Subject: [FF] Nabiki-New Horizons Pt 2 (Draft Lite) 5/5
From: Greg Sandborn <sandborn@microlink.net> (by way of Greg Sandborn <sandborn@microlink.net>)
Date: 8/20/1996, 7:21 PM
To: fanfic@fanfic.com

battle ground.  Bodies were everywhere, twitching with laughter. 
Somehow, Akane wound up with her wet head in Ranma-chan's lap.
     "Feeling better?" she chirped.
     "This," Ranma-chan chuckled. "Is the best.  Thanks, Akane."
     The young couple actually hugged like two kids who just
finished playing.  It may have been the female form of Ranma, but
Akane knew it was really her fianc‚ that was behind the hug and
she enjoyed every second of it.
     Nabiki helped Jeff to his feet.  "Still need a cold shower?"
she asked, a twinkle in her eye.
     "Nope.  I think I'm fixed until *after* the wedding, thank-
you-very-much." Jeff replied shaking water off his arms.  They
hugged for a few seconds before both squished their way back to
their own rooms.
     Only Genma Saotome missed the fight.  Sleeping soundly, he
never knew what he missed.  On the other hand, his presence would
have been hard to explain after the first bucket of water hit
him.
     Kasumi, wiping her wet hair out of her eyes, surveyed the
drenched hallway.  "This will take all night to...aw, to heck
with it.  I'm going to bed."  She returned to her room, with a
small smile on her face, as the rest of the combatants roared
with laughter.
     The next morning Jeff would be asked to pay for the damages
in exchange for no charges and a promise of no more trouble but
he didn't care.  That night, they came together as a family. 
Jeff was officially a member of the Tendo  clan'.

     The next three days went quickly and quietly.  The fact that
the Honolulu Police had taken an active interest in the case and
assigned plain clothes police to shadow Jeff and Nabiki might
have had something to do with it.  In addition, Jeff's father got
the State Department interested because his son was of a
diplomatic family.  From the State Department, the news spread to
the FBI.  An attempt had been made on a family member of the
foreign service inside the territory of the United States. As
that must have included crossing state lines, they became
interested.  Within 24 hours, no fewer than 7 government
agencies, including the Defense Department, had agents in Hawaii
looking for whomever tried to kill the wedding couple.  In short,
the law enforcement community was actually getting in each
other's way trying to investigate, protect, or just keep tabs on
both Jeff and Nabiki.
     Blissfully ignorant of all this, everyone in the wedding
party went about their normal affairs, quite unaware that they
were being followed by better security than usually provided a
visiting head of state.  
     Still, the wedding preparations went forward.  Nabiki and
her friends had to find another dress store to replace all the
wedding dresses that were destroyed when Mr. Moto's shop blew up. 
The guys finally got fitted in their tuxes.  Mrs. Lawrence
finally got all the arrangements made for the wedding and it
actually began to look like the wedding was going to happen as
planned.
     The night before the wedding, the bachelor and bachelorette
party luaus were great successes, in spite of the the lack of
alcohol at each.  Jeff and Nabkiki were determined that *no one*
was going to show up at their wedding hung over.  All things
considered, it was turning out exactly the way the couple had
hoped.

     The wedding day was truly a gift from the gods.  Beautiful
blue sky punctuated by fluffy white clouds promised the kind of
weather only paradise could offer.
     Ranma and Akane ate breakfast early so they could go running
before having to dress for the wedding.  Something was different
between them.  He seemed to be less likely to taunt and tease her
and she wore a constant aura of ease around Ranma.  Something
quite out of the ordinary.  Passing Kasumi on her way to the
hotel's restaurant, they cheerfully greeted her and waived as
they crossed the hotel lobby.  To her mild surprise, Ranma
actually held the door for his fianc‚ as they left the hotel.
     "Maybe they're growing up...finally." she muttered to
herself as she smiled and shook her head.
     Inside, she joined her father and Mr. Saotome at a large
booth in the middle of the room.  Breakfast was delicious, if
decidedly Western.
     "Excellent meal, right Genma?" Soun Tendo said as he wiped
his mouth with his napkin.
     "Quite so, old friend.  I could get used to this very
easily." Genma replied as he leaned back rubbing his full belly.
     Kasumi just picked at her fruit and scowled slightly. <I
can't cook this stuff every morning.  I'm not sure we could
*afford* this kind of food back home.> Kasumi thought with some
despair.
     The men quickly picked up on her feelings.
     "Of course, we wouldn't want to do this *every* morning." 
Soun commented glancing at his eldest daughter.
     "Oh...Oh yes."  Genma answered casting a quick glance of his
own Kasumi's way before grabbing his coffee cup.  "That would
simply be out of the question.  After all, a good martial artist
requires a proper *Japanese* breakfast to be at his best."
     Kasumi knew what they were trying to do and smiled inwardly. 
<Well, maybe once in a while I could try cooking this.>
     "Excellent coffee, ne?" Soun sipped his drink.
     "True, true, quite good indeed." Genma responded, still
glancing Kasumi's way.  He was no good at making  happy talk' for
the benefit of others and felt rather awkward trying.
     Kasumi was the first to notice trouble when they entered. 
Tatewaki Kuno and his sister, Kodachi, were coming to breakfast. 
Hushing the men, she bent over slightly, trying to hide her face,
hoping, at least, to not be recognized. <What are *they* doing
here?> she thought.
     Much to her discomfort, the Kuno's took a booth directly
next to theirs.  Only a short wall and a virtual jungle of plants
prevented the two parties from discovering each other.  Motioning
for the men to lean forward, Kasumi whispered: "The Kuno's just
came in and they're right over there."  She pointed to the jungle
next to their table.
     "What?" Genma hissed but was quickly silenced by Kasumi's
finger to her lips.  He quickly nodded and they all listened
carefully.
     "Well, brother dear," Kodachi was smugly annoying, even in
the morning.  "How many weddings do you have left on your little
list?"
     "Only two, my sharp tongued sibling, I have a good feeling
about this day."  Holding a butter knife aloft like a bokkan, he
added: "Today, I shall put an end to this foolish wedding and
teach that rapscallion to run off with my beloved to be
surreptitiously joined."
     "I sincerely hope your are correct this time, brother dear."
Kodachi added, a touch of menace in her voice.
     "Fear not, my dear," Kuno was dripping with condescension. 
"We will find them today."

