Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Destiny of the Magi ❯ Mind over Matter, err, I mean Magic ( Chapter 8 )

"Thanks for visiting! Come again soon!" Kikori smiled brightly as another customer walks out of the `Mystical Dimension'.

< Just like all the other times, just Ranma and me. > Kikori sighed as she waited for another customer to help, or Ranma to come back with their lunch, whichever comes first. < As Ranma so colorfully puts it, this is SO FREAKING BORING! >

" `Scuse me, can you help me? I was just wondering what this stick does."

Kikori puts on her bright smile once again and helps another customer in need, < Next time, I'm buying lunching instead! >

"Lunch is here!" Ranma announced cheerfully as he walks into the store.

Kikori's bright smile somehow turns a bit dark, "Ranma can you come over here for a bit."

"Sure." Ranma placed their lunch on the counter before following Kikori's request.

Kikori gave the customer a wink and pokes the `stick' at Ranma's arm.

CHINK

"Kikori... you KNOW how I don't like you testing stuff on me right?" Ranma said wiry.

"That's what this wand does, it freezes something. Great for making lots of desserts like popsicles and of course you can always use it on annoying people too." Kikori explains the wand's function to the customer, completely ignoring her partner's complaints.

The said customer sweatdropped watching Ranma trying to hack the ice away.

"Err, thank you, I'll take a pack of these I guess."

"If you don't mind, please come this way." Kikori says politely and leads the customer to the counter.

"Stupid Kikori." Ranma mumbled as he continues to hack at the ice encasing his arm, "Just you wait, I'll get you back one of these days!"

Noting the bright sun outside, Ranma walks out trying his luck at thawing himself out in the sun.

"This should help a bit." Ranma muttered and held his arm about his head.

"As much as I'm amused at this scene, can you tell me why you have ice on your arm and WHY you are doing whatever your doing?"

Ranma blinked and turned to see the middle daughter of the Tendo family. "Oh hi Nabiki."

"So?"

"Kikori demonstrated another of our products on me." Ranma said lamely, "And I'm standing in the sun to thaw out the ice."

Nabiki snickered, "I guess that's one way to do that."

"It's not like I can cast some spells to get rid of the ice." Ranma commented, "If I DO cast a spell, I'll probably blow my arm up instead."

"So I heard you have another fight soon." Nabiki said, "Mind if you have an audience?"

Ranma shook his head, "Sorry, not this time. I've agreed to an no restriction fight, so I can't have any audience except for a representative on each side as judge."

Nabiki cursed inwardly at the lost of another entertaining battle, and some profit, "Well can you tell me the out come still?"

The pigtailed mage adopted a thoughtful expression, "Actually, I think I know a way for an audience without interfering with the duel."

Nabiki smiled, "Do tell."

"Well, we just received some `spy rocks' from the mage tower," Ranma said, "They are basically spy cameras that are rocks, not disguised, but actual rocks. Then you have another rock, the `vid rock' that projects whatever the `spy rocks' capture."

Nabiki stared at Ranma, "Are those imbuers perverts or something. Why the hell are they making spy cameras that are basically undetectable by non-magic users?"

Ranma chuckled, "Their bored, that's what they do when they got too much time on their hands."

"I'll take a dozen of them."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~

Act 1: Chapter 8

Mind over Matter, err, I mean Magic

Kikori let out a sigh as she closed up the shop, "Wow, can't believe people would still come after us closing for a few days."

The Priestess leans on the counter of the store and stares out of the window, "Sun sets just isn't as beautiful in the city compared to the open field."

"Ya got that right!" Ranma said walking towards his partner, "But we can't complain, at least we gotta good bed ta sleep in when we're in the city."

Kikori smiled, "That's true, but then again, you never minded sleeping in a sleeping bag."

Ranma grinned, "I grew up sleeping in a sleeping bag, not like some prissy princess I know of."

Kikori gave her partner a short glare, "That was SO long ago."

"So who's the girl that STILL can't pitch a tent after 3 or so years of camping?" Ranma retorted with a grin.

"You're cooking tonight." Kikori said simply and continues to look out the window.

Ranma winced, "Aww, come on! I was just joking around!"

Kikori ignores him and stares at a bird outside, "Hey, what's a eagle doing in Japan?"

Ranma blinked at the sudden change of topic, "What eagle?"

"That eagle." Kikori said pointing at the eagle.

"Well, I'm guessin' that this is the Elder's great grand daughter's challenge letter." Ranma said walking outside.

