The previous parts are in an accompanying repost.  There have
been some trivial revisions but the gist remains the same.

Most characters and situations in this story are the
property of Takahashi Rumiko and are used without consent
but without the desire to give offense.

David Johnston, rgorman@telusplanet.net  


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For Every Action, Part 7 (and A Word From Our Sponsor)

Mr Tendo turned to panda-Genma and said, "Well, at least that's 
one girl who doesn't seem to pose a threat to the Engagement."  
Genma nodded and growfed.  Neither of them had heard Bie-Deh's
threat to kidnap Ranma for Shampoo.  

"Oh dear," added Kasumi.  "I had the impression that Kaneda was
himself engaged to someone.  I hope this doesn't cause too much
trouble.  He seems like such a nice boy."

After quickly changing clothes, Akane, back in girl form, went back 
to the room shared by Ranma and his father to check on her fiancee.  

"Aw, come on Nabiki.  I would have woke up on my own and you know
it."

"Yes, but I did make you more comfortable, checked you for serious
injuries, and you never know, you might really need help the next 
time you get hurt.  But that's OK, I'll just toss it in gratis this
time.  I assume you'll be interested, however, in a rundown on the
name, motives, skill level and personal appearance of your new enemy?"

"Well yeah, I guess so..."

"Two thousand yen should cover it."

"Nabiki!"  Akane interrupted, with a sudden, ugly premonition.  "You
shouldn't...uh...take advantage of Ranma that way."

"Whence comes this sudden solicitude?"  Nabiki shuddered, "I've got to
spend less time actually listening to Kuno-baby.  All I'm doing is 
bartering a little information at bargain prices.  You've never
worried about that before.  And this briefing comes with a visual
aid."  Out came the picture, inevitably.  Ranma looked at it, and
the strangest succession of expressions swept across his face.  Then
he started laughing.  "Kaneda, you're such a pervert."  He reached
into his pockets, took out what money he had (somewhat short of the 
theoretical purchase price) and paid Nabiki.  

"It wasn't like that!  She just grabbed hold of him and..."

"So you're saying it wasn't his fault that some girl grabbed him?
Kaneda's just a nice guy that this stuff happens too, and his 
fiance has nothing to worry about?"

Akane fumed.  For once Ranma had the upper hand and she was on the
defensive.  If he kept it up she was going to slug him on general
principles.  At least SHE never suggested that he might like getting
grabbed by Kuno.  Although she might have made a joke about Mikado...

"Say,", interjected Nabiki.  "How would you know, anyway?  You 
weren't even there."

"I was...watching from the window."

The next day...

"Hey, pop.  How 'bout we actually practise in the Dojo this morning"

"What boy, you suddenly afraid of getting _wet_?"  Mr Saotome grabbed
Ranma and tossed him toward the koi pond.  Ranma landed just short of
it.  "I let you take a break from training last night because you don't
risk aggravating joint injuries unless you have to, but today we have 
to make up for it.  I think landing in that pool is a great 
motivator not to make mistakes, and you've got to expect to get wet
fighting someone named "Mizu".  Now, prepare yourself!"

Genma launched himself at Ranma in a flying kick, but Ranma just lept
up and bounced off his father's body, propelling himself forward, and  
Genma into the pond.   "Well, if you insist.  I think it's mating 
season for koi, though."  *He's got a curse, I don't, and I'm faster
these days.  I'll just have to be careful or risk blowing Akane's 
secret.  I'm in enough trouble with her without giving her that to
blame on me.*

At breakfast, Mr Tendo complimented Ranma, "You were in fine
form today my boy."  Genma-panda growfed in reluctant agreement, 
somewhat battered and damp.  Ranma was pretty subdued as he answered, 
"Thanks.".  *If we can't put Akane back the way she was, I'm going to 
have to win every morning sparring session until someone spills water
on her.  And then Mr Tendo is going to do that demon head thing,
no matter how he finds out.  I hate that.*

<Sploosh>  "Why DOES that old woman do that?" Akane asked.  

"Don't ask me" Ranma shrugged.  "She always does it, she never seems
to notice that she's splashing us, or what happens afterward.  I think
it's the curse that makes her do it.  Hey, what are you doing?!"

"Taking my uniform off.  I don't want people to see me in it this
way.  They'll think I'm a pervert."

"It's better than being naked!  Oh..."  Ranma shut-up when he noticed 
Akane was wearing a t-shirt and shorts underneath.  "Say, isn't that
my t-shirt?"

"Yes, I borrowed it from the wash.  You don't mind do you?"

"I guess not.  You know, we should probably tell Dr. Tofu.  He can
be trusted to keep the secret, and he could probably give us some 
ideas about how to fix this."

"Well...I guess so."

End of Part 7
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Longer than usual and yet, strangely, nothing was happening.  Go fig.
Do I have to keep saying that comments and suggestions for improvement
are welcome?  Probably.

And Now For a Word From Our Sponsor.

Someone recently suggested that in response to perceived
problems with Rec.arts.anime.creative, we should start posting stories 
to a discussion group which apparently doesn't welcome them.  While I 
would like to have my stories archived and am somewhat annoyed that as 
yet I have received nothing except an automated response from the RAAC 
when I attempted to post there, I do not believe that we should resort 
to inappropriate behavior as a pressure tactic.  Bullying is no way to 
get what you want, even if it works.  Besides this sort of thing happens
with volunteer labour at times.  
I'm sorry to stick this irrelevant material in my story post, but I
decided I'd rather not increase the irrelevant message traffic.  
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