Chapter 7

 

" . . .stop crying father. I'm sure he'll come . . .No.
NO! Please stop cry . . ."

Ukyou paused at the foot of the stairs when she heard
Akane's voice. Guiltily, but irresistibly drawn by curiosity,
she crept closer.

"I can't understand you if you can't stop . . .Uncle
Saotome? HI! How are . . . No, no I haven't seen him. No . .
.Yes, yes if I see him I promise I'll send him right back. But
honestly you know what the Baka's like. He's probably
goofing off some . . .really? Well, I still say he's got to be
someplace nearby. Where else could he be? Alright. Yes.
Give my love to father. Yes. Thanks for calling. Bye."

Grinning to herself Ukyou slipped back up the stairs. There
was only one 'Baka'. Ranchan had run off from his father,
the rascal. And now Genma was calling home trying to find
him. She chuckled to herself. Lot's of luck. Ranchan could
be anywhere in Japan and no one would . . .

"Ukyou! Ukyou? Are you all right? I've been calling
and calling." Akane looked at her friend in concern. "You
look pale. Is something wrong? Are you sick?"

"No . . .I'm fine . . .just fine."

Akane looked doubtful but handed Ukyou a brightly
wrapped box. "Here's your bentou. We've got to run or
we'll miss the first bell."

 

************************************************

"Spatula girl talk crazy. What difference husband run
off from silly father and crying man?"

Kodachi looked impatiently at her watch. "I had an
appointment to get my hair done. I canceled because YOU
said you had something important to say." Kodachi paused
for a moment. "As it does concern my dearest Ranma-sama I
am forced to agree. Anything, no matter how trivial seeming
to the undiscerning, that concerns that paragon of manhood
should posthaste be brought to . . ."

"Would - you - be -QUIET!"

"I do not have to take insolence from street
trash . . ." Kodachi began coldly.

"I don't give a . . ." Ukyou swallowed her words
with effort. "Just before you become worm food I want you
to remember that I tried to talk to you . . .both of you. I
know you two don't think much of me. Well I don't like you
much either. But I figured we're in this together. I tried. But
you think you're so much better than me. Well you two
mighty superior warriors can just kiss my . . ."

"You talking crazy too. You get hit on head? Or
maybe you smoking same as ribbon girl?" Shan Pu grinned at
the sour look on Kodachi's face. "You run up . . .say Ranma
run away from father. Same as always. Show good sense run
away from lazy thief. Then you say we not listen become
worm . . ." Shan Pu's eyes got wide and her jaw dropped.
"What you try say! You think husband . . ."

"What in the world?" Kodachi stared blankly at
Ukyou and Shan Pu for a moment. Then her eyes widened in
understanding.

"Oh ho! You are being ridiculous." Her eyes
narrowed suspiciously. "Or perhaps you are being clever.
Trying to drive a wedge between my darling Ranmasama
and . . ."

"Do you think I WANT to think that . . .think
that . . ." Ukyou took a deep breath. "Think about it.
The . . .the 'voice'. We don't know who it is, not really. We
think, well I thought and then you guys thought it was
Nabiki. But I thought . . .well Shan Pu thought that it might
be someone who just wanted us to think it was Nabiki. But
what . . ."

Shan Pu held up her hand.
"You say Ranma not with father. Maybe same time
we hear from voice same time Ranma leave father. Voice
know thing . . .thing Ranma could know. Voice maybe
martial artist . . .same as husband." Shan Pu glared at Ukyou.
"Spatula girl no say why? Why Ranma want kill Akane?
And if want dead . . .no need OUR help. If want dead, all
Ranma have to do is not save one time."

"You said it yourself . . .a trap. Maybe he's setting a
trap. Or maybe a . .a test. To see which of us is capable
of . .. of. . .Well, just to see."

There was a stunned silence as the other two girls absorbed
that. Then Kodachi chuckled, "Ridiculous."

"Why!" Ukyou snapped. "Just because you didn't
think of it first?"

"Simple logic, " Kodachi replied loftily. "I know my
darling Ranma-sama. He is a perfect gentleman. He would
never do anything as underhanded and vile as . . ."

"Give someone poisoned cookies?" Ukyou shot back.

"Give them the kiss of death?" Shan Pu glared at the
okonomyaki cook..

"That different. Amazon tradition. Five thousand
year . . ."

"Swear eternal vengeance and hunt them all over
Japan.?" Ukyou overrode Shan Pu's recitation of Amazon
glories.

"Spatula girl try make Shan Pu doubt husband. Drive
away competition. Shan Pu will never give up. NEVER leave
husband."

"Vile trickster. I will NEVER leave my darling
Ranma-sama. NOTHING could ever part me from his side."

Ukyou looked at the two girls with bleak, pain filled eyes.
"In my heart, Ranchan and I have been married since
we were six years old and his father ran off with my dowery.
Married . . .'till death us do part." Ukyou shuddered as if
coming out of a nightmare. "What if . . .he's not the same
since Mt. Phoenix and the . . .wedding. Ukyou forced the
word out "What if he decided . . .maybe it all made him a
little crazy." Her shoulders slumped. "I just don't know any
more."

"Nonsense." Kodachi objected briskly. "I know
Ranma-sama like no other and I can state absolutely that
Ranma-sama would NEVER stoop to . . .to assassination.
The idea is ridiculous. To begin with the sort of person we
KNOW this voice to be; sneaky, devious. This is a
disordered mind. Possibly one who suffered a severe trauma
or was abused as a child." Kodachi ran down as she felt two
pair of eyes focused on her. "Often psychopathic tendencies
arise from feelings of abandonment that engender alienation.
These children often grow into adults who overcome feelings
of inadequacy through exaggerated displays of machismo
that hide a deep hatred and fear of their own female side
and . . ."Kodachi blinked and swallowed hard. "Of course
psychology is not an exact science . . ."

Shan Pu stared at the ground for a moment as if she suddenly
found her toes fascinating.

"HA!"

The other two girls jumped at Shan Pu's sudden bark of
laughter. "Spatula girl, ribbon girl crazy. Could not be
husband, no way."

Ukyou gave a sigh of relief. Of course it couldn't be. She
was just getting spooked. Naturally enough. She didn't try to
kill someone everyday. (Well, there was that ten year
vengeance thing with Ranchan. But that didn't count since
she'd always planned to kill him in a duel.) Now Shan Pu
would reveal some thousand year old bit of Amazon magic
to prove . . .

" . . .put Akane in much danger. Husband NEVER
put Akane life risk. Akane too nice girl want kill."
Shan Pu smiled brightly as Ukyou and Kodachi stared at her
like she'd just stepped of the 12:20 flying saucer from Mars.

Ukyou looked at her watch. "I've got PE in just a few
minutes," She turned to Kodachi. "Walk her back to the
Nekohaten and have Cu Lon check her head. I suspect she'll
find it's empty."

"What! What! Spatula girl . . .what you saying to
Shan Pu? No. Ribbon girl let go. Spatula girl come back . . ."

Shan Pu's irate voice faded in the distance as Ukyou trotted
quickly back to school.

 

************************************************

"What the HELL is this filth?"

Ukyou froze half in half out of her gym shorts. That was
Akane's voice. But she'd never heard her so angry, never
imagined Akane could BE so angry.

"Ummmm. Well, Ak . .ummmm er it's like this. I can
explain . . . ."

"I don't want an explanation."

Ukyou shivered at the cold flat tone.

"I want soap, a brush and a bucket of hot water.
VERY hot water. And right now."

"But . . .but . . ."

"Something you didn't understand?"

"No, no. But you shouldn't have to clean . . ."

"Did you write this?"

"NO! No of course not. But you're team captain.
YOU shouldn't be cleaning the . . ."

"I'm responsible for anything and everything that
goes on in here. Even . . .even THIS. "

Ukyou remained half crouched in her corner of the locker
room, hardly daring to breath while soap and buckets were
brought with a sloshing clatter. She remained in place while,
with much low voiced muttering Akane scrubbed and
washed . . .and cursed. Ukyou was beginning to feel chilled
and cramped before Akane stomped off, still angry. Ukyou
hurriedly finished dressing and dashed off to PE class.

