Chapter 3: Wait A Minute, I Know You!

"Hey, Khu Lon! What was that all about, anyways?" Ranma asked upon entering the hut.

"Mu Tsu is, how you say, obsessed with Xian Pu." Xian Pu replied, looking fairly annoyed.

"Uh. Won't take a hint I guess." Ryoga said, shrugging.

"Is too too bad for stupid Mu Tsu! Wo Ai Ni!" Xian Pu said, latching once again onto each of the boy's arms.

<And she -can- take a hint?> Ryoko asked sarcastically.

<Gods this is embarrassing. I just hope she doesn't try and come after us in girl form.> Ranko said with a shudder.

"Anyways." Ranma said, sliding his arm out of Xian Pu's, "We can't marry ya. Khu Lon, its not that simple."

"And why's that, son-in-law?" Khu Lon asked, giving all appearances of polite attention.

"Well, cause of our curses." Ryoga replied.

<Hey!> Ranko and Ryoko chorused.

"That is easily fixed. A bit of Nannichuan and you're back to normal. No, I'm sorry boys, but that's not good enough." Khu Lon said dismissively.

"No, we can't just do that! Its not a normal curse!" Ranma protested.

"What do you mean?" Khu Lon asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Well, when we fell into the spring, uh, we kinda got the soul of the girl that drowned there too." Ryoga said.

"Go on..."

"Well, now we can talk to them, sorta, just mentally or whatever it's called." Ranma replied.

"So if we did jump into the spring of drown man, we might kill the girls or something." Ryoga added.

"What do you mean girls? There would only be one soul in the spring if your story is true." Khu Lon said disbelieving.

"Well, their souls, split, I guess. I mean, me an Ryoga both fell in at the same time." Ranma said uncertainly, rubbing the back of his head. "We don't really know what happened. That was one of the reasons we came here."

"Hmm, most interesting. But why am I to believe this story?" Khu Lon asked carefully. "You could be making this up. After all, Jusenkyou pools don't normally work that way."

"Well, if you talked to the girls, would that work?" Ryoga asked.

"How can I, if, as you say, you can only talk to them telepathically?" Khu Lon countered.

"Oh, we figured out that we can switch control if we want." Ranma replied easily.

"Very well." Khu Lon said finally.

"Um, could we have cold water though? We don't like switch'in in the wrong forms." Ranma asked with a grimace.

"Xian Pu, get them some water." Khu Lon said, and the girl reluctantly pulled away from Ryoga to fetch it. Xian Pu was a little worried that Khu Lon would break of the arrangement. That would mean Mu Tsu would bug her worse than ever. Besides, the boys were cute.

When Xian Pu returned with two buckets of water, Ranma and Ryoga obediently poured them over their heads. Xian Pu watched in fascination as the change took place, leaving two soaked girls.

"That's better." Ryoko said, shaking out her bangs. "Funny, normally we don't go lookin' for cold water. It finds us."

"I wonder if that has something to do with Jusenkyou or something." Ranko pondered, putting the bucket down with a clang. Then the two girls turned to the diminuative woman. "So, how can we convince you we're real?" Khu Lon looked them up an down, seeming to study them, trying to find something to either confirm or deny their story. After a couple minutes, both girls began to shift nervously. Finally, Khu Lon sighed.

"Hmmm. Well, I find I believe you. Not only are your auras differenent, but the way you act is subtley different as well." she said. "But that doesn't change the facts. Once you are cured, Xian Pu has her honor to uphold. And, since it was the girls who defeated her, that means she has to kill them."

"Now wait a minute! We only fought in self defense!" Ranko began hotly.

"It doesn't matter. It is part of our laws, for the strength of the village." Khu Lon said dismissively.

"But the guys are off the hook?" Ryoko asked quickly.

"Well, I won't force them to marry Xian Pu, but if she wins them over by herself, who am I to complain." Khu Lon said with a chuckle.

<No way.> Ranma said, shuddering.

<Marry her? When she's gonna try and kill you guys? No way.> Ryoga agreed.

"Well this sucks." Ryoko said furiously, beginning to stalk to the doorway. "We come here for help, but instead we get a heap of trouble. I guess the amazons aren't as wise as we were led to believe."

{Wait!} Xian Pu cried, blocking their path. {You can't leave! You must die!} She had had a hard time following the conversation, but had gotten the gist.

