A Feather in the Wind
Chapter 11

      A bruised and battered Chinese man spoke into a public phone while another one glared at the few people out late that night. The one on the phone winced at some particularly loud exclamations and tried to respond. Resolutely, he hung up the phone.
      "Well?" The one that had not been on the phone asked in Chinese.
      "We are to return home, this mission is a failure." He shrugged and started walking down the street. The other one jogged a few steps to catch up.
      "How can one attempt turn into mission failure?"
      "We didn't perform enough observations on our target's guardian, or his companion. Our agency does not want to risk another attempt that may result in our capture. The boss doesn't want to cause an...incident over this."
      "Are we still getting paid?"
      "Right now I'm more worried about...," he trailed off as a black sedan pulled up next to them and stopped. The passenger door opened and a soft voice bid them to enter.
      "We no trust you!" One spoke angrily in Japanese. The person inside the sedan laughed.
      "If I wanted you two dead, you would be dead already. My employer wishes to discuss a business proposition with you." The two men shrugged and got into the car. Inside, they found a short man dressed in a black suit in the driver's seat.
      "Gentlemen, I am known as Moiri," he identified himself.
      "Ping I am."
      "Chun am called."
      Moiri winced, "I don't suppose you could drop the ignorant foreigner act could you? All that talking in the third person gets on my nerves." Ping and Chun looked at each other, abashed.
      "You could tell?" Ping asked.
      "It's not too difficult if you know what to look for."

      The rest of the drive was spent in silence. Chun tried glancing out the window from time to time to see where they where headed, but the tint of the window and the dark of night kept him from seeing anything clearly. Eventually, they got out of the sedan inside of a mostly empty warehouse. There was a single desk in the center with a high-backed chair facing away from them. Ping and Chun glanced nervously at each other.
      "Welcome to my temporary office." The chair turned, revealing Naoli. "I trust the summons wasn't too inconvenient."
      "What do you want?" Ping asked suspiciously. Naoli smiled and placed her hands on the desk.
      "I want the two of you to take a vacation. I'm sure your agency is quite unhappy with you for failing in your mission, and probably will not be willing to have failures in their service." She gave the two suddenly nervous men a smile. They conferred quietly for a moment before turning back to face her.
      "How do you know so much about this?" Ping asked, his anxiety clear in his voice.
      "I have my own sources. You really should have watched Mr. Hibiki a little more before you decided to try and eliminate him."
      "We could have taken him...," Chun started to speak, but Ping cut him off with an abrupt gesture.
      "I see. We did underestimate his skill, not to mention the skill of his companion. How do you propose we avoid our own people?"
      "That's entirely up to you, but should you attempt to contact them again, I will have to take steps. It's a long shot, but I think you might have enough intelligence for that much at least." She leaned back in her chair and gazed at them with half closed eyes.
      Chun turned red in the face and reached into his robe. His hand flashed as he threw a brace of knives that glinted in the dim light. With a blur of motion Naoli had leapt clear of the chair, leaving the knives to imbed harmlessly into the back. Chun looked up just in time to see Naoli's foot descending. Ping cursed and backed up as Naoli engaged his partner. Moiri seemingly materialized next to him.
      "I recommend against you trying to help your friend." Moiri spoke quietly, but Ping could feel the sharp steel of the katana against his throat making his point quite clear. In the meantime, Chun was backing up slowly against Naoli's furious assault. Her kicks were neither the fastest, nor the most skillful, but it was all he could do to block the attacks. Naoli muttered a silent thanks to Ryouga, she knew that if he wasn't hurt she wouldn't stand a chance. Finally he crumpled, howling with pain as Naoli had kicked the side of his knee.
      "I see you have a lack of common sense," Naoli said coldly. "Remember what I told you two. If you get on the wrong ship or plane, don't expect to arrive alive. I'm sure there's a small island somewhere that will suit you." She turned her back on them and walked to the desk and sat on it. She reached into a drawer and grabbed a briefcase. She looked at it briefly before she tossed it negligently at Ping's feet.
      "You'll find adequate compensation in there. Now get out of my sight before I change my mind."
      Ping gathered his partner and fled the building. Moiri moved to stand near Naoli.
      "We don't have the manpower to carry out that kind of threat, my Lady."
      "I know that, but they don't. A good bluff is almost as good as having the people. I just don't want them to be able to make a detailed report." She held a finger up.
      "When they disappear, I will be sending the Chinese agency they work for a little letter telling them that they plan on selling information about them to another power, the United States maybe. That should keep them out of our way. After all, we do need the target, and maybe Mr. Hibiki in good health. Our employers haven't made their minds up on him yet."
      "Clever, for one so young." Moiri almost smiled. Naoli beamed a brilliant smile at him.
      "Thanks!"
      "But, it was rash of you to fight him like that. You should know your skill better than that!" Moiri's usually emotionless voice took on an edge of reproval.
      "I knew Ryouga had hurt him. Besides, it'll teach him to ignore friendly advice."

      Morning brought very little with it to be cheerful about. Gray clouds covered the sky, and the wind blew almost constantly. Ryouga looked out the window and growled.
      "Figures it'd be miserable out there."
      "Yeah, whatever man. C'mon, I don't feel like practicing with my old man." Ranma half dragged Ryouga out to the yard. They faced off for a few seconds before they launched themselves at each other. Ryouga remained almost immobile against Ranma's lightning quick assault, but his answering attacks were gleefully dodged. Ryouga snarled at Ranma and tried to move faster. All that really did was make his moves sloppy, and Ranma took advantage of each lapse.
      "C'mon man, can't you focus better than that?" he taunted.
      "Shut up!" Ryouga snarled and tried for a roundhouse kick. Ranma ducked the kick and punched Ryouga in the stomach. Ryouga half smiled at him.
      "You should know better than that Ranma!" he said as he grabbed his wrist and threw him to the ground. Ranma sprang instantly to his feet and was forced to block some rapid punches, moving him back a few paces. Ryouga pressed his attack trying to force Ranma into the pond. Just when it seemed Ranma was going to fall in, he caught one of Ryouga's punches and threw him into the pond.
      "Still way too slow Ryouga!" Ranma squatted at the edge of the pond and gloated at Ryouga-chan. She looked downcast at the water for a minute before grabbing the front of Ranma's shirt with an iron grip. A quick tug later, Ranma-chan was spluttering in the cold water as well.
      "Hey! What didja go and do that for?" Ranma-chan glowered at Ryouga-chan.
      "You were the one sloppy enough to stay within my reach!" she countered. As they sat in the water glaring at each other, Akane came outside wearing a white T-shirt and a short gray skirt.
      "Come inside you two! Breakfast is almost ready and you need to dry off!" She waited on the porch with a pair of towels for the soaked martial artists. "Honestly, can't you train without getting wet?"
      "Does not look like it, does it Ryouga?" Ranma-chan spoke with no emotion in her voice.
      "Not at all." Ryouga-chan spoke in much the same monotone. Akane looked at them warily.
      "What gives?"
      "We go. Internal chronometer indicates it is past time to obtain sustenance." Ranma-chan now spoke in a robotic voice and moved jerkily. Ryouga-chan's face twitched, as if she were suppressing a grin.
      "Roger roger." she spoke in the same kind of voice and took two steps before Akane threw the both of them back into the pond with a shout.
      "I can't believe you!" She shouted before she stormed inside. They looked at each other, still neck deep in the cold water.
      "I thought she would find that funny." Ryouga-chan said as she shook some water out of her hair.
      "Who can ever tell with that un-cute tomboy?" Ranma- chan grumbled. Akane stuck her head out the door.
      "I heard that Ranma!" she stuck her tongue out and closed her eyes, making a face at her fiancee. She opened them again in surprise when she felt someone grab her tongue between two fingers.
      "Gee Akane," Feather said mildly as she pulled a little on her friend's tongue, "Your tongue seems to be loose this morning."
      "Heeh ho oh my hongue!" Akane's eyebrows furrowed angrily. Feather cocked her head innocently.
      "What was that? I couldn't understand a word you said." she squeezed Akane's tongue a little harder. Akane's eyes narrowed a split second before she grabbed her wrist and gave it a deft twist. Feather cried out in surprise as Akane flung her towards the pond as well. She snapped her wings out and hovered, her feet just above Ranma-chan and Ryouga- chan.
      "Nice throw Akane, but throws don't work that good on me!" She stuck her tongue out at a steaming Akane. Ranma- chan and Ryouga-chan looked at each other for a moment before they each grabbed a leg and pulled her in.
      "Hey!!!" Feather screamed as she surfaced in the pond. Akane just about collapsed on the porch laughing, while Ranma-chan and Ryouga-chan gave each other a high five over Feather's head.
      "If that's how you're going to be...," she sniffed at them before she climbed out of the cold water. When she shook her wings to dry them, it caused a spray of water that got Akane wet.
      "You did that on purpose didn't you?" Akane yelled as she stomped towards Feather. Feather gave her the most innocent look she could.
      "Who, me?" she asked right before she wrapped Akane up in a hug, encircling her wet wings around the startled girl as well.
      "Hey! That's cold!" Akane shouted as she struggled in the red-haired girl's grip before she started laughing as Feather's wings tickled her bare legs.
      "Hee hee hee, stop it! Your wings are tickling me!" she managed to gasp out.
      "Oh, you mean these wings?" Feather asked with a vicious grin as she purposely drew her wingtips across the back of Akane's knees. Ranma-chan and Ryouga-chan's eyes went wide as Feather's wings moved away from Akane.
      Feather was practically holding Akane up with a tight hug, who had perhaps unconsciously wrapped her arms below her waist. Their legs had gotten tangled as Akane had tried to kick her legs away from being tickled. They were pressed tightly together and Akane's squirming made it appear that she was rubbing up and down against Feather's body. Her white T-shirt was quite wet now and it clung to her skin. Both of the girls were laughing uncontrollably. Ryouga- chan's nose began to bleed and she slowly sank under the water while Ranma-chan just stared wide-eyed.
      "Whoa! You two really don't want to know what that looks like from over here!" Ranma-chan smirked at them. Akane was out of breath from laughing too much to reply. Feather looked over towards the pond and scowled.
      "Knock it off, big brother!" she glanced around quizzically, "Hey, what happened to Ryouga?" She asked. Ranma-chan's head whipped around a few times until she spotted the semi-conscious Ryouga-chan under water. She reached under and pulled the blonde from the water.
      "Guess he couldn't handle it!" Ranma-chan joked as she dragged her friend into the house. The girls looked at each other.
      "I guess that did kinda look, well, bad didn't it?" Feather giggled behind a hand. Akane gave her an exasperated look.
      "It's your fault for grabbing onto me like that!" Akane mock scolded her as she held the T-shirt away from her skin, "Now I have to go change before breakfast!"
      "I'm sure Ranma appreciated the view!" Feather gave her a sly glance, and then laughed when Akane blushed.
      "I, he, we, oh never mind!" She stormed into the house. Feather shook her wings a few more times, trying to get the last of the water off of them. She sighed as she tried to retract into her back again and couldn't.
      "Must be because they're wet." she muttered to herself as she went inside to change as well. She folded her wings around herself like a cloak.

