At 11:46 AM 2/11/98 PST, you wrote:

*Author's Note:  This story draws on both the anime and the manga.
For continuity purposes, it should be noted that:  Ryouga and Ranma
have each mastered their ki-blasts;  Nodoka is uanaware of Ranma &
Genma's curses and;  Akari, Tarou and Konatsu have not yet been
introduced.  In the notes to the Prologue, I mistakenly said that
Tsubasa was also absent--this was an error (after all, I said it
takes place after the boys learn their ki-blasts--D'oh!!).

Hmm.  I'm comfortably certain that Pansuto Tarou is introduced BEFORE
Ryouga and Ranma learn the Shishi Houkoudan and Mouko Takabisha.  Tarou
is introduced in Nettohen episodes 103 and 104, while the Shishi
Houkoudan is introduced in episodes 123 and 124.

If such material offends or disturbs you, please consider not reading
this story--Unless, of course, you like being offended and/or
disturbed....

Do yer worst!  And just to make light of such a lovely dark
story, my good friends Haohmaru and Kibagami Genjuro from Samurai
Spirits have returned for another episode of Samurai Hoedown.
YEEHAW!  Err, wait a minute...

Genjuro:  Oh good.  A dark story.  Lots of death, mayhem and other
          assorted not-nice stuff.
Haohmaru: Insolent dog.  Life is something to be celebrated!
          Especially with very strong drink.
Genjuro:  I'll agree with the drinking part.
Deuce:    Guys...
Genjuro:  All right, all right...

   The casket slowly sank into the ground, rain spattering
as it struck the lid.  As it passed the lip of the grave,
Kodachi threw a single black rose across the top.

Deuce:    Does she realize that black roses mean that you WANT
          someone to die?
Genjuro:  Looks like she got her wish!  HAW HAW HAW!
Haohmaru: You might not laugh when you see who's dead...

   The Tendo/Saotome clan watched in silence, still stunned
by Kuno's sudden death.

Genjuro:  HAW HAW HAW!
Deuce:    Or maybe he will.

 Akane clutched P-Chan on her lap,
and neither of them objected to the arm that Ranma had
draped over her shoulder, while the other held an umbrella
over all three.

Haohmaru: Yeah, it'd be a shame for these folks to get WET!

   {Man,} thought Ranma, {I never would have thought he'd
be the first to go.

Genjuro:  Not that we're complaining!
Haohmaru: Have you no respect for the dead?
Deuce:    C'mon, Haoh, the kid was loopy as a loon.

Poor Kodachi, finding him in the gutter like that.  This is
just the kind of thing that could push her over the edge for
good.}

Deuce:    Have a nice trip!
Genjuro:  It's not the falling part that gets me, it's that--
Haohmaru: Sudden stop at the bottom, yeah yeah yeah...

   Kodachi passed by the other mourners, her eyes briefly
meeting Ranma's.  He was chilled by what he saw there.  No
despair, not even grief.  He couldn't even have called it
attraction.  It was more like pure, animal lust.  Then she
broke the connection, stepped into the limo, and was gone.

Genjuro:  Woohah.  Gonna get it on with the psycho chick.
Haohmaru: You should know plenty about that....
Deuce:    Hmm?  What's this all about?
Genjuro:  Err... nothing...

   Akane had felt his arm tense, until it felt like there
were a bunch of strained steel coils across her shoulders.
She looked up to see what had caused such violent emotion,
and she, too had seen the...the *hunger* in Kodachi's eyes.

Haohmaru: HEY!  Those are MY Milk Duds!
Genjuro:  No they are not!
Deuce:    Can't you guys share?
(Both):   NO!!!

   Most of the rest of the mourners walked back in twos and
threes, and no one noticed that only Nabiki had stayed
behind, standing in the rain.

Genjuro:  Aw come on, don't tell me she's going to get all
          misty-eyed and weepy on us!
Haohmaru: Evidently you've never lost a loved one.
Genjuro:  You trying to say she LOVED that idiot?
Deuce:    Lots of 'fic authors seem to think so.
Genjuro:  I think she should go out with me.  I'll show her a
          really good time.
Haohmaru: Yeah, a nice healthy game of hanafuda.
Genjuro:  More like "hide-the-fudo."
Deuce:    That's sick.

   Alone at last, the tears--tears she had held back since
Kasumi had first brought the news--now flowed freely, as
her shoulders heaved with the force of her sobs.  She
slowly slipped to her knees, her cries muffled by the
endless patter of the rain, which seemed to her like the
tears of heaven itself.

Haohmaru: Pennies from heaven, maybe... this IS Nabiki here, after
          all....

   {Oh, Kuno-Baby, how could you let this happen?}

Genjuro:  Uh, well, it happens to all guys at some point... I'll
          do better next time, I promise.
Haohmaru: Lots of practice saying that line, eh?
Deuce:    Ouch.
Genjuro:  Honorless DOG!  I will KILL YOU!
Deuce:    Yeah yeah yeah, wait until the 'fic is over, okay?

