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All original Ranma1/2 Characters and Backstory Copyright
Rumiko Takahashi, and are used without permission.

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Coutuva.



The Princess Bride - V1P2
------------------------------------------------------------------

  

	Yue had held her tongue as long as possible, but finally,
after noting no improvement in the Amazon's mood, she couldn't help
but speak her thoughts.
	"<Shan Lin, what has upset you so?>" she asked, doing up the
last of her ties.
	"<Oh...?  Sorry...  I was...  Thinking of someone...>" the
Amazon gasped, wiping the disappointment from her face and flashing
what resembled a smile.  "<Don't worry about it,>" she dismissed,
turning to the mirror to check herself over.
	"<Then I will not,>" Yue responded, although she had the
distinct feeling there was more to the situation.  Deciding that a
change of topic was in order, she walked over to the Amazon and
looked at her through the mirror.  "<I must thank you for allowing
me the use of these garments, Shan Lin.  I feel much more at ease.  I
have always admired the Amazon raiment; it is attractive, yet allows
good movement,>" she opened, noting how the girl's eyes seemed to
light up.
	"<Yes.  I've tried the styles of this land, but I always 
found them too restrictive for fighting,>" the girl replied, quite 
seriously.  "<They are good for teasing the boys and making other 
girls jealous, but that's the only good thing about them,>" she 
added, a smirk appearing on her face.
	"<I agree,>" Yue responded, smiling knowingly.  It faded
quickly, however, as she prepared herself to ask her most difficult
question.  But, before she could, the Amazon turned and met her
gaze.
	"<If you're ready, I'd like to introduce you to some
people, and then take you out to see the city...  You should learn
it, if you wish to stay here,>" she announced, her face serious.
	Yue blinked.  For a moment, she had to wonder if the Amazon
could see her thoughts.  "<I...  Would be most grateful, Shan Lin.
I was entertaining the same plan, in fact,>" she nodded, a smile
forming on her face.
	"<I thought so.  That was the first thing I did when I
moved here,>" she smiled back, then gestured toward the door.
"<Let's go!>" she added, flashing what was fast becoming a familiar
grin.




	The mood was exactly as one would expect around the Tendou
home, with everyone trying to come to grips with the dramatic turn
of events.  Akane, having not felt much like company after Ukyou
left, had gone straight to her room, and sat in the middle of her
bed.
	Her mind still reeled from what had occurred, but she had
decided that she had shed enough tears.  Ranma was still alive,
which to her meant that there was a hope he could be restored to his
usual self.  In the meantime, however, she knew it was imperative
that she get him out of the Amazon's clutches.
	If what they said was true, and since Tofuu-sensei had
confirmed it, she assumed that it was, then they were now dealing
with the girl who had fallen in the Spring.  Based on that, and the
fact that it had sounded like Ranma was speaking Chinese, Akane
reasoned that she had two things to do, and quickly.
	First was to learn Chinese, and second, get to know the
'new Ranma', before the Amazon could work any tricks.
	Her face taking on a grim determination, she sprang from her
bed and threw open her door.  "Nabiki!  I need that Chinese
Translation book!" she shouted, darting off down the hall.




