Here it is, the last Episode of this series, but things are just beginning...

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Ranma 1/2: The Dragon's Dawning Series
By Wesley Bridges
Based on the characters by Rumiko Takahashi

Episode 12: The Search for Knowledge
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	Note: Ok, people. I don't want to confuse you, but I have to
	do a little note on how things are operating speech wise with
	this episode. All dialogue is normal for characters, that's what
	you're used to. Here are the things you won't be used to:

	<> This is something Kipp (or Kipp's karma) communicates to
	   Ukyo

	<**> This is something Kipp WANTS to communicate, thinks, or
	something that Ukyo does not "hear" Kipp saying.

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	Ukyo was glad to be resting in her own bed again, though she
	hoped the nightmares would end. Ever since the incident, she
	saw flashbacks of it in her dreams often waking her when the
	impact struck. She hoped this dream would be different, and
	she could finally get some sleep.

	Ukyo found herself in a home that was all to familiar to her.
	This was the home she had always fanticised Ranma and Her living
	in after they were married. Ukyo was cooking okonomiyaki for
	dinner as Ranma walked in with the kids. This time, however,
	the figure normally Ranma, was not. His face was darkened, and
	his physique distorted. Ukyo was unable to tell who this 
	character was. Her heart ached for Ranma, but why now this 
	strange image? Was she secretly developing different feelings,
	or even feelings for another? She didn't know, as far as she
	could disscern, she wasn't. 

	Perhaps possessing Kipp's karma was blocking her feelings for
	Ranma, but Kipp had to have had enough trust in her to do 
	something like that, and if he did, he was to nice to try 
	something as mischevous as toying with her feelings. There had
	to be something going on, but she could not figure out what
	that was.

	Ukyo woke up the next morning refreshed from her sleep, but
	perplexed about the dream she had. She dressed and began getting
	ready for school. She stepped out the door and walked on. As she 
	passed an ally four men emerged and began following her.

Man-1:	Is that her, Captain?

Cptn:	I believe it is. Let's get her men, for Master Reiji.

Man-1:	Stop!

Ukyo:	(Turning) Huh?

	<* Interesting, I can see what she does. Oh, my... those are
	some of Reiji's goons, and they don't look like they want to
	have a pleasant chat. I'll have to see if I can help Ukyo with	
	them... how, I have no Idea... *>

Cptn:	You've got something we want. Hand it over!

Ukyo:	I don't know what you're talking about.

	<* Let's see... I wish there were an instruction manual to do
	this, but I'll have to compromise. Guess I should have gotten
	into the video games when I had the chance. Let's see... I need
	to... *>

	Ukyo's right arm raised straight into the air.

Ukyo	(thinking) Huh? How...?

	<* Not bad, not bad... let's see... *>

Cptn:	Stop fooling around! Hand over the bracelet!

Ukyo:	(raising her left hand) I don't have any bracelet! (thinking)	
	What is going on with me?!

	<* Sorry, Ukyo. I'm trying, I'm trying. Let's try... *>

	Ukyo dropped her left arm and grabbed her spatula with her
	right.

Cptn:	Oh, you wanna fight, eh? Teach her a lesson, men.

Men:	Yes, sir!

	Each man launched a barrage of ninja stars at Ukyo. Ukyo's eyes
	widened, but inside something else was happening.
	
	<* Damn! I forgot... I don't know how to use a war spatula *>

	Ukyo swung the spatula in defense. 

	<* Oh, so that's what you do with it. I can do that *>	

	After the first swing, Ukyo found herself swinging her spatula
	and deflecting the other stars with almost no effort. She even
	surprised herself with the demonstrated speed.
	
Cptn:	Get her!

	The men rushed, Ukyo began falling back, but soon came to a 
	dead end.

	<* Ok, let's try this... *>

	Ukyo put her hands into a circular shape, then put them down.

	<* Don't fight, don't fight, I'm trying to help here! *>

	After the fourth rotation of preparation and stopping, a red
	battle aura flared around Ukyo as the familiar sight of Kipp's
	Solar Wind attack fanned out at the four attackers. Each rolled
	on the ground in agony.

