Tales of Shampoo

by Mika the Raven

The madness continues as Shampoo makes her way to San Francisco for a new life

11. Chapter 11

h5 style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica;"span style="color: #666D70;"span style="color: #5C89D4; font-family: Verdana;"Chapter Ten: Family Values/span/span/h5
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Shampoo and Kuno raced up the stairs, nimbly dodging the hailstorm of ki projectiles that were released by the sudden onslaught of twenty Kaguro shinobi. The ki balls serrated the stairway and the walls, but not the two fighters./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Shampoo shouted, "We're running up against shinobi again!" She flipped over a black spray that blew up under her, landed on her feet and slashed a strange man wearing black and carrying a shotgun-they were apparently determined to stop them at all costs. He took the slash, and tried to gun butt her, but she rammed him in the stomach, and using her shoulder, sent him flying down the stairs. A second later, another tried to get the jump on her from behind, but she backhanded him, then slashed his face. "Tate! How you holding up?"/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Kuno swung and thrust with the pike in a blazing dance that sent shinobi flying to the four winds. "Passably well, Shampoo, my old friend. But it's obvious that they were keeping more of these lunatics in reserve." He was just ahead of her, slamming his victims into the wall left and right, taking just enough care to prevent any injury to the Chinese Amazon. A shinobi with a pair of pistols fired at him, but he moved just enough that the slugs missed him and hit a ninja trying to drop in between the two fighters. Kuno slammed the blade into the ninja's shoulder, then snapped the pike at the blade joint. He began using the pike as a bo staff, using it first to silence the screaming, bleeding victim./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"She threw a Cat Scratch Fever attack at another unlucky ninja, puncturing his chest several times before sending him flying back. "No kidding! These damn rodents are everywhere!"/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;""Yes, they are, aren't they?" Kuno slammed the pole over the head of another, and then slammed it back to nail one more. the ninja, however, deftly blocked the shot, then smacked Kuno in the chest with a tonfa strike, dropping him to the ground./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;""Kuno!" Shampoo screamed. Without thinking, she slammed her sai into the back of the ninja's spine-blade first. strong"That's it! Kitty wanna play!"/strong The was a burst of crimson ki as she went into her normal Special attack, the Feline Assault. The Chinese Amazon became a blurry berserker, racing into a fury of strikes, slashes, and kicks, like a buzzsaw out of control. Bodies began to flail about from the sheer amount of blows she was throwing. As the attack slowed down and her prey screamed and moaned in pain, she lifted Kuno off the ground. "Tate, you hurt? Talk to me, goose."/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"He groaned, then muttered, "You've got the wrong person; I'm not injured, they are. And since when did you start using movie quotes?"/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;""Touché." She flashed a grin, then looked around nonchalantly. "Well, sorry to ruin your fun, but I got carried away in taking them out."/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Before her partner could answer, she heard a voice call out, "Don't worry. I saved more just for you."/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Chasing down the voice, the duo sprinted up the stairs and turned the corner, skidding to a halt in the passageway, which appeared to be the old chow hall./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Surrounding them were approximately 300 Kaguro ninjas and shinobi. Standing in the center of them all, battle scarf at the ready, was the master shinobi, flanked by his associates Isamu and the woman with the glasses. Kaguro grinned. "Shan Fu, my beloved. it is good to see you once again."/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;""Kaguro..." Shampoo seethed through clenched teeth./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;""Ah, my love, so you do remember me, as you say my name with undisguised affection and sensual longing. Perhaps you realize that it is time for you and your compatriot there to surrender yourselves to the one who as mighty as the tallest redwood, who is as powerful as the strongest storm, who is as swift as the fastest humm-"/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"em"Yuji, shut the hell up and skip the speeches," /emKuno rebuked in Japanese, bringing the pole to a ready position. He smiled grimly and said, em"Hello, cousin. Long time no see."/em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;" align="center" /p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Maria slowly threw the last opponent down to the ground, wincing at the pain in her side. They'd have to retreat back to the boat; she and Ronnie were too battered and bruised to continue, and things were getting worse. The ninjas were throwing huge numbers at them, and it was only their skills that kept their heads above water. Unfortunately, there was a price to pay for all this: Ronnie's leg injury had just about disabled her in the last wave of psychotic fighters, and a couple of Maria's own ribs were broken after an unlucky encounter with a pair of nunchaku. They'd managed to wipe out the contingent, but were both in need of medical care and as soon as possible./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"She gasped from the pain and screeched, "Ronnie? You okay?"/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Ronnie wound down from her Firestorm kick. "B-barely. I don't think we're going to make it unless we get back to the boat." Maria noticed that Ronnie was still going on pure willpower. Her injured leg had been joined by an abraded arm, and several cuts and bruises to various parts of her body. She gingerly went to a standing position, and then her leg gave up and she fell to the ground, panting./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Maria need a break as well, so the two women sat, back to back. Gasping out her comment, she said, "How do you think we did?"/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;""I think we...we cleared a lot of opposition for Shampoo and that Tate guy."/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;""That's good," Maria said in a half-dreamy voice, her tones lilting in a sing-song fashion. "I was honestly worried for a second that we didn't do much damage."