Subject: [ALGO,1-5]
From: terrin@netcom.com (Isabel Arantes)
Date: 3/9/1996, 10:30 AM
To: fanfic@andrew.cais.com

	I've received alot of requests for earlier parts of
'And Life Goes On'. SO here's chapters 1-5, I'll send the
rest in another post. Happy reading!



 
 
                        And Life Goes On
 
        Part 1, chapter 1: The Road To Hell is Paved With
                         Good Intentions
 
 
        Dreams are extremely important, more than anyone could
 ever imagine. For it is in the dream world in which we lay down
 our personalities, our deepest beliefs and goals. It is the one place
 when you're completely honest with yourself; you don't lie about
 how would keep a wallet filled with thousands of dollars, rather
 than return it to the owner. Or that you want to indulge yourself
 by eating a banana-split that contains a few million calories. 
 
        Dreams are there to keep you from going mad in this world
 we set up with lies; if you're not entirely honest to yourself every
 once in a while, you start loosing your personality; the world becomes
 bleak and desolate place. That is why does that people who don't
 dream go slowly crazy. Dreams are a delicate and dependable
 part of our life; the one thing you enver want to mess with are
 dreams. 
 
        Don't say that you never dream; you do. The mind hides it
 before you wake up, because the truth in it must be unburied when
 awake, otherwise it is of no use. Dreams are only there to help you
 unveil them.
 
        Ok, you say. I remember the nightmare where I went to school
 naked. Does that mean I want to go to school without any clothes, despite
 the embarrassment? Well, maybe. Or you might want to look a little
 bit deeper into it.
 
        How about the time I dreamt that there was a T-Rex in my house
 along with several other dinosaurs in my apartment, and in order to run
 away with them I had to climb a tree in my backyard with my baby-sitter?
 Does that mean I want my home to be wrecked by gigantic reptiles? Well,
 maybe not, but you wanted your apartment to get wrecked so that you
 could get insurance.
 
        Let's take a boy called Saotome Ranma, for example. Not only he
 can't make heads or tails of his life, he wouldn't even recognize a normal
 life if he saw one. The kid's got furious enemies left and right, a terrible and
 humiliating curse, and enough fiancees to have made Henry IVVV green
 with envy. Worst of all, none of these fiancees were chosen by him.
 
        He makes an even worse jumble of all of this by fighting the
 enemies, rather than talk over their problems (Not as if they would
 listen anyway), and let the fiancees do pretty much as they pleased
 (To a certain extent).
 
        There was one other thing he was doing to make this situation
 even worse, and this was just a reaction to a feeling that Ranma was
 extremely confused over. Now, one of the things he hated most was
 to be confused, since it left him vrunable to his nemeses. What puzzled
 this lad so was a girl called Tendo Akane, who happened to be one of
 his fiancees. He didn't understand how he felt about her; since he
 became engaged to Akane, he wanted to hate her with his whole being.
 But if he didn't watch himself, he found himself almost... well,
 liking her. To cover up this confusion, and prevent this feeling, he
 insulted and fought with her, which provoked reactions from Akane that
 are less than likable.
 
        And yet he loved her. This rarely showed when he was awake,
 but in his dreams it's very clear. Of course, most of the time he doesn't
 remember of what he dreamt, but when he does, he's in for a surprise. 
 
 
 
        Shampoo is a very determined girl. It's partially genetics- all
 of her ancestors have been very determined- and partially because of her
 enviroment. Her first 16 years were spent in her homeland, a Chinese
 amazon tribe called Joketsu. No one ever discussed things over in this
 tribe- it was all decided over a fight. That's how they got stupid laws
 such as you must kill a female outsider if she defeats you in combat.
 
         Shampoo was the best of not only her age, but those that
 were ten years younger or older than her. And it's a good thing too,
 because once she left China to follow the one she loved, she found
 that the fights were even more challenging in Japan. And this was a
 problem; all she had wanted back at home was to be the best. But
 here, she wanted to marry the man with the most competition. And
 worse yet, she couldn't use the 'kiss of death' anymore, as she had
 found that Ranma disapproved of this method. So, to keep him happy
 she had abandoned it.
 