Ukyo:	(thinking) How did I do that? Wasn't that... one of Kipp's moves?
	The one he used on Fujiko?

	At school, Ukyo took her seat as Principal Kuno walked into the room.

Ranma:	Great, I wonder what he's here for.

P.Kuno:	Aloha, everybody! Today I got some big news for you. You are getting
	a teacher dat move here from Freshman level.

Ranma:	Anyone but her!

P.Kuno:	Allow me to introduce Miss Hinako

	The faces of Ranma, Akane, and Ukyo darkened as Miss Hinako skipped
	into the classroom.

Hinako:	(giggling) I'm so glad to be here. I see some people I know from
	when I started. And if it isn't Mr. Saotome...

	Ranma said nothing, just gave an uneasy look. Fujiko then stood and
	approached Hinako. She was dressed normally, except in white
	in the place of black. A silver bracelet was also new on her
	figure. The bracelet contained a sapphire with a faint green
	glow about it.

Fujiko:	Uh, excuse me, Miss Hinako, but I have family problems, and I'm going
	to be out for a while. Could I have any assignments I might miss?

Hinako:	Certainly, your name?

Fujiko:	Fujiko Tamamiru.

Hinako:	And how long will you be out for?

Fujiko:	A couple of weeks.

Hinako:	Hmm... (handing her a folder of papers) Here you go.

Fujiko:	Thank you.

Ranma:	I can't believe she actually got her assignments ahead of time.

Fujiko:	Well, unlike some people, I intend to pass this class.

Ranma:	Hey!

	As class began, Ukyo found herself in the awkward situation of
	dozing off. She thought she had plenty of sleep last night, but
	perhaps the lack of sleep the previous three days was catching
	up to her. As she slept, she began to have another strange dream

	Ukyo pictured herself in what appeared to be a mosoleum of some sort.
	Carved stones, resembling headstones, lined the walls as she walked.
	Upon examining some of them, she noticed they were mostly in Chineese,
	so she could not read them. One stone, however, was legible. She
	read it: Kipp (Ki-pe is the closest I can think of a true Japanese
	spelling the - just separates the syllables.) Hoshiryuu, Date of
	Birth: Unknown. Date of Death: (blank) , Notes: (blank).

	< Ukyo, you might want to wake up now... UKYO... >

	Ukyo awoke and sat straight up in her chair. Miss Hinako did not
	appear to notice her doze, and continued the lesson. She looked
	around at who might have waken her.

Ukyo:	(whispering) Who said that?

Ranma:	(whispering back) Said what?

Ukyo:	Didn't someone wake me?

Ranma:	No, you must be hearing things.

Ukyo:	(thinking) That's odd. I could have sworn someone called me...

	<* Did she actually hear me? Maybe I should try that again. Ukyo,
	If you can hear my tap your right toe. *>

	Nothing happened.

	<* Drat. How am I going to help them if I can't even communicate to
	them? *>

	After school, Ranma, Akane, and Ukyo gathered together to find
	out how they were going to get things back to normal.

Akane:	Ukyo, have you been... feeling alright?

Ukyo:	I'm feeling fine, but some wierd things have been happening
	to me lately.

Ranma:	I'll say...

	Ukyo recapped the events of the morning to Ranma and Akane.

Akane:	Maybe Kipp's trying to help you, Ukyo. After all his... karma
	is linked with you.

Ranma:	Yeah, let him lead us how to find a way to China.

	That hadn't occurred to Kipp. Maybe he could... lead Ukyo to
	a way to get them to China. 

	Ukyo suddenly stopped in the direction she was going and began
	walking briskly toward her shop.

Ranma:	Ucchan, where ya going?

Ukyo:	I don't know! I'm not trying to go anywhere.

	Ranma and Akane kept pace as Ukyo, "led" by Kipp, walked swiftly
	to Kipp's home.

Akane:	What are we doing here?

Ukyo:	Beats me.

Akane:	(trying the door) It's locked.