	Tall.  Handsome.  Bright, clear eyes.  Well cut, well
spoken.  The man that had been introduced to her as the healer would
have made a fine, strong husband -- except for one minor detail.
	He was too old.  Yue's best estimation put him at perhaps
twice her years, meaning he had not many good ones left.  She frowned
inwardly with disappointment, as when she had seen him from the back,
he looked to have been a better candidate; a healer would raise
healthy children.
	That, in turn, made her wonder why he was without a wife at
such an advanced age.
	After he had exited the room to bring someone else in to be
met, Yue shot a look at Shan Lin.  "<Did he lose his family in some
manner?>" she asked quietly, to a giggle from the Amazon.
	"<No.  He has never married.  And I wonder if he ever will;
he seems to prefer his craft to the company of a woman,>" the girl
finally responded, sighing.  "<I lived in this place for a short
time when I first came to stay, but he never seemed to even know I
was here -- not that I cared at that time.  It is a waste, though,>"
she added, shaking her head.
	"<I agree.  He still has his looks, but not many years.  For
that, no woman would have him now,>" Yue stated, only to straighten
as the door at the other end of the room opened.
	The healer had opened it, then stepped back to allow whoever
was beside him to enter first.  Yue quickly took a formal greeting
pose, assuming the new arrival to be a person of some import.
	She had to fight to keep her face from dropping when she
found out how right she was.
	Immediately, she bowed deeply.  "<Greetings, Elder Amazon,>"
she stated, holding the bow.
	"<Greetings, Princess Liang.  You may rise; I do not stand
on ceremony here,>" the Elder stated, bringing a gasp to Yue's lips.
	"<You know me, Elder?>" she blurted, snapping upright.
	"<I knew you as soon as my Great Granddaughter, Shan Lin,
told me your name.  Your father is well known to us, as are you,>"
the Elder grinned, hopping closer.  "<You look good in Amazon dress;
it seems to suit you,>" she added, looking pleased.  Yue looked back
at her for a moment in amazement, then the impact of the old woman's
words began to sink in.
	"<I am honoured by your words, Elder.  But I would like to
ask...  That my lineage not be known.  I must...  Make for myself a
new life, and it will not be that...  Of a Princess.  That will be a
difficult task should it be known who I am,>" she stated, hoping the
Elder would understand.
	To her relief, she did.  "<Fear not, child.  I will address
you as Liang Yue, and only those of us present now will ever know.
I must, however, commend your wisdom, child.  It speaks well of your
family,>" she stated, again smiling.  "<So tell me; how have you
come to be here?">
        "<Thank you Elder.  I am in your debt,>" she bowed, then
rose and gathered herself.  She felt nervous about revealing her
story, but at the same time reassured that she was speaking to an
Elder.  "<As to my predicament, I am...  Confused,>" she sighed,
chewing her lip.  "<I stopped at a spring to water myself and my
mount, on my return from meeting with a suitor.  I had left my
steed to his own, and bent to drink -- then my footing gave, and I
fell,>" she related, feeling herself shudder.  "<Then...  Then I
awoke here.  I can only guess...  That I am victim of some foul
Sorcery -- I suspect as a means to harm my father.>"
        The Elder nodded.  "<That is possible; I know your family
was at war,>" she stated, bringing a hand to her chin.
        What the Elder said, however, reminded her of something
even more disturbing.
        "<Elder...  You mentioned my family; know you...  What has
become of them?>" she asked, meshing her hands.
	Her heart sank as she watched the old woman's face sober.
	"<I could tell you, child -- if you really wish to know,>"
she countered quietly, the look in her eyes telling Yue her
preference.
	"<I...  Can see it in your eyes,>" she answered, her voice
and chest tight.  "<It is as I feared.  I...  Have survived them
all,>" she followed, quietly.  Having closed her eyes, she did not
see the Elder's wordless response, but she was able to hear her nod.
	Yue had long suspected such a thing, but to have it
confirmed made it hurt even more.  Before she could prevent it, a
tear escaped her eye, its hot trail blazing a path for others to
follow.
	"<Please...  Excuse me,>" she whispered hoarsely, then
turned and almost ran from the room.
        "<That poor girl,>" Shampoo fretted, biting her lip in
concern.
	"<I feel for her too, child, but we need to know; did she
change?>" Cologne abruptly prodded, anxiously.
        "<She did not.  I think her curse is locked,>" Shampoo
responded absently, still watching after Yue.
	"<I was afraid of that,>" Cologne sighed, tossing a sad look
at the Doctor.  "<We will have our work cut out for us, I am
afraid,>" she added, frowning.  "<Lin; I want you to attend her
closely -- she will need your help.  You are excused from your
duties for as long as she is with us,>" she redirected, only to find
herself talking to a closing door.
	A thin smile parted her face.  "<Very good,>" she stated,
nodding approvingly.




