Prologue

The old crone stood off to the side of the walkway in the park, her staff
cradled in the crook of her arm, holding an open book in her hands. To the
occasional passerby it appeared she was casually reading a book. The
passers-by were wrong. There was nothing casual about her reading. The book
was written in Chinese and entitled "The Laws of Joketsuzoku." Cologne
found the passage she was looking for and read:

It has come to the attention of the Joketsuzoku, that due to the nature of
the Jusenkyou curses, cures are difficult to employ. It is believed to be a
side effect of the magic that the recipient of the curse cannot simply walk
over and immerse themselves in the appropriate pool of  drowned human,
since we have yet to discover anyone that has accomplished this despite the
fact it could be done. Bearing this in mind we can now discuss the most
dangerous of the Jusenkyou pools (to the tribe), Nanniichaun (Spring of
Young Drowned Man.)

Laws concerning Nanniichaun:

In the earliest days of Joketsuzoku, many of the Amazon warriors believed
there was an advantage to being able to use a more physically powerful male
form. This was used with alarming frequency despite the social problems
involving half of the Amazon warrior population suddenly turning into men
whenever they got wet and disrupting the very basis of our matriarchal
society. That alone almost destroyed the tribe, not to mention the two
generations it took to recover from the physical complications that came
about from its use. Because of these two reasons, the tribal council
unanimously decided Nanniichuan would be forever forbidden from use by the
tribe. Breaking this law is one of the highest offenses possible. If any
Amazon is changed by Nanniichuan, for any reason, she must immediately turn
herself over to the village and stand for judgment before the tribal
council. The guidelines concerning punishment are as follows, (This is
assuming a cure cannot be immediately obtained. As mentioned before, this
is extraordinarily rare.)

1: The afflicted may voluntarily kill themselves, preferably before the
council, in order to atone for the dishonor of allowing themselves to be
tainted by Nanniichuan. If the offender chooses this, all marks of dishonor
to the individual and the family, concerning the immersion, are forever
stricken from the eyes of the tribe and council. (This is the recommended
course of action.)

If the offender does not kill themselves they can then be:

2: ...exiled by the council. They are forever branded an outcast and female
progeny cannot become Amazons. (Male offspring, however, can marry into the
tribe despite the dishonor.) The family of one who chooses exile over
killing oneself is considered having a mark of grave dishonor against them
for raising one who is unwilling to give their life for the honor of the
tribe. 

3: ...they may be executed anyway. This is STRONGLY recommended in cases of
voluntary immersion, attempted escapes from justice, and any signs the
stricken is unrepentant or shows an acceptance of the curse. If the accused
attempts to run she may be executed on the spot for unwillingness to comply
with the law. 

*Exceptional Circumstance Rule*
A pardon can be given if there are exceptional circumstances to the
receiving of the curse. In all our history only one case has met the
necessary criteria for a pardon. The case is as follows:

900 years ago a band of Amazons, including the matriarch, were captured by
an army of the ruling dynasty of the time. A young Amazon went, alone and
unaided, to Jusenkyou and voluntarily immersed herself in Nanniichuan. She

then impersonated a guard and managed a daring breakout of the prisoners,
including the matriarch, from their captors. Though grievously wounded in
the escape, the warrior survived. Upon returning, the warrior then asked
for a trial to be held immediately for her crimes. Her obvious willingness
to take responsibility of her actions, combined with the fact she acted in
the best interest of the tribe at great personal risk, made for a unanimous
decision by the council to grant a pardon. It should be noted that she was
immediately cured of her affliction upon completion of the trial, lending
credence to the theory that the curses have a purpose, and that no one can
have a cure until the curse is done with them. This is just a theory.


Cologne closed the book and sighed,

"The things one must do to uphold honor."


Ranma 1/2: Presents
Shampoo 1/2
Chapter 7

Severing the Ties That Bind


All C+C is greatly appreciated
You can contact me at: sommer@3rdm.net

Shampoo 1/2 now has several homes. There is Azatlan's at:

http://www.geocities.com/~azatlan/Special-Series/shampoo.html

Bloodblades at:

http://www.geocities.com/tokyo/towers/5920

And Slashley's at:

http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Shrine/5747/Shampoo.html


Standard disclaimer:
I don't own the Ranma 1/2 characters. They are owned by the Goddess
Takahashi and whomever she leased the rights to.
 Project A-ko: owned by someone else.
Doctor Who: owned by the BBC (I think)

What's gone on before, (or what you need to know to enjoy this fic.) In the
beginning, The Saotomes traveled to Jusenkyou and began to spar, not
realizing that Shampoo and Mousse had already began a duel there as well.
One mid-air collision, and quick dunking in Spring of Young Drowned Man
later, there is a male Shampoo as well as a female Ranma. [Ranma-chan=
female. Shampoo-kun= male. Enjoy.] Shampoo elected to travel with Ranma to
Japan and ended up briefly engaged to Kasumi. After that was cleared up,
Ranma became engaged to Akane. On the first day of school, water and
confusion mixed resulting in everyone thinking Ranma-chan was Shampoo and
Shampoo-kun was Ranma. Last chapter, Ranma-chan got blackmailed by
Furinkan's deranged director into being Juliet in a play. Ranma-chan talked
Shampoo-kun into becoming Romeo so he wouldn't have to kiss a guy. After
electro-shock acting lessons, incompetent stagehands, and attacks by
everyone to cripple Ranma-chan, the play went on, becoming a success. At
the end of the chapter we learned that Cologne had returned and summoned
RanRan and LinLin to Japan to "help" with their big sister...

<> Indicates Chinese

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


Part I

Severing the Ties That Bind
 
Akane and Shampoo walked through the park on what most would've considered
a typical, if somewhat humid, day. The weather was just enough to keep most
people indoors, yet both of the girls felt the need to be outside despite
the conditions. 'Not nice' weather was hardly the sort of thing to keep
aspiring martial artists inside.

They had walked for about half an hour when Akane broke the silence first.
"Don't you just love days like this?"

Shampoo just nodded her head.

Akane continued, despite the silent response, "So, it's been several months
now. What do you think of Japan?" 

Shampoo seemed lost in thought as she finally spoke,  "It very nice.
Especially like Tendos for helping Shampoo. It not home, but no place is."

Akane's tone changed from the conversational one to a more apologetic one.
"I'm sorry about the way I acted during the play. I didn't mean to hurt
you, I was mad at Ranma."

Shampoo turned to Akane, slightly irritated, "Ranma just doing part. Should
no be angry with him."

"Whatever." Akane didn't sound convinced as she looked away from Shampoo.
"So, what was kissing him like?"

Shampoo's response was curt, "Shampoo no kiss Ranma. Too busy fighting.
Then everything explode."

 "What about after?"

"Shampoo not kiss Ranma after. Shampoo only try kiss Ranma for play." Her
tone became more irritated. "Why ask so many questions?"

Akane continued staring off to the side, her face away from Shampoo. "No
particular reason."

Satisfied the youngest Tendo was not going to press further, Shampoo and
relaxed and the duo continued their walk. They covered little additional
distance before spotting someone neither wanted to see. 

"" Cologne said formally. She was in the middle
of the path, standing on her staff and obviously waiting for them.

Akane dropped into a fighting stance. "Great. She's back."

Cologne gave Akane in amused smile, then continued, focusing once more on
Shampoo. ""

Shampoo gave a hurt expression. ""

"" 

"" Shampoo asked.  ""

"" The matriarch's
tone became more commanding. ""

Shampoo remained unmoved. ""

Cologne scowled. ""

"" Shampoo answered softly.

As she finished her declaration two figures burst from the shrubs, weapons
drawn, and raced out directly into the path of both Shampoo and Akane.
Shampoo immediately recognized them as her Amazon 'sisters', RanRan and
LinLin, and panicked. 

"" And why were they in Japan? Surely her great
grandmother had not brought them just for her.

The girls looked at Shampoo, expressions of pain on both their faces.
RanRan was the first to speak, ""

LinLin continued, picking up where her sister left off. ""

RanRan continued, the girl finishing her sister's thoughts. ""

That surprised Shampoo. ""

"" LinLin began speaking more softly, her
pain evident. "" LinLin's look
was almost pleading as she watched for Shampoo's reaction.

