Nabiki - New Horizons
                     Part 7 - No Place Like Home
                            G.L. Sandborn




     It was 3:12 AM, Hawaiian Standard Time; a time when most people
are still asleep.  However, most people do not include those with
babies.   In the Lawrence household, the sound of a baby crying echoed
through the master bedroom, awaking the sleeping parents.  With a pair
of groans, the couple stirred.
     "Your turn," Nabiki mumbled as she rolled over to face her
husband, determined to remain under her warm covers.
     "I did it last time."  Jeff was facing away from his wife but
equally determined to remain in bed.
     "It's your turn," she repeated, adding emphasis by planting one
of her cold feet in the small of Jeff's back and pushing.  Just before
tumbling out of his warm bed, Jeff got the message.
     Grumbling about lack of sleep, he stumbled out of bed and
staggered over to little Sodoshi's crib.  Inside, the girl was crying
in genuine discomfort.
     "So, you hungry or...."  Jeff slipped a hand under her diaper
only long enough to determine that hunger was *not* Sodoshi's primary
concern.  "I don't know how, but I'm gonna get you house broken as
soon as possible."  Sodoshi just squalled louder.
     With a sigh of resignation, Jeff gently picked the baby up and
carried her into the nursery, making sure to close the door behind
him.  Nabiki was a sound sleeper but still had a mother's reflexes -
and a crying baby was certain to irritate her sufficiently to disturb
her sleep.  And a disturbed Nabiki is not a happy Nabiki.
     As he changed Sodoshi's diaper, he thought back to how much their
lives had changed over the last six months.  Nabiki had registered for
classes at Chaminade University, almost from her hospital bed,
immediately after Sodoshi's birth.  She was determined that a baby was
not going to alter her plans for financial independence.  She also
began the first of her investments; mostly US government securities -
nothing too risky until she felt more comfortable in the American
financial shark pool.
     Jeff's life had changed only in that he found himself playing
'nanny' to his daughter more than other fathers.  While this allowed
him to 'bond' better with Sodoshi than his wife, it also cut seriously
into his business dealings - not to mention the enjoyment of his
financial situation.  He found himself relying increasingly on his
computer and phone for many of his dealings and a proxy in those
critical, face to face, situations.  It wasn't ideal, but allowed him
to retain *some* control over his financial empire.  His secretary,
Rachel, earned her raise by working longer hours and keeping track of
more of the daily affairs for Jeff.
     Once dry, Sodoshi clearly indicated her hunger.  With another
sigh, Jeff carried his daughter down the hallway to the kitchen. 
Rooting around in the refrigerator, he produced a bottle of formula. 
Nabiki, having long since abandoned the breast feeding idea as too
time consuming, had carefully chosen store-bought formula for her
daughter.  Besides, Sodoshi wouldn't stop biting.  Popping the bottle
in the warmer, Jeff took a few moments to admire his ability to take
care of his daughter.  He was not mother, mind you, but he knew enough
to feed, bathe, and diaper her.  He also, knew how to entertain her in
an educational way.  It was not the ideal, but considering the
alternative....
     Selecting his favorite chair in front of the TV, Jeff settled in
to a long feeding session while he surfed the many cable channels
available.  He wasn't very happy with his situation - being a young
father and all.  He longed for the days when he had few
responsibilities and lots of time to do the things he wanted.  Jeff
finished the feeding, burping, and smiled to himself as Sodoshi yawned
her willingness to go back to sleep - perhaps, he was going to get off
easy tonight.  Instead of carrying her back to her bed, Jeff simply
reclined his seat, turned the chair's heat to low, threw a small
blanket over Sodoshi's dozing form, and settled in to his familiar
alternate bed.
     As he lay there in the darkness, the TV still flickering with
images of some old Western, Jeff's mind sorted through all the changes
that had taken place in the world that surrounded him since the birth
of Sodoshi.
     Akane and Ranma had both graduated from high school and were
attending the local prefectural college.  They were still unmarried
and still dealing with assorted fiances, troublemakers, and bizarre
martial artists.  It was a wonder they found time to attend college.
     Kasumi was still unmarried, but her mother-promised union with
Dr. Tofu began to look more promising now that he had overcome his
'Kasumi-lunacy' whenever he saw her.  She was still living at home,
caring for her family, but spent increasing amounts of time down at
the clinic helping Dr. Tofu with his paperwork and cleaning.  The
doctor's patients gradually accepted Kasumi's presence, now that she
proved no further threat to their health.
     In spite of it all, Jeff and Nabiki had not gone home to Nerima
since the birth of their daughter.  Kasumi, especially, was perturbed
at this development.  Nabiki had promised to bring the baby home so
father and the rest of the Tendo extended family could see her.  Over
many phone calls, Kasumi made it clear she wanted to see her American
family, but Nabiki deferred, sighting her class schedule and Jeff's
busy work.  Still, summer vacation was coming and there was no putting
off Kasumi this time.  Jeff and Nabiki would have to travel home
before the end of summer.
     Before he could find any sense or conclusion to all this, his
mind joined his body in slumber.

     "Well, isn't *this* a cozy sight."  
     Jeff knew that voice.  In Japanese or English, she had the same
irritating voice first thing in the morning.  Slowly, he opened his
eyes to see Nabiki's pretty face graced with her usual sardonic smile
as she viewed her husband and baby. "I think this is what they call a
'Kodak moment'."
     "I think she's wet again."  Jeff slowly tried to hold the
squirming Sodoshi towards her mother.
     "Sorry, I've got an early final this morning."  Nabiki glided to
the table where her books were.  "You'll just have to take care of
that little matter yourself, Jeffrey."
     "I'm curious.  Just when is it *my* turn to get a good night's
sleep, leave early, and go back to my office."  He wasn't angry, just
irritated at his wife's apparent lack of interest in their daughter.
     "Don't be absurd, Jeffrey.  You've slept in lots of times."  She
snatched up her book bag and a cup of coffee on her way to the door. 
"You know how important getting an education is to me.  You already
have all the money *you'll* ever need.  You don't need an education." 
She paused to take a swig of her hot coffee.  "Besides, I can't take
her to class with me."
     "The school has a day care center."  Jeff tried to shift
Sodoshi's wet diapered bottom off his arm.  A second odor warned him
of her 'other' surprise.  "I know they take infants."
     "Leave MY daughter in the hands of strangers?"  Nabiki looked out
the door to see her ride approaching.  "You've *got* to be kidding. 
Gotta go now.  See you for dinner.  Bai Bai."
     As Nabiki disappeared from the house, a cloud seemed to settle
over the sun, casting the Lawrence household into the gray twilight
that matched Jeff's mood.  Sighing in resignation, he wearily got up
and carried his fussing daughter back to the changing room to deal
with her morning 'gift' to her father.  (GOD! But he hated this part
of the job.)

     Nabiki shifted her body to get more comfortable in the back seat
of the newer Toyota.  She was secretly enjoying being a school girl
again - this time with all the freedoms she dreamed of back in high
school.  More importantly, for the first time since her mother died,
she was part of a group again.
     Her new friends occupied the front seats.  Sandi, the driver, was
a tall, thin and very attractive blonde from the mainland.  Her father
was rather well off and tended to give his only daughter everything
she wanted - like college in Hawaii and car to go with it.  Summer,
the other occupant in the front seat, was a cute, short Japanese-
Caucasian-Hawaiian-Cheerleader mix who always seemed to be the
conscience of the group.  Her father was a successful owner of a large
local import-export business but was a little more thrifty when it
came to his daughter.  As a result, she was always conning others into
paying for her fun.
     Nabiki smiled to herself as she listened to the excited
conversation in the front seat.  It was like the 'girl talk' she
remembered from back home - except it was all in English.  Sandi was
discussing her latest boyfriend and Summer kept warning her about the
guy's 'reputation'.  Each was practically shouting to be heard over
the thundering rock-and-roll coming from the tiny car's overstuffed
audio system.  All the while, Sandi was driving her usual break-neck
pace down the mountain, dodging small animals and kids as she went.
     "So, what do you think about Sandi's new guy?"  Summer twisted
around in the seat to address Nabiki.  Nabiki was able to pick up
enough of the words through the blaring music to respond.
     "He sound very nice."  She giggled in her best Japanese form.
     Summer just wrinkled her pretty nose and shook her head.  She was
a self-styled expert on boys and their sincerity, and her take on
Sandi's latest was decidedly negative.
     "Being married has really warped you, girl," she shouted back
Nabiki's way.
     Nabiki, bobbing slightly to the heavy beat of the music, chuckled
more because of Summer's look than what she said - seeing she could
barely hear the girl.
     Further conversation was limited until they pulled into the
parking lot of the university.  As Sandi shut off the car, the sudden
silence was almost deafening.
     "So, we still on for tonight?" Sandi finally asked as she checked
her makeup in the rear view mirror.
     Nabiki's look of confusion clued Summer to an explanation.
     "Don't you remember?  We're going to the 'Big Kahuna' tonight to
celebrate the end of finals.  Besides, it's Friday and girls get in
free."  Summer bobbed like she was dancing before recalling what, she
thought, was the cause of Nabiki's hesitation.  "Oh, yeah, you're
married - I forgot."
     "So bring him along," Sandi suggested as she finished with her
makeup.  "We'll even let him buy us our drinks."
     Nabiki grimaced slightly as she stared at the car's floor.  It
wasn't her husband she was most worried about.  The other girls knew
all about Jeff - and his money.  Nabiki had just kept her other little
secret from them.  In Japan, being married wouldn't keep you from your
friends - being a mommy could.
     "We too young to get in."  Nabiki's mind was desperately looking
for ways to avoid doing this and still be part of the group.
     "Honestly, Nabiki," Sandi moaned.  "Scottie's working as the
doorman tonight.  He'll let us in without ID's.  Come on, it'll be
fun."
     "Hey.  Just call your husband and tell him you'll be home late." 
Summer started bobbing again.  "He'll understand.  It's the end of
school.  It's Friday.  We've worked hard all semester.  We deserve a
break."
     Almost shyly, Nabiki looked at her two friends.  They were her
age, single, and free - all the things she wished she was right then. 
All they had to worry about in their lives was school and boys.
     "I.... I don't know...."  Nabiki was genuinely torn.  She wanted
to go along with her friends - be part of a group again - that was
expected.  It was just she felt something was wrong in what she was
going to do.
     "Well, if you don't want to go...." Sandi seemed a little peeved
by her friend's reluctance.
     "No no no.... I just....Jeffrey might.... might have other plans. 
Must check first."  Nabiki finally offered.
