a couple weeks."

"Dallas?" Ryoga asked.

"Help us bring in the cattle, and I can take you to the airport there."

He brightened, "Really? Thanks!"

"Just don't go being a pig again, Randy there has a real weakness for bacon."

He scowled as the cowboys erupted in boisterous laughter.

Akane looked around again. Something wasn't right, she couldn't quite place what...but something. She glanced at the pond, there was a ripple moving across the surface, but everything else was silent, too silent. She looked up sensing movement above her and noticed a figure in red out of the corner of her eye.

"Hey, who are..." She trailed off as something silky landed on her head. The world went dark around her.

"Akane Tendo, you are wanted, so you shall come."

Shampoo looked up sharply.

"Restaurant close, come back tomorrow."

The figure said nothing whipping out a red silky cloth. Shampoo put her hands on her hips amused.

"I no buy, red not Shampoo color."

The other chuckled, "My cloak is perfect for everyone." She flung it at Shampoo, swiftly wrapping it around her head. The amazon kicked and lashed out before falling silent.

"You Shampoo are wanted, and so you shall come."

Ukyo looked in the mirror again, there was no hiding it anymore. She had tried to wait so she could tell him first, but the idiot still hadn't appeared. Where could he have gotten too this time? A few weeks, sure, but four months. 'That's it', she thought toying with a spatula, 'he's gonna pay when he gets back.'

Yet deep down she knew, she would be really happy to see him. She sighed putting on a big shapeless blue sweater. She frowned at the reflection, it looked ridiculous, maybe it was time to fess up.

She trotted down the stairs and outside, it was evening and the leaves were all red and yellow gently wavering on the branches, or floating silently to the ground. She knelt to pick up a vibrant yellow leaf when she sensed someone behind her. She stood slowly twiddling the leaf between her fingers and turned around. A strange woman stood there, dressed all in red, a frown on her face.

"Ukyo Kounji."

Ukyo smiled her most disarming smile, "Hello there, I don't believe we've met."

"No, we have not." the other stated, and without warning she spun like a ballerina removing a long flowing layer of red material and tossed it at Ukyo.

Ukyo's hands shot out to grab the silky blanket as it descended on her, but she could not seem to toss it aside. She felt like she was drowning, unable to get her head above the crimson waves. A deep feeling of sleepiness came over her.

"You are wanted, and so you shall come." A cold voice said as Ukyo drifted into unconciouseness.

"Do you think she's ok?" Spoke a distant voice that seemed somehow familiar.

"Shampoo find out." Said another, and suddenly there was a flash of pain on her cheek.

Ukyo sat up abruptly, "What the hell was that for you purple haired bimbo!" She reached for her spatulas, but of course did not have any.

Shampoo was smiling triumphantly, "It work yes? Stupid girl fine see."

Ukyo growled, then began to look around. It was dim, and there was a wet earthy smell. There were probably fifteen girls all together in the smallish low roofed space. There were no windows, and only a large barred doorway to enter or exit by.

Ukyo stood pushing up her sleeves to go try her luck with the single door, but a hand on her shoulder halted her.

"It's no use Ucchan, we've all tried it already."

Ukyo looked at the short haired girl and knew that she spoke truly.

"Where are we?" She finally asked in a raw voice.

"No one knows." Akane answered.

"How long have I been asleep?"

"I don't know, I only woke up about ten minutes ago."

"Weird red freak girl have sleep powder on stupid blanket." Shampoo grumbled.

"So what do we do now?" Ukyo asked.

The other two shrugged.

Just then a sound of metal clanging against stone floors reverberated through the room becoming louder and louder.

The crimson clad woman appeared beside a tall slender man dressed in an elegant black suit with a red sash. There was a group of armed guards behind them, how many was impossible to say because of the small doorway.

There was a rustling and angry murmurs in the small prison cell.

The strange man smiled and lifted his hands, "Now ladies, no complaints allowed here. Surely you are not unpleased with your accomidations?"

