Send C&C to: oddball22@hotmail.com Find my stories at: www.geocities.com/kaiphantom2000 Ranma 1/2: New Challenges The Phoenix and the Dragon Chapter 4 Akane retreated under the onslaught of punches, shifting from side to side as she dodged, deflected, and blocked them as best she could. Her opponent suddenly broke the rhythm by lashing out with a powerful reverse kick aimed at her chest. Akane dropped under it, sweeping out with her right foot to trip up her opponent's grounded leg. She then planted her hands as she rotated, pushing her lower body off the ground and swinging both her legs back around to connect solidly with her falling adversary. Akane stood up slowly as the older man hit the ground several feet away. When he didn't immediately rise, she began to worry a little, and walked over to check on him. "Daddy?" she asked, shaking his shoulder. "Are you alright?" A hand clasped her right wrist, and the next thing Akane knew, she was flying across the clearing. She tried to twist her body to land on her feet, but the throw had been low-level and fast, and she unceremoniously landed on her back. *Thump!* "Ow..." Akane's vision swam a little. "Are *you* alright, daughter?" Soun inquired, his voice coming from several yards away. Akane managed to wave one hand at him, indicating she would be fine. Internally, she hoped she would be. This exertion was beginning to wear on her, causing her weakness and dizzy spells to return. Closing her eyes, she concentrated on her breathing and opening her ki pathways, guiding them back to normal like Tofu had shown her. It was no cure, but it did allow her to shorten these weakness episodes and exert herself more. A minute later, Akane sat up, mostly recovered, to find her father cooking over their campfire. "I thought I was doing the cooking tonight?" she said, her voice slightly accusatory. Soun trembled, even as he gave her his best disarming smile. "Now, now, there's no need. I've already started." While her cooking had been steadily improving under Nodoka's tutelage, she could only make decent stuff when she was watched and corrected, and with the kitchen's handy tools. There was none of that here, and so Soun knew his youngest daughter had a 50-50 chance at best to make something edible. He wanted to save his luck for what he had in mind to teach her. Akane grumbled a little, but sat down on a log. Her father had been training her for half a week now, but he had yet to teach her anything she didn't already know. In fact, most of the skills and styles he was showing her, he had taught her when she was much younger. So what exactly where they doing out here? Was he going to hold back on her again? She knew there were things he had yet to teach her, but he had held them back from her. In fact, it was only a testament to her dedication, that she was as good as she was, given the limited training she had endured. Her skills were good enough to fend off everyday attackers, but they were practically nothing against Ranma and Shampoo. Even though she was training religiously everyday by herself, when she wasn't going to school, she had resigned herself to the fact that it would be a long time before she could hope to match either one. In fact, it was only the Tora Dokiken which had allowed her to defeat Shampoo in the first place; yet another cheat. Her train of thought was broken as she realized her father was handing her a bowl of miso soup. She nodded her thanks and began to eat silence as he poured his own bowl. "Something on your mind, daughter?" Soun asked, somewhat disturbed by her silence. Akane was momentarily startled, but tried to hide it. "No, just random thoughts." Soun chuckled. "You do know, that you're not much better at lying that Ranma is." He chuckled again at Akane's surprised look. "That was part of the reason I held the engagement between you two; I knew you both wanted it. I admit, it was my hope that you would come to love each other when Genma and I fist set you up. but if you hadn't, then I would have called it off. Then, when we saw our efforts were backfiring, we backed off in the hopes you two would work things out on your own." He smiled. "But that isn't really what you were thinking." Akane raised an eyebrow. "Oh?" Inwardly, she was surprised at how much her father knew. "Yes, you were thinking of how we've up here several days, and I've yet to teach you anything," Soun responded. "I had to get an idea of how much you've retained, which I'm pleased to see that you've remembered nearly all my lessons. I also wanted to see what you picked up from Ranma. I've noticed that he's helped you tighten your defense, and also that you managed to learn a few aerial maneuvers from him." "Like they did any good," Akane mumbled, but loud enough for her father to hear. Whenever she had attempted to spring them at her father, she was surprised to see them either blocked, dodged, or countered. She was wondering if she was doing them wrong. Was he reading her? "You aren't really telegraphing your moves so much anymore," Soun said, in response to her unasked question. "But you forget that Genma taught those moves to Ranma, and I used