^^^=Flashback / "Japanese" / ' Thought ' / <Chinese> / {English} / [written]
HIDDEN WEAPONS UNITED
By Megan Earley

	“Come on you wrinkled old hag.  Why won’t you even let me have a date with her?”  Mousse slammed down the tray he had been carrying.  “It’s not fair!”
	Cologne gave him a nasty look and hit him over the head with her staff.  “Pick up that tray and get back to work.  The lunch time rush is about to come in.”  She went back to setting up the cash register.  “Besides, you haven’t beaten her in battle.  Only son-in-law has.  She is betrothed to him.  That’s why you can’t have a date with her.  She’s already taken.”
	Mousse pushed his glasses up and picked up the tray.  “I hate this.”  He walked into the back and sat down.  “Why do I put up with this?”  He sighed.  ‘<If I can get Shampoo to love me this will all be worth it>.’
	There was a tingling of bells behind him.  He whirled around and saw Shampoo.  “Why you here?  You need be out there.”  She pointed to the front of the restaurant.  “Great-grandma upset at you.”
	“So what else is new?  She hates me remember?”  He stood up and adjusted his glasses. At her glare he quickly grabbed his tray and headed for the door.  “I’m going, I'm going.”  He stepped out just as the lunchtime rush burst through the door.  “Looks like I’m going to be busy.”  Mousse walked up to the closest table and did his best to put on a smile. “Welcome to the Cat Café can I get you something to drink?”
	“Thanks for coming.”  Mousse looked up to see Cologne waving to the last of the customers.
	“Great.  Now she and Shampoo will be too busy to help clean up.”  He started to clean the tables and take the dishes back to the sink to be washed.  Just as he was finishing up the last table Shampoo walked up to him.
	“Great-grandma say she want to talk to you.”
	Mousse nodded and walked over to the cash register.  “You wished to speak to me?”  He asked, his voice filled with contempt.
	Cologne reached into the cash register and pulled out some money. “Here, we need more ingredients.  Go to the market and pick them up.  Here’s the list.”  She thrust a long list into Mousse’s hands.  “And be back before three.”
	“Yeah, yeah I know the drill.”  Mousse pushed the money and list into his sleeve.  “I’ll be back soon.”
	“Yikes. This stuff costs a lot.”  Destine looked through the window of one of the stores.  “Why did I have to lose my wallet?”  She checked her sleeves and looked for some money.  She pulled out a 10-yen piece and a paper clip.  “OK, I need money.  But how can I earn it?  I haven’t seen a help wanted sign all day, and these people don’t look like ones to enjoy a magic show.”  She looked around.  “Why did I come here?”  A group of girls ran past her knocking her off balance.  “That was rude.”  She took off her glasses and cleaned them.  “Why don’t they look where they’re going?”
	“Because a fight just broke out down the street.”  
	Destine whirled around and stood face to face with a young man.  She scanned him quickly.  He had jet-black hair and blue-green eyes.  His glasses were pushed up onto his forehead and he was carrying tons of bags.  “I see.”  She smiled.  “Can you see what you’re doing?”
	“Not really.  My name is Mousse.  I’d shake your hand, if I could find a free hand.”  He shifted the bags and tried to put on his glasses.
	“Here let me help you.”  Destine reached up and pulled down his glasses.  She adjusted them and smiled.  “Better?”
	Mousse smiled and bowed.  “Thank you.  May I get your name?”
	“My name is Destine.  I have been traveling and am looking for a place to stay.”  She looked at Mousse.  “Do you know of any places?”
	Mousse blushed, this girl was really quite cute.  She had long auburn brown hair, bright blue eyes and she was polishing a pair of blue tinted glasses.  He could see a light blue bandana tied into her hair and she was wearing long robes much like his.  There was something about her though, something he could not quite place.  “Um, not really, but if you’re hungry you can follow me back to the Cat Café.”  He shifted the bags again and started walking.
	Destine fell into step with him.  “May I help you with those bags?”  She held out her hands to take some of the bags.
	Mousse smiled.  “Sure.”  He handed her some of the bags.  “Thanks. The café isn’t too far from here.  So where are you from?”
	Destine sighed.  “Yokohama.”
	“Oh, well here we are.” Mousse pointed to a sign and stepped inside the restaurant.  Destine quietly fell into step behind him.  He walked up to the window between the kitchen and the restaurant and set the bags down.  “Here’s the stuff.  I’m gonna get a drink before I wash the dishes.”
	Cologne smirked and leaned forward.  “Why don’t I give you one right now?”  She picked up a bucket full of cold water and threw it a Mousse.  It hit him and in a few seconds he transformed into a small white duck with glasses.
	Destine jumped back to avoid getting wet.  “Why did you do that?  He just asked for water.”
	Cologne laughed, “He’s 20 minutes late.  He needs to get his work done.”
	Destine took off her glasses and polished them being careful not to get near the water.  “Still, it was very rude.”
	Cologne narrowed her eyes at Destine.  “And who are you to say what’s rude?”
	Destine bowed, “My name is Destine Mekana, the Illusionist Extra-ordinaire.”  She slipped her glasses back on and looked down at Mousse, who was glaring daggers at Cologne.  “I didn’t mean to sound uppity, I just thought that he didn’t deserve that.  If he’s late it’s my fault.  I stopped him to ask for directions.”  She leapt up onto a chair as Mousse shook out his feathers.
	Cologne grinned and grabbed a glass of water.  “Here, you look thirsty.”  
	Destine raised her eyebrows and shook her head.  Suddenly Shampoo burst through the door causing Cologne to spill the water on Destine.  “Oh crap.”  Within a few seconds she was transformed into a white mongoose with a pitch black tail.
	Cologne laughed and picked Destine up by the scruff of her neck. “Shampoo, take Mousse up to his room and heat up some water.  I need to talk to this one.”
	Shampoo picked up Mousse and carried him to the back.  She walked into his room and set him down.  Running down to the kitchen she grabbed a kettle of hot water.  She ran back up to Mousse’s room and poured the water on him.  “There you better now.  Why you go and get her angry?”
	Mousse grabbed one of the blankets and wrapped it around himself.  “I don’t try to, she hates me.”  He walked behind his dressing screen and pulled on some clothes.  “I just don’t see why she had to do that in front of Destine.  I feel sorry for her.”  He sighed and sat back down on his bed.  “She shouldn’t have had to see that.”  He looked at Shampoo.  “Why did she say ‘oh crap’?”
	Shampoo giggled, “She transform too.  I bump Great-grandmother and she spill water on her.  She turn into too cute white mongoose.”
	Mousse jumped up. “She what?!”
	“She turn into mongoose.  Come I show.”  She grabbed Mousse’s sleeve and dragged him down stairs.  They walked into the kitchen to see Cologne and Destine (still in cursed form) at the table.
	“So, why are you here girl?”  Cologne glared at Destine.  Destine dipped her tail in some ink and started writing.  Cologne picked up the paper and read it aloud, “I’m not quite sure.”  She set the paper back down and smirked.  “So, why do you change?”  Again Destine wrote on the paper. “I was attacked and thrown into one of the cursed springs.  Curse of the Drowned Mongoose with Inky Black Tail.  Very tragic story you know.”
	Shampoo sat down at the table and giggled. “I change too.  I turn to kitty cat.”  She smiled, “You want change back?”  
	Destine wrote on the paper, “Yes but not here.”
	Cologne looked at Shampoo, “Take her up to your room.  Turn her back into her regular form and get her some clothes.”  Destine shook her head.  Cologne raised an eyebrow; “You have a better idea?” 
	Destine nodded and wrote on the paper, “My robe should be dry.  I wasn’t splashed with that much water.”
	Cologne nodded and looked at Mousse. “Go get her robe and put in it Shampoo’s room. Then come down here and finish up your chores.”
	Mousse grumbled and stepped out of the kitchen.  He picked up Destine’s robe and to his surprise tucked into the sleeves were many different objects.  ‘<I think I’ll ask her about this later>.’  He picked up his robe as well and walked up to Shampoo’s room.  “Here’s her stuff.”  He set it down on the bed and left the room.  He walked downstairs and, pulling on an apron, started washing the dishes.
	Destine sat at one of the tables and watched Mousse go about his business. ‘So he’s cursed as well.  I wonder how many people in this town are cursed?’  She sat back and stretched.  ‘I need to finish exploring.’
	The door slid open and a young man with a large back pack walked into the restaurant.  He had black hair, brown eyes and was wearing a yellow bandanna.  Destine smiled.  ‘Another wanderer.’  
	The man sat down at one of the tables and Shampoo walked over to take his order, “Nihao Ryoga.  You want ramen?”
	Ryoga nodded an said politely, “Just a small bowl today.  I’m feeling really depressed.”
	“OK.”  Shampoo trotted off to the kitchen to carry out the order.  
	Destine looked over at Ryoga and smiled.  “Hello.”
	Ryoga jumped and turned around.  “Who are you?”
	Destine got up and walked over to Ryoga’s table.  “I am Destine, I take it you’re Ryoga.  Pleased to meet you.”
	Ryoga shook her hand and smiled.  “Care to sit down?”  Destine took one of the chairs and sat down.  “What brings you here Destine?”
	“I’m travelling on a training journey.  I left my home in Yokohama two years ago to finish learning my techniques.  I’ve even traveled all over China.  I came here to find a place to stay for a while before heading home.”  Destine nodded toward the door.  “The owner has been kind enough to let me stay here for the night.”
	Ryoga shook his head.  “Heh, sounds like you’ve done quite a bit of traveling, careful of Cologne.”
	“I know.”
	Mousse looked out the kitchen door at Destine.  ‘<Why does she have the robe of a hidden weapons expert>?’  He turned back to his dish washing.  ‘<Maybe I’m just imagining it.  Maybe she is just a stage magician>.’  He dried the last of the dishes.  ‘<But I know how to test it out>.’  He walked over to the phone and dialed the operator.  “Hello? I need the number for the Tendo Dojo...Yeah...thanks.”  He hung up the phone and slipped the number into his sleeve. ‘<I’ll find out tomorrow>.’
	Destine walked over to the kitchen door and knocked.  “Mousse?”  She stepped into the kitchen and looked around.  ‘Nice place, for a witch doctor.’  All around the room were herbs of various types as well as a chopping block and various other things, including a really big knife.  “Mousse?  Where are you?  I was wondering if we could talk for a bit.”  She heard a noise behind her and whirled around.  
	“Need something Destine?”  Mousse looked at her.  He was drying his hands on his apron.  “If it can wait, I’m almost done.”  He turned and headed back to the sink. 
	Destine walked up to him, “Mind if I help?  I need something to do.”
	“You could start by getting out of my kitchen!”  Cologne snapped.  She reached for a bucket of water and threw it at Destine.
	“<CHAIN SHIELD>!”  Hundreds of chains shot from Destine’s sleeves and formed into a large shield that surrounded Destine.  The water hit it and dripped onto the floor.  “You don’t need to do that.  You could have just asked.”  Destine turned on her heel walked out of the kitchen leaving Mousse with his jaw wide open.
	“Get to work.  I’m not paying you to gawk.”  She turned away.  “That girl is nothing but trouble.”  Cologne muttered as she went back to her work.
	Destine stormed out of the restaurant and sat down on the sidewalk.  ‘Stupid woman.  I just wanted to help out.  It wasn’t like I was going to steal some of her trade secrets.’  She leaned against the wall and sighed.  ‘What did I do to her?’
	“Destine?” Mousse stepped outside and sat down next to her.  “I’m sorry about what she did.  She was in the wrong that time.”  He took off his glasses and polished them.  “But how did you do that move?  I’m dying to know.”
	“What <chain shield>?  Simple, I’m a student of hidden weapons fighting.  That was one of the first moves I learned.  My teacher decided to train me when I was thrown out of all the other dojos.  She was deaf.  The other places didn’t want someone like me.”  She lowered her face.  “I wasn’t good enough for them.”  She wiped a tear from her face.  “And just because I can’t see very well without my glasses.  Just because I can’t see doesn’t mean I can’t fight.”  She laughed.  “I showed them in the end.  They relied on just one sense to fight whereas I rely on three.”  She leaned back and smiled faintly.  “But what about you?  How did you learn?  Don’t look so shocked.  I knew as soon as you were turned into a duck.  Your robe gave it away.”
	“I learned it so I could beat Shampoo and win her hand in marriage.  I too cannot see without my glasses.  She and I came from the same village.  She has rejected me since we were three.  But by law if I beat her she has to marry me.  You see, I love her.”
	“Even though she treats you so badly?”
	“Yes.  I have always loved her.”  He sighed. “To the point of fighting battles that I could not win just for her sake.”
	“Um Mousse, is there some other place I could stay?  I think Cologne doesn’t want me around.”
	“No, I called around to all the hotels and they’re booked solid.  If you want you could share Shampoo’s room.  She’s safe.”
	Destine smiled.  “Thanks, I’ll take your word for it.”  She stood up.  “I guess we should get back inside.  Do you need any help with anything?”
	“No but thanks for asking.”  He stood up and walked inside.  “My room’s just down the hall if you need anything.”
	Destine lay awake listening to the breeze outside.  ‘Why am I here?  Am I really supposed to be here or did I just get lost?’  She rolled over and stretched like a cat.  ‘Oh well, may as well enjoy a good night’s sleep while I can.’  She curled up on her side and fell fast asleep.
	Cologne looked in on the room and sneered. ‘<Trouble, nothing but trouble>.’  She closed the door and headed to Mousse’s room.
	Mousse was sitting up on his bed reading.  Cologne knocked on the door and let herself in.  “<What has she been telling you>?”
	Mousse looked up and yawned. “<Just her past.  She’s like me in many aspects.  Don’t worry she didn’t steal anything.  She just wanted to help out>.”  Mousse yawned again and took off his glasses.  “<Good night>.”  He turned off the light by his bed and rolled over.
	Cologne shut the door and went to her room. “<That girl might ruin my plans.  I must not let her get away with much>.”
	Destine awoke the next morning to see a very blurry Shampoo standing over her.  “You awake?  Here, have morning tea.”  She handed Destine a cup of steaming tea.  
	She sipped it and set it down beside her sleeping bag.  “Shampoo, have you seen my glasses?” 
	“Yes I put on night stand so they not get stepped on.”  She handed them to Destine who slipped them on.  “You just like Mousse, always need glasses.”
	“Yeah, so?” Destine stretched and climbed out of her sleeping bag.  “I’ve needed these glasses since I was eight.  Though to trick people sometimes and when I perform, I wear contacts.”  She picked the tea up and drank the rest of it.  “It’s good whatever it is.”
	“Great-grandmother and I make to help you wake up.  Mousse lazy and not get up.  We need help to get ready for work.  You bus tables?”
	Destine slipped on an outfit much like Shampoo’s and brushed her hair.  “Yeah.  I’ll be down in just a second.”  She slipped into her shoes and followed behind Shampoo.
	“So what you do after today?” 
	“In don’t know yet.  I hope to get some money to buy food and a place to stay.”
	“You get paid today for work.  Great-grandma say so.”
	Destine’s eyes narrowed, “Why the sudden change of heart?  Yesterday she hated me.”
	“She no hate Destine.  She not know you.”
	“Oh.” Destine let the conversation end there. ‘Something’s going to happen today.’ 
	The morning rush proved to be a hefty task for Destine.  She was running from table to table clearing the dishes and getting them ready for the next customer.  Around 10:00 the crowds thinned out.  Still she had not seen any sign of Mousse.  She sat down at one of the tables she had just cleaned and rubbed her wrists. ‘I should have been more careful on that last run.  I should have been able to sense that overturned chair.  But no, I had to go and trip over it.’  She leaned back and closed her eyes.  ‘At least it’s just for today.’  
	From upstairs came a loud squawk.  Destine jumped up from the chair and rushed to see what happened.  She burst into Mousse’s room to see Cologne and Shampoo standing over a duck. 
	“You’re late.  I needed you down there at six.  You’re lucky that Destine was there.  Otherwise we would have lost money.”  Cologne turned and left the room. 
	Mousse shook his feathers and waddled to the bathroom.  Destine walked up to Shampoo and tapped her on the shoulder.  “What happened?”
	“Mousse no get up so Great-grandmother get him up with water.”  She tried to stifle a giggle. “She very angry.”
	“How do you think Mousse feels?  Waking up like that?  Waking up to a cold shower would not be my idea of fun.  It should only be used during training, and even then it shouldn't be used very often.”
	“I know.”  Shampoo giggled again.
	Mousse stepped out of the bathroom wearing a plain white robe and black pants.  “So you think that’s funny Shampoo?  Well just go a head and laugh.”  He stormed out of the room and down the stairs.	
	“Uh oh.  Temper flare up for stupid duck boy.  Not good.”  
	“What do you mean not good?”  Destine looked Shampoo square in the eyes.  “What do you mean?”
	“Temper unstable at best.  When he get mad he attack.  I worry how get him back.  He only friend.”
	Destine placed a hand on Shampoo’s shoulder.  “Don’t worry, I’ll go talk to him.”  She formed a false smile. ‘Why do I always get stuck with the unstable ones?’  She walked out of the room and headed to the room where she had stayed the night.  She stepped inside and changed into her robe.  Sighing she pulled on a pair of pants and headed down the stairs back to the restaurant.  She walked up to Cologne and in her nicest voice asked where Mousse had gone.
	“He left without saying anything, all he left behind was this.”  She held up a sheet of paper with some numbers scrawled on it.  “It’s the phone number for the Tendo Dojo.  I think he might be going there.”  
	“Thanks.  I’ll be back soon...and hopefully with Mousse.”
	“Take your time.  I’ve decided to close early today.”
	Mousse walked down the street kicking at a pebble. ‘<Even Destine smirked at what happened.  Am I merely around for other people’s pleasure?  God I’m beginning to sound like Kuno!  Shampoo just stood there and laughed.  At least Destine had a reason to smirk.  She had to fill in for me today>.’  He replayed the scene in his mind and saw once again the shock of transforming and the evil grin on Cologne’s face.  He heard Destine running up the stairs and bursting into the room as if someone were being attacked.  He heard Shampoo laughing and Destine’s voice scorning her.  ‘<I think that Destine girl likes me>.’  Mousse laughed at the thought.  ‘<She probably already has a boyfriend.  Besides why would she want a stupid clod like me>?’  
	His thoughts were interrupted by shouting.  He turned around to see Kuno and Ranma facing off.  ‘<What idiots.  Who would want to go after Akane anyway>?’  He was about to walk off when a small pebble hit him square on the back of the head.  He drew a dagger and whirled to confront his assailant.  
	To his shock and amazement Destine was standing right in front of him.  “I’ve been shouting at you for the past few blocks.  Weren’t you listening?”
	Mousse smiled and slipped the dagger back into his sleeve. “No. I was lost in thought Des-cha...Destine.  Thank you for filling in for me today.  I hadn’t had a good nights sleep in ages.”
	“No problem, but where are you headed to?”  Destine fell into step beside him.
	‘<She’s actually worried about me.  This is a first>.’  He smiled.  “I was off to the Tendo Dojo.  I wanted to get some sparring practice done.  Care to join me?  We can check out each other’s techniques.”  He blushed at how stupid that must have sounded.
	To his surprise he felt Destine’s hand on his shoulder.  “I’d love to.  I haven’t practiced against one who knew the hidden techniques for a long time.”  She smiled and skipped in front of him.  “Finally, one who might be able to guess my attacks.”
	“Well let’s get going then.  We’ve got two more blocks before we get to the dojo.  It’s right up there.”  He pointed to a house.  “I’ll race you.  Ready go!”
	They arrived at the dojo out of breath but laughing.  Destine looked up to see a giant panda standing in their path.  It held up a sign and pointed to Destine.  “New friend Mousse?  Maybe fiancée?”  Destine's face turned bright red and she glared at the panda.
	“No, this is Destine.  She is a fighter like me.  She knows the techniques.  We came here to spar, not to fight.  By the way, I’d go check on your son Mr. Saotome.  He’s gotten into another fight with Kuno.”  Mousse blushed at the thought of Destine being his fiancée. ‘<What am I thinking?  She is just a friend.  But she’s the only one to be nice to me for a long time>.’  He looked up to see Genma and Destine both starring at him.  “Heh heh, um shall we get going Destine?”  He led her to the back of the house.  There was a small house off the back of the main one.  “There’s the dojo.  I’m going to ask permission to use it for a few hours.”  He ran off into the main house and in a few minutes returned with a key.  He unlocked the door and invited Destine inside.  “What rule style should we use?”
	“How about regular weapons no tricks to warm up.  That one’s always interesting.”    She removed her robe and arranged her shirt.  “Always wear something underneath.”  Destine leaned back as if to do a flip.  Her lower back popped and she stood back up.  “I don’t know how you can do that job day in and day out.”  She drew out a small dagger and a sword.  She placed the dagger behind her in a small sheath around her waist.  The sword she set down next to her.  “You have seen my weapons now show me yours.”
	Mousse smiled.  He pulled out a quarter staff and a long knife.  He removed his robe and set it aside.  He slipped the knife into his sash and set the staff in front of him.  “These are my weapons.  First to lose both weapons shall be the loser.  Are you ready?”
	Destine picked up her sword and looked at it.  “I believe that I have the unfair advantage.”  She put the sword away and drew out a Bo staff.  “I will use this instead.  Is that all right?”
	“Fine with us.”  Destine and Mousse turned to see a curtain drop.  Sitting on cushions around the room were the Tendo and Saotome families.  Destine looked at Mousse then back at the gathered audience. 
	“Why are they here?”
	“I don’t know.  I think Mr. Saotome might have told them I was to spar with a new partner.”
	Destine sighed.  “Well let’s get this fight over with.  Would someone be the referee?”
	A tall female brunette stood up. “I will be the referee.  My name is Kasumi Tendo.”
	Destine bowed and turned to face Mousse.  Kasumi raised her hand and let it fall.  Mousse lunged forward using the staff to vault himself in the air.  He came flying at Destine with a nasty side kick.  Destine did a back flip and landed on Mousse’s shoulders.  She took her staff and rapped his shins.  He jumped back knocking her off balance.  Destine landed on her feet with out making a sound, twirling her staff she lunged at Mousse.  He swung his staff in an effort to strike a blow that would force Destine to drop her staff, she ducked and blocked the move.  
	‘He’s good.  Much better than the other people I’ve fought.’  Destine nimbly stepped out of range and proceeded to attack from a distance.  She brought her staff down on his wrists causing him to drop his staff.  He immediately drew out the knife and with one swing cut Destine’s staff in two.  She stumbled back and looked down at her hands which were throbbing in pain.  There was blood running from both her hands and bruises where the wood had snapped and the ends had entered her hands.  “Nice hit.”  She adjusted her grip and was just about to attack when Mousse performed a round house kick that sent her reeling.  She dropped the stave pieces and landed on the floor.  She started to get up but noticed that her glasses had fallen off during the fall.  She closed her eyes and drew her dagger.  Drawing in upon herself she toned out every noise except for the noises Mousse was making.  She gave a loud cry and rushed at him.  
	Mousse had not expected the attack and so was unable to block.  Destine put him in a headlock and held her dagger against his throat.  “Drop your weapon.”  Mousse grudgingly did as he was told.  The same moment the knife hit the floor Destine collapsed.
	“Des-chan!  What happened?  Are you all right?”  Mousse bent down and helped her sit up.  
	Destine looked around and, closing her eyes, asked for someone to get her glasses.  “I don’t think I’ll fight again today.”  She smiled at Mousse and passed out.
“Des-chan!  Wake up!”  Mousse shook Destine trying to get her to come around.  “Please wake up!”  He looked at her hands and saw the blood trickling from them.  Looking more closely her also saw the large bruises that were forming.  “Someone get me some ice.”  He turned to Kasumi. “Where can we put her?”
	Kasumi looked at her father and nodded.  “We can put her in one of the spare rooms for right now.”  She put a hand behind her head.  “But why would she have passed out?  She wasn’t fighting that hard.”  She knelt down beside Mousse and Destine. 
	“She probably used up most of her energy already from traveling and for filling in for me today.  My guess is that when her glasses got knocked off she had to use the last of her reserves to focus on attacking me.  She’s practically blind without her glasses.  She must have utilized one of her other senses to be able to attack, which takes a lot of energy.”  He picked up Destine and followed Kasumi out of the dojo.  She led him to a small room on the side of the house and pointed to the bed on the floor.
	“You can put her there.  I’ll be back with the ice and some cold water.”
	Mousse jumped and stammered, “C-C-Cold water?  No just get another ice pack to set on her head.  Don’t use water.”  He set Destine down on the bed and covered her up.  “Hang in there.”  He walked over to the phone on the wall and dialed the number for the Cat Café.
	“Where Mousse go?  I not mean to make him angry.”  Shampoo sat at one of the tables stirring her ramen.  The phone rang and slowly she got up and answered it. “Nihao Cat caf...Mousse where you?……Ranma house?.......Why you there?..........Destine hurt?.......I be right over.”  She hung up the phone and raced out the door.  Around the side she got on her bike and headed to the Tendo dojo.
	Cologne stood looking out her window. ‘<Good now that the potion has taken effect, she can’t cause anymore trouble.  Now I can get back to work>.’  She sat down and went to chopping up some herbs.
	Mousse hung up the phone just as Nabiki walked into the room.  “Did you get the ice?”  She handed him the ice packs and towels.
	“Why couldn’t we have just used cold water?” Nabiki asked.
	Mousse whirled around.  “Remember what happens when cold water is thrown on Ranma, Shampoo, or myself?  The same thing happens to her.  Wait!  If my theory is correct...” He ran out of the room and filled up a pitcher of water.  Just as he was walking back in he saw Nabiki leaning over Destine arranging the ice packs.  “Please step back.”  He walked over and poured the pitcher of water onto Destine.  Instantly she transformed into a mongoose.  She shook out her fur and stretched.  “It worked! My theory was correct.”  Mousse set the pitcher down and walked to the door.  
	Genma walked in and handed him a kettle of hot water.  “Here.  Hand it to Nabiki and leave the room.”  
	Mousse handed the kettle over to Nabiki and turned around.  Nabiki sneered.  “If you’re going to stay in here at least remove your glasses so you really can’t see.”  She turned back to Destine and poured the hot water on her.
	“AAA! I hate this curse!”  Destine grabbed the blanket and wrapped it around her body.  She stumbled and grabbed her head.  
	Mousse turned around. “Des-chan, are you all right?”
	“<Yeah except for a splitting headache.  I felt it just before I passed out and now its back>.”  She sat down and rubbed her temples.  “Sorry, I have a bad habit of slipping into Chinese when I’m upset.  I don’t know what caused this stupid headache.  I know I didn’t use up the last of my energy reserves.   Wait!  The tea Shampoo gave me this morning.  She said she made it with Cologne’s help.  It was supposed to wake me up.  But when I tasted it there was something else in the tea.  I couldn’t place it because I wasn’t fully awake.  I think Cologne might have added something to the drink to do this to me.  Last night I heard her muttering something about how I might ruin her plans.”  She looked down at the blanket.  “Um could I get some fresh clothes?”
	Nabiki nodded and left the room.  Mousse walked up to her and gave her a hug.  “I’m just happy you’re all right.  I thought I might have hurt you badly.”  Noticing he was hugging her he suddenly let go and blushed.  “Sorry.”  He lifted up one of her hands and inspected it.  “I think you should go see a doctor about your hands.  I think they might be broken.”  
	Destine lifted up her other hand and tried to move it.  A searing pain shot through her hand and up her arm.  “I think so too.  But you weren’t the one to hurt me.  I got careless and didn’t block the move correctly.”  She sat down in one of the chairs and Mousse started wrapping her hands.  “Where is the nearest doctor?”
	Mousse shrugged.  “Beats me.”  He put a hand on her forehead.  “Slight temperature.  You’re right, something was added to your tea.  Your body wouldn’t be reacting this way if it was just a headache.  By the way, why didn’t you tell me you knew Mandarin?  It would have made some things a lot easier.”
	“I didn’t think you knew.”
	Akane walked into the room carrying a yukata robe and slippers.  “We weren’t sure of your size so I got you something that fits practically anyone.”  She handed the robe and slippers to Destine and made Mousse turn around.  Destine undid the blanket and grabbed her undergarments.  She slipped them on and Akane helped her put on the robe.  She tied it and slipped the slippers on Destine’s feet.  “I called doctors and he said he can get you in around 1:30.”  
	“Thanks. Mousse you can turn back around.”  Destine sat down again and looked at her hands.  ‘He’s really good.  With proper training he could defeat anyone.’  She looked up and saw Mousse staring at her.  “Have you ever thought of doing regular training along with hidden weapons?  You could probably excel at both.  Um Akane, what happened to my robe?”
	Mousse pulled a bundle out of his sleeve.  “Here’s your stuff.  I picked it up before we came here.  Everything’s still in there.”
	Akane looked from Mousse to Destine.  “What do you mean?  Is she a hidden weapons expert too?”
	Destine laughed.  “I’m more of a stage magician than anything else.  But yes I am a hidden weapons expert.  Why else would I wear that robe?”  She pointed to the bundle that Mousse was holding.
	“I guess you’ve got a point there.  But...”
	Suddenly from the other room came shouting.  “I HATE CATS!  I HATE CATS!  GET IT OFF OF ME!”  A young girl ran into the room with a soaking wet cat attached to her.  Mousse grabbed the cat and set it down.  “Shampoo! What happened?”
	The girl looked around and saw the kettle of hot water.  She poured it on herself and was transformed into a man.  “Nice kitty.”  He edged back into the corner.  “She startled Kasumi who was carrying a jug of ice water.  She dropped it and the water spilled on us.”  He turned to Destine.  “Good fight.  You feeling any better?”
	Destine smiled. “Yeah thanks for asking.  May I get your name?”
