A Scary Thought

by Derekloffin

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

43. Chapter 43: Dance off

Ranma ½

A Scary Thought:

What happened last...

Wait a minute, yes I am alive. I managed to fight off those crazed killer space goats, although Fanfiction dot net here is getting on my nerves with their silly text filtering which forced me to go back and do a bunch of edits on the old chapters so they look half decent again. Oh well. Anyway, where were we, oh yes...

What happen last time: Shampoo and Ranma's training continued as each found themselves a new angle on the problem.

Chapter 43

XXXXX

It was morning in Nerima, and the day had finally arrived. Although that day was the day of the challenge match between the dancing brother sister pair of Rippa and Kitsui Buyou against Ranma and Shampoo, it was also the day of another important deadline, namely Seiya's departure. At her temporary residence, she was in the process of cleaning up and taking care of some final tasks, readying herself for that departure. Just one last thing to take care of, she thought, not particularly looking forward to such. Sighing, she moved over to close the curtains to her room.

"How typical," a voice suddenly said, pulling Seiya to an equally sudden stop. Where just an instant before her room had been empty, she now felt a very disturbingly familiar presence behind her. Combat instincts took over, causing her to spin quickly and take up a defensive posture. However, before her was not Galaxia, but another woman entirely. Leaning against the far wall, a woman wearing nothing but a silver mask covering her eyes stood. Seiya was briefly stunned by woman's appearance, but quickly recovered.

"Who... who are you? W...what do you want?" Seiya asked in a stuttered challenge, trying to collect her nerves at being confronted by a naked opponent.

"It hurts that no one seems to remember me," the woman replied, giving a hint of depression, but her true emotion was hidden by the mask.

Seiya finally gained control over her nervousness and looked at the women seriously. "Why would I know you?" she asked.

The woman looked back at Seiya and smiled. "Why? Because I made you who you are, Sailor Star Fighter." Seiya was once more stunned by having her secret identity referenced, unsure how to act. However, whatever action she might have contemplated became moot as in a flash she found the woman directly in front on her. Seiya tried to pull back, but before she could, the woman plunged her hand into Seiya's chest. An instant later, she withdrew her hand, and with a smile presented Seiya's own star seed to her. "Worried about this, are you?" she asked as the strength started to drain from Seiya's body. Fortunately, before Seiya could even begin to collapse, in a motion just as quick as the others, the woman restored the seed to Seiya's body and stepped back.

Seiya gasped, and backed away, leaning against a nearby table as her strength returned to her. "You... why..."

"To prove a point. I know you've had a run in with Chaos. Don't mistake my intents for hers. If I wanted you dead, I could easily have done so right then, or earlier while you slept, and there isn't a thing you could have done to stop me. Further, if you're worried about Usagi, Ami, Minako, or any of the others, don't. The same applies to them. I'm not here to harm you," she explained, although it did little to ease Seiya's caution. Ignoring the Senshi's doubts for the moment, she returned to leaning against the far wall. "As for your earlier question, my name is Eris. If you think hard, you should know who I am."

"Eris," Seiya echoed. It does sound familiar. Something... from the past, she thought for a moment, until placing it. "Impossible!"

"I assure you it is very possible," Eris replied.

"That Eris is nothing more than a legend. She'd also have to be-"

"Over 10,000 years old, quite right," Eris replied confidently. "Nonetheless, I am her, and in fact I'm closer to 30,000 years old. Yours was one of the last star systems I visited." Eris looked at Seiya for a long moment, waiting to see if there would be further argument, but there was only silence. "Now then, as to what I want, I'm here to talk with you, dear Star Fighter."

"Me?"

"Yes. You always were a fascinating one. You fall for those so far out of your reach. It was just as amusing as it was sad," Eris commented gaining an annoyed frown from Seiya in response, but nothing more. "And, do you know the really sad part? I'll tell you. Even when you are making progress, you always run away, like a little coward. Oh yes, I know what you're thinking, 'it's the noble thing to do'. 'I'd just be in the way.' 'She couldn't possibly-'"

"Enough!" Seiya suddenly cut in, startling herself but apparently only pleasing Eris.

"Touch a bit too close to home?" Eris asked with a smile that seemed to only infuriate Seiya.

"I don't have to explain myself to you. I don't even know who you are."

"Right, right, of course. But, let me give you a friendly piece of advice. Sometimes you have to fight for what you want. If you don't, you'll inevitably lose, and you'll never know happiness," Eris said, and once more, in an untraceable flash of movement, Seiya found the other woman next to her. "I know you love her. You can deny and bury those feelings all you want, but they won't go away. Take it from someone who knows, you don't want to go through the rest of eternity like that."

"What?" Seiya asked in shock. "What do you mean?"

"Find out for yourself, but I'll give you a clue. Go look into the history and find those relationships between those of our kind," Eris answered and once more she moved so quickly Seiya lost track of her. This time she did not reappear, but left one last parting comment. "Oh, and before you go, you might want to ask her about the dream she had."

"Dream?" Seiya repeated, desperately looking around to find Eris, but nothing but an empty room remained. "What the hell was that?" she could not help but exclaim after a moment.

Taking several minutes to collect herself, Seiya finally calmed and grabbed her communicator. "Computer, give me a link to the database, subject Eris." With the commands, a holographic display appeared in front of her eyes listing off numerous records. As they passed by she took note of several with pictures. They were ancient, but the basic form was undeniably the same. She could have just copied... but why? she thought in confusion. "New link, give me all data on known Senshi who are involved in personal relationships with other Senshi." Once more the records began to display, and Seiya's heart began to sink as a disturbing pattern began to emerge.

XXXXX

Across town, and concerned with an entirely different matter, Kasumi Tendo was on her way to the Tendo dojo. Besides her, Makoto was coming along to offer moral support. From Makoto's perspective, Kasumi had been tense all week. She had said little on the matter, and when she did she only mentioned how she had confidence in Ranma and Shampoo. However, it was clear to Makoto that Kasumi was not feeling much of that confidence herself. In the end, though, there was nothing to be done about it this late save hope for the best.

Part of Makoto was of the belief that Shampoo and Ranma both were being silly and making everyone worry over something very petty. However, the other part of her was sympathetic. As Sailor Jupiter, there had been more than a few times that she had felt like dead weight. It was never a pleasant feeling, and she knew well the desire to prove oneself to be more than simply a hindrance to one's allies. So, in this respect, Makoto could not really blame Ranma or Shampoo for wanting to step up and show what they could do.

Finally arriving at the dojo, the pair entered and were greeted by Nodoka. "Hello auntie," Kasumi said as she and Makoto removed their shoes. "Where are Shampoo and Ranma?"

"Doing some last minute things in the dojo," Nodoka answered and gestured to a package Kasumi was carrying. "That it?" she asked, to which Kasumi merely smiled and nodded.

Makoto looked at the package briefly herself. Kasumi had come back with it late yesterday and Makoto had not thought much about it until Kasumi had brought it along today. The bag bore the logo of Pierre's shop so Makoto could only assume it was some clothing of some kind, although apparently not for Kasumi as Makoto had originally assumed.

After the pleasantries, the pair headed into the common room to wait, there meeting with Soun and Genma, who were engaged in another of their usual games. After exchanging a quick greeting with the pair, Kasumi and Makoto sat down by the table. "How has Shampoo and Ranma's training been going?" Kasumi asked.

"Quite well, I believe," Soun answered. "Both have been busy almost nonstop for the whole week. Ranko and Herb have been helping out as well. Oh, and that ghost girl too."

"Kogane you mean?" Makoto asked, looking about for said ghost.

"Yes, that's her. Quite an... odd one," Genma said, taking a moment to clear in throat.

"She's harmless enough, if a bit on the spooky side," Soun replied.

"I've yet to meet her," Kasumi said with a thoughtful look, but any considerations on the subject were quickly put aside as they all heard the voices of the others exiting the dojo and approaching. No sooner had they realized this than one of these voices suddenly went silent and running feet could be heard. An instant later Shampoo appeared, took a second to confirm then leaped into Kasumi with hug. "Shampoo!" Kasumi managed to squeak out as she was bowled over.

The others arrived to find Shampoo laying atop Kasumi, who couldn't help at blush at being the sudden center of attention. However, embarrassment was temporarily forgotten when Shampoo caught Kasumi in her gaze. "Kasumi, why you no visit sooner?" Shampoo asked with a frown.

"Uh... well, you said you didn't want me interfering..." Kasumi replied, causing Shampoo to withdraw slightly.

"Shampoo no meant it like that," she said, but quickly smiled, apparently dismissing the issue, and hugged Kasumi tightly. "Shampoo happy you come though."

"Of course," Kasumi squeaked once more as she found it difficult to grab air in the grip. Thankfully Shampoo quickly ended the hug and pulled Kasumi back to a proper sitting position. Kasumi recovered, but then noticed once more the attention they were receiving and blushed again. "Um, I brought you and Ranma something," she said quickly to change the subject, and grabbed the package. "It's not much, but I figured it would be nice to have something appropriate for the event," she explained as she removed two boxes and presented one to Ranma, and one to Shampoo.

Shampoo opened hers excitedly, and found inside a fine red silken outfit. She marveled at it for a few seconds before quickly getting up. "Shampoo try on right now," she said, and without further prompting quickly headed out of the room.

As she did this, Ranma opened his to find a matching outfit for him. "This looks pretty expensive," he commented as he sized the top up next to him.

"Somewhat, but I can more than afford it. Your mother gave me your measurements and I had Pierre, the tailor who makes my cloths, make both outfits up. I was already going to see him to get repairs to my dogi anyway so I figured..."

"It's great," Ranma said with a smile.

"It's not spider silk like mine, but Pierre said he made them extra strong so it should last you through the match," Kasumi added.

Ranma nodded. "I'm sure it will. Guess I better go try it on too. Be right back."

As Ranma left, Ranko and the female Herb, who had both been standing off to the side silently, sat down with Kasumi. With Ranma and Shampoo temporarily out of the room, Kasumi's expression changed more serious as she looked at the two. "Are they really going to be okay?"

"Hard to say," Herb replied. "I have little measure of their opponents."

Ranko nodded her agreement to that. "But they do have a solid chance I think. They've really been pushing, especially these last few days."

"The way of the martial artist is fraught with peril," Soun said sagely. "One can never be assured of victory. Nor is one's loss ensured if one has the will to fight." Looking over at his eldest daughter, he smiled. "Don't worry Kasumi, Ranma is an excellent martial artist in his own right. He hasn't shown it much lately, but having trained him, I know. He can do this."

"And Shampoo is not about to be outdone either," Herb added.

Kasumi could only nod. Changing subjects, she looked around once more. "I'm surprised Ukyo isn't here."

"She hasn't been at the dorm much either. I think she's got something heavy on her mind," Ranko said. "She did tell me she'd be at the match though. She'll probably meet us there."

Kasumi nodded in understanding and settled in to wait. Not long past, however, before she felt something next to her that set her slightly on edge. "You must be Kogane," Kasumi said with a slightly stressed voice. In response the ghost materialized, sitting next to her.

"Yes," the ghost replied simply, giving Kasumi a dead stare.

Kasumi forced a smile onto her face, hiding her nervousness. "Well, it's nice to meet you."

XXXXX

Sometime later at the dance hall, Rippa was busy with the final preparations for the match, in particular welcoming the judges. "Miku, Neru, Haku, thanks for showing up," he said as the three young women entered.

"For showing up?" Miku, the girl in the lead with long blue hair not that dissimilar in style to Usagi's echoed. "Of course we'd show up. It's always great to see one of your dance matches."

By her side, Neru, a blond with an off center ponytail, who seemed more interested in her cell phone than anything else spoke up. "I think he means that he half expected you to skip out after Kitsui tried to seduce you last time."

Miku laughed nervously.

"Don't worry, ladies, she has other interests at the moment," Rippa assured them. "I have a table setup over here..."

