Author's notes, acknowledgements, and disclaimers to follow. Who wants to read that first when there's a story waiting?
[ Chinese ]
< thoughts >
What's happened previously:
A dangerously depressed and newly cursed Ranma is brought to the Joketsukozu village, Nyuuchiezu Genjudi, where he is given into the care of Pao Da, an Amazon elder highly experienced in aiding Jusenkyo victims. Pao Da begins helping Ranma accept his female side and, with Chief Elder Ke Lon's approval and the assistance of village weaver Ta Lekhu, starts training the teen martial artist in ki techniques. This does not sit well with warrior Xian Pu, who, along with her chief rival, Ka Mei, is preparing for Nyuuchiezu's annual martial arts tournament.
"Wake up, Ranma," the soft contralto voice called, slipping through the fog of sleep. "Come now, child... it's way past time you were out of bed."
Ranma blinked and sat up, her covers falling in a heap around her waist as she rubbed her half-open eyes. "I'm up, I'm up. What time is it, anyway?"
Pao Da chuckled and, reaching across the bed, pulled the curtain open. "It's almost 10 o'clock, I believe."
"WHAT!!?" The redhead shot out of bed and began yanking drawers open, looking for fresh clothes to wear. "Why'dya let me sleep so late? We'll never make it in time now! When does it start? When does it start?" Ranma hopped around the room, boxers at her ankles, as she tugged her tank top off over her head.
The silver tinkle of Pao Da's laughter filled the room. "Calm down, child, calm down," the Amazon elder told the panicked teenager. "The tournament doesn't start for another hour. There's still plenty of time to dress, eat, and get there."
"But what about the Rites of Passage ceremony?" Ranma demanded, pulling on a clean pair of boxers. "I thought that took place before the tournament!"
"It did, child, at daybreak this morning," the silver-eyed Amazon informed her, stifling a yawn as she did. "As I get older, I find I truly dislike getting up for these dawn rituals."
"Oi! I wanted to go to that! Why didn'tcha wake me up? Gettin' up early ain't a problem for me!"
Pao Da quirked an eyebrow and gestured toward the unmade bed.
Ranma gave the crumpled covers a sheepish grin. "Yeah, well, it ain't a problem when it's somethin' important! I would've gotten up!"
"I'm sure you would have, child," Pao Da concurred as Ranma put on a fresh tank top. "But the truth of the matter is that the Rites of Passage is one of our most important ceremonies and, as such, open only to Nyuuchiezu elders and those undergoing the ritual."
"Oh." Ranma's face fell, then brightened again. "But the tournament's open to everybody, right?"
"Yes, child, everyone can go to the tournament," Pao Da told her, holding out her gi. "But the more questions you ask, the less likely we will arrive on time."
Ranma looked at the outfit the Chinese woman was handing her. "What's with the gi? I haven't worn this since I got here."
"Exactly, child. Today you'll need to wear your own clothing. It would be highly inappropriate for you, an outsider, to wear the garb of an Amazon warrior to an event that celebrates how extraordinary warrior status is."
Ranma shrugged. "Guess that makes sense," she said dubiously, grimacing as she slipped into the jacket. "But after wearin' nothin' but silk this sure feels rough." The Japanese teen pulled on her trousers, adjusted the drawstring, and tied on her belt. "Ready!"
Pao Da nodded in approval. "One last thing." Stepping around Ranma, the Amazon yanked off the string that kept the redhead's hair neatly plaited.
"Hey!" Ranma exclaimed as red waves cascaded over her shoulders. Without a word, Pao Da gathered it back up, tying it into a tidy ponytail.
Ranma turned to face her sensei. "What was that all about?" she demanded, patting what had been her braid.
"Amazon etiquette," Pao Da explained. "Only those who underwent the Rites of Passage may wear their hair plaited today. It's symbolic of all their years of preparation finally coming together for this all-important moment."
