All Ranma characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi, first published
by Shogakugan in Japan and brought over to North
America by Viz Communications.

                                   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
parent's 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 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
have 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, than
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 boys 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.

- - - - - - - - - - -