to spar with Genma everyday. I know most of his moves like the back of my hand, and you don't pull them off as well as he could." Akane grimaced, feeling the familiar welling of anger, but most of it was directed at herself, for not being good enough, and for wondering if she ever would. Soun finished his soup and scooped another bowl-full. "But don't be too hard on yourself. The initial forms and styles I taught you when you were younger, are the basis for the Tendo-ryu specialty. The Tendo and Saotome styles were meant to mesh together, but only when one has mastered one of them. To put it another way, you are attempting to use a bow without the bow string." Akane processed this in the quiet minutes that followed, unconsciously filling her bow once more, then her head came up as she arrived at a conclusion. "So what you're saying is, that if the Saotome school specializes in mid-air combat, then the Tendo school focuses on ground-based combat?" Soun smiled and nodded. "That is correct. While the Tendo school contains more formal methods of combat, including basic weapon forms, that is only the beginning. The style as a whole is meant to lure an opponent into thinking you are a standard opponent. As a master once told me, `A man is at his most vulnerable when he thinks he has you all figured out.' With the Tendo-ryu, you lead an opponent in the fight. With the Saotome-ryu, you surprise them at every turn by being as unpredictable and unconventional as you can. It was our hope that by merging the two styles, we would create a near-perfect Art." "I see," Akane replied, brow furrowing. "I think. It's all a bit much." "Don't worry about it," Soun told her, leaning back slightly. "I've probably said more than I should. At any rate, I will begin teaching you the advanced forms after dinner, but it should at least a week to show them all. Then it will be up to you to master them. If necessary, we can take another training trip or two until you learn them all." Akane smiled to herself, suddenly feeling excited about the prospect of learning something new, something that Ranma nor anyone else knew. With a strong burst of confidence, she met her fathers eyes and made a very Ranma-like vow. "That won't be necessary, Father," she declared with all the conviction she could muster, eyes never wavering. "I will learn them all within a week." "Nabiki, would you take these to Ranma and Natsume?" Nabiki glanced up from her manga to see her older sister holding a tray with three glasses of ice and a pitcher. A small stack of rice cakes were stacked on the side. Her eyebrows arched. "Moi?" Kasumi continued to smile, seemingly unaware of Nabiki's hesitance. "Yes. They must be working so hard in the dojo, that I thought they could use a snack.." Nabiki counted the glasses again. "So why are there three?" "Aren't you thirsty, too?" Kasumi asked innocently. Nabiki rolled her eyes dramatically, knowing exactly what was going on. "Bargained well and done." She stood and accepted the tray from her sister, who promptly retreated back the way she came. As she headed out to the dojo, Nabiki reflected on how easy it was for Kasumi to get Nabiki to do what she wanted. It was never anything big, and Kasumi usually compensated her well, so Nabiki indulged her sister. It was her own way of showing she cared; had it been anyone else, Nabiki would have immediately insisted on double the payment, and that would just be an open to further negotiations. she chided herself, trying to hide a grin. She was mostly successful. She traversed the short walkway between, then climbed the dojo steps. Just as she was about to knock however, she stopped and shivered. She scanned the skies, noting a few clouds, but it was mostly clear. "Hmmm, the weatherman said it was supposed to be 65-70 degrees today," Nabiki said to herself, then smirked. "Of course, a weatherman is the only occupation where you can be wrong 70% of the time and still keep your job." She turned back to the dojo, and heard the familiar cracks and thuds that indicated weapon impacts. Then she frowned when she didn't the other familiar sounds of grunts and kiyahs that normally accompanied a workout. She had grown up in a dojo, after all, and was intimately familiar with the way her father and younger sister trained and sparred. Why were they so silent? Curious, Nabiki set the tray down, then slowly opened the door a crack. A cool breeze rushed out from within, causing Nabiki to shiver again. Ignoring that, she peeked through the small opening with one eye. What she saw, surprised her. Ranma was wielding a bo staff against Natsume's rugbeater as they leapt and fought around the dojo. Although, it wasn't sparring exactly, but more like dancing. Each thrust and swing was parried or dodged with precision. Every attack and counter missing their mark by mere millimeters. Plus, Nabiki had seen Ranma move much faster when sparring with his father, yet she guessed he was moving at only 3/4's of his regular speed. Nabiki wondered. But what puzzled her even more, was the fact that they had been in the dojo for hours, yet neither one showed any sign of perspiration. As she