Stained Glass Mind: Revised Edition
-------------------------------------

By: Anand Rao


Chapter 2: Glancing at the Shards
----------------------------------

Play stared at her reflection in one of the pools of the cursed springs.
"Hey!  I'm kinda cute!" She struck what she felt was a sexy pose and smiled
demurely.

She then started squeezing her breasts and giggled.

(Play!  You stop that right now!) Guardian commanded.

(But this is fun,) Play protested.  (I like this body!  Let's jump into
another spring!)

(Don't you -dare-!) Bitter exclaimed. (This is bad enough!)

(Please, everyone, be quiet. I have to try to wake up Ranma.)

After a few moments of the Guardian's gently probing, Ranma woke up and took
control.  He blinked a few times and looked around, confused.  He then
looked at his body and screamed.  He was about to black out again, when the
Guardian stopped him.

(Calm down!  Things are not as bad as they seem.)

"Not that bad?!" Ranma screamed aloud. "I'm a guy in a -woman's- body!"

(And -I- am a woman who was in a man's body.  If I can deal with it, so can
you.  Settle down and pay attention to me.)

(The life of a martial artist,) Master intoned, (is fraught with peril.)

(. . .)

(. . .)

(. . .)

(The first time you manage to grace us with your presence and that's the
best you can offer?) Bitter demanded.

(Master?  Are you there?  Is there a way out of this?  Master?)

(Ranma, he's gone.  Don't worry, this isn't as big a problem as you think.)

Ranma slowed his breathing and sighed. "Sorry. . . but this scares me."

(I know it does, but like I said, it's not that bad.  While you were out, I
probed the Guide's mind.  Bitter, ask the Guide for some hot water. He has
some in a thermos he is carrying.)

(Hot water?) Ranma asked.

(Trust me.)

Bitter asked the Guide for some hot water and the Guide, realizing what his
customer wanted to do with it, calmly dumped it over his head.  Ranma took
control again, as his body became male.

(What happened? How did I change back?)

(This place Father has brought us to is a set of -cursed- springs.  Someone,
or something, died in each one of the springs here.  From now on, if anyone
falls into the springs, he will take on the form of whatever drowned there.
You knocked Father into the Spring of Drown Panda; he knocked us into Spring
of Drown Girl.  Apparently, hot water reverses the curse, but it is not a
cure.  Cold Water will change us back into a female,) Guardian explained.

Ranma sat down on the ground and put his head in his hands.  "Oh man. . . so
I guess I'd better stay away from cold water then."

(Ranma, there is one other thing I have to tell you. . .)

Guardian sounded troubled and was hesitating a bit, which was not like her
at all, so Ranma was understandably puzzled.  (Yes?  What's wrong?) he
asked.

(There is a Spring of Drown Man here as well.  If you jumped into it, you
would be cured.)

(But. . .)

(I know this is a lot to ask, but this female form is actually good for some
of us.  It gives us an outlet that we didn't have before.  Play, Watcher,
and I would like to keep the curse.  You are not stuck in it after all, and
it will benefit the tribe.)

(Oh man. . ,) Ranma groaned. (Do you realize what you are asking me?)

(I understand perfectly what I am asking of you; that's why I told you of
the Spring of Drown Man.  The decision is yours, Ranma; the rest of the
tribe doesn't really care one way or the other.)

(But it is important to you?)

The Guardian remained silent.

Ranma sighed. (Very well, I will. . . stay like this.)

Play let out a delighted squeal. (Yeaaaaa!  I can go out and go shopping,
and go on-)

(Play! If you do something that I will regret later on, I will never let you
have control again!  Even if I have to -kill- us to stop you!) Ranma
threatened.

The rest of the tribe stayed silent.

(Thank you, Ranma.  I know how hard this is for you.  I'll keep Play in
line,) Guardian promised.

Ranma suddenly noticed that the Panda and the Guide were staring at him.
The Panda held up a sign that read, 'Are you all right, Son?'

Ranma smiled. "Sure Otosan, I'm fine."

"Well, let's go to the Guide's house then," Genma said as Ranma poured what
was left of the hot water on him.

As soon as they reached the house, the trio ate lunch while Ranma and Genma
discussed their new situation.  "Ranma," Genma began, "This curse of yours
could. . . cause some problems."

