Addicted to Love

Chapter 5

by Christopher J. Olsen

=====

All Ranma characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi, first published
by Shogakugan in Japan and brought over to North America by Viz
Communications.

=====

    Akane and Ukyo left the bath together, still blushing slightly from
their energetic encounter.

    Ukyo smiled slyly.  "That was nice, but next time why don't we go to
your room..."

    Akane blushed a slightly deeper shade of pink.  "Not right now,
Ukyo... chan...  we should make sure Kasumi and Ranma remember that our
fathers are coming home soon."  < If what we heard from the direction of
the living room is any indication, neither of them is in any condition
to remember.>

    Ukyo chuckled quietly.  "I can just picture what might happen when
your father finds out."  < Especially if he walks in on them as I
suspect they are right now...>

    Akane grimaced.  "So can I..."  < Oh Kasumi, I envy you... Ranma you
idiot.  Why couldn't you restrain yourself just awhile longer...>

    The two girls walked quietly into the living room and gasped
simultaneously.  Ranma and Kasumi lay together on the porch, naked, with
the back doors wide open.

    Akane closed her eyes and shook her head.  "In plain sight yet...
Ranma you idiot."

    Ukyo cleared her throat, looking pointedly away from the couple on
the floor.  Ranma's head had shot up at the gasp, and he was now
hurriedly dressing.

    The pig tailed martial artist stammered in his embarrassment.  "I
didn't!  Well I did... but... um..."

    Kasumi sat up slowly, glancing over and Akane and Ukyo, then down at
herself.  "Oh dear."

    Ukyo looked in again, seeing Ranma nearly dressed and Kasumi still
motionless and naked on the floor, started into the room.  "It's okay,
Kasumi.  I don't mind at all.  Akane's alright with it too.  Right,
Akane?"

    Akane sighed.  "Yeah... sure, Kasumi.  I can understand how it
happened."

    Ukyo grinned.  "Absolutely.  So, was he any good?"

    Kasumi blushed to her waistline.  "Oh my!"  She belatedly covered
herself up with her arms.  Ukyo smiled and handed Kasumi her clothing.
Kasumi started dressing, trying not to be too self-conscious.

    Akane snorted.  "Ha.  I bet he pushed her to the floor like a
caveman."

    Ranma now fully dressed, blushed brighter.  "Um..."

    Kasumi smiled in remembrance.  "Yes, it was very nice."

    Ukyo blinked, then started to grin again.  "Ooh, sounds like fun.
Then what happened?"

    Ranma blushed even more.  "Ucchan!"

    Ukyo grinned back at him unrepentantly.  "Ah, I'm just kidding,
Ranchan."  < I'll press Kasumi for details when it's just us girls.>

    Akane went over to him.  "So, Ranma.  You DID propose to Kasumi,
right?"

    He nodded.  "Yeah, we kinda... got carried away after..."

    Akane sighed, and forced a smile.  "It's... it's okay, Ranma.  Ukyo
and I ... kinda got carried away too."  She shrugged helplessly.  "It's
hand not to... get overly affectionate... well, you know."
Akane peered up at Ranma's face.  "So, you just threw Kasumi on the
floor?"

    Ranma gulped.  "Hey!  It wasn't like that... I pinned her... cause I
had to beat her in combat, right?  I didn't hurt her or nothing.
Besides, she started it... after..."

    Akane looked dubious, then nodded.  "Well, I'm glad."

    Ranma looked dubious now.  "Really?"

    Akane sighed.  "Yeah... I mean, I always thought... I'd be... you
know, your first."  She snorted.  "Not that I expected there to be a
second through fifth... but anyway, Kasumi needed to know you really
like her.  So I'm glad because of that."

    Ranma smiled. "Thanks, Akane, for understanding.  I... I always...
kinda thought you'd be the first... and only, myself.  I never would
have expected this."  Ukyo spoke up.  "That's for sure!"  She turned to
Kasumi, who was just pulling on her slippers.  "Hey, why don't I help
you with dinner. Your dads are due back soon, right?"