Ranma blinked. "Ho-kay, whatever," she said, eyeing her reflection in the mirror. "It's just that I haven't worn my hair like this in ages." She turned her head from side to side, studying the change in hairstyle.
Pao Da cleared her throat. "Please let me know when you've finished admiring yourself, child," she remarked dryly. "With Fortune on our side, we might catch the final match of the tournament."
"HEY!!"
Something was definitely different about Nyuuchiezu Genjudi, Ranma concluded within minutes of leaving Pao Da's home. Sure, Genjudi looked different, with festive banners and colorful streamers hanging everywhere... but the town felt different as well. It was as though something had electrified the atmosphere and supercharged the very ground they walked on, a sensation that increased in intensity the closer they got to the village green. Ranma had never felt experienced anything like it.
"You feel it, don't you?" Pao Da asked, noticing the perplexed look on her young companion's face.
"What is it? It feels like the town's alive or somethin'."
"In a way, it is," Pao Da replied, causing Ranma's eyebrows to launch into the atmosphere. "No, no, child, it's nothing like that. But just like we have our life energy, our ki, so too nature has its own energy, its chi, which flows through everything. And just like some of us have highly developed ki, there are places in the earth where chi is more concentrated. Chief Elder Ke Lon believes that chi gathers where ki is strongest and that, at these places, chi resonates with the ki that drew it there. What you're feeling is 3,000 years of Amazon pride, child." The blue-haired woman cocked her head. "It's like this every time we celebrate the Rites of Passage, as though the earth is aware that we've added new warriors to our tribe."
Ranma nodded. "So what's different about this time?"
The question caught Pao Da off guard. "You can sense that as well?"
Ranma smirked. "No, but I can sense from your ki signature that somethin' ain't right."
"Ah." The Amazon shook her head. "It isn't a matter of right or wrong as much as it is a matter of magnitude, child. Rarely does chi resonate with such strength. In fact, I know of only two such instances in recent history." Pao Da smiled. "I believe this foretells of great things for Nyuuchiezu."
"Why?" Ranma asked. "What were the other two times?"
"One occured more than 300 years ago, when the warrior you now know as Chief Elder Ke Lon won her first tournament," Pao Da told the curious teen.
"And the other?" Ranma crossed her arms and regarded her sensei with suspicion.
Pao Da flushed. "Ah... that was when I underwent the Rites of Passage. Never mind how many years ago that was."
Ranma grinned, and the two continued toward the center of town. <Great things, huh?> the cursed youth thought as they walked on. <From one of Sei Lin's students or Ka Mei or Shampoo? Yeesh. Well, there's always the chance that 'great' means something else in Chinese.>
A throng of people had already gathered at the village green, chatting with each other and keeping watchful eyes on scampering children. Ranma recognized many of Ta Lekhu's customers from the previous days and couldn't help but admire the master weaver's work, now transformed into all sorts of blouses and pants. The colorful clothing livened up the tournament grounds, which was undecorated save for a row of vacant benches strewn with fresh flowers. The tournament ring itself was empty, with the exception of an enormous log suspended from four poles. To the west and south of the ring, Amazons crammed onto benches and saved seats for friends. To the east of the ring...
"Don't even think about it, child," Pao Da warned when she saw what had captured Ranma's attention. "That food is strictly off limits."
The hungry teen gazed longingly at the steaming stone crocks, baskets of vegetables, and juicy watermelon wedges covering the entire surface of a rough-hewn wooden table. "But it looks so good!"
"That's the point, child," Pao Da told her. "The elder warriors of the village spent last night harvesting the best crops from their gardens and preparing their most delicious dishes to honor the Amazon who wins this tournament. That food is first prize."
"The winner gets all that?" Ranma exclaimed. "She's not expected to eat it all by herself, is she?"
"Of course not! After receiving her prize, the champion then honors the village's newest warriors and the Council of Elders by sharing her prize with them." The Amazon's silver eyes sparkled conspiratorially. "I've been looking forward to Pei Yin's onion stew all year. I just have to get to that pot before the rest of the elders."