	“It’s Ranma.  Nice to meet you uh um...”
	“Destine.”
	“Destine right. It’s nice to meet you Destine.”  Ranma smiled and grabbed Mousse by the arm.  “Let’s leave the girls alone for a while.”
	As soon as they were gone Akane picked up the kettle and poured the remainder of the water on the cat.  “Why are you here Shampoo?”  
	The cat disappeared and was replaced by Shampoo.  “Me no like be kitty cat.  Airen hate cats.”  She grabbed the blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders.  She sat down on the floor and looked up at Destine.  “You better?”
	“Yeah.  I think you’re grandmother put something in my tea.”  Thinking for a bit she looked back to Shampoo. "What do you mean 'airen'?"
	“Ranma destining to be Shampoo groom.  Great-grandma add special blend of herbs.  She say it help you have more energy.  I thought it work.”
	“No it gave me a terrible headache and caused me to pass out.”
	“I sorry.  I tell her that it no work on you.”
	Destine stood up and stretched.  “Akane, what time is it right now?”
	Akane looked at her watch.  “About 1:10.  We should get going.”
	Destine removed the kimono.  “I think I’ll wear my robe.  Shampoo needs the Yukata more than I do.”  She handed the Yukata to Shampoo and pulled on her robe.  Looking down at the bed she saw her pants and shoes.  She quickly pulled them on, then she handed the slippers to Shampoo.  “Well I’m ready.”
	Shampoo pulled on the robe and slippers.  “I ready too.  Who take us?”
	“Shampoo, you’re staying here.  My father is driving us down there.”
	Shampoo frowned.  “OK I stay.”
	They reached the doctor’s office at 1:25 and signed in.  Around 1:35 a nurse called them back into the doctors office.  She took Destine’s blood pressure and temperature.  Jotting them down she started asking questions.  “Where are you from?  Who are your parents?  How old are you?  Who is your primary care provider?  When did you last have a check up?”
	Destine tried to answer all the questions to the best of her abilities.  The nurse had just finished when the doctor walked into the room.  “Hi, I’m Dr. Ling.  I'm filling in for one of the doctors here today.  I hear you got yourself pretty banged up little lady.  Mind if I take a look?”  He unwrapped her hands and examined them.  “I’m going to need to take an x-ray to see exactly what she did.  Follow me please.”  He led Destine to the x-ray room and had her place her hands down on the table.  “Just wait here while I take the x-ray.  Be sure not to move OK?”
	Destine heard the x-ray take the pictures and Dr. Ling walked up and led her back to the room.  “The pictures will be ready in a couple minutes.  Tell me, how did you do this?”
	Destine related the story back to him about sparring and how her staff broke and how she had been kicked and sent flying across the room. “I landed wrong on my wrists.  The shock from the kick overwhelmed me and I didn’t have time to react.”  She had just finished when the nurse walked in with the x-rays.  
	Dr. Ling put them up and switched on the light.  “I don’t see any broken bones.  But I do see that both of your wrists have been dislocated.”  He took her wrists and set them back into place.  He then wrapped them and put a brace on each wrist.  “Wear these for a couple of days.  Be sure to clean those cuts twice a day, and no fighting.”  He smiled and led them back to the waiting room.  Destine pulled out some money and went to pay the fees.  “No, it’s no charge Destine.  Don’t worry about it.”  Dr. Ling smiled and handed the money back to Destine.
	As they were walking out to the car Akane looked at Destine.  “You’re really 18?”
	“Yep.  Turned 18 last year.”
	“I thought you were the same age as Mousse.”
	Destine smiled and got in the car. “How old is he?”
	“16.”  
	THREE WEEKS LATER
	Destine sat down on her bed and dried her hair.  ‘That was a mean joke.’  
	Shampoo walked into the room and cocked her head.  “Why you wet?”
	“Mousse snuck up behind me and dumped a bucket of water on my head.”  She laughed.  “I should have expected something like that from him.  It is April first after all.”  She pulled on a short sleeved shirt and a pair of leggings.  She brushed her hair and turned to Shampoo.  “So has he pulled a joke on you yet?”
	Shampoo shook her head.  “No but I do funny joke to him.  I booby trap his room.  He step in, cold water, next step hot.  It go on like this for while ending in hot.”  She giggled.  “So what you do to get back?”
	Destine stretched and pulled on her robe and shoes.  “I’m thinking about it.  Come on, we have to get ready for the lunch time rush.”  She walked out the door and down the stairs.  
	She had been living with Shampoo and Cologne for the past three weeks.  Cologne gave her a job as a spare cook/bus girl and gave her a pretty good wage.  She and Shampoo had become close friends and spent quite a bit of time hanging out before work.  Mousse had become Destine’s closest companion over the past few weeks.  Whenever Cologne was mean to Mousse Destine would go and comfort him.  After her wrists were healed she and Mousse would go down to the dojo after work and spar.  Most of the time they would end in a draw because they could guess each other's moves.  
	Destine smiled and bowed to Cologne.  “Is there anything I can do?”
	Cologne narrowed her eyes at her.  “Clean up outside.  Then you can help Mousse with the dishes.”
	“Fine.”  Destine grabbed the broom and dust pan.  She stepped outside and straightened up.  Dumping the last bit of rubbish into the dust bin she smiled.  “There.  All finished.”  She was about to head inside when she saw a young man carrying a bokken walking towards her.  He stopped in front of her and bowed. 
	“Greetings.  I am the rising star of Furinkan High School.  The Blue Thunder Tatewaki Kuno.  Where can I find the fighter named Destine?”
	“Um, my name is Destine.  Why do you need to find her?”
	The man leaned forward.  “Oh sorry, I thought you were a man.  Oh well, I’ll just find someone who is worthy of fighting me.”  
	He started to turn away when Destine grabbed his arm.  “What do you mean worthy?  Just because I’m a girl means that I’m not as good as you?”
	“You are a girl.  I cannot fight you.  I would hurt you.”
	“Yeah right.”  Destine grinned and a small fang showed on the left side of her mouth.  She picked up the broom and launched Kuno into the air.  “Well nice meeting you baka.”  Destine turned and walked back into the restaurant.  ‘The nerve of that guy.’  She set the broom and dust pan back in their place and walked into the kitchen.  She stepped up behind Mousse and waited until he set down the dish he was washing.  She placed her hands over his eyes and, mimicking Shampoo’s voice, said. “Guess who?”
	Mousse spun around and grabbed Destine around the waist.  “Oh my darling Shampoo!  I’m so glad you’ve decided to change your mind about me.”  He leaned forward and kissed Destine on the lips.
	Destine pulled back and wriggled out of his grasp.  “Happy April Fools Day Mousse.  Put on your glasses.”
	Mousse slipped his glasses back on and gawked.  “Destine?  Oh I’m so sorry.  I thought you were Shampoo.  Please forgive me.”  He grabbed her hands.  “Please forgive me.”
	Destine laughed.  “It’s OK.  I was wondering how to get you back for that bucket of cold water.  Cologne told me to come in and help you with the dishes.”  She walked over to the sink and looked at the dishes.  
	Mousse stepped up behind her and turned her around.  “Where are your glasses?”
	“I’m wearing contacs.  I started wearing them when I became an illusionist.  There are some tricks that I could not do when wearing my glasses.  I went to the doctor and he prescribed contacts for me.  I have been wearing them more often because the doctor told me that if I continue to wear my glasses with my eye condition I will continue to lose my eyesight until I am completely blind.  The contacts stop the process.”  She grinned and splashed some of the dishwater on Mousse.  “We need to hurry.  The lunch time rush will be here soon.”  
	“OK.”  Together they got the work done in a couple of minutes.  Mousse dried the last of the dishes and put it away.  “I guess I should get out there and clean the tables.  Sorry again about the kiss.”  He blushed.  “I couldn’t tell who you were.”
	Destine laughed.  “So you will kiss anyone on the street if you don’t know who they are?”  She walked over and patted his shoulder.  “It’s OK Mousse.”  She leaned close to him and whispered in his ear.  “Be sure to close the door when you step into your room.”
	The bell by the cash register rang.  “Aiyaa.  I’m late.”  Mousse grabbed his tray and rushed out of the kitchen.  ‘<What does she mean close the door?  Could she be planning something>?’  Mousse smiled at the conversation they had had while washing the dishes.  Destine had told him about her travels doing work as a street magician.  His favorite part was when she had told him about tripping over one of the cords in her old robe and spilling all the contents of her sleeves onto the street.  He laughed to himself as he cleaned the tables.  
	Destine looked through the kitchen window watching Mousse rush around.  She sighed and turned back to the stove where she was boiling some water.  Cologne was at the table chopping up herbs and spices that were to be added to the water as soon as it went to a boil.  Destine walked over to Cologne and sat down.  “Do you need any help with that?”
	“No.  Get ready for the orders.  Here are some of the herbs.  Put them in the water.”
	Destine nodded and scooped up the pile of dried herbs.  She put them in the boiling water and covered the pot with a lid.  Hearing the sound of small bells she turned around to see Shampoo walk in with three order slips.  “Here.  I go back to get more.”
	Destine took the slips and looked them over.  On each slip there were three orders for ramen and something scrawled in Chinese.  She got out nine bowls and set them down near the stove.  She poured in the noodles and covered the pot.  Walking over to Cologne she pointed to the order slips.  “There’s something scrawled on here that I can’t read.  Can you tell me what it is?”
	Cologne looked closely at the slips and grinned.  “They’re names.  Don’t worry about it.  Just keep up with the ramen.”  She grabbed her staff and left the room.
	‘Weird.  Even for her.’  Destine walked over to the pot and dished up nine bowls of ramen.  She put them on three trays and rang the bell on the counter.  Shampoo walked up and grabbed two of the trays.  Soon she came back for the other one.  As soon as she was done she set some order slips on the counter and smiled.  Destine picked them up and dished out the appropriate amounts for each order.  Shampoo took them and soon came back with more orders.  Destine sighed and put on another pot of water.
	Mousse finished cleaning the last table and sat down.  ‘<Who are these people?  Cologne seems happy to see them>.’  His thoughts were cut short as Destine walked out with a bowl of ramen and set it in front of him.  
	“Here’s your lunch.”  She walked back into the kitchen and came out with a bowl of steamed rice and some soy sauce.  She sat down and picked up a pair of chopsticks.  “<MOUSSE!  You all right>?”  She looked at Mousse as stirred her ramen.  When he didn’t respond she poked him with her chopsticks.
	Mousse snapped back to attention and smiled.  “I was just wondering who those people over there were.”  He started eating his ramen.  “Probably some old acquaintances of Cologne’s.” He adjusted his glasses.  “Wait a second.  I recognize one of them.  She’s one of the village elders from when I lived in China.”  He pointed to a wrinkled old woman sitting across from Cologne.  “She’s one of the ones who made me an outsider.”
	Destine looked over and raised an eyebrow.  “Why did she make you an outsider?”  She picked up some of the rice with her chopsticks and put it in her mouth.
	“Where I came from, men were supposed to stay home and raise the children.  We were not allowed to learn to fight.”
	“So you lived in an Amazon village.”
	“Yes, and since I loved Shampoo I wanted desperately to marry her.  The only way I could do that since she turned me down would be if I could prove to her that I was the strongest.  I began training in the hidden weapons technique.  The elders discovered it and confronted my sensei.  He refused to stop teaching me and so the elders put it to a vote.  I was able to continue training but I could never take part in anything.  I was made an outsider, in other words, if I wanted to get Shampoo to marry me I would have to beat her in battle.  I don’t think I can do that, I don’t want to hurt her.
	“For years I was the village punching bag.  Girls would come up, beat the crap out of me and walk off.  I never fought back for two reasons.  One, if I beat one of them I’d have to marry her, and two, I was too polite to fight back.”  He sighed and went back to his ramen.  “This is good.  Your recipe?”
	Destine nodded.  “Yeah I had to put on a second pot and Cologne had left to talk with those guys, so I added my own ingredients.  I used to make ramen for my sensei.  Instead of water I use chicken or beef broth.”
	Destine looked down and saw that she had finished off her ramen.  Mousse finished up his ramen and picked up the dishes.  “I’m going to wash these.”  He walked off to the kitchen.
	Destine was about to get up when Cologne came over to her.  “Come with me.”  Destine stood up and followed after her.  Cologne stopped in front of the table where she had been talking with that group of people.  “<Elders, this is Destine.  She is the one I plan on having marrying Mousse>.”
	Destine jumped back. “M-m-marry?”
	“So you do understand Chinese.  You heard me.  You have been beaten by Mousse in battle.  Soun has told me that Mousse has actually beaten you twice.  So therefore by law you must marry Mousse.  Also it fits perfectly into my plan to get him away from my great-granddaughter.  Once he is legally married to you, he can’t even look at her any more.”  She glared in the direction of the kitchen.
	Destine stamped her foot.  “I will not allow this to happen.  I am not one of your people Cologne.  I do not abide by your laws just as I do not ask you to abide by mine.  Besides, he hasn’t beaten me in battle.  We were sparring when he beat me.  Technically that is not considered fighting.  So....”
	Destines words were cut short when Cologne hit her in the head with her staff.  “A fight is a fight, whether it be a friendly sparring match or a life and death battle.  You are to be quiet in front of the elders.  Disrespect could mean death to an outsider.”
	“<Better dead than without my own choice>!”  Destine grabbed the table and flipped it over.  Grabbing one of the elders she chucked her through the door of the café.  She turned and ran into the kitchen.  ‘I need to get to Mousse.  We have to get out of here.’  She reached up and felt the lump forming on her head.  ‘I’ll get her for that.’
	Mousse listened to the commotion outside as he put away the dishes.  ‘<I probably should go out there to see what’s happening.  Destine said that she usually doesn’t speak Chinese unless she’s upset>.’  He set down his towel and walked to the door.  He was about to open it when it slammed into his face knocking off his glasses.  He looked up to see a blurry form standing in front of him.  “Who are you?”
	“It’s me, Destine, come on, here’s your glasses.”  She shoved them into his hand and pulled him up the stairs. 
	“What’s going on Destine?  What happened out there?”  Mousse slipped on his glasses.  ‘<What could have scared her this much>?’
	Destine reached the top of the stairs and ran into the room she and Shampoo shared.  She shut the door and grabbed her backpack.  She started to put her clothes in it as well as her money and glasses.  “We have to get out of here.  Go into your room and grab your stuff.  Do it quietly and come back here.  Take only what you need.  I’ll explain when you get back.”  She returned to her pack and threw in a small pouch and some bags marked with a strange symbol.
	Mousse ran into his room saw that his floor was soaked. ‘<Not even going to ask>.’  He grabbed his traveling bag from the closet.  He tossed in one of his robes and two pairs of pants.  Along with that he added a pair of shorts and a short sleeved shirt. ‘<I already have everything else in here.  That’s all I need>.’  He slung the pack over his shoulder and hurried back to Shampoo’s room.  He stepped inside to find Destine standing over the bathroom sink rubbing her head.  “Des-chan, are you all right?”  He stepped up to her and turned her around.  
	She looked up at him and quickly turned away.  “I think I have just sealed both our fates.  Soun has told Cologne that you have beaten me fighting.  I tried to explain that we were just sparring but she would not listen.  She hit me in the head with her staff and told me to be silent.  I shot back at her and she told me that I was “crossing the line” so to speak.  I snapped and ended up flipping the table.  I then ran to find you.”  She covered her face and sobbed.  “I’m so sorry.”
	Mousse walked up and put his arms around her.  “It’s all right.  Calm down, what could she have said to upset you this much?”  He looked at the bump on her head.  “You’re going to need some ice on that soon.  What did she say?”
	Destine looked up and dried her eyes.  “She told me...”
	The door opened and Cologne stood in the doorway.  “She is to be your bride as by Amazon law.  Don’t look so shocked idiot, you know full well that if you beat a woman in battle by law she is to become your wife.  The two of you are to be wed at sunset.”
	Shampoo walked into the room.  “Joke no work...what going on?”
	Cologne turned to her. “Meet Mousse’s fiancée.”  She pointed to Destine.
	Shampoo laughed.  “Good joke grandmother.  You win first place.”  
	Mousse shook his head.  “She’s not joking Shampoo.  She’s serious about this.”  He glared at Cologne.  “This old crone is trying to ruin Destine’s life as well as mine.”  He pushed Destine behind him and his body started to glow with his battle aura.  “You won’t ruin anyone else’s lives!”  He rushed at Cologne.  “Dagger Strike!”  Cologne narrowed her eyes and swung her staff.  It hit Mousse in the stomach and sent him flying out the window and into a nearby tree.  
	“MOUSSE! NO!”  Destine ran to the window and grabbed for his hand.  Seeing that she could not reach him she tossed a chain at him.  It wrapped around the branch he was on and he grabbed hold of it and used it to swing back to the window.  Destine grabbed onto his wrists and started to pull him back up.  ~WHACK!~ A strong blow hit her at the base of her skull.  She dropped Mousse and crumpled to the ground.  
	Cologne stood over her and laughed. “Well if the two of you don’t wish to be married, I can always kill you.”
	‘Come on Destine, get up.  You have to beat her.’  Destine looked around.  She grabbed onto the nightstand and pulled herself up.  “I don’t think so.”  She grabbed the lamp and threw it at Cologne.  It crashed into her and knocked her over.  “Mousse get out of here!”  She grabbed the packs and threw them out the window.  “And now for your enjoyment, Presto!”  She threw down some flash bombs and jumped out the window.  “I’ll return to finish this Cologne.  Mousse grab your bag and run!”  She landed with a soft thud and grabbed her backpack.  Slinging it on she took off down the street with Mousse following close behind.
	Destine didn’t stop running until she reached the outskirts of town.  Turning around she noticed that she had lost Mousse somewhere along the way.  ‘Great, now I’ve got to go find him.’  She walked into a clump of bushes and opened her pack.  She pulled out a short-haired black wig, a hair net, a few bobby pins, and some makeup.  She pulled her hair up into the hair net and fastened the loose strands with the bobby pins.  She applied the makeup and pulled on the wig.  Pulling out a small mirror she looked herself over.  ‘Good job as always.’  She put the mirror away and grabbed a pair of slacks, some bandages, and a T-shirt out of the pack.  She pulled off her other clothes and wrapped her chest to make it look flat.  She tied the ends and slipped into the slacks and shirt.  Packing her bag, she stepped out of the bushes.  That done she quickly applied some makeup to make her skin look lighter.  ‘Now Cologne will never recognize me.’  She hid her bag in the bushes and went off looking for Mousse.
	Mousse turned the corner and stopped. ‘<Great now I’ve lost her.  Where could she have gone>?’  He looked up and down the street.  ‘<Not here>.’  
	He was just about to leave when he saw a young man walking towards him.  He looked up and ran to him.  “I’m so glad I’ve found you Mousse!  I was beginning to wonder where you could be.”
	Mousse stepped back a few feet.  “Who are you and what do you mean you’ve been looking for me?”  
	The man laughed and grabbed his hand.  “Come on you should know me.”  Seeing that Mousse was still edgy he laughed.  “I knew I was good but I didn’t think I was this good.”  He grabbed his hair and lifted it up.  “Recognize me now?”
	“Destine!  Why the disguise?  You scared me half to death.”  Mousse rushed forward and hugged her.  
	Destine placed the wig back on her head and straightened it.  “Because Cologne is probably looking for us.  Come on, my stuff is at the edge of town.”  She turned and ran off.
	They reached the edge of town in a couple of minutes.  “There is a train heading to Yokohama in a few minutes.  We need to get on that train.”  Destine grabbed her bag and stumbled.  “And I need to hurry up before my energy runs out.”  She turned and took off running.
	“Why are we going to Yokohama?  I mean, sure it’s a nice place to visit, but I don’t see any reason to go.”  Mousse caught up and set his pace to match hers.
	“My sensei lives there.  She told me that if ever I got into trouble to head there.  I know she will take us in.”  Destine put her hand to the base of her skull.  She looked at the hand and saw that there was blood on it.  “Come on the station is right around the next bend.”  She turned the corner and ran into Ryoga.  
	“Watch where you’re going buddy.”  He smiled and helped her to her feet.  “Where are you headed to in such a hurry?”
	Destine pulled off her wig.  “It’s me Ryoga.”  Placing it back on she replied, “Yokohama.  We need to get to the ticket booth.”  Destine walked up to the booth and rang the bell.  A middle aged man walked up and opened the window.  “We need two tickets to Yokohama.  Preferably on the next train.”  The man nodded and filled out two tickets.  Destine paid for them and took the tickets.  Turning around she walked back over to Mousse and Ryoga.  “Here’s your ticket Mousse the train leaves in ten minutes.”  She turned to Ryoga.  “Where are you headed to?”
	“I don’t know.  I was headed for Tokyo but I keep getting lost.”
	Destine smiled.  “Why not come with us?  The ticket master says that there is one more ticket.”
	Ryoga smiled and a two small fangs showed.  “Sure.”  He walked over and rang the bell.  He bought the ticket and walked back over to Destine and Mousse.  “Well I’m ready, let’s get to the platform and wait for the train.”  He started to walk off towards the street before Destine grabbed his shirt collar.
	“Wrong way.”  She gave a loud sigh and dragged him along behind her. 
	The train entered the station just as they reached the platform.  “ALL ABOARD!”  The conductor shouted as Destine, Mousse and Ryoga climbed into the train.  They found a berth near the front and settled down.  
	Destine sat on the couch and curled up into a ball.  Mousse walked over and put his hands on her shoulders.  “Destine?  What’s wrong?”  Destine grabbed his hand and placed it at the base of her skull.  He pulled it back and saw the blood on his fingers.  “Des-chan you’re hurt!  Wait here and I’ll go get something to treat that.”  He rushed out of the room and down the corridor.  Reaching the front of the train he saw the first aid kit.  He opened it up and grabbed some bandages, a couple ice packs, and some ointment.  He was just about to head back to the room when a large man stopped him.  
	“What do you think you’re doing with those boy?  Those are for first class passengers only.”
	“Please my friend is badly hurt and needs this stuff.  Please let me help her.”  Mousse pushed his glasses up on his nose.  “We have no supplies.”
	The man looked at him for a while and then nodded.  “Take me to her.  I’m a doctor.  My name is Johnothon Ocean.  I’ll see what I can do for her.”
	Mousse walked back down the corridor and opened the door to the room.  Destine was lying down on her side and holding her head.  She had removed the wig, untied the bandages, and removed the makeup.  Ryoga looked up.  “Do you have the stuff?”
	“Even better, I brought a doctor with me.”  Mousse set the stuff beside Destine and sat down next to Ryoga.
	“Now let me see.”  Dr. Ocean looked at Destine.  “Young lady, could you please sit up?”  Destine slowly sat up.  “Thank you.”  He examined her eyes, took her temperature and looked at the bump on her head.  “Would you lean forward so I can check the back of your head?”  Destine leaned forward.  “Thanks.”  He pushed her hair away form the base of her skull.  “Well it seems you have a nasty gash back here.  How did this happen?”
	“I was attacked.  The other bump was done by the same person.”
	Dr. Ocean nodded. “I see.  Well, I can bandage you up for now but you will need to see another doctor when you get off the train.”  He put some ointment on the gash and wrapped it.  He then took another bandage and wrapped it over the large bump.  “You are going to need to lie down and keep ice on these wounds.  Don’t eat anything and take small sips of cold water.”  He turned to Mousse and Ryoga.  “Don’t let her fall asleep for more than thirty minutes at a time.  I believe she might have a concussion.”  He turned and left the room.  “Don’t worry about the payment.  This one’s on the house.”
	Mousse got up and helped Destine lie back down.  He placed the ice packs on her wounds and sat down on the floor.  “That old hag will pay for this if it’s the last thing I do.”  He took one of her hands.  “I promise you, she’ll live to regret the day she hurt you.”
	The train started and slowly pulled out of the station.  Mousse sat by Destine watching her closely.  Every now and then he would make her drink some water to keep her hydrated.  Around 10:00 PM the train came to a stop.  “Last stop, Yokohama.”  Mousse stood up and grabbed Destine’s backpack, he put it on and slung his bag over his shoulder.  He lifted Destine into his arms and walked out of the room, climbing off the train he looked around.  
	Destine turned slightly to face him. “My sensei lives on the edge of town about three miles from here.  Just follow this street until you reach the end, then look for a dirt path and follow it.  It will take you to her house.”  She winced and closed her eyes.
	Mousse nodded and had Ryoga hail a taxi.  They got in and Mousse gave the driver instructions.  The taxi took them to the end of the road and let them out.  Mousse paid the fare and tip.  Ryoga turned on a flashlight and looked around.  “Here’s the path.  Shall we follow it or wait until morning?”
	“Destine needs help.  We cannot wait.  Lead the way...on second thought, here take Destine, I’ll lead.”  He handed Destine to Ryoga and took the flashlight.  “Let’s go.”  He followed the path until it came to a small clearing.  At the other side sat a small cottage.  There was a light lit in one of the windows and smoke was coming from the chimney.  Mousse walked over and knocked on the door.  Inside he heard a dog bark and run off.  A few minutes later he heard footsteps coming to the door.  It opened and in front of him stood an old lady dressed in the blue robe of a hidden weapons master.  She looked past Mousse to Ryoga.  Her eyes widened and she rushed outside.  Mousse turned around, “Um miss?”  The woman ignored him.  She looked at Destine and turned back to Mousse.  She started signing to him.  “I cannot understand you ma’am.”  Mousse sighed.
	The woman pulled out a piece of paper and a pen, she wrote something on it and handed it to Mousse.  “I’m deaf and I can hardly read lips.  It’s pointless for you to talk to me.  Who are you?  Why is my Destine so badly hurt?  Who is the man carrying her?”
	She handed the pen to Mousse.  He wrote the answers on the back of the paper and handed it to her.  She nodded and beckoned for them to come inside.  The dog walked up to Mousse and sniffed his hand.  Destine struggled in Ryoga’s arms.  “Put me down.  I can walk.  I just need a bit of help.”
	Ryoga set her down and Mousse walked over to her.  He helped her up and she put an arm over his shoulder.  “Are you all right?”  
	Destine nodded.  The woman turned and signed something to Destine.  “She says to follow her and she’ll take us into the kitchen.”  Mousse nodded and followed after the woman.
	“Um Des-chan, what’s her name?”  Mousse pointed to the woman.
	“Her name is Tide.  Like the ocean currents.”  Destine sighed and leaned against Mousse for support.  “Is Cologne always like that?”
	“To me yes, but usually she’s indifferent towards other people.”  He smiled,  “I’ve never seen anyone who could stand up to her attacks for so long.  You’re really something special Des-chan.”
	Destine smiled.  Suddenly she stumbled and grabbed Mousse’s arm to try and keep herself up.  She sat down on the floor and looked up at him.  “I’m so sorry for causing you this much trouble.”
	“Des-chan, it’s all right.  Would you let me carry you so that doesn’t happen again?  You don’t have enough strength to keep walking.”  He reached down and scooped her up.  “I keep forgetting that even though you’re almost as tall as me you’re really light when you don’t have your robe on.”  He smiled and followed after Tide.  “How long have you known her?  How did you learn from her?”
	“I’ve been living with her since I can remember.  I left two years ago to go explore.  She’s been like a mother to me.  I don’t know who my real parents are.  I learned the techniques easily.  As I said I’ve lived with her as long as I can remember, I had to learn sign language to communicate with her.  Until I was completely fluent we communicated by writing on a piece of paper.”
	Tide opened a door and led them into the kitchen.  “Through here.”  She signed.
	Mousse stepped into the room and set Destine down in one of the chairs.  She looked up at him and smiled.  “Thanks friend.”  
	Tide looked over at her and signed “Is he like you?”
	Destine nodded and spoke as she signed so Mousse and Ryoga could understand, “Yes he is a hidden weapons expert like myself.  I met him in Nerima.  He was raised in…” Destine grabbed her head and moaned.
	Tide walked over to the stove and put a pot of water on to boil.  She turned back around.  “Tea be ready soon.”  She walked over and undid Destine’s bandages.  “Have Mousse take you to doctor in the morning.”  She took a dishcloth and ran it under some warm water.  She set it to Destine’s head and started to wipe away the blood.
	Suddenly the dog looked up and started to nudge Mousse’s hand.  “Destine, what does the dog want?”  
	Destine signed the question to Tide and turned to Mousse.  “Someone’s at the door.”
	Tide handed Mousse the cloth and pointed at Destine’s head.  Mousse nodded and started to clean up Destine’s wounds while Tide went to answer the door.
	She soon came back into the room.  “Destine, you have friend here.”  Tide signed.
	Destine looked up.  ‘Who would know I’m here?’  
	Her question was soon answered.  A person walked into the room wearing old shawl over their head, a pair of loose pants rolled up at the bottoms, and a robe that was way too big.  The person removed the shawl and looked at Destine.  “Nihao.”
	Mousse dropped the rag as Destine shot up from the chair. “SHAMPOO!?”
	Destine stared in disbelief.  “How did you find us?!”
	“Easy, I follow you.  Shampoo worry about friends.  Great-grandmother close up cafe and leave Shampoo all alone.  She go out looking for you in China.  I wait until she gone and look through stuff Destine leave behind.”  She held up a small book.  “Only address in book other than café is here.  I take train and come here.” 
	Destine sat back down and sighed.  “Cologne could have followed you.  You might have led her straight to us.”  She turned and explained what was happening to Tide.
	Tide nodded and signed back.  “What she look like?”
	“Short, long white hair, beak mouth, UGLY, carries staff.”  Mousse stifled a laugh as Destine signed the description to Tide.  Destine turned to Shampoo, “Tide says she will watch out for Cologne, I think I gave her a pretty good description.”  She smiled.
	The teapot began to whistle and Tide went to fix the tea.  “Anyone want some?”  She poured a cup for Destine and set it on the table.  
