Continuity note: Begins at the end of Chapter 5 and includes Ch6 and some of 7

Author's Note: See! I promised.

As usual, I don't claim ownership of Ranma 1/2 or Sailor Moon.

Theme Song: End of The World by REM

		     Sailor Cynic: Ranma's Tale, the first 1/2
			By Beky

	Ranma was deeply worried. Akane was missing - again. Lately
she had been disappearing for a day or more, then coming home with no
explanation.
	That wasn't the only problem. Akane had stopped hitting him
or even calling him names, except in a smiling, teasing way. When she looked
at him her eyes shone with... something. She was so cute that way. It sometimes
seemed she really liked him. It made him think that the engagement could really
work.
	On the other hand, she had been getting downright chummy with
Ucchan. They had been sparring together in the afternoons, and Ukyo had
started to hang out with Akane and her friends at school. Akane only
winced slightly when Ukyo declared her love for him.
	She was working out regurlarly - but never when he was around.
	It was obvious: something was VERY wrong with Akane.
	Just tonight she had come home exhausted, collapsing
into bed. He had to make sure no one bothered the tomboy - it was evident
she needed her sleep. So here he was, sitting guard outside her door.
	"Nihao, Airen!" Shampoo said, hopping up the stairs
enthusiastically and glomping him.
	He frowned. Akane needed her sleep. "Can we take this
outside? Akane needs to sleep."
	Shampoo frowned back, not bothering to lower her voice. "Shampoo
no care what Pervert Girl need."
	Then he heard it - the springs of Akane's bed creaking. Damn! She
woke up.
	The door behind him opened. Ranma winced, knowing what this must
look like. Akane would just see Shampoo glomping him in front of her door and 
blame him.
	When she spoke, her tone was low and dangerous. "Hello, Shampoo.
Do you realize that some people enjoy SLEEPING?"
	Shampoo shrugged. "Pervert girl lazy."
	Akane's face clouded with anger. "Really?" She visibly exerted control,
her face becoming noticeably less red. This scared Ranma more than her anger.
"Shampoo, go home. Tell Cologne I'll meet with her tomorrow night to discuss
tribal law. Understood?"
	Shampoo laughed. "Fine - but it no help you."
	Then Akane turned to Ranma himself. He gulped. "As for you..." She 
grabbed him by the collar and hoisted him into the air. He prepared for the
worst. "I heard what you said. Thank you." She smiled, setting him down gently.
	He smiled back, looking into her deep blue eyes. "No problem, 
tomboy."
	She chuckled. "Good, pervert."
	Shampoo blinked in confusion and made a quick exit.
	Ranma was curious. "What do you wanna talk to the Old Ghoul
about?"
	She smiled mysteriously. "You'll see. Now, I'm going back to bed.
See you tomorrow."
	"See ya."
	She walked back into her room. She was asleep in moments.
	What could she be up to?
			*
	The next day, Akane left the house looking shaken. She returned several
hours later, looking much better. She walked in grinning. Kasumi looked up from her
cleaning. "Hello, Akane!"
	"Hi sis. Hi Ranma."
	He looked her up and down. "You look happy. So, what's with you and 
the Old Ghoul?"
	She frowned. "None of your business, Ranma - just something I have
to take care of."
	He frowned back at her. "I should at least know in advance what I'm
going to be saving your butt from."
	Her face darkened further. "I do NOT need to be saved! I haven't been..."
She quickly swallowed the words she was about to say. "Anyway,  I can take care
of myself. I'm off to the Nekohanten." She quickly strode out of the house.
	He blinked. Akane was definetely hiding something. What was it? He
decided to follow her and find out what it was.
			*
	On the roof of the Nekohanten he could clearly hear what was transpiring
inside.
	The Old Ghoul was speaking. "... do you want to do this?"
	Akane answered quietly, "Because I l..love him. This confusion has to end."
	"Well then, I suppose I'll allow this. But you have no chance of winning."
	Akane snorted. "We'll see. Are my terms clear? If I win, Ranma does not
marry Shampoo. Shampoo will not give me the Kiss of Death in respect of my status
as a warrior and can therefore return to her tribe with her honor intact."
	There was a pause. "Yes," Cologne agreed. "But the leader of the warriors
will have to attend to make the deal valid."
	"Understood."
	There were steps out, and Ranma quickly hid from the Akane's sight. His
fiancee headed in the direction of home. He continued to listen to the Amazons speaking
to each other.
	Shampoo laughed. "This fight too easy!"
	"Be careful, great grandaughter. Akane must have a hidden trick. Do not
underestimate her."
	"Fine."
	They went  back to their normal restaurant activities, and Ranma left. 
	As he walked into the Dojo, he saw Akane sitting and meditating. He sat in front
of her. "Akane."
	She opened her eyes, her face calm. "Yes, Ranma?"
	He frowned. "You challenged Shampoo, didn't you?"
