This is a draft of the most recent chapter of ADV.  I'm sending to you guys 
first.  Tell me what you think.



   Everyone had gathered downstairs in the living room.  Despite the people 
missing, the room was extremely crowded.  Soun and Genma sat on the porch 
playing shogi to pass the time, and Ryoga sat nearby, trying to stay in one 
place so he wouldn't get lost.  Ranko and Ukyo sat together at the small 
living room table, talking quietly to Nodoka, who was sitting across from 
Ranma, who kept blushing redly at the direct suggestions that the child in 
front of him was making.  Sailor Mars, Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Venus were 
standing in a corner, talking with Akane and Nabiki, while Kasumi kept 
wandering in and out of the kitchen, shuttling food and drinks to everyone 
as they talked.

   Dr. Tofu sat nearby Soun and Genma, pretending to be interested in the 
game, while trying to avoid looking directly at his fianc�e.  Shampoo 
herself had changed into one of the many Chinese dresses she had left at the 
Tendo home in case of emergency, and was lounging calmly just behind the 
doctor, eyeing him thoughtfully from time to time.

   "Mom...."  Ranma's voice was soft, but it was far closer to a whine then 
he liked.  "I can't just... do that to Ukyo.... I mean... she's getting 
married to Ranko, not me."

* * * * *

   Dr. Agasa pulled Conan over. "Listen to the bug you left at the Tendo 
dojo."

   Conan thought back to the moment he was seated at the low table at the 
Tendo place, with it's traditional heater underneath.  < I knew there was 
something going on there... let's hope my guess paid off.>

   Conan and the professor listened for a few minutes.

* * * * *

   Nodoka stared her son down, her steely gaze completely out of place on 
the face of a 9 or 10 year old girl wearing a flower print blue and white 
summer dress.  "Now son, it's your duty to your family to produce an heir... 
to both families in fact.  As Ranko cannot carry on the family name in that 
regard, it is only right that you take that responsibility to provide the 
Kounji family with an heir as well."

* * * * *

   Conan nodded in triumph to the Professor.  "It's that girl's voice!  I 
knew it."
,
   Agasa nodded slowly in agreement.  "It does sound like a young girl.  
Fascinating."

* * * * *

   Ranko raised an eyebrow but said nothing, not wanting to draw any 
attention to herself.  She had, in fact, considered this very problem and 
decided that Nodoka's solution was only logical, especially considering 
Akane and Ukyo's deal concerning her and Ranma.  She didn't really like the 
idea of Ukyo having Ranma's children instead of hers... but she couldn't see 
any other way.  At least not any other way that she'd go along with.

   Ranma, however, continued to be stubborn.  "Mom... isn't there some other 
way?  I mean... me and Akane will have kids...."  He shook his head, not 
really believing that he was already talking about having children.  "But 
it's not right... me having kids with Ukyo too...."

   Nodoka frowned slightly.  "Well, there was another way... I'd consider 
it."  She looked at Ranko and Ukyo thoughtfully.  "Now Nabiki has been 
telling me quite a bit about Jusenkyo in the last few weeks."  She 
hesitated, then pressed on.  "Now I understand why the spring of drowned man 
wouldn't work for my daughter...."  Nodoka indicated Ranko with a nod.  "But 
perhaps Ukyo...?"

   Ranko's eyes went wide and she shook her head quickly at the suggestion.  
"No way Mom!  I'd never let Ucchan curse herself like that!"  She blushed 
then shook her head.  "Not a chance!  A curse isn't the way to solve 
anything, Mom!  You should know by now that Jusenkyo always makes things 
worse, not better."

   Ukyo put her hand over Ranko's calmingly.  "Your mom is just trying to 
help, Ranchan, and I can't say I haven't considered the spring of drowned 
man since... well in the last few weeks, anyway."  Ranko looked at her in 
horror and Ukyo hurried on.  "I'm not going to do it.  Even if it would 
solve some problems with us being together... I realize that the curses 
never seem to work the way people might think.  If Johnathon-sensei and 
Mercury-san are right, then I'd be just adding to the chaos around here, and 
we have plenty of that already."

   Nodoka nodded in understanding.  "I'm sure you're right dear.  It wasn't 
the best suggestion, I know.  I just want to see the Kounji line continue as 
well as the Saotome line.  It is the least we owe you after everything Genma 
has put your family through."

   Ukyo shook her head.  "We'll figure something out eventually, Mrs. 
Saotome.  I'm sure something will come up."

   Nodoka nodded reassuringly.  "I'm sure... still, Nabiki did mention 
another possibility... have you heard of something called Instant 
Nannichauan?"

   Ukyo blinked.  "Instant spring of drowned man?  What on earth is that?"

   Ranko blinked a moment later.  "Hey! I forgot about that stuff!"  She 
said brightly.  "I could be a guy again... even if just for a
little while."

   Nodoka blinked.  "Oh?  I thought that the springs would mix with you?"

   Ranko hesitated.  "Actually, I'm not sure... it worked before though, 
turned me and pop both into guys in cold water... at least for a couple 
hours."

   Ukyo beamed happily.  "That sounds wonderful, Ranko!  I know how much you 
miss being a guy."  She looked at Nodoka questioningly.  "Do you think we 
could get any?"

   Nodoka shrugged.  "I really don't know.  I think Shampoo might know where 
to find some... I believe Nabiki said that she was the one who brought it 
the last time?"  She patted Ranko's shoulder.  "Even if it doesn't work 
properly on you, Ukyo can use it. Either way the Kounji line would be 
secure."

   Ranko blinked several times working that out in her head before gaping at 
her mother incredulously.  "You don't mean...?!?"

   Nodoka patted her daughter on the back reassuringly.  "I'm sure you'd 
make a wonderful mother, Ranko-chan.  You certainly have the hips for it."  
Ranko decided that it would be a good time to faint, and slid quietly under 
the table.  Ukyo looked a bit faint herself, and Ranma was turning slightly 
green.  Nodoka blinked.  "Did I say something wrong?"

   Across the room, Nabiki nodded to herself, glancing knowingly from one 
Sailor Senshi to the next.  "I thought I had all of you figured out... Rei, 
Makoto... Mina.  I suppose you're going to tell everyone else as well?"

   Sailor Mars sighed with a nod.  "Everyone here has the right to know... 
and I suspect almost everyone has us pretty much figured out anyway.  We've 
always tried to keep anyone from knowing our real identities, but the only 
way I can see of keeping our secret from getting out entirely seems to be 
trusting all of you.

   "That way, it won't be a secret anymore."  Venus supplied cheerfully.  
"It'll be a conspiracy!"

   Nabiki blinked, then laughed.  "I suppose it will at that."  She bowed 
slightly to the three Senshi.  "Then as the newest member of the conspiracy, 
I thank you for your trust."  She looked them each in the eyes then, 
straightening up with a serious expression.  "I won't betray it."  She 
smiled wryly.  "Besides, one of you is practically family now... and I 
protect my family... even if they happen to be magical duplicates... or 
twins, or whatever."  She frowned slightly, quirking her head at Venus 
thoughtfully.  "Can... can she hear me?"

   Sailor Venus hesitated, then nodded.  "She's not exactly here... right 
now that is... but my Akane will remember everything you say to me... so 
it's almost like she is here right now."

   Nabiki nodded.  "I think I understand."  She stepped in close to Venus, 
then hugged her tightly, whispering quietly in the Senshi of Love's ear.  
"Don't be a stranger, Akane.  You ARE my sister, don't ever forget it."

   The original Akane looked at her older sister in astonishment.  "That was 
for the other me?  You never hug me or Kasumi
anymore... why her?"

   Nabiki hesitated, then shrugged.  "Well... let's just say I know 
something about feeling alone, and leave it at that, OK?"

   Akane's eyes fell, then she stepped forward to hug Nabiki as quickly as 
Nabiki had hugged Venus.  "I love you Sis."  She said quietly but firmly. 
"You don't ever have to be alone."

   Nabiki pushed her way out of her younger sisters arms.  "Stop it, Akane!" 
  She tried not to blush.  "You're embarrassing me." Akane released her with 
a bit of a smirk, and Nabiki turned back to the Senshi, forcing her face 
calm.  "So, you want to keep the secret down to just the people in this 
room?"

