Title: Tanbo (1/4)
Author: Matthias (Solarsenshi@gmx.de)
Beta: Ayrki (probably)
Status: Alpha
Category: Action/Adventure, Romance, AU
Rating: PG-13 to R
Pairings: Ranma/Xian Pu (for those of you who don't get it, that's 
Shampoo)
Timeline: Heavily AU, just prior to Cannon Ranma, Prelude story to a 
Ranma/SM-Crossover (in progress)
Summary: The tale of two lonely souls and how one of Genma's little 
mistakes could have greatly impacted on the course of his son's life, 
this time for good though, or is it?
Distribution: Ranma and SailorMoon Crossover Challenge & Archive 
(http://www.beeftrapeze.com/challenge/), MSD (www.catstrio.de), 
Rakhal (www.rakhal.com), ff.net (www.fanfiction.net), Mediaminer 
(www.mediaminer.org), Shoujo Ai archive (www.shoujoai.com), others 
might follow. If you want to post it, just tell me where and I would 
be more than pleased.
Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 belongs to Rumiko Takahashi, Ranko Saotome 
(though not the name but the character) belongs to me as does my 
imagination, the plot for this story etc.
Story Disclaimer: Fated To Be(c)2003 by Matthias Engel

Foreword

Well, Maia (my muse) bothered me with that again after I started this 
some time ago. It was originally meant as short story. But the lack 
of a sufficient Ranma fiction in my collection probably was enough 
motivation to do more.
Tanbo is meant as a Prelude Story and will be divided into four parts 
most likely. It is set in the same continuum as my BSSM short 
story "A Second Chance". Both are setting the stage for a crossover 
I'm working on but which won't be released anywhere until it is 
finished since it's meant as a challenge entry for the Ranma and 
SailorMoon Crossover Challenge & Archive. However, all three stories 
can be read separately.

Now on with the story.


<Joketsuzoku, China. About ten years prior>
The young girl of barely five was crying and struggling in the elders 
grip. Not wanting to believe, not believing AT ALL. Why would father 
want to go away and leave her with Great-grandmother. He couldn't 
leave, not like mother did. She would be all alone. She didn't like 
Great-grandmother. The Elder was always so strict and all-knowing. 
The girl wanted to stay with her father, who always treated her good 
and let her do mostly what she wanted. The Elder would only want to 
make her heir like mother. That was why mother left, wasn't it. 
That's what they told her.
	Kicking and screaming she watched on as the form of her 
father became smaller and smaller in the distance and the undeniable 
truth less and less deniable.

Tanbo
Part 1: A Different Path - Overshadowed Dawn Meets Comforting Dusk
A Ranma 1/2 Alterverse Fic
Loosely based on the work of Rumiko Takahashi
Concept by Matthias Engel

(Xian Pu)
I blinked my eyes, trying to shake off the sudden memory. Must have 
dozed off again. Not good, not on the day of the tournament. Emotions 
in battle could be both a strength and a weakness. Those memories 
didn't do my concentration and mood any good. Getting up I went out 
into the back and began my morning routine. First slow and lazy 
before the katas began to flow into each other quicker and more 
precise.
	However, I couldn't help it. The dreams had come a few days 
ago. That was a regular occurrence ever since my parents went away. 
After mother left early, father had sunken into a depression. Mother 
had been a wonderful person, kind, sometimes a little strict from 
what the broken pieces in the mind of a four year-old could tell me. 
Great-grandmother had wanted her to become her heir since her own 
daughter had sought a different path. Mother, although a very 
talented Martial Artist, did not possess the passion of a fighter and 
the mindset for a lethal Amazon warrior. Caring for other people had 
been one of her greatest gifts like father had always said - or one 
of her curses that lead to her downfall according to Cologne. She 
wanted to be a healer which naturally didn't please the Elder. One 
day mother was gone, just like that. The Amazons searched for days 
but came up empty. Elder Kho Lon believed that she had fled from her 
responsibilities. I didn't believe her. Mother wouldn't have left me 
and father alone.
	The vacuum mother left finally became too much for father to 
bear. Knowing that as a man he would not have much say in my 
upbringing and that I would be alright with Great-grandmother, he 
decided to leave the village alone, following his passion for his own 
personal art. Of course I hadn't understood it back then. My mind and 
heart had loather at the man I had loved dearly as a father for many 
years which obviously only helped fuel the focus for my training. I 
finally agreed to Great-grandmother training me as her heir. I wanted 
to show them all that not everyone in my family was weak.
	Ending the complex kata with a reverse spin kick that split a 
training pole in half, I panted hard for awhile from the intensity. 
Yes, I noted to my satisfaction, I was ready for today. Taking 
another deep breath I jumped on the roof of the house. Sitting down 
lotus-style I proceeded to clear my mind from the conflicting 
emotions, focusing on my center. The procedure was simple and easy. 
Effective as ever, my raging nerves calmed down immediately, yet 
something was terrible amiss today. I couldn't get the feeling out of 
my head that...
	I stood up and stepped up to the edge of the roof, looking 
out over the village and the mountain range  Further down lay the 
valley of Jusenkyo, the cursed springs unbeknownst to the rest of the 
world within. A cold shower ran down my spine and I shivered. A 
strong gust of wind brushed over bare skin and pulled at my hair.
	A change was about to occur. I should better speak to Great-
grandmother.

(Ranma)
Morning came over Jusenkyo Valley as we finally arrived at our 
destination. We had broken up camp at dawn and quickly crossed the 
rest of the way. Father was SO excited about this that he couldn't 
wait. I, on the other hand was pretty sure that was another bad idea 
of the old fool. Okay, all his ideas were bad, that was the norm. I 
couldn't shake of the feeling this would fall into the category of 
the Neko-ken disaster. Only thinking back on this ignited a shudder 
and I scanned the area instinctively for any felines. Nope, none 
there but the feeling wasn't gone though.
	Arriving on the pass to the valley we stopped admiring the 
view for a moment. Alright, Jusenkyo did look beautiful with all the 
springs and the thin morning mist in the air. At the same time it was 
somewhat creepy too. Ah, get a grip, boy. You are a man and that is 
nothing but a few poles in a few pools of water. Nothing to worry 
about there. I would go kick Oyaji's butt all over the place and then 
we maybe could go home. Finally. I loved travelling but I was frantic 
to see another face than the old man's every day.
	The blabbering guide said something about cursed springs 
which momentarily got my attention but father was already in full 
training mode and soon we were up the poles completely ignoring the 
pesky man's frantic calls. I should have listened but who had ever 
heard about cursed springs? I wouldn't have believed it. The 
following minutes deeply rattled my stubborn belief forever.
	Launching into a flying kick, I met father in mid-air, 
flipped around and used the opposite pole as a springboard. Father 
had been taunting again and was caught by surprise. His balance 
shattered he proceeded to fall into the spring beneath him with a 
giant splash.
	Peering down with clear distaste written over my face, I 
shouted down: "Hey, Oyaji! That's the best you can do? I thought we 
were training!" The next second a giant panda broke through the 
surface and rushed at me with speed and determination that would fit 
my father... Wait, that had been the spring father fell in and he 
should have come out by now. What was going on? My mind was a blur 
and so I just stood there goggling like an idiot when the panda leapt 
at me. Which proofed to be fatal.

(...)

Stupid, dumb, idiotic, irresponsible, lazy, life-wrecking, fat excuse 
of a father! Stupid old man! Pitiful creature! Impending doom on my 
sanity! Fat... Damn, that wasn't changing anything - not that it 
prevented me from muttering curses like this all the way up to 
mountains, towards the village that was the only hope for salvation 
left. How could one person just be so unbelievable stupid? No human 
being should have such a small brain really... But Saotome Genma, a 
man I was ashamed more and more to call my father was the perfect 
example that humanity wasn't so great as it proclaimed.
	"Oh, Sir, you fell into Nyannichuuan, Spring of Drowned Girl, 
very tragic story..." I was too shocked at that moment to unleash my 
own anger at the guide or more probably my father. I had found myself 
emerging from the pool father had pushed me into and I had still been 
confused from father emerging as a giant panda but that... that... 
THAT was disgusting! A sheer perverse twist of the natural order. 
Okay, turning into an animal might be bad but becoming the complete 
opposite from what you had been trained for your whole life up to 
this point... An unbelievable thought and yet so real.
	Imagine father dragging us here although he didn't speak one 
word Chinese. Although... that was Oyaji for you. He reads the 
words "training ground" and "famous", draws a connection and 
everything else is forgotten or ignored. That the training ground 
might be actual cursed, that it isn't recommended to go there, that's 
totally unimportant. As much as it had been unimportant to read the 
second page to the manual for the Neko-ken.
	At least the curse was only temporary. Hot water would 
reverse the condition until the next splashing. That is... if father 
hadn't been even dumber as humanly allowed and pushed me into the 
Spring a second time, the moment he fully realized what had happened. 
Typical Oyaji too, not waiting for the guide to explain the curse.
	I was stuck now. A born, proud boy in a female body without a 
chance of ever changing back. Even the opposite spring, if I had been 
able to even locate it, would have no effect on the so-called "double 
curse". I was locked, permanently, no water would be able to change 
me back. For these past ten years I had went through hell with 
father's training but I had endured it all for "the sake of the Art". 
He had done a lot of stupid things, a lot of even more stupid things, 
yet I had waited with dread for the day when he really managed to 
destroy my life. And now it happened. The only thing that mattered 
more to me than the Art, my manliness, my gender and more important 
my identity. Gone. With one stupid act of immaturity from a man who 
was supposed to have years of experience.
	By now I was sure Genma would be trying to accuse me for 
being so foolish and careless but he had kept quiet the whole walk up 
here - and I didn't think that being a panda would have hold him from 
giving his own responsibility to others, usually me. No, it surely 
wasn't the curse that prevented him from doing so, more likely the 
faint but still visible aura of sickly green and black.
	I was still far away from any techniques of chi manipulation 
but I could read auras to a degree and without being able to look at 
myself, I knew exactly how mine was at the moment. And if there was 
one thing that father could do better than eating and sleeping than 
it was surviving. He knew for sure that one wrong word or... whatever 
sound panda's make anyway could become the first nail to his coffin.

(Xian Pu)
Bringing my bonbori around I caught my opponent in the side, 
following through with a quick series of kicks and finishing with a 
spinning one. My opponent barely kept her balance, falling back into 
a wavering defensive stance. Not long now. I felt my body tiring from 
the constant strain since the beginning of the tournament. The 
assignments had not been kind to me and I had to work my way through 
at least three opponents up to my level until entering the final 
round. Ti Gre was an extraordinary fighter but she did not stand up 
to my class. Luck had benefited her greatly to come so far. And now 
she was obviously counting on a mistake I might make due to my 
exhaustion. I wasn't about to give her that pleasure though.
	Feinting low I suddenly came in with a knee smashing right 
into the other Amazon's stomach. She evaded a thrust to the head but 
the other bonbori caught her under the chin. Ti staggered back, her 
hand reached up in reflex and so she left herself wide-open for a 
split second. A perfectly placed kick knocked the spear out of her 
hand and I thrust forward with both bonboris. As expected the bait 
was taken and I immediately flipped forward, making sure not to miss 
the wooden log and kicked back and up while rolling under my 
opponent. Ti shrieked and tried desperately to avoid the unorthodox 
leg sweep in midair. She did manage to avoid it. Just to receive 
another when her feet touched the log again. One quick jab with my 
bonbori did the rest and the already off balance Amazon went sailing 
down the challenge log.
	I wanted to give into temptation and just collapse there and 
then but my honor demanded from me to stay tall and proud, showing 
the whole village who still was their champion. At least the prize 
would be mine and as drained as I was food was very welcome right... 
now...
	WHAT THE HELL IS THIS THING DOING? I mentally screamed. There 
was a giant panda in the audience, next to him some redheaded girl, a 
visitor to the village I assumed since I did not recognize her. But 
that thing was eating my well and hard-earned prize!
	Annoyance mixed with anger as I jumped down from the 
challenge log and stalked over to the strangers. How dare they insult 
the Amazons like that. Hmm, that panda would make a nice meal after 
all. I grinned at the animal with a glint in my eye that would make 
every living being run in fear. I blinked seeing more than just plump 
half-intelligence stare back at me. This thing knew exactly what it 
was doing. Maybe it was a pet panda, trained by the girl. Didn't 
matter because either way it was already as good as meat. I think I 
had enough energy left to slice up that thing quite nicely. And that 
was what I was about to do.
	"Ah, sorry about this. Oyaji just always thinks with his 
stomach. Can't we, um... solve that peacefully?" the girl tried to 
avert in Japanese. I barely spoke the language. Great-grandmother had 
taught me some basic things but I had been slacking off in this area 
and hadn't thought that I needed it so soon... or ever. It was enough 
though that I understood the basic message... which only helped to 
further infuriate me.
	"Pet panda ate winner prize. Going to eat panda now. Will be 
very delicious." I licked my lips to underline the statement. The 
redhead glared at the panda and then sighed. There was something 
about her stance that stroke me as plain... wrong. And her aura was. 
I couldn't quite put my finger on it and was too mad to focus 
properly. "See," the redhead said, stepping forward. "If there's no 
other way I'll challenge you for that prize."
	Again I blinked perplexed. Challenge me? This girl must have 
hit her head or something. There was no way that petite redhead could 
even come close to beating anyone in this village. In the back of my 
mind I could literally FEEL Elder Kho Lon banging me with her cane 
but at that moment I ignored it. "Fine. But if lose, panda end up 
dinner." The redhead nodded almost as if she wouldn't mind 
that. "Sure, no problem." The panda grunted loudly in protest.

(...)

