This is still not formally titled yet, and new title suggestions in
addition to C&C are welcome.  I'm still not sure whether the end should
be as it is (I like it, but it's a fairly sad, sorry!), and if people
voice enough opinion for change, I just might.

Ranma and all related characters are owned by Rumiko Takahashi.  The use
of the characters are not meant in offense or meant to be a violation of
copyright regulations.
All rights are owned by people who could paste me with a large legal
battle.
The chartacers introduced in this fic are actually copyrighted by
myself.  Really!

If things are unclear, it's because I'm transferring from a formatted
html document to no formatting here.  I think it's still clear, but if
you're having problems, visit my site at:

http://public.carleton.edu/~tsaie/fanfix.html
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter Three

	"You have to be kidding me." Ukyou sighed.  She leaned back and sighed
in her seat at the restaurant.  They all had returned to Ucchan's, while
Mousse and Cologne had tended to Shampoo.  She looked into her cup of
tea and frowned.  "You know, if he's so good at fighting, and he needs
to fight people to get his honor back, why isn't he going nuts and
fighting everyone he's seen so far?"
	Ranma shrugged.
	"I dunno.  I never really thought of it myself.  The way he explained
it, it was like he had to wait for other people to challenge him.  Seems
to me he can't refuse them either, regardless of what they could do to
him.  Pretty stupid arrangement if you ask me."  Ranma shook his head
and looked over to Ken as he sat alone at the counter.
	"You know," he continued, "he looks pretty lonely.  I wish there were
something we could do for him.  I know what he feels like.  It's
horrible."  Ranma sighed.  Akane smiled slightly.
	"That's awfully nice of you, Ranma.  So where's the real Ranma?" she
asked jokingly.
	"Hey!  I was just trying to be nice!" he protested.  Ukyou and Akane
shared a laugh.
	"Look, Ran-chan, it was just a joke.  Don't get so defensive."  Ukyou
got up from the table and walked over next to Ken.
	"You know, there's room for four at the table, and there's only three
there.  Want to sit down and talk?  You've been awfully quiet after that
fight." she asked.
	Ken smiled sadly.  Ukyou was struck at how similar it was to when Ranma
felt sad.  She immediately felt like she wanted to reach out and comfort
him.  She shook her head slightly.
	"Is something wrong, Ukyou-san?" Ken asked.  She waved her hand
dismissively.
	"I'm just a little tired.  I'll be okay; and please, just call me
Ukyou." she smiled.  "Why don't you come join us?"
	Ken smiled and nodded his head.
	Ranma and Akane quickly exchanged glances as Ukyou tried to persuade
Ken to join them.  Akane had a wry grin on her face.
	"You know, whenever she looks at Ken, it's like she's looking at you. 
Did you see the way her eyes glazed over when he smiled at her?  It
reminded me of the times you smile at her and she loses it." Akane
noted.
	"Maybe she likes him."
	"Awfully fast, don't you think?"
	"Maybe Ucchan sees something in him that she likes."
	"Another Ranma?  Don't flatter yourself." Akane snorted.
	"That's not what I meant.  I mean, I feel like I've known this guy
forever.  He's been through a lot of the same I have, only it feels like
I got a better deal than he did."
	Akane put her hand over Ranma's on the table.
	"So what suddenly made you Mr. Sympathy?" she asked jokingly.
	Ranma looked at her hand on his and sighed.
	"I guess the whole wedding thing, and having my mom around more made me
realize that I had a lot of growing up to do.  Sometimes I look around
and think that I'm not the manliest of men anymore.  I might be able to
beat the pants off of someone in a fight, but after looking at Ken, and
having him explain his whole life, it sounds like there's more to being
a man than being a good martial artist.  He's been through something
that I haven't before and it really nagging me." he said quietly.  Akane
was about to say something, but saw Ukyou bring Ken to the table.
	"There.  A full table.  This is much better.' Ukyou said.  She looked
over to Ken.  "Comfortable?  I think it's a lot easier to talk to some
friends than to your teacup."
	Ken smiled sadly.
