What Do You Want?

by polenicus

After the failed wedding attempt, Akane calls it quits. Now Nabiki is saddled with a morose Ranma. Rather than get caught in the crossfire between his other fiancees, she decides to try and help the pig-tailed martial artist figure out what HE wants (Warnings: Harem, implied Incest)

37. Gotham Nights

"This is where the girls are being kept." Sasuke held up the smartphone. On the screen, Mu Tsu could see a warehouse, apparently a video feed from one of the retainers on a nearby roof.

They were huddled in a damp, foul-smelling underground canal. Not quite a sewer, but a drainage pipe to the main canal. It was ancient and had not seen maintenance or cleaning in some time. Brackish water collected in the low points of the tunnel, but it didn't seem there had been a significant flow through it since the last rain.

Sasuke swiped to some still images, one which showed Samson, Young Mi's Liger, resting at one of the entrances. Another was a telephoto shot through a window, showing what appeared to be a large pool of water with a scaffolding set up over it, and two rusty metal cages suspended on chains from the ceiling. Another swipe, and two more shots, one a closeup showing Rin huddled in one cage, the other showing Shampoo curled in the corner of another.

"We believe Young Mi has not been tending to her prisoners properly. Miss Shampoo in particular appears to be in rough shape," Sasuke said. "But they are both alive and uninjured as far as we can tell."

Of course. If Young Mi had given Shampoo water, she would have escaped on her own. Mu Tsu thought to himself. Does she know about the curse, or was that just blind luck?

"Ah, you have briefed our new ally? Good," Kodachi's voice came from behind.

Mu Tsu spun and almost lost his balance. He hadn't sensed her approach at all! "Kodachi!"

Kodachi was dressed in a dark purple leotard embroidered with a black rose. Certainly a stealthier variant of her usual attire, but not enough to explain her sudden appearance. "My apologies, Mu Tsu. My lovely Ran has taught me an interesting trick recently that allows me to mask my presence. I thought this an apt test."

Ranma taught her that? That madman. Madwoman, whichever applies I suppose. Mu Tsu narrowed his eyes. "So, what is the plan? Shampoo is not going to last long like this."

"Agreed," Kodachi replied. "Though we have been rivals, I feel no ill-will towards the girls, and certainly would not condemn her to die in a cage like this. No, we will extract her immediately, as well as my classmate Rin Ito. Sasuke, has the woman's beast been subdued?"

"Yes, Mistress Kodachi." Sasuke bowed. "We added the tranquilizer you provided to its food. It finished its meal but recently, and has been observed going to sleep. It should remain so safely for the duration."

"And our Amazon observers?" Kodachi continued.

Sasuke swiped on the phone again to show a pair of Amazon warriors collapsed on a rooftop. "Unconscious but unharmed, as per your direction."

"Excellent. They will wake up in several hours with quite the headache, I imagine." She turned to Mu Tsu. "That removes our obstacles to entry. Getting the girls out of the cages remains a challenge. From what we can tell, the cages are connected to a device she has on her belt, which we believe will drop one of both into that pool. You know this Young Mi better than anyone else here. What is your suggestion?"

Mu Tsu blinked. This new cooperative Kodachi was certainly a change from her usual demeanour! Though to be fair, he had only rarely interacted with her. "If she sees anyone but me, she's liable to drop them both. This is some trap she's set up for me." He rubbed his chin. "Is there anything nefarious IN the water?"

"Not that we can tell," Sasuke replied.

"I understand your lady love has one of these Jusenkyo curses?" Kodachi asked. "What form does she take?"

"A cat," Mu Tsu said. "If Young Mi knew she had a curse, she'd never use water for a deathtrap."

"Then she deprived her of water out of simple cruelty." Kodachi shook her head. "Even if she transformed, in her current state it is uncertain she could escape. The trap comes back around to being effective."

"I have to go in alone, or she'll drop them both. Rin does not have a curse, she will drown immediately," Mu Tsu said. He chewed his lower lip, exchanging a glance with Kodachi. No matter what I do, it seems I must trust the life of someone precious to me to virtual strangers. "Kodachi, your disappearing trick… how effective is it?"

000

"You're not looking too healthy, Miss Amazon." Young Mi said, rapping on the cage with the handle of her whip. The gloom of the early morning cast long shadows, and she could hardly see her prisoner… but she knew better than to actually stick anything into the cage to prod her.

"Give… water… bitch," Shampoo managed, opening one eye to glare at her balefully.

"Oh so you are still alive!" Young Mi beamed. "An Amazon survival trick, I assume? Now now, you can have plenty of water once Darling stops being so lazy and figures out my clues." She motioned at the pool below. "Though if you don't feel you can hang on, feel free to expire. It's all part of the game, after all, and it would serve just as well."

"Mu Tsu will come…" Shampoo croaked.

"I know," Young Mi sighed. "And he will be very angry. Do you suppose he will kill me?" She did a pirouette on the scaffolding. "That's certainly one way this could play out, isn't it? Oh, the not knowing is the best part, isn't it?"

"Why can't you just talk to him?" A weak voice came from the other cage.

"Always with the why why why why why with you, little one!" Young Mi turned to rap her whip on the cage with each 'why'. "The 'whys' aren't for you!"

"Leave her alone, Young Mi. Leave them both alone." A familiar male voice.

Young Mi twirled, a wide grin breaking out on her face as she saw her former fiance standing in the doorway of the warehouse, glasses glinting in the gloom of the early morning.

"Oh my Darling Mu Tsu!" Young Mi squealed. "You came! You actually came! I'm so glad! I was worried I would have to take more from you to prompt you to figure it out!" She spread her arms wide. "Kiss for your wife?"

"Let them go, Young Mi," Mu Tsu repeated sternly and took a few steps forward.

Young Mi's expression soured. "Now, now, behave." She clapped her hands. "Samson!"

She looked around expectantly, but there was no response.

"Your pet is indisposed," Mu Tsu said, a trio of blades sliding from the sleeve of his robes. "Now please…. Please let them go, Young Mi. Don't make me fight you."

"Fight me?" Young Mi put a hand to her chest, her expression shocked. "Now, whyever would we fight? I'm here to give you a gift my Darling. The same gift you gave me." She plucked the remote from her belt and held it up. "The gift of choice!"

She turned it so she could see it had two buttons.

"One press, and one of your lovelies takes a bath, and the other goes free. One word from you, the name of the one you wish to save. That's all it takes, and this is all over." She cocked her head. "Of course, if you tried something silly and heroic? Both buttons will be pressed. I know exactly how fast you are, love. You can't get to me before I do,and you know it."

"Then don't," Mu Tsu said. "Then let us simply talk. Can't we do that, at least?"

Young Mi closed her eyes, and took a slow breath. Her manic expression slipped for a moment, a flicker of pain crossing her features instead. "My father could have lived longer. Years longer," she said finally. "The treatments were expensive, but they were working. They were working." She gripped the controller tightly, eyes closing tighter, tears gathering at the edges. "When you left, we fell on hard times. Money became a struggle. And I had to make a choice. One more round of treatments for my father, or cover the payments on our debts. The life of my father, or the life of his dream." She shook her head. "I chose my father, of course. Of course I did. Of course… And they came and took it all away the next week. Every tent pole, every wagon, every animal, every prop. All gone, so my father could live."

"I'm so sorry, Young Mi…" Mu Tsu started

"SHUT UP!" Young Mi snarled, her eyes snapping open, flashing with something akin to hatred. "Do you know what my father did after that? Hee hee… can you guess?" The manic smile returned, though the hatred did not leave her eyes, like it was an uncontrolled spasm. "What was left for him with his dream dead, and no future but that of a financial burden on his only daughter? He… he hee hee… he took his own life!" She held her arms out and spun recklessly, cackled madly then hugged the remote tightly against her chest.

"Oh god…" Mu Tsu said softly. His gaze dropped guiltily. "I… if I had known…!"

"You would have done what, exactly?" Young Mi asked sharply, her smile gone. "It wouldn't have mattered. Nothing matters. Don't you see? I agonized and cried and suffered for that decision, and it didn't matter! If I had chosen to let my father die, his debts would have come due immediately anyway! But he died cursing my name, because I forced him to outlive his dream."

She held out the remote, her voice dropping almost to a whisper. "I need you to understand that, Mu Tsu. I need you to feel that. THAT'S why they need to suffer. That's why one of them needs to die!" She hit the edge of Rin's cage hard, causing it to swing. "Now choose. Pick the one who you love so desperately, but will never return it. Or pick the innocent, sweet one, who will break knowing that you condemned someone you love to death to save her."

"Mu Tsu!" Rin called, reaching out towards him through the bars. Shampoo was silent, though in the gloom Mu Tsu could see the flash of her reddish brown eyes. Was that a plea for help behind them? Or understanding?

Mu Tsu let the blade retract and folded his hands back into his sleeves in front of him. He closed his eyes, trying to find an inner calm that would not come.

"Save… Rin…" Shampoo croaked, managing to crawl to the side of the cage closest to Mu Tsu.

"Well?" Young Mi asked. "Tick tock, my love! Or shall I simply drop them both and spare you the choice?" She circled the buttons with her fingers.

"Rin," Mu Tsu said quickly. He dropped his arms to his sides, clenching his fists "Save Rin."

Young Mi seemed caught off guard by that. She blinked, then shrugged and pressed the button.

There was a 'ping' from somewhere up in the warehouse rafters, and the rattle of chain as the cage holding Shampoo began to drop with sickening speed. There followed a splash in the darkness, the droplets of water glinting in the dim light. After that, there was no sound. Young Mi peered over the edge into the darkness below and giggled. She tossed the remote in after the cage.

"Well, that was anticlimactic," she said sourly. She turned and sauntered over to Rin's cage, flicking her whip once to shatter the lock on its door. With a disdainful kick, she opened the cage door, knelt, and with the brusqueness of a disinterested parent dealing with an unruly child she cut Rin's bonds free with a small knife. She stood up and stepped back, gesturing towards freedom. "Get out, sweetling. Seems Darling was sweeter on you than you thought."

Rin swallowed. The cage was still swaying, and the platform was a couple of feet away.

"Quickly before I change my mind," Young Mi warned her.

Rin scrambled, making a clumsy, lunging leap to the platform. She took a moment, huddled on the relatively solid ground of the scaffolding, and looked over the edge into the pool. In the dim light, it was too dark to see the other cage or its occupant. It was eerily still; no splashing or thrashing. Was Shampoo already…? Rin sobbed, got to her feet and scrambled down the stairs of the scaffolding as quickly as her shaky legs could carry her. She kept her eyes fixed on Mu Tsu and safety.

Young Mi watched her with complete dispassion. The knife she had used to sever the girl's bonds twirled in her fingers in a dangerous manner. "Now… what was the lesson in all of this again?" she asked, tapping her chin with the handle of her whip, as if trying to remember something. "Oh! That's right… Nothing matters." She spared a final manic smile for Mu Tsu, eyes locking on his as she threw it at the retreating girl's back without so much as a second look. Her hand flicked with a practiced motion, the wicked blade glinting in the light as it flew.

Time seemed to slow. Mu Tsu darted forward, but as Young Mi had predicted, he was not fast enough. The dagger seemed to hang in the air; the throw was true, it was destined to find its place buried between Rin Ito's shoulder blades. An easily fatal strike.

The ribbon snapping forth to batter it from the air came as a bit of a jumpscare.

"Rin!" Mu Tsu scooped Rin into his arms, whirling her around to shield her with his body, looking over his shoulder at Young Mi, who simply stood in place, shocked.

"Now, now, hardly good showmanship." Kodachi Kunou seemed to materialize out of the shadows. Her glossy ribbon glittered as she twirled it, a warning to any who knew what she could do with it.

Young Mi simply gaped at the other girl. Slowly, she turned her gaze to Mu Tsu, a look full of hurt and betrayal. "You cheated, my love. This was just for us… for us… and you ruined it…"

There was a splash from the pool, and her gaze shifted to see a dark clad figure emerge from the water below, carrying the limp form of a small cat. Sasuke had recovered Shampoo.

"So she had a curse as well. I see. I should have guessed…" Young Mi said softly.

"We can stop this now, Young Mi," Mu Tsu called, still keeping Rin behind him protectively. "No one has died yet. No one has to."

"No. No no no no no. That's not right. It's not." Young Mi chewed on her thumb, her whip uncoiling. "Someone needs to die today, Darling. You've just widened the selection of choices. Not that it will matter. Nothing matters. I will prove that to you if it kills you!" A mad gleam shone in her eyes as she smiled wide again. "In fact… I think it should."

"Move!" Kodachi shouted, just before the whip cracked, smashing open the walls of the pool of water, shattering the scaffolding and sending debris flying everywhere. Young Mi was already soaring overhead, disappearing into the rafters and laughing. Mu Tsu leapt onto an old crate to avoid the rush of water. Now is not the time to be a duck!

A moment later, throwing knives began raining down from above. Mu Tsu scooped up Rin and sprinted for the door, dodging as best he could, but a lash of the whip from above took out the support of an old industrial shelf, sending it crashing down in front of the door.

"No, no, Darling!" Young Mi called out from above. "You don't get to leave! No one gets to leave! You need to learn your lesson!" Another flurry of blades, and this time Mu Tsu was not fast enough. He felt the stinging pain and burn as a razor sharp dagger sliced past his shoulder.

"Mu Tsu!" Rin cried. "J-just put me down! You can't fight her like this!"

"She'll kill you the instant I do," Mu Tsu replied. He looked up to see crashing further away. Young Mi had switched her attention to Sasuke and Xian Pu, though Kodachi was weaving her ribbon expertly to deflect the projectiles. He took the opportunity to fling a handful of fireworks up into the rafters, the brightly burning flares suddenly illuminating Young Mi as they drifted slowly down.

"No revealing the trick, Darling!" Young Mi cried as she flung another brace of daggers at him and leapt for the darkness further down. Kodachi's ribbon struck where she had just been, bending steel and cracking braces.

Mu Tsu sidestepped the thrown daggers. If we keep this up, we're liable to bring the whole thing down on top of us! He glanced towards one of the windows. It was nearly three stories off the ground and narrow, but by himself he was fairly certain he could make it to it and get through.

By myself. He glanced at Rin, mentally doing the math. No good. We'd be too vulnerable anyway. Maybe we can get the big loading doors open?

"No, no no! You're plotting!" Young Mi cried, emerging from the shadows, her whip preceding her, hurting towards Rin one more. Mu Tsu produced a mop from his endless supply of weapons and caught the tip before it could strike home. Young Mi growled and flicked her wrist, shattering the bound tool as Mu Tsu scooped up Rin again and bounded back.

"You can't save them all, Mu Tsu! I won't let you!" Young Mi screamed. Mu Tsu could see her mascara was running. She was… crying? "I need you to understand this! I need you to be the same! Even if you hate me!" She snapped her whip in frustration.

Young Mi was forced to dodge to the side as a number of spiked clubs impacted where she stood, hard enough to crack the concrete. They were followed by the flick of a ribbon as Kodachi pressed her attack.

"You wicked, wicked girl! I am guilty of many things, but standing by and letting you murder an innocent who cannot defend herself is not one of them!" Kodachi drew back her ribbon and twirled it around her, seeming to fade from view.

"Such a fascinating trick!" Young Mi shot back. She flung a handful of deflated balloons in the general direction of where Kodachi had been, each of which inflated rapidly, then exploded in a cloud of glitter, to reveal Kodachi as she dodged, her concentration broken.

Young Mi's Whip snapped out, only to be bound by Kodachi's ribbon. The two women were briefly caught in a tug of war, one Young Mi was winning. Taking a page from Ranma's tactics, Kodachi then threw herself forward, charging with a club to strike the circus girl.

Yong Mi deflected the strike with the butt of her whip handle, then backhanded Kodachi away, sending her sprawling. "Ah, you would have been a wonderful act for my circus. Such a shame you have to die here." Another dagger glinted in Young Mi's hand.

"I would rather die than participate in such a gaudy attraction as yours!" Kodachi spat back.

"Oh, well… hurtful, but fair enough." Young Mi shrugged, raising her dagger to throw. "Wish granted."

The blade was knocked out of her hand by another. She hissed and held her wounded hand, turning to see Mu Tsu had used the distraction to get closer, more blades in his hands.

"Stop this, Young Mi!" Mu Tsu cried out. "Enough! Killing the people I care about, murdering my friends, it's not going to make me understand you any better than I do now. It'll just make me hate you, and I don't want to hate you!"

Young Mi smiled sadly. More throwing knives appeared in her hands. "Oh, my beloved Mu Tsu," she said softly. "The hatred is part of it. To hate and love someone at the same time." Her face twisted into a mask of grief and rage. "And I do hate you!" She flung five daggers with a single smooth motion.

Mu Tsu deflected the first two, dodging to his left to avoid the last three, and threw three of his own.

Young Mi turned sideways to slip between the first two, then simply caught the third in front of her own face. "Going for the head, Darling? How vicious of you!"

"You aren't leaving me any choice, Young Mi," Mu Tsu growled. Behind him Rin was still cowering, instinctively staying close to him.

""Oh, I'm leaving you plenty of choices, Darling! You just haven't realized they don't matter!" Young Mi cracked her whip, sending the razor sharp tip for his throat. Mu Tsu produced a sword from the folds of his robes, parrying it and slashing at the tough leather, though he failed to cut it.

A weighted ball caught Young Mi in the side and sent her sprawling. She turned and growled at Kodachi, flinging a compact pink ball at her. Before Kodachi could dodge it exploded around her in a cloud of cotton candy, engulfing and binding her.

"Stay out of this!" Young Mi snarled. Then her eyes caught movement, and her gaze swivelled like a predatory cat, locking onto Rin, who had moved away from the combatants. "Now you, you are welcome to take part!" She giggled and threw another handful of blades. "I insist!"

Mu Tsu darted into the path of the blades, frantically deflecting them with his sword. Two got through, embedding in his left shoulder and right hip. He stumbled, and his last parry was wild, batting away the dagger with excessive force.

Young Mi felt an impact and stumbled a bit, surprised. She looked down, not quite processing the knife sticking out of her chest at first.

"Young Mi!" Mu Tsu called. He had collapsed to one knee, pulling the daggers that had gotten through his defenses out of his side and shoulder.

"Heh… heheh…" Young Mi felt the manic laughter bubbling up. She threw her head back and laughed. "Oh yes! Yes, that will serve, won't it?" she cried out. "Though, on second glance… it's not deep enough, is it?" She cocked her head. "Not enough blood? It got caught in my breastbone, didn't it?" She sighed, putting her hand on her hip, ignoring the blood pouring from the wound. "Darling, must you be so roundabout about killing someone?"

"I'm not…! I don't want to kill you! I don't want anyone to die!" Mu Tsu cried, reaching for her.

"Oh Darling… maybe you'll understand now." Young Mi gripped the hilt of the dagger firmly. It was slick with her own blood, and it would not do for her grip to slip now. "Nothing you decide. Nothing you want. Nothing you deserve. Nothing. Matters." With that, she drove the dagger home into her own heart.

"NOOOOOOOOO!" Despite his wounds, Mu Tsu leapt to his feet and ran forward to catch her as she toppled backwards. Her hands felt lifelessly from the handle of the dagger, now buried to the hilt in her chest. Her eyes stared up at him sightlessly, the spark of life having already fled.

"No, no, no no… not like this…!" Mu Tsu sobbed. He sank to his knees, still holding her body, heedless of the heart's blood staining his robes. "Don't do this! Young Mi, stay, please!"