     Quickly, Kasumi and the two fathers made a beeline for the
door, practically running bent over double to avoid being seen by
the Kunos.  Once safely in the lobby, Kasumi ordered the two men
to action.
     "I don't know just why these two wish to disrupt Jeff and
Nabiki's wedding but we must warn everyone of the danger." she
said forcefully.
     "I'll find Nabiki and tell her." Soun volunteered.
     "And I'll track down Ranma and Akane." Genma offered as he
started for the front doors.
     "Hurry, both of you.  I'll keep an eye on the Kunos until
you get back." Kasumi said as she started for a position where
she could watch for the uninvited  guests' without being seen.

     Mr. Tendo easily found Nabiki and the other girls at the
dress shop.  Standing on a platform getting some last minute
alterations done, Nabiki looked stunning in her wedding dress. 
So beautiful, that Soun Tendo almost forgot what he came there
for.
     "What do you think, daddy?" Nabiki said turning slightly
each way.
     "Absolutely beautiful, daughter." he answered, his eyes
beginning to water.
     "Not kawaii?" she asked with a little pout.
     "Kawaii is for unmarried girls, my daughter." Soun choked
slightly trying to hold back his tears.  "A married woman is
beautiful."
     That seemed to satisfy Nabiki enough to turn to her friends. 
"See, my poor kawaii little bridesmaids, daddy knows best."
     Yuka and Sayuri only giggled among themselves.
     "I know you didn't come all this way just to see me in my
wedding dress, daddy." Nabiki prompted.
     "Ah...oh, yes." Soun Tendo started, shaking himself out of
the trance his beautiful daughter had put him in.  "We may have a
little problem, my daughter.  The Kunos are here."
     "So?" Nabiki seemed unconcerned.  "Even though they are
uninvited, we can make room for a couple more guests in the
church.  Besides, I'm sure they brought an expensive gift."
     "More like a cheap toaster." Yuka whispered to her friend as
they both giggled again.
     "I don't think so.  We overheard them this morning at
breakfast.  They intend to disrupt your wedding; perhaps even
stop it."
     "What!?!" Nabiki was shocked.  "I don't believe it."
     "It's true, daughter.  Kasumi, Mr Saotome and myself clearly
heard them plotting."
     Nabiki's mind was whirling with possible explanations.  She
never knew Kuno had such strong feelings for her.  Sure, they did
some things together.  But that was well in the past.  Ever since
Jeff arrived, she hadn't so much as accepted a phone call from
the class president of Furinkan High.
     "I don't understand this." she said to herself.  "It must be
that witch Kodachi's doing.  She never liked the way I took
advantage of her stupid brother."
     "Nabiki, we've got to tell Jeff about this." Yuka suggested.
     "NO!" Nabiki stamped her foot.  "This is supposed to be MY
big day.  My wedding.  If Jeff knows about the Kunos, he'll have
more security there than the Imperial Palace.  I will *not* turn
my wedding into an armed camp!  I will *not* skulk and hide from
a couple of baka rich kids."
     "I don't know, Nabiki..." Sayuri started.
     "Besides, the idiot Kunos will probably never find the
church in the first place.  We never publicized the wedding to
begin with.  How would they even find out where it was being
held?"  Nabiki gave her two friends a hard look before returning
to the fitting.
     Yuka and Sayuri exchanged glances with Mr. Tendo before
shrugging their shoulders.  If that's the way she wanted it. 
Still, a black cloud slipped silently over the festivities.

