Ranma's Note:

Hey Ryouga,

If you're reading this, then Pop finally dragged me away. I kinda figured it was inevitable. I'm sorry. I know you're tryin' your best. I shoulda come get you for this, but I know you wanted to do this on your own.

I'm sorry for all the crap I put you through. I know I was a freeloader an' all I could do was lead you home after school. Sometimes I couldn't even do that. You taught me a lot, and you were good in a fight, and you put up with me. I'm not sure why, but it meant a lot to me.

I've been keeping something from ya. There's something wrong with my body. That's why I never wanted to share the furo, an' kept an undershirt on when changin' for gym. Pops says it's just a birth defect, an' we're going to China to fix it, but I found this magazine. It was one of those imported American ecchi mags, where stuff isn't censored. I didn't think it'd be your thing, sorry if that was wrong. It was kinda ratty and dirty anyway.

But lookin' through it makes me wonder, y'know? Pops says I'm just crazy. He gets mad if I bring it up. He used to put me in the pit when I was a dumb kid and didn't know not to ask. These days he's too lazy to actually dig a hole big enough for me, so he just comes up with some kinda unfair training.

Part of me thinks he's wrong, though. I thought it'd be weird to ask you, and I was afraid you'd hate me because you'd think I was lyin' to you or makin' fun of you. I wasn't, honest! Seems now you hate me anyway, so I might as well come clean.

I think I'm a girl.

000

Ryouga felt groggy as he struggled towards consciousness. He wasn't typically a morning person by any stretch, but whatever had been in that sleeping draught that the Kunos' servants had given them was making waking up particularly onerous.

He rubbed at his eyes, groaning as he blinked and tried to focus on the ceiling. He had only taken it to reassure Ranma so that she would drink it, as she was so wound up after the battle that he knew she wasn't going to sleep otherwise. From the look in her eyes, he knew that if she didn't get something to take her off the edge she was going to bolt and run until she collapsed. Again.

He pushed himself up carefully, noticing the bed was empty save for himself. She had also insisted on remaining with him as they both drifted off. There was nothing romantic about it - it was more out of a desperate need for comfort and companionship. Understandably, she was still terrified to be alone. He could feel it through the Link.

He blinked as he realized that she hadn't gone far. She was sitting at the foot of the bed, still in her clothes from the previous day. Her hair was in wild disarray. She had her back to him so he had to lean forward a bit to see what she was doing.

She was reading a letter. The letter. The letter she had written for him and left in the wall three years ago.

Oh crap. He swallowed nervously, not sure what new meltdown this might spark off. Even though she wrote the letter, she didn't seem to remember it, and he knew the contents of it were rather gut-wrenching when put in context.

"Uh… hey… Ranma?" Ryouga said nervously, shifting his legs to the side of the bed, being careful to not move too quickly.

Ranma looked up at him, blinking. There were tear stains on her cheeks and her eyes were red and watery. Which, honestly, he kind of expected, but it was still unnerving. The last thing she needed was more emotional trauma.

But then she smiled and that really worried him.

"H-hey Ryo…" Ranma scrubbed at her eyes with her sleeve self-consciously. "Sorry if I woke you. I was just… just…"

Ryouga's eyes fell to the letter, then he looked back up to her. "Yeah… Look, Ranma… I know all of this is a mess, but… You don't need to salt the wound like this…"

Her smile didn't fade. "Heh… You'd think that, right?" she said softly. She looked at him, a bit of uncertainty crossing her expression. "Is… is it weird that I find this… comforting in a way?" She held up the letter. "It's… it's really bizarre; I remember writing this. I remember the thing about the chest wrap, and… and all of this. But at the same time… I kinda don't? It's like it was there but, because it didn't mesh with what I 'knew' was reality, it kinda got filed away wherever I kept all those memories that… that didn't quite make sense." She glanced down at the letter. "I always thought… that I was just a little crazy, you know? That my brain was bad or something. Pops used to say… used to say it was normal to remember stuff that didn't happen. 'False memories' he'd call them, and that's why it was important to always listen to him because…" she trailed off, voice growing quiet. "because I wouldn't remember right on my own."

"Ranma…" Ryouga scooted closer to her on the bed.

"It used to be everything was just kind of a fog. I didn't remember stuff except what Pops told me to because it just confused things. And… I knew he was a liar, but it was easier to just believe him first, and then deal with the fallout after he was proven to be full of it. It wasn't until you showed up in Nerima that I had to start remembering stuff on my own. I didn't even wonder about my own mother, even though I knew she had to exist. Everything that wasn't 'here and now' was in the fog. It was so hard to be sure of anything except what Pops told me." She gripped the letter a little more tightly. "But… this… this is real. This happened, no matter how much Pops or Mom would tell me it didn't."

"Yeah…" Ryouga said. "It happened. I'm sorry…"

Ranma shook her head. "Don't be. I mean… I mean I'm still dealing with that. I'm still kinda processing everything that was, you know? My whole perspective's been turned on this crazy angle and what I thought I knew doesn't make sense anymore. But… At least this helps me be sure about what is, you know?" She folded the letter carefully. "I'm not sure how much of what's going on in my messed up head is because of the Neko-ken training, or Pops, or that damned potion. Everything I know… Everything I feel is suspect 'cuz I don't know if I actually remember that or feel that, or if it's something Pops whispered in my ear after doping me up. I don't even know when he stopped doing it… I don't even know if he stopped." She shuddered. "Yeah… great, that'll give me some interesting nightmares tonight."

"He can't get to you here," Ryouga said. "And… trust me, I tried once to punch you in your sleep and I couldn't do it. You defend yourself in your sleep."

"Ever wonder why I'd have a reflex like that?" Ranma softly, giving him a haunted look. "I never did… until now. And Pops was always able to get past it to toss me out the window in the morning." She groaned and clutched her temples. "Ugh! This is such a rabbit hole!"

"I…" Ryouga winced, seeing his attempt at being comforting backfire. "Look… Ranma… what can I do? There has to be something?"

A small smile tweaked the corner of Ranma's mouth again. "Exist?" she said. Her expression lightened a little. "You're the one thing I can't imagine Pops putting in my head."

"I… yeah…" Ryouga blushed a bit. "L-look… about what happened at the Hospital… I mean… I meant what I said, but…" He took a deep breath. "But I pushed. And… and if I hadn't, maybe all of this wouldn't have gone wrong, so badly, and…"

She reached up and put a hand over his mouth, quieting him. His eyes widened as she stared into his eyes, like she was searching for something.

She pulled her hand away. "Don't apologize," she said. "I… I needed you to push. Even though it scared the hell out of me. I… I kept trying to push it back into the fog… to forget… because it didn't fit what I 'knew' was reality." She shuddered. "Whenever… whenever I didn't act 'manly' enough… he'd put me in the pit. Until I was too old for it to work anymore, anyway. Everything I felt… I feel… around you… It was okay as long as I didn't give it a name; as long as it was just an unspoken thing. Maybe I even got brave, called you 'cute' or something… It would never be anything that I couldn't deny or pass off as a joke later… nothing that wasn't safe. And… and I never would have gotten past any of that."

"Is that why you freaked out when I kissed you?" Ryouga asked. "Because…"

"Because I was going to go in the pit," Ranma said. "I know… I know that's stupid, and that fat idiot couldn't make me go into that pit, and even if he did I could break out easy… but it wasn't… 'me', y'know? I was always this scared little girl going into the pit, and the only way out was to convince Pops I was a 'man amongst men'... or to be a cat…" She paused and blinked. "I… did I just…? Nevermind." She shook her head. "The point is that to acknowledge that I was a girl meant going into the pit and… you kinda made it impossible to escape doing that."

"I'm sorry," Ryouga's gaze fell.

"Didn't I just tell you not to apologize?" Ranma said, a little crossly. "Look… you ever… You ever been training at something… something really tough… and you just can't get it? You just can't… push through to what you're trying to do or… or be… until someone gives you a shove? I know I freaked out, but…" she fidgeted with the letter, "I mean… It was putting a lot of words and names to feelings all at once, you know? Some of that stuff has been buried for a long time…"

Ryouga blinked. "O-oh… I thought…" He rubbed the back of his head, blushing. "S-sorry, I just assumed you were talking about feelings for me…"

Ranma frowned, the slugged him on the shoulder, hard.

"Ow! Ranma, what…?!" Ryouga yelped, rubbing his shoulder.

Ranma huffed, crossed her arms and looked away. "You jerk. You seriously can't read between the lines?" She held up the letter.

Ryouga frowned at the letter, then stared at her as comprehension dawned. "Wait…!"

Ranma's expression softened. She fidgeted shyly. "I… didn't really have words for all those feelings, you know? A-and… when you told me about those girls at school who liked me and that's why they were trying to share their lunch with me, and… and I thought about all the times you fed me… And I mean I knew you didn't mean it like that, but still…! A-and… there were all of these big, wonderful, scary feelings that I didn't know what to do with. Then… then you got mad at me, and Pops told me to forget it all, and…" she trailed off.

Ryouga put a hand on her shoulder, gently turning her to look at him. "I was mad because you were leaving," Ryouga said softly. "You were my only friend… And honestly I couldn't really imagine how I'd make another one."

He could see the color rush to Ranma's cheeks when he said that. She dropped her gaze and mumbled. "Damnit… Why'd you have to say…" She took a deep breath. "Th-this is kinda where I screw things up with Akane… I'll say something dumb 'cuz… 'cuz it makes this go away. I'm… I'm really really trying not to do that now."

"I'll… shut up," Ryouga said, earning a slight giggle from the redhead.

That smile returned. Hesitantly, Ranma reached out and took Ryouga's hand.

"I'm… I'm still struggling a bit with this. Not because you're a guy, but… because I always struggle with this," Ranma said. "I've been making a hash of things with everyone who cares about me, and getting by by doing what makes 'em happy and not really figuring anything out 'cuz that seemed 'manly'. But…" she squeezed gently, "I mean… I'm gonna need you to go slow with me… This is new even for me, a-and it's a lot different from me'n Ucchan swapping gender roles for a day, and a lot scarier, s-so…"

He turned his hand and clasped hers, squeezing gently. He kept his word and kept his mouth shut and instead focused on letting her feel what he was feeling, his desire to reassure her.

She blushed again at the rush of feelings through the Link and sighed. "That… That makes things easier…" she said finally. She scooted forward and leaned in, resting her forehead against his collarbone, tucking her head under his. "I wanna say it, Ryo… I can't yet, but I'm trying."

"I know," he said simply, putting his hand on the back of her head. Somehow… that meant more to him than if she had just blurted it out. Like the words would mean that much more coming from someone who struggled with them so much.

"I made a mess of things with Nabiki…" she said after a few minutes.

"What makes you say that?" Ryouga asked.

"She was mad. I made it sound like I was leaving her or something… I said something wrong…" Ranma mumbled.

He gently took her by the shoulders, pushed her back a bit and lifted her chin so she'd look him in the eye. "She was upset. Probably because you nearly killed yourself, and a whole lot of scary stuff happened all at once. It doesn't mean she was mad at you and it doesn't make it your fault. You just need to talk to her again and hash things out with her, okay?"

"I… guess…" Ranma said uncertainly. "So… you're okay with all of this? The…" she struggled a bit for the right word.

"Harem?" Ryouga asked.

"I hate that word," Ranma muttered. "But…yeah. So…?"

"Nabiki made sure I understood the ground rules," Ryouga said.

Ranma made a face. "I'm still not entirely sure how comfortable I am with how much she's managing my love life without me even knowing about it," she groused.

"Well, it is her harem," Ryouga replied with a shrug.

"It is not!" Ranma protested. An odd look passed across her face as things started to add up in her head, then her eyes widened. "Oh my god… it is, isn't it?"

"You hadn't figured that out?" Ryouga smirked, poking her forehead. "Good to see your ego is still intact."

"Hey!" Ranma glowered at him, then sighed. "I… guess I should probably be thankful she saw all this coming. I'm getting sick of other people having a better idea of what's going on in my head than I do, though." She scooted a bit closer, leaning against him, which caused a sudden spike in his blood pressure. "So… what are the ground rules?"

"Uhh…" Ryouga swallowed nervously. "I mean… mostly 'Don't be a jerk'? Don't break Ranma's heart, don't keep secrets, and if there are problems, talk with Nabiki… that kinda stuff?"

"Don't break my heart?" Ranma said incredulously. "Okay, that's a new one. So is this why Shampoo and Akane and Nabiki have suddenly gotten all nice to you lately?"

"I think so…" Ryouga said. "Akane was trying to make peace… she probably would have done it anyway, but… She did mention you. Nabiki has been talking to me about this since way before I was ready to talk about it. And Shampoo…"

"Is Shampoo," Ranma finished for him. "She has to be reminded to ask about that kinda stuff." She tucked herself a little closer. "L-look… I figure… I mean, it's not fair for me to get all bent out of shape about it… I mean, if the girls are interested in you… but…" She huffed a bit in frustration at her inability to articulate her own feelings.

"I asked Nabiki to calm that kinda thing down," Ryouga replied. "I mean, it's flattering, but… I kinda feel more like they're toying with me than…"

"Hold on… you asked Nabiki?"

Ryouga froze, realizing he had blurted out more than Ranma was aware of. "Uhh… w-well…"

"Nabiki has been doing this stuff too?" Ranma sat up and looked him in the eyes. "What happened?"

"I… uhh…"

"Ryouga."

Ryouga shut his eyes. "She's made a couple of passes… just teasing, you know? I didn't take any of it all that seriously. Then… she pulled me aside to talk. We… uhh… we actually do that a lot. Mostly it's about my problems, usually about my problems around you… but this time she needed to talk about the stuff weighing on her. She was scared about bad things happening to you or the girls or even me. So… I told her I had confidence in her… said I wasn't afraid… might have gotten a little melodramatic and pledged myself to your family like in one of those old samurai movies…"

Ranma snorted. "Yeah, that sounds like you, you cornball."

"Hey! I mean… well, it worked, I guess…" Ryouga mumbled. "Maybe a little too well… 'cuz she kissed me right after I did." He cracked an eye open.

Ranma's glare convinced him to shut it again immediately.

"On the cheek, right?" Ranma prompted.

"..." Ryouga stayed silent.

"On the cheek, right?"

Ryouga swallowed. "It… uhh… it wasn't a long kiss… I think…"

"You think!?" Ranma shot back, causing him to shrink back a bit.

"I wasn't expecting it,okay? It… You know what it's like! My brain just kinda switched off!" Ryouga replied desperately, opening his eyes again, deciding it was better to see his inevitable doom coming.

The glare was gone, and what had replaced it was worse. Ranma looked like she was on the verge of tears.

"So… w-was it better than me?" Ranma asked. "I-I mean, she's a real girl and all…"

Ryouga swallowed. He reached up and cupped her cheek, earning a slight jump from her, and spoke before she could react more. "She kissed me, Ranma. I kissed you. You're the one I want, okay?"

She stared at him a moment, then the tension seemed to leave her in a sigh, and she sagged against his hand a little. "God, what's wrong with me? I'm acting like… like… like Akane, when she gets all jealous."

"So you are jealous," Ryouga said, a slight smirk appearing on his face. "Like you were with that nurse."

Ranma scowled. "That nurse was way out of line!" she huffed. Her scowl faded after a minute. "Yeah… yeah, fine, I'm jealous!" She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "And… I shouldn't be… 'cuz that drove me crazy when Akane did it, because I always felt it meant she didn't trust me. And… and it probably isn't the last time one of the other girls is gonna kiss you… there's a lot of that going around in this so… so I gotta learn to trust you and just deal with it."

"Maybe just start with learning to trust me?" Ryouga said. "I can deal with a little jealousy. And I promise, no more kissing!"

"You won't be able to keep it," Ranma muttered. "Not with Shampoo in the mix." She searched his face a moment then shifted, moving to straddle his lap facing him, her arms looped lightly around his neck.

Ryouga froze solid, eyes wide. "Whatareyoudoing!?" he managed to squeak, sounding not unlike a rusty hinge.

"Ucchan likes it when I do this when I'm a girl. And I kinda like it when one of the girls does it with me. I just figured…" She blushed. "L-look, if you don't want me in your lap…"

"No!" Ryouga said, almost too quickly. "I-I mean… It's just… I'm not used to this sort of thing, a-and…"

"You should be. I did this to you plenty even before you and I were… y'know…" Ranma said with a grin. "Of course you locked up when I did it then, too!"

"You were trying to trick me then by pretending to be my fiancee!" Ryouga protested.

"Yeah? Well now I am your fiancee," Ranma replied. She paused and, after a second, her grin faded. "O-okay, that sounded way less terrifying in my head before I said it."

"Actually… technically you're my wife…" Ryouga said without thinking, though his mouth went dry as he said it as his brain caught up a half second too late. "That's… that's probably skipping a few steps though."

"Yeah…" Ranma said. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Just a few, huh?" She closed her eyes and took a breath. "Gimme a minute here. I just… kinda need to process that."

"I… well, it's just a technicality…" Ryouga said weakly.

"Hush," Ranma shushed him. "I'm trying to… visualize this, I guess. I'm a girl… I always was a girl… My parents used a magic potion to mess with my memories, but they're still there… There never was a 'Ranma Saotome'... And now I'm here, as a girl, with my h-husband." She opened her eyes.

"Well?" Ryouga asked tentatively.

"Nope, still doesn't feel quite real," Ranma said. "Husband. I have a husband. I'm a wife. Ranma Hibiki. Ran Hibiki?" She blinked. "I kinda like that, actually…"

Ryouga swallowed nervously. "You do?"

"It… kinda helps?" Ranma said uncertainly. "I'm sorta trying to process being a completely different person than I thought I was. I guess… having a name for the 'me' I'm finding out I am makes it easier?" She looked thoughtful for a moment. "Who do you think I would have been if… if I had gotten away from Pops before Jusenkyo?"

