Okay, here's CMD 20. C&C away. Nitpic if you have to. And above all, 
enjoy!



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Childhood of a Modern Dynasty
Chapter 20: A Mousse Flew over the Tendo's House

Ranma 1/2 characters/situations created and copyright by Rumiko
Takahashi/Shogakukan/Kitty/Fuji/Viz - Used without permission

Childhood of a Modern Dynasty series created, written, and
copyright 1998-1999 by Jim Lazar

An ongoing series set after the end of the Ranma 1/2 manga and anime.

<Speech text in angle brackets is thought by character.>
"Speech text in double quotes is spoken as Japanese unless otherwise
indicated as Mandarin."

E-mail comments and/or criticisms to: mailto:jimlazar@earthlink.net

Make sure to check out my Modern Dynasty website for
all released CMD stories, graphics files, and other information:
http://home.earthlink.net/~jimlazar/anime/md
=======================================================================
>From the personal journal of James Davidson:


September 24, 2057

     I really hated that Akane and Sanma went off to China without me
today. I smelled a big story and didn't like being excluded. Ah well, I
guess it doesn't matter that much since I have an appointment with
Nijiko Tendo today. Getting an interview with the head of Tendo
Enterprises wasn't easy, so canceling it on a whim would probably be a
bad idea. I'd hate to see what a normal reporter would have to go
through to get an interview, but then I did ask that I not be given
special treatment due to the fact that I'm married to Hanaki, so maybe I
got the same runaround anyone would.

     I walked into the elaborate gatehouse separating the Tendo Compound
from the Tendo Enterprises headquarters complex and smiled at the young
woman at the reception desk. "Hi, I'm James Davidson, I have an
appointment with Ms. Tendo."

     The woman looked up from the manga she was reading. She looked very
bored. "Can you be more specific?"

     I guess that was silly of me; there must be many Tendos working
here. "Sorry. Ms. Nijiko Tendo.

     "Oh, the Big Boss. You tagged?"

     I nodded, since I had a permanent tag implanted since I had started
living in the Compound.

     "ID scan and cross-reference the Big Boss's schedule," the
receptionist instructed the local systems.

     After the systems scanned me, a little holographic display popped
up and presented the pertinent facts to the receptionist. I noticed one
display had a reminder about not calling Nijiko the 'Big Boss'. "Okay...
Ms. Kounji will be here shortly."

     "Excuse me?"

     "You're scheduled for a tour with one of Ms. Tendo's assistants,
Ms. Kounji."

     "I thought I was supposed to interview Ms. Tendo..."

     The receptionist looked back at her holo-display. "Yes, but you'll
be with Ms. Kounji until Ms. Tendo is free."

     "I see." I guess I shouldn't be surprised at being put in a holding
pattern since I had gone through a ton of bureaucracy to even get this
appointment in the first place.

     "You can have a seat until Ms. Kounji arrives." The receptionist
gestured towards some chairs and then went back to reading her manga.

     "Thank you." I went and sat down. I couldn't help but notice how
laid back the receptionist was. I wouldn't have expected that of a large
corporation like Tendo Enterprises.

     About fifteen minutes later, the inner door slid open and a young
woman with long black hair walked out. I recognized her immediately.
"Imoki! I didn't know you worked here." She was in her mid twenties and
had a soft round face, with just a trace of a stern cheekbone.

     Imoki smiled. "Hi, James, how's the wife?"

     "Fine, she's flying Akane and Sanma to China this morning."

     Imoki nodded thoughtfully. "Oh yes, it is about time for that."

     "Time for what?"

     "Sorry, James, I can't tell you that."

     I didn't think she would, but never hurts to try. "I understand.
How are the twins?"

     "A handful. If I could get my lazy sister here to help baby-sit
them, it would be a big help." She glanced over at the receptionist.

     The receptionist barely looked up from her manga to respond. "Hey,
I've got a job now, Sis!"

     Imoki smiled. "Yeah... receptionist at the gate to the Compound...
real tough job this is, Ukki."

     "Didn't you start out at this position?" A sly smile appeared on
Ukki's face.

     "Yes, but I didn't spend all day reading mangas to get to my
current position."

     "Nag, nag, nag. I greeted him properly, so get off my case!"

     Imoki rolled her eyes and gestured towards the inner door. "Shall
we?"

     I nodded. We walked out of the little gatehouse into lush gardens.
I gasped in surprise at the scene. The Compound's gardens were very nice
and well kept, but they paled in comparison to the elaborate Japanese
garden that surrounded the long three-story buildings that made up the
headquarters. "Wow."

     Imoki smiled. "Yes, Ms. Tendo likes to greet visitors with
something that'll knock their socks off." She started walking and I fell
in beside her.

     "It did. I'm used to the Compound's gardens, but this is
something..." I trailed off when I found I couldn't adequately describe
it.

     "Well, Ms. Tendo likes to one-up Akane whenever she can."

     I frowned. "Is there some friction between them?"

     "Sort of. Everyone has their own way of doing things and in this
case the two of their ways clash."

     "I see. For such a simple design, the headquarters sure looks
impressive."

     "Well, Ms. Tendo likes to keep things simple. Like your TendoCard."
She gestured to my palmtop. "I wasn't working here when they were
designing those models, but apparently the original design had a complex
sliding keyboard and a small status display. It made the unit about
twice as thick and a little wider. Ms. Tendo apparently nixed that
design and had them streamline it."

     I turned over the palmtop in my hand and looked at it. "Well,
before I got this one I had a old holo-laptop, so it was already a major
step down in size."

     "What model laptop?"

     "One of your competitors, actually."

     "Ah, well I'm sure I could get you a new wristpad if you like. The
five-thousand series that we're releasing soon are wicked cool."

     "Yes, I've heard rumors."

     "It's better than the rumors." She grinned broadly.

     "Thanks for the offer, but I'm happy with my current palmtop."

     "Oh, Ms. Tendo is going to hate you."

     "Huh?"

     Imoki smiled devilishly. "She has been trying to keep people
upgrading their systems at least once every four to five years."

     "Well, that is good business--if not particularly
customer-friendly-- but this-" I tapped my palmtop. "-works for me."

     "I understand." She leaned in and whispered to me suddenly. "I
liked the old palmtops better myself. The wristpads hurt my wrist when I
wear them, but I can't use an old system around here."

     I smiled my understanding. "Anything else I should avoid asking?"

     "Hmmm... she is touchy about her marital status and the fact that
she's never had children." Imoki then went on with her tour. "Tendo
Enterprises is the leader in system and holographic technology, so it's
no fluke that we make the best holographic systems."

     "Yes, plus a whole lot of other things."

     Imoki nodded. "Yes, but those are our core markets. Some of the
smaller markets we deal in are only there since the Task Force needs a
quality supplier."

     I frowned as I remembered the two prototype hoverjets that Hanaki
had totaled on their test flights recently. "Like the hoverjets?"

     "Oh, heavens no. Ms. Tendo has an aversion to making military
hardware of any kind."

     "I see. What about all the systems they make? I'm sure the various
military forces use them."

     "Yes, but only the core components. Tendo Enterprises does not
produce actual weapons or other instruments of mass-destruction." Her
last sentence sounded like she was reading it directly from a book.

     "Interesting, I didn't know that. I guess I should have done more
research."

