"Deal?!" Genma bellowed. "What do you mean deal, boy?! Saotome's don't make deals with Amazons! We--" Not bothering to give his father a sideways glance, Ranma produced a bucket of cold water and tossed it at Genma who instantly changed into a big fat flying pig. Genma pig began to squeal indignantly at being in his cursed form as everyone who was unaccustomed to it looked at him with wide eyes before they began laughing. Well, everyone except Ryoga. Because Ryoga appeared to be shock. "Dad?" said Ryoga in dim tones. "Is that you?" For a response Genma pig nodded before he gave an embarrassed half squeal that would be the porcine equivalent of 'unfortunately' if analyzed by zoologists. Looking to his brother, Ryoga said, "You and Dad have Jusenkyo curses too, Ranma?" "Yeah," Ranma snorted. "It's the old man's fault though." He paused for a moment then blinked and said, "You mean you got one too, Ryoga? Aw, man... Mom's gonna be really pissed when she hears about this." "No," said Ryoga as she shook his head. "I don't have a curse. Tachi does though. He turns into a--" "Now, Ryoga-kun!" interrupted Tatewaki as he slapped his hand over Ryoga's mouth. "No one is really all that interested in such details. Are they now?" "Heh," Ranma gave a low chuckle. "It figures that you'd get cursed, Kuno. Me? I got pushed into a spring. But you? You're the type to go jumping right into one." Narrowing his tawny eyes, Tatewaki took a slow step forward as he hissed, "Saotome. I despise you for all that you are and all that you've done to me and my family." "Your family?" asked Ranma blankly. He formed a face of actual confusion as he said, "What do you mean?" "Kodachi! My sister!" Tatewaki roared. "You are responsible for her current status as a criminal! I know of your ways, Saotome, and whenever there is trouble you are always behind it! Whether it's because of your womanizing or your illegal habits involving theft, you and trouble go hand in hand like a husband and wife in wedlock!" At this comment, Genma pig squealed his agreement as he nodded his head fiercely. Forming a scowl, Ranma shot him a dirty look as he said, "Shut up old man." Looking back to Kuno he continued, "I dunno what you're talking about. So I date some, what's the big deal about that? And yeah, I like to do business while I travel. That's not a crime, is it?" "You have defamed the Kuno family name and honor!" shouted Tatewaki as he produced a katana out of nowhere. "And now you shall pay for all of your sins!" "Aw, jeez," said Ranma lowly. "Not this again. Kuno man, I really don't have time to fight with you now. I got this deal with the Amazons to work out, y'know? Besides," he paused to look at a distressed Kodachi. "Can't you see that this is upsetting, Dachi? Lets hold off for a little bit, huh?" "Saotome," Tatewaki snarled. "That's a cheap trick to use against me but you won't escape so easily..." "Brother dear," said Kodachi softly as she walked towards him. "Please stop it... don't fight with Ranma." "Sister?" asked Tatewaki in surprise. "Dachi?" said Ranma in similar tones. Ignoring both of their comments, Kodachi looked to Cologne and asked politely, "Might we continue the details of our loyalty at a later time? It seems we have some personal business to settle before we can advance any further." "Of course," said Cologne with a dip of her head. She then hopped forward on her staff and handed Kodachi a piece of paper. "Be at this address at five o'clock tomorrow." "Thank you," Kodachi replied as she lowered her eyes in a gesture of respect which Cologne seemed intrigued at. When Cologne moved back to talk quietly with her Great Granddaughters, Tatewaki moved to his sister's side. "Why do you care for that cur Saotome?" asked Tatewaki. "He deserves to be punished for everything that he has done to you. I know that this was all of his doing. He has always been a troublemaker, even back in middle school." "Tachi," said Kodachi softly. She looked around the crowded room before she took his hand and led him out into the backyard where they could be alone. Much to her intense embarrassment she felt herself blushing under the gaze of her brother. Being with Tatewaki seemed to revert her magically to her childhood when she had last seen him. And when she was a child, Kodachi had been a profoundly shy person. "I could not let Ranma darling suffer alone. He is my..." She blushed furiously as she whispered, "Boyfriend." "Boyfriend?" repeated Tatewaki numbly. All was silent for several moments as Tatewaki remained frozen. "Brother?" asked Kodachi in concern. "Is something the matter?" Tatewaki's face was now dark red and steam was slowly coming out of his ears as he growled, "Boyfriend." "Yes," said Kodachi