This is for those of you who have never read this story before and
didn't understand what was happening in What Price Love?

Disclaimer:  All characters portrayed in this story are the property of
Rumiko Takahashi and co.

This story takes place after volume 38 of the manga.  It draws ideas
from both the anime and manga.

For Love or Money

by

Donny Cheng

	Nabiki stared aimlessly into the sky, "What was that you said Meiko?" 
Nabiki couldn't concentrate on anything these days.  The damage that the
wedding caused had all but exhausted the Tendo family resources.  The
money she had conned out of the guests had ended up being very little. 
She should have known that high school kids didn't have all that much
money to spend.

	Meiko was disturbed by Nabiki's lack of attention.  "I asked you what
was wrong with you today.  Boss, you're usually out there starting a
betting pool on anything that could be bet upon right about this time of
day."

	Nabiki sighed.  "That's just the problem.  There is nothing to
interesting to bet on these days.  After that disaster with the wedding,
every interesting person in Nerima has decided to tone things down a
bit.  It's become too routine.  Ranma and Akane are getting along
moderately well.  All of Ranma's other suitors have apologized for their
part in the incident.  They're all getting along amazingly well now that
they know that Ranma is not in danger of being wed off any time soon. 
After the big fight in China, everyone has found out just how powerful
Ranma is.  As a result, Ryoga and Mousse are not going to attack Ranma,
until they either improve or discover new secret techniques.  All in
all, I don't think things will get back to normal for at least another
month."

	Nabiki's other henchwoman, Yukio, looked worried.  "Then our net profit
for this month is going to be practically non-existent."

	Meiko thought for a bit before she spoke up.  "But boss, why don't we
just do what we did before Ranma came to Nerima."

	"I had already thought about this.  But the way we made money before
was by selling pictures to love starved students and starting betting
pools with the fights Kuno or my sister gets in.  Right now the most
desirable person in school is not my sister.  Rather, it's Ranma in
either of his forms.  Every boy and girl in school has bought enough
pictures from us to get a good enough idea of how Ranma looks in the
buff.  The only person Kuno fights these days is Ranma.  Nobody is
stupid enough to bet on Kuno anymore.  Nobody dares pick a fight with
Akane with Ranma in the way."  Nabiki looked depressed as she thought
about a whole month's profit down the drain.  The Tendo coffers were
going to be mightily low this month, especially with a whole other
family to feed.

	Yukio was also depressed.  "I wish the month would end already.  Too
bad things can't be like that week we had a few months ago.  You
remember boss.  That was when you had gotten yourself engaged to Ranma. 
We rented him out the so many people those couple of days.  Even though
you never got any money when you finally got rid of him, that was our
most profitable week ever.  Boss?  Are you listening?"

	Nabiki suddenly sat straight up as a plan formed in her mind.  Already,
ideas popped into her mind on how to make the most out of scheme. 

"I know how to get things back to normal a little sooner.  Meiko, I want
you to start calling up all our usual clients that are interested in
Ranma.  Yukio, I want you to start spreading hints to Ranma's fianc�es
of our new plan."

	Meiko was surprised at Nabiki's sudden outburst.  "What?  What is our
new plan."

	Nabiki's eyes glinted as she explained to them her plan.  "Yukio was
the one who thought of it.  I will become Ranma's fianc�e once again. 
Then we will rent him out to any one interested at a high price.  I'm
pretty sure I can pull this stunt off for at least two weeks before
Ranma tries to get rid of me.  That should be more than enough time to
for us to exploit this to our full advantage."

	Meiko and Yukio rubbed their hands in glee as Nabiki outlined to them
the aspects of this new venture.

			* * * * *

	Ranma could feel danger in the air as he walked into the dining room. 
He looked around quickly.  There were sounds of someone cooking in the
kitchen.  His mother was cleaning up the house.  Kasumi was pouring tea
for his father and Soun as they played go.  Nabiki was on the telephone
ordering takeout.  Wait a minute here, his brain told him.  His brain
did a quick run through of all the facts:
	His mother is cleaning the house.
	Kasumi is serving tea.
	Kasumi and mother are not in the kitchen cooking dinner.
	Nabiki is ordering takeout.
	Akane is not here with us.
	Someone is in the kitchen cooking.
Result:
	One very sick Ranma.
	Ranma quickly turned tail and ran as fast as he could out the Tendo
dojo. A hammer flew out the kitchen and imbedded itself on Ranma's head
as he reached the door.

