This will hopefully be a multi part story that extends far past what I write.
Vegeta should have one soon as well as Paladin and others.

ja matta,

Hiei
http://members.aol.com/kibagimi/Hiei1.html
The Fighting Girls Lemon Mega Mix:  Revenge of the Demon Blade

Hajimemashite!  Welcome to the first episode of The Fighting Girls Lemon
Mega Mix.  The basic idea was simple:  Throw every game girl in existence
(be she from a fighting game, role playing game or whatever) into a huge
tournament held in a La Blue Girl style world.  Then open the concept to
other authors, and see what happens.  If you are interested in getting in on
this email me (Hiei) at kibagimi@aol.com or the other head editor (Vegeta)
at Vegeta4@yahoo.com. Or check out my site at
http://members.aol.com/kibagimi/Hiei1.html for a breakdown of the rules and
what's expected of each submission. Enjoy!

Oh yeah if you are either under the age of 18 or offended by graphic sex
and/or violence then do not read this.  As usaul these character with the
exception of Kakugo Jin and most of his demonic buddies are not mine, they
belong to other people who got paid to make them.  Suing me for any reason
me is as futile since attempting to extract money from me is as pointless as
trying to get blood from a rock.  Hey you can't take what isn't there.

Episode One:    It Has Begun!

by Hiei

"I made a God out of Blood
Not Superiority
I killed the King of Deceit
now I sleep in Anarchy"
KMFDM, Anarchy

Though the wind howled through the open chambers of the castles hightest
tower it's lone occupent paid it no mind.   He wore only sode, armor that
went from shoulder to wrist, on his upper body.  The six bright red burning
torches lit the huge room impossibly well, giving his ebon skin a
nightmarish apperence.

His features were sharp bold, and would be considered handsome despite the
two curved and viscously sharp horns protuding from his forehead.  His steel
blue hair was tied into a samurai's traditional topknot.  He wore hakema
(traditional loose fitting pants worn by kendo and Aikido practioners) that
were so dark purple the light seemed to soak into them.  Around his
massively muscled torso wide strips of tiger skin were wrapped, his armor
attached by the same material.  He sat on his shins, resting in the
traditional waiting posture, his immense arms resting at his waist.
Directly in front of him a huge No-Dachi (two handed katana) easily eight
feet in length and a foot and a half wide rested it's sheath pulsing rapidly
with shackled power in contrast to his calm exterior.

The demon had long ago forgotten his old name, the only one that remained
was the name his lord had bestowed upon him, Kakugo Jin (Ready Blade).  He
had been a samurai, that much he rememberd.  Young, but blooded in battle
and ferocious in skill and temperment.

For while he possesed an aptitude for tactics and combat that seemed
unnatural, he possesed no mercy.  His soul heard only the call of battle,
the cry of an opposing warrior, challenge, conflict, death.  These were the
were the lures to his heart, his only goals.  Yet all this was tempered by
one attribute, loyalty.  His fervor for battle was matched only by the
relentless and unwavering loyalty to his emporer.

At the young age of twenty three the young samurai was chosen for a
seemingly impossible mission.  Kill the Queen of Korea, capture the Emporer,
and bring him back to Japan.  With only a hand picked "army" of thirty
samurai he assaulted the Korean capital, killed every fighting man there,
burned the Empress in view of her subjects and returned with the Emporer to
his homeland.  (note that this incident is factual, thirty samurai did in
fact do just that)

However despite this amount of ability, or perhaps because of it, the young
samurai had made enemies, lots of them.  When twenty of them betrayed and
attacked him they paid for it, fifteen of them died.  But the samurai was
dead.  As his soul spiraled towards the afterlife, something, called to him.

     "You can yet live.  Serve me and your life will be war, battle,
conquest.  For ever."

     "Who are you?  Who must I serve?"

     "That is irrelevant.  Do you agree?"

     Death or battle for an eternity.  The samurai considered for all of a
second.

     "Yes."

     The voice as it turned out, was Modeus, then a contestor for the title
of the Lord of Hades.  The samurai became his prime general, overseeing the
defeat of Mictla the ruler of Hades at the time.  Over the next several
centuries Modeus and his general secured their position as rulers of the
Underworld dimensions.  Then Modeus decided it was time to end the conflict
once and for all.  This would be done by the defeat of the realm of Dyval
and it's ruler Mephisto.  The war was known, quite simply, as the Shin-Akuma
Iczer.  The True Demon War.  The fight lasted for an uncountable amount of
years, shifting it's battleground through time, space, and reality as the
two forces fought for dominance.  Other races were dragged into the conflict
and entire worlds were decimated.  The forces of good were not oblivious to
this and quietly moved their forces out of the war's path.

     Then in a final climactic meeting both Modeus and Mephisto met in
Limbo, neutrul ground.  Somewhere they both could die.  The war lasted for
an untold length, but Modeus and Mephisto finaly fought each other face to
face.  Modeus was winning until his ba'alrog servants betrayed him,
weakening him enough to allow Mephisto the upper hand.  In the end Modeus
lost and was killed by Mephisto.  Swearing vengance Jin destroyed Mephisto,
the ba'alrog's who had betrayed his lord and the rest of Mephisto's army.

     Their victory was short lived as soon as the last deevilkin fell the
sky split and the forces of good attacked.  Their combined might proved to
be more than a match for the weakened demons but not for Kakugo Jin.  As the
spirits of good battled him one of them realized why he could not be
deafeated.  Modeus had long prepared for the battle with Mephisto and was
not above considering his own defeat.  He had arranged that his soul and
power be transfered to Jin's sword in the event of his death.  There he
would recover, feeding on the souls of all Jin slew until he could be
certain of his safe release.  The killing of Mephisto and the ba'alrog's had
made Modeus, and by proxy Jin, more powerful than even the combined might 
of
the forces of good.

     However  a group of human warriors from the Gikan (Regard for Justice)
ninja ryu, suggested an alternate method.  If he could not be destroyed then
imprison him.  The forces of good sealed the passages to a lone world and
locked Kakugo Jin and his army of demons imprisoned on it.

	Jin now sat in the fortress he had raised.  The world had taken a few
short months to conquer it's native lifeforms falling easily before the
demon army.  It had been nearly three hundred years since his imprisonment
and Jin had never ceased in his quest for a way to open the seals that held
him to this desolated world.

	With a flash of light from the demonic blade Jin returned to the
present.  Though there was no change in the wind slashing through the room,
no new shadows showed themselves, Jin knew they were there.  Thirty of them
he counted, each the winner of an individual tournament held by each section
of his army.  Each believing that they had a chance to rule the horde.

	"You can show yourselves now, your stealth still needs work."  Jin's
thunderous voice rolled across the space with easy power.  The wind slowed
and died as if by his command as the massive demon rose with impossible
smoothness, his eyes still closed.  As he did they came, melding through the
floor and walls climbing through the windows, two large bat winged
monstrosities simply punching through the blackened granite ceiling with a
blast of red energy.  They surrounded him, a collection of the survivors of
the final battle with Mephisto and those who had been created since then.
There were humans who had managed through skill, deviousness, and pure evil
to be included in the horde, there were formless shapes that were nothing
more than muscle, ectoplasm, and attitude.  Bat winged, beastial headed,
gromek unsheathed their paired maces, a group of energy specteres flickered
as they moved among the crowd of monsters, something akin to black lightning
arcing around them.

	Jin slammed the tip of the sheath of his sword to the tatami mat floor
his hands folded over the end of the hilt.  As Jin opened his eyes he
released the hilt of the sword, which remained standing. His hands open and
palms facing forward, the black skinned demon quietly gathered his power.
As he did the demons around him shifted unsure of what to do.  Then the
massive blade in front of Jin sank into the floor.  Jin closed his hands
into fists.

	"Begin." he said.  The small army needed no other impetus.  A gromek
led the charge it's massively muscled wings propeling it toward Jin's side,
it's maces cocked back, ready to crush mountains.  Jin's leg slid toward the
attacking demon.  His elbow raised and imbeded itself in the gromek's chest,
crushing the beasts strenum.  Jin's right arm crossed over his left and
grabed the back of the gromeks horned head.  He span and arced his arm over
his head sending the monster into an attcking group of canine alu demons.

	A human warrior, his swords spinning so fast they couldn't be
distinguished, charged Jin's back.  The massive black skinned demon turned
outside the human's attack, bringing a knife hand down on the top of his
attacker's leading arm.  Jin continued the turn and dropped sweeping the
warrior to the floor.

