Chapter 10 'Converging lines' "Mom. Mom." Called Hayaima and Akama. "We got trouble." The shouted in unison. Akane and Ukyo rushed out of the house. Akane took in the breathless look on the two children's faces. She saw that Akama was carrying Megumi on his back. "Kasumi." She called over her shoulder. "Come out here." She turned back to the children. "Haya. Report." She said in a commanding tone. Kasumi walked out of the house. Hayaima straightened and placed his hands behind his back. "Happosai is in the berry field." Replied Haya shortly. "Li Xian is still there. She gave us time to get away." He looked guiltily at Kasumi. "We saw Uncle Ono." He said. "He went to help Li Xian." Kasumi paled slightly but nodded. "Ono will be careful." She said. She turned to Akane and Ukyo. "Go." She said. "I'll watch the children." Ukyo pulled her spatula off her back and started tapping it against her palm. "Happi huh?" She said grimly. She looked at Akane. "Ready to go to work partner?" "In a second." Replied Akane. "If Ono could hold off Kho Lon, he can hold off the old pervert." She rubbed her chin. "Even so." Akane grinned wryly. "We could use an edge." Akane's grin widened and she raced into the house. She returned quickly. She ran over to Ukyo. "Heads up." She cried and poured the contents of a canteen over Ukyo's head. "You rat." Screamed Ukyo as she transformed. Her shoulders widened and her hips narrowed. It was a constant source of amusement for both Akane and Ranma that Ukyo's male form was so similar in height and build to Ukyo's female form. Even her voice barely deepened. "What'd you do that for?" "Happi feeds off female chi. Remember?" Replied Akane. She poured the rest of the contents of the canteen over her own head. Akane's transformation was much more profound. Reaching her father's height but much, much more massive. "Besides." Akane rumbled in his deep baritone. "I hit harder this way." Akane cracked his knuckles loudly. "Oh stop pouting." Akane snickered. "It'll wear off in a few hours." Ukyo straightened her clothing slightly to fit her new form. "Yeah. Yeah." She grumbled. "Now let's go." Without another word the two, now, men raced off. Their long loping strides ate the distance to the berry field rapidly. "Go silent." Commanded Ukyo. Ukyo took a deep breath and seemed to become translucent in the afternoon sun lit clearing as Ukyo seemed to reflect the surroundings chameleon-like. Akane followed suit. The two men advanced cautiously into the berry field. Evidence of a struggle didn't take long to find. Whole sections of the landscape were ripped apart. Some still smoked in evidence of their explosive origin. Akane and Ukyo raced on. "Look." Said Akane. He pointed. "Oh shit." Akane dropped out of the umisenken and raced away. Ukyo remained in the umisenken and followed. 'Just in case.' He thought. It was a normal procedure whenever they went into a possible battle situation. Akane raced toward where he saw two still forms. 'Be alive. Be alive.' She thought urgently. Akane quickly reached the two bodies. Akane breathed a sigh of relief when he realized that the two were just resting. There was exhaustion written all over Ono and Li Xian's faces. "You guys okay?" Akane asked anyway. Ono nodded. "Yeah, we're fine." He gulped air. "Someone please tell Happi he's not supposed to be so vigorous at his age." Ono shook his head to clear it. "No kidding." Added Li Xian. "Old pervert tough." She gratefully took the canteen of fresh water that Akane handed her. "Sorry Honored Elder." Li Xian said contritely. "Pervert got away." "No need to apologize." Replied Akane. "There's no shame losing to Happi." He looked around. Knowing where to look Akane was able to see Ukyo. A quick hand sign and Ukyo stayed unnoticeable. "Let's get back to the homestead." Akane said. He looked at Li Xian. "You okay?" He asked the amazon warrior. "Happi didn't do anything to you, did he?" "He touch where he not supposed to touch.." Admitted Li Xian "That all." Her face hardened. "He pinch me." Li Xian said in outrage. "Hard." She patted her butt gingerly. "I not be able to sit for week." "Be thankful that's all he did." Replied Akane firmly. "Ranma still has nightmares." Akane shook his head and shut up. "Anyway, let's get going." With a little help from Akane, Dr. Tofu and Li Xian got to their feet and started moving away. Ukyo shadowed unnoticed behind them. Ono leaned over to Akane. "Tell Ukyo she can come out." He whispered. "Happosai is nowhere in the