For those who haven't read my first part, please do!  I really need C&C
for this first fanfic.  Much work went into this.  (As did many of
yours, I understand.)
	Without further ado, here's the last part of Blue Thunder/Purple
Lightning.  The epilouge will have to follow in another mailing.

	Ranma yawned as Akane hauled him outside.  "Why are we leaving so early
in the morning, Akane?  You know Kunou's gone a day early to scout
Jusenkyou out.  I don't want to have to spend any more time with that
loudmouthed, arrogant, YAHHHH!"
	Akane flung him over her hip and into the carp pond.
	"Idiot!" she snarled.
	"And that's another thing!" Ranma-chan shouted as she clambered out of
the water.  "Do you how hard it was to avoid getting wet these last few
days?  And Kunou wouldn't pay attention to me when I tried to tell him
about this curse.  All he'd say was, ‘Saotome, after this duel between
myself and the Amazon is over, I shall challenge you once again and free
my pig-tailed goddess from your clutches."  Ugh!  No way am I going to
Jusenkyou like this."
	"You'll have to." Akane snapped, "There's no time.  Shampoo and Mousse
have arranged for us to go with them to China.  Although I don't know
why we're taking the two of you boys along.  I should just tell Shampoo
what you're up to and let her dump you in the ocean on the way across!"
	"Huh?  Akane, you don't like Shampoo!  Or, at least, you didn't
before."
	Akane suddenly calmed down.  "Oh, I know.  But this isn't about our
engagement, Ranma.  Shampoo needs help.  And as much as I don't want her
near you, I feel sorry for anyone who would risk an engagement to
Kunou.  Now come on!"  She turned away, still angry.  *I'd tell him
about the Nannichuan, but if that's the only reason he'd help Shampoo,
then he doesn't deserve it.*

	Shampoo carefully packed her bonbori.  "Has Mousse closed Nekohanten?"
	"It's closed, Shampoo." Mousse called from out in the cafe.  "But what
if the old troll comes back while we're gone?"
	"Then she run restaurant by herself." Shampoo replied, grinning.
	"Maybe she'll think that we ran off, together." he suggested hopefully,
looking in.
	"Mousse should be so lucky." she scoffed.  Then she paused and gave it
some thought.  "Then again, old troll could have heart attack at idea. 
Has advantage."  She grabbed her basket.  "Boat and Akane waiting!  To
battle!"

	Off in remote China, Kunou Tatewaki glanced around as he approached the
gates of Jusenkyou.  "The least they could have done is produce an
honour guard for my exalted person." he grumbled.  "Yet even that
sorcerer Saotome Ranma is conspicuous by his absence."
	Kodachi idly twirled a gymnastics ribbon around her body.  "That could
be because we are early, dear brother.  You did wish to view the
battleground on your own."
	"Ah!  That is true."  Lifting his bokken high in the air, Kunou strode
forward through the gates.  "Tomorrow, the Blue Thunder shall rise in
vengeance against one who dares challenge the honour of my family!"
	"Uh, brother?  Perhaps you should watch where you. . ."
	*SPLASH!*
	Up on a nearby cliff, Ryouga chuckled at the sight of Kodachi trying to
fish her brother out, all the while being distracted by a strange little
man who was holding a wooden sign and reciting a story.  He hoped
tomorrow would be as entertaining.

	Shampoo paced outside the entrance to the Cursed Training Grounds.  On
the ground lay the Jusenkyou guide, a large lump on his head.  His
welcoming sign was in two pieces.
	Ranma blinked as he and Akane came up.  The two of them had stayed
behind on the boat long enough to heat a kettle and return him to his
normal form.  No way was he facing Kunou as a girl.  "What happened to
him?"
	"He got in Shampoo's way." Mousse explained, leaning against the
gatepost.
	"Man no need to welcome Shampoo." The Amazon muttered, "She spend time
here before."  She cast a glare inside the grounds.  "Besides, silly
Kunou in there.  Shampoo not go in until Dr. Tofu arrive."
	Leaving the two girls alone, Mousse drew Ranma aside.  "What are his
chances?" he murmured.
	Ranma blew air out between his lips.  "If he sticks to what I taught
him, he should be able to win it.  Aside from being a jerk and having a
giant ego, Kunou can fight.  He can't touch me too often, but he's
good."
