Prologue

     This is the story of the Dehm. Those we have entrusted to keep
our world safe from the scourge of extra-universal enemies. They
have served us well, many dying to save the Earth from evil. 
     But now, the lines of Tanketsu, Kinuse, and Averi have come
together, and there is a new generation of heroes. Brought to life
to battle the new and varied enemies, they must join the older
generation of Dehm.
     Yes, the generations must join together. For whether they
choose to or not, the Chosen shall come. Can they be stopped?


               The Sword, the Hand, and the Change
                       by Beky NeRichnead

Disclaimer: More than half of the characters scheduled to appear
in this production do not belong to me. They were created by Naoko
Takeuchi, Rumiko Takahashi, and Josh Whelon. But those that do...
such as the Saridehm, Manidehm, Manadehm, and Weredehm, as well as
the country/world of Shontovar.

Theme song: "Soon" by Yes

DAY 1

     "I should have packed less," Faith groaned, hoisting her
luggage. "Not only is this stuff awkward, it weighs a ton!"
     Beky grinned merrily and slung her duffel bag over her
shoulder. "Like me, you mean?"
     Faith speared her with a glare, but Beky seemed entirely
unfazed. "Shut up."
     Mike stepped in. "Be nice, Beky. Faith hardly had the best
leave taking."
     Dawn shook her head ruefully. "Beky, did you say you had a way
to get to the place your staying?"
     Beky nodded, her face serious. "Sure did. I wonder why she's
not here yet. I offered decent money."
     Faith rubbed the crystal that hung from a chain around her
neck. "Its odd."
     Just then, Mike grinned. "There she is." Indeed, a brown
haired bob cut came through the crowd.
     Beky looked around and smiled. "Well, everyone, time to switch
to Japanese." Everyone except for Dawn nodded.
     Dawn turned to them. "Well, I'll check in on you guys before
I leave Tokyo. Good night." She nodded stiffly to Kat and Mike,
then walked away.
     The girl who'd Beky hired reached them and bowed. "Greetings,"
she said in Japanese.
     They bowed similarly and responded in the same language.
"Hello."
                              *
     Soun Tendo stood outside the Dojo, fiddling nervously. Was it
possible the Saridehm lived? And why did Xalen say, "We don't look
exactly like we used to?" Finally, a black car pulled up to the
gate. The driver's door opened, and Tatewaki Kuno stepped out.
     He walked around the car and opened the door. "Will my vision
of loveliness care to disembark?"
     A chuckling young woman stepped out of the car. Her long blond
hair flowed down her back, till her hips. A green trench coat
covered most of her body, revealing only black leather boots. She
smiled at Kuno. "Of course. Could I convince you to carry some of
my luggage for me?"
     Kuno bowed. "I would be honored, beautiful one."
     The front passenger side door opened, and Nabiki got out of
the car. She rolled her eyes in Kuno's direction.
     The blond young lady and Kuno walked through the gates,
carrying several awkward pieces of luggage.
     Another young woman got out of the back seat. She had short
auburn hair, and she wore a bandanna in it. Her clothes were worn
blue jeans, a wolf tee, work boots, and a long brown coat. She
carried two suitcases, evidently with no difficulty.
     She was followed by a young man with shoulder length black
hair. He wore the same as the red head. The only difference was his
black sneakers. As he stood, he slipped on a pair of glasses.
     Finally, yet another young woman exited the car. She wore
black leather boots, black jeans, and a denim shirt. She slung a
green duffel over her shoulder and led the others in the gates.
     They stopped just in front of Soun. Then they dropped their
luggage, and pulled swords out of thin air, much like Mousse. The
bowed, hilts extended towards him. The leader intoned, "We thank
you for your hospitality, Soun Tendo. You're kindness honors
Tanketsu's line. May your years be full."
     They were... children. What the hell had happened?
                              *
     Ranma closed his eyes as he felt the air whistle beneath his
back. Yet another trip, courtesy Air Akane.
     He landed in the grass in front of the Dojo, rolling with the
impact. He kept his eyes closed, enjoying the sunlight playing
across his currently male form. Then he heard a voice deep with
wisdom say, "We thank you for your hospitality, Soun Tendo. You're
kindness honors Tanketsu's line. May your years be full."
     He leapt up from the grass, landing on his feet and examined
the people surrounding the Tendo "patriarch". It seemed to be four
kids his age, each with a sword held in front of them. "Hey, what's
going on?"
     Mr. Tendo frowned. "This is the Saotome heir to our school,
Ranma Saotome."
     The leader, a girl with short dark hair, turned to him and
looked at him appraisingly as they made their swords vanish. "Not
of Tanketsu's get then, I suppose. Is he decent?"
     Ranma frowned and drew himself up into a guard position. "I'm
more than decent!"
     Nabiki interrupted, "Can I have my money, please? I don't
particularly feel the need to see Ranma pound on more victims."
     The leader laughed and tossed her a few golden coins. "Don't
worry about us. We've a few years on this pup, here."
     His father walked out and saw Ranma in guard position. "Well,
get to fighting, boy!"
     Mr. Tendo sweated nervously. "Um, Ranma, perhaps you
shouldn't..."
     It was too late. Ranma had already launched himself at the
newcomers. As he flew through the air, he saw them efficiently move
out of his path. He neatly flipped, reversing course.
     They leapt at him and he began to strike the leader... and
hit air. He dropped to the ground, wary. To his surprise, the four
only laughed. The blond shook her head. "He'll do, I suppose."
     Tendo swallowed, looking relieved. "You understand... Ranma
doesn't know of the oath."
     They chuckled. The red head nodded. "Aye, that's why he's
still in one piece, Tendo-san."
     Then Ranma heard it... the voice of doom. "Ranma! Why is
your...?"
     The question trailed off as Akane came out the door and
blushed. "Oh, hello."
     Mr. Tendo gestured. "This is my daughter Akane, heir to the
Tendo line as well as Tanketsu's. Akane, these are the Saridehm.
They'll be staying with us for a while."
     Akane blinked. "Where?"
     The leader shrugged. "In the basement, as usual."
     Akane and Mr. Tendo sweatdropped. "What basement?"
                              *
     Nabiki frowned. In all the time she had been alive, she did
not remember their ancestral home possessing a basement. These
visitors were an unknown factor. Nabiki Tendo *despised* unknown
factors.
     They walked in the front door, and Kat McTaran, the red head,
examined the wall. "Here it is." She pulled a dagger from her boot,
making it seem to appear in her hand with her speed. "May I?"
     Soun nodded, and Kat made three incisions, two long and one
short. The wall paper fell away, revealing a solid oak door with
an inset handle.
     The residents of the house gasped, but the visitors simply
pulled the heavy door open and proceeded down the stairs they
uncovered. Another pull of the door, and they disappeared.
     Nabiki followed the others down the stairs and through the
door. Her father stopped suddenly, and bowed in reverence. The room
was obviously old, and full of dust. The walls sported ancient
weapons and forgotten crests. Several large wooden chests and a
pile of bed mats were clustered in the corner of the cavernous
room. 
     Beky slung her duffel against the wall, and crossed the room.
She opened one of the chests and pulled out a dusty shuriken. Its
center sported an unfamiliar symbol outlined in green stone. "Hey,
Faith, remember this?"
     Faith nodded and walked over, dusting the shuriken off. "I
sure do." She turned suddenly, let loose, sending the projectile
skimming just over Ranma's head to land in the wall. "I was
wondering where this went to."