There was no response. Kodachi finally tore her way free of the cotton candy trap. She saw Mu Tsu cradling the circus girl and Rin a short distance away. She walked over, thinking the boy had subdued her, but as she approached, she heard the sobbing, and even in the dim light she could see the blood, and the dagger protruding from her chest.

"Oh dear…" she sighed. Kodachi Kunou had few qualms about blood or violence, but death was a line even she was unwilling to cross, for all of her threats and bravado. She squatted next to the Chinese boy silently. Even with her lack of experience, it was clear Young Mi was dead. There was far too much of her blood on the floor beneath her for it to be otherwise. "Mu Tsu…"

"Why?!" he sobbed, crushing her cooling body to his chest. "Why would she go this far?! I… I'm not worth this! All this strife! Why couldn't she just have forgotten me and lived her life? Why…"

"You are hard to forget, Mu Tsu…" Rin said softly. The girl had approached silently. She placed a hand on his uninjured shoulder.

"I… sympathize with your grief," Kodachi lied. "But… we must go. If we are discovered here now by Himura's agents, or those of the Amazons, it will be disastrous."

Mu Tsu raised his head and looked at her blearily. For once his glasses were completely clear, his eyes behind them were puffy and red, the pain in them plainly visible.

"Bring her. We will… at least make sure she is tended to properly," Kodachi said. She turned to Rin. "Can you walk, or must I carry you?"

"I-I can walk," Rin said, backing up a step as Mu Tsu rose, cradling Young Mi's body.

"Good. We will take the drainage canals back to the Tendou Dojo, it is closer. Sasuke! The Amazon, is she…?"

Sasuke appeared next to her, cradling a limp cat. "She is breathing, mistress, but she is very weak."

"Then go quickly ahead of us. I will escort Ms. Ito and Mousse. Go, now!"

000

Nabiki was not a morning person. In her opinion, mornings existed purely to punish you for the previous day's sins. This was why she favored weekends so much, when one could face the day when the almighty intended - in the afternoon.

But there was nothing of a loving creator in the three foot tall gnomish nightmare who was currently making her sweat in her own yard.

"Th-the sun isn't even UP yet…" she protested weakly. Her arms and legs burned and her back didn't feel like it would be properly straight ever again.

"This is considered light training in the extreme where I am from, Daughter-in-law," Khu Long replied casually, tapping her legs and arms to correct her form as she ran through the katas. "This is for invalids and children. Had we not the constraint that you must face Himura daily at your school, we would be getting a much earlier start, and training that much harder. As we will once this situation is resolved."

"I… could just let Himura win…" Nabiki grumbled. "Hand Ranma over to Lo Shan… spend my life working off my debt to the Yakuza…yeah… that'd be a vacation…"

Before Khu Long could reply to Nabiki's sarcasm, the lid of the canal access popped up and slid back. The Kunou retainer ninja, Sasuke, popped his head out. "Mistress Nabiki!" He called. "Come quickly! I have Miss Shampoo!"

"What?!" Nabiki's aches and pains were instantly forgotten as she scrambled over to the old sewer cover. Sasuke pulled himself out, a small pink cat cradled in his left arm.

"SHAMPOO!" Nabiki snatched the motionless cat from his arms, cradling her.

Shampoo managed a weak mewl, cracking open an eye to look at her.

"Hot water, child. She is far more vulnerable in her current form!" Khu Long said.

Nabiki needed no other urging. She got to her feet and sprinted for the house. "Kasumi! Hot water! Emergency!"

Kasumi peeked out from the kitchen, eyes widening as she recognized what Nabiki was carrying. "Th-the furo! I warmed it up for you before you went to school! It should be hot enough!" She was already filling a kettle to put on the heat, just in case.

By that time, Nabiki had already turned the corner, nearly knocking the sliding door of the outer room of the furo off its tracks. She opened the inner door, skidded to a stop on the tile floor and dumped her upper body into the warm water along with Shampoo. She was able to feel the change as suddenly the small cat became a human her own size. She quickly pulled Shampoo up, cradling her carefully. She could feel her through the Link now, but… her ki was so faint… dim and flickering.

"W-water…" Shampoo croaked, cracking an eye open. Nabiki nodded and filled an available cup with water from the cold water tap, and offered it to her. "Not too fast, love… take sips, not gulps."

"Shampoo… remember survival training…" she managed, then focused on sipping, quickly draining the cup. Nabiki refilled it, and Shampoo drained it once more, and again a third time.

"Bitch… not give water… almost whole week," Shampoo growled. "Would have… killed untrained. Didn't care."

"Oh thank god you're okay…" Nabiki hugged the Amazon to herself, sobbing with a profound relief she hadn't thought she'd ever feel again. She felt Shampoo's arms weakly encircle her. Nabiki didn't care she was soaked, and half in the bath with Shampoo. It didn't matter.

"Mu Tsu coming. Saved Rin, too," Shampoo croaked. "Couldn't help. Felt… so useless."

The door rattled open and Akane and Ukyou pushed inside, accompanied by Khu Long.

"Shampoo!" Ukyou immediately dove to hug the Amazon, not caring that she ended up half in the bath herself, or that she was practically in Nabiki's lap. "We were worried sick!"

"My great granddaughter's ki has undoubtedly been greatly taxed by this ordeal," Khu Long said. "I will prepare herbal remedies to ensure she does not suffer kidney failure from this. Keep her drinking water, but do not force her." She glanced around the furo. "And I suspect your Link would greatly assist in her recovery. Might I suggest taking a bath with her while we prepare a suitable place for her to recover?"

"Wait… a bath… together?" Akane blushed.

"Akane… afraid she be unable to resist taking advantage… of Shampoo's weakened condition?" Shampoo managed with a grin. "Be too-too naughty?"

Akane flushed redder. "I-I would never…!"

Khu Long simply waved her hand. "Yes, yes, be gentle with her, delicate condition and all that, save some instant Nannichuan for future grandchildren, have fun, I will be back in 15 minutes with the tea."

000

After a cramped and depressingly awkward bath together (The Tendo Furou was meant for two, maybe three. Four was just uncomfortable) Khu Long declared that it would be best to relocate Shampoo, though the others should remain in contact with her to bolster her recovery. The spare futons were dragged into the dojo and set up together in a large mass big enough for everyone to lie in reasonable comfort.

Doctor Tofu had been called. While they waited for him to arrive, they stayed with Shampoo in the pile of futons, pillows and duvets. Khu Long had declared that as little clothing as possible was best, for the best Ki transfer, so they had simply not bothered to replace their wet clothing from the bath, opting for underwear (Except for Shampoo, who was still naked under the covers)

If the neighbors are watching, they're certainly getting an eyeful. Nabiki thought sleepily. Despite having three people, and two of them martial artists, the drain on their Ki supporting Shampoo was quite taxing. Ukyou had wrapped Shampoo in her arms in a comfortable tangle that suggested they had slept together like this before. Akane was pressed up against Shampoo's back, which had left Nabiki to kind of awkwardly drape her arm over the lot of them. Despite all of the blankets covering them, Nabiki felt cold, which Khu Long said was a side effect.

It's like those pills Dr Tofu and Dr. Hirano gave us to suppress our ki to expand the Link, but stronger somehow. She shuddered, thinking how dire Shampoo's condition had to be for her to be drawing so heavily on them all. I wish Ryouga and Ranma were here. Those two are practically nuclear furnaces of ki. She yawned. Despite literally being in bed, the whole thing was exhausting. Her eyes drifted shut. Even though Khu Long advised them to stay awake if they could, Nabiki could feel herself losing the battle.

"Doctor Tofu! What a pleasant surprise!" Kasumi's voice drifted in from the main house.

Nabiki's eyes snapped open. OH CRAP!

She scrambled out of the pile, snatching what clothes she could. I forgot! IforgotIforgotIforgotIforgot! They desperately needed Tofu Ono to be coherent and clear-minded to ensure Shampoo's quick recovery, but if Kasumi was there, Shampoo was more likely to end up a living pretzel! Nabiki managed to get a pair of shorts and a jumper on and charged towards the main house.

Sure enough, Tofu was there, chewing on a flower from a nearby vase as a bewildered Kasumi held a tray of cookies that she had clearly been trying to offer him. "Awww crap, sis, I…" Nabiki started to say.

Kasumi put the tray aside, took Tofu's head in her hands and turned his head to face her. "Listen to me, Ono. We need you here now. I need you here. A young girl here is suffering from acute dehydration. I need you to promise me you will be here, okay?"

Tofu stopped chewing his mouthful of flowers. After a second, his fogged glasses started to clear. "I… I see." He spit out the remaining flowers and straightened his stance. "Where is the patient?"

"She's in the Dojo with the other girls," Kasumi said. "She's had water and kept it down, and the others are trying to make her as comfortable as possible."

"We'll need to stabilize her electrolyte balance… ah, has someone been brewing an herbal remedy? I can smell it." He sniffed the air.

"Khu Long has, yes," Kasumi replied. "She has shown me the recipe. Shampoo has had one dose, and I am brewing a second for her to drink."

Dr. Tofu nodded, glancing out towards the dojo. "Excellent. I'd like to take a look, if I may?"

Kasumi smiled and nodded, gesturing towards the Dojo. "This way, Doctor."

"Thank you. Hello, Nabiki." Tofu smiled and gave Nabiki a half-bow as he passed.

"What." Nabiki said dumbly. She whirled and pointed an accusatory finger at her older sister. "You. Explain!"

"Doctor Tofu is so funny sometimes, isn't he?" she said with a smile. "But… sometimes he needs to be reminded that his job is important too."

"Why didn't you ever tell us you could just… just… turn off the goofball with him!?" Nabiki demanded.

"You never asked," Kasumi replied with an arched eyebrow. "Do you mind taking the fresh tea out to Shampoo? Make sure she drinks all of it, assuming Dr. Tofu approves."

000

Dr. Tofu was the picture of professionalism as he examined Shampoo, checking the ki points on her back. He agreed Shampoo should drink the tea, and continued his examination as she did so.

"Her ki levels are greatly diminished. Given her symptoms of dehydration are not as severe as they should be, considering her ordeal, I presume this was some special technique to cannibalise your own ki to survive?" Tofu asked as he worked.

"Yes. Is ancient Amazon technique," Shampoo replied. "Master can use to survive weeks, even months without food or water. Shampoo no is master, but it help a great deal."

Tofu nodded. "In that case, I will refrain from further taxing your reserves with pressure point restoratives. I presume you are all together like this in order to share your Ki through your Link?"

"Khu Long said it would speed her recovery," Akane said, peeking out from under the blankets shyly. Dr. Tofu had seen her wearing less, of course, but the circumstances were more than a bit embarrassing for her.

"Hmmm." Tofu nodded. He momentarily took the mug of tea from Shampoo and sniffed it, then handed it back. "Not a blend I'm familiar with, but obviously a ki restorative. Where is Khu Long?"

"She went back to the Nekohanten to get more ingredients," Nabiki supplied.

"Good. You should ALL be drinking this, to help support your own ki. Shampoo's depressed levels should start recovering once her body begins recovering, but as it is her own ki is still supporting her organ function and preventing nasty consequences from her dehydration. I will provide Kasumi a recipe of our own that uses locally available ingredients just in case." He pulled out a notepad and started scribbling out his prescription.

"I suspect that will not be necessary, good Doctor, as I have plenty," Khu Long croaked as she pogo'd into the dojo. She had a small plastic bag slung over her shoulder. "Though I will happily take your recipe."

"Great-grandmother!" Shampoo perked up. "No problems with Lo Shan cronies?"

"They know better than to confront me directly," Khu Long replied, then smiled. "And it seems Mu Tsu has rejoined us, and brought a surprise for you." She hopped to the side, and Ranma and Ryouga slipped past her through the door.

"Hey guys…" Ranma said sheepishly, rubbing the back of her head. "Sorry for…"

The triple blur was almost dizzying as Shampoo, Ukyou and Akane immediately tackled Ranma in an enthusiastic hug. By some miracle Ranma managed not to topple over.

"H-hey guys! Uh… you're all not wearing much…" Ranma did her best to hug them, looking happy but a little overwhelmed by the attention.

There was a solid 'thunk' as Ryouga's head hit the floor, passed out from a profound nosebleed.

"Ranma, you need to fix your boyfriend. Seriously," Ukyou said with some disdain.

"What happen to 'sibling bond' you two share?" Shampoo asked.

"I'm his big sister, it's my job to give him a hard time," Ukyou replied.

"'m still two months older…" Ryouga mumbled from the floor.

Nabiki sighed. Haven't got the glomp game to compete with those three… I suppose that means I need to take care of poor Ryo. She knelt next to the Lost Boy, took off one of his bandannas, and used it to clean up some of the blood. She coaxed him to flip over and put his head on her lap.

"Uhhh.. Nabiki, you don't need to…" He said, blushing. She noticed he was keeping his eyes tightly closed.

"Don't worry, Ryo, I'm fully clothed," she said.

He cracked an eye open. "Well, then…" he tried to sit up, but she pushed him back down.

"Lie still, I'm being domestic and cleaning you up," she chided him, and used another of his prodigious supply of bandannas to wipe his face. I wonder if there is an end to these things? Could be really useful if there isn't…

"I'm able to… you don't need to…" he protested weakly, but he didn't try to sit up again.

"Hush. I am babying you because I missed you. Besides, Ranma is currently occupied with three very affectionate girls that I haven't the energy to compete with right now," she said. "Plus they're not any more clothed than before, and if you sit up, you'll get an eyeful."

"Right. Keeping eyes closed," Ryouga managed, though he sneezed up a little more blood.

"We really need to desensitize you," Nabiki said, holding a bandanna to his nose until the bleeding stopped. In the meantime she found herself running her fingers through his hair. "Otherwise you'll drop dead from blood loss living with us. I mean Shampoo alone…"

"Living… with you…?" Ryouga croaked.

"You can't possibly expect anything else?" Nabiki ruffled his hair a bit. "You've been claimed! You're ours, we're not giving you back. Off the market! I mean, you and Ranma even have a name for your first kid!" She leaned in a little closer, dropping her voice into a seductive purr. "I'll want to wait until after college, so we'll have plenty of time to come up with a name for ours."

He spasmed and grabbed at the bandana to hold back the surge of blood. "You did that on purpose!" He gave her an accusatory glare.

"Of course I did." She winked at him. She leaned a little closer and whispered. "But I'm also not lying in the slightest."

He whimpered softly, but through the link she could sense pinks, reds and golds. Well, THAT made you happy, didn't it? She thought playfully. She looked up to see how Ranma was faring.

"Please come to bed, Airen!" Shampoo was tugging at Ranma's clothes.

"Yeah, c'mon Ranchan! Your wives need you!" Ukyou added.

"Stop being stubborn, Ranma!" Akane added, pushing from behind.

"Hey… look, it's still early morning guys!" the redhead stammered, somewhat overwhelmed. "We should… nnnf… Should be getting up, n-not… Look, Doc Tofu is still here, you guys shouldn't do this kinda stuff while… while…"

"Definitely safer here with me, Ryo," Nabiki said playfully.

"That's probably debateable," Ryouga muttered.

"Shagua and Pintou come too!" Shampoo said. "All come to bed so… so…" she trailed off. Her eyes rolled back and she started to fall backwards.

"Shampoo!" Ranma reached out to grab her. Ukyou and Akane lunged for her at the same time, and even Ryouga had practically leapt out of Nabiki's lap. Akane, Ranma and Ukyou ended up in a tangle of limbs and bodies that nevertheless managed to somehow get under Shampoo and keep her from hitting the floor.

"S-sorry… Feel faint," Shampoo managed. "Still weak."

Khu Long hopped over and bopped Akane, Ukyou, and Shampoo on the head with her staff. "Enough of this. Great-granddaughter is still very weak. Back to bed with you!"

Ryouga clapped a hand over his eyes. "W-we should probably leave them to that…"

Khu Long bopped him across the back of the head, with considerably more force. "You! Clothes off now! Into bed with you!"

"What?!" Ryouga squeaked, earning yet another bop.

"I do not intend to repeat myself, son-in-law. Shampoo requires your Ki to help her recover." She bopped Ranma as well. "You too, Ranma! Clothes off! The more skin-to-skin contact, the better!"

"C'mon, Ryo, time to suffer the worst fate imaginable. Enforced cuddling with four cute girls," Ranma said as she reached over and pinched the bridge of his nose. "No bleeding out!"

"Nabiki… help?" Ryouga whimpered, hand still over his eyes. His feet skidded on the floor as Ranma pushed him towards the pile of futons.

"Nope. My hands are tied," Nabiki said apologetically as she got to her feet. "Besides, the sooner you get used to this sort of thing, the better. Better keep all that blood in, though, there's another part of your anatomy that's going to need it more."

Dr. Tofu, who had been watching the entire exchange, simply sighed and handed Nabiki a box. She turned it over in her hands and discovered it was a package of condoms.

"Please keep these handy. I don't want to deliver any babies before you're all in your twenties," he said gruffly. "If there's nothing else, I'll be in my office if you need me."

"It was good to see you again, Doctor. I will keep this lot in line," Khu Long said. "Daughter-in-law? Come with me, you are needed elsewhere for the moment."

"Awww…" Nabiki tossed the box in the general direction of the futon pile. "But… cuddles!"

"You will need your Ki for today, I think. You will need to depart for school soon, yes?" Khu long replied, leading her out of the dojo. "It would not do for you to face down your enemy in a depleted state. Besides, someone should offer thanks to Mu Tsu. He has opted to remain outside for… obvious reasons."

000

Nabiki took an extra minute to make sure she was presentable. When she went outside, she was met by Kodachi Kuno, who looked a little rumpled, but otherwise unharmed.

"I am happy to say our joint mission was a success!" Kodachi said. "I was pleasantly surprised at the competency your 'B Team' showed in this matter. Perhaps I will have to steal them from you someday."

Nabiki chuckled darkly. Like hell you will! After a moment, she decided instead to adopt a more diplomatic tack. "Perhaps we could share them?"

"Perhaps," Kodachi nodded. "We ARE allies now, are we not? Soon to be family, even."

"Yeah, the adoption, right…" Nabiki rubbed her forehead. "That is a concept that will take some getting used to."

"For us both, I think," Kodachi agreed. "For what it is worth, however, I do believe my initial assessment was correct. You and I can at least be friends." She offered her hand.

Nabiki recognized what a sign of trust a handshake was for someone like Kodachi Kuno, in light of her past tendencies. Given she had just delivered Shampoo back to them she took the hand without hesitation. "How is Rin? And Mu Tsu for that matter?"

"Being attended by the good Doctor," Kodachi replied. "Rin was weak from lack of food or water, but otherwise hale. Mu Tsu suffered some wounds, but we bound them at Kunou Manor before coming here. I fear the emotional wounds run much deeper, and will not be so easily mended."

"Young Mi?" Nabiki asked.

"She took her own life when the tide of battle turned against her. Her remains have been preserved at our estate in our morgue until… suitable arrangements can be made."

"She was almost Mu Tsu's wife, wasn't she?" Nabiki shook her head. "Poor boy has to be a complete wreck right now."

"She was too far gone," Kodachi replied, a hint of sadness in her voice. "I… have seen such madness first hand and felt its claws at my throat. I fear there was no other way this could have ended well for us."

"Yeah, but still…" Nabiki paused. "Wait… you have your own morgue!?"

"A holdover from my Father's days playing lackey to the Yakuza. Our grounds were a safe place for Yakuza who were injured or killed in the course of their crimes, so that… uncomfortable questions were not asked by the authorities. It is an indignity that ended when my brother took over the household."

