Hello, here is my second post to the FFML. This story is one
of *two* continuations of Gregg Sharp's 'Bet' story Crippled.
The other verstion is by Dale Ratner, who has already posted
to the FFML. This story has been on my website for over a month
and has been well recieved. C&C, etc welcomed.

To avoid confusion with Dale's, I've renamed the story
Crippled: Body and Souls

If you need a refresher on Gregg's scenario OR want to look
at Dale's version, plese visit the website at:
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Shrine/7607/BetCrip/

Thanks,

Kevin D. Hammel
December 30, 1998
khammel@mail.geocities.com

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

His world was defined by pain... present *and* absent. It still hurt 
where the sword had left his body after severing his spine... ending his 
life. He had been *the best* martial artist in the area. Now lack of 
pain below his lower back mocked him day and night; taunting him with 
memories of the life he had lost... It had been all he was...

Now, he was nothing... but only if he gave up... 

***

A Story from "The Bet"
Crippled: Body and Souls

By Kevin D. Hammel
>From an idea by Gregg Sharp

Episode 1: Nadir

Ranma 1/2 is property of Rumiko Takahashi. Publishing rights are held by 
Viz in the US and Shogakukan in Japan. My purpose is to honor the 
creator and her works. No infringement intended.

***

A middle aged woman approached door 117 at Nerima General. Her hair was 
dark green shot with gray. The crisp, white uniform she wore identified 
her as the head nurse for this ward. Today it looked like her favorite 
patient was finally going to get the love he needed, his *mother* was 
coming... A smile lighting her face, Tanaka Tomoko opened the door, to 
greet her young friend. "Ranma, do you know who's visiting today?"

Saotome Ranma was distracted from his misery for a few moments by his 
new friend, Tomoko. She had almost become a mother to him in the past 
few weeks... Her children were grown, so it was only natural for her to 
'adopt' him. Ranma tried to smile. "Yeah, I guess my mom's 'comin..."

Tomoko became a little more serious. "She'll be here any minute, Ranma. 
Do you want me to stay?"

Ranma's smile became a *little* bigger. "Nah, I'll be fine. I hate to 
admit it, but I *am* lookin forward to it!"

"Okay then, I'll be back to check on you later, Ran-chan!"

"See ya!" Ranma said as his friend left. He hoped he could keep the 
small smile alive on his face for his mom...

***

Ranma's smile *did* survive the minutes that elapsed after Tomoko left. 
The door opened, and his smile got even wider as he recognized the woman 
opening the door... "Mom! It's *so* good to see you, thanks for coming."

Saotome Nodoka looked at her son in shock. She had thought him dead, 
then heard he lived... Now it was obvious that he *was* dead, after all. 
She wondered if what the youngest Tendou had said was true, about the 
*curse* which afflicted him... Making him even *less* of a man... none 
at all.

Nodoka regained her composure, the shock she experienced hidden behind a 
mask of control again. She walked in a stately manner to the sink and 
drew a glass of water. Filling it, she walked over to the bedside.

Ranma's smile evaporated. Did she *know*? His unspoken question was 
answered as his mother upended the glass over his head... He 
*changed*... Becoming a much smaller girl...

Nodoka observed the transformation unflinching. She noted the girl 
looked *even more* like the young son Genma had taken from her... and 
destroyed. She withdrew a document from her kimono and handed it to the 
girl... Nodoka gave her a look of pity... 

Her mother's pity was not the *love* Ranma sought... Had *counted* on. 
She marshaled all her control to remain expressionless. She would *not* 
show her broken heart to this... woman.

Nodoka spoke, *feeling* for the broken girl before her. "I see plainly 
that my son is gone. I do not have the heart to make a poor, crippled 
girl like you live up to this pact... But know this, child... Saotome 
Ranma is *dead*!" Saotome Nodoka turned and left the room.

Ranma would *not* give the woman the satisfaction of hearing her cry... 
Instead, she became dizzy with grief. This *couldn't* be happening. It 
just *couldn't*... She opened the document... Tears came at last... She 
wondered if she would *ever* be able to stop them.

***

Tomoko was shocked at how short Ranma's visit with his mom was... and 
the expression on the woman's face showed *none* of the joy she had 
expected. She *had* to check on Ranma...

She opened the door, seeing Ranma in his other body... The 'girl' that 
Chinese Amazon had sought to kill... Ranma held a document in her 
trembling hands, tears pouring from her eyes, her small body wracked by 
voiceless sobs.

