Lesson 2:       THE PRICE OF PRIDE
==================================

Ranma watched carefully as Kunou prepared for his next attack, the pain of
the earlier hits a stinging reminder that he wasn't at his full capabilities
and that his usual off-hand dismissal of Kunou-sempai was currently beyond
him.  As Kunou moved in with his attack Ranma gave a mirthless smile and
moved to meet him, allowing the bokken to slash by him as he slammed out a
punch with all his strength, guiding the punch through the hole in Kunou's
guard.

Kunou lay unconscious on the ground and Ranma drew in a deep breath, trying
to ignore the pain of Kunou's blows.  Picking up his bags and forcing a
detached and impassive expression onto his face Ranma walked away from the
scene of his latest victory and headed into class.  A little to one side
Akane and Nabiki watched him go, an expression of displeasure on Nabiki's
face and puzzlement on Akane's.

Nabiki:         What's up with Ranma?  He's been taking longer every  day
        for the past week to beat Kunou.  It's got so bad that some of my clients
        want to start making bets on the length of the fights.
Akane:          I don't know.  Kunou-Sempai isn't getting any better, it's
        almost as if Ranma was getting slower.
Nabiki:         Really? [Looks at Akane in surprise]
Akane:          I'm a martial artist. [Looks her sister in the eye] I may
        not be as good as Ranma, but I can still judge how well someone is fighting,
        [Turns away from Nabiki and sounds a little worried] and these recent fights
        show no improvement in Kunou-Sempai's style.  The  only change is in Ranma.
Nabiki:         Well... well...

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Later that day Nabiki watched Ranma train back at the dojo.  As Ranma went
through his exercises Nabiki took careful note of his movements, her eyes
narrowing thoughtfully as she realised that he was carrying bruises from the
morning duel with Kunou.  Nabiki idly snapped a few pictures of Ranma-kun as
he practiced and tried to decide which possibility was the one most likely
to have caused the recent change in his fighting skill.  As Ranma wiped his
forehead after a strenuous set of exercises, Nabiki noted that he had let
his gi fall mostly open, baring his chest.  She took the opportunity to snap
a few pictures of this, causing Ranma to eye her in mild surprise.

Ranma:          Kunou won't pay much for those shots.  I'm a guy at the
        moment.
Nabiki:         I can see that. [Smiles] Kunou-chan isn't the only one who
        likes pictures of you.
Ranma:          [Looks worried] You aren't going to sell these to Shampoo or
        Ukyou are you?  Akane will flatten me if she finds them with pictures of me.
Nabiki:         [Laughs] Nope.  None of your fiancee's have ever asked about
        photo's of you.  They all want the real thing.
Ranma:          [Sounding relieved] That's good.  But you're wasting film
        then.  That's not like you.

For a second Nabiki wondered whether or not she should tell Ranma that most
of the unattached girls at school had recently decided that he was the
sexiest guy around and were willing to pay for a picture of him, then waved
the idea away.  It would only swell his already oversized ego.  Eyeing Ranma
as he stood there in his gi Nabiki could understand what they saw in him,
while he wasn't particularly handsome, Ranma did have a great body and his
reputation for faithfulness would have caused both him and Akane acute
embarrassment if they knew about it.  Nabiki smiled at Ranma.

Nabiki:         I don't think that I'm wasting the film. <It may not bring
        the price Kunou-chan pays for photos of the girl you, but I can make a
        definite profit.>
Ranma:          [Looks puzzled, then shrugs]  Whatever you say Nabiki.
        [Resumes his exercises as Akane and Kasumi wander in]
Akane:          Ranma.  Want a sparring partner?  [Notices the camera in
        Nabiki's hands]  What have you been up to Nabiki?
Nabiki:         Nothing much.  Just a few getting a few pictures of
        Ranma-kun training.
Ranma:          [At the same time as Nabiki speaks] Sure.  How would you
        like to start?
Akane:          [Looks suspiciously at Nabiki, then turns to Ranma] How
        about my punches?

Nabiki sighed and moved to the side of the dojo with Kasumi as Ranma and
Akane fell into a discussion of combat moves that rapidly became a series of
strikes at one another.  Nabiki and Kasumi watched in silence for a while,
then Kasumi shook herself and motioned for Nabiki to follow her out.

Kasumi:         I'm sorry to bother you, but I'll need some help getting the
        table set for dinner in time...
Nabiki:         No problems.
Kasumi:         ...we spent too much time watching Ranma.
Nabiki:         I wasn't watching him.
Kasumi:         What were you doing then? [Looks at Nabiki] You stopped
        taking photographs when Akane came in.
Nabiki:         I... forget it.  Lets get dinner ready.

Nabiki picked at the conversation as she laid out the table and helped
Kasumi carry in dinner.  She did have other things to do, so why had she
hung around the dojo?  And she had to admit, Ranma had drawn most of her
attention, he was...  A frown formed on Nabiki's face.  She didn't like it
when she couldn't understand her own behaviour.  Ranma belonged to Akane, so
any sort of interest in him was worse than useless.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Dinner went fairly quietly, Ranma and Akane quarrelled twice, but didn't
actually come to blows.  Nabiki thought about some of her plans for tomorrow
and deals that were begging to be made, she had almost worked out a way to
outflank one of her rivals when she noted Ranma leaving the table.  Nabiki
smiled, time for a "check-up".

Nabiki:         Oh.  Finished already Ranma-kun?
Ranma:          Yes. [Stares at Nabiki] What does it matter?
Nabiki:         It doesn't, really.
Ranma:          Good. [Turns to leave]
Nabiki:         But.. have you mastered any new spells recently?
Kasumi:         Yes.  You haven't shown us any magic for a few days now.
Ranma:          [Holds head for a second] The latest spell is fairly hard to
        get the hang of...
Akane:          I liked the lightshow you did last week.  Could you do that
        again?
Ranma:          Ah...
Soun:           Frequent demonstrations of your skill are needed to reassure
        those who are making sacrifices [looks at Genma] on your behalf.
Ranma:          You have a pair of ear-muffs.
Soun:           But it's summer!  The discomfort is almost as bad as the
        snoring!  Almost.
Genma:          Summer's almost over Tendo-kun, the discomfort will get less
        over the next few weeks.
Nabiki:         [Holding back a smile] Do you have something to show us
        Ranma-kun?
Ranma:          Alright already. [Looks at Akane] A variation of the
        lightshow then. [Looks up] Someone turn off the lights.
Kasumi:         I'll get them.