      Feather was aware of the stares when she approached the table. She stared at the table as she sat down, twitching her dress a little to cover her legs.
      "Feather," Soun asked after a moment, "why didn't you, you know...," he gestured towards his back, groping for a way to convey his meaning. Feather looked up at him with a little bit of a grimace.
      "I can't seem to do that when they're wet for some reason."
      Genma reached over and ran his hand down one of them. "Feels dry to me."
      "They're damp, I can still feel the water." She twitched her wing away from his hand before she attacked the food on her plate. Ryouga gave her a look that conveyed his sympathy before he began eating as well.
      "Oh my, that doesn't look very comfortable," Kasumi said when she saw how often Feather had to shift her wings to keep them off the floor. Feather shrugged.
      "I'm more or less used to it."
      "Whoa yeah! Now there's a sweet sight for me!" Happosai yelled as he bounded into the room and attached himself to Feather's chest. She jumped straight up, overturning the table onto Soun.
      "He's spry this morning," Nabiki frowned as she mentally figured out how much it would cost to replace the dishes that had been broken.
      "Grandfather Happosai!" Kasumi said in a sharp voice, causing all motion in the room to stop. "I thought you had agreed that mealtimes would not be affected by your training!" Everyone but Happosai face-faulted at her words.
      "Training?!?" Ryouga managed to squeak out once he got his jaw off the floor. "You call that training?"
      Happosai had a hurt look on his face when he dropped off of Feather and walked a few paces towards Kasumi.
      "Kasumi, you don't mean...," he whimpered a little as Kasumi slowly nodded. He turned around with a totally dejected look on his face, scuffing his toe like a scolded schoolboy.
      "Hey Kasumi," Ranma spoke as he righted the table, "What kinda deal did you pull with him? I didn't think anything could stop him."
      "It's simple Ranma," Kasumi giggled, "I told him that if he totally interrupted a meal, I wouldn't make him another meal that day. Or, if he ruined dinner, nothing for the entire next day."
      "Wow," Akane laughed, "and all you get out of it is peaceful meal times."
      Happosai turned and glared around the room. "You better not be laughing at me! I won't tolerate it!"
      "Come off it freak." Ranma squatted in front of the shriveled master, "We all know Kasumi's word is law when it comes to the food in this place. Don't go and try to blame us for what you did!"
      "Why shouldn't I? It always worked with your Fathers. Besides, I'm still your master." He crossed his arms and turned to walk away while Ranma was fuming, only to run into Ryouga's legs. "And what do you want?" he asked indignantly. Ryouga bent over picked the old man up by the collar of his shirt.
      "Why don't we get a few things perfectly clear, old man," he growled, "I am not your student, my father was never your student. I have none of the so-called obligations you like to hold over their heads." Ryouga grinned evilly at him. "So don't expect me to go bowing and scraping for you at any time, 'cause you won't get it from me."
      "Anything else you want to throw in my face while you're at it, boy?" Happosai sneered at him; "Because you aren't likely get another chance to speak to me this way."
      "No, but I'll let you know if I think of something." Ryouga said as he dropped the old man unceremoniously.
      "I should teach you a lesson in respect boy!"
      "Bring it on!" Ryouga snarled as he dropped into a ready stance. Happosai snorted.
      "You ain't worth half my effort boyo! Besides," he brushed a bit of dirt off his doji, "Kasumi's mad enough at me as is. See ya!" Happi laughed as he hopped off. Ryouga stood seething and staring in the direction Happosai had left in. Feather put a hand on his shoulder.
      "Don't let him get to you, ok?" she said softly. Ryouga glanced at her before stalking upstairs without saying a word. Feather's wings drooped noticeably as she watched him disappear upstairs. She walked outside and out the gate. Akane followed her out the gate, but when she looked around, the redhead was gone. A moment later, Ryouga came back down the stairs.
      "Uhm... I can't find the bathroom..." Embarrassment was evident in his voice.
      "C'mon man. It's this way." Ranma chuckled as he led the lost boy down the hall.