     Genma finally caught up with Ranma and Akane.  Gasping for
breath he placed his hand on his son's shoulder.
     "What's the matter, pop?" Ranma chided.  "Getting soft?"
     "Ranma, he looks like he's seen a ghost." Akane commented
while fanning the older Saotome with her towel.
     Moments later, Genma caught enough of his breath to convey
his news.  Akane was visibly upset. <Of all places.> she thought. 
<Why would they come to Hawaii to stop my sister's wedding?>
     Ranma was openly unconcerned.  "I can handle Kuno and his
sister." 
     "Well, we better do it *before* the wedding.  If they
actually show up at the church, the wedding will be a disaster."
Akane warned.
     "She's right, boy." Genma observed, still breathing hard. 
"They might not be dangerous, but a good martial artist knows
when and where to fight and doing it at a religious shrine is not
the right place or time."
     Ranma grew quiet, looking like he was considering his
father's advice.  Suddenly, he pulled Akane aside and looked at
her with the most serious look he had ever used.
     "What is it, Ranma?"
     "You remember that book I was reading the other night?"
     "The one about Western wedding customs?"
     Ranma nodded, casting a quick glance at his father.  "It
said that traditionally the best man and the maid of honor were
formed to protect the bride and groom.  It was an honor that
demanded the ultimate sacrifice, if necessary."
     Akane just blinked and stared at her fianc‚, trying to
comprehend just what he meant by  ultimate sacrifice'.
     "Akane, we are honor bound to protect Jeff and Nabiki until
the end of the ceremony... with our lives."
     "Oh, that's ridiculous." she dismissed with a flap of her
arms.
     "It's in the book, Akane." he insisted.  "I read it twice to
make sure I understood."  He paused looking at Akane,
determination clearly written all over his face.  "Neither of us
knew when we agreed to do this.  But once we accepted, we are
honor bound to fulfill our duties."
     Akane thought about what Ranma had said for several seconds
before responding.  After all, it was her sister they were
talking about.  "You would do this?" she asked her head cocked
slightly, one eyebrow raised.
     "It's what I'm trained for, Akane."  His eyes went to the
pavement.  "I know you think I only think of myself most of the
time."  He paused as if this was hard for him to admit.  "But
lately, ..."
     Akane smiled to herself. <This is the first time I've ever
seen him think of someone else.  Maybe, he is growing up...a
little.> She reached up and kissed him on the cheek.  "It you're
willing to go up against both the Kunos, then we'll do it
together."
     "Really?"  He looked surprised at both the kiss and her
willingness to fight *with* him instead of her usual position.
     "Just don't get in my way, pervert."  She chided.
     "How did I ever get tangled up with such a tomboy?" he asked
with a smile.
     Akane cast a quick glance at his father and smiled back.
     "Oh, yeah.  I remember now."
     
     Somehow, all the members of the wedding party made it to the
church on time.  Mrs. Lawrence was busy scurrying this way and
that, making sure everything was in place.  It was *her* son's
big day too and she wanted everything perfect.  Her many years
arranging embassy functions stood her well in the completeness of
her preparations.  Mr. Lawrence joined Mr. Tendo in greeting each
of the guests at the door.  He, too, had many years of experience
at formal receptions and proved a perfect host.
     The girls were preparing in a large room at the back of the
church while the boys drew the minister's small office and study
up front.
     While Kasumi and Akane helped prepare their sister, Yuka and
Sayuri kept a watch out the windows, looking for the first sign
of trouble, or Kunos, or both.
     "Nabiki, I've been wondering about something." Kasumi said
as she fiddled with her sister's bridal bouquet.  "Mother and
father were married at home with a traditional Shinto
ceremony..."
     "Oneechan," Nabiki said quietly reaching out to touch her
sister's arm.  "Jeff and I have already discussed that.  When we
return to Japan, we were going to surprise you all with just such
a ceremony in the family dojo."
     "Really?" Kasumi's smile was like that of a child being told
she would get to go to Disneyland that afternoon.
     "For mother." Nabiki smiled back.  "Besides, I want to wear
one of those white silk kimonos."
     The three sisters shared the humor of seeing Nabiki Tendo, a
girl more at home in Western clothes, wearing the ultra-confining
traditional Japanese wedding garment.
     "Anyway, I want to invite all my schoolmates."
     "Huh?" Akane looked stunned.  It was well known that Nabiki
wasn't on the best of terms with *any* of her classmates at
Furinkan High.  "Why them?"
     "Guests bring money to Japanese weddings, don't they?"
     Akane and Kasumi exchanged glances and rolled their eyes. 
Some thing never change.