"Uh uh. Not until we get cured. And do you really think you could defeat us?" Ranko asked, not bothering to be polite anymore.

{How dare you insult me like that! You'll pay for that!} Xian Pu cried, sword suddenly appearing in her hands as she swung at the two girls.

"I give up." Ryoko growled. Then, not really knowing why, she added, "You amazons are almost as bad as the goddess."

Knocking the surprised Xian Pu across the room, the two girls once again marched toward the doorway.

"Stop!" Khu Lon commmanded. Glancing over her shoulder, Ryoko scowled.

"What?"

"What were you called before your...accident?"

"Konara." Ryoko snapped, then she and Ranko left the small home.

"Konara..." Khu Lon whispered, sliding down her staff to land with a thump. "It can't be...can it?"

* * *

"Honestly! I can't believe them! What a stupid law." Ranko ranted, ignoring the stares of the amazons as she and Ryoko made their way back to the center of the village.

"Definitely. As if she had any hopes of defeating us." Ryoko snorted derisively.

<It looks more to me like a way to make the stupid village weaker. Sending your best warriors off to kill people who already proved they can easily beat them.> Ryoga said disgustedly.

<Not that I'm agreeing with them or anything, but if it was me, I'd want to train harder to beat anyone who managed to beat me.> Ranma said.

"Yeah, well. Beat? Fine. Kill? Sheesh." Ryoko said. The two girls came into the village square, and stopped in surprise. There was Genma-panda, giving horsey rides to a group of small, giggling children.

"..."

"..."

[What?] Genma signed, noticing their odd looks.

"Right. Whatever." Ranko said with a sigh. "Shall we go? There's nothing else to do here."

Carefully dislodging the dissappointed kids, Genma scooped up his pack, while the girls did the same with theirs.

"Well, I guess where to, old man?" Ranko said with a sigh.

[West] Genma replied, thankful his son seemed bidable once again. [We're going back to Japan.]

<Alright!> Ranma and Ryoga cheered.

"Onward." Ryoko said, gesturing for Genma to lead.

"Konara." a voice said, making the group turn.

"What do you want, Khu Lon." Ranko snapped upon seeing the old woman.

"...If it really is you, Xian Pu has no right to try and kill you." Khu Lon said gravely from atop her staff.

"Huh? Why's that?" Ryoko asked, now thoroughly confused.

"It seems you don't remember me. However, I do remember you." Khu Lon replied.

*Flashback: 1500 years ago*

The Amazon village was alive with rumors; Rumors that their village champion, Khu Lon, had been defeated by an outsider woman. Said village champion was not taking this news very well.

{I'll kill her! How dare she just waltz in here and make a fool of me!} a young Khu Lon snarled as she sharpened her sword.

{Now Khu Lon, though you have your honor to protect, don't go charging into battle in such a state of mind.} her mother, Lo Xian, rebuked.

{I'll teach that little show off.} Khu Lon growled under her breath.

{You need to be careful not to get killed} Lo Xian said, stirring the soup she was preparing for dinner. {The outsider was a skilled opponent.}

{There are too many outsiders coming into our village these days.} Khu Lon grumbled, checking the edge of her sword. Shaking her head, she went back to her sharpening.

{Very true. First those Guardians, Garr and Geist were their names. Then that perverted boy. I still can't believe he tried to hit on me!} Lo Xian said, a little flustered.

{You and eveyone else in the village. He'll be back to bug us again.} Khu Lon said angrily. {And the nerve of him, calling me 'lil Khu Lon! He couldn't even pronounce my name right! Stupid Happy...}

{Yes, well. And now there's our most current visiters. There's that odd, half-serpent woman, and her charge; your current advisary. They're of the Brood, you realize.} Lo Xian said.

{It doesn't matter! I must kill her!} Khu Lon replied, testing the edge of her sword again. Satisfied, she then turned to her other assortments of weapons. {What have you decided about Guardian Garr's proposal?} she asked after picking up a pair of throwing knives. They needed sharpening too.

{You mean, helping him seal away that serpent-woman Deis? The other elders agree that something needs to be done. If Myria-sama believes these Brood creatures need to die, then we shall help her and her advocates. In fact, we were planning on meeting tonight to cast the spell.} Lo Xian replied. {You are welcome to come watch, if you wish.}

{With luck, I will be able to kill that Brood girl today. I'll be there!} Khu Lon promised. Her mother just sighed.