"Well, the challenge letter must be interesting with a bird like that carrying it." Kikori said and followed Ranma outside.

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

"Where is that challenge letter." Ranma wondered out loud as he examines the eagle in front of him, "Doesn't look like anything is attached to it."

The eagle is just like any other bald eagle you find in the wild, white colored head with brownish black feathers covering the rest of its body. However, the eyes of the eagle seem draws the attention of Ranma. They seem to glow in a way that can't be seen.

Kikori walks up beside Ranma and looks at the bird, "Well, at least we get to look at a eagle close up."

The eagle tilted its head as if trying to understand what the two mages are talking about.

"Well guess I was wrong." Ranma said with a shrug and starts to walk back in.

"Ranma Saotome of the Kyoto tower, 3rd circle spirit mage, caller talented."

"Umm Ranma, the bird just talked."

Ranma stopped in mid stride and makes an impressive 180-degree turn without changing his pose and stares at the bird as it continues to `speak'.

"I Xian Pu of the Chinese Amazons, Mind mage of the Beijing mage tower challenge you to a honorable one on one duel."

Ranma watch, amazed and amused at the same time, as a feminine voice sounds each time the eagle opens its beak.

< Neat trick, maybe I can learn that too >

"My representative will be the elder of the Chinese Amazons, council member of the Mind mages. If you accept this challenge, please now state that you do accept and who your representative will be."

Ranma blinked, "Err, I accept your challenge?"

After a few minutes of silence, Kikori rolled her eyes and nudged her partner and whispered into his ears, "Your suppose to name your representative too."

"Oh, umm, Kikori Sekihara, Priestess of the Goddess of healing under the Kyoto tower will be my representative."

The eyes of the eagle suddenly fill itself with white light and the light fades just as suddenly as it happened.

"Your acceptance to the challenge as been acknowledged, the duel will take place the day after tomorrow at 1500 hours in the empty lot at the edge of Nerima. Thank you. Please feed the eagle after the spell wears off and let it fly back to it's home."

The two mages blinked in unison as the message ends. The unseen glow that was seemingly present in the eagle's eyes also faded away.

"I guess the spell wore off." Ranma said plainly.

"I think we're supposed to feed it something." Kikori said still in her stupor.

"I'll get some meat from the fridge." Ranma replied and walk back into the house.

The priestess kneeled down beside the bird and looks at it, "Well, if you don't mind waiting Ranma will get something for you to eat ok?"

The eagle tilts it's head sideways again and hops onto Kikori's shoulders.

"Well if you'll feel comfortable like this." Kikori said as she stood there waiting for Ranma, "So..."

Kikori blinked and shook her head, "What am I doing? Talking to a bird! I'm either going crazy or I'm just really bored."

The eagle just chirped in reply.

"Great... I'm going crazy from being bored."

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

Ranma is wakes up to the sound of Kikori laughing, < Well that's one sound that I'll always be glad to wake up to. I mean if it's Kikori yelling, I'd probably be dead already >

Clicks and chirps quickly follow this laughter, < Huh? What's a bird doing here? >

Ranma pushes himself off his bed and walks out to the small porch. The porch has a ladder that leads to the roof of the apartment/store for Kikori to get up. Ranma prefers to fly up via his flight spell.

"Mornin' Kikori." Ranma said drowsily, "Wassup?"

"Good morning Ranma." Kikori replied with a cheerful smile, "Guess what?"

"I dun like guessin' games in the morning and ya know that." Ranma replied dully.

"That eagle that send us the message yesterday. It's staying with us, seems like he likes me." Kikori smiled brightly as the eagle swoops back and lands on her shoulder.

"Don't ya need a permit or somethin' for a pet like that?" Ranma said rubbing his eyes, "Not ta mention, the mage towers usually don't allow pets in them."

Kikori just shrugged, "Doesn't matter. I'm going to get her registered today and she can live outside the mage tower no problem. I mean eagles ARE pretty high up on the food chain."

Ranma sighed, "You figured a name for it yet?"

"No, not yet," Kikori smiled, "You want to suggest a name?"

Ranma shook his head, "Naw, just wonderin'"

"Good, you'd probably name it E-chan, E for eagle and chan for cute." Kikori laughed.

"I'm not that bad with names!" Ranma scrawled

"I know." Kikori smile apologetically.

"Well I think you should ask Nabiki to help you with that," Ranma said, "She seems to have a knack with these stuff."