   Sailor Mars nodded.  "That's right.  We can't let it go any farther, not 
without endangering our normal lives."

   Nabiki turned to take in everyone else in the room before turning back to 
the Senshi.  "Just to be clear, who else knows?  It's important to know who 
I'm not supposed to talk about this with."

   Sailor Mars looked thoughtful.  "Let me see... Ranma, Ranko, Akane, 
Kasumi, Johnathon-san... that's it, really, at least those are the only 
people we've told directly."  She hesitated.  "Michael-san might have 
guessed one or two of us.  He knows who Makoto is for sure."

   Nabiki blinked.  "You have kept it quiet!  Is that really everyone that 
knows?"  She glanced around the room.  "You're doubling that number today 
you know."

   Mars sighed.  "Don't I know it!  If there was another way... but there 
isn't.  Most of the people here have either started to guess, or will figure 
it out soon anyway... and if we don't let everyone here know about our 
secret, it's likely that others will start figuring out the truth as well."

   Nabiki nodded slowly.  "I understand.  You need us to conceal what we 
know from anyone else who might stumble on to a clue, huh?"

   Sailor Jupiter nodded, breaking in.  "Jusenkyo... complicated matters.  
It's not hard to see the connection when two different people have the same 
Jusenkyo curse... that would give away Ami and Minako for sure... at the 
least."

   "I understand."  Nabiki said with another nod.  "If anyone finds out that 
the Sailor Senshi were at Jusenkyo, and also finds out about the curses... 
all they have to do to find out your real identities are to know which of 
you has the same Jusenkyo curse."

   Jupiter sighed.  "Exactly. I don't know how Ami's going to keep her curse 
a secret after this... her mother is bound to find out about it eventually, 
and if she knew about the Senshi going to Jusenkyo, there'd be no way to 
cover this up."

   Nabiki frowned.  "I guess none of your parents know then?"

   Jupiter shrugged.  "Well... it doesn't matter for me... but none of the 
others' parents can know.  It's too risky."

   Nabiki sighed.  "That's going to be tough to sell... I don't know how 
daddy will react if he finds out your folks don't know... and Nodoka's 
another problem.  She's a bit touchy about these kind of secrets nowadays."

   Sailor Venus looked worried.  "Do you think they'll tell our parents?"

   Nabiki hesitated.  "I can't say for certain, but I think we can convince 
them to keep your secret."  She frowned.  "I really can't be one hundred 
percent sure though."

   Sailor Mars sighed.  "I'm afraid we don't have much choice in the matter. 
  If the people in this room don't all agree to keep our secret, it's bound 
to come out, sooner or later.  If they do tell our folks... at least it 
would be better then if they found out on
their own."

   Nabiki shrugged.  "It's your call.  I'll see what I can do to help."  She 
raised an eyebrow.  "So, would you like me to handle this, or would you 
prefer to tell them yourselves?"

   Sailor Mars hesitated, then sighed.  "I think we should speak for 
ourselves, although I'd appreciate any help you can offer with dealing with 
the consequences."

   Nabiki nodded.  "Of course."

   Sailor Mars took a deep breath and turned to the other Senshi.  Are you 
two ready?"  Jupiter and Venus both nodded, only slightly hesitantly, and 
Mars turned again to face the room, stepping forward and clearing her voice 
loudly to get everyone's attention.  The room slowly went silent as all eyes 
turned to face Sailor Mars, and she spoke up clearly so as not to be 
misheard.  "I think it's time you all knew the truth.  I hope you all 
understand how important it is to keep this secret, but I think it's time 
you all knew who we really were."

   The room was quiet for a moment before Nodoka spoke up.  "Mars-san... 
I... I will keep your secret. I have... done enough damage already, it 
seems, speaking where I should have not... but I swear on my honor that I 
will tell no one your true identities, or anything that may lead someone to 
discover them."  She glanced around the room, resting her gaze on her 
husband for the longest time.  "I think I can speak for everyone here in 
saying that we will all keep your secret."

   Soun stood up.  "As the head of the Tendo family, I also swear to keep 
your identities secret.  Your honor is safe under my roof."

   Sailor Mars nodded.  "I am very glad to hear you say that Mr. Tendo, Mrs. 
Saotome.  Thank you."  She hesitated, then nodded. "Anyway, my real name is 
Rei.  Rei Hino.  I'm in Ranma and Ryoga's martial arts class."

   Sailor Jupiter stepped forward a moment later.  "I'm Makoto... Makoto 
Kino.  I'm also in Ryoga-sensei's class."

   Sailor Venus stepped forward with a wink.  "I'm Minako Aino!"  She 
abruptly detransformed, seeming pleased at all the attention that got.  "I'm 
also Akane Tendo the second... some of the time."  She added, waving to 
Soun.  "Hi pop!"  Nabiki sighed and looked at the ceiling in frustration 
while Akane and Kasumi gaped at her in shock.

   Soun looked at Minako in confusion.  "I'm not sure I understand.  What do 
you mean, you're Akane?"

   Minako held up a finger.  "Wait here a second, I'll go get some water 
from the kitchen and you can see for yourself!"  She slipped out to the 
kitchen without another word and Soun, Genma and Nodoka exchanged puzzled 
glances.  There was a host of worried glances from everyone else, but no one 
dared to say anything.  Minako came back into the living room with a glass 
of water in one hand, still grinning widely.  "Watch carefully now!"  She 
poured the water over her head and immediately changed, blond hair becoming 
black, becoming just a bit shorter and a bit more muscular.

   Akane Tendo stood in Minako's place blinking, then waved nervously.  
"Er... hi dad."  There was an audible thud as Soun keeled over and she 
winced.  "Darn it Mina...."  Akane huffed angrily to herself.  "You could 
have handled that a lot better!"

   Nodoka was looking a bit faint herself but managed to speak up.  "Are you 
really Akane?"

   Akane Tendo sighed and nodded.  "I'm a copy of her... but as far as I can 
tell I'm Akane... just not the only one.  While she was at Jusenkyo, Minako 
fell into the spring of drowned... er... drowned Akane... and I found myself 
in her body.  At the time, I thought that Kiima had just thrown me in there 
and tried to drown me... it was like no time had passed, but it had actually 
been months...."  She sighed.  "So it seems like I'm a copy of Akane from 
the moment Kiima drowned her in the spring.  I have all of Akane's memories 
up to that time, and I've been... sharing Minako's body ever since."

   Nodoka looked astonished.  "That's incredible!  And you are both in there 
somehow?"

   Akane hesitated, not knowing how much she should tell about her situation 
with Minako.  "Only one of us... well, exists at a time... although we do 
share memories of what the other does.  It's like having a dream that you 
can't do anything about, then waking up into the dream."

   Nodoka frowned.  "That doesn't sound very pleasant."

   Akane shrugged.  "It's better than the alternative...."  She hesitated 
again, then decided to at least explain part of it.  "At first
whenever we changed it was like no time had passed... I'd suddenly find 
myself out in the rain... and with no idea how I'd got there... or I'd be in 
Minako's bathroom at home, or something.  It was the same for Minako.  
Luckily some... friends... helped us out with a spell... one that lets us 
remember what the other one sees.  It's much less inconvenient this way."

   Nodoka stood up and went over to Akane's side, looking up at her 
intently.  "Why haven't you come home sooner, Akane-chan?  Your father would 
certainly have welcomed you home with open arms...."  Ranma's now diminutive 
mother suddenly glanced toward her son and his wife, the original Akane, 
with a gasp.  "Oh dear...."  She frowned worriedly, chewing on her lip.  
"I'm sorry dear, I suppose things must seem awfully complicated to you right 
now."

   Akane Tendo glanced at her twin, and the two of them exchanged sad 
smiles.  "Complicated... you could say that, Auntie. Akane and I... we've 
talked a bit about things... I think things will work out alright."

   Nodoka smiled in relief, then glanced back at Soun.  "Then certainly you 
should come to live with your family.  It isn't right,
you having to be apart from the people who love you like this."

   Akane shook her head, smiling sadly.  "Minako has her own family, Auntie, 
a mother and father who love her.  She has friends, school... a life.  I 
can't take that away from her.  We can't both have all those things."