When she got there it looked like somebody had kicked over
an ant hill. Except ants weren't this noisy. Finally the girls
sorted themselves out into groups, whole the boys lined up
on the sidelines. Ukyou watched, amazed and a little
stunned, as Akane walked into the center of the gym and
faced the group. She stood there in silence, staring at them;
her face blank and empty of all expression. Finally when
the tension brought Ukyou to the point of screaming Akane
raised her hand and motioned. One of the gym teachers
walked into the center of the court, a small dark
complexioned girl with hair in tight shiny ringlets, in tow.
Even from her position near the back Ukyou could tell the
small girl was nervous and Ukyou wondered what she'd
done . . .could have done to make Akane so angry. She was
so obviously gaijin that her guilt was self evident to Ukyou.
It was doubly shocking therefore when Akane bowed
formally to the girl before speaking.

"Angel-san, please forgive me. As captain of the
basketball team, and as president of home room Cherry
Blossom, I ask you to forgive me , forgive Furinken High
School and forgive the people of Japan."

There was a conceted gasp from the assembled groups, boys,
girls and teachers at that last. Akane ignored them all and
continued.

"The actions of one member of the team reflect on all
members of the team. The actions of one student reflect on
the entire school. And the actions of each and every Japanese
reflect on the nation and the emperor."

That was too much and the front ranks of the boys broke and
surged forth with a growl. The small girl shrank into herself
in fear. Akane took one gliding step to the side, placing
herself between the crowd and the girl.

"You dare!"

The words were quietly spoken but carried through the
entire gym. The charging boys slammed to a stop as if they'd
hit a stone wall. Nervously they looked at each other, then at
Akane, standing flat footed but with an eager look of
anticipation that they did not like. Muttering they shuffled
back to their place along the side. Turning, Akane bowed
agin, lower this time.

"The shame of this moment may never be erased."

There was a gasp as Akane brought out a knife and with a
swift slashing motion severed a thick lock of hair. Solemnly
she placed the blue black strands in Angel-san's hands.

"Furinkin High School has shamed itself and the
Japanese people. First by . . .by writing evil things on your
locker. They have compounded one cowardly act by another.
An attack on your person. I only hope that someday we may
have your forgiveness."

Akane started to turn away when Angel-san grabbed her by the hand.

Ukyou couldn't hear their low voiced conversation but suddenly Akane's face lit with a megawat smile Angel-san grabbed Akane in a big hug. Together the two girls
left the gym.

Slowly the stunned and angry groups of boys
and girls began to break up into smaller cliques.

Ukyou grabbed a passing girl, one she knew by sight if not
by name. "What was THAT all about."

"Oh, somebody wrote some graffiti on the hafu . . ."

Another girl clapped her hand over the first ones mouth.
"Daburu." She hissed. "Daburu. Or do YOU want to
explain to Akanechan . . ."

"Daburu . . .hafu." The first girl pracically spit the
term. It all means the same thing. A filthy gaijin. It's bad
enough we have to share a locker . . .but to apologize . . ."

"Would you be quiet! You know how Akanechan
feels about . . .well how she feels." The girl glanced around
guiltily. "I don't like it either. But she IS here. And to write
THAT on her locker. Well, it's just plain nasty." She looked
at Ukyou. "I mean, even if she isn't like us, Akanechan was
right. I mean it just brings us down to THEIR level to do
things like that. Don't you agree?"

Ukyou shrugged helplessly and she hoped noncommitally.
Apparently it satisfied the girl because she bowed quickly in
apology to Ukyou and dragged her still fuming friend off to
their next class. Ukyou was still wondering what was going
on as she headed off to eat lunch. She spotted Akane seated
at her usual spot and started over to meet her. Akane waved
her over, then turned to speak with someone seated on the
far side. As Akane's head dipped to speak to the other
person Ukyou caught a glimpse of tight shiny ringlets.

Angel-san!

She faltered and a cold feeling settled in the pit of
her stomach. Suddenly it felt as if every eye in the school
were on her; and she naked. All her life, especially the last
ten years of it Ukyou had fought for respectability,
acceptability, conform ability. She stood out purely by
accident; when her dream was to be a typical
ANONYMOUS Japanese housewife. She wanted a home, a
husband, children. And okonomyaki of course. That was her
one passion. (Well, except for Ranchan . However he was a
passion unfulfilled, while okonomyaki . . .) She did NOT
want to get embroiled in . . .in whatever mess Akane was
stirring up. She was uncomfortable around gaijin anyway.
She didn't have anything against them, not really. They were
probably alright, in their own way. It was just that Ukyou
didn't know what that way was. And while it wasn't their
fault they weren't Japanese why couldn't they just stay
home. You didn't see HER going off to . . ."

"HI Ukyou! Come on and have a seat."

Ukyou looked down startled to find her feet had carried her
to her usual spot with Akane. Suddenly she found herself
face to face (well, actually face to top-of-head) with an
actual gaijin. In spite of herself Ukyou stared at the strange
looking girl. The first thing she noticed was the girls nose
(after the dark coffee colored skin, but that was SO obvious
that it hardly counted)The nose was longer and broader than
Ukyou's and she fought an urge to trace her own with her
finger tips. The eyes . . .they really WERE round-eyes. And
such a funny color too, almost like autumn leaves. But it
was the HAIR. Black and shiny like a ravens wing. But
CURLEY, it was like a tight black cap of . . . And it was so
soft, almost like . . . Flushing with embarrassment Ukyou
jerked back as she realized she was PATTING the small girl
on the head with rude familiarity. She started to apologize,
angry with herself for making such a mistake; angry with
Akane for putting her in this position and angry with
Angel-san for being Angel-san instead of decently Japanese.

"It's really soft, isn't it Ukyou. It looks like it
wouldn't be but it really is. Angel-san this is my friend Ukyou.
Ukyou this is Angel-san. She's from the Philippines." Akane
then directed a quick fast comment of which Ukyou only
understood Akane's name. Akane beamed with pride while
Angel-san broke out laughing. Akane looked hurt.

"I just said 'Hello, my name is Akane' in Taglago.
Angel-san been teaching me, that and English."

"No . . .no . . no. What you said." Angelsan gasped
between giggles. "Was 'Goodby you are Akane.'"

"Oooops." Akane bopped the smaller girl on the head
affectionately. "HEY, I'm better than I was."

"Yeeees" Angelsan looked up at Ukyou, almost
helpless with laughter. "Whhhh . . .whhhh . . .whhhen she
first met mmmmy mo . . .mo . . .mooother she said 'Good
day, please butter my bottom."This was too much and both
girls fell together rolling on the ground. Ukyou remained
stiffly standing, horrified. She couldn't imagine ANY thing
more acutely embarrassing . How could Akane stand to be
around this girl. This constant reminder of a publicly
humiliating event. Ukyou would have hated her for that.
"C . . .cccome on, sit down." Akane stuttered, still
laughing and wiping streaming eyes. "You two should get to
know each other.

She could do this, Ukyou thought lowering herself stiffly to
the ground. She'd fought monsters, been kidnaped onto
floating islands. She could sit next to this gaijin. It was just
for a little while after all. But if she embarrassed her . . .

The silence stretched out while Ukyou wracked her brain for
something to say. She'd never talked to a gaijin before.(well,
except for Shan Pu and she was Chinese and therefore
almost Japanese in many ways.) Glancing down Ukyou
noticed the girls bentou. "Oh, you can use chopsticks!"

"Yes. Can you use a fork?"

Ukyou thought she'd misunderstood and plowed gamely on.

"What are your hobbies."

"I don't have any hobbies."

Ukyou was rapidly running out of conversation and didn't
notice the looks Akane and Angel-san exchanged.

"Ummmm." Frantically Ukyou tried to remember
something about the Philippines. Oh, yes. Americans.
English. Carefully trying to remember her lessons, Ukyou
tried again.

"Yu supiku Japanezu beri weiru."

"What? What did you say?"

Shaking inside and nauseated from stress Ukyou missed
Akane's stifled chuckle and tried one last time.
"Ummmm. Where are you from?"

"I come from Mars."

It took Ukyou's stress fogged mind a moment to process this
answer. And another miserable fraction of time to come to
the conclusion that this girl . . .this miserable gaijin was
PLAYING with her. Her hand had locked on her spatula
when Akane literally fell over laughing . . .on top of Ukyou.

"Oh, oh that was priceless. Oh . . .stop. Stop. My
stomach hurts. You were rrr . . .rrriiight. EVERY one does
iiiiit. Akane was clutching her stomach as she convulsed on
the ground like an eel on a griddle.

By the time Ukyou untangled herself from Akane she had
recovered enough to realize she couldn't kill them . . .not in
front of witnesses.