After leading the threesome to their place, Rippa took a moment for a break and watched an earlier arrival with interest. That arrival was Ukyo, leaning against one of the walls, apparently lost in thought. While she had a reputation for being the kind of person that would as soon knock you out as look at you, looking at her right now gave Rippa cause to believe the rumors to be more than their usual bit exaggerated. Of course, being one to be prepared, he was already plotting out the quickest escape route should the rumors prove true, in particular in regards to her protectiveness for Ranma. Should Ranma lose today's match, things could get ugly. However, that was not about to deter Rippa from claiming his victory.

After a few more minutes, a large group arrived at the hall, and front and center of said group were the two people of interest, Ranma and Shampoo. Rippa was forced to smile at noticing their outfits. Both were dressed black and red silken outfit, decorated with the image of a dragon down the opposite sides, making them look like quite the pair. Rippa headed over to greet them and their companions. "Ranma, Shampoo, ready for our little match?"

"Of course," Ranma replied and Shampoo likewise nodded.

"Good. I have called in some old acquaintances to judge for us. They're over there at the table. Why don't you go choose one for your side while we're waiting on Kitsui."

"Our side?" Shampoo asked in confusion.

Ranma quickly explained. "Each side has a judge on their side who takes the points off the opposing team. The third judge is there to solve disputes and make rulings. You go ahead and choose one Shampoo. I'm sure they're all good."

"Of course," Rippa said confidently. "As for your companions, we have plenty of seating setup. Choose where ever you like," he directed, pointing out the various fold away chairs positioned around the dance floor. As the others took seats, Ranma and Rippa moved off to the side. "Your other companion arrived about an hour ago. Hasn't said much," Rippa said, motioning towards Ukyo.

"Yeah, she's been rather distracted lately."

"So, what is she to you anyway? Unwanted girlfriend?"

"Fiancee." Ranma answered.

"Fiancee?" Rippa repeated in confusion. "Weren't you engaged to Akane?"

"Yeah, I was, not anymore. Now engaged to Kasumi."

Rippa blinked in further confusion. "Wait, that's Ukyo Kuonji over there, isn't it?"

"Yeah, I'm engaged to her too."

Rippa once more blinked. "Wait, you're engaged to two girls?"

"Three actually, that's if you count Shampoo."

This time it took Rippa several seconds before he exclaimed, "What? How the hell does that work? Isn't that kinda illegal?"

Ranma rubbed his chin for a moment in thought. "Near as I can figure, I'm supposed to marry Kasumi by Japanese law, and Kasumi is married to Shampoo already by Amazon law, and will be married to Ukyo too by Amazon law... I think. Or maybe it was that I was going to marry Ukyo here and Ukyo would marry Kasumi's male half here... I don't think it's been worked out firmly yet."

"Male half? And wait, Kasumi is already married to Shampoo?"

Ranma nodded. "It's a long complicated story."

Rippa took several seconds to absorb all this. "One thing is for sure, Kitsui won't like hearing about that," he finally commented with a shake of his head. "You're going to have to explain this whole thing to me in more detail later."

"Sure, right after I clobber you," Ranma said with his own smile and headed off to join Shampoo.

"In your dreams, Saotome!" Rippa shot back but Ranma ignored him.

XXXXX

Sitting off to the side, Kasumi watched with a bit of tension as Ukyo finally seemed to notice them and walked over. The martial arts chef took an empty seat three down from Kasumi and did not say a word. In fact she didn't even look Kasumi's way. Normally, Kasumi would take this as a sign that Ukyo was just being her usual angry self and attempting to ignore Kasumi. However, today Ukyo did not seem to be projecting her normal aura.

Whatever is bothering her, there is little I can do about it, Kasumi thought as she diverted her attention back to Shampoo and Ranma. Shampoo had apparently chosen the blue haired girl for their judge, to which Ranma had no objections. Just as Kasumi was observing this she felt a new presence beside and looked over to see Cologne taking a seat. "Elder," she greeted with a smile.

"Kasumi," Cologne greeted in kind. "So, I take it he is this Rippa that I've been hearing about," she said, looking at the person in question. "He does seem like a formidable opponent. Now, where is the girl?"

"Apparently not here yet," Kasumi answered. "I was told by Herb that she uses some kind of mental influencing technique."

Cologne nodded. "A dangerous technique to be the victim of. Also, very advanced. Shampoo will not have an easy match."

"No, she won't," Kasumi agreed with a slight sigh and looked around her while she waited. Ranko and still female Herb had taken seats in the back row, while Soun, Genma and Nodoka had taken seats in the front row in front of them. Akane and Makoto sat beside Kasumi. Nabiki had chosen not to come. Kasumi wasn't sure whether that was simply due to disinterest, or because Nodoka had forbid her from getting involved in any gambling related to the event. Kuno being absent was a bit of a surprise, but Ranma had mentioned that the Kendoist had other commitments today. Several members of the class had also shown up and were spread about the room, although many were also absent. Not quite the same crowd I seem to always attract, Kasumi joked with herself. Although usually that is school related, or at the school grounds so I suppose that is only to be expected.

Finally, after another few minutes, another young woman arrived. Kasumi quickly deduced from the similarity in appearance to Rippa that this must be Kitsui. She also realized that much like Ranma and Shampoo currently paired outfits, Kitsui and Rippa were similarly dressed in soft blue and white dance ware. Although, in Kasumi's opinion, Kitsui was unnecessarily revealing, displaying ample amount of her cleavage and legs. Particularly interesting was the girl's hair, most of it plain brown, but with the tips of her hair apparently dyed orange.

Seeing his sister's arrival, Rippa moved to join her to discuss something quickly before they once more separated, Rippa heading to the center of the dance floor and addressing everyone. "Good afternoon everyone, and welcome to our little match today. Today's event is between myself with my sister Kitsui and Ranma Saotome and Shampoo... umm, do you have a full name?" Rippa asked as Ranma and Shampoo took their places on the dance floor.

Shampoo opened her mouth to respond, but paused and looked back at Kasumi. "Shampoo Tendo," she replied finally.

"Tendo huh," Rippa mused quietly. "Yes, well then, Ranma Saotome and Shampoo Tendo. For the sake of our guests, let me quickly review the rules." Gesturing behind him, Rippa pointed out a score board hanging on the wall displaying two 100s. "Each team will start with 100 points. The first team to reach 0 loses. You lose points by not dancing for a second, leaving the dance floor and for every second you remain outside the dance floor, and for being disconnected from the dance floor for more than one second. However, any solid connection with the floor, including being lifted by your partner, or using your opponents' bodies as a connection is allowable. At any time, either team may also challenge any action by the opposing team that is viewed to be illegal. If the dispute judge agrees, the team in violation loses 25 points. If the judge disagrees then the accusing team loses those 25 points.

"Our judges today are Miku, acting on behalf of Ranma and Shampoo's team by their request, Neru, acting as my team's judge, and Haku acting dispute judge," Rippa said, introducing each girl in turn. While Miku seemed energetic and eager, Neru seemed more bored with the whole thing. Haku, the silver haired older girl, was probably the most odd. Just looking at her seemed to depress Kasumi a bit and make her wish to run over and hug her just to cheer her up. What exactly was bothering her, Kasumi could not even begin to guess, but it gave her a very gloomy look.

"Music is chosen at random by our little setup here," Rippa said as he continued on his explanation. "One important note. This is an endurance match, so style is unimportant and the judges will not be giving any point deductions on that basis. Now then, I think that about covers everything. The match will begin at the start of the music." Finishing his explanation, Rippa motioned to a man next to a stereo system to begin as he quickly moved to join Kitsui standing opposite Ranma and Shampoo.

So quick, Kasumi mentally commented, but quickly realized their was little purpose in drawing out the preparations any more than they had.

"Being nervous is only natural," Cologne said unexpectedly. "We can only trust in their abilities. If they lose, so be it. They will simply have to deal with that outcome." Kasumi could only nod.

XXXXX

On the dance floor, standing next to each other in readiness, Shampoo and Ranma were sharing some of that nervousness. "Ready?" Ranma asked as their opponents setup. Shampoo looked off to the side briefly then reset her attention on Kitsui and nodded. Unlike Ranma and Shampoo, who were both set in standard martial art stances, Rippa and Kitsui set themselves in a dance pose together, betraying none of the nervousness that was gripping their opponents, instead both merely smiling with confidence.

Several seconds passed until at last the music began with a quick pace pop tune. Despite the nature of the song, to the surprise of almost all watching, the start of the battle was anything but fast. Rippa and Kitsui held their position, merely waving their bodies in motion with the beat. Opposite them, Ranma and Shampoo also let their own motions be ruled by the beat, but the lack of offense from their opponents gave them pause.

"You always had a hard time starting up, Saotome, so we figured we'd spot you a few seconds to get ready," Rippa explained with a grin. "Oh, by the way, I forgot to ask earlier, but which would you prefer, quick or slow?"

"What are you babbling about?" Ranma asked in mild annoyance.

"Your defeat: quick and embarrassing, or slow and painful?"

Ranma scoffed at this. "Rippa, if you really think you can beat me, do it however you like."

"As you wish," the dancer replied and in that very instant disappeared. In that same instant, Ranma found a fist hitting him right below the diaphragm, knocking the wind right out of him, and nearly causing him to stumble back out of the marked floor area.

XXXXX

Watching this, Kasumi could not help but tense up. Such incredible speed. I couldn't even track it, she thought, and cast a quick glance at Cologne. The elder, although concealing it well, was sightly more tensed than before. Kasumi quickly refocused on the match as Shampoo made an attempt to attack Rippa in an effort to give Ranma time to recover, but just as quickly as he appeared, Rippa disappeared and appeared next to Kitsui again. However, that was enough time for Ranma to force air back into his lungs and reset. This time, he did not wait for Rippa to initiate an attack, and charged forward. Shampoo took this as the prompt to begin her own assault and rushed at Kitsui.

XXXXX

As Ranma had predicted, as Ranma and Shampoo charged, Rippa and Kitsui separated, drawing their respective opponent away from the other. Neither party made any attempt to counter this strategy, and played right along with it.

Shampoo began her attack, planning to test just how good Kitsui's dance defense was before the real battle began. However, after only a single kick which Kitsui danced away from, such plans got derailed as Shampoo found herself not in the dance hall, but instead an open field. I didn't even see her do anything! Shampoo thought in surprise, spinning to try and reacquire her target, but finding only an empty field surrounding her. I thought I might at least be able to keep enough pressure on her so she couldn't set it up, or maybe just avoid some particular move, but this... Shampoo continued to think with some worry.

Ranma had little better luck in his initial charge. Rippa dodged an opening punch, and once more disappeared, only to reappear clear across the dance floor. "You going to just run away from me for the whole match?" Ranma asked as he charged once more.

"No need," Rippa replied and once more disappeared. This time Ranma guarded, but it was futile as he found himself kicked from behind. The added momentum sent him stumbling, and once again nearly out of bounds, but, windmilling his arms at the very border of the floor, Ranma managed to stay in. He turned back to see Rippa smiling confidently. He is just playing around with me, Ranma thought in annoyance. Oh well, that's fine. Just means he's overconfident.

XXXXX

"So aggressive. You need to calm down, and just enjoy the moment," Kitsui taunted from within her illusion.

Shampoo, looked around desperately trying to gain some bearing but failing. "Your illusions won't fool Shampoo," Shampoo said as she tried to find some way free.

"Yes, Rippa told me you knew about my style. However, that doesn't really matter. You may know this is an illusion, but that won't let you escape it. Right now you have no idea where I am, or even where the boundaries of the dance floor are," Kitsui explained before laughing. "In fact, you don't even know if you're moving anymore. Maybe you're just standing there, losing points as we speak."

Shampoo tensed at hearing this. She had been continuing to move even while under the illusions affect, but indeed, she had no proof that anything she was doing right now was not simply a part of the illusion.