anxiously. "Ranma dearest and I have been dating for quite some time now." At this comment Tatewaki's clenched jaw twitched and the vein on his forehead bulged to even greater size. In a slow mechanical movement he turned on his heel and walked into the sitting room to stand behind Ranma. Noticing his presence, Ranma turned and smiled as he said, "Yo Kuno. What's up?" "Saotome," said Tatewaki in deathly quiet tones. He paused to lift his tawny gaze that burned with fury. When he did he screamed at the top of his lungs, "I'll kill you!!" Releasing a high pitched yelp, Ranma hastily dodged Tatewaki's katana before he bounded out of the dojo with the angry Kendoist hot on his heels. Observing this with a wary expression, Kodachi said, "That went well." Sighing deeply, Kodachi shook her raven head before she bounded after the two boys. This was hardly the happy reunion that she had waited so long for. --- "Ranma!" shouted Ryoga as he watched his brother being pursued by his best friend. He started to run after them but Genma pig bit the cuff of his pants leg. Looking down at his father with confused eyes he said, "Dad?" Genma pig merely squealed indignantly and at this Ryoga laughed nervously then said, "Uh... I don't know what you're saying Dad. Maybe you should change back?" "Oh my," Kasumi said as she produced a steaming teakettle from out of nowhere. "Would you like this?" Seeing the teakettle, Genma pig squealed loudly and nodded his head swiftly. Smiling at his reaction, Kasumi said, "If you want it you'll have to promise me something." On hearing the word promise, Genma pig's eyes widened but he eventually gave a slow agreeing nod. After all, he really did hate being in his cursed form. People tended to laugh at him when he was like this. Well, laugh at him more than usual. "I want you to stop hounding Ranma about this engagement idea of yours. He and Kodachi are obviously in love," said Kasumi in a low whisper. "Do you agree?" Genma pig's eyes widened before he gave a slow nod and with a smile Kasumi handed the teakettle to Ryoga then made her way over to Perfume and the Amazons. Pouring the hot water over Genma pig's head Ryoga was relieved to see the big fat flying pig transform back into the far more familiar, and less comical, figure of his father. "Dad," said Ryoga with a quiet smile. "It's good to have you back." He quickly formed a face of determination as he turned and said, "But now I need to go after Tachi--" "Leave them be," said Genma solemnly as he reached out to grasp Ryoga's shoulder. "Your brother has to settle his problems with Tatewaki on his own. Besides, we have much more important things to talk about." "We do?" Ryoga asked blankly. "Yes," Genma paused to smile. "We do." "Okay. Who are all these people? And why is one of them chasing Ranma with a sword?" Everyone turned to see Nabiki standing in the sitting room doorway with the a confused Akane behind her. "Oooh," Akane said in awe as she looked at Perfume. "There's more of you! It's an Amazon party!" "Akane," said Nabiki as she heaved a sigh. She nevertheless turned to Perfume and the others then said, "Is this really the time to invite your relatives over? It's been such a short time since you first conned my sister into believing that she's engaged to you." "Conned?" Perfume blinked. She looked to Kasumi with a puzzled expression and said, "What is conned?" "Never mind that, Perfume," said Kasumi wearily. "Imotochan, I've already told you before that Perfume and I are engaged under her laws." There was a long moment of silence before Akane clapped her hands together and exclaimed, "Yay! We're going to have a wedding!" When everyone recovered from their mutual face fault, Nabiki turned to Akane and said, "Nobody's getting married." "But Oneechan just said--" began Akane. "It's just their stupid laws," Nabiki interrupted. "Kasumi is only engaged to Perfume under Amazon law. That hardly holds any power over Japanese citizens. Therefore she's free to do as she likes. The engagement is null here." Studying Nabiki with lidded eyes, Cologne said, "You are a clever one but such a mere technicality won't free your sister from her duties to Perfume and the tribe." "What duties?" Nabiki hissed. "She didn't do anything to deserve being trapped into a marriage with axe girl here." "What you say?" started Perfume with a growl as she retrieved her aforementioned axes. "Stop this," came the soft yet commanding voice of Kasumi. She was standing in front of Perfume as to block her path towards Nabiki. "Everyone stop this fighting. Nabiki," she said very softly. "I have an obligation to Perfume. I might not understand or even like it but I accept it. And I wish that you would accept it