"What." She demanded stiffly. "Is so FUNNY."

Akane took one look at Ukyou's outraged face and fell over
again and it was several moments before she could speak.

"I . . .I'm ssssorrry. . . .sorry Uuukyo." Akane
stuttered, clutching the chefs sleeve to keep from falling over
again. "It's just that she told . . ."

"I told her."Angelsan broke in. "That EVERY one in
Japan would say the SAME things to me, no matter where I
was or who I was with. What are your hhobies?" Her voice
was just a little unsteady. You can use chopsti . . .sticks?
Where are you ffff . . .where are you FROOOOM. . .MARS!

Did . . .did you see the LOOK on her Faaaaace!" It was too
much and they broke down laughing again. Ukyou tried to
maintain her dignity but the laughter was contagious.
Especially when one or both girls would roll OVER her in
their hysterical mirth.

"F . . .fork." Ukyou gasped. "Can you use a FORK?"

"Oh,oh what about . . .what about . . .Yu supiku beri
weiru!!!"

"NO! You're killing me. Stop." Akane was gasping
for breath and pounding the dirt with her fist.
Finally the three girls lay against the tree, spent from
laughing. Angel-san was the first to recover.
"Ukyousan, please forgive me. I shouldn't have
played that joke on you. It's just that . . .well except for
Akane-san everyone treats me like I'm invisible or like some
exotic animal escaped from the zoo." Angel-sans shoulders
slumped "Or things happen . . .like today."

Akane reached over and hugged the smaller girl.
"Well I'M your friend. And Ukyou too. Right
Ukyou?"

Caught by surprise Ukyou could only nod.

"Thank you Ukyou-san." Angel-san gave a shy smile.

"If you're a friend of Akane-san's I know you must be a
special person."

************************************************

Shan Pu sat up with a grimace of pain as her lower back
twinged. With a groan she swung her feet out of bed then
stopped, exhausted by this brief exertion. The flu, she
thought. Her body ached and she felt weak as a newborn. A
low murmuring sound, like distant surf pressed in on her
from outside her room. That was another thing she hated
about Japan; the noise. She longed for the peaceful green of
her mountains. Rain that fell clear and clean from a blue sky;
not mud from a sky the color of a dead dog. And the night
sky; she thought sometimes she would die if she couldn't
see the stars. The Japanese seemed to hate the night. The
warm velvet blanket of night and the cool silver of the stars
and moon were savaged by garish pink, blue and red neon.
Shan Pu tried to shake off the depression and immediately
regretted it as homesickness was replaced by . . . Lurching
up Shan Pu's dash for the bathroom was stymied by a stuck
door.

"Mu Tsu! . . .MU TSU!!!" Panting, Shan Pu fell back on her bed.
"Stupid Mu Tsu" She muttered under her breath.
"Always underfoot . . .then when he could be useful . . ."
Gathering her strength she tried again, "MU . . .mu tsu . . ."

Flu . . .she'd had it before as a little girl. Everyone thought
she would die. Everyone except Cu Lon. Rolling over on
her back Shan Pu stared up at the ceiling. Cu Lon had saved
her life. And Shan Pu had hated her for it. Hated Cu Lon for
saving her, and letting her mother die all those years before.
Hated Cu Lon for her lies, her deception. Hated her . . .

Shan Pu drew in a slow deep breath, trying to calm her self.
Anger was useless against Cu Lon. She'd sworn on her
mother's soul she would not let Cu Lon win. That the
daughter would win, where the mother had failed. She had
spent years nursing a hatred against Cu Lon only to realize
that hating Cu Lon was like hating the lightning or shouting
at the thunder. They were all forces of nature. No mater
what you did the lightning flashed, the thunder boomed and
Cu Lon . . .

Cu Lon was Cu Lon. She'd given up her hatred,
but she'd never given up her dream. Her mother's dream.
To escape the shadow of Cu Lon and make a life for her
self. To be Shan Pu and not just Cu Lon's great-grand-
daughter. Closing her eyes she tried to gather her strength
for another shout. Stupid Mu Tsu. He was listening to the
radio again. Or maybe the television. He had it up so loud
he couldn't hear her. Flu or not she was going to pound him
for not being more alert. If he couldn't hear her shout how
could he hear an attacker? Useless, stupid . . .She took
another deep breath. No, that wasn't fair. He was annoying,
clinging, almost suffocating. But then he would do
something sweet, or heroic. She remembered the floating
island and the fight with the bird-man. A slight smile came
to her face. If only they weren't so closely related. In such a
small tribe they needed fresh blood if they were to have
healthy, vigorous children. Mu Tsu didn't seem to
understand . . .or didn't want to understand. Once she were
married, once she had given the tribe healthy daughters . .
.then she could take a lover. She let her mind drift in a
pleasant fantasy. Ranma, cleaning the house . . .one
daughter playing at his feet, another on his hip. Shan Pu
coming in from a hard day with the Council of Daughters or
perhaps tired and dirty from a day in the fields. Ranma
would give the children to Mu Tsu to watch. Ranma would
help her out of her dirty clothes and into a hot bath. She
snuggled down into her bed as she tried to imagine Ranma.
Would she keep him naked? Some wives did. And with a
man like Ranma it was a real temptation. To show off what
a prize you had. On the other hand . . .Shan Pu had always
liked unwrapping presents. She could almost feel Ranma's
hands, so strong, caressing her skin. Gently washing and
soothing. She started as another pair of hands entered her
fantasy . . .clever, knowing hands. Hands that searched out
her secret places. Mu Tsu. She grinned at the thought of
having both men. Ranma would grumble, Mu Tsu would
fume . . .then both would fight. Giving Shan Pu an excuse
to . . .punish them. She shivered in anticipation as she
thought of all the ways an Amazon wife had to tame her
men, gentle them . . .educate them to their place in life. All
it took was love and discipline. Lots of love and just a little
correction now and then. A third figure came into view.
Tall, with long dark hair and longer legs. Chained to a bed,
naked and gagged. Glaring furiously at her . . .and at
Ranma. Her fury grew as Shan Pu lay Ranma on the bed
and lowered herself atop him. Shan Pu almost laughed aloud
at the look of surprise on Kodachi's face as, at San Pu's
command, Mu Tsu knelt between her bound legs. Thoughts
of bringing the Japanese beauty to heel were interrupted by
the blaring of the radio, or was it the TV?

" . . .nited Nations civil intervention team. The
children and most of the adult population were rescued from
certain death and transferred to Welfare Centers where their
physical needs could be attended to and they could be given
. . ."

Shan Pu groaned and tried to pull her pillow over her ears.
When she was sick she liked music, not the news. Maybe if
she banged on the wall Mu Tsu would hear her.

" . . .not everyone welcomed this humanitarian aid.
Separatist elements fled into the hills, mounting a guerilla
campaign against the central government . . ."

Griping a war hammer in both hands Shan Pu readied
herself for a strike at the door. Maybe she could break it
down. At least she should make enough noise to attract . .
.Shan Pu froze as she noticed her hands. Wrinkled, spotted,
lumpy with thick swollen joints.

" Despite their best efforts, Environmental Resource
Bureau forces were unable to achieve a peaceful resolution.
Conservation groups world wide joined forces in a last
minute effort to keep at least a small population alive in the
wild. Unfortunately there was no longer a viable . . ."

In horror Shan Pu let the hammer drop to the floor with a
thud. Whirling she snatched a mirror from her dresser . An
old wrinkled face, worn by care and sorrow stared back at
her with tired eyes sick with sorrow and despair. The mirror
fell from her slack hands as the far wall fell away to reveal
thick steel bars. A sea of bodies, young, old, white, black,
yellow, surged just beyond the confines of the cage.

" The San Francisco zoo is pleased to present, for
one week only . . .Shan Pu. Last of the wild Amazons."