Nabiki watched as Ranma started a low chant and moved his hands in strange
but precise patterns.  Glowing balls of light appeared and began to dance
around the room, casting flickering shadows.  Nabiki relaxed as she watched,
wondering when Ranma would throw in something new.  Then he did it, the
balls of light shimmered a fraction and then became different colours, but
otherwise remaining the same.  Ranma made them dance for a few minutes, then
snapped his fingers bring the display to an end.  For a few seconds there
was darkness, then Kasumi hit the lights.

Akane:          That was good Ranma.
Ranma:          Well... [Blushes]
Genma:          Humph.  How do coloured lights cure curses?
Ranma:          [Sounding tired] We've been over this before.  I can only
        learn so fast.  And Jusenkyo curses are... difficult.
Soun:           We understand.  On with your study.

Ranma nodded and left the dining room.  Akane watched him go with a slight
smile.

Akane:          He's not doing to badly considering he only did his first
        spell 2 weeks ago.
Nabiki:         True.  And he seems much more serious about it than I
        expected him to be.
Akane:          Yes.  He's really serious...  It isn't like him at all.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

The next day Nabiki approached the gates of the school and waved to her
friends and "associates" as they saw her coming.  Off to one side Kunou
stood with a number of his henchmen from the kendo club, holding court, or
so it seemed.  Nabiki's eyes narrowed and she moved quickly to one of her
friends.

Nabiki:         What's up with Kunou-sempai this morning?
N-flunkey#1:    He's been going on about how he'll beat Ranma-kun today.
Nabiki:         Oh.  The usual ranting?  Or is there a reason for his
        confidence this time?
N-F#1:          He's saying that Ranma's perverse sorceries are wearing off
        and that Ranma-kun is reverting to the weakling that he truly is. And the
        way the fights have gone over the last week, some people are actually
        listening to him.
Nabiki:         Curious.  Anyone placing bets on Kunou?
N-F#2:          No.  But a fair number want to bet on how long Ranma-kun
        takes to win.

Nabiki closed her eyes and took a deep breath, running through her options
through her mind and trying to calculate the best course of action open to
her.  Her eyes snapped open and she turned to her assistants, focussing her
attention on them.

Nabiki:         Right.  Give even odds that the fight lasts... 3 minutes,
        increase the odds by a level for each 30 seconds.  Now get out there and
        take those bets!  Ranma & Akane will be here soon!

Nabiki watched her assistants circulate through the crowd of students,
taking down names and amounts as they did.  Rather than joining them Nabiki
moved to a position to watch for Ranma and her sister, and pondered Kunou's
increasing confidence.

Ranma and Akane came into view a few minutes later, pausing when they
spotted the crowd around the gates.  They had a good idea of what that
meant.  Ranma handed his bag to Akane and started running forward while
Akane followed at a walk.  As Ranma approached the gates, Kunou stepped
forth to meet him.

Kunou:          Saotome!  Foul Sorcerer!  Thy magiks have deserted thee and
        left thee the weakling thou truly art!  Yield now, free Tendo Akane and the
        Pig-Tailed Goddess from the foul chains you have cast upon them and I will
        grant thee mercy!  Seek to keep them bound in darkest servitude and death is
        the only mercy I will give thee!
Nabiki:         <Kunou-chan is getting really carried away.  He must be
        amazingly confident.>
Ranma:          You *NEVER* learn do you.... "sempai".
Kunou:          Arrogant Worm!  Feel the wrath of the Blue Thunder!
Nabiki:         START THE TIMERS!

Kunou lept forward slashing at Ranma, who dodged and counter-attacked.  As
the boys duelled, Nabiki noted Akane casting worried glances in Ranma's
direction as she worked her way towards Nabiki.  Nabiki looked at the fight
and frowned, Ranma & Kunou were exchanging blows, and it was hard to tell
who was coming out in front.  Nabiki frowned as Akane stepped beside her, it
was most unusual for Kunou to actually land blows on Ranma.

Akane:          Something's really wrong with Ranma today!  I could dodge
        most of the attacks Kunou-sempai is using!
Nabiki:         Ranma's slipped that much?  Is he going to win?
Akane:          I think so... this time.  But he's going to be hurt doing
        it.  What could be causing him to fight so badly!?
Nabiki:         Good question.

Nabiki gazed at the fight and wondered.  If Ranma was getting worse, there
had to be a reason, and it behoved her to find it before it had a chance to
affect her profit margins.  Ranma & Kunou went at it some more, drawing
cries from the crowd and a worried gasp from Akane.  Nabiki frowned, even
the students without any knowledge of martial arts could tell that Ranma was
doing unusually badly.

The fight ended suddenly, Kunou forced Ranma to his knees and loomed over
him ready to strike the winning blow, only to find that Ranma had moved
inside his guard and launched an uppercut that left Kunou stretched out,
unconscious, on the ground.  Ranma rose slowly to his feet, swaying and
totally unable to hide the fact that he had taken serious hits.  Akane ran
to his side and began dragging him off towards the infirmary while various
members of the kendo club carried Kunou off towards their clubhouse.  Behind
her Nabiki heard the whispers of the crowd.

Student#1:      Saotome almost lost that one.
Student#2:      Yeah.  He seems a lot slower.
Student#3:      Think there's any truth to Kunou's claim?
Student#1:      Be serious.
Student#2:      Yeah.  Kunou-sempai's a loon.
Student#3:      but...
Student#2:      It's something else that's wrong with Saotome.
Student#1:      He must be sick... or something...

The crowd drifted away from the gate as it became obvious that the
entertainment was over, leaving Nabiki standing alone.

Nabiki:         I wonder.  Ranma started learning magic 2 weeks ago, and 1
        week ago we noticed that he was getting worse.  <maybe... maybe it took us a
        week to notice the drop in his skills.>

Nabiki sighed and started walking into class, not noticing the Kunou family
ninja step out from behind a tree and look thoughtfully at her.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

St. Heberakes Academy for Girls, later that day.

Sasuke bowed before his mistress and awaited her comment on his report.