	"So is Shampoo."  Mousse shook his head.  "All over a bicycle.  But I
guess it's also a matter of honour.  I mean, if Cologne heard that Kunou
knocked her around and she didn't seek revenge, she'd kick Shampoo out
of the tribe."
	"Yeah well, I hope he beats her." grumbled Ranma, "Then it'll be one
less fiancee for me to worry about."  Then he cringed as a ringing laugh
echoed around the grounds.  "Uh-oh.  If Kodachi sees me. . . ."
	At their feet, the guide stirred.  "Very. . . tragic."

	As she looked out over the hundred cursed springs of Jusenkyou, Akane
couldn't help but shudder.  The was the first time she had been to where
her fiance had received his curse.
	"Frightening, isn't it?"
	Akane jumped and whirled, automatically lashing out.
	"Hey, nice to see you, too." Ryouga muttered, removing her fist from
his eye.
	""Ryouga!  How did you get here?"
	"I heard about Shampoo's duel and came to watch her beat Kunou." he
said.  Taking a flask out of his backpack, he wet a bandanna and held it
to his swelling eye.  "I, uh, was heading somewhere else, first, but
kinda got lost."  He looked up at the springs.  "I never wanted to see
this place again.  Gives me the creeps."
	"You've been here before?"
	"When you wander around China looking for a coward like Ranma, you can
easily find a martial arts training ground."  Turning around, he glared
with his one open eye at the front gates.  "That guide's pretty
annoying, too.  Always wanting to tell you about every single curse."
	"Are all of them cursed?" Akane asked.
	"Only a few.  The rest are still unclaimed by spirits, but if someone
happens to fall in, then they'll have their own little cursed pool."
	"Brrrrrrr."  Akane felt chilled, wrapping her arms around herself.  As
much as she disliked Kunou and would gladly beat his stubborn, thick
head in, she didn't want to see him end up less than human.
	"Akane!  Glad to see you could make it!"
	Now both Akane and Ryouga whirled.  Their attacks both struck only
empty air.
	Dr. Tofu stood at the entrance with Ranma, Shampoo, Mousse, and . . .
Nabiki?  Akane was startled.  She couldn't see how her sister could make
any money out here.  Back home was understandable.  There she could rent
stadiums and sell tickets for duels of honour, but few people would come
to Jusenkyou.  Unless she had a betting pool going.
	The guide had recovered from Shampoo's beating and now sat against a
nearby pillar, smoking his pipe.  "Welcome to Jusenkyou.  Very tragic
place.  Many people drown here."
	Shampoo nodded.  "Good place for silly Kunou to learn lesson."
	Dr. Tofu smiled.  "Well then, I'll just find a place to put my bag and
we can then discuss the rules.  Akane, would you please go and get Kunou
Tatewaki for me?  He should join us now."
	Akane rolled her eyes at the thought of putting up with Kunou yet
again.  But Nabiki quickly stepped forward.  "It's okay, Dr. Tofu.  I'll
do it.  Kunou seems to listen to me."  Looking over at her sister, she
flashed two fingers.  Translated, it meant: " you owe me 2000 yen."
	Of course.  Even when it didn't seem possible, Nabiki knew how to turn
a profit.  Idly, Akane wondered how many people back home were betting
on Kunou.

	"I cannot lose." Kunou proclaimed, twirling his bokken.  "With the
training, surprising though it was, by that sorcerer Saotome, I cannot
be beaten."  His eyes shifted to his left.  "And you, dear sister,
conducted yourself admirably these last few days.  Have you surrendered
your claim on the foolish boy?"
	Her laugh made him wince.  "No, my brother.  I was merely keeping the
best interests of the family at heart."  Kodachi smiled as she tossed a
handful of black rose petals into the air and snapped at them with her
gymnastics ribbon.  "I would not wish to see you defeated, so it behoved
me to restrain myself."  *And I would not miss this day for the end of
the world, for I had Sasuke research Amazon customs and I now know what
happens when an outsider defeats a woman.*
	Untying her ribbon, Kodachi went to her brother and tied it around his
forehead.  "For luck, brother.  Although I doubt you'll need it."
	"True." he agreed, eyeing her suspiciously as she kissed him on the
cheek.
