Chapter 3

K'e Lwun looked at the calender and sighed softly. "Mu Sz, please close the restaurant. Shan P'u, we should leave now."

"Great grandmother," Shan P'u sounded distressed. "can't we wait a little longer? Just until tomorrow?"

"No. It is past time. She should have been back two days ago. It is not fair ---- or safe ---- to wait any longer." Slipping a slender envelope into her pocket K'e Lwun moved toward the door. "Come along Shan P'u."

"Is this wise?" Mu Sz moved to block their exit, remembering his glasses for once.

"The Tendou's are not going to take this news well. And Saotome is unpredictable at best. He ----they---- are likely to blame you for Akane-san's disappearance, whatever the truth of the matter. Let me go. I can give them the news just as well."

"Mu Sz," K'e Lwun favored the blind boy with a wintery smile. "never say that you are worried about me?"

"You old bat," he hissed. "If they skinned you and nailed you to the doujou wall I wouldn't shed a tear. But you have no right to endanger Shan P'u."

"Much better." She rapped him sharply over the head, sending him reeling back. "I thought you were going soft. Never fear. I will allow nothing to happen to Shan P'u." She thought for a moment. "However if you wish to be useful . . ."

MuMu-chan squawked angrily at the sudden splash of water. " . . .keep to the air over the doujou. Watch for Oda, or any of his men." MuMu-chan glared at K'e Lwun before angling skyward. At least he could watch for danger to his beloved Shan P'u

. ******************************************

"We are sorry to intrude." K'e Lwun bowed slightly to Kasumi. That in itself was unusual enough to raise the hackles on Ranma's neck. K'e Lwun was polite when it suited her, or when she wanted something. And Shan P'u was unnaturally subdued. She hadn't broken anything or tried to grope him once. "I have something for you." K'e Lwun slid a slender envelope across to Soun. With a puzzled frown he cracked the seal and began reading.

"This is from Akane!" He glanced briefly at K'e Lwun before resuming. "No," his hands began to shake. "No, oh no! Akane . . .my baby."The letter slid from nerveless fingers. "My baby, my baby . . ."

"What th' hell?" Ranma snatched the letter as Kasumi moved rapidly to comfort her father. Stone faced, Nabiki plucked the letter from Ranma's hands. "HEY! I'm readin' that."

"Shut up Ranma." The unexpectedly terse command silenced him. "I don't have time for you to pretend to be literate." Rapidly Nabiki scanned the brief missive. She read it over twice, examining the paper carefully." "Alright," She looked back and forth between K'e Lwun and Shan P'u. "what's going on?"

"I believe everything is explained in that letter."

"Nothing is explained. If you expect me to believe that Akane just _gave_ you the doujou----"

"WHAT!" Genma roared, rumbling forward like a beer keg with legs. "That's MY . . .errrr . . . RANMA's doujou. She can't----"

"And gave Ranma to Shan P'u," Nabiki continued as if there had been no interruption. "then you----"

"Are you crazy!" Ranma snatched the letter back and began reading, his lips moving rapidly as he scanned the page.

"It is not that simple," K'e Lwun began. "I want you to know that this is not the outcome I wished."

"I bet it ain't," Ranma crumpled the letter angrily and threw it on the ground. "I just bet it ain't." He stalked around the table and stared down at the ancient Amazon. "Ya got about three seconds to tell me where Akane is," he cracked his knuckles. "or I'm gonna beat the spit outta you."

"Ranma, stop."

Ranma and the others turned at the weary sounding voice. "I believe her." Tendou Soun was staring blankly at the table top. "I believe she is telling the truth."

"Yeah, right!" Ranma snorted. "Like some guy showed up outta nowhere, smacks Akane around, takes Ryouga down without breakin' a sweat AND then the tomboy goes off to some secret place to train in a unknown style so she can come back an' beat this guy for the family honor?" Ranma took a deep breath. "I don't think so. I think the old ghoul," he jerked a thumb at K'e Lwun. "did somethin' to her. Maybe one o' her mind tricks or a mushroom or somethin'." He paced agitatedly back and forth. "She pro'ly attacked Ryouga . . .blew up the wall herself. Then she----"

"Oda is real enough." Soun said wearily. "I haven't thought about him in years. Not since . . ." he looked at his remaining daughters. "Not since your mother died."

"Dammit, who is this Oda guy? And why would Akane care about him?" Ranma stopped pacing long enough to glare at Soun.

"Oda . . .Kuronuma Oda. He was my senior student, heir to the doujou and . . . Kasumi's betrothed husband."

"Oh my."

Nabiki sat down with a thump. "How exciting," Kasumi rose gracefully and headed for the kitchen. "I'll make everyone some tea and snacks while you tell the story." She left the door open so she could listen while she worked. Soun looked after his eldest, regret clear in his eyes.

"Your mother's father died without a male heir. Your great grandfather----"

"Arranged a marriage," Ranma glared at his father and Soun. "Geez, you think you'd 've learned from that mistake . . ." Ranma flinched as he felt many pairs of eyes upon him. "Uhhhh, what I mean is ya should a known it would never . . ." He swallowed hard. "I think I'll see if Kasumi needs any help." Quickly he vanished into the safety of the kitchen.

"It wasn't just an arrangement. I wanted the marriage," Soun looked at Nabiki. "More than anything in the world I wanted your mother. And she . . .she wanted me." The wonder at that was still evident in his voice. "Her grandfather wasn't too sure, but he doted on your mother and allowed the marriage."

Kasumi, followed by Ranma returned with tray of snacks and a pot of tea. As gracefully as any martial arts kata she placed cup and plate before each guest. "I loved your mother," Soun explained. "but I always felt . . .inadequate. Everything was hers, the doujou, the school, even the Tendou name." He bowed his head in shame. "It was only worse after you were born. Not that I didn't love you," he added hastily. "You were each a small miracle from god."

"What does this have to do with . . .with Oda?" Nabiki took a sip of the hot green tea. "And with Akane giving," She glared at K'e Lwun and Shan P'u. "the doujou away?"

"I wanted to prove myself. To your mother, to her grandfather."I was a good martial artist."Soun replied in an apparent non sequitur. "Not as good as your mother . . .not any where near the level of her grandfather." He smiled wryly at K'e Lwun. "You might have been his equal, or perhaps the master----" Soun broke off with a grimace. "I shouldn't mention Happosai in the same breath. He was Happosai's superior in every way." "That was part of the problem." Soun rubbed his temples. "I was good . . . just not good enough. And I was afraid of your great grandfather. Not that he would hurt me." He answered the looks of his daughters. "Afraid that I would never measure up."

"So what's the deal with this Oda guy? And what does _any_ of this have to do with Akane?"

"I was afraid . . ." Soun bowed his head in shame. "Afraid of the training, afraid of failure. Instead of working to master my fear I took the easy way. I . . .I started training under Happosai. He promised power . . .mastery . . ." With a sour laugh Soun looked at his audience. "He lied. I didn't find that out until it was too late. And before I did I ran into Oda . . .young, strong . . .talented. He just got better and better under my training. And I thought," Soun looked at Kasumi. "God forgive me . . .I thought that he would be the perfect husband for you. That I would secure the school, the doujou for another generation and prove myself to your mother."

"Geee," Nabiki put in snidely. "And _that_ worked so well you decided to do it again with Akane."

"This is not the time for recriminations." K'e Lwun put in mildly. "Oda is a very real threat. We need to concentrate on solving this problem."

"_We_?" Nabiki looked narrowly at K'e Lwun and Shan P'u. "Since when are you . . ._we_?"

"I promised your sister that I would look after you if she did not return." She answered simply.

"Father," Soun flinched at Kasumi's gentle voice. "I vaguely remember Oda-san. He just disappeared one day. What happened? Does it have something to do with why he is so angry?"

Taking a deep breath Soun began to tell of that day, over a decade past.

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" . . . your mother chased him out of the house. He was completely humiliated and swore vengeance on the Tendou family."

"Mama did?" Nabiki was stunned. And fascinated by the story her father was telling. No less so than the others. "Your mother was very gifted in the art." Soun smiled reminiscently.

"Man," Ranma stuffed a handful of chips in his mouth. "who woulda thought the tomboy's mom could kick ass like that.

"Owwww." Ranma glared at Shan P'u. "What'dja do that for?"

"Husband show respect."

"I ain't your husband." Rubbing his head Ranma was suddenly reminded of K'e Lwun's place in this story. "Alright, so what's with Akane givin' you the doujou?"

"She thought that is was her responsibility to defend the doujou----"

"That's stupid! Why didn't she just wait for me ta get back?"

"Perhaps she felt her honor was at stake." K'e Lwun responded mildly.

"That's even stupider. Girls ain't gotta worry 'bout stuff like----Owwww!"Glaring equally at Nabiki and Shan P'u, Ranma rubbed both sides of his head.

"I still don't understand," Nabiki blew on her knuckles. "why would Akane give away the doujou? I can understand wanting to get rid of Ranma," Ranma glowered but wisely decided to keep his mouth shut. "but why the doujou? And why give it to you?"

"I think I know." Soun interrupted before K'e Lwun could answer. "She didn't think I could protect my children, did she?"

"Oda is very strong," K'e Lwun responded gently. "I myself would find him a formidable opponent." She chuckled at the surprised looks.

"The Amazon nation has not lasted five thousand years without learning to judge our enemies. I offered an . . .alternate solution," Nabiki looked at her skeptically. "but she felt that would not be honorable. Instead she decided to train herself to meet with Oda. She entrusted me with keeping her family safe." K'e Lwun speared Ranma with an iron glance. "And with training _you_ to beat Oda if she failed to return."

"Wait a minute," Ranma frowned at K'e Lwun. "What's with this fail to return stuff? Why wouldn't she return?"

"She went to train in the Yellow Dragon technique." Soun explained. "It is a secret of the Tendou family. I did not realize she even knew of the techniques. Let alone that she knew of the hidden training grounds." He smiled sadly. "I should have known better. She and her great grandfather were always very close. He must have given the secret scrolls to Akane's mother. But she left us," his voice caught. "before she could train Akane."

"Are you tellin' me that Akane's gone off someplace to train usin' some stupid scrolls her grandpa left her?"

"Great grandfather." Kasumi gently corrected Ranma. "Isn't it exciting? Akane always goes to such interesting places." Nabiki sputtered as her tea went down the wrong pipe.

"Are you crazy Oneesama?" Looking at Kasumi's serene smile she decided _that_ was a silly question. "Akane's gone off god knows where to train in some idiotic secret technique----And we _all_ know how well those things work out." She shot a look at Genma that should have instantly reduced him to Panda-burgers.

