"Ranma Nibunnoichi", which includes various characters and situations
are copyrighted by Takahashi Rumiko, Shogakukan, and Viz 
Communications. Used without permission. -----

"Furinkan-cho, the next stop is Furinkan-cho." The announcer's
monotone voice wafted through the loudspeakers, more or less 
oblivious to those that were seated on the stifling train. As the 
train hurtled down the tracks, the casual observer could see the 
affects of the sun just under the horizon, leaving a dimming orange
glow halo along the eastern part of the cityscape.

But the beauty of this didn't seem to phase one particular passenger.
A woman of the world, aged by time but still with the vivacity
of her youth somewhere within her deep, brown eyes. Her features
were set within a stoic mold, an unreadable guise that didn't let 
anyone through save a precious few, and as the passenger car came to
a stop, she let all those who found that stop their destination
disembark before she picked up the bags at her side and made her 
exit. Wordlessly, she left the station and made her way across the 
darkening city.

It didn't seem real, as she peered back into the thoughts and actions
of the past few weeks. Her life seemed to spike from high point to 
low. But throughout all of this, she didn't crumble, and neither
would she now. She was Tendou Nabiki, after all. As she neared her 
destination, she paused under the feeble light of a nearby lamppost.
Taking out a compact mirror, she peered into it, noting the toll of 
her skin that only age could extract. She remembered a time, more 
distant than she'd ever care to admit, when there weren't any 
wrinkles. The bags under her eyes were usually reserved for others
who dealt with her. She set a purse to her lips and said to herself,
"It won't be so bad, 'biki. Two weeks, tops. And after that, you'll
be back out in the world." With that, she put her compact away and 
opened the gates to a familiar home out of the past.

She resisted the urge to just turn the doorknob like so many times.
Instead, she knocked on the door. A few moments later, a familiar
face appeared in the door with a smile on his face. Even after all 
the years, the presence that emanated from the man in the doorway
could not be denied. "Welcome home, Nabiki." said the man.

"Thanks Ranma. It's good to be back."


Hitotoshi...

by

b. b. brittain

A Ranma Nibunnoichi Fanfiction Story


Nabiki tentatively walked down the second floor hallway towards
the stairs. Ranma obviously spent time in fixing up her old room,
where she would be staying for her estimated two weeks. Up until 
recently, it was used as another storage room. It wasn't much, 
compared to what she was used to. A simple bed, a desk with a couple
of drawers. But the boxes that used to occupy this room were cleared
away and there wasn't a speck of dust anywhere to be found. It would
become her base of operations, and for all the time spent, she was 
inwardly grateful. She descended the stairs and looked out at the old
homestead.

In so many ways, the home was just as she remembered it. Down to the
simple vase that stood off to the side of the living room, plastic
flowers put out in a graceful but eye-catching pattern. It surprised
her so, that she didn't realize Ranma had come out of the kitchen
and put down some tea, asking her if she was all right. She made sure
her surprise was checked as she replied, "I'm fine. It's 
just...you've kept everything the same."

Ranma nodded, as he waited for Nabiki to sit with him on the couch
before continuing. "Yeah. Funny enough, but it's sorta comfortin'."
He chuckled as he sipped his tea. Looking at Nabiki, he said, 
"So...."

Raising an eyebrow, Nabiki glanced back to him. "So...?" She reached
down to pick up her cup.

Ranma set his down. "Oh c'mon, Nabiki. We haven't seen ya in five 
years. Five years, and suddenly ya ask fer a visit. What's goin' on?"

Nabiki was primed to keep her information to her chest. She had come
up with a dozen different excuses on the train alone. But looking
at Ranma for a moment she let loose a small sigh instead. She needed
to confess. "It...it's hard to explain. Have you been keeping up with
the news lately? About the stock market?"

Ranma gave a nod. "Yeah. Somethin' 'bout a market crash, right? But
you're the numbers guru in the family, Nabiki. All that stuff's
lost on me." With a curious look, he asked, "Why? What's goin' on?"

Nabiki paused, as she shifted in her seat. She looked down into her
cup. "I lost everything. My job, my house...gone." Nabiki's facade
cracked a bit as she whispered. "I'm bankrupt, Ranma."

Ranma's face slowly turned pale. "Bankrupt...? But you were 
vice-president of the damn company! How could ya have gotten fired?"

Nabiki shook her head. "I wasn't fired. The whole company went 
under."

Ranma said with a soft voice, "I don' know what ta say. Didn'cha
have anythin' put away?"

"I do. Well, did." She gave a small shrug. "I tried to shore up the
dam, as it were. Help the company. But it wasn't enough. I had to 
sell my house to pay things off. All I have now is a few hundred
thousand yen. And what's upstairs, plus a few boxes in storage,
but that's it."

Unable to think of something else to say, Ranma just sat there. 
Reluctantly, Nabiki finally took a sip of her tea. "I'm not looking
for charity though, Ranma. I just need a place to stay for a while,
to get myself on my feet again. I can pay you room and board until
I find something."

Ranma blinked, appalled. "Not if I have somethin' ta say about it. 
You're goin' ta stay here free, got that?"

"I can't, Ranma." Slowly, a small smirk appeared on her lips. "I'm
not going to be a freeloader like someone I used to know. I'll pay my
own way."

Ranma returned the smirk with one of his own. "Okay. Done deal then."
Looking up at the clock on the wall, he slowly stood. "Well, I need
ta get dinner ready. Wanna help?"

* * *

Ranma was a wiz in the kitchen, Nabiki noted. He hovered over the 
various pots, pans, and sorted uncooked foods like a warden, ready
to put an ingredient here, a spice there. Nabiki just shook her head
in amusement at the changed man from her memories. Over the years,
the macho jerk became quite a devoted housekeeper, not to mention
an exquisite martial arts sensei. He still had the ego, but it wasn't
as pronounced as it once was. And there was one single reason why.
Over the years, he acquired a third title to the previous two. 
Saotome Ranma, family man. Nabiki still had to chuckle at that.

"She's already 8 now, an' a mankiller like her ol' man, yep!" Ranma
said proudly, as he was putting tofu into the soup he was making.
Nabiki smirked. "Now is that literally or figuratively, Ranma?"

Ranma laughed, "Both, dependin' who ya are. She's got her mom's 
temper. But she'll grow outta it. Well, I'd like ta think so at 
least." He gave a grinning shrug and stirred the soup.

It was then when they both heard a pair of voices call out, 
"Tadaima!" from the front of the house. Turning from the cutting
board, she spotted the aforementioned fireball of energy coming at 
her. She had just enough time to set down the knife she was holding
so she could be assaulted by the glomp given to her by the little
redhead. "Nabiki-obasan!" the girl screamed happily.

Nabiki's lips curled into a small smile. "Heya kiddo. How are you 
doing?"

The girl let loose enough to say in a singsong voice, "Fiiine!
Are you gonna stay with us for a while?"

Nabiki coughed but nodded. "Yeah, looks like it." It was at that 
moment that another figure walked through the doorway, dark eyes 
sending daggers at Nabiki. Even though it had been years, the woman
in the doorway still possessed most of the childlike features she had
in her childhood. Nabiki's smile faded as she said, "Uh...heya
Akane."

Akane gave Nabiki a small nod before she turned towards the girl.
"Michiko, go get cleaned up for dinner, okay?"

