[Ranma][Fanfic][FanService] Childhood of a Modern Dynasty - Chapter 21: For the Love of the Matriarch One Must Die, One Must Flee, and One Must Live Happily Ever After ======================================================================= Childhood of a Modern Dynasty Chapter 21: For the Love of the Matriarch One Must Die, One Must Flee, and One Must Live Happily Ever After Ranma 1/2 characters/situations created and copyright by Rumiko Takahashi/Shogakukan/Kitty/Fuji/Viz - Used without permission Childhood of a Modern Dynasty series created, written, and copyright 1998-1999 by Jim Lazar An ongoing series set after the end of the Ranma 1/2 manga and anime. "Speech text in double quotes is spoken as Japanese unless otherwise identified as English." E-mail comments and/or criticisms to: jim [at] animeprime.com Make sure to check out my Modern Dynasty website for all released CMD stories, graphics files, and other information: http://www.animeprime/ff/md ======================================================================= >From the personal journal of James Davidson: October 1, 2057 "How's the book coming, dear?" the hologram of my mother said softly. After living in Japan for so long, hearing her English was an abrupt change of pace for me. Her Brooklyn accent, subtle though it was, brought back memories of my own attempts to rid myself of the accent that I had always hated when I was growing up. I was only partially successful, but at least people don't comment on my accent as often as they did when I first started as a reporter in L.A. She was lying on her bed with the familiar air hose inserted into her nostrils. I tried to ignore it and the I.V. in her arm. I had hoped she would be off the I.V. by now, so I made a note in my palmtop to talk to her doctor about that later. I shrugged my shoulders and replied to her in English. "Okay, I guess. Every time I turn around Akane throws a new twist into the story. I sometimes wonder if she's telling me the whole truth." "Didn't you say she promised to tell you the whole truth when you started the first book?" "She did, but she is so reluctant to explain some things before she's ready." "Give it time, dear, she's had a hard life and from what you've told me she likes to tell her stories her way." "Yeah, I know." "So, are you up to the Three Harbingers yet?" I frowned at the unusual question. Usually my mother didn't show much interest in the details of my research and writing. She was always supportive, but usually not interested in the details. "No, not yet. Although she did mention when they thought the First appeared and started collecting energy. Not that anyone took notice of it then, of course. I just had a long interview with Nijiko Tendo, head of Tendo Enterprises. It seems that there were more things going on in Nerima in the summer of ninety-nine than I had thought. I'm really starting to get impatient about how slowly the research is going." "Well, just be patient, dear. Unlike your old mom here, that Akane seems to have limitless energy." "Don't talk like that, Mom. The doctors say you'll be with us for a long time." "I know. I *DO* plan on sticking around to read your next book." "What about the one after that?" My mother frowned. "Huh?" "I've decided there's no way to handle the rest of her and her family's history in one book. So I'll be doing 'Adulthood of a Modern Dynasty' next." "My... my, who would have thought the kid who flunked out of English Lit in High School would have become a great author. Makes a mother proud." I blushed. "Awwww, Mom. I just got lucky enough to get to interview Akane first hand." "And then went and married that nice Hanaki." I smiled. "Well, yeah... but I'd like to think we would have met and fallen in love even if I didn't get the interviews with Akane." "Life is full of surprises, James, and being in that family you'd better be ready for anything." "You know, Mom, things around here aren't quite as crazy as people think they are." "If you say..." My mom trailed off as two high-resolution holograms of the Reis appeared next to me. "Hey, James, want to go to the hot spring with us?" Reiko asked in Japanese, smiling sweetly as she always did when she wanted me to do something. Or anyone for that matter. "Yeah, it's great fun on a gloomy day like today when there's nothing else to do." Reiji looked out at the overcast sky, although I doubt he could actually see out my patio doors since he wasn't really in the room. "Um, maybe... Reiji and Reiko, meet my mother," I introduced them all in English. "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Davidson." Reiko and Reiji said in perfect English and bowed. Sometimes it was freaky how they could speak so well in unison like that. And in English no less. My mother greeted them as well, but in Japanese. "Nice to meet you both." Reiko smiled and replied in kind. "Your Japanese is very good." "Thank you. I used to