      Feather watched the gate from around the corner until Akane had gone back inside. She wanted to be alone so that she could sort out her own feelings. The dank and cloudy morning seemed to fit her mood perfectly.
      "Why am I so depressed now? Nothing major happened this morning, right?" she asked herself as she walked. Unable to answer her own question, she walked with her head hung until she came across a small playground. There were several small children playing on the swings and the jungle gym while two mothers sat on a bench, keeping a benevolent watch on them as they talked. Feather smiled as the carefree laughter became infectious. She sat down on another bench and folded her wings about her to help ward off the cool morning air.
      The innocent play of the children seemed to cheer her up, until she tried to remember the last time she had played like that. Unable to recall such happy moments, she sighed and stood to leave. As she walked away, she glanced once over her shoulder at the laughing children, sighed, then walked quickly away.
      "Having regrets Feather?" Feather spun at the voice and found Naoli standing slightly behind her.
      "Naoli! Don't sneak up on me like that!" She put one hand over her rapidly beating heart. Naoli gave her a quick smile.
      "Sorry. I didn't expect to see you out this early alone."
      "What do you mean by that?" Feather asked as she narrowed her eyes suspiciously. Naoli put her hands in her pockets and looked up as she replied.
      "Oh nothing." She brought her gaze back to Feather. "I understand there was a bit of excitement last night at the concert you went to."
      "Excitement? Oh, that." Feather snorted. "They didn't seem to be that much of a problem for Ranma and Ryouga." She started walking again and Naoli fell in beside her.
      "It made the evening news. They didn't say who was involved, but with the level of destruction they showed on TV it almost had to involve Ryouga." Naoli laughed, "A lot of people thought it was just part of that bands' act too, that's the real kicker!"
      Feather flashed her a smile, but didn't say anything. They walked for quite a while in silence before Feather stopped. Naoli took two more steps before she stopped and turned to face Feather.
      "What is it?" she asked.
      "Naoli, I want to ask you something. What's your interest in Ryouga?" Feather asked with a serious look on her face. Naoli grinned as she took a step towards Feather.
      "Oho! You're the jealous type aren't you?"
      "What do you mean jealous? Who's jealous?" Feather sputtered as her face turned a pretty shade of red. Naoli laughed and put her hands on her hips.
      "I should've known you'd be the jealous type with those green eyes of yours."
      "What do my eyes have to do with anything?" Feather's face was now red with anger rather than embarrassment. Naoli looked at her with mock amazement.
      "Don't tell me you've never heard that old saying."
      "What old saying?"
      "That one about jealousy being a green eyed monster!" Naoli laughed as she dodged a sudden swing from Feather.
      "So, I'm a monster am I?" she scowled at Naoli before she began to chase her in earnest. Naoli laughed at Feather's futile attempts to grab her as she ran. Suddenly she couldn't hear any footsteps behind her. Naoli turned around, expecting to see Feather standing a few paces behind her, but saw nothing. She spun around again when she felt a gust of wind right behind her. Feather landed with a muffled thump and her wings blurred a little as they retracted into her back.
      "Still plan on running?" Feather asked with an amused smirk.
      "Are you still going to try and get me?"
      "Maybe."
      "Then maybe I'll have to try running again!" Naoli crossed her arms and half turned as if she was about to dash off again. Feather laughed and took a step forward and reached out for Naoli when someone jumped off of the wall secured Feather's arm behind her back and held a knife against her throat. Feather let out a startled cry and stiffened when she felt the knife touch her skin.
      "Chun! Why haven't you left the country yet!" Naoli snarled at the Chinese man.
      "Ha! Ping might've taken your so called advise, but I intend to complete our mission!" he pressed his knife a little against Feather's throat, "And there's nothing you can do to stop me now!" Naoli scowled at him and decided to try and stall for time.
      "Just how do you think you can escape? She'll just fly off if you loosen your grip in the slightest." Naoli held her arms wide and took a slight step forward.
      "Back off!" Chun yelled before he lowered his voice again. "I don't really want to be forced to kill her, but it's an option!" His scowl slowly turned into a half smile. "Then again, why don't you come closer? I'm sure that my employer will be just as happy to see her dead."
      "What do you want from me?" Feather said, her fear evident in her voice.
      "There are people that are very interested in your wings. I was hired to bring you back alive, preferably." Chun grinned, revealing gaps in his teeth evidence of his fight with Ryouga. "Now, be a good girl and bring your wings out. Slowly, I don't think it be wise to try and shove me away right now."
      Feather swallowed hard and shook her head a little.
      "I can't, not with you holding my arm that high." Chun scowled at her words and twisted her arm a little harder, eliciting a small cry of pain.
      "Don't try to lie to me! Do it now!" he yelled in her ear. Feather concentrated, trying to figure out something she had been doing instinctively. She held her breath for a second and then slowly, her wings emerged from her back. Naoli watched in wonder as she saw Feather's wings slowly grow out of her back, feathers sprouting from the fleshy portions at an astounding rate. What had taken a split second before took an agonizing five minutes. Several times during the process Feather gasped in pain due to her shoulder being twisted back by Chun.
      "That's a good girl." He let go of her arm and put a crushing grip on close to the base of her left wing. Feather screamed in pain as he twisted it cruelly. The color drained from her face and she nearly passed out from the pain.
      "Bastard! Let go of her!" Naoli yelled as she leapt at him. Chun snarled and pulled Feather in front of him. Naoli barely managed to stop her charge before she ran headfirst into Feather.
      "Don't be reckless!" he spat as he hit Naoli in the forehead with the handle of his knife. She fell back, stunned from the blow. Chun brought the knife against Feather's throat again.
      "Move!" He hissed at her as he yanked her roughly toward the corner.
     
      Things seemed to be quiet at the Tendo dojo. Ranma and Ryouga were in their room, quietly looking at a book of some sort. Ryouga fidgeted nervously as he flipped the page.
      "Are you sure this is the best source of information? I mean, are you sure this will help?" Ryouga asked nervously. Ranma nodded sagely.
      "Know thy enemy, and know thyself. Pops spouts that all the time, but this really might help you out. I know it helped me come a little closer to dealing with things." He pointed imperiously at the page. "Now read it!"
      "Are you sure a book like this will help me? I mean, this whole book reads like, well, a lecture."
      "Hey, you wanted to know how I got on better terms with my curse!" Ranma snatched up the book and held the cover in Ryouga's face.
      "'How to be a Woman, a girls' guide to womanhood?'" Ryouga read angrily, "You actually read this?!?!" Ryouga grabbed Ranma's shirt. Ranma looked at Ryouga sternly before he started laughing uncontrollably.
      "You set me up for that didn't you Ranma!" Ryouga angrily threw him across the room. Ranma was still laughing when he landed in a heap.
      "The... hee hee, look on your face!" Ranma continued to laugh while Ryouga steamed until there was a soft knock on the door.
      "Yeah?" Ryouga asked as he stood to answer the door. The door opened before he could reach it. Akari bounced in happily.
      "Hi Ryouga, did you miss me?" she asked as she gave him a hug. Ryouga however, blushed and stared off into space, sending Ranma into another laughing fit.
      "What's wrong with Ryouga?" she asked as she struggled to get his attention.
      "Nothing more than terminal shyness I'd say." Ranma said seriously before he reached over and pinched Ryouga's cheek a bit. "Ain't it too cwuuute?"
      Ryouga recovered from his light-headedness instantly and grabbed the offending hand.
      "And just what is too cute?" Ryouga glared at Ranma.
      "Uhm, Ryouga? What's wrong?" Akari asked quietly. Ryouga immediately stood stock-still and took in the scene around him. Akari was still hugging him, and he had Ranma's hand in a death grip, and the book...
      "Oh no!" He dove out of Akari's arms and snatched the book from where it lay on the floor and promptly held it behind his back.
      "What's that Ryouga?" she asked, a small smile on her face. "What is it? Lemme see!" Ranma stepped back and laughed as Ryouga desperately dodged Akari's attempts to see what it was he was trying desperately to hide.
      "Well, looks like you have some company Ryouga, I guess I'd better go." Ranma smirked at the panicked look on his face before he left the room. He hadn't gone more than two steps past the door when he was clobbered in the back of the head. He spun around, but all he saw was the door to the room closing and the book on the floor. Ranma shrugged and tossed the book into Akane's room.
      "Maybe that thing will have more use than just getting a rise outta Ryouga..." he mused as he turned to make his way downstairs.

      Feather was sweating nervously as they walked down the streets of Nerima. As they turned another corner, she recognized Dr. Tofu's office. She saw him talking with one of his elderly patients just outside the door, when he suddenly ducked back inside. Feather watched out of the corner of her eye and saw him pick up a phone and dial rapidly. She muttered a silent prayer that he was calling the Dojo.

      Dr. Tofu was chatting with one of his regulars outside when he saw Feather and a man he did not recognize turn the corner. His eyes narrowed when he saw that the man's knuckles had turned white from the force of the grip he was keeping on her wing.
      "I'm sorry Mr. Yamata, but I'm afraid there is something I must do now," he said in way of apology before he ducked inside and quickly dialed the phone.
      "Tendo Dojo," Akane's voice said pleasantly through the receiver.
      "Akane, this is Dr. Tofu. Get Ranma and Ryouga to the clinic as fast as you can! Someone is trying to kidnap Feather!"
      "We'll be right there!" He heard Akane drop the phone and her rapid footsteps away. He hung up the phone and looked out the window to see how far down the street they had gotten, and tried to come up with a way to stall the man.

      "We'll be right there!" Akane dropped the phone and dashed upstairs. She slammed into Ranma's chest at the top of the stairs.
      "Whoa! Hey, watch it you klutz!" Ranma said as they landed in a tangle.
      "Never mind that Ranma!" Akane yelled as she got to her feet and started dragging Ranma down the hall, "We have to get Ryouga and get down to Dr. Tofu's now!"
      "Hey, what's going on?" Ranma asked as Akane threw open the door to Ranma and Ryouga's room. Akari jumped in fright and Ryouga's head snapped around to face the door at the noise.
      "What the...?" Ryouga started before Akane grabbed his arm as well.
      "We must get to Dr. Tofu's right away! Something's happened to Feather!" she practically yelled.
      "What are you waiting for? Let's go!" Ryouga snarled, and the three martial artists sprinted away, leaving a confused Akari behind.
      "What?" Akari stared at the speed of their departure. She ran as fast as she could to try and catch up with them, but by the time she reached the bottom of the stairs, there was no sign of them.
      "Oh my, Akari, what's going on?" Kasumi asked as she stepped out of the kitchen.
      "Something happened to someone called Feather," Akari shrugged, "Do you know who that is?"
      "Feather is Ranma's sister. Oh, I hope nothing bad happened to her..." Kasumi fidgeted worriedly for a minute before she returned to the kitchen. Akari sighed and settled down in the living room to watch TV.

      Dr. Tofu had started to step outside when he saw a woman in a black jumpsuit stagger around the corner and then moved to confront the man with Feather. She apparently started an argument with him. Dr. Tofu watched from around the edge of one of the pillars that marked the gate to his office as the argument raged on. A glance at his watch told him that the argument had lasted for nearly ten minutes.
      ::Just a few more minutes, and the cavalry will be here!:: He thought to himself. His slight smile faded when the woman apparently threw some sort of insult that infuriated the man. He couldn't hear what was said, but he could see the anger on the man's face as he threw Feather into the wall and knocked the woman out with two powerful punches and then kicked her in the ribs a few times for good measure. Dr. Tofu cursed under his breath, knowing that his devotion to the healing arts left him unprepared for this kind of confrontation.

