Not all of us were headed for Japan, but I was. I had struck up a correspondence with a Chinese girl in Tokyo...she could write English, but didn't speak it. Put her ahead of me...I could neither write nor speak Chinese, but I did know enough Japanese to get by. This Chinese girl lived in one of the many Tokyo districts, and helped her great grandmother to operate a small cafe, name of Nekohanten. Cat Cafe. I liked that, sounded just the place! Peace and quiet, and a place to hone my martial arts skills.

Martial arts? Yes, being a cat-girl, I tended to attract lots of attention, some of it unwanted. Since the law tends to frown on us using our natural weapons, like claws, a lot of us took up the martial arts. We're practically built for it. After all, we manage to stay nice and slender no matter our age (and I was one of the older cat-girls...), and our bodies are very flexible.

It was a long flight, and I was nervous, my claws digging into the armrests. I never did travel very well by plane. To take my mind off the flight, I pulled out one of the letters my friend had sent me. In it, she wrote about her many friends, but especially her "airen", as she called him. I had to check a Chinese-English dictionary for that word, and I was still unclear, since the translation wasn't exact, but I was pretty sure it meant her "intended".

The long and the short of it is, after too many hours in the air, the plane touched down and I scrambled to get off the ruddy thing. Cats just don't fly very well...we like to have our paws on the ground. I walked into the terminal and looked around. Hmmm, she said she'd meet me here...purple hair, purple hair...told me to look for purple hair...sounded a little "punkish" to me, I only hoped she didn't have a silly mohawk or something.

I heard a squeal and saw something charging toward. My claws came out instinctively before I could understand the words, spoken in a sort of broken Japanese. "Trel'la! You come! Shampoo so happy!", and I felt arms go around me for a hug.

After she thoroughly squeezed the breath out of me, she broke the embrace and we had the chance to look at each other . Shampoo did indeed have purple hair, but it was long and loose, flowing in cascades down her back. I'm not lacking in the matter of hair, long, thick and black, but Shampoo's tresses made me jealous. I briefly considered changing my hair color, then decided against it. Purple hair with my body fur color? Instant clash...

Shampoo helped me get through customs, always a tricky business, but especially so when the official is gawking at your cute, pointy ears. Once all the paperwork was all done, and they checked my luggage for illicit materials (good thing they didn't find my secret stash of catnip...), I was on my way to my new life in Japan.

"Shampoo take you home now, yes? You have busy day, long flight, so you rest up at home...can meet friends tomorrow. Tokyo very big city, and Nerima on other side, so we take subway. You get to see lots of city!", Shampoo explained.

"Thank you, Shampoo," I smiled. "Without your help here, I don't know how'd I'd manage this city. And thank you again for offering to put me up and put up with me, at least till I can get myself settled in and find out where things are."

Shampoo smiled in her turn. "Is no problem! Oh, you want some coffee before we go?" The purple-haired girl gestured to the airport snack bar.

I considered her offer. "No, not coffee...but some tea would be nice..."

"Is good! Then tea we get!" And tea we did get. We also ended up picking up some food, a couple of hamburgers. Nothing much to speak of, in the way of taste, but at least it wasn't airplane food. We talked a little over the food, I telling Shampoo a little about my concerns for the US, and for those other catgirls still remaining in the country, and Shampoo telling me a bit more about her home, both here in Japan, and in China. Turns out she came from a small village that oddly escaped Maoist excesses, and had largely been left alone by the government authorities. When I asked Shampoo about this, she indicated that she didn't know, and didn't seem to much care. Well, she was only 16, after all. Such matters as politics either engage the young not at all, or to an almost obsessive level.

After food, tea, and talk, we found the subway we wanted...rather, Shampoo did. Me, I felt I was just along for the ride. I had done a lot of reading on Japan and Tokyo after Shampoo made her offer to shelter me, and I studied the transportation system, but now that I was faced with it, it proved too confusing for me. Shampoo found our line, however, and we boarded...it wasn't really that busy, since it was during work hours. That was deliberate...I had wanted to get into Tokyo at a time that wouldn't involve the massive crush of rush-hour crowds. I knew flying would put me on edge, and I just didn't think I could cope with both flying and crowds.

I suppose its silly to say this, but Tokyo's really big! Never seen a city of this size before. Not the prettiest of cities, though...I've done a fair deal of travel as a kitten...Germany, Mexico, not to mention the US, and I've seen some beautiful cities...and some not so lovely. But Tokyo struck me as being a place where if you had a bit of space, you put a building up. Not much open space, at least that I could see from the rail car.

Shampoo tried to engage me in conversation, but the city had captured all my attention, and I wasn't really listening to her. My thoughts generally tended towards, "This is my new home now...geez, how am I ever going to find my way around?" I mean, while I can speak the language, I can't even read the street signs!