Destine took a sip and sighed.  “This is great tea.”  She signed to Tide the story of how she met Mousse, Shampoo, and Ryoga.  She related what had happened earlier in the day and why she was hurt.  She talked the entire time she was signing so the others could listen too.  
	Tide looked up at Mousse and bowed her head.  “Thank you.”  She signed.
	Destine smiled.  “Is there a place they can stay for the night?”
	“Boys room on left of house.  Shampoo with you.”
	Destine nodded and stood up.  “Here I’ll show you to your room Shampoo.  You’ll be staying with me.  Tide is going to take Mousse and Ryoga to their room.”  She put her hand on Shampoo’s shoulder and led her to the right side of the house.  “I think there is an extra bed under mine.  It’s a pullout so I can store it away during the day.”
	“Shampoo worry, she see blood coming from your head.  She bring herbs to make it better.”  Shampoo reached into her pockets and pulled out a bag of dried herbs.
	Destine smiled.  “Where did you find those clothes?”
	“They Mousse’s.  He leave them behind.  I have only what I brought with me.”  She pointed to her bag.  “I wear this as disguise.”
	“If you need clothes I have extras.  I think they should fit you, you’re about the same size as I was two years ago.  I’ve grown a bit since I left this place.”
	“Yes Destine very tall, Shampoo almost thought Destine was boy when she first came into café.  You almost as tall as Mousse.”
	“I’m an inch shorter than he is, well we’re here.”  Destine opened a door and stepped inside.  The room was small but comfy looking.  There was a bed and a table in one corner and a door leading to the bathroom on the right side of the room.  On the wall were many pictures of Destine and Tide, some had the dog in them as well.  Next to a full length mirror was a poster of Destine performing, written under the picture was Destine the Illusionist Extra-ordinare.  She walked over to the bed and reached underneath.  “Yep it’s still here.”  She pulled a small cot from under the bed and set it up.  “You can take you’re pick of the beds.”   She pulled the chair out from under the table and sat down.
	“Destine very kind.”  Shampoo walked over and sat down on the cot.  “I take this one.  Destine can have her own bed.”  She looked around the room.  “You live here?”  She spotted the poster and pointed from the poster to Destine.  "That you?"  
	“Yep.  I became an illusionist when I turned 12.  That's a poster from the local fair three years ago.”  Destine stood up and walked over to the closet.  She opened it and grabbed a nightgown.  “Here, you can wear this for tonight.  Most of my stuff is in boxes right now.”  She sat down on her bed and reached for her backpack.  “That’s right, Mousse has it.”  She stood up and walked to the door.
	“Wait, how you gain so much energy so soon?”
	“The tea I drank was a pain killer.  If I don’t feel the pain I can be up and about.”  Destine opened the door and walked down to Mousse’s room.
	Mousse lay down on the bed and sighed.  “This is a nice place don’t you think so Ryoga?”
	“Yeah, I just wish I could understand that woman when she talks.  We need Destine here.”
	Mousse stood up.  “Speaking of Destine, I still have her backpack.  I should go give it to her.”  He grabbed the pack and walked out of the room.  
	“Don’t forget to ask her what time wake up is.”  Ryoga called after him.
	Mousse walked down the hallway and stopped by the front door.  ‘<Now which way>?’  He turned in a full circle and started to continue down the hall when he heard footsteps coming towards him.  ‘<Oh crud.  If it’s Tide I’m going to have to explain myself>.’  He turned and looked for a place to hide.  A hand touched his shoulder and he let out a yelp.
	“Why so jumpy Mumu-chan?”  Destine turned him around and laughed.  “One would think you were trying to hide.”  
	Mousse turned bright red.  “Um, well, you see, I thought you were Tide.  I thought it would be wrong if she found me wandering around her house without her permission.”
	Destine smiled and the fang on the left side of her mouth showed.  “Don’t worry.  She knows that you’re worried about me, if she found you out and about she’d ask what you’re doing but that’s it.”
	“Has that fang always been there Des-chan?”
	“Yeah, I’ve got one on the other side too just like everyone else.  They’re just slightly longer than normal.  My smile just tends to curve to the left so most people only see that one.  Care to follow me?  Shampoo has some of your clothes.”  She headed back down the hall.
	“Wait, how did you heal so fast?  You were near fainting a few minutes ago.”
	“Oh, I haven’t healed yet.  We’re here.”  She opened the door and stepped inside.  Shampoo was sound asleep on the cot.  “You can sit in that chair.”  Destine sat on the bed and waited for Mousse to get comfy.  “You see, the tea I drank was a pain killer.  It’s what I used while I was training.  That’s why I’m almost a master of hidden weapons at such a young age.  Since I didn’t feel the pain I could keep training even though I was pretty banged up.  I started at age eight and became an expert by the age of 12.  It’s been two years since my last lesson.  When I turned 16 I took the oath that I would not kill unless it was absolutely necessary.  I also never attack first as you’ve probably noticed.  I always wait until I know my opponent’s moves.  Then I match mine to theirs accordingly.”  She picked up some clothes next to the closet.  “Shampoo said these were yours.”  She held them up.  “From the looks of it, I’m going to agree with her.  But I’ve never seen you wear one with this color before.”  She handed them to Mousse.
	“Of course you wouldn’t.  She got into my closet, these is the robe I am to wear when I become a master of hidden weapons.  Damn it, I knew I had forgotten something.”  He folded the robe and pants up neatly and set them beside him.  “Nice room.  Mind if I look around?"  Destine shrugged.  Standing up Mousse walked over to the poster.  "Out of curiosity, did you receive a strange box when you left?”
	“Yes, the box is in my closet.  I chose to leave it here since I planned on coming back.  I plan on opening it soon though.  Tide says it holds the master technique.  All I know is that men learn a different technique than women do.”  She laughed.  “Though I’ve already learned the master technique for males.  She says that when I turn 19 it will be time for me to open the box.  Until then...” Her words trailed off and she looked over at Shampoo who had just muttered something in her sleep.  
	“What?  Don’t worry, she could sleep through anything.”  He pulled a small box from his sleeve.  “Could you keep this for me?  I don’t know where to put it right now.”  He handed the box to Destine.  “What do you mean you’ve already learned the master technique that men learn?”
	“Sure, I’ll put it on top of mine.  I learned it because sometimes, to get around I have to disguise myself as a man.  That way I can defend myself even if I’m not wearing my robes.  It’s a dart technique.  I’m not going to tell you anymore about it, against the rules.  Out of curiosity, what is the condition for you to learn the final technique?”  She picked up the box and set it in the closet.
	Mousse sighed.  “I have to give up my love for Shampoo.  At least your condition is possible, it’s just an age.”
	Destine put her hand over his mouth.  “I also have to pass a test.  I have to fight Tide and one other hidden weapons expert.  But the catch is that I must beat both of them without wearing my glasses.  I can’t wear my contacs either.”  She walked back over to the closet and looked on one of the shelves.  “Now where are those things?”  She dug through an old box until she found what she was looking for.  “Here they are.”  She sat back down on her bed and handed one of the objects to Mousse.  “It’s a small transmitter.  I made it before I left.  You put it in your ear and fasten the small box on your neck at the hairline.  To talk simply pull on this little knob right here.”  She pulled on the knob and it stretched out into a small microphone.  “You talk into this piece and listen with this one.”  She picked up the other one and put it on.  “Like so.  To get a hold of someone, take the small box and open it up.  Inside is a keypad.  You just type in the number.  It works like a phone.  In fact you can use it as a phone if you want.”  She handed him a small piece of paper.  “The number I use is on there.  This way we don’t have to run around the house trying to find each other.  If you need help just use this and I’ll be there as quickly as I can.”
	Mousse nodded and put on the transmitter.  “Thanks.  Um what is that other thing you’re holding?”
	Destine looked down at her right hand.  “It’s a package Tide gave to me a while back.  I never opened it because I was afraid of what I’d find out.  She told me that it would tell me who my parents are.”  She pulled on the ribbon and opened the package.
	Inside were two tiny silver bracelets and an envelope.  Destine picked up the envelope and opened it.  Inside was a tiny hospital bracelet that looked like it was made for a baby.  Destine looked at it for a long time and then handed it to Mousse.  “Can you understand what this says?”
	“I think so.”  Mousse held it up to the light.  “It’s a family name but I don’t recognize the last half.  The first part is Mekana.  Maybe you should ask Tide about the last part.”  He handed it back to her.  “I’m going to go and get some sleep.  What time are we supposed to get up?”
	Destine smiled.  “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you get up in the morning.”
	“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
	Shampoo yawned and sat up.  Destine stood by the closet pulling on a swimsuit.  “Morning Destine.  What you doing?”
	Destine fastened the clasp on the back of the suit and turned around.  “There’s a hot spring a little ways from here.  I was going to go and relax for a bit before my doctor’s appointment.”  She grabbed a short robe from the closet and slipped it on.  “Hmm, still fits.  Of course it was a bit big on me before.”  She picked up a small towel and walked to the door.  “Breakfast is on the table Shampoo.”  She opened the door and walked down the hall.  She stepped into the kitchen to see Tide and Ryoga sitting at the table eating breakfast.  “Good morning.”  She signed.  She sat down and ate the bowl of rice Tide handed her.  “That’s good.  Is Mousse up yet?”
	Tide shook her head.  “He sleep long.”
	“I’m gonna get him up.  Ryoga care to go to the spring with me this morning?  Don’t worry, it’s not like I’m going to be naked.”  She laughed and picked up a pitcher of cold water.  “Now if you’ll excuse me.”  She did a very elaborate bow, walked out of the room and down the hall.
	Mousse rolled over in his bed and sighed.  Destine walked up and smiled down at him.  “<So are you going to get up or do I have to get you up with a cold shower this morning>?”  She held the pitcher above his head.
	Mousse’s eyes shot open and he lashed out with his right arm knocking the pitcher onto Destine.  “<What the heck>?”  He slipped on his glasses and looked around.  Destine shook her fur out and jumped up onto his bed.  “Destine, what are you doing here?”  He sat up and pushed his bangs out of his eyes.  “Why are you in that form?”  He looked down at the floor and saw her clothes.  “Oh, sorry about that.  I thought you were Cologne and you were about to pour water on me.”  
	Destine turned around and ran into the bathroom.  Mousse heard the water running and Destine muttering to herself.  She stepped out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around herself.  She picked up her clothes and walked back into the bathroom.  “I think I was just insulted.”  She walked back into the room drying her hair.  “You couldn’t tell the difference between me and Cologne?”  She sat down on the foot of the bed.  “I merely came in here to wake you up.  It’s after 9:00.  I called the doctor’s office and the appointment is at noon.  It’s for both of us.  I know that you’re ribs are bruised and probably also cracked.  You can go back to sleep after the appointment.”  She leaned forward and ruffled his hair.  “I’m going out to the spring to relax.  Breakfast is on the table.”  She stood up.
	Mousse jumped out of the bed and grabbed Destine’s hand.  “Where is this spring?”  He blushed.  “I don’t mean it like that.  I just want to know where to find you.”
	“It’s down the path behind the house.  It’s a rather large spring but wherever I’m at in the spring I’m always within earshot from the house.”  She pushed her glasses up and walked out of the room.  She was about to open the door when Tide walked up to her.  
	“I need talk with you when you get back Destine.”
	“OK.  I’ll be back in an hour.”  Destine opened the door and slipped on her sandals. ‘I had forgotten how beautiful this place is in the mornings.’  She went around the house and headed down the path.  ‘I hope it’s still a hot spring.’  She laughed and pushed a branch out of her way.  In front of her lay a large pool of water.  She could see steam rising off it in the morning air.  ‘Guess it’s still safe.’  She undid her robe and set it on a branch near the spring.  Setting the towel down on a rock she dove in.  ‘This is definitely what I needed.’  She came back up and swam to the shallow end of the spring.  ‘I wonder what Tide needs to speak to me about?’
	Ryoga and Mousse sat in their room unpacking their bags.  Mousse looked up.  “So have you told Akane how you feel yet?”
	Ryoga turned bright red and threw a shoe at him.  “Don’t even ask questions like that.  I’ll let her know when the time is right...Shoe please?”
	Mousse lobbed the shoe back to Ryoga and pulled out a pair of loose pants and a T-shirt.  He undid his robe and hung it up.  Looking down he saw the bandages where he had wrapped his ribs last night.  He carefully undid them and looked at the bruises.  ‘<Cologne has never hit me this hard before>.’  He touched the bruises and cringed.  ‘<Maybe Destine’s right.  I might have cracked ribs>.’  He slipped on the T-shirt and changed into his pants.  Looking over at the clock he saw that it was 10:30.  “I’m going to go look for Destine.”  He grabbed his shoes and headed for the back door.  He stepped outside and saw Tide sitting in a chair looking up at the sky.
	She held up a piece of paper to him.  “You looking for Destine?  Follow that path.”  She pointed to a well-formed path in front of her.  Mousse bowed and walked off down the path.  
	Destine sighed and rubbed her wrists.  ‘This is definitely what I needed.  For the first time in two years I feel relaxed.’  She leaned back and looked up at the sky.  Above her dark clouds were beginning to form. ‘Storm’s coming.  I really should get back.’  She pushed off from the ledge she was on and swam over to where she had left her robe and towel.  She climbed out and dried herself off, suddenly behind her a twig snapped.  She grabbed the throwing knife from her sleeve and threw it in the direction of the noise.  There was a startled yelp and a dull thud of the knife hitting a tree.  She drew another knife and crept over to where she had heard the noise come from.
	She stepped onto the path and stifled her laughter.  Mousse was pinned to a tree about six inches from the ground by Destine’s knife.  Mousse looked over at her. “Mind telling me why you did that?”
	Destine walked over and pulled the knife out of the tree.  “You’re lucky I always adjust my aim.  I could have lodged this thing in your head.”  She smiled and laughed.  “So why did you come looking for me?  You could have used the transmitter or yelled.”
	“I forgot about it.  It’s after 10:30.  I thought it would be good for you to get back and get washed up.”  He slipped his glasses over his eyes and blushed.
	Destine raised her eyebrows and looked at herself.  “What’s wrong?”  She laughed.  “Did you just discover that I have a body?  I’m going to go get my robe.”  She turned and walked back to the spring.
	“Wait, you mind if I go with you?”  Mousse walked up beside her.
	“Sure.  So how are the ribs doing?”  She pointed to his chest and smirked.  “I’ve noticed how you’ve been babying them.  Cologne must have gotten you pretty good.”  She rubbed her head.  “I know she definitely did a number on me.  Luckily the gash on my head is shallow.  Otherwise I’d have to get stitches.”  She looked up.  “We need to get back soon.  It’s going to rain within the hour.”  She grabbed her robe and slipped it on.  “You enjoying it here?”
	Mousse took a deep breath and cringing, grabbed his stomach.  “Yes and no.  I want to be able to enjoy this place but the pain is really getting to me.”  He sighed and put a hand on Destine’s shoulder.  “Do you think the old hag will find us here?”
	“Doubt it.  The only way she’d know where to find us is if...did Shampoo say Cologne went to China?”
	“Yeah why is that important?”
	“Tide’s sensei lives in China, well last she had heard from him.  He’s blind and I think he lives in, oh no, an Amazon village.  Mousse, what was your sensei’s lost sense?”
	“Sight...you think my sensei could be Tide’s as well?” Destine nodded. “Then we’re in trouble.  We need to tell this to Tide.”  Mousse grabbed Destine’s hand and pulled her down the path.
	They reached the house just as it started to rain.  Tide and Shampoo were sitting on the steps watching the rain.  Tide looked up. “Destine we need to talk.”
	Destine nodded and followed Tide inside.  Mousse sat down next to Shampoo.  “What’s going on here?”
	“Tide find out who Destine family is.”  She leaned over and whispered in Mousse’s ear.
	“SHE’S RELATED TO HIM?!
Destine opened the door to her room and stepped inside.  “What you need to talk about?”
	Tide pointed to the nightstand next to Destine’s bed.  “That bracelet is yours.  I found it on you when you came to live with me.  You know I’m not your true mother.”  Destine nodded.  “You have a younger brother.  It surprised me when Mousse introduced him.”
	“Who is my brother?  It’s not Mousse is it?”
	“No, it’s Ryoga.  Your real name is Mekana Hibiki.”
	“I see.” Destine nodded and passed out.
	“Des-chan.  I found out what that bracelet means.”  Mousse ran into the room and stopped dead in his tracks.  He looked down to see Destine lying on the floor unconscious.  He pulled a piece of paper and a pen from his pocket and wrote, “What happened?”
	Tide took the paper and wrote back.  “She’s finally learned the truth about who she is.”
	Mousse nodded and walked into the bathroom.  He walked over to the sink and filled a cup with cold water, walking back over to Destine he poured it on her.
	Tide jumped back as a mongoose shook off and glared at Mousse.  It walked into the bathroom and turned on the hot water.  “I was already awake Mousse.  I was about to get up when you poured the water on me.”  She poked her head out of the bathroom.  “Mind tossing me my back pack?”  Mousse handed it to her.  “Thanks.”
	A few minutes later she stepped out wearing a loose long sleeved shirt and slacks. “I take it you know too.”
	Mousse nodded.  “I think we should explain this to Tide.”  He pulled the chair from under the table and motioned for Tide to sit down.  Destine explained how she and Mousse were both cursed because of their trips to Jusenkyo.  She told how Mousse had accidentally walked into the pool of the drowned duck and how she had been tossed into the pool of the drowned mongoose.  “I was just walking along when a group of men rushed on me throwing curses.  I tried to fend them off but they outnumbered me 12 to 1.  The tied me up and threw me off a cliff.  Lucky for me I landed in a deep pool of water.  I climbed out and looked around, this weird man walked up to me and pointed to the pool. ‘You fall in pool of drowned mongoose.  Very tragic story.  Very tragic.’ I tried to talk to him but I could only make a squeaking sound.  He walked away and I walked over to the pool, I looked at my reflection and saw a small mongoose looking back at me.  So now whenever I come into cold water I transform.”
	Mousse looked up.  “Was it a case of mistaken identity or something like that?”
	“Yes.  They kept shouting Saotome for some reason.  Is that some kind of curse?”
	“They mistook you for Ranma.”  Mousse laughed.
Tide tapped Destine’s arm.  “Shall I explain how I found you?”  Destine nodded. 
***Destine is translating this for Mousse.***
“Very well, I was standing outside this house when I saw three men running towards me carrying a bundle in their arms.  One of them made a grab for me and tried to throw me out of their way.  I defeated them and asked what they were up to.  They told me that it was none of my business.  After a bit of ‘encouragement’ they told me that they had been attacked and someone was trying to steal their child.  They handed me the bundle and asked me to watch over it for a while.  They then threw down some flash bombs and disappeared.
	I unwrapped the bundle and saw you Destine, you were the most beautiful baby I had ever seen.  I took you inside and made a small bed for you, and to make sure I could tell whenever you woke up, I tied a thin string around your wrist.  The next morning I bathed you in the spring and saw that bracelet around your arm.  I took it off and read it.  It was from the hospital in Tokyo.  Your name as I already told you is really Mekana Hibiki.  I took you to the police and they called the Hibiki family.  The parents showed up and asked me to watch over you.  They told me that you were destined to become one of the world’s greatest fighters and that was why you had been stolen.  A local dojo wanted to train you into a living weapon that would do their bidding.  I agreed and raised you as my own.
	“But now the time has come for you to fulfill your destiny and reach your full potential.  With Mousse here you may begin training in the final techniques. But we must get you to the doctor first.  You can’t fight if you aren’t in full health.”
	Destine nodded.  “Do you still have that truck?”
	“Out back in the driveway.”
	Mousse looked at Destine.  “Des…Mekana, you mean to tell me that this place has a driveway?  We could have just given the cab driver instructions to there.”
	“Call me Destine.  It’s who I am.  As long as I remain Destine, that stupid dojo can’t find me.”  She picked up her wallet.  “Are the keys still hanging up by the door?”
	Tide nodded.  “Drive carefully.”
	“I will.  Mousse you have an umbrella?”
	“Let’s hope this baby still runs.”  Destine shut the door and put the key in the ignition.
	“You never told me you could drive.”  Mousse sat down on the seat and buckled his seat belt.
	“I’ve had my license for about a year now.  I don’t drive much because I either travel on foot or I don’t go very far.  Besides, a bike or roller blades worked just fine for me before I got cursed.”  She turned the key and the truck made a clicking sound.  “Come on baby, turn over.”  She turned the key again and the engine started.  “Great only a half tank.  We’ll have to stop and fill up after the appointment.”  She put the truck into reverse and backed it out of the driveway.  She flipped the windshield wipers on and turned onto the street.  Shifting into drive, she headed for the doctor’s office.  
	“Welcome Destine.  My how you’ve grown since we’ve seen you last.  It’ll be a few minutes.  You can take a seat and we’ll get you when the doctor’s ready.”  The receptionist smiled and gave Destine a hug.
	“Thank you Atchika.  You can sit down Mousse.  I need to fill out some paper work.”  Destine pointed to one of the chairs against the wall.
	Atchika leaned forward.  “So who’s the young man?  A boyfriend?”
	Destine turned bright red.  “NO! I mean no.  He’s just a friend I met in Nerima.  Could I get the papers?”
	Atchika handed her a clipboard and some papers.  “Here.  Your friend needs to fill some out too.”  She handed her another clipboard and a small stack of papers.
	“Um, thanks.”  Destine turned and walked over to where Mousse was sitting.  “Here you need to fill these out.  Don’t worry it won’t take you long.”  She sat down and started filling out her papers.
	“What was that yelling about?  You scared me half to death.”
	“Over reaction that’s all.  Let’s see age: 18, height: 5’8”, weight: 145, eyes: blue, hair: brown.  I hate having to update this thing.”  Destine went down the rows and filled out the boxes.  “Done.”  She stood up and walked over to the counter.  “Here you go Atchika.”  She handed her the clipboard and walked back to her chair.  “Need help Mousse?”
	“Mm? No I’ve got it.”  Mousse looked up and smiled.
	“Destine?” A nurse opened the door and looked around the room.
	Destine stood up and walked over. “Right here.”  She followed after the nurse to the scale. After being weighed and measured she was led to a small white room.  “So why exactly did I have to fill out that form?”
	“That way we can have the actual weight and height.  You’d be surprised at how many people lie about those things.”  The nurse took Destine’s blood pressure and temperature.  “The doctor will be in soon.”  She set the clipboard on the table and left the room.
	‘I hope Mousse is doing all right out there.’  Destine sighed and sat down in one of the chairs.  
	There was a knock on the door and the doctor walked in.  “Well, it’s good to see you again Destine.  Has it really been two years since we last saw you?”
	“Yes Dr. Li it’s been two years and three months.  How’s the family doing?”
	“They’re doing just fine.  Ryona is going to high school now and is at the top of his class.  We just had another child last year.  Her name is Naomi.  Her picture is right over there.”  He pointed to his desk.  
	Destine stood up and walked over to the desk, she picked up the picture and smiled.  “She’s very beautiful.  You must be very proud.”
	“That I am.  Now tell me what seems to be the problem with you?”  He picked up the clipboard and looked it over.
	“I have a large gash at the base of my skull and a lump on my forehead.”
	Dr. Li turned to the counter and opened one of the drawers.  He pulled out a pair of latex gloves and pulled them on.  “Well let’s have a look at this gash.”  Destine leaned forward and pulled her hair out of the way.  “It’s a shallow gash so it won’t need stitches, but I am going to have to wrap it.” He pulled off the gloves.  “As for the bump, just put some ice on it and the swelling should be fine.”  He pulled out some gauze pads and a large Band-Aid.  He put some peroxide on the gauze and wiped the gash.  “How did you manage to do this Destine?”
	“I got someone really angry.  The bump I deserved.  I turned a table over and insulted a group of elders.  The gash was done out of malice if you ask me.  I was trying to help a friend when I was hit and knocked down.”  
	“And how many times have I had to bandage you up for picking a fight with someone bigger than you?”  Dr. Li laughed as he set the Band-Aid over the gash.
	“But she wasn’t bigger than me.  She’s only about two feet tall and 3000 years old.  But she packs a pretty mean punch with that staff of hers.  And I didn’t pick the fight.”
	“Destine, I’m going to have to cut this hair away from the gash.”  He pulled out a pair of scissors and trimmed the hair on the back of Destine’s head.  “Now it won’t get into the gash when you take off the bandage.”  He walked over to his desk and filled out a prescription.  “Here, take this to the pharmacy.  It’s for some pain killers.”  He handed her the paper and walked to the door.  “I’m going to have the nurse bring in that boy who came with you.  You can leave if you want.”
	Destine rubbed her neck to remove the small hairs that were left over from when her hair was trimmed.  “Am I still able to swim?”
	“Yes. The bandage should come off in a few days.  Just be careful.”
	“Mind if I stay?  I’m a bit worried about my friend.”  
	“Sure, just stay quiet.”  He stepped out of the room.
	Destine sat down in a chair and sighed.  ‘At least I don’t have a concussion.’  She picked up one of the books next to the chair and began to read. 
Mousse looked at the clock.  ‘It’s been half an hour since she went back there.  I wonder what could be taking her so long?’
	“Mousse?”  The nurse opened the door.  Mousse stood up and followed after her.  After the initial checkup he was lead down the hall.  “Through here.  The doctor will see you now.”
	Mousse thanked her and walked into the room.  Inside sat Destine talking with the doctor.  
	The doctor stood up and invited Mousse to sit down.  “Good day Mousse.  I’m Dr. Li, Destine has told me much about you.”  Mousse sat down and smiled.  “So what’s the problem with you young man?”  
	“My ribs.”
	“Did you get into a fight with the woman who beat up Destine?”  Dr. Li laughed.
	“Not really, that woman just hates me.”  Mousse looked over at Destine.  “What have you been telling him?”
	“Just your background.” Destine leaned back in her chair and grinned.
	Dr. Li walked over to Mousse.  “Would you remove your shirt and come and sit on the examination table?”  He pointed to the table against the wall.
	Mousse sat down on the table and took off his shirt.  “I think I might have cracked a few of them.”
	Dr. Li pulled on a pair of gloves and looked at the bruises.  “Well they’re definitely bruised.”  He touched the bruises on Mousses chest.  Mousse winced but kept quiet.  “But I don’t think they’re cracked.  Though I could take an x-ray to make sure.  Follow me.”  He opened the door and led Mousse to a small room next door.  He adjusted the machine for Mousse’s height. “Please place your back against here and don’t move.  I’m going to go into the other room to take the pictures.”
	Mousse listened as the machine warmed up and took the pictures.  Dr. Li walked into the room and motioned for Mousse to sit down.  “We can wait while the x-rays develop.  I’m sorry to pry but I must ask you a few questions about Destine.  She isn’t telling me the whole story as to why she’s hurt.”  He leaned against the wall and sighed.  “I’m really worried about her.  You see, Destine is my niece.  My name is Dr. Chien Li.  My wife and her father are siblings.  I have been keeping a watch on ‘Destine’ as she calls herself for 16 and a half years.”
	Mousse narrowed his eyes and grabbed Dr. Li by the collar.  “Just what are you trying to pull here?  What makes you think that I will believe a single word of what you’re saying?”  
	“Because I am telling the truth.  You want proof?  My wife’s maiden name is Ling Hibiki, sister to Kengi Hibiki, Destine’s father.  Destine’s real name is Mekana Hibiki.  She was born in Tokyo hospital and was stolen from her crib at the age of three weeks.  The thieves took her here to Yokohama in hopes of catching a boat to another island.  Tide brought her in and told me the whole story.  I have been taking care of her since then.  The men plan to return on her nineteenth birthday to claim her as one of their dojo.  The only way they can get her to join them is if they beat her in single combat.  But I fear that they will use some sort of treachery to beat her.  If you still don’t believe me then talk to Mekana about this.”  Dr. Li grabbed Mousse’s hands and pried them loose.  “Now if you will excuse me, I need to go grab the x-rays.”  He walked out of the room and soon returned with a large manila folder.  “Shall we go back to my office?”  He opened the door and lead Mousse down the hall.
	“So what’s the verdict on his ribs?”  Destine looked up from her book and pointed to the folder.
	“Well why don’t we have a look and find out?”  Dr. Li pulled the x-rays from the folder and placed them up to the viewing screen.  “Well Mousse they aren’t broken as you thought but they are heavily bruised.  I don’t think you will be fighting any time soon.  Though with the blow you described to me I’m surprised your chest isn’t collapsed in.”  He turned to the desk and wrote out a prescription.  “This is for some painkillers, its just some herbs, we just have to give you that slip so you can buy the amount you need.  Don’t worry about wrapping them, they should do fine.  If they do need to be wrapped for some reason, Destine can do it for you won’t you?”
	“Sure thing.  Do you think that he might heal faster if he went to the hot spring behind the house?”  Destine stood up and reached into her pocket for her keys.
	“It couldn’t hurt.  He just needs to take it easy for a few weeks.  See you soon Destine.  It was nice meeting you Mousse.”  Dr. Li shook Mousse’s hand and leaned close.  “Please keep a watch on her.  I don’t want to see her get hurt.”
	“Well off to the drug store.”  Destine unlocked the truck and got in, “You feel up to the trip or should I drop you off back home?”
	“No, I’m fine.  But I need to ask you a few questions.  Is Dr. Li really your uncle?”
	Destine slammed her foot down on the brake and put the truck into park.  “WHAT?!”  She grabbed his sleeve.  “How?”
	Mousse edged back.  “Dr. Li told me.  He told me to watch out for you.  He said that the men from the dojo plan on returning on your nineteenth birthday.  Is it true?”
