Ranma 1/2: New Challenges Trouble with a Capital `A' Chapter 9 "They've got them," Nabiki announced to the family gathered in the living room. "Who's got who?" Soun asked. Nabiki sighed. "The Amazons have Ranma and Akane." "Oh dear!" Kasumi exclaimed. "How do you know?" "Because the rangers found their campsite and it was totally demolished. My contact said it looked like a warzone, what with the amount of trees and rocks destroyed. It showed all the signs of a major struggle." Nobody had anything to say for the next few moments, letting silence permeate the room. "Then it is decided," Kuno said at last. "We go after them. Surely they will endeavor to leave the country and we must make haste to waylay them from their objective." "Don't worry, I've got a list of ships that came in from China a few days ago," Nabiki stated, waving a sheet of paper. "I've narrowed it down and found one that I believe they came in on: the Kobiyashi Maru. I've got the port officials searching it right now for, `health and safety' reasons. They won't be able to leave for several days." Natsume fingered her rugbeater staff. "Then we just have to find them." "Yuri and Mousse are out scouting right now," Genma added. "Either those two will find them or one of Nabiki's contacts will." Everyone understood that, and hoped they would be found.. Ukyo expertly brushed the moist cloth over the last of the countertop as was part of her continual routine. The lunch rush had finally ended and they were closed temporarily while she and Selah cleaned and prepared for the dinner rush. Quickly finished with her task, she took her wet rag back to the kitchen where Selah was doing the dishes. As usual, the younger girl was cheating, using her water magic to speed up the job and having fun doing it. Ukyo allowed herself a small chuckle. Despite the soakings she had received at the hands of the younger girl, Ukyo genuinely did like the vibrant youngster. In fact, her addition at Ucchan's brang the chef one step closer to what she really wanted: a reall family. A knock at the front door drew her attention away from Selah's antics. "Go away!" she shouted, loud enough so that the person at the front door could hear her. "We're closed right now!" She knew it couldn't be anyone she knew, since they would come in the back door if they needed to see her. Whoever it was, knocked again anyway. Ukyo walked out into the dining room and yelled again, "I said we're closed right now!" There was another knock and a voice. "Ukyo-sama?" Ukyo's brow furrowed. She walked to the door and opened it. "I said we're-" Ukyo's words died on her lips and her jaw dropped. The look was somewhat... different. But she definitely did recognize the person standing in front of her. Kenji groaned. he berated himself yet again. Last night he had trailed the two women to find the Amazon hideout. And find it he did. They were camped out in the middle of a nearby forest, perfectly hidden, just as he was hidden in the shadows. He supposed he should have gone home right then, to report on what he found, but noooooooo; he just had to sneak into the camp to hear the enemy plans and gauge their strength. It was going well for awhile, and he exhilarated in the feeling that we was moving through all these warriors and no one noticed him. Then he found the leader's tent. he thought. He should have known that arrogance breeds stupidity. Oh sure, he got in alright and began to hear what they were saying, but it was all in Chinese and he didn't understand a word of it. There was this ugly, shrivel old woman there who reminded him of Cologne, as well as Shampoo, just as Mousse feared. Then the old woman stopped speaking. She strode around the table and made to walk right past him. As she neared, she thrust out her staff with blinding speed and the hidden ninja trainee doubled over from the strike to his stomach.. As Kenji hit the ground, he felt a poke at the back of his neck and his body went numb. "Well, what do we have here?" she said in Japanese for his benefit. "A ninja spy. Not bad for sneaking in here, but I know your tricks and can uncover them." "What we do with him?" Shampoo asked. "He friend of Ranma." The old lady grinned. "Then they'll come for him. Maybe we can use him as a bargaining chip." She studied him a bit more. "On second thought, I've got a better idea. For now, lock him up!" With that, his world went black. When he finally awoke, he was chained up in a cage with several Amazons standing guard. He sat up as best as he could, then noticed a disturbance enter the camp. Several warriors appeared, and by the looks of their cuts and bruises, he could tell that they had been beaten up pretty badly. A cart soon arrived and the old hag who led these Amazons hopped out. Then a pair of warriors who were in better shape than their companions, hoisted two obviously unconscious forms out of the cart and carried them to seperate cages, several meters from his own. His eyes went wide when he recognized them. he realized. They were