      Feather shook the cobwebs out of her head just in time to see Chun knock Naoli to the ground. She dashed forward and delivered a kick to the small of his back. When he turned to face her, she kicked him in the jaw, knocking him back a few steps. Feather seized the opportunity and scooped Naoli into her arms and took off, intent on flying back to the dojo. She had gotten maybe two meters off the ground when she felt something wrap around her ankles and was jerked to a stop. She looked down and saw that Chun had used his belt like a whip in a last ditch effort to keep her from escaping. An evil grin spread over Chun's face when he saw that Feather wasn't strong enough to fly with his weight as well.
      "What's the matter? Not strong enough to get away?" he sneered as he pulled harder. Feather began to fly rapidly in different directions in an attempt to get him to lose his grip. Chun was amazed at how much effort it took to keep a hold on the belt, if she wasn't already weighed down with Naoli, she would have pulled him off the ground immediately.
      It was a stalemate; the first to weaken and fall would be defeated. As the minutes drug on, the overcast morning turned into rain. Chun grinned viciously when he saw that Feather was tiring faster.
      "What's the matter? Getting a little tired?" He taunted. She stuck her tongue out at him in response. Without warning, something flew out of the rain and severed the belt before it embedded itself into the wall.
      "What the...?" Chun cursed as he fell over. When he got up, he saw Feather fly into a second story window of a clinic across the street. As he moved to intercept her again, he found himself blocked by three angry girls. He paused to look at them. The first had short black hair and was wearing a jacket and a mid length skirt. The next one had bright red hair bound into a pigtail and was wearing Chinese clothes. The last one had shaggy blond hair and had a yellow sweater and green pants bound around the calves.
      "Who are you three supposed to be? The Nerima musketeers?" He laughed as he tried to push his way past them. When he couldn't he tried to slap Akane.
      "Wrong move pal!" Ranma-chan yelled as she kicked his arm away from Akane. Chun howled as he backed away, clutching at his arm. Ryouga-chan growled deep in her throat as she leapt for a kick. Her foot slammed into his chest with the force of a sledgehammer, knocking the breath out of him.
      "Right, it's my turn!" Akane said as she went through a punch kick combo, ending with a foot sweep. Chun crashed into the concrete with all the grace of a dropped rag doll.
      "Who are you people?" he asked as he struggled to stand. Ryouga-chan crouched in front of him.
      "We're the people that will make your life hell if you ever come back here." Barely contained fury flavored her voice and twisted her features. Chun spat blood in her face.
      "Oh, hell!" Ranma-chan cursed when he saw Chun spit in her friend's face. Sure enough, Ryouga-chan went through her transformation and proceeded to thoroughly thrash the hapless Chun. After a few seconds, Ranma-chan moved to stop her.
      "Hey, that's enough!" she yelled as she grabbed onto Ryouga-lupine's shoulder. Ryouga-lupine looked over her shoulder at Ranma-chan before she dropped the now unconscious Chun.
      "Come on, I saw Feather fly into Dr. Tofu's, let's see how she's doing," Akane said when she walked over to them, "Besides, your gonna draw a crowd if you keep changing like that." Ryouga-lupine managed to look embarrassed through the fur before she shifted back into her girl form. Well, almost all the way back. Her ears remained tufted wolves ears, and a large bushy tail peeked out of her trousers. Akane covered her mouth and giggled when Ranma-chan leaned around Ryouga- chan and tugged at her tail.
      "Ranma! Stop pulling my tail!" Ryouga-chan snarled as she batted her hands away, her tail swishing in agitation.
      "Ok, ok! Geez, lighten up." Ranma-chan snorted as she turned to walk into Dr. Tofu's.

      When they got inside the clinic, they found Feather leaning against the wall, holding a bag of ice near the base of her left wing.
      "Are you ok Feather?" Akane asked as she took the ice from her and held it on her wing.
      "Yeah, I'll be just fine as soon as you ease up on that ice!" Feather winced.
      "Sorry." Akane stopped pressing as hard on the ice pack.
      "I only have a few bruises, the worst one is where he grabbed my wing and twisted it," she gave them a pained look, "You have any idea how much that hurts?"
      "Not really," Ranma-chan shrugged, "but I can imagine. Who was that girl you carried in here anyway?"
      "Oh, that was Naoli," Feather shrugged, "That creep knocked her out and kicked her in the ribs a few times. Dr Tofu is wrapping her ribs up right now."
      "What'd she ever do to him? She's basically harmless without that rifle of hers." Ryouga-chan shrugged. Feather looked over at her and collapsed laughing. "What?" Ryouga- chan asked, her ears going flat against her head, sending Feather into another fit of laughter. Ryouga-chan threw her hands in the air in disgust before she plopped onto the couch and began to wring the rainwater out of her tail.
      "How'd that happen?" Feather asked when she finally stopped laughing. Ryouga- chan scowled for a second before she responded.
      "Dunno. Ranma managed to make me feel really embarrassed while I was a werewolf," she looked thoughtfully at the ceiling, "I'm still not totally sure how this curse works."
      "Getting back on track," Akane said as she firmly reapplied the ice to Feather's wing, "Where exactly did Naoli fit into all this?"
      "We're not really sure," Feather looked thoughtful, "The first time we saw her she was warning us about those two guys that attacked Ranma and Ryouga at the concert. But, she told us that they were cultists that were angry with Ryouga for breaking up a ceremony or something. When she was confronting that guy today, I found out that they were really trying to get Ryouga out of the way so they could kidnap me and she knew it!"
      "I just knew she wasn't really telling us everything," Ryouga-chan muttered, "That story about the cultists didn't really sit all that well with me. Something just didn't sound right about her getting so concerned about me that she'd come here from China just to give me a little warning."
      "Sounds to me like she's got some explainin' to do!" Ranma-chan said as she crossed her arms and leaned against a wall. Akane nodded.
      "Right, but she did slow that jerk down long enough for us to catch up. She can't be all bad." Akane pointed out. At this point, Dr. Tofu walked into the waiting room and closed the door behind him.
      "How is she Doc?" Ryouga-chan asked as she stood.
      "Oh, she'll be just fine. She only has a few bruises. I wrapped her ribs merely as a precaution. You can go in and see her now if you want." Dr. Tofu opened the door for them. Ryouga-chan was the first one through the door, but the room was empty.
      "What the... She's gone!" she exclaimed. A quick glance around revealed only a scrap of paper on the bed where Naoli should have been. Ranma-chan scooped up the note and read it aloud.
      "Hey there, as you can see, I had to run. I will be seeing you all again soon. Thanks for fixing me up Doctor. It's signed Naoli," Ranma-chan scowled at the window, "What I'd like to find out is how she closed the window behind her."
      "Who cares?" Feather shrugged, "I just want to go home now."
      "Sounds good. See you later Doc!" Ranma-chan said as she led the others out.

      Naoli winced as Moiri re-wrapped her ribs with dry gauze. He chuckled at her as he finished up.
      "Well now, you've had an exciting morning. Who nearly broke your ribs?" he asked with a dry tone.
      "Chun. He decided he wanted to try and make a grab for Feather without any help. He almost succeeded too," Naoli said as she put on a loose fitting sweater. Moiri shook his head in disgust.
      "And you could not defeat him again? He should have been little trouble."
      "He had a knife to Feather's throat, and kept pulling her in the way. The best I could do was stall him in front of Dr. Tofu's office while he called up Ryouga and his friends." Naoli snapped. In a flash, Moiri had grabbed her collar and pulled her down so that her eyes were level with his.
      "Remember this, you may be in charge of business aspect, but I am still your master. Do not lose your patience around me girl, you might make me regret ever getting you away from that gang and teaching you to be a mercenary ninja instead of a petty thief." His voice was cold and level as he spoke. After holding her gaze for a few minutes, he released her. Naoli looked shocked before she knelt in front of him.
      "I'm sorry master. It will not happen again," she said seriously. Moiri glared at her until a smile broke out on his face. He cupped her chin in his hand.
      "Don't be making promises you know you can't keep girl. It hurts your reputation."