(HA! Remember your promise, Ranma!  We should leave right now!) Bitter
exclaimed.

"Problems, Otosan?" Ranma asked with a smile, "You mean like the promise you
made to Mom?"

Genma paled.  "How... did you-"

"Didn't Aunt Ryoko tell you about my tribe?"

Genma began to look uncomfortable.  "Well, yes, but we didn't really discuss
it in detail."

(Coward!) Bitter sneered.

"Well, one of my personalities is a telepath.  I know, Otosan.  I know
everything."

"You read my -mind-?"  Genma asked, his anger rising.

"Not me, one of the tribe did."

"This... this is very confusing Ranma."  Genma sighed as his anger deflated.

"I know, Otosan. I'm sorry to say that I am going to have to leave you now."

"What?  But- but. . . I have so much to teach you still, and. . ."

"And you want me marry one of your friend's daughters," Ranma finished.

Genma just nodded weakly.

"I'm sorry, Otosan, but the tribe does not trust you.  Bringing me here did
not help matters at all.  I am going to go see mother, despite your promise.
You are welcome to join me if you wish, but I -will- see her."

Genma thought for a moment.  (Maybe I can still get us out of this.  It's a
long way to Japan.  The poor boy isn't in control of himself.  That damned
tribe is doing this.  Maybe I can find a doctor. . .)

Luckily for Genma, Guardian was not in control at the moment.  After a few
moments he had made his decision. "All right, Ranma, we'll do it your way.
Let's go visit your mother."

(This is a mistake Ranma, we shouldn't take him with us,) Bitter warned.
(Why do you want to see Mother anyway?  She's probably as cracked as Father.
Do you -want- to kill yourself?)

(No, Bitter, of course not; but we have to give Okasan a chance.  She
deserves at least that.)

The next day, Ranma and Genma left the Guide's home a started traveling
towards the eastern coastline of China.  They traveled alone and did not
meet many people.  The first few days passed by uneventfully.

Finally, after one week had passed, they entered a village and Genma was
eager to stop and rest for a while.  He was in decent physical shape, but he
could not keep up with the pace that Ranma had kept.  Ranma, of course, had
the tribe, and they took turns walking.  Even though they were in the same
body, they could still travel farther on foot than most 'normal' people
could.  Genma had somehow felt the hostility that the tribe had for him.
Every once in a while, Ranma would give him a dark look that spoke volumes.
At least, Genma had thought that it was Ranma.  For this reason, and to
avoid any -other- confrontations, Genma remained in Panda form through out
the journey.

The outskirts of the village looked empty but Watcher could sense that there
was a large group of people congregating near by. Ranma curiously walked
over to the crowd.  The crowd was watching two women fight on a large log
that was suspended in mid air by some ropes.  Ranma joined the crowd and
watched the fight with interest.

One of the combatants, a pretty girl with purple hair, seemed to be gaining
the upper hand.

(Wow.  That girl's got some serious power,) Ranma thought.

(What -are- those things she's swinging around?) Play asked. (They look
kinda cute.)

(They look utterly ridiculous,) Bitter snorted.

(Those are bonboris.  I've seen some of the woman back at the village use
them,) Ranma said. (Although, they weren't as colorful.)

The fight finished as the purple-haired girl knocked her opponent off the
log and sent her flying away. The girl jumped off the log with a smile on
her face.  She then turned towards Ranma and the smile became a glare.

(Uh oh.  What did we do?)

The girl walked up to Ranma and started yelling at him in Chinese.  She
gestured towards Genma, so Ranma turned around.  There, Genma-Panda was
sitting contentedly by a table filled with food, or rather, the left overs
of a big meal.  Ranma turned back towards the girl and smiled
apologetically. "I'm sorry, but I don't speak Chinese. . ."

(You might consider letting -me- speak to her, you idiot.)

(Fine, Bitter!  Feel free!) Ranma snapped.

(Why, thank you, Ranma, don't mind if I do.)  Bitter smiled confidently at
the irate purple-haired girl.  "What seems to be the trouble?" He asked in
flawless Chinese.

"Why is your Panda eating my prize?" the girl demanded.

"Oh, dear," Bitter muttered.  He shot a glare at Genma then turned back
towards the girl.  "That Panda doesn't belong to me."

(Bitter!)

(What, Ranma?  I told the truth; Father -doesn't- belong to me.)