	"I guess so.  I'm really glad I met all of you.  I want you to know
that.  It's nice to hear that you all think of me as friends." he said
sadly.
	"Hey!  It's not like we're going to die on you or nothin'!" Ranma
protested.  Ken gave him that sad smile again.
	"This has to do with the blood, doesn't it?" Akane asked softly.
	"Yes," Ken said quietly, "it does.  I've fought with Long-tzu for as
long as I can remember fighting.  It was a gift to help me keep my
confidence in my abilities, and help me focus on fighting.  It's never
been proved wrong.  When I draw and see droplets of water, I always
win.  When I draw and see blood, then I know I'm going to lose.  I only
saw blood three times in the time I've fought with Long-tzu, and all of
them have been truly losses to me."
	"If you don't want to talk about it, Ken, you don't have to." Ranma
offered.
	"No, it's best that you all know.  I don't want any of you to think of
me as someone you want to associate with until you know more about me.
	"The first time I drew and saw blood, my parents were murdered.  I told
you about that already.  The last time I drew blood, I was disavowed by
the Oracle that chose me as her champion.."
	Ukyou raised an eyebrow.
	"You explained the whole champion bit to Ranma, but I didn't hear it. 
What's this all about." she asked.
	"To make a long story short, there are Oracles, beings that represent
certain aspects of life.  They choose consorts, or champions to fight
for them in combat situations where duels of honor boil down to mortal
combat.  It's kind of a petty power struggle, but that's the way it's
been played out for as long as anyone can remember.  I was chosen as the
Avatar, or the champion, of Fate.  She chose me, and her sister, Life
chose my younger brother.  It's funny.  All the other Avatars, and their
respective Oracles, have always been people that loved each other.  My
brother married the Oracle that chose him." Ken explained.
	"So what happened to you?  You're not married?" Ukyou asked.
	"No."
	"What happened?"
	"I drew my sword and I saw droplets of blood." he said in a whisper. 
Ukyou thought she saw Ken's eyes water, but she didn't see tears.  She
looked up at Ranma imploringly.  The situation had suddenly become very
uncomfortable, but Ranma and Akane were looking away.  Ranma was biting
his lip, looking somewhat uncomfortable.
	"You killed her?" Ukyou said quietly.
	"No.  I drew my sword and saw blood.  That was the day she told me she
never wanted to see me again.  She was only using me for her own means
to an end.  Later on, I drew my sword again, and then she cast me out
from her clan.  I was disgraced and disavowed before everyone in my
clan, and thousand of others from other clans."
	"Oh."
	Ukyou fidgeted.  Things were becoming very uncomfortable, and she began
to regret suggesting conversation.  Ken cleared his throat and Ranma,
Akane, and Ukyou turned to look at him.  He had a grim smile on his
face.
	"That's why I want you three to decide whether you really think you can
think of me as a friend or not.  I drew blood again.  I'm afraid
innocent people will get hurt in something I do."
	"It's just the short run though, right?" Akane asked hopefully.
	"I don't know.  The predictions from Long-tzu are applicable to
anything during any time.  It could be within the next ten seconds, or
within the year.  There's no definite time scale here.
	"You've all been really nice to me, and I know you're all great
people.  I don't want to risk hurting anyone out of my own selfishness."	
	"Hey!  Now wait a minute!  If we get hurt, it's our business.  You
can't really make us choose one way or another.  What are you going to
do if I keep sayin' you're my friend?"  Ranma sat back and looked at Ken
expectantly.  Ken took a breath to respond, but stopped.
	"Nothing I guess.  I really can't do anything."
	"Then it's settled." Ranma said.  "You're still my friend."
	Ken managed a small smile.  
	"Thanks Ranma.  I appreciate that."

	When the four of them stood up to leave, Akane held Ranma back and
waited for Ken and Ukyou to move out of earshot.
	"Are you thinking straight?  You heard what he said!  He said he knew
something bad was going to happen.  What if someone gets killed?" she
whispered.
	"Look, I can't explain it, but I think I know this guy.  It's like
we've got everything in common, and nothing too.  It's like he's a
brother I never had." he whispered back.
