After guests and residents alike had gone to bed, one figure rose and dressed silently, careful not to wake the figure sleeping near by. Creeping stealthily along, the figure stopped at a door. Opening it quietly, two more figures could be seen, sleeping peacefully.

Glad Akane and Ukyou had agreed to sleep in another room, Nodoka called out softly, "Ranko, Ryoko..." No answer. "Ranko, Ryoko?" a little louder. Still no answer. Striding up to the two figures, Nodoka shook them both violently. After a minute, when neither showed any sign of waking, she gave up. Then, getting an idea, she left the room, coming back a minute later with two buckets. Pouring one on the nearest figure, the ice cold water succeeded in rousing Ranko.

"Wha...Mom?"

"Shhh. I need to talk to you and your brothers. Help me get Ryoko up."

When that had been accomplished, the three crept across the hall to where the two boys slept. They were, if anything, even harder to wake up. When the cold water didn't work, Ranko tried to punch her brother to get his attention. He merely evaded the punch as he rolled over, scratching his nose. Nodoka had to fight not to giggle.

"Stupid...I know!" Ryoko said, hauling out a mallet. Both boys instantly leapt up and backed away.

"I didn't do nothin'!"

"It's not my fault!"

Nodoka couldn't help it; she let out a laugh which she quickly stifled. It wouldn't do to wake up anyone else. Gesturing for everyone to be silent, she led the sleepy group down stairs and out of the house.

"What's going on?" Ranma asked when they'd gotten outside.

"I need to talk to you about a...technique you four have the potential to do."

Ranko and Ryoko stopped. She couldn't, she didn't mean...

Nodoka turned when she realized the girls were no longer following. They stared wide-eyed back at her.

Interpreting their expressions, Nodoka said, "Yes. I realize you are all Brood. I would very much like to know how my son became a full-blooded Brood, however..."

"What?"

"You knew?"

"You didn't say anything?"

"Why?"

"What do you mean full-blooded?" they asked, their questions coming out in a jumble.

Nodoka laughed. "I knew only when I saw Ryoga and Ranko sparring. There was an aura I saw surrounding them, only visible to those with dragon blood in them and who know what to look for. As to why I said nothing, I didn't want the others to know. What do you think they'd do if they knew there were four Brood in the same room as them?"

"Akane knows. So does her sister Nabiki. But they won't tell anyone." Ryoga said.

"You told? Why would you do something so foolish..." Nodoka said, astonished and horrified at the carelessness of the teens.

"We didn't have a choice! They followed us!" Ranko said defensively. Nodoka calmed down.

"Well, then. I guess you had to explain. They believe the truth, then?" At their nods, she continued.

"As to what I meant by full-blooded, well, Ranma was already part Brood."

"What?!" Ranma gasped.

"After the war, there were a few Brood left. They'd gone into hiding, revoking their powers so Myria would not find them. They scattered through out the land, slipping into different communities. I am a descendant from those people. I suspect one of the Hibikis was as well. I know for a fact that the Tendous have dragon-blood, from their mother's side. Kimiko and I were friends. Though we have dragon blood, we can't use any of the powers of a true Brood." Nodoka explained.

"...Well, we were...are Brood." Ryoko began thoughtfully. "When Ranma and Ryoga fell into our pool, well, that must have made them into full blooded Brood."

"Hmmm...That would explain it. Then I suspect you already know how to use you powers?" Nodoka asked.

"Yeah. The girls have been teaching us." Ryoga said.

"Well, then. I just wanted to let you know that I know and understand. In fact, I'm rather proud to have a full-blooded son and daughter." Nodoka said, smiling broadly.

"Mrs. Saotome..." Ryoko began.

"You two shall call me Auntie Nodoka. We're practically family anyways." Nodoka said firmly.

"Auntie Nodoka, you say there were Brood left after the war. How?..."