(Ha! He's got ya there, Ranma!)

(Shut up, Play!)

The girl's eyes narrowed suspiciously.  "Are you sure it doesn't belong to
you?"

"Absolutely."

The girl easily hefted the bonbori in one hand.  "So, you wouldn't mind if I
did. . . this."  She smashed the bonbori on top of Genma's head.  Bitter
didn't flinch as he gazed steadily at the girl.

"Nope, I wouldn't mind at all.  Want to hit him again?"

(Bitter!)  Ranma yelled as the tribe exploded in laughter.

(All right, all right. . .)

"Can I go now?  I wasn't trying to insult you or anything."

The girl stared at him, her eyes slowly drifting up and down his body. "We
don't care much for outsiders in this village; especially outsiders who are
weak."  She pointed one bonbori towards Bitter and held the other in a guard
position.  "Care to fight?  Maybe you can prove your worth, Outsider."

(Uh oh. . .)

(You'd better let me handle this, Bitter.)

(Ranma, are you nuts?  You can't be thinking of actually fighting her!)

(What else would you suggest, Bitter?) Ranma asked.  (Take a look around
you. . . . Do you think these people are going to just let us leave?)

(Do you think they'll feed us first?  I'm huuuungry!)

(We'll eat later, Lyric.  Ranma, Bitter, we should try to get out of this as
peacefully as possible,) Guardian suggested.

The villagers had surrounded them and were waiting intently for Bitter's
reply.  A vast majority of the villagers seemed to be female.  (A village
filled almost completely with women,) Bitter mused.  (Sounds familiar
doesn't it?)

(Kinda like home,) Ranma replied. (What's your point?)

(No. Not like home!) Bitter snapped. (Doesn't anyone remember Sensei's
lessons on local geography and culture?)

(Amazons!) Guardian exclaimed.

(Exactly.)

(Big deal!  So they're Amazons, I can still beat her!)

(Wouldn't you rather sleep with her?  I mean, look at all those curves!)

(Play, you're not helping,) Ranma replied.

(She never does.  If there was a more useless part of this tribe, I don't
know who it is.)

(Bitter, you take that back! Just because you wouldn't know what to do with
a girl even if she sat on your face-)

(Quiet, both of you! If you haven't noticed, we're in trouble here.  Bitter,
let Ranma take over,) Guardian commanded.

(But, Guardian,) Bitter protested, (You -know- what will happen if he
defeats her!)

(We don't have a choice right now, Bitter.  I don't need to scan these women
to know that they're expecting a fight.)

Bitter glanced around the village once more and sighed in defeat.  (I hate
it when you're right.  All right, Ranma, she's all yours.)

Ranma took control and smiled cockily at the girl who had challenged him.
"Oh, I'll prove myself all right. . ."

(She can't understand you, Ranma,) Bitter pointed out.

(She'll understand in a few moments, Bitter.)

Ranma quickly shifted into a fighting stance and the villagers backed away.
The girl just returned Ranma's grin and took one step towards him.

Ranma's right leg quickly snapped up, hitting the girl squarely under the
chin.  The bonboris fell out of her hands as she flew back several feet and
landed on her back.

(Are we done already?) Play asked.

(I hope so, I'm huuuuungry!)

The girl stood up slowly and glared at Ranma.  With a loud growl she charged
towards him.

(Guess not.)

As she reached him, Ranma twisted to the side, and this time kicked her on
the back of the head. This time she pitched forward and landed face-first on
the ground.

(Oooooh, that's -gotta- hurt.)

This time, the girl didn't stand up.

(Uh, I guess I mighta kicked her a little too hard,) Ranma realized.

(Congratulations, Ranma.  You're married.  Can we leave now?)

(Oh, goody!  That means we get to have sex!) Play exclaimed happily. (I want
control when we do it!)

(Married?  What are ya talking about?)

(Whenever an Amazon is defeated in combat by an outsider, and if that
outsider be male, the Amazon must marry him.  If the outsider is female, the
Amazon must follow her to the ends of the earth and kill her,) Bitter said
in a lecturing tone.  (That's Amazon law.  I'd really suggest that we leave
now.)

(For once, Bitter, I agree with you,) Ranma faintly replied.  (I don't like
the looks all these women are giving me.)  Ranma smiled nervously at the
surrounding villagers.