"This is crazy." Ranma jumped up and headed for the stairs. "I ain't gonna just sit here like this. I'm goin' after Akane."

"Do you even know where she went?" Nabiki asked skeptically.

"Uhhh. . .well, no. Not exactly." Ranma said defensively. "But I know she's on an island." He held up the letter. "It says so right here."

"Geee, that's a _real_ help." Nabiki added sarcastically. "Now where do you suppose we could find an island? Oh, wait----Japan is an island. That narrows it down."

"It's off the coast of Hokkaido."

Everyone looked at Soun in surprise. "It's just a big rock, actually. I went there once with Akane's great grandfather. I always meant to go back . . .complete the Yellow Dragon myself . . .show Akane her legacy. I always meant to do a lot of things." He looked Ranma in the eye. "Go bring her back Ranma."

"Now you're making sense. Just tell me----"

"Have you forgotten Oda?" K'e Lwun looked sourly at Ranma. "Or were you just going to abandon Akane's sisters and father?"

"Now wait just a minute ya old bat," Ranma glared at the ancient Amazon. "I ain't abandonin' nobody. But I ain't gonna just sit around while Akane---"

"She should have been back two days ago. I waited to tell you. Hoping . . ." K'e Lwun shook her head sadly. "Oda has been watching this house. Waiting for your return." She nodded in Soun's direction. "I have managed to keep him . . .occupied with other concerns." She smiled grimly. "Oda's various businesses have suffered a run of ill luck. It's almost as if he has been cursed." She frowned reprovingly at Shan P'u who was suddenly overtaken by a fit of coughing.

"Heh . . .not bad old woman." Ranma grinned cheekily. "So, you keep Oda busy while I go get Akane."

"I do not know how much longer he will be diverted." She seemed to come to a decision. "I too would like to be sure of Akane-chan's fate. She was certain that no one else knew of the secret training grounds. But if you know . . ." Soun nodded at her unspoken question. "then we should all leave now. At the very least Oda will have trouble finding us."

"I should make some snacks to eat on the train." Kasumi rose and headed for the kitchen. "Nabiki, if you'll call the station and arrange for tickets----"

"I'm hoooome!" Ranma's head snapped around so fast Shan P'u felt a breeze. "Hey . . .takoyaki!" Akane walked to the table and popped an octopus ball into her mouth.

"Where the HELL have you been?" Nabiki growled as Ranma swept Akane up in a tremendous bear hug. "Uhhhhh . . ." Ranma suddenly realized what he was doing and let go of Akane as if she'd burst into flame. "I ain't huggin' ya cause I care or nuthin'. I was . . .uhhh . . .just checkin' to see if you was hurt . . .uhhhh . . .'cause Kasumi was worried about ya."

"Oh, how sweet," Kasumi fetched another plate for Akane. "thank you Ranma."

"Excuse me," Nabiki pushed between Akane and Ranma, who was still latched onto Akane. She twisted her little sister around to face her. "According to K'e Lwun," She nodded in the Amazon's direction. "you were supposed to be back two days ago."She stepped back from Akane. "So where have you _been_?"

"Shikoku." Akane replied, scooping up some tuna egg-custard on a rice cake. "This is _good_!"

"SHIK ----!" Nabiki's mouth opened and closed like a mackerel. "What were you doing in Shikoku?"

"I fell asleep in the back of the truck and didn't wake up until----"

"What," Nabiki grated. "were you doing sleeping in the back of a truck?"

"Well, I lost all my money when the boat sank so I had to hitch-hike. I snuck into the back of this truck while---."

"What boat?" Nabiki thought she was being remarkably patient. "The one I stole. Anyway after the Russian gunboat shot up the engine----

"WHAT Russians!!!"

"The ones chasing me," Akane said in the overly patient voice used to explain the obvious. "for violating Russian territory."

"WHAT!!!"

"Russia? Did you bring back any souvenirs?" Kasumi asked brightly. "Have some more tea and tell us about your trip. Did you have fun on your school outing?" Nabiki stared at Kasumi and wondered, not for the first time, if she were adopted.

"Well," Akane took a sip of tea. "I couldn't rent a boat, since I don't have a motor license, so I had to . . ."

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". . .wind was blowing _toward_ the cliffs, so when the poles fell, they fell toward the cliff face. All I had to do was jump for the rocks and climb a little way to the top."

"All?" Nabiki said faintly.

"Sure, piece of cake. NO problem." "Well, it wasn't _that_ bad," Akane protested. "Except for the ice. I did slip a couple of ---." She stopped suddenly at a strangled sound from Ranma. "Are you all right? You look a little green. Did you eaaaaaa----." Akane squealed as Ranma suddenly scooped her up in his arms and bounded out the door.

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Ranma put Akane down in the center of the doujou and stood looking at her in the gathering darkness. Finally Akane broke the silence. "Ummm . . .are you feeling alright?"

"Are you crazy? What the _hell_ do you think you're doin'? Ain't NO way a clumsy tomboy like you can fight this Oda guy." Panting as if he'd run a marathon Ranma glared at Akane, daring her to disagree.

"You're probably right."

"Don't give me that stuff. You're always tryin' ----Huh?"

Akane's lips twitched slightly at Rannma's dumbfounded look. "I said you're probably right. But what choice do I have?"

"Uhhhh . . ." Ranma didn't have any experience with someone actually agreeing with him. "Well . . .just let me fight him." He was on safer ground now. "Girls ain't got no business fightin' anyway. It ain't ladylike." He paused to see how that was accepted.

"I thought I was a tomboy." Akane responded. "So I don't need to worry about being ladylike."

"HEY!"

It wasn't fair to do stuff like that Ranma thought resentfully. Girls were always doin' stuff like that . . .rememberin' stuff you said and then usin' it against you. "Besides," She continued. "It's not fair to ask you to do this." Akane smiled at him and he felt his insides get all squishy and funny feeling. "you just saved me from a demi-god. I ought to be able to handle this on my own."

"Don't be any stupider than you are." He retorted, angry and defensive because of his unfamiliar feelings. "Just let me fight him."

"What if you lose?" Akane asked.

"Hey, I ain't gonna lose!"

"But what if you do?" She persisted. "Anyone can lose . . .even by accident. It makes more sense to let me fight first. Then you can see his technique."

"Man, that's just stupid." Ranma paced agitatedly. "What the hell good is that gonna do YOU?"

"Now you know how I feel when you get in all these fights." Akane said softly.

"What! What the hell are you talkin' about?"

"Nothing. Nothing at all."

"OK, how 'bout this." Ranma stopped pacing and stood before her. "How 'bout we just pack up and leave. We can go on a trainin' trip. That Oda guy will never find us."

"What about the doujou?"

"Th' hell with the doujou." Ranma snapped. "I never wanted the stupid thing anyway."

"And Kasumi, Nabiki and my father." Akane continued. "will they come on this training trip?"

"Shit," Ranma muttered, vainly trying to imagine Kaumi or Nabiki living on the road. He could imagine Soun all too well, and wasn't _that_ a pretty picture. "OK, how 'bout this . . .we go to China. To th' Amazons. You made a deal with K'e Lwun before you left."

"I gave her the doujou in exchange for protecting daddy and my sisters. And," she added in a low voice. "with the promise that one of your children would marry one of Kasumi's or Nabiki's and unite the schools."

"MY kid?" Ranma yelped. "Where am I gonna get a kid?"

"Yours and . . .uhhh . . .Shan P'u."

"WHAT!"

Akane winced at the shrill exclamation. "I . . .uhhh . . .thought I needed to offer her an inducement to go to all that trouble."

"So ya _traded_ me, like I was a base-ball card?"

"Ummm. Yes?"

"That's th' STUPIDEST thing I've EVER heard of. What made ya think I would agree to that?"

"Well, you've never exactly acted like she makes you throw up." Akane retorted, starting to get mad. "In fact, I remember you chasing her all over Nerima, vowing to make her say 'I LOVE you, Ranma'!"

"That's DIFFERENT!"

"OH YEAH! Well let me tell you---." Akane broke off, taking a deep breath. "OK, maybe it wasn't the best idea, but it was the best I could come up with to keep everyone safe." Staring Ranma in the eyes she continued. "Even if we did go to the Amazons, Oda would still be here waiting. I can't just let him run us out of our home, destroy the Tendou name."

"Hey, it ain't that important. You don't ----."

"I can't leave him here to keep hurting people with techniques he learned from the Tendou school."

"That ain't your fault."

"It's my responsibility as heir to the Tendou school." Akane said simply.

"Shit!" Ranma muttered as he resumed his pacing. Lost in thought he didn't notice Akane rummaging around in a closet until she tapped him on the shoulder. When he looked up she handed him two swords, one long and black, the other short and silver; both with long red tassels hanging from the hilts.

"Do you know the Dancing Phoenix double sword form?" She grinned wryly at his look. "Sorry. Of course you do."

"What's this all about?" He stared at the swords in his hand, then at the matching set, with blue tassels, Akane held.

"Let's do forms."

"Huh?" There was a whistling sound as the long sword in Akane's hand whirled around and down toward his head with enough force to bisect a locomotive. Automatically he countered, his short sword sweeping under and over, moving her long sword out of position while simultaneously thrusting with his long sword in counterattack.

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The gathering darkness was only a minor inconvenience to her Amazon trained senses. Fascinated Shan P'u watched from hiding outside the doujou as Ranma executed a blazingly fast Wild- Horse-Leaps-The-Ravine. Akane countered the back handed cut to the left by rolling under the blade and coming up behind Ranma in a Shooting-Star- Follows- Moon counter; her long black blade raised high in defense, her short silver blade striking like a snake for his unprotected spine. Spinning Ranma caught the short sword between his crossed blades , reposting with the longer blade. Shifting slightly Akane let the deadly steel miss her throat by millimeters. Shan P'u hissed involuntarily as she saw Akane counter with the elegantly dangerous Swallow-Skims-The-Water. Dipping low to the ground, as if suddenly boneless, Akane slid her long sword up toward Ranma's heart, at the same time tangling both his blades with her short sword.

The sweet copper taste of blood filled Shan P'u's mouth as she bit through her lip. At the last instant Ranma slid back and away from the deadly blade, freeing his own swords. Without pausing Ranma came back, body low to the ground. Akane beat aside his long sword with her own, her short sword countering Ranma's short sword, then slicing toward his knee.