You mean if I had made it from my house to the lot directly behind it in something less than three days? Ryouga thought, feeling a pang of guilt. "I… well… probably a lot like you are now? It's not like your personality changed or anything." He stopped and considered. "Well… you wouldn't have met Akane or Nabiki or Shampoo, so… Maybe a bit more like you were in Middle School, even."

"I guess I did kinda learn about being a girl from the Tendos," Ranma said thoughtfully. She sighed. "I'd never have met Akane…"

"We'd never have met Akane," Ryouga added. "She's kind of a big part of who we both are right now."

"So no Ran Hibiki without an Akane Tendo, huh?" Ranma said. "I guess… did it have to be this hard? To get here I mean…"

"I'm… not the guy to ask," Ryouga replied. "I'm not really good at doing things the easy way. When even straight lines are tough, you tend to learn to just go through whatever is in the way. I'm usually just glad to get there… and you're not talking about travelling to an actual place, are you?" he finished sheepishly.

"Dummy," Ranma said, though she said it with a smile, and a note of fondness in her voice. "So… Now that I'm here… I guess I gotta figure out where I go next."

Ryouga nodded. That made good sense. "What do you figure? Call Nabiki, maybe plan our next move."

Ranma sighed heavily and shook her head. "We're alone together in your room, on your bed, with me in your lap and that's the first thing that you come up with?"

Ryouga's eyes widened and he stammered a bit before he snapped his mouth shut to stem the flow of nonsense.

"I-I mean… that's… that's kinda the next step… right?" Ranma asked, her voice getting quiet. She started curling a lock of crimson hair around her finger, her nerve apparently starting to slip.

"Ranma, you don't have to…" Ryouga started. He was suddenly an abruptly very aware of their relative positions; he was sitting with his back almost to the headboard of the bed, with Ranma sitting straddling his lap. He could feel the warmth of her body through his clothes, and he noticed that her training gi wasn't exactly the right size, nor was it closed with any real care in the front.

"I know, I know!" Ranma cut him off. "I… I don't think I'm ready for… for that yet, but…" She looked into his eyes, searching. "I… kinda wanna see what I am ready for… Now that I'm not panicking. Is… is that okay?"

He noticed she was leaning forward, and her chest was pressing against his. She very definitely was not wearing a bra. He swallowed hard. "I… uhh… I might not be any more ready that you, actually…" he mumbled. "You've got a lot more experience with this than me, you know."

This was where she was supposed to laugh it off, or make some cheesy comment, or crank up the vamp to absurdity. There was supposed to be a 'Gotcha!' or a poke to his nose, or something to break the spell.

She just nodded. He could feel her nervousness. "W-well… this angle is kinda new, okay? I mean…" she trailed off, "I-I mean… I liked the kiss… the one at the hospital. A-and part of me is freaking out about that even though I know it's stupid to… and part of me wants to try it again… And part of me is just plain terrified I'll do it wrong or something..."

"Yeah… me too…" Ryouga replied. He noticed her face seemed a lot closer to his… he could feel the heat of her breath on his face. He noticed their voices were getting softer as they spoke. "I was worried that I already had."

"You didn't," she said. There was a moment as their gazes locked, that point of no return before they both slowly closed their eyes. He caught a glimpse of her turning her head slightly to the side, could practically feel the silk of her lips scant millimeters from his.

There was a polite knock at the door.

Suddenly, Ranma and Ryouga were sitting on the edge of the bed, about three feet apart, though no perceptible movement had occurred to get them there from their prior position. The door creaked open and the maid peeked in.

"I have brought fresh towels and a laundered change of clothes for you both," The maid stepped into the room and bowed. "Mistress Kodachi and Master Tatewaki await you at breakfast, once you have bathed and changed." She set the bundle on the chair next to the door and stepped out, closing the door.

"I'm… gonna go take a cold shower," Ranma said softly, holding her gi closed self consciously as she got up, grabbed a towel and a set of clothes from the pile and made for the bathroom door.

Ryouga flopped back on the bed spread eagled with a groan.

000

Ranma didn't take a cold shower, finding the cold water she used to wash with was enough. She had just used the waterproof soap the day before, but she applied it again just to be safe.

The idea of changing back, or even the possibility, terrified her. It wasn't the idea of being male that scared her, but the fear of what might come with it. She didn't know how the potion really worked. All she knew was that it had scrambled her memories, changed her self-image, violated her in ways she was still discovering, and she couldn't shake the fear that there was something inherent in her male form that was poisoned in some way, so that changing back would put her newfound self-awareness in jeopardy.

It… wouldn't be so bad, would it? Ranma thought, looking at her reflection in the mirror. Being a girl… JUST a girl? I mean… It's what I actually AM, right? She reached out and touched her reflection, tracing a finger over the faint line of freckles across her cheekbone. I've done long stretches as a girl before. I could get used to it. It would be EASIER than swapping back and forth all the time. And I'm pretty sure it'd make Ryo happy… She smiled at that, then felt a bit of a self-conscious flush. Geez… I'm already thinking of how to 'please my man', huh? That woulda been horrifying a week ago. I guess… I guess it's okay, though. Right?

She paused, her face falling. I dunno what'll happen with the girls, though. Akane… Akane will be happy, I think. Ukyou will understand, too. Not sure if Shampoo would be okay with it being a full-time thing though. Or Nabiki…

Nabiki's face flitted through her mind, her hands behind her back, and a mix of her usual confident smirk with that rarer, sweeter smile she sometimes got these days. "You're my Boy on the Beach, Ranma…"

Ranma winced. Don't assume the worst! She said… they ALL said if it came to something like this they'd stick with you! She sighed and slumped a bit. Even if it's not fair to them.

She didn't bother soaking, not wanting to ruminate. She settled for a hot shower, letting it wash away the chill. Once she was warmed up she dried off and decided to see what kind of clothes Kodachi had selected for her. It was a pair of white slacks and a dark purple turtleneck, pretty clearly from her closet. The pants looked a bit long in the leg, but it was a relief to see them instead of a skirt.

The underwear however, was a problem.

Ranma recognized it. They were some of the racier, lacy, skimpy things that Kodachi had forced her to try on during their first fateful shopping trip. The same ones she had flat out refused to let Kodachi buy for her. Apparently Kodachi had returned to the store later and purchased them.

It wasn't that Ranma had never worn such things before. And these did have the advantage of being fitted for her. But it was a lot easier to wear such things when she didn't really think her female body was 'her'.

Come on, Ranma. You'll be wearing them under your clothes. No one is gonna see 'em, she thought. She lifted up the bra to examine it. She sighed and slipped it on, followed by the panties. They fit perfectly, of course. Kodachi had seen to that, but they weren't nearly so comfortable as the plainer ones that Ranma had been wearing recently.

Apparently I have girl's underwear preferences now, Ranma thought, slightly bemused. She reached for the rest of the clothes, then caught sight of herself in the mirror.

She was seated on the edge of the furo as she dressed, leg bent slightly in what might be considered a decent approximation of a cheesecake pose. The deep cut of the bra coupled with the angle of her body conspired to display a truly indecent amount of cleavage. It was just the kind of pose she would have used to distract Happosai or Kuno in the past.

I… actually look pretty good, don't I? she thought, straightening and turning to get a better look at herself. She had always been proud of her looks as a girl. Now it made a little more sense why. Bet Ryouga would LOVE to see this, huh?

She was gripped with a sudden, irrational urge to walk out of the bathroom in just her underwear.

She shuddered and slapped her cheeks. No! Way way way WAYYY too soon for that! She winced as she realized she had just admitted the possibility of things progressing beyond just kissing with the lost boy. What the hell is WRONG with me? A few hours ago I was suicidally depressed, and now I'm considering jumping Ryouga's bones? She sighed, closed her eyes and took a deep breath. I'm all over the place. I have GOT to get my emotions under control!

She realized that part of it was that she was feeling better, a little. There was still a lot of terrifying stuff looming on the horizon, but the letter had helped. Some bit of verification that it wasn't all in her head. She pulled on the turtleneck, arranging her hair as best she could. She eventually decided to braid it again, if only to get it under control.

Hair is getting long, she realized, as the braid was thicker and reached down past her shoulders now. Heh, got so used to the dragon whisker keeping it from growing that I forget I gotta deal with that now.

She realized she had been hogging the bathroom, finished hurriedly and stepped out. Ryouga was sitting on the bed, the letter in his hands.

"I… uhh… guess we should ask Kodachi for some more reading material, huh?" Ranma said, half joking.

Ryouga looked up, then self-consciously put the letter aside. "Yeah. Something that isn't a reminder of how messed up the last three years of our lives have been maybe." He stood and rubbed awkwardly at the back of his head, looking away. "You… uhh… that looks good on you," he said, a slow flush coloring his face.

Ranma glanced down, looking herself over. While the white slacks were nothing special, she realized the stretchy turtleneck was rather form-fitting, and that lacey bra was doing a lot of work to lift, separate and enhance. She smirked a bit, wondering if she had stumbled on one of the poor boy's 'things'. Experimentally, She took a deeper than normal breath and was rewarded by a momentary deepening of his blush.

She walked over and impulsively gave him a peck on the cheek, though she was slightly annoyed that she had to tug him down a bit to do it, even on tiptoe. "Go and get cleaned up. I need some breakfast, then I need to call home."

000

After the phone conversation the previous day, Nabiki had decided that someone should be nearby to get the phone if it happened to ring. Since the Tendo Residence phone service was ancient, there wasn't any call forwarding, so it tethered someone to the main rooms of the house. This suited Ukyou just fine, as it gave her a chance to distract herself puttering around the kitchen. Kasumi had busied herself with other things, likely sensing Ukyou's need for the familiarity of food preparation.

When the phone rang, Ukyou practically dropped what she was doing and sprinted for the phone, scooping it off the cradle. "Hello, Tendo Residence!" she said breathlessly.

"Ucchan?"

"RANCHAN!" Ukyou gasped, nearly dropping to her knees as she clutched the receiver. "Are you okay?! You're with the Kunos, right? Are you okay there?"

"I'm fine, Ucchan," Ranma replied quickly. "Well… well not 'fine'... but… y'know… Are YOU okay? I uh… I was kinda out of it when I spoke to Nabiki and I didn't get much info… Ryo says there's some kinda Amazon civil war going on? Is Shampoo okay?"

Ukyou winced. "Shampoo is… is missing, but Cologne doesn't think the Amazons have her. We don't know where she is."

"WHAT?!" The redhead's outrage was nearly palpable. "Why didn't anyone tell me?! I've gotta go find her!"

Ukyou winced. "That's why, Ranchan. Look, you're the prize in this war, understand? Right now the best place for you to be is… and I can't believe I'm saying this… but it's Kuno Manor."

"What?! Ucchan…" Ranma protested.

"No 'buts' sugar. At least not until Cologne can do some diplomatic wrangling with the elders. We're not in a position to be waging war in the streets." She sighed. "I don't like it either."

"What about Akane? A-and Sayuri and the others? Kasumi?" Ranma asked nervously.

"'Kane and me got chewed up a bit fighting the Amazons, but we're okay. The Amazons aren't interested in Sayuri or the others, thankfully. And Kasumi's specifically protected by the cease fire Cologne called for. We don't think they're interested in anyone who isn't a martial artist, and right now even that seems to be restricted to the ones with a strong connection to you." Ukyou sighed and leaned against the wall. "That explosion was you, wasn't it, Ranchan. Shi shi hokodan, right?"

"Yeah…" Ranma replied softly. "I… uhh… didn't take the news too well. If Ryo hadn't been there… well… Ryo was there, so it doesn't matter. How much do you know?"

"As much as anyone, I think. Your Dad made a potion from an old chinese scroll, using Jusenkyo water to fulfill his lifelong efforts to turn you into a boy. Nodoka was in on it, and now the Amazons are all kinds of triggered, and it's probably Himura's fault."

"So… Uh… I guess this kind of changes things, huh?" Ranma said in a quiet tone.

"Nope!" Ukyou replied firmly. "Not a damn thing."

"Ukyou…" Ranma started.

"Ranma," Ukyou cut her off. "I know you're gonna spout some bull about how some idiocy Genma Saotome perpetrated invalidates everything we've managed to build… and you know what? He's done that to me enough. I love you for who you are now, not because of some promise made when we were kids. Besides, you thought I was a boy back then."

For a second Ukyou was worried she had pushed too hard, but Ranma's light chuckle reassured her. "I guess we'll have to have a match to decide who wears the dress, huh?"

"Oh, It'll be you, sugar," Ukyou replied, leaning against the wall. "Or we'll both wear tuxes. Or burlap sacks. Just as long as it's you."

There was a moment of silence, though not the awkward pauses from before. Ukyou could hear a slight sniffling over the line and she realized that her own cheeks were a bit damp.

"So… we did the 'what are you wearing' bit… Whadaya say? Should I hop the fence and run over?" Ukyou said softly. "Pretty sure I can sneak past the Amazon brigade without much trouble if you can convince the Kunos to go see a movie for the evening."

Ranma laughed again, her giggling infectious. "Definitely later, Ucchan. I… miss you. All of you. For right now, though, I wanna talk to Nabiki and the Old Ghoul, maybe try an' figure out what we're gonna do. Hmm…? Oh, and Ryo says 'hi'."

"Oh he does, does he?" Ukyou raised an eyebrow. "Put him on a sec, okay? Just for a minute, before I get the others."

"Huh? Oh, sure," There was a shuffling, and then Ryouga's much deeper voice came over the line. "Hello?"

Ukyou smiled. "Hello, little brother. I hear you're the one who saved Ranchan this time."

"I… uhh… well…" She could almost hear him blush over the phone, and she noticed he wasn't protesting the 'little brother' tag this time.

"Sorry you had to shoulder all of it yourself this time, sugar," she added. "Are you doing okay? Not just physically, I mean."

"Wha? Oh… yeah… yeah, actually… I honestly feel a little guilty. I've got a sense of direction now, and a way to save Mom, I managed to sort out my own feelings and be honest about them… I mean, aside from the Jusenkyo curse and almost dying a couple of times…" Ryouga replied.

"A couple of times!? Ryouga, what happened?" Ukyou asked, straightening.

"Ranma didn't…? Damnit, Ranma!" Ryouga growled. "Okay, she's giving me that look… She was probably trying not to worry you, but the Amazons broke in to the Manor. One of the Elders made it all the way to Ranma. I tried to fend her off, but she downed me pretty quick. Ranma hurt her pretty bad, though."

"I get the feeling you're not telling me everything, sugar," Ukyou said. She looked up to see Nabiki's head peek around the corner. "Does this thing have a speakerphone…? No, it's an antique, of course. Can you call Nabiki's cell? I think we need to have a family chat."

000

"What do you mean Ryouga died?!" Nabiki demanded.

Nabiki's cell phone was in the center of the living room table, with Kasumi, Nabiki, Ukyou, Akane and Cologne all clustered around it, leaning in to listen. After the initial flurry of demands to know if everyone was okay from both sides of the call, Nabiki had taken over and started clarifying details, at which point Ranma had blurted out that little gem.

"This Elder… You said her name was Lotion? She did… SOMETHING. Some kind of palm strike to the chest, but with the fingers extended. Pressure points, I'm guessing. I… I FELT it stop his heart," Ranma said.

"Hanyu Pinyin," Cologne said with a snort. "A strike that blocks the five chi paths to the heart simultaneously. "Almost always fatal. I would say 'always', but apparently, somehow, the boy survived it." She shook her head. "For Lo Shan to use such a technique against a child… You must have hard pressed her boy."

"I'd probably be dead, but Ranma did… SOMETHING that undid it," Ryouga added.

Nabiki took a deep shuddering breath and held up a hand. It was apparent that she was struggling to maintain her control. "Before we go any further, can I say something?" She waited for assent, then continued. "Ryouga, you swore your life to my family and cause on the school rooftop, remember?"

"Yeah, he told me about that," Ranma said, the slightly accusatory tone in her voice telling Nabiki that he told her about more than just the oath. Whoops!

Nabiki pushed past it for now, promising herself she would explain to Ranma afterwards. "Ryouga… and this goes for you too, Ranma… I'm making it a point of honor for the two of you. You've both promised your lives to me, so I'm telling you right now you're not allowed to die. No heroic sacrifices, no seppuku… I need…" She trailed off as the lump grew in her throat. "I need to know you two are going to keep yourselves safe on your own if we're going to get through this," she finished in a much more subdued voice.

Ukyou blinked. "Wait… Ryouga promised his life to you?" She fixed Nabiki with an inquisitive look.

Cologne overrode the youngest Tendo's inquiry, however. "While I agree survival is important, I must admit to being puzzled as to how you survived," Cologne said. "The Hanyu Pinyin is fatal, without question. Even a skilled ki healer would not have enough time to prevent death. Ranma… child… how did you save Ryouga?"

"I don't know," Ranma said. "I said I could… kinda FEEL what was wrong through the Link, and when I got to him, I just… sorta… washed the blocks away?"

"You reopened the blocks with your own Ki… but that should be impossible…!" Cologne muttered.

"Not with how the Link works," Ryouga said. "You know how there's that… resistance between the ki of different people, right? Like… like…"

"Like two North magnetic poles!" Akane jumped in, grinning at her ability to find an apt analogy.

"Right! Like that, they push each other away. Well… the Link… it kinda 'flips' the magnet, so they attract instead? Or at least so they can intermingle."

"Doctor Tofu seemed to think that it had a huge amount of potential for Ki Healing applications," Nabiki added.

Cologne narrowed her eyes. "And you said that… Ryouga is necessary for creating such links? That it is some quality in the boy himself?"

"We think so," Nabiki said. "That's Doctor Tofu's opinion and… well, we have it from an unverified source that Ryouga might have some wolf-demon blood in him."