     Up front, they guys were nervously preparing.  Jeff tried
three times to tie his little bow tie without success.
     "I can't believe I can't do this." he said with an
exasperated look on his face.
     "Having trouble, boy?" Mr. Saotome asked as he approached.
     Jeff just rubbed his eyes and stared in the mirror.  "Mr.
Saotome, when you got married, were you so nervous you couldn't
even tie your shoelaces?"
     "Boy, a trained martial artist is always in control of his
environment."
     Jeff's face went through several changes as he tried in vain
to figure out what Mr. Saotome meant by that.  In desperation, he
looked at Ranma for help.  Ramna just rolled his eyes and shook
his head.  He'd heard it all before.
     "I'm going outside for a little air," he said opening the
back door.
     "Don't go far, the wedding's going to start soon." Jeff
advised.
     Outside, Ranma stretched and looked casually around.  He
didn't really like the tight confinement of his tuxedo much.  If
he had to fulfill his  best man' duties and fight to protect the
bride and groom, he would have to shed most of his clothes to be
at his best.
     He was lost in thought, staring at a grove of palm trees
nearby, when the attack came.  Distracted by his thoughts of
duty, he failed to notice the approach of Jeff's 9 year old
cousin.  The first sign he was there came when Ranma felt
something cold and wet splashing against his neck and trickling
down his collar.
     He immediately spun around, an angry look on his face to
confront his assailant; a short blonde boy with a water pistol. 
At first the kid just grinned mischievously.  However, that grin
quickly faded.
     Ranma felt the familiar stirrings that always accompanied
his transformations.  He fought the urge as hard as he could but
it was like trying to mentally halt a hiccup.  In seconds, where
there once stood a tall, dark haired teenaged male, now was a
shorter, red-headed, buxom female.
     For Jeff's cousin, the scene would be repeated for years in
his nightmares; and later in his pubescent dreams.  For several
seconds, his eyes looked like a Tex Avery cartoon character as he
stared at the  male who suddenly became a female'.  Dropping his
water pistol, he ran as fast as he could, yelling for his mother
in a voice that spoke volumes about his panic.
     Ranma quickly retreated back inside, slamming the door shut
behind him...er, her.  To all present in the minister's office,
the sight of Ranma-chan, disgusted look on her face, standing
inside the door signaled the start of a comedy of errors that
would characterize this wedding.  Jeff's tie took on a less
important role.
     When Ranma-chan related what had happened, Mr. Saotome
became visibly upset.
     "You let a 9 year-old Western child sneak up on you?!?" he
yelled.  "Oh, where have I failed?"  He cast his eyes skyward.
     Stepping between father and son before they could come to
blows, Jeff directed Ranma into the minister's study.  There on
the hotplate was a copper tea pot, simmering with very warm
water.
     "You planned for this, didn't you?" Ranma-chan was more than
a little bit surprised at the preparations Jeff had gone through. 
Jeff just shrugged and handed Ranma-chan the tea pot.  Without a
word, Jeff left the room only to return moments later with a dry
tuxedo.
     "Good thing you didn't get drenched," Jeff observed. "I
didn't pack any underwear.

     The sound of a mower outside the church attracted the
attention of Reverend Hasakawa.  He hurried into the office and
looked out the back door to see if he could get the attention of
the caretaker.  Having no luck, he turned to members of the
wedding party and asked if someone would be so kind as to go out
and explain the situation to the caretaker.  Assured that the man
spoke Japanese, Mr. Saotome volunteered to speak to him.
     Exiting through the back door, Mr. Saotome looked all around
the side of the church but failed to find the man anywhere. 
Noticing that the mower had stopped, he concluded that the
caretaker figured out that a wedding was taking place and his