     "Well, don't worry about it. I don't even know everything about
this company, but being one of Ms. Tendo's assistants means I do have a
fairly good knowledge of our main products and how far we'll go to make
a yen."

     "How many assistants does she have?"

     Imoki shrugged. "Beats me."

     "That many, huh?" I smiled.

     "Oh, I'm supposed to be showing you around." She gestured the to
three-story buildings were we walking between. They looked like many
other high-class homes in Japan and not like business offices at all.
"These buildings we're passing contain most of the executives for the
various Tendo subsidiaries. Such as Tendo Systems, Tendo Holotech, Tendo
Entertainment, to name just a few."

     "It has always amazed me that some many of the world's most
powerful men and women are in this complex. I'd have thought a big
high-rise would be more appropriate."

     "Well, Ms. Tendo lives onsite, so she wants it to feel more like a
home than a place of business."

     I nodded my head. "It seems Akane and Nijiko share that trait."

     "One of the few that they do."

     The tour continued and we saw some of the design areas. Nijiko
apparently liked to keep the top designers and engineers close by so she
knew what they were up to. She apparently was very concerned with
keeping her eye on everything that Tendo Enterprises did.

     Eventually, a call was passed to Imoki. Once Imoki closed
connection, she looked at me. "We're up. Let's book it to the palace."

     "Palace?"

     She grinned. "That's how we refer to Ms. Tendo's house."

     "But not to her face."

     "You catch on quick, James." She started walking at a faster pace
towards our destination.

     "Don't you worry about saying stuff like that aloud with all the
monitoring? I can't remember how many times the Reis have popped up on
me in the Compound."

     "Not really. There are various laws and safeguards that prevent
that sort of thing from happening here."

     Suddenly, two low-res holograms materialized in front of us. I
wasn't as shocked by the Reis sudden appearance as I was by the low
quality of the holograms. Usually the Reis were indistinguishable from
real people when they showed up. Unless you tried to touch them, of
course.

     Reiko smiled and struck one of her patented cute-girl poses. "But
we're so cute, why wouldn't people want to see us?"

     Reiji laughed, causing his short black hair to bounce. "Ha! The
operators for the headquarters' systems couldn't filter a screaming Kuno
out of their system's huge data streams. What a mess it is here."

     "It's actually quite interesting what goes on over here." Reiko
smiled devilishly.

     Imoki went pale. "You two know you're not supposed to access the
headquarters' systems!"

     It was Reiji's turn to smile devilishly. "That's why it's so much
fun."

     Imoki glared at the two twin siblings. "Security, sever the
connection to the Compound and repair hacked access points. Code one."

     A voice replied. "Understood."

     Reiko and Reiji grinned and stood calmly while nothing happened.

     After almost a minute, Imoki spoke again. "Security?"

     A voice replied from one of the hidden speakers. "I can't find
where they are getting in. Hold on... there's an uplink to an old
palmtop in the area."

     The Reis' faces fell as Imoki looked over at me. "James, can you
turn all your uplinks off?"

     I gulped and spoke a command to my palmtop. "Ace, sever all
external links."

     The Rei's holograms disappeared in a wave of static.

     "Sorry about that, Imoki."

     Imoki chuckled. "No problem. Can I see your palmtop for a second?"

     "Sure, but I'll need to take notes on it." I handed my palmtop to
her.

     "I know. I just have to put a security seal on it. Ms. Tendo would
have a fit if she saw it without one. It's sort of good that the Reis
did break in through it, otherwise it would have gone unnoticed until
Ms. Tendo saw it. And she doesn't miss much." She slipped a small,
clear, circular sticker on the end of my palm top over part of the
holographic emitter and handed it back to me. "There you go. That will
keep you from connecting externally to anything while you're here."

     "I didn't have any idea they could get in through my palmtop."

     "Don't worry about it. The Reis are the best out there, so if we
can keep them out--for the most part--we can keep everyone out. It's my
fault really. I should have put the security seal on your palmtop when
you entered. I guess we get a little relaxed at the Compound gate. Since
their security is so tight, it'd be a miracle if had any real problems
from that entrance. But I guess that was the challenge that drove the
Reis to try and get in that way."

     "Is security really that tight in the Compound? I never really
noticed any."

     Imoki smiled. "They hide it very well, but it's everywhere:
Sensors, patrols, and all sorts of traps designed to slow down the
Buyierfei."

     "Just slow them down?"

     Imoki nodded. "Long enough to get a combat team in position."

     "I never knew it was that heavily fortified over in the Compound."

     "We use some of the same systems here, but not nearly to the same
level as the Compound. We're mostly trying to keep out corporate spies
and such... not creatures from the blackest depths of hell."

     "I've interviewed some pretty nasty corporate spies for some
articles for my old magazine."

     Imoki chuckled. "True, they can be a seedy lot. Here we go." She
gestured in front of her.

     I was so preoccupied with our conversation, I hadn't even noticed
the large building we had walked up to. "Wow." My jaw dropped and I
gazed in utter amazement at the lavish building in front of us. Compared
to Akane's simple house, this was... so much more.

     "That's the result Ms. Tendo is looking for." Imoki smiled.

     The building was three-stories tall, built in a 'U' shape around an
even fancier garden than the one we had been walking through. A small
stream--probably the same one that runs through the Compound--ran along
the edge of the wide porch that encompassed the house. Small bridges
crossed over the stream and led to a large koi pond next to an elaborate
rock garden. The roof of the house had very fancy tiles and trim.
Everything about the house made it clear that a very rich person lived
there. Which Nijiko was, of course.

     We approached an older woman--who I recognized instantly--sitting
on the far end of the porch. Unlike Akane, Nijiko Tendo was not shy
about making public appearances or flouting her wealth or power, so
there was always plenty of recent photos and holo-footage of her doings.
If I had to, I could probably do a book on her without any firsthand
interviews because, unlike Akane's, Nijiko's life was such an open book.
But I guess that's why the first book sold so well; the public doesn't
really know that much about Akane or the Ranmas.

     Nijiko was in her fifties and looked it. Her face had the look of
someone who had spent too much time worrying over things and not enough
time enjoying life. Her jet-black hair--dyed more than likely--was cut
short in a very business-like cut. She had obviously had cosmetic
surgery to keep the wrinkles, sags, and other signs of age at bay. But
quite frankly, Akane looked younger despite being some twenty years
older than Nijiko.

     Before we reached her, Nijiko yelled at a holo-phone transmission.
"No! You tell R and D to get it right the first time! If that product
has even one bug when it's released I'll can their fucking asses and
feed them to orphans. Got it?"

     I flinched at the angry outburst and the bone-chilling look  that I
saw on her face.

     So did the young man on the holo-phone transmission. "Yes, Ma'am!!"
He bowed as the transmission ended.

     Imoki cleared her throat. "Ms. Tendo? Mr. James Davidson to see
you. An interview about your mother and father."

     Nijiko looked over and for the first time, I saw her multi-colored
eyes. There were blue, green, and red specks sprinkled throughout her
brown eyes. As she turned, the light reflected off the multi-colored
flakes and made her eyes sparkle. Although dulled by age, the sight was
very mesmerizing. I've seen pictures of her before, but the effect of
those eyes in person was remarkable. I felt immediately that I was in
the presence of a very powerful person. Maybe that was part of her
success in the business world.