"I'll do that."

Ranma's stomach chose to growl at this moment to make itself known.

"Right after breakfast." Kikori let out a small laugh and walked back in.

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

"Well, all you need is to fill in some forms and have her checked out at a certified vet then your all set." Nabiki said studying the bird that is perched on Kikori's shoulder, "I'm curious, how do you know it's a girl and not a guy?"

The priestess smiled, "I majored in Biology when I was studying in the mage tower."

"I see." Nabiki said noting the implied College degree.

"Wow, you graduated from college already!" Akane gasped.

"Yes, so did Ranma." Kikori explained, "All mages are required to have at least a college degree on at least one subject before they can become true mages."

"That must be tough." Akane said

"Yes it is." The priestess said patting the eagle's head, "Thanks for your help Nabiki." Kikori said standing up and making a bow.

"Don't worry about it," Nabiki replied.

Akane continues to stare at the bird, "So have you named it yet?"

Ranma walks in from the kitchen helping Kasumi by carrying a tray of cookies, "Nope, the birds not named."

Kikori nodded to confirm Ranma's comment.

"Wow can I name her!"

"Sure.

"Call her E-chan!" Akane said, "E for eagle and chan for cute!"

Ranma let out a snicker and Kikori blushed.

The youngest Tendo shoots a glare at Ranma, "What so funny?"

"Nothin'" Ranma replied and sits down beside his partner before letting out another snicker, "And you say I am bad with names Kikori."

The priestess blushed harder, "Sorry Ranma."

Akane fumed harder, "Idiot."

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

"Well, looks like that eagle of yours is in good health," The vet said as he finished checking the bird who is still perched on Kikori's shoulder, "Just attach this to those form of yours and bring them to the city hall and you'll be set."

Kikori bowed, "Thank you for you assistance."

"Glad to help anyone from the mage tower miss." The vet replied with a grin, "I'm impressed, how did you manage to tame an eagle?"

Kikori shrugged, "I'm not sure, animals seem to like me a lot."

"Ah, you must be very close to nature." The vet said wisely, "That's a very good gift."

Kikori smiled, "Thank you." The priestess glanced at the clock mounted on the wall of the room she is in, "I have to get going, I'm not sure if Ranma can keep the shop running by himself for much longer."

"Well remember to come get your eagle checked up every month." The vet said as he led Kikori out the door.

"Will do."

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

"Well how did it go?" Ranma said as he attempts to pat the eagle, who tries to peck him in return, "Hey! Don't you know it's impolite to peck people!"

Kikori let out a giggle, "Well Fudari here checks out fine and I'll be getting the papers by the end of the week."

`Fudari' tilts her head sideways as if trying to comprehend what the priestess was saying, "And yes, it's not nice to peck people Fudari."

The eagle let out a chirp in reply.

"At least the bird is smart." Ranma said with a shrug.

Kikori looks at Ranma, "Something is bothering you."

"Yeah?"

"You're worried about the up coming fight." Kikori stated.

"Yeah." Ranma let out a breath, "It's just that I've never fought with a mind mage before. I don't know what to expect."

"That's what you said about our first mission." Kikori smiled reassuringly, "And we still did all right."

"But that's `cause I had your help." Ranma countered.

"Well if you keep telling yourself that, then how can you win? I mean if you don't believe in yourself, who will right?"

The pig-tailed mage sighed, "Guess ya right."

Fudari blinked at the conversation and decides to fly off as the two mages changes subject.

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

< To be one, spirit, mind, body, that is the goal of the art. >

< To win, to be the best boy, that is why you're learnin' this. To lose my boy, is to be nothing. >

< The art is not for the weak, nor is it for the strong. It is for those who desire to live, to protect, and to love. >

< Emotions slows you down boy, don't let them! >

Sweat dripped from Ranma's face down onto the floor of his room making a small puddle of sweat. Light from the window shone down on to him in the middle of the room, sitting in a lotus position, as he continues to meditate clearing his minds.

< Never forget what you use the art for. >

< Do whatever it takes to win! >

"Damn it, this is one thing I hate about pops! Him and his stupid view on Martial arts! Still, he is at least good when it counts." Ranma panted as his concentration finally breaks. Pushing himself up, Ranma looks at the clock hanging on the wall of his room, "Man, been at this for two hours already!"

The door to his room creaks open slowly and Kikori pokes her head through the crack, "Your done?"