"Well, good on Tachi." Nabiki muttered. "Thank you for bringing Ranma and Ryouga back."

"I had suggested they remain where it is safer, but they insisted. I had not the heart to deny them." Kodachi smiled. "They are being fawned over by your fellow fiancees, I presume?"

"Actually, they're helping with a Ki sharing technique to help Shampoo recover." She remembered something. "Speaking of which, where is Sasuke? I never got to thank him for bringing her to us."

"You are entirely welcome, mistress."

Nabiki yelped and jumped to the side as the diminutive ninja appeared to materialize out of thin air, right next to her.

"We thought it best to bring her here to you while we tended to other matters," Kodachi explained. "I presume this was correct?"

"Yes, it was absolutely the right move," Nabiki agreed.

"Good. Then we can move on to other matters," Kodachi continued. "While I am sure some of your group will not be attending school today, I assume you will, yes? Himura's away game is today, and attendance at it is mandatory, if I recall. Your absence in particular would be marked."

"Oh, no doubt. I have a lot riding on this game. Literally and figuratively," Nabiki agreed.

"Then you do have a plan. Excellent! It would not do for that… that commoner to win without a fight after all she has done. I will have my brother bring the limousine here to pick us both up for school then." Kodachi reached into… somewhere and pulled out a cell phone.

I need to get Khu Long to teach me that trick, Nabiki thought, noting that there was clearly nowhere on Kodachi's leotard where a phone could have been concealed. "I… am not sure that's a good idea. That would give her the idea we're working together…"

"And are we not?" Kodachi asked. "I told you before, House Kuno are your allies. Why not let her know it? My brother is still Student Council President, and she would not dare to act against you on school grounds with our support."

It felt a little like signing a pact with the devil, but in the end Nabiki couldn't think of a good argument against it. "All right. Just be careful. She's likely to start making moves to remove your brother from his position as soon as it becomes clear that you've taken sides."

"You believe she hasn't already? He has made himself quite the nuisance to her already. She will not find it easy to dislodge a Scion of the Kuno family." Kodachi looked insufferably proud of herself. "I will suggest, though, that you relocate yourself and your family to our manor. This place feels… exposed."

"I might just take you up on that, Kodachi," Nabiki replied ruefully. "But… not now. We've got a treaty with the Amazons that keeps us safe at school so we can complete the challenge. Uprooting NOW would be seen, and might cause them to attack the school, since that'd be easier than digging us out of Castle Kunou."

"The offer remains open, then," Kodachi nodded. "I must freshen up for school. It would not do to make an appearance with blood on my face. Might I suggest in the meantime you check on the hero of the hour? Mu Tsu would likely benefit from some of that 'compassion' you Tendos seem so adept at."

Nabiki chuckled and shook her head. "I… will do my best. And thank you. I owe you and your family a debt I doubt I can ever repay."

"Oh pish posh, my dear. Of course you can't!" Kodachi said brightly. "But a privilege of our position is the luxury of forgiving such debts, and yours has been, without prejudice. Just be certain to put on a good show for the finale of this little tale, hmm?" With that, Kodachi skipped towards the house.

"She is… so going to stab me in my sleep one day," Nabiki muttered. "But that's a future Nabiki problem." She glanced over to the pond where she spotted a certain white-clad chinese martial artist. "For now, time to pay some of Past Nabiki's debts."

She walked slowly, but did nothing to hide the sound of her footsteps. Mu Tsu was sitting on the large boulder next to the koi pond, folded up like a crane. Shame that wasn't his curse. A crane would have suited him, Nabiki thought. As she approached, she could hear soft murmuring.

"Mu Tsu?" she said while still some distance away, not wanting to intrude.

"I am here, Nabiki Tendo." Mu Tsu raised his head slightly.

She took that as an invitation to come closer, so she walked around to the other side of the pond.

To her surprise, sitting between his legs and almost completely obscured by his robes was Rin Ito. His arms were around her, and it was like he had folded himself around her to protect her. Nabiki could see her eyes were puffy and wet. She also noticed his robes were bloodstained in the front.

"H-hi Ms. Nabiki," Rin managed to say, though it was barely more than a croak.

"Have you…?" Nabiki began.

"Doctor Tofu checked us both before he left," Mu Tsu assured her. "He wants me to come by his office later for proper stitches. I… declined to go with him." His gaze dropped. "This… is mostly not my blood."

"We can provide you some clean clothes at least," Nabiki said, perching on another large stone and settling into a squat.

"Ms. Kasumi was kind enough to make the same offer," Mu Tsu replied. "We will avail ourselves of it… when we are ready to move."

'We', huh? Nabiki's gaze flicked towards Rin. She seemed impossibly tiny, hidden from the world beneath the wide sleeves of his robe, like they were wings wrapped around her. Good. Be possessive of this one, Mu Tsu. She needs you right now. "I wanted to thank you."

"Thanks are not necessary," Mu Tsu said. "I did not do this for you."

Nabiki shook her head. "That doesn't matter in the slightest. You did this for two people I care about. Without you… I shudder to think what would have happened. You were an absolute superhero this week. I-"

"I was responsible for this," Mu Tsu almost whispered. "All of it. I need no thanks because I deserve none."

"Mu Tsu…" Rin said from the folds of his robes, looking up at him.

"I abandoned Young Mi when she needed me. Abandoned her family. My family. And it broke her in such a terrible way. It cost the dream and the life of the man who I saw as a father. And it very nearly cost the life of the girl I claimed to love, as well as…" He trailed off there, but Nabiki noticed his gaze flick down to Rin.

"The past coming back to bite you is no new thing here in Nerima," Nabiki reassured him. "But you're no Genma Saotome. You weren't ready for the commitment they were demanding of you. Yeah, maybe you could have handled it better, but… You aren't responsible for their choices or their sins."

"She's right, Mu Tsu!" Rin piped up from within his robes.

"It is… hard for me to accept that," Mu Tsu said finally. "I am… what is the term.. 'Feeling the weight of my sins'. I abandoned those who loved me when they needed me most. And for what? To chase a girl who did not want or need me… and to attempt to murder those she cared for out of jealousy. I even threatened innocents with lifelong curses! I… am no hero." He sighed. "It becomes apparent to me that I owe you and yours an apology Nabiki Tendo. I do not deserve praise. If I have done you a service today, let that be part of my atonement."

Nabiki was silent for a moment. She hadn't personally been on the receiving end of Mu Tsu's ire, but she had observed his fights with Ranma plenty of times. "Maybe you should tell them that, then?" She nodded towards the dojo. "You've never done anything to me, personally."

Mu Tsu nodded slowly. "That… is the correct course. I… you will forgive me if I hesitate. After today… it will be hard to face them."

"Well, right now probably wouldn't be best time anyway. They're probably all zonked out trying to recharge Shampoo." Nabiki yawned and stretched. "Tell you what. Do me this one favor. Stay with Rin, for today at least. Rin? I'm sorry sweetie, but I can't have you going to school today and giving away the surprise for Himura just yet."

"No problem, Ms. Nabiki!" Rin chirped. "But… I should call my parents."

"You can use the phone whenever you're ready. Tell them it's my fault, let me take the heat for it. If you need to, just pass the phone to me, and I'll make something up," Nabiki said.

"No," Rin said simply. "No… it's okay. I've stayed over at friends' houses when I was younger without permission. I… used to get angry that my sisters got so much attention."

"But… won't they get mad?" Nabiki felt awful about this. The last person who deserved to catch any flak for all this was Rin.

"They might. But I've dealt with that before, and-and you all are fighting for your LIVES. Himura is crazy, like Young Mi, right? I-I can't fight people like that, not with my fists, but I can do this at least!" Rin thrust a fist up into view from within her cocoon of Mu Tsu's robes. If the situation weren't so dire, it would have been comical.

"Rin…" Nabiki shook her head, but Mu Tsu held up a hand.

"Nabiki Tendo, I will take responsibility. For seeing to Rin's well being, and to ensure her parents understand the situation. This situation was my fault, and it can be explained as such without involving mention of your circumstances or your troubles."

"Mu Tsu… someone died…" Nabiki protested weakly.

"Yes. And if necessary I will take responsibility for that as well." Mu Tsu nodded. "For the rest of my life, if need be."

Nabiki was silent, then closed her eyes and nodded, standing. "I won't let it come to prison, if that's what you mean. You don't deserve that, and I don't want any protests about that."

Mu Tsu didn't respond as Nabiki walked back towards the house.

"If you're not going to prison, does that mean you're going to have to take care of me for the rest of your life?" Rin asked shyly from his lap.

Mu Tsu bent down and kissed the top of her head. "I am unworthy of it, but… if you will have me… yes, of course."

"Oh…" Rin's face flushed bright red, and she huddled down further, embarrassed. "Then you really do need to meet my parents…"

000

Konatsu observed the chaos at the Tendo compound from the shadows of a nearby building. She made note of the drainage access they were using, the arrival of Ranma and Ryouga, Mousse's blood-soaked robes… all information Himura would find intensely interesting. Should she opt to tell her, of course.

But she saw no sign of Ukyou.

She could hear her voice, even from this distance, but could not make out any words. The voice was familiar… real… almost comforting in a way, though it should not have been. Not for the abusive, controlling slave driver she remembered.

She used me! Starved me! Made me work terrible hours! She was cruel and dismissive and hateful…! So why can't I remember a specific example? She chewed on her thumbnail in frustration. There was this strange sense of detachment from it all. She should hate Ukyou Kuonji, but… she didn't.

"You appear to be lost in your thoughts, young one."

Konatsu didn't think, she reacted. She leapt from her perch, rolling in the air to let fly a trio of shuriken in the direction the voice had come from. She caught sight of what looked almost like a shrivelled old monkey balancing on a staff on the street near her. She had no time to properly process. She tucked, rolling in mid air to adjust her trajectory, caught a lamp post and slid down it, then darted into the shadows of a nearby alleyway. She stopped there, back against the wall as she peered up toward her previous perch, eyes seeking the source of the voice.

"Excellent reaction, but still you are distracted," the voice said again, from right next to her.

Konatsu whirled, drawing her kodachi from behind her back as she did, adding the energy of her pivot to the strike as she brought it around in a reverse-grip to slash across the midsection of… of whatever it was.

The blade was caught by two fingers, stopping it dead and nearly causing Konatsu to topple over as her momentum was abruptly arrested.

"Now, now, child. None of that. If I had intended you harm, you would know it," the creature…? said. An old woman? Yes, a tiny, withered old woman, perched atop a walking staff many times too big for her. Her leathery lips drew back in a horrid smile. "What business do you have with the Tendo Family? You are no Joketsuzoku."

"The Tendo family are the enemies of my Mistress Himura, and they are allied with my enemy, Ukyou Kuonji!" Konatsu said, warily returning her blade to its sheath, recognizing that it was currently useless. Mere blades would not be enough against this creature.

"Truly? I was under the impression you were friends with them until recently," the wizened woman replied, her amusement seeming to grow. "I am Khu Long, Great-great Grandmother to Xian Pu… with a few more 'greats' appended in."

"Konatsu Kenzan," Konatsu said, returning the courtesy. "And I am afraid you are mistaken. Kuonji has abused me and taken advantage of me for FAR too long!"

"How so?" Khu Long asked simply.

"It… I… she…" Konatsu began. One moment, she would have the perfect retort,but then it would slip away. What had been certain just a moment ago became hazy and indistinct. She groaned and rubbed at her temple with the heel of one hand. "She… I don't have to explain it to you!"

"No, but I suspect you need to explain it to yourself, hmmm?" Khu Long answered gently. "The headaches have been getting worse, haven't they?"

"What would you know about it?!" Konatsu snapped, her hand moving back to her blade.

"I am familiar with memory alteration techniques, particularly the compounds to which I believe you have been exposed. They not only change your memories, but they implant a hypnotic suggestion to protect those changes. The more you struggle to remember, the more it hurts." She hopped a little closer. "You have been struggling, have you not? The memories do not make sense, and as you try and bring them into focus, they slip away like sand."

"No! I am fine!" Konatsu snarled, drawing her blade and backing away a step.

"Of course you are," Khu Long replied soothingly. "I am merely commenting on your symptoms. These are not unfamiliar to me, as a Joketsuzoku. Your mistress has had dealings with our people, yes? Perhaps you have even seen the Xi Fa Xiang Gao being performed?"

Konatsu paused. "Th-the Xi Fa Xiang Gao?"

Khu Long nodded. "Yes. A special herbal blend, typically formulated into shampoo, is applied to the victim's hair, along with the manipulation of a series of pressure points while also thoroughly working the compound into the scalp. The precise movements implant suggestions and erase memories… while also competently cleaning and refreshing the victim's hair. The creator of the technique had a sense of humour."

Konatsu shuddered. She remembered the sight of the man named Kenji, curled into a fetal ball, crying in despair because he could not even remember his own name. "It… is not humorous," she said, hugging herself against the chill of the memory. "It is horrifying."

"It is, is it not?" Khu Long replied. "There is a counter to it, of course." She reached into her robes and drew out a bottle labelled '911'. "The compounds in THIS bottle will, when applied to the hair, undo those effects. No special technique is required." She smiled that horrifying smile again, and then placed the bottle on top of a nearby trashcan. "Perhaps I will simply leave it here. Should you know of any unfortunates suffering from such a memory alteration technique, if you were to use this on their hair it would negate the effects. Or perhaps you will simply leave it here. I leave the choice to you. I have more."

Konatsu looked at the bottle. Her hand twitched. "A-and if one has NOT been affected by these techniques?"

"Nothing will happen. Well, except their hair being the healthiest it has been in their lives. It IS rather good shampoo in its own right," Khu Long replied with a chuckle. She turned to hop away, but paused and looked over her shoulder. "If you wish to meet with Ms Kuonji, be it for a challenge or just to talk, be sure to let me know. I will be happy to pass on any messages you wish." With that, she hopped away.

Konatsu was left confused, wondering who or what she had just encountered. Her eyes fell to the bottle, still sitting on the trashcan. She clenched her fists and shook her head. It is a trick. It is! My memories are my own! They are! They… are…! She reflexively rubbed her temples with the heels of her hands, still staring at the bottle.

000

The limo ride was certainly a more comfortable way to get to school, but Nabiki couldn't shake the feeling it would garner far more attention than she was comfortable with. Riding with Tachi and Kodachi was actually almost pleasant, with some light conversation, and Tachi reassuringly remaining his saner, more humble self. Kodachi even managed to weasel an agreement out of her to join them on their newest family yacht (This one professionally crewed, unlike the Lady Binsense) once all the madness is over. The agreement came too easily, Nabiki realized, because part of her still could not believe there would be an 'after'. Still, Kodachi's conviction to the contrary was comforting.

If she had been more like this in the last year, she'd have had a much better chance at landing Ranma, Nabiki thought wryly. Still, it would never have worked out. Could probably have avoided a lot of strife if we had just been honest about the curse from the get-go. Guess we just assumed she'd be in denial like her brother.

As they pulled up, Nabiki could see there was very little attention being paid by the gaggle of students. Of course, the Kunos showing up in a limo is old hat at this point. For a moment she thought she might be able to slip out unnoticed.

When the Limo rolled to a stop, however, her hopes were dashed. Himura was there, along with Omi, Sanae and the Amazon girl, Tahn Pon.

"This is going to get ugly," Nabiki muttered under her breath.

"Let it," Kodachi replied. "We will handle her at school. Just be wary of her minions."

That's the problem! One of those minions is as good a fighter as Shampoo! Nabiki growled inwardly, though she did not voice it as the door opened.

"Kuno Senpai!" Himura said brightly as Tatewaki stepped out from the limo.

"Vice President Tanaka," Tatewaki replied with stiff formality as he took a moment to straighten his uniform, before extending a hand to Kodachi to help her out of the limo.

"It is… so nice to see you regularly attending classes again." Hikmura replied tightly. "I assure you the information you requested is currently being arranged for…"

"End of day. No later. My accountants will need to begin going over the figures Monday," Tatewaki replied, reaching into the Limo once more and offering Nabiki his hand. When she hesitated, he did not break his stone faced expression, but he offered her a reassuring wink.

"E-end of day, of course!" Himura said quickly. "I hope you do understand all the additional stresses that have been placed upon myself and the student council since…" Himura began, but trailed off as Nabiki emerged smoothly from the limousine.

"Himura," Nabiki offered Himura the shadow of a head nod, then found anything BUT her interesting to look at.

"Pssst… Boss? Why is the dead meat Mercenary riding around with Kuno?" Omi asked.

"'Dead meat'?" Tatewaki raised an eyebrow and squared his shoulders, eyes narrowing.

"Omi," Himura hissed. She turned back to Tatewaki and bowed. "A thousand apologies, Kuno-senpai. Omi here tends to repeat things she overhears, and I suspect one of my more uncouth associates may have used that term to refer to Ms. Tendo. In terms of our contest, of course!"

"Your contest?" "Tatewaki replied. "I was of the understanding that this 'contest' is between yourself, your volleyball team, and Ranma and hers? That is the official challenge as I understand it?"

Nabiki could see the swear words behind Himura's eyes.

"It's… related but a side matter. A more… personal wager, you might say." Himura had the fake smile back in record time.

"I see. As set forth in the student council bylaws established by myself prior to my stay in the hospital, I would like to see the formal details of this challenge?" Tatewaki said, folding his hands behind his back.

Himura's eyes widened and Nabiki had to shoot Tatewaki an admiring glance. Tachi, I MISSED you!

"I would be more than happy to supply you with all the details, Tachi-kun," Nabiki said, deciding to twist the knife as she looped her arm through his in a very familiar way.

Nabiki could feel the ripple from Himura, the barely contained explosion. It took a real exertion of effort to keep from hiding behind Tatewaki, and maintain her icy cool composure.

"I… don't feel this is appropriate, as this is a personal matter between Ms Tendo's family and mine and, as it is clear you have personal biases of your own, I do not feel it would be fairly administered." Himura managed tightly.

"As is your right," Tatewaki replied, starting to walk towards the school and leading Nabiki with him, Kodachi on his other side. "I will expect, then, that it be kept entirely off of school grounds."

Himura clenched her fists. "I seem to remember neither Saotome nor the Tendos have the best track record of that."

"Yes, and enforcement was lax. That was my fault. I intend to remedy it. I will be speaking with the Truancy Officers today," Tatewaki replied. "Settle your differences off school grounds, or through a sanctioned and refereed challenge." He continued walking without a backwards glance.

000

By midday, Shampoo's ki had grown much stronger, though she was still exerting quite the draw to recover. But she was stable, and it gave them a chance to trade off to let a couple of them recover. Ryouga and Ranma opted to stay with Shampoo, as both of them had the most ki to give.

"Y'know, I keep thinking I've caught up to Shampoo, then something like this reminds me she's on a whole other level," Ukyou said as she tied back her long brown locks. She was dressed in a dark variant of her usual attire that she'd dyed black. It had served well enough as impromptu ninjutsu gear in the past. "You feeling up for this, sugar?"

Akane was wearing an identical outfit and was poring over a map on the table. A mug of Khu Long's restorative tea was steaming on the table beside her. "Yeah. Though I kinda wish we could stay. Those three are zonked out, they'd be helpless if the Amazons decided to try anything.

"The truce has held up so far, and they're too chicken to try anything with Cologne lurking about." Ukyou started setting her minispats in her bandolier. She had to be careful, she had sharpened this particular set to a razor's edge. "Besides, Nabiki said we've got a tight window for this operation."