     Nijiko waved her hand in a dismissing motion. "Yes, yes, Ms.
Kounji, I know. You can leave us."

     Imoki bowed quickly and departed.

     "It's an honor to meet you, Ms. Tendo."

     "Of course. Let's get started, shall we?" She pointed to a chair
setup next to her on the porch.

     I took the offered seat and turned on the display on my palmtop.

     "What on Earth are you still using that old relic for?"

     I guess Imoki was right. "I really don't need more than this."

     "Nonsense. I'll get you a new TendoWrist Five-thousand." She turned
away, as if to call for someone and then paused. "For fifty-percent off
retail."

      I smiled politely. "That's okay. My trusty old palmtop is good for
a few more years." I patted my palmtop that Akane had given me over
seven years ago during my first interview with her.

     Nijiko frowned. "If you're sure. The thirty-fives were kind of
troublesome."

     "I've never had any problems with mine. Well... I had the
holo-emitter replaced once, but it was no big deal."

     "Very well. What did you want to interview me about?"

     I frowned, was she forgetful? Imoki had just told her. "Well, Akane
has been filling me in on events of nineteen-ninety-nine. Those were
pretty hectic times for Akane, so she wasn't as aware of what was going
on with your mother and father. I had hoped that you could fill in some
gaps in my research."

     "Well, I guess I can tell you what I know about that part of their
lives. I wasn't around yet, of course."

     I smiled. "I realize that. But every little bit helps in filling in
the gaps. The book is about the whole family, after all."

    "From what little I read of the first book, I doubt that. It was
centered on Akane and her punching bag for the most part."

    I gulped. "I know. I had hoped to get a more diverse feel to it, but
my editor rushed it. That's why I'm trying to get as much disparate
information for the next book as possible."

    "Very well, but I don't know how much time I'll have."

    "I understand. I must say the headquarters is quite beautiful. I'm
sure your mother would be impressed with what you've done with her
company."

    Nijiko's face darkened. "She may have laid the foundation, Mr.
Davidson, but *I* built this company from the scraps my mother left
behind. It was strictly a mom and pop operation when *I* took control
and *I* turned it into the multi-national corporation it is today."

    I gulped. She must be really touchy about the companies' beginnings
to get that upset over that casual comment. "Sorry, didn't mean to
insult you."

    "I realize that. I am sometimes amazed that people see Mother as
some sort of business genius. She had a good head on her shoulders, but
she let her heart interfere with her business decisions."

     "Tendo Enterprises is at the top of the list of the most charitable
corporations, isn't it?"

     "Yes."

     I waited for her to expand on that statement, but she never did.
"So, can you tell me more about your mother's early years?"

     Nijiko nodded.

     We talked for about an hour about Nabiki's high school days, her
guilt over Shampoo's death, and her relationship with Mousse. I might be
able to put some of this information into the earlier chapters. I had
sent some drafts to my editor already, but I think it would help the
earlier chapters if I put in some more about Nabiki and Mousse's
relationship. Now that I know Shampoo didn't die back in ninety-eight, I
imagine there were some problems when Mousse finally returned to Nerima.

     We eventually reached the point--after several interruptions for
calls and other business matters--where the Amazons and the rest
returned from China. I listened with fascination as Nijiko explained how
the Tendos adjusted to life with the Amazons and dealt with Soun's
paralysis.


***********************************************************************
May 18-June 4, 1999 - Nerima, Japan


     Nabiki awoke, stretched her arms, slid out of her bed, and walked
across to her door. Before she reached it, she tripped over something
and fell flat on her face. "Damn..." She looked back to see the two
Amazon warriors she had tripped over. <I don't know why I have to share
my room with these two.>

     She sighed and left the two sleeping women behind, who had not
awakened when she tripped over them. <Some guards.> She walked down the
hall, down the stairs, past the three sleeping Amazons in front of Akane
and Ranko's room, and down the hall towards the bathroom.

     Only her father and the newlyweds were spared sharing their rooms.
Instead, they had Amazons posted outside their doors in case of trouble.
Nabiki paused as she passed by her father's room with a single sleeping
Amazon in front of the door. She debated checking in on him, before
deciding against it. She hadn't been able to talk to him without putting
her foot in her mouth since his injury. Everything she did manage to say
seemed to come out wrong and every time she saw how helpless he was, she
broke down inside and couldn't seem to do or say anything right.

     She continued down the hall, slid the door open to the outer room,
and undressed. After putting her PJs in the hamper, she slid the door to
the bath open. She frowned at the sight she saw. "Can't you Amazons do
that somewhere else?!"

     The three naked Amazons looked up from what they were doing and
looked quizzically at Nabiki. One of them said something in Mandarin,
which Nabiki couldn't understand.

     <They could have at least sent warriors that knew Japanese.> Nabiki
sighed and pointed to the swords and armor they were washing in the tub.
Instead of water, it was filled with a cleaning solution. She shook her
head and then pointed outside.

     The Amazons just looked blankly at her.

     Nabiki sighed. She stepped over and pulled one of the swords out of
the tub and was about to take it outside to show them what she meant.
She didn't even complete her first step before she was tackled, pinned
down by the three women, and felt another sword pressed to the base of
her neck. A bead of sweat slid down her cheek. She tried to grin and
shrug it off as a joke, but the Amazons didn't move.

     Then Akane walked into the outer room and saw her naked sister on
the floor with the three naked Amazons on top of her. She gasped.
"Nabiki, I never knew you liked rough sex!"

     Nabiki carefully looked back at Akane. "This is not funny, Akane!
These women are trying to kill me!!"

     Akane giggled slightly. Then she shouted out a command in Mandarin
that Soapring had taught her. "Stop, do not kill!" She'd had to use it
regularly in the week or so since the Amazons had come to Nerima.

     The Amazons relaxed at the command and released Nabiki. Then they
casually went back to cleaning their weapons and armor.

     Nabiki scrambled to her feet and grabbed a robe. "These Amazons are
really starting to get on my nerves."

    Akane sighed and nodded. "I know."

                    -C-           -M-           -D-

    Nabiki strolled home with a tall handsome man by her side. He was in
his early twenties and had dark short hair, piercing blue eyes, and a
goatee.

    Nabiki smiled as she felt him take her hand. "So, you have any luck
with that paper you've been researching, Tomu?"

     The man shook his head. "Nope, still can't get that report I need
on the economics of the new Hong Kong. Depending on who you talk to,
things look to be kind of shaky over there or it's a paradise for
business."

     "Good luck. You picked a horrible topic for your thesis."

     Tomu smiled broadly. "Can't get into the big companies by playing
it safe. You should know that."

     "True. Sometimes I wonder if I'm cut out for big business."

     "You are... don't worry. I can see you as the head of the world's
biggest corporation."

     Nabiki smirked. "Well, maybe..."

     "I bet you have a name all picked out already."

     "Of cour..." Nabiki stopped suddenly as she realized he'd caught
her. "Damn, you're too good at figuring me out."

     "So what's the name?"

     "Tendo Enterprises."

     "Sounds impressive. What are you going to sell?"

     Nabiki shrugged. "Haven't decided yet. You can be one of my
assistants, if you want."