too. Please..." Looking deeply into her sister's eyes Nabiki shook slightly as she bunched her hands into fists. "Kasumi," she murmured. "I won't say anything more about it but I want you to know that I think it's not right." With that, Nabiki turned on her heel and silently left the dojo while everyone watched her retreat. "Well," said Akane after a moment of pause. "She's still acting awfully grouchy, isn't she Oneechan?" --- "Aw c'mon Kuno!" Ranma cried out. He ducked yet another pass of the older boy's katana. "Do we have to settle our differences with violence? It's so barbaric." "Filthy dog," hissed Tatewaki in between breaths. Tatewaki paused in his attack to hold his katana in a defensive position. The two boys were battling on the rooftop to a local bakery and a large crowd had gathered on the street to watch the fight. Ranma noted this and gave a jaunty wave. "You make light of my challenge?" Tatewaki said in a low growl. "I despise you Saotome!" Meeting Tatewaki's gaze Ranma sighed deeply and rubbed his forehead as if trying to dismiss a headache. "I've been meaning to ask you about that," he began. "Why are you so angry at me? Is it because you think that I'm just using Dachi? Because if that's it I can tell you right now that you're wrong. I know how I acted when we went to middle school together but I'm not like that anymore." He took a step forward and pushed Tatewaki's katana into a lowered position. "I'm in love with Dachi. I would never hurt her." "You don't know what love truly is," said Tatewaki fiercely. "I can recall you claiming to love all those girls you tossed aside like so much garbage." "That was then," said Ranma as he clenched his jaw. "I haven't dated anyone but Dachi since I was sixteen." At this Tatewaki's eyes widened and Ranma chuckled. "Yeah it took me about a year to win her over. And you know what I'm like Kuno. I have the attention span of a gnat." He diverted cobalt eyes to look up at the sky. "At first I only wanted her because she presented a challenge but then I fell for her." He took a step forward to bore a solemn gaze into Tatewaki as he said, "I'd do anything to make Dachi happy." "Very well," said Tatewaki in solemn tones as he slashed his katana through the air and pointed it at Ranma. "You must abandon your criminal ways. My sister can never be truly happy living such a deceitful life." "Eh..." Ranma mumbled while he scratched his cheek. "No offense or anything but you haven't seen Dachi for a few years now. How do you know what she's happy with?" "Saotome," growled Tatewaki. He moved closer with his katana and said, "I thought that you were willing to do anything to make my sister happy. Did you not say that?" "I did," said Ranma slowly. "It's just that I don't really think that me acting all straight laced is actually gonna do that." Before his companion could say anything more he took a step forward and said in reasonable tones, "Consider it this way Kuno. There are two sides of your sister. One side is yours. That Dachi is sweet and innocent and she blushes for some weird reason. Then there's my Dachi. She's hardly innocent but she is sweet and she never ever blushes. I say that we keep our two Dachi's and never have them mix. Or else it'll cause some sort of vortex like in Star Trek or something." Tatewaki blinked before he slowly formed a wry smile. "I have no idea what you're talking about," he said with dry humor. "But I will acknowledge that you seem to care for my sister. Very well," Tatewaki pronounced as he lowered his katana. "I shall leave you in peace but let it be known that if you ever hurt my sister horrible doom shall fall upon you." "That's just swell," Ranma said almost nervously. "Well," floated in Kodachi's lofty voice. The two boys turned to see her standing on the edge of the building wearing a small smile on her face. Walking forward she said, "I can't say how pleased I am that you've settled your differences." "We've settled them," Tatewaki said. "I still do not trust him entirely but I'll not interfere with your choices." He paused to add quietly, "Yet." "Hmm," murmured Kodachi. "That's good to know." She turned to Ranma and touching him lightly on the cheek she said, "Why not join your brother now and speak to him of certain engagements?" "Sure," Ranma said. He glanced past at Tatewaki who wore the usual stoic face and said, "But what about...?" "Never fear," said Kodachi softly as she formed a gentle smile. "Tachi and I have much to catch up on. I believe that we'll journey to our former dwellings and reminisce. Do not wait for me, we shall take awhile." "All right," Ranma said before he gave Kodachi a quick kiss on the cheek. Bounding past Tatewaki he called, "Later Kuno!" Watching