A Ranma 1/2 Fanfic 
All Ranma 1/2 characters copyright Rumiko Takahashi 
and are used without permission 
  

Doors Best Left Unopened 
Part four: Reckoning 



by Mark MacKinnon 
  



     Nodoka walked down the quiet, tree-lined street slowly, trying 
to absorb some of the tranquillity around her.  She cradled her katana 
in the crook of one arm, taking idle comfort in its familiar weight. 
     Certainly there were few enough things giving her any comfort 
recently. 
     There was the whole situation with Ranko, for starters.  She 
hadn't wanted him to leave, considering all he'd been through, but had 
finally realized that he was set on his course of action.  Then, of course, 
there had been the incredible mess between her son and his fiancees.  It 
was pretty obvious to her what had been going on between Ranma and 
Akane lately.  If they wanted to try to keep it quiet for a while, well, she 
couldn't begrudge them that.  For all that they'd been through, they 
were still young.  They'd found each other, and that was the important 
part. 
     But the fallout with Ranma's other fiancees had been 
catastrophic.  Kasumi had told her that Ukyou hadn't spoken to Ranma 
since he'd told her of his decision.  Shampoo, driven into a corner by 
her feelings for Ranma and the consequences of her 
great-grandmother's condition, had threatened Akane and very nearly 
died.  Then she'd been challenged, and defeated, by Mousse.  Nodoka 
had waited for things to quiet down before embarking on a visit to the 
Nekohanten; she wanted to ensure Shampoo understood that, no 
matter what the circumstances, she was to consider Ranma off-limits. 
     It wasn't like Nodoka didn't have sympathy for the girl.  She 
knew it had to be hard for her, and suspected Shampoo was doing the 
best she could under difficult circumstances.  However, Nodoka's 
primary concern was the safety of her family and, by extension, the 
Tendous.  Family had to come before all else. 
     Family.  That made her think of her recent talk with her 
husband, and she grimaced.  She also had something to discuss with 
young Ukyou Kuonji, it appeared.  The more she learned of her 
husband's activities during their separation, the less she wanted to be 
around him.  She sighed, then took a deep breath, trying to draw in 
some of the neighbourhood's tranquillity by osmosis. 
     Then things started exploding. 



------------------------------------------------------------------------ 



     Shampoo's feet barely touched the ground before she was 
launching herself backwards, only a split-second ahead of the explosion 
which tore up the street.  Large chunks of asphalt spun away in all 
directions and she twisted in the air, lashing out at any that came too 
close. 
     Her injuries were slowing her down, robbing her of much 
needed speed and agility.  She kept moving, barely managing to keep 
ahead of Xi Fan's attacks. 
     And that was troubling. 
     Xi Fan was not as good as Cologne, but she was good.  Much 
better than Shampoo, and Shampoo knew it.  She wouldn't be able to 
defeat Xi Fan under normal circumstances, and she would have trouble 
even holding her own.  And these were far from normal circumstances, 
yet Shampoo *was* managing to hold her own. 
     And she shouldn't be. 
     What am I missing? she asked herself.  It was so hard to think 
while dodging Xi Fan's attacks.  Chi bolts came out of nowhere, 
throwing spikes and surprise attacks awaited her at every turn.  Xi Fan 
was obviously toying with her, but why?  If she'd been given permission 
to punish Shampoo, then why drag it out? 
     As she bounded over a fence, Xi Fan's diminutive figure 
appeared from the side, spinning her staff in a deadly arc.  Shampoo 
leapt out of range, ignoring the twinge from her cracked ribs.  She had 
no time for thought; Xi Fan was keeping the pressure on, driving her 
constantly back ... 
     Driving her.  No, *herding* her.  Shampoo dodged again, 
taking notice now of the old woman's tactics.  Yes, that was what she 
was doing.  She was herding Shampoo toward something.  But what? 
     Xi Fan sent another chi blast rocketing towards her, and 
Shampoo sprang away at the last minute, twisting to land on a nearby 
tree branch.  As she did, she saw the Nekohanten not far away, in the 
direction she was being driven. 
     She had it then. 
     She propelled herself off the branch just before it shattered, but 
this time she jumped towards her enemy, landing in front of the startled 
old woman. 
     "" Xi Fan 
asked mildly.  Shampoo glared at the old woman. 
     "" Xi 
Fan regarded her stonily for a long moment, and Shampoo felt her 
stomach knot at the prospect of facing one of the tribe's strongest 
warriors in a fight to the death.  However, she hadn't sacrificed so 
much in order to keep her great-grandmother safe, just to bring death 
to her now.  Xi Fan had no pretext on which to challenge Cologne, but 
if Cologne stepped in to protect Shampoo from the council's wrath ... 
     Xi Fan smiled. 
     ""  Then her smile 
slipped away, and Shampoo was looking at the cold visage of a 
warrior. 
     "" Shampoo held the old woman's gaze, trying to match her 
icy calm. 
     "" Xi Fan cocked 
her head slightly, then a small, almost fond smile crept to her lips. 
     "" she said at last. 
"" 
     And she attacked. 



------------------------------------------------------------------------ 



     What on earth ...? 
     Nodoka gaped as she watched Shampoo avoiding the old 
woman's attacks.  Then she suddenly reversed and faced off against 
the other woman, speaking to her in Chinese. 
     Nodoka wasn't certain what was going on, but she guessed 
that the old woman was an amazon.  And if she was attacking 
Shampoo, that could only mean that Mousse's plan had somehow 
failed. 
     But he'd been so certain!  He'd even brought himself to fight 
Shampoo all out.  Had that all been for nothing? 
     Apparently so, for even as Nodoka watched, unnoticed, the 
old woman attacked with blinding speed, reaching through Shampoo's 
defences with her staff and striking her once in the chest.  Shampoo 
cried out as she was thrown back by the attack, tumbling gracelessly to 
the ground in a storm of flailing limbs and violet hair.  Nodoka 
remembered the girl's injuries, and knew that had to have hurt her 
badly, but Shampoo bounded quickly to her feet to face her attacker, 
only to be hit and thrown back again and again. 
     Nodoka hesitated.  No matter what had happened, she 
couldn't just stand by while Shampoo was beaten this way.  It wasn't 
right.  The three amazons had helped to defeat the demons, after all.  If 
they hadn't, they wouldn't be in danger now.  She had to help them. 
     But how?  Ranma and Akane were at school, as was Ukyou. 
Ryouga was missing.  There was nobody she could summon for 
assistance in a hurry. 
     And judging by the pounding Shampoo was taking, if help 
didn't arrive quickly, it would be too late. 
     Cursing her kimono, which was definitely not made for running, 
she hurried towards the Nekohanten, freeing the hilt of her katana as 
she went. 