        Fighting was what Shampoo did best; and next was making weird
 mind-changing substances. She knew how to make passion spice, noodles
 of loathing and many others. Unfortunately, she had all ready tried half of
 what she knew and she still hadn't gained Ranma's love.
 
        It was on a pleasant afternoon that Shampoo was flipping
 the book  '1001 fast and easy ways to get your man'. She had
 ordered it through the mail four weeks ago, waited impatiently
 for it to arrive, and now that she had it in her possession she
 found that she had all ready tried half of the techniques in it.
 And these weren't fast- some of them took a year to work!
 
        <:What a rip-off,:> Shampoo thought. <:I don't have time
 for all this waiting, I want Ranma now!:> She sighed, and started
 imagining their marriage; of Ranma telling how deeply he loved her;
 the strong and courageous children they would have. Snapping out
 of her daydream, she continues searching.
 
        <:Let's see.... this takes less than a day, but I have no idea
 where to get a dragon's heart. No good, this one takes a month,
 this one doesn't work half the time, I've already tried this one...:>
 Shampoo pulled her and screamed. "Shampoo so frustrated! At this
 rate, Shampoo never get married!"
 
        "What's wrong, Shampoo?" Shampoo suddenly felt relieved;
 her great-grandmother was intelligent and could surely think of a way
 to help her. 
 
        "Shampoo buy new recipe book, but is useless. And this book
 was last in catalogue. What Shampoo do now?" As she asked the old
 woman for help, she went on looking in the book. Cologne hopped to
 Shampoo on her staff, and read over her shoulder.
 
        "Turn back two pages." Shampoo did so, and Cologne quickly
 read it. "Oh, I know someone that used that one. It's very effective,
 you might want to try it." Shampoo skimed it.
 
        "Aiya, but this take two days!"
 
        "True, but it lasts a life-time. While others take a second and
 lasts a day, this one takes longer to work but the effects are permanent.
 I'd say it's worth the wait." Shampoo pouted, she wasn't all that patient. 
 
        "All right, if great-grandmother say so." She picked up the book
 and carried it into the kitchen. Setting it onto the counter, she gave
 herself the time to read the whole thing slowly and carefully.
 
        "It say....
        " 'Dream-lover chicken soup. Make normal chicken soup,
 and... (A long recipe follows). After man eat this, in about 2 or 3 days  he
 will have excessive dreams of the person he loves, and will remember them
 all. He will realize his love for this person, and marry them. The effects are
 forever, since he truly is in love with her, not by some drug.' 
        "Great-granmother was right!This perfect! Shampoo know Ranma
 love her, just to shy to say so!" Shampoo started to get to work, unaware
 of the the disaster she was going to cause.
 
 
 
 
                        And Life Goes On
 
                Part 1, chapter 2: Won't You Dream of Me?
 
 
        Shampoo eyed the room carefully for any awake people, and gingerly
 entered Ranma's room. It was a good thing that there was a full moon that
 night, otherwise Shampoo might have stepped on Genma (sleeping as a human,
 for a change) and set off the alarm throughout the house. Or maybe Genma
 would have gone right on sleeping, being so used to pain.
 
        One might ask Shampoo why she was sneaking into Ranma's room
 at night; is she trying to seduce him, abduct him, or what? What she held
 in one hand might hold the answer to that question; it's a bowl of chicken soup.
 
        Yeah, that makes a helluva lot of sense.
 
        Shampoo makes her way to the snoring Ranma stealthily, and squats
 next to him. After admiring his sleeping form for a few seconds, Shampoo
 remembers what she came in here for. She spoons a bit of the soup, props
 up his head, and feeds him a little. Some of it dribbles out of his mouth,
 but most of it goes in. 
 
        She continues feeding him until most of it has been fed to him
 (another good portion of it is on his chin and shirt), and lays him back down
 gently. Wiping what she can off the nightshirt and her hand, she holds his
 hand a little, watching his chest rise and fall. She thinks of the happy times
 they'll have once they are together and married, all the things that the future
 holds for them. The young, yet gorgeous, girl strokes the hair from Ranma's
 forehead, and lifts herself up, not wanting to leave but knowing if she stayed,
 Akane might run in and ruin everything. 
 