   Nodoka shook her head, scowling strongly now.  "I can't accept that.  
There has to be a way for you two to work something out...."

   Just then Soun started to stir, sitting back up slowly and shaking his 
head as if he wasn't exactly sure of what had happened.  "Akane?"  He looked 
over at his original daughter first, as if reassuring himself that she was 
still there.  "I had the strangest dream... I thought there were two of 
you... and...."  His gaze wondered over to the long haired Akane currently 
standing next to Nodoka, and he nearly fainted again.  "Ach! There are two 
of you!"  Soun looked from one to the other in confusion.  "How... I don't 
understand...."

   Akane Tendo sighed and went over her father's side. "Let me explain again 
from the beginning...."

****************

   Conan spoke up.  "What is this, a joke?  They must have found the bug."

   Dr. Agasa shrugged.  "Very interesting fiction... if it is fiction.  What 
would Holmes say in this situation?"

   Conan frowned, but did not reply.  He was thinking hard.

*****************

   Before long Soun had the full story, minus the presence of the goddesses. 
  Like Nodoka, he pleaded for Akane to stay at the Tendo home, and again she 
refused, despite the fountain of tears that brought from the Tendo 
patriarch.  When they finally managed to calm Soun down and everyone was 
fully introduced, everyone gathered around the table so they could discuss 
the current crisis.

   "As far as I'm concerned,"  Nabiki was saying.  "We're under full scale 
attack.  This demoness Mara, or whatever she's supposed to be called, will 
keep coming after us till we're all dead or under her control, and I think 
she's attacking us even now, although she's trying to be subtle about it."

   Ranma glanced at Nabiki curiously.  "Even now?  What do you mean, 
Nabiki?"

   "Though Misty and Shampoo."  Nabiki said, nodding at the Amazon.  "I 
truly doubt that both of them would go into heat at the same time like this, 
and Shampoo says it came on suddenly, and more powerfully then ever before, 
isn't that right?"

   Half the women in the room blushed and all of the men, but Shampoo nodded 
her agreement calmly.  "I think Nabiki might be right.  Timing is very 
strange, for something like this to happen, and it does hurt our fighting 
strength considerably."

   Ranko shrugged.  "It doesn't seem too bad... I mean, Misty isn't a 
fighter anyway... and Johnathon...."  She shrugged.  "So we're down one... 
it hardly seems like a deliberate attack.  I mean, why would she bother with 
something like this... she could just... rain fire and brimstone down on us 
or something."

   Shampoo shook her head.  "It is worse than that, Ranm... Ranko.  If I get 
splashed with cold water I don't believe I could fight very effectively... 
and I'm afraid my presence would inhibit any of the men."

   Dr. Tofu nodded at that.  "Misty is putting out an incredible pheromone 
cloud... which is why I insisted that everyone stay
downstairs for now... and Shampoo was doing the same, although her being 
outside at the time did help quite a bit.  I'm afraid their pheromones seem 
to have nearly as much effect on humans as they did on Johnathon-san.  It 
would be difficult for anyone to think straight under such conditions."

   Ranko blinked twice.  "Oh."

*******************

   In another house, Conan and Dr. Agasa were still listening hard.

   Ai spoke up from behind them.  "Ocam's razor would make me believe that 
they are telling the truth.  Such a coherent mass hallucination is 
unlikely....  As much as the scientist in me wants there to be a more 
rational explanation for these phenomena, I must believe that the Sailor 
Senshi do exist.  The hypothesis that you have discovered the identity of 
several of these people must be taken into consideration.

   Conan glared at her.  "I am taking it into consideration... along with 
the much more likely conclusion that they have discovered the bug and are 
weaving a fairy tale for our amusement!"

* * * * * * * * * * *

   Akane Saotome spoke up next, pounding her fist into the table angrily.  
"What I want to know is what we're going to do about it?  This demon keeps 
attacking us and we just sit here and take it!  Isn't there some way we can 
strike back?"

   Makoto sighed.  "If Ami was here we could try and track her down using 
her computer... but without her or Skuld-chan, I don't have a clue how we 
could try and find her."

   Shampoo spoke up.  "If we cannot find our enemy, then we must shore up 
our defenses and wait until there is a chance to strike.  Great Grandmother 
should get the message I sent in less than a day, and this she will see if 
Sailor Mercury can be found in Beijing."

   Ranma nodded.  "Master Caine will rescue Ami if she's in San 
Francisco...."  He frowned.  "But if she's really in Copenhagen
I don't know what we're going to do...."

* * * * *

   Dr. Agasa spoke up.  "Listen... Isn't the missing girl's name Ami?"

   All three listened intently to the conversation at the Tendo residence.

* * * * *

   "We'll know by tomorrow evening at the latest."  Dr. Tofu said softly.  
"Once we know where Mercury isn't, we'll know where she is.  We can plan how 
to get to Copenhagen if it comes to that."

   "Until then...."  Nodoka said softly.  "We must wait and keep our guard 
up."  The serious look she wore seemed out of place on her child's face, but 
no one mentioned it.  "Obviously this demon wishes to weaken us bit by bit 
until she can defeat us... we simply must stay together and protect each 
other until we find means to locate her."

   Ranma exchanged a glance with his female side and nodded.  "If she tries 
anything more here she's in for a world of hurt, that's for certain.  We 
just need to be ready for her."

   Akane Tendo sighed.  "I guess that means that we all stay here for now.  
I hope Mina's parents don't get too worried."

   Makoto shrugged.  "We'll just tell them we're sleeping over here tonight. 
  We've done it before, and they've always been cool with it.  Even better, 
it's the truth this time."

   Rei sighed.  "I guess I had better call my grandfather as well.  He's 
already suspicious, but I don't think disappearing again out of the blue 
will help any."  She got up to go to the phone.  "Maybe I'll be lucky and he 
won't be home...."

   Nodoka shook her head with a sigh.  "I don't like the idea of you 
deceiving your families like this.  Certainly they'd support you if they 
knew?"

   Rei stopped halfway to the hall and looked back at the child addressing 
her so disapprovingly.  "I don't like lying to my grandfather either... but 
what choice do I have?  If he knew what I was doing... he may not try and 
stop me, but he'd certainly try to help, and he'd get hurt, or even killed!  
He's an old man, and no where near as indestructible as he'd like to think." 
  She glanced at Akane Tendo with a frown.  "Minako's parents are just 
normal people as well.  Knowing that she's is a Senshi would just make them 
worry, and put them in danger."  She sighed.  "We wouldn't have told anyone, 
but sometimes... sometimes there isn't any choice."

   Nodoka sighed and shook her head.  "I don't like it, but I understand 
your reasons. I just think that you may be making a mistake."

* * * * *

   Conan looked at the other two, his eyes wide.  "If what we have heard is 
true...."

   Dr. Agasa scratched his head.  "We have a problem."

   Ai shrugged.  "This sort of moral dilemma does not interest me.  You've 
solved the case... or at least, you know what happened to the girl, if not 
precisely where she is."

   Conan snapped.  "Who could I tell?  If I tell the girls mother, would she 
even believe me?"

   Ai shrugged.  "You usually find a way."  She glanced at the detective 
then started walking back downstairs to her lab.  "If that's what you want 
to do...."

*************

   Back at the Tendo Dojo, the council of war continued.

   Mars spoke up on behalf of the Senshi.  "Venus, Jupiter and I can take 
shifts keeping watch.  That way one of us will be ready at all times in case 
Mara shows up."

   "We'll watch with you."  Ranma insisted a moment later, glancing 
pointedly to Ryoga and Ranko.  "Ryoga, Ranko and me can each share a watch 
with one of you three."

   Akane Tendo glared at her husband.  "Ukyo, Shampoo and I can keep watch 
too you know, Ranma.  You three aren't the only ones that have fought demons 
before."

   Soun spoke up.  "Genma, Tofu-san and I will also take watches.  That way 
there will be four pairs of eyes watching at all times.  We can't afford to 
let this demoness catch us off guard again."  Genma swallowed nervously, but 
a glance from Nodoka kept him glued to his seat, and Dr. Tofu simply nodded 
in agreement.