Just thinking of a bowl of hot, savory stew got Ranma's stomach rumbling, reminding Pao Da that her charge had yet to eat breakfast. Taking Ranma by the arm, Pao Da guided her to the food stalls. "Come, child," she told the famished redhead. "The variety here might not match that on the champion's table, but I believe we might find a pork bun or two for you."
Several minutes and one ecstatic food vendor later, instructor and student returned to the tournament grounds, Ranma happily munching away on an entire basket of piping-hot pork buns and Pao Da gaping at her. "Your ability to eat never ceases to amaze me, child... how you manage to eat enough food for four without gaining an ounce of fat is beyond my understanding."
Ranma grinned. "It's 'cause I'm a growin' boy," she cheerily replied around a mouthful of food.
The Amazon simply shook her head. "At least I had enough left for a pot of honeyed tea," she said, indicating the large earthenware jug in her arms. "Li Fu only brews her tea on special occasions, and I was not about to miss out." Setting the container down carefully beneath one of the flower-covered benches, Pao Da straightened her robe and then looked at Ranma. "This is where we go our separate ways, I'm afraid," she informed the young martial artist. "This area is only for the Council of Elders and the new warriors."
"But where am I supposed to sit?" Ranma asked, bewildered. "Everyone I know is either an elder or a new warrior, and I didn't see Ta Lekhu anywhere!"
Pao Da scanned the crowd. "Young Mu Tsu is sitting by himself over there," she said, indicating the myopic youth. "You met him the other day, I believe. He'd be a good companion."
Ranma followed the elder's gaze, then looked back at Pao Da. "He's talkin' to a shrub," she said sullenly. "I don't think so."
Pao Da resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "Child, I'm sure that anyone here would appreciate your company," she reassured the teen. "In fact, I can think of two people," she added, gesturing towards the prize table. "Or rather, one person and a panda."
"Huh?" Looking where Pao Da was pointing, Ranma was surprised to see her father and the Jusenkyo guide sitting side by side. The guide appeared to be sternly lecturing Genma about not eating the prize food.
Ranma turned back to Pao Da. "You sure you want him here?" she asked. "Pop tends to cause nothin' but trouble wherever he goes."
Pao Da smiled. "Oh, I think that you'll be able to handle him, child," she told the skeptical redhead. "Go along, now... I have to join the others in the Council Hall before the tournament begins."
"If you say so," Ranma said, not at all convinced Genma's presence was a good thing. Keeping a firm grip on her basket of buns, she tromped over to the prize table.
"Ah, hello, sir!" The guide jumped up and bowed, a wide smile splitting his doughy face. "Very good seeing you again! Very good seeing you look so well."
Ranma bowed politely in return. "Ni hao... it's good to see you again, too."
The guide's smile broadened. "I see bringing you to village of Amazon womans was a very good thing, sir. Curse is not too bad after all!"
"Errr... right," Ranma said, plunking herself down beside her father's hulking form. "Hey, Pop, how's it goin'?"
The panda whipped out a wooden sign. "So, you remember your old man after all!" it read. He quickly flipped it over. "I'm touched by your concern."
Ranma grabbed the sign and smacked Genma on the head with it. "Aww, knock it off, oyaji," she growled. "It was your idea to come train in China. So I'm trainin' in China, just not with you. Deal with it."
Rubbing the emerging goose egg, Genma held up another sign. "I suppose I can overlook your lack of respect... for two pork buns," it read.
"Not on your life," Ranma snapped, hugging the basket closer. "Get your own food."
"Ah, sirs," the guide interrupted hesitantly. "Tournament is about to begin."
"Huh? Oh!" With one last glare at her father, Ranma hunkered down and turned her attention to the tournament ring. A column of warriors was slowly filing in, determination evident on all their faces. Recognizing Xian Pu and Ka Mei, Ranma realized these were the competitors. She watched with interest as the women marched over to the suspended log and, as one, nimbly leapt onto it. Turning to face the audience, the contestants bowed deeply, then sat down without making a sound.