        *:Sometimes, Ranma.... sometimes I wish you and I were the only
 people on this planet. No one to interfere with us... you'd be all mine, no
 one to fight you for. But don't worry Ranma, soon, we'll be together. Sleep
 tight, my love.:* She left the room then, only Ranma's stained shirt
 and the bowl as proof that she had been there.
 
        Meanwhile....
 
 
 
        Ranma was NOT happy. He had just been chased by twenty
 or so cats, which didn't turn out to be so bad because he stopped
 running away from them and pounded them all into the ground.
 That was sweet.
 
        All was fine and dandy as Ranma stood upon the huge pile of
 cats, but then this huge Akane, who really didn't look like her, rather
 she looked like a 50 year old woman who had ten lemons for lunch
 but really WAS Akane, and things went downhill from there. First,
 she blamed Shampoo's sudden appearance on Ranma, which made
 no sense at all because all she was doing was standing and doing
 nothing, no reason for Akane to get all riled up about it. And worse
 yet, Akane started shoving some food down his throat; it was tasty,
 but there are better ways to enjoy a meal by having an ugly lady
 stuffing it into you.
 
        Something strange happened afterwards, though. Akane
 'got younger', her face was no longer sour, and she looked like
 herself. In fact, she had a much calmer and sweeter expression
 than what we usually see her with. 
 
        Ranma changed, too. Not physically, but the state he was
 in. Just two seconds ago he was scared out of his mind, annoyed
 and angry. Now, looking at this peaceful Akane he felt ashamed
 that he could be so mean to her. He waved to her shyly, motioning
 to come nearer; she skipped to him.
 
        "Hi, Ranma." Her voice was soft, a softer tone than this
 tomboy had ever used on Ranma. "Sorry for hitting you all the time."
 Ranma gulped, not expecting any of this; usually, he found, when Akane
 was being extra sugary to him, she pounded him two seconds later.
 This time, though, he could tell the other shoe would never drop.
 
        "D-don't think of it." He stammered, not quite sure how to act
 when Akane was genuinely happy to be with him. He tried to avoid
 her gaze by taking a look at what she was wearing he regretted it.
 Generally did not like Akane's fashion sense, but right now he loved
 it. She was wearing a sun dress; it was a light shade of blue;
 it's straps were thin; the skirt flared out a bit, joined
 with a white belt, and on her feet were Mary Janes. The
 outfit added to her present cuteness.
 
        He just looked at her, blinking. *She actually....
 she actually looks cute. No, not cute. Beautiful, maybe?*
 She took his hand in concern, and asked him,
 
        "Ranma, are you all right? You're just standing
 there, I'm worried about you." Ranma took a double take;
 Akane? Worried about HIM? He tried to laugh the strange
 feeling he was getting off.
 
        "Oh, I'm fine, don't sweat it Akane." It didn't work;
 the warmth he felt earlier took over him; there wasn't a
 cruel thought about her in him now. Looking at the empty
 beach which had suddenly appeared before them, "Race ya."
 She grinned and kneeled, displaying her tomboyish nature.
 
        "You're on." He kneeled next to her, counting 1 to 4,
 and then shouted,
 
        "GO!" They jogged, not going for speed, just fun.
 Akane giggled, happy to let out the energy within her, and
 Ranma was content to see Akane being more like herself. 
 
        The two fell onto the sand after a few minutes, a bit
 tired. When Akane regained her breath, Ranma was very
 surprised to hear "Get up, you moron!"
 
        "Huh?"
 
        "Get up all ready!" A wave came over the couple,
 and Ranma awakes to find herself spitting out water, and
 to see Akane holding an empty bucket of water. "If you
 don't hurry Ranma, you won't get any breakfast." She stared
 at her, not quite sure of what was reality and dream-land yet.
 
        "Akane?... Weren't we on the beach a moment ago?
 You were..." She moved her hands a lot, trying to figure
 out where the sand and the docile Akane had gone. "What
 the hell's going on here?"
 
        "I dunno, but you were probably dreaming. Why on
 earth would I be on a beach with you?" She left, leaving
 Ranma-chan even more confused. 
 
        *Why would I dream about Akane and I on the be-*
 and then it hit him *I thought she was beautiful! Do I have a
 fever or somethin'? Man, that was spooky.* She stood up,
 not noticing the ramen bowl by his bed.
 