------------------------------------------------------------------------ 



     The dinner rush was over, and only one customer lingered at 
one of the corner tables.  Mousse was having to do extra duty because 
of Cologne's injuries, but he wasn't too put out by that.  The work 
took his mind off things, and frankly he appreciated the diversion. 
     Shampoo hated him.  That was only to be expected, he 
supposed.  He'd humiliated her in front of everyone, and he was forcing 
her into a marriage she didn't want.  The only possible consolation he 
could draw from the entire mess was that she was safe, and he would 
have to take what little comfort he could from the fact that he was 
responsible for that. 
     It was somewhat ironic that he was following this line of thought 
when Shampoo's body was hurled through the door. 
     He shouted her name as she tumbled into the Nekohanten, 
sending tables and chairs flying as she crashed roughly to the floor. 
Before he could reach her, though, she was on her feet, shaking her 
head as she struggled to regain her equilibrium. 
     "Shampoo, what's going on?"  She spoke in a low, terse voice 
without looking at him. 
     "Get great-grandmother and run.  Now."  She brushed by him, 
a broken table leg clutched in an underhand grip in one hand.  He froze, 
unsure of what to do. 
     "" She was headed toward the door, 
towards some danger, and he knew that he couldn't let her face it 
alone.  He plunged his hands into his sleeves, reaching for his weapons. 
     "" They both froze at that. 
Cologne had come out from the back and was standing calmly in the 
midst of the broken furniture.  Her blank eyes seemed to meet 
Shampoo's gaze, and Mousse knew that they were sharing some deep, 
unspoken bond.  Instinctively, Cologne seemed to understand what 
was happening, which was more than Mousse could say under the 
circumstances. 
     "" Shampoo said simply.  "" 
     "" Cologne replied. 
     "" Shampoo's 
mouth was set in a stubborn line as she matched wills with her 
great-grandmother.  Mousse looked back and forth between them, torn 
between the desire to act and the need to find out more.  She?  They 
couldn't mean Xi Fan, could they?  After all, his actions had guaranteed 
Shampoo's safety. 
     Hadn't they? 
     "" came a voice from the doorway.  Xi 
Fan stood there, shimmering with barely restrained power, her faint 
smile tinged with malice. 
     "" Cologne said 
smoothly.  Mousse started.  Had she really?  But why?  Although that 
would explain why she'd had him hide that bucket ... 
     "" Mousse had had 
enough. 
     "" he cried.  Xi Fan's smile never wavered. 
     "" 
     "" Shampoo growled. 
     "" Mousse continued, 
certain that he could head off disaster if only he could make everybody 
understand. 
     "" 
     " Shampoo said again.  Mousse glanced at her, blood 
running from many small cuts, her hair tangled, her face dirty and 
bruised.  He wanted to protect her, wanted to tell her not to oppose the 
old woman, but he didn't.  It wouldn't have done any good, after all, 
and would just have lowered his standing in her eyes.  If such a thing 
was possible. 
     "" Cologne said evenly.  She reached 
out blindly with her staff, sweeping aside some fragments of wood from 
the floor in front of her. 
     "" Shampoo said stubbornly. 
     "" Xi Fan 
sighed. <"You're not going to make me hurt you for nothing, are 
you?>" Mousse watched Shampoo's face, and his gut tightened 
painfully.  She had that look, the one she got when she was going to do 
something reckless.  He closed his sweaty hidden fingers around twin 
coils of chain and struggled to control his breathing. 
     "" Shampoo asked, and a 
strange calm descended on the interior of the Nekohanten.  ""  Mousse felt an odd euphoria at Shampoo's words. 
He was absolutely certain that she had just signed their death warrants, 
but he thought that she had never looked more beautiful than in that 
moment.  She faced Xi Fan with an unearthly calm, imperturbable and 
unafraid.  The contorted rictus of rage on the old woman's face told 
Mousse that Shampoo had struck a nerve, and had struck hard.  Xi 
fan's battle aura flared to life, throwing odd shadows over the shattered 
interior of the restaurant. 
     "" Shampoo just smiled 
serenely, which seemed to goad Xi Fan to an even greater rage. 
     "" Cologne snapped.  Mousse knew that it was 
useless.  Once Shampoo decided to do something, it was nearly 
impossible to sway her.  And she would certainly never abandon her 
beloved great-grandmother.  He prepared himself for Xi Fan's attack. 
     He didn't have to wait long. 