	Akane came out the kitchen and dragged him back to where the other's
sat.  "Ranma don't you dare run away.  I tried very hard this time.  I
know all of you will just love what I cooked."

	Soun and Genma paled at Akane's comment.  Nabiki smirked as she looked
at Akane.  "Oh Akane, didn't daddy tell you.  We already ordered takeout
for dinner.  Oh, don't worry about your food going to waste.  We all
know what a big eater Ranma is.  I'm sure he will be able to eat all of
what you made for us.

	Akane was doubtful of that.  It seemed that whenever she made dinner,
everyone else had already made plans for something else.  Oh well, at
least there was still Ranma and herself.  She went into the kitchen to
bring dinner out.

			* * * * *

	Nabiki grinned as Akane flattened Ranma when he began to make choking
noises.  Akane obviously thought that he was making fun of her again. 
Nabiki knew better and calmly whacked Ranma's back a few times.  "Really
Akane, is that any way to treat your fianc�e?  I mean your cooking does
leave a lot to be desired."

	Ranma recovered from his coughing fit.  True to form, Ranma stuck his
foot in his mouth once again.  "Leave a lot to be desired?  That's
putting it mildly.  You'd have to be crazy to want to eat that toxic
slop Akane calls food."

	"Now, now. Ranma be nice.  I wouldn't call Akane's food toxic."

	Akane was about to again beat some sense into Ranma when she heard
Nabiki's comment.  "Do you really think so, Nabiki?"  Her eyes shimmered
at the thought of someone actually appreciating her effort.

	Nabiki smiled as she began the setup for part one of her plan.  "Yes, I
mean it.  If it were toxic, we'd all be dead by the noxious fumes
already.  I mean, I'd rank your food a wee bit above toxic waste any day
of the week."

	"The emphasis here is 'a wee bit'."  Just as Nabiki had predicted Ranma
couldn't help but add his two cents in.  She laughed to herself at how
easy it was to manipulate Ranma.

	Akane looked between Nabiki and Ranma.  She couldn't believe it.  Her
sister and Ranma were teaming up against her.  If she thought about it,
she would have noticed that this turn of events were very familiar to an
incident a few months ago.  However, anger clouded her judgement. 
"Ranma, you jerk!"  Akane grabbed Ranma by the shirt and hurled him at
the koi pond.  "Our engagement is off.  I don't want anything more to do
with you."

	Nabiki could barely keep herself from laughing.  Her sister and Ranma
were just too predictable.  Somehow, she managed to keep a straight face
as she helped Ranma out of the koi pond and spoke to Akane evenly. 
"Well since you're not Ranma's fianc�e anymore, I guess I will have to
take up that burden once more.  Honor does dictate that one of the Tendo
girls marry him."

	Akane could only stare at her sister in disbelief.  Nabiki had
manipulated her again.  Akane's pride kept her from trying to take Ranma
back.  She eyed her sister angrily for a moment, before she finally
relented and sighed.  She knew that Nabiki only wanted money and would
get rid of Ranma when she made enough.  Akane would never stoop as low
as paying to get him back.  She only hoped that Nabiki would tire of him
soon.  "Fine! You can have him."

	Nabiki grinned mischievously at Ranma.  "Well, it looks like you will
have to say you're sorry to Akane."  Her mind could already guess
Ranma's next words.

	Ranma was pissed as he slapped some money on Nabiki's palm.
"What?  She should be the one saying sorry.  She's the one that made
dinner."

	Nabiki was shocked at the money Ranma put into her hand.  "What's this
money for?  The next payment on your debt isn't until next week."

	Ranma shrugged his shoulders.  "You don't remember?  You saved me from
Akane's cooking and you helped me out of the pond.  It's the usual $1000
yen."

	Nabiki mentally slapped herself.  She had been so busy setting up her
scheme, she had forgotten about the help she gave Ranma.  This kind of
help happened nearly every other day.  However, as she watched Ranma go
into the house, she couldn't help but feel something was wrong with this
picture.