	A hideous green thing consisting mostly of thrashing tentacles sent a
group of the slimy limbs toward Jin, the ends morphing into diamond hard
spear-like tips.  Jin crossed his forearms in front of his chest snapped
them apart.  A vortex of wind formed in front of the demon general and
ripped forward.  Sucking the tentacle-thing into its maw and absorbing a few
more unlucky demons as the whirlwind kept going straight out the window,
disapating six hundred and sixtey six feet above the ground.

	His hands tracing lightning, Jin stepped forward and appered in front
of the remaing gromek.  In panic it swung it's mace at Jin's head.  Left
hand crossed over right and caught the demon's wrist.  The lock was thrown
jerking the demon sideways.  Jin slammed a right knifehand into the gromek's
side as he pulled it past him, comepleting the circut.  Power flowed and the
gromek failed to gather the breath to scream as it's body coursed with
power.

	The remaining fifteen demons paused, half of their number defeated
without any effort on Jin's part.  The spread out surrounding the black
skinned general.  Jin stood ready, no emotion showing on his sharp face. 
Then the air directly behind him shimmered and pulled away, a swirling mass
of red and black opening like a pool of liquid.

	Hands, delicate, graceful female hands, pushed through the light
encircling Jin's thickly muscled neck, crossing at the center of his chest.
The demon's hands shot to the arms around his neck and paused as he
recognized the touch.  Two blacker than night bat wings emerged from the
portal next, followed by the demoness herself, her green hair glowing with
red light.

	"Morrigan." Jin said evenly, though the faint traces of smile played
along the edges of his mouth.  "You choose *now* to return to me?  How
typical, you never had much sense of timing."

	She smiled and placed her exquisite red lips next to his ear.  In a
voice more seductively melodious than should be possible she spoke.  "I have
found what you want."

	"You mean..." Jin didn't finish the statement in his surprise.  A
mischevious smile crossed her lips.

	"Yesss..." she trailed off biting the lobe of his ear gently.  The
remaining demons decided now was a good time and charged.  Jin looked
slightly annoyed and raised his right hand.  A black whirlwind started in
his open palm and engulfed his forearm.  As the attackers closed Jin's palm
shut, and he lifted his arm above his horned head.  The whirlwind expanded
and surrounded him, then exploded outward with more force than a typhoon.

	Morriagn giggled as the demons, as well as the walls and ceiling, were
blasted from the room.  The candles impossibly remained lit, but dimmed as
the walls and roof began reforming.  The succubus swung herself around to
the demons front.  Jin caught her hair and pressed his lips to hers, hard.

	When they broke Morrigan was still smiling the same smile.  "Why do
you fight them every year?  Doesn't thrashing your own troops kind of
destroy their faith in you?"

	"To the contrary I find that by displaying my power over them I
reaffirm their loyalty.  Besides if someone does someday defeat me I will be
honored to pass my lord's blade to a more worthy succesor."

	Morrigan shook her head.  "I don't get you Jin.  But you're fun just
the same!"

	Jin shrugged.  "You said you have what I want?  You have a method I
can break the seal and begin to conquer again?"

	Morrigan's laughter was somewhere between and crystal music and 
the
sultriest invitation possible.  "You are predictable in that regard always
Kakugo Jin!  Yes I have it, but there is a price."

	"There always is with you."  muttered Jin.  "Name it."

	"Your immortality.  To open a portal you must sacrifice your lack of
death."  Morrigan smiled self-assuredly to herself, positive that any demon
would value eternity over chance.

	"Done." responded Jin.

	The green tressed succubus blinked in surprise.  "You know what this
means don't you?  Anyone will be able to kill you anywhere not just on
Limbo?"

	"I am aware Morrigan.  Life eternal is meaningless to me if I cannot
fufil my vow."

	Morrigan eyes softened slightly.  She brought a hand to his ebon
cheek.  "I know what attracted me to you Jin.  Your force of will, your
power.  I, enjoy, our time together, and ask you to assure yourself of what
you are doing."

	Jin caught her hand and pressed his lips to the palm.  "I also
appreciate your attention Morrigan-san.  But I am nothing if I do not keep
my vow to Modeus."

	The succubus nodded.  "So be it, I will tell you how you may achieve
that which you so desire."

****
	The candle light flickered in the small dank room casting shadows of
an erie nature against the concrete walls.  The shrouded form's monotone
chanting echoed hauntingly as the chanter busied himself with his
preparations.  The figure finished tying a piece of his enemies hair to a
small woven figure.  Maniac eyes focused unblinkingly on the circle of runes
chalked on the floor.  The manequin was complete, red shirt, black pants,
black ponytail.

	With hands quivering in anticipation the cloaked figure carefully
lifted a long iron spike in one hand and a wooden hammer in the other.  His
chanting increased in intesity and volume as the weapons were raised above
his head.  As the chant reached it's height the spike decended, followed by
the hammer.

	"Shiiiiiineeee Raaaanmaaa!" Gosenkugi Hikari howled, stabbing the
spike into the straw figure and bringing the mystic hammer solidly down on
his thumb.  His bloodshot eyes twitched for a second, he slowly released the
spike and hammer, wasting six hours of work.  The candles on his head shook
as his entire body quaked.  Gosenkugi lifted his throbbing thumb in front
his face calmly, and screamed.

	"EEEEEEEEOOOOOWWWWUUUHHHHHH!" cried the pathetic 
would-be-sorcerer.
As he clutched his swollen digit.  Gosenkugi raised his clasped hands and
shook them at the ceiling of his basement.  Bowing his head he raised his
voice again.  "One day Saotome Ranma I will have the power to destroy you
and the beautiful Akane will be mine!!"

	As he vowed this over again he failed to notice wax from the candles
on his head dripping over the cusp.  The droplet of molten wax fell and
splattered on top of his bare foot.  Again the failed wizard paused as the
pain registered itself on his fevered brain.

	His next scream caused several neighbors to cause the police and
complain about the cats being tortured.  Gosenkugi failed to notice that
behind him, in the circle of runes he had drawn a wisp of ebon black smoke
formed and began expanding.

****
	 A collection of Jin's best warriors and mages stood around a rune
covered circle in the basement of Jin's steel tower.  With Morrigan's help
Jin hd set about a opening a gate to his homne world.  The succubus had told
him of seven residents who could be of help.  One was part demon himself and
had simply forgotten his past.  The others would need some tempting, but Jin
was confident he could draw them to his side.    The demons had just made
contact with their target.  All that stood apart from him and the Earth was
the barrier.  It shimmered pure white against the roiling green and black
background of the portal.


	"The gate has opened my Lord!  It's up to you now!" a green skinned
trollish demon howled.

	Kakugo Jin nodded and twisted his fingers into an energy gathering
position.  He was stripped to the waist again, his body covered with crimson
runes, the blood of one his less adequate lieutenants.  He sucked up power
from the air around him and prepared himself for what was to come.  Six
green flames appered around him.  Each was a portion of the lieutenats's
spirit.

	The black skinned demon lord moved his hands to the center of his
stomach and snapped them apart to his waist.  Slowly at first, then with
increasing speed and ferocity the runes on Jin's body ignited and flared
into green, mystic, life.  The flame coursed to just below Jin's rib cage
centering and becomin a malestorm of intense flame.  Then it slowly pulled
away frim the demon's black skin.

	Jin couldn't help but roar in pain as he felt his immortality being 
ripped from his body.  Jin felt the sensations of mortality, ones he had long 
forgoten flood back into his mind and body, but pushed them aside and 
concentrated on the task at hand.  The demon lord pulled his right leg back and 
squared himself with the green flame hovering in front of him.  Veins showed 
and muscles bulged as Jin focused all of his considerable ki in that hand.

	Then with the force of a hundred thunder bolts the demon exploded 
into a punch.  His fist passed into the green flame, which attached itself to his 
hand and rode with the strike.  Then Jin's hand crashed into the glistening 
white barrier.  The flame burst across the surface of the seal flaring with star-
like intensity for a moment then fading out.

	Jin raised his eyes to see that the wall still stood it's brightness 
dimmed but not gone.  His shoulders slumped in defeat as rage and failure 
battled within him.  A thousand thoughts raced through his mind at once.  Had 
they failed in some critical step?  Had Morrigan betrayed him?  Or simply been 
wrong?  Then a quiet subtle noise from in front him caught his attention.

	A hairline crack had appered in the surface of the angels seal.  Jin 
exchanged glances with his suporters and stepped cautiously forward, raising a 
huge hand and pressing it to the wall.  With no fanfare Jin pushed.