a matching pair, with Ranma was in his standard red Chinese shirt, and Akane wearing the blue one from the Kodachi episode. Like they really belonged together. He grimaced as they were shackled and chained, then placed in cages. They also had a simple looking brace attached snapped around their necks. Kenji thought that must be what they put on him, since he could feel something there, but couldn't see it. It must be what was messing with his ability to draw upon his ki. He sighed. He looked up. Yuri sneezed as she arced through the sky and descended on the Tendo dojo, Mousse-duck gliding next to her. While they didn't find what they were looking for, they eliminated a vast area where the Amazons weren't. They weren't in Tokyo or the surrounding areas; Nabiki's contacts confirmed that. That must mean they were in the country somewhere, and not in the open. Still, that left a great deal of forested areas. Yuri and Mousse were able to rule out a couple of likelt places before they began to tire. As she closed in on the yard, she pointed her feet downward and cupped her hands, just like her brother showed her. With the yard getting nearer, she sent down the counter wind to slow her descent. It was working, but not enough. Yuri panicked and changed her course somewhat. Instead of landing in the yard, she crashed into the pond. She surfaced, coughing up water. "Argh! Why can't I land right!?" she screamed, mostly to herself. Needless to say, her scream drew the occupants of the house out, as Mousse landed beside her on the ground. He quacked at her in question. "Oh, shut up, Mousse!" she growled. "You've been at this flying thing longer and you've got actual wings!" She turned to look at the questioning faces of the people around her as she stepped out of the pond. "No, we didn't find them!" She shivered. Exasperated, she added, "And before I answer any questions, I am GOING to get changed and take a warm bath!" The family parted and let the ninja-girl-in-a-bad-mood pass unhindered. "" Zhao Len swore in there native language as she shut off the cellular phone. "" She grumbled and looked out of her tent at the Amazons getting medical attention, grimacing. "" "" Shampoo said. "" "" The old woman sighed. "" Shampoo smiled happily. "" "Konatsu-chan!?" Ukyo stared in disbelief. The man standing in front of her was wearing actually something besides a cute floral kimono; jeans and a T-shirt in fact. The make-up was gone, but the long hair remained, tied in a pony tail. "Yes, it's me, Ukyo-sama," he replied. Ukyo responded by pulling him into the restaurant and wrapping her arms around the once-missing male kunoichi. "Where the hell have you been!? You had me-all of us- worried sick about you! We thought you were dead!" "Ukyo-sama..." Konatsu passed out from Ukyo's prolonged closness. She released him as his form crumpled to the ground. "Oh no you don't!" she told him, smacking his face a few times. "Come on... wakey, wakey. You can't pass out on me now!" He awoke and responded in his familiar demure fashion. "Arigato." He took up a postion sitting on one of the stools near the grill. "Ah, I guess I should explain where I've been?" "Yes!" the chef heartily agreed, sitting down opposite him. "Definitely! What happened to you after you disappeared back at Mage Mountain?" "Ah yes," he remembered, his eyes closing as he visualized the event. "I knocked that boulder out of the way and fell into the pit. I descended for some distance, but before I could take some action to save myself, I hit the bottom. After that, I blacked out." He paused to open his eyes and sip his tea. "The next thing I remember was waking up in a bed. An old couple had apparently rescued me and nursed me back to health. They told me a couple days had gone by since they found me in a forest clearing, but how I got there, I do not know." He paused for a bit while Ukyo took this in. She got the idea that they may never know how he went from the bottom of a rocky abyss to a forest clearing "My mind was rather clouded, and I couldn't recall much," Konatsu continued. "The elderly couple lent me some male clothing, and for the next three weeks, that's what I wore. It felt both strange and normal, but I did grow to like it. They treated me like boy and, at first, I acted like one, but as my memories gradually came back to me, I wondered who I really was. Living as a boy for all that time became an enlightening experience for me, and I realized I really wasn't a woman." "Wait a minute," Ukyo interjected. "If you remembered who you were after three weeks, where have you been all this time? You've been gone for several months!" He looked down, somewhat ashamed. "I became confused at who I really was. I am male, the nice couple helped me realize that. But I was raised female.Who was I really?" He shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I had to go and find out myself.. But after several more weeks, I was still no closer to figuring that out. Then I had a strange feeling that I should