			* * * * *

	Nabiki smiled as she walked beside Ranma to school.  Everything was
going according to plan.  Akane had left early for school and told
everyone that it was now Nabiki's duty to take Ranma to school.  Father
had cried as he begged Akane to take Ranma back.  Soun knew that
Nabiki's goal later in life was to sell the dojo and live a life of
luxury.  Akane was as stubborn as a mule and would not listen to her
father.  Akane would not try to take Ranma back from Nabiki no matter
what.  Ranma would not admit he was wrong.  If things kept up, it looked
two weeks could easily pass before Akane and Ranma would make up.  All
Nabiki now had to do was try to make the most out of this situation. 
"Ranma, since I am now you're fianc�e, it is my duty to look out for
your welfare.  To that purpose, I have signed you up for a few after
school activities."

	Ranma looked at Nabiki suspiciously.  "And if I don't go to these
activities?"

	Nabiki looked up at Ranma in horror as she wiped away the tears on her
face.  "What?  I try my best to be the best fianc�e to you as possible
and this is how you repay me.  Why don't you just go and apologize to
Akane then, if you hate me so much?"  Maybe the crocodile tears were a
bit much, Nabiki thought to herself.  It didn't matter though.  Ranma
acted exactly as Nabiki thought he would.

	Ranma could never stand to see a girl hurt.  That combined with the
fact that Ranma was not ready to talk to Akane yet made up his mind for
him.  "I didn't mean it that way.  I'll go and do whatever you planned
for me."  His shoulders immediately sagged as Nabiki suddenly stopped
crying and smiled.  She had outmaneuvered him again.  Ranma silently
accepted his fate.

	"Eating healthy is another required element in a person's physical well
being.  I've reserved a seat for you to eat at the Neko haten for
lunch.  Shampoo will know what to serve you.  I also forgot to mention
that we are going to go out on a date every other day.  I think we
should go to Ucchan's to eat tonight.  I have pressing matters to attend
to first, so I won't get there until much later.  You have fun with Ukyo
until I get there, okay?"

	Ranma did not say anything as he groaned.  Could this get any worse? 
The sky thundered in answer.

			* * * * *

	Nodoka watched sadly as Ranma dragged himself back into the house.  He
could barely keep himself upright.  She would have to have a talk with
Nabiki.  That girl was killing her son with all those demands.  She went
up the stairs to Nabiki's room and knocked on the door.

	"It's open, come in."  Nabiki called out within her room.

	Nodoka opened to door to see Nabiki sorting out the finances.  She felt
pity well up inside of her.  So young yet burdened with so much
responsibility.  "Nabiki-chan, I would have a word with you?"

	Nabiki closed up the books and looked at Nodoka with a raised eyebrow. 
"Sure, auntie Saotome.  What do you want to talk about?"

	"I think that you are treating Ranma too harshly.  Shouldn't you take
it easy with him?"

	"Well he is my fianc�e now.  I should look after his well being and
it's not like I'm forcing Ranma to go to those after school events."

	Nodoka was not fooled for a moment.  She did not believe Nabiki had any
feelings at all for Ranma.  Though she had only known Ranma and Nabiki
for just over a few months' time, she felt that she knew the workings of
both their brains well.  "You and I both know of Ranma's extreme
naivet�.  He would never go against your wishes, if you shed enough
tears."

	Nabiki looked at Nodoka in shock.  Nodoka knew how she was controlling
Ranma.  "So what?  Ranma puts a huge dent on our finances with his
eating habits and the fights he gets in.  He does nothing to repay us
back.  I'm just getting back what's due to us."  Nabiki knew that
Nodoka, being a traditionalist, would be shamed at the thought of her
family being beholden to another.  She hoped the Nodoka would give up
after this.

	Nodoka sank her head.  It was true that her family was in the Tendo
family's debt.  With their house being destroyed, they had nowhere to
go.  They were not a rich family, so they could not afford to move out
just yet.  She had already gotten Genma to get his old job back from Dr.
Tofu and she was helping Kasumi around the house.  They were doing
everything in their power to lessen their impact on the Tendos. 
However, Nabiki's comment about Ranma angered her for some reason.  She
knew her son had his own way of helping out.  "Nabiki, I had thought
that besides myself, you were the only one who truly understood my son's
thoughts and actions.  Now, I know I am wrong.  You don't know Ranma
very well at all."  Nodoka got up and left the room.