	The barrier shattered and then disentegrated.  Leaving no trace of it's 
ever being there.  A tight smile tugged at the corner of the normaly taicturn 
Jin's face.  Then he turned to face the collected demons.  He raised his massive 
arms and began to laugh triumphantly.  The demon lord roared out one phrase 
before turning back to the portal and stepping into it.

	"*IT HAS BEGUN!*"

*****

	Breaking through the barrier had only been the first step in Morrigan's 
plan.  The gate they had opened would not hold under continued use and could 
collapse at any moment.  However if natives of that world were given enough 
power they could go in between worlds with little difficulty.  They could also 
bring people in, one at a time.  However they could bring no one out.  To do 
that required more power than any one demon held.

	Kakugo Jin was also not fond of the idea that any being could hold 
that much power.  Power tends to incite a desire for more.  He knew of no one 
he could trust in his own army with that much force.  Again Morrigan had a 
solution.  Were he to foster children by some of these humans the offspring 
would inherit the power of both parents.  Because of Jin's nature they would 
also inherit his sense of order.  The demon lord had thought of a method to 
determine who would be the most suitable "brides" for him.

	There was only one catch the succubus had said.  In order for the 
womans ki to fully be passed on to the child they would have to give themselves 
willingly to Jin.  The demon thought this was acceptable.

*****

	Gosenkugi finished blowing on his burned foot and turned back to 
continue work on his curse.  His bloodshot eyes went wide as he saw the small 
cloud of black smoke expand and become circular.  Green energy split the 
inside of the smoke and opened like some huge beasts maw.  The terrified 
wizard stood unable to move for fear of what happening.  The green and black 
morass covered the entire circle of runes Gosenkugi had drawn.

	The petrified wizard didn't notice the cold sweat his broke into or the 
fact every light bulb in his room had burst, he only noticed the two thickly 
muscled, ebon black hands reached from the green light toward the ceiling.  
The hands were followed by equally huge arms which spread with a motion 
similar to a diver parting water.  Kakugo Jin emerged to into his home heralded 
by nothing more dramatic than a scared little high school wizard wanna-be 
wetting himself.  The demon lord stopped himself from materializing anything 
past his waist.

	Jin turned his horned head toward the cowering Gosenkugi.  The 
pathetic mage tried to form a word but failed as he gazed upon Jin's form.

	"Boy!"  Jin growled.  "I am not here to do you any harm.  I am instead 
here to help you acheive your deepest desire!"

	Gosenkugi's eyes flashed down to the runes then back up to the half 
demon floating above him.  His fist smacked into his palm on a gesture 
realization.

	"That's it I must have summoned this oni (ogre) by mistake!  The uh, 
mystic energy left, um, from my, uh, fail-, er, ATTEMPT, yeah that's it, 
caused, um,..."

	The demons eyes narrowed.  "What are you babling about human.  I 
am here because this place is soaked with your frustration and pent up desire.  I 
am here because I can make your wildest dreams seem petty.  I offer you part of 
a demons heart!  With it's power you will become more powerful than any 
normal human!  You will cause armies to quake in fear at your coming, 
kingdoms to kneel before your feet, empires will..."

	"... so then the, er, cross mojozation, caused a, huh?  More power than 
any human?  You mean I could beat Saotome Ranma!?!?!"

	Jin's arms which had been raised in the exultation of his speech now 
dropped limply to his sides.  The demon lord hadn't really expected this.

	"What?" he asked in disbelief.

	"... And, and, and maybe even get Tendo Akane to notice me!?!?!"  
The bloodshot eyes were fully crazed now, Gosenkugi's small frame quivering 
with anticipation.  "Or, dare I hope, even go out on a date with me!?!?!?"

	The ebon skinned demon stared increduously at the feeble exscuse for 
a mage in front of him  The power to crush anyone who opposed him and he 
was begging to get a woman's *permission* to be with her?  Who was this 
weak willed fop?

	"Yes!" Jin snapped unable to say anything else without being to 
insulting.

	"Alll riiiight!  You got a deal, what do I do?"

	The demon lord massaged his temple with one hand like there was 
some massive pain there.  He valiantly attempted to recover some of his dignity 
and produced a fragment of the demons soul in the form of a small flickering 
ball of blue flame.

	"You need only to ready yourself for the bonding."  As Jin prepared to 
do what must be done, a voice in the back of his head spoke a word of caution.  
"Morrigan if you're wrong about this one...."

*****

	Jin looked over the seven souls he now owned.  They were without a 
doubt the most pathetic , weak willed, and ineffective exscuses for warriors he 
had ever seen.  But they were his and would obey his orders without question 
and never have the power to rebel against him.  The one who called himself a 
Texas ninja (Jin was still silently laughing at that) named Earthquake had 
fallen for the basest of desires, women and money.  The fat Chinese man called 
Cheng Seizan had been no harder, though there had been more of an emphasis 
on money.  The two Koreans, Chang Kohen and Choi Bounge, had refused to 
be seperated, they now shared the demons soul, though Jin doubted that even 
that could help their pathetic fighting ability.  It was acceptable however, they 
were merely messangers now, working on the promise that, like the others, they 
would be given their hearts innermost wants.  Jin had not however specified 
when.

	The last two had surprised Jin with the ease of their agreement.  They 
both displayed immense physical abilty for humans, and only their pride stood 
between them and the possibilty of greatness.  Eddie Gordo had fallen to the 
challenge to his skill and the temptation of worldwide recognition and fame.  
The same had been true with the karate expert called simply, Dan.  The last one 
had much potential but little skill and less focus.  However the demon lord saw 
him as a good investment worth watching.  Now if he could only convince the 
man to wear something other than that stupid pink gi...

	Jin turned to face the demons head on.

	"You now are more pwerful than you could possibly hope to be on your 
own.  The only payment I ask is this:  I require that you find the strongest, most 
skilled women fighters of your world and bring them to me.  You are not to 
touch any of them until I direct you to!  You are the heralds of a new age for 
Earth and when we are succesful your names will be revered as the finest 
warriors in history!  However you are not yet familiar with your power as part 
demons!  At this stage in your life you can still be slain by normal humans.  So 
*DO NOT BE OVERCONFIDENT!*"

	Jin's voice hit them like a wave.  "Now, go!  The one who returns with 
the most competitors will gain a favored status and be promoted to the next 
stage."

	With a short bow the hybrids eyes flared and they dissapered.  Now 
there was only one more for him.  Jin hoped that Morrigan was right about his 
character and that he would join the demon willingly.  Though the ebon 
skinned demon was dubious of his reliance on firearms, it seemed the man 
called Vermillion held other secrets that could be of, use.

*****

Japan, Northern Honshu.

*****

	Inhale, gather your strength at the center of your being and hold it.

*****

	The young woman's arms took their place, rear arm high, front arm 
low, loosely holding her weapon.

*****

	Exhale, and let every attack flow from you with speed of the wind, the 
firceness of fire, the power of a wave, and solidity of the earth.

*****

	The woman's front leg slashed forward with all her muscle and mass 
behind it.  The edge of her foot slammed into the punching bag nearly folding 
it in half and sending it flying.  As it swung back toward her she dove and 
rolled underneath it, came up and swung a high wheel kick to the top of the 
bag.  As it began spinning the young woman dropped and arced her rear elbow 
over her front, imbeding it into the bag's mid-section.

*****

	Let yourself be everywhere when attacking and nowhere when 
defending.  Be everything and nothing, become the void.

*****

	As she stood, she continued the turn and felt her ki build up inside her 
and focus outward.

	"Ryu-En-Bu!"

	Flame gouted from the long hanging end of her costume and engulfed 
the heavy bag sending it flying and ripping it from the ceiling.  As she watched 
the bag hit the far wall she dropped to the ground, legs crossed underneath her 
pouted incredibly cutely.

	"Mo, Andy!"  Shiranui Mai raged.  "What's wrong with you?  What's 
wrong with me?  Why won't you pay attention to me?"

	The beautiful kunoichi flopped to her back and laced her fingers 
underneath her head, while stretching her legs out, Mai's long red hair splayed 
out beneath her.  She stared at the ceiling intently trying solve the problems of 
her life in the rafters of her training hall.

	"And why can't I stop thinking about you. . ." Mai trailed off softly.  
She inhaled deeply and sighed.  Mai was so intent on her inner troubles she 
didn't notice her hair begin to shift with a slight chill wind.  As the wind picked 
up slightly Mai shivered and sat up, a slightly puzzled look on her face.