      "Come in and dry off, you must be freezing," Kasumi said as she met them at the door with an armload of towels, "Ryouga, your friend Akari is still here."
      Ryouga-chan smacked her forehead while Ranma-chan laughed at her. Ryouga- chan turned and growled at her.
      "Don't even start Ranma!" she warned. Ranma-chan just kept on laughing as she left for the furo.
      "I'm gonna take a bath and warm up. You comin' Ryouga, or are you gonna stay a girl all day?" Ranma-chan taunted as she raced down the hallway, Ryouga-chan in close pursuit. Akari walked into the foyer with a dazed expression.
      "I thought I just saw Ryouga as a girl with a tail running down the hall after a red haired girl saying something about a bath." Akari looked at the other girls for an exclamation.
      "Don't look at me, I'm not even going to try and explain those two anymore." Akane shrugged.
      "Just one of the minor pieces of insanity that keep us sane around here." Feather quipped as she started to work on drying her wings with a towel. Akari stared hard at her until Feather looked up in alarm.
      "What?" She asked.
      "Nothing, it's just that, well, you have... you know... wings," Akari stammered, not really believing her eyes. Feather looked at the ceiling in resignation.
      "Yes, I have wings."
      "Uhm... By any chance would you happen to be an angel?" Akari asked excitedly as she clasped her hands in front of her.
      "I AM NOT AN ANGEL!!!" Feather screamed in her face before she dashed to her room. Akari's hair was blasted back by the force of the yell. Akane winced when she heard the door slam shut.
      "What did I say?" Akari asked innocently. Akane sighed as she led the pig- farmer back to the living room.
      "It's a kinda long story, but the short of it is that her last guardian was using her as a sideshow attraction," she said softly, "He claimed she was an angel and kept her chained to a stool. Ranma and I saved her when we found out. If you want to know anything else, you'll have to ask her after she's calmed down."
      "I can't really blame her for being upset with a question like that," Akari sighed, "I bet she hates me now."
      "It's hard to figure her out sometimes." Akane shrugged.

      Feather glared at her closed door for a while before she felt she was calm enough to go back and apologize to Akari for screaming in her face.
      "She must think I'm really mean now...," she sighed to herself as she opened the door. When she reached the top of the stairs she found herself struggling with a sudden bout of nervousness. Steeling herself for what she was sure would end up a screaming match, she started to descend. When she reached the living room, she saw that Ranma and Ryouga had finished their bath and were chatting with Akari and Akane over some tea. Ranma patted the spot next to him.
      "Sit down Feather and grab some tea. I'll bet your feeling a ton better now that you've had a chance to calm down, right?" Ranma emphasized the last few words causing Feather to blink in confusion.
      "Calm down?" She asked blankly.
      "Yeah, calm down. Getting attacked this morning really did a job on your temper, didn't it?" Akane gave her a hard stare. Feather looked blankly at her for a second before comprehension set in. She smiled apologetically at them as she sat next to Ranma.
      "Oh, yeah. Sorry about earlier Akari, I was still upset at that guy." Feather blushed while Akari waved off her apology.
      "It's not really your fault. Besides, it was a dumb question, wasn't it?" She giggled. Feather vowed to herself to be nice to the pig-farmer, despite the fact that she was hanging all over Ryouga. Ryouga, on the other hand, was doing his best just to stay halfway conscious. The conversation drifted around him unnoticed until Akari started to compare him to pigs again. The badly underrated fuse that held his temper in check burned out. Ryouga stood suddenly and he leveled a glare at Akari.
      "I. Hate. Pigs!" he ground out before he stomped away from the living room. Akari looked abashed at his statement.
      "He hates pigs? Why?" she asked in a small voice.
      "I'm not sure," Akane looked thoughtful, "but speaking of pigs, I haven't seen my little P-chan anywhere for a really long time now." Ranma bit down on his tongue hard to keep from telling her the truth about P-chan.
      "Gee Akane, the little porker gets lost so much I'm surprised he didn't disappear for good earlier," he said nonchalantly as he leaned against the table.
      "We're talking about P-chan, not Ryouga you know!" Akane snapped at him. He waved at her lazily.
      "Yeah, yeah, I know. Ryouga ain't P-chan. You gotta admit though, it's the longest he's been gone. Not really much you can do about it." He yawned. Akane glared at him until Feather spoke up.
      "I hate saying this Akane, but Ranma might just be right. After all, I've never seen your P-chan and I moved in a while ago." Akane sighed at her words.
      "I, I just hope he's happy wherever he is. He was one smart little piglet." Akane sighed, elsewhere in the house Ryouga sneezed. Conversation died off at that point, and Akari decided to depart. Once she was out of the door, she looked up to sky and made her vow.
      "By the next time I see you Ryouga, I'll be able to hate pigs for you!"

      Afternoon found Ryouga and Feather facing off in the dojo while Ranma relaxed off to one side.
      "Ok Feather, come at me," Ryouga said calmly as he took up his stance. Feather nodded and rushed in with a kick that he deftly blocked. Ranma yawned as he watched them spar.
      ::How basic can you get?:: he thought to himself as Feather went through a three- strike combo that Ryouga easily dodged. Ryouga began to attack Feather, and the resulting display made Ranma sit up straight and take notice. ::He's not pulling his punches! He'll break her in half when he hits!:: Ranma thought frantically as he half stood.
      "Hey! Go easy Ryouga!" he blurted out. Distracted by Ranma, Feather didn't see Ryouga's next strike until it was an inch from her face. With a startled cry she bent over backwards so far that she almost looked like she was folded in half. She placed her hands on the floor and brought her legs up quickly in an attempt to kick Ryouga. He dodged out of the way as she finished her impromptu handstand. He turned and glared at Ranma.
      "What do you think you're doing, distracting her like that!" His eyes never left Ranma, but he continued to block Feather's attacks.
      "You're not pulling your punches Ryouga! You could kill her with one hit!" Ranma exclaimed, "I know first hand how powerful those punches of yours are. She hasn't a chance of being able to deal with the same kind of damage we can." He crossed his arms. Feather stopped attacking Ryouga and gave Ranma a confused stare.
      "I can handle it Ranma. I'm tougher than I look, you know."
      "Maybe, but so is Ryouga. Look, just be careful ok? I don't want to see you get hurt while training."
      "I know what I'm doing Ranma," Ryouga sounded a little exasperated, "She's already fast enough to dodge or block the kind of blows I'm throwing her way. If I coddle her too much, she won't be ready for any real fights." Ranma looked ready to disagree with him but said nothing. As they went back to their training, Ranma watched with a jaundiced eye. Even though Ryouga was putting his usual amount of strength into the punches and kicks he sent her way, he wasn't even putting half the speed into them that he could. Ranma nodded his understanding and relaxed. When one of the blows landed, Feather rolled with them, sometimes literally, only to get back up and try again. He found a grudging admiration for her tenacity.
      "Winged girl get better quickly." Ranma nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard Shampoo speak from almost right next to him.
      "When did you get here Shampoo!" he said as he turned to face her while clutching at his chest.
      "Just minute ago. Saw lost boy and winged girl training, so watched. She very flexible. Shampoo no know if can bend like that." She pointed towards where Feather was dodging by going into positions that would make a contortionist wince. As they were talking Mousse staggered in.
      "Saotome," he said by way of greeting before he slumped against the wall.
      "Geez, you don't look so good Mousse." Ranma crouched next to the master of hidden weapons. Mousse gave him a weak smile.
      "Thanks to you. I'm still recovering from the infection, but that won't take too much longer."
      "Is good! Shampoo go on date with Ranma to say thanks!" she squealed as she glomped onto him.
      "No way!" Ranma half yelled as he struggled to get free, "Besides, I wasn't the only one who helped get the moss."
      "Shampoo...," Mousse sniffled from where he sat, too weak to punish Ranma or even pursue his beloved Shampoo. It had taken all of his strength just to make it to the dojo, and his precious reserves were dwindling fast. To his surprise, Shampoo let go of Ranma and knelt in front of him.
      "What Mousse want now?" She asked diffidently. Ranma stared in shock, only barely noticing that Ryouga and Feather had stopped training to watch. Tears streamed out from under Mousses' glasses.
      "You, you actually listened to me..." he managed to say before he passed out. Shampoo sighed as she splashed him with water from the fire pail and gathered up his robes.
      "Duck boy not know how weak he is now. Maybe date tomorrow Ranma?" Shampoo waved cheerily as she carried Mousse back to the Nekohanten.
      "You catch all that?" Feather asked after the amazon had left.
      "Yeah, and I'm not totally sure I believe it," Ranma shook his head, "She's didn't call him stupid or anything."
      "Weird. Well, I think that's enough training for today Feather." Ryouga said as he tried to go into the house. Ranma followed him out to the storage shed.
      "You know, that's the shed Ryouga."
      "Shut up Ranma, just shut up."