 
                        And Life Goes On
 
        Part 1, chapter 3: The Start of a Confusing Day
 
 
        As Ranma clambered down the stairs, he gave some
 serious thought to his dream last night; he could vaguely
 remember having such dreams before, but it scared him a
 little to have such a vivid memory of it. He could still recall
 Akane's smile, and how warm it had made him feel inside.
 
        "Morning, Ranma." Kasumi greeted him, as he entered
 the dinning room. He took a seat next to Akane, and began to
 furiously eat the food laid out in front of him. Akane watched,
 disgusted by her fiancee's manners.
 
        "I can see why Kuno and the others think so lowly of
 you; you've got the decency of a pig." Ranma paused a moment,
 considering a reply that would get him tossed into the pond by
 Akane; deciding upon it in less than a second, he opened his
 mouth and...
 
        Nothing. Even now, as she started their morning fight,
 he could still see the image of the kind, gentle Akane from his
 dream. He simply couldn't snap back at her, or didn't want to.
 It'd blow away one of the few gentle memories he had of Akane.
 
        "Need hearing-aids, Ranma? I'm sure I could get you a
 pair, at a bargain price." Nabiki offered, pleased to have found another
 possible money source in Ranma; she knew he wouldn't want Kuno
 to know he needed them, or Ryoga, or anybody else for that matter.
 
        "I don't need no hearing aids." He mumbled, not wanting to
 put up with Nabiki this morning; not that he ever wanted to, anyway.
 *How Nabiki is related to Akane I'll never understand; I mean, Akane's
 so much swee-* He bit on his chopstick hard, breaking it in half, again
 surprised what was running through his mind. "Ow!" 
 
        "Aw, what's wrong, did poor Ranma bite his tongue?"
 Akane asked, using a mocking voice even more than the one she
 used for P-chan. Ranma spit out the broken half of his chopstick
 to show his sudden cause of pain. Everybody just looked at the
 broken chopstick, and resumed eating, not impressed by the
 hardness of his teeth; it after all, was no harder than his head.
 
        
        Ksaumi observed her family and friends in the silent way she
 always did; noticing the odd events that were caused because of
 them, but not making much out of it. Kasumi figured that if it was
 any of her business, she'd be told about it. Above kindness, above
 being a good role model to her sisters, Kasumi valued privacy.
 
        She noticed her youngest sister was again starting to bicker
 with Ranma, and smiled to herself. She admitted, at first she had
 puzzled over this remarkable behavior, even if it didn't have nothing
 to do with her. Well, actually it did, since she was the one to clean
 up their messes, but that was besides the point. Kasumi finally decided
 that it was another form of practicing; she didn't know if there was such
 a thing as 'Verbal Fights Martial Arts', but knew if there was Akane
 and Ranma would be the top fighters. And who knew, with so
 many different and unique martial arts styles Kasumi has witnessed
 in her 19 years, it could very well exist.
 
        "Aw, what's wrong, did Ranma bite his tongue?" Kasumi was
 touched; Akane, finally worried about her fiancee! Well, maybe it
 wasn't so good Ranma had broken his chopstick; did he have to
 demonstrate his martial arts skills at the table?
 
        Ranma got up to get a new one, and Kasumi felt a pang of
 guilt, thinking how she should have gotten it for him. Deciding to
 make it up for him later by making his favorite dinner, Kasumi then
 tried to start a conversation going. "What are you going to do today
 after school, Akane?" Akane munched, clearing her mouth of all
 food before she answered.
 
        "I'm going to the movies with some friends." Nabiki perked
 up her ears; knowing Akane's plans always came in handy, her
 admirers always are willing to pay a pretty sum for that information.
 
 
        "You're going to that new martial arts film?" Akane eyed her
 sister suspiciously, knowing all ready how she planned to use this piece
 of news; and she knew the last thing she wanted was to have Kuno
 crash into the theater, searching for her.
 
        "Naw, we haven't decided yet. And I doubt we'll go there
 we get enough of that here. And it's live, too." Akane didn't
 feel too bad as she watched Nabiki's face fall a little; the less
 Nabiki knew, the less embarrassment and trouble she'd cause for
 Akane.
 
