Have you ever had an idea which you felt was really quite good, 
but when you tried to write it out, you just ended up totally 
frustrated?  This is one of those - I started a couple of weeks ago, 
threw it aside, and finally struggled to the end on Sunday.  It's not 
quite what I had in mind, but still, I'd like to think it's ok.  With 
some revision (and some C&C!), it should turn out alright.
	So, here's my first Nabiki-oriented fanfic.  Please... hack it to 
pieces!   (BTW, I seem to be cut off from the ML... I've tried 
re-subscribing, to no avail.  Help?  In the meantime, please send 
responses to s669330@aix2.uottawa.ca)

***
                   Financial Responsibilities


     "Are you sure everything will be alright?" asked Kasumi,
slightly worried.  Money and cost estimates weren't her strong
suites, but the damage from Ranma and Akane's latest fight sure
_looked_ expensive.
     Nabiki glanced up from her ledger, quickly checked over the
damage again, then looked over at Kasumi.  "Yeah," she sighed. 
"I'll be able to cover the damages.  Just.  It'll be tight."
     "Are you sure?  You said the same thing after Ryoga left that
hole in the wall last weekend.  Remember?  He made it while chasing
after Ranma."  She paused for a second.  "I really wish they
wouldn't fight so rough inside the house."
     Nabiki snorted.  "Yeah, me too."  She flipped a page in her
notebook and ran down a list of figures.  "If we cut a couple of
corners, we'll just be able to squeeze by.  The new water heater'll
have to wait, for instance."  She seemed to think for a few
seconds.  "Although, maybe if it breaks down often enough, Ranma'll
finally learn to quiet down a bit around the house.  Aside from
that, though, I'll have to dip into my personal funds to cover the 
shortage."  She frowned.  "Dammit!  This means that I'll have to
put off buying that new CD player.  Again.  And it's Ranma's fault. 
Again."  She almost spat the name out like an expletive.
     Kasumi felt a twinge of worry.  It wasn't easy keeping the
peace around the house, especially with all the strange people who
kept passing by, each with some incomprehensible vendetta against
Ranma or his father.  But lately, the tension from _within_ the
house had been even worse; Ranma and Akane had been fighting more
often than ever, and Nabiki seemed to be getting more and more
annoyed by her sister's fiance with each passing month.  She
sighed.  She so wanted to keep the peace within the household, but
sometimes it was just so difficult!
     She carefully placed her duster down amidst the wreckage of
the kitchen table and sat next to Nabiki.  "You don't like Ranma,
do you, Nabiki?" she asked.
     If Nabiki was surprised by the question, she concealed it
well.  "There really isn't much to like, now is there, sis?" she
responded, sounding angry.  "That twit and his freeloading father
are eating us out of house and home.  The live off of us, smash up
the house, attract lunatics and chaos, and give nothing in return. 
Oh, sure, _sometimes_ it's entertaining, but more often than not,
it's just tiresome."
     Kasumi felt slightly surprised.  How long had Nabiki felt this
way?  She hoped she changed her opinion of Ranma in the future - it
wouldn't do for her to develop a hatred of her future brother-in-law.  
"I wouldn't say they give _nothing_ in return, Nabiki.  Mr.
Saotome is good with the neighbourhood children, and Ranma... well,
Ranma is Akane's fiance!"
     Nabiki let out a bitter laugh, a single abrupt sound she cut
off sharply.  "Oh yeah, some fiance!  Half-girl, engaged to two
other girls whom he hasn't even _tried_ to get rid of!  Sometimes
I think he's just stringing my poor sister along!"
     "Nabiki!" said Kasumi, slightly shocked.
     "Well it's true, Kasumi!  Why else would he treat her the way
he does?  Akane's right - the guy's a jerk and a pervert.  No way
those two will ever get married.  And when Ranma and his father
finally take off, all we'll be left with is an empty bank account,
a worn out house, no heir to the dojo, and a youngest sister with
a broken heart.  It really pisses me off sometimes."
               Kasumi had no answer for her.  _She_ felt quite differently. 
She just _knew_ that Ranma and her sister would eventually get
together; where Nabiki saw an arrogant, manipulative boy, Kasumi
saw a shy, confused young man who would, eventually, realize how he
felt about his fiancee.  How often had he saved Akane, how many
times had he sacrificed a cure, or almost his life, to keep her
safe?   They _would_ end up together.  It was just a matter of
time.  And of waiting.  Just like life - given enough time,
everything always turns out fine.
     Nabiki stood up.  "Well, might as well start making calls and
getting this mess fixed up."  She snapped her ledger shut, slid it
and her notebook into her briefcase.  Before closing the case,
though, she pulled out a small, expensive looking camera.  "But
first," she said with a slight smile, "I'll go and make a little
money."
     "Nabiki!" exclaimed Kasumi.  "You're not going to sell more
pictures of Ranma-chan, are you?"
     Nabiki's smile took on a decidedly wicked turn.  "Why not? 
He's responsible for most of this damage - makes sense that he
helps cover some of it.  I'd ask him to get a job, but what's the
use?  Anyway, it's been awhile since I sold anything to Kuno.  He's
probably dying for a few new snapshots of his 'pig-tailed goddess'. 
Hell, if I manage to get some _really_ good shots, I might not even
have to dip into my own account."
     "I don't know..." said Kasumi.  It just seemed so _wrong_,
having Nabiki sneaking around, secretly taking pictures of Ranma
while he was sleeping.  But... Nabiki was right.  It _would_ help
cover the costs.  And though Ranma hadn't seemed too impressed
about Nabiki taking those snapshots of him when he'd first found
out, he'd never really complained all that much.  He'd just used it
as a way to taunt Akane.  She sighed.  It was Nabiki's decision.
     "Hey, don't worry, sis!" said Nabiki, still grinning.  "I'll
make sure they're tasteful!"  She grabbed a left-over [Japanese
desert] before leaving the kitchen.  "But not _too_ tasteful!"
     Kasumi watched after her for a few minutes.  Then she reached
down, picked up her duster, and returned to her cleaning.  There
was a lot of work to do before the repair crews showed up.