   Nabiki spoke up at that point.  "I suppose that leaves Auntie, Kasumi and 
me to take care of all of you while you're busy keeping us safe."  She 
chuckled.  "Not that I'm complaining."  Nabiki wrinkled her nose.  "The way 
I see it, you should split up into equal groups, with one of the Senshi in 
each group.  How about Sailor Mars, Ranko, Shampoo and Daddy take the first 
watch, Sailor Venus, Ranma, Ukyo and Genma take the second watch, and 
Jupiter, Ryoga, Akane, and Tofu-sensei take the last watch?"

   Shampoo protested a moment later.  "Why can't I be in the same group as 
Tofu-san?"

   Nabiki rolled her eyes.  "So that you aren't making out when you're 
supposed to be watching, of course."  She shrugged.  "Besides, even if you 
do manage to stay focused, what if that demoness splashes you?  Any of the 
guys would be distracted then.  That's why I put you with all girls."

   Shampoo sighed and nodded.  "Is so.  You are right, merc... Nabiki Tendo. 
  Best not to take the chance."

   Kasumi stood up.  "Why don't I start dinner?  It's already starting to 
get late, and we can talk more while we eat."

   Nodoka got up as well.  "I'll help, Kasumi-chan.  You have to be careful 
in the kitchen, you know."

   Kasumi blinked down at the small girl beside her, as if not quite 
understanding, then smiled brightly.  "Oh yes!  That would be wonderful, 
Nodoka-chan!"

   Nodoka nearly choked at the diminutive use of her name but covered it 
almost immediately with a smile.  "I suppose that does fit me now, doesn't 
it?"

   Kasumi looked concerned.  "Oh my.  I'm sorry, Auntie.  I wasn't thinking 
clearly."

   Nodoka sighed.  "It's alright dear.  I am a little girl now... at least 
in appearance."

   "You are still my Auntie Nodoka."  Kasumi told her.

   Nodoka smiled softly, looking adorably cute.  "Come, we have quite a bit 
of preparations left to do with so many guests."  She started toward the 
kitchen, looking at Kasumi expectantly.

   Kasumi followed instantly with a nod.  "Of course, Auntie."

**************

   It wasn't until late that night that either Johnathon or Misty really 
regained the power of speech, raw emotion and need having kept them far too 
overwhelmed with one another for rational thought until both were nearing 
exhaustion.

   "I love you." Johnathon said very softly into Misty's ear sometime late 
that night. They had been making love almost nonstop for hours, although 
Johnathon had no real explanation to how they had managed to keep going 
quite so long. "I don't tell you that enough, you know that?"

   Misty shook her head just slightly in denial, not wanting to have to move 
too much, but not wanting her husband to think he in any way neglected her. 
"I know, Johnathon. You tell me that every day."

   Johnathon held his wife just a bit tighter. "I should tell you more, 
that's all." He sighed. "I'm sorry... I just... I couldn't seem to
stop myself once we got started... I should have been more careful."

   Misty giggled softly. "Don't be silly, husband! Even if you could have 
stopped, I certainly wouldn't have wanted you too! I thought I'd never get 
enough... I felt insatiable." She snuggled into his side with a contented 
sigh. "But you... completed me. Thank you."

   Johnathon sighed as well, allowing himself a slightly smug smile. "I'm 
glad. I was... worried. I never... I've never been so...
out of control...."

   Misty purred softly, the sound sending pleasant vibrations though 
Johnathon's belly. "I don't believe that. You were gentle, even at the 
peak... you moderated your strength. I know you're strong enough to have 
hurt me... but you never will. Never. I know that I'll always be safe in 
your arms."

   Johnathon was silent for several long moments before he responded. "For 
as long as I live... I will protect you. Even from
myself, if need be."

   Misty giggled again. "You'll never need to protect me from yourself, 
Johnathon."

   Johnathon hesitated, then shrugged. "I don't know...." He said lightly. 
"You're pretty darn sexy... even when you're not... you
know." He ran a hand along her belly slowly, his voice light. "One of these 
days I may not be able to resist, even if you're not in the mood." He 
hesitated again, becoming more somber. "Seriously, I hadn't really thought 
about it... but you can't have been as... excited the last couple nights as 
Kasumi and I were.... Cat's only feel the... the need every once in a 
while... like tonight." He sighed. "Why didn't you say anything?"

   Misty shook her head. "There wasn't anything TO say, Johnathon. Don't 
tell me you don't... that you don't feel anything when you're half-cat. I 
know you can become excited without my being in heat. It's the same for 
me... just not as strong." She shook her head, giggling again. "I don't 
think I could SURVIVE doing this every night. What we had the last few 
nights is just fine... better than just fine in fact. If I ever am... 
uninterested... well, I'll tell you, although I can't picture that happening 
any time soon."

   Johnathon nodded, smiling and closing his eyes. "I don't know why I 
worry.... Kasumi would have told me if you were unhappy, even if you might 
not have." He opened his eyes and looked into her golden irises.  "Sorry. I 
do worry. I know being like this can't be easy... but I'll try not to let it 
worry me too much."

   Misty sighed, then hugged him. "Please. I don't like it when you worry, 
even if it is about me. You and Kasumi take good care of me, the best... but 
I would be happiest if we could all just take care of each other."

   Johnathon stroked her head lightly. "Then that's what we'll do then... 
we'll all take care of each other." He frowned lightly.
"Kasumi... she hasn't come to bed yet."

   Misty frowned as well, glancing at the clock. "I wish she would have come 
in earlier... although I suppose she might have looked in and decided not to 
disturb us... I doubt I'd have noticed if the whole family had stopped in to 
watch... at least for most of it."

   Johnathon laughed wryly. "I know what you mean... I don't think I would 
have noticed catching on fire." He groaned slightly. "I don't want to leave 
you... but shouldn't I get her?"

   Misty hesitated, then nodded. "I'll do it. There certainly can't be 
enough beds in the house for everyone... she's probably still awake 
downstairs somewhere."

   Johnathon started to rise himself, pulling Misty up with him. "We can 
find her together... I don't feel like going far from your side right now."

   Misty nuzzled his neck and nodded. "Good. I feel the same. Let's go find 
Kasumi together."

   The two half-cat's dressed quietly, Johnathon only taking the time to 
pull on his boxers, and Misty throwing a light robe over her shoulders but 
not bothering to belt it up before they exited the room together. As they 
had half expected, they found Kasumi sitting in the living room and slowly 
sipping a cup of tea while watching a late night movie.

   Kasumi shut off the TV as soon as she noticed them and stood up, going to 
them immediately for a three-way hug. "I love you." She whispered to them 
both, burying her face between their furred chests and holding them both 
tightly. They hugged her tightly back, not saying a word, and it was Kasumi 
who spoke again first, pulling slightly back to look them both in the face. 
"Would you two like something to eat? You both must be hungry after using up 
so much energy."

   "What we want." Johnathon said firmly. "If for you to come to bed with 
us."

   Misty nodded in affirmation. "It's late. Please come to bed."

   Kasumi nodded with a calm smile. "Alright." She let Johnathon and Misty 
guide her up the stairs, holding on to them tightly as they went. She 
giggled a bit as they both started to undress her on the way up the stairs, 
but didn't say anything. She was beaming happily as they lifted her off her 
feet and carried her into their bedroom, not resisting in the slightest as 
they stripped her naked and laid her down on the bed. Kasumi gasped in 
delight as Johnathon started to make his way down her body. "Oh... oh my!" 
She took a deep breath. "Aren't you two tired?" She finally asked curiously 
as he moved between her legs. "We are." Misty admitted. "But we're still a 
bit excited as well... and we wanted to share at least part of that with 
you... dear, dear sister... we love you, of course!"

   Kasumi blinked, then let her eyes roll back. "Oh.... OH!" She stroked her 
feline twin's head at the same time as she did her
husband's. "Oh. I'm sorry for making you come and get me." She apologized 
sincerely between deeper and deeper breaths. "I won't make you wait for me 
again."

   Misty's eyes were alight. "I most certainly hope not!"

*************

   Later that morning, downtown in San Francisco, Peter Caine was explaining 
the situation to his father.  "No Pop, we can't free any of the other 
animals."

