Here's the next installment of my first real fic.  I apologize for the
horrible tagging, as I've never done this before.  I guess I warranted the
fierce flaming and threats I got...  Gomen ne!

So here it is, the next part, with better/clearer tagging.  Hopefully
nobody was horribly inconvenienced by my amateurish attempt at posting.
Once again, I apologize.

If people are missing pieces of the fic then please stop by my fic site:

http://public.carleton.edu/~tsaie/fanfix.html

to find more of it (well all of it) if you want.  If you just want parts
up until now, I'll send them to you upon request.

I've got a new mailing program now, so hopefully, this will work out a lot
smoother.  Perhaps not.  If not, then I guess I get to try Mulberry...  If
anyone knows of a decent program where I can cut and paste without limits
(I couldn't cut and paste anything more than 5 pages at a time before)
then please let me know.

Well, now that that's out of the way - 

Ranma and associated characters are owned by Rumiko Takahashi.  This is a
work of fiction written by a fan, meant for fans.  This is not meant to be
an infringment on any copyrights or distribution rights.  Please don't
sue.
All new characters introduced in the fic are of my own design and are
copyrighted (really!), for the purpose of release on an original fic late
on in the future.

As usual, C&C is more than welcome.  English isn't my strongpoint (it's my
second language making it a weakpoint), and I can use all the help I can
get.

If there any unclear references to mythological characters, write to me
and I can explain.

Enough from me...

Happy reading!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter Four

	When Ken arrived home, it wasn't late, but he was tired.  Ukyou
wasn't kidding when she said it was tough, he thought.  It had taken him
twice as long to clean up with Ukyou as it had after the lunch rush.  Ken
wondered how she did it every day, and how she could do it without help.
Apparently, he mused, with a lot of trouble.  Ukyou seemed quite pleased
to have help.  Perhaps a little company as well?  Ken couldn't tell,
although he didn't mind the conversation and the joking around during the
time at the restaurant.
	Ken walked through the hall and up the stairs to the bathroom.  He
felt exhausted and fairly dirty from the dishwater and wiping up tables
for most of the day.  He stopped at the door and paused.
	"You didn't go shopping yet, you idiot." he said to himself.  Ken
sighed.  Forgetfulness wasn't becoming of a person who prided himself on
being an honorable warrior.  He walked over to the room marked Akane and
knocked on the door.
	"Come in." he heard.  Ken opened the door and cautiously poked a
head in the doorway.  Akane was sitting up in her bed.
	"I hope I'm not bothering you, but I need to find Nabiki's room."
	"Oh.  Sure thing." Akane said with a smile.  She walked to her
door and pointed to another across the hall.  Ken thanked her and walked
over to knock on the door.  Before he could knock, he heard Nabiki's
voice.
	"Come in."
	Ken cautiously opened the door.  He felt like he was being hunted.
	"Well, hello!  I haven't seen you in a while." Nabiki beamed at
him.
	"Actually, it's only been half a day.  I saw you at lunch,
Nabiki." he said cautiously.
	"Are you okay?" she asked.
	"Well, I kind of need to borrow money?"
	Nabiki grinned broadly.
	"Sure!  No problem.  First, I need you to do a few things." she
said as she crossed the room and closed the door.  Ken stepped back from
her defensively.
	"I'm not like that." Nabiki said with a laugh.
	"Exactly what are you going to make me do?"
	"First, I need to set up your portfolio.  You know, a way to keep
track of things." she replied as she drew a camera from her desk.  "Let's
take a profile, shall we?"
	Ken raised an eyebrow, but complied slowly.  Nabiki was quick to
order him into other odd poses for "the sake of investment."  Ken couldn't
understand, but did so since he needed the money.
	"So exactly what are you going to do with the money you need?"
	"Well, I was hoping to buy some clothes.  I'm at a loss for
clothes since I didn't really decide I wanted to come here." Ken said in
an exasperated voice.  Nabiki took it in stride.
	"Really?  Let's go right now then.  I'll help you pick out your
clothes."
	"Nabiki?  Why are you so eager to help?  I really appreciate it
and all, but it's a little bit sudden if you know what I mean."
	"Nonsense.  Just trying to be friendly."
	"Oh.  Well, I appreciate it.  I'll get you the money back
tomorrow.  Ukyou said she'd be able to get me some cash tomorrow."
	"Ukyou?" Nabiki asked, surprised by the mention of Ranma's other
fiance.
	"Well, I just got a job from her today.  That's where I've been
most of the day actually."
	Bingo, Nabiki exclaimed mentally.
	"Oh, really?" she said nonchalantly.  "Well, don't worry about it.
Let's get going now, since the shops are going to close soon."
	Nabiki practically dragged Ken out of her room.
	