Tomoko walked up to her, gently pulling the document. Ranma let go, 
looking into her friend's eyes, seeing the only love left in her 
world... A love she had *every* reason not to deserve. Ranma's hands 
flopped to her sides and she tried to get control of herself. No matter 
*what* body she wore, she was a man... She willed her tears to stop, but 
was drained, spent... The girl struggled, but could not keep her eyes 
open, as sleep claimed her... It would replenish *some* of the vigor she 
had lost, but not the part of her soul...

Tomoko's face showed both anger and a tiny smile as she looked at the 
small girl before her. She looked so peaceful... her face relaxed in 
sleep... her pain gone, for now. *What* had her mother done to her? She 
glanced at the document, her unspoken question answered. It was a legal 
contract, marked by Ranma's father, Genma, and Ranma himself... with a 
handprint. It *promised* Ranma would be a man among men... or Father and 
son would commit Seppuku. No wonder Ranma was so upset... *How* could 
that woman be so cruel to her only child? Tomoko glanced at her watch. 
Her shift was up, but she knew she wouldn't be going home for a while. 
She went to call her husband, hoping Ranma wouldn't wake up to an empty 
room in the meantime.

***

Ranma returned to consciousness, the nightmare over. Today, *mom* was 
coming, and... She looked at Tomoko, noticing the... document was in her 
hands. She would not be able to escape *this* nightmare, but she *would* 
survive it.

Tomoko looked at her... friend with almost motherly concern. "How do you 
feel, Ranma?"

Ranma's face betrayed no emotion. "Well, I guess it's just *me* now. 
I'll try to make it, but I don't really see how I can..."

"Ranma, I'll *help* you get started... but you *are* right... I can't 
help forever." Tomoko's face brightened... a little. "What about the 
Tendou's? Do you think *they* might be willing to help you?"

Ranma grimaced slightly, then washed away expression again. "I don't 
really know. I *am* disappointed Kasumi didn't visit, or offer to help. 
I wouldn't expect *any* help from the others. Nabiki's a self-centered 
mercenary, their dad saw me only as a marriage prospect, and Akane..." A 
single tear, and a face filled with hatred... and love, announced her 
feelings about *that* Tendou.

Tomoko got up and took Ranma small hands in her own. "Will you be okay, 
dear?"

Ranma managed to force a tiny smile on her face. "I'll be fine... But 
I'll be a *little* better as a guy..."

"You wish is my command, Ran-chan." Tomoko bowed slightly then went to 
the sink to draw some hot water to restore her friend's birth-form.

When the change was complete, Ranma took one of Tomoko's hands in his 
own, and looked into her eyes. "Thanks..." He let go, the smile *much* 
less forced.

"You're *very* welcome... young man." With a concerned smile, Tomoko 
turned and left the room. She *had* to contact the Tendous... The 
Saotome clan had abandoned Ranma, *and* honor.

***

A minivan pulled up to a large house with attached dojo. A young man 
jumped out of the vehicle and hurried up the walkway to the home. This 
was his *last* delivery, he was in a *great* mood. He knocked on the 
door.

"I've got it!" Tendou Nabiki said as she walked to answer it.

A young man wearing the uniform of a courier service offered her a 
clipboard... and a smile. "Good afternoon, miss. I have a letter for the 
Tendou residence..."

Nabiki signed the receipt, accepting a carbon and an envelope. "Thank 
you."

The man bowed and left.

Nabiki closed the door, then glanced at the letter. It was addressed to 
"The Tendous". I'm a Tendou... she thought as she opened it. She read 
the letter, a single tear falling. 

Kasumi entered the room, her cheerful expression helping Nabiki abandon 
the emotions she felt. "What was that, little sister?"

Nabiki looked at her sister, her mask in place again. "Just a letter 
for... me."

Kasumi's face darkened slightly. A tear, even a single one was *not* 
something that belonged on Nabiki's face. "Do you want to talk about 
it?" Kasumi asked.

Nabiki turned to the stairway, "maybe... sometime." She replied, walking 
away.

Kasumi looked at her retreating sister with concern. *What* had upset 
her so? A smile returned to her face as she recalled what Nabiki's 
favorite food was... and there was still time to change the menu for 
dinner tonight. She hurried back to the kitchen.

Nabiki had a *lot* to think about... and do. She went into her room and 
closed the door.

