They Are My Noble Masters Fan Fiction / Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction / Virtua Fighter Fan Fiction ❯ Nodoka 2/1 ❯ Chapter 09 - The Art of Getting Wet ( Chapter 9 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Nodoka 2/1
The Chroma Series
Act 0 Part 09

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DISC LAIMER
I only made-up a handful of the characters and pretty much everything else is owned by people who are not me, but rather many talented people, and a few faceless corporations, such as Rumiko Takahashi and Sega respectively (and many others). Bla bla bla, do not sue me, it is a waste of your time, and resources. I have nothing, NOTHING!

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AUTHOR'S NOTES

-As always, a special thanks to my "Agent" and "Publicist" Hiryo, for proofreading, prodding, posting advice and so much more, and thank you to all of you who have read and commented.
 -First, I need to apologize for the delay, my main helper^ and myself were both having issues with real life, causing a delay, including things like broken computers, and waiting for parts. Also, I need to make a correction, I said Shampoo's name was 'Shan Puu' and that was a mistake in my notes, and while I like that better myself, I will be sticking with "Shan Pu" for the Chinese pronunciation. The 'Puu' was taken from the Japanese phonetic spelling, and not the proper Chinese Pinyin. With Mousse, I want to explain why I used what I did. There are two primary ways to transcribe Chinese, Pinyin, and Wade-Giles, normally I use Pinyin, which for Mousse would have been 'Mu Su', but I used the W-G spelling of Ssu, because it was about the same, and looked better. Sorry about the discrepancy.
 -To the 'guest' reviewers, thank you. I just want to say that everything in here happens for a reason, especially if it seems like 'bashing'. With very few exceptions, I didn't see it as bashing when I wrote it anyway, I am just writing the characters the way I feel they would act in the situations.
-As for Akane, I have tried to show how she is improving over her canon appearance, though not as much as the others are in some ways, but that is partly due to still being trained mostly by Soun, and partly because, being Akane, she cannot make steady progress. It is three steps forward, two steps back. She was an angry child when her mother died, and thanks to having had Maid Guy assigned to her, never really got over it. Hopefully, she will have a breakthrough or something soon. Since I am cramming so much into so little for this part of the story, I am mostly just trying to show the more important/cute moments. As I have said before, from chapter two on, everything I had planned for the Tendos went right out the window, and I had to rework everything I had planned there, to fit that event in. The main problem with her, is that when I go to write an Akane scene, I get a real bad writer's block, and have to force myself to proceed (since I stopped liking her about half way through the first episode (and none of my editors/helpers care for her either, especially Hiryo, my main assistant), so I have not been able to show as much of her progress as I wanted to (and I am trying not to be mean). I am trying to get better, I am sorry. Now that the time skips are almost over, that will get easier? Just keep in mind, most things happen for a reason (outside of the rule of funny), even if you do not always see it for a while. We also do not know all of the 'original' factors involved, nor how much of a factor was Kuno (or in this case, Maid Guy)? How much was nature verses nurture? And so on. I am sorry that I failed to show it well enough.
-As for Ryoga, I (er, well, Nodoka) really did WANT to 'make him a man' sooner, but pesky things like local laws were preventing it, the age of consent in Hong Kong is a good bit higher than in the rest of the country (though Ukyo and Ranma broke that law once). Part of why Ranma gets most of the girls, aside from the obvious 'main character in a harem show thing', Ranma looks like even more of a better choice when you compare to Ryoga ...on a leash, held by what could appear to be his 'mommy' (or older sister). I can only think of a certain type of girl who would go for that, and she would probably think he is 'taken', since his leash is being held. While it seems longer, due to the shorter time skips and longer arcs, Ryoga has only been fourteen for about six months or so at this point in the story, at most. Well, you know the old saying, ...so I will not make you read it again.
 -Thanks for reading, I hope you all enjoy.
 -There will be spoilers in this chapter!!! Skip the section after Jusenkyo if you do not want to read them. I will remind you again and say what they are for when you get there. (As if it won't be obvious by then...).

"Speech"
'Thought' {And other emphasized items}
/Mandarin/
\Cantonese\
-English-
{Author's Notes & *Translations* Feel free to skip these}

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GLOSSARY (from the last chapter)

Karei no Nitsuke - Simmered halibut

Kafu - one's father

Qi Yuan Qiu - Qi (spirit energy/Ki); Yuan Qiu (Sphere/Ball)

Hadaka - Nude, Naked, Bare

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CH APTER 09
The Art of Getting Wet

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The latest package from Ranma included a laser disk copy of the movie he had been in, signed by almost everyone in the movie, including the director and other staff members. Interestingly, not one female member of the cast and crew turned down Ranma's request for a signature (some of the men did, but then he asked one of the women in his group to get it), they also offered up other things, like phone numbers, addresses, bra sizes, and so on, not that the three girls were aware of any of that. They were, on the other hand, aware of the fact that they did not own a laser disk player! After a brief deliberation, they began to prepare for a trip to the store.

 After changing clothes, and getting ready, the three young ladies headed out, only to be stopped by a deliveryman walking up to the house, with a package from Nodoka's lawyer. The large package was rather heavy and strangely, it was addressed to the three of them, and not Genma, as was the norm. Strange as it was, they figured they should see what it was. After signing for it, they used their stealth training to take the box into the nearest entrance to the secret passage unseen. After all, if it was addressed to them, it might be something auntie Nodoka did not want uncle Genma to know about.

 Once they were down in their clubhouse, the girls opened the box to find just what they needed, a brand new laser disk player! It did not take Nabiki long to get the thing hooked up to their television, while Fubuki and Kasumi made snacks and tea. The young women, once again, changed clothes, this time into yukata, to be more comfortable.

 Once ready, they popped in their copy of 'Dynasty of Jade', got comfortable, and started sharing their popcorn as the movie started.

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 "Oh my, what a beautiful story, so romantic..."

 "Do you think if we pretend to be evil, Ranma-sama would kiss us like that?" The three ladies giggled and squeed in delight at the thought of being in 'Ming's' place for the last scene.

 "It was fun, but the special effects were pretty cheesy, especially that woman in the spider costume. I thought I even saw a zipper, and it moved after being 'dead'! And it said 'ow', but then, what do you expect from a Hong Kong movie?"

 "I thought the spider-monster looked good, especially pretty before it changed too."

 "I wonder why they had to make it naked though, but at least they did do a good job on the way it shot webbing from between its legs. Speaking of 'naked', I can't believe that Nodoka-ba-chan wore that outfit!"

 "Oh yeah, I would have been SO embarrassed in that, so much so, that I don't think I could have even moved!"

 "Whoever did the make-up must be amazing though, ba-chan and that other woman who showed her butt, looked like they were in their early twenties! Barely older than you nee-chan!"

 "Oh my, do you think Ranma-sama takes after Nodoka-sama then? Make-up can only do so much, and I doubt they spent the money on a body double. If you consider how old your fathers are, it's pretty amazing to have a figure that nice! Nodoka-sama certainly did not LOOK like a woman old enough to have a child our age, never mind looking like having had a child at all!"

 "Ara, I doubt I will ever look that good..."

 "Nee-chan! Out of all of us, you are the one who matches that figure the closest. You ARE that pretty! I will even bet that Ranma-kun would say so, and you know I don't bet money unless it is a sure thing!"

 "I suppose we may find out soon, I would guess Ranma-sama should have gotten our pictures by now..."

 They all blushed, and Kasumi fainted. It was only Fubuki's maid training, that kept her from following the other girl's lead.

 "The real question is will any of us look that good in fifteen to twenty years!" Nabiki, being proud of her figure, was less embarrassed than the other girls were, and was more concerned about another issue. "However, if we want to stand a chance against that 'Pai' girl, I think we really need to practice kissing, so we are at least that good when Ranma-kun arrives. What do you say Fubuki-chan?"

 Fubuki could only blush harder at that.

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B eing a matriarchal society, Nodoka agreed that it would be best for her to take the lead as the head of their clan. Rather than what she usually did, letting Ranma practice, as de facto head, while she faded into the background. They had discussed it the night before and she had to agree with Ranma's thought process. Once again, the boy had proven his worth as a leader. Their clan would be in good hands.

 The guards had led them into the village where they were receiving many stares and odd looks, most of which were directed at Ranma and Ryoga's leash being held by the Saotome matriarch. Nodoka once again felt her pride well up inside as she considered how manly her son had become over the last eleven years of training and travel. There were many days when she would wish to be someone else, so that she could enjoy the fruits of her labors. However, today was not a day she could allow herself such distractions, this was one of the most important negotiations she had been involved with, their lives could literally be hanging in the balance.

 It did not take long before a short, old woman came hopping over on her gnarled staff. The woman's silver hair was more than double her less than one meter in height, yet somehow stayed clean and shiny, despite obviously dragging the ground, even with the boost of being on the taller staff. A much younger girl, around the same age as the other teens, came bounding behind her elder. The buxom teen was dressed in a skimpy dress, and had long purple hair, with ox-horn buns on either side of her head.

 "/Welcome outsiders. I am the matriarch of this tribe of heroic woman, and this is my great granddaughter, Shan Pu./"

 Ranma was surprised, and despite the plan of letting his mother do the talking, he blurted out, "/Really? Please, forgive my interruption, but if so, you must have been quite a beauty in your day./" The lad turned toward the lavender-haired princess, and continued. "/I could have sworn you were a descendent of Xi Shi! Chen yu luo yan, bi yue xiu hua./" Ranma took the girl's hand, bowing as he kissed the back of it.

 Shampoo blushed, and turned away bashfully, something those who knew her, would have been shocked to see. One of those people in particular was not please about it at all as he watched from a distance.

 Pai whispered to Ukyo. "What did he say?"

 Whispering back, Ukyo replied, "You will probably be happier if you do not know. If you 'really' want to know, I will tell you later."
{Long story short, he called her VERY pretty, for more, see end notes.}

 Cologne looked on with amusement. "/It seems as if not all of you speak Mandarin./ Would you prefer Japanese?"

 "Thank you honored elder. If you do not mind, that would save us a bit of explaining."

 "It is no problem, when you get as old as I am, you tend to pick up a few things."

 Shampoo giggled. "/No one gets as old as you are Great Grandmother./"

 Cologne gave Shampoo a look that sobered her right up. "Speak Japanese child, this is a good chance for you to practice. You certainly need it. I have been trying to cram it into your head for years, maybe this will give you the motivation to learn." The ancient woman then addressed the newcomers. "So what is it that had you seek us out?"

 "I have been helping to train my son, for most of the last eleven years, but I had no skill in the art, so we are learning together. Between the books that I had to take from my brainless husband, and the training from other masters we have found, we have learned a few things. For the last three, we have been traveling all over China learning what we can here. We have heard legends of skills of your people, and we were hoping you would honor us by allowing us to stay here for a while to train with you. We, of course would help you out in any way we can."

 Cologne gave the group another appraising look. '/They do seem interesting, let us see how badly they want this./' "No."

 Everyone else, including Shampoo, gave her a disappointed look, she may not have understood all of what had been said, but she certainly understood the word 'no'.

 "Thank you honored elder, we understand. I do not suppose there would be anything we could do to change your mind?"

 "Teaching outsiders is strictly forbidden, few exceptions can be made, and only under the most extreme conditions. Only members of the tribe can learn the techniques that three thousand years of Nujie Zu history created! It simply cannot be done."

 "Would there, perhaps, be any way someone could temporarily join your tribe then?"

 "Temporary? No. Honorary, perhaps."

 "What, exactly, would one have to do, if they were wanting such a thing?"

 "Well, there are three ways. The easiest would be for at least one of you to marry into the tribe. We always have a need for good strong men to provide us with strong babies." Cologne's wicked grin unnerved the group a bit.

 Shampoo got a hopeful look on her face, since the handsome one seemed to like her, she thought she had a chance. '/That would show those other girls! Few of them even had a boyfriend, never mind one as cute as the shirtless boy here. I just hope that one is strong enough to not be scared off by a certain stalker, who had better not get involved!/' Before Shampoo could work out what to say to volunteer to 'make that sacrifice', the elder of their group spoke up.

 "I do believe they are a bit young for that, and I would like my son to live a bit more before getting married. We also need to return home at some point. What would the other two options be?"

 Shampoo saw the woman shaking her head and looked noticeably disappointed to anyone who was paying her any attention. Unfortunately for her self-esteem, few of them were, least of all the boy she was hoping to entice with her flirtations. However, most of their attention was focused on her elder. If her great Grandmother had not been there, Shampoo would have already challenged the boy and thrown the match. Things being what they were, the buxom beauty settled for sending coy looks, standing in ways that emphasized her best features, and tossing her long hair back with a wink.

 "One way is to do a 'great service' for the tribe, and thankfully, other than our dwindling population, we have no great emergencies pressing on us for the time being. The other way is to pass a test of worth, in the traditional way. So, unless you would like to marry a selection of our fine warriors, or at least first provide many of them with young..." Cologne let that thought hang in the air for a moment.