Ranma wipes his sweat from his brows, "Yeah, I'm done."

"I don't get it, why do you insist on doing this?" Kikori frowned, "All this Ki flow that you continue to talk about doesn't seem to help much."

Ranma chuckled, "You'll have ta hear what those Tibet monks have ta say about Ki before ya make any comments. They make very good arguments ya know?"

"I'll have to hear it to believe you." Kikori said walking in to the room, "I am NOT cleaning your mess for you."

Ranma looks at the puddle of sweat that formed at where he was sitting, "Don't worry, I'll clean it up."

"You better!" Kikori frowned, "It's your shift in the shop by the way."

Ranma nodded and walked out of the room followed by Kikori.

"Say Kikori, you know where Elder Cologne is staying right now?" Ranma asked as they head down to the shop, "I want to know how much longer we need to keep those magic stuff here."

"The Elder is probably staying in a hotel," Kikori said casually, "and when they want the artifacts back, she'll come and tell us."

"Still, I'd feel better knowing how much longer we need ta keep the stuff." Ranma commented as he pushed open to door that leads to the shop, "Gives me the creeps keeping those stuff here."

"You just don't want to get another curse." Kikori said smugly, "And with all the things that happen when you're around, I wouldn't be surprised if you DO get another curse."

Ranma scrawled, "More the reason ta get rid of the stuff!"

"And all the wands in the shop doesn't creep you out?" Kikori said waving another random wand at Ranma.

The pig-tailed teen swatted away the wand, "These stuff dun give me no curse!"

"But they still hurt a lot." Kikori replied with a grin and tapped Ranma with the wand.

"OOOOWWWWWW!" Ranma screeched as electricity ran through his body from the wand, "I TOLD you not ta do that again!"

Kikori walks off with an innocent look.

"Stupid Kikori." Ranma mumbled.

"I see Priestess Sekihara has once again managed to get you with the shock wands."

Ranma jumped in surprise, "Elder Cologne, what brings you here?"

The ancient mage smirked, "Can't I come and visit you when I feel like it?"

"..." Ranma stared at the Elder, "I never imagined you as the sarcastic type, umm, elder."

"Enough with the honorifics," Cologne said waving her hand, "What IS with Japanese, always too polite for their own good."

Ranma sweatdropped, "Actually, if you ask Kikori, I'm the most impolite person in Japan, I'm only like this when I'm talking to any council members."

"Well then talk as you would child, don't let my position stop you."

"If ya say so..." Ranma replied uncertainly.

"Anyway, I need to talk to you about a personal assignment I want you to partake at your stay in Nerima." Cologne said.

"What kinda assignment?" Ranma said scratching his head.

"Spot and detain." Cologne said simply, "I have a feeling that someone that our village has been tracking will show up in Nerima soon. I'm afraid I won't close by when he shows up so I want you to give me a signal of sorts and slow him down as much as possible."

"What kinda idiot pisses off Amazons." Ranma snickered, "Must be one hell of an idiot."

"Actually, just a very annoying but powerful pervert." Cologne said wiry, "His name is Happosai."

Ranma snickered.

"Yes, I noticed the implications of his name," Cologne said chuckling herself, "But then again, I can't really laugh at him for odd names, my own name sounds like perfume of the male variety in English."

"Of course it doesn't Ku lon." Ranma said politely.

"No matter how much you try to hide it, you can't hide the truth child," Cologne said with a chuckle, "I digress, Happosai have stolen few of our more powerful artifacts the last time he has gone through our village. I ask of you to keep an eye out for him, here is a picture of him."

Ranma takes the picture of and shriveled old man, not unlike Cologne, "What so bad about him? Is he a strong mind mage too?"

Cologne shook her head, "No, he is a twentieth level, demon class* Caller."

"Demon class?!?!" Ranma screamed and took a step backwards.

"Yes demon class child." Cologne said watching Ranma's face turn green.

"You want ME to stop a demon class? A TWENTIETH LEVEL demon class?" Ranma screamed.

"Not stop child, just attempt to restraint. He has a tendency to show up when I am around, so all you need to do is hold him off long enough till I show up." Cologne said with a shrug, "Quite amusing how he DOES show up when I am around."

"What's this I hear about demon class?" Kikori said as she walks back into the shop hearing Ranma's screams, "Oh yes, and try not to scream that loud, your scaring the customers away.

Ranma winced as he caught a glimpse the last customer running out of the shop.

"Yes, I want the two of you to attempt to slow a demon class caller if you spot him." Cologne said.

