When Two Lives Cross 

             Chapter One: "Did You Say, 'China'??"

             It was another typical day of practice in Genkai's temple. The sun was shining, birds were singing, and the sounds of battle were filling the air.

             Out on the large garden, the two combatants moved in a synchronized, almost practiced manner. A closer inspection though, would reveal that although they appeared relaxed on the outside, parries and blows being exchanged were quicker than the eye could follow, and well thought out.

             Not too far away, another duo were having problems of their own, mostly because unlike Kurama and Yuusuke, these two hate each other's guts. 

             "Hey!" Kuwabara yelled, startled, as Hiei quickly blurred out of  view. He spun around in a circle, trying to land a punch at his unseen opponent.  "You little shrimp! You're cheating! Show your face right now! And die!" 

             Genkai didn't know whether to laugh or pound her head against  the wall in frustration. None of them were taking practice seriously anymore. Kuwabara was stomping on  the ground, waving his hands like a madman. Hiei WAS cheating. Even Kurama and Yuusuke had their guards down, laughing and joking with the other as they fought.

             Shouting at them would probably be useless too. She had done so twice in the past hour, to no avail. They had all looked at her as she scolded , reminding them about the importance of being serious in a  battle, even though it wasn't technically a real fight. They listened patiently, and when she was done, Kuwabara just kept on stomping, Hiei just kept on cheating, and Yuusuke and Kurama just kept on laughing and talking.

             Genkai sighed. < Men.>

             Just then, Keiko marched into the garden, her face as red as the color of Kurama's hair.

             < Uh oh.>

             "Yu-u-usuke!!" Keiko roared, as one would expect a girl like Keiko to roar. "You idiot!"

            Suprised by the girl's unexpected (and loud) entrance, Hiei tripped and reappeared, accidentally shoving Kuwabara, his momentum causing him to fall backward onto the ground.

             Yuusuke looked up, startled, at the exact moment when Kurama scored a blow on his shoulder. "Yeow!" he jumped back, rubbing his injured arm. "Jeez Keiko, what now?"

             "Didn't you forget something?" Keiko moved to stand in front of him, hands on hips.

            "Forget?" Yuusuke's mind was a blank. He didn't forget closing the ramen shop. He didn't forget going to school. Those were the things that Keiko would most likely yell at him for not remembering. "Forget what?"

             "Oh say, something about meeting in front of the ramen shop an hour ago?"

             Yuusuke frowned. Then blinked, remembering. "Oh. Ohhh.........."

             "Hey wait, lemme explain......"

             "Stupid, stupid......"

             "Hey, shrimp! You're supposed to be fighting, you moron!" While Keiko was busy massacring Yuusuke, it was Kuwabara's turn to do the roaring. "Not running away from me!"

             Hiei glared back at him. "I do *not* run away from anybody."

             "Oh yeah? Could'a fooled me! Shrimp!"

             Not even Hiei can let anyone get away with calling him shrimp twice in a row. He bared his teeth. "It's not my fault you're a slow piece of sh....."

             The last thing Genkai saw before closing the screen of her temple was Kurama going back and forth between the two parties, trying to act as mediator and failing miserably despite his best intentions.

             "Jerk!"

             "Shrimp!"

             "Ja Ou En Satsu Kokur-"

             "Hiei, don't you dare!"

             "Stupid, stupid......"

             The screen slammed shut. At least she couldn't hear anything anymore.

             Sighing again, she paced the room. It wasn't as if the four weren't good fighters anymore. They were obviously stressed, what with the Sensui episode just over, and the occasional missions that Koenma was so fond of sending them. Not that they didn't act like this most of the time. It was just getting worse nowadays.

             < What we all need> Genkai decided, < is a vacation.>

             Heading towards her desk, she opened the bottom drawer and began rummaging around. A few moments later, she managed to find a large world map. Spreading it over the table, she scanned the countries, searching for a suitable location.

             All the cold countries were out. She could just imagine everyone with stuffy noses. Boys, she discovered, caught colds quite easily. Even Hiei, Koorime or not. Florida? Too crowded at this time of the year. Canada? Maybe. Europe? Too far. Everyone might grow restless and do something stupid on the plane, like start a fight or possibly throw up. Hawaii? Genkai tried to picture everyone in grass skirts and leis, doing the hula. She couldn't, but that didn't stop her from laughing out loud.

             She wanted a place not too far away from Japan. Somewhere where it's not too cold, and not too hot. Somewhere large and interesting, with beautiful sceneries. Somewhere like...