	She nodded. "Yes." Then she became angry. "You were eavesdropping?"
	"Well, it DID concern my welfare."
	She shook her head. "No it didn't. It concerned Shampoo's welfare."
	He blinked. "Eh?"
	She sighed. "Ranma, have you considered what will happen if Shampoo
returned home without you a second time? You know what they did to her the first
time."
	He gulped. "Um, I wasn't thinking about that."
	She shook her head. "Obviously. The challenge takes place tommorow
afternoon." She paused. "Ranma, would you be Shampoo's second if she doesn't
have one?"
	He blinked. "Eh?" he asked intelligently.
	"We're having an odd style match. Each participant must have a person
of authority from their tribe and a close friend with them to make sure that its fair. I
don't think Shampoo has any close friends. She probably won't ask Mousse. Will
you be her second?"
	He blinked. "But... I don't wanna marry Shampoo. And when did you
get so nice, anyway?"
	She laughed. "I know I'll win. So I can afford to be nice to the loser."
	He looked at her. "You aren't as good as she is, Akane. Shampoo 
is almost as good as I am."
	She glared. "And how would you know?"
	"Huh?"
	"Have you seen me fight lately?"
	He shook his head.
	"Then just wait till tommorow and see."
	He frowned. "Don't expect me to get you out of it."
	Anger flashed in her eyes. "Don't you dare! That would violate my honor!
You WILL NOT help me if I'm losing." She stood and stomped out.
	Ranma slumped. He still didn't understand her.
				*
	The next morning, Akane "went out with friends", whatever that was supposed
to mean. She returned at about one, but she wasn't alone. Behind her stood a bunch of people
in odd costumes. They were wearing silken pants, boots, and lace up shirts. One wore a crown
and had a sword hilt visible over her shoulder. Ukyo was also there.
	"Ucchan?"
	Ukyo's face was serious. "I have come to serve as Akane's second."
	Akane smiled at her. "Okay, I suppose we should wait in the back till the Amazons
show up."
	"That will not be a problem, child." Cologne and Shampoo appeared behind Akane's
party.
	Kasumi smiled. "I have refreshments for everyone."
	Akane chuckled. "We'll take them outside, sis."
	Soun could be heard wailing. "My little girl!" he cried. 
	Everyone soon assembled outside, and Akane began to work the technicalities
out with Cologne.
	Akane bowed respectfully to the Old Ghoul. "Queen Liana is the leader of my
tribe. My second is Ukyo Kuonji. I will accept their judgement."
	Shampoo blushed, but nodded curtly. "Greatgrandmother is Amazon leader. Shampoo...
have no..."
	Akane frowned. "Ranma! Where are you, you lazy oaf!"
	He stood up. That's right, he was supposed to be Shampoo's second. "Hey, Shampoo,
I'll be your second."
	Her face alighted wiht happiness. "Really?"
	He nodded.
	She continued. "Shampoo's second is Ranma Airen. Shampoo accept word of second and 
leader."
	Cologne walked over and eyed the woman with the crown. "I am Cologne, Matriarch of 
the Chinese Amazons. Shampoo is a member of my tribe."
	The other woman cutsied despite the fact she wore pants. She drew her sword, which
seemed to be made of crystal, and held it before her. "I am Liana, Queen of... Zephyr. Akane
has sworn fealty to my nation."
	Cologne smiled, evidently pleased with her. "What rules do you propose?"
	Liana smiled back, obviously enjoying herself. "Blunt weapons only - we wish no
blood between our peoples. Do you wish to allow chi attacks to be used?"
	Cologne looked at her warily. She obviously believed the woman to be bluffing.
"I see no reason not to. Is it a matter of importance to you?"
	"Cologne-san, after this there shall be no rematch. The honor of both our tribes is on
the line. I am therefore attempting to level the field as much as possible. I believe the use of chi
attacks will put Shampoo at a rather significant disadvantage, based on my current knowledge.
However, the choice is yours."
	Ranma frowned. Neither Shampoo nor Akane knew any chi attacks, so what
was the big deal? Unless that as Akane's big secret?
	Cologne thought for a moment. She refused to be bluffed. "The use of chi attacks shall
be allowed. I agree that only blunt weapons shall be used. What terminates the match?"
	Liana smiled. "My tribe is small," she gestured toward her friends, "and so we could
not afford to lose a member. In any case, we refuse to kill humans. Therefore the match will
terminate upon the unconciousness of one participant."
	Cologne nodded and turned to the seconds. "Ranma, Ukyo do you agree to these
terms?"
	Ranma nodded and saw Ukyo do the same.
	Liana smiled more widely. "Then its time to start."
	Most of the grounds were cleared as an arena.
	Akane turned to Shampoo. "You did use the soap, right?
	Shampoo nodded. "Shampoo no become cat today."
	"Good." She raised her voice. "Shampoo, if I win you agree to go home and not 
marry Ranma. My tribe will ally itself with yours in a treaty of friendship."