A few moments later we were both back up at the challenge log. I had 
to give it to the stranger, she at least knew how to move as a 
fighter and keep her balance. Otherwise her stance was cocky and 
confident in a way that it became annoyingly taunting. That, combined 
with the anger at being denied my rightful prize burned away the 
fatigue I felt after fighting my way through several hard rounds of 
combat. That little tramp would be easy, a real piece of cake 
compared to the others.
	On an unspoken signal I charged, deciding to execute the 
beginning of my revenge swiftly. One bonbori came up in a quick jab, 
with the other held back for a follow-up strike if necessary. The 
redhead seemed to simply wave around the first attack and the second 
ended with the same result. I hadn't seen someone move this quick 
other than Great-grandmother and some of the other elders.
	By the time I realized that I would have to be a bit more 
cautious it was already too late. I had barely seen my opponent move 
and before I knew it one of my bonbori was knocked away and I found 
myself ducking under a spin kick. The stranger came around with a jab 
at my wrist and the second weapon went flying. Trying desperately to 
get some distance between myself and my opponent, I almost lost my 
balance and a moment later felt my legs swept away.
	Beaten by my own tactic, how embarrassing, I thought as I 
fell down. Surprisingly the slight push the redhead had given me 
wasn't that hard and so I was able to make a more or less soft 
landing. It still hurt though. Emotional mostly. Embarrassment and 
shame began to well up and fueling the flame of anger as the reality 
of the situation set in with the stunned silence of the crowd. I, the 
acknowledged Tribal Champion had lost to a mere outsider girl. The 
law left only one option to ever redeem my honor. And I was not about 
to let the day that was supposed to be one of glory for me and my 
clan to end in shame.
	As my opponent jumped down and had the guts to ask me if I 
was alright as if I was just some weak male I prepared for the only 
thing that could be expected from me in this situation.

(Ranma)
With a thud the Amazon followed her weapons to the ground. The girl 
was good, I had to give her that, but nowhere near our level. I 
didn't want to humiliate her and her talent but also wanted to 
quickly end this. Jumping down from the challenge log, I landed 
effortlessly next to my fallen opponent and knelt beside her. From 
her fall I surmised that she wasn't winded at all but I wanted to 
make sure. I would have hated it to accidentally hurt the 
girl. "<Hey, you okay?>" I asked in some broken Chinese. That was 
probably about one of the only things I could manage though I really 
wished I would have learned some more in light of Jusenkyo.
	The Amazon shook her head to clear the dizziness and slowly 
started to rise. I offered her a hand but was mildly surprised that 
it was swatted away. Yet, that didn't give me a reason to be 
concerned. After all I was... had been pretty prideful myself and 
despite my efforts she must feel very humiliated right now. 
Struggling to her feet, she slowly looked up to me and I froze at the 
look I received. There was anger, shame, self-loathing and a 
determination of the kind that could really scare you, if you were on 
the receiving end. Before I could react, the Amazon had grabbed my 
face and in one graceful and swift motion placed a kiss right on my 
lips. It was more a peck than anything else but for someone who 
didn't have any ideas about those things, the action was enough to 
threaten my brain with short-circuit.
	I was still paralyzed on the spot when the guide yelled 
something and I felt father moving towards me. "Oh, very bad, sir. 
She gave kiss of death to you, will hunt you down now until she kill 
you." I blinked in confusion. The Amazon girl had stepped back and 
picked up her weapons again. I could tell her stance was for one 
purpose only, strike fast and swift. I didn't really sense father 
coming up from behind me and proceeding to grab me in an intent to 
run but I was beyond caring. Idly I evaded his charge and as the 
consequences of what happened really began to register, my anger 
briefly flared into a bright red and green tinged aura. One solid 
punch sent the cursed panda right into the support pillar of the log, 
the impact was enough to rattle the stone and make the log shake.
	For a moment the Amazon paused and looked back at my cursed 
father, then slowly turned back. I didn't move. Under other 
circumstances, I would have run but what good would it do? My life 
was over, my identity now crushed once and for all. As if it hadn't 
been bad enough to get me into this state, now he had messed up the 
only chance for a cure. And for what? For his FAT STOMACH! I was an 
enemy of the tribe now, I could not expect help here. So, what was 
left running for? Nothing. All my life I had trained for the Art, all 
my life I had been proud to be a man, that was all gone. Better to 
let it end now. I wouldn't have to live the shameful life, the pity 
from others, being a girl for the rest of my days. No, it was better 
that way.
	By now I had closed my eyes and my head hung low, patiently 
waiting for the killing strike. I had never before given up like that 
but this was simply a fight, I could not win. The seconds passed by, 
the moment of salvation failed to occur but I didn't dare to open my 
eyes and look up. Surely she was just basking in the glory of my 
quick surrender. I could not blame the girl. I had to look very 
pitiful. But at least I would die with some honor left. I would not 
submit to a life like this and lose my manliness in the process.
	Against my reluctance my eyes fluttered open as I felt soft 
fingers lift my chin abruptly. Slowly I met the crimson eyes of the 
Amazon and I could not help but shiver. Her eyes... were full of 
loneliness. The sound of metal hitting the ground registered 
somewhere in my brain when the mace that had been held high over the 
warrior's head clattered to the ground. Her fingers were trembling 
and it was clear that she was debating with herself what to do next. 
I stood still, wondering what was happening, why she had stopped. I 
had been prepared for the finish, I had been more than ready. Was 
life so cruel that even that wasn't granted?
	A single tear glistered in the Amazon's eye but before it 
could fall she quickly closed her eyes and leaned forward. Like the 
previous time I was unprepared for the contact when her lips met mine 
and I could only stand paralyzed as the kiss went on for some time, 
much deeper and purposeful than the last one. It didn't take a genius 
to understand that this didn't have anything to do with killing. The 
Amazon pulled back and managed to softly whisper but still reaching a 
lot of the watching crowd:
	"Wo ai ni. Wo da Airen."

(Genma)
	What the...?!?
	I stood there at the base of the log trying to figure out 
what exactly had just happened. That punch  and the following impact 
had HURT. Of course I knew the boy was formidable and would once 
become a great Martial Artist but I also knew for certain that his 
chi manipulation was nothing more than minimal. What I taught him up 
to that point was simply to enhance his overall speed, reflexes and 
motions. That outburst had been above anything that he had ever 
managed.
	I wasn't quite sure if I had seen correctly what transpired 
afterwards. My survival instincts had kicked in when I heard a death 
threat, finely honed by years of training under Happosai, however, 
nothing like that had happened. Still numb from the impact - 
thankfully this form was harder to damage - I witnessed the angry 
Amazon first threatening my boy-turned-girl, who had shamefully 
refused to react, and then suddenly changed her mind.
	All that I was able to proceed up to this point was that some 
girl had kissed my son in front of the whole village and that allowed 
only one possible reaction to this. The joining of the school was in 
terrible danger! Right now the Amazon was dragging the irritated 
redhead after her through the many witness... Kuso, many witnesses. 
It would be hard to get out of this one if whatever I saw was in any 
way binding by local law. But nothing was too much for the joining of 
the schools, Ranma would come to see that too and had to damn well 
act on it. That was his responsibility after all.
	That clarified I moved forward, mind set on beating some 
sense into this ungrateful excuse of a child but found my way 
suddenly blocked by someone. Looking down I saw a gnome of a 
shriveled, old woman with a piercing gaze that told enough about her 
that you instantly were cautious. This one wasn't easily tricked and 
for a mere moment I found her image overlaid by that of my old 
master. I shuddered. That was nonsense though. It was just an old 
woman, perched atop a staff. Nothing to be frightened about.
	"Where do you think you are going," she asked in surprisingly 
fluent Japanese. I made some grunting noises, wishing that I had some 
hot water, and tried to force my way past her but found it blocked by 
her staff. Annoyed I tried to gesticulate at the woman. I had to go 
and keep my son in check or he and this Amazon might do something 
that would really endanger the union. In response to my antics, the 
woman produced to my complete and utter shock a steaming kettle out 
of nowhere. Reflexes took over as I tried to lung at the object that 
to me looked like the Holy Grail at the moment.
	Then I moved to grab it though the woman wasn't there anymore 
and a second later I felt the sensation of hot water touching my fur 
and before the rippling sensation of the change completely ceased a 
tap against the back of my head. Alright, maybe I wasn't that far off 
comparing the old woman with Happosai. I had not even seen her 
moving...
	"As I thought. You were behaving just too human for a trained 
animal." Err, well... It was not as if I had much experience yet. I 
glanced at the woman warily, not quite sure anymore what to expect. 
Maybe bailing was a good option for the moment. I could use the 
Yamasenken to sneak in at night and get Ranma... "Don't even think 
about running, male. I temporally blocked your ability to do that and 
I would like to speak to you about your... daughter, I assume." I 
nodded numbly, not wanting to give away much more. I had the 
suspicion the old woman knew already but... Everyone who could move 
that fast and strike shiatsu points with such an efficiency should be 
approached carefully.
	The old woman turned on her staff. "Come, we have much to 
discuss about my great-granddaughter's new wife." Uh huh... WHAT? New 
wife? Great, just great. Could that insolent boy not even once stay 
out of trouble? Even worse. Just a few hours a girl and already 
married to another. Seeing no sense in trying my luck with the 
possibility that the woman had bluffed about the shiatsu point, I 
followed her, grumbling curses all the way.

(Xian Pu)
Up to this moment I was not really sure what had possessed me that 
instant to change my mind. I was ready to deal out my revenge, do as 
law demanded from me but I simply could not. I had simply been 
puzzled at first. Usually they always ran. Not running was a proof 
for the worthiness of the outsider in which case they could be 
adopted in the tribe. Yet, the stance of the outsider had not 
actually spoken of worthiness, more of a defeat without a fight. And 
that after she had so easily defeated me with great skill and 
agility. That had managed to cut through the haze of shame and anger.
	I had merely wanted to satisfy my curiosity when I made her 
look at me but those blue eyes, clear like the sky yet at the same 
time clouded by sadness like on a day that was about to witness a 
terrible rainstorm. It had been like looking into a mirror and at the 
same time even so much more. I had seen the signs of a childhood 
without a parental figure to idealize and receive care from, I had 
seen the tiredness that constant training often left you with, the 
pain of past trials and not forgotten experience. However, there had 
also been a misery, a truly defeated look in those eyes. This 
outsider girl who had beaten me so easily moments ago had WANTED to 
die... Maybe even more so than I had wanted in those lone hours when 
memories about my absent parents overwhelmed me.
	So that had left me with only one choice. The adopting option 
was there, sure. Yet, I doubted for some reason that this would be 
enough. It was not unheard of for Amazon's to mate. But openly 
declaring something as a binding marriage custom as the tribal 
champion with an outsider girl had to my knowledge never happened as 
of yet. And still I had done just that thing.
	Taking charge of the situation I pushed the stunned redhead 
onwards through the crowd that parted before us. The whispers and 
looks from my tribal sisters were not lost on me. I knew I had just 
given my envy status extra credit. As I said Amazon's had less 
inhibitions about such trivial things as gender and the redhead by 
far was not a poor catch. Of course there were always those who would 
try make a scandal out of this...
	I looked sideways, sensing Great-grandmother's eyes on me... 
us. After all this time I was still far from understanding what the 
Elder was thinking. Her gaze was intense but otherwise unreadable. 
Elder Kho Lon might be a hard teacher, however, she was also the 
Matriarch and cared for her clan greatly. I knew that I could trust 
on her to divert the rumors and uproars for the moment, at least 
until I had a chance to explain my new Airen what was going on. I 
really had not expected this day to turn out like this.
	Finally we reached the for our medieval village rather 
spacious house and I ushered the distraught and bewildered girl 
inside. Allowing myself a small sigh of relief I turned back to the 
redhead. Now that some of the pressure in the air emitting from my 
tribal sisters was gone I had time to admire my new Airen. There 
before had been a bit envy at her figure and skill I now allowed 
myself to see the true beauty of the outsider girl. A beauty that was 
as much strikingly natural as it was timeless. Something about this 
once again struck me as completely wrong but I could not quite put my 
finger on it.
	The redhead appeared to be lost in thoughts as I slowly 
approached her. No, not only lost in thoughts. More like lost in the 
truest sense of the world. Standing in the middle of the room, her 
whole stance was so unlike what her almost idle fighting style back 
at the tournament grounds promised. Shoulders slumped and in all 
likelihood it appeared that she was actually depressed that I hadn't 
gone through with the Kiss of Death. This alone was a truly startling 
and unsettling thought. What if my new Airen would end up committing 
suicide one day. After Mother and Father left our family had already 
taken damage, THIS could very well stain our bloodline beyond repair.
	Stop that, I chided myself and hardened my resolve as I 
hesitantly reached out for the redhead. It wasn't a mere coincidence 
that you let your feelings decide on this. I did believe that moment 
that she desperately needed a companion, a compassionate soul. A mate 
might do but I had to be careful before I knew more about my new 
wife. Then I could work on rebuilding that confidence I had briefly 
glimpsed in our fight. There was a lot of potential and somehow I had 
the feeling that a pleasant outcome would overweight possible 
complications by far.