***

     Nabiki grin had disappeared by the time she reached her room,
replaced by a look of steely determination.  She'd put extra effort
into this set of photos; all it took was patience, and a little
creativity.  Ranma had a knack for walking into compromising
situations in his girl-form - all Nabiki had to do was keep an open
eye, a quick finger, and a ready camera.  She could even set up
some of those situations, if the need arose.  Done right, she could
double her profits: the normal income off of Kuno, of course, but
she might even be able to blackmail Ranma, if the photos were
embarrassing enough.  Normally she didn't bother to work hard at
these pictures - darling Tatewaki would buy just about anything -
but this time she also wanted to get back at Ranma.
     And she really, really wanted that new CD player.

***

     Nabiki glanced down the hallway.  Perfect.  Empty.  Everyone
was downstairs.  Everyone but Ranma, who had retired for an early
night, probably exhausted from some duel or another.  Nabiki didn't
really care; all that mattered was that she now had a perfect
opportunity to sneak into his room and take a few skilful shots
before it got too dark.
     With careful, practised steps, she crept up to Ranma's room,
carrying her camera and two thermoses of water.  A few moments of
intense listening confirmed that he was, in fact, asleep.  She
slowly slid the door open and slipped inside.
     The waning sun cast long shadows across the room, casting
Ranma in a pale amber beam.  A cool breeze wafted by, fluttering
the curtains and airing out the animal scent of fur that Mr.Saotome
always left behind.  Nabiki smiled as she observed her sleeping
target.  He was already in his girl-form.  Excellent.  It saved her
the bother of soaking him, and the negligible risk of having him
wake up.  Even better, he'd only worn his boxers and white
undershirt to bed.
     She crouched down to get a better vantage point.  No good. 
Ranma was flopped out on his stomach, arms clutched around his
pillow.  She didn't bother snapping a shot - she knew if she waited
long enough, she could get far better.  Ranma might be a deep
sleeper, but he tended to flail around a lot.
     'I wonder why?' she thought to herself.  Bad dreams? 
Restless?  Guilt?  She snorted softly.  Right.  What would _Ranma_
feel guilty about?  After all, _nothing_ was ever his fault -
according to him.
     "No." a voice sighed.  Nabiki froze, wondering who had spoke,
then realised it was Ranma, muttering in his sleep.  Now, _that_
was odd... Ranma had _never_ spoken in his sleep, not in the dozen
or so times she'd conducted these little photo shoots.  Obviously
something was bother him.  Nabiki shook her head.  Who cared?  She
suddenly realised that he'd moved while speaking; now, the red-
haired girl was laying on her back, spread-eagle, the pillow
fiercely held in one clenched hand.
     Better.  Nabiki lined herself up for a few pictures.  Kuno
would _definitely_ want one of these... his osage-o-onna was
flashing a nice bit of cleavage and a healthy expanse of leg.  The
pose was a little unfeminine, perhaps, and the slight trickle of
drool didn't help, but Kuno never seemed to mind.  She circled
slightly, snapping three shots from different angles, then settled
down again into a comfortable crouch.  Hopefully he'd move again,
and soon, so she could get a few more.
     It really wasn't fair, she thought to herself.  How does he do
it?  As far as she could tell, he had never shown any real interest
in any girl, and yet they insisted on throwing themselves at him. 
Those other fiancees of his were stupidly in love with him, somehow
blind to the indifference, or, at best, friendship he felt for
them.  There was no chance of anything ever happening between them,
yet they continued to fawn and follow him around everywhere like