	Nabiki stared at Nodoka's retreating back.  What did she mean by that? 
She prided herself on her knowledge of the inner workings of Ranma's
mind.  How else did she make Ranma do everything she wanted?

			* * * * *

	Ranma looked at Nabiki as they walked home from school.  Nabiki had
been in a foul mood all day long.  He decided that Nabiki needed some
cheering up.  "Hey, Nabiki!  Want to stop by the ice cream parlor before
we head home.  I'm hungry.  It'll be my treat."  He smiled.  Nabiki
seemed to perk up little.  Nabiki was the only other person that had a
sweet tooth that rivaled his own.

	"Okay.  What ever you want, Ranma-kun." How nice it was of Ranma to
treat her.  Nabiki inwardly frowned.  Why was Ranma treating her so
nicely?  He must want something from me.  Probably wants another
extension on his debt.

			* * * * *

	Nabiki looked in disgust at Ranma's act.  Ranma had turned himself into
a girl and flirted with the ice cream jockey.  She gave Nabiki a grin as
she brought them their ice cream cones.  There was an extra scoop of ice
cream for the both of them.  "Ranma, you give women every where a bad
name."

	Ranma looked at her in mock surprise.  "You should be the one to talk. 
You always try to gain the upper hand in every situation.  I'm surprised
that you don't do this.  I mean with your looks, you could easily do the
same."

	Nabiki was stunned.  Did Ranma just pay her a compliment?  She did not
kid herself when it came to her looks.  She knew that many boys found
her good looking and wanted to date her.  However, this was Ranma.  The
boy that had every girl in Nerima interested in him.  He hardly even
noticed it when girls threw themselves at him.  He must really want that
extension badly.  Nabiki tried to do her best to look indignant.  "For
your information, I do not demean myself by using my body to get what I
want.  I use something that you obviously don't have very much of. 
Brains."

	Ranma could not for the life of him figure Nabiki out.  She still
seemed to look sad.  Ranma hated to see that.  His experience with his
fianc�es has taught him that women felt better after a compliment.  Ukyo
and Akane practically beamed when he mentioned they were cute.  Shampoo
overflowed with happiness when she tricked him for dates.  Well there
was still some thing that he hadn't tried yet.  Money.  "Oh!  I almost
forgot.  Here's my payment on part of the debt I owe you."  Ranma kept a
straight face as Nabiki's eyes lighted up.

	The sight of money lifted Nabiki's mood immediately.  She quickly
grabbed the money and started to count it.  "Let me just mark this down
on your permanent record."  Nabiki frowned as she looked at Ranma's
tab.  The amount of money he owed her was $500 yen.  The amount she had
in her hand was more than enough.  It seemed that she was so busy using
Ranma she hadn't had time to blackmail Ranma this little while.  "Ranma,
you only owe me $500 yen.  This is too much."

	Ranma saw Nabiki's mood drop fast.  He had to think fast.  He really
did want to bring her out of this funk and he did want to help out with
the finances whenever he could.  "Um... ah.  The rest is for you to keep
quiet about those dates you set me up on.  You know how jealous Akane
gets.  I don't think I gave you enough.  It's the usual $1000 yen,
right? So, I still owe you $500 yen, since you have $1000 there."

	Nabiki mentally slapped herself.  Of course!  She had been too caught
up in collecting the rental fee from each of Ranma's suitors that she
forgot to take money from Ranma as well.  "Actually, you went on dates
with three people.  So it's triple that amount.  You owe now owe me
$2500 yen."

	Ranma breathed a sigh of relief.  "Okay, just put it on my account."

	Nabiki watched as Ranma doubtfully as they left for home.  For the
second time, she felt that something was not right here.

			* * * * *

	Nabiki threw her pencil down in frustration.  After that incident at
the store, she decided it was time to go over her books.  What she found
shocked her.  Every monthly allowance Ranma had ever received had gone
to her minus a few hundred yen or so.  Other than junk food and gifts
for others, Ranma had not bought a single thing for himself since he
arrived a year ago.  In fact, the money Ranma made when he sometimes
worked at the Neko-haten and Uuchan's all went to her because of
blackmail or some other reason.  Why didn't she know this before?  All
the clues were there.  He almost never argued about the money he owed to
her.  His room was practically empty.  The only clothes he wore were the
ones he brought from China and the girl clothes that they gave him for
his cursed form.  Ranma did not own anything of value.  Could Nodoka
have been right?  Did she really did misjudge Ranma all this time?