***

Guilt was not an emotion Nabiki felt much, or was used to feeling... It 
got in the way of business.

Then *why* did she feel it so strongly right now?

She hadn't been involved in the... tragedy, except as a bystander.

She went over all the things she had done to Ranma... "Helping" the 
water heater go out for a few days... Photographs she sold to Kunou... 
Razzing him about his curse in general.

He seemed to weather it all, but he *must* have felt each little jab, he 
just didn't want others to see it... Just like *she* didn't want others 
to see any pain *she* felt.

They were a lot alike, she probably understood him better than her 
sisters... 

Why hadn't she seen it before? Because she didn't make a habit of 
observing others much, except when *profit*... *her* betterment, was 
involved.

***

A week had passed since his mother had left, and Tomoko was concerned 
about Ranma. His physical condition had improved enough so his release 
was just days away, but his *mental* condition was something else 
entirely... She entered his room, dismissing her speculation.

Ranma looked up at his 'friend'. He *really* liked Tomoko, but it was 
impossible for him to escape the burden he had already become to her. 
Ever since he had returned to Japan, he had been a burden on people. 
First, the Tendous... *No wonder* they hadn't visited him... They were 
probably glad to be rid of him... one less mouth to feed for Kasumi and 
Soun, one less *boy* to bug Akane. Probably the only person that would 
*really* miss him was Nabiki... but *only* because a major profit source 
had dried up when the 'pigtailed girl' had left...

Tomoko could see the play of emotions on her young patient's face. 
"Ranma?" She asked in a gentle voice. "Tell me what you're thinking."

Ranma turned to her, his eyes glassy... emotionless. "I was just thinkin 
of all the people who're glad I'm gone..."

Tomoko looked at him with concern. "Ranma, think about your future, what 
you'll *do* when you get out of here, *don't* dwell on the past..."

He gave her a sarcastic look. "I have *nowhere* to live, *no way* to 
earn any money, *no family* of any kind... anymore..." His look became 
almost mocking. "Yeah... I've got a *lot* to look forward to out 
there..."

Tomoko could only look at the floor. What *would* happen to Ranma... Why 
hadn't the Tendous called? She looked up. "Please don't give up, Ranma. 
For me..."

Ranma's look became almost apologetic. "I'm sorry, I don't want to hurt 
you, Tomoko-chan, but I don't see any future for myself."

Try as she might, Tomoko couldn't escape the truth of his words. Tears 
came easily.

An orderly interrupted the scene, pushing a wrapped package into the 
room. He looked at Ranma. "Mr. Saotome?"

"Yeah?"

"Will you mark this, please?"

"Uh... Sure." Glad to be distracted, Ranma quickly signed the receipt.

"Thanks!" The orderly said as he walked off...

There was a card attached to the package, addressed to Ranma... Tomoko 
removed it and gave it to her friend.

Ranma opened the card. Its message was simple "I figure you might need 
this... Your Secret Admirer." Ranma looked accusingly at Tomoko. "Secret 
Admirer, eh?"

Tomoko looked surprised. "Believe me, Ranma, I had *nothing* to do with 
this!"

Ranma gave her the first smile she had seen on his face since... before 
his mother came. "Sure, Tomoko."

Tomoko was *dead* serious. "Please believe me, Ranma. I *did not* send 
this to you."

Ranma considered what his friend said. Perhaps she *didn't* know about 
it... she probably would've come out and given him the gift, not 
*hidden* her identity... "Then who?" He asked, *truly* not knowing.

Tomoko smiled at him. "Someone out there *still* likes you, Ranma. 
You're not alone anymore..."

"Well, could you please unwrap my gift, Tomoko chan?"

"I'd be *happy* to, Ran-chan!" The nurse quickly removed the wrapping, 
revealing the fanciest wheelchair either of them had *ever* seen. In the 
seat, was a locked metal box.

For the first time since he had checked into the hospital, Ranma's face 
showed *hope*. "Maybe there *is* someone out there who cares about me... 
But this *doesn't* give me a place to live, or put food on the table..."

Tomoko tried to look... hopeful for her patient. "But it *does* mean 
*someone* wants to share your future, someone who has *accepted* you as 
your are..."

Ranma's expression soured. "Yeah, sure... Tomoko, sure." He did stop the 
tears this time however. Things *were* looking up. His future was now 
just *grim*, not impossible any more...