	"Hey, Kunou-chan!  We're starting!" Nabiki called, "Care to give me
some odds on the fight?"
	With his back to her, Kunou cast a significant glance at the sky.  "If
she were not so helpful to my family's financial situation. . . ." he
muttered, tightening his grip on his bokken.

	"Here are the rules," announced Dr. Tofu.  He was standing on a hill in
the middle of Jusenkyou, able to watch over the entire training ground. 
"No outside interference, please.  This is between Shampoo and Kunou. 
Weapons are limited to those on the combatants' persons and those from
the grounds.  All personal weapons of non-combatants are disallowed.  I
must now ask you to state your victory terms."
	Shampoo snorted as she smacked one of her bonbori into her palm.  "I
win, silly Kunou pay for delivery bike.  I lose, I. . . marry Kunou."
	Kunou had been about to make his own speech, but Shampoo's announcement
made his jaw drop.  For one of the rare times in Kunou Tatewaki's life,
he had been struck dumb.  All he could do was stare at Shampoo, who was
returning his look with one of ferocity.  Around him, Kodachi, Nabiki,
and Ranma smirked.
	"Fine, then.  The terms have been stated and cannot be altered.  All
non-combatants please leave the field."
	The other five teenagers retreated to various vantage points on the
hills, far away from any pool of water.  Kunou and Shampoo backed away
from each other, Kunou's hand on the hilt of his bokken, Shampoo with a
tight hold on both her bonbori.
	"Begin!"
	"NYAAAHHH!"
	Shampoo charged, swinging her maces wildly.  She knew that is she could
get Kunou's bokken away, she would have a much better chance.
	Unfortunately, Kunou knew it, too.  He dodged five swings, then six. 
Then, as Shampoo's arms came up again, he stepped into her attack and
seized one wrist.  His bokken lashed upwards from the ground to strike
her chin.
	Shampoo pivoted, whirling her body out of the way and lifting her other
leg to kick the hand holding her, breaking his grip.  Both combatants
then moved back, circling each other warily.
	Ryouga narrowed his eyes.  "Kunou's defensive today." he noted, "Looks
like Ranma taught him well."
	Mousse nervously produced a chain from somewhere and began winding it
around his hands.  "Let's hope that's all he taught him." he replied
quietly.  He glared over to where Ranma was trying his best to ignore
Kodachi.  "If Shampoo loses, I'm going to have to get in there and stop
that swollen-headed idiot.  No one's marrying Shampoo except me."
	Kunou studied Shampoo casually.  "So, the purple-haired goddess of war
possesses excellent defensive capabilities.  I must become a ruthless
killing machine!"  He twisted the hilt of his bokken and the wood sheath
fell away to reveal shining metal.  "Let us test your mettle against
true steel!"
	Now his blows fairly rang off Shampoo's maces.  It was the Amazon's
turn to back up as Kunou's battle chi flared brightly.
	Akane groaned.  "Ranma, why did you have to go and teach Kunou so
well?  Poor Shampoo!"
	Kodachi glared at her.  "Keep your base opinions of my brother to
yourself, Tendo Akane!  It's about time he began looking for a bride.  I
can't imagine what his interest in you is, though.  Shampoo would be a
much better match for him, I think."
	Glaring right back, Akane took a step towards the Black Rose.  "As much
as I hate having your brother chasing me all over the place, I don't
think I could stand watching Shampoo have to marry him!"
	"Then I won't invite you to the wedding!" Kodachi shot back.
	As the two girls fought with words, the fighters had sprung apart once
again to assess each other.  One of Shampoo's bonbori had been mangled
by Kunou's sword.  Now the Amazon girl tossed it away, raised her
remaining mace in both hands, and growled.
	Unfazed, Kunou launched his bokken attack.  "A-TATATATATATATATA!"
	The wind from his strokes blew the leaves off the trees behind Shampoo
as she backpedalled before the rushing attack, staying just outside the
point.
	"Shampoo know this attack." she said, deftly dodging blow after blow. 
Resting her chin on one hand, she made a face at Kunou before flipping
up into the air.  "Shampoo also know how to stop it!"