mowing would disturb the guests.  Mr. Saotome was about to
reenter the church when the caretaker, on the other side of the
building, decided to water the grass instead.  Turning on the
underground sprinkler system, Mr. Saotome had no warning before
being caught directly in a pulsating stream of water.  The result
was predictable and, unfortunately, not totally unobserved.
     Jeff's 9 year-old cousin, having been severely chastened by
his mother for making up stories about boys changing into girls
and causing a scene, was just returning to look for his water
pistol.  As he rounded the corner of the church, he came face to
face with Mr. Saotome changing into a giant panda.  Once again,
the boy freaked.  Screaming that a man just turned into a giant
panda and was trying to get him, he ran frantically for the
church lobby.  Mr. Saotome, in a panic of his own, dashed for the
church's back door.  As he was desperately trying to squeeze his
oversized body through the tiny door, the caretaker, attracted by
the boy's screams, rounded the back of the building and came face
to rump with Mr. Saotome's efforts to enter the church.  His
reaction was not unlike Jeff's cousin's, he ran for the church
lobby screaming about wild pandas attacking the church.
     In the minister's office, Jeff and Ranma were pulling on Mr.
Saotome's front paws trying to yank his overstuffed body inside. 
The sounds of footsteps approaching caused them to redouble their
efforts.  The last thing they wanted right now was to reveal Mr.
Saotome's curse to the world.  A final tug and Mr. Saotome
spurted into the room.  Quickly, Jeff shoved the panda ahead of
him into the minister's study and slammed the door shut.
     Ranma was leaning against the door trying to look
unconcerned as Reverend Hasakawa came scurrying into the room.
     "I just heard that there was a wild animal out back or
something.  I trust everything is all right here." he said
looking at the open back door.
     "Just fine, sir.  No wild animals here." Ranma looked guilty
as sin but sounded as if nothing were going on.
     "I'm glad to hear that.  Where's Mr. Lawrence and your
father?" the minister asked as he closed the back door.
     Ranma prevaricated long enough for the good reverend to
become suspicious about why Ranma was standing in front of the
door to his study.
     "Are they in there?" he asked.
     "Well...sorta."
     "Why, I wonder?"
     "Ah...well they're talking...um...about wedding things."
Ranma was even a worse liar than Jeff.
     "Of course." Reverend Hasakawa looked as if he suddenly had
it all worked out.  "I understand."
     "You do?"
     "Certainly, the boy's nervous about getting married."  He
leaned in close to Ranma.  "I've seen it before.  All it usually
takes is for an older married man to talk to him for a few
moments in private and he calms right down.  I thought Mr.
Lawrence was acting a bit nervous today."  The good reverend
chuckled lightly.  "Well, I've got to get ready myself.  So..." 
He knocked on the door.
     It was opened immediately by Jeff.  "Yes?"
     "I just need to retrieve my vestments and prepare for the
ceremony, if you don't mind."  The reverend pushed his way into
the study.  Over by his closet, Genma Saotome was just putting on
his tuxedo jacket.  Smiling at the reverend, Mr. Saotome bowed
politely and left the room, casting a quick look at Jeff as he
passed.
     Reverend Hasakawa stepped over to his closet and noticed how
wet the floor was.
     "That's odd." he said looking up at the ceiling.  "I thought
they fixed that leak in the rood last month."
     "I'm afraid that's my doing." Jeff admitted, reaching for a
roll of paper towels.  "It happened when we tried to make some
tea to calm me down."  He laughed self-consciously.
     "That's okay, young man.  I understand.  I'll clean it up
later."  The reverend opened the closet.  To Jeff's relief, he
opened the side opposite where Jeff had stashed all the wet
tuxedos.
     Excusing himself, Jeff scurried out the door and rejoined
Ranma and Mr. Saotome.  It had been close but no real damage had
been done.  Now, if he could just keep them dry...