(Ranma)
My mind was still a whirl of confusion and conflicting emotion as the 
Amazon quietly lead me into one of the houses, shutting out the 
whispers and rumors spreading around the village like wildfire. 
Breathing a sigh of relief I allowed myself to relax a little. 
Everything had gone so quick, from the kiss, the declaration - that I 
still was not sure what it was about - which had stirred up the 
murmurs and pointed stares. I felt like I had been some sort of 
prize... No, not like a prize, more like being stripped in front of 
every girl out there and examined, as if I was something totally 
weird. And damn did that come close to the truth.
	I realized that I must have relaxed my guard a little too 
much since I had not even sensed the Amazon getting closer until soft 
fingers brushed over my cheek in clear concern. Startled I backed 
away slightly and flinched at the hurt look of the girl. "What... 
What happened there?" I finally managed to get out, my voice pitched 
a bit too high, even for a girl - not that I had much experience 
there. The Amazon looked a little nervous as she remained there she 
was and then she didn't reply after several moments I thought that 
she might not speak Japanese.
	"Xian Pu... sorry." I blinked at that, trying to figure out 
what the girl meant. "No mean to frighten outs... Airen. Is strange 
for Xian Pu too." It appeared that she was struggling more with her 
feelings than with the words. As was I. "Ah, it's alright," I tried 
to reassure her. "Not that I mind that you didn't kill me and all 
but..." Inwardly I minded it very much. She should have just gone 
through with it. That would have been better for anyone, including 
myself. Aloud I asked: "What was all the, um... kissing stuff about? 
And why did anyone react as if it was some kind of scandal?"
	The girl was silent for awhile longer and I patiently waited, 
not that I really was in a hurry to get... anywhere. Where should I 
go anyway? Back home? Yeah sure! Mother would hate or at the very 
least pity me... That would be even worse. And I had nowhere else to 
go, I didn't even have a sufficient identity even more. I probably 
would end up on the road for the rest of my life. Never finding a 
place to settle down and be accepted. Seppuku was looking more and 
more like a good option.
	"Is... Is simple. Amazon law say then outsider girl defeat 
Amazon, Amazon must give Kiss of Death and hunt down girl to restore 
honor." That much I knew already from the guide. "If outsider is male 
and defeat Amazon, he is given Kiss of Marriage. Must then marry 
Amazon to strengthen tribe." Oh. But I was a... No, I was a man. Or 
did she know...? I stared at the Amazon, her eyes slightly averted as 
she twirled her fingers in her lap from there she was sitting on the 
edge of a table. No, it couldn't be. She couldn't know about the 
curse. How should she?
	"But Xian Pu give Airen Kiss of Marriage. Is not unheard of, 
especially under Amazon people but is unusual with outsiders..." That 
got my attention. At least it explained all the whispering. From what 
I gathered the girl must have been the best warrior in her generation 
among the tribe and to have her snared away by an outsider 
girl... "Why did you do it then, um... Xian Pu?" I asked, having 
somewhat adapted to her broken Japanese and her way of apparently 
speaking in third person. Xian Pu, so I believed, finally looked at 
me with a look of sorrow. For a moment I thought it to be pity and my 
initiate response would have been to recoil but it was as I said, 
sorrow. Sorrow mixed with some kind of compassion. "Xian Pu not know. 
Is funny... Just look into eyes and could not do. There much... pain? 
Familiar to Xian Pu."
	My eyes cast downwards I gave a bitter laugh. "Well, thank 
you, I guess. But after you learn what you got yourself as a..." I 
choked slightly on the word. "... wife. You most likely want to kill 
me again. Not that I would mind it much." I heard the Amazon gasp in 
surprise at the lack of emotion in my voice but ignored it. The girl 
was genuine, true, but it was better that she didn't get further 
involved with this. With that sorrowful excuse for a human that I had 
become. "Why... Why Airen say that?"
	"Because I'm a freak, that's why. Ever since I came to China, 
I've got cursed to become a girl, then locked in this state and now 
I'm practically married to you... as a girl! How pathetic is this, 
huh? Believe me, you don't want to be..." My words were cut off and I 
was completely taken by surprise as gentle arms held me in a firm 
embrace. For a moment I stiffened but quickly felt myself relaxing in 
the comfort. I had not even seen the Amazon move before she was next 
to me in a flash.
	Something moist ran down my cheek but it wasn't my own tears. 
Looking up, I almost froze solid under the crimson-brown eyes filled 
with sorrow that threatened to break my heart right there. "Xian... 
Xian Pu...?" I stuttered weakly, not knowing what to do. The Amazon 
merely sniffed as she reached up with one hand to brush some strands 
of red out of my face and lingering on the skin beneath. "Airen... 
cursed at Jusenkyo? Is really man?" I nodded, not daring to do 
anything more. The contact was so comforting, my body craved it and 
would not allow it to go. "Is... cursed twice?" I nodded again and 
saw painful realization creep into the Amazon's eyes. Before I could 
say anything more she proceeded to press me tightly against her 
slightly taller frame - which would need some getting used to.
	"Xian Pu so sorry. Be here for Airen, yes? Try and make 
her... him feel better?" I doubted that but did not dare to protest. 
The feeling of serenity for that brief moment too good to shatter. 
Somewhere in the back of my mind I began to understand. She must have 
been lonely. I knew very well that superior skill and strength was 
rarely met with respect as it should be but often with envy. I had 
noticed that some of the heated looks were not sent my way when Xian 
Pu had all but dragged me away from the challenge log, they were 
pointed at her.
	My eyes snapped open as I felt the sensation of lips against 
mine again. Just as before I simply lost myself in it. Normally, with 
my lack of experience with girls, my brain probably would have gone 
blank already. But it was different somehow with the Amazon. I could 
not really explain. I was confused, emotionally hurt... no, 
devastated and had no experience with girls or any romantic stuff at 
all. Somehow it just felt right. Even as a girl. Especially now that 
I was stuck as such. I craved for feeling. I craved for anything to 
fill me up inside and give me reason to live. And apparently Xian Pu 
did know that.
	"Come," she whispered in my ear, her breath caressing my skin 
as she pushed me towards a nearby door. "Xian Pu make Airen feel 
better." A quick look confirmed that it must be the bedroom. 
Inexperienced I might be but I rather well could figure out what was 
being implied... offered here. And by any means, my mind and body 
should rebel, maybe they even wanted to. We shouldn't be doing this. 
We were both girls and I did not feel like one... However, my heart 
just accepted and my spirit just resigned. She was genuine. In a 
blunt way that some might consider barbaric others simply naturally 
she was genuine in her offer. I was tired of the pain and the 
numbness ever since the guide's words of pain had sunken in. So I 
just gave in and let her push me all the way through the door.

(Kho Lon)
This was turning out to be an... interesting day to say the least. To 
my satisfaction Xian Pu had done well in the tournament. Even against 
the slightly unfair order of opponents - which, of course, was 
altered to provide the best challenge. Nevertheless Xian Pu had made 
me proud and came out victorious with only exhaustion to bear as 
battle scars. I had known from the start that in a simple challenge 
none of the other Amazons could compete with my Great-granddaughter, 
so it needed a little meddling to actually challenge her.
	In the end that might have cost Xian Pu the challenge match 
with the outsider girl. No, that wouldn't have mattered. Whoever the 
redhead was, she was trained far beyond my charge's current level and 
the style had something hauntingly familiar as well. In the end what 
was truly turning the day's events upside down was Xian Pu's sudden 
change of mind. I had observed the scene quietly from afar. Already 
wary from my charge's worry this morning, I tried to piece that 
puzzle together that the outsider presented to my mind's eye. There 
was a slight glamour in her aura that could mean a curse like the 
panda father quite obviously had. But it was horribly distorted. 
Twisted and somehow stained. I knew deep down I should have 
recognized it but up to this moment couldn't figure it out.
	"So," I began, eyeing the bald man disdainful. He seemed like 
the type that would sell everything, including his own daughter, for 
his own personal gain. For some reason I even believed to be too 
close to the truth for my liking. "I am right to assume you are my 
new daughter-in-law's father, yes?" I did not add that I would prefer 
it not to be that way. The man sweated profoundly under my gaze and 
kept throwing glances in the direction of the bedroom... Of course, I 
hadn't been alive for over three hundred years to not know what was 
going on there. My Great-granddaughter was never one to hesitate when 
a chance presented itself, yet I could also sense a great emotional 
turmoil in the air. Their chi was giving most of it away and so I was 
sure that the father felt it as well.
	"Now you see, lady. I'm sure you have pretty strict laws here 
but my... Ranma is already promised to another." I shook my head 
slightly. Why was it that I had expected something like that. "Oh 
really? This is a sad thing." Deciding to let him run into a self-
made trap, I pressed on, "And is your daughter aware of this 
arrangement?" I saw him wince just the tiniest bit and was now almost 
sure that the girl was cursed. Which relieved me a great deal because 
this situation could have easily left our line without a heir.
	"Um... you see... I..." The blabbering idiot was apparently 
trying to wind himself out of this one. "Ranma will marry one of the 
Tendo girls and join our schools as promised! It does not matter if 
he knows or not!" I arched an eyebrow at that, finally getting some 
sufficient information out of the outburst. Sending a look towards 
the bedroom myself, I could feel the two different chi patterns merge 
and calm down. "I think it will be hard to convince her of that after 
tonight." The reaction was anticipated and I thrust my staff out to 
block the man's path that would have lead him directly barreling 
through the bedroom door. No one would disturb one of my kin on their 
mating night.
	"Tsk, tsk... Please sit down, Saotome-san." It was the first 
time I actually used his name and it was laced with that much humor 
that the man promptly followed the order with a chastised 
expression. "Tell me, Saotome-san, is Ranma cursed as well. Is she by 
any chance a he? Because I think arranging marriages between two 
girls is not quite legal in Japan, or at least not really welcomed." 
Of course the stupid male denied it and even emphasized on the fact 
that I could test it myself. SHE would not change with hot water.
	I narrowed my eyes. Up to this point I had been hundred 
percent certain that I was dealing with a Jusenkyo-cursed male as a 
husband to my great-granddaughter. Saotome Genma could be lying but 
something about this gleam in his eyes let me doubt that. A very, 
VERY disturbing thought suddenly sprang into my mind. What had Xian 
Pu said she felt? A change coming? Could the lad by any chance...
	My voice was low and very dangerous to the father's sensitive 
ears for a potent danger. "Saotome-san... I would advise you to not 
lie about this. Has your son's curse been locked?" The sweat pouring 
down from his forehead gave me all the answers I needed and I would 
have laughed at the fool shrinking in on himself into an actually 
humbled position under my flashing eyes but the cold flare of anger 
that cursed through my veins was far stronger. "Were YOU," I 
emphasized, "by any chance responsible for this?" Saotome Genma by 
now seemed to be ready to cry and beg for forgiveness at any moment 
yet I held the icy stare and had to fight hard for control when he 
meekly nodded his confirmation.
	Double-cursed, I swore and slowly let go of the anger, 
sinking back in the chair. Jusenkyo was already to a certain degree 
Amazon business. Why we didn't take notice of any poor soul being 
cursed there, some were taken up afterwards and maybe even adopted 
into the tribe. A double curse was a sacred thing. Occurring rarely 
it was a desecration against the Jusenkyo law and nature itself. 
Usually a person bringing a locked curse upon a victim would be met 
with only one punishment. Death.
	Three hundred years of experience began to pay out as I 
suddenly realized how much that devastating circumstance could be 
used to the advantage of my great-granddaughter and against any of 
the other arrangements the father might have done. A slow smile crept 
into my face that made the groveling man promptly shudder.

(Xian Pu)
Double-cursed... An act near to blasphemy for the Joketsuzoku. That 
history went far back and I wasn't even sure what had been the actual 
cause. Maybe nowadays it was more the grudge with the Musk Empire and 
their constant use of the pools for their own use and the locking 
that went with it. While the artifact that existed for that also had 
a counterpart, a victim falling into a spring twice was more or less 
forever locked. According to Great-grandmother there were cures, but 
most of them were almost impossible to acquire.
	Maybe I hadn't been that far off with my earlier assumption. 
Locked in one's completely opposite form could very well drive you 
mad if your attention wasn't constantly diverted. I knew how proud 
outsider males were, probably as proud as Amazons, and I only had to 
imagine what I would do if I had fallen in Nannuchian twice... It was 
a thought I could barely bring myself to form.
	No, this would need caution and a lot care. And I had no real 
idea how to help the poor boy-turned-girl beyond support and 
compassion. I also believed that this condition was just the final 
straw that had brought the boy's personality toppling. There was a 
deep loneliness in her - I could still not bring myself to think 
about her as male - eyes and that was a feeling I was as much 
familiar with as I wasn't good in dealing with it. A part of me 
feared to be confronted with my own feelings, the reality of my own 
social status.
	It was no good lamenting, however. The redhead standing 
uncertainly in the middle of the room, arms wrapped around herself, 
was what was important now. I closed the door silently and walked 
over to my Airen. No, not uncertain, I corrected myself. Insecure. 
Confused and distraught as she was I could not blame her but it was 
apparent that she never had that sort of contact with a girl - or 
anyone for that matter - before. A fact that both surprised me and at 
the same time didn't.
	Visitors often came to the village and there were a lot of 
incidents when outsider boys had to be restrained by force from 
overly ogling or even harassing my tribal sisters - myself included. 
So it was unusual for one to be as inexperienced as this one. Yet, I 
assumed my Airen had constantly been in training which often doesn't 
leave room for personal enjoyments.
	Based on that I wasn't quite sure if I wouldn't scare the 
redhead away. On the other hand though, I had no idea how to 
otherwise express myself. Hesitation is a weakness, one of Kho Lon's 
lecture came to mind and I made my decision. It was done anyway. I 
had given the Kiss in front of the whole tribe, consequences had to 
be dealt with later. And my first reason for this had anyway been to 
make her see that even cursed it didn't make her any less desirable, 
that she was no freak of nature to me.
	Stepping up to the redhead I gently but firmly reached out to 
uncross my Airen's arms. Experience from brief tryst with some of my 
tribal sisters began to pay out now as I met almost no resistance to 
the touch. Cupping the redhead's cheek I looked into her eyes, making 
her focus on me and not on her own misery. Feeling, I reminded 
myself. This was not about a formal confirmation of the bonding but 
solely about giving her something to feel, to feel more adequate.
	"What is name?" I asked, not wanting to make love to an 
unknown face that just happened to be my Airen. Up to now I never had 
the chance to ask that question and of course I wanted to know. The 
redhead shivered as I let fingertips tiptoe over her cheek while the 
other hand was stroking idly through red hair. She needed a little 
time to come up with an answer, a testament that my efforts were 
already fertile.
	"R-Ranma... Saotome Ranma..." I leaned a little closer and 
could actually feel my Airen's breath catching in her throat. Hmm, we 
really have to do something about this. It might be cute once but on 
a steady basis... "Ranma," I purred in my best suggestive voice. "Is 
nice name, strong name, yes? Is Ranma strong warrior?" Again she 
needed some time to nod and by when I had already moved in and 
initialized another kiss. I was doing most of the work but for once 
that was alright. No expectations for my Airen right now. Tonight I 
would be giving her something. And maybe in the process of helping 
her would help myself.
	So lost in the dominating kiss Ranma did not notice that my 
hands had slipped under her Chinese-style shirt, purposefully 
venturing upwards. She did, however, moan to my silent satisfaction 
as my hands found ample breasts. Again I was amazed at the natural 
perfection. Neither to large nor to small. It was a shame actually 
that a curse could produce such results. Right now I didn't mind 
though as I stepped back one step. Ranma was breathing harder now and 
I proceeded to push her shirt over her head, to which she now 
willingly complied.
	Not losing a second or giving my Airen a moment to reconsider 
I pushed a little. The redhead stumbled backwards and already as 
close to the cozy bed as she was promptly lost her balance to land on 
it. I followed immediately.

