"Donny Cheng" This story takes place after volume 38 of the manga. Disclaimer: All characters portrayed in this story are the property of Rumiko Takahashi and co. For Love or Money by Donny Cheng Nabiki stared aimlessly into the sky, "What was that you said Meiko?" Nabiki couldn't concentrate on anything these days. The damage that the wedding caused, had all but exhausted the Tendo family resources. The money she had conned out of the guests had ended up being very little. She should have known that high school kids didn't have all that much money to spend. Meiko was disturbed by Nabiki's lack of attention. "I asked you what was wrong with you today. Boss, you're usually out there starting a betting pool on anything that could be bet upon right about this time of day." Nabiki sighed. "That's just the problem. There is nothing to interesting to bet on these days. After that disaster with the wedding, every interesting person in Nerima has decided to tone things down a bit. It's become too routine. Ranma and Akane are getting along moderately well. All of Ranma's other suitors have apologized for their part in the incident. They're all getting along amazingly well now that they know that Ranma is not in danger of being wed off any time soon. After the big fight in China, everyone has found out just how powerful Ranma is. So Ryoga and Mousse are not going to attack Ranma, until they either improve or discover new secret techniques. All in all, I don't think things will get back to normal for at least another month." Nabiki's other henchwoman, Yukio, looked worried. "Then are net profit for this month is going to be practically non-existant." Meiko thought for a bit before she spoke up. "But boss, why don't we just do what we did before Ranma came to Nerima." "I had already thought about this. But the way we made money before was by selling pictures to love starved students and starting betting pools with the fights Kuno or my sister gets in. Right now the most desireable person in school is not my sister. Rather, it's Ranma in either of his forms. Every boy and girl in school has bought enough pictures from us to get a good enough idea of how Ranma looks in the buff. The only person Kuno fights these days is Ranma. Nobody is stupid enough to bet on Kuno anymore. Nobody dares pick a fight with Akane with Ranma in the way." Nabiki looked depressed as she thought about a whole month's profit down the drain. The Tendo coffers were going to be mightily low this month, especially with a whole other family to feed. Yukio was also depressed. "I wish the month would end already. Too bad things can't be like that week we had a few months ago. You remember boss. That was when you had gotten yourself engaged to Ranma. We rented him out the so many people those couple of days. Even though you never got any money when you finally got rid of him, that was our most protitable week ever. Boss? Are you listening?" Nabiki suddenly sat straight up as a plan formed in her mind. Already, ideas popped into her mind on how to make the most out of scheme. "I know how to get things back to normal a little sooner. Meiko, I want you to start calling up all our usual clients that are interested in Ranma. Yukio, I want you to start spreading hints to Ranma's fiancees of our new plan." Meiko was surprised at Nabiki's sudden outburst. "What? What is our new plan." Nabiki's eyes glinted she explained to them her plan. "Yukio was the one who thought of it. I will become Ranma's fiancee once again. Then we will rent him out to any one interested at a high price. I'm pretty sure I can pull this stunt off for at least two weeks before Ranma tries to get rid of me. That should be more than enough time to for us to exploit this to our full advantage." Meiko and Yukio rubbed there hands in glee as Nabiki outlined to them the aspects of this new venture. * * * * * Ranma could feel danger in the air as he walked into the dining room. He looked around quickly. There were sounds of someone cooking in the kitchen. His mother was cleaning up the house. Kasumi was pouring tea for his father and Soun as they played go. Nabiki was on the phone ordering takeout. Wait a minute here, his brain told him. His brain did a quick run through of all the facts: His mother is cleaning the house. Kasumi is serving tea. Kasumi and mother are not in the kitchen cooking dinner. Nabiki is ordering takeout. Akane is not here with us. Someone is in the kitchen cooking. Result: One very sick Ranma. Ranma quickly turned tail and ran as fast as he could out the Tendo dojo. A hammer flew out the kitchen and imbedded itself on Ranma's head as he reached the door. Akane came out the kitchen and dragged him back to where the other's sat. "Ranma don't you dare run away. I tried very hard this time. I know all of you will just love what I cooked." Soun and Genma paled at Akane's comment. Nabiki smirked as she looked at Akane. "Oh Akane, didn't daddy tell you. We already ordered takeout for dinner. Oh, don't worry about your food going to waste. We all know what a big eater Ranma is. I'm sure he will be able to eat all