shivered again, she realized that the source of the cool air must have been coming from them. During Natsume and Kurumi's fight against Ranma and Akane, when the two sisters were trying to claim the dojo, Nabiki had noticed a chill coming from Natsume. However, it was barely detectable due to the warmth Kurumi generated. But Kurumi wasn't in the dojo now. Although, the chill was stronger than she thought possible. She guessed it must have been almost ten degrees colder in the dojo than outside. Nabiki speculated. She got her answer almost immediately, when the two sparring combatants stopped. "That's enough, Ranma-san," Natsume said, backing away and holding up her hand. "I can't do much more." Ranma scratched his head. "Really? It felt like you could go farther." Natsume shook her head. "It's possible, yes, but highly dangerous. When Happosai taught me this technique when I was but a child, he told me that I should never go in too deep, or else I might freeze the blood in my veins or stop my own heart. I guess that's why he gave us weapons, so my sister and I could focus our elemental ki into them without much danger to ourselves. It gives our attacks an extra sting, and allows me to manipulate small air currents." She half-smiled. "Besides, it looks like you picked up the technique already, and in just a matter of days. It took me a couple months to do it." Ranma smirked. "Yeah, but I'm just good." Nabiki, still unnoticed by the other two, grimaced. She knew if Akane had been there, Ranma would have at least gotten an elbow to the stomach. Natsume merely looked at Ranma strangely. "Um, if you say so," she answered carefully in a tone Nabiki could swear held a bit of contempt. But this was Natsume, who was never really showed much emotion. "Yeah," Ranma continued, seemingly talking to himself now. "I think I can take this a lot further, I just need to figure out how." "Be careful, Ranma-san," Natsume cautioned, reholstering her rugbeater on her back. "Control is everything when dealing with this technique." In the ensuing silence, Nabiki decided that she'd had enough peeping for now, and turned to pick up the tray. It was a bit colder to the touch than she remembered, but nothing she couldn't handle. The cool touch did remind her of the subtle calling from the equipment shed, where the weapons were stored. Where a certain katana continued to speak to her in dull whispers. Practicing her own form of control, Nabiki once again banished those voices as she entered the dojo, inwardly smirking at Natsume's startled expression. The other girl recovered quickly however, and gratefully accepted a glass and a few rice cakes after sitting down. Nabiki placed the tray on the floor and grabbed her own munchies before Ranma devoured everything. To her surprise, however, Ranma just continued to stand there and focus on his bo, seemingly unaware of anything else. "Saotome?" Nabiki ventured, then smirked. "Little brother?" "Just a moment," Ranma replied in a near-monotone voice that implied his mind was somewhere else. Nabiki shook her head and turned back to Natsume. "So, why'd Happosai teach you two this stuff anyway? It doesn't sound like him to do something helpful unless there was something in it for him." Natsume blinked. "I'm not sure what you mean. He is just a kind, wandering martial artist that helped us out." Her brow furrowed in thought. "Although, I do seem to recall some exercises he had us run in the nearby village. All I can remember, though, is the women of the town running after us." She shook her head. "Master Happosai must have gotten the villagers to help us in our training. That was thoughtful of them." Nabiki thought to herself. Out loud, and with as straight a face as she could form, she said, "Um, yes, I guess it was." *Crack!* "Yeow!" The two girls turned to see Ranma drop the staff, as if the weapon was red hot or something. They were surprised to see the wooden bo shatter into several pieces as it hit the ground, as Ranma shook his hands in pain. "Ow! Ow! Ow!" Natsume frowned. "I told you to be careful with it." Nabiki was still staring at the pieces of wood that was all that was left of the staff. "Did he just do what I think he did?" "Yes," Natsume answered, shaking her head. "He nearly froze it solid. I could probably do the same thing if I pushed my ki too far, but do not want to shatter my weapon." Nabiki rolled her eyes. "Idiot. Here, stop dancing around and have some lemonade." She handed Ranma a full glass as he settled down. Ranma took a sip, then grimaced. "Who ever heard of warm lemonade? Did Akane make this or somethin' before she left?" "No, Kasumi did," Nabiki told him. "And it tastes fine to me." She smirked. "You must have lowered your body temperature quite a bit." "Yeah, I guess," Ranma replied, glancing at the glass with a thoughtful look. "That's it!" Surprising the girls once more, he downed the glass and sprinted out of the dojo. As one, Natsume and Nabiki stared at the door, then at each other, then shrugged. "Wonder what the idiot is up to now?" Nabiki reached for another rice cake, only to find them all gone. "Wha-?" She frowned. "RANMA!" The