The dimly lit tavern blustered with drunken rowdy people complaining about their unfair life. The tavern was full, serving wench barely being able to move around. But far right corner of the tavern was empty, except for a lone person that set in a table, person's face was hidden by the hood of the robe.

"May I join you?" the voice belonged to rather attractive woman wearing brown traveler's cloth and cloak. Her long black hair reaching the mid of her back. The cloaked figure only motioned her to sit.

"I heard that you are the best guide in this area." She began. "I would like to hire your service."

"To?" Male voice responded.

"To the cave of Jusenkyo." She answered.

Cloaked man waited, appraising the girl that set before him. "Your offer?"

"I'll give you a platinum penny now." She said as she laid the coin on the table. "And rest after the journey."

"In other words, you want me to guide you in and out of the cave." Cloaked man said "two platinum piece to hire me, and we split the loot in half."

"I'll let you keep all the loot in that cave, I only need one item." She said as she held a hand out. The man that set opposite of her had gentle yet firm grip. "My name is Kasumi, Tendo Kasumi."

The man that set before him paused, before replying. "My name is Ranma, Saotome Ranma." '…. Tendo, could she be the one my father engaged me to? This is going to be interesting journey.'

"What item are you looking for?" Ranma asked.

"Ring of three wishes." Kasumi replied with out a pause.

"You do know that most wish items do not always grant you wish you want. Depending on how the words are phrased or how it is understood, your wish may be changed."

"I know the risk, but this is my only hope of saving my mother." Kasumi replied.

"Fine, I will guide you into the cave, but I do not guarantee any safety.

It took full day of travel to reach the mouth of the cave. Not wishing to explore at night, Ranma and Kasumi set camp.

"Would you like to get first watch?" Kasumi asked Ranma as she unrolled her bedroll.

"sure, good night." Ranma set in front of the fire place, resting on his six feet long staff.

Six hours later, Ranma woke Kasumi from her light slumber.

"Shhh, stay quite, we are surrounded." Ranma said as he shook her awake. "I think there are three, maybe four."

Kasumi casually set up, not wanting to warn the intruders. "How long was I asleep?"

"Six hours." Ranma answered. "We still have 2 more hours till sun rise."

"How come you didn't wake me up sooner? You won't have time to sleep now." Kasumi asked as she dons her weapons.

"Your robe is very finely made; I haven't seen such fine chain linked armor. Links are so small that it looks like regular cloth." Ranma said looking at her unique dress. "anyway, I think its time for us to act no?"

Kasumi simply nodded, not having anything else to say.

"Come on out, I know you are there." Ranma held his staff in defensive stance; Kasumi drew her Katana joining him in defensive stance.

His answer came in form of cross bolt arrow, missing his ear by mere centimeter. Ranma clearly heard the bolt piercing through the wind. "Then so be it." Ranma yelled out.

Kasumi rushed in, dodging 5 badly aimed cross bolts and deflecting 3 more with her sword. By following the pass of the bolt, she was able to find 2 of her enemy. In a blink of an eye, Kasumi flat blade her enemy, sudden impact driving the wind out of her foe. Her opponent fell to his knees and fainted.

Ranma appeared from behind the second opponent hitting him in the back of the head with one end of the staff, followed by smack to the butt with other end. He repeated the process one more time before finishing the combo with wicked side swing to the temple.

The opponent before him staggered, shaking the dizziness out of his head. Firing two cross bolt into the air by accident.

Two cross bolt arrow whistled by Kasumi, missing her by centimeter. Following the line of bolts flight, Kasumi rushed towards the third opponent. Deflecting 2 more cross bolt and slashing the enemy's stomach. However, the enemy's rough leather armor prevented the blade from cutting the flesh.

Ranma begun to twirl his staff in high speed, gaining momentum by seconds, with a mighty battle cry Ranma cracked his opponent's skull, then slammed the butt of his staff down on the head of the fainted opponent.

Third opponent shot 2 cross bolt at Kasumi from point blank range, Kasumi was able to deflect one but the other caught her directly in the stomach. Luckily her unique family heirloom armor prevented it from piercing her. She winced from the pain but pressed her attack.