"Hey, Nabiki, that's… kinda SENSITIVE information, y'know?" Ryouga protested.

Cologne breathed out and closed her eyes. "And Lo Shan was going to destroy that to assert dominance, was she? Trampling wonders underfoot in a mad dash to get what she happens to want at that moment. I see that, for all her years, she hasn't changed one bit." She pulled out her pipe and started the ritual of packing it with tobacco. "You still haven't explained how you beat her though, child. She is quite adept in every technique I've ever taught you, and dozens more I have not.."

"I… didn't use any of those. I didn't use anything in the Saotome School either… I… COULDN'T. I can't seem to get my body to move that way right now," Ranma said. "I… I used the Neko-ken."

"What?!" Akane leaned forward, hands on the table. "Ranma, that's dangerous! If you ran off while out of control like that…!"

"I wasn't, 'Kane. Out of control, I mean," Ranma said. "It… it was weird. I mean, it wasn't exactly my NORMAL headspace, y'know? But… but it was ME in the driver's seat this time, not the… the cat."

Nabiki's eyebrows climbed as Ranma managed to say the word without stuttering, or the usual quavering of fear in her voice. "Ranma… you've mastered the Neko-ken?" she asked softly.

"I dunno if I'd call it 'mastery'. The cat… the cat was still there, but… I was the cat this time. Or… or we were in agreement on what to do. Or something… But… It seemed to catch Lotion off-guard," Ranma replied sheepishly.

"It would. The Neko-ken's movements are almost impossible to predict, though that was always attributed to the fact that any user of it is typically out of their mind with psychosis." Cologne puffed her pipe. "The notion that someone could consciously control such a technique… I do hope you gave Lo Shan a scar to remind her of her hubris?"

"I… kinda lopped off her hand," Ranma said nervously.

Cologne was silent for a moment, pausing in her smoking to stare at the phone on the table.

"I… uhh… I could try and find it? Y'know, give it back…? Wait… no, Kodachi is telling me that they fed it to Mr. Green Turtle…" Ranma continued tentatively.

Cologne burst out laughing.

Everyone at the table shuddered at the horrible wheezing sound, and quietly waited for the elder Amazon to compose herself.

"So… is that… is that a good thing?" Ranma asked. "Like… she'll respect me as an equal now or something?"

Cologne dabbed at her eyes, wiping away the tears. "Gods no, child. She will be after your blood more than ever. Defeating and humiliating you will be her top priority though, given your importance, that will likely be done through harming those you care about." She shook her head. "I'm just amused because that very thing is her favorite threat to her pupils. She continually threatens that if they will not make proper use of their hands, she will simply lop them off. She has set herself up to make that the worst possible insult that could be done to her."

"Well… CRAP," Ranma muttered.

"Take heart, child. I doubt compromise is possible at this point regardless, and Lo Shan gets sloppy when she is vexed." Cologne took another puff of her pipe. "Curious that your more familiar skills eluded you, however."

"I… uhh… I actually wanted to talk with you about that," Ranma said. "Well, specifically about… about the potion. I-I'm… I'm still trying to sort out all the stuff Pops DID to me."

Cologne puffed thoughtfully. "I'm afraid I can be of only limited help, child," she said finally. "The potion has not been used in living memory… and you well know just how long my memory is. The very fact it was intended to be used without anyone being the wiser means that accounts of its use are practically nonexistent… if it was ever truly used before at all." She blew out a smoke ring, then blew another that she somehow linked to the first. "The herbs and compounds used in it are more familiar, being used in the Xi Fa Xiang Gao, and the effect here is similar as well. Alteration and removal of memories, blocks placed on knowledge you wish to keep from the subject."

"Like how I couldn't remember Ranma's name or who he was, no matter how many times people told me?" Akane asked, remembering her own experience with the technique.

"Exactly. But… the emotional memory remains. Even then, your feelings for Ranma were very strong, and caused you to struggle against the blocks." She sighed and shook her head. "But from what Nabiki has found, it seems Genma has been using these compounds on Ranma for some time, coupled with isolation and relentless mental pressure in the guise of training. Couple that with the fact the man is terrifyingly incompetent… It is difficult to say what he's done, or how much of it is due to the potion. Certainly he has done far too much."

"Yeah… but…" Ranma said, sounding nervous. "I mean… Is it gonna… affect me again, if I turn back into a guy?"

"What do you mean, Ranma?" Nabiki asked, leaning forward towards the phone.

"I mean… I don't know how much the potion did, but… but before we went to Jusenkyo there were already cracks! I got a letter I wrote to Ryo to prove that. I KNEW, even with all the drugs and and the p-pit and him beating the crap out of me I… I knew I was really a girl. But after Jusenkyo… After that there wasn't any doubt. I was a boy. I was a Man amongst Men. I was everything he kept telling me I had to be, even when it didn't make sense. And… and every time I'd figure something out… figure out how to be nice to Akane, figure out that Pops was an idiot, figure out that curing the curse wasn't worth it… It's like something would 'reset' in my head, and I'd be back to doing the same stupid crap all over again! Like… maybe it's all 'built into' my guy form." Ranma sounded a little desperate and scared. It wasn't a tone Nabiki liked to hear from her.

"That's just paranoia, Ranma," Nabiki said quickly. "You've made a lot of progress over the last few months, as a guy and as a girl. And self-improvement isn't a linear path… I've caught myself backtracking too! Just because you've slipped back into old habits, it doesn't mean…" She trailed off as she noticed Cologne holding up a hand and looking her in the eye.

Seeing she had Nabiki's attention, Cologne lowered her hand. She took a deep breath. "We… cannot discount the possibility."

"What!?" Nabiki, Akane and Ukyou yelped in unison, joined by an equally outraged "What?!" over the phone from Ryouga.

"This is what the potion was intended for. To remake a person, not just physically, but their entire identity," Cologne said slowly and carefully. "Ranma is correct - the effect it had on her was far more potent than simply the herbs and compounds by themselves. It is difficult to say that there isn't some effect tied to her male form. It is difficult to say there is. Even with my many years, I struggle to understand the mechanisms the ancient alchemist who devised this potion was tapping into. I think… only Ranma can possibly know for sure."

"Which would mean changing back to a guy to find out…" Ranma replied.

"Even then, the function of these changes is to make you unaware there has been a change," Cologne said. "You may indeed change, but simply be unaware of it."

"I could tell," Ryouga cut in. "With the Link we'd be able to sense any big changes in Ranma's emotions, right?"

"That's right!" Nabiki said. She hated to admit it, but there had been a moment where she was afraid Ranma would be stuck for good. A guilty part of her was forced to admit that it did matter to her if she ever got to see male Ranma again.

"But… but then it'd be too late, wouldn't it?" Ranma said softly. "I'd already be changed, and changing back to a girl wouldn't necessarily undo it, would it?"

"Ranma… Are you talking about staying a girl… forever?" Akane asked, a worried note in her voice.

"I dunno… maybe?" Ranma replied. "I mean… I mean it's what I really am, right? It's what I was born as! It's what I was always SUPPOSED to be…"

"But is it what you are, sugar?" Ukyou asked. "After being around me and some of the people that follow me around, you should know by now that what you're born as and what you're supposed to be don't always line up with what you are."

"I think we should save this for when we're face-to-face. Even with Ali Baba scrambling our line we don't know how secure this conversation is," Nabiki said, cutting off Ranma's reply. But the truth was that she didn't want something that might completely alter her concept of the future to be decided by a phone call. "For now we should figure out how to round everybody up. Shampoo is still missing, and that should be a priority."

"Nabiki's right. We need to find Shampoo!" Ranma said. "Do you have any idea where to start looking?"

"We lost track of her when we split up to lose the Amazons," Akane said ruefully.

"I still think they must have nabbed her," Ukyou added, crossing her arms.

"If Lo Shan had such a bargaining chip in her arsenal, she would be here now, with a sword to my Granddaughter's throat, demanding that I surrender," Cologne replied. "She is nothing if not ruthless. But she's allowed my parley to stand and not used Shampoo to lure Ranma. I am certain she does not have her."

"That assumes Shampoo is still alive," Nabiki said softly. She felt a pang in her chest at even acknowledging that possibility, but some dark part of her mind kept whispering to her that there was no way she was going to get out of this without losing something or someone.

"But… Who else would want to grab Shampoo?" Akane asked.

"It's that freak Circus Girl!" Ranma said suddenly. "Yeah, gotta be! She went after me because she thought I was Shampoo, so…" she trailed off as she remembered the fight. "That's… that's not good, is it?"

"Ranma, you fought her. Can Shampoo take her?" Ukyou asked.

"Maybe…" Ranma replied noncommittally. "She hit pretty damn hard when she connected and she had a lot of tricks. Fast and snappy like Kodachi, but all kinds of power behind it like Mousse. In a straight fight? Yeah, Shampoo would probably come out on top. But that chick ain't the sort to fight a straight up fight."

"And there was that freakishly giant cat of hers," Akane added. "And no Katsunishiki to keep it out of the fight this time."

They were all silent a moment.

"It doesn't serve us to assume the worst right now," Cologne said softly. "If the girl is here for Mousse, then she will find him sooner rather than later."

"Or he'll find her."

Everyone looked up as a new voice entered the conversation. Daisuke was standing there with Hiroshi as Kasumi returned quietly to her spot by the table. Her keenly tuned hospitality senses had apparently alerted her to his presence at the door before anyone else even realized there was anyone there.

"Daisuke?" Nabiki asked, frowning. "I missed something being out of school, didn't I?" she asked.

Daisuke sighed and exchanged a glance with Hiroshi. "Sorry boss," he said at last. "We tried our best to keep a lid on things, but it doesn't seem like Himura was willing to wait for you to get back."

"Is that Daisuke?" Ranma's voice came over the speakerphone.

"Ranma?!" Hiroshi yelped. He and Daisuke immediately joined the crowd around the table, staring at the phone on its surface as if it could show them their friend's face.

"Ranma, what happened!?" Daisuke asked. "We thought you were dead!"

"Or mostly dead," Hiroshi amended.

"Definitely exploded, though," Daisuke added.

"Definitely exploded, probably mostly dead, possibly entirely dead," Hiroshi summarized.

"I'm not dead!" Ranma huffed, sounding a little offended that her friends had so little faith in her. "Not like it's the first time I was at the center of an earth-shattering 'kaboom' neither! But never mind that, what's going on at school?"

Daisuke blinked. He looked up at Nabiki, as if to ask whether he should continue.

He remembers what LED to that 'kaboom' I see, Nabiki thought. She gave him a nod, doubting Himura's antics in Ranma's absence could approach what she had done directly thus far.

Daisuke sighed and plunked down at the corner of the table, running his hand through his hair. "Where to start? Okay, so… We got to school yesterday to find Himura's pretty much declared victory for all practical purposes. But you aren't gonna believe who's running with her little crew now. Konatsu."

There was dead silence around the table. Nabiki turned to see Ukyou's face go ashen.

After a moment Ukyou asked, "What did she do to him?" Her voice was dangerously quiet. Nabiki's eyes widened and she shot her sister a warning glance.

"What did she do to her, you mean," Daisuke replied. "She uh…" He glanced at the phone, a sudden flicker of guilt crossing his face. "She… we think maybe she used the potion on Konatsu."

"Are you sure?" Nabiki asked.

"Well we didn't… y'know, 'check under the hood' or anything'" Daisuke said, flushing a little. "But Rin is dead certain she's… well, physically different. Differences in height and shoulder width and stuff. But she's also acting weird. Talking about how her family was always retainers for Himura's and how… umm…" He gave Ukyou a nervous look. "And how Ukyou was… basically… keeping her as a slave…"

Ukyou bolted to her feet. Nabiki was pretty sure she'd have been out the door and gone if Akane hadn't caught her hand.

"Let me go, Akane," Ukyou growled through gritted teeth.

"Ukyou, you can't leave right now!" Akane protested. "The Amazons are hunting for us, remember?"

"What am I supposed to do, just sit here!?" Ukyou whirled on her. "This is my fault! They must have grabbed Konatsu days ago, and I was so wrapped up in my own problems…"

She turned as another hand touched hers. Wrinkled and gnarled and frail seeming, but with surprising strength behind it.

"Child… I understand your pain," Cologne said. "If true… this is a betrayal of all that we, as Amazons, value. And if the scroll is accurate about the effects of the potion, and from what your friend has said I believe that it is, then at this moment there is precious little that you can do. Whether you seek to attack Himura, or to wrench Konatsu away from her, you will only reinforce the conditioning. That is also assuming that you yourself are not captured as soon as you leave this house."

Ukyou jerked her hand away from Cologne. "Don't patronize me with this 'betrayal of Amazon values' crap!" she snarled. She pointed towards the wall of the yard, and what lay beyond. "Look around, 'Honored Elder'. You're the only Amazon who's even paying lip service to these 'values'. The rest of your people helped Himura do this! To my friend! To my family!" She glared down at the older woman. "The only reason you're here with us right now and not out there with them is because they kicked you to the curb!"

"Ukyou…!" Akane said, eyes wide.

"Don't say anything, Akane!" Ukyou growled. "This has been way too long in coming! Everything leads back to the Amazons! The scroll was your responsibility… your people lost it. The Cursed Springs were your responsibility… I guess you were napping when Genma Saotome rolled into town with his kid?! Or all the dozens of other people who have taken a dunk there recently? Then your own granddaughter can't live up to your stupid, impossible expectations and so you dunk her. And after a year of making us all miserable with your stupid games, half your damned tribe shows up and invades! So now I'm a fugitive in my own neighborhood and I can't even go help the people I care about because, apparently, caring about them has earned me the death penalty! So please, explain to me again these Amazon values!"

Her fists were clenched and she was trembling. Nabiki was terrified for a moment that she was about to attack the Elder. But then a hand touched Ukyou's shoulder. The chef whirled to see Kasumi standing there.

"Ukyou," she said softly. Nothing else. Her eyes said the rest. We understand. We hurt too.

Ukyou tensed as if she were going to bolt, but after a moment she sagged as the built up tension drained away under Kasumi's calming gaze. She stepped forward, her forehead dropping onto Kasumi's shoulder and the older girl drew her into a hug. Nabiki could hear soft sniffles now.

"It's not fair," Ukyou mumbled. "We did everything right. Everything. We worked so hard and got through so much crap and even though there were all these people clamoring for their share, we found a way for everybody to win. Everybody! Everybody could have had what they said they wanted - even the people who didn't deserve it. And they took it all away from us anyway because it still wasn't enough! We weren't… we weren't strong enough..."

"Sometimes… it's possible to do everything right and still fail," Kasumi replied softly, patting her back. "That's not weakness, Ukyou. That's life."

Nabiki felt a pang in her heart. She looked around, wishing for someone to deny that, to deny their fate. But all she saw were bowed heads, averted eyes and guilty expressions.

Has everyone given up already? Nabiki wondered. She glanced at the phone, realizing that Ranma and Ryouga had been silent as well. She felt her own gaze drop to the table as she slumped. No… they want to fight but… no one knows what to do. The enemies aren't just martial artists - they don't know how to fight them.

A small voice in the back of her head spoke up. Isn't that YOUR job?

It's not that simple! she protested. Himura has the advantage now. She has half a tribe's worth of the best martial artists of this generation, she's got the Yakuza and she's got control of Furinkan. She has us all split up and off balance, and if we even try to make a move, her little army of Amazons comes down on our heads!

Two-dimensional thinking. You're letting her set the rules of the game, the voice chided. She cheated. She and went to get extra pieces. So cheat yourself!

But where can I get extra pieces?! Nabiki gripped the side of her head in frustration. We're cut off and she's got the board so blocked up…

She blinked. Change the board.

Her eyes widened, darting back and forth as she shuffled mental blocks back and forth. Can I actually do that? There's a lot of unknowns, but if Himura is bringing in outsiders, she has to be promising them SOMETHING… She's going outside the board, taking risks. Risks means vulnerability, vulnerability she's hiding with a strong front. A grin started to tug at the corner of her mouth. It's all on credit, isn't it? It's all house made of maxed-out credit cards. And all of it is built on assuming WE play by the rules! She slapped the table with her palms. "Of course! I'm an idiot!"

"Nabiki?" Ranma's voice came over the phone. Everyone else had turned to look at her.

Nabiki looked at each of them in turn and let a slow, sly grin spread over her face. She could see their eyes widen as they realized - she had a plan.

"Ukyou. I understand how you feel and I promise you that Himura is going to pay for this, with everything she holds dear," Nabiki said, locking the chef's gaze with her own. "For right now, I need you to trust me, and to trust that I'm going to take care of Shampoo and get you your shot to rescue Konatsu. But I need you on the board with a different job."

Ukyou stared at her for a moment, then scrubbed at her eye with the heel of her hand. "If you've got a plan, sugar, let's hear it."

It wasn't quite a plan - not yet. It was more a series of partially formed plans, schemes that needed to evolve and interweave. There were a lot of assumptions, a lot of unknowns. But it was close enough. "I'm going to need you and Akane as muscle for this. But first, we need a way to get around." She pointed at Cologne. "Elder, how much do Amazons know about plumbing for a major city?"

"Nothing of note," Cologne admitted. "Why?"

"That's what I figured," Nabiki said. "We're dealing with people who are not just unfamiliar with the city, they're unfamiliar with the concept of a city. They're taking the high ground to limit our movement." She turned and pointed at Kasumi. "Kasumi, do you remember when those city workmen came and dug up our yard a couple of years ago?"

Kasumi frowned. "Well, yes, but I don't see what that has to do with it. They were coming to inspect…" she trailed off, her eyes widening.

"An old sewer access," Nabiki finished for her. "Maintenance tunnels. They run all under the city!" She turned and looked at Daisuke and Hiroshi. "Now, some of them are probably out of service or blocked off, but in an old part of the city like Nerima there are likely more than a few. If we could use them to get around…"

"The Amazons would never see anybody leave the Tendo Dojo!" Daisuke replied.