	"I'm sure I closed the door. . ." Mai started as she turned around.  To 
her utter astonishment Cheng Seizan was standing behind her with a wide grin 
on his face.  In less time than it took to blink Mai was on her feet and dropped 
back into her ready stance.

	"What the hell are you doing here?!?"  Demanded Mai.  The Shiranui 
kunoichi left unspoken her more demanding question.  How had he got so close 
to her without her noticing?

	"Please, please Shiranui-san," Cheng almost hissed the "san" part.  "I 
apologize for my rude method of entry but I wish to invite you to a 
tournament."

	Mai rose out of her stance, but kept her distance from the Chinese 
man.  She looked him over and got the impression that there was something 
subtly, but distinctaly, different about him.  His suit was darker, but of a better 
quality, his eyes were hidden by glare on his glasses but Mai got the feeling 
they were far more intense than the last time she had seen him.  "All right, 
what's this one about?"

	Cheng's grin widened slightly.  "It's being held by a samurai by the 
name of Kakugo Jin.  He wishes to determine who the strongest female fighter 
in the world is.  The winner receives a very, special, prize."

	Mai was still cautious but now he had her interest.  "An all woman 
tournament huh?  Okay I'll bite, what's this "special" prize?"

	"My employer has certain, abilities.  He also has a vast intelligence 
network, in your case Shiranui-san he is offering a method of attracting your 
Andy's attention in a very, irresistable, manner."

	The red haired Japanese woman blinked in surprise.  "You mean if I 
win I could get Andy to finally go through with, um, well, you know. . ."

	The fat Chinese man's shoulders shook slightly as he laughed to 
himself.  "But of course Shiranui-san.  What do you say?"

	Mai considered for a moment then nodded. "Okay I'm in.  What do I 
have to do?"

	Cheng produced a black scroll case from an inner pocket in his suit 
and offered it to her.  "Everything you need to know is in here."

	Mai stepped forward and accepted the ebon case.  The instant her hand 
touched the scroll a black tendril wrapped around her hand and snaked up her 
arm.  The red haired kunoichi dropped the scroll and recoiled but the scroll 
remained in the air, hovering before her.  To Mai's credit she didn't shriek or 
go catatonic, she just set her legs wide apart and tried to pull her arm free.

	The scroll unfolded into a tall rectanglular black doorway. Green 
flashes of light arced through the blackness within.  Mai didn't know what was 
going on, all she knew was that this *thing* wanted her inside that and she 
wasn't about to go.  The red haired kunoichi slashed down at the tendril 
securing her with her fan.  The black extension twisted out of the way and 
looped around her attacking hand.

	Before she could adapt to this new change the strand thickened and 
gave a tremendous pull.  Mai was jerked off her feet and landed heavily.  She 
tried to get up but more tentacles of darkness erupted from the portal wrapping 
around her arms, body, and legs.  Thus secured Mai was dragged struggling 
into the black portal.  The last thing the red head heard as she was enveloped 
was the low sinister laugh of Cheng Seizan.

*****

Pandemonium

*****

	A shadow fell on Mai's unconcious form.  She breathed steadily and 
her rising and falling chest was of particular interest to her observer.  Cheng 
had followed her to Jin's world to make sure she arrived safely but now was 
considering his new masters orders.

	"Well he said no touching them so I guess an little peak would be okay 
. . ." with that the Cheng's fat but well muscled hands reached forward slid 
Mai's top off her shoulders, baring both exsquisite breasts.  Almost immediately 
her nipples hardened when exposed to the air.  Though he no longer needed to 
breathe Cheng sucked in gasp.  He had wanted to see those for so long.  And 
now, well, now just seeing wasn't enough.

	"What's a little feeling gonna hurt?" he asked himself as both hands 
reached forward.

	"You." came a cold definite answer behind him.  The fat Chinese 
demon hybrid span just in time to catch an incredibly strong punch in the chest.  
He was lifted over Mai's prone form, into the air and then finally left the fist 
which propelled him.  He hit the ground heavily but managed to roll with it and 
rose winding a ki ball up.  Then he saw who had struck him.  The ki attack 
faded far quicker than it had begun.

	"Master Jin I didn't know you-" he started.  The demon lord cut him 
off.

	"Shut up.  You knew that my orders were to keep your hands off the 
participants.  Now be off with you before I decide to be more strenuous with my 
punishment."

	"OfcourseLordwon'teverhappenagainLordI'mreallysorryLord-"

	"*GET OUT OF HERE!!* roared Kakugo Jin.  With a small noise 
Cheng obeyed.  Jin shook his head and looked down to Mai's sleeping form.  
He immediately began studying her incredible chest.  The demon lord raised an 
eyebrow.  Because Nature herself had gifted this girl with her, assets they were 
far more attractive than any succubi's mimicry.  It was with regret that Jin 
reached down and replaced the thin material covering her.  As he did Mai 
stirred.

	The demon lord stepped back a respectful distance and waited.  Mai 
binked a few times, remembered the last thing she had seen and jumped to her 
feet. Spotting Jin's huge frame the red haired girl dropped immediately into a 
defensive stance.

	"Welcome Shiranui Mai.  Welcome to my world."

	"Who are you?  What's going on?  Did you bring me here?" demanded 
Mai.  Jin smiled inwardly.  Despite the obvious advantage he had over her she 
didn't back down an inch.  He liked her spirit.

	"My name is Kakugo Jin.  Yes I brought you here.  What my herald 
told you was correct and true.  He simply left out the minor detail that the 
tournament is being held here.  You are here to compete for your hearts deepest 
wish are you not?"

	Mai didn't drop her stance but decided for the moment to play along.  
"Yes I am.  Cheng told me I could get my Andy's attention and keep it if I 
won."

	"If that is your wish when you arrive at my castle then that is what it 
shall be.  However in order to win this wish you must be the only one to reach 
my castle and defeat it's gaurdian.  Then your prize will be given and you can 
return home."  Jin paused studying her reaction.  He could tell she wasn't happy 
but her face betrayed little emotion.  "My fortress lies past the black mountains, 
to reach it you will be tested in your survival skills, adaptability, and will power 
as well as fighting ability.  There is nothing else you need know save that for 
you: IT HAS BEGUN!"

	With that Jin raised his arms and was surrounded by a whirlwind.  
Mai jumped back in alarm, but when the whirlwind collapsed Jin was gone.  
The red haired girl stayed alert for a few minutes more then cautiously dropped 
her gaurd and looked around studying her surroundings.  She was on a rocky 
outcropping overlooking a vast desolated plain.  Behind her was a huge dark 
forest made of tree's rivaling those redwoods she had heard so much about.

	Though the sky was filled with dark roiling clouds, Mai was positive 
that she had seen three suns.  There was a slight wind but Mai didn't feel chilly, 
she didn't exactly feel comfortable either but that was to be expected.  She 
sighed and looked again at the forest behind her.  Beyond it was a mountain 
range though from the distance she was at it was impossible to tell exactly how 
far away it was.

	"Beyond the black mountains"  Mai said imitating Jin's deep voice.  
"Hmf.  What kind of directions are those?  Oh well, nothing better to do 
anyway . . ."

	With that Mai started walking into the silent forest.  As the red haired 
young woman swayed away a figure emerged from a shadow behind a tall thick 
tree.  It's skin was dark grey but except for the long silvery claws at the ends of 
it fingers and a thin slit which was a mouth it had no other features.  A long 
black tongue emerged to lick non-existant lips, and the thin mouth twisted 
upward in parody of a smile.  With a blur the figure lept upwards to the tree 
and followed Mai into the forest.

*****

	"So all I have to do is win this tournament and I get Geese's head on a 
platter?" Mary asked dubiously.  Cheng Seizan's wide grin never faltered.

	"If that is what you wish when you win that's what you'll get."  he 
answered easily.

	Mary still looked skeptical.  "What's the catch?"

	Cheng withdrew a black scroll case from his suit.  "Well there is some 
travel involved. . ."

*****

	Mai dropped to the ground with a deep sigh.  She had long ago lost 
track of time and there seemed to be no end to the dark expanse of trees  The 
ground was covered with soft green moss but there seemed to be no other plants 
in this forest.  What was really unnerving Mai was the silence of the place.  
There were no birds calling, no small animals scurried away from her, Mai was 
at the point where even a mosquito's whine would have been welcome.

	Mai pulled her knees up to her chin and closed her eyes.  It was finally 
sinking in just how far away from home she was.  A terrible feeling of 
loneliness was setteling down on her shoulders and heart.