             Her fingers moved past Australia, Philippines and the Pacific Ocean, coming to rest on a spot in East Asia.

             China. Perfect.

             "I have had it!" a young red-haired girl slammed the door of the Tendo Dojo shut and huffed towards the bathroom. "I hate being a female!"

             Ryouga smirked, already sitting on the table. "Kind off gets to you, doesn't it?"

             "Oh, hello Ranma." As usual, Kasumi paid no attention to the girl's latest tirade. "Do sit down while I bring you some tea."

             "In a minute." There was the sound of running water, and in a few minutes, a dark-haired pigtailed boy emerged. He sat down with a huge thump, still scowling.

             "And what are you doing here, P-chan?"

             Whomp. Ryouga calmly removed his fist from Ranma's face. "Actually, I came to say my fondest goodbyes to Akane."

              "Best news I've heard all day. Where ya going? Don't you think Akane's going to miss P-chan while you're gone?"

            Another whomp. "By the time I return from my journey, P-chan is no more!" As soon as the words came out of his mouth, Ryouga instantly regretted them.

             "Give that back!"

             "Wait! I'm not finished yet!"

             They were still going at it when Akane, Nabiki and Soun Tendo walked through the door. A large panda waddled in after them, not particularly pleased at the fact that he was carrying all their shopping bags.

             "I am not bullying him!" Ranma yelled. "I was just reading his map when he jumped me, you loud crazy tomboy!"

             The 'loud crazy tomboy' unfortunately, loses her temper very easily. "WHAT did you call me?!!" In a technique that only Akane could have known and mastered, a huge mallet popped into her hand out of thin air.

             "You pervert!" Akane pounded on Ranma, punctuating each syllable with a wham, "Baka baka baka baka!"

             "That's telling him, Akane." Ryouga said with a grin, pocketing his map.

             Miraculously, Akane stopped. "What map was he talking about anyway?" she asked, curiosity getting the better of her.

             "Um." Ryouga began, flattered and redfaced, now that Akane was paying attention to him. "Ah........"

             "A map? Sounds interesting." Nabiki remarked, removing her coat. "Mind if I look?"

             "A map?" Soun asked, also curious. "Buried treasure, perhaps?"

             "Oh." Ryouga began to blush. Akane was inching closer. "It's nothing, really.......", he stuttered, reaching into his pocket again.

             Akane reached for the map, and Ryouga nearly swooned with happiness when his fingers brushed hers. "Hey, this is the Juusenkyo Springs!" She exclaimed, studying it.

             "No kidding." Ranma righted himself. "You mean you've really found another Nannichuan spring?"

             "Wait a minute." Akane said. "Ryouga, why are you looking for the Nannichuan, anyway?"

             Happiness was quickly replaced by the familiar feeling of angst. < She'll know.> Ryouga thought, dread rising in his heart. < She'll know I'm really her pet pig P-chan! How else will I explain why I have the map? What am I gonna do?>

             Ryouga had barely finished that thought when to his suprise, Akane reached over and hugged him, which did nothing to curb his rising body temperature. "That's so sweet of you, Ryouga!"

             "I am?" Ryouga asked.

             "He is?" Ranma asked at the same time.

            "You're going to help Ranma, aren't you? You went through all the trouble of finding the map because you think it can cure his curse, didn't you?"

             "Um........yeah. I did, I guess."

             "You're such a good friend." Akane smiled at him, raising his temperature another few degrees, then turned to glare at Ranma who was glaring at him.

             Then Ranma brightened. "Hey, that would mean I'd be accompanying my pal to China, right?", he asked, slapping Ryouga on the back.

             Ryouga blanched. "Well......."

              Shampoo then chose that moment to drop in, bike and all, into Ryouga's head. "Aiyaa! Shampoo hear right? Ranma go to China?" she exclaimed, "Shampoo so happy! Shampoo go with you, get married in China!"

             "What?!" Ranma yelped, as Shampoo threw her arms around him. Experiencing a premonition of dread, he turned to look at Akane. Sure enough, she was starting to simmer, was already glowing a deadly blue. That meant she was either going to hit him silly again, or kick him through the roof. (which, judging from the numerous holes in the dojo's roof, had seen better days)

             "Son-in-law."

             "Yauuugghhhh! The old ghoul!" Ranma yelled. This was not his day. Out of reflex, he jumped back as Cologne dropped down from the Tendo's brand new skylight, dislodging himself from Shampoo in the process and overturning the table.