/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Ronnie turned her neck, with some pain. "Hey, what about you? Can you make it back to the boat?"/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;""Funn...ouch...funny, that's what I was just about to ask you." She slowly, painfully dragged herself to her feet and offered the kickboxer a hand up. "Ready to go?"/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Ronnie took the hand and lifted herself up, using Maria as a brace and trying very not hard to agitate the other girl's broken ribs. Taking a deep breath of air in an attempt to dispel the dizziness, she replied, "Ready as I'll ever be. At least in this condition, anyway."/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;" /p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Fifteen agonizing and amazingly unopposed minutes later, the pair arrived at the damaged landing. When they had arrived, however, they noticed three things. The first was the unfortunate fact that their boat had finally succumbed to the damage that it had received, and was now almost completely under the waves; only a small portion of the boat's prow could be seen above the dark waters./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Item number two was noticed when Ronnie threw off her broken glasses. She hurled them off in a random direction, and Maria watched them fly off towards the far northwest. That's when she noticed the speedboat, tied to a second landing that no one else had noticed when they had begun their assault. This made it clear as to why there were such huge numbers on the island: reinforcements were brought in. If they could get to the boat, they had a way off the island, and back to home./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"That's when item number three came into play. A huge, muscle-bound ninja was guarding the boat, carrying one of the biggest, sharpest, and nastiest katanas that Maria had ever seen. But that didn't matter; the boat did. And the rather sizable object had to be eliminated. Period./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Ronnie said, "I have an idea. But it's gonna require a little surprise, and a lot of pain. For us and him."/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;""Okay. What's the deal?"/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;""Well, here's the plan." She leaned over and whispered in to Maria's ear, "First thing we do is..."/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;" /p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Takuhi Magami was bored. He'd been detailed to ferry duty, to stand by and await the request of other forces as needed. So far, he'd ferried over several hundred personnel since this operation began. From what he heard, the opposition facing his Lord Yujiiro and Master Isamu were top-notch. As a survivor-one of the few-of the Ishihara debacle, he'd heard the name "Saotome" mentioned briefly. For a moment, Magami felt dread; he still carried the scar, slashed across his chest by the red-haired speed demon Saotome Ranko. He would not wish to face her again-she had been the only opponent he had ever lost to, and she defeated him handily, flawlessly, without so much as a scratch or even breaking a sweat. She was a ninja of pristine caliber, and if she was no ninja, then the Kaguro clan had best be afraid./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;""Excuse me, I'm lost. Can you tell me the way to Pier 39?"/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Magami looked down and saw the woman, over a foot shorter than him. She looked like she'd been through hell, but was calmly standing there, cute as a button. She smiled briefly at him. "Hey, if you don't know, just point me to the nearest water taxi."/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;""Huh?" was Magami's reply./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"She suddenly got cross, and even that somehow looked cute on her. "Listen. I just beat the hell out of several hundred of you ninja types. Now, I just want to get home, soak in a tub, and maybe have a beer or two." She eased up on her attitude, and said, "You look kinda bored. Care to join me? I haven't had dinner yet, and was thinking of stopping at a Denny's."/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;""Wha?" Magami was completely perplexed. emShe just beat up...?/em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"The girl shook her head sadly, sighing, "Story of my life. Why do I always seem to get all the stupid types?" She looked at him again, and said, "Attention, K-Mart shopper. I just asked you out on a date. If you're too brain-damaged to recognize that, then I'm wasting my time." With that, she turned to walk away./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Magami's slow brain finally put two and two together. emShe said she defeated some ninjas like me. That means she attacked my compatriots. Which makes her an enemy!/em Magami faced the woman's back as she walked off, his face the portrait of hatred. strongem"YOU MUST DIE!"/em/strong he roared in Japanese, bringing his ham-sized fist to bear on the smaller, unprepared woman./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"That's what he thought, anyway. Ronnie leaned back, caught his arm as it now rocketed just over her shoulder, and using his momentum, she threw herself forward and flung him away, shouting, "All yours!"/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"The next thing Magami saw as he flew uncontrollably, was a woman in military gear, standing casually, as if waiting for his arrival. Just before careening into the woman, she announced an attack of "Sunflare Upper!" and hit him with what seemed to be a fist infused with the power of a neutron star./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Magami's world went black./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Ronnie stood back up, and walked over to the boat, beginning to undo the lines. She was joined a second later by Maria, who hopped in the driver's seat, and began checking everything on the craft. Ronnie hopped in the boat as Maria thrummed the engine to life, and the pair softly moved away from the landing slip. Once they got reasonably distant, Maria maneuvered the boat into the moon-oriented shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge, cut the engines, and sat, while Ronnie threw the small anchor over and looked for the first aid kit./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;""Neat trick," Maria said, breaking the small period of silence. "How'd you know he was going to react like that?"