	"Andy, Mary, Terry. . ."  Mai sniffed.  "I miss you.  Even Joe, you big 
jerk."

	Mai shook her head and dropped to her back.  "That's no good girl, 
keep your resolve."  She said to herself.  The red haired kunoichi wasn't sure 
what made her open her eyes but she did.  When Mai did she saw a shape 
silouhetted by the gray sky dropping toward her.

	With a small yelp she rolled to the side just in time.  Where she had 
been one of the things hands stabbed into the soft ground.  Mai stared wide 
eyed at the featureless creature as it pulled it's talons from the earth.  It turned 
it's blank head toward her and it's thin, lipless mouth twisted into a smile.  Mai 
stood and readied herself.  With no warning the thing exploded toward her, 
clawed hands slahing at her face.

	The kunoichi slammed both arms wide a blasted the edge of her foot 
into the creatures chin, flipping it over.  It landed shaking it's featureless haed.  
When it looked up both Mai's feet impacted into it's chest sending it flying 
backwards.  The red haired girl hit the ground pulled a fan out and cocked her 
arm back.

	"KA-CHO-SEN!" she yelled while spinning the projectile at her 
assailant.  The creature dove forward under the fan and launched a foot to 
Mai's stomach.  The ninja girl hit the attack aside and slid forward.  The 
monster used her counter's momentum, planted it lead leg, and wheeled it's 
other toward her head.

	Much to both of their surprise, Mai managed to get her arms in the 
way of the kick.  However the impact jolted the kunoich long enough for the 
creature to recover and start another series of carefuly timed claw attacks.  Mai 
danced out the way, and jumped backward with the last slash.  The red head 
felt her feet touch the trunk of a tree and she lept off it readying an explosive 
kick.  The monster crouched and jumped up to meet her one claw flashing out 
with blinding speed.

	Impact.  Mai hit the ground and turned to face her assailint.  The 
creature picked itself off the ground holding it's side as if injured.  Mai blinked 
in surprise when she felt a small but sharp pain in her left arm.  A single drop 
of blood ran down the monsters claw.  Though it still held it's side, the 
creature'smouth was turned up into a wide smile.  The drop of blood reached 
it's skin and disappered.

	The creature stood totaly upright it's skin glowing.  Mai didn't drop 
her stance but stood too dumbfounded to move.  It's claws shrank down to small 
well maintained nails, starting at the finger the blood touched human skin 
began to form.  The transformation ran down the creature arm until it reached 
it's shoulder then it spread down the body, a pair of large, well formed breasts 
grew into existence, it's muscle structure became well defined and shapely.  The 
creature tipped it's head back as the sparkling change grew up it's neck.

	Mai's mouth opened slightly as long black hair formed and swayed in 
the breeze that seemed to exist only around the creature.  The now very female 
creature  rose off the ground it's delicate feet hovering just above the ground.  
Glowing streams appered and embraced the figure, wrapping around it's body, 
arms, and legs.  When the wind died and it sank to the ground it was clothed in 
a familiar set of clothing.  The creature lowered it's chin, a mischevious smile 
on it's now shapely lips.

	Mai was looking at a copy of herself.  It's hair was black, and it's 
clothing was black with gold trim as opposed to her red and white, but it was 
still her face, her figure.

	"A. . .atashi (Me) ?" Mai breathed to herself.  Her duplicates mouth 
opened sensuously.

	"Atashi." It repeated.  Then it smiled again as if satified with it's 
pronunciation.  The dark shaded copy stepped slowly toward Mai.  Reflexively 
the red haired girl stepped backward.

	"Wh. . . who are you?"  Mai asked breathlessy.  Her doppelganger 
smiled again.

	"Now, I am you." She said quietly.  Mai stepped back again and found 
herself against a tree. She raised hands nervously, unsure of what to do.  The 
copy stepped closer, slowly, deliberately.  It gracefuly raised a hand and gently 
laced it's fingers with Mai's.  Mai froze.  The dark version turned Mai's hand 
toward it's face brought her dark red lips close to the back of the red haired 
girl's hand.  Nearly brushing her lips on Mai's skin, the copy travele along 
Mai's arm until it's hand was at it's waist and Mai's arm was nearly embracing 
the duplicate.  The dark Mai trailed it's lips perilously close to Mai's shoulder, 
up her neck, past her cheek, and finally stopped at the red heads ear.  Mai could 
feel her copy's hot breath against her skin and felt her heart pound against her 
chest.  The red haired kunoichi couldn't move, both terrified and fascinated by 
what was happening.  Her breath caught in her throat when she heard the 
clones voice in her ear.  "And I like who I am. . ."

	The dark Mai brought her free hand up the originals side, it's palm 
just brushing the loose material of her costume, the skin of her side and breast.  
It trailed it's nails along Mai's cheek gently, brushing a the red bangs away 
from her eyes.  Mai was so tense she was trembling now, uncertanity and fear 
wrestling with fascination and some strange hidden desire.  The mimic looked 
Mai straight in the eye's and cocked her head slightly.  A half smile formed on 
her lips.

	As slow and deliberate as everything else she had done the copy 
moved close to Mai, until the tips of their breasts were touching and their lips 
just a breath apart.  She stayed there for a moment letting the red haired girl get 
used to the feeling.  Then she spoke.

	"Do you like what you see?  You are looking in a mirror when you 
look at me, do you like it?"  Mai didn't answer, she only stared wide eyed into 
her clones deep black eyes.  The dark Mai continued.  "You should, you are 
very beautiful.  I like touching you.  Do you like me being close to you?"

	Mai opened her lips slightly, the clone waited for her to form an 
answer.  The red haired girl swallowed and spoke.  "Y. . . yes. . ."

	With no other prompting the dark Mai cupped the originals cheek and 
kissed her deeply.  Mai's eye's widened for a moment, then slowly sank shut.    
She moaned slightly as the two girls tongues met and slowly danced.  The copy 
moved both hands to the red haired girls shoulder's and pushed her to the soft 
ground.  The mimic broke the kiss and moved her lips to Mai's neck, while 
gently sliding Mai's costume apart.  The copy's hands softly ran along the red 
headed kunoichi's sides and up to under her breasts.  Mai gasped as the darker 
version of herself traced her nails along the skin of her bosom.

	Mai couldn't help but gasp out loud when the clone reached her 
rapidly hardening nipples and applied her thumbs, rubbing them in circles 
around the areola's.  The clone trailed kisses down Mai's throat to the tops of 
her heaving breats, to her stomach.  Without ever pausing the motion of her 
thumbs, the mimic nuzzled her way between Mai's thighs and moved inward.

	Mai threw her head back in surprise and pleasure as the other Mai's 
lips touched the surface of her panties.  The silken matrial began to dampen 
rapidly in response to the clone's attention.  The red haired girl couldn't see the 
evil smile that formed on her mirror's face.  The dark Mai increased her 
attention to the area flicking her tongue along the skin of the originals thighs.

	Mai was writhing in pleasure now she felt the other girl's tongue slip 
past her panties.  Making the situation far more intense was that it was her own 
tongue licking the outside of her labia, her own hands on her breasts, and yet, it 
wasn't.  That thought brought Mai out of passion induced daze.  As she came 
out of her stupor she also realized that she was feeling slowly but steadily 
weaker.  She knew at an instinctive level that her clone was resposible.  The 
kunoichi didn't like the feeling anymore.

	With no warning Mai blasted both feet into her mimics gut.  As the 
other girl rolled away Mai shakily gained her feet and replaced her clothing.  
The red haired girl dropped back into her fighting stance, hoping that the dark 
version wouldn't sense her lack of conviction.  The black haired Mai got up 
holding her stomach and shaking her head.  She looked up at the original Mai 
and smiled.

	"What's wrong, didn't you like that?"  the mimic said crawling forward 
like a hunting cat.

	"Damare (Shut up)!  What are you doing to me?"  Mai demanded.  
The clone's smile took a far more evil tilt.

	"So you figured it out, huh?  Well I'll be back for the rest of you energy 
later."  With that the dark Mai Jumped back to a tree behind her.  The red 
haired Mai gritted her teeth and threw a fan that ripped through the air at her 
clone.  The dark haired girl bounced off the tree to a high branch and 
dissapered into the shadows of the overhanging boughs.

	Mai wanted to go after the mimic but knew she was in no shape to.  
With a distinct sigh of relief she dropped to the her knees and began to shiver.