 Ukyo thought about how long that could take, and how unlikely it would be that she would get her fair share in the meantime, and said, "That could take forever, what is this test? That might be easier, and faster. If we are here a while, some girls can try their luck, but I get to cum first!"

 Pai interjected next, glad they had given her the opportunity to do so by speaking Japanese. "Me second!" '\I will be damned if I let one of these backwoods hicks ride that stallion before I do! It seems I will have to make a move really soon though, if the look that one is giving is any indication...\'

 "Yes, as manly as my son is, we are on a bit of a time table here. We only have about a year or so."

 "Well, if they look anything like Shan Pu here, then I guess I wouldn't mind 'helping a few of them out' while we are here." Ranma said slyly.

 Nodoka got a broad smile on her face and 'swooned' a bit.

 Struggling to follow the conversation, Shampoo knew she needed to say something, and finally got out, "Shampoo three, yes? Is okay?" '/I will show that boy that I would make a great wife, and if I play it right, the other girls won't get time for a 'turn'!/'

 Cologne laughed, while the others looked at the girl with varying degrees of awkwardness and interest. "Oh youth, what it would be like to be a couple of hundred years younger, but back to the matter at hand. The test ...is a trial by combat, in the traditional manor of our people."

 "We will be able to leave when we want, is that correct?"

 "Yes, as long as you agree to stand with us if ever there is a need, help any tribe member if the need arises, and follow our laws."

 "Well, as long as I don't have to kill anyone or anything. The art is for protecting people, not taking life!"

 "That's only for 'official' members of the tribe, and rarely comes up all that often, and almost never for men. Those who marry in, or become honorary members, are not held to that law. Don't worry about it."

 "Well, okay, then I suppose I should ask what this 'trial by combat' is about?"

 "Yes, yes you should."

 "Um, okay." Ranma bowed formally. "Oh honored elder, what may I ask, is this 'trial by combat'? What would you require of us?" The boy's eyes twinkled, and his smile sparkled as he righted himself.

 Shampoo swooned as Cologne turned to Nodoka and commented. "That boy is good."

 "That's my 'manly' son!"

 Cologne chuckled. "So good of you to ask, you will all spar with me at the legendary cursed springs of Jusenkyo!" The old woman paused for dramatic effect. "Be forewarned, it is not called the 'Cursed Springs' for nothing, the risks are quite real, and life changing. Do you still wish to continue?"

"I will risk anything for the art!"

 "My son is SO Manly!"

 "I go wherever Ranchama goes!"

 "I guess, I will go too then. It doesn't sound like a really good idea though." Remembering what they had been told, Pai was getting nervous.

 Ryoga considered his usual luck, and decided firmly, "I'll wait right here."

 "Will you really? Or do we need to tie you to a post again or something?"

 "Damn you, Playboy! I was trying to make a good impression!"

 "Even if you did, the first time you get lost going to the can, it would be out the window... but, if that is the way you want it, just be careful. I don't want to have to search the continent for you."

Nodoka thought to herself. 'Well, Ryoga is starting to show a bit more backbone, maybe one of the girls here will finally make a man out of the lad. Hopefully then we can stop cleaning blood out of the bathtub.'

 Ranma turned to Cologne and asked in a hushed tone, "/The guy has literally been cursed with the worst direction sense in the world, could you get someone to keep watch. I would hate to never see my friend again because we lost track of him./'

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Soun and Genma were gathered in their usual spot in the game room, playing 'Go' and chatting.

 "So, Tendo-kun, those girls are really advancing well, I can't believe all of the techniques they have been developing. It's almost as if they had ninja training!"

 "Don't be silly Saotome-kun. Where would they learn such a thing? ...Unless your son is helping."

 "Well, they are in contact a lot, so anything is possible... So how is your other girl doing?"

 "Akane-chan is doing well. The girl still loves smashing bricks, but we are working on some of the more advanced techniques of the family style. As a matter of fact, the girl chose to go on a training trip with friends this weekend!"

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 Akane and her friends Yuri and Sayuka were at the beach, playing an aggressive game of volleyball. It was a three on three game, and the other three girls, while being older and better built to boot, were not doing well. Few people could beat Akane in a sports related activity, and her friends knew her well enough to stay out of her way when it was necessary. Unfortunately, her last serve bounced off the face of one of the other girls, and then out into the water. One of the other girls was tending her friend's face, and the other was complaining about a foul and that Akane needed to go get their ball.

 Akane was not happy about that, but was so worked up that she was not really thinking. Her friends had never born witness to her amazing swimming 'skills' before, so didn't think anything about it either, and tried to help the injured girl.

 Akane was wading in after the ball, but every time she would get close to it, and reach out, it would move further away, frustrating the easily excitable girl. She had finally gotten a hold of the ball, when the water was shoulder deep on her, but in doing so her feet left the bottom, and she was floating, using the ball for support. As fate would have it, that was the same moment a small current came along and moved her further from shore.

 Akane was attempting to kick toward the shoreline, but was trying to kick as if she were 'attacking' the water. Between that and the current, she was still getting further away from shore, not closer. Beginning to panic, Akane started thrashing about and yelling for help.

 Yuri and Sayuka heard the cries for help and spotted Akane. They jumped up from where they were looking after the other girl, and ran for the water. However, by the time they had reached the water, they had been passed by a black and white blur, hopping right by them. Not knowing who the blur was, they kept going, swimming out to help their friend.

 Konatsu had landed right next to the two friends, and leaped out as far as the former kunoichi had been able to, landing as close to Akane as possible. Before long, Konatsu had kicked the ball back to shore, had looped Akane's arms, and was pulling her back toward the shore. About halfway back they met up with other two girls who helped them to land.

 "Jeez Akane, you never told us you were a hammer!"
{Being called a 'hammer' in Japan, means you can't swim.}

 "Yeah, you gave us a good scare. We would have gone for the ball if you had told us."

 Akane blushed. "Well, it's embarrassing, and I didn't think it would go out that far... Thank you guys."

 "You're welcome! ...So, are you going to introduce us to your cute friend?"

 "Oh, sorry, this is Konatsu, the 'Mini Maid Guy', Kogarashi's assistant. Konatsu-chan, these are my friends, Sayuka and Yuri."

 Konatsu bowed, and still using the polite, feminine mode of speech replied, "Yuri-sama, Sayuka-sama, I am very pleased to meet Akane-sama's friends. Thank you for helping."

 Sayuka turned to Akane and asked, "Are you feeling better?" Knowing better than to joke, 'I'll bet Yuri would be happy to give you mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, if you need it.', as she would have to some of their other friends. Akane tended to react badly to such jokes, and Sayuka didn't want to ruin the day any further.

 "Yes, thank you."

 "How about we play a nice safe game of Boccia, or watermelon splitting next?"

 "Sounds like fun."

 "But first," Yuri turned to Konatsu and asked, "How can you stand to be in that full maid's uniform at the beach? Don't you have a swimsuit?"

 "Well, Kogarashi-sama says, 'A maid without a maid's uniform is just a normal person.', and I am currently Akane-sama's personal 'Maid Guy'." Konatsu gave a slow spin, smiling cutely for the girls.

 Yuri blushed, looking away from the cute maid for a moment before saying, "But you are soaked, we need to get you out of those wet things... Get you something skimp-, I mean drier to put on!" She hastily corrected.

 "No need to worry, just give me a moment." Konatsu hopped a short ways away, kicking out a battle aura. After landing, the 'Mini Maid Guy' began 'twirling' at an incredible speed, small droplets of water flying in every direction. "Mini Maid Guy Drier Technique: Spin Cycle!" After finishing, Konatsu hopped back over to the three girls.

 "Wow! That was cool! Can I feel?" Konatsu nodded. In response, Yuri rubbed up against the maid's uniform, amazed at how dry it was. "Just amazing, that is a handy trick! If we are forming teams, I want to be on your team!" Konatsu blushed cutely.

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 A couple of hours passed, and the two 'teams' were pretty even. Konatsu being more skilled than Akane in many ways was made up for by the fact that Yuri paid more attention to Konatsu than to the games.

 After some shaved ice, Yuri asked Akane, "I need a bit of help with something, would you mind terribly if I borrowed your maid for a short while?"

 "Nah, go ahead."

 Bowing, Konatsu said, "If that is your command, Akane-sama."

 "Great! Thanks Akane!" Turning to the maid, Yuri got a sultry look on her face and said, "Follow me Konatsu-chan, I need to show you something." Yuri grabbed Konatsu's hand and ran off, dragging the maid behind.

 Sayuka laughed, "Oh, that girl."

 "What? Is something wrong?"

 "Nah, I am sure they will be back soon. Let's go play some more games..."

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 "Bye bye Akane-chan, Konatsu-chan. Thanks for spending the day with us, it was fun." Sayuka smiled warmly.

 "You too guys, thanks for helping me too..." Akane's face darkened for a moment, before returning to her cheerful self.

 "Yes, thank you for helping me save Akane-sama, and letting me join you. I hope to see you again, Sayuka-sama, Yuri-sama." Konatsu bowed deeply to the two girls. "I do not know what I would have done if you had not been there. Kogarashi would never forgive me if anything happened to Akane-sama."

 "Well, Akane-chan is our friend too." Yuri smiled back.

 Konatsu bowed again and said, "Thank you for the fun day! I will never forget it!", before following Akane toward their home.

 Yuri mumbled to herself, "Neither will I, that's for sure..."

 After they had gone well out of earshot, Sayuka giggled before turning to her old friend and asking, "Soooo, how did your 'date' go? Or did you lose interest already, you fickle girl?"

 "Let's just say I found out why Konatsu is called 'Mini Maid Guy', and leave it at that... Honestly, I just thought it was a joke, due to being 'Maid Guy's' assistant! Besides, you know you are the only girl I really want, but since you like boys better, I have to do something!"

 "WHAT?!?!? No one that cute could be a guy, what are you talking about? This, I have GOT to hear..."

 "Well, okay, but if I tell, then you owe me a kiss! I need to get the taste of boy outta my mouth..."

 "Okay, fine. It sounds like it will be worth it this time, not like the last time you tried that. Just don't stick your tongue in my mouth again!"

 "Aaaawwww!" Yuri looked sheepish for a moment and said, "Well, it was worth it to ME!" 'Can't blame a girl for trying to get a little action...' They both giggled.

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Cologne led the group into a clearing, where they saw Ryoga waiting for them.

 "Back so soon guys?"

"We just got here, how did YOU get here?"

"I don't know, I just went to find a bathroom... Wait, where the hell am I this time then?"

 "Ah, sirs, welcome to Cursed Springs, Jusenkyo."

 "Shimatta! Okay, I am just going to wait over here, where it is safe."

 "NO! NOT THAT WAY PUPPY!"

 All of them ended up in a pile, trying to grab for the end of the leash.

 *SPLASH*

"How you know that one fall in Xiaogounniquan, spring of drowned puppy?"

 "But, I didn't... what? Do you mean...?"

 "Yes, very tragic story of tourists who lose pet mixed breed puppy, oh, about fifteen year ago. Now, whoever fall in that spring, take body of puppy." The guide chuckled to himself.

 Nodoka had been the one who first got to the leash and pulled Ryoga out, while the teenagers joined together in uncontrolled guffaws.

 "I am sorry Ryoga, I know it's not funny, but it is REALLY funny! BUWAHAHAHA!!!!!"

 Nodoka was petting the lost dog's head after drying him with a towel, trying to comfort him. Thankfully, he was too shocked to 'shake' off the water. "I think I will name you, 'P-Chan'. 'P' for the English word 'puppy', and you are just so adorable like this!"

 The guide used a long pole to fish Ryoga's clothes out of the pool, all except for the bandannas that were strangely still on his head. "Best to let these dry first. These wet with curse water, veeery dangerous. No touching until dry. Hot water reverse curse. Cold water activates it again."

 Finally calming down, Ranma asked, "Is there any way to cure it permanently?"

 "That very good question, with no very good answer. Magic of Jusenkyo very mysterious. No one really understand how work. Sometime curse mix, sometime curse overwrite. For sure, longer you wait, better chance cure work. No one really know, in two thousand year, no one try. At least no one in book of records."

 "So there is a cure?"

 "Maybe. Toss dog in spring of drowned man, might mix, might cure. Best wait until magic stabilizes."

 "Okay, you all heard that gang! Let's learn from our fallen nakama, above all else, do NOT fall in the pools!"

 Ryoga barked, "Wan!" trying to say, 'I'm not dead!'
{*Wan = Woof/Arf*}

 "Yes, very bad you fall in spring!"

 Cologne hopped over on her gnarled staff, looking serious. "Now that you all know the risks, are you still willing to take this test of bravery?"

 Ranma turned to the group. "Anyone want to back out now?" Everyone declined, though some more hesitantly than others. "What would you have us do then elder?"

 Cologne took a long hop, and landed on one of the bamboo poles. "We fight, all of you, come at me at once!"