     Unfortunately, events were already set in motion.  The
caretaker, using the phone in the lobby had just called the
police.

     As the service started, Reverend Hasakawa emerged from the
back room and led Jeff and Ranma out to their positions at the
front of the church.  Mr. Saotome took his place in the pews,
uncomfortably trying to adjust collar of his replacement tuxedo. 
Mr. Lawrence and his wife joined Mr. Saotome in the front row and
anxiously awaited the arrival of the bride.
     Kasumi led the procession.  Dressed in a pastel pink dress,
she proudly demonstrated her quiet class and dignity all the
while attracting the approving looks from the six Marine friends
of Jeff who were able to make the wedding.  At the front of the
church, Kasumi bowed deeply to Reverend Hasakawa.  While not in
the traditional order of service, it was a Japanese-American
wedding.  The girls decided to improvise.
     Akane came next in a matching pink dress that showed to
everyone present just how much of a girl she was.  Ranma,
especially, stared with a strange look on his face as she
demurely paraded her feminine qualities.  Whatever he was
thinking, it couldn't have been that she was a tomboy or even
uncute.  Noticing him looking at her, Akane blushed deeply as she
bowed and made the turn at the front of the church.
     With the organ playing the  Wedding March', Nabiki on the
arm of her father, began the long trek to the altar.  Her
magnificent white wedding dress was scooped just enough so that
everyone could see the tip of her  promise tanto' through the
modest lace mesh of her bodice, its silver glistening in the
lights of the room.  Even Reverend Hasakawa was impressed. 
Having done hundreds of Japanese-American weddings, had never
seen a bride proudly honoring one of the oldest Japanese wedding
customs.  
     The train of her dress would have looked right at home in
the movie  Sound of Music', its length being almost 15 feet long. 
Someone at the dress shop had jokingly remarked that the length
of a brides train indicated how long she hoped the marriage would
last.  Nabiki was taking no chances and ordered the longest train
the dress shop could make.  Yuka and Sayuri brought up the rear
carrying the train.
     At the front of the church, Soun Tendo halted and, crying
freely, symbolically released his daughter to join her new
husband.  She hesitated long enough to turn to her father and
smile.  
     Soun Tendo saw before him the little girl who played in the
yard out back, the young girl who endured the death of her
mother, and finally the teenager who had grown into a woman. 
Like millions of fathers before him, he was releasing his little
girl from his protection to that of someone else.  He cried like
never before.  With a small bow, he moved with ease to his place
on the front row.  Nabiki turned to Jeff and smiling shyly, moved
to stand next to her husband.  Both were sweating heavily in the
air conditioned chapel.
     As the organ concluded its music, the minister began reading
from his book in Japanese.  "Dearly beloved..." he began.
     Actually, that's all the further he got as the doors in the
back of the church burst open and two policemen followed by four
zookeepers stumbled in.  Announcing that everything was under
control, one of the police officers stated that they were here
because they had received a report of a panda coming in the back
door of the church.  For some reason, everyone in the wedding
party looked at Mr. Saotome.  Reverend Hasakawa assured the men
that he had just come from the back rooms and saw no pandas
there.
     The police and zookeeper apologized for the inconvenience
and left quietly to search the grounds outside.
     The church quickly settled down, and the good reverend
resumed the wedding service.  This time he almost got to the part
where he asks Nabiki if she  takes this man to be her lawfully
wedded husband', when the doors in the back burst open a second
time.  After five days of searching, Tatewaki Kuno finally got
one right.
     "My darling Akane, it is I, Tatewaki Kuno, your knight, your
protector, your samurai of love.  I hereby demand this wedding
cease and desist." he was waiving around a broom handle
substitute for his confiscated bokkan.
     Jeff and Nabiki slowly turned to face the  Raging Idiot of
Japan'.  Nabiki raised her vail with a  I can't believe this is
happening' look on her face.  Kuno should have considered himself
lucky Jeff was unarmed at this point.  While Jeff wasn't the best
shot in the world, he could have clearly emptied an entire clip
in Kuno's direction right now without a single regret.
     Akane was practically vibrating with anger.  She had put up
with his nonsense for almost a year and had finally had enough.   
   "Kuno, you idiot!  This is not *my* wedding, it's Nabiki's
wedding!  How dare you yell in here!  This is a holy place AND
YOU SHOULD NOT YELL IN A HOLY PLACE!!!!!"  Her voice seemed to
echo off the surrounding hills.
     This appeared to have the desired affect not only on Kuno,
who was frozen in place with eyes the size of saucers, but just
about everyone else as well.  It was so quiet in the church, you
could hear the wood age.  The only exceptions to this were six
fellows quite used to loud noises, after all, they once survived
a day at the firing range with Nabiki.  Jeff's Marine friends
quickly surrounded the would-be samurai, giving him a first-hand
feeling of what it was like on Iwo Jima.  Faced with having to
endure similar results if he didn't do as he was told, Kuno chose
to sit quietly and enjoy the rest of the wedding.  After all, it
wasn't his lovely Akane getting married, just that annoying
Nabiki.  He made a mental note to send a suitable gift after he
got back; perhaps a toaster or something.
     "Well, that's one." Nabiki muttered softly.
     Apparently not soft enough as Jeff turned to her and asked:
"Is there something you should be telling me?"
     In her best Elisabeth Montgomery voice, she answered:
"Well..."
     Reverend Hasakawa restarted the ceremony got, this time, to
the part where the rings were exchanged when the next
interruption occurred.
     Coming through the same doors Kuno had used, the Black Rose
of St. Hebereke announced her arrival.
     "Ranma, darling." Kodachi Kuno screeched, her arms wide. 
"Why settle for this scrawny clumsy, tomboy when you can have a
real *woman*?"
     Akane looked unimpressed.  Ranma, on the other hand, looked
like someone just offered him some of Akane's cooking.
     Jeff turned back to Nabiki, a disgusted look on his face.
     "Number two?" he asked.
     "Number two." she replied, before adding a shrug.
     Not everyone was taking Kodachi's interruption calmly.  Mrs.