------------------------------------------------------------------------ 



     Shampoo ignored the sharp hot knives that stabbed into her 
side every time she breathed.  She ignored the dull throbbing pain from 
her injuries, both those caused by Xi Fan's attacks and those that 
Mousse had inflicted days before, now awakened and noisome.  They 
barely registered now. 
     Now was only the fight. 
     Her calculated attempts to enrage her opponent had been 
successful, although if she was unable to turn Xi Fan's blind rage to her 
advantage she would suffer the consequences.  No matter.  Bold action 
was required, and so she would be bold. 
     Xi Fan blurred towards her, staff striking out with lightening 
speed.  Shampoo threw the table leg and dodged at the last moment, 
turning to hammer her opponent as she rushed past.  Xi Fan was gone, 
though, and her punches struck and shattered one of the remaining 
tables.  Whirling, she snatched the pieces out of the air and 
fired them at Xi Fan.  As the old woman leapt over the storm of sharp 
wooden shrapnel, she was forced to twist to avoid several chains 
launched from Mousse's sleeves.  Shampoo jumped in and managed to 
land a savage kick on the old woman's staff before she could spin 
away.  Then Xi Fan had to evade another swarm of projectiles from 
Mousse, who was circling opposite to Shampoo. 
     Shampoo grinned ferociously, caught up in the joy of battle. 
The old woman was hard pressed, something Shampoo was certain she 
hadn't counted on.  If she thought that losing to Mousse had sapped 
Shampoo's will to fight, she was in for a very nasty surprise. 
     Shampoo and Mousse darted around Xi Fan, keeping her away 
from Cologne and  harrying her with constant attacks while trying to 
draw her out of position.  She responded with her own techniques, and 
the inside of the Nekohanten was being chewed up badly. 
     Suddenly, Xi Fan's staff flashed out toward Mousse.  He 
dodged it, but even as he did Shampoo could see that it was only a 
feint.  Xi Fan flicked a small fragment of wood out of one of her hands 
in a lightning fast movement, and Mousse's glasses spun off his face and 
flew into a corner.  He drew his head back, surprised, a tiny trickle of 
blood appearing between his eyes where the sliver had cut him.  Xi Fan 
took advantage of his blindness, slipping in and hammering several 
shiatsu points on his body with her staff in a matter of seconds.  He 
stiffened with a cry and collapsed. 
     Damn!  With Mousse fighting, the old woman's focus had been 
split.  Now she would be able to focus solely on Shampoo.  Wiping hot 
sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand, Shampoo slid into 
her stance.  The pain of her injuries, old and new, threatened to distract 
her, and she fought it back.  The battle, that was all that mattered. 
     "Xi Fan."  Shampoo blinked.  Her great grandmother hadn't 
run!  She was still near the counter, and as Shampoo watched, Xi Fan 
turned towards her.  "I'm getting bored, Xi Fan.  Why don't you stop 
fooling with those children and get on with it?" 
     "Great-grandmother, NO!"  Shampoo tried to take advantage 
of Xi Fan's momentary distraction, but as she ran forward, the old 
woman spun around, moving her staff so quickly that it generated a 
shockwave that flung Shampoo back against the far wall.  Tiny 
coloured lights exploded in Shampoo's vision as she fell heavily to the 
floor, stunned. 
     What was her great-grandmother doing?  She was backing 
herself into a corner!  And her careful movements ... 
     (Ah, Xi Fan.  I've been expecting you.) 
     Her movements were clumsy, tentative.  But Shampoo knew 
that Cologne had memorized the layout of the Nekohanten thoroughly. 
She knew that her great-grandmother could move with confidence 
here, but Xi Fan, flushed with confidence over how easily things were 
going her way, appeared to believe Cologne was truly clumsy and 
helpless. 
     (I've been expecting you.) 
     Shampoo shook her head woozily.  If that was true, then 
Cologne might have set something up beforehand, some way to defeat 
Xi Fan.  But what? 
     Shampoo couldn't think.  Her head was spinning and there was 
a faint, high-pitched whine in her ears.  She tried to rise, but her arms 
collapsed under her and she dropped heavily to the floor.  She raised 
her head to see Xi Fan stalking Cologne, mirroring her movements as 
Cologne stumbled towards the corner, apparently trying to put more 
space between her and her opponent. 
     Think, Shampoo told herself.  You know how great-grandmother's 
mind works.  What is she up to?  Why that corner? 
     Xi Fan's back is to you, she told herself.  But no; she couldn't 
attack now, and even if she could, Xi Fan would not be so easily 
caught off guard.  She'd proven that already. 
     She rose up on her trembling arms again, staying there this time. 
Watching the two women, Shampoo suddenly realized what she was 
seeing.  Cologne was trying to manoeuvre her overconfident opponent. 
But where?  And why? 
     Dammit!  Even if Cologne had a plan, time was running out.  Xi 
Fan would soon tire of toying with her and move in for the kill.  Think, 
Shampoo told herself.  See.  See everything.  See ... 
     There.  Oh, there it was.  And she knew what it had to be. 
Very clever.  A trap, yes, but great-grandmother wouldn't be able to 
trip it from where she was.  She might not even be able to get Xi Fan 
under it. 
     But Shampoo could.  Now that she knew, she had a chance to 
beat the elder.  But ... 
     Her vision began to go gray around the edges as she struggled 
to stand.  The words Xi Fan was taunting Cologne with were just a 
buzzing in her ears. 
     I need more time, she realized with despair.  A few more 
seconds, just a small delay.  Please, I know how to beat her now oh 
please don't let it end like this ... 
     "Excuse me."  Everybody froze at the mild voice that came 
from the doorway.  Shampoo turned her head and saw a woman 
standing there, the sunlight behind her shadowing her face.  In one hand 
she held something long and thin.  Like a sheathed katana. 
     Shampoo gasped. 
     "Saotome, party of one," the woman said calmly, ignoring the 
devastation inside the Nekohanten.  "I have a reservation." 



------------------------------------------------------------------------ 



     Nodoka fought to keep her agitation from showing.  This was 
worse than she'd imagined.  The fighting had obviously been fierce, and 
judging by the noise emanating from the Nekohanten, she'd wondered 
what she would find when she finally got there. 
     Mousse was sprawled on the floor, breathing but unconscious. 
Shampoo was struggling to stand, beaten up and clearly winded. 
Cologne faced the old woman Nodoka had seen chasing Shampoo, her 
face impassive.  The combatants had frozen at her unexpected arrival, 
and she hoped she could take advantage of the lull to calm things down. 
     "Pardon me," she said politely, "I hope I'm not interrupting 
anything." 
     "Saotome," the old woman said with barely concealed distaste. 
"What is your relation to that insolent whelp Ranma?" 
     "Ranma is my son," Nodoka said evenly.  "Am I to take it that 
this involves him?"  The old woman laughed. 
     "In a way.  However, right now this involves amazon business. 
You should leave before you get hurt."  Nodoka had never cared for 
bullies.  She took a step forward, locking her gaze on the old woman, 
and deliberately let the smile slip from her face. 
     "I have recently had the misfortune of being caught up in 
amazon business," she said coolly.  "However, it was my understanding 
that Mousse's actions had settled matters for all concerned." 
     "I am unsatisfied with matters as they stand," the old woman 
sneered.  "I fully intend to see that this travesty is concluded to my own 
personal satisfaction."  Nodoka let her hand drift to the hilt of her 
katana. 
     "Indeed?  I must tell you that, recent events notwithstanding, 
my family owes a debt of honour to these people, and especially to 
Cologne.  I will not stand idly by while you attack her."  The old 
woman smirked. 
     "You threaten *me,* little housewife?" she asked in disbelief. 
     "Nodoka Saotome," Cologne spoke up, breaking her silence. 
"You owe me nothing.  Please do not involve yourself in this." 
     "Honour demands no less," Nodoka answered.  The old 
woman snorted. 
     "Enough of this prattle.  I'll deal with you soon enough, if you 
persist."  Nodoka unsheathed her sword, bringing it to a guard position. 
     "I do not know who you are," she said coldly.  "I do know that 
the woman you are threatening helped save this city, perhaps this entire 
country, at great cost to herself.  As an amazon yourself, you should 
revere her actions, not punish her for them." 
     "You waste you time," Shampoo said.  Nodoka shot a quick 
glance to the side and saw that Shampoo was standing again, moving 
slowly towards the old woman, an enigmatic half-smile on her bruised 
but beautiful face.  "That one no care about honour.  She just care 
about revenge." 
     "You know nothing, girl!" the old woman spat.  Shampoo 
continued her slow, measured movements. 
     "Shampoo know one thing.  Shampoo never lose to coward 
without honour.  You want to fight great-grandmother, coward?  You 
fight Shampoo first.  Unless you afraid.  Unless you only can fight blind 
old womans.  Is you afraid, *coward*?" 
     Nodoka saw what was happening.  Shampoo was goading the 
old woman, the way she'd apparently goaded Ranma days before. 
And it was working.  The old woman had turned away from Cologne 
and was glaring at the battered young amazon warrior.  Nodoka 
watched the two uncertainly.  Shampoo seemed to be waiting for 
something, keeping her gaze locked to her opponent's as she moved 
slowly, fluidly across the debris-strewn floor. 
     What on earth was she planning? 
     "Little girl," the amazon elder hissed, "I've grown truly weary of your 
attitude.  You lack the proper respect for your elders, and it's time I 
taught you a lesson." 
     And then, with breathtaking speed and ferocity, they struck 
together. 