			* * * * *

	Ranma looked with concern at Nabiki, while they walked to school. 
Recently, she seemed to get depressed every time she was around him. 
Did she really hate this engagement this much?  He remembered the brief
time he had been engaged to Nabiki earlier this year.  He had been
furious to learn that she had been using him to earn money and did not
care at all for his feelings.  She had been planning to dump him the
first moment she got enough money or when he became too much of a hassle
to handle.  His anger quickly died out when he found out the most of the
money she made went back to the dojo.  Nabiki was very much like him in
many ways when it came to helping out with the finances.  In fact,
Nabiki, like him, did not have many worldly possessions.  Most of the
clothes in her closet were borrowed from Akane or Kasumi.  Her room was
just as bare as his was.  When she did buy something, that was not junk
food, it was surprising to all that knew her.  She was that much of a
spend thrift.  So he could never really held a grudge against Nabiki, no
matter what she did to him.  Ranma was worried as he looked at Nabiki
now.  Had she already had enough of him?  Was he becoming a nuisance? 
"Hey Nabiki!  What's wrong?  You look down in the dumps?"

	Nabiki fought the waves of guilt that flooded her body.  Ranma was
again trying to be nice to her despite all that she had done to him this
past week.  "Nothing's wrong with me, I'm just thinking.  Thanks for
your concern though."

	"No need to say thanks.  That's what friends are for."

	Nabiki stopped in her tracks.  Ranma considered her a friend?  
Outside of her sisters, she had very few friends.  They were either
partners in her business or just people she talked with at school. 
"Friends?  Really Ranma, I would hardly use that term to describe our
relationship."

	Ranma could hear the bitterness in Nabiki's voice.  He couldn't help
but feel a need to comfort her.  "Yes, friends.  You are one of the few
people I can go to when I'm in trouble.  Even if you do charge a fee for
your help, I know I can count on you.  That's what friends are for. 
They help one another in times of need.  I would do the same for you
too, if you ever needed my help."

	"Yeah, whatever."  Nabiki looked at Ranma with an emotionless
expression.  Inside, though, her emotions were wreaking havok on her
heart.  For one of the few times in her life, Nabiki actually felt
happiness.  There was a person outside of her family that had called her
a friend.  The school bell sounded in the distance.

	Their conversation had made Ranma lose all track of time.  "We're going
to be late.  I'm going to have to take us to school the fast way." 
Usually, Ranma would just run with Akane at warp speed when they were
late.  However, Nabiki was not very fast, so Ranma scooped her up and
vaulted to school via the rooftops.  Some times Ranma couldn't
understand how a person, whose ability to avoid trouble was unrivaled in
all of Nerima, could be so slow.  Her body wasn't like it was out of
shape or anything.  Seeing her in a swimsuit and feeling her body
against him now, Ranma knew that she had a great body.  Ranma's mind
suddenly seized up.  What was he doing, thinking of Nabiki like that all
of a sudden?  Maybe Akane was right about him being a pervert.

	Nabiki gasped as Ranma grabbed her and started to carry her to school. 
She felt a small shock shoot through her body as Ranma's strong arms
held her.  Did Ranma just squeeze her just now?  Her mind went through
the usual thought processes:
	Ranma had many girls chasing after him.
	These girls, even Akane, have great bodies.
	Ranma sometimes carried them for one reason or another.
	Ranma did not take advantage of them.
Result:
	Ranma did not squeeze her.
	Though she was for some reason slightly disappointed by her conclusion,
Nabiki decided to think nothing more of it.  She absently snuggled
closer to Ranma.

			* * * * *

	Nabiki glanced across the table at Ranma.  They had again stopped at
the ice cream parlor of some ice cream.  They had been getting along
remarkably well after Nabiki had told Ranma what she knew about his
involvement in the finances.  Nabiki had finally admitted to herself
that she had been wrong about Ranma all along.  She still conned and
charged him for her services, but that was just to keep appearances up. 
Nabiki did have a reputation to keep up after all.  However, when no one
was looking, Nabiki and Ranma acted like friends.  They would tell each
other of their day and exchange stories of their relative pasts.  Her
daily life and life story was not very interesting, yet Ranma didn't
seem to mind.  When it was Ranma's turn to talk, Nabiki found herself
captivated.  Nabiki discovered that she could not stop herself from
learning everything about Ranma.  "So you've been alone your whole
life?  I wouldn't call that an ideal child hood."