"It's probably a maze down there, though…" Hiroshi added, considering.

"Right, but thankfully we know the people who own the land." She turned her attention to the phone. "Ranma, I need you to talk to the Kunos. They have a big library that's probably full of this stuff. We need you to get city planning documents, sewer maps, whatever they may have and get it to Hiroshi and Daisuke." She looked back at the two of them. "And you two need to take that and turn it into a map for us."

"That's… a big job, Boss…" Hiroshi said nervously.

"No… I think we can do it," Daisuke replied. "Didn't Gos say he looks for secret passages and stuff all the time? I bet you he'd know some tricks if we got him reasonably accurate documents."

Nabiki nodded, then turned back to the phone. "Ranma? Do you remember the Umisenken?"

There was a pause. "I REMEMBER it, Nabiki, I just…" she trailed off guiltily.

"You can't do it. That's fine," Nabiki replied. "Those who can, do - those who can't, teach. I need you to teach it to Ryouga. Hell, teach it to the Kunos too, if you think you can get them on board. Specifically the trick for passing unnoticed."

"How'm I supposed to do that without being able to show 'em?!" Ranma yelped.

"You've learned techniques just from reading a scroll before, and so has Ryouga," Nabiki countered. "Just describe it to them as though you were writing one of those scrolls. You all have insane ability to learn things as long as 'Martial Arts' is in the name. I know you can do this. Even if it's just the part where you can pass undetected. That's the part that we really need. Focus on that."

"I'll… " Ranma sounded uncertain, but seem to gather herself, even if her confidence sounded a bit forced. "Yeah. I'll do my best."

"Hey Boss, we appreciate the vote of confidence, but…" Hiroshi said nervously. "Wouldn't things like maps of the underground be more up the alley of that 'Alibaba' character?"

Nabiki snapped her fingers and pointed at him. "Yes. Yes it would. But if I'm going to do this right, Alibaba is going to be busy with something else - so I need you guys to step up and be Tutu Detectives for real." She smiled. "You've both already wildly exceeded my expectations for you. I trust you to do this."

"Oh… yeah… no pressure…" Hiroshi mumbled, trailing off.

"What about us?" Ukyou asked. "You said you had a different job for us?"

Nabiki nodded and swallowed, glancing at Ukyou and Akane. "Okay… this is where it gets kinda dicey… because I'm gonna be putting you two in a lot of danger to do this."

Ukyou scoffed. "I don't know if you noticed, sugar, but we kinda already are in a lot of danger."

"This is more, though," Nabiki replied, her tone serious. "This is… well, if I screw this up, this is the kind of thing you'll be running from the rest of your lives."

Akane stepped next to Ukyou, put a hand on the chef's shoulder and gave Nabiki a defiant look. "Will we be running together?" she asked.

Nabiki cracked a smile in spite of herself. "Yeah… yeah little sister. Definitely together."

Akane nodded and cracked her knuckles. "So even if we do screw up, we're better off than we were. So let's do it then!"

Nabiki took a deep breath. Mom… forgive me. I know I'm supposed to look out for my sisters, but… Her eyes flicked in the direction of the family shrine where she knew their mother's portrait was. No. You know what? You'd understand, wouldn't you?

She turned her gaze to Cologne. "So the last bit is on you, Elder. I want your word, if only because I've got no choice but to trust you to honor it. I need to know you are on our side of this thing. Not as an Amazon power play, not as a way to get Ranma to go back to China… we tried that deal, and you didn't deliver - so it's now off the table. This is for Shampoo and her happiness and if you want to be part of her life, because I can guarantee you that after this, it's not going to be with the Amazons."

Cologne sighed heavily. "You hardly need such assurances, child. My fate was sealed the moment I invoked the covenant. But if it reassures you… very well. You have my word of honor… as an Amazon Warrior, as Matriarch of the Amazon Tribe, and as Shampoo's Great Grandmother."

Nabiki narrowed her eyes. "Even if it comes down to choosing between their survival or ours?"

Cologne raised an eyebrow. "You'll forgive me if I hope and work to ensure the situation never reaches such a dire crossroads…" She closed her eyes and took a breath. "Lo Shan and those that follow her can burn for all their short-sighted idiocy, but there are those in the village who are yet innocent. I ask only that you spare them if you can."

"I don't think the Amazons back in the Village have much to worry about, Granny," Ranma chimed in over the phone.

"That is because you are not fully aware of the peripheral players in this game, or of their scope, Ranma," Cologne replied. From how her hand twitched on her staff Nabiki got the impression she had resisted the urge to thump the phone as if it were Ranma's head. "As backwards as the Joketsuzoku might seem to you, we are well aware of the underworld in Asia, and the reach of powers like the Yakuza or the Triad." She looked up at Nabiki. "You, however, understand. And I have seen that vengeful sparkle in your eye in the eyes of others."

"If the village leaves us alone, we leave the village alone," Nabiki said, crossing her arms and glaring at the Amazon matriarch. "Failing that? No promises."

Cologne sighed. "Very well. That is the best I can ask for, I suppose." She looked up and fixed Nabiki's gaze with her own. "I presume you have a plan to recover my Great Granddaughter safely, amongst all these other schemes?"

Nabiki took a deep breath. "I do… but you're not going to like it." She turned to Hiroshi and Daisuke. "I've got another job for you."

At Hiroshi's visible wince, she held up a hand. "I know I've already given you a lot. This isn't big, but it might be delicate. Maybe you can get Rin to help, but I need you to get Mousse on board."

000

Ranma hung up the phone with a sigh. The conversation had ended with some confusing talk about real estate listings and internet searches which went over her head, but she had caught the gist: They were going to rely on Mousse as their best hope to rescue Shampoo.

Not like I'd be any help, Ranma thought bitterly. I'd either be useless or possibly end up shredding Mousse by accident. She glanced at her hand, flexing it experimentally, but there was no sign of the ki claws she had instinctively used against Lo Shan. I wonder if this is what Akane felt like when she kept on getting sidelined… She shook her head. At least Akane could still throw a punch!

She felt a hand on her shoulder and a surge of supportive feelings through the Link. She sighed and covered the hand with her own. "Damnit Ryouga, you make it really hard to work up a good sulk, you know?"

Ryouga blinked, and she could sense confusion from him. "I… uhh… Sorry? Should I…?" He started to pull his hand away.

"No, dumbass!" Ranma grumbled and pulled his hand back, wrapping both her hands around it. "I'm joking. We really gotta work on your sense of humor."

"Sorry, I just… I'm used to sarcasm from people I don't like. I'm still getting the hang of… y'know, friendly sarcasm." He rubbed the back of his head with his free hand.

Ranma smirked and freed a hand for a light punch to his shoulder. "It was always friendly from me, dummy!"

"Didn't always feel that way…" Ryouga admitted.

Ranma sobered. "Yeah… I mean, I get that. I learned the same thing from Akane. I always took it too far." She squeezed his hand. "Sorry."

"It's okay!" Ryouga said quickly. "It's… we just gotta figure things out, right?"

"We're… kinda terrible at that," Ranma replied sheepishly.

"Then we just gotta get Nabiki to figure them out for us," Ryouga amended.

Ranma snorted. "If someone would have told me a year ago I'd have ended up a part of Nabiki Tendo's harem…"

"I'd have believed them completely." Ryouga deadpanned. "Maybe not the 'willing' part, though."

Ranma glared defiantly before the facade crumbled and she hung her head. "Fine… willing, even..." she looked up and growled, "but so are you! That means she gets to tease you as much as she wants. You realize that, right? And more."

Ryouga frowned. "That's not… I mean…" His eyes widened. "Oh God… I'm doomed…"

Ranma patted him on the head. "Good boy. It's a lot easier if you just accept your fate once you realize the truth. Anyway, we should track down Kodachi and K-Tatewaki."

Ryouga stood next to her. "You think Nabiki's plan will work?"

Ranma shrugged. "Actually, knowing her? She's probably got like… twelve plans going on at once. But as far as our bit?" She scratched the back of her head as she led him out of their shared room. "I dunno… I mean, a week ago? Sure, I coulda taught you the Umisenken. But that assumed that I could show it to you. Even I had to have Pops show it to me. How do I teach you something I can't do myself?"

"I figured out the Shi shi Hokodan from a scroll and you figured it out just from seeing me use it," Ryouga shrugged. "We don't gotta learn the whole thing, right? Just how to pass unnoticed?"

"Still…" Ranma remained unconvinced as they walked into the dining hall.

Kodachi and Tatewaki were already seated. They had not been up when Ranma and Ryouga had opted for breakfast, and it seemed they were now having their own. The luxury of not having to walk to school, Ranma guessed.

"Ah, we had feared you would not be joining us for breakfast!" Kodachi said brightly. "Your last call home did not go well, judging by your expression yesterday, and I had feared more of the same."

Ranma managed a smile that didn't feel entirely forced. "We grabbed some rolls and stuff from the servants earlier. Umm… stuff is better. Nabiki's got a plan now." She rubbed the back of her head. "Actually… we were kinda… hoping you'd help?"

Kodachi blinked, then exchanged a glance with her brother, then back to Ranma. "Ran, dear, whatever gave you the impression we would do anything but?" she replied, taking a sip of her tea.

Past experience? History of mental health issues? GIGANTIC MURDEROUS WASHING MACHINE IN YOUR BASEMENT!? Ranma thought, but managed to confine her response to a shrug.

Kodachi sighed. "My darling Ran… My own personal affection for you aside, have you forgotten that your enemies… these gaijin invaders… have attacked our home? Assaulted both the guests we have given our word to protect and my dear brother with deadly force?" She calmly put her teacup down. "If there is a plan through which we might gain rightful vengeance upon them then you will have our full support and participation," Kodachi said with a force that belied her pleasant smile.

"While most of my experience with Nabiki's scheming has been during my… period of confusion, her skill at strategy and manipulation has never been in doubt, as my own personal finances can attest," Tatewaki added. "If it is within our power to grant it, you shall have whatever aid you require."

Ranma took a deep breath. "Good. I mean, we don't actually need much right now. But it might be something only you have." She glanced between them. "Umm… remember how you said you Kunos used to own pretty much all of Nerima? You wouldn't happen to have… like… old sewer maps or construction charts for irrigation tunnels or stuff like that… would you?"

Kodachi raised an eyebrow. "Is that all? That's hardly a request worth noting!" She snapped her fingers to summon a servant. "I shall have the help go through the library. Our archive of the development of the region is quite extensive."

Tatewaki leaned forward. "Is there a particular reason for this request?"

"Nabiki is hoping we can map out underground routes to get around without the Amazons seeing us," Ryouga said. "I can do some tunnelling on my own with my Bakusai Tenketsu but… Nabiki felt I probably shouldn't start digging tunnels under the foundations of Tokyo with explosive martial arts techniques if it can be helped."

Tatewaki nodded. "I see. Prudent. Perhaps Sasuke, in his duties as clan ninja, has some insight to share as well?" He glanced to the left. There was a poof of smoke, and Sasuke was kneeling as it cleared.

"I am deeply honored you seek my counsel, Master Kuno!" Sasuke gushed, barely able to restrain tears as he remained with his head down. "This humble servant is unworthy of such an honor! Truly, my ancestors must be weeping in the heavens to know…"

"Yes, yes, but do you know anything of the tunnels beneath the city?" Tatewaki interrupted.

Sasuke looked up, laughed nervously and rubbed the back of his head. "Uh, well… no, but I am ever so flattered that you asked!"

"Oh… I would have thought…" Tatewaki trailed off, frowning. "Is it not prudent for a ninja to be aware of all available stealthy routes?"

"Aheh… heh…" Sasuke's nervous laughter trailed off weakly, before he immediately prostrated himself before Tatewaki. "Please forgive me, Master Kuno! I know I should be a good ninja and know these things, but… but… it smells! And then there was that American movie… with the clown… and… and I just can't…"

"Sasuke, you are utterly useless!" Kodachi huffed, earning a cringe from the servant ninja.

"Peace, sister," Tatewaki said.

"I am a failure as a ninja and a retainer!" Sasuke wailed

"No… Sasuke… It was merely an inquiry, this was not…" Tatewaki said weakly, trying to placate the forlorn servant.

Kodachi ignored the scene and turned to Ranma and Ryouga. "No matter. We will manage on our own. Come, have something more than rolls to eat, both of you, then we will see what we have in the library."

Ranma felt a little awkward sitting down while the little ninja was still sobbing and cowering in the corner of the room, but he seemed deaf to Tatewaki's attempts to reassure him. Her stomach grumbled at her, reminding her rather sternly that she had been neglecting it as of late. She started filling her plate with food from the spread, deciding to worry about what to do next after the hollow in her belly had been filled.

Breakfast was passed quietly, the silent agreement to focus on eating first, and strategizing and whatnot afterwards. Ranma found that despite the grimness of her situation, the idea that there was some kind of plan, no matter how nebulous, did a great deal to restore her appetite.

I've been relying on Nabiki an awful lot, she mused as she shoveled rice into her mouth with something approaching her traditional gusto. Is that really okay? I used to handle my own fights.

She raised her head and glanced around the table, taking a moment to ponder the scene. Yeah, and doing it the Saotome Way got me where, exactly? One month after hooking up with Nabiki and I'm having breakfast with three of the people who most wanted me dead. The fiancee situation is basically solved. And as messed up as what my family did may have been, Nabiki almost beat Himura to the punch. She shook her head. The difference between a Warrior and a General. I got a lot to learn to fight on this level.

They finished up, the servants coming to get the dishes. Kodachi touched Ranma's shoulder as she walked past.

"Ran, dear, would you mind talking with me in private a moment?"

Ranma blinked. She swallowed nervously, some of that old wariness surfacing. After all, the truth was out now, and even though Kodachi had said she was fine with the revelation that her fiance was in fact a girl, and that she had been in the dark for almost two years, the Kunos were nothing if not mercurial. At least in the past. Ranma was still having trouble wrapping her head around what to think about the current 'sanity' kick.

She followed Kodachi into the hallway, glancing back to see Tatewaki and Ryouga deep in discussion of something, not having noticed her departure. She wondered if that was intentional. Cautiously, she followed her hostess, uncertain what lay in store, until they reached a turn in the corridor.

"Hey, Kodachi? I don't think this is the way to…" Ranma started but, as soon as she fully rounded the corner, she was grabbed and pressed back against the wall. She gasped, for a moment as the shadows concealed her assailant. Before she could utter a sound, soft lips pressed to hers and a lithe, definitely female, body pressed her flat to the wall. Her eyes adjusted enough for her to make out Kodachi's dark curls.

At first she stiffened, as she always would have in the past. But the last month had accustomed her more to such things, as well as a definite lack of malleting. She had been on the receiving end of a lot of female kissing recently and, in spite of herself, she found herself relaxing and simply going with it. Kodachi was warm and soft in all the right places, her hair smelled nice and, surprisingly, she was an excellent kisser. There were things she was doing with her tongue that suggested she could give Shampoo pointers.

After what felt like a few seconds and half an hour simultaneously, Kodachi broke the kiss. Ranma gasped softly, her lungs craving air, but at the same time she nearly leaned back in for more. It was only Kodachi's sad expression that stopped her, cutting through the bubble of carbonated hormones.

"Nothing…" she said softly. "As I feared. I'm so sorry, my Darling Ranma but…" She shook her head and released Ranma, stepping back, bowing her head and hugging herself. "I… I needed to know. If… if my love could see past the circumstances of your gender. I fear it cannot."

"I… I don't… what?" Ranma mumbled, still confused, dazed, a more than a little aroused.

Kodachi sighed, giving her a sad smile. "I am not inclined towards my own gender. Attending an all-girls school proved this to me quite adequately. Yet… I still hoped that perhaps… perhaps what I felt for you could transcend such things." She shook her head. "Yet even now, I find my affection for you becoming more sisterly in nature than romantic. I… am sorry. I cannot marry you."

She kisses like that when she's NOT into it?! a part of Ranma's mind boggled. She ruthlessly shoved it down, wrestling her libido to the curb in favor of a rational response. "You… were still planning to marry me? After all of this?!"

"It was an option. Though admittedly more strategic than romantic even before I confirmed the truth," Kodachi admitted. "I had thought to bring you into the Kuno clan as a spouse, so that certain… 'protections' we are afforded by our connections would come into play, as well as getting you away from your wicked, wicked mother." She sighed. "But… I am unwilling to subject myself to a loveless marriage, even for such a noble goal."

"But… how… I mean…" Ranma stammered. "We're both girls, we can't…"

Kodachi smirked. "You are charmingly old fashioned sometimes, my dear Ran. You are correct such things are not possible in Japan, but the Netherlands are a quick flight away. Or Canada… I hear British Columbia is wonderful this time of year… Trust me, the legalities are hardly an obstacle to one of my means."

Two girls can get married? Ranma swallowed. That concept added a weird new dimension to her whole romantic hypercube. "That's… I mean…" she stammered nervously.

Kodachi waved her hand. "No need for such panic. I've already determined that such a route will not work for us." She rubbed her chin and looked Ranma up and down. "You… don't happen to have any lingering affection for my brother, do you?"

"NO!" Ranma said quickly, backing up against the wall. Sane or not, marrying Tatewaki was still one of her recurring nightmares.

Kodachi sighed. "I thought not. Hopefully my dear brother's newfound mental stability will help him to stop coming on quite so strongly. He tends to scare away any girl in whom he shows any true interest." She shrugged. "It's the messier, more difficult option legally, but I suppose we will simply have to proceed with the original plan of adoption."

"I… wait… adoption!?" Ranma yelped. "Kodachi, what are you talking about!?"

