After some time, the rain stopped. The group made a little break at the base of Gagazet. They started a small campfire to heat up some water for Ranma, Ukyo and Shampoo.
The guys gave Ukyo and Shampoo some privacy when they were putting on their clothes.
"You're pretty lucky, Shampoo," Ukyo grumbled. "Every time you transform, you just shrink out of your clothes. But I... I destroy them every time I turn into that big bird. I'm lucky Elma gave me some spare crusader uniforms..."
When Shampoo didn't respond, Ukyo turned her head. "Hey, what's up?"
Shampoo sighed. "Shampoo thinking of strong man with white hair. Can't stop thinking about him..."
"You mean that guy that was with Kinoc?" Akane asked. "Don't tell me you were serious with that 'Wo ai ni' back then."
Shampoo shrugged. "Shampoo don't know. Always thought was in love with Ranma, but... Am not too sure now. Think it might just have been some crush... or more like some obsession..."
She looked down at the ground. "You know, back in the village, every man just adored Shampoo because of her beauty, of her fighting skills and such... but no one was strong enough to beat Shampoo. Amazon law says men are weak and can only become good husband when beat you in battle. Back then... Shampoo was pretty desperate... Didn't want to admit it, but wanted to be loved as well. Mousse... Mousse always was a fool. Didn't know what love is. But Shampoo was no better... always wanted to make Ranma her Airen because was desperate for love... But now... I think Shampoo is in love for real..."
Her ex-rivals sat down beside her. "But you only met him recently," Akane said. "And you really didn't have any chance to talk to him."
Ukyo smirked. "Maybe it just 'hit her hard', you know? Love at first sight... how romantic..."
Shampoo rubbed her shrinking bump on the head. "Yes, hit Shampoo pretty hard..."
The other girls just giggled at that.
----
After that short interlude, they got ready to climb Gagazet.
Sacred Mt. Gagazet... an enormous mountain, covered in snow. On its other side, the lost city of Zanarkand was waiting for every summoner that was searching for the Final Summoning.
The Ronso tribe was living here, known for their strength and pride. They see themselves as the guardians of the mountain... and thereby, the guardians of Zanarkand itself. By now, they had been strict followers of Yevon.
But when former maester Kelk Ronso came back from Bevelle and told them of Mika's real intentions, Seymour's intrigue and the constant violations of their own rules, they started questioning their own way of life. If they were not destined to protect sacred Gagazet from intruders, what were they else?
Still, they didn't like any kind of intruders. And while they questioned Yevon's way of thinking, its teachings were still deep embedded in their minds. So they still thought of Yuna and her group as traitors.
So it was no wonder that the first thing the pilgrimage group saw after climbing the first mountain trail, was the fist of a burly Ronso that hit the snowy ground in front of their feet.
"Summoner Yuna and guardians, leave here at once," Biran growled in his deep voice. From all over the rocks and cliffs, the Ronso were appearing and looking down at the group.
Kelk appeared in their middle and stepped towards them. "Gagazet is Ronso land, sacred mountain of Yevon," he said. "The mountain will not bear the footsteps of infidels."
"Enemy of Yevon is enemy of Ronso," Biran shouted. "Leave, traitors!"
"I should have expected them to act this way," Akane mumbled through gritted teeth.
Yuna stepped forward. "I have cast aside Yevon!" she shouted. "I follow the temples no more."
"Then you will die by those words," Kelk responded.
"Elder Kelk," Biran growled. "Let Biran rip them asunder!"
Yenke would have said something, but he was wrapped up in bandages and couldn't speak very well.
Shampoo stepped forward. "If Shampoo may ask: Are Ronso not strong and proud? Are they not proud of being a clan of warriors, able to protect Gagazet and their weaker tribesmen?"
Biran nodded instantly, while Kelk seemed to ponder about that question. "Why are you asking me that?" he finally said.
"Shampoo always thought the same," she responded. "Amazons are proud warriors, but look down on male members. Ronso are also strong, proud warriors, defend their holy ground. But Shampoo ask you: Why listening to teachings that go against your ideals?"
Biran growled. "You may have taught Yenke new battle move, and you may be strong warrior, cat-girl, but Biran thinks you should be careful what you say."
"Think about it," Ukyo added. "She's right, you know? Lord Kelk... have you not turned your back to Maester Mika? Have you not started questioning his beliefs? You heard what Seymour did to his father."
"Is right to protect Zanarkand from intruders," Shampoo finally said. "But don't try to stop Yuna just because Mika says she is traitor. She is just trying to save Spira, as are all summoners, yes?"
That really gave Kelk something to think about. Finally, he sighed. "Your words carry wisdom, young warrior. In your own tribe, you would make a good leader. Very well: I hereby grant Lady Yuna, summoner Ranma and their guardians entrance to the heights of sacred Gagazet. Ronso, let them pass!"
They all breathed sighs of relief. Yuna bowed before the Ronso elder. "I thank you."
When they continued walking, Ukyo nudged Shampoo. "Hey, that was pretty good, sugar. Kelk was right: You would make a good leader of your people."
Shampoo looked down. "May be so. But elders would never accept new way of thinking. And will of elder is absolute. Can't do anything about it..."
And Ukyo dropped the subject for now.
See other episodes by Shritistrang
(Posted Fri, 04 Aug 2006 11:33)
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