	Ranma smiled as he talked to Nabiki.  "So you understand why I had been
so happy when I first met Akane and when Ukyo first came to Nerima. 
Akane was the first person to want to be friends with me in a long
time.  Ukyo was one of the few child hood friends that I had."  Ranma's
mood dropped as he remembered the past.  "Those relationships
immediately changed once I was engaged to them.  The fact that they're
my fianc�es overshadows whatever friendship that we might have."

	Nabiki's heart went out to Ranma.  In truth, Nabiki was very lonely. 
She had never allowed anyone to get close to her after her mother died. 
She did not want to feel the pain of losing someone close to her again. 
Ranma was different.  She found that Ranma was just a lonely as she was,
if not lonelier.  He had grown up isolated and never really had a friend
for any long period of time.  Their mutual need for companionship
brought them closer together.

	Ranma's spirits lifted as he saw Nabiki smile reassuringly at him. 
Nabiki was the only one who was not affected by the fact that she was
now his fianc�e.  They both didn't take the engagement seriously, so
Ranma did not feel any pressure at all.  He was free to do as he liked
around Nabiki.  He hadn't had a person to hang out with in a long
while.  It felt nice and Ranma hoped that it would never end.

			* * * * *

	Nabiki watched from the sidelines as Ranma and Ryoga fought.
Ryoga had returned from his training trip and promptly challenged Ranma
to a fight.  It seemed he had again improved.  He was still no match for
Ranma, but he was good enough to have a few people willing to bet on
him.  Mousse was also scheduled to appear later this week and challenge
Ranma.  Her informants told her that the Nekohanten had recently ordered
a variety of items from China.  They were probably magical in nature. 
It looked like things were getting back to normal.  The opportunities to
make money were back in full force.  Soon Nabiki would be busy with her
day to day operations.  This meant she would not have time to be a full
time fianc�e.  Somehow, this turn of events did not seem to make her as
happy, as she had first thought.  The thought of giving Ranma back to
Akane made her heart ache.  She tried to convince herself that it was
the idea of losing so much profit that made her feel this way.  A small
part of her told her otherwise.  It was because she was starting to
develop feelings for Ranma.  Nabiki cursed herself for feeling this. 
She tried to think of Akane.  She had seen how the last couple of weeks
had affected her younger sister.  Akane was listless most of the time
and seemed to be in constant depression when Ranma wasn't looking. 
Contrary to popular belief, Nabiki did care for her family.  She was
very protective of Akane.  She did not like to see Akane hurt in any
way.  With a heavy heart, she decided to start the end phase of her
plan.

			* * * * *

	Ranma looked despairingly at his opponent.  Never had he ever feared
someone so much.  The challenger stared at him with a determined look,
as if knowing who would win this contest.  The bystanders looked at him
in disgust.  They already knew that he would lose.  Ranma slumped to the
ground.  He had lost.  "I can't kiss you Nabiki.  I'm sorry."

	Nabiki cried as she looked at Ranma.  "So, you don't love me.  You
don't want me as your fianc�e.  You've been using me this whole time to
get back at Akane.  Fine.  From this moment on, we are no longer
engaged."  Nabiki turned and ran towards her room.  All was going
according to plan.  She knew Ranma's extreme shyness would never allow
him to declare his love for another.  With Ranma's inability to kiss
her, Nabiki had effectively broken the engagement.  So, why wasn't she
happy that her plan had worked?  Nabiki had felt a sharp pain stab her
in the heart when she heard Ranma apologize.  The tears on her face
refused to stop as she went into her room.  She didn't have to use
crocodile tears on Ranma as she had thought.

	Akane watched her sister run to her room.  Wow, her acting has
improved.  Akane actually thought that Nabiki really was sad for a
moment there.  Nabiki had finally made enough money off of Ranma.  She
turned and looked at Ranma, who was staring at Nabiki's retreating
back.  She smiled inwardly to herself as she half-heartedly hit Ranma a
few times.  "Ranma, how could you do that to my sister?  You better
apologize to her later."  Akane then went to her room happily.  She had
gotten her fianc�e back.