     Mike smiled. "Well, guys, we're home."
     Soun gulped. "Just come up and get anything you need. We'd be
honored if you'd join us for dinner after settling in."
     Beky nodded congenially. "Will do. See you all later."
     With that, the four closed into a circle and began to speak
quietly.
     Nabiki speared her father with a glance. "Come on, Daddy. We
have to talk."
                              *
     Kasumi walked down the newly discovered stairs bearing a tray
of cookies. After the visitors asked for so many cleaning supplies,
they must be hungry. A good host feeds her guests, and Kasumi was
a *very* good host.
     She knocked politely on the door. It was opened seconds later.
The opener smiled and pushed up the burgundy bandanna restraining
her red hair. "Oh, hi. Come on in."
     Kasumi gasped as she walked in. The rooms was nearly spotless.
The other three visitors were sitting on wooden chests, polishing
ornamental weapons. There were four bedrolls arranged in one
corner, while their luggage inhabited another. "Oh, my. Its so
clean!" It seemed the cleaning supplies she had summoned had gone
to a good use.
     The dark haired girl chuckled and pointed at a pile of garbage
bags. "It had better be after we filled those." Then she grinned.
"Cookies!"
     It seemed to be a broad common attribute of martial artists
that they were hungry. The other two gaijin raced across the room
and each grabbed a cookie.
     The dark haired boy bowed formally, his eyes dancing. "These
are great, Kasumi-sama!"
     The blond nodded. "You're definitely the Queen of Cookies."
     The brunette pulled a sword off the wall and touched each of
Kasumi's shoulders. She tensed, bringing up her spare hand up...
and stopped as the girl said, "We dub thee Dame Kasumi of the order
of St. Chocolate Chip."
     Kasumi laughed and relaxed. What a nice sense of humor these
mysterious visitors had. "Why, thank you. Dinner will be ready in
fifteen minutes. I hope you'll join us."
     The red head cocked her head. "You cooked it?"
     Kasumi smiled and nodded, though her words had a rueful touch.
"Yes, I usually do."
     "Great! We'll be there, we just have to clean up first."
     "Oh, you can use the furo. Its upstairs." She paused. "Oh, and
do remember to put the 'in use' sign down." There was no need for
a repeat of the Saotomes' arrival. All the charms in the world had
barely pulled that situation from atrocious to bad.
     The four shared a glance, then nodded collectively. "Sure, no
problem."
                              *
     Soun cringed at the cold glare in his middle child's eyes.
"Nabiki, I don't have any choice in the matter. Neither do you. It
was decided long ago. You have to uphold our family's honor!"
     She frowned. "Oh, *daddy*, why do you always thrust these
'honor' affairs on us at the last minute?"
     Soun winced at her reference to Ranma's arrival. "Well, you
see..."
     "For that matter, who says we're involved? I for one plan to
ignore them. I'll tell you one thing. Money doesn't grow on trees.
If you're planning on keeping them here as well as the Saotomes,
you'd better figure out *some* way of feeding them."
     She pivoted on one foot and exited the room. Soun fell crying
to the floor, soaking the room with his tears. No one came in. He
wept for quite a while, then walked to the shrine in the corner of
his bedroom.
     He glanced up. "Why me? All I tried to do was to uphold the
honor of our line. Why do they always disagree with me?"
     His mind betrayed him, supplying the answer. <Because you
neither warn them or ask them.>
     "But there are simply things we must do."
     There was a long pause.
     Soun walked over to the bed and lay down. Seemingly moments
after his eyes closed, they opened to see Kasumi gently shaking
him. "Father, its almost time for dinner."
     He blinked blearily and stood up. Kasumi exited, and he went
to the washroom to freshen up. A bit of cold water did his
faculties good, and he was awake when he noticed his guests walking
into the furo.
     He stared. "You're not going to..."
     Beky turned around. "To what?"
     "All of you... together..."
     She nodded. "Of course we are." The four walked in, curious
looks on their faces and flipped the 'in use' sign around to the
occupied side.
     Genma walked up to see him staring dumbly at the door. "Soun,
dinner's served! What are you doing up here?"
     Soun swallowed. "The four young people... they just went to
take a bath together."
     Genma blinked. "That seems very... together." He sniffed. "But
there's food to be had. Come on, what's wrong with close friends
bathing together?" He walked away, following the smell.
     Soun heard a creak and took a step out. The four teen walked
out of the furo, their hair wet but looking very fresh. Beky looked
at him oddly. "Problem?"
     He shook his head dumbly and walked into the diningroom. There
was nothing he could think of to say. If they were who they
claimed, there was nothing he could do about it.
                              *
     Mike sighed and sank into the hot water. "Now, this is
heaven." Despite the fact they were alone, Japanese seemed more
natural than English.
     Kat chuckled. "You should think so."
     In fact, the reality that he was sharing the furo with three
girls ranging from cute to gorgeous hadn't crossed his mind. No
sexual attraction had ranged between the four of them for
centuries.
     Beky turned her head to Faith, who's eyes conveyed sorrow.
"What's wrong, sis?"
     Faith frowned. "You know."
     Beky shrugged. "Sure, but it'd be nice if you'd tell me.
Missing Sunnydale?"
     Faith shrugged. "Yes and no. I do miss some of my friends...
leaving Willow was terrible. And I'd taken a liking to Xander and
Rob, too. But what's really bothering me isn't missing the place
as much as the time."
     Mike nodded. Their two decade vacation had been very restful
for all of them. "I know what you mean, Fa-chan. I'm sad that we're
losing it too."
     Kat smiled sadly. "Yes, we'll probably never again know the
peace we had in Sunnydale."
     Faith chuckled again. "We could go back."
     Beky shook her head, a faraway look in her eyes. "No, I have
the feeling the peace the town experienced when we left will soon
be over. We've no right to add our problems to the mess."
     Not for the first time over the years, Mike wondered what
Beky's source of information was.
     Faith frowned, troubled. "I hope Willow's well."
     Beky gave her a quick hug. "I'm sure she is." She smiled. "So,
shall we egress before we become prunes?"
     Mike grinned. "Why? I like dried fruit."
     Beky stood, grabbing her towel. The small dagger on her
necklace swung wildly, bouncing between her breasts. "So do I. But
I don't want to be one."
                              *
     Akane waited expectantly at the table, and soon the guests
strode in. They took their seats with an easy grace, leaving Akane
no doubt that they were the martial arts masters.
     The dark haired leader stood and bowed to Soun as he entered.
"Thank you for your hospitality. Its kind of you." She turned to
Kasumi. "And thank *you*, Kasumi-sama." The four chuckled, and
Kasumi blushed.
     Everyone sat down and began to dig in to the bulgoki and
negimaki. When it was done, Kasumi stood to clean up.
     The blond haired girl shook her head. "No, sit. I'll help you
clean up after we're done telling our story. I'm sure you'd like
to hear it."
     "Thank you," Kasumi said, and she sat down.
     The dark haired girl sat straighter. "Before I start, does
anyone have any specific questions?"
     Nabiki frowned. "How are we going to afford to feed you?"
     She laughed. "Don't worry about that one. Next?"
     Ranma looked up. "What form of martial arts is that? Its like
nothin' I've ever seen before."
     The four looked between themselves. The red head chuckled.
"This may not be working too well Bek. We might as well just
introduce ourselves."
     The leader shrugged. "Sounds good." She turned to the table.
