This is my continuation of Gregg Sharp's "The Bet:  Addiction.  As
of now, he has already written part three, which follows my part two.
Oh Gregg?  If you read this, you can put part three on the FFML now.
PS, I'll be writing part 4, but it's going to have to wait until after I
finish Chapter 33 of  "A Different Viewpoint" which will be coming out
in a couple days, and my "ADV/A Scary Thought" crossover, which will be
out a few days after that.  Maybe a week.

"All Ranma characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi, first published
by Shogakugan in Japan and brought over to North America by Viz
Communications. and are used here without permission or license. No
claims to the above copyright are made by the author of this work. This
work is for non-commercial use ONLY, and is produced for the enjoyment
of fans only. This work is the expression of the author and the
depiction of the Ranma 1/2 characters herein are in no way represented
to be a part of Ranma 1/2 as depicted by the original author and
copyright holder(s)."

                                    Addiction.  Pt 2

    Kasumi walked into her favorite drug store, looking for some ginger
tea and...  Kasumi blushed involuntarily at the thought of why she was
buying the other items she was here for.

    Hiroshi hated summer vacation.  For everyone else it was a time of
relaxation.  No school!  But he was stuck working at his parents store.
He smiled politely at the young woman coming up to the counter.

    Hiroshi's jaw dropped as he recognized her.  "K-Kasumi Tendo?"
Hiroshi's mind flashed on a scene from a video he had gotten a week ago
and he tried to stop his furious blush.

    Kasumi put her purchases on the counter and she looked at the
cashier with mild concern.  "Are you feeling alright, Hiroshi?"  Kasumi
remembered the boy from earlier trips to the store, as well as the few
times he had visited Ranma from school.

    Hiroshi was almost ready to faint.  <She knows my name!>  He tried
to drive the image of her naked form (still vivid from several viewings
of the tape) from his mind.  Hiroshi focused on her purchases to keep
from staring at the eldest Tendo girl.  "That's one ginger tea and one,
two, three... pregnancy test kits?"  Hiroshi's mind started going
blank.  "Ranma got all three of you pregnant?"

    Kasumi blushed bright red.  "Oh my!"

    Hiroshi blinked in shock.  "Did I just say that out loud?"  Kasumi
nodded faintly, her eyes wide.  Hiroshi gulped.  "Oh my."

    Kasumi fought down her blush with an effort and pulled her wallet
out of her purse.  "How much?"

    Hiroshi's eyes were a bit glazed.  "It was 5000 yen."

    Kasumi blinked.  <That seems like a bit much.>  "5000 yen?"  She
questioned, glad to be able to keep the subject away from Hiroshi's
gaff.  "Isn't that a bit much?"

    Hiroshi shook his head, coming out of his daze.  "Oh, right!"
Quickly he totaled her purchases.  "3250 yen."

    Kasumi brought out the correct amount and Hiroshi took it, quickly
bagging her purchases.  Kasumi watched him nervously.  <Hiroshi knows
about... the other night.  I wonder who else knows?>

    Hiroshi handed Kasumi her bag and couldn't help looking at her
face.  The worry and embarrassment written there made his own
embarrassment fade.

    Hiroshi felt sympathy grow in his heart for her.  "Kasumi-san, wait
here.  There is something you should see."  He hurried out from behind
the counter and ran up the back stairs.  Kasumi stood uncomfortably
waiting for him to return.  Hiroshi came back down quickly, placing a
video tape on the counter in front of her.  "I... thought you should
know about this."

    Kasumi looked uncomprehendingly at the video tape.  "What is it?"

    Hiroshi nodded to himself, remembering a conversation he had had
with Daisake the other night.  Daisake had insisted that most, if not
all of the participants in the very explicit video, had been drugged.
Hiroshi hadn't been so sure, but Kasumi's reaction seemed to carry out
that theory.

    He pushed the tape across the counter toward her.  "Some guy was
selling these a week ago.  I think you should know about it."

    Kasumi blinked uncertainly and picked up the tape.  "Is... is this
tape why... you knew... about..."  Hiroshi nodded faintly.  Kasumi again
reached for her wallet.  "It was... 5000 yen?"  Kasumi guessed, bringing
out several bills.

    Hiroshi shook his head and waved off the money.  "Just take it."  He
spoke quietly.  "I... don't want it any more."  Kasumi put the money
away and bowed slightly.  "Thank you, Hiroshi-san, you are very
generous."