"As I said, some of the Brood had revoked their power before the war ended. Myria could no longer sense the power, so she withdrew. When she disappeared, so did the monsters that followed her. Now that the monsters are back, I fear she knows the Brood has risen again." Nodoka said solemnly. Four sets of wide eyes (was it dinner time?) stared back at her.

"Wow. I never knew that." Ranko said softly.

"If Myria is rising again," Ryoko said suddenly, "She'll come after us, won't she." She looked around to see if the others concurred. "If she comes after us, then she'll fight us like she did back then. If she fights us, it will be the Dragon Wars all over again! That means a lot of innocents will die!" she said with growing agitation.

"That's right! We can't let her do that!" Ranko agreed, trying not to think of Akane or Ukyou dieing because of them.

"But what can we do?" Ryoga asked. They looked at Nodoka. She looked right back at them.

"I don't know what you should do. Myria will more than likely come after you, and I admire your worry for the innocents that might be harmed in such a confrontation. The most I can suggest is not to use your power unless you really need to. Other than that I have no advice to give you." she said sadly.

"That's right. Myria was able to hoam in on our powers when we changed." Ryoko said. "That means no more practicing. Oh well."

"But what do we do? I'm not going to hide all my life." Ryoga said.

"I know!" Ranma exclaimed. They all turned to look at him. "Elder Khu Lon! She might be able to tell us something."

"That's a great idea, Nii-san!" Ranko squealed loudly.

"Shhh!" came the rebuke from all sides. Ranko looked abashed.

"He's right, though." Ryoga continued. "Khu Lon might be the only person who can help us now."

"Who is this, Cologne?" Nodoka asked, mispronouncing the name.

"Its Khu Lon, Auntie Nodoka." Ryoko corrected. "And she's one of the elders of the Joketsuzoku village." Nodoka's eyes widened a little.

"I remember hearing about them. It's an Amazon village in the middle of China, right?" They nodded. "I remember they used to help the Brood stay hidden after the war was over. It had something to do with restoring their honor."

"Yeah. That's another long story, but it had to do with Konara." Ranko told her.

"Well, then. I think going to see this, Khu Lon," she said, trying hard to pronounce the name correctly, "would be a good idea. I'll make sure that idiot husband of mine doesn't follow you or stop you."

"He'd be too chicken to follow..." Ryoko muttered. Nodoka looked at her sternly and she flushed. "Sorry..."

Nodoka sighed. "That's okay, dear. He is...well, anyways. You'll want to buy some supplies tomorrow..." A rustling in the bushes stopped her and they turned to see two figures emerging. They were revealed to be Akane and Ukyou.

"Oh no." Ranma groaned upon seeing the determined looks on their faces, "Not again."

* * *

"I still can't believe they're gonna come with." Ryoga muttered the next day.

"They shouldn't. I can't believe how stubborn they can be." Ranma agreed darkly.

"I suppose it's for the better though." Ranko said resignedly.

"Yeah. At least then we can make sure they don't tell people." Ryoko agreed.

The four were sitting listlessly in the backyard, waiting for the two girls to tell their parents about the 'training trip' they were going to go on. Ukyou had gone home, but Akane was calling her father. She was also going to tell him about the engagement to give him time to calm down over it. The had wished her luck on that, and she'd need it.

"LET ME TALK TO SAOTOME!" came the cry of Soun's voice. Yep, she definitely needed luck if Soun was that angry over the phone. Akane came out of the house, shaking her head.

"HEY!" she yelled at them. They stared back. "I'M READY TO GO! WHEN DO YOU THINK UKYOU WILL GET HERE?" Akane was now standing right next to them, and bellowing at the top of her lungs.

"Umm...I think..." Ranko began, but was cut off by Akane.

"WHAT! I CAN'T HEAR YOU!"

"I THINK SHE'LL BE HERE SOON!" Ranko shouted at her.

"WHAT?"

"I THINK..."

"I CAN'T HEAR YOU!"

"Arrg!"

When Akane's ears had stopped ringing, she asked her question again, this time in a more normal voice, though still a little loud.

