Ranma 1/2:
A New Awakening
Alternate Continuation (minor crossovers)
By:  Dani Yanega
yanega@mindspring.com
http://www.mindspring.com/~yanega/index.htm
Co-author & Concept by:
"Jerry" starfire@brainerd.net



Chapter Thirty



The two wood elves scooped Ranko up in their arms and gave her
just as big a hug as she was giving them.  They showered her face
with quick kisses.  Ranko's family and friends looked on with
bemused looks and some with curiosity.  When they put her down she
looked up at them a wide grin on her pretty little elfin face.

"Momma and poppa are married and look what they brought me back
from earth!"  She excitedly told her wood elf grandparents.

The two elder elves watched as Ranko sped off in a blur of color.
They heard a commotion coming from the direction their little imp
ran off in.  They watched the blur return in two fold although the
second one was slower than Ranko but not by much.  The two elves
blinked quickly a couple of times when their eyes focus on a young
Sylph boy with gray eyes and black red hair with red highlights.

"This is Micca my new brother!"  Ranko told them as she hugged
Micca.

"Momma is gonna ask if Ucchan wants to be our sister too!"  She
finished dancing from foot to foot.

"My you are a handsome boy!"  The old elf woman told Micca, while
she held out her arms to him.

Micca looked at her with uncertainty, but landed in her embrace
when he felt his sister push him from behind.  Nodoka and Seran
couldn't help but smile at the couple and how they seemed to enjoy
being with not only Ranko but Micca too.

Ejien stood at six and a half feet.  He had long black hair that
fell just above the small of his back with streaks of iron gray.
He wore it in a loose ponytail held in place with a leather tie
just below his shoulders.  His eyes were dark brown set in the
rugged face of his well tanned body.  He had the angular features
of the elfin race only not as harsh as the high elves.  Even
though he was an older elf he still had his strong athletic build
with hard muscles, from working the fields and hunting to survive
and ensure the survival of his village.

Naja his wife stood at 5' 71/2", her hair was also black with
streaks of iron gray.  She wore her in a tight braid that went to
her knees.  Her eyes like Ejien's, were brown but a much softer
shade.  She also still retained her athletic build and her skin
was soft and well tanned.  Her angular features were more rounded
and full.  She was not as well endowed as her _granddaughter_ but
she was well built enough, that it made some of the female high
elves look at her with jealousy.

"We came to ask permission to join the clan Aurora and to be
grandparents to Ranko and now Micca."  Ejien told Queen Titiana,
Nodoka and Seran.

"OH!  Momma, poppa can they, please!"  Ranko and Micca both
pleaded of their parents.

Seran smiled at Nodoka who looked to her husband then back to her
queen.  Titiana smiled at her and shrugged her shoulders as if
telling her 'It's your clan and your choice.'  Nodoka looked at
the expectant looks on her children's faces.  It would solve a lot
of their problems and there was plenty of room in the new house
for Ejien and Naja to stay there.  She looked up at the elf couple
and advanced on them.

She stood in front of them and bowed deeply to them.  She then
straightened and reached into her bag of holding and pulled from
it two of the Aurora family crest fobs.  She handed one to each of
them, Seran walked up behind his wife and placed his hands on her
shoulders, while Ranko and Micca danced around the four adults
happily.  Ejien and Naja looked at the small crest fobs then back
up at Nodoka and Seran with some confusion.

"All members of the Aurora clan gets one, it helps to identify our
growing extended family."  Seran told the confused elves with a
warm smile.

"I would like to welcome our newest members to the Aurora clan and
the grandparents to our children."  Nodoka said turning to face
the queen and king.

The royal couple stood while Naja and Ejien walked toward the
throne.  They bowed to King Oberon and then to Queen Titiana.
When they stood they were blind sided and knocked to the floor.
Ejien looked up into the happiest gray eyes he had ever seen,
while his wife stared into the sparkling blue ones.

"Welcome to your new family grandma and grandpa!"  Came the
simultaneous greeting from the Aurora children.

"Oh, ouch!  I hope they out grow that soon!"  King Oberon
whispered to his wife remembering getting a similar greeting
recently only from both the Aurora children at once.

"Don't count on it dear and expect it to only get worse when Ukyo
joins them."  Titiana smiled evilly at her husband, who shuddered
at the thought but sported a huge expectant smile.