    Kasumi nodded, her eyes getting wide for a moment.  "Oh my, that's
right.  I'd better clean up in here first."

    Akane broke in.  "Ranma can do that, Kasumi.  You two should get
started on dinner."

    Kasumi glanced at Ranma and he nodded.  "Ah, sure.  I'll pitch in.
Um, what do I do?"

    Akane sighed.  "I'll help him."

    Kasumi nodded brightly.  "That's good, Akane, thank you."  She
turned to Ukyo.  "So, what would you like to make tonight?"

    The two cooks walked out, discussing menu ideas, and Akane and Ranma
hurriedly cleaned up the living room.  It wasn't difficult.  Ranma and
Kasumi hadn't left much of a mess, in a couple minutes there was no sign
of the event.  When they were done they sat down together on the porch.

    Akane glanced nervously at Ranma, who was once again staring out at
the Koi pond.  "Ranma?"

    He glanced back at her.  "Yeah?"

    Akane tilted her head.  "Are you going to... ask Nabiki to marry you
too?"

    Ranma shrugged uncertainly.  "It depends on her.  Probably.  If she
feels the same way Kasumi felt...  I guess it's what I gotta do."

    Akane sighed and nodded.  "Yes, I suppose so."  They were quiet for
several minutes.  Akane broke the silence.  "Are you worried?  About the
fight?"

    Ranma didn't look her way this time and several long seconds passed
before he spoke.  "I don't want to hurt any of you.  So yeah, I guess I
am, a little."

    Akane frowned, but controlled her sudden anger.  Purposely she
calmed herself, then spoke again.  "Ranma, I can take a hit you know.
Don't think I'm going to break if you hit me.  You've hit Shampoo,
right?  You got pretty rough with Ukyo... before you knew she was a
girl.  You don't have to hold back, okay?  Not for me."

    Ranma sighed.  "I... know... you're pretty tough, Akane.  I haven't
said it a lot, but I know it."

    Akane blinked in amazement.  < Ranma, saying I'm tough?  No way!>

    Ranma went on.  "I just... cant hurt you.  I never could."

    Akane grabbed his shoulder and turned him to face her.  "Tomorrow
you have to.  You have to win.  We can't hold back, and that means you
can't either.  I've seen you fight, Ranma.  You've never really hurt an
opponent, not really... not unless someone's life was on the line.  I
know you can beat us without injuring us, but you've got to go all out.
You just... can't... lose!"

    Ranma looked into her eyes, and nodded firmly.  "I won't lose.  I
promise you, I won't lose."

  *********************************

    Coming home from the police station, Nabiki felt drained.  The
detective had been polite and considerate, but the performance she had
put on had been emotionally draining.  It had been real
enough, Nabiki had just dropped her normal 'Ice Queen' facade and let
her true feelings out.  Never-the-less, it hadn't been at all easy.
Regaining her cool afterward was just as difficult.  The detective was
now firmly on her side, as was his boss and everyone else in the
department aware of the situation, but it had cost Nabiki greatly.

    Shampoo walked by her side, looking a bit concerned.  Until
recently, Nabiki's welfare would not have been very important to her,
but after recent events, Shampoo admitted to herself she was beginning
to be fond of the older girl.

    "Nabiki, is you alright?"  The purple haired Amazon queried quietly.

    Nabiki shrugged.  "I'll be fine....  Everything is in motion now. In
a few days, that police station will have hundreds of signed affidavits
of Happosai's criminal behavior, a few dozen incriminating
photographs, and half a dozen experts testifying about that batch of
spaghetti.  Just mentioning the hypnosis mushrooms, of course.  The
other things are our secret.  Not to mention too rare to be
properly identified unless you happen to be an expert in ancient Chinese
medicine, and the Chinese embassy's already has already taken Cologne's
statement.  Happosai, and his accomplice, Mousse are both public
enemies, and we're victims.  It's the best I can do."