It was like watching a shadow play, Shan P'u thought, only not as noisy. The only sound was the faint whisper of bare feet on the hardwood floor and the gentle kiss of steel on steel. Amazon pleasures are few and simple; sharp steel, fierce enemies, cold beer and a good fight. Involuntarily her muscles twitched as she followed the fast hard movements of the pair in the doujou. The Dancing Phoenix combined the short linear movements of the Southern styles with the sweeping circular Northern wushu. The evening breeze brought her a heady perfume of sweat, musk and adrenalin; the ideal Amazon aphrodisiac. Trembling slightly she drank in the sight of taught muscles sliding beneath firm skin, bright steel whirling between strong calloused fingers----a strong healthy young animal delighting in sheer physical perfection. And Ranma was looking good too.

Shan P'u silently faded into the darkness as Akane avoided an oblique back cut, sliding past the attacking sword in a classic Blue-Dragon-Arises- From-the-Sea. Watching this Shan P'u was reminded of a line from her favorite poem, "There is a girl across the river with a bottom like a peach." It was time to rethink her entire strategy. The Amazon nation constantly needed new blood. If she could bring _two_ strong fighters into the tribe she would be assured a seat on the council of sisters. And if Akane proved to be a good breeder . . .visions of a place in the Cabal danced in her head.

She frowned suddenly. This rosy future could end broken and bleeding on the doujou floor. Akane had shown remarkable improvement but she needed seasoning. Ah well, obstacles were for killing. At least that was _one_ way to translate the saying into Japanese. She spared a brief moment to contemplate _triple_ forms and the production of new little warriors. She'd never seen Oda but she knew what he looked like from listening to her great grandmother send her 'friends' to keep watch on him. More importantly she knew where he would be, thanks to her eavesdropping. Fortunately _she_ had never made any promises to Akane to not interfere. Besides, it was traditional to give a welcoming gift when new members were adopted into the tribe. Shan P'u pulled a massive Kukri from it's hidden sheath, admiring the way moonlight glinted off the curved steel blade. Grinning to herself she sped off into the night toward a very exclusive night-club.

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Hanging upside down by his heels outside her window Ranma waited until Akane's soft even breathing indicated she was asleep. Flipping back onto the roof he stretched hugely. Who'da thunk the tomboy could do something like that. She'd been . . .pretty good . . . in the doujou. Not as good as him of course. Absentmindedly doing a few kata he replayed the mock battle.

A _hell_ of a lot better than she'd ever been before . . .good enough to suck him into replying to her 'attacks'. By the time his mind caught up to what his body was doing he realized she was completely in control of the situation. It had been fun. But doing forms, even very advanced forms, was a lot different from going against someone who wanted to kill you. Akane was going to be pretty mad at him for what he was about to do. He could live with that.

A movement in the shadows caught his eye. Just the blind duck-boy he wanted to see. "YO! Blind Du----errr Mu Sz, how ya doin' pal?"

"What do you wish, Saotome?" Mu Sz replied sourly. He was stuck with guard duty while the devil Saotome was free to roam at will. Perhaps even now planning some salacious activity with his beloved Shan P'u. Visions of Shan P'u being salacious clouded his vision. He was just getting to the good bits when-----

"HEY!" Ranma shook the drooling Amazon by the shoulder. "I asked you, where's this Oda guy hang out?"

"Hmmmm . . .?" Mu Sz responded dreamily, shaking himself out of his favorite fantasy. Well, second favorite. His favorite involved olive oil, spandex and the Chinese National Ballet. "Oda? Why do you----" He stopped himself. It was better not to ask. After all, he couldn't be blamed for something he knew nothing about. "You may find Oda at this address." Producing brush, ink and paper from his robes Mu Sz quickly drew a map and handed it to Ranma.

"Thanks. You're a pal." Ranma scanned the map before stuffing it into his pocket. "Hey, what's this Oda guy look like, anyhow?"

"He is unmistakable," Mu Sz replied. "Just look for the fighter with the strongest battle aura." He hadn't actually lied thought Mu Sz as Ranma vanished into the night. Oda most certainly would have strong c'hi. And Saotome _might_ just find Oda at that address. He would certainly find trouble. The thought warmed Mu Sz against the chill night air.

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"All is in readiness for tomorrow, Oda-sama. A formal challenge has been dispatched by trusted messenger." Juzo hesitated briefly. "Oda-sama, is this wise? To risk so much in a direct confrontation with the Tendou family?"

Oda turned a languid gaze on his henchman who swallowed a sudden lump. "Do you doubt me Juzo-ch-an?"

"No master!" Juzo pressed his head against the floor. "I have no doubts that you will win against the Tendous. I am only concerned that the authorities may become involved. I wish only to prevent any inconvenience to you." He said in all sincerity.

"Your loyalty is commendable." Oda smoothed a wrinkle from his dressing gown. "We have friends in high places do we not? Friends who own me favors . . .?" At Juzo's nod Oda smiled sweetly. "It is good to have friends. And it would be churlish not to allow them to repay their . . .debts." Oda stroked Juzo's head, as one would a favorite dog. "Always remember that Juzo-ch-an. Debts must be repaid."

As soon as Juzo had departed Oda settled himself comfortably in his chair. Steepling his fingers Oda contemplated the city lights, the bedlam from his night-club reduced to a faint vibration by several millions of yen worth of sound proofing. The old man and the bitch had cheated him. He'd been counting on the doujou to pay his debts all those years ago. It was a nice piece of property and during the huge Japanese real-estate boom had been worth hundreds of millions. And the two youngest daughters would have brought a nice piece of change in Tailand. He'd had a buyer all lined up when . . .a familiar sour-acid taste twisted his stomach.

They'd cheated him . . .he'd been forced to leave Japan one step ahead of some very unfriendly people. He'd dedicated himself amassing power and position----perfecting his Black Tiger. But they'd cheated him again ----the old man with a cerebral hemorrhage while playing mah-jong, the bitch with cancer. Calming himself Oda stared out over the city . . ._his_ city soon. He had money, power . . . and even better, powerful _friends_. The old man and his bitch daughter had escaped . . .but they'd left behind their children. And he still had buyers in Thailand . . .for the survivors.

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"Saotome Ranma!"

Oooops----busted. Ranma flinched slightly, wondering if he had time to execute the Saotome Final Technique.

"You need to get ready," Nodoka opened the door to the bath-room. "have you been fighting again?" She continued without pause, looking at his torn and bloody clothing. She gently touched the yellow bruise under his eye, now shading to black as it aged. "You're a martial artist----you shouldn't be fighting." There was only one reasonable answer to this Mom-logic.

"Yes mother."

"Now let's get you cleaned up." Deftly she stripped off Ranma's torn shirt and reached for his pants.

"MOM!!!"

"Now dear," She depantsed him with one smooth motion. "you don't have anything I haven't seen before. Why I remember when you were two years old and you had an accident while we were out shopping. There you were with your little . . ."

Smiling gently she upended a bucket of cold water on Ranma. "Mamaaaa!" The shrill soprano of the embarrassed protest was not entirely due to his changed gender.

"Close your eyes dear." Ranma winced slightly as Nodoka vigorously scrubbed a dollop of shampoo into his hair. "I learned early on to always carry dry pants when we went . . ."

"Aunt Nodoka have you seen----" Nabiki popped into the bathroom just at that moment. Ranma wasn't sure if it was possible to die of embarrassment; but he could always hope. "Oh, good----you're back." Nabiki seemed oblivious to the fact that Nodoka was scrubbing Ranma like an infant. "Here's Ranma's stuff," she dropped a bundle on top of a shelf. "Uncle Genma's helping father and I've got to get back to Kasumi . . ." She bit her lip in thought. "Ummm. Do you have time to help Kasumi? I really need to talk to K'e Lwun----and Shan P'u hasn't shown up yet. Should I ask Mu Sz to go look----"

Ranma gaped at Nabiki. He'd never seen her flustered before . . .never imagined she _could_ be flustered. He gasped as soap ran into his eyes. "Be careful of the soap dear," Nodoka dumped another bucket of water over his head. "Of course Nabiki-chan, I'll be glad to go help Kasumi." She hauled Ranma off the low bath stool and pushed him toward the furo. "Does Akane-chan need any help?" Ranma slid into the steaming water, shuddering slightly as he always did at the slithering, twisty feeling of _The Change_; like standing naked in a barrel of excited eels while someone pushed ice water through your bones. It didn't hurt . . .exactly. "Please hurry Ranma, you don't have time for a soak." Ranma started to get out, then froze as he realized Nabiki was still there.

"Ummmm . . .uhhhh . . ."

Nabiki smirked at Ranma in an almost normal way that Ranma found oddly comforting. "Akane's fine. She's in her room meditating. I'm going to see K'e Lwun. We'll be in the kitchen if you need us." She pulled the door shut behind her and Ranma scuttled over to the bundle Nabiki had left. He pulled it apart, then froze in confusion. "Here, let me help."

His mother came up behind him. "Now I want you to be on your best behavior," She slipped the short-fundoshi around his waist and tied it. "I know you didn't have much opportunity to attend formal functions while traveling," The long-fundoshi fastened bib-like around his neck and he slipped his arms into the shitagi Nodoka held out for him. "but it's very important you present yourself well in front of company." She fastened the obi around his waist with a complex knot.

"Company?" Ranma squirmed a little bit at the unfamiliar feel of the garments.

"Oda-san has issued a formal challenge to the Tendou school. And you don't want to embarrass your fiancee in front of company."

"Heh . . .I don't think that'll be a problem." He rubbed a bruised rib.

"In fact Oda . . .san might not even show up."

"Well that would certainly be very rude," his mother commented, settling the embroidered kataginu in place. She brushed a piece of imaginary lint off the winged jacket and turned Ranma to face the mirror.

"Now don't you look nice?"

"AaaaaGeeeez Mom. Whyda I hafta wear----" Ranma stared into the mirror . . .a young samurai in typical court dress of the fourteenth century stared back at him. His normal careless pigtail had been re- fashioned into the froward swept topknot of a samurai. The mon of the Saotome clan, the kanji for horse splitting a stylized Mt. Fuji, had been stitched on the left shoulder of his jacket. He started as his mother knelt before him, sliding katana and wakizashi into his uwa-obi on the left side. "Mom?"

"These are the Saotome family swords, passed down the generations for four hundred years. You are a man now, and they are rightfully yours. Wear them with pride, use them with honor."

"I . . .I will mother. I promise."

"And don't run with them. You might fall and put your eye out."

"Mommm!"

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

"Where IS she?" Nabiki pounded her fist against her thigh as she paced.

"I am quite certain Shan P'u will be here in time to support our efforts." K'e Lwun said calmly. She took sip of tea, then indicated the steaming pot. "Sit, have some tea and calm yourself."