     Tomu chuckled. "Is that all I'm good for, serving you tea?"

     "Nope." Nabiki stopped suddenly, stood on her tiptoes, and gave him
a deep kiss.

     The kiss was interrupted when a pair of Amazon women tackled Tomu
and held a sword to his neck.

     "Stop!!"

                    -C-           -M-           -D-

     That night, Nabiki walked towards her room to turn in for the
night. She grabbed the doorknob and then stopped when she heard noises
from inside. <Damn, not again..> She spun around and stormed downstairs.

     "Akane!!" she bellowed from the bottom of the stairs.

     Akane and Ranko came out of their room, slipping on robes. "What is
it, Nabiki?" Akane asked.

     "I've put up with those two who share my room so far, but this is
the final straw."

     "What is?"

     "Follow me." Nabiki trotted up the stairs, followed by Akane and
Ranko.

     "Listen to that!" Nabiki pointed at her door.

     Akane and Ranko leaned in and listened to the door.

     After several seconds, Ranko spoke. "I don't hear anything."

     "They must have finished." Nabiki threw open the door to reveal two
sleeping Amazons.

     "So what were they doing?" Akane asked.

     "They were having sex! And it's not the first time, either. At
least once a night--sometimes more--I hear them moaning and groaning,
bumping and grinding, hump...

     "I get the idea!" Akane snapped, suppressing a blush.

     "They could just have been exercising," Ranko suggested.

     Nabiki shook her head. "Nope, I know what two women making love
sounds like."

     Ranko's jaw dropped. "Nabiki... I didn't know you were a...
lesbian."

     Akane put her hand gently onto her sister's hand. "Do you have
someone special?"

     Nabiki blushed and swatted Akane's hand away. "I'm not!" She paused
to regain her composure. "I recognized it because it sounds the same as
the sounds that come from YOUR room."

     Akane blushed and looked awkwardly at Ranko. "Err... um..."

     "Lose the embarrassed act, Akane! We all know you two do it every
night when you think everyone is asleep. No one really cares, so do it
whenever you like. But I'm sick of those two doing it in MY room! So,
MRS. LEADER, do something about it or I will!"

    "I'll talk to Soapring."

                    -C-           -M-           -D-

     "This has got to stop... they almost killed my sister yesterday
morning, her new boyfriend last evening, and on top of that, the two
staying in Nabiki's room are apparently having sex on a frequent basis."

     Soapring frowned, as if confused. "Deeod and Rant are married,
there is nothing wrong with them enjoying love."

     "I know that. But Nabiki is upset at them doing it in her room."

     Soapring frowned. "I understand. I will tell them to invite Nabiki
to join them."

     Akane couldn't keep the smirk that formed on her face from
appearing. "I don't think that's why Nabiki is complaining. She just
doesn't want to be disturbed in her own room by them doing that."

    "I will speak to them. Is there anything else?

     Akane nodded. She looked Soapring in the eye and started listing
off the problems of the past couple of weeks. "They accost every
delivery person who comes by, they fire arrows at passing birds and
planes, the neighbors have complained about all the noise and arrow
holes... the list goes on and on. Things have been very stressful around
here for the past week and that isn't helping us cope with my pregnant
husband and my injured father.

     Soapring looked Akane squarely in the eyes. "I am sorry, Leader, I
will punish the Amazons responsible."

     Akane rolled her eyes. "That's not what I meant!" She took several
deep breaths. "This house is too small for all of you."

     Soapring frowned. "We must protect you and your family. Failure is
great dishonor."

     "I know, but we don't need you breathing down our necks."

     Soapring looked confused. "Which Amazon has made a pass at you?"

     Akane couldn't resist giggling. "No... it means that you are in our
way. We can't lead our lives like this."

     "If we don't protect you, you won't have lives to lead."

     "Yes, but you are making our lives unbearable!"

     Soapring looked confused. "Do you wish me to kill you?"

     "No! We need you to stop getting in our way. You can setup tents in
the yard to sleep in. From now on, you may patrol outside the house, but
can only come inside to use the bathroom-" Akane paused remembering what
the Amazons sometimes did in the bathroom. "-for personal hygiene, not
cleaning your weapons. Okay?"

     "That is very dangerous, Leader. If an enemy gets by us, they could
kill you all before we could get inside."

     "There hasn't been any sign of the Buyierfei since your people
defeated them in China."

     Soapring made the usual kissing gesture at hearing the name of
their enemy. "It is wise not to underestimate the Buyierfei. The Elders
did and they almost brought the Amazon Way to an end."

     "I know, but we don't have to live in a constant state of fear. You
and your people can stay in tents outside. Please don't wash your
weapons and armor inside, you can use the old wash tub in the back
yard."

     Soapring frowned. "You people are very strange."

     "As you are to us... it will take time for us to get used to the
differences between our cultures."

     "At least can we use the small vacant room upstairs, so that we are
at least able have a couple warriors inside the house to protect you
all?"

     Akane shook her head. "No, we are going to turn that into a
nursery."

     Soapring sighed. "You are making it very hard for me to fulfill my
orders from the Matriarch."

     "I'm sure Yuk... Shampoo didn't want you to be this intrusive. I
appreciate her wanting us to be safe, but I think you are over doing
it."

     "As you wish, Leader." Soapring bowed and left Akane alone in her
room.

     Akane relaxed and then looked over at her snoring husband. "How on
earth can you sleep that soundly, Ranko?"

     Akane flinched when Ranko answered. "Who said I was asleep?"

     Akane smiled. "Sure, let me handle the Amazons by myself why don't
you?"

     Ranko rose and gave Akane a big smile. "Well, you are the LEADER."
She leaned forward and gave Akane a long kiss.

     After the kiss--and what followed--was done, Akane lay back on the
futon and smiled. "That was nice... but we still have to go to the
obstetrician today.

     Ranko frowned. <Damn.>

                    -C-           -M-           -D-

     "Spread them!" A pause. "Further!" Another pause. "Come on,
further!" A pause, followed by some crashing sounds. "More!"

     "Miss Nabiki, we are already against the wall," Soapring explained
from her location next to the back wall. Several Amazons were stretching
out a tent according to Nabiki's instructions.

     Nabiki tried not to smile as she surveyed the location she had
forced the Amazons into. "Well, okay... I guess that'll have to do. Just
remember that the new dojo is going there-" She pointed to the freshly
repaired foundation a few meters away. "-so you can't setup your tents
any closer than this."

     "Yes, Sub-leader."

     <I still can't believe I'm lower ranked than Akane. I'm obviously
better at organizing and getting these people to keep out of our way.>
As Nabiki walked back to the house, she recalled having to scold the
Amazons when they had tried to setup their tents right next to the
house, forming a defensive barrier around it. It had looked like they
were expecting an attack by American Indians and were circling the
wagons in defense.

     She slipped back inside and stopped when she heard Kasumi from
their father's room.

     "Please, Father, you have to do your exercises."

     "No, they don't help."

     "I know they are painful..."

     "I AM NOT IN PAIN!"

     Nabiki flinched at the loud shout.

     "Father, do you want to walk again?"

     "Of course I do, Kasumi."

     "Well, then you have to do your exercises."

     "I'll do them tomorrow."

     "Father..."