(Ranma)
The first sparkles of morning glow began to change the dawn to 
sunrise. Orange-colored beams peaked out from underneath the horizon 
and soon the sun itself would bath the village embedded deep inside 
the mountain range in all its glory. It was a truly beautiful, 
magnificent sight. A memory to behold and cherish for the rest of 
your life. For me it was just that. A morning. Another morning like 
any other but at the same time not.
	It was the first morning I had woken up as a female, the 
first moment I had woken next to another my age and that in a less 
than platonic position. It was a morning that yesterday I would have 
dreaded and still did to a degree, however, the overwhelming pain, 
loneliness and feelings of tiredness had subsided. They were still 
there and would most likely be for a long time. Yet, the inadequacy 
that had dominated me since receiving and being locked that 
perfidious curse. Insecure as I was about such things as girls, 
romance and what went with it, it had only served to heighten the 
experience.
	The Amazon, Xian Pu, was as I said rather blunt in her ways. 
I had no idea if it was a character thing or the language barrier but 
last night it had served its purpose. I could feel her own sadness 
and loneliness dominating and fueling the act. Her offer might have 
been to me alone but had also served to help the Amazon as well. One 
thought was it that had stuck. Kindred. We were kindred in so many 
ways. Without really knowing the details I could guess what her life 
must have been, picture it even. And I knew she did as well.
	"Is beautiful, yes?" I might have been surprised at other 
day's, not expecting someone up so early, even father tended to sleep 
longer. Today my mind was left in a surprising clarity and my senses 
were stimulated by the peaceful atmosphere of the village. I did 
flinch slightly, however, as a pair of slender, long arms came around 
my waist and drew me back against the body behind me. After a few 
moments I managed to relax though, as the sweet feeling of some sort 
of belonging began to envelop me again. It was strange. Knowing that 
the Amazon understood me so well on a primal level, helped me 
immensely to relax as strange and sudden as the situation might be. I 
chuckled inwardly. Had I still been male I would have been to proud 
to submit to anyone. Whatever it was. A lot of the stubbornness that 
had come with the confidence had been drained out with the curse. 
Xian Pu had, so to say, caught me in a situation where I couldn't 
defend myself emotionally.
	Not wanting to disrupt the serenity of the comforting or 
ending the at the moment rather welcomed affections, I opted for once 
to not speak my mind. Another ironic thing. The curse seemed to make 
me less tongue-tied and actually attentive to what a situation 
required... Maybe it was only my depressed state though. "Yeah... I 
usually wake up early. The mornings are always the best thing to 
concentrate and cleanse your chi for the day." Or at least they had 
been. I wasn't sure if I could ever see it like that again. But I 
didn't say that.
	Whether or not my unexpected but not really unwanted... wife 
had seen through it or not, she didn't show any sign of it. "Xian Pu 
come up here often to meditate. Not actually the best place but is 
good for everyday training." She loosened her embrace, almost to my 
disappointment, and slid next to me. Nudging her head in the 
direction of the mountains, she added: "Up there is better though. 
Cleaner. Usually no chi in great... distance, yes?"
	I did not reply to that but that was unnecessary. Oyaji - who 
I had seen no sign of after waking this morning - would probably 
disapprove and bawl his eyes out at my lack of manliness, not  that I 
cared though. I could feel Xian Pu's eyes observing me as I ever so 
slightly leaned on her, not wanting to leave the security the Amazon 
had offered just yet.
	In a gesture to show that I probably would have to do more 
than that to ever escape her, Xian Pu put an arm around my shoulders 
and together we continued to sit on the roof of the house in silence, 
each lost in their own thoughts but strangely relieved that the other 
was so close by.

(Xian Pu)
I can't say that I wasn't a tiny bit annoyed at once again having my 
carefully planned out offense used against me and finding myself on 
my butt as a result. Unlike my usual training with Great-grandmother 
though now it stayed simply with that annoyance, otherwise it seemed 
almost... idle. Fun actually. Except the constantly getting whacked 
bit. I glanced up at the redhead who had her arms crossed and her 
head shaking in disapproval. I expected a rant any moment. But again 
Ranma wasn't Great-grandmother.
	Declining the offered hand I got back on my feet, smothering 
my clothing. "You really better than Xian Pu. Xian Pu has never seen 
anyone move that fast except Great-grandmother." Was that a smile and 
a brief flicker of confidence in her eyes? That would be even more 
progress than I had thought about when we decided for a brief spar. 
Alright, maybe it was more my decision yet Ranma wasn't much for 
meditation beyond the cleansing of chi either. Maybe it was an age 
thing.
	However, it was as I thought. My Airen was a Martial Artist 
after all, devoted and trained all his life. When I wanted to let go 
of everything and feel free for a timeless moment I would train or 
find a tribal sister to spar with. The Art always gave solitude to me 
and so it did for Ranma. We both could forget everything during that 
time, lost in either the simplicity or complexity of a kata; the 
beauty, passion as well as the completion and natural it provided. 
Gone were the sorrows, the loneliness, the emotional scars. There was 
only you and the Art. Nothing else.
	"Of course, I'm the Best." The statement felt hollow with 
only that slight bit of confidence backing it up. I was sure it was 
meant to sound arrogant and proud but failed to be those things at 
the moment. Now it was more like one of those tape things from the 
bigger cities. Just an automatic response. That made me sad because I 
would rather more want... no, like an Airen who could stand up for 
him- or herself. It will take time, I reminded myself. One day after 
another. I sighed quietly. Patience never was one of my greatest 
strengths. This would be a trial that I could not afford to lose, 
however.
	I was startled out of my thoughts when the redhead moved 
behind me and gently took my hands. The contact was innocent but it 
felt good. Especially for one like me who never had had much contact 
with others for a longer period of time. "You can do better," Ranma 
said softly and I could not help but shiver slightly as her breath 
caressed my neck. I forced myself to concentrate on the kata and 
tried to memorize what my Airen was showing me, knowing it would help 
to ease her mind and give her something to concentrate on.
	"You see. The attack itself was good but you leave too many 
holes in your guard. For an average fighter it might be enough but if 
you want to compete with the best, you have to watch yourself more 
thoroughly. A good tactic and offense are good. Don't neglect your 
defense though." I was impressed with her speed to analyze, learn and 
improve the kata's pattern. I had worked on it for three day's and my 
Airen had just corrected it in seconds.
	Finishing her instructions she stepped around me to position 
herself opposite of me again and I smiled slightly as her hands 
lingered on mine for a bit longer than necessary. "Try again." I did 
as I was shown and this time didn't land on my behind. Ranma nodded 
approvingly. The approving smile made me feel good and it was another 
sign that the redhead obviously seemed to get better already. Or 
maybe tried to not look so all-out misery.
	She was about to say something but was beaten to it.  "Very 
impressive, Daughter-in-law. Or should I say Son-in-law?" We turned 
to find Great-grandmother perched on her staff a few meters away, 
seemingly idly observing us. I knew from experience that the Elder's 
observations were in fact never idle. "Doesn't matter to me. I 
suppose it is all the same right now," Ranma answered and eyed Elder 
Kho Lon closely. "But I really did not do so much, Old Ghoul." I 
nearly choked, trying to control my laughter at the comical 
expression on the Elder's face. She caught herself quickly 
though. "Now, don't sell yourself low. I have tried weeks making my 
Great-granddaughter see that particular flaw and you did so in the 
space of a few minutes." I blushed, embarrassed at being chastised by 
the Elder in front of my Airen.
	Surprisingly Ranma just gave a snort. "Maybe you should try 
simply telling. Your Great-granddaughter is very attentive." Elder 
Kho Lon chuckled in response. "But I have a reputation to hold. I'm 
her Elder after all and not her... wife." As much as I was flattered 
that Ranma had stood up for me, she should learn that you can't play 
mind games with Great-grandmother and expect an easy win. I reached 
for her hand and squeezed it briefly, leveling a glare at the older 
woman who had the courtesy to look away. That last comment really 
didn't have to be.
	"When you are finished please come inside. We have much to 
discuss." And with that Elder Kho Lon turned and hoped back to the 
house.

(Ranma)
"What the hell do you mean with fiancée?" Xian Pu next to me
mirrored 
my disbelief. It was remarkable that Oyaji didn't flinch under the 
glares leveled at him. Usually Saotome Genma was a man that, in 
ninety-nine percent of all cases, would rather run from the problem 
than confronting it. He was a notorious coward and all he seemed to 
care about besides the Art were food and sleep. And I should know, I 
had put up with the man for about ten years of my life. However, 
whatever this promise business was, he obviously took it very 
seriously.
	So? It was not that any of his wonderful ideas ever turned 
out into something less than at least chaotic. So why should this be 
any different? Who had heard about arranged marriages in these times 
anyway? Alright, as much as I knew our line had always been very 
traditional but that was simply hilarious. I couldn't imagine myself 
just being married to some girl I didn't even know...
	Of course, glancing at Xian Pu a sweatdrop rolled down my 
forehead. That was quickly replaced by first concern and then guilt. 
The Amazon seemed to be enraged, sad and uncertain altogether. 
Whatever father had arranged, my first obligation should be to her. 
She had taken care of me without being asked to and after last night 
I hardly could just turn my back and walk away for Oyaji's wretched 
concept of honor.
	A well-aimed punch brought my point home and managed to knock 
a surprised Genma over. "Forget it," I snarled and demonstratively 
sort our Xian Pu's hand. I still wasn't sure what to think about her 
but the decision was easy for me. Even if that promise was a matter 
of honor, I had learned about it AFTER being... married... to Xian Pu 
by Amazon Law. And there still was that sliver of hope that they had 
some sort of cure. Bailing out of my responsibility to who was 
obviously a leader's relative would certainly not help me there.
	"Ranma, you ungrateful boy! The promise must be fulfilled and 
the joining of the schools must take place!" His rant did not more 
than bore me, even the annoyance seemed to have been drained through 
the events from yesterday. Not that Oyaji's speeches were ever 
anything more than boring and annoying. Lifting one eyebrow, I 
glanced tiredly at him. "And how do you suppose I do that? If you 
have forgotten I'm still locked in this form thanks to you. Do you 
really believe that those girls would want to marry another one? I 
bet they would be thrilled."
	"Aiya! Doesn't matter to Xian Pu if Ranma girl or boy," the 
purple-haired girl exclaimed next to me. I smiled at her, knowing it 
would drive Oyaji up the walls. "Thanks, I appreciate that." Turning 
back at Genma who was glowering by now, I added: "See? It is as 
simple as that. As long as I have this curse nobody short of Xian Pu 
here would probably even consider me... legally at least." I shot the 
Amazon a look, trying to see if I hurt her with the statement but she 
seemed to be doing alright. Another strange thing about the curse, I 
seemed to be constantly worried how I appeared to people. Before the 
incident I would probably not have given a damn about other people's 
opinions.
	"About the curse, there might still be hope for you SON-in-
law," the old woman spoke up for the first time and effectively 
preventing Genma's protest. I wouldn't have paid it any mind anyway 
but the old woman made me listen attentively. "There is?" I asked, 
the sliver of hope changing into a small star. Had the guide been 
right? Did they really know how to treat locked curses? I would do 
everything for that, even if it meant that I had to live with it part-
time, that would only be a small price and better than this permanent 
state.
	The old woman chuckled at my barely concealed 
excitement. "Yes, indeed there is. But it is not easy to do. Not in 
your case at least." What was ever easy for me anyway? In fact what 
others thought was hard to do was easy for me and that wasn't even 
the norm. A Martial Artist grew with the challenges life threw at 
him. "No problem. I will do everything!" Of course as much as the 
curse had changed me inwardly, I had not quite abandoned my problem 
to speak before thinking. Not that it would have made a difference.
	"Good. I'm sure. You will make a good Airen to my Great-
granddaughter." I glanced at Xian Pu but did not dare to say 
anything. A part of me would not even mind being married to her. Just 
not yet. Oyaji was about to protest but the old woman leveled such an 
icy look at him that it felt like an blizzard had just passed over 
the room. "And you be silent, male. I could easily turn you over to 
the Council for violating Jusenkyo law. Only that you are Son-in-laws 
kin prevents me from doing it right away." Genma was silent. A fact 
that totally baffled me. He would be many things. Groveling, begging, 
protesting... but not silent. Man, it seemed this time one of his 
mistake had come back to haunt him tenfold.
	Turning my attention back to the woman, I asked: "So what is 
this cure all about, Old Ghoul." Said Old Ghould narrowed her 
eyes. "The name is Kho Lon and for you it is Elder, girl," the... 
Elder replied. And this time it registered somewhere in my mind that 
I didn't want to make an enemy out of this woman. "About the cure... 
In your particular case there would only be one. But before I tell 
you, I will have to see for myself that you are worthy and ready for 
such a task."
	"And how will you do that?" I asked suspiciously, biting back 
a remark. Kho Lon just cackled and grinned at me - which wasn't a 
very amusing sight. "Oh. We will begin training tomorrow. After I'm 
through with you, you will think your father's training to be mere 
child's play."
	Somehow I believed her. Looking sideways at Xian Pu I could 
see it confirmed there in a look of pity. Oh well. At least training 
was something I could still do. It couldn't be THAT bad, right?"