 The four others each jumped onto one of the poles while Shampoo stayed off to the side, keeping an eye on 'P-chan', while they were waiting on his clothes to not be completely sopping wet. The guide used long-practiced skill to prop up Ryoga's clothing over the fire-pit using poles, so they would dry faster, though not being able to wring them out did make it take longer. Ryoga was still not comfortable being nude around others and knowing that he could change back helped his modesty win out over his panic. There was one thing he was sure of, this girl smelled nice.

 The three teens and one adult took turns bouncing around on the poles and attacking the ancient elder, trying to keep her on the defensive, and hopefully, off-guard. It wasn't exactly working, but they had not resorted to ki attacks, and Cologne was not really trying too hard. This was only a test of courage and skill, not a punishment, or advanced training after all. She did not want anyone to get cursed, she had only wanted to use the threat to see if they would be scared off. It was a shame about the dog-boy though.

 Shampoo was deeply engrossed in the action, thoroughly enjoying, not only the show of skill, but also the fact that it was not her that her Great Grandmother was testing. Suddenly, she was pulled out of her 'trance' by the sound of 'P-chan' barking. She had been paying too much attention to the action, and the way Ranma's long coat flapped as he jumped, revealing his bare chest and the way his muscles rippled with each movement. It took Shampoo a moment to realize that the puppy was not even watching the 'fight', but looking the other way entirely. By the time her brain had processed this information it was too late, another teen, with long black hair, white robes, and large, round glasses on top of his head came barreling out of the trees at breakneck speed. The boy was also yelling, "/I will save you, Shan Pu!/" The young man was so focused on the target of his wrath that he did not even notice that he had hit anyone and sent them flying, nor where they landed with a big *SPLASH!*. However, not noticing something, and not being affected by it, are two completely different things. Therefore, when the lad threw the large metal ball from the long sleeves of his robes, his aim was a bit off. Instead of hitting just Ranma, he also clipped Nodoka and Pai, sending them all flying in different directions.

 The boy's cry of "/You will not take my Shan Pu!/" did give those furthest away time to react. Cologne had been able to catch Pai with her staff, and prevent the girl from falling into one spring, but the others had been out of her reach. Ukyo swung on her pole to land next to where Ranma was headed, to try to help him in any way she could. However, Ukyo was a bit too slow to prevent his landing in the pool, and was still in the air as Ranma and the others all landed in their pools.

 Four different splashes were heard. Shampoo tumbled into one of the springs, where she had been thrown by the far-sighted fool. The large metal ball on a chain landed in a spring before it disappeared, but not before creating a large splash. Nodoka landed in yet another, where there was a bright, violet explosion of light. Ranma landed face first in still another pool, sending a wave out behind him. Ukyo was caught by the twin splashes of Ranma and the metal ball, the change throwing off her weight distribution and causing her to land on her newly protected back, where she skidded across the ground.

 "So many fall in at once, oh so very tragic. Is going to be big update to logbook tonight..." With a sigh, the round man pointed toward Ukyo with his thumb. "You get hit with two curse at same time! Very tragic! Hit with guiniquan, spring of drowned tortoise, and Niangniquan, spring of drowned girl!" Ukyo was having trouble getting up with her new body, as the others began to break the surface of the water.

 Shampoo was the first to climb out. She was hissing, and looking for Mousse, to pay him back for getting her cursed. "Oh too bad, you fall in Rentoushishenniquan, spring of drowned sphinx, very tragic story of sphinx what drowned there two thousand, one hundred, thirty four year ago. Now whoever fall into spring take body of sphinx." Shampoo heard none of this. The rage she felt toward her long-time stalker over-riding her higher brain functions, her pink and purple fur, blurring as she leaped. The, now Cat-Girl, completely ignored her instincts to ask the boy riddles and started attacking with her new claws.

 Cologne jumped down, setting Pai near the guide, and tried to calm Shampoo, promising that the boy would pay for his crimes.

 Ranma was the next to surface. Opening his jacket, he yelled in surprise after looking at his chest. The guide explained the spring of drowned girl again, while Ranma considered for a moment adjusting his sarashi to cover his newfound breasts, but was far more concerned with the condition of his comrades. Taking in the situation, he saw that despite the changes, everyone else seemed all right, other than the boy who caused the mess, so they all turned toward where his mother had fallen. After a long couple of seconds, the bright violet light faded and a woman wearing his mother's clothing crawled out of the pool. She had flawless alabaster-white skin, her hair had changed from its normal reddish-brown to rich black, and her face looked even younger and ...different. Nodoka had always looked younger than her age would suggest, and since they finished their training with Kyoshi she had hardly seemed to have aged physically at all, but now she looked barely older than Ranma himself. Even her aura was different!

 The guide saw this and gaped. "What? That no happen before. Very strange."

 Ranma was starting to worry even more, and turned to the guide to ask, "What isn't normal? What happened?"

 "Well, that one spring of drowned priest. Normally whoever fall in spring take body of young priest, but not usually girl, and that light, very strange..."

 'Nodoka' looked confused as she climbed out of the pool. "What? Where am I? Why am I wet? Did I miss something fun? And why do I feel...? Oh no..." Even her voice was different.

 "Kaa-chan! Are you okay?" The teens ran over to check on her after handing her a dry towel. After all, Nodoka's rule number forty-two, was to always carry a towel.

 "Why do you address me as such? I am a miko, I am no one's mother. I've never even..."
{*Miko = Shrine Maiden or Priestess*}

"Well, you were until a moment ago."

 "No, until a moment ago, there was nothing, darkness, no light, no sound, no time, nothing. However, now, I am here, wet, and it is back... Where IS here anyway and who are you ...people?"

 The guide mumbles further, "Very unusual indeed..."

 Ranma took charge, as usual, though his bare breasts did little to show authority. "My name is Ranma Saotome, these are my companions, and you are, or rather, were my mother, Nodoka Saotome."

 "You have a surname, are you a lord, or a samurai, or something?"

"Well, sort of, but that is not why. All Japanese people are required to take a surname, it has been that way for more than a hundred years. What era are you from?"

 "It was the Muromachi period, I believe."

 "Muromachi? That ended more than four hundred years ago!"

 "That is troublesome. Let me ask you this then, are you friends with this kappa?"

 "I am NOT a kappa!"

 "Then what ARE you? You look like a kappa to me... though not as ugly as most of the ones I have seen..."

 "Ucchan is much cuter than any kappa."

 "Well, normally I am a teen-age girl, but I just got hit with two curses at once, and they seem to have mixed... And I am getting the urge to make more okonomiyaki ...with cucumber..."

 "See, I told you. Kappa LOVE cucumber!"

 "I AM NOT A KAPPA!" At that moment, the guide came over with a kettle, pouring a bit of the warm water over the girl's head. Unfortunately, depending on your point of view, when the curse activated, Ukyo's tight dress had shredded with the expansion of her shell, leaving her almost completely naked. Not that Ukyo minded overly much, but she did notice that Ranma's breasts were larger than her own. That made perfect sense to the girl, who figured the handsome boy should make for a beautiful girl. However, Ukyo also noticed the way their former 'mother' was looking at them. Ranma noticed it as well, and handed Ukyo his coat, after wringing it out. It took Ranma a moment to realize he still had breasts and probably ought to cover them, so rewrapped his sarashi.

 "Sorry sir, hot water gone. I go get more for you." With that, the portly man was heading back to his hut.

 The priestess was surprised, she had seen transformation magic many times, but normally is was due to the youkai power and she did not sense anything like that nearby, and never had she seen magic activated by water of a certain temperature. There was a lot of magic though, including what she sense at first, but also from all around her. The whole area was infused with magic, but it was not a malicious magic, chaotic, yes, but not inherently evil. Seeing the change for herself did make for a convincing argument though. She looked at her reflection in the water, and saw that she looked like she remembered. "So you say that moments ago, I was your mother. Did your mother look like I?" 'Or is the water showing my spirit's reflection?'

 "Oh no, you look completely different. Still beautiful, but in a different way, and you look closer to our age. So then, if you are NOT my mother, who are you now?"

 "As I said, I was a priestess, my name is Kikyo. I died from wounds I obtained in the line of my duty. A duty that will never end, it seems... I had hoped that when my reincarnation wished it out of existence that my soul could rest, and the cycle would end. However, it has returned once again, and so have I... What do you know about the Sacred Jewel of Four Souls?"

"Nothing, never heard of any such thing. How about you, Ucchan?"

 "Only legends."

 Now that the Ukyo had changed back into her normal form, Kikyo gave her another hard look. To Ukyo it felt as if the other woman was looking straight through her. It was similar to when Ranma would read her true aura. It made her want to pull Ranma's coat around her even more tightly, not that she felt that would do any good.

 "You seem familiar to me girl, are you a monster hunter?"

 "We HAVE hunted a few in our time, but I was from a clan of ninja, not monster hunters."

 "I almost expected you to pull out a big boomerang." Kikyo chuckled a bit.

 "A what? I use my okonomiyaki kote as my main weapons of choice and occasionally, my war fans, but I can use a lot of weapons."

 "That is somehow ...appropriate, and you, you are supposed to be 'my daughter'?"

"Your son! I am a man!"

 "What? With a body like that? You claim to be a man?"

 At that moment the guide had returned to pour the hot water onto Ranma's head, changing him back to his male form.

 "Told you."

 Kikyo's jaw dropped. "It's you! You found a way to become human and you forgot all about me? Inuyasha, my love?" Kikyo jumped up and threw her arms around the freshly restored young man.

 "Ranchama?"

 Ranma, using all of his reasoning, and linguistic skills (he was a cunning linguist after all), and came back with the most eloquently stated response he could muster, "But, er, um, ack, but, who, why, what, how, hamanahamanahamana... Wait? I have always been human, and we have never met before, have we? I am sure I would remember one as lovely as you... and, um, Inu-what? If you want a dog, you would be better off talking to that guy over there..."

 "No, not the same, but so very like that man ...and a bit like that other one, but no matter. All that matters is that we have been reunited!"

 The guide was about to pour the hot water on 'Kikyo's' head, hoping to change her back into Nodoka, when he was stopped by Ranma. "Wait! That will change Kikyo-san back into Ofukuro-chan?"

 "Yes, should. Hard to say though, this one very strange. No is like normal curse. Normally only noise splash, and that light very strange, no?"

 "You would know better than we... Well, wait a moment then, we need to figure this out first." Turning back to the cursed priestess, Ranma said, "Who, exactly, are you, and why do you say I should know you?"

 "As I told you, I am Kikyo, a priestess in charge of protecting the Shikon no Tama, or Sacred Jewel of Four Souls. Twice we have erased the jewel from existence, and yet it has returned once again, and for a third time, it has brought us together. You who are so like, yet not like that man. You can only be the reincarnation of my love. It seems as though the sacred jewel has granted my wish to be reunited with Inuyasha, or rather, the fully human reincarnation of the half man I loved. It is not good that the jewel has returned, but I cannot say I am unhappy. I, it is good to see you again, you are just as handsome as a full human, as I had always imagined." Kikyo snuggled into Ranma's chest even further, enjoying the feeling until the guide poured the hot water over her head.

 "What? Too soon?"

 "A bit, but..."

 Nodoka was returned control and form, and realized the position she was in, snuggling up to her son. She had been aware of everything 'she' had been doing, but it had been like watching a movie, and had been unable to feel or do anything. However, now she was aware, in control, and felt every bit of it ...and it felt very good. After a few moments, it all sunk in, panicking the embarrassed woman, caused her to yell, "Ack! Ranma-kun!", and jumped back, almost falling into another spring. If not for the quick actions of the two nearby teens, she would have done just that. Ranma and Ukyo each grabbed one of her arms, and helped her away from the springs.

 Over by the hut, Cologne was trying to calm her descendant down after hitting a sleep pressure point on the stalker, as much to prevent the boy from feeling the pain from the damage Shampoo had done, as it was to keep the fool from running away. Shampoo had been returned to human form before Ukyo had been, to stop the carnage if nothing else. Ryoga, not wanting to be naked, so still in puppy form, pretended their attacker was a fire hydrant, and finally relieved himself.

 When Ranma and Ukyo led Nodoka over to them, Cologne gave them an apologetic look. "I am afraid we owe you an apology. One of our soon to be former tribe members interfered with the test, and caused you this curse. All of you who took the test passed, and you are all welcome to stay with us for as long as you like. For not only causing you all this trouble, but also for cursing my granddaughter, this fool will be put on trial before the council. I doubt they will be lenient, especially in light of past transgressions. This is not the first time this one has brought shame to their family. If any of you would like to speak at the trial, I will see it is allowed. You may even be allowed the right of execution, if you so desire..."

 "NO! I mean, I am sorry honored elder, but I do not wish to see anyone killed. As troublesome as this is, we all knew the risks. We will find a way to deal with it. Ofukuro-chan here has it the worst, being possessed by the spirit of a long dead priestess, the rest of us just look different, we don't change into someone else!" Ranma hugged his mother again.

 Cologne's impression of the boy just kept going up. Though many who knew her might be surprised by the fact, but she did not particularly care for killing people either, and only did so when absolutely necessary. Sadly, it had been necessary far too many times in her long life, and it always brought with it a heavy heart. However, as the leader of her people, it was her responsibility to do whatever she had to do to keep her people safe and uphold their traditions to the best of her ability, and she would do anything to ensure their future.