Lost in my thoughts, I didn't notice Shampoo trying to get my attention until she poked me in my ribs. "We here now, Trel...Nerima," she explained. Yes, our stop. I gathered up my suitcase and followed the Chinese girl out of the car and to the station.

"You have luggage, so we give ourselves treat and take taxi home,". I shuddered slightly when Shampoo mentioned taxis. The cab drivers I've encountered in other cities all tended towards various degrees of insanity, and I could only wonder what Japanese cab drivers would be like. I did find out that its not hard to summon a taxi, though...not if you're a beautiful Chinese girl or a sleek cat-girl.

The driver took my luggage and placed it in the trunk, and we got in. Shampoo gave him the address of the Nekohanten and we took off. From what I understood, the distance wasn't really that great, but it would have been a bit of a walk, coping with a suitcase. The driver was polite, and didn't go too fast...but if I was interpreting the sounds Shampoo was making, and her fidgeting with her purse, this ride wasn't going to be a cheap one.

And then we were there. In front of the Cat Cafe. We got out, I collected my suitcase as Shampoo paid the driver, he sped away, and we entered the restaurant. Actually, we didn't...we went around to the back and entered a house attached to the restaurant.

"Back from the airport, grand daughter?", a gravely voiced asked. From a room emerged a shrunken, shriveled mummy of a figure.

Shampoo introduced us, speaking her broken Japanese for my benefit. "Grandmother, this Trel'la, who I told you about. Trel, this grandmother, Cologne." I couldn't help but to stare in amazement, even though it was impolite. How could something as old as that even be moving?

A sharp, accusatory tone brought me back to my senses. "What's the matter, girl, never seen someone three hundred years old before? Where's your manners?"

I started. The crone spoke perfect English, though accented. She was right, though, I was being quite rude. I bowed deeply before her. "I'm sorry...please forgive me for my rudeness."

"So you're Shampoo's friend, ne? She's told me about you, from the letters. Please come inside," the mummy invited.

I slipped off my shoes and followed. Shampoo had preceded us into the house and was waiting for us inside a sizable room, sparse of furnishings, that I took to be a living room. The old woman settled herself down onto a cushion and gestured to another cushion...I eased myself down.

There was something I just had to ask. "Please excuse me, grandmother (I didn't know what else to call her), but how did you learn English?"

"Heh, when you live as long as I have, girl, you pick up a few things along the way," the old woman replied. "But now, you tell me...my grand daughter insists you stay here. How will you earn your keep?"

This was a question I was prepared for. Knowing that the woman ran a restaurant, I replied, "I could help about the Nekohanten...a cute catgirl waitress is bound to bring in the business. But I could also help around the kitchen...I can cook reasonably well, especially Chinese. Of course, I would be handicapped by my lack of knowledge of the language, but I'm fairly handy with a wok."

"Are you indeed," Cologne addressed me skeptically. "Well, we'll just see about that. Come with me...you too, Shampoo," and she rose from her cushion. Shampoo and I followed to what proved to be their kitchen. The old woman snatched a large wok off a hook on the wall and handed it to me. "All right, then, girl, here...cook me something," she challenged.

And so I did. I didn't know my way around this kitchen, but Shampoo helped me by getting for me what I needed. I asked her for a large pan, and set some water to boil. I sliced up some green onion, a bit of cabbage...I soaked some dried mushrooms and sliced them up, too. I asked for lo mein noodles and put them in the boiling water. I inquired about shrimp, and oyster sauce, and vegetable oil. When all was in readiness, I set to making up some shrimp lo mein, and served it forth.

Shampoo took a bite. "Is good!," she approved. Cologne grudgingly nodded her approval. "Yes, its passable enough, for a foreigner. All right, you can work at the restaurant. Just try not to poison anyone." As she finished her sample of my cooking, Cologne looked me over carefully. I flushed.

"Shampoo also tells me you know some martial arts. Is this true?" I nodded with a bit less confidence this time...Shampoo had told me her grandmother was a master of a variety of the arts. I answered honestly.

"That's true, grandmother. What little I know is Tai Chi derived..."

The old woman interrupted me. "What little you know? Well, you're honest, I'll give you that. Lets go to the dojo, you can show me what 'little' you do know."

So, Shampoo and I sparred. It was friendly...we weren't trying to hurt one another, but it still lasted only a couple of minutes before I found myself on my back, defeated. Shampoo helped me up and at just that very moment, I hated her. She wasn't breathing hard, there was not a strand of long purple hair out of place, despite my best efforts against her.

The rough voice of Cologne interrupted my thoughts. "Yes...impressive..." I couldn't believe my kitty ears...was she mocking me?

"Impressive? How can you say that? I didn't last..." I glanced at the clock..."Well, so I did last five minutes against Shampoo...but thats not at all what I'd call impressive..."

"Against my Shampoo, five minutes is impressive. She's been trained by the very best...namely, me...almost from birth. There's only one person who's ever bested her...", and here Cologne paused to cough delicately as Shampoo gave a happy sigh, then the old woman continued. "The point is that unless you've trained from the very beginning, trained so hard that even your dreams are filled with training, you can't beat Shampoo...ever."