* * *

{Die already!} Khu Lon screamed a little raggedly. The blue-haired girl dodged her sword yet again, then dashed in to nick Khu Lon in the side with one of her twin swords.

{Don't you ever give up? We've been fighting for hours!} the girl screamed back. It was already well into the night, and both combatants were dripping with sweat, but neither was letting up a hair the the intensity of their fight. Only one would be able to walk away from this fight today, but whether the loser was still alive or not would depend on the winner.

{Shut up girl!} Khu Lon said, attacking with both her sword and one of her long daggers. They were blocked expertly by the girl as she leapt backwards, giving herself more room.

{Jeez! I have a name you know! It's Konara, and don't you forget it!} Konara snarled. {You amazons are almost as bad as the goddess!}

{Myria-sama is not bad! You're the evil ones! I'm doing our goddess a great favor by destroying you!} Khu Lon snapped.

{Yeah, well then you tell me why we're so evil! If you can give me a good reason, maybe I'll let you kill me.} Konara said, attacking with a double over-hand strike.

{Myria-sama has ordained it! What more reason do we need?} Khu Lon demanded, blocking the strike though it jarred her entire body.

{Not good enough.} Konara snarled back, and redouble her efforts to defeat the Amazon. Neither combatant noticed that their little war was coming dangerously close to a group of amazons, but others did.

{Khu Lon! Get away from here if your going to be fighting!} Lo Xian called out as she saw her daughter. {You might desturb the spell!}

Said spell was already in the forming. Deis, trapped in a human form, pounded in effetually at the glowing green pyramid that encased her. Her movements were becoming more sluggish as the stasis spell began taking effect. The amazons casting the spell took no notice of the commotion around them, but continued their chanting.

{Deis!} Konara cried in shock, seeing her guardian's plight. {Stop! How dare you do this!} she began, attempting the charge the spell casters.

{You will not interfier!} Khu Lon said, interposing herself between the two parties.

{You can't stop me!} Konara cried, and to the startlement of the amazon, black lightning seemed to lick up and down the girl's body.

{No! Konara, don't transform!} Deis cried from her prison. {Whatever you do, don't let Myria find you!}

Konara glanced desperately at her guardian, but obediantely the electricity died. Turning furiously back to Khu Lon, Konara charged, swords upraised.

{Get out of my way!}

{Never, beast!} Khu Lon cried back, plunging her sword deep into the girl's side. Gasping, Konara wretched herself away and cast a quick heal spell with the last of her reserves of magic. The wound obediantly closed, and Konara threw herself back into the fight, trying to reach the chanting amazons.

Ignoring the raging battle a few feet away, the amazons completed the spell designed to hold the goddess's sister. Turning to the two figures hidden in shadows, one of them spoke in a respectful voice.

{The spell in complete, Guardian Garr. All that's left is for you to instill the power of the goddess into it.} she said with a bow.

{Very good.} the larger of the two figures said.

{Garr, I don't know if we should do this.} the smaller figure said nervously, shifting slightly.

{Geist, that's heracy! Do not speak such things aloud.} Garr repremanded. {That's your problem. You have doubts about the goddess. What she's doing is right, and we were created to carry out her wishes.}

{I know, I know. I've heard all this before, but Garr, I'm getting sick of killing the Brood. Perhaps if they started the fights, or if they at least fought back, I wouldn't mind. But they just let us kill them. This is not right!} Geist replied.

{You should keep such doubts to yourself. Once Deis is out of the way, the girl will be the only thing left before we can return to the goddess.} Garr snapped.

{Guardians, the spell needs to be completed now or it will collapse! I cannot guarantee we will be able to do this again.} the amazon who had spoken earlier said urgently.

{Yes. We must do this, Geist. For the goddess.} Garr said, stepping out of the shadows and into the green light of the spell.

The guardian seemed to be the cross between a bird and a dragon. The head, shaped mostly like a birds except for the two horns to either side, held glowing green eyes. The hands and feet were clawed, attached to a muscular build. A pair of wings, too small to support the massive creature in the air, sprouted from his back, and were covered in the same, leather like hide as the rest of him. As Geist also moved into the light, he appreared to be a slimer version of Garr, thought still visibly muscular.

Together, the two guardians began chanting their prayer to the goddess, in the language of the gods. The strange words were enough to break Konara's concentration for a brief moment, and she had to backpedal rapidly to avoid Khu Lon's slashing blade.