      Dinnertime rolled around, and it found everyone staring at the meal that Akane had prepared. It looked great, it even smelled good but survival instincts prevented most of them from eating right away. Akane smiled at them as she placed the last dish on the table.
      "Well, come on everyone! I made plenty for everyone!"
      "Looks great Akane," Ranma said as he poked at his plate, "but is it really safe?" Akane scowled at him.
      "Of course it's safe! Why wouldn't it be?" Akane snapped.
      "Maybe all those times we've suffered at the hands of your cooking," Nabiki quipped. Akane glared at her sister who merely looked the other way.
      "I think it looks great!" Feather said as she gathered some with her chopsticks. Everyone else at the table stared at her as she took the first bite. Her eyes widened in shock as she placed her chopstick back onto the table.
      "Uhmm... urp... excuse me!" she managed to get out as she dashed from the table. Ranma winced when he heard her being noisily sick in the bathroom.
      "Hey, I'm gonna go see how Feather's doin'," he declared as he dashed away from the table. Akane shrugged and took a bite, only to spit it out again almost immediately.
      "That's funny, I wonder what went wrong this time?" she asked no one in particular before she hung her head. "Why can't I cook the same way I did when Auntie Nodoka helped me?" She sniffled. Kasumi moved to comfort her.
      "It's ok Akane, we know you tried hard to make this meal look good."
      "That's just it Kasumi! I can make food that either looks good or tastes good! Why can't I get it to balance out!" Akane cried into her sister's shoulder for a while. When she looked up, she saw that the table had been cleared while she was crying. A glance into the kitchen found Ryouga dashing about, tending several pots and pans. A pang of guilt hit home when she saw how efficiently he tended each dish. He noticed her at the door and waved.
      "Hi Akane. I'll take care of dinner tonight, so relax ok?" He spun and stirred one of the pots noisily and turned to face her again. Akane could only stare.
      ::Even Ryouga's a better cook than me...,:: she thought to herself. Ryouga saw that she wasn't going anywhere so he turned his attention back to the food. A couple of minutes later, Ranma appeared at the door next to Akane.
      "Yo, Ryouga! You need any help?" Ranma called out. Ryouga glanced up.
      "Naw. How's Feather doing?"
      "Alright, I guess. She's not green anymore, and was asking how something that toxic could look so good," Ranma laughed. Akane scowled at him before she hit him in the back of the head.
      "I'm right here you idiot! Why didn't you even try it?" she yelled at him.
      "Hey, you gotta admit that junk really messed Feather up. I ain't gonna die tryin' everything you cook!" He sweated when he saw that Akane was only getting angrier. "And I had such hopes for tonight's dinner." Akane looked at him startled.
      "You did?"
      "Yeah, I was kinda hoping that Kasumi'd make some sukiyaki..." he trailed off when he saw Akane's aura flare.
      "Ranma you jerk!" she screamed as she chased him through the house intent on pounding him. Ranma ran ahead of her, dodging around furniture and eventually diving out the door. Akane dashed after him, picking up a practice sword on the way.
      "Come back here Ranma!"
      "Nyaahh! Come get me!" he taunted as he hung upside down from one of the tree branches. Akane swung the shinai at him relentlessly, but he casually dodged each attack by swinging to a side. "Whoa, getting closer!" he laughed as he dodged another swing. Akane snarled something unintelligible, as she swung again, not at Ranma, but the branch his legs were wrapped around. The branch snapped and he fell to the ground with a thump and Akane began hitting him repeatedly with the shinai.
      "Oww! Stop it Akane! Help!" Ranma yelped as he tried to regain his footing.
      "Serves you right Ranma!" Akane glared at him before she stomped back into the house, the shinai over her shoulder. Ranma slowly sat up and rubbed his head.
      "Uncute tomboy," he muttered only to get the shinai thrown at him!
      "I heard that Ranma!" Akane yelled before she disappeared inside the house.
      "Is it safe now?" Ranma glanced up when he heard a voice drift down from the higher branches. He glanced up and waved at Feather.
      "Yeah, I got the anger out of her." Feather dropped out of the tree and landed with an almost inaudible thump. Ranma shook his head in amazement.
      "You know, I can never get over how quietly you land." He said as he stood.
      "Ryouga taught me how to land quietly. He said it was useful when you're hunting." She shrugged.
      "Whatever." Ranma walked into the house.

      The early morning quiet was broken when Genma burst into Feather's room and roughly shook her awake.
      "Up and at 'em girl!" he yelled, "Time to start training!" Feather did the only sensible thing a girl could do in her situation. She screamed. That brought Ranma and Ryouga charging into the room, trampling Genma on their way in.
      "Hey, what's going on Feather? Is it the old freak again?" Ranma asked as he looked around the room, trying to spot the old lech. Feather shook her head.
      "No, Dad surprised me this morning. He wanted to train me." She said. Ranma looked under his feet at his father.
      "Would you kindly get off me now boy?" Genma said acidly before he threw Ranma and Ryouga out the window. He stood and dusted off his gi only to be knocked down again as Soun rushed in with Akane right on his heels.
      "What's going on?" He asked as he stood on his old friend.
      "I'll explain that as soon as you get off me Tendo!" Genma growled from his position on the floor. Soun stepped to one side and helped Genma to his feet.
      "Now," Soun asked as he crossed his arms, "What on earth is going on in here?"
      "I was merely waking her up the same way I wake up Ranma to train. I guess she's a lighter sleeper." Genma laughed as he rubbed the back of his head.
      "Excuse me," Feather said sweetly as she stood up and clutched a large fluffy pillow, "but would you kindly GET OUT OF MY ROOM!" she yelled as she slammed them repeatedly with the pillow. They retreated quickly into the hallway and closed the door behind them.
      "And I thought I was bad in the morning," Akane muttered as she left for the bath.

      Ranma-chan and Ryouga-chan were muttering to themselves as they closed the door to the changing room.
      "He just had to throw us into the pond first thing, didn't he?" Ryouga-chan growled as she took off her shirt and tossed it negligently into the hamper. Ranma-chan muttered her agreement as the two finished getting ready for the bath. With a sigh, they sank into the hot water. The sudden change in their mass caused the furo to overflow a little.
      "What's gotten into your father?" Ryouga asked. Ranma shrugged.
      "I guess he really sees Feather as part of the family now, so he's trying to train her like he trained me."
      "If he pulls a stunt like that again, I'm going to have myself a panda skin rug!" Ryouga growled. Ranma only shook his head a little as he relaxed.

      Akane glared at the little sign on the door that proclaimed that the bath was in use. She tapped on the door only to have it open slightly. ::I guess the door wasn't closed all the way, which means the bath is really empty.:: She thought to herself as she stepped into the changing room. As she started to unbutton her pajamas, the sliding door that separated the bath from the changing room slid open a little and Ranma's head peeked around.
      "Hello? I thought I heard a knock on the... door," He paled when he saw Akane, "Oh boy...," he swallowed hard. Akane held he pajama top closed with one hand and grabbed the laundry basket with the other.
      "You PERVERT!" She screamed as she flung the hamper at him. Ranma scrambled to dodge the projectile, falling on his rump and flinging the door open as he did so. Ryouga sunk deeper into the bath, his face a deep crimson as Akane stormed into the bath to continue to berate Ranma.
      "Wait, Akane!" Ranma protested as he quickly wrapped a towel around his waist, "It ain't all that bad, right? Besides, you walked in on us!"
      "What do you mean us?" Akane glowered as she glanced around the bath, "I don't see anyone else here!" Ranma glanced over to the furo.
      "Aw, man! You made him sink!" He reached into the tub and yanked Ryouga out by his hair.
      "Ah, hi Akane," he waved meekly, "can we finish our bath now?" Akane stared at him in shock for a second before she flung the clothes hamper at them again and stalked out of the room.
      "You know, I think she's upset." Ryouga muttered, one corner of the hamper embedded in his cheek.
      "You ain't kiddin'," Ranma muttered, a little out of breath from the hamper hitting him in the gut.