of what you made for us. Akane was doubtful of that. It seemed whenever she made dinner, everyone else had already made plans for something else. Oh well, at least there was still Ranma and herself. She went into the kitchen to bring dinner out. * * * * * Nabiki grinned as Ranma was flattened by Akane when he began to make chocking noises. Akane obviously thought that he was making fun of her again. Nabiki knew better and calmly whacked Ranma's back a few times. "Really Akane, is that any way to treat your fiancee? I mean your cooking does leave a lot to be desired." Ranma recovered from his coughing fit. True to form, Ranma stuck his foot in his mouth once again. "Leave a lot to be desired? That's putting it mildly. You'd have to be crazy to want to eat that toxic slop Akane calls food." "Now, now. Ranma be nice. I wouldn't call Akane's food toxic." Akane was about to again beat some sense into Ranma when she heard Nabiki's comment. "Do you really think so, Nabiki?" Her eyes shimered at the thought of someone actually appreciating her effort. Nabiki smiled as she began the setup for part one of her plan. "Yes, I mean it. If it were toxic, we'd all be dead by the noxious fumes already. I mean, I'd rank your food a wee bit above toxic waste any day of the week." "The emphasis here is 'a wee bit'." Just as Nabiki had predicted Ranma couldn't help but add his two cents in. She laughed to herself at how easy it was to manipulate Ranma. Akane looked between Nabiki and Ranma. She couldn't believe it. Her sister and Ranma were teaming up against her. If she thought about it, she would have noticed that this turn of events were awfully familiar to an incident a few months ago. However, anger clouded her judgement. "Ranma, you jerk!" Akane grabbed Ranma by the shirt and hurled him at the koi pond. "Our engagement is off. I don't want anything more to do with you." Nabiki could barely keep herself from laughing. Her sister and Ranma were just too predictable. Somehow she managed to keep a straight face as she helped Ranma out of the koi pond and spoke to Akane evenly. "Well since you're not Ranma's fiancee anymore, I guess I will have to take up that burden once more. Honor does dictate that one of the Tendo girls marry him." Akane could only stare at her sister in disbelief. Nabiki had manipulated her once again. Akane's pride kept her from trying to take Ranma back. She eyed her sister angrily for a moment, before she finally relented and sighed. She knew that Nabiki only wanted money and would get rid of Ranma when she made enough. Akane would never stoop as low as paying to get him back. She only hoped that Nabiki would tire of him soon. "Fine! You can have him." Nabiki grinned mischiefly at Ranma. "Well, it looks like you will have to say you're sorry to Akane." Her mind could already guess Ranma's next words. Ranma was pissed as he slapped some money on Nabiki's palm. "What? She should be the one saying sorry. She's the one that made dinner." Nabiki was shocked at the money Ranma put into her hand. "What's this money for? The next payment on your debt isn't until next week." Ranma shrugged his shoulders. "You don't remember? You saved me from Akane's cooking and you helped me out of the pond. It's the usual $1000 yen." Nabiki mentally slapped herself. She had been so busy setting up her scheme, she had forgotten about the help she gave Ranma. This kind of help happened nearly every other day. But as she watched Ranma go into the house, she couldn't help but feel something was wrong with this picture. * * * * * Nabiki smiled as she walked beside Ranma to school. Everything was going according to plan. Akane had left early for school and told everyone that it was now Nabiki's duty to take Ranma to school everyday. Father had cried as he begged Akane to take Ranma back. Soun knew that Nabiki's goal later in life was to sell off the dojo and live a life of luxary. Akane was as stubborn as a mule and would not listen to her father. Akane would not try to take Ranma back from Nabiki no matter what. Ranma would not admit he was wrong. If things kept up, it looked two weeks could easily pass before Akane and Ranma would make up. All Nabiki now had to do was try and make the most out of this situation. "Ranma, since I am now you're fiancee, it is my duty to look out for your welfare. To that purpose, I have signed you up for a few after school activities." Ranma looked at Nabiki suspiciously. "And if I don't go to these activities?" Nabiki looked up at Ranma in horror as she wiped away the tears on her face. "What? I try my best to be the best fiancee to you as possible and this is how you repay me. Why don't you just go and apologize to Akane then, if you hate me so much?" Maybe the crocodile tears were a bit much, Nabiki thought to herself. It didn't matter though. Ranma acted exactly as Nabiki thought he would. Ranma could never stand to see a girl hurt. That combined with the fact that Ranma was not ready to talk to Akane yet made up his mind for him. "I didn't mean it that way. I'll go and do whatever you planned for me." His shoulders immediately