world was blurry, sluggish, but at least the nightmares were over. The twisted image of a sneering face, shrouded in blackness, laughed and leered at him, making him feel powerless and vulnerable. "My lord?" Herb blinked to try and clear his vision. "Wh-what happened?" Sage appeared relieved. "You've been out of it for several days, m'lord. That vile Rogue General poisoned you. If it hadn't been for your superior constitution and the mages' help, I'm afraid of what might happened." Herb tried to sit up, his voice turning harsh. "The Rogues, what of them?" "Easy, m'lord!" Sage pleaded, trying to get his Prince to lie back down. "They are kept out for now, thanks to Tojiko's wall, but unfortunately it locks us in as well." Herb relaxed a little, though he was still upset at this turn of events. Part of this was due to the fact that the Musk Citadel had stood against all attackers through the centuries, but now it looked as though it might fall under his rule. But most of all, he hated the idea that they must hide and cower behind a protective barrier. The Dragon Prince finally noticed that his late father's retainer had been quiet all this time. "What is it, Sage? I know you have something else to tell me." "It's a small matter, m'lord, so I hesitate to bring it up at all," Sage replied. "Spit it out!" Herb's normal paper-thin temperament was practically non-existent, given the stress of his condition. "Well, while you were confront the Rogue General, we were robbed," the owlish retainer replied. Herb blinked. "Robbed? Who? And what did they take?" "That's what confuses us," Sage said. "We believe it to be one of the Rogues, a powerful wizard who easily overcame the soldiers and mages that happened across him. As for what he took, that is the strangest of all: It was the Chiitsuon." "The cold water ladle?" Herbs brow furrowed. He knew that particular object well, as it had the power to lock a Jusenkyo victim in their cursed form. "But what would they want that for?" "Indeed," Sage intoned. "Since you have cured your own curse by bathing in the Nannichuan, it is obviously no threat to you." Herb's eyes closed, suddenly feeling quite exhausted. It seem like there was entirely too much going on; wheels within wheels, hidden motivations, and strange armies appearing out of the blue. However, he couldn't help but feel there was something missing, some critical clue that would snap everything into place. If Herb were a betting man, he'd lay odds that it had something to do with the artifact that was just stolen. "In the meantime, I have sent word to the Joketsuzoku and the Phoenix for any assistance they can offer," Sage told him. "No." Sage blinked. "M'lord? Should we not request the aid of our ancient allies?" "We have had little to no contact with them for thousands of years," Herb explained. "We stood just fine without them before we united long ago, and we have been fine since. The Musk do not need help; we deal with our problems on our own." Sage opened his mouth to protest, but promptly closed it again. "As you wish, m'lord. Now you should get some rest, as you've been mostly dead for the past several days. Even you need time to recover." As Herb sensed the old man leave his bed chamber, he reluctantly allowed sleep to claim him. He knew that when he recovered, he would force these barbarians from his lands. He had underestimated his mysterious foes once; he would not do so again. "Well, any luck?" Ukyo asked, standing under the awning as a soaking-wet Yuri came out of the rain to share her shelter. It was coming down harder now, and Ukyo inwardly cursed the precipitation that slowed their search. Yuri shook her head. "Nobody has seen any sign of him." She clenched her fist as she turned back around, scanning through the downpour for someone she knew wasn't there. "I was sure he was here! After all, where else could he have gone?" She clasped her arms around her body and shivered. "I'm sure he's got to be around somewhere, Yuri-honey," Ukyo soothed sympathetically. "In the meantime, let's get you inside before you catch a cold." She grabbed ahold of the ninja girl's arm and began to drag her inside the small inn. She didn't like this anymore that Yuri did, but she couldn't see what else could be done at the moment. They had managed to track Kenji to this little seaside fishing village, and figured that someone must've seen him. But no one recognized the pictures they had flashed around town when they split up to search. Then the downpour had started, and they had began to rendezvous at an agreed upon location, the only inn in the small seaside fishing village. "Where's Hikaru and Konatsu?" Yuri asked as the two girls entered their room. "The guys have their own room down the hall," Ukyo explained. "And Selah is taking a bath right now. Actually, I think you should join her as soon as we get these wet clothes off you." "I'm fine, I-" Yuri started, then sneezed. She turned to look sheepishly at Ukyo, and relented as Ukyo helped divest her of her clothing, directing her toward the changing room. "Ya know, warm bath sounds good," Ukyo declared when Yuri was down to her underwear. She