return and see how everyone was doing." Ukyo scowled. "You know, you could've called or sent a letter or something." Konastu bowed his head. "I am sorry Ukyo-sama. But, before I could face you again, I needed to know who I was. I know you had difficulties with me being a girl." She sighed. "Yeah, I kinda did, I'll admit that. Though I guess I can understand. I hid my feminity for so long and became a boy, that at times I forgot who I really was." She brightened, laying a hand upon his. "Other than that, I found you to be a great friend." Konatsu's lips finally turned up into a demure smile, even while he broke into a very feminine blush. "Arigato again, Ukyo-sama. I was pleased to be your friend too, and was very happy you took me in. Though I always wanted to be more to you..." Ukyo retrieved her hand nervously, then stood and faced away, the reminder of his feelings towards her turning the reunion into an awkward moment. "I-I don't know, and that's really how I feel," she answered after a minute of silence. "I don't know who I love. Ranma has... made his choice." She shook her head to clear her thoughts. "You should know that because of your help, we did save Kenji, and he and his sister have been living here now. I've grown to care about them, just as I care about you. But I'll need time to figure things out. I just don't know right now." "I understand." Konatsu looked crestfallen, but resigned himself to her decision. The chef looked the kunoichi over, noting that he actually made a pretty decent-looking guy. "Tell you what Konatsu-chan, after this current mess is over, I'll take you out on a date for old times sake. I should at least give it a chance before I make up my mind, ne?" Konatsu nodded happily, then his face showed confusion. "What mess?" "Oh kami, that's right, you don't know!" she exclaimed while slapping her forehead. "Well, I guess it's my time to do some explaining. Sit back `cause this is a long story!" Ukyo warmed up the grill while she began to explain the events of the past couple of months. Nabiki smiled. Unlike the last time, the internet had proven most helpful for her latest task. This time, one of her old contacts that had graduated last year had the information she needed. For that, she had completely erased his debt. Apparently, this contact had left home recently to visit some relatives who lived out in the country. They had an internet connection and, eager to ease or erase his debt, he had reported to Nabiki that he had observed many strange women in armor going in and out of a nearby forest. she thought to herself while printing out the directions. Ranma was happy. It was a nice day that found him and Akane walking through the park, holding each other's hands. He felt a strange prickling of his skin and looked around, spotting Shampoo's approach. A funny feeling came over him and, before he could stop it, his hand slashed out. Shampoo's body was sliced open and she fell down dead. Ranma stared at his blood covered hand and wondered why he did that. He glanced at Akane who apparently didn't notice. He turned his head again to see Mousse standing nearby. He screamed in rage over the loss of his beloved and charged. Ranma's hand swiped again and Mousse joined Shampoo in death. he asked himself, utterly horrorfied at his actions. {So? They were a threat.} Ranma tried to figure out where that other voice was coming from, but couldn't since Kuno and Kodachi were now attacking him. Swipe, swipe! They too, were sliced opened and died, and this time Akane noticed. "What did you do that for?" she asked, worriedly. Ranma tried to say, but no words came out. Ryoga attacked next. "Ranma you murderer!" he yelled. Swipe! Akari came out. "You killed my Ryo-chan!" Ranma opened his mouth, but again nothing came out. Swipe! Akane backed away some. "What are you doing?" she cried. "Stop it!" "Ranma, my boy, you have to learn control!" said his father. Ranma turned to see his father, Soun, Nabiki, and Kasumi. Swipe, swipe, swipe, swipe. They too died. {You have no friends, you need no friends. You have your mate and you have me.} No answer. Ucchan arrived next, then Kenji and Yuri. Everyone he ever knew tried to stop him, and he killed them all. Akane was in tears now. {They are dealt with. Take her} Ranma tried to resist, but his body knocked over Akane and landed on top of her. He began to lick her face and preen her hair as he swiped off her clothing. Ranma summoned up all of his willpower and strength to stop what he was about to do. He looked down at Akane and saw her looking up at him with fear in her eyes. Then, for a second, and image of a tiger replace her face. Ranma's body recoiled and swiped at the image. Akane screamed. Ranma screamed. Akane was dead. {Very good. I did.} Everything faded from view until all was blackness. {To protect you from those who would do you harm.} Ranma turned around and saw himself. Well, it woul'd have been him, except for the cat's nose, cat ears, and a twitching tail. It shrugged. {You're probably right, but I sense something about her, something feline, and yet avian at the same time.