Ukyo:	Uh-oh. Here we go again.

	Kipp walked Ukyo forward, reached up an grabbed a door key 
	hidden above the doorway. He quickly walked her around the
	old training center to the back door. Using the key, he had
	Ukyo unlock the door and open it.

Akane:	Looks like you got what you asked for, Ranma.

Ranma:	How does this get us to China?

	The trio entered the home of Kipp and looked around. Ukyo found
	herself walking to a bookself and pulling one of the books. It	
	triggered a lever which opened a door behind the bookshelf 
	leading downward into a cellar of some sort.

	The cellar was lit by a single overhead light and did not have
	much in it. On the far wall was a dragon head that portruded
	from the wall. Ukyo reached in and pulled a lever. Panels on the
	wall opened revealing hundreds of metal boxes, almost like a
	vault of safe deposit boxes.

Akane:	Wow, I wonder what he keeps in all of these.

Ukyo:	I don't know, but I assume one of them has to have something to
	help us get to China.

Ranma:	But which one? There's got to be a couple hundred of them!

	<* Yee have little faith! I just need to remember which one
	it is... Oh yeah... *>

	Ukyo walked over to one, twisted a combination so fast she 
	couldn't even read it and opened it. Inside were three passes
	to any destination on a boatline. Also inside was a map of 
	China with various places added to the map by Kipp, including	
	the Amazon Village where his master now lives.

Ukyo:	This must be it.

Ranma:	Let's pack up and meet at the docks at 7:00. That should get
	us an early start there.

	The three split up and met at the Tokyo Docks at 7:00. They
	redeemed their passes for three round trip boat passages to
	China. The boarded the boat, which actually turned out to be
	a comfortable ocean liner, and began their three day voyage to
	China.

Akane:	Well, here we are.

Ukyo:	But where IS here?

	The gang looked around till they found a sign at the edge of
	town.

Ranma:	Great, it's only in Chineese.

Akane:	Can either of you read it?

	Both gave her blank faces back.

Ukyo:	Maybe we can find it on the map, just by matching the writing.

	After searching the map for a couple of minutes, they found
	they were in a small city on the south-eastern end of China.
	A red line was drawn from this city that passed south and east
	then curved north a bit to a place marked "Amazon Village" in
	Japanese.

Akane:	Well, I guess we're in the right place.

Ranma:	Yeah, well people can guess you're a good cook too, but if they
	ate anything besides your soup, they'd be in for a last meal.

Akane:	(growling) Ranma.... 

	Akane punched Ranma high into the sky and watched him fall back
	to the ground a good ways out of the city limits.

	<* I don't know how many times I've told him to quit while he's
	ahead, but I know that he hasn't listened to that advice once
	yet...*sigh* Oh, well... nothing I can do about it like this.*>

	The three followed the paths as indicated by the red line drawn	
	on their map. After a good day's travel they set up camp about
	another two days travel from their destination, or so they
	guessed. Ranma and Akane pitched the tents, while Ukyo prepared
	the evening meal.

	She cooked subconsciously not really paying attention to exactly
	what she was up to. As the thought came up to her conscious, she
	realized that she was not cooking Okonomiyaki. Instead it turned
	out to be some dish she had never seen before.

Ranma:	Dinner ready yet? I'm starved.

	Ukyo looked at what she was cooking. It looked done, but something
	in the back of her mind said not quite, yet.

Ukyo:	Not yet, at least I don't think so.

Ranma:	What do you mean? Can't you always tell when Okonomiyaki is 
	ready?

Ukyo:	Of course, but...

	Her subconscious now told her that the meal was done so she
	took it off the fire and placed it on traveling plates and
	passed it out.

Akane:	What's this?

Ukyo:	I... don't... 

	Ukyo quickly searched her mind for an answer, but found none,
	but soon her subconscious came up with an answer.

Ukyo:	It's a traditional Chineese dish mainly composed of seafood
	and vegetables. It's cooked in an herbal sauce, but I couldn't
	find the presise herbs around since they are much more common
	in the areas, but the ones I used are viable substitutes.