	Destine sighed and leaned back in her seat.  “Yes.  I found that out just before I left to go out traveling.  Still I didn’t know until today that he was my uncle because I’m really Mekana Hibiki.  I thought he was just some distant relative of mine.”  She shifted back into drive and pulled out of the parking lot.  “Let’s change the subject shall we?  What do you want for dinner?”
	Mousse sighed and relaxed.  “How about some stir-fry?  We could pick up what we need at the store.”
	“Sounds great.  I already needed to pick up some rice.”  Destine flipped on the turn signal and made her turn.  “We should be there soon.  Do you want to get anything else?”
	“I’m not sure.  I’ll have to look around when we get there.”  Mousse reached forward and turned on the radio.  “You mind?”
	“Not at all, this thing can pick up practically any station one wants.  I get American stations from time to time.  I built this truck from a basic frame.  It’s custom made to work for me and Tide.  It makes it so she can ‘hear’ while she is driving.”  She pulled down the visor and showed Mousse the small TV screen that was built into it.  “This translates the sounds outside and puts them into type.”
	“Have you always had this type of building interest?”
	“Yep, since I was five I’ve been building things.  I fixed this baby up when I was 14.”  She smiled.  “Since I had no friends, and I was home-schooled, this kept me busy.  It got my mind off the loneliness.  I figured out how to build things by reading.  I would go to the library every evening and read for hours on end.  I’ve read every single book in the library.”  She laughed.  “The librarian thought I was crazy.  We’re here.”  Destine turned into a driveway and parked in one of the spaces near the door.  “Oh great it’s starting to rain again.”  She reached behind her seat and pulled out her umbrella.  She opened the door and pushed the button on the handle of the umbrella it popped open and she stepped out of the car.  “Ready Mousse?”  She looked over to see Mousse having trouble with his umbrella.  “Here, You can stand under mine.  It can fit us both.  If you don’t mind standing close.”  She walked over and held the umbrella so it covered Mousse and herself.  “Come on.  Let’s get inside.”
	Destine stepped inside and folded up her umbrella.  “I’ll go drop off the prescriptions.  You can look around if you wish and I’ll meet back up with you.”  She took the prescriptions and headed off down one of the isles.
	Mousse took off his glasses and rubbed them to get rid of the fog that was forming.  He put them back on and looked around.  ‘I guess I’ll just start at one end and work my way down.’  He walked over and grabbed a basket.  Starting at the first aisle he walked up and down collecting the things he needed.  He was just about to grab a package of noodles when a young man walked up to him.
	“Finding what you need?”  
	Mousse nodded and looked at the badge the man was wearing.  “I’m doing just fine Yoshi.  Which do you think is a better brand of noodles this one or this?”  He held up two different boxes.
	“Personally I prefer the one on the left.  They’re easier to cook with.  What do you plan on cooking?”
	“Well for tonight I’m going to fix some stir-fry, I’ve got the vegetables and seasonings already.  All I need are the noodles and meat.”  Mousse put the box into his basket.  “Thanks for the help.”  He turned and walked to the next aisle.  He turned the corner and bumped into Destine.  
	“Got what you need Mousse?”  Destine looked at the basket.  “Looks like we’re going to have a feast tonight.  Did you find the rice?” 
	“Yeah it’s towards the bottom of the basket.  What would you suggest for....”
	“DESTINE! So you have returned.  Clean up aisle attack!”  A broom went flying through the air towards Destine and Mousse.
	“Mousse duck!”  Destine pushed him down and, jumping into the air, grabbed the broom.  She landed without making a sound.  “I see you haven’t gotten any better since I left Yoshi.  Here’s your broom back.”  She tossed it to Yoshi and grinned letting her fangs show.  
	“Oh I’ve gotten much better.  In fact I am probably more powerful now that I’m full grown.”  He walked up to Destine and set the broom up against the shelves.  “You may have been able to beat me before you left but now you shall be the one to taste defeat.”  He picked up the broom and swung it at Destine’s shoulder.  
	Destine ducked and kicked the broom from Yoshi’s hand.  “If you wish to fight, why don’t we take it outside?”
	“I have a better place to go.  Here’s the address to the Yokohama Dojo.  Be there tonight and we will fight.  Once I win, you shall be my bride.”  He turned and walked away.
	Mousse picked up the spilled contents of his basket and looked over at Destine.  Her entire body was glowing ice blue with her battle aura.  Her glasses had fallen off when she had kicked the broom from Yoshi’s hand.  She stood absolutely still, her eyes closed.  “Des-chan, you all right?  What’s wrong?”  He started to rest his hand on her shoulder but jumped back when she pulled her arm back and threw the broom.  It flew on a straight collision course towards Yoshi’s head.
	“Called shot to the head!”  Destine shouted just before the broom connected.  
	Yoshi fell down from the impact of the broom hitting him.  He staggered to his feet and grabbed his broom.  “I’ll get you for that.”  Clutching the back of his head, he ran off.
	Destine turned to Mousse.  “Well I feel better now.  Shall we get the rest of the stuff and head home?”  She reached down and picked up her glasses.  Placing them back on she walked off back towards the pharmacy area.  “The meat section is three aisles down.  They have some beef on sale that looks pretty good.  I’m going to go pick up the medicine.”
	Mousse watched her leave and then turned to go to the meat section.  ‘<How did she do that>?’
	“Destine why won’t you tell me how you did that?”  Mousse climbed into his seat and sat down.  “I’m dying to know how you were able to get a perfect shot without your glasses.”
	Destine sat down and turned the key in the ignition.  “I told you already.  I don’t rely on just my sight.  Yoshi was making so much sound that I could have figured out where he was even if it was pitch black in there.  Also I could make out his basic form.”  She looked behind her and backed the truck out into the parking lot.  “Shall we get home and fix dinner?”
	“Um, sure.”  Mousse leaned back and closed his eyes.  “What did he mean by if he beat you that you would have to marry him?  Is he an Amazon or something?”
	“No he’s part of a dojo that sees women as inferior and if there is a woman that can beat you in fighting, you must train harder to defeat her for she is worthy of being your wife.  Yoshi challenged me when we were 13.  I thoroughly trounced him and he’s been trying to beat me ever since.”  She stopped at the light and turned on her turn signal.  “Don’t worry about it Mousse.  Unless he cheats he can’t beat me.”
	“That’s what worries me.”  Mousse put his hand on her shoulder and smiled.  “Look, if it’s within my power I will make sure that no one hurts you through treachery.”
	“Thanks friend.”
	“Destine home.  And she bring food.”  Shampoo walked up to Destine and Mousse with a smile on her face.  “You have good time?”
	“Yeah until I ran into and old ‘friend’.”  Destine set the bags on the counter and pulled out the meat and put it away.  “I’m going to go and get changed.  I’ll be out in a few minutes to help fix dinner.”  Destine walked down the hall to her room.  She shut the door behind her and, opening up her backpack, pulled out a robe and a pair of pants.  She had just finished slipping them on when she heard the door open.  “What do you need Mousse?”
	“I was wondering if you wanted me to come with you tonight.”  Mousse shut the door and sat down in the chair.
	“You can come if you want to but nothing’s going to happen.”  She pulled her sash out of the backpack and tied it around her waist.  “I don’t think he’s gotten much better.”  She turned around and smiled.  “But I guess I could always use some backup.  Ready to go fix dinner?”
	“You bet.  Do you have a wok that we could use?”  
	“Yeah it’s under the counter.  I’ll do the cutting and you can do the cooking.  Sound fair?”  Destine slipped on a pair of slippers and followed Mousse down the hall.
	“Fine with me.  Do you know how to make the sauces?”
	“Yes, which one’s do you want me to make?”
	“Just some teriyaki.”  Mousse stepped into the kitchen and pulled the wok out from under the counter.  “Where’s the oil?”
	“Right above you silly.  If you got any closer it would bite you.”  Destine pulled the vegetables out of the bag and set them in the sink.  She turned on the water and scrubbed the vegetables clean.  Pulling out a cutting board she set the vegetables down and chopped them into bite sized pieces.  She put the remainder back in the bags and placed them in the refrigerator.  She pulled out the meat and cut half of it into thin slices, the rest back into the bag and placed it in the meat drawer in the fridge.  “Here’s the stuff Mousse.”  She put the vegetables in a bowl and set it on the counter next to the wok. 
	“Thanks Des-chan.”  Mousse turned and picked up the meat.  He put it in the wok and started stirring it with a large pair of cooking chopsticks.
	Destine got out another bowl and started to make the sauce.  After she finished, she handed the bowl to Mousse and started to clean up her mess.  “The rest is up to you Mousse.”  She washed her hands and sat down next to Shampoo and Ryoga.
	“Sure thing.  Dinner will be ready in about an hour.”
	Tide leaned back and smiled.  “Great dinner you two.  You can cook any time you want.”
	Mousse smiled and cleared the dishes.  “I’ll wash up.  You ready Destine?”
	“Yeah, let me go get something first and then we can get going.”  She stood up and walked to her room.  Inside she pulled a small box from her closet and opened it. “I never thought I’d have to use these.”  She pulled out a pair of daggers and a collapsible staff.  She slipped them into her robe and walked back into the kitchen.  Mousse was finishing up the dishes.  She walked up to him and tapped his shoulder.  “Ready?”
	“Just a second.”  Mousse set the last dish in the drying rack and turned around.  “Ready.”
	Destine grabbed the keys and turned to Tide.  “I have an engagement that I need to get to.  It would be bad form if I turned down a match.”
	Tide nodded and smiled.  “Try not to beat them too far into the ground.”
	“I won’t.”  Destine laughed and walked out the door.  She climbed into the truck and turned it on.  Switching on the lights she pulled out onto the street.  
After a few minutes she pulled up alongside a tall building.  “I guess this is the place.”  She looked at the address on the piece of paper.  “Shall we knock?”  She climbed out of the truck and walked up to the door.  
	Mousse followed behind her and looked around.  “So this is the famous Yokohama Dojo.  I hear they only accept the best of the best to join them.”
	“They must be desperate if the allowed Yoshi to join.”  Destine rapped her fist against the door.
	It opened slowly and a tall man stood in front of them.  “What do you want girl?”
	“Invite from Yoshi.  I came here to show him up again.”
	The man laughed and moved out of the way.  “So you’re Destine then.  I here you prove to be a pretty good foe.  Follow me.”  He turned and walked down the hallway.  “Yoshi is merely a trainee that we took in because his father paid us a lot of money to train him.  You still living with Tide?”
	“Yes.  I just returned.”
	The man pointed to a door.  “He’s waiting for you in there.  You may go in but your friend must remain here.  He can watch through the window.”
	“All right.” Destine opened the door and stepped inside.  “Yoshi you have challenged me and I accept.  Show yourself.”
	“Gladly.”  Yoshi stepped out of the shadows brandishing a long curved sword.  “Now we’ll see who’s the better fighter after these years.  A one on one battle until one of us surrenders.  Agree?”
	Destine smiled and nodded.  “I accept the conditions.  But you should know that I have improved as well.”
	“Oh I’m sure you have.  That’s why it will be so much more fulfilling when I beat you.”  He set the sword on the ground and turned to the window.  “Why not invite your friend in?”
	“He’s just fine where he is.  Now are we going to fight or just stand and stare all night?”  
	“Fine let’s begin.”  Yoshi bowed to Destine and picked up his sword.  Destine bowed as well and assumed her fighting stance.  “Have at you woman.  Hiyaa!”  Yoshi ran forward and swung the sword.
	“<CHAIN SHIELD>!”  Destine blocked the move and grinned.  “Now for my first attack, <CLAW OF THE EAGLES>!”  Claws shot out from her sleeves and she proceeded to attack with such vigor that Yoshi was forced to retreat back into his corner.  Destine raised her arms up and brought the claws down on his sword slicing it into many pieces.  She retracted the claws back into her robe and grinned.  “Now it’s just hand to hand.”  She ran forward and jumped into the air.  Yoshi looked up just in time to see Destine perform a roundhouse kick.  It connected with his shoulder and sent him flying.  “Had enough Yoshi?”  
	“I won’t lose to you!”  He ran at her screaming.
	Destine moved slightly out of the way and, grabbing him by the collar, flipped him.  She grabbed his right arm and pinned it behind his back.  “If you don’t wish it to be broken I suggest you give up.”
	“ENOUGH!”  A loud voice filled the room and an old man stepped out of the shadows.  “He is beaten now let him go Mekana.”
	Destine dropped Yoshi on his face and turned to face the old man.  “What did you just call me?”
	“Come now, I would recognize you anywhere child.  After all you are destined to fight for me.  My name is Yosho.  I sent my son Yoshi to follow you after we failed to take you with us.  Now he has brought you back to me and I can see that you are more powerful than he has described.  If you come with me peacefully I promise your friend won’t get hurt.”  He pointed to the door.  
	A group of men walked in dragging Mousse with them.  Destine whirled around and rushed towards the men.  “You hurt him I’ll kill you!”
	The men looked at her and started laughing, “A girl kill us?  That’s a good one.  Go away wench.”  One of them grabbed her by the collar and tossed her away.  She landed with a soft thud near Yosho.
	“Ah I see you care deeply about him, something we’re going to have to train out of you.”  He pulled her up and turned her to face the men.  “Gentlemen.  This is the one the scroll has told us about.  She will lead us into a new age of glory.”
Destine shoved Yosho away and glared.  “I will not do anything of the sort.  I belong to no one and there isn’t anyone who can convince me otherwise.”  She swung her arm away from herself and hundreds of black darts went flying toward the men.  The darts hit in certain points so that the men were paralyzed.  She ran forward and grabbed Mousse.  “Let’s get out of here!”  
Destine ran out the door and down the hall.  Reaching the front door she reached into her sleeve and pulled out a small popper bomb.  She pulled the pin and threw it at the door.  The bomb exploded leaving a hole for them to get through.  Destine ran down the steps and opened the truck doors.  “Get in.  Hurry.”  She climbed in her side and turned on the ignition.  The truck roared to life and took off just as Mousse jumped in.  “Hold on.”  Destine put the car into overdrive and turned onto the main road.  
	“Where did you learn that dart technique?”
	“That’s that master attack that men learn.  I knew it would come in handy someday.  We need to get back home and let Tide know about this.”
	“Destine what’s wrong?”  Ryoga rushed to the door as Destine and Mousse burst inside.
	Destine looked around.  “Where’s Tide?  I must speak with her.”
	“She’s in her room, what’s the problem?”  Ryoga grabbed Destine’s arm and tried to slow her down.  “You can tell me.”
	“You really want to know?  They found me.  The men who kidnapped me as a child have found me again.  Now let go!”  Destine slapped his wrist and jerked her hand free.  She took off down the hallway and ran into Tide’s room.
	Tide looked up.  “Destine what happened?”  
	“They found me.  The men from that dojo.  They have been watching me my entire life.  Remember Yoshi?  He’s the Dojo leader’s son.  They have been testing me since I was 13.”
	“Calm down.  If they show up here we will make them leave.  They have no right to come here and if they don’t leave we’ll call the police.”
	Destine lay down on the bed and sighed.  “I guess you’re right.  But I must disappear again.  I can’t let them endanger you or anyone else.”
	“Child, you are safe here.  You need not leave for our sake.  Your brother Ryoga has promised to protect you with his life.  And Mousse and Shampoo will never let anyone harm you if they can help it.” 
	Destine sat up.  “All right.  I guess I can stay here.”  She stood up and walked to the door.  “I’ll be in my room if you need me.”
	“Destine?  Mind if I come in?  Destine?”  Ryoga opened the door and looked inside.  “Destine.” He looked over to the nightstand and saw an envelope.  He walked over and picked it up.  “To: Everyone.”  He opened the envelope and read the note inside.

[Dear everyone,
	I’m sorry that I have caused you all this trouble.
I have left in hopes of luring the dojo away.  	Mousse, don’t try getting a hold of me on the transmitter.  I have blocked the number.  
	Ryoga, Brother, I’m sorry that I dragged you into this.  Take care of Taelesin for me.  I promise to return soon.
Destine]

“MOUSSE! SHAMPOO!”  Ryoga ran out of the room and into Tide.  “BIG PROBLEM!”
	Tide looked at him and took the note from him.  She read it and sighed.  Flipping it over she pulled out a pen and wrote on it.  “Calm down Ryoga.  She’ll be just fine.  Let’s go tell Mousse and Shampoo about this.”  She turned and walked into the living room.  Taelesin looked up and wagged his tail.  When he saw the look on Tide’s face he tucked his tail between his legs and crawled under the couch.
	Ryoga walked over to Mousse and set his hand on Mousse’s shoulder.  “We have a problem.”
ONE YEAR LATER

	Mousse stared out the window into the night.  It had been a year since Destine had disappeared.  He had been training under the careful watch of Tide and was now able to beat Ryoga even when he wasn’t wearing his glasses.  He and Shampoo found jobs at local restaurants and helped Tide take care of the house.  Ryoga did most of the cooking and taking care of the firewood.  
	Mousse sighed and lay down on his bed. “Where is she?”
	“I don’t see why you keep looking out the window.  If she’s going to return she will come back on her own time.”  Ryoga rolled over and turned out the light.  “Try to get some sleep.”
	“Easy for you to say.”  Mousse stood up and walked to the kitchen.  He turned on the 
stove and set a kettle of water on to boil.  ‘I wish she’d come back.  I’m so worried about her.'	Taelesin trotted into the room and sat by Mousse’s feet.  Mousse reached down and scratched his ears.  “You’re worried about her too aren’t you boy?”  The teakettle began to whistle and Mousse took it from the stove.  He poured some into a cup and added some tea leaves.  “I guess we just have to wait.  She will return, she promised.”  He looked into his cup and watched the water turn dark brown.  He was about to take a drink when he heard a scratching sound at the front door.  ‘<Now who could that be at this hour>?’  He picked up a metal soupspoon and headed for the front door.  He arrived just in time to see the door open and a figure walk in.
	“Get out burglar!”  Mousse lunged at the figure and swung the spoon with all his might.  He knocked the person to the ground.  “Now we’ll see who you are.”  He flipped on the light switch next to the door and jumped.  “Destine?”
	Destine looked up at Mousse and rubbed her head.  “I guess I should have given you some warning.”  She stood up and dusted herself off.  “Well, I’m back.  Surprised to see me?”
	Mousse rushed forward and hugged her.  “I thought you had disappeared off the face of the earth.  Where did you go?”  
	“China.  I traveled to Jusenkyo.  I’m cured!  I found the pool of the drowned girl.  I stepped into it and it negated the previous curse.”  She reached up and pushed her hair back behind her shoulders.  “Can we go sit down?”
	“Sure.”  Mousse led her to the living room and sat down on the couch.  Destine sat down next to him and smiled.  Mousse looked her over, she had hardly aged since he had last seen her.  The only real differences were that she had a deep tan and her hair was now down to her waist.  “So you’re cured?  You no longer turn into a mongoose?”
	“Yep.  And I went and talked with Cologne.  She’s changed quite a bit now.  I talked to her and she said that she was sorry for what she had done.  In fact she has convinced the elders to undo that engagement.  She and I traveled back on the same boat.  She’s in Nerima again.  Everyone there is wondering about us.  I explained everything to them and told them that you guys might be heading back.”  Destine yawned and stretched.  “It’s going to feel good to sleep in a nice warm bed again.”
	Taelesin bounded into the room and jumped up into Destine’s lap.  “Well how are you doing friend?  You're too big for this.”  Destine scratched his ears and smiled.  “I need to get some sleep.”
	“Your bed’s still made so you can just go and slip into it if you want.  I’ll see you in the morning then?”  Mousse leaned forward and kissed Destine on the cheek.  “I’m so glad you’re back Des-chan.”
	“Morning Mousse you look happy.”  Shampoo walked into the kitchen and sat down at the table.  “What happen?”
	Mousse turned around and grinned.  “Oh you’ll find out in a bit.”  He turned back to the stove and lifted the lid off one of the pots.  “Breakfast should be ready in a bit.  Could you go wake up Ryoga and Tide?”
	“Sure.”  Shampoo stood up and walked down the hall she opened the door to Tide’s room and walked over to the bed.  She shook Tide and pointed to the door.  
	Tide nodded and got up.  “Breakfast ready?”  She signed and looked at Shampoo.
	Shampoo nodded.  “Almost.”
	Tide walked over to the closet and pulled out one of her robes.  She took off her nightgown and pulled on the robe.
	Shampoo smiled and headed for Mousse and Ryoga’s room.  “Ryoga, breakfast.”  She walked over to the bed and shook him.
	“Go away Shampoo let me sleep for a bit.”  Ryoga rolled over and pulled the blankets over his head.
	“But Mousse say he have surprise for us.”
	“Let me sleep.” Came a growl from under the blanket.
	Shampoo sighed and walked into the bathroom.  She filled a pitcher with cold water, walked back over to Ryoga and emptied the contents of the pitcher on his head.  “You get up now.”
	 A little black pig poked out of the sheets and glared at her.  
	“Go get ready.  Hot water in bucket by bath.”  Shampoo smiled and walked out the room and back into the kitchen.  “So what the surprise Mousse?”
	“Just wait until everyone’s here.”  Mousse grabbed five bowls from under the counter and filled them with some rice.  He placed a bowl filled with a mixture of butter and brown sugar on the table.  
	Slowly Tide and Ryoga wandered into the kitchen.  “What’s with the extra bowl Mousse?  You really hungry?”  Tide pointed to the bowl set next to Mousse.  
	“Nope.  It’s for her.”  He pointed to the back door.  It opened and Destine stepped into the kitchen.
	“Morning.  I’m sorry I didn’t let you guys know I was here earlier but I got home around midnight.”
	Shampoo jumped up and rushed over to Destine and hugged her.  “Destine’s back!”
	Mousse smiled and looked over to Tide.  “Surprise.”
	“Mousse, you trickster.  Why didn’t you tell us?”  Tide smiled and motioned Destine to sit down.
	“I asked him not to.”  Destine smiled and pried Shampoo off herself and sat down.  “I’m glad to be back.  I’ve got so much to tell you guys.”  She turned to Mousse and grinned.  “I didn’t know you knew sign.”
	“I picked it up really fast.  Tide has been training me for the last year.  I had to learn so I could understand her.  Shampoo and Ryoga know some basics.”
	Tide put some of the butter mixture onto her rice and stirred it in.  “Let’s eat and then you can tell us about your trip.”
	Destine sat down on the couch and looked around the room.  Mousse was sitting next to her, Shampoo and Ryoga were sitting in some chairs, and Tide was sitting in her large armchair.  “I guess I’ll start from the beginning.  After I got home I went into my room and lay down on my bed.  I couldn’t understand how I couldn’t have figured out that Yoshi was spying on me.  Suddenly the phone next to my bed rang.  I answered it and almost ran from the room.  Yosho was on the other side of the line and told me that he planned on comming to get me at midnight.  He said he had over 100 men who were going to help out.  I hung up the phone and grabbed my backpack.  I packed everything away and quickly scrawled out a note to you guys.  I left through the window.  
	After that I went to the train station and bought a ticket for the 4:00 am westbound train.  I sat down in the station and leaned back in the seat.  Suddenly a group of men surrounded me and moved in to attack.  I didn’t feel like fighting at the moment so I threw down one of my flash bombs and, grabbing my pack, ran down the tracks.  I didn’t stop running until I reached the next station.  I looked at my watch and saw that it was about 3:50 am.  I stepped into the station and boarded the westbound train.  I took it until it reached the Sea of Japan.  I got off and stowed away on an ocean liner bound for China.
	I arrived at China feeling rather queezy, but still in one piece.  I caught a bus and traveled to Jusenkyo.  Once there it didn’t take long for me to find that stupid guide.  After a bit of ‘convincing’ he led me to the spring of the drowned girl.  I turned myself into a mongoose and stepped into the spring.  The water was absolutely freezing but I emerged as a human girl.  I grabbed my clothes and put them back on.  So now I am no longer cursed.”  Destine smiled.
	“What type of convincing Destine?”  
	“Just a simple pounding, nothing more.  That guide has absolutely no pain tolerance.  
	“After I left the springs I decided to wander for a while.  I let my mind wander and before I knew it, I was standing at the edge of your village Shampoo.  I can’t say I liked the greeting that much but the trip there did prove to be beneficial.  I met with Cologne and the elders and apologized for my actions.”
	Shampoo gave Destine a questioning look.  “Why you need to apologize?”
	“I um sort of turned their table over and threw one of them out of the window back at the Cat Cafe.  They had me defeat their best fighter to prove I was worthy of their forgiveness.  In fact their best fighter is your sister Mousse.  She was extremely hard to beat.  Afterwards she came up to me and asked how you were doing.  I told her that you were fine and in good health.
	“I went back to the elders and they forgave me.  They even decided to negate my betrothal to Mousse.  I stayed with Cologne there for a few months and then traveled back to Nerima with her.  I went to work in the cafe and got to spend three days explaining to everyone where you guys were.  Akane is extremely upset because her ‘pig’ P-chan has disappeared.  I told her I’d go find him for her.  About a week ago some men came into the cafe and demanded to talk to me.  At their head was, of course, Yosho.  They demanded I go with them or I would suffer the consequences.  I refused and they attacked.  I managed to fend off most of them but they finally wore me down.  They grabbed me and bound me to a chair.  They were about to leave when Ranma stepped in to the cafe.  He beat the crap out of those guys and helped me out of my bindings.  I ran to the phone and called the police, so now the entire dojo is behind bars.  They won’t be out for at least ten years.  
	“Yesterday Cologne walked up to me and asked me to go find her granddaughter.  I grabbed my pack and headed here.”  Destine smiled and leaned back.  “And that’s my story.”  	
	“Great grandma looking for me?”  Shampoo leaned forward in her chair and smiled.  “I go back tomorrow.”  She got up and went her room.
	Mousse looked over at Destine.  “Do I have to head back anytime soon?”
	“No, I was actually hoping you’d stay for a bit, you too Ryoga.  I need a bit of practice and then I need to take my test.”  Destine looked over at Tide and grinned.  “I think I’m ready for the final test.”  
	“Des-chan,” Mousse grabbed her hands and smiled.  “I’ll be willing you to help with anything you want.”
	“Then promise me that you will fight your hardest against me and not hold back.”  Destine stood up and stretched.  “I’ll be in my room if anyone needs me.”  
	“Shampoo going home.  See Ranma again!”  Shampoo opened up her pack and placed her clothes inside.  She walked into the bathroom and brushed her hair.  “Ranma be happy to see me.  He no longer have to worry.”
	“Still in here Shampoo?  I thought you’d be gone by now.”  Destine walked into the bathroom and smiled.  “Cologne’s going to be so happy to see you.”
	“So be Ranma.  We get married someday.”
	“Why?  He doesn’t love you.”
	“It law.  He beat me I marry him.”  Shampoo walked back into the bedroom and shut her bag.
	“But what about Mousse?  Haven’t you come to like him even a little bit?”  Destine walked over to her closet and pulled out a large box.  Setting it down on her bed she turned to Shampoo.  “Well?”
	“I like Mousse as childhood friend no more.  He love you though.  He stayed up late every night looking out his window waiting for you to come home.  Ryoga hear him say he love you in his sleep too.”  She picked up her bag and looked around the room.  “I get everything?”
	“If you forgot something I’ll bring it back with me.  You want me to bring back some of my clothes for you?  I don’t fit in them anymore remember?”  Destine sat down on her bed and took off her glasses.  ‘He loves me?  Does this mean he’s given up Shampoo and learned the final technique?  If so I’m going to have to train extra hard to beat him.’  Putting her glasses back on she looked up to see that Shampoo had left the room.  ‘Oh well, I guess I’ll just ask Ryoga about this.’  She stood up, walked over to her backpack and grabbed her swimsuit.  ‘I think I’ll take a dip in the spring first.’  She took off her clothes and pulled on the swimsuit.  Walking into the bathroom she opened the drawer and pulled out her brush and a hair tie.  She brushed out her hair and put it in a bun.  ‘There, that’s better.’  Destine grabbed her towel and headed to the kitchen.
	“You’re not serious are you?”  Ryoga stood up and grabbed Mousse by the collar.  “If you are serious then let me give you this warning.  You harm her in any way and you will suffer my wrath.”
	“All right I get your point!  Geeze talk about over protective.  Besides, I don’t think I’d have to be too worried about you.  I don’t think there’d be anything left after she finished with me.”  Mousse grabbed Ryoga’s arms and tried to pull himself away.  “Look, I need to get back to the cooking.  You don’t want an unseasoned lunch now do you?”  Ryoga set Mousse down and sat back down by the table.  “Thank you.”  He turned back to the stove and added the herbs into the pot.  “Lunch should be done cooking about noon.  Has Shampoo left yet?”
	“She left a few minutes ago.”  Destine walked into the room and headed for the door.  “Smells good.  What are you cooking?”
	“Soup and rice.  Where are you off to sis’?”  Ryoga turned around and gawked.  
	“The spring.  Shut your mouth Ryoga you’re catching flies.”  Destine smiled and slipped on her shoes and walked out the door.  “I’ll be back in a bit.”
	Ryoga turned to Mousse.  “You’re not following her.”
	“Oh sure, I’ll follow her and let lunch overcook.  Besides I wasn’t the one who was catching flies.”  Mousse laughed and sat down.  
	“Well excuse me.  I’ve never seen her wear anything but her robes.”  Ryoga stood up and walked over to the refrigerator.  “Want a soda?”
	“Sure.  Could you also grab the soy sauce while you’re over there?”
	Destine set her towel on a tree branch and dived into the spring.  ‘Why wouldn’t he have told me?’  She came up for air and started treading water.  ‘Could Shampoo just be playing a joke on me?’
	Suddenly she heard a loud commotion comming from the house.  Startled, she sunk under the water.  She came back up gasping for air.  “Trouble!”  She swam back to the side and jumped out.  “Don’t have time to bother with the shoes and towel.”  She ran back to the house and stopped dead in her tracks.  In front of her were Mousse and Ryoga in their cursed forms rolling around on the ground fighting.  She ran up to them and pulled them apart, Tide opened the door and stared.