************************************************

"Nooooo!"
Shan Pu bolted upright in bed. Stumbling from her bed she
flipped on the lights and wrenched open the door. It
slammed back against the stops with a crash.
" A dream." Shan Pu gasped in relief. "Just a
dream." But it could be real. All too easily. The Amazon
nation led a precarious existence. Surrounded by hostile
neighbors they had to present a united, powerful front. Any
sign of division or weakness and five thousand years of
culture could vanish. Shan Pu clenched her jaw in
resolution. Too much was at stake. Even at the cost of Shan
Pu's own life, Tendou Akane must die. Now. This night. If
Shan Pu could marry Ranma, well and good. If not, he must
die too. Because the rest of the world MUST know that
there was a cost to offending the Amazons. That was the
secret to survival for the People. Not that they were
invincible, but that the cost of invasion was too high. That
for every Amazon that died five or ten invaders would die.
Just so, the world must know that inside their lands,
Amazon law was supreme. Amazon law would be upheld.
To do otherwise would mean the end of the Amazon nation.
Today one male flouted the laws of marriage. Tomorrow
some multinational corporation would be building a golf-
course on Amazon sacred grounds and by the end of the
year the Amazon nation would be a tourist attraction selling
'genuine' Amazon treasures made in the Philippines.
Bounding out of her window Shan Pu dashed off into the
night, toward the Tendou Doujou.

 

***********************************************

"Shan Pu! HI!" Akane scrambled to her feet with a
grin as Shan Pu burst into the Tendou home. "I'm glad
you're here. I've got something for . . ."

"No talking. Time for lesson."

"Huh? This time of night?"

"Akane say all time martial artist. Is no night or day
for warrior. All time is time for fight. Fight for life, fight for
honor. All time is time for fight . . .or die."

"Uh . . .ok. Just let me get my gi."

Shan Pu lashed out with a spear tip strike that Akane barely
avoided.

"First lesson . . .is no GETTING ready. Warrior
ALWAYS ready."

"S . . .sorry sensei." Akane settled into a defensive
stance. She jerked back as a Chinese sword flashed
overhand in a great slashing movement that would have cut
her in two had it connected."HEY! That's cheating!"

"Lesson two, is no cheating. Is only living or dying."
The heavy sword swung up and around in a great arc. But
Akane was ready this time. Stepping forward, inside the
killing stroke, she slammed her palms together on either side
of the blade, just above the hilt. With the sword trapped
Akane fell back in a controlled movement, using Shan Pu's
own attack to pull her out of position. As Shan Pu sailed
past, Akane wrenched the sword from her hands. Akane
grinned as she watched her sensei hit the ground and roll to
her feet.

"Ha!" Akane held Shan Pu's sword in triumph. "Not
too shabby. I told you I'm . . ." The sword fell to the
ground with a clatter. Flushing at her clumsiness Akane
fumbled to pick up the sword and sat with a thump as her
legs gave way. Puzzled Akane looked down to see the hilt
of a knife protruding just below her breast bone. And she
hadn't even felt it go in. Shan Pu was good. Akane tried to
tell her so, but her tongue felt swollen and clumsy. She was
really tired . . .maybe if she closed her eyes for a minute.
Shan Pu loomed over her as Akane lay on her back in the
middle of the room.

"Final lesson . . .always watch BOTH hand."

"hai, sensei."

Shan Pu watched as the light faded from Akane's eyes.

"Shan Pu!"

Shan Pu whirled toward the voice. Tendou Kasumi stood
behind her.
"If you can't take better care of your toys, you can't
play here anymore."

"That's right." Nabiki chimed in. "We're not made
of money. How do you expect to fix this?"

Shan Pu looked down to find a broken Noh doll dressed in
yellow, cradled in her arms.

"OH . . .you've broken it. . .you've broken it."
Tendou Soun wailed from where he played Go with Cu
Lon.

"No . . .no I fix. I fix good." Shan Pu said
desperately.

"Nonsense." Cu Lon snapped, never looking up
from her game. "You can't fix what isn't broken."

Startled, Shan Pu looked back down at the broken doll, to
find Akane, dressed as an Amazon bride, laying in her arms.
"What you do? You no Amazon!" There was no
response and Shan Pu angrily shook the smaller girl. The
painted dolls face fell off to shatter on the floor and a mass
of worms and pus poured out of the ruin of Ranma's face to
cover Shan Pu's arms. Shan Pu screamed . . .and came
awake in a tangle of sweat soaked sheets. Silent tears
streamed down her face as Shan Pu pounded her fists
against the walls of her room until they bled; until she was
sure she was awake. Then she sat, huddled in her blankets,
every light ablaze until the first light of dawn struggled
above the horizon.

***********************************************

Cu Lon warily walked down the narrow Hong Kong alley.
Unlike Shan Pu, Cu Lon had no trouble telling dream from
reality. She'd been a dream walker before she'd passed her
first century. It was less than child's play for her to stop this
dream, or even substitute another. She never did . . .she
never would. She owed Shi Fi that much. She hadn't
understood her in life, Cu Lon wouldn't abandon her after
death. So Cu Lon went down an alley she'd first walked
almost two decades earlier. And had walked a thousand
times since. Small creatures of the night, scurrying on four
legs and on two passed her in the dark. Cu Lon ignored
them. She was close now. Close enough to FEEL the
presence of the one she sought. The renegade Shi Fi.
Cautiously Cu Lon approached the tiny dwelling. She
slammed open the door and sprang inside . . .ready for
anything. Anything but the smell of corruption and the
swollen belly of her several-times-great grand daughter.

"Surprised?" The once strong voice was weak and
thready but the mocking tones were as defiant and
unrepentant as ever. Ignoring this Cu Lon scanned the
rooms for traps. Sensing none she stalked forward and
whipped away the thin blanket covering Shi Fi. Cu Lon
flinched and gently recovered the leg.
"Pretty, isn't it?" Shi Fi chuckled. "You should see
the other guy."

"There is nothing I can do."

"Ah, but there is. Not for me." She murmured as Cu
Lon started to protest. "For . . .her." Shi Fi grabbed Cu
Lon's hand and placed it on her belly. "My daughter. By
blood shed and salt shared. Bound by iron and earth . . .I
give this daughter of the Amazons into your care." Cu Lon
stared, frozen as Shi Fi bound her with the old oath.
"That's twice I've surprised you. I should have
gotten myself knifed long ago. Either it's sharpened my wits
or dulled yours."

"There are no witnesses." Cu Lon growled. "What
makes you think I won't just leave you . . .and your mongrel
. . .here to die?"

"Your pride. YOU would know you broke oath."
Shi Fi smiled thinly. "It would almost be worth it to know
the GREAT Cu Lon, God Killer, storm bringer; Cu Lon the
ancient and powerful was no better than the lowest. . ." She
broke off coughing, pink foam flecking her mouth.
"Besides, maybe you'll do a better job raising this one."

"Why did you wait so long? If I had gotten here
earlier . . .even by a day . . ." Cu Lon stared into the eyes of
her dying grand daughter. Trying to understand her, if only
a little.

"I don't mind dying. It's the living I hated. Because
I was never really alive. I was always just a part of you. And
not a very important part. No one ever saw ME!" Shi Fi's
body was wracked with violent coughing. Then a giant
spasm brought her half out of the bed. "I . . .I think you'd
better get ready . . ."

Two hours and twenty minutes later the newest Amazon
warrior drew her first breath as she slid into the arms of the
oldest.

"I enjoyed myself. Even the knife that did this."Shi
Fi patted her rotting leg weakly. She peered through the
growing darkness at her grand-mother and her daughter.
"'Cause it was ME they knifed. It was nice having people
see ME." She paused to draw a ragged breath. "I loved you,
you know." Cu Lon looked up startled. "I loved you . . .I
just didn't always like you." Shi Fi's life left her with a little
sigh and her empty eyes stared at the dingy ceiling. Cu Lon
tucked the infant inside her robes and left the dirty room.
She never looked back, even when the sky was lit with red
from the fire that released her grand-daughters soul and sent
it soaring toward heaven.

************************************************

The smell of green tea brought her awake.
"Good morning ma mi."

Cu Lon froze. Shan Pu made a point of speaking only
Japanese . . .bad Japanese just to annoy her. And Shan Pu
hadn't called her by that pet name . . .for a very long time.
Cu Lon's eyes came open and she watched in silence as her
grand-daughter arranged things on a tray. Cu Lon didn't
want to think how far removed Shan Pu was. But Shan Pu
was the last in direct line of descent. Cu Lon felt suddenly
old. "Grandfather dies, father dies, son dies." She hadn't
understood that verse when she'd first heard it. Now,
looking at Shan Pu . . .Of her daughters, and her daughters,
daughters for twenty generations only Shan Pu survived .
Cu Lon had buried all of her other children, female and
male. "Daughter dies, grand-daughter dies. All the children
die while Cu Lon lives."She thought bitterly. That was the
cruelest fate of all. Only Shan Pu was left. And Cu Lon
thought she'd lost her years ago . . .when Shan Pu had
learned the story of her birth. And accused Cu Lon of
driving her mother out of her home . . .of letting Shi Fi die
since Cu Lon couldn't control her And there had been
enough guilt in Cu Lon, enough of the feeling that if she'd
tried harder . . .And things had never been the same since
between them.