    Hiroshi bowed back.  "It is nothing, Kasumi-san.  Please forget
it."  <And please don't tell Ranma or Nabiki about this!>

    Kasumi bowed again and left, stuffing the tape into her purse.  When
Kasumi arrived home, Ranma was in the Dojo, doing Katas over and over.
Akane was watching TV, and Nabiki lay on the porch, reading a manga.
Her two sisters looked over at Kasumi as she entered the room.

    "Did you get them?"  Akane asked hesitantly.

    Kasumi nodded.  "Yes... and something else."

    Nabiki blinked.  "What?"

    Kasumi brought out the tape wordlessly, laying it down next to the
pregnancy test kits.

    Akane blinked in confusion, but Nabiki's eyes went wide.  "He
didn't!"

    Kasumi looked worried.  "I think he must have.  The nice young man
at the drug store seemed to know about... what happened.  He told me
that I should see this tape."

    Nabiki paled.  "They're selling it at the drug store?"

    Kasumi looked thoughtful.  "I don't think so.  He gave it to me for
free.  I believe he said some man had been selling them two days ago."

    Nabiki groaned.  "Two days?  Then there's no stopping it now."  She
glanced from the pregnancy kits to the tape, and back to the pregnancy
kits.  "I'm afraid it's too late to do anything but spin doctoring for
the tapes... If that's even possible.  Right now there's something a bit
more important."  Nabiki picked up a pregnancy kit.  "I'm going to
check."

    Akane looked a bit confused.  "What?  Spin doctoring?  Nabiki, what
are you talking about?"

    Nabiki sighed.  "Never mind, Akane.  Why don't we all see if what
might of happened, has happened."

    Kasumi picked up a pregnancy test kit as well.  "That's sensible,
Nabiki."

    Akane picked up the last one and gulped.  "Might as well get this
over with."  The three Tendo sisters went toward the bathroom together.

            ****************************************

    Out in the Dojo, Ranma had just finished a complicated kata and was
about to start another when he was interrupted by clapping.  Ranma
turned to see Ukyo standing in the doorway.

    The okonomiyaki chef beamed at him.  "That was great, Ranchan!  You
really are the best!"

    Ranma put his hand behind his head and shrugged.  "I guess... What's
up Ucchan?"

    Ukyo was in her chef's outfit as usual.  The bandoleer of mini
spatulas, and the great big spatula she always carried gleamed in the
light coming in the open door.

    Ukyo's smile was equally bright.  "Guess what, Ranchan, I've got
great news.  You're going to be a father!"  Ranma froze, he slowly
opened his mouth, but nothing came out.  Ukyo started to get worried.
"Ranchan?  Come on, say something.  I'm pregnant!  Ranma?"  Ranma closed
his mouth.  He took a deep breath, nodded firmly to himself and moved
over to Ukyo.

    Ranma looked her in the eyes with a serious expression.  "Ucchan...
I'll do the right thing.  I promise I'll always be there for you and...
our kid."

    Ukyo's smile came back brilliantly.  "Do you mean it?  You'll marry
me?"

    Ranma nodded.  "Yeah, Ucchan... I won't let any kid of mine... go
without a father."

    Ukyo hugged him happily.  "Oh Ranchan!  I'm so happy!"  Hesitantly,
Ranma hugged her back.  After a long moment, Ukyo pulled back a bit.
"Ranchan, let's go tell everyone, OK?"

    Ranma looked like he wanted to bolt.  "Oh no!  Akane's going to kill
me!  Shampoo's going to kill me, and you!"

    Ukyo shook her head.  "I can handle Akane, Ranchan.  As for Shampoo,
we're all Amazons now, so she can't kill me."  Ukyo pulled out of
Ranma's arms.  "As for that, Shampoo's supposed to be coming by this
afternoon to tell us all about Amazon law."  Ukyo sighed.  "Ranchan, we
can't put off telling everyone.  They'll find out soon enough anyway.
It's better we tell them ourselves."

    Ranma nodded slowly.  "You're right, Ucchan."  He sighed.  "Might as
well get this over with."

    Ukyo smiled sweetly and took his left arm in hers, and they walked
toward the house.  They reached the living room to find all three Tendo
sisters sitting around the table sipping tea.  The sisters all glanced
over to see Ranma and Ukyo walk in.  Kasumi smiled pleasantly as ever,
Akane glared angrily at Ranma, seeing Ukyo on his arm.  Nabiki just
stared appraisingly at them.