   The Shambala master sighed.  "Ah... it was only... an idea.  We shall 
'scope out the joint' then?  And tonight... free the young
woman?"

   Peter nodded.  "Yes, well, if she's even here."

   Caine  gave his son a glance.  "I do not doubt that she is here.  I 
sense... great evil is about."  He frowned.  "I do not believe I have ever 
felt this... kind of evil before."  He looked at his son.  "A Japanese 
Demon... you said?"

   His son shrugged.  "He said a demoness, he didn't tell me the brand."

   Master Caine sighed.  "You should have... questioned him more fully."  He 
glanced at his son again.  "That is your job... is it
not?"

   Peter sighed back.  "It was 2 o'clock in the morning, Pop!  It we need, I 
can try his number again... He might be home by now."

   Caine shook his head.  "I do not think that will be necessary."  He 
pointed towards the Big Cat building, where a very familiar figure was just 
entering the building.

   "What the?"  Peter gaped.  "That was him!  What's he doing here?  He told 
me he was in Japan.  If this is some sort of trick...."

   His father laid a calming hand on his son's shoulder.  "I do not 
think...."

   Peter shrugged off his father's hand.  "I'm getting to the bottom of 
this!"  He walked swiftly in the direction of the Cat house's
main doors.

**********

   Ami woke up again in a small cage... different from the last one she'd 
been in.  It was slightly larger, and smelled new.  Out the cage's door she 
could smell trees, the wall opposite a viewing area, apparently for the 
general public.  The sounds that way were unmistakable.  An inexplicable 
urge had woken her, cutting even through her slumber, and she felt strange.  
Her dreams had been... vivid, but she blocked them out as she tried to 
concentrate on the sounds around her.

   < An English tour group I suppose.>  Ami reasoned.  < The guide's English 
is very good.>

   She slowly opened her eyes and looked around.  Unremarkable blue painted 
cement walls, a small water trough, and nothing else was evident in her new 
home.  The exit door to the outside yard was closed, and she sighed to 
herself.  < I wonder how long before the other's find me?  I suppose they 
could teleport in at night...>  She glanced at the viewing area.  < A lot of 
tourists here today.  I haven't seen so many European faces...>  She paused, 
listening carefully.  < Why is everyone speaking English?>  She blinked 
suddenly as she looked about the area.  < Why are all the signs in English?> 
  Her heart seemed to pound harder in her chest.  < Ohhh dear...  I don't 
think I'm in Japan anymore.>

   Ami rose with only slight difficulty and began to pace her cage in 
agitation, something burning deep within, her tail swishing behind her.  < 
This... is not good, not good at all.  What am I doing here... wherever this 
is?  How long was I asleep for?>  She moved her neck slightly up and down.  
< Still hurts, but not barely as badly... I suppose It's been a day or two 
at least.  Why was I transferred here?  I'm sure I was at the Tokyo Zoo the 
last time I was awake...  They must have drugged my food for the plane 
flight.>

   As she paced, her waking was noted, and on a cue from the zoo's head vet, 
her cage door was opened.

   < They are letting me go out?>  Ami wondered.  < I wonder why?>  She 
cautiously poked her head outside.  < Not a bad yard.>  She mused.  < It's 
certainly larger than the what I had in the Tokyo Zoo.>  She walked slowly 
out into her new home.  It was a large platform of earth and grass, 
surrounded on two sides by a moat and fence, and behind her a large wall.  
Several shade trees grew in the enclosure, and Ami looked about her, mildly 
impressed.  < Well, this is fairly nice I suppose...>  She shook her head 
suddenly.  < Nice... if I wanted to be an exhibit for the rest of my life.  
Is there anyway I can get out of here?>

   With escape in mind, she began examining her enclosure more carefully.  
As she moved under one of the trees, however, she realized that she was not 
alone.  A large black shape was laying on one of the larger of the tree's 
branches indolently.  Ami backed up in surprise.

   < Oh my!>  She thought.  < Another panther!>  As she slowly backed away, 
the other big cat climbed out of the tree and came towards her.

   Ami flinched backwards but kept herself from running away.  < I'd better 
try to be friends... we might be together for awhile.>  As the larger 
panther came up closer, she spotted a second feline coming up from the moat 
area.  < Two?  Are they mates?>  Ami wondered to herself.  < I hope they 
don't mind the company.>

   Indeed, the two seemed not to mind her presence, and Ami found herself 
the object of much friendly attention.  < Well, they seem to like me... >  
With that worry off her mind, Ami explored her new world.  < No way out.>  
She sighed.  < It looks like I'm stuck here for awhile.>  She lay down under 
the shade of the largest tree and looked curiously back at the people 
passing.  < The hippo area is across the way...  I wonder when we get fed.  
She listened to the excited people staring back at her.  At least I can 
improve my English listening skills.>

   Her two companions suddenly began hissing at each other, Ami looked up 
alarmed, but it was over almost as soon as it had begun.  To her surprise, 
the smaller of her two companion's walked away, while the larger lay down 
next to her and started grooming her.  Ami let the larger cat go over her 
fine coat with his rough tongue, not wanting to make a bad impression on 
him.  At the same time she tried to puzzle out the strange sensations she 
was feeling.

   < What's wrong with me?  I want... I want... what?  What do I want?>  The 
cursed girl closed her eyes and tried to focus on her schoolwork, trying to 
recall the first few chapters of the class's new mathematics text.  It was 
much harder than she remembered, bringing up all of those numbers and 
theorems, and Ami started to get worried.  < Why?  Why can't I think 
clearly?>  One by one, images started to run through her mind.  Ranma 
Saotome, at Jusenkyo, wearing only a pair of boxer shorts... glistening with 
sweat.

   Ami shook her head.  < He's married!  Why am I thinking about him?>  
Johnathon Dwire/Tendo's image came up a moment later, a sleekly furred half 
cat, exotic, tall, his black shorts blending into his fur so that she could 
barely tell he had anything on at all.  For a moment she wondered what it 
would be like to be crushed to that furry chest, held in those powerful 
arms, pinned down by hands who's claws could spring forth at any moment, 
tearing clothing off with gentle thoroughness.

   Ami's eyes darted open and she stared at the rocks and grass before her 
hollowly.  < No!  He's married too!  What am I... why am I thinking about... 
men... now?>  She couldn't help but recall an old fantasy of hers, replaying 
the night she had first met Johnathon Dwire.  She had found him in his house 
cat form, hurt after a Youma attack, and had brought him back to her home to 
nurse him back to health, completely unaware of his curse.  Many times after 
that, Ami had played with the idea of having accidentally splashed Johnathon 
with some hot water that night... and what might have happened if she had.

   It was all highly illogical of course, her fantasies of a cat suddenly 
blooming into a damp, steaming, naked man... with herself
fresh out of the bath as well, wrapped only in a single towel, of Johnathon 
leaping on her to keep her from crying out.  She replayed the fantasy again, 
with the older man pushing her down on her bed, holding her tightly under 
his naked form, of his kissing her firmly on the lips to muffle her startled 
cries.  Naturally he quietly explained his curse to her, telling her that he 
meant no harm.  Slowly he would release her, not fully taking his weight off 
her in case she tried to run, and they talked, her full of wonder at the 
magic of his curse, him, full of gratitude for her taking care of his 
wounds.  They would trail to a stop, uncomfortably aware of their bodies so 
close together, only a damp towel separating them....

   From there her fantasies had taken many different paths.  Johnathon had 
not been married at the tie, she had felt no guilt at the dreams, although 
after his marriage to Kasumi she had filed that particular fantasy away.  
Now however, she found herself remembering each of those fantasies in great 
detail.

   Ami shook her head once more, forcing herself to stop.  < No!  It's not 
right!>  Her mind, however, simply threw up alternate fantasies in place of 
the ones she was trying to ignore.  Ryoga-sensei's image came to her and she 
sighed.  He WAS an incredibly well built young man... a perfect specimen of 
young adulthood, at least physically, with those little fangs that seemed so 
adorable on his innocent countenance.  She had gotten a peek at him in the 
buff, months earlier, after they had
returned from the dark kingdom and she and Mars had transformed him back 
into his human form.  It had left her speechless.  His baby pig form was 
adorable of course, but when she though of it she immediately pictured 
herself in her panther form, picking Ryoga-pig up by his bandana with her 
teeth, and then jumping them both into a furo.