     Kasumi was interrupted when Nabiki slid the door open violently.
"Daddy! Get off your ass and do your exercises! If Ms. Hinako saw you
crying like this over a little pain, she'd think you were a child!"

     Soun grimaced at the violent outburst from his middle daughter. He
sighed heavily. "Very well..."

     Kasumi looked around at Nabiki, smiled, and nodded her thanks.

                    -C-           -M-           -D-

     After putting her father through his exercises, Kasumi sat down on
the porch next to Nabiki. "I don't know if I can handle this."

     "You're doing fine, Kasumi... you just can't let him boss you
around when you're treating him. Just think of him as a patient."

     Kasumi sighed. "That's the problem. I have been trying to, but I
can't seem to get forceful enough."

     "We can get someone else for his therapy if you want."

     "Thank you, but that won't be necessary. I'll find someway to whip
him into shape."

     "Want to borrow one of my whips?"

     Kasumi blushed. "No, that's okay."

     Nabiki smirked. "I was just kidding."

     Kasumi smirked. "I knew that... Akane is the one who likes kinky
sex."

     Nabiki's face fell. "Damn, Sis, you're getting way too good at
those zingers."

                    -C-           -M-           -D-

     Nabiki finished closing Mon Canard for the night, walked out the
door, and locked it behind her. She yawned suddenly and stretched her
arms. "What a night. Thank goodness Kiki can usually close or I'd never
have time to study."

     She walked away from the closed restaurant and toward her home. She
didn't see the small white duck watching her from across the street. The
duck put its glasses back on and looked at the former Cat Cafe briefly
before taking to the sky and following Nabiki from above. It had been
watching her like this for the past week.

     Every time Mousse got the nerve to approach Nabiki, he would either
get cold webbed feet or get shot at by the Amazons.

                    -C-           -M-           -D-

     A couple days later, Miss Hinako, in her adult form, held a piece
of meat to Soun's lips with a pair of chopsticks. "Open up."

     "Don't treat me like a child!!" Soun bellowed.

     Miss Hinako flinched and scrunched up her face trying not to cry.
Although she usually did her best to maintain her adult demeanor when
she used her fighting fish, which floated nearby in their bowl, one of
the side effects of staying adult for too long was that her child
personality would reassert itself, especially under stress. Only playing
or reverting to her child form would help her at that point.

     "Father!" Kasumi snapped from the doorway to Soun's room.
"Apologize!"

     "I don't need to be treated like an invalid!"

     Miss Hinako lost her struggle and began to cry.

     "Father, just because you are angry at being injured doesn't allow
you to take that anger out on other people. We all love you and want you
to get better. So open up your mouth and let the woman you love feed the
man she loves!"

     Soun flinched from the unexpected outburst from his oldest
daughter. "That is no way to talk to your father!"

     "You're right. But I'm talking to you as your physical therapist
now. To get better you need to eat. And since you haven't been eating
your meals lately, I asked Miss Hinako to try and get you to eat
properly."

     "I don't need to be babied."

     "No? How many times have I had to change your bedding since you
won't use the wheelchair to go to the bathroom?"

     Soun scowled at the hated contraption in the corner. "I won't use
that thing... it's for weaklings!"

     Kasumi sighed. "Miss Hinako, can you leave us alone?"

     Miss Hinako wiped the tears out of her eyes and shook her head.
"No... I'll stay."

     "I think it would be better if you did let me talk to my father
alone, Ms. Hinako."

     "No."

     "Fine then. Father, I'm ashamed of you and Mother would be too."

     Miss Hinako flinched at the mention of Soun's first wife.

     "How would you know?!"

     "Because she used to tell me stories of how she fell in love with
the handsome and strong Soun Tendo, who wouldn't give up when she turned
you down time after time. She always talked about how you were so
persistent that she finally gave in and dated you."

     Miss Hinako's frowned. "You've never pursued me."

     Soun flinched and some of the anger left his face. "I..."

     "You don't love me, do you?"

     "I..."

     "I'm just a child to you! You big meany!!!"  A flash of energy
erupted from Miss Hinako, spread out across the room, and knocked a few
items off the nearby dresser, including a picture of Soun's late wife
Hanaki. The energy released drained Miss Hinako and caused her to revert
to her child form. The crying child ran out of the room, leaving her
bowl of fighting fish behind.

     "Hanaki!" Soun reached out for the child. Realizing that he had
called out his late wife's name by mistake, he cupped his head in his
hands and began to cry. "Why... why can't I forget her and move on?"

     Kasumi knelt down and wrapped her arms around her father. "You
don't have to forget her, Father."

     "If I can't forget my sweet Hanaki, how can I truly give my heart
to Hinako?"

     "Who said you could only love one person at a time?" a voice said
from behind them.

     Soun and Kasumi looked over to the source of the voice and saw
Akane standing in the doorway.

     Akane tilted her head. "I may not know everything and I may be
stupid for putting off MY decision, but I do know it's possible to love
more than one person with every fiber of your being."

     "But..."

     "No buts... If you love her and she loves you there is nothing left
to discuss, is there?"

     Soun sighed. "You're right. Too bad I waited until it's too late to
realize it."

     "Why is it too late?"

     "Why? Look at me!" Soun gestured at his legs.

     "Gee, I doubt Miss Hinako loves you for your scrawny legs, Daddy,"
Nabiki said, sliding in behind Akane.

     "Scrawny! I'll have you know these legs are like steel cables!"
Soun snapped.

     "Then use them!"

     "I can't! I'm paralyzed!"

     Nabiki tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Hmmm.... we're technically
all Amazons now. Amazon law says that cripples should commit seppuku so
they can die honorably."

     Soun flinched.

     "Come on daddy... I'll pick out a nice sharp katana for you."
Nabiki walked over to the closet that her father kept his weapons in.
She threw open the door and gasped at the assorted weapons inside. "Wow,
it should be pretty quick and painless with some of these."

     "Nabiki, this isn't funny!" Akane insisted.

     "I don't think we should follow that law, Nabiki," Kasumi insisted.

     Nabiki picked a katana sword and hefted in front of her. "Here you
go..." She handed a paper wrapped dagger to Soun.

     Soun was so shocked at his daughter's actions that he took the
dagger in his shaking hands and stared at it silently.

     Nabiki hefted the sword. "Okay, you take care of that part and I'll
slice your head off to finish the job. Okay, Daddy?" She cocked her head
and smiled sweetly at her father.

     "Nabiki, STOP!!"

     Nabiki glared at Akane and Kasumi. "Shut up! If Daddy considers
himself useless, there is no reason for him to live, right?" She was
facing away from her father, so she gave Kasumi and Akane a quick wink.

     "Oh... if you put it that way. Goodbye, Father." Kasumi bent down
and kissed her father goodbye.

     "Hmmm... I guess me and Ranko get the master bedroom then," Akane
said, looking around at the room as if trying to decide where their
things can go. She suddenly produced a tape measure and  used it to
measured one of the walls.

     "I am not useless!! I will walk again!" As if to prove it, Soun
tried to get up, only to fall down.

     "And why should we believe you?"

     "Because I want to marry Hinako and to do that I have to be able to
stand by her side at the ceremony!!" Soun yelled.

     "Yaaaaaay! My Soun wants to marry me!" a little child cried out
from outside. Little Hinako ran through the doorway, leapt into Soun's
arms, and started kissing him.