Kodachi:        So my idiot brother almost beat my Ranma-Sama?
Sasuke:         Yes.
Kodachi:        <I'll have to put something special in Tatewaki's dinner
        then... pity he's built up a resistance to the common poisons>.
        And you say that Ranma-Sama has started to learn magic?
Sasuke:         That is what Tendo Nabiki said.
Kodachi:        Most interesting... most... interesting... Sasuke!
Sasuke:         YES!
Kodachi:        Go home.  Go through the family histories and have all the
        volumes dealing with my, Great-Uncle... no, great-great-Uncle, I think...,
        Shingen, ready for me when I finish school.  Great Uncle may also be
        referred to as the "Dark Demon" rather than his name.
Sasuke:         Dark Demon?
Kodachi:        You heard me.  Now GO!
Sasuke:         Yes Mistress!

As Sasuke left the grounds, he could still hear his mistresses laughter
ringing out and chilling the souls of all around her.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Nabiki watched Ranma and Akane spar, Akane was pushing Ranma as hard as she
could, wanting to see just how good he was after the mornings duel with
Kunou and Nabiki was surprised to note that Ranma was barely holding her
off.  The margin of advantage that Ranma had over Akane now was so small
that Nabiki could see that Ranma was going to lose, since he refused to
attack, Akane was going to eventually wear down his defence.  Nabiki's eyes
narrowed, she remembered watching Ranma spar with Akane while reading a
manga.

The sparring match ended somewhat indecisively when Akane abandoned defence
and tried all out to smash through Ranma's defence, only Ranma dodged and
put a light touch on Akane.  After the match Ranma went off to his room
while Akane headed for the bath, followed by Nabiki.

Nabiki:         Mind if I join you?
Akane:          Eh?  Why?
Nabiki:         I want to talk... about Ranma.
Akane:          ... ok.

The girls undressed, washed themselves and got into the relaxing heat of the
tub before they got serious.  Then Akane started:

Akane:          He's getting worse... and I can't see why.  There's nothing
        that I can see wrong with him.
Nabiki:         How bad is he?
Akane:          You watched us spar, I could have won if I'd been patient.
        He won't try and hurt me and that's what he has to do to get past my defence
        now.  He isn't fast enough to just fake me out any more.
Nabiki:         Is that his problem?  That he's slowing down?
Akane:          No... it's a... it's part of the problem, but he's getting
        weaker as well.  He used to be able to throw punches that I couldn't block.
        Now I can take most of his attacks, they sting a little, but they aren't
        enough to break my guard.
Nabiki:         He's not just pulling his strikes?
Akane:          A lot of the time, yes.  But other times... he may not be
        going all out, but he's not pulling them.
Nabiki:         A general deterioration then.
Akane:          Not entirely... well...
Nabiki:         Eh?
Akane:          His skill is still there, I can see it.  He can still read
        moves and know how to counter them... that's why he can still beat
        Kunou-Sempai.  There's nothing wrong with his style... he just isn't using
        it to the level he used to, and there's nothing else I can see about him
        that is changing, he doesn't *seem* weaker in anything else he does.
Nabiki:         Curious.  He's getting weaker and slower in his Martial
        Arts, but he doesn't show any signs of it in any other area?  He looks as
        fit as ever?
Akane:          Yes... I can't understand it.  I want to help him... but
        when I asked him to go see Tofu-Sensei...
Nabiki:         Is that what you were fighting about when you got home?
Akane:          Hai.  He refused, he said it wouldn't help.  And he got mad
        when I kept asking...  he said it wasn't important, and that it was none of
        my business...
Nabiki:         Ranma said that?  No wonder you threw him in the canal.

Akane nodded, causing Nabiki to lean back in bath and sigh, drawing an odd
look from Akane.  Nabiki gave her sister back a twisted smile.

Nabiki:         He knows what the problem is already then.  Otherwise
        "Victory at any Price" Saotome would be searching for a cure.
Akane:          ... hai.
Nabiki:         And he's not doing anything to try and stop himself getting
        weaker.  Not that I can see. [Looks at Akane] Have you been to Tofu-Sensei
        and asked his opinion?
Akane:          [Blushes and nods]  He said he really needed Ranma to come
        in for an examination... that was why I asked Ranma...
Nabiki:         [Closes her eyes] It has to be his magic.  Nothing else
        makes sense.
Akane:          The magic...  But why won't he tell us?
Nabiki:         Ranma always tries to deal with his problems himself [Opens
        her eyes and looks at Akane].  He's even worse than you for keeping things
        to himself.
Akane:          Humph!  I'm talking to you aren't I?
Nabiki:         But this isn't about you. <And that you are willing to talk
        means that it's starting to really worry you.  You're normally much more
        reticent about Ranma, afraid of what people will think if you show concern
        about him.>
Akane:          Anyway, can you think of anything we can do to help him?
Nabiki:         No.  We're missing too many pieces of the puzzle. [Stands up
        and gets out of the bath]  I'll go see if I can persuade him to tell me
        what's up. [Walks out of the bathroom]
Akane:          Good Luck big sister.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Kodachi stood in the family library and gazed at the pile of books Sasuke
had set out for her.  The Kunou family had a long tradition of keeping
journals, even today Tatewaki kept the "official" family journal.  Kodachi
smiled to herself at the thought of her brother writing out his version of
the family history, she had seen the sort of delusions he recorded and had
started keeping her own journal to make sure that a true account remained.

Kodachi picked up one of the books and blew away the dust, before opening it
and checking the date.  It was almost 120 years old.  She smiled and began
to read, pausing only occasionally to haul out one of the thick Kanji guides
to find out what certain archaic kanji meant.

Elsewhere in the Kunou mansion, Tatewaki Kunou lay on his bed, white and
shivering as his faithful ninja tended to him.  He had found some cookies in
the kitchen and had been so rash as to try them, thinking that perhaps they
were a gift from Tendo Akane or Osage no Onna.  The resultant pain had
dispelled such illusions, the cookies provenance becoming abundantly clear.

Kunou:          Saotome! [Groans in pain] How dare you put my sister up to
        this! [Shivers]  I shall have *VENGEANCE*! [Groans]

Sitting by his masters bedside, Sasuke felt rather than heard the mocking
laughter that answered Kunou's outcry.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Nabiki stood in front of Ranma's door and knocked lightly, wondering at the
silence from within.  The silenced continued, and Nabiki knocked again, just
as the door swung open to reveal a somewhat damp and steaming Ranma.  Nabiki
eyed him, wondering why he had just felt compelled to pour hot water on
himself, there was no reason he couldn't have answered the door as a girl.
Her eyes narrowed then as she realised, Ranma had been a boy when he got
home, so why had he turned into a girl at all?  He'd only been in his room
as far as she knew.