Genma-Panda suddenly held up a sign.  [Time to go!]  He grabbed Ranma around
the waist and proceeded to run out of the village, dozens of startled
females following after them.



    *****************************

"Otosan, do I -have- to walk around like this?"

"Trust me on this, Ranma.  I understand that you do not know me very well
yet, and. . . perhaps  I have caused you a couple of problems, but when it
comes to something like this; I'm a master. After all, it is a part of the
Saotome Secret Technique!"

"The Saotome Secret Technique? What is that?"

The pair had managed to escape the pursuing Amazons and Genma had come with
the idea of a 'disguise'.  The Amazons had not seen Ranma's cursed form so
Genma thought it best that Ranma remain female.  Genma wasn't sure how
common Panda bears were in China, so he decided to remain uncursed.

Genma looked at his son and thought about how he would explain this
particular 'technique' to him.  There was, of course, a very sophisticated
and professional way to explain it.  That is, when it is explained to an
outsider; Ranma was his son.  Genma sighed and decided to be blunt.

"The Saotome Secret Technique is simply escaping an unbeatable opponent so
you could fight another day."

"You mean, running away?"  Ranma asked a shocked look on his face.

(That sounds like Father, alright!) Bitter laughed

(Sounds fine to me.  Who wants to fight anyway?) Play asked.

(A fight you can avoid is already won.)

(Thanks for the tip, Master.  How about we just call you 'Fortune Cookie'
from now on?)


"Ranma," Genma explained patiently, "There are many things worth living for,
but there are few things worth dying for."

The two continued to walk in silence.

(He -does- have a point though.  If any of those Amazons are chasing
us, they would be looking for a young man and his pet panda, not a fat old
man and his daughter.)

(Guardian, do you really think that they will be coming after us? I mean,
we'll be coast-side soon, and then off to Japan.)

(I doubt that many of those women would follow us all the way to Japan, but
it never hurts to be careful.  Staying as a female for a few more days won't
hurt you.)

Ranma sighed then slowly drifted back and let Lyric take control.

"Yappa pa, Yappa pa. . ." Lyric began to sing.


   ***********************************

"Look Ranma, this is really not a good idea.  You don't want to die, do
you?"

The pair had finally arrived in Japan without any problems with the Amazons
and were now in Nerima, where both Ranma's mother and the Tendo's lived.
Ranma turned back into a male as soon as he got of the freighter that they
had ridden from China.

"You're more scared that Okasan is going to kill -you-," Ranma retorted.

"That's not true!  Well, yes. . . I'm scared for myself, but I'm also scared
for you. You may have read my mind, but you don't know your mother.  She
will -kill- you if she believes that you are not a 'Man among Men'."

"I want to meet her.  I have the -right- to meet her.  You don't have to
come with me. In fact, I think it would be better if you went to the Tendo
Dojo instead.  I can catch up with you later."

"I'm not going to leave you alone, Ranma.  Let's go to the Tendo Dojo
together. We can talk about this, come up some sort of a sche-, I mean plan,
and then talk to your mother. A martial artist doesn't just walk into a
situation blindly."

"Ryoko-sensei taught me all about being a martial artist.  But I also
developed my mind and my soul.  Finding Okasan is not about martial arts!
She's my -mother- for God's sakes!  I want to see her.  I want to see her as
much as I wanted to travel with you."

That last statement completely deflated Genma.  In the depths of his mind,
even deeper than Guardian had probed, Genma had felt guilty about abandoning
his only son.  He knew that Ryoko could help Ranma in a way that he never
could, but it was abandonment all the same.  It had amazed him that in spite
his actions, his son still wanted to be with him.

Genma had told Ryoko that he wanted Ranma returned to him.  He believed that
he had a right to see his own son.  Didn't Nodoka have the same rights as
well?  Genma sighed and came to a decision.  His son had trusted him, and
now, it was time for Genma to trust his son.

"Okay Ranma, go see your mother.  But I expect to see you at the Tendo Dojo
in a few days.  You have to meet your new fianc�e'."

"Otosan, I can't get-  Oh never mind, we'll talk about it later."

"Good.  I'll see you in a few days, boy."

Genma lifted his back pack and trotted off down the street somewhere towards
the
Tendo Dojo.

(You should have told him why you can't get married.  He'll never let go of
this,) Bitter predicted.