     Soun blushed. "Err... yes... but I have to get better first."

     "I don't care... I can take care of you!"

     Soun looked into little Hinako's eyes and sighed. "I know, but *I*
have to do this for myself."

     Hinako paused to draw some energy from her nearby fighting fish
before speaking. "Okay, but I'm going to keep you to your word, Honey,"
she said in a deep voice that sent shivers down Soun's spine. She
planted a long kiss on Soun's lips. For the first time in a month, Soun
felt something below his waist, but he decided not mention it in front
of his daughters.

     While this little impromptu proposal unfolded, the three Tendo
sisters silently left the room, leaving the kissing couple alone. Once
they had walked down the hall away, Akane asked, "Damn, that was close.
I was afraid he might actually use the dagger."

     "I know Daddy too well, he wouldn't."

     Kasumi looked at Nabiki. "Still, it was a very dangerous thing to
do. Weapons are not toys."

     Nabiki smiled and held up the dagger that she had grabbed before
leaving the room. "You think I'm stupid?" Suddenly, she stabbed herself
with the dagger.

     "Nabiki!" Akane shouted.

     Nabiki grinned and pulled the dagger out to show that blade was
spring loaded. "It's a fake, of course."

     "Oh. You could have told us you were going to do that."

     "And where would the fun be in that?" Nabiki smiled devilishly.

     "So is there really an Amazon law about cripples?" Akane asked.

     "Nope. They consider warriors hurt in battle to be very noble and
hold them in great esteem."

     Akane smirked. "How did you become an expert on Amazons?"

     "I used to date one, remember?"

                    -C-           -M-           -D-

     A few days later, Nerima basked in the warmth of a wonderful spring
day. Nabiki lay on her stomach near the koi pond and soaked in the sun's
warm rays. She knew she should be studying, but all her attempts to
study earlier had proven impossible with the view of the gorgeous spring
day she had from her bedroom window. Finally giving into the temptation,
she had tossed her smallest bikini on and dashed into the back yard with
a tube of sunscreen in hand.

     As she lay there, she thought about her boyfriend. <I wish Tomu
could have come over. One look at this bikini and I wouldn't have had to
worry about that sexy co-ed in his business ethics class.> She signed
and decided she was being silly. <I'll just wear that black strapless
number for our dinner date tonight... that'll knock him out for sure.>

     She decided her back was done, so she retied her bikini strings and
flipped over onto her back. She caught a flash of something when she did
so. She put her sunglasses on and scanned the area. Not seeing anything,
she shrugged, removed her glasses, and lay back down.

     Just as she had managed to relax, she heard the unmistakable Amazon
war cries that everyone in the Tendo household had become quite familiar
with over the past couple of weeks. She ignored the ruckus and just lay
peacefully on her lawn chair.

     That peace ended when an arrow embedded itself in the chair right
next to her head. Nabiki gulped loudly and she rose from the lawn chair.
She shouted angrily at the Amazons who were running past her in search
of their prey, whatever that was. "What the hell do you think you are
doing!"

     The Amazons ignored her and disappeared around the corner of the
house.

     Nabiki thought about ignoring them, but decided to go see what they
were trying to kill this time. She jogged back behind the house. When
she reached the back of the house she saw the group of Amazons near the
foundation for the dojo. One of them was preparing to fire an arrow into
the sky. Nabiki traced the path the arrow would take and gasped loudly.

     "Stop!!"

     The Amazons paused briefly but didn't understand Nabiki's cry. The
archer raised her bow and arrow into firing position.

     Nabiki swore to herself and then called out the Mandarin command
Akane had taught her. "Stop! Don't kill!"

     Unfortunately, Nabiki got the phrase wrong and said, "Kill it now!"
in Mandarin instead. The Amazons, being the obedient warriors that they
were, attempted to fulfill the order. The arrow flew out from the bow
and toward its target. The white duck did a fancy spin move and avoided
being hit by the arrow.

     Nabiki allowed herself to breathe as she saw the arrow miss the
duck. "Soapring!!" She ran toward the archer, who was preparing another
arrow. "Soapring!!"

     The archer was pulling back the bow just when Nabiki tackled her.
The arrow flew out of the bow at an odd angle. Nabiki was quickly pinned
under several well-endowed women's bodies.

     "Shit!"

     Nabiki looked over to see Ranko standing by the back door of the
house. The errant arrow had embedded itself right between her legs.

     Ranko pulled the arrow out of the door and out through the hole
they had made in her pants. "Damn, that could have been nasty if I still
had a man's body." She dropped the arrow and looked over at the pile of
Amazons. "Nabiki? Are you alright?"

     "No! Get Soapring!"

     Ranko rushed back inside and reemerged several moments later with
Akane and Soapring.

     Soapring looked that the pile and shouted a command in Mandarin. A
brief exchange between one of the Amazons in the pile and Soapring
ensued. After a command from Soapring, the Amazons got off Nabiki and
let her get up.

     "I have had it!" Nabiki shouted.

     "I am sorry, Miss Nabiki, but they said you attacked them first."

     "That's because..." Nabiki trailed off as she remembered what had
started all this. She quickly scanned the sky and spotted a receding dot
in the sky. She rushed to Soapring and spoke fast. "Listen to me
closely... I don't have time to repeat this. I need your warriors to go
after that duck." Nabiki pointed at the dot. "Bring it back alive and
without hurting a single feather on it."

     "Duck?"

     "A white duck with glasses!"

     Akane and Ranko gasped.

     Nabiki continued. "The day it dies is the day all you damned
Amazons die!! Got it?"

     Soapring had faced many battles and many challenges, but the fear
that shot though her when she saw the look Nabiki gave her would haunt
her to her dying day. "Yes, Sub-leader!" She started barking orders to
the other Amazons who assembled a collection of supplies and ran off
after the duck.

      Akane put her hand on Nabiki's shoulder. "Was it Mousse?"

      Nabiki nodded. "I think so." She clutched her chest and looked off
in the direction the duck had flown. "After all this time..."

      Akane put her arm around Nabiki's shoulder and gave her a
reassuring squeeze. "I knew he'd come back to you."

     Nabiki dared not speak her worse fear aloud. <But will he stay
after he finds out Shampoo is still alive?>

                    -C-           -M-           -D-

     Later that day, Nabiki was pacing back and forth across the patio
when the Amazons approached her with a duck wrapped in a net. Nabiki sat
down and tried to remain calm as the Amazons handed her the duck. She
slowly undid most of the net and held the struggling duck in a firm, but
gentle hold. She looked it into the eye and said something softly.
"Mousse, I've missed you." She looked over at the Amazons. "Please leave
us alone."

     Soapring herded the Amazons away, wondering why Nabiki had called
the duck a moose.

     Akane walked up behind Nabiki with a hot steaming kettle. "Need
some hot water?"

     Nabiki shook her head. "No thanks... I think this will be easier
with him as a duck."

     Akane nodded and put down the kettle anyway just in case Nabiki
wanted it later.