	Akane and Ranma looked at her as if she had a hole in her head.

Ukyo:	What? Did I say something wrong?

Ranma:	Are you feeling ok, Ukyo?

Ukyo:	Yeah, sure, why?

Akane:	You're beginning to sound more like... like... Kipp.

Ukyo:	Huh?! (thinking) Could she be right? Maybe something is going
	on with me... but how... how could Kipp's... whatever it is
	communicate, or even tell me these things?

Ranma:	Maybe he's trying to say something.

Ukyo:	I... I... don't know. I don't think he is... but sometimes
	I hear voices... I'm not going crazy am I?

Akane:	Of course not. I'd say you're acting pretty normal for someone
	with someone else's karma in them.

	The day ended with the different, but very good, meal prepared
	by Ukyo. The three retired to their tents to catch up on their
	sleep for the long day of traveling the next day.

	Meanwhile...
	
	Reiji looked out of his window in the Dragons of Night's 
	Himalayan fortress. The loss of Zamiru had been perfect for his
	plans now placing him in full control of the Dragons. All was
	perfect. A knock rang on the door.

Reiji:	Enter.

	The four men who attacked Ukyo four days previous enter.

Reiji:	Excellent. What have you to report?

	The four men stood silent.

Reiji:	Well?

Captn:	There were hundreds of them, sir. All waiting for us. We tried,
	and we took a lot of them...

Reiji:	But...?

Captn:	But, we didn't get the bracelet back. That... that spatula of
	your sister's really...

Reiji:	Spatula? My sister doesn't use a spatula. You morons tried to
	get the wrong girl! That was the one you were supposed to KILL!

Captn:	Uh, well.

Reiji:	No buts, captain. Our plans are in need of dire ammends. Kipp
	is very vulnerable right now. Should we kill her, we kill Kipp
	as well.

Captn:	Uh, why don't we just attack the body?

Reiji:	Fools! The body will be nearly invincible until the karma that
	is left within it dies, then it dies, but we have no time to
	lose. We must impede any attempts to revive him! 

Men:	Yes, Sir!

	The next morning, Ranma, Akane, and Ukyo ate an okonomiyaki
	breakfast, appearantly it was a little early for Kipp to do
	anything, and set off on their second day of travel.

	Soon after they departure, they were stopped on the path by
	four armed men. 

Captn:	Halt!

Ranma:	What's going on?

Captn:	Silence! Our master cannot allow the one with the spatula to
	live any longer.

Ukyo:	What?! I thought this was about some bracelet that I don't have!

Ranma:	Ukyo, you know these guys?

Ukyo:	They attacked my on my way to school.

Captn:	Silence! Step away from her and we won't hurt you.

Ranma:	No Way!

Akane:	He's right. We're not backing down!

	Kipp's conscious gathered from its misty separation in time to
	see four very familiar looking men preparing for a battle.

	<* Great, not these clowns again. *>

	Ukyo prepared her spatula and Ranma and Akane got into fighting
	stances. The four men threw stars again, but Ranma, Akane, and	
	Ukyo easily dodged them.

	<* Now it's time for a little fun. *>

	Kipp concentrated on getting Ukyo to concentrate. She did rather
	willingly, and Kipp prepared for his next step. The four men
	began to charge. With one swipe of the spatula, Kipp projected
	the strike to each of the four men sending them sprawling into
	trees.

	Ukyo looked surprised at the feat. Ranma looked curious while 	
	Akane was dumfounded, but tried not to show it too much.

Ranma:	Ukyo... how did you...?

Ukyo:	I don't know. It just... sorta... happened.

Ranma:	(thinking) There's no way Kipp would have taught her that 
	projected fighting technique. Even if he did... something's
	not right here. 

	They continued with no event until sundown and set camp in a 
	small grove of trees near a slow moving river. Their best
	estimate now put them only a half a day from the Amazon
	Village. The problem was getting in, and not causing a commotion	
	while inside.