"She should be here soon. Her house is only a few blocks away." Ranko told her. As if on cue, Ukyou could be heard talking to Nodoka.

"...and when you're ready to leave, you can pick it up." Nodoka was saying.

"Thanks, Auntie Nodoka!" Ukyou said as she stepped out back. Seeing the five sitting around, she said "Come on, you guys! We've got to go stock up! Mr. Saotome is stuck doing house chores today, so we won't be bothered by him."

As they troop through the house, Nodoka poked her head out of the kitchen.

"Ranma! Can I see you for just a moment?"

"Sure." he replied. Turning to the others, he said, "Go on ahead, I'll catch up."

"Naw, we'll wait outside." Ukyou said. "You don't know your way around town yet."

"Yeah, don't want you to get lost." Ryoga sniggered.

"Its not me I'd worry about getting lost." Ranma shot back. Ryoga just smiled.

"Ranma!"

"Coming mom!" he said, and hurried into the kitchen. "What's up?" he asked when he saw the serious look on his mother's face.

"I don't like the fact that you have to go out into the world when there are so many dangers out there, but I understand that you must." Nodoka said gravely. "I want to know that you can at least defend yourself, so I am giving you our families' katana." and she held out the wrapped bundle.

"But, don't you need it?" Ranma asked, astonished at the unexpected honor.

"I'd feel much better if you carried it in your travels." she replied, smiling proudly at her son.

"I...I'll take good care of it." he said wonderingly.

"I have no doubt of that. And don't worry so much. That blade has been passed down in the family since the dragon wars. It was forged by magic, and won't break easily." she said, smiling at his wide eyed expression. "There's a scabbard for it in the hall closet. I never used it, but I'm sure you'll find some use for it. Now get going before the others leave without you."

When Ranma came outside, he'd already buckled on the scabbard across his back, and had an oddly serious expression on his face.

"Ready?" Ranko asked.

"Yeah, let's go." he said, expression clearing back into it's usual cocky grin.

"So what'd she want? To give you that?" Ryoga asked as they set off, pointing at the sword.

"Yeah. It's the family katana, and she wanted me to have it." he replied, once again fingering the pommel of the precious sword.

"Yeah, well, the rest of us need weapons too." Ranko said. "I'm sure we'll have to fight more monsters along the way, and I don't want one that breaks every time you use it."

"I prefer the sword. Actually, two short swords. Remember when I was fighting..." Ryoko was saying to Ryoga.

"My spatula will do for me. They're combat spatulas. I was helping fight off those goblins when they attacked the city, so I know how to fight monsters." Ukyou said, fingering her small spatulas on the bandoleer over her chest. Her big one she'd left at the Saotome house, having no real need of it while shopping.

"I don't know, I've never had to use a weapon." Akane said nervously.

"You weren't doing so bad with the monsters, you know." Ranko told her.

"R...really?" Akane said, blushing.

"Yeah. Maybe you'd like a double bladed axe?" she said thoughtfully. Akane's eyes lit up a little at that.

"Yeah...cool..." she said absently.

"We need rations, too." Ryoga reminded them. "I've been on the road enough to know what we need."

"By the way, where are we going anyways?" Ranma asked, looking around.

"Oh! We're going to the blacksmith's. He started dealing in weapons shortly after the first monster attack. It's right up this street." Ukyou replied, pointing to a small shop. When they walked in, the man at the forge looked up and frowned.

"May I help you?" he asked cautiously.

"Yeah, we're going on a trip and, considering recent developments, we want to be armed." Ranko said, looking at the racks of weapons on one wall.

"I don't know..." the blacksmith said slowly. "You're just kids. You shouldn't be going out by yourselves. Do your parents know you're here?"

"Yep." Akane said cheerfully as Ranko guided her over to the ax section. The man still looked dubious.

"Tell ya what. If you can beat Ryoga here in arm wrestling, we won't go." Ryoko said smirking, gesturing to Ryoga who matched her fanged grin perfectly.