vicinity." "How do you know?" Akane whispered back. Startled by Ono's awareness of Ukyo. "It turns out that some of Robert's techniques for extending his empathic sense works well for chi practitioners like myself." Ono replied in the same whisper. "Unless Happosai is better at disguising his chi aura than I can imagine, he's gone." He said. "For now." "For now." Agreed Akane. He raised his hand and made a gesture. A moment later Ukyo dropped out of the umisenken. "Are you sure this is wise sugar?" Asked Ukyo. "It should be okay Ukyo." Ono answered instead. "He's gone." He looked at Ukyo. "You look very much like your female self, did you know that?" Without waiting for a response he started giving Li Xian a quick examination. "Let me see if I can reduce the pain." He murmured. He started pressing pressure points in multiple locations. "There." He said finally. "That should help." "Aiyah." Li Xian moaned in relief. "Even healers not that good." She said in admiration. She gave Ono a short bow. "I thank you better later." She said. "Now we go warn village." She started running. Akane, Ukyo and Ono raced after her. Akane sped up until he was even with Li Xian. "Are you sure you're okay." He said the Joketsuzoku warrior. "He didn't?" He trailed off. Li Xian shook her head. "He try." She admitted. "But Doctor get there in time." She looked back at Ono. "He don't look like fighter." She said with a touch of confusion in her voice. "He's not. Not really." Akane answered back. They were approaching the house. "He doesn't even like to fight." Akane looked at Li Xian. "But he's a good man to have at your back." Li Xian nodded. "That too too true." She said. She looked back at Ono. 'I wonder if there room for one more warrior in Japan?' She thought to herself. 'Talk to wife first.' They reached the house and entered. Kasumi was waiting for them. Megumi ran over to her father and threw herself into his arms and hugged him as tightly as her young arms would allow. "I'm fine Meg." Soothed Ono. He walked over to a chair and sat down with Megumi in his lap. He looked around. "Where'd Li Xian go?" He asked. "She's spreading the word." Replied Akane. He walked over to the kitchen sink and filled a couple glasses with hot water. He poured one over his head and handed the other to Ukyo. In moments the two men returned to their female state. Akane looked at the glass. "What a waste." She muttered. She and Ukyo walked back into the living room and sat down together on the wicker couch. "We got a problem." She said morosely. "Tell me about it sugar." Ukyo said. She leaned her head on Akane's shoulder. "He's not going to go away is he?" Ukyo closed her eyes. "I don't want that freak around the children." Akane sighed. "Think I do?" She said. "We got a problem." She put her arm around Ukyo. Ono in the meantime was comforting his daughter. Kasumi sat nearby sipping tea. "Ono." She said. Ono looked up. "Did you know that Happosai feeds on female chi?" She looked at Akane. "Isn't that why you and Ukyo turned into men?" Akane nodded. "Where are you going with this Sis?" She asked curiously. "Didn't you ever think it was strange how similar Happosai and Hinako Niyamiya are, in terms of absorbing chi, I mean." Kasumi said quietly. "Don't you think so Ono?" Ono rubbed his chin. "You think Happosai is a chi eater?" He asked. He nodded. "Correction, Happosai is obviously a chi eater." He nodded again. "But in Happosai's case he can only absorb female chi." Ono turned to Akane and Ukyo. "What Kasumi is hinting at is that I have discovered the solution to Hinako's problem." He said. "In fact I found a whole scroll dedicated to chi eaters." Ono paused for a second. "Are you feeling better now Meg?" He said to Megumi. The little girl nodded. "Why don't you play with Haya and Kama, honey." There was the sound of splashing water and the now female Hayaima and Akama walked over. "Come on Megumi." Said Hayaima. "The adults want to talk again." She smiled at the little girl. "We can play dress up." There was a double snort from Akane and Ukyo. "Stay out of our closet." Warned Ukyo. The three children giggled and hurried away. Ukyo turned to Ono. "Give." She said. "If Happosai is a chi eater, which he probably is, that would explain how he maintains his health and strength even at his advanced age." Ono adjusted his glasses. "According to the scrolls in the archives chi eaters are usually harmless. However in rare cases the chi eater is unable to properly absorb and retain the chi they've