sagged as Nabiki suddenly stopped crying and smiled. She had outmaneuvered him again. Ranma silently accepted his fate. "Eating healthy is another required element in a person's physical well being. I've reserved a seat for you to eat at the Neko-haten for lunch. Shampoo will know what to serve you. I also forgot to mention that we are going to go out on a date every other day. I think we should go to Ucchan's to eat tonight. I have pressing matters to attend to first, so I won't get there until much later. You have fun with Ukyo until I get there, okay?" Ranma did not say anything as he groaned. Could this get any worse? The sky thundered in answer. * * * * * Nodoka watched sadly as Ranma dragged himself back into the house. He could barely keep himself upright. She would have to have a talk with Nabiki. That girl was killing her son with all those demands. She went up the stairs to Nabiki's room and knocked on the door. "It's open, come in." Nabiki called out within her room. Nodoka opened to door to see Nabiki sorting out the finances. She felt pity well up inside of her. So young and burdoned with so much responsibility. "Nabiki-chan, I would have a word with you?" Nabiki closed up the books and looked at Nodoka with a raised eyebrow. "Sure, auntie Saotome. What do you want to talk about?" "I think that you are treating Ranma too harshly. Shouldn't you take it easy with him?" "Well he is my fiancee now. I should look after his well being and it's not like I'm forcing Ranma to go to those after school events." Nodoka was not fooled for a moment. She did not believe Nabiki had any feelings at all for Ranma. Though she had only known Ranma and Nabiki for just over a few month's time, she felt that she knew the workings of both their brains fairly well. "You and I both know of Ranma's extreme naivety. He would never go against your wishes, if you shed enough tears." Nabiki looked at Nodoka in shock. Nodoka knew how she was controlling Ranma. "So what? Ranma puts huge dent on our finances with his eating habits and they fights he gets in. He does nothing to repay us back. I'm just getting back what's due to us." Nabiki knew that Nodoka, being a traditionalist, would be shamed at the thought of her family being beholden to another. She hoped the Nodoka would give up after this. Nodoka sank her head. It was true that her family was in the Tendo family's debt. With their house being destroyed, they had nowhere to go. They were not a rich family, so they could not afford to move out just yet. She had already gotten Genma to get his old job back from Dr. Tofu and she was helping Kasumi around the house. They were doing everything in their power to lessen their impact on the Tendos. However, Nabiki's comment about Ranma angered her for some reason. She knew her son had his own way of helping out. "Nabiki, I had thought that besides myself, you were the only one who truly understood my son's thoughts and actions. Now, I know I am wrong. You don't know Ranma very well at all." Nodoka got up and left the room. Nabiki stared at Nodoka's retreating back. What did she mean by that? She prided herself on her knowledge of the inner workings of Ranma's mind. How else did she make Ranma do everything she wanted? * * * * * Ranma looked at Nabiki as they walked home from school. Nabiki had been in a foul mood all day long. He decided that Nabiki needed some cheering up. "Hey, Nabiki! Want to stop by the ice cream parlor before we head home. I'm hungry. It'll be my treat." He smiled as Nabiki seemed to perk up little. Nabiki was the only other person that had a sweet tooth that rivaled his own. "Okay. What ever you want, Ranma-kun." How nice it was of Ranma to treat her. Nabiki inwardly frowned. Why was Ranma treating her so nicely? He must want something from me. Probably wants another extension on his debt. * * * * * Nabiki looked in disgust at Ranma's act. Ranma had turned himself into a girl and flirted with the ice cream jockey. She gave Nabiki a grin as she brought them their ice cream cones. There was an extra scoop of ice cream for the both of them. "Ranma, you give women every where a bad name." Ranma looked at her in mock surprise. "You should be the one to talk. You always try to gain the upper hand in every situation. I'm surprised that you don't do this. I mean with your looks, you could easily do the same." Nabiki was stunned. Did Ranma just pay her a compliment? She did not kid herself when it came to her looks. She knew that many boys found her good looking and wanted to date her. But this was Ranma. The boy that had every girl in Nerima interested in him. He hardly even noticed it when girls threw themselves at him. He must really want that extension badly. Nabiki tried to do her best to look indignant. "For your information, I do not demean myself by using my body to get what I want. I use something that you obviously don't have very much of. Brains." Ranma could not for the life of him figure Nabiki out. She still seemed to look sad. Ranma hated to see that. His experience with his fiancees has taught him that women felt better after a compliment. Ukyo