RanRan voice matched the pleading of her sister. ""

It was LinLin's turn. ""

Shampoo shook her head. The two girls couldn't understand. They were too
young and foolish, though as Shampoo thought that she suddenly remembered
her great grandmother describing her that way as well. She reassured
herself that there was a difference, even if she couldn't say exactly what
it was. ""

"" RanRan asked. ""

Shampoo's voice became much softer as an almost painful look entered her
eyes, ""

LinLin was visibly confused, ""

Shampoo wondered how they could speak that way. Love had a very important
role in life. How could they not understand? ""

RanRan's look changed from confusion to disbelief. ""

Tears of anger started forming in Shampoo's eyes. "" She prayed they would listen to her
words. She wasn't certain if she could bring herself to fight them.

Her hopes were fleeting as RanRan started to become angry, confused at
Shampoo's behavior. ""

Shampoo eyes widened in surprise. ""

""
LinLin added soberly. ""

RanRan's voice rose to an angrier level. She pointed accusingly towards
Shampoo. " Her tone changed to that of a command. ""

Shampoo shook her head in disbelief. Why were they turning on her like
this? In the past they had nearly worshipped the ground she walked on,
always trying to be more like their 'big sister'. Yet both were acting like
she was some kind of enemy. ""

"" LinLin was almost inaudible as she pleaded with Shampoo.

""

LinLin lowered her trident and slashed it across the palm of her hand.
Slowly she squeezed her palm until blood dripped to the ground. Tears were
held back as she forced herself to say words she never believed would cross
her lips. She was going to lose one of the most important things in her
life. "" 

RanRan drew her belt knife and made the same vow with as much pain as her
sister had. LinLin brandished her trident in Shampoo's direction.

""

Akane had listened intently and followed none of the speech. Seeing LinLin
motioning with her trident, Akane decided that she had stayed in the
background long enough. Finally she spoke up and let the others know she
was there. "How many times do I have to tell you people she is not going
back to China?"

RanRan's attitude changed to that of a lethal predator. Now she was
confronted with someone she cared nothing about. "Soft Japanese girl get
hurt if stand in way of Amazon justice. Go run away home."

Akane became indignant at that. How dare the little girl call her weak!
"Think again."

Shampoo was boiling in rage and in tears. There was only one person
responsible for helping to tear a part of her life away from her, isolating
her further from her people.

"" 

She could contain her rage no longer as she launched an attack at Cologne.
The elder remained calm in the face of the assault. "" She vaulted over the charging Shampoo and tapped her
on the back of the neck with her staff. Shampoo went down as her muscles
locked up. "" She gazed sadly at Shampoo. If only the whole messy business
could have been avoided. Now what had to be done was to take Shampoo back
to China and try to get a cure. Were the gods willing, Cologne could get
her hands on some Nyanniichuan and make the horrible fiasco just go away.
Then they could all go back home and try to go back to the ways they had
before. If not...

Akane tried to run over to Shampoo but was blocked by the pair of young
Amazons.

LinLin pointed at Akane's throat with her trident. "Fight over now,
Japanese Girl. Shampoo ours. We kill if you try stop."

"I'd like to see you try."

LinLin just shrugged. ""

" She grinned and moved to attack with her staff.
Akane deftly blocked the two strikes. RanRan looked surprised for a moment,
then redoubled her efforts. Akane blocked or dodged four more thrusts and
saw an opening, kicking RanRan in the leg.

LinLin became annoyed with her sister's lack of progress. ""

RanRan moved her leg to assess the damage, then turned to Akane. "Japanese
girl know how to fight. Did Shampoo teach?"

Akane smiled at the perceived compliment. "She helped me and I helped her."
She added more by throwing a punch.

RanRan blocked the blow. "Would respect then, if Shampoo not dishonorable
dog." A staff strike followed.

Akane took the hit, but rolled with it. "If you take her back they'll kill
her!" she yelled as she regained her footing.

"Good. If today is how Shampoo act since left, killing be only honorable
thing left her to do."

Akane was struck speechless by the accusation. Rather then retort she
launched into a flurry of attacks, catching RanRan off guard. The smaller
Amazon managed to hit Akane on the way in, but the girl failed to register
the effect. RanRan only managed to block the second kick as she was struck
by a fist to the jaw, two kicks to her mid-section, and then received a
body throw into the ground.

Akane looked at the fallen RanRan and smiled. "Who's soft now?"

Akane barely managed to avoid the trident thrust of LinLin, who decided her
sister was not going to come close to winning her fight. RanRan returned to
her own feet, allowing the two to double team Akane. As hard as she tried,
Akane found herself badly overmatched. 

LinLin came in high, and only quick reflexes saved Akane's head. The top of
her hair was not so fortunate as it ended up cut just above her scalp,
giving her a very poor crewcut. Quite a feat considering LinLin was using a
trident. Akane's defense totally broke down as a second series of attacks
left her open to yet another of LinLin's trident thrusts. 

LinLin gave a silent prayer for what was to be her dead foe's soul as she
jabbed forward to run Akane through the heart. Much to the Amazon's
surprise the blow never landed as her trident disappeared in the middle of
her thrust. It took her a moment to realize where it had gone as she looked
up to see Ranma, standing on a tree branch, holding the trident lazily in
his hands. 

He afforded a smile to her. "Little girls shouldn't play with dangerous
toys." And with that he snapped the trident over his knee and tossed the
pieces away.

Akane breathed a sigh of relief at Ranma's timely arrival. "They're trying
to take Shampoo back to China."

Ranma looked over to see Shampoo's prone form next to Cologne, who was
standing over her great granddaughter. Upon seeing her his eyes widened.

"Well, well. If it isn't my husband." Cologne gave a toothy grin as she
finished the declaration.

Ranma suppressed the urge to vomit at the suggestion. "What are you talking
about? And what did you do to Shampoo?"

"You beat me in combat boy. That means I have to marry you."

"No way!" Ranma's revulsion doubled. "I'm not getting married to a ghoul
like you! I don't even like the one I got now."

Akane glared at the jibe, but remained silent.

"Don't worry. I'm only kidding," Cologne reassured him. "You're way too
young for me, and I wouldn't want to take those strong genes of yours away
from future generations. But by defeating me you are afforded some
protection from me. It would, in the least, be in poor taste to attack you
directly after you defeated me, even though I was double teamed. It really
is my own fault for letting my guard down. That won't happen again. As for
Shampoo, any protection over her ends when she attacks me. Same goes for
you."

"Then what's up with the two little psychos?" Ranma pointed to RanRan and
LinLin.

"I didn't say I couldn't act through others," Cologne explained. "Besides,
they have a say in this matter. Until five minutes ago they were Shampoo's
Amazon sisters." 

Akane stared in surprise at the duo. "Shampoo's your sister?"

RanRan nodded her head. "Was Amazon sister. Now enemy of all Amazons. She
too weak to be Amazon any more." 

"She's ten times the Amazon you'll ever be!" Ranma shouted.

"You think that how Amazon act?" LinLin pointed disdainfully towards
Shampoo's still form. "You not see real Amazon until you see us fight." 

RanRan jumped on LinLin's shoulders as the two shouted as one. "Two Bodies
Double Team Attack!"

In an instant they began whirling, similar to the Cheerleader Whirlwind
Pyramid but much smaller, their bodies becoming indistinguishable blurs.
RanRan's staff poked out several times in an effort to strike Ranma.
Heightened reflexes prevented the blows from getting through to him. 

Analyzing the spinning top for a few moments, while parrying several
attacks, Ranma figured out what to do. "Akane, go in low!"

Akane didn't question as she prepared to drop low. With the next attack
Ranma grabbed the staff as it came out on the next strike, slowing the
spinning couple down. With the loss in speed Akane saw the opening she
needed and swept LinLin's feet at the base, causing the duo to end up in a
heap.

Akane stood defiantly over the duo. "Give up yet?"

"Outsiders good." RanRan nodded approvingly. "Show you great honor. Finish
you with Chinese Dance of Great Fire Dragon."

Cologne shook her head. The pair was doomed.