"Now, let me tell you just why I thought your performance impressive. First of all, you maintained your calmness throughout the bout. No panic, no anger. Your breathing was steady and controlled...very important to Tai Chi fighting. You maintained enough presence of mind to attempt a few attacks of your own...you weren't simply reacting to my granddaughter's attacks. I think that with the proper training, you could be truly good. In fact, I'd be willing to train you myself, so long as you're here."

I turned to Shampoo. "Do you think I should accept?" I asked in my simple Japanese. Shampoo nodded. "Shampoo think is very good idea. You good, but could be even better. Grandmother strict, but very good teacher."

I considered the offer. I had always wanted to increase my wushu skills, and since I was a foreigner in Japan, my options were very limited in how to make the best use of my time. So, I bowed to Cologne and accepted her offer.

"Yes...you'll do...you'll do very well indeed," the old woman muttered. Were I human, I might missed it...I might have missed that calculating look she gave me, too. But I didn't, and I had to wonder...was her offer all it seemed, or more?

Then I wobbled on my feet slightly, feeling suddenly woozy and light-headed. My distress and surprise must have shown on my face, because Shampoo looked at me with wide-eyed concern.

"Trel, what wrong?", the Amazon exclaimed.

"Just jet lag and fatigue, I guess...nothing to be worried about, just tired. Been a long day for me, after all...hours in the air, coming to a strange country, getting a job and a trainer, all in one day...I think its getting to be a bit much for me...", and I yawned widely to prove it.

"Well then, you're not doing anyone any good by staying on your feet, girl. Shampoo, get your friend here to bed...I'll make up a little snack for her", Cologne instructed.

"Great grandmother right", Shampoo agreed. "You get good sleep, everything be better in morning. And you no worry...Japan seem strange to me, too, sometime..."

On the way to the bedroom, Shampoo showed me where the bathroom was...and the toilet. Being a Japanese house, the two rooms were separate. I took bleary note of their location, and of the Amazon's instructions of use, since the toilets weren't quite like those in the West.

The bedroom was a surprise, too...I guess I should have been ready for it, but there were no beds. Shampoo went to a large closet and took out a futon, spreading it open on the floor. I looked at it dubiously, but I was too tired to care. I pulled something to sleep in from my suitcase, stripped, and got myself ready for bed.

Cologne brought in a steaming bowl of something...the scent was familiar. My lips spread in a smile as I saw what it was. "Oooo, soba! With shrimp, too! Yes, this is *just* what I need!" I enthusiastically snatched up a pair of chopsticks and dove hungrily in.

As Shampoo watched on in amusement, her great grandmother explained, "We'll consider you on probation for a couple of days, give you the chance to find your way around, get your bearings here before we put you to work." I bowed to the wizened old woman in appreciation and gratitude, and she left.

I finished up the hot noodles and glanced at Shampoo. "Where are you going to sleep, or is this whole room just for me?"

The Amazon laughed. "Is much to big for just one person! I sleep here, too, but I come in later. It much too early for me right now." She gathered up my now empty bowl and started to leave.

"Umm, Shampoo? Before you go, could you do me a favor? There's a walkman in my suitcase, with a small speaker set attached. Could you get that for me?"

Shampoo shuffled around my luggage a little, then held up the desired item. "This it?"

"Thats the one, thanks. Oh, an Shampoo, thank you again for inviting me and letting me stay here with you. I really appreciate it..."

Shampoo smiled. "Is no trouble, I glad you here! We have lots of fun! But you sleep good now, okay? I see you in morning," and she turned out the light as she left. I turned on my tape player, and the familiar sounds of my sleeping tape relaxed me and made me feel a bit more secure in this strange place. I drifted off to sleep, then...I might have heard Shampoo as she came into bed later, and then, oblivion.

Interlude

His face wasn't so lined just a couple months ago, but he wasn't on the run for his life then...or for his soul. He was just a small time thief when he heard about it...a jewel, a ruby the size of a fist. Valuable...why, you could buy a small country on the proceeds if you could find someone to buy the thing...and as he knew, there was always someone. He heard some other stories about the ruby, stories that would darken any dreams, but he ignored those. The was the first mistake.

His second mistake was in stealing the ruby from its owner...a certain man from Maine, in the United States. True, the man was wealthy and highly educated, but the thief figured that since the man was from a small town, village, really, he'd be out of his depth in regaining his stolen property. So it came as a surprise to the thief the lengths his victim would go to take back the ruby. It was downright criminal, it was.

Then the dreams started...nightmares, really. Of being pursued by dark, sinister shapes, or by...things...with no shape at all, only a terrible, merciless presence...That's when he started to pay attention to those stories, those that gave his treasure a name...the Heart of Darkness.