Looking at the boy, the blacksmith laughed. "You're on. I wouldn't want you guys getting killed just for a bit of profit."

Settling down over a empty anvil, the two men grasped hands. Ryoko came up to referee. The others continued to look at the weapons, unconcerned.

"Ready?" Ryoko asked. The two combatants nodded. "On three, then. One, two, three!" and Ryoko dropped her hand.

The blacksmith's muscles bulged as he attempted to force Ryoga's hand down. Ryoga showed no strain at all even as the blacksmith struggled in vain to move his arm.

"Stop showing off." Ryoko said, hitting him on the shoulder. Ryoga shrugged, and easily slammed the man's hand down.

"...I guess you can take care of yourselves." the blacksmith said, gingerly rubbing his hand.

"Thanks." Ryoko said. Turning, she walked over to where Ranko was examining the short swords. Akane had already picked a long-handled double bladed axe, and was taking some test swings off to one side.

Ryoga wandered up and down the racks, wondering what he should get. A spear? No, not his style. A mace? Naaah... An umbrella? Who the heck would use an umbrella! He was about to give up and get a long sword when something caught his eye. Off in a corner was a sword. It wasn't a normal sword, however. Its blade was about a foot wide, and it was almost as tall as he was.

Glancing at the others, he saw Ranko and Ryoko sparring lightly with their twin swords, testing them out. He turned back to the sword and picked it up. It was heavy, but not too heavy for him. He twirled it idly in one hand.

"Damn, boy! How strong are you?" a voice behind Ryoga made him jump. He turned to see the blacksmith staring at him in admiration.

"Heh, I, uh, I really don't know. I'm a martial artist, you see. Been training all my life." he said nervously, putting a hand behind his head in embarrassment.

"I was going to melt that thing down. Some traveler dropped it off, saying it was too damn useless as a sword. And he was build larger than me!" he said, pointing at his not inconsiderable bulk.

"Well, if its not too much trouble, I'd like it." Ryoga said, eyeing the sword again.

"Sure boy, if you really want it." the blacksmith said, turning back to his forge.

"JEEZ, Ryoga!" Ryoko exclaimed when he walked back over to them. He'd found the scabbard in the corner he'd gotten the sword from. It strapped across his back, and reached down to the back of his knees.

"Weed whacker." Ranko said, giggling.

"Hey! I like it." Ryoga said indignantly.

"Looks good on you, sugar." Ukyou said, winking at him.

"I think we've got everything." Ranko said, looking over the group.

"This is gonna cost a lot." Ranma said nervously. Sure his mom had given them money, more than enough for this, but he still felt uncomfortable about spending so much.

"Well, ya gotta do what ya gotta do." Ryoko said.

When they'd paid for their selections, they trooped out. There were a lot of stares, mostly because of Ryoga's sword, but no one said anything. It was a good idea to go armed, now a days. One person ran off somewhere after he saw them, but they didn't notice the abrupt departure. They bought packs and stocked up according to Ryoga's direction, then hurried home. They were met on the steps by a large, furry panda.

[What are those for?!] Genma signed, waving at the weapons.

"Just in case." Ryoko said quickly.

[In case? In case of what? You aren't planning anything...]

"No, Mr. Saotome. Just, with all the monster attacks, we thought it'd be better to get some good weapons. After all, I do have to go home eventually." Akane explained easily.

[Oh. Well, in that case...It's dinnertime.] Genma signed, and walked back into the house.

"...idiot." Ukyou muttered.

"Thankfully." Ryoga agreed, and they trooped inside for their last homemade meal.

* * *

That night, the six figures snuck out of the house, laden with packs and weapons. Glancing back at the house, they saw the outline of a figure in the upper window wave at them. Waving back, Ranma and Ranko suddenly found they couldn't see quite clearly. They'd just gotten their mother back, and now they were leaving after only a couple days.

