In a remote part of the Chinese province of Qinghai, hidden in the Bayankala Mountain range, there lies a valley with several pools of water. This place is called Zhòuquánxiāng in Mandarin or Jusenkyo in Japanese. Some speak of it as a legendary training ground for martial artists, others say it is a cursed place and that any who go there are changed forever.
Jusenkyo, to those who know the truth, are known as 'the Pools of Sorrow', for the magic that resides in these waters has been brought about by the deaths of those creatures that have drowned in them and that those who are submerged in them after, are said to live a sorrowful life. To live a cursed life.
Chapter 1 - A Rainy Night In Nermia
Rain smacked the windows of the Nekohanten as the last diner paid up and left. Shan Pu sighed as she stared outside, taking in the terrible weather with a sad expression on her pretty face.
No evening stroll tonight. She thought glumly.
She used to love walking in the rain. There was something refreshing about it. The sounds, the feelings, the way the air seemed cleaner. Now if she was to step outside, all she would get was wet fur and having to pad about on all fours.
After one last glance outside, she returned to gathering up the remaining plates left on the wooden tables of her great-grandmother's restaurant.
Tring
Hearing the sound of the bell above the restaurant entrance jangle, Shan Pu turned with a sigh.
"Sorry, restaurant is closed. No can-" her words cut short as she saw the trio standing in the entryway. A smile broke on her face.
"Airen!"
Ranma, currently in female form, stood holding a worn travelling pack in one hand and a familiar black piglet in the other. Standing behind her was Genma Saotome in panda form. All three looked completely soaked from the rain.
Tossing the dishes to one side, she rushed her currently female husband and wrapped herself around the shorter girl in a classic Amazon glomp.
"Ack! Quit it, Shampoo!" Ranma yelped.
Ranma waved her arms, trying to get the other girl to release her. Ryoga extricated himself from the embrace and landed beside the two, glaring up at them.
Shan Pu nuzzled her cheek into Ranma's affectionately. She had not seen much of the redhead since the failed wedding at the Tendo dojo. Shan Pu suspected Ranma was upset with her because of her actions helping to stop it.
Can't you understand I had to do it, Airen? That you are my husband by Joketsuzoku law. That if I can't bring you back to my tribe, I will be punished even worse than this cat curse. The thoughts raced through her head as she clutched Ranma.
That… that I love you with all my heart and would fight for you until my last breath.
"Aiyah! Airen finally come take Shampoo on date, yes?" she squealed, a delighted expression spreading across her face.
"No need bring stupid panda-father and silly pig-boy." She waved off the two animals who glowered back.
"Ugh! I ain't here ta date ya, Shampoo. We're here cause of this!" Ranma struggled in Shan Pu's embrace before pulling out from her pocket a rain-dampened note.
Shan Pu reluctantly let the redhead go and examined the note with curiosity.
"Meet at the Nekohaten after closing time if you want to find a cure to your curse." Shan Pu read aloud.
"Aiyah! Cure to Jusenkyo curse?" she said confused. "That bring all three of you?"
The two animals nodded in confirmation.
"Hmm… curious. Who wrote note?" Shampoo questioned aloud.
"That would be me."
And at that moment as a new voice spoke, thunder and lightning appropriately struck in the distance.
It made a dramatic entrance for the owner of the voice, who currently stood in the doorway of the restaurant's kitchen, dressed in his usual pure white robes.
"Mousse!" Ranma said, eyes narrowing slightly with suspicion.
"What silly Mousse up to?" Shampoo spoke tersely, crossing her arms under her bosom as she studied her long-time admirer.
*Can we get some hot water first before anything else?* Read the sign that Genma had just pulled out.
Ryoga bweed in agreement.
Mu Tsu studied the group.
After hot water had been brought and everyone returned to their birth form, they all sat around a table in the middle of the empty restaurant.
His three guests as well as his beloved Shan Pu looked at him expectantly. They all held expressions of curiosity mixed with suspicion.
I can understand the lack of trust. He thought. It's not like any alliance we've had previously has been anything except temporary.