	Akane was feeling better.  A lot better since she had that
conversation with Kasumi.  She'd heard it from Kasumi, but she wondered if
it was true.
	"Could Ranma really love me?" she asked herself.  She pored over
all the times they'd broken the engagement.  All of the times she broke
the engagement.  She sighed when she realized she had been the one that
broke off the engagement every time.  Ranma had always taken it in stride,
and followed through with it.  Whether it was by choice, or as something
to be fulfilled for the sake of honor, Akane couldn't tell.
	Akane decided she needed a drink, and to talk to Ranma's mother.
Of anyone, Nodoka would be able to tell her about Ranma's behavior, even
if she hadn't seen him for years on end.  Nodoka's ability to decipher her
son's actions were always on the mark and never failed to impress Akane.
It was something Akane wished she could do.  Ranma was still a mystery to
her.  Perhaps not as much now that so much time had passed, but still a
mystery nonetheless.  As she walked out of her room, Akane could hear
Nabiki talking to Ken.  Nabiki's fast talking rang a bell in Akane's mind.
Must be making an important deal, she thought to herself with a grin.  She
wondered what Ken would end up doing to repay his newfound debt; but a
knock at the door interrupted her train of thought.
	Akane skipped down the stairs to see who it was.  Kasumi had beat
her to the door and Akane could hear the conversation.
	"Hi.  I hope I'm not bothering you."
	It was Ukyou.  Akane's spirits instantly dropped a notch.
	"No, not at all." Kasumi replied pleasantly.
	"Ranma's busy." Akane said flatly as she walked to the door.  
	Ukyou was standing there in her androgynous clothes, as usual, but
she was holding a katana in its scabbard in her left hand.  Ukyou frowned
slightly.
	"If it's a bother, I can just leave this here.  I really didn't
mean to cause any problems." she said.
	Akane was surprised.
	"What do you mean?" she asked.
	"I was here to see Ken.  He left this at the restaurant.  I wanted
to return it." she quipped.
	Akane's gaze dropped to the ground.
	"Oh.  I'm sorry, Ukyou.  I thought-"
	"That I came here looking for Ranma to grab him for a date?"
	Akane colored slightly.
	"I'm really sorry, Ukyou.  I shouldn't have jumped to
conclusions."
	Ukyou was about to shoot a snide remark at Akane when she heard a
door open.  She looked past Akane to see Ken being dragged by Nabiki
rapidly towards the door.  When she made eye contact, Ken's face instantly
looked pained.  He mouthed a "help me," before Nabiki ground to a halt at
the door.
	"Oh.  Hello Ukyou." Nabiki said brightly.
	"Making another deal, Nabiki?" Ukyou said with a smile.
	"Actually, I'm taking Ken-chan here to buy some new clothes." she
replied sweetly.  Ken looked over at the mention of his name and caught
sight of his sword.  He nudged his way through Nabiki and Akane to stand
in front of Ukyou.
	"Hey!  I must have forgotten my sword again.  If I were any more
forgetful, I'd leave my clothes there or something." he said with a
sheepish laugh.  Ukyou handed Ken his sword and froze when his hand
touched hers.  It sent a small tingle up her spine.  Ken didn't notice.
	"Thanks for bringing it by.  I really shouldn't be so forgetful."
he said with a smile.  Ken looked over to Nabiki who had an expectant
look.  She waved a yen note in the air.  Ken instantly brightened.  Nabiki
was taken back by the reaction.  He quickly turned to Ukyou.
	"Since you're my boss and all, I guess I'm going to end up
spending your money, right?"
	Ukyou laughed.
	"What do you mean by that?"
	"Well, since I need to buy some clothes, would you want to lend me
a hand?"
	Ukyou looked surprised.
	"You want me to help you pick out your clothes?" she asked.
	"Well, if you want." he said.  Ken leaned close to whisper to her.
"That and it'd make me feel a little better about being with Nabiki.  I
think she's got something up her sleeve."
	Ukyou stifled a laugh.	
	"Sure thing, Sugar.  Anything for an employee, right?"
	Ken laughed.  Nabiki looked puzzled.
	"Let's go." Ukyou said and grabbed Ken by the arm to drag him off
before Nabiki could.
	When the three of them walked into the shopping mall, people were
still busily walking in and out.  Nabiki instantly dragged them into one
of the more expensive stores.
	"Are you sure I'll need a suit?  This isn't really what I had in
mind." Ken asked.
	"Don't be silly.  Of course you need a suit.  You need to look
sharp for the ladies, right?"
	Ken blushed furiously.  Ukyou couldn't help but laugh at the