Ranma's departure Tatewaki looked to Kodachi who was standing at his side and muttered, "You do realize that he's horribly arrogant?" Smiling softly, Kodachi replied, "It happens to be just one of his many charms." --- "Are you sure you won't stay for the night?" asked Kasumi. She was standing at the front entrance to the dojo saying goodbye to the Amazons who had decided to leave for the hotel that they'd made arrangements to stay in. "I'm sure child," said Cologne kindly. "Your house is obviously crowded." She smiled wryly as she added, "And I doubt that we'll get our treasures returned tonight what with all the family reunions taking place. Besides, we have much to discuss and I'm afraid this isn't the most private of places." At this Perfume muttered something under her breath and hearing it Shampoo snickered while Kasumi frowned. "Perfume," chided Kasumi. "I thought that you were trying to stop using profanity?" Perfume opened her mouth to protest but when she met Kasumi's warm brown eyes she faltered and turned bright red as she mumbled, "Sorry." "It's all right," Kasumi said softly as she reached out to hold Perfume's hand. "All that matters is you're trying." Looking at Kasumi's hand holding her own Perfume turned an even darker shade of red and on seeing this Shampoo burst out into full on laughter. Whipping her head upwards, Perfume scowled then gently pulling away from Kasumi she retrieved her double bladed axes. And chasing after Shampoo, she shouted, "No laugh at me!!" Observing this with a chuckle, Cologne looked to the wide eyed Kasumi and said, "I hate to say it but you're going to have your hands full when it comes to my Perfume." Watching the Amazons depart, Kasumi could only heave a deep sigh for a response. She had the worst feeling that Cologne was exactly right in her predictions. --- "And you know how your brother is," grumbled Genma as he continued to detail their adventures over the past year. "He decided that he wanted some of those sparkly Amazon treasures and the next thing that I know I'm being cheated out of a free meal." Father and son were in the sitting room entrenched in deep discussion while Soun observed in something of a daze. Akane having abandoned them to go about her usual regimen of a thousand sit ups before lunch. "What did he steal anyway?" asked Ryoga. He took a rice cake from the bowl on the table and began eating it. "What didn't he steal," Genma said as he rolled his eyes. "That's more the question." He paused to give Ryoga a hard slap on the back as he said, "But enough about that! I'm just glad to have you with me again, son!" After spitting out the piece of rice cake he'd almost choked on Ryoga said, "I'm glad to be here, sir." "Aw," Ranma's voice floated in from the doorway. "Father and son bonding. I'm touched." He smirked at Genma and asked, "Why don't I get the mushy sentiment, Pop?" "Because you're an ingrate," said Genma with a sniff. "Ryoga's always been the responsible one. While you on the other hand have always been the slacker." "So in other words," Ranma began slyly. "I'm the one who takes after you." "Exactly," Genma said gravely. "You're the one who takes after--" He paused to narrow his eyes and scowl. "Very funny." "I thought so," said Ranma as he smirked. Pushing off the doorway he was leaning against he walked into the sitting room and sat next to Soun. "Tendo-san," he said seriously. "I have something I need to talk to you about." "Oh?" Soun asked curiously. "What's that?" "I'm afraid that I can't marry any of your daughters," said Ranma sadly. "I'm in love with Dachi and I could never marry anyone but her. I'm sorry." Just as Soun was about to say something Ranma beamed widely and slapped Ryoga on the shoulder. "But that doesn't mean my brother can't marry one of them! He's too chicken to ask any girls out and he's a Saotome too! Ryoga would be just great!" "Huh?" Ryoga blinked as he stared dumbly at Ranma. "But I have Mom's last name, not Dad's." "Dummy," whispered Ranma into his ear. "You're still his son. That means you're a Saotome." "Oh," said Ryoga slowly. He shrugged then looked relaxed for a moment before the full implications of what his brother just said sunk in. "Hey!" he exclaimed suddenly as he leapt to his feet. "What do you mean I can marry them?! I didn't know about any engagement!" "Yeah, right," Ranma rolled his eyes. "Pop has been talking about this thing for years and since you are the older brother I figure that this honor should go to you. And I think that a completely girl inept dweeb like you needs all the help that he can get." "I'm not completely girl inept!" protested Ryoga huffily. "You are too," said Ranma. "When we were in middle school you passed out anytime