and Akane practically beamed when he mentioned they were cute. Shampoo overflowed with happiness when she tricked him for dates. Well there was still some thing that he hadn't tried yet. Money. "Oh! I almost forgot. Here's my payment on part of the debt I owe you." Ranma kept a straight face as Nabiki's eyes lighted up. The sight of money lifted Nabiki's mood immediately. She quickly grabbed the money and started to count it. "Let me just mark this down on your permanent record." Nabiki frowned as she looked at Ranma's tab. The amount of money he owed her was $500 yen. The amount she had in her hand was more than enough. It seemed that she was so busy using Ranma she hadn't had time to blackmail Ranma this little while. "Ranma, you only owe me $500 yen. This is too much." Ranma saw Nabiki's mood drop fast. He had to think fast. He really did want to bring her out of this funk and he did want to help out with the finances whenever he could. "Um..ah. The rest is for you to keep quiet about those dates you set me up on. You know how jealous Akane gets. I don't think I gave you enough. It's the usual $1000 yen, right? So, I still owe you $500 yen, since you have $1000 there." Nabiki mentally slapped herself. Of course! She had been too caught up in collecting the rental fee from each of Ranma's suitors that she forgot to take money from Ranma as well. "Actually, you went on dates with three people. So it's triple that amount. You owe me $2500 yen." Ranma breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay, just put it on my account." Nabiki watched as Ranma dubviously as they left for home. For the second time, she felt that something was not right here. * * * * * Nabiki threw her pencil down in frustration. After that incident at the store, she decided it was time to go over her books. What she found, shocked her. Every monthly allowance Ranma had ever received had gone to her minus a few hundred yen or so. Other than junk food and gifts for others, Ranma had not bought a single thing for himself since he arrived a year ago. In fact, the money Ranma made when he sometimes worked at the Neko-haten and Uuchan's all went to her because of blackmail or some other reason. Why didn't she know this before? All the clues were there. He almost never argued about the money he owed her. His room was practically bare. The only clothes he wore were the ones he brought from China and the girl clothes that we gave him for his cursed form. Ranma did not own anything of value. Could Nodoka have been right? Did she really did misjudge Ranma all this time? * * * * * Ranma looked with concern at Nabiki, while they walked to school. Recently, she seemed to get depressed everytime she was around him. Did she really hate this engagement this much? He remembered the brief time he had been engaged to Nabiki earlier this year. He had been furious to learn that she had been using him to earn money and did not care at all for his feelings. She had been planning to dump him the first moment she got enough money or when he became too much of a hassle to handle. His anger quickly died out when he found out the most of the money she made went back to the dojo. Nabiki was very much like him in many ways when it came to helping out with the finances. In fact, Nabiki, like him, did not have many worldly possessions. Most of the clothes in her closet were borrowed from Akane or Kasumi. Her room was just as bare as his own. When she did buy something, that was not junk food, it was surprising to all who knew her. She was that much of a spend thrift. So he could never really held a grudge against Nabiki, no matter what she did to him. Ranma was worried as he looked at Nabiki now. Had she already had enough of him? Was he becoming a nuisance? "Hey Nabiki! What's wrong? You look down in the dumps?" Nabiki fought the waves of guilt that flooded her body. Ranma was again trying to be nice to her despite all that she had done to him this past week. "Nothing's wrong with me, I'm just thinking. Thanks for your concern though." "No need to say thanks. That's what friends are for." Nabiki stopped in her tracks. Ranma considered her a friend? Outside of her sisters, she had very few friends. They were either partners in her business or just people she talked with at school. "Friends? Really Ranma, I would hardly use that term to describe our relationship." Ranma could hear the bitterness in Nabiki's voice. He couldn't help but feel a need to comfort her. "Yes, friends. You are one of the few people I can goto when I'm in trouble. Even if you do charge a fee for your help, I know I can count on you. That's what friends are for. They help one another in times of need. I would do the same for you too, if you ever needed my help." "Yeah, whatever." Nabiki looked at Ranma with an emotionless expression. Inside, though, her emotions were wreaking havok on her heart. For one of the few times in her life, Nabiki actually felt happiness. There was a person outside of her family that had called her a friend. The school bell sounded in the distance. Their conversation had made Ranma lose