In truth, that much was a bluff on Kitsui's part. Shampoo was still moving, but it was clear to all who were watching that Shampoo was in trouble. Casually, Kitsui circled her prey, continuing to taunt her opponent. "You shouldn't feel so bad. I've fought many times before and my record is even more spotless than my brother's. You really..." Kitsui said, but suddenly felt a shift in Shampoo's beat. Looking off to her side suddenly, Shampoo seemed to refocus and lashed out with a kick at Kitsui. Caution had served Kitsui well, however, giving her adequate distance and warning to avoid the attack. Something isn't right. What did she do? Kitsui wondered, impressed as Shampoo continue to press the attack despite still being caught in the illusion. In fact, as Shampoo's punches and kicks became more intense, holding the illusion was becoming more problematic. Finally, with a slight sigh, but a smile, Kitsui released her illusion and fell back onto her more basic defenses. "Impressive," she praised.

Finally free, Shampoo reset herself and took a moment to take in some breath. "Told you illusion no fool me," Shampoo replied as she reconsidered her approach.

"Yes. I admit, I'm impressed, but we have barely gotten started."

XXXXX

Watching this, Kasumi couldn't help but wonder just what had transpired. Looking briefly over at Cologne she saw the elder too seemed puzzled.

"Shampoo has a bit of an advantage," Herb commented from behind.

"Oh?" Kasumi asked, but Herb remained silent.

I suppose that is for the best. We don't wish to give away her strategy, Kasumi thought as she turned her attention to Ranma. He was having much less luck than Shampoo. Rippa was continuing to attack using his incredible speed, and despite Ranma's best efforts at defense, he had already been forced outside the dance floor boundaries several times, reducing his teams available points to 87 while their opponents still sat at a flawless 100. Despite this, Ranma did not seem all that worried, and was taking the blows surprisingly well considering he was doing nothing but receiving them.

The minds of both male combatants where hard at work. Rippa was sizing up Ranma. Despite dominating there were two things that were quite worrisome. One, Ranma's beat was unusually difficult to read. This in itself was not very surprising to the dancer as he recognized the technique Ranma was employing, one he had been shown just shortly before they had parted company the last time they have fought. It was advanced, utilizing very neutral motions that could easily allow various response while simultaneously attempting to constantly shift one's own beat. It effectively reduced Rippa's read time by nearly twenty percent, but in itself not very troubling. Rippa was equally skilled in the art, but in truth it did give Ranma more of an advantage since he was less dependent on the beat reading. Still, by using the flicker step for hit and run attacks, Ranma's advantage was completely neutralized which lead to the second worrisome thing, namely that Ranma didn't seem worried about his current situation.

What Rippa could not be aware of was that Ranma was actually appreciating this time. He could already tell that Rippa was not moving in for the proverbial kill. Rippa was either being excessively cautious or simply trying to show off. Either way, Ranma was using every moment to examine his opponent and formulate a strategy.

Once more pushed outside the bounds of the floor, Ranma quickly recovered, and stepped just within, and prepared for the next attack. Rippa, true to form, seemingly popped into existence far out of reach, smiling. "Ranma, weren't you supposed to be clobbering me?"

"Oh, I will, don't worry," Ranma replied, thinking, here he comes. Sure enough, Rippa once more disappeared, but Ranma was already reacting. Rippa popped in just in time to receive a punch to the face. Caught off guard, Ranma had his opportunity, and pressed the attack, quickly grabbing Rippa's arm which he had been himself using to attempt a punch, and quickly flung him high into the air and outside the dance floor bounds. As Ranma expected, as soon as he touched ground, Rippa disappeared and reappeared inside, but the damage was done, as the flawless 100 changed to a 97.

Ranma refocused on Rippa whose earlier confidence had noticeably been reduced. "Stand on the boundary of the floor, and reduce my potential approaches by fifty percent," Rippa openly thought.

"And, despite appearance, I can still read your rhythm, so I know exactly the instant of your attack," Ranma continued. "Oh, and might I add, despite how fast you're moving, you aren't attacking any faster than normal. In fact, compared to the training I've had lately, you're kinda slow. The only real advantage you had was attacking me from behind. I can't stop you from doing so, but no matter how short a time you are on the outside, you lose points."

Rippa nodded, and straightened up, thinking to himself, he is very fast. Using that darn rhythm reading counter I don't have enough time to reliably dodge at that kind of speed. "Well analyzed, Saotome," Rippa reluctantly conceded. "Only one problem, you can't win staying at the edge all the time."

Ranma was forced to nod in acceptance of this. There has got to be a way to root him down.

As Ranma was considering his options, Rippa was doing likewise. Saotome has more than just a speed advantage he's hoping to use. He wants a straight up fight, so I should keep him from getting it, but like this we aren't going to get anywhere. Casting a brief glance over at the girls, Rippa frowned. Now, if Kitsui would stop screwing around... hmm...

XXXXX

Across the dance floor, despite defeating Kitsui's illusion, Shampoo was finding the situation little improved. Kitsui's dance defense was impeccable. In their practice, Shampoo had found hitting Ranma difficult but not impossible. Kitsui, however, made Ranma's skills in the dance defense look frankly sloppy. She hasn't got any openings, Shampoo thought in annoyance as her latest combination attack was harmlessly defused by her opponent.

Perhaps more annoying than her seemingly flawless defense was Kitsui's continuous smiling. As if sensing Shampoo's irritation, Kitsui spoke. "You should lighten up. I can tell being all serious isn't really your speed."

"You know nothing of Shampoo!" Shampoo countered, trying to sweep out Kitsui's legs, but found the girl precisely stepping over the attack without even so much a breaking her pace, as if she had predicted the attack well ahead of time.

"I know enough," Kitsui countered. "In particular, I know you'll never beat me when you're so off beat," she continued, but before Shampoo could protest, she simply waved a finger. "I don't mean you're off the music. That you're doing fine on. It is your personal beat. You're not in rhythm with yourself, and it is throwing off your whole approach." Shampoo growled, trying to a roundhouse kick to Kitsui's head. Like others before it, Kitsui avoided it perfectly. "Hey now, no need to get all upset. Relax. Have fun. You'd feel much better."

"I no need lecture on how fight from you," Shampoo snapped, to which Kitsui only shrugged.

"Suit yourself, but trust me, you'd fair a lot better if you loosened up."

She's just trying to throw me off, that's all, Shampoo thought, sparing a second to look at the boys. Up till now they had been fighting rather intensely, but at the moment, they seemed to be in a stand off. Ranma was continuing to hold his position on the perimeter of the dance floor, while Rippa remained a safe distance separated.

Noticing the attention he was receiving, Rippa met Shampoo's gaze curiously, obviously evaluating her intents. Not long after doing so, he smiled and turned back to Ranma. "You know, Ranma, if you're going to just stand over there all day, I guess I could just entertain your partner for a while."

Shampoo tensed at the implication, as did Ranma. It was an obvious attempt to force Ranma's hand, but neither was sure just how far he would take the threat.

"Not your style to double team someone, Rippa," Ranma replied.

"A victory is a victory. Besides, I seem to recall this whole thing was her idea to start with," Rippa replied, adjusting his stance slightly to threaten a move on Shampoo.

Just as Shampoo readied herself for an attack, she sensed a sudden shift in her primary opponent. Turning her attention back to Kitsui, she noticed the girl frowning intensely at her brother. Suddenly stopping her dance, Kitsui marched over to her brother, much to the confusion of everyone else.

"Brother!" Kitsui said in an accusing tone as she stopped just a foot away, and stood still, with arms crossed.

"Kitsui, what are you doing?" Rippa asked, looking off at the score board as points started to be steadily removed from their score in a bit of panic. "Dance already, this is no time for a discussion!"

"We had an agreement, brother," Kitsui said with an angry frown. "Did you forget?"

Shampoo could not help but blink in shock, and nearly forgot to continue dancing herself as she continued to watch the confrontation. What is she doing? Shampoo thought in confusion as the brother and sister continued to talk.

"It was just a bluff, alright? I was just bluffing," Rippa insisted.

Kitsui nodded, but gave her brother a glare. "Fine, but just remember, brother, hands off. She's mine, and I won't have you damaging the goods just for you to patch up your precious bruised ego."

"Fine, fine. Just, at least stop screwing around already and get serious. You haven't even take one point off yet."

Kitsui huffed, but turned back to Shampoo. "Whatever. I was just getting to it anyway," she replied, but by this time a full 20 points had been removed from their count.

"Are you no taking this seriously?" Shampoo asked in a sudden explosion of annoyance.

"Oh, very seriously, so I guess it's time for you get a real taste of what I'm capable of," Kitsui replied, her smile for the first time gone, replaced with a cold look. "I call this one, the nightmare waltz. It's never very pleasant."

Shampoo braced herself, but it was a useless effort. With the most subtle of motions, Kitsui already had her trapped within the technique, and Shampoo quickly found her sense of the world fading away.

XXXXX

Shampoo coughed, and looked around in confusion. Where am I? she pondered. How did I get here? As she wondered at this, she became aware of the orange mist surrounding her. Further inspection revealed that she was in what appeared to be a hotel room, but the only available exits were blocked. Shampoo paused at this, finding a disturbing familiarity to her surroundings. Unfortunately, she had her fears confirmed when she heard a muffled shout from behind her. Looking back, she found Kasumi on the opposite side of a thick glass wall.

As Shampoo realized where she was, she could already feel her strength beginning to leave her. Whatever sense was left to tell her that this was all a fake was silent. Instead, Shampoo found herself lost in the moment, and the despair as the gas around her continued to build was nearly overwhelming. There is nothing I can do, Shampoo thought as her legs gave way and she collapsed. He's going to kill me just to get to her and there is nothing-

"You're dreaming, Shampoo," a familiar, yet altogether out of place voice said.

XXXXX

Kitsui watched, feeling no satisfaction, as Shampoo crumbled under the affects of her illusion. Unlike her previous ones, this was a fully encompassing nightmare. Even a victim's memories were distorted leaving little avenue for escape. Kitsue did not know exactly what a victim experienced. She merely tapped into a memory which was personally frightening to the victim. Watching Shampoo, Kitsui knew whatever it was that Shampoo was experiencing, it was definitely doing the job, but it was not something Kitsui enjoyed.

However, just as Kitsui was considering her victory, Shampoo suddenly looked up. Once more, just as with the previous illusion, the Amazon looked off to the side and regained her strength. This time, Kitsui had kept her distance, but despite looking at the spot Shampoo was looking, she saw nothing. What is she doing? That is the same spot as before.

"You!" Shampoo accused in renewed anger, and although she was clearly still within the nightmare illusion, she rushed directly at Kitsui and attacked.

Now that is impressive, Kitsui thought with a renewed smile, dodged away, and released the technique. Guess this isn't going to be so easy after all.

XXXXX

While Shampoo was so involved, Rippa had refocused on Ranma. After a short bit of consideration, Ranma sensed a change and sure enough Rippa approached in an old, but familiar fashion. "Okay, if you insist on keeping to the sidelines, Ranma, I'm just going to have to do this the hard way. You remember this one. It's an oldie, but goodie."

Ranma did indeed recognize the pattern as Rippa first began walking in a circular pattern, growing ever tighter as he closed the gap. Great, the typical counter to this is to keep your distance, but rather tough with having to hold to the boundary, Ranma thought as he attempted to strafe to the left to gain distance. It was too little though, as in one sudden last motion, Rippa entered a full spin and kicked out. Ranma instinctively braced, and quickly assembled his ki hoping that combined with his physical training since the last time he had experienced the attack would allow him to better endure it. The results were rather mixed.

To most observers, the kick seemed rather plain, fast perhaps, but nothing too unusual. However, when it connected it became clear it was anything but. Ranma in an instant was sent flying, appearing like he had been hit by a wrecking ball rather than a kick. Even Cologne went wide eyed at seeing the effect of the attack, before nodding in understanding.

"What was that just now?" Kasumi could not help but ask. "It was like one of Happosai point attacks, but I didn't sense of the any of the same setup."

"It is a momentum based attack. The earlier spin was to gather up air. By adding its mass to his own, a fighter can hit with much getter momentum than their leg alone. However, this Rippa has mastered the technique to an incredible extent. He hit Ranma with equivalent of several tons of mass."