"My name is Beky Sarver, once known as Xalen."
     Soun raised an eyebrow. "Then you are the original Xalen?"
     Beky nodded. "Yes... we had a little, um, accident." She
paused. "I lead the Saridehm... er, that's us four. Its our job to
guard the humans of this world. See, this world is kind of on the
hub of a bunch of universes, and what passes for pests on their
worlds is really nasty here. So we fight evil beings like the Rijab
and the Snoxxat." 
     Nabiki's voice dripped with sarcasm. "So you're heroes with
superpowers who 'guard the human race'?"
     Soun winced. "Nabiki..."
     She pierced him with a glare. "Come on people, this can't be
real life."
     Beky shook her head ruefully. "That's not *exactly* it Nabiki-
san. We don't really have superpowers... just pretty fast healing
and a LOT of experience. And on the downside, we belong to no
country and have no family but each other. Well, we do have
adoptive families, but they didn't last long."
     Kasumi smiled gently. "So, Beky, what do you do specifically?
And how do you travel from country to country?"
     Beky grinned. "Well, we have friends who help us with customs.
As for my duties, besides being the leader, I'm also the master of
the use of heavy bladed weapons. Dwarven battle axes, claymores,
that sort of thing." She laughed. "Hey, Mike, you're turn to be
interrogated.
     The dark haired boy snorted amusedly. "Gee, thanks Bek." He
looked at Soun and saw the confusion evident on his face. "We
understand your doubts. Centuries old Mongolian warriors can't turn
into children." He paused. "You'd think so, huh? Magic's a bitch
sometimes." 
     Kasumi blinked. "Magic?"
     He grinned. "I'm Mike McTaran, but I used to be called Kolan.
I'm one of the best in the world at chi manipulation, as well as
one handed sword techniques. I have been a Saridehm for eight
centuries now... and still lovin' it."
     Ranma frowned. "You can't be eight centuries old! Not even
Happi or the Old Ghoul claims that."
     Mike shrugged. "Its quite a tale."
     The blond grinned. "Well, there's my cue. My name is Faith
Sarver, though it was once Fanah. I usually make use of a fauchard-
fork, but I am also the joat and bard of this group." She paused
dramatically. "Some night, I'll tell you the grand tale of our
formation and rebirth. For now, suffice it to say that we were
commissioned to be the Warriors of the Blades."
     Nabiki looked dubious. "So, jack of all trades, you can't even
give us a summary?"
     Faith shrugged. "If you so wish... approximately twenty years
ago, we and some friends were involved in a great battle with a
cadre of evil sorcerers. There was a terrible spell worked near the
end, reducing us to the appearance and memories of mere infants.
We have, fortunately, began to recover our memories, but much of
our eight hundred years is blurry." 
     Kasumi frowned. "That's terrible."
     Faith laughed. "Not at all. We had a beautiful vacation in
California."
     There was a long pause, then the red head spoke. "Katrin
McTaran, mistress of knives and speed. Or Tyrale, whichever. What
the others failed to mention is that we're not exactly normal
humans, even now. We are intrinsically linked to our blades. They
are a part of us, and one that we can't deny. If we are held out
of contact with some sort of blade, we will die."
     Faith glared playfully. "Sure, Kat, just make the rest of us
look stupid."
     Kat blew a raspberry at her.
     It might have continued, but Akane interrupted. "Are you all
alone, just you four?"
     Beky shook her head. "No. There are three other groups of
Dehm... the Warriors of the Arcane, Warriors of the Hand, and
Warriors of the change. But we haven't made contact with them yet.
They have a different set of duties from us. There are also other
heroes."
     Mike smiled. "As for our style - well, we've forgotten much
of what we know, but we still use a style that steals from a huge
range of other ryus."
     Soun seemed conflicted. "Can you prove you're identities? Its
a hard story to believe."
     Beky stroked her chin. "Probably not. You were but a babe we
last visited with your family. Wait... do you know anyone of the
Kinuse clan?"
     Genma sat bolt upright. "Why... why do you ask?"
     Faith grinned. "That's right! We visited them just before our
rebirth."
     Genma stiffened. "Well, I'm sure its a different Kinuse clan
then I'm thinking."
     Mike nodded. "Probably. But we should drop in on Nodoka
again... she was quite a pretty young woman, as I remember. And
close to decent with that katana of hers."
     Ranma blinked. "Nodoka? Nodoka Saotome?"
     Kat shook her head. "No, Nodoka Takeshi. Unless she married."
     Genma fell to his knees. "Please don't tell her we're here.
We believe you!"
     Soun frowned. "We do?"
     Genma looked up. "Yes we do! Who else would know the Takeshi
family is the current inheritors of the Kinuse clan name?"
     Soun shrugged. "Not me."
     Akane rolled her eyes at the groveling man and smiled at the
visitors. "Well, *I* believe you. Wanna be friends?"
     The four fell into laughter, then regained control of
themselves. Beky managed to shake hands with the confused Akane.
"Sure, Akane. Sure."
     Kasumi stood once more. "I really must clean up."
     Faith jumped up. "Let me help you. The others couldn't wash
a plate competently if I left written directions."
     Akane grinned. "Hey, guys, want to see our dojo?"
     Kat raised an eyebrow. "So you have a dojo now? By all means."
                              *
     Ranma tagged along as Akane gave the three visitors the grand
tour. There was something about them, and he didn't like it. For
all he knew, they'd go and kill the tomboy!
     Well, he didn't really believe that. But there was something
odd about them, and he wanted to make sure.
     Finally they reached the dojo. Beky grinned. "Very nice,
Akane. Also nice to see its used." She pointed at a patched hole.
"I see you guys get rough. So, are you any better than this fellow
here?" she asked, pointing at Ranma.
     Akane blushed. "No, not really." He chuckled, and she glared.
"*Some* of us do something other than fight."
     Mike chuckled. "True enough." He looked around. "But I can't
say I'm one of those people."
     Beky chortled. "Me neither. Or Kat, for that matter. But Faith
is."
     Ranma frowned. "What does Faith do?"
     Kat shrugged. "Midwifery, healing, alchemy, other bardic
stuff."
     Akane blinked. "Alchemy?"
     Beky sighed. "Kat, most of the world doesn't BELIEVE in
alchemy. And they don't have midwifes anymore."
     Kat shrugged. "Its not a secret to them... one's a child of
the Oath, and the other's the heir to the Promise."
     Mike explained, "Faith mixes us potions for us. Healing
potions, mana regen, that sort of thing."
     Ranma cocked his head. "You mean like Cologne?"
     Beky smiled. "Well, she could I suppose, but she doesn't
usually. Why, do you need some?"
     Ranma sighed. "No, COLOGNE. She's an old ghoul from China."
     Kat frowned. "I think you're mispronouncing her name then. Is
she really a ghoul? I haven't seen one of those for nearly two and
a half centuries or so."
     Mike nodded. "Actually... do you remember, about eighty years
ago we found that ghoul named Herman? He was in Turon if I remember
correctly."
     Beky nodded. "That's right... but he was more of a ghost than
a ghoul."
     He shrugged. "I guess. I was never one to make such fine
distinctions."
     Ranma and Akane blinked. Akane swallowed. "I take it you guys
have a really LONG story."
     Kat nodded. "Yep. Anyway, we should be getting to bed. We're
going to school with you guys tomorrow."
                              *
     Faith looked at Kasumi. There was something... otherworldly
about the girl as she went about her chores. It was suspicious.
Faith frowned. Most of her stuff was in her coat, and that was
downstairs. It would have to wait... but she *would* discover
Kasumi's secret.
                              *
     Mike was the first to sleep, and the first to dream of times
long past.