	The next morning, they traveled most of the day until they saw
	a village rising up from the horizon. A good look brought back
	awful memories for Ranma. This was the village where he and
	his father had the unfortunate pleasure of meeting Shampoo. 
	Although it turned out better in the end, it was still an 
	unsettling thought.

Ranma:	That's the place alright. Looks like they've enlarged the
	city since I was last here.

Akane:	We'd best think of something to say before we get in. We don't	
	want to start any fights let think about what happens if we
	win any of them.

Ukyo:	You're right, but how are we going to get to talk with Shileng?
	I'm not sure if they'd let us talk to her if we just walked up
	and asked.

Akane:	Probably not.

	Ukyo sat on a rock and scraped the ground with a stick. Akane
	walked over and threw rocks in the river. Ranma sat on a rock
	and just watched the both of them solemnly.

	<* Sure wish I knew how to talk... or at least communicate
	with her... She's really racking her head. At least the picture
	drawing is helping her... *>

	That gave Kipp an idea. His essence focused on controlling
	Ukyo's stick movements and succeeded. Now to make them 
	meaningful scribbles.

	Ukyo still came up with no real ideas, but she was thinking
	hard. The drawing helped though she paid no attention to what
	she drew. Ranma was bored and just watching now. He had given
	up on ideas. Something began to look odd, though. Instead of
	drawing, Ukyo began writing. Ranma walked over to read what the
	words said.

Ranma:	(Reading) Hello out there? (to Ukyo) What's that supposed to
	mean?

Ukyo:	Huh?

	Ranma pointed to the words.

Ukyo:	I didn't even realize...

Akane:	What's going on? (seeing the words) Where'd these come from?

Ranma:	Ukyo drew them.

Ukyo:	That's strange... It doesn't look like my handwriting.

Akane:	You're right it looks more like...

	Akane hated to say it but her hesitance made it obvious what
	she thought. The handwriting was unmistakably Kipp's there was
	no doubt in anyone's mind. Kipp satisfied that people were 
	watching, continued.

Ranma:	(reading) No, it's not what you think. Ukyo's not becoming
	me, I'm not possessing Ukyo, well... sort of, but not like 
	that. 

Ukyo:	Then what is it like?

Ranma:	(reading) It's hard to explain. I'm basically asking you to
	do this, and your body is responding by doing it. For some
	reason certain things it responds to me over you, while others
	it responds more to you than me. I try to communicate, but this
	is the only way I'v found so far. I had no idea it would be
	like this when I used the technique.

Akane:	Can you tell us how to cure it?

Ranma:	(reading) Nope, sorry. I don't remember the reverse technique.
	I can, however, help you get into the Amazon village.

Ukyo:	How?

Ranma:	(reading) get some paper and a brush and I'll write my master
	a note explaining our predicament. We'll ask the amazons to 
	give it to her, and hopefully all will go well from there. I 
	can't promise anything, though.

	A few minutes later, the three friends walked into the Amazon
	village. They were soon stoped by two warriors of the tribe.

Amazon:	(in Chinese) What business do you have here?

	<* oops, forgot to tell them they'll speak Chineese. Good thing
	I wrote the note in Chineese. *>

Ranma:	(to Ukyo) What'd she say?

Ukyo:	I don't know, why are you asking me?

	One amazon walked away appearantly to get someone who understood
	Japanese. She came back with two very familiar looking amazons.
	Both had maturted quite a bit since Ranma and Akane last saw
	them, and their looks and skills were even deadlier than before.

Ling-L:	What big sister Shampoo's husband doing here?

Lung-L:	Did something happen to big sister? Tell us!

Akane:	(thinking) Great, it just had to be these two.

Ranma:	Uh, no. We came to see... Shileng.

Ling-L:	What you want with new mother Shileng?

Lung-L:	If you want marry Shampoo, you ask Great Grandmother.

Ranma:	No, I don't...

	Akane elbowed him in the side before he finished.

Ukyo:	What do you mean, MARRY SHAMPOO?!

Ranma:	Shh! Relax, Ukyo. If they think I'm marrying Shampoo, which I'm
	NOT, then they won't be after me.