"Tea! How can you----" Nabiki broke off under K'e Lwuns placid gaze. "Oh, all right." She plumped herself down in a chair and poured a cup of tea with a short angry gesture. She started to raise the cup, then banged it back with a clatter. "Maybe I better go look---"

K'e Lwun snagged her as she started for the door. "Sit," She pushed Nabiki firmly back down and pressed the tea cup into her hands. "I don't want to have to go looking for you as well. Shan P'u is unlikely to avoid meeting Mu Sz." She grimaced slightly. "Goodness knows it didn't do any good to tie him in a sack and ship him to Tibet when he was seven."

"What?" Nabiki said distractedly, getting up to look out the window. "What did you say?"

"I said that if anyone can find Shan P'u it's Mu Sz." She sighed as Nabiki continued to pop up and down from her seat like a cat with one kitten and that one sickly. K'e Lwun was considering a discreet tap to a pressure point when Shan P'u bounced into the room, a polished sandalwood chest about the size of an old fashioned hat-box under her arm.

"Ni hao, great grandmother. Ni hao Nabiki- san" K'e Lwun's left eyebrow twitched infinitesimally at the cheery greeting.

"Where have you _been_?" Nabiki snapped, wanting to shake the infuriatingly cheerful girl. "We need to get everything ready _before_ Oda shows up."

"No worry, Nabiki-san. Plenty time get ready."

"No worry," Nabiki mimicked nastily. "Plenty time get ready. Well excuse the hell out of me if I don't agree with you. You need to go get cleaned up and changed---- sometime this century would be nice. And what hell is _that_?" Nabiki thrust a finger at the box under Shan P'u's arm.

"Is present for Akane-chan." Shan P'u burbled happily. K'e Lwun's eyebrows disappeared into her hair line on hearing the affectionate modifier.

"My sister is getting ready to fight a murdering psycho and you're out buying her CANDY?"

"Is better than candy!" Shan P'u huffed. "Shan P'u get present Akane-chan really like. Every person like _this_ present."

"Go get cleaned and changed." K'e Lwun directed sternly.

"Yes, great grandmother." Shan P'u answered, slightly deflated.

"Shan P'u." K'e Lwun stopped her great granddaughter as she was leaving.

"Great grandmother?"

"Your gift is . . .leaking." Shan P'u blushed and grabbed a handful of napkins off the table.

"Shan P'u sorry. Shan P'u in hurry. No have time to . . ." Her eyes widened in dismay and she leaned over to whisper in K'e Lwun's ear.

"Cold water and lemon juice." K'e Lwun said, indicating the dark stain on Shan P'u's dress. "Try not to drip all over the house." Shan P'u nodded, grabbed the bottle of lemon juice that Nabiki handed her and hurried from the room.

"What was _that_ all about?" Nabiki demanded.

"A lesson in impatience I think." K'e Lwun responded cryptically. "She should have talked to me before . . . well, no matter. Her heart was in the right place."

"What? What are you talking about?" But try as she might to elicit further information, K'e Lwun refused any further discussion, concentrating instead on getting Nabiki ready for Oda's arrival.

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

Some people pace when they are nervous. Others drum their fingers or doodle. Saotome Ranma did kata . . .standing on his hands . . .balanced on the eve of the roof. With his eyes closed. "What are you doing?" Ranma's eyes opened in surprise at the raspy voice to find an iron angel bathed in ruddy flames staring at him.

"Waiiiiiiiiiii." With a thunk Ranma hit the ground at the feet of the apparition. Staring blearily up Ranma rapidly assessed the armored figure. The intricacies of kana and kanji were beyond him, math was a mystery and he knew less of modern science than Neanderthal man.

However---- he could name every type of weapon made in the last ten thousand years, who made it and how it was used. He knew the way of steel, its forging and finishing for every type of arm or armor and could recite the name of every swordsmith who had ever formed a blade. The figure standing above him was wearing the finest example of fourteenth century armor Ranma had ever seen, outside of a museum. Lacquered all in gold and red the warrior held an unsheathed naginata that gleamed in the early morning light. There were three mon on the armor indicating a noble house, while the sweeping helmet crest designated an officer of the first rank.

"Get up." The figure growled, voice distorted by the iron mempo. Light reflecting off the red lacquer gave the illusion the beautiful iron face-mask was bathed in flame. "Up." The naginata twitched imperatively. "Quickly." The naginata was a distance weapon.

If he could close . . .Ranma weighed options as he rose to his feet. The armor might be a problem. But if he got inside the naginata----before the figure could draw it's dai-tachi or the shorter armor-piercing yori-toshi he could----

As if devining his thoughts the figure struck suddenly; naginata flashing like summer lightening. Ranma sprang back, gathering his chi for a Mouko Takabisha. "Auntie Nodoka is going to be very miffed if you get all dirty and sweaty," the figure flicked the still twitching halves of a wasp over the wall with the point of the naginata. "in your beautiful new clothes. Now I think you should go sit quietly in the doujou until Oda-san gets here."

"Kasumi?!" "And try not to get stung by the wasps. It will make you all red and puffy." Swinging her naginata back to the ready position Kasumi moved to assume her hereditary position as guardian of the gate.

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

Ranma _tried_ to be good. It just wasn't in his nature to sit quietly. He did try though. Instead of doing kata he merely paced back and forth just inside the doujou, occasionally sneaking peaks out the open doors. "Hi Ranchan."

"Ucchan?" Ranma stopped pacing and did a back flip off his hands so he stood facing the okonomyaki chef. "What are you doin' here?"

"K'e Lwun asked me to come. Where is she?"

"I am here Kuonji-san." K'e Lwun stepped inside the doujou just behind Ukyou.

"Where is everyone else?"

"Whadya mean, everyone else?"

K'e Lwun ignored Ranma as Ukyou turned to face her. "There isn't anyone else. I tried," she explained at K'e Lwun's questioning look. "but Oda put the word out that it would be a good idea if everyone just stayed home today."

"What's goin' on?" Ranma demanded. "I thought it prudent to have an . . . audience for Akane-chan's meeting with Oda."

She pursed her lips thoughtfully. "It appears he anticipated me." She turned to Ukyou. "And you, Ukyou-san? Are you sure you wish to involve yourself in this? Oda is a most formidable opponent."

"Heh," Ukyou unsheathed her giant pole-arm. "Ranma is my fianc‚e. You don't think I'm going to----"

"Spatula girl stop drooling on husband!" Shan P'u popped into the doujou, pushing between Ranma and Ukyou.

"I'm NOT----"

"He's NOT----"

"YOUR HUSBAND!!!" Ranma and Ukyou finished simultaneously.

Shan P'u just sniffed disdainfully in Ukyou's direction, winked at Ranma and turned to her great- grandmother. "Nabiki ready. She say Shan P'u come tell great grand-mother Soun-san, Nodoka-san, Genma," she wrinkled her nose a bit on announcing Genma's readiness. "Akane-chan all ready for Oda coming."

"I don't think we gotta worry about this Oda guy." Ranma absently rubbed his skinned knuckles.

"No worry about Oda." Shan P'u agreed, unconsciously giving the box under her arm a little squeeze.

"What's in the box?" Ukyou glared suspiciously at the Amazon.

"Is present for Akane-chan."

"Akane's getting ready to fight a yakuza boss and you're buying her _candy_?" Ukyou was incredulous.

"Is _NOT_ candy." Shan P'u denied yet again. She frowned, suddenly worried. "Shan P'u get candy?" She asked her great grand-mother.

"I do not believe that will be necessary." K'e Lwun assured her.

"Oh, Ranma . . .you've gotten your jacket wrinkled." Saotome Nodoka came up behind him and smoothed and tugged at this jacket. "Moooom!" Ranma complained. "I ain't been----"

The words died as he turned and saw his mother in the dress of a great court lady of six centuries earlier. He had only a moment to notice the brocaded silk kimono and elaborate makeup and hair of a centuries lost Imperial Court before his attention was drawn to the sight of his father in the red lacquered O-Yori of a fourteenth century war leader. An iron war fan was thrust through the "great-armor's" uwa-obi. In addition to a tachi hung from his belt in an ornate scabbard, an immense nodachi was slung over his shoulder and he cradled a studded iron war club in both hands.

Genma's usual expression of dissipated greed had been replaced by a cold watchfulness. Ranma was so startled by this change that he almost didn't notice Tendou Soun in the Do-Maru of a thirteenth century feudal lord. The simple battle armor and naked blade were such a stark contrast to Soun's general demeanor that Ranma could only gape as Soun seated himself against one wall of the doujou, Genma behind and to one side in the position occupied by a chief retainer and bodyguard. Mumu-chan swooped into the doujou at that moment. With an angry squawk the small white duck grew to fill his robes as Shan P'u dumped hot water over him.

"Aaaaa. Hothothothothot." Mu Sz gasped in shock. "The water need not be quite so warm, my beloved." The master of hidden weapons informed Ranma.

"Not even close." Ranma whapped Mu Sz on the head turning him toward Shan P'u.

"Mu Sz burned?" Shan P'u asked.

"No, no." He hastened to assure the object of his desire. "It was just a little too warm."

Shan P'u frowned at the small electric stove used to heat the water. Twisting the heat control back and forth her brow cleared suddenly. "Aaaaa. Stupid American stove is _ Fahrenheit_" Muttering under her breath she twisted the dial all the way to the right. "Next time Shan P'u remember convert centigrade."

"What do you have to report?" K'e Lwun interrupted the two feuding Amazons.

"Oh," Mu Sz pushed his glasses down and turned to face K'e Lwun. "I just wanted to tell you----

"Kuronuma Oda is here." The loud voice carried easily to the occupants of the doujou.

"No way!" Ranma bolted out of the doujou followed by Ukyou and the others. Looking across the courtyard they could see the beautifully armored Kasumi blocking the gate against a small crowd.

"No can be Oda!" Shan P'u protested.

"Kuronuma Oda-sama has business here. Stand aside." The sneering voice gave the lie to Shan P'u's expectations.

"If Oda there, then----" Shan P'u glanced involuntarily at the box under her arm. "Oooops . . ." Blushing Shan P'u glanced furtively around for a place to stash the box.

"Quit fidgeting child." K'e Lwun admonished.

"But great grandmother, what do with . . .?"

"Hmmmm, perhaps a paperweight?" "Or a nice wine cup."

Mu Sz appeared suddenly, relieving Shan P'u of her burden. The box disappeared beneath his robes. "After boiling and cleaning, perhaps some calligraphy in sterling silver . . .and gemstones for the eyes?"

"Ooooo, pretty." Shan P'u agreed. "Jade handle look good. Dark green against bone white." She smiled happily. "Mu Sz not so stupid as always think."

"Dammit," Ranma rubbed his skinned knuckles. "If that's Oda . . ."

"Announce yourself and state your business with the clan Tendou." Kasumi's unnaturally cool voice came to them across the yard.

