The Spring Of Drowned Thief

The Sights Of China


Seven in the morning was the normal time Ryouga woke up, except when he had early morning training at five or some thing. It never really bothered him to wake up early as long as he got a bit of sleep between night and day. As it stood, he did in fact get sleep that night, but for once it wasn’t enough. Well, more like he just didn’t want to wake up. He felt warm, safe, and his nose didn’t hurt. The only problem with this was that the person, whom was to destroy him, when she woke up, was currently firmly latched onto him. He decided that he was in fact awake when he realized that his eyes were wide open looking into Akane’s sleeping face. It was as cute as hell, but it was going to twist and turn on him any second and he knew it. He silently cursed himself and whacked his head against the wall a few times. This wasn’t his brightest solution for his problems because in turn Akane was awaken by the crying and banging sounds.

She wrapped her arms around Ryouga’s neck and bumped her hand, which caused her eyes to open and scrunch her face in pain. This wasn’t received well by Ryouga whom misinterpreted the action and reaction as grief against him. After Akane sucked in air through her teeth and said ‘ow’ in a raspy voice, Ryouga did what he could only think of at that point. He launched himself off the bed with a pillow covering his bits and begged for forgiveness.

“I’m so sorry Akane! Please forgive me!”

“Ow, ow, ow… No, no it’s not your fault, I just-“

“No! It’s all my fault! I couldn’t resist you!”

“Uhhh, thanks? What’s wrong?”

“I never meant to take advantage of you…! I-I’m so ashamed! Please forgive me!”

“What the heck are you going on about Ryouga?”

“L-last night w-when we…”

“Oh, that. Still worried huh? Don’t worry about it. I had lots of fun!”

“B-but I practically raped you…!”

“You’re talking about me, right? Akane Tendo?”

“…yes…”

Akane stretched out her hand and guided Ryouga back to the bed as he looked away in shame. She gave him a warm smile and brought her face close to his. “I can assure you, that you didn’t rape me in any way Ryouga. I think I’d have to be refusing it or some thing.”

“B-but I used you to fulfill my disgraceful needs!”

Akane raised an eyebrow and just smiled at him. “Actually it was the other way around, but either way you were great last night! I wanna shoot who ever said, ‘There’s no second chances at a first time.’”

“I… I was?”

“Yeah! All your moves were perfect. I thought I was going to black out like three times.”

”Isn’t that a bad thing…?”

“Not when it involves multiple orgasms.”

Ryouga’s nose did the usual geyser and he was recuperating a few seconds later. “You’ve got to get past this Ryouga… I guess I’ll have to break you in a little…”

Geyser number two hit and Ryouga was back on the floor. His looks became a little irritated a moment later. “Damn… Don’t you even remember what happened last night!? We’re in the middle of a serious problem here!”

Akane’s eyes turned sad and soon she developed a hooded gaze. “Yeah… I remember… That’s why we did it… I just wanted to forget all the bad things for a moment and know all the good things… Is that wrong…?”

“Yes! Yes it is!”

Akane turned around and lay on her bed facing the wall. “Then, I’m sorry… I guess I was selfish…”

Ryouga hit his head and screamed silently. “No, no, no! I didn’t mean it that way! Agh! Damnit! I meant to say some thing else! ARGH!”

Akane sniffed a few times. “It’s ok Ryouga… You’re right… I acted like a total whore… Throwing myself at you like that, what was I thinking…?”

Ryouga stopped beating himself up and went wide-eyed and tried to take a deep breath. “Argh! I’m making this worse! Akane I didn’t mean that. And you’re not a whore…”

Akane kept her face to the wall as Ryouga’s hand touched her shoulder. “Then how come it’s so horrible to be around me?”

He sighed and calmed down. “Look, it’s not horrible to be around you. It’s the greatest thing in my life. I love you, I really do, and I just don’t want any thing to be meaningless between us. I want every thing we do together to be... you know... special…”

“Last night was meaningless?”