The cracked outer wall of the dance hall served to prove this. Ranma, groaned but recovered surprisingly quickly and returned to the dance floor, while Rippa once more began prep for another such attack. "Impressive Ranma," Rippa said as he slowly approached. "What was that you used at the last second? A muscle and skin hardening technique?"

"Something like that," Ranma replied as he once more tried to keep his distance, but Rippa continued to close the gap. Good thing Ranko helped me with that, or I'd be unconscious for sure. Still, that isn't going to work a second time. He hits even harder than I remember. Guess I got no choice but to fight mid field, Ranma though, finally abandoning the perimeter for the center of the dance floor, causing Rippa to cease his spin. However, as Ranma diffused the one danger, he was immediately reintroduced to the previous as Rippa disappeared from sight and instantly attacked Ranma from behind. Fortunately, Ranma had been expecting no less, and rolled forward, dodging the worst of it. No sooner was he out of the roll, though, when Rippa was once more on him, this time connecting with a simple jab to Ranma's face.

As with many times before, taunting Ranma, Rippa withdrew, giving his opponent an opportunity to recover. Ranma took the time to wipe a bit of blood from his lip as he considered. "Don't you have anything else in your bag of tricks, Rippa?" Ranma asked.

"Oh, plenty, but why bother with all of that when this will do just fine," the dancer replied with a confident smile.

"I beg to differ," Ranma said, and beckoned for Rippa to attack. Nodding, Rippa was more the willing to please, and once more disappeared. Ranma sensed the pattern, as Rippa appeared for just an instant nearly 10 times at various position, all in an attempt to throw Ranma off, but Ranma managed to see through the attempt and correctly predicted Rippas final attack, a lower sweep to his right leg.

As Rippa completed his flicker step and attacked, intending to use the attack as a feint to cover another, he was surprised as Ranma made no attempt to dodge. Assuming Ranma had correctly predicted the fake out but had assumed Rippa was committed to the final attack instead of leaving his options open, Rippa instead decided to turn this latest fake out into a proper kick, intending to punish Ranma for his sloppiness. It was only as he landed the blow that he realized Ranma's true plan. Rather than defend, Ranma chose to attack. It seemed a feeble attack, a spinning blade hand to Rippa's head that he could largely defuse through a simple tilting of the head. However, just as Rippa was confident he was in the better position, and was about to flicker back away, Ranma's hand passed seemingly harmlessly by Rippa's temple, and he felt a sudden surge of vertigo.

Damn it, Rippa cursed in his mind as he realized there was more to the attack than a simple chop, and desperately tried to reestablish his focus to escape. It would take only a second, but in that second, as Ranma fell back from the sweep to his leg, he once more attacked, just grazing Rippa's left ankle. An instant later, Rippa was clear across the dance floor, and Ranma was flipping back to his feet. A quick shake of the head, and Rippa cleared the cob-webs from his senses. What the hell was that? Rippa wondered as he reconsidered his approach. Have to be more care- he thought just as Ranma, in an unusual tactic, rushed him. The dancer frowned, unsure whether Ranma merely had overestimated the damage of his attack, or if he had in fact underestimated it. Deciding it best to play it safe, he decided to flicker to the other end of the dance floor. Just as he activated the technique, however, it felt off, and unfortunately for him, he flickered only a few feet before reappearing. The unexpected short fall left him confused just long enough for Ranma to adjust and attack, an attack Rippa was not prepared for.

XXXXX

For Shampoo's part, a similar turn in the tide was occurring, although Shampoo could not claim quite the hand in it. Kitsui was showing signs of fatigue and her defense was starting to crack. The Amazon had still to land a telling strike, but as time pressed on she got closer and closer. Shampoo did have to wonder why Kitsui refused to attack herself. Beyond her illusions she had made no offensive moves at all, and seemed content in a pure defensive approach. As time continued to shift the fight into Shampoo's favor though, she was certain Kitsui would be forced to act, and was preparing for it.

That is, until she landed a kick. The spinning back kick, made at the end of a combination strike finally managed to defeat Kitsui's defense and hit her directly in the gut. With this one blow, Kitsui's defense seemed to crumble as she stumbled back, clearly shocked. Shampoo was not about to let this opportunity escape her, and pressed the attack, striking out with another kick, this time directed squarely at Kitsui's face. Despite a last instant attempt to dodge, this blow landed as well, badly dazing the girl. Battle instincts taking hold, Shampoo took full advantage, and, jumping in, completed her assault with a powerful punch to Kitsui's cheek. The dancer reeled, then fell back uncontrolled to the floor.

Shampoo stood in momentary shock at the sudden turn, before remembering to continue her own movement. Cautiously, she examined Kitsui, but by all indications she was unconscious. I beat her? Shampoo pondered, not trusting her own eyes at this point, but reconfirming her surroundings, all seemed right. Her attention then turned to Ranma and Rippa. Ranma too was fairing very well, and had Rippa on the defensive, affording him no time to aid Kitsui. Looking to the scores, Shampoo watched as Rippa's team score quickly counted down. Within a minute, it was all over.

A great cheer went up from many of the spectators, and several rushed over to congratulate the two victors. Shampoo was still in a bit of shock at the unexpected turnover as Kasumi came up to her.

"You did it!" Kasumi praised, gaining Shampoo's attention.

"Yes," Shampoo replied after a second of hesitation as she collected herself. Finally though, she let the exhilaration of victory overcome her, and she gleefully hugged Kasumi. A bit unusually, Kasumi returned the hug with no hesitation, and the two shared a quiet moment like this.

"So, just how did you see through all her illusions?" Kasumi finally asked, causing Shampoo to release the hug.

Shampoo smiled and explained. "It easy, Kasumi. You remember ghost girl. Spirit no sense things through body. Is like special sense that no affected by things that affect body. Shampoo just tell her stand at corner of dance floor invisible and tell her if being fooled. Is easy."

"Ghost girl?" Kasumi replied in some confusion.

"Yes," Shampoo reiterated, pointing off to Kogane at the corner. "She over..." she started to say then paused as she noticed Kogane looking back at her with a decidedly puzzled expression. Like a quick splash of cold water, this look quickly made Shampoo reevaluate everything. Sure enough, there was only one spirit close and it wasn't Kasumi's. "You!" Shampoo said in anger as she turned back to face the figure of Kasumi, further realizing that although she looked like Kasumi she was definitely not tall enough to be her.

The illusion bled away, replacing Kasumi with Kitsui, smiling as usual. "So, that's how you've been doing it. Clever."

"How long-" Shampoo started to ask but Kitsui anticipated the question.

"Oh, long enough. I figured if I kept things closer to reality... as they say, the best lies are those with elements of truth," Kitsui answered and then tapped her chin with her finger in thought. "It does put a bit of a wrench in things though. You're right that I can't affect a spirit sense. So, guess it's time to take a different approach." With this, Kitsui suddenly went into a more rigid posture, causing Shampoo to raise her guard. As with Kitsui's other attacks, though, Shampoo's effort was wasted as she felt immediately off. "I'll be nice and explain. You see, my brother specializes in rhythm flow, a style that uses latent energies and the flow of battle to his own advantage. It's very flashy, and honestly kinda like the sledgehammer approach. I instead specialize in rhythm alteration, changing the flow of battle the way I desire. You already have seen my illusions, which is simply an override of your nervous system controlling your senses. However, I can also override the nervous system controlling your muscles." Shampoo blinked, realizing that she did indeed not have control of her movements any more. Instead, as Kitsui moved, Shampoo moved in exact copy of her.

"Unfortunately, there is one drawback to this form over the illusions. For my illusions I just tap into key portions of your brain and sorta feed that back into your senses. I can trigger calming illusions, or nightmarish ones, as you're no doubt all to familiar with now. However, to control your muscles, I pretty much have to just feed them info directly from my own, effectively making you move just like me," Kitsui explained. "Of course, don't need to control your head, so I'll let you keep that for now."

"What good this do?" Shampoo asked in some annoyance. "You punch me, I punch you. It all end up same in the end."

"Pretty much, which is why I don't use this much," Kitsui replied honestly. "Since we mirror each other, any attack I use on you, you use on me. Seems pretty pointless now, doesn't it. However, you forgot one important thing, we're not in the same position." Shampoo went wide eyed in realization and quickly looked around to confirm this. Kitsui had situated herself fairly close to the perimeter of the dance floor, while Shampoo was facing her but more to the center. Kitsui confirmed the worst as she continued on, "Now, what would happen if I walked a bit to the left then forward I wonder..."

Shampoo struggled but found it useless as Kitsui did exactly as described, and while she moved more into the center of the dance floor, Shampoo moved steadily closer to the edge.

Unnoticed during all of this, Kasumi's had tensed just slightly, and was rapidly drumming her fingers against her arm while she eyed Kitsui.

XXXXX

Moments early, Ranma was pushing his own advantage, only vaguely aware of the difficulties Shampoo was having. Unlike her, he was in decided control of his side of the fight. Several failed flicker steps, and general confusion over such, had cost Rippa dearly and now, unlike earlier in the fight, he was on the receiving end of a beating.

"What's wrong, Rippa, you're seeming a little slower," Ranma taunted as he forced Rippa to block a kick directed at his head.

He's too fast, even faster than before. Even when I read his intents I can't keep ahead of him, Rippa thought. And what did he do? Something is definitely wrong with my ankle.

Sensing Rippa's confusion, Ranma decided to give his opponent a bit of a break and explain. "It's quite simple really. I've noticed you only use that technique while you're firmly planted on the ground. It made it easier to predict where you were moving, but it also says it is something to do with your feet, and since you're having issues now, that pretty much confirms it."

"You disrupted my ki flow to my foot somehow," Rippa concluded, to which Ranma nodded. "Kitsui does something similar, but this isn't going away."

"Oh, it will, but it will take a few hours I'd guess," Ranma replied.

Rippa frowned in consideration of this new development. An attack that works on my ki flows, and has lasting impact too. I bet that is what he used to disorient me earlier too. He hasn't been using it much though. He obviously hasn't mastered it then. Still, means even glancing blows or even near misses may count against me. Combined with his speed advantage that's not good. As he considered this, Ranma ended the lull and charged in, but was surprised as Rippa safely flickered away across the dance floor. Ranma reset and eyed Rippa cautiously and this time it was Rippa turn to explain. "I don't need both feet to flicker, Ranma. One will do, and now that I know not to trust my left, I just won't use it," he said, but silently added, but that's going to make attacks with flickers even more predictable and limited. Guess I'll have to use it only defensively.

As Ranma considered this, it was at about this moment that he noticed Shampoo struggling, strangely walking directly out of the dance floor. What the hell? he wondered, quickly noticing Kitsui exactly matching Shampoo's actions, but in relative position ending up within the dance floor.

XXXXX

Try as she might, Shampoo could not force her muscles to obey her. She had briefly considered that this too was simply an illusion, but this time there was no mistaking it. Kitsui had her completely under control.

Now with Shampoo situated just out of the dance floor, Kitsui turned around, likewise forcing the Amazon to do the same, and they were once more facing each other. "Well, it was a nice fight while it lasted, but I'm afraid it is all over now," Kitsui said with a sympathetic smile as Shampoo continued to struggle fruitlessly. "It's useless, you know. You can try and force your way out all you want, it won't work. This isn't like a shackle or something. I'm controlling the nerves to your muscles directly. The strongest person on the planet would be just as helpless as the weakest."

Shampoo could only agree with that assessment. While Kitsui had left her control of her head, nothing else in her body was giving her the slightest indication that it was responding to her commands. She took a second to look at the score board and sure enough it was steadily counting down, leaving her less than a minute before she was declared the loser. I'm really not used to fighting like this, Shampoo mused as she tried to calm herself and concentrate.

Kitsui noticed this, and curiously raised an eyebrow. Just as she did, she felt the technique waver, then shatter, and Shampoo rushed back into the dance floor. However, the small victory was short lived, as barely 3 steps in, Shampoo once more felt her body seize up. "Let me guess, a ki scrambling technique intended to jam my connection," Kitsui analyzed and from the sour look that Shampoo gave her, she could only assume she was right. "I'll give you points for effort, but seeing as how my entire style is based around this manipulation, surely you didn't think I wouldn't have ways of countering that?"