Surreptitiously wiping their eyes, the two turned and followed the others down the street. Not a person was seen, nor did any creature stir. Once they thought they saw a shadow flit away, but upon closer inspection nothing could be seen.

The six figures disappeared into the woods, heading east, toward China. Surprisingly, they met no resistance in the woods. Apparently the monsters didn't come out at night. Not trusting the peace, the group only traveled for half the night before they set up camp and assigned watches. The next morning, they packed up and continued on at a light jog.

"It's a good thing we're all in shape." Ukyou said, noticing that the others weren't even breathing hard.

"Yeah. Imagine trying to walk to China. It would take ages." Ranko said, rolling her eyes.

"That's strange, though." Ryoga said. "I mean, before China, we would never have been able to run for a day, but after only a few weeks of training together, we could. Now its so easy to jog all day that walking isn't necessary."

"Yeah. I think its partially all the monsters that's improving us so much." Ryoko agreed. "We improved in leaps and bounds after we started fighting them."

"Keep alert." Akane warned them, though she was intrigued by the conversation. She had improved a -lot- since the four dragon teens had come.

"Yeah, yeah, we know." Ranma said blithely. Akane scowled at him, but smiled to herself when she looked away. She was too used to the egotistical group to be offended anymore.

Almost as if the exchange had called them, a group of monsters burst out of the trees and charged. There were a gang of goblins, some red goo they'd never seen before as well as a score of the normal blue ones, and four wolf-like creatures also new to the group.

"What're the new ones?" Ryoga asked, drawing his massive sword.

"Ummm...I think they're currs, and some other type of goo. Can't remember what's different about them though..." Ranko said as she drew her swords as well.

"Let's get 'em!" Ryoko shouted, and leapt to meet the onrushing crowd.

The goblins were again being directed by the boss goblin, so Ranko went looking for it while the others fought.

"Hope she hurries..." Akane muttered as she cut down another goblin. She was having a little trouble with her ax, and she kept swinging it too wide. This resulted in several painful cuts, but not enough to slow her down.

"Who're they after?" Ryoga asked, plowing almost easily through the ranks of goblins with his massive sword. He too lacked the skill Ranko, Ryoko, and Ukyou possessed, but made up for it in brute strength. "I mean, I know the goos get directed by the boss goblin too, but the currs keep attacking everyone. Do you think they're immune to the spell?"

"Must be." she answered quickly, too pre-occupied for more speech.

"YOW!" Ryoko exclaimed as she was briefly engulfed by fire. "OW! Damn, now I remember! Stupid mage goos! That was a low shot!" she ranted, smoking and looking -very- P.O.'d.

"Oh joy, magic goo." Ryoga said sarcatically as he charged the offending creatures. He cut one down quickly enough, his massive sword flashing in the sun, but one of the currs took advantage of his pre-ocuupation to snag a bite. "ARRGG! Damn you!" Ryoga cried as he sliced at it. It vanished quickly, but Ryoga was surprised to be overcome by a wave of sickness. He almost fell to his knees, but sheer stubborness kept him upright.

"You okay?" Ryoko asked, having finished off the other red goos.

"I feel sick." he admitted, wavering a bit as another wave of sickness washed over him.

"Poison. Damn, but we gotta finish this." Ryoko said, aware that he wouldn't be much more help. Could the rest of them do it?

"Go on. I'll fall back." he said, hating to run away for any reason at all.

"Ryoko! A little help!" Ukyou cried as she fended off three goblins and a curr. The goblins may not have anyone to direct them, but they were by no means harmless. Giving one last glance over her shoulder, Ryoko charged back into the melee.

"Frost strike!" she cried as she improvised, combining a frost spell with her attack. She was surprised when the curr she was attacking instantly vanished. Ususally it took a few hits for them to die.

"Thanks." Ukyou panted. "How did you do that?"

"What? Oh, I just kinda made it up. It was a comination of magic and a physical attack." she explained.

"Magic? How--" Ukyou began.

"Later. Let's fight now." Ryoko said as she charged the last of the monsters, joining the others already engaged in the fight.