The murmurs turned to outright yelling, and a blonde woman ran for the barred doorway trying to grab them through iron rungs. A guard rapped her hands hard with something sharp, making her cry out in pain.

"Now then, quiet!" He demanded, "Or Luna here can put you all down again." He looked around with a sneer, "No more complaints then? Good. You are probably wondering why you are all here. The honest truth of it, is that I am a philanthropist of unequalled taste, and I always get what I want." He smiled at the outraged reactions of the caged females.

"Now now! You haven't heard the best part yet. You see, I am a cultured man, and what I enjoy most in life is to watch beautiful women fighting in glorious bloody battles." He paused dramatically as there was a collective murmur of surprise.

"Each of you have been selected for your brilliant form or strength in battle, that and your good looks. You should all be very proud to have been chosen. You will be fighting nightly for my hugely wealthy patrons, and myself until the time you are no longer useful."

"What then?" A young girl yelled.

"Then you will be properly dispatched of course." He said with an evil smile. "Fight well, and in time you will be rewarded, like Luna here. Be disobedient however and discover what real pain is. You!" He pointed suddenly at the blonde who had tried to attack him, "And you." He pointed at Shampoo, "Tonight the two of you fight, come forward."

Shampoo leaned against the wall with a smile. "Make me."

"Gladly." The man said and casually opened the door, striding between the angry fighters.

A weight fell upon all the girls so they could not move, some even fell to their knees. The closer he came the more oppressive the unseen force.

"How can one man's ki be so strong?" Akane grunted as she struggled to stand.

Ukyo balled her fists, eyes blazing with fury. "You'll pay for this." She gritted out when he was close enough to hear.

"Oh? And I suppose you will be the one to make me pay?" He laughed in her face.

"I hope so." She retorted, "but if I don't, I know someone who will!" She smiled wickedly.

"Oh, I almost forgot." He said cheerfully, turning around. "You are all in an impenetrable fortress, surrounded by hundreds of miles of untamed forests and no one will ever find you. And even if they could, none could stand up to me, or my soldiers." He easily grabbed Ukyo by the shoulder dragging her out of the room. "I changed my mind, you are fighting tonight."

Ukyo was dragged down a long corridor of rough stone, followed by the armed guards, and utterly helpless to fight back. She glanced at the blonde, the other looked back at her expression grim.

After several twists and turns they came to a luxurious high ceilinged room. The stone walls were covered in elaborate tapestries, plush seats and couches were stationed all around and upon these were richly dressed men smoking pipes and drinking wine.

There was a murmur as the two women were escorted to a raised ring. Guards were posted carefully at all four corners, and then in a ring around the room. Ukyo sighed, and saw her frustration mirrored in the other girls face.

"Our first fight of the new group gentleman!" The warden shouted to his audience who responded with polite applause. "Ladies?"

"Damn!" Ukyo cursed dropping into battle stance. The blonde mirrored her and nodded.

'If only I had my spatulas!' She thought as the blonde launched a high kick at her. She blocked it with her arm, and shoved back with all her weight, knocking the other on her behind. The blonde jumped back to her feet and began to lay on punches heavy and fast. Ukyo dodged and parried, surprised at the speed of the others attack even as the slick blood from the womans wounded hands made her extra difficult to catch. Finally Ukyo fell to her knees and swiped the girls feet out from beneath her, but the extra weight around her middle slowed her down, and the other girl had her pinned on her back before she could regain the lead.

The blonde looked questioningly at Ukyo. She nodded, she would let the girl win this time rather then risk hurting the baby.

There was dissatisfied jeering from the small audience.

"You will have to do better than that." Came the lazy voice of the foppish warden, and the two woman yelped in pain simultaneousely as they were both shocked by some kind of high voltage device on a long stick.

"Damn it! What the hell was that for?!" Ukyo yelled.

The other growled and showed the offending guard her finger.