***

Another morning, Tomoko's shift was half over when she went to Ranma's 
room. His face showed concentration, *not* the depression she had seen 
before. The unknown benefactor had *greatly* improved his mood... 
perhaps saved his life... "So, what are you thinking about *today* 
Ranma?"

The boy looked up, his expression serious. "I *really* don't want to 
talk about it, but I *am* thinking about what I'll do when I get out of 
here..." He tried *very* hard to smile for Tomoko.

Tomoko gave her patient an understanding smile, "That's OK, Ran-chan. I 
understand you don't want to share *every* little thing with me. I'm 
just *glad* you're getting along so well."

A courier appeared in the doorway, ignorant of the strange circuit he 
was completing. "I have an envelope for... Ranma?"

"I guess that's me!" Ranma replied as he signed for the tiny package.

"Thanks!" The courier said with a smile, trading the package for his 
clipboard.

Ranma opened the envelope, finding a tiny key. He had *no* doubt what 
lock it opened. "Well, let's look at that mystery box."

There were several pieces of paper inside the box... a small map of 
Honshu showing rail lines... Why was *Kyoto* circled? A transit map of 
Kyoto with a route clearly marked from the rail station to a residential 
area. A key with an attached card bearing an address matching the 
destination shown on the map. Finally, an envelope containing a few 
hundred thousand yen, and a note...

***

Ranma,

I thought this might be a good time to get away from
all of the troubles and memories of Tokyo. I've rented
a small two-bedroom apartment in Kyoto, and will meet
you in a few days. I've already taken care of your
registration at school, and they won't be expecting
you until next week. I need to close a chapter of *my*
life before I join you.

See you soon,

Your Secret Admirer
 
***

Ranma looked up from the paper, his expression showing fear *and* 
expectation. He handed the paper to the nurse, who quickly read it.

Tomoko looked up from the paper with a smile. "Do you want me to help 
you move in, Ran-chan?"

Ranma gave her a confident, determined look, one she had *never* seen on 
his face before... "Thanks, but I'd like to take this one on myself."

Tomoko could only smile. Her heart told her that the look on his face 
was a bit of the *old* Ranma, returned to face the world again. Perhaps 
Ranma would be all right, after all...

(END)

***
It was a bit more difficult to get to Kyoto than Ranma had thought. He 
*did* end up accepting a ride from Tomoko to the station downtown. His 
friend and her husband bought a ticket for Ranma and made sure he was 
comfortably seated on the train...

Ranma looked up at his friend, his face showing gratitude, love, and a 
*little* hesitation. "Thanks for everything, Tomoko-chan. I'll write ya 
when I get settled down, I promise."

Tomoko looked at her former patient. She *usually* didn't get so 
involved, but patients usually didn't need what Ranma did. She took his 
hands. "I can't wait to hear from you. Good luck..." She let go, and 
left the train with her husband, waving a final time to Ranma as the 
express pulled out of the station, bound for Kyoto.

***

A Story from "The Bet"
Crippled: Body and Souls

By Kevin D. Hammel
>From an idea by Gregg Sharp

Episode 2: The New Heir

Ranma 1/2 is property of Rumiko Takahashi. Publishing rights are held by 
Viz in the US and Shogakukan in Japan. My purpose is to honor the 
creator and her works. No infringement intended.

***

Small *was* a good description for the apartment, Ranma thought as he 
followed the manager in. The middle-aged woman then bowed, turned, and 
left the room, closing the door behind her.

The first thing Ranma noticed was two closed doors, one labeled Ranma's. 
He went to the door and opened it, rolling inside.

The room was furnished in an almost Spartan manner... a low chest of 
drawers, a lamp, and a bed with handrails comprising the furniture. But 
it was *his* room, a luxury he couldn't even *remember* having before. 
Rolling over to the chest, he opened it, *shocked* to see *his* clothes 
inside, all neatly folded, ready for him to wear again. This *had* to 
have been an 'inside' job...

The list of candidates for the position of 'Secret Admirer' shrunk with 
the latest discovery... to *none*... Akane probably hated him... a 
feeling he *would* return, laced with sadness... Nabiki thought of 
Nabiki... Kasumi *might* do something like this, but she *wasn't* about 
to abandon her family... He *honestly* couldn't come up with a likely 
candidate.

Further speculation was dismissed as he moved over to the bed, then 
shifted the dead weight that comprised much of his body into it, with 
the help of the handrails. He yawned... his stamina *wasn't* what it 
used to be... as if anything was... and was soon napping.