<Not too shabby,> Ranma thought, impressed with their show of agility. <But what the hell is Ka Mei wearin'?> The masculine Amazon looked like a playing card come to life. A double-width, sky-blue ruff surrounded Ka Mei's thick neck, and her stocky arms and torso were encased in red silk. Over her chest she wore a black and blue breastpiece with red lettering, and another blue ruffle topped her tight black trousers. Ka Mei had gathered her short hair into two small buns, one above each ear, and had enclosed each in red silk. Purple button earrings and lots of pink lipstick completed the brawny girl's unusual look.
<Man, she doesn't even need to fight to look scary,> Ranma thought with a shudder.
"Look, sirs, the Nyuuchiezu Council of Elders," the Jusenkyo guide announced as all the Amazons rose to their feet. Ranma did likewise, but Genma sat where he was until a small foot stomped fiercely on his paw.
"Kuso oyaji," she muttered when the panda gave her a wounded look.
The 10 tribal leaders solemnly entered the tournament grounds, their silk robes and flowing hair billowing about them. Each elder seemed to radiate with regal dignity — even Chief Elder Ke Lon looked majestic, despite her shrunken stature and wizened features. The Council members approached the benches reserved for their use but, instead of sitting, the women turned and faced the audience. There was complete silence for a moment; then, Ke Lon rapped her staff sharply on the ground. Immediately, the 20 girls Ranma had trained with marched in, led by Sei Lin. While Sei Lin wore a simple slate-colored shirt and black slacks, the girls wore leather armor over matching hazel-green outfits. Each girl's hair hung in a thick braid down her back, and black leather braces sheathed each wrist. All 20 carried barb-tipped pikes.
<Whoa,> Ranma thought. <They all look so confident all of a sudden. It's like they grew up overnight or somethin'.>
When the girls were lined up directly in front of the elders, Ke Lon rapped her staff again. [Combat Instructor Sei Lin,] the Chief Elder intoned. [Are these the same Amazons who underwent the Rites of Passage this morning?]
[Yes, Honored Elder,] Sei Lin replied.
Ke Lon's eyes narrowed. [This cannot be true,] she continued. [These are women; this morning's lot were girls. What has happened?]
[These women were but girls this morning, Chief Elder,] Sei Lin responded. [They are now Amazon warriors.]
[They are what?] Ke Lon demanded.
The response came not from Sei Lin, but from her former students. [We are now Amazon warriors, Chief Elder!] they shouted in unison.
Before Ke Lon could answer, the tournament competitors leapt to their feet and bowed to the armored teens. [Welcome, sisters!] they called out as one.
Ke Lon rapped her staff once more. [It must be true, then, for Amazon warriors do not lie. If Amazon warriors welcome you as their sisters, then Amazon warriors you must be. Welcome then, warriors, and take your place in our tribe!]
As the crowd cheered and applauded, the 20 new warriors marched behind the elders and assumed an honor guard stance. The tournament competitors then jumped down and joined Sei Lin in the ring.
Ke Lon waited for the crowd to settle down before continuing. [Today, one of you will become Champion of Nyuuchiezu Genjudi. All of you, however, honor us and yourselves by participating and doing your best. Luck and fortune to you all — let the tournament begin!]
[Ho Taling and Li Yunghao!] Sei Lin barked out, dismissing the other competitors as the elders and spectators took their seats.
Ranma pulled Genma back down onto the bench as the first match got underway. "Uh, what just happened?" she asked. Genma shrugged.
"Oh, sirs, were you not watching?" the guide replied, his voice heavy with dismay. "The Chief Elder welcomed the new warrior womans, and now tournament begins. Sirs, you really should pay attention!"
Ranma scowled at the Jusenkyo groundskeeper and bit into a pork bun. <One of these days, I really need to learn Chinese,> she thought darkly to herself.