Michiko nodded and waved happily at her aunt before scampering
off to the bathroom. Making sure she was out of earshot, Akane looked
back to Nabiki. "So what brings you to this part of Tokyo, Nabiki?
Slumming?"

Nabiki looked at Akane, putting on her usual mask of nonchalance.
"I wanted to visit my sister and her husband. Got a problem with 
that?"

"Yeah, as a matter of fact, I do. I...." the words died on her lips
as Ranma walked over towards his wife. "Akane...stop it, 'k? Why 
don'cha go wash up for dinner? We'll talk 'bout this after Michiko
goes up ta do her homework."

Akane growled but muttered, "Yes, dear." in that mechanical way 
reserved for things done not out of want but of necessity. After 
sending another scowl Nabiki's way, she walked over to the bathroom
herself.

Turning back, Ranma sighed and looked over to Nabiki. "Ya knew this
was goin' ta happen, comin' back an' all."

"Yeah...I know." she replied a shake of her head. "But I didn't know
what else to do. I still have that knee-jerk reaction and wall her 
off."

"But she's yer sister. I still can't believe ya two are like this 
after all this time."

Nabiki slowly nodded as she picked up her knife, turning slowly to 
the cutting board. "It...happens."

Ranma made his way over to her and put a hand on her shoulder.
"We'll have a nice meal, then talk about stuff, k?"

Nabiki nodded. "Sure." After a pause, she added, "Oh, by the way?"

"Hai?"

"Your soup's boiling over."

"Shimatta!" went Ranma and he rushed over to the pot in full flight
and panic.

* * *

Dinner wasn't quite the war zone that Nabiki envisioned. That was the
case mainly because Michiko deflected most of the proposed fire. 
There wasn't any way Akane was going to fight with her daughter
there. While Ranma, Nabiki, and Michiko caught up on idle banter,
Akane sat at the other end of the table, eating quietly, stewing.
Finally, dinner was over and Michiko excused herself to go up to do 
her homework. The three cleared off the table and sat down in the 
kitchen, drinking some coffee.

After minutes of silence amidst the casual sip that would have driven
anyone up the wall, Ranma started things off. "So how long are ya 
plannin' ta stay again, Nabiki?"

Nabiki gave a shrug. "I think two weeks ought to cover it. Just 
enough to--"

She was cut off by Akane's remark. "Two weeks? You stop by, and 
decide to stay two weeks?" Turning to Ranma she asked, "And you said
it was okay?"

Ranma frowned at his wife as he replied, "Akane, she just needs ta 
get herself back on her feet." Turning to Nabiki, he said, "You 
should tell her."

She slowly nodded, and despite her facade she couldn't help but sigh.
Looking down into the mug she cradled in her hands, she said quietly,
"Fact of the matter is, I'm broke, Akane. I lost everything when my 
company went under. I just need a couple of weeks to get back on my 
feet."

Akane started to say something, but stopped as the words seeped in.
"I...see." was finally what she was able to come up with.

Nabiki looked up to Akane. "I'll stay out of your way, if it makes
you happy. And I'm going to pay rent, I at least have enough to do 
that. A couple of weeks, and I'll be out of your hair, okay?"

Akane blinked but gave a curt nod. "Y-yeah, fine."

Ranma chose this moment to come back into the conversation.
"Anyone want a refill?"

Nabiki shook her head. "Uh, no...I'm fine. I'm going to turn in 
early, actually. I should get an early start tomorrow." She set down
her mug and slowly got to her feet.

Ranma nodded. "Well, oyasumi nasai, Nabiki. Sleep well, k?"

Nabiki nodded and moved off towards her room. A pair of eyes gazed
until she was out of earshot, before Akane whirled her head back to 
look at Ranma. "You should have told me, Ranma. I mean Nabiki of all
people comes in and wants to crash here for a few weeks? You know 
what I would have said."

Ranma sighed as he stood to put the dishes in the sink. "Yeah, I 
know. An' ya know what I'd say in return. Akane, she's family. More'n
that, she's yer sister. I wasn't gonna put her out on the street
like that."

Akane flailed her arms about, "What, we're a charity house now? She
could have stayed with Kasumi."

Ranma turned from the sink and leaned back on the counter. He did 
think about Kasumi, but it was only a passing thought in the end. 
Crossing his arms, he peered towards Akane. "Yeah. But her an' Tofu
ain't livin' here. It's the home that she needed, not just family
members. She needs the laughter a Michiko. A longtime friend. An' her
sister ta be there for her."

Akane scowled at Ranma before slowly breaking into a wan smile, the
first of the night. "Gods above, Ranma. You still never cease to 
amaze me."

Ranma blinked. "What'd I do now?"

Akane stood and made her way to him. "That the great and mighty 
Saotome Ranma is actually considerate to someone other than his 
daughter."

Ranma gave his wife a hug. "Ya know how family is ta me, hon. An' I 
know there's bad blood 'tween ya two right now. But bad blood or not,
she's family. An' we gotta stick together."

Akane sighed but relinquished a nod. "She gets in my way though,
I'm still going to deck her."

Ranma sighed as well. "Well, we'll work on that." He leaned in and 
gave her a small kiss. "Let's go on ta bed. I think someone needs
a pick-me-up."

Akane grinned up at her husband. "I'd love to, but I've got to finish
this file I'm working on. If things go well, I'll be able to finally
have little Kaori living with the Matsunagas by Friday."

Ranma gave a nod. "Gotcha. Raincheck?"

Akane grinned. "Of course."

He slowly disengaged his arms from Akane. "You go on inta the room.
I'm gonna see if Michiko needs anythin'."

"Well, don't be long." With that she made her way to the main 
bedroom. Ranma made his way up the stairs and towards what was 
Akane's old room. He gave a knock and peeked in the door. "Ya need
anythin' hon?"

Michiko looked from her desk to her father. "Nope! Just finishing
homework. You gonna go to bed?"

Ranma nodded, slowly sliding through the door. "Yeah. Just seein'
if ya needed anythin'."

Michiko shook her head and slipped from her desk to run and give 
Ranma a hug. "I'm fine. Yasumi, Daddy."

Ranma smiled and returned the hug. "Yasumi, Michichan. See ya in the
morning." With that, he left the room and closed the door quietly.
As an afterthought, he walked over to Nabiki's room. He brought
his hand down to knock, but was stopped when he heard something.
After a few moments he heard it again. It was unmistakable,
though he only heard the sound once, maybe twice in all the years
he had lived in the house. It was better he thought to leave her 
alone for the night instead of being a nuisance. He slowly turned
and walked away from Nabiki's soft sobs.

* * *

Nabiki was never a morning person. It showed when at first light the
sounds of fighting emanated from outside her window. She leaned out
the window in a half-sleep and yelled out, "We're sleeping here!"

A form raced out into her line of sight. "Ohayo, Nabiki! Just gettin'
some practice done!" And with that a flash of red sent Ranma into the
koi pond. "Ohayo, Obasan!"

Nabiki blearily looked down at her niece. "Ohayo, kiddo. Keep kicking
butt, hon."

Michiko flashed a victory sign up at her aunt. "Always!" And with 
that she raced to give her onna-father another bashing. Nabiki just
shook her head and went back for 30 more minutes of sleep.