taken." Ono adjusted his glasses again. "This forces them to absorb chi more frequently and in larger and larger quantities. And in at least one case they can't seem to properly retain chi at all" "Ms. Niomaya." Stated Akane. She nodded. "Okay that makes sense." Akane ran her hand through her short hair. She looked at Ono. "Happosai was the one that unlocked Hinako's ability." Ono nodded. "Yes he did." He replied. "But the way he did it, whether by accident or on purpose, resulted in the way Ms. Niomaya is today." Ono frowned. "It's difficult to believe it was accidental." He said. "Someone as skilled in chi techniques as Happosai is would not make the mistake." "You called it a solution not a cure." Akane said. She and Ukyo exchanged looks. "It is a cure isn't it?" "A cure for Ms. Niomaya." Replied Ono. "I. I'm not sure what to do about Happi." "Ono." Kasumi said in a disapproving tone. "I can't Kasumi." Ono replied. "I'm a physician." He said. "I swore an oath not to do harm." Ono looked at Akane and Ukyo. "At his age any reduction in his ability to absorb chi could kill him." He wiped at his brow. "At the very least it will reduce his remaining life span dramatically." There was a knock at the main door. It opened and Li Xian walked in. "Sorry to intrude Elders." She said. "Village been warned. I ask Council for permission to watch Saotome homestead." She raised a bundle she carried. "I bring tent." "You'll stay in the spare bedroom." Countered Ukyo with a smile. "No arguments." She said. "Besides, the kits like you." Li Xian bowed slightly. "Thank you Honored Elder." She said. Li Xian placed her pack down but stood standing near the door. "You're not getting off that easily Ono." Kasumi said. She took a sip of tea. To the outside observer Kasumi was as calm as ever but inside. "I agree with Ukyo." She said tightly. "I do not want that, that creature around the children." She put the tea cup down. "It was bad enough for my sisters and I when Happosai lived with us." "Yeah." Agreed Akane. "Stealing our underwear was the least of our worries while he was around." Akane's eyes flickered for a moment. "And it was worse for Ranma." She took a breath. "Ranma was groped, fondled. Damn it, he was molested almost daily by Happosai." She shot out. Ono looked at Kasumi. She nodded. Ono paled. "I didn't know." He said quietly. "Ranma never said anything." He scratched his head. "Robert probably knows." He said almost to himself. "But he had no reason to tell me." Ono blew out a breath. "Still it doesn't change anything. I can't do it." "No ones asking you to, Doc." Ukyo said with a grim smile. She waved her thumb at Akane and herself. "We'll do it." "Teach me." Growled Li Xian. She didn't know what the technique would do, she rubbed her butt where Happosai had pinched her, she hoped it would hurt Happosai..A lot. "No one do that to Li Xian." "Get in line sister." Akane said. "Get in line." She looked at Ono. "Well?" Ono sighed. Then he stood and walked over to a stack of books and scrolls on the table. He picked up one particular scroll and walked back. He handed the scroll the Akane and then resumed his seat. "It's pretty self- explanatory." He said. He nodded toward the scroll. "That's a copy." Akane stared narrowly at Ono. "How many copies did you make?" She asked. "Three." Admitted Ono. "One for the Joketsuzoku. One for me." Ono ducked his head slightly. One for you." He said. "I wanted you to understand the consequences before I gave it to you." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ryoga threw the last bit of wood into the fire. He and Ranma had talked long into the evening. 'Funny how alike the two of us turned out.' He thought to himself. He looked over at Ranma. 'Well not exactly alike.' He thought in amusement. Ranma was lying on her stomach watching the dying fire. Her head supported by her arms. Her legs were bent at the knee and raised into the air. Ranma waved her legs back and forth slowly. Ryoga stretched out on his own bedroll next to Ranma. The two watched the fire die down. Ranma looked at Ryoga from the corner of her eyes. 