Using her momentum and body weight, Kasumi swung wide, nearly leaving her self open. Her sword met the rough hide of the leather armor, but this time the weakened armor gave ways to the sword. Kasumi swung her sword vertically, removing the blood from the blade, before sheathing the sword.

Kasumi walked back to the camp fire, to see Ranma striping the enemy of their armor. "What are you doing?" She asked

"Removing their equipment, this could fetch us decent money." Ranma removed the armors and equipment from the three dead opponents, folding the armors to best of his abilities to save space in his pack. Two crossbows hung on the right side of the pack, while finely crafted long sword hung to the left.

"Judging from this little skirmish, you will have hard time getting through this cave with help, it would be impossible by your self. Let alone search the rooms for that ring you want." Ranma said as he hid the three bodies.

"I have no choice in this matter, this is only way I can save my mother." She said with firm reserve.

Two moved swiftly through the cave, stopping at every turn to make sure that cost is clear. Nearly thirty minutes of searching, two came upon a hall way with two guards patrolling around a pathway.

Ranma motioned for Kasumi to stay quite, as he moved silently like a predator sneaking upon its prey. Ranma successfully grabbed the guard, putting his hand over his mouth and attempted to drag the guard around the corner, only to be thrown over the shoulder.

Ranma spun in mid throw, landing on his feat and sprang into attack. Landed a wicked thrust to the chest, followed by upward swing to the jaw, and then finished the combo with a palm thrust to her stomach.

Before he could turn around to look for the second guard, tip of a staff missed his nose by mere centimeter. The force of the swing created enough wind to ruffle his front hair.

From corner of his eyes, Ranma saw Kasumi rushing up to the guard. She drew her sword at last second and landed a solid blow to the stomach. Before she could follow up with second slash, opponent hit her right rib with the quarter staff.

Tip of Ranma's staff slammed into opponent's forehead seconds after she hit Kasumi's side. The guard staggered back from the impact before falling down. Kasumi walked up to fallen guard and held her sword in front of her throat.

"What are you doing in this cave?" Ranma asked.

The guard glared hatefully at Ranma before answering. "This is cave of amazons; our duty is to guard our treasure." She stared at her fallen friend before asking. "Are you going to kill me too?"

"That depends on how much you cooperate with us." Ranma answered with out missing a heart beat. "Do you guys have the ring of three wishes? Or any type of artifact that grants wishes?"

"No, the ring of three wishes was stolen by a thief long ago." She answered. "Along with our other treasure by man named Haposai."

"What is your name?" Ranma asked.

"My name is Xian Pu, warrior of amazons." Xian Pu said with hint of pride.

"Well, Xian Pu, for being so helpful I will grant you a boon if I am capable of it. What do you want?"

Sudden blur of movement slammed into Kasumi's stomach, knocking her back good fifteen feet. In front of Ranma, now stood an old mummy, she stood to be around three feet tall, but she was balancing on a cane that added two more feet to her height.

"I promised that I would grant you a wish, say them any time you want." Ranma said as he calmly looked over the prone form of Kasumi. 'She will have bruises in the morning, but she will be fine.'

"I must thank you for not killing her." Ranma said to the old woman that stood before him. "My name is Ranma, Ranma Saotome and you are?"

"Kun Lon, an elder of Amazon tribe." Ranma could almost feel an air of confidence emitting from her. 'She is good.'

"I wasn't intended on fighting, but your people ambushed us at dawn." Ranma said calmly, to see the reaction of Kun Lon.

Xian Pu slowly stood up, standing behind the elder. "Now what does the great Ranma Saotome wants with the ring of wishes?"

"You know of me?" Ranma asked bit surprised.

"Of course, you are rather famous in the rings of adventurers. I have heard rumors that you have yet to fail to accomplish your objective."

"I am flattered." Ranma said with a bow. "It is not for my self per say." Ranma said as he showed her a ring on his ring finger. Her eyes widened for second in shocked before regaining her composion.