------------------------------------------------------------------------ 



     The appearance of Ranma's mother had given her the time she 
needed.  She'd been concerned when Mrs. Saotome had drawn on Xi 
Fan; she was faster than Shampoo had thought she would be, but 
surely no match for an amazon elder.  Still, her actions had irritated Xi 
Fan, and Shampoo set out to fan the flames of the old woman's 
temper.  She moved carefully, judging distances with a trained eye, 
never once allowing herself to look at her objective. 
     She would have only one chance. 
     "You lack the proper respect for your elders, and it's time I taught 
you a lesson."  Shampoo saw Xi Fan's posture change slightly, and 
knew the time was now.  The elder was done toying with her. 
     They attacked in unison.  Shampoo moved with feline grace, 
her injuries dismissed for the moment, rushing forward and struggling to 
breathe evenly.  She let Xi Fan move to the spot where she wanted her 
to be, then launched herself into the air, tucking into a tight ball and 
spinning.  She knew she would be vulnerable, an irresistible target for 
the enraged old woman.  As she passed over Xi Fan, she unwound, her 
foot knifing out to sever the support holding the light fixture to the 
ceiling, sending it plunging toward Xi Fan.  The old woman 
contemptuously sprang upwards at Shampoo's exposed flank, 
shattering the falling light fixture with her staff. 
     The light fixture exploded.  As did the pail hidden inside it. 
Shampoo, knowing what to expect, pushed off the ceiling and avoided 
the spray of water. 
     Xi Fan did not. 



------------------------------------------------------------------------ 



     The light gleamed dully on the blade of Nodoka's katana as she 
stared at the unbelievable scene in front of her.  She had been too far 
away to act when Shampoo had launched herself at the amazon elder, 
able only to watch helplessly.  Shampoo's act of dropping the light 
fixture on her opponent had seemed to be one of desperation, and then 
... 
     And then the old woman had smashed the falling fixture 
contemptuously, and water had drenched her before she could move. 
And she had vanished. 
     Shampoo had landed beyond where the old woman's robes 
had collapsed into an untidy pile on the floor.  A lack of characteristic 
grace in her movements showed that she was in pain, although she kept 
her expression carefully controlled.  Nodoka found herself admiring the 
girl's determination in spite of everything that had happened.  It was 
somewhat less unnerving to see that determination focussed on 
something other than winning Ranma, after all. 
     Wordlessly, Shampoo stalked over to the robes, her breath coming 
in harsh gasps that were painful to listen to. 
     "It's about time you figured it out, child," Cologne said from her 
corner, her tone mild.  She might have been commenting on the weather 
for all the emotion she allowed into her voice.  Shampoo snorted in 
response. 
     "It much easier if great-grandmother tell Shampoo about plan 
*before* Xi Fan attack," she said, not turning.  Nodoka watched her 
crouch carefully, cradling one arm close to her injured side, and begin 
rummaging through the pile of cloth. 
     "Yes, I appear to have miscalculated somewhat in my estimate 
of how much time we would have," Cologne responded dryly.  Shaking 
her head, Nodoka sheathed her katana. 
     "I don't suppose anyone would like to tell me what just 
happened here?" she asked.  "And where did that woman go?" 
     "She not go anywhere," Shampoo answered absently. 
Suddenly, a small figure darted from the untidy heap of clothing. 
Shampoo snatched it up with feline speed, holding the furiously 
squirming figure aloft with a grin. 
     "Ha!  Spring of Drowned Rat?  You choose right one, 
great-grandmother!"  Nodoka understood then.  That water had been 
from the Jusenkyo training grounds.  Shampoo had fooled the old 
woman into splashing herself with cursed water. 
     Suddenly, the rat began to glow, squealing angrily.  Shampoo 
brought the small figure up to her face and squeezed until the glow 
subsided. 
     "You no want to do that, little one.  Rats no should play with 
cats, or they might get hurt.  Remember."  Nodoka walked through 
what was left of the Nekohanten, stopping to crouch beside Mousse's 
unconscious form.  He was breathing regularly and, unlike Shampoo, 
his only visible wound was a small cut between his eyes. 
     "Oh, that one be okay," Shampoo said from behind her. 
"Shampoo not that lucky."  Nodoka felt a surge of irritation at the girl's 
attitude, but Cologne spoke first. 
     "It sounded to me like he was at least somewhat helpful in 
occupying Xi Fan's attention while you fought, child.  Give credit where 
it's due, at least."  Shampoo pouted. 
     "Oh, okay," she sighed at last.  "Mousse useful as diversion. 
Happy?" 
     "I'm still confused," Nodoka said, standing.  "Why did all this 
happen?" 
     "Because some people," a voice came from behind her, "just 
can't let go of the past."  Nodoka turned, noting the shocked 
expressions on Cologne's and Shampoo's faces as she did.  A 
diminutive figure, dressed much like Cologne and the other amazon 
elder, stood in the doorway surveying the destruction ruefully. 
"Although I must say I hoped it would never come to this.  Hello 
Shampoo.  Cologne, you've looked better."  Cologne smiled slightly at 
that. 
     "I suppose I have.  Nodoka Saotome, meet Li Feng, leader of 
the Council of Elders of the Joketsuzoku."  The newcomer's face lit up 
at the mention of Nodoka's name. 
     "Ah, so you're the mother of that boy who has kept these two 
in Japan all this time.  It's a pleasure to meet you at last.  Enough of 
formalities, now.  It appears that we have much to talk about."  She 
walked in, shaking her head. 
     "Well, what does an amazon elder have to do to get a cup of 
tea around here, anyway?" 