     Kolan looked deep into the eyes of his love. "I'm sorry...
someday..."
     She bowed her head, and walked away, step by torturous step.
She turned around. "Kolan... never be sorry. We had love. It was
more than most."
     He nodded and began to walk away. Her voice faded in the
distance. "Kolan... I will ALWAYS love you... I will never love
another. Never."
     As he walked away, her words knifed into his heart. They never
left.

     His dreams soon changed, becoming silly tales of knights and
orcs and other such fantasies.
                              *
     Beky lay in bed, her hands folded behind her head. She closed
her eyes, relaxing her back one muscle at a time. She caressed the
small dagger on her necklace. It had been a long day, and a tense
one. Tomorrow would be worse.
     Sometimes it sucked to be the one with the best memory. While
the others barely remembered the past, she knew. She knew too much.
She had memories of promises and pain that the others may never
remember.
     She didn't want to have to pull rank. The Tendos were good
folk, and there were many things they had no need to know of. But
if Nabiki pressed the issue, she was going to learn. 
     She sighed and turned over. She'd have to wake up very early
tomorrow morning.
     As she slept, she dreamed the dreams of memories long past.

     Xalen peered around, squinting into the darkness. "How many
more torches do we have?"
     Tyrale answered. "Ten."
     She frowned. Not enough to get to the bottom then. "Fanah, do
you have anything helpful in your bag of tricks?"
     She heard the tinkling as Fanah searched her dimensional
pocket. "Ah, yes! You guys will like this one... a couple of
potions of night sight!"
     "How many?"
     "Looks like four... I don't have time to brew more, so one of
us will have to go without."
     Xalen frowned. "I suppose so. Any volunteers?"
     Kolan chuckled. "I could go without easily."
     "How?"
     "I could flare up my chi."
     She asked dubiously, "For how long?"
     "Near infinite if I only need enough light for me."
     She smiled broadly. "Excellent! Fanah, get those potions out!
Lets move, people."
     She drank down her vial with aplomb, and was rewarded with her
vision blacking out, then coming back into focus, much improved.
"Put out that torch, Tyra."
     The proceeded down the corridor, probing the walls.
     Tanketsu said quietly, "I found a door."
     She could hear Fa's smile. "Good! I want to get our of this
stupid mountain someday. Maybe we can find the stairs down."
     "Here, here." Tyrale said.
     Tanketsu led the way through the door. He gasped. "Look at
this!" 
     Xalen peered around him. Under a decaying pile of garbage lie
a shining metal object. She brushed some of the broken glass and
pottery off. "Deos!" She looked it over... it was sword... but so
much more!
     She picked it up carefully and placed it in her dimensional
pocket. "Fa, you can identify this thing later."
     Suddenly, the floor began to rumble. "Trap!" Kolan shouted
helpfully.
     They all ran out of the door, Tanketsu barely escaping in
time. The floor... went up... opening up another room. They backed
away quickly, drawing their preferred weapons.
     Inside the new room was a crystal encased woman, her red hair
flowing down her back.
     They entered the room cautiously. "She's beautiful," Tanketsu
muttered.
     Xalen nodded. "Indeed. But who is she? And what was that trap
for?"
     Tyrale frowned. "To keep us out of here, methinks."
     Fanah raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
     "Would anyone less speed than us have gotten out? No. Then
they wouldn't have gotten into this room, and the woman would have
been here alone forever."
     Kolan winced. "So sad... I wonder who she could be."
     Xalen pondered. "Fanah, do you have any idea of how to get her
out?"
     Fanah shrugged. "Breaking the crystal might do it." She
knocked on the crystal. "But it will take lots of force."
     Xalen grinned. "Force I have. Everyone out."
     They filed out, shaking their heads ruefully.
     Xalen brought her battle axe out and held it high. Then she
pushed her chi into the blade and brought it down with her
considerable force.
     The crystal shattered, several shards embedding themselves in
her studded leather armor. The woman within took a breath and began
to cough, color coming into her pale face.
     The others raced in. Fanah gestured, grabbing a healing potion
out of her "pocket". She put it to the woman's lips, and held her
nose.
     The woman sucked it down and sat up, blinking. "Who... are
you?" She coughed again. "Who are you?"
     Xalen smiled. "My name is Xalen. I'm one of the Warriors of
the Blade. Who are you?"
     The woman swung her legs off the pallet she was laying on, and
Xalen noted that her clothing was decent traveling gear. "Warriors
of the Blade?"
     Tanketsu helped her up. "We're nomadic warriors that fight for
good. I am Tanketsu. What is your name, beautiful lady?"
     She smiled shakily. "My name is Lyra... I am... was the
Princess of Shontovar."
     "Shontovar? We just defeated a demon horde from there a few
weeks ago. Nearly got ourselves killed."
     Lyra's face went slack. "Demon horde... what year is it?"
     Xalen shrugged. "1300 A.D. I'm not sure what standard you
use." 
     She blinked. "What year did the demons say it was?"
     "Um... 764 G.E., I think."
     "My god." she whispered, slumping. "I've been asleep for 600
years, then."
     Kolan whistled. "We did visit your world briefly... by the
way, this is a different one. Yours is completely populated by
demons." He paused. "Did people used to live there?"
     A tear ran down her wan face. "Yes... many people. Farmers,
hunters, traders. Dwarves. Elves. The demons kidnapped me... I
don't remember what happened after that." She paused. "I
remember... pain."
     Xalen nodded. "Well, it seems we found the 'treasure' the old
sage told us was here."
     Fanah smiled. "Hey, maybe it was that beautiful sword
upstairs."
     Lyra cocked her head. "Sword?"
     Xalen took it out. "See?" The steel shined brilliantly.
     Lyra eeped happily. "Ghoulbane!"
     "You know it?"
     She grinned. "Yes! This was a gift from my father... it is
enchanted to kill demons with one touch. Its like solid holy
water!" 
     Xalen chuckled and handed it to her. "Well then, I'm sure
you'll be glad to have it back."
     She blinked. "You're giving it back... but you've honestly
found it. Why would you do that? Why do you even believe me?"
     Tanketsu shrugged. "Guess we're softies."
     Lyra took the sword from Xalen's hand. It fitted easily into
her grip. "Thank you," she whispered.
     "No problem," Fanah said. "Now can we get out of this
mountain, please?"
     Her question was answered by a cry of acclamation.

     Beky's dream changed, but she slept with a smile on her face.
                              *
     Kasumi frowned faintly as she dressed for bed. The Saridehm
were such an enigma. On one hand, they had the grace and appetite
of young martial artists. On the other, their eyes bespoke much
more experience. And unlike the other denizens of the house, they
appreciated her efforts.
     But also, there was something... different about them. It
could be just the physical differences Katrin mentioned, but there
was no way to be sure.
     She sighed. "Good night, Zibantik."
     She heard a whispery voice answer, "Guarding you, master."
     With that, she fell asleep.
                              *
     In another district of Tokyo, a young girl went to sleep and
dreamed. Her dreams were full of bullies and what her glaive could
do to them. Thankfully, those dreams were soon replaced with dreams
of finding the boy of her dreams.
                              *
     Tyrale whirled, taking another demon down with each blade.
The black ichor that passed for their blood had long ago coated
each of her knives black. She screamed her battle cry at the top
of her lungs. "Xalen Cantandet!" Globules of yellow light... her
chi flew from each blade and into the crowd of demons surrounding
her. A few flinched away.
     To her left, Xalen's dwarven battle axe cleared three demons
at a pass. Her eyes were filled with battle fury, and every few
seconds her chi seemed to flame off her, destroying another foe.
Ichor dripped from her leather armor, making her seem a crazed
creature of the night.
     To her right, Fanah fought a desperate battle against the
monsters arrayed against her. She had already taken three bites.
The Snoxxat had been quick to center on the magic user of the group
as the tastiest meat and easiest prey. Unfortunately, in these
melee circumstances, they were right. Her sword play was good, but
not up to these conditions.
     Behind her, she could hear Tanketsu's grunts and cries as he
took chunks out of his attackers. His katana met black flesh, and
the cries of the dying echoed in her ears.
     Kolan, his sword glowing, was trying to cut a path to help
Fanah. Unfortunately, the horde was prevailing. They had to DO
something. It couldn't end like this!
     The possibility of running never occurred to Tyrale, of
course. Leave humans to the demons? 
     She heard Xalen scream over the din, "High!"
     In the corner of her eye, Tyrale saw Xalen rise out of the
melee like some wingless avenging angel. She was doing one of those
incredibly strong jumps of hers.
     Xalen was going to try and close the distance between the
group members... a good strategy. But could she pull it off?
     Xalen landed next to Fanah, crushing a Snoxxat under her feet
as she did so and landing in the fray. She grinned at Fanah, then
proceeded to make mincemeat of the closest (and very surprised!)
snoxxat. "Fanah, I'll take these guys. Get some holy water going!"
     Fanah nodded, and her sword vanished. Vials of clear fluid
began to appear in her hands. "Clear me a path!"
     Xalen shook her head curtly. "Up on my shoulders!"
     Fanah leapt to the taller woman's...

     Katrin woke up, and wiped the sweat off her brow. What a
memory! It was a good thing they survived that time. She stifled
a chuckle, trying not to wake up her companions. Xalen... Beky had
been mortified when the bards started telling of that one! The girl
had never been one for accolades.
     She sighed and went back to sleep.
                                   *
     In another country, in a town the Saridehm had only recently
vacated, Buffy Summers staked her first vampire.
                              