	A chain flew out of her sleeve and tangled itself up in the sword.  As
she landed back on her feet, she yanked hard on the metal links, ripping
the sword out of Kunou's grasp.  Catching it deftly by the hilt, she
winked.  "Just a trick Shampoo learn from Mousse many years ago."
	Up on the hills, Ranma cast an angry look at Mousse, who could only
lift his hands and shrug helplessly.
	Bending her arms, Shampoo snapped the blade in two and tossed the
pieces into a nearby pond.  "Silly Kunou feel like swimming?" she
sneered, "Now see how you fight on your own."  Raising her mace
one-handed, she leapt into the air again.
	Unhesitating, Kunou jumped to block her blow as it came down.  Twisting
at the waist in midair, he executed a throw that sent Shampoo into the
soft ground at the edge of another pool.  He himself landed on a nearby
rock and knelt as she got slowly to her feet.  "With or without my
weapons, I am still Kunou Tatewaki, the Blue Thunder of Furinken High,
my lovely purple-haired opponent.  I salute your bravery and skill in
challenging me, but I must now require your surrender."  He pointed to
the pool they were beside.  Visible in the depths was her second mace. 
"You cannot possibly defeat me."
	"Shampoo beat Kunou!" she snapped, "If husband Ranma and tomboy Akane
can, so can Shampoo!  FIGHT!"  She charged the rock, shattering it with
a kick as Kunou vacated his position seconds before she connected.
	In the air, Kunou blocked shards of stone.  "Such beauty and strength! 
She is somewhat like my dear pig-tailed girl!"
	"SHADDAP AND FIGHT, KUNOU!" came a yell.
	The Blue Thunder glared over his shoulder.  "That's UPPERCLASSMAN
Kunou, Saotome. . . Uurrkk!"  Shampoo's fist in his ribs cut his
sentence short.
	Having followed his retreat into the air, Shampoo pummelled him
mercilessly.  Lefts and rights stung Kunou's face and chest until he
landed on the ground with a heavy *thud*.
	Ranma groaned and held his head.  "I can't believe this guy.  Shampoo's
bouncing him around like anything!"
	Kodachi snorted.  "If you would but raise your head, Ranma-sama, you
would see my brother has already regained his feet.  If he can absorb
the amounts of punishment you and your supposed fiancee deliver, he can
easily withstand Shampoo's blows."
	The object of Kodachi's scorn tossed her head as she landed lightly. 
"Hmmph.  Shampoo think Kunou need more practice."
	Slightly unsteady, Kunou shook himself and put a hand to his forehead. 
"You think so, fair Amazon?  HAH!"  With a flick of his wrist, Kodachi's
gymnastics ribbon lashed out and wrapped itself around Shampoo's legs,
tripping her up.
	Akane stiffened.  "Hey, Dr. Tofu!  Isn't that a foul?"
	Peering through his glasses, Dr. Tofu shook his head.  "I'm afraid not,
Akane.  Kunou had that ribbon with him when he started.  It's within the
bounds of the rules."
	*Darn,* she thought angrily, *I wish I'd known that earlier.  I could
have stuffed Shampoo full of weaponry.*
	Shampoo thrashed about on the ground, trying to untangle her legs, when
a shadow fell over her.  She looked up to see Kunou readying a knockout
blow.
	"Pray that I do not mar such a lovely countenance." he whispered, then
drove his fist down towards her chin.
	Desperately, Shampoo rolled towards his feet, his fist cracking the
ground inches from her hair.  With an effort, she grabbed his wrist and
used his arm as a ladder to regain her feet inside his defences.
	"SOUSHIN NO TSUBO!"
	The edges of her hands tagged the pressure points on either side of
Kunou's head, rendering him helpless.
	"Now you obey Shampoo." she said, smiling broadly.  Under her magic, he
would obey her command.  "Remove this bind."
	"At once, fair lady!" Kunou agreed, dropping to his knees and tearing
at the ribbon with his bare hands.  Grabbing one end, he yanked on it,
sending Shampoo sprawling again.
	"Even under spell, Kunou still dense!" she cried, trying to kick
herself free of both ribbon and Blue Thunder.  She finally got one leg
free and slammed her toes into Kunou's temple, knocking him away. 
Reaching down, she ripped off the rest of Kodachi's ribbon and spun to
her feet.  "Now, silly boy, prepare to die!"