helpless expression on his face.
	"Nabiki," she said, "I think Ken's needs are a little more basic
than a suit and tie.  He did mention that he didn't have a stitch of
clothes to wear other than what he's got on now.  Why don't we get him
some shorts, or pants and a few tee-shirts or something?  Enough to last
him a few days."  Ukyou waved to the rest of the apparel shops in the mall
as they left the store.  "Maybe we should be concerned about dressing him
before we make him into a lady magnet"?
	Nabiki grinned.
	"I think he'd be a lady magnet if he wasn't wearing any clothes."
she said frankly.
	Ken felt his face turn several shades of red.  He wanted to hide
under a rock.  Ukyou took it in stride and laughed at the joke.
	"Excuse me, but are all of you like this?" he asked timidly.
	"Whatever do you mean?" Nabiki replied curiously.
	"Nevermind."
	"Suit yourself." she said.  "How about here?" she asked as they
passed another shop.  The three of them walked in.  Ukyou and Nabiki
fanned out instantly.  I wonder if all women are like this, he mused.  Ken
didn't have much time to think about it as Nabiki returned quickly with a
few pairs of jockey shorts and a pair of jeans.  Ken raised an eyebrow
suspiciously.
	"What are those for?" he asked as he pointed towards the jockey
shorts.
	"What do you think?" she replied with a smile.  Ken rolled his
eyebrows.
	"I think I'm going to look to see what Ukyou found." he said.
	"Hey, at least try the jeans."
	Ken sighed and walked to the dressing room.  He met Ukyou waiting
for them there.
	"I found you some stuff to wear." she said brightly.  She had a
bundle of clothes in her arms and she motioned to the dressing room.  "In
you go." she ushered.
	After taking the clothes from her arms, Ken reluctantly walked
into the dressing rooms.
	"Don't forget to try the jeans on first." Nabiki called out after
him.  Ukyou and Nabiki heard some grumbling and then the sound of someone
changing clothes.  One of the attendants walked up to them while they were
waiting.
	"Can I help you with something?" she asked sweetly.
	"Nope.  We're fine." Nabiki said quickly.
	"Just fine." Ukyou added.
	"You know, I noticed that guy that came in with you." the
attendant said with smirk.  "So who's the lucky one?"
	Nabiki smiled.  
	"He's not taken." she replied with a grin.  The attendant smiled.
	"Nabiki!" Ukyou said with a start.  "You're not going to pawn off
pictures of him like Ran-chan are you?"
	Nabiki looked shocked.
	"Moi?  Pictures?" she asked.
	Ken suddenly walked out of the dressing room.  He had on a pair of
faded grey jeans and a black shirt.  The jeans looked two sizes too
small.
	"The jeans are too small, but the shirt fits fine." he said as he
tugged at the waistline of his jeans.  After tucking in his shirt he
looked up at Nabiki and Ukyou and the attendant.  The attendant had a
smile on her face.
	"Oh.  Uh- hello." he stammered.  "I think I'll try on the other
stuff now.  Excuse me." Ken said quietly and quickly as he backed into the
dressing room again.  Nabiki grinned.
	"Did you pick those jeans out?" the attendant asked Nabiki.
	"Yup." she replied with a smirk.
	"Nice choice."
	Ukyou was aghast.  She couldn't believe Nabiki was treating Ken
like she treated Ranma.  She was about to say something when Ken's voice
floated out of the dressing room.
	"Hey Ukyou, the stuff you picked out fits a lot better."
	Ken walked out of the dressing room with a pair of loose black
pants on.  Nabiki was struck at how similar they were to Ranma's clothes.
She cast a questioning look at Ukyou who looked away with a slight flush.
	"I like these a lot better.  Do they have anything in another
color?" he asked brightly.  The attendant quickly walked off to find
something.
	When the three of them left the mall, Nabiki was impressed at how
closely Ukyou had dressed Ken up to match Ranma.  It was amazing to say
the least, in her opinion.  Aside from a few of the shirts they ended
up buying, all the clothes were things Ranma himself would have bought.
Nabiki found it amusing that Ken didn't notice.  It seemed he was happy
enough just having clothes.
	"What's in the bag?" Ken asked Ukyou as they walked back.
	"Nothing, really." she replied.
	"Looked like a uniform."
	"Yeah.  It's a school uniform."
	"Isn't it a guy's uniform though?"
	"So?" Ukyou asked defensively.
	"Oh, nothing.  I was just curious." Ken replied.  "I didn't know
people needed to wear uniforms to school.  I didn't see Ranma wearing
one."	
	"Ranma's quite an individual." Nabiki said dryly.