He fled the country, then, trying to shake off the man from whom he stole, to find a place to dump the vile ruby, if only he could make a little money at the same time. He took an old, broken-down freighter to Ireland first. There were those who knew of the Heart, and wished nothing to do with it...nor did he find any takers in Scotland or England, either.

Ah, but France...Paris, that city rich in ancient sin...there he had found a buyer, and he was now back in England, in Liverpool, with money in his pocket and food in his belly. He'd been very clever in covering his trail, he was sure he wasn't being followed, and he had arranged passage on a ship back to the US. Strolling the nighttime streets, he felt confident for the first time in months. Too bad the nightmares hadn't stopped yet.

"Well, Dawson, you've led me a merry chase," a smooth, silky voice stated from the shadows.

"Mr. Blair!" Dawson gasped in horror as the voice's owner emerged...it seemed that some of the concealing shadows followed him. Tall, slender, feline-sleek, carefully groomed, immaculately dressed in the height of fashion, Mr. Blair approached Dawson, who found his legs paralyzed with more than fear.

"I believe you have something of mine, Dawson...I'd like it back now, if you please..."

"I don't have it anymore, Mr. Blair...I sold it...in Paris...", Dawson stumbled over his words.

"You sold the Heart of Darkness? To who?" The silky voice took on an edge, a tone as deadly as a viper waiting to strike.

Dawson spoke for his life now. "I...I don't know...the real buyer used a middleman...maybe two or three, I don't know..." and suddenly the thief went rigid, only his eyes reflecting his mortal panic as he felt his recent memories torn from him.

"All right, Dawson, I see you're telling the truth. You just made a mistake in stealing from me, that's all...but, sadly, its a mistake you'll never make again..." Blair swiftly drew a long poniard from his walking stick and thrust it under Dawson's sternum, deep into his heart. Dawson shuddered and died, slumping to the ground.

"No, not wise at all, Dawson, to steal the Heart of Darkness," Blair continued, almost conversationally. "It took me decades just to find it the first time. But when I find it again...then shall my Master rise!"

End of Interlude

Morning. I woke up confused, looking around, until I remembered where I was. Shampoo's futon was empty, and I could hear movement and voices elsewhere in the house. I could also smell the aromas of cooking, the scents informing my stomach it was empty. I rose, threw on an old robe, and followed my nose into the kitchen.

The old woman noticed me first. "Well, girl, about time you were up. Its 8:30 already, and we rise early in this house. Best be getting used to it..."

"Grandmother! Trel not used to our ways yet, and she have long and tiring trip to get here!", Shampoo chided. She busied herself around a pot of something, ladling some of it into a bowl and offered it to me.

"Is congee, yes? Good Chinese food, your first breakfast here. Is good, and good for you!"

I took the bowl and a spoon and sat at a low table. I studied the contents briefly, the mentally shrugged and dug in. When in Japan, I thought...I was just going to have to get used to no breakfast cereals. Maybe I could look for some when shopping sometime, but for now...I ate, and Shampoo was right, it was good.

I was about half finished when I heard movement behind me. It was just a slightest whisper of motion, but enough to alert my feline ears. The scent that wafted to me was new, too...I didn't recognize it. I was about to turn when...

"Oh, Shampoo! You look so radiant in the morning!...", and I felt arms wrap themselves around me. My first reaction was a shriek, loud and piercing, then a sharp hiss as I reverted to feline instincts. My own arms flew back, hands catching the unwelcome groper by the sides of the head. My muscles tensed, my back arched, and whoever it was flew over me and landed with a crunching thud on his back on the table, which shattered under him.

Now I had a chance to study my dazed attacker. Young...about Shampoo's age...tall for a Chinese...beautiful long black hair...not bad looking, really, if one discounted those claw marks (wonder where *they* came from?). But why did he call *me* Shampoo...and why did he attack me?

"You *stupid* Mousse!", Shampoo spluttered in anger. "You attack guest in house, make dishonor on us. What for you do that?!"

The boy Shampoo called Mousse looked puzzled. "But Shampoo, all I wanted was to tell you how beautiful you look..."

My own anger came out. "And you were going to do this by grabbing *me* from behind? You got a strange way of showing affection, whoever you are. And I hope those claw scratches *sting*!", I hissed.

"But then...you're not...?" Mousse stuttered.

"Idiot! Put your glasses on!", Cologne commanded.

The Chinese boy pulled a pair of very thick glasses from his traditional robes and slipped them on. They didn't do a thing for him. He peered up at me from his nest of table fragments.

"*You're* not Shampoo!", he accused as I came into focus. "Who are you?"

I was still very unhappy about getting glomped from behind by this stranger. I sneered at him. "Oh, *bright* boy! Did you figure out I'm not Shampoo all by yourself, or did you have help somewhere?! That's how you treat Shampoo, by grabbing at her from behind? And you didn't have to squeeze me that *hard*!"