"How do you know, ma mi?" Shan Pu asked as she
arranged the tea tray across Cu Lon's lap. Cu Lon could
feel the tension in Shan Pu's body, like a bow string at the
breaking point. She bought some time by biting into one of
the tea cakes. Ginger! Her favorite. Shan Pu must have been
up early.

"How do I know . . .what?"

"How do you know . . ." Shan Pu repeated
helplessly. "How do you know the way to go, the path to
avoid? How do you know the one you love from the one
who hates you? How do you know your enemy . . .and your
friend? How do you KNOW?" Shan Pu spread her hands in
a gesture of bewilderment.

"Many times I don't know." Cu Lon answered
finally.

"But . . .YOU have to know. You are . . .you
HAVE to know."

Cu Lon smiled faintly at Shan Pu's outraged bewilderment.
"As you get older, you learn from your mistakes. That
means you make fewer. But the mistakes you do make are
bigger." Cu Lon met and held Shan Pu's gaze. "I just try
not to make the same mistake again."

Shan Pu looked down at the tiny old woman on the bed.
Suddenly she smiled. "I have to go to market." She bent and
kissed a withered cheek. "I love you ma mi. I'll try to make
you proud." Cu Lon listened to Shan Pu's steps patter away
down the stairs. Listened to the door bang shut.

"Mu Tsu!"

The blind master of dark magic appeared suddenly beside
Cu Lon's bed.

"Yes, old mummy?"

Cu Lon ignored him. "Listen boy, Shan Pu needs . . ." She
fell silent, thinking. She wanted to send Mu Tsu to spy on
Shan Pu. She should have done it days ago when she first
felt Shan Pu was getting in over her head. Now . . .now she
wasn't so sure. A blade had to be tempered if it were ever
to hold an edge. Shan Pu was old enough to make her own
mistakes. If Cu Lon interfered now, Shan Pu could be
ruined forever. Shan Pu would forever remain a child and
Cu Lon wouldn't always be around.

"S . . .shan PU! What . .. What does Shan Pu need?
I'll do . . ."

"She needs to be left alone. You press too hard." Cu
Lon cut Mu Tsu off harshly. "Give her some space. Stay
away from her . . .or I add duck to the menu." Cu Lon
watched a multitude of expressions cross Mu Tsu's face,
then added the carrot to the stick. "If you can show a little
discipline, some self control . . .I'll speak to Shan Pu in your
favor when . . .Oh GET UP off the floor and go set up for
the morning crowd."

**********************************************

San Pu walked slowly through the crowded Tsukiji fish
market lost in thought as she tried to decipher her dreams.
"AAAAAAAAAA!" Shan Pu shrieked as she felt a
hand on her shoulder and spun around, launching a
devastating reverse crescent kick.

"Hi, Shan Pu." Akane grinned up at her from where
she sat on the floor in a prefect split, having ducked below
the kick. "Want some help with that?" Rising up like a
spring loaded toy Akane took the bulky packages from Shan
Pu without waiting for an answer. "I've finished my
shopping." Akane dangled a small package from one hand.
"I had to get some tuna for dinner. Why don't I help you
shop. Then we can walk home together."

Shan Pu opened her mouth to object, then closed it with a
snap. It was easier to let Akane 'help' than spend time
trying to explain why Shan Pu didn't want or need help.

"Ok, we go get sword fish next, then squid, shrimp, oyster."
Shan Pu watched as Akane walked beside her, frowning at
her slightly clumsy, yet familiar, walk. The awkward way
she held the bulky bundle of fish. Shan Pu's winced as
Akane stumbled yet again. And she cringed at the way
Akane used brute strength to heft the two hundred kilo's of
fish Shan Pu had already purchased. Brute strength . . .but
no skill, no science to use her strength to best advantage.
Akane was actually fighting AGAINST herself, working
harder than she had to. This puzzle distracted Shan Pu
momentarily from her other concerns. She'd noticed the
same thing during training. The awkward fits and starts. The
semi-coordinated movements. Sham Pu shook her head . .
.any Amazon that showed this little ability would be
apprenticed as a farmer or carpenter. Even small children
were . . .Shan Pu froze at that thought. Small . . .children.
That's where she'd seen that walk before. Small children.
Still growing. Or in young colts or puppies. All legs and feet
too big for them. But Akane was a woman grown, or
almost. Shan Pu frowned again, this time in thought. But
some girls came late to their womanhood. Was it possible
that Akane had not yet . . .Shan Pu tried to remember if
Akane had ever shown any of the monthly signs . . .And her
reaction to boys. The normal shyness of a Japanese school
girl? Or perhaps Akane had not . . .matured yet. Shan Pu
extended her senses. She'd neglected practicing this skill.
She'd avoided anything that smacked even slightly of Cu
Lon. But you couldn't spend time around the greatest and
oldest Amazon without learning something. Akane's aura
burned with a steady blue white light, cool, virginal . . .pure
Shan Pu shuddered back from the sight. Chi lines like that
belonged on a new-born infant. Or a Zen master. Not on a
seventeen year old girl. No wonder Akane had such a quick
temper and forgave so easily. That she could strike the most
accomplished martial artists with impunity, yet be unable to
get out of her own way. A frisson of excitement ran through
Shan Pu. With training . . .with the RIGHT training Akane
could become one of the greatest Chi masters of the age.
Perhaps as great as Cu Lon. Getting her to China would be
little problem. Like any child she could be lured with the
promise of a treat. And she already trusted Shan Pu. But
would it be better to adopt her as a sister or take her as a
co-wife. There were advantages to both. Shan Pu rather
enjoyed the thought of introducing Akane to the joys of a . .
.mature relationship. Of watching her eyes get wide when . .
. Shan Pu's thoughts stuttered to a stop. She took a deep
breath, then let it out slowly. So much potential. Such a
waste to lose it all. But the Nation came first. There was too
much at stake to risk trying to make Akane one of the
People. Too many things could go wrong. Shan Pu put
aside the thought of what she must do and concentrated on
buying fish for the Nekohaten. Or tried to.

"There's been a mistake. You charged her too
much."

"No mistake little lady." The fish mongers voice was
faintly sneering. Nothing Shan Pu hadn't heard a hundred
times since coming to Japan. Heard and ignored. It was
harder to ignore this time.
"Look, I buy fish here all the time. And I don't pay
this much. And I KNOW restaurants pay less because they
buy in bulk. This is almost THREE times . . ."

"Is ok Akane. No problem. This right price for this
fish." Shan Pu tried to tug Akane away. "We go buy oyster
now."

"It's not ok." Akane glared at the man behind the
counter. "I want to see your manager."

"What for." The tone was openly insolent.

"What FOR? To tell him what a CHEAT you are."

Heads turned in their direction at Akane's shout. The fish
monger turned red and stuck his face in Akane's. "This is
the price for HER kind."

"Her kind." Akane's voice dropped almost to a
whisper and her face took on a still, frozen look. Shan Pu
swallowed hard and redoubled her efforts to pull Akane
away. She'd have had better luck cutting Fuji lose to float
like a balloon. Akane was planted solidly.

"Her kind?" Akane repeated conversationally. "And
what kind would that be?"

The man began to tell Akane in great and graphic detail
what KIND Shan Pu was. And what kind her ancestors
were. And what kind Akane must be for associating with
Shan Pu. If only, Shan Pu thought later, he hadn't
mentioned Akane's mother.

 

************************************************

"I'm really sorry Shan Pu." Akane apologized again.

Shan Pu looked over at the contrite girl seated next to her.
"Is no need. Not your fault."

"It IS my fault." Akane looked around the cell. "It
didn't look this small when I came to get Ukyou last time."
Akane bowed low again. And apologized, again. "I'm so
sorry. I don't know why they brought you. You didn't do
anything wrong."

"Shan Pu gaijin." She said, as if that explained
everything. And perhaps it did.

"Do . . .do you think they'll be . . .very mad?"

"San Pu don't know." She quirked a small grin at
Akane. "Shan Pu never blow up fish market before."

"WHAT! I did NOT blow up . . ." Akane paused,
before going on in a small voice. "Uhhh. Did I?"