"I see, and why does she seek for one?"

"She told me it was to save her mother." Ranma answered back.

"And you believe her?" Kun Lon asked

"Yea, she is telling the truth as she understood. She really thinks only a wish granting item could save her mother."

"I see." Kun Lon said with a nod.

"If you touch her, I'll kill you." Ranma said in dangerous tone.

The first guard he knocked out regained consciousness during the conversation and tried to kill Kasumi while she was still helpless. Only to freeze five feet away from Kasumi, with her sword drawn.

"And if you tried to kill her, I would stop you." Kun Lon also said calmly but threat was clear.

Ranma stared at Kun Lon, dangerous glint appearing in his eyes. "You are not good enough."

"We shall see boy." With that she disappeared.

With a confident smirk, Ranma also disappeared. In four seconds, Ranma and Kun Lon reappeared where they originally stood. Kun Lon was on her knee panting for breath. Her shattered remains of staff were imbedded on solid stone wall of the cave.

Ranma seemed fine where he stood, but to train eyes. They could tell that he was trying to favor his left ankle by putting most of his body weight on his right.

The guard that threatened Kasumi took her chance when her elder disappeared. Believing that her elder would win the bout. The guard now stood over prone form of Kasumi, ready to stab her with Kasumi's Katana.

With mighty yell she stabbed down. Before the blade could touch Kasumi, burst of lightning shot forth from Ranma's staff. The impact of lightning bolt threw the girl forty feet back, stopping only due to the wall.

She slid down the wall as electricity still crackled about her body. Ranma lifted his hand up and Kasumi's blade flew to his hand. He aimed his staff at the prone Amazon. "I told you, you touch her, I'll kill you."

"Wait! Please!" Xian Pu shouted. "I wish that you would let us live."

Ranma turned around to face her. "I refuse, I will let you and Kun Lon live. But I will not back out of my promise with her." Ranma said pointing at the prone girl with his staff.

"Please, let my sister live." Xian Pu bagged, tears dripping down her cheeks.

"Then so be it." Temperature around the room seemed to drop as Ranma said the words in distaste. He walked over to Kasumi and gently scooped her up. Her sword floated and sheathed it self in Kasumi's scabbard.

"Remember this Xian Pu, you or your descendent owes me debt of bones. I will collect my favor someday."

"Are you all right grandmother?" Xian Pu asked Kun Lon

"I'm fine child, who would have thought that Ranma is a war wizard." Kun Lon said with a sigh. "I threw over five hundred punches, only two connected. When my staff hit his body, it burst into flames and exploded."

"Then he is a master?"

"Child, it took me near seventy years to master my body and spirit. He mastered his body and spirit in teens. That boy will die of old age and still look like a teenager."

"Then he could already be in his hundreds." Xian Pu said lost in thought.

"No child, if that was the case he would have been much stronger. If we really go at it, I will be the victor; however I wouldn't walk out of that fight. In fact, I would be lucky if I can walk after month of rest"

Kun Lon took out a parchment and started to write a message. "Xian Pu, take this letter and deliver it to that boy. You are to do as he say, obey him like you would me."

With a bow, Xian Pu grabbed the letter and bound off. "I sure do live in interesting times." Kun Lon said with a sigh.

"Where am I?" Kasumi groaned out as she set up from the bedroll.

"Glad to see that you are finally awake." Ranma said as he stirs the fire. "I have some stew in the pot if you would like some."

"What happened?" Kasumi asked as she took the bowl. "I remember you questioning that girl, and then …… nothing."

"Don't worry about it, everything will be alright." Ranma said comfortingly

"No it won't." Kasumi whispered, looking downcast. "I couldn't get the ring; I only have few more days until I must return. I won't be able to cure my mother's disease now."

"Few more days? When must you return by?" Ranma asked in surprise

"By end of May." Ranma barely heard her murmur.

"……" Ranma waited in silence, not knowing what to say, and then he broke the silence. "You only have 2 days to return."

"What?" Kasumi nearly shouted, hoping up from her bedroll, not even realizing her state of clothing.