     "Okay, you call him and we'll meet you at 5, just after Summer's
last final."
     The girls seemed relieved at Nabiki's apparent agreement.  While
they genuinely liked Nabiki and were her truest friends in Hawaii,
that didn't always prevent them from taking advantage of her on
occasion.  Nabiki knew how to do two things very well; use her credit
card and get money from an ATM machine.  The card she used like it was
her own money - very carefully.  The ATM machine.... well, let's just
say she knew were every ATM was in Hawaii and had liberally used them
in the past for her growing social life-style.  Her friends knew well
that if Nabiki came with, there would never be a problem with money.
     It was going on 4:30 when Nabiki finally decided to call Jeffrey. 
Half hoping he would put up some kind of a fuss, she was a little
disappointed at how calmly he took the news that she wasn't going to
be home for dinner.  He expressed even less emotion over her notice
that she was going out with her friends.  Neither mentioned Sodoshi.
     Feeling genuinely rotten, Nabiki hung up the phone and joined her
friends.
     "So, how'd it go?"  Summer was the most animated of the bunch. 
Sandi was too busy working on her 'cool' look to get as excited as her
friend over a night on the town with, if things worked out right,
somebody else picking up the tab.
     "Jeffrey understood.  Said he find something else to do."  Nabiki
didn't look at her friends as replied.  Most of what she said was
really a lie.
     The three had little to say until they reached the nightclub. 
There really wasn't much sense in trying to shout over Sandi's car
stereo system anyway.
     As expected, Sandi's friend was working the door and passed the
girls inside without so much as a glance at their ID.  Inside, the
differences in their personalities became more pronounced.

     Jeff took Nabiki's news in stride.  She was becoming more of an
American college girl - hanging out with her friends.  Jeff just
looked at it as a phase she was going through.  When she was done,
she'd be home.  His only concern was Sodoshi.  It wasn't good for a
mother to be absent from the home so often during the child's
formative years.
     As usual, dinner time with Sodoshi was a messy affair.  She
seemed as intent on playing as she was eating.  Throughout it all,
Jeff remained calm, only mildly chastising Sodoshi when she spit or
played with her dinner.  Usually, he wound up cleaning the kitchen
after a Sodoshi meal, but didn't really mind.  He just wished Nabiki
was there to help him.
     Jeff wasn't naturally a good father.  He spent the first few
weeks, constantly on the phone with his mother and taking careful
notes.  With her help, Jeff learned all the ins and outs about basic
child care - the rest, he improvised.  In relation to Nabiki, he was
miles ahead.
     With dinner over, and a fresh diaper applied, he settled back
into his favorite chair, Sodoshi in his lap for the evening.  First
they played a little shinobi game where Jeff would hold up a fist. 
When he quickly extended a finger, Sodoshi was to try and grab it
before he could tuck it back into his fist.  Much to his surprise,
Sodoshi quickly mastered this game, being able to grab his extended
finger every time.  He watched in fascination as her face set itself
into a deep concentration while she played.  Her little hands seemed
to streak out of nowhere to grab his finger; each try seeming faster
than the last.  Jeff just swallowed hard and thought back to his
earlier vision of his young daughter, the one where she was an
accomplished shadow warrior - like her namesake.  That thought caused
him to flinch slightly - he knew how his wife felt about such things.
     Sodoshi finally tired of the game and snuggled into the crook of
her daddy's arm to watch TV.  Jeff had been careful to select only
educational or nature shows for Sodoshi.  No movies, sports, or
cartoons for her.   Well, an occasional football game was okay. 
Sodoshi tended to fall asleep during them anyway.

     "Come on, you guys."  Sandi sounded really anxious.  "There's a
place at the bar big enough for three."  In spite of her age, she
shouldered her way through the crowded night club like a veteran.  At
the bar, Sandi attracted the attention of a bartender and quickly
ordered her first drink of the evening.  Summer followed and looked
Nabiki's way as everyone waited for her to order.  Nabiki looked
around in panic.  She had no experience with alcohol.  She didn't even
know the proper names for what the others were drinking.  At first,
she was going to order sake.  After all, *that* she knew something
about but decided against it thinking that this American bar wouldn't
know what sake was.  The only other drink she knew was champagne - so,
that's what she ordered.
     "Whoa, little lady.  That's pretty fancy stuff."  The bartender
seemed amused at Nabiki's choice.
     "She'll have a rum and coke," Summer said firmly.  As the
bartender started to turn away, Summer grabbed his sleeve and added:
"Easy on the rum, okay?"  He winked his acknowledgment and set about
preparing their orders.
     Sandi took to the night club scene like a fish to water; dancing
and flirting with every male in the place.  Summer kept trying to rope
in her friend but had to split her time between the flirtatious Sandi
and the decidedly uncomfortable Nabiki.
     Nabiki nursed her drink like a trapped animal, her eyes darting
from patron to patron.  She didn't really want to be here to begin
with - watching Sandi's antics on the dance floor only pushed her
further into her Japanese shell.
     Twice Summer breezed by to check on her friend.  Each time, she
ordered another drink for Nabiki, patted her on the back, and
commented on how well she was adapting to the club scene.  Nabiki
would just smile and nod her acknowledgment before returning to her
increasingly comfortable task of consuming her rum laced drink.  She
couldn't be sure but felt certain the bartender was increasing the rum
in her drink with every fresh glass.
     To Nabiki, it was beginning to look like she might just survive
this evening with minimal unpleasantries when Summer came darting
through the crowd and practically ducked under her bar stool trying to
hide.
     "Summer?"  Nabiki almost fell off her stool trying to look at the
cowering girl.  "What wrong?"
     "Shhhhhh!  He'll hear you!" Summer hissed back.
     "Who?"
     "Tony.  The guy my parents tried to get me engaged to."
     Nabiki, knowing all about forced engagements, scanned the room
with a scowl, looking for a 'Tony' - whatever *that* was.
     "Is he gone?" Summer asked, her voice only slightly louder than a
whisper.
     "Don't know.  What's a Tony?"  Nabiki's chin was pressed firmly
to her chest as she tried to converse with her friend without being
noticed.  To those observing the pair, Nabiki looked like she was
talking to her brassiere.
     Cautiously, Summer crawled out far enough to look back the
direction she came from.  With an anguished little squeak, she quickly
ducked back under the bar, only her hand visible pointing towards a
group of *very* large Hawaiians.  Nabiki scanned the group like she
was assessing a herd of water buffalo.  She wasn't too far off.  They
looked as big as a herd of water buffalo.  What's more, the herd began
to move in her direction.  This did not escape the notice of Summer
who began tugging on Nabiki's pants legs and making more squeaking
sounds.
     "You gotta help me, Nabiki," she gasped trying to stay out of
sight.  "If he see's me like this he'll know I'm not married like I
said I was."
     "What are you talking about?"  Nabiki was genuinely confused and
glanced around nervously.  She caught one of the other patrons at the
bar staring at her and the girl hiding between Nabiki's legs. 
Nabiki's look of warning cut through the cultural differences and
advised the other to mind his own business.
     "I got out of the engagement by saying I was getting married to a
sailor - some 'Jamie' guy.  I don't remember.  Just some guy I met at
a party once.  Anyway, Tony accepted that I was getting married to
someone else and stopped pestering me."
     "So, what is problem?"  Nabiki's head was getting closer to the
bar with every passing moment.  She began to look like a drunk about
to pass out.
     "THIS is the problem!" Summer hissed holding up her left hand. 
"If Tony sees I'm only wearing a class ring where I'm supposed to have
a wedding diamond.... well, he'll know I didn't get married and the
engagement will start all over again.  Nabiki, you gotta help me!" 
Summer sounded really desperate with that last request.
     "How?"
     "Let me borrow your wedding ring for just a moment."
     Nabiki recoiled from the suggestion.  These were *her* wedding
rings - the diamond and band were given to her by her husband and were
NEVER to be taken off.
     "No.  I could not...." Nabiki tried to protest but was cut off by
Summer's look of desperation.  It had been a long time since Nabiki
had a friend who asked anything of her.  Here was her *best* friend in
Hawaii, in trouble, asking for only a temporary 'loan' of her wedding
ring to get rid of a guy she was forced into engagement with.  As her
eyes dropped to the rings on her finger, Nabiki's thoughts quickly
scanned back to Nerima.  She remembered the look on her sister's face
when she realized that she was going to be forced into an engagement
with Ranma.  She especially remembered how hurt and scared she was. 
Reluctantly, almost without thinking, Nabiki slowly removed her rings.

     In Nerima, Akane was hunting for her wayward fiance.
     "Kasumi, have you seen Ranma?" Akane asked as she entered the
kitchen where Kasumi was doing the lunch dishes.
     "Not since lunch.  He left in such a hurry.  I wonder if he's
getting enough to eat." Kasumi paused her dish washing to contemplate
Ranma's food intake and tried to match it with how well he ate before.
     "Just like that baka," Akane muttered as she stormed out of the
kitchen.  "I spend all morning shopping for something nice for
Nabiki's visit and my goof of a fiance won't stay around long enough
to even see it."  With a heavy sigh, Akane tromped up the stairs to
change back into her workout gi.  "Why do I even try?"

     Nabiki looked in disdain at the tiny class ring she was now
wearing on the same finger her wedding set was previously occupying. 
Summer insisted she wear something to cover the marks caused by
Nabiki's constant wearing of her wedding ring.  Summer wanted
*nothing* that could tip off Tony to the ruse.  With a sigh at the
thought of what she had to do for 'friendship', Nabiki turned back to
her drink.  She was actually beginning to develop a taste for this
'Rum and Coke' concoction.
     Summer quickly breezed by, dropped Nabiki's rings into her hand,
and hugged her friend.  The rings did the trick - Tony was finally
convinced that Summer was married to some guy named Jamie.  The whole
affair had worked out better than either girl had hoped - Summer was
elated and Nabiki was just relieved.  Just after Summer disappeared
again, Nabiki looked at the little silver and diamond rings in her
palm.  It was amazing what power such tiny items carried.
     She was still musing over her wedding rings when disaster crawled
out from under its rock.
     "Hey babe, you come here often?"  A short bearded male slurred as
he slid onto the seat next to Nabiki.  Her response was the most
incredulous look she could muster.  Considering she was on her third
rum and coke, it must have looked insincere.
     "Summer" she called, tinges of fear in her voice and her eyes
fearfully glancing from her drink to the area she last saw her friend. 
Without a friendly face in sight, she knew she was on her own.