The twins' bodies seemed to merge into one. Within moments a red glow
formed behind them and huge dragon seemed to materialize. The unexpected
display caused Ranma and Akane to back up, wondering just how they had
somehow summoned something so big.  As the glow died off the duo realized
one thing about the 'dragon'; it was paper. Just like the kind used in
festivals.

The shock Ranma had felt at first was quickly replaced. "HAHA! What are you
goin' do with that? Dance at us?"

LinLin and RanRan smiled at each other. "No. You are."

They grabbed the dragon and music started playing. What amusement Ranma
felt disappeared as he and Akane found themselves dancing to an
irresistible tune.

"What's going on?" Normally Akane wouldn't mind a good dance; she didn't
get to do it often. However, doing it in the middle of a fight was not the
what she had in mind.

Ranma jerked around, trying to stop his dance. "I don't know! OW!" Akane
stepped on his toes. "Watch the feet!"

A second surprise came when the Amazons started using the flame thrower in
the dragon's mouth on them.

Now Akane started to become frightened. Wearing flame retardant clothing
had not been on the day's agenda. "Ranma, do something!"

"I am." He began to tap and scuffle, heel to toe, and shuffle off to
Buffalo.

"That is not what I meant!" 

"Do you think I want to dance? OW! Quit stepping on my toes! I think you
broke one!" At that point in the dance Ranma got toasted by the flame
thrower. "I'M ON FIRE!!!"

"Now is not the time to be bragging about your dancing!"

Cologne nodded in appreciation. The outcome was never in doubt, but the boy
and girl had fought a good fight. She sighed as she thought about things.
She needed to get out more often. The world was changing. She hadn't
realized how good some of the fighters outside of the village had gotten.
If only they could get some new blood in the tribe. 

RanRan and LinLin began shouting together. "You finished now. Chinese Dance
of Great Fire Dragon unbeatable!" To prove their point they roasted Ranma
again.

Cologne didn't notice Shampoo's hand slowly reach for the pointed end of
the broken trident that had landed next to her. Sluggishly she grasped it,
then drew her hand back, and released it with all her might. The makeshift
spear went flying into the middle of the dragon and broke the radio that
was playing the music. As the music stopped so did the dancing. 

Cologne eyes widened as she looked over to see that Shampoo was still
laying there, but her hand still moving. She should not have regained even
partial muscle control for another five minutes.

Ranma stood still for a moment, smoldering  while enjoying the release from
playing 'Lord of the Dance' on sore feet. He allowed his anger to build.
"Do you realize what you have done?" he growled to the two Amazons. "You
have gone too far! It is one thing to try to take Shampoo back to China! It
is another to try to fry me alive! But to make me watch that..." he pointed
to Akane. "...clumsy gorilla try to dance is the worst kind of torture
imaginable! Have you no honor?"

It took but a moment for that to register with Akane. Once it did, the
biggest battle aura she had ever summoned flared around her. "I'LL SHOW YOU
TORTURE!!!"

Ranma realized he had really put his foot in his mouth with that one. "Now
wait a minute. I mean clumsy gorilla in the nicest way." As he backed up in
fear he stumbled over a tree root.

That was all the opening Akane needed as she grabbed his feet. "I'll have
you know I took two years of dancing when I was little!"

She picked him up and swung him around as though she were Paul Bunyan and
Ranma were the ax. She drove him into a tree. It broke. Ranma didn't.

"I can dance perfectly fine!" Akane raged. "It's not my fault Fuji broke
his toes when he was dancing with me in sixth grade!" She swung him into
another tree with the same result. "It wasn't right for them to call me
Leadfoot after that!" She swung him into yet another tree. "You say I can't
act!" This time she swung him around for velocity. "You say I can't cook!"
Swung him around again. "But damn it!" 

Swing 

"I..." 

Swing 

"...CAN..."

 Swing. 

"...DANCE!!!" 

She brought Ranma up over her head and began to arc him down. Since her
eyes were glazed over no one was sure if she was intentionally aiming for
the two Amazons or not. LinLin had enough sense to run away, screaming,
before Ranma could be brought down on her. RanRan, remained where she was,
just staring at the awesome display of violence, jaw wide open. Ranma was
brought down directly on her head, the force of the blow driving her into
the ground all the way up to her waist. 

Akane released Ranma's feet and breathed heavily while both RanRan and
Ranma had stopped moving.

"I think you dance with grace and style. It was a pleasure to watch."
Cologne assured her. 

The unexpected compliment served to calm Akane down and her aura faded.
"You mean that?"

"Why would I lie?"

Akane smiled. "Thanks. People around here don't appreciate good dancing."

LinLin at last came out of hiding and tried to help RanRan out of the
ground. ""

Cologne gave her a stern look. ""

Ranma started to come around at the same time as RanRan, his eyes focusing
on Akane. 

"That hurt."

"Good! It was supposed to." Akane began to feel somewhat sorry for her
actions, in spite of what she said. Maybe she had overreacted.

Ranma pressed the issue. "Now you aren't being fai-" He was cut off as he
ended up glomped by RanRan.

"Wo de Airen," RanRan gushed.

Two fists met flesh. Akane into Ranma's face. Shampoo into RanRan's.

Cologne's eyes widened into disbelief again. It was impossible. Shampoo
should not have regained total muscle control for another ten minutes.

"RANMA!!!" Akane bellowed. "Just what do you think you are doing?!"

"It ain't my fault," Ranma spluttered. "She just grabbed on to me."

Shampoo mirrored the statement on her victim. "What RanRan think she do?"

"It simple." RanRan smiled. "Boy defeat RanRan in combat. RanRan marry
husband."

Akane heard the statement and began choking Ranma.  "You pervert!"

"Not...my...fault," Ranma gasped.

Shampoo had her own problems. "You can't marry Ranma."

"Why?" RanRan asked.

"He not beat you. He just use as a weapon."

"That not matter."

"He already have fiancee."

"Then have to kill fiancee."

"That girl fiancee," Shampoo said flatly and pointed to Akane.

RanRan appeared scared for a moment, then regained her composure. "Then
learn to get along with other wife."

Ranma began to lose consciousness once again as Akane continued to strangle
him.

"There one other reason why no can marry Ranma." Shampoo turned to Akane.
"Please take Ranma and go, Akane. This must be done private."

"Fine." Akane stopped strangling Ranma and dragged him off around some
trees and out of sight.

" RanRan asked, irritated.

Shampoo cracked her knuckles. ""


Akane was reprimanding the recovering Ranma when an unearthly scream broke
out from where they had just left Shampoo. They started to run over to
where the Amazons were located when they saw Shampoo come from around some
trees, appearing the same as when they left, save for a big smile on her
face.

"What was that?" Ranma asked.

"RanRan not like reason why she can no marry Ranma." Shampoo shrugged.
"Let's go home. Great Grandmother not bother us for awhile."

Shampoo led the way while Ranma and Akane followed. 


Cologne observed the twitching limbs that were twisted at some odd angles.
LinLin just stared at the mess with a look of horror on her face.

"" Cologne admired the handiwork, although the pain holds had been a
bit excessive. She wondered why Shampoo was so angry with RanRan, and how
she had gotten out of the pressure point blow. Cologne had heard of those
with absolute single minded purpose could sometimes come out of them early
at great personal risk, but what could have brought her great granddaughter
to that level of drive, she wondered? Shampoo had never demonstrated it
before, no matter how hard Cologne had tried.


Ranma jumped up onto the roof. Shampoo had been in his usual spot for close
to an hour. It was only now that he felt concerned enough to risk violating
her privacy, an unusual action on his part, but one he felt he had to do.
As he got to the top, he saw that Shampoo was staring at the sunset. No
smile parted her lips as she looked off into the distance. Ranma began to
have second thoughts about interrupting her, then considered all that had
happened in the day. He opened his mouth to speak.

"Shampoo want be left alone now," she informed him without bothering to
turn her head.

Ranma found he did not want to give up. "You sure?"

"Yes. Thanks."

She still had not turned her head to answer him. Ranma relented and jumped
back down into Akane's room. Her concern mirrored his own.

"She said she wants to be alone," Ranma informed her.

Akane shook her head. "I'm not sure that's a good idea."

"Me either," Ranma admitted. "But it ain't like we can't force her to open
up to us."