a girl talked to you." "That's better than making a hobby of out seeing how many girls phone numbers I can collect," retorted Ryoga. "You're just jealous," said Ranma in sing song tones. "I am not!" Ryoga replied fiercely. "Are too!" Ranma matched his tone. "Not!" "Too!" "Not!" "Too!" "Not!" Soun looked warily over at Genma and asked, "Is this what it's like having sons?" "Pretty much," said Genma with a nod. Directing his eyes back to the two feuding brothers Soun was thankful for having daughters for the first time in his life. Scooting closer to his old friend he asked, "Is it true what Ranma said about Kodachi?" "Unfortunately," said Genma with a sigh. "Ranma's very much infatuated with her. I had hoped to get him over his crush with the beauty of your lovely daughters but now that Ryoga is here..." "He can take over the engagement," finished Soun. He was studying the boys closely as Ryoga was now busy battling Ranma in the backyard over the koi pond. "Do you truly think that he's a better choice for my girls?" "Absolutely," said Genma with a nod. "Ranma can be stubborn about these things. As he said for himself, I'm afraid that Ranma is far too much like me." Genma slowly met Soun's gaze and said, "And would you truly you want one of your daughters marrying someone like me?" Soun shuddered at the thought and said, "You have a point." He was about to say something more when a loud splash sounded and they turned to see Ryoga standing on one of the large boulders laughing. "Got you, Ranma!" declared Ryoga triumphantly. "That's what you get for teasing your betters!" "Oh, Ryoga..." called a sweet and melodic voice as Ranma rose out of the koi pond to reveal her elfin form. "R-R-R-Ranma?" Ryoga squeaked as he hastily moved backwards only to trip and land on his butt. Ranma wore a coy expression as she stood up in the pond and flipped her long blonde pigtail over one shoulder causing a shower of droplets to fall around her. Her wet Chinese style clothes clung to her lithe frame and gave her the appearance of some type of goddess. Ranma raised an eyebrow as she folded her arms over her chest and said, "What? You don't recognize your own brother?" For a response, Ryoga promptly fainted. --- "It hardly looks as it once did," Tatewaki murmured. "No, it doesn't," Kodachi agreed with a sigh. The two siblings were standing in the front walk to the once illustrious Kuno Mansion that had since become run down and deserted over time. "It still belongs to us, you realize," said Tatewaki after a long moment of pause. "My Mistress saw to that." "Your Mistress?" asked Kodachi in confusion. "Yes," Tatewaki said softly as he began to slowly walk towards the front entrance to the mansion. "Mistress Azami. She is the woman which raised me upon our father's vile abandonment. A goddess amongst the mortals." "The woman who adopted you," Kodachi said. "Ranma dearest told me of her." She looked at her brother with an intent stare then noted, "You care for her." "I love her," affirmed Tatewaki. "She gave me the only family that I would know other than you." He turned to Kodachi and said, "I still do not know why she did it but I shall always remain ever grateful for her kindness." "She sounds like a wonderful woman," said Kodachi. "That she is," murmured Tatewaki with a smile. There was a long moment of silence while they inspected the abandoned grounds when Kodachi looked to Tatewaki. "So," she began. "We truly own all of this, then?" "Yes," Tatewaki replied solemnly. "We truly do." Another moment of silence passed as Kodachi formed a slow smile and said under her breath, "Perfect." --- "<Great Grandmother,>" began Perfume in a near hiss. "<How could you offer the demon thieves a deal? They are criminals! We should punish them with full force!>" The group were back at their rather expensive hotel which had taken some time to get into considering the large amount of security they had because of an incident with some con artists. "<Silence, Pur-fum,>" said Cologne calmly. "<Who are you to question my actions? I am the Matriarch.>" "<I'm sorry,>" Perfume said quietly as she flushed. "<But this isn't right, Great Grandmother. The both of them are our enemies. We can't trust them-->" "<And who said I did, child?>" Cologne asked as she tilted her head to one side. "<I trust them about as much as I trust my fellow Elders. If there's one thing that I have learned in this life it's that sometimes it's best to turn your enemies into allies. Or at least lead them to think that you have.>" "<How will you do that?>" asked Shampoo. "<Simple,>" said Cologne who looked to Shampoo. "<These are smart enemies, the both of them, all we need to do is learn what they value. Not what they seem to value on the surface but what they truly value. Then we use this to make their loyalties into our own.