        
        Ranma pretended to be eating, but secretly listened in on
 their conversation. *Akane's going to the movies? I wonder- no, 
 wait, I don't care what Akane's doing, she doesn't in the least
 interest me. Not in the slightest, uhn-uhn.* Ranma ate faster,
 wanting to concentrate on stuffing the food down his throat rather
 than on Akane.
 
        He felt a hand on his shoulder's, and heard "Ranma-kun,
 why not join Akane and her friends?" Ranma spat out half the
 contents of the food in his mouth, and Akane wrinkled her face. 
 
        "Dad! I want to have a normal, peaceful day for once! Not
 only I don't want him there, but he'd bring with him anything but peace!"
 
        "Don't make it sound like I wanna go with ya, I've better
 things to do than hand out with a group of dopey girls!" Ranma
 slammed on hand on the table, raising himself a little. Akane
 imitated his moves, and asked sweetly,
 
        "Like what?" He face faulted, trying to quickly think up an
 answer.
 
        "I, uh, that is, I'm going to visit Ucchan's." By reading her
 face, he knew he had made a mistake. He raised his hands to
 protect his face from a blow, but to his surprise, none came.
 
        "How good for you, Ranma." She gave him a sweet smile,
 sat again, and ate the remaining bits of food in her bowl, as Ranma
 sat confused. Putting the bowl down, she stood up. "Oh, and Ranma...."
 
        "What?" A fist answered his question, followed by angry stomps. 
 
 
                                And Life Goes On
 
        Part 1, chapter 4: Look, Ma! I Did It With My Own Two Hands!
 
 
        As Shampoo looked over her books, she sighed. Studying
 never had been a strong suit of Shampoo's, she always concentrated
 more on fighting. It was in fighting were all the power could be
 gained, warriors were much more respected than scholars. But for
 some reason, one could not become the head of the village without a
 certain amount of knowledge, most of which Shampoo lacked.
 
        "Oh, Shampoo tired of studying all these laws! I know all
 important ones."
 
        "Do you really, child?" Cologne closed the book of amazon
 laws. "Tell me, what is rule 567?"
 
        "Um... that one is about how to wear hair, yes?"
 
        " ':No male citizen is allowed to own more than seven weapons,
 or carry more than three except during special tournaments or if they
 have a license.:' " Opening the book to see if she was correct, Shampoo
 frowned.
 
        "That not important law, great-grandmother. Shampoo know
 what she need know."
 
        "Of course it is! This law prevents the men from rebelling.
 Shampoo, even if we're not in China right now, we are going to return
 after you marry my future son-in-law, and it's essential for you to know
 these things!"
 
        "Ok, ok, but it is not one of more important laws. Ask me one
 that is more well-known."
 
        "Law 345."
 
        "Um... aw...." Shampoo scratched her head. "I not remember,
 you sure that is important law?"
 
        "What do you think? It's...." Cologne stopped mid-sentence, and
 started turning the pages.
 
        "What is it, great-grandmother?"
 
        "I forgot it too."
 
        "Then how can it be so important?"
 
        "Every law is important! Just because one fails my memory it
 doesn't mean a thing- oh, here it is. This is one you should know
 Shampoo, it's very important for you."
 
        "What it say? Hmmm... ':If one's husband is defeated another
 male in battle, and does not win within four days, the wife must marry
 the victor. (This only applies if the wedding ceremony has not been
 performed yet)'" Shampoo looked up, confused. "Why this important
 to Shampoo? Ranma always win, I have no need worry."
 
        "But let's say if he goes to the hospital after the fight, and must
 remain there for more than four days; it doesn't matter why Ranma
 wouldn't be able to fight again, simply that he didn't."
 
        "Great-grandmother, you really need to have more faith in Ranma.
 No one can beat him, after all!"
 
 
        
        "Oh, my pig-tailed-girl... how I long to pull thee into my embrace,
 and keep you there forever by holding you with the strength in my arms.
 When that happens, we can be together forever! But, if that was to happen,
 I would not be able to hold onto Tendo Akane! I am only so large, and
 I fear to be fair to the both you, I would have to hug separately." Kuno
 said pasionently to the portrait of his beloved pig-tailed-girl. 
 