"Well Nodoka it looks as if you may feel secure in leaving the
children at the new estate and to keep your meeting with the
Amazon."  Nodoka smiled absently and slowly nodded her head.

"Yes highness we will take Ejien and Naja to the valley and get
them settled then we will depart from there.  When we have
finished we will return here with the results."  Nodoka told her
bowing low to her queen and king.

"I would like to request you take a guard or two with you.  You
are on official business for not only my court but that of
Oberon's."  Titiana opened her mouth to say more but was cut off
by a sultry voice.

"That won't be necessary highness, Cerulean and I decided that I
will accompany them."  The group turned to see Lady Victoria
standing behind them a small secretive grin on her face.

"If that is the case then I request your word that you will _not_
harm any of those in Nerima!"  Came a stern reply from the queen
to the dragon.

Lady Victoria scowled as she had planned on a little retribution
against some of those living in the Nerima district.  She thought
for a moment then a smile crossed her lips as she turned to the
queen of the Faerie realm and the king of the Shadow realm.

"I will not _attack_ any of Ranko and Micca's old crowd unless I
am _provoked_!  I will agree to nothing else."  Lady Victoria told
the Faerie queen.

"Very well that is all I can hope for at the moment."  Titiana
told them as the group turned and left her court.

Micca and Ranko gave their auntie Titiana and Uncle Oberon a big
hug and kiss before they followed the adults out.  Both children
promised to come visit the royal couple regularly.  As the
children left a shadow near the top of the domed room stared down
its ice blue eyes a light with lusting fire as it watched Ranko
leave the throne room her wild red hair flowing behind her.

                         /*\*/*\

Masaki Hiromi led the four women to a small building, it looked
like a restaurant but when they went in they found that the main
room was divided into three areas.  One was set up for music
training there was several small lyres, flutes, and a small piano.
Another area was set up with sewing and needlecrafts such as
knitting, crocheting, needlepoint and embroidery.  The final area
seemed to confuse the women until Hiromi explained it to them.

"That area is to train the girl to behave like a lady and to help
her control her temper."  The four women nodded in understanding
then their eyes widened with fear.

"She has a temper problem?"  Taleka asked a small shudder going
through her body.

"Yep a big one, you are to help her learn to control it.  I will
give you this warning she does not take to criticism at all, but
she will need a stern hand to over come her flaws.  She also needs
to hear the truth and to do that you will have to stand up to
her."  Hiromi smiled evilly when she saw the four women pale.

Hiromi wanted to leave them to Akane and her temper alone but
Queen Titiana insisted that they have some protection.  So she
sent a magical sprite to guard each of the women.  They were not
to interfere unless it was life threatening.  The four elves were
prevented from seeing the sprites by the order of Queen Titiana.
Hiromi smiled even wider as she knew Akane could inflict lots of
pain before that level was reached.

The four sprites did not really want to be the bodyguards of the
four elf women they did not know Ranko personally but they hated
the women for nearly killing a child.  They however were loyal to
their queen and would protect them only if absolutely necessary.

Hiromi then led the women to the kitchen to show them what they
had to work with.  The kitchen was quite large and spacious there
where four work islands with storage under them and a large six
burner stove.  There was a large commercial refrigerator and
freezer.  There were also three doors in the kitchen one was a
large walk in storage room filled with cooking and cleaning
supplies, the other was a half bathroom, and the last door led to
the alley behind their establishment.

"Let me show you the living quarters."  Hiromi directed them
toward the stairs the five women ascended to the second floor
followed closely by the sprites.

The stairs were on the wall opposite the door to the alley and had
a closet built under them for coats and boots.  The women followed
the lawyer up the stairs to the second floor.  It was quite
spacious and opened.

When they reached the top landing it opened onto a large living
room area with five doors leading off to the left.  To the right
were several windows and like the ones downstairs in the main room
they were covered with mini blinds and white lace curtains.

The stairs entered the living area about halfway in the center of
the room but slightly toward the back of the building.  There was
a wall to the left of the stairs that they were flushed against.
In this wall were the five doors.  Four in front of the stairs and
one behind them.