/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;""I didn't," Ronnie admitted. She walked up to Maria, carrying several first aid kits. "I had planned to try to use my feminine charms on him, but he was as hormonally dead as a doornail." She popped open one of the kits, and pulled out the gauze. "Now stand up and take off your shirt; I've got to bind your ribs before we get anywhere. The night's not over yet." She looked at her watch; the digital face read 11:45. "Yeah, it'll definitely be an all-niter."/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;" align="center" /p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"em"Well, cousin Tatewaki. It has been a long time. I wasn't aware that you were a suitor for the heart of my beloved Shan Fu,"/em Kaguro commented, bowing gracefully. em"I would give up now, but I'm afraid honor compels me to challenge you for her heart."/em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"em"You are such the fool, Yuji,"/em Kuno replied. em "I am happily married to another woman; Shampoo and I are simply old friends. We are here to correct your grievous error."/em He brandished the staff like a holy talisman. em"One that you will pay dearly for. You killed a woman tonight, possibly two others."/em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"em"We have two prisoners, a man and a woman,"/em Kaguro waved two fingers to his lieutenants, motioning them away. em"The one who died was killed by Chiang. She was a Saotome, and that family has now paid the price for their past transgressions against the family Kaguro, as well as the clan Kuno,"/em he said, remaining unruffled./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"em"Where Chiang?"/em Shampoo thundered./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"em"My love, I ca-" /em His voice was cut off in an instant as without warning and in the proverbial blink of an eye, Shampoo raced up to him, and grabbed him by the front of his shirt. She stared into his eyes, twin furnaces of feline fury./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"When she spoke, it was the words of a panther on the hunt. em "You tell Shampoo where is demon. It pay." /em Her voice was as emotionless and cold as a tombstone. em"Today you hurt and kill people who dear to Shampoo. Kill you now, except Shampoo have to stop demon before destroys world." /em She spoke again with the voice of the predator. em "Tell now, or prepare to face ancestors up close and in person."/em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"He saw the blind fury in her eyes, and directed her with his own. em "Next floor, the infirmary."/em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"em"Thank you, Kaguro." /em She raked one of her sais across his cheek, deep enough to let the blood flow freely, then thrust a well-placed knee to his crotch. As he crumpled to the deck, whimpering in pain, Shampoo sped off towards the stairs. She paused long enough to shout,em "Tate to take care of hillbilly cousin for. Shampoo have score to settle."/em She smiled sweetly as she said, em"Make sure suffer for every injury done own." /em She resumed her sprint up the steps./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"em"Sure thing,"/em Kuno called back. em"Give 'im hell, Shampoo!" /em As she disappeared from sight, he muttered to himself, em"That may have not been the best choice of words..."/em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"em"No one...stop her,"/em Kaguro wheezed. em "She must do this alone, to prove her bravery to me as I-"/em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Kuno picked up his cousin, facing him with a look of mock-dismay. em"If I were you, Yuji, I'd worry about yourself. Because if I don't kill you for your transgressions, you'd best have that/em seppuku emequipment handy." /em He threw him back./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Kaguro at this point recovered, and landed easily, looking at Kuno with disgust. They had never gotten along, but there was no reason to kill Tatewaki. That he could justify. At this moment, anyway. em "Dear cousin,"/em he spat sarcastically,em "what have I done to incur your wrath?"/em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"em"The woman that you helped murder. Ranko Saotome-"/em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"em"Yes, I believe that was the little minx's name,"/em Kaguro said with an air of disinterest. em "What possible interest did she have to you? A personal vendetta that I didn't let you finish?"/em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Kuno leapt in for the attack, screaming, strongem"YOU BASTARD! YOU KILLED ONE OF OUR OWN!"/em/strong Kuno slammed the pike home with such force that it shattered on impact.../p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"...against the floor; Kaguro had moved aside, easily avoiding the strike. Kuno moved again to smite his opponent, but the remainder of the stave was snapped out of his hands by a quick whip motion of Kaguro's scarf./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"em"You are completely without honor. You have allowed the Saotomes to ally with us-after they dishonored us in the Ishihara conflict! It is therefore my duty to remove the stain of your existence from the family." /em Kaguro went into a ready position./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"em"The Saotomes were part of us years before your error in spiriting Saotome Nodoka away,"/em he snarled. em "I never had definitive proof that it was the ninjas of our clan that did it. Now I do, and you will suffer for it." /em He whipped out his sword, and the pair bowed to each other in the traditional Japanese manner./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"They began to circle each other, readied for conflict. From somewhere beyond, the ghosts of Shogun Kuno Yoshiaki and Master Shinobi Kuno Kaguro screamed at each other from the essences of their descendants./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;" /p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"The pair circled each other, sensing the other's moves, probing for weaknesses, observing the other's strengths. Save for the fact that Shampoo had given Kaguro a once-over (not a very injurious one either, since she was pressed for time), both men were ready for a fight to the finish./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"They continued this for a minute or two then stopped, long enough to look at each other in the eyes, expressions of hatred and disgust in their faces. The whole room tensed with the two relatives, every eye in the room focused on the pair in the center of the dimly lit, aged, empty room. Not a soul breathed, not a mouth uttered a sound. There was a silence like the deepest corners of space./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"That silence ended as the two charged towards each