DAY 2


     Kasumi woke up to the sound of metal on metal. She yawned and
took a look out her window. The sun was just rising. "Oh, my."
     Outside, their four guests were embroiled in a lethal fight...
swords, axes, and knives flashing. She sighed. Martial artists...
couldn't they do something other than fight? 
     When they were done, they'd be hungry. And she'd feed them.
At least they showed some appreciation. She stood up and began to
get dressed.
     After she had pulled her hair into its customary ponytail, she
patted her elemental. "Stay here, Zibantik." Then she bundled off
towards the kitchen.
                              *
     Ranma sat up and rubbed his eyes. Was that fighting?
     He grabbed a tank top and jumped out the back window. He
landed easily, absorbing the landing in his feet. He looked around,
searching for the commotion.
     He found it in the form of four young people sparring at high
speed, steel meeting steel. 
     Beky was wielding a large axe, using it one handed and
maneuvering pretty quickly. It was obvious she was strong... as
strong as Ryoga, probably. But she wasn't as fast as Ranma himself.
     Kat on the other hand, was blocking the axe with two long
knives, that absorbed the impact of the larger weapon easily. They
weren't ordinary steel, obviously. She was very fast, about as fast
as him.
     A few feet away, Mike and Faith were dueling with swords. Mike
clearly had the upper hand, using a heavier sword and pushing Faith
against the fence. Faith fought valiantly, but wasn't his match.
     Mr. Tendo appeared behind him. "They're pretty good, eh,
Ranma?" He seemed much more at ease than he had last night.
     Ranma frowned. "Pretty good. Not as good as me, though." He
paused. "Ya think they're really ancient warriors? They really
don't seem good enough."
     Mr. Tendo chuckled. "Last night, I was unsure, but now I know.
These truly are the people of the Promise."
     "How do ya know?"
     Mr. Tendo smiled. "I know." He walked back inside.
     Kat looked up. "Hi, Ranma!"
     He waved.
     "Want to spar? Its a good morning for it."
     He shook his head. "I don't fight girls."
     She shrugged. "You're loss." She turned to Beky. "Hear that?
He doesn't spar with *girls*."
     Beky laughed. "Well, we are pretty scary."
     He interjected, "I ain't scared!"
     She put her axe down. "Care to prove it?"
     He frowned. "I don't fight girls."
     The two girls began to laugh together. Kat sighed
dramatically. "Watch the testosterone flow."
     Mike and Faith walked over. "What's up?"
     Beky explained, "It seems Ranma has a problem with female
sparring partners."
     Mike fell to the ground laughing, pounding his ribs. Finally
he regained control of himself and stood up. "I see. Why is that?"
     Ranma shrugged. "Its not honorable."
     Akane walked out the door, catching wind of the conversation.
"Ranma! Girls can be martial artists too!" She was dressed in a gi,
evidently on her way to the dojo to break stones.
     Mike grinned. "Damn straight. Akane, would you like to spar?"
     She smiled, her eyes filling with hope and her battle aura
thinning. "Really?"
     He nodded. "Really."
     She ran over to him. "Sure!"
     Ranma objected, "Akane, you could get hurt and then I'd have
to save your butt again."
     Kat cocked her head and blinked. "Of course she could get
hurt."
     Beky seemed just as confused. "Why would you save someone from
being bruised a little in a fight?"
     Akane grinned triumphantly. "See? Mike, lets use the dojo."
She and Mike towards the dojo.
     Faith shook her head and rolled her eyes. "Men. I'm going to
go help Kasumi with breakfast." She headed into the house, taking
her sword with her.
     Beky and Kat shrugged. Beky cocked her head. "So, Kat, ready
to warm up a little?"
     Kat nodded. "Yeah, why not? Nothing serious though, I'm kinda
tight this morning. Had a... tiring dream."
     Beky smiled. "Sure. In that case, sheaths on. What kind of
dream? Battle memory?"
     Kat nodded. "Yeah... actually, it was one from the time we had
Tanketsu with us. He sure could wave that katana around." She put
leather sheaths over her two knives, attaching them with thongs to
the hilt. Beky gestured, and her axe disappeared, almost like
Mousse's stuff. Then she motioned as if drawing a sword off her
back, and a sheathed... sword appeared in her hand. The sword was
the biggest Ranma had ever seen... it was as long as she was,
nearly.
     "Was that the battle against the demon hordes of Shontovar?"
     Kat nodded. "Indeed... we were losing there for awhile.
Anyway..."
     Beky grinned saucily. "So, Ms. Speed, lets see you get around
this mountain of solid steel." Beky held her sword casually, as if
it weighed nothing.
     Kat's eyes narrowed. "Can do, Bek," she replied and jumped to
the attack with speed rivaling his own girl form. "High!" she
cried.
     Beky smirked and ducked under her with great speed, probably
as fast as his guy form, deflecting both shots. "Low!" she cried
as she swiped the huge blade at Kat's calf.
     If this was playing... what did their REAL fighting look like?
     Kat flipped around, knives held to her chest and hurtled
toward the taller girl. "Mid!" She came in at Beky's stomach.
     Beky grinned and jumped, sword held high, shooting up ten
feet. As she did so, her other foot kicked out quickly at Katrin's
neck. "High!"
     Kat ducked out of the way of the kick. "Low!"
     Beky descended now, flipped over to come down blade first.
"High!"
     Kat intercepted the sword with a blade on each side, moving
quickly. She twisted, the muscles in her arms standing out like
cords. Beky was thrown left, towards the koi pond. Ranma winced.
     But Beky was not so shaken. She planted the sword in the pond,
balancing on her one arm on the hilt, doing a perfect handstand.
"Hah! That's for your little trick, Kat! Uh oh." She added the last
as her sword shifted in the mud and she was dumped in the pond.
     Ranma was quite relieved to see she didn't change into
anything.
     She came up spluttering, and took Kat's proffered hand. But
instead of getting out, she dragged the girl in with her.
     "Eeep!" Kat managed to squeak out before she was drawn
underwater. She got out of the pond. "What was that for?"
     "Making me look silly."
     Kat glared, but then began to laugh. "Oh, fine."
     Ranma's mind reeled. They hadn't been pulling their shots...
if either had connected, the other would have sported a few broken
bones. Who *were* these people?
     Faith walked out and sighed. "What are two up to?"
     Beky shrugged. "Getting our morning bath?"
     Faith laughed. "I'll say. Now go get cleaned up... breakfast
will be served soon."
     The two wet girls got out of the water, their t-shirts and
jeans clinging to them and their toes dripping.
     Ranma finally broke out of his shock. He pointed at the blade
in Beky's soggy hands. "What is that thing? Its not Japanese, that
for sure."
     Beky smiled. "No, its not. Its from Scotland. This is my
trusty claymore."
     He snorted and mumbled to himself. "I guess she wasn't kidding
about 'heavy' weapons."
     She laughed. "I heard that. Its not really *that* heavy.
Here." She tossed the weapon over to him.
     He caught it, then nearly fell over. He corrected his balance,
ad swung it a few times. "The balance is odd." And it seemed
heavier than steel had a right to be.
     Beky shrugged. "Its just a lead practice toy."
     "Ah," he said, twististing it around again. "I guess so." He
figured that it was heavier than Ryoga's umbrella.
     Faith grinned, grabbing it from him with two hands, obviously
straining. "Well, *I* think its heavy." She lugged it over to Beky,
who took it easily, making it disappear as she had her axe.
     "Hey, how'd you do that?"
     Kat shrugged. "She just used a hidden weapons technique.
Nothing major."
     Hidden weapons technique... just like Mousse.
     Faith snorted. "Come on, you two, get cleaned up! Do you want
the Furinkan teachers to think you're scumbags?"
     The two shrugged and walked inside together, followed by
Faith, leaving him alone with his thoughts.
                              *
     Faith looked into the dojo. Mike and Akane were sparring
unarmed. Despite the fact that Mike was obviously holding back,
Akane was limping and had a few large bruises. 
     "Halt!"
     Mike immediately stopped, though he did block a parting shot
from Akane. "Hi, Faith. What's up?"
     Faith shrugged. "I thought it was about time we all got