"Demon class caller?" Kikori said with a perfectly calm expression, "I thank you for your confidence in us, but a demon class?"

"Do not worry about it, just keep it in mind." Cologne said with a dismissive wave, "Anyway, I want you wish you luck on the duel you will have tomorrow."

< And hopefully you will be able to teach the lesson of humility to my heir. >

"Thanks." Ranma grinned.

"Don't be so impolite Ranma!" Kikori glared at her partner, "Thank you Elder, we'll be seeing you tomorrow."

The old, OLD, lady nodded, "Yes, we'll see you tomorrow."

Quick note: Callers have classes, they are basically the types of creatures they call. Most callers don't have classes but people like Ryoga who specialize in `taming' specific creatures have classes. Ryoga for example is a golem class caller so a lot of his creatures are golems of different variety. So Happosai in this story will mostly call upon demons for help. Given that one or two might be something else.

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

Ranma sat in a lotus position in the middle of the empty lot where the duel is going to take place. Six rocks at the side of the empty lot marks the area of the arena that they are going to duel, they are also the `spy rocks' that Ranma talked about. Kikori stood outside the area waiting patiently for the arrival of her partner's opponent.

"I see you are early young talent." Ranma open his eyes to see two blurred figures, one more blurry than the other.

"Elder, I and assume the other is my opponent." Ranma commented as he stood up.

"Yes, I am Xian pu of the Chinese amazons." The second, taller, figure said as she stops the spell revealing a girl wearing a skintight black shirt with black kung fu pants. Purple hair is untied, leaving it hanging.

"I'm glad Cologne doesn't wear THAT outfit." Ranma said out loud earning him a whack in the head.

"Insolent child." Cologne said and walked towards the priestess.

Kikori sucked in a deep breath and held out her pendent muttering a spell. The pendent lights up and marks the area of the duel. A transparent blue wall makes itself known, surrounding the area.

"This is going to be a one on one duel, Ranma Saotome versus Xian Pu of the Chinese amazons. No time limit, no maiming blows, no killing, other than that, anything goes. Because there are no audience, all spells that are allowed by the mage towers are allowed. Are the both of you ready?"

The two mages turned towards the priestess and gave a short nodded before turning back to each other.

"READY!"

The `spy stones' glows red signaling the activation of the spell on the stone.

"BEGIN!"

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

"This is great! They even have a commentary by the elder on these projections!" Nabiki exclaimed excitedly because this is earning her more money than the last duel.

Akane, who is standing beside Nabiki, watched the projections anxiously waiting for Kikori to signal the beginning of the fight.

"BEGIN!"

"RELEASE!"

The youngest Tendo frowned as Ranma shot his hand out firing his magic blast towards his challenger.

The girl jumps up, ridiculously high, avoiding the blast completely. Twisting in the air she lands towards the side of the area just to jump again to avoid another blast from Ranma.

"Hmm, looks like Ranma is controlling this fight no problem." Akane commented.

Soun studied the fight closely, "No, I'd say that girl is leading Ranma instead of Ranma herding her. Look, the girl is gradually closing in on him and Ranma is trying to push her back."

Akane gasped, "I thought she is a mage, why isn't she doing any magic?"

Nabiki turned to face her sister and father, "From what I gathered, the girl, Shampoo, is a mind mage. She does telekinesis and telepathy and stuff like that. I really don't know how she can win this because those skills of her won't really affect Ranma."

The eldest Tendo shrugged, "I've heard of these mind mages during my martial arts training trip, they are extremely dangerous. But I have still to see why."

"Well I guess we'll find out." Nabiki said turning back to the projection.

Akane just watched quietly.

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

Ranma cursed inwardly, < Damn! If this keeps up then she'll be right up ta me. I know she has more skilled in hand ta hand. Maybe she dunno that I know some too so I can surprise her! >

Ranma breathed out, shooting another magic blast; he shoots forward towards his opponent.

"I see you are as they say, smart and daring." Shampoo commented as she stopped and stood in a defensive stance, "Let see how good you REALLY are."

Ranma cursed himself again, < She knows about my skills, so she knows she can beat me. Guess I'll just have ta pull some magic off after all >

"Wind, you are the weapon of death." Ranma swings his arm upwards, only to be held back by an invisible force.

"Yes, smart, but too bad you have no experience with mind mages." Shampoo smirked and let lose a snap kick hitting Ranma in the chin, "This will be easy for me."