	Yue sat ungraciously in the middle of the 'table room' floor,
barely noticing the Amazon's arm around her shoulder.  She hated to
be seen in such a state, but could not have held her tears in check
any longer.  The thin shell of hope she had hidden them behind had
been too fragile to withstand the truth.
	And so now, finally, she allowed herself to mourn.
	She mourned her friends, her family, and most especially,
her father.  They had shared a bond far beyond that of just father
and child, and it was his smiling face and powerful presence that she
would miss the most.
	Even though it seemed as if she could not cry enough tears
to drive the pain and emptiness from her heart, the tide eventually
ebbed, she expected from her body's inability to create any more.
Slowly, she raised her stinging eyes to the Amazon, and was touched
to see that she looked close to tears herself.
	"<Why?>" she asked, at which Shan Lin flushed slightly.
	"<I miss my homeland, too,>" she sniffed, flashing a
sheepish smile and wiping at her eyes.
	Yue couldn't stop the smile that stretched her hot cheeks.
"<Thank you, Shan Lin.  Though I disdain showing such weakness to
others, I am glad you were here,>" she sniffed, taking the Amazon's
hands in hers.  "<Your presence has been...  And is...  A comfort,>"
she stated, smiling appreciatively.
	"<I couldn't have stayed away, Liang Yue.  I know the hurt
you're feeling -- better than I'd like to,>" Shan Lin responded
softly, reaching out and adjusting her flame-red bangs.
	Yue gave in to her urge and leaned up, wrapping a huge,
emotional hug around the startled Amazon.
	A heartbeat later, she was surprised to feel, and then hear
the Amazon weeping into her shoulder.  Suddenly, she felt just a
little less alone.
	




	The sun was bright and warm, but the air smelled slightly
strange as Yue stepped from the doors of the healer's home, a
smiling Shan Lin leading the way.  Glancing up, she could see that
it was getting late in the day, and hoped they would have enough
light to make their venture worthwhile.
	She was as anxious to learn the city as her new friend was
to show it to her, and wanted to spend as much time as she could
exploring it.  It would keep her from thinking too much about
things she should not.
	She did not count on what happened when she stepped through
the opening in the fence, however.  No sooner had her foot crossed
the boundary than a shout that sounded like a strike cry changed
her plans.
	Instantly, instinct took over.
	"<Shan Lin!  A sword!>" she shouted reflexively, raising
her open hand as she fixed her narrowing gaze on their attacker.
As she felt a broadsword hilt fill it, she swung the huge weapon
down and spun it to ready, dropping to her stance and raising her
counter arm.
	Carefully, she watched her opponent's approach -- and
smiled.  She needed only await the right moment.
	It arrived; she struck.




	Kuno had already launched into his Pigtailed Goddess Glomp
Lunge (tm) by the time he noticed a few rather significant details.
	First, the Pigtailed Girl wore the dress of an Amazon.
	Second, she wore the hairstyle of an Amazon.
	Third, he did not know why.
	Fourth, there was a different flash in her huge blue eyes.
Very different.  Not the usual tired resignation he had blinded
himself to.  It was *angry*.
	Fifth, her stance was markedly different.
	Sixth, she was brandishing a Very Large Sword.
	All of this slowly led him to one inescapable, albeit
belated conclusion; he was about to suffer pain on levels he could
not imagine.
	He was almost right.
        His attention riveted on the arc of the large sword, he
barely heard the panicked shout from behind the wielder of same.
The next thing he knew, he was on his back, feeling a distinct
draft, and looking up bewilderedly at the Pigtailed Girl.  She was
now glaring down the sword at him and swearing in Chinese -- and
threatening to remove parts of his anatomy that he didn't think she
should know the words for.
	As he tried to make the pieces fit, he noted that the
Chinese Amazon Bicycle Girl stepped up and calmed the Pigtailed One,
then started to laugh.  A few moments later, she produced a blanket
and threw it over him.  "Stupid Stick Boy," she chuckled, then
collected the Pigtailed Girl and walked away.
	It was when he went to move the blanket to block an
uncomfortable breeze that he noticed something else amiss.
	He couldn't move.