	“What’s going on?”
	Destine set Ryoga and Mousse down and rested her feet on top of them to keep them from moving.  “I’m not sure.  I was in the spring, which explains why I’m soaking wet and barefoot.  I heard the commotion and rushed up here thinking there was something wrong, but when I got here all I found were these two fighting.”  She reached down and picked them up.  “Something you want to tell me?”  Ryoga’s eyes widened and he shook his head.  “Well then, I'll just turn you back into your normal forms and ask you again.”  She wiped her feet, walked past Tide and headed for Mousse and Ryoga’s room.  Inside she grabbed two large towels from the bathroom and wrapped them around Mousse and Ryoga.  She turned on the hot water in the bathtub and pulled the stopper.  As soon as the water was a couple feet deep she tossed the bundles in.
	Mousse’s head shot up from under the water and glared at Destine.  He grabbed the towel before it could float away from him and wrapped it around his waist.  Ryoga came up and did the same.  Mousse slipped his glasses on.  “What'd you go and do that for?!”
	Destine turned around and stood up.  “I’m going to go check on lunch.  Why don’t you guys dry off and get dressed?  Then you can explain yourselves.”  She grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her waist.  “Don’t stay in too long.”
	Mousse slipped on a robe and wrapped a towel around his hair.  “Why did you attack me Ryoga?  I was merely going to the back door to tell Destine to start heading back.  I wasn’t going down to the spring.”  He grabbed a pair of pants and pulled them on.
	“You mean the spring is in earshot?”  Ryoga pulled on a sleeveless shirt and sat on his bed.  “Why didn’t you tell me?”
	“I tried to but you threw that water on me.”  Mousse sighed.  “I don’t think I’ve ever been so embarrassed.”  He removed the towel and started drying his hair.  “Weren’t you embarrassed Ryoga?”
	“About what?”
	“When Destine dunked us in the tub.”  Mousse set the towel down and grabbed a brush.
	“She knew what she was doing.  Didn’t you notice that she wrapped us in towels before she threw us in?”  
	“You guys gonna come eat lunch?”  Destine poked her head in through the door.  “I’ve been calling you guys for about two minutes, your soup is getting cold.”
	“Wait, Destine, can I talk to you for a moment?”  Mousse ran over and grabbed her sleeve.
	Ryoga stood up and gave Mousse a look that said ‘You hurt her I’ll kill you.’  He smiled and patted Destine’s shoulder.  “I’ll just go and get a bite to eat.  See you guys later.”  
	Destine moved out of the way to let Ryoga step past.  She turned back to Mousse.  “So what do you need to tell me?  Are you going to explain why the two of you were fighting?”
	“Oh that’s easy, Ryoga thought that I was going to go down to the spring and take a peek at you.  He didn’t know that the spring is within earshot of the house.  To stop me he threw a glass of water on me.  Then he proceeded to attack me.  I made a run for the hose and turned it on him.  He turned into ‘P-chan’ as he calls himself in that form and we proceeded to fight until you pried us apart.”  Mousse sat down on his bed and looked up at Destine.
	“So what was the look that Ryoga gave you about?  Does it have something to do with what Shampoo told me?”  Destine smiled and sat down next to Mousse.  “Well?”
	Mousse turned bright red and turned away.  “W-what did she tell you?  She didn’t tell you that I love you did she?”  Mousse whirled around to see Destine staring at him with a shocked look on her face.  “I just blew it didn’t I?”
	Destine removed her glasses and rubbed her eyes.  “Yes she did.  I didn’t believe her because I thought she was playing a joke on me.  I was going to ask Ryoga about it but, well you just told me....”  She put on her glasses and smiled.  “So I take it the look was the ‘You hurt her I kill you’ look.  He’s given it to Ranma before too.”
	Mousse turned away and sighed.  “I guess you hate me now don’t you?  It’s going to happen just like it happened with Shampoo.  As soon as I told her that I loved her she started to hate me.”
	Destine rested a hand on his shoulder and turned him to face her.  “No I don’t hate you.  I never have.  But is it true that you waited up at night waiting for me to return?”
	“Yes, you see you’re the only one who has ever liked me.  Usually the word stupid or dumb comes before my name.  People don’t take me seriously.  But you, you trusted me and stood up for me.  You were actually willing to stand beside me instead of standing behind me and snickering.  No one’s ever been that nice to me before.”  He reached over and took Destine’s hands in his.  
	“I know how you feel.  But you need to put that behind you.  Come on, you’re better than sitting and stewing about past hurts.  You’re a great guy who cares about other people.  You were even willing to put your health on hold to help me.  I’m...”  
	Her words were cut short as Mousse leaned forward and kissed her softly on the lips.  He sat back up and smiled slightly.  “Thank you Destine.”
	Destine smiled and stood up.  “Thanks for what?”
	“Well first of all for not beating the crap out of me when I kissed you.”  Mousse stood up.
	“And what’s the second?”  Destine walked over to the door and opened it.  
	“For returning the kiss.”  
====================================================================
	Ryoga looked up as Destine and Mousse walked into the kitchen.  “What took you two so long?”
	Destine smiled and sat down next to him.  “We were just talking Ryoga.  Nothing more.” She got up and grabbed a soda out of the fridge.  “You mind sparring with me after lunch brother?  I need a bit of practice.”
	“Using your weapons?”
	“Actually no.  I’m also trained in unarmed fighting.  I thought that it might prove helpful incase I didn’t have my weapons on me.”
	Ryoga set his soup down and smiled.  “Sure I’ll spar with you sis’.”
	Destine smiled and pointed her chopsticks at him.  “And don’t hold back just because I’m a girl.”
	“I promise I won’t.  If it means helping you become a better fighter, I won’t hold back.”   
	Mousse looked up from his soup and sighed.  “Same here.”  Suddenly he froze.
	“Mousse, what’s wrong?” Tide leaned over and touched his shoulder.  “Mousse?  Are you all right?”
	Destine stood up and walked to the back door.  “Is anyone else hearing that noise?”
	Ryoga looked up and nodded.  “Yeah, what is it?”
	Destine grabbed the door handle and was about to open the door when Mousse jumped up and pulled her back.  “Don’t open that door Des-chan!”  He wrapped his arms around her waist to keep her from moving.
	“And why shouldn’t I?”  Destine rapped him on the wrists and spun around so she was facing him.  “Well?”
	“Take a look out the window.”  Mousse let Destine go and rubbed his wrists.
	“And what will I see?”  Destine walked over to the window and looked outside.  “Mousse, it’s just your sister Gel.”
	“That’s what I was afraid of.”  Mousse grabbed a bowl of water from the sink and poured it on himself.  He disappeared and in his place stood a duck.  He waddled over to Destine and looked up at her.
	“All right, you win.  Ryoga, could you stash Mousse’s clothes under the table and put his dishes in the sink?”  She reached down and picked up Mousse.  “Better take those glasses of yours, you don’t want her to see through your disguise do you?”  Destine took Mousse’s glasses and placed them in her pocket.  She opened the door and smiled.  “Gel, what a surprise.  What brings you here?”
	“My no good brother Mousse that’s what.  He hasn’t been keeping in touch and now his sensei has sent ME of all people to find him and take him back to the village.  Now where is he?”
	“Mousse isn’t here at the moment.  But would you care to step inside?”  Destine stepped back so Gel could come inside.
	Gel looked down at the duck lying in Destine’s arms.  “And who’s your friend Destine?  Could it be, Mousse?!”  She made a lunge for the duck.
	Destine carefully sidestepped the lunge and caught Gel by the back of her shirt to keep her from falling.  “And just what was that about?  Why did you attack my pet duck?”
	Gel looked at destine and smirked.  “Your ‘pet’?  So what’s his name?”
	“I’ve named him Mumu-chan.”  Destine looked down and stroked Mousse’s neck.  “I found him just before lunch.”  She smiled.  “I know what you’re thinking, but Mousse didn’t leave until after lunch.  By the way, there’s still some soup on the stove, you hungry?”
	“I’ll have a bit.”  Gel sat down next to Ryoga.  “So when do you expect Mousse to return?”
	“I never know with him.  He tends to Disappear every now and then.”  Destine set Mousse on the ground and dished up some soup.  She walked over to the table and handed the bowl to Gel.  Turning to Tide she signed.  “Got any ideas?”
	“None yet.  Why not let Gel sleep in your room tonight and Ryoga can watch over Mousse.”
	“No that would make her suspicious.  Mousse can sleep with me for the night and I’ll figure out something in the morning.”  Destine walked back over to the stove and picked up Mousse.  “I’m going to go take a nap.  If anyone needs me I’ll be in my room.”  She turned and walked off down the hall.  
	Destine reached her room and locked the door.  She grabbed a few towels from the bathroom and stuffed the cracks around the door.  Then she walked into the bathroom and set Mousse down.  “What am I going to do with you?”
	Mousse looked up at her and started quaking.  He flapped his wings and flew up onto the counter.  He continued quacking as he used his wing to point at Destine’s pocket.
	“Oh right sorry about that.”  Destine reached into her pocket and pulled out Mousse’s glasses.  She leaned over and placed them on his head.  “Better?”  Mousse nodded and craned his head back.  Destine laughed and scratched his neck.  “I really wish I could change you back Mumu-chan, but if she finds out she’ll take you away.  Look, tonight you can sleep on my bed so we make her think you’re really my pet.  I’ll have to come up with a plan for tomorrow.”  Destine snapped her fingers.  “I’ll just talk it out with her.  She wasn’t too hard to reason with last time.”  Destine walked back into the bedroom and, taking the box off her bed and setting it on the floor, lay down on her bed.  She crawled under the top blanket, took off her glasses and fell asleep.
====================================================================
	Destine awoke to a knocking sound on her door.  She made a grab for her glasses and put them on.  “I’m coming.”  She crawled out of bed and stretched.  She turned around and was about to make her bed when she saw Mousse (in his regular form) curled up on the bed.  He was sound asleep and had a yukata robe wrapped around himself.  The knocking got louder and Destine could hear Gel shouting through the door.  She shook Mousse and woke him up.  “I’m sorry.”  Destine grabbed the glass on her night stand and poured the water on Mousse.  She picked him up and set him on the floor.  Grabbing the towels away from the door she was about to open it when Mousse started quacking.  She turned around and saw that his glasses were on her night stand.  Destine unlocked the door and headed towards the bathroom.  On her way she grabbed up Mousse’s glasses and quietly slipped them into her pocket.  “Come on in Gel.”
	Gel stepped in and sat down on Destine’s bed.  “I was told I’m sleeping in here for the night.”
	“Your bed’s over there against the wall.  The bathroom’s in here.  We have hot and cold running water and plenty of towels.  If you need a robe I have plenty in my closet.”  Destine leaned out through the door frame and smiled.  “Sorry it took me so long to get to the door.  I couldn’t wake up.”
	“Fine with me.  Tell me is it true that there’s a hot spring around here?”  Gel walked over to the window.
	“Yeah but you’re looking in the wrong direction.  It’s behind the house.”  Destine stepped out of the bathroom and walked over to the closet.  “Now where did I put that box?”  She turned around and almost tripped on it.  “Oh right, I set it on the floor.”  She picked up the box and set it on her bed.
	“What’s in there Destine?”
	“My master robe and final attack technique.”  Destine pried open the box and pulled out a long flowing robe.  It was pure white except for the sleeve cuffs, collar and the bottom edge of the robe, which were gold.  Embroidered on the chest was a golden bird with its wings curved towards the sky.  “Wow.”  Destine pulled out a pair of pitch black pants and sash.  She lay them down on the bed and pulled out a small package.  While she was opening it two small discs fell out and embedded themselves in the floor.  Destine looked down and then at Gel.  “That would have been painful.”  She finished opening the package and found ten more discs identical to the ones in the floor.  Destine reached down and with a slight tug, pulled the discs out.  “Hm, razor sharp.”  She set the discs in a pile and unfolded a piece of paper.  “Dearest Mekana, Now that you have decided to learn the final technique you are ready to become a master.  The final technique is known as ‘flash blade’, the discs are razor sharp and can cut through wrought iron so be careful.  In your new robe there is a place to store these discs so that the fabric won’t get ruined.  To use the technique, simply take one of the discs, hold it like a throwing star, yet launch it like a dart.  The technique takes a bit of getting used to, but once mastered, it is more effective than throwing knives and stars combined.  I’m sure you’ll make me proud.  Tide.”
	Destine picked up the robe, pants and sash and walked into the bathroom.  She took off her old robe and slipped the new one on.  It felt to her like she was wearing absolutely nothing, then she remembered that all her equipment was in the old robe.  ‘I’ll put the stuff away later.’  She slipped out of her pants and into the new pair.  “So what do you think?”  Destine stepped out of the bathroom and tied her sash around her waist.
	“You look like a true master now.  If only Mousse were here to see this.”
	“Oh he’ll show up sometime.”  Destine bent down and picked up Mousse.  “Huh Mumu-chan?  Man, it feels weird not having all my weapons on me.”  Destine set Mousse on the bed and picked up the discs.  She looked them over and hid them away in her sleeves.  “You needed to talk to me?”  
	“Do you know why Mousse hasn’t contacted the village?”  Gel leaned forward and stared at Destine.
	“I don’t know why aside from the fact that you guys have made him into an outcast.  He’s told me that no one was ever nice to him, that the girls used him as the village punching bag.”  Destine sat down and scratched Mousse’s back.
	“They were trying to get him to defeat them so they could marry him.  Is it true that he has grown up to be very handsome?”  
	Destine nodded and smiled.  “That would explain a lot.”
	“The women are wondering when he’ll return, they are all of marrying age now and they want to get married to him.”  Gel stood up and walked over to the window.  “And his sensei is worried that he will never give up Shampoo.  If he doesn’t he can never learn the final technique.”
	“As far as I know he’s given her up.”  Destine leaned back on her bed and sighed.  Mousse flapped his wings and flew onto her stomach.  “Stop it Mumu-chan, that tickles.”  Destine laughed and looked over at Gel.  
	“You don’t have to lie to me any more Destine.  You know where Mousse is, please tell me.”  Gel walked over and took Destine’s hand.  “Please, I miss him so much.”  She lowered her head and a single tear fell from her face.
	Destine picked up Mousse and set him next to her.  “Wait a moment.  Just a few hours ago you were ranting and raving about how you were being forced to come here to find your ‘stupid’ brother, and now you’re putting on a crying show for me.”  Destine grabbed Gel by the chin and tilted her face up.  “Don’t try to trick the trickster.  I know that you are faking that emotion.  I’ve used it enough times to recognize it anywhere.  Remember I am a stage magician.  I know how to put on an act.”
	Gel pushed away.  “Fine then just tell me where he is and I’ll deal with him.  He’s going back whether intact or in a dozen pieces.”
	Destine jumped up.  “You’ll do nothing of the sort Gel.”
	“And why not?”  Gel punched Destine.  “You going to stop me?”  Gel sneered and pointed to the bathroom.  “Your weapons are in there.  You’re useless without-”  
	Gel was cut short as Destine kicked her to the floor.  “I’ve also learned unarmed combat.”  She wiped the blood from her lip where Gel had punched her.  Now listen, I have been nice and allowed you to stay here for the night, but you try anything stupid,” Destine’s voice trailed off as she adjusted her glasses.  “Tell the village that Mousse will come when he feels like it.  And I give you my word, I’ll be there at his side.”
====================================================================
ONE WEEK LATER
	Destine woke up in the middle of the night and stifled a scream.  She sat up and looked around. ‘It was just a dream.’
	“Des-chan, what’s wrong?”  Mousse sat up and turned on the light.  “Another dream?”
	Destine nodded and curled up into a ball.  “It’s the same one as before.  Why won’t it go away?”
	Mousse got up and walked over to Destine’s bed.  “I’m not sure.  You say that they started the night Gel left?”  He sat down on the bed and took Destine in his arms.
	“Yes.  And they have been repeating over and over every night since then.”   Destine buried her face in Mousse’s chest.
	Mousse had moved into the same room with her on the third night of her nightmares.  Since he was the lightest sleeper, it had been decided that he should watch over Destine.  “What’s the dream about Des-chan?”
	“I’m standing alone under a tree watching the sun rise when suddenly hundreds of weapons come flying out of nowhere straight towards me.  I don’t even have time to react before they embed themselves in my body, I scream and scream but no one comes to my aid.  Finally I see your face looking down at me.  I smile through the pain and reach my hand up to you.  But you turn away and leave me behind.  About that time I wake up.”  Destine wrapped her arms around Mousse and started crying.  “Why do I keep having this dream?”
====================================================================
	Mousse woke up at the crack of dawn and slipped on his glasses.  “Destine you up yet?”  He looked over at her bed and saw that it was empty. ‘I wonder where she disappeared to?’  He got out of bed and slipped on his robe.  ‘Guess I should start breakfast.’  He walked into the bathroom and started to brush his hair and wash his face.
	There was a noise from inside the shower and Destine stepped out.  Mousse turned to the sound of the noise.  Destine was standing next to the shower wringing out her hair.  On her stomach was a large red scar.  Mousse looked at her and his face turned bright red.  “Umm, Des-chan.”
	Destine looked over and screamed.  She made a wild grab for a towel and wrapped it around herself.  “Why couldn’t you have let me know you were in here!?”
	Mousse turned away.  “I-I-I thought that you were already out in the kitchen.  I didn’t know you were in here.”
	Destine sighed.  “Could you please step outside for a bit Mousse?  I would like to get dressed.”
	Mousse nodded and rushed for the bedroom.  ‘Now I’ve really blown it.  She’s never going to forgive me for that.’  He sat down on the bed and picked up one of the pillows.  ‘I’m so STUPID!’  He started to punch the pillow. ‘STUPID, STUPID, STUPID, STUPID!!’
	“Mousse?”  Destine walked over to him and sat down.  “What’s wrong?”
	“I know that you’re never going to forgive me for seeing you naked.  I may as well go drown myself in one of the springs at Jusenkyo.  That way they can have the spring of the drowned idiot!”  Mousse put his head in his hands.
	To his surprise he felt Destine’s arms go around his shoulders.  “Look, it was an accident.  It’s not your fault.”  She turned his face so he was looking at her.  “You got that?”  She leaned forward and kissed him.  “It’s not your fault.”  She laughed.  “So are you going to ask me about the scar on my stomach?  I know you saw it.”  
	“Well, umm, what happened?”
	“I was fighting your sister when a group of girls started throwing different types of weapons at me.  I managed to dodge most of them but one of the girls threw a scimitar at me.  I used my chain shield to block, but the sword cut straight through the chains and slashed my stomach.  I started screaming and just before I blacked out I saw your face sneering at me.  I awoke a week later and learned that Cologne had stopped the fight and had me taken to her house.  She stitched me back up and gave me herbs to make the wound heal clean.  The girls were caught and punished.  From what I was able to gather in the state I was in, the girls had the idea that if Gel could remain the village champion, then you would return to congratulate her.”  Destine sighed and leaned against Mousse’s shoulder.  “Later I figured out that it wasn’t your face I saw but your sister’s.”
	“Des-chan, I think I know why you’ve been having those nightmares.  When Gel came here it caused you to remember the fight.  Yet you kept it bottled in and just pushed it away to the back of your mind.  But when you fell asleep, you let your guard down and the memory was able to come through at full force.”  He stood up and helped Destine to her feet.  “I’m going to go fix breakfast, why don’t you try to get some sleep?  Now that you understand the dream you should be able to sleep just fine.”  He kissed her on the forehead and walked out the door.
====================================================================
	Mousse stepped into the kitchen and was greeted by a punch in the face.  He staggered back and looked up to see Ryoga standing over him battle aura flaring.  Ryoga grabbed Mousse by the collar and pulled him up.  “Why did Destine scream?  You hurt her didn’t you?”  He drew back his fist and punched Mousse again.  
	“Wait! Let me explain!”  Mousse put his arms over his face to block the punches.
	“There’s no explaining what you’ve done Duck-boy!”  Ryoga grabbed Mousse and started thrashing.  “I warned you that if you hurt her you’d suffer my wrath.”
	“Stop.  Let me explain.  It’s all a mist-”  Mousse was cut off as Ryoga’s foot connected with his stomach.  Mousse fell down in a crumpled heap and tried to breathe.  As Ryoga kept kicking and punching away, it was all Mousse could do to withstand the blows.
	“I will never forgive you for dishonoring her!”
	“Brother stop!”  Destine ran into the room and placed herself between Mousse and Ryoga.  She bent down and rested her hands on Mousse.  “Are you all right?”
	Ryoga stared down at her.  “Why are you standing up for him when he has dishonored you?!”
	“He hasn’t!  There was a little mix up and he startled me.  Since I haven’t had much sleep for the past week, I have become extra jumpy.”  She grabbed a towel and wet it down.  “I came out here for a drink of water and what do I find?  I find my brother beating the crap out of the one I love!”  Destine knelt down beside Mousse and started to clean up his face.
	“You mean you love him?”  Ryoga jumped back and stared at Destine.
	“Yes I do.  Why is that so hard to believe?”
	Mousse looked up.  “You do?”  He smiled faintly.
	“Of course I do.  I wouldn’t have kissed you if I didn’t.  Damn brother, you did a number on him.”  She walked to the sink and rinsed out the towel.  “And you also broke his glasses.”  
	Ryoga looked over at her and bowed his head.  “I apologize.”
	Destine turned around and walked back over to Mousse.  “I’ll have to wrap you up.  Ryoga, call Dr. Li, his number is on speed dial, I think its number one on there.”  She knelt down beside Mousse and lifted his face towards hers.  “You OK?”
	Mousse nodded and glared at Ryoga. “Dishonoring Destine, heh.  That’s a new one.”  He wiped the blood from his lips and sneered. “I told you if I did that I wouldn’t have to worry about you Ryoga.  There wouldn’t be anything left of me.”
	Destine took of Mousse’s glasses and inspected them.  “You’re lucky.  The only thing broken is the frame. I can fix that up in five minutes.”  She looked over at Ryoga.  “Well?”
	Ryoga hung up the phone and sighed.  “I set up an appointment for 10:00.  How’s he faring?”  Ryoga knelt down next to Destine.  “Mousse, I’m sorry.”
	Mousse looked up and smirked.  “Yeah.”  He pushed himself up and tried to stand.  “Man my head hurts.”  
	Destine slipped herself under his arm and helped him up.  “I’m surprised you’re not unconscious.”  There was a knock at the front door.  “Ryoga could you go and get that?”
	“Sure sis.”  Ryoga stood up and headed for the door.  He opened it and smiled.  “Gel, what brings you back here?”
	“I’ve come to get Mousse and Destine.  They are needed along with Destine’s sensei in the village.”  Gel stepped inside and walked to the kitchen.  She looked at the rag on the floor and stopped dead in her tracks.  “Why’s there a bloody rag on the floor?”
	“Um, well you see, I thought Mousse had hurt my sister and so I started to beat the crap out of him.”  Ryoga put his hand behind his head and gave a nervous laugh.
	“Then where is he?”
	Destine walked into the kitchen.  “He’s in my room sleeping.  What brings you back here?”
	“You, Mousse, and your sensei are needed in the village.  You can’t skirt this one Destine.  We need you there.”  She rushed over to Destine and started crying.  “The village is under attack and you three are the only fighters left.  Mousse’s sensei was killed in the last battle before I ran away to here.”
	Destine looked at Gel and smiled faintly.  “Part of your story is true Gel, but you’re lying about the village being under attack.  Mousse’s sensei was old and he died of old age.  Mousse got a letter from the elders telling him that.  But if this means so much to you, we’ll go.”
	“You mean it?”  Gel hugged Destine and smiled.  “Oh thank you.  Is there any way to get elder Cologne and Shampoo as well?”
	Destine patted Gel’s shoulders and motioned to Ryoga.  “Go get Tide.  I’m going to call up Shampoo and Cologne.  Gel, sit down.”  She helped Gel sit down on one of the stools beside the counter and grabbed the phone.  “Now what was that number again?  Oh right.”  She dialed the number and waited for someone to answer.
====================================================================
*Back in Nerima*
	Shampoo awoke to Cologne standing over her.  “Morning Grandmother what time is it?”
	“Time for us to travel.  I just got a call from Destine.  She says she just bought us two tickets to go with her, Mousse, Tide, Ryoga, and Gel to China.  I’ve already packed your backpack and it is sitting by the door.  Son-in-law has promised to watch over the cafe while we’re away.”  Cologne walked over to the door.  “Let’s get going, we leave in thirty minutes.”
	“But Shampoo no want to go.  Mousse bug her as soon as she arrive.”  Shampoo walked into the bathroom and washed her face.
	“Destine told me that Mousse will be doing nothing of the sort.  Now hurry up.”
====================================================================
*Back in Yokohama*
	Destine reached into the cupboard and grabbed some rice.  After rinsing it she threw it into a pot along with some water and set it on the stove.  ‘I’ll be back to check on it in ten minutes.’  She grabbed Mousse’s glasses and walked outside.  
	“Destine, wait up.”  Gel ran up next to her and matched her pace.  “Where are you going?”
	“To fix Mousse’s glasses.  You can come too if you want.”  Destine turned the corner and walked over to a small building.  She stepped inside and turned on the light.  “Watch for the cobwebs.  I haven’t been in here for a while.”  She grabbed a broom and started sweeping the cobwebs from the ceiling.
	“What is this place?”
	“My shop.  This is where I created most of the weapons I use.  I also built my truck in here.”  She pointed to a large door on the side.  “That’s where it came out.”  Destine walked over to a bench and set down Mousse’s glasses.  “Now all I need is that darn mask.”  She bent over and started rummaging through the drawers.  “Here it is.”  She pulled out a large mask and slipped it on.  “I’d suggest you turn around Gel.  I don’t want you going blind.”
	“What are you going to do?”  Gel walked over to the bench and looked around.
	“I’ve got to fuse these two pieces back together.  Without breaking the glass.”  She reached down and picked up a small acetylene torch in one hand and a starter in the other.  Turning on the gas she started scraping the two pieces of the started together near the mouth of the torch.  It came to life with a popping sound.  Destine adjusted the flame and slipped the mask down over her eyes.  “You need to turn around now Gel.”  She picked up the glasses and set them in a clamp.  “Now I just need the flame to be at the right temp.”  She adjusted the flame again so there was only a small blue flame.  She set the flame near the glasses and moved the broken piece to fit.  
TWO MINUTES LATER
	“Finished.  Now let’s get back inside.”  Destine picked up the glasses and inspected them.  “I’ve outdone myself again.”  She smiled and grabbed a polishing cloth.  “Here Gel could you clean these up for me?  I need to wash up and check on the rice.”
	“Don’t worry about the rice, I’ll take care of it.” Gel stood up and walked for the door.
	“Just turn off the heat and cover the pot with a lid.”
	“I will.”  Gel walked in the house and turned off the stove.  She grabbed the lid and set it on top of the pot. ‘Now to go check on big brother.’  
	Destine was standing out in the shop polishing up Mousse’s glasses. ‘Can’t even tell they were broken.’  She smiled and tucked them away in her pocket.  She was just closing the door to the shop when a scream came from the house.  ‘That sounds like Mousse!’  Destine grabbed an iron staff that was propped up against the wall and ran for the house.  She ran inside and rushed to her room.  ‘I wonder what’s happened?’  Destine opened the door to her room and looked around.  Mousse was nowhere in sight.  “Mousse? Gel? Ryoga?”  She gripped the staff and walked to the bathroom.  Inside she found P-chan standing over a passed out Mousse and Gel was practically climbing the walls.  “OK, what’s going on in here?”
	Destine picked up P-chan and set him on the counter.  She turned to Gel and raised her eyebrows.  “What are you doing?”
	“GET THAT DEMON AWAY FROM ME!!!!”  Gel backed as far as she could into the corner.  “HE’S TRYING TO KILL ME!”
	“Who is?  P-chan-”  Destine turned around and looked at P-chan.  “What did you do to her?”  She picked him up and dunked him in the tub which was full of hot water.  She turned around and grabbed a towel.  Throwing it to him she turned to Gel.  “Would you calm down?!”
	“I won’t! Your brother tried to kill me.”  Gel pointed her finger at Ryoga.
	“He did?  What did he do?”  Destine knelt beside Mousse and placed her robe over him.  “Well?”  She stood up and grabbed a glass from the counter and filled it with water.
	“I came in here looking for my brother and he stopped me.  I told him to move out of the way and he just stood there.  Finally I pointed behind him and shouted, ‘What’s that?’  He turned around and I ran past him.  I was about to knock on the bathroom door when he collided with me.  We went sailing into the bathroom and right into Mousse who was apparently about to take a bath.  Mousse’s head hit the tile and he was knocked out.  I was about to get back up when I was attacked by a small black piglet.  And that’s how you found us.”  Gel sighed and shook her head.
	“Oh.”  Destine walked back over to Mousse and poured the water on him.  Instantly there was a duck standing in his place ruffling his feathers.  Destine looked down and smiled.  “You’ve had quite a bit of excitement today haven’t you Mumu-chan?”
	Gel’s eyes lit up.  “Mumu-chan?  So, your ‘pet’ duck was really Mousse!”  She stood up and made a grab for Mousse.  “You’re coming back to the village!”
	Mousse flew out of her grasp and landed in Destine’s arms.  “Mousse will go, but not right now.”  She looked over at Ryoga.  “The appointment was at ten right?”  Ryoga looked up and nodded.  
	Destine turned back to see Gel pull a dagger from her sleeve.  “He must come back!”  She lunged at Destine and slashed her across the arm.