cleaned up for school."
     Mike frowned. "Already? Oh, fine." He bowed to Akane. "Thank
you for the workout."
     She bowed back, grinning. "No, thank you! No one in this town
takes me seriously." She paused. "How bad am I?"
     He frowned. "Well, you're attack is pretty good... a little
slow, but very strong. But your defense is near nonexistent."
     She nodded calmly. "I see. What can I do to help that?"
     Faith smiled. "Spar... a lot. Also, Beky can help you. She's 
a heavy strength person herself."
     Mike nodded. "Yep. So, lets get cleaned up."
                              *
     Nabiki blinked as she saw the bustle around the house. "Wow...
they're actually going to be EARLY today."
     With that, she swept out of the house. She knew a fight would
go down this morning... and she had to be ready to make odds for
it. And sell some JUICY information, of course.
                              *
     "Forget it! No way in hell!"
     Kasumi frowned. "But you really must wear one."
     Faith grinned. "What's wrong, sis? They're cute."
     Kat glared. "Its a SKIRT," she said, as if that explained
everything.
     Beky nodded. "Damn right. Don't they have a comfortable
uniform at this school."
     Kasumi smiled brightly. "Of course! You can wear Ranma's
uniforms... he never does."
                              *
     Ranma gasped as he walked in for breakfast. Akane was...
bruised!
     "Akane!"
     She looked up from her food. "What is it?" Then she put her
hand towards her black eye. "Oh, that. Don't worry, its not too
bad."
     "Not too bad!"
     She stood up, storm clouds gathering. "That's right. Not too
bad. I'm a martial artist, I can take my scrapes."
     He turned to Mike, who looked downright *normal* in a Furinkan
uniform. "What the hell did you do to her, you jerk?"
     Mike shrugged. "I traded shots with her at equal strength."
     "But she's a girl!"
     Faith giggled. "So am I." She turned to Akane. "By the way,
do you want some healing potion? You do look a bit beat up."
     Akane shrugged. "Sure."
     Faith began to gesture in the air as Kasumi walked in with
more soup.  "Oh, fudge! I only have battle formula on me. We
haven't needed the peacetime variety for a long time. Want that?"
     "What does it do?"
     "Well, it heals minor injuries, but it also makes you feel ten
times better due to endorphins. So you'll feel better than you
are... I developed it to keep us fighting in a battle situation."
     Akane smiled. "I'll take it, thanks."
     "No you won't!" Ranma protested. "You don't know what it is!"
     Kat, who he finally realized was wearing a boy's uniform,
shook her head. "Geez, a little overprotective, huh?"
     Ranma shouted. "No! Why would I be overprotective of an
overweight tomboy like..."
     His voice was stopped by the arrival of a mallet on top of his
head. He sat down, his head aching.
     Beky, who was also dressed in a boy's uniform, looked puzzled.
She examined Akane. "Um, Ranma, Akane doesn't seem very tomboyish
to me. Not take Kat or I, we're tomboys. But Akane wears...
skirts." She shuddered.
     Faith gestured, and a funny vial of red liquid appeared in her
hand. "Here you go, Akane."
     Akane smiled angelically, her mallet disappearing. "Thanks!
Why is it red?"
     Faith shrugged. "Food coloring, to tell them apart."
     Akane nodded and gulped down the vial. Ranma blinked and
Kasumi dropped her tray as her bruises disappeared. Akane grinned.
"That's great stuff!"
     Kasumi exclaimed, "Oh, my!" and began to clean up the mess she
had made.
     Beky smiled. "Yeah, we like it. Keeps us going and lets our
bodies heal the rest. Now you know why we keep Faith around."
     Faith shot the other three a wounded look. "I thought it was
my bright and sunny personality."
     Kat shook her head. "'Fraid not, Faith. Its definitely your
cooking."
     They all laughed.
     Ranma shrugged. He supposed it was okay for Akane to get hurt
if she go healed up right away... not that he liked her or nothing.
                                   *
     As they walked to school, Kat was following Ranma's habit of
walking on the fence. "So, Ranma, why aren't we supposed to tell
Nodoka where you are?"
     He pulled at his collar. "Oh, no reason... just a personal
matter."
     Beky prodded. "Like...?"
     Akane interrupted, "Guys, be nice. He doesn't like to talk
about it."
     Ranma shot Akane a grateful glance.
     Mike shrugged. "Fine."
     Faith chuckled and rubbed the crystal hanging from her
necklace.
                                   *
     Ukyo stood outside of Furinkan High, looking around
suspiciously. Why had Nabiki asked her to meet her here this early?
What was this about?
     She felt a tap on her shoulder and whirled around, drawing her
spatula. She relaxed when she saw it was only Nabiki. "So, why'd
you call me down here so early?"
     Nabiki smirked. "I have a highly interesting tidbit of
information. I think you'll be interested... how does 400 yen
sound?"
     Ukyo narrowed her eyes. Nabiki could be scamming her. "Is it
about Ranchan?"
     Nabiki's smirk grew wider. "You could say that."
     "Fine." She dug the money out of her pocket and handed it to
Nabiki. "So, what's the big news?"
     "We have four more guests... three girls and a boy."
     Ukyo blinked. "Where'd you put them? I thought y'all were
squashed in that house as it was."
     Nabiki smiled. "In the basement, of course."
     "Basement?"
     "You know, a floor beneath ground level?"
     Ukyo glared. "I know that. Are the three girls fiancees after
Ranchan?" If they were, she'd have to take care of them.
     Nabiki shrugged. "Well... they have a mysterious 'promise'
with both our family and Ranma's family lines."
     Ukyo nodded. "Thank you."
     "No problem, Ukyo."
     As Nabiki walked off, Ukyo turned the possibilities over in 
her mind. Given the penchant of the Tendos and Saotomes to engage
their children without telling them, it was entirely possible that
these four were new fiancees for both Akane and Ranma.
     She reluctantly decided she had to wait and gather more
information. But if one of those girls lay one eye on HER
Ranchan... there would be HELL to pay.
                              *
     Nabiki chortled to herself. Now that she had Ukyo on their
tail, they would find their first day of school... eventful.
     Nabiki would lay good odds Ukyo would wait through the
morning... but surely she would strike at lunch. Or Hurricane Akane
would. Either way, she would rake in.
                              *
     Ranma smiled as they approached the nearly empty school
grounds. They were early... not even Kuno was here yet.
     He waved to Ukyo. "Hi, Ucchan!"
     She smiled and walked over. "Hi Ranchan!"
     Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Akane storm off. Fine...
let the girl be stupid.
     Ukyo looked past him. "So, who are your friends?" Was it him
or was that an edge in her voice?
     "Oh, just a couple more people at the dojo." He waved vaguely
at the four.
     Beky stepped forward and extended a hand. "Beky Sarver. This
is my sister Faith, and my friends Mike and Kat McTaran."
     Ukyo hesitated, then shook it. "So, what are you all doing at
the dojo?"
     Kat smirked. "We had to leave our school rather suddenly."
Faith colored. "And Mr. Tendo graciously offered to board us due
to an old... family agreement."
     Akane reappeared. "Hey, Mike, want me to show you where your
class is?"
     He smiled. "Sure. Thanks, Akane."
     "No problem!" she said brightly and led him off. Ranma had a
brief surge of anger. Why was she being so nice to him?
     Faith blinked. "Um... Beky, aren't you in the same homeroom
as Mike?"
     Beky sighed. "Yes I am. All I have to say is that Mike had
better not get himself into ANOTHER human romantic entanglement."
     Kat and Faith blinked, confused. "Another?"
     Ukyo cocked her head. "Human?"
     Beky shook her head ruefully. "Sorry, Ukyo, when I say human
I mean of normal abilities. Anyway, guys, don't your remember that
affair he had? He fell in love with a normal girl... can't remember
who or where, though."
     The other two shrugged. Kat snorted. "No, I don't remember,
but I can believe it."
     Beky smiled. "Nice meeting you, Ukyo, but I should go find my
class." She walked off in the general direction Akane and Mike had
gone, looking over her schedule.
     Ukyo looked puzzled. "So... what homeroom are you two in?"
     Faith looked at her schedule. "Hinako-sensei's."
