Cologne walked back to a place she never thought she'd visit again. For all the bad blood between her kind and the twins, she'd never thought that she would come back to Japan to seal an alliance with the Saotome Clan for the Joketsuzoku.

It was desperate times, and for them to need outside help to survive -- it was desperate times. She needed a place for her great-granddaughter to learn. Only the Saotomes came to mind. They were the only ones who could wake Shampoo up. It had been a long shot, but she needed her great-granddaughter back.

Already the girl looked dejected, the nearer they were to Rose Brier; the more she frowned. She looked down at her feet rather than straight ahead which was a sign the girl was still demoralized. Cologne didn't know if the trip towards Japan made matters better or worse regarding the girl.

Expecting Nabiki to greet her by the gates of Rose Brier, it came as a surprise when it was Ranma -- in his cursed form who bowed and welcomed her in. It was unnatural for the man to be the one who welcomed such visitors and it wasn't much of a shock that he did so as a girl.

"Good day, Matriarch Kuh Lon," Ranma-chan gave her a deep bow, which she returned, then turning to Shampoo she bowed again, "Good day, Xian Pu. Welcome to Rose Brier. What makes you venture to these parts?"

"Is there any other reason why we would go to Rose Brier, Ranko-chan?" Ranma-chan would not find out the reason of their stay, and she just left the answer to the girl's imagination.

"Could I offer the ladies... something?" Ranma-chan just shook her head as she entered the house with Cologne. It was apparent to Cologne that even though he had time to get used to his girl from, he did not train much in how one should act, especially when receiving guests.

It looked like Nabiki still did most of that for him. He has some more ways to learn in the arts of hospitality, Cologne declined graciously and so did Shampoo, "And how is your lovely wife?"

"I don't have a wife," Ranma-chan answered lightly guiding them towards a room where they could talk, "Though if you are asking of Lord Ranma, he is by the border of the Sagami, by Yuigahama shore."

'So they had decided to keep the curse from the household of Rose Brier, just as what they had done in their house in Nerima. The twins traded places. Who else would be at the beach if not for Nabiki? Ranma wouldn't tell me something like that if one of them wasn't there.' The information was of some significance. "And the Lady Kodachi?"

"Sick with a mild cold," Ranma-chan opened the shoji that lead to the garden for some of the fresh air to come in, taking some of the zabuton she offered it to them, "She seemingly forgot how to swim."

"It would be of great pleasure if Hanae and Nabiki's son grace us with their presence." Cologne answered as she looked at Ranma-chan closely, gauging his expression. It didn't change.

Taking a small bell from inside the folds of her obi, Ranma-chan raised it and rung it several times. The moment she stopped a young girl had arrived and bowed once towards her then at the two guests, "What is it Lady Ranko?"

"Please call Sei and Hanae."

The girl bowed and left, only to return in a short while with the two children, then bowed again to leave. Cologne turned her attention to the new arrivals.

Sei held a distinct resemblance to his mother and a small resemblance to his uncle, at five, he was already an charming lad. Although from what she had learned Sei took more of his appearance from his father's side.

Hanae, as she had expected, was the exact image of her mother, except for the long red locks she had so neatly tied in a pony-tail, Cologne could just imagine staring at her lost heir. Her resemblance to Shampoo could not go unnoticed as well, and she wondered how long it would take for her heir to notice that the young girl in front of her was an Amazon.

"Elder Kuh Lon, Xian Pu, the young Lord Sei and Lady Hanae of the House Saotome." Ranma-chan said as both bowed to each, "Sei, Hanae, I would like you to meet the Honored Matriarch Kuh Lon and her heir and great-granddaughter, Xian Pu from the Joketsuzoku."

Hearing this Hanae's eyes widened in surprise and delight, but refrained from clapping. Sei remained as passive as he had been, just like Nabiki when she had been introduced to Cologne the first time, the boy really did take up after his mother after all.

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