    "We've got an announcement to make."  Ukyo said cheerfully.
"Ranchan's going to marry me!"

    Akane's eyes blazed.  "What did you say?"  She rose to her feet.
"Ranma!  Is this true?"  Akane didn't wait for an answer.  "It is, isn't
it!  That's it!  Ranma, I'm going to...!"  Akane paused, then turned
away.  "Fine."  Her voice was cold.  "Marry her.  I don't care."

    Ranma looked stricken.  Ukyo frowned and held tightly on to his arm.

    Nabiki looked thoughtfully at the Okonomiyaki chef.  "So, you're
pregnant too?"  Ukyo and Akane both turned to Nabiki in surprise.

    Ukyo blinked.  "Too?  Who else is pregnant?"

    Nabiki snorted in derision.  "Better to ask who isn't."

    Ranma's eyes had gotten very wide.  Ukyo had to keep him from
falling over in shock.  Just then the back door flew open.

    Shampoo entered with her hand raised in greeting.  "Nihao!"

    Everyone but Ranma turned to look at the Amazon.  Ranma was too
stunned to react.

    Kasumi smiled pleasantly at Shampoo.  "Hello Shampoo!  Won't you
have some tea?"  Kasumi turned to Ukyo.  "Ukyo-chan, would you like
some?  It's ginger tea, very good for... your condition."  Nabiki
grinned at Shampoo, the Amazon was looking a bit befuddled, trying to
figure out what was going on.

    Nabiki decided to tell her.  "So, Shampoo, I was wondering... how
did you feel this morning?"

    Shampoo looked puzzled.  "Shampoo fine.  Why mercenary girl ask?"

    Nabiki shrugged.  "I was just curious if the other night had any...
consequences."

    Shampoo blinked.  "You mean is Shampoo with child?"  Nabiki nodded.
Shampoo shook her head.  "Shampoo take special herbal tea every
morning.  Secret of 3000 years Amazon history.  Shampoo choose when have
Ranma's child!"

    Nabiki turned to look at her eldest sister, sipping her tea calmly.
"Well, Kasumi, it looks like you and Shampoo have something in common."

    Kasumi blinked, then blushed in understanding.  "Oh no, Nabiki... I
wasn't... taking anything... I mean I certainly didn't expect... Oh my!"

    Ukyo's eyes went wide.  "Nabiki, you don't mean that you and Akane
are both..."

    Nabiki nodded, and glanced at the one man in the room.  "Yup.
Congratulations, Ranma!  Three out of five isn't bad!"  Her voice was
plainly sarcastic.  "In one night yet!  Looks like martial arts aren't
the only thing you do well."

    Shampoo's eyes went wide as well.  "Three?"

    Nabiki rolled her eyes in exasperation.  "Don't you get it yet?
Ukyo, Akane and I are all pregnant!"

    Shampoo nearly fell over in shock.  Ranma slowly pulled free of
Ukyo.  He shot her a look that begged for understanding.  Ukyo
hesitated, then nodded.

    Ranma sighed and looked at Akane.  "Akane... I... Ukyo was
pregnant... I didn't know..."  Akane had turned to face him, an
uncertain expression on her face.  Ranma struggled on, trying to find
the right words.  "It was the right thing to do... but... you're
pregnant too... and..."  Ranma spoke the words as if he wasn't sure what
they meant.  The look on his face was confusion.  "And Nabiki... I... I
don't know what to do!"

    Akane's anger had vanished, replaced by her own worry and
confusion.  "I... I don't know either, Ranma."

    Nabiki took a long sip of tea, then spoke up.  "Well, since I'm
already involved, I've wave my usual fee."  She glanced up at Shampoo,
who was leaning dazedly against the doorjamb.  "Shampoo, I assume you
brought your book of Amazon law, right?"  Shampoo nodded dazedly and
pulled the book out from between her breasts.  Nabiki took it and
started leafing though it.  "First things first.  Amazon law will get us
all killed if we aren't careful, so we'll deal with it first."

    Kasumi slid over to make a space for Shampoo.  "Shampoo, sit down,
have some tea.  Why don't you tell us about your laws."

    Shampoo nodded and sat down next to Kasumi.  Ukyo and Ranma sat down
as well, between Akane and Nabiki.

    Shampoo shook her head to clear it.  "Great-grandmother's ceremony
make you all Amazons.  Sisters to Shampoo."  Shampoo paused and looked
around.  Everyone else stared back attentively.  "Ranma, as strong
Amazon male, is much valued.  Shampoo, as elder sister, can share with
sister Amazons.  Strengthen tribe.  That why Shampoo not have to kill
other girls that share husband."