"You really didn't think I would leave my first true friend in the clutches of such an awful family, did you, Ran?" Kodachi asked. She smiled, one of those rare, genuine smiles, and put a hand on her shoulder. "I had begun laying the groundwork for adopting you into our clan long before I knew that you and my Darling Ranma were one and the same, from the moment you told me of your plight. Little did I know it was actually worse than you portrayed it! I had planned to wrest Ranma away through marriage, and use the distraction of it to convince your mother to sign away her unwanted daughter to add to our family roll. Now that I know the truth, it is likely to be somewhat more complicated and protracted, but I am still confident we can easily build a case for your emancipation and adoption into Clan Kuno."

"You… want… to adopt me?" Ranma repeated dumbly.

"Of course! I imagine you will eventually want to marry Hibiki, but his family is painfully common, it would be much better for him to take your name when that time comes, and by that I mean the name Kuno." She squeezed her shoulder. "Come along, we can discuss the details as we walk to the archives."

"I… me? As a Kuno!?" Ranma mumbled, staring sightlessly ahead.

"I imagine our father will be apoplectic," Kodachi replied, "Assuming he survives that building I dropped on him. Thankfully, he abdicated his leadership of the clan to my brother ages ago."

Ranma blinked. "And… wait… you seriously felt nothing from that kiss?"

Kodachi tittered. "Oh, it was hardly unpleasant, dear Ran, if a bit… unrefined. Your technique will naturally need a great deal of work. But there was no stirring of the loins I fear. Perhaps if you had been more attentive when you were a man… But it's pointless to speculate."

"But… How did… where did you learn to kiss like that?!" Ranma asked, wondering what else she didn't know about her former fiancee.

"I thought I told you? I went to an all girls school, and there it became quite clear that I am not attracted to my own gender," Kodachi said matter-of-factly. "Was is not obvious? How else would I be certain I am not interested, without experimentation?"

"You kissed other girls at school!?" Ranma asked, eyes wide open.

"Yes?" Kodachi frowned. "How else were we to practise our technique? I presume they do the same in the all-boys schools, do they not?"

"No! They do not!" Ranma said. "And I'm pretty sure girl's schools aren't like that either!"

"Really?" Kodachi frowned. "Well… I suppose that's six academic credits wasted."

"They taught a course!?"

"Such a shame. My marks in that class brought up my GPA too," Kodachi clucked her tongue.

000

Mousse had found staying in his duck form to be the prudent choice in light of yesterday's revelations. The form's improved eyesight and mobility was an advantage in searching for Shampoo (Not that he'd had any success yet) and it kept him clear of any Joketsuzoku spotting him.

He was grateful to Rin and her friends for warning him. He had barely left the school to start his search when he started noticing them. They weren't trying very hard to hide themselves, at least from being seen from the air, and their colorful war silks were distinctive. Had he tried travelling in his natural form, he would inevitably have been spotted.

What on Earth do the elders hope to gain by this? he mused as he banked, scanning the surroundings for any likely signs of Shampoo or Young Mi. Is all of this just for Ranma Saotome?

In spite of himself, he felt a pang of sympathy for his rival. Returning as the husband of the strongest warrior of her generation, and an accomplished and acknowledged warrior himself? That would be one thing. But if Ranma was captured and dragged home as a war prize, Mousse had a fairly good idea of how he would be treated. The three adjectives the bespectacled martial artist would apply to his future life were 'Nasty', 'Brutish' and 'Short'.

Granted, Mousse's opinion was colored by his own poor experiences. The last time a war party had returned home with spoils and slaves had been long before he was born. But Mousse was well acquainted with the laws in the village surrounding males and, if old wartime covenants were being invoked, it wasn't likely that the situation back home was terribly progressive.

I had thought things were getting better for males, slowly, but surely, he thought glumly. While he had known the price of exiling himself, the past year had kindled a hope in him that he might return home. For all her scorn for him, Elder Khu Long did not seem opposed to the idea. In fact, she had always acknowledged him as an Amazon. Ironic that I would come to think of the old monkey as 'progressive'. But it seems she is at that.

He finished another fruitless search pattern then, noticing where the sun hung in the sky, he banked and beat his wings to make up lost time. It took only a few minutes for a now-familiar house to enter his view and he dropped down into a nearby alleyway. He produced a small thermos from his feathers and opened the top, the still-hot water inside triggering the change.

Unlike other Jusenkyo sufferers, he changed fully clothed - a trick of his hidden weapon mastery. He knew Genma Saotome used a similar technique to keep his own clothing between changes and wondered why the man had never bothered to pass the technique to Ranma. Perhaps I might offer to train the rest of them as a peace offering? he mused. Part of him recoiled at the idea but he imagined it would be something Rin would approve of. She was right in her assertion that he needed to find ways to move on and let go of his obsession with Shampoo.

Speaking of which… he stepped out around the corner at the expected time. He did not wish to appear to be waiting for her but, at the same time, he did not wish to not be present when she came out. Thankfully, Rin was remarkably punctual and, no sooner than he had stepped out onto the street, he saw her leaving her front door.

He watched her a moment as she said goodbye to her mother. Her smile was bright and genuine, though he could see the edge of strain in her expression. Keeping the worries of the last few weeks from her parents must have been difficult for such an open girl. He noticed her mother took some extra time fussing over her and guessed that the woman could sense that something was wrong.

Like father with me, each time I went out to deal with my peers, Mousse thought, recognizing something familiar in it. He felt a small pang of dread at the thought of Rin following his path, but immediately brushed it off. After all, unlike him, Rin had a strong circle of friends to support her, and tremendous gifts to carry her through life.

She turned and spotted him standing in his usual spot and smiled. He felt a warmth run through him at that and found a smile coming to his own lips, unbidden. Something about Rin's smile was reassuring and made his problems, numerous as they might be, seem less oppressive.

"Mu Tsu!" she called as she jogged over to him, her ponytail bobbing behind her. She bounced right up to him and grinned up at him, accentuating the rather dramatic difference in their heights. "You didn't have to wait long, I hope?"

He shook his head. "I never do. You're very punctual." He raised his head and exchanged a glance with her mother, who gave him a stern, though not hostile, look. The message was quite clear; he was to be a gentleman around her daughter, though the smile on her face told him she did not disapprove. Like so many others, she had simply begun to assume that they were a couple.

They turned and began walking towards Furinkan. Mouse wasn't really bothered by the assumptions. Both he and Rin knew where they stood with each other, and that was fine. After all, what he felt for Rin was nothing like his feelings for Shampoo or Young Mi.

Still… I wish there had been someone like Rin in the village when I was growing up, he thought, mulling it over in his head. Or perhaps that I had simply been born here, and not as an Amazon. Maybe things would have been different.

He chewed on that for a moment. When had he fallen in love with Shampoo? It had been so long ago… they were both children… The other Amazons had shunned him, first for his poor eyesight, and later for relying on the artifice of Outsider medicine to correct his vision. Shampoo had never cared about his glasses. Before he had begun to profess his love for her, they had even been friendly. He could see now that she had been trying to be kind when she told him she could only marry a strong man, which is what had led him to start challenging her, and…

"Mu Tsu?" Rin asked, tugging his sleeve lightly. "Are you okay? You haven't said anything since we started walking."

Mousse blinked, coming back to himself. He glanced at Rin, and again felt that odd, unquantifiable sensation that she stirred in him. "I'm… Just thinking," he said.

"O-oh. I guess that makes sense. You have a lot on your mind right now," Rin said, releasing his sleeve and looking away. "I-I can't imagine being in your shoes. I… I wish I could do more." She shook her head. "Maybe if I had helped you write that letter faster…"

Mousse shook his head. "Where could I have sent it that Young Mi would have received it?" he asked contemplatively. "If I had written that letter a year ago, then perhaps."

"Y-you didn't know who I was back then," Rin replied.

"I wish I had," Mousse answered without thinking. It was the simple truth, after all.

Rin blushed and shook her head, looking away. "I-I… I mean… I knew who you were. You were around all the time. You were always fighting with Senpai or following Ms. Shampoo around. I don't think I could have gotten up the nerve to s-say 'hello' even if you weren't busy."

Mousse frowned. He pondered that… it was true he was perpetually distracted. When your world was mostly a blur with only a couple of reference points, other people weren't often something you really noticed. But there was still something wrong with her statement. "I think you would have," he said after a moment.

Rin squeaked a bit and looked up at him. Even with his poor vision he could see color had come to her cheeks.

"You approached me as soon as I was approachable, did you not?" He found himself smiling a little. "You are one of the most fearless people I know, Rin."

"E-ep…" Rin's face most definitely went red and she ducked her head. Mousse felt slightly guilty at having caused her discomfort but, at the same time, a small burst of satisfaction at the knowledge that she valued his opinion of her so highly.

It was nothing like with Shampoo or Young Mi. Such an easy back and forth would be unthinkable. Though it oddly reminded him of the banter between his parents in better days.

He squinted down the road. He couldn't quite make out the blur of the buildings, but he knew they had to be getting close to the school. Being seen by the Amazons there would be dangerous.

"Are we close to the school?" he asked, cringing a bit at the need to admit he had lost track. He was usually very careful at estimating distances to compensate for his bad eyesight.

"Hmmm? Oh! Yes…" She cocked her head and looked at him. "You should probably go, right? There are Amazons at the school now, and it'd be bad if they caught you here."

He nodded. "I'll resume my search for Young Mi and Shampoo then. I'll check in at lunch?"

Rin blushed. "I… I'd like that, but… is it safe?" She started to fidget with her ponytail. "I-I mean… you don't even have to walk me to and from school, really. It's not like we're working on your letter anymore."

Mousse blinked. He hadn't even considered that! Exposing himself like this was potentially dangerous and, without the letter, what was his reason for walking Rin to and from school? She wasn't in any direct danger from the goings on. It would make more sense for him to focus all his efforts on the search from now onwards.

"I…" He opened his mouth, and the words died on his tongue. He closed his mouth, confused at his own reaction, opened it again and finally found himself saying "I will… keep that in mind."

"B-but… you're still going to come anyway?" Rin asked nervously, her fidgeting worsening.

He nodded quickly. Again, guilt at the notion of causing her unnecessary distress warred with an odd, prideful swell at the notion that she wanted him around despite pragmatic concerns. It was wholly different that the grudging tolerance he was occasionally granted by Shampoo, or the mad possessiveness of Young Mi, though he still couldn't quite put his finger on how. "I will be there." He turned and leapt for the rooftops.

000

"Hey, Sayuri!"

Sayuri hesitated for a moment. Part of her wanted to just pretend she didn't hear Daisuke's hail - the same part of her that had considered calling out sick today. She sighed, brushed away the urge and slowed her pace, though she didn't turn her head to look at him.

"Sayuri!" He repeated his hail as he and Hiroshi jogged up to flank her and slowed their paces to match hers. "Hey, glad we caught you…"

Sayuri sighed heavily. "So what did Nabiki have to say?" she asked.

"Quite a bit," Hiroshi rubbed the back of his head. "Seems that she's gearing up for a fight."

"It's actually worse than we thought. Himura has Nerima cased by a whole mess of Chinese Amazons who she's convinced to work for her… including at least one elder. Shampoo got kidnapped by that crazy circus lady and, apparently, there's Yakuza and Triad wheeling and dealing going on," Daisuke added. "But… good news! Ranma is okay!"

"And… probably a girl forever," Hiroshi chipped in.

"Not that that's necessarily a bad thing," Daisuke hastily amended.

"Well, except for the engagements," Hiroshi noted.

Sayuri stopped a moment. She closed her eyes and clenched her fists.

"Sayuri…?" Daisuke asked nervously.

Why am I even part of this?! she thought. I was okay on the sidelines. I was! Cheering on Akane and occasionally Ranma and just being one of Akane's normal, chatty friends! "So… what has any of this got to do with me?" she muttered.

Daisuke blinked. "You're… kidding, right?"

Sayuri raised her head to glare at him. "Well? What exactly has any of this got to do with volleyball? That's what I signed on for, remember?"

Daisuke put a hand on her shoulder and looked her in the eyes. "It's got to do with taking Himura Tanaka down a couple of pegs. That's what we all signed on for. Remember?"

Sayuri blinked then closed her eyes and nodded. "I know… I know, okay? But… Can we actually do that?" She opened her eyes and gave him an imploring look. "A couple of months ago my biggest worry was saving enough of my allowance for a shopping trip with my friends, and maybe fishing for the latest gossip about Ranma from Akane. Now…?" Her shoulders slumped. "Friends are getting hurt. I'm getting hurt. Everything has been blown completely out of proportion."

"So… then take Himura's deal?" Daisuke said. "She offered you an out. If you want out…"

"NO!" Sayuri said, with a vehemence that startled even herself. She forced herself to take a breath. "No… you don't understand, Daisuke. I hate her. I hate her so much!" She clenched her fists and shuddered. "I want nothing more than for her to burn for what she did to me… what she put me through… what she puts everyone through who ends up under her thumb! But…" her fists unclenched, "but I hurt Yuka. I could end up hurting Riko and Rin, too. Himura has taken on the strongest people I know… Ranma, Akane, Nabiki… and she's winning." She shook her head. "Hating Himura seems so… I don't know… pointless."

"Isn't that kind of what Himura wants you to feel?" Daisuke asked. "That she's… too big to be worth getting mad about? That you can't do anything about her?"

"Can we do anything about her?" Sayuri asked.

She blinked at the wide, slightly sinister grin that spread across Daisuke's face. She glanced at Hiroshi and saw a similar, if somewhat more subdued version of the smile.

"Oh yeah," Daisuke replied. "The boss has a plan."

"It's a crazy plan," Hiroshi admitted.

"Probably dangerous," Daisuke added.

"Definitely dangerous," Hiroshi corrected.

"Just tell me if Himura finally gets what's coming to her?" Sayuri asked, exasperated.

Daisuke smirked. "Can you think of anyone who's better at revenge than Nabiki Tendo?"

Sayuri set her jaw. Finally, she nodded. "All right… what do I need to do?"

000

Cologne could sense her old pupil long before she actually arrived. Her ki was as vibrant and vigorous as ever, and it was quite obvious she was making no attempt to mask her presence as she approached.

Cologne sighed, taking a puff of her pipe. She quietly instructed the youngsters to stay in the house… Akane protested, of course, and Ukyou looked as if she wished to. That was no surprise, though she felt an odd sense of pride at their spirit. They knew what they were up against and remained unafraid. Most of that was simply attributable to ignorance, but such blind defiance reminded her of her younger days.

Nabiki remained quiet and watched. From her lack of protest Cologne presumed the girl likely already had some means to covertly listen in. Not that it mattered, so long as she was discreet enough to avoid provoking Lo Shan.

She hopped out into the yard and settled on one of the large stones next to the pond. She avoided selecting the largest one; Lo Shan would inevitably seek that one herself and see claiming it as a subtle sign of dominance. The girl was always so wrapped up in such petty power plays that she missed subtler manipulations.

Lo Shan's arrival was silent; she made barely a sound as her feet touched down on the largest stone, just as Cologne predicted. The middle-aged woman knelt and bowed her head in a token show of respect, though it was intentionally lazy and sloppy. Another power move. "Honored Elder."

Cologne took her time, cleaning her pipe, repacking it with tobacco and finally lighting it, taking some small, petty enjoyment as she could see the younger woman's posture stiffen at the slight. She took a long drag from the pipe and then blew a smoke ring. "Am I now?" she asked archly. "Your underlings implied otherwise."

A smirk tugged at the corner of Lo Shan's mouth. "While the council may have decided it was past time for you to retire, you are still a great source of wisdom and experience, and you remain teacher to many of us. It would be foolish of me not to acknowledge this and afford you the respect your… seniority affords you, even if we are in disagreement."

Oh, thinking I'm senile, are we? Cologne chuckled internally. "You got tired of waiting for me to move on in my own time, I see." She took another puff of her pipe.

"Your time was already well past before I even became elder," Lo Shan replied and, deciding Cologne was not going to acknowledge her bow, stood, looming over the tiny, frail-seeming woman. "It is my turn now."

Cologne sighed, finally looking up at her former pupil. Lo Shan was dressed in traditional war silks, functional and elegant, though Cologne could see she was allowing the sleeves to obscure her hands entirely. "It's not about 'turns', child."

Lo Shan's face twisted into a scowl. "I am not a child, Khu Long."

"Oh? Aren't you?" Cologne replied, arching an eyebrow. "Then why do you hide your injury from me like one?" She took her staff and levelled it at Lo Shan's left sleeve, poking to reveal that there was nothing beneath.

Lo Shan's scowl deepened. She rolled back the sleeve and revealed her arm, the bandaged stump ending a short ways after the elbow. "I Am hiding nothing. This… mutilation was caused by the Godslayer… your pupil. A pupil who is powerful… and dangerously out of control. That she caused me such grievous injury is merely evidence that I am right - that they must be contained and carefully managed."

Cologne clucked her tongue. "Poking a caged tiger until it breaks free and maims you does not justify caging it in the first place, Lo Shan." She got slowly to her feet, as if greatly tired. She found acting according to Lo Shan's expectations of age tended to make the younger woman underestimate her.

"And the excuse of poor training does not make the tiger any less dangerous, or any less in need of being caged," Lo Shan shot back. "Was it you who taught them the Neko Ken?"

Cologne raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Was that what she used? No, don't be ridiculous… even if I was sufficiently senile to indulge in such idiocy, she was far too old by the time I met her for the training. It was her idiot father."

Lo Shan crossed her arms and snorted. "And knowing that you still fail to see that males inherently lack the responsibility necessary to wield and pass on the Art?"

"I prefer to judge on an individual basis. I have made my share of mistakes in teaching what should not have, and to whom I should not have." She saw Lo Shan visibly bristle as the jab hit the mark. "But while sparring with you with words is endlessly entertaining to this old woman, I suspect you did not come to chip away at what little time I have left with idle japery. Why have you come, Lo Shan?"