Hiromi led them toward the door behind the stairs first.  When the
women turned toward that door they faced another window, they
liked the fact the room was so well lit with lots of natural
light.  When they reached the door Hiromi stepped into a small
changing room with a small apartment size washer and dryer.  There
was cabinet storage which had been filled with bath and laundry
supplies.  The towels, washcloths and bed linen were also stored
there.

They then went through the door of the changing room and into the
main bathroom.  There was a shower, a sink with a medicine cabinet
and a large heated tub.  The women were about to ask about the
other needed facilities when Hiromi guessing what they were going
to ask her explained it to them.

"You use the one down stairs for that, _ladies_"  Hiromi told them
calling them ladies with a bit of sarcasm.  The bathroom was
painted a soft beige color and going half way up the wall was
heavily varnished wood paneling in a dark cherry color.  Hiromi
led the women out of the bathroom and showed them to their rooms.

Hiromi took them to the other four doors she opened them all and
the women looked into each room.  They were all decorated
similarly except for the color schemes.  In each room was a small
closet for their clothes, a tall dresser, a full size bed with
dark cherry wood head board and foot board.  There was also a
vanity and a small desk.  The furniture matched the cherry wood on
the bed.

Each room had one window with mini blinds and lace curtains.  The
beds each had heavy lace comforters with three throw pillows
laying on top of the bed pillows.  One room the lace pillows and
comforter was bright sunny yellow and matched the lace curtains.
The walls in all the rooms were white.

The next room the lace was lavender, while in the next it was pink
and finally the last was done in sky blue.  The ladies each picked
out their favorite color for their rooms.  The only carpet on the
second floor was the white plush carpet in the living area.  The
rooms had wood floors with a throw rug next to the bed.

Miya took the blue room she loved the coolness of the color.  Rada
took the yellow room its warm feeling appealed to her.  Taleka
liked the pink room it reminded her of the center of an orchid.
While that left Neriana with the lavender room as she walked in
she took a deep breath and could almost swear she smelled
lavender.

"I will be leaving you now your student will arrive tomorrow to
start her first class with you.  It will be for the full day then
after that she will come after school for an hour and then each
Sunday she will be trained again for the full day except this
Sunday.  After that every Saturday you will have to yourselves.
Your priority is to train this girl alone.  If you feel however
you can take on other students then you are free to do so."
Hiromi started down the stairs when Neriana asked her.

"How will we be paid for this training?"  Hiromi turned a scowl on
her face.

"Your _payment_ is free room and board along with this shop, all
your clothes all the supplies you need and a small allowance."
Hiromi turned and left the women alone to look around their new
home.

It was Rada who noticed the file folder on the table in front of
the sofa.  She walked over to it and began to thumb through it.
Her face got deathly white and the file fell from her numb
fingers.  The other three came to her and helped her to a sofa.
They then began to look at the folder.  Large sweat drops appeared
on all their faces as they read the dossier on one Akane Tendo,
their new student.

                         /*\*/*\

Nodoka, Seran, and Lady Victoria arrived at Tokyo Tower in a flash
of white swirling light.  They were over and hour and half early
for their meeting with the Amazons.  They looked around slowly
when Lady Victoria suggested something.

"Why not go talk to Ukyo first then when we finish with the
Amazons we can return to Illondra.

Nodoka thought about it for a moment then nodded ok.  They jumped
down to the foot of the tower, causing many gasps from the people
around them.  The travelers paid them no mind and went in search
of a telephone.  Nodoka found a public phone just inside an office
building.  She called Ucchan's and made arrangements for them to
meet in the next five minutes.

Seran led the women to a secluded spot in an alley near the office
they called Ukyo from.  Lady Victoria then cast a teleport spell
to where Ucchan's was.  It helped that Nodoka had been there
before.  When Lady Victoria had gleaned her memories the first
time they met she also knew where it was.  They appeared outside
the shop in front of a couple walking home from the store.

Nodoka chuckled at Lady Victoria embarrassed expression, and then
even more at her confusion.  The changed dragon looked at the
Sylph with narrowed confused eyes.  This just made Nodoka laugh
even harder.

Nodoka pointed to the couple who just walked on by as if people
popping in out of nowhere were normal for them.  The dragon was
surprised that they were unfazed by their appearance.  She turned
back toward the giggling Nodoka, her arms crossed over her chest,
an eyebrow raised and her foot tapping.