   The images of what would follow swam through her mind, causing the 
discomfort she had been trying to ignore to redouble, becoming an ache she 
could no longer deny.  Her eyes shot wide open once more as the reality of 
her situation finally began to dawn on her.  Lost in her fantasies, Ami 
hadn't really noticed the large male panther continuing to groom her, slowly 
moving to stand over her, straddling her hind quarters.  With a hiss, Ami 
rolled over, pushing the larger cat away with all four paws, having to stop 
herself from unsheathing her claws on him.

   < Oh Kami-sama!>  Ami realized in a sudden moment of crystallized horror. 
  < I'm in heat!>  Throwing the male panther ignominiously to one side, Ami 
rolled to her feet and stood up on all fours, quickly loping away from him 
to the far side of the pen .  < What's wrong with me?>  Ami asked again, 
berating herself.  < I should have figured this out half an hour ago.  The 
symptoms were obvious!  I can't let this cloud my judgement.>  Agitated, Ami 
paced back and forth over a short stretch of grass, keeping one eye on the 
larger male at all times.  < That one was trying to... mate with me.  It 
intimidated the smaller one,
and it... knows I'm in... in season.>

   Ami catalogued the physical sensations she was feeling as coolly as she 
could.  < Oh my... I really am.  My body... aches... like I'm on fire.  I 
haven't been this aroused... ever.  It's different... much different than 
I'm used to... but it can't be anything else.>  She moaned softly.  < Oh 
Kami-sama!  It's so bad.  Does Luna have to go through this?  It's awful!>  
Ami moaned again, a bit louder, and both males perked up their ears and 
started heading toward her.  Ami froze in terror.  < No!  What did I do?  I 
called them somehow?>  She moaned again, louder, then skittered backwards as 
the two males hurried toward her even faster.

   < What's going on?  What set them off?>  The two male panthers 
encountered each other on the way over to her and suddenly hackles went up 
again on both sides.  After a bit of hissing and posturing on both sides, 
the smaller male again backed off, although a bit more reluctantly than he 
had the first time.  Ami continued to retreat as the larger male advanced on 
her once more, facing him and retreating backwards.  < What do I do?  I 
don't want to... to mate with a panther!>  She moaned softly again, 
vocalizing her dismay, and the male panther tried to slip quickly around 
behind her, encouraged by the sound.

   Ami turned with his and growled as he tried to mount her once more, 
slapping him away with her paw when he got too close.  < Oh no you don't!>  
She thought fiercely, hackles going all the way up her spine in anger and 
frustration.  < I don't care how much this body wants it, you AREN'T my 
type!>  The larger male continued to circle, not taking the hint, and Ami 
started to get more and more frustrated, moaning again deep in her throat as 
the ache she was feeling started to become even worse.  < Why?  Why won't he 
leave me alone?  Can't he tell I'm not intrested?>

   Suddenly the smaller male was there by her side, growling at the larger 
male and with a pounce, knocking him away from her.  The smaller male rolled 
the larger one over with the momentum of his rush, then leaped back to 
position himself between Ami and the larger of the two males.  Ami blinked 
in confusion as the panthers circled one another, coming together in a blur 
of fur and claws before the larger male was forced away, the smaller using a 
leverage trick to bowl the larger one over and keep him away from Ami 
herself.  After half a minute of this, the larger panther abruptly gave up, 
pretending that it had just lost
interest, and calmly walking off to take a nap in the opposite corner of 
their enclosure.

   Ami watched the smaller panther warily, as he approached her, but rather 
than try and circle around behind her, or even simply coming up to groom 
her, he stopped several feet away and laid down, still facing her, and 
staring at her with a quizzical expression on it's face, as if it was trying 
to figure her out.  Ami slowly lowered herself to the ground as well, 
keeping her eyes on him, and tried to rest, the constant strain she was 
under having started to really wear down her nerves.  Half an hour passed, 
and the smaller male drove the larger off three more times, each time doing 
so quicker than the time before, until the larger male finally seemed to 
completely loose interest.  Instead of claiming her himself, however, the 
smaller male panther simply watcher her, acting almost like a black furred 
bodyguard rather than a male interested in mating with her.

   Ami was still trying to puzzle out his puzzling behavior when a dark 
haired, slightly unshaven young man called to her from just outside her cage 
at feeding time that morning.  Ami noticed him right away.  < Johnathon?!!  
He's found me!>

   At her fixed look, the he held up a sign in Japanese.  "Turn around twice 
if you're Mercury."

   Almost giddy with relief, Ami quickly circled twice, then went over the 
front of the cage, only a few feet away from him, ignoring the meat being 
offered and staring right at him.  < It's me, It's me!>

    He nodded, his face brightening, then spoke softly in Japanese.  
"Tonight... late, I'll come and get you.  Sleep as much as
you can."

   As he stood there, an angry looking man about Johnathon's age or a little 
older came up next to him.  "Dwire... I don't know how you got here, 
but...!"

   An older, man, looking slightly Chinese came up to the two younger men 
and placed a hand on the new comer's shoulder.  "Peter... still your 
anger... all is not as it seems...."

   "I don't need your help either, old man!"  Peter yelled fiercely.

   Michael's face was turning red.  "I!!! Who do you think you're yelling 
at, you baboon faced buffoon!"

   Peter blinked as his son turned to face the other man again.  "Baboon?  
You'll pay for... Argh!"

   Caine spoke up quickly.  "Yes... very well, shall we take this outside 
and settle it like... men?"

   "You're on!"  Mike didn't hesitate.

   "I'll kill him!"  Peter agreed vehemently.  The two young men followed 
the elder outside and around the corner to where there were no viewers.

   Peter squared off.  "Come on you @%^&!"  Mike faced him in his own 
stance, fists raised, jaw clenched in anger.

   Caine stepped back a little, as if to avoid the encounter, then pivoted 
on one foot, hand flashing out like lightning.  "Got you!"  He held 
something tightly in his fist.  "Show yourself, Demon... You can not escape 
me."

   Bemused, both men turned to look at the priest, uncertain of exactly why 
they had just been so terribly angry with each other.  They both started 
back as a tiny man with wild golden hair and a black outfit appeared in 
Caine's hand.

   "You is letting Senbei go!"  The tiny imp protested.  "Senbei is not even 
knowing how you is holding him here!"

   Caine shrugged slightly, not letting his attention waver for an instant.  
"I have fought... and destroyed demons... before this,
little one.  You are not welcome here."

   The little imp protested.  "But Senbei must be here!  Must increase his 
happiness by making those who help the panther unhappy!  Is Senbei's job!"

   Caine shook his head.  "No longer.  I can not... permit you to 
interfere... any longer."

   Peter had walked over and was staring at the tiny demon.  "That's not 
Mara... is it?"

   Michael walked over as well.  "No... but he has her fashion sense, and 
tattoos a bit like hers."

   Peter glanced at him.  "Johnathon, what are you doing here anyway?"

   "You've got the wrong Dwire.  I'm Michael, John's twin brother."

   Caine spoke up.  "I was about to..."  He shrugged.  "To tell you... 
before this demon interfered."

   Peter shook his head.  "OK, then what are... never mind... was that 
panther Ami?"  He pointed back towards the front of the building.

   Michael blinked twice, then nodded.  "Yes it was, and we should let her 
know everything's alright... we must have worried her with that little 
display back there."  < Ami... that's another of the girls taking classes at 
the Tendos.  I think I'm starting to see a pattern!>

   Peter nodded.  "Can you handle that thing, Pop?"

   Caine grinned, still not looking away from the demon.  "As you say.... No 
problem."  The shaolin master suddenly glanced in the direction of the 
panther cage with a frown.  "We should rescue the young woman tonight.  She 
should be safe... for now.  But I fear she is undergoing a trial of her 
own... one that she should not have to face this young."

   Peter looked at his father in confusion.  "A trial?  What do you mean?"

   Caine just raised an eyebrow.  "It is not something I believe we can help 
her with.  She will be guarded from danger from the outside, I believe, but 
it is danger from the inside that she will have to face."