	"You know, these clothes look a lot like mine."
	"Yeah.  I know.  I never really noticed until I got back" Ken
said.  He picked up a set of blue pants and threw them at Ranma.  "These
too?"
	Ranma nodded.  He sat in the middle of his room staring at the
clothes Ken brought back.
	"So who picked out the clothes?" he asked.
	"Mostly Ukyou," Ken replied, "but Nabiki picked out the two muscle
shirts and the boxers.  Why?  Are those familiar too?" Ken asked with a
laugh.
	"Well, yeah." Ranma said bluntly.  Ken broke down and began
laughing endlessly.
	"What's so funny?" Ranma asked.
	"I might as well have just kept borrowing your clothes.  You
should have seen the look on Nabiki's face when I told her that though.
It looked like she was about to choke."
	Ranma smiled.
	"Yeah, Nabiki's not too big on losing a deal." he said with a
grin.
	Ken slowed his laughing and caught his breath.
	"Nabiki's quite a mercenary, isn't she?"
	"Yeah.  She is." Ranma replied offhandedly.  "I actually have a
deal where I make some money from the pictures she takes of me.  I don't
get much though."
	Ken was taken aback.
	"You let her take pictures of you?" he asked incredulously.
	"Yeah.  It really shouldn't surprise you, considering how
manipulative she is." Ranma replied nonchalantly.
	"Wow.  I should have known."
	"Hunh?"  Ranma raised an eyebrow.
	"I had to let her take ten pictures of me."
	"How much did she lend you?"
	"Ten thousand yen?" 
	Ranma whistled.
	"She must have some big plans for you."  Ranma chuckled.  "She'll
probably turn it into some raffle or something.  You sure only ten
pictures?"
	Ken shrugged.
	"I couldn't tell.  She made me wear those pants," he said as he
pointed to a pair of blue pants, "and the white muscle shirt, if it helps
any."
	Ranma shook his head.
	"Yup.  She's got a raffle in store for you.  That's what she did
to me once.  I wanted to borrow money from her for a present for Akane,
and I ended up getting pictures taken of me in the muscle shirt.  She gave
copies to all of the girls that are after me."  Ranma eyed Ken curiously.
"You know, you should have been able to count out the number of times the
camera clicked as it took the shot."
	Ken shook his head in wry chagrin.
	"I tried.  She had one of those new cameras that have the really
quiet trigger.  I tried watching the number of times she was pushing the
trigger, but she kept walking around, talking, and making me keep looking
away from her while I struck poses.  It was pretty embarrassing, but I
can't very well walk around naked.  I would've called it all off, but I
needed the money."
	"Good thing you've got a job.  You'll be able to pay it off in no
time."
	Ken cast Ranma a questioning look.
	"Why don't you get a job?  I'm sure you could find a place in no
time.  Why not at Ucchan's?  I'll bet she could use some more help."
	Ranma shook his head sadly.
	"Akane gets mad if I go anywhere near any of the other girls.  As
much as I'd like to help out a pal like Ucchan, I'd risk a lot.  Besides,
there aren't a lot of places that'll hire me.  I've already tried.  They
keep saying I cause more trouble than I'm worth."
	Ken shrugged, got off the floor and headed to the door.
	"Well, if you need any money, I'd be happy to lend you some.  I
won't even charge interest." he said over his shoulder with a grin.  Ranma
laughed.
	"Sure thing."