all track of time. "We're going to be late. I'm going to have to take us to school the fast way." Usually, Ranma would just run with Akane at warp speed when they were late. But Nabiki was not all that fast, so Ranma scooped her up and vaulted to school via the roof tops. Some times Ranma couldn't understand how a person, who's ability to avoid trouble is unrivaled in all of Nerima, could be so slow. Her body wasn't like it was out of shape or anything. Seeing her in a swimsuit and feeling her body against him now, Ranma knew that she had a great body. Ranma's mind suddenly seized up. What was he doing thinking of Nabiki in that way all of a sudden? Maybe Akane was right about him being a pervert. Nabiki gasped as Ranma grabbed her and started to carry her to school. She felt a small shock shoot through her body as Ranma's strong arms held her. Did Ranma just squeeze her just now? Her mind went through the usual thought processes: Ranma had many girls chasing after him. These girls, even Akane, have great bodies. Ranma sometimes carried them for one reason or another. Ranma did not take advantage of them. Result: Ranma did not squeeze her. Though she was for some reason slightly disappointed by her conclusion, Nabiki decided to think nothing more of it. She absently snuggled closer to Ranma. * * * * * Nabiki glanced across the table at Ranma. They had again stopped at the ice cream parlor of some ice cream. They had been getting along remarkably well after Nabiki had told Ranma what she knew about his involvement in the finances. Nabiki had finally admitted to herself that she had been wrong about Ranma all along. She still conned and charged him for her sevices, but that was just to keep appearances up. Nabiki did have a reputation to keep up after all. However, when no one was looking, Nabiki and Ranma acted like friends. They would tell each other of their day and exchange stories of their relative pasts. Her daily life and life story was not very interesting, yet Ranma didn't seem to mind. When it was Ranma's turn to talk, Nabiki found herself captivated. Nabiki discovered that she could not stop herself from learning everything about Ranma. "So you've been alone your whole life? I wouldn't call that an ideal child hood." Ranma smiled as he talked to Nabiki. "So you understand why I had been so happy when I first met Akane and when Ukyo first came to Nerima. Akane was the first person to want to be friends with me in a long time. Ukyo was one of the few child hood friends that I had." Ranma's mood dropped as he remembered the past. "Those relationships immediately changed once I was engaged to them. The fact that they're my fiancees overshadows whatever friendship that we might have." Nabiki's heart went out to Ranma. In truth, Nabiki was very lonely. She had never allowed anyone to get close to her after her mother died. She did not want to feel the pain of losing someone close to her again. Ranma was different. She found that Ranma was just a lonely as she was, if not lonelier. He had grown up isolated and never really had a friend for any long period of time. Their mutual need for companionship brought them closer together. Ranma's spirits lifted as he saw Nabiki smile reasuringly at him. Nabiki was the only one who was not affected by the fact that she was now his fiancee. They both didn't take the engagement seriously, so Ranma did not feel any pressure at all. He was free to do as he liked around Nabiki. He hadn't had a person to hang out with in a long while. It felt nice and Ranma hoped that it would never end. * * * * * Nabiki watched from the sidelines as Ranma and Ryoga fought. Ryoga had returned from his training trip and promptly challenged Ranma to a fight. It seemed he had again improved. He was still no match for Ranma, but he was good enough to have a few people willing to bet on him. Mousse was also scheduled to appear later this week and challenge Ranma. Her informants told her that the Neko-haten had recently ordered a variety of items from China. They were probably magical in nature. It looked like things were getting back to normal. The opportunities to make money were back in full force. Pretty soon Nabiki would be buzy with her day to day operations. This meant she would not have time to be a full time fiancee. Somehow this turn of events did not seem to make her as happy, as she had first thought. The thought of giving Ranma back to Akane made her heart ache. She tried to convince herself that it was the idea of losing so much profit that made her feel this way. A small part of her told her otherwise. It was because she was starting to develop feelings for Ranma. Nabiki cursed herself for feeling this. She tried to think of Akane. She had seen how the last couple of weeks had affected her younger sister. Akane was listless most of the time and seemed to be in constant depression when Ranma wasn't looking. Contrary to popular belief, Nabiki did care for her family. She was very protective of Akane. She did not like to see Akane hurt in any way. With a heavy heart, she decided to start the end phase of her