Ranma flew backward, landing on his back, "Shit! What the hell happened!"

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

"What the!" Akane said in shock, "How come Ranma stopped suddenly, I thought he was going to cast that spell!"

"Well seems like this Shampoo girl just used one of her abilities." Nabiki said, "The limp freeze, an Amazonian mind mage technique."

"How did you know that?" Akane asked.

"Didn't you hear me before? The elder is making comments about the duel on that side screen over there." Nabiki pointed to her left at a separate projection showing Cologne as she continuously commented on the duel.

"Oh." Akane sweatdropped, "Guess I should have been paying attention huh?"

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

"How does it feel to not be able to rely on your magic?" Shampoo said charging up and giving Ranma a quick punch in the chest.

"Feels fine." Ranma grunted as he pushed himself up. "RELEASE!"

Shampoo's eyes glow stopping Ranma's arm from making the forwards thrust motion, the ball of energy fails to move forward and drops onto the ground beside Ranma and exploding on contact blowing Ranma away.

"Damn!" Ranma said standing back up.

< This is impossible, she stops my arms from moving every time I'm about to cast a spell, what the hell am I suppose to do! >

"Give up?" Shampoo said neutrally.

< Damn that weird numb feeling when she does that... Wait! Why doesn't she just freeze my whole body? Maybe... >

"Not yet!" Ranma grinned, dropping both hands on his side, "Let see ya stop THIS! Wind you are the weapon of DEATH!"

Both of Ranma's hands glows pale green and he brings both hands up at the same time to find only his right arm is stopped but the other arm manage to cast the spell.

Shampoo's eyes widen in surprise as she jumps to the side barely avoiding the extremely fast blade of magic, "I see you have found a way to counter the limb freeze, interesting."

Ranma smirked, "I must admit, that spell ya cast there is pretty useful. Maybe against some hot head or newbie, but not against someone like me!"

"Well, shall we bring this up to another level then?" Shampoo said, her eyes glowing.

"Lets." Ranma got into his battle stance.

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

"Oh I get it!" Akane said planting her right fist on to her left palm, "That spell can only freeze one limb so if he cast two spells at once, then she won't be able to stop them both."

"Oh how observant of you sis." Nabiki said wiry.

"Oh shut up."

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

Cologne nodded, "Ranma is as good as Landal says, he spots weaknesses of opponent's spells and skills very quickly."

Kikori nodded, "Yes, it's usually that ability of Ranma that we actually survive most of the missions we've been sent on."

Cologne raised an eyebrow, "How so?"

"Well, it usually starts pretty harmless, then Ranma insults someone or something and we get into more trouble then we were supposed to." Kikori said flatly.

"I see." Cologne shook her head, "Maybe I should teach the young talent a lesson on etiquette."

"Good luck."

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

"I call upon the breath of a demon!" Ranma shouted and shot both ands towards Shampoo shooting twice as many air needles then usual at his opponent.

Shampoo's eyes glow once again, as she dodges the spell.

"Ok let see ya dodge this! I call upon the weapon of nature!" Ranma fires a single blast of wind towards Shampoo who deftly dodges the blast again.

< This is getting me no where! If this keeps up, I'll end up tiring myself out and I'll lose the match anyways! >

"Feeling tired yet?"

Ranma screams in pain as he felt a punch landing on his back, "That the hell!"

The pig-tailed mage scans the area to see Shampoo about three meters in front of him. < How did she move so fast? >

"Wind you are the weapon of death!" Ranma made a sideways slashing motion with his right and an upwards motion with his left, Shampoo jumps upwards to dodge the first but barely twists to dodge the second blast.

< What? That last one should have at least nicked the clothes on her! SO that means... >

"Oof."

Ranma fell to the ground once again as he felt another punch to his face, winding him. "Ok, this is starting to piss me off! Let see you deal with this! I call upon the breath of a demon!"

Shampoo smirked and jumped away once again.

< Now to see if my theory is true... >

"Fury of the earth, I call upon thy power! Lend me your strength and protect me from that which I cannot stop!"

Wind swirled around Ranma and quickly picks up speed. A green magic circle flashes once beneath Ranma and the wind immediately turns violent and forms a tornado that surrounds Ranma. Looking though the wind blowing around him, Ranma watched as the Shampoo he was aiming at fade away.

"Aiya!"

Ranma grinned as he turned to the source of the voice, "Nice trick Shampoo, but like I said, I'm not some amateur or hot head that you can trick so easily!"

