Last Time
When a package arrived from China for Ranma, Akane rushed to give it to him, but it ended up getting broken over her head, cursing her to become a guy.Chapter 9: Return to China
Disclaimer The Ranmaverse and all of it's characters are property of the brilliant Takahashi-sama and I claim no ownership of them. Only the story belongs to me.
Edited 02/23/08
"Are you sure about this Ranma?" Akane asked quietly as she followed him into his room.
"Of course 'Kane, can't have ya stayin' with a curse can we?" Ranma asked with a smile as he turned back to look at her as he was pulling his clothes out of his dresser to put into his bag.
"I know but I just have a bad feeling about this trip, I'm afraid something is going to happen." Akane replied casting her eyes at the ground in front of her.
"'Kane of course somethin' is gonna happen, it always does. But we'll get through it together." Ranma said with a reassuring smile as he walked over and wrapped his arms around her. "Don't worry 'Kane, we're gonna be fine. Besides Shampoo, Mu Tsu and Ryoga will be goin' with us. Together we'll beat anythin' that gets in our way." Ranma promised her as he leaned down and kissed her on her forehead.
"I just don't think I could handle losing anyone else I love." Akane cried as she buried her head into his chest and held onto him as if he were a lifeline, and in a way he was.
"'Kane." Ranma said quietly as he tilted her head up so he was looking into her deep brown eyes. "Ya ne'er gonna lose me." Ranma swore before leaning down and capturing her lips with his own for a short but sweet kiss.
"Ready?" Shan Pu asked as Ranma and Akane came back downstairs with their bags already on their backs.
"Yep just gotta pick up..." Ranma started as he was handed a bundle by Kasumi. "The food." Ranma finished with a smile as he quickly hid the food away in his bag before putting it back on.
"Do be careful." Kasumi fretted as she hugged Ranma before moving on her hug her sister.
"We will Kasumi." Ranma promised with a smile as he took a hold of Akane's hand.
"Bring me back a souvenir." Nabiki said with a grin as Ranma stopped and looked over at her.
"Will do Nabs." Ranma said with a smirk as he started out the door followed by Akane, Mu tsu, Shan Pu and Ryoga.
"How long will it take for us to get there?" Ryoga asked after they had been walking for a few minutes in silence.
"About three weeks, between the boat ride and the hike as long as we don't get slowed down by something." Mu tsu explained to him while holding on to Shan Pu's hand.
"Yeah like someone gettin' lost." Ranma joked as Ryoga turned to scowl at him. Ranma just smirked while Akane rolled her eyes at them.
"It shouldn't be too much longer." Mu tsu informed them as he took in his surroundings and recognized the area as being near Jusenkyo.
"It's gettin' late, we'll camp out here and set off first thin' in the mornin'." Ranma said as he set his pack down and started pitching his tent.
"Probably best Saotome." Mu tsu agreed as he began working on his tent as well.
"So if this works, what's the first thin' ya are gonna do?" Ranma asked with a grin as they sat around the small campfire that had been built once the tents were ready.
"Shan Pu take too too good trip to beach." Shan Pu replied with a nod of her head without even stopping to think about it.
"Ya know that sounds like a good idea." Ranma said with a grin as he looked over at Akane.
"Guess that means we'll all be taking a trip to the beach." Ryoga said laughing as everyone nodded their heads in agreement.
"And if it doesn't work?" Akane asked quietly after a few moments of silence.
"If no work, then Shan Pu get soap and go anyway." Shan Pu said with a huge smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"I like the way you think." Mu tsu said with a grin as he leaned down and kissed her on the top of her head.
"Well as long as we have a plan." Ranma said with a smile as the group started laughing. "We should be gettin' some sleep though, we'll be startin' out at first light." Ranma warned them as he stood and held his hand out for Akane. With a smile, she reached up and took his hand before they started toward their tent.
"I think they have the right idea." Mu tsu said with a grin to Shan Pu before they headed for their tent as well.
"Why do I have to be the fifth wheel?" Ryoga wondered out loud to himself as he tried to head toward his tent but instead went the other way.