     "My name's Josh, can I buy you a drink?" the intrusive man asked
leaning in close to the trapped Nabiki.  His alcohol laced breath
washing over his intended victim like an ill wind.  Nabiki just
resumed frantically glancing around for either Sandi or Summer. 
Neither were to be seen.
     "You wanna dance?" the guy leaned in even closer and slid an arm
around Nabiki's thin waist.  
     His sudden physical assault caused her to go stiff and try to
back away - her glass clattering over, spilling its contents across
the bar - her hands frantically grasping at any handhold she could use
to escape his molestation.  She had never experienced such a physical
forwardness before - it appalled and terrified her.  In Japan, his
actions were akin to attempted rape.  She frantically looked around
for help.  None was to be found - few at the bar even paid any
attention to the overly aggressive drunk.  
     Panic began to assert control in Nabiki.  She was out of bounds. 
In over her head.  An under-aged married woman with an infant at home
in a bar she had no business being in.  She glared at the interloper
with as much of a warning look as she could muster but that only
seemed to encourage him.  She tried to think of the appropriate
English words to tell the guy to go away but kept getting confused
with proper tense and form.  A few words in Japanese instantly sprung
to mind but appeared to have no effect on the aggressive Josh.  Out of
options, all she could think of doing was to start crying.
     Before the first tear had a chance to roll down her pretty cheek,
help arrived.
     "She's with me, buster!" Summer growled as she put her arm across
Nabiki's shoulders and appeared to hug her slightly.  Nabiki's
response was that of complete embarrassment - both at being the center
of such a scene and at her inability to do anything about it.  She
buried her face in her hands, her head rolling to Summer's shoulder
for protection.
     The affect on Mr. Smooth was electric.  "I.... I didn't know.  I
mean, I thought she....  Sorry."  He mumbled, stumbling away - secure
in the opinion that he had just interrupted a pair of lesbians.
     "Summer, I go home now.  Don't like it here."  Nabiki finally
said as firmly as she could.  Disengaging herself from her friend, she
headed for the door.  For the second time in her life, the consumption
of alcohol had put her at a disadvantage. 
     Summer, feeling guilty about having gotten Nabiki into such a
predicament, worked her way through the crowd to catch up with her
friend.  In spite of Nabiki's serious attempt at escape, Summer caught
her friend just outside the club.
     "Look, I can't leave Sandi.  She drinks too much and somebody has
to drive home."  Summer placed a hand on Nabiki's arm as she tried to
think of how else to explain that she couldn't leave with Nabiki. 
"I'm sorry about all this."  She waved her hand at the club and tried
to look apologetic.  "I know you didn't really want to come."
     "You are good friend, Summer."  Nabiki understood what her friend
was saying and felt better knowing Summer was going to look after
Sandi - making sure she got safely home.  It was what Japanese girls
were expected to do for each other.  "Arigato," she practically
whispered, squeezing Summer's hand in gratitude.
     Without taking her eyes off Nabiki, Summer slowly wandered back
into the bar.  It would be many hours before Sandi would be ready to
leave and Summer would have to: first, fight her friend for her car
keys, and later, try to get her back to their apartment in one piece. 
Summer had a long night ahead of her.
     Nabiki had another problem.  She would now have to go home,
smelling of alcohol, and face her husband.  This had NOT been a fun
evening.
     The cab ride home seemed to take forever.  The alcohol finally
kicking in and fogging most of Nabiki's reasoning mind.  She didn't
even notice that she gave the driver a 20 dollar bill for an 8 dollar
ride and failed to collect her change.  The driver, of course, was
pleased with the tip.
     Nabiki stopped at the front door and straightened her clothes as
much as she could in the dim porch light.  Satisfied, Nabiki placed
her key to the lock.  At least, she tried to place her key to the
lock.  Her alcohol impaired coordination made such a simple act more
of a frustrating challenge.  Four tries is what it took to make the
connection and get the annoying door open.  In spite of all her
preparations and intentions, Nabiki Tendo-Lawrence stumbled in to her
home, tripping over her book bag.
     "Chikusho!"
     Jeff heard her arrival.  He noted her attempts at finding the key
hole and watched as his wife stumbled through the door, cursing at her
clumsiness.  Throughout it all, he continued to watch the television,
Sodoshi soundly sleeping in his arms.
     "Konbanwa," Nabiki mumbled as she tried to kick her bookbag free
of her legs.  That act caused her to lose her footing again, her body
hitting the floor with a 'thud'.
     Jeff watched cautiously as Nabiki glared at the offending bag,
its strap wrapped around one of her ankles.  What she did next was
understandable - for a 5 year old.  Closing her eyes, making fists,
and grimacing angrily, Nabiki Tendo-Lawrence began to kick her legs
violently, trying to untangle the offending strap.
     With success, she stood up and ran a hand through her hair in a
gesture attempting to recover her dignity.  With a final kick of the
bag, Nabiki staggered towards the living room and her family.
     Jeff continued to watch the TV, saying nothing.  His only change
being he started rocking Sodoshi.
     Nabiki paused in the entryway and looked in at her husband and
sleeping child.  She could feel the alcohol making the room swim. She
could tell she wasn't in control.  Swallowing hard, she tried to take
the offensive.
     "Why isn't she in bed?  It's late you know."  She tried to sound
authoritarian but her words kept slurring.  In spite of her best
efforts, she knew she was in trouble.
     "She couldn't sleep."
     "You're spoiling her."
     Jeff shot his wife a disapproving look before returning to the TV
and continuing to rock the baby.  Nabiki got the message but still
refused to acknowledge it; choosing, instead, to stand where she was
and stare authoritatively at her husband.  Actually, the wall was the
only thing holding her up as the room kept slowly moving to her left.
     "Kasumi called again tonight."  Jeff's face took on more of a
grimace as he relayed his sister-in-law's message.  "She wants to know
if we will visit now that your finals are over."  His head turned to
look at Nabiki.  "I told her I would have to consult with you."  He
shifted Sodoshi slightly as she squirmed to find a more comfortable
position.  "She wasn't pleased."
     "I don't know."  Nabiki slowly put her hand on her forehead to
steady the room slightly.  "I'll have to see what my schedule...."
     "Your schedule be damned, Nabiki.  You promised Kasumi six months
ago to bring your daughter home to your family.  You owe them, Nabiki. 
You owe them."  Jeff knew such language with Nabiki always ignited
some kind of quarrel.  Tonight he didn't really care.  She was so far
over the line that something was going to have to give.  Either she
returned to reality and fulfill her obligations or he would go alone -
taking little Sodoshi himself.  That would produce a most embarrassing
situation for her - a situation that was guaranteed to produce a 
long-term war.
     "OK, fine.  We'll go back to Nerima."  She slumped tiredly
against the wall.  "Happy?"
     Jeff ignored his wife's barb and returned to his TV - still
rocking his daughter.
     Figuring the main event of the evening was over, Nabiki turned to
go back to her office with her bookbag.
     "You know, Sodoshi said 'daddy' today," Jeff called after is wife
before she had the chance to take even a single step.  It had the
desired effect - she froze in place for a few seconds, her eyes shut
tight and her jaw set, before starting down the hall.  That's when he
dropped the 'big' bomb.
     "Of course, there's no telling when she'll say 'mommy'."  Nabiki
jerked to a halt like she had been stabbed - eyes staring straight
ahead, her mouth a tight, thin line, her whole body trembling.  It was
a blow as painful as any delivered from a blade or fist.  Jeff's
shinobi training had taught him well.  All attacks were only a case of
timing - proper timing would result in maximum effect on the intended
victim.  Jeff just demonstrated his mastery of such subtleties. 
Nabiki's sudden hurried footsteps down the hall and loud 'thunk' of
her book bag being thrown in her office, confirmed his effectiveness.
     Jeff watched TV for 30 minutes longer before deciding that, if
Sodoshi was going to sleep all night, he might as well let her sleep
in her own bed.  Shutting off the TV and the lights, Jeff tiredly
carried his daughter to her crib.  A blanket and a kiss later, he
retired to the master bedroom.
     He paused outside the door when he noticed a light was on inside.
With a sigh of resignation, he figured Nabiki had fallen asleep before
shutting off everything.  His surprise came when he opened the door
and stepped into the room.  In the dim light, he could see what he
hoped he wouldn't.  Nabiki was seated on the end of their bed, dressed
in her lightest, most seductive nightgown - the one she wore their
wedding night - the one that, in the right light, you could see
through.  She was waiting for him.
     "I don't want you to go to bed mad at me, Jeffrey," she cooed
while unsteadily getting to her feet.  Her voice shifted to that of a
little girl.  "I really need you right now.  I know I've been a bad
girl."  Slowly, Nabiki reached up to the lace bow right below the
bodice of her gown.  With a sly smile and a tug, the top half of the
gown seemed to peel away from her body, collecting at her waist.
     Jeff sadly took a brief visual tour of territory he had many
times explored in detail.  He could tell she was sexually aroused,
figuring the alcohol-induced libido was mostly responsible.  His eyes
slowly lowered to the floor - he knew what was happening - it only
made him feel worse.  It was the same pattern.  She would do something
to upset him, then follow with her 'sex for forgiveness' routine.  He
hated making love to his wife under these conditions.  Too often,
however, his young body made the decision for him.  Tonight was no
exception.  In spite of his best efforts, he felt the familiar
stirrings.
     She knew what the sight of her trim body did to him and could
tell by his reaction that she had him again.  Seductively, she glided
up close, took his hand and placed it on her breast - she gasped in
carefully choreographed rapture at his touch.
     <I *always* get what I want.> she happily thought before
delivering her knockout blow.  Nuzzling the base of his throat, her
tiny tongue seductively working the most sensitive spot that only she
knew about, she murmured in that tiny voice he found so erotic: "I
love you, Jeffrey."
     That did it.  She'd won again.  Jeff seemed to shudder as his own
sexual desire kicked in.  She knew just the right buttons to push and
was more than willing to trade sex for forgiveness - again.  It always
worked in the past and it was working tonight.  With a whimper, Jeff
gave in to his urges and began actively returning his wife's advances. 
Nabiki smiled to herself.
     They had just maneuvered to the bed, Jeff beginning at the spot
on Nabiki's body of her choosing, when Sodoshi started fussing. 
Jeff's body instinctively jerked taut, his sexual overtures coming to
an abrupt halt.
     "Wha....what's wrong?"  Nabiki seemed genuinely confused at her
husband's reaction.  Sodoshi answered for him as she worked herself
into a full fledged cry - her little voice cutting through the house
like a katana.
     "Don't you hear her?"  Jeff asked tiredly.
     "Babies are always crying, Jeffrey."  Nabiki tried to resume the
foreplay.  "She'll go back to sleep."