{So! You can't even fight me yourself! Had to bring the guardians into this!} Konara snarled at the amazon.

{Never! I can beat you myself! No one will interfier in our fight.} Khu Lon snapped back.

{Konara! Run away! Don't let Myria get you...} Deis cried, and her voice faded as the glowing pyramid brightened more.

{Deis! Damn you! Why!?} Konara cried, tears stinging her eyes as she knocked Khu Lon backwards into the other amazons. Freed from her battle, she took a few steps backwards, still staring at her guardian who was now peacefully lying in the center of the spell, seemingly asleep. Then she turned and began to run.

{Stop!} Khu Lon cried, lurching to her feet, causing the girl to whirl, ready to fight again. {You must di--huh?} she began, but cut off as a noise encroached itself on her hearing, growing steadily louder. Everyone save the two chanting guardians stopped to listen, and soon voices could be distinguished.

{Come back here, pervert!}

{Give us back our treasures!}

{Somebody stop him!}

And then a voice hauntingly familiar to Khu Lon made itself heard.

"Nyehehehe! With this love pill, lil' Cologne -has- to fall in love with me!"

A small figure came into sight at the head of a large mob of amazons. Over his shoulder was a bag full of things Khu Lon could recognize as treasures from the villiage, and in the short man's hand she could see her own prized braclet, discarded for her fight. When her mind finally translated what Happosai had said, she went white as a sheet.

{Not the love pill! Somebody stop him!} she cried, forgetting her own fight for the more imediate problem. But also having heard the object of Happosai's interest, she ducked behind the other amazons as they prepared to fight the little theif.

{What?} Konara said, surprised to be so easily forgotten. Then she caught sight of the object of her enemies attention, and gave an involuntary shudder. But now was her chance to run awa--

"SWEETO! I haven't seen you around!" Happosai cried, having caught sight of the blue haired girl. He made a flying leap, knowing her would land in the soft, warm safety of the girl's...sword? Dodging quickly, Happosai landed easily, staring up at the girl. "Well well well. You're the first girl to actually react fast enough to stop my glomp." he said admiringly. "I'd stay, but I've got my lil' Colonge-chan to find!" and he bounded away before any of the amazons could react. Spotting the familiar form behind the pack of amazons, Happosai happily flew towards Khu Lon. "Say 'Ahhh!' Cologne!" he said, holding out one of the pills from the bracelet.

Mouth involuentrayily open in horror, Khu Lon couldn't react in time as Happosai came closer and closer...only to be knocked away, minus his bounty, by a large, dragon's tail. Looking around in surprise, Khu Lon had time to see the white dragon stare angrily at the departing figure, before it shrank back into the recognizable form of Konara.

{She...saved me?} Khu Lon said in shock. {Why didn't she run while she had the chance?}

As if realizing the same thing, Konara swiftly turned to run again, but found her path blocked by the two Guardians. Having finished the spell, they now prepared to complete the second part of their mission. Garr raised his massive spear to disembowl her, and she closed her eyes, preparing for death.

{Wait!} Lo Xian cried, straightening from the pile of treasures Happosai had 'left.' {You cannot kill her!}

{What!} Garr said angrily, whirling to face the amazons. All had gathered behind Lo Xian, and Khu Lon came up to stand next to her mother. {Why?!}

{She saved the village's treasures, and she saved my daughter from a fate worse than death.} Lo Xian said firmly. {Despite what the goddess has ordained, she has proved her honor to the amazons.} At this, Konara opened her eyes to also stare incredulously at the amazons. {Because she has protected the entire villiage from being robbed, she is welcome as a member of the tribe would be.} Lo Xian continued. {Because she saved my daughter, our family owes her a debt of gratitude. I am sorry, guardians.} she added regretfully.

Through out the speech, Konara had been slowly edging away from the two guardians, and now was far enough to make a break for it, but something stopped her. Could she, in fact, trust these women? Only moments ago they were her mortal enemies, as all followers of Myria were, but now?

{You would go against the wishes of the goddess for your petty squabbles?} Garr demanded.

{Our honor is not petty!} Lo Xian retorted angrily.

{It doesn't matter! Your honor is nothing next to the goddess! You must abide by her wishes!} Garr said firmly, turning back to Konara who prepared to bolt.

{Our honor is everything!} Khu Lon said hotly. {Its the goddess who is nothing without us!} She gave a frightened 'eep' and covered her mouth quickly, as if trying to take the words back. Everyone stared at her in surprise. Garr turned slowly back around.