   Peter shrugged.  "If you say so, Pop."

***************

   Inside the enclosure, Ami was a little bit more than worried.  < They 
were being influenced by something, I'm sure!>  She paced nervously.  < If 
only I could transform!>  She wished she could talk, yell, anything... 
"Grrr!"  She stopped herself from growling fiercely as she saw the two 
younger men returning.  < Thank goodness!  I wonder what happened?>

  Johnathon approached her cage first and whispered in Japanese.   "We're 
alright now... there was this tiny demon, but it's
been taken care of."

   Peter frowned.  "What are you telling her?"  He said in English.

   "That everything's alright, Detective...."  Michael waited.

   "Caine.  Peter Caine."  He glanced at Ami.  "Does she understand any 
English?"  Michael shrugged, but Ami nodded emphatically.  Peter noticed.  
"You do?  Great, that will make things a lot easier."  He looked around, but 
no one else was in hearing range.  "Your friends asked me to help you get 
out of here.  Tonight, we'll be back to free you, so just hang in there."

   Peter motioned to Michael.  "Come on, let's find somewhere to talk... we 
need to plan this thing out."  The two men smiled and nodded to Ami, then 
left the building together.

   Ami tried not to watch them, but she couldn't help glancing at them until 
they were gone.  < I can't believe they found me this quickly!  Johnathon 
must have spent a fortune to get plane tickets here so fast.>  She frowned.  
< Wherever here is... probably America... the people all sound American I 
think, sort of like the American movies I've seen.>  With her rescuers gone 
for the moment, Ami found herself drawn back into the reality of her own 
predicament.  Her physical discomfort had continued to grow the entire time, 
and she was finding it more and more difficult to endure, and it would be 
hours before nightfall.  Closing her eyes, Ami tried to hold on, doing her 
best to enter a meditative state, despite her discomfort.

   Ami started to the sudden sensation of something very close to her face.  
She started backwards, opening her eyes only to see the face of the smaller 
of the two male panthers only inches away, staring into her eyes as if 
looking for something.  She stared back in confusion, a look that he seemed 
to match.  Ami watched as the young male panther (she had the impression 
somehow that it was perhaps just grown to maturity, although aside from the 
size, she wasn't sure how she knew that.)

< Hello?>  A strange voice came into her mind then, as if it was one of her 
own thoughts, only with a deep throated male voice, one that inexplicably 
seemed to match the panther in front of her.  Ami glanced around her, but 
saw no one close enough to speak.  < It's me.>  The voice told her.  < Right 
in front of you.>  Ami looked at the smug looking panther standing nose to 
nose with her and stepped back with a start.  < Hi!>  The voice in her head 
said cheerfully.  < You really do understand me, don't you!>

Ami hesitated, then slowly nodded her head.  < Oh good.>  The voice in her 
head said in a relieved tone.  < I wasn't sure if that would work.  Most 
panthers can't really understand very much when I try and talk to them....>  
Ami blinked in confusion and the panther looking her in the eyes ducked his 
head in embarrassment.  < Not that you're just another panther.  I knew you 
were something special as soon as I first saw you.>

Ami shook her head in denial automatically, then quirked her head at him 
questioningly, and the voice went on.  < Oh yeah, you'd probably like to 
know my name.  My old master called me Midnight.  What's your name?>

Ami hesitated, then tried to think back at him.  < My name is Ami.  Can you 
understand me?>

Midnight beamed at her.  < Yes!  Wow!  You can understand me?  You really 
are intelligent!>

Ami blinked.  < And... and you are too?  How?  How are you here?  Who are 
you?>

The black panther in front of her quirked his head.  < I just told you.  I'm 
Midnight.>

< Oh, of course.>  Ami nodded.  < You did tell me.>  She quirked her own 
head in imitation of his.  < How did you get here?  Don't tell me that all 
panthers are like you....>

Midnight seemed to laugh, his mouth hanging open slightly.  < Of course not. 
  You're pretty unique yourself you know.>  He ducked his head shyly.  < 
You're as smart as you are beautiful...>  Ami blinked in astonishment at 
him, not sure how to respond, and Midnight visibly winced.  < Dumb, dumb, 
dumb... what am I thinking, coming on so strong?  I must sound like an 
idiot.>

Ami giggled slightly.  < Well, you were doing alright until you started 
calling yourself an idiot.>

Midnight blinked.  < Really?>

Ami nodded slowly.  < You were just trying to be nice.>  She glanced away.  
< I know I'm not really all that beautiful....>

Midnight was incredulous.  < Yes you are!  Really!  I thought so the moment 
I first saw you!  And it's not just because... because you're... er....>

Ami swallowed.  < I'm in season, right?  That's why your friend was... 
trying to... mate with me.>

Midnight looked her in the eyes.  < This is your first time, huh?  Don't 
worry, I won't let Gengis bother you again.  He's pretty mellow really, most 
of the time, but I don't think he's ever been around a female before either. 
  He's just going on instinct.>

Ami nodded.  < So... he's a normal panther?  He's not intelligent too, is 
he?>

Midnight nodded.  < He's as normal as it gets.  When I try first tried to 
talk to him like this he just got confused.  I can get basic
emotions off of him, wants... but nothing really complex.  Right now he's 
sulking because I usually let him have his way, although he knows which one 
of us is really in charge.  He just got a bit overexcited when you arrived.> 
  Midnight licked his lips nervously.  < I can understand how he feels.  
Your presence is... well, a bit overwhelming.  Do you have any idea what 
you're doing do me just by being here?>

Ami took a step back.  < I'm sorry... I don't mean to....>

Midnight shook his head.  < It's not your fault.  It's not like it's 
something you can control.  Take it easy.  You don't have to do
anything you don't want to do.>

Ami shuddered, sinking back down to lay on the grass again.  < I'm not so 
sure.  These urges are so powerful... I can barely think straight.>

Midnight lay down facing her.  < I think I understand.  I have to admit that 
I'm very drawn to you, Ami.  It's not like anything I've ever felt.>  He 
looked at her seriously.  < But I won't let my instincts make me do anything 
I you don't want me do to.>

Ami sighed.  < Thank you.  I'm not ready for... for that.  I mean, I'm sure 
you're a perfectly nice per... panther... but I'm not ready for such a large 
step.>  Even as she denied it, her body renewed its demands, stronger than 
before, but she wasn't ready to give in.

Midnight quirked his head at her in confusion again.  < You're weird, Ami.>  
His voice was kind, softening his words.  < You're nothing like I expected 
you to be.>

Ami blinked.  < What you expected?>  She nodded a moment later.  < Oh yes, 
you must have known I was coming... the zoo keepers must have mentioned it.  
I suppose you expected a normal female panther, not one like me.>  She 
suddenly felt strangely disappointed.  She wanted so much to be what he 
wanted her to be, although she couldn't think of a rational reason why.

Midnight hesitated.  < Well, actually, yes.  That's what I did expect at 
first... but at the same time, I was hoping you'd be the one....>  He shook 
his head.  < You're going to find this hard to believe....>

Ami looked up at him with a combination of hope and dread.  < The one?  I 
don't understand.>

< It's a long story.>  Midnight explained.  < But I can think of no other 
reason that you'd be here.  There can't be many other panthers like us in 
the world, can there?>

Ami nodded in agreement.  < That's true.  I still find it strange that we've 
met like this.  It really seems like an incredible coicidence.>  The spark 
of hope increased, as did the fear, but her mind refused to say why.