     Ranma nodded. "Yeah, thats the one me and Ucchan are in too."
     Faith smiled. "Great! Could you show us where it is?"
     He shrugged. "Sure."
     He didn't notice Ukyo's glare.
                                   *
     As the students tromped into her class, Ukyo searched her
backpack. She must have it... yes, there it was!
     It had been six months since she had bought the truth potion
from Shampoo. But she had never had the guts to use it on Ranchan.
He might say he loved... no, she wouldn't use it one Ranma. But she
COULD use it on those hussies living with him!
     Just a few *special* okinomiyaki that afternoon would do the
trick.
                                   *
     As Tatewaki Kuno, young samurai, walked into his classroom,
he noticed the previously unoccupied seat adjacent to his own was
now taken.
     It was Faith's sister! Albeit she wore a male uniform, he
could never forget the face of his love's sister!
     He sat down in a dignified manner. "Good Morning, Sarver-san." 
     She turned and smiled at him. "Hello, Kuno-san! How are you
today?"
     He smiled. "Quite well, thank you. And how is your beautiful
sister this fine morning?"
     She chuckled ruefully. "She's fine. Hey, Mike, look who's in
our class."
     The young man that had accompanied the Sarver sisters from
America turned around. "Oh, hi."
     Tatewaki smiled again, and bowed politely. "Greetings."
     In truth, the morning had not gone according to plan. He had
neither seen any of his true loves, nor defeated the sorcerer
Saotome. But it could wait... there was always lunchtime.
                                   *
     Mike marveled at how easily the group had made the transition
to Japanese. He and Beky were sitting in a quantum physics class,
having no problems. Even the cynical Nabiki seemed impressed.
     It was times like this that he thanked Deos that a sorcerer
had seen fit to youthen them. Previous to their rebirth, they had
been a bit lacking in modern science knowledge... though their
experience with magic had balanced that out. Now, here in high
school, they had a chance to catch up on things like modern
japanese and nuclear fission.
     On the other hand, his belly was rumbling. He hoped lunchtime
would come soon.
                                   *
     Faith and Kat followed Ukyo and Ranma out the doors into the
yard. "Wow, we get to eat outside?" Faith grinned.
     Kat looked over to the right. "I'll be back in a minute." She
trotted off towards Beky and Mike.
     Ukyo smiled sweetly at Faith. "Hey, did you guys bring
lunches?"
     Faith made a face. "We really didn't have the time... I wanted
to be early. So I just made a few sandwiches."
     Ukyo grinned. "Would you like some okinomiyaki? I make the
best!"
     Ranma nodded. "She does."
     Faith shrugged. "Sure. I haven't had okinomiyaki in ages. I'll
go get the others." She walked away.
     Ukyo turned to Ranma. "Ranchan, would you like some?"
     He grinned. "You bet!" He saw Akane approaching. "Um, after
I lose Akane, that is." He ran off.
     Ukyo smiled evilly and set up her portable oven. It was time
for some fun.
                                   *
     Faith yawned. "So, Beky, how did your morning go?"
     Beky sighed dramatically. "Would you believe I'm stuck sitting
next to your lover boy?"
     "Tatewaki?"
     "You bet. He's got a one track mind... or should I say
testes?" She shook her head. "School itself went fine. No problems
in any of my classes... they're a little behind where I left off
in Sunnydale, so I'm just adjusting to the modern Japanese."
     Kat laughed. "Yeah. Who'd have guessed it would change so much
in twenty five years?"
     Mike grinned. "To be fair, twenty five years ago the American
language was still using 'groovy'."
     Kat nodded. "Good point."
     Someone's stomach rumbled. "By the way, guys, we don't have
to eat sandwiches for lunch. Ukyo has generously offered to feed
us fresh okinomiyaki."
     Mike grinned. "Great! Lets go!"
     Beky blinked, gazing behind Faith. "Why are those two
fighting? Faith, check out the food. Mike, Kat, come one. Lets
check this out."
     Faith sighed. "Ever the commander, hmm, Bek?" She walked back
to Ukyo.
     The smell of hot japanese pizza drew Faith to her left.. and
another scent. She walked over to see Ukyo cooking on a portable
grill, frying up some food. But there was another scent. It was
familiar... very familiar.
     Of course! It was a mixture of arachnid legs, fig leaves,
sage, and... bat wings boiled in water.
     Hmm... this could make for a fun time. But it wouldn't due for
Ukyo to play such a prank on them without a counter prank... now
what could she do?
                              *
     Ukyo grinned evilly as Kat and Beky separated Ranma and Akane
from their fight, and all four of the mysterious visitors tromped
to her stand.
     She had four okinomiyaki ready for them, as well as a two for
Ranma and Akane.
     Faith sat down and took a six pack of Cokes out of her
backpack. "Since you're sporting us a hot lunch, I thought drinks
were in order."
     Mike walked over and whistled. "Wow, Faith! You brought a six
pack from home? Awesome!" He reached for one, only to have his hand
easily blocked by Faith.
     Faith chuckled. "Wait till the others get here, Mike."
     "Yeah, Mike," Beky commented as she sat. "Don't get greedy."
     Akane glared at Ranma. "What's wrong with MY cooking?"
     Kat sighed. "Akane, its cold now right?"
     Akane nodded. "Well, yes."
     Kat smiled. "Then we can have some tonight, after we heat it
up... its not everyday you get offered fresh okinomiyaki!"
     Akane grumbled, "It is for Ranma."
     Mike rolled his eyes. "Come on, Akane, buck up."
     Well, they weren't LOOKING like fiancees... but they didn't
know she was in the running yet, either. She smiled cheerily.
"Who's hungry?"
     She heard a cheer, and she began to hand out the steaming
treats, making sure the four visitors got the special ones.
     They caught them easily, showing good reflex time... almost
as good as hers. Faith tossed her a soda. "Thanks a bundle, Ukyo."
     Beky nodded and tore in with vigor. It was gone in ten
seconds. She smiled. "This is really excellent, Ukyo. Guys, try
some!"
     Well, on the good side... Ukyo knew she was telling the truth
about her cooking.
     The other three ate their own okinomiyaki a tad slower than
Beky, but with just as much enthusiasm.
     Ukyo leaned back and took a swig of her coke... good stuff.
They hadn't been lying about importing it from the States. So, now,
what should she ask?
     Akane was smiling now, evidently enjoying the food... maybe
she'd leave Ranchan alone. She turned to Beky. "So, Beky, how long
do you guys think you'll be sticking around?"
     Beky cocked her head. "What do you mean, exactly?" She took
a sip of her Coke.
     "Well, how long are you going to stay in Nerima?" 
     Beky shrugged. "Not long, I don't think. Maybe a few years...
but then we have to get back on the road."
     Faith nodded. "As nice as it is to finally be home, we're all
heavily infected with wanderlust."
     Ranma cocked his head. "Home?"
     Kat chuckled. "You know, your base of operations."
     Ukyo was puzzled, but this wasn't what she wanted to know.
"So, why are you all here anyway?"
     Beky smiled. "Well, I expect we're here to waken another
generation of heroes."
     With that, the other three facefaulted and Ranma and Akane
looked as puzzled as she felt.
     Faith started to choke on her okinomiyaki.
     Beky looked confused for a second. "Why did I...?"
     Kat prodded. "Um, Bek, tell me about this new generation of
heroes."
     Mike nodded. "We'd really like to know."
     "You guys don't remember the prophecy?"
     They shook their heads.
     "Well then, it best you don't know. I don't know why I said
anything about it."
     Ukyo tried to hide a guilty look, and began flipping some more
okinomiyaki on her grill.
     She missed Faith's predatory grin. "So, Ukyo, did you mix up
your potion with black widow legs, tarantula legs, or some other
variety?"
     Ukyo answered, "I don't know." She blinked. Why in the world
had she said that? Just answered like that? It was like she was
compelled.
     The others looked at Faith warily. "Faith, what's going on?"
     Faith smiled and turned to Ranma. "Ranma, you should have told
us your friend was so mischievous... I would have been better
prepared. Thankfully, a truth potion in our food doesn't bother the
Saridehm... we're always honest."