Lo Shan's eyes narrowed. "You know why. You are the one who invoked the covenants! You know what they stipulate."

Cologne chuckled. "I am fully aware of the covenants, yes. But I am also well aware that you have a tendency to ignore or drag your feet on such rules when you find them inconvenient. You are remarkably prompt, especially with such a fresh injury to give you ample excuse to delay. So I repeat my question: Why have you come, Lo Shan?"

Though her good hand was hidden in her sleeve, Cologne could tell the younger woman had clenched it just by looking into her eyes. There was a hardness there, a fury, and beneath it… avarice.

"You are as infuriating as ever, my former teacher," Lo Shan muttered. "I am here to negotiate the terms of a truce, so that we may resolve this situation without further bloodshed."

"Oh?" Cologne could immediately smell the rat. You have the clear advantage, yet you choose to negotiate on my terms? What are you REALLY up to? "Lost your taste for it when it was your own blood being spilled, did you?"

Lo Shan did not let the barb stick that time. "Such things are expected in any conflict, especially one with stakes such as these."

Cologne raised an eyebrow. "Why are the stakes so high, Lo Shan? Are the Joketsuzoku so desperately in need of men that it calls for the sacrifice of flesh of one of our most powerful and seasoned warriors?"

Lo Shan's eyes narrowed. "You have been away for some time, Elder. You are uninformed about the current circumstances of the village."

"Am I?" Cologne put out her pipe and hopped up on her staff. "I had thought my correspondence with the Council was meant to keep me appraised of such drastic shifts. I wonder why none of this made it into their missives? They did seem unusually vapid and devoid of meaningful news, even for them. I'm sure it was an oversight. Thankfully now that you are here, you can educate me."

Lo Shan scowled. "I do not like your implication, Elder. Remember your place! An Honored Elder you remain, but a member of the Council you are not."

"I am quite aware of my current position. In case you have forgotten, I am currently disputing it. And you are using my ignorance as justification for removing me from my position, and using my lack of position as justification for facilitating my ignorance. For one I used to be able to rely upon for being straight forward to a fault, you have become twisted and confused. It is not a good look for you."

"Would you prefer me as the easily manipulated child you once trained?" Lo Shan shot back. "The one you abandoned when she failed to meet your impossible expectations? Or is your great granddaughter now filling that role? By the way… my condolences on her loss."

That one hit a bit close to the mark, but Cologne was not so easily baited. "She is not yet dead, or you would be gloating far more. Is that what you would have me believe the motivation behind this is? Jealousy? Resentment?" She shook her head. "Shall I speculate then?" She began to hop around the stones of the pond,one at a time, big and small, her staff perfectly balanced on each. "You saw growing anxiety within the village. The Musk had resurfaced, the Phoenix Tribe stirred, and the People's Republic grows ever more ambitious and repressive in turns. The people of the village saw potential disaster all around. You saw opportunity."

"Should I have not?" Lo Shan replied. "You were doing nothing to quell those fears, and the Council had fallen to indolence and complacency."

Cologne paused. She closed her eyes and bowed her head. "Perhaps on that point you are right. I have been greatly wrapped up in my own affairs. But it's not the question of whether action was called for, but what action you took." She turned to face Lo Shan. "Did you believe invading another country and kidnapping a child would ease these woes? Do the people truly believe that?"

Lo Shan scoffed. "The people know little and less. The Council is content to be led. And the boy is a prize. An important one, but merely that."

"Then all of this is a farce, isn't it?" Cologne replied. "A convenient excuse to get the Council to loan you warriors and give you leave to bring them to Japan. Why are you really here?"

Lo Shan smirked. "I have no idea what you are talking about, Elder."

And your poker face is as terrible as always. A question to put to my NEWEST student then, Cologne thought grimly. But it's time to finish playing out this farce. "Then why are you here, speaking to me? I presume my position allows me to know that much at least? Or must we talk in circles some more?"

"Oh, by all means, let's get to business," Lo Shan replied. "Firstly… I wish to apologize for my warriors'... rough handling of your pupils. Though the Council rejects their status as adopted Joketsuzoku, they are blameless for your misuse of the law and the impropriety of your acceptance of them as disciples. We merely wished to secure them to ensure they did not interfere."

"Given the circumstances, I believe I can do little to sway them against interfering in the future, should your intentions continue to be to snatch away their beloved. Though given the performance of your warriors, and that the least experienced of the three of my disciples counted coup against one of them, perhaps you should return to the village to fetch more."

Cologne noticed the flicker across Lo Shan's face. She allowed herself a satisfied smirk. "Or did you not notice that a war hammer was missing? Did your warriors fail to mention that? Or that they had the girls surrounded and surprised?"

Lo Shan's jaw tensed. Always one to be so concerned with keeping Face, aren't you? Cologne thought, bemused. Still, best not to needle too hard.

"That is their choice to make," Lo Shan said tightly. "But for the time being, given the stalemate and in the interests of avoiding… regrettable casualties… we are offering a temporary truce. Our purpose here is the Godslayer, and seeing to it that they fulfil their obligations to the Joketsuzoku. Too many bystanders have gotten involved."

"Her obligation," Cologne said. "You mean her obligation to my granddaughter?"

Lo Shan smirked. "I think even if the Council had not annulled that claim, you would see that pursuing it is pointless. Unless you seek to fulfill the original Kiss of Death?" She shook her head. "The Council seeks recompense for the many techniques that have been shared with the Godslayer, the aid and comfort that has been provided, and recompense for the instability they have sewn by their conduct against the Musk and the Phoenix Tribe."

Cologne's eyes narrowed. "You deny Ranma is male to invalidate my granddaughter's claim, yet seek to claim her as a male, to fulfill some debt that was neither agreed upon nor brought to her attention? Your legal grounds are so shaky as to be nonexistent, Lo Shan!"

"The Godslayer is an Outsider. No laws need apply to them. As I said, they are a prize. A weapon we must possess to protect ourselves and ward off our enemies," Lo Shan sniffed. "You afford far too much courtesy to these Outsiders."

"I treat them as people," Cologne replied.

"That is your mistake. It is ours no longer," Lo Shan replied coldly.

"So you would try and force her? This weapon that your enemies so fear? Rather than bring her home willingly, as I was on the cusp of doing?" Cologne said. She was finding herself growing a little impatient with Lo Shan's brazen hubris.

"You would bring them home as a conqueror. To be free to spread their unrestrained ideas and chauvinism throughout the village, and with a harem of outsiders to reinforce them. You've filled their heads with ideas of independence, and merely reinforced their damaged upbringing. They would never accept a male's proper place without… correction. Or worse, now they might seek to be accepted as a female, as an equal. Would you have such an individual as leader of our Council, Elder?"

Cologne chuckled. "I actually think it would be quite refreshing, yes. Ranma is quite inexperienced, but hardly the worst choice, though definitely not my first. Certainly the village can and has done worse."

Lo Shan shook her head. "They were raised as a weapon, Elder. A weapon is meant to be kept sharp, used well and put away when not needed. But I can see I waste my time trying to convince you." She moved to cross her arms, then aborted, though not before Cologne noticed the slight awkwardness. "The residents of the Tendo Dojo and their allies shall not be assaulted, and are free to move about the Nerima Ward and do as they see fit, so long as they do not similarly assault those of the Joketsuzoku. Formal challenges are, of course, allowed, but are not to be to the death, and must be accepted by both parties. Those who currently shelter Ranma Saotome are likewise given such leave, with no requirement to surrender the Godslayer. Also, the grounds of Kuno Castle shall be considered off-limits, as will remain the Tendo Dojo. The Joketsuzoku will also not hamper Ranma Saotome, provided that they do not attempt to leave Nerima Ward. We understand they have an ongoing challenge with one of their peers. Should Ranma fail this challenge, their peer shall have the authority to remand them to our care, the truce will be ended, and we shall return to the village to begin deliberations regarding the fate of you and your granddaughter. Should Ranma succeed, we will issue a challenge of our own. So long as Ranma accepts this challenge and abides by our rule upon our victory, you will receive… some consideration, and the rest will be left to go about their lives. Including your Great granddaughter."

"Hmmm. And you expect me to accept on behalf of Ranma?" Cologne asked.

"Acceptance is not necessary," Lo Shan said. "This is not a negotiation, this is a courtesy. Should the terms be violated, all involved will be hunted down and dealt with as I deem appropriate." She leaned in close toward Cologne. "This is the full repayment for whatever it is you feel I might still owe you. Whatever consideration you feel you are due from the Joketsuzoku. And when this is over, I will delight in presiding over the tribunal to decide your punishment. If you actually value these Outsiders as you claim to… then you will keep them to the terms of this truce," She turned, moving to leave.

"What if Ranma wins?" Cologne asked.

Lo Shan froze, then forced herself to relax. "They will not."

"That is not how this works, Lo Shan. If you are to name the contest, you must offer a prize."

Lo Shan turned, staring Cologne down. "We will decide the specifics should the challenge come to pass. Not that it matters."

"If you wish her to accept the terms of the challenge, you will let her decide. That is tradition, yes? You have issued the challenge and the terms of it, she may name her prize," Cologne said.

Lo Shan rolled her eyes. "Very well, if we must. They may name their prize when the challenge is issued. Is there anything else? I have business to attend."

You have no intention of allowing things to reach a formal challenge, do you? Cologne studied her former pupil's face carefully. What are you up to, Lo Shan? And what have you dragged our people into? "Very well. I will see to our end of the agreement."

"See that you do," Lo Shan smirked one last time and then leapt onto the retaining wall and up to the rooftops.

000

Himura gazed out the window across the school courtyard, a small smile playing across her face as she watched the students filter into the yard.

It was a nice day, after all. Sunny, not too warm, and she had all of her arrangements for the week made, meaning she could relax and enjoy whatever antics Nabiki Tendo came up with to try and get back at her. Assuming she had any fight left in her, that is.

I really should have gotten rid of Kuno ages ago, she thought. Perhaps I should send a gift basket to Akane as thanks? 'Sorry your Family is splintering under the lies of your parents, but thank you for beating Tatewaki into a coma'? Perhaps when things have quieted down and she realizes I did her a favor. The truth works out better for her, after all… unless she ends up losing to Hibiki. Now THAT is an entertaining bit of side drama I should catch up on soon!

She smiled. She wondered if they had figured out yet that this was all nothing more than something to entertain her until it was time to claim her inheritance?

Of course, even that timetable might have been stepped up. She could hear Tahn Pon walk in with her unusually quiet step. She turned, glancing about to make sure there was no one else in earshot.

"Well?" Himura asked, leaning back against the windowsill. She learned early on that Tahn Pon was not much for smalltalk… though she did occasionally insist on it. If the girl was going to be working for her, and Himura intended to make sure that was part of the deal, then she needed to develop some of the social niceties.

"Elder left to meet with Khu Long," Tahn Pon said, folding her hands behind her back as she assumed a very military 'relaxed' posture… the kind that was anything but.

"I don't anticipate any surprises there," Himura replied, then switched to Mandarin. "And the other matter? Were there any troubles getting the poppies through customs?"

Tahn Pon shook her head. "They accepted the waivers without question. I did not realize you could do such things."

Himura smirked. "Being the granddaughter of the head of a major pharmaceutical company has advantages. One of them is certain privileges when it comes to importing controlled substances useful in industrialized medicine." She shrugged. "Of course, what we brought across was merely a sampler. There will need to be more involved arrangements for bigger shipments."

Tahn Pon narrowed her eyes. "So… this is the 'arrangement'? The Joketsuzoku become opium growers for the Triad and Yakuza?"

Himura pouted. "You sound disappointed, dear Tahn! Oh but of course not, don't be silly." She pushed off the windowsill and walked over to the Chinese girl, patting her on the cheek. To the Amazon's credit, she no longer flinched at Himura's continual violation of her personal space. "Amazon medicines have far more potential than simple street drugs. But… it will require individuals of imagination and vision to see that, and to gain an audience with them we must ply their mundane gatekeepers with mundane things. This is just to get their interest."

"And will those people be the ones who will assist us with securing the Godslayer?" Tahn Pon asked.

Himura chuckled. "You think too small, Tahn! By the time we get to that stage, Ranma should be safely in China. But I'm sure you've noticed the plethora of highly skilled martial artists in Nerima, yes?"

Tahn Pon made a face. "I am aware."

"Yes well, I understand you have no use for the female martial artists, but the males… suitable breeding stock, yes?" She winked. "But trafficking of that sort will require considerably more relationship-building with those who work in such fields."

"You want us to take more males?" Tahn Pon scoffed.

"Why not? They're merely a nuisance here," Himura replied. "I imagine any number of them would even go willingly so long as they were kept unaware that they would be going as thralls. A couple of generations worth of fresh blood to offset thousands of years of isolationism and inbreeding."

Tahn Pon snorted. "The males here are all arrogant and willful. Deluded enough to think that they should be in charge. Not worth the effort to domesticate, in my opinion."

"Ah, but the Elder feels differently. I did suggest such things as sperm donation and in vitro fertilization, but…"

Tahn Pon snorted again to indicate her disdain for such a concept. "When I conceive, it will be with a man, not a turkey baster."

Himura tittered. "I'll have to remember that. That's very nearly a slogan, my dear Tahn! Useful for overcoming objections back home, perhaps. But the Elder was of the same opinion. Hopefully we will have a variant of the potion that does not require changing the subject's gender by then."

"The potency of the effects on the mind are driven by the magic of the physical change. You will not be able to so easily divorce them," Tahn Pon scoffed. "It is beyond mere chemistry."

"True enough. But that still leaves the female martial artists, does it not?" Himura replied.

Tahn Pon made a face. "Take a Jusenkyo-warped outsider as a husband? What do you take us for, the Musk!?"

"It worked for the Musk, did it not? And this would spare you the unfortunate animalistic side effects." Himura shrugged. "You needn't partake, of course. And what your sisters back home don't know won't hurt them, yes?"

Tahn Pon grunted noncommittally.

"Don't worry my dear, I know your preferences. We simply need to find a boy who can endure you for more than a couple of nights," Himura added with a wink.

"Why?" Tahn Pon asked. "Breaking them is half the fun."

000

Konatsu stared out the window, ignoring the usual drone of conversation in the classroom around her as they waited for the bell to ring. Her thoughts had been frustratingly disordered since the day before.

"Penny for your thoughts, Konatsu?" Mineko asked as she slid into the seat next to her. Her smile was bright, but her eyes held an odd look of worry to them. Konatsu tried in vain to remember the last time she had seen Mineko without that look of trepidation in her eyes.

Just ask her. About the potion made from Jusenkyo water.

Konatsu closed her eyes and pushed away Rin's voice. She didn't want to ask. She didn't want to know. For the first time she felt at peace, body and spirit and, though she couldn't place her finger on what had changed, she knew asking that question would disrupt that fragile peace.

"Why would I want American currency?" she asked instead.

Mineko snorted. "It's an expression, Kon-chan." She lightly punched Konatsu on the shoulder. "You just look like something is bugging you."

Konatsu sighed and looked out the window again. "Do… do you know much about Lord Tanaka?"

Mineko blinked. "Lord… oh! You mean Himura's grandfather?""

Konatsu turned and looked at her, nodding. "Yes. My family are supposed to be his retainers but… I know almost nothing about him."

"Oh, well, I only know a bit… some through Himura, the rest through the news and stuff," Mineko said. "I've never actually met him in person."

"The news," Konatsu repeated. "Then… he is an important person?"

"Oh yes!" Mineko replied. "Oda Tanaka is the founder and CEO of Tanaka Pharmaceuticals, one of the largest and most successful pharmaceutical companies in Japan. They make everything from over the counter painkillers and vitamins to cancer drugs and other medicines. They say he's among the top 50 wealthiest men in Japan today."

"I see," Konatsu smiled. "That is… reassuring. I know so many noble families didn't make the transition to the modern world well and fell on hard times."

"Noble…?" Mineko frowned.

"Well, yes. He is of Samurai stock, yes? Perhaps a Daimyo lord, or even a Shogun?" Her voice raised a note in hope, then she deflated. "I… should not get my hopes up too high. It would be unreasonable to expect such nobility to keep a humble family such as mine as retainers. That any samurai family flourishes so in the modern age is enough."

"I don't…" Mineko looked confused. "I mean, I don't remember Himura ever mentioning she was from a samurai family."

Konatsu blinked. "She must be. Why else would my family serve them as retainers?"

"Oh… well…" Mineko started toying with her dyed lock of hair nervously. "I can't really say that I know much about her family history…"

"It wasn't mentioned when her grandfather was in the news?" Konatsu asked, cocking her head. "They usually make a point to comment on such things…"

"Well… it's just never been that important to me, okay?" Mineko said, suddenly defensive. "Look, why don't you ask Himura about it, if you're that worried? Besides, it's not like she's not rich enough to be nobility."

Konatsu frowned. "Nobility and wealth are not the same thing."

"Well… I wouldn't know, I'm not nobility, am I?" Mineko huffed.

Konatsu sighed and didn't reply. She wanted to press further but she also did not want to antagonize her friend. It's probably nothing. You're letting yourself get confused.

She sighed softly, turning her gaze back out the window. I have everything I ever wanted, she thought glumly. Why am I not content?

000

It was not a good day for Genma Saotome.

He gingerly rubbed his side as his injured ribs ached. Two fruitless days of searching for the boy and nothing to show for it, he thought glumly as he picked carefully through the alleys and shadows. And now the city is crawling with Amazons!

They weren't hard to notice, jumping from rooftop to rooftop in their colorful chinese silks. For a mercy, they didn't seem to have any interest in him, though he guessed they were after the same person he was.