The sound of creaking from the roof caught their attention. Akane peered
out the window to see the cause of the disturbance.

"I don't think we need to worry any more," Akane said with a smile as she
came back fully into the room.

"Why?" Ranma asked. What had happened?

"Someone else is going to talk to her."


Shampoo heard the creaking noise and turned around. It was Kasumi, who was
climbing unsteadily onto the roof from her own window. 

"I don't understand the fascination you three seem to have with staying up
here. I think this is just a little dangerous." Kasumi walked unsteadily
towards Shampoo.

The purple-haired Amazon made certain Kasumi sat down safely and began to
talk. "Shampoo want be left alone."

Instead of moving, Kasumi stared off into the sunset. "I'm sure you want
much more than that. Like the magic girl water. Acceptance back into your
village. Your family."

Shampoo sadly nodded her head. "Yes."

"You can be alone if you want." Kasumi looked at Shampoo straight in the
eye. "Is that what you want?"

For the first time since the fight, Shampoo suddenly found herself
uncertain. She was not used to opening up to people about things like this,
yet there was some urge to talk to the girl before her. "Not sure."

"Why don't you tell me about it?"


Akane stopped listening in. "She's in good hands. Let's go."

Ranma was more confused than anything else. "Why is she talking with Kasumi
instead of me?"

"Aren't there things you only talk with your father, and not any of the
girls here?"

"Guy stuff. Sure."

"Well its the same thing for girls." Akane grabbed Ranma by the hand. "Now
let's go. I'll beat you at Shogi."

Ranma smiled at that. "We're going to have to tear our fathers off the
board."

"Good. Their games have gone on long enough."


Back on the roof, Kasumi examined Shampoo more closely. "What happened
today?"

Shampoo considered remaining silent, but gave in to the need to open up.
"Shampoo lose sisters."

That shocked Kasumi. "You mean they died?"

"Not way you mean." Shampoo shook her head vigorously. "Sisters disown
Shampoo."

That was a relief, but Kasumi still needed to know more. "Why would they do
that?"

"They follow Amazon law. Shampoo not go back when supposed to. So they
disown Shampoo." It really had been simple, especially with her great
grandmother right there. They had done exactly what they were supposed to
do.

"That's terrible. Isn't there any way to make up with them?"

"Yes," Shampoo acknowledged. "Can go back to village and kill self. If
Shampoo restore honor, then they take back."

Had any of her family members been present, they would have been shocked to
hear the adamant tone Kasumi's voice contained. "You can't do that. Isn't
there some way around the law?"

Shampoo shook her head sadly. "No. If want Amazon sisters back, then
Shampoo must go back."

"You aren't considering that, are you?"

Shampoo gave Kasumi an odd look. Yes, there was definitely a need to open
up.  "Shampoo think very much what happened today. At first very hurt by
sisters turning back on Shampoo. But now stop and think about what
happened. Why happened. What was said. Shampoo think about what sisters
like. Before today, Shampoo remember sisters and think they good. Why they
so different? Why they so mean and violent girls now? When did they become
bad?"

Kasumi shook her head. "Even though they disowned you, they are still your
sisters. They are still good people. This is just a big misunderstanding."

Shampoo just stared at Kasumi, almost as though what the eldest Tendo
daughter had said aided Shampoo in what she wanted to say. "Shampoo at
first think they do change. But now stop and remember. Try to see how they
change. Why they do what they did. Then as Shampoo thought, she realize,
they not change." Shampoo's gaze became a bit wild, influenced by the
revelation she had only recently made. "They just the same as before."

"I'm not sure I follow you," Kasumi said.

"Sisters not turn bad," Shampoo continued. "They not changed. If not they
change then why they do what they did? Then answer occur to Shampoo. RanRan
right. Is Shampoo who changed. If Shampoo change, then is good change, or
bad? Sisters think bad. Why? How did Shampoo change to make things bad?"

"You are not a bad person," Kasumi insisted. "If they think that then are
just wrong."

Sadness was evident in Shampoo's voice. "Kasumi, you not know Shampoo
before meet with Ranma and Pop. Now think about it. Shampoo think was not
very nice person. Used to be much more," she searched for the correct word.
"Arrogant. And very ruthless. Did whatever took to get what wanted. Well,
almost anything. Also, Shampoo used to defeat people up to prove better,
had to do many times. When younger, even defeat friends because had to be
best. After a while, Shampoo not have any friends. So act like not care. Am
supposed to be future leader, so above needing friends. Shampoo had people
that look up to her, but not like equals. Only Mousse remain same, but he
want wife, not friend.  It was nice he not change. At least before
Jusenkyou," Shampoo added

Kasumi gazed softly at her friend. "You don't have to tell-"

Shampoo cut her off. "Yes! Shampoo do have to tell. Great Grandmother teach
that to lead tribe may have to do hurt to people for good of Amazons. Can
no let feelings get in way. So Shampoo try not care about feelings. Do this
for very long time. After all, if no care, then no can be hurt. Shampoo
think she successful for long time. Maybe things would start to bother, but
quickly put them out of mind because they just get in way. Shampoo live
that way for very long time.

"But once fall into cursed spring, then everything change. Now can no go
back to village because everything different. Everything Shampoo learn,
everything Shampoo do, everything Shampoo live for, all gone with splash of
water. Shampoo had nothing but village and to become leader, now don't have
that. So now what could Shampoo do?" She shuddered then. "If not for Ranma
and Pop, Shampoo think maybe she would have gone back to village anyway. If
all life there, then maybe it right death be there to."

Kasumi said nothing. She simply rested a hand on Shampoo's shoulder.

Shampoo continued. "But Ranma and Pop were there. When they see how much
Shampoo hurt, and that she can no go back to village, Ranma say, 'Shampoo,
you can come with us.' Shampoo not understand. They not ask for anything.
They just offer for no reason, so Shampoo say yes. Shampoo spent many days
with Ranma and Pop. After a while, see how Ranma and Pop act. It so
different from everything Shampoo see when living in Joketsuzoku. Yes, they
train, but it different, not like with Great Grandmother. Shampoo discover
she like being with Ranma and Pop. And also, Shampoo see world outside
village for first time. It so different. So many things and people. Shampoo
try to learn all but can't. There's too much. And so much is different from
what learn from Great Grandmother. So maybe that why change. New Shampoo do
many things Old Shampoo would never do. Old Shampoo not act in play, or go
to school, or stuff like that. Shampoo not used to that. It all different
now."

Shampoo took a deep breath. "So now Shampoo know she change. Now ask self
if want to change back to way Old Shampoo was. And you know what answer
is?"

Kasumi shook her head.

"Shampoo not want to go back to way Shampoo was." The Amazon concentrated
on what to say next. "'I' like being the way I am. I like this new 'me'".
She relaxed. "Shampoo prefer talk like this. It easier. So now have no
family, and, most important, Shampoo know not want to go back to way
Shampoo was." She looked to the ground. "That mean family gone forever."

Kasumi embraced Shampoo tightly. "You'll always have me."

Shampoo just sat there limp for a few moments, unused to such open
affection from another woman. Warriors were only like that among their
closest friends, and in private. Shampoo only had one that would have ever
qualified as that, and that had ended up so painfully she refused to even
try again. But Kasumi was different. She was no warrior. Shampoo found she
wanted to return the embrace, and did so.

"Like that very much," Shampoo said with heartfelt gratitude. "Shampoo want
thank Kasumi."

"For what?"

Shampoo felt embarrassed by her confession. "You much responsible for
Shampoo change, at least as much as Ranma and Pop. You nice person that
treat Shampoo good since Shampoo got here. Shampoo like the way you are and
try to be more like you. More understanding, and not so violent. Shampoo
know that she different from you, but still can learn things from you. That
part of reason why Shampoo like changes. Know that am better now than what
Shampoo was before. 

"You're welcome," was all Kasumi could say.


Later:

Akane played around with her hair once again. Kasumi had done a good job of
evening it out, but it was still going to take some getting used to. 

"Can I come in?" Ranma asked carefully from the door of Akane's bedroom.

Akane suddenly felt uncomfortable, but she knew it had nothing to do with
Ranma seeing her new haircut. Not at all.

"Um...okay." She found her hand playing with the hair once again.