      In the yard, Genma faced off against Feather over the pond.
      "Ok Feather. The Saotome school of Anything Goes Martial Arts specializes in mid-air attacks," he grinned at her, "Therefore, you would do well to pay attention. Don't try to fly until I tell you to. Are you ready?" She nodded before she launched herself at him. Genma's grin never left his face as he leapt to meet her. He traded a few kicks with her and sighed as she sailed into the tree branches from his last kick.
      "Can't you do better than that girl?" he taunted from one of the stones by the pond. "Or do you not want to learn?" Feather shouted angrily as she dove towards him. Again, he leapt to meet her and this time she fell ungracefully into the pond. Genma shook his head, trying to figure out what was going wrong when Feather leapt out of the pond with a kick that landed in his midsection. He smiled at her.
      "That's the spirit!" He chuckled as he backed up from the blow. He leapt to the other side of the pond before he leapt at her. Feather leapt to meet him and instead of kicking she grabbed his outstretched leg and climbed up his body before jumping off his shoulders. Genma landed with little difficulty and looked up to see where she had jumped to. He rolled out of the way as she came down in the spot he was in a moment before.
      "Get back here Pop!" She snarled as she leapt after him again. Genma chuckled as he met her in the air and sent her into the pond again. This time, she couldn't drag herself out so he helped her out onto the lawn.
      "Not bad at all Feather, not bad at all."
      "What do you mean, 'not bad'?" she asked grumpily as she wrung the water out of her hair.
      "You're doing fine for such a beginner. Continue training with Ryouga in the afternoon, and I will train you in the morning. We'll have you up to snuff in no time at all!" He laughed heartily and slapped her on the back, bowling her over. Feather struggled to her feet and was about to attack him again when she heard a polite clapping. She turned and saw Naoli sitting on the wall.
      "Well done! It's such a rare opportunity to see such a master of the art train!" She complimented as she slid off of the wall and walked over to them. Genma pushed his glasses up on his nose.
      "And who might you be miss? I don't recall ever seeing you before...," he asked as he tried desperately to remember if he had ever promised his son to a girl that looked like her.
      "I'm Naoli, and I have a message for you. A corporation hired me to find your daughter and offer a job."
      "What kind of job?" Genma asked as he hushed Feather with one hand. Naoli smiled a little.
      "They wish to learn a little more about her wings through polite observation."
      "Define polite." Feather broke in.
      "X-rays, a CAT scan, a little blood work and an examination. In return, there is a handsome amount of money they are willing to pay and my continued operation to keep other less, reputable, organizations from harming her." Naoli noted the glint in Genma's eyes when she mentioned the money. Feather hit the palm of one hand.
      "So that's what Chun was talking about. He was a thug that was hired to kidnap me for the same kind of research. I thought you said that they were cultists after Ryouga?" Her eyes narrowed as she watched for any kind of reaction to her words.
      "I did not wish to alarm you or Ryouga. They had been told to kill him because they thought he was your only family," Naoli said quickly.
      "Sold!" Genma said as he eagerly shook Naoli's hand, "When does she start?"
      "She could start today if she wishes. They want her to stay in the lab for a week and will take care of tutoring her. After that, they will call if she is needed to come in again." Naoli said thoughtfully as she crossed her arms. Genma turned quickly on Feather.
      "You will go today, won't you Feather? You don't want to disappoint your Father do you?" He grabbed her shoulders in his excitement.
      "Can Ryouga come along?" Feather asked quickly, "I'd feel better about it if he did."
      "Of course," Naoli said as she celebrated inside her mind, "He's more than welcome to come with you."
      "It's settled then. I'll go get the boy while you pack up Feather!" Genma dashed into the house gleefully. Feather crossed her arms as she watched him go.
      "Ok, now what's really going on?" she asked suspiciously.
      "It's exactly as I told you. A few tests and you will be going back to your normal life." Naoli said patiently. Feather looked dubious, but nodded anyway.
      "Fine. I'm going to go dry off and pack." Feather walked into the house. Naoli followed her as far as the dining room. Kasumi walked out of the kitchen with a steaming platter of food.
      "Oh my, a visitor. How are you this morning?" She managed a half bow while still holding the platter. Naoli returned the bow.
      "I'm fine. That really smells wonderful," she said hopefully.
      "Your welcome to stay with us for breakfast if you have the time," Kasumi said sweetly as she set the platter on the table.
      "I would be delighted." Naoli sat at the table and waited patiently.
      It wasn't long before everyone was gathered around the table and Genma was excitedly explaining the deal he had just struck. Nabiki leaned forward in interest.
      "So, how much money is it worth for a human guinea pig? I happen to know someone who can withstand the most toxic foods you could imagine."
      "Nabiki!" Akane glared at her sister who stuck her tongue out in response.
      "Don't worry. All the tests they wish to do are harmless." Naoli reassured them again before everyone started eating. After breakfast, everyone said their farewells to Feather and Ryouga as they got into a cab that Naoli had called.
      "Don't forget to call!" Kasumi said as she hugged Feather.
      "I won't," Feather promised.
      "Don't get lost there Ryouga, and keep an eye on Feather." Ranma said as he shook Ryouga's hand.
      "We'll be fine. I won't let anything happen to her." Ryouga broke the handshake and climbed into the backseat of the cab. Feather quickly finished her farewells and climbed in next to him. Akane suppressed a giggle as Ranma dropped Ryouga's pack and umbrella into the trunk of the car and the suspension sagged noticeably. Naoli climbed into the front seat and directed the driver. Kasumi continued to wave until the cab was out of sight.

      Several hours passed during their ride until the cab stopped at what looked like a small farm in the middle of nowhere. Everyone climbed out of the cab and gathered their luggage.
      "Doesn't look much like a research place." Ryouga commented as he slung his pack on.
      "There's a limousine that is supposed to meet us here. For security reasons, the cab couldn't go directly there," Naoli said as she paid the driver. A few minutes after the cab left, a stretched limousine with heavily tinted windows pulled up. Naoli opened the door for them and followed them inside.
      "Wow, I've never been in a limo before!" Feather said excitedly. Ryouga nodded as he looked around the plush interior with wide eyes.
      "I think you can get used to such comforts while you are with us," Naoli said as she got a glass of water from the small wet bar. As the limousine started to move, Feather looked out the window and watched the countryside roll by. Ryouga settled into the seat and took a nap to ease the boring ride.
      "So, do you work for these people all the time?" Feather asked Naoli after several hours. Naoli shook her head.
      "No, actually I'm a mercenary they hired to protect and contact you with their offer. They didn't want to use one of their own for security reasons."
      "Oh."

      After a seemingly endless ride, the Limousine stopped outside a large building that was surrounded by a tall chainlink fence. Several guards could be seen patrolling the yard and several more were by the door. One opened the door to the limousine for them.
      "Welcome to Fukuzai Enterprises, Ms. Feather!" the guard exclaimed as Feather climbed out of the limo.
      "Uhm, thanks," she said, unused to the kind of deference the guards were showing her.
      "Follow me please," the guard stated before he walked towards the building. The doors opened for them automatically, and Ryouga could not fully repress a shudder when he saw what was inside. The lobby of the building had numerous fountains, some large, some small. There was even one that would send arcs of water through the air over the walkways into small rings.
      "That's beautiful!" Feather exclaimed when she saw them. The guard smiled at her.
      "Our employees like to come here to relax. The sound of running water is naturally soothing to most people."
      "Definitely not all," Ryouga muttered under his breath as they walked over to an elevator that was open and waiting for them. The guard pushed a button and the elevator descended.
      "The living quarters are in the above ground rooms," the guard explained, "but the meeting rooms and the laboratories are all under ground."
      "No wonder this place is called 'Hidden' Enterprises," Feather said as the door opened. The guard led them down a short hallway into a waiting room.
      "Please, wait here while I announce you to the board," he said before he left through a large pair of carved oak doors.
      "This doesn't feel right," Ryouga muttered under his breath to Feather, "Something is going to happen."
      "I'm nervous too Ryouga, but you're worrying over nothing," she breathed back. Ryouga would have said more, but the doors opened wide and the guard beckoned for them to enter. Inside the room there was a massive wooden table, its polished surface gleamed in the light. Five older looking men sat along one side of the table with several papers in front of them.
      "Ah, Feather. It is so good to see you. I'm glad you were able to make it here in one piece, it makes the tests so much easier," one of them spoke with a raspy voice. Feather looked at him with wide eyes until another one stood and berated the first.
      "Stop scaring the poor girl!" the first old man raised his hands in disgust and turned away. The second one bowed to them.
      "I must apologize, our esteemed president has a slight problem with choosing his words. My name is Tsukabe and I am the head of the research division that will be taking a look at you."
      "Thanks, I think." Feather held one hand over her rapidly beating heart.
      "Who is the young man who accompanies you?" Tsukabe asked with mild interest.
      "I am Ryouga Hibiki, a good friend of hers," Ryouga said as he narrowed his eyes. ::Something is definitely wrong here,:: he thought when he saw the delighted expressions on the board members.
      "Excellent, excellent. Everyone is here. Please, follow this good man. I'm sure your journey has wearied you." Tsukabe indicated another uniformed guard.
      "If you would follow me, I will guide you to the reception area." The hulking guard's voice rumbled as he led them down the hall to the elevator. It sank a few floors before opening again. A wall of noise assailed their ears when the doors opened. Various clangs, shouts and the hum of heavy machinery filled the air. They took a few steps out of the elevator and gazed down into the pit. Feather gasped in astonishment. There, being worked on by a small army of technicians, was a replica of the machine that Project Raven was trying to produce. Feather spun on the guard.
      "What's going on here?" She demanded.
      "That is for the techies to figure out. This way to the reception area." He motioned for them to follow. Ryouga loosened his umbrella atop his pack before he followed. Naoli gazed at them quizzically, not understanding Feather's reaction to the machine.
      The guard led them up to a desk where a pale man in a lab coat sat working on a computer. He cleared his throat to get the other man's attention.
      "Feather Saotome and Ryouga Hibiki for processing," the guard said dully.
      "Ah, yes. We have been expecting you. This way please." He stood from the desk and led them down a long hallway and into a room roughly the size of a stadium.
      "I thought we were supposed to go to the reception area," Feather said, her voice echoing through the gigantic room. Ryouga glanced up and saw that there was quite a distance to the ceiling. The man in the labcoat shook his head.
      "This is the reception area. It's been emptied out to aid us in our research involving your wings. Let me show you how to get to your room." He walked over to a polished metal door. As he approached, it opened to reveal another elevator.
      "This elevator goes expressly to your rooms," the man in the labcoat said as he led them in. Once they had packed themselves into the elevator, the door shut and it rapidly brought them above ground. When the doors opened again, it revealed a living room environment. There was furniture, but no decorations.
      "Welcome to your new home for the time being. Through that door is a kitchen and over there is where you will find the bedroom. The washcloset is through that door," he pointed out each feature as he guided them through the suite. "Anything else you need, all you have to do is pick up the phone. The operator will handle any other questions." He retreated into the elevator and the door shut behind him, leaving Ryouga and Feather alone in the suite. Ryouga looked at the area around the elevator and swore.
      "What is it Ryouga?" Feather asked as she dropped her suitcase.
      "We're trapped! There's no controls for this elevator," he snarled. Feather shrugged.
      "You could always rip the doors open with your bare hands if you really need to get outside, or just break the windows," She walked over to a large bay window and gazed outside, "You can see the ocean from here!" she giggled excitedly. Ryouga grumbled to himself as he hit his fist against the wall. The metallic clang confirmed his suspicions that they were being held, and there was no way for him to break them out.
      "I'll bet the glass is bulletproof or something." He muttered as he dropped his pack.