} {You created me.} Ranma stared, shocked in unbelief. {Yes, remember? Back when your father threw you into the pit of cats again and again? You couldn't take it anymore and you wanted to fight back. The part of your mind that studies opponents and develops techniques to counter them watched the cats. It figured out all of their moves. But because your concious mind was too scared to comprehend and use the information, your subconscious created me and gave me the techniques.} {Yes. And so when you're concious mind is afraid, I take over for you. But since the only time you become truly afraid is when cats are around, that is the only time I'm can come forth.} {Because your fear of cats is dwindling. Our mate helped with that. That, and you have begun to realize my presence. You also wanted to have a talk with me, did you not?} {What about Saffron?} Ranma was taken aback. {But how will we protect ourselves?} His face hardened. {Are you sure?} It seemed to think on this a moment. {Very well. Since I am part of you, I serve to protect the body we share.} {Then I shall go} Neko-Ranma began to walk away. {Not really and not just yet. I will hang around until your fear of cats is completely gone. When that happens, we will become one. But, I may partially lend you my skills and techniques to use from time to time. However, I will also watch. If you are in danger and are unable to do anything, I may return. Understand?} Neko-Ranma smirked. {You are me after all. Now go. There is someone who wants to talk with you.} And he was gone. "Ranma?" Akane appeared before him. "Akane? You're alive!" "Ranma! "Akane!" "Ranma! Wake up!" Ranma's eyes jerked open. "Akane?" he mumbled. "Ranma!" Akane called. "Are you alright?" Ranma looked around, and for the first time, saw where he was. He was wrapped in chains and laying inside a steel cage. He worked his way to his knees and saw Akane in a similiar position in a cage nearby. Several Amazon were standing guard, but apparently didn't care that the prisoners were talking to each other. "Oy, I have such a headache," Ranma complained. "Well, at least you're alive, Baka," Akane replied. "At least I have you nearby to annoy me, tomboy," Ranma retorted. they thought in unison. "So, how are ya?" Ranma asked. Akane sighed. "Besides being chained in a cage by a bunch of Amazons and without the ability to use my ki, just peachy." "No ki?" Ranma asked. She nodded. Ranma tried to summon his, but nothing came. "That's odd." "Kenji-kun said it's probably the work of these collars we're wearing," Akane explained. When he got a questioning look on his face, she gestured in a direction to where the ninja trainee was laying down in a cage. "He's asleep at the moment so I think we should just let him rest." "How'd he get here?" Akane sighed. "He snuck into camp using some new ninja invisibilty thing and was caught by the old woman. Her name is Zhao Len by the way. Shampoo's here too." "That was stupid of him." He blinked. "Shampoo's here?" "Yeah, she's in on it, though Kenji-kun couldn't figure out why." Akane shook her head. "By the way, it looked like you were having some sort of nightmare. You looked extremely disturbed for awhile, then settled down. Care to talk about it?" Ranma shook his head. "Naw. Besides, it didn't bother me none." "Idiot!" she growled. "I was only trying to help!" "Like I need-" Ranma stopped himself and looked down. "Sorry." Akane sighed. "Ranma, it looked and sounded like a pretty intense nightmare. Those are the kind that you need to talk to someone about. And I am your fiancee and I love you, so I'd like it if you could talk to me? Please?" Now it was Ranma's turn to sigh. "I dunno, if I can-" He shrugged. "I met my cat side, I think. At least I think I did. It was probably just a crazy dream." "What did you talk about?" she asked, intrigued. "Well, we talked about why he's there, where he came from, why he does what he does. He said I created him when I was tossed into the pit of cats by Oyaji. When they're around and I become, uh, nervous, he takes over. "Anything else you talked about?" "Well, he said he'd go away completely when I got over my fear of cats, but in the meantime, he might help me out from time-to-time by letting me use part of the Nekoken without goin' cat." "Can you really use those skills and abilities he talked about?" she asked, hoping that he could use them to free himself. She had seen those ki-claws cut through steel, so the chains and cages would be child's play. He tried. "Doesn't look like it. Of course, the collars could have something ta do with it." "Oh well. We'll just have to think of some other way out of here." She looked up to see a procession of Amazons approaching, Zhao Len and Shampoo at the head. They stopped in front of Ranma's cage and Zhao Len grinned evilly. "Congratulations Ranma, you're getting married!" Ranma and Akane eyeswidened, while Shampoo smiled happily.