------------------------------------------------------------------------ 



     Akane wasn't trying to eavesdrop.  She was just getting 
changed after gym class when a group of gossiping girls arrived at the 
next row of lockers over.  She paid no attention at first.  Not until the 
topic of discussion filtered through her indifference. 
     "I always thought she was always just interested in money," 
someone said. 
     "Yeah, she's never had a boyfriend, has she?" 
     "Well, the guys were probably all afraid she'd bankrupt them 
on a date!"  General laughter followed that remark. 
     "So how does Nabiki get two guys?  I thought Akane was the 
one all the boys liked in that family!" 
     "Two guys?  Don't you know?" 
     "Know what?" 
     "Ukyou Kuonji's not a guy.  She's a girl who dresses like a 
guy!"  A tumult of voices chimed in there. 
     "I thought he was a guy who pretended to be a girl dressing up 
as a guy ..." 
     "Idiot!  Who would do something like that?" 
     "At this school?" 
     "Um.  Point ..." 
     "Are you sure?" 
     "Positive!" 
     "Then there can't be anything going on!" 
     "Oh yeah?  Listen, I saw it!  They were all kissy-face, holding 
hands out under the trees the other day.  Then they ran in close to the 
school, and Ukyou practically threw Nabiki up against the wall!  It was 
sooo romantic!  They were just gonna kiss when Miss Hinako came 
along and scolded them!" 
     "No WAAAY!" 
     "I'm telling you, I saw it!" 
     "Wow!  I never knew ..." 
     "Wait!  If she's like that, then what was she doing with Kunou 
this morning?" 
     "Yeah, I *did* see that, and it looked pretty cozy ..." 
     "Maybe she's, like, ambidextrous or something ..." 
     "Ambi-WHAT?" 
     "You mean, like, ambiguous?" 
     "Yeah!" 
     "And Kunou does have money ..." 
     "Wow!  Who'd have thought she had it in her?" 
     "Oooh!  Oooh!  Maybe they're a ... whaddaya call it, a 
fromage a trois ..." 
     "Geez, Miki!  Talk much?"  The loud voices, interspersed with 
frequent laughter and much slamming of locker doors, faded away, 
echoing hollowly in the mostly empty locker room.  Soon there was 
silence. 
     Except for the faint sound of straining metal as Akane's locker 
door buckled in her grip.  A faint bluish glow flickered around her 
trembling form. 
     Those ... those ... IDIOTS!  How could they say such stupid 
things about her sister?  It was just ... STUPID!  The only reason she 
didn't chase after them was that, in her current mood, somebody would 
get seriously maimed. 
     Nabiki?  And Ukyou? 
     Nabiki and KUNOU? 
     Frankly, she didn't know which pairing was more outrageous.  And 
she wasn't going to let that kind of loose talk get to her.  After all, there 
had to be a perfectly good explanation for what everybody had seen. 
     Yeah.  A perfectly good explanation.  And she was going to 
find out what it was. 
     Right after she straightened out her locker door. 



------------------------------------------------------------------------ 



     They had managed to salvage a reasonably intact table and 
some chairs, and now sat around in the battered Nekohanten.  It 
looked like it had been hit by a typhoon, which of course wasn't far 
from the truth.  Shampoo glared at the pocket of Li Feng's robe where 
the rat Xi Fan currently resided.  The council leader had taken the 
angry little rodent from Shampoo with a serene smile. 
     "She won't give me any trouble," she'd said, shooting the rat a 
meaningful glance.  And she hadn't.  Now they sat around the table: 
Shampoo, Li Feng, her great-grandmother and Ranma's mother. 
Mousse was in the back making them some tea.  Nodoka had offered, 
but Li Feng wouldn't hear of putting her out.  Mousse was, after all, just 
a male. 
     "Well," Li Feng said finally.  "This is quite a mess we've got 
here."  Shampoo knew she wasn't referring to the Nekohanten's 
current state of disrepair. 
     "Shampoo not understand," she said respectfully.  "Why you 
not let elder Xi Fan finish fight with Shampoo?"  She hated how clumsy 
her words sounded, but they were speaking Japanese out of deference 
to their visitor. 
     "Why should I do that, child?" Li Feng asked gently.  Shampoo 
frowned, hiding a wince as she shifted position and felt her ribs twinge 
painfully. 
     "She say council decide to punish Shampoo.  She say they no 
accept what happen as true challenge." 
     "Ah.  Well, you see, that's not exactly what happened."  Shampoo 
stared at her, stunned.  It had never occurred to her that Xi Fan might 
be lying about the council's decision. 
     "A poor judgement call," Cologne said dryly.  Li Feng nodded. 
     "She forwarded your resignation to us, as well as your 
explanation of recent events.  I think she expected an immediate 
decision against your great-granddaughter for, as she put it, "flouting 
our laws and the authority of the council".  She was most distressed 
when we informed her that we wished to examine the situation more 
closely."  Cologne smiled thinly. 
     "Ah.  She knew you were coming.  That's why she acted so 
hastily.  I expected her to wait for a decision from the council before 
doing anything.  After all, there was a chance that they would decide 
against us, in which case she would be well within her rights to act.  If 
they decided Mousse's challenge was valid, well then ..." 
     "Then she would have to act on her own.  As she in fact did."  Li 
Feng nodded. 
     "Once I learned of your condition, I left immediately.  I was 
afraid of something like this happening."  Nodoka cleared her throat 
gently. 
     "I'm sorry, but I'm confused.  First Mousse said that his 
actions would solve everything.  Then this Xi Fan apparently said that 
they did not.  Which is it?"  Shampoo was very interested to hear the 
answer to that question herself. 
     "The situation is somewhat unique," Li Feng admitted.  "As 
leader of the council, I have come here empowered to render a 
judgement on this whole sorry affair."  Shampoo remained outwardly 
calm, but she was hard pressed to conceal her elation.  Li Feng had the 
authority to annul her engagement to Mousse.  That was all she could 
think of.  She could do it, and she *must* do it.  Surely after all that 
had happened Li Feng would decide that they had suffered enough! 
     Surely. 
     "Then no decision has been made yet?" Nodoka asked. 
     "No.  I am empowered to make the final decision on this 
matter.  Of course, that means I'll have to hear from all the parties 
involved first."  Mousse entered, setting a tray with a covered tea pot 
and four cups on the battered table.  Li Feng ignored him. 
     "First, however, I would like to speak to you, Cologne. 
Privately.  Perhaps we could retire to your quarters."  Cologne nodded. 
The two old women stood, Li Feng carefully not offering Cologne any 
assistance.  As they started to go, Li Feng turned back. 
     "Nodoka Saotome, I do hope you'll stay.  As I understand it, 
your family has been drawn into this whole affair.  I'd be interested in 
speaking to you about it." 
     "Certainly.  It would be my pleasure."  With a smile and a nod, 
Li Feng followed Cologne into the back of the restaurant. 