     Jeff stared at his wife incredulously as little Sodoshi's cries
became the distressed wails he was most familiar with.  All thoughts
of his wife's sexual overtures were forgotten.
     "I've gotta check on her," he apologized while untangling himself
from Nabiki's arms and putting his yukata back on.  "She probably
needs her diaper changed again."
     Nabiki could only watch, stunned, as her husband, looking tired
again, walked to the nursery.  Her alcohol fuzzed libido screamed for
him to return, demanding he finish with her.  Her conscience softly
insisted she go help.  For the second time this evening, her
conscience won out.  Doing up her gown, she tried to follow her
husband into the nursery.
     Jeff found his daughter with a full diaper and not a bit happy
about it.  He was just gathering the things necessary to deal with the
problem when Nabiki stumbled against the half-open door in her attempt
to enter the room.
     "Chikusho!"
     Jeff seemed to freeze, his jaw set in frustration at his wife's
entrance.
     "Here, let me help."  Her hands were unsteady, her speech was
slurred, and she was barely able to stand without assistance.  Jeff
finally had enough.
     "Nabiki, you're drunk!" he barked as he looked at his startled
wife.  "Go to bed.  I'll deal with this."  As he turned his head back
to Sodoshi he added softly: "Like I always do."
     Nabiki, a look of startled rejection on her face, stood rooted to
the spot long enough for Jeff's admonishment to have its full impact.
With trembling lips and an anguished look, Nabiki retreated quickly
back into the bedroom, slamming the door on her way.  Sodoshi
continued to cry.
     Jeff dealt with Sodoshi's diaper problem and retired to the
living room.  He slept, once again, in his chair - Sodoshi nestled
comfortably in the crook of his arm.  He couldn't hear his wife's sobs
and didn't see her beating his pillow out of frustration over her own
driven desires.  She wanted to have it all; career, family, children,
a home.  It all looked so easy before.  She couldn't conceive of what
went wrong.  
     Soon, the alcohol and spent emotion drained Nabiki.  Her whimpers
muffled by her own pillow, she finally cried herself asleep - alone in
their king sized bed.

     Jeff awoke to the sounds of a struggle.  It wasn't your normal
struggle.  It sounded more like a woman fighting a crying child.  With
a groan, Jeff rolled out of his chair and followed the sounds of
conflict to its source - the kitchen.
     "Why won't you eat, you little brat?"  Nabiki snarled as she
tried to shove another spoonful of baby food into little Sodoshi's
mouth.  "It's good.  Eat."  Nabiki was clearly on the losing end of
the breakfast struggle with her daughter.
     "Nabiki, what are you doing?"  Jeff was really not ready for this
so early in the morning.
     "Jeffrey, why won't she eat?"  Nabiki looked genuinely
distressed.  She also looked like the loser of a food fight -
splotches of food dotting her hair and clothing.  She was wearing more
food than was normal for a feeding.
     "Have you changed her diaper?" Jeff wearily asked, leaning
against a counter, his arms crossed.  Nabiki despised it when he did
that.  To her, it looked like such a condescending position.
     "Yes," she snarled back in a sassy voice.  It was a lie, of
course.  She never thought to check in her haste to prove to Jeffrey
that she could 'out-mother' him.
     Sodoshi continued to cry, spitting out every spoonful of the
offending breakfast.
     With a sigh, Jeff approached the table and felt the jar of baby
food.  It was stone cold.
     "Nabiki, you didn't warm her food.  It probably tastes terrible
cold."  Jeff reached over for a wet cloth to wipe his daughter.
     With a look that could melt steel, Nabiki angrily snatched the
little jar and stomped over to the microwave.
     "Ah, Nabiki, That's not how...." His voice was cut off by his
wife's slamming the microwave door shut and punching buttons,
seemingly at random.  Once again, Jeff leaned back against the
counter, his arms crossed - matching Nabiki's glare from across the
room.  Sodoshi continued to cry.  In seconds, the inevitable happened
- a loud 'pop' marked the explosion of baby food as it reacted to the
sudden intense heat of the microwave.  Jeff just sighed again.  Now,
he would now have another mess to clean up.
     Nabiki slowly turned to look at the food splattered microwave. 
It took several seconds for the full impact of her failure to strike
home - the sight of her baby's food gracing the interior of her
microwave like the entrails of some smashed animal taunting her
efforts.  Slowly, her shoulders sagged and began to jerk as she
started to cry again.  This time she had tried - she really did.  But
she still couldn't get the 'mother' thing right.  Jeff just shook his
head and walked over to his hung-over, exhausted, beaten wife.  Softly
turning her around, Jeff hugged her to him.  Hesitantly, she gripped
her husband and sobbed about what a terrible mother she was.
     "Nabiki, motherhood being an instinctive thing is highly
overplayed."  Jeff said over their daughter's wails.  "You didn't have
the opportunity to learn, first hand, how to be a proper mother."
     "How is it *you* know these things?"  Nabiki's voice was more of
a whimper.
     "The first thing I did was call *my* mother.  She taught me
everything I know."  Sodoshi cried harder as her parents were
seemingly oblivious to her needs.
     "Jeffrey."  Nabiki picked nervously at her husband's shirt.  "I
don't like asking for help."
     "That much, I know," Jeff kissed his wife's head.
     Sodoshi began bouncing with frustration.
     "I tried to take a course at college once.... about caring for a
baby, I mean."  Jeff could tell this was hard for Nabiki to admit. 
She never liked admitting defeat in anything.  "I didn't even finish
the enrollment process.  I was too embarrassed to admit that I didn't
know how to take care of my own baby."  Her voice dropped to barely
above a whisper. "I guess, that's why I don't want to go home. 
Kasumi...."  She couldn't finish.  Instead, she buried her face in her
husband's chest, her eyes squeezed shut against the shame, her 
half-hearted clutches became frantic hugs.  She wanted the hurt to go away. 
She wanted to be a good mother.  But most of all, she wanted Kasumi's
approval.  Returning to Nerima like this would guarantee trouble with
'mother' Kasumi.
     There were times Jeff could be a little dense.  Up to this recent
exchange, Jeff had no idea what was behind Nabiki's reluctance to
return to her home.  Suddenly, it all made sense.  Nabiki was
embarrassed to go home where her family, especially Kasumi, could see
how bad a mother she really was.
     Sodoshi's cries became howls of anguish over her parents ignoring
her.
     "Do you think your mother would help me?"
     "I'm certain of it.  And she'd be delighted to do it.  I'm sure
in a couple of weeks you can learn enough to proudly go back to Nerima
and show Kasumi what a good mother you are."
     A spoon whizzed past the couple and bounced off the wall.
     "And I'll help.  The first thing we need to do is get the little
darling changed," Jeff said as he slowly turned to look at his highly
animated daughter.  Her face was almost coral colored, she was so
frustrated.  "I also think it's time I started her shuriken training. 
She missed us by two feet."
     Nabiki's incredulous look accompanied Jeff as he retrieved his
daughter from the high chair.  Sodoshi continued to cry but seemed to
cry slightly less now that someone was paying attention to her.
     "Wait a minute," Nabiki protested while following her husband,
the full impact of what he just said finally being felt.  "What do you
mean by 'two feet'?  Come back here!"
     Nabiki followed, irritated.  She wasn't sure just what her
husband meant by 'shuriken training' but was certain she wasn't going
to like it.
     "You better not be talking about turning my daughter into some
damned shinobi 'shadow warrior'."
     "Nabiki, I'm not suggesting any such thing but she has to undergo
some training."  Jeff set the squirming Sodoshi on the changing table. 
"Our daughter is shinobi, like it or not.  She *has* to know what it
is to be a daughter of the clan.  Surely, you know all this."
     "My daughter will NOT be a damn martial artist!"  Nabiki grabbed
her husband's arm.  "Do you hear me?"  Her anger was cutting through
all her earlier fears.  Her greatest apprehension surrounding her
daughter was that she would follow the path of her name-sake and
become one of those "black clad Ranma-wanna-be's"
     "We're not talking shadow warrior, Nabiki."  Jeff gathered the
things necessary to change his daughter's diaper.  "Besides, I'm not
qualified to teach her such things.  All I'm talking about is showing
her what it is be shinobi - that's all."
     For several seconds, there was silence as each contemplated all
that Jeff said.  He knew Sodoshi would have to be trained.  Deep down,
he was certain Nabiki knew it too.  In reality, the whole matter was
out of her hands.  Sodoshi was the last of her clan.  If *she*
abandoned her heritage, the clan was truly dead.  
     Jeff could have continued the discussion.  He could have argued,
but chose, instead, to change the subject - safer that way.
     "Now get over here and let's learn how to change a messy diaper."
     Distastefully, Nabiki stepped up to the changing table and
watched her daughter squirm uncomfortably.  As Jeff walked her through
the process, Nabiki's face took on a look of complete revulsion.
     "Jeffrey, I'm rich enough to afford to pay someone to do this,"
she moaned, while releasing the tabs on the disposable diaper.
     "No, dear.  I'M rich enough to pay someone to do this."  He
corrected his wife.  "But, so long as I'M willing to do this, you will
too."  
     Nabiki just wrinkled her nose as the full odor of the diaper
washed over her.  <I can't believe I'm doing this.> Sodoshi, freed
from the confines of her messy diaper, began kicking her legs. <STOP
SQUIRMING, YA LITTLE BRAT OR YOU'LL GET IT ON....  Ewwwwww, gross!>
     "Dear, the trick is getting the diaper off without getting the
contents all over your hands."  Nabiki's 'look' told him she already
knew that part.  "Why don't you go wash up and I'll finish here."  He
fought hard to control his instinct to laugh at the face his wife was
making while trying to hold her soiled hand as far away from her as
possible.
     Nabiki practically bolted from the room in search of soap and
water - or maybe disinfectant.
     Jeff finished and was playing with a cooing Sodoshi when his wife
returned.
     "Jeffrey, that's disgusting!" she grumbled while wiping her hands
for the 43rd time.  "How do you do that, time after time?"
     "I just keep repeating to myself: 'They eventually grow up.  They
eventually grow up.' and try to remember she'll be potty trained soon
enough."
     "Not soon enough for me," Nabiki mumbled.
     "I trust you're in agreement that we will return to Nerima in two
weeks."  Jeff picked up his daughter and handed her to his wife. 
Changing the subject abruptly was good Japanese judo-speak; it could
catch the subject off guard enough to not object to the change.