Ranma returned her gaze, but seemed nervous and defensive.  Nabiki smiled at
him and decided to take the initiative.

Nabiki:         Ranma-kun, how are you feeling today?
Ranma:          I'm alright.  What do you want Nabiki?
Nabiki:         Answers.
Ranma:          What?
Nabiki:         Answers.  Not evasions, not lies. Answers.  Why are you
        doing so badly against Kunou-sempai for one.
Ranma:          [Glares at Nabiki] None of your business.
Nabiki:         [Smiles] But it is my... business.  Do you know how much
gets bet on your fights?
Ranma:          Bet?  My fights?
Nabiki:         [Smirks] Yes.  I haven't lost money on you so far, but if
        you keep on getting worse...
Ranma:          [Shrugs] Not my problem.
Nabiki:         Do you remember what your current IOU's are like?
Ranma:          Ahhh...
Nabiki:         You owe me 123,000 Yen, not including interest.  The repairs
        I arranged for you after your last run in with Ryouga, that date you took
        Akane on last month, that special information you wanted on that wandering
        martial artist from 3 weeks back... it all add's up you realise Ranma-kun.
        Normally I don't worry about it too much, since the profits I make from
        other things cover the fact that you're always hopelessly behind in your
        payments [Ranma winces at that] and I know that your sense of honour keeps
        you from trying to default on me. [Fixes Ranma with an icy stare]  But if
        you're going to cut into my other income then I'm going to have to insist
        that you pay what you owe.  [Smiles evilly] The answers I want from you will
        let me decide whether or not it's necessary to... ah... foreclose... on you.
Ranma:          [Looking angry and embarrassed] That's blackmail!
Nabiki:         [Looks at Ranma with disapproval] I beg your pardon.  My
        terms are BUSINESS.
Ranma:          [Slumps visibly then speaks in a tired voice] I need to
        think.  Ask me again after dinner.
Nabiki:         You need to think?
Ranma:          [Looks Nabiki in the eye and speaks in a steely voice] Don't
        push your luck Nabiki.

Nabiki gave Ranma a hurt and puzzled look as she tried to work out how
serious his veiled threat was, but Ranma took her momentary hesitation as an
excuse to close the door in her face, leaving her staring at blank wood.
She hesitated for a few seconds, then walked away.  The answers she wanted
could wait for now, she needed to think on Ranma's attitude, she didn't want
to do something that would make him too angry.  She frowned as she walked
down the stairs, there were still pieces of the puzzle that she didn't have,
Ranma's reaction seemed far too serious for her initial theory of what was
wrong.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

In the Kunou mansion Sasuke gratefully lowered the heavy bag of tools he was
carrying to the ground and eyed the brick wall in front of him doubtfully.
From behind him Kodachi snapped her ribbon in irritation.

Kodachi:        Hurry up Flunkey!

Sasuke winced and hastily pulled out a sledge-hammer from the tool bag and
moved to start breaking down the wall that his mistress wished removed from
her path.  As Sasuke's blows began to shatter the wall in front of him, a
mirthless smile made it's way onto Kodachi's face.

Kodachi:        <Soon.  Soon the laboratory and private journals of Great
        Uncle Shingen will be mine.  Then I will be able to use the power they
        contain to win Ranma-sama's hand, and to punish those upstart hussies who
        try to keep us apart.  Shampoo.  Kuonji Ukyou.  Tendo Akane.  Osage no Onna.
        Soon I will punish you all!>

Sasuke grew cold and nervous as his mistress suddenly burst out laughing
with maniacal glee.  He had hoped to finish this job before she got to the
laughing stage, things always got unpleasant about then.  The best he could
hope for now was that the unpleasantness happened to someone else.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Out in the kitchen Nabiki could hear Kasumi putting the finishing touches on
the evenings meal while Akane twitched nervously besides her, obviously
dying to know what Ranma had said but equally unwilling to be seen
expressing interest in Ranma's wellbeing.  Nabiki sighed and turned to her
younger sister, she would have to deal with this as best she could, Akane
wouldn't go away until after Nabiki had told her what went on.

Nabiki:         He wouldn't say anything.
Akane:          Ah... [blushes] He wouldn't?
Nabiki:         He slammed the door in my face when I tried to press him for
        answers.
Akane:          Slammed the door?
Nabiki:         Yep.
Akane:          But why?...  That's not like him...
Nabiki:         I know. [looks thoughtful] Whatever it is about his magic,
        it's got him seriously upset.
Akane:          Is... is there anything we can do to help him?
Nabiki:         I don't know.
Akane:          If... if you think of something...
Nabiki:         [Takes Akanes hand] Don't worry Akane.  If I find a way to
        help Ranma, then we'll help him.  Whether he likes it or not.
Akane:          [Squeezes Nabiki's hand] Thank you Oneechan.
Nabiki:         Hey, what are sisters for?
Akane:          [Smiles] Making money off isn't it?
Nabiki:         [Clutches chest and swoons melodramatically]  How can you
        say such a thing.
Akane:          [Pulls out some photo's and drops them in front of Nabiki]
        Kunou-sempai dropped these when I belted him this afternoon.
Nabiki:         [Looks at the photos] I would have thought that he'd take
        better care of these, given how much they cost him.
Akane:          [Looks puzzled] How much they cost?
Nabiki:          You are my sister, [Drapes arm over Akane's shoulder and
        hugs her] I charge twice as much for photo's of you.
Akane:          [Laughs uncertainly] Thanks... I think.

Nabiki laughs, amused by Akanes grudging acceptance, and gives her little
sister another hug.  Then Kasumi comes out and announces that dinner is
ready.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Dinner wound it's usual path of chaos, confusion and disagreements, before
Ranma stood up and thanked Kasumi for the meal.  Kasumi smiled at Ranma as
he left the room, behind him Nabiki and Akane watched him carefully and
intently, as a cat watches a mouse.  Nabiki gave Ranma a five minute head
start then went up the stairs, the door to Ranma's room was shut when Nabiki
got there but she knocked and waited patiently, then hammered the door
seriously when she had enough of waiting.

Nabiki:         <Making me wait like this!  If he annoys me much more I
        really will foreclose on him!>

Ranma eventually came to the door, looking distinctly unhappy about the
noise Nabiki had made.  Nabiki didn't care, she just fixed an angry glare on
Ranma.