Tapping his fingers on the table's wood, he considered his next move. I need to proceed carefully if I want this to work.
Mu Tsu knew that any gathering of even two members of the so-called 'Nermia Wrecking Crew' could easily lead to a fight at the very least, chaos and destruction more likely than not.
He cleared his throat to get everyone's attention.
"Thank you all for coming. Especially on a night like this." The rain pelted down as he addressed the group.
"Yeah, well almost everyone didn't make it." Ranma gestured to Ryoga. "Porkchop over here is lucky we ran into him on the way. Got himself caught in the rain without his umbrella… AND was heading in the opposite direction."
The pigtailed boy snorted with amusement at Ryoga Hibiki's directional cluelessness.
"RANMA!" Ryoga yelled, glaring daggers at his rival.
"Ah come on, Ryoga. Ya ain't got no reason to be mad at me. I got you here! If it wasn't for me you'd probably be halfway to Osaka by now." Ranma smirked.
"Ranma, because of you I've seen hell!" Ryoga yelled, slamming his hand on the wooden table, making it shudder under the blow.
"Yeah yeah" Ranma brushed his rival off, "Heard it all before."
Ranma turned back to Mu Tsu while Ryoga continued to glare.
"What's this all about, feather brain?" Ranma said, leaning back on his chair and crossing his arms. "You actually got a Jusenkyo cure or is this some kind of a' scheme?"
Mu Tsu brow furrowed in annoyance at Saotome's insulting nickname. The pigtailed martial artist had a distinct talent for infuriating his rivals in an extremely short amount of time.
I must stay calm even if it would be oh-so-satisfying to knock that arrogant smirk off Saotome's face. Mu Tsu took a deep breath and centered himself.
"No schemes, Saotome. No tricks. You have my word. As far as I know, I have found a possible way to be cured of the Jusenkyo curse." Mu Tsu smiled as he folded his arms.
"Wait, really? A real cure! This is great!" Ryoga said, the news seeming to snap him out of his Ranma-induced anger.
"Hmm…Well, what's the catch and why are you sharing it with us?" Ranma said, studying Mu Tsu. "You ain't exactly been the sharing type in the past."
Mu Tsu nodded at this. The other boy was correct in his statement.
"Well first, I don't know if there is a catch." Mu Tsu said. "And second, while I would not generally share anything with you, Saotome, I would always seek to cure my beloved Shampoo!"
Mu Tsu beamed at the woman of his dreams. He was promptly smacked on the side of his head.
"Silly Mousse looking at pig-boy! Shampoo over here!" The Amazon warrior yelled in annoyance. "Put glasses on!"
Mu Tsu slipped on his spectacles and quickly turned from a bewildered Ryoga to an annoyed Shan Pu.
"Ah sorry, my love! I swear though, I have a cure to the curse."
Shampoo hearing this quickly smiled and held her hands to the side of her face, bubbly joy radiating from her.
"Mousse really found cure to terrible cat curse?" Her eyes sparkled for a moment in happiness before an annoyed expression took over. "If this end up being fake cure, Shampoo will be very cross!"
Shan Pu poked Mu Tsu in the chest to emphasise her point.
"Eheh." Mu Tsu sweated suddenly under the ire of his beloved.
"So what is this cure, Mousse? You used it yet and why invite us anyway?" Ranma said, focusing the group once more on the subject at hand.
Mu Tsu frowned.
"I'm going to answer your last question first, Saotome, as it's best to get that out of the way." The male Amazon gazed at the others. "I invited you all here tonight because I don't want my chances at a cure sabotaged. In the past, whenever a cure has been discovered we've all ended up fighting over it, getting in each other's way and ruining any chance of getting cured. That last time at Saotome's failed wedding is a prime example."
"Yeah, and that was my cure! The Jusenkyo guide sent it to me as a wedding gift!" Ranma glared at Mu Tsu.
Mu Tsu met the pigtailed boy's glare without giving ground.