     "I suppose so."  Nabiki sighed, shifting Sodoshi's weight to her
right hip.  She held her daughter like a sack of groceries.  Absently,
she ran her left hand through her hair.  Jeff's eyes were drawn to her
ring finger.  What was most interesting to him was the fact it was
currently sporting a new ornament, namely a high school class ring.
     Nabiki sensed something was amiss when she caught him staring at
her hand.  He quickly looked away, like he never saw whatever it was
he saw, and pretended to finish cleaning up the changing table. 
Instinctively, Nabiki thought that she didn't get all of Sodoshi's
mess off her hands and quickly scurried off to find more soap and
water.
     In the bathroom, she shifted Sodoshi around to get a good look at
her hands.  Nope, there was no 'Sodoshi residue' on her fingers.  Just
a high school class ring.
     Nabiki's body jerked taut so violently that little Sodoshi was
almost catapulted out of her arms.
     <MY RING!  Where is my wedding ring?!?> 
     Nabiki's mind quickly scanned back to the previous night.  She
remembered the night club.  She remembered Summer's frantic pleas and
offer of a substitute.  She remembered removing her wedding set....
and.... and....  Panic.  She couldn't remember what happened to her
ring set.  Frantically, she plopped little Sodoshi on the bed and
scurried around the bedroom.  <They've *got* to be here somewhere!>
     She looked on her dresser, on her night stand, in the bathroom,
on the floor, even going through her clothes from the night before. 
Nothing.  Her wedding set was no where to be found.
     She was frantically feeling around on the floor under her dresser
when she noticed Jeff leaning against the door frame watching her. 
His face was as neutral as she had ever seen.  They stared at each
other for a few moments until, swallowing hard, Nabiki slowly rose to
her feet.
     "You know, I was just trying to remember what year you graduated
from Windward Senior High School.  You want to tell me or should I
look it up in a yearbook?"  She could tell by his voice he was upset. 
She quickly assessed each possible option available to her.
     She could counterattack and accuse him of being 'nosey' - but
*that* would probably backfire.  After all, where would she say the
wedding ring got off to.  She was clearly wearing it yesterday morning
when she left the house.
     She could try the 'sex for forgiveness' bit again - but figured
he was even less in the mood than usual - so *that* wouldn't work.
     She could break down and sob into his chest again, begging him to
forgive her - but she wasn't sure he'd buy *that* act twice in the
same day.
     So, in the end, she used the only 'trick' she had left - she told
the truth.
     "I lost it."
     "Where?"
     "If I knew that, I'd know where to look."
     "How did you lose it?"
     She told the whole story about Sandi and Summer and the night
club.  In the end, she had to admit she didn't have a clue where she
lost her wedding set.  Sadly, she plopped down on the bed - her 'act'
of dejection more real than either wanted to admit.  Thinking Jeff
wouldn't hit someone with a baby in her arms, Nabiki picked up her
daughter and cuddled her like a large doll - all the time glancing at
her husband with the 'I've-been-a-bad-girl' look she had been
perfecting over the last few months.  Deep down, she knew that if the
baby in her arms and the 'look' didn't work, she was good as dead. 
Secretly, she hoped Jeff didn't know the rules of the 'promise tanto'
she wore during both weddings.  If he did, he could demand she fulfill
her promise.  Nabiki shuddered at the thought of the prospects.
     "Well, I suppose you'll just have to look for it," Jeff said like
he was talking to a child who had lost their new baseball glove. 
"Won't you?"  He asked the last with a touch of menace in his voice. 
Deep down, Jeff didn't understand why Nabiki removed the rings in the
first place.  The fact she lost them after removal only added to the
insult.  Needless to say, he was most upset.  Instead of continuing
the interrogation, he just quietly noted that Sodoshi's food was ready
and left the room.
     Nabiki sighed her relief that Jeff was not the 'violent' kind. 
In Japan, she could have been beaten and thrown out of the house for
what she did (and in the back of her mind, she was certain he was
physically capable of doing just that).  Or worse yet, forced to
commit seppuku using the 'promise tanto', as she pledged to do -
twice.  Relief continued to wash over her as she absently hugged her
baby.
     "What have I done, So-chan?" Nabiki rocked her daughter slightly,
eyes closed, clutching her child like a stuffed toy - more for her own
comfort than the child's.  "Why do I keep doing things that hurt him?" 
She stopped rocking Sodoshi and addressed her directly.  "And why
can't I do anything right here?  In Japan, everything I did turned out
right.  What am I doing wrong?"
     Sodoshi wasn't listening as she was busy rooting around the front
of Nabiki's blouse.
     "Give it up, kid.  I don't do that anymore."  Nabiki said while
gently peeling her daughter's fingers off her blouse.  "Daddy's got
your breakfast ready in the kitchen."  She glanced nervously at the
door before adding: "Will you let me, at least, feed you?"  A nervous
smile flickered across her face.  Sodoshi wore a slight scowl as she
looked at her mother.  So far, mom had failed to feed her *anything*
edible.  Clearly, Sodoshi expected better of a parent.  Still, she
*was* enjoying being held.  Too bad it wasn't because Nabiki wanted to
cuddle.
     As the pair stared at each other, they seemed to declare a short
truce - at least until breakfast was over.  The wedding ring crisis
would have to wait till then.
                                                      
     "Brother Sato," the voice came purposefully from the darkness. 
"Our world is about to be torn asunder."
     Master Sato stood before the elders of his clan, once again, in
the darkness of their cave.  He knew full well the necessity of their
anonymity.  For they were the jonin of his clan; the leaders.  For
centuries the only safety the shinobi leadership of any clan had was
the sure knowledge that those who ventured outside the clan's holdings
could not identify them to their enemies.  Sato, a chunin, was one of
the middlemen who directed the warrior genin on their missions into
potentially hostile territories.  The genin may talk if captured but
would only be able to reveal their immediate commanders, the chunin. 
The elders would always be safe.  There was, however, one weak link in
this system - treachery at the top.
     "One of our brothers has left us."  The second voice, the one of
reason, sounded more fearful than the first.  And for good reason. 
Should one of the elders turn against his own people, nothing could
stand in the way of his eventual victory.  He had all the advantages -
he knew where the elders were, he knew the entire command structure of
the clan, and he could chose the time and place of his strike.  Master
Sato quietly leaned on his staff and contemplated the possibilities. 
For some reason, the room suddenly felt colder than before.
     "Our brother, Fukoono, left because he disagreed with our making
peace with the Clan of the Cold Moon.  He disagreed with your adopting
young Lawrence-san and making him one of our people.  He believes you
have damaged the purity of the clan by allowing such a gaijin to join
with us."
     "When I first told you of my plans - you didn't object."  Sato
was quietly holding his temper as he outlined the failures of his own
elders.  "When I trained young Jeffrey in the ways of our people - you
said nothing.  You never expressed reservations about his faith, his
courage, or his sincerity."  Sato's voice was rising with his anger. 
"You only intervened when he chose a wife.  You only objected to his
marriage to a woman from the Clan of the Cold Moon because you feared
he would not deliver the secrets of the cave to your hands.  Admit it,
you smelled power."
     "Your tongue is sharp today."
     "And so is my memory.  You brutally tested Jeffrey's bride in
ways not seen by our people in 200 years.  Still, she proved herself
stronger than your.... magic."  Sato carelessly waved his hand in a
dismissive gesture at the elders.  "She passed your 'tests'."
     "That was Fukoono's doing," the first voice objected loudly.  "We
had no choice.  YOU placed us in this position with your making
Lawrence-san a member of our clan."
     "NO!  Prophecy placed you in this position.  Young Jeffrey was
destined to marry Tendo Nabiki, daughter of the Clan of the Cold Moon. 
Prophecy of peace and a new direction for our people.  Prophecy of a
great secret in the monk's cave.  Prophecy, noble elders."  Sato stood
proudly erect facing the remaining leaders of his clan.  In his mind,
he had only done what was necessary to fulfill the 400 year old
prophecy and save the remnants of a people from extermination.  He
wasn't going to take the blame for the actions of one renegade member
of his own clan.
     "Never the less, Sato, YOU are now responsible for the outcome."
The second voice seemed to have found courage enough to place the
ultimate responsibility for what was to come on Master Sato's
shoulders.  Sato shifted nervously at the prospects.
     "Did many of our people follow Fukoono?"
     "Only a handful, but we fear he may have allies outside our clan,
possibly even survivors of the Snow Fox clan."
     "Why don't you just deal with him yourselves?  You have the
power."
     "No so.  We are powerless against a fellow elder, evil or not. 
Only the chunin can confront an elder and only a genin can defeat
one."
     "Then we are in for a 'shinobi war'."  Sato's declaration
silenced the elders for only a few moments.
     "So it would seem," the first voice sadly noted.  "I fear the
first victims will be young Lawrence-san and his family.  They will
eventually return to Japan, you know."
     Sato had indeed shared the opinion that Jeffrey and Nabiki would
return, along with their new baby.  A cold chill crept up his aging
spine as he thought the danger they were in.
     "They must be warned," Sato said flatly.
     "Agreed.  You must also enlist the help of his wife's clan."
     "There are so few, honorable elders."
     "True, but they hold the key to Fukoono's destruction."
     "How so?"  Sato was genuinely curious at this new direction in
the conversation.  He was, also, interested in what so few could do to
one so powerful as Fukoono.
     "We do not know for sure.  But they possess a power we have been
unable to identify.  All we can deduce is that it centers on the three
daughters of Soun Tendo.  They are the key."
     Moments later, Sato left the audience with his clan's elders and
stepped into the bright summer sunshine of central Japan.  Shielding
his eyes against the warm sun's glare, he determined it was early
afternoon.  Ordinarily, he would have been stopping by the village inn
to visit with old friends this time of day.  But today was no ordinary
day.  It was the first day of a war that would be barely noticed
outside the shinobi people but would have profound effects on all in
Japan itself.  With a sigh of resignation, he trudged back towards his
village.  He had much to do before nightfall.

     It was late when Ranma Saotome returned to the Tendo residence,
but coming home late had become the norm for young Ranma - he had a
good reason.
     Hoping to avoid answering questions from some alert member of the
family, he quietly climbed to the roof and crept towards his open
window.  He always left the window slightly open so he could just
swing over the edge of the roof and into his room, unseen.  If any
were to ask the following morning when he came home, he could simply
lie and suggest that he returned much earlier.  He could add that they
didn't hear him because he was working on his 'silent walking'
technique so as to not disturb the other members of the household.  He
grinned to himself at his cleverness.
     Silently, he found his open window.  With a final check to make
sure he was unobserved, he slipped over the edge and easily swung
himself into his darkened room - landing quietly on the tatami mats in
a crouch.