"What do you think this is? A costume party?" Sneering Voice tried to push contemptuously past Kasumi. The butt end of her naginata smacked his arm away from her with a sharp crack of wood against bone. In a flashing reverse butterfly the blade slashed down, around and up again to rest gently against his neck.

"Who is it that begs audience with the Tendou souke?"

"Kuronuma Oda, heir to the Tendou ryuu and betrothed of Tendou Kasumi wishes to see the head of the Tendou family." Came the silky smooth reply from the hidden center of the crowd.

"What! Why you sonnuva-----." Angrily Ranma started forward as another voice spoke.

"That name does not appear among the clan names nor on the rolls of the students of the Tendou ryuu." Saotome Nodoka glided regally forward, a brittle scroll, stained with years in one hand. "You have no place here, Nameless, Outcast and Oath Breaker." With a sullen mutter the men outside the gate surged forward, stopping suddenly as Kasumi's blade cut through the air with an angry hum. With an amused laugh a muffled figure moved forward, his mere presence stilling the angry men more effectively than the sharpest steel.

"My, my . . .still so unforgiving after all these years." The figure moved closer to Kasumi. "If you do not wish to see a friend," there was a soft laugh, "then Kuronuma Oda, Master of the Black Tiger is here to challenge the Tendou souke," he placed a caressing hand on Kasumi's armored sleeve. "and to claim his bride. My little Kasumi-ch-an."

"Move it or lose it."

Ranma jerked as another figure moved into the open from the far side of the house. "Ahh mannnn." Ranma groaned. What was with all these stupid costumes? Not satisfied with the eleventh century archers armor, Nabiki was armed with a nine foot war-bow of the ancient type that required seven men to string. Her fifteen fist war arrow was fleched with black and white eagle feathers reserved for the highest ranks and tipped with the Tendou clans special flesh-eater arrow head. Nabiki's form wasn't perfect, Ranma noted with professional interest, and her arms trembled under the strain of keeping the massive bow at full draw. She'd probably lose accuracy at any distance shooting but at this range the broad steel tipped arrow would punch a hole the size of a child's fist through six men and a dog.

"So war-like, little Nabiki-ch-an," Oda moved catlike toward the middle Tendou sister. "Are you upset that you have no one to sell tickets to or place bets with?" Oda chuckled as Nabiki's face went hard as stone. Ukyou could feel the heat of Nabiki's anger from across the courtyard. "I'm sure some arrangement can be made." Oda continued in reasonable tones. "Perhaps you can profit from a video of your baby sister's defeat---- snuff films are very popular."

The heavy war arrow leapt from the giant bow like a lightning bolt from god----straight at Oda's chest. Contemptuously his left had struck---- nothing. Startled he stepped back, only then noticing the ancient figure balanced atop her staff, holding the deadly shaft lightly between thumb and fore-finger.

"Now, now," K'e Lwun chided lightly."Unruly little boys get spanked and sent to bed without their supper." K'e Lwun smiled to herself as she noticed the tiny tic beside Oda's left eye. Good . . .not the perfect master of the Black Tiger after all. "If you can't play nicely, in the name of the Amazon Nation, I'll have to punish you."

Ukyou shuddered as she had a brief vision of K'e Lwun in a Sailor Fuku. There was an outraged snarl from Oda's retainers but Oda himself was again all urbanity. "Forgive me for my levity, honored elder." Oda rejoined smoothly. "I thank you for pointing out my error."

K'e Lwun sighed softly, fingering the tiny steel dart hidden in her sleeves. She'd really hoped she could goad Oda into attacking her. It would have looked like death from natural causes . . .the youngest Tendou's honor would have been satisfied . . . things would have been so much simpler. "I am a humble wandering fighter," Oda continued. "here to challenge the Tendou souke in the ancient way, to gain both a name and a place in the world." Oda let his cloak drop to the ground. Ukyou heard a gasp from behind her as her heart thudded in her chest.

"My god, he's----"

"Beautiful!" Mu Sz sighed. Ukyou could only nod dumbly as she drank in the sight of Kuronuma Oda's slender figure clothed in tight black silk with a crimson tiger embroidered across the chest. Long curling lashes framed eyes the colour of warm honey. His long hair fell in soft curls past his shoulders and perfect white teeth flashed in a gentle smile.

"Shit," Ranma muttered at the sight. "Tsubasa could take this sissy boy."

"Husband no be careless." Shan P'u warned, laying a hand lightly on his arm as she moved to stand beside him. "Oda beautiful like tiger. Kill fast hard, no mercy."

"That little shrimp?" Ranma's skepticism that the slight figure standing an inch or so _below_ Kasumi's height could possibly be any danger was evident. "Great grandmother not so big." Shan P'u reminded him quietly. Ranma's mouth open and closed soundlessly as he failed to arrive at a counter argument. Before he could come up with a good reason to explain why Shan P'u was wrong he was again distracted by events in the courtyard.

"So, you wish combat with the head of the Tendou ryuu?" K'e Lwun smiled slightly. "Then step forth and prove yourself . . . Oda moved forward and to the right, smiling slightly as he saw Tendou Soun standing just inside the doujou. He licked mental lips at the thought of what he was going to do to the old man. And then to his daughters.

" . .......in combat with the thirteenth Grand Master of the Junkin Ryuujin . . ." Oda frowned slightly on hearing the old name of the Yellow Dragon and started to turn back toward K'e Lwun. "Shihanke of the Tendou ryuuha . . ." Head of the teaching house? What nonsense ----Oda's thought was interrupted as a lithe figure stepped from the shadows, drawing all eyes to it. ". . .Tendou Yoarashi."

"Night Storm?" Ranma wondered. Then--- "Akane?!"

Ranma felt as if he'd been punched in the gut as Akane stepped into the light. Softly she glided across the dewed grass, bare feet leaving no trace of her passage. A sudden whimper jerked his attention to Shan P'u. Turning his head slightly he could see the Amazon's eyes were fixed on the embroidered golden dragon curled protectively around Akane's torso. A sudden breeze molded the cobalt blue silk of her tunic to her body, proving indisputably that she was armed only with those weapons nature had gifted her. Ranma felt his arm go numb as Shan P'u's grip tightened. Staring across the short distance as Akane moved toward Oda, Shan P'u and Ranma shared a single thought ----

**Mine!**

Shaking off his momentary stupor, and shaking some life back into his arm, Ranma took a few steps forward and grabbed Soun by the shoulder. "What's with this shihanke stuff?"

"As we have done twice before in our history," Soun replied without taking his eyes from his youngest daughter. "the Tendou school has divided it's leadership. I remain souke, spiritual head of the house. Ak . . .Yoarashi is ----"

"Wait, wait," Ranma interrupted. "Why're you and the old ghoul callin' Akane, Yoarashi?"

"It is customary for those who survive the Yellow Dragon to take a new name . . .one that has some personal significance relating to their enlightenment." Ranma grimaced at that.

"Yeahbut . . .Yoarashi?"

Soun smiled slightly, the first time Ranma could remember seeing him smile since he'd read the letter from . . .Akane. He couldn't really think of her by any other name. "You will have to ask her why she chose the name Night Storm."

"What means shihanke?" Shan P'u asked impatiently.

"It means that A . . .Yoarashi," Soun was also having some problems with the name change. "is now the teaching head of the house Tendou. She has the responsibility to maintain the techniques, choose and train students," his voice faltered a bit. "and fight challengers."

"Ah maaan. This is just crazy!" Ranma wasted another moment staring at Oda and Akane who were walking toward each other before he headed across the yard at a half jog closely followed by the others. Moments later the supporters of the Tendou clan formed a semicircle to the right of the front gate. Oda's supporters formed rank to the left of the gate, leaving open a space directly in front of the Tendou home. Akane and Oda moved until they stood almost within arms reach of each other. At a distance it looked like an even match as Oda was only fractionally taller than Akane, who appeared much stockier than her opponent. K'e Lwun was not deceived and wished Akane . . .no Yoarashi . . . had more seasoning. She was much improved. She had in fact surprised the Amazon elder for the first time in many years with how much she was improved. Oda however was decades old in the ruthless honing of power and his ch'i reeked of the blood he had spilled, the lives he had taken. He might be a jackal to Akane's lion but Oda was in his prime and Akane a mere infant in comparison.

"Kuronuma Oda challenges the Tendou shihanke for primacy." K'e Lwun announced formally. "Who accepts this challenge?"

"I do." Akane said simply.

"The winner of this combat will be decided under the rules . . ."

"Ah, excuse me honor elder." Oda interrupted smoothly. "But since this is a challenge between two schools of _combat_ art, I think a taryou-jiai is more appropriate."

K'e Lwun's lips thinned fractionally in anger. "You are the petitioner here sonny. You are in no position to dictate a no-rules match or any----"

"Agreed."

"WHAT!" Ranma stormed forward and grabbed Akane by the shoulder, spinning her around. "Are you out of your mind!"

"Husband right," Shan P'u planted herself opposite Ranma. "this no time show off. Oda bad man, strong fighter. Akane-chan no take chances." Shan P'u wasn't quite up on the name change either.

"It will be alright." Akane tried to reassure them. "He's right. The Tendou ryuuha has always taught a fighting art. If I'm going to face a challenge it's only right that it be a real test. To see if the Tendou school deserves to live."

"Dammit," Ranma hissed, pressing his face close to Akane's. "I don't give a damn if the fuckin' school lives. I want _you_ to live."

"No be stupid," Shan P'u agreed. " go back China. Let evil man have house. Just wood, stone. You train hard with great grandmother. Come back kick Oda butt up around ears."

Akane chuckled and enveloped Shan P'u and Ranma in a big hug. "Thanks for worrying about me."Anger turned her face hard. "But if I run he'll just follow. I can't bring trouble to you." She squeezed Shan P'u's arm slightly. "And I can't leave Oda, knowing what he's done to Ryouga. I can't run away knowing what he'll keep on doing with techniques he learned from our school."

Before anyone else could argue with her she spun away to face Oda. "Let's do it." Oda smiled sweetly and reached out with a deceptively gentle strike at Akane's chest. Akane stepped away from the blow, electing to play a waiting game while she analyzed Oda's moves. Oda continued to smile while launching a combination attack of stately, feather light blows. Akane continued to back away, avoiding rather than blocking even these seemingly innocuous blows and refusing to reply with an attack of her own.

"Akane fighting smart, maybe she win?" Shan P'u glanced questioningly at K'e Lwun.