The noontime sun was directly overhead when Sei Lin announced the championship match. As Ranma had surmised, the whole thing had come down to Ka Mei and Xian Pu, although that Ho Taling had gotten in a few good kicks to the head before Ka Mei knocked her out cold. Ranma was intrigued by the Amazons' fighting style, a blend of kung fu and t'ai chi that she had never seen before. She commited as much to memory as she could, pausing only once to deck Genma when he tried to filch an ear of corn from the prize table. <Maybe Pao Da will let me try some of these techniques on her later,> the teenager speculated, already incorporating them into the Anything Goes style.
"Look, sirs, the last match is to begin," the guide informed them.
Ranma shook her head. "I still can't believe Ka Mei is a girl. I mean, just look at her!"
"That's a girl!!!?" Genma's sign read. An incredulous expression marked his furry face.
"And just where the hell have you been for the last two hours?" Ranma demanded. "Didn't you watch her fight?"
Genma flipped the sign over. "I thought she was the comic relief," it read.
Before Ranma could pound her father, however, the Jusenkyo guide chuckled. "Here, that one more pretty, no?" he asked, gesturing towards the pink-clad Xian Pu.
"Yes. I mean, no! I mean, I don't know," Ranma spluttered, her face reddening. "Geez, what a choice: ugly but polite or cute but rude. I don't know who to root for." Pulling out her last pork bun, she sat back to watch the fight... and found the tournament ring completely obscured by Amazons.
"Hey! How'm I supposed to see with all them in the way?" she complained, straining to get a better view.
"Please, sir, sit down," the Jusenkyo guide pleaded, keeping a firm grasp on her sleeve to prevent her from shoving her way through the crowd. "Only Amazon womans allowed on tournament grounds. Very very bad trouble if you go there."
"But I can't see!" Ranma griped, hopping onto the bench and craning her neck above the crowd.
"Oh, sir, you'll see," the guide assured her. "See, sir, match is starting." He waved his pipe toward the suspended log, onto which Ka Mei and Xian Pu both suddenly leapt, elevating themselves above the crowd. "You see, sir? Easy to see womans now."
Ranma, however, had tuned the guide out and was focusing her attention on the competitors; each thrust a hand out at Sei Lin, who swiftly supplied the young Amazons with their weapon of choice. Ka Mei had selected a sturdy wooden staff topped with a spiked oblong mace, a weapon of sweeping and striking that increased the already sizable reach she had over her petite opponent. For her part, Xian Pu opted for a matched set of melon hammers, or bonbori, Wushu weapons that enhanced the power of her attacks. Bowing perfunctorily, the two rivals strode to opposite ends of the log and turned to face each other, their expressions cold and calculating.
<So that's why they moved in a straight line when they were trainin'!> Ranma realized. <They were practicin' for this fight. They're pretty evenly matched, even with the weapons, so it is gonna come down to balance>. The teen cast a glance at Pao Da, who sat amongst the elders, serenely sipping from her jug of tea as she watched the combatants. <I wonder if Sensei trained either of them in the balance techniques she taught me. Guess I'll find out soon enough.>
Sei Lin raised her arm, signaling for quiet from the spectators. She looked at Ka Mei and Xian Pu, who nodded their readiness without taking their eyes off each other. [Warriors... begin!] she shouted, slicing her hand downward.
Xian Pu immediately leapt at Ka Mei, who quickly parried the purple-haired girl's attack and swung her staff at her in a slashing motion. Failing to connect, Ka Mei scowled and swung again. Xian Pu jumped back out of range, landing in a crane stance, her bonbori held in blocking positions. Yelling fiercely, the pink-clad warrior charged again, swinging her hammers repeatedly at Ka Mei's head and torso. Ka Mei deftly blocked the onslaught, calmly parrying one blow after another while waiting for an opening. She didn't have long to wait: Xian Pu raised her bonbori to strike, leaving her midsection wide open. With a loud cry, Ka Mei surged forward, thrusting the spiked tip of her staff at Xian Pu's solar plexus in what was surely the winning blow...