>" "<But how do we do that?>" Shampoo persisted. Releasing a deep sigh, Cologne hopped away from her Granddaughters and towards the bathroom. "<Never mind,>" she said. "<It's something that I'll take care of on my own.>" Watching as the door to the bathroom closed, Shampoo looked to Perfume and said, "<I have absolutely no idea what she's up to. How about you?>" "<Great Grandmother,>" said Perfume as she gave her own soft sigh. "<Isn't someone easily understood.>" "<Got that right,>" Shampoo said in droll tones. She then formed a mischievous expression and crossed to sit next to Perfume on the bed. "<Sooo,>" she began teasingly. "<Tell me just how your new Airen managed to defeat you.>" At this question, Perfume turned bright red. It was a good two hours before Shampoo finally got Perfume to tell her about her defeat at the hands of Kasumi. And it was another two hours before Shampoo finally stopped laughing about it. --- Mousse didn't understand the Japanese. Particularly the men. First they had started kissing her feet, then they chauffeured her around, then they bought her an assortment of expensive items, and now there was a large group of them outside of her hotel window serenading her. Or they were trying to serenade her. Yes, definitely trying because their voices weren't all that good and Mousse was considering calling the police just to get them to leave her alone. She would've already called if the men hadn't bought her such nice gifts. And Mousse really liked the set of ancient weaponry from the dark ages all the men had gotten her. There was no way that she was going to give up her brand new mace and extra strong set of wrought iron shackles. Japanese men certainly confused Mousse but they were nothing next to the women. She couldn't understand one thing the women had said to her all day. Well, not so much said as shouted at her. Things that Mousse was still puzzling over. Things like: What's a harlot? Why is she one? What's a bra? And why should she put one on? But if the day had taught Mousse one thing it was this: Girls could get men to do whatever they wanted. Or at least she could. And wasn't that a lesson enough? --- "Ranma... girl... elf..." Ryoga babbled as he stared at Ranma who was drying out her blonde hair with a towel. "Y'know, we've already discussed this, Ryoga," said Ranma. She paused in her hair drying to peek cobalt eyes up and under the towel which made her look very sexy. "Is your brain stuck on pause or something? Snap out of it." Ryoga was about to reply when Ranma decided to take off her red silk shirt and his eyes going wide, Ryoga hastily covered his nose as he whirled around so that his back was facing Ranma. In this position, Ryoga shouted, "Don't you have any feminine modesty?!" "Modesty?" repeated Ranma who scrunched up her nose and looked at a frozen Soun. "Should I have modesty?" At this question, Soun remained frozen. "Man, all you guys are pathetic," Ranma snorted. She tossed her towel over her bare shoulder and put her hands on her hips. "Why are you freaking out about this? I'm a guy." "But now you're a girl," Ryoga retorted. "Dummy!" "Dummy?" said Ranma with a scowl. "Who're you calling a dummy you big blockhead?" "Ranma," interrupted Genma in a low growl. He was the only person in the room who wasn't effected by Ranma's shirtless state. "Put your shirt on and get the girls." "Yeah, right," Ranma snorted again. "And tell me why should I do anything that you say, old man?" "Because if you don't," Genma's eyes gained a rather dangerous glint. "I'll tell them your darkest secret." There was a moment of pause and Ranma turned white as a sheet as she said, "No way. You wouldn't..." "Oh yes, I would," said Genma grimly. "Yeah! Me too," Ryoga piped up as he kept his hands covering his eyes. "I'll tell everyone! All of the girls!" "Ryoga!" said Ranma in outrage. "How could you do that to me? Your very own brother!" This statement caused Ryoga to frown and look guilty before he eventually said, "You left me no choice, Ranma. If you'd just put your shirt back on..." "Ranma," said Genma as he looked to Ranma who still wore a scowl on her beautiful features. "Come here." In a slow movement, Ranma crossed over to Genma who looked into her eyes and said lowly, "Look boy. I know that you don't want this engagement. That's all well and good but there's still a promise to fulfill. If you don't hurry up and put on your damn shirt and get all those girls down here right now it's you who's going to end up fulfilling it." Ranma opened her mouth, and sensing that it was a protest of sorts, Ryoga said ominously, "Wiggl--" Before Ryoga could