	Kunou shook his head dazedly and staggered up.  "What. . . ?"
	Then he saw her fist coming at him.
	*CRACK!*
	Kunou flew.  With enough hangtime to qualify being served peanuts and a
drink, he sailed over two pools and snapped dozens of bamboo poles
before a splashdown.
	Ryouga and Mousse took to the air to avoid the wall of water.  They
landed beside the others and all of them stared at the rippling pool
where the Blue Thunder had submerged.
	"Ohhhhhh boy." Ranma muttered.  "Kunou's in trouble now."  He had
difficulty keeping the glee out of his voice.
	Akane nudged him.  "What pool did he fall into?"
	"How should I know?  You think I stopped to ask that stupid guide the
name of every single pool around here?"
	"All right, all right.  Just asking, you idiot.  No need to blow up at
me."  The faint outline of a mallet ghosted into existence above her
body threateningly.
	Just then, Kunou surfaced, spluttering.  Amidst gasps from the
onlookers, he hoisted himself
out of the water, unchanged, and glared at Shampoo.  Then someone tapped
him on the shoulder.  Turning around, he looked into the cheery face of
the Jusenkyou guide.
	"Oh sir, you fall in same pool you did yesterday.  That named after
you, you know."  Producing a length of wood, the guide scribbled
furiously.  Beaming with pride, he turned it around.  "This now Pool Of
Drowned Young Rich Martial Artist.  You like?"
	The spectators ducked as first the sign, then the guide, went whizzing
over their heads.
	"Man, Kunou's mad." Nabiki noted.
	Kunou's bright blue battle aura confirmed Nabiki's opinion.  Dripping
wet, he planted his feet firmly.  "I have toyed long enough with you!"
he bellowed, "Behold, the secret technique taught to me by the great
sorcerer Saotome!  MOUKO TAKABISHA!"
	Akane whirled on Ranma.  "Ranma, you didn't!"
	In reply, Ranma held his palms out.  "Hey, Kunou's a fast learner. 
It's the strength of his ego, I guess."
	The blast of ki struck a stunned Shampoo, sending her flying back into
a tree trunk.  As she slid slowly to the ground, Kunou stared at his own
palms.  "Such power I never knew I possessed!"
	"Shampoo. . . know that. . . move." came a weak voice.  She pulled
herself out of a pile of leaves and twigs, using the trunk to get to her
feet.  "That husband Ranma's attack!"
	Kunou looked startled.  "What?  The purple-haired Venus still stands?"
	Hurt and winded, Shampoo nevertheless looked mad enough to eat Akane's
cooking.  "Husband Ranma teach Kunou?" she snarled.  "He betray
Shampoo?  First, Shampoo deal with you, *then* she kill male Ranma! 
NYAAHH!"
	Kunou was rocked left and right by a sudden flurry of punches.  Sent to
the ground, he rolled out of the way of a stomp and was about to sweep
her down when his hand touched something.
	Shampoo's foot came down again and Kunou back flipped away from it. 
Landing on his feet, he swung around and produced a blunt length of
bamboo pole.  "Now! TATATATATATA!"
	The blows connected.  Again and again Shampoo was struck by his
rapid-strike attack.  Finally, one last thrust rapped her sharply on the
chin and knocked her down.  A shocked silence descended over the
spectators.
	Leaving his perch, Dr. Tofu ran down to the grounds and knelt beside
Shampoo.  "She's out.  I must declare Kunou Tatewaki the winner!"
	Kodachi's shriek of joy was mirrored by Akane's cry of anguish.  The
Black Rose flew down the slope to hug her brother.  "You did it,
Oneechan!  I shall start the wedding plans at once!"
	Akane scowled at Ranma.  "Well, that's one less fiancee for you to
worry about.  Congratulations, I guess."  She turned and started down
towards Shampoo and Dr. Tofu
	Mousse, on the other hand, was grinning.  "That boy Kunou is mine!" he
said gleefully, rubbing his hands together.  From his robes came the
ominous clink of metal.  "If you'll excuse me, Saotome, Shampoo needs me
to protect her."
	Nabiki shook her head.  "Who would've guessed it?  Hey, I wonder if
Kodachi's going to need someone to handle the wedding books?  I'd better
offer my services.  Later!"  Her departure seemed to leave a slipstream
in the air.