"Huh! Mousse think he and Shampoo couple! Stupid Mousse, I tell him many time Ranma only one for Shampoo, but he no listen, not ever!", and with that Shampoo threw Mousse out of the house. Literally. She was still fuming when she came back in.

"Stupid Mousse!", she repeated. "He so stuck on me it not even funny anymore! Her just so...so...I no have word in Japanese...he there all time, never let Shampoo breathe, seem like..."

Ah, he was obsessive. "And he even knows where you live, and breaks in? Shouldn't you get the police after him, or file a complaint, or something?"

Shampoo and Cologne both looked slightly embarrassed. Uh oh, was I showing myself as a fool of a westerner who doesn't know any better?

"Actually...Mousse works here. We're all from the same village in China, so it seemed proper to offer him a job here...sometimes I wonder what I was thinking that day...must be getting soft in my old age," Cologne explained.

Oh joy. I'd have to work with a confirmed groper.

"You forget about Mousse for now. You get dressed and we go shopping today!" Shampoo directed.

"But what about the table? I wrecked it, I should pay for it..." I began to offer.

The gravely voice of Shampoo's great-grandmother interrupted. "Don't worry about that, girl, we're used to furniture being broken here. Besides, it's Mousse's fault, I'll just take it out of his pay. You go on out, get to know the city...Shampoo's delivered enough ramen to know it well."

"You go get dressed now, okay? You much too tall to borrow Shampoo's clothes, so we need to find you whole new wardrobe! It going to be lots of fun! I go get ready, too!" Shampoo enthused, and with that, she went off to ready herself.

I glanced at Cologne, who shrugged and smiled. "She's full of life, that great-granddaughter of mine. Helps keep me young...that and trying to keep up with her and her friends. You'll get used to it. Be off with you now, go have fun. You'll be working hard before you know it..."

I bowed and left the kitchen, finding my way back to the room I shared with the Amazon. She turned as I entered. It didn't trouble her the least that she was quite naked as she selected something to wear. If it didn't bother her, it didn't bother me, and I dropped my robe and searched my own clothes for something suitable. I felt Shampoo's eyes on me, and my tail flicked by itself. I heard a restrained giggle from behind.

"Something funny?" I asked.

Shampoo giggled again. "It your tail! It move like snake!"

I sighed. Humans seem to have this strange fascination for our tails. "You have no idea how annoying these things are. They get in the way, they've got a mind of their own...and you can't use them for anything! I mean, when we were designed, you'd think the idiot engineers would've given us something like prehensile tails, but no! And as for clothes...well, look at this!" I held up a pair of jeans for Shampoo to see the necessary modification. There in the back a notch was cut out of the material, deep enough for my tail to fit comfortably, and a strip of cloth tipped with velco to act as a closure.

"I have to have all my skirts and pants modified like this. Its a real nuisance. And anything long and slinky? Forget it! Still haven't figured out how to get my tail through something like that..."

"No cheongsams for you, then?" Shampoo smirked. I growled and looked for something to throw at her. I used a suitable pillow, but she found one of her own and charged me. I dived for my own pillow, and we engaged each other in a strenuous pillow fight, giggling and laughing at the silliness. After we recovered, we finished getting dressed and went out to shop.

Beautiful downtown Nerima! Well, so to speak. After seeing a bit of the town, I came to the conclusion that its largely a residential district...no great landmarks, no famous buildings, no beautiful and ancient temples. But there was some good shops...we stopped into some food shops first, since Shampoo had to place a few orders for the cafe. I found some Western cereal, which puzzled my friend.

"What you need that for? You not like good Chinese breakfast?"

I tried to explain. "Shampoo, the breakfast was wonderful...but everything here is strange and new to me. What would you do if you suddenly found yourself in America?"

"Shampoo think she adjust..."

"Yes, so you would, just as I will here. But for now, this stuff will give me an emotional...something to cling to, something to make things seem a bit more normal for me while I adjust."

Shampoo shrugged and said no more on the subject. I could tell she didn't understand, really, but was willing to let the matter drop.

After a stop in a bank to change some money it was to the various clothing shops in the area. Shampoo insisted I needed proper clothing...kimonos for festivals ("Even I have some...I show you later") and traditional Chinese clothing. Of course, I ran into the usual problem with my tail. Extra tailoring was required, and it was a real effort to explain that, yes, this tail *is* real, and no, its *not* attached by just string and sticky glue.

By then we were both hungry, and it was lunch-time anyway, so we stopped at a likely place to eat. After a bit of dithering between us, I picked up the tab. But over food, I brought up something that puzzled me.

"Shampoo...this is the school season here, isn't it? (nod) And you're of school age...forgive me for asking, but why aren't you at school?"

The Chinese girl sighed. "That great-grandmother doing. She no think what taught in school worth knowing. 'Shampoo, 3000 year of Amazon history all you need to know...you not need modern foolishness.' That what she say to me, but Shampoo not mind learning modern foolishness, or being with others own age...but she great-grandmother, very wise, so she know best...I guess."