     He choked. "Truth potion?"
     Akane looked at Ukyo. "Did you... in my...?"
     "No," Faith answered for her. "Only in ours. But don't worry,
I got her back one good. By the way, don't buy store brand potions
Ukyo, its bad form. I can mix you up a few anytime. Take the one
I slipped in your soda, for example. It doesn't just make you be
honest, it makes you answer questions too."
     Ukyo wanted to sink into the ground and disappear. How could
her plan have gone any more wrong? "Who... who are you people?"
     Beky stood and bowed, followed by the others. "The Warriors
of the Blade, at your service. Why exactly did you feel the need
to drug us? Not that it bothers us much, but..."
     Ukyo felt her mouth opening again. "Because I thought you were
fiancees after Ranma."
     The four broke into hearty peals of laughter that filled the
courtyard. Ranchan looked hurt, but they were out of control.
     Ukyo took that moment to actually direct her mouth. "Well, you
did mention a promise with Ranchan's family."
     Mike managed to regain enough control to talk. "Oh, that has
nothing to do with marriage." He calmed, and his eyes looked far
away. "We don't marry humans, anyway. But why would that concern
you?"
     "Because he has FOUR already!" she blurted out.
     Kat leapt up. "That's it! All we have to do is find her
sword!" She blushed. "Er... this zone of truth was just provoking
my memory, go on."
     The others were still digesting her last statement. "Four?"
     Akane stomped away in disgust, not wanting to hear it,
evidently.
     Faith nodded. "Yes... I mean, we only knew about two. Akane
and Shampoo. Who else is there?"
     Ukyo glared. "Me. And this crazy girl, Kodachi. And a few
others who have come and gone."
     Beky blinked. "Wow... Ranma must be some man among men."
     Ranchan paled, and ran away as fast as his feet would take
him... which was pretty fast. He was out of sight in several
seconds.
     Beky blinked. "That was odd. Ukyo, do you know what that was
about?"
     Ukyo shook her head. "No." For once, she was glad not to know
something.
     Faith turned to Kat. "So what did you remember?"
     Kat smiled. "Why we're here... we need to find Ghoulbane."
     Ukyo blinked. "Huh?"
     Beky sighed. "Faith, when does the drug you put in Ukyo's coke
run out?"
     Faith shrugged. "Its one of the ones I stored in everlast
vials, so it doesn't."
     Ukyo held back tears. To be totally honest and forthright...
for the rest of her life? She couldn't handle such a thought. She
promptly fainted.
                              *
     Faith blinked. "Gee, she didn't give me a chance to tell her
I had the antidote. I guess I'll have to wait till after she wakes
up from her little nap."
     Beky nodded. "Yeah. Anyway, while we have these cool potions
in us, lets try and spark some memories! Kat, if you were a plant
what kind would you be and why?"
     Kat frowned. "A venus fly trap... I'm harmless looking, but
lightning fast. Mike, what element are you?"
     His eyes went dark. "I am the Storm, never dying, only
traveling. Faith, what was your most embarrassing moment?"
     Faith winced. Bad question. "I guess when that bastard raider
was telling his buddies in vivid detail how he had ravaged me." She
paused. "Beky, what was your favorite weapon of all time?"
     Beky smiled, remembering. "Well, its a toss up, but I'd have
to say either my minotaur battle axe or the claymore I lent William
Wallace. He died with it... I never got it back. I had to smith
another one." She looked around the group. "Mike, what was your
most powerful chi attack?"
     He stroked his chin. "I'd have to say the fake of the Dragon
Slave I did during the War of the Exiles. It took out a complete
city."
     Faith heard a stirring, and smiled at the waking form of Ukyo.
"Welcome back to the land of the living... you might have let me
tell you I have the reversal for the drug."
     Ukyo narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "What do you want for
it?"
     Beky laughed heartily. "Want for it? What are you talking
about?"
     Faith smiled and deftly took the antidote out of her
dimensional pocket, handing it to Ukyo. "Be careful of the
container, thats another of my everlast bottles."
     Ukyo nodded, and swallowed the contents eagerly. "Thank you."
     Kat shook her head. "No, thank you! Your potion enabled us to
get back a bunch of memories." 
     Faith chuckled. "Yes. Don't take a few practical jokes so
seriously."
     Beky repeated the offer she had made that morning, holding out
her hand. "Friends?"
     Confusion passed over Ukyo's face, then hope shone in her
eyes. She smiled hesitantly and took Beky's hand. "Sure, sugar.
Friends it is."
                              *
     Nabiki was very angry. Very angry. Nothing had blown up at
lunch! Ukyo must be biding her time... befriending them by offering
them okinomiyaki.
     They had missed Kuno altogether that morning, and hadn't even
gotten stuck holding buckets.
     Despite these setbacks, Nabiki would win. She always did.
                              *
     Kasumi smiled at the returning teens. "So, how was school
today?"
     Beky shrugged and tossed her backpack down the stairs. "Pretty
good... kind of easy."
     Mike nodded. "Yes, Kasumi-sama, it was pretty uneventful."
     Akane blinked. "Uneventful? What do you mean uneventful?"
     Nabiki raised an eyebrow. "Did something happen?" Ranma
exited, walking towards the dojo. "Something Ranma didn't like, I
take it."
     Kat yawned. "Not really... Ukyo played a prank on us. Nothing
major."
     Faith opened the fridge. "I still can't believe she BOUGHT
truth potion... the ingredients are so easy to find! Selling the
stuff without a list of ingredients is an affront to alchemists
everywhere."
     "Oh, my. She used a truth potion on you?" Kasumi was amazed.
It wasn't like Ukyo to use magical means of manipulation... she'd
have to keep a closer eye on the girl.
     Beky smirked. "Yeah, for all the good it did her. We're not
exactly prone to lying. And Faith got her back good. But no hard
feeling were left on either side."
     "Yeah," Mike said, nodding. "She just seemed lonely. So, how
did Ranma get that many fiancees anyway?"
     Akane shook her head. "Its a long story, for some other time.
It doesn't really matter. I still can't believe you guys are being
so CAVALIER about being drugged."
     Kasumi frowned slightly. Her sister got angry over such small
things. A potion was such insignificant magic, nothing to get
worried over.
     Beky laughed, voicing Kasumi's thoughts. "Come on, Akane, get
over it. It was just a truth potion. Nothing *major*. Hey, Mike,
are you up for some blade/chi sparring? We haven't worked on that
for a few days."
     He smiled. "Yeah, sure. Just don't use anything too heavy, and
we can put in a few hours."
     "Bastard sword okay?"
     "Yeah, sure." The two walked out, continuing to discuss the
conditions of their sparring match.
     Kasumi continued to marvel how much effort young martial
artists put into practice... of course, it was probably more fun
then pouring over a spell book. Maybe she could meditate with them
later.
     Akane sighed at Mike's back. "Well, there goes my hope of
sparring this afternoon."
     Faith blinked. "Why? I'll spar with you, if you don't mind
fighting girls."
     Akane smiled. "Really?"
     "I don't practice QUITE as much as the other three, but I'm
in pretty good shape. Come on, lets go see what you can do hand to
hand."
     "Sure!" 
     Kat interjected, "Hey, Faith, should I challenge Ranma again?"
     Faith laughed. "Why not?" She turned to Kasumi. "Kasumi,
Nabiki, do you spar at all?"
     "No," Kasumi answered quietly. No, she didn't spar... she used
her brains, not her brawn. Besides, Zibantik could protect her.
"You should go have fun."
     Nabiki snorted. "I have better things to do." She stalked out
coldly.
     As the three teens walked out, Kasumi smiled. It was nice to
see Akane making friends. But she would have to keep a close watch
on Nabiki.
                         ***************

End Theme: "Survival" by Yes - gee, seeing a theme here?

Teaser for Chapter 2: 

Will we discover Kasumi's secret? Will Nabiki triumph over the
interlopers? Will the Amazon Trio arrive and spoil everything? What
does Buffy have to do with this? What will come of Akane's fondness
for Mike? Will you ever manage to keep the Saridehm's pre and post
rebirth names straight? When will we find out about the other Dehm?
Who are the Chosen?