    Nabiki nodded.  "That's what I figured.  Ranma's breeding stock, the
stronger the better for the tribe."

    Shampoo nodded in response.  "Shampoo is Ranma number one wife, but
can share with others."

    Nabiki was reading the book of laws.  "Says here that an Amazon can
have more than one mate, as many as he, or she, can defeat
simultaneously in combat.  This is to ensure that the strongest warriors
have the most children."

    Shampoo frowned a bit.  "You not Ranma's wives.  Ranma not defeat in
combat.  You only married if Ranma defeats you."

    Ukyo grinned.  "Hey, then I'm already married to Ranchan!  He beat
me the first time we fought, right after I showed up here."

    Shampoo looked irritated, but nodded.  "Ukyo is married to Ranma.
Shampoo follow Amazon law.  Will share husband if must."

    Ukyo shrugged.  "Well, I wanted Ranchan to myself, but... yeah, I'll
go along with it."

    Akane was glaring at the two girls angrily, but she was blushing at
the same time.  "Ukyo?  I can't believe you'd go along with this!
It's... it's ludicrous!  How can you agree to... share Ranma like he was
some kind of..."  Akane sputtered to a halt, unable to think of a proper
example.

    Shampoo smirked haughtily.  "If Akane no want Ranma, then Akane no
have to share.  Akane not married to husband anyway, is just mistress."
Akane muttered incoherently for several seconds.  "Mistress!  No way!
I'm as much married to Ranma as you two.  He defeated me the first day
he came here!"  Akane's mouth snapped shut.  <Why did I say that?  Do I
want to share Ranma with those two?>  Ukyo and Shampoo regarded Akane
levelly, then turned to Ranma.

    "Ranchan, is that true?"  Ukyo asked in a neutral tone.

    Ranma shrugged, nodding slightly.  "Yeah, I guess.  I was a girl at
the time and I didn't hurt her or nothin... but yeah, I beat Akane."

    Nabiki closed the book of law, having found everything she was
looking for.  "There you have it.  According to Amazon law, Akane, Ukyo,
and Shampoo are all married to Ranma.  Kasumi and I and his mistresses,
technically, but are not married to him.  This all assumes Ranma is
deemed worthy of having three wives.  There will be an official trial by
combat.  Shampoo, it doesn't go into much detail on that.  Care to tell
us about it?"

    Shampoo nodded.  "This very rare, that one male take three Amazon's
as bride.  Simplest trial be fight between Ranma and all three of us.
If witnessed by two of more elders, and judged a worthy match, marriage
is secure from all challenges against it.  Otherwise, things get
complicated."

    Akane spoke up.  "Complicated how?"

    Shampoo nodded toward Akane and Ukyo.  "You not raised in village.
Amazon born, raised in village fight hard against man.  No let male win
easy.  Elders not believe you fight hardest against man.  Might appoint
strong Amazon warriors to substitute for test.  Elders must witness, say
good fight."

    Ukyo frowned.  "Hey, Cologne's the only Amazon Elder around here.
Does this mean we have to go to China?"

    Nabiki cleared her throat before Shampoo could answer.
"Technically, no.  You are considered married unless the marriage is
challenged by an Elder.  Cologne's not going to challenge this, so we
can wait until a second Amazon Elder comes here to hold the trial of
combat."

    Shampoo looked surprised, but nodded.  "You is right, Nabiki Tendo.
Shampoo not think of that."

    Nabiki smirked.  "That's why they pay me the big bucks."  Nabiki's
face turned serious.  "It's best we don't go to China, actually.
There's one thing Shampoo hasn't mentioned.  We're all Amazons now,
right?  Amazon law now applies to us, right?  All Amazon laws?"  Shampoo
nodded.  Nabiki closed her eyes and shook her head.  "So that means if
some guy defeats us, we have to marry him, right?"  Shampoo nodded again
and Akane, Ranma, Kasumi and Ukyo gaped at her.  Nabiki opened her
eyes.  "Akane, Ukyo and Shampoo don't have to worry about it.  Unless
their marriage to Ranma is judged invalid.  In that case, we're all up
for grabs."

    Kasumi's eyes were wide.  "Oh my!"

    Akane cracked her knuckles.  "Any guy that tries is going to regret
it!"