It was all over in a few minutes, and the group was surprisingly whole considering. The only major injury was Ryoga, who couldn't move without making his condition worse.

"What can we do?" Akane asked. Ryoga was flat on his back in compliance to Ryoko's suggestion. It was true he didn't feel as bad when he didn't move, but he also didn't want to hold the group back.

"I can walk. It's not really that bad." Ryoga was protesting as Ryoko forced him to stay down.

"Don't be an idiot, Ryoga. They know what they're doing." Ranma said sharply. Grumbling, Ryoga stopped struggling, and Ryoko nearly sighed aloud with relief. Stupid baka was gonna kill himself...

"Ranko, go check out the spot where the currs vanished." she instructed. Not needing an explanation, Ranko quickly searched over the battle ground, and soon came back with two small green viles.

"Thanks." Ryoko said, grabbing one. "Drink this, Ryoga. That should cure you."

"What is it?" Ranma asked, curious.

"It's an antidote. It cures most poisons." Ranko explained as she tucked the other vile into a belt pouch she'd had the foresight to buy.

"Cool." Akane said as Ryoga sat up, completely recovered.

"Wow, that really works! But how...?" he asked, staring at the now empty vile.

"Some sort of magic, I guess." Ranko said, shrugging. "I don't question it, I just use it. Ne, Ryoko."

"Yeah. Who really cares as long as it works." she replied, helping Ryoga to his feet.

"Well, I guess I know who to avoid next time." Ryoga said grimacing. "Stupid currs..."

"What, a lowly wolf took you down, Ryoga?" Ranma said, smirking.

"Yeah, you'll be singing another tune when it's you on the ground." Ryoga shot back. The girls just sighed. Looks like Ryoga really was back to normal.

"You guys need to learn how to use those things." Ryoko commented to the three new weapons users as they began jogging again.

"Yeah, well, I've never held a sword in my life." Ryoga grumbled.

"I think I can help you out, Akane." Ukyou said thoughtfully. "Your axe is a lot like my spatula." she said, indicating the large blade strapped once again on her back.

They all had their weapons on a back harness rather than at their sides, as it was less likly the weapons would get in their way if they had to move fast or jump around. It was a little tricky with packs, but they managed well enough.

"Really? Sure, that'd be great." Akane said enthusiastically.

"And we can at least show the rookies how to use their swords." Ranko said, grinning at Ryoko.

"Yeah, though I don't know what I'm gonna do about Mr. Weedwhacker over there." she replied, grinning as well.

"Hey, leave off." Ryoga said indignantly.

"Don't mind them. They're just jealous they don't have a unique weapon." Ukyou said, smiling wickedly at the two.

"Ahem. I hate to say this, but look out." Akane said, sweat drop hanging off her head as she watched another group of monsters come charging out of the woods at them.

"Already?!" was the unanimous query.

"We'll never get there at this rate." Ranko grumbled as she once again drew her double blades.

"*sigh* I hate this." Ryoko grumbled. Ukyou had sent several mini spatula's at the incoming group, and some fell instantly, vanishing. "Well, when in Rome..." Ryoko said as she stripped off some bandanas. Practice makes perfect, after all...

* * *

"Whose turn is it to cook?"

"Mine!"

"Ack! Uh, Akane, are you sure it's not my turn?

"No. You cooked yesterday, Ukyou, and Ryoga cooked this morning."

"Ahe, um, since it will take a while for dinner to be ready, I think I'll go train for a while..."

"Me too Niisan!"

"Oh no you don't! I already made dinner, and you're going to eat it!"

"Do you think the antidotes will work for her food?"

"They might not be powerful enough..."

"Saotome no BAKA! *WHAM!* Ranma I expected, but I thought better of you, Ranko!"

"Was it neccesary to hit us too?"

"Just in case you had any smart alec comments as well..."

"That...was...a..._BIG_...mallet..."

"Eat up! ^_^ "

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!"