plan. * * * * * Ranma looked disparingly at his opponent. Never had he ever feared someone so much. The challenger stared at him with a determined look, as if knowing who would win this contest. The bystanders looked at him in disgust. They already knew that he would lose. Ranma slumped to the ground. He had lost. "I can't kiss you Nabiki. I'm sorry." Nabiki cried as she looked at Ranma. "So, you don't love me. You don't want me as your fiancee. You've been using me this whole time to get back at Akane. Fine. From this moment on, we are no longer engaged." Nabiki turned and ran towards her room. All was going according to plan. She knew Ranma's extreme shyness would never allow him to declare his love for another. With Ranma's inability to kiss her, Nabiki had effectively broken her the engagement. So, why wasn't she happy that her plan had worked? Nabiki had felt a sharp pain stab her in the heart when she heard Ranma apologize. The tears on her face refused to stop as she went into her room. She didn't have to use crocodile tears on Ranma as she had thought. Akane watched her sister run to her room. Wow, her acting has improved. Akane actually thought that Nabiki really was sad for a moment there. Nabiki had finally made enough off of Ranma. She turned and looked at Ranma, who was staring at Nabiki's retreating back. She smiled inwardly to herself as she half-heartedly hit Ranma a few times. "Ranma, how could you do that to my sister? You better apologize to her later." Akane then went to her room happily. She had gotten her fiancee back. Soun and Genma hugged each other and cried. They were both deliriously happy. The future of the union between the two schools of Anything Goes was once again intact. Nodoka watched sadly at the latest turn of events. She had seen the expressions on both the faces of Ranma and Nabiki. The feelings they had shown were genuine, whether they knew it or not. She should have known that something would come out of their constant closeness to each other. She looked towards Kasumi. The eldest Tendo sister looked back at her knowingly. Kasumi also knew that what had passed between Nabiki and Ranma was a little more than just acting on the part of Nabiki. Ranma was in shock as he lied slump on the ground. He had barely felt the punches Akane threw his way, yet he felt hurt all over. Why was he feeling this way? He and Nabiki were just friends, nothing more. Right? He knew that what Nabiki had been trying to do when she asked him to kiss her, so he played it out. But when he had looked into her eyes, he could see a glimpse of pain and longing. He had been sorely tempted to kiss her, as if that would ease the pain that she felt. When she had ran away from him with tears streaming down her face, Ranma's heart cried out to her. He kicked himself mentally. Nabiki was just acting. She didn't really feel that way at all. It wasn't the first time that she had done this. She did all this just to get rid of him, because she didn't need him anymore to make money. He should be angry. So, why wasn't he? * * * * * Kasumi was worried as she watched Nabiki. The two sisters were to only ones at home as everyone went to watch a fight between Ranma and Mousse. To anyone else, Nabiki's expressionless face was normal. Kasumi had cared for Nabiki since their mother died, so she knew better than anyone at her sister's ability to mask her emotions. She could see that Nabiki was very depressed at the moment and knew what was the cause of this. It was Ranma. The past few weeks had made Nabiki warm up to Ranma and feelings were beginning to bud between them. Kasumi sighed as she thought about what Nabiki had sacrificed in order to make Akane happy. Something had to be done to help her. Kasumi hesitated to think what would happen when Nabiki's pent up frustrations threatened to explode. There was only one thing that could do to help her now. Kasumi silently hoped that Akane would forgive her for what she was about to do. * * * * * Nabiki watched her older sister in shock. Kasumi was crying. "What's wrong Kasumi? Why are you crying?" "It's nothing. Oh, who am I kidding? It's this man I like. I've had this crush on him for so long, only to find out that he's engaged to someone else." "What? How can this be possible? Dr. Tofu loves you. Why would he be engaged to another?" Kasumi did a double take. Dr. Tofu loves her? Better go along with this. "It seems that his fiancee is a childhood sweetheart of his. They used to date with each other. Their relationship is pretty strong. I think he cares for her, so he did not refuse when she proposed. Afterall, Dr. Tofu and I hardly know each other. What right do I have of trying to break up their union?" "So what! You care for him. He cares for you. Isn't that all that matters?" "But what about the fiancee? She's had a long history with him and is a nice girl, from what I hear. I don't want her to get hurt." "Whenever there is a love triangle, someone is bound to get hurt. If he marries her, you get hurt. If he marries you, she gets hurt. Do not deny yourself the chance at love just because you are afraid of hurting