"I don't think so." Ranma said with a laugh as he pulled on Ryoga's arm and lead him back the right way. Ryoga just smiled his thanks before he ducked into his tent and Ranma left him to rejoin Akane in theirs.
"Breakfast ready." Shan Pu said looking up with a smile the next morning as Ranma and Akane were making their way out of their tent.
"It smells good Shampoo." Akane said with a smile as she made her way over to sit down next to the fire.
"Hey Ryoga ya up yet?" Ranma called into his tent after walking over to it.
"Yeah." Ryoga called out as the sounds of him wondering around in his tent to try and find his way out made it over to the others. Shaking his head with a laugh, Ranma reached into the tent and pulled Ryoga out.
"Good breakfast is ready." Ranma informed him as he led him over to the fire before taking his place next to Akane. "We'll hike the rest of the way there today and camp away from the springs, don't wanna have someone fall in after we go through all this to cure us." Ranma said with a laugh as Shan Pu handed everyone a plate of food.
"That would probably be best." Mu tsu said nodding in his agreement as they began eating.
"It should be just over that next hill." Mu tsu pointed out after they had passed a few of the warning signs.
"And there it..." Ranma started as they reached the top but stopped as everyone stared in horror at the sight before them.
"What the hell?" Akane asked, voicing the question on everyone's mind at the looked over at what used to be the springs, but was now covered over in cement with a large building on top of it.
"Well maybe they kept some of the water just in case." Ryoga suggested hopefully as everyone finally shook themselves out of their shock and started making their way down.
"I was wondering when you would finally show up." A voice called out with a cackle and as they turned they start Khu Lon standing in front of the building. "So what do you think of the new Cat Café?" Khu Lon wondered with a grin as she looked at each of them who were still staring at her in shock.
"What'cha doin' here old ghoul?" Ranma asked when he was finally able to speak again.
"What else but having my revenge." Khu Lon replied with a laugh.
"So that was just to keep us out of the way." Akane wondered out loud as she thought back to what Khu Lon had done to them before.
"Of course child. And I knew everyone would be busy trying to find you that I would be free to do my real plan." Khu Lon said with a grin as she looked over at Akane.
"Then you did mean to send me with her." Ranma accused as he glared at her.
"Of course sonny boy, if I hadn't you would have been after me. I haven't lived three hundred years to make that mistake." Khu Lon informed him with a laugh.
"Were you responsible for 'Kane getting hit by a car?" Ranma growled at her ready to stick if she answered yes.
"Hit by a car? No sonny boy that wasn't me, I've been busy here since the last time you saw me." Khu Lon said shaking her head.
"But why cover the springs?" Shan Pu asked in disbelief.
"How else would I doom all of you to remain cursed?" Khu Lon asked with a chuckle as she turned to her one time great-grand daughter.
"All of us? You sent the water." Akane accused as things started to click in her mind.
"Of course child." Khu Lon replied with a smile that Akane had figured it out so quickly.
"But why? Ranma could have been cured, wouldn't that ruin your plans for revenge?" Akane asked confused.
"Well yes except for the fact that I added something to the water so it would only work on someone who didn't already have a curse." Khu Lon explained before turning back toward the Cat Café. "Well I must be going, things to do and all that." Khu Lon called back over her shoulder with a chuckle.
Ryoga growled and went to go after her, but Ranma placed his hand on his shoulder and stopped him. "She's not worth it. Let's head back." Ranma said sadly shaking his head as he turned and started heading back the way they had come.
"Shan Pu sorry." Shan Pu said sadly as she hung her head after they had set up camp for the night.
"Don't be Shampoo, ya didn't do this." Ranma said looking up at her with a smile.
"But if Shan Pu no try marry Ranma, Khu Lon would no be after him and no do this." Shan Pu said shaking her head.
"That's all in the past and besides you were just following your laws." Akane reminded her with a smile.
"But now we no get cure." Shan Pu said looking up at the others.
"Don't worry about it Shampoo, we've lived with it for this long, what's the rest of our lives?" Ryoga asked surprising everyone when he started to laugh.