 "So, how DO you feel, kaa-chan? What do you remember?"

 "I believe, I remember all of it. It was like I was a passenger in the body of another, unable to do or say anything."

 "That almost exactly what was. Many spring change body, some even change personality, but never seen one do like that! Seen many people fall in that spring, never act like this before. Another tragic story for annals of Jusenkyo!"

 "So, kaa-chan, did you hear that miko's story?" Seeing his mother nod, the boy continued. "Do you know anything about this Shikon no Tama thing?"

 "You could say that. It is a bit of a long story though, maybe we should make some tea..."

 -!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-
{Inuyasha Spoilers Ahead - Skip to next line break if you do not want to read}

"So let me get this straight, you are saying that one of our cousins, who is still in elementary school, is going to go back in time in the future, and destroy this jewel and become one of our ancient ancestors?!?"

 "That is correct. According to the family legends, this girl was, or is, the reincarnation of this very miko. They were able to purify the evil taint within the jewel, and wish it out of existence, thereupon the girl was returned to the proper time. However, after spending some time in our future, little Kagome-chan will wish to go back in time once again, to be with the lover that the priestess mentioned. When that wish is made, the jewel will be brought back into this world, and follow our cousin into the past. Our ancestors found the sacred jewel again, and we have been its protectors from then on.

 "I had planned on telling you all of this when you got married, and the duty fell to you, but it seems as though you need to know sooner. I had hoped to spare you this burden until you had lived a little first. I wanted you to have a life of fun before you had to take over. The jewel can only be protected by one who is free from evil. This is why you must be a man among men, an honorable man, to prepare you for the day this duty falls to you."

 "If this is what is needed of me, then of course, I will accept. Just tell me what you need me to do, kaa-chan."

 "What I need, is for you to not worry about any of this for now. Just be happy and honorable, my son. I will continue to do my duty until the day you are ready. There is no hurry for you to take over, whenever you feel that you are ready, this duty will await you."

 "Whenever you feel it is time, I will be ready! So, I am the reincarnation of this half-youkai, Inuyasha? And this miko, Kikyo, was in love with me or rather, my past life? Do you know more about that? I noted you did not mention that in your story."

 "Well, our family legends did not go into that part of the story, so I cannot really say. However, as romantic as that story is, I do hope that you will remember that this Kikyo, is in my body, and that I am watching what happens from behind those eyes. Anything you do to that miko, you are also doing to me."

 "I wasn't planning to DO anything, I just want to know what I am dealing with."

 "For that, you may well have to go to the source."

 Ranma, Ukyo, and Nodoka were feeling a bit 'squicky' thinking about the subject, but Pai was coming to the conclusion that she would need to hurry if she did not want to be left behind... Every time she turned around it seemed like some other girl was after Ranma, and she wanted to solidify her position.

 Suddenly, a thought occurred to Ranma, one that did not exactly make him overly happy. "Okaa-san, does that mean, that all of these monsters, that have been attacking us over the years, have been after that jewel thing, that you have known about this the whole time, and are just now thinking it is important enough to tell us about? How were you supposed to protect this thing from monsters before you could fight? What would you have done if kafu-san had taken me on this trip and something happened?"

 "Whoa, my son, slow down. Yes, it does seem that they might have been after it. However, I was not aware of that before. I only started to get the idea the other day, when we were attacked by those bugs. I had assumed that the jewel's power was still sealed, it has been many generations since any member of the family had been attacked for it. I suppose all of the traveling we have done with it, might have made the trace of power that may no longer be contained by the seal is more likely to be noticed than if I had stayed at home. However, there was no way I could have left it with your father, even if that man were not ineligible to guard it. There is just no telling what would have happened."

 "No, I understand, that would have been worse than leaving it unattended. I am kind of glad it worked out this way then, I would hate to think what might have happened if youkai has shown up at the house and you were there, alone and untrained. I do wish you had told us about it sooner though. I think it might be a good idea to get Kikyo-san to look at that seal too, maybe something is wrong with it. If anyone can tell, I would think that particular miko would be the most knowledgeable. Of course I do not want to make you change back if we do not have to, when even the guide does not even seem to know what is going on with this curse..."

 "No son, as usual, you are right. Let me get it for you, so you can ask me when I change. As for why, it has been tradition that future caretakers are not told until it is time for them to take over. It had been so long since there had been any trouble, no one really thought much about it any longer. I did want to make sure you were better prepared for the role than I had been." Turning to the guide, she inquired, "/Would you be so kind as to prepare the water needed for this please?/"

 Bowing, the guide said, "/Certainly, honored customer./" and got right to work.

 Nodoka started digging in her outfit, pulled out a cloth, and placed it on the table before Ranma. Ranma unwrapped the cloth and inside found a small cloth bag. Opening the bag, he found a small wooden box, with a white strip of paper with black ink dripping off of it. "Oh no. I think it is safe to say, that this seal is useless now."

 "They told me it was waterproof ink! I mean, it has gotten wet before..."

 "Jusenkyo magic spring, you ink proof for magic water?"

 "Uhhh..."

 "I am going to go out on a limb here, and say 'no, no it wasn't'."

 An "Urk!" was heard as the guide splashed Nodoka with a glass of cold water before a wet Kikyo jumped up to embrace Ranma. "My Love! You freed me!"

 Another "Urk!" was heard as Kikyo started kissing Ranma's neck.

 He stiffened up for a moment before pushing the girl back. "I am sorry Kikyo-san, I must ask you to refrain from doing that please. We have more important things to discuss."

 "Why do you treat me so poorly, my love?"

 "I am not trying to treat you poorly, but I am not 'your love'. You do not even know me ...and, you know, are in ofukuro-chan's body, it's kind of creepy."

 "Of course I know you! I know you better than I know anyone else, Inu..."

 "See! You see? You do not even know my name! You don't know me, you know almost nothing about me..."

 Dejected, Kikyo turned away. "You ...are correct. However, I DO know a lot about you, and even more about the man that you used to be. I know that you are honest, caring, and handsome. I know that you would do anything to help someone for whom you care. I know that you would risk your life to protect others... I do not sense the slightest bit of evil from you at all. You seem even more kind and loving than you were before. I do not need to know more than that. You have been all that I have wanted for so long... Even when I thought you had betrayed me, I still wanted you..."

 "That's our Ranchama!"

 "I know this must be hard for you, and the last thing I want is to cause you more pain. It sounds to me, as if you have had more than enough of that in your lifetime, and beyond. I am more than sorry that you have had to endure what you have. No one should have to go through what you have been made to suffer. It's not right. Know that I will do anything in my power to help you..."

 "Don't! No, this is hard enough! I do not want your pity. I should have known better anyway. No wish made on the Shikon no Tama will ever be granted in a way that will make the wish maker happy. I have been put by your side, only to be rejected, and trapped inside your mother of all things... So close, yet so far. My love is ever in vain. To never be mine... Plaything of the gods. Torment is all I have known. Why can't I just stay dead..."

 "Don't say that, you deserve a chance at happiness!" Ranma placed his hand on Kikyo's shoulder sending out a calming aura. He fully expected to be brushed aside, when that did not happen, he pulled her closer and saw the tears streaming down her face. Not being able to help himself, Ranma took the taller girl into a hug, doing his best to comfort and soothe. "I swear to you that I will help you. Somehow we will find a way to free you."

 "When you talk like that, you sound just like you used to. It just makes me want to be with you all the more. Be that as it may, you were unable to keep me safe the other times, and I have little hope for the future. ...This is nice though."

 "I am not that man! I, Ranma Saotome always keep my word, especially to a beautiful lady..." Ranma held her more tightly with his declaration, his determination was apparent to everyone present.

 Kikyo's tears slowed as she blushed at the complement. 'Even Inuyasha never called me beautiful, this version is much more affectionate too! We may have technically only just met, yet my feelings only get stronger. I am sure this is the one I want. Kagome can be selfish, this man is a better catch anyway!'

 Pai did not want to be rude, but felt the need to say something. "It's true, Ranma has saved me on more than one occasion. I have never met anyone more honorable."

 "I have been traveling with them for more than eight years now, and Ranchama has never broken a promise that I know of!"

 Even Ryoga had to say something, even if it was only to make the woman feel better. "It's true, honor is very important to them. They go around saving people all of the time. They saved me a few times as well, I don't know what I would have done without them. Nodoka is a very kind and honorable woman, and raised Ranma well." Ryoga was blushing at having to talk that way. 'Even if the guy gets on my nerves!'

 "Aw, I didn't know you felt that way ...'P-chan'."

 "SHUTUP, you ...half-man!"

 Ranma laughed at the supposed insult. Kikyo thought about the coincidence of this incarnation also being 'half-man'. However, Ukyo, Shampoo, and Pai all stared daggers at the lost boy.

 Shampoo pointed at Ryoga and said, "This one here half man, half dog, you sure this not what you look for?"

 "No, I am quite sure."

 Most of the other people in the room thought much the same thing at that point. 'Figures.'

 "Kikyo-san, are you, like ofukuro-chan, aware of what is going on when you are not in control?"

 "I can see and hear everything, my love."

 "Then you saw the seal that was on the box? I hate to get you involved in this, but you know more about the gem than any of us."

 "Yes, yes I did. Do not feel sorry for me. From the moment I was given that jewel, my fate has been inextricably linked to it. I feel fairly certain that I have been inside of it this whole time. However, I must be the bearer of bad news. O-fuda are not one of my areas of expertise. If I had seen it, I might have been able to do something, though it would not be guaranteed. I specialized more in eliminating youkai."
{*Fuda = Talismans/Charms/Amulets - The 'O' is a polite honorific.*}

 Cologne felt it was a good time to interject. "I believe I might be able to help you here."

 "You can make seals?"

 "Oh, no, nothing like that. However, I know someone who might. One of our villagers has some training in similar talismans. I will introduce you. Maybe Te Rou can help you."

 "Thank you, elder." Ranma bowed.

 "No need, this is the least I can do, since we helped cause this mess. Besides, you are now honorary members of our tribe, and we help our own."

 "Speaking of helping, what happened to the person who was supposed to be watching Ryoga?"

 Finally back in human form, Ryoga replied sheepishly, "Well, I asked where I could relieve myself. The girl told me to go behind a tree, and when I tried to find the tree, I ended up here..."

 Slapping himself on the forehead, Ranma said in mild shock, "P-chan, you were in the woods! There were trees all over the place! Do you know how many trees you had to have passed to get here?"

 "Then I suppose I need to apologize again, even I wouldn't have thought it could have been that bad. I am sorry."
 
"Yeah, you pretty much have to take that guy to a spot, and tie the leash to something until you come back. Oh well, it's not like there is anything we can do about it now. Thanks for trying." 'Well, that is one girl who will not be trying to marry the Lap Dog...'

 -!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-

 Ranma had asked Ukyo and the others to help put their things away in the room they would be sharing until they built a house of their own. With the help of some of the villagers, it was unlikely to take long. Meanwhile, Cologne had introduced Ranma and Kikyo to Te Rou, the village expert on all things spiritual. The young woman was quite attractive. Her skin was darker than the rest, and she had long, wavy black hair, bright green eyes, and unlike most of the village, she was not wearing Chinese clothing, but something more western. An outfit of European design, if Ranma was any judge. A long layered skirt, made of cotton, a tight wrap barely covering her breasts, and shoulderless, ruffled sleeves that matched her skirt. Her outfit exposed a lot of cleavage and her belly. She was also wearing a lot of jewelry, and a bandanna. The whole package was very exotic to the Saotomes, it kind of reminded them of a belly dancer, even if Nodoka could not comment.

 After Ranma explained their situation, Te Rou said, "It hard say. Never sealed thing like this. Must research seal. This Shinto, me is Buddhist."

 "Thank you Te Rou, just let us know if there is anything we can do to help you, with this or anything else."

 "Anything?"

"/Anything you desire, I or one of my companions would be happy to do what we can./"

 "/I am sure we think of something.../"

 "Oh, sure, you will flirt with HER! Why am I the only one not good enough to flirt with?"

 "I do not flirt with every girl, only the really pretty ones."

 "Am I not pretty then?"

 "Oh no, you are very beautiful, and were you not in the body of my mother, I probably would be happy to take you up on your offer. However, the way things are now, it just feels ...wrong, I am very sorry."

 "/Sorry about that, and thank you for whatever help you can give. Just let us know if there is anything you need./" Ranma and Kikyo turned to go. Ranma felt glad that they were making progress, but bothered by the fact that he had hurt this woman, once again. Kikyo was dejected, she had a bit of a complex about being passed over for other girls already, and this was not helping that.

-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-

T he three girls had received a new tape from Ranma, for the first time since he left Hong Kong. They were so excited about it they decided to make it into an event, and all listen to it in the privacy of his bedroom, during another 'sleep over'. Once the household started calming down, and the fathers were good and drunk, the three of them grabbed their bedding and snuck into the boy's room to set up for their evening. After setting up their drinks and snacks, the three girls huddled together and pressed play on the tape player...