teach Japanese when I was younger." Reiji perked up. "Oh, is that why James knows the language so well? Or thinks he does?" "Hey!" My mom nodded and then her hologram pixilated. "Yes, but he... such... bad..." After a brief interruption it stabilized. "...and his grammar is just.." "Mom!!" Reiji frowned. "Dang, have to fix her up with a new holo-system. That looks like one of the low quality Hyperdyne systems." He looked closely at the image of my mother. "A three-fifty, by the looks of the data noise." Reiko nodded and reached over and typed on a keyboard off-hologram. "There. That'll help a bit." I looked over at my mother's hologram and noticed it had cleared up quite a bit. "Thanks, Reiko." "Not a problem. I just diverted her data stream to the Tendo private network. Very low data loss and wicked fast. Have to get her a new system to improve it any further." "Don't worry about that. This is fine," my mom said. "James, want to come after you're done talking to your mommy?" Reiko asked, smiling. "Maybe. I'm hoping Hanaki will call soon." "She can call you at the hot spring just as well," Reiji insisted. "Fine... fine. I'll see you there later." "Goody!" Reiko smiled broadly before they both vanished. I turned back to my mom. "Sorry about that, Mom, I kept the holo-waiting open in case Hanaki called." My mom brushed her gray hair back in same way she did when she used to lecture me when I was growing up. With her thinning hair it didn't look the same, but it did bring back memories. "No problem, dear. Just don't get any ideas with that young girl." I shuddered at the insinuation. "Mom!! Reiko's only sixteen!" "Well, Hanaki's pretty young too." "Only nine years younger... wait a sec... Dad was six years younger than you!" "I know... just want to make sure you don't get any ideas in the hot spring." She winked. "Mom!!" -C- -M- -D- After I finished talking to my mother, I waited a bit to see if Hanaki would call. It had only been a few days, but it felt like forever. Of course, this was the first time we had been apart for any extended time since we got married. I guess it's one of those things that married people have to get used to. After several more pleading calls from the Reis to join them, I strolled over to the hot spring, which was in the eastern wing of the South Building that Hanaki and I lived in. It still sometimes surprised me that the Tendos had their own hot spring, artificial of course, in the Compound. I have visited it a few times, but still felt a little uncomfortable there. Some of the Tendos were very casual about nudity, so it was sometimes awkward to use it. I doubted it would be any different this time. I slipped into the men's changing room and slipped my robe off. As I always did when I visited, I kept a towel around my waist. Fortunately, some of the other residents didn't bare all either, so I wasn't alone in my modesty. I slid the door to the hot spring open just as a very naked Reiko ran by and waved to me. "Hi ya, James." I tried not to blush, but probably wasn't successful. "Hi, Reiko." I realized this was the first time I'd seen Reiko in person instead of as a hologram. It figures she'd have to be naked at the time. I looked around the hot spring. It still amazed me that they could build their own hot spring in the middle of Tokyo, let alone a hot spring as fancy as this. The area enclosing the hot spring was a circular atrium, which was open to the sky and had a covered porch running along the walls of the rest of the South Building. On a day like today, the difference between the overcast sky and the hot water really was refreshing. The hot spring itself consisted of three separate pools and were surrounded by a series of carefully placed rocks and boulders laid out so you could get some quite time alone if you wanted, or just spend time talking in the central open area. A single cool pool was between the two larger hot pools. I kept my towel on as I slipped into the water. I said hello to everyone there. In addition to the Reis, Imoki and her little sister, Ukki, were there too. They were fighting about something Ukki did or didn't do. A few other people I didn't recognize introduced themselves, but didn't go into details about what part of the family they were from. Akane's work, I imagined. She had actually sworn her family to silence concerning certain things to keep me from getting too far ahead of her story. It had been a few weeks since I've seen her around, I was delighted to see Kasumi in one of the corners. "Grandma, nice to see you." Kasumi looked up and smiled. "Oh, James, I've never seen you here before." "Well, I don't have much time with the book and all." "Don't let your work keep you from enjoying life, James." "I won't." "And don't get any ideas with all the naked girls running around here, either." I blushed, but it probably wasn't visible with the hot water and all. "I have only eyes for your