	Akane wanted to say something, but when she saw Ukyou and Ken looking
at them, she swallowed her words and moved out with Ranma to join them.
	"Well, it was really nice to meet you Ken.  Why don't you come back
tomorrow at lunch time to grab a bite to eat?" Ukyou offered.
	Ken smiled broadly. 
	"I'd like that.  Thank you Ukyou.  It's been a pleasure meeting you. 
It's not every day you meet a beautiful woman." he replied.  Ukyou
looked at him and saw a smile and a twinkle in his eye that reminded her
of Ranma.  She felt her face flush a little and turned away to say her
good-byes to Ranma and Akane.  They exchanged farewells and they went
their separate ways.
	When the three of them reached the dojo, people were getting ready for
bed.  Everyone had gone upstairs, and only Nabiki was downstairs turning
off the television when they arrived indoors.  Ranma and Ken went
upstairs to fetch a bedroll since it had been agreed that he would stay
in the dojo.
	"So where have you been?  You three took an awful long time getting
back."
	"We went to Ukyou's place." Akane said nonchalantly.
	"Ranma stuff his face again?"
	"Actually, no.  Ukyou seemed a little preoccupied with Ken.  Or at
least, whenever she looked at him for long enough."
	"He does remind you of Ranma, doesn't he?"
	"No, not really.  They're about the same height, but other than that,
and maybe the hair color, they don't look the same.  Ken's on the skinny
side, and he's always got a sad look when he looks at people.  It's like
he's missing something." she said wistfully.
	"Well, I don't know about you, sis, but I think he's kinda cute."
	"Nabiki!  You don't even know what he's like!" Akane objected.
	"And you do?"
	Akane tried to stutter a reply, but couldn't.
	"Well, he's a lot better than skinny.  He's a martial artist like
Ranma, that means he's got a body that defined.  He's got that sad look,
sure, but it's the same thing Ryouga's got all the time.  It suits him
better than Ryouga and he's cuter that way, too.  He's actually rather
charming, and I'll bet he's great with women.  Well, the thing with
women is all speculation, but that's what I think." Nabiki said with a
grin.
	"So you like him?"	
	Nabiki laughed.
	"Heavens, no!  Not like that!  I just know a great way to make money
when I see one; and I see a gold mine right now." Nabiki replied as she
eyed Ranma and Ken walking down the stairs.  When the two of them left
the room and their footsteps had faded, Nabiki put on a mercenary grin. 
"A gold mine indeed."  A stern voice snapped her back to reality.
	"Nabiki!  Honestly, I don't know how you can do that.  You have no idea
what he's been through.  I really don't think it'd be a good idea to do
anything you do to Ranma, to him."
	Nabiki shrugged and went up the stairs.  She paused for a minute, then
went on her way.
	"Suit yourself." she called over her shoulder.
	Akane sighed, as Ranma entered the room.
	"What's wrong with you?" he asked.
	"I think Nabiki's got something planned for Ken."
	Ranma rolled his eyes.	
	"This, I don't need to hear.  If she fixes a fight between us-"
	"I don't think she'll do that;" Akane interrupted, "but I have no idea
what she's thinking of doing."
	Ranma shrugged and flopped onto the couch.
	"Man, I'm beat." he said in a tired voice; but then perked up and
looked at Akane as she flopped down next to him.  "I think it's pretty
nice having Ken around.  Maybe he can show me some of those moves he's
got.  I'll bet he'd really like exchanging fighting stories and stuff."
	Akane looked at Ranma.  She had a thoughtful look on her face.
	"Did you see that way Ukyou reacted when Ken was saying good-bye?"
	"Not really.  That whole 'beautiful woman' stuff almost made me gag."
	"But did you see the way she acted?"
	"No, why?"
	"She started acting a little giddy.  And there was the way she was
staring at him."
	"So?" Ranma asked, blandly.
	"Ukyou was dressed like she always is."
	"So?" Ranma repeated.
	"So do you think anyone would look at her when she's dressed like a guy
and tell her she's beautiful?"
	"Ukyou's a girl!"