“That came out wrong…”

“Last night we both said, ‘I love you.’ Doesn’t that make it special?”

Ryouga nodded, “Yeah… Yes, it does. I didn’t see it like that at the time though…” He reached over and turned her head over to his. “Can you forgive me for being an idiot?”

She smiled her smile and pulled him in for a kiss. “Maybe… but can you forgive me for confusing you?”

“Of coarse! I’d never be mad at you for any thing!”

“Thanks… Now get into bed, I want to cuddle!”

“Yes, ma’am!” Ryouga was in the bed and under the covers in a jiffy ready for some cozy time until he was abruptly stopped. “What’s wrong?”

Akane blushed and looked away for a second. “Oh, well… I still feel bad for confusing you… I want to make it up to you…”

Ryouga scratched his head with a smile. “Nahh… It’s ok. You don’t have to…” Akane started kissing all over his face and worked her way down his neck and onto his chest. “worry…. about…. W-what are you doing?” She continued down and down until Ryouga’s eyes bulged out at what she was about to do. “Holy shi-!”

“I said I was going to break you in cutie. Now get ready! This is going to feel great!”

“Hell Y-AAAHHH!”


“Those two are certainly enjoying their morning…”

“You shouldn’t take it so hard Mousse, but then again you do have a point. They’ve been pretty noisy. I’m just glad my dad hasn’t heard yet… Worse yet, Kuno… I can practically see the shower of challenge letters now…”

“Hmph… They shouldn’t be so selfish. I wasn’t able to get any sleep last because of what happened. You think he’s really changed?”

Nabiki lit up a smoke and looked at the harbor they were in. “I’m not sure what to think right now. He defiantly changed, or he’s gone nuts. I never would have thought he could stab her like that.”

Mousse snorted a little. “I think I got the worst of it. I don’t think I’ve ever been this pissed off in my life. I’m going to beat the hell out of him when I see him.”

“I don’t mean to sound pessimistic here, but how do you plan on doing that? You guys didn’t exactly wave the flags of victory over that one.”

“Shut up! I don’t need to be reminded!”

Nabiki crossed her arms and looked Mousse in the eyes. “Don’t get mad at me. You people brought it upon yourselves. He was just going to do a smash and grab with that relic, but you guys had to jump in and screw every thing up for him. It’s even my sister’s fault for getting a knife through her hand. I really don’t see why you guys felt the need to protect that crest. There’s no gain from it, unless you consider getting a sword through your shoulder gain, but I find that unlikely.”

Mousse clenched his fists and eased his anger. “I guess you’re right… We didn’t have to do that, but we think differently then you. We weren’t protecting the treasure like you seem to believe. We were trying to bring him back to us. We don’t give a rat’s ass about that crest. In fact, the only people that have an interest in it, are you, the old woman, and bunch rich guys. Think about that, before you decide to step off this boat. We don’t have any room for greed where we’re going.” Mousse turned his back and walked off towards the dinning room.

Nabiki watched him leave as she blew a stream of smoke from her lips. “Dick.”


Nodoka had finally managed to cry herself to sleep for a few hours, but she kept stirring through the night. She eventually gave up on sleep and went to a place where she would be alone to think. As it turned out, the ship stayed alive all night, and there always seemed to be some one around to bother her. Whether it was some drunk or an unknowing waiter asking her if she needed any thing. She eventually found herself in a dark quiet training hall below deck. She smile out of irony thinking that this was how the whole mess started. With a training trip that lasted too long. She found a corner and slid down to the ground like a wounded soldier. “He didn’t even recognize me…” She squeezed out a couple of tears and pulled out her sword. It was broken, cracked, and battered all about. “Hardly even sharp… Ranma…” Nodoka jerked suddenly when she felt a hand touch her shoulder.

“Sensei… Please remain strong.”

“Oh, dear. You startled me…”

“Forgive me Sensei, but I cannot stand to see you like this. You are the blade mistress whom brought me to my knees, and to see you now…”

“Tatawaki… My son passed me by with out knowing who I am. He knocked us all down as if we meant nothing to him. Is it wrong for a mother to cry over her wayward son?”