{What did you say?} he asked slowly.

{Well, it's true!} Khu Lon said hotly, trying to still the hammering of her heart. {The goddess makes our lives better. We give our thanks to her for that. We never said we'd give up our way of life for her!} Some of the other amazons were nodding, giving her heart. {And that's another thing! Why are we blindly following Myria's every order! I don't even know why we're supposed to kill the Brood!}

Garr opened his mouth, but no sound came out. It looked as if he couldn't believe what was being said.

{My daughter may have been a little blunt,} Lo Xian said, tearing her eyes off Khu Lon, {But she is right. We cannot let you kill the girl.}

{Then I must kill you also.} Garr said, raising his spear again. Before he could even take a step, however, he jerked forward, falling limply to the ground. Geist stood behind him, his own spear still upraised. Lowering it, he glanced at Konara.

{Myria knows where you are, now that you've used your powers. She'll be here by morning. I suggest you get as far away as you can.} he said softly, then he grabbed one of Garr's arms, seeming to easily heft the much larger guardian behind him, and left without a backward glance.

{...Konara.} Khu Lon said uncertainly, for the girl was still staring blankly at where the guardians had dissapeared. Shaking herself slightly, Konara turned to the amazon.

{So you won't try to kill me?} she asked harshly.

{No.} Khu Lon replied softly.

{Will you free Deis?}

{That is not possible. The spell has been sealed by the guardians.} one of the spell casters answered.

{Then...wake me in a few hours.} Konara said, and crumpled where she stood in a dead faint, too tired to do anything else.

* * *

{If you go north east, you will reach a valley full of pools of water.} Lo Xian said to the Brood girl. It was still a couple hours until dawn, and only Lo Xian and Khu Lon were there to see her off. {Beyond the valley is a range of mountains, and the coast. You should be able to hide there from Myria.}

{...Thank you.} Konara said stifly. {I hope you won't get in any trouble because of me.}

{It does not matter.} Khu Lon replied.

{Well,} Konara said, turning to the other girl, {This is goodbye. Thanks, even if you were trying to kill me.}

{Yeah. Same here.} Kho Lon said with a smile.

{Goodbye.} Lo Xian said kindly. Konara didn't smile, nor give any indication of well being, but after what had happened to her, neither amazon could blame her.

{I am the last of my kind. I pray I will be able to see you again. Do not follow Myria so blindly anymore.} she said in parting, and strode forward into the trees.

{...Did we do the right thing mother?} Khu Lon asked softly, staring unseeingly ahead.

{Time will tell, daughter, only time will tell.} Lo Xian replied.

*End Flashback*

"It was a few hours later that we sensed the battle begin." Khu Lon said. Night had fallen, and Ranko and Ryoko were surprised to glance around and see what seemed to be the entire village crowded around the diminuative woman. Someone had pushed food on them, and they were munching on the meat rolls as Khu Lon continued.

"Wild magic coursed across the sky. Some landed in the village, striking objects and people at random. Some of the people were changed. I myself was hit, and found later that I was not dying of old age. Hours later, the battle finally ended, leaving the village in ruins. We could sense Myria's power receeding, and hoped for the best. When Konara did not return, we knew the Brood were no more." she concluded. There was a respectful silence as everyone tried to take in the story.

"So...what does this have to do with Ranma?" Genma asked, having changed back to human at one point.

"You have not told him?" Khu Lon asked sharply of the two girls.

"Uh, we never got the chance to." Ryoko muttered.

"Yeah. The first time we saw him after getting cursed, he went and insulted us, so Ranma booted him into Leo." Ranko said.

"Then we saw him stuffing his face at Xian Pu's prize, and you know the rest." Ryoko finished.

"Told me what?" Genma demanded, not liking being left out.

"Apparently the two boys fell into a Jusenkyou spring containing the spirit of Konara." Khu Lon told him. "Now her spirit resides within them."

"That's...that's ridiculous!" Genma cried, leaping to his feet. "Boy! Tell me it's not true!" he said, grabbing Ranko by the front of her gi and lifting her a few feet off the ground.

"Old man, I ain't Ranma, as I said before." Ranko said, eyes resignedly half closed. "And if you don't believe, does Ranma know magic?" she added, casting a hand at the martial artist. "Cyclone!" A strong wind interposed itself between her and Genma, pushing on the martial artist until he had to let go of her shirt. She dropped back into a sitting postion with a thud, turning her attention back on the diminuative old woman.