"My apologies, Saotome, but I couldn't just simply sit there and let a chance of a cure pass me by." Mu Tsu stated evenly.
Ranma grumbled under his breath.
"That proves my point though. We all fought for the cask of Nannichuan water and none of us ended up getting it. If I go for this new cure and one of you hears about it, I can see it ending in all of us fighting again and no one gets cured. As the saying goes, 'those who don't learn from history, are doomed to repeat it', well I am tired of not learning from my past mistakes." Mu Tsu said solemnly.
The others in the room nodded their heads in agreement. What he said made sense.
"So what, you want us to join forces?" Ranma asked.
"A temporary truce for the betterment of all of us. Sound reasonable?" Mu Tsu proposed.
Ranma looked over to his father, who had remained silent so far, before turning back and shrugging.
"I'm game. Truce." Ranma said.
Genma nodded his assent.
"If it means I can finally stop turning into a pig, I'll happily work with you all!" Ryoga said.
"Shampoo happy to work together." The lavender-haired beauty said before turning and grabbing Ranma's arm. "Especially happy to work with Airen!"
Shan Pu purred while Ranma twitched, trying and failing to free his arm.
Mu Tsu's fists tightened at the sight of Ranma taking liberties with his beloved Shan Pu but he bit his tongue. Losing my cool now will undo this truce before it has started. I must remain calm.
"So what is this cure, boy? And where is it?" Gemna spoke finally, ignoring his son's struggles with his Amazon wife.
"Well it's not a what, it's a who, and they're here in Tokyo right now if my information is correct." Mu Tsu stated cryptically.
"Huh?" was the group's response as they all looked at him in confusion.
"How can cure be person?" Shan Pu asked, voicing everyone's question.
"I have learned of a powerful mystic that can cure even the darkest of magics. She is apparently the greatest healer in the world and is said to be able to cure any malady and break any curse. Her name is… Mei Song."
As Mu Tsu spoke the name another round of thunder and lightning struck dramatically.
"Mei Song, hmm… that name sounds familiar," Genma said scratching his chin. "I wonder why?"
Ranma's eyebrow twitched as his mind quickly landed on what could be the most obvious reason his father might know a person.
"Yah ain't conned this lady have ya, Pops? I better not be engaged to her?!" Ranma growled, pointing an accusatory finger at his father.
"What!? No, of course not, boy. You've got to have more faith in your father!" Genma chuckled, scratching the back of his head. Everyone else at the table regarded Genma dubiously.
"But I'm sure I've heard before of a mystical healer called Madam Song or someone like that." Genma said as he thought deeply.
"I am not surprised." Spoke a new voice at the table.
AND thunder and lightning once again broke out as everyone jumped seeing Khu Lon, the ancient Amazon matriarch, had joined them.
"Ahh!" Everyone yelled in surprise except for Shan Pu who smiled at her great-grandmother.
"Ni Hao, Great-Grandmother! It very stormy tonight, yes?" Shan Pu said.
"Indeed child." Khu Lon gave her great-granddaughter a cheery smile as she stood on the top of her knarled staff.
"Gah! Don't surprise us like that, Old Ghoul!" Ranma clutched his chest, getting over his fright.
Whack
"Oww!" Ranma shouted, clutching his head in pain after Khu Lon had smacked him over the head.
"It is good to see your manners are improving, Son-in-law." Khu Lon commented dryly.
"And my restaurant is being used as a meeting room when it should be tidy and closed at this time of night." She regarded both Shan Pu and Mu Tsu sharply.
They both bowed their heads, not meeting her withering gaze.
"What do you mean you're not surprised, Honoured Elder." Mu Tsu said respectfully, forgoing his usual disrespect for Khu Lon.
"Because Mu Tsu, this healer you have been speaking about is very well known among certain circles so it does not surprise me that Genma Saotome has heard of Madam Song."
"What's known of her? Is she the real deal, this Mei Song woman? Can she cure our Jusenkyo curses?" Ryoga said, with a hint of desperation in his voice.
