Aisha cupped her hands together to keep her crew members from falling out, "What the hell happened?" Gene asked, stunned by this new turn of events.

"What does it look like? I grew! Gene you can be so thick sometimes."

Gene got red in the face, "Well it's obvious you grew! I want to know how! What happened to you guys after the security force mercs showed up?"

"Oh, well Jim and I took out one of them and ran for it. I don't know where Melfina went. Anyway Jimmy said we should probably avoid Fred's for a little while because someone might be watching the place. We decided to wait a while......... and Jim offered to buy me lunch, thanks again Jim!"

"Uhhh, no problem Aisha."

"I still expect that free lunch." Aisha told him, matter o factly.

"What?! Aisha you're like, 20 times as big as you used to be! Your big enough to eat 10 seafood resteraunts into bankrupcy in one sitting!"

"No excuses Jim! You offered me a free meal and I'm going to take you up on it. The Ctarl Ctarl always collect their debts." Aisha teased.

"Debt?!" Jim gaped.

"I'm just playing with you Jim. Mellow out a little." She would have messed with his hair but her hands were full.

"If you two kids aren't finished I'd like my question answered." Gene interrupted.

Aisha glared down at him, "I'm getting there. Jeez, you're so bossy. Now that I'm big maybe we should talk about a change in leadership." Aisha threatened (though none too seriously).

"Whatever...... Aisha...... WHAT HAPPENED?!!!!!" Gene hollered at the top of his lungs.

Still glaring at him Aisha explained, "Well......... Jim and I really wanted to know what was in the package. After a while we just couldn't wait anymore. We opened it up and found these vials. We really wanted to know what was in them. Being an immortal Ctarl Ctarl I figured what ever it was it couldn't harm me so I drank one of them."

Gene glared at Jim, "I tried to stop her."

"Well anyway I started growing! It felt amazing. I haven't felt so good since I found that 'real' hot spring on Tenrei."

"You mean that lava pit?...... Okay let me get this straight, you opened up Fred's package, the package that's supposed to clear me of a 3 million wong debt. Then you decided to drink what was inside, is that it?"

"Yup!" Aisha replied cheerfully.

Gene suddenly looked exhausted, "I guess we're gonna have to go on the run again."

"Relax, there were five vials in the package. So anyway after I grew we left to find you. We found Melfina wandering around aimlessly so I scooped her up. Then we found you fighting that pirate. He was beating you pretty badly so I decided to 'step' in and save your butt!"

Gene grew even redder than before, "We could have taken him."

"Sure." Aisha laughed sarcastically.

"Well regardless, we should go see Fred now."

Suzuka nodded, "I agree, perhaps we can still have Gene's debt cleared by handing over the remaining vials."

"Our debt." Gene interrupted, "Our debt."

Suzuka ignored him, "Even if he doesn't maybe he'll have something to cure Aisha."

Aisha humphed, "You to Suzu? Jeez everyone's acting like I've got some kind of disease!"

.......................................................

Fred eagerly greated his 'friends'.

"Gene, Jim! It's great to see you." Fred laughed while rubbing his left ear lobe, He completely ignored the two women accompanying them, "I'd love to just scoop you two up and give you a great big hug for old times sake but I'm afraid business must come first for once."

Jim said a silent thank you. Walking up to Fred he handing over the five remaining vials.

"Thank you Jimmy!" Fred wrapped his arms around the young boy giving him a bone crushing hug.

"Gah! Get the hell off me Fred!"

"Ha ha ha, as spunky as ever. I like that. Well my friends, your debt is cleared."

"Thanks Fred," Gene started nervously, "But we've got a problem."

"What? You need a lone? So soon?!" Fred laughed, "Sure, what are friends for? How much do you need Gene." Fred clicked his fingers and one of his many henchmen produced a check book.

"Here you go boss."

"No it's not money I need...... Fred, I've got a big problem."

"...Okay, how big?" Fred asked.

Gene pointed out the window. Fred turned and stared out the window. To his horror there was a giant cat girl waving to him.