	"Yeah, but do you think Ken would say something like that, unless - you
know?"
	"Know what?" Ranma asked impatiently.
	"Nevermind," Akane sighed, "but you have to admit she started to get
all starry-eyed when she was looking at him that way."
	"What way?" Ranma asked.
	Akane giggled.
	"You really don't get it do you?" she asked.  Ranma frowned slightly,
but noticed that Akane was giggling again.  She had that look on her
face, and his heart skipped a beat.  She was always so cute when she was
like that.  She really is beautiful when she does that, Ranma thought to
himself.  Suddenly, he realized Akane was staring at him.
	"Ranma, now you're doing it." she said quietly, with an embarrassed
smile.
	Ranma laughed nervously and started scratching the back of his head.
	"Well- Uh- I was- But-" he stammered, but Akane got up off the couch
and leaned over his shoulder from behind him on her way to the stairs. 
Ranma froze.  Akane paused for a minute before kissing him lightly on
the cheek.  She turned and went up the stairs, leaving Ranma by himself,
idly brushing his cheek where she had kissed him.

	Ken woke the next morning to the sounds of fighting outside.  For a
split second he thought that he was going to be attacked; but reality
sunk in as he looked about the dojo.  The clean floors, the small shrine
in the back, and himself on a bedroll in the middle.  He rubbed the
sleep out of his eyes and stretched.  It had been a fitful night's
sleep.  Curiously, no dreams he could remember.  Only the sensation of
just closing his eyes, and then opening them again to the morning. 
Usually, he had a nightmare that would wake him, but not this time.  Ken
smiled.  Perhaps things were different here.  He looked at his sword. 
He wondered if he should draw to see if things were going to be bad or
good.  An ambiguous clairvoyant message, but one nonetheless.  He
decided against it.  It had brought him agony in the past.  Relying on
it was no longer a good idea.  He had seen how carefree Ranma had been
living, simply enjoying one day at a time.  Ken decided that was the
best way to approach life.  One day at a time.  A loud rumbling from his
stomach told him it was time for breakfast.  He stretched out
completely, like a tiger waking from a long dream, and kipped to his
feet.  He took off his shirt and opened the door.
	Ranma and Genma were fighting again.  Blow after blow was blocked in
mid-air as they repeatedly jumped and attacked each other.  Ken found it
horribly amusing.  Suddenly Ranma turned at the noise.  He saw Ken at
the door of the dojo and shot him a grin.
	"Hey!  You're awake! A little early-"
	He was interrupted by Genma grabbing him and unceremoniously throwing
him in the koi pond.  Ken ran over to the pond to see if Ranma was
okay.  A petite redhead stood up and shook her head.  She
unceremoniously spat out a mouthful of water and wiped her brow.  Genma
laughed.  
	"You're getting sloppy again, boy!"
	Ranma was about to grab his father and throw him in when there was a
soft "thump," and Genma toppled head over heels into the pond, as Ranma
jumped out of the way.  Ranma looked over to Ken who gave a smile and a
wink.  Ranma burst out laughing.  A furious panda jumped out onto the
rocks and waved its arms in rage.  Ranma couldn't talk from the laughing
and desperately pointed a finger at Ken who was walking to the house.
	The panda held up an impromptu sign.
	"What?!  That was Ken!  He kicked you in!" Ranma protested.  The panda
held up another sign.
	"I'm not lying!  Are you just acting stupid, or does you brain shrink
when you're a panda?" Ranma yelled over her shoulder as she stomped to
the house.  The panda waved its arms some more, then hunched its back
when it noticed nobody was paying attention to him.  Genma shrugged to
nobody in particular and walked to the house.
	When Ken made it to the bathroom, he was a little unsure of himself. 
He really couldn't wear Ranma's clothes forever.  After all, even though
they fit fairly well, he couldn't very well wear clothes that weren't
his.  Perhaps he would have to go find a way to make some money and
purchase his own clothes.  It was certainly a dishonor to freeload off
of someone forcibly.  Ken smiled and shook his head.  A job was what he
needed, and then some new clothes.