"So we knew ya back then?" Ryoko asked, curious.

"Yes, you did. I would like to know why you don't remember, however." Khu Lon replied.

"Well, when the guys fell in our spring, we split and fused with them." Ranko explained. "That, and the fact we were waiting 1500 years, added up and wiped our memories, mostly. I...I don't even remember how to transform." she said, looking at the ground.

"But you can?" Khu Lon asked.

"I think so." Ryoko replied.

<Does that mean Ranma and me can transform too?> Ryoga asked.

"Yeah, -can- Ranma and Ryoga transform? But, until we remember how, we can't test that." Ranko said absently.

<How do you know you can change if you can't remember how?> he asked.

"We used to change all the time, and we knew how the power worked back then." Ryoko explained. "I can still sense the power, so I figure we can change. Just, most of our memories are kinda fogged, so I can't remember how to change."

<What about a cure?> Ranma interrupted.

"Do you know how we can get cured?" Ranko relayed.

"I would need to research it, but there might be some way." Khu Lon amended.

"And Deis? Is she still around?" Ryoko asked eagerly. "She could help us, I bet. If she was our guardian and all."

"She is still sealed away. Unfortuantely, I don't still don't know how to undo the seal, though I have tried hard. I figured that since all the Brood were gone, there was no reason for the pyrimid to break." Khu Lon replied.

<...Let's go see her. Maybe we can do something.> Ryoga suggested.

"Where is she?" Ranko asked.

"In a shrine, a short distance away from the village. I will take you." Khu Lon said, hopping atop her staff and pogoing away. The two girls and a curious Genma got up and followed. The Amazons all parted, giving way for the group, and began talking amongst themselves.

"I just thought of something." Genma said with a sudden chill. "This Happosai you were talking about. He was still around until a short while ago."

"What?!" Khu Lon cried, whirling on the man. "Is this true? How do you know?"

"He, ah, trained me and my old friend Soun in the Anything Goes Martial Arts." Genma said nervously. "Ah, but there's nothing to worry about now, hehehe."

"Why's that?" Khu Lon asked through narrowed eyes.

"Ah, well, me and Soun destroyed the little monster years ago!" Genma said, trying to look impressive.

"...We will see." Khu Lon said, then turned back up the trail. After about ten minutes of traveling, the small party came across a building.

"Is this it?" Ranko asked.

"Yes. You two may enter, but you wait out here." Khu Lon said, pointing a finger at Genma. He opened his mouth to protest, but the two girls were already entering the dark building.

"Creepy." Ryoko said as they made their way down the dark stairs. Ahead, a soft, green glow could be decerned. Coming into a fair sized room, the teens could see the green pyramid. Peering through the transparent sides, they could make out the form of Deis, lying peacefully in the center. Unfortuantely for the boys, Khu Lon forgot to mention one small piece of information.

<AAAHHHH! LOOK AWAY! LOOK AWAY!> Ranma cried, powerless to move in his current state. There was an odd sort of silence from Ryoga, almost as if he had fainted...

"What?" Ranko asked, jerking backwards in surprise.

<Khu Lon didn't say she was naked!> Ranma cried, 'gasping' for breath. <Don't you dare look, Ranko!>

"Sheesh. Don't over react." Ryoko muttered. Ryoga's presense came back, faintly. "Are you alright?" she asked.

<...barely...> he answered, just as faintly as he felt.

"Well, I don't think we can do anything here." Ranko said, thumping the pyramid with a fist, making a dull 'thunk.' The pyramid seemed to brighten for a brief second, before returning to the slightly transparent green glow. "Let's go." The two girl left the room, thoughts on the strange, blue haired woman, wondering what secrets she held.

Upon exiting the building, Genma immediately pounced on them.

"Alright, Ranma. Enough games for now. We must return to Japan!" he said, shoving a pack and Ranko.

"I'm not Ranma!" Ranko shouted back. "And I wanna see if Khu Lon can find a cure!"

"Besides, I thought we already said me an' Ryoga are coming with you!" Ryoko growled, cracking her knuckles ominously.

"Now, I never agreed..." Genma began.

"Let's put it this way." Ranko cut in. "If you can beat us, we'll do what you want. But if we win, Ryoga and Ryoko come with. Deal?"