Lawrence, frustrated over all of her intricate preparations being
thwarted by so many unplanned interruptions, suddenly stood up,
slammed her purse to the floor and shouted: "That's IT!"  With a
determination only a mother could possess, Mrs. Lawrence stomped
towards the intruder.
     Everyone's attention was suddenly drawn to Jeff's mom
instead of Kodachi.  Too bad, or they would have noticed that,
feeling threatened by the advancing Mrs. Lawrence, Kodachi had
drawn her deadly ribbon.  By the time anyone noticed, she was
swirling it in a menacing fashion.
     Suddenly, everything began to move in ultra slow motion. 
Akane and Ranma, knowing full well the danger posed by Kodachi's
ribbon, started their move towards the Kuno girl.  However, Akane
was experiencing a few problems caused by her long dress and high
heels while Ranma was experiencing the same due to his tight
fitting tuxedo.  The Marines, clustered around the earlier
intruder to guarantee his cooperation, were just starting their
move; hopping pews as only combat trained Marines could.  Jeff,
not knowing just how dangerous Kodachi's ribbon was, sensed that
she had the capability to injure his mother; perhaps even worse.
Instinctively, he felt in his inside pocket for something he
never went anywhere without.  He quickly found it, a throwing
star given to him by Master Sato.  It was the finest ninjutsu
weapon of its kind ever forged.  Handed down through untold
number of generations, it was balanced like no other and so
aerodynamically perfect it would fly the truest of any shuriken
in existence.  Jeff could still hear Master Sato's warning: "This
weapon has served it's masters since the time of the last
unification.  It will *always* strike true.  However, you must
*never* use it unless a life is in danger.  To do otherwise could
have catastrophic affects far beyond the incident itself."  He
never elaborated on just what  catastrophic affects' meant, but
judging by the reactions of Ranma and Akane to Kodachi's ribbon,
he was certain his mother's life was now in the balance.
     Unfortunately, events were occurring faster than even the
most trained martial artist could react to.  Before Jeff, Ranma,
Akane, or the Marines could intervene, Kodachi struck.  With a
snap of her wrist, the deadly ribbon began its lightning assault. 
Nothing could stop its attack.  Nothing was going to protect
Jeff's mom now.
     What happened next, only Kodachi and Ranma had ever seen. 
With a hand motion faster than the human eye could follow, Mrs.
Lawrence snatched the striking ribbon out of the air and pulled
it taut.  The reaction by Kodachi was stunned surprise.  An old
lady actually caught her ribbon in full strike.  Impossible!
     The reaction of the rest of the defenders was almost as
disarming as Kodacni's; Akane and Ranma skidded to a halt in
astonishment, the Marines stopped their head-long charge to
watch, and Jeff, only a heartbeat from launching his deadly
projectile, went into panicked indecision. <Mom's in the way; I
can't get a clear shot.  I can't cut the ribbon without hurting
and innocent bystander.  What the....?>
     Actually, Mrs. Lawrence did something on her own.  With a
sudden sharp yank on the ribbon, she drew the stuned girl the
remaining 8 feet to within arms length.  That was all she needed,
with another move to fast to follow, Mrs. Lawrence's right hand
shot forward and closed around the, now terrified, girl's throat. 
Caught in a vise-like grip, Kodachi saw her life pass before her
eyes; it was *not* a pretty sight.
     "Young lady," Jeff's mom calmly said. "This is my only son's
special day; the day he pledges his life to the girl he loves
more than anything in the world."  Jeff and Nabiki glanced
quickly at each other.  "You are welcome to join us and celebrate
this union.  If you are good, you may even join us later for some
wedding cake."  Her grip tightened slightly as the emotion of her
next thought surged forward.  "However, if you persist in trying
to disrupt my son's wedding, I'M GOING TO DROP-KICK YOUR LITTLE
BLACK ROSE ASS ALL THE WAY TO GUAM!"
     Wisely, Kodachi agreed (well, she vibrated her head
vertically and it *looked* like an agreement).  Mrs. Lawrence
relieved the girl of her ribbon, tippy toed her over to a seat
next to her brother and set her down like a Bunraku puppet.
     "Way to go, sis." Kuno hissed sarcastically.  Further
conversation was cut of by the return of the Marines.  In spite
of the fact they were trained to protect important people, they
had been thwarted twice in one day.  This, understandably, left
them in an ugly mood.
     As for Mrs. Lawrence, she quietly smoothed her dress, patted
her hair to check for anything out of place, and calmly walked
back to her seat.  All eyes in the place followed her in total
silence.  Picking up her purse, she resumed her seat in a most
lady-like fashion and smiled sweetly at her son.
     "Mom,...How...?" Jeff stammered.
     "Well, dear.  You didn't think you were Mr. Sato's *only*
student, did you?" 
     Jeff and Nabiki traded looks.  Nabiki, still holding her
veil up with her arm, developed a tiny smile at the thought of
being related to such a woman. <Maybe, I'll have someone like
mother to talk to as much as I want.>
     Once again, the good reverend restarted the service and,
while still glancing around for the next interruption, actually
got to the part that said: "You may now kiss the bride."
     As the couple kissed, Mrs. Lawrence cried, Kasumi cried, and
Mr. Tendo flooded the carpet.  Akane, misty eyed and clearly
caught up in the emotion of the situation, looked over at Ranma
who was watching Jeff and Nabiki kiss.  Something told him he was
being watched and he quickly locked eyes with Akane.
     To Akane, Ranma looked handsome in his tuxedo, even though
she could tell he would rather be wearing something else.  As she
stared at him, she put herself in Nabiki's place, standing before
a minister, with a willing Ranma, kissing after being pronounced
man and wife.  The thought caused her to smile through her happy
tears.
     Ranma couldn't help looking at Akane. <She looks
so...,well,...nice...like a girl...cute...almost like a...>
Catching himself, he smiled slightly and stuck out his tongue her
direction.  Akane just shook her head and looked away. <Still not
ready.  Still immature.> she thought.
     The recession went without incident.  Ranma reluctantly
offered his arm to Akane.  Gleefully, she accepted and hung on
happily as they quickly made their way out of the church.  Kasumi
escorted Mr. Lawrence and a still sobbing Soun Tendo was escorted
by the surprising Mrs. Lawrence.  Yuka drew the assignment of
escorting Mr. Saotome while Sayuri tended Nabiki's long train.

