Peach (AST)

**Peach** is the main wife of Eyebright and a member of the fox clan.

## Biography

Peach came to Japan upon receiving an emergency call from Lemon. They were unaware of the nature of her emergency so by the time she arrived the reconnaissance group believing Lemon was being forcibly held and was in immediate danger had acted rashly and already ambushed Shampoo, Kasumi, Ranma and Ukyo while they were on a date. They managed to capture Kasumi and Ranma, but Ukyo and Shampoo managed to escape with the help of Elder Cologne. Peach was shocked upon realizing who it was that the group had fought telling them just how lucky they were that she let them go as they licked their wounds. Now that there was no turning back they met up with Eyebright.

He assured them that Lemon was fine she had acted rashly and gotten herself into a bit of a spot, and what they observed was merely a coincidence. They were still ready to go rescue her only for him to tell them not too much to their surprise. Peach cautioned the younger kitsune to let him explain allowing him to tell them about how Herb is trapped in his female cursed form. They soon began exchanging looks in realization of the potential. Seeing this Eyebright motioned for the girls to come closer and began detailing his intent.

Going to San Cheng Huang she was greeted by Devlin, who had been left in charge by Jasmine. He asked her if she planned on causing trouble, to which she replied not while inside. Reluctantly he let her in. Peach apologized for the earlier incident and freed Ranma and Kasumi. She then asked to see Lemon who Devlin escorted her to.

Peach returned and unexpectedly confirmed for everyone that it was indeed Lemon who had tricked Frost. Peach further apologized, disavowed any participation in Lemon's actions, and gave the life of Lemon to Kasumi as way of compensation. This confused Kasumi, thinking she meant for Kasumi to kill Lemon, but she clarified that Lemon's fate was for Kasumi to decide now, and Cologne further clarified that effectively Lemon was now Kasumi's slave. Peach confirmed this resolved the conflict between them and the Amazons and Cologne was forced to confirm it was.

Then the topic turned to Herb and Peach requested they had over the princess. Naturally this was refused by Herb herself who finally appeared. Peach put on a false sense of disappointment and said they would be taking Herb, and departed to rejoin the other kitsunes.

As they waited for the barrier around San Cheng Huang to weaken the kitsune redirected bystanders away with wards, and entranced those who remain within. Peach reminded them that their goal was to capture Herb, so no one else was to be harmed. As expected, Devlin lead the Magi outside. As they arranged themselves to confront those around them, Devlin tried to convince her to they didn’t have to do this. She responded by telling him to give her Herb. In an instant the mages attacked, Devlin in particular came right at Peach. As the two clashed dozens of replicas of Shampoo, Kasumi, Ukyo, Ranma, Rippa, and Herb rush out, and begin to disperse in all directions.

Realizing that they were Homunculi Peach ordered had the kitsune split up some would go after them while she and the others dealt with the mages. The fighting quickly spread out. Several were drawn into phantom realms. Devlin and Peach, however, remained situated just outside the restaurant. The kitsune was making a show of it, but clearly had little more intention than to simply keep Devlin busy, which the lich quickly called her out on. But she remained halfhearted in their little battle.

After several more exchanges of magic her attention suddenly shifted to her shoulder. The reason Peach wasn’t trying to get away was because she simply didn't need to. It turns out that when she checked on Lemon Peach had snuck on small portal onto Herb, which Devlin discovered when she shapeshifted into a mosquito and flew off. She left another kitsune to deal with him, knowing that Herb was to far away for him to help. Herb sensed her when she caught up with him and she made her presence known by shapeshifting back into her human form.

Kasumi told Herb to run while they hold her off, but much to her surprise Peach made no effort to stop him.  They realized why when after Herb disappeared around a corner behind them, he came running up the opposite direction. Ranma was the first to realize that they had been placed back into a looped space. The plan was merely to distract them until her husband was done with Jasmine. To that end she let them fight an illusion while she occasionally attacked remotely. Kasumi eventually figured out was going on due to needlessly wasteful the illusion was being.

Just as she was about to deal with them personally she was suddenly attacked by Rippa and Shampoo. Shampoo's spirit sense allowed her to sense the true path out, but Peach quickly prevented their escape. Despite the best efforts of the other, Peach did indeed prove insurmountable, humiliating them by immobilizing them in the air and destroying their clothing. Shampoo, along with Herb remained defiant despite this. Kasumi, who had fooled Peach with a soul illusion, managed to sneak in an attack, but it too failed. As Peach asked if that was all she had, Kasumi use a flash of ki to blind her long enough for Ranko to make her final approach and grab her.

The effect of contact with the kitsune was dramatic, quickly defeating her. Kasumi decided to take her with them as she appeared injured by the contact and they raced off the remaining distance to Siren's barrier.

Peach returned to Japan gathering Kasumi, Herb, Shampoo, Makoto, Ranma, Genma, Lemon and Akane at the San Cheng Huang pocket dimension to warn them that Lemon’s mother had slipped away from the Fox Clan and was likely looking for trouble. They were interrupted by Frost exiting her pocket dimension. Kasumi was forced to assure Peach that the door didn’t bypass the barrier before they could get things on track. Herb asked if Palm planned on taking Lemon, however Peach honestly didn’t know. While it was a possibility it wasn’t likely as no clan would take them if Palm just forcibly took Lemon back. Kasumi suggested that Palm would just take Lemon and live on her own. Though she didn’t explain why Peach knew that was just as unlikely. Her theory was that Palm was coming after Kasumi which is why she was there. Peach would act as Kasumi’s bodyguard while Kasumi stayed in the barrier until they get things sorted out.