(That's true, but I don't think he could handle the fact that some of us are
female either. Let's talk to mother first then decide what to do.)

(Right, Guardian. Hope this works out.  I didn't expect things to get so
complicated.)

(Try not to worry about it too much, Ranma.  Things will work out. . .
somehow.)

It took Ranma about an hour to find his mother's house.  It was a small and
quaint little home and Ranma got a warm feeling by looking at it.

(I could live here.)

(Careful Ranma, don't be to hasty.  We still have some barriers to cross.)

(I hope she is home.)

(There is someone inside,) Watcher replied.

Ranma walked up to the front door and firmly knocked on it.  After a few
moments, a woman with an elegant kimono opened the door.  Ranma held his
breath as he looked at her; she was beautiful.  There was kindness and
warmth in her eyes, but pain as well.

"Hello.  Is there something I can do for you?"

Ranma just stared at her.

"Is something wrong?" the woman asked, looking concerned.

(Ranma!)

"I. . . uh. . . sorry.  I- I am looking for Nodoka Saotome.  Does she live
here?"

"Yes, I am Nodoka.  How can I help you young man?"

"My name is Ranma."

It was Nodoka's turn to hold her breath.  She started at the young man in
front of her. He was handsome; tall and confident.  Her husband had
succeeded.

"R-Ranma?"

"Yes, Okasan."

"Okasan. . ."  Nodoka said as she gave Ranma a hug.  "You don't know how
I've longed to hear that."

Ranma returned the hug, tears starting to flow down his eyes.  Mother and
son stayed in their embrace for a few moments and then Ranma pulled back.

"Okasan, there is much I need to tell you."

Nodoka smiled.  "Please come in, come in.  I want to know everything."

Nodoka suddenly realized that someone was missing.

"Where is your father?"

"That is part of what we need to discuss."

(Don't forget the part about killing ourselves either!) Bitter suggested.

Nodoka led Ranma into the house and they sat down at a table.  "Would you
like anything to drink?  Some tea. . . or milk perhaps?"

"No thanks, Okasan. For now, all I want to do is talk with you."

Nodoka beamed a bright smile, and tears began to flow down her face. She
gently caressed Ranma's face and said,  "I am so happy to see you, my son.
You are strong, in mind and body.  I can sense it.  Your father raised you
well."

(That idiot didn't raise us at all!)

"Otosan didn't raise me."

"What?"  Nodoka's voice was flat and her gaze became intensely questioning.

Ranma stepped back, a bit fearful of the look she was giving him.

(Do you want me to probe her?  To make sure she can deal with this?)
Guardian asked.

(That may be a good idea,) Ranma agreed.

(First good idea you've had since we left the village, Ranma.)

(Like you've been a huge help, Bitter!)

(Settle down, children!  Ranma, let me take control.)

Ranma pulled back and Guardian arose.  "Okasan, I was raised in a village in
China," Guardian said, beginning her probe.

"China?  Why China?"

(This is going to be a problem,) Guardian predicted after finishing her
probe.

(Where'd she get all those ideas about being 'Manly'?)  Ranma wondered.

(I didn't dig that deep, and quite honestly, I'm not sure I want to know.)

(Ew. . . why would anyone want to do THAT with a girl?)  Lyric asked in
disgust.

(Don't knock it till ya try it, kid.)

(You realize, of course, that she's not going to let us out the marriage
Father arranged for us.)

(We should save that argument for a bit later, Bitter.  Ranma, take control.
You'll need to explain about the tribe.)

(Right.)  Ranma emerged once more and took hold of Nodoka's hand.  "When I
was younger, I got. . . sick.  Otosan took me to his sister in China to get
healed."

"He took you to see Ryoko?  Did she become a doctor?"

"Not exactly. . ."  Ranma let go of his mother's hand and scratched the back
of his head uncomfortably.  (Geez, how do I explain all this?)

(Just tell her the truth, Ranma,) Guardian suggested.

(And be prepared to run,) Bitter chipped in.

(It's not that simple!  What if she wants to kill Otosan after I finish
explaining everything?)

(Never get in between a man and his wife, Ranma. If they decide to kill each
other, that's their business.)

(You're a lot of help, Bitter,) Ranma said, um, bitterly.

(Always glad to be of service, Ranma.)

(I'd like to 'service' that Amazon we ran into a few weeks ago!)