***

Another day in this hellhole of a prison, one less day to wait before 
Shan Pu got her revenge on girl-Ranma. These fools had no idea *who* 
they had incarcerated... She was not of this land of soft living and 
softer people. The young Amazon *still* couldn't figure out the 
connection between girl-Ranma and her husband, however. Perhaps when 
Shan Pu had her enemy's *head*, she would be able to bring her new 
spouse to Joketsuzoku in peace...

Shan Pu would wait. Eventually one of her guards would make a simple... 
fatal... mistake. Then the girl's head would be hers.

***

Saotome Nodoka heard *two* voices approaching her door... one familiar, 
the other youthful and unknown to her. She touched her tanto. She 
*would* call her husband to honor... With sadness, she recalled she left 
the contract with... the poor, crippled girl. It seemed Genma would 
escape *his* fate, after all. The doorbell summoned her back to the 
world. Composing herself, she went to answer it.

Nodoka opened the door, seeing her husband for the first time in over a 
decade... Tragedy had taken any joy she might have experienced away, 
however. "Genma..." She choked on the last syllable, and could say no 
more.

"Nodoka, you *must* have heard what happened..." He looked down, his 
expression grim.

"Do not worry, Genma. I will *not* be serving as you second today. I 
seem to have misplaced the document you marked a decade ago." She 
reached down to gently lift her husband's chin so he could not escape 
her glare. "Because I give you your life back does *not* mean you are 
forgiven, husband. How could you... destroy... my son..." Sobs claimed 
her speech.

Genma embraced his wife, offering what comfort he could. "Everything 
will be alright, Nodoka, you'll see..."

Nodoka's tears waned and finally stopped. She looked up at boy who had 
come with her husband. "May I be so bold as to ask who *you* are, young 
man?"

The boy looked somewhat embarrassed. "M... My name is Hibiki Ryouga, 
ma'am. Your husband has asked me to be the new heir to the Saotome 
School." The youth finished with a bow to the Saotome Matriarch.

Nodoka's mood became a bit more optimistic. Genma had atoned for his 
mistake by finding a new heir for the school... "I will be watching you, 
Ryouga, judging whether you are a worthy heir to the school." Her gaze 
returned to Genma. "It took courage to let go of... the... our son... 
and move on. I am happy your legacy is secure, husband. Have you spoken 
with the Tendous?"

Genma's face took on the barest hint of a smile. "No, I figured *you* 
would want to be there when I told them."

Nodoka bowed. "Thank you. I will be only a moment..." She vanished into 
the house, returning with a cloth-wrapped bundle... her family katana.

The three people went to catch a train to the Tendou's neighborhood.

***

As they walked the few blocks from the station to the Tendou home, 
Nodoka immersed herself in thought. She had not visited since Keiko 
died, a decade ago. Though her husband had never mentioned it, Nodoka 
*knew* about the pledge to unite the schools through marriage. She 
wondered if Genma's new heir understood *that* obligation.

At last, they reached the Tendou home. Nodoka went to the door and 
knocked.

***

Kasumi heard a knock at the door.  Answering it, she saw a tall woman 
with dark red hair. Behind her were Mr. Saotome and... Ryouga? Kasumi 
put a smile on for her guests. "Welcome to the Tendou home madam, I am 
Kasumi." She gave a slight bow.

The woman responded, pain evident on her face. "I am Saotome Nodoka."

Kasumi took in a sharp breath, then smiled again, though with a bit more 
struggle. "Ranma's mother?"

Nodoka nodded once.

Kasumi's expression flowed from cheer to compassion. "We're sorry about 
what happened to your son."

Nodoka's face was expressionless. "As am I."

Kasumi frowned slightly in concentration. Nodoka's reaction seemed... 
different from what she would have expected. She put her cheerful face 
on again, bowing. "Come in, please... All three of you."

When the guests were all in the house, Kasumi turned and called 
"Father... Mr. Saotome is back. He brought guests with him!" She *hoped* 
a visit from his old friend would cheer him up...

***

Nabiki heard Kasumi's call from her room, but *really* didn't want to 
see the *panda* right now. After a while, she heard that, for the first 
time in weeks, daddy *seemed* to be in good cheer... What was going on? 
She put her manga down to investigate...

***

Kasumi *tried* to remain smiling, despite the *horrifying* scene 
unfolding before her. Struggling to keep her composure, she *forced* a 
mask of cheerfulness onto her face, rising. "Excuse me, I need to do 
some shopping for dinner tonight." She looked thoughtful, her eyes on 
Genma. "I trust you three *will* be staying?"