"Ryoga's right and though I wish we could have gotten Akane and ya guys cured, I'm pretty much used to it." Ranma said with a smile as he looked at everyone around him.
"You no blame Shan Pu?" Shan Pu asked hopefully as she looked around at everyone.
"Not even a little bit." Akane said with a smile as she pulled the girl into an embrace.
"Yeah us cursed have ta stick together." Ranma said with a laugh as Shan Pu smiled.
"What I would like to know is if it wasn't Khu Lon, who was Akane chasing after that day?" Mu Tsu asked turning everyone's attention to Akane.
"Truthfully I thought it was her myself, at least when I could remember what had happened, but I guess it was just stress getting to me." Akane said with a shrug after thinking for a moment.
"We went through all that cause of stress? Crazy tomboy." Ranma said shaking his head at her with a smirk.
"Baka." Akane replied as she stuck out her tongue.
"Where on earth am I now?!" Echoed through out the country side later that night after Ryoga had stumbled away from his tent in search of the 'restroom'.
"You are at Joketsuzoku." A voice called out from behind him and as he turned he found two Amazons prepared for battle behind him. As he looked around he noticed that he had managed to wander into their village.
"Sorry about that." Ryoga said embarrassed as he put one of his hands behind his head and laughed nervously.
"Isn't that my line?" Ranma asked with a laugh as he came up behind him with the others. "You picked an interestin' place ta wander off ta." Ranma said with a grin as he looked over at the elder that was heading toward them. "Forgive us for the intrusion honorable elder, lost boy there wandered off in the night and got himself lost." Ranma informed her with a bow before nodding toward Ryoga.
"Sister Akane!" Lang Ling cried out as she rushed past the elder and gave Akane a hug that rivaled even Shan Pu's glomps.
"Hello Lang Ling." Akane said with a smile after she got over the initial shock and hugged the girl back.
"Sister?" Shan Pu wondered out loud softly as she looked over at Mu tsu who just shrugged his shoulders.
"The banished should not be here." The elder said after raising her eye brows at Lang Ling before turning toward Shan Pu and Mu tsu.
"Sorry honorable elder they were helping us look for Ryoga, it's our fault they are here." Akane said as she looked over Lang Ling's shoulder, who had refused to end the hug. The elder tapped her over the head with her staff before saying,
"That's enough let the poor girl breath." Lang Ling let go as she began to blush. "Since you are here an honorary Amazon I shall let it pass this time. We will allow you stay for tonight and while you are welcome to stay sister Akane, the banish must leave tomorrow." The elder warned as she looked from Shan Pu and Mu tsu back to Akane.
"Thank you honorable elder." Akane replied with a smile as she bowed to her.
"Just remember you are not to speak to any of the Amazons." The elder said as she turned back to them who just nodded their heads. "Dinner will be soon and I would be honored if you joined us." The elder said before turning and heading back the way she came before turning back around for a moment to say, "The banished may speak to Lang Ling today but that is it."
Lang Ling's eyes lit up as she smiled before she rushed over and jumped into Mu tsu's arms. "How's the banished life treating you brother?" Lang Ling asked when she finally climbed out of his arms before turning and hugging Shan Pu as well.
"I've never been happier." Mu tsu said with a smile as he looked over at Shan Pu who blushed.
"Brother?" Ryoga asked confused as he scratched the back of his head.
"Yes Lang Ling is my sister." Mu tsu explained as he turned to look at him.
"And second best Amazon warrior." Lang Ling informed him proudly.
"Second best? You should be first since Shampoo was banished." Akane said a bit confused herself.
"You're here silly." Lang Ling said with a smile as she bounced back over to Akane. "How about a soak in the hot springs?" Lang Ling asked with a smile as she started leading Akane away. "My brother can show you guys to the male side." Lang Ling called over her shoulder as Shan Pu started following her while the guys followed Mu tsu.
"This is nice." Akane said with a sigh as she began to relax in the hot springs.
"How is everything back home?" Lang Ling asked as she leaned back and looked over at Akane.