She watched Ranma come in and stare at her, or more specifically, her hair.
He hated it. "Why are you staring at me?" she growled.

Ranma felt the hackles on his neck stand up. She was going to get violent
for no reason once again. Still, he said the first thing that came to mind.
"It's the hair. It looks kind of nice on you." Oddly, the hackles on his
neck went away.

Akane just stared at him for a moment. He said she looked nice? "Oh.
Thanks. I was trying to think of how long it would take to grow back, but,
if you think it looks nice maybe I should keep it short. Not this short.
But shorter than it was before."

Ranma shrugged. "Well, it ain't like it was nasty looking before, but...oh,
I dunno. I guess short hair suits you better. I think you should keep it
that way, if you're asking me for my opinion."

"I guess I am." Akane found herself smiling unexpectedly at him.

Ranma noticed the smile and found himself suddenly very nervous. "I got to
go do some stuff. See ya." And with that he closed the door and quickly
left the room, leaving Akane to stare at where he had left. 

She returned to looking at the mirror. Yes. Maybe she should let it stay
short. Sometimes change was good. And it had nothing to do with Ranma
saying he liked it. 

At least that was what she told herself.


Cologne watched the gangplank being lowered from the ship. It was time to
send her two charges home. Her plan had failed, which meant something else
would have to be tried. Why couldn't Shampoo just see the truth and come
back home? Why was she so defiant in disobeying her, the woman who had
practically raised her?

She gave a sigh as she watched RanRan, in a full body cast, being wheeled
onto the ship by two crewmen, the poor girl.              
                                                                           
      
LinLin bowed in shame before Cologne. ""

"" Cologne reassured her. ""

LinLin bowed again, and boarded the ship. Cologne remained on the shore and
watched the ship cast off and sail into the horizon.

Cologne lit her pipe and puffed a little as she thought.  It appeared that
she had better come up with a better plan to convince Shampoo she should
return home. And she was going to need better agents as well.


Part 2
The Accidental Tourist


Akane, Shampoo, and Ranma headed together to the new restaurant Hiroshi had
been going on about all day. Of course, at the time, he had been trying to
convince 'Shampoo' to go with him on a date to the restaurant.

"...and I hate it when those guys keep asking me out, the bunch of
perverts!" Ranma growled.

"At least they no attack you when they try to court you," Shampoo sighed.

"But I WANT to hit them," Ranma complained. It was just so creepy the way
guys hit on him when he was a girl. Too bad he couldn't tell them the
truth, but there was no longer any telling what would happen of the school
population suddenly became aware of the fact that the most available male
student was a girl and the most popular female student was a guy. And Ranma
had no desire to find out.

"You two should relax," Akane said while thanking the kami she didn't have
their problems. "They say this new place is something else. I'm so hungry I
could eat a horse."

"Oh yeah?" Ranma said, not to be outdone. "Well, I'm so hungry I could eat
an elephant."

"Shampoo as hungry as Pop," Shampoo added.

Akane and Ranma looked to one another, then nodded. "You win," they said
simultaneously.

The trio approached the street diner, taking note of the steady flow of
customers going in and out. Ranma looked up and read the name on the awning
above the entrance. UK-CHAN'S.

He scratched his head. It almost appeared that there had been a 'C' where
the 'K' currently was. Ranma considered what that might have meant for the
briefest of moment, then discarded the notion. What were the odds it would
belong to her?

The trio entered the restaurant and sat down at an empty booth. Ranma sat
next to Shampoo while being directly across from Akane. Only a moment
passed before a waiter came for their order.

"What would you li...?" Ryouga's voice trailed off as exactly who he was
waiting on registered.

All three of the customers stared at him in equal surprise. It was Ryouga
all right, in his standard yellow and black outfit with the addition of an
apron and head set.

"What are you doing here?" Ranma snapped. It was going to be another sneak
attack. He just knew it. In any second Ryouga was going to cry out,
'Prepare to die!" and try to hit him.

"I work here," Ryouga growled right back. "What are you doing here?"

"We came to eat." Ranma began to wonder if the lost one was telling the
truth. Maybe it wouldn't lead to a fight after all.

"Ryouga, wait on them," Ukyou said from behind the grill she was cooking
at. She had seen the trio enter, and had chosen to see what they had come
in for. The last thing she needed was an all out brawl in her new
restaurant.

"But they..." Ryouga began.

"Don't worry about it," Ukyou told him nonchalantly. "It saves me the
trouble of running them down later."

Ryouga weighed attacking Ranma against obeying Ukyou. Making Ukyou mad
would hurt him, and Ranma could get his just desserts later. "What would
you like?" he reluctantly said.

"Menus, batboy!" Ranma snapped.

Ryouga handed them some menus. "Now what would you like?"

"Some time to decide," Ranma sighed.

Ryouga kept his temper in check, repeating to himself "I will not kill
Ranma today. I will not kill Ranma today," and wandered off.

The three kept one eye on their menus and one eye on Ryouga. It seemed he
had been telling the truth and was simply waiting on tables. Eventually he
came back to theirs and looked at them expectantly.

"Ready yet?" Saying that with his fist and teeth clenched did nothing to
put the others at ease.

Ranma stared at him. "Why do you have that stupid headset on? You don't
have a drive-thru." 

"That's none of your business!" Ryouga was finding it increasingly
difficult to keep from attacking his long time nemesis.

Akane saw what was going on and tried to play peacekeeper. "What would you
recommend?"

That threw Ryouga for a moment. Then he realized he was their waiter, and
that sort of thing was his job. "Probably the okonomiyaki," he answered
sincerely. Ukyou sure knew how to cook them.

Ranma felt a headache come on. "Since this is an okonomiyaki restaurant,
and there is nothing but okonomiyaki on the menu, do you think you could be
a little more specific?" he said dryly.

That slight was the final straw. "I have heard enough out of you!"

Ryouga balled up his fist, drawing it back to strike. Ukyou only had a
moment to jump over the counter and place a restraining hand on his
shoulder.

"Go get the order for table twelve."

Ryouga looked between her and Ranma. "But..."

"Just do it. Please." 

Ryouga gave a cold stare to Ranma, bowed his head to Ukyou, and made his
way over to the counter to pick up the tray of food. Ukyou remained
standing next to the booth where the trio sat.

Ukyou gave Ryouga one last glance, then began talking to the seated people.
So many emotions were going through her. The boy she had originally thought
was Ranma, the one that had humiliated her in front of everyone, was really
a girl and the strange girl she had thought was Shampoo was really Ranma.
Except now, they were in their real forms, which just seemed to add to the
confusion, despite the fact it made sense. Sort of. It was all so weird. 

She looked at the boy who had been her friend growing up. "I want to ask
you a favor, Ran-chan." 

"Go ahead."

Ukyou took a deep breath. "I would appreciate it if you didn't have any
fights in the restaurant. It would mean a lot to me."

Ranma shrugged. Destroying Ukyou's restaurant was the last thing he wanted
to do. He was taking things slowly with her since she still didn't seem to
know of what to make of her old playmate. He was respecting the distance,
hoping things could go back to the way they were and she was his friend,
even if all of his memories of Ukyou were of her as a boy. "Sure, but how
you goin' to get batboy to go along?"

"I already got him to agree, so there isn't any problem there." It had
taken very little effort on her part to get him to go along with it. She
just gave him a hopeful look and he laughed nervously, promising not to
destroy the restaurant, which was now serving as his home as well as his
place of employment.  Hiring him on not only helped, but it made her feel
strangely reassured to have the curious boy nearby. As long as he didn't
try anything. There was one other problem though. "Can you keep the bimbo
in line?"

"Shampoo not bimbo!" she growled.

"All right, all right." Ukyou held her hands up in a calming gesture. "Can
you keep that thing on a tight leash?"

That time Ranma had to put a restraining hand on Shampoo. "Shampoo will
keep her word," he reassured Ukyou.

One of the customers interrupted the conversation. "Miss, can we have our
food now?"

Ukyou looked at him in confusion. That was the last order she had completed
before going over to talk to the others. Ryouga should have taken it to the
table by then. A quick examination of the dining area showed Ryouga was
absent. "Not again!" she moaned while taking out a walkie-talkie from her
uniform. "Come in Ryouga, over."