Akane shouldered the massive Chinese war hammer she had liberated from the Amazons previously. Ukyou was always amazed at the girl's casual feats of strength. "We need to get to the docks and get set up before noon. I really wish we could afford to wait for it to get dark."

"Too many spots to hit. Too far to travel," Ukyou replied. "Let's just hope it's only a few guys at each. Too many and it'll slow us down."

"I can handle crowds," Akane said with a smirk, which faded quickly. "Y'know what I miss? Just going to school. I miss being a regular high school student."

"You were never a regular high school student, sugar," Ukyou replied, giving her a quick kiss on the lips.

000

It took until lunch for Nabiki to snatch a few minutes to make a very important phone call. Normally she would wait until the end of day, make it somewhere more secure than the very lair of her enemy, but after school Himura was bundling them all onto buses and trucking them out to Cobblepot Secondary to watch her victory flourish against the Buster Corps and Ranma.

Ali Baba had been a bit outraged at her making the call at such a time and place, and had taken a few minutes to apply what they called 'countermeasures' to ensure the call was secure. Nabiki was brought to mind of some of the hacker types she had seen in movies and such, and wondered if perhaps Ali Baba had some sort of jack implanted in their neck and was moving about in cyberspace.

After that was done, she laid out her plan, and though she encountered a healthy dose of skepticism from Ali Baba, she could also sense a goodly amount of excitement from them, even through their digitally modulated voice.

"Well, can it work?" Nabiki asked.

"Tanaka needs something to drop the stock price further," Ali Baba replied. "I'm also not entirely comfortable with Yuto's participation in all of this. We explored potential avenues with him before; He sincerely WANTS to hurt his grandfather, but he has never shown the motivation or ability to do so."

"I can handle the Yuto angle. Trust me, I know about persuading reluctant investors," Nabiki replied.

"You also won't be able to match his contribution. You may just be trading one taskmaster for another," Ali Baba pointed out.

"No, there will be more. It's just… undefined at the moment until I've got it in hand." Nabiki twirled a pen in her fingers as she mentally ran through the math again. "If my estimates are right, it should be enough. I just need you ready to make it usable."

"Money laundering wasn't exactly part of our original agreement, Nabiki Tendo," Ali Baba said in a warning tone.

"Yes, but I will be delivering vastly more than I promised," Nabiki countered. Somehow, this sort of negotiation was comforting and reassuring to her, despite the stakes.

"We agreed to help you in order to TOPPLE Tanaka Pharmaceuticals. This… this is…" Ali Baba protested, but trailed off.

"More than you could have hoped for, so much so that you can't help but think it's actually impossible?" Nabiki came back with a smirk. "Trust me, I know. This is a hell of a roll of the dice. But if we can do this…"

"All right, all right, you've sold me," Ali Baba replied. "But the timing is terribly tight. You need to produce the stock crash within the next day or two, or it'll be meaningless, and I have no way to help with that. Trust me, I've TRIED."

"I just need you to be ready to deliver to the media when it's all over. I've got the rest covered." Nabiki replied.

"And your contest with Himura?"

"This will go ahead regardless," Nabiki replied. "Though I'll probably have to go underground, because I don't trust Himura not to put a hit out on me as soon as her Grandfather's restrictions are lifted. We'll have to wait and see how tonight pans out."

"Your going dark would be less than optimal," Ali Baba muttered. "I hope you have a plan."

"Me? Always."

000

Once everyone had left on their various assignments, things grew quiet at the Tendo Dojo. Kasumi busied herself with tasks indoors, checking only occasionally on the three teenagers sleeping in the dojo.

It was a rare window. Even Khu Long was away from her post momentarily, facing down a group of Amazon sentries watching the house. There would simply not be a better opportunity.

Genma let the star cloth fall away from him as he entered the dojo. If he did this right, he would be in and out without anyone ever knowing he had been there.

The teenagers were in the middle of a pile of futons against one wall. It looked fluffy, comfortable and clean. His back twinged at the memory of sleeping on the hard ground. He missed the pleasant scent of Kassumi's laundry. And the meals… !

You HAD to go and ruin it, didn't you boy? he thought darkly as he crept closer, eyes fixed on the redhead. He knew the boy slept like the dead, but the other two he was unsure of. Still, it was not the first time he had stolen something literally out of someone's bed while they slept in it.

He regarded his redheaded child and noted how peacefully she seemed to slumber, though his nose wrinkled upon seeing how the Ryouga boy's arm was draped casually over her. Such a waste. All of this. He thought disgustedly, kneeling next to the futon. The boy could have had a HAREM of wives! More than enough to keep No-chan happy, you'd think! But no, you had to be willful! He turned her head slightly, then brought out the thermos, unscrewed the cap, being careful to not make any noise. He pinched her nose closed and waited for her to open her mouth and gasp for breath. This is for your own good, boy. We'll start over if need be, no matter what No-chan says. You'll be the Man amongst Men she wants. He brought the thermos to her lips, and carefully began tipping it. Careful now… don't want her to choke and spit it back up…

Ranma's eyes opened. For a moment, he saw the guileless trust of the child he had raised in those deep blue eyes, but quickly they widened in panic and fear. He moved to pin her with the other hand, muffling her struggles with his greater leverage and weight. It would take her a moment to break free, more than enough time for him. Good. You need to see this. See what I am doing for YOUR sake! You need to understand this is not a CHOICE, Ranma!

A hand erupted from the pile of duvet. The fingers that wrapped around his wrist felt like steel, stopping him dead. Slowly the thermos was forced away from Ranma's lips. Not the boy's hand, he didn't have that kind of strength…!

Damnit! Genma clapped the cap back on the bottle quickly to prevent any of the precious contents being spilt, then wrenched his hand free. He hopped backwards and dropped into a ready stance.

Ryouga emerged from the blankets. His green eyes were dark with an emotion Genma was unfortunately all too familiar with - Hatred. The boy was wearing only his boxers, and thankfully didn't have his pack or umbrella nearby to provide him with more weapons, but Genma was fully aware of the damage the boy could do with just his fists.

"You tried to do it again," Ryouga said flatly. He paused to glance over his shoulder. "Ranma, are you okay? You didn't swallow any, did you?"

Genma took the momentary distraction to act. He used the Kinshi Kinbaku Shō, flinging sturdy ropes to bind the boy tightly. Genma pulled forcefully, tugged Ryouga off his feet and drew his hand back for the Dokuja Tanketsu Shō. Ripping out the boy's heart was an extreme response, but he couldn't afford to take chances now; he needed Ryouga out of the picture before Ranma could get into the fight. I hope you understand this is YOUR fault, boy…!

Before Genm could finish reeling in the wandering martial artist however, the rope fell to pieces in his hands, slashed in four places as if by invisible claws. Genma stumbled back, momentarily off balance due to the sudden shift.

Ryouga snarled and strained and snapped the ropes still binding him. "I'LL KILL YOU!" he roared, whirling on the older man.

"No, Ryouga."

Genma shuddered a moment, briefly terrified that Nodoka had somehow shown up, but his eyes soon found the source of the voice. A diminutive red haired girl in boxers and a tank top stood at the far end of the dojo, apparently having teleported from the pile of futons piled at the opposite end.

"Y-you had me worried for a second, boy!" Genma laughed nervously. There was something very cold and very feral in those blue eyes now. It almost made them look green. "N-now, get your things, we're taking you home, and then…"

"Take care of Shampoo," Ranma said quietly. "I'll kill him."

Ryouga hesitated. "You sure?"

"Can help Airen!" Shampoo said from the futon, though it was clear she could barely stand.

"No, it has to be me," Ranma replied with the same dead calm. "You don't know enough of the Umisenken yet to counter his dirty tricks. Go make sure Kasumi is okay. This won't take long."

Ryouga turned and scooped up Shampoo, momentarily oblivious to the fact that she was still completely naked. "Ranma… Don't take too long," he said finally before he turned and carried the amazon out of the door.

"Heh… foolish boy. Confident, but foolish!" Genma growled, dropping into another stance, as he mentally assessed how best to quickly take the boy down. Keep it indoors so he can't use any of those crazy Amazon techniques. Might wreck the place using the Yamisenken in here, but Soun betrayed me anyway, so he's due a little pain…

Genma didn't see Ranma move. He felt the impact, but he didn't recognize the technique used. The force drove the air from his lungs once from the impact, and again as he slammed through the dojo walls and tumbled to a stop in the yard.

The Hell was THAT?! he thought, wheezing as he struggled to make his lungs work again, on all fours in the grass. He looked up to see Ranma standing in the fresh hole she had just made. He could make out wisps of a yellowish aura flickering in and out of visibility around her.

"I was telling the truth," Ranma said softly, the calm, even tone somehow resounding more than any shout. "I don't want to kill again. But I can't control this well enough to be sure I won't kill you. And I can't let you leave."

The neko ken!? Genma's eyes widened. Just for a moment, he felt a surge of pride that the boy had proven him right and mastered the dangerous technique. That was quickly replaced with anger. "Do you think to use a technique I taught you against me, boy!?"

"'Taught'? No…" Ranma said, and then blurred again. Genma readied himself, spreading his arms wide for the Kaichū Hōju Satsu, planning to bearhug and subdue the boy, but his eyes simply could not track her movements. He felt a flurry of Amiguriken-speed speed strikes hit his chest and midsection before he could even close his arms. He heard as much as felt one of his ribs crack under the onslaught. He coughed and stumbled forward a few steps and his hand came away from his mouth with blood on it.

"It was torture," Ranma continued in that same, maddeningly calm tone, standing again just out of his reach. "You tortured me to try and make me learn it. For years. Do you want to know the secret I learned?"

Genma used the Kijin Raishū Dan to fling a series of vacuum blades toward where Ranma had been standing just a second before, but she wasn't there anymore. Instead the blades further shredded the walls of the dojo. There was another series of impossibly fast strikes from the side, then the burn of a slash across his arms. Genma stumbled back, staring at his arm dumbly as he realized the boy had drawn blood. Four parallel slashes were cut into his forearm, as if from the claws of some large cat.

"Girls go into the pit. Boys come out," Ranma said softly from a few metres away. Her fingers were curled like claws, and there was blood on her left hand. "But only cats got out and stayed out. That's the secret of the neko ken. That's all of it. You traumatize a child until they have no choice but to become a cat to keep you from putting them back in the pit."

"I did it to make you strong, you ungrateful brat! Everything was to make you the strongest martial artist the world has ever known! Heh…" He wiped off his chin, trying not to react at the realization he was bleeding from the mouth as well. "And if you beat me with this, you've only proved me right! You're no better than me! You've lied, cheated and stolen, just like me! You schmoozed and manipulated that cute little Amazon of yours to wheedle every last technique or trick that you could out of her grandmother, and then you dumped her by the side of the road when you didn't need her anymore! You're a Saotome!"

He saw her hesitate. The ice cracked a bit as she tried to conjure up a counter to his words, to give voice to what she knew wasn't true. It was all the opening Genma needed. He darted forward as fast as he could and dove for the koi pond.

Now we'll see how well your neko ken does against PANDA FU! he thought triumphantly as he felt the change overcome him. He was slower as a Panda, it was true, but he was larger, stronger and far more durable. He erupted from the koi pond, claws out, fangs bared, ready to give the little upstart a taste of her own medicine.

"No," Ranma said simply, having somehow moved right next to him. She flipped onto her hands, drew her legs in close and hit him in the side again with both feet; a rabbit kick that sent him flying through the wall and into the house. He crashed through a second wall, into the Master's old room, and found himself entangled in a pile of women's underthings.

"You take on the body of the panda, but you aren't one. Not in the ways that matter," Ranma said, hopping casually through the hole she had made with his body. "You're still just a man, and a thief."

Genma roared, throwing more vacuum blades at her, shattering walls and crushing supports, punching through to the kitchen and family room. There was a shriek… Kasumi? And a flurry of movement. Genma felt a momentary pang of regret for the damage he was doing. He swiped at her with one large paw, gouging the wall and crushing a wooden dresser, sending more frilly underthings flying.

Ranma merely weaved and ducked his blows, then dropped into a crouch, tackling him through the wall into the family room, crushing the kotatsu. She rolled with him, ending up underneath with her feet planted in his gut, legs curled, and kicked off, propelling him through another wall, through Soun's room and through yet ANOTHER wall into the furo.

Genma gasped, emerging from the warm bath water, human once more, coughing and struggling for breath. He definitely had at least a couple of broken ribs. He grunted and stumbled on the slick tile floor, slamming his shoulder into the wall to pop it back into place. "S-stupid boy! I'm your father!"

She stepped through the hole in the wall, light on her feet, her stance still infuriatingly relaxed and open, like she wasn't even taking the fight seriously.

Genma lunged at her with a straight punch meant to rattle her teeth and knock that insufferably blank expression off her face. She simply sidestepped like he was moving in slow motion, jabbing with her right, her hand balled up like a cat's paw. He managed to parry away the first strike, but the trio of kicks that followed it doubled him over, sending him tumbling back into the tub with a splash.

"You were a lot of things. But a father was never one of them," Ranma replied coldly.

"I am your father, and you will obey me!" Genma snarled, on all fours on the furo floor as he crawled out of the tub. "I didn't want to use this against you, my boy, but you've left me no choice!" He bolted to his feet and struck with the Geimon Tessen Shi, fingers pointed as if to spear, and as Ranma dodged to the side he quickly combined it with the Mōko Kaimon Ha, lashing out with his foot. With grim satisfaction, he caught her in the gut. But instead of doubling over and flopping to the floor, she sailed backwards through the hole and backflipped out of sight, and likely back outside.

Genma charged after her, leaping through the debris of what had been his home for a year, and pursued her into the yard, eager to press his advantage. Might cripple the boy going all out like this, but better than him getting away again! This is my last chance to get back into No-chan's good graces! He pulled out a furoshiki, looking for where Ranma had gone. Just gotta get this over his head, and…

The star cloth suddenly came apart in his hands, slashed as if by claws again. He scrambled a bit to catch the bits of cloth, then realized it was fruitless.

"Trying to choke me out with the Umisenken, since the Yamisenken isn't working?" Ranma asked coldly. She was again standing only a few feet away, just out of his direct reach. "Did you forget you taught me that one too?"

"I didn't teach you everything, boy!" Genma bluffed. There was one trick he had left that might work; the Parlay du Foie Gras might get the damned potion down the boy's throat, but first he needed her closer. He decided to resort to an old standby, and fell to his hands and knees in supplication. "Please don't kill me!"

"You taught me that one as well, old man," Ranma said, walking towards him. Her guard appeared down, her mouth slightly open as she spoke… there would be no better time!

Genma bolted up and forwards, reached into his gi for the thermos and popped the top off one-handed in a single clean motion. The Parlay du Foie Gras was about feeding your opponent so fast even they didn't know you had done it, and he and Ranma had trained extensively in it. All he needed to do was…

The thermos was batted out of his hand and appeared in Ranma's. She bent low, arching like a cat, then pounced, tackling him to the ground. The cold expression was gone as she slashed across his chest with the ki claws of her free hand, gouging deep red marks into his flesh. Genma screamed and covered his face with his arms as she proceeded to slash at him without mercy, howling like an enraged cat. Her slashes left gouges in his arms, cut down to the bone, severing muscle and tendon alike. His arms finally fell uselessly to his sides, and a few more strikes caught his face and neck, opening more deep wounds, one dangerously close to his carotid artery. She's trying to kill me!

A few more moments and it was over. His arms were useless at his sides, crippled, and blood flowed freely from dozens of gashes all over his body. His mouth was full of blood, and his entire body was on fire, the pain of the gouges like the burn of a cat's scratches, but magnified a thousand-fold. His vision wavered, and he knew he was in danger of losing consciousness.

"Why!?" Ranma snarled at him, the cold demeanor gone now, her eyes flashing with rage. "Why can't you just let me exist!? Why do you have to keep trying to destroy me!?"

"N-No-N…No-Nodoka…" Genma managed to gasp. "T-to save you from her… You don't understand… She hated you so much for making … making *cough* making her break her oath to your grandfather. S-she would have killed you if I hadn't taken you away…"

"You didn't need this to save me!" Ranma replied, pouring out the potion onto the ground next to him. "You could have just left! You ran all the way to China, why not just keep going?! Why go through all this!?"

"F-for her…" Genma coughed again, clearing some of the blood. "I need her Ranma… please… Come back… apologize to her.. M-maybe she will…"

Ranma stood up abruptly. Genma found he still couldn't move, his muscles simply burned and refused to obey him. The boy had severed major tendons and muscles, and had quite possibly crippled him permanently. Her face contorted, shifting through a range of emotions, from despair to sadness through rage and then to hatred. Finally she closed her eyes, clenched her fists, and took a long, deep, slow breath.

"You sacrificed me for her. To her. And you're still trying to do it," Ranma said, the ice back in her voice. "All because you're too pathetic to tell her 'no'." She shook her head. "You're not worth killing. You're not even worth hating." She fixed him with an icy glare. "But I do. I still do. And if you are ever seen, by me or anyone in my family ever again, you will die. There are no more Saotomes. You are the last. You sacrificed your daughter, and you killed your son. There is only me now, and if I ever see you again, I will show you the pit that spawned me." She spat on him once, then turned and slowly walked back towards the remains of the house.

000

Kasumi had never enjoyed watching the battles.

The other things, sure. The blossoming romance between Ranma and her baby sister. The antics of Ranma with his friends or fiancés when things were less serious, and even the new, hard won romance developing between Ranma and Nabiki.

But not the battles. Not when things got serious. But she watched anyway. She felt it was her duty. She had borne witness to a number of brutal battles, many of which where Ranma had come out battered and bloody.

This was worse, somehow, even though Ranma came out physically unhurt.

The battle had been brutal, carving through their family home, which now creaked dangerously with so many load bearing walls smashed. Kasumi had nearly been caught up in the violence, but had been whisked out of harm's way by Ryouga. Now Kasumi was simply surveying the damage.

Ranma slid open the door and walked inside. She was still soaking wet from the pond and the furo, her scarlet locks hanging limply over her eyes.

Ryouga had dressed quickly, and Shampoo had put on a bathrobe. Though their intervention had not been required, Kasumi could see that it had taken every ounce of control they had not to go to Ranma's aid.

"Is he… dead?" Ryouga asked. He walked up to the redhead, but stopped short, as if afraid touching her would cause her to shatter.

"No. Not worth it," Ranma mumbled. She stepped forward a couple of paces and simply walked into him. Her forehead hit his chest with a *thunk* and she started sobbing.

Ryouga, to his credit, had his arms around her instantly, and Shampoo all but teleported to Ranma's side to join the hug. Ranma's whole body started to shake, and the sobs became the keening wails of a child betrayed.

Kasumi wanted nothing more than to join them, to hold the sobbing girl and tell her it was going to be alright, but she knew more was needed of her right now.

She busied herself, packing up things into overnight bags. She started in Nabiki's room, then Akane's, then finally her own. She left Ranma's room for now, not wanting to be reminded of the man currently bleeding and unconscious on the lawn. She packed the essentials, several changes of clothes, a few things she knew her sisters would want. Nabiki's laptop, Akane's stuffed pig… for herself, she was ruthlessly spartan. She picked up the phone and called Nabiki's number.

"Nabiki Tendo," came the answer. If she was surprised, she didn't let any of it enter her voice.

"Mr. Saotome came," Kasumi said, almost tumbling over herself to get it all out. "There was a fight. Everyone is okay, he's passed out in the yard. I don't know how badly he's hurt, but there's a lot of blood. They made holes in the house, big holes. I don't think it's structurally safe for us to remain here."