"Perhaps." She was pleased to see Akane was not fooled by Oda's deception but was worried about what Oda had planned. She did not remain worried long. Almost faster than the eye could follow Oda lashed out with a spinning crescent kick. Akane slid away from this attack and into a savage spear point fist directly over her heart. Pain exploded in her chest and the world went grey around her. Automatically her right hand arched down and around in an axe-hand block even as she moved away from Oda's attack. Oda moved with her, seemingly tied to her with a steel rod, matching her step for step as he continued with strike after strike of short savage blows to her mid-section.

"Just like your Father," Oda remarked gently. "slow, stupid and cowardly." He doubled her over with a hammerhand-fist to the gut, emptying her lungs with a woosh. Oda hooked his left hand behind her head and accelerated her head down to meet his knee driving upward; smashing her nose in a spray of blood.

"Shit!" Ranma launched himself forward as he saw Akane being battered into insensibility only to be stopped short by K'e Lwun. "What the _hell_ do you-----

"Softly, son-in-law,"K'e Lwun admonished him, indicating Oda's watching men with a subtle nod of her head. "Oda is playing with her right now. Akane-chan is in no immediate danger." K'e Lwun ignored Ranma's strangled protest. "I have already made plans for this eventuality. Shan P'u, you see to Kasumi-san and Nabiki-san. There is a car waiting two streets over. We will meet you at the boat. Mu Sz guard her back." The blind magicians face glowed at the thought of so important a duty. "Genma and Soun have their instructions. They will take Nodoka-san safely to the docks. I will engage Oda. Son-in-law, you take care of Akane- chan. Kuonji-san, if you would guard son-in-law's back?" Ukyou grinned and loosened her battle- spatula in it's sheath.

"Dammit, what are you waitin' for? Oda to kill Akane?" "Patience son-in-law. Timing is everything. I will move at the appropriate moment and no sooner." K'e Lwun spoke softly, seeming to pay little attention to the fight. "We will have but one chance to escape from Oda and his men."

"Great grandmother?" Shan P'u looked worriedly at K'e Lwun. "What about you? If Oda is as dangerous as you say, should you fight him alone?"

"I thought you were going to practice your Japanese?" K'e Lwun replied mildly. "Do not try to distract me. You have seen to everyone but yourself.

"What about you? How are you going to escape?"

"Oda is three hundred years too early to get the better---- "Don't change the subject.

"How---- Shan P'u's angry, whispered exchange with K'e Lwun was interrupted by a loud crash. Shan P'u jerked around to see Akane slam into the side of the house. As she watched, Oda stalked across the yard to stand over her prone form.

"Little Akane-ch-an. Dear, dear little Akane- ch-an. Not a very "grand" master are you?" Stooping slightly he grabbed Akane by the front of her tunic and pulled her to her feet. "Januniku----kyoushaku." He whispered, kissing her softly on the forehead. The he slapped her.

Blearily Akane tried to focus on the face in front of her. Dimly she could hear Oda whisper the Black Tiger's creed.

**The weak are meat; the strong eat.**

A hammer blow smashed into her cheek.

**The weak are meat.**

Another blow rocked her head, another, and another.

**the strong eat**

Contemptuously Oda dropped Akane to the ground, dusting his hands as if he'd touched something soiled. "Do you understand my power now? You have no chance."

Akane looked up at Oda from where she lay sprawled in the dirt. Wiping a hand across her smashed lips she looked at the lacy pattern the smear of blood left behind. The feathery design looked like fractures in a crystal or . . . Groaning she pulled herself to her feet.

"You----Are----Strong." Akane's words came out stilted and overly formal. "Very----Fast---- Indeed. But-----My----Hands----Are----Faster. I---- Can----Defeat----You----Easily." There was dead silence for a moment. Then----

"Akane hit head?" Shan P'u asked worriedly. Akane stared stone faced at the flabbergasted Oda for a moment, then bent double laughing. "Oh . . .oh . . ." She gasped around laughter, "if you could _SEE_ your face."

"What are you blathering about." Oda spit, thrown off his stride for once.

"Michelle Yeoh. Wing Chun?" When Oda still looked blank Akane shook her head sorrowfully. "Don't you watch Kung Fu movies? I've _always_ wanted to say that." She screwed up her face in what she imagined a dramatic pose. "_If you can smash my tofu you will defeat me._" She misquoted. At Oda's blank look she shook her head again. "You don't know what you're missing." She grinned at Oda as if talking with an old friend, not a man who moments before had been trying to beat her senseless. Trying and succeeding.

Now, however, it appeared Akane had gotten her second wind. "You stupid little girl." Oda moved in on Akane, intending to finish her quickly. "I'm going to break your back. I know a whore-house in Thailand that specializes in cripples."

A quick Dragon kick that would have fulfilled his promise to cripple Akane missed by scant millimeters. "The bitch with the bow is going into the room next to you." Akane danced aside from a hammer-hand to the chest. "And when I'm through with big-sis," he sneered the word as he attacked with a lightning fast Tiger-fights-swallow . "I'm going to stake her out naked in a room with no door and charge a hundred yen a pop. Maybe if Soun is a good boy I'll let him watch."

Suddenly Oda realized that not a single blow had landed, and Akane wasn't even breathing hard. "Dammit, I'm through fucking with you!" Gathering his ch'i Oda attacked with a raking tiger- claw fist, intending to smash Akane's chest and shred her heart. Akane turned aside, and the killing blow missed.

"Gently, gently." She admonished, patting Oda on the back as he stumbled past.

"You fuckin' bitch!" Foam flecked Oda's mouth as he rounded on Akane in a fury. A cold fire burned in his eyes as he threw himself at Akane like a tiger on a lamb. A bewildering storm of kicks and strikes landed on Akane, or rather where Akane had just been moments before.

"Ahhhh,"Shan P'u sighed in appreciation, watching Akane dance aside from everything Oda could throw at her. "How Akane get so much faster than Oda?"

"She is not faster," K'e Lwun answered watching Oda's men, more than Oda himself. "She is merely quicker."

"Huh?" Ukyou grunted, unable to look away from the fight. She comforted herself with the thought that she was still cuter and a much better cook. And maybe Akane would never find out all about that 'Cave of Lost Love' thing.

"Yoarashi," K'e Lwun decided that Akane had earned her new name. "is able to reach her maximum speed and strength sooner than Oda. He is still faster and stronger but Yoarashi is able to use her strength and speed more effectively." A slight smile crossed her face. "After proper training she will make a magnificent Amazon."

"You think she has a chance then?" Ukyou couldn't forget how savagely Oda had beaten Akane at the start of the fight.

"As you can see . . ." K'e Lwun made a slight motion toward the fight, never taking her eyes off Oda's men. "she had found her center."

Ukyou blinked, then did a double take. In the brief moment she had been distracted talking to K'e Lwun, Akane had taken the fight to Oda. Although it didn't look much like a fight. Oda was scowling mightily as he lashed out with killing blows, but Akane was laughing as she danced Oda around the yard. "Bitch. You . . .bitch." Oda growled at the familiar smiling face. The same face he'd seen over a decade earlier as she'd chased him from her house with a broom. "I'll kill you. Kill . . .you all." The same threat he'd made and been unable to fulfill.

"You're pretty good." Akane commented through swollen lips. She slapped aside a stone crusher fist with a tap light as a butterfly's kiss. It wasn't powerful . . .just enough force to cause the killing blow to miss. "But a martial artist's duty is to protect the weak and serve justice." There was no mistaking Akane's sincerity. "If you keep on this way your karma will be to spend ten thousand years in hell. Oda stopped short, staring at her incredulously.

"You really believe this?" He shook his head in amazement at Akane's nod. "And you think you can beat me?" Another nod. Oda snorted in disbelief. His attitude was understandable. Akane looked like she'd been dragged backwards through a minefield by a rabid bobcat while Oda still looked as if he'd stepped out of a fashion magazine. "You are fast,"Oda admitted graciously, regaining his composure. "However there is more to a fighting art than running away." Ranma didn't like Oda's tone or his smile. "I propose an exchange of blows to see who is the stronger. One blow each. The first to go down is the loser. Should _I_ lose," he bowed smoothly. "I pledge to leave you and your family in peace."

"And if I lose?"

"Then you will become mine . . .my toy to do with as I wish."

"The hell you say!" Ranma shrugged off K'e Lwun's grip and stormed forward. "What the hell do you think you're talkin' about! Ain't no way----"

Akane put out a hand to stop him. "You will let my father and sisters . . .all my friends leave?"

"Of course." Oda flicked a bit of imaginary dust off his still immaculate tunic, bringing Akane's torn and bloody appearance into greater contrast. "I will have regained my honor after the Tendou's shameful treatment of me."

"Go back to K'e Lwun, Ranma. She will get you and my sisters out of here."

Ranma started to protest again, but was stopped by a warning squeeze. His anger cooled enough to realize Oda's men were all around them. Grim faced he stalked back to stand beside K'e Lwun. Ranma realized Akane was afraid Kasumi and Nabiki would get hurt, or worse, if Oda's men started a fight to save their master. And there was his mother to consider. And Ukyou and Shan P'u . . .Ranma was sickly aware of how many potential hostages Oda had if his men entered the fight. Even if Ranma won, he would lose if anything happened to his mother or . . .

Ranma wished he could just say to hell with Kasumi and Nabiki and the rest. But he couldn't. He'd have to let Oda think he'd won, let Akane take her hits until Oda let his guard down. K'e Lwun's plan would get everyone clear and then----Oda didn't want to kill Akane, Ranma kept telling himself. K'e Lwun and Akane seemed convinced that Oda wanted to humiliate Akane more than he wanted her death. Blood dripped from his clinched fists as his nails bit into his palms. Ranma would let Oda think he'd won when he knocked Akane down. Then he'd fry him with a Mouko Takabisha and piss on his corpse.

Ukyou's nose wrinkled as she caught the sent of burning cotton. Looking around she could see Ranma's aura flaring with an ugly blood-red fire. Flinching at the look in his eyes she unsnapped the safety strap on her battle spatula and slipped a double brace of throwing spatulas into her left hand. Ranma was getting a hell of a lot of millage out of telling her she was cute Ukyou thought, picking her targets carefully.

"You may strike the first blow." Oda offered graciously.

"You are our guest." Akane dropped her arms to her side, awaiting the blow. Oda stood quietly for a moment, gathering his ch'i, choosing his target. One blow to regain his honor. One blow to show them who was the real master. A demon fist, focusing all of his ch'i, all of his power into a point the size of a 100-yen piece. He'd drive straight through her rib cage and rip her heart from her chest. His men would kill the old Chinese and the others standing with her. Then he'd settle with the old man and his daughters.