	"Oh!  Ken, you're awake."
	Ken turned his head to see Kasumi carrying a basket of clothes.
	"Good morning Kasumi.  How are you doing this morning?"
	Kasumi gave Ken a smile that could melt ice.
	"I'm just fine today, Ken.  Thank you for asking.  I just wanted you to
know that your clothes are clean now.  I took the liberty of sewing up
some of the tears in the fabric.  I hope you don't mind.
	Ken shook his head.
	"I don't mind, Kasumi.  Thank you very much.  If there's anything I can
do in return, please let me know.  I'd be happy to help." he offered. 
Kasumi looked at him thoughtfully and then shook her head, and smiled
again.
	"That's very gentlemanly of you, Ken; but I don't need anything else
done at the moment.  Thank you for offering."  she said as she handed
him a small folded bundle of clothes.  Ken took them thankfully with a
smile and a nod.  Kasumi left him, and went down the stairs humming
softly to herself.
	Ken knocked on the door to see if anyone was there.  No reply.  He
opened the door and walked into the room adjoining the bath and unfolded
the clothes Kasumi had given him.  His black one piece was back in
order.  Ken smiled as he looked at it.  It looked like a thinned down
black gi with short sleeves; and connected in one piece, like a
jumpsuit.  The patches Kasumi had sewn to fix the suit were barely
noticeable.  Ken whistled and shook his head.  He hadn't seen anyone as
skillful in mending things anywhere.  His attention turned to the
bodysuit.  It reminded him of a wetsuit, but it was made of light cotton
and silk; and fit tightly, whereas his jumpsuit was more baggy around
the edges.  The dark green, almost black, bodysuit looked perfect as
well.  The repairs Kasumi had done were barely noticeable here as well. 
Ken noticed the sleeves were a little shorter than before.  They cut off
an inch or so up from the elbow, but he decided it was something Kasumi
couldn't prevent.  The mock-turtle neck was even in perfect shape.  He
thought he'd lost it in his Fight with Brutus, but there it was back on
the bodysuit where it belong.  Even the thin black belt he had was back
in order.  Ken smiled broadly, everything was back in order again.  It
looked perfect.
	He made his way over to the door to the bath and knocked again.  A
voice made him jump back in surprise.
	"I'm almost done."
	Ken thought he hadn't heard anything when he knocked the first time in
the hall.  He shrugged.  Perhaps he didn't hear her the first time.  He
folded up his clothes again and walked out the door, only to run into
Ranma.
	"You're done takin' a bath already?" he asked.
	Ken shook his head and jerked a thumb to the bath,
	"Someone's in there.  Sounds like Akane.  We should wait until she's
done." Ken replied.  He closed the door as Ranma looked at him
questioningly.
	"So just how did you figure it was Akane.  She obviously didn't slap
you in the face.  She punch ya or something?" Ranma asked with a grin.
	"No, I knocked on the door."
	Ranma sighed.
	"You know, Ken, I forget to do that a lot.  I guess I should be more
careful.  It'd do me a lot of good."
	"So you get slapped a lot?"
	"No, I just have it timed so that she's done when I get in.  Sometimes
she's a little late though.  Then I get it good." Ranma said with a
laugh, as he rubbed his cheek absentmindedly.

	Akane could hear them talking while the door to the hall was open.  She
smiled to herself.  Ranma was learning manners!  Finally he's learning
something useful, she thought to herself.  She decided being friends
with Ken would do wonders for Ranma's personality.  He could be crass,
rude and insulting at times, but Ranma was someone she decided was
actually a good person at heart.  To her, Ken was a gentleman, but
didn't seem to live life with a smile.  Definitely, she thought to
herself, like Ryouga.  Maybe Ken and Ranma could learn from each other,
she mused.
	She lazily got out of the tub and dried off.  She thought back to
yesterday as she put on her clothes in the adjoining room.  Ranma had
kissed her.  There was a look of concern and genuine feeling in his
eyes.  Akane wondered if it was love.  Then he kissed her.  It wasn't a
passionate kiss that robbed her of her breath, like she had imagined. 