    Shampoo nodded.  "Nabiki do very well!  Shampoo very impressed.
Nabiki very smart planner.  Very... what word... subtle?"

    Nabiki smiled gratefully.  "Thanks Shampoo.  Yeah, that's the word.
I guess I did do pretty good....  I just wish I could have done
something sooner.  School is going to be hell for quite a while."

    Shampoo suggested helpfully.  "Shampoo beat up stupid ones who
bother Nabiki and others!"

    Nabiki shook her head.  "No, that's alright, Shampoo... although...
well, we'll talk about that later.  There might just be something you
can do."

    The two girls walked in silence until they reached the Dojo.  They
entered, walking through to the living room.  They found Kasumi and Ukyo
in the kitchen, and Ranma and Akane on the porch.  Akane and Ranma
turned to see them as they entered.

    Akane spoke up.  "So....  How did... whatever it is you did... go?"

    Nabiki sat down at the table.  "I think I'd better give you a full
explanation of all of this."  She sighed.  < Things really have changed.
When have I ever told anyone, everything?>  "Well it's
neither simple or easy, but essentially I've done everything I could to
turn us from pornographers into victims.  Happosai and Mousse should be
public enemy number one by now, and officially, we're victims of a
crime."

    Ranma frowned.  "Oh.... Nabiki, isn't there anything else you
could've done?  This is going to make me look pretty bad...."

    Akane punched him hard on the arm.  "Shut up, idiot, Nabiki's done
the best she could!"

    Nabiki shook her head.  "Never mind, Akane.  Ranma's right.  It
doesn't look to good for the head of a Dojo to have gotten victimized
like this.  All I can say is that it's better than the alternative."

    Ranma sighed.  "Yeah, you're right, Nabiki.  I'm sure you did your
best.  Heck, nobody could have done more, I bet.  I'm just...."  He
shrugged.  "We'll survive, right?"  Akane and Shampoo nodded
firmly.

    Nabiki just sighed.  "Nice try."

    Ranma blew out a deep breath.  "Um, Nabiki, what are you going to do
about tomorrow?"

    Nabiki looked at him wryly.  "Frankly, Ranma, I've got no idea.  I
could get Kuno to defeat me, but honestly I don't really want to be any
part of that family, money or no money.  There isn't really
anyone I'm interested in that way.  Oh, I could con some poor slob into
defeating me, but...."  She shook her head.  "I just don't know."

    Ranma and Akane exchanged glances.  He grimaced, then inclined his
head at Nabiki.

    Akane nodded.  < Talk to her.>

    Ranma seemed to understand, but he looked pained.  < Ah man, this
isn't easy at all.>  Ranma looked at Nabiki with a serious expression.
"Shampoo, Nabiki.... I want to ask you both a serious
question."

    Nabiki blinked and looked curious.  Shampoo nodded firmly again.

    Ranma hesitated.  < Just gotta spit it out.>  "Akane, Ukyo, Kasumi
and I have been talking.  The thing is, we all found out we have all
been having... dreams, and strange feelings... about each other,
right?"  Nabiki and Shampoo looked nervous, but nodded.  Ranma sighed.
"Yeah, well, we're pretty sure she's right.  I even talked to Dr. Tofu
about it.  He agrees.  Do you... do either of you agree with that?"

    Nabiki gulped and looked away.  < Why?  Why is this happening to
me?  I can't hide how I feel anymore, and that scares me.>

    Shampoo hesitated, then slowly nodded.  "Is true... Shampoo have
many dreams.  Strong feelings.  Not... not just for husband...  Shampoo
not want to admit... but is true."

    Ranma cleared his throat.  "Nabiki?"

    Slowly the middle Tendo sister nodded.  "Yes.  It's... it's more
that just dreams, isn't it?"  Nabiki turned to face Ranma.  "I...
Ranma...."  Her face hardened to her normal arrogance.  "It's nothing
I can't handle."