	"That's one down, another few still to go!" Ranma gloated, folding his
arms behind his head.  Then he was yanked back by his pigtail.  "Yowch!"
	"Hold on there, Saotome." whispered a voice.
	"Aw.  What do you want, piggy-boy?  Don't spoil my good mood, all
right?"
	"It won't be me, believe it or not.  Just be careful.  Even though none
of us are exactly endeared to Shampoo, she trusted you to help her.  You
broke that trust.  And from what I know of Amazon honour. . ."
	"RRRANMAAAAA!"  The scream echoed up from the ground.
	"See?  Better start running."

	Her vision slowly cleared to see Dr. Tofu pressing a damp cloth to her
forehead.  Akane was kneeling beside him.  Shampoo frowned as she looked
up at them.  For some reason, her arm felt heavy.  Then she saw why: 
Mousse was glomped onto her.
	"Shampoo. . . lose?" she groaned.  Then the memory flooded back and she
darkened in fury.  "Ah, yes.  Former husband Ranma betray Shampoo."  Her
free arm twitched and her hand touched something solid.  Tracing the
shape, Shampoo recognized it.  It was her bonbori, dripping wet, but
intact.
	"The guide fished it out for you." Akane explained, seeing her
surprise.
	Her hand curled around the handle.  Straining, Shampoo lifted it and
got to her feet.  "RRRANMAAAAA!"  Her ki began glowing as her fury
caught hold.  Pausing to smash her mace over Mousse's head, she tore
past everyone to storm the hill where Ranma and Ryouga were standing.
	Ranma squirmed out of Ryouga's attempted headlock and disappeared over
the horizon with an extremely angry Amazon at his heels.  Capitalizing
on the situation, Nabiki pulled out her camera, wound up, and threw it
to Ryouga.  "Get the best shots you can!" she shouted.  "I'll pay you
well!"
	"No need!" Ryouga called back, "Consider this a favour!"  He ran after
the two, doing his best to keep them in sight.
	Akane rolled her eyes.  "I hope he doesn't get lost." she muttered. 
Then she cringed as yells and splashes reached her ears.
	In a few minutes, Shampoo was back.  "Amazon law." she grinned, dusting
her hands off in satisfaction.  "You betray trust, you get wet.  Also,
you forfeit chance to marry.  Which suit Shampoo fine.  Now, where new
husband?"
	  Kodachi pushed her brother forward.  "Here.  And I know that he would
be honoured to marry a fine warrior such as yourself, for you fought
bravely, my dear Shampoo."  Kunou, for his part, seemed rather
overwhelmed.  At least, he had yet to say anything since he had won the
duel.
	Shampoo grabbed him in a fierce hug.  "Is good, match, then.  Shampoo
like strong martial artist for husband.  And it no hurt that new husband
also good-looking and rich.  There little matter of ego, but
great-grandmother know how to deal with that."
	Crushed in her embrace, the Blue Thunder of Furinken High, (Who was
rapidly resembling that colour) wheezed out.  "But what of my dear Tendo
Akane and my beloved pig-tailed girl?  I cannot leave them behind!"
	"Oh, Shampoo talk to pig-tailed girl.  She glad to see you find new
wife.  Very happy for you.  As for tomboy Akane, Shampoo sure that she
glad to see you married, too, ne?"  She winked at the Tendo sisters over
Kunou's shoulder.
	Akane grinned and patted Kunou's shoulder.  "Hai!  Congratulations,
senpai.  Because you have found your bride, I can no longer date you.  I
wish you both great happiness!"
	Kunou's only reply was a strangled gasp.  "Air. . ."
	Startled, Shampoo glanced up, then released her grip.  "Oh, sorry!" 
She lowered her breathless fiance to the ground.  "Husband no leave,
yet.  Shampoo be right back!"  Motioning to Akane, she retreated out of
earshot of everyone else.
	"Ranma make Shampoo very angry," she said quietly, "But Shampoo now
know that he no want Amazon for fiancee.  You no like Shampoo, either,
but you feel enough to help when she need it.  For that, Shampoo
grateful.  You now friend of Joketsuzoku tribe and welcome to visit
anytime.  Just leave husband at home."
	Akane nodded.  She'd be plenty mad at Ranma, too.  "Thanks, Shampoo. 