"Pretty good imitation then. Look like blow up to
Shan Pu."

"Wow! Now I'VE got a ki attack. Won't Ranma be
surprised."

"Yes. Akane invent Fish-Fu."

Any retort Akane might have made was interrupted by a
new voice. "I'd like to complain about being dragged out of my
restaurant at the busy time . . .but I guess I've got no room
to complain."

"UKYOU!"

"In the flesh. And I brought some help."

"KODACHI???"

"Indeed. We have a caligraphy lesson later today. I
find the atmosphere here extremely insalubrious. To that
end I have effected your release."

"Thanks Kodachi. Thanks Ukuyou. I . . .I wasn't
sure who to call with Ra . . .uhh with Kasumi and dad and
everyone gone." Akane walked out the door with relief only
to turn in surprise as the jailer shut it behind her. Shan Pu
remained behind.

"Hey. That's not funny. You let her out right now."

"I'm sorry. She stays here until tomorrow."

"What! You mean Shan Pu can't go home until
TOMORROW! That's . . ."

"She's not going home." The jailer explained. "She's
being deported."

The jailer stepped back hastily as Akane seemed to swell in
size.

"Deported . . ." She whispered. The jailer shrank
into a smaller ball as Akane's anger grew.

"Is Okay, Akane." Shan Pu said quietly. " Fish market
not like Nerima. Not understand martial artist. Shan Pu
ready to go home. Miss friends. And no one here . . ." She
broke off as Akane wrenched the locked door open with a
screech of tearing metal. Stomping into the cell Akane
planted herself next to Shan Pu.

"It's MY fault. Not Shan Pu's. If she stay's . . .I
stay. And if she gets deported . . ." Akane looked up at
Shan Pu. "How long do you think it will take me to learn
Chinese? Oh . . .oh and to cook in Chinese too. I want to
learn to cook in Chinese."

Shan Pu groaned, Kodachi sighed and Ukyou began beating
her head softly against the bars.

"You there." Kodachi gestured at the cringing jailer.

"Take this." Kodachi pulled a wad of Yen, sufficient to buy
a small third world country (or rent the French government
for a week) and pressed it in the man's hands. "And make
whatever arrangement necessary for the release of . . .
of . ..of that PERSON. And be quick about it."

 

************************************************

"So nice Kodachi get Shan Pu and Akane out of jail.
Act great friendship." Shan Pu glanced sideways at the
beautiful Japanese girl as they walked down the street.
Behind her Shan Pu could hear Akane animatedly describing
her invention of Fish-fu to Ukyou.

"Akanechan is my pupil. I have an obligation to her."
Kodachi turned a cool gaze on the big Amazon. "And of
course a large friendship."

"Friendship now on record with police. Nice have
receipt for friendship. Make all official."

Kodachi inclined her head slightly. "As you say."

"Kodachi have receipt Shan Pu friendship. Kodachi
and Shan Pu friend now? Shan Pu excited have big important
friend like Kodachi. Maybe Shan Pu come over visit. Watch
old movie. Eat snack." With fascination Shan Pu watched
Kodachi's face darken to a deep purple.

"You filthy uncivilized barbarian . . .I'll see you in
hell . . ."

"Oh . . .Kodachi no wait that long." Shan Pu assured
her. "Shan Pu live close by. Is no trouble drop by for visit."

There was a crinkling sound as one of Kodachi's very
expensive dental crowns fractured.

"Do you really think I'll let you into my home?"
Kodachi hissed.

"Shan Pu think she visit anytime. Who stop Shan Pu?
YOU?" There was more than in hint of laughter in Shan Pu's
voice.

"Be careful that you don't end up in another cage . .
.gaijin."

"Oh ho! You think Shan Pu belong cage?"

"Oh yes." Kodachi's lip curled. "In a cage at the
zoo." Kodachi had a moment's satisfaction as Shan Pu went
white then flushed with anger. With supreme self-control
Shan Pu contained her reaction . . . it was too close to her
dream. But she knew that anger, uncontrolled, worked
against her in a fight.

"Shan Pu apologize. She no mean frighten Kodachi."

"Frighten me?" Kodachi stopped and turned to face
the Amazon. "I'm not afraid . . .I just know how to treat
wild animals." A cruel smile of anticipation crossed her face.
"They have to know who their master is, to learn fear and
obedience."

"Ayaii . . .Japanese very strange. You think that work
to tame wild animal?"

"Oh yes. Without fail . . .even the most savage beast
can be taught who it's master is." Kodachi trailed a finger
down Shan Pu's flank, delighting at the shiver her touch
elicited. "Even a dumb beast can learn . . .obedience."

"Shan Pu agree." She walked around Kodachi,
examining her as if she were a prize filly ready for breeding.
"All animal can learn. But . . .Amazon way better."

"Better?" Kodachi laughed mockingly. "Then I
suppose being closer to the beast MIGHT give you . . ."

Her words stopped as Shan Pu lay a gentle finger against her lips.
"Amazon learn work WITH animal. Shan Pu train Snow
Leopard. Wild, dangerous, very beautiful . . .but afraid."
Shan Pu caught Kodachi's eyes with her own. "First, must
gain trust. Can no work through fear. Shan Pu put hood on
leopard."

"A . . .a hood?"

"Yes, softest silk. Cover eyes. Make blind, helpless."

Kodachi licked suddenly dry lips.

"No hurt. Leopard get sleepy, calm in dark. Then
Shan Pu carry with all time. All time, eat, sleep, take bath
always carry leopard."

"And . . .and this tames the beast?"

"Pretty quick leopard no afraid . . .trust Shan Pu
completely. Spend all time with Shan Pu, sleep with Shan Pu.
Hear heart beat, smell scent. Pretty soon think Shan Pu is
leopard."

"There is a flaw in your training." With an effort
Kodachi wrenched her eyes away from Shan Pu's gaze.
"When you take off the blind fold, the beast see's you for
what you are . . .and rips out your throat."

"Sometimes Shan Pu get claw." Shan Pu agreed
pulling back her sleeve to show a line of parallel scars. "If
careless Shan Pu get hurt. Part of why Shan Pu love leopard
is danger. No want house cat. Easy get house cat eat from
hand. Hard get leopard eat from hand keep all fingers."

Holding Shan Pu's gaze Kodachi grasped the Amazon's
scarred hand and brought it to her mouth. "And if the
beast .. .bites?" Kodachi's white, even teeth closed on the
tips of Shan Pu's fingers.

Shan Pu's eyelids drooped as if suddenly too heavy to keep
open. "If cat bites." Shan Pu traced a line behind Kodachi's
ear and down her neck, ending in the tender hollow of her
collarbone. "If cat bites . . .Shan Pu put outside. No play
with bad kitty."

"Hi guys! What are you talking about?"

Kodachi jerked at the unexpected voice, stumbling back to
fall into the arms of a grinning Ukyou. Flushing, but
otherwise composed Shan Pu turned to Akane.
"We talking about how train animal."

"Yes. Just so. I am thinking of getting a new pet."
Kodachi shot Shan Pu a look from under lowered lids. "Shan
Pu was giving me her opinion on how to tame the beast."

"Oh." Akane shrugged. "I thought you were talking
about sex."

 

************************************************

"WOW!" Akane gazed at the tall steel and glass
building in awe. "You work HERE?"

Kodachi bit back her resentment at the question, glad that
Shan Pu at least was not here. She and Ukyou had left them
to carry Shan Pu's fish back to the Nekohaten while Kodachi
and Akane went on by themselves. She could never have
hidden her anger and resentment from Shan Pu.

"Yes. I have a small office here. I sometimes aid
Kuno Enterprises in an . . . advisory capacity." The bitter
truth was she existed merely as a name on the door, a
footnote in the company directory. And it had taken years to
get that much. Years of scheming, planning . . .The familiar
churning nausea threatened to overwhelm her. The wild
screaming rage at how she'd had to crawl, humiliate herself
to get even this TOKEN job. But she'd show them. She'd
show them that she had a mind, could WORK as well as any
man. She'd show them. . .all of them. The smug,
patronizing . . ."

"Ummm, Kodachi. Are you all right?"

Startled, Kodachi looked down into Akane's concerned face.
"Yes . . .yes of course. I was just lost in thought. Please
follow me. I have some business to attend to. You may work
on your calligraphy until I am through. I will review what
you have done, then give you your next lesson."