"Oh yes, boy. If anyone alive could cure a Jusenkyo curse, it would be her." Khu Lon stated. "She comes from a family of famed healers. They served in the court of the Chinese Emperor, they were that highly regarded, and since the fall of the imperial dynasty, members of the Song family have travelled the world, bringing their healing abilities to those in need. Very powerful indeed."
Khu Lon nodded sagely as she hopped onto the table top and regarded the group.
"I have met Mei Song in the past. Very wise for her years and a master in her family's healing arts. Not a martial artist but still, very skilled in both ki healing and magic. I would suggest you all treat her with great respect if you are to seek her out. You two especially!"
Khu Lon pointed at Shan Pu and Mu Tsu.
"You both represent the Joketsuzoku and I would not like to hear of someone as well regarded as Mei Song being disrespected by members of the tribe."
The look Khu Lon gave to both her great-granddaughter and Mu Tsu communicated how serious she was. Both nodded quickly in understanding.
Ranma clicked his tongue audibly.
"So if this old lady is the real deal, how much do you think she'll want to cure us?" He asked Khu Lon, a frown on his face. He was never really flushed for cash at the best of times.
"Mei Song is quite philanthropic in her nature if my memory serves me right, Son-in-law." Khu Lon said.
"Philan-what now?" Ranma asked, confused.
"It means she works for free, boy!" Genma grinned, liking the sound of this more and more.
"Indeed but a word of warning to you all." Khu Lon said, her voice getting quieter as she regarded them all seriously.
"The magics that Mei Song uses are powerful, they would need to be to dispel a curse like that of Jusenkyo. And with magic such as that, it usually comes at a price. I suspect that each of you will have to pay in some way to be rid of the Jusenkyo curse."
A shiver ran through the rest of the gathering after Khu Lon's words of warning.
"Doesn't matter!" Ryoga piped up. "Any price would be worth it to be rid of the Jusenkyo curse."
The others at the table nodded.
Khu Lon took a puff from her pipe as she regarded them.
"We shall see.." She muttered quietly.
Mu Tsu stood up and cleared his throat.
"Well if we are all in agreement let us strike out tomorrow morning at first light. I've been told Mei Song is currently staying at The Happy Phoenix Hot Spring & Spa in Itabashi." Mu Tsu grinned at them all. "If we get there early enough, we could be cured by lunchtime!"
After that, the gathering was brought to an end. With the rain finally letting up, the two Saotome men and Ryoga set off. Mu Tsu had retired to the kitchen to finish off his chores.
Shan Pu completed the last of her tidying and was about to head upstairs when her Great-Grandmother spoke up.
"Wait one moment, Shan Pu." Khu Lon said as she quietly smoked her pipe.
Shan Pu wrung her hands with worry for a moment before steeling herself and standing before the old woman she loved and respected so much.
"Yes, Great-Grandmother." Shan Pu said.
"About the cure you and the rest of the group will be seeking tomorrow…" Khu Lon lapsed into silence, seeming to consider what she would say next.
"You tell Shampoo she not allowed? Must bear curse as punishment, yes." Shan Pu said, bowing her head.
"No, child. You have suffered from the Jusenkyo curse long enough. It has hopefully taught you some humility as well as some cunning, yes?" Khu Lon looked into Shan Pu's eyes.
Shan Pu nodded.
"It has also sadly been a detriment in wooing Son-in-law, what with his aversions to felines." Khu Lon sighed. "And with the wedding to the Tendo girl almost happening, I fear our window to getting Son-in-law is closing swiftly."
Shan Pu quivered in fear at that possibility. Not yet. I must still have a chance!
"So I will not get in the way of you curing yourself, Shan Pu. Hopefully with you free of the Jusenkyo curse you might be more successful in wooing Son-in-law."
Shan Pu bowed.
"Thank you, Great-Grandmother. Shampoo will get cured and redouble efforts in catching Airen!" Shan Pu said.
Khu Lon grinned ruefully.
"Indeed. But what I wanted to tell you was to be wary of this possible cure." The old woman said in a serious tone.