'Damn I missed him.' She thought to herself for the hundredth time. She turned her head toward Ryoga, still cushioning her head on her arms. "What are you thinkin'?" She asked. Ryoga rolled on his side and propped his head on one hand. "I never thought the two of us would ever be friends." He said. "Now I'm wondering what took us so long." Ranma smiled. "Everything in it's proper time." She said. "That's what Kho Lon would say." Ranma grabbed the end of her pigtail and stared at the end. "We had some things to work out first." Ryoga rolled over on to his back and stared at the night sky. "Yeah." He said. "I guess we did." "We still have a few things left to work out." Continued Ranma. To Ryoga's surprise Ranma shifted around until her head was nestled on Ryoga's shoulder. "Such as us." "Ranma." Ryoga said warningly. Ranma giggled. "Oh relax Ryoga." Ranma said. "I'm not making a pass at you." She smiled gently. "Not that the thought hadn't crossed my mind since you got here." Ranma's smile became one that was more catlike than Ryoga believed. "Akari is a lucky girl." Ranma snuggled closer to Ryoga. "Thought about it." She said. "A lot." She looked at Ryoga. "You know. If you swung the other way you might have won the Ranma derby." "Eep." Squeaked Ryoga. His eyes widened. "You mean you," Ryoga swallowed. "And me." He swallowed again. "As guys?" Ranma nodded. "Yup." Ranma rolled over slightly but didn't leave the crook of Ryoga's arms. She smiled slightly when Ryoga adjusted to make her more comfortable. "Shocked?" "A little." Ryoga replied. "Funny." He said. "Not as much as I thought I would be." Then Ryoga shrugged. "Seems very you somehow." Ranma giggled. "It is, isn't it." Ranma curled up against Ryoga. "You're very comfortable." She patted his chest. " You mind if I sleep here tonight?" She asked. "I'll be good." "That's what I'm afraid of." Muttered Ryoga. "Don't trust me?" Asked Ranma. "I'm not sure I trust me." Replied Ryoga. "You're very sexy." Ranma draped her arm across Ryoga's broad chest and threw one leg over Ryoga's legs. "So're you." Replied Ranma. Ranma pulled away and started untying the front of her blouse. "I wanna show you something." She said. She pulled her blouse open baring her breasts. Even though Ryoga had seen Ranma's breasts before, he was still mesmerized by them. It took him awhile before he noticed something drawn on one breast. "A fish?" Ryoga said. Suddenly he blushed. "Oh." Ranma took Ryoga's hand and placed it on her breast. "It's just temporary." Ranma said throatily. "Last time there was a fish there, I was under a spell." She said. "This time, it's my choice." "Ranma." Ryoga said in a strangled voice. "We can't." "You mean we shouldn't." Ranma corrected idly. She smiled. "You really wanna say no?" Ranma rolled on top of Ryoga. To Ryoga the redhead weighed next to nothing, yet he felt pinned under her and unable to move. Ranma looked down at Ryoga. "Do you really wanna say no?" She repeated. Ranma's smile widened when Ryoga shook his head quickly. "Good boy." She purred. With an air of resignation and impending doom Ryoga wrapped his arms around Ranma. "I thought you weren't making a pass at me." Ryoga said. "We're so dead, you know that?" Ranma shrugged against Ryoga's chest. "I don't know about you and Akari but the girls and I are," Ranma smiled. "More open about sex." She giggled quietly. "We have to be." She said. "The girls spent the night teasing me about my attraction to you," She shrugged again. "Yet here we are." "You gonna tell them?" Ryoga asked. "Depends on how they ask." Replied Ranma. "That feels nice." She said quietly when Ryoga started stroking her red hair . "I think the girls are okay with it though." "I don't know if I can tell Akari this." Ryoga replied. He stopped stroking Ranma's hair. "I can't do this. Akari. I love her Ranma." "I know you do." Ranma replied quietly. "I love Akane and Ukyo too." She added. "I don't want to take your love from Akari." Ranma continued. "I just want to give you some of mine." She finished quietly. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ryoga resumed stroking Ranma's hair. Enjoying the sensation of Ranma's body laying on top of his. He was very much aware of Ranma's bared breasts pressing against his chest. "You're very beautiful." He said quietly. "Oh shut up and kiss me already." Ranma purred. "You know you wanna." Ryoga chuckled and them rolled over, trapping Ranma's body beneath his. "That's better." He said. Ryoga bent his head and pressed his mouth against Ranma's. Ranma parted his lips and Ryoga slid his tongue into Ranma's mouth. Ranma sucked Ryoga's tongue hungrily. "Damn you even kiss like a girl." Ryoga muttered a moment later. He recaptured Ranma's mouth. "Ahh." Ryoga screamed suddenly. "Watch the claws." Ranma giggled. "Sorry." She said through her giggles. "Sometimes I get carried away." Ranma wriggled her hips under Ryoga. "Kiss me again." Ranma closed her eyes and started to purr when Ryoga obliged her. Her purring increased when Ryoga started kissing her along her jaw line and into the hollow of her throat. Ranma gave a mewl of disappointment when Ryoga pulled away. Then Ranma yowled loudly when she felt Ryoga's lips on her breast. "Ohboyohboyohboy." She chattered in ecstacy. "Like that huh?" Ryoga said in a growl. He switched his attention to Ranma's other breast. Ryoga smiled as Ranma started wiggling under him. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do this." He said quietly. Ryoga noticed that the breast in front of him was the one with the fish drawn on it. He gently traced the outline of the fish. 'Not then.' He thought to himself. "Damn you're one sexy woman." He said aloud. His hand reached into Ranma's loose cotton drawstring pants. "This is going to be the only time we do this isn't it?" He looked up at Ranma's face. He watched her nod. "Well then, I'd better make the most of it, shouldn't I?" "Uh oh." Ranma said in false nervousness. "I think I'm in trouble." Ranma purred a chuckle. "Lucky me." She placed her hands on Ryoga's head and pushed him down. "I know exactly where you should start." "Well since you insist." Growled Ryoga. With a quick motion, Ranma suddenly found herself naked on the bedroll and Ryoga was pulling off his pants. "Never thought I'd ever find a use for that trick." He said. He stood and walked over to Ranma. His legs straddled her hips. He looked down. "You're drooling." "If you had my view you'd know why." Ranma said in admiration. "Let me see; cute face. Check. Broad shoulders. Check. Tight waist. Check. Tight ass. Double check." She giggled. "Big cock. Oh my." Ranma wiped her lips. "There all gone." Ryoga knelt between Ranma's legs. "I think you missed a spot." Ryoga leaned forward and buried his face in Ranma's crotch. "Right here." He said into her moist furry mound. Ryoga sucked on Ranma's swollen clit eliciting cries of pleasure from the redhead. Ryoga continued to lick and suck on Ranma's swollen sex until the redhead suddenly squeezed Ryoga's head tightly between her thighs. "Eeee. Yahhhh!" Screamed Ranma as her orgasm crashed over her. Her hips bucked hard against Ryoga's mouth. To her surprise, Ryoga grabbed her ass and then with negligent strength lifted Ranma into the air. His mouth never leaving her pulsing cleft. Ranma seemed to climb Ryoga's head as she pressed against him. "I've got to get Akane to do that." She breathed when her shuddering stopped. She loosened her hold around Ryoga's head and seemed to slither down his body. Ranma looked into Ryoga's grinning face. "Show off." Ranma slid down further until she could feel Ryoga's hardness pressing against her. "I bet I can make your knees weak." She pressed against the hot shaft between her legs and slowly began to lower herself on to Ryoga. "You know you can't beat me." Ryoga grabbed the tight cheeks of Ranma's ass and pushed into her. He grabbed her around the waist. Ranma countered by wrapping her strong legs around Ryoga's hips. She leaned back and looked into Ryoga's eyes. "Ranma Saotome don't lose." Intoned Ranma deepening her voice as much as she could. They looked at each other and grinned. "Bring it on big, oh my god." Ranma shrieked as Ryoga started pounding into her with what seemed the speed of the chestnut fist. "Give up?" Ryoga asked as he pounded into the soft folds of Ranma's hot, wet sex. "Whoa." He gasped as he felt Ranma grab his manhood with her internal muscles. "Whoa." He gasped again as Ranma started undulating against him. "St-stop that." He stammered. "Ranma Saotome don't lose." Ranma gasped out. She let go of Ryoga's shoulders and arched back, when her hands touched the ground she flipped Ryoga over, landing on top of him. "Ooh." She gasped. "I think you hit the back of my throat from there." Ranma leaned forward and placed her hands on Ryoga's rock hard chest. "Ryoga, old buddy, something tells me we're not gonna get a lot of sleep tonight." Ryoga reached up and tweaked one of Ranma's nipples. "Who said anything about sleeping?" He said. "If this is a one shot deal I don't want to miss a moment of it." Ranma laughed and patted Ryoga on the chest. She started wiggling her hips on his manhood. "Good boy." She purred. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hitoshi walked into the Kuno mansion to the sound of Kodachi screaming angrily at someone. As he approached the source of the noise, the library, Lung Lung dashed out and ran, crying, past him. He quickly walked into the library to find Kodachi pacing angrily back and forth. "What's going on here?" He said angrily. "What did you say to Lung Lung?" "Why didn't you tell me Tatewaki was in the fight with Taro?" She spat. "How dare you keep that from me." Kodachi threw herself into a chair. "We were concerned about how you'd take it." Replied Hitoshi shortly. "Apparently we were right to be concerned." Hitoshi walked over to the chair where Kodachi had flung herself and stared angrily at her. "We, all of us, agreed we'd wait awhile before we told you." He said. "I can't believe you yelled at someone whose sole crime was protecting you from something unpleasant." "She should have told me." Grumbled Kodachi. "No she shouldn't have ." Replied Hitoshi shortly. "I think you owe her an apology." "Me?" Shrieked Kodachi in disbelief. "Apologize to Lung Lung?" She glared at Hitoshi "I can't believe you're serious." Hitoshi snorted. "Dead serious." He snorted again. "Well at least now I don't have to worry about that Tai Tai business anymore." He shook his head sadly. "I wouldn't be surprised if she moved out." Kodachi's hand flew to her mouth. "She wouldn't." Hitoshi nodded. "I saw her face." He said. "You hurt her very badly." He shook his finger. "Dammit Dachi." He growled. "She cares about you and you treat her like a servant." He raised his hand. "Shut up." He snapped. "I'm going to talk and you're going to listen." Kodachi nodded. Her eyes wide in shock. "Good." Continued Hitoshi. "Lung Lung has been a devoted companion to you for months and this is how you repay her?" He leaned forward and placed his face very close to hers. "Now you will go upstairs and apologize to Lung Lung." He ordered. "And maybe, just maybe, she won't leave." He stood up and pointed to the door. "Now." Kodachi stood as if she had been stung and raced away. She ran up the stairs and down the hall. She stopped in front of one door and paused. Kodachi took a deep breath and knocked. "It's me." She said quietly. "Can I come in?" There was a muffled sound through the door and Kodachi entered the bedroom. Lung Lung was sitting on the edge of the bed. She looked at Kodachi. "Yes?" She asked glumly. Kodachi took a look at Lung Lung's face. 'Oh lord, Hitoshi was right.' Kodachi threw herself at Lung Lung's feet. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Kodachi babbled. "I'm a horrible woman." She grabbed Lung Lung's feet. "Please don't leave me." "Tai Tai." Began Lung Lung. "How can you stand to call me that, after I hurt you?" Wept Kodachi. "Because you my Tai Tai." Lung Lung replied quietly. She reached down and pulled at Kodachi getting her to sit on the bed next to her. "I not leave you." Kodachi clutched at Lung Lung desperately. "But do you want to stay?" She asked hopelessly. "Please, I need to know." Lung Lung pushed Kodachi away and looked into her eyes. "You my Tai Tai." She said. "Now and forever." Lung Lung wiped Kodachi's tears away gently. "I love you Kodachi." "Lung Lung." Sobbed Kodachi. Lung Lung rubbed Kodachi's back comfortingly as Kodachi cried herself out. "I never leave you. I love you." Lung Lung repeated quietly over and over. Finally, with a hiccup, Kodachi stopped crying. "I love you too." Kodachi whispered. "I'm so sorry Lung Lung." She said. "I never meant to hurt you." She said. "I could have lost you if Hitoshi hadn't," Kodachi blushed suddenly. "He never spoke to me like that before." She pulled away and looked at Lung Lung with wide eyes. "He yelled at me." She said in awed disbelief. Lung Lung struggled to keep her face impassive. But it was too much. Lung Lung started to giggle helplessly. "Honored Sir do that?" She finally gasped out. Kodachi chewed her lip but her own giggle escaped. She nodded, if anything her eyes got wider. Then, with another giggle, Kodachi knelt in front of Lung Lung. "Honored Husband was very upset with me." She said. "He ordered me to come here and apologize." She bowed to Lung Lung. "I am sorry, Lung Lung." She said. "Will you forgive me?" Lung Lung quickly suppressed another giggle. "Of course Tai Tai." She said. "He really order you to apologize?" "He even told me to shut up." Admitted Kodachi. She leaned against the side of the bed. Lung Lung started to play with her hair. "He called you a devoted companion." Continued Kodachi. "He said if I apologized you wouldn't leave." Kodachi smiled. "He wants you to stay Lung Lung." She said. "He wants you to