"Ranma…" Nabiki began.

"Ranma's fine," Kasumi lied. "No injuries. Ryouga and Shampoo are with her."

"Any sign of Amazons poking their noses in?" Nabiki asked after a second. Kasumi could tell she had switched to damage control mode and shut down her immediate reactions.

I will owe you a big bowl of ice cream when this is over, little sister! Kasumi thought. "None yet that I saw."

There was silence for a moment. Kasumi suspected Nabiki had muted her phone – to confer with someone, or just to keep someone from overhearing? "Okay. Gosunkugi will be there momentarily to lead all of you to Kunou Manor. Don't take a lot, and make sure they don't overtax Shampoo."

"And Mr. Saotome?" Kasumi asked.

There was another long moment of silence. Finally, Nabiki's voice returned, her tone tight and controlled. "Do you know what he came to do?"

"He… seemed to be trying to make Ranma drink something," Kasumi said. "Ranma poured it out. He was talking about trying to take Ranma back to her mother."

More silence. Foot tapping. Nabiki was trying to get herself under control. When she finally responded, her voice was ice. "Then you leave that fat fuck to bleed out. If Shampoo or Ryouga ask for a kitchen knife to put through his heart, give them one. Otherwise, just get out and leave him there."

Kasumi shuddered, but nodded. "What if… what if I wanted to do it myself?" she half whispered.

"Sis… that's not who you are. Don't, you'll regret it," Nabiki said quickly.

"You did not hear the things he said to her," Kasumi replied tightly. She could feel hot tears at the corners of her eyes. "I won't. But I promise you, I absolutely would NOT regret it."

000

The door creaked on its hinges, louder than Rin remembered. Her siblings and her father would all be at school, so only her mother should be home right now. "H-hello! I'm home…" She peered through the door, unsure about going in.

"Rin?" Her mother's voice came from the back of the house, probably the kitchen. Rin could hear the sound of footsteps as her mother came into view, wearing an apron and looking like she had been in the midst of baking something. "Where have you been, girl?! We've been worried sick! Did you forget to call again?"

"Aheh… kinda?" Rin said, rubbing the back of her head. She could see the frustration on her mother's face. This really wasn't the first time she had slipped away without telling them, but this time might get her grounded.

She felt a hand on her shoulder. The door was pushed open further, revealing Mu Tsu standing behind her.

Mu Tsu was wearing a simple yellow hoodie and jeans, both borrowed from the Tendo residence and the slim selection of clothes Ranma had available. He bowed deeply. "Hello Ms Ito. I believe I can explain your daughter's absence, if you will hear me out."

Rin's mother's expression immediately changed to one of smug assumption.

Rin saw the gears turning in her mother's head and motioned frantically for Mu Tsu to stop, but neither of them were paying attention to her anymore.

"I think I am beginning to get an idea where my daughter has been, now," Rin's mother said, folding her arms. "Might I ask this young man his name?"

"Mom, it's not…" Rin began frantically.

"Mu Tsu. Of the Joketsuzoku," Mu Tsu replied, bowing again. "A… small village in China," he clarified after a moment's pause.

"I see. Aoi Ito, a pleasure to meet you." Rin's mother inclined her head respectfully. "Might I ask what your business is with my daughter? Though I suspect I can guess."

"Mom!" Rin protested. "He's not… we haven't…!"

"I apologize for any worries we might have caused. Rin has been… involved in helping me to resolve a situation with my ex-fiancee," Mu Tsu replied.

Aoi raised an eyebrow. "Rin, a married man? Really?!"

"He's not married!" Rin stamped her foot. "Would you listen to me?!"

"Of course, of course…" Aoi looked Mu Tsu up and down appraisingly. "You'll excuse me, Mr… err, is it Mu? May I call you Mu Tsu to avoid awkwardness?"

"Please do," Mu Tsu replied.

"Come in, please, both of you. I suspect we have much to talk about!" Aoi stepped aside and motioned for the two teenagers to enter the house.

Mu Tsu nodded and walked placidly inside, and Rin followed, her head hung, knowing too well that her mother had gotten entirely the wrong idea… again. She felt her mother's hand on her shoulder and stopped as her mother leaned over and whispered conspiratorially in her ear.

"He's very pretty, dear, but I DO hope you used protection like your father and I taught you? Aoi murmured

"Mom!" Rin flushed bright red, scandalized. "W-we haven't done anything like that!"

"Well, then promise you will use protection when you do?" Aoi winked.

"MOM!"

"Oh hush. I appreciate your bringing the boy home before you got that far. Come and have some tea with your mother so I can ask the young man how you met and show him all your embarrassing baby photos," Aoi said, swatting her daughter playfully as she resumed escorting Mu Tsu towards the living room.

"I'm doomed…" Rin muttered bleakly.

000

Himura chewed on her thumbnail in frustration, pacing back and forth in the room she had claimed as her office. Omi and Sanae were standing by the door, fidgeting nervously at their boss' obvious agitation. Well, Sanae was fidgeting, Omi was watching shadows move across the ceiling.

"Nabiki is plotting something…" Himura growled, her shoes squeaking slightly on the linoleum floor as she pivoted and continued to pace. "Why would she be so open about her alliance with the Kunous? I should have had that addled twit Tatewaki declared unfit before he came back! It would have been worth it to endure another election just to be free of his idiocy!"

There was a tapping at the door before Tahn Pon opened it and stepped into the room. "" she said in Mandarin.

"" Himura asked testily.

"" Tahn said. The expression on her face and the tone of her voice made it clear she had been dismissed as a lackey by someone of higher rank.

Himura sighed in frustration. She pointed at Omi and Sanae. "You two. After school, go find that Circus woman. Tell her that her 'Darling' has run out of time. I want Rin Ito and the Amazon bitch dead. If she won't do it, I have contacts who will."

"You want to kill Rin Ito?" Sanae squeaked, sounding more than a little nervous. "Himura, I knew this could get bloody, but…"

"You're in the clear. I'm not asking you to do it, I know better. You just deliver messages, play volleyball, look pretty and don't talk back!" Himura snarled.

"Do you think we'll get to see the big kitty again?" Omi asked, bouncing. She clasped her hands. "Do you think she'll let us feed it? Do you think she'll feed Rin to it?"

"Just get it done!" Himura pushed past them and marched towards the roof access, Tahn close behind. I need to remember to find out where Konatsu got off to. She was supposed to deal with Nabiki's little pet detective squad! Himura thought sourly, as she stomped up the stairs and threw open the heavy access door.

The woman on the roof was in her mid twenties, hair a mix of green, pink and blue streaks. Strangely, she was wearing a Furinkan girl's uniform, though it was naturally a bit small on her.

"" Himura asked.

"" the Amazon said. She held up a hand to forestall Himura's protest. ""

Himura sighed. "their clothes. Your name?"

""

"" Himura folded her arms and leaned against the wall. She took a deep breath, steeling herself. ""

"" Wa Xiu replied. ""

"" Himura relaxed visibly. Good, he was useful for something! Maybe he has solved one of my problems? ""

""

Sounds like the idiot failed, Himura thought, then shrugged. It had been a longshot anyway. The destruction on its own might have been useful… if it weren't for their new allies. Himura scowled, wondering if Nabiki counted prescience among her abilities. ""

"" Wa Xiu replied. ""

"" Himura said darkly.

"" Wa Xiu said, her eyes narrowing. ""

"" Himura threw up her hands in exasperation. ""

"insufferably arrogant," Wa Xiu replied. ""

Himura sighed. "important matters."

Wa Xiu regarded her with a mixture of curiosity and contempt. ""

Himura rolled her eyes again, and refused to look at the Amazon. She waited until she heard the woman leave. "Insufferable foreigners…" she muttered darkly. It didn't matter overmuch. Even if, in some bizarre twist, her team lost to Cobblepot, with Rin Ito dead, Ranma's team would have to forfeit the last game. It was a shame Genma hadn't succeeded in his attempt to dose his son with the potion, but that was why one plotted multiple routes to victory.

Speaking of which… She pulled out her cell phone and scrolled through her contacts until she found the name she was looking for.

"Hello…? Momoko! Lovely to talk to you again! Yes… yes… oh you know, business for Grandfather. Yes, playing secretary for him these days…. Oh, I'm sure I'll take over one of these days and convince him to retire, but for now… mmhmm… Look, there was a favor I wanted to ask? I want you to look up the home insurance policy for one 'Soun Tendo'...? Yes, Nerima ward… Look, this is more of a good Samaritan thing than anything, but I believe that he will be submitting a damage claim sooner rather than later… yes… well, I have evidence to suggest the damage was self-inflicted… yes… unlicensed tenant named Genma Saotome. Yes, clearly a Civil matter, not one for insurance. If you can, I'm sure you could find a reason to pre-emptively cancel his coverage and save yourself the hassle…? No, no, just looking out for one of Grandfather's subsidiaries in some small way… Why thank you, I hope you have a wonderful day too!"

000

If ever there was a time Nabiki wished the Big One would finally come to Japan, and the earth would crack open to swallow up Furinkan High whole, it was today.

God DAMN you Genma Saotome! she cursed mentally at her utter failure to follow the subject of her class. Truth be told, she didn't even remember which class she was in right now.

She didn't know how bad the damage was but, for Kasumi to declare the place unlivable, it had to be bad. I'd take it out of his hide, if selling such a low-quality panda-skin rug wouldn't ruin my reputation. She fidgeted, twirling her pen in her fingers and wishing he had picked ANY other day for it.

The PA speaker crackled to life. "Attention students! At the bell, please gather in the courtyard in your homeroom classes. Line up in an orderly fashion and obey all instructions of your assigned chaperones. The buses to take you to Cobblepot High will be arriving shortly. Please bring any and all items you may need, as the school will be locked upon our return."

Finally! Nabiki thought, and began to shove her books into her carry case. She felt a powerful urge to walk out to the courtyard and just keep walking towards home, but she knew that wasn't what was needed now.

Her phone beeped, and she paused for a moment to check it. It wasn't a call, it was an email? She had set up an email address for 'father' which she used to manage most of the house finances.

To Whom It May Concern

This letter is to inform you of the cancellation of your home insurance policy number 2799-487312. Cancellation is effective immediately.

Concerns have been raised about the structures in question being unfit for human habitation due to lack of maintenance and damage caused by unregistered illegal tenants. As this is a violation of the heritage property stewardship agreement, your policy has been suspended, and the unused portion of your premium for this month has been refunded.

Thank you in advance. This notice is non-negotiable.

"What." Nabiki gaped at the tiny screen, not sure if she was reading it right. But it was the correct company header, and the right policy number.

"Oh, did you just get some distressing news?" Hana's voice came from over her shoulder. "Himura noticed you seemed to be rather out of sorts today, so she decided to help out by removing any unnecessary distractions, like say, having to make a messy and time-consuming insurance claim. Such a shame about your house, by the way. Don't worry, the city inspectors should be by on Monday to determine if it's fit for habitation or not."

Nabiki had a powerful urge to spin and punch, and to use some of the tricks that Khu Long had taught her to make it really hurt. But that was what Himura wanted. She swallowed her rage and quietly flipped her phone closed. "You should avoid reading over people's shoulders, Hana. It makes you seem overeager and desperate."

Hana leaned on the side of Nabiki's desk. "Real shame you dumped all that money into a hopeless bet, huh? If you hadn't, you might still have it to put towards repairs! Or… let's be honest here, rehoming. That place should have been condemned years ago anyway. It's not like your Dad ever actually taught students there."

I'm breaking your next camera myself, Hana, and using your face to do it, Nabiki thought. Outwardly she settled back into Ice-Queen mode. "We should get going. We don't want to miss the bus." She finished packing and stood.

"Yeah, need to see your last bit of hope flicker and die, don't we?" Hana sneered.

That's it. Nabiki took a deep breath, then turned and fixed Hana with a cold stare. She maintained the silence for just long enough that Hana started to look uncomfortable.

"Hana. Admittedly, if Himura's team wins tonight, you will have won everything you seem to want," Nabiki said, sliding her bag over her shoulder. "But I am curious… What is your 'Plan-B' in case of failure? What will you do if Himura loses?"

"In case of failure?" Hana laughed. "What on earth makes you think Himura will lose at this point? Even if she did somehow lose this game, she still just has to win Wednesday, and you've got two players MIA. No substitutions, remember? Just in case you thought about sticking your little sister in a wig and trying to pass her off."

"You've seen wilder turnarounds here. We've made lots of money off turnarounds like that. Some of them didn't even involve Ranma," Nabiki replied. "So… say Himura chokes. What then?"

"I mean… that's… that's pretty unthinkable…" Hana stammered.

"Someone a lot wiser than I am told me recently that 'you must purge from your mind the idea of failure being unthinkable'. I've had to do a lot of that lately. And even before that, you know me, you know I always have a plan to recoup if a ploy doesn't go my way." She turned to poke at Hana's collarbone. "But what about you? Because from here it looks an awful lot like you've put all your eggs in Himura's basket. You didn't bother to develop a rep of your own. You follow the same rules I came up with through trial and error without making them your own. Everyone sees you as a follower, Hana. Everyone called me a 'Mercenary Girl', and 'Ice Queen', but you know what they never called me? A lackey. You've hitched your cart to Himura's train, with nothing to drive you on your own. What happens if she derails? What's your plan?"

"Wishful thinking," Hana growled. "Whatever your 'disaster plans' were, they didn't save you from having your whole organization pulled out from under you, did they?"

"I dunno, I think she did pretty good," Sayuri's voice chimed in. She stood in the doorway of the classroom, leaning against the frame. "She landed the hottest stud the in school, found another from outside the school and landed him, too… now she's besties with the richest family in Nerima… y'know, I think maybe she just might not give a shit about your little high school gambling operation anymore? Especially since, if you had just waited a few months, she would have given it to you anyway as I understand it. But hey, you do you. I hope you enjoy smelling Himura's farts and telling her they're potpourri."

Hana scowled. "You lost, Kamei? Not your classroom."

"Not yours either. Here to walk to the bus with my friend," Sayuri replied. "Something else here that isn't yours. Now go on and scram. Tell Himura the big kids are being mean to you or whatever. Maybe she'll buy you another camera or perhaps an ice cream?"

Hana's hand went protectively to the camera that was hanging around her neck. She spared Nabiki a glance, then stomped over toward Sayuri. "You haven't got a herd of martial artists protecting you anymore, Kamei. If I were you, I'd watch myself."

"You haven't got a herd of martial artists either, and I'm not the one who gives up after two laps around the gym, so… back atcha," Sayuri retorted, staring Hana down until the other girl slipped past her and slunk away.

"Thanks," Nabiki said, leaning against her desk a bit. "I was about to haul off and hit her myself, and probably would have earned myself a suspension just in time for Himura's endgame."

"Nah, we got your back," Sayuri replied. "Hiroshi wanted me to check on you before we all got segregated into our separate class buses, since you're stuck on your own for the trip. Sure you don't want us to sneak you onto ours? Pretty sure we can get Ms. Hinako to look the other way. Or, more accurately find something shiny to distract her."

"No, I need to play this straight for the moment." Nabiki hefted her bag again. "I appreciate the offer, though. Really I do."

"Yeah, well that's the fallback plan in case of failure you were talking about, right? Friends." Sayuri smiled and fell into step beside Nabiki as they walked out of the classroom.

"No, actually. Hadn't even considered that angle, but you're right," Nabiki said thoughtfully. "People like Himura and pretty much everyone she deals with only support someone if they get something out of it. Transactional relationships, all. So if things go badly…"

"The rats abandon ship, yeah," Sayuri replied.

"Yeah… don't have to worry about taking rats down with you if you're sinking, though," Nabiki added glumly. "Today has been another rough day for the Tendo clan."

"Why? What happened?" Sayuri asked.

Part of Nabiki told her to brush it off. The less she knows... it told her. But another part of her pointed out that she was fit to collapse from carrying the weight of it all, and everyone who hated her already knew, so why not? She recounted what she knew of Genma's attack, and the battle that had all but destroyed her family home, plus the little insurance screw at the end. They were just emerging into the courtyard as she finished.

"Figure Himura had something to do with your insurance getting cancelled?" Sayuri asked.

"Same day response to an incident I hadn't even filed? From an insurance company!? Not a doubt in my mind," Nabiki replied. "Something tells me the Tanaka family owns a large percentage of my insurance company's stock, if it's not a Tanaka subsidiary outright."

"You guys going to be okay?" Sayuri's voice was loaded with concern. "I mean… where are you going to live?

"For the short term, the Kunos have taken us in." Nabiki said with a sigh. "I hadn't wanted to count on that, but that idiot Genma forced our hand. Once this is all over I can sit down and make the Insurance company's life hell. Assuming I don't end up bundled up in a burlap sack and shipped to China, or at the bottom of Tokyo bay in a nice new pair of cement shoes.

"Seriously, though, if you need it, I can ask my parents. Pretty sure between me, Yuka, Riko and the boys we could put you all up," Sayuri offered. "I mean, we're not Kunos, but I just want you to know that you've got options."

Nabiki smiled and stopped, looking her in the eyes. "Thank you. Sincerely, I mean that. I know you know that's not a small offer. We're not an easy bunch to live with."

"Nah, you're fine. You just tend to attract the types who are impossible to live with," Sayuri patted her shoulder. "But I figure at the rate you're going, the world will run outta those pretty soon anyway."

"One can hope," Nabiki replied with a sigh. She glanced over to where the students were splitting off into their various classes. "Better go. See you at the game. Err, tell everyone to pair up, but don't sit in a group. Make it too easy for Himura to target you if you're all together."

"Hiroshi already figured that out," Sayuri replied. "Him and Riko, Daisuke and Yuka, so I guess I'm your seating buddy for tonight. See you there!"

000

The tunnels were dark and dank, though Gosunkugi had set up some lights along the way. The dim lighting, the stone and cement construction along with the constant dampness and presence of water gave the passageways an air of a classic fantasy dungeon. Kasumi had heard of students sometimes coming down to places like this for roleplaying games, or to film amateur productions. Part of her wished that's what they were doing now.

Ryouga was just ahead of her, carrying Shampoo. They were both now wearing their more usual attire, though rumpled and unwashed. The Amazon had protested, but her endurance had quickly begun to fail her, and in the interest of travelling quickly, Ryouga had opted to simply sweep her off her feet into a bridal carry and follow Gosunkugi.

Ranma was walking behind him, and had been distressingly quiet for the entirety of the journey. Since she had cried herself out in the aftermath of her battle with her father, she had not said another word. She had simply dressed in her usual red silks, and declined to even pack an overnight bag from her room. Kasumi desperately wanted to talk to her, pull her aside, give her a hug and tell her it would all be okay, but now wasn't the time or the place.

The passageways lead directly to a large secure double door which had a surprisingly modern electronic lock on it. Gosunkugi swiped a card on the reader and punched in a code. "The Kunos were nice enough to give me access," he said as he opened the door and ushered them through. "Their ninjas watch these entrances carefully, so we should be safe from here on."

"I don't see anyone," Kasumi looked around and saw only more stone walls, though, thankfully, without the river of brackish water in the middle. It was also much better lit.

"Of course not, they're Ninjas," Gosunkugi replied with a grin. He seemed oddly comfortable in this environment.

He led them up several staircases and they began to encounter progressively more modern passageways and fixtures, until they finally emerged into what appeared to be a very well stocked wine cellar. A butler and two maids were waiting for them, and bowed as they approached.

"Welcome to Castle Kuno," The butler said. "It is good to see you again Master Hibiki, Mistress Saotome. Do you require anything?"