	Shampoo nodded. "And if Shampoo win then Pervert Girl let Shampoo have
Ranma. Then only Spatula Girl have claim. Amazons will become ally of warriors. Yes?"
	Akane nodded. "Yes. Are you ready?"		
	Shampoo nodded.
	Liana smiled. "Go!"
	The fighters began to circle each other warily, testing each others reflexes. Then Shampoo
took her bonboris from nowhere and charged. "Aiyah!"
	Akane dragged out a mallet from the same place and attempted to black the maces with
more speed than Ranma had ever seen her use. She actually connected with one, sending it flying into
next week. Unfortunately the other bonbori impacted forcefully with her head, throwing her back
five feet, straight into the pond. Ranma stared on in horror as Shampoo pursued the advatage, charging
her fallen opponent.
	To his great relief, Akane recoverd and backflipped out of Shampoo's way, her hammer
blocking Shampoo's single mace. Her face showed little anger - she was tightly focused. With the 
backswing, her hammer went flying towards Shampoo's head. Shampoo barely blocked it, falling
back.
	Akane charged in, a foot coming down visciously at Shampoo's knee. But Shampoo
was quicker, and dodged. Then she punched Akane in the chest with her free hand, knocking 
the wind out of her.
	Akane fell back, still blocking Shampoo's lone bonbori. Then she leaped backwards,
throwing the hammer. It dissolved into a blue chi ball that knocked Shampoo back, into the pond.
It was a very good thing Shampoo had used water proof soap.
	As Shampoo began to rise, Akane closed her eyses. She gestured, blue chi outlining her
body. "Mini Terran Tornado!"
	Ranma choked in disbelief. The dirt beneath the pond funneled, the geothermal cool
reacting with the aura heated water. It made a small tornado and sent Shampoo crashing into
the fence.
	Shampoo began to rise, astonishing everyone, than slumped over. She was down. The
contest was over.
	Akane grinned, breathing hard from the previous shot. "That was a good workout."
	Cologne looked impressed. "I'd like to know how you worked that last trick. You 
must have added both hot and cold chi to make the tornado. The temperature difference has to be 
extreme. How did you do it?"
	Akane smiled. "Oh, easy. I used my own hot battle aura and the earth's cold
battle aura."
	Ranma's eyes widened. "You can use the planet's chi?"
	She nodded happily. "Yes."
	Cologne walked over to Liana. "Queen Liana, your tribe has won. My people
shall return to China. We would be honored if you were to share your techniques with 
us."
	Liana smiled regally. "Cologne-san, your descendant fought honorably. Whenever
your tribe is in need, feel free to call upon my own to aid you. Now, let us see to your
champion."
	Cologne blinked. "What do you mean?"
	One of Liana's people, a blonde with an odd hairstyly, smiled. "I'll heal her."
She walked over to Shampoo's unconcious form. She pulled out a shiny crystal from around
her neck and concentrated, whispering. Shampoo blinked. "Eh?"
	Cologne sighed. "Queen Liana, you shall have the help of our village in your time of need. Farewell. 
Come, Shampoo, we must be on our way."
	Shampoo was shocked. "Shampoo lose?"
	Her greatgrandmother nodded. "Indeed. Come, child."
	Shampoo turned to Ranma. "Ranma - Shampoo love you. But... Shampoo
hope Ranma be happy with Per.. Akane. Ranma visit village? Ranma and Ranma's... wife
be welcomed."
	He looked at her, his eyes filled with sadness. "Sure, I'll visit." She turned away, and
she and Cologne left. 
	He couldn't really define what he was feeling. He had never loved Shampoo... but he
was sorry she was hurt. He hated to see girls in pain.
	Liana smiled at Akane. "Bye, Akane. Congratulations - you've acquired the first
allies ever for the Warriors."
	Akane blushed.
	With that, the strangers took their leave, refusing Kasumi's offer of food.
	His father grinned. "Look, Tendo! Now Ranma and Akane can get married!"
	Ranma went over to kick his father into the pond. Akane caught his eye. "Can I?"
	He nodded, chuckling. Akane walked over to his father sweetly. "Bye!" She
kicked him mightily in the rear, sending him flying towrad Pandaville.
	Mr. Tendo, still smiling, went into the house muttering about finding some sake
for the celebration.
	Kasumi and Nabiki left. Only he, Ukyo, and Akane were left. Ukyo turned
to Akane. "Thank you, Akane-chan."
	She shrugged. "You've as much claim as me, Ucchan. Well, I have to go study. 
Hey, Ranma, want to spar sometime?" She walked into the house.
	Akane had gone mad. There was no other explanation. And Ukyo too. He 
was doomed.
				*
Sailor Cynic Says (hosted by Cologne and Shampoo):

Cologne: It seems there is more to the Tendo girl than I thought. This bears observation.

Shampoo: *pouts* Shampoo no like lose! But... Akane win fair.

Mousse: Haven't you heard? There's going to be a sequel. Maybe you'll get another
chance. *pales* I mean, forget Saotome, I love you Shampoo! *hugs Cologne*

Cologne: The more things change, the more they stay the same.