        Turning to a picture of his two true loves fighting over him, Kuno
 sat, deep in thought. It would not do to have either of them harm
 themselves to duel over him. Even if they were only making faces at each
 other in the picture, who knows to what degree of harming the other had
 they gone to? 
 
        "Oh, how my heart doth weep! I love them equally, but to ask
 them to both marry me would be cruel! It tears at my heart to make such
 a decision, but for their sake, I must choose!" An alarm clock started to go
 off. "Is there an important enough event to disturb my meditation?" Looking
 at the clock, "Oh. It's time for school."
 
 
        
        On Ranma's face was a rather large bruise, in a shape of a fist. "Did
 you really have to hit me that hard, Akane? And for no good reason, too."
 
        "Shut up, Ranma." After hearing Ranma's plans for the day,
 Akane's good mood had gone down. Even if he did go to Ucchan's
 almost everyday, he didn't have to tell her. And she didn't care what
 Ranma did anyway, so got some useless information.
 
        Normally, Ranma would have come up with some snappy
 comeback, but he was too busy trying to sort of his feelings. It seemed
 that as more time passed, the world became a nicer place. Maybe
 Nabiki was not totally mercenary, and Mr. Tendo wasn't really that
 annoying. Hell, Ranma was starting to forgive his old man for a lot of
 the stuff he had done to him, even, his engagement to....
 *No, don't think about that. If you do, who knows where'll lead me?*
 
        "Nihao!" Shampoo greeted as she jumped of her bicycle, which
 fell on top of Akane, jumped and right into Ranma's arms. "How is my
 Ranma today?" Pushing to bicycle off of her, Akane  glared at Shampoo.
 
        "Just when did he become _your_ Ranma?"
 
        "Well, he certainly not Akane Ranma, because he love me! Is
 that not right?" Shampoo smiled at Ranma, waiting for an answer to
 affirm what she just said.
 
        "Uh, Shampoo, I have to-"
 
        "Saotome Ranma, I challenge you!" Kuno exclaimed, as he ran
 to Ranma, his bokken held high.
 
        "Fight Kuno. 'Scuse me for a sec." Pushing Shampoo aside,
 Ranma waited until Kuno was a foot away from him, and stepped
 aside just as Kuno lowered his bokken. The bokken made a great dent
 on the cement. Holding the bokken toward Ranma, Kuno waited for
 Ranma to advance. "I'll let you have the first strike, Kuno."
 
        "I need not any favors from you! Once I have smitten thee, I
 shall force you to give up the pig-tailed-girl and Tendo Akane "
 
        "Give up Akane? Oh, you don't need to fight me for her, just ask
 her, I'm sure she'd be more than happy to. Right, Akane?"
 
        "Ranma....." Akane growled, raising her school bag. Ranma
 looked in her direction, realizing his blunder.
 
        "Woah! I'm, er, sor-" Too late. Akane threw the bag, hard and fast.
 
        With the speed of a bullet, Kuno pushed the bag away from
 Ranma with his bokken, and smashed the wooden sword onto the top
 of Ranma's head. For a second, it looked as if Ranma might just absorb
 the blow, but instead he fell over.
 
 
 
                                And Life Goes On
 
        Part 1, chapter 5: Would You Do it Too, If It Happend To You?
 
        
        Shampoo, very upset at what she has just seen, runs to Ranma
 and shakes him. "Wake up, Ranma! Fight is not over yet!" Kuno walks
 over to Ranma, just as surprised as Akane and Shampoo on his victory,
 but much more happy about it.
 
        "I always knew that Saotome was not worthy of my attention.
 Now, Tendo Akane, we can be reunited at last!" Kuno, overjoyed at
 this thought ran to one of his true loves, his arms outstretched.
 
        "Save it, Kuno." Unlike most people that would be flattered by
 speeches of love, Akane had grown all to used to it- and weary of it.
 Especially when it came from the lips of Kuno Tatewaki. So she pushed
 the love sick boy away, and checked the health of the unconscious Ranma.
 "I don't think he's going to get up anytime soon, Shampoo." Getting up,
 Shampoo clenched her fist and smiled.
 
        "Shampoo not worried, she sure Ranma will fight Kuno when
 he wake up. After all, I know he want marry me, he not let sickling
 like Kuno have me."
 