"Oh don't feel to bad Lady, the people of Nerima have seen so many
strange things since my child moved here that nothing bothers them
any longer.  I dare say if you changed into a dragon no one would
even notice."  Nodoka told her placing a hand gently on the dragon
lady's shoulder.

Lady Victoria looked at her with surprise then remembered back on
some of the memories she had gleaned from Ranko.  She nodded her
understanding and the three of them turned and entered the
restaurant.  The place was empty and Ukyo was no where to be seen.
Suddenly a little pixie flew into the room buzzed around the
guests.  It landed on Nodoka's shoulder and hid under her hair as
a sprite soon followed it into the room.

"NOW YOU TWO CUT THAT OUT!"  Ukyo yelled as she ran down the
stairs hurriedly.

She stopped suddenly and stared at her guests.  A small
embarrassed smile crossed her lips.  Nodoka smiled back at her and
walked toward the young girl.  She took Ukyo into a warm embrace.
Then held her out from her by the shoulders.  Nodoka looked Ukyo
up and down and her smile broadened.

Ukyo was wearing a pale pink satin kimono embroidered with a
cherry blossom tree.  There were also blossoms floating around as
if caught in a spring breeze.  Her obi was a darker pink.  Her
hair was braided with three ribbons running through the braid.
One of the ribbons was the color of the cherry blossoms, while the
other two were an exact match to her kimono and obi.

"You look beautiful my dear!"  Nodoka told her and the pixie stuck
her head out from under Nodoka's hair and nodded its agreement.

Nodoka led her to the other two people with her.  She put Ukyo in
front of herself keeping her hands firmly on the young girl's
shoulders.  Ukyo looked at Seran recognition forming on her pretty
face.  She next looked at the exotic woman before her and bowed
slightly to both.

"First this is my husband and Ranko and Micca's father, Seran."
Nodoka told Ukyo who again bowed to the male Sylph.

"It is nice to finally meet you outside my dreams."  Ukyo told him
with a wry smile, Seran smiled back at her his smile hiding a
secret.

"This is Lady Victoria Dracon she helped Ranko after the incident
where we nearly lost her.  She is now a respected member of the
Aurora clan."  Ukyo bowed deeply to the silver hair lady, then
shocked the dragon by giving her a hug almost as tight as Ranko.

"Now come child we don't have much time and I have to ask you an
important question."  Ukyo led the group to a booth.

Nodoka and Seran sat on one side while she and Lady Victoria took
the other.  The Pixie hiding in Nodoka's hair peeked out only to
be buzzed by the sprite still looking for it.  Nodoka chuckled as
the sprite dove into her hair after the pixie.  Ukyo looked on in
horror, while Nodoka just laughed.  She reached into her hair with
Saran's help and removed the two invaders.

Once all had been seated.  Lady Victoria took the advice of Raist
and cast a protective spell around the group, keeping their
conversation just between them.  Ukyo looked at the pale green
bubble and smiled when she remembered fondly the last time one of
these was erected.

"They're just like children.  Aren't they?"  Nodoka chuckled as
she and Seran set the two little Faerie folk on the table.

"Yes they are?"  Ukyo smiled at the mother of her best friend.

"Now dear I am hear at the request of Ranko and now Micca as well.
They along with Seran and myself would like you to crossover and
become our second daughter."  Nodoka stared seriously at the young
chef.

Ukyo looked at her friend's mother with a small amount of
confusion then the words played over in her mind.  Her eyes
widened with shock as she realized she was being offered a family
and a chance to be with her Ranchan.  She started to agree but
Nodoka raised her hand to stop her.

"Now child know that Queen Titiana has agreed to help you
crossover as she did myself and our children, but she wants to be
sure you give this some thought.  Once you crossover you can not
return.  Plus Queen Titiana will put you at about age six or seven
much like Ranko and Micca.  She wants you and my other children to
have a happy childhood."  Nodoka told the chef who thought about
what she had said.

"Is that why you are still much the same as before you crossover?"
Ukyo asked noticing that Nodoka was still mature.

"Yes I was brought with my daughter because she needed her mother,
and it would not do for me to crossover at a childlike age that my
thirty some years would have made me.  Queen Titiana advanced my
age magically so that I would retain my maturity.  This way I
would be able to raise our children."  Nodoka finished a soft
smile to Seran, Ukyo stared at her for a moment her mind in a
whirl.