Genma grinned hungrily at the offer. "I'd *never* turn down *your* 
cooking, Kasumi... Thanks!"

"You're welcome." Kasumi got up and left. By the time she had reached 
the sidewalk in front of the house, she could no longer hold off 
tears... How could father and Akane so casually discard Ranma? He was 
such a sweet boy, just hopelessly immature... A visit to the hospital 
would allow her to find where his ashes rested. She *needed* to visit 
him right now...

***

Nabiki saw Kasumi get up and leave. She knew her sister well enough to 
see that something had upset her terribly... What could it be? A glance 
to the couch showed *part* of the answer. Ryouga sat next to Akane... 
lightly grasping her hand. *What* was going on?

***

Soun heard his middle daughter come down the stairs and turned toward 
her, a smile a month in coming lighting his face. "Nabiki, Uncle Saotome 
has come with *wonderful* news! He has chosen Ryouga here as his new 
heir, and Akane has agreed to accept an engagement with him! Our schools 
will be joined at last!"

Nabiki's face was unreadable, as usual. Inside, she was seething. She 
wasn't *used* to getting emotional like this, but she *was* used to 
hiding it. She couldn't *wait* to talk to Kasumi...

Akane looked at her sister with a smile, then glanced at Ryouga. "Excuse 
me." She whispered.

"Uh... sure." Ryouga replied, *clearly* uncomfortable. Without Saotome 
in the picture, did he *really* love Akane?

Akane hurried over to Nabiki and embraced her, whispering in her ear. "I 
*know* Ryouga *loves* me... Besides, he's *not* a cursed pervert!"

Nabiki felt just a touch queasy. "Uh, yeah, Akane... right! I'm *so* 
happy for you." She said, trying *hard* to reign in the sarcasm... as if 
her love-struck sister would notice. "Please tell Kasumi to come up and 
see me." Nabiki said before turning to ascend the stairs.

"What a strange girl." Nodoka observed, her eyes following the middle 
daughter to her room.

Soun turned to his friend's wife. "When you get to know Nabiki, I'm 
*sure* you'll learn to like her, Nodoka."

Genma grinned with good humor. "Hai, Tendou. Nabiki *is* an acquired 
taste!"

Soun smirked at Genma. "Do you *always* think of food, old friend?"

Both men exchanged a chuckle.

Nodoka thought about what had brought them to *this* point, pain 
flickering across her face for a moment. It was *obvious* Nabiki knew a 
*lot* more about this Ryouga than Akane. *What* was this boy's secret?

***

Kasumi returned home from shopping with a bag of groceries, noting the 
guests were still seated on the couch talking with father and little 
sister.

Soun looked at his eldest as she passed. "Kasumi?"

"Yes, father?" Kasumi cheerfully replied, turning.

"Nabiki wants to talk to you..."

"Thank you, father. I'll be up to see her after I put this food away." 
Kasumi turned and walked into the kitchen.

***

Nabiki heard a knock on her door. "Who is it?" She really wasn't in the 
mood for visitors right now...

"Kasumi, little sister."

Nabiki's face brightened *a little* to merely expressionless. She *was* 
in the mood to see Kasumi. She got up and opened the door, stopping only 
long enough to pick up an envelope she'd been waiting to show her big 
sister... When the time was right. "Come in."

Kasumi opened to door to see her little sister looking at her 
expectantly. Kasumi turned and closed the door. "Nabiki, I found out 
Ranma's alive!" She said in a low voice, not wanting the celebrants 
below them to hear the news.

Nabiki gave her smirk. "Well, big sister, perhaps you're ready to see... 
This." She handed the envelope addressed to 'The Tendous' to Kasumi.

Kasumi looked at the envelope, realizing it was the one Nabiki had 
received a couple of weeks ago. She looked up from it, a *little* cross. 
"It says this letter is for the Tendous... That includes *me*, little 
sister!"

Nabiki's smirk decreased slightly, "Kasumi, I'm really sorry. I just 
wanted to try to help Ranma... And the best way to do that was to get 
him *out* of Tokyo. There's just to many bad memories here for him... 
Too many people who would be *disappointed* he's not dead."

Kasumi closed her eyes for a moment, seeking composure. She opened them, 
looking straight at Nabiki. "But what about *me*, Nabiki? I'm as upset 
as you about how quickly father and Akane forgot about Ranma. Why didn't 
you tell *me*?" She asked, with an *almost* angry look.