	Soun and Genma hugged each other and cried.  They were both deliriously
happy.  The future of the union between the two schools of
Anything Goes was again intact.

	Nodoka watched sadly at the latest turn of events.  She had seen the
expressions on both the faces of Ranma and Nabiki.  The feelings they
had shown were genuine, whether they knew it or not.  She should have
known that something would come out of their constant closeness to each
other.  She looked towards Kasumi.  The eldest Tendo sister looked back
at her knowingly.  Kasumi also knew that what had passed between Nabiki
and Ranma was a little more than just acting on the part of Nabiki.

	Ranma was in shock as he lied slump on the ground.  He had barely felt
the punches Akane threw his way, yet he felt hurt all over.  Why was he
feeling this way?  He and Nabiki were just friends, nothing more. 
Right?  He knew that what Nabiki had been trying to do when she asked
him to kiss her, so he played it out.  However, when he had looked into
her eyes, he could see a glimpse of pain and longing.  He had been
sorely tempted to kiss her, as if that would ease the pain that she
felt.  When she had ran away from him with tears streaming down her
face, Ranma's heart cried out to her.  He kicked himself mentally. 
Nabiki was just acting.  She didn't really feel that way at all.  It
wasn't the first time that she had done this.  She did all this just to
get rid of him, because she didn't need him anymore to make money.  He
should be angry.  So, why wasn't he?

			* * * * *

	Kasumi was worried as she watched Nabiki.  The two sisters were to only
ones at home, as everyone went to watch a fight between Ranma and
Mousse.  To anyone else, Nabiki's expressionless face was normal. 
Kasumi had cared for Nabiki since their mother died, so she knew better
than anyone did at her sister's ability to mask her emotions.  She could
see that Nabiki was very depressed now and knew what was the cause of
this.  It was Ranma.  The past few weeks had made Nabiki warm up to
Ranma and feelings were beginning to bud between them.  Kasumi sighed as
she thought about what Nabiki had sacrificed in order to make Akane
happy.  Something had to be done to help her.  Kasumi hesitated to think
what would happen when Nabiki's pent up frustrations threatened to
explode.  There was only one thing that she could do to help her now. 
Kasumi silently hoped that Akane would forgive her for what she was
about to do.

			* * * * *

	Nabiki watched her older sister in shock.  Kasumi was crying.
"What's wrong Kasumi?  Why are you crying?"

	"It's nothing.  Oh, who am I kidding?  It's this man I like.  I've had
this crush on him for so long, only to find out that he's engaged to
someone else."

	"What?  How can this be possible?  Dr. Tofu loves you.  Why would he be
engaged to another?"

	Kasumi did a double take.  Dr. Tofu loves her?  Better go along with
this.  "It seems that his fianc�e is a childhood sweetheart of his. 
They used to date with each other.  Their relationship is strong.  I
think he cares for her, so he did not refuse when she proposed.  After
all, Dr. Tofu and I hardly know each other.  What right do I have of
trying to break up their union?"

	"So what!  You care for him.  He cares for you.  Isn't that all that
matters?"

	"But what about the fianc�e?  She's had a long history with him and is
a nice girl, from what I hear.  I don't want her to get hurt."

	"Whenever there is a love triangle, someone is bound to get hurt.
If he marries her, you get hurt.  If he marries you, she gets hurt.  Do
not deny yourself the chance at love just because you are afraid of
hurting another.  The past does not mean anything.  Having a history
together has no bearing whatsoever on what is happening now.  What
matters now, is the fact that you want to be with him."

	Kasumi smiled winningly as she suddenly stopped crying.  "I'm glad that
you understand, Nabiki.  Now, if you would excuse me.  There is a
certain doctor I have to talk to.  Who would have guessed that Dr. Tofu
has a crush on me?"

	Nabiki did not reply as she stared dumbfounded at Kasumi.  Her kind,
sweet, and honest sister had manipulated her.  Her thoughts then turned
to Ranma.  Somehow her feelings had towards him had changed over the
last few weeks.  He had gone from being her patsy to her friend and now
to someone that she truly cared deeply for.  She knew that she could no
longer go back to being just a bystander in Ranma's life.  She wanted to
have part in Ranma's life.