Ryouga looked around for some familiar landmark. The customers, as well as
the tables, had seemed to disappear on him. And where had all of the plants
come from? Ukyou had no more than a couple in the entire shop.

"Now where is table twelve?" he mumbled under his breath.

His thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice in his headset.

"Come in Ryouga, over," Ukyou said.

Ryouga tapped the transmit button. "I'm here. Go ahead."

Ukyou asked where he was, allowing him to describe the sudden appearance of
the odd plants.


Ukyou sighed "It sounds like you're in the floral shop down the street.
Here's how you get back."

Ranma listened to the instructions she gave Ryouga. "That isn't the way
back to here."

Ukyou just shook her head. "If it's the one thing a learned in the short
time I've known Ryouga, it is that if you give him a direction to go in, he
goes the opposite way. Now, what did you guys want?"


Ryouga eventually found his way back to the restaurant, still bearing the
tray of now cold food. Ukyou looked up from behind the counter and sighed
once again at her new employee.

Ryouga just looked sheepishly in return. "Sorry. I don't know why that
keeps happening."

Ukyou tried smiling to ease him. It wasn't as though his lack of direction
sense was his fault. "Don't worry. I'll make the signs on the tables
bigger. Here is Ranma's, Akane's, and Shampoo's order." She carefully
pointed out which was which.

Ryouga relaxed and made his way directly to the table. Handing each person
their dish. When he got to Ranma, he placed the plate on top of his head.
Ranma's quick reflexes were all that prevented the dinner from ending up on
his lap.

"You call that service?!" Ranma growled. "You can forget a tip!"

"I wouldn't expect a tip from a deadbeat like you!" Ryouga snapped back and
went off to wait on another table.

Ranma just stared at Ryouga until another thought occurred to him. "Hey,
Ukyou! Why did you change the name of this place?"

"No reason," Ukyou said just a little too quickly.

Ryouga turned to glare at Ranma. "She couldn't very well name it after the
man who hurt her so badly. Isn't that right, Uk-chan?"

Ukyou found herself blushing and nodding in agreement.

"Hey!" Ranma shouted out indignantly. "I didn't hurt nobody! It was all
Pop's fault!"

After another verbal assault between Ranma and Ryouga over who hurt whom,
the trio of customers dug into their meal. 

"Yum! This is delicious!" Akane thought it was quite possibly the best
okonomiyaki she had ever had.

"You haven't lost your touch," Ranma reassured Ukyou.

Shampoo took one bite and began gagging. After spitting out her food she
barely got out. "This taste like wallpaper paste!"

Ukyou gave a way too obvious look of confusion and bent down to pick up an
empty can. "So that's where the rest of it went." She smiled and made sure
Shampoo could read the label on the can of empty wallpaper paste. "I
apologize. Let me make you a new one."

"No thanks," Shampoo growled. "Would rather eat Akane cooking than Stupid
Spatula Girl's."

It took a second for that to register on Akane. "Just what is that supposed
to mean?"

Ranma spoke up. "What she's trying to say is that there is a difference
between making batter out of wallpaper paste, and making a batter that
tastes like wallpaper paste."

Akane managed to get out a 'why you,' before swinging at Ranma. He ducked
the blow, made another rude comment about how slow Akane was, then rushed
out of the restaurant with Akane hot on his heels. Shampoo sighed and
followed, making sure not to leave any money for the bill.

Ukyou considered what to do about that when her grill began to give off
smoke. She immediately shut it down and examined it, discovering a coil
needed to be replaced. That was just perfect. She hadn't been open for more
than three days and she was going to have to close already. She used some
colorful terms to describe her grill and the hassle she was going to have
to go through to replace it.

"Why not let me do it?" Ryouga, who had listened closely to the diatribe,
asked.

Ukyou considered that. "Well, I probably could baby it the rest of the
night, but there's no way it will be running tomorrow. Are you sure you
feel up to it?"

"I won't fail you," Ryouga raised his fist to the skies and made a vow to
let nothing stand in his way. He charged out the door, allowing Ukyou to
smile as he left. It wasn't often  someone was willing to go out of their
way for her. She was about to return to her work, when Ryouga rushed back
inside. 

"Excuse me, sir," he then realized where he was. "Ukyou! What are you doing
in a store down the street?"

Ukyou just sighed and prepared to draw a precise map for him to get from
Uk-Chan's to Shiro's Parts.


Ryouga stood in front of a sign pole, looking back and forth between the
paper and the sign with the street names: Gamera Road and Ghidora Drive. He
read the names once more, then looked back at the map again. It clearly
said he was supposed to go down Ghidora Drive.

He was so intent on reading the map that he failed to notice the pole
suddenly shift, reversing the directions of Gamera and Ghidora.

Ryouga read the sign and walked down the new Gamera Street. 

A head popped out of the sign and watched Ryouga's retreating form. "I
don't know how he knew that it was a trap," Tsubasa Kurenai snarled. It had
been such a good plan too. One sure to eliminate the rotten scoundrel that
had forced himself into Ukyou's life. He was still wondering which new trap
to set up when a car traveled down the new Ghidora Street, which was then
followed by an explosion. 


Ryouga stood on the sidewalk of downtown Nerima, looking at his map again.
It was pretty straightforward in where he should go: Shiro's Parts, which
was right across the street. He tucked the map in his back pocket and 
headed straight for Ma Maison.

A sign in front of Shiro's got up, now really irritated. Tsubasa really
wondered how Ryouga had sniffed out the trap again. He got up and entered
the restaurant. 


Ryouga looked over the interior of the 'parts store.' There didn't seem to
be all that many parts and it smelled pretty good. He noticed a man in a
nice suit next to the entrance could went over to him. 

Ryouga cleared his throat. "Where would I find a coil for a stove?"

In response, the man handed Ryouga a menu, allowing him to look it over.
"Do you see what you need?"

"No."

"That is because this a restaurant," the maitre'd explained. "You want the
parts store across the street." The man gave Ryouga specific directions to
cross the street. 

As Ryouga left a patron was seated at an empty table. Just as he made
himself comfortable, a head popped out. Tsubasa got up and walked out of
the restaurant in his table disguise. The patron looked at the table,
shrugged and decided to follow by hopping along on his chair. 


Ryouga looked directly across the street at Shiro's as two movers put
furniture in a van. He had it in his line of sight, but he needed to be
sure he could make it there. That meant crossing the street. But it was
dangerous to cross without looking both ways. He might get hit by a car. So
what was he to do. It took him a moment to come up with the answer. Keep
looking at the store across the street and smash any cars that tried to run
him over.

The plan worked. He crossed the street and only had to destroy two cars in
the process. 

As he made it, Tsubasa-table hopped out of the restaurant, promptly
followed by the patron on his chair. Tsubasa shook his head sadly at the
scene of the carnage. What did Ukyou see in him anyway?

Just as Tsubasa decided to cross the street in another attempt at an
ambush, one of the near-by movers picked him up.

Tsubasa-table looked around in surprise. "Just what do you think you are
doing?"

Mover one stared at the table for a moment, then looked to his partner.
"Hey, this table's talking to me."

"We're getting paid by the job, not the hour," Mover two growled. "Knock it
out and put it on."

Mover one slugged Tsubasa in the head, then put him in the van. The patron
watched everything, hopped into the van, while still on his chair, and sat
next to the unconscious Tsubasa-table. The movers closed the back of the
van and drove off.

The patron looked around. "I wonder when the waiter is going to take my
order." 


It had worked. Ryouga had made it to the store, bought the correct part,
and was on his way back to Ukyou. There was just one little problem. 

He was wandering the corridors of a large mansion. 

"I should have asked Ukyou to write down directions for getting back,"
Ryouga sighed as he tried to figure a way out of the mansion. 

Ryouga eventually came upon two huge doors and opened them. Inside was a
huge dining hall, almost the size of a small house. A young man sat at the
table, wearing a hakama, and was preparing to dine upon a huge boar on a
spit in the middle. A little man in ninja garb served him.

Ryouga hoped against hope. "This isn't Uk-Chan's, is it?"

"Nay, knave," Kunou bellowed. "This is Kunou Manor. Why do you intrude?" He
idly fingered the bokken at his waist.