Midnight shook his head.  < It might seem like a coincidence to you, but it 
isn't.  It's all because of my old master....>  He hesitated, then nodded.  
< Maybe I'd better tell you the whole story.  You see, up until six months 
ago, I was what my master called his "familiar."  Months after I was born, 
my master took me from my mother and raised me himself, enchanting me to be 
smarter, healthier... and making my life longer so I'd be able to live as 
long as he did.  He was a wizard, you see, and he had extended his life far 
beyond the span of most humans....>  He hesitated again.  < Do you 
understand any of this, or am I telling you something obvious?  Are you a 
familiar too?>

Ami nodded.  < I understand what you're telling me I believe, but no, I'm 
not a wizard's familiar.  So, what happened?  How did you come to be here?>

< My master was old, far older than he appeared, and his old familiar had 
died of old age, so when he bonded to me, he made sure that I would stay 
around to be with him.>  Midnight shook his head.  < Unfortunately it was my 
master who ended up dying first.>

Ami looked away.  < Oh. I'm so sorry for you.  Were you two very close?>

Midnight sighed.  < We were.  He was a good master.  He treated me well and 
for the first dozen years of my life we were happy....  We stayed away from 
people mostly, although when someone came to my master for help, he did what 
he could.  One day a family came to us for help.  An evil spirit had been 
haunting them for generations... and they had done everything they new how 
to do to try and fight off its influence, but its curse would not go away.  
They came to my master telling him that
he was their last hope.  They had moved here, to San Francisco all the way 
from China, hoping to escape the spirit, but it followed them, and it was 
angry.  My master and I confronted it, and we did banish the spirit, but not 
without cost.  The struggle weakened my master so much that the spells 
keeping him alive were torn apart.  He started to age as a normal man from 
that point, and he was already ancient.>

< Wasn't there anything he could do?>  Ami asked softly.  < Couldn't he save 
himself with his magic?>

Midnight shook his head.  < He was too weak.  That sort of magic takes great 
power, or a great sacrifice.  I would have gladly given my life so that he 
would have the power to save himself, but he would not accept.  He was not 
willing to go on living at the price of another.  My master knew that he 
would die soon, and started making preparations.  He lasted for three years 
after that, and those were good times.  We knew our time together would be 
short, but we were still happy together.  My master donated me to the zoo, 
knowing that they would care for me well... and they have, although it has 
been a bit boring at times.>

Ami smiled softly, causing Midnight to eye her strangely.  < I can 
understand that.  I wouldn't want to be stuck in the same place for so 
long.>

Midnight quirked his head at her again.  < You are so strange, Ami.  You act 
just like a human sometimes.  Don't you know that baring your teeth like 
that is a sign that you're angry?>

Ami blinked, then shook her head quickly.  < Oh no!  I'm not!  I was 
just....>

Midnight nodded.  < You were smiling like a human.  And you nod and shake 
your head too.>  He chuckled.  < My master taught me to do it too, so I just 
fell into it again myself when we started talking.  You've never been around 
other panthers before, have you?>

Ami nodded back.  < No, that's true.  You and your friend were the first 
panthers I ever really met face to face.>  She hesitated.  < But you were 
explaining why this isn't a coincidence.  Your old master donated you to the 
zoo, but it's still strange that we should end up in the same place like 
this.>

< It's not as strange as you think.>  Midnight told her.  < My old master 
wanted to make sure that I wouldn't be alone, so before he died he cast one 
final spell, one that would draw a companion to my side... someone I could 
spend the rest of my life with....>  He looked nervously at Ami.  < So... 
here you are....  It has to be my master's spell!>

Ami looked astonished.  < Do you really think so?  I mean, I can hardly 
believe I got here because of some spell... >  She hesitated, strangely 
wanting to believe it.  < Or could it?  Getting transferred to San 
Francisco, where you are... that could have been your master's spell acting. 
  After all, it could have been any zoo in the world, couldn't it?>

Midnight nodded in agreement.  < Right.  That was how it would have worked, 
taking some random factor and making it a certainty.>  He peered at her 
shyly.  < And... here you are.>

Ami swallowed.  < So... we're... destined to be together?>  Her heart sang, 
and she felt ready to faint, all at the same time.

< I... I hope so.>  Midnight's voice was quiet even in her mind.  < I've 
never met anyone like you, Ami.  I'd like it if you could stay with me.>

< I'd... like that too....>  Ami began hesitantly, not believing her own 
words even as she said them.  Before she could analyze what she was feeling, 
Ami shook her head in denial.  < I can't stay here.  I have 
responsibilities.  I've got to leave, and soon.>

Midnight looked her in the eyes.  < Then I'll come with you!  You're the one 
I've been waiting for.  I can't lose you after only a day....>

Ami shook her head again.  < I... there's no way... where would I keep 
you... mother would never understand... oh Kami... I wish there was a 
way...>  Her eyes widened.  < What am I saying?  It's like I'm a different 
person....>

Midnight raised an eyebrow.  < Did I ever tell you that you're strange, 
Ami?>  He winked at her.  < Besides, I'm sure your mother will love me.  
Aren't I a lovable fellow?"

Ami looked at him and couldn't help but agree.  She could hardly think 
straight around him, he was so desirable.  She took several steps forward 
and butted her head into his shoulder, rubbing up against him provocatively 
before she even knew what she was doing.

Midnight hesitated for a moment in surprise, then caressed her back with his 
chin, putting it over her neck and rubbing slowly against her.  < Well 
now....>  He murmured quietly in her head.  < I guess that's as good an 
answer as any.>

Ami didn't answer, instead rubbing herself down the length of his body, 
taking in his scent, the feel of his body against hers... it was 
intoxicating, and she felt what reservations she still had being overcome by 
her overwhelming desire for him.  He really wasn't that small.  Ami realized 
as she continued to rub against him, playfully nuzzling against his hip with 
the side of her face.  He was smaller than his cage mate, Gengis, but still 
noticeably larger than she was, and sleekly powerful.  She wanted him to be 
more powerful than her... wanted him to press her into the grass with his 
weight, wanted him to....

Ami jerked away from Midnight in shock, surprising him.  < What am I... What 
am I doing!?!>

< Whatever it was...>  Midnight told her jokingly.  < You were doing it very 
well.>

Ami felt a surge of warmth at his voice, both pleasure and anger at the same 
time.  < That's not funny!  I can't... I can't be doing this!>  She had to 
fight to keep the desire out of her mental voice, and didn't fully succeed.  
He could sense how she felt about him, and she knew it.

< Ami what's wrong?>  Midnight sounded confused in her head.  < Are you 
scared?  I promise I won't hurt you.>

Ami shuddered, then shook her head.  < I know you won't Midnight, but... I 
can't.  I just can't.>

Midnight quirked his head sideways at her.  < Should I go?>  He shivered, 
ripples of fur running down his flanks.  < If you're not ready... I can 
go... over to the other side of the enclosure, anyway.>  He shivered again.  
< I don't know if I can... when you're this close to me... I don't know how 
long I can resist....>

Ami was suddenly terrified.  < No!  Don't leave me alone.  What if... what 
if Gengis comes back?>  She couldn't explain why she was so frightened, not 
logically.

Midnight immediately nuzzled her cheek, trying to calm her.  < I won't leave 
you... and I won't let Gengis come anywhere near you if you don't want him 
too.  I promise you that.>  He sighed, reigning in his lust for her as best 
as she could, the fear he was sensing from her made it much easier to do.

Ami nuzzled him back automatically, still shivering.  < I don't know why I'm 
so frightened.  Your friend Gengis is bigger than me, but I've faced tougher 
foes... I know I could protect myself from him if I had too.>

Midnight chuckled softly in her mind.  < He's just a big cream puff you 
know.  He looks tough, but show a bit of spine and he whimpers and shows you 
his belly.>

Ami reluctantly pulled away from Midnight a second time.  < I'm not scared 
of him really... I'm scared of being alone with him.>

Midnight raised an eyebrow.  < Oh?>

Ami shuddered again.  < I can't... I can't think straight.  I'm afraid that 
I'd... that I'd let him....>

< It's hard, huh?>  Midnight was sympathetic.  < It's my first time too.  I 
mean, I've read about it in books... and seen nature shows on TV... but it's 
so much more when it's really happening.>

Ami stepped away from him deliberately as she tried to think.  < I know only 
a little bit about the subject myself.  I remember some of the basics, from 
books I read when I was considering becoming....>  She shook her head.  < I 
can't remember anything... my head feels like it's filled with fog.>

Midnight kept himself from following her.  < If you're not ready, I'll wait. 
  I'll keep Gengis away from you too, OK?>

Ami nodded.  < Thank you.  I'm really glad you're here.  I hate to think 
what it would be like having to deal with this alone.>

Midnight shrugged sheepishly.  < Aw, forget about it.  Why don't you just 
lie down and try to get some rest.  I'll keep watch.>

Ami nodded slowly and sank down into the grass.  < I'll try.>


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