granddaughter, you know that." Just then, Reiko ran by naked with a towel in her hand. Her brother, who was also naked, was chasing her. "Give me back that towel, Reiko!" I tried not to look, but it was hard not to. Kasumi chuckled at my awkwardness. "Yes, I do. So when do they get back?" "I don't know. I was hoping today sometime, but Hanaki hasn't called me." "Don't worry. They'll be okay." "Do you know why they went to China?" "Yes, but I can't tell you." I sighed. -C- -M- -D- I must have talked to Kasumi for an hour or so before she got up to leave. As I watched her stand up and walk slowly towards the edge I frowned at how frail she looked. "Do you need any help, Grandma?" "No... no... I'm fine. Just these old bones of mine showing their age. Seems like I have to spend more and more time in the hot spring to keep from falling apart these days." She reached the edge and stepped into her walker, which was new. She had been just using a cane back at the beginning of the month. She slipped a robe, which had been hanging over the walker, over her naked body and shuffled off into the changing room. "Hey, James!" I was shaken out of my concern for Kasumi by a voice. I looked over to see Shashiki, Yukiko's daughter, slide in beside me. She was also sans towel. "Hi, Shashiki. How's things?" "Pretty good. Don't worry about Kasumi, she's a tough old broad and will be with us for a while." "Am I that transparent?" Shashiki nodded. "Yes, and so is your towel." I tried to casually cover my lap, but I could see a small smirk form on Shashiki's face. "Well, she just looks so frail. And the walker is new." "She is eighty years old, after all." "I know." "So how's that book coming?" "Pretty good. In fact, I've been meaning to talk to you again. Akane's told me about your mother going back to China and her first battle as the Matriarch, but I don't know what happened after Ranma went and got engaged to her again." "Well, I can tell you now if you like, but we'll have to switch to the cool pool. I'm about at my limit for the hot pool for now." Shashiki stood up and offered me her hand. "Um, yeah, I guess I'm getting a bit hot myself." I stood up and followed her to one of the cool pools. As I slipped in I realized my towel had fallen off. "Oops..." "You young guys are so cute when you blush." "Yeah, well..." She must have sensed my discomfort because she reached over and grabbed a towel from the edge of the cool pool. "Here... but you really have to learn to relax a bit." I took the towel and sighed. After looking at it for a second I figured I could do without it and tossed it on the edge of the pool. "When in Rome." "There was that so hard?" "No." "Hanaki is a very lucky girl, by the way." I had to cover myself with my hands after that comment. "Are you sure you're not related to Akane? You certainly tease like a Tendo." "I can neither confirm nor deny that possibility," Shashiki said straight-faced. I didn't expect she would. "Well anyway, about your mother..." Then I realized something. "Oh darn, I don't have my palmtop with me." "Hmmm, I think the Reis can help." She looked over to the hot pool and called out. "Hey, Rei?" The perky teenagers bounded over and into the pool, causing a mild tidal wave. "Yeah?" Reiko said casually after their flashy entrance. "Can you get a keyboard and setup a link to his palmtop for James here?" "You interviewing in the hot spring now?" Reiji asked. I nodded. "Yeah, at least today I am. Kind of a spur of the moment thing." Reiko perked up. "No sweat, James!" She bounded off again with her brother. "Lots of energy in those two. It seems like ages since I've had that much energy." "Yeah, to be that young and carefree again." Shashiki had a forlorn look on her face. "But us old folk have to stick together, ehh, sonny boy?" "I get the point." Reiko suddenly pounced on me, landing on my lap. Since we were both naked it was a little embarrassing. "Here you go." Reiko handed me a small waterproof keyboard. I took the keyboard and looked it over. "Thanks. And I can get to my palmtop's data?" Reiko nodded. "Yup, it was so easy I could have had Reiji do it." "Hey!" Reiji shouted from the hot pool he had settled back into. Reiko stuck her tongue out at her brother. "It's all set to go. Just hit the display button and it'll be like you had your palmtop in your hand." "Thanks." I hit the display button and my familiar holo-display popped up, complete with my holospace settings. I waited a few seconds, before asking Reiko a question. "Um, are you going to stay on my lap?" Reiko blushed. "Nope, just wondered how long you'd last without asking me to leave." "Very funny." I paused again before realizing I didn't actually ask her to get off yet and so she was still sitting innocently on my lap. Although with her, you never knew what she considered innocent since she and her brother did seemed to like to break into high-security systems for fun. "Okay, please