    Ranma hesitated, then nodded.  "Sure, Nabiki."  He tried to sound
sincere.  "So, what are you going to do tomorrow?"

    Nabiki looked away.  She tried to think of something to tell him,
but nothing came.

    Akane looked concerned.  "Nabiki...."  She glanced at Ranma.
"Ranma...."

    Ranma sighed in acknowledgment.  "Nabiki, I care for you, OK?  I
don't want to see you hurt by some idiot Amazon guy.  Tomorrow, I'm
going to get officially married to Kasumi as well as Ukyo, Akane and
Shampoo.... Nabiki...."

    Shampoo sighed, but said nothing, resigned to the inevitable.

    Nabiki shook her head.  "No, forget it.  I don't need your charity."

    Ranma protested.  "Hey, it's not like that."

    Akane nodded.  "Nabiki, don't do this.  It's not charity.  Ranma,
tell her!"

    Nabiki snorted.  "Yes, Ranma, tell me.  Why do you want me to join
your little harem?  If it's not charity, then what?  You've already
admitted it's because you don't want me to get hurt.  That's no
reason to marry me."

    Ranma frowned.  "Damnit Nabiki....  It isn't that simple...."

    She shook her head regretfully.  "Isn't it?  Ranma, you don't really
love me.  Maybe, just maybe, you feel something because of the drug.
But you've got all the others.  It's surely not that strong, is it?
Don't patronize me, Ranma.  I can take care of myself, OK?"  Ranma
looked at Akane and at Shampoo, trying to get some sign of what to do.
They looked back helplessly.

    Ranma sighed.  "Alright, Nabiki, I don't know what I can do to
convince you....  I hope you're making the right decision."

    Nabiki's iron gaze softened a bit.  "Don't worry about it.  I'll be
fine."

    Ranma and Akane looked a little doubtful, and Shampoo slightly
relieved.

    The Amazon girl nodded encouragement.  "Nabiki find nice rich boy
defeat her, yes?  Shampoo help protect Nabiki from stupid males until
Nabiki find good match."  < And I won't have to share Ranma any
further.>

    Nabiki grinned at her.  "Hey that's great, Shampoo.  With your help
I'll be able to find the right guy without worrying about those Amazon
guys coming."  The mercenary natured Tendo maintained
her smile with a slight effort, making herself believe it.  Before Ranma
or Akane could think of anything further to say, everyone heard the
approaching voices of Soun and Genma.

    Soun laughed heartily at a joke Genma had made.  "Ho, ho.  Quite
good my friend.  Yes, very humorous!"  The two fathers walked into the
living room.

    Genma took in a deep sniff in the direction of the kitchen.  "Ah,
shouldn't be long now, eh Tendo?"

    Soun nodded.  "Time to start a game?"

    Genma nodded.  "Certainly, more than enough."

    The two men went over to the porch and began a game of go, paying
little attention to their surroundings.  The teens exchanged nervous
glances.

    "Should we tell them now?"  Akane whispered quietly.

    Nabiki shook her head slightly.  "Wait until dinner.  It'll be
easier with everyone sitting around the table."

    Before long, Kasumi came out and announced dinner.  She and Ukyo
brought out the food and everyone quickly found seats around the table.

    Soun noted the presence of guests as he enthused about the selection
of food.  "A fine meal!  Miss Kuonji, as always, your addition to our
table is welcome.  Shampoo my dear, to what do we owe the honor of your
presence?"

    Kasumi spoke up.  "I invited Ukyo to stay over, father, and I
thought I might extend that invitation to Shampoo as well."

    Soun blinked.  "Oh?  Well, certainly my dear, my home is theirs."
He paused.  "Is there some reason for our home to be having so many
excellent guests?"

    Kasumi nodded.  "Yes, father, I do believe so.  Why don't we talk
about it after dinner?"

    Soun blinked again, then nodded.  "A fine idea, I would not wish to
be distracted from so lavish a meal."  Genma just nodded, too busy
eating to speak.