"It's gotten better." Akane said softly as she closed her eyes and leaned back.
"The dojo working out okay?" Lang Ling asked after a moment over silence, startling Shan Pu who looked over at her confused. "We've been sending letters back and forth since sister Akane was here." Lang Ling explained with a smile. "So why are you in China?" Lang Ling asked after a minute.
"Well we were here to try to get cured but..." Akane started shaking her head sadly.
"Yes we heard about what the banished one did, I sent a letter to tell you, but I guess it didn't arrive yet."
"Oh well the trip wasn't a complete loss, I got to see you again." Akane said with a smile as she looked over at Lang Ling.
"Are you sure you guys can't stay any longer?" Lang Ling asked as she and the elder stood near the gate to the village as the group was getting ready to head back to Japan.
"No we really should be getting back to the dojo. But if you're ever in Japan you are of course welcome to join us." Akane said with a smile as she hugged Lang Ling.
"Still think you would make a great Amazon." The elder said with a smile as Akane blushed and bowed to her.
"I don't think it would go over too well with Ranma, he's not really the obeying type." Akane said with a grin.
"No I suppose not." The elder said with a chuckle. "By the way, Lang Ling said you guys were here in search for a cure." The elder said as they had finished packing up.
"Yes but the springs have been covered over." Akane said shaking her head sadly.
"Well while I am sorry to say I don't have any Nyannichuan I do have some Nannichuan left over for punishments." The elder said as she turned and started back toward her hut.
"Punishments?" Ryoga wondered out loud to himself.
"Well what could be worse for an Amazon then ta be turned into a guy?" Ranma asked as he looked over at him with a smile.
"Good point." Ryoga said with a laugh as the elder came back over and handed a small bottle to Ranma. Ranma looked at the bottle for a moment before he started to smile.
"Here ya go Ryoga." Ranma said handing the bottle over.
"Ranma what are you doing?" Akane asked confused as she looked up at him.
"Hey if ya gonna be cursed ta turn into a guy, then I can be cursed ta turn into a girl." Ranma said with a smirk as he wrapped his arm around her waist.
"Ranma that's so sweet, but are you sure?" Akane asked as she looked over at the bottle Ryoga was holding.
"I am." Ranma assured her as he leaned down and kissed her on the top of her head.
"Well here goes." Ryoga said with a grin as he dumped part of the water over his head and became a wet Ryoga, no little black pig in sight. "Here Mu Tsu." Ryoga said with a smile as he handed him the bottle.
"I shall pass." Mu tsu said with a smile as he looked over at Shan Pu.
"What stupid Mu Tsu doing?" Shan Pu asked confused.
"Ranma's right, if you're going to stay cursed then so am I." Mu tsu said as he went to hand the bottle back to Ranma but Shan Pu grabbed it from him and splashed the water on him. "Shan Pu why did you do that?" Mu tsu asked confused.
"Ranma stay human, Mu Tsu turn duck, it not same thing. No point both being cursed." Shan Pu explained shaking her head at him. The elder just chuckled at their antics before the group turned to go.
"Thank you again honorable elder." Akane said with a bow as the others followed in suit.
"Anytime sister Akane." The elder said with a smile as the group turned and headed out of the village.
"So still up for that beach trip?" Ranma asked with a smile as they sat around their camp fire later that night.
"I am." Ryoga said with a grin as he continued to dump cold water over his head with out changing into a pig.
"How long are you going to do that?" Akane asked as she looked over at him with a smile.
"Just until I know for sure I'm not dreaming." Ryoga said looking up with a smile before dumping another cup of cold water over his head.
"So what is next for everyone?" Mu tsu asked looking around at the others.
"I believe next up after the trip to the beach would be a wedding." Ranma said with a smile as he wrapped his arm around Akane's waist and pulled her toward him.
"Or two." Shan Pu said with a seductive grin as she looked over at Mu tsu hoping he got the message.
"Or two." Mu tsu agreed as his eyes lit up.
"And again the fifth wheel." Ryoga said to himself as he shook his head.