Part 2

Nabiki looked at the photo. She'd better give Ranma first refusal. After
all that was only fair. She might be called a blackmailer but she wasn't,
not exactly, after all she did destroy both the negatives and the photos
if she was paid and paid promptly.

Nabiki went down and headed for Dr. Tofu's. Ranma was bound to end up
there eventually. Especially since Kasumi was going out at the time for
dinner. Of course Ranma could have the luck to be merely squashed. But
she doubted that somehow, her sister could certainly pack a punch.

Ranma looked down and saw Nabiki entering Tofu's. Unfortunately by this
time he couldn't alter his descent but at least he'd still be male when
he landed down. As soon as Ranma started thinking that a storm appears
from nowhere and Ranma feels his body changing. Today was not going to
be a good day.

Nabiki decides this is the perfect time to talk to Ranma about it, "Ranma,
I have a photo I'm sure you don't want Akane to get her hands on."

"Ya not foolin me. Shampoo ain't been here. Kodachi's in an institution
and Uc-chan has been opening a restaurant across town."

By town Ranma meant Tokyo which was quite an understatement. Nabiki knew
she'd have to be explicit. Showing Ranma a picture she took, Nabiki stated,
"Ranma. You were with Ryouga."

Ranma denied it vehemently. Nabiki looked shocked. She'd shown him one
of the three pictures she had taken.

"Akane's cooking's improved I see." stated Ranma while chewing the photo.

Well, Ranma had eaten it, but you don't make an omelette without
breaking some eggs. Next stop was Ryouga. This required a bit more tact
than she had managed so far. Ryouga at least could admit though he 
wouldn't mind Ranma being shown if it wasn't for the other person on it.

Nabiki left Dr Tofu's. She hoped she could find Ryouga, after all he
was never around when you wanted him. The only thing to do would  be
wait until he turned up.

"WHERE IS THE TENDO DOJO?" a voiced boomed. It could only be Ryouga.
No-one else could sound that hopelessly lost while shouting. Not even
tourists.

Nabiki found she was standing behind him and in the most honeyed voice
she could get said, "Excuse me, Ryouga? I'm just wondering ..."

The usual short circuit that happens to Ryouga is nice voice equals Akane.
This time he considers a bit longer and comes to conclusion nice voice-
too nice- Ranma-chan.

"PREPARE TO DIE. OH bugger!" Ryouga finished lamely as soon as he turned
round far enough to see it was not Ranma-chan.

Lets see if Ryouga has any spare cash on him thought Nabiki., "Now Ryouga
would you really like Akane to see this picture.? "

"No, but I can't afford the normal price, 1000 yen isn't it? Not without
Ranma's help anyway. And I certainly can't afford your rates of interest"

"What do you mean can't? All the presents you get for Akane?"

"Rewards for dealing with nuisances. Anyway I don't carry cash on me.
Besides you ought know if I had any money on me I'd have used it on a
present for Akane."

Nabiki cursed. She would have to sell the photos and she didn't want to
not anymore. Not that she was feeling guilty or anything. She was hoping
that she'd get the  price from one or the other. Of course either of the
Kuno's would pay a lot. This was not good. Why did she have to start 
believing her own press? That only led to mistakes.

"Okay, I'll tell you what I'll do I let you have the remaining negatives
for a cut-price 20% off. You can choose what to do with them."

"No, I'd like you to count them out and I'd like to see you destroy them."

Nabiki had just had two shocks to the system in one day. Ryouga wasn't
quite as dumb as he acted and Ranma had refused to admit what he had
done.  This meant a bit more. She headed off to her own place looked
in and gasped. Both photos had gone. Someone had taken them. Not Ranma
since he couldn't believe. Not Ryouga since P-chan hadn't been around
for a while. Admittedly Ryouga had been nearby but since she'd sent him
in the right  direction, she was bound to beat him here. Not Kasumi who
would not go there. That left one person - Akane.  Nabiki almost couldn't 
believe it but if you could sleep with one person and call another your
fiance.
               ***


Nabiki sat down on the bed wondering how to get the photo's back and did
not realise she had drifted off into sleep.

Nabiki sneaked into Akane's room to try and get the photo's back from Akane.
After all Akane always overreacted. It did seem sometimes that Kasumi
and Akane were completely  different. However Akane was awake, glowing
blue, and standing by the cupboard with a mallet. This was not good she'd
have to persuade Akane and when Akane was like this...

Akane looked at Nabiki with contempt. Nabiki realised that Ranma must
have told Akane about the blackmail attempt. Nabiki's' silver tongue 
seemed to have been twisted into odd shapes to her. No way she could get
past Akane. Time to bluff. She cowered waiting for the hammer blow.
It didn't come. Part A had worked. Part B soon.

"No, you're not worth it. I always thought Ranma was exaggerating. Now
I find out he was understating the case. He must have liked you. I very
much doubt he does now."

Nabiki started crying, "I was coming here to destroy the photos. I
haven't been  paid anyway.. Ask Ryouga." 

"I don't believe you." said Akane and turned to leave. When Nabiki looked
up thought it was not Akane leaving but herself.

Nabiki started awake, found she couldn't stop crying. That was
most unlike her. She didn't even know why. At least no-one would find out.

End Avarice 2