...Except that somehow, Xian Pu read her moves and launched herself into the air, leaving Ka Mei with nothing but empty space as a target. Flipping over her opponent's head, Xian Pu landed catlike behind her. Whipping quickly around, the little Amazon swung her right bonbori with all her might at Ka Mei's side, connecting with a loud thud — and with enough force to send the burly warrior flying off the log and over the prize table. Breathing heavily, Xian Pu lowered her hammers, jumped down off the log, and silently bowed, first to the elders, then to the audience.
As Sei Lin lifted Xian Pu's hand in victory, the crowd broke out in wild applause, the Saotomes and the Jusenkyo guide joining in. "Like I said, that girl's got some serious strength," Ranma commented to her companions.
The guide nodded in agreement. "Yes, win tournament is a very good honor, sirs," he added. "Watch this now, sirs, the Chief Elder says she is winner."
Ke Lon drew everybody's attention as she approached her great-granddaughter, her pride threatening to break through her stately composure. Leaping onto the suspended log, the ancient Amazon positioned herself behind Xian Pu and waited patiently for the applause to die down.
[Amazons of Nyuuchiezu Genjudi, today a champion has distinguished herself by proving her skills in battle against her peers,] she proclaimed, her voice loud and clear. [Today Xian Pu becomes tournament champion and chief amongst warriors. Is there anyone here who disputes her right to this title?]
It was a rhetorical question, ritually asked to establish the winner's status. Ke Lon was therefore taken aback when someone actually responded.
[I dispute it, Chief Elder!] The spectators gasped as Ka Mei stepped forward, her breastpiece askew and one bun undone, its red-silk sheath dangling by its ribbon.
Xian Pu glared in disbelief at Ka Mei, while Ke Lon frowned, fully aware of the masculine Amazon's long-standing rivalry with her great-granddaughter. [Why do you dispute Xian Pu's right to be called tournament champion, Ka Mei?] she asked warily.
[I dispute it, Chief Elder, because Xian Pu has not defeated all her peers. There is one here trained in warrior's ways whom she has not battled... one who would defeat her.]
Xian Pu's jaw hit the ground. [Who?!!] she demanded, clenching her fingers tightly around the handles of her hammers.
Ka Mei smiled slyly. [Her!] she exclaimed, pointing defiantly past the crowd.
Sneezing, Ranma looked up to find every Amazon present gaping at her. Noticing Xian Pu's quiet fury, Ka Mei's smug smirk, and everyone else's stunned expressions, she turned to the Jusenkyo guide, confused. "Uh, what just happened?"
Pao Da set down her jug of tea and slowly counted to 10. <That blasted Ka Mei! Why didn't I foresee she'd make a mess of things!> Taking a deep breath, the blue-haired Amazon strode to her student's side.
Ranma sighed in relief upon seeing Pao Da approach. "What's going on?" she asked again, unsettled by the stares and having gotten nothing but a pitiful look from the guide.
Pao Da's silver eyes glittered with suppressed anger. "Ka Mei is being an extremely sore loser, I'm afraid," she told the Japanese teen. "She just pointed out to the whole tribe that Xian Pu is not truly tournament champion until she defeats you, and that you're more than likely to defeat her if she tried."
"Is that all? And that's why everyone's so riled?" Ranma shook her head. "Geez, it's not like I can compete or anythin'... I'm an outsider, remember?"
Pao Da sighed. "It's not that simple, child. By challenging Xian Pu's champion status, Ka Mei has created a situation that can only be remedied by your fighting Xian Pu. And if you f—"
[Pao Da, have you explained to Saotome Ranma what just transpired?] Ke Lon inquired, hopping down from the log and joining their group.
The Joketsukozu woman faced the Chief Elder. [Yes, Honored Elder. I was about to tell Saotome Ranma about our laws regarding an outsider fighting an Amazon.]