(Just shut up, Play.)  Ranma sighed and cleared his throat.  "Okasan, when I
was younger, Otosan trained me in a very dangerous technique."

(That's putting it mildly.)

"The training caused my mind to shatter and fragment.  Each fragment formed
it's own unique personality; at least, that's how Ryoko-sensei explained
it."

"Unique personality?  I'm afraid I don't understand."

(Our mother is a dunce.  Guess we know where you got your brains, Ranma.)

"There are many different personalities in my mind.  It was the only way I
could deal with the stresses of learning the technique."

"But. . . you seem fine, more than fine.  You're still Ranma, right?"
Nodoka seemed to be growing more and more confused with each passing moment.

"Yes, but there are others inside this body as well."

"I. . . see."

(My God, I think she's got it.)

(Enough with the comments already, Bitter!)

"I want to meet the others," Nodoka said suddenly.

"Really?"  Ranma asked in surprise.

"Yes.  These personalities are a part of you, no matter what the reason."

(I guess she's fairly adaptable,) Bitter admitted. (But still, she's one
strange bird!)

(Yeah, like -we're- normal!) Ranma shot back.  (Hey, Guardian, you want to
go first?)

(I suppose. . ,) she sighed.  (Although, I think it might be a good idea to
hide the fact that some of us are female.)

(Er, yeah.  That doesn't exactly fit with her manly image of me, does it?)

(Why should we hide anything?) Bitter argued.  (She can't make you kill
yourself, Ranma.)

(True, but this is going be enough of a shock as it is,) Guardian explained.
(Let's just take these things one at a time.  After all, there's no need to
go borrowing trouble, right?)

(Yeah, Ranma gets us into enough trouble as it is.)

Guardian took over and smiled at Nodoka.  "Hello, Okasan.  I am Guardian."

"Hello. . . Guardian."  Nodoka's smile was shy and a bit uncomfortable.

The two of them just stared at each other for a few moments, neither one
knowing what to say.

(Well, -this- is useful.)

"I'm sorry, this is very awkward for me," Nodoka apologized.

"I know, but really, there isn't any reason to worry.  We are each different
and have our unique personas, but we decided to early on to work together as
a family; or a tribe, if you will."

"I guess this will just take time, then.  I mean, it's not that bad, all of
you are my children, right?"

And so it went, into the night, Nodoka met several of the personalities that
resided in Ranma's body.  There were a few exceptions, of course.  She did
not meet Shade, nor did she want to for that matter.  Nodoka was not a
threat to the tribe, so it was impossible to even call Shade.  Nodoka did
not have any cats, so meeting Neko was out of the question as well.  These
things, Nodoka was able to understand, but Master confused her.

"Why can't you call him?"  She asked Ranma.

"Well, he never responds to any of us.  He -has- spoken twice, but hasn't
really done anything useful."

"Ranma, you're my child.  I have only known for a few short hours, but I
have -always- loved you.  And I always will.  That's what being a parent is
all about."

(Wait till she finds out that you turn into a girl!)

"I'm just glad I can be a part of your life once more."  Nodoka frowned
thoughtfully.  "I do wonder about what happened to your father though."

"I forgot all about him!" Ranma exclaimed.  "He came back to the village a
few months ago and found me.  He's staying at the Tendo dojo right now while
I decided to come see you."

"Ah yes, the Tendos.  Did you father mention the agreement between our
families?"

(Here it comes!  I told you, we just should have stayed away,) Bitter said.

"Yeah, Otosan mentioned it earlier," Ranma replied neutrally.

"Good.  Tomorrow we'll head over there and collect your father."  Nodoka
smiled lightly. "It will also give you a chance to meet your fianc�."

"Okasan, we need to talk about this whole fianc� thing.  I'm sure that it's
such a good idea. . ."

"But, Ranma, it's a matter of family honor!"

"Yeah, but it's not just up to me.  Remember, there are several others who
are effected by this as well," Ranma replied, tapping the side of his head.

"I'm sorry, Ranma, but you have to marry a Tendo.  But we can find other
girls for the rest of the tribe if needed," Nodoka decided.  "After all, it
would be the manly thing to do."

Ranma sighed tiredly as a rather large argument exploded in his mind.


************************

Chapter 2 End


Thanks to Donny Cheng for prereading this thing.

************************