             "China, eh?" Cologne smiled. "I take it you have finally come to your senses. Very well. Shampoo and I shall accompany you. There are relatives to meet, a wedding banquet to prepare......"

             "Just a second!" A new voice yelled. "Shampoo's not going anywhere! Shampoo, my darling!" A young man with long dark hair, thick glasses on his head, bounded across the room, enveloping the still-dazed Ryouga in a bear hug. "My love!"

             Whap. "I'm not Shampoo, Mousse, you idiot!"

             "Ranma, honey!!" new voices called.

             Ranma groaned and sank even lower. This was definitely not his day.

             Ukyou dashed into the dojo, followed closely by Kuno and Kodachi. They stopped at the sight of Ryouga, kicking at a blindly groping Mousse; Akane beginning to emanate more and more ki with each passing minute; Ranma sprawled near the floor; and Soun and the large panda were setting up a gameboard in a corner, as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening.

             "A normal day in the Tendo household, eh Saotome?" Soun asked the giant panda.

             The panda held up a wooden sign. Indeed, it read. How perfectly normal.

            "What's the commotion all about, Ranchan?" Ukyou asked. "I was passing by when I heard a crash."

             Akane threw Kuno into the adjoining room.

             "I'm not marrying anybody!" Ranma yelled. "And I'm not going to China to marry Shampoo! I'm going there for...."He stopped when he suddenly realized that neither Kuno nor Kodachi knew anything about his female alter ego. "......a training mission." he finished lamely.

             "Shampoo go with you." Shampoo insisted stubbornly.

             "If she's going with him, then so will I." Ukyou said, eyeing her warily.

             "As will I." Kodachi added.

             "Dad, let's go with him." Akane said suddenly, with a sideways glance at the other girls.

             Everyone stared at her.

             "We haven't had a family vacation in a long time." Akane explained. "It would be nice to rest for awhile."

             Soun looked thoughtful. "That's true. And we all could use a break. What do you think, Saotome?"

             The panda held up another sign. Why not?

             "It's agreed, then?"

             Yes, it is.

             "You'll come too?"

             Wouldn't miss it for the world.

             "Who'll be paying the bills?"

             ....................

             Everyone paused, then slowly turned to look at Kuno, who was staggering about in the doorway.

             "Kuno." Nabiki began sweetly. "Would you mind doing us all an itsy-bitsy favor and pay for all our expenses on our trip to China?"

             Kuno raised an eyebrow. "And why, may I ask, should I be willing to do so?"

             "The pigtailed girl's coming with us. Didn't you know that?" Nabiki told him slyly.

             Thunder broke; the air was filled with lightning and the sounds of a raging storm. This was not a nice night to be walking around in, especially when standing on top of a very tall and forbidding mountain.

            A long pause. Then the S-class youkai smacked his forehead in disgust. "I KNEW I'd forgotten something."

             Sweatdrops appeared in each and every one of his henchmen.

             "Go!" he barked at one of them. "Mariko, I'm assigning you to search for the coordinates of the Crystal's location. Once you find it, don't even touch it. Just come back and tell me where it is. I'm the only one capable of controlling its power."

             Swallowing hard, Mariko hurried away.

             "How could I have forgotten an important thing like that?!" the youkai screamed, raising his rod.

             A bolt of lightning struck the mountain.

             Fortunately, paltry lightning can't really harm an S-class youkai.

             A bolt of lightning struck the mountain.

             The youkai stomped back into the mountain, muttering. "Let me know when she comes back." he growled over his shoulder.

             Fortunately, his followers were too scared to laugh.

             Genkai was feeling pleased with herself. Going on vacation was a great idea. Humming to herself, she headed towards a nearby botanical garden, feeling the soft wind on her face and hair. Behind her, she could hear the excited chatter coming from her companions, though for some reason, it sounded somewhat fainter than before. A little sightseeing, a visit to a few temples, that should lighten everyone's mood. She was already feeling pretty relaxed. Stopping at the park's entrance, she turned around. "Why don't we start here?"

             The girls had found a boutique shop.

             "Ooooohhh!" Botan squealed. "Look at those pretty clothes!"

             "Let's go in!" Keiko exclaimed, trying to grab Yukina's hand. "I  just saw a dress that would look perfect for you!"

             And squealing.

             "Eeeeeeeeeee!" Keiko shrieked, jerking her hand away.

             It was then that Shizuru noticed Yukina cradling something in her arms. "Yukina?"

             "I found you at last, my love!"