Once more Shampoo tried doing as Herb had helped teach her. Kitsui was right as the technique was simply a way of trying to disrupt her chi flows in hopes that interfering flows from the opponent would be likewise disrupted. However, unlike her first attempt, this time it simply was having no effect. Shampoo could not hide her frustration at this, causing Kitsui to giggle. "Didn't I tell you that you need to calm down. It's just a little dance match."

"It more than that to me!" Shampoo sharply replied, but her opponent only shrugged and took three carefully measured step back, forcing Shampoo to do likewise. This left Shampoo just outside the very edge of the dance floor. She's just toying with me, Shampoo thought in annoyance.

"Yeah, something about pride or some such thing as I recall..." Kitsui said and started engaging in a hula dance, forcing Shampoo to do likewise, just skimming the edge of the battlefield. This only aggravated Shampoo further. "However, somehow I think you have something else in mind that is more important, I just haven't quite figured it out." As Kitsui said this, though, her eyes turned to the audience, in particular Kasumi, in thought.

XXXXX

Between brief attempts to nail Rippa down, Ranma watched this whole exchange between the two girls in worry. Rippa can just keep dodging me and let his sister end the match like this. I don't think Shampoo has anyway out of it, but I bet Kitsui can only do that to one person at a time, he considered. Sensing Ranma's intent, Rippa flickered and placed himself in between Ranma and his sister and waved his finger at Ranma in disappointment.

"Now, now Ranma. Can't have you interfering with the girls' fun," Rippa said, setting himself to intercept Ranma should he attempt to make a move.

I probably can get by him in his current shape, Ranma thought before turning his attention back to Shampoo and noticing her giving him a very particular look. It was not one of distress, but rather of warning. Right, stay out of it, Ranma thought reluctantly, and gave Shampoo a slight nod to signal his understanding before refocusing on his own opponent.

XXXXX

Seeing this, Shampoo too reset her attention and fell into thought as to what to try next. Kitsui gave the boys only the slightest of glance before shrugging and going back into her now all to common smile. "Boys... Now, where were we?" she asked before changing from the hula to a much simpler dance, waving her hands over her head like a bunny's ears. "Here's a popular one, what do you think?" she asked, but quickly noticed Shampoo was ignoring her and was once more concentrating. "I do hope you're not just trying the same trick again," she said but Shampoo paid her no mind. "It's too bad we ended up in a paired fight or I'd..." Kitsui mused before noticing something was off.

Across from her, Shampoo tensed noticeably. For Kitsui that was not the worrisome part. Instead she was far more concerned with the feeling she was getting via her connection to Shampoo, almost as if Shampoo was pushing back. Then, suddenly, Shampoo's aura flared to life and Kitsui felt her own body begin to disobey. Together both she and Shampoo took one step forward. That's not possible, Kitsui thought, her smile gone, replaced with shock.

XXXXX

"What's happening?" Kasumi asked Cologne, but the elder shook her head in her own confusion.

"I'm not sure. Shampoo's energy flow has clearly increasing dramatically," Cologne replied before turning to eye Herb. "You taught her something."

"Something," Herb admitted. "Just something I figured out. It is one of the very few things that this blasted curse has blessed me with, a certain insight," Herb explained as they all continued to watch as Shampoo took several more steps forward, likewise forcing Kitsui to do the same. "Ever since my transformation, I had wondered why my female body has such low levels of chi compared to my male one. Had I not met Kasumi, I might simply have dismissed it as female weakness, but I have since rejected that assumption. Energy cannot be created or destroyed, so my chi couldn't simply have disappeared, and there wasn't enough energy in the magic of the curse to account for it either. No. I found that women in fact have a slightly different system, and importantly it holds a great deal of its chi in reserve."

Finally Cologne nodded in understanding. "For child rearing," she concluded for Herb. "Yes, but that's not something easily tapped into. The female body has many safeguards against such. It would endanger a child."

"I found a way, and Shampoo isn't pregnant so it shouldn't matter," Herb replied dismissively. "Although, I would not have suspected that she would be capable of reversing the control that this dancer has on her even with that energy."

Cologne frowned, but said no more on the matter, and returned to watching the battle.

XXXXX

To Kitsui, the reason for Shampoo's turn of the tide was more clear. The Amazon had found the very energy threads in her body used to control her. By forcing her own energy back along those threads, the link was now favoring her. This was not an eventuality that Kitsui had considered. The amount of energy needed to force such a reversal was enormous, far more than she had ever encountered in any woman, even most men, and beyond that detecting the threads was a task even high masters should have difficulty with. Despite all that, what had happened was unmistakeable and Kitsui was taken totally off guard. As the seconds passed Shampoo forced them both closer and closer. With just a few more steps she would be in striking distance. This is not good, Kitsui thought, gritting her teeth as she tried to reassert dominance but it was proving useless. This really isn't good. I kinda think she could take my punch, but I couldn't take hers like this... time for a new plan.

Releasing the technique, Kitsui immediately pulled back, but Shampoo rushed forward the instant she was released. The new found energy made the motion that much faster, catching Kitsui by surprise as she narrowly dodged a kick to the face. Definitely not good, Kitsui repeated as she was forced onto the defensive.

XXXXX

Across the dance floor, the display had not been missed by the boys. Rippa in fact was in such surprise at the development that he had made a classic error and taken his proper attention off his opponent. Normally, that would not matter, as he had much of the dance floor in between them, and had already a good gauge of Ranma's movement speed, but Ranma had another trick. Taking aim, and bracing his hand with his other by the wrist, he focused his ki into his palm. Instantly a lance of energy that many watching recognized as a minor variant on the Dragon Fang Strike flew at Rippa. The dancer noticed the attack too late and despite a last instant attempt to dodge, it hit him full in the face.

Ranma could immediately sense a shift in Rippa's rhythm as it became uncontrolled and he began falling back with the force of the blast, his eyes vacant. "Yes," Ranma couldn't help but cheer.

Shampoo also saw this, giving Kitsui just an instant to regain some distance before she too noticed the state of her partner. For Shampoo this was a bit of a disappointment. She had hoped to land the decisive blow in this battle herself, but quickly she decided to accept what was, and make the best of it. Kitsui quickly realized as Shampoo took aim at her that she was about to be treated to the same thing, and leaped clear as Shampoo let off several blasts of energy. "Light shows, I hate light shows!" the dancer cursed as she dodged each one and came up with a desperate strategy.

Ranma, seeing Rippa on the floor and unconscious, turned to watched the girls. I wonder how long Kitsui can keep that up? he asked himself as he continued to watch Shampoo attack with ever increasing number of blasts. For that matter, how long can Shampoo keep that up? me mused, but felt no real worry. With Rippa down, the match would be over in less than a minute, and this was all just delay, or so he thought.

Suddenly Ranma took a heavy kick to the lower back that he was completely unprepared for. He tumbled forward in pain, and rolled over quickly to see just what had attacked him. Much to his shock, Rippa was on his feet and approaching him. "What the... I know I knocked him out!" Ranma openly complained as he scrambled to his feet just as Rippa rushed. Ranma quickly reset his defenses but instantly noticed something was very off. Before he could pin down what, Rippa once more attacked, this time with a punch, but Ranma kicked out directly at Rippa's diaphragm. The blow would easily knock the wind out of someone, and generally defuse the attack, but instead Rippa seemed to push right through it and hit Ranma full force to the face.

Ranma once more fell back, and was forced onto the defensive as Rippa continued his assault. I can't read his rhythm at all. It is like he has none. And, he didn't even feel that kick, Ranma thought as he continued to give ground, before looking directly into Rippa's eyes. Wait a minute, he thought as Rippa eyes seemed to lack any focus, and seemed almost zombie like. Examining his other movements, Ranma quickly realized that they too were stilted, almost like a marionette. Sparing a quick glace at Kitsui, he found the reason. Despite the pressure on her, she was using her hands very peculiarly. He is unconscious, she's controlling him.

Ranma's conclusion was indeed correct. It was a desperate tactic on Kitsui's part, but was keeping them in the fight. She could control his muscles much like how she controlled Shampoo's, but with Rippa unconscious and not fighting the control she could do so merely using her hands. So long as he continued to dance, unconscious or not, he would not lose points, and in fact she could use him to fight as well. However, this was at best a short delay.

Shampoo too had noticed Kitsui's odd behavior and concluded she was up to something. While Kitsui could keep Ranma busy, doing so while also dodging Shampoo was just too much to hold up for long. Taking a different tact, Kitsui diverted Rippa from his attack on Ranma, and had him rush Shampoo. If I'm guessing right... Kitsui thought as she watched Ranma's reaction. The boy was caught off guard, but quickly moved to intercept, but just as he did, he hesitated. Knew it, Kitsui thought with a bit of satisfaction as Rippas approach forced Shampoo to let up to defend herself against the new threat.

Damn it, Ranma cursed himself at his own hesitation, and rushed to block a kick directed at Shampoo.

"What you doing?" Shampoo asked in annoyance.

"He's unconscious, I didn't want to hit him. That's really like kicking someone when they're down," Ranma argued as he continued to fend off Rippa. "I don't even know if it would stop him anyway."

Shampoo frowned at hearing Ranma's excuses, but quickly dismissed them. Kitsui was the true opponent, and she was just using her partner as a shield. Maneuvering around, Shampoo tried to close on the girl, but stubbornly Rippa interceded at every turn. Annoyed, Shampoo decided to go through him, and once more fired an energy blast, this time at Rippa. However, despite hitting right in the center of his chest, he only moaned, and stumbled back a step before resuming his attack. Okay, maybe Ranma has a point, Shampoo thought before gesturing at Ranma. "Split up, we both attack her," Shampoo directed.

"You sure?" Ranma asked, remembering the earlier visual warning she had given him not to interfere, but Shampoo nodded. "Right."

Kitsui watched as the two went separate directions before turning on her. "I knew that too," she mumbled. "Come on, stupid, I can't hold them both off," she yelled, forcing Rippa to start slapping himself.

After only a few seconds Rippa came groggily to. "Wha... Ow... what the..." he moaned as his sense of pain alerted him to his recent mistreatment.

"Don't complain! It's your own fault for getting knocked out! And look out!" Kitsui cautioned as Ranma switched back to his primary target. The warning afforded Rippa just enough time to flicker away and appear next to Kitsui.

"Oooo, what hit me?" he asked as Shampoo and Ranma also regrouped.

"Some form of ki attack. She can use it too. Pay more attention!"

"Yeah, yeah. Next time you use me as a puppet, try to be more gentile, huh."

Kitsui scoffed. "I shouldn't have had to puppet you in the first place. Besides, this is getting ugly. I hate to say it, but we may have to switch up here and take them on together."

Rippa nodded, "I tend to agree. Things seem to have turned against us. Time to test their team work I suppose," Kitsui returned Rippa's nod and appropriately at that moment the music changed to an up tempo beat, causing him to smile. "Come sister, it's time to make the floor burn."

Opposite them, Shampoo and Ranma looked on in some confusion as this was not something they had truly planned for. "Thought you say they no fight together," Shampoo quietly accused as she watched the pair set themselves in a dance pose. Ranma opened his mouth, but after a second could only shrug and sheepishly smile. As he did so, in time with the music, Rippa and Kitsui together made a first thrusting step towards their opponent. Ranma and Shampoo braced, but rather than a direct assault, a stream of fire lite beneath the feet of the dancing siblings. Rippa and Kitsui continued, spinning around creating a full circle of fire around them, but despite the proximity of the flame, they appeared unharmed, as did the floor itself.

"Is illusion?" Shampoo asked in puzzlement, voicing the suspicion that many, including Ranma, were thinking.

Frowning, Ranma decided to chance an attack and rushed forward. Neither sibling seemed to take notice of the assault even as he reached the perimeter of fire. However, after only an instant of contact with the flames, Ranma was forced back with a yelp of pain.