“Your words strike me deep, for my departed mother once said the same thing unto me. I never understood until you said in now. You feel that he is gone, but I must contest sensei. Though I did not see him within a mortal plain of vision, I could sense his presence with my inner eye, ever since we boarded this vessel. We are destined to fight and so, I am to train until we canst once again do battle!”

“Oh, sweetie… I have no idea what you just said to me, but some thing tells me you’re trying to cheer me up.”

“And lo! The battle shall be glorious! But I now see I cannot tempt this task alone. For now the Fire-Haired Goddess now resists me… Please sensei! Stand up and aid me, for I know now I have much to learn in my sword craft, and you my sword mistress are the only one whom can help me!” Kuno reached out his hand to help Nodoka to her feet.

After a few seconds of silence, Nodoka lifted her hand and placed the grip of her sword in Kuno’s hand. “Only if you make me a promise…”

“Any thing sensei.”

“If I am to train you, you must bring my Ranma back to me, the way I remember him; A sweet boy full of energy. Can you do this for me?”

“Tis no easy task sensei, but if tis be thine request, I have no choice but to honor your wishes. You have my word.”

Nodoka smiled a smile that only old tired women were supposed to wear. “From now on, you are to use this. It may be broken, but if you learn every thing I am to teach you, then it will be what brings my son home to me.”

Kuno’s entire body shook as he laid his hand on the grip of the sword. Finally, he had a true quest of honor. His dreams and fantasies ready to be lived out. He slowly unsheathed the sword feeling its power fill his veins. Finally, he was to become the knight he’d always dreamed to be. The knight to whom would slay the mightiest of dragons and save the maidens fair. He held the blade up and gave it a look. To most, it would seem to be nothing more then a tattered old sword, but only he knew what it’s true identity was. For this was his Excalibur, the boundless sword of kings and now it was now his, a gift from his master, a golden treasure to shine hope into the people who follow him. He would now march into battle sure of victory and glory. He imagined the moonlight showing it’s true form of gold and white. A tear ran down his face as he gave it a wave and listened to the air being sliced. “Thank you sensei. I will always treasure this… On my very honor, I shall see to your wishes and see your son home.”

Nodoka on the other hand, saw the sword a bit differently, as some thing that would disable her son, yet not kill him. She planned to have a new one made as soon as she found a place that made them. It’s hard to get a custom sword these days.


“Ma’am… C-can I please g-go to sleep now? We’ve been making these things all night, and the sulfur is making me feel weird…”

“What have I told you about whining!? This is all for my beloved Ranma!”

“H-he’s not ‘my’ b-beloved R-Ranma. We’re just f-friends. We have 300 of these things a-anyways…”

“Oh, all right! But I want you back here in three hours!”

“T-that’s not fair!”

“You’re right! We’re getting off soon. I want you back in 1 hour!”

“…*Sniff*…”


“How are you feeling father?”

“I’LL KILL EM’!”

“Oh, my! It sounds like some one needs his chloroform again.”


“Why we get off boat? Trip no done yet.”

“Because this is the closest shore he could have swum to. We’ll be tracking him by foot from here. It’s nothing but jungle until we get home.”

“Why we no rent car?”

“Musk country isn’t exactly a place we want to be making a lot of racket. I’d like us to pass through unnoticed.”

“Grandmother… Won’t we make big racket anyway?”

Cologne rubbed her head. “Yes… Yes we will… Just let this old woman pretend child…”

“Ok.”

“…”

“We be quiet as button!”

“It’s not working dear…”


Nabiki finally got tired of waiting for the two to finish up, so she let herself in. “AHHH! Close the door!”

*Creek*

*Slam*

“AHHH! GET OUT!”

“Really sis. You need to start paying attention to current events…”

“Uhhhh….. This isn’t what it looks like….”

“Get off my sister for a second Ryouga.”