Ukyo then looked to Seran the man that would be her father if she
crossed over.  He smiled lovingly at her, just like her father did
before the incident when she was six.  She looked down at her
hands trying to hide the tear rolling down her cheek.  She
couldn't hide it from the dragon lady sitting next to her.

"Why do you cry child?"  Lady Victoria asked her, Ukyo looked up
at her, her tears flowing freely.

"I have been without a family for so long.  I don't know if I can
be part of one now."  Ukyo looked to Nodoka pleading for help to
make the right decision.

"Ukyo dear this decision is yours to make, and when we return
tomorrow you can give us your answer then.  If you have not made a
decision we can wait for you to decide.  Just know child that you,
Ranko and Micca are very much alike in that you really grew up
without any real family.  Ranko and Micca have crossed over and
started their childhood over, they are a family and are growing up
happy for the first time.  We would love it if we could offer you
the same _gift_."  Nodoka told the chef as she and the others rose
to leave, Lady Victoria dispersing her spell.

"We will see you tomorrow at the Tendo's home, you can tell us
then or if you need more time, but please give it some serious
thought I and Seran would love to add you to our family it doesn't
really seem complete and I believe that is because the missing
piece is you."  Nodoka told the wide eyed chef, she could see
Ukyo's emotions play across her face.

"Here is a business card of a lawyer to help you bring your
affairs in order if you decide to crossover.  I believe you met
her already she is very good, and very trust worthy."  Nodoka gave
the young girl a small card then a hug and kissed her forehead.

Seran repeated what his wife did and followed her out the door.
Lady Victoria smiled at the chef and bowed to her then followed
her friends out the door.  Ukyo put up the 'closed due to illness'
sign and went to her bedroom to think over what had been requested
of her.  The pixie and sprite followed her up knowing she was
going to need them to tell her about the Faerie realm when she was
ready.

                         /*\*/*\

The trio walked silently to the Nekohanten, thinking over the
conversation they had just had with Ukyo.  Nodoka sighed and
looked to her husband her eyes filled with sadness.  Seran wrapped
his arms around his wife and pulled her to him.  He kissed the top
of her head and then whispered to her.

"Don't worry my love she will decide to join us.  Remember what I
told you when I did the dreamwalk with Ranko?  They are bonded
together they need each other she will realize this and want to be
forever with the only family she ever really knew."  He smiled
down at Nodoka who looked up at him hopefully.

"I agree with you Seran.  I sensed great loneliness in that child
even more so since Ranko left this awful place.  She will want a
new life as Micca had wanted and as Ranko had always dreamed of."
The dragon turned lady told them with a wise smile.

They stood out in front of the Nekohanten, Nodoka looking at the
door warily as she remembered all the things this woman had done
to her _son_ to try and get him to marry her granddaughter.  It
seemed strange to her that Ranko would forgive Cologne a great
deal, but refused to forgive Genma and rightly so, Nodoka felt.

The group entered the restaurant, they paused at the door and
marveled at how everything shone with glaring brightness.  They
entered only to be meet by the bubbly purple haired Amazon,
Shampoo.

"Greeting welcome Nekohanten.  Is Airen with you?"  Nodoka raised
an eyebrow at the use of the 'Husband' title, she was about to
respond when an old but strong and commanding voice cut her off.

"_Shampoo_ Ranma is no longer your Airen.  That part of your life
ended honorably when he a became female and crossed over."
Cologne pogoed up behind her great granddaughter.

Shampoo's shoulder slumped, she bowed to her grandmother's guest
then turned and left for the kitchen to retrieve the refreshments.
Cologne watched her go with some sadness.

She turned back toward her guests and motioned them to a nearby
table.  She watched as they moved gracefully past her.  Her eyes
widened when she felt the power of their auras, although not as
powerful as Ranko's still quite strong.  When Lady Victoria passed
the Amazon matriarch, Cologne nearly fell from her staff.  She
quickly righted herself and followed them to the table.

"I notice your auras are quite strong, have you been training?"
Cologne asked of her guests.

"Yes my husband and I have been training with Ranko, it has been a
wonderful experience."  Nodoka told the old woman with a warm but
wary smile.