stopped to let the other girl finish, while she stripped down as well. When she was done, she turned to see Yuri just standing there in the nude, staring at the amulet in her palm. "Yuri?" "I was so sure he was in this village," the ninja girl said quietly. "Hikaru-san said this would lead me to my brother." Ukyo came up to pat Yuri gently on the back. "I'm sure we're on the right track." Yuri turned to face the chef, and Ukyo was surprised by the despairing look on the girl's face. "No we're not! The amulet is wrong!" Ukyo stared at the small blue orb, which was currently lit up with a simple arrow. Mentally aligning herself, she deduced the direction it was pointed. Looking up, Yuri nodded at her. "Yes, it's pointing west, but we've already gone as far west as we can!" Yuri nearly cried. "This stupid thing doesn't work!" She released the amulet, letting it come to rest in her modest cleavage as it hung from the leather strap around her neck. She then violently punched the wall. Ukyo's mouth suddenly felt dry as the thought came to her. "Not unless... he went to China." Yuri turned around, her turn to be surprised. "My brother left Japan and went to China? Why would he do that?" "Maybe..." Ukyo closed her mouth. She didn't want to say it, but she knew she had to. "Maybe he's not in control anymore." Yuri simply stared at her, her fists clenching. "No. I won't believe it! Kenji's stronger than that! He wouldn't let that thing inside of him get control again! And if it does, so help me, I'll kill whoever's possessing my brother!" Ukyo shivered, partly from standing around in the nude and partly from Yuri rapidly reaching her boiling point. She lightly grabbed Yuri's arm and began to pull her toward the bathroom. "Calm down, Yuchan. We'll find him. Tomorrow we'll go talk to the fisherman and see if anyone charted a boat for China." Yuri still sported a frown, but reluctantly acquiesced to Ukyo guiding her into the bathroom. Kenji glanced out at the pouring rain, glad he had managed to find this small cave seconds before the downpour started. He almost thought he wasn't going to make it. Once he detected the first few falling drops, he sprinted at his best speeds for the nearest shelter. Fortunately his clothes easily soaked up the light sprinkling, preventing his Jusenkyo transformation. (You almost didn't make it,) a cynical inner voice told him. Kenji shot back, somewhat smug. He was rather proud of his fifty-meter dash speed. (We're still moving too slowly,) Kae replied internally. (I was hoping to be in the Quing-Hai province by today. At your current rate of travel, we won't arrive for another two days at most.) Kenji frowned, leaning up against the cave wall. He didn't admit that he was actually trying to go slower, mostly because of what Kae ultimately wanted at their journey's end. She had explained to him that what she desired was the utter destruction of a group she called the "Rogues." She also referred to them as the "Dark", and she had made it clear that she wouldn't leave his body until this group was dead. Kenji was decidedly uncomfortable with killing. Beating someone up was fine, but he was loathe to actually end someone's life, no matter who it was. (Don't worry, boy. When the time comes, it shall be I who does the killing.) Kenji started in surprise. (Foolish boy, did you think you could keep your innermost thoughts a secret to me forever?) Kae sounded almost amused. (I reside inside of you, in the parts of your mind that you do not even wish to admit exist.) Kenji snarled. (I will do whatever I wish!) Kae barked at him. (I was imprisoned in the bowels of the Earth. I survived there for over 950 years, biding my time. Then I outsmarted my captors by escaping. Do not speak to me of what my rights are. Rights go to the strong, of which I am, and which you are not. Remember that.) Kenji had no answer to that, and instead glanced out the cave entrance at falling rain. It might have been his imagination, but he thought the sudden downpour was beginning to let up. Kae sighed, unheard to anyone but the possessed boy. (Look kid, you're not bad. But you're nowhere near the level you'd need to be to able to challenge the opponents you'll soon be facing. If you want your life back, you'll have to turn over control eventually. If I have to fight you for it, I will, but it will save both us time and energy if you just let me handle things.) he countered, naturally afraid of letting Kae take over again. Not only did that mean a loss of control, but he was afraid of she would do. (And the rain's letting up,) Kae replied. (Let's go.) Kenji sighed, but relented and exited the cave. While the rain had subsided, the clouds still appeared a little gray, and the sun was barely peeking out from behind them. "Ah, there you are!" Kenji's head snapped up, homing in on the source of the voice. A solitary figure floated a dozen feet off the ground, covered from head to toe in a black robe. "Who are you?" Kenji demanded. Inside his head, Kenji heard Kae hiss. (That's Darmondo! He's one of the Rogues we've been hunting. Let me take control, now!) Kenji countered. Calling upon his willpower, a