“Uhhhh….. This isn’t what it looks like….”

“Off. Now. I need to talk to you two.”

“Uhhhh….. This isn’t what it looks like….”

“I think I broke him. Sorry about that Akane.”

“Uhhhh….. This isn’t what it looks like….”

“Nabiki! This is embarrassing! You don’t just barge in!”

“Whatever sis, listen. We’re jumping ship in a few minutes here, so get your stuff ready to go.”

“Uhhhh….. This isn’t what it looks like….”

“Can you turn him off? That’s annoying.”

Akane lifted the covered, looked down, and sighed. “Oh, believe me. He’s off alright…”

“I didn’t need to hear that sis. Fix him and meet us up top.” Nabiki didn’t even bat an eye as she left. Clearly it was nothing new to her.

“C’mon Ryouga. Wake up.”

“Uhhhh….. This isn’t what it looks like….”

*PUNCH*

“Ow! Wha-“

“No time to explain. I’m almost there, but we got a lot of ground to make up and very little time, so full speed ahead captain.”

“Wha?”

“To England, and all her glory.”

“Huh?”

“Fine. I’ll drive.”

*Flip*

“Huh? Wha? Whoa!”


Two minutes and 43 seconds later….

“Whew! Well, we have to get going Ryo-chan.”

“Already!? I’m burnt out Akane… I can’t move…”

“Well, you’re going to have too. Ranma swam to shore or some thing and Nabiki says we’re following.”

“Great…”

“What? What is it?”

“Aren’t you nervous?”

Akane frowned a little bit and leaned her head on his shoulder. “Yeah… But you’re with me, so I’ll be ok, right?”

Ryouga got his all too familiar look of determination on his face. “Damn right you’ll be ok!”

Akane smiled and gave him a quick kiss on the forehead. “Thanks. Lets get dressed and get ready.”

“I don’t want to move though…”

*BOOT!*


Around 8:30 in the morning.

The Tendo’s, the Amazon’s and some others stood in the harbor where the ship landed. An early morning fog brought sight down to a minimum. Lights could be seen through a fuzzy veil, and the movement of people could be heard all about. Akane took a hold of Ryouga’s hand and led him with the rest of the group. He blushed in embarrassment and thanked her. Cologne took the front leading them away from the port and a ways along a road until they reached a dirt trail. The Tendo’s and Amazon’s were mixed behind her with the exception of Akane. They were in the rear waiting for Ukyo to show up having said she’d be back in a few minutes. An exhausted Hikaru pulled Kodachi in a small courier cart while Kuno and Nodoka walked alongside and spoke to each other about various things. It was clear She couldn’t understand a word he was saying, but she knew he was full of energy. Kasumi and Tofu spoke to each other as well, and he seemed to finally start getting used to being around her. It was nice considering he no longer spoke so loud and only screamed on occasions. For the most part every one was a bit gloomy, but the one person every one could feel was Nabiki. Earlier she wanted to rent a car for travels but they were going to be doing so much backcountry that they would have had to abandon it anyways. She was never one for roughing it in the wilderness, though she wasn’t there yet, she knew what was coming.

Ukyo had been gone for close to three hours and the fog seemed to only get heavier as she came up behind Ryouga and Akane silently. Akane jumped a bit when she heard Ukyo whisper into her ear. “You’re not going to believe this.”

Akane bowed her head a bit and listen closely away from every one else. “What is it? Why are we whispering?”

“He’s just up ahead. About two hundred meters or so.”

“That close? I thought he would have been much further ahead of us. Are you sure it’s him?”

“Positive. I noticed him a while ago, but get this. He was still on the ship. He actually got off after us.”

Ryouga caught wind of the conversation and leaned in closely. “I thought he swam to shore?”

“He must have gotten back on after he jumped off. I guess you can call it hiding out in the open, he’s not disguising himself right now, but he is a guy.”

Ryouga raised an eyebrow. “Are you absolutely sure its him? Did you get a good look?”