"Oh shit!" Ranma had a moment to realize what Oda intended, sensing his gathering ch'i, just as Oda's demon fist smashed into Akane's unprotected chest with enough force to shatter stone. Grunting slightly Akane swayed gently like a flower in a spring breeze. Oda's massive ch'i bolt was swallowed by Akane's battle spirit and disappeared like a pebble thrown into the sea. Oda blinked, drained and dazed by his massive use of ch'i and unable to believe Akane was still standing.

"My turn." Was all she said. The temperature dropped suddenly and a small breeze kicked up some dust and leaves around Akane's bare feet. The breeze became a wind, the wind a torrent, lifting Akane's hair like a battle flag and actually pushing Oda back a step. Slowly she brought her hands together over her head. Slowly she brought them down in front of her face; as if praying. If it was a prayer, it was a prayer for the dead and no one was in any doubt about who was going to do the dying.

"All right Akane!" A manic grin split Ranma's face as he cheered. He had a simple philosophy. You hit Akane, you die. He'd have preferred twisting Oda's head off and pretending he was a toothpaste tube . . .but this wasn't bad; and that flaming aura thing Akane was doing was pretty neat. He especially liked the smell of ozone.

Looking into Akane's eyes Oda could see the burning lake of iron that surrounded Emma Dai-O's throne. Behind the King of the Dead were arrayed all of Oda's victims. All the people he had killed or had killed. The lives he had destroyed, the souls he had corrupted. The flames grew higher and hotter and he could see a host of demons waiting to devour his soul. No, not _waiting_. A demon was here, in front of him. Akane stepped toward him, wreathed in flames. She drew back an iron fist, burning with the blood, rage and hate of all his victims.

"Nooooo!" Screaming Oda covered his face with his hands."

"I win." Akane tapped Oda lightly between the eyes, knocking him over. Shivering Oda looked up at Akane.

"Wha . . ."

"I win."

"I don't think so." Heads snapped around toward the unknown voice. A tall powerfully built man stood beside Kasumi. His face was battered and bruised and one arm, obviously broken, was strapped across his chest. That didn't appear to affect his other arm which held a pistol, muzzle pressed firmly into her side. Armed men, their faces covered and their eyes concealed behind dark glasses poured through the gate behind him and more swarmed over the walls. "Oda-sama, are you well?" The injured man asked anxiously. "Oda-sama!?" Oda shook himself and, slowly, regained his feet.

"Juzo?"

"Yes, Oda-sama. Juzo is here."

"Juzo, I am well enough."

"Thank god." Juzo replied fervently. "I was afraid there was some treachery when I saw you go down."

K'e Lwun pursed her lips in thought. Obviously Oda had arranged some method for his men to observe the compound and given orders for intervention in case of need. Equally obvious her original plans were no longer relevant. Idly she wondered what had happened to the people she had set to keep watch. That was a concern for another day. Her immediate problem was breaking free of Oda's trap. Fortunately Oda was still three hundred years too early for her. She took another look at the dozen or so armed men - - - -well, perhaps only two hundred and fifty years too early.

"Treachery, Juzo?"

"Yes master. I knew as soon as I saw you fall, that girl," Juzo took a moment to spit in Akane's direction. "had cheated somehow." Oda carefully dusted himself off and, still immaculate, made his way to his retainers side. "And it never occurred to you that she might have simply beaten me? That she might have been the better fighter?"

"NO!" Juzo sounded horrified at the thought. "Never master."

"Dear, dear Juzo." Oda gently stroked the taller man's hair. He turned toward Akane and the others. "Loyalty such as this is more valuable than gold." He looked Akane in the eyes. "There is nothing in the world more precious." He fell silent, quietly stroking Juzo's hair. "Juzo?"

"Yes Oda-sama?"

"Please kill them all for me."

Before Oda had finished speaking Juzo had pressed the trigger on his Russian made machine pistol, emptying the magazine into Kasumi. He swung around toward Akane, dropping the empty magazine from the weapon. He was just inserting a fresh magazine when the heavy war-arrow pierced the front of his skull with a sound like a nail driven through a rotten melon. With an undulating scream Shan P'u launched herself at the closest group of armed men. As intended the piercing war cry froze them for an instant. Only an instant, but more than enough time for an Amazon warrior.

Twin short swords moving in a blur Shan P'u moved through Oda's men like a threshing machine through winter wheat. Ukyou was frozen in shocked immobility at the suddenness of it all. Shan P'u's war cry jolted her into action. Flinging her throwing spatulas at Oda she charged close behind them, her battle spatula held low and to the right intending to split him in two from hip to shoulder. Soun started toward Kasumi when Genma pulled him back. "You have two other daughters." He said simply.

Before Soun could react Genma charged forward, swinging his great iron club as two of Oda's men raised their guns toward them. The first went down with a meaty thunk; his skull caved in with a wet crunching sound beneath the studded iron bar. The time it took to dispatch this attacker gave the second gunman time to aim and fire. He managed a one second burst that stitched a line of red across Genma's right side, before the iron club smashed into his chest, pulping his heart and lungs. With a bass roar Genma charged another line of men, scattering them with his wildly swinging club. He took a few dozen lumbering steps, then stumbled over a body and fell to the ground like a gut-shot steer.

"Saotome, Saotome my old friend!" Soun rushed to his fallen comrade. Nodoka was scarcely less swift in gaining her husbands side. Gently they turned him over and stared in horror at the massive red stain spreading across his chest.

"Ahhh, No, No." Nodaka sobbed in denial as she gently cradled her husbands head in her lap.

"Genma," Soun choked brokenly. "Genma my friend. Is there anything I can do?"

"Too late, too late." Genma whimpered.

"Never! It's never too late." Soun clutched at his friends shoulder.

"No," Genma clawed open the front of his armor disclosing two shattered bottles of port. "No, it's all gone." Sighing sadly at the waste he felt two pairs of eyes boring into him.

"What?"

Individually Oda's men were good fighters and deadly in single combat or groups of two or three. However Oda had never encouraged cooperation between his followers. In his line of work it was not healthy to foster potential competition. Coupled with a truly miserable level of marksmanship the machine pistols were proving to be at least as dangerous to Oda's own followers as they were to the Tendou clan and friends.

In fact Oda's men would have been more effective fighters had they been more traditionally armed with sword and dagger or at most with single barrel shotguns. Oda's sense of his own importance required his men to be armed with the latest in Russian weapons regardless of their ability to actually use them. This fortunate conceit allowed Ranma and K'e Lwun to survive the few seconds it took them to get within reach of their opponents. And once K'e Lwun and Ranma closed, Oda's men began melting away like snowflakes in an iron furnace. Shan P'u slashed the gunman's arm to the bone, severing muscles and tendons. The gun fell from his crippled hand as his arm twisted up against his chest with the destruction of the extensor tendons. Satisfied that she had eliminated this man as a threat she twisted around, seeking a new target for her steel. Behind her the crippled gunman scrabbled the fallen weapon up in his good hand and took clumsy aim at her unprotected back.

"Noooooo!!!" Spinning around Shan P'u was just in time to see Mu Sz throw himself onto the muzzle of the gun that had been aimed at her. Mu Tus's robes puffed up in rhythm with the brief ugly chatter of the machine pistol. The gun fell suddenly silent as the tangled figures collapsed with a wet crunching sound.

"Mu Sz!" Shan P'u sprinted to the fallen men. "Mu Sz, are you OK?" Grabbing the gunman by the hair she snapped him like a whip, breaking his back, before throwing him against the wall. "Mu Sz, speak to me!" Rolling the blind magician onto his back she paused for a moment, steeling herself before exposing his mortal wounds. Clenching her teeth she pulled open his robes-----

"Aaaaaa, let go of me you pervert!" Shan P'u screamed in Chinese as the not-as-mortally-wounded- as-she'd-believed master of hidden weapons came suddenly back to life and clutched her to his chest.

"Oh my beloved, you _do_ care!" His head rocked back as Shan P'u smacked him with her clenched fist. "I thought you were _dead_!" She accused, glaring at the steel plate that covered his chest. Smacking him again, with enough force to rattle his fillings, she stood up, dragging him with her.

"You are a stupid, careless, worthless male of the Amazons. But you _are_ of the Amazons. If anyone is going to end your miserable, useless existence it's going to be _ME_!" She slapped him again. "Now, get back to work slaughtering the barbarians." She paused a moment. "And don't try to kill my husband during the confusion. If anything happens to him, Akane-chan or I will castrate you with a dull spoon , pour honey in the wound and stake you to an ant hill while I think of an appropriate punishment."

"Yes beloved!" Mu Sz was in bliss. Shan P'u didn't want him dead by any hand but _hers_! This was the happiest day of his life he thought, cheerfully battering in the face of one of Oda's henchman with a training potty.

Oda casually batted aside the small swarm of throwing spatulas. Catching Ukyou's battle spatula in one hand he ripped it from her grasp and knocked her tumbling across the yard with a backhanded slap. Frowning he watched his men fall, to little effect. He'd thought that bastard Tendou was going to get what he deserved but the bald fat man had gotten in the way. It was a mixed blessing. It would have been nice to kill the old man in front of his daughters; on the other hand it would have ended his suffering too soon. A quick glance showed that his people were not doing well.

Time to leave, but first----pulling Juzo's gun free of the corpse he took aim at the archer who was sniping at his men from cover. He glanced at the youngest Tendou but she was moving around too unpredictably, as she gently subdued his men, for a clean shot. The middle daughter on the other hand . . .carefully he sighted on the spot where he'd last seen her head pop out.

Twice before he'd seen her shoot, and always from that same spot. He smiled slightly, thinking of what a sweet going away present he was going to leave Tendou Soun; two dead daughters and the knowledge that the third was living on borrowed time. The bow came out from behind the side of the house. The shooter was careful, but not careful enough. Part of her head was exposed to view. Oda pressed the trigger----

"Don't you turn your back on me you son-of- a-bitch." The enraged okonomyaki chef smashed into Oda with a shoulder block that would have gotten her thrown off any well run rugby team for unnecessary roughness. Oda's burst stuttered across the stonework, spraying Nabiki with stone chips and startling her back under cover.

"That wasn't very nice." Oda remarked mildly.

Ukyou shivered at the look in Oda's eye, but stood her ground. "Listen pretty boy, I've eaten rice balls tougher than you." She pulled a brace of throwing spatulas into each hand. "Let's see what you're made of." Quickly she sent all four spatulas slashing toward Oda. Even as she grabbed for another set from her bandoleer Oda snatched all four out of the air with an expression of extreme boredom.

"You need more practice." Ukyou screamed as Oda sent one of her own spatulas spinning back to stab deep into her shoulder. "Throw with the entire body." She went down as a second and third spatula sliced into her legs just below the knees. "And always infuse your weapon with your ch'i."