get off." Reiko smiled broadly. "Okay. Hanaki is right, you are cute when you blush." She got up off my lap and bounded away toward the hot pool. I blushed and reached for the towel, suddenly very aware of my nakedness. "Ah, so that's what Reiko was trying to do... make me blush." Shashiki nodded. "She's a handful sometimes." "I can see that." *********************************************************************** June 5-10, 1999 - Joketsuzoku, China "This is not funny!" Sanma stopped laughing, but it was still an effort for her to keep from bursting out laughing at the sight of Ranma in his new outfit. "Oh, I think it is, Ranma. But all kidding aside, it is a very lovely wedding dress." "It is not a dress!!" Ranma insisted. The traditional Amazon male wedding outfit he was wearing consisted of a fancy red robe and sash. The sleeves were made of a translucent material. The robe itself had a long flowing end that made it look like a dress. At least to Sanma, who had taken every opportunity to point this out to Ranma. "If you say so, but wouldn't catch me in a dress like that." "You know perfectly well that you've worn dresses before!" "I only remember someone named Ranma wearing dresses." "Shut up!" "Anyway, it's your own fault for getting engaged to two women... again!" Ranma's lip twitched. "It was our stupid father who engaged us before!" "Well, you got yourself into these two and I've already done everything I can do to help you as Eldest." "Some help! I have to wear this dre... dreaded robe until I marry Yukiko or Nipplering." Sanma took great pleasure in reminding him of the alternative. "Or die." Ranma fumed. "I don't know why we don't just leave this bitch factory!" "Because then the whole Amazon tribe will hunt us down and kill us in the most painful way possible. I don't like it either, but I hated having one Amazon after me... the whole tribe? No thank you." "I guess..." "And it would be better not to speak like that around here, you idiot... some of them do understand Japanese, you know." -C- -M- -D- Yukiko woke up a little later and stretched. She looked around for Shinuma before realizing that he wasn't there. She had gotten so used to sleeping with him--if only as a cat--that she had trouble sleeping alone. Unfortunately, she had been sleeping alone since Ranma had used her to try to get out of his engagement to Nipplering. She had tried everything she could think of to get that engagement nullified so she could marry Shinuma, but the Amazon's had some really strict laws concerning engagements and marriages. After Ranma used his prior engagement to Shampoo in an attempt to get out of his engagement to Nipplering, Yukiko had insisted that Shinuma was already her fiance. Unfortunately, according to Amazon law her engagement to Ranma was as valid as her engagement to Shinuma, so she could not back out of the engagement to Ranma without losing honor. Considering how seriously the Amazons took the concept of honor, breaking the engagement to Ranma could lead to some nasty problems. Namely, their deaths. she thought as she looked out the window of the hut that she had been staying in. Various Amazons scurried back and forth doing their daily chores and assorted tasks. After she cleaned up and had breakfast, she strolled over to the hut containing all the records and law books for the Amazon tribe. "Hi, Sanma." Sanma looked up at Yukiko. "Hi, Yukiko. Ready to start our search today?" Yukiko nodded. "Yes, but I wonder if searching through all these scrolls and books will really help us out of our problems." Sanma shrugged. "I don't know, but I can't sit here and do nothin'. If I can't bust some heads to get out of here, this is my only chance." They went into the hut and sighed in unison at the sight of the large stacks of books and scrolls that they had yet to go through. -C- -M- -D- "Anything yet?" Yukiko said, adding another scroll to the large pile of scrolls that she had already examined. Sanma looked up from the book she was examining. "Nope... I just hope these Japanese translations are accurate since I can't read the Mandarin part." She neglected to mention that she was having trouble with the Japanese text as well. "The ones I've looked at seem to be, but reading Mandarin might not help. Some of these are in the ancient Amazon language." Sanma looked up. "And you can read it?" "Apparently. I remember how to read and write, but still can't remember most people, places, or things from my past." "Maybe you'll remember someday." Yukiko put down the scroll she was examining. "Actually, I hope I don't." "Huh?" "Except for recent events, I was happy being just 'Yukiko'. I knew what to expect when I woke up. Now... things are just so crazy." Sanma frowned. "Are they? Seems kind of normal to me. Things will work out, you just can't give up hope and let events get to you." She unconsciously repeated similar advice given to her from Ukyo