Kodachi strode into the building and headed for a bank of
elevators. Just before she reached the doors a thin, thirty-ish
woman in a guards uniform stopped them.

"I'm sorry." The woman bowed smilingly. "You must
sign in first and get a badge before . . ."

"Do you know who I am?" Kodachi grated.

The woman bowed again. "I am sorry. But everyone must
sign in and get a badge. Company policy . . ."

"Do NOT tell ME what company . . ."

"Please Kodachisan." Akane lay a hand on Kodachi's
arm. "She's just trying to do her job."

Seething Kodachi allowed herself to be led to the guard's
desk. As she finished signing in the guard started to pin a
badge to Kodachi's jacket.
"Peasant." Kodachi slapped the woman's hands
away. "Do you think I want your dirty hands on me? I shall
see that your superiors hear of your insolence." The woman
paled, flushed, then paled again under the lash of Kodachi's
anger. Satisfied that the guard had learned her place Kodachi
went to the elevator, Akane in tow. As they started up,
Akane turned to Kodachi.

"Uhhh, Kodachisan . . .don't you think that you were
a little hard on her? I mean, don't you think . . ."

"HARD! On that . . ."Kodachi reigned in her anger.
Anger that was directed at . . .others. But there was no way
to explain that the guard had merely blundered in the path of
Kodachi's anger. No way to explain without disclosing
weakness. No way to apologize without admitting she was
wrong. And if there were three people in Japan who would
admit when they were wrong, one of them was NOT Kuno
Kodachi. Instead she let out some more of the anger she'd
held for so many years. "Akane-C H A N." Kodachi let the
diminutive drawl out in an almost insulting tone. She was a
little satisfied to see Akane flush in embarrassment.

"Akane-chan, you simply MUST learn how to go on in the
world. As it is you are hopelessly . . ."

Akane gave a little squeal as the elevator jerked to a stop and
the lights flickered.

"Wha . . .what's happening?"

"This is intolerable!" Kodachi spun angrily to the
emergency phone when the elevator dropped another half
meter and all of the lights went out, leaving them in pitch
blackness.

"Whooo! That made my tummy feel funny."

There was a low moan from the opposite corner of the
elevator.

"Kodachi! Kodachi-san! Are you all right?" Another
low moan, like an animal in pain was Akane's only answer.

"Hold on . . ."Akane fumbled her way to the phone.
"I'm going to call for help. Just let me call . . just let me . . .
Hello . . .hello! This is Tendou Akane. I'm on an elevator
with Kuno Kodachi. We're stuck."

". . .no problem. no one's on the phone. probably a
bad circuit made it ring."

Akane listened to the voice at the other end. A woman's
voice. It sounded far away like she was talking to someone
else.

"NO! WE'RE HERE!!" Akane screamed into the
phone. "CAN YOU HEAR ME??? WE'RE STUCK!!!"
Akane paused to listen.

" . . .repair crew on it when you can. There's no
hurry."

Akane listened as the phone went dead with a metallic click.
And nothing she did got any response. It was almost as if
someone had deliberately disconnected . . .Akane shook
herself. That was silly. If the elevator was having problems it
was probably affecting the phone as well.

"Well" She said cheerfully into the blackness. "It looks like
we're going to be here for a while. What would you like to talk . . ."

A low moan interrupted her, rising and falling in pitch.
"Oh gosh. I'm sorry." Hurriedly Akane fumbled her
way over to Kodachi. "Where are you hurt?" She started
running her hands over Kodachi's prone form. Kodahi didn't
answer but curled into a tight trembling ball. Akane was
caught completely off guard when Kodachi suddenly burst
upward, knocking Akane flat on her back.

"Let me OUT. LET ME OUT!!!!" The elevator
trembled under the force of Kodachi's hammer blows.

"Kodachisan. Stop. Stop Kodachisan you'll hurt
yourself. And you're shaking the elevator." Akane lunged
through the darkness, locating Kodachi by sound. She
wrapped her arms around Kodachi, trying to pin her arms. It
was like trying to wrestle a snake. Feeling her arms trapped
seemed to send Kodachi into a higher frenzy. Screaming and
twisting she slammed her head backward into Akane's face,
half stunning the smaller girl. If Kodachi had used any of her
gymnastic skills she could have easily over powered Akane
at that point. But Kodachi was beyond reason and that gave
Akane a chance. Grabbing the lapels of Kodachi's jacket,
Akane yanked it down pinning Kodachi's arms. This allowed
Akane to shift her grip to just below Kodachi's breasts. With
a muttered "Sorry about this." Akane brought her arms
together, pressing the air from Kodachi's diaphragm. Every
time Kodachi exhaled, Akane tightened her grip a little more,
each time reducing the air in Kodachi's lungs. Finally, after
what seemed an eternity to the battered Akane, but in reality
was only a few minutes, Kodachi fell limp in Akane's arms.

"Kodachisan? Kodachisan? Are you all right? I'm
sorry, but I was afraid you would hurt yourself. Or knock the
elevator loose." There was no answer and Akane could feel
great shudders wrack Kodachi's body. Shifting, Akane
pulled Kodachi into her lap, then freed her arms from the
confines of the jacket.

"I'm afraid of the dark myself." Akane commented
finally. "Especially if there are ghosts." She shivered. "I'm
not sure why . . .but as long as I can remember I've been
afraid of ghosts . . .and the dark."

"not dark." Came the muffled voice.

"What?"

"Not the dark." Kodachi turned her face from where
it was buried in Akane's shoulder. "Small . . .small places."
Kodachi shuddered. "I . . .I don't like to be shut in. I don't
like being . . ."

Akane hurriedly hugged Kodachi close as her voice started
to rise hysterically. "We'll be out of here soon." She lied.
"Anyway, if there were any REAL problem, Ranma would
be here."

"Ranma-sama?"

Akane noticed the hopeful note in Kodachi's voice and went
on, "Oh, yeah. Haven't you noticed that the only REAL
problems happen when that baka's around?"

"MY Ranma-sama is NOT a baka." Kodachi huffed
indignantly.

"HA! You wouldn't say that if you knew what I
know. I remember when he got into a fight with a MONKEY
over some guy and . . ."

************************

" . . .Ranma and Ryouga destroyed ALL the
mushrooms. Honestly, If I hadn't hidden some they'd BOTH
still be six. Not" Muttered Akane darkly. "That there's much
difference now, except for size."

Kodachi gave a watery chuckle. "I bet he was a CUTE little
boy."

"Well,"Akane grinned reluctantly. "He did have his
moments."

"And I bet you just HATED having to spank him," Kodachi said slyly.

Akane felt her face heat. "I HAD to do that. He was being
very naughty and . . ."

Akane's stuttered explanations were interrupted at the lights
came on and the elevator lurched into life. Kodachi
disentangled herself and rose to her feet, leaving Akane to
scramble after. A second later the doors opened on a
surprised crowd of Kuno Inc. employees.

"K . . .kuno-sama!" Stammered a portly balding man
in a maintenance coverall. We thought . . .we didn't know . .
.that is we would NEVER . . ."

Kodachi silenced the flow with an imperious hand. "I expect
a COMPLETE report on this incident. MY desk. ONE
hour."

"OH, Kodachisama!" One of the office ladies hurried
forward with a damp towel and a cup of tea. "It must have
been simply TERRIBLE, stuck on that elevator for so long."
She turned to Akane. "You must have been terrified, all
alone in the dark like that."

Kodachi stiffened at the remark, and a cold feeling washed
over her as Akane started to speak.

"Afraid? With Kodachisan around?" Akane chuckled.
"She kept me too busy talking to be afraid. Although SHE
might be in danger of dying of boredom." A brief spate of
laughter went through the small crowd.

"Enough of this." Kodachi ordered. She might not
have a very high OFFICIAL position. Still she was a Kuno.
"You now have" She looked at her watch. "Fifty two
minutes to get a report on this incident on my desk. I want to
know what happened . . .especially what happened to the
emergency phone."

Akane noticed a familiar figure on the fringes. Noticed the
reaction to Kodachi's demand for an investigation.

"Ummmm, Kodachisan. I'm going to use the . . ."
Akane waved a hand in the direction of the restrooms.

Kodachi nodded abscently and Akane slipped off, not to the
ladies-room, but after the figure.

"Why did you do it?"

The figure in the stairwell froze, then turned slowly.

"I . . .I don't know what . . ."

"I thought is was an accident. That you couldn't hear
me. Then I saw your face . . .when Kodachisan said she
wanted an investigation. You looked like you were going to
pass out."