	"<You should not have given him that blanket, Shan Lin.  Even
laying completely disrobed in the street is hardly a fit punishment
for his lecherous act,>" Yue commented reproachfully, despite the
smile on her face.
	"<But that would be condemning the entire area to suffer!>"
the Amazon laughed, as she had been all along.  "<How long will it
last?>" she finally asked, trying to calm herself.
	"<Until darkness falls, I would warrant.  As you would not
permit me to gut the fool, I assumed him to be less a pervert than
a simpleton, and used only three of the five points,>" she indicated,
finding the Amazon's reaction amusing.
	"<You have considerable skill with the sword, Liang Yue.  I
have never seen anyone move so fast -- or so accurately,>" she
responded, a strange timbre evident in her voice.  "<You didn't even
leave a mark.>"
	"<You honour me, Shan Lin.  That is indeed high praise,
coming from one who is raised from birth to be a Warrior,>" she
smiled back, her cheeks colouring embarrassedly.  "<I was trained by
my father.  He believed that even the women of the Palace should be
skilled in the use of bladed weapons.  And as I seem to attract all
manner of perverts and ill-mannered buffoons, I am...  Glad of 
it...>" she began, only to have her voice catch as memories
threatened to overwhelm her.
	"<Then I should not be surprised at your skill.  Emperor
Liang was said to be a formidable warrior,>" the Amazon began, until
she glanced back toward Yue again.  "<Are you all right, Liang Yue?"
she abruptly asked, her face concerned.
	"<I am fine,>" she waved off, forcing a smile.  "<But there
is something I wish to ask of you, Shan Lin.  You wear no belt or
scabbard, yet you provided me that sword.  From where did it come?>"
she redirected, becoming uncomfortable with the direction of their
previous topic.
	The Amazon, meanwhile, responded with her familiar smile.
"<I will explain later.  You've had enough shocks for one day,>" she
stated, winking an eye.
	Yue had to blink.  "<Shocks?>" she echoed, wondering why the
Amazon chose that particular word.
	"<Yes.  But we don't have time to go into it now, Liang Yue.
There is a lot I want you to see, and it will be dark soon,>" she
redirected, gesturing ahead of them.
	"<As you wish, Shan Lin.  But I will have you tell me,
should I even have to berate you for it,>" she warned, shooting the
grinning Amazon a look.
	"<I will, I promise.  But there are more important things
to look after right now.  Such as getting something to eat,>" she
stated, returning a knowing smirk.
	Yue almost gasped.  She hadn't spared it a thought as yet,
but now that the subject had been broached, she noticed that she was
hungry -- more to the point, she was *ravenous*.
	"<I agree, Amazon.  That is a matter of great import,>" she
smiled back, enthusiastically.  "<I have not eaten yet today,>" she
added, as her stomach confirmed the fact.
	"<I know.  That's why I chose this as our first stop,>" she
smiled, pointing to a structure a distance up the street.
	"<What place is this?>" Yue asked, unable to decipher the
banners.
	Shan Lin smiled proudly.  "<It is my place -- the
Nekohanten.>"




	Kasumi hung up the phone and frowned slightly.  Not a great,
obvious frown, more a turning down of the corners of her mouth.  It
was enough, however, to send a wave of alarm through the house.
Within moments, Soun and Nabiki were both beside her, even though
they had been in different rooms.
        "Kasumi...?" Nabiki prodded, as always the first to speak.
	Kasumi drew a breath.  "I had hoped that by speaking to
Tofuu-sensei after things had calmed, I would be able to find out
more," she began, meeting their expectant gazes.  "He told me that
she is indeed a new person; and her name is Liang Ju Yue.  He also
mentioned that the curse is locked, and she is completely unaware of
it.  She thinks that she is a victim of some enemy's Sorcery," she
continued, her brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.
	"Then I guess they don't plan to tell her.  Wonderful,"
Nabiki frowned, puffing.  "Then she doesn't know about Ranma -- or
Akane," she added, shaking her head.  "Then we can assume she won't
be staying here.  Was she still at the Clinic?"
	"No.  It seems that she and Shampoo have gone for a walk;
to get to know the city," she stated, folding her hands in her lap.
"Apparently, she and Shampoo have already become quite good friends,"
she added, sighing quietly.
        "I don't like the smell of this; you can't trust those
Amazons as far as you can throw 'em.  We'd better stay close to her
just in case," she stated, then turned and started toward the hall.
"Oneechan, I'll need the phone for a while."
	Soun looked after her for a moment, then turned to Kasumi.
He raised his eyebrows questioningly; she closed hers and shook her
head gently.  He closed his eyes, nodding.  Turning, he walked to
his place at the low table, settled to his mat -- and wailed.
	Kasumi's frown deepened, actually becoming a mildly annoyed
look.  Soun instantly stopped wailing and turned to face her.  She
huffed reprovingly and rose from the phone seat, then headed into
the hall.
	Soun breathed a huge sigh of relief.  He could still do it,
although it was getting harder.