	Destine staggered back and fell into the bathtub.  She surfaced and glared at Gel.  “Can’t you wait!?  I called Cologne and she will be here within the hour.  Then we can leave.”  She climbed out and wrung out her robe.  “Honestly, you’re worse than Shampoo.”
	Gel turned bright red and glared at Destine.  “I AM NOT!”
	Mousse poked his head above the water.  “Umm, towel please?”  
	Destine grabbed a towel and tossed it behind her into the tub.  “You want to fight this out Gel?”
	Mousse wrapped the towel around his waist and jumped out of the tub.  “GEL! Des-chan, please don’t fight.  Not right now.”  He rested his hands on Destine’s shoulders.  “There has been more than enough fighting for today.”  He turned Destine around.  “Will you stop?  For me?”
	Destine smiled.  “For you.”  She looked over at Ryoga and then to Mousse.  “You guys should get dressed.”
	Ryoga put a hand behind his head and smiled.  “Yeah.”  He climbed out of the tub and walked out of the room.
	“Mind you don’t drip on the floor!”  Destine smiled as she shouted to Ryoga.
	Mousse looked at Destine and smiled.  “Good thing you were just wearing one of your old robes.”  He pushed a wet strand of hair from Destine’s face.  “I’m going to go get dressed and find Ryoga.  He’s probably in the broom closet again.  Try not to kill each other while I’m gone.”
	Gel waited until Mousse was gone before she grabbed Destine by the front of her robe.  “Why’s he so friendly to you?!  You’d better not have stolen his heart.”
	Destine smiled and raised her hand to her face to push her bangs out of her eyes.  “And what if I have?”
	“Then I must kill you.  You are an outsider and therefore have no right to marry him.”  Letting go of Destine she adjusted the dagger in her hand and assumed a fighting position.
	“Just try me.”  She smiled and hundreds of different weapons appeared from her sleeves.
	“You don’t scare me.  I can beat my brother, I can beat you!”
	“But if you care to remember, I’ve already beaten you Gel.”  Destine selected one of her discs and started twirling it on her finger.  “Besides, I promised Mousse I wouldn’t fight you.”  She grabbed a towel and dried her hair.
	“You listen to a man?!”  Gel stared in disbelief.
	“Point being?”  Destine removed her clothes and wrapped a towel around herself.  She walked out into the bedroom and grabbed her master robe. ‘I’ve passed the test and I know the technique.  I deserve to wear this.’  She went to the closet and grabbed some undergarments.  She put them on and walked back into the bathroom.  “Do you want to wash up before we go?”  Destine picked up her brush and braided her hair. 
	Gel looked at Destine.  “Why you being so nice all of the sudden?”
	Destine turned and smiled.  “I figure that we will probably be traveling together for a bit so I don’t want too much friction between us.”  Returning to the bedroom she slipped on her pants and robe.  “Besides, you don’t want your brother upset do you?”  Tying her sash around her waist she looked up and groaned.  “The rice!”  She opened the door and ran to the kitchen.  Taking the lid off the pot she sighed with relief.  “OK heart you can go back to normal.”  She turned around and walked back to her room.
====================================================================
	“Shampoo going back to China for a vacation!  She get to see old friends.”  Shampoo sat down on the train and grinned.  “Destine be there too.”
	Cologne nodded.  “Now try to be nice to Mousse.  He isn’t going to bug you anymore.”
	“He give up?”
	“Yes.”
====================================================================
	Destine slipped the last of her discs into her sleeve and sat down.  ‘OK, I have all my stuff packed.’  She looked up at the clock.  ‘I should go eat.”  She walked out of her room and into the kitchen.  Mousse was standing over the stove humming to himself.  Destine snuck up behind him and put her hands over his eyes.  “Guess who?”
	Mousse turned around and smiled.  “Could it be, Des-chan?”  He slipped his glasses over his eyes and hugged Destine.  “Finally decide to join us?”
	“Unlike you and Ryoga, I don’t keep my stuff packed.”  Destine kissed Mousse on the cheek and dished up some rice.  “I thought I told you not to do anything and to take it easy.”
	Gel looked up.  “My fault there.  I reminded him about Amazon law and now he’s doing his best to get back into the swing of things.”
	Destine sat on one of the stools and ate her rice.  “So you’re telling me that even if the guy is hurt he still takes care of the cooking and cleaning?” 
	“Yep.  We do the hard work and they take care of the house.”  Gel smiled and stood up.  “Great breakfast brother.”
	“Whatever.”  Mousse washed the dishes and put them away.  Turning to Destine he smiled.  “Ready to go?”
	Destine nodded and washed her dish.  She grabbed the keys and walked out the door.  “Be back in an hour.”
====================================================================
	Shampoo stepped off the train and looked around.  “Same as before.  They no change much.”  She picked up her bag and walked into the station.  “Great-grandmother, when Destine say she pick us up?”
	“In a little bit.  She has to take Mousse to the doctor first.”  Cologne sat down on one of the chairs.  
	“Doctor?  He get hurt?”
	“From what Destine told me, Mousse walked into the bathroom at the same moment as she stepped out of the shower.  She screamed at the top of her lungs and Ryoga heard it.  Mousse and Destine straightened the problem out but when Mousse went out to fix breakfast Ryoga beat the living daylights out of him, something about dishonoring his sister.  What does he mean by that Shampoo?”
	“Destine Ryoga sister.  Mousse see Destine naked, brother get upset.”  Shampoo laughed and sat down.
	“Destine, Ryoga’s sister?  So she’s a Hibiki?”  Cologne scratched her head.  “Makes sense.”
====================================================================
	“Little Mekana!  It’s so good to see you again.”  Dr. Li stood up and hugged Destine.  “What’s the problem?”
	“Ryoga gave Mousse a pretty good beating.”  
	“Well let’s see what we can do for you today Mousse.”  Dr. Li smiled and pointed to the table.
	Destine looked up.  “Umm, uncle, I need to go pick some people up.  Mind if I go do that and then come back and get Mousse?”
	“Sure.  This shouldn’t take too long.”
	“Thank you uncle.”  Destine turned and walked out the door and to the front of the office.  She pulled out her keys and headed for the truck.  ‘Now to the station.’  She climbed in the truck and turned the ignition.  
====================================================================
	Shampoo looked up at the clock and sighed.  “Where Destine?  She late.”
	“I’m right here Shampoo.”  Destine walked through the door and headed over to Cologne and Shampoo.  “Ready?”
	Shampoo stood up and smiled.  “Destine one up Mousse.  She master now.”  She pointed to Destine’s robe.
	“What do you mean by one up?  Mousse is a master as well.  We both passed our testing with flying colors.”  She pushed her glasses up a bit.  “Shampoo, would you mind being a cat for a bit?  I only have three seats in the truck and I still need to pick up Mousse.”
	“I no mind.”  Shampoo walked over to a drinking fountain and splashed the water on herself.  Transforming into a cat, she shook herself off and used her teeth to drag her clothes over to Destine.
	“Thanks.”  Destine grabbed Shampoo’s clothes and bag.  “Come on, the truck is right outside.”  Destine stepped outside and looked up into the sky.  “Going to rain.  Mousse isn’t going to be too pleased.”  She unlocked the doors and hopped inside.  “It’s not too far to the doctor’s and then we’ll head home.  Have you guys eaten yet?”
	“We’ve had breakfast.”  Cologne climbed in and buckled up.  
	“OK.  Well after we get back Mousse and I’ll start lunch.  And if Gel tries to tell me otherwise.”  Destine’s voice trailed off as she started the truck.  “I don’t care if she is his sister.  She has no right to treat him that way.”
	Cologne looked over at Destine.  “What happened?”
	“She made him fix breakfast even though he was pretty banged up.  Said something about how she was going to get him back into the swing of things.  But I swear, she tries to marry him off she’ll have to go through me.”  Destine pulled out of the parking space and onto the road.
	“Are you sure he is going to leave Shampoo alone?”
	“Yep.  He promised me.”  Destine looked into the mirror and flipped on her turn signal.  “We’re here.”  She pulled into a parking space and shut off the engine.  “I’ll be back in a second.”  She opened the door and got out.  
	Mousse was standing under the overhang.  He looked up to see Destine walking towards him.  “Des-chan!”  He ran forward and hugged her.
	“Nice to see you Mousse.  Ready to head home?”
	Mousse put on his glasses and smiled.  “Yep.”  He looked at the truck and groaned.  “Couldn’t you have waited to get them?”
	Destine patted his cheek.  “Now Mousse, I told them I would pick them up from the station around eleven.  You wouldn’t want me to break my word?”
	Mousse slipped his arm around her waist and smiled.  “Of course not.”  He and Destine walked over to the truck.  “Hey Cologne.  Hey Shampoo.”
	Destine walked over to her side of the truck and climbed in.  “Shampoo, you’re in his seat.”  She smiled and picked up Shampoo and set her next to Cologne.  Mousse climbed in and shut the door.  “So what’s the verdict Mousse?”	
	“Just a few bruises and a cut lip.  Much better than I thought it would be.”
	Cologne looked from Destine to Mousse.  “What’s going on?  Are you two dating?”
	Destine nodded and put the truck into drive.  She pulled out of the parking lot and back onto the street.  “Damn traffic.”  She hit the breaks and put on her turn signal.  “We’re going to take a bit of a detour.”  She turned the corner and went into an alley.  “This is the short cut I usually use when traffic gets bad.”  Destine smiled and adjusted her glasses.
	Shampoo looked up at Mousse and started to meow.  Mousse looked down and smiled.  “What?”  Shampoo looked at Destine and pointed to Mousse.  Mousse laughed and picked up Shampoo.  “Yeah I’m in love with her.  Is that a problem?”  Shampoo shook her head, curled up in Mousse’s lap and fell asleep.
====================================================================
	“We’re home!”  Destine opened the door and walked into the kitchen.
	Gel looked up from a game of cards she was playing with Ryoga.  “So what’s the verdict?”
	“He’s just a bit banged up.  Nothing too serious.”  Destine smiled and hung up the keys.  “What you playing?”
	“Old Maid.  I’m winning.”
	Destine looked at the cards on the table and then at Gel’s hand.  “That’s because you’re using one of my decks!  Those are for magic tricks, not playing!”  She picked up one of her cards and held it to the light.  “Hmm, the see through deck.  May I have them back?”
	Ryoga handed his cards to Destine and helped clean up the pile.  “Do you have any normal cards?”
	“Sure.”  Destine reached into her sleeve and pulled out an unopened box of cards.  “Here.”
	“Well, if it isn’t little Gel.”  Cologne came into the room and sat down.  
	“El-el-elder Cologne.”  Gel stood up and bowed.  “What an honor to see you again.”
	Cologne knocked her on the head with her staff.  “Knock it off Gel.  No one likes a person who is a kiss up.”
	Destine walked over to the stove and turned around.  “So what do you guys want for lunch?”
	Gel looked up.  “You won’t cook it Mousse will.  He has to learn his place.”
	Mousse walked into the room carrying Cologne and Shampoo’s stuff.  “WHAT!?”
	“Your place.  What else?”
	Destine smirked and a few knives appeared from her sleeves.  “His place?”
	Gel glared at Destine.  “Yes.  There are about a hundred girls in the village who want to marry him but they know he needs to learn his place.  This way he will have an easier time getting used to married life.”
	“Wait a second Gel, I love Destine.  I’m not going to go through with your stupid plans anymore.”  Mousse walked over to Destine and put his arms around her waist.  “I’ve agreed to go back to the village for a while but I’m not getting married to any of those girls.  Destine is at least twice as smart and beautiful as they are, besides, she can fight a man and not think if he would be a good husband.”  He tapped Destine’s forearms and the daggers withdrew back into her sleeves.  “Put those away Des-chan.”  He smiled and kissed Destine on the cheek.
	Destine looked at her arms and then at Mousse.  “How’d you do that?”
	Mousse rolled up his sleeves and pointed to a contraption on his arms.  “I noticed that you have the same arm pieces as I do.  To send the daggers out, all one has to do is flick their wrist.  The harder one does that, the farther the dagger come out.  A tap on the mechanism will send the daggers back the same as manually placing them back.”  He smiled and put his sleeves back down.  He turned to Gel.  “Don’t try any of your tricks either Gel.  For example, your little acupressure trick.”
	“Wouldn’t even think of doing something like that brother dear.”  Gel shuffled the cards and dealt some to Ryoga.  “So what are you going to fix us for lunch Mousse?”
	“WE are going to fix lunch.”  Destine looked over at Gel and stuck out her tongue.  She turned to the stove and pulled out a large pot from the cupboard.  “Mousse, could you get the vegetables and noodles from the fridge?”  She set the pot on the stove and filled it with some chicken broth.  
	Mousse took out the vegetables and set them on the counter.  He took a knife from the drawer and cut the vegetables.  Placing them in the pot he turned and grabbed the noodles.  He put them in a strainer and ran them under some warm water.
	Gel looked over at Destine and narrowed her eyes.  ‘If the rumors are true she’s cursed as well.  Well I know one way to keep her from helping Mousse.’  She picked up her glass and threw the contents towards Destine and Mousse. 
	Mousse turned around just as Gel was throwing the water.  “Gel what do you think you’re....QUACK!”  Mousse transformed into a duck as the water hit him and Destine.
	Destine shook her head and wiped her glasses on a towel.  “What the HECK was that for?”  She bent down and picked up Mousse.
	Gel looked at Destine with a dumbfounded look on her face.  “You-you didn’t change.”  She ran to the sink and was about to fill the glass back up when Destine grabbed her by the wrist. 
	“Now listen and listen well.  True I WAS cursed but I traveled to Jusenkyo and found the spring to negate my curse.”  She picked up Mousse’s clothes and walked out of the kitchen.  “Cologne, when the broth comes to a boil, could you add the noodles please?”
====================================================================
	Destine opened the door to her room and stepped inside.  She looked down at Mousse and smiled.  “You just can’t get a break can you?”  She set Mousse down and walked into the bathroom.  Turning on the hot water in the sink she grabbed a towel and beckoned to Mousse.  Mousse came waddling up to her and quacked.  Destine picked him up and wrapped him in the towel.  “Hold still for a second and I’ll be able to understand you.”  She set Mousse on the ground and filled a pitcher with the hot water.  She took the pitcher and dumped the contents onto the towel.
	“Let me at her!  I don’t care if she is my sister.  Let me show her who’s boss around here!”  Mousse was about to stand up when Destine cleared her throat.  He looked down and saw that the towel was just barely covering him.  He blushed and wrapped the towel around his waist.  “Sorry about that.”  He stood up and walked over to the pile of clothes Destine had set on the counter.  “Could you turn around for a bit?”
	Destine smiled and turned around.  “Mousse, don’t get angry at Gel.  She’s just upset because she’s not getting her way.”  She stepped out of the bathroom and took off her robe.  Arranging her shirt she looked down at her arms and smiled.  She flicked her wrists and the daggers shot out to where she could easily grab them.  She tapped the mechanism and the daggers retreated back into their places.  She turned and walked back into the bathroom.
	Mousse was standing in his boxers adjusting a contraption on his leg.  Destine walked up behind him and knelt down.  “Here let me help.”  She adjusted the fastener and moved it so the contraption would not slip.  
	Mousse turned around and held out his hands to her.  She took his hands and he pulled her up.  “Where’s your robe Des-chan?”
	“It’s on the bed.  I don’t like having to wear wet clothing so I’m letting it dry.”  She laughed.  “I guess I should cover my arms though.”
	Mousse smiled and unbuckled the contraptions on her arms.  “No, you don’t need to.”  He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her.  “So you’re really going to go with Gel to China?”
	Destine nodded and leaned against Mousse’s shoulder.  “I feel I owe it to her after how I treated her last time she was here.”  She looked into Mousse’s eyes.  “You’re coming too right?”
	Mousse nodded and slipped on his glasses.  He let Destine go and slipped on his pants.  “When are we leaving?”
	“The train leaves tomorrow at 9:00 to go to the harbor.  Then we catch the boat to China.  You have your stuff all packed?”
	Mousse nodded and looked in the mirror.  He picked up a brush and undid some of the knots in his hair.  Destine took the brush and started brushing his hair.  “Is there something wrong?”
	“It’s nothing.”  Mousse gripped the counter top and closed his eyes.  “I’m just fine.”
	Destine bopped him lightly with the brush.  “Don’t lie.  Something’s wrong.  Your knuckles are turning white.”  She set the brush down and set her hands on his.  “Is it about Gel?”
	Mousse nodded.  “Gel isn’t my true sister.  When my mother saw that her only child was a boy, she became extremely upset.  For three years she searched for a girl to adopt, but in our village, the only ones up for adoption were boys.  Girls go first.  She had almost given up when there was a great flood.  Three families were killed.  While she was helping with the bodies she heard the sound of a baby crying.  She dug through the rubble and found a little baby girl.  Her parents had been killed.  My mother took her in as her own and named her Gel.  Since then- I-”  Mousse stopped in mid sentence and started to cry.  “Don’t even matter to her.  I’m just her stupid son.”  He walked out of the bathroom and lay down on Destine’s bed.  “You’re the first female to love me.  Not even my own mother cared about me.  One time I was out playing when a bull got loose.  I couldn’t see it because Gel had taken my glasses.  My mother ran out into the street and grabbed Gel but left me there.  My sensei was the one who saved me.”
	Destine curled up next to him.  “You were just born in the wrong place at the wrong time Mumu-chan.”  She leaned forward and kissed him on the back of the neck.  “Just forget about it.  If she didn’t love you then why should you care?”  
	Mousse rolled over to face Destine.  “But she is my mother.  I can’t help but care about her.”  He wrapped his arms around Destine and sighed.  
	“Just try not to think about it.”  Destine pressed a spot in the middle of his forehead.  “I love you Mousse.”  She whispered.  Mousse’s eyes closed and he fell asleep.  Destine held onto him for a little while and finally rolled him over and got up.  She pulled the blankets over him and smiled.  “Get some sleep.”  She took his glasses and set them on the night stand.
====================================================================
	“Where’s Mousse?”  Gel looked up as Destine entered the kitchen.
	“Sleeping.  And that means don’t go and bug him.”  Destine walked over to the stove and looked in the pot.  “Did you add the noodles Cologne?”
	“Yes about three minutes ago.  What happened to your robe Destine?” 
	“I took it off.”  Destine smiled and sat down.  “So who’s watching over the cafe while you’re gone?”
	“Son-in-law will watch after it.”  Cologne hopped over to where Destine was sitting.  “Why is your shirt damp?”
	“Don’t ask.”  Destine stood up and walked opened the back door.  Outside it was just beginning to rain.  “Hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow.”  She slipped on her shoes and stepped outside.
	Tide was sitting in her chair on the porch.  She turned as Destine stepped outside.  “Destine what’s wrong?”
	Destine sat down on the porch and sighed.  “Mousse just remembered a bad part of his childhood.  He told me Gel is not his true sister.  He told me how his mother doesn’t care for him.  She saved Gel but not Mousse from a charging bull.”  She put her hand on her shoulder and sighed again.
	“Where is he now?”
	“I made him fall asleep.”  Destine pointed to a spot in the middle of her forehead and smiled.  “Shampoo taught me a few acupressure tricks.”
	Tide smiled and made the sign for laughter. “You are ready for the trip?”
	Destine nodded and looked out on the forest.  “I will miss this place.”
	“You are leaving forever?”
	“I’m not sure.  I hope come back but where Mousse goes, I go.”  Destine smiled and stood up.  “I’m going out to the shop.  Lunch at two.”  She picked up Ryoga’s umbrella and practically dropped it on her feet.  ‘Man that’s heavy.’  She propped it back up against the wall and grabbed one of the other umbrellas leaning against the wall.  Opening it she stepped off the porch and headed for the shop. 
	Destine stepped into the shop and set closed the umbrella.  She reached under her hair and control panel for her transmitter.  She typed in a few numbers and placed it back.  ‘Now I’ll be able to tell if Gel comes in to bug Mousse.’  She smiled and sat down on the stool near her bench.  “What to build?”  She took out some scrap pieces of iron and set them on the bench.  Taking out her welding mask and acetylene torch she looked at the different pieces.  “I could build a new weapon.”  She slipped on the mask and lifted the shield.  “Nah, a mobile might be fun though.”  She arranged the pieces on the bench and pulled out some iron wire.
	“Destine? You in here?”  Ryoga stepped inside and set down his umbrella.  He walked up behind her and looked at the metal.  “What are you making?”
	Destine turned around and sighed.  “I’m just fiddling.  Trying to take my mind off something.”  She picked up the starter and lit the torch.  “There’s a pair of goggles in the box over there.  This thing gets bright.”  Lowering the shield on her mask she adjusted the flame and started welding the wire pieces into a basic frame.
	Ryoga grabbed the goggles and held them over his eyes.  “Mind off what?  Did Mousse do something to you?!”
	“No.”  Destine turned off the torch and grabbed a pair of pliers.  “Gel did.”  She started shaping the wire pieces into a body form.  “This will be interesting when I’m finished.”  She started up the torch again and began welding the scraps around the frame.  “What the?”  She stopped what she was doing and held her hand over her ear.  “That idiot!”  Destine turned off the torch and ran to the door.  “Gel’s in my room.”
	“What’s so wrong with that?”
	“Mousse is in there!”  Destine grabbed a wooden staff that was leaning up against the frame and ran back towards the house.  She twisted the staff and it collapsed into four connected pieces.  Slipping into her belt she ran inside and headed for her room.
====================================================================
	Gel smiled as she held an emptied bucket of water over the now transformed Mousse.  “Now I’ll be able to get you back without worry.”  She grabbed a box from the closet and dumped the contents onto the floor.  Grabbing some yarn she tied Mousse’s feet and wings against his body.  “That’s better.  Now you can’t make much noise.”  She wrapped some yarn around his beak and stuffed him in the box.  “Now to get out of here.”  She grabbed her bag and the box and left through the window.
====================================================================
	Destine burst through the door and surveyed the room.  “GEL WHERE ARE YOU!?”  She looked on the floor and saw that someone had dumped one of her boxes out.  “Where could she have gone?”  Destine sat down on her bed and jumped back up.  Turning around she noticed that her bed was soaking wet. ‘So that’s it.’  She pulled on a dry pair of pants and her robe.  Stepping into the bathroom she grabbed her arm pieces and put them on.  She placed her contacs case in her backpack and sighed.  “Looks like I’m heading there sooner than expected.”  She grabbed her back pack and left her room.  
	“BKEE!”  A little black piglet stood before her with a concerned look in his eyes.
	“Mousse is gone.  So’s Gel.”  Destine picked up P-chan and sighed.  “Care to come with me?  I’m going to be leaving early.”
	P-chan nodded and jumped from her arms.  He ran down the hall and disappeared into the room he and Mousse shared.  A few minutes later Ryoga came out carrying his back pack.  “I’m ready.” 
	Destine nodded and shouldered her pack.  “Let’s go tell the others.”  She walked down the hall and into the kitchen.  “Cologne, Shampoo, Ryoga and I are going to leave a bit earlier than we originally planned.  We’ll meet you in the village?”
	Cologne nodded and looked around.  “What happened to Gel?”
	“Disappeared.  That’s why we’re leaving early.”  Destine opened her pack and pulled out three tickets.  “These are for you two and Tide.  Shampoo, will you explain to her why we’ve left?”
	“I try.”  Shampoo sighed and leaned up against the wall.  “Gel always make trouble.”
	“Thank you so much.”  Destine stepped outside and grabbed an umbrella.  “Shall we go grab yours?”
	“Nope.  It’s right here.”  Ryoga bent down and picked up his umbrella.  “I was walking up to the house when I tripped and fell into a puddle.”  He smiled sheepishly.
	Destine laughed and opened her umbrella.  “Ready?”  She took off running.
	“Hey, wait up!”  Ryoga opened his umbrella and ran after her.  Catching up to her he matched his pace to hers.  “You’re fast for a girl.  Especially with all those weapons.”  
	“And a bike.”  Destine pointed to a large bundle attached to the top of her backpack.  “How else could I have gotten around so easily in China?  The station is a few blocks away.”  She skidded and turned a corner.  “Hopefully we can catch her.”
====================================================================
	“Ticket for one please.”  Gel smiled at the ticket keeper and handed him her money.  “The next train after this one doesn’t leave for several hours right?”
	“You got it deary.”  The ticket keeper handed her a ticket and smiled back.
	“Thanks.”  Gel grabbed her pack and box and ran to the platform.  She climbed on just as the train started to take off.  “Made it.”  She walked down the corridor and grabbed a seat.  Opening the box she looked down and smirked.  “<Let’s just see Destine stop me now.  The next train doesn’t leave for two hours>.”  Mousse glared up at her and gave a muffled quack.  “<If you stay quite I might feed you>.”  She closed the lid and leaned back in her seat.  ‘<I’m coming home mother.  And I’m bringing Mousse with me.  Soon you will no longer have to be ashamed by him>.’
====================================================================
	Destine ran up to the ticket booth and rang the bell. “Sir?”
	The ticket keeper came forward and smiled.  “You’ve just missed the train.  The next one is in two hours.”
	“Why that little-”  Destine put her hand over her eyes and sighed.  “Two tickets for the next train to the Sea of Japan.”
	“Here you go.”
	“Thanks.”  Destine took the tickets and walked into the station.  “We’re too late.”
	“We’ll catch up.  You said that the first ship that we could have caught would be in the morning right?”  Ryoga set his bag down on one of the chairs and patted Destine’s shoulder.
	“The first ship that will transport humans.  But there are plenty of other boats that she could catch.  Fishing boats for instance.”  Destine sat down in one of the chairs and rested her head on her fists.  “This stinks.”
	Ryoga sat down next to her and smiled.  “Look, she’s heading back to the village right?  We’ll catch up to her eventually.”
	“She knows the terrain better than I do.  She can get there way before us and get Mousse married off.”  Destine put her hands over her eyes.  “If only I had stayed with him.”
	“Sis, don’t worry about things that are out of your control.  Isn’t that what you told me?”
Ryoga looked down at the ground and his eyes widened.  “Destine!  Look!”  He reached down and picked up a small throwing knife.  “It’s one of Mousse’s.”
	“He only uses those when he’s in duck form.”  Destine opened her pack and pulled out her contacs case.  She removed her glasses and put in her contacs.  Placing the case and her glasses away she grabbed a small sketch book and pencil.  “Find something to occupy your time.  We’re going to be here for a while.”  She opened the book and began drawing.  
	Ryoga leaned over.  “May I look at your drawings?”  Destine handed him the book.  He flipped through the book and smiled.  “You’re good.  Hey here’s one of P-chan!”
	“I draw when I can’t sleep.  I’ve got one of Mousse in there when he’s sound asleep.”  Destine smiled and took the book back.
TWO HOURS LATER
	Destine stepped into the train and took a seat in a small berth.  “It’s going to be about a three hour trip.  This train is an express, but still-” She smiled and lay down on the bench.  “Cool, there’s a TV in here.”  She sat up and switched it on.  “What do you want to watch?”
	“Do they have the news for Nerima?”
	Destine flipped through the channels.  “Yep.”  She turned up the volume so Ryoga could hear it and lay back down.
====================================================================
	Gel steeped off the train and looked around.  She was standing near the harbor and could see all kinds of boats moored at the docks.  Spying one with Chinese characters on it she smiled.  ‘A fishing boat.’  She walked over to the boat and ran up the mooring rope.  Looking around she found a small life boat.  ‘Perfect.’  She climbed in and made herself comfortable.
====================================================================
	“Hey sis, the train’s stopped.”  Ryoga shook Destine a few times trying to wake her up.  “Come on.”  He grabbed a glass of cold water and poured it on her face.
	“GAHHH!  What’d you do that for?”  Destine sat up and looked around.
	“Train’s stopped.  Shall we find a place to stay?”
	“I’ve got a tent.  We can camp out for the night.” Destine stretched and picked up her back pack.
	“So do I.”  Ryoga grabbed his bag and followed after Destine.  “So where’s this boat we’re catching?” 
	“I’ll look at the ticket in a bit.  Hungry?”
	Ryoga smiled.  “Well considering we didn’t have lunch.”  He reached into his pockets.  “Umm do you have any money?”
	“Nope.  But I know how we can earn some.  Follow me.”  Destine walked over to the docks and set down her back pack.  “Mind helping out?”
	“With what?”
	Destine smiled.  “Magic show.  I’ll just need to turn you into a pig.”
	Ryoga gulped and turned red.  “Umm OK.”
	
====================================================================
	“Ladies and Gentlemen!  Gather ‘round.”  Destine raised her arm in the air and a small firework shot from her sleeve.  
	People began to come over and watch.  “Oh a magic show!”
	Destine pulled a rose from her sleeve and offered it to a young girl that was standing close to her.  “But a little girl that’s as cute as you deserves more than this.”  She squeezed the rose and eleven more popped up around it.  She handed the roses to the little girl and smiled.  
	A few minutes and several tricks later she raised her arms.  “And now Ladies and Gentlemen, I shall turn my brother into a little black piglet.”  She pulled a large box over to her and motioned for Ryoga to climb inside.  “And now,” She waved her hand over the box and discreetly poured some water over Ryoga.  “PRESTO!”  She tapped the box and it fell apart.  Standing on the base was P-chan.  She picked him off and showed him to the crowd.  There was tons of cheering and clapping.  Destine set P-chan down and pulled out a hat.  She held it out and people dropped coins into it.  After the crowd had dispersed she turned to P-chan and smiled.  “Wanna change back now?”  She pulled out a small bag and poured the coins into it.   P-chan looked up at her and nodded.  Destine put on Ryoga’s back pack and shouldered hers.  “What do you carry in here?  Lead?”  She tucked the bag away and picked up P-chan and Ryoga’s clothing.  “Let’s find a better place than here to turn you back.”  She walked over to a group of large bushes and set P-chan down.  Setting the clothes next to him she pulled out a kettle of hot water.  She poured it over P-chan and turned away.