Cologne looked at the male sitting next to Nodoka her eyes barely
denoting her surprise and curiosity.  Shampoo came in with a tray
of tea and bowls of ramen for their guests.  She served everyone
then took her seat next to her great grandmother.

Cologne's attention kept going to the silver hair woman with
Nodoka.  She tried to read her aura but found it confusing.  It
shifted from weak to strong to unreadable.  It did not go
unnoticed by the woman that Cologne was trying to detect her power
level.  She looked at the old woman and smiled, the smile made
Cologne shudder.

"You should give up woman, you will not be able to detect anything
I don't want you too."  Lady Victoria challenged the Amazon
matriarch.

"AIYE! You _show_ respect to Amazon elder, _outsider_!"  Shampoo
rose to her feet drawing her bonari.

"_Sit down_ child, this is a negotiation I will not have it ruined
by your hot headedness!"  Cologne scolded her granddaughter while
pulling her into her chair.

"I must apologize for my granddaughter she tends to overreact."
Cologne told her guests.

"Oh, like she over reacted when Ranko beat her at the tournament?
Did she over react when she tried to force Ranma to love her by
using magic potions and drugs?"  The silver haired woman glared at
the old Amazon.

Cologne looked at the woman and could have sworn her eyes became
reptilian in nature.  She shook her head to clear her mind, and to
formulate how she would respond to the accusations.  She looked to
Nodoka and Seran, she saw they were waiting for an answer as well.

"You must understand we Amazons follow very strict laws.  These
laws have helped us survive for more then three thousand years.
When Ranma became Shampoo's husband it was up to her to get him to
accept his responsibilities to her and her people anyway she
could."  Cologne looked at her guests daring them to disagree.

"What if Ranma had already been married?"  Nodoka asked she felt
this information was more important to the males of the Faerie
realm and should be addressed.

"Then he was to leave his previous wife and join Shampoo or she
would be considered an obstacle and to be removed."  Cologne told
them with no emotion in her voice.

"I see, so if my husband accidentally knocked out your
granddaughter then he is her husband and I would have to
relinquish my rights as his wife or die?"  Nodoka asked anger
growing in her eyes.

"It is our way and the way we have lasted for three thousand
years."  Cologne told her with narrowed eyes.

"It seems you have forgotten your own history Amazon."  The sultry
voice of Lady Victoria cut through the tension.

Cologne and Shampoo looked at the dragon woman with curious looks.
Lady Victoria smiled, Cologne stared as she could have sworn she
had seen a dragon's visage pass over the woman's face.  Cologne
shook her head then turned to the silver hair elf.

"What do you mean?"  She asked keeping her tone cold and
emotionless.

"The Amazon's have a proud history, woman.  They were created by
women who were abused and tortured in their previous lives.  Those
women came together to protect each other and to offer a safe
haven to _any_ woman who needed it.  I am sure the ancestors of
your tribe are turning over in their graves as you and your tribe
had lost sight of that fact."  Shampoo rose quickly to her feet
knocking her chair over and glowing a bright blue.

"You insult Amazon tribe, Shampoo no stand for that!  I cha.."
Shampoo's challenge is cut of by Cologne's staff thwacking her on
the head.

"OWWW!  Why grandmother hit Shampoo?"  She turned to face Cologne
betrayal on her face, Cologne said nothing but turned to Lady
Victoria with a curious stare.

"You know much about the Amazon's history, but we were true to our
heritage it made us strong, that was how we have survived for so
long."  Silverfire laughed her sultry tones filling the
restaurant.

"If that was the case old woman you would have accepted Ranma in
his female form as an Amazon instead of trying to _kill_ her
because she hurt the pride of one of your warriors by defeating
her in fair combat.  Your tribe was built on saving women from the
pain of their lives, teaching them to become strong and
independent.  Your race was built by accepting into your tribe
women who were strong and could add that strength to your village.
Now it has been distorted and you want only men who can abuse your
warriors and win.  It seems you have polluted the true meaning
behind your Amazon heritage not keep it."  The dragon lady told
the matriarch leaning close to her, her eyes flashing red with
anger.

"That is your opinion, you know nothing of how our way of life
became into being.  We have a long hist.."  Lady Victoria slammed
her fist down on the table cracking it slightly, Nodoka and Seran
sat stunned watching the confrontation.