finish, Ranma shuddered and turned a ghastly pallor before she hastily tugged her shirt over her head then went barreling out of the room and upstairs to go retrieve the three Tendo sisters. "Heh," Genma gave a soft chuckle as he looked to Ryoga who now had his eyes uncovered. "Good work, son." "Thanks Dad," replied Ryoga with a grin. It wouldn't be until sometime late tomorrow evening that Ryoga would finally realize that by him doing this he had helped his father and Ranma to stick him with the engagement. --- Nabiki stopped in the middle of enjoying her most secret vice, watching Kung Fu movies, on hearing the sound of fingernails clawing on the door to her bedroom. "Nabchan! You gotta come downstairs quick!" "Ranma?" asked Nabiki as she turned off her television and pushed herself up off her bed. "What's up?" By the time she opened the door to her room Nabiki could only see the end of Ranma's blonde pigtail sailing down the stairs. Puzzling at this, Nabiki looked to Akane who was standing in the hall with her also looking very confused. "Oneechan?" said Akane. "What's going on?" "I have no idea," murmured Nabiki as she shut the door to her bedroom. "But lets go and find out." When they walked downstairs they found Ranma tussling with Ryoga on the floor as it seemed that he had finally gotten over his shock about Ranma's elfin form. This was probably because Ranma had her shirt back on. Standing in the doorway to the sitting room, Nabiki said dryly, "Is this what you wanted us to see? Wrestling?" "I love wrestling!" Akane exclaimed. "Remember when I got invited to the star on one of their shows?" "How could I forget?" replied Nabiki. "They're still calling here asking to speak to the 'Kawaii Wonder'." "Ranma," said Kasumi in chastising tones as she entered the room. "Wrestling just isn't ladylike." At this point both Ranma and Ryoga were on their knees with their hands locked and were trying to overpower each other. It looked like Ryoga had the upper hand and was about to win the match when Genma interrupted them by hitting both of his sons on the top of their hard heads. "Ow," Ranma and Ryoga complained. "Why'd you do that, Pop?" asked Ranma sourly. "Yeah," echoed Ryoga in equally sour tones. "Why?" Ignoring their questions, Genma turned back to Soun who was still frozen. Giving Soun a good shake he said, "Get a hold of yourself, Tendo!" He paused to add slyly, "Unless you really don't want to fulfill our promise after all." The reaction was immediate, Soun formed a huge demon head which served to frighten both Ranma and Ryoga while his daughters looked exasperated on seeing it. Genma in the meanwhile appeared to be quite nervous. "SAOTOME!" roared Soun's now mammoth demon head. "HOW COULD YOU SAY--" "Calm down!" Genma held up his hands hastily and waved them around as he thought maybe getting Soun angry wasn't the best way to snap him out of his daze. "I was just making idle chatter. Of course I don't want to break our promise. Look, I've even gathered everyone for the announcement!" Reverting back to normal, Soun looked at his daughters and at Genma's sons then broke out into a wide smile. "Well, then!" he exclaimed. "Lets get to business!" "Business?" asked Nabiki suspiciously. "Daddy, what's going on? What is this all about?" "It's very simple, Nabiki," said Soun as he continued to smile. "Ranma cannot carry on with the engagement so his brother Ryoga had volunteered to replace him." "Yup!" Ranma affirmed, slapping Ryoga hard on the back. "My big bro is just cool like that, arentcha Ryoga?" Ryoga couldn't reply because for some mysterious reason he was gagged with one of his own bandannas. So instead he made a muffled sound and glared at Ranma. "He's such a good boy!" Soun said while he sobbed an ocean of happy tears. "Aren't you, Ryoga?" Ryoga made another muffled sound and at this Nabiki shook her head and rubbed her forehead in such a way that it implied she was getting a headache. "Daddy," began Nabiki in a very slow pronunciation. "You have him tied up." "Not true!" said Genma indignantly. "We have him gagged. And that's a very different thing, Nabiki." While Nabiki looked aggravated at this, a light bulb finally went on inside of Akane's slow working mind. She looked at Ryoga then back at Soun then back at Ryoga as she recalled hearing the words engagement and replace. That was when Akane looked at Kasumi who looked as if she was already aware of this fact. And when their eyes met both the sisters came to a silent decision. They would sacrifice the dateless member of their family to the great beast of arranged engagements. Or in other words, they were foisting it onto Nabiki. "Pick Nabiki!" cried out Akane and Kasumi. "What?" asked Nabiki