Lung-L:	If you no marry big sister, we get marry you instead.

	Ranma, Akane and Ukyo froze in their tracks. Kipp's conscious
	didn't hear the comment otherwise it too would have froze, but
	it rather awoke from a period of dormancy.

Ranma:	Uh, look can we just see Shileng?

Ling-L:	You need Mother Shileng permission before you go see!

Ukyo:	(handing her the letter) Give this to her.

	Ling-Ling and Lung-Lung disappear and a few moments later another
	Amazon comes to them.The amazon was a tall light-blue haired 
 	woman in rich gowns, fully figured, and quite attractive.

Amazon: Come with me, quickly. There is much we need to discuss.

Akane:	Are... you...?

Amazon:	Yes, I am Shileng. Weren't expecting someone this young looking
	were you?

Akane:	No...

Shileng: There was an elixer of my tribe that allows me to retain my
	 youth. Cologne has not yet asked me for the recipie, or she
	 would look much younger as well.

	Shileng led the trio into a small house where she invited them
	to sit at a large round table. Ukyo, Ranma and Akane told her
	of their predicament.

Shileng: Kipp was always a diligent student, but he never did tell me
	 of the Inochi Yuketsu. I'm afraid there is little I can do
	 for you.

All 3:	What?!

Akane:	And after we came all this way too...

Shileng: Now did I say I couldn't do anything?

Ukyo:	Is there something you can do for us?

Shileng: Kipp always studied at his family's shrine not that far from
	 here. I'm sure he's forgotten about that since its been so 
	 long.

Ranma:	Do you think he left something there that might help us?

Shileng: I'm sure he would. Have you been able to communicate with
	 the portion of him within you?

Ukyo:	Sorta... he can write things down.

Shileng: Perhaps he could tell us where in the shrine his notes are.

Ukyo:	I don't...

	Ukyo cut off as she felt herself nodding.

Shileng: Good, then let's go.

Akane:	You're coming with us?

Shileng: Of course, it's the least I can do to show you to the place.
	 Besides, if I can understand Kipp's notes, I might be able to
	 reverse the technique.

	The four left the village after a wary good-bye from the amazons
	Shileng agreed to allow the amazons to provide an escort, 
	consisting of four warriors.

	As the day approached midafternoon, they came upon a shrine on
	top of a hill overlooking the village and valley area below. A
	sign in front of the shrine read: Hoshiryuu Family Shrine.

	The shrine was large, with a courtyard area in front with a
	large dragon holding a sun carved from stone in the center.
	The whole shrine was surrounded by a stone wall while the main
	building stood in the center of the surrounding courtyard.

	They walked in the main building and down a flight of stairs
	into a large room composed all of marble. The room looked like
	a mosoleum with memorials dedicated to all of the family who
	died here.

Ukyo:	This... this is from that dream.

Ranma:	What dream?

Ukyo:	When we were in school, I had this crazy dream of walking in
	this place. I walked down here and looked at...

	Ukyo walked until she found the exact monument.

Ukyo:	Here it is...

Ranma:	(looking at the monument) Kipp's? But, he's not dead yet.

Shileng: When their children were born the Hoshiryuus would construct
	 a monument for them in this shrine. It's odd that the birthdate
	 on here is unknown, though.

	Ukyo placed a hand on the monument and felt something strange,
	almost like a lever. She pulled it and a door opened in the 
	floor leading down into another room. The four exchanged glances
	then proceeded down.

	The room was small, but unmitakably an area of study. A desk was
	at the back of the room with a several books on it. Ranma walked
	over and leafed through a book that looked like it had been written
	in recently.

Ranma: It's a diary of some sort.

Akane: And look, here's an entry just a couple months ago.

	The page read:

	A few months ago, I settled down in Nermia Ward, Tokyo. I've met 
	several people here who have welcomed me into their world. I don't
	think my studies could have thrived in a place other than this. I
	have also met someone I... well... like, but its more than 
	friendship... she sees me as a friend, and her fiancee sees her in
	the same way. I don't know how to approach her, though. I... I'm
	not sure how she would react. She loves her fiancee, though his
	heart yearns for another of his fiancees. I'm not sure what to do.
	I cannot even attempt a proper approach until I find out what has
	been happening to me these past several years. Only once I truly 
	know myself could I ever gain the courage...