lost puppies.  But his uncanny luck with the girls wasn't what
really infuriated her... it was 'her' luck with the guys.
     There was a sudden shuffling as Ranma rolled onto one side,
curling up slightly into a ball, knees almost tucked up against his
body, hands balled up and pressed to his chest.  Nabiki slowly
circled again, trying to find a good angle.  She found it...
perhaps not very revealing, but Ranma had an oddly innocent, almost
child-like look to his face which, Nabiki had to admit, she found
quite appealing.  That Kuno would find appealing.
     Kuno loved that about his 'pig-tailed goddess' - the
appearance of defencelessness and naivete that Ranma exuded; it
made her sick, especially considering how often Ranma had beat-up
Kuno while in girl-form.  Defenceless indeed.  Although the naive
part was true... even after all the time he'd spent as a female,
Ranma didn't have a clue what it was like to really be one.  And
yet...
     Nabiki shook her head, then snapped a few pictures before the
moment was lost.  Her target shifted slightly, whispering something
under his breath, and one strap of his undershirt slipped down.  He
stretched out a little, his top sliding partway down one shoulder,
revealing some of the curves beneath.  Excellent... Nabiki took a
couple more select photos, then backed off a few steps and
crouched, waiting.
     And yet... without even trying, Ranma always managed to come
off as so... so sexy!  Like now: asleep, wearing male clothing, he
still exhibited more raw female sensuality than just about any
other girl she knew.  She knew he was considered the most desirable
girl at school - the betting pool she had organised had Ranma at
the top of the list.  She smirked.  The odds guaranteed a huge
payoff to the guy who actually managed to date Ranma-chan; Nabiki
figured that it'd be worth coercing Ranma into dating with a
suitably manipulatable person - maybe Hiroshi, or even Kuno - in a
couple of weeks, and collecting her sizable cut.
     "Sorry..." whispered Ranma.  Nabiki started from her thoughts,
ready to take a picture.  Ranma hadn't moved, but his expression
had twisted into a frown.  Sorry?  For what?  Destroying the house? 
Screwing up so many people's lives?  For being...  She let out a
deep breath.  Somehow, this wasn't turning out to be as fun as she
had hoped.  Nabiki loosened the first button on her blouse, feeling
a little flushed.  She hadn't realised before how lousy the
ventilation was by this end of the house.  The Saotome's room was
surprisingly warm.
     Watching him, Nabiki briefly wondered what he dreamed about. 
Not girls... as far as she could tell, he had about as much
interest in the opposite sex as a turnip.  Akane?  She smiled
mirthlessly... only if it was a nightmare.  Martial Arts? 
Probably.
     "Mom!"  The word came out as a short, sudden gasp.  Nabiki
looked at him in surprise.  Did he dream about his mother?  For a
moment - just a moment - she almost felt a little sympathy for him,
with him.  She felt the familiar hollow within.  It always
surprised her, how empty she felt, how much she missed her deceased
mother, the few times she allowed her self to think about her, the
few times she couldn't _stop_ herself from thinking about her.  Yet
she had died so long ago... wasn't it strange to still feel this
strongly about her?
     Nabiki pushed the thought aside and stood up.  This was a
waste of time.  She wasn't getting anywhere.  She walked around the
sleeping figure, fighting the temptation to kick him, and headed
for the exit.  Her hand rested on the door's wooden frame as she
composed herself.  How did he manage to do this to her?  Even
asleep, Ranma managed to ruin her mood.
     "Akane"  The name was a sigh, almost pleading.  Nabiki slowly
turned, eyes widening in surprise.  Ranma had rolled back onto his
back, one leg curled up beneath the other.  The slightest hint of