     Now that she was alone with him, Nabiki let her emotions flow
freely. "Mousse, you big dummy! How could you leave me like that! The
past few months have been terrible for me! I didn't know if you'd ever
come back to me or were safe or were..." She took several deep breaths.
"I'm glad you're back." Nabiki took the opportunity to kiss the duck
lightly on his bill. She paused to consider that was the first time
she'd kissed Mousse in his duck form. <I guess Akane had to get over
that hurdle as well. Although, unlike Akane, I doubt I'll do anything
beyond a kiss.>

     She carefully straightened some of the duck's ruffled feathers and
then continued. "I know you were having trouble coping, but I wish you'd
just talk these things through with me instead of running away from me."

     The duck quacked once.

     "Now, if I turn you human will you listen to everything I have to
say and not run away from me again?"

     The duck quacked again.

     "I'll take that as an yes." She reached for the hot kettle, but
then paused. "No matter what happens... remember that I love you and
always will. Please remember that."

     Nabiki was about to pour the hot water over the duck when a voice
intruded from the side of the house. "I love you too, Nabiki."

     Nabiki snapped her head over to the sound of the voice. She gasped
as she saw Mousse standing there in his usual robe and glasses. She
looked back to the duck and tried to figure out what could have
happened. "Oh no... you got split too!"

     Nabiki collapsed to the ground and started to shake. In the
process, the hot water was splashed over the duck. It squawked loudly
and jumped away shaking the hot water off.  "I can't handle this...
Akane found a way to love all three Ranmas, but how can I love a duck?"

     Mousse stepped forward. "Are you okay, Nabiki? I'm sorry I flew
away from you..."

     Nabiki looked up at Mousse. "How did you get split?"

     "Split?"

     "Yes... how did you split into a separate duck and man?"

     "I have no idea what you are talking about."

     Nabiki pointed a shaky finger at the duck, who was now floating in
the koi pond.

     Mousse looked at the duck in the pond. "That's not me... I'm right
here."

    "Are you sure?"

    "Yes, that duck is a girl."

    Nabiki flinched. "So that's... just a regular duck?"

    Mouse nodded. "Yes." Nabiki suddenly burst out laughing, confusing
Mousse. "What's so funny."

    "Oh, it's a long story."

                    -C-           -M-           -D-

     A short while later after a brief lunch with Akane and Ranko,
Nabiki and Mousse sat on the porch together. Nabiki was watching the
other duck float on the surface of the pond. "How did you know that was
a female duck anyway?"

     "When you spend so much time as a duck, you get used to the
differences."

     Nabiki giggled. "I have to warn you, I don't have feathers."

     Mouse smiled, but it hid an internal pain he felt. "I'm sorry for
leaving, but I just couldn't commit to you without coming to terms with
everything."

     Nabiki nodded. "I realize that now. But it hurt to be left like
that."

     "I know. I won't do it again. I love you."

     A warm feeling flowed through Nabiki's heart and caused a large
smile to appear on her face. "I love you too."

     Mousse leaned down to kiss Nabiki, which she gladly accepted. After
the kiss ended, Mouse wiped his fogged up glasses off. "I've put
Shampoo-" Nabiki flinched. "-behind me. I see now she was never going to
love me like you do."

     "You're right about that. I love you and will never stop loving
you."

     "I was a fool to leave."

     "Yes... you were." Nabiki stretched and gave Mousse a long kiss.

     "So, I notice the restaurant is doing well."

     "Yes, thank you for giving it to me. Although I'd rather run it
WITH you."

     Mousse smiled. "I'm not going anywhere."

     "I hope so." Nabiki steeled herself for what she had to tell him.
She had been avoiding this since he had returned, but knew he had a
right to know and he would find out eventually. Better that she know how
he'll react sooner than later. <Of course, I do still have that minister
on retainer... One call and we can get married before he has a chance to
run out on me again.>

      She was shaken out of her plotting when Mousse spoke. "Is
something wrong, Nabiki?"

      "Um... no... Mousse... there's something else I need to tell you."
Inside, Nabiki scolded herself for even considering not telling him.
<That's the old Nabiki talking. To be true to yourself means being true
to the man you love.>

     "What?"

     "A lot of things have happened since you've been gone. Ranma got
spilt into three separate people."

     After a brief explanation about the splits, which Mousse wouldn't
believe until Nabiki showed him some pictures and he saw the noticeably
pregnant Ranko, Nabiki continued to the Buyierfei monolith they found in
Australia. "I'm afraid Cologne died in the monolith."

     Mousse frowned. "I never thought the old hag could ever die. Maybe
Shampoo's death took the fight out of her... I know I was only able to
survive losing her with your help."

     "Mousse... remember that I love you."

     "Huh?"

     "Mousse... Shampoo didn't die in that fall." Nabiki braced for his
reaction.

     He couldn't believe what he had just heard, so Mousse barely
reacted. "What?"

     "Shampoo is alive. She was found as cat and nursed back to health
by a veterinarian. She's over in China with the Amazons right now."

     Mousse seemed to be in a state of shock. "I can't believe this...
You're just trying to test how committed I am."

     Nabiki shook her head. "No... she's alive. She showed up last month
and..."

     "Shampoo... is... alive..." Mouse dropped to his knees and began
crying.

     Nabiki put her arms around him and tried to comfort him, although a
part of her was probably holding him to make sure he didn't leave her.
She was overjoyed at hearing his next words.

     "I love you, Nabiki."

     Nabiki's joy turned to despair when he jumped away from her, into
the pond, transformed into a duck, and flew off towards the west.
Towards China. Towards Shampoo. And, of course, away from her.

     Nabiki was stunned by the abrupt departure and just stared at the
receding duck. "Mousse!!" She dropped to her knees and began to cry.
<Not again... why can't he just love me the same way he loves that
stupid bimbo!>

     "I'm sorry, Nabiki." Akane walked up behind her sister and put a
hand on the crying girl's shoulder.

     "It's not fair! He keeps flying out of my life! Why can't I be
happy!"

     Akane didn't know what to say. Ranma and Sanma had given her to
Ranko for her happiness, but inside she wasn't sure she really was happy
without all three of them. <Come back soon, you two dummies.>

     The two sisters both watched the western skies in hopes that their
loved ones would come back to them. They were disappointed when none of
them did on that terrible spring day. Nabiki fell asleep in Akane's arms
after crying for most of the evening.

                    -C-           -M-           -D-

     Outside a fancy restaurant in Shinjuku, Tomu waited holding a dozen
roses in his hand. He checked his watch again. "Where is Nabiki? It's
not like her to be late."

                    -C-           -M-           -D-

     A few days later, Akane walked into the family room and knelt down
across from Nabiki. "Have you seen Soapring? I noticed the tents are
gone from the backyard and want to ask her why."

     Nabiki looked up from the textbook she was reading. The same sad
frown she had worn since Mousse left was plastered on her face. "And you
won't be seeing them again. I kicked the Amazons out."

     Akane gasped. "What?!"

     "Since you seem to be unable to make any real decisions, I stepped
in. I told them that they could only set foot in our house or yard if
there was a real emergency or if they were invited. If they trespass
again I'll have them deported. And you know I can make that happen."

     "Nabiki, I know they were sometimes in the way, but the Buyierfei
are a real threat. I'd feel better if they were still around. I don't
know if we can defend the house with Dad in his condition and with
Ranko..."

     Nabiki huffed and interrupted. "Defend the house... right. You're
talking just like those damned Amazons!!"

     "This is about Mousse, isn't it?"