weeks earlier. Sanma wouldn't admit it, but she had actually started to enjoy life in the Amazon village since it kept her mind off her other troubles. And her ego didn't mind all the attention and respect she got as Eldest. She still didn't want to spend her whole life here, of course. "Well, that why we're trying to find a loophole in all these scrolls and books." "You would think that there would be some way out for the two most powerful leaders of the Amazons." Yukiko nodded. "Well, MOST Amazons would see these positions as desirable." She sighed as she remembered all the paperwork and endless debates with the Circle Elders she had to deal with. "Don't know why." "Well, at least you're only stuck for a year." "Yes, I'm sorry you can't resign after a year like I can." "Stupid laws." -C- -M- -D- "Well, that's all we could find so far." Ranma and Shinuma looked at each other and then back at Yukiko and Sanma. Both of the men had red wedding outfits on. "But... I really don't want to kill Shinuma," Ranma said. Shinuma smiled awkwardly. "Yeah, I'm not to keen on that either." "Weren't you listening!" Sanma shouted and then calmed herself down. "You don't have to actually kill each other, you just have to fight and the winner gets to marry Yukiko. Since the first engagement happened because you defeated Shampoo in combat, the only way to nullify that engagement is for Shinuma to beat Ranma in combat. It then becomes Yukiko's choice to accept the engagement to Shinuma or not." "I will!" Yukiko smiled lovingly at Shinuma, who returned the smile. "Nothing personal, but there's no way for Shinuma to beat me." Ranma tried not to sound conceited, but failed. "And I doubt the Amazons would consider it honorable for me to throw the fight." "Well, that's where the other ancient Amazon tradition comes in." "What tradition?" "It hasn't been used for some time, but I think it's the best chance Shinuma has to win against you in combat." One explanation later, Ranma jumped to his feet in anger. "No way!!" "It's considered combat according to Amazon tradition. I don't know why, but the scrolls clearly consider it combat. Apparently it was first used after the Matriarch at the time was jilted by some guy from a nearby village." "I... I could never do that to another guy..." Sanma smirked. "I doubt you could either. That's why this is the perfect solution... it's right up Shinuma's alley." "It's still gross." -C- -M- -D- Several days later, the combat arena was ready and Shinuma and Ranma prepared themselves for the coming contest. Shinuma was in a set of light armor that would hopefully allow him to survive the coming ordeal. He would have preferred a full suit of one-inch think armor, but he had to be able to move if he had any chance of winning this contest. Ranma wore his normal red Chinese outfit. He was just grateful that he didn't have to fight in the red wedding outfit. "Do your best, Ranma," Shinuma said, holding out a glove covered hand. Ranma smirked and shook the offered hand with his hand, which also had a glove on it. "I always do." Sanma came up and slapped Ranma on his back. "Just remember that if it looks like you are not giving the contest your all, you will have to honor your engagement to Nipplering even if you do lose to Shinuma." Ranma followed Sanma's gaze towards the large Amazon woman, who smiled and blew a kiss at Ranma. "Don't worry, he won't know what hit him." Sanma flinched. "Oh, I'm sure he'll know if you actually manage to do it." Ranma flinched more. "Tell me about it." Yukiko strode up wearing her Matriarchal robe and sat down on the raised dais setup for her. She smiled sweetly at Shinuma, who had taken his starting place on her left side, and then she looked to her right. She gave Ranma a look that made it clear she expected Ranma to lose or she would be VERY unhappy with him. Ranma gulped. He had seen Shampoo look at Mousse like that many times. It was usually followed by some painful event. He smiled and nodded to her, trying to reassure her that things would go as planned. "Duck!" Powder suddenly shouted in Japanese. Yukiko, Shinuma, Ranma, and Sanma all dropped to their stomachs at hearing the loud warning cry. "What's going on?" Yukiko yelled from her huddled position behind her dais. Arrows were flying everywhere as Powder rushed to Yukiko's side. "Why are you down there, Matriarch?" "You told us to duck." "No, there is a duck approaching. Could be a Buyierfei trap." Powder pointed at a small white duck that was weaving and dodging the arrows that were fired at it. Yukiko shook her head. "I doubt it." "Well, even if it isn't, it would make a good meal." "I guess..." Although she wasn't a vegetarian, the thought of eating something freshly killed disturbed Yukiko. Maybe it was all the time she spent treating animals... or spent as an animal for that matter. Sanma rushed to Yukiko's side. "Yukiko, call off the Amazons!!" Yukiko