	Ken sat in the tub for a long time, thinking.  Things were going
well for him.  Even though it was only a day since he formally met the
Tendos, he felt comfortable around them.  They seemed to accept him
unconditionally, and even though there wasn't a lot of room, they still
let him stay in the dojo.  Ken smiled.  Even with the Saotomes leaving to
live in their own house, there was still no room.  Granted, Ranma had
offered to let him move into his room; but Ken felt a person's privacy was
important.  At the Tendo dojo, he had found a kind, open family willing to
help a stranger without any strings attached.
	Well, there's always Nabiki, he said mentally.  Ken shook his
head.  He felt a little uncomfortable around her.  She always had a
predatory look in her eye when she looked at him.  She always seemed to be
sizing him up.  Just like they look at beef before they choose which ones
to slaughter, he thought.  A slight chill passed through him, and he
shuddered reflexively.  It was a little unnerving at times, watching her
watch him absentmindedly.  Whenever he caught her looking at him, she
always smiled and waved with that look on her face.  He couldn't explain
it.  Then there was Ukyou.
	Ken leaned back and sighed.  Ukyou was so very different than
everyone.  She was happy to meet him, and even sympathetic to his plight.
She stood behind the counter at the restaurant and patiently listened to
him talk about his entire life to her.  She even understood.  Ukyou had
explained her life's story in return.  They had shared so many of the same
experiences.  Chasing after someone for years on end, seeking revenge.
Training to perfect themselves as a warrior to drown out the fury and the
pain they felt at abandonment.  Only, Ukyou still had a family; and he had
nothing left.
	I can't even see my own brother, he thought sadly.  After finding
him after all this time, alive and well.  The only other one alive from
our family, no less.  After fighting with him to avenge the death of our
parents, only to have myself disavowed and cast out.  Nothing.  Nothing
left.  A stray tear fell from his face and disturbed the tranquil surface
of the water he sat in.  Ken blinked away the tears.
	Ukyou had treated him so well.  She stirred feelings he hadn't
felt in ages.  An indescribable feeling.  It was always so peaceful when
they were together.  He could forget things that hurt him and enjoy his
life.  She didn't even care when he told her he'd been disavowed.  He
could still hear her voice.  Firm and encouraging, while his had been
shaky and broken.
	"How can you not notice?" he had asked.
	"Notice what?"
	"I've been disavowed from my clan.  I'm an honorless warrior.
I've got nothing left for me anywhere.  I don't even have a home, or a
family.  Most of all, I'm honorless -completely shamed."
	"Hey!  That's no way to talk, Sugar!  From what Ran-chan tells me,
you're the best fighter he's met in a long time.  I saw the way to took
down Shampoo so effortlessly.  You move like it's all a dance, like some
kind of ballet.  I wish I could do that."
	"You can." he had replied sheepishly.  "I think you always move
like that.  You move so gracefully.  I wish I could carry myself like
that."
	"Well, if you'd think about stuff other than being shamed, you
would." she had admonished with a wry grin.  "There's more to life than
thinking about honor.  A lot more."
	"Like what?" he had asked quietly.
	"Like friendship," she had replied with a smile.  "And love.  If
you've got those, then nothing else matters."
	She'd winked at that, and gave him a reassuring pat on the hand as
she walked off.
	Ken smiled at the memory.  She had said it like there was no doubt
that she could be wrong.  Perhaps she wasn't.  Ken chuckled and got out of
the tub and watched the water drain.  He sighed as it swirled and then
trickled, giving off an empty croaking noise as it did.  As Ken wrapped a
towel around his waist, he thought he heard a faint clicking noise in the
other room.  His brow furrowed.  He heard it again, but this time it was
followed by a slow noise that sounded like a zipper being pulled.
	Ken walked to the door and threw it open.  Nabiki was standing
with a sheepish grin on her face.  There was a camera in her hand.  He
frowned instantly.
	"Just cleaning my camera!  I didn't think it'd rewind itself like
that." she said quickly.
	Ken looked at the camera and then behind her.  There was lens
tissue, fluid and oil on the edge of the large sink there.  He narrowed
his eyes and shot her a suspicious look before grabbing his clothes and
ushering her out the door.
	"If you'll excuse me, I need to put on some clothes." he said
curtly as he threw the door in the closed position.  
	Nabiki exhaled.
	"That was close." she said under her breath.


*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*
Ethan Tsai
1 N. College Street
Northfield, MN 55057

Member of SAUCE (it's what should* go on the okonomiyaki)
Civilian Advisor to the Warehouse, Chemical Superfreak
	Free Consultation on a Referral Basis
Member of USSRTFW:SR

TSAIE@Gridley.ACNS.Carleton.edu
http://public.carleton.edu/~tsaie/ethan.html