"Hello girls, I hope you are all doing well. I have no idea what inspired your last gift to me, but they were stunning..."

"Ranchama was speechless!"

"Ucchan!"

 "Fine, I will just go back to what I was doing..." A kissing noise was heard, followed by some slurping.

 "Um, okay, that's NOT what you were doing, but whatever. Sorry about that. It's been a while since you have sent us pictures, and you three just keep getting cuter as you grow up. You are even cuter than the actresses we worked with. I wish you had been here for that, it was a lot of fun. With how beautiful you three are, I am sure I could have gotten you parts as well. The director said we would be contacted for another one soon, but we said we would not be able to take the time to do it again for a while. If you want to be in it, I will refuse anything if they do not give you a chance to try out as well, but that will not be for a while. We have a lot of training to do before we can take more time off, and between that and studying we get precious little free time."

 When Ranma paused, other voices were faintly heard arguing in the background.

 "NO! I am next! I have been waiting the longest!"

 "No, Shampoo next! You had you chance! Shampoo no need months be ready, no like indecisive girl!"

 "I didn't expect to have this much competition!"

 "How can not? Ranma too too much good man! Is only natural have many womans..."

Ranma's voice was muffled a bit, as if his hand were over the microphone, as he interrupted the argument. "No fighting ladies, please? Do you want me to have to spank you? I am in the middle of recording a letter to my pen pals, so if you would keep your voices down, I would be grateful. Thank you. I will deal with both of you later."

 The girls paused the tape, they were not sure what to think about the sounds they were hearing, and being just called 'pen palls'. The reactions varied from "Oh my!" to a sly grin, laced with a bit of disappointment. They came to a couple of conclusions. The first being that despite the photos and hints they had sent, none of them had expressed any desire to the boy about being anything other than 'friends'. The second being that they were going to have a lot of competition in trying to win the boy's heart, if they wanted to do that. Some of them were wanting that more than others. Knowing that one cannot win a contest that one does not enter, they all decided they could not sit back and wait for the boy to arrive before making a move, they were going to need to be more 'proactive' and direct. That decision made, they restarted the tape.

 Ranma's voice returned to normal. "Sorry about that, sometimes these girls are a handful, but the training here is really good, well worth the trouble. That reminds me, you are probably not going to believe me, I am not sure I believe it myself and I am living it. But, in the spirit of openness and honesty, I need to tell you anyway. You will find out eventually, but it is only fair that you have some warning. We got cursed, well most of us, Pai made it out unscathed at least. It's a strange curse, and each of us got a different one, but they all work about the same. Cold water activates them, and hot water turns us back. I turn into a girl, Ryoga now turns into an actual puppy, Ucchan turns into a kappa-like turtle girl..."

 "AH'M NOT A KAPPA!"

"Right, right, sorry, some kind of teenage, cursed, ninja turtle-girl. And ofukuro-chan got the weirdest one. Changing bodies is bad enough, but to change personalities too... The guide said it was even weird for what passes as normal in that place. That one is normally one that changes the personality, but you are still you, you just act differently, but this one, it's like a split personality with both of them inside all the time, and the curse determines which personality is in charge. The other personality claims to be a priestess who died, not once but twice! Once close to five hundred years ago, and again fifty years later after being resurrected! Oh, and if that is not weird enough, the miko, claims that I am the reincarnation of some half-youkai prince or something that the girl had fallen for. It just gets weirder from there, I could go on, but you probably don't believe me anyway, you will just have to see it for yourselves when we get home in a year or two. I just don't know what to think, it's almost too weird to be something someone made up, and yet, I can't believe it for myself. Even with all of the weird things we have seen, this one really takes the cake. We are trying to find cures, but, so far, it isn't looking good."

 "But Ranchama, you make such a CUTE girl!"

The both of them laugh. "Well, compared to the rest of you, I don't have anything to complain about. After all, except for Ryoga, my best friends are all girls, and they are all amazing people. I see nothing wrong with being a girl, what matters is our honor!"

 "Well, I know there are a lot of us girls out there that are really glad you are still a real man, most of the time..."

 "Speaking of amazingly cute girls, I can't believe you girls would send me such sexy pictures, what was it that inspired that anyway?" A 'gulping' sound was heard. "Not that I am complaining, it was a really, um ...pleasant surprise, I was just curious. You three are so cute, you have to be three most popular girls in Japan. I would bet you have to beat the men off with sticks! Well, whatever the reason was, thank you for considering me worthy of such a precious gift. I would love to paint your portraits one day, I hope you will be willing to model for me."

 The three girls were blushing at the compliment, and slowly came to realize that Ranma had NOT, in fact, been aware of the photos of himself that Ukyo had been sending them, so they probably could have gotten away with not sending those without causing offence, and blushed again. Then they considered how many pictures they sent him, compared to how many Ukyo had sent to them over the years, and figured it was a bargain at ten times the price.

 "Ranma-kun is right, those claims ARE hard to believe."

 "As if monsters existing aren't unbelievable enough. I do not want to think that Ranma-kun would lie to us, but it is just SO unbelievable. I mean how many times have we proven supernatural claims false? I guess we can do it again when they get here..."

 "Ranma-sama can tell me anything, I do not mind." Fubuki blushed again.

 "I do not think Ranma-kun would lie to us. It certainly did not sound like he was lying."

 "Well, I do not want to think that either, and the other claims could have been someone tricking them, but this, you can't be fooled about something changing your body into something else."

 "Hypnotism?"

 "I supposed that could be possible, but why would anyone go to that much trouble? So many different events and in so many different places... It just doesn't make sense!"

 "Maybe there are more things out there than we thought... As your hero, Doyle-sensei wrote, 'When you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth'."

 "I suppose anything is possible, but it's just so unlikely... It just seems so much more likely that they are making it up, and if that is the case, do any of us want to be with someone who would make up such a story and present it as a fact?"

 "If it is Ranma-sama, then yes, yes I do. I will serve that goshujin-sama until I die, no matter what!"

 "I do believe I would be willing to put up with it. Ranma-kun is so kind, in so many ways, just think about all of the nice things they have done for us, all of the other people they have helped and allowed us to help. Remember how mad Ranma-kun got when you told them about what those ninja had tried to do. I do not think telling stories is such a big deal when compared to the rest of what they have done. What about you Nabiki-chan? Would it change the way you feel, if you found out Ranma-kun was making up some stories about their trip? We got to watch the movie they were in, so it can not all be made up, there must be some truth to it at least..."

 "Yes, yes it would! I do not know by how much, but I do not like being lied to, I do not like being made a fool of, and it hurts to think that someone I trusted would do that to me. I just don't know what to think. ...I, I was, ...I, lo..." Kasumi and Fubuki took the younger girl in their arms to comfort her. Nabiki accepted the embrace, and lightly sobbed for a few moments. "Thank you, I do not want to think badly about Ranma-kun and the rest, not after all they have done for us, and how we all feel about them, but it just hurts to think of being lied to. I want to believe them, but it is just so unbelievable. We have never lied to them, we have always been honest..."

 "Have we? Have we really? I can think of a few secrets we are keeping."

 "Keeping a secret and lying are two different things!"

 "Are they?"

 After a few moments, Nabiki nodded. "Maybe you are right, nee-chan. Maybe we should just confess and get it over with..."

 The girls sat there holding each other for a while, waiting for Nabiki to calm down, and dry her eyes before they listened to the rest of Ranma's tape intently, enjoying the sound of his voice if nothing else. Afterward, they opened the other package, this one being from Ukyo. Inside they found more pictures, as they had expected, this time they included some new girls, including two especially cute ones, a redhead and a girl with long bluish-purple hair! The writing on the back claimed that the redhead was, in fact, Ranma himself! The lavender-haired beauty was called Shan Pu, they all assumed that must have been the heavily accented girl they heard arguing with Pai on the last tape. The three girls were jealous of the Chinese girl's figure, especially considering the girl was younger than all three of them.

 "Ranma-kun certainly does have good taste. I guess that body is the benefit of not relying on all of the modern conveniences. We need to take more training trips ourselves..."

 "It's strange, wherever Ranma-kun goes, the boy seems to find the cutest girls around."

 "Goshujin-sama did say that we were some of the cutest girls in Japan, so must consider us, at least, on par with those girls." After a moment's hesitation, Fubuki blushed and said, "Maybe we should send him even sexier pictures... we do not want to lose out, do we?"

 This gave Nabiki an idea, so the girl fiddled with a few things while the others were busy drooling over the new photos, before popping in the tape from Ukyo's package.

 The girls had to rewind and turn the volume up all of the way to hear well, since the girl was whispering. At first, they thought Ukyo had accidentally sent them a blank tape. "Hi hi! Sorry about whispering, but I don't want to be overheard. Ranchama was really impressed with those photos you girls sent, they were great! I want to try that apron thing myself, one of these days soon. I envy how sexy you girls looked!

 "I have sent you girls pictures of the faces we make when getting Ranchama's 'special massage', but I don't think that is good enough, so I would like, if you are interested in a more complete experience, to share the sounds to go along with the pictures. I am going to sneak this tape recorder into the room while it is going on, and you can listen to it while you are looking at the photos."

 Still cuddled together, the girls did as they were instructed. They adjusted the volume for the new level of sounds coming from the tape player, as they looked at all of the photos. The moans, panting and, even occasionally, screams of pleasure were infectious, and it did not take long before the three of them were rubbing themselves and each other in time with the 'music' on the tape. Nor was it long before they were all naked and thoroughly enjoying themselves, so much so, that the elder girls failed to notice Nabiki occasionally pressing a button on a control near by.

-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-

Uky o had been working hard on clothing designs. Her new body was causing her problems, and she wanted to find a way to change forms without shredding her outfit every time. It was not that the girl had a problem with being naked, especially when Ranma was around to see it, but replacing her clothing was getting tiresome. She thought she had found a way to not only change without ruining her outfit but, as a bonus, it would allow her to show off her figure to the best effect when she was in her normal body. The hardest part was figuring out a way to keep the outfit tight at the waist and yet allow for the 'sudden expansion' of her 'shell'. She came up with a 'very' low-cut 'dress', that was completely open on the sides, which showed off her hips and legs quite well, but she was having a hard time figuring out a way to keep it closed.

 The trick was to find a way to make the waist sash come untied with pressure from the inside. Some form of reverse slipknot was required. She had some other ideas, like the skimpy 'monokini' with no sides and a plunging neckline to show off her cleavage and navel. She had a version with no back at all, which kept the shell from squishing her breasts, but used a kind of 'hook' to keep it between her legs, she was considering attaching a 'toy' to it for 'stability' instead, it would certainly make it more 'comfortable'. She had even made some in thin white, and other almost transparent materials. However, she wanted a nice dress, one that looked nice, showed off her figure, and still did not feel like she was running around completely naked all of the time. After all, as the photos from the Tendos proved, sometimes it was sexier to keep some parts hidden, while at the same time, showing off. It was much more tantalizing.

 With Shampoo's help, she had gotten a lot done, she just had to make an extra one of each design, in return for the help, well, that and keeping up the crash courses in Japanese. Shampoo needed a slight modification to the design with an opening in the back for when she wanted to 'spread her wings'. That girl really knew a about skimpy clothing though, and was a lot of help. Nevertheless, she would still have to remove them if she wanted to take her lion form. Ukyo felt guilty about being a bit jealous of the other girl's figure (and her 'cursed' form), but since Shampoo was wanting to show off for Ranma's sake, Ukyo could hardly say 'no'. Having the bubbly girl as one of their concubines would be a lot of fun, even if it was only for while they were living in the village. The other girl's personality was infectious, and always put Ukyo and the others in a good mood when she was around, not to mention how skilled she was. She was not as skilled as Ukyo herself, but more so than Pai, so far. Though with Ranma's special training, Pai was catching up quickly. Once Pai learned some more special techniques and got a bit better with her ki use, she would be able to hold her own in their sparring.

 The three of them were fast becoming good friends, despite the initial friction between the two Chinese girls, mostly over who got to go first. The language barrier certainly did not help either, Shampoo's Japanese being almost as bad as Pai's Mandarin was. Luckily, Ranma, as Ukyo had expected, handled the problem with ease. Ranma had ended up having to make good on his promise of a 'spanking', which, Ukyo had noticed, the two girls seemed to enjoy more than she would have anticipated, and calmed them both right down. Their combined looks of pleasure and embarrassment made Ukyo want to act up and get a spanking herself, but there was a time and place for all things. She could always ask later, but asking did not feel as tantalizing as being 'punished' for being 'naughty'. Nonetheless, the four of them had a lot of fun that evening, and Ukyo had even voluntarily allowed the other two to go first that night, since each of them were having their first time. Ukyo kept Shampoo 'busy' while Ranma gave Pai his full attention, making her first time as special and enjoyable as he could, and then she repeated the favor for Shampoo, keeping Pai 'busy' during her turn. Not that Pai was in any condition to interrupt once Ranma was done with her, but it gave Ukyo something to do while she waited for her own turn. Once Ranma had brought Shampoo to climax several times over, Ukyo and Pai joined them, and the four teens enjoyed themselves for the remainder of the evening. Ukyo enjoyed it immensely, and was looking forward to doing it again ...very soon. Ukyo had felt bad for Ryoga, who had been, once again, left out, but not bad enough to do anything about it herself. The lost boy was nice enough, and a good guy, but there was just no comparison to her Ranma. It did not help that she still felt a bit concerned about his lack of control after the massage fiasco. She knew she had felt her spine break that day, and was fairly certain that if it had not been for Ranma's fast application of his healing technique she would have likely been paralyzed from the waist down. She needed to remember to, once more, thank Kyoshi-sensei if they ever crossed paths again.