other, determined to end the conflict as quick as possible. Kuno made the initial attack, going into the Lightning Sword assault. However, Kaguro swiftly danced around it, easily maneuvering between each thrust of the blade./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"To counter, he dived on the floor, rolled free of the area, then commenced his Pulse Disruption attack, sending great gouts of flame towards Kuno. Kuno leapt to the side, however, and threw his wide slash. The stream of ki punched Kaguro to the floor, but he got up and countered with his Ribbon Knives. The DNA-like strands of energy nailed Kuno squarely in the chest, throwing him back several feet./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"The pair leapt at each other again. This time, Kuno did his Rising Slash attack in mid-air, while Kaguro whipped his scarf. The two attacks canceled out each other, the force of the cancellation flinging both fighters back against the walls like towels in a dryer./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;" /p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Kuno got up, ignored the small solar system doing the Macarena in his vision, wiped a rivulet of blood from his mouth. emWell, so it seems that Yuji strongcan/strong fight after all. I guess I'll have to put some extra effort into it. I can't go back home to Nabiki in a box. She's been through too much already, and I'm too young to make my beloved wife a widow at 27./em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"He couldn't afford to lose. His "playing" with Ranma years ago never had this intensity, and his ordeal at the Crystal Temple taught him that he had to win. Lest the consequences would be suffered by his loved ones, not him; all the pomp and pageantry and puffery of his younger days wouldn't matter in the grave./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Shaking off the momentary disorientation, Kuno dashed towards his cousin, sword down low, ready for another special attack. em"Yuji! Prepare for your undoing!"/em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;" /p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Kaguro used the wall as a brace to stand up. He ignored the nosebleed and rested momentarily against the semi-sanctuary of the wall. emSo Tatewaki has some skill with a kendo sword. I suppose I will have to be careful from this point on. If I am not, I may never get the opportunity to take the heart of my beloved Shan Fu. And that would be a sad tale worthy of the Books of Manyoshu. So fight I must, for the sake of my love, proud yet shy beauty that she is./em Kaguro leapt up and raced to meet his enemy-a blood relative that had defiled the very core of all that embodies the majesty of the names of Kuno and Kaguro. emWhat an ass. Next thing, he'll say that the world is flat./em Kaguro continued his onslaught in silence./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;" /p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"The pair clashed again in the center of the hall, Kuno putting his strength behind a power strike while Kaguro threw a Blast Upper. The flames scored Kuno's shirt, but his strike rang true, slashing his cousin across the chest. The recoil from Kaguro's assault spun Kuno around tripped him, while his attack launched the shinobi back several feet again. Both, however, leapt to their feet and charged once more. This time, however, Kuno did a flying kick and nailed Kaguro in the head, landed, rolled around, and did the three-hit-one-fist combo. Kaguro snapped to rapidly enough that he caught Kuno off guard, landing several rapid chops to his chest and a palm punch to his jaw. Kuno fell back, but managed to roll back, coming back to defensive position./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Kaguro did the same. The two stared at each other for the longest time, and the audience of Kaguro ninjas wondered: were they charging up their ki for Special attacks, or resting for another fierce round at each other?/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Kaguro didn't understand why he was about to do what he was about to do, but he did it anyway. He tried at the last to end this struggle with minimal dishonor and bloodshed. em"Tatewaki, give up and die honorably. Is it not enough that you have defiled family honor by consorting with an enemy of the family? I promise I will be there for your/em seppuku."/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Kuno laughed, the sound of contempt clear in his voice. em"You're a fool, Yuji, a damn fool. I married my wife Nabiki because we taught each other to see past such veils as vanity and treachery, something that Ranko-"/em he winced as he said her name; fighting off the wave of anguish, holding onto his rage em"-taught both of us./em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"em"I thought Saotome Ranma a venomous dog when I was younger. Now that I know him and now that he's my brother-in-law, I realize that I cannot have had a better friend or relative than he. He is certainly more honorable, loyal, and trustworthy than my other relation by marriage, Sanzenin Mikado; more honorable than my victimized sister or my idiotic father./em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"em"If you think that honor can be defined by a name or a history, think again. This is not the era of the Warring States. This is not the Feudal period, nor the Meiji Restoration. The shogunate is dead, and for the most part the families of the Kuno clan, in clinging to warped versions of the old ways, have killed our own honor. Our clan taught me all that was noble except the one lesson that was most important-nobility. The Tendos and Saotomes taught me that instead, and that is why I'm more than proud to be a member of their family./em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"em"Each person has to find their own personal honor, not rely on the ghosts of the dead. You never understood that, Yuji. Ultimately, that will be your downfall."/em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;" /p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"The pair stared at each other between the meters that separated them, and from the gulf that was even longer than that-the ideals that each man had. Kaguro believed that Kuno betrayed everything that had once been sacred to the swordsmaster, while Kuno believed that he had truly grown up and become a respectable human being. Who was right, who was wrong, no one knew or was to say. What they did know was that their relationship could never again be mended, and this would end with only one man walking away intact, possibly alive./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"The pair relaxed, bowed once more, then charged at each other, raging against their personal machines that made what the other called his soul./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;" align="center" /p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;""Man, I stronghate/strong this waiting!" Tyler was pacing around on the carpet, waiting for some kind of answer. Any kind of answer. "Gil, I have no idea how you can be so calm. Those bastards killed Ran-chan, for chrissake!"