Author's Notes

Actually I didn't even want to divide this into parts when I started 
but here was a good point to do so. This was the introduction and 
meeting phase. Next time you will see how Ranma deals with life in 
the Amazon Village, under Kho Lon's drill and growing feelings for 
his new Amazon wife.

It was not what really prompted me to write this but helped greatly 
with actually writing some of the scenes here. I'm not sure which 
story it was but I had an author once let Ranma mention/think that as 
emotionally torn and utterly down as he must have felt after being 
cursed he would probably have declared his undying love to her if she 
had let him. I think that could have happened. Anyone, under the 
right circumstances could have been Ranma's main fiancée as
various 
alterverse fiction have shown.

In any case. If you really wish to blame me for... um, slightly 
badmouthing Genma in this chapter. I really tried my best to be 
objective because I believe myself that bashing is just an excuse for 
not wanting to get to know the character enough to portray him/her 
right. This is a hard thing to do in Genma's case, however  The man 
DOES have a wrecked sense of honor and is mostly doing things for his 
own good. He might care for his son on a basic level but doesn't 
allow it to show very often.

There is a very, VERY subtle hint in here about Xian Pu's parents in 
light of the main story. You will, however, only pick it up when you 
get to read that. If you anyway, I congratulate you personally though.

That's it for now. I'm testing the waters with releasing this part so 
to speak. Feedback is very much appreciate and needed (addy is in the 
header) since this is my first totally Ranma focused story even if 
only AU.

Ja ne, yours

Matthias

Title: Tanbo (2/4)
Author: Matthias (Solarsenshi@gmx.de)
Beta: Ayrki (probably)
Status: Alpha
Category: Action/Adventure, Romance, AU
Rating: PG-13 to R
Pairings: Ranma/Xian Pu (for those of you who don't get it, that's 
Shampoo)
Timeline: Heavily AU, just prior to Canon Ranma, Prelude story to a 
Ranma/SM-Crossover (in progress)
Summary: The tale of two lonely souls and how one of Genma's little 
mistakes could have greatly impacted on the course of his son's life, 
this time for good though, or is it?
Distribution: Ranma and SailorMoon Crossover Challenge & Archive 
(http://www.beeftrapeze.com/challenge/), MSD (www.catstrio.de), 
Rakhal (www.rakhal.com), ff.net (www.fanfiction.net), Mediaminer 
(www.mediaminer.org), Shoujo Ai archive (www.shoujoai.com), others 
might follow. If you want to post it, just tell me where and I would 
be more than pleased. Newest version (even those that have just 
slight corrections) will always be on MSD, my personal archive.
Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 belongs to Rumiko Takahashi, Ranko Saotome 
(though not the name but the character) belongs to me as does my 
imagination, the plot for this story etc.
Story Disclaimer: Tanbo(c)2003 by Matthias Engel
Special Note: Dialogues in <> are always in the native language 
opposed to the viewer. Meaning if it is Ranma's POV and there is a 
dialogue in <> that means this is spoken in Mandarin,

(Ranma)
I grumbled unintelligible things under my breath as I walked behind 
the old gnome. The sun had yet to rise a noticeable distance over the 
horizon and that said clearly that it was early. Too early. After 
yesterday I had for once really not complained to sleep a bit longer 
than sunrise. Of course the old woman had other plans and insisted 
that my training would start today and right now. Only the sliver of 
hope her offer had given me kept me from outright ignoring the gnome.
	After our conversation yesterday and the outrageous 
revelations about that marriage setup from Oyaji it had taken me some 
time to reassure a distraught Amazon that for whatever inane reason 
ever I had NOT gotten it in my head to just leave her on the road as 
soon as I found a cure. Heck, I wasn't my father. He would certainly 
pull a stunt like that and I was yet waiting for him to show up and 
try smuggle me out of the village. I believed myself to be a lot 
better than the idiot. Which, mind you, was not that hard to achieve.
	After that had been taken care of and Xian Pu assured that I 
would honor her claim first and foremost whatever may happen, the 
next problem was already standing in line. Apparently by now the 
rumors had spread enough and morphed into truly hideous versions 
among the rest of the Amazon. Things like Xian Pu supposedly drugging 
me in order to follow along or her even losing the match on purpose 
so that she could have me with the rest just show... And those were 
the milder tales spun from the shocking news of the much envied 
Tribal Champion taking a female Airen. Of course no one knew about 
the curse aspect since we all seemed to agree this was better so for 
now, and after yesterday I was sure that would fuel the fire only 
further.
	I had to fight a dozen challengers in one hour before I 
finally took refugee in the house and didn't come out again until 
now. Poor Xian Pu had a hard time calming me down. Yes, I was angry. 
Not so much about being harassed and accused over and over again. 
However, I was mad that my... wife's own tribal sister would be so 
unbelievable jealous. Some things I had heard had almost made me lose 
my cool and actually doing more than necessary to ward off the 
challengers. I had really wanted to give them a piece of my mind.
	That anger was not really based on the fact that I started to 
actually like Xian Pu. No, the Amazon girl certainly was cute and 
nice. I was used to taunts, crude remarks and all that stuff from 
Oyaji but someone like her didn't deserve it. She had set herself up 
for this despite knowing what it would to do her reputation to take 
care of me. I could just see her as a more cheerful, happy girl, yet 
circumstances had failed to give both of us nothing but masks society 
had forced us to wear. I had seen glimpses of it at our first night 
and it galled me that I might even be the cause why Xian Pu was so 
solemn since these one day and a half that I knew her. Therefore that 
made me even more pissed that someone, ANYONE would think ill of her. 
Of course this didn't mean I love her or something...
	Geez, could you go anymore in denial mode? Actually that was 
one thing more I failed to do since falling into that pool. I didn't 
seem to be able to hide anymore from my problems, how my life had 
turned out up to this point. I saw it all, the whole, bitter truth, 
and could not turn away and shrug it off as I usually did. Try as I 
might, I just couldn't. And Xian Pu... Maybe I really did care about 
her already. Even if it was only on a compassionate basis right now, 
in my current state she could probably manage to bring me to my knees 
and declare my undying love for her or something... Man, this was 
embarrassing.
	A soft squeeze of my hand reminded me that I wasn't alone out 
in the early morning air, trotting behind the old woman. No, Xian Pu 
was there as well and that worried look she sent my way made me sick. 
I just couldn't stand it. For some reason it seemed horrible out of 
place. Squeezing back I tried my best try at a convincing expression 
that would make her drop the worry. "I'm alright, really," I mumbled 
exasperated and a little bit anxious to see a different emotion from 
the Amazon. As much as I appreciated her efforts, this was gnawing on 
my resolve and it wouldn't be good to have a mental meltdown right 
here. Ack, I would rather drown myself in that damned pool again.
	Xian Pu seemed to consider for a moment, then, to my utter 
bewilderment, a small, yet happy smile lit up her face. Despite my 
surprise, it was quickly turning into a pleasant one. That was much 
better. I didn't want any guilt or overdone notions of comfort. I 
wanted to be myself again, cure or not. Maybe that training stuff 
would give me some other things to concentrate on. The Amazon for 
some truly mysterious reason kept smiling all the way to our 
destination but I didn't complain.

Tanbo
Part 2: Phoenix of Dawn
A Ranma 1/2 Alterverse Fic
Loosely based on the work of Rumiko Takahashi
Concept by Matthias Engel

(Xian Pu)
Being an early riser myself I had no problem with accompanying my 
Airen to her first training lesson. I think she had no real idea what 
she was getting into. Ranma had told me some of the methods her 
father - who was still snoring away like the fat fool that I had no 
hard time believing he was - used to train him. While some of them 
were simply sick and cruel, nothing was like a hard drill from Great-
grandmother when the Elder decided her student was worthy. Ranma was 
in for a surprise and from personal experience I knew the first weeks 
would be the hardest. She would bring you to your limits in every 
lesson and until you got comfortable with her pace, you would have a 
hard time resting.
	Yesterday had been an emotional roller coaster and more than 
once I had wished we could have just stayed with the slow sparring 
from the morning. It had cost me all my resolve to not falter but the 
revelations of Ranma's father had deeply unbalanced me. This morning, 
for a horrible long moment I had actually feared my Airen was gone to 
this fiancée of hers... his back in Japan. Of course, I knew that
was 
stupid and Ranma had made it more than clear that she fully intended 
to honor our laws. It troubled me slightly that in the span of barely 
more than a day and a half I had already developed such strong 
feelings about my Airen. There was something in Ranma though, then 
you managed to look past all the walls that she had placed around 
herself and that must have rearranged themselves upon receiving the 
curse, that the boy-turned-girl was a very special person. And I had 
seen it, in her eyes after the battle that day, when I made my 
decision. For a brief moment I had managed to glance at what my Airen 
truly was. And I longed to see it mirrored on the outside because 
somehow I knew I'd truly regret it if Ranma wouldn't be in my life.
	Focusing back on the action further in the middle of the 
enclosed mountain area, I watched quietly as Ranma and Elder Kho Lon 
were talking... alright, it was more like Great-grandmother giving my 
Airen some sort of command. Training all my life with the elder women 
I wasn't one to question her when she advised me to stay here and 
that proved to be a good thing. I had witnessed my Airen's skill 
before but it seemed what she shared with me were glimpses, only a 
fraction of her full capabilities. Ranma seemed to blur and for the 
first time ever since I could remember there was something akin to 
surprise in the Elder's face. Elder Kho Lon wasn't easily surprised, 
especially not by someone's else fighting skills.
	The cane whirled to deflect a punch I was barely able to see. 
Only my rigorous training allowed me to follow the motions although I 
doubted that I could match them. The "spar" was brief, five maybe six 
seconds. Yet, I had never seen someone going toe to toe with Great-
grandmother. Not like that.
	I was being called over when the Elder put a stop to the 
exchange and therefore could not only see but also hear her being 
impressed. "<Very good, Ranma. You managed to almost top me at half 
my power.>" My Airen blinked, as did I, before a disbelieving 
expression crossed her features. "<No way! That wasn't half your 
power.>" Elder Kho Lon just smiled in that unnerving manner and I 
made a mental note not to annoy her anymore in future training 
sessions. What was she using in our spars. One percent? I had never 
managed to beat her...
	Not further commenting on our shared disbelief, Great-
grandmother moved over to a formation of rocks and indicated with her 
staff for us to follow. "<Yet, you are nowhere near your full 
abilities yet. Your handling of chi is nothing more than average, 
weak even for one of your caliber and you could move much faster with 
the right training. That can be trained though and we will train.>" 
Standing next to a single rock, she continued: "<First though, I 
would like to see how quickly you learn. Watch.>"
	I had realized already what the Elder was going to do and 
therefore wasn't surprised, instead I watched my Airen's reaction 
while Great-grandmother showed her one of the Amazon secret 
techniques. It was amazing to see how Ranma's face completely shifted 
in the fraction of a moment from mildly interested and still somewhat 
shocked and dumbfounded to deeply concentrated and analyzing. I could 
clearly see in her eyes what could only simply be described as the 
mind of a warrior working as the sound of a shattered boulder reached 
my ears.
	"<This is the Bakusei Tenketsu or Breaking Point technique. 
Everything in this world has a weak point. A point that when touched 
can crumble the entire structure." Elder Kho Lon looked at Ranma 
quizzically. "Are you willing to try?>"
	And Ranma did try. Walking over to another boulder, she 
seemed to concentrate for a moment, intensely staring at the piece of 
stone. Then, to both mine and Great-grandmother's utter shock, jammed 
his forefinger into the boulder which promptly exploded upon contact.
	"<Masaka...>" I heard Elder Kho Lon whisper in Japanese for 
what reason ever but I think I could imagine the meaning of the word 
without really comprehending it now. It had taken me months, MONTHS, 
to learn the Breaking Point and I had carried the marks of the 
torturous training for even longer than the training itself had 
transpired. And my Airen... just picked it up...
	Wow...
	Ranma glanced around at us and blinked. "<Nani? What did I 
do? Wasn't that correct?>" Elder Kho Lon coughed and managed to 
somehow recover quicker than I thought was possible under this 
circumstances. I was still rooted to the spot. "<Quite... tremendous, 
young Ranma. Are you always picking up on other techniques so quickly?
>" My Airen thought for a moment. "<That depends. I really don't have 
anybody to compare with since Oyaji was only teaching me and didn't 
learn anything himself so... That Bakusei Tenketsu thing was easy 
though. Just a matter of concentration and trusting your spiritual 
senses for the strike. I don't really see why this should be so 
spectacular. Sure it could be helpful in a battle once in a while and 
probably to get yourself out of a trap but..."
	Was she just criticizing one of our most secret techniques? I 
looked over at Great-grandmother who seemed to be mildly 
amused. "Indeed. The technique in itself is not that spectacular. It 
is more the training for it that is the actual benefit." Of course 
Ranma had to ask what that contained of. Then Elder Kho Lon told her, 
she paled slightly and all of a sudden turned her head sharply in my 
direction. There was a question that I could give the answer to 
immediately.
	"<Is true Xian Pu learn Bakusei Tenketsu at age of seven.>"
	"SEVEN?!?"
	After my Airen was through ranting at Great-grandmother I 
wore a proud smile at her concern about my welfare.