     "About time you got home," came a familiar voice from the
darkness.  "I've been waiting all evening for you."
     Ranma groaned softly.  He'd been caught by the one person he
feared being caught by, Akane.
     "Akane, I'm tired.  I've had a long day.  Can't this wait till
morning."
     "Fine," she snarled as she swung open the door and stepped into
the brightly lit hallway.  In doing so, she revealed the very thing
she had hoped to show Ranma under more pleasant circumstances - the
new sundress she purchased today for Nabiki's visit.
     Ranma instinctively followed his fiance out into the hall.  He
couldn't help but notice how nice the dress looked on her, in spite of
the fact she was stomping around like a tom-boy.  He had to admit, red
was *her* color.
     "I'm sorry, Akane," he stammered as he paused in front of his
doorway.  He had learned from Jeffrey that a quick apology with Akane
(as with Nabiki) sometimes worked wonders.  From her initial reaction,
it appeared to be working tonight.  Akane paused and turned to face
her fianc‚ with a wary look.
     "So, where've you been?"  She crossed her arms and glared at him. 
"Ucchan's?"  The last more of an accusation than question.
     Ranma just shook his head.  "No, I haven't been to Ukyou's place
in over a month.  I've been too busy...."  He quickly cut himself off,
fearing he'd reveal more than he intended.  What he was doing was a
secret.  What he was doing it for was even more of a secret.
     Akane looked at him sideways, her eyes tiny slits.  He was
keeping secrets from her again.  She didn't like when he did that. 
Her bare foot tapped the floor quietly as she tried to think of a way
to get him to reveal his secret.  It was time to try the little thing
Nabiki taught her - the one way her sister guaranteed would get
whatever she wanted from Ranma - without the need for violence.
     To Ranma, Akane suddenly seemed to change personalities - right
before his very eyes.  Like a little girl, she clasped her hands
behind her back and innocently walked up to her fianc‚.  With a tiny
grin, she leaned in real close - close enough to let him catch a whiff
of her perfume; something else she'd purchased today.  Instinctively,
Ranma backed up slightly.  Akane with a weapon in her hands, he
understood, but *this* was something totally unexpected - totally
unnerving - something that left him totally defenseless.  Ever since
Akane had been making those phone calls to Nabiki, she'd been
acting.... well, strange - goofy and all mushy-like around him.  He
swallowed hard and thought how he'd rather deal with the violent tom-boy 
he remembered.
     "You like my new dress?" she cooed seductively - or, at least, as
seductively as she knew how.  She made sure he got a good look at her
bare shoulders and the one thing that drove him to sweat - her modest
cleavage.
     Ranma stopped backing when he came up against the door frame to
his room.  Swallowing hard he fought his mind for appropriate words to
express what he was feeling - something that wouldn't get him hammered
into the woodwork.  His heart was pounding like he'd just come from a
fight.  He palms were sweating like someone just threw a cat on him. 
He swallowed hard again.
     "You like.... red?" she pouted as she adjusted the straps to play
peek-a-boo with her cleavage.  Nabiki taught her that little move and
she had practiced it for hours in front of a mirror until she was
certain it would have just the right effect.
     "It was.... IS great."  Silently, Ranma cursed himself for not
saying something more appropriate.  He was breathing hard now and his
pants were getting strangely tighter than he remembered.
     "Been out with your college friends tonight?"  She bored in for
the kill.  She could tell the 'softening up' process had been
successful - he had gone from breathing hard to panting.  "You've been
sweating.  I can tell."
     "I.... I've been working.... OUT.  I've been working out."  He
closed his eyes and thought vile things about his foolish mouth.
     "Really?"  She was leaning in *really* close now - almost
touching him, her face just inches from his throat.  The air around
them both smelled of Akane's sexy new perfume and something else -
something that scared Ranma more than anything.
     "Yeah.... that's it.... working out."  He closed his eyes, rolled
his head back and fought his emotions - a battle he already knew was
lost.
     Akane spotted the opening and gently blew on his sweaty throat. 
The effect on Ranma was electric - with a tiny groan, he promptly
broke down and confessed.
     "Ok, it's just a part time job, Akane.  I'm teaching a small
class three times a week at Inoue-sensi's dojo.  Nothing fancy, just
common kempo.  It doesn't pay much.  Just enough to...."  His hand
suddenly came to the rescue as it slapped loudly over his blubbering
mouth.
     Akane leaned back with a huge grin on her face.  It worked just
like Nabiki said it would.  And this was just her first try.  Imagine
how good she could be with a little practice.
     "A job!?!" she crowed.  "How wonderful!  How much are they paying
you?  Where's the money?"
     Ranma looked at the floor, totally miserable.  This was exactly
the thing he was hoping to avoid.  The first half of his secret was
out.  Mentally he dug in to protect the second.
     "I told you it didn't pay much."  He scowled at the floor trying
to center himself to put up a solid front.  "Besides, I owe a lot of
people a lot of money."  His head came up to look directly at Akane. 
"School costs a lot of money too, you know.  I don't have the
financial aid you've got."  He was referring to Nabiki's secret
sending of money to her sister.  Ever since Sodoshi was born, Nabiki
has been acting like she owed Akane something.  Perhaps as partial
repayment, she was sending her sister sufficient money each month for
her to attend her small Japanese college.  Ranma was keenly aware of
his fianc‚'s financial windfall and struggled with trying to keep up -
a race he knew he was destined to lose.
     Akane knew Ranma felt insecure about Nabiki providing her with
funds for school.  Still, he was ducking the central question of how
much he was making at this job of his - and she didn't like it.
     "You didn't answer the question, Ranma.  How much are they paying
you?"  She crossed her arms and glared at her fianc‚.  All Nabiki had
taught her was out the window now and the old Akane was back -
stubborn, irritable, and abrasive.  Ranma reacted predictably.
     "Akane, when we're married, I'll have to turn over all my
earnings to you.  Until then, it's none of your business!"  He quickly
scrambled through the door to his room and slammed it shut behind him.
     Akane reacted as she always did when faced with Ranma's
foolishness; she reached for something heavy to bash him with. 
Stomping up to his closed door, she raised a fist ready to either
knock loudly or bash a large hole in the door.
     "RANMA NO...."  Then it hit her - what he'd said.  She froze, her
fist poised to strike but her face a mask of surprise, her eyes
staring blankly ahead - when they weren't blinking loudly.  <'When
we're married....'> she thought.  <He said: '*WHEN* we're married'. 
Not 'If we get married' or 'Should we get married'.  He said: 'WHEN!'> 
Her face slowly dissolved into a content little version of Nabiki's
sardonic smile.  It all worked exactly as big sister said it would. 
Get a guy enough off balance and he'll tell you anything you want to
know.  With Ranma it was easy - once she learned how well her feminine
charms worked on him.  
     <Looks like Oneechan Nabiki's marriage experience is going to pay
off for me as well.> she thought with some satisfaction.
     Slowly, she lowered her hand to join its companion behind her
back again.  She made a little face at the closed door and smiled
happily.  With a sassy turn and a little shake of her hips, Akane
almost skipped down the hall to her own room.  Tonight had worked out
better than she had hoped - and she didn't even have to hit him once.

     Nabiki sadly finished packing for their return trip to Nerima. 
Things had not gone well the last week.  Her rings were still missing. 
Jeffrey's mother was unavailable, due to a vacation trip they were on.
So Jeff had to try and coach Nabiki through all he knew about child
care.  In spite of the fact she had learned a lot, she was certain it
wouldn't be enough to fool Kasumi.  Finally, she had to disappoint her
friends twice in a week, and stay home to prepare for their trip. 
Both sounded like they understood but she could tell they were not
happy about her absence.  Once again, her situation as a married woman
with a child got in the way of her fun.  It was tough growing up.
     <I'm just not ready for this.> she sadly thought as she packed
the last of the baby's things.  She had gotten much better about doing
the basic things; feeding, cleaning, and diapering the baby.  But was
nowhere near proficient enough to get past the critical eye of her
Oneechan.  Silently, she leaned against the dresser in the baby's room
and closed her eyes.  Maybe, if she just wished it to go away....
     The doorbell drew her back to the sad reality that wishing wasn't
going to change a thing - she was stuck having to return to Nerima;
without wedding rings or proper child care skills.
      Opening the front door, she was surprised to see her husband's
secretary, Rachel.  Nabiki covered her surprise with a polite bow and
an invitation for Rachel to enter her home.
     "I can't stay long," Rachel quietly noted while removing her
shoes.  "Jeffrey will be calling from his meeting in a couple of
hours."  Her entire posture told of her discomfort at being in
Nabiki's presence.
     Nabiki quietly acknowledged Rachel's notice and motioned for her
to be seated on the living room sofa.  Joining her, Nabiki tried small
talk.  It wasn't necessary.
     "I've brought something for you." Rachel abruptly held out a
small box without even looking at Nabiki.
     "This not.... necessary."  Nabiki shyly accepted the gift.  She
was a bit confused as to why Jeff's secretary would be giving her a 
gift before their trip.  Perhaps it was something for the baby.
     Nabiki's face exploded into beaming excitement when she saw what
was in the box.
     "My rings!" she practically squealed.  "You found my rings!"  She
abruptly hugged Rachel - thanking her over and over.
      Rachel patiently accepted Nabiki's exuberance, knowing how much
their return meant to her, but quietly refrained from joining in the
celebration.  There were things surrounding this case that bothered
her.  She didn't approve of what she heard were Nabiki's actions that
led up to their removal - taking the rings off to go into a rowdy bar
like her single friends.  She liked Jeffrey and, in spite of his
occasional immaturity, was willing to stand by him.  As such, her
loyalty and friendship was beyond question.  Rachel just looked at the
animated Nabiki and questioned herself if Jeffrey's wife was equally
loyal.
     "I really must be going now," Rachel apologized as she stood up.
     Nabiki's insightful senses were starting to warn her that
something was wrong - something in what Rachel said and how she said
it, spoke of the danger.  Jeff's secretary was leaving for more
important reasons than just having other things to do.
     "Please forgive my...." Nabiki struggled for the right words in
English. "For my.... actions.  I very happy.  Where did you find my
rings?"  Her smile divided itself between embarrassment and warmth. 
Rachel continued to look at her with a mixture of wariness and pity. 
     "At a small pawn shop down by the docks,"  Rachel answered
softly, feeling more and more uncomfortable being with Nabiki. 
"Someone probably found them at the club and pawned them for some
quick money.  I used the company's funds to... retrieve them.  Jeffrey
doesn't know yet."  She paused to assess Nabiki again.  She still got
the same answer and came to the same conclusions.  "I really must be
going."