Nabiki:         Well?!

Ranma opened his mouth to reply and then shut it with a snap, looking at
something behind Nabiki.  Without looking Nabiki knew that Akane was there
trying, and failing, to look innocent and inconspicuous.  Nabiki sighed and
took a firm grip on Ranma and pushed him back into his room, shutting the
door behind them.  Ranma looked at Nabiki angrily, but Nabiki matched his
gaze.

Nabiki:         I don't think you want this conversation in front of Akane.

Ranma swallowed nervously and looked intently at Nabiki, his anger suddenly
suppressed by a look of dismay, that tended towards real fear.  Nabiki's
eye's narrowed as she noted this, and a smile crept onto her face.

Nabiki:         <Excellent.  Ranma thinks I know something he wants hidden.>

For a long moment the two of them stared at each other.  As each moment
passed Nabiki's smile became more firmly entrenched on her face, and Ranma
started to sweat visibly.  Then Nabiki judged the moment was right.

Nabiki:         As I told you earlier I want answers.
Ranma:          ...
Nabiki:         And I'm not going to let you stall me this time.
Ranma:          [Nervously] Well, I've just got a touch of flu and...
Nabiki:         ENOUGH! [Steps up to Ranma and looks him in the eye]  You're
        an awful liar Ranma-kun.  And I've already worked out part of the answer, so
        watch yourself.

Nabiki let her smile become a twisted deadly grin as Ranma backed away from
her.  A look of fear and shame crossing his features.

Ranma:          Wha...  you know part of the answer?...
Nabiki:         Of course.  How stupid do you think I am? <Just don't ask
        *which* part of the answer I know Ranma-kun, panic and spill the interesting
        bits, don't just reveal what even Akane's worked out.>
Ranma:          [Has gone pale and is swallowing nervously] You... you're
        not stupid at all...
Nabiki:         Ranma.  I. am. getting. impatient.  [smiles evilly]  Should
        I just tell Akane what I know? <Which I've already done, but you don't know
        that.  Come on Ranma, panic and tell all.>
Ranma:          NO! [Looks fearful and panicky]
Nabiki:         Well?  My answers, the full truth with all the details thank you.

Ranma swallows and goes over to a desk against the wall and picks up
something, Nabiki took the opportunity to have a good look around the room,
she hadn't been in here since Ranma started doing his magic.  The work desk
against the wall had an untidy pile of books, all relating to some form of
magic.  The floor had an electric blue circle carefully marked out on it,
while a full length mirror faced stood against each wall and a fifth mirror
was attached to the roof directly over the circle.  Ranma's bedding was
piled untidily in one corner of the room away from the circle.  Ranma turned
back to Nabiki with something in his hand, as Nabiki allowed an impatient
expression to reach her face.

Nabiki:         Enough delays Ranma-kun.  Are you ready to give answers?
Ranma:          [Takes a deep breath]  Do... do you promise to keep what I
        tell you entirely to yourself.  Will you keep my... secrets.
Nabiki:         If you give me answers... I know how to keep secrets, and
        how to find them. <Not to mention how to sidestep unwanted promises.>
Ranma:          [Steps forward and takes Nabiki's hand]  Done then. [Presses
        something into Nabiki's hand and intones] By blood and power let the pact be
        sealed; All your questions answered and my secrets revealed to none!

Nabiki opens her mouth to protest and feels a fire that sweeps through her,
leaving her feeling nervous but unharmed.  As Ranma steps away from her
Nabiki spots the ashes drifting down from the ward that had been in his
hand.  She fixes her most icy stare on Ranma.

Nabiki:         And what was that about?
Ranma:          Magic.  A pact between us.  You're bound to reveal none of
        my secrets, if you try the magic will stop you.

Ranma favours Nabiki with a smile announcing his victory for all to see,
Nabiki glares at him and runs the events of through her mind again.  Then
looks on Ranma in a way that makes him step away from her, wondering if
perhaps she was about to resort to violence.

Nabiki:         [Sweetly] So we now have a magical pact?
Ranma:          Yes. [Arrogantly] And there's nothing you can do about it.
Nabiki:         I see.  Then fulfil *YOUR* part of the pact.  Why are you
        almost losing to Kunou?

Ranma looks at Nabiki, who smiles.  For a long moment Ranma stares in horror
then he steps back and shuts his mouth defiantly, only to double over in
pain.  For a long moment his hands clench into fists and his neck muscles
bulge, then his mouth opens and words are dragged from him, echoing in the
room like they were spoken from a great distance away.

Ranma:          I don't have enough... spiritual... energy for my spells, so
        when I do magic it drains part of my lifeforce, my "Ki", which means that I
        can't use my "Ki" to boost my martial arts.  And the more magic I use, the
        faster I deplete my "Ki", and the less effective my Martial Arts become.

Ranma slumps to the floor, a look of amazement and terror on his face.
Nabiki walks over to the desk and pulls the chair out for herself, then
seats herself beside Ranma and gives him a pat on the head.

Nabiki:         That looked painful Ranma-kun.  Now, you're going to tell me
        *EVERYTHING*, and I'd appreciate it if you didn't resist too much.  I only
        want you to suffer a little bit for that trick with the magical pact.
        Spending all night watching you writhe in pain isn't my idea of fun, [smiles
        angelically at Ranma] but if I have to...

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Nabiki left Ranma's room sometime later, her face a mask as she tried to
assimilate what she had managed to drag out of Ranma.  He'd resisted as
strongly as he could, but his own magic was more than he could deal with.
Nabiki shook her head slightly, Ranma had been so worried by her hints that
he'd used a spell he wasn't really ready for, one that he didn't know how to
break easily, one that he didn't seem to have the power to break straight
after he cast it.  Incredibly careless of him, and now that she had her
answers Ranma would go to great lengths to make sure the pact DIDN'T get broken.

Nabiki wandered into the kitchen and grabbed some snacks as she thought
about what to do now.  To fix the situation she had to convince Ranma to
tell Akane the secret of his magic, and Ranma had refused point blank to
even consider that, stating that he'd die rather than drag Akane into his
problem.  Nabiki munched on her snack and considered her options; they were
fewer than usual since Ranma *knew* that she couldn't tell anyone else what
she had found out, and he was sufficiently motivated to resist her usual,
financial, methods of coercion, hell, he'd said he live with being Kunou's
punching bag in order to keep his secret.