"Yeah. A room for Shampoo here to recover in," Ryouga said. "Something to drink would be nice too."

"There is a restorative tea they have been prescribed by their doctor," Kasumi piped up. "I have the list of ingredients and know how to prepare it for them. Until then water or anything refreshing would be best, Shampoo is recovering from severe dehydration."

"We would be honored to assist, madam." One of the maids stepped forward. Kasumi handed her the list of ingredients Tofu had given her for his version of the tonic.

"We will procure them forthwith, madam," The maid bowed. Once you are settled, we can make arrangements to have it made for you."

"I would be more than happy to prepare it myself, if I could be allowed access to your kitchen?" Kasumi replied. She didn't want to impose on their hospitality more than necessary.

"Very well, one of our kitchens will be prepared for your use," The maid replied. "Your ingredients will be stocked there. If there is anything else you require, please do not hesitate to ask."

No, I can do that myself! Kasumi wanted to protest, but she realized she was pushing too much as it was. This was someone else's house, after all. "Th-thank you."

The other maid led them up a final set of stairs into the manor proper. The mansion was magnificently appointed, a tasteful mix of modern and traditional fittings and furniture, with the occasional western touch. Kasumi remembered that the Kunou patriarch had been rather enamoured of Hawaii, and was surprised she didn't see more evidence of it in their home.

They reached a set of doors which she assumed lead to guest chambers. The maid paused and handed her and Shampoo each a small plastic card.

"Your keycards for your rooms. If you lose them, simply let us know and we will make you replacements," the maid said. "Normally these are not necessary, but Mistress Kodachi has instructed us that security is to be considered paramount. These rooms were once used for visiting dignitaries, so I can assure you they are quite secure from intrusion."

Nabiki must have told her what happened. Kasumi thought. Or perhaps they simply inferred it? "Thank you." Kasumi accepted the card. "For now I believe they will be staying together in the one room. I will see them settled."

"As you wish. The other rooms remain at your disposal. There is a call button in each of the rooms by the telephone should you require our services. Please do not hesitate to use it. Dinner will be served at 6pm tonight, if you have any special requests, we shall do our best to fulfill them." She cocked her head a bit and smiled. "If I might be so bold, it is… rather pleasant having guests after all these years, and we are eager to provide. The Master and Mistress are demanding, but there are only two of them. We were rather hoping Mistress Ran and Master Ryouga would stay with us longer, and we are overjoyed that more of their family has opted to join them. If there is anything else we can do to provide hospitality, you need only name it."

"Thank you," Kasumi nodded politely. "I… simply wish the circumstances were better."

"M'lady has the Master and Mistress on her side, I feel confident in my belief that your fortunes cannot help but improve from here. We too will do all in our humble power to assist." The maid opened the door, bowed and took her leave.

The room was huge and beautifully decorated, with a door leading to what Kasumi assumed was an attached bath. A king sized bed dominated the room, and there was a large TV set into the opposite wall. Two large couches bracketed a coffee table nearby and a breakfast nook was set into the large bay window.

Ryouga sighed and sat on the bed, Shampoo in his lap. "We stayed in this room before. It was pretty nice," he said.

"Oh? Two teenagers alone? Sharing a bed?" Kasumi asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I-I man, nothing happened… it wasn't like that… y-you see…" Ryouga stammered.

"Shagua, stop being silly. Kasumi teasing. Have been in bed together with two girls all day," Shampoo reminded him, tweaking his nose.

"Th-that was medicinal!" Ryouga protested, earning a giggle from both Shampoo and Kasumi herself.

Kasumi noticed Ranma was not joining in the levity. She had sat on the bed near Ryouga, but her gaze was turned downward, as though she were studying the floor. Kasumi decided to try and get a moment with her. "Ranma, I fear this room might be more modern than I am accustomed to. Could you show me the bathroom? I'd like to make sure I don't accidentally damage something I don't understand."

"Wha…? I mean it's just…" Ranma started, but then caught Kasumi's meaningful stare, shrugged and got up. "I mean… sure, come on I'll show you. Shampoo, behave, Ryouga better have the same amount of clothes on when I get back as he does now."

Shampoo made an act of pouting as she hugged the Lost Boy around the neck.

Kasumi followed Ranma into the bathroom. There was a massive tub, big enough for four at least, and a separate shower enclosure, as well as a western-style toilet with a separate bidet.

"See, not too different," Ranma said, motioning to the room. "The knobs are a little funny, you gotta kinda lever them up to get the water flowing, then twist to control the temperature, but…"

"Ranma… are you okay?" Kasumi interrupted.

Ranma was silent for a moment and her gaze dropped once more to the floor. She wrapped her arms around herself and shuddered. "D'ya… d'ya know what my biggest nightmare has been for the last few days? Ever since Mom brought up the memory? It was Pops pinchin' my nose shut and forcing that potion down my throat. And what came after…" Her shuddering increased.

Kasumi came up behind her and pulled the girl into a hug.

"H-had that feelin' of powerlessness today, when he did it again," Ranma continued. "But it was worse, 'cause I knew what was coming. I knew what it was gonna do to me." Another, stronger, tremor shook her petite frame. "Why? What can't they just let me be, Kasumi? Why do they need to change me so bad they're willin' to put me through all that AGAIN? What… what did I do when I was a kid to make them hate me so much?"

"Nothing… nothing, Ranma, there is nothing you could have done." Kasumi held her more tightly. "I am so sorry I wasn't able to protect you… to warn you. I'm so sorry that I didn't understand you when you first came to us."

Ranma slipped her arms around Kasumi and she returned the hug. "Heh… s'okay. I didn't understand me neither."

The adults in your life have done nothing but betray you over and over. It needs to end! "No, Ranma, it wasn't okay." She took the girl by the shoulders and held her back for just a moment so she could look into her eyes. She's so tiny, she thought for a moment. How small was she as a child?! What kind of creature could find themselves entrusted with this fragile, precious life and do such things to her? "I needed to do better, and I will from now on."

"Really, it's okay, Kasumi. Not much you COULD have done. Pops was pullin' out the sealed techniques an' stuff," Ranma protested.

"I know. But in everything else, I can," Kasumi replied. "I know you have to be strong so very much, and right now more than ever. But no one can be strong all the time. That's fine. That's normal. And you have people you can lean on. I want you to lean on me, too."

Ranma managed a half smile. "Sure. Y'know, you'll probably make a real good mother someday."

"I hope so. But I am trying to be a good big sister now. Both to my actual sisters, and to you. You deserve to have family that you can depend on." Kasumi leaned in and kissed Ranma on the forehead. "Starting with some light nagging, I'm afraid, you are a bit of a mess. You should take a nice hot bath. Do you have clothes here?"

"Y-yeah. Top drawers in the dresser are the things Kodachi got for me." Ranma replied.

"Good. I'll pick you out something comfortable. I want you to take it easy for the rest of today, if you can? Wash your hair and leave it loose, I'll help you braid it again when you're done."

"K-Kasumi…" Ranma blushed a bit.

"No 'buts'. I'll see if I can find a bad movie for us to watch together on the TV when you're done." She ruffled her hair a bit. "Please just let me take care of things for a little, at least until Nabiki gets back and all of this starts up again."

000

"Okay, this is the place," Ukyou said as she pulled herself out of the manhole. She turned and reached down to offer Akane a hand up.

"I can get up on my own, you'know," Akane grumbled.

"Just trying to make it easier so we don't make any noise, Sugar," Ukyou soothed her. With the massive war hammer on her back it was a tricky fit for the youngest Tendo. "Now, how should we do this?"

"Last time we were here, there was a rack of industrial shelves next to that window." Akane pointed to a high up set of stained, dirty windows. "If one of us can get in there, we can slip through and inside."

"Sounds like a plan. Why don't I take this one, and you stay by the door with tiny there in case anyone comes in or out?" Ukyou patted Akane's warhammer, then switched on the little walkie talkie radios they had been given.

"Better not hog all the fun, Kuonji," Akane mock-growled, then leaned in and gave her a quick kiss. "Be careful in there."

"Always, sugar!" Ukyou winked. "Be careful yourself… if this goes loud… some of these guys carry guns that aren't just painted-up replicas."

Ukyou surveyed the window carefully. There was a definite ledge she could grab, and the jump was only two stories or so, easily within her range. She'd have to jimmy it open while hanging from it, then pull herself in. She took a bit of a run up then leapt, managing to grab the ledge. It was a bit more slippery than she liked, from all the dust and grime, but she managed to keep her hold as she carefully jimmied the latch with a minispat. Thankfully, no one really thought to put locks on second-storey windows. The window hinged upwards, and she hefted herself up carefully, hooked a leg over the sill, then rolled inwards smoothly.

She landed on top of a rusty old set of shelves, meant for crates and other bulk items, so her weight was barely an issue. She immediately heard voices, so kept herself low.

"...An' I told her that it didn't MATTER what her sister thought, this was me TELLIN' her!"

"Eh, you always went for the squirrely ones. She was gonna get wise to what you do for a living sooner or later."

"Whadda you know, huh? You haven't had a date since the Marines last won the pennant!"

There were two men down near the door dressed in dark suits and looking every inch the Yakuza thug. Ukyou pulled out two minispats and the small folded paper Khu Long had given her. Something like what the Amazons had been using in their darts, the elder had told her. She dipped the edges of her spatulas in the paste, then carefully folded the paper back up and tucked it away.

The shot was almost trivial - Clear shot in an open space from a higher vantage. There was still a moment of truth as the minispats nicked their necks.

"HEY! What's going…!?" That was as far as one of the men got before the both simply collapsed on top of each other.

That's… kinda scary, Ukyou thought, hopping down carefully from the shelves. Khu Long could have done that to Ranma at pretty much any time. She walked over to the door Akane was waiting behind, undid the lock and opened it. "Akane? All clear."

Akane slipped quickly inside. "Good. I was feeling a little exposed."

"Two guards. Napping now," Ukyou said, leading her back in. They prowled deeper into the warehouse until they found the office. Just outside of it, one of the crates bearing a label from China had been cracked open, revealing a large number of poppy seed pods packed inside.

Akane whistled. "That's a lot of poppy seeds."

"Look at how many crates there are. Must have been fields and fields of these things," Ukyou replied. "Lo shan's little 'pet project'. Don't think their special dispensation to grow these things covers this kind of volume."

"Certainly doesn't cover selling them in bulk to Japanese gangsters," Akane replied. She located the door to the office and found it unlocked. "Okay, now what?"

"We break open the safe, take the money, then pull the fire alarm and beat it," Ukyou replied.

"Feels weird, stealing drug money from Yakuza," Akane muttered. "Found the safe!" She knelt before the small safe tucked away under the desk.

"Well, it's money they were gonna use to pay for MORE drugs. Nabiki will put it to much better use… I hope…" Ukyou rubbed the back of her head. "Y'know, I'm not sure we figured out how we were gonna get those things op-"

*CRUNCH*

Ukyou simply stared dumbly at the crushed mess that had been the safe. Akane had hit it squarely with the warhammer, and deformed it like it had the structural integrity of Play Doh. Consequently, the door had been forced open, and a good number of bills (Thankfully still bundled) were scattered on the floor.

"There! Opened!" Akane said proudly.

"This is why I won't let you open jars of sauce at the restaurant, love," Ukyou replied. She pulled out the folded duffle bag she had tucked inside her uniform, flipped it open and started to shovel money into it. "Give me a hand, but remember to leave a little. Crack open a bundle and scatter the bills around, maybe. Then we pull the fire alarm and move onto the next one. Leave anything that isn't money."

000

On the surface, Cobblepot Preparatory Academy was like any other school. It was the same sort of building, which bore the marks left by generations of students. It had the same basic facilities; a gym, sports fields, basketball courts and a courtyard… but it also had one major difference. The entire school grounds were bounded on three sides by a gigantic U-shaped building of gothic design. The original name was probably something boring, for some fancy building constructed by the Americans shortly after World War II. It was whispered that it had been a sanitorium or a mental hospital, but now it was really just an ordinary hospital. The current name was something to do with Waynetech Enterprises, but everyone just called it Arkham. The building was ornate — with carved marble pillars and looming gargoyles that leered down at the students below.

The Cobblepot students could be forgiven for being a little … *odd.* Though they did wear uniforms like most high school students, their adherence to the dress codes was… creative to say the least. Students had made extensive modifications to their uniforms; changed the colors, made additions and alterations that gave them the appearance of costumes more than school uniforms. Each one seemed to have a theme of sorts, too. The uniform one boy wore was green and had been embroidered all over with gold question marks while another student appeared to be dressed in a full tuxedo, complete with a top hat.

They were, of course, rather surprised to have the entire student body of another school show up for what was a non-playoff volleyball game, but the faculty did their best to be accommodating. The bleachers were full to bursting, with many students left to stand on the sidelines to watch.

Nabiki found herself a perch high up in the stands and Sayuri took the spot next to her. Nabiki had tried to wave her off and tell her to join the rest of B team, but Sayuri had flatly refused, quoting back Nabiki's own rule that 'nobody would go alone' which she had imposed on herself and the fiancees.

"Y'know that rule was more intended to prevent depressed martial artists from setting off Ki nukes in downtown Tokyo, right?" Nabiki quipped to her.

"Uh huh. And if you have a bad day and decide to crash the Tokyo Stock Exchange, who do you think they're gonna blame, hmmm?" Sayuri teased. "Besides, Himura and her cronies are a lot less brave when they can't single us out."

Nabiki felt a buzz in her pocket. She pulled out her cell phone and saw a simple message: '2 of 5 done'. She nodded in satisfaction and slipped the phone back into her pocket again.

"What was that?" Sayuri asked.

"Progress on my plan to crash the Tokyo Stock Exchange," Nabiki replied dryly.

"You know… it scares me a little that I can't tell if you're joking or serious," Sayuri scowled at her. She was distracted by movement on the field. "Oh, hey, the Cobblepot team is coming out!"

"And now, please give it up for your home team, the Birds of Prey!" There was wild cheering from the Cobblepot side of the stands (And more than a few boys from the Furinkan side) as five young ladies strode out onto the gym floor. Each of them wore something akin to the regular gym attire, but colors and accessories matched their own particular styles.

The first, a blonde girl, had colored her uniform with a combination of navy blue and black, and added fishnet stocking to the ensemble. "Dinah Drake!"

The girl that followed had dyed her uniform entirely black, and added black cat ears and even a tail. "Selena Kyle!"

The third had gotten more creative; a body suit with a full harlequin pattern of black and red. She had even gone so far as to add white face paint and do a two-tone dye job on her hair; one side was red, the other black. "Harlene Quinzell!"

The next was a dark haired girl who had an air about her; the sort of poise you got from being in the upper class. She had opted for a black and purple color scheme, and a mask like the ones worn in fancy balls. "Helena Rosa Bertinelli!"

Finally the last one, who seemed to be VERY popular with the boys, was a tall redhead who strode onto the court as if she owned it. Her form hugging outfit was green, over a green leotard, which did nothing to hide her figure. She blew kisses to the crowd and took her time getting to her place. "And last, but certainly not least, Pamela Isely!"

It seemed Helena was going to serve first.

Nabiki scanned the crowd until she spotted the man she was looking for, a fellow wearing coach's attire - Rin's father. He had his arms crossed and a proud smile on his face.

All right, Himura, Nabiki thought, noting that Himura had not even bothered to take the field herself, Game on.

000

'Tea' with Rin's mother had quickly spiralled out of control.

Oh, Aoi was perfectly pleasant, of course, though it was clear from her line of questioning that she was making some assumptions about his relationship with Rin. Assumptions that were not entirely accurate.

Mu Tsu was doing his best to steer things diplomatically and not add to the poor girl's burden of embarrassment. He had been somewhat worried that whatever it was that was starting between them would not survive this interrogation, but Rin's hand found his under the table at some point, and he took reassurance from that.

Still, it was clear that Aoi Ito was the equal of any Amazon matriarch.

"So… If I understand this correctly, you met our Rin while you were dealing with… what sounds like a rather messy breakup of your own?"

Mu Tsu nodded. "Yes. A breakup that was entirely my fault."

"I am inclined to be more charitable. You are young. Teenage love is rarely the basis to build an entire life upon. You need time to get to know each other, work out if you do, in fact, fit. My husband and I dated for nearly five years before he proposed." She sipped her tea.

"I agree the engagement was a mistake," Mu Tsu said. "I… was not mature enough for such a step. The consequences though…"

"Well, I sympathize with their plight, but… I don't think a single boy, no matter how talented, could have saved them from their financial woes. If I might be so bold? It sounds very much like you became a convenient scapegoat for Young Mi and her family," Aoi replied.

"Life in the circus is very much always lived on the edge of ruin," Mu Tsu sighed. "Small things can have… devastating consequences."

"Perhaps. If I might be so bold, though, all you can take responsibility for is your own action, not some phantom hypothetical future where you saved everyone from their own problems." Aoi set down her teacup. "You need not accept further burdens than what belong to you. It simply becomes too big to ever manage!"

My Tsu sighed and closed his eyes. "You have a great deal of wisdom, matriarch. I see where Rin has inherited her good sense and judgement from."

"I… well, I'm hardly a matriarch…" Aoi blushed slightly.

"I mean no disrespect with the term, if that is what you mean," Mu Tsu said quickly. "I merely wish to offer proper respects. In my village a woman such as yourself would almost certainly be a leader within our community."

"Well, now I know you are being a flatterer!" Aoi said, pouring him another cup of tea, though her expression indicated she was rather pleased. "My husband would simply call me a busybody. Now… about where my daughter has BEEN for two and a half days?"

"Yes…" Mu Tsu took a deep breath.

"I was trying to help fix Mu Tsu's relationship with Young Mi," Rin interjected quickly. "Young Mi was only going to be in town for a little while and… and I didn't want to waste any time going back and forth!"

"And you didn't think to call and let us know, young lady?" Aoi asked sternly.

"I… fear where we were did not have cellular service," Mu Tsu added. He shot Rin a look, trying to warn her from covering for him further. "Young Mi was also… inappropriately insistent."

"Are you saying she was holding my daughter against her will?" Aoi asked, suddenly concerned.

Rin started frantically motioning 'No' to Mu Tsu.

I am sorry, Rin Ito. The truth is necessary. Mu Tsu sighed and nodded. "Yes. She… had… has boundary issues. She was also holding a village-mate of mine, Xian Pu."

"My goodness, were the police called?" Aoi asked.

"Ms. Nabiki has a file with them," Rin added quickly, remembering something Nabiki had said. "But they don't intervene in Nerima for some reason."

Aoi sighed. "We were warned about that when we moved here. Rampant vigilantism, corrupt officials. I just never thought… Are you hurt, Rin?"

"No, no, Mom, she just… she just wanted to talk, right Mu Tsu?" Rin said quickly, trying to salvage the situation.

"She… desired intensely that I understand her situation and her feelings," Mu Tsu clarified. "She… went about it poorly."

"Where is she now?" Aoi asked nervously. "She isn't still a threat, is she?"

"No, no…" Mu Tsu said quickly. Deciding to follow Rin's lead, he added. "She has… gone home to be with her father."

"Well… that had to have been terrifying, even if she was someone you were close to!" Aoi shook her head. "I still feel the authorities should be involved… but I suppose if no one was hurt, and she's gone home, there's little that can be done."

No one was hurt… Mu Tsu felt a lurch in his chest. "Yes… I suppose that is the end of it."

"I'm sorry, Rin. We didn't know you were actually in trouble! We thought you were just staying over with your volleyball friends again!" Aoi crossed her arms. "Honestly, I'm rather upset no one told us!"