    When the last dish had been cleared away, Soun cleared his throat.
"So, what has been happening today?  I believe you wished to talk to me,
Kasumi?"

    Kasumi nodded, schooling her expression.  "Yes, father, there is
most important news to tell you."

    Soun looked curious.  "Oh?  Please go on."

    Kasumi steeled herself.  "Last month, the night Mousse left town,
there was an unfortunate... incident."

    Soun was looking more and more worried.  "What?  What has happened?"

    Kasumi bowed her head.  "Mousse, with help from Master Happosai,
drugged the farewell meal Mousse presented us with."  Soun gaped
incredulously, but didn't say anything immediately.  With a visible
effort, Kasumi continued.  "Father, there were a great deal of drugs
involved.  Hypnosis mushroom, phoenix shell, a stabilizer, some
incenses...."  Soun's mouth flapped open, he was starting to go into
shock.  Kasumi hurried on.  "As well, there were a number of commands
included, the hypnosis mushrooms made us all very suggestible you
see...  and the music...."  Kasumi wrung her hands, too frustrated to
continue.

    Even Genma was practically incoherent.  "What... what... what?"

    Nabiki sighed.  < It's up to me, as usual.>  "Daddy, we were all
hypnotized into having sex.  All six of us.  That's why  Mousse and
Happosai haven't been around, because they did it to us."

    Soun's eyes rolled up into his head and he fainted.  Genma blinked,
then glanced around at his son and all the girls.  He was met with
blushes and embarrassed looks.

    Genma blinked again.  "My son?  And... all five...?"  He shook his
head incredulously.  "I would have thought three at the most...."
Slowly he nodded to himself.  "Well, he is my son, after all."

    *WHAM!!!*

    A giant spatula, a mallet and a bonbori smashed Genma in the head
simultaneously, sending Genma to join Soun in unconsciousness.

    Nabiki just rolled her eyes.  "Trust Genma to be proud of this."

    Ranma covered his face in his hands and moaned.

    Kasumi waved her hand over Soun's face.  "Father, father, are you
alright?"

    Several minutes later, Soun woke as his eldest daughter placed a
cold compress on his forehead.  He lay in the center of the room.  The
tables had been pushed back and he was surrounded by faces.

    The Tendo patriarch shakily laughed.  "Heh, Kasumi dear, I must have
misheard something.  I could've sworn I heard... but no, that's
impossible."  Kasumi sighed.

    Nabiki snorted.  "I'm afraid not, daddy.  You heard exactly right.
Last month, all of us were hypnotized and drugged, and we all had sex."
Soun promptly fainted again.

    Kasumi sighed again.  "Oh, father."  She looked over at Nabiki with
slight disapproval.  "Nabiki, do you think you could try to be a little
more... diplomatic about this?"

    Nabiki just shrugged.  "I won't mind a bit if you'd care to explain
it yourself."

    Kasumi just blinked for several seconds.  "Oh my....  I suppose
you're correct, Nabiki.  It isn't an easy subject to mention
delicately."

    Once again, Soun blinked his eyes open.  "It's a dream, it's only a
dream."

    Kasumi shook her head sadly.  "No father, it's all quite real, I'm
afraid."

    Soun sat up abruptly and lunged violently forward toward a certain
pig tailed martial artist.  "RAANNMMAA!!!"  Ranma skittered back and
Soun was halted by a bonbori and spatula presented threateningly in his
face.

    "No killing husband!"  Shampoo warned.

    "You'd better stay back, Mr. Tendo."  Ukyo added.  "This isn't
Ranchan's fault."

    Akane grabbed her father's arm.  "They're right, daddy.  This isn't
Ranma's fault this time."

    Soun sat back, quivering in anger.  "The Master did this?  And that
Mousse?"  He started to glow.  "There shall be no forgiveness in this
house for those two!"  Slowly, deliberately, he turned once
again to Ranma.  His voice was deadly serious, with a hint of threat.
"So..., son... what do you intend to do about this?"