(Ranma)
The sun was slowly beginning to set as I dragged myself along the 
path back to the Matriarch's place. My whole body ached and I never, 
ever thought that something could get to me like that. I really had 
to revaluate my earlier thoughts. Training was usually something I 
was good at, yes. This though wasn't training. Not at all. This was 
torture. And if the old hag wouldn't have made clear that she would 
only help me find a cure when I passed her training I would have told 
her exactly what I was thinking about such... training.
	The point was, I had no idea what that old, shriveled fossil 
of a warrior intended to achieve with her methods. I was used to some 
crazy notions from Oyaji but even he hadn't gone quite that far. I 
was fed up and if I wasn't so dead tired, I would have ranted all the 
way back from the Council building. What exactly happened? The oh so 
great War Master had the nerve to let me play service girl! All day! 
Alone! For the whole building! And three different, big meetings! 
What the fuck was she thinking!
	In my current state it was a miracle I managed to avoid the 
arrow aimed at my head as I did. "Great," I muttered as an Amazon 
with chestnut-colored hair tied into a loose bun jumped down from a 
nearby building, "just what I need." I was in no condition to fight. 
I knew that. And if yesterday's routine had been any indication I was 
sure that it would result in just that.
	"Stand tall and proud, bad excuse for a warrior," the other 
Amazon demanded in surprisingly fluent Japanese. I straightened, just 
a little, a brief spark of anger flaring through my body. "Who are 
you calling a bad excuse? I would like to see you 'stand tall and 
proud' after one day with the old hag." Admitted that wasn't the 
smartest thing to say and I was more than a little suspicious when 
the Amazon simply snarled at me but otherwise didn't move. "I would 
be proud to be trained by the Matriarch, you should be too."
	"I'd like to see you trying and then saying the same thing 
afterwards," I shot back, getting the nagging sense that the Amazon 
wasn't really out here to fight. Otherwise I wasn't sure whether to 
be glad about it or not. Word duels were not actually my strong 
point... more my weakest. The Amazon in question looked at me 
critically for a moment and I tried for all it was worth not to look 
like I would fall any moment and snore right there on the ground. 
That's what I wanted to do actually.
	"Maybe so," the other girl, she could hardly be much older 
than me and Xian Pu, finally said, relaxing her posture. I didn't do 
so right away... not that my stance looked impressing to begin 
with. "You have backbone, I give you that. Anyone else with your 
condition probably would be a mental wreck already. Nothing worthy of 
a warrior anymore."
	I wasn't quite sure how to take that. As a compliment or an 
insult. Then her words began to really sink in and I double-
blinked. "Wait a minute, you..." There was no way she could know. Kho 
Lon had made it quite clear that my condition should stay a secret to 
the other Amazons, at least until she had informed the rest of the 
Council - which I knew since I was there hadn't happened today. The 
Amazon cocked her head. "Now, we wouldn't want to blurt it around the 
whole village, right? Let us just say... I know a lot of things 
others don't."
	Now thoroughly confused I, for once, wisely shut my mouth and 
chose to ask Xian Pu later about the girl. I could tell she was quite 
a formidable warrior but there was something disturbingly different 
about her as well. I began to doubt her difference from the rest of 
the Amazons here with her next words. "I still don't get it why are 
you willing to go along with this tramp. She's just going to tie you 
down once you find a cure."
	A familiar annoyance and anger began to stir inside of me as 
I met the Amazon's look of distain with a heated one of my own. "No 
way! Xian Pu isn't like that. She is nice and friendly and has done 
nothing but take care of me! It's not like I have a choice anyway." 
The other girl snorted. "Right. So you are only going along because 
you have no idea what else to do. Where's your pride in this?" As I 
said, verbal arguments were not my strong point. "That's not what I 
mean! I can't believe all of you think about Xian Pu like a cold-
hearted bitch. I bet none of you have ever taken the time to really 
get to know her. You would be surprised, I tell you."
	"So, you are not going to just run off when you have a cure?" 
The question was pointed but albeit any of the earlier accusation or 
sharpness. It hit home though. What would I do if I ever got cured. I 
still wasn't sure what I felt about the Amazon. I liked her, a lot 
maybe. She had made quite clear that her, err... concept of comfort 
would in no way be binding and I believed her. Essentially though, 
the question was only left with one answer. The only honorably one. 
Even if I wouldn't be happy with it, yesterday had made it quite 
clear that there wasn't another option.
	"No," I answered simply and proceeded to ignore and just walk 
right past the Amazon. The girl in question stepped aside and I 
caught a smile on her face that made me pause. It was neither 
relieved, nor really sad. Something in-between. Nostalgic, 
melancholic maybe. I wished once again that I was better at this 
things. The Amazon gave me a nod.
	"Good." And with that she turned and walked away but not 
before turning back one last time. "Oh, and watch out for Mu Tsu, I 
hear he'll be back in town soon and he is quite... devoted to your 
wife." With that she was gone. I hadn't even learned her name and 
that last statement made me twitch for some reason. That smelled like 
trouble and I had developed a nose for that in a decade with Oyaji 
around. For now though I was still too tired and confused by the 
other Amazon's attitude to think about it any further.
	Grudgingly I resumed my walk, barely making it back.

(Xian Pu)
The moon stood high over Joketsuzoku but sleep was hard to come. It 
had taken not that long to get a beyond exhausted Ranma into bed. She 
had been almost out of it arriving on our front porch. I had warned 
her that training with Great-grandmother wouldn't be a hike in the 
mountains or something comparably easy. What exactly my Airen had 
been put through I hadn't been able to learn. But Ranma had related 
his encounter with Lhi Li. That had somewhat thrown me off balance. I 
hadn't seen her in the village for a few days and wasn't even quite 
sure if she had been at the tournament. Actually I never really SAW 
her these days. That was the sad thing because I wished we could have 
at least stayed friends...
	There had been... history between us. Not of the rival kind, 
more of the romantic kind. It had been brief, childish and mostly 
fueled by teenage hormones. Or so we had been told. Both Elder Kho 
Lon and Lhi Li's family had disapproved of the match. Not because we 
were both Amazons but our statuses in the tribe were to different. 
Lhi Li was an exceptional warrior, no doubt there. But much like 
mother she had dedicated herself more to the art of healing and her 
own passion of dancing. Lhi Li was often frowned upon because she 
refused violence if not totally necessary and would even go as far as 
turn down a challenge.
	Ultimately Kho Lon had all but forbidden me to see her again 
because she was a bad influence. Don't get me wrong I respect my 
Elder for her teachings and I was sure that being a Matriarch often 
calls for very hard decisions once in awhile. Until now though that 
was one issue I had never forgiven her for. Nowadays I often caught 
Lhi Li watching me from afar. Maybe it was her way of making sure I 
was happy. That she had obviously approved of Ranma so quickly was 
something I wasn't quite sure what to make of.
	Taking one last look outside, I let loose a heavy sigh and 
slipped back into bed. With the way Great-grandmother tended to 
challenge you the better your skill was, it was unlikely that we 
could get much time for ourselves. Of course once Ranma was through 
learning the Amaguriken - which I suppose was what Elder Kho Lon had 
in mind first -, training methods would change a little. Hopefully my 
Airen could hold up that incredible learning curve she had shown this 
morning with the Bakusei Tenketsu.
	Smiling fondly, I looked down at the sleeping redhead. Even 
with the distractions I had managed to provide the two days we had 
been together the nightmares had still been there and it didn't take 
a genius to figure out what they were about. Tonight though my Airen 
was much too spent to even think about dreaming anything at all. Her 
hair was ruffled and she hadn't been able to take a bath either (A/N: 
What, I'm not speaking about a super-modern furo here, but they are 
not THAT reclusive). Still, one could hardly believe all this was 
just a curse. In a way it seemed perfectly natural. The gleaming, red 
hair the soft but very much defined curves - not to mention the more 
intimate areas -, the graceful yet powerful body... Some might call 
it a shame, I called it a blessing. Albeit what my Airen might think, 
it would be even more a waste to not cherish the gift provided to 
her. No male usually got to know what it meant to be a girl. Of 
course, the happiness of my Airen was the first thing on my mind, 
however, I would definitely try to make her more comfortable with 
this form. And that not only physical.
	Once again I wondered why I was so determined about that. Why 
I would try to stand up against every possible difficulty of the 
situation. I couldn't quite explain. It was a mutual mix of 
compassion and growing feelings. I hadn't been in love for a long 
time... Never actually since Lhi Li. Most of this was of course Mu 
Tsu's fault - another problem that would have to be dealt with soon - 
but Ranma had just this certain... thing about her that made me try 
that little extra bit harder, that made me want to defy the 
impossible and make this work. I just KNEW that I had to succeed and 
let this feelings grow. Maybe this was the only chance I would ever 
get for a working, approved relationship that was based on feelings 
from both sides. And for that to work I would have to have some more 
time with my Airen. Something I had to insist on with Great-
grandmother. Training surely was a valuable distraction but personal 
experience taught me that this only served to temporally shut away 
your emotions.
	"Sleep well," I said, gently stroking through the mass of red 
hair. "Tomorrow will be a busy day." More like a few busy weeks, 
possible months. Hopefully the effort would be worth it... No the 
effort had to be worth it. I didn't feel like being alone any longer, 
not after that chance had been offered to me. Ranma and I were meant 
for each other. I could feel it in every cell of my being. And as 
closed up as I had been recently, this was something I could trust my 
heart on. There was a clarity that could just not be defied, not 
pushed back or decided as a weakness. Because if it was a weakness... 
why did I feel like I would actually go through with a death threat 
to anyone who threatened Ranma and our relationship?
	It was true after all, as it seemed, time did not matter to 
the heart. What had at first been anger and confusion and then a 
mutual compassion had almost turned overnight into fondness and a 
love I just could not deny anymore. It did not really matter to me 
that I only knew her cursed form. The body was not really what was 
important. For that brief moment at the challenge log I had seen 
right into her heart, yes, her soul maybe, if that was even possible. 
And beyond all this loneliness, frustration and other emotional 
shields that the redhead had built up over the years, there lay a 
beauty and brilliance that every human - men or women alike - would 
kill for to claim their own and would be more than humbled to have as 
their partner. I had this chance and I was no going to let it slip 
through my hands.
	Ranma turned in her sleep and mumbled something that I wasn't 
able to make out quite clearly but even so, I could see the beginning 
of a nightmare. So much to too exhausted to dream... A sigh came from 
my lips as I drew the redhead closer, making out words distinctively 
sounding like "Cats... No more..." I blinked at that, not quite 
understanding. Surely I had misheard. The fear accompanying the 
broken words was impossible to associate with something as harmless 
as cats. Unless... I tried to recall one of Great-grandmother's 
teachings about sealed techniques and shook my head. No way.
	Placing a kiss on my Airen's forehead I tried my best to 
soothe her and Ranma actually settled down after awhile. For a moment 
I could have sworn that I heard a soft purr coming from her. That, of 
course, was ridiculous.

(Ranma)
Almost four days had passed since the first day of training and the 
evening encounter with Lhi Li. Ironically this had turned out to be 
one of the better parts. The Amazon had somehow managed to 
accidentally cross paths with me more often - and only when I was not 
with Xian Pu - and we had talked quite a bit. She never really let 
much about herself slip, often only listened. She was often there 
when I was working and it helped distract me somewhat. I asked Xian 
Pu a couple of times about her but only got curt and evasive answers. 
It didn't feel like they had some kind of family feud or something. 
With the readiness Xian Pu had accepted a girl as her wife in the 
first place, I wouldn't have been surprised if they had some kind of 
history along those lines. I hadn't pressed the issue though, too 
glad to get some quiet time with either one of them.
	So I found myself out on the outskirts of the village, away 
from most of the turmoil, relaxing and thinking about how the last 
days had progressed. Training had been rough and slowly I had begun 
to accept the torture as this. Xian Pu hadn't been overly surprised 
when I told her in detail what I was forced to do under orders of 
that old gnome. Some of Lhi Li's comments had also served to make me 
think. The casual approval of how well I managed to handle all the 
tableware and dishes without slipping once, the slight marvel at the 
reaction speed if I got close to the first. The final straw had been 
this morning when I realized something else. Ever since I started 
training Oyaji hadn't been able to snack one bite from my plate. I 
always had taken this behavior sort of like speed training. As many 
faults as he might had and whatever his true reasons, his maxim to 
see everything as training for the part held true somewhat. Before I 
started working like a dog for the Elder the food fights had always 
been sort of even. Now, I didn't even have to really pay attention 
anymore.
	All this lead up to a simple, yet astonishing realization. My 
speed, at least that of my hands, had dramatically increased. What I 
at first saw as quite unbelievable was not too farfetched anymore. 
With a bit more of this I might even really pick those chestnuts from 
the fire without burning myself in the process. Maybe I even could 
already...
	I perked up as my senses tingled suddenly, warning me about 
the arrival of a slightly stronger-than-average chi. Vaulting myself 
out of my lying position to my feet, carefully making sure to not 
misjudge the different balance provided by the different body. That 
was one thing Xian Pu taught me between Kho Lon's training and the 
rare alone time we got and I was more than grateful for that. I 
turned around, dropping into a light defensive stand, prepared for 
anything, any crazy Amazon either out to tell me how much she 
appreciated my associated with Xian Pu or telling me on no uncertain 
points that I could have made a better choice... Okay, it wasn't that 
bad. But that attitude towards their champion really pissed me off at 
times. Aside from Lhi Li and maybe the two twins who had departed 
yesterday for a longer journey no one had bothered to actually talk 
to me or Xian Pu. And quite frankly I had no desire to let my day off 
stained by another one of those encounters...
	As it was I was a little bit more surprised to find no Amazon 
there. Well, at least not a female one. The guy was clad in long, 
white robes with long, a little unruly hair. To that he whore a set 
of heavy, thick glasses. And he didn't look very friendly either. 
Letting caution rule my motions for a moment, I tightened my guard. I 
had the sneaking suspicion that I already knew who the guy was. Being 
warned of and lamented over him from two different sides was enough 
to figure it out.
	"Saotome Ranma, I presume?" Tense muscles, hands hidden, 
obviously in preparation of a quick, pre-emptive strike, chi 
definitely laced with anger. Yup. Had to be him. I didn't move one 
bit as I met his gaze - or what could be defined that way with the 
glasses. "And you would be Mu Tsu, wouldn't you?"