------------------------------------------------------------------------ 



     Cologne appreciated the fact that Li Feng didn't try to help her. 
She was determined not to appear any weaker than absolutely 
necessary in front of her old friend.  Moving with ease through the 
confines of the Nekohanten, she led the way to her room, secretly 
thankful that she hadn't stumbled on a stray fragment of furniture left 
over from the fight. 
     Reaching her small room, she limped inside, sighing as she 
heard the door shut gently. 
     "Well.  Here we are," she said.  She was uneasy about the 
direction this discussion might go.  The council hadn't automatically 
allowed Mousse's challenge; that meant she couldn't be exactly sure 
what was going to happen. 
     "First things first," Li Feng said.  Cologne heard a rustle of 
cloth, followed by an outraged squeaking.  The noise cut off suddenly, 
and she sat gently on the edge of her bed. 
     "I don't suppose you killed her," she said casually.  Li Feng 
laughed. 
     "Wouldn't that make your life easy?  No, I just hit her sleep 
point so we could talk in private.  I suppose I don't have to tell you Xi 
Fan will have much to answer for when we get back to the village.  She 
probably won't be giving you trouble for a long, long time."  There was 
a silence.  "Being a rat rather suits her, actually." 
     "Don't get used to it," Cologne replied.  "It's instant Jusenkyo 
mix."  She felt the bed give a little as Li Feng sat down beside her. 
     "How compassionate of you," she said dryly.  Cologne 
chuckled. 
     "Not at all.  I just didn't have any of the real thing at my 
disposal."  They sat there for a time, Cologne locked in her own 
personal darkness, wishing she could see the expression on her friend's 
face so that she might make a guess at how serious things were. 
     "So what happens now?" she asked finally.  She felt Li Feng's 
weight shift slightly and heard her sigh. 
     "What happens now?  Well, like I said, I have to rule on this 
whole sorry affair with one eye to justice and one to the law.  They 
don't always go hand in hand, but I don't have to tell you that." 
     "No," Cologne said.  "No, you don't." 
     "If I'd known what the situation was, I'd have never let her be 
the one to come," Li Feng went on.  "But I never imagined that things 
could be so serious.  Demons loose in the world again.  I don't have to 
tell you how serious such an occurrence is, even if it is currently 
localized in Japan.  I am greatly concerned by this turn of events, 
Cologne.  Greatly concerned."  Cologne knew then what Li Feng 
would be proposing.  A way out for Shampoo, but at great risk. 
     "You wouldn't ...!" Cologne started.  She stopped at the gentle 
weight of a hand on her shoulder. 
     "It will, of course, be her decision.  Politics, my friend.  All 
sides will be satisfied by the outcome of this, I think."  Cologne felt a 
chill deep inside and struggled not to let her emotions show. 
     "You'd decided before you even arrived." 
     "Perhaps.  Perhaps I had.  But tell me this, old friend.  Did 
Shampoo throw that fight to protect her great-grandmother?"  Well, 
there it was, right out in the open.  Cologne gripped her staff tightly, 
feeling Li Feng's presence beside her as she gazed out at nothing. 
     "I can't say for certain," she said at last.  "I didn't *see* the fight, 
you understand."  A thin smile graced her lips at that, then quickly 
faded.  "My impression, from what I heard afterwards, was that 
Mousse simply outlasted her.  That boy can take a lot of physical 
abuse, all right.  Still, I ... believe that she lost fairly.  Perhaps I've 
been 
neglecting her training too much lately.  Perhaps she just didn't think 
Mousse could do it." 
     "A lot of people don't think Mousse could do it," Li Feng said 
gravely.  "That's part of the problem.  You understand, under the 
circumstances, that many have doubts about the legitimacy of that 
challenge.  The only council member present was blind, and Shampoo 
had ample reason to lose ..." 
     "Her pride was on the line," Cologne said stiffly. 
     "The mere appearance of such doubts cannot be ignored," Li Feng 
answered curtly.  "And so I must rule."  Cologne bent her head, 
suddenly very tired. 
     "She's so young," she muttered.  The hand on her shoulder 
squeezed in a comforting manner. 
     "So were you when faced with a similar ruling, as I recall." 
There was a trace of wistfulness in Li Feng's voice. 
     "Yes, I suppose so."  They fell silent, and Cologne was startled 
to realize that she had let her mind wander down paths that it hadn't 
trodden in quite some time.  When she finally spoke again, her voice 
was soft and thick with suppressed emotion. 
     "I wish I could go back and change things.  I've had to kill 
many times, but his death was the only one I've ever regretted." 
     "It was an accident," Li Feng said softly.  "She's never 
accepted that." 
     "Three centuries is a long time to hold a grudge," Cologne 
whispered, a harsh ugly laugh forcing its way out of her throat. 
     "Or to feel guilt over something that cannot be changed." 
     "Gods, Li Feng, were we really ever that young?  Everything 
seemed so full of promise in those days.  Remember?"  Li Feng 
chuckled softly. 
     "Ah, yes, there was going to be glory, and honour, and we 
were going to show the elders how to run things."  Cologne nodded, a 
lump in her throat. 
     "Well," she said at last, "there was plenty of the first two, and 
as for the third, you ended up heading the ruling council and until 
recently I was a member.  Funny how things work out, isn't it?" 
     "I suppose so."  Cologne raised her head, sighing deeply. 
     "Well, I suppose we should get this charade over with." 
     "So disrespectful, old woman.  Things might not go the way I 
planned, you know."  Cologne stood slowly. 
     "Oh, I know these two.  You'll get what you want."  She felt Li 
Feng stand beside her. 
     "I'll get what I *need*, Cologne.  I'm the head of the council. 
What I want is immaterial in the face of what's best for our tribe." 
Cologne knew that was the closest her friend could come to 
apologizing to her for what was about to happen.  She nodded to show 
she understood. 
     After all, she did understand.  She just didn't like it. 