/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Gil, seated on the sofa, said, "I'm not, Tyler. By no means am I happy about the current situation. But we have no proof that she was killed. We know that some psychotic individual with some kind of vendetta against Mousse captured the three, and that Ranko's supposedly been killed for her actions in trying to rescue Mousse and Libby. It's just that there's no solid proof."/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"The two continued to wait at the girls' place, trying to remain patient and brace for the worst simultaneously. The police officer, assured his charge would be safe-safer than he was, at any rate-returned to the station to file a report. The SFPD would at this point just be bystanders for Shampoo's little war on the ninjas who had offended her./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;""You liked her too, huh," Tyler commented, the grip of melancholy in his voice./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Gil sighed, then smiled slightly and said, "Yeah. She was a real sweetheart. Excellent fighter, too, from what you told me."/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Unaware of his friend's attempt to cheer him up, Tyler brightened on the subject. "Man, is she ever! I've never seen a master of her art the way she is. My old sensei, Mr. Yamamoto, was probably the best that I'd ever seen previously. But there's no way he could ever hold a candle to the skill that Ranko has! An' to boot, she says her brother's even better, probably the best in the world at his Art. I believe her. Just from the things that I've learned from her, I-"/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Gil was grinning. "Feeling better, now?"/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Tyler smiled back. "Yeah. Thanks." He sat down next to Gil and asked, "So what do you think happened to them? I mean, Shamps, Maria, Ronnie, and that Kuno guy? Haven't heard from any of them, and you think they'd let us know about the situation."/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;""They may be in the battle of their lives. You heard what Shampoo said, you heard why she practically forbade us to go, and you know how fiercely protective she is of Mousse, Libby, and Ran-chan. Plus, I know for a fact that Tate feels the same way about Ranko that Shampoo does. All three of them are old friends, after all." Gil stood up, and patted Tyler on the shoulder. "Look, I'm going to use the bathroom. I'll be right back. Don't worry about it. It'll turn out all right in the end. You'll see."/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;" /p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"As Gil walked towards the facilities, Tyler felt a sense in the back of his head that things were going to get just a bit worse. This was compounded by the fact that the phone rang, startling him. He reached over and picked it up. "Hello?"/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"The tinny voice on the other end spoke Japanese. em"Koban wa. Shampoo onegashimasu?"/em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;""I'm sorry, but I don't speak Japanese. Also, we, uh, have a bad connection. And, um, I-"/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"em"Sorry. Is this better? I can't do anything about the line, 'cause I'm calling from a plane." /em The woman on the other end switched to a pleasant (if accented) English. em "Is Shampoo there? I'm her friend, Akane. I sincerely hate to be rude, but this is an emergency."/em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;""I'm afraid she's out for the moment." Tyler's voice trembled slightly as her said this, unsure of how to say in his best words that Shampoo had declared war on ninjas and a supernatural being./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"em"Hai."/em A moment of silence, then: em"Um, is Ranko there? I need to speak to her as well, even more so than Shampoo."/em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Tyler's voice got even shakier. "N-no, I'm af-fraid that...she, um...is, er...out as well." emThough I hope not permanently,/em he mentally added./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"em"Hai, so desu. Do you have any idea where I may be able to find them? This is extremely urgent, and it's important that I talk to them."/em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;""Uh, I'm not sure where they are at the moment. Maybe they went out to a dance club, or a bar, or something. That's about the only place that I can think of where I couldn't reach them."/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"em"Arigato. You've been very helpful with your assistance." /em Tyler got the distinct impression that the woman on the phone was trying to keep her tone and temper neutral-and not succeeding too well. em"I won't trouble you any further. Have a pleasant evening." /em The call ended, just as oddly as it started./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;" /p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Gil came out as Tyler replaced the phone in the power jack. "Hey, who was that on the phone?"/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;""Some Japanese woman named Akane. An old friend of Shampoo and Ran-chan's, from what it sounded like. She didn't sound too happy. Was also calling from a jet. Why?"/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Gil's mouth tightened. "Tyler, buddy, the shit is about to hit the fan. If you remember, Akane is Ran-chan's sister-in-law. If she's in a jet, chances are she's on her way here, along with our dear redhead's brother. Who, as you heard Shampoo say, always has a way of knowing when his sister is in trouble...and is strongvery/strong overprotective."/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;""Kinda like someone else I know?" Tyler deadpanned, grasping for humor...and failing pretty badly./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;""Possibly. But Shampoo and Ran-chan are best friends," Gil returned, with an equally feeble attempt to lighten the mood./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;""I guess this means that things aren't necessarily about to get better, are they?"/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;""Unfortunately, no. I have been wrong before; this is probably one of those times."