"Hot foot, Saotome?" Rippa taunted as he and his sister continued laying fire on more of the dance floor.

Ranma did not respond, instead retreating to Shampoo's position. "I don't know exactly what is up with that fire, but it is real enough. We can't touch it."

Shampoo huffed, unimpressed. "Fine, then Shampoo just attack from here," she said, taking aim and firing a bolt of chi at their opponent an instant before Ranma could stop her.

"Don't-!" Ranma called out too late. Shampoo glanced at him in confusion, but the reason for the warning became clear in the next instant. As the attack arrived, Rippa and Kitsui side stepped it and Rippa reached out. As if grabbing the energy, he spun with it, and let go, sending it directly back at Shampoo. Shampoo quickly dodged, as did Ranma letting the attack go harmlessly by, but the point was made.

"Why you no mention that sooner?" Shampoo complained.

"I didn't think you'd be fighting him," Ranma replied before rejoining the Amazon and assessing the situation. "We're rapidly running out of dance floor."

XXXXX

Observing the fight, Rippa's and Kitsui's strategy was obvious. As they continued their dance, fire traced behind them on the ground. As the seconds passed, more and more of the floor was consumed by the flame, leaving less and less room for Shampoo and Ranma. Worse still, the first was spreading slowly on its own, so the pair need not even approach Shampoo and Ranma to complete the pattern.

"How are they doing that?" Kasumi asked in concerned.

"It is likely a two part technique," Cologne replied. "Since the girl seems to be quite good at chi manipulation, I suspect she is keeping the flames under control. She is also likely keeping them safe. The boy is likely then initiating the flame, and proving the raw energy to keep the flame alive."

"That should mean they can't keep it alive long," Kasumi concluded.

"Long enough," Herb commented. "If I'm figuring right, they can completely cover the dance floor for a full minute and a half before he will likely exhaust."

"That's... not good," is all Kasumi could say.

XXXXX

The conclusion those watching had reached was little different than Ranma's. However, considering many different approaches was not leading him to a solution to their dilemma. "Any ideas?" he asked desperately as they were forced back another foot closer to the dance floor boundary.

Shampoo too had been thinking desperately, but with ranged attacks out, she was drawing a substantial blank. She took a moment to look over at those watching, seeing their concern about the turn in events. As she did she ran over all she had learned in a the last week, considering how any of it could help, but still nothing. Damn it. We could fly over it, but the stupid rules say we have to stay connected to the ground. It would be just as bad as stepping off the dance floor. Annoyed Shampoo looked away, and around the room for some inspiration, when something finally came to her. Looking up she considered, It might just work.

Noticing her expression, Ranma gave Shampoo a urgent questioning look. "You got something?"

"Yes, lift Shampoo. We dance on ceiling."

"What?" Ranma replied, looking upwards. "You can't be serious!"

"Is just like fly technique, just in reverse," Shampoo explained, smiling confidently. After a second, Ranma shared the smile, and nodded.

Across from them, Rippa and Kitsui watched, perplexed, as Ranma first lifted Shampoo off the ground, till she was in a full handstand that just barely managed to get her to the ceiling. There, unexpectedly, she acted as if glued to the ceiling, and pulled Ranma up behind her. "What the...?" Rippa said as he continued to watch the unusual move.

"They must have twisted that flying technique of theirs," Kitsui correctly analyzed.

"Yeah," Rippa agreed, quickly adjusting his movement to keep the pair well clear, but despite his concern, once planted on the ceiling, Ranma and Shampoo made no move to attack from their position, instead merely keeping up the most simple of dance motions together while dangling down like bats. "Okay, cute, but what are they up to?" Rippa asked in confusion, before Kitsui cleared her throat and directed Rippa's attention to the score board, which was remaining unchanged. "Hey!"

Off the dance floor, and only half paying attention, the blond haired girl looked up from her cellphone briefly as Rippa gave her a dirty look. "What?"

"What's the deal, judge?" Rippa complained. "They aren't on the floor!"

Neru blinked in annoyance at the interruption, then rolled her eyes. "Ceiling, walls, floor, dance floor," she said, pointing out each in turn. "That is a solid connection to the floor. They are also within the bounds of the dance floor perimeter."

Rippa cringed, and looked over at Haku. The silver hair judge likewise looked around the room, then nodded. "Seems okay to me. Rippa and Kitsui, 25 point penalty," she declared, before going back to her depressed look.

Annoyed, Kitsui hit Rippa on the arm. "Way to go, brother!"

"Oh shut up," Rippa replied bitterly, looking at their now much diminished score of a mere 6 points. I knew they had that darn technique, but never even considered that they'd use it like that, he thought, already feeling the drain of his own technique. A quick look back up at their opponents showed that although they were struggling a bit, they could likely hold out longer than he could. "Damn it," Rippa cursed before cutting off the energy to the flames.

Seeing the flames recede, Shampoo and Ranma quickly returned to the floor, and took stock of their own score. It was little better, at 18 points. "Let's not mess around, let's finish them off before they think something else up," Ranma said, and Shampoo agreed. With determined looks, both rushed forward onto the attack.

Rippa sighed in exhaustion as he watched this. "Just keep her busy," he said quietly before separating from his sister to face Ranma alone.

"Keep her busy he says," Kitsui muttered as she noticed Shampoo once more flare with energy and attack. "One last thing to use then," she said and dodged back, quickly running through the setup of her final technique.

Rippa was not nearly so energetic. Fatigue was in full effect, and he could do little more than brace himself against Ranma's assault. "You're looking a little pale there, Buyou," Ranma taunted as he systematically attacked each of the other boy's defending limbs.

"You did something more than just mess up my flow in my foot," Rippa accused to which Ranma paused and nodded.

"Oh yeah. Been doing it the whole fight actually. It just took a while to really kick in. You see, I've been studying the body's energy system pretty closely these last few days. Couldn't get anything too heavy duty going, but I figured out a way to cause a few... malfunctions."

"Malfunctions?" Rippa repeated, taking the break in the attack to catch his breath.

"Yeah. Got the idea from some of the things I've been seeing recently. Kasumi is still recovering from a kind of ki contamination. If I inject even a little of my own ki into your ki energy centers, it has a similar, although less severe effect. Likewise, not that long ago Ukyo messed up her system so it was leaking. I can emulate the same thing in you by jamming open a few of your energy channels. Its more like a leaking faucet than what she had, but it adds up over time. Oh, and even did a little active draining of your energy ala my teacher. Can't absorb the energy myself, but pulling it out of you is all I really need to do."

Rippa moaned slightly, realizing fully why it was so hard to recover. "Seems you did one hell of a number on me, Saotome. Guess then we'll have to end this in one move."

"Right," Ranma said with a smile, cracked his knuckles, and moved in for the final attack, or at least attempted to. Instead, he found his feet suddenly rooted to the floor. Quickly, he adjusted his dance to a simple upper body sway while he puzzled over the impediment. "What the..."

"One last final trick of my own, Saotome," Rippa announced, pointing down. Ranma looked down to see he had been maneuvered into a very particular spot where the floor board were every so lightly glowing. "Just a little short term alteration of the properties of the floor, sorta like having magnetic boots on, or maybe a hyper gravity field, whichever analogy you prefer."

Can't dodge like this, Ranma thought, and watched as Rippa entered an odd dance pattern. He could use the momentum kick on me again, but I think he has something even worse in mind.

XXXXX

Shampoo's side of the battle was proving just little better. Although she had Kitsui totally defensive, she could not seem to connect. Every kick, every punch, every attack of any kind just missed. Shampoo was quickly coming to the conclusion that she'd have more luck trying to grab a cloud.

How is she doing this? I was so close to overwhelming her before and now it seems like we're back to a stalemate, Shampoo thought in irritation as she continued to try to apply pressure to no avail. She is definitely there, it is no illusion. I can feel her spirit. But, her beat does feel different... almost... familiar, Shampoo continued to analyze, but came to no answers. Kitsui, was not being of any help on the matter either, remaining unusually silent as she merely defended.

XXXXX

Continuing to watch from the sidelines, many had taken note of Shampoo's troubles, and were equally perplexed. However, their confusion was of a different nature. "Why is Shampoo-?" Kasumi started to ask, but Cologne raised a hand to quiet Kasumi. "Elder?"

"It is one of the very rare ultimate defenses."

"Ultimate defense?" Kasumi asked.

"Yes. Defensive techniques that create nearly unbreakable defensive barriers. Many a style has laid claim to such a technique, but only a few are truly acknowledged as such, and this is one. I'm very impressed that this Kitsui has mastered it. It is a particularly difficult one," Cologne responded quietly, then looked over at Kasumi. "Let Shampoo solve this one on her own."

Kasumi hesitated, but finally nodded. That is what Shampoo wanted, but unless she realizes what she is doing quickly, she'll wear herself out, Kasumi thought, but said nothing more.

XXXXX

As this conversation was happening, Shampoo continued to try to pin down the feeling she was getting. Why is this so familiar? she asked herself as yet another combination attack failed to land. Desperate, Shampoo tried to push even more energy out, hoping to simply overpower Kitsui with shear ki enhanced speed, but despite the extra burst of power, nothing changed. This is impossible! If she is this fast, why hasn't she shown it till now?

Finally the energy drain became too much and Shampoo dialed it back, and took a breather, expecting Kitsui to go on the offensive, yet the other girl remained where she was, merely giving Shampoo a smile.

With one heavy breath, Shampoo calmed herself, casting Ranma and Rippa a quick glance. Ranma was still stuck, unable to do more than watch as Rippa entered a new dance pattern. This too had a familiar feel to it, but Shampoo could identify it. It looked much like the pattern of movement the Ha Do Ken used, only done with one's legs, concentrating the energy by the feet rather than using the arms. That's not good, Shampoo thought, before refocusing on Kitsui. Have to finish her quickly, but... how? And why isn't she even trying to attack? If she can move that fast to evade me, she could easily hit me with all kinds of attacks, but she's not even trying. She probably has been messing me this whole time, Shampoo thought with a frown, but quickly dismissed her own reasoning. No, that's not it. She has been taking this seriously. This is something else. Something familiar, she thought with a frown, annoyed that the answer was not coming to her.

Finally, Shampoo decided to try and force the issue. Quickly calming herself, she marched forward, directly into Kitsui's range, and lower all her defenses, merely staring at the other girl. Kitsui, however, made no move to take advantage of this, and continued smiling back. "You just teasing Shampoo!" Shampoo accused but Kitsui shook her head, but otherwise did not respond. "Then attack me!" Shampoo ordered but Kitsui did not obey. Frustrated, Shampoo nearly repeated the order, but stopped herself as a new line of reasoning came to her. "You no can," Shampoo said and Kitsui's smile briefly intensified. That's why this is familiar. It is like Kasumi, but even more intense. A feeling of total peace... no hostility at all. But how would that?... Shampoo thought, and experimentally reached out at Kitsui. As expected, Kitsui dodged away, but Shampoo was not done. Next she attacked, but this time focused fully on herself rather than Kitsui and the answer became plain. Indeed, Kitsui did dodge, but this was just a disguise. The true reason Shampoo's attack did not connect was because despite every intention, Shampoo herself involuntarily aimed just a bit off. What the...

From the shock on Shampoo's face, Kitsui correctly guessed that Shampoo had noticed. "Oops, looks like you're figuring it out, not that it matters," Kitsui finally said.

"You make Shampoo miss... No, is not even that," Shampoo responded. "Shampoo would feel that. Is this... feeling."

"It's an aura of pure in-hostility. It repels hostility, preventing even the lines of intent from connecting with me. So long as I keep this up, you can't intentionally attack me. In fact, no one can," Kitsui revealed.

Shampoo took in the explanation and realized it fit. It's no good. To form any kind of attack, I have to form it with hostile intent. The only way to break such a defense is for it to be purely accidental, with no intent at all. It probably has an upper limit, but I clearly can't reach that, Shampoo thought, once more looking back at the boys.