Shampoo winced at how close she was to the edge of the arena and dusts off her clothes, "I see I have underestimated you once again."

"Didn't anyone tell you, you don't talk in a duel just for the sake of talking." Ranma smirked, "RELEASE! You talk to distract your opponent."

Shampoo's eyes widen as she felt the ball of magic hit her, carrying her out of the arena. "KIYA!"

Ranma continued his smirk, "Looks like the fights over."

"Not quite yet male."

Ranma yelped and quickly dodged an attack from behind him, "How did you..."

The mind mage gave Ranma a wink, "Amazonian technique, air leap."

Ranma growled, "Ok, this is just ridiculous!"

"Yes, but it'll be over soon male." Shampoo smiled evilly, "Witness my second most potent technique that even the elders of my village praise me for!"

Ranma gulped and readied himself to cast his shield spell.

Shampoo's eyes starts to glow violet, "Goodbye."

The pigtailed mage's head jerked back as if he was hit by a punch. This quickly followed by Ranma leaning forward as if he was hit in the stomach.

"How do you like being beaten by something you can't even see?" Shampoo said while watching Ranma being beaten by an invisible person.

"Shudd-." Ranma once again fell to the ground with bruises all over his body.

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

Akane listened to the explanation of the technique Shampoo is using intently, "That move is just like cheating!"

Nabiki rolled her eyes, "Well the mage tower allows it in a duel."

"But using your mind to project physical attacks is just plain cheap!" Akane countered, "That's not fighting! That's beating!"

"But this isn't a martial arts fight Akane, it's a magic duel." Nabiki said with a sigh, "So can you PLEASE let me watch this fight and leave your complaints till later!"

"But I placed my bet on Ranma! I was so sure he would win." Akane said with a downcast look.

"WAAAHHH MY DAUGHTER BET ON MY WOULD BE SON IN LAW IF GENMA DIDN'T DIE!" Soun cried.

"Would be son in law?" Nabiki blinked, "This might need a looking in to later."

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

Ranma gasped for air as another blow landed on him.

"Yield yet male?"

"Not quite!" Ranma yelled back earning him another blow to the head.

< I'm... gonna... lose? >

Ranma thought to himself as he starts to feel lightheaded.

< Heh, lost to an Amazon that I was trying to imitate. >

Ranma fell to his knees, blood trickled down the side of his face, "Damn, this fight is more brutal then I thought it'll get."

"So you give up?"

"Not on your life, I'll lose when I fall." Ranma replied.

Feh, no son of mine is going to lose to a girl!

< Oyagi? >

"You should just give up, I don't want to send you to the hospital just because you are too stubborn male." Shampoo gloated.

What kinda loser are you! Just because you are getting beaten now doesn't mean you lost! And here you are, admitting you lost, and to a GIRL at that!

< Damnit! She is good! Damn you Oyagi! >

Feh, your just too lazy ta win!

"DAMNIT!" Ranma screamed, a green barrier appeared in front of Ranma that seems to continuously take hit after hit, "Pay back time Women!"

Shampoo's eyes glows brighter as she commanded her ability to hit the magical barrier harder.

"Lets see who will last longer in a magic to magic fight!" Ranma snarled. A blue aura flared around Ranma and the magic barrier in front of him turns from green to yellow.

The two mages continue their defense or offense for few more minutes before it all stops suddenly.

Ranma stood at his side, gasping for air. His aura died and sweat dripped from his face.

Shampoo stood, facing Ranma with a blank look on her face.

"You lost." Ranma whispered.

Shampoo's hand moved up, "Ngh, I have a headache."

Ranma sighed as he sees Shampoo faint from over using her magic, "You may train a lot with your body, but I still have more endurance in magic use than you."

Kikori walks up to check on Shampoo, "Challenger Xian Pu has fallen, I declare the winner by Official mage tower rules, Ranma Saotome!"

Ranma grinned and gave Cologne a cocky grin, "Beat your heir Cologne, take that!"

Cologne watched with an amused expression as Ranma's eyes rolled upwards. Soon after, he drops on his back. On a whim she extended her sense of hearing with her magic and concentrated on Ranma.

"... oyagi, take that."

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

Ranma woke in his bed with Kikori lying on his chest, asleep, with clothes laying on her keeping her somewhat warm.

< That was intense, best fight I had in a while. >

Kikori groaned and turned her head towards Ranma's. Her eyes slowly opened, "You're awake."