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"Ranma! You fight Shampoo now!" Shampoo had taken up a fighting stance.

 Ranma looked the buxom girl up and down, but did not make any other moves. "What is wrong Shan Pu?"

 "What wrong? What wrong is Ranma no fight Shampoo! Ranma treat Shampoo like weakling! Shampoo Challenge! We fight now!"

 "Now, Shan Pu, you know I do not think you are weak. What is this about?

 "What? Ranma too scared of fight? You is too too scared of Shampoo fighting?"

 "You know I can disable you with a touch, what is this about? This isn't another attempt at a marriage duel is it?"

 Dejected, Shampoo's arms and head drooped. "Was worth try..."

 "Come on Shan Pu, I think you are a great girl, but you know I am not ready to get married. Let's go have some fun instead and I will show you exactly how great I think you are."

 "Is okay, but Shampoo on top this time."

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Ranma and the girls were heading back from their day of training, Nodoka had stayed behind to talk to Cologne. When they got close to the house they were using, they saw Ryoga running around in a circle yelling, "Gotta run! Gotta get away from here! Gotta go! Gotta go... AH!!!!"

 "Oi, P-chan! What's the matter?"

 "ACK! Oh, it's you, Playboy... You are good with this sort of thing, what should I do?"

 "What happened?"

 "Well, I was trying to get directions and this girl challenged me, but when I won, started kissing me, and so I ran away!"

 "Shimatta, Hizainu! That is exactly why I told you that it would be best not to accept any direct challenges while we were here, especially when you can only understand about half of what they are saying!"
{*Hizainu = Hiza - lap; Inu - dog*}

"I understood the words 'Challenge' and 'Coward'... I thought you just figured I couldn't win."

 "No, I was afraid you would. You know you could have read the rulebook they provided. Not to mention, we explained all of this a few times."

 "You know perfectly well I can't read a word of Chinese!"

 "There's a Japanese translation on the other page..."

 "And I missed that completely!"

 "Well, Congratulations old pal, you just got married!" Ranma slapped his friend on the back with one hand while pretending to puff on a cigar made of ki with the other.

 "Who do this?"

 "They had black hair, in a yellow clip, green pants, a dark gray top with red dragons on it, and threw knives with both hands and feet..."

 "Zhei Kan! Very good throwing, but no is good in real fight. Only is good for sneaky attacks or from long distance."

 "Are you sure?"

 "Very sure airen, few throw knife with foot. Fewer match look."
{Airen = spouse; sweetheart*}

 "Pai-Pai, will you keep an eye on Puppy here, we will be back soon."

 "Okay, but then I get your attention when you get back! I am way overdue for a 'massage'..."

 -!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-

 Before long, the three teens found the girl they were looking for. Zhei Kan was searching around the village for her lost 'husband', luckily for Ryoga, he was in the one place she didn't think he would go, in front of his house. ...Of course Ryoga would not have been there if he hadn't gotten lost while trying to get away.

 Shampoo walked over to the distraught girl and said, "/Did you lose something/ -Stirred-?"

 The pale girl's face burned red for a moment. "My name is Zhei Kan, NOT/ -Stirred-!"

 "/What do you think you are doing with our guests? They are off limits!/"

 "/Not that one! I heard, that boy was not an honorary member of the tribe! Not blood related to the other members of the tribe, so, therefore, 'outsider'!/"

 "/Hey, Ryoga might not be blood related, but that guy is just as much a part of our family as any of us!/"

 "/Trust me, you will be sorry if you try to lay claim to that one.../"

 "/Who are you to talk? A warrior who submits to being a lowly concubine has no room to lecture me on anything!/"

 Ukyo got angry, but restrained herself thanks to Ranma putting his arm around her, in a comforting way.

 "/...and how well did you do in last year's tournament? Oh, that's right, thirty-fourth place! Whereas, I won! I was even the one that beat you, if I remember correctly.../"

 "/That's just because my style isn't suited for the challenge log! Besides, you winning just makes your actions with this male that much more pathetic! You insult us all!/"

 "/This wild horse is too strong for any one warrior to tame! A weak warrior like you is not even fit to wipe Ranma's butt! Do you really want to know why I am willing to 'submit to this male'? Forget being able to fight with an elder, forget being the most handsome man I have ever seen, and even forget that almost every available woman (and a few who were not) have been clamoring for Ranma's attention. But if you really want to know, maybe you can get a small taste./" Knowing how cute she sounded in her singsong, broken Japanese, Shampoo switched to it for the extra effect. "Airen, you no mind using Chumo de Tiantang technique on stupid girl, yes?"
{*Chumo de Tiantang = 'Touch of Heaven' in Mandarin, Shampoo's name for Ranma's 'Special Massage', in Japanese it would be 'Tengoku no Tatchi'*}

"Well, I am not sure that would be very nice to P-chan."

 "Maybe, but sneaky girl deserve disappointment. Maybe teach respect for too too manly Ranma!" Shampoo was smiling and almost bouncing as she pleaded with Ranma.

 "Well, I can't say 'no' to that cute face." A smiling Ranma leaned in, put his arm around Shampoo's waist and kissed her.

 Ranma let Shampoo go, turned toward Zhei Kan, and cracked his knuckles. Zhei Kan pulled out her blades, and took a defensive stance, slowly backing off. "/I normally wouldn't do this to my friend, but I have to admit, I do not like the way you took advantage the situation, or the way you talked to Shan Pu. You have insulted my family, my friends, and myself. I do not want to hurt you, but I would not use those knives if I were you. We can do this the easy way, or the hard way... Your call./" Ranma used his 'charming' smile to stun the girl before she tried to throw her knives and hurt someone by accident. Using the speed of his recent training, Ranma quickly disarmed the girl, and moved in behind her to start hitting pressure points on her back. Zhei Kan instantly collapsed into a quivering pile. Ranma held up her knives. "/Come apologize to Puppy, Ucchan, and Shan Pu, and you can have these back. I hope you didn't have anything important to do for the next half an hour or so.../" Ranma put his arms around Ukyo and Shampoo, and they headed for their home.

 -!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-

 Zhei Kan was on her knees, begging forgiveness. "/I am sorry Shan Pu, you were right./"

 "/That you are not fit to wipe Ranma's butt? Yes, I know./"

 "/I now understand why you would submit yourself to this male as a lowly concubine.../"

 Ranma stepped in front of Ukyo, preventing the girl from attacking. "/Okay, now we come to your third problem. Even if Puppy forgives you for what you did to him, and you do end up becoming a member of our family, if I EVER hear you use the word 'concubine' in a derogatory manner again, you will live to regret it. Because I do not care who you are, you will NOT insult my friends and family that way. I was being nice this afternoon, but insulting these girls like that is something up with which I will not put!" Ranma used his aura to intimidate the poor girl, who was so scared, that not only could she not move, but she wet herself as well. "/There is nothing 'lowly' about being a concubine! It is a position of honor, and you WILL respect that! Do I make myself perfectly clear?/"

Despite Ranma focusing his aural 'attack' toward the cowering girl, everyone else in the room felt it to some degree. Those closest to him had come close to wetting themselves as well, some in more ways than one. This being the first time Shampoo had ever seen Ranma get even slightly upset, she was literally shaking. "Scary! Remind Shampoo, 'never make Ranma mad'. Most elder no is this scary!"

 "If you think that is bad, you do not want to see miomo-sama mad. I have never seen anything so terrifying in my life, and we fight monsters on a semi-regular basis."

 Still unable to move, Zhei Kan stayed on the ground, sitting in her own puddle. "/YES BA! Or do you prefer 'dashi'? Please forgive this lowly piece of human filth! I am sorry! I am sorry! I will never do it again, I swear! Your greatness will never be troubled by this one again! Your great self has this lowly worm's undying loyalty!/"
{*Ba, in this case, means 'feudal chief; rule by force; tyrant; lord; master' and 'Dashi' is 'great master'*}

 "I think I overdid it... I figured the girl's willpower would be stronger than that... Ooops. /Well, since we have that straightened out, how about you start atoning by cleaning up the mess you made?/"

 Shampoo had to work hard to prevent a giggle, especially when the girl said "Yes dashi!" and began to lap up the puddle with her tongue. Turning to Ukyo she asked, "You use camera, yes?"

 This had given Ukyo some ideas for 'submissive games' she wanted to try later. As tough as Shampoo acted, Ukyo was had been getting the vibe from the girl that she secretly wanted to be dominated. The two of them would have to have a long talk in the very near future.

 Ranma was shocked. "/Not like that, you fool! Use a rag!/"

 "/Yes dashi, this lowly one will use useless rags to clean!/" Zhei Kan's clothing had become too dirty during her writhing on the ground earlier, so had changed into a nice dress. She removed that dress and began to wipe up the mess, ruining a second outfit that day. "/I am sorry, I am sorry, please forgive me!/"

 Ryoga's nose started to bleed, so he turned away to face a wall.

 Ranma just shook his head. "/I meant to use a towel./"

 "/You want me to use Tao Li's dress? Yes sir, dashi sir!/"

 The girl jumped up and started to turn to leave, when Ranma said, "/No, I meant a mop, or a rag, or something, not someone's clothing! Oh well, your dress is probably ruined by now, just use that, I will see if I have something else for you to wear, unless you prefer this./ How about you, P-chan? It's your 'bride' after all."

 "/No, dashi, this one does not deserve clothing in the presence of your greatness!!!/"

 After a moment of trying to figure out what was being said, Ryoga turned to look at Ranma and spotted the girl, facing away from him, who was on her knees and diligently cleaning up her mess. She was wearing only her wrist and shin wraps, so his nose started bleeding again and he passed out.

 "Oh well, he is no help. Any of you have any thoughts?"

 Pai shrugged. Ukyo and Shampoo both looked at the girl, and back to Ranma.

 "Ranchama, considering what she said, I say let the bitch stay that way."

 "Shampoo think you follow stupid girl around. Make stay that way long time."

 "/That is two abstaining, one in favor of getting you clothes, and three for you staying naked. I guess I am out voted./" Turning to look at his fallen comrade, Ranma shook his head and added, "/Since this is your fault as well, why don't you clean this mess up when you are done?/"

 "/Yes dashi, right away!/"

 Still looking down at Ryoga, Ranma shook his head. "Seriously Ryoga, if you do this every time you get turned on, you will never be awake when the fun starts!" They all were mildly amused when the naked girl used the same dress to start cleaning up the blood off of Ryoga. "/Well, as entertaining as this is, I think we would all be better off if you take Ryoga to the bath, make sure you wash real well./"

 "/Oh yes, dashi! Your humble servant will clean airen VERY well.../" With a hungry look on her face, the naked girl tossed Ryoga over her shoulder, and ran off for the bathing area.

 "I don't know what ofukuro will do when we explain, but at least, today, the boy becomes a man! Or at least gets a hand-job!" Laughter filled the room.

 "Womens of Nujie Zu is very thorough."

 Ranma sparkled as he smiled at the girl. "If that girl is even a tenth as 'fun' as you are, Ryoga is in trouble." They all laughed again.

 Having remained mostly silent throughout these proceedings, Pai finally spoke up. "Now, I believe 'somebody' owes me a massage..."

 Shampoo winked at Pai and said, "Ukyo is 'someone', yes?"

 Pai winked and stuck her tongue out at the busty beauty. "That's not what I meant and you know it! You two can rub each other while you wait."

 "I did kind of want to mop the floor before anything else..."

 "Do not worry Ranchama, I will take care of that while you go have some Pai. It will not take long, and then I will keep Shan Pu ready for you." Adding, "...dashi." with a wink. Shampoo looked a bit disappointed. "Shan Pu, if you help me, we can get to it sooner..."

 Bouncing over, she happily said, "Shampoo help!"

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Nodoka was alone, and enjoying a nice soak in a hot spring, talking to 'herself'.

 "I know you are attracted to my manly son, and I do not blame you. I do not know how many times I have wished that we were not related... However we are ...and also, I am married." Nodoka got out of the water, naked as the day she was born, and walked toward the nearby river. "Normally I wouldn't mind this at all, if it were not for the fact that you are in my body, when you try to do these things. I know you cannot relate to having a child, you are so young after all, but how would you feel if someone possessed your father and he was trying to make love to you?" Finishing her thought, Nodoka jumped into the river. The change overcame her, as she lost control, and became a passenger in this younger girl's body.