"Shampoo, I can't teach you the way a proper instructor could, but maybe I could tell you a little about that 'modern foolishness'. And perhaps if you teach me a little Chinese, I can teach you a little bit of English. After all, its a big world out there, and its ever-changing. Despite what your great-grandmother may say, you should know something about it," I offered.

"Okay! Shampoo look forward to it! And maybe together we learn better Japanese! But now your turn tell Shampoo something. You tell me about tail this morning, and you say you and your sisters designed. What you mean by that?"

I sighed and looked around. The cafe was busy, and we *were* attracting a lot of stares (after all, we made quite a striking pair...), but other than varying curious and lustful gazes, no one intruded on us. And Shampoo *had* offered me the hospitality of her home...

"Shampoo, we...my sisters and I...we aren't human, not really. We're a genetic construct, created from a blend of human and feline material...I don't know just how it was done, how they made the material compatible with each other. There were laws against that sort of genetic engineering, of course, but those who paid and funded us...individuals and private corporations...well, they had so much money they coukld get around any law. Some of them wanted custom made, soft playthings...others wanted...well, I won't say what *they* wanted...but what came out of the whole business was us. And we weren't the pliant, maliable creatures they had in mind. Once we grew up enough to have some understanding of who and what we were, and what was planned for us...well, those labs were keeping us a secret, you see, but a couple of the technicians showed us how to use the internet, and soon afterwards, little hints about our exisitance were dropped to the media." I smiled slyly.

"And oh my, did we make the news! All sorts of congressional hearings, debates about what to do with us...there were those, too many, that saw us as the product of evil, or evil itself. The labs got shut down, of course. One of those that made political points cursing us became president of the country...well, thats why I left. That's why a lot of my sisters are leaving, too, trying to find places that'll accept us, even a little..."

"So you no have place to go? If you no can find other place, maybe Amazon village take you in. Is very hard for outsider be accepted, but you be judged for what you do, not what you look like. How many are there?" Shampoo asked.

I shook my head. "Please understand, Shampoo, but I can't tell you that. We're very protective of each other, and while I certainly trust you, there might be others with less kind intent." Shampoo followed my gaze as I looked over the other restuarant patrons. Some turned away guiltily, caught in their curious prying, but all were Japanese...all but one man, in the far corner. Tall, European, perhaps, by the cut of his tailored suit...expensive tastes. Very meticulous, too, with hair and beard carefully groomed. A man of wealth, perhaps, but not paying attention to the odd spectacle of a purple-haired Chinese girl and a cat-girl chatting away. And yet..there was something about him...something...

"You know him?" Shampoo asked. I shook my head. No, I didn't know him, and as far as I was concerned, it could stay that way. For some reason, he gave me the creeps.

I tried to dispell the mood. "So, Shampoo, when do I get to meet your airen? Whats he like?"

It worked. Shampoo sighed happily. "He so wonderful! He strong and handsome, he very skilled martial artist, make great warrior...and he like to eat, too, eat a lot! But he stubborn...too stubborn for own good."

Interesting. "Stubborn in what way?"

"He no seem to understand he *Shampoo's* airen. Shampoo know he like me, but stupid father make stupid deal with other family, to join them togther. So he have too-too violent girl after him, too. She say she no like him, but she fooling only herself."

"But...Shampoo...you told me you and he were married, in your letters." I was puzzled. I suppose I could have misunderstood some of the meanings, but still...I asked for clarification, and got the story about how she and her airen met, and who the rival family was...but I also got the impression there was something being left out...something important. Well, not my business, really...

We chatted for a bit more over food before leaving and making our way back home with our purchases. Back at the Cafe, I shed my old clothes and slipped into something more suitable for exercising, and I went through my form, throwing in a series of kicks as well, while Shampoo and her great-grandmother got things ready for the after-school rush. Once I finished my owrkout, got in a quick shower, and changed into one of my new outfits, I made my way into the Cafe itself to see if I could lend a hand in the kitchen. But Cologne made it quite clear that she didn't need a "clumsy-handed kitten fresh off the plane messing things up in her kitchen". Well, okay...her choice...and she did say she'd put me to work in a couple of days. Why rush things?

I found myself a corner and watched the customers filter in. Most were students, high school, a few college types, and some businessmen...sarariman...in for a late lunch. Soon I had to give up my corner, and was wondering just *why* the old mummy turned down my offer of help.

I ventured into the kitchen again, watching Cologne at work. For such an old bat, she could certainly move...the cleaver she was using on some vegetables flying up and down at speed, and she hopping back and forth on her stick between the various pans and woks as confidantly as Long John Silver.

The old woman paused, turned, and pointed out a young man who was just coming into the Cafe. I looked. Black hair, done up in a pigtail...Chinese-looking clothes, unlike the uniforms of the other students...Cologne whispered to me, "Son-in-Law", and it was confirmed by Shampoo bouncing in for her waitressing duties, pointing out the boy in question with "That airen!", and whispered a suggestion in my ear. It seemed innocent enough, so I agreed.