******

	Wind caught the dust raised by Blue Mary's boot and twisted it away, 
dancing along the surface of the barren, rocky, plain she trudged on.  The blond 
woman tried to tighten her coat for the thouasandth time and shifted as the 
wind bit at any exposed skin on her body.  Though she was cold, tired, hungry 
and thirsty, Mary walked with her head held high and fires of pur rage lighting 
her eyes.

	"If I *EVER* get my hands around Chengs fat neck, he's going to 
need post-morteum surgery to get them loose!"  she thought.  Mary would have 
prefered to to yell it at the top of her lungs but her throat was too dry.  Despite 
the chill wind,  the air was devoid of any hint of moisture.  The blond woman 
had lost track of how long she had been walking on this empty plain, there 
being no sun to gauge what time it was under the mass of grey clouds.  
However even May's superbly trained body had it's limits of endurance and her 
legs were getting weak.

	Mary was trying to find a rock large enough to take shelter behind 
when she saw something ahead of her.  It looked to be a long black strip 
running across her path from horizon to horizon.  With the hope that 
something might be there she increased her pace and headed onward.  After 
what seemed to her an eternity she reached her destination.  A wide smile 
crossed her beautiful face when she saw that this was the begining of a long 
valley.  Out of nowhere a clear stream cut through the rocky earth, on the other 
side she could see a huge, dark forest.  With that she began crawling down the 
steep sides of the valley.


*****

	Mai had finally regained enough strength to continue her journey.  
Just as the red haired ninja girl was relaxing she heard footsteps to her side that 
would have been far to quiet for most other people to hear.  Mai bounced to a 
high tree branch and slid silently along it trying to see what was out there.  To 
her surprise she saw a blond woman dressed in a short white, pleated skirt and 
tunic.  The woman carried a wide bladed short sword in one hand and a shield 
in the other.  Mai couldn't place the style of clothing the woman wore but 
seemed to remember seeing it in a movie somewhere.

	The kunoichi contemplated what she should do.  The demon, Jin had 
said that there was a tournament going on and that only one person could leave.  
While Mai had no desire to condem anyone to staying here for the rest their 
lives she was less eager to stay here herself.  The red haired girl took her fan in 
her teeth squared herself, and dove toward the woman below her.

*****

	Mary gasped as she pulled her head out from the stream, the cold 
water sparkling in the thin light.  Once she had gotten out of the wind the 
temprature had risen considerably and dunking her head in the clear stream 
had felt extrememly good.  Deciding that this was a good a place as any Mary 
rolled her coat up and flopped to her back, sighing peacefully.  The blond 
woman was startled out of her reverie by a low, gutteral chuckling.

	On her feet in a heartbeat Mary looked toward the sound.  Perched on 
a large boulder about ten feet away was a well muscled, totaly bald man 
wearing only some grey Chinese style pants.  He was hunched over resting his 
arms on his knees.  Mary decided there was something distinctaly, predatory 
about his look.  He regarded her with undisguised lust, and hopped easily to the 
ground.

	Mary raised her arms into her fighting stance and waited.  The large 
man walked toward her his leering grin never wavering.

	"All right that's close enough.  Who the hell are you?"  Mary 
demanded.  The man laughed deep in his throat again.

	"Hmmm.  This ones got some spirit.  Good, that'll make you taste even 
better."  Mary's eye's widened in anger.  She had no idea what was going on, 
but no one talked about her like that.  Mary dashed forward and planted two 
blurred punches into the bald man's face.  She didn't pause but pushed off with 
both legs and landed a spining jump kick to the man's side which spun him 
around.  Mary hit the ground and drove her forearm into the man's back 
sending him flying into the boulder he had been on.

	The blond woman waited for a moment, watching the man's still form.  
When it seemed he wasn't moving she swung her coat over her shoulder and 
gave him a sarcastic thumbs up.  Laughing she said simply, "Maybe next time 
you'll be more polite.  Later!"

	The bald man got up then, his shoulders shaking with laughter.  "Oh 
we're just started human girl.  The fun has yet to begin!"

	He turned around and Mary droped her coat and stared.  His eyes were 
glowing bright green!  The blond woman resumed her fighting stance but more 
hesitantly.

	"What the hell are you?" she breathed.  The glowing eyed man 
laughed louder.

	"Your tuest nightmare and deepest wish in one human.  Every 
shameful desire you've ever felt I'm here to satisfy."  Mary's resolve returned 
tenfold.  Here eye's narrowed and she lept toward him hand outstretched.  As 
she had expected he raised an arm to block her.  That being her target anywya 
Mary clamped both legs around his arm and let momentum do the rest.  They 
hit the ground with the blond woman holding his arm in a solid lock.

	"I don't think so!" she growled and  pulled back with the firm 
intention of snapping his arm at the elbow.  To her astonishment his arm bent 
with her technique.  Where pain should have registered on his face she saw 
only amusement.  Then before she could release his arm, the fingers on it 
thickened, bursting out the skin around them like thin cloth.  His arm unwound 
itself into five green tentacles that entwined themselves around her arms, legs, 
and neck.

	The bald man started laughing impossibly deep and stood his body 
being surrounded by a blinding green glow.  Mary simply stared in shock as the 
glow faded.  Where the bald man had stood there was now a green skined 
monster.  It was vaugely humanoid with two arms and legs, but the five 
tentacles that held her secure sprouted from it's back.  From it's head sprouted 
four thick horns curled backwards like a rams.  It's toothy maw was curled 
upwards in a hideous smile.  The only hair on the thing was at its crotch where 
a swath of pale green hair hung, somewhat tactfully.

	"Foolish girl!"  The demons voice boomed.  "I have waited centuries 
for a human female to feed upon!  Now prepare yourself to give in to your most 
hidden desires!"

	"Fuck off!"  Mary spat.  "I'd rather die than give in to you!"

	"We'll see." laughed the demon and began pulling her arms and legs 
apart.  Mary was having none of that though, and pulled them back in, and  
curling into a ball.  The demon growled in frustration and surprise as he 
realized how truly strong this woman was.  While leverage was preventing her 
escape he could not force her limbs wide enough apart to take advantage of her.  
The tentacle around her tightened and began choking her.

	"Relent or die!" The demon howled.  Mary glared at him and spat in 
his face.

	"Death. . . first!" she gasped.  The green skinned monster looked at 
her as if totaly baffled.  They weren't supposed to do this!  He thought.  They 
were supposed to value their lives over any sort of dignity and give in to him!  
The demon tightened the tentacle around her neck.  The blond woman choked 
and gasped but still stared at him venomously and concentrated her strength on 
pulling her arms and legs together.

	The demon didn't see the tears forming at the corners of the blond 
womans eyes.  Mary saw her vision fading at the corners and felt her head 
going light.  She tried to breath and found it impossible.  As she gagged and 
gasped Mary silently thought to herself.  "Terry, Mai, the rest of you guy's. . . 
goodbye. . ."

	She was just about to black out when the tentacle loosened around her 
neck.

	"Hmf.  Dead girls aren't any fun." grumbled the demon as Mary 
sucked in breath, coughing in her hurry to regain oxygen.  The green skinned 
monster suddenly smiled.  Well there was always plan B! He thought.  Without 
warning the tentacles securing her jerked forward and the demons powerful 
hands caught Mary's face.

	The blond woman's eye's widened in shock and disgust as the demon 
pressed his lips to hers roughly.  The demon squeezed Mary's cheeks until her 
mouth opened reflexively.  The bounty hunter nearly vomited when she felt his 
tongue enter her mouth and begin probing.  There was something disticntly odd 
about the taste Mary though surprising herself with coolness of her observation.  
Then to her shock and terror the blond woman felt her panties grow damp and 
strength sap from her limbs.  The demon withdrew from the kiss with a 
malicous smile on his green face.

	"Well how's that?  Not so full of protest now are you?"  the monster 
said laughing.  To her surprise Mary discovered he was right.  He arms and 
legs were now totaly relaxed and her head was filled with a thick fog.  Though 
she knew she should be fighting this things every move she felt her arms and 
legs draw apart and couldn't raise the strength to do anything.

	"It's more fun when I don't have to do that but oh well!"  The demon 
remarked cheerfully.  "I haven't had a human girl to play with since I got stuck 
on this rock!  Now let's see how you like this!"

	One of the demons thick hands slid under her spandex top and began 
massaging her breast.  Mary gasped in surprise and pleasure.  Though her mind 
was still screaming in protest her body just wasn't listening.  The demon 
watched her reaction with an expression of amusement on his face.  He raised 
his other hand in front of her face and extended on long, razor sharp claw.