			* * * * *

	Ranma looked worriedly at Nabiki.  She had sent out invitations to a
select group of people to meet at the Tendo Dojo.  All of them were
either his rivals or love interests.  Ryoga, Mousse, Kuno, Kodachi,
Ukyo, Shampoo, Cologne, Happosai, the Tendos, his parents, and any other
people with an interest in his life were all invited.  What was she
planning?  Was this another scheme of hers?

	Nabiki cleared her throat as she looked upon the gathered audience. 
"Well, I suppose you all want to know what I called you here for today. 
I have an announcement to make.  I am going to propose to the man I love
today and I wanted you all to be here to share in this joyous
occasion."  Nabiki then turned at looked at Ranma right in the eyes. 
"Ranma, would you marry me?"

	Ranma stood there stunned.  When he had heard Nabiki declare that she
was going to propose to another, he had felt sick in the stomache. 
Since he had split with Nabiki, his life had felt empty again.  He had
hoped that he could remain a friend with Nabiki, but she had avoided
him.  It was then that he first noticed his feelings for Nabiki had
changed.  He would feel guilty about Nabiki whenever one of his fianc�es
glomped onto him.  He found himself drawn to her charming crooked smile
every time he looked at her.  Now, here was Nabiki asking for his hand
in marriage.  He didn't know what to say.  Fortunately, or unfortunately
(depending on who you were), he didn't have to say anything.  Nabiki
spoke for him.

	"Oh!  You're overcome with joy, Ranma.  You're so happy, you're
speechless.  I take it you accept."  Nabiki eyes shone as she glomped
onto Ranma.  "We're now engaged."  Needless to say, chaos exploded.

			* * * * *

	Ranma glared at Nabiki as he carried her away from their pursuers. 
After Ranma's apparent 'acceptance' of the engagement, Kodachi, Ukyo,
and Shampoo all went for Nabiki's throat.  Since Nabiki didn't know
martial arts, Ranma was obliged to save her.  This caused all the males
in the vicinity to attack him.  All of them could not believe that Ranma
had gained yet another fianc�e.  "What were you thinking?  Is this
another scam of yours?  I thought you were smart.  You had to know what
would happen after your little speech."  Ranma knew that the whole
speech must have been an act.  He guessed that Nabiki was having trouble
with money again, so she was going to use him again.  However, rather
than being angry with her, Ranma felt a sense of joy in knowing that
Nabiki was once again his fianc�e.

	Nabiki smirked at Ranma.  "Really, Ranma.  Do you think that I'm that
stupid?  Of course I knew what would happen.  Now, you listen here.  I
know you might no believe me, but this is the truth.  I think that I may
have fallen in love with you."

	"Uh..I..I."  Ranma stared at Nabiki in shock.  That one little
admission of hers was currently destroying what few brain cells that he
had.  Various thrown weapons grazed him as he nearly fainted.  Nabiki
slapped some sense into him.  Ranma knew that his own feeling for Nabiki
bordered on love, but his ego and shyness prevented him from telling
her.  Instead, he decided to say something that was less dangerous.  "I
care about you, Nabiki.  I just don't know if it is the way that you
want me to feel."

	"Relax, Ranma.  I don't expect you to declare your undying love to me. 
Although that would be nice, I know better than that.  I just wanted you
to know what I felt.  The reason I did this was so that our families
would think that I was using you again.  This was the most effective way
for you to be engaged to me without leaving Akane out.  Also, this was
one way to get a lot of witnesses to vouch that I am now indeed your
fiancee."  Nabiki then grinned wickedly as she gave him a sultry look
that made Ranma blush.  "The other reason was that I knew that you would
save me.  I love being in your arms."  Nabiki lifted face to meet his. 
She kissed him passionately and smiled inwardly as she felt Ranma
responding.

	Ranma broke the kiss and again stared at Nabiki in shock.  He then
shook his head in wonder.  "I'll never understand woman.  I'll never
understand you."

	Nabiki smiled as she pulled Ranma's head towards her's for another
kiss.  She wispered, "I know Ranma.  I plan on keeping you guessing for
the rest of your life."

			* * * * *

The End.