        "Er, Shampoo, what are you talking about?" Shampoo froze; she
 knew Akane  had no feelings for Ranma -well, Akane hated him, but
 that was about it and hated Shampoo as well. And when one hates
 another, they only cause trouble. If Akane heard about the law citing
 she had to marry Kuno, she'd probably come up with some scheme to tear
 her away from Ranma forever.
 
        "It not Akane business, is Ranma and mine alone." Shampoo
 picked up Ranma, and set him in the basket of her bike. "Now Shampoo
 take Ranma back to Nekohanten so that she can take care of him."
 
        "I don't think so Shampoo, we have to go to school."
 
        "Would Akane prefer to take care of Ranma herself?" Shampoo
 waited to see if Akane would rise to her challenge. Akane backed off,
 not wishing to show any signs of affection for her fiancee.
 
        "Do whatever you like with him." Akane turned around, and
 went again in the direction of school, as Shampoo began to pedal to
 the Nekohanten. When Akane was sure nobody was looking, she
 sank her fist into the nearest telephone pole.
 
 
 
        Nabiki smiled from her hiding spot behind the bushes. In her hand,
 she held one of the mightiest, if not the mightiest weapons ever thought by
 man: a camera. A camera is truly a thing of beauty; small enough to fit in
 your hand, and if you use it correctly, could bring you your fortune. And
 it was cheap, too.
 
        This was great. Nabiki had expected Kuno to loose, of which she
 would take pictures of. The she'd show the pictures to Kuno, threatening
 to pass the proof of his defeat around the school. Sure, it was a well known
 fact that Ranma was forever beating Kuno, but Kuno refused to believe
 that, and always wanted to keep his records clean.
 
        However, this was much, much better: Ranma actually loosing!
 Ranma still had a reputation to keep clean, and his ego was just as large as
 Kuno's, if not larger. He may be not as rich, but Nabiki could make him her
 'slave' for a few hours, and sell him. People were always eager to either
 go out on a date with him, or have him do favors that required strength or
 agility.
 
        A bit cruel, maybe. But any respect Nabiki had ever held for
 Ranma (Which had been quite a bit, to tell the truth) had been diminished
 the instant she found out he was a girl. Oh, Nabiki supposed she'd have
 gotten over it if he was a permanent female, but not even that he was!
 And she couldn't believe her father still wanted one of them to marry him;
 what kind of father was he? Engaging them off to some aquatransexual
 stranger.
 
        Seeing how stubborn her father was going to be with this fiancee
 business, she pushed the duty onto Akane's shoulders. She wouldn't let
 any of the Tendo sisters get married to some freak; if Kasumi had become
 his fiancee, Nabiki knew she'd marry him. Nabiki could take care of herself,
 but she really didn't want to bother. Akane was perfect; since she didn't like
 any boys, she didn't have to worry about not being able to get a boyfriend;
 and if anyone could get herself out of a predicament (using violence), it
 was Akane.
 
 
        Nabiki wasn't surprised when Ranma started showing signs
 of interest towards Akane; she had yet to meet a guy that wouldn't
 fallen for her. And she loved it; poor Ranma would have to go
 through a heartbreak as Akane dumped him (Nabiki took perverse
 pleasure in watching Ranma suffer, from time to time, since she
 knew he'd never raise a hand against her).
 
        However, she was bitterly disappointed and extremely surprised
 when Akane herself started showing signs of affection to Ranma;
 Akane, the one who never remorse when she said a flat-down 'no' to
 someone asking her out on a date; Akane, who's interested in men was
 about as large as the size of the brain of a cockroach; Akane, the girl
 who considered wearing anything else other than her gi or school uniform
 as fancy. Akane, her sister! Of all people to fall in love. And with Ranma.
 Please!
 
        Which was why Nabiki felt she had to be a little meaner to
 Ranma than most people. He had made her get all dressed up, set hr
 hopes high, only to make her dreams of owning the dojo shattered. Then
 he manages to attract Akane, and to pile onto that, he cheats on her.
 She tried to turn Akane away from Ranma, seeing how he was only
 going to bring her pain, but gave up when she realized it was a lost
 cause. So instead, she took advantage of Ranma every way possible.
        
        <Yep,> Nabiki thought, <Ranma's gonna have to fork over a lot.>
 



	Isabel Arantes