	Akane blinked as she looked up at her next oldest sister.
"You're going to *what*?" she asked, placing a finger on her spot in
the book open in front of her.
	"I'm calling on some 'friends' of mine to help teach you
Chinese, Akane.  The latest I have is that Shampoo is getting really
chummy with this 'Yue' person, and that can't be good.  You don't
have a lot of time," she restated, flipping through her little black
electronic organizer.
	"Kuso...  But this is like trying to learn English, Nabiki.
What makes you think these 'friends' are going to make any
difference?" Akane retorted, annoyed at the presumption.
	Nabiki raised her eyes from her organizer.  "Ever heard of
'Immersion Training'?" she smirked, knowingly.
	Akane swallowed audibly.




	The Nekohanten was empty, the signs were all in, but the
doors were still open.  Smiling,  Kasumi decided that was a good
sign.  What she saw when she entered, however, was definitely not.
'Yue' stood in the entry to the kitchen, chattering away animatedly
with Shampoo, who was apparently cooking.
	By the happiness on the redhead's face, and the tone of
their conversations, it looked very much like the two had indeed
become friends.
	As she continued to watch the scene, she found it
interesting how much different the redhead seemed.  It was highly
unusual to see her looking, acting and sounding so feminine, yet
still radiating the same kind of strength.
	Even though she hated to admit it, she could see why she
and Shampoo would be a good pair.
	Gathering herself, she lit up her famous smile and walked
up to them.  The redhead noticed her immediately and turned an
assessing gaze to her, followed by a subtle change in her carriage
and a pleasant smile.  Kasumi could almost feel the girl 'shift
gears', which actually shocked her slightly.  In an instant, she
transformed from a girl into a very proper lady; and not just a
girl trying to act like one, but a true 'Lady' -- the kind Kasumi
dreamed of one day becoming.
	Suddenly, she felt terribly self-conscious.
	As she tried to collect herself, she noticed Shampoo
looking at her through the pass-through, and was surprised to see
that her face bore none of the animosity she was expecting.
Instead, the Amazon seemed *pleased* at her presence.
	"Kasumi-san!  I happy you come; I want you meet good new
friend, Liang Ju Yue," the Amazon smiled, translating to the
redhead as she stepped to the doorway.  Kasumi couldn't help but
notice how happy Shampoo was, and strangely, found herself pleased
to see it.  Most likely because it was obvious her friendship with
the redhead was real, and not merely some schemed contrivance.
	Her heart sank.
	Shoving such thoughts out of her head, she turned her
attention back to the redhead.  "<I am pleased to finally meet you,
Liang Ju Yue,>" she bowed, speaking flawless Mandarin.  "<My name
is Tendou Kasumi.  I had heard of your rather eventful arrival
from my sisters, and wanted to see if you were feeling better,>"
she continued sweetly, at which the redhead broke out in a wide,
almost ecstatic smile, and Shampoo's jaw hit the floor with a
resounding thud.
	"<You flatter me with your concern, Tendou Kasumi; though
I am hardly worthy,>" she responded, looking shocked but pleased
as she rose from her bow.  "<Although I am feeling much improved;
Shan Lin has been a blessing,>" she added, smiling at the Amazon
appreciatively.  "<And it is an additional blessing to meet another
that I may converse with,>" she added, happily.  "<I had feared I
would be held prisoner by my language,>" she laughed, easily but
still politely, her delight evident even through her natural
poise.
	Kasumi felt herself smile -- she couldn't help it.




====================================================================
END - The Princess Bride - V1P2         A Ranma1/2 Fanfic By Coutuva

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