The ancient leader ignored her, however, and addressed Ranma directly. "Saotome Ranma, do you understand that Xian Pu cannot be declared tournament champion until she fights you?"
Ranma glanced at Pao Da and nodded. "That's what Pao Da told me, but I'm not an Amazon, so it doesn't matter. Right?"
Ke Lon regarded the redhead shrewdly. "The challenge has been made, Saotome Ranma. If I allow it, will you accept?"
The color drained from Pao Da's face. [Honored Elder!] she exclaimed, [Saotome Ranma does not understand our tribal laws! Allowing Ranma to compete without full knowledge—]
Ke Lon gave the younger elder an icy glare. [Pao Da... do not interrupt me again.]
The blue-haired woman fell silent, recoiling as if she had been slapped.
Unable to understand the barrage of Chinese flying around her, Ranma latched onto the one idea she could comprehend. "Say, if I fight Xian Pu and win, then all this food is mine, right?" she asked, gesturing to the prize table behind her.
Ke Lon nodded slowly. "Should you defeat Xian Pu, then first prize would indeed be yours."
[Chief Elder, I must protes—] Pao Da interrupted with urgency.
It was too late. The mere thought of eating all those stews, soups, dumplings, and other culinary delights was enough to sway the redheaded eating machine. "Okay, Chief Elder, you're on," Ranma told Ke Lon. "I'll fight Xian Pu."
The ancient Amazon gave her a crafty smile. "I rather thought you would." Taking Ranma by the hand, Ke Lon led the teenager into the tournament ring, then turned to face the townsfolk. [The challenge has been made and accepted. As Chief Elder, I will allow this match.]
As a new wave of whispers washed over the audience, Xian Pu gave Ranma a quick once-over. [Hmf. Pao Da may have trained you in secret Amazon techniques, Pigtailed Girl, but none of those will do you any good here,] she declared, not caring that Ranma didn't understand a word she said. With a grim smile, the pink-clad Amazon leapt onto the log.
Ranma watched Xian Pu stomp over to the west end of the log. <Why's she so mad at me?> she wondered, hopping up to take her spot at the opposite end. <It ain't like I'm the one who challenged her!> She looked back at the prize table, where Pao Da stood silently, her eyes blazing against her pale skin. The Jusenkyo guide simply sat, puffing away nervously at his pipe, but Genma waved a sign at her. "Get this over with quick, boy. I'm hungry," it read.
"Stupid old man," she muttered, folding her arms across her chest and turning her attention back to Xian Pu while Sei Lin resumed her referee post. When the combat instructor was ready, Xian Pu raised her bonbori in a closed fighting stance, not even bothering to bow to her opponent. Not terribly surprised by the girl's lack of manners, Sei Lin looked at Ranma, who shrugged but retained her casual pose, arms still crossed. Sighing, Sei Lin signaled the start of the match.
With a roar, Xian Pu charged down the log at Ranma... and suddenly found herself soaring through the air, the victim of one of the Japanese teen's devastating front snap kicks.
Ranma held her leg raised for a moment to show off her balance and flexibility, then, laughing merrily, jumped down to Sei Lin's side. Wordlessly, the Amazon woman raised Ranma's arm in victory.
"Ah, too bad, he win," the Jusenkyo guide said mournfully to Genma, who had grabbed a wedge of watermelon and was busy demolishing it.
Ranma happily bounced back to the prize table, plopping herself down beside her father and helping herself to an ear of corn. "That wasn't too bad," she told them, her mouth full of kernels. "So which one's the onion stew, Sensei?" she asked Pao Da. "I figure we better set it aside before I share this with all the elders, ya know?" Picking up a plump dumpling, she took a huge bite.