"Ha! You can't beat me, boy. I acce--urk!" but Genma was cut off as Ryoko grabbed him in a head lock, while Ranko secured his arms behind him, effectively immoblizing him.

"We win." Ryoko said innocently, holding on for another minute as Genma tried vainly to free himself. Releasing the martial artist, she then turned back to the silent form of Khu Lon. "So, will you find us a cure?"

"But...*cough*...we must return to Japan right away." Genma gasped out, trying to recover his breath. "I've already sent word to my old friend."

"No way!" Ranko began.

<Man, I wanted to go home.> Ryoga muttered.

<Me too. Can't we come back? It's been years.> Ranma added.

"I...but...he'll..." Ryoko sputtered, trying to think of an argument.

"If it is better for you, when I find a cure, I will come to you." Khu Lon interrupted quickly.

"But, isn't that too much trouble?" Ranko asked, trying not to keep her hopes up.

"Bah. It's been too long since I've been out of the village anyways." Khu Lon scoffed. "I'd be glad to."

"Then it's decided." Genma said, clapping Ranko and Ryoko on the backs. "We leave now." and with that, he strode off, expecting the two teens to follow.

"...Well, I guess, see ya!" Ryoko said, scooping up her pack and taking off after the fat martial artist.

"Bye! And thanks!" Ranko said, following suit. Soon all noise of their depature had ceased. For a few mintues, Khu Lon stood there atop her staff, making sure the travelers were really gone. Then she began giggling atop her staff, quietly at first, then she collapsed into full blown laughter.

{Oh! Myria has really done it this time. If those children ever get near her, she'd better watch out!} she said, still laughing. After all, it was only what Myria deserved. Having lived for so long, Khu Lon had seen with her own eyes the destruction being rought slowly upon the land. At these thoughts, Khu Lon's laughter died. Yes, the land had been dying ever since the dragon wars had ended, Myria's power apparent everywhere. 1500 years was a long time to wait, but perhaps, finally, their saviors had come. Now to find a cure before it was too late.

* * *

<But what about us?> Ranko was saying, looking through Ranma's vision to see what he was holding.

"Well, we can't get anything for you. What if we changed? Way too small." Ryoga said reasonably.

<They're right, Ranko.> Ryoko said with a sigh. <Man, I hate this sometimes.>

"Don't worry, sis. Khu Lon will be able to help us." Ranma said confidently.

<Sis?> Ranko asked.

"Well, you practically are, so why not?" he replied with a shrug.

"What do you say, Ryoko?" Ryoga asked.

<Sure.> she replied.

Paying for their merchandice, Ranma and Ryoga exited the chinese store, already putting some of their purchase to use.

"Why did you get those?" Genma asked upon seeing the two boys. "They will slow you down! A true martial artist would not handy cap himself so!"

"Stuff it, pops." Ranma said. "I didn't see it slowing down the amazons back at that village, did you?"

"Besides, we could still kick your butt even in straight jackets!" Ryoga said derisively.

"How ungrateful! I should teach you boys to respect your elders!" Genma said hotly.

<After trying to sell us? I don't think so, baldy.> Ryoko growled.

"But I'll let you off for now." Genma said, turning and continuing down the road, out of the village. "We must make it to the coast in a couple days. Then we can head back to Japan."

"Sounds reasonable." Ranma said with a shrug. He and Ryoga followed the sometimes panda down the road, now dressed in different styles of chinese clothing, red and yellow respectively. Well, it was better than walking around in practice gi all the time.

* * *

"Hurry up!" Genma called over his shoulder at the two boys. It was amazing how well the two of them could work together when they wanted. And that Ryoga boy was a good sparring partner for Ranma. He was glad he'd thought of letting the boy come along. Nothing like a friendly rivalry to bring out the best in a martial artist.

"Follow me!" Ranma yelled at Ryoga, cutting off to the right. Ryoga followed, but due to Ranma's better speed and the fact that he couldn't see farther than 5 feet through the dense foliage, Ryoga soon lost sight of the pig-tailed boy.

The pigtail had been Ranko's idea, as she had always liked her hair in a braid. Ryoga had adamantly refused to grow his hair out for Ryoko.