    Ukyo grabbed on to Ranma's left arm again.  "Ranchan will pass that
trial.  I know he will!  Won't you Ranchan?"

    Ranma grunted.  <A challenge.  Finally something I can deal with!>
"No problem.  I will for sure, you can count on it."

    Akane looked doubtful and slightly worried.  "Are you sure Ranma?
You have to beat all three of us at once.  The Elders have to believe it
was real."

    Ranma nodded.  "I can do it.  It'll be tough, sure, but I'm not
letting some other guy beat you up so he can marry you."

    Akane and Ukyo looked at each other, and wordless understanding
passed between them.

    Finally, Akane spoke.  "Well... it's better to have to share Ranma,
then to be married to some jerk I don't know."

    Nabiki smirked.  "Yup, better the jerk you do know, eh Akane?"

    Ranma looked indignant.  "Hey!"

    Akane smiled wryly.  "Yeah, but at least he's my jerk."

    Ukyo grinned.  "You mean our jerk!"

    They both looked at each other and laughed, while Ranma grumbled in
between them.

    Nabiki broke in.  "I'm glad you two agree on something.  There's
still several matters to deal with."  Everyone focused on Nabiki again.
She held up a finger.  "First, Kasumi and I are still non married
Amazons.  Assuming Ranma beats his trial, that still leaves the two of
us."

    Shampoo nodded.  "Village know this by now.  Many boy who no beat
Amazon in village will come.  Kasumi make very good wife."  She paused.
"Some will even come for Nabiki, she very pretty girl, yes?"

    Nabiki smiled sweetly, her voice dripping sugar.  "Oh my, Shampoo,
I'm so pleased you noticed!"  Nabiki shook her head and went back to her
serious tone of voice.  "Anyway, Shampoo's right, it's only a matter of
time until somebody challenges Kasumi and me."  She looked pained.  "And
there's no way either one of us will be able to win against someone with
even moderate skill."

    Akane and Ranma both looked worried, Ukyo looked sympathetic, and
Kasumi looked like she was going to faint.

    Akane's face took on a grim expression.  "We'll have to train you."

    Nabiki sighed.  "I don't think we'll have enough time.  It would
take years to get good enough not to be defeated, if that's even
possible.  Still, we should train, if only to cut the number of idiots
down.  At least if we have some skill we may have some choice."
Nabiki's voice was quiet.  Her usual confidence had faded with her final
words, as if she had just now fully realized the implications of what
she was saying.  "Damn it, I don't need this.  First I'm pregnant, and
now I've got to worry about getting married to whatever guy that beats
me up."

    Shampoo spoke up.  "Is Amazon way.  You Amazons now, must follow
laws."  She sounded guilty when she said those words, but it didn't
change them.

    Nabiki snapped at her angrily.  "I know we have to follow your damn
laws!  If we weren't Amazons, you'd have had to kill us, and now that we
are, we have to follow your laws, or your whole tribe may kill us!  I
know it, but I don't have to like it!"  Everyone was silent as Nabiki
visibly calmed herself.  "I don't blame you, Shampoo, not really.  I'm
just a little... scared right now.  This is a hell of a lot to deal with
all at once, you know?"

    Shampoo nodded sadly.  "Shampoo understand.  Is OK be scared,
Nabiki, as long as one does what one has to do."

    Nabiki let a small smile appear on her face.  "Thanks, Shampoo."
She nodded, gathering herself.  "OK, that in mind, back to the business
at hand.  Is there any way to postpone any challenges of marriage?  Or
perhaps even avoid them entirely?"  Nabiki looked questioningly at
Shampoo.

    Shampoo looked thoughtful.  "Nabiki is pregnant with Ranma's child.
If great-grandmother say so, no male can challenge until baby born, to
avoid risk to baby."

    Nabiki looked a bit relived.  "Eight months, eh?  Well, if I train
like crazy, maybe I'll be able to hold off an unwanted suitor or two by
then."  She frowned.  "That still leaves Kasumi."

    Akane looked thoughtful.  "What about..."  She paused, exchanging a
look with Nabiki.  Nabiki seemed to understand and nodded.  Akane turned
to her eldest sister.

    Kasumi's normal cheerfulness was completely gone.  She tried to
smile.  "It won't be so bad.  I'm sure I'll be defeated by a nice young
man.  I've always wanted to get married and raise a family of my own."