Ukyou fumbled for another spatula with blood slick hands as Oda sent the last spatula stabbing directly toward her heart. A shadow blocked the sun and for a moment Ukyou thought the angel of death had come for her. Only the angel of death wouldn't have slammed into her with a hot heavy weight. Ukyou scrambled backwards from under the weight to see----

"Akane!"

"Hi," Akane's smile turned into a grimace of pain. Ukyou craned her neck to see the forth and last spatula, still quivering, sticking out of Akane's back. "I'm sorry I didn't get here sooner but I was a little busy."

"You are beginning to annoy me girl." Ukyou looked up in horror to see Oda standing over them, gun pointed directly between Akane's eyes. "Then again, one daughter is about the same as another, once they're dead."

The spinning metal spatula, smeared with Ukyou's blood, caught Oda on the wrist just as he pressed the trigger. The muzzle of the pistol blossomed with fire and an ugly third eye appeared in the center of Akane's forehead. Ukyou scream of horror as Akane's head snapped back in a spray of blood was drowned out by a primal roar as Ranma's Mouko Takabisha blasted the remnants of Oda's men into a charred mass of burnt flesh and vitrified stone.

An instant latter Ukyou found herself thrust roughly aside as Ranma gathered Akane's limp body into his arms; Shan P'u dropped to her knees beside him almost before the crashing thunder of Ranma's chi'i blast had died out. "You're lucky. I don't think it hit the artery."

"Wha . . .?" Ukyou looked around groggily as gentle hands cut away her shirt sleeve. "Mu Sz?"

"It's going to leave a scar," Mu Sz warned sliding the spatula from the wound. "but I don't think you'll lose any mobility."

"Ranchan----"

Shakily she rolled to her hands and knees. Mu Sz stopped her from crawling over to him. "He won't see you."

"What do you mean." Ukyou bit back a gasp of pain and nausea as she jolted her shoulder. "He needs me." Mu Sz propped her up and began wiping Akane's blood off her face.

"What he needs, no one can give him. Besides," he wrapped a rough bandage around her shoulder. "if you bleed to death you won't be much use to anyone." Ukyou wanted to protest but the world went grey and she slumped tiredly against Mu Sz.

**Ranchan**

She was running down the road, heart pounding in her chest. Ranchan was sitting on top of the yatai, waving at her. **Ranchan. Ranchan, wait for me. Ranchan no baka** Wearily she opened her eyes to see Ranma cradling Akane in his arms, rocking back and forth as tears streamed down his face.

**Ukyou . . .no . . .baka . . .**

Tiredly K'e Lwun picked her way through the shattered remnants of Oda's men, some few of whom were still recognizable as human beings. She must be getting old. A century earlier she would never have let things get to this. She had been too interested in seeing if the young Tendou could actually master the Yellow Dragon; too sure that she could control Oda or at least protect everyone from him. And, to be honest, she'd been bored. Until her great granddaughter had gotten involved with Ranma she'd been so tired of living . . .but then Ranma had entered their lives, or they had entered his . . .and suddenly she had felt decades younger.

She stopped when she got to Ranma's side and stood, looking down at the grief stricken martial artist from atop her staff. If only she had taken care of Oda herself. If only she hadn't looked at the fight between Oda an Akane as a game. If only----

Ranma didn't even look up at a diminutive figure dropped suddenly beside him. "There is an old Amazon saying; If you have to choose between skill and luck, luck is always better." Like a striking serpent K'e Lwun jabbed a bony finger into Akane's sternum.

"What the hell----" Ranma roused from his grief in a rage.

"not so loud." Ranma froze at the whispered command.

"akane?" He looked down as the girl in his arms groaned.

"AKANE!"

"Let her breath." K'e Lwun commanded, not very sternly.

"Why? How?" Shan P'u stuttered as Ukyou and Mu Sz looked in disbelief. K'e Lwun plucked a piece of straw off the ground and inserted it into the wound in the center of Akane's forehead. There was a gasp -----then another, louder one, as the straw stopped after going in only just skin deep. "A fast moving bullet," she picked up Oda's dropped pistol and ejected a round. " with a round nose will sometimes skid," She traced a line around Akane's head to the exit wound in the back. "instead of penetrating." She rocked back on her heels, looking at Akane, or what could be seen of Akane enveloped in Ranma's arms. "Lucky is _always_ better."

"Would anyone like some tea?"

"Aaaaaaa-----iteeeeeeee!" Ukyou's startled scream went up an octave as her sudden movement jolted her shoulder. White faced she looked up at Kasumi, who had discarded her naginata and was holding a tray of . . .snacks? . . . in her hands. "D . . .don't misunderstand me----but why aren't you dead?"

"Kuno Industries finest composite body armor," A shadow fell over Ukyou and she craned her neck, carefully, to see the Blue Thunder---- resplendent in green and gold silk, standing in the ruined gateway. "designed and delivered according to the specifications of Tendou Nabiki.

"Kuno you IDIOT," Nabiki stormed over to the hapless kendoist and whapped him over the head with her bow. "where the HELL have you been. You were supposed to be here HOURS ago."

"I had to dress appropriately,"Kuno stated with obvious surprise. "Surely it was obvious that Kuno Tatiwaki could not appear at such an important event without proper-----iteeeeee."

Nabiki looked at the broken bow in her hands. "That hurt you know." Kuno looked around rubbing his head. "What has happened here?"

"What----" Nabiki opened and closed her mouth, searching for words. Closing her mouth with a snap she stalked forward, grabbing Kuno by his shirt front. "I'll tell you what has happened here . . .Akane was almost killed, Kasumi was shot, Ukyou's sliced up like a cheap sushi plate, my father -----" Nabiki paused looking around. "Father?" Spinning around she frantically scanned the ground. "FATHER!" "He was here a minute ago."

Genma limped forward, Nodoka at his side. He looked around puzzled. "Hmmm. I wonder what happened to Oda?"

"Oda?" Nabiki whispered. Horrified understanding came to her. "Oh SHIT! Oda . . .he's gone after Oda."

K'e Lwun came to a swift decision. "Mu Sz, go after Tendou-san. Bring him back." At Mu Sz's questioning look she moved forward to support Ukyou. "I will look after Kuonji-san. Now go." Mu Sz sprinted off. Kuno made as if to follow. "Not you. Go call an ambulance and the police." Kuno started to demure and she brought her staff down across the top of his head. "We need your status to take care of the police and keep questions to a minimum." Smiling shrewdly she continued. "Of course, if your influence is not such that you can handle such a thing . . .I'm sure Akane-chan will understand."

"The influence of Kuno is without measure. The empire rings with the sound of the name of the noble house Kuno. Nowhere on earth . . ." His voice trailed off as he entered the house in search of a phone.

"And now Nabiki-san if you will----"K'e Lwun looked around, but Nabiki was missing. "Ah well," She sighed. "Kasumi-san, if you will lend me a hand?" She indicated Akane and Ukyou.

"Of course." Kasumi handed her tray to Nodoka and knelt beside her baby sister.

Juzo had been correct. He should not have gotten personally involved with the Tendou's. Oda spared a brief thought for his loyal servitor. It was not too late to rectify the matter. He would leave Japan again for a while. He could run things from a distance until this incident was forgotten by the authorities. A little money in the right hands would smooth the process. Besides, it would be best to give Tendou some time to worry. Then some more time to feel himself safe, before striking the final blow. Glancing around to orient himself Oda turned down a side street. He should be able to find a taxi----

"Hello Oda." Tendou Soun stood calmly in front of Oda.

"Get out of my way old man." Oda was in no mood to deal with this. He'd prefer to let him live longer, suffer longer. But if he had to, he'd kill him on the spot.

"I have something for you." Soun gathered his ch'i.

"Don't be stupid old man. You couldn't beat me all those years ago. I've gotten stronger and you've just gotten older."

"Devine . . ." Soun's breathing became deeper and slower. Oda watched the old man draw power into himself. "Crushing . . ." His belly hardened and his focus narrowed until all he could see was the man in front of him. Oda was bored. He wondered if it wouldn't be a mercy to kill the old man. He smiled to himself. Then again, he wasn't known for mercy. Maybe he'd just cripple him, so the last daughter could have the fun of feeding him, taking him to the bathroom . . .of course then it might be a relief when he had her killed.

"FIST!" Soun's hand glowed with power, like iron in a forge. Almost yawning with boredom Oda blocked Soun's strike and stepped forward----into an American style football kick between the legs that lifted him off the ground and pulped his testicles like a handful of grapes in a rock crusher. Screaming in a voice that only dogs could hear Oda crashed to the ground, quivering like a gutted carp. "A little something I learned from master Happosai" Soun stood over Oda's body, "It's not the Yellow Dragon, but it suits you."

"Very well done, Tendou-san." Soun looked around to see Mu Sz jogging up to him. He could see Nabiki puffing in the distance as she raced to keep Mu Sz in sight.

"I will be with you as soon as I finish with this." Soun toed Oda's body. "I'm very sorry Soun-san. Elder K'e Lwun has instructed me to bring you right back."

Souns' face tightened in anger. "Not until I kill this----"

"Perhaps I should tell you that your daughter Kasumi and your daughter Akane are both alive?"

"What!" Soun took a threatening step toward the Chinese marital artist. "How dare you----" Quickly Mu Sz recounted the events of the last minutes.

". . .hit and skidded around, without penetrating." "A hard head."

Soun started laughing, a little hysterically. "Just like her father. She has a hard head." At Mu Sz's puzzled look he threw an arm around the Amazon. "Let me tell you a story about another martial artist with a hard head.

Nabiki? Aren't you coming?"

"I'd better wait here for the police."

Soun frowned. "I don't want you alone with----"

"He's not going to be any problem." Nabiki smiled at her father. "Not after being hit by Tendou Soun's Devine Crushing . . .errrr . . .Fist. You go on and see about Akane. Just tell the police to hurry up." Soun looked doubtfully at his middle daughter, then at Oda's prostrate body.

"I don't think . . ." Nabiki hefted the iron club she'd appropriated from Genma. "Don't worry, if he twitches I'll put him to sleep."

Somewhat reassured Soun allowed Mu Sz to lead him back home. As soon as the two were out of sight Naiki glanced up and down the street. Satisfied she knelt beside Oda who was curled into a fetal position. "You've been a lot of trouble. Our home is wrecked, you tried to kill Kasumi," she rubbed some lacerations on her neck. "You tried to kill me. You shot my baby sister. That's going to cost you."

Oda tried to draw in enough breath to speak. "H . . .how much . . .do . . .you want?"

"Everything you have." Smiling Nabiki closed strong fingers around Oda's throat and squeezed. "Everything you have."

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