stay." Lung Lung nodded happily. "He acting like husband." She declared. "Keeping peace between wives." She leaned down and kissed Kodachi on the top of her head. "And you listen." Lung Lung said. "I sorry I not tell you about brother earlier." She said a moment later. "Tai Tai have right to be angry. If yelling at me help, it okay." "No it's not okay Lung Lung." Replied Kodachi firmly. "That is one role I never want you to assume." Kodachi leaned back against the side of the bed. "Lung Lung?" She said. "Do you think you can call me Kodachi?" "Kodachi." Lung Lung said. "But only when we alone." She said. "I proud to call you Tai Tai." There was a knock on the door. "Can I come it?" They heard Hitoshi ask. "Should I let Husband in?" Asked Lung Lung. Kodachi nodded. "Please come in, Honored Sir." Called Lung Lung. Hitoshi walked in to see Lung Lung sitting on the bed with a red eyed Kodachi kneeling at the side of the bed. "Good, you apologized." Hitoshi said. He looked at Lung Lung. "I can understand if you wish to leave." "I not leave." Interrupted Lung Lung. "Si Jer is sorry." She looked at the kneeling Kodachi. Lung Lung kept her face firm. "Is that not so, Si Jer?" "Yes." Whispered Kodachi. "I want to thank you Hitoshi." She said. "If it wasn't for you, I may have lost someone dear to me." She leaned her head on Lung Lung's lap. "Lung Lung has found it in her heart to forgive me." "Well okay then." Hitoshi said in a slightly confused tone. "Glad to help." Hitoshi scratched his head. He couldn't shake the feeling that the two women were, not exactly, laughing at him. "Don't let Dachi push you around Lung Lung." He added. "You need to stand up to her." "Yes Sir." Replied Lung Lung. "You very good Husband." She said. "Not afraid to correct wife when need it." "Uh well." Hitoshi stammered in embarrassment. "I just thought Kodachi was being unfair to you." "You honor me greatly by your concern." Bubbled Lung Lung. "See how good Husband is Si Jer?" Lung Lung said. "Even treat outsider like family." Kodachi hid her smile against Lung Lung's leg. Kodachi nodded not trusting herself to speak. "You're not exactly an outsider Lung Lung." Hitoshi said firmly. "You know we consider you family." "Oh Honored Sir too too good to Lung Lung." Lung Lung exclaimed. "Now know why Si Jer love you so." "Uh." Mumbled Hitoshi. "Come on Dachi." He said. "I'm sure Lung Lung wants to be alone." "On no, Honored Sir." Lung Lung said quickly. "Si Jer promise to help make dinner tonight." She covered her mouth to hide a grin. She made the move look like she was considering something. "Part of apology." Hitoshi nodded. "I think that's great." He said. "You haven't cooked in ages Dachi." He smiled happily and rubbed his stomach. "I can't wait." He smiled. "Well I leave the two of you." He looked at Lung Lung. "I want to thank you again for being so forgiving." Hitoshi turned and walked out of the room. The two women waited until the door closed. Kodachi lifted her head from Lung Lung's lap and looked at the younger woman. "Pouring it on a little thick, don't you think?" Lung Lung giggled. "Maybe." She said. "But it work." Lung Lung sighed. "I think maybe Honored Husband beginning to accept me." She looked down at Kodachi. "Now we make dinner. Yes?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nodoka Epstein looked at her husband. Dr. Epstein raised his eyes to meet her look. He tilted his head. "That's an unusual mix of emotions." He commented. "Annoyance is not usually associated with pride." He raised an eyebrow. "First Ranma, Akane and Ukyo." Replied Nodoka. "Now Kodachi, Hitoshi and Lung Lung." She blew out an exasperated breath. "Is this going to be a common theme among the Japanese Joketsuzoku?" Dr. Epstein shrugged. "Possibly." He replied. "Probably." He amended. "Others have already considered similar choices. Though not for exactly the same reasons." The Doctor levered himself to his feet and started pacing. "It's partially my fault." His cane clicking lightly in counterpoint to his steps. "I can't really help it, my dear." He continued. "Living here forces me to remain in close contact with people." The doctor sighed. "So many problems, so many worries." He tapped his head. "It hurts after awhile." "Oh dear." Replied Nodoka. "I had not realized." She looked at Dr. Epstein. "Or rather I had not thought it would apply to us." She looked down at her hands. "So you sooth their problems and ease their worries." The Doctor nodded. "Exactly." He said. "And not." He