------------------------------------------------------------------------ 



     Nodoka smiled as Mousse pulled a rectangular object from his 
voluminous robe sleeve and set it on the table gently.  She saw 
Shampoo glance at it and wince slightly. 
     A first aid kit.  Nodoka thought Mousse's concern for 
Shampoo was rather sweet. 
     Apparently, she didn't share the sentiment. 
     "Go away, Mousse.  Shampoo not need your help."  Shampoo 
started to reach for the kit herself. 
     "Perhaps you would allow me?" Nodoka asked gently. 
Shampoo froze in mid-reach, obviously uncertain how to react. 
Nodoka reached out and opened the kit, then moved her chair closer 
to Shampoo's. 
     "Shampoo not ..." the girl began tentatively. 
     "Oh, Mousse, could you go get me some antiseptic?" Nodoka 
asked, ignoring Shampoo's protests.  From where Mousse was 
standing, he could clearly see a tube of antiseptic in the kit.  He looked 
her in the eye. 
     "Certainly," he said smoothly, taking the hint.  "It might take a 
few minutes, though." 
     "Take your time," she told him warmly.  Then Mousse 
disappeared into the back, leaving her alone with Shampoo.  She saw 
the amazon girl's gaze shift to the sheathed katana that was leaning 
against the table and suppressed a sigh.  This was going to require 
some delicacy. 
     She pulled some gauze and some band-aids from the kit, then 
smeared some antiseptic on the gauze.  If Shampoo noticed the 
discrepancy, she gave no sign.  Grasping Shampoo's chin gently, she 
turned the girl's head and held out the gauze. 
     "This may sting," she warned before dabbing gently at a small 
scrape on Shampoo's cheek.  Shampoo tensed slightly as the wound 
was cleaned, but said nothing.  Nodoka surveyed the girl's torn clothes 
and numerous cuts and bruises ruefully. 
     "You're having quite a bad week, my dear," she said, turning 
Shampoo's head a little further to get at a cut higher her cheek. 
     "What you doing?" Shampoo asked finally, her voice small and 
confused.  Nodoka tugged the girl's head back around gently, catching 
her gaze. 
     "Just a little mothering," she smiled.  "Ranma hates it when I 
fuss over him, and I'm quite out of practice.  And, to tell you the truth, 
I've been wanting to talk to you."  Shampoo's jaw tensed slightly under 
her fingers. 
     "You angry at Shampoo."  Nodoka went on cleaning the cuts 
and scrapes as she spoke, most of which were thankfully fairly minor. 
     "No, not angry.  Not anymore.  But there are some things that 
need to be said.  I understand why you did what you did, for starters.  I 
don't approve, but I understand.  But *you* must understand that I 
won't allow any harm to come to my family.  That includes the Tendous 
now.  Whatever the future holds for you, I won't forgive you if you try 
to hurt my son or Akane."  Shampoo swallowed, and Nodoka felt a 
slight tremor thrill through the girl as her beautiful violet eyes raised to 
meet the older woman's gaze. 
     "Shampoo never want to hurt Ranma," she whispered huskily. 
"Shampoo love Ranma."  Nodoka continued her ministrations, her 
gentle touch having its desired effect in calming Shampoo.  Nodoka 
thought the girl had been like a wild animal, prepared to bolt at any 
moment.  Slowly, though, Nodoka seemed to be getting through to her. 
     "If that's true, then you should think of what it would have done 
to him to be the one to kill you."  Although her tone was gentle, 
Shampoo jerked as though stung and looked away. 
     "Shampoo not want it to be anyone else."  Her tangled hair 
hung down, obscuring her face, and Nodoka reached out with her free 
hand to tenderly brush it back. 
     "Shampoo, look at me."  Shampoo shook her head slightly, 
and Nodoka used gentle pressure to turn the girl's face back to hers. 
     "Shampoo.  I know you were afraid for your great-grandmother, 
but it was wrong to manipulate Ranma the way you did.  You aren't in 
China anymore.  If you need help, you should just go to your friends." 
Shampoo's gaze returned to hers then, her eyes glistening with unshed 
tears. 
     "Shampoo not have friends," she said roughly.  "Just rivals for 
Ranma.  And now ... now Ranma hate Shampoo.  Ranma never forgive 
..."  She clenched her jaw angrily, and Nodoka could see that she was 
determined not to let her emotions get the better of her. 
     "You're wrong.  These people are your friends.  And Ranma 
will forgive you, I'm sure of it.  Oh, maybe not right away, not that 
stubborn son of mine.  But he will."  Shampoo crossed her arms tightly 
under her breasts, unconvinced, her posture angry and stiff.  "Listen, 
my dear, you all fought together to keep this place safe.  Wouldn't it be 
a shame to throw all that away?  If you refuse to accept Ranma's 
choice, if you try to come between him and Akane, then we'll be 
enemies.  And I don't want that.  Not after the sacrifices you all made." 
She took Shampoo's face between her palms and looked directly into 
the girl's startled eyes. 
     "Let him go, Shampoo.  Prove how strong you are.  There's 
been enough pain, hasn't there?"  The truth of her words was reflected 
in Shampoo's eyes.  After a long moment, the girl pulled back, turning 
to surreptitiously wipe at her eyes with her sleeve. 
     "Shampoo already decide to give up Ranma.  Anyway, Shampoo 
not have any more engagement to Ranma, and Ranma ... not love 
Shampoo."  Nodoka watched the girl carefully as she straightened 
her shoulders and turned back, her composure restored. 
     "Aiyaa!  Shampoo forget to thank you for distracting Xi Fan! 
You come at just right time!"  Nodoka smiled. 
     "I'm glad I was able to help.  Tell me, what will happen now 
with your great-grandmother?" 
     "She resign already.  That why Xi Fan try to get her to fight by 
attack Shampoo.  Now Xi Fan in big trouble, great-grandmother 
should be safe." 
     "And you?"  Shampoo's eyes gleamed fiercely. 
     "Shampoo deal with whatever come."  Nodoka nodded.  She 
believed Shampoo would keep her word and not try to come between 
Ranma and Akane.  That set her mind at ease over one issue, but now 
she was concerned about what would happen to the amazons in the 
wake of all the recent troubles.  If the elder of the amazon council had 
come herself, surely the situation must be serious. 
     And poor Mousse.  He'd thought he was protecting Shampoo 
and Cologne, only to find out that his efforts were meaningless.  And 
the definite chill between Mousse and Shampoo told her that the 
amazon girl did not appreciate his efforts in the least. 
     Things are always so complicated, she thought sadly.  But things 
would get better.  She was sure of it. 
     She just hoped the others could share her optimism. 