     "Please stay.  I have tea."  Nabiki offered, groping for
something to convince the reluctant Rachel to stay.  Inside, Nabiki
was a swirl of irritation, fear, and curiosity.  She felt she owed so
much to this woman for so many reasons.  Why did she make Nabiki so
uncomfortable.  It was certainly more than just the 'owing' part.
There had to be more to the older girl's reluctance than she was
showing.  Nabiki's senses were starting to shout their warnings. 
Something about this woman suggested caution.
     She had never really got to know the 'other' most important woman
in Jeff's life - the woman who pulled almost as much corporate power
as her husband in business deals; something Nabiki respected.  A woman
who was only slightly older than Kasumi, attractive, and seemingly
always in control.  This was a woman Nabiki wanted to know.
     Rachel looked down at the floor while considering Nabiki's offer. 
It was, of course, unwise - considering what was on her mind.
     "Thank you, but I really must be going."  She fumbled to find the
correct words that would convey a logical reason to be leaving so
quickly and not offend at the same time.  Such, with Nabiki, was going
to prove impossible.
     "Did I do something wrong?"  Nabiki asked while looking shyly at
Rachel.  She was worried that she had, somehow, offended her husband's
secretary.
     Inside, Rachel almost laughed bitterly.  <You don't have a clue,
do you?>  Carefully recovering herself, Rachel tried to beg off again.
     "No, it's just.... I might say something inappropriate."  Rachel
turned to leave.
     Nabiki didn't understand the word 'inappropriate' but felt sure
it was something negative.  She didn't want this meeting to end on
such a negative note.
     "I want you to stay and tell me what I do wrong."  Nabiki began
to sound stubbornly insistent.  Her crossed arms spoke of her
irritation.  Rachel was right, she had already said and done too much. 
Still, if Nabiki was going to force the issue.....
     Rachel slowly gauged the younger Nabiki.  She wasn't sure if she
should say all that was on her mind.  She wasn't sure if she could say
the things that needed to be said such that the barely English
literate Nabiki would completely understand.  She also wasn't sure if
it was her place to say anything at all.  For a few moments she
contemplated the young mother before her - trying to decide what to
say or do.
     Nabiki, on the other hand, was quietly trying to figure out just
why Jeff's secretary was acting like she didn't like her.  Fearful of
saying the wrong thing, she remained silent but continued to look
almost defiant - as if she was 'willing' the answer out of Rachel.
     "I have a friend," Rachel started softly, picking her words as
carefully as possible in order to avoid being misunderstood.  "I have
watched this friend over the last six months lose confidence, lose
happiness, and lose face."  She added the last figuring Jeff's
Japanese born wife would understand completely.
     "Hai, sound most unfortunate."  Nabiki said thoughtfully as she
listened.
     "My friend was once a very important person.  Now he is little
more than an unpaid baby-sitter and housekeeper."  Rachel folded her
arms, more to give herself emotional strength than to emphasize
anything.  She was all the way out on the thin ice now.
     "Your friend very lucky to have you."  Nabiki didn't really sound
too convincing as she was just beginning to figure out where this was
all going.
     "Perhaps so," Rachel braced to deliver the punch line - a line
she delivered as quickly as she could.  "This all happened because his
wife insisted on acting like an immature, spoiled, selfish brat who
had no regard for the happiness of her husband and even less concern
for her new baby.  A person who'd sneak off to a crowded bar on a
Friday night and attempt to pass herself off as a single person when
she had a husband and a child waiting for her at home."  She finished
with Nabiki fixed firmly in the hardest look she could muster.  She
had accurately presented Nabiki with her image of Jeff's wife.  "And
to think I once sided with his wife when he was acting foolish...." 
She was taking a very big chance here, confronting her employer's wife
and all, but she'd watched someone she really liked and respected get
totally torn asunder by this.... girl.  The missing ring incident was
only the last straw.
     Nabiki returned her look, anger bubbling just below the surface. 
She didn't like being told off in her own home.  She didn't like being
confronted by how others viewed her.  It wasn't fair.  They didn't
understand.
     Slowly, the truthfulness of what Rachel said seeped under and
around Nabiki's instinctive defenses.  Nabiki's eyes closed and her
jaw set as if she were going to cry.  She could see how she could
appear the way Rachel described her and wasn't sure she'd like such a
person much herself.  As she tried to form the proper English words to
explain her actions, Sodoshi started fussing from her crib.  In the
past, Nabiki would have just ignored her daughter - dealing with her
only when Sodoshi built up to a full blown wail of distress.  But
she'd been, at least, partly trained and more responsive to her
daughter's needs.  Besides, she had company.  Company she wanted to
impress.  She swallowed hard.
     "Please stay," she repeated softly.  "Baby needs me."  She
motioned towards the nursery and the source of the disturbance.
     Rachel was noncommittal.  After all, she had just confronted her
employer's wife.... in her own home.... in the middle of the day.  She
reminded herself that she needed this job. 
     Nabiki disappeared back towards the nursery, leaving Rachel alone
in the living room.  The older girl's feeling of being out of place
quickly rose to the surface and took control.  She'd accomplished what
she intended.  She'd made her points.  No sense in pushing her luck. 
At least Nabiki was behaving more like a mother now.  
     Tearing a sheet of paper from her ever present notebook, she
wrote a quick note and shoved it under the box containing Nabiki's
wedding rings.
     With a heavy sigh, Rachel quietly went to the door, paused to
listen to Nabiki cooing at her baby, and silently left.
     Moments later, Nabiki came into the living room carrying her
baby.  She quickly got the impression she was now alone with her
child.
     "Rachel?" she called cautiously, hoping she was wrong.  There was
no answer.
     She quickly scurried to the window, just in time to catch sight
of Rachel's car disappearing down the street.  For several moments,
Nabiki sadly stared at the retreating vehicle, her mind whirling with
the many things she may have done to drive Rachel away, her heart
heavy with what the girl said while there.
     "So-chan, it looks like I did it again."  She adjusted Sodoshi's
little body on her hip as she continued to stare out the window. 
"Perhaps it's time I *did* go home."
     She returned to the sofa and plopped down - Sodoshi occupying a
spot in her lap.  Nabiki's eyes were drawn to the box of rings.  She
also noticed the paper under it.  Curious, she retrieved the paper and
slowly unfolded it. 
     <I do not think you are a bad person.  But Jeffrey is my friend. 
Do not hurt Jeffrey any more.>
     The words were simple.  The warning was clear.  If sides were
going to be chosen, Nabiki would no longer have an ally in Rachel.
     "Yes," Nabiki sighed.  "It *is* time to go home."
     Sodoshi began clutching at the front of Nabiki's blouse again. 
Nabiki just looked sadly at her daughter.
     "I told you," she chastised in a light voice.  "I don't do that
any more."

     It was a beautiful, warm summer day in Nerima - too nice a day
for a young kempo artist to practice indoors.  In the courtyard near
the dojo, Akane was going through her usual mid morning workout (not
to be confused with her "early morning running workout" or her 
"pre-lunch 'work-up-an-appetite' workout").  Her targets were simple 
rope wrapped stakes in the ground set about two meters apart.
     Fluidly, the youngest Tendo daughter moved from stake to stake -
her blows landing with enough force to shake the ground.  Clearly, her
occasional workouts with Ranma and daily practice alone had benefited
her.  There were 8 stakes in all, each made out of 6 inch square poles
of wood.  Akane had repeated her attack pattern several times before
changing, each time striking the posts in order; 1 through 8.  She was
just finishing her latest pattern when her kick attack drifted to a
9th post.  Luckily, her brain screamed a halt only inches before the
face of a young police officer - formally attired right down to his
spotless white gloves.
     As they stood assessing each other; she with in her gi with her
foot still inches from the officer's face and he with a totally calm 
look on his face, Akane was struck by the fact he was so handsome and
looked so authoritative in his policeman's uniform.
     "Are you the lady of the house?" he finally asked with only a
glance at Akane's tiny foot.
      Akane lowered her foot and, with an embarrassed look, paused -
before bowing politely. 
     "Mother died over 10 years ago," she quietly noted with an
instinctive lowering of her eyes.  "Oneechan runs the house now."
     The officer's reaction was quick and embarrassed.  "Oh, I'm sorry
to hear...."  He didn't finish as he quickly rummaged inside his coat
and nervously fished out a small sheaf of papers.
     "This *is* the Tendo residence."  He looked around like he was
lost.
     <That's a twist.> thought Akane.  <A lost policeman.>  "This is
the home of Soun Tendo and his three daughters."
     The policeman scribbled a few notes on one of the papers and
scowled.  He had encountered a few discrepancies in earlier visits due
to the faulty record keeping of this district, but this was the first
time he got everything but the name wrong.  He swallowed nervously.
     "Is your older sister home?"  He asked trying to regain the
implacable expression all Tokyo residents expected from their police
officers.
     Akane motioned for him to follow.  As he did, he glanced through
the gate to see his sergeant playing 'officer friendly' with a bunch
of pre-schoolers and a big shaggy dog.  He made a note to include the
sergeant's inattention to his duties in his report of the 'block
visits'.
     As the pair rounded the side of the house, the young policeman
couldn't help but notice Akane's shapely little butt and how it moved
so nicely under the thin material of her pants.  He watched carefully,
trying to see if she was wearing panties or not.  It was just an
exercise in observation, he reasoned.
     At the engawa, Akane suggested the officer wait while she went to
find Kasumi.  Like all police everywhere, he still had a few questions
for the youngest Tendo.
     "I noticed you have a training dojo out back."  He indicated the
dojo briefly with a white gloved hand.  "Is it still in use?"
     "Why?" Akane was becoming concerned at all the questions this
young fellow felt necessary to ask.
     "It's just that we like to know what businesses in our district
are open to strangers late at night.  Keeping tabs on the comings and
goings of strangers is our job."  He bowed slightly Akane's direction.
     "The dojo is no longer used.  Father stopped teaching when mother
died."
     "I see.  Did your father teach the style of kempo you were
practicing out in the courtyard?"
     "Yes."
     "Somewhat an undisciplined version, isn't it?"
     Visions of introducing him to Ranma flashed through her mind.  
     "I don't know what you're talking about, sir."  Akane was
becoming irritated at this young officer's manners.  He was almost
worse than her fianc‚.  "You speak like someone who knows something
about kempo."
     The young officer looked down modestly for only a second before
snapping to attention and announcing: "I was the kempo champion at the
police academy three years in a row."