Her alarm woke her up the second time, and rather than pounding
it into dust she just pounded it and slowly sat up. She rubbed her 
tearstained eyes and looked around her room. "Okay, new day, 'biki.
Time to find a new job."

Sliding over to the edge of her bed, Nabiki slowly put on her 
slippers and a robe, and groggily made her way down the stairs.
In the kitchen, she found a pot of coffee and a kettle warming on the
stove. She grabbed a mug and poured herself a cup of coffee and 
walked towards the engawa. Sitting down and leaning back on one of 
the support beams, she looked out at the father-daughter
practice, sipping her coffee slowly.

It didn't take long for Nabiki to realize that Michiko was certainly
as talented as her father, though still clearly under his level.
Though the last time she did any martial arts was at an age even 
younger than her niece's, she still had an eye for judging people,
and Nabiki was certain that when she was 16, Michiko would be better
than Ranma was at that age.

Ranma gave his daughter a pat on the shoulder. "Okay, squirt. That's
enough fer today. Go get cleaned up fer school." With that Michiko
rushed into the house, pausing only to give Nabiki a kiss on the 
cheek. Ranma looked up to see Nabiki and smiled. "Heya. Sleep okay?"

Nabiki gave a shrug as she looked at him over the rim of her mug. 
"Sure. Losing everything does wonders for sleeping." Standing,
she said, "I'll give you a hand with breakfast."

Ranma picked up a towel by the steps and started to wipe himself
off. "Sure, that'd be great. Akane should be home from her jog in 
about 20 minutes." With that they got into the kitchen and made short
work of the morning food preparations. Things were all set by the 
time Akane returned from her jog.

Akane walked into the kitchen and poured herself a cup of coffee.
"Morning." she said and made her way to her husband for a quick kiss.

Ranma smiled. "Good jog?"

Akane nodded. "As always. Early meeting today, though. I need to go 
get changed. Is breakfast going to make it, or do you need help?"

Ranma shook his head. "Nah, I've got it handled with Nabiki here."
Nabiki was making Michiko's bento at the moment. "It'll be fine, 
really."

Pausing to give Nabiki a critical eye, she nodded to Ranma. "Okay
then. I'll be back down in 20 then." With that she vanished into the
house.

"She's not going to let up, is she." Nabiki commented, as she put the
finishing touches on the bento.

Ranma sighed. "Give her time. She's also pressured by this adoption
case she's been working on. There's a little kid out there that's
needin' a family, y'know?"

Nabiki gave a nod. "Well, I'm sure she'll do great. She's really
put the effort into that job."

Ranma nodded. "I know. All those college courses and extra time at 
the family services center finally paid off. If things go well, a new
family will be made. It's really a sight ta see somethin' like that."
The two worked in silence for a bit after that.

After tying the bento up, Nabiki said, "Well, that does it I think.
Is this okay?" She presented the finished item for Ranma's approval.

Ranma nodded. "Looks good." After a moment he blinked and asked,
"Ya know, I just remembered something. Since when did you learn how
ta cook? Last time I saw ya, ya were all thumbs when it came ta 
cookin'."

Nabiki chuckled. "Obvious as always, hmm?" She shrugged and replied,
"Living alone, I didn't want to order out every night. I got some 
cooking lessons from Kasumi on the sly a while back so I could at 
least have a home cooked meal once in a while."

"Took better than her attempts with Akane, I take it." Ranma said,
a grin on his face.

"You could say that." she grinned in return. "Though I'm sure by now
Akane's food is decent."

Ranma looked towards the door before moving close to Nabiki. 
"Confidentially, it's still around hospital food quality. But at 
least it's consistent now. Though ya didn't hear it from me."

Nabiki nodded solemnly. "Understood." Her lips formed a small smile.
"I still have to laugh, Ranma. When we first met, if I was told you'd
become superdad, I'd have laughed in their face." She looked at him
seriously. "You're so much different since then."

Ranma paused and looked at Nabiki. "Thanks, Nabiki. It's just time,
I think. I guess some things just came inta focus. But look at you,
I mean...vice-president? For a woman in Japan, that's like...."

The small smile faded and out came the usual taciturn purse of the 
lips. "Well, I'm not a vice-president anymore." She sagged slightly.
"I'll find another job. Won't take too long to find another one. I 
mean, I've got the skills and experience. I'll be okay."

Ranma nodded slowly. "Sure thing, Nabiki." At that moment a bundle
of energy chose that moment to make herself known by barreling
into Ranma. "Daddy!"

Giving her a hug Ranma looked down at Michiko. "Heya hon. Set the 
table, okay?"

Nabiki shook her head, clearing away the cobwebs and finished 
wrapping up the bento. She'll be okay, she thought. All it took was
a few days, and a few of her contacts.

* * *

Nabiki leaned back in her chair, after moving her mouse and clicking
the accept button on her laptop's screen. "Well, that's that." she 
muttered and closed down the web browser that was currently showing
the webpage from The Monster Board. The site was supposed to be a 
headhunter type service for executives, but it was still rather new.
She hoped it would at least produce something.

She had already called her grapevine of friends, several of which
were top executives at various companies spread across Japan. 
Unfortunately, the economic woes were hitting everyone hard. Most of
her friends were scrambling to save their own jobs, and couldn't
afford a new executive. "At this rate, I'll be working at McDonalds
by next week." She sighed and stood up. She decided to go downstairs.
It was almost noon, and she wondered what Ranma was doing.

As she descended the stairs, she couldn't help but sigh once more.
After all these years, not accepting any help from anyone, she 
ascended the corporate ladder with the speed no one thought possible.
At 27, she became a vice-president. No one in Japan had ever heard
of a female vice-president in a multinational corporation,
much less one that young. She was on the cover of Time Magazine
for the gods sakes. 'The changing face of Japanese Business' the 
headline said, with her portrait and a Japanese flag in the 
background.

And then two years later, she's out of a job. It just didn't seem 
right. It didn't seem fair. It didn't...she just shook her head and
looked around. The house was empty. But from the dojo emanated
sounds, so she headed on over. She entered and found a group of about
20 women of various ages in training gi, facing Ranma.

"Okay, now partner up and we'll go over what I just taught ya. 
Remember, ya need ta follow through with yer actions. The contact
ain't the end of it, it's that ya continue with yer motions until
the move is completed. Okay, let's start." Ranma's eyes darted over
to Nabiki and he waved before making his way over.

"Which class is this?" Nabiki asked, as various women were getting
tossed on their backsides from their partners.

"Lunchtime selfdefense class. Various OLs from the area come in 
durin' their lunch hour. We also get some housewives too. We train
fer about 30 minutes and then eat here, before they go back ta work
or home."

Nabiki whistled. "That's pretty slick, Ranma. And pretty smart. I 
would think that more people would sign up though, especially
here in Nerima."

"You kidding?" He grinned like a cat. "This is only the Monday 
course. This one's 3 days a week. Tuesday-Thursday's
got 30 enrolled."

"And here I thought you didn't have a sense for business."

Ranma gave Nabiki a nudge. "Rubbed off from you, I guess. Oh, one 
second." Ranma jogged up to the front of the class and said, "Okay
everyone! That's enough for today. Let's get changed and eat!" With
that the class formed their lines and bowed to Ranma to which he 
bowed back. Then some women started for the changing rooms located
in the back while others started in on the tables of food to the 
side.