Nabiki went to the fridge and poured herself a drink to wash her snack down,
as she did so she heard a faint noise from the door.  Looking up she saw
Akane watching hesitantly from the hall.  Sighing Nabiki poured a second
glass and offered it to Akane.  The two of them went out to the lounge and
shared a quiet drink, when they finished Akane turned to Nabiki:

Akane:          Well?
Nabiki:         I can't tell you.
Akane:          WHAT!  Why not?  Did Ranma offer you money to keep quiet?
Nabiki:         No.  He used his magic.
Akane:          His magic?
Nabiki:         I can't tell anyone any of his secrets, I can't even hint at
        them deliberately.  I can't say or do anything that *I* think will help you,
        or anyone else, find out his secrets.
Akane:          Ranma did that to you?  That's...
Nabiki:         Don't worry about it too much, he... paid... for his spell.
Akane:          Paid?
Nabiki:         Don't ask.
Akane:          ... oh.
Nabiki:         You need to get your answers off him.
Akane:          Can you tell me if I *can* help him?
Nabiki:         I... yes... you can help him, in lots of ways.  You know
        that already, I just can't tell you the way that would be... best... for
        him.
Akane:          Right.

With that, Akane jumped to her feet and headed up the stairs.  The
expression on her face boding ill for Ranma if he tried to refuse her.
Nabiki sighed and carried the glasses back to the kitchen.  Ranma would be
mad about this, but she had to try.  Confronted with Akane worrying about
him he might even do the right thing and tell Akane what the problem was,
though she doubted that.  In one way it was a no-win situation for Ranma, if
he told Akane what the problem was, she'd call him a pervert and flatten
him, if he refused to admit to the problem... Akane would still flatten him, and she'd keep on
trying to find out what was wrong.

From upstairs Nabiki the sound of raised voices, Ranma and Akane's.  The
words were too indistinct to make out, but Nabiki thought that she could
tell what they were saying by the pitch of their voices, the fact that they
were yelling at one another so quickly meant that Ranma had refused to say
anything, if he'd told Akane what was wrong she would have gone into shock
for a bit before flattening Ranma.  As the voices reached a crescendo,
Nabiki amused herself by running through what she thought they would say.
The crash that marked Akane's final argument echoed through the dojo right
on schedule.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

The next few days were marked by a running battle of wills between Ranma and
Akane, a battle that made them both irritable and almost impossible to live
with.  Ranma steadfastly refused to tell Akane his problem, making Akane all
the more determined to find out what it was.  Things were not improved when
Kunou returned to school after a three day absence, swearing vengeance on
Ranma for having him poisoned.  Ranma managed to win the fights, but was
unable to recover as rapidly as Kunou, forcing Ranma to avoid Kunou as much
as possible - a fact that grated on Ranma no end, especially after Akane
intervened in one confrontation and punched Kunou away.  The resultant fight
over Akane's "interference" in "men's business"
made life at the dojo even more difficult.

Nabiki made a number of private attempts to persuade Ranma to tell all to
Akane, but her efforts met with the same obstinacy that characterised
Ranma's fights with Akane.  Ranma refused to even consider telling Akane
what the factor weakening him was, leaving Nabiki helpless and fuming.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

At the Kunou mansion, Sasuke began to worry over Kodachi's behaviour, she
was spending hours down in the section of the basement that she had made
Sasuke unseal, and she was far too happy when she came out.  Sasuke wondered
what she was doing that she seemed to enjoy enough to curtail her normal
activities in favour of it, and given the sort of things she normally
enjoyed Sasuke began to seriously ponder the possibility of a job change
before her latest scheme reached a point that meant he couldn't avoid it.

In the end the option of leaving faded away, a brief check of ninja gossip
revealed that the only people hiring had worse reputations than the Kunou
family and before Sasuke could start a real search, Kodachi started giving
him tasks that involved him tracking down some "special ingredients" in a
horde of strange little shops and outrageous locations run by a collection
of characters that rarely looked human.  The time it took to track down each
item that Kodachi demanded left Sasuke no opportunity to look for another
employer and he had soon resigned himself to being in the centre of yet
another unpleasant occurrence.

And through his diligent efforts, Kodachi's collection of "unusual"
substances continued to grow, though never at a pace that pleased Kodachi.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Nabiki was in class gazing idly at the problem in front of her and thinking
how best to exploit some new information that had come her way when one of
her aides ran into the room.

Aide:  Nabiki-sama!  That Ryouga boy is here again.  He's calling out for
        Ranma to come out and fight.
Nabiki: [Looks up disinterestedly]  So?  Tell the bookies to get ready for
        the bets.
Aide:  Right!  [Hesitates, then turns back to Nabiki] Will we give the usual
        odds?
Nabiki: [Suddenly goes very thoughtful] Tell them to meet me at... they are
        fighting on the sports field this time?
Aide:  Yes.
Nabiki: Tell them to meet me there.  [Stands]  I think I need to take a look
        at this fight.

Nabiki left the classroom and strode towards the location of the fight,
assorted assistants and hangers-on running up and falling into step behind
her as she advanced.  At the sports-field Nabiki took in the sights, Ryouga
was ranting on about how Ranma had made his life hell on Earth while Ranma
stood impassively waiting for the fight to begin.  Nabiki compared Ranma's
solid silence to his usual behaviour and turned to issue orders to her group
of bookies.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Nabiki left the school pondering her finances, Ranma's situation had
started to hurt her cash-flow from an unexpected direction.  Ranma was
spending so much time alone in his room that it had significantly cut back
the amount of saleable photo's that Nabiki had been able to take, and the
photo's represented a sizeable amount of her regular income.  She started to
consider the wisdom of trying to trick and/or blackmail Ranma into a
photo-session, then was distracted as Akane started calling her name.
Glancing around Nabiki noted that Ranma was a fading dot in the distance and
that she must have "tuned-out" yet another of Akane and Ranma's little
arguments.  Pausing in her progress she allowed her sister to catch up with
her.