"Great-grandmother?" the girl asked with concern.
"I need to reiterate this to you, Shan Pu. Jusenkyo's magics are strong. They are ancient. They have been around since our tribe settled in the area. It is death magic that creates the springs and powers them. To sunder such a curse might hurt or warp the bearer in unknown ways." Khu Lon spoke evenly, trying to pass on the gravity of the situation.
"You are of my blood, Shan Pu. I care for you child more than any other soul on this earth. It would break this old woman's heart if you were too unknowingly to be trading one cursed fate for another. Be wary and consider this carefully, my child."
Shan Pu weighed her great-grandmother's warning. There were many tales of poor unfortunate souls attempting to break a curse only for them to suffer a worse fate.
Is this worth the risk? To be free of being turned into a cat by cold water? Shan Pu thought. There are worse fates. I could live the rest of my life like this. Or maybe find another cure?
Then she thought of her Airen, of every time the curse was triggered, how the fear and discomfort would come over him.
How much has the curse ruined my attempts at getting Airen to fall in love with me? How could I succeed when I turn into the thing he fears most?
A serious expression set on Shan Pu's face. Her red eyes met her great-grandmother's.
"Shampoo understand, Great-Grandmother. Even if there be great price for cure, Shampoo will pay it. It will be worth it." She said, steel in her voice.
It will be worth it for Airen's love.
Ranma walked a few steps behind his father and Ryoga, his arms folded behind his head as he was lost in thought.
A cure at last huh? He thought, an uncertain feeling he couldn't quite place coming over him.
"A cure at last!" Ryoga yipped with excitement. "And here I was worried our last chance was gone when that old pervert Happosai drank the cask of Nannichaun."
"Indeed! Fortune finally smiles upon us." Genma grinned.
His old man turned to look back at him.
"What's the matter, boy? You should be happy about this?" Genma frowned.
"Oh, I don't know old man. Maybe you're forgetting about that warning the old ghoul gave us? About their being a price to pay for messing with this kind'a magic?" Ranma said.
"Hogwash! Those Amazons are a suspicious lot. Don't get spooked by that old woman's words, boy!" Genma snorted, "And if there is some kind of price, it will be worth it to get cured. We will just bear it like the true martial artists that we are."
Genma nodded sagely, pointing his finger up as he got into lecture mode.
"The path of a martial artist is filled with peril."
Ranma mouthed along silently to one of his father's favourite quotes, while he rolled his eyes.
"Besides I'm sure your mother and Akane-chan will be glad you're finally cured, boy," Genma said.
Ranma's muscles tightened slightly at his father's statement. I guess they would.
"Yeah, and I'm sure Ma will be happy you no longer turn into a dumb panda, Pop," Ranma smirked at his father. "Well maybe still the dumb part," Ranma corrected.
"You ingrate!" Genma growled.
"Oh, will you both give it a rest!" Ryoga said, massaging his temples, "Your both spoiling my good mood."
Ranma looked over at the lost boy before smirking.
"It's a shame Akane is going to miss her beloved P-chan." Ranma quipped.
"Ranma you bastard!" Ryoga growled, clenching both his fists as he glared at the infuriating pigtailed boy.
Ranma waved his hands placatingly.
"I'm just teasing, Ryoga! Come on you two, let's get back to the dojo. We might still be in time for supper." Ranma said, which fortunately seemed to cool tempers enough with the promise of Kasumi's food.
"Yep, it will be good to finally get rid of this girl curse." Ranma said aloud, a confident grin on his face.
As the other two walked on ahead, engrossed in conversions about cures and supper, the grin faded from Ranma's face.
Why've I got a bad feeling about this then? Ranma thought.
Author's Note: And that's the start. Not much now but hopefully this will get the ball rolling.
Just to say this now, I'm not intending there to be much in terms of magic users in this story. I'm hoping to keep it to the level of canon Ranma ½ which has magic but it's reasonably uncommon.
I hope this chapter has piqued some interest and I will try to get more out soon as I'm planning this to be a rather large story.