"Err… you might want to cover up." Ranma said as he pointed at her body.

Kasumi looked down to find her bare chest, with an eep; she dived back into her bedroll.

"Sorry bout that, I had to treat your wounds." Ranma said but didn't sound very apologetic. "Your equipment is behind you, go ahead and get dressed while I take care of intruder."

Ranma walked into the forest, disappearing from her line of sight.

"What do you want?" Ranma asked to no one in particular. Xian Pu walked out of her hiding, slowly not to cause an alarm.

"My grandmother told me to deliver this letter to you." Xian Pu said holding a letter up.

Ranma casually walked up to her and grabbed the letter, standing right in front of the former enemy like nothing was wrong. He read the note before sighing. "…. Do you know what this letter says?"

"No, but grandmother told me to obey you like I would her." Xian Pu said as she fidgeted.

"This letter asks me to take you under my wings, do what ever you want. If you want to follow, then follow." Ranma walked back into the camp, only to have towel slam into his face.

Ranma pealed the towel off to see Kasumi now fully dressed. "I hope you like my gift."

"Yes, thank you. It is very fine Katana." Kasumi said as she touched the hilt of her new Katana on her left waist.

"I noticed during the last battle that you are two weapon fighter, I take it that you lost your weapon?" Ranma asked setting down, Xian Pu setting down besides him.

"What is she doing here?" Kasumi asked pointing at Xian Pu.

"She is going to travel with us for while." Ranma said. "I take it that your home is in Japan?"

"Yea, I have to get on an air ship to be their on time." Kasumi sighed. "I won't be able to afford it."

"First, let us make our way to the harbor and hope that they have airship." Ranma said as he stood to pack his bag. "By the way…. If you don't have money to pay for airship, how are you going to pay me?"

"I'll pay you as soon as we get to my destination."

"But our deal was to escort you in and out of that cave, I would have to charge extra for trip to Japan."

"You don't have to come you know." Kasumi said with scowl on her face.

"As soon as you pay me, I'll go my way." Ranma said crossing his arms. "I'm already losing out on profit as it is, airship ride will cost around platinum penny for round trip."

"How much more do I have to pay you?"

"I'll tell you what, since you can't afford to pay for the airship. I will cover for you, if you do something for me." Ranma stared at Kasumi leaches grin.

Kasumi felt very awkward and self conscious at that moment. 'Oh no, he wants my … my… oh my.'

"Hhhhm, that feels so good………..just perfect." Ranma said with light moan. "You're so good at that, you must have lot of experience."

'I can't believe he asked for backrub.' Kasumi thought to her self as she rubbed Ranma's shoulders.

"Whew, that was great. Thanks." Ranma said as he stood up and stretched. They were currently riding on a metal disk. Precisely, Xian Pu was carrying them on a large plate while Ranma was getting his back rub.

"We are at harbor now." Xian Pu said tiredly

"Thank you for the ride." Ranma said as he picked up the oversized plate. The plate begins to shrink in size until it became a small silver coin.

"Aye, you really are a wizard." Xian Pu said in awe. "Grandmother told me you were a war wizard, first one in three thousand years."

"Me? A war wizards?" Ranma laughed out loud. "I am no such thing Xian Pu; anyhow, let's go before we miss our ride."

"Identification please." Said the man behind the counter.

Ranma handed him his Id. The man opened his drawler and grabbed a file folder. "Ranma Saotome, age 18, sex male… Oh my god I'm so sorry I didn't recognize you sir! Please, this way."

"Are you a noble man?" Kasumi asked as they walked down the hall way.

"You could say that." Ranma stated simply.

"My father is viscount of Nerima." Kasumi said simply. "Have you heard of him?"

"No, I afraid I don't deal with viscounts."

"I see, you must be a Baron."

"Ya know, your pretty poor for being a daughter of viscount." Ranma paused before continuing. "I figured you'd travel with body guards or escort or something."

"My father does not freely spend our funds in such ways." Kasumi stated heatedly. "Otherwise we would have hired an experienced cleric already."