They both grudgingly stood and prepared to fight again however. This time Ukyo began with a kick, and before the other could grab her she spun and hit the blonde from behind with an elbow knocking her to the ground. The blonde jumped quickly to all fours, and flipped back into standing before suddenly executing a perfect cartwheel and whacking Ukyo twice in the face with her feet knocking the brunette on her back.

The blonde jumped up in the air to deliver a heavy finishing blow to her prone opponent, Ukyo acted on pure instinct and rolled to her knees, arms around her stomach. There was a surprised grunt and a thud, as the other landed eyeing her curiousely. Ukyo looked up after a few seconds passed, "Please." She whispered, "Don't hit me there."

The others eyes widened for a moment, then to avoid another prod from the guards she kicked at Ukyo's head. The brunetted dodged and rolled clumsily back to her feet. She eyed a few loops holding the ropes from the ring together, and quickly gathered them up launching them at her openent. She purposely missed and hit a guard square in the face with one, smiling deviously. The blonde nodded with a smile, shaking out her bruised arms. Then the two girls moved into an all out wrestling match. "Thankyou." Ukyo managed to whisper as they attempted to put on a good show.

The patrons were murmuring in appreciation now.

The blonde nodded with a grim smile.

The two battered women allowed themselves to be directed back to the cell. They were unceremoniously tossed in, and two more were taken away. They sat on the floor panting as the scuffling of the guards feet faded into the distance. The blonde put out a hand and patted Ukyo on the back.

"I'm Chieko."

"Ukyo, and thanks again."

"Sure thing. Gotta protect that baby." She smiled kindly, "I shudder to think how you must fight normaly."

Ukyo laughed weakly.

The girls all gathered around as Chieko began to tell them exactly what had occured in the other room.

Akane sat down beside Ukyo listening intently. "So that's really it? Who ever heard of collecting fighters? Still, I suppose it could be worse."

Ukyo shook her head, wiping at some blood on her face. "They won't let you get away with anything less then beating each other to a pulp."

The blonde nodded grimly.

"Then we better find a way out of here." The short haired girl volunteered.

Ukyo shook her head. "There's only one way out of this cell and it's heavily guarded."

"It almost seems like we are in a mountain," Chieko volunteered, "The walls are too rough to have been constructed."

The women all went quiet.

"Damn it all! I'm not giving birth in a cave!" Ukyo yelled in anger without thinking.

"What?!" Shampoo and Akane yelled in unison.

Ukyo turned bright red, then sighed removing her torn shapeless sweater to reveal her growing belly.

"Aiyaa! You no call Shampoo hussy no more!" The amazon screeched laughing.

"Shut up Shampoo."

"Why didn't you tell us Ukyo?" Akane asked concerned.

"I wanted to tell him first." She grumbled, "but he went and got lost again..."

"Aiyaaa! Cross dresser make baby with pig boy!" The amazon fell to the floor laughing.

"SHUT UP SHAMPOO!" Ukyo yelled standing with fists raised.

"Really Ukyo?"

The brunette glanced at Akane, whose eyes were sparkling.

"That's so sweet! He's such a good guy, I'm so happy for you both!"

Ukyo sighed.

"Stupid tomboy right. Is good match, lost boy would crush you in battle." Shampoo nodded thoughtfully as she spoke.

"You amazons are weird." Ukyo said.

"Don't worry, I'm sure Ranma is searching for us," Akane giggled struck with a thought, "and if anyone can find us it will be Ryoga, he turns up in the craziest places."

The girls all laughed.

"He think this Tokyo and break mountain if in way!" Shampoo giggled.

"Are you kidding he'll probably erupt out of the ground yelling, 'where the hell am I now!'"

"Come on, no one's that bad!" Chieko commented.

All three girls laughed harder.

"No," Ukyo gasped, "He's worse, but I love the idiot." She clamped a hand over her mouth, wide eyed in horror.

Shampoo pointed and laughed harder.

Ukyo lifted a fist, but stopped suddenly as she felt a small kick. She smiled sheepishly lowering her hand and putting it on her belly, it was good to know all was still well.