"I _know_ how your tribe started _MY GRANDMOTHER WAS THERE_!"
Everyone let their jaws drop open as they stared at the glowing
silver hair woman.

"She helped to write your laws and there were _no outsider_ laws
and _no marriage_ challenge!"  Lady Victoria snarled as she threw
an ancient manual on the table.

The two Amazons stared wide eyed at the book in the center of the
table their tribal crest of a crossed sword and bonari over the
symbol for woman inside a circle stared back at them.

"H..how did you get that!  Even we do not have an original law
book!"  Cologne asked as she stretched out her hand slowly to the
book, Silverfire's hand slammed down on top of it.

"I told you my grandmother was there when it was written.  I am
sure you remember the name of my grandmother?  Lady Aneika Dracon?
Or maybe you know her by her other name better, _Silverwind_?"
Cologne's head snapped up and she started at Lady Victoria with
shock and fear.

Shampoo looked at her grandmother in surprise it is the first time
she had ever seen fear on the old woman's face.  She looked to
Nodoka and Seran who were just as surprised as her, and like her
they two showed both curiosity and confusion.

"Nodoka is here to set up relations with the Amazons, I am here to
make sure the perversion of these laws are not invoked on the
people of the Faerie realm."  Lady Victoria told the elder as she
held up the law book.

"Queen Titiana has spoken with Lady Victoria at great length and
she has accepted the laws of the Amazons in accordance with that
law book."  Nodoka told the Amazon Elder while pointing to the
book the changed dragon held in her hands.

Cologne looked from Nodoka to the sliver hair elf her fear
changing to a mercenary look even Nabiki would envy.  A
calculating smile spread slowly on her ancient face.  Shampoo
watched with interest at the reaction of her great grandmother.

Seran watched the proceedings with curiosity.  He knew what was
going to happen he just couldn't believe the Amazons fell into the
role that was predicted for them.  He hung his head and slowly
shook it.  This jester did not go unnoticed by the elder.

Her confidence waned slightly, then her Amazon pride surged
forward, and she would not let her decision be determined by a
_male_.  She straightened to her full of three feet, even at that
small stature she cast an opposing figure.

"I can not change the laws of my tribe it must be done by a full
counsel and they won't unless the agreement with the Faerie Realm
is completed."  Cologne told them with a wry smile.

"I see a sort of catch twenty two."  Nodoka answered with the same
smile, which unnerved the elder slightly.

Lady Victoria began to glow slightly with a silver white glow.
Shampoo gasped as Cologne's attention was still on the Sylph.  She
turned her head to her granddaughter who pointed to the dragon
turned elf.  Cologne turned and watched as the silver white glow
grew brighter then faded.  A smile that reminded both Amazons of
the true nature of the woman in front of them crossed Victoria's
beautiful face.

"I take it all went well, Lady?"  Seran asked the elf with a sad
smug smile.

"Yes, Seran as we expected it would."  Lady Victoria turned to the
two Amazons and smiled broadly.

"We must take a trip ladies."  Victoria told the Amazons, her
smile becoming mischievous.

Before either Cologne or Shampoo could say a word Lady Victoria's
silver white glow returned blindingly bright.  When the glow was
gone the Nekohanten's main room was empty.

                         /*\*/*\

The four _women_ and one man appeared in the counsel chambers of
the Joketsuzoku, the gallery was filled with the females of the
tribe and standing around the parameter were the men.  Cologne and
Shampoo stared around in awe, then their mouths dropped open when
their gaze fell upon another silver hair elf that looked very
similar to Lady Victoria only slightly older and taller.

"Grandmother!  How did it go?"  Lady Victoria asked a loving smile
on her face as she went up and hugged the other elf.

"Quite better then we expected granddaughter.  It seems an
alliance with the Faerie realm is something they want very badly."
The older elf told her granddaughter.

Lady Victoria turned to Cologne and Shampoo with an evil grin.
She led the older elf to them.  Nodoka and Seran watched sad
smiles crossing their faces then disappearing.  Lady Victoria and
the other elf stop in front of the elder and her granddaughter.

"I would like to introduce my grandmother Lady Aneika Dracon."
Cologne smiled slightly and extended her hand to the other elf.