     Akane eyed the newcomer critically.  <Must not have been much
competition.> she thought sarcastically.  "Wait here.  I'll go get my
sister."
     As Akane disappeared into the house, the young officer pushed
back his hat and looked around the compound.  He noted the lack of
clutter and few hiding places, except for the high wall.  He made a
special note to himself to keep a closer eye on this place due to the
fact it had three girls and an old man living in it.  Burglars just
love such situations.
     "May I help you?" came the sweetest, most melodic voice he'd ever
heard.  He turned to see Kasumi Tendo, wearing a simple apron and
clutching a dish towel to her chest.  His reaction was.... familiar.
     "Oh..... heh.... fancy meeting you here," he babbled.
     As he continued stammering and sounding like a total goof, Kasumi
just smiled sweetly - like she didn't notice anything different about
this new guest.
     Akane just crossed her arms, leaned against the framework of the
sliding wall, and watched the officer's antics with bewilderment.
     <How does she do that?> Akane thought.  <What is it about
Oneechan that causes guys to become babbling fools all the time?>  She
just shook her head and wondered if she should go take her bath now.
     "I'm.... Officer Watanabe Kenji," he stammered while pulling out
his personal cards.  He had regained some of his usual composure - but
only temporarily.  Fumbling with the rubber banded stack with his
gloved hands, he silently cursed his clumsiness.  Each time he glanced
at Kasumi, she was wearing the same passively friendly smile - which
only caused him to become more nervous as he struggled with his cards. 
Just after flashing Kasumi a nervous grin, his stack of cards seemed
to explode as the thin rubber band gave way, cards flying everywhere. 
Officer Watanabe closed his eyes in embarrassment, Kasumi covered her
mouth in surprise, and Akane just rolled her eyes and went to get the
broom.
     <This guy's a bigger goof when it comes to girls than Ranma.>
Akane thought with another roll of her eyes and shake of her head.
     "I'm very sorry, miss....?"  He stopped gathering up his cards to
look her way with his question.
     "Kasumi.  Tendo Kasumi."  She bowed politely.
     "I was told the older sister was the lady of the house.  Surely
you couldn't be...."
     "How sweet, but I'm afraid I'm the oldest of my sisters."  She
struck a 'too cute for words' pose.  Obviously, *she'd* been talking
to Nabiki too.
     "We're required to make annual visits to each of the homes and
businesses in our district," he said nervously as he handed one of his
cards to Kasumi.  "To introduce ourselves and discuss problems we
might be of assistance with."
     "My how nice.  The last one of these I remember was when I was a
little girl.  Mother talked to.... Officer Fujimoto, I believe."  She
struck her 'pensive' pose - her finger alongside her cheek, a little
pout on her face.
     It had the desired effect on Officer Watanabe.  He seemed to melt
slightly as he caught Kasumi's beautiful eyes.  They just stared at
each other for several minutes - she with her usual wistful smile and
he, his mouth open and his eyes wide with longing.  Akane, returning
with the broom, made a face and kept reminding herself: <I won't throw
up.  I won't throw up.>
     "Is Officer Fujimoto still with the force?"  Kasumi finally
asked.  It seemed to snap the young officer out of his trance.
     "Hai.  He's now the district first sergeant."
     "How sweet."  Kasumi continued to smile at the young officer,
obviously interested in more than just his answers.  <Not now mother. 
You've had six months and still Tofu-sensi refuses to even ask me out
for a date.  I've cleaned for him, I've done the books for him, and
still he treats me like a female relative.  If this is the best you
can do, I'm going to have to take matters into my own hands.>
     "We are supposed to take note of the number and types of
residents in each neighborhood."  He pulled out the same sheaf of
papers he had when talking to Akane earlier.  "Now, there is yourself,
your two sisters, and your father living here.  Correct?"  He
continued to scribble while silently patting himself on his back for
paying attention so well while talking to the younger girl.
     "Actually, only Akane and myself still live here with our father. 
Nabiki married and moved away."
     "She married kind of young, didn't she?"  Officer Watanabe
clearly showed his displeasure at Kasumi's *younger* sister was
already married *before* the eldest daughter.
     <You'd be in a hurry too if you had the chance to marry into THAT
kind of money.> Akane mused.
     "Well, she married an American.  They recently had a baby."
     "How nice for them," he absently answered.  "Do they visit
often?"
     "Not often enough," Kasumi sighed.
     "Any other people living here?"  He acted like he was going to
ignore the obviously wistful look on Kasumi's face and pressed ahead
with his best Jack Webb voice.
     "Well...." Kasumi hesitated, trying to think of how to explain
Ranma and his father.  "There's Akane's fianc‚ and his father."
     "College student?"
     "Ranma is."
     "Yes, I believe I've seen him around.  Medium build, black hair,
likes to hop across roof tops.  That all?"
     Kasumi hesitated again.  She struggled with how to explain
Ranma's little.... problem.  Fortunately, Akane rode to the rescue.
     "Don't forget Ranko and her pet panda."  Akane was now seated at
the table just inside the room listening to everything taking place
out on the engawa.  She didn't think much of the new patrolman in
their district - considered him a little too struck by Kasumi for her
taste.
     "Of course, sweet little Ranko and her pet, Mr. Panda."  Kasumi
looked pleased at such a simple solution to her problem.
     "A panda?"  Officer Watanabe's voice went flat with the question.
     "Oh, yes.  She doesn't go anywhere without him."  Kasumi
elaborated.
     "A girl and a panda wandering the streets of Nerima.  Isn't that
a little dangerous?"  He sounded all business now.  He had the public
safety issue he had hoped to find - an issue that'd get him noticed
down at headquarters.  He wasn't going to wait 10 years like that
idiot Fujimoto to become Sergeant.  He had ambition.
     "Not at all.  Ranko is a very polite and well behaved young
lady."  Akane's snickering made Kasumi's pronouncement of Ranma-chan's
behavior sound a little suspect.
     "I was referring to the panda, Miss Tendo."  He was becoming even
more official sounding than before.
     "Oh, Mr. Panda is no trouble.  He just eats and sleeps most of
the time.  Perhaps that's why he weighs almost 500 pounds."  Kasumi
smiled again - an act that was almost completely wasted on the young
officer.
     "Eats what and sleeps where?"
     "Oh, just the usual - bamboo and other vegetation." Kasumi
chuckled thinking about having to cook for both humans *and* a panda. 
"As for sleeping.  At 500 pounds, he pretty much sleeps where ever he
wants.  But usually up in the guest room."
     "You let a wild animal sleep in your house?"
     "Oh, he's not wild...."  Kasumi started to protest.
     "More like lazy." Akane added just loud enough to be heard.
     "He's very well behaved."  Kasumi finished with her usual
plastic, all purpose, all occasion smile.
     "Hmmmm.  Well, I'll have to report this to headquarters." 
Officer Watanabe started looking around for 'panda piles'.  He also
reminded himself to watch his step when leaving - no point in getting
'stuff' on his highly polished shoes.  It would spoil his image.
     She was about to sight additional points in favor of Mr. Saotome
in his panda form when the subject in question waddled through the
main gate heading directly for the engawa and Kasumi.
     "Here he comes now," Kasumi noted with a look in the direction of
the panda.
     Officer Watanabe's reaction was a sharp, short draw of breath as
he stepped out of the way.  Mr. Saotome acted as if he didn't even see
the officer.  Climbing over the engawa, he stopped and turned to look
at the, now sweating, police officer.
     "Who's he?"  The panda's sign read.
     "This is Officer Kenji Watanabe, Mr. Panda." Kasumi happily made
the introduction.  "He's here to do their annual visit."
     Mr. Saotome just snorted disdainfully and held up another sign
that read: "Taking bath."
     "Hey!  I'm next." Akane protested.  The panda just snarled her
direction, causing her to reconsider.  "I suppose I can wait." she
mumbled as the panda waddled towards the bath.
     "See?  He really is no trouble."  She finished with her usual
sweet smile.  Something in it caused Officer Watanabe to melt inside. 
It was hard being official with such a wonderful girl smiling his way.
     "Very well,"  He sounded less than authoritative.  "I must be on
my way.  Thank you for your time, miss...."  He quickly glanced at his
notes. "Tendo Kasumi."
     Kasumi warmly acknowledged Officer Watanabe and continued to
smile while he seemed to stumble his way to the gate.  Akane finally
felt her stomach settle down enough to go stand next to her sister.
     "So, cute guy, huh!"  She watched the officer leave the compound
while glancing over at her oneechan.  Kasumi's eyes never left the
young policeman as he departed.  Her little smile seemed to deepen and
soften, like she really *was* interested in this new guy.
     "He seems very nice, Akane," she finally replied.  "We are very
lucky to have such a young, energetic police officer in our
neighborhood."  She continued to smile wistfully at the main gate.
     Akane didn't like the way she continued to stare in the direction
the officer left by.  She also didn't like the way Kasumi looked at
the policeman.  It was almost as if....
     "What about Dr. Tofu?"  Akane finally asked, looking up at her
big sister.
     Kasumi didn't answer - didn't even act like she heard her little
sister, choosing instead to return to the kitchen, using her plastic
'Number 4' smile to cover the distance between the engawa and the
kitchen.  She'd putt out later.
     Absently, Akane picked up one of the officer's abandoned cards. 
Fingering it, she thought how Kasumi was right, of course, it would be
a good thing to have some new blood down at the local police koban. 
Akane couldn't remember when she last saw one of the officers without
white hair.  They all seemed so.... old to be policemen.  Perhaps
that's because so little in the way of real 'crime' took place in
Nerima.  Sure, there was the usual burglaries and such.  But, for the
most part, crime really dropped off when Ranma moved into their home. 
The older policemen were used to the strange goings on surrounding
Ranma and his father.  All that needed to be said whenever some
disturbance took place was that Ranma was somehow involved and the
incident could be written off as 'Saotome inspired disturbance of the
peace' and quickly forgotten.  This new officer might be a little
more.... diligent in pursuit of justice.
     <I better have a little talk with sweet little Ranko and her
'panda' about this new development.> Akane thought as she wandered in
to take her bath.  <Don't want one or both getting themselves arrested
by the new guy.>
     Akane was still chuckling to herself about Officer Watanabe's
reaction to her sister, figuring that it must be some kind of
pheromone or something, as she undressed in the outer room of the
bath.  Holding a tiny tenugi towel in front of her, she opened the
door to the bath itself.
     Kasumi was stacking the last of the lunch dishes when Akane's
scream cut through the residence.  It appeared to be coming from the
bath.  She closed her eyes and shook her head.  <Not again.>

[To be continued]