"Potluck?" Nabiki asked.

Ranma nodded. "Yeah. It made sense, since it'd take too long ta get
food somewhere else and make it back ta work in an hour. Some of the
housewives make food, others bring in stuff they made the night 
before. Hey, you hungry? I'm sure the girls won't mind."

Nabiki nodded and they proceeded to eat. Women slowly drifted off 
after that, some hurrying back to work, others heading back home.
Soon it was just Nabiki and Ranma. Ranma was already on his third
plate.

"That was something...." Nabiki said, after finishing her plate.

"Ain't it? Saves me from cookin' durin' the day too." He put down his
plate, his belly more than full. "So, what's on tap fer you today?"

Setting her plate to the side, Nabiki shrugged. "I've various 
appointments scattered this week, but I couldn't get one penned in 
for today. And I sent out my resume to all the internet resources
I could. I guess today's...a free day." She looked down to her hands.
"I don't know what to do with myself."

Ranma smirked. "Well, I've got an advanced teen class at four. But 
hey, why not call up some old friends? I saw Naokosan the other day
over by the markets. I'm sure she'd love a visit."

"Naoko? Hasagawa Naoko? Huh, it's been...10 years...since
I thought of her. Since we graduated from Furinkan. How's she doing?"

"Well, she's married now. Her last name's Tanaka now. She's got one
kid, a boy. He's in my toddlers class on Thursdays. Really nice kid,
an' he's got some talent. She works part-time at a law firm, as an 
OL."

Nabiki blinked. "Really. Well, isn't that something. Maybe I will go
see her."

"Yeah. I'm sure she'd love ta see you. Hmm, who else...."

* * *

Nabiki waved goodbye and stepped off the porch, into the late 
afternoon. Naoko was shocked to see Nabiki, but after that wore off
they started talking. It was really something to see her after all 
those years.

"Who would have thought, Tendou Nabiki, the corporate hellcat,
in my house! We're all proud of you, you know. You really made your
dreams come true!" Naoko said.

"Well, yeah. I guess I did. I'm just surprised you still remember
me."

"You were in all the papers not long ago, how couldn't we?"

Nabiki sighed as she walked down the street. She skillfully avoided
letting out the secret she didn't have a job anymore. It wasn't a 
finalized thing for another week, thankfully, so it wouldn't be in 
any papers yet. And, she didn't want the whole conversation
to revolve around her. She asked instead of Naoko's family. To which
she gushed on and on about for the better part of an hour.

But as it was time to go, Naoko asked, "How's your family? You have
a husband, ne?"

Nabiki blinked, being blindsided by the question. "Family?"

Naoko nodded. "Yeah! Did you marry?"

"No, no." she replied, shaking her head. "I just didn't have time to
find a husband, I guess."

Naoko nodded. "I'm sure. Being so busy as you are, I'm surprised
you have the time to visit me!" She laughed, and Nabiki laughed
along, with much less enthusiasm.

Nabiki shook her head. Marriage? It never occurred to her. What's
marriage, compared to being at the top? She had a few flings here and
there, sure. But the whole marriage and kids thing wasn't for her.
Was it?

Nabiki's ruminations were jolted when a crash was heard in the 
distance. She looked up to see a ki ball on a slanted trajectory,
following the skyline. It wasn't hard to determine the source, and 
with that she set out on a run towards the dojo.

* * *

"Oh c'mon, man. Ya can't be serious." Ranma said as he dodged another
flurry of punches by his opponent.

The man who threw them took a step back, his eyes shooting daggers
at Ranma. "You stole more of my students! My honor has been destroyed
by you! Everyone will see that Tanabishi Kokoru is the best sensei
in Tokyo!" With that Kokoru launched himself once more at Ranma.

Ranma for his part, at least went through the motions of dodging
the combination thrown together by Kokoru. Frankly though, he wasn't
that good. Sure, he knew a ki attack or two, and he was better than
most that challenged Ranma in the recent past, but he still wasn't
in Ranma's league. Not quite yet. As his opponent geared himself
for another ki ball, Ranma thought it was enough property damage
for one night and with a deft move to the inside of Kokoru's 
defenses, let loose a Moko Takabisha into his stomach, launching
him through the dojo's doors and over the wall and out of Nerima.

Nabiki arrived in a huff, enough to see the man yell, "You'll regret
this, Saotome!" Ranma dusted off his hands and turned to see Nabiki.
"Oh, heya Nabiki. How was yer visit with Naoko?"

Nabiki looked at the disappearing speck that was Tanabishi and 
shrugged. "Not bad. Who was that, the fruit of the month?"

Ranma tilted his head from side to side. "Sorta. He owns this dojo
outside a Nerima, and claims I'm stealin' his students. He comes over
once in a while an' demands retribution fer his honor."

"But you are, aren't you?" she asked with a sly smile.

Ranma shrugged. "Not my fault, really. He's an asshole ta his 
students. He's got some skills, but he's somewhere 'round where I was
about 5 years ago."

Nabiki nodded. "Well, just so long as it's par for the course."

Ranma looked over at the partial damage to the roof. "Pretty much.
Need ta call the contractor though. He hit a support beam." As to 
accentuate the fact, the north side of the dojo groaned.

"Still use Takahashi Construction?"

Ranma nodded. "Yeah. With as much work as we've had, they have things
fixed up in 24 hours these days. We're their breadwinner."
He smirked. "Actually, they might fix it up tonight if we call now."

Ranma did just that as Nabiki put on a pot of coffee. It wasn't long
before there was a knock at the door. "Come on in, Toji! We're just
having some coffee in the living room!"

A burly man walked in, carrying his tools. "Heya Ranma. How's it 
going?" the man said in a gruff as gravel tone.

Ranma raised his cup to him in greeting. "Not bad. It's just the 
north support beam and the ceiling above it. Shouldn't take too long,
ne? Want some coffee and cake for the crew afterwards?"

Toji nodded. "Yeah, appreciate it." With that Toji trundled down the
hallway to the dojo.

Nabiki nodded her head towards the retreating man. "Kinda friendly
with him, hmm?"

Ranma shrugged. "You know how it goes. He's actually in charge of 
most of our building projects. He added in the changing room a few 
years ago to the dojo. We're thinking of remaking the old guest room
into a workroom for myself and Akane sometime down the line."

Nabiki nodded as she sipped her coffee. "How about Kasumi's old 
room?"

Ranma mmmed. "That's where the shrine is now."

Nabiki slowly nodded. "Mind if I go see?"

Ranma blinked. "Um...sure." Nabiki set down her mug and stood, slowly
ascending the stairs. She paused at the door, and after taking a 
breath walked in.

It was different than how she remembered it, when it was her older
sister's room. Everything was cleared out except for the shrine on 
the far wall, just under the window. Nabiki slowly made her way and
knelt down, looking at the two pictures. After a long pause, she 
smiled faintly and said, "Okaasama...Otoosan...hiya."

* * *

"Well, isn't this a surprise. Heya Nabiki. When did you get in?"

Nabiki turned from watching the business channel to see the new 
arrival. "Sunday night. I'm staying for a couple of weeks, a vacation
of sorts."

Kuonji Ukyou walked over and sat down on the couch. "So I'm just in 
time for the fireworks then, hmm?" She smirked. "How are you?"