"I should have informed you myself," Mu Tsu said quickly. "I… did not foresee things getting so far out of hand. I did not wish to cause undue distress."

"I'm fine, Mom!" Rin insisted. "I'll call in the future, I promise!"

Aoi sighed. "This one… do you know she once spent a WEEK at a friend's house for an extended sleepover when she was in elementary school? Not one call!"

"I… didn't think you'd notice I was gone," Rin mumbled, squirming a little in her seat.

"Yes, dear, we did talk about it. I thought we had come to an agreement?" Aoi said. "I know you are very independent, and your father and I try not to restrict you because we know you are a good girl, but honestly, we worry! Nerima is not a safe place to be alone."

"I would not allow her to come to harm," Mu Tsu said resolutely. "That is a matter of honor for me. From this point forward, at least. It is the least I can do."

Aoi's stern expression softened. "Oh listen to this, you've got this poor boy pledging himself to you even!"

"Eeeeee…" Rin sank down in her chair, her face bright red.

"And here I was worried about Kyo and boys!" Aoi sighed. "Rin, sit up straight, I'm your mother, I'm allowed to tease now and then!"

"Rin has… little patience for those who make incorrect assumptions about her and her relationships," Mu Tsu supplied.

"Oh?" Aoi raised an eyebrow.

"I myself have… managed to frustrate her sufficiently for her to make that clear to me," Mu Tsu admitted.

"You got her angry at you? Oh my." Aoi giggled. "I am impressed! Even her siblings struggle to get a rise out of her. This one must be rather special, hmm Rin?"

"I want to die right now," Rin mumbled, head hung so low it was nearly below the level of the table.

"No you don't, sweetie," Aoi replied.

"I believe the influence of her friends at school has done much to encourage her to stand up for herself," Mu Tsu added. "There have been… a number of bullies on the volleyball team as I understand it."

"Oh yes, competitive sports, pheh! Her father dealt with much the same during his career." Aoi reached over the table and ruffled Rin's hair. "Rin is a prodigy in the game. That has always been bound to generate some animosity. I am glad to hear she has those willing to stick up for her. Why don't you invite these friends over for dinner sometime, Rin?"

"I'm…" Rin mumbled. "I'm not sure. They're… kind of lot… and you guys are a lot too, and… y'know… it'd just be a lot lot, and… I dunno…"

"Look who's finally home!"

Mu Tsu looked up to see a girl who resembled a slightly older version of Rin standing in the doorway to the kitchen. She had her blonde hair bobbed short, and wore the uniform of a nearby high school. She was taller than her sister, leading Mu Tsu to surmise she must be one of the older siblings Rin had spoken of.

She trotted over and hugged her little sister from behind her chair. "Found your way home, huh?"

"Kyo! I… uh… I kn-know I've been gone for a few days…" Rin began.

"Volleyball stuff? Honestly,you need to tell Sayuri to ease off the slave driver stu…" she trailed off as she finally noticed Mu Tsu seated next to her. "O-oh!"

"Kyo, this is Mu Tsu," Aoi supplied helpfully. "Rin's new boyfriend."

"MOM!" Rin huffed, flushing bright red.

"'Boyfriend?'" Another voice came as Yoko and Ryoichi came in, having taken their shoes off in the entryway. Yoko blinked and covered her mouth. "Ooooh!"

"Who's this guy?" Ryoichi asked, peering around her.

"H-he's not my boyfriend!" Rin said. "N-not…"

"I fear I have not earned that appellation yet," Mu Tsu supplied helpfully, which only caused Rin's blush to deepen.

"Hey! Who said you could date my big sister!" Ryoichi said, stomping around Yoko to glare at the Chinese martial artist.

"No one. I expect this is something I would need to ask for approval of first?" Mu Tsu replied calmly. "Assuming this is something Rin wishes."

"Grwfggshbgl" Rin mumbled, sinking lower still in her seat.

"Well, you know, if she's not interested…" Kyo said, flashing Mu Tsu a brilliant smile and walking around to his side of the kitchen table.

"No!" Rin growled, as she practically erupted from her seat, stomped over and grabbed Mu Tsu's arm. "MINE."

Everyone was silent for a moment, and Rin's momentary burst of assertiveness dissolved into a massive blush as she sank to her knees and covered her face with her hands.

"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee…" was the only noise Rin seemed able to emit at that point

"Well now, this is certainly an interesting development," Aoi commented, sipping her tea. "It seems I absolutely must insist you stay for dinner, Mr. Mu Tsu."

000

Sanae had a bad feeling about the old warehouse.

We should be with the team, dressed and ready to play! she thought sourly. Cobblepot wasn't exactly her idea of a desirable destination, but there was some appeal to the idea of a school full of damaged bad boys.

Omi was skipping next to her, heedless of the long shadows left by the sunset, and the creepy surroundings of the mostly abandoned warehouses.

They found the door unlocked. Sanae was glad she had thought to bring a flashlight. "Young Mi?" she called out as she pushed open the door, and flicked the torch on.

Omi pushed past her, peering into the gloom. "Young Mi! I came to play with your kitty! Ooooooh! This place has been wrecked! How fun!"

Sanae played her light around the inside of the warehouse. The floor was wet in places, with what appeared to be the remains of a large pool that had been set up under a tall scaffold. She caught the glint of something and knelt, prying a knife from the concrete where it had been embedded. "Seems our Circus Girl had herself a bit of a fight."

"Oooh, do you think someone died?" Omi squealed with glee, doing careless pirouettes. "Aww, and we missed it! Oh hey, blood!"

Sanae moved the light to scan around. Omi was correct, there was blood splatter in several places, and one spot where there was clearly a LOT of blood. A fatal amount, I'd guess. Sanae shuddered. "Himura will want to know about this."

Behind her, in the gloom, Sanae heard Omi's cheerful cry of "Kitty!" followed by a feral growl, and Omi's wild, almost manic laughter.

Sanae's eyes went wide as she turned around slowly only to find the largest cat that she had ever seen, and Omi, standing right in front of it with her arms spread wide.

"Kitty!" Omi repeated, before she ran full tilt towards the massive beast, her laughter echoing off the walls.

The beast simply raised a paw, and brought it down on top of the girl with a sickening *crunch*. Omi's laugh became a gurgle followed by a pained, wheezing cough. She was pinned to the ground and, from how her limbs were splayed, some things were very badly broken. "See? H-he wants to play."

With that, the big cat cocked his head to one side before, with terrifying strength, he casually ripped Omi's head off, chewed once, bones cracking and crunching, and swallowed.

Sanae screamed and dropped her flashlight, drawing the attention of the liger. She turned and fled blindly into the darkness. The liger, who had no issues seeing in the low light, coiled to pounce. Its massive body exploded forward to begin what turned out to be a very short chase.

He was quite hungry, after all.

000

The game was not going well.

That much became apparent when the first round had Cobblepot score three rapid fire points with Furinkan barely able to manage a decent rally. Himura had earmarked the game for her second stringers, and hadn't even had her prime players change out of their warmup sweats. That had clearly been a mistake.

She was still changing and plotting punishments for her failure of a second line team when the second round was also swept. She also cursed herself for sending Omi and Sanae off on an errand. Of her original crew she only had Mineko, and the girl had been so unfocused since Konatsu had been recruited that Himura had seriously considered dropping her in fact, to replace her with Konatsu herself.

She had led her best available players out onto the court in order to teach the upstarts a lesson… and proceeded to lose yet another round in a complete sweep.

The Birds of Prey were aptly named. Both their coordination and teamwork were unreal, smoothly handing off control of the ball and adapting to Himura's strategies. Despite their flamboyance, there was a polished professionalism in how they handled the ball.

Himura finally spotted their coach on the sidelines, and suddenly understood why.

Rin Ito's father!? She watched as he gave them instructions between rounds; the way they listened raptly to his strategies, and she knew… knew that Nabiki Tendo had to have been behind it. She looked up into the bleachers, and spotted her. Nabiki and Sayuri together. Sayuri gave her a little salute.

You are going to PAY for this humiliation, Nabiki Tendo! Himura snarled to herself. The fourth round they managed to score a point, but were quickly swept again. Himura had not prepared any strategies or really coordinated her current group, having just grabbed the best of the players available. Some hadn't even played together before, and it showed.

"Are you finally ready to put up a fight?" the one named Selena asked, hands on her hips. Somehow she was making her tail swish like an agitated cat's, despite it not being real.

"If you mean resorting to cheating and dirty tricks like you have…" Himura began.

"Oh please. You've had 'em swap out the ball three times already, check the net height, and basically demanded that they frisk us on our own home court to look for 'instruments of nefariousness,'" the one named Harlene said. "It's getting boring!"

"Just serve the ball," the team captain, Dinah, called out.

Himura growled under her breath, took her mark and made a show of bouncing the volleyball a few times, examining it, then bouncing it again. Truth was, she wasn't sure how to win this match, and not winning this match would be disastrous.

She took a deep breath, steeled herself. She thought back to the hundreds of hours of training she had undergone, the many, many volleyball tutors she had form she had perfected. She bounced the ball one last time, then lofted it upwards. Her poise was perfect, the ball was in the perfect position, her jump was just right. Her arm came down to strike the ball. It would skip just over the top and drop right at their feet. It would be a perfect serve, the start of an amazing comeback rally that would…

The ball smacked squarely into the middle of the net.

"Fault Fuirnkan!" the referee called. "Match point, game point. Winner is Cobblepot Preparatory Academy!"

The stands erupted into wild cheering. Not just from the Cobblepot side, which was frankly going berserk, but from the Furinkan side too. Students were on their feet shouting, waving banners, sharing in the joy of an underdog team having its first taste of real victory.

Harlene grabbed Pamela Isely by the waist and dipped her for a kiss, a showy, playful act of celebration that very quickly got out of hand as Pamela wrapped her arms around the other girl and began returning the kiss with interest. It very quickly became clear the two were no longer paying attention to the celebration around them

Everyone, everyone was celebrating the win. Celebrating Himura's failure.

Himura stumbled as she landed, eyes wide, staring at the ball. The ball that had betrayed her. She began looking around wildly, seeing cheers and celebration all around her. Even on her own bench there were shouts and clapping. "N-no…" she said, then cried out "No! I call interference! I demand a replay!"

The ref hopped down from his post at one of the struts holding the net up. "No interference, the fault was clear. I'm sorry, Miss, but that was game point. You've lost."

"NO!" she snarled. "Where is the principal of this wretched, run down, miserable little reform school!? I'll have his JOB for this! Set back up, we ARE replaying the point!"

"No, Miss Himura, we are NOT," said a stern male voice. Himura turned to see the source, the man wearing the coach's colors for the Birds of Prey. She recognized his hair – the same pale blonde as Rin Ito's. His countenance was familiar – the former Olympian player and definitely Rin Ito's father. His arms were crossed and his expression stern.

"Do… do you have any idea who I am?!" Himura asked. She turned slowly, her eyes wild as she looked around. The laughter… the cheering… it was all swirling around her, blurring into a keening white noise that roared in her ears, a piercing tone that blotted out all other sound.

Her eyes fell upon the bleachers on the Furinkan side. They locked with a certain set of brown eyes over a wide, confident smile. Nabiki Tendo.

"She did this!" Himura hissed, stalking towards the bleachers. "Nabiki Tendo!"

"MISS HIMURA!"

Himura stopped dead in her tracks, the hissing white noise suddenly cutting out, everything else snapping back into place. She turned back, seeing everyone staring at her.

"It's traditional to shake with the other team at the end of a match." The Birds of Prey Coach said, his eyes narrowing. Dinah was on the other side of the net, extending a hand for the usual post-game handshake.

Himura shook her head, as if trying to clear the demons. She spared one more look to the bleachers.

Still those eyes. Still that smirk. She watched as Nabiki mouthed the words 'See you on Wednesday'

She made one last noise of frustrated rage, then power walked out of the gymnasium.

000

"That's the last one!" Ukyou said as she and Akane peered from around the corner of the alley at the blazing warehouse.

Five warehouses, each loaded with Amazon poppy seed bulbs destined for either Tanaka or Yakuza labs to process into heroin for the drug market, and the money destined to be paid to Lo Shan and her Amazons once the deal was complete, and they returned home triumphant with Ranma under one arm, and hundreds of millions of yen under the other. She and Akane had slipped into each one, disabled the guards, emptied the safes, and pulled the fire alarms.

Except the last one. There had been no guards, and no fire alarm. The Warehouse was likely some derelict they had opted to use due to lack of space. Ukyou had been at a loss until Akane had the brainstorm of summoning the fire department by setting a fire.

Ukyou had to admit, seeing Himura's investment go up in smoke was rather satisfying.

"We should get back in the tunnels," Akane said, motioning towards the manhole cover. "I really don't feel safe carrying three duffel bags worth of Yakuza drug money out in the open."

"I really hope Nabiki has this part figured out." Ukyou unzipped one of her own duffel bags and sighed. "More money than I'll ever see again, most like. Goodbye brand new grill countertop." She zipped the bag closed again.

"What, were you gonna make it out of solid gold?" Akane asked.

"Maybe? Would have been a better use than what these bozos were gonna put it to." Ukyou shouldered her own duffel bags.

"Careful, might be making a case for this becoming a regular weekend thing." Akane winked. "Steal from the crooks and give to our local Okonomiyaki chef?"

"Don't tempt me, sugar." Ukyou followed Akane back to the manhole cover. "Right now I'd trade all of this money for a hot shower!"

000

Nabiki had half expected Himura to sic her pet Amazon on her then and there. It almost would have been worth it.

Kodachi approached her after Himura's meltdown and offered to convey her directly to the Kuno manor. That snapped Nabiki back to her current situation, and left her looking out the window of the limo, pondering as they drove.

My home is a wreck, insurance is gone, and Ranma's father made another attempt to destroy her. Shampoo nearly died at the hands of a madwoman, and we're STILL not out of the woods. She sighed, feeling the weight of exhaustion bearing down on her. She just wanted to find Ranma or Shampoo or ANY of them and curl up and sleep for a week and just forget everything for a while.

"Your younger sister and the Okonomiyaki Chef have returned to the manor ahead of us," Kodachi piped up, looking at her own phone. "Sasuke says 'all is well'."

Does that mean they got the money? Here's hoping it's enough to put us over the top. Nabiki sighed. It was entirely possible the money wasn't actually on site, and she had just destroyed hundreds of millions of yen of poppy seed pods in exchange for a few thousand yen of float money. But it'll hitch Himura's plans… that at least makes it worthwhile.

Kuno Castle was huge and forboding in the darkness. It had started to rain and there were occasional flashes of lightning in the distance. It brought to mind images of old movies, of the damsel being ferried to the castle of some dark, powerful being under the cover of night.

My last refuge, Nabiki thought, her heart aching with a simple desire to go home, even though she knew it was in no condition to receive her. It might never be again.

They ducked through the rain to the imposing front entrance. Inside the staff already had heated towels on offer to dry themselves, and the warmth offered some comfort. Nabiki hadn't realized how cold she was feeling.

"That was quite the enjoyable game! It was so satisfying to see that little wench put in her place!" Kodachi crowed.

"Do not celebrate too quickly, my sister," Tatewaki cautioned. "That was not our victory. We must needs still deal with her in the coming week, and she will have redoubled her efforts by then."

"Oh pish, dear brother! Let me enjoy this victory, even if it is vicarious!" Kodachi replied.

"I… think I just want to get some sleep," Nabiki interjected. "Where are the others?"

"They have all retired to Master Ryouga and Mistress Ran's chambers." Sasuke piped up, suddenly just there where she swore he hadn't been before. "Your sisters both, as well as Ms. Kuonji and Ms. Shampoo."

"I think I'll go join them, give them the good news at least." Nabiki stretched. She followed Sasuke as the diminutive Ninja led her in the direction of the rest of her family.

"Thank you, by the way," Nabiki said.

"Guiding guests is part of our duties," Sasuke replied. "Wouldn't want you to get lost and fall afoul of one of the… 'security measures.'"

"Not just that," Nabiki said. "You guys have really stepped up. You saved Ranma and Ryouga, and you personally saved Shampoo. I haven't…" she trailed off, starting to feel the weight of it all settling in. The debts she owed.

"Nonsense. What we have done has merely been in service to House Kunou," Sasuke replied. "Though… perhaps you could pass along how pleased you were with our performance to the Mistress and the Master? My… uhh… yearly bonus is coming up, and…"

"I'll make sure you and all your co workers get something good," Nabiki said tiredly. "Trust me, you've earned it in spades."

"Oh I'm so happy Mistress Nabiki, thank you!"

She gave him a weak smile. At least someone is.

She knew she should be feeling great right now. She knew she should be thrusting her fist into the air and shouting in victory. But she didn't feel it. All she felt was a gnawing dread of just how much further they had to go to reach the finish line. She knocked lightly on the door. "Hey, you guys decent? Can I come in?"

The door opened, and Kasumi's smiling face did a lot to dispel Nabiki's growing gloom. "Hello Nabiki. Did the game go well?"

"I'll tell you all together," Nabiki replied. "I assume since you're here, everyone has been behaving?"

"Oh, not at all," Kasumi replied with a slight giggle. "I've distracted them somewhat with a cheesy movie marathon, but I seem to have lost Shampoo and Akane somewhere under the covers. Ukyou is currently taking a shower.

Nabiki slipped past her into the room. "Really guys? With Kasumi in the room?"

"What?" Ranma asked around a mouthful of popcorn. She was currently in boxers and a tank top, a tub of popcorn in her lap, sitting casually in Ryouga's lap. Ryouga's attention was, surprisingly, on the movie and not on the redhead who had apparently taken residence there. They were sitting on the bed next to a shifting lump under the blankets.

A rather dishevelled Akane poked her head out from the sheets like a jack-in-the-box. "Nabiki! How did the game go?"

Nabiki sighed, walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, stealing a handful of popcorn from Ranma's bucket. "When Ukyou gets out of the shower. Would rather tell you all at once." She scowled at Akane. "Really, baby sister? With Kasumi five feet away?"

"I see nothing, I hear nothing," Kasumi commented resolutely, settling into a nearby plush chair.

"Oh don't encourage the horny Amazon, sis!" Nabiki implored, but it was already too late, Shampoo's arm had emerged from the blanket pile to gently but insistently drag Akane back down with her.

"There's always at least one couple making out in the movie theater. I find it's best to simply let them have their fun, so long as they aren't disrupting the movie," Kasumi said placidly.

"My entire family is insane," Nabiki muttered. "I blame you, Ranma."

"Hey, what did I do?" Ranma huffed. Nabiki sidled onto the bed with her and Ryouga, earning a blush from the lost boy as she found a spot against his side that allowed her to cuddle them both at once.

Even with minimal contact, simply their presence was already soothing to her. Warm reds and golds, feelings of contentment and happiness shared and flowing between them. This is going to get addicting, she thought. Hell, it already is. Gonna be me under that blanket in a few weeks, rooting around for my 'fix'.

The bathroom door opened and Ukyou walked out, wearing a purple satin bathrobe. "Oh hey Nabiki, how did the game go?" she asked, as she walked over to sit next to her on the bed, stealing her own handful of popcorn over Ranma's protests.

"I see Kodachi picked the bathing amenities," Nabiki noted dryly.

"It's a little ritzy for my taste. And not nearly as absorbent as I'd like." Ukyou made a face. "Had to dry myself almost completely with towels. Kinda defeats the purpose of a bathrobe if it's no good out of the bath."

"I dunno, it's a look," Nabiki noted. "A photoshoot with you in that would fetch a premium on the market."