Nabiki:         What's up Akane?  Besides Ranma.
Akane:          I... [Takes breath]  Did you see the fight earlier.
        Ryouga-kun beat Ranma.
Nabiki:         I saw it.  Made a nice little profit on it too, most of the
        school hadn't realised how weakened Ranma was since he still beats Kunou.
        Let me rig the odds in my favour even more than usual.
Akane:          [Looks horrified]  You took advantage of Ranma's weakness?!
Nabiki:         [Shrugs]  You could put it that way.
Akane:          Nabiki Onee-chan!
Nabiki:         It's Ranma's own fault, and anyone who knew Martial Arts
        would have known it was a mismatch from the start.  I think even Ranma knew
        it... he normally keeps on at least TRYING to get up after he loses, but
        this time he just went down and stayed down. [Looks at Akane]  Right.
Akane:          ... yes.  [Swallows and looks at Nabiki]  Isn't there
        anything that we can do to help him?
Nabiki:         [Sighs]  Not if he won't let us.
Akane:          We said we'd find out his problem and help him whether he
        liked it or not.  Remember?
Nabiki:         Ah...
Akane:          Our talk in the bath.  Just before Ranma put his spell on
        you.
Nabiki:         [Speaks softly]  You really are worried about him aren't
        you.
Akane:          [Blushes]  Of course not!  [Looks away]  But he's bringing
        disrepute on the school of Unrestricted Martial Arts, and the honour of the
        school needs to be upheld.
Nabiki:         [Slyly]  You think so?  <Losing to Ryouga isn't that big a
        disgrace Akane-chan, he's better than most Martial Artists>.
Akane:          [Very firmly, while looking away from Nabiki]  Of course I
        think so!  There's nothing between me and that hentai!
Nabiki:         [Smiles and shakes head in disbelief]  If you say so.
Akane:          I say so! [Licks her lips nervously]  Anyway... if you can
        think of *ANY* way to help Ranma, even if you can't tell me...  [whispers]
        please help him, whether he wants help or not.
Nabiki:         ...I'll think about it Akane. <You don't know what you've
        just asked...>.
Akane:          Thanks... [blushes] Anyway, I promised Yuka and Sayuri that
        I'd meet them, so I'll see you at home.  [Runs off]

Nabiki stared after Akane as she ran off.  Shifting nervously, Nabiki
contemplated what could be done to help Ranma and found that desire was
warring with guilt and shame in her mind.  She walked the rest of the way
home in something of a daze, thinking only that Akane had asked her to help
Ranma in *ANY* way she could... and she knew what she could do to "help"
Ranma, it just surprised her to realise that she wanted to "help" Ranma in
the way his magic required.  It surprised her a lot.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Nabiki went straight to her room when she got home and tried to think
a way through Akane's request, but the idea of "helping" Ranma tempted her
more than she had believed possible.  It almost surprised her when she
realised that she was dressing and making herself up to go to Ranma, taking
a deep breath Nabiki forced her body to respond to her mind.  Staring at
herself in the mirror for a bit, Nabiki finished the job she had started,
telling herself that she obviously couldn't control herself forever, and
should therefore go to Ranma while she still had some control.  She stopped
at Ranma's door and knocked, forcefully.  Ranma answered, his face twisting
into a scowl as he saw Nabiki.

Ranma:          What do you want?
Nabiki:         We need to talk.  [Pushes a surprised Ranma back into his
        room and closes the door behind them] Privately.
Ranma:          You know where I stand Nabiki!  Go bother someone else!
Nabiki:         [Ignores Ranma]  I've just been talking to Akane...
Ranma:          Leave Akane out of this!
Nabiki:         ...and she's worried about you.  So much so that she asked
        me to do *WHATEVER* I could to help you.  <She didn't know what she was
        asking, but I'm not letting that stop me...>
Ranma:          [To himself] ...Akane.  [Glares at Nabiki] There's nothing
        you can do Nabiki.  Stop bothering me.
Nabiki:         Wrong.  Again.  There's always something that can be done.
        <I'm going to do it.  I'm really going to do it!>
Ranma:          Oh.  Like what?  [Stares at Nabiki]
Nabiki:         [Takes off her jacket]  You want to talk to Akane?  <Am I
        sure about this?  He's sexy... but...>
Ranma:          Be serious!
Nabiki:         [Takes off her shirt]  I am.  <I want you, I don't know why,
        but I do.>
Ranma:          Hey!  [Stares at Nabiki in surprise] What are you doing!?
Nabiki:         [Pauses for a second]  Ready to go to Akane?  <Slow Ranma, I
        would have expected *YOU* to be able to tell when a girls horny...>
Ranma:          No!
Nabiki:         [Takes off her skirt, leaving her in socks, panties and a
bra] Good thing you're attractive then.  I'd hate my first time to be with
        someone ugly. <And you're the sexiest boy I know at the moment... strange, I
        don't remember thinking of you that way before... you were always
        attractive, but now...>
Ranma:          You... you're not serious... are you?
Nabiki:         [Undoes and removes her bra, using 1 arm to keep her breasts
        hidden] Ranma-kun, according to what you told me the only way to fix your
        problem is for you to take a lover.  And if you won't go to Akane...  <I
        want you, and Akane asked me to help you...>
Ranma:          But... but I'm engaged!  To 4 girls!  None of them are you!
        They'll kill me!  We... we couldn't...
Nabiki:         [Turns her back to Ranma and lowers both hands to her
        panties]  I know you're engaged.  I think that's good, since while I'm sure
        you'd be a great lover, I'm also sure you're not the right sort of guy for
        me to marry. [Takes breath] <God I'm nervous.  Ranma, accept me or go to
        Akane, make a decision you jerk!>
Ranma:          You... you're bluffing... you have to be bluffing... you
        wouldn't do this to Akane...
Nabiki:         Akane is worried about you, she asked me to do *WHATEVER* it
        took to help you.  [Removes her panties, waves them at Ranma for a second
        then throws them over her shoulder into Ranma's face, looking behind her as
        she does]  Smell them Ranma.  I'm not leaving unless *AKANE* asks me to, or
        we've... well... you know. <I'm so horny... come on Ranma, I want you.>
Ranma:          You... you... [Stares at Nabiki's naked ass]
Nabiki          [Smiles at Ranma] So, do you like what you see?  <I'm
        urging my sister's fiancee to betray her... and I'm enjoying it... I want
        him to betray her...>
Ranma:          [Swallows and forces his gaze to Nabiki's face]  I want you
        to leave... please...
Nabiki:         [Looks pointedly at Ranma's groin]  Part of you wants me to
        stay.  [Turns around and walks towards Ranma with one hand over her breasts,
        the other over her sex]  And I'm enjoying myself, I'm turned on and hoping
        that you'll... have me.  <I said it?  Oh god...>
Ranma:          Don't do this to me... please... don't do this...
Nabiki:         You know how to stop me.  <Please don't... not after I've
        gone this far...>
Ranma: But... but... then...
Nabiki: Being with you is making me so... horny.  I want you.  [Reaches out
        with her hands and places them on a terrified and shaking Ranma]  Take me,
        or go to Akane.  And don't for an instant think of your other girls, I'll
        make sure you lose Akane if you do. [Starts to pull Ranma into an embrace].
        <He's not stopping me!>
Ranma: [Pulls away from Nabiki for an instant]  I don't love you Nabiki!
Nabiki: [Notes that Ranma is breathing heavily and has only gone back to an
        arms length from her naked body]  And I don't love you, but I want you, so
        badly...  I don't know why, but I do... and I can see that you want...
        need... someone. [Lunges forward and pushes a surprised Ranma against the
        wall, pressing her body and lips against his].