"Not bad. What are you doing here?"

"Oh, well I usually spar with Ranma after his class. Ucchans is 
pretty slow on Wednesdays so I grab a chance to get out of the house
when I can."

Nabiki aahed. "He should be finishing up now, actually."

"So...Akane actually agreed to you coming here, huh?"

"You could say that." Nabiki gave a shrug. "It took some help by 
Ranma."

Ukyou chuckled. "Considering the last time you two met. You guys are
still at it, huh?"

"I guess." She peered over at Ukyou. "Nosey, aren't you."

"Sugar, there's not much I don't know about this house anymore."

"Speaking of which, how's your house doing? Husband's okay?"

"Wouldn't you like to know." Ukyou smiled as she leaned back into the
cushions. "But yeah, he's doing fine. He's manning the other store
in Shinjuku right now. He should be over in a few hours for dinner."

"You and he come over to eat every week?"

"Every Wednesday, yeah. It's sorta a ritual now. Ai gets together
with Michiko upstairs and the grownups talk or whatever down here."

"Well, fancy that."

"I'm gonna go head over to the dojo. C'mon over and watch, hmm?"

* * *

Ranma was making his way in the darkness towards the kitchen. Somehow
through his pea soup fog of sleep he heard something in the kitchen,
and went to check it out. As his eyes adjusted to the light, Nabiki
slid over an empty mug. "There's warm milk on the stove if you want
some."

Ranma shrugged and took the mug. "It's pretty late. What's up?"

"Couldn't sleep. Just thinking about today I guess."

Ranma poured himself a cup to the brim and walked over, sitting
down at the kitchen table next to Nabiki. After a yawn he said, "I 
must have missed somethin'. I thought it was just a normal night with
Ukyou, Tsubasa, an' Ai."

Nabiki nodded. "Well, for you it was. For me...." She paused and took
a sip of her milk. "Tell me, Ranma. Does it seem odd that I'm not 
married by now?"

Ranma sipped from his own cup. "You have yer priorities. I always
figured, you'd be married on yer own terms, like after ya set yerself
up. Business first, an' all."

Nabiki sighed. "Huh. That's what I always thought. But Ukyou brought
up something after dinner that just...I don't know, irked me I 
guess."

"What's that?"

"Well, just about her being a business owner and married and all 
that. She had a family through all of that, and it didn't slow her 
down."

Ranma nodded quietly as he sipped his tea.

"Doesn't that seem odd that I couldn't do that?"

Ranma looked at Nabiki seriously for a moment before answering.
"Well, after the whole Mitsune incident, she realized we weren't
gonna be together. She wanted a family, but she couldn't give up 
being a chef. She's made a lot of compromises, ya know. She's not 
very much better in the Art since high school. After Ai was born,
she was goin' blind with takin' care a her an' workin' Ucchans.
I'm sure she's happier now that she married Tsubasa , but she's 
stifled in bein' pulled in 3 different ways. Her love a the Art, her
business, an' her family. She wouldn' give up any one a them, but at
the same time she feels trapped."

Nabiki blinked. "So how'd this Wednesday ritual get started?"

Ranma took another sip before setting the mug down. "It was after
Soun died. Ukyou's father cut her outta the family when she 
confronted him with the fact she an' I weren't gonna get married,
an' both Akane an' her were feelin' a little lost. They're good 
friends now, ya saw it tonight. I guess they both lost their fathers
'round the same time, one literally, and one...well, pretty much 
literally."

Nabiki faltered at that. "I...I see."

Ranma shook his head. "Nabiki, I know we had this conversation
before, but I really want a straight answer from ya this time. Why 
didn't ya come when ya heard of yer father's heart attack? Ya could
have talked ta him before he died."

Nabiki blinked and set down her mug. "R-Ranma...I told you. I was out
of the country. I didn't hear about it until he died."

Ranma humphed. "Bull, and ya know it. Kasumi was with Tofu in the US
when they got the word, an' they made it. What made ya so special
in Hong Kong?"

Nabiki's features turned solid. "I don't want to talk about it, 
Ranma."

Ranma frowned as he leaned towards her. "Tough, because yer gonna.
This family's been through enough already, without Akane an' ya not
talkin' save fer the essentials. I wanna know why ya weren't there
when the family needed ya."

Nabiki shook her head and looked away. "Ranma, please...."

Ranma sighed. "There's one thing that means more ta me than the Art,
Nabiki, an' that's this family. Ya /know/ that. I just wanna know 
why."

Nabiki reluctantly turned back to face Ranma. "Why?" She wanted to 
put up another wall, another feint. But she just couldn't grasp 
anything but the truth. "I...I couldn't bear to see him go like that.
It was like Mother. Ranma, I still remember when Mother left us. I 
watched her dwindle away for 6 months before she died. First she 
couldn't do all the housework. Then she couldn't go to the market.
She couldn't go outside. She couldn't leave her room.

"Okay, father wasn't like that. After the heart attack, we knew the
surgery would be risky. We knew when he'd go under the knife. But the
feelings were the same!" She sighed, and wiped the silent tears that
flowed from her eyes. "I couldn't go through with that, Ranma. Not 
again. I couldn't stand there and say goodbye to him, thinking
it might be the last time I'd see him alive!"

Ranma reached over to put a hand on hers. "I...I know what ya mean.
It was hard. But he wanted ya ta be there, Nabiki. His last thoughts
before they took him in was a you."

Nabiki sniffed and turned away. "S-sure, you just had to say that,
didn't you."

Ranma sighed. "It's because it's true. Nabiki, he was proud a you.
Dammit...think about it. Me an' Akane, we joined the houses. Kasumi
went back ta school an' became a doctor. But yer the one that he was
the most proud of. Ya can't say he wouldn't be proud a the daughter
who was known the world over, would'ja?"

Nabiki shook her head. "I just couldn't be there, Ranma." She looked
up with defeated eyes. "Why do you think I went to the funeral at 
least? "

Ranma rolled his eyes. "Ya decked Kasumi, Nabiki! I mean, Kasumi!"

Nabiki gulped. "Uuuh...I apologized, didn't I?"

"It woulda helped if ya weren't plastered and mumbled it."

"I didn't know what else to do, okay? Dammit, Ranma...it wasn't like
I didn't care for Daddy, I did. I...I just..." she sighed and looked
into her lap.

Ranma paused before leaning over to give Nabiki a hug. "Yeah, I know.
I know."

Nabiki sobbed quietly into Ranma's shoulder for a while. "Hey, it'll
be all right. Ya know, ya should tell this ta Akane. I mean, if she
saw things in yer light, maybe it'll help?"

Nabiki slowly broke from the hug. "I...I don't know. I mean, what do
I say? I mean, I called her a lot of bad things then. She's the one
who kicked me out of the funeral after all."

Ranma nodded and started to chuckle. "Yeah. She was a nutcase for the
next week, too. Damn Nabiki this, damn Nabiki that. Ya ranked up 
there with Saffron fer a long while after."

Nabiki weakly smiled amidst her tears. "Then after that meeting
with her a week later...you know, I don't think I could ever do that
again?"

Ranma let loose a small chagrin. "Again, it woulda helped if ya 
listened ta her...ya broke her arm ya know."

Nabiki quipped, "The chair did most of the work, I think."