   The worst of all was that they had been so close to
breaking the walls that had stood between them.  She had
gone to the place where his body had fallen, and found the
bouquet where it had blown under a bush.

Haohmaru: Huh huh, he said "bush."
Deuce:    What did I tell you about Beavis and Butthead jokes?
Genjuro:  I know, I know!  "Make them whenever possible!"
Deuce:    Exactly.  You need to learn to jump on those
          opportunities, Genjuro-san.
Genjuro:  I'd rather jump on Nabiki, there.

   The card in Kuno's handwriting--Nabiki made a study of
just about everyone's handwriting, you never knew when 
something like that could come in handy--The card had said
so little, yet so much.

Deuce:    When you care enough to send the very best...
Haohmaru: This isn't going to turn into one of those Hallmark
          radio commercials, is it?

   "To Nabiki, my one, and only, love--Kuno"

Genjuro:  *retch*
Haohmaru: Dammit, Genjuro, you RUINED my popcorn!

   It took a while, but routine finally settled into the
Tendo Dojo again.  Kodachi had not been seen for a week,
now, and Ranma had shaken off that feeling of dread.

Deuce:    No, this just means you're DUE.

   The phone rang, and Nabiki answered before anyone else
had even moved.  She spoke quietly so that Soun and Genma
would not overhear (The rest of the house was eating at
Ukyo's tonight).

Haohmaru:  Sounds kinda kinky.
Genjuro:   Sounds kinda fun.
Deuce:     You say that as if there's a difference.  *blinkblink*
           What?

   "Yes, I know."  Pause.  "Can't it wait, just this once?"
Another pause.  "No, I don't mean that."  A grimace. 
"Alright, just give me little more time, OK?"

Genjuro:  If you loved me, you'd do it for me.
Haohmaru: HAW HAW HAW!
Deuce:    You guys are terrible.
(Both):   Thank you!

   Nabiki had to retain every bit of self-control in order
to keep from slamming down the phone.  {Why this, why
*now*?} she thought desparingly.

Haohmaru: Should've used protection!
Genjuro:  (falsetto voice) But we used three kinds!
Deuce:    Voodoo doesn't count.

   One year before Ranma arrived at the Tendo Dojo.

Deuce:    ...life was remarkably peaceful and not at all
          harrowing.  Kasumi's secret dojo/whorehouse was
          really pulling in the money, and Nabiki was handling
          the finances, with Akane as the star attra-- WHAT?
Genjuro:  You have weird ideas.
Haohmaru: Shall I tell everyone about your idea for the two
          women, the sake bottle, a sword hilt and a baseball
          bat?
Genjuro:  Wha--?!  How did you know-- err, I mean, I don't know
          what you're talking about!
Deuce:    HAW HAW HAW!

   Nabiki found the flyer offering big bucks for teenage
models in the morning mail.  Christmas was around the
corner, and she could really use the money.  Making up her
mind, she headed down to the studio, where she joined a line
of about fifty other girls.  She was one of the few to make
the final cut.

Genjuro:  Naturally.  She's a babe.
Haohmaru: Is that all you think of?
Genjuro:  That and drinking.  And fighting.
Haohmaru: Just making sure.

   As she got more comfortable in front of the camera, they
worked her up to mini-skirts and backless evening dresses.
Then the photographer said she paid more for swimwear shots.

Genjuro:  A nod's as good as a wink to a blind bat...

   The money was right, and after all, Nabiki might even get
to keep a few of the suits, too--although she had to admit,
a few of the ones the older woman came out with were a bit
more revealing than Nabiki had expected.

Haohmaru: *drool*
Genjuro:  *drool*
Deuce:    *gets a bucket*

   After an hour or so, the photgrapher wrapped up the
shoot, and said she could come back next week, too.  The
cash felt good in her hand, and she quickly agreed.

Genjuro:  I've got something that'll feel good in your-- *bonk*
          OW!  What?!

   She decided not to tell Soun just yet, because she
wanted to surprise everyone after it was all over.

Haohmaru: That's one heck of a surprise.
Deuce:    You think Kunou would like these?
Genjuro:  No, he can't have them!  Mine!  All mine, I tell you!

   When she got back to the studio, she was surprised to
see that they were the only ones there.  The photographer
explained that Nabiki was the only model she needed, making
the girl's head swell with pride.

Deuce:    *glaring at Genj and Haoh*  Don't even THINK it.

   They started right in with the swimming suits this time,
by mutual agreement.  Several of these were even skimpier
than the first batch, including more than a few thongs.  The
lights were really hot, but there were plenty of bottles
of mineral water--Nabiki thought they tasted a little odd,
but the cold liquid was really good under those lights.

Genjuro:  How about some hot-- *bonk* OW!

   Then came the next offer:  Even more money in exchange
for lingerie shots.  Nabiki was unsure, but the photographer
made so much sense when she pointed out that the underwear
actually covered more than some of the suits she had been
wearing, so what was the big deal?