 "Well, Nodoka-dono, to be honest, I never really knew my father well, and that sort of thing was fairly common in my day. While not illegal, it was not looked upon too highly, but it happened often enough. Perhaps I am a bit jaded, or perhaps it is just because the only family I knew well was my little sister. I do understand your concerns, and I owe my current resurrection to you. However, from my perspective, Inu... I mean Ranma-dono, is the man I fell in love with, what did we figure? ...almost five hundred years ago? The man whom I have been kept apart from by one tragic event after another. The scared jewel has given me another chance to consummate our love, and I do not wish to let it slip though my fingers yet again." Kikyo climbed out of the river and started back toward the hot spring. "I cannot imagine that I will be given another chance at this. So I beg you, at least give me time to spend with my love, or would you rather that I die, yet again, unfulfilled as a woman? Watching the love of my many lives, spending time with other girls, and ignoring me completely... My reincarnation was too jealous to share, and we had other problems that had to take priority. However, none of that is a problem this time! I respect your wishes, and do not wish to put you out, but do I not deserve some happiness as a woman as well?" Kikyo climbed into the hot spring, reversing the change.

When the change occurred, Nodoka was weeping over the tragic story. It took the woman a short time to gather her wits about her and to be able to speak again. "Well, it is still not illegal in the homeland, nor most of this country either, but it is VERY taboo. Though you cannot marry, there is nothing illegal about it. That being said, I am a passenger and am forced to watch every moment of what you do in my body. I might not be able to feel it, but I can see and hear everything."

 Heading back over to the river, Nodoka continued. "I do not wish to keep you from your love, but please, consider how we feel. My son is not the same man you fell in love with, no matter how similar."

 *SPLOOSH!*

"When I was a miko, I never planned to marry, nor even fall in love, so I can live with that. Believe me, I do understand that Ranma-dono is not Inuyasha, in fact in many ways, there is a great amount of improvement. All I am asking is to allow me time to spend with Ranma-dono, to get to know each other. However, I believe the choice should remain with your son. If I am rejected again, I will give up my dreams and do everything I can to not appear before them anymore, you can hide me away until you can get rid of me. I will do everything I can to make sure you stay in control as much as possible. I make this promise to you now. All I am asking for is a chance, time for us to spend together, some simple affection is all I ask. Surely you kiss your son, just let me pretend a bit!"

 *SPLASH!*

 "I DO kiss my son, but not like THAT! I do feel for you, and I hope that we can find a way to make you happy after such a hard time. I do not mind if you two spend time together at all, I just hope that you can understand how we feel. I promise I will do anything within reason to get you freed from your prison if I can." Nodoka stepped into the river once again.

 Knowing that neither of them could 'hear' the other's thoughts, Kikyo thought to herself, 'Oh yeah, I understand how you feel. That you act all high and mighty, but you would love nothing more than to have an incestuous relationship with your son, and the only things preventing you are social stigmas, family honor, and Ranma-dono's perceptions of you!' What she said aloud though, was, "I do wish to know why it is you carry a bow, but no arrows? Do you not know how to make them? I can show you." Kikyo eased herself into the hot water.

 "Actually, I do not use physical arrows any longer. I make arrows out of ki, instead of charging up real arrows any longer. However, if you cannot, I will be sure to carry some just in case, until you can master the skills. I will show you a few times, and then you can have an excuse to spend time with the kids, they are very good at using ki. Also, we can talk to Ke Lun and see if the Nujie Zu's people have any knowledge of such things that might be useful from their 'three thousand year history'."

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< br> Nodoka had bartered with one of the messenger families, for once a week pickup, and delivery, to the nearest town with postal service. Members of their family would take turns and the one who made the delivery would get some money to spend in town for themselves on top of whatever they need to be bought, like tapes, film, condoms, batteries, and so on, on top of getting things for their family when needed. This week was no exception, and Ranma was thrilled to see Ti Shu returning from her trip. She was a day earlier than expected, the girl must have run quite hard.

 "Ti Shu have special delivery for Ranma! Ranma give Ti Shu tip (or more), yes? You come with Ti Shu?"

 Ranma was surprised by how many of the girls in the village used their broken Japanese to talk to him. Either they knew just how cute they were doing it, or they really wanted the chance to practice with a native. Taking the mail inside, Ranma let the girl lead the way. It was true that he had agreed to help the tribe by sleeping with as many of the villagers as he felt up to, and it was also true that Ukyo, Pai, and Shampoo were off helping Zhei Kan with Ryoga's training. Ranma was pretty sure that Ukyo and Shampoo just wanted to watch how frustrated the other girl would get when Ryoga would pass out before she was done with him. On the other hand, the boy was improving, when they started this 'training', he would lose consciousness before they even started. They decided on training in a hot spring originally due to Zhei Kan not wanting to accidentally end doing a literal 'doggy style', and it seemed as though all of the 'family bath time' had help him do better in the bath, so the hot spring became their regular training ground. Strangely, Ryoga also seemed to do better when the other girls were bathing as well, it made him think of it as bath time, and could ignore it better due to regular practice. Ranma hoped his friend would overcome his problem soon, for Zhei Kan's sake, if nothing else.

 Ranma had told Ukyo to teach her the special pressure point for making a man 'ready' instantly, even after losing consciousness, if she felt the other girl could not take it any longer. Shampoo and Ukyo just kept saying that the girl was tough, and could take a lot more 'punishment'. Ranma understood their feelings on it, or he would have said something to them about making her wait so long already. Considering Ryoga's lack of control, it might be the only safe way for the girl. He would need to tell them something soon.

 Ranma thought about Zhei Kan again, the girl still refused to wear clothing around him. Ranma had really been hoping she would get over that sooner, he was somewhat worried that people would start to think he was making her do it, despite his objections. It was, at least, good for Ryoga to get used to it.

 In the meantime, he was having mixed feelings, while it was true he had agreed to this, but he did reserved the right to pick and choose when it did not interfere with his other responsibilities. Most of all, he was not overly comfortable with getting someone pregnant, especially one of the people responsible for getting his mail from the Tendo girls. However, he had trained himself well, and was using every trick he could to keep from doing just that, including his emergency 'ki condom' technique, and using ki to simulate the feeling of 'filling her up'. Most of the time, however, he would just use the 'Touch of Heaven' technique before he pulled out, and they would never notice the difference, which was exactly what he did to this time. However, this time he was 'caught in the act', so to speak. Due to the noise the girl had been making, her older sister walked in on them at that moment.

 Sibling rivalry kicked in after a few moments, and while Ti Shu could not move, she did argue with her sister a bit. Ranma tried to excuse himself, but on his way out, they turned their attention to him. "Thank you Ranma, was too too wonderful! But next time, you come in Ti Shu, is okay?"

 Latching onto Ranma's arm, the other girl said, "No, next time Ranma take Sha Wa instead!"

Wanting to get back and read his mail before anyone else got home, Ranma blew in the girl's ear making her weak in the knees, and then used his 'Touch of Heaven' one more time, causing Sha Wa to collapse twitching. Her sister, still laying on her bed, legs hanging limply on the floor, laughed at her sister's expression, and almost missed Ranma wave to them as he left.

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 Ranma went straight for his package from Japan. Opening the small box, he found, not only a tape, but also an envelope with the words 'Open this when you are alone' written on it. Making sure that he was alone, Ranma went to his room before opening the envelope.

 Inside he found one photograph of the three girls. All three of them were almost nude, and only their feet were tangled-up in the blanket they were using. The two Tendo girls were making a Fubuki sandwich, and quite obviously enjoying themselves thoroughly, in a room that seemed somehow, familiar to Ranma. The top of the picture had the words 'Wish you were here.' written in black marker.

 After staring for a short time, Ranma finally turned the picture over, and saw more writing.

 'We are practicing for when you get home. We hope you will not be making too many more stops after this one. We all want to see you in person.

 'We also have some confessions to make, which might make this picture make more sense, if you have not listened to the tape already. However, in the interest of total disclosure, we felt there were a few things we needed to get off of our chests.

 'Speaking of being honest, I didn't tell the other girls about this picture until it was too late. You should have seen the looks on their faces when they saw them! I took a full roll that night, so if you give me good reason, I might be willing to send you more of them...
- <3 Nabiki <3'

Ranma was sweating. Seeing his friends like that was exciting him, only slightly put off by the concern over what their 'confessions' could be, it sounded important. Ranma started daydreaming about sharing that Fubuki sandwich with Ukyo, and a bit of Pai for desert...

 Ranma was not sure exactly how much time passed before Ukyo opened the door and entered the room they shared, he was still almost drooling over the picture of the girls. "There you are Ranchama! Pai and Shan Pu are helping miomo-sama and won't be back for a while." Noticing the look on Ranma's face, and his lack of greeting, Ukyo was curious. "Whatcha doin' there, Ranchama?" Ukyo looked at the photograph, and was amazed at how hot the girls looked in it. She did not fail to notice a certain bulge either. Ukyo figured that she had a job to do. She began to get ready, but first took the tape and started it playing before dropping Ranma's pants and getting to work with an enthusiastic "Itadakimasu!"

 With the tape beginning to play combined with the sensation coming from below his waist, Ranma began to become aware of his surroundings.

 The tape player chimed in with all three girl's voices, in a cheery, but deferential tone. "Dear Ranma-sama! We hope you are doing well!" Being the longest running pen pal, Nabiki took the opportunity to speak first once again.

 "We are really happy that it did not take you long to get in contact with us this time. It was a nice surprise. Summer is drawing to a close, and we will be going back to school soon, but we all felt there were some important things we needed to tell you. It may end up not being a big deal to you, but it matters to us. We hope you understand. Fubuki-chan, this confession is because of your ideas, so I think you ought to go first."

 A quiet voice responded. "Hai, Nabiki-sama. Goshujin-sama, I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me, do not blame the others, this was completely my idea and my responsibility. I could not get your mattress completely clean, after Akane-sama made a mess of it. This was my failure as a maid, and so I replaced the mattress out of my own pocket. I began to become nervous that it may not be comfortable enough for you, so I wanted to test it. I spent the night in your bed. It was the best night's sleep I had ever had, and so whenever I was feeling bad, lonely, excited, or just could not sleep, I would sneak into your room and sleep in your bed. In addition, as if that was not bad enough, a short time ago, I asked Nabiki-sama and Kasumi-sama to join me, and we have been having regular sleepovers in there occasionally ever since. I am a horrible maid! I am so sorry!"

 "You are a great maid, but that isn't what happened at all! I found you two playing with yourselves, while in that room, in the middle of the night, while looking at pictures of Ranma-kun! It was only THEN that you invited me to join!"

 "Don't be so hard on Fukibuki, we did not know you wanted to 'play' with those pictures as well..."

 "That is why you left me out the second time as well?"

 "We invited you! ...but we had to do SOMETHING to pass the time while we waited for you... I am sure Ranma-kun does not want to hear us bickering though. Fukibuki, please, continue."

 Ukyo had noticed that during this conversation, Ranma was getting bigger and harder, and she was having trouble opening her mouth wide enough, to not nick him, and opted for using her breasts and licking instead.

 "Hai, Kasumi-sama." Fubuki's voice got even fainter. "Ranma-sama, on top of pleasuring ourselves to your pictures in your room, we all also have at least one more confession to make to you. Mine is ...that, I love you, I want to be your maid and more for the rest of my life. Anything you would ever want from me is yours for the asking. I hope this is not a problem for you, if it is, please tell me, and I will never burden you with this problem ever again. I am oh so very sorry, I hope you can forgive this lowly servant for dreaming above my station. I will always be your maid, but if you ever want more, all you need do is ask it of me. You can have my service in any way you desire!"

 "I think you are being a bit hard on yourself Fubuki-chan, but good job! We are proud of you. I guess it is my turn... I also love you Ranma-kun. I don't know when it happened, but it had been building for a long time. When you protected me from those ninja, I knew that I wanted to be more than just pen pals or even just friend with you. I hope you will accept at least one of us. I can't wait to see you in person, Stud." There were kissing sounds, followed by a short pause.

 "I know, I know, it is my turn, you do not have to push. Oh my, oh my, oh my! This is so embarrassing. ...Ranma-sama, you are the kindest, most gentle, caring, and handsome man I have ever known. You have helped so many people, including our family, so much over the years and never once asked anything in return. I have never known anyone with such a good heart..."

 "...and hot body..."

 "...and hot body ...NABIKI-CHAN!" Giggles were heard in the background. "You are the best thing to ever happen in my life, and I love you, with all of my heart!"

 "Ranma-sama is also the only one you will believe when they tell you that you are beautiful!"

 At this point, the multiple stimuli of the girls confessing their love, looking at the beautiful girls in the photo, and Ukyo giving it her all, was too much, and Ranma lost it. Before much had covered Ukyo's face, she started sucking like a baby. Pausing the tape, Ranma looked down at his partner, who was still swallowing. "Thank you Ucchan, that was the best job you have ever done! No one is better at that than you are. You always know the right thing to do." Ranma pulled Ukyo into a hug, before laying her down to return the favor, and listening to the rest of the tape.