Ranma shook his head, his smile growing. "I'm just glad ya didn't
study the Art more. The whole house woulda been ta hell in a 
handbasket if ya did."

Nabiki laughed. "Well...." Her smile dimmed. "Maybe I should talk to
her about things. It's been too long. I miss having a little sister
who actually talks to me."

* * *

"I'm sorry, Tendousan. As valuable as you would be to us, there's
just no available openings right now."

* * *

"Unfortunately, you're really overqualified for this position."

* * *

"It's because I'm a woman, isn't it."

"Well...yes."

* * *

"I know if you hire me, I'll be able to raise your revenue by at 
least 20 percent."

"What market have you been following?"

* * *

"Excuse me, is this the right office? I'm supposed to have an 
interview."

"Not anymore. The company just went under. I don't suppose you know
of any good openings, do you?"

* * *

Nabiki returned to the dojo and made a beeline for the couch. She 
collapsed fitfully, and muttered incoherently about bastards and 
smartasses. Ranma was just coming in from the kitchen. "Care fer some
coffee?"

Nabiki raised her thumb up in the affirmative. Ranma went to fetch
some and as he came back out Nabiki righted herself on the couch.
"No luck, huh?"

She took the mug gratefully. "I can't believe there's so many 
assholes out there."

Ranma nodded. "Well, can't beat workin' fer yourself, let me tell ya.
Set yer own hours, an' no one yells at ya. 'cept the tax forms're
a bitch ta fill out."

Nabiki grinned. "I'm sure they are. So, what's going on tonight?"

"Well, nothing, really. Friday nights are family nights. Akane, 
Michiko, an' me usually just hang out an' do somethin' quiet."

Nabiki nodded slowly. "Oh. Well, I could catch a movie then. Where's
the paper?"

Ranma shook his head. "Uh uh, Nabiki. Yer stayin' right here. Yer 
family too, ya know."

Nabiki groused. "Okay, okay. You got me. So what's something quiet?"

* * *

"What? I hit you, I know I did!"

"Nuh uh, Daddy! You didn't hit the buttons right!"

"Kuso."

"Ranma, your language!"

"Sorry, dear."

Nabiki blinked at what was considered family night. Ranma and Michiko
were currently going at it on their Sega Dreamcast, playing Street
Fighter 3. Michiko was currently handing her father his behind,
finely sliced and ready for serving. Nabiki let loose a laugh as 
Ranma's animated counterpart suddenly flew to the other edge the 
screen, knocked out.

"Mommy, your turn!"

"Uh...Mommy's tired, Michiko dear. Why don't you play with Daddy some
more? I'm going to get some coffee." With that she exited the room.

"Hey Nabiki." Ranma said, as he rapidly pushed his controller's
buttons.

"Yeah, what's up?"

He turned back and motioned to the kitchen. "Now?"

Nabiki nodded as she muttered, "Good as time as any I guess." She 
slowly stood from the couch and walked towards the kitchen, as Ranma
screamed more at another defeat looming.

Nabiki entered, looking around for Akane. She was seated at the 
kitchen table, rubbing the bridge of her nose and looking into her 
cup. Clearly she was tired but the wan smile on her fact was telling
her she was enjoying the moment. The smile faded though as she 
noticed Nabiki in the room.

"Ranma's pretty funny out there, trying to keep up with the little
rugrat."

"Mmm."

Nabiki walked over and poured herself a cup of coffee. "She's a real
gem, you know. Still keep wondering how the heck she got red hair 
though. Gotta love those Jusenkyou curses."

Akane's voice was flat. "What's on your mind, Nabiki."

The false bravado broken, Nabiki slowly walked over to the table.
"Okay, okay. It's about us, Akane. You and me. Can I sit down?" Akane
made no movements, so after a few moments Nabiki sat down. "We really
need to talk."

"About what? About not so much as a postcard for five years? About
showing up unannounced after all this time? I know you're going 
through a lot, but what are you expecting, a big happy ending?"

Nabiki sighed. "Akane, I'm sorry I wasn't there for you when Daddy
had his heart attack. I just couldn't be there."

Akane pushed the mug towards the center of the table as she looked
up. "Oh, come off it. You could have. I know that whole Hong Kong 
thing was garbage."

Nabiki slowly nodded. "Yeah, it was. I heard about what happened
that night. It's just that...I couldn't be there Akane." She sighed.
"You don't remember how it was when Mother died, do you?"

Akane hesitated, as she looked at Nabiki. Finally, she shook her 
head. "Not really. It's foggy, like a dream. I remember a couple
of things. Like when Kasumi took me to see Mom that last time, or 
when Daddy went into his own world for that whole month afterwards."

Nabiki nodded. "Yeah, you were a little too young to get the full 
impact. I, on the other hand, remember all of it." She paused to 
gather herself a moment. "I remember everything, from when Mother
was all well, to when she died. It was horrible, Akane. You didn't
remember, but I sort of went into a shell too after she died. Do you
remember when Nodoka went with Daddy all those times, after things
calmed down some?"

Akane nodded. "Yeah. They always went out on Fridays. It was for 
coffee, right?" She shook her head. "And I was always jealous,
because you went along and I didn't."

Nabiki coughed. "Those weren't coffee clutches. Nodoka took Daddy
to see a therapist. And right after him, I went in."

Akane did a doubletake. "Nani?" As Nabiki nodded she said quietly,
"Oh gods...I didn't know."

"Of course not. It wouldn't have made sense to you at that time. And
we didn't tell anyone else after we stopped our sessions. I doubt
even Genma knows about them. Nodoka always told him that she was 
going to see some girlfriends. And then of course Genma left with 
Ranma."

Akane sighed. "I can't believe this...." she muttered.

Nabiki nodded. "It's funny though. When Daddy was able to go without
Nodoka's help, he and I used to stop by that little kissaten on Kei
Street. Remember which one I'm talking about? We used to talk about
what happened. I don't know, but I guess we formed a bond then. In a 
few ways, we were closer to each other than either you or Kasumi
were to him.

"Anyways...when I heard about the heart attack, I just couldn't
go, Akane. I wanted to, gods did I want to. But I couldn't bear to 
see him go down like that. It felt like Mom all over again, and I 
couldn't handle it. So...I threw myself into my work in Hong Kong.
I got reports from my assistant in Tokyo, but I decided to stay 
there.

"When I heard he died in surgery, I cracked. I was coming out of a 
meeting, and one of the OLs there gave me the message. I was told I 
passed out, I was totally out of it. When I was finally in some sort
of control, I jumped a plane over. And sorta drank myself into a 
stupor courtesy of first class amenities."

Akane looked down. "We all know what happened next. But Kasumi?
Why Kasumi of all people? You sent her into the punch bowl with that
uppercut of yours."

Nabiki coughed. "You didn't see it, but right before I did that she
was chewing me out bigtime. The venom in that woman's words could
have burned through metal. But it was understandable. Unfortunately,
I wasn't in a stable mind, so whoosh, there she flew."

Akane nodded, but something wasn't quite right. After a moments,
she stifled a giggle. "Sorry, but I can still picture it. I can't
bear to see her hurt, but her landing butt first into that bowl was
a sight I'll never forget!"

Nabiki smiled ruefully. "I wish I could forget it. It took a long 
time for her to forgive me for that."

"I'll bet. I mean, even she has her limits."