Ryoga growled under his breath. Damn that Ranma! Ranma knew how easily he got lost! Was he trying to lose him on purpose? Pumping his legs harder, Ryoga tried to keep on what he thought was a straight course. He knew, deep down of course, that it was futile. He'd end up in Tokyo or Wyndia or somewhere. Bursting out of the trees, he stopped, and stared. There was a small, coastal village off to his right. To his left, were...Ranma and Genma. He hadn't gotten lost. He HADN'T gotten LOST!

Giving an almighty cheer, Ryoga began to dance with glee. He didn't notice the LARGE sweat-drops on Ranma and Genma's heads as well as every other person in the village nearby.

Before he knew what was happening, Ranma had been swept into Ryoga's victory dance. After a few dozen twirls, Ryoga calmed down enough to release the gagging Ranma.

Pretending not to know them, Genma edged farther away.

"/<WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!>/" Ranko, Ranma, and Ryoko chorused.

"I didn't get lost! I didn't get lost!" was all he could manage to get out.

"You didn't have to do -that-!" Ranma cried, clutching his chest.

<Jeez, Ryoga!> Ranko added, 'scowling.'

"Yes, well, anyway." Genma coughed, "Here we are. As a training exercise, we are going to swim to Japan, rather then go overland." <author's note: I know, I know, but for the stories sake, I need to redo the entire world lay out so that Japan and China are one land mass with an inner sea, and across the ocean will be an as yet unnamed land mass. I will draw a map later.>

Instantly there was dead silence.

Then the two girls exploded in rage.

<HE WANT'S US TO SWIM ACROSS THE INNER SEA?!> Ryoko demanded, very very loudly.

<HE'S JUST TOO CHEAP TO PAY FOR THE BOAT ACROSS!!!> Ranko added.

<LET US AT HIM!> they chorused.

"..."

"..."

"Boys?" Genma asked uncertainly. He guessed they were talking with the girls, whom he was forced believe in. It was only after a couple of painful, magical demonstrations by the girls that he believed them, as he'd never taught Ranma -that-.

"...I think I've gone deaf." Ranma said conversationally.

"What? I can't hear you. I've gone deaf." Ryoga said.

Jusenkyou cursed individuals have a unique tendancy to attract water no matter how hard they try to avoid it. True, standing next to a sea preparing to go swimming is not the best way to avoid water, however, the laws of Jusenkyou decree that life cannot be simple. Thus is was that the cursed group didn't even get a chance to get in the water before it started raining. Hard. And it was just Genma's luck that Ranma and Ryoga, having become so used to it as to make it second nature, switched control with the girls.

"Oh panda man!" Ranko called in a singsong voice, making said panda turn from its contemplation of the cloud covered sky.

"Did we hear you right?" Ryoko asked, continuing in the same sugary voice as Ranko had.

"We have to -swim- all the way back to Japan?" Ranko asked.

[Now, girls, it's for the ART...] the panda signed, looking nervously over its shoulder.

"For the art? Hah! You just don't wanna pay to ride the boat across." Ryoko said accusingly.

[Ah, I see how it is!] the panda signed. [You girls are too weak to make it across!]

"Too...weak?" Ranko asked in a strangled voice. Ignoring this, the panda continued to sign, adding the occasional gesture to emphasize his points.

[Yes, I should have known. Oh the curse of having two such weakling girls under my care! The heavans weep at such unfairness...]

"Panda...hurt...maim...kiiilll" Ryoko said, hands coming up as if already wringing the animal's neck.

"You...did not...just call us...weak." Ranko added, also advancing on the nervous animal.

[C...come on now, girls. Can't you take a joke?] the panda signed, beginning to back up in step to the two advancing girls.

"Oh, we know its a joke." Ranko said dangerously.

"Yeah, and we're going to get a BIG laught outta it." Ryoko added. Genma needed no more urging as he plunged into the incoming waves.

"COME BACK HERE YOU STUPID PANDA!!!" the girls chorused, charging in after him.

<Well, Oyaji sure knows how to get us to do what we don't wanna.> Ranma said to Ryoga.

<I'm actually impressed. I wouldn't think he'd have the guts to get the girls -this- angry.> Ryoga agreed. Sighing in unison, both boys settled back to watch to interesting race back to their homeland.

Genma grimaced as he swam along. He would have to swim under this load of soggy fur the whole way. Oh well, it wasn't like he could afford the boat anyway. He just hoped he could stay far enough away from the girls until they got to shore. Maybe by then they'd forget?

His thoughts turned again to the postcard he'd sent earlier that week. 'Finally, my old friend Soun. Our dream will be realized.'


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