a smile decorated his lightly-flushed face.  What?  Was he thinking
of her sister... and smiling?  She stepped a little closer,
fingering her camera.  Her eyes widened further.  One of his
hands... one of his hands seemed to have slid beneath his boxer
shorts; the other reached up under the rumpled top and lay
delicately against one breast.  She couldn't contain a small gasp. 
Was Ranma... interested in her sister after all?   Interested... in
a sexual way?  Had they already... done something?  Nabiki shook
her head.  Impossible.  If they had, she would've been the first to
know; hell, she would've known before _they_ even knew.
     And yet, here he was, in a somewhat compromising position,
with his fiancee's name on his lips.  And while he was female, yet! 
Unless... unless his current form had something to do with it! 
Could Ranma be curious about his female sexuality?  Could he be
interested in other girls... as a girl himself?  Could he...
     Nabiki raised her camera and took a picture, then another,
then another.  _These_ would more than pay for the damages.  Kuno
would pay through the nose for these shots - and Ranma would pay to
ensure certain people, like his dad, his mother, or even Akane,
never saw them.
     She crept up a little closer for a final shot.  Time to end
this.  The room was stuffy, hot, and starting to get dark.  She
already had enough pictures to cover the damages and still buy that
new CD player.  She carefully selected the angle, pressed the
button, and then...
     Ranma thrashed in his bed, one leg swinging out and coming
dangerously close to knocking the camera away.  Nabiki scrambled
away, burying herself in a corner, breathing heavily in sudden
fear. Ranma, eyes still screwed shut, hissed out a fierce "No!". 
The arm trapped beneath the undershirt strained against the fabric,
before half-tearing the top off, finally yanking it over his head. 
As it came away, a cascade of red hair followed, the tie keeping
his pig-tail in place seeming to have snapped.  He twisted and
turned for a few moments more, before finally coming to rest with
a final deep sigh.
     Nabiki waited several moments, trembling slightly, until
Ranma's respiration settled into deep, rhythmic breaths.  She
cautiously crept forward, keeping a wary eye on the sleeping
figure.  Why had he lashed out so suddenly?  She felt the need to
leave, but hesitated as she passed her sleeping model.  He was,
unfortunately, face down, but tilted slightly to one side, head
resting against one arm.  Crimson hair pooled and curled around
him, entangling him in a way that was, she had to admit, quite
captivating.  She had no idea so much hair was packed away in that
pig-tail.
     How could she pass up taking a picture of him in this
position?  He was naked from the waist up, chest enticingly visible
through a curtain of red strands; even his boxers had slipped down
his legs a little while he'd been agitated.  She used up the rest
of her roll, but for one.  She wanted one last picture, from the
front, that captured the expression on his face.  She knelt down
before him, carefully focusing on his features.  He looked so...
peaceful, right now, though slightly flushed in the heat, smiling
slightly.  Odd, that he'd go from being upset to happy in so little
time.  She placed her finger over the button one last time.
     "Nabiki..." whispered Ranma, lips parting slightly in a
pleased grin.  Nabiki glanced up, shocked.  The camera clicked,
then whirred.  Was he awake?  No... he hadn't moved, his eyes were
still closed, the breathing still deep and even.  Was he...
thinking of... of her?  And... happy?  But why?  Could it be
that...
     She quickly stood up and moved to the door, glancing back
once.  She had her pictures.  She'd had enough of this.  She needed
some fresh air.  She quietly slid the door open and slipped out of
the room.