You've really done it now, Ranma! Genma groused. It made him feel better to blame the boy. You never should have let things get to this point! It's obvious I've been slack on your training, but once I get a hold of you…

He sighed. He was going to have to deal with the revelation. He'd need to get something stronger than the usual dose to deal with memories like that. He briefly considered returning with the boy to China and trying the potion again, but shuddered at the memory of what the first one had done. No, that concoction nearly killed him the first time, and the pools are all still flooded out anyway. Plus there's no guarantee he'd be in a fit mental state to make the swim. Maybe the Master has something that will work. Otherwise I guess I'll just need to drag him back out into the wilderness and resume his training until the damage those damn girls did is undone. He sighed unhappily. That was liable to take years without help!

He looked around and noticed that he was in a familiar neighborhood and realized that his feet had unconsciously carried him towards his home. He felt a cold chill as he looked at the gate to his own home.

Nodoka will understand, he thought, trying to reassure himself. She'll… she'll realize this isn't my fault! I can fix this… she'll see that! She has to!

His stomach rumbled. He was tired, cold and, above all, hungry. Reluctantly, he let his feet continue to carry him towards the house.

The lights were off when he opened the door. He stepped inside, peering about. Maybe… maybe she's not home? If I could just grab my spare pack and some food…

"Hello, husband," Nodoka's voice called from the sitting room just down the hall.

Genma shuddered, took a deep breath and steeled himself. He kicked off his shoes and walked into the house to where he knew his wife waited.

She was sitting in the dark, facing the doorway. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust, but he could see she was wearing the same white kimono she wore on their wedding day, complete with the headscarf. She was cradling the family sword, unbound, and on the table in front of her were two white cloths, each with a tanto sitting on it, the blades gleaming and freshly oiled. One bore the kanji for his name etched on the blade just above the hilt, one bore Ranma's.

"N-no-chan…" he stammered.

"It's good to see you again, husband," Nodoka said, her voice low and flat. "I expected you home two days ago."

Genma winced. "I… I was out looking for our son, No-chan…"

"I saw him. Two days ago," Nodoka replied, her even tone growing chilly. She drew the sword from the sheath with a long hiss of metal against lacquered wood that sounded incredibly loud in his ears, and started to polish the blade with a cloth. "He had the scroll."

"I… know," Genma replied, slumping a little. His hopes of breaking the news to Nodoka were dashed. If the boy himself had confronted her with it…!

"Why did he have the scroll, dear husband?" Nodoka asked, studying the blade in the dim light as she wiped away some imagined stain on the flawless, polished steel. "You were supposed to dispose of it."

"I did, No-chan! I…" Genma began, but he cut off as Nodoka drew the cloth too sharply against the blade, and the razor's edge cleanly slice the thick cloth in half.

"You were supposed to destroy the scroll, not sell it!" she replied, a tremor in her voice as if she were struggling for control.

"I… I…" Genma whimpered, then dropped to his knees and prostrated himself. "Please forgive me!"

Nodoka looked down at him. Her expression was one of detached curiosity, almost as one might regard an insect on the floor. She sighed and resumed polishing the blade with the remainder of the cloth. "It's only to be expected, I suppose. It seems Nabiki had already found out the truth by going into our private records, so I cannot attribute this entirely to your failure." She clucked her tongue and shook her head. "We took too long, dear husband."

"I will… I will bring him back, No-chan… I will…" He swallowed nervously.

"Yes, you will," Nodoka replied coldly. "You will bring him back, and then you and he will reclaim what little remains of your honor." Her eyes flicked to the tantos on the table.

Genma felt the blood drain from his face. "N-no-chan, please…! There must be another way…?"

Nodoka's lips pressed into a hard line, twisting into a snarl as she slammed the kanata down onto the table, rising from her seat. "No! I will not tolerate that… that thing masquerading as my child any longer!" she shouted. "I had a son! A SON! Not that red-haired abomination! You've spent her whole life protecting her, keeping me from doing what needed to be done to purify our family line, but that is over now! If she refuses to live as my son, then she will die as him and through her death might this stain finally be lifted!" She sank back to her chair, trembling as tears started to run down her cheeks. "I had a son…" she moaned, barely above a whisper. "I had a son…"

Genma swallowed, taking a risk and moving from his prone position. He half walked, half crawled over to her, tentatively taking her hand. "Yes… yes you did," he said softly. "A fine son… a strong son… with raven black hair. A man amongst men."

She hiccuped and nodded.

"Give me one last chance to bring him back, my love," Genma said softly. "Let me speak to the Master. Maybe he has a solution. I made Ranma forget once, we can do it again."

Nodoka looked at him, examining his face, looking for duplicity. But for once, he was being wholly honest. The Master had given them the scroll to begin with, after all. He must have something that could help!

After a moment, she nodded, and squeezed his hand and return. "And… the Tendos?" She asked warily.

"We'll move away. Soun will keep his daughters away, he owes me that much at least. We'll find another girl, this time without the distractions." He nodded.

Nodoka sighed. "When our grandson is born… you know what must happen, don't you?" She looked into his eyes. Hers were red and puffy from the tears, but there was a hardness in the depths of them; something cold and unmoving.

Genma swallowed, a cold pit forming in the bottom of his stomach. He knew what she meant.

She smiled and moved slightly, folding the cloth over Genma's tanto, leaving only Ranma's exposed. "Someone must teach the child," she said, reaching out and stroking his cheek. "So long as Ranma's last moments are as a Man amongst Men… your oath is fulfilled dear husband. Provided you can bring him back."

000

Sayuri sat in silence under the big tree, poking at her bento disinterestedly.

Yuka had barely looked at her all morning in class. Sayuri knew her friend was feeling frustrated and powerless, and didn't tend to deal with that well. She noticed Hiroshi and Daisuke had been trying to chat her up, though Yuka's short responses and sarcastic tone told her they weren't having a lot of luck. Riko had stayed halfway between them, shooting guilty glances back and forth.

Hiroshi and Daisuke are still trying, she thought, closing her bento with a sigh. Nabiki probably got them fired up again.

Part of her wished she had gone with them. It'd be nice to be sure again, to feel that confidence that those in the Nerima wrecking Crew seemed to exude no matter how dire the circumstances - the confidence she had been filled with when Ranma was around. But the greater part of her was worried that she wasn't being realistic in doing that - that it was clouding her judgement.

Huh… overconfidence as a drug? That'd make Ranma a strung out junkie then. She snorted a bit at the concept of the most disgustingly healthy and fit person she knew being anything but. Maybe I'm just being silly. But then again… They got hurt really badly in this stupid fight with Himura. And now they're apparently down for more? Are they still so sure they can win now that Himura has all the cards?

She looked up and saw someone she hadn't seen for a while. The girl's shoulders were hunched, her head bowed. She had a bag over her shoulders that looked like it might be stuffed with clothes. She was wearing a different school uniform now, but Sayuri recognized her. Tomoko, her mind supplied. She remembered her from the volleyball team and, more dramatically, from one of the first altercations with Nabiki.

There had been rumors about Tomoko, rumors of the sort Himura tended to scatter about to cover her tracks.

She frowned and stood. She hadn't known Tomoko beyond her name, but something spurred her on to get up and intercept the girl as she trudged towards the gates.

"Tomoko, right?" she said as she got closer.

Tomoko's head snapped around, eyes haunted, as if she were a beaten dog suddenly fearing another kick. She relaxed slightly when she saw who it was, but only a fraction. She dropped her gaze, tightening her grip on the canvas sack over her shoulder. "What do you want?" she asked curtly.

"I was just curious what brings you to Furinkan," Sayuri said, attempting to sound conversational. "I heard your family had moved away and you had transferred schools…"

Tomoko twitched slightly, her knuckles going white as she gripped the end of the bag, trembling a little. After a second, she seemed to force herself to relax. "I had left some things in my gym locker. I was told to come get them by the office." She started walking again.

Sayuri kept pace with her. "So… Is the new school good?" she asked weakly.

Tomoko stopped. She turned, though her eyes stayed on the ground. Sayuri could see a tremor run through the other girl's shoulders, and for a moment was worried she was going to strike her.

"How do you fight her?" Tomoko asked in a hushed voice.

"P-pardon?" Sayuri replied.

Tomoko shook her head. "How do you fight her? Fight Himura," she repeated. "How do you spit in her face every single day, and still stand?"

"I… I don't…" Sayuri replied, confused.

"Why are you here and I'm tossed out with the trash!?" Tomoko demanded, finally raising her head. Her eyes were sunken and the dark circles under them showed a lack of sleep. "I did everything Himura wanted… everything she asked me to! I made her happy! I was one of the good ones! But even though I did everything I was supposed to, everything I was told to do, I still got tossed aside!" She clenched her fists. "A-and then when I fought back… when I asked for what I was owed… she took everything away from me! Everything!"

Sayuri blinked, not able to come up with anything to say, so she simply didn't.

"She took everything I had done for her… for her… and used it to turn everyone I cared about against me! My Dad has pretty much disowned me… my friends hate me… My family is sending me off to a boarding school for delinquents because I'm such a disgrace! So… so why…?" She glared at Sayuri. "Why are you still here!?"

Sayuri was silent. She didn't have an answer. She bowed her own head, not wanting to see the tears gathering in Tomoko's eyes.

"I wish… I wish I was like you," Tomoko said. "She promises to protect you… to take care of you… to give you everything you want, even if it's not what you're asking for. But… She just takes. She dangles all these hopes and dreams in front of you, leads you on until you're so wrapped up that somehow you owe her everything and you don't even remember what it was you came to her for. You… you just walked away from it and she didn't know how to handle it. You're strong, and she doesn't understand strong people."

"I'm not strong," Sayuri started to say. "I don't…"

"Shut up," Tomoko said sharply, hand snapping out and grabbing Sayuri's collar. "You don't get to say that! You… you of all people know what she is! What she does! Do you think nobody knows about what happened with Umeko? Everybody knows! Even me! Don't look at me and tell me that's something just anybody can do!"

Sayuri's eyes widened as the twisted snarl on Tomoko's face started to crack, tears starting to run down her cheeks.

"I'm afraid," Tomoko said. "I'm afraid, I'm afraid, I'm afraid! I've been afraid since the day I met Himura and I can't remember what it's like not to be afraid. I was afraid she would take everything away from me, and then when she did and I thought I didn't need to be afraid anymore, she took more." The hand at Sayuri's collar slackened as Tomoko's shoulders slumped. "Why? Why did she take everything away from me and not from you?"

Sayuri put her hand over Tomoko's, earning a startled look.

"It's just what she does," Sayuri replied. "There's no rhyme or reason to it, no allies or enemies. She puts on this whole pageant; makes you think it's a game with rules and sides and winners and losers… but it's not. It's just Himura doing whatever amuses her, and makes her victims squirm." She shrugged. "Tomorrow it might be me… or it might be her best friend… or it could be some random stranger. I guess once I figured that out… that it didn't really matter what I was to Himura… being her enemy just seemed more like the option I could live with. I'm afraid too… she scares the hell out of me. But at least this way I don't feel like I'm just waiting for my turn."

Tomoko was silent. She shuddered again, silent sobs shaking her shoulders. On impulse, Sayuri stepped forward and hugged the girl.

"Don't lose," Tomoko whispered in her ear, clinging to her for a moment. "Don't lose. For me and for everyone she does this to. Even if it's just in volleyball. Don't lose."

Tomoko released her, looked into her eyes for a moment, then turned, shouldered her bag and trudged away without another backwards glance.

Sayuri just watched her go. She felt a cold chill run up her spine. That could be me, she thought. That might still end up being me.

She heard a voice call from behind her. "Yo, Sayuri!" She turned to see Daisuke, Hiroshi, Rin and Riko trotting across the field to join her.

"Who was that?" Daisuke asked, cocking his head and watching the back of the retreating girl. "Friend of yours?"

"Could have been, had things been different and Himura not existed," Sayuri said softly, following his gaze. She looked back at them, her heart falling. "Yuka is still out, huh?"

"She's… undecided," Daisuke said apologetically. "I'm gonna try talking with her later. We've got a trip to the library planned."

"Nice, safe library," Hiroshi added.

"Just some studying," Daisuke asserted.

"I don't believe you at all, and neither will she," Sayuri said, a grin tugging at the edges of her mouth. "But good luck. Something for Fearless Leader, I assume?"

"Hopefully," Daisuke replied. "For now things are still kind of a mess. You should really go talk with Nabiki about it all."

Sayuri sighed. "I will. Honest." She glanced at them both. "I wasn't there… what's your take on how Ranma is actually doing?"

"Holed up with the Kunos, which is weird in and of itself," Hiroshi replied. "He… she's still all kinds of 'off' because of all of this."

"But in typical Ranma Saotome fashion, she's too stubborn to actually admit to it," Daisuke added.

"I might go visit her first," Sayuri said. "Before I get sucked back into Nabiki's scheming, I want to be clear what it is I'm actually fighting for here. 'Moral Support', right?"

"Bring ice cream," Daisuke suggested.

"Wouldn't the Kunos have ice cream?" Sayuri asked.

"Yeah, but it's the Kunos," Hiroshi replied. "It's probably all… like… black licorice flavor with… diced swords in it or something."

"If we're going to talk about food, can we please sit down and eat?" Riko asked. "I'm starving!"

000

"Again, Ranma. Watch your footwork."

Ranma made a face, thankful for the kendo mask she was wearing as she stepped forward, made an overhead strike with the bamboo Shinai, then stepped back again.

She felt clumsy and she hated it. The bulky padding of the kendo gear didn't help the situation. She felt like she was fighting herself, each movement hesitant, like it was taking extra willpower just to make herself move how she wanted to.

Tatewaki walked around her. He tapped her shoulders with his bokken, then her left ankle. "Square your shoulders, straighten your stance. You're leading with your left shoulder and your strike is slow and clumsy. Distribute your weight more evenly."

She sighed, pulled off her mask and tossed it aside. "Thanks, senpai, but… This just isn't working." She ignored his disappointed look and trudged over to the rack, putting her shinai on it. "It's just like last time."

Ryouga was sitting on the sidelines watching. She could feel his eyes following her, but she avoided looking at him.

"This has happened before?" Tatewaki asked, walking up beside her.

Part of her wanted them both to just leave her alone. She knew they were only trying to help, but… it was impossible for her to articulate how frustrating it all was. She knew how to move, she knew all these basic things that Tatewaki was telling her, even if she hadn't studied Kendo specifically. She knew how she wanted her body to move, it just refused.

"When I was training for volleyball," Ranma said. "I had… I dunno, I was struggling with… well…" She closed her eyes, remembering the epiphany that she'd had which had restored her ability to play volleyball. "Balance. Y'know, between boy and girl."

"I see," Tatewaki said. "And how did you resolve your struggle?"

Ranma found her gaze drifting over to Ryouga. He was watching her with curiosity, but she could also see a glimmer of understanding there. "I decided to stop being afraid of my girl side. Of being a girl." She shook her head, looking down at herself. "Little did I know, huh?"

"So… then that would imply that the solution would perhaps be the same?" Tatewaki suggested gently.

She whirled to face him. "No, it's not the same!" she said hotly. "Don't you get it? The last time… Being a girl was an indulgence. It was me just… coming to terms with a curse. Nothing else changed. It was just making a choice. But… but this?" She gestured at herself. "I am a girl now! Everything I knew, or I thought I knew… it's all a lie. Someone crawled into my head and… and pulled out all the wiring and redid it all. And now?" She shuddered. "Now I'm starting to remember. Only… I can't tell what's the 'real' version, and what's the version Pops stuffed in my head. Except… Except for one thing." She hugged herself, closing her eyes tight and trying to push the memory back down as it threatened to bubble back to the surface. It was flickering at the edges… bones creaking and snapping, muscles writhing, tearing, rewrapping, joints popping out of place from sockets that were suddenly too small…

She felt a hand on her shoulder, and a rush of the Link. It helped wash the memory back down into the mire, but… she knew it was still there.

"How'm I supposed to find balance?" she asked, calmer now as Ryouga's influence brought with it a bit more control. "The Anything Goes school is a crock. Martial Arts is all Pops and Man amongst Men in my head and that… that just leads to remembering the change. The first change." She shook her head. "I don't wanna ever risk that again. Even if the change was painless a million times afterwards."

"I've never heard you be afraid of pain before," Ryouga said, frowning.

"It's… it was… more than pain," Ranma replied. "It was like… something reached inside me and pulled and tore and turned what made me me inside out." She found herself leaning against his side, feeling the need for support as she wrestled with trying to remember without actually reliving.

"Then we must needs find you a new balance. A new center." Tatewaki replied. "One that is not perched so precariously on your personal concept of gender, perhaps?" He smiled gently.

Ranma blinked, then found it in herself to smile back, just a little. "You know, you sound like a 'senpai' these days, Tatewaki."

"I am merely parroting the wisdom of any number of therapists, instructors and mentors who's wisdom I am finally beginning to understand," Tatewaki replied. "So the issue is not just Anything Goes style, but anything you recognize as martial arts, correct?"

"What about what you did against that crazy Amazon lady?" Ryouga asked.

Ranma shook her head. "That's not martial arts. That's… that's…" She struggled to find a proper definition for it. "that's something different."

Tatewaki raised an eyebrow. "Does that not then make it ideal?"

"I don't even know what it was!" Ranma protested. "I just… did it."

"So… Your body knows what it is," Ryouga said, turning his to look at her. "We just have to figure out how to get it to teach your head, right?" He poked her gently on the forehead.

Ranma made a face. "I'd really rather not spend the day thinking I'm a cat. Or having to deal with you almost dying! Again!" She poked him back. She stopped, hand flat against his chest as she closed her eyes, just feeling the beat of his heart under her hand. It was reassuring and terrifying in equal measure as she remembered the moment it hadn't been there. "The Neko-ken is dangerous. Even… even if I'm not out of my mind it's… it's lethal."