    Ranma glanced around at the girls for reassurance.  "Mr. Tendo... I
intend to do my best to take care of all your daughters.... I am also
obligated to Ukyo and Shampoo.  I can not, honorably,
abandon any of them."

    Shampoo broke in.  "After first night with Airen, he shared by
all....  Amazon law say Shampoo have to kill all others, or make all
Amazons.  Great-grandmother take all into Amazon tribe.  Now all are
Amazons, bound by Amazon law."

    Kasumi nodded.  "That's right, father, and by Amazon law, Ranma must
marry all the girls he has defeated in combat, as long as he passes a
trial by combat tomorrow."

    Soun shook his head.  "I... this is...."

    Akane interrupted quietly.  "Ranma's going to fight Shampoo, Ukyo
and me tomorrow... and Kasumi."

    Soun blinked, not believing his ears.  "Fight?  Kasumi?  What?
What!?!"

    Kasumi nodded in support.  "Yes father, if Ranma wins, he'll be
officially married, by Amazon law, to all of us."

    Soun's eyes were a bit glazed.  "But... all four?  Ranma can't...
what about the school?  My daughters... what about the law?  How...?"

    Nabiki spoke up.  "I believe I have the answer to that, daddy.  As
far as the law is concerned, Ranma is married by Amazon law, not
Japanese.  The Amazons will acknowledge it, other than that, it doesn't
matter.  As for Japanese law, Ranma can still marry Akane to carry on
the name."

    Soun was still blinking, trying to get his mind to start up again.
"Marry?  Fight?  Akane?  Kasumi???"

    Ukyo broke into the conversation.  "Hey!  What about me?  Ranma is
still honor bound to marry me!"

    Nabiki inclined her head to the okonomiyaki chef.  "I've been giving
this some thought, in fact, I've been considering a solution for some
time.  Ranma can legally marry both of you....  Relatively legally,
anyway."  Everyone stared at her.

    "How?"  Ukyo pressed.

    Nabiki winked.  "It's actually quite simple.  You're registered as a
boy, right?  You went to a guys only school, you're still registered as
a guy at Furinkan, even if most of the students know different."

    Ukyo blinked uncertainly.  "Yeah...."

    Nabiki nodded.  "So you marry Ranma's girl half.  Genma legally
adopts Ranma as a girl, and you marry her.  Honor is satisfied on both
sides.  Akane and Ranma can marry to carry out the agreement between our
fathers.  Ranma's girl side and Ukyo can marry to honor Genma's promise
to Ukyo's father, and Ranma marries the bunch of you to satisfy Amazon
law.  Everyone's honor is covered."

    Ranma finally came out of his state of shock.  "Hey!  I'm not
wearing a dress to no wedding!"

    Ukyo teased him.  "Can I wear the tux?"

    Genma sat up, having been listening quietly for the last minute.
"Well thought out, Nabiki my dear.  You see, Tendo?  Honor will be
satisfied and our schools will be joined.  There are a few
complications, but this is for the best after all."

    Soun began to turn thoughtful.  "Hmm.  The families are joined,
but...."  He turned sharply to Genma.  "Complications!  You call Ranma
marrying four women at the same time a complication?!?"
He started to glow.  "And Kasumi!  Why must she be involved in all of
this?"  Soun's eyes glowed red and his head seemed to expand to
monstrous proportions. "RANMA!  How can you attack my Kasumi?  Why are
you fighting her?!?"

    Kasumi smiled reassuringly.  "Father, I'm sure Ranma won't hurt me.
I've grown very fond of him.  I have no objections to marrying
Ranma-kun."
    Akane broke in.  "Besides, daddy, we're all Amazons now.  That means
that any guy that beats us we have to marry.  Kasumi can't fight and
there are some Amazon guys coming to beat her so they can marry her."