Ranma: Wonder who that is.

Akane: I don't know, I've never seen him around anyone else.

Ukyo:	 (thinking) This is to wierd... they don't seem to notice the 
	 connection. It sounds... so much... like... m-m-me... No,
	 who am I kidding? The only time boys at school liked me
	 was when I dressed up. He couldn't possibly mean me... 
	 could he?

Shileng: (looking through a different book) I found it. Not only does
	   he describe the technique thoroghly, he also points out the
	   ways in which the original was wrong and how the dragons
	   fixed it. Its what I should have expected from a student like
	   him. (to Ukyo) Shall we get you back to normal?

Ukyo:	Huh? Oh, yeah.

Ranma: 	Something wrong, Ukyo?

Ukyo:  	N-No, why?

Ranma: 	You just seemed troubled, that's all.

Ukyo:  	I'm ok, Ranma honey, I'm fine.

	The four left the shrine and met back with the four amazon 
	escorts. They headed to the village where Akane, Ranma and
	Ukyo were invited to stay with Shileng so they could begin
	their journey home bright and early the next day. With much
	relief, and happier thoughts, the group retierd for the night.

	The two and a half day trek back to the port city in which they
	had arrived went as well as it could. Shileng told the group
	stories of her years training Kipp and of the strictness of his
	training style. Ranma, Akane and Ukyo were familiar with this,
	hardly eating, or sleeping or doing anything else but training
	until he fully mastered the technique in question. It was a 
	habit none of them wanted to get into.
	
	Other stories showed them Kipp's softer side, nature journies
	while helping wounded animals and enjoying life. According to
	her, however, all of that changed when we recieved a letter
	reminding him of his parents' death so long ago. He had almost
	forgotten it until that day. The rage she saw build up in him
	was more than she could ever handle. She tried to help him
	control his rage, and thats when she unleashed the power of
	his Ryukoryuu Hokodan.

	Other strange events followed which keyed her in on Kipp's 
	differance to a normal student. Something was different alright,
	but she never expected the day when she found him studying out
	of the books of a martial arts school so secretive only a 
	handful of masters knew of its existance. The Dragon Schools
	of Martial Arts. Both the Dragons of Night and the Dragons
	of Light were well known by those who knew of them to turn out
	powerful students for their age. Fewer knew the reason behind
	it. Kipp was an atypical teenager searching not only for a way
	to normalize, but for something else. It was this mission she
	never could determine.

Shileng: Kipp is a powerful student, much better than many of the
	 amazons in our tribe, or most students his age. He lacks one
	 thing... control. His powers have grown so much so fast, that
	 he grew erratic with them. There will be a time, and there
	 will be a day when Kipp does something he will regret, and
	 he will not be able to stop it until its too late. Be prepared.

Ranma:	What sort of thing are you referring to?

Shileng: The dragons have infused Kipp's mind with many different 
	 techniques and abilities. Most of which Kipp can now control.
	 The desperation attacks, his most powerful, and most uncontrolled
	 still have a lot uncertianty with him. Already he has caused
	 more harm with one of them then he ever wanted. That has 
	 dwelled on him for a long time now.

Ranma:	What sort of desperation technique? 

Shileng: I'm not sure. But when I saw all that was around him, and
	 what he looked like shortly after. I knew something was wrong,
	 but what I do not know.

	Ranma, Shileng, Ukyo and Akane boarded the boat heading back to Japan.
	The three day voyage took them through clear skies and ocean waters 
	with views of islands in the distance. It was a relaxing and enjoyable
	experiance. 

	When they reached the harbor in Tokyo, they disembarked and walked
	through the streets of Tokyo heading for Dr. Tofu's office. Their
	Journey had lasted almost two weeks or the three Dr. Tofu had 
	estimated to them. It was now time to get things back to the way they
	once were.