Ukyo blushed a bit and became a bit embarrassed. “While I was sneaking around up ahead, I saw a pigtail. I went in for a closer look, but it got a bit creepy after that. I was silent, I swear, but he tilted his head back and looked up. He threw a knife right at me from behind and it landed right next to me. If that wasn’t bad enough he knew exactly who I was. Didn’t call me by name, but he said, ‘I hope you’re not planning on hitting me with that thing.’ I didn’t know what he was talking about, but then I realized I had my hand on the grip of my spatula.”

Akane passed her a questioning look. “What happen next?”

“I didn’t know what else to do, but run. He was coming to get his knife, and he seemed pretty mad about it.”

“What did he say?”

“Nothing really. He just mumbled a bit and said some thing about hating kids.”

“That’s it. He’s defiantly gone…”

The three looked behind them at Mousse, seeming to have been there the entire time. Ryouga scrunched his face and pointed. “When did you get there?”

“Shortly after the old woman said stop.”

Ryouga thought back. “I didn’t hear her say stop…”

Mousse crossed his arms and signaled behind him to the rest of the group. “I noticed.”


The three let the moment of feeling stupid flush over them as Cologne started to speak quietly. “Listen up every one and listen well. In about an hour we will be treading into outer Musk territory. I would like my granddaughter and a few others to take the long way around. She knows where all the boundaries are. I will be going through to follow Ranma directly. If any one wishes to come with me then please assist me. It will be dangerous in these woods and unfortunately I’ve been labeled as a target. Our tribes do not like each other in any way, shape or form… I would like to know now who will be going around and who will be going straight through with me.”

Every one shuffled around quietly not knowing to go the safe road or not. Kasumi was first one to decide, which meant Tofu was going the same way as well as Nabiki. The safe road seemed best. Kuno was the first in line for the road of danger when suddenly his sensei pulled him over to safe passage. Ryouga, Akane, and to a few people’s surprise, Mousse went the other way from Shampoo. Ryouga gave Akane a look and put his foot down. “Sorry, I don’t want you to come with us.”

Akane looked a bit broken at that one. “What do mean!? Think I can’t handle it?”

He looked down at his feet and then in her eyes. “I don’t want you to be in danger, that’s all…”

Soun put his hand on Akane’s shoulder. “Listen dear, I want us all to go the safe road. There might even be danger there, but as a father, I cannot let you put yourself in danger. I cannot be in two places at once. Please understand…”

“But, dad…”

Ryouga stepped in. “I know you’re worried about him, but he’s not going to let us catch him yet. We’ll meet up on the other side ok?”

“Why are you going then?”

Ryouga turned to Cologne and then back at Akane. “She has a few things to show me. Don’t worry we’ll be fine.”

Akane bit her lip a little trying to think of some thing to say. Ryouga looked at her with pleading eyes. “Please. I want to go with you but I can’t go the safe road. Protect your family.”

Akane turned around with a bitter look and a stiff step. “You better make it out…”

Ukyo stepped into the danger crowd. “I guess, I’ll be the woman to go that way then.”
Kodachi let out one of her maniacal laughs to which every one cringed. She moved herself over to the safe crowd and waited for Hikaru to follow. The shocker was that he was already signed up for the danger crew. “What are you doing over there worm!? Get over here and pull my cart!”

Hikaru’s eye twitched as Ryouga turned to look at him. On Hikaru’s face was a look of absolute dread and fear. Hikaru slowly mouthed the words, ‘Help me. Please help.’ Ryouga took a bit of pity and stood up for him. “Uhh, we need him on this end. Important stuff and all…”

The argument went on with horrid lying and flowery talk, until Kodachi finally gave up with a huff. She was probably more concerned about walking using her own two feet then any thing else. She tossed him a bag full of bits and bobs that they had worked on together. “Fine! But if you see him, persuade him with these.”

Hikaru nodded and shivered a little. Cologne stood between every one and nodded. “Good, now that it’s settled, my group will continue heading up this path, and my granddaughter’s group shall head through the wilderness a little until you come across some crude paths. Are we all ready to go?”