Ryouga bowed in apology.  "It was an honest mistake. I'll leave."

Kunou was struck by a momentary whim. "Hold! Ordinarily I would have you
fed to the dogs, or my sister's pet, Mr. Green Turtle. But it has been
quiet in her absence. Too quiet. I would allow you to dine with me and stay
at the manor this evening. It is quite late." Besides, it was too damn
quiet without Kodachi laughing at least once a day.

Ryouga realized it was late and Ukyou didn't need her part until tomorrow.
If he tried finding anything in the dark it was more likely he would simply
end up more lost than he already was. Besides, he was starving. "GREAT!!! I
love pork!" 

He stuffed his face and retired to a bedroom. As Ryouga left, Kunou paused
in his reverie to wonder what his sister is up to.


Somewhere near the North Pole:

Kodachi was wearing a babushka and winter parka, riding on the back of a
panda with glasses, while twirling her ribbon . She and Mousse-panda were
being pursued by teams of irate Eskimos on dog sleds, some polar bears, and
a single penguin bringing up the rear.

"OHHOHOHOHOHO!" Kodachi was loving every minute of her time with her
beloved Mousse, although it seemed they were never going to lose the damned
penguin that had followed them all the way from the South Pole. Still, as

long as she was with her Mousse, then nothing else mattered.


Ryouga woke up early and set off to make it to Uk-Chan's, intent on making
it on time. As he walked past a grandfather clock in one of the halls, it
sprouted a head.

Tsubasa-clock gazed at Ryouga's retreating form. "He's had it now."

"Ah ha!" a voice came out of nowhere. Tsubasa looked around in surprise as
Sasuke suddenly sprang out from a hiding spot in the floor and confronted
him.

"An intruder!" Sasuke said as he pointed accusingly at the clock.

Tsubasa changed disguises before Sasuke's eyes, throwing a black mask over
his face. "Look! I'm a ninja too. Can't we be friends?"

Sasuke appeared...unimpressed. "If you are a ninja, I suppose you can do
this." A net sprang out from his hands and wrapped up Tsubasa. It was only
a few moments later he delivered the 'package' to his master.

"So. Yet another intruder. I do sense this one's intentions are not
honorable like the other's." Kunou considered what to do with the newcomer.
Yes. That would do. "Very well. We shall feed him to Mr. Green Turtle."

Even as he was being taken outside, Tsubasa had to question Kunou's sanity.
Turtles didn't eat people.

He was taken to a pool out back and hung over a pond. Tsubasa watched as a
large shadow moved under the water, then emerged from below him. It was
then Tsubasa learned exactly what Mr. Green Turtle was, as an alligator,
with a large collar around its neck, emerged from the pool.

"I THOUGHT YOU SAID IT WAS A TURTLE!!!" Tsubasa screamed, trying
desperately to keep from being snacked upon by the leaping reptile.

"Nay," Kunou said. "I said it's name is Mr. Green Turtle." He pointed to
the collar, which clearly had the name Mr. Green Turtle etched upon it. He
walked off, allowing Tsubasa to the pet's tender mercies.


Ryouga found himself walking down the middle of a quiet street, helplessly
lost. He had to make it to Ukyou's before the afternoon rush hit. He would
never let himself live it down if he failed her. It was still fairly early
in the morning, so he still had time to make it. 

Then he heard a noise, almost like a low roar coming from a race car. He
turned around to witness a bizarre scene. There was a red haired girl in a
white and blue school uniform holding the hand of a blond haired girl, also
in like uniform, with the red head running at about the speed of a bullet
train. The blond was flying through the air as she was dragged behind the
redhead. While the duo approached Ryouga, who watched as though he was a
deer caught in headlights, a garbage can jumped into the middle of the road
directly behind the lost one.

Ryouga considered the girl for a moment, then decided to ask the running
girl for directions.  "Excuse me Mis-"

The last thing Ryouga clearly heard was, "Look out!" Then...

*WHAM*

A-Ko kept on going while Ryouga, who had never been hit so hard in his
life, just looked up at the sky and stared at the stars now circling his
head. He was unaware of the cry of pain from Tsubasa as he too was run over
and fared even less well than Ryouga.                                      
                       


It was a while later that the recovered Ryouga found himself in an open
dune-like area surrounded by a chain link fence. He destroyed a section of
the fence in order to pass through, not realizing a section of the fence
further down detached itself and started to follow him. 

Ryouga silently wondered where he was, passing right by a sign that read.
'Missile Testing Range. KEEP OUT!' He did look up when he heard the whine
of an engine from overhead. A moment later a missile exploded next to
Ryouga, hitting the section of fence that was following him, causing rocks
to rain down. He simply pulled out his umbrella and continued on,
disappearing in the following explosions.
                                                                           
                                                         
It was much later when Ryouga found the sun unbearable and had to shield
his eyes. His bandanna became a very useful time as it absorbed the sweat
that had formed on his brow. He sighed to himself, deciding to accept the
fact he was lost and if he didn't change into a bat he would never get to
Ukyou's. And he had so wanted to show her he could do it as a man. Still,
he needed to get back and chose to use some water.

It was then Ryouga realized he in the middle of a desert.  Dunes were all
that could be seen in the distance, save for one cactus directly behind
him.

"This might be a little more difficult than I thought," he mumbled as he
began to wander off in search of some water.

The cactus sprouted a head and followed. "Where is this idiot going now?"
Tsubasa growled, trying to decide if following Ryouga was such a hot idea
now that he was lost and only the kami knew where. 


Ryouga traveled in circles for hours, then days, the cactus always right
behind him. He started crying out in misery when he realized he had missed
the deadline to get back to Ukyou. Eventually, after several weeks, he and
the cactus made their way back to civilization, arriving in a huge city.
Ryouga looked around for some way of communicating with Ukyou, then
realized he was next to a police call box. Hoping he had the correct kind
of change, he entered the box. 

Once inside he was more than a little confused. On the outside the box was
only about five feet by six feet. Inside, however, was a white sterile room
that was dominated by a round control panel in the middle of the twenty by
thirty foot room. A cylinder with a glowing object in it was above the
panel, emitting a soft hum. There was an open corridor behind the far wall
leading a long way off. The only other occupant was a Caucasian man
appearing in his late thirties with curly brown hair and wearing a brown
trench coat with scarf. He was fiddling with the controls, and only paused
in his scrutiny when he heard Ryouga gasp in awe.

"Hello there," the Doctor said as he introduced himself. "Would you like a
jellybaby?" He pulled a small brown bag from out of his coat and offered
its contents to Ryouga.

Ryouga politely declined, asking, "Do you know where I am?"

"Funny," the Doctor said. "I was about to ask you the same question."

Ryouga suddenly felt a kinship with the man. "I can't say. I'm afraid I'm
lost."

"Do you think it's Bangladesh?"

Ryouga shook his head. "No. Most people outside were Caucasians."

"Blast," the Doctor muttered to himself, then turned to Ryouga. "Do you
know what year it is?"

Ryouga told him.

"I'm two hundred years off the mark." The Doctor slammed his fist into the
control panel. The blow caused the object in the cylinder to begin moving
up and down. A moment later the ship started making a wheezing noise.

The Doctor turned to Ryouga, a pleasant smile upon his face. "How would you
like to travel through time and space and help me save the universe?"

The failure of returning to Ukyou made Ryouga more depressed than ever.
"Sure. Why not? Maybe I can get lost there too."

The Doctor smiled. "I prefer to think of it as the hand of fate randomly
deciding your destiny. I'm glad you have decided to join." He then thought
to himself that it was rather nice that Ryouga decided to join on. It had
been a while since he had a companion in his travels, and besides, he
wasn't sure of where they had been or if he could get back there.

The Doctor took off his coat and placed it upon a nearby coat rack. He
paused, looking suspiciously at it for a moment, then escorted Ryouga
around to show him his new home. 

The coat rack sprouted Tsubasa's head. There was fear in his eyes as he
wondered what mess Ryouga had gotten him into now.

To the outside world, the Tardis (Time machine disguised as a police call
box) disappeared with a wheezing sound.