"Hentai," Ukyou snorted, raising an eyebrow. She leaned back a bit, and the shoulder of the bathrobe slipped down just a touch; an alluring hint of a possible wardrobe malfunction. She gave Nabiki a searching look, then said finally. "Maybe a private photoshoot sometime, hmm?"

Nabiki blinked. She hadn't exactly had much of that kind of interaction with Ukyou, but she was finding she wasn't entirely opposed. Memories of Ukyou's kiss with Ranma in the school flickered across her mind. "Well…" she glanced over at the chair. "... Right, older sister in the room. Be good."

"Feh! Then tell us about the game!" Ukyou huffed.

Akane's dishevelled head made an appearance, this time along with Shampoo's.

"Welllllll…" Nabiki said, drawing it out. "I have some really bad news… I'm afraid you're gonna have to play volleyball Wednesday, Ranma."

Nabiki ducked her head at the sudden cacophony of hooting and hollering.

"Cobblepot won!?" Ukyou blurted incredulously. "Cobblepot never wins anything!"

"Except the district delinquency award," Akane added. "And from a Furinkan student, that's saying something!"

"Hey, there's a lotta untapped potential there," Nabiki replied smugly. "Seems someone finally saw a way to tap into it, is all. A lot of it as it turns out, as the game was a blowout. Himura was thoroughly humiliated. Especially when Fuirnkan started cheering for the other team."

Ranma frowned. "Nabiki, what did you do?"

"Nothing!" Nabiki held up her hand. "I am innocent of wrongdoing!" She shrugged. "I mean, there's nothing wrong with calling in a few favors to get a certain ex-Olympian offered the job of the new head coach at Cobblepot. Even if said ex-Olympian is the father of one of your volleyball team members… Just a good deed, really. The cheering thing Fuirnkan did all on its own, but it was a satisfying touch."

"You got Rin's Dad a job at Cobblepot?!" Ukyou asked, still incredulous. "And he managed to beat Himura's team after only a couple of weeks!?"

"To be fair, Himura left her 'A' game at home," Nabiki replied. "The only one of her core team there was Mineko. Himura's head wasn't in the game, and she got caught counting her money before she closed the deal. Speaking of which… did you get anything out of those warehouses?"

"Uh… yeah. Duffel bag at the foot of the bed," Akane said.

Nabiki frowned and crawled to the edge of the bed and peered over. "Which one? There are six."

"All of them," Ukyou replied with a smirk.

"What?! No…" Nabiki quickly pulled open the first bag. It was stuffed with money – U.S. currency. Bundle after bundle of hundreds, fifties and twenties, non-sequential and unmarked as far as she could tell. She swallowed, and checked the next bag. Same thing. "Oh… oh gods… They must have been on the verge of closing the deal… Did they have that much in poppy seeds? No, no… Oh my god, this was for other contraband too! How much was Himura planning to run through those warehouses?!" Nabiki licked her suddenly dry lips. "We… we just robbed the Yakuza. We robbed them of a lot. I-I had expected that Himura had some funds there for the exchange, but… but…"

"Easy, sugar!" Ukyou put a hand on her shoulder. "Easy, easy, I can feel the spikes from here."

Nabiki shook her head. "No, no, it's fine, I'll just… I can fix this…" She pulled out her phone and started trying to bring up her contact list, but kept misclicking. "I'll just… I'll just…"

Ukyou put a hand over the phone. "Tomorrow, lover. You're exhausted right now, I can feel it."

Nabiki closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Ukyou, do you have any idea what I just had you do? You didn't just steal from Himura, you ripped off the Yakuza… mebbe, mebbe even the Triad. This is dangerous, and I need to…"

"Tomorrow," Ukyou said firmly. She put her arms around Nabiki and slowly but firmly dragged her back onto the bed. "For now, you're safe. For now you don't need to protect us."

"How can you say that?!" Nabiki demanded hotly. "We thought you were safe because you're god-tier martial artists… until a whole bunch showed up and Shampoo nearly died from dehydration of all things! I thought you were safe at the Tendo Dojo, until Genma brought that crashing down! Hell, we thought Ranma and Ryouga were safe here, but the Amazons came for them anyway!"

"And we got through it," Ukyou said, taking Nabiki's hand and holding it as she began projecting reassurance, warmth, and love through the Link.

"It's… I… you can't…" Nabiki began protesting, but as the panic and the accompanying adrenaline spike faded, she found herself having trouble keeping her head up. "Wooo…"

"Yeah, there it is," Ukyou said gently. "Ranma? Ryouga? I'm keeping your girlfriend for tonight, 'kay?"

Ranma and Ryouga exchanged a glance, then shrugged, almost as one. "Let us know if either of you need us," Ranma said finally.

"Wha…?" Nabiki mumbled. The warmth Ukyou was projecting was washing away the edge of nervous energy she had been riding all evening. Ukyou gently drew Nabiki with her to lay on the bed and then pulled the free side of the duvet over to cover them. Her hands began to loosen and remove Nabiki's clothing, carefully dropping it onto the floor next to the bed.

"Whatcha… whuz…" Nabiki mumbled, her head dropping against the Okonomiyaki chef's shoulder.

"We haven't spent a lot of time together, sugar. Figured I'd fix that," she said playfully. "Don't get too excited. Just getting your school things off so they're not completely hopeless for tomorrow. And so we get some good skin contact. I'm a little curious about that shared dreaming thing Ranma and Ryouga were talking about.

"Silly… we're gonna be the LAST to have kids…" Nabiki mumbled tiredly. "No Sachiko…"

"You don't know that," Ukyou replied. She deposited one final article on the floor - The satin bathrobe. She settled back on the pillow and coaxed Nabiki to lay her head on her shoulder. "You'n me are just gonna be more sensible about it."

Kasumi waited until the breathing of the two had evened out before she got up and collected Nabiki's uniform and the bathrobe, taking a moment to hang both up. "I think that's my cue to go back to my room." she said, handing the TV remote to Ranma. "Don't stay up too late, you two. And please if you end up…" Her eyes flicked to the lump under the blankets where Akane and Shampoo were on the massive bed.

"We're not…!"

"We wouldn't…!"

"They'd actually kill me if I…"

Kasumi sighed and tweaked their noses. "No, you probably won't. No they wouldn't kill you, and please keep it in mind anyway. Now, goodnight!"

000

Dinner was later than usual that night, as they waited for Rin's father, who had stayed to coach the girl's volleyball team of the school where he worked through their first big match since he had taken the position.

Kenichi Ito was clearly Rin's father at a glance. Same sandy blonde hair, athletic physique, and he carried himself as if there was a great deal of energy barely restrained under the surface. He had the benefit and poise of age, but had Mu Tsu not known better, he'd have marked the man as a top tier martial artist.

Perhaps if one subscribed to Ranma's radical viewpoint that everything was martial arts, that would not be incorrect. Certainly it would explain the astounding abilities of his daughter.

"The game was incredible!" Kenichi said after introductions were made, clearly excited to recount his day's adventures. He had claimed a section of the dinner table to pantomime his team's performance. "The girls have been training hard, but Furinkan is a top seeded team! I mean, I've heard the wild stories of some of their home games! But they weren't what I was expecting at all. I guess they were anticipating an easy win? Anyway, I know my girls are a bit rough around the edges, but they've got so much raw talent. So I told them to take it slow, remember the fundamentals, no showboating, lean into the teamwork. And man oh man, did they ever! Aoi, Rin, I wish you could have seen them! They played like real pros! Anyway, Furinkan just kind of collapsed. Then… their captain…"

He paused to take a drink of water. "This… Himura? Rin, she's your captain, right?"

Rin's eyes narrowed. "Sayuri is my captain, the captain of the home team. Himura is a… a bully!"

Kenichi seemed taken aback a bit by the vehemence in his daughter's voice. "I see. You've had problems with her? I can see why." He shook his head sadly. "The girl is clearly skilled, a natural leader too, but… her attitude… I've rarely encountered one so toxic so young! In the end she all but accused my girls of cheating, demanded we replay a valid point, and she had an absolute tantrum when she didn't get her way. We had to escort her from the building! I've never seen such behaviour over a regular season game!"

"She's like that," Rin said, crossing her arms.

"I have not had much contact with Himura Tanaka, but I know she has been responsible for several misdeeds, including against a… close friend of mine." Mu Tsu added.

"Tanaka, huh?" Kenichi sighed. "Of Tanaka Pharmaceuticals? That… that would make sense." He got a distant look on his face. "I used to encounter a Minoru Tanaka on the circuit. Insanely competitive, arrogant. Talented, but not nearly as much as he thought he was. He acted like he was my rival, though… that's not really how it worked. His lack of discipline eventually washed him out of the circuit. Same sort of thing I saw in Himura today. I wonder if they're related? He'd be about the right age to be her father. Last I heard of him, I think his son, Naoki, was entering the Special Olympics. Sad to see she took after her father, not her brother."

"But she lost though, right?" Rin asked.

"Oh, yeah, my girls did a complete sweep," Kenichi crowed. "I think this calls for a little celebration. I'm going to take them all out for ice cream next week, maybe you can tag along and meet them, Rin?" He nodded towards Mu Tsu. "And you're welcome to come along as well, Mu Tsu. Ah, we haven't had a big family outing since… what was it, that big fair they had downtown for Chinese New Year…?"

The conversation drifted into recollections of family outings. Mu Tsu listened with interest as Kenichi and Aoi recounted their family's adventures. For the most part they seemed fairly mundane to Mu Tsu (Though participation in the Olympics was a matter for great respect, even if the competition had faded somewhat from its Greek origins.)

It was not a small family. Four daughters and two sons, two of which had reached adulthood and had continued on to their own lives, one pursuing further education, the other having taken up a trade. The youngest was Ryoichi, 8, the next eldest was Yoko, 12, and Chinatsu was the last of the siblings still living at home, at 17. A thoroughly respectable family by Amazon standards, though Mu Tsu knew Japanese standards might be different. Still, it reinforced his opinion that Aoi was a woman to be respected.

Thankfully Rin relaxed as the night went on and even began to laugh and joke with her siblings. Mu Tsu even chuckled himself a few times, though most of the references were beyond him. Still, the family atmosphere, the closeness… it was something he had missed without realizing it. He silently vowed to contact his parents afterwards. A letter perhaps, to start at least. He owed them that much.

Sometime later as things wound down, he found himself on the balcony connected to the kitchen, overlooking Nerima. It was nearing time to leave, and he was already planning his route across the rooftops.

He heard the door slide open behind him, familiar footfalls, then it slid closed.

"S-so… that's… that's my family," Rin said as she came up next to him to lean on the railing with him. "They're…"

"'A lot'?" Mu Tsu asked with a small smile.

"Yeah…"

Mu Tsu was silent for a moment, then spoke. "They are good people. Your mother is amazing, definitely a worthy matriarch. And your father clearly embodies the Olympic spirit of ages past, even if the games themselves fail to live up to their heritage."

"My sister is an idiot," Rin muttered.

"You mean Kyo, the elder?" Mu Tsu shrugged.

"Y-yeah, she was hitting on you all night!" Rin huffed.

"I hadn't noticed," Mu Tsu replied. He honestly had not, it had simply been background noise amongst the cacophony of new experiences. His focus had been broader, wanting to know about this environment that had produced Rin.

"She was practically sitting in your lap at one point!" Rin thumped the railing.

"As is the wont of elder siblings," Mu Tsu replied. "But she did not. Her pride demanded she attempt to assert herself, but I imagine she understood that were it to come to a contest between you, she would stand no chance."

Rin blinked, flushing. "Wh-wha-what do you mean!? I wouldn't fight my sister!"

"I have seen your 'thunderbolts', Rin Ito. Your sister clearly does not train as you do. It would not be a fight. Your… gentle nature is what leads her to taunt you, but I don't believe she would ever truly betray you."

"Because she's my sister, and we love each other!" Rin protested.

"And because your Thunderbolts are capable of sending a seasoned martial artist through a concrete retaining wall." Mu Tsu replied.

"I… I didn't like doing that, but… Mr. Saotome…" Rin protested.

"He deserved it. I am acquainted with the man, and I can say that without reservation," Mu Tsu replied. "Regardless… you should train yourself in the Art. Even if you never intend to use it in such a way, it provides many avenues to escape or defuse conflict."

"N-never thought I'd ever need anything like that. M-maybe I was wrong," she said, sounding downcast. "I doubt I would be much good…"

"I am no Elder…" Mu Tsu said. "But if even a fraction of your skill at Volleyball translates over, you would be a prodigy seen once in a generation, I am certain of it." He gripped the railing. "I am confident I could convince Elder Khu Long to teach you."

"I want you to teach me," Rin replied, her voice more certain this time.

"Me?" Mu Tsu gave her a look of genuine surprise. "Why me? My techniques are all flawed, developed to compensate for my shortcomings, or cobbled together from magic tricks and sleight of hand. With Khu Long you would learn proper Amazon techniques…"

"I want you to teach me," Rin repeated, more forcefully. He glanced down at her, seeing her green eyes flashing at him with that old, precocious defiance.

He felt something in him melt. I can refuse you nothing already, he realized, then nodded slowly. "Very well," he replied. "I will teach you."

"Good," Rin said. She suddenly realized that they were alone on the balcony. "I… ummm… I g-guess th-this means… we're… uhm… we're… d-d-d-d-dating now?"

Mu Tsu's smile was genuine, if a little sad. "I believe it does," he replied. "If that is what you wish. Though… I think this time it would be better I take the advice of your mother and not take things too fast. I have made such a terrible mess in the past by rushing things."

"H-how slow?" Rin asked. Timidly, she took a step towards him.

The scene was something out of a dream Mu Tsu once had. Perhaps once it would have been Xian Pu there on the balcony with him, or Young Mi, but in this moment he couldn't imagine anyone else taking that spot but Rin herself. The moonlight caught her hair just right, a golden cascade, the stars quite literally reflected in her eyes. If the ancestors were ever wont to send a message, here they were practically using a megaphone.

His hand moved to cup her cheek without him willing it, like something else directed his movements. With a confidence in his voice he most certainly didn't not feel, he answered her. "Perhaps… we will start here?" He leaned in… slowly, giving her time to react, to flinch, to hesitate, anything to let him know it was too much.

Her eyes closed, her lips pursed, releasing a breath she had been holding, giving him his answer. Her lips were remarkably soft as he touched them with his own.

It was simple. Almost innocent. But through it he tried to communicate all of the complicated things he felt for this puzzling, amazing girl.

He straightened, moving his hand from her cheek to her shoulder. "Is that enough for a start?" he asked softly.

Her eyes opened, clear and bright. "Yes," she breathed slowly.

"Goodnight, Rin Ito," he said. "I must return to the Nekohanten and elder Khu Long. But I will come back on Monday to walk with you to school, if you wish."

"I'd like that," she replied.

I had better go before I lose myself looking at the stars reflected in her eyes… he chided himself. He let his hand slip down her arm, taking her hand and squeezing as he stepped away. One last look back before he jumped off the railing into the night.

Rin watched him go until he vanished into the distance. For a time after, she simply looked out into the silence and calm of the night.

Then she sank to her knees and curled up into a little ball on the deck, her face bright red as she rocked back and forth. "Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee…!"

000

Genma's return to consciousness was accompanied by that old, familiar ache in his back that came from sleeping on the ground.

At first his eyes refused to open. That was okay, he didn't think he wanted to look anyway. The pain in his body had muted to a dull ache, but he couldn't seem to get his limbs to obey him. He wondered if the boy had done some real permanent damage.

"You should wake up now, you fat old fool." He felt something hard hit him in the forehead with a wooden *thunk*.

He cracked an eye open. Peering down at him, perched on her staff, was the wizened old ghoul herself.

He closed his eyes again. "Nothing worth waking up to," he grumbled, earning himself another whack.

He really wished he could rub his forehead.

"And after I went to all the trouble to clean and dress your wounds." Khu Long replied. "If it hadn't been for me, you would have likely bled out. Some of those 'scratches' were VERY deep, and the one on your neck was particularly dangerous.

"Nnngh… you helped me?" Genma felt his spirits lift a bit. Sure, the Old Ghoul would only help him if she wanted something, but maybe that meant there was some room for negotiation! He could certainly use an ally in this! "Right… we've got a common goal, don't we? You want my son to father a whole new generation back in your village, and I'm more than happy to help. I just need to get him to take this potion…"

"Oh, I am fully aware of the potion." Khu Long replied. She held up a clay jar. "In fact, I've brewed up a batch myself. Perhaps not the same as what Ms. Himura provided to you, but just as effective, I assure you."

"Oh… Oh good!" Genma relaxed. "That idiot boy won't know what hit him with both of us against him!"

"Oh, no, I am afraid you are quite mistaken, Genma Saotome." Khu Long's leathery lips cracked into a horrid smile. "I am not on your side. I am on hers."

"What?!" Genma's eyes went wide with fear. He struggled, but couldn't get his limbs to obey. He turned his head and looked at them in frustration. "Damn…! The boy paralyzed me! His own father! That ungrateful…"

"Again, you are mistaken," Khu Long replied. "That was me, again. Proper application of pressure points. I suspect once you have healed you should regain most of your mobility, if not all." She hopped down off her staff and walked over to his head. "I wanted to have a little chat with you, while you retain the capacity."

Genma swallowed nervously. "A-are you going to kill me?"

Khu Long laughed, a terrible, grating noise like gravel rattling around in a bag. "No, you stupid lummox. If I had wanted that, it would have been easier to simply do nothing, and let Ranma's tender's ministrations do their work. But I wish to spare the child more blood on her hands. You will live. Quite possibly for a very long time."

"But…" Genma protested.

Khu Long jabbed a point on his neck with a finger, and suddenly his tongue no longer obeyed, his head would no longer move, his mouth became slack and useless.

"Enough. You will listen, Genma Saotome, while I insert this down your throat." She pulled out a funnel attached to a length of rubbing tubing. Genma's eyes widened, but he could do nothing but choke as the rubbery tube was forced down his throat. He continued to whimper and cough, but nothing was dislodging it.

"Feh, troublesome even when paralyzed. I pity your poor mother in raising you," Khu Long muttered. "Now, I want you to fully understand what is about to happen to you." She held up the jar. "This is the potion you have so grievously misused, created using Instant Jusenkyo powder. Specifically, xióngmāonìquán. Or as you would term it, Shonmaonīchuan."

Genma's eyes widened and his breathing got more ragged and shallow. Spring of Drowned Panda!?

"The formula of the other active ingredients is somewhat different, if just because the goal is simpler," Kho Long continued. "Memories, yes. Also language, tool making, history, objective knowledge, martial arts… Everything that makes you human will be wiped clean. All but the knowledge that you WERE once human." She put the pot down and stroked his forehead while he made panicked, choking and gasping sounds around the tube. "Were I still an elder of the Joketsuzoku, I would be censured for such a criminal act. But now… eh." She shrugged. She reached into her robes and pulled out a wicked looking knife. "I believe you promised you and your son would disembowel yourselves if you failed to make him a 'man amongst men', yes? Ambitious, considering you had a daughter. Well, no fear Genma Saotome. That will not be your fate. Still, parenthood has quite clearly been a burden upon you, and would likely be so even as a panda. So, before you take your medicine, I will remove any chance of future potential parenthood to spare you that burden."

She smirked at his desperate huffing as she took her time walking down to his legs. "Now now, no need to be shy. I assure you I have seen it all in my many years. Though it has been many years since I last did this, and that was a goat, so I hope you forgive me if this turns out a little… messy."

000