Every one had a backpack or some sort of travel bag on them. After a quick check every one was ready. Cologne cleared her throat. “Ok, we’ll see each other again in two days or so. Please try to stay out of trouble. The Musk are dangerous people, especially to women.”

Every one nodded to the warning and within a few minutes the two groups had gone their separate ways. An hour or so later Cologne made a second stop, halting every one. Mousse was the first on to ask. “What is it?”

Cologne sniffed the air like a dog and looked around. “Some thing isn’t right out here. This fog should have lifted a while ago. I’m also smelling blood…”

Ryouga got a little concerned. “Are the Musk around already?”

Cologne squinted her eyes and shook her head. “No… We’re on their outer boarders right now. Only a fool comes into Musk territory uninvited. They’re people may be old fashion like mine, but they are also outstanding fighters. They don’t need too many of them to protect the boarders, it’s there main inner circle that you have to worry about.”

Ukyo walked forward a little bit. “So, what about the fog? And the smell of blood? I can’t smell any thing.”

Hikaru stood a bit behind Ryouga and jittered about while trying to think of some thing to say. “Ummm. Well, fog usually fades away a-after a while. It’s been g-getting thicker as we go. (gulp)”

Ukyo shrugged her shoulders. “Meaning?”

Cologne gave her a lazy look. “It means that he might be making it, to cover himself from scouts. It gives us an advantage as well, but we have to stay close to him. Does any one want to go ahead and see if he’s around?”

Ukyo was still a little shaken up from the last time and felt she was going to get stabbed if she went this time. Luckily Mousse stepped forward and handed off his bag to Ryouga. “I’ll go ahead.”

Cologne was ready to smack him, but he beat her to it as he put on his glasses. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.” With that Mousse ran off as quietly as he could.

Cologne shook her head in disappointment. “He’s too loud…”

Ukyo passed her a look. “It doesn’t matter. Believe me.”

Cologne sighed. “I suppose you’re right… Come lets have our selves a little snack until he comes back.”


Mousse treaded forward, no longer bothering with silence. He knew his enemy better then that. It wasn’t long before he came upon a dark figure along the forest path. He was a bit taken back at what he saw around the figure. 3 bodies lying on the ground, but now he could smell the blood himself. He lurked forward a bit more until he was halted by a turn of the figures head. “Oh, its you. Sorry about the arm, circumstances and all. Are you here for revenge?”

Mousse didn’t budge from his position; he just tucked his good arm deeper into his sleeve. “No. I guess I can forgive you for now, but I do have a question or two.”

The figure resembling Ranma stood up away from one of the bodies letting a long dark coat touch the ground as he stood. A small drip of blood could be seen coming off his hand as he let it hang limply at his side. “I have some of my own myself, but you go ahead and start.”

Mousse directed his attention towards the bodies. “Did you do this?”

The figure coughed out a laugh. “And what if I did? Would you try and stop me again?”

Mousse’s knuckles cracked from within his sleeve but he controlled himself. “No. You’ve already proven yourself for now, but I do plan on getting you back eventually.”

The figure coughed out another laugh. “Not if you’re dead kid. You’re in dangerous territory right now. Which brings me to my first question. Why are you idiots following me?”

Mousse didn’t really know how to answer this one, but he was expecting it nonetheless. “You’ve just got that sort of charisma I guess.”

“Funny kid, but that’s fine if you don’t want to tell me, just remember. If any of you try to pull what you did on that ship, I’ll murder each and every one of you. I’m not here to play games with of bunch kids that think they’re heroes.”

Mousse tilted his head. “Heroes?”

“Shot for shot kid. If you don’t know then you people are bigger fools then I though. My turn. That chick I was singing with, is she available?”

Mousse almost fell over at the question. “T-that’s you mother! Well, it’s Ranma\'s mother! Who are you!?”