	“So how much did we make?”  Ryoga pulled on his clothes and stood up.  “Here, let me take my pack.”  
	“Enough.”  Destine slipped off Ryoga’s pack and set it on the ground.  “Thanks for helping out.
	“Ryoga, Destine?  What are you doing here?”  
	Destine whirled around and looked over a young girl’s head.  She looked down.  “Akane?  I think I should be asking you that question.”
	“I heard that you were leaving and I wondered if you needed any supplies.”  Akane looked over at Ryoga.  “What are you doing here?”
	“T-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-raveling w-w-ith m-m-my sis-sister.”  Ryoga turned bright red and put his hand behind his head.  
	Destine bopped him on the head and turned to Akane.  “What sort of supplies?”
	“I could fix you some of my stamina stew.”
	Destine’s face turned slightly green.  “No thanks.  Do you have any bottles?”
	Akane cocked her head to one side.  “What for?”  
	“I’m going to go to Jusenkyo and get some of the water.  Now it’s Ranma and Mousse that are cursed right?”
	“And Mr. Saotome.”  Akane smiled and laughed.  “I don’t have any with me but there is a store down the street.  I saw your magic show Destine.  You were great.  Where’d you find the pig?”
	“It was walking by before the show so I snatched it up and used it.  I let it go afterwards.”  Destine smiled and looked down the street.  “Have you seen a girl that looks like Shampoo around here?”
	“Yeah, she boarded that boat over there.  Oh I guess it left.”  Akane pointed to an empty dock.  “Why?”
	“It was Mousse’s sister Gel.  She stole something very important to me.”  Destine sighed and rubbed the base of her skull.  “Ryoga, want to set up camp while I get the food and supplies?”
	“Umm, sure.”  Ryoga blushed and opened his backpack.
	“Here, would you watch over mine too?”  Destine set her pack next to Ryoga’s and turned to Akane.  “Now where were those shops?”
====================================================================
	Mousse awoke to the sound of shouts outside the box.  He struggled to get out of his bonds but he couldn’t even get one of his knives out. ‘<She thought of everything>.’  The box opened and a white rat looked inside.  She bit through the yarn on Mousse’s beak and tossed him some food.  
	The rat disappeared and a few seconds later Gel’s face appeared over the box.  “<Enjoy your dinner brother dear.  I’ll turn you back later>.”  She smiled.  “<And if you’re wondering about the rat, that’s me.  I followed you to Jusenkyo and ended up falling into one of the springs.  I’ll change you back once I get some sturdy rope and some clothes for you.  All you’re weapons are back in Yokohama>.”  She patted his head.  “<And don’t try to escape.  We’re on the Sea of Japan right now>.”  She put the lid back on the box and laughed to herself.  ‘<Mother is going to be pleased with me>.’
====================================================================
	Destine pulled some coins out of the bag and handed them to the shopkeeper.  “Thank you so much.  I was worried I wouldn’t find a weapons dealer here.”
	The old woman smiled.  “You can find almost anything at the harbor.  It’s so good to see that the old arts are not disappearing.  I see that you are wearing the robes of a hidden weapons master.  Most people who come by here just ask for swords and things like that, but you, you ask for things that I barely ever sell anymore.  Wait a second.”  She walked into the back and motioned Destine to follow her.  The room was filled from wall to wall with all sorts of weapons and robes.  “You may pick out any robe and weapon you wish, my way of saying thank you.”
	Destine bowed to the woman and looked at the different robes.  She picked one that was light red with dark red trim and a pair of black pants.  She then turned to the weapons and selected a bundle which contained a pair of armbands and twelve daggers.  ‘This is the same contraption Mousse and I use.’  She turned to the woman and held up her selections.  “I’ll take these.”
	“Wise choice deary.”  She led Destine back to the front and wrapped all the weapons in a sheet of strong leather.  She folded the robe and set it next to the weapons.  “Come back any time.”
	“I will.”  Destine picked up the bundles and bowed again.  As she left the shop she saw Akane giving her a funny look.  “What?  Mousse’s stuff is all back at the house.”
	“Oh I wasn’t worried about that.  I was wondering how you were going to carry that.”
	“Easy the weapons I’ll just strap under my back pack and the robe I’ll stash in my sleeves.”  Destine smiled and walked into the next store.  From there she bought some food, a spool of gold embroidery thread and a needle, and some small plastic bottles.  “Well I’ve got what I need.”  She walked up front and paid for the stuff.  “Shall we go and make sure Ryoga hasn’t gotten lost?”
	Akane looked into the bag that held the food.  “Want me to cook?”
	“I’ve got cooking duty tonight.  But you can have what I don’t use to make a delicious meal for Ranma.”  Destine laughed and walked down the street.
	“So what did Gel take?”
	Destine stooped dead in her tracks and turned around.  “I DON’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!”  She adjusted her bundles and took off running. She didn’t stop until she reached the spot where Ryoga had set up the tents.
	“What’s wrong sis?”  Ryoga looked up and was about to stand when Destine set her stuff down and opened the screen on her tent.  
	She tossed the stuff inside and handed the bag with the money to Ryoga.  “I need to go and think for a while.  Akane should show up in a bit.  I’ll be back soon.”  She grabbed her sketch pad and ran off.
	“Destine.”  Ryoga got up and was about to go after her when he heard Akane run up behind him.
	“I can’t believe her.  All I asked was what did Gel take and she blew up in my face.”  Akane set her bag down and looked at Ryoga.  “What’s wrong with her?”
	“Well you see, umm-” Ryoga closed his eyes and sat down.  “Gel kidnapped Mousse.  We’re going after her but Destine fears she won’t get to him in time.  Gel has plans of marrying him off to one of the girls in the village and that sort of hits Destine rather hard.”
	“You mean to tell me that she loves Mousse?”
	Ryoga nodded and sighed.  “And that’s not the half of it.”
====================================================================
	Destine sat down on the sea wall and looked out over the water.  ‘Why’d you do it Gel?  Can’t you see that he was actually happy?’  She opened her sketchbook and flipped to a clean page.  Pulling out a pencil she began forming an outline of Mousse and herself.  ‘Why?’  She continued drawing until she felt the picture was finished.  She looked it over and smiled.  “I promise I’ll find you Mousse.”  She traced her finger over the drawing.  “I promise.”  She closed her eyes and tears began to fall on her sleeves.
	“Destine?”  Akane walked up behind her and sat down on the wall.  “I’m sorry for upsetting you.  I didn’t know, I thought it was just something like a necklace.”  She looked over at the sketchbook.  “Nice drawing.”
	“Thanks.”  Destine wiped her eyes and sighed.  “Ryoga told you didn’t he?”
	“Yes he did.  Now I see why you were so upset.  If someone had taken Ranma from me I’d feel the same way.”  She patted Destine’s back and smiled.  “When I’m upset like this I spar against someone.  Care to?”
	Destine raised her eyebrows.  “Not right now.  Do you know of any ships that are leaving soon?”
	“There’s a ferry leaving in an hour to China.  I don’t think it’s full yet.  It’s at dock nine”
	Destine jumped up and smiled.  “Thank you Akane.  We may actually get to China in time.”  She turned and ran back to the camp.  “Ryoga, pack up.  We’re leaving in the hour.”
	“What?”  Ryoga looked up.
	“There’s a ferry going to China that leaves in an hour.  We can take it.”  Destine pulled her stuff out of her tent and put it away.  She collapsed the tent and attached it to the side of her pack.  “Do you want me to carry the food?”
	“No I’ve got it.”  Ryoga collapsed his tent and set it inside his back pack.  “So where’s this boat?”
	“Dock nine.  We can use our tickets on it.”  Destine shouldered her pack and picked up the robe and weapons bundle.  
	“You guys wait!”  Akane came running up to them.  “Where are you headed to in China?”  
	“The Amazon village to stop Gel from marrying off Mousse.  I’ve got to get there as soon as possible.  If she’s on a fishing boat then we have a good chance of arriving before her.”  Destine smiled and turned to Ryoga.  “You ready?”
	“Yeah.  Akane, I hope to see you again soon.  Until then goodbye.”  He patted Akane gingerly on the shoulder and followed after Destine.
====================================================================
	Mousse finished the rice crackers Gel had given him and sighed.  He turned his head as if to clean one of his wings and used his beak to pull out one of his knives.  He cut through the string and stretched.  ‘<Now I just need to wait until Gel opens the box again, then I can make my escape>.’  His head sunk as he remembered what Gel had told him, “<We’re over the Sea of Japan so don’t try to escape>.”  He sighed.  ‘<Even if I did escape, there’s no way I could fly back to Japan>.’
====================================================================
	Destine handed the tickets to the man on the dock and boarded the ferry.  “Where do you want to sit Ryoga?”
	“Let’s find a couple benches.  We’re not going to get to China until well after dark.”  Ryoga stood next to her and surveyed the ferry.  “Over there.”  He pointed to a pair of benches and smiled.  “There’s a perfect spot.”  Walking over he noticed that Destine was standing looking out the window.  “What’s wrong?”
	Destine turned and smiled.  “Nothing, I’m just remembering something.”  She walked over to the benches and set her back pack down.  “This is the ferry I came back on.  I’m going to go stand on the deck for a while.”  She pulled a rubber band from her sleeve and tied her into a ponytail.
	Destine walked outside and climbed the stairs to the upper deck.  Walking over to the front she leaned against the railing and sighed.  ‘Just ten more minutes and we’re off.  Lucky for us this boat doesn’t have very many passengers this late in the day.’  She smiled faintly and listened to the boat’s engine warming up.  “Soon very soon.”  She closed her eyes and started going over the roads and paths she had traveled.  Her mind removed all the obsolete paths and formed a map that led to the Amazon village.  Pulling out her sketchbook she turned to a blank page and sketched the map.  ‘This way I won’t wander aimlessly.  Now that I know which roads to take, we should get there in no time.’
====================================================================
	Destine stepped off the ferry and waited for Ryoga.  He walked up next to her and she laughed.  “You don’t go out on the water that much do you?”  She pulled a flashlight from her sleeve and turned it on.  “This is the path we’re going to be taking.  Luckily, few people travel it nowadays.  They tend to use the big roads.  Do you ant to wait until morning or start now?”
	Ryoga sat down and held his head in his hands.  “What time is it?”
	“About four.”  Destine smiled and took Ryoga’s arm.  She felt for a certain place on his wrist and pressed hard.
	“OW!  What do you think you’re doing?!”	
	“It’s a simple acupressure trick.  It will make your sickness go away.  Now hold still.”  She held on for about a minute and let go.  “Feel better?”
	Ryoga looked up at her with a surprised look on his face.  “How’d you do that?”
	“I’m still not sure how it works.  I learned it while in the village.  They use all sorts of acupressure.”  She adjusted her backpack.  “So shall we get going or wait until it gets light outside?”	
	“Let’s wait for a bit and have breakfast first.  How far is it to the village from here?”
	“At least a good four hours walk.  On my bike I got there in two and a half hours.”
	Ryoga stood up.  “Let’s eat now and get started.”  He pulled the food from his bag and set it in front of him.  “What shall we eat?”
	“I’ll just have the left over rice if you don’t want it.  I don’t usually eat much for breakfast.”  Destine sat down and picked up the rice.
	“I don’t mind.”  Ryoga pulled out a small burner and a kettle.  He lit the flame on the burner and set the kettle on top.  “We should have hot water in a bit.  Do you like tea or coffee?”
	“I’d suggest Coffee.  We’ve got a hefty hike ahead of us.”  Destine reached into her sleeve and pulled out a pair of chopsticks.  “What are you having?”
	“Some soup.”  Ryoga sifted through the food and pulled out a cup of soup.  He lifted the kettle and filled the cup with hot water.  “Shall I cook the coffee now?”
	Destine nodded and reached into her bag.  “Here’s some super strong coffee.  Special order from Hawai’i.  The stuff most people drink is only 10% of this.”  She handed the coffee to Ryoga and went back to her rice.
	“Umm thanks.”  Ryoga poured some of the coffee into two separate strainer balls and set them in two cups.  He poured some of the hot water in the cups and handed one to Destine.  “Do you think Gel’s gotten here yet?”
	“Doubt it.  If she really did get on a fishing boat she’s not going to be here for at least another three hours.  That gives us a good head start on her.”  Destine finished her rice and walked down the dock a little ways to a trash can.  She tossed the paper bowl in the can and strolled back to Ryoga.  Picking up her coffee cup she shook the strainer and pulled it out.  “Don’t want it too potent.”  She took a sip and made a slight face.  “Ugh that’s bitter.”  Destine quickly downed the rest of the coffee and set down the cup.  “Drink it fast bro.”
	Ryoga nodded.  “By the way, will the Amazons treat me like crud while I’m there?”
	“Maybe.”  Destine arranged her backpack so it would fit more comfortably.  “Unless one of the girls takes a shine to you.  Then be afraid.”
	“Why?”
	“They will attack you trying to get you to beat them.  What ever you do don’t fight back.  If you do, and you beat the girl, you’ll have to marry her.”
	“Oh kind of like Ranma and Shampoo.  I get it.”  Ryoga looked up at the sky.  “What time is it?”
	“About five.  Want to head off now?”
	Ryoga finished up his soup and threw away the trash.  He put the food away and put on his backpack.  “Sure.”
====================================================================
	Gel awoke to the sound of men shouting orders.  She carefully lifted the canvass off of the boat and looked around.  ‘<We’re here>.’  She slipped on her backpack and grabbed the box.  Opening it she saw that Mousse had cut his bonds while she had slept.  “<Tsk tsk brother>.”  She carefully retied the bonds and tied his mouth shut.  Looking around she waited until there was no one in sight and made a dash for the mooring rope.  She nimbly ran down and landed on the dock.  ‘<Now I just need to find a store>.’  She looked up at the sky and saw the sun was about in the nine o’clock position.  ‘<Destine’s boat won’t be leaving for another three hours.  That gives me plenty of time>.’
	Mousse awoke and tried to get up.  Seeing that he was bound again he sighed and made himself comfortable. ‘<Looks like that didn’t work>.’
	Gel wandered down the docks and came upon a large store.  “<Perfect>.”  She stepped inside and headed over to one of the clerks.  “Excuse me sir, do you have any really sturdy rope?  About six feet’s worth>?”  The man nodded and cut her some rope.  “<Thanks>.”  Gel paid for the rope and slipped it in her bag.  ‘<Now all I need is some clothing>.’  She looked around and spotted a set of plain white shorts and a shirt.  ‘<Hey, lucky>.’  She walked over and picked them up.  Next to them were a pair of boxers.  ‘<Just Mousse’s size too>.’  She picked up the whole bundle and walked to the front.  Paying for them she asked the store keeper.  “<Do you have any bathrooms>?”  The man smiled and pointed to the back of the store.  “<Thank you>.”  Gel picked up the clothes and headed for the bathroom.  On her way she grabbed a kettle of hot water that was supposed to be used for coffee.  She walked into the bathroom and locked the door.  
	Opening the box she lifted Mousse out and set him on the ground.  She cut the yarn and poured the water on him.  Mousse looked up at her with a confused expression on his face.  “<What are you doing>?”
	Gel tossed him the clothes and pulled out the rope.  Taking his glasses she smirked.  “<Get dressed.  I don’t want you entering the village naked>.”
	Mousse pulled on the clothes and sighed.  “<And how do you plan on making me go with you>?”
	Gel hit him on the head and quickly bound his wrists together.  “<Simple.  I’ve got your glasses so you can’t see, so now you’ll have to depend on me>.”  She tightened the ropes as Mousse struggled.  Pulling out her dagger she pulled him up.  “<Let’s get going>.”  She opened the window and dragged him through.
====================================================================
*In the village of the Amazons*   
	“<Destine!  You’re back.  And who’s the man with you>?”  
	“<This is my brother Ryoga.  It’s good to see you again Lipstick.  Has Gel arrived yet>?”  Destine smiled and adjusted her backpack.
	“<No.  Here let me show you to where you two can stay>.”  Lipstick led them to a small house near the village center.  “<The two of you can stay here.  So Destine, what brings you back to China>?”
	Destine walked inside and set down her backpack.  “<Two things.  One is I need to go to Jusenkyo and get some water from the spring of the drowned man, I promised some friends I’d get the water to cure them of their curses.  The other reason will show itself soon>.”  Destine smiled and bowed to Lipstick.  “<I must thank you again for your hospitality.  Shampoo and Cologne will be coming here soon as well.  They left around nine today from Yokohama>.”
	“<Elder Cologne is returning>?”  Lipstick’s eyes went wide and a grin went from ear to ear.  “<That’s wonderful.  Is Shampoo married yet?  Is Muu-tsuu>?”
	“<Nope>.”  Destine sat down and stretched her back.  “<Though Gel would like it otherwise>.”
	“<Is he really handsome>?”  Lipstick sat down next to Destine.
	“<Personally I think so.  He still wears glasses, but from the time I first met him he has matured quite a bit>.  Ryoga, you can sit down.”
	“But I thought that here women came first.”
	Destine grabbed his arm and pulled him down.  “SIT!”  She smiled at Lipstick.  “<He doesn’t know much Chinese.  But he does know quite a bit about Amazon law.  Only problem is that he gets the laws mixed up>.”
	Lipstick laughed and smiled at Ryoga.  “Want me to speak in Japanese?  Destine taught me quite a bit.”
	“Umm, sure, I don’t mind, whatever you wish.”  Ryoga’s face turned red and he put his hands behind his head.
	“<Your brother is funny Destine>.”  Lipstick stood up and walked to the door.  “<I must go inform the elders that Cologne is returning.  I’ll be back in a bit>.”
	“<We’ll be right here>.”  Destine smiled and turned to Ryoga.  “You can get some sleep if you want.  Gel won’t be here for a while.  She’s about two hours away.”
	“How do you know that?”  Ryoga rolled out his sleeping bag and lay down.
	Destine pointed to her ear and smiled.  “Gel took Mousse’s with her.  I’ve been listening to them for the past few minutes.  I just turned mine back on.”  She unrolled her sleeping bag and sat down on it.  She untied the bundle of weapons from the bottom of her bag and set them aside.  Pulling out the robe she started sewing a design on the chest.  “I hope I can remember the exact design.”
====================================================================
	Gel walked over the hill and smiled.  “<Just another mile>.”  She grabbed Mousse’s wrists and dragged him along.  “<Keep moving stupid>.”
	Mousse tried to pull back but instantly found a dagger against his throat.  “<Could you at least loosen these a bit?  And put that dagger away>!”
	“<Ooh, a man giving me orders.  Forget it, I’m not like that wimp Destine.  I listen to no man>.”
	“<Just shut up sis>.”
	Gel smirked and started walking.  “<We should be there in about ten minutes if we set a good pace>.”
	Mousse sighed and let himself be dragged along. ‘<I’m sorry Destine>.’  He looked around but could only make out blurry shapes.  “<Where are we>?”	
	“<As I said, we’re about a mile from the village>.”
TWENTY MINUTES LATER	
	“<Do you always move this slow>?”  Gel frowned and dragged Mousse into the village.
	A horde of young ladies came running up.  “<IT’S MUU-TSUU>!”  They knocked Gel out of the way and tackled him.  “<WELCOME BACK>!”
	Gel dusted herself off and dragged the girls off of Mousse.  “<Get back!  He must go before the elders first>.”  She dragged Mousse to his feet and started walking.
	“<Umm sis, can I have my glasses back>?”
	Gel pulled Mousse’s glasses from her pocket and stuck them in his hands.  “<Not like they’re going to do you any good.  You have no chance of escaping now>.”  
	Destine stood hidden in a tree watching what was going on. ‘She’s way to guarded right now.  I’ll have to wait a bit.’  She leaned against the tree trunk and sighed.
	Gel started walking towards the center of town dragging Mousse behind her.  “<And you may as well give up any thought of Destine showing up in time>.”  She reached the town hall and pushed Mousse inside.  “<The elders have a lot of questions to ask you>.”  Gel bowed in front of one of the elders.  “<I have brought Muu-tsuu back as requested elder Eyeshadow>.”
	“<Thank you Gel.  Muu-tsuu, you are charged with leaving without permission and causing trouble for one of our best warriors.  What do you have to say in your defense>?”  Eyeshadow walked up to Mousse and slapped him across the face.  “<When a woman rejects you that means to give up, not follow after her>.”
	Gel smirked.  “<I’m going to go see my mother Elder Eyeshadow.  When do you want me to return to take him away>?”
	“<We’ll send him to you.  You are dismissed>.”
	Gel bowed and left the building.  She stepped outside and smiled to herself.  “<He’s got it coming to him.  Worrying mother like that.  Jeez men are stupid>.”  She started walking towards her house when six throwing knives came flying at her.  Gel jumped out of their way and looked around.  “<Who’s there>?!”
	“<Take a wild guess>.”  Came a voice from up in a tree.
	Gel looked up into a tree and gasped.  “<DESTINE!  How’d you get here so soon>?”
	Destine jumped from the tree and landed in front of Gel.  “<That’s for me to know and you to never find out.  Where did you take Mousse>?”
	“<Not a chance that I’d tell you>.”  Gel rushed forward with her dagger poised ready for attack.
	Destine jumped and kicked Gel to the ground.  “<Give it up will you>?”  She landed softly and turned to face Gel.
	“<I’m not beaten yet.  Prepare yourself Destine>!”
	“<Like I’m scared of you>.”  Destine turned towards the main building.  “<Now if you’ll excuse me>.”  She walked away and through the door.  She entered the main room and stopped dead in her tracks.  “MOUSSE!”  Rushing forward she was grabbed by several women and held back.
	“<Stop where you are Destine.  Don’t interfere with the elders when the are busy>.”  One of the girls pulled up a chair and made Destine sit down.  “<Just wait a bit and then you can go up to them>.”
	Eyeshadow looked over in Destine’s direction.  “<What’s going on over there?  Is that Destine?  Bring her here>.”
	Two of the girls grabbed Destine by the arms and escorted her to Eyeshadow.  Destine shook the girls off and bowed.  “<I am sorry for disturbing you Elder Eyeshadow>.”
	“<Why are you here>?”
	“<I came here for Muu-tsuu.  He was taken while he was sleeping and dragged here.  He was already willing to come and was going to leave today at nine from Yokohama.  If he is being punished for following Shampoo, he has given her up>.”  Destine pushed her bangs from her eyes.
	“<Is that true Muu-tsuu>?”  Mousse nodded vigorously.  “<Very well.  That part of you punishment shall be nullified.  Cut his bonds>.”  One of the girls came forward and cut the ropes on Mousse’s wrists.  “<But you still are in big trouble for the problems you’ve caused.  You are to return here in two hours.  Now go>.”
	Mousse ran over to Destine and grabbed her around the waist and hugged her tightly.  “I thought I’d never see you again Des-chan!  How did you get here so soon?” 
	“Good timing and the fact I didn’t take a fishing boat.  We’ve been here for about two hour now.”  Destine smiled and kissed him.
	“We?”
	“Ryoga’s here too.  The others will be arriving before dark.  When I found out you and Gel had disappeared, Ryoga and I followed after you.  We missed the train Gel took by a few minutes.  But when we got to the harbor once again we had just missed you guys, we caught the ferry and arrived in China about four o’clock this morning.”  Destine sighed and put her head on Mousse’s shoulder.  “I’m so glad to see you.”
	“<Aw man!  You mean to tell us Mousse has a wife already>?”  Lipstick walked up to where Mousse and Destine were standing.
	“<Well, sort of yes and sort of no>.”  Destine turned to face Lipstick and smiled.  “<We’re dating, but we’re not married>.”
	Gel ran into the room.  “<That means that he’s still single>!”
	“<Shut up Gel>.”  Destine glared over at Gel and pulled a bottle of cold water from her sleeve.  Dumping it on Gel she laughed.  “<You need to be more careful as to what you take from my room.  Mousse’s transmitter let me hear everything>.”  She bent down and picked up Gel.  “<How fitting that you turn into a rat>.”  She dug through Gel’s clothes and pulled out Mousse’s transmitter.  “Here you go Mousse.”
	“Thanks.”  Mousse took the transmitter and fit it back into place.  ‘So where are you staying?”  
	Destine handed Gel to Lipstick and led Mousse out the door.  “Ryoga and I are staying in a house not far from here.  Care to stay with us?”
	Mousse smiled and adjusted his glasses.  “Of course.”
====================================================================
*On a boat bound for China*
	Shampoo looked over the railing and laughed.  “Shampoo going home!  Shampoo see Lipstick.”
	Cologne and Tide came up behind her and smiled.  Tide tapped her on the shoulder and waited for her to turn around.  “What’s the village like?”
	“Pretty.  Lots of girls.”  Shampoo smiled and pointed.  “We there soon.  See? Land coming up.”
====================================================================
*Back in the village*
	Mousse sat down on Destine’s sleeping bag and grinned.  “I’m so glad you showed up when you did.  I couldn’t get a word in edgewise.”  
	Destine sat down next to him and handed him a large bundle.  “Here, you’ll be needing this.”
	Mousse opened the bundle and laughed.  “You picked up all of my stuff?”
	Destine shook her head.  “Nope, I bought all that from a store at the harbor back in Japan.  Oh I almost forgot.”  She reached into her sleeve and pulled out a long red robe.  “You’re weapons are kind of useless without this.”
	“My robe.”  Mousse smiled and looked it over.  “Wait a second.  Destine,”
	“The woman in the store gave it to me.  I embroidered the design on myself.”  
	Mousse leaned over and kissed Destine.  “Thanks so much Des-chan.”  He removed his shirt and slipped on the robe.  “Fits too.  Could you turn around so I can put my pants on?’
	Destine turned around and looked over at Ryoga.  “How can he sleep after having that coffee?”
	“What coffee?”  Mousse sat back down and leaned against Destine.  “Some of your special blend?”
	“Yep.”  Destine smiled and turned so she was facing Mousse.  “Mind fighting me later?”
	Mousse’s jaw dropped and he took off his glasses.  “Are you asking this for the reason I think you’re asking for?”
	“If you don’t beat me, you’ll have to worry about those girls.  Remember, if I beat them I don’t have to marry them.”  Destine laughed and lay down.  
	“You’d allow me to beat you?”  Mousse lay down next to her.  
	Destine smiled and pulled out her watch.  “You’ve got ten minutes to decide.  Then you need to go back in front of the elders.”  She leaned on top of him.  “Well?”
	Mousse grinned and flipped her over.  “Sure.”  He leaned down and kissed her.  “Come with me to talk with the elders?  You need to accept the challenge in front of them.”  He stood up and helped Destine to her feet.
	“Don’t mind if I do.  I can’t wait to see the look on Gel’s face.  Do you wish to go and speak to your mother?”  Destine rolled up her sleeves and adjusted her arm pieces.  
	“Not really, why?”
	“She desperately wishes to see you. How about we go there after the talk with the elders.”  Destine smiled and walked to the door.  “Think Ryoga will be safe here?”
	“As long as there are no girls around.”  Mousse took Destine’s hand and walked with her to the town hall.
====================================================================
	Eyeshadow looked up from the table and stood up.  “<So Muu-tsuu, what do you have to say for causing so much trouble>?”
	“<Elder Eyeshadow, I do not apologize for my actions but I will promise that I will never do anything like that again>.”  Mousse bowed and smiled slightly.
	“<Something funny Muu-tsuu>?”
	“<I wish to challenge Destine for her hand in marriage>.”
	Eyeshadow turned to the other elders and shrugged.  “<What do you say elders?  Shall we grant him this wish>?”
	“<I believe we should>.”  Mascara stood up and turned to Destine.  “<Do you accept the challenge Destine>?”
	“<Yes I do>.”
	“<Very well.  The two of you shall fight in the village square once Cologne arrives.  If Muu-tsuu beats you do you consent to become his Fiancé>?”  Destine nodded.  “<That is all for now.  I shall have Lipstick find you when Cologne arrives>.”
	Destine and Mousse bowed and walked outside.  “Shall we go see your mother now?”
	“Sure.  Right now I think I could face anyone or anything.”  Mousse smiled.  “Race ya.”
	“You’re on.  Ready, GO!”  Destine pushed Mousse off balance and started running.
	Mousse caught himself.  “HEY!”  He laughed and raced after her.
====================================================================
	Shampoo stepped into the village and looked around.  “<It change much since I last here>.”
	“<Yes it has Shampoo.  We should probably go and let the elders know we’re here>.”  Cologne smiled slightly and hopped over to the town hall.
====================================================================
	“<Muu-tsuu! You’re finally home>.”  Perfume rushed forward and hugged her son.  “<I was so worried about you>.”
	“<But I thought you didn’t care about me>.”  Mousse pushed his glasses up on his face and turned slightly to Destine as if asking for advice.
	“<Of course I care about you.  You are my child>.”
	“<But what about all the times when you would ignore me or leave me behind>?”
	Perfume smiled slightly and patted Mousse on the cheek.  “<I was trying to make you strong.  But I see you have done that on your own.  Your sensei would have been proud>.”
	“<How did he die>?”
	Perfume sighed and shook her head.  “<Gel was out running some errands for me when it started to rain.  She was caught out in the storm with no way back.  She refused to move because the moment she got wet she would have changed.  I went to your sensei and asked for his help.  He agreed to help and went out after her.  He can ‘see’ quite well for a blind man.  Finally he found her clinging to a tree.  The water was rising all around her and it was a matter of time before the water would reach her and wash her away>.”  She wiped a tear from her eye.  “<Your sensei used his arts to save her but ended up getting badly hurt in the process.  Gel got wet and transformed but was able to make it back here safely.  We found your sensei’s body caught up in a large tree. His body was badly broken and there was no way we could have saved him even if he had lived.  We gave him a warriors funeral and named him one of the village heroes>.”