another. The past does not mean anything. Having a history together has no bearing whatsoever on what is happening now. What matters now, is the fact that you want to be with him." Kasumi smiled sunnily as she suddenly stopped crying. "I'm glad that you understand, Nabiki. Now, if you would excuse me. There is a certain doctor I have to talk to. Who would have guessed that Dr. Tofu has a crush on me?" Nabiki did not reply as she stared dumbfoundedly at Kasumi. Her kind, sweet, and honest sister had manipulated her. Her thoughts then turned to Ranma. Somehow her feelings had towards him had changed over the last few weeks. He had gone from being her patsy to her friend and now to someone that she truly cared deeply for. She knew that she could no longer go back to being just a bystander in Ranma's life. She wanted to have part in Ranma's life. * * * * * Ranma looked worriedly at Nabiki. She had sent out invitations to a select group of people to meet at the Tendo Dojo. All of them were either his rivals or love interests. Ryoga, Mousse, Kuno, Kodachi, Ukyo, Shampoo, Cologne, Happosai, the Tendos, his parents, and any other people with an interest in his life were all invited. What was she planning? Was this another scheme of hers? Nabiki cleared her throat as she looked upon the gathered audience. "Well, I suppose you all want to know what I called you here for today. I have an announcement to make. I am going to propose to the man I love today and I wanted you all to be here to share in this joyous occasion." Nabiki then turned at looked at Ranma right in the eyes. "Ranma, would you marry me?" Ranma stood there stunned. When he had heard Nabiki declare that she was going to propose to another, he had felt sick in the stomache. Since he had split up with Nabiki, his life had felt empty once again. He had hoped that he could remain friends with Nabiki, but she had avoided him. It was then, that he first noticed his feelings for Nabiki had changed. He would feel guilty about Nabiki whenever one of his fiancees glomped onto him. He found himself drawn to her charming crooked smile every time he looked at her. Now, here was Nabiki asking for his hand in marriage. He didn't know what to say. Fortunately, or unfortunately (depending on who you were), he didn't have to say anything. Nabiki spoke for him. "Oh! You're overcome with joy, Ranma. You're so happy, you're speechless. I take it you accept." Nabiki eyes shone as she glomped onto Ranma. "We're now engaged." Needless to say, chaos exploded. * * * * * Ranma glared at Nabiki as he carried her away from their persuers. After Ranma's apparent 'acceptance' of the engagement, Kodachi, Ukyo, and Shampoo all went for Nabiki's throat. Since Nabiki didn't know martial arts, Ranma was obliged to save her. This caused all the males in the vicinity to attack him. All of them could not believe that Ranma had gained yet another fiancee. "What were you thinking? Is this another scam of yours? I thought you were smart. You had to know what would happen after you little speech." Ranma knew that the whole speech must have been an act. He guessed that Nabiki was having trouble with money again, so she was going to use him again. However, rather than being angry with her, Ranma felt a sense of joy in knowing that Nabiki was once again his fiancee. Nabiki smirked at Ranma. "Really, Ranma. Do you think that I'm that stupid? Of course I knew what would happen. Now, you listen here. I know you might no believe me, but this is the truth. I think that I may have fallen in love with you." "Uh..I..I." Ranma stared at Nabiki in shock. That one little admission of hers was currently destroying what few brain cells that he had. Various thrown weapons grazed him as he nearly fainted. Nabiki slapped some sense into him. Ranma knew that his own feeling for Nabiki bordered on love, but his ego and shyness prevented him from telling her. Instead, he decided to say something that was less dangerous. "I care about you , Nabiki. I just don't know if it is the way that you want me to feel." "Relax, Ranma. I don't expect you to declare your undying love to me. Although that would be nice, I know better than that. I just wanted you to know what I felt. The reason I did this was so that our families would think that I was using you again. This was the most effective way for you to be engaged to me without leaving Akane out. Also, this was one way to get a lot of witnesses to vouch that I am now indeed your fiancee." Nabiki then grinned wickedly as she gave him a sultry look that made Ranma blush. "The other reason was that I knew that you would save me. I love being in your arms." Nabiki lifted face to meet his. She kissed him passionately and smiled inwardly as she felt Ranma responding. Ranma broke the kiss and again stared at Nabiki in shock. He then shook his head in wonder. "I'll never understand woman. I'll never understand you." Nabiki smiled as she pulled Ranma's head towards her's for another kiss. She wispered, "I know Ranma. I plan on keeping you guessing for the rest of your life. * * * * * The End. C&C welcomed. Flames not.