/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;" align="center" /p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Akane sighed as she hung up the phone for the hundredth-or-so time; her life was just out past the realm of everyday standards, as went the norm since she met a certain redhead girl and panda on that rainy day ten years ago. A small joke sparked in the back of her mind, complemented by the barest hint of a smile: emMaybe I should've accepted Tate's affections. My life might've been a little more sane./em Also as usual, she brushed the thought off; that redhead turned out to be half of the one person in the world she loved more than anything./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"That person was currently asleep in his chair, fitfully, but at least no longer a problem, and now everybody within the vicinity of seats 23A and 23B could breathe just a bit easier. Akane herself did so as well; the sleeping pills that the stewardess had slipped in the second cup of water did their job. The flight, though fast, still had another two hours to go before they touched down in California, and she was still getting nowhere, fast./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"She did at least manage to get a hold of Nabiki (who, by some wild chance, was still at the office-wasn't it nearly midnight in the States?), and asked just what the hell was going on? Nabiki in turn, initially avoided her younger sister's attempts, but when push came to shove, she then explained her role in these odd turn of events:/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"em"Kuno-baby took a company Lear jet to San Francisco as soon as he could. I thought it was simply to review the new contracts with Libby and to deliver the info to Shampoo. I had no idea just what the hell he was up to."/em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;""What was in the documents, Nabiki?"/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"em"I don't know, sis. He pulled a couple of favors from a sparring partner of his who works at the State Department." /em She sounded completely at a loss. em"He didn't even make copies or anything for our, um, 'use'. That's not like him."/em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Nabiki had also explained Shampoo's basis for the call, and her concerns about Ranko's safety. Along with that, she also mentioned the fact that the Chinese Amazon wanted none of the family involved, furthermore added that it had sounded like Shampoo had set up a firewall in the inevitable event that Ranma found out. em"Why? What's going on? Where are you calling from? It sounds like an airport, not like a beach in the tropics."/em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Akane explained the current situation to her older sister./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"em"I'll be in Frisco within in the hour. Just look for me at the airport. What flight you on?" /emAkane gave her the flight number and arrival time. em"Sis, I pray that just for once, Ranma's wrong. Sweet God above, let him be wrong." /emFinally, as they hung up, you could hear the voice of sultry tones of Nabiki Kuno thunder, em"Tina! Call the company hangar and have them prep the other Lear! strongNOW!"/strong/em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;" /p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"That was twenty minutes ago, about the same time that Ranma did the sleeping-not-so-beauty routine. Since then, she tried to call everybody else in Japan, but to no avail. Nabiki did give Akane Shampoo's number, and that's when she had the weird conversation with that guy. emEither he's not telling me something, or-no. He's the firewall that Shampoo set up. As usual, she's got a trick in that magic bag of hers. Leave somebody behind to stall us while she charges in; this way, she doesn't have to stabilize an uncontrollable Ranma, and also has the advantage of local knowledge that we don't. She may even have this resolved somewhat by the time we arrive, if I know her./em Akane smiled did a briefly once more; once again, Shampoo had thought of everything./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"So, feeling she did all she could at the moment, she returned to her seat. She dropped into the somewhat comfortable upholstery of the chair and picked up the in-flight magazine, when someone tapped her on the shoulder./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"That someone turned out to be a stewardess-the same one who had given Akane the pills. "I'm sorry to disturb you, but I couldn't help but notice that you and your husband are very distraught. I also remember you saying something about a death in the family? Perhaps you need someone to talk to about it. I'm here to listen, if you'd like."/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Akane's hand went to her mouth in surprise. emDid I blurt that out to her? I must be worse off than I thought!/em "I, um-"/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"The other woman smiled as she sat down in the seat across, which had been empty. "I understand. I know how it feels. Something tells me you have before, as well. I'm also guessing that he-" she gestured at Ranma, "-hasn't. No matter how many times it happens, it never lessens the pain. But sometimes talking relieves the anguish." She flashed a bright, cheery smile./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Akane couldn't help but match smile for smile. She bowed her head slightly. "I'm Akane Saotome."/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"The other girl did the same. "Nice to meet you, Akane. I'm Jiukiu Tsesao Lao. Jiu for short."/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;" align="center" /p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"emBrilliant, Tatewaki, just absolutely brilliant. You really blew this one. Nabiki'll have your head for this. If Yuji doesn't first./em That happy little mantra was the main thing going through his mind. He did have to admit that he did have better days, those being the kind where he wasn't bleeding profusely. Or days where he didn't have a black eye, an arm with several cuts, burns on a couple parts of his body, and enough sweat and blood to make all his injuries sting. His clothing was bloodstained, ripped, or burnt in various places, and he generally didn't look too much like the grand prize winner at a fashion contest./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"emIt's crystal clear that I'm not the kid I used to be. I recovered so much faster when I fought in my younger days./em He momentarily stumbled in his attempt to get back into the battle. emI'm sooooo exhausted. It seems that I've been fighting him for