looked confused. "Huh? Why?" "That's not a duck, it's Mousse!" Yukiko looked even more confused and became flustered. "Moose? Don't see a Moose." She pointed at the flying duck. "Is duck, yes?" Sanma realized Yukiko didn't remember Mousse and that she had only been told a bit about him and his curse. "No, Mousse is that guy who transforms into a duck and I think that might be him!" Sanma pointed at the duck, which was still deftly evading the arrows aimed at it. Most birds would have left the area under these conditions, but this was one very motivated duck. Yukiko suddenly remembered them telling her about the man who turned into a duck. "Powder, stop the warriors! That duck is not to be harmed!" "Why, Matriarch?" "It's a man with a Jusenkyo curse!" Powder nodded her understanding and called out a command in Mandarin. All of the arrows stopped and the warriors relaxed. Which in the case of the Amazons meant that they were only thinking about the best way to kill the duck, instead of actually trying to kill it. The white duck relaxed, but was still wary. It circled the area, as if looking for someone. It seemed to be very confused. "Mousse!!" Ranma called out. The duck noticed Ranma, swooped in, and landed in front of him. The duck started quacking loudly and gesturing wildly as if asking a question. "Long time no quack, pal." Sanma had run off after the arrows stopped. When she returned, she carried a hot kettle and a robe. "Here you go, Mousse." She poured the hot water over the duck and held out the robe to Mousse." Mousse slipped the robe on. "Thanks, Ranma." "I'm Sanma, actually. It's a long story..." Mousse nodded. "Yes... the splits. Nabiki mentioned that to me." Sanma and Ranma both flinched at hearing that. "You've been to Nerima?" Sanma asked. "How are Akane and..." "They all seemed fine from what I saw." Mousse grabbed Ranma's shoulders. "But where is Shampoo? Please... tell me!" He was shaking Ranma's shoulders violently. "I must find her!" "Clam down, Mousse!" Sanma shouted. "She's right behind you." Mousse spun around and looked. "Where?!" "Put your glasses on, idiot!" Ranma snapped, a bit miffed at being shaken like an unripe cantaloupe. Mouse lowered his glassed. "Where?" "She's on the dais, idiot!" Mousse spun around and glared at Ranma. "You think I'm a fool and can't even recognize the robes of the Matriarch? Now tell me where my sweet Shampoo is!" Ranma and Sanma exchanged worried glances. "Um... Mousse, Shampoo is the Matriarch," Sanma said softly. Mouse looked back and then took a long hard look at Yukiko. "No... it can't be... but... you are... Shampoo!!" Mousse leapt toward Yukiko. Before he reached her, a half dozen Amazons pinned him to the ground. "Sham... poooo!!" -C- -M- -D- A little later, Yukiko helped a bruised and battered Mousse to his feet. "You okay, Mousse?" "Yes. Oh, Shampoo!!" Mouse pulled Yukiko into a tight hug, never wanting to let go. Yukiko knew he must have thought she was dead like the others had, so she let him get it out of his system. "It's okay. Let it out." "I've missed you so much, Shampoo." Yukiko looked a little embarrassed. "Err... that's nice. Um... can you call me Yukiko?" Mousse looked confused. "Yukiko?" Yukiko nodded. "Yes, it's the name I've been using since I lost my memory." "Oh." After they quickly filled Mousse in on the memory loss and how Yukiko ended up as Matriarch, Mousse patted Yukiko's hand. "You've been through so much." "Yes." "Sha... Yukiko, I'm so glad you're alive. Thinking I had lost you forever devastated me." Mousse held tightly to Yukiko's hands and gazed lovingly into her eyes. Yukiko was growing uncomfortable with Mousse's forwardness. "That's sweet. Um... we have to get this contest out of the way and then we can talk some more, okay?" "No... I'm not going to put this off any longer! Sha... Yukiko, I love you. Please marry me!" Yukiko and Shinuma gasped in astonishment. Sanma and Ranma had sort of been expecting this since Mousse showed up, so they were not surprised. Sanma walked up to Mousse and put a hand on his shoulder. "Mousse, I know you love Shampoo, but this isn't the same girl you knew. She doesn't remember anything and..." She glanced at Shinuma, who nodded. "She's engaged to Shinuma here." Yukiko nodded. "I love Shinuma. I'm sorry, Mousse, but I don't remember you or any of my past life. I can't return your love." Mousse started to shake. "No! You're alive! This is my second chance! I know you loved me before!! You kept a picture of me in this locket!" Mousse thrust out the little heart-shaped locket that he had been given from Shampoo's things after her wake. Yukiko took the locket from Mousse's shaking hand and looked inside. She smiled slightly at the picture of the young Mousse in it. After staring at it without any sign of recognition, she looked Mousse in his eyes. "You were very cute... but I don't remember this. I'm sorry. If I did love you, that's