whirlwind gathered around the ninja, lifting him into the air. Darmondo removed his cowl, baring his bald head to the sky. "Impressive for a mere whelp. If I had the time, I might take you in for experimentation. Unfortunately, I cannot allow one touched by Jusenkyo to near my Shogun Liege." Kenji snorted derisively.. "Like you could stop me. I'm stronger than you think." The Rogue wizard chuckled. "In physical arts, probably. Too bad you don't have more than that." His hands, which had been hidden the folds of his cloak, suddenly swung out to the accompaniment of a sliver flash. Kenji was nearly taken by surprise, but managed to cut the whirlwind, dropping him back to the ground. The splash of water landed several feet away. "That's it?" Kenji asked in disbelief. "To get me wet is the only way you can win? That's pathetic." (Let me take control, NOW!) Kae yelled, trying to fight her way free. Darmondo didn't bother to respond, but instead lanced out with a beam of black light. Kenji, who had been trying to push Kae back down, was caught off-guard, barely managing to dodge it. The second-hand explosion sent him tumbling to the ground. That's when he felt the water soak his clothing. the possessed boy cursed as he shrunk. He sprinted out of his clothes with as much speed as he could muster, evidently surprising his adversary. He clamped his jaws around the wizard's upper left arm and held on tight. Darmondo growled in anger and pain as he reeled under the attack. It didn't last long, however, as he punched Kenji's head several times until the wolf was forced to let go. Kenji hit the ground running and disappeared into a thicket of bushes in the forest. "Wretched boy!" Darmondo raged, holding his arm. "I'll get for that!" He let loose another wave of black light in the direction Kenji had ran, incinerating several trees. Kenji hadn't stopped however, but continued to sprint along the forest floor, circling the wizard's position. When he had realized that avoiding the different ways to get wet was futile, he had taken to carrying the thermos of hot water with him. It was good for one change back, until he could heat some more water. Another wave of black light cut a deadly swath across Kenji's path, but he managed to come to a stop before hitting the now open area. Crouching behind a rather large tree, he at first thought the wizard had found him. But as he peeked around the corner through the thick underbrush, he realized that Darmondo didn't really know where he was hiding. The wizard's head surveyed the area from where he floated, practically in the same position as before. Without warning, Darmondo unleashed another brilliant black light attack, directed in the complete opposite direction of where Kenji was hiding. Between the wizard and the cave entrance, Kenji spotted his clothes and pack. But could he reach them and splash himself before the wizard could finish him off? He was just about to give it a try, when Darmondo laughed. "Well met, boy!" he commended Kenji. "I see your sensei must have taught you well. You have escaped from me, for now, but your luck will not last forever. I was hoping to take you in for experimentation, as I don't have any wind mages to play with, but time is short and I have more pressing matters to attend. Plus, I have already beaten you." Kenji growled lightly, preparing to show his foe that he was not out of the fight, but Kae managed to hold him back. "In time, you'll understand," Darmondo continued. "But make no mistake; this is not over." Kenji blinked as Darmondo disappeared in a flash of black light. (Idiot!) Kae finally screamed at him. (If you had just let me take control, you wouldn't be in this predicament.) Kenji countered, equally upset. (More delays,) Kae growled. (The one idiot I possess, and he's cursed to turn into a mutt when splashed with cold water.) Kenji didn't reply, secretly pleased at the delay, while he padded over to his clothes and located the thermos. With practiced ease, he rolled onto his back while holding the bottle in his paws, then used his jaw to twist the cap off. In his mind, he had gained a short reprieve, and more time to figure another way out of this mess. Maybe his luck was turning around. Unfortunately, as the warm water cascaded down and he felt the distinct lack of the tingling change, he realized that his luck had instead just gotten much, much worse. ----------------------------- Author's notes: Whew, got back into my writing groove at last! Wanted to slip in some parts about Shampoo and Mousse, as well as Ryoga and Akari, but it didn't work out that way this time. I still have plenty I want to do to them, but want to keep these chapters at a reasonable size. Next chapter, look for the continuing adventures of Tenma. After that, we'll rejoin our favorite Amazons, and begin to connect the events of the past, with what's happening in the present. I know I'm keeping the motives of the Rogues vague, and I haven't explored much of their goals and such, but that was done for a reason. Expect much more development of them in the coming chapters. And Thanks to Brian Gorham for prereading this! Til next time! Kai