the longest time, but it's not been the time so much as the intensity./em He continued to struggle to his feet. emWell,/em he decided, emat least I'm still alive, and I got my shots in on Yuji./em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"He then noticed his cousin rushing in for another strike. Kuno slowly moved his blade into the defense position. As Kuno swung in a sad attempt to counter what he thought would be a whip slash attack, Kaguro swiftly changed tactics, coming in and belting him with a hard left hook, then as the two moved away from the counter, Kaguro spun and flung Ribbon Knives at Kuno's unprotected back. The beams tore away from the battle scarf, tearing through cloth and into flesh. Kuno hit the floor with a blood-thinning yelp of pain and surprise./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;" Kaguro stood over him as if he were the mighty Colossus of old, full of pride and hubris at his victim's feet. Kaguro himself was not in much better condition that Kuno. His face was scorched by ki discharges. He had multiple slashes and shallow puncture wounds all over. His top was completely torn away, his battle scarf frayed and torn at various places. He looked like he might join Kuno on the floor, if it was not for the fact that the space was already taken./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"em"I'm terribly, terribly sorry it had to end this way, Tatewaki. True, we have never been on the best of terms, but I had always respected you for your honor and loyalty to the clan. It is sad to see that you have fallen from the noble ways, and into shame and depravity. I offered you an honorable way out, but you refused. So it is my duty as a Kaguro to remove the stain of dishonor from the clan Kuno."/em He raised his fist, and the battle scarf began its pseudo-galactic swirling motion, the shimmering aura a pale rainbow of doom. Grinning like a madman, Kaguro said his final word: em"Farewell."/em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;" /p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"As the fist came down in what seemed to be slow motion, Tatewaki Kuno saw the most recent decade or so of his life flash before his eyes:/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"His first look at the beautiful and strong Akane, followed two years later by her equal, the mysterious tree-borne kettle carrying pigtailed girl...The multiple fights with Ranma, over his enslavement of Akane and the pigtailed girl...His spurning of Mariko, the one girl at Furinkan who had actually cared for him...The many adventures and struggles that ensued, culminating in the conflict in Vietnam, and his unexpected spurning by Ranko, along with her "little lecture" to him...An awkward, nearly disastrous first date with Nabiki, followed by a not-as-bad second date, and so on...Their date at Tokyo Disneyland, where he finally admitted that he'd fallen completely, hopelessly in love with her, and her alone; then finding out that she was about to say the exact same words to him...A romantic vacation in Beppu, the one where he proposed to her...The wedding ceremony, the one where he and Ranma finally made peace with one another, followed by the most joyous and wonderful honeymoon in Honolulu...The day they announced to the family (the Tendos-he'd long since given up on his own) that they were moving to LA to take over a small corporation that his grandfather had given him as a wedding gift...the eventual evolution of that small company into Kunotech Industries, Inc., the pride and joy of two young people whose love for each other outstripped all else in this world, a true accomplishment of a pair who were the least likely to ever marry each other in the first place./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"This montage was culminated by the image of Nabiki as an angel, his angel, looking at him, eyes pleading and voice full of a love deeper and larger than the oceans: em"Come back to me. I can't live without you, my love. I need you at my side, Tatewaki-chan, to be at your side. Come home."/em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Tatewaki Kuno couldn't, for the life of him, explain what happened next. As Kaguro's Pulse Disruption punch hit the deck, discharging its energy to the floor, Kuno rolled under his legs and leapt to his feet. As Kaguro finished his move and looked for the remains of his cousin, Kuno called every last iota of strength, stamina, and life-force, willing himself to the striking position, and commanding the last vestiges of his deepest well of ki. There was the sound of a thunderclap, and Kuno began to glow with a fierce blue light. /p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;" /p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Kaguro turned in a smirk of pride: he had completely obliterated the offender that had besmirched the family pride. There waazing Kuno, eyes crackling with blue ki, looking not at all unlike one of the divine warriors of old, a true samurai. Kaguro stood there, frozen to the floor, a total enveloping fear providing a wonderful adhesive. He couldn't act, duck, or even talk; the master ninja was totally, utterly at a loss./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Kuno pulled his arm as far back as he could, then roared words that seemed to have originated from the highest tiers of the stratosphere themselves: strongem"Super Attack! Lightning Strike Lance!"/em/strong He thrust the blade forward, and a massive wave of blue lightning rolled straight towards Kaguro, an incredible tsunami of azure ki-powered plasma./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Kaguro had no time to react. The master shinobi was swept up in the wave of destruction and carried along as the blast roiled through the wall, out of the dilapidated prison, off the island, and launched him clear towards a destination unknown./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"As the form of Yujiiro Kaguro, outlined by the discharge of blue, could be seen rocketing away in the distance, Kuno stared at it, and said softly, em"Nothing will ever come between myself and my love. Never, Yuji. Remember that stain on your honor. Just be glad I used the flat of the blade."/em He bowed slightly in the direction of the blue comet, then watched with a small smile as the Kaguro ninjas bowed deeply to their Lord Kuno./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"He laughed and saluted like a swashbuckler of old Europe. em"All you assembled here. Teach your master the ways of honor. He has been blinded by pride and hubris. It is your duty as those of the Kaguro sect of the Kuno clan to instill in him the measure of honor that will bring you to the correct path."