in my past. I'm sorry, but I can't marry you." Mousse's heart shattered and he dropped to his knees. "No... no... no..." "Isn't it enough to know she is alive and happy?" Sanma asked softly. Mousse wiped the tears out of his eyes. "No!! It isn't! I love her more than life itself... I should have kept looking... I should never have given up hope... I should never have fallen in love with Na..." He trailed off and slowly got to his feet. Ranma came up behind Mousse and patted him on his back. "Come on, Mousse, I know it hurts giving up someone you love-" Both he and Sanma exchanged an uneasy glance. "-but you'll just ruin any chance of Yukiko's happiness if you try to bully your way into her heart. Love that is forced is not love, but obsession." Sanma smirked at hearing that. "Stealing lines from Kang, now?" Ranma tried to deny it. "No! I... I've just been on the receiving end of that obsession way too often." "That's why you're engaged to Yukiko too, I guess." Sanma couldn't hide the smirk that came to her face. Mousse frowned more. "You're still engaged to her? Yukiko placed her hand on Mousse's hand and explained all about recent events leading up to the contest. "I'm sorry, Mousse." "I love you, Yukiko." "I can't return that love. I don't know if 'Shampoo' loved you or not, but I know I can't love you now. I'm not the same person." A thought struck Mousse. "No... you're the Matriarch now, aren't you?" "Yes... unfortunately. I didn't want this job." Mousse suddenly stood up straight. "I, Mousse, of the Amazon tribe, do hearby declare my claim to the Matriarch's hand in marriage!" Everyone around him gasped. Yukiko lowered her head. "I'm sorry, Mousse, I already said..." "It is my right as a Amazon by birth to claim the right to marry you over an outsider-" Mousse looked at Shinuma. "-and an Amazon by decree." He looked at Ranma." "Mousse, please..." Powder put her hand on Yukiko's arm. "I'm sorry, Matriarch, he is correct. If the hand of the Matriarch is in contention by outsiders or non-birth Amazons, it is legal for an Amazon by birth to claim the right to marry her himself. It is to prevent the Matriarch from being influenced by non-Amazons." "But I'm not being influenced!" "I'm sorry, but it's the law." "Stooopid law." -C- -M- -D- "Damn... if Mousse wins our plans are totally screwed," Sanma said, looking out onto the combat ring. Mousse was now at the edge, preparing for the battle. He seemed to be very eager to get started. Shinuma looked across the dais that Yukiko sat on. "Ranma, you have to fight to win now... don't hold back at all." Ranma frowned. "Huh? Um... don't you want to marry her anymore?" "No, I do... but I don't think I can win against someone that determined." Shinuma glanced at Mousse, who was sharpening a set of throwing knives. "At least if you win, I know you won't insist on marrying her and we could still find a way out. I'm sure that Mousse guy would insist on marrying Yukiko." Ranma nodded, although sweet was a word he had never used to describe Shampoo. Determined was usually the kindest word that came to his mind. "Yes, he probably would. Okay, but I'll see if I can keep him off your back long enough for you to do the deed before he has a chance." "Well, I hope so... never really tried do this under these conditions." Ranma flinched. "Err... you've done this before?" "Quite often, actually." Any further conversation was interrupted by Powder. "Matriarch, it's time." Ranma and Shinuma left the dais and took their starting positions. Yukiko sighed, stood up, and called out to Mousse. "Are you sure you want to do this Mousse? It won't make me love you." Mousse flipped the set of throwing knives he was holding and they disappeared, probably under his robe somewhere. "I'll prove to you that I am the better man, Shampoo!" Yukiko was about to argue some more, but Sanma put a hand on her arm. "Yukiko, don't bother. Mousse is very stubborn about Shampoo." "Does he love her... me that much?" "Probably, but I think he's living in a fantasy. I never really saw you show more than friendship to him." Yukiko nodded. She turned to the assembled crowd and, hating the words she was required to use, she spoke first in Mandarin and then repeated in Japanese. "For the love of the Matriarch, let the battle commence at the sound of gong!" Mousse tensed and prepared to enter the ring. He was wearing a robe and his glasses were secured using an excessive length of duct tape. He was taking no chances in losing them during this contest. Ranma tensed and prepared to jump at Mousse in order to keep him out of the ring. Shinuma fingered the set of knives strapped to his leg. He doubted they would make too much difference. It would be a miracle if he survived this contest, let alone won it. He considered fleeing from the village many times, but every time he did an image of Yukiko would appear in his head and he knew he could not be happy without her.