***

     Ranma waited several moments, listening carefully, before
sitting up.  He flashed a quick grin, but it soon fell.  He flushed
in embarrassment, then in shame.  "I can't believe I just did
that..." he thought to himself, reaching beneath his futon and
pulling out the Dragon Hair.  "But what else could I do?" he said
beneath his breath.
     Heh.  Nabiki wasn't quite as clever as she thought.  Did she
really think he wouldn't hear her sneaking into his room to take
pictures?  He was a martial artist.  His senses were honed to
precision to protect against ambush.  And they worked - well, most
of the time.  Admitedly, he _had_ fallen asleep waiting for her to
show, but he'd woken up as she took her pictures.  Did she think he
wouldn't?  The first time, maybe, he'd been unprepared.  Did she
hold him in such a low asteem that she thought that he wouldn't
notice after that?  Each and every occasion since the first
incident, the half-dozen or so times she'd come to take pictures,
he'd been awake... and done nothing.
     How could he?  She was right... he'd been responsible for much
of the damage to the house.  Not all of it... but most, even if
only indirectly.  And she was also right about his father... he
_was_ a freeloader.  He sighed, tying his hair back into it's
familiar - albeit longer than normal - pigtail.  But what could
they do?  Leave?  He couldn't leave Ak... the Tendos, not yet,
anyways.  
     But she _was_ wrong about a few things.  He had no intention
of ever leaving the Tendos with an empty bank account, a worn out
house, and a youngest sister with a broken heart.  He frowned,
angered by Nabiki's assessment of him.  He might be the cause for
the damages to the house, but he also knew his responsibilities to
the household.  Nabiki knew hers as well.  She payed the bills. 
And, if the only source of money was his female body, so be it. 
If, next time, it had to be in lingerie... then so be it.  And if
Nabiki wanted to maintain the arrogant belief that he was an idiot,
so be it.  What did he care?
     Still, he thought, shivering slightly in the cool night air,
she had been strangely worked up this time.  Leaving the thermoses
behind as she left, mumbling under her breath between pictures -
not like her at all.  Maybe he shouldn't have taunted her by
whispering her name at the end.  Maybe he'd talk to her about it. 
He smirked.  Yeah, right.  But maybe mention it to Kasumi... she
would know what to do.  Kasumi was good at that kind of thing.
     But for know... he had done all that he could.  He pulled on
his undershirt once again and laid back on the futon.  His last
thought, before he drifted back into sleep, was a faint hope that
Nabiki wouldn't charge him too much when she blackmailed him with
those pictures.

                            The End.

***

	Right.  A couple of comments:
	I'm actually surprised by my portrayal of Nabiki.  I really don't 
see her as being quite that bitter.  I just wrote her that way.
	The ending is considerably longer, and far too wordy, than I 
intended.  It dilutes any impact the (hopefully/possibly/maybe) surprise 
ending has.  Plan to fix it on the rewrite.
	Well, that's it.  C&C welcome!

	-Mike Noakes