---------------------------------------------------------------------

For a timeless moment Nabiki enjoyed the taste of Ranma's lips and the feel
of his body, despite the stiff way he held himself and the unco-ordinated
twitches that seemed to grip him.  Then Nabiki broke their clinch and turned
her attention to disrobing Ranma, wanting, lusting after, the firm, muscular
body that lay beneath the thin layer of clothes.  Ranma seemed incapable of
coherent thought or action as the naked girl before him worked swiftly to
make him as naked as her.

Nabiki pulled Ranma's cloths off him, ignoring his feeble and incoherent
protests.  In a part of her mind she wondered noted how the lust that was
driving her made rational thought impossible, unless it was about how to
prepare Ranma for what came next.

Nabiki moved her attentions to Ranma's trousers and boxers, and was rewarded
with the sight of his erect manhood standing at attention before her.  And
with the loss of his final piece of clothing Ranma finally stopped babbling,
idly kicking his pants to one side as his hands began gently running over
Nabiki, his face a tapestry of fear, lust and disbelief that seemed totally
unconnected to the actions of his body.

Feeling Ranma's hands on her, experiencing the sensual pleasure their mere
touch evoked, caused Nabiki to let out a moan of ecstasy.  For a brief
instant Ranma paused and looked at her in worry, obviously afraid he had
hurt her somehow.  Nabiki responded by pressing herself against him and
initiating a tight embrace and a passionate kiss, causing him to return both
the embrace and the kiss.  Nabiki shuddered as new and ever-so-delightful
sensations swept through her body, and then tried to tighten her embrace
with Ranma as she pushed her tongue as far into Ranma's mouth as she could.

Ranma held her and responded to her kiss, pushing back against her, causing
their bodies to work closer, Nabiki found that a few judicious wiggles not
only caused them to get fractionally closer, but were...
delicious in their own fashion, sending waves of pleasure into her body, and
from his reaction, into Ranma's.

Ranma suddenly broke the kiss and their embrace, but before Nabiki could
protest she was swept from her feet, finding herself held in Ranma's arms.
She leaned against him and planted kisses where ever her mouth could reach
as he carried her to the centre of the room.  Then Ranma put her down and
stepped away, Nabiki made a move to follow, but Ranma spoke before her
motion could be completed:

Ranma: I'm going to get my futon and some cushions.  Stay there, in the
        circle.  Since this is for... for the magic...  It'll work better if we
        do... do... do *IT* there.
Nabiki: Oh really?
Ranma: The book says that there will be less..., wastage is how it puts it,
        in the circle.
Nabiki:  How nice.  I wouldn't want my efforts to be "wasted", whatever that
        means.

Ranma returns and arranges the futon and cushions in the centre of the
circle, with some help from Nabiki, who drags him down for a long,
passionate, kiss as soon as he has let go of the last cushion.  Ranma
replies by pushing Nabiki onto her back and then pressing himself to her.
Nabiki shivered in anticipation as she felt his manhood press against her
leg and his hands began exploring her most intimate places.

Ranma's hands roved over her body leaving trails of liquid fire that were
indescribably erotic and pleasurable, Nabiki found herself writhing and
moaning as Ranma carefully worked her over.  She was taken to the brink
twice before Ranma shifted his weight and positioned himself for the main
event.  Nabiki squealed in delight as she realised that Ranma was finally
going to enter her and wrapped her slender, yet strong, legs around him as
one of her hands moved to guide his maleness to the place that craved it.
Ranma entered her and the world dissolved in a blaze of ecstasy that blocked
out all else.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Some time later Nabiki drifted slowly back to awareness, initially she just
wanted to rest against the warm flesh that held her, but her mind slowly
worked things out and she took note of her surroundings.  She and Ranma were
both nude in the centre of his room covered by a single
blanket.  For a long moment Nabiki gazed at the still-sleeping Ranma as she
thought about what could come from this act, then she gave a mental shrug
and snuggled up to Ranma.  Despite everything she felt no regrets or remorse
for her act, she would deal with the inevitable consequences later, but for
the moment resting in the arms of her lover seemed to be enough for her.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

In the basement of the Kunou Mansion Kodachi smiled at the... creature...
trapped in the pentagram she had drawn so carefully.  It was only a minor
Imp, nothing really, if Great-Uncle Shingen's books were to be believed, but
it was her first summoning, it was the first spawn of hell to bow to her
will.  Kodachi walked slowly and carefully around the pentagram pondering
what exactly she would have the creature do, as she did so she watched the
immaterial fiend make illusions intended to frighten her, it's weaknesses
were obvious, to her anyway, and the spell she had used could not have
brought a truly powerful entity into the world of man.

The Imp confined in the pentagram could barely affect the material world,
minor illusions and perhaps a little clouding of weak minds were all it was
good for.  Kodachi continued her walk, trying to come up with a task for it,
it seemed such a waste to summon it, then not use it.  But what could she
have it do that would be useful?

Finally an idea came and Kodachi sent the Imp off on it's task.  Minor
accidents and dissatisfied customers would serve to keep Kuonji Ukyou out of
the way for now, Kodachi smiled to herself, if the Okonomiyaki chef was
reasonable about losing Ranma-Sama, then Kodachi might even be willing to
let this be the end of the matter - she would have to see how things went.

In the Kitchen above her Sasuke paused in his dishwashing and stared in the
vague direction of Kodachi's new lair, wondering what had set her laughter
off this time.

=====================================================================
                E N D - O F - L E S S O N - T W O
=====================================================================