Part SIX

        Ukyo stumbled down the street, engrossed in her thoughts. She
finally had Ranma, but at what cost?  He was hers no doubt about it,  but
unfortunately, it wasn't on her terms; drastic measures for drastic times.
Akane had been steeling herself to act, so for Ukyo it was a now or never
situation.  There was still the problem of Ranma's girl side. How she would
react to recent events remained to be seen.
        Ukyo was startled out of her thoughts by a yowl from a side street.
Glancing down the alley, she saw a feline horde.  Most stayed back,
frightened. The leader, a midnight black tom, strutted forward, letting
loose another yowl, as he advanced on Ukyo.
        Ukyo settled into a crouch, holding out her hand towards the cat,
her eyes lighting up with anticipation.  The cat moved forward, making a
sound caught somewhere between a hiss and a purr, as if he couldn't decide
to be happy or angry. Then, making his decision, rubbed his cheek against
the back of Ukyo's outstreched hand.
        Ukyo smiled, petting the cat, all the way down his back. When she
reached his tail she slid her hand over it, and his demeanor changed.
Yowling in pain, the cat bit down on Ukyo's knuckle, reaching the bone.
Grimacing, she put her hand to her lips, trying to stem the flow of blood.
Glaring down at the cat, Ukyo nearly swatted him with her free hand, but
stopped herself.  Stooping down, she gathered him into her arms,  removing
the small priece of string tied to his tail, the source of his pain.
Cuddling him to her chest, Ukyo continued her journey home.

        Nabiki looked around, and seeing no one, slid the door to
Happosai's room open a crack.  Peeking in, Nabiki found him  lying atop a
pile of woman's undergarments, snoring loudly.  Her eyes gleaming, Nabiki
crept into the room, leaving the door ajar, and descended upon the sleeping
lecher, taking great pains not to drop the package under her arm.

        He was definitely dead. Kuno spat, then turned his head away. 'Oh
well," Kuno thought to himself as they pushed the body back into the
chamber, 'He was a loyal servant for many years...at least we shall be able
to give him a nice funeral.'
        Kuno slammed his fist against the wall as he walked through the
doors leading from the Nerima morgue.
        "There, there dear brother, I'm sure it was all for the best!"
        "As usual, sister, your words match the darkness locked within your
heart..." A single tear rolled down Kuno's cheek. Kodachi laughed a shrill
laugh and threw her glossy hair back.
        "Who was it, sister, tell me. Was it that Tendo bitch?? Was it that
wandering tramp?? Or perhaps the Amazon wench charlatan and her whelp of a
granddaughter!"
        ""You'd looooove to know, wouldn't you, brother dear. My boss
wouldn't let me tell you even if I wanted to...which of course, I don't."
        "SASUKEEEEEEE!!!!" Kuno held his head in his hands,
"i...will...get...my...revenge...I WILL AVENGE YOU MY DEAR SERVANT
SASUKE!!!!"
        "Perhaps a play for power, dear brother, or a vile threat. Maybe
just someone trying to irritate your precious demeanor...or perhaps someone
who knew Sasuke for the worthless peasant he was and was jealous of his
treatment."
        "You think you're funny now, dear sister, but just remember that I
run this city and unless you want to be sent back to that place my father
conceived you, I suggest you think of who will be the one to inherit his
fortunes!"

        Nabiki stood up a little uneasily, swaying slightly, she stumbled
to the door, a satisfied look on her face.  Wrenching the door open, Nabiki
lost her balance, falling to the floor, taking Happosai's door with her.
Hearing the noise, Kasumi rushed in, running over Happosai, covered as he
was with lipstick marks and scratches, a footprint didn't make much
difference.  Coming to her little sister's side, Kasumi was surprised when
Nabiki tried to headbutt her.  She was even more surprised as Nabiki
tripped over an empty sake bottle, fell through her and landed with a
crunch on the floor behind her.
        "Are you okay??" Kasumi asked.
        Nabiki slowly rose to her knees, weaving slightly. She had shards
of glass and clay all over the front of her blouse, and her clothes were
stained with blood.
        "Nabiki!! You're bleeding pretty badly!  Perhaps you should lie
down." Kasumi said, wishing she were still able to help Nabiki clean the
wounds in a more substantial manner.
        Nabiki appeared confused for a moment. She shook her head to try
and clear it, then looked down at herself. Her eyes widened.
        "NOOOOOO...blood...dammit!!"
        "I know you're upset, it's probably shock from blood loss...Nabiki,
have you been drinking?? Oh. NABIKI!!! You know that you have a low alcohol
tolerance! Remember the Prozac incident!!"
        "No, you don't understand...blood...spilt...bleeding...ruined!" It
was all so garbled. Nabiki just couldn't clear her head enough to explain.
        "OH! I get it! You're worried about your blouse being ruined!! Well
no need to worry, I'm sure I can get the stains out! Here,"
        She took Nabiki by the arm and led her to her room. Nabiki, weaving
and stumbling the whole way, fell into bed, as Kasumi bandaged her and
washed the blood from her. Kasumi said goodnight and took the stained
clothes to be washed.

****
well we finally got some more done on this.. if you want to contect neB his
email is <rkalman@dsuper.net> this will probably be the last part for the
next month or so, he's going through surgery to remove a tumor in the next
couple of weeks.. but once that's done he may not have anything better to do
then write for awhile.. so expect more of RANMASPOTTING .. the next part
which i'm posting right after this one..

        
        P-R-P-Chan
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