(Xian Pu)
Whistling a soft tune I sat beside the lake doing some of the chores 
for the day. It was widely misinterpreted by the outside world that 
here in the village men would do everything in and around the house 
while the women were the leaders and fighters. That might be the 
general theme of our society but that did neither mean that men were 
mistreated and unhappy, nor did it mean that we were totally unable 
for matters of housekeeping. Great-grandmother had taught me since I 
was little that I should learn to be independent in everything, even 
those that others might see as unfitting for a warrior of my status. 
The proud were only fools when they failed to acknowledge that you 
could pass down the chores you didn't like onto those lower than you. 
That was an attitude that would ensure your downfall so much earlier.
	Of course, the fact that there had been no male up to now in 
the Matriarch's house was also adding to the matter and I didn't want 
to burden Ranma with something he must be totally unfamiliar with 
right now. What she needed was to built up her spirit, and training 
with Great-grandmother certainly seemed to do this. She seemed to be 
a lot better compared to the first night she came home totally 
exhausted. It appeared that the young Martial Artist had finally 
picked up on the benefits of her training. The general mood still was 
not really cheerful but she was getting there, as it seemed. Training 
seemed to take her mind off her problems and I did my best to divert 
her attention when she returned home.
	I could tell Elder Kho Lon was pleased with her quick 
progress, that's basically why she had gotten the day off. Alright... 
The fact that there were no official meetings in the Council Hall 
today was another thing. I knew Great-grandmother was finally 
bringing my Airen's case before the Council - or at least I highly 
assumed that - and didn't want Ranma around for that.
	One way or another. I was glad to have more than a few hours 
with her. Ranma had gone out to reflect on some things - mainly her 
training I supposed - but she would be back by noon. So we had the 
whole afternoon together and I planned to make it a worthwhile one, 
maybe a nice picnic and a good sparring - after all that's what we 
both enjoyed - up in the mountains would be nice. I liked the 
solitude of the Bakyhala range and that was exactly what we needed. 
Some quiet time alone, away from the ugly whispers and rumors that I 
knew aggravated my Airen more than it touched me. I had built a 
resistance over the years, still I could not deny that it hurt.
	Sometimes in those lonely hours I had longed for a friend, a 
compassionate soul, anyone who could truly understand me. I think I 
found that someone that day after the tournament. It was a fated 
meeting, I knew, someone had heard my silent wishes and sent me Ranma 
this day. That's why I knew that I couldn't throw it away. Ranma 
might be the only chance I've got and she was sharing my feelings. 
Deep down we were similar, kindred. We COULD end our loneliness, 
together...
	Right. First you have to get her out of this misery state and 
make her comfortable with the curse because if I think what Great-
grandmother has in mind about the cure she will have to live with it. 
One way or another. Sighing, I pushed away the depressing and 
melancholic thoughts, finishing with the last set of clothing. Taking 
it out from the small river running besides the village - the spring 
was somewhere up in the mountains, I was about to rise, when I felt a 
familiar presence approach.
	Startled at the person who I saw running up to me from the 
village, I must have looked rather stupid just sitting there. Lhi Li 
had never really faced me directly again since that day... I knew she 
and Ranma crossed paths a few times already and that my Airen was 
developing a liking - strictly platonic of course - to the girl. That 
had me hoping that maybe it would bring us closer - as friends at 
least - again. I wanted that, desperately. However, this was a bit 
sudden and as I finally caught up with the worry in the other girl's 
face, I knew this was about Ranma. Anything short of the Musk Empire 
launching an all-out attack on us - which I'm sure I would have 
noticed - wouldn't bring her of all people looking for me.
	"Xian Pu, come quickly..." She paused, panting. After taking 
a few breaths, she was finally able to continue: "It's, it's Mu Tsu. 
He is back earlier than we thought..." I did not need to know more. 
Of course he must have heard of what happened at the tournament 
already. It was the topic of the village ever since. And of course 
the idiot would rush right up to confront my Airen, seeing a serious 
threat to his devotion...
	Yeah, sure. Devotion. More like obsession. An obsession that 
had driven many possible suitors and/or friends away. I did not 
really blame everything on him but the fool's possessiveness had 
certainly contributed to the situation. He had taken it VERY badly 
when I was with Lhi Li and almost went about outright killing her 
once. That was about the day I thought I finally lost my childhood 
friend in earnest and left was only the blind shell of obsession. I 
did care for Mu Tsu in a way... But not as he might like it.
	Needing no further word, I placed the basket full with 
clothing on the ground, nodded to Lhi Li who returned the gesture 
with a hesitant but serious smile. A minute later I was already on my 
way, picking up the chi of two of the few people I could call close 
already from afar, I hoped I wasn't too late to prevent any permanent 
damage.

(Ranma)
"Hey, now wait a minute!"
	As if that was of any use at all. The guy was as deaf as he 
was blind. Probably even more so. As soon as I confirmed my name he 
was on me without asking further question. Not questioning that 
whatever he heard - rumors tended to escalate - was true or demanding 
anything. I had not really believed Lhi Li when she said he had even 
tried to kill someone who got to close to Xian Pu once. Now it became 
painfully clear that she had most likely spoken out of own 
experience. Oh well. It was not as if he could hit me.
	Granted the guy was quick, probably even quicker than I had 
been before arriving here. However, the training from the Old Ghoul 
really began to leave its marks and the female body might lack in a 
bit of strength but that was outweighed by a much more useful 
increase in speed and agility. Therefore Mu Tsu had yet to connect 
with a single attack. Not that it slowed him down any.
	Dodging a chain and swaying to the side to avoid this 
ridiculous "swan fist" - really disgusting - I wondered once again 
how the hell he managed to hide all the stuff in his robe without 
being rooted to the ground. Another feint was equally foreseen and 
countered as I decided that my opponent would not tire out any time 
soon. So it was best to go into the offense. Bending slightly I let 
Mu Tsu's leg pass me and moved in with a speed that brought an 
astonished look on my opponent's face. Unleashing three different 
combos in the span of a few moments even surprised me a bit and the 
Amazon warrior stumbled back, nearly tumbling over in pain. But not 
beaten yet.
	That was quicker than I thought. He hadn't even time to 
react... That really got to me. I knew I was good but pride put aside 
I also knew that I wasn't that good. That brief skill test from the 
Elder at the beginning of my training, I had gone all out then and 
had hardly been able to move THAT fast. This was a magnificent 
development and I yearned to put this to a more thorough test.
	As if he heard me Mu Tsu provided me with just that test. "No 
way. Nobody will take away and hurt my Xian Pu anymore! Die, Saotome! 
CHIITAN CHUAN!" I blinked at first at the name but when he really 
started to throw eggs at me that exploded upon contact I was a bit 
more weary. Barely avoiding the first wave with just a few scratches, 
I let instincts take other and ignite a Bakusei Tenketsu to shield 
myself in a blast of exploding earth which also provided me with the 
opportunity to reposition myself. Closing my eyes briefly I drew upon 
my inner chi and snapping them open was prepared for the next wave.
	"KACHU TENSHIN AMAGURIKEN!" Even through the thick glasses I 
could see Mu Tsu's eyes practically bugging out as I picked every 
single egg out of mid-air and returned them to him before they could 
explode in my hands. This was rather similar to the task Elder Kho 
Lon had set me to achieve and with the rate I picked up the eggs and 
did not miss a single one, I was pretty sure that I could pull that 
task off too now. I understood now that the technique was not only a 
matter of speed but also one of the spirit, of adding your chi and 
putting all your heart into it. There was just so much speed a human 
being could manage to achieve on his own, every higher levels had to 
be fueled by your chi. That much I knew already. But that heighten 
sense of awareness was new. I even felt much more in tune with myself 
now.
	"What?" Mu Tsu managed to exclaim before his own egg bombs 
exploded all around him, flinging him through the air in a wide arc. 
I allowed myself a small smirk, after all I had barely touched him in 
the whole fight. Deciding to finish this quickly, I made a jump over 
the dust of the explosions and before my opponent even landed roughly 
from his self-inflicted ordeal I came down with a knee smashing into 
his belly. He let out a gurgling noise as we hit the ground and I had 
my fist drawn back...
	Again it was one of those moments. Before Jusenkyo I would 
have simply punched the fool senseless and let Xian Pu or her Great-
grandmother deal with him. I didn't do that now. I still hadn't quite 
figured out the reason. If it wasn't so ridiculous I would say that 
the curse had inflicted me with a latent gift of empathy. However, as 
I said, that was ridiculous. Nonetheless since Jusenkyo I had gained 
a much better insight of other people's behavior. Why they did it, 
what motivated them and that sort of thing. Maybe it had just been my 
pride and high confidence preventing me from paying more mind to 
other people's motives. Maybe it had been Oyaji's influence... Maybe 
none of this.
	However, this was one of those moments and I could not deny 
that I felt strangely detached as I lowered my fist and stared deeply 
into the Amazon warrior's eyes. His glasses had come off in the fall 
but he still seemed to be able to focus. Or maybe it was my intense 
gaze that made him focus. "Did you think for one moment that you 
might hurt Xian Pu even more when you succeeded in killing me." The 
words were not whispered, instead spoken quietly but clearly. I could 
sense a small audience watching us already. Under which Xian Pu had 
arrived just now as well.
	Mu Tsu opened his mouth to say something in return, then 
closed it again as his face slightly paled. "But... You... She... You 
can't... We are..." There was so much in the other man's eyes that I 
would normally not have been able to pick up. I pulled back and 
looked up to meet my wife's eyes for a brief exchange that confirmed 
everything I needed to know right now. "She DOES love you, Mu Tsu." 
The other man brightened immediately but I was quick to add my next 
words. "As a friend. A friend that she dearly needs. Do you know why 
that is?" Again Mu Tsu went for an answer but nothing came out. I 
knew he was debating with himself. Trying to work himself out of the 
labyrinth of an illusion he had built inside his mind. "Listen to 
your heart, Mu Tsu. If you don't see the truth now, that friend will 
also be lost to her."
	Kuso, I sounded corny as hell. Oyaji would probably go nuts. 
But on a basic level I could even understand where all this came 
from. I knew it from my own life. As much as I Xian Pu wanted nothing 
more than to have someone there that she could talk to, relate to. 
Someone her age that was not there to teach or challenge her. Ever 
since Ukyo I didn't have such a friend. And I missed it. Badly. What 
if my old buddy suddenly turned out to be a girl and would one day 
come wanting to marry me and not see that all I ever wanted was being 
friends? It would crush me, I was sure of that.
	There was a strained silence in which everyone seemed to hold 
their breath. Finally Mu Tsu blinked and I could see comprehension 
dawning in his eyes, comprehension followed by a painful realization. 
Standing up quietly I offered him my hand and to my mild surprise he 
took the offer with a trembling yet strong grip. As soon as he was 
up, Mu Tsu averted his gaze, briefly glancing in Xian Pu's direction 
who was by now totally stunned at the new development.
	His shoulders were slumped and all in all appearing just like 
I must have been at the tournament a few days ago when Xian Pu had 
threatened to kill me. After almost a minute passed he looked up at 
me. "You are the better warrior, Saotome, and... the better person 
apparently. Take care of Xian Pu, I know you will. As a friend, if I 
can still call myself that, I ask you to take care of her." And with 
that he turned and walked away. I could see Xian Pu hesitating, 
taking a step after him but Kho Lon who was at her side quietly held 
her cane in front of her and shook her head. He needed time now. That 
was for sure.
	I glanced up at one of the roofs, smiling in the direction 
where I was almost certain Lhi Li was hiding. The Amazon briefly 
showed herself with a smile of approval and then bounded off into the 
distance.
	"Well," I commented after awhile, "that went better than I 
expected."