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U kyo returned to the room she shared with Ranma, Pai and occasionally Shampoo and others, to find a pretty pink envelope with her name written on it. Thinking it was a note from Ranma, she opened it immediately, and was surprised to see that letter inside had a skull with crossed eyes and its tongue hanging out, her name with an arrow pointing at the skull, with all of that surrounded by red hearts...

 "Well, that is odd. I wonder whom this is from ...there is no name. Oh, and here is one for Pai-chan too..."

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Ukyo had asked Shampoo to follow her somewhere secluded, far from the village. It was time they had a talk.

 "Look Shan Pu, we all think you are great, and I know you were raised to be a tough and independent woman, and we love you for it, but all these marriage challenges need to stop. Ranchama will not be getting married for a long time, you know this."

 "Stop you stupid talking! Shampoo one what should marry Ranma! Shampoo no give up!" Shampoo took up a fighting stance. "Shampoo best in village, deserve strongest male!"

 "Well, I know that you are the champion, and you are the best of your generation here, but you have to beat me before you are qualified to challenge Ranchama. I will not allow anyone to force that man into anything!" Ukyo stood there, waiting for Shampoo to make the first move. "Ranchama will get married to whom Ranchama wants, when Ranchama wants, and not a moment before that! If you want to fight someone, come, otherwise we have can just have a nice talk, like I had intended."

 Shampoo yelled out unintelligibly in frustration, and charged in, typically a bad move in a fight.

 Ukyo gracefully danced around Shampoo's easily read attacks. "I know you have a lot of pride as a warrior, and there is nothing wrong with that. You are a very strong woman, but I can read you like a book, and I do not just mean your moves."

 "What you talking?"

 "I can read your heart. I know you, possibly better than you even know yourself. You think that you cannot to show any weakness, that doing so is bad, that a strong woman cannot show any weakness to anyone. I am here to tell you that you can admit what you really want." Dodging past Shampoo's latest set of attacks, Ukyo blew lightly in the other girl's ear, and ran a finger up her spine.

 That sent shivers up Shampoo's spine before she turned to face where Ukyo was standing. "Shampoo want two thing, be strong, marry Ranma!"

 "So you say, but I know what you really want." Ukyo kept toying with Shampoo's body in her 'attacks', making it difficult for the lavender-haired beauty to focus.

 "What you mean? Shampoo no care about other thing!"

 "Sure you do, I can read it in everything you do. You want to be tied up, and kept helpless. You want to be completely at Ranchama's mercy, and played with like a toy."

 "You is crazy, you is! Shampoo no want that, Shampoo is strong! Shampoo in control!" Ukyo's last 'attack' had hit several of her pleasure centers, and Shampoo was reaching the breaking point, one way or another.

 "I know 'Shampoo strong', but I see very little 'control' right now, if you wore panties, they would be soaked. I can see your legs are glistening. You are so turned-on right now because I am playing with you, if I were Ranchama, you would have already came. Why don't we test that resolve of yours." Ukyo spun Shampoo around, grabbing her arms in the process and immobilizing them.

 "That sweat!" Shampoo tried to resist, but when Ukyo's grip held firmly she started to shake and tremble. "NO! Shampoo no want this!" Her legs buckled as she came, moaning out loudly.

 Ukyo pulled shampoo into a hug, comforting the sobbing girl. "It is okay, you can admit what you really want. I, we will not judge you."

 Shampoo cried into Ukyo's shoulder. "No! Shampoo strong! No be weak girl!"

 "Shampoo, who just won our little fight?"

 "Shampoo know! You stronger, Shampoo weak!"

 "Oh Shampoo, darling, that wasn't my point at all. You admit that I am strong, and I am most certainly a woman, yes?" Shampoo nodded. "You want to know a secret? I love nothing more than being submissive to Ranchama. You can be strong and still love the feeling of helplessness, of being 'dominated' by the one you love, the stronger you are, the better it feels. It is like a huge weight being lifted when you give up that control to another that you trust with your life. I do not want to hurt you, I only want to help you to admit what you want, so you can be truly happy. I want you to be the person you were born to be. Let your inner self be free. Remember, you deserve to be happy."

 "Shampoo no know, it smell fishy."

 "I am not surprised, with the way you were raised, but even an elder can make a mistake. Trust me, try it once, if you do not love it I will never bring it up again."

 "Okay, Shampoo try."

 "That is all I ask, I just want you to be happy. Now, before we go back, let's see if we can't make you feel even better." Ukyo started kissing the other girl's neck.

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" Pai Chan, Prepare to die!"

 A surprised Pai, dodged out of the way of a girl, or rather a female, humanoid 'monster'. The 'girl' was nude except for the golden brown fur with darker spots that covered her breasts and nether regions. Her hands and feet were 'paws' with matching fur, and koala bear-like ears on top of her head. The only thing that would qualify as actual clothing was the large red bow-tie around her neck.

 Ranma and the others were about to jump in to help when they were stopped by Pai. "I got this." Pai jumped forward shouting, "Kachu Tenshin Amaguriken!" Her fists blurred into action, pounding on her attacker. She was nowhere near as fast as Ranma but it was more than up to the task of sending the koala-girl flying.

 The shout of, "That no was supposed to happen......" trailed off as the figure flew out of range.

 "Well that was strange. I wonder what that was all about..."

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Omake 9a

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Teen -age Cursed Ninja Turtle
Teen-age Cursed Ninja Turtle
Teen-age Cursed Ninja Turtle
Guarding Ranma with her half-shell
Turtle Power!

She's the world's most fearsome fighting teen (from Osaka)
She's a hero in a half-shell and she's green (Not a Kappa!)
When her Ranma's under attack,
That turtle-girl won't cut 'em no slack!

Teen-age Cursed Ninja Turtle
Teen-age Cursed Ninja Turtle

Nodoka taught her to be a geisha queen, (She's a great mom!)
Shampoo will moan and Pai will surely scream. (When in the sack!)
That Ryoga gets real lost, (Where am I now?)
That Ranma's body could melt permafrost. (What?)

Teen-age Cursed Ninja Turtle
Teen-age Cursed Ninja Turtle
Teen-age Cursed Ninja Turtle
Helping Ranma with her half-shell
Turtle Power!

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Omake 9b

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It was early morning, and Fubuki was getting ready for her day. She was half dressed and brushing her hair, thinking about the previous night's conversation about Ranma and his stories. Fubuki felt bad about Nabiki's reaction, but then thought again about the photographs of the kind, handsome teen, and got a far-away look on her face as she blushed once again. Fubuki began to dance, as she sang into her hairbrush.

 "Love me love me, say that you love me
Fool me fool me, go on, and fool me
Love me love me, pretend that you love me
Lead me lead me, just say that you need me...

So I cried, and I begged for you to...
 Love me love me, say that you love me
Lead me lead me, just say that you need me
I can't care about anything but you...

Reason will not reach a solution
I will end up lost in confusion
I don't care if you really care
As long as you don't go...

So I cry, I pray and I beg...

Love me love me, say that you love me
Fool me fool me, go on, and fool me
Love me love me, pretend that you love me
Lead me lead me, just say that you need me...

So I cried, and I begged for you to
Love me, love me, say that you love me
Fool me, fool me, go on and fool me
Love me, love me, I know that you need me
I can't care about anything but you
Anything but you..."

Fubuki had her eyes closed for end of her song and when her eyes opened, she saw in the mirror that Kasumi and Nabiki were watching her from the doorway. Nabiki had her camera in hand, and was grinning wickedly. Kasumi was blushing, and Fubuki joined her within moments, almost fainting on the spot in embarrassment.

{Edited lyrics from The Cardigans - Lovefool}
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Om ake 9c

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Ranm a and Ukyo were chatting about the villagers, and how strange it was that all of their names seemed like jokes.

 "I mean, Shampoo, Cologne, Mousse, Tampon, Diaper, Tissue, Shower... It's like we have entered the village of the bad puns." About that time, another villager walked over to them, flirting heavily with Ranma. "/And who might you be, beautiful?/"

 "/This one's name is Scrubbing Bubbles./"

 "/Okay, now I KNOW you are messing with me! That's not even Chinese!/"

 "/I am from America, I was adopted by the tribe and took the name./"

Ranma and Ukyo facefaulted.

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Omake 09d by Hiryo

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" I am not that man! I, Ranma Saotome always keep my word, especially to a beautiful lady..." Ranma held Kikyo more tightly with his declaration, his determination was apparent to everyone present ...as was the hard-on in his pants.

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Omake 09e

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Col ogne fell into the spring of drowned Oompa Loompa,
...she got taller, and began to sing..

"Oompa Loompa, doompa a dee dee
If you are wise you'll listen to me.
The pools at Jusenkyo are exceedingly cursed
If you fall in them, your life will get worse
You might find it hard to walk in the rain,
Going for a swim will be a big pain.
What will you do if you can't find hot water?
You could be stuck, as can-non, fodder!
...hating every sec of it..."

The others quickly splash her with scalding hot water. They had a feeling that if there had been a bunch of her, that might have been cute, but by herself, it was just sad.

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En d Omake

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A uthor's Notes

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T he Four Great Beauties of China
-These are four legendary women, three of the four are definitely based on real people, though Diaochan might be pure myth, we have no proof either way. In order of birth, they are.
-Xi Shi - Said to be so beautiful that fish would forget to swim and sink to the bottom when she would walk by.
-Wang Zhaojun - Said to be so beautiful that birds in flight would fall from the sky, stunned by her beauty.
-Diaochan - Said to be so luminously lovely that the moon itself would shy away in embarrassment when compared to her face.
-Yang Guifei - Said to have a face that caused all flowers to close in shame at not being able to match her beauty.

The poem Ranma recited to Shampoo was about them, the shortened version he used is said to compliment a woman's beauty.
"Chen yu luo yan, bi yue xiu hua." - "Makes fish sink and birds alight, the moon fades and flowers close." Basically, it means that the person being spoken to rivals the four great beauties. The long version of the poem also includes the names of the women.
'Xi Shi chen yu, Zhao Jun luo yan, Diao Chan bi yue, Gui Fei xiu hua.' - 'Xi Shi sinks fish, Wang Zhaojun entice birds falling, Diaochan eclipses the moon, Yang Guifei shames flowers.'

Ranma's Pronoun
-I will not be using the feminine pronouns to refer to Ranma, in either gender. Some of the other characters might, but I will not. He did not use them, except in a few cases, like when he thought he was a girl, or was pretending, otherwise he used masculine pronouns and words to refer to himself. So, like with any other person, I will refer to them with the gender they identify with. As long as Ranma identifies as a male, that is how I will refer to him, unless I have a special reason for that scene (or make a mistake). Sorry if that bothers or confuses you, but it bothers me the other way. If I need to refer to the gender of his body, I will use the Ranma-onna (Onna - female), or something similar, since -chan and -kun are NOT gender specific.

Hammer
-In Japan, someone who cannot swim is called a 'hammer' (as opposed to saying they swim like a rock). Of course, Akane is a hammer in many ways, from her favorite 'weapon' to always trying to knock down Ranma's 'nail'...

Surnames
-Until the Meiji Period, common Japanese people did not have a family name. Only the nobles, samurai and some merchants and artisans did. At the time, the vast majority of the population was made up of peasants. The new Meiji government made it compulsory for everyone to choose a surname, using only authorized kanji (jinmeiyo kanji, lit. Chinese characters for use in personal names, or "name kanji"). Up to the Tokugawa period, common people would refer to themselves as being from a particular region, or from a particular branch of business. The names taken by Japanese people in the Meiji period were either taken from those already in use among the upper classes, others were created by local priests or even simply made up.
-This means that most of the characters in Inuyasha did not have surnames, including Kikyo.

-And yes, the 'old saying' in my notes above was, 'every dog has its day'.

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* CHARACTERS USED*

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{ Here I will list all of the important, non-Ranma characters, used in the chapter, and where they are from.}

Kogarashi the "Maid Guy" - the title character from Kamen no Maid Guy
Fubuki - The future 'Maid Guy Tamer' from Kamen no Maid Guy
Pai Chan - Taken from Virtua Fighter.

These are the 'Amazons' I made up.
Fei Sha - (Facial) Exile who lives in Hong Kong. Her name means 'Flying Fans'.
Dai Pa (Diaper) - The rival who got her exiled.
Tan Pan - (Tampon) Dai Pa's family elder, and member of the council.
Zhei Kan - (Shaken) In Shampoo's intro arc in the anime, in a flashback to her village, as Ranma is running away, they show six tribe members in a pan shot. She is the one in the back, obviously, with the knives.
Tao Li - (Towelie) who is friends with Gan Ja...
Ti Shu - (Tissue) One of the messengers.
Sha Wa - (Shower) Ti Shu's older sister.
Te Rou - (Tarot) Her mother was a Buddhist Priestess and her father was Romani (Gypsy). Té means 'special; unusual; extraordinary' and róu means 'knead; massage; rub'