/em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"With that, he slowly walked out towards the door that he and Shampoo had entered. His job was done here; it would be up to Shampoo to do her part for the conflict. He now had to bandage himself up, then find Mousse, Libby, and Ranko's body. Once that was accomplished, he could then rendezvous with Maria and Ronnie, wait for Shampoo, and finally leave the island./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"He sighed. The easy part was over, and now the true gauntlet had begun. emFinding and dealing with Pigtail's body, that's where it gets difficult. Oh, Nabiki, my love, whatever shall I do?/em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"The Kaguro ninjas still assembled still bowed as Tate Kuno stepped back into the shadows, a comforting and cleansing darkness swallowing him up./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;" align="center" /p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"The 210 to 10 interchange, Los Angeles, California:/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"A black Porsche 959 with the license plate NAB'S 959 raced past the few cars on the freeway as though they were standing still. Which, to the car, they were. The obvious intent of the driver was that said person was going to get to the appointed destination as soon as. Unfortunately for Nabiki, that wasn't fast enough./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"She gunned the engine, racing to get to her destination, and not giving a damn whatever the hell the speed limit was. She had scant minutes to get to Hawthorne Municipal, the airport where Kunotech maintained their corporate hangar. She wasn't that far timewise from where she needed to go; the company building was in downtown LA; a gallop down the Santa Monica Freeway at this time of morning was no hassle; a quick switch afterward to the 105 would soon be in order as well. It also helped that she knew quite a few of the cops that worked this shift-connections, connections-and thus could talk her way out of the situation. They knew her well enough to know when she wasn't joking./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"emNote to self,/em she thought with a surly mental tone, as she took a quick sip from her cafe latté-courtesy of a quick stop at Starbuck's-emhave twenty-four hour helo crew standing by in case of situations like this. Tate said that it couldn't hurt, and that the building was zoned for it. My argument was that it was an unneeded waste on company funds and personnel. Well, turns out he was right. Score one for my loving husband./em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"And that error of Nabiki's was likely to cost her Ranko. Ranko, the red-headed pest. The beloved red-headed pest. Ranko, who had, strangely enough, more insight to the center of the person who was Nabiki than any other person, save Tate, Kasumi, and of course, Ranma. emAnd to think that when I first met her-the change in reality not withstanding-I didn't trust her. Now I can't strongnot/strong trust her, and she was always so kind./em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Nabiki knew Ranko had problems, problems that, ironically enough, ensured that she wasn't the dreaded Ranma-chan Nabiki once feared she would be. emBut according to Shampoo's last statement, she was beginning to heal, that the new situation was improving for her. Even the last time I talked to Libby, she said that Ran-chan was so welcome there./em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Now, if Ranma was right, Ran-chan was lost to them forever an-/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;" /p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"The shrill chirp of Nabiki's carphone broke the cacophony of the CD player and Nabiki's thoughts. She tapped the speakerphone. "Kuno."/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"em"Nabiki, this is Tina. I've got the pilot on line two. You need to get to San Francisco, now?"/em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;""Yeah. Tell him sorry for having you wake him up, but I've got an emergency, and there's no 'Red Eye' scheduled out of /em I'm headed to the hangar from the office doing multiples of the speed limit and risking being a one-woman Sigalert."/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"em"How fast?"/em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"Nabiki glanced at the speedometer. emOh, about 143 mph. /em"Trust me, it's too damn fast. Look, tell him my husband's already there, I haven't got my pilot's license yet, and I'm offering double overtime."/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"em"You said this was an emergency, right?"/em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"She decided to tell the truth. Tina was not only her personal secretary, but she also had the honor of being one of her closest friends here in La-la-land. "That call was from my sister, Akane. My sister-in-law lives in Frisco-she's Liberty Windham's roommate-and she may have been killed. I gotta get up there."/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"em"Ohmi..."/em she said, then quickly placed her on hold. A few torturous minutes raced by, then: em"Oh, Nabiki. Don't worry about the DO pay, he said, this one's on him. He said your the best boss he's ever worked for, so..."/em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;""Thanks. Tell him he's absolutely a dear."/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"em"I'll pass it one,"/em she said. em"He said he'll see you in ten."/em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;""Thanks, Tina. You're the best. I don't know what I'd do without you."/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"em"Hey, what are friends for, right?"/em Nabiki could just picture the girl shrugging her shoulders. em"Seriously though, Nabiki, take care. If you and Tate need anything..."/em/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;""Thanks again, Tina. Thank you for everything."/p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"em"No sweat. Take care, girl."/em And with that, she hung up./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"She clicked off the phone, then switched the disc player to something more sedate. Something that would ease Nabiki's worries about Ranko, Akane, Ranma, Shampoo, and the rest. Something that would soothe Nabiki's guilt over not helping Ranko with her problems.../p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"...and music soft enough to stop her tears./p
p style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: smaller; line-height: normal; font-family: Verdana;"The 959 raced on, the roar of the engine as doleful against the LA nightscape as the sorrowful darkness in Nabiki Kuno's heart./p