    Akane shook her head.  "Kasumi, you can do better than some random
Amazon male that want's an easy bride."  She peered at Kasumi
thoughtfully.  "Kasumi... is there anyone around here... that you like?"

    Kasumi blushed a bit, looking down at her tea.  "I've never met
anyone, that was interested in me..."  <Unbidden came a face with
glasses, a kind face... it was overlapped momentarily by the face of a
boy with a pigtail.>  Kasumi shook her head, clearing her mind.

    Akane, Ranma, and Nabiki exchanged knowing glances.

    Akane looked back at Kasumi.  "Well, maybe there is someone who
likes you, but hasn't been able to tell you."

    Kasumi looked up.  "Do you think so?"

    Akane nodded.  "I'm sure of it.  Kasumi, we've all been waiting for
him to tell you himself, but it's obvious that Dr Tofu really likes
you."

    Kasumi blinked.  "Dr Tofu?  Really?  He's so silly, and sweet... but
does he really like me?"

    Ranma nodded.  "Definitely, Kasumi, he's crazy about you.  He can
hardly think straight when you're around."

    Kasumi brightened.  "Oh my!  Do you think he might... want to marry
me?"

    Nabiki smiled.  "I have the feeling that he will, especially when he
learns he might lose you."

    Kasumi looked hopeful, and everyone but Shampoo smiled.  Shampoo was
trying to think of why this bothered her.

    Shampoo shrugged.  <If I can't remember what it was, it can't be
that important.>

    Nabiki clapped her hands to get everyone's attention.  "OK!  Dr Tofu
can marry Kasumi, Ranma marries the three of you..."

    "Is married!"  Shampoo insisted.

    Nabiki shrugged.  "Right, is married to you three, and I have eight
months to train before I have to worry about fighting off lecherous
Amazons.  That only leaves two things to deal with."  Everyone stared at
her.

    "There's more?"  Akane asked, looking a bit dismayed.

    Nabiki nodded.  "Afraid so."  She tapped the tape.  "Kasumi found
out that tapes like this were being sold, as recently as a week ago.  In
all probability this is a tape of that night's... activities.  It's too
late to stop, so the best we can do is some spin control."

    Shampoo paled.  "Aieee!  You mean great-grandmother not only one get
tape?"

    Nabiki glared at Shampoo.  "Is that how she found out?  I thought
you told her?"

    Shampoo looked nervous.  "Great-grandmother get tape weeks ago.
Shampoo thought it only one."

    Nabiki slapped herself on the forehead.  "Why didn't you tell me
this sooner?  We might have been able to keep the tapes from getting out
if we had known about it then!"  Shampoo looked sheepish.  Nabiki shook
her head resignedly.  "What's done is done, but that tape is going to do
tremendous damage to our reputations.  All we can do is spin doctor it."

    Ranma interrupted.  "What does that mean?  You keep saying spin
control and spin doctoring, but how is spinning going to help?"

    Nabiki looked tired.  "Spin doctoring means we take the information
that will ruin our reputation and put a positive "spin" on it.  We
"Doctor" it until it puts us in the best possible light."

    Ukyo sighed.  "This isn't going to be pretty, is it?"

    Nabiki shook her head.  "Nope.  I think I've got a way to help, but
it isn't going to be easy, and things are going to get worse before they
get better.  I think I may be able to salvage our good names... mostly.
I'm going to have to call in most of my favors to do this.  Everything
really depends on how far these tapes have spread, and what exactly they
show."

    Ukyo gulped.  "Then I guess we should see exactly what is on the
tape.  So we know what do defend ourselves against."

    Nabiki nodded.  "The VCR's right over there, if you'd do the honors,
Ukyo."

    Ukyo gulped again.  "Might as well get this over with."  She picked
up the tape and went over to put it into the VCR.

    Akane gulped.  "I'm not so sure I want to see this."

    "No one's making you, Akane."  Nabiki said quietly.  "You can go if
you want."

    Akane gulped again but remained sitting.  Ukyo turned on the TV and
pressed play.  Akane looked away from the TV, and turned to Nabiki.
"Sis, you said there were two things.  What was the second?"

    Nabiki's eyes were glued to the set.  "Dealing with all our
parents.  Father, Mr. Saotome, and the Kuonji's"

    Akane sighed.  "Oh."  Akane made herself look at the set as the
static stopped and the tape started to play.


        Well, there you have it.  If everyone seems a bit too accepting
in all this, read the first fic again.  The explination for everyone
getting along so much better than normal is there, as well as in the
third part.