------------------------------------------------------------------------ 



     Shampoo pulled back as Ranma's mother finished tending to 
her cuts and bruises.  She'd been taken completely off-guard by the 
woman's gentleness.  Expecting angry recriminations over what she'd 
done, she'd been prepared for threats of revenge and ultimatums. 
     Instead, she'd received a reluctant warning against harming the 
Tendous or Saotomes.  And that had hardly been necessary; after all, 
she didn't really want to hurt any of them.  She just wanted ... 
     She just wanted Ranma.  But she'd gone as far as she could 
go, and he had chosen Akane over her.  Although the reality of the 
situation was still sinking in, she was coming to realize that her only 
alternative to acceptance was to embark on a self-destructive course ... 
a course that would make an enemy of this remarkable woman in front 
of her, one that could ultimately win her nothing but more heartache. 
     She watched Ranma's mother bandaging her arm with a touch 
of nostalgia, a faint smile gracing her lips.  Shampoo knew she had to 
grow up a little, to let go of Ranma for good.  One day she would find a 
love that would dwarf Ranma, one that would make her forget he'd 
ever existed. 
     She stifled a soft sigh.  Sure.  One day.  But now, she had other 
priorities. 
     Like getting un-engaged, for instance.  She heard Li Feng and 
her great-grandmother approaching, and stood, suddenly pulling away 
from a startled Nodoka.  The two elders entered the main part of the 
restaurant from the back and stopped in front of her. 
     "So, Shampoo, how are you feeling?" Li Feng asked. 
Shampoo made a dismissive gesture. 
     "Shampoo not hurt much," she said.  Li Feng cocked her head, a 
mischievous gleam in her eyes. 
     "Not even your ribs?" she asked innocently.  In the background, 
Nodoka gasped. 
     "Oh, I forgot all about that!  Dear, are you sure you're all right?" 
Shampoo winced.  She didn't want to appear weak in front of Li Feng, 
and waved off the concerned comments. 
     "Shampoo have worse.  Many times."  Her great-grandmother 
nodded thoughtfully. 
     "Still, I suppose we'll have to have that handsome young doctor 
check them out again," she said.  Li Feng perked up. 
     "Handsome?" 
     "Oh, very." 
     "My, my.  Perhaps you should call him now, then."  Shampoo 
cleared her throat noisily. 
     "Honoured elder, Shampoo want to ask you ... about 
engagement to Mousse ..." 
     "Ah, yes.  That.  You're wondering if you have my blessing?" 
Shampoo gaped. 
     "No!" she blurted.  Li Feng chuckled, and Shampoo frowned. 
"That not funny, honoured elder!  Shampoo want to know if there any 
way to ... annul engagement."  Li Feng stopped laughing, and for the 
first time Shampoo noticed how tense her great-grandmother was.  She 
wondered what they had been talking about in the back room. 
     "Well, child, that is an interesting question.  To tell you the truth 
there are some concerns back home about this whole affair.  However, 
I feel it is only fair to tell you before we go any further that I cannot 
even consider setting this challenge aside without the consent of both 
parties."  Shampoo felt a queasy sensation in the pit of her stomach, 
and all the optimism drained out of her in an instant. 
     "You mean ... Mousse?" she asked, dumbfounded.  Li Feng 
nodded solemnly. 
     "There is only one circumstance under which the will of a male 
of the Joketsuzoku is equal to that of a female, and this is it.  Where is 
Mousse, anyway?"  Over the rushing in her ears, Shampoo heard Li 
Feng calling for Mousse.  No.  This couldn't be.  Hope was finally 
within reach, only to be snatched cruelly away at the last moment. 
Mousse, poor, stupid, besotted Mousse, once again held her destiny in 
his hands.  This was the final indignity. 
     She watched, dazed, as Mousse warily entered the room, his 
myopic gaze shifting from face to face. 
     "You called for me, honoured elder?" he asked meekly.  Li 
Feng nodded. 
     "Mousse, you must be aware that there are several ... 
irregularities in this challenge and subsequent engagement to Shampoo. 
I realize that these last weeks have been difficult for all of you, but I 
must ask you now: would you be willing to allow this engagement to be 
set aside?"  Shampoo closed her eyes.  She couldn't believe it had 
come to this.  After all these years of chasing her around, of endlessly 
pledging his love to her, Mousse finally had her right where he wanted. 
With a word, he could finally remove the last roadblock to his 
happiness and marry her.  At the end, she was finally to be a victim of 
Mousse's obsession for her. 
     The silence that followed Li Feng's question seemed to stretch 
out forever, prolonging her agony.  Finally, Mousse spoke, his voice 
low and even. 
     "Yes," he said. 
  



End part 4 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

    Source: geocities.com/tokyo/towers/5920