"As are many martial arts. Your own kempo included," Tatewaki cut in. "Hiding from it will not change its nature. Only mastery will."

Ranma sighed. She stepped forward, letting her head drop in against Ryouga's collarbone. She was tired. Not physically, but she was feeling worn out from the constant, conflicting swirl of her thoughts. She felt his hand tentatively rest on the back of her head, and even that brought with it its own confusion, as tiny fragments of her parent's voices screamed at her for her betrayal.

"That's enough for today," Ryouga said. "We'll figure out something tomorrow."

She pushed away from him, gently but insistently, forcing herself to step away and break the connection. I can't keep being like this. I gotta be able to stand on my own. She took a deep breath and turned back to Tatewaki.

"No, it's okay," she said after taking a deep breath. "Senpai is right. I can't quit now, and if the Neko-ken works… it's what I've got. But for right now, maybe we can try something else for a bit. I'm supposed to teach you the Umisenken, right? We're gonna need a couple of pieces of cloth, about yay big…"

000

Lunch was almost over when Rin finally spotted the duck wearing glasses trying to get her attention. He was peeking around the corner of the shed, glancing around nervously.

She tapped Daisuke on the shoulder and pointed over to the shed. She knew Daisuke and Hiroshi had wanted to talk with the Chinese martial artist about some part of Nabiki's scheme.

She nodded to the duck, who slipped back out of sight as she and the boys got up to walk over. She knew by the time they got there, Mousse would be in his human form and, sure enough, he was there waiting for them, hair slightly damp from the hot water.

"It's dangerous for you to be at the school, man," Daisuke said. "There are Amazons following Himura around now. We should find another place to meet."

"There are Amazons everywhere in Nerima," Mousse replied. "Lo Shan has mobilized nearly every warrior of age for this. This place is as good as any right now."

"Th-they've got so many out l-looking for senpai?" Rin asked nervously.

Mousse shook his head. "No, and that concerns me, because I don't know what they are up to, aside from… watching. It's like when hunting parties track and observe prey, but on a huge scale."

"They're casing the joint?" Hiroshi suggested.

"All of Nerima?!" Daisuke replied incredulously. "What would they even steal?"

"Awful lot of weird stuff here. Ghost cats and magic wish-granting swords and Out-of-business Jusenkyo spring franchises," Hiroshi said, shrugging. "Probably a bunch of stuff they'd be interested in."

"It doesn't matter right now," Mousse replied. "We need to find Young Mi and rescue Shampoo first. Did you learn anything from Nabiki Tendo?"

Daisuke nodded. "Boss has a few ideas about where Crazy Circus Lady might be holed up."

"That big cat of hers limits potential real estate," Hiroshi added.

"We're going to check listings for warehouses that are near where she came ashore and have been empty for a while. But for now Nabiki suggests you focus on the warehouses near where the fishing boats put in."

"Why fishing boats?" Mousse asked.

Hiroshi shrugged. "She's gotta feed her pet, right? Not a lot of big game around for it to hunt."

"And that much kitty kibble would be expensive," Daisuke added.

Mousse rubbed his chin. "That makes sense." He bowed to them both in turn. "Thank you. Sincerely. You have given me a place to start."

"Hey… I mean, we're not exactly 'Christmas Gift List' level, but Shampoo is our friend too," Daisuke said, rubbing the back of his head.

Mousse nodded and looked like he was about to leap for the roof, but hesitated, glancing at Rin.

"What are you waiting for?" Rin asked. Her voice was unusually clear and steady. "Go find them. They both need you in their own way, right? You're the only one that can, now."

"I…" Mousse glanced to the roof, then bafflingly back at her again. "You'll be all right? I… won't be able to escort you home."

Rin shook her head. "No one is after me, Mr. Mu Tsu. I'm not important. I'll be here after you've saved them, don't worry." She cocked her head, smiling a smile she didn't feel. "You can tell me all about it afterwards."

The light shifted, the shadows falling over his face, cutting the usual glre from his glasses, for a moment allowing her to see his eyes. He still look conflicted, which confused her. Go on! They're waiting for you! The two people you love! Why are you wasting time here?!

Finally he nodded, stepped back a pace and leapt for the roof of the shed, bounding off it towards the rooftops.

Hiroshi and Daisuke exchanged a glance, then looked towards the diminutive teenage girl watching Mousse's rapidly disappearing form.

"Hey… uhh… You okay, Rin?" Hiroshi asked awkwardly.

"What?" She blinked and shook herself, as the words broke her out of her reverie. She quickly swiped her hand across her eyes. Her vision was a little blurry, though she didn't know why. "Y-yes. I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?"

000

The day had passed relatively quickly. There were the usual minutiae surrounding the assembly she had planned for Wednesday's game, as well as a few minor orders of business, but Himura found that by now she had sufficiently trained her lackeys to take care of most of it for her.

Su Tzu had reported that things were quiet, both at the Kuno Manor and the Tendo Dojo. Himura knew better than to expect things to stay that way, but she felt safe in assuming Nabiki Tendo would tip her hand soon enough. She expected one last solid defeat would force the mercenary girl to surrender and she would finally be able to put the matter behind her. Not that she intended to let Nabiki off that easily, of course, but a proper retribution would be better served down the road, when Nabiki had picked herself up, put herself back together and had something worth taking away.

She walked through the school halls towards the doors with her usual gaggle of attendants, issuing orders and assigning tasks, until it was just her, Tahn Pon and Konatsu. She decided it was time for Konatsu to start proving her worth, regardless of how Mineko felt about the situation.

Plus, Himura did rather enjoy the attention she got bracketed by the two lovely and fearsome warriors. There was something about surrounding yourself with beauty and power that enhanced your own, especially when it was so obviously subservient to you.

"Lady Himura…" Konatsu said timidly, surprising Himura a bit.

Himura raised an eyebrow and paused, turning her full attention to the Kunoichi. Konatsu's head was bowed, her hands folded in front of her submissively. "Yes? What is it, Konatsu dear?"

"I… was just…" Konatsu chewed her lip. "I merely wished… to know more about your family. Your family history. That I might serve you better and uphold your family's honor, as my parents did."

Himura chuckled. "Oh, for that you will likely need to speak with Grandfather. He is the one who will bend your ear endlessly about how he founded the company and the pride of the family and whatnot. I prefer to focus on the now. I have little use for ancient history."

"I-I understand, Lady Himura, I do, but…" Konatsu fidgeted. "What of your ancestors? Your family lands? History is very important to Samurai families, is it not?"

Himura frowned. Her impulse response was to scoff at the idea of her family being of samurai stock, but her better judgement warned her to prevaricate. Of course Konatsu had assumed Himura's family were samurai. "Perhaps, but I am admittedly not very traditional. Does that bother you, Konatsu?" She smiled and cocked her head. She often found that uncomfortable questions were best deflected with uncomfortable questions.

"I-I-I… n-no! Of course not, Lady Himura!" Konatsu stammered, flushing. "I… I owe you a great deal, and… and I merely wished to…"

Himura stepped up to the girl and put a finger to her lips. "Shhhh. You needn't concern yourself with my family history, Konatsu dear. If you wish to repay me, focus on being useful to me in the here and now."

"Y-yes, of course!" Konatsu bowed deeply. "Please forgive my insolence."

Himura smirked. Reverence of herself and her family had been a big part of the 're-education' tapes. Though she could see that tied into Konatsu's traditionalist values. She would need to tread carefully around that until she had suitably indoctrinated the girl.

"Oh, don't fret. It'll give you wrinkles on that lovely face." Himura patted her cheek. "Come along, I'll have a task for you sooner rather than later where you can prove yourself as my retainer."

000

It didn't take long for the limo driver to locate him. After all, when Yuto was under the watchful eye of their grandfather, he tended to be as loud and obvious about it as possible, most likely so Grandfather would send him away again and renew his allowance. This generally involved making the rounds from nightclub to nightclub with his entourage of Yakuza-supplied stooges.

They found them between clubs. The stooges were stumbling about, carousing and making a racket while Yuto walked calmly in the middle, like he was in the eye of the storm. That was to be expected; Yuto's tastes in alcohol meant that the usual club fare, even that of the high-end clubs, rarely met with his approval.

The limo pulled up to the curb and Himura rolled down her window. One of the toughs, an idiot with a bleached pompadour, noticed an attractive female within his field of view and stumbled over.

"Heeeeey, darling!" He bumped into the side of the limo and leaned into the window, leering. "Oh, hey, three o' you! *Hic* thash… thash ev'n better!" He leaned in further, right in her face. His breath carried the sickly sweet stench of alcohol and poor dental hygiene. "Why don'sha come out'n party?"

There were jeers of approval from the group. She could see Yuto striding forward to put a stop to it through the window.

She smirked. "Oh, I'd love to. But maybe later? Now I need to have a word with my dear brother, Yuto."

"Brother?" Pompadour said, frowning. He jerked his head back out of the car to holler. "Hey Yuto! You…" He staggered back a bit to see the scowling Yuto was standing right in front of him. "Geez! Y'didn'... y'said nothin' 'bout havin' a cute sister! Invite 'er along!"

"I can guarantee your employers would be very upset if you did that," Yuto said coldly.

"I… uh… oh…" Pompadour seemed to reconsider.

"Oh, now don't be like that, brother!" Himura said out the window. "How about a trade? My two friends here will keep your friends company so I can borrow you for a bit. How does that sound?"

Konatsu gave her a nervous look, but Tahn Pon just grinned. The Amazon had already divined her intent.

"I dunno… we're s'posed to keep tabs on ol' Yuto-boy here…" Pompadour said, clapping Yuto roughly on the back.

"Oh it's just a jaunt around the block while we talk. I'll bring him right back, I promise," Himura said. "I'm sure our grandfather won't mind. We'll be with our driver after all. Girls?" She slipped back in, leaning closer to Konatsu and lowering her voice. "As soon as we're around the corner, I want you to hurt them."

"L-Lady Himura?" Konatsu said, eyes widening.

Himura's smile was gone, the cheerful mask replaced by cold fury. "They've disrespected me and my family, and they're a disgrace that my brother is forced to associate with. I will not suffer it. Beaten and bloody is sufficient. No one need die, but I want a message sent."

"No broken bones?" Tahn Pon asked, sounding disappointed as she cracked her knuckles.

Himura smirked. "Maybe a few. I could never resist indulging you, my dear Tahn."

"I… If that is your will…" Konatsu said.

Himura reached out and gripped Konatsu's chin. "This is the role of a retainer to my family. If you don't feel capable, I'm sure Tahn can handle it herself…"

Konatsu shook her head violently. "N-no! I can do this." She took a deep breath. "I will prove my loyalty."

Himura's smile reappeared. "Good girl." She opened the door and let the two girls climb out. "Come, brother dear, we have a few things to discuss."

Yuto reluctantly climbed into the limo seat across from her, watching as the two girls were quickly surrounded by the horde of drunken henchmen. He shook his head as the door closed and the limo pulled away. "Those two are new. Used up your favorites again?"

"Konatsu and Tahn have a… particular skillset that makes them much more useful as personal attendants when I'm out and about," Himura replied. She opened up the fridge and pulled out a bottle of a Scandanavian craft beer she knew he favored. "Care for a drink?"

He scowled and took the bottle. "Himura…" he sighed and opened the beer to take a long swig. "Whatever you're asking for… well, firstly, I probably don't have it and, secondly, Grandfather has forbidden me getting involved in your personal business with your classmates."

"I'm well aware of that," Himura tittered. "Can't a girl have a nice visit with her older brother without it needing to be about something?" she asked, fishing out a wine cooler from the fridge for herself.

Yuto grunted. "Not in this family."

Himura traced her finger around the cap of the bottle. "It wasn't always like that, Yuto," she said softly. "Grandfather has turned us against each other. Things used to be different."

"You and I have very different recollections, then," Yuto growled, fixing her with a cold stare. "Or did you mistake me for Naoki in your recollections?"

Himura stiffened. She fought down the sudden surge for fury, for outrage. No. That will not serve my purposes. Conceal. Conceal. She plastered a smile over it quickly. "While I admit Naoki and I had a special relationship, was our own so acrimonious, brother?" She let her head hang. "It's been… difficult since Naoki died. I… have been cold to you, I know, but… I want to make amends!"

"Special relationship?" Yuto repeated. "You say that as if I didn't know what was going on between you two."

Himura's expression hardened. "And you would condemn me for it?"

Yuto laughed. "Is that what you think? Little sister… You and Naoki… that was twisted, and unhealthy, and it warped you and drove a wedge between him and me… and it was probably the least sick and wrong thing going on in our family at the time! Why do you think my greatest passtime, my one true passion, my life's work is drinking myself into an early grave!?" He held up the beer and then downed it in one long gulp.

Himura carefully kept her hackles from raising, closing her eyes and taking a breath. "And don't you want to change that?" she asked finally.

Yuto folded his arms and raised an eyebrow.

"Grandfather is the source of all of this," she said, leaning forward. "Grandfather and his insistence on succession. The pressure he put on father, and then the scorn when he passed him up for Naoki. Then he did nothing when father…" She grit her teeth and wrenched herself off that mental path by pure force of will. "He allowed you to become the family scapegoat - the one who always fails - is always a disappointment, the one who must always be watched and babysat. Don't you resent it? Don't you resent him!?" She reached forward and touched his knee. "Don't you want to show him how wrong he is? Make him pay?"

Yuto frowned and leaned forward. "Where is this coming from, little sister?" he asked softly. "Since when do you hate Grandfather so? You're his favorite."

Himura let her careful mask slip a bit. Just a little, intentionally. She didn't need to act for this, but too much would scare him away. Her lip trembled. "Do you know what being his favorite means?" she snarled. "What he wanted for father? For Naoki? For me? Grandfather wants to hollow me out and pour himself in; to make a little thought-clone to carry on. Father wasn't capable, so he rejected him. Naoki… my dear sweet Naoki was so much more than that twisted old man that Grandfather let him be torn down… he was as jealous and resentful as father, but he lacked the courage to do his own dirty work. And as for me…" She took a breath and straightened. "I've spent every day since then being prepared to be next. And now he tests me. For his amusement. He dangles my whole future in front of me on a string like I am a cat to be toyed with… the future I earned through blood! How could I not hate him?!"

"I…" Yuto dropped his eyes, a look of guilt passing over his face. "I'm sorry. I didn't know you felt like that…"

Himura felt a small twinge of triumph as she saw her opening. "Like you?" She shifted from her seat to sit next to him, putting her hand over his. He gave her a startled look. "I hate our family, Yuto. I hate father and mother and Grandfather. But I didn't hate Naoki… and I don't hate you. I saw you suffer… saw them crush your hopes and dreams… I saw them sabotage you so you would be the failure they could blame all our woes on. They decided what you would be, too. Don't you see? We're the same." She squeezed his hand.

"So… what exactly do you propose to do about it?" Yuto asked cautiously.

"Why wait to inherit on his terms?" Himura asked. "You inherited both Father and Naoki's shares, didn't you? Mother made sure of that. If we add those to our own, with a little seed capital, we could buy the company out from under Grandfather." She scooted a little closer, leaning into him a little. She could feel his warmth, feel the slight twitch, unaccustomed as he was to physical closeness of another person. She could see a little of Naoki in his face. Enough for her to pretend a little, give her voice a little edge of sincerity and desire. "We could make them run away for a change, take it all for ourselves. Just you and me."

"Just you and me, eh?" His tone was still skeptical, but she could see the resolve wavering in his eyes, the suspicion crumbling. After all, what Black Sheep wouldn't yearn for acceptance? Retribution? She was offering him both. She decided to risk pushing a little harder.

She turned his hand over and wove her fingers with his. Naoki had always liked when she did that. She felt his hand twitch, knew he wasn't used to such things. That was good. That would make it easier if there wasn't anyone else. She leaned a little closer, allowing her chest to press just slightly against his arm… innocent enough, easily dismissed. But significant. Reminding him she wasn't a little girl anymore.

"We could be the family we were always meant to be," she murmured, lowering her voice, holding his eyes with hers. "The family their selfishness wouldn't let us be. You wouldn't have to be alone anymore."

For a moment, just for a moment, she thought she had him. Then something she said or did must have triggered something. His eyes widened, his pupils dilated and he recoiled, leaning away and snatching his hand back from her. Horror filled his gaze.

"I'm not Naoki," he said.

She was taken aback, caught off-guard by his rejection and stumbled her recovery. "No, that's not…!" she began, but she could already see she had lost him.

"Driver, stop the car. I'm getting out," Yuto said firmly, thumping the window to the driver's section firmly. The driver dutifully pulled the car over to the curb.

Yuto's eyes returned to her. She had expected to find disgust there, but oddly enough she only saw guilt and shame, and she couldn't quite understand why. He opened the door, but hesitated.

"Stop this," he said finally. "Please, Himura. If there is anything left of the girl Naoki… that Naoki loved within you, step away from all this madness." He stepped out of the car, hesitated again and then closed the door behind him.

Himura watched him go. The hurt expression on her face was not entirely faked. The rejection had stung more than she had expected. She slumped back in her seat and began chewing on her thumbnail.

Stupid. Stupid stupid STUPID. I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up, she thought, gladly allowing frustration to supplant the other confusing feelings she had at the moment. Yuto is nothing like Naoki. He doesn't have his vision. Too mired pointless ethics and morality. She huffed. Fine then! He can play drunkard for the rest of his life if that's what he wants! I have far more important things to do.

She rapped at the window to tell the driver to swing back around to pick up Tahn and Konatsu.

000

Holy GOD it's been too long since there was an update!

I'm really sorry it's been so long. I've been reaching for inspiration lately, and then FFXIV Shadowbringers came out and... well, let's say most of my free emotional energy has been tied up in that. (Highly recommended by the way)

Didn't help that this chapter had some uncomfortable bits to write.

The next update won't be nearly as delayed, promise!