	Dr. Tofu looked out from the back room as the group walked into
	his office.

DrTofu: Oh, hello. Welcome back. Did you find anything?

Akane:	Yes, we found Kipp's notes on the reveral for his technique.

DrTofu:	Who is that with you?

Shileng: I am Kipp's former master, Shileng.

DrTofu:	Nice to meet you.

Ranma:	She thinks she can read Kipp's notes well enough to perform the
	technique to restore them.

DrTofu:	Then let's get started, shall we?

	Dr. Tofu, Shileng, and Ukyo went into the room where Kipp's body
	was being tended to. Akane and Ranma were asked to stay in the
	office for minimal distraction.

	Soon after they left, Fujiko entered Dr. Tofu's office looking
	severely worn out.

Ranma:	Fujiko, what happened?

Fujiko:	Uh, well... I kinda dozed during class and... Miss Hinako 
	introduced me to this... fifty yen thingy.

Ranma:	Oh, no. Not that Happo fifty yen thingamajig!

Fujiko: It was something like that.

Akane:	Are you ok?

Fujiko: Yeah, I'm fine. I just came to congratulate you on your journey.
	Is Kipp... er... is whatever was wrong with Kipp fixed now?

Ranma:	No, they just started.

	From the back room, a red light poured into the office causing
	the three to shield their eyes. A sound like rushing air 
	permeated the room. Soon the red light faded to yellow, then
	green finally fading into nothing.

	Dr. Tofu, Shileng and a slightly wobbily Ukyo left the room.

Ranma:	Ukyo, are you ok?

Ukyo:	Yeah, just disoriented...

Shileng: The both of them will be just fine. Ukyo will recover in a few	
	 minutes, where Kipp may take a couple of hours to wake up.

DrTofu:	(reading Kipp's notebook) The material in here is really quite
	interesting. If it weren't for its intricate detail, we might
	not have been able to succeed so easily.

Shileng: Yes, but for now, I must return to my village. The tribe will
	 be awaiting my return.

Ukyo:	It sure was nice of you to come all this way. Is there anything
	we can do for you?

Shileng: One day, maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, there will be. 
	 When that day comes, you will know it.

	Ukyo, Ranma, and Akane exchanged glances as Shileng exited the
	office.

	Three hours later, Kipp's senses finally began to return to him.
	Touch, hearing and smell came first, to his disappointment, but
	he was able to move at least. From somewhere in the same room,
	he heard a voice say somehting like "he's waking up." but he
	couldn't make out who it was.

	Slowly, he opened his eyes to a blurred room. As his vision 
	cleared he saw four pairs of eyes looking at him in the face.

Ukyo:	You, ok, Kipp-chan?

Kipp:	(sitting up and looking around) Yeah, I'm ok... where am I?

Akane:	You're at Dr. Tofu's office.

Ranma:	We got your old master to read your notes on the reversing 
	technique thingy

Kipp:	Is she still here?

Fujiko:	No, she left a while ago going back to her village.

Kipp:	I wish I could have at least thanked her...

Ukyo:	Can you get up?

Kipp:	I don't know. I guess so.

	Kipp got up and stood on wobbly feet, at first. As he was helped
	around the room by Ranma and Ukyo, he regained his stability.

Kipp:	What do you say we get out of here?

Ranma:	Sounds good to me.

Ukyo:	Yep, time to re-open the shop.

Kipp:	Well, why don't we be your first customers of the day then, on
	me.

Fujiko:	Good plan.

	The five left Dr Tofu's office and headed toward Ucchan's for
	a relaxing end to their day.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
End Episode 12.

Trailer: Thanks for reading the Dragon's Dawning series, but don't 
think the story is done yet. Stay tuned for the stories of Shampoo in 
Shampoo's Quest, Nabiki in Nabiki: Luck Meets Its Match, all the gang
in Dragon's Eye, and Akane, Ranma, Kipp and Ukyo in Dragon's Curse. 
See you there!


SoulDrake