It was soft, and warm.  It sent a tingle down her spine; and Ranma had
done it without anyone forcing him to.  Then there was that look on his
face when they were talking before bed.  That dazed happy look on his
face was comical, and completely wonderful to her.  Ranma didn't need to
say anything.  It was as if he was trying to tell her without saying
anything,  Akane smiled, as she buttoned up the last of the buttons on
her school uniform.  She opened the door and stepped into the hall,
giving a bright smile to Ranma, who looked as if he was in shock.
	Ken looked at Ranma as Akane passed them on her way to the stairs.  He
had a slightly shocked look on his face, but it was mostly a glazed look
on his face.  Ken had seen it before.  He nudged Ranma in the ribs.
	"Hey, Romeo.  I'm going to take a bath.  I'll see you at breakfast."
	Ranma shook his head.
	"Hey!  What was that for?  And what's this Romeo stuff?"
	Ken laughed and went for his bath.
	When the two of them walked downstairs to breakfast, everyone was
eating.
	"Sorry I'm late." Ranma apologized as he got to the table.  He
immediately sat down in his usual spot next to Akane and wolfed down his
food.  Ken smiled as Akane quietly nagged Ranma about his behavior at
the table.  To him, it was as if they were already married.  
	"Good morning,  Ken!  We've got a spot right over here for you." Nabiki
called out.  She patted a spot next to her at the table.  Ken looked
skeptical and slowly walked over and sat down.
	"We've got school today.  Care to come with?" she asked.
	"Um.  School?  I'm finished with my schooling." he replied nervously. 
Why is Nabiki suddenly being so nice all of the sudden, he asked
himself.  Ranma told me she only acts nice when she wants something, he
said to himself.
	Nabiki raised an eyebrow.
	"Done with schooling?  Just how did you accomplish that?" she asked.
	"Advanced classes?" Ken replied sheepishly.  It was always a chore
trying to explain how people like himself aged.  Apparently, it was good
enough.
	"So why aren't you in college?" 
	"Why are you asking?"
	"I just want to know some more about our new guest." Nabiki said with a
smile.  Ranma looked up and groaned.  Nabiki shot him an expectant look
before turning back to Ken.  "So why don't you just come to take a look
around.  It's not like we're trying to enroll you in classes or
anything.  It'll be fun.  You can meet the rest of Ranma's friends."
	Ken gave Ranma and Akane a pleading look.
	"Well, time for school.  We need to get going, right Ranma?" Akane
asked sweetly.
	"Grmph." Ranma replied through a mouthful of food.  He nodded and stood
up to follow Akane.  He swallowed and looked over to Nabiki.  "He's not
done with breakfast.  We should get going and plan a visit later, when
we're not going to be late."
	Nabiki frowned inwardly.  This was a crimp in her plans for the day.
	"Okay." she said cheerfully.  She got up to leave.  "See you later,
Ken.  We'll talk later."
	Ken gave a halfhearted wave as Nabiki left.  He looked back to his
food.  Something was amiss with Nabiki and it bothered him.
	"So did you sleep well last night, Ken?"
	He looked up to Nodoka.
	"Yes, I did.  I hope I wasn't a bother."
	"Don't be silly." Soun interjected.  "You're a welcome guest here."
	"Thank you.  I appreciate it very much."
	"No need to thank us." Soun replied with a laugh.
	Ken smiled and nodded in thanks.  He turned to his food and ate his
fill, mindful of the good luck he was having.
	"Kasumi, I thought it would be a good idea to go shopping today. 
Perhaps we should bring Ken along, to find some clothes for him?" Nodoka
asked.  Kasumi smiled and nodded.
	"Certainly.  I think buying some clothes for Ken is a wonderful idea. 
Ken, would you like to go shopping today?"
	"Some clothes other than what I'm wearing right now would be nice, but
I don't have any money.  I really don't think it would be appropriate
for me to go shopping without any money."
	"Perhaps you can borrow some money from Nabiki." Kasumi suggested.