in shock. "Pick Nabiki!" repeated Akane who knelt down in front of the gagged Ryoga who looked at her with wide eyes. "I can't get engaged, the last time I dated someone seriously it caused a riot in downtown Nerima for three days!" "And I'm afraid that I'm already engaged," said Kasumi who knelt down next to Akane in front of Ryoga. "To a very nice but somewhat violent Chinese Amazon with axes." On hearing the somewhat violent part, Ryoga's eyes went even wider and slowly his eyes rested on Nabiki who was still standing in dim shock at her sisters actions. "Nabiki hasn't dated anyone," Akane whispered into his ear. "And she's really nice underneath it all. Plus she's the only one of us who knows martial arts. You both have tons in common." "And she doesn't care quite as much about money as everyone seems to think," Kasumi added in encouragingly. Before Nabiki could regain her wits to make a protest, Ryoga made another muffled sound and gestured towards her in a frantic movement. Seeing this, Soun burst into a virtual flood of tears and said, "He's picked Nabiki! I'm so happy!" Moving to hold Nabiki in a tight hug, Soun said, "My little girl is growing up so fast! You'll be an excellent wife!" "Wife?" Nabiki numbly repeated. It was at this point that Nabiki regained her wits. A few seconds later all of Nerima would hear her outraged scream echo throughout the night. And when they heard it they all couldn't help but feel sympathy for anyone related to or anywhere near the girl named Tendo Nabiki. --- "So she's sorta loud," Ranma said as he patted a now gagless Ryoga on the back. "But she's a really nice girl. Trust me on this, big bro. And she's a real looker too." "My ears," Ryoga complained who was covering them with his hands. "Are still ringing." Looking at Ranma he wore a scowl as he said, "This is all your fault. Tricking me about this dumb engagement! How could you?" "Hey," said Ranma with a shrug. "You let it happen to yourself. In this life you've gotta learn to think on your toes or else you find yourself dealing with the cleanup." "Whatever," muttered Ryoga. After a moment, Ryoga turned almost against his will to look at Nabiki who was conferring with her very guilty looking sisters in the sitting room. Doing this, Ryoga couldn't help but note that Nabiki was very attractive. In a loud martial arts girl sort of way. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all. --- "How could you?" Nabiki accused in a low hiss. "You two just stuck me with this! Haven't either of you ever heard about solidarity among sisters?" "What?" Akane blinked in confusion. Nabiki released a low groan and looked to Kasumi. "Imotochan," said Kasumi. "We're sorry. Really we are, but this is for your own good. You've never even dated. We just wanted to give you the chance to be with a nice boy." "Yeah!" piped up Akane. "And a really cute one too!" "I'm not a leper," Nabiki growled. "I can find my own dates! Not like I can find one now, what with being saddled in this stupid engagement thanks to you two!" "Nabiki," said Kasumi in quiet enforcement. "We know that you're upset but please calm down. You don't want to make a bad impression on Ryoga, do you?" "Yeah," Akane agreed. "He's looking at you." Despite herself, Nabiki tinged at this comment and turned to catch Ryoga looking at her with a serious expression on his handsome features. Immediately on seeing her looking at him, Ryoga turned beet red and quickly turned around so that his back was facing her. "Wow, Oneechan," said Akane in happy wonderment. "Did you see him blush? He must think that you're cute." "He seems like a sweet boy, Nabiki," said Kasumi. "Even if you don't like this engagement, please don't take it out on him. That just wouldn't be polite." Still looking at Ryoga's back, Nabiki quietly mulled over her sisters words as she considered the look that she had seen on her newfound iinazuke's face. Doing this, Nabiki couldn't help but note that Ryoga was very attractive. In a shy martial arts guy sort of way. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all. To be continued... ------------------------------------------------ I'd like to thank Jim Robert Bader, Red Death, and my brother Patrick for listening to my goofy ideas. Also special thanks to Wade Tritschler for allowing me to be a part of his Altered Destinies project. Chat with me on ICQ! My ICQ # is: 37674780 Thanks to Red Death all my fanfics are archived at: http://www.lvdi.net/~reddeath/dreiser.htm Next up: Furinkan High meets its newest students as Ranma and Kodachi try to figure out Cologne. Good luck with that! "Elfie! I have my very own elfie!" -Takarada Go from Elf Princess Rane-
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