The figure sighed. “That’s too bad… She’s really good looking…”

Mousse shook his head and grinded his teeth a little. “For the love of… Look, can you just tell me who you are, what you’re after, and why you took that relic?”

“I’m after some bad people and the relic, well, some thing about it, just seemed to catch my eye.”

“You’re not telling me a whole lot…”

“Yeah, well that’s because I don’t like you very much. Heads.”

“Heads?” *THOCK*

Mousse felt some thing wiz past his ear and then the sound of some one gurgling and gasping for air. He turned his head quickly and saw a Musk warrior with a knife in his throat. A few final gasps and he hit the ground dead. “There. Now you know I killed at least one for sure.”

Mousse let out some cold sweet, thinking that he could have been on the receiving end of that blade. He slowly turned back to the figure and couldn’t help but let his breath jump. “Who the hell are you?”

The figure tilted his head and cracked his neck. “Call me Kyva and keep this in mind; Don’t piss me off, cause I’m a horrible fucking bastard when I want to be. I noticed that your group has split up and I can assume the others are trying find safe passage along the boarders. Smart but there’s a problem with this. Your girlfriend doesn’t know about the boarder changes in the Musk territory. She’s going to be leading them right through the new holy grounds if she goes through the old paths. They’re some sort of weird fanatic group, banished to the outskirts of the boarders. I advise you help them unless you want to see them hanging in a tree with their innards pulled out for your viewing pleasure. See ya around kid. I’m sure we’re going to see each other real soon.” Kyva turned and continued walking down his path to do only lord knows what.

Mousse’s eyes started moving all over the place. His breathing turned heavy, as he tossed a few facts around in his head. He heard a few sticks snap and he was brought out of his stupor. He turned and ran back to the others with a look of fear in his eyes. ‘Why the hell did I give her space!? Why the hell did I give her space!?’


The four sat on the ground eating away at a few quick snacks when Mousse came bursting into the scene and straight at the old woman. He didn’t even wait for her to ask what the problem was. “Where’s Shampoo!? Which way is she from here!?”

Cologne batted him away. “What is the meaning of this!? Stop shaking me this instant!”

“SHUT UP AND TELL ME! NOW!”

Ryouga pulled Mousse away from Cologne. “Man, what’s the problem? Why do you need to know were Shampoo is?”

Mousse elbowed Ryouga in the ribs and made him back off. “The boarders have changed since we last used them! Musk territory is bigger and the secret roads have been uncovered. He said that they’re going to be traveling straight through holy grounds!”

Cologne hit him with her new stick and gave him an angry look. “Nonsense! I would have been notified if there were a change in territory, even in the slightest!”

Ukyo put her finger to her mouth and thought for a second. “What if it changed doing the two weeks you can’t remember? And isn’t the postage system slow anyways?”

Cologne’s eyes went as wide as soup bowls for a second. “Oh, dear….”

“Which way!?”

Cologne thought for a few moments and pulled out a compass she’d been hoarding away. After some quick calculations she pointed off into a direction. “It’s that way, but it’s a very general direction and the road is full of corners…”

“Fine! That’s all I need!” Mousse started running off again when Ryouga grabbed him and brought him to a stop.

“Hey! What about up ahead? What happened?”

“Argh! The guy that looks like Ranma, his name is Kyva, he’s got a lot of knowledge about this place and seems pretty updated with current events. That and he has just killed 4 Musk scouts up ahead. He’s willing to kill and he knows that we’re following him, but doesn’t seem to care. Can I go now?”

Ryouga let go of his arm a little bit in disbelief. “Uhh… Sure…”

Mousse ran off as Ryouga turned to the other three. He sorted his thoughts for a moment and announced. “He’s not faking like I’d like to believe… Guys… Don’t tell Akane he’s killed again…”

Ukyo dragged her head to face Ryouga. “Again…?”

“Let’s go there and see the damage. I can’t really believe this right now. I’ll explain on the way over. Ukyo, hold my hand or something. I don’t feel like getting lost right now…”