    Shampoo nodded.  "Sponge and Rag.  Very bad, no Amazon girl ever
want marry."

    Soun shuddered.  "My poor daughter.  Beaten up by some Amazon thug?
But, Kasumi, couldn't you marry some other nice man?  What about that
nice Dr. Tofu?"

    Kasumi looked sad.  "Father... I... I love Ranma."  She slowly
smiled again.  "I'll be happy with Ranma.  Father, please understand."

    Soun looked torn.  "I... I could never make you unhappy, Kasumi."
He turned to Ranma, looking very serious.  "Take care of my little
girls, Ranma-kun.  I'm counting on you."

    Ranma bowed slightly, looking equally serious.  "I will, Mr. Tendo.
I swear it on my honor, and on my life."

    Soun nodded back, then looked over at his middle daughter.  "What
about you, Nabiki?  Were you also part of... of this?  Are you an Amazon
as well?"

    Nabiki nodded slowly.  "Yes daddy."

    Soun looked concerned once more.  "Then won't this Sponge and Rag
try to defeat you as well?"

    Nabiki slowly shook her head, grimacing.  "I have a... condition,
that prevents them from legally challenging me.  I was warned that they
may try something anyway, but Shampoo and the others can protect me.  I
won't have to accept any challenges for the next eight months or so.  I
intend to train until then, and keep an eye out for a guy I want. Things
should work out."

    Soun looked concerned still.  "Are you sure?"  He blinked.  "A...
condition?  Eight months....  Nabiki... are you... are  you...?"

    Nabiki rolled her eyes.  "Were you looking for the word pregnant?
Yes daddy, I'm expecting."

    Soun's eyes rolled back in his head and he fainted once again.

    Genma chuckled.  "Yup, that's my boy!  Well, I think I'll invite
Nodoka to come over.  There can be no doubt as to your manliness now,
son."

    Nabiki laughed bitterly.  "Yup, there is no doubt about Ranma's
manhood.  Not after fathering three kids in one night."

    Genma's eyes got wide.  "T-three?"  He promptly joined Soun on the
floor, fainting dead away.

    Kasumi smiled brightly.  "Oh, I'm glad they took it so well!"

    There was a massive thump as the rest of the room's occupants fell
over.

*********************************

    Quite a bit later, when Soun had recovered, he turned to Nabiki
anxiously.  "Daughter, perhaps it is best if you were to join your
sisters.  Ranma is the father of your child.  Surely you wouldn't see
your child born out of wedlock?"

    Nabiki shook her head firmly.  "That's not going to wash, daddy.  By
Japanese law, Ranma can only marry one of us, right?  Akane's pregnant
as well, so he might as well marry her.  As for Amazon law, there is no
dishonor in having Ranma's kid, even if I'm not married to him.  No
daddy, the baby has nothing to do with it.  Ranma's already got four
wives.  I don't intend on being the fifth wheel."

    Ranma looked pained.  "Nabiki, you're not a fifth wheel....  We all
care about you...."

    Nabiki shook her head again.  "No, we've already talked about this,
remember?"

    Ranma groaned.  "Yeah, but...."

    Nabiki shook her head once more.  "It's settled!"

    Akane, Kasumi and Ukyo all exchanged glances.

    Ranma sighed and gave up.  "Alright, Nabiki.  I know I can't out
argue you."  He turned to his father and tapped him on the shoulder.
"Hey pop.  I want you to help me train for tomorrow.  I've got a move I
want to try out.  Mr. Tendo, I could use your help too.  I gotta get
used to two opponents."  Together, the two men stood.

    Genma nodded firmly.  "Right, can't have you loosing tomorrow."

    Soun nodded back.  "You must learn how to win without injuring my
daughters!"

    Ranma nodded in agreement.  "That's the plan."

    Ukyo spoke up.  "Hey, why don't we help you too, Ranchan?"

    Ranma shook his head.  "Nah.  I want tomorrow to come as a surprise,
OK?  I want to practice this new move, and I don't want to spoil it."