             "Huh?" Botan blinked, then struggled to free herself. "What are you talking about? I'm not Shampoo, whoever she is, and I'd never met you before in my life! Somebody help!"

             He quickly hurried away.

             "Are you okay?" Keiko asked Botan.

             Botan nodded. "Yeah, but I wonder who that guy was? He sure was weird.....hey, where's the pig?"

             Yukina looked sad and a little suprised. "He just........ ran away. " She searched the crowded street, and sighed. "I guess I won't be able to find him."

             The black pig quickly entered a deserted alley. It looked around, then headed to where a large kettle and some clothes were neatly hidden among the boxes. Tipping the kettle, hot water began to pour onto the pig.

             "I think I'm seeing things." Kuwabara said.

             Yuusuke looked at him. The both of them had just came out of a video arcade.

             "Whaddaya mean?"

             "I could've sworn I saw a pig turn into a guy! Over there!" Kuwabara pointed towards a nearby alley. Yuusuke couldn't see anyone, just a few old boxes. Finally, he patted the taller boy's shoulder. "It's just your imagination. We'd been playing for over three hours, you know."

             "Maybe." Kuwabara agreed, but he didn't look convinced.

             "Bored already?" he asked teasingly. "I'm finished here. Let's go."

             "Did you see..." Hiei shot another look at the doorway of the bookstore, but the girl and boy were already gone.

             "See what?"

             "Hn. Never mind."

             Mousse was panicking. Shampoo was nowhere to be found. < Where could she be?> He thought, adjusting his glasses. He was wearing them now, instead of just carrying it around in his pocket. He didn't want to make another mistake. Once was enough.

             < Whoa.> Mousse thought. < A lot must have changed since I've been gone. The people here had always been friendly.>

             A few hours later...........

            Genkai had, by some miracle, managed to find and round up and persuade everyone to go on one tourist attraction, saying that she had found a place they would all be interested in. They even had to take a boat to get there, which heightened everyone's interest.

             "Where is it, obaasan?" Kuwabara asked as they walked.

             "It's not too far from here." Genkai promised. "A few more minutes, and we'll be there."

             "Where is this underground Nannichuan spring , anyway?" Ranma asked Ryouga, as they neared the Juusenkyo Springs.

             "Sh-sh-shampoo......" Ranma gagged.

             "Ranma...." Shampoo sighed.

             Akane mistook their exchange of words to be those of mutual affection. That, and the fact that she wasn't in a good mood nowadays prompted her to do something she never should have done, which in turn would start a chain reaction of events in the near future. She exploded. "Well, if that's the way you want it! I hope you're both happy!" And with that, she grabbed her water canteen and hurled its contents at Ranma and Shampoo.

             Sploosh.

             "Mreeoww?"

             "AAAAAUUUUUUUGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! GET AWAY FROM ME!"

             "............spring of drowned panda. Very tragic story, of what panda drown there 2000 year ago......."

             "I think all of these springs have a tragic story." Yuusuke muttered. He looked around. "He did say it was a training ground for the best martial artists, didn't he?"

             "Get down from there!" Botan yelled at him.

             Hiei rolled his eyes. For a moment he was tempted to see if those stupid stories were true. The gods knew how he was tempted. But he also knew that if something happened to Kuwabara, Yukina would be distraught, and  he didn't want that. He was protective of his sister, though she didn't even know she was, even though he couldn't understand what she could see in someone like the oaf dancing on the poles in front of  him. "I'll get him." he muttered resignedly, then flickered out of view. He reappeared a moment later, on a bamboo pole adjacent to where Kuwabara was standing on.

             "AAAAAUUUUUUUUGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! GET AWAY FROM ME!"

             Everyone looked up, startled, as a girl, with a cat clinging onto one shoulder, came hurtling down at them, screaming her lungs out. It was, Genkai realized, the same girl she had seen earlier, being chased by a boy.

             "Kuwabara?" Shizuru whispered.

             The girl looked at her. "Oneesama?" she asked wearily, her voice slightly husky. "I don't feel so good."

             For the first time in her life, Shizuru fainted.

             Another girl, with jet-black hair streaked with white, somewhat longer than Kuwabara's, struggled out. Kurama had a sinking feeling. "Hiei?"

             Like it was high-pitched. Like it was a girl's.

             Cautiously, he looked down at his chest.

             It seemed.........filled out. He peeked into his shirt, and his mouth dropped open.

             Breasts.

             He had breasts.

             Shit.

             "Lord?"

             "Nerima, here I come."

---

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