	With slow, careful precision the green skinned monster cut her pants 
away without even touching Mary or her undergarments.  He laughed deep in 
his throat again as he saw the white cotton now darkened with wetness.  The 
tentacle that had been wrapped around her neck snaked inside the back of her 
panties and between her cheeks.  Mary's back arched in pleasure as the tentacle 
reached her sex and rubbed back and forth on the surface.  Even though her 
body was reacting to more pleasure than she had known in a long time her 
heart yet rebeled though this was shown only by a small trail of tears forming 
in her eyes and leaving trails down her cheeks.  The claw retracted back into 
the demons hand and he casually pushed her top over the surface of her breasts.  
The demons chest rose and and fell in a deep sigh.

	"I'd almost forgotten how nice human female's look without all this 
cloth in the way.  Let's see if you still taste the same."  With that he cupped her 
breasts and began suckling one nipple.  Between the rubbing of the tentacle and 
the demons attention to her breasts Mary felt herself approaching the edge.  
However just before she was about orgasm the demon stopped everything and 
waited for her panting to slow.  "No no, this is going to last a lot longer.  By the 
time I'm through you'll be begging for it!"

	The monster raised Mary till her sex was even was with his face.  The 
tentacle withdrew and poised itself over her face.  The demon carefully pushed 
her panties to the side slid his long tongue into her.  Mary's mouth opened to 
cry out in pleasure but was muffled by the tentacle as it entered her mouth.  
Seconds afterwards the monster pushed it';s index finger into Mary's wetness 
and pumped a few times.  The blond woman had no control over herself and 
felt her body writhing with pleasure.  The demon smiled and kept tongueing 
her.  Then he pulled his finger out, trailed it to her anus, and slid in.  Mary's 
body nearly broke loose of the demon's grip as she began thrashing in a 
combination of pleasure and pain more intense than anything she had ever 
experienced.

	This kept until Mary again felt herself cumming and again the demon 
stopped.  He removed the tenacle from her mouth and let her rest for a moment.  
The blond woman gasped and panted, tears still running from her eyes.  With 
her eye's tightly shut Mary opened her mouth.

	"Please. . . please, make it stop. . ." she whispered.  The demon 
misinterpeted her request to his advantage.  The pale green hair parted as his 
enormous erection lifted into view.

	"I didn't expect you to break so soon, but you humans were always 
weak to pleasure.  All right I'll end it now!!" He grasped her thighs and lifted 
her above his stiff member.  The demon held Mary there until her eye's opened 
so she could see what was about to happen.  However just as he was about to 
impale her something interupted him.

	"KA-CHO-SEN!"  As the words reached his ears two fans sliced 
through the tentacles holding Mary.  The green skinned demon howled in pain 
and dropped the blond woman to the ground uncerimoniously.  As the damaged 
parts began regenerating the monster looked in the direction of the attack.  
Mary couldn't find the strength to get up or even open her eyes but she heard 
what the demon said.

	"Well well.  Have you come to join this one?  Two girls is far better 
than one!"  Mary heard a familiar giggle in response.  Then she heard a voice 
that brought her a ray of hope.

	[Mai!]  She thought.  Then [No Mai no!  I don't want you in this 
things hands too!]

	"No, I don't think so.  She's mine."  Mary couldn't understand why 
Mai had said that but she heard the demon growl in anger.  It roared out 
something in a language she couldn't understand and she heard the air split as 
it attacked.  It was simply listening to the fight and she desperately wanted to 
help her friend but it just wasn't happening.  Then the blond heard Mai's 
familiar technique called out.  "RYU-EN-BU!"

	A roar of pain brought a smile to Mary's lips.  The sounds of battle 
found her ears and from the laughing she heard the blond bounty hunter 
guessed Mai was winning.  Strength was slowly returning to her and Mary 
raised herself to a rock to see what was going on.

	Mai had just thrown herself almost completley horizantal and landed a 
roundhouse kick that sent the demon into a nearby rock.  Mary noticed that 
there was something odd about her friend but in her heady state could not tell 
what that was.  [She's wearing a different costume]  the blond decided after a 
moments consideration, then chided herself for such watching minor details 
during a fight.

	The kunoichi struck a pose for a moment and Mary could feel the ki 
flow from her.  Mary smiled slightly again as she realized that Mai was in a 
powered up state.  The demon pulled himself from the boulder with black blood 
running down his face.  Mary also noted that his tentacles had been burned to 
useless length and now hung limply at his back.  He turned roaring only find 
Mai's foot in his face.

	She had been faster than him to begin with, now, he ralized as his 
head met stone again, she was hitting harder than he could too.  In desperation 
he sliced both clawed hands at her.  The kunoichi slid out of the way with a 
lighthearted giggle, and dropped to her hands, both feet shooting upwards and 
hooking around the demons horned head.

	With casual grace and power Mai threw the monster into another 
boulder.  He rebounded quicker this time and charged her.  The ninja girl had 
other ideas however.  She lept in the air, curled into a ball and rolled toward 
him.  At the same time she was surrounded with an aura of bright flame.  The 
demon saw it coming far too late.  Mai landed next the monsters burning 
corpse threw her fan into the air and caught, snapping it open with one smooth 
motion that inexplicably caused her generous chest to bounce slightly.

	"Nippon ichi! (I'm number one!)"  she said.  Then her black haired 
head turned to face Mary a mischevious smile on her lips.  The blond woman 
still couldn't find her feet but waved at her weakly.  The kunoichi walked 
toward her and Mary swallowed hard as she took notice of how sexy Mai 
looked.  Her gaze was continously drawn to the young womans thighs and the 
press of her large breasts against her top.  The black haired girl crouched down 
next her her smile never leaving her face.

	The blond bounty hunter suddenly began to shake with Mai staying so 
close.  She could smell her skin and couldn't take eyes off all the skin she was 
seeing.  The Mai clone noticed this and leaned in closer.

	"Doshte no (What's wrong) Mary-san?"  the Dark haired girl asked 
softly.  Mary tried averting her eyes but couldn't help all the feelings boiling up 
in her.

	"I. . . I don't know?"  she managed.  The dark Mai put her hand on top 
of Mary's and placed her face inches from the blond woman.

	"Are you feeling weak?  Disorientated?  Do you want to do things but 
can't tell why?"  she asked seductively.  Mary continued to avoid her gaze but 
nodded quickly.  The mimic smiled hungrily and put her cheek to the blond 
woman's and whispered into her ear.  "I know what's wrong.  You've been 
poisoned.  There is only one cure."

	Mary closed her blue eye's and let her body relax.  Her finger laced 
with the dark haired girl.  In a soft voice she spoke.  "What is it?  Please help 
me."

	The dark Mai gigled lightly and pressed her lips to Mary's.  The black 
haired young woman pushed the other woman to the ground.  Her free hand 
traced Mary's jaw, down her neck to one breast and lightly dragged her nails 
across the sensitive skin.  The blond woman moaned into the kiss and the Mai 
clone responded by stroking the rapidly hardening nipple.

	Mary's back arched and she broke the kiss gasping for breath.  The 
dark Mai freed her hand and ran it down her side, to the inside of her thigh and 
finally came to rest on her wet panties.  She moved her lips to the blond 
woman's neck and bit lightly and began stroking Mary's already wet labia.  
Mary cried out and wrapped the mimic in her arms.

	"Oh!  Oh. . . Mai!  Mai!  I've wanted this for so long!  Oh yes. . . "  
The clone smiled and focused her lips to Mary's unattended nipple, brushing 
her teeth along it's surface, and using her tongue to great effect.  The dark 
haired girl continued this for some time until Mary's cries became more 
desperate.

	Without warning she stopped and gently pushed Mary's arms above 
her head.  The blond woman looked at her with half-open eyes.  In a slurred 
voice as if drugged she spoke.  "You. . . you stopped."

	The dark Mai gently put a finger on the blond woman's lips.  "Hush. 
Just for a moment."

	Then she unfastened the gold silk belt that held her costume together.  
With deliberate slowness she unwound it and let her uniform slip from her 
shoulders.  The Mai clone leaned forward, making sure that her nipples rubbed 
against the blond woman's.  Mary cried out again and went to encircle her arms 
around the black haired girl only to find her hands being held above her by the 
dark Mai.  	