Genjuro:  What, indeed.  *drool*
Haohmaru: I don't know much about art, but I know what I like.

   Her thinking was a little fuzzy by now--{Must be the
lights}, and it was hard for her to think of any convincing
counterarguments.  So she agreed.

Genjuro:  Nabiki not thinking clearly?  Something's up.
Haohmaru: *hic*
Deuce:    Who left out the sake?

   After getting her relaxed, the potographer picked up the
pace gradually, forcing Nabiki to make faster and faster
clothing changes between shoots.  The only way she could get
breaks was to ask for more mineral water, which she needed
anyway.

Deuce:    Is it just me, or is this starting to get kind of
          suspicious?
Genjuro:  S'just you.  *hic*
Haohmaru: Give me back that sake!  *hic*

   Nabiki was shocked to realize that the bra and panties
she had on (and, as she looked around in dismay, several of
the previous ones as well) were so sheer that they seemed
more indecent than plain nudity would have been.

Genjuro:  WOOHOO!
Haohmaru: Nothing like a good dose of indecency.
Deuce:    What happened to your honor, Haoh?
Haohmaru: I left it somewhere in that first sake bottle.

   "And when he gets here, along with the police or
whoever, do you know what he'll find?  An empty studio,
rented in the name of someone who doesn't exist.  But cheer
up, maybe I can send a few of the pics to your school for
their yearbook."

Deuce:    So THIS is where her inspiration comes from...
Genjuro:  I like it.
Haohmaru: You would.
Genjuro:  So would you.
Haohmaru: True enough.

   Nabiki realized she was trapped.  In exchange for the
negatives for the lingerie pics, she agreed to do some
"body-only" nude shots.  She didn't even protest when the
photographer joined her in front of the automatic camera
for some "bonus shots", although the touch of the woman's
hands and the feel of her tongue made her want to vomit.

Deuce:    Does nothing for me.
Genjuro:  Doesn't do much for her either, by the looks of it.

   It was less than three weeks later that she got the
package.  In it were pictures from the shoot, but taken from
further back, apparently from a concealed camera.  The pics
showed everything, including her face.  She had barely
recovered from the shock when the phone rang.

Haohmaru: BUSTED!
Genjuro:  Pun intended.
Deuce:    D'oh!

   The obviously disguised voice laid out very simple terms:
She could either make regular ``security deposits'' on the
more explicit shots, or they would be made availible to the
male population of Furikan High, and to her father as well.

Deuce:    BOY this sounds familiar....

   "But look at the bright side--At least you won't have
trouble finding someone willing to `date' you," the voice
had mocked.

Genjuro:  (Kunou imitation) Tendo Nabiki!  Suki daaaa!
Haohmaru: You betcha.

   She broke down, and had asked how she was supposed to get
that kind of money.  The voice had been impatient:  "The
same way I'm getting it from you."  It had gone on to
explain that many of the students at Furikan would pay
dearly for photos of Akane while she was sleeping...

Deuce:    For reasons I've yet to understand.
Genjuro:  Oh come on...
Haohmaru: You're hopeless.

   She started opening the files, one by one.  And then the
world dropped from beneath her for the second time in a
week.

Haohmaru: Gotta hate it when that happens.
Genjuro:  S'gotta hurt.

   A bus pulled up to the stop outside the motel.  Dressed
in Chinese military garb, a stout man stepped out, drew a
key from one of the Mao coat's innumerable pockets, and
went to the room he had rented since his arrival.

Deuce:    Eh wot?  Who's this new fellow?
Genjuro:  We'll find out, or the author DIES!
Haohmaru: If you kill the author, you won't find out anyway.
Genjuro:  Dammit, I keep forgetting that.
 

   His worst suspicions had been confirmed.  Now all he
needed was the courage to act.  This he would do tomorrow.

Genjuro:  Indeed.  Why do today what you can put off until
          tomorrow?
Deuce:    A good chapter.  Nice and disturbing, without over-
          doing the dark motif.
Genjuro:  You can never have enough blacklight.
Haohmaru: The Goth Samurai lives!
Genjuro:  Hey man, goth singers get some amazing women after
          'em.  Look at that Robert Smith guy.  Some fat clown
          in makeup weeping over a guitar, and the women go
          nuts!
Haohmaru: Makes me want to get fat and get screwy hair too.
Deuce:    You'd just need to get fat.
Haohmaru: What, are you saying there's something wrong with my hair?
Deuce:    I'd NEVER...
Genjuro:  I would...

Anyhow... good work!  I look forward to seeing more of this.  It's
pretty cool so far. ^_^

-Deuce

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      Systems of Choice: Neo*Geo, TurboGrafx-16 and PlayStation
The Ninja Gaiden Home Page: http://www.classicgaming.com/ninjagaiden/
            My Fanfiction: http://www.scsn.net/users/deuce/
       "How beautiful is death.  Death and his brother, sleep."
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