Ranma nodded, "Yeah, thanks for healing me too."

Kikori smiled, "What are partners for."

"You must feel uncomfortable sleeping like that." Ranma commented, "Why don't you go back to your room, I'll be ok."

Kikori shook her head, "Shampoo is in there, I didn't have the energy to heal her after I healed you, plus Elder Cologne said for me to not heal her so she may learn a lesson from this."

Ranma chuckled, "You know, I think I would have lost this duel."

Kikori frowned, "Why do you say that."

"Shampoo was holding back, but she was too cocky, so she didn't go full out even at the end." Ranma said.

"So you think that if she didn't underestimated you, you would've lost?"

"Yep." Ranma replied quickly, "I woulda lose SO badly you'll see me cryin'"

Kikori giggled softly as she sat straight on her chair after putting her clothes on the back of the chair, "Go get some sleep."

Ranma shifted over a bit, "You need sleep too ya know. The bed has room for two."

Kikori blushed, "Bu-."

"Stop bein' so up tight, climb on!" Ranma said exasperated, "It isn't like we haven't done this before ya know!"

"I need to change."

Ranma blushed, "I'll turn around."

The priestess changed into her other set clothes, which she placed on the back of the chair, silently and shyly climbed on to Ranma's bed. "You sure this is all right?"

Ranma turned back and gave Kikori a grin, "Of course! Like I said, we've done this before. It's just that we're a bit bigger, other than that, not much difference."

Kikori smiled, "I guess so."

"Well actually, I think it's more of a tighter fit mostly `cause ya gained weight these last days."

Kikori scrawled and gave Ranma a pinch in the arm, "Quite, I need sleep."

Ranma rubbed his arm where Kikori pinched him, "Yeah yeah, nite Ki-chan."

"Good night... Rammie."

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

"Ah so THAT'S why you said it's all right when I asked if Shampoo take your bed."

Both Ranma and Kikori's eyes snapped open.

"No need to get up on my account, you two look very comfortable." Cologne teased.

Kikori blushed when she realized that she is hugging Ranma and her leg was laying on Ranma's.

Ranma blushed when he realized that he had his arm around Kikori the whole time.

"I'll leave you too love birds to your morning... rituals." Cologne coughed and walked out of Ranma's room.

"WE'RE NOT A COUPLE!" The two mages yelled in unison.

"I think I believe Great grand mother more than you." Shampoo said with a giggle, "You even yell at the same time."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~

Longest chapter up to date in this fic, and I can say that I am ALMOST proud of myself (yes I am one of those, damn it's not enough, gotta do more! Damn this isn't good either! I DUNNO WHAT TO DO! DAMN YOU RANMA SAOTOME! BECAUSE OF YOU, I HAVE SEEN HELL kinda person ^^;). This chapter I want to show that Ranma ISN'T all powerful because he is a talent and sometimes he just can't summon Artricia for help. Also I want to show that Shampoo in this fic DOES have a reason to be over confidant in that she can actually beat up Ranma. But of course, this won't last too long because of what I have in store for Ranma. After all, experience is everything.

Also, I want to show a bit of how Ranma views of Genma are. Most fics I've read with the bit with Genma is dead so Ranma takes on something other than Anything Goes makes it so that Ranma thinks Genma is a good person, which I really don't think so. So in MY story, I want to make it so that Ranma DOES know of Genma's faults but still respect him just cuz he's Ranma's father.

The new magic Ranma used in this chapter is basically the magic version of the Hiryu Shouten Ha. The cast time for the spell is just as annoying as the requirements of the Hiryu Shouten Ha. That is why this spell doesn't make it to Ranma's `big four'.

To those of you who are wondering what Shampoo's ultimate move is... Well wait for a while, she won't be using it for quite some time. But I can tell you, it kicks ass! Of course not as cool as Ranma's best spell, but still good ^^.

One last note, the last scene is inspired by something I read somewhere that has stuck in my mind for ages! I can't seem to figure out where I got it. So if you know something similar to the last scene somewhere tell me PLEASE ^^; and I'd also like the say sorry to use that if it IS by someone else ^^.

Anyway, next chapter, there will be lots of Ranma/Tendos interaction so I can start giving the Tendos a MORE active role in this fic ^^ Of course, they (Yes even Akane) won't be in the MAIN plot, but they'll be taking a REALLY small part in it.

I'm babbling, sorry ^^; see ya next chapter