A great deal of time later (Time being relative when one deals with time
travel in a machine that can travel through both time and space and was
designed to look like a police call box):

On the street outside of Uk-Chan's, which was still closed for the morning,
the Tardis slowly reappeared. Within seconds Ryouga slowly emerged, now
dressed in a black and yellow trench coat, a low black and yellow striped
hat, with his backpack and umbrella with him. The Doctor followed a moment
later.

The Doctor took a moment to enjoy the sun. "Well. How does it feel to be
back home?"

"It's still here!" Ryouga shouted out in glee as he pointed to Uk-Chan's.
"I thought it might be gone. I'm a little scared. It's been so long." He
bolstered his courage a bit as he turned to the Doctor. "Still, I'm not
sorry I helped save the universe, what was it, three times?"

"Four," the Doctor corrected

'Right. I won't forget the time we fought the Cyber Men..."

Ryouga remembered fighting several metal men with ray guns, who shot at him
and the Doctor. It was only a convenient nearby mail box, with long,
flowing brown hair sticking out of the mail slot, that Ryouga threw at the
men to block their blasts that saved the day. 

"...or the Daleks..."

Ryouga remembered fighting the odd looking trash can-like robots, who fired
beams of energy at him and the Doctor. It was only a convenient nearby log,
with long, flowing brown hair sticking out of it, that Ryouga threw at the
Daleks to block the blasts that saved the day.

"...or the Master..."

Ryouga remembered fighting the Caucasian man, who was snappily dressed with
slick black hair, and fired some kind of energy beam from a rod at him and
the Doctor. It was only a convenient nearby chair, with long, flowing brown
hair sticking out of it, that Ryouga threw at the Master to block the blast
and saved the day. Too bad the chair got disintegrated by the energy.

"...or the most dangerous of all. The Dreaded Rabbits of Xeczis."

Ryouga remembered with fear the horde of ravenous, yet somehow cute,
bunnies that rushed towards him and the Doctor. It was only a convenient
nearby giant carrot, with long flowing brown hair sticking out of it, that
Ryouga threw at the rabbits to distract them that saved the day. Watching
the cute bunnies fall onto the carrot in a wave was a terrifying sight to
behold.

"Yes those were pretty big adventures, even for me," the Doctor agreed.
"Thanks for helping. Hope you find a cure for your condition."

"Thanks." Ryouga looked forlornly at Uk-Chan's.

The Doctor slapped him on the back. "Ryouga, don't worry. Things have a
tendency to work out."

With one final good-bye, the Doctor stepped back into the Tardis and
prepared to leave. 

Ryouga continued looking at the restaurant. Would Ukyou even remember him?
It had been so many months, almost a year since he had last seen her. His
feet began to walk up to the true destination of his long journey, then
paused. He couldn't do it. He knew he'd never be able to stand the look of
pure hatred she would have for him when he would step through those doors.
He had failed her so terribly, she would probably spit in his eye and beat
him mercilessly with her spatula, then throw his crumpled form in the
garbage out back. Then his heart would be broken forever. No, it was best
for both of them if he saved her that pain and simply never saw her again. 

"Goodbye forever, Uk-chan. It was fun while it lasted, and for a brief
while, I had a home once again. I'll never forget your kindness. But I have
to leave forever. We'll never meet again, the one person I might have
called friend."

He walked directly into the restaurant.


As the Tardis started up, Tsubasa, dressed in nothing other than a torn
dress, jumped out at the last second before it disappeared. 

Tsubasa recognized the restaurant before him, cried out in joy, then kissed
the ground for a while, crying out how he thought he would never make it
home. Once he was finished with his crying, he went into the restaurant,
payback on his mind.


It took a moment for Ryouga to realize where he had gone. He was about to
turn around and leave when he found himself stopped in his tracks by the
sound of Ukyou's voice.

"Morning, Ryouga," she happily greeted. "You made it. Nice threads by the
way."

Ryouga was practically in tears. "You remember me!" He rushed up to her and
began bowing. "I'm sorry. Sorry I failed you. I'll leave and never darken
your doorway again."

Ukyou stared at him, confused. "What are you talking about? I told you I
needed it by opening today. There's still two hours before we open."

It was Ryouga's turn to be confused. "What? But I..." It was then it
occurred to him. Could it be? "What day is it?"

"Saturday."

Ryouga shook his head. "What month and year?"

Now Ukyou began to stare at him very strangely and told him.

Ryouga started crying. It was the same day he had left earth nearly a year
ago. "He did it! He really did it!" Ryouga looked to the sky and began
shouting. "Thank you! Thank you, Doctor!"

Ukyou began getting very nervous and fingered her large spatula. "Ryouga,
you're starting to scare me."

"I'll explain everything later." Ryouga couldn't trust himself to clarify
everything as excited as he was. He needed to calm down first.

"Where's the part?"

Ryouga stared at her, confused for a moment. It took him a moment to
remember. "Right. The part."

He began going through the parts in his coat. He pulled out a variety of
alien artifacts, but no part. He rummaged through his pack but had no luck
there either. With nothing left to search through, he started raging at the
ceiling.

"It's not fair! I saved the universe! I went to other times and planets!
And all I wanted was...one...lousy...part!" He began smashing his head onto
the cooking surface.

Ukyou got him to stop and placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's all right.
You tried, that's all I care about." She looked around for something to
cheer him up. There had to be something, then her eyes fell upon the
package. She picked it up and handed it to him. "Someone left this for you
yesterday after you went to the shop. He said he was a friend." 

Ryouga looked at it in confusion, wondering who even knew he had been
staying at the restaurant. With only a momentary hesitation he ripped open
the package. Inside was the missing oven part, along with a note:


See. I told you things would work out. But you should really be more
careful with what you leave lying around. I nearly hooked this up to the
Tardis.


There was no signature, not that it mattered. Ryouga looked up once more.
"Thank you, Doctor."

It was at that moment that Tsubasa stormed in. Reflexively, Ukyou went for
her spatula. "Tsubasa. How did you find me?"

Ukyou was amazed when Tsubasa ignored her and pointed to Ryouga.

"You! All I wanted was to set an ambush, but no! You had to ruin it! First
I get lugged to some crazy skater's house; she thought I looked cute as a
table. Then I get test fired by missiles. Then I spend weeks in a desert
with no water. I still don't know how we survived. But all of that could
have been forgiven. And then you sent me through time and space."

"Why aren't you in one of your stupid disguises?" Ukyou asked, still
shocked at the diatribe laid upon Ryouga.

Tsubasa looked evilly towards Ryouga. "They were all blasted off of me by
him!"

Ryouga finally spoke up. "Do I know you?"

Tsubasa began laughing insanely. "Do you know me? Do you know me? How could
you forget your personal shield for all your adventures? I was the first
thing you always threw at the enemy who was always firing at you. Do you
know how hard it is to get back from being disintegrated?"

"No."

"Well its tough. But the absolute worst was those DAMN RABBITS! THEY CHEWED
ON ME AND CHEWED ON ME FOR HOURS! THOSE CREATURES WERE SO STUPID, THEY
COULDN'T EVEN TELL I WASN'T A VEGETABLE!!!"

Only one thing came to mind for Ryouga. "Umm, sorry?"

"That won't cut it!" Tsubasa warned. "At first, I was doing this for Ukyou.
But now, I am going to hurt you for me-"

*WHAM*

Ukyou observed a spatula sized lump form on Tsubasa's head, then watched
the unconscious body slump to the floor. She tied him up and threw him into
a passing garbage truck. After going back inside, she just shook her head
at Ryouga.

"Can you believe that guy? Traveling across time and space. He has really
gone off the deep end."

Ryouga grinned sheepishly at that. "Ukyou, I have something to tell you
about that. But first, could you make me one of those special
okonomiyakis?"

"Sure, sugar. But I thought you had three of them yesterday."

Ryouga's gaze became distant. "It seems a lot longer than that." He felt a
rare smile blossom in his face. "It feels good to be back home."


Epilogue

The girl in shrine maiden's robes stood at the top of a hill, looking down
at Furinkan High. The evil she sensed lay in the school. There was no doubt
of that. It was an evil that she would destroy, and if anyone got in the
way, they would meet the same fate as well.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Special Thanks to:

Gary Kleppe
Harold Ancell
Lord Talon

    Source: geocities.com/tokyo/towers/5920