I slipped up quietly behind the boy, and purred. I certainly didn't the reaction I got, for my pigtailed target instantly stiffened and shuddered. He seemed terrified. I, surprised by this unlooked for reaction, stumbled back, right into Shampoo who was following me with a couple glasses of water. They flew up, spilling their contents over us three. I started to shout a warning, but I saw something that stopped me utterly. The boy upon whom I snuck up seemed to...blur, or melt...he...his form altered and shifted, becoming softer, rounder...his scent, while still his own, took on feminine overlays, and as he turned toward me, backing away, I could see why. This wasn't a boy at all, it was a girl! And yet, I was *certain* that I had snuck up on a boy. I turned, confused, to ask Shampoo about this, and to apologize falling into her, but the amazon was nowhere to be found. Instead there was just a pile of her clothes, and emerging was a pink-furred cat...but it...it *was* Shampoo...her own scent was too strong...and yet...it *wasn't* Shampoo, but a cat...but...

I then did the only sensible thing possible...I fainted.

When I woke, I found myself back in my room, laying on my futon. Shampoo and a strange, red-haired girl were at my side, arguing about something...I couldn't follow it, my mind still being fuzzy from its shocks. Then I remember...Shampoo...and a cat? I said the first thing I could think of, even if it wasn't particularly original.

"Shampoo...what happened out there...and who is this girl?"

"I'm Ranma Saotome...sorry 'bout this...", the girl responded.

"But...you *were* a guy...I'm sure of it..."

"Well, its kinda hard to explain. Ever hear of a place called Jusenkyo?", the girl asked. I shook my head. She continued, "Its a place of these magical springs...each one has this weird legend and curse on it, and it you fall in one, you turn into whatever last drowned in it. I fell into the Spring of Drowned Girl. Just my luck. When I get splashed with cold water, I turn into a girl. Hot water restores me back to a guy, but only till the next time. And there's been a *lot* of next times."

I jumped to an obvious conclusion. "Then Shampoo...did you fall into one of these springs, too?"

The amazon nodded. "Spring of Drowned Cat." As she said "cat", I saw Ranma shudder.

I had to ask. "You're afraid of cats, aren't you, Ranma?"

She started. "Wha? Who, me? No! I'm not afraid of nothin!"

I purred. "R-r-r-r-r-r-really?" The girl tried to hide behind Shampoo.

"All right", she confessed, "maybe I got this problem with cats...comes from this dumb training technique my pop read about someplace...he tied some fish sausage around me and tossed me into a pit of hungry cats. Then he did it again. And then again. No wonder I freak a little when I see a cat."

Uh oh. And Shampoo...changes into...a cat. This could mean trouble. And myself...a catgirl...better check on it.

"Ummm...Ranma...if cats bother you...well, what about me?"

"Huh? Oh, you're okay...I mean, its not like those ears and tail are real, after all."

Shampoo giggled as I replied. "Guess again, Red. These attachments of mine...they're very real. I'm a blend of feline and human...and don't ask me about it right now, okay? But now that you know I'm real, what do you think? You think you can cope? Cuz I'm going to be here for a bit..."

Ranma frowned in thought for a bit. "Yeah, I guess so. At least I can try. That tail gives me the willies, though."

I turned to Shampoo. "I think I'm okay now. Just the shock of it all, you know. Great grandmother probably needs you out there," I said, then added in English, "besides, I have to scope out your fiancee."

Both Ranma and Shampoo turned blank expressions on me, and both said as one, "Huh?"

I smiled and shook my head. "Nothing important. Be off with you now." Shampoo smiled in her turn, then gave the red head a special smile, one that might have got her arrested in a public place. Ranma gulped nervously as the amazon left the room.

"So, Ranma, whats *your* story?", I asked.

"What?"

"Well, I have Shampoo's story about how you met, and how you became engaged, but you seem uncertain in her presence. So, I suspect there's a bit more to things than Shampoo's told me. How about *your* side of it?"

And I got it. Ranma told me everything...his training trip to China, his accident with the springs of Jusenkyo, his meeting with Shampoo in a duel, how she hunted him...*her*...down several times...the whole story. Including the complicated affair concerning one Akane Tendo.

"I dunno *how* I feel about Shampoo. I mean, I like her, sure...but I don't wanna marry her. I don't wanna marry Akane, either...not like this...I want to be able to choose, and I'm only sixteen, anyway! We all are! I can't make a choice about getting married yet...its just too important."

The girl...boy...whatever...looked at me intensely. She shuddered. "No...don't tell me...you aren't another fiancee, are you?"

I blinked in surprise. This seemed to be the day for them. "Fiancee? No, I don't think so. And what do you mean, *another* one? You've got Shampoo and this Akane..."