     Outside, the crowd threw the customary rice as Jeff and
Nabiki started towards their waiting limousine.  They didn't get
far.  Without warning, a burst of AK47 fire, fired skyward,
ripped through the wedding party's joy.  Everyone froze to see a
short male, dressed in chauffeurs clothing, holding an AK47
pointed at the wedding couple.
     "Is pity, you wouldn't die in accident." Montgomery Phillips
said when the wedding party quieted down.  "I hate having to do
these things in person."
     "So you're behind all those  accidents'" Jeff accused.
     "No accidents.  Just lousy help.  You get what you pay for,
you know."  Monty shifted his weapon slightly to center on Jeff.
     "Why are you doing this?" Jeff asked.
     "Have to." Monty shrugged.  "You stand between me and what I
deserve."
     "The money."
     "Of course, the money, you simpleton."  Monty yelled.
     Looking at Nabiki briefly, Jeff said: "Let the girls go,
Monty.  It's me you want.  They don't even speak English."
     "I can't do that." Monty chuckled cruelly.  "They could
still pick me out of a lineup."  He waved the weapon menacingly. 
"Besides, that little Jap geisha of yours would still inherit
everything."  He sneered at Nabiki.  "It's perfect, you see.  I'm
not really here.  I have people who'll swear I'm currently
gambling in Los Vagus."
     Jeff fingered the shuriken in his pocket.  He knew the star
wouldn't strike Monty before he could fire his weapon.  He also
knew he would be Monty's first target.  Still, if he could get
one good strike in before Monty fired, one of the others could
finish him off and the majority would be saved.
     Another of Master Sato's sayings echoed through his brain:
 The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.'  Well,
maybe not Sato.  Maybe, it was from that old  Star Trek' movie he
watched the other night.
     Kuno was slid slowly behind one of the Marines. <He looks
big enough to stop the bullets.> he thought.  
     Ranma was glaring at the two assassins, every muscle in his
body tense.  
     Akane nudged him and whispered: "Our duty?"
     "Hai" was his clipped reply.
     "Then together."
     Ranma looked briefly at Akane and saw the determination in
her eyes.  It was her sister she was protecting; a worthy
sacrifice.  He just nodded his reply.
     Before either could begin their foolhardy endeavor, all
parties concerned were stunned a Kawanga grapple seemed to come
out of nowhere, entangle the weapon and yank it out of Monty's
rubber gloved hands.
     With blinding bursts of Mienaku Soru bombs, two figures
dressed in black suddenly appeared.  Twirling a favorite shadow
warrior weapon, the Manriki-Gusari, a short chain weapon with
blunt weights at each end, the figures advanced.
     Monty's eyes burned with hatred.  These black clad clowns
were spoiling his chance at untold riches, and he simply hated
anyone who got between him and his fortune. 
     Simultaneously, both figures threw their weapons with
practiced skill.  Binding, first the arms then the legs, together
securely.  In a single strike, Montgomery Phillips was now
captured and neatly packaged for the police.  
     As if by magic, but actually employing the skills learned
over a life time, a third figure appeared.
     "Master Sato!" Jeff shouted.  "I knew you wouldn't miss my
wedding."
     "Miss the wedding of my adopted son?" he asked
incredulously.  "Unthinkable.  Besides, I had to make sure you
were properly... protected."
     Nabiki was examining the two figures dressed in black,
standing apart and behind the master.  One wore a black Hachimaki
around his head that bore a clan crest she had never seen before. 
But the other's Hachimaki was blood red in color and proudly
bearing a crest she knew well, the Clan of the Cold Moon.
     <There *are* others.> she thought with emotion. <I am *not*
the last.> She caught the eye of her clan's shadow warrior. 
Something about her clansman didn't look right.  While the other
was stocky and solidly built, her's looked slighter and
more...feminine. <It's a *woman*.> Nabiki suddenly realized as
the two locked eyes.  Nabiki resisted the urge to run over and
rip off the mask that covered the lower half of the warriors
face.  She *had* to know who this person was; to talk to her; to
hear more of her mother's clan.  Suddenly, finding out who this
person was took on position of paramount importance.
     To everyone's surprise, including Master Sato's, the female
ninja spoke.  "We will meet again, Nabiki-senpai." she said
matter-of-factly before turning and springing into the woods
behind her.
     "What did she mean by that?" Jeff asked his wife as she
watched her clan warrior disappear.  Nabiki wore a little smile,
like the one she used when she was about to embark on a new
business deal.
     "I will explain everything tonight." she said with only a
sideways glance at her husband.
     Off in the distance, they could hear the sound of many
sirens approaching.  Jeff looked at Master Sato who only smiled
and asked: "Do you remember your lesson?" while forming a
complicated intertwining of his fingers.
     "Allies come in many forms; all should be used." Jeff
muttered.
     Master Sato nodded and disappeared along with his shadow
warrior.  Jeff knew he would see both again.
     The arrival of the Honolulu Police, the FBI, and several
other law enforcement agencies turned the church parking lot into
a police convention.  Somehow, through it all, Jeff and Nabiki
managed to have a normal getaway to the reception.  
     From the open roof of the limousine, Nabiki cocked her arm
to throw the bouquet.  Yuka, Sayuri, and Kasumi joined about a
half a dozen of Jeff's unmarried female relatives, eagerly
awaiting the throw.  Akane stood strangely to the back of the
group, acting as if she were unconcerned with the tradition.
     "Whomever catches this will be the next to marry." Nabiki
shouted as she let the bouquet fly.
     It bounced through the hands of several girls before landing
in Akane's lap.  Holding the flowers up with a questioning look,
she glanced at Nabiki.
     "You're next, little sis." she chirped as the limousine
started to pull away.
     Akane just hugged the bouquet and looked at Ranma with an
odd expression on her face.  Ranma immediately interpreted it for
what it was; the old ball and chain.  With a look of panic he
yelled: "No way, Akane!" and bolted for safety.
     "Ranma no baka!" Akane yelled as she started her pursuit.

     The reactions of the remaining wedding guests were mixed.
     "We're related to them?"
     "Children."
     "I can see the wedding had no affect on the boy."
     "My daughter is a married woman [sniff]."
     "Oh, dear.  Here we go again."





Greg Sandborn	(aka: Uncle Fester)

Home on the range at:	sandborn@microlink.net
			sandborn@burnsmcd.com


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Pushing the envelope of fan fiction till my stamp gets canceled.