	"I think that would be a very nice idea.  Nabiki would certainly lend
you some money, and then you can buy some clothes.  I'm sure she'd be
willing to lend you money.  She's very generous." Nodoka added.
	"I don't mean to be rude, but Ranma told me some rather unflattering
stories about Nabiki and how she handles money." Ken replied quietly.
	"Nonsense.  Sometimes, I'll admit, Nabiki can be a little quick to make
a dollar; but she really is very generous at heart."
	"Well, I would, but she's in school."
	"Well, if you need an excuse to go, why don't you go to bring Ranma his
bento?  I see that he forgot it." Kasumi said cheerfully.
	Ken looked at her smiling at him, and nodded his head.  It couldn't be
all that bad, he decided.
	
	When Ken made it to Furinkan High at the described lunch time, the
school was fairly busy.  Students wandering about classrooms aimlessly,
talking to friends and exchanging the latest gossip.  Ken felt a little
out of place in his clothes, but Ranma seemed to wear unconventional
school clothes, so he let it go from his mind.  It wasn't difficult
finding Ranma.  All he had to do was ask and all fingers quickly pointed
to his way.  It seemed when people looked at him, and heard his request
to find Ranma, they pointed a direction and started to follow him.  Ken
couldn't make it out.
	When he finally found Ranma, he saw him sitting quietly in a corner
talking to Akane in a hushed voice.
	"Ranma?" he asked.
	Ranma looked up in slight surprise.
	"Ken!  When did you get here?  I actually expected you a bit earlier."
he replied.
	Ken looked confused.
	"What do you mean?" he asked.  Ranma snickered.
	"Nabiki slipped me a fake bento.  I knew Kasumi would send someone out
to give me my lunch.  I guessed it'd be you.  Thanks for the lunch, by
the way."
	Ken grinned.
	"Hey, no worries.  It was easy enough to find my way here.  So why was
everyone trailing me a ways when I asked where you were?"
	Ranma looked at the small crowd of people near the door to the room.
	"They think you're looking to fight me or somethin'; especially with
that sword of yours strapped to your back." Ranma replied.  "I guess
they're barking up the wrong tree."
	People started dispersing when they saw a fight wasn't imminent.
	"I guess I should feel bad for disappointing them, but I'm not." Ken
said with a smile.  "So do you mind if I pry into what you and Akane
were talking about?"
	"We were just talking about how fast it'd take for Nabiki to take
advantage of you." Ranma said.  Akane nodded in assent.
	"I don't understand.  Everyone else thought Nabiki wasn't such a bad
person."
	Ranma was about to say something when a voice cut them off.
	"Oh Ken!  Over here!" Nabiki called.
	Ranma and Akane groaned.
	"Oh.  Hello, Nabiki."
	"What?  Not happy to see me?"
	"Well, I was more or less expecting to talk to you today."
	"Really?  Moi?" she asked in as surprised as voice as she could manage.
	"Well, Ranma's mother and your older sister recommended I borrow money
from you, so I can go shopping with them later on today.  I need some
clothes to wear that aren't Ranma's, and I guess I don't have much money
at all." he said sheepishly.  Akane rolled her eyes.
	"That's great!  Of course I'll give you some money!" Nabiki said
pleasantly.
	"Really? Ranma- Owf!"  He was interrupted by a quick jab in the ribs.
	"Excuse me, Ken and I need to talk." Ranma quickly said and dragged him
into the hall.
	"Are you nuts?!" Ranma practically shouted.
	"I don't get it."
	"You don't want to borrow anything at all from Nabiki.  She'll put some
strange interest thing on it and then you'll owe her money for the rest
of your life!"
	"Well, it was your mother's suggestion."
	"Mom doesn't really get it."
	"I don't seem to get it either."
	"Let's put it this way.  I've been forced by Nabiki to do things I
normally wouldn't do for money."
	Ken looked shocked.
	"What do mean by that?"
	"She sells pictures of me to Tatewaki Kuno."
	"You have to be kidding me.  Kuno's that way?"
	It was Ranma's turn to look shocked.
	"No!  You know about my curse and all!  I told you already.  She sells
pictures of me as a girl."
	[continued]