The girl sighed. "Well..there's also Ucchan...I mean, Ukyo. Then there's Kodachi...", and she shivered as she mentioned the latter name. "If you're going to be staying here, I guess you'll be getting to know all of them. Say, could you get me some hot water?"

Oh yes, hot water triggered the reversal of the curse. I got up, carefully, and finding myself steady on my feet, got the requested water, and watched intensely as the girl poured it over herself, and...changed...back into that black haired boy. I shook my head in amazement.

He caught my expression. "Yeah, takes a bit of getting used to, I guess. Takes a bit to get used to *having* it happen...Anyway, I gotta get going. Why don't you stop by the Tendo's sometime, meet everyone..."

"I might do that...give me a chance to size up Shampoo's competition. Should I bring Shampoo with me? She knows the way, after all..."

The boy looked nervous again. "Ummm...maybe better not. I mean, sometimes Akane and Shampoo get along fine, but other times..."

I nodded. "I get the picture. But how do I visit without Shampoo coming with me?"

Ranma thought about it a little, scratching his head. "I dunno. Maybe I'll ask Kasumi or Nabiki..."

"Mmm? Who are they? More fiancees?"

He laughed. "Nahh...they're Akane's sisters...although I guess I *could* have been engaged to any of them...the deal our fathers made was for me to get married to one of them...it just happened that it was Akane..."

"Okay, I'll make a visit when I can," I promised as he left. I heard a commotion out in the dining room...I guess the boy couldn't avoid another affectionate snuggle from Shampoo. Well, things certainly were more involved than I had thought when I arrived in Nerima. Did I say peace and quiet? Didn't seem the town and the phrase went together very well. And this business with multiple fiancees...yes, I certainly did need to check up on the competition...after all, Shampoo's offered me her hospitality and her friendship, and I liked her greatly ever since I met her at the airport...I'm gonna see to it that its her and Ranma wearing the wedding clothes, and not some other fiancee...but how to do that? Yes, it must be thought on...

Interlude

Nicholas Blair rested in his hotel room. Being a man of exquisite taste, he selected the most expensive available, but then, his account was unlimited, thanks to his Master. Not that his Master was kind or generous...he demanded results, and woe to those who fail. As Nicholas had unfortunate first hand knowledge. He prepared to make his report to his Master, sprinkling a glittering powder in a small circle around himself, placing a gem of strange design and cut at prescribed lengths along the circle. The powder began to shimmy and dance as he lay the last gem in its place, and his Dark Master was suddenly in the unholy circle with him.

Humility did not come naturally to Nicholas, but in the face of his Master's power, he bowed. "Master, I believe I have found what we have been looking for. There is a district in this city, called Nerima, that is rich in the forces we need. And with the Heart of Darkness now recovered..."

The Master spoke in a deceptively soft and silky voice. "That's as well...for you, Nicholas. Have you found a prospective vessel for the ceremony?"

"No, Master. This city hosts many likely candidates, but we need to find one that can most easily be molded to our designs, that can be coaxed into darkness. I shall keep looking." "See that you do. I trust it is not necessary to tell you that your own future depends on your success here. You have failed too many times in the past, Nicholas, and this is the final chance I shall provide you. Do not fail this time." With that ominous warning, the Master disappeared, and the nimbus of power surrounding Blair faded.

Nicholas muttered to himself, "I shall *not* fail this time, Master...and this time, your dominion shall be established on Earth!"

End of Interlude

The next day, I received a card in the mail. It was all in Japanese, of course, and I couldn't read a word of it.

Shampoo peered over my shoulder. "What that?", she asked.

"I haven't the slightest idea. Maybe we can get the mu...errr...your great-grandmother to read it for us..."

The old woman in question was in the kitchen. We presented her with the card and she translated it. It turned out to be an invitation by a Kasumi Tendo, to visit the Tendo residence that Saturday, a couple days away, when all the family would be pesent. Shampoo's name was not mentioned, to her irritation...apparently the offer was directed only to me.

"So, child, are you going?", the old woman asked.

"Most likely. It'll give me a chance to look over Shampoo's competition...Akane, was it?"

"Violent girl better behave herself on your visit, or Shampoo take revenge! You our guest, we responsible for your safety", the Amazon growled. Yes, there *did* seem to be issues between her and this Akane.

"Well, that is for this weekend. Now, however, I believe we should start with your practice" An so we did. We all went to the room equipped for martial arts practice, and as Shampoo went through her own forms, Cologne put me through mine.

*SWAK* "No, no! Keep it *slow*! What are you rushing for? Are you in a hurry? Slow and relaxed is the essense of this art. Now, do it again! Thats it...slow...good...relax those shoulders...right. Good...breathe with your moves...yes..." The old woman was too quick with that stick of hers when I made a mistake, but her eyes were quick and sharp, too. I might have resented getting smacked with the stick, but her words offered as much correction as her staff, and more encouragement.

TO BE CONTINUED...