(Xian Pu)
It was two days after the Mu Tsu incident that we found each other up 
here in the Bakyhala mountains finally having this picnic. Ranma and 
I had picked our spot high up in fresh, clear mountain air that 
granted a lovely view over the land below, including my village. The 
event that had been planned two days earlier had been cancelled since 
the confrontation left all participants a little emotional torn. I 
was totally stunned by my Airen's course of action. Nobody, including 
me, had ever managed to pierce through his stubbornness and wall of 
self-perception. I had understood the dilemma on a basic level but 
since I was the object of illusion it was virtually impossible to 
make him see. It was amazing and quite frankly I was proud of Ranma 
for her to crack that shell and make Mu Tsu finally see the truth. 
However, it wasn't that surprising after all if you recalled that my 
Airen was ten years virtually with no other friend than the art - his 
father not counting.
	The confrontation left not only Mu Tsu's heart scarred but 
apparently also tore open a few old ones in Ranma's. I had not seen 
her for the rest of the day and when she finally returned, she seemed 
to act like nothing was wrong. Yes sure, it was all an act, but by 
that time I had been too worried to think straight and was a little 
pissed. The next day Ranma had probably been begging for forgiveness 
which really made me feel rather shitty, after all it was me who 
should have known that she needed some space after this. I had 
finally given in to her demands that she wanted to make it up to me 
but only under the condition that we would both enjoy ourselves. 
Secretly I had been smiling a little at her obvious concern. I knew, 
as with so many things, instinctually that was not something she 
would normally to do anyone. Which was also a point why I didn't let 
my joy show openly. The demure attitude was a reaction from the curse 
obviously. As nice as it was, it wasn't really Ranma speaking... 
well, not totally.
	"<Hey, why so gloomy. Wasn't it you who said that we BOTH 
enjoy ourselves?>" Ranma's voice snapped me out of my trance and I 
glanced up with a smile for my Airen. "You are right. It's just... 
I..." I trailed of, not quite realizing that I had slipped back to 
Mandarin. Which of course didn't mean Ranma hadn't understood a word. 
We both had made an effort to learn the other's language better. It 
was sort of a silent agreement. And Ranma proved that his eidetic 
memory - as Elder Kho Lon called it - was not only helpful to pick up 
new techniques quicker. It was just a matter of wanting to learn... I 
chuckled mentally, that was something I could easily refer to. I 
hated education lessons too, and with Great-Grandmother you just 
couldn't get away from them...
	"<Just what?>" my Airen asked back in his native language. We 
had often slipped into this routine since both of us seemed to 
understand the other's native tongue better than speaking it. "Oh, 
it's just... I... I wanted to thank you for what you did." It was 
true, I never properly expressed my gratitude for the way she had 
handled Mu Tsu, understanding instinctively that despite everything I 
didn't want the fool dead or hurt severely.
	Of course Ranma being Ranma, albeit all the qualities she had 
shown in handling the blind fool, was still rather clueless at 
times. "<Eh? What do you mean?>" Like now. I sighed then giggled 
slightly which caused my companion to be even more confused and to 
look a bit hurt. Suddenly snapping back to serious again I stared up 
at the mountain tops. "Thank you for understanding. About Mu Tsu."
	"Oh." There was a silence following and after awhile I looked 
ahead again when I felt a hand resting on my shoulder. Ranma stood, 
slightly bowed forward over me, a little sweat from training the 
Dragon - at least the motions for now - for the past half an hour was 
still glistering all over my Airen's beautiful face and shimmering 
red hair. All of that paled though in comparison when our eyes 
locked. Just like that day of the tournament, the day I had spared 
the cursed young man's life, the day I fell in love with this lonely 
soul that was just like me.
	The realization and clarity came as quite a bit of a shock. 
Yes, I had fallen for her that moment. I had already been totally 
lost then. It made sense after all. I was so dead set on executing my 
revenge that nothing short of a cosmic miracle could have stopped me 
to follow through with the killing blow... A cosmic miracle or just 
simple love. It didn't matter really that we barely knew each other. 
Time wasn't the important factor for love. Time didn't matter for the 
heart. It wasn't important if boy or girl. It were those eyes - eyes 
that were said to be the mirror of one's soul - that had captured me 
from that very moment without any chance of ever releasing that hold 
again.
	"Ranma..." I whispered, aware that there were tears forming 
in the corner of my eyes. The redhead looked a little uncomfortable 
with the sudden emotional turmoil directed at her that was for sure. 
To her credit she didn't pull back. Not even when I reached out to 
pull the slender yet powerful girl down against me. She let out a 
small squeal of surprise though which was caught of quickly by a 
heated kiss. After a short time of half-hearted struggling my Airen 
melted into the contact which continued for quite some time.
	Finally I pulled back, to gaze at Ranma who was totally 
flustered and unable to form a coherent sound or move from her 
awkward position in my lap. Not that I minded. I reached up to brush 
through some red strands and then settled my hand on her left cheek 
to cup her face gently. "What are you doing to me?" I whispered 
amazed at the reaction my whole being suddenly showed. It was not 
only my body, but my heart and spirit danced with a joy I had not 
known since Mother left. Scars that I thought I would carry forever 
on my soul seemed to heal... No, I truly couldn't grasp all that the 
young cursed boy/girl did to me. The one thing was and remained clear 
now though. "<Aishiteru,>" I whispered the words in her native tongue.
	"<Xian Pu...>" Ranma shifted a little uncomfortable. She was 
about to say something in return but I placed a finger on her lips, 
hushing her effectively. "Don't. You are not ready yet. I don't 
expect you to answer to that right now." I wanted. My heart yearned 
to hear those words returned. But it was better this way. Ranma 
wasn't ready yet. And she wasn't quite herself again. As much as I 
wanted to hear her speak those words, I wanted it to be the real 
Ranma, free of the mantle of sadness and shame the curse had put 
around her. I wanted it to come from the heart, not just because she 
felt it necessary.
	I was a little surprised to have Ranma lean forward to 
actually fall into an embrace. Usually it was me who had to 
initialize those things. Those simple gestures most of the time 
weren't speaking much about love. They were comfort, a safe harbor 
for my Airen to run away from her misery. This time something felt 
different though. "<Arigato.>" I blinked, surprised and confused at 
the same time. I was about to ask what she was thanking ME for but 
Ranma was already explaining. "<You know, the thing with Mu Tsu. I 
still don't know how I did it, usually I just screw such things up. I 
thought it had something to do with the curse. Maybe that is true. 
But a lot of it is your doing. Compared to what you did and still do 
for me here, helping your friend see the truth is a small thing. You 
are right, I'm not ready yet to say those words. Demo, I... I just 
want to thank you for being here... for me.>" A single tear slipped 
past the redhead's closed eyelids and even so close it was a strain 
to make out the last whispered words. "<No one ever did.>"
	I was at a loss of what to do, completely stunned by the 
honest and touching words from the girl in my arms. However, somehow 
I knew that this moment didn't need any further words as I simply 
continued holding my Airen for awhile. The moment had been a seminal 
one, one of honest declarations, feelings shared and discovered. And 
I had felt that a real hope was built today. The glimmer that had 
begun a few days ago had evolved into a tiny star now. A star of hope 
for both of our futures. A shared future. One that might not be so 
lonely anymore.

(Genma)
Who would have thought. Me, Saotome Genma trapped in a village of 
females who pretended to be warriors. Hah, what a ridiculous thought. 
I looked sheepishly around but chided me right away for the silly 
notion. They couldn't read minds or something. Not to mention that 
nobody saw me cloaked in the Yamasenken. I dreaded to use this 
hellish technique again but there was no other way. This had to end 
right now. By now I was sure Ranma had gotten to his senses and if 
not... Well, the so-called "training" under the shriveled old woman 
that reminded me too much of a certain someone for my liking had 
obviously taken its toll on him. He would either be too weak or too 
easy to influence to not see reason.
	It was a real shame. After all this years I had spent on 
making him a splendid heir to our school, fulfilling my part of the 
promise the boy got it into his head that he rather wanted to stay 
here with this - admittedly caring and at least adequate skilled - 
Amazon. Of course this was nothing personal against the girl and I 
probably would have even approved had the other thing not stood. I 
had promised Tendo-kun after all. Not too mention that living here 
amidst a society ruled by woman for longer than necessary compared to 
a nice, cozy dojo was just...
	Anyway. The boy would come to his senses or I would have to 
make him. He would thank me later. That much was for sure. After all 
I, as his father, should know what was best for him. And then we 
could finally return to Tokyo, join the schools and everything would 
be fine. Heck, with Ranma safely married I could finally see Nodoka-
chan again without that godforsaken promise over our heads...
	Kuso. Who was I fooling with that? Not even myself. My only 
son was a girl. Permanent. And the only chance for a cure obviously 
lay here but that would require him to stay faithful to the Amazon 
and... A real mess. How could the boy do something like that to me? 
Why couldn't he be more thankful and appreciate what his old man did 
for him? Why had I been so stupid to push him back in this cursed 
pool.
	Matte... That wasn't my... Hell, it WAS my fault. I couldn't 
even deny it myself. Not this time. For once there was no way of an 
escape with minimum loss. And I had managed to screw it all up. Now I 
could never go back to Nodoka or honor the promise with Tendo. I 
would forever be stuck here. There was no way to satisfy the two most 
important promises in my life.
	Shaking my head I rounded another corner finally spotting 
Ranma sitting on the front porch of the actually quite spacious 
house. It was dark, nearing midnight. Perfect. I knew that he and the 
Amazon had had a bit of a misunderstanding after Ranma vanished for 
awhile. Perfect opportunity. We could be out before someone even knew 
the boy wasn't in his room and then... then... No! I shouldn't think 
about that. There surely would be another way of curing his condition.
	I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that I had for a moment 
not kept a close eye on my surroundings and realized too late that I 
had relaxed my hold on the Yamasenken for a tiny moment. In that 
moment the redhead had moved with a speed I was totally incapable of 
comprehending. "Forget it, Oyaji." Pain suddenly exploded all over my 
body as hundreds of blows smashed into me in the space of a few 
seconds. I tried to bring up my guard but the motions were too 
quick. "Other than you I hold my promises. And I made one to Xian Pu 
that YOU won't make me break. This is my life and I intend to longer 
led it be ruled by your idiocy. Not. Anymore." As the final right 
look landed and I sailed through the sky soon after, I marveled at 
the irony of the statement because it was so frighteningly true. The 
one promise that I had sacrificed anything else for and the other one 
that I HAD to hold I could not fulfill and that just because Ranma 
wanted to fulfill his. In an odd sense I was a little proud. But only 
a little.
	Looking down I searched for a soft landing spot but came up 
empty. "Err, this is going to hurt..."

<A few days later (Ranma)>
"Really, I don't believe the idiot. Trying to sneak in our room and 
snatch me!" The statement was more one of humor than of anger. That 
had been about the, um... thirty-fifth's attempt of Oyaji to get me 
out of the village unseen. He was growing impatient and relentless, 
being trapped here with all the women around him. Of course he 
wouldn't be treated well, even if nobody knew of the curse situation, 
the fool never stopped to realize what I had awhile ago already. 
Society's prejudices that Amazons would mistreat their men was only 
true when you deserved it. I had seen many men here that were 
obviously quite happy with their lives here and had nothing to 
complain about.
	Of course that wasn't the real reason why the panda fool 
wanted out of here. Since finishing the Amaguriken training I had 
spent much more time with Xian Pu. Elder Kho Lon was now training us 
at the same time deeper in the art of chi manipulation and how to 
extract that power to use it for battle purpose. It was a good 
convenience that she had planned that for her heir anyway. And I 
could not deny that after that day in the mountains I felt more and 
more comfortable with the Amazon around. Not only out of comfort 
reasons alone anymore. No, I was beginning to fall for her. Plain and 
simple. I might not be ready to totally accept that yet but even 
thinking of her as my wife by their laws didn't automatically fluster 
me anymore.
	"<Yes, I mean. Even if he could get you two out, there would 
be a search party on you in no time.>" Xian Pu stopped in her step 
and turned towards me, a serious look suddenly on her face that I had 
learned to recognize in the past days. "<I am glad you feel that you 
have to stay.> I know what she was talking about. It had just been 
four days ago when Oyaji - on Elder Kho Lon's inquiry actually - had 
begun teaching me the Forbidden Saotome Style that he had created and 
sealed because they became too dangerous. Surprisingly he agreed but 
soon I found out that he only wanted to show me the Yamasenken to 
slip out unnoticed. I had told him point blank that I wasn't planning 
on leaving here anytime soon. After Jusenkyo I had had finally 
enough. Ten years I had let him push me around and went along with 
all his stupid ideas. Not anymore. Not with this. Not because of the 
curse. I couldn't do it because of Xian Pu, that would surely break 
her heart.
	Closing the distance between us with a step, I gently reached 
out to touch her arm, making her look at me. It was a gift I had come 
to cherish. The ability for us to communicate with our eyes alone. 
For some reason there were never many words needed to let the other 
knew what they felt. I could try as much as I wanted, I wasn't able 
to emotionally shield myself from her. Too much had been shared 
already. "<I don't feel that I have to stay. I want to stay.>" My 
Chinese had become more fluent. It really was a matter of putting 
your heart into it. I could learn a language like a Martial Arts 
technique.
	Xian Pu reached up with her hand to touch my cheek and I 
relished in the feeling of the familiar warmth, beginning to spread 
through my body. Until now I had no idea if something would have come 
out of this moment. But of course, life couldn't just stop throwing 
its problems on me for a single moment of happiness. No, that would 
have been too much to ask.
	"Saotome Ranma!" A voice suddenly bellowed through the 
silence of the early morning village which snapped both of us out of 
the trance we had been in. "I know you are here! Come out and fight 
me!" I blinked, trying to locate the source of the definitely male 
voice. It was some distance away, somewhere from the main entrance. I 
looked at Xian Pu and upon her nod, we both took to the roofs and 
raced in the direction where I could take up an easily identifiable 
tingle of anger chi. A lot of anger and depression. Hmm, whoever 
could that be? Mu Tsu was out of the question. No one had spotted him 
since the day of our confrontation and I had the feeling that any 
harsh feelings between us were extinguished then. So who else could 
it be?

(Xian Pu)
Quickly making our way to the main entrance of the village Ranma and 
I soon found out the origin of the idiot that had interrupted our 
moment... Err, I mean issued a quite obvious challenge to my Airen 
for what reason ever. Crouching low on one of the higher roofs we had 
a good view on the figure standing INSIDE the gates that were 
apparently pushed open. Granted, we had not the most steadfast 
material here but anyone crafty enough to push their way through the 
heavy gates had to be given more than just a passing thought. And 
where were the guards? I didn't spot any which either meant the 
intruder had disposed of them, they had been slacking off or either 
had no intentions to make a move.
	The latter became more and more believable. Of course it 
could be because most of my sisters still didn't appreciate my 
Airen... or better my Airen with me, which might lead to beli