After explaining Palm’s ability to them Peach called them out for not confirming she was who she said she was before letting her in. Shampoo would be the key to detecting Palm. Sadly, all they could really do now was wait for Palm to do something, either give up and go home or gets fed up and confronts Peach. Peach’s final instruction was to make sure that Ranko came nowhere near her. With that she left to prowl the neighborhood. Later Kasumi came to Peach to inform her that two more guest were staying with them. After making sure the two were on the up and up Peach put it out of her mind. What Kasumi really came there for was a better understanding of Palm. After explaining Palms history as well as the nature of kitsune mating Peach went for another patrol.

It turned out that the guest were alternate versions of Akane and Shampoo from another dimension. Peach could see through the illusion they were using to disguise themselved and confronted Akane who decided to go by Kane that night as she was returning to the restaurant. The only reason she hadn’t already attacked them was that Kasumi seemed to trust them, but still wanted to know what the deal with them was. All Kane could really tell her that it was a long story. Luckily Peach accepted this just wanting to know if she’d help in locating Palm. Kane asked if Palm was really that dangerous. Peach told her that she was especially if she gets conditions advantageous to her. Peach however didn’t plan on letting her gain those conditions.

Palm ended up attacking Akane, Kodachi and Ranko luckily they were rescued by Kane and Shan. The whole group was now at the restaurant within the pocket dimension, along with Kasumi, Shampoo, Herb, Ranma, Frost and even Lemon. Peach told them they were lucky as she neared the completion of her treatment of Akane. Kodachi was sitting nearby, recovered but looking unamused while Kane was doing her own treatment of Ranko who was still struggling to breath without coughing. This is far more troubling than Peach was expecting. Granted this was not directly that serious, they all would have recovered in time, but it was dangerous regardless, and Palm may have been intending to kidnap the three.

Ranma was the first to ask what they do next. It’s obvious that Palm wasn’t just going after Kasumi, Peach can't protect everyone all at once, and they can't all hold up in here indefinitely. Herb pointed out that this was most likely Palm’s goal when she attacked. Ranma suggested that they call the Fox clan, but was disgusted when told that since one of their own isn’t at threat they wouldn’t be here instantly like last time. For now all they could do was continue to wait. There was also the fact that they needed to bring the others to the pocket dimension so that they wouldn’t be in any danger. Ranma went off to call the dojo with Herb telling him to wait for Peach she could escort them. Akane left to go get some cloths. Kodachi decided to take her chances at home. If Palm chooses to attack her again at least they would know the extent to which she would stoop, the others nodded and started to break up into smaller groups to talk.

As the rest of the Tendos and Saotomes made themselves at home Nodoka assured Kasumi for the hundredth time that it wasn’t. Soun did so as well when he came out of his assigned room. He thought of it as a mini vacation away from home. Nodoka did wonder if it was safe to keep the restaurant open. Peach who had been listening in from the other room told her that while it probably wasn’t they should on principle. At the very least it would frustrate Palm. She did warn Kasumi to secure her employees’ safety. All nodded in acceptance of this.

Lemon wanted to confront her mother and asked Ranma and Herb to escort her. Together with Kasumi, Shan, Kane, and Ranko, he explained the plan to Peach. He was easily able to tell by her expression that she didn’t approve. Peach admitted that that engaging Palm in discussion may be the best option; she just wished that there was a better way. Unfortunately there was none. Conceding this Peach still advised Ranma to run if Palm becomes hostile even telling to abandon Lemon if he had to. Kasumi reluctantly agreed believing that Palm wouldn’t hurt her daughter. After assuring Kasumi that he would be fine Ranma headed off. Peach lingered a moment before turning to Kasumi to tell her that she had called in some old favors and had some assistance on the way. The first should arrive later that day. Since it was such short notice she could only get a troublesome local pair, who neither get along with each other, nor are particularly trustworthy. After reminding Kasumi to stay in the barrier the kitsune departed.

Peach noticed that something was wrong with Kasumi when she returned, but shrugged it off when Kasumi told her that there was nothing to report. However when she was about to go and check up on Lemon’s group Kasumi stopped her and asked Peach about their earlier conversation when she was about to go check up on Lemon and the others. The kitsune had no idea what Kasumi was talking about and quickly realized that it was Palm who Kasumi was talking to. The initial panic led to confusion as Peach wondered why Palm didn’t attack Kasumi when she had the chance. Kasumi confirmed that she didn’t sense any hostility from Palm when they talked. After asking Kasumi to about what the two talked about and Palm’s response, Peach came to the conclusion that she was trying to provoke her. However Kasumi pointed out that Palm didn’t seem mad at her response in fact Kasumi was more upset at Palm for what she was insinuating. After going over it some more Palm concluded that Kasumi wasn’t the target. Kasumi tried to get Peach to elaborate but she just told everyone to stay there and rushed off out of the dimension.

## Ability

Peach is a pure-breed nine tails kitsune, and considered the most of the fox clan save only Eyebright himself. This is shown by her easily able to toy with the likes of Ranma, Ukyo, Kasumi, and Herb, and while it turned out to be an illusion she still showed herself to be strong enough to both overpower them and shrug off even their strongest attacks.

* **Flash Step**: Peach is able to move faster than the eye can follow by combining her remarkable speed with shapeshifting.

## Relationship

### Palm

Peach and Palm don’t get alone with each and they reason for this is simple. They're kitsunes, both mating with the same male. Palm being Eyebright’s mate means that Peach instinctively hates her. She could be the nicest most perfect kitsune ever, it wouldn't matter, Peach would still hate her because of having to share her husband with her. However Peach realizes that her hatred is just as irrational as Palm’s hatred of humanity so tries at least to fight it and manage it.