      Deep within the complex, Tsukabe and a few other researchers watched their every move on a monitor.
      "Take notes. I want a control pad installed in the room ASAP. We don't need him destroying the suite because he perceives that he's trapped," he said sharply. An aide jotted it down and made a phone call.
      "Also, make sure their escort is always armed with a tranquilizer gun and the elephant tranquilizer we recently developed. That should be enough to stop him." He fiddled with the viewpoints and shook his head. "And remove the cameras from the bathroom and bedroom, you perverts."

      Ryouga stared at the king-size bed in the bedroom for a long time before he resolutely retrieved his sleeping bag from his pack and unrolled it on the living room floor. Just as he finished doing that, the elevator door opened and several men in jumpsuits carrying toolboxes exited.
      "Who in the?" Ryouga asked, startled as the men quickly spread out and started to do seemingly minor maintenance on the room.
      "Maintenance team. We're installing a manual control pad for your elevator, since you don't have the badges. We're also fixing the bathroom sink and the closet door in the bedroom," one of them said as he pulled out a power tool and cut a square hole in the wall by the elevator.
      "Bathroom sink?" Ryouga said in confusion, "But Feather's..." He trailed off when he saw one of the maintenance team fleeing from the short hallway that led to the bathroom. Cries of pervert and various thrown bath articles chased him out. "In there," he concluded. He walked over to the man that had walked in on Feather and cold cocked him.
      "That's for walking in on her," he growled, "Anyone else want to invade her privacy?" The shaking heads and sudden interest in their work was answer enough for him. Ryouga settled down into his sleeping bag and promptly fell asleep, despite the noise.

      The next morning found Ryouga and Feather sparring in the stadium sized room. After a short time they stopped and bowed to each other. The sudden applause that came from the gathered researchers startled them.
      "Bravo! Bravo! What a performance!" one of the researchers said as he approached them, "Now, if we could get down to business. Feather, if you would please follow me." He walked towards the far end of the stadium. Ryouga moved to follow, but a guard got in his way.
      "I'm sorry, but you can't go in there." He said.
      "Like hell!" Ryouga snapped as he effortlessly pushed the guard aside. As Ryouga started to stomp towards where Feather was, the guard drew a tranquilizer gun and fired at his back. Feather spun when she heard the noise in time to see Ryouga collapse with a stunned look on his face. Naoli dashed up to the fallen boy and knelt beside him.
      "What did you do to him?" Naoli demanded of the guard.
      "Tranquilized him," the guard said simply. Naoli glared at him as Feather cradled Ryouga's limp form in her lap.
      "Well now, this is a little earlier than expected," Tsukabe said as he entered the massive room, "The rules to this game are very simple Miss Feather. Either you cooperate with my team and tell us everything you know about the Viper clan's project Raven, or you and Mr. Hibiki will die. It's up to you."
      "You said you wouldn't hurt them," Naoli said as she stood up. Tsukabe regarded her with a cold look.
      "I haven't hurt them, yet," he glanced at his personal guard, "Kill her, just to prove to our little specimen that we are more than willing to follow through." Tsukabe turned his back on Naoli. The guard took aim with his rifle, only to be distracted by an angry violet aura that suddenly sprang up around Feather. As quick as it came, it went out, but the distraction was enough for Naoli to knock out the guard with a flying kick and dash for the exit.
      "Get Ranma and the others!" Feather yelled after her. She didn't struggle when the researcher grabbed her by the arms and lifted her up.
      "She will never make it out alive." Tsukabe chuckled as they dragged Feather into the lab. A few carried a comatose Ryouga into a stone cell and dumped him inside.

      Naoli ran for her life, knocking techs and equipment over in her wake. She felt a hand grab the back of her jumpsuit, but she ignored it. The fabric ripped easily, revealing part of a tattoo that covered her back. With a quick spin kick she knocked out the offender and took his security badge. With it she opened a door and ducked inside. It was a small meeting room with another door on the far side. Her eyes scanned the room until she found an air vent she could crawl in. She frantically yanked at the grate, ripping it out. She then used the badge to unlock the door. She pushed it wide open and then ducked into the vent, pulling the grate into place behind her. With a small roll of tape produced from one of her pockets, she taped the grate into place and began crawling away when she heard the pursuit dash through the room.

      "Damn, and double damn!" Tsukabe cursed as he listened to the radio reports of his guards. Not one had seen any sign of the mercenary girl for several hours. He glanced at the camera that covered the cell that Ryouga and Feather shared. Feather was now wearing one of those flimsy hospital gowns and was gently cradling a still unconscious Ryouga's head in her lap. He allowed a small smile, he still had the girl. According to the informant he had in the Viper Clan, she was the only one successfully transported who still survived. Whether or not her wings were a result of the teleportation were yet to be seen. Unknown to him, Naoli was watching him from the vent and debating on whether or not she should kill him now. She decided against it and crawled on, determined to escape.

      It was night before Naoli broke out of the ventilation system on the roof of the complex. Wasting no time, she ran to the nearest edge and peered over. The lawn was well lit, and guards with dogs patrolled in regular patterns. She smiled at their stupidity and pulled a coil of cord and a pair of special gloves from another pocket in her jumpsuit. She tied the cord to an antenna and tossed it over the side. After donning the gloves, she slid down the cord and dashed for some bushes. There she waited patiently for the patrol to pass. Once they were out of sight, she dashed for the fence. A shout and gunfire rightfully inspired her to run faster. She leapt onto the fence and grabbed the barbed wire with one gloved hand before she flipped over. She landed running and disappeared into the darkness.
      She was breathing hard as she approached a cliff overlooking the sea. She could hear the shouts of the men who pursued her. She reached the edge and stood with her back to the ocean, waiting. She could make out a small group of men with flashlights approaching quickly.
      "Ok, that's far enough," one said as he got close within shouting distance, "That was a merry little run you gave us, but now your trapped. Give up and we'll make your death quick!"
      "I don't think so." Naoli smiled sardonically at them as she took a step back over the edge of the cliff. A meter down she landed on a small ledge. She quickly climbed down the rock face and positioned herself under the ledge. She clung to the rock until she could no longer hear the voices of her pursuers. Then she climbed the rest of the way down the cliff to the rough rocks and surf below. Hidden in the rocks was scuba gear she had left there in case of just this kind of emergency. She had barely shed her jumpsuit when she saw the searchlight from a helicopter and heard the angry thrashing of its rotor. Ignoring the wetsuit, she grabbed the airtank and dove into the ocean. She regretted it instantly in the icy water, but she swam on.
      When Naoli climbed out of the water at a small fishing village, she was nearly frozen. She shivered violently in the night air as she ran past closed businesses. She smiled despite herself, though, when she found the small hotel. She knocked on one of the doors and was gratified to see the shocked face of a businessman before she knocked him out. A while later she left, warm and dressed in a suit that was a size or two too large and began the long walk to the next town. She figured that by the time she got there, the trains would be running again.

      Tsukabe smirked as he approached the prisoners' cell. "Well now, are we having a pleasant stay?" He asked sarcastically.
      "Go away." Feather snapped before she turned her attention to the still unconscious Ryouga.
      "Tsk tsk, such manners. I just thought I'd tell you that that troublesome Naoli is dead, and your friend -Ranma was it?- will never know of your predicament. I suggest you cooperate before you force us to kill him too," he grinned maliciously as he turned to walk away, "Sleep well, it's a long day tomorrow." Once he was gone, Feather began to cry. She had walked right into their trap and now it seemed to her that there was little to no hope of escape or rescue.