Rippa's attack was finally complete. Ranma had desperately tried a few shots of ki to try and disrupt the attempt but they had failed. "You know, I wasn't planning to use this attack," Rippa said. "It normally saps all my strength. But, seeing as how you've pretty much done that already, guess it doesn't matter."

"Stop blabbing, and just bring it on," Ranma replied, setting himself to receiving the attack as best as he could.

"Your funeral," Rippa replied, giving Shampoo a glance. The Amazon realized at that moment that Kitsui had merely been buying time, and that Rippa was the one going for true victory. However, there was nothing to be done about it at this point as Rippa was fully prepared and unleashed his attack.

The energy he had gathered was focused together like a soccer ball. Treating it much as its appearance, Rippa juggled it just briefly into the air, before entering a horizontal spin and kicking it hard into Ranma. Rooted as he was, evasion was impossible, so instead Ranma took a gamble and reached forward, into the blast. Whatever he was attempting, Shampoo could only guess, but the immediate result was more than obvious. As the ball of ki impacted, it exploded, and Ranma was send flying, only to be stopped, barely, by the wall of the building. Plaster and drywall gave way under the impact, and even the support beams within the wall cracked and groaned. Ranma himself started sliding to the floor, momentarily lifeless. However, much to the shock of everyone watching, Ranma quickly stirred and braced himself.

"Ranma," Shampoo said in mix of concern and surprise as he took several steps forward. However, his comeback was brief as he stumbled and collapsed onto his face several meters short of the dance. Defiantly, he try to push himself back up but failed, simply lacking the strength. Abandoning that approach, he began crawling toward the dance floor. He won't make it back in time, Shampoo realized as she looked at their score count down, then over at Rippa.

Rippa, despite having delivered the attack looked little better. His skin was pale, and he looked ready to collapse. The best he could manage was to keep himself moving to not incur a score penalty. Shampoo looked between him, Ranma and Kitsui, considering her options, but right now there was only one available. The issue forced, Shampoo rushed to attack Rippa.

"Oh hell," Rippa managed to get out before receiving a direct kick to the face. He stumbled several steps back, wondering how he had retained consciousness, only to receive another, this time to the chest. The force of this blow was enough to send him outside the dance floor himself. Shampoo stopped her assault at this point, barring Rippa path back onto the floor, and looked back at Kitsui. The other girl was merely continuing her own dance, apparently still unable to attack. "Just once more," Rippa muttered, regaining Shampoo's attention just long enough for her to see him disappear.

Shampoo cursed in her native tongue, immediately detecting Rippa's new position thanks to her new sense. He was now at the center of the dance floor, in the midst of a barely controlled collapse, having well gone beyond his limits. Too little time, Shampoo thought as she race towards him reaching out desperately.

At the same instant Ranma reached the very perimeter of the dance floor when his own strength gave out, once more collapsing to the floor. In one last desperate measure, knowing his time was nearly up, he rolled in.

Then a buzzer sounded... and another.

The two sounds were so closely timed as to leave everyone in a bit of confusion. All eyes moved to the score board to see 2 matching zeros. "What happened?" Ukyo was the first to ask.

"Look there," Cologne pointed at Rippa. Everyone's attention turned to the boy, and the reason for the point loss on his part became clear as he was hovering a few inches off the ground. Rippa himself was looking down, dumbfounded at the situation, before gathering enough strength to look over at Shampoo who appeared to be equally shocked. Her hand was still outstretched, as if grabbing him. Blinking in shock, Shampoo withdrew her hand, and Rippa dropped to the ground. "If she could do that..." Cologne puzzled.

"She couldn't," both Ranko and Herb quickly said.

XXXXX

"Alright, who won?" Ranma demanded several minutes later after having recovered enough to stand. At the side of the dance floor, the three judges were conferring, but coming to no answer. "Rippa, don't you have a timer on those darn counters?"

"Yes," Rippa replied, sitting off to the side. "But, it only counts in seconds. I haven't had the money to upgrade to a no-tie score unit."

"It is never this close to warrant one," Kitsui added. "Up til now I think the closest match we had was 94 points spread."

Shampoo huffed in annoyance, eying the judges. Finally, all three seem to come to a conclusion, but it was easy to see from their body language that it was not a conclusion that was going to be pleased with.

Miku spoke up for the threesome, "we... can't figure it out. Haku is too fuzzy on which one came first, and neither me nor Neru were paying that close attention to the other's counter, so we're not sure either. So... I guess it is a tie."

Watching all this tensely, Kasumi let out a sigh of relief before speaking up. "Well, that's okay. Now neither-"

"Outside?" Ranma asked suddenly.

"Right, let's go," Rippa quickly agreed, and both boys started to march for the door.

"What?" Kasumi blurt out, before rushing ahead of the boys and blocking them. "What are you doing?"

"No way this is ending in a tie," Ranma declared, to which Rippa nodded in agreement.

Kitsui and Shampoo exchanged their own looks of consideration at the boys' declaration, but before either could act Akane joined Kasumi, barring the boys' path.

"Be serious, Ranma. Neither of you are in any shape to go on," Akane said.

"I'm fine," Ranma argued, but to make her point, Akane gently poked him. For an instant, it looked to do nothing, but a vibration then began throughout Ranma body, and after only a second he gasped out in pain and collapsed.

"Fine huh?" Akane mocked.

Rippa laughed. "Saotome, you're pathetic. You tried to absorb and redirect by attack, didn't you. That was very foolish," he taunted before Akane likewise poked him. His reaction was more immediate, as despite the almost nonexistent level of force, Rippa tipped backwards and fell over.

"You're no better," Akane pointed out as she stood over the boys.

Both boys recovered, but remained on the ground, looking at each other. "Rain check, Saotome?" Rippa finally offered.

"Doesn't seem like we have much choice," Ranma reluctantly agreed.

Shampoo and Kitsui once more exchanged looks of consideration. However, Kitsui, like Rippa before her, waved off any further conflict. "I'm done too," she said, and walked off. Shampoo opened her mouth for an instant, but just as quickly closed it, a slightly disappointed on her face.

XXXXX

"Here you go, Ranma, try this," Ukyo urged as she handed Ranma a dumpling. Ranma looked at it skeptically, but Ukyo's insistent look told him that he was not allowed to say no. The two boys had been carried into a changing room setup with several makeshift beds. It was not long before Ukyo had entered with her rather interesting idea of treatment.

Shrugging, Ranma decided not to argue, and quickly polished off the treat. "I know you said these things fixed you up, Ukyo, but I'm not so sur... WOAH!" Ranma exclaimed as he felt a sudden surge of energy within him. "Okay, I take that back, I feel awesome! What the hell was in that thing?" Ranma asked as he jumped to his feet with full vigor.

"Umm... various things," Ukyo replied, diverting her face away self-consciously.

"Hey, you think that would fix up Rippa too?" Ranma asked, regaining Ukyo's attention.

"Uh... probably," she replied, looking at the extra she had, but before she could say anything more, Ranma grabbed it and offered it to his former opponent.

"I don't-" Rippa started to protest, but Ranma ignored him, and forced the dumpling into his hands.

"Just eat it," Ranma ordered, and after giving Ukyo a brief look to see she was not objecting, he did as bidden. A moment later his reaction was little different than Ranma's. "Awesome huh?"

"Yes, quite impressive," Rippa replied as he too stood up. "Although, I'm still feeling the bruises."

Ukyo shook her head. "It just fixes problems with your energy system."

"Truly? I would not think that something a simple dumpling capable of," Rippa commented. "Did you make them?"

Ukyo hesitated but once more shook her head. "No. A priest at a temple outside town made them for me."

"You should get the recipe. Those things are great," Ranma replied, causing the he chef to deflate a little, nod and leave before he could turn to notice. However, the reaction was not missed by Rippa who promptly punch Ranma in the shoulder. "Hey!"

"You really are just as insensitive of a jerk as I remember, Saotome."

"What? I just said-"

"Never mind," Rippa quickly dismissed, once more sitting down. "Just take some advice, if you are indeed to marry those three girls, in whatever twisted arrangement you got going on, you better start paying far more attention to their feelings."

Ranma looked back at the door Ukyo had departed by. "Ukyo has been feeling kinda down lately, come to think of it, and it all did sorta start when she was at the temple... hmm." Dismissing that mystery for the moment, Ranma turned back to Rippa and punched his fist into his palm. "So, ready for round 2 now?"

"Forget it," Rippa replied, laying back. "I'm done for the day, probably for the week. Besides, I changed my mind. Regardless of the official ruling, I feel I lost that fight."

"What?"

"I wanted to prove that my style was fundamentally superior. A tie, if anything, proves anything but. I have no real drive to repeat the test," the dancer explained. "If you're still interested in learning some of the advanced techniques, I'm willing to engage in a little exchange of information."

"For me teaching you a few of my moves?" Ranma asked to confirm, gaining a nod. "What about all of that stuff about keeping the techniques with the school and such?"

Rippa shrugged. "I'm not as stuck on that principle as the old master."

Ranma nodded and paused to think. "I guess that's agreeable. However, if it is any consolation, I didn't do nearly as well as I was hoping."

Rippa scoffed. "Get out of here, Saotome, before my mood shifts. I'll give you a call in a few days when I'm good to go."

Smiling, Ranma headed out into the dance hall proper. There he found Shampoo talking with the others, apparently trying to repeat the feat at the end of the match, this time with a chair. However, judging from her expression, she was not having any success. "Why it no work?" Shampoo puzzled aloud as Ranma approached.

"You've gotta take all yer emotion, all yer love, all yer pain and push it way down deep in ta the pit of yer stomach and let it explode like a reactor!" Kitsui said from the side, gaining puzzled looks from everyone. "Hasn't anyone seen Ghost here? Come on."

Cologne cleared her throat before speaking. "Yes, well, she might have a point, however clumsily she makes it. I have some limited knowledge of spirit based abilities, and most important to them is not concentration, nor any physical tricks, but rather strong desires. You probably simply lack that strong desire at the moment, the battle now being complete."

Shampoo frowned, but relented. "Ranma all better?" She asked on noticing him.

"Yeah, Ukyo gave me... uh, where is she?"

"She left," Kasumi replied, looking at the door. "She seemed a bit depressed actually."

"Wonderful," Ranma said with a sigh, and quickly waived off further inquiry. "Don't worry about it. I probably need to talk with her."

"That would be best," Kasumi agreed and looked back at Shampoo. "Is there anything else we have to do here?"

Shampoo shook her head, and as the others headed for the door she turned to Kitsui and bowed slightly. "You is... strong fighter."

"You too sweety," Kitsui with a teasing grin, although this one seemed more playful than the smiles Kitsui had been treating Shampoo to up till this point. "Say, just one question before you go: Kasumi there, is she something special to you?"

At hearing her name mentioned, Kasumi paused at the door to look back. "She my wife," Shampoo replied causing Kasumi to blush.

"Wife?" Kitsui repeated and within seconds her carefree demeanor changed sharply. "Wife? You never mentioned that!" she said with an annoyed frown.

"You never asked, sister," Rippa said from the doorway to the changing room.

Kitsui shot her brother a dirty look. "And how long have you known?" She asked, but waved off his answer. "Never mind! Well that just... what a waste that was!" Kitsui complained as she walked off, leaving Shampoo a bit perplexed.

"My sister's particular preference is for... newbies," Rippa explained as he walked up. "Obviously married would imply you are less than new to the whole experience."

"Well, we... umm..." Kasumi started to reflexively reply from the door, but caught herself.

"You don't need to explain anything to me. Oh, by the way, Shampoo. I offered a little exchange of technique with Saotome. I would offer you the same, or perhaps Kitsui would be interested. She could use a few pointers I'm sure," he mused, looking over his shoulder at Kitsui who was now sulking, arms crossed and back turned by the corner of the room.

"Whatever," Kitsui replied without looking back.

"Shampoo think about it," the Amazon replied at last with a bit of a smile before waving and departing.