"Two years worth. I finally was able to apologize to her, but she 
still rubs her jaw when we get together."

Akane shook her head. "So what happened the week after? I mean, 
Nabiki, you slammed me with a chair."

Nabiki sighed. "That's a little harder to explain. I resented the 
fact you kicked me out of the funeral. And I was pissed off at what
I did to Kasumi."

Akane uuhed, "So you broke my arm?"

Nabiki's lips formed a small chagrin. "Um, well...I was aiming for 
your head."

Akane blinked. "Er...glad you have a bad sense of targetting."

Nabiki shrugged. "The point is, Akane, I'm sorry about what happened.
It's been five years, but I'm asking for your forgiveness.
I want my sister back."

Akane took a long breath. "You know, for the longest time, I always
thought you thought we held you back. That you resented Daddy and 
that was the reason you didn't come."

Nabiki blinked herself. "What? No! That wasn't it at all." She 
reached over to Akane. "You guys were the ones that helped me be the
woman I am today. Er...well, the woman I was up until a few weeks
ago."

Akane smiled faintly. "Well, something good will come up. You were
always the resourceful one."

Nabiki tilted her head from side to side. "Usually. It helped being
surrounded by gullible people all the time."

"Oh you!" The two giggled and hugged, both of them feeling the 
wetness of their eyes.

"Hey Daddy, what's going on?" a little girl asked softly, just out of
earshot of the two sisters.

"Nothin', squirt. Just somethin' a long time comin'." He reached
down to pick his girl up. "I think someone needs some ice cream."

"Me, me! A big triple decker chocolate parfait!"

"Like father, like daughter, ne? Well, I'll need ta change, but I 
think we can manage that."

"Daddy, why don'cha go as a Daddy for ice cream instead of a 
Mommy-Daddy?"

Ranma gulped. "Uh, I'll explain it when yer older. Go get yer shoes
on, I'll get the girls."

* * *

"So you're saying there's no chance of getting this position?"

"That depends. Can you work for free?"

* * *

"What will it take for you to hire me?"

"High heels and a black teddy for starters...."

* * *

"I know that I'm as qualified as any person in this company! Why 
isn't that a valuable asset?"

"Because you'd put the boss out of a job! Why do you think he sent
/me/ to talk to you?"

* * *

Nabiki didn't quite make it to the couch before collapsing.
She was able to make it to the armrest before tumbling into the 
cushions. Ukyou walked out of the kitchen, looking curiously at the
butt that was hanging in the air on the couch. "You know, I don't
think that's good for the back." Peering over the couch she added,
"Or the lungs."

Craning her neck just enough to see Ukyou, she sighed. "It's just 
been a long day. Any coffee on the stove?"

* * *

"So let me get this straight. You've worked yourself to pretty much
the top of the heap, and now that you've been flung down to the 
trenches no one's giving you a leg up?"

Nabiki nodded as she sipped her coffee. "That about sums it up, 
yeah."

Ukyou shook her head. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry, sugar."

Nabiki shrugged. "It happens. I should go check my email though.
Maybe something's come up from the 'net."

Ukyou nodded. "Maybe. I hear those internet job sites are pretty
good. A friend of mine got a position as a marketing executive
through one of them. Well, here's to your clawing your way back to 
the top!" She raised her glass.

Nabiki raised hers and clinked Ukyou's. "I just can't stand these
damn interviews though. If one more person tells me I'm overqualified
or asks me out on a date, I'm gonna rip their heads off."

Ranma commented as he passed through the doorway, "Ya know, that's
not a way ta find a date these days. Heya Ucchan." Ranma smirked
as he avoided the swat by Nabiki, and made his way to the stove.
"More troubles I take it?"

"Nabiki's been telling me about the wonderful world of corporate
sleaziness. It's no wonder women can't make a mark these days in 
business, with creeps like that guarding the door."

"Say, Nabiki...how'd you start out at TeleForm anyways?"

Nabiki shrugged. "It was a company started out by one of the people
in the Business Club at Toryo. Since I was president of the club my 
senior year, I met up with him, and we got to talking. He gave me my
first break as an assistant to one of the executives a year later.
I then became an executive a couple of years later, after being a 
project head in a few projects. Then I just bided my time and made
my move to get a vicepresident position that opened up a couple of 
years ago."

Ukyou shook her head. "That's amazing, y'know? I remember when you 
were on the cover of Tokyo Business."

Nabiki glanced over to Ukyou. "You saw that?"

Ukyou nodded. "Oh yeah. I was working in the Shinjuku Ucchans when
a salaryman walked in and started reading it. When I saw your picture
I picked up a copy."

Nabiki grinned. "What did you think?"

Ukyou squinted her eyes as she deadpanned, "You really need a new 
haircut. You've had that look since high school."

Nabiki laughed, "Hey, it stands for smart, decisive, and easy to fix
in the mornings. Unlike some long haired people I know."

Ukyou coughed, and pulled her long mane of hair over her shoulder.
"Well, to be honest, I was thinking of cutting my hair too. Not as 
short as yours, but just over the shoulders. I dunno though, it 
doesn't feel right though. What do you think, Ranchan?"

Ranma, who was deftly avoiding the conversation by looking 
conspicuously out the window, blinked and looked towards the table.
"Huh, what? I didn't do nothin'!"

The girls laughed in response. Ukyou slung her ponytail back over her
back. "Figures. Anyways, I'll just leave it as is. After all, it's
the style that's made me the Okonomiyaki Queen of Tokyo!"

Ranma chuckled, "Ya coulda been that anyways. It don't matter what
kind a hair ya have, it's what skills ya have. An' yer okonomiyaki's
the best around."

Ukyou blushed, "Oh Ranchan, you mean it?"

Ranma nodded. "Yeah."

Ukyou looked over to Nabiki, "Okay, let me get this straight.
This is where I proclaim I'm the cutest fiancee and glomp Ranma into
submission, right?"

Nabiki nodded. "And I charge a ton of money to keep this quiet to 
Akane."

Ranma hrmed. "And I'd be dying slowly a asphyxiation from the glomp."

"And I'd run in and yell, 'Ranma no baka!' and clobber him into the
next district?"

The others turned to see Akane fresh in from the outside, a grin on 
her face. "So enough already, I want to pull out the hammer!"

* * *

Nabiki wasn't one usually inclined to do so, but nonetheless
she fidgeted with her hands. She looked down at the printed page she
had in her lap, before looking over at the group.

As they sat around the living room, Ranma asked, "So, what're we 
gonna do tonight?"

Nabiki coughed, "Uh, Ranma...mind if I throw something on the fire?"

The others nodded. "Sure, what's up Sis?"

Nabiki unfolded the piece of paper in her hands. "I got an offer for
a job interview. I got it by e-mail this afternoon."

Akane smiled. "That's great! Why so glum though?"

Nabiki passed the paper for Akane to read. "I mean, it's an executive
position...it's my way back to the top. It's what I've been looking
for."

Akane gasped. "It's in the United States!"

Nabiki nodded. "Yeah, that's the catch. From the sound of it, the 
interview's more of a formality though. I think they want me right
away. By next week I could be working in New York."

Ukyou coughed. "New York? Wow, that's pretty good, sugar."

Nabiki nodded again. "It is, but...."

Ranma blinked. "But what?"