said cryptically. "I instinctively magnify what makes them happiest and suppress what causes pain. Sometimes this leads people to make unusual choices." He snorted. "I don't always realize when I'm doing it." He continued pacing. "Well now I know what you're annoyed about." He said. "What confuses me is the pride." Nodoka smiled. "Robert Epstein." She said. "Do you have any idea what you have created?" Nodoka snorted delicately. "I am the mother of the most powerful martial artist and wife of the most powerful empath in the world." Nodoka paused for a moment. The Doctor felt a wave of cheerful determination come from her. "And somehow I have become the matriarch of," She tilted her head. "What exactly am I the matriarch of?" "That is the question." Agreed the Doctor."You are the matriarch of what may one day be the most powerful clan in the world." The Doctor barked out a laugh. "If they aren't already." He tilted his head at Nodoka and sent a feeling of respect to her. "You are also the mother of what may be the next step in human evolution. Hayaima and Akame will both probably father children and give birth to them." He smiled. "So too will any children Ranma may have." He grinned at Nodoka's spike of excitement. "You should expect at least two more grandchildren I would think." "At least." Agreed Nodoka happily. "Oh my." She said in sudden realization. "Each one of my grandchildren will probably have multiple mates." She tilted her head at the Doctor. "They may have a husband and a wife." "Or more." Interjected the Doctor in amusement. "Or more." She agreed. "Oh my, there will be a lot of sex changers in a very short while." "Very wealthy, highly skilled martial artist, sex changers." Amplified the Doctor. "Who by that time should also be virtually royalty." He snorted. "I take that back." He said. "They already are royalty." He smiled. "And that my dear is what you are the matriarch of." "If I am the matriarch then what are you?" Nodoka asked impishly. "Oh Lord Dragon." She grinned at her husband's discomfiture. The Joketsuzoku who had emigrated from China had taken to calling Robert that recently. Nodoka knew how much it embarrassed the Doctor. "Court Magician, obviously." Replied the Doctor with a laugh. He returned to his seat. "Wouldn't you say?" "Don't pretend Robert." Nodoka rolled her eyes at her husband."In the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king. " Nodoka said quietly. "That's why they call you Lord Dragon, Robert." She said. "They know you are king." Dr. Epstein shuddered. "Please Nodoka." The doctor said feelingly. "If anyone is king of the Joketsuzoku it would be Ranma." He chuckled. "Or is that queen?" "Oh indeed." Agreed Nodoka proudly. "Ranma is leader of the Japanese Joketsuzoku." Nodoka looked off into nowhere for a second. "He makes me so proud." She said. "Something you helped bring about." The Doctor nodded slightly. "Okay, maybe 'king' is inappropriate." Admitted Nodoka. "A woman can dream." Nodoka laughed. "I suspect Ranma would react to being called 'King' in a manner very similar to your own." Nodoka felt a mental probe from the Doctor. She deflected it easily. "No tickling." She said but she smiled at the Doctor. "Maybe later." "Yes my dear." Agreed the Doctor with a lazy smile. "Go on." He said with a wave of his hand. "How many are we now?" Nodoka asked suddenly. "I'm beginning to lose count." She smiled. "Never mind, I'll ask Nabiki later." "Now there's someone who would accept the title of 'Queen' without hesitation." Remarked the Doctor. He nodded. "She'd be a good one too." "Yes she would." Agreed Nodoka. She sighed. "And if I read the Japanese Joketsuzoku correctly, they'd follow her." She looked at the Doctor. "They'd follow you as well." The Doctor shuddered again. "I know." He said quietly. Then the Doctor smiled."Thank the powers that be, that Ranma and Nabiki are here." The Doctor's smile became a grin. "So, Lady Dragon, since you no longer seem so annoyed and since Ranko is staying with Akari and Sakura, would you care to take a walk?" He said. "It's a beautiful evening." Nodoka smiled. "I'll get my sweater." End Chapter 10 Authors Notes: Wow Chapter 100 of the Couch Trips saga. Hard to believe. When I wrote Book 1 of Couch Trips all those years ago, I thought I might, might write a sequel. Well here we are in Book 7. Incredible. I want to thank all of you, my readers, for being so supportive of my humble efforts. It has been my pleasure to write for such an appreciative audience.