Lady Aneika stood 6" 2", and looked very much like her
granddaughter.  She had the same honey brown skin and piercing
silver eyes.  Her hair didn't stop at mid back like Victoria's but
went all the way to her knees.  Aneika let her hair hang loose.
She like her granddaughter had a figure that made even the Amazons
jealous.  Lady Aneika also preferred the flowing freedom of a
gossamer white gown that went down to her satin slippered feet.

"Greetings, elder."  Aneika held out her hand to the elder's
extended hand.

"How..?"  Came the start of a reply from Cologne but was cut off
by the gentle bell like voice of Queen Titiana's emissary.

"My children told Lady Aneika when she came for a visit.  It was
then she and her granddaughter talked to my queen and set in
motion by what criteria that the Amazons would be accepted as
allies."  Nodoka stepped forward to stand beside the two elf
shaped dragons.

"This stupid!  Amazon no need be dic..dict..ordered about!"
Shampoo's wounded pride could take no more.

She first lost her Airen to this realm of myths, then her only
friend disappeared.  Shampoo cringed internally at the small voice
in the back of her mind that reminded her of how much like Akane
she was where Mousse was concerned.  She pushed that voice away
and buried it deep in her subconscious.  Shampoo began to glow as
she pulled forth her bonari.  The gallery of Amazons gasped, a few
cheers rose from the younger female warriors urging her on.

The three women from Titiana's kingdom stared at the purple hair
girl.  Nodoka stepped back at a look from Lady Victoria.  She
stepped into the embrace of her husband who held her tightly and
began to glow golden blue, as he cast a spell of protection around
them.

Shampoo stepped forward her bonari raised to battle, but then it
fell from nerveless fingers, Cologne's staff followed Shampoo's
bonari as she was going to press a shiatsu point to put the girl
out.  Cologne watched as the shadows of the two women changed and
grew.  She slowly turned and looked up into the mauls of two very
angry silver dragons.

The counsel chambers barely held the two reptiles as they glared
down at the two Amazons acid dripping from the maul of Silverwind.
Cologne and Shampoo tried to dodge but the dragon fear had taken
hold of their hearts and their feet refused to move.

"ENOUGH!"  Came an ancient voice from the counsel bench.

The two dragons returned to their elfin state and turned to face
the counsel.  The Amazon who had shouted stood her long gunmetal
hair hung to the floor.  She glared at Shampoo, who cringed and
flushed with embarrassment.  The elder then looked to Nodoka and
Seran still in a protective bubble.  She nodded and Seran
disbursed the spell.

The elder's black eyes shimmered with respect for the couple.
Unlike most elders this elder stood 5' 11".  She wore a robe of
royal blue trimmed in silver and gold runes.

"Shampoo you have shamed our tribe and your elders.  We have made
our decision we will return to our original laws with some
additions from the current set of laws.  The marriage challenge,
and outsider laws will no longer be followed and are now
outlawed."  The older elf smiled proudly at the speaking Amazon.

"Lady Aneika has requested that Cologne be the liaison to the
Faerie realm with Shampoo as her heir she will help her great
grandmother.  I only hope she learns control before she takes your
place matriarch."  The Amazon told Cologne with a cold glare at
Shampoo.

"She will matriarch Lilac, she will."  Cologne answered glaring at
her granddaughter who had the good sense to look ashamed.

"Let us discuss the treaty, then Cologne you can explain why
Lily's grandson did not return with you."  Lilac told the elder,
Nodoka's eyes widened with surprise and was about to say something
when Seran stopped her.

He shook his head no and she nodded her assent.  She turned her
attention to the counsel of elders.  Cologne had joined her
sisters at the counsel table as Shampoo took a seat in the
gallery.  Nodoka's eyes met those of another elder one with a look
of suspicion.

The Amazon stood and leaned forward as if ready to speak.  She was
6' 2" tall looked a young fifty.  She had long flowing hair down
to her ankles, her hair was the color of onyx.  Her eyes a
familiar gray, only instead of the warm friendly eyes of her son,
the Amazon's were cold and lonely gray.

"Sit down Lily, we will get to Mousse later."  Nodoka and Seran
stared at the Amazon, they felt the presence of the two dragons
and it gave them strength.