It wasn't nice, but he felt he had to do it."
	Shampoo was spared a response by an awakening Mousse.  "Kunou Tatewaki,
I challenge you for the hand of Shampoo!" he called, addressing a nearby
tree.  Chains flew out of his sleeves to wrap around the trunk.  A
fierce tug of war ensued.
	Shampoo sighed and tapped her bonbori into her palm.  "Guess Shampoo
stuck with Amazon curse of blind, stupid, persistent lover."  Then she
shrugged.  "I go knock him out again."
	She started towards Mousse, but was stopped by Kodachi.  "No need, dear
sister-in-law.  Leave this to me."  With an agile bound, she landed in
the branches above Mousse's head.  A sprinkling of black rose petals
later, Mousse was snoring peacefully, his challenge and his love
forgotten.
	Kodachi laughed as she wound another gymnastics ribbon around him. 
"Fear not, Shampoo.  The Kunou family knows how to deal with trifles
such as these."
	Looking impressed, Shampoo turned back to Akane.  "This better than
Shampoo thought.  Who knows?  Maybe we serve duck at wedding."  She
glanced over at her fiance, who was still trying to regain his air
intake.  "Maybe hairwash for husband also good idea.  He forget about
pig-tailed girl and tomboy Akane at same time."
	"Shampoo, if you can keep him off me forever, I'll really owe you one."
Akane grinned.  "But how's Cologne going to take this when you get
back?"
	"When she see new husband?  She like.  She may pretend not to, but she
get used to idea."  Shampoo smiled mischievously.  "Maybe she and
husband teach each other manners."

	"Beat it, P-chan!" Ranma snarled over his shoulder as he ran.  Then he
had to duck a spinning bandanna.
	"Better watch your mouth, Saotome." grinned Ryouga.  He patted the
camera slung around his neck.  "These are priceless, you know.  No
matter what Nabiki charges, I'm going to have to get a framed set."
	Flipping his wet hair back, Ranma scowled even harder.  Bad enough to
fall into *that* spring, but to have Ryouga capture the whole event on
film?  For Nabiki, no less!  The humiliation was almost too much.  Thank
goodness for that guide and his hot water.  Having to face everyone in
his new cursed for would have been grounds to seek out his mother and
commit seppuku.

	At the front gate, Nabiki tapped her foot impatiently.  "I should have
known better than to give my best camera to Ryouga.  He's probably miles
away in the wrong direction." she snorted.
	Akane, meanwhile, was scanning the horizon for another figure.  "I hope
that idiot gets back here, soon.  I'd like to get home to some of
Kasumi's cooking.  I don't mind camping out, but I'm not about to spend
the night here!"
	"My sentiments exactly." Kodachi agreed, perched atop a
ribbon-mummified Mousse.  "Why, our first day here, my dear brother fell
into that pool.  He was extremely fortunate that it was one that was not
cursed already."  She paused to pull open Mousse's eyelids.  "Good.  He
still slumbers.  Hmm, nice eyes, by the way."
	Shampoo nestled against her fiance.  "Ah, Shampoo thank Kodachi for
solving Mousse problem.  Shampoo only wish solution was permanent."
	"You want a permanent solution?" Kunou murmured softly.  "Invite him
over for one of her home-cooked meals.  That should suffice."  A
gymnastics ribbon snapped the air inches from his head and he ignored it
magnificently.

	The elder Kunou had been quiet ever since he had won his new bride,
lost deep in though at the sudden change in his life.  He had gone from
having two extremely reluctant sweethearts to one extremely adorable,
loving fiancee.  And he had his worst enemy, Saotome Ranma, to thank for
it.  What was an honourable man to do?
	He knew that he must publicly thank the sorcerer for giving him such a
girl to marry.  But why had Saotome done it?  Was it a trick?  Did he
plan to keep both the pig-tailed girl and Tendo Akane for himself while
distracting Kunou with this vision of loveliness?
	But Akane seemed to be in favour of his marriage!  She had said so
herself!
	Slowly, Kunou rested his head in his hand.  He had a lot of thinking to
do.  Then his eyes slid across to the purple-haired beauty nestled on
his shoulder.  *Damn you, Saotome Ranma, but . . . thank you . . .  just
the same.*