Nabiki shrugged. "I don't know if I should take it. It's pretty far
away. Who knows when I'd come back to Tokyo."

Tsubasa piped up. "It's still a chance of a lifetime though. But you
should think about it. It's a big step."

Nabiki nodded. "Yeah. Well, that's all I wanted to say, really."

Akane handed the paper back. "We'll be behind you, whatever you 
decide, k?"

Nabiki nodded. "I know. I appreciate it." She shook her head as she
let out a deep breath. "Anyways, new subject!"

* * *

"This is becomin' a habit, you an' me."

"Not my fault my kitchen ruminations wake a dead sleeper like 
yourself."

"Ya know, Kasumi may be right; the kitchen talks ta the primary
owner in ways ya wouldn't believe."

Ranma poured himself some milk and sat down beside Nabiki. "Any idea
on what'cha gonna do?"

Nabiki shrugged. "If I was smart, I'd hop the first plane to New 
York. But I don't know, Ranma. I don't think I can leave Japan."

Ranma raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"

"Well, it's going to sound kinda sappy, but...I'd miss all you guys.
I mean, I just reconnected here, with you, with Akane. Heck, if 
Kasumi was here, it'd almost be like it was before."

"She's a phone call away, ya know."

"I know, but...."

Ranma leaned back in his chair. "It's funny."

"What is?"

"Remember after the failed marriage, in '89? When Ukyou an' Shampoo
bombed the wedding?"

Nabiki nodded. "Yeah."

"Well, I started having trouble sleeping. I used ta come in here an'
drink milk, just like you an' me're doin' now. 'cept it was Kasumi
who kept me company."

"Really? I didn't know that."

"No one did. It was just somethin' we did. I guess she needed it as 
much as I did. We sorta talked 'round an' 'round 'bout stuff. She an'
me talked about her goin' back ta college."

"Hey, I remember that. She said she talked to some friends and 
decided it was what she wanted to do."

Ranma nodded. "Yeah, well one of those friends was me. She was doin'
so much fer the family, but she finally had a chance ta go. Turns
out before we talked she was talkin' ta a friend a hers that went ta
Furinkan, same grade as she. She went premed an' was internin'
over at Holy Cross Hospital. Well, that set her in motion. She was 
tryin' ta figure out if she could risk goin' ta college an' do the 
stuff she did here.

"Well, I told her she should do what she wanted. I mean, she spent
like 10 years bein' mom ta you, Akane, an' Soun, then me an' Pop too.
She needed ta go do things she wanted, before it was too late. I 
guess she thought I was makin' sense."

Nabiki shook her head. "Amazing. And I thought it was because of 
Mitsune kidnapping her."

Ranma chuckled. "That was only the extra push, I think. Not that she
wasn't hurt or nothin', she said she was treated like a queen. But 
the fact that she could've died because a that nutcase wantin' ta 
sacrifice her in the end, really made up her mind." He shook his 
head. "We all could a died because a him."

Nabiki mmmed. "It was the last time the old Nerima gang was together.
Shampoo, Cologne, Ryouga...hey, you know what happened to them?"

Ranma nodded. "After Akane challenged Shampoo an' won, the Amazon
Mafia left back ta China. I talk ta Mousse once in a while, funny
enough. Shampoo's now the Matriarch, Cologne died 'bout three years
ago."

Nabiki blinked. "She actually died?"

Ranma nodded. "Sorta sad ta see her go, y'know? It took time, but 
Mousse gave up on Shampoo an' met up with some girl from Taiwan that
was doing some book on Jusenkyou and married her. Shampoo's single
still."

Nabiki blinked. "Weird. What about Ryouga?"

Ranma chuckled. "Pigboy? He's doin' well, last I heard. He realized
he wasn't in love with Akari, so they split. He's over in Malaysia
with some construction company. Still comes over here from time to 
time, thinkin' he's in Malaysia though. Some things never change."

Nabiki chuckled. "No, they don't." She sipped her tea gently. "I 
think I know what I'm going do now."

Ranma looked up from his mug. "Oh? What's that?"

* * *

Dressed in her best suit, Tendou Nabiki looked at the double doors
that was to become her future. "Well, 'biki. The first day of your
new life. Are you up to it?" She smiled. She knew she was. And with
that she pushed opened the doors.

"Ohayo, Naoko. What's first up for business today?"

Tanaka Naoko looked down at her calendar. "Well, you'll need to get
in touch with a Sumimoto-san about the marketing plans for his 
company. I believe his secretary said a 10:00 a.m. meeting tomorrow
in their meeting room would be appropriate."

Nabiki nodded. "Sounds good with me. Set that up for me please.
Did Toshi-san ever call back to confirm her interview appointment?"

Naoko shook her head. "She'll call in the afternoon, I think. I know
she's fielding offers from a few people right now, but I think she's
leaning towards us."

Nabiki grinned. "She's got the skills, Naoko. If she joins us, it'll
be great. Oh, lunch...I was going to head over to Akane and Ranma's.
Want me to pick you up something?"

Naoko hrmed. "Monday morning means Ichigomi-san's mochi. Can you pick
me up some of that?"

Nabiki smirked. "Sure."

Naoko perked up as the phone rang. "Tendou Marketing Corporation,
can I help you?"

Nabiki took a moment to look around the office. It wasn't much, but
it fit the price she had. Even if she had to turn an arm or two. Her
connections were giving her the stretching power her money needed
to deliver the few clients she was getting. And while it would take
some time, she knew that she'd be able to get some of the other 
clients that were still left in limbo with her prior company going
under. And if she could get Toshi like she wanted, she knew she could
accentuate her experience with a bit of new fire, something that a 
lot of the newer clients were keen on seeing.

She didn't think that starting a new business would be this daunting,
but she knew she had enough of the right stuff to rough it out. It 
was going to work. Already people were clamoring to her doorstep.
It was going to take some time, but she was the boss. She'd make the
time.

It was funny that Ranma had the answer all along. It really /was/
great to own your own business.

----- Final Notes:

About a year ago, I came up with the idea of this story. And for 
about 6 months it sat until a lavender sky evening told me to write
it. And so I did, in one night. o_O;; I then put it away to do some
other things, and decided to do some editing and here's what I came
up with.

Just as a sidenote, this story takes place 10 years after the manga
ends. Any help on any errors that I might have made would be most 
grateful. Also, I hope that I got some of the more technical parts
of this story correct (ala The Monster Board being the precursor
to Monster.com and whatnot). Again, if you spot an error, let me 
know, k?

Anyways, I think that's about it. C&C would be most grateful (I think
I've said that 3 times now, huh? Gomen ne. o_O;;). Lasha and ja ne.

Lany 
______________________________________________________________________
Delany Brittain

turtyl@montana.com , turtyl@megami.net

turtyll @ AIM, 19152118 @ ICQ

http://turtyl.megami.net/

Student, Uni. of Montana; Member, Studio YOGIPIGS; Aspiring, Author
-----

Ranma-onna did her best 'Kawaii' routine, sparkles and all.

"With a smile on my face and a song in my heart."

--Saotome Ranma, "Kasumi and the Gaki" by Jack Staik

"When it comes to hitting .400, (real) close is just like

horseshoes and hand grenades, at least in the court of

public opinion."

--Rob Neyer, ESPN.com

The Megami Project -- http://www.megami.net/