Rippa followed the pair to the door, and watched as they rushed to catch up with the others. Ranma apparently was getting praised by his father and Soun, while Shampoo appeared to be deep in thought. "Hmm, got a feeling those two are going to be forces in their own right very soon," Rippa thought aloud, before frowning and looking to the side. "And as for you, Mikado, don't think I've forgotten about you."

From beside the dance hall and out of sight, Mikado fell into few, paralyzed with surprise before recovering. "How did you know I was here?"

"I could feel your playboy arrogance a mile off," Rippa said with a smirk, causing the other boy to glare at him. "I'm feeling generous, so despite the tie, I'll let you off the hook. Just don't cross paths with me again." Without waiting for a response, Rippa headed back inside.

XXXXX

No doubt about it, she's Eris alright, Seiya thought with an annoyed frown as she sat in a small park near Furinkan. It was evening now, and officially the dead line for her to attempt to depart for her home world, except she couldn't. She didn't know exactly what Eris's game was but it essentially forced Seiya to stay. Sighing, Seiya leaded back as she waited, running over the logic in her head once more. If I leave, and she's a threat, I've just knowingly left Usagi in danger. Of course, Eris could be trying to keep me here, but for what purpose? She already proved she can easily defeat me, so if she's probably not planning to threaten the others back home. So whatever she wants it requires me here. So, by some logic I shouldn't go along with it and leave, but I can't because Usagi is likely the one that is trouble... ugh, she is definitely Eris.

This was a pattern the Eris of legend was well known for. In myth on their home world, she was a rampant mischief maker. She always appeared to know just the right threads to pull to unravel a situation. The odd thing was she was also the one that taught them to use their senshi powers, and even though she caused a lot of trouble, most often the legends depicted her simply revealing trouble that was already brewing under the surface. It was a strange dichotomy leaving Seiya unsure how to judge the woman's intents. What made the situation even worse was what else she had revealed.

Records on previous relationships between senshi were quite clear, they weren't so transient as others. Even here they had an example with Uranus and Neptune, a pair that continually, even through death and rebirth, seemed to always come together. That left a disturbing possibility open for Seiya. What if I won't get over these feelings? she asked herself and had no answers. Seiya shook away the thought. The records were incomplete and inconclusive. Yes, perhaps troubling, but nothing to go basing any drastic decisions on.

She checked a nearby clock in a store window to see only a few minutes had passed since she had called Usagi, asking her to come to the park to meet. Now, more than ever, Seiya questioned her own motives. She could simply have gone to the dorm and talked there, but instinct had driven her to arrange a more secluded meeting. What Eris had said about the dream had clicked fairly quickly and had opened a possibility that Seiya had dismissed. There was only one dream she could be referring to, the one that Usagi had told them she was trapped in while under those nano machines control. The implication that Eris was making was also very clear even if she did not say it aloud, Seiya was important in that dream somehow.

What am I even going to say? Seiya asked herself, but could think of nothing before Usagi could be seen approaching. For once, I wish she could have been a bit slower, she thought as she rose from the bench she was sitting on and walked over to greet Usagi.

"Seiya!" Usagi called out and rushed over. "Why did you ask to meet here? I'm sure the others would want to say goodbye too."

Seiya shook her head. "Something has come up. I... can't leave just yet."

"Oh," Usagi said in surprise. "What?"

"Uh... I had... I meet... I'll talk about that in a minute. Look, the reason I asked to meet you here is..." Seiya started but found the two sides of her mind warring over the issue. Finally though, one side won out. "Usagi, why am I here? Why did you bring me here?"

"Uh... well..." Usagi stammered, caught off guard by the sudden confrontation.

"It is something to do with that dream you were trapped in, doesn't it?" Seiya pushed, shocking the blonde. Any calm in Usagi's expression vaporized and she quickly turned away. I knew it! Seiya thought in brief triumph before noticing Usagi troubled demeanor and regretting bringing the subject up.

However, before she could say anything more on the matter, Usagi spoke. "Yes," she admitted. "It wasn't just any dream. It was like a perfect version of this world. Well, not perfect perfect, but close. Mamoru was back in Japan and everything was going so well... and you were there too. You were there right next to Mamoru."

Seiya remained silent, shocked despite having suspected as much. She was even more shocked when Usagi turned back to her, confusion plain in her face, as if pleading to have it all make sense.

"It is supposed to be simple," Usagi said suddenly. "I've even seen my future. It is all destined, isn't it? Now I have that dream, and find out even my own mother was with... well, all sorts of men from the sounds of it. Even my own future is totally unsure now according to Pluto. What am I supposed to think about that?" she exclaimed, caught up in her own emotions, before catching herself, and quickly wiping away the beginnings of tears from her eyes.

"I'm sorry," Seiya instinctively responded. "I should never have brought it up."

"No, I should have told you," Usagi said with a shake of her head. "I just... don't know what to think anymore," she said, and once more turned away. "I just wish... it all could be easier."

Seiya nodded, not sure what else to do. Well, now what, Seiya? You opened this can of worms, what are you going to do with it? she thought, frowning as several silent seconds passed by. Just as she was starting to put together a response something altogether unexpected happened. From Usagi's back a brilliant light came out, turning the night into day. Seiya backed away in shock, noticing that the light was actually formed into the shape of wings. These must be the same wings the others saw, she thought. Why come out now though? Seiya got little time to ponder that before Usagi seemed oblivious to the change. In fact, she seemed to be in a bit of a trance.

"I... just... want... it..." Usagi said very slowly.

"Usagi!" Seiya called out, but Usagi did not appear to take notice.

Then everything went back to night. The change was so sudden that it took Seiya several seconds to adjust before noticing two women standing to either side of Usagi, hands forward with energy passing between them. A second later she realized that these weren't just any two women, like Eris before them, they had a very distinctive feel. Damn it! Seiya cursed in her own mind, immediately suspecting she had been played, and moved to transform. She did not make it however, as a third appeared before her, a red head, but whose entire left side looked to some creature straight from hell itself. Instantly Seiya found herself unable to move, paralyzed with fear.

"Don't intefere," the new comer said and struck Seiya in the chest, and all went to darkness.

XXXXX

Back at the dorm, Ami's computer came to life with a urgent beeping. Engrossed in home work, it took Ami a second to adjust before retrieving it.

"What is that thing, anyway?" Ami's roommate, Yotogi, asked from her bed where she was current leafing through a magazine that Ami did not care to know the identity of.

"It's just a multifunction calculator. It has alarms and such," Ami lied, as she examined the alert and grew concerned. "I have to go."

"At this hour?" Yotogi asked, temporarily putting her magazine aside, but Ami was already departing. Yotogi shrugged and returned to her oogling, thinking to herself, That girl needs to get laid. It would mellow her out.

Ami was fast on her way to the dorm exit. The energy spike the computer had detected was unmistakeably the same as the one they had encountered at the La Bac, and that was not something that should be ignored. She was just in the process of retrieving her communicator to contact the others when Usagi entered. Ami quickly halted in surprise. "Usagi, are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Usagi replied with a calm smile. "I just went to talk with Seiya."

"Seiya?" Ami puzzled.

"Yes," Usagi confirmed.

"Did anything happen? I just got the reading I got-"

"Seiya left is all, and don't worry about the reading, Ami. It's unimportant," Usagi replied, confusing Ami at her calmness.

"But-"

"It's unimportant," Usagi gently insisted, causing Ami to blink.

"Uh... right," Ami said, looking around herself in confusion. What was I just doing? she asked herself, but couldn't remember.

"Weren't you studying?" Usagi asked, causing Ami to pause in thought before nodding.

"Right, of course," she said, absently turning the computer off and returning to her room. Behind her in the hall, Usagi simply continued smiling until Ami left her sight.

XXXXX

As the day came to the end, Kasumi was in the process of finishing her the preparations for bed, when she returned to the bedroom for a moment to find Shampoo looking out the glass door into the night sky. Kasumi lightly sighed. Despite Shampoo's claims to the contrary, she knew that the battle today was playing on Shampoo's mind. Even at their post match get together, Shampoo had been subdued. It seemed a tie was not to her liking.

However, before Kasumi could even speak a word, Shampoo looked back over her shoulder and said, "I fine."

"You sure you don't want to talk about it?" Kasumi asked.

"I no even land one punch on her," Shampoo said with a confused frown. Before Kasumi to comment on that, Shampoo continued. "No even make her lose one point."

"Well, it was a team battle. I thought you did very well, considering," Kasumi replied, but Shampoo seemed unconvinced. "Considering how little time you had, and how... usual her style, I don't think you can expect to do any better."

Shampoo nodded. "Shampoo know this. Is just..." she tried to say, but gave up and once more turned to the window.

Kasumi pondered, but further words escaped her. She did not like seeing Shampoo in such a melancholy mood, but there seemed little to be done. This was simply the kind of disappointment anyone had to deal with when they had been bested. With a light sigh that went unnoticed by Shampoo, Kasumi returned to the bathroom to brush her teeth and think.

Being perfectly honest with herself she had been expecting for quite a different first evening back together. It had been a week that they had been separated, and Kasumi was sorely missing Shampoo's company, particularly at night. Shampoo was certainly not one to restrain her affections, and although that often gave Kasumi cause for embarrassment, it was also something she was become increasing accustomed to. It was during this time alone that Kasumi had come to a realization, namely that her one month reprieve was now used up. Realizing this had been resulted in a great deal of nervousness about this night, but with Shampoo forgetting about the whole thing, Kasumi found herself with an entirely different set of emotions at play.

She's got a lot on her mind, Kasumi thought as she finished with her teeth and looked at herself in the mirror. I suppose that's a good thing. Gives me more time to... she pondered but found she wasn't convincing herself. After a few more seconds of thought, her eyes returned to the faucet, and remained there for nearly a minute. I'm being very... very silly, Kasumi thought as she ran her hand over the cold water knob in contemplation before finally closing her eyes and smiling.

XXXXX

End Chapter 43

No, this is not a lemon, so got to stop there. And no, I'm not planning on any lemon side stories (I'm terrible at writing lemons). Moving on...

Next time in A Scary Thought: the San Cheng Huang plays host to a number of new visitors.

Slow doesn't begin to describe the delay on this chapter. Main issue has been work really picking up, and when you work in programming, when the day is over, the last thing you generally want to be doing is more typing.

For those a bit confused on the crossovers: Usagi, Rei, Minako, Makoto, Ami, Haruka, Michiru, Hotaru, Setsuna, Luna, and Artemis are all from Sailor Moon. Kitsune has her ties to the X-files, but only in that she's a fanatic of similar interests rather than appearing in said show. Saki and Sampei are from Sukeban Deka. You may also notice Frost borrowing a spell from here or there; in particular Gargoyles and Illusionaries are two prime targets. Speaking of Gargoyles, if you're a fan of the series you may have already figured this out, but La Bac is Cabal spelt backwards. Also Gen-U-Tech is also a business from Gargoyles. Does that mean this is a Gargoyles cross over? Haven't decided, could just be me stealing ideas ^_^. Anyway, besides that we have Chun Li, Rose, Shadow Lady, Shadow, Gill and the previously shown Karin and Sakura which come from Street Fighter series (Rose, Karin and Sakura from Street Fighter Alpha 3, Shadow and Shadow Lady from Marvel vs Capcom, Chun Li from much of the Street Fighter series, and now Gill from Street Fighter III). As for Ranko, well she's from my other major fanfic, Most Unlikely of Friends, although you can largely consider her standard Ranma trapped in female form for most purposes. And lastly comes dear old Siren who is from Dreiser's story 'Black Rose Blue Thunder'. I won't be using her much but she fits a temporary need. Our newest cameos are Miku, Neru and Haku. Miku is an official vocaloid character (the first I believe), and Neru and Haku are fan-made vocaloid characters although they have been officially recognized by the company that owns vocaloid, making them semi-official I guess. I encountered them on the net while searching for various dances for a little inspiration so I figured I'd work them in for the dance match. Probably won't see them past this chapter though.

I'm so far behind on my websites that I don't even feel they're worth mentioning anymore. If you do head there, consider them seriously out of date, and essentially dead.

Well, that concludes things for this chapter. Later.