    Shampoo peered at him.  "Special move?  Is good.  Shampoo look
forward to husband defeating her."

    Akane shrugged.  "This had better be good, Ranma, if you think you
can win without hurting any of us."

    Ukyo glanced at Akane.  "Ranchan's the best!  I'm sure he can do
it!"

    Ranma shrugged in response to that.  "I have to, so I will,
alright?"  He started heading for the dojo and the two fathers followed.

    When they were gone Akane looked at Nabiki questioningly.  "Are you
sure about this, sis?  The Faithfulness drug...."

    Nabiki frowned.  "I'm not going to let a few dreams control me,
Akane!"  She shook her head.  "I'm going to take a bath, then I'm going
to bed."  She stood up and walked out of the living room.

    Shampoo stood as well.  "Shampoo going now.  Be back tomorrow."
Kasumi, Akane and Ukyo nodded.

    "We'll see you then."  Ukyo said quietly.

    "Take care, Shampoo."  Kasumi added politely.

    Shampoo nodded and left quickly.

    Akane sighed, resting her chin on her hands.  "Darn it.  Nabiki just
doesn't want to accept charity.  She thinks we're just offering her a
handout."

    Kasumi nodded sadly.  "Nabiki is very self sufficient.  She doesn't
want to depend on others."

    Ukyo looked thoughtful.  "I think she's a bit scared.  Nabiki
probably doesn't believe we care for her.  She thinks Ranma would marry
her out of sympathy, but he doesn't really love her."  She sighed.  "I'm
not sure how I feel about her myself.  I mean.... Nabiki's always has
used us for her money making schemes.  Has she ever done something nice,
just because?  I respected her, most of the time.  But love?  I'm not so
sure.  I am... attracted to her... but that's just the drug talking."
Ukyo sighed again.  "I'm attracted to her, I respect her, I might even
think of her as a friend... but love?"  She shook her head.  "No. Ranma
feels much the same, I'd bet.  He'd marry her to save her, to take care
of her and her baby.  But love?  No, no, Nabiki's right.  It is
charity."

    Kasumi looked ill.  Akane chewed her lip in anxiety, and slowly
lowered her head.

    Ukyo sighed.  "I... I didn't really want to say it that harshly,
but... we promised to be honest....  I want Nabiki to join us, I
actually do, but... it's not really love.  I'm sorry."

    Akane nodded quietly, then sighed.  "I think... I think you're
probably right, Ukyo.  I wish you weren't, but you probably are.
Nabiki's my sister.  I do love her, as a sister.  We really weren't
friends, we're sisters.  The drug has made my feelings for her stronger,
and... not very sister like.... I really don't want to loose her.  But I
don't know how to prevent it."

    Kasumi went from quietly sad to quietly determined.  She faced the
other two girls and her eyes were clear.  "I don't think either of you
really knows Nabiki like I do.  She does care about us, about
Ranma. Nabiki likes making money, yes.  But a lot of that money goes
into keeping us fed and the dojo repaired.  Nabiki doesn't want to have
to depend on others.  Ever since mother died, she's withdrawn into a
shell of ice.  If she doesn't let anyone in, she can't be hurt again,
like she was when mother died.  But I think she will be hurt if she's
left out of our... marriage.  Perhaps it is just the drug,
but I think it's more. Nabiki cares about all of us, we've gotten in
under her shell.  She tries not to show it, but it's true."  She looked
down demurely as the others looked at her in surprise.

    Ukyo sighed.  "I never realized.  I didn't see....  Now that I look
back, I think, maybe you're right, but... what can we do about it?"

    Kasumi sighed as well, deflating.  "I don't know."

    Followed by Addicted pt 5.5  (And yes that means a lemon, if you
haven't guessed already.)

For those who don't enjoy lemons, go directly to Addicted pt 6, where
our story picks up, just a bit lime.

You can find previous chapters at this page:
http://home.datawest.net/firethorn/