	With practiced speed, the mimic used her belt to secure Mary's hands 
together at the wrist then hooked the material on a nearby rock.  The clone sat 
up running her hands down the blond womans neck to her well formed breasts.  
The dark Mai sank down again looked into Mary's eyes while rocking her body 
against the other woman's.  Despite the cold ground underneath her Mary felt 
only the heat from the Mai clone's body.  She franticaly gasped and moaned as 
she wraped her legs around the dark Mai's hips.  Their pantied mounds rubbed 
together driving the blond woman wilder.

	The mimic then touched a gentle finger to her lips.  In a soft seductive 
voice she asked "Do you want me?"

	Mary paused, her chest heaving and a puzzled look on her face.  She 
swallowed hard and looked into the dark Mai's black eye's.  The clone held her 
tight, their warmth mingling.  Mary swallowed again and nodded.  "Yes, yes I 
want you. . . "

	Then the mimic smiled again.  Her body finaly reacting to the blond 
woman's.  With a sudden rush all the sensation Mary triggered in the dark 
Mai's body flooded her.  Their lips met again as they ground their sexes into 
each other.  Both women moaned into each other, the mimic's breathing rapidly 
matching Mary's in speed.  With a loud cry the Mai clone broke the kiss and 
arched her back pressing their most sensitive areas together hard.  Then she sat 
up, tracing lingering fingertips along the blond woman's body.

	With exquisite slowness she pulled her panties off and tossed them to 
the side.  Mary opened her eye's and looked longingly at the short, patch of 
black hair.  Then closed them again and bit her lip in anticipation as the dark 
Mai hooked her fingers in the blond woman's own undergarments.  This time 
the mimic wasted no time in sliding the soaking cotton off.  The dark Mai let 
her lust take control of her fully and only bothered pulling the panties off one 
leg.

	With no more ado she clutched Mary tight to her chest and pushed her 
hips down.  Both women cried out as their sexes met.  The sound of sweat 
soaked skin on skin was lost to the girls as they locked lips again, franticaly 
grinding their pussies together.  They parted, a thin line of saliva still 
connecting their lower lips, as the Mai clone reached down and slid a finger 
past the blond's lower lips.  Mary's eye's shot wide open and clutched the dark 
haired young woman closer to her with her legs.

	Without warning clarity began to return to Blue Mary's mind.  Though 
the fire still burned in her and she could feel an orgasm building up incredibley 
fast, she suddenly came to several realizations.  Mai could not have known 
about what was happening to her.  Mai would not have said "she's mine".  Mai 
hadn't changed her costume's color in years.  Mai had red hair.  She came to 
one inescapble conclusion.

	"You. . . hah. . . you're. . . oh god. . . you're not Mai. . ." Mary gasped 
through teeth clenched in passion.  The Mai clone's lips curled upward in a 
predatory smile.

	"No I'm not." she said.  Even with this knowledge Mary couldn't stop 
her orgasm.  Like a master conducter the dark Mai brought them both to a 
tremendous crecendo.  The women's nether regions flowed in rivers of passion 
released,  Mary bucking wildly against the mimic.  As the climax subsided the 
blond woman collapsed the ground suddenly aware of how cold the earth 
underneath her was.  She watched in a mixture of fascination and horror as the 
Mai clone arced her back like a cat gasping with satisfaction.  Mary was also 
aware that she was far below her full strength though whatever the demon had 
done to her seemed to be over with.  The dark haired Mai clone gazed into the 
blond's eyes with a hunters smile on her face.  "But I have your friends body 
and memories.  She wants you, though I think she doesn't realize it.  
Unfortunately for her I'm going to take all of you."

	The Mai clone reached out and indly ran her fingers down Mary's 
face.  The blond woman shuddered at the touch but knew she had little strength 
left and wasn't going to waste any.  She tried to delay whatever was sitting on 
top of her.

	"What are you?" she asked allowing her fear to conceal her plan.  The 
mimic laughed in Mai's musical laughter and ran the tips of her nails along 
Mary's delicate throat and well shaped shoulder muscles.  The blond swallowed 
in honest fear.

	"What does it matter?  Soon I will take you to reaches of pleasure you 
could not have imagined.  And each time you reach ecstasy I will become 
stronger and you will be weaker."  The Mai clone's eye's took on a regretful air.  
"I am sorry about this.  I do not mean to harm you but it is the only way I can 
survive.  This body likes you so much I will try and keep you alive, but 
sometimes I get a little, excited."

	The mimic gently brushed some errant hairs from Blue Mary's face 
and smiled gently.  "Think of it this way there are worse ways to perish than 
being pleasured to death"

	"Thanks."  said the blonds dryly.  "But no thanks."

	With that she pulled with all her considerable strength.  The silk tried 
valiantly but failed to restrain her.  The Mai clone tried to back away but Mary 
caught her arm and span her around in a painful lock.  The blond gained her 
feet and pushed forward driving the naked Mai clone to the ground.  
Mercilessly the blond sank one knee into the dark haired young woman's back 
and pinned her arm with the other foot.  Mary grabbed the shiny black mass of 
hair and pulled back, forcing a cry of pain out of the clone's lips.  The mimicry 
was so comeplete Mary nearly let go so as not to hurt her friend.  But imagery 
of that hunter's smile boiled in her gut and the bounty hunter leaned forward.

	"All right.  Now you are going to answer a few questions for me.  
Otherwise you are going to find out what a broken spine feels like.  
Understand?"  The dark Mai gasped and nodded.  "Good.  Now you said you 
have Mai's body, is she all right?"

	The clone nodded quickly.  "I only copied her body.  I did nothing 
else."

	"You better be telling the truth about that."  growled Mary earnestly.  
"Is this tournament for real or was this all trap?  And if it is real are you part of 
it?"

	The clone swallowed against the pain before answering.  "Yes the 
competion is real.  The demon Kakugo Jin seeks the strongest female warrior of 
your world, I don't know why.  But I'm not part of it!  This is how I live!  
Please let me go!  I won't pursue you or your friend any more!  Please!"

	Mary wanted to break this thing in half but something in her rebeled.  
Whether it was gratitude over being saved from the first demon, or simply 
because this thing wore her best friends body she didn't know.  "All right, but 
know this:  I know what you are and what you look like now, if you are lying to 
me in any way I *WILL* kill you!  Understood?"

	The Mai clone nodded again desperately.  Mary slowly eased the 
pressure off the dark Mai's back and released her.  She stepped back cautiously 
but the clone simply layed there.  The blond bounty hunter pulled her shirt back 
down and replaced her panties making a face as she realized how 
uncomfortable they were going to be.  With a sigh she looked at her shredded 
jeans.

	"I bet there's no good clothes shops around here."  she thought.  Just as 
she did so her pants faded out of existance and reformed on her body, clean and 
whole.  Mary blinked in astonishment then shrugged and turned to the Mai 
clone who was had hastily replaced her costume.  The dark haired girl gave her 
a weak smile then bounced away, leaving Mary confused, tired but somewhat 
hopeful.  As the blond woman started across she mused to herself  "Well at 
least I know Mai's here.  Maybe we can team up to get out of here."

	A small mischevious smile crossed her lips.  "Or at the very least I can 
tell her how I feel.  If that thing was telling the truth there might be something 
there!"  With renewed purpose and resolve Blue Mary set out to find her best 
friend and the castle of a demon.

*****

	"Nippon ichi!"  Mai said snapping her fan open over the fallen form of 
Sophitia.  The red haired kunoichi kneeled down to make sure the blond was all 
right.  When she was convinced her opponent was going to survive she bounced 
away cheerily.

	"Nothing like a good fight to vent frustration!"  she said to herself.  
Behind she didn't see the Roman woman begin to stir.  Sophitia shook her head 
and growled out some curses against kunoichi in general.  As she collected her 
sword the blond felt her foot catch on something.  Turning around she saw a 
huge mass of writhing darkness emerge from the shadow of one of the trees 
holding her foot.

	As her eye's opened a tendril lashed out and wrapped around her 
mouth silenciung her.  More dark tentacles lashed out securing her limbs and 
lifting the blond off the ground.  In her head Sohitia heard a voice.

	"Well well.  Now what do we have here?"




-End-  (for now. . . )




Notes:  Special thanks goes to Paladin's who's Lemonade side stories were a 
source of inspiration for this project.  Again anyone interested in writing for 
this series email me at kibagimi@aol.com or Vegeta@yahoo.com.  If you liked 
or despised my work my address hasn't changed.  Just one thing:  Please don't 
bother asking me to hook Mai up with Andy!  I really, really hate the schmuck 
and as long as I'm writing nothing very positive is going to happen between 
him and Mai!