Pao Da, however, ignored the young martial artist, focusing her attention on the Chief Elder, who was getting an earful from a furious Xian Pu. <What's your next move, Ke Lon?> she wondered, watching the wizened old woman console her great-granddaughter. <You know what our laws require Xian Pu to do. Was this your ultimate plan?>
Further speculation was unnecessary, however, for Xian Pu, her head held high, slowly approached the gorging teen. Carefully placing a hand on either side of Ranma's head, the lavendar-haired warrior leaned in and gently kissed the redhead on the cheek.
"Oh!" Stunned, Ranma dropped what she was eating and, blushing furiously, touched the spot where the young Amazon's lips had been. <She... she kissed me!> she marveled, her reeling mind completely oblivious to the gasps of horror echoing through the crowd. Flustered by Xian Pu's display of affection, Ranma was at a loss for words.
The Jusenkyo guide wasn't. Grabbing her by the wrist, the civil servant frantically tried to haul Ranma to her feet. "AAAAAGH! Run, sir, run run run!!!"
Ranma looked at the Chinese man as if he'd lost his mind. "Now what?"
"That one just give you the Kiss of Death!" he exclaimed, continuing to yank on her arm.
"She gave me what?!!"
The guide gestured wildly at the crowd gathering around them. "Womans of Amazon tribe has much pride, sir! Losing to outsider is worse thing that can happen to those womans. Kiss of Death is promise to chase to ends of earth... and kill!"
Fingers extended in warding signs, Ranma swallowed nervously and smiled weakly at Xian Pu, only now noticing the girl's narrowed eyes and sinister expression. "Y-y-you wouldn't do that, now, wouldja?" she stammered, backing into the table. "You know, I don't really need all this food," she continued, grabbing the closest crock and holding it out to her. "Here, you can take this one!"
Xian Pu simply smiled.
[That is enough!!] Unable to contain herself any longer, Pao Da stepped forward, coming between the young warrior and her prey. [As a Nyuuchiezu elder, I will not permit this travesty to happen,] she declared, staring at Ke Lon. [I do not know why this match was allowed, but the sentence that Xian Pu has imposed as a result is not only unacceptable, it is impossible.] Snatching the crock out of Ranma's hands, Pao Da upended it over the Japanese teen's head. [Saotome Ranma is beyond your justice, Xian Pu].
The silence that followed was deafening. Glaring defiantly at the shocked crowd, Pao Da was stunned to see the grin on the Chief Elder's face broaden into a full-fledged smile. <She... she manipulated me...> Pao Da realized with a gasp. <Blessed ancestors, that crafty witch intended this all along!>
Ranma, however, was much more preoccupied with someone else's reaction. Looking down through stew-drenched black bangs, he was appalled to see a pair of liquid maroon eyes gazing intently at him... and even more horrified when two slender arms entwined themselves around his neck. "GAHH!" he exclaimed, scrabbling backward in a futile attempt to escape.
But Xian Pu was not about to let him get away. Gripping him tightly, she stretched up on her tiptoes and kissed Ranma once again, this time on the lips. Then, in a soft, dreamy voice that nonetheless penetrated the overwhelming silence, she pronounced her new sentence:
[Wo ai ni.]
Author's Notes:
My profound apologies to all who've been patiently waiting for this chapter to finally be posted. I hope it was worth the wait! Tune in next time for "Shotgun Weddings, the Amazon Way!"
Just kidding...
Fanart welcome... I've wanted to sit down and sketch out Ta Lekhu, Pao Da, Sei Lin, and scenes from this fic for so long, but I barely have the time to write it, much less draw it... if anyone out there has ever done anything like this, I'd love to see it!
06/22/02
Disclaimers:
Ranma 1/2 is a creation of Takahashi Rumiko. All rights belong to Takahashi-san, Shogakukan, Kitty, Viz, and countless other entities with the power to sue me for borrowing them for a little while. Please don't — I'm a starving, penniless otaku!
All original characters belong to me... if you'd like them to visit your fanfics, just ask! Their travel rucksacks are always packed and ready to go.
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C&C welcome at saotomeranchan@gmail.com. No flames, please ... I'm as sensitive as Tendo Soun!