	Mousse looked up.  “<But the note said he died in battle>.”
	“<Technically he did.  He died battling the elements.  Muu-tsuu, please forgive Gel if she acts harsh around you.  She’s still upset over the whole ordeal>.”
	Mousse nodded.  “<I will, though she didn’t have to bind me hand and foot and stash me in a box to get me over here>.”
	Perfume smiled slightly.  “<She’s just doing her best.  She thought that you wouldn’t come.  Who is the girl over there?  Is that Destine>?”
	Destine stood up from leaning against the door frame and bowed.  It’s a pleasure to see you again Perfume.  I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to thank you for your hospitality last time>.”
	“<What a polite girl you have there Muu-tsuu.  Is she your wife>?”  Perfume turned to Mousse.
	“<Not yet>.”  Mousse smiled.  “<We battle today to find out>.”
	“<I’m pleased to hear that.  You may come inside Destine>.”
	“<Thank you>.”  Destine stepped into the room and stood next to Mousse.
	“<My you are tall child.  Do you study hidden weapons too>?”  Destine smiled and nodded.  “<You must be very strong then.  Who was your sensei>?”
	“<Her name is Tide.  She learned the arts from Muu-tsuu’s sensei>.”  She turned and cocked her head to one side.  “<Someone’s coming>.”
	Gel and Lipstick stepped into the room and bowed.  “<The elder cologne has arrived.  Destine, Muu-tsuu, it’s time for the battle>.”  Lipstick sighed.  “<And I thought I would have the honor of fighting you Muu-tsuu>.”
	“<I still can’t believe the elders agreed to this>.”  Gel sneered.  “<Muu-tsuu is going to lose to her so quickly it will be hilarious>.”
	Ryoga looked out at the gathering crowd.  ‘I wonder what’s going on.’  He walked up to one of the girls and smiled.  “<Umm, miss, what’s going on>?”
	The girl turned and smiled.  “<Muu-tsuu is going to fight.  Soon we’ll see who his wife will be.  If he loses, he’ll have to fight us.  But if he wins>.”
	Ryoga nodded and eased past the girl.  ‘Who could he be fighting?’  He looked over towards the town hall and gasped.  ‘He’s fighting Destine!?’  He ran over to Destine and threw his arms out.  “I won’t let you sis.  I won’t let you fight him.”
	“Stay out of this brother.  It’s my choice.”  Destine smiled and stretched.  “Besides why do you care?”
	“I won’t let you.  He may cheat to win.”
	Destine laughed.  “Sure, and the sky is green.  He won’t cheat.  In fact, we aren’t even going to use our weapons.  This is purely hand to hand.”  She reached up and undid the button on her shoulder.  Untying the sash she removed her robe and set it on the ground.  She unfastened her arm pieces and set them on top of her robe.  
	Lipstick came over and checked to make sure Destine wasn’t hiding any weapons.  “Ryoga, would you go check Muu-tsuu?”  Lipstick turned to Ryoga and smiled.
	“Sure.”  Ryoga walked over and waited for Mousse to remove all his weapons.  Ryoga patted him down making sure all the weapons had been removed.  “Mousse, if you hurt her-”
	Mousse adjusted his glasses and glared at Ryoga.  “Don’t start.  I don’t want to have to hurt her but it’s the only way I can beat her.”  Mousse grabbed a piece of string and tied his hair back.  “If you don’t want to see this you don’t have to.”
	“Fine.”  Ryoga turned and walked back to the house.  ‘I was only trying to protect my sister.’
THIRTY MINUTES LATER
	*KRAK! DWOOM!* 
	Ryoga looked up from Destine’s sketch book.  “What the?”  He ran to the door and looked outside.   Where Mousse and Destine had been fighting stood a gigantic twister.  “The Dragon’s Heaven Blast?  NO!  SIS!”  Ryoga rushed to towards the twister. “SIS!”
	“Ryoga stop! You’ll get sucked in as well!”  Lipstick grabbed his arm and held him back.	
	“What happened?”  Ryoga turned to Lipstick and grasped her arms.  A blue bandanna came floating down and landed softly on his head.  He grabbed it and stared.  “This is Destine’s!”
	“Muu-tsuu and Destine began fighting and it seemed that Destine would win.  Her battle aura was flaring and all of us felt that there was no way Muu-tsuu could have learned the Dragon’s Heaven Blast.  That was until we noticed his battle aura was non-existent and he was moving in a spiral.  I think Destine saw it as well, but she couldn’t stop.  With one final move Muu-tsuu released the blast.  Then you ran up.”  Lipstick sighed.  “How could he have learned that move?”
	“He learn by watching.”  Shampoo walked up to them and frowned.  “I always wonder why he watch me practice.”
	“Then Destine is-” Ryoga broke free of Lipstick’s grasp and rushed forward.  “I’ll kill him!”  He burst through the ring of people and stared in awe.  
	Mousse was standing in the middle of the twister staring up into the sky, his hair flapping about him.  Suddenly there was a scream and Destine came plummeting back towards the earth, and Mousse lifted his hands to catch her.  She landed against Mousse and knocked him backwards, holding her tightly a slight smile crossed his face.  “I win.”
	“MOUSSE!  HOW DARE YOU USE THAT ATTACK AGAINST HER!!!”  Ryoga rushed towards Mousse.  “I’LL KILL YOU!”
	Mousse stood up still holding Destine in his arms.  Eyeshadow, Mascara, and Cologne stepped in front of Mousse.  Eyeshadow held her arms out blocking his way.  “<Come no further Ryoga Hibiki.  You may not interfere with Amazon law.  Muu-tsuu has won fair and square, though how he learned the Dragon’s Heaven Blast is beyond us>.”  They turned to Mousse and bowed.  “<You have beaten Destine.  She is to become your bride>.”
	The world seemed to slip away from Ryoga.  “No, his bride?”  He fell to his knees.  ‘Destine, how could you have agreed to the fight?  How could I have agreed to let you?’
====================================================================
	Destine awoke and sat up.  ‘It’s night?  How long have I been out?’  She looked next to her to see Mousse leaned up against the wall fast asleep.  Destine began to replay the fight in her mind and sighed.  ‘There was no way I could have pulled my aura back in fast enough.  The only thing I could do was to try to weaken the blast a bit.  I was so STUPID not to see what he was doing.’  She sighed and stood up.  Instantly she began to wobble and was forced to sit back down. ‘Guess I’m still a bit dazed.’  Trying again she managed to stay standing.  She walked over to Mousse and sat down next to him.  “Mousse?”  She flicked him on the nose.	
	Mousse jumped and whirled around.  “<Who’s there?  Des-chan>?”  He smiled and hugged her.  “You’re all right!”
	Destine smiled and leaned against him.  “Of course.  Why wouldn’t I be?”	
	“You’ve been out for the past six hours.  I’ve been trying to explain to Ryoga that you would be all right but it was like reasoning with a brick wall.  Hit’s like one too.”  Mousse slipped on his glasses.  “Lipstick finally dragged him off.”
	“Why?”  
	“He kept trying to beat the crap out of me.” Mousse laughed.  “Come to think about it, I think Lipstick has a thing for Ryoga.”
	Destine nodded and looked around.  “Where are we?”
	“We’re at my house.  Gel’s asleep in the other room.  She’s the one who patched you back up and put you in some fresh clothes.  I must say, you weren’t wearing much when you came back down.”  Mousse turned slightly red and smiled.  “You were down to your bra and a very torn pair of pants.  Even your bandanna had been ripped off by the blast.  You’re wearing one of my old robes right now.  Gel didn’t feel like digging through your stuff for fear that you had booby trapped it.  So she just grabbed one of my robes and put it on you.  It looks good on you Des-chan.”
	“Thanks.  Were did you say Ryoga was?”  Destine stood up and adjusted the robe.  “It’s a bit tight in the chest.”
	Perfume stepped into the room.  “<Destine you’re awake that’s good>.”  She set a bundle down on Destine’s bed.  “<I had Gel get your stuff for you.  Everything’s here I think>.”
	Destine bowed and smiled.  She walked over and undid the bundle.  “<Yep everything’s here>.”  She yawned and stretched.  “<What time is it>?”
	Mousse reached into his sleeve and pulled out a watch.  “<Around eleven>.”  He stood up and walked out of the room.  “<I’ll let you change into your other clothes.  I’m going to be in the kitchen>.”
	Destine nodded and undid the robe she was wearing.  She attached her arm pieces and strapped her sword to her leg.
	“<Destine, may I ask you a question>?”
	“<Sure>.”  Destine pulled on her pants and robe.  “<Ask away>.”  Tying her sash around her waist she turned to face Perfume.
	“<Did you throw the fight>?”
	Destine stumbled and stared at Perfume.  “<What makes you think I did that>?!”
	“<You didn’t try to get away from Muu-tsuu when he began his attack>.”
	“<Did it look like I had any choice?  The best I could do was relax a bit so my aura wouldn’t be so strong.  If I had thought Muu-tsuu knew that move I wouldn’t have followed him into the spiral>.”  Destine fastened the button on her robe and pulled her hair out of it.  She bowed to Perfume and walked to the kitchen.  Walking up behind Mousse she smiled and rested her arms on his shoulders.  “<Where’s my stuff Mumu-chan>?”  
	Mousse turned around and smiled.  “<It’s still in the other house.  Hungry>?”  He got up and walked over to the small stove in the corner.  “<There’s still some of dinner left over>.”
	“<No thanks.  I’m not very hungry right now>.”  Destine smiled and braided her hair.  “<Where did you learn the Dragon’s Heaven Blast>?”
	“<I used to follow Shampoo to her training exercises and watch.  I figured out many of the moves and I sometimes use them.  I used the Dragon’s Heaven Blast on you because it was the only way I could beat you without you being seriously hurt.  When I noticed you were pulling in your aura I knew I would have to act fast.  Luckily you pulled in enough that the blast wasn’t at full power>.”  Mousse walked over and kissed Destine.  “<You’re just too smart for your own good.  You overlooked the fact that I am a very fast learner and that I have had the Dragon’s Blast used against me before>.”  
	“<I’m going to grab my stuff, want to come with>?”  Destine walked towards the front door and turned around.
	“<Sure>.”
====================================================================
	Ryoga sat on his sleeping bag glaring at the door.  He had tried multiple times that night to escape and get his revenge on Mousse, but every time he opened the door Lipstick would push him back inside.  ‘It’s not like I’m going to kill him that much.’  He stood up and walked over to the door.  “May I come out now?”
	Lipstick poked her head in and smiled.  “Sorry Ryoga, elder’s orders I’m to keep you in here until you become level headed again.  Elder Cologne says that’s going to be a while.”  She stepped inside and closed the door.  “Why do you want to kill Muu-tsuu so badly anyway?”
	“He hurt my sister.  No man may hurt a woman and live.”  Ryoga cracked his knuckles and stared off into space.
	“Then it looks like you’re going to have to stay in here forever if you can’t forgive him.  Destine agreed to the fight knowing that she would probably get hurt, as did Muu-tsuu.  You can’t blame either one of them for Destine’s condition.”  Lipstick sat down by the door and laughed.  “I think Muu-tsuu surprised everyone with that move.  He’s the only man to learn that technique.”
	“Actually there is one other.  His name is Ranma Saotome.  When this old freak named Happosai placed the Ultimate Weakness Moxibustion on him, Cologne taught him the move so that Ranma could defeat Happosai.  And I got to be the lucky one to help him learn.”
	“Oh.”  Lipstick smiled and leaned against the wall.  “Happosai is not unknown to us.  He comes here every now and then and tries to steal our undergarments.  I think he and Elder Cologne might have dated a long time back.”  She smirked.  “I hope she stood him up multiple times.”
	There was a knock on the door and Mousse stepped in.  “Is it safe?”
	“YOU WILL DIE!”  Ryoga jumped up and made a lunge for Mousse.  Mousse let out a small yelp and put up his hands to block the attack that was coming for his face.
	Destine jumped into the room and blocked Ryoga’s attack with a swift kick on the shoulder.  “You will do nothing of the sort brother.”
	Ryoga stood up and his eyes widened.  “You’re all right!”  He rushed over to Destine and hugged her tightly.
	“Stop, I can’t breathe.”  Destine reached up and pressed her fingers under Ryoga’s jaw line.  
	“OW!”  Ryoga let go and rubbed his jaw.  “Another acupressure point?”
	“Nope, nerve.”  She ran a finger along Ryoga’s jawbone.  “There is a nerve running down your jaw line that runs to the tongue and lips.  It’s very sensitive.”
	Mousse lowered his hands and looked around.  “He didn’t attack?”
	Destine smiled and walked over to her backpack.  “Nope.  Ryoga, do you think you’ve got it under control now that I’m all right?  I can’t have you attacking my future husband every second.”  She rolled up her sleeping bag and reattached it to her bag.  “Have you been looking at my sketchbook bro?”
	“Oh right.”  Ryoga walked over to his sleeping bag and picked up Destine’s book.  “You’re a very good artist.  I especially like the one you drew of Akane holding P-chan.”  He blushed.  “Is it really true you’re going to go to Jusenkyo?”
	“Yeah.  I promised Akane I’d bring back some of the water to make Ranma and his father normal again.  Mousse and Shampoo too.  Want me to get you some?”
	“Umm sure.  Who’s going with you?”
	Destine smiled and shouldered her pack.  “I’m going alone.  I need to have a little ‘talk’ with the guide there.  He’s beginning to get on my nerves.”
	Lipstick stood up.  “At least let me come with you.  What if you get attacked?”
	“Then I’ll get thrown into one of the springs again.”  Destine laughed and headed for the door.  “Sure you can come along.  Do you have a bike?”  Lipstick nodded and ran from the room. 
“Ryoga, I’m going to be staying with Mousse and his family.  Why don’t you stay with Lipstick and her family?  She’s taken quite a shine to you brother.”
	Ryoga turned bright red.  “She’s what?!”  Mousse stifled his laughter.  Ryoga whirled around and punched Mousse in the stomach.  “Shut up Duck-boy, this isn’t funny!”
	Mousse sucked in a painful breath and glared back at Ryoga.  “What was that for?!”
	Destine quickly stepped between the two and held out her arms.  “You guys mind not fighting?  Ryoga, it actually is quite funny.  Also a bit interesting.  Lipstick obviously thinks you’re very strong and most likely handsome.  You should be flattered.  She’s more level headed than most of the other girls.”  She took Mousse’s arm and the two of them left.
	‘Lipstick has taken a shine to me?!’  Ryoga sat down on his sleeping bag and held his head in his hands. ‘I am one unlucky moron.’
====================================================================
	Destine awoke the next morning well before dawn.  Slipping on her glasses she rolled over and smiled.  Mousse was lying on a sleeping mat next to her snoring softly.  ‘I’ll just let him sleep.  No sense in waking him up this early.’  She climbed out of her sleeping bag, rolled it up and, placing it to the side of the room she brushed and braided her hair, and put on one of her old plain robes and a pair of blue pants.  ‘Now I’m ready.’ She adjusted her arm pieces and grabbed the parts of her bike. ‘I just need to put it together and then I can get going.’
	Tying on her bandanna she pulled the bottles from her backpack and slipped them into her sleeves.  Destine walked over to Mousse and knelt down.  Leaning forward she kissed him softly on the lips and took off his glasses.  “I’ll be back soon.”
====================================================================
	Gel stepped into Mousse’s room around seven and shook her head.  Walking back into the kitchen she grabbed some cold water and went back into the room.  Dumping the contents on Mousse’s head she smiled faintly.  “<Muu-tsuu!  Wake up>.”  Mousse looked up at her and quacked loudly.  “<Well if you had gotten up on time I wouldn’t have done that.  Destine has already left, ready to cook breakfast>?”  She knelt down beside Mousse and smiled.  “<By the way, Destine told me to tell you she loves you and she will be back in a few days.  I’ll go heat some water>.”  Gel got up and walked to the kitchen, turning on the stove she set a kettle of water on to boil.  ‘<Why wouldn’t Destine have woken him up before she left?  It seems like the logical thing to do>.’  Mousse waddled into the kitchen and looked around.  Gel picked him up and chucked him lightly back into his room.  “<Don’t come out here, I don’t want mother knowing both of us are cursed>.”  She shut the door to his room and turned back to the water.  Dipping her finger into it she sighed.  ‘<Not even luke warm>.’
====================================================================
	“Sis?  Where’d you go?” Ryoga walked around the village looking left and right.
	“<Lose something Ryoga>?”  Perfume walked up next to him and smiled.  “<Destine and Lipstick left before dawn this morning.  Care to come to our house for breakfast?  Muu-tsuu is fixing us a lovely meal.  We’ll probably have more than enough>.”  She took Ryoga’s arm and led him to the house.  “<Destine told me how you tend to get lost.  You were heading in the wrong direction, unless you were looking for Shampoo and Elder Cologne>.”
	“<Oh no, I was hoping to talk to Destine before she left that’s all>.”  He smiled. ‘Why would she have gone off like this?  It’s not like her.’  He slapped his forehead.  ‘What am I thinking?  Of course this is just like her.  The exact opposite of me.’  
	“<Are you all right Ryoga>?”  Perfume frowned with worry.  “<What’s wrong>?”
	Ryoga blushed and smiled.  “<N-n-nothing.  I was just thinking to myself, that’s all.  Sure I’ll join you guys for breakfast>.”
	Perfume smiled and handed him the bundle of wood she was carrying.  “<Very well then.  Shall we be off>?”
====================================================================
	Destine adjusted her bandanna and climbed back on her bike.  “Stupid flat.”  She turned to Lipstick and smiled slightly.  “<Still up to this?  If it weren’t for the flat I would usually be half-way to Jusenkyo by now>.”
	“<Oh I’m just fine.  You’re right though, I’m not used to riding like this>.”  Lipstick smiled and pulled her dress down a bit.  “<How does Shampoo do it>?”
	Destine smiled and reached into the bag she had slung over her shoulder.  “<Here, you can borrow a pair of shorts and a shirt from me.  It will make it much easier for you>.”  She tossed the bundle to Lipstick and pointed to a grove of trees.  “<You can change over there.  I’ll make sure no one comes by>.”
	Lipstick caught the bundle and walked off.
	Destine smiled slightly and reached back into the bag.  She had removed her robe to make it easier for her to travel when her bike went flat.  Searching through the sleeves she came across a small lump.  “What the?”  She moved it around and finally managed to pull it out of the sleeve.  “It’s a small box, I wonder how it got in there?”  She opened it and gasped.  “A ring?”  Pulling it out of the box she noticed a small note attached to the ring, she undid the note from around the ring and began reading.  “Des-chan, I’m sorry I couldn’t be fully awake to see you off.  I placed the ring in your sleeve when you bent down to kiss me, another slight of hand trick I’m afraid.  I hope you like it Des-chan.  Mousse.”  
	Destine looked at the ring and smiled.  It was a gold ring with a small blue sapphire gem in the center.  Slipping it on Destine sighed happily.  ‘That guy.’
	“<I’m ready Destine.  Oh my, where’d you get that ring>?”  Lipstick lifted Destine’s hand and inspected the ring.
	“<From Mousse.  I found it looking for my throwing knives.  He slipped it into my sleeve when I bent down to kiss him this morning>.”  Destine took Lipstick’s dress and placed it in her bag.  “<You ready>?”
	Lipstick climbed on her bike and gave Destine a thumbs up sign.  “<You betcha>.”
====================================================================
	Mousse looked up from the stove at the sound of Ryoga stepping inside.  “Come to join us?”
	Ryoga smiled slightly.  “Yeah, look sorry about last night, I wasn’t myself.”
	Mousse turned from the stove and set the table.  “Then who were you?”  He laughed quietly at his little joke.  Standing back up he took the pot from the stove and dished up breakfast.  “Hope you don’t mind sweet rice and fruit for breakfast.”  He set the pot back on the stove and pulled a ring from his apron, slipping it on he sighed. ‘I wonder if Destine has found hers yet?’
	There was a ringing sound in his ear and he jumped about two feet in the air.  “Where’d that come from?”
	“You’ve got a call.”  Ryoga set the wood down in the corner and pointed to Mousse’s ear.
	“Oh, right.”  Mousse pulled the knob on the transmitter.  “Yes?....Des-chan!  Where are you guys?......Oh you had a flat tire......Find the surprise in your sleeve yet?”  Mousse laughed and turned to Ryoga.  “She’s wondering how you’re doing and if you’ve gotten lost yet today.”
	“Tell her I’m fine and it’s none of her business whether or not I get lost.”
	Mousse smiled.  “You got that Des-chan?....So you did find it...You like it?...Well I’m glad...Let me know when you get to Jusenkyo, I’ve got to finish cooking breakfast...I’ll let him know...Wuo ai ni...Shai shen.”  Putting the knob back into place he knocked on the door to his mother’s room.  “<Gel, mother, breakfast>.”
	Ryoga looked up from where he was leaning against the wall.  “Find what?  And what was that gibberish you said at the end?”
	Mousse narrowed his eyes and put on his glasses.  “That wasn’t gibberish, that was Chinese.  I told her ‘I love you’ and ‘good bye’.”  He walked over to the sink and washed his hands.  “As for what she found, I slipped an engagement ring in her sleeve.  By the way, she told me to tell you Lipstick says hi and hopes you’re doing all right.”
	Ryoga walked up to Mousse and lifted him off the ground by his collar.  “Is that some sort of joke?”  Mousse swung his legs and kicked Ryoga in the shins.  Ryoga dropped him and glared.  Mousse stood up and rubbed his back where he landed.  “Well?”
	Mousse stepped back, adjusted his robe and raised his eyebrows.  “Hey, don’t kill the messenger here.  I heard Lipstick say it.  Destine is right, Lipstick likes you.”
	Ryoga jumped towards Mousse.  “Don’t lie Mousse!”  He gasped in horror as he saw Mousse reach for a pail of water.  “Wait! Wait!” He held his hands over his face and landed a few feet away from Mousse.  “Hold on, time out.  Put the bucket down Mousse, I don’t want to have to turn it against you.”  Ryoga grabbed Mousse’s wrist and shook it.  “You want to change too?”
	“<Both of you stop it this instant>!”  Perfume stepped into the kitchen and put her hands to her hips.  “<Muu-tsuu put the bucket down right now>!”  Mousse nodded and set down the bucket.  “<And Ryoga, what do you mean by change too>?”
	Mousse grinned and turned to Ryoga.  “Yes, what DO you mean?”   He tapped the bucket slightly with his foot.
	“<Umm, well...I didn’t mean anything by it.  I just thought Mousse wouldn’t enjoy getting all wet that’s all>.”
	Perfume nodded and sat down.  “<Gel is out talking to Shampoo right now so she won’t be home for breakfast>.”  She sat down and smiled.  “<You’re going to make Destine very happy with your cooking>.”
	“<If she lets me.  She was the assistant cook at the Cat Cafe where I worked for a while.  She was Elder Cologne’s left hand girl>.”  Mousse motioned for Ryoga to sit down and took his seat.  “<She grew up in a place where women and men have the exact opposite jobs as they do here>.”  Mousse smiled.  “<Even Shampoo had to learn that things work differently in Japan>.”
====================================================================
*Around 10:00 p.m.*
	Destine pulled her bike over to the side of the road and heaved a heavy sigh.  “<Well we made it>.”  She pointed to a string of lights a few yards away.  “<See>?”
	Lipstick pulled up beside her and grinned.  “<Yeah, how many miles did we cover today>?”
	Destine smiled and looked at her handle bars.  “<Over one hundred>.”  
	Lipstick gasped.  “<How do you know that?  Did we really travel that far or are you just guessing>?”
	“<Well if it’s over one hundred to get from Jusenkyo to your village, then I presume that it’s the same going the other way.  Besides, I have a mechanism on my handlebars that tracks how far I travel>.”  She adjusted her bag.  “<Shall we find a place to sleep for the night>?”  She climbed off her bike and began walking down the road.  “<If I remember correctly there is an inn around here.  There>!”
	Lipstick looked over and saw that just down the road, slightly hidden from view, was a small hotel.  “<When did they build that>?”
	“<This year I think.  It’s pretty recent>.”  Destine turned the corner and walked up to the door.  “<One or two rooms>?”
	“<Depends on the cost.  Is it cheap>?”
	“<It’s got fairly decent prices.  I was just wondering if you would prefer your own room.  I still need to call Muu-tsuu>.”  At Lipstick’s confused look she smiled.  “<Did you notice that weird thing in Muu-tsuu’s ear?  It’s sort of a two way radio between us.  As well as a phone.  Here you can look at mine>.”  Destine removed her ear piece and handed it to Lipstick.  “<I told him I’d call when we reached Jusenkyo>.”
	Lipstick turned the earpiece over in her hand and stared at it.  “<Looks complicated.  Here you can have it back>.”  
	Destine took the ear piece back and placed it back in her ear.  She pulled a chain and padlock from her bag and locked the bikes to a tree.  “<Ready to check in>?”
====================================================================
FOUR DAYS LATER
	Mousse sat on his sleeping mat and stared into space.  ‘When will they be back?’  He and Ryoga had been getting into fights almost every day and it was all Mousse could do not to turn Ryoga into a pig and lock him in a cage.  ‘Sheesh, he takes everything the wrong way.’  He closed his eyes and lay down.  Destine stepped quietly into the room and, uncorking a bottle proceeded to pour the contents on Mousse.  He sat up and groaned.  “<Not again>.”  When he noticed he wasn’t changing he looked up at Destine.  “<What’s going on>?”
	“<It very tragic tale.  That water from spring where boy drowned 2000 years ago>.”  Destine laughed and sat down next to Mousse.  “<Told ya I’d bring some back.  Where’s Ryoga>?”
	Gel stepped into the room dragging Ryoga behind her.  “<Lost as usual.  You’re back, maybe these two will stop fighting now>.”
	Destine laughed and tossed a bottle to Gel.  “<Here’s the water.  Very tragic tale you know>.”  
	Gel nodded, uncorked the bottle and poured the water on herself.  “<Oh man that’s cold!  Couldn’t you have heated it up a bit>?”
	Destine shook her head.  “<Then the effects of the water would be nullified.  It has to be cold for the curse to work>.”  She stood up and handed another bottle to Ryoga.  “<Here’s yours, I’m going to find Shampoo>.”  She kissed Mousse on the forehead and walked to the door.  “<Be back in a bit>.”
	Mousse turned to Ryoga to see him pouring the water on himself.  Ryoga set the bottle on the ground and grinned.  “<Now that I’m cured of the pig I can finally tell Akane my true feelings!  Let’s go back to Japan tonight>!” 
	“<Yeah, you want to take a seventy mile hike at night just so you can get to some girl when you can stay here and have Lipstick>?”  Gel laughed.  “<She loves you Ryoga, you don’t want to break her heart do you>?”	
	Mousse dried his glasses and smirked.  “<You’ve never been able to tell Akane your true feelings.  Remember the time with the soap?  You couldn’t even ask her out!>”
	Ryoga grabbed Mousse’s collar and shook him.  “<I was young then!  I was unsure of myself>.”
	“<Like you’ve changed that much brother>.”  Destine stepped back into the room and sat down beside Mousse.  “<Besides, Akane and Ranma are engaged, you can’t break that up>.”  She turned to Mousse.  “<Are the rumors true?  Has Shampoo really been beaten by someone else>?”
	“<Yep, he came into the village the day after you left and challenged her.  His name is Jay.  I’m not sure where he’s staying, but he and Shampoo are to get married very soon.  It’s a good match up.  He’s super smart and a great fighter, not to mention a cook>.”  Mousse took Destine’s hand and smiled.  “<Ready to head back tomorrow?  I’m going to go insane here.  I’ve got nothing to do>.”
	“<Sure.  We can head back in the morning.  I still need to get the spring water to Genma and Ranma>.”  Destine unrolled her sleeping bag and lay down.  “<Why didn’t you just hand me the ring that morning?  If you were awake I could have let you know how long we were going to be>.”
	“<Destine, you in here>?”  Lipstick stepped into the room and smiled.  “Ryoga!  It’s great to see you again.”  She ran forward and hugged him.  “I missed you so much!”
	Ryoga turned bright red and tried in vain to detach her from his body.  “Lipstick, I don’t know who put you up to this but you don’t have to do it any more.  If this is some cruel joke of Mousse’s I shall make sure it will never happen again.”
	Lipstick’s face turned dark and she glared at Ryoga.  “No one put me up to this!  I love you Ryoga!  Why can’t you see?”  She slapped Ryoga across the face and ran crying from the room.
	Ryoga looked from Mousse to Destine and sighed.  “I just screwed up big time didn’t I?  It wasn’t a joke was it?”
	Destine shook her head and walked over to Ryoga.  “Might I suggest you go after her and apologize.”  Ryoga nodded and ran after Lipstick.  “He’s going to get lost.”  Destine sighed and sat down.  “So we leave at first light?”
====================================================================
	Destine packed up her stuff and adjusted her bike.  “<You ready Mousse>?”
	“<Right behind you>.”  Mousse came walking up carrying a medium sized bike.  “<This was the only one they’d let me rent.  Hopefully I can keep up with you>.”  He set down the bike and kissed Destine on the cheek.  “<Try not to leave me too far behind>.”
	“<I won’t.  Is Ryoga going to come with us>?”
	“<He said he’s going to stay here for a while and get to know Lipstick better.  He’s going to meet up with us sometime later.  Tide is also going to stay a bit longer.  She said we can stay at her house in Yokohama>.”  Mousse adjusted his back pack and climbed on his bike.  “<Let’s go>.”
	Destine put her foot on the pedal and pushed off. “<Right>.”  
END HIDDEN WEAPONS UNITED

Soon I hope to start a new story as a continuation of this one but I have to put it on hold until I get used to College.  Check back soon!
Shei shei!
Megan Earley