"I . . .I . . ."

"Was it because of earlier . . .when she yelled at
you? Said she was going to speak . . ."

The female security guard laughed almost hysterically.
"Speak to my superiors. That means "FIRE" me. She
was going to get me f . . .f . . .fired." The woman started
crying. "For doing my job. She was going to . . .to. . . I've
got children. Three, two girls and a boy. My husband died . . .
at his desk . . . a heart attack. He was only thirty five.
Overwork . . .dead." The woman was gasping short choppy
sentences. "Company . . .plan. He wasn't there long enough
for a pension. They . . .they wouldn't play with the children
at the company picnic . . .everyone pretended we didn't exist.
My parents are old . . .I'm working three jobs . . ." She was
sobbing now.

Akane walked forward and wrapped her arms around the
older woman. "But why do something like that?"

"She . . .she treated me like dirt . . .dirt. I'm not . . .
I'm someone. It's not my fault he died. But no one will hire
me. I can work. I know computers. But they only give work
to men . . .to support their families. But I'VE got a family. I
need to work too." She clutched frantically at Akane's
shoulders. "Oh god! What am I going to do? She'll fire me
from here. And my other jobs . . .she'll get me fired there
too. PLEASE, don't tell her. PLEASE, please don't . . ."

Neither woman noticed the figure that had slipped silently
down the stairs after Akane. Kodachi had noticed Akane go
not to the bathroom but down the stairs. Now she stood in
the shadows, he anger growing.

"Here, blow." Akane handed a handkerchief to the
crying woman. "First, I'm not going to tell Kodachi-san."

In the shadows Kodachi stiffened angrily at this sign of
treachery. For some reason it . . .hurt . . .more that it should
have. The guards reaction was even stronger.

"Oh, thank you. Thank you. You don't know . . ."

"I'm not going to tell her."Akane interrupter. "YOU
are."

"no" The woman whispered in horror. "I can't do
that. She'll . . ."

"You . . .what's your name?"

"Aiko."

"Right, Akio-san. The worst she can do is fire you.
And she has every right. What you did was wrong."

"Easy for you to say." Akio said bitterly. "I have
children, elderly parents. I have . . ."

"You need to set an example." Akane said. "Would
you want YOUR children to know what you've done?
Would you be proud of them if THEY did something like
this?"

"NO!" Akio said indignantly. "But it's hard to eat
pride. And honor won't put a roof over our heads. What are
we going to do now? Live in a blue tent with the homeless?"

"You AND your children can stay at the doujou. We
have lots of room. And if you don't have any other job I
have two friends who own restaurants. I'm sure you can get
at least part-time work. And my father is on the Nermia
council. I'm sure he can help."

"A . . .all right. I'll do it." She turned to Akane. "Will
you come with me?"

Akane smiled and wrapped an arm around Akio's waist,
leading her down the stairs. Neither heard the shadow quiet
steps of Kodachi as she ghosted up the opposite direction.

************************************************

"K . . .kodachisa . .sama. I have something to . . .to
tell you."

"Yes?" Kodachi quivered inside, anticipating the kill.
She was going to let this . . .this . . .almost person confess.
Give her a little hope. Then crush her like a bug.

"I . . .I . . .I." Akio's throat closed up and she turned
a pathetically white face to Akane. Akane squeezed her hand
and smiled encouragingly.

"IturnedoffthephoneI'msorrypleaseforgiveme." Akio
dropped to the floor and pressed her head to the ground at
Kodachi's feet

"I was short tempered. I took it out on you. That was
ill done of me." Akio looked up at Kodachi, stunned. No
more so than Kodachi. THAT wasn't what she'd intended to
say. Damn Tendou Akane for standing there with THAT
look on her face. As if she had no doubt Kodachi
would do the 'Right Thing'. "However, you can no longer
work as a guard."

"Yes, Kodachi-sama." Akio stood up and gave a sad little
smile. "You are very kind. I know that I acted shamefully.
Thank you." Akio turned away to leave.

"I have not dismissed you." Kodachi said coldly.

"M . . m'am?" Aiko stuttered nervously.

"The comptrollers office is having computer
problems. Y2K of course. But even at it's best the software
is inadequate." Kodachi speared Aiko with a glance. "I
understand you know about computers. Do you think you
could fix this problem?"

"I . . .I don't know. Perhaps . . .I've heard a little
about it. I think a patch on the assembly language . . .then
maybe . . ."

"I don't want to know the details. You have . . ."
Kodachi looked at her desk calender. "Ninety days to show
progress. I'll pay your salary myself. If you fix the problem,
you will have a permanent job. If not . . .I suggest you learn
to like living on charity."

Aiko fell to the ground, hugging Kodachi about the knees.
"I swear I won't fail you Kodachisama. I swear . . ."

Kodachi felt a surge of triumph as she realized she had
acquired a totally loyal minion. Her first step in a rise to
power at Kuno Inc. It was the thought of power that caused
the warm glow . . .power. Not Akane's approving smile.

 

************************************************

The ride back to the Tendou doujou was accomplished
mostly in silence. Mostly.

"Thank you for what you did for Akio-san. It was
very . . .'

"Good business. It was good business." Kodachi
replied shortly. "If she proves out, not only will I have solved
a large problem I will have acquired an employee totally
loyal to ME."

"Well, yes. But is was still . . ."

"Enough. I don't want to hear anymore chatter about
it."

"Well, it WAS nice." Akane muttered. "OH, and
thank's for the picture." Akane pointed to a framed oil
painting in the corner of the limousine. "It was really nice
of . . ."

"It was nothing." Kodachi said dismissively. "I should
have burned all those paintings years ago."

Akane clutched her prize protectively. "How could you even
THINK . . .they were all so beautiful."

"Nonsense. My teacher said they were derivative,
with out any sense of style or composition. I thought they
might be useful covering up bare spots on the wall . . . but
they weren't good enough even for that."

"I don't know about all that stuff. All I know is they
were pretty."

Kodachi sniffed. Pretty was for post cards. She wanted
dynamic, striking. She wanted . . .

"And they made me feel good. Especially this one."
Akane indicated the park scene, with a small lake in the
background. "We used to go to the park-here all the time. I
remember mama . . .mama used to love . . ." Akane broke
off. "Anyway, I know just what I'm going to do with it."
Akane settled back in the plush seats without another word.
Kodachi told herself she was glad for the silence.

 

************************************************

"Mama, I want you to meet a friend of mine; Kuno
Kodachi-san. She's teaching me calligraphy."

Kodachi stood stiffly in front of the small shrine, nothing like
the elaborate ones at the Kuno estate. The Ihai caught her
eye. Elaborately carved, suitable for a Samurai official, the
memorial tablet had been broken and glued back together. It
was the kaimyou, normally written in letters of gold that
captured her artists eye. Each character of the posthumous
name was in a different hand, and a different color. Kodachi
traced each stroke by eye. The first character was dark blue,
in a masculine hand, broad angular but unsteady strokes.
Probably the father, she thought. Next a delicate silver character,
in an elegant feminine hand. The oldest sister. The middle sister
had drawn this next character. Traditional gold, in crisp
block characters. And finally . . .Kodachi held herself in
check by force of will. The last character was brilliant scarlet.
A bold, sweeping brush stroke that started before it
contacted the wood and swooped and danced out of bounds,
sometimes overrunning the other characters. "Beautiful
Morning Song." Kodachi translated the old characters slowly
under her breath.

" . . .and I thought you'd like to have this. I'm going
to hang it in here so we can all see it when we come to visit."

Kodachi came back to herself to see Akane hanging the
painting beside the shrine.

"Well, what do you think?" Akane turned to
Kodachi. "Is that Okay, or should I . . . Oooops. That's the
phone. I'll be right back."Kodachi watched Akane dash out
of the room toward the ringing phone. She waited a moment,
then turned back to the shirne. She'd never liked shrines or
temples before. They were always gloomy and reminded her
of death and endings. This was different. Light and airy it
uplifted the spirit. Or perhaps it was . . .Kodachi shook off
the feeling. Bowing to the alter she addressed the spirit of
the absent mother.

"You must be very proud of your youngest daughter.
She is warm hearted and generous. She is very serious about
everything she attempts." Kodachi paused a moment in
thought. "She is unsuited for this world and will be much
happier when she joins you." The wind chime tinkled merrily
in a sudden breeze.