Nabiki's smirk vanished; as she let a little pain escaped her grasp... 
only to  appear on her face. "I wanted to make sure things are taken 
care of before I told *anybody*. I had to see if the rest of you 
actually *cared* about Ranma before I said anything." Her expression 
struggled to become a smile. "I'm glad *you* do, big sister." 

Kasumi's anger vanished. "So, do you know where Ranma is?"

"Of course, he's staying in an apartment I rented for *both* of us in 
Kyoto. I'd be *happy* to find a three bedroom apartment, if someone else 
wanted to move in..." Her smirk had returned.

Kasumi looked thoughtful. "Kyoto? But that's *so* far away!"

Nabiki nodded in agreement. "Exactly. There, Ranma can *stay* dead... 
It'll be a long while before they find us."

Kasumi offered Nabiki her hand. "I'll help you, little sister. And 
someday, I'll join you, I promise." Kasumi couldn't even remember the 
last time she had seen Nabiki smile, but she was *certainly* smiling 
now.

"Thanks, big sister. I *knew* I could count on you!"

Kasumi got up, cheer replacing joy on her face. "I need to prepare 
supper, Nabiki."

"Sure, Kasumi"

Kasumi left, closing the door behind her.

***

Ranma decided he'd come up with a way to *try* to get back in shape. 
After dressing himself in a warm-up suit, he rolled out the door of the 
apartment, locking it behind him. He remembered, with a bit of pain, how 
Akane always liked to jog in the morning. Perhaps he could do *his* 
version of jogging to get back into shape. On that thought he rolled 
down the street, picking up speed as he went.

***

Sunday morning... School would start (for *him*) tomorrow, and Ranma 
realized it was *much* more important than it had been in the past. He 
didn't have the promise of the dojo *or* the Art to fall back on 
anymore. As he maneuvered himself to the tub after his morning 'jog' he 
wondered just *who* his 'secret admirer' was... Being away from Tokyo 
and all the memories *there* had done *wonders* for his spirits... He 
*really* wanted to thank his faceless benefactor.

Just as he settled into the bath, he heard the front door open... He 
remembered what had happened the *last* time someone had walked in on 
him in the bathroom. He saw the doorknob turn, as the door opened from 
the other side...

His secret admirer had come to see him a last. He looked up to see... 
"Nabiki? What are *you* doin here? Did Akane send ya or somethin?"

Nabiki smirked at him. "That wasn't *quite* the greeting I wanted 
Ranma... It *was* the one I was expecting!"

Ranma returned the smirk. "Well, at least you didn't slap me and call me 
a pervert..." His expression darkened. "What would a *girl* see in me 
anyway? It's not like I can really offer em much anymore, ya know..."

Nabiki's expression became a *little* concerned. "Don't say that, Ranma. 
I thought you were cute when I first saw you."

"But I was a girl then..."

"Yeah, you *were* but it seemed that you got *even cuter* with hot 
water."

"Don't say that to Akane... She'd just call me a pervert."

Nabiki looked serious. "Did you *love* her, Ranma?"

Ranma looked agitated. "Why would I love that *stupid* tomboy? Or any 
*stupid* girl." He tried to swallow the last 'girl', but couldn't... He 
also couldn't hide a bit of love he *still* hadn't gotten over.

Nabiki looked right into Ranma's eyes, "I didn't come here looking for a 
boyfriend, or to play any *stupid* games, Ranma." She looked at the 
floor, but continued to talk. "My clan let you down, and I wanted to 
make up to you for that. *I* hurt you by making fun of your curse and 
making money off it." She looked into his eyes again. "When you're well 
enough to support yourself, I'll go... if you want me to."

Ranma could only look at her... He was a *guy* and Nabiki was just... 
someone he *needed* to help him right now. Someone who *cared* for 
him... "Thanks, Nabiki. Now, doncha forget, I ain't lookin for a 
girlfriend or nothin."

"And I ain't lookin for a boyfriend or nothin, Ranma." Nabiki echoed. 
"Just a friend... Friends?"

"Uh, OK. Friends, Uhhh... I... guess." He looked up at her and *tried* 
to smile. She wasn't cute or nothin, but *somehow* she seemed a lot 
nicer than she'd been... Well, *maybe* she was a *little* cute.

Nabiki read his face, word for word.

(END)