     Nabiki flinched and looked uncertain for a moment, before she
regained her angry stance. "Damned right it is! Those Amazons have
screwed up my life for the last time! I will not allow them to interfere
with my happiness anymore!"

     "He could come back to you. Yukiko isn't likely to want to marry
him."

     "Like I care!! I'm going to marry Tomu!"

      Akane gasped in surprise. "Did he pop the question?"

     "No, but if he doesn't, I will. I'm sick of all the martial artists
that you attract. I'm going to marry a nice normal guy and move out of
this nuthouse!"

     Akane sighed. "I think you're just upset at Mousse flying off."

     "Damn right, I am!" Nabiki stood up. "You may like the insanity
that the Ranmas brought to this house, but I'm sick of it."

     Akane watched her sister storm off, unable to think of anything to
say.

                    -C-           -M-           -D-

     A couple days later, Ranko and Akane walked home from school. Ranko
was starting to show and held her belly absently.

     Akane smiled at her husband. "See, I told you they wouldn't freak
when we told them."

     "Except for Hiroshi and Daisuke who got all hot and bothered at the
thought of you and I together."

     "Huh?"

     "After we told everyone about the pregnancy, they started asking
about how two women had sex and even asked for pictures."

     Akane almost choked on her tongue. "You didn't tell them did you? I
don't think it's proper to talk about that sort of thing."

     "Don't worry, Honey, I'd never feed their little fantasies..."

     Akane smiled. "Good, because I'm the only one who gets to share
your fantasies."

     Ranko smiled back. "You're my fantasy come true."

     Akane gave her husband a long kiss.

     A cry in very broken Japanese interrupted the tender moment. "Halt!
Who there goes?!"

     Akane and Ranko looked up to see an Amazon warrior standing in the
street about a block from their home.

     "Huh?"

     "What's going on?!" Akane asked.

     Soapring showed up and called off the Amazon. "Sorry, Leader. I'm
still trying to get the perimeter established, so the warriors are a
little jumpy."

     "Perimeter?" Akane asked, confused.

     Soapring gestured to both sides of the street. For the first time,
Ranko and Akane noticed that there was now a tall fence around the
houses directly adjacent to the Tendo yard. What they could see of it,
seemed to circle the Tendo house.

     "What's going on?"

     "Since we have been forbidden to enter your yard, we have bought
all the surrounding houses---they were surprising eager to sell for some
reason--and setup a protective fence to keep out any attackers."

     It took Akane and Ranko several seconds to fully digest this
information. When Ranko finally spoke, she was not happy. "You have got
to be kidding us!"

     Soapring shook her head. "No."

     "But, you can't just block off the streets and do stuff like this
in Japan!!" Akane insisted.

     "We have all the necessary paperwork. The official who helped us
was very helpful after out gift of a gold necklace."

     "You bribed him?"

     "Bribe? What does that mean?"

     Akane let out a frustrated sign.

     Ranko clenched her fist. "We've tried to be understanding about you
being here, but to make our home into a fortress is unnecessary! We can
take care of ourselves!"

     Akane was just as mad. "Yes! Being cautious is one thing, but this
is too much! Nabiki was right, you Amazons have no idea how to live
except as warriors!"

     "Leader, I am sorry, but this is the only thing I could do to
protect you and your family now that we are forbidden access to your
yard."

     "You've gone too far!"

     "I'm sorry, Leader, but to fail in my mission the Matriarch
entrusted me with would be very dishonorable."

     Seeing she wasn't getting anywhere with Soapring, Akane turned
towards Ranko. "I've got to get word to Yukiko."

     Ranko nodded her head. "Yeah... let's go." As they finished the
walk towards their home, they looked around and saw the Amazons building
fences and other structures to keep out any attacking enemies. "How'd
they buy all those houses anyway?"

     "Beats me. I never knew that the Amazons had a lot of money to
throw around like that. Although, Cologne did buy the Cat Cafe when they
first moved here, so maybe they do have some wealth to draw on."

                    -C-           -M-           -D-

     Akane and Ranko walked into the family room.

     "Welcome home, Akane," Nodoka said softly.

     "Home? It's a fortress now!" Akane spat.

     Nodoka nodded. "I know, but they mean well. And isn't this better
than them being underfoot?"

     "No!! I mean... I understand we have to be careful, but by the
looks of things they are isolating us from all our neighbors--at least
the ones that didn't sell their houses in order to build this fortress."

     "Akane, I think this is for the best. I think a little extra
protection will be useful. And Soapring has been nice enough to train me
in the proper use of my katana."

     Akane decided not to pursue the implications of her mother-in-law
learning to use her katana correctly. "We'll see about that... I mean
the fortress they've built around us. Where is Nabiki? I need to use her
connections to get a message to the Amazon village."

     Nodoka frowned. "She... moved out."

     "What?!" both Ranko and Akane exclaimed at the same time.

                    -C-           -M-           -D-

     Nabiki put her bags down in the small room above Mon Canard and
sighed. "Should have done this a long time ago."

     She plopped down on the futon and sighed. "Well, Nabiki, now what?
You're your own woman now... no family hassles... no Amazon bimbos... no
aquatic fowl for boyfriends..." Nabiki frowned at the thought of Mousse.

     She shook her head. "He's gone, Nabiki! Put him out of your head or
you'll go crazy and start talking to yourself." She went silent when she
realized she was doing just that.

     She sat silently trying to figure out what to do next. Finally, she
decided and reached for the phone.

                    -C-           -M-           -D-

     The next morning, she awoke, stood up and stretched. She grabbed a
robe, wrapped it around her naked body, and shuffled off towards the
bathroom. Before leaving the room, she looked back and whispered to
herself. "I love you, Tomu."

     She looked at the sleeping figure in her futon and smiled. <Yup...
a nice normal life for me.>


***********************************************************************
>From the personal journal of James Davidson:


September 24, 2057

     "Mom never did know how to keep what was hers," Nijiko said as she
finished explaining Nabiki and Mousse's reunion and subsequent parting.

     "Well, it must have been rough on her."

     "Maybe, but she could have just not told him about Shampoo."

     "Well, I doubt she could be happy in a marriage based on a lie."

     "Possibly, but I wouldn't know about that."

     I noticed a sadness in her eyes that hadn't been there before.
Imoki had warned me about not asking her about this, but since she
brought it up... "If I may ask, why didn't you ever marry?"

     Nijiko's expression changed suddenly. "You may not ask," she
snapped sternly.

     "Sorry... didn't mean to pry."

     "I know. Unlike Akane, I don't like to talk about my love life."

     That I understood. "Yes, she does tend to get very graphic at
times."

     "Graphic? That old woman is actually proud of the little menages au
quatre she had going!"

     "Well, they were the same person, after all."

     "Well that may be, but it's still not right."

     "I imagine that's why she wasn't able to marry all three of them
back in ninety-nine."

     "Well, since her first marriage to Ranko wasn't even legal, she
should have just married all three of them the same way... then she
wouldn't have lost one of her lovers to another woman. It was the same
as when my mother married my father. She chose a path that would lead to
more problems in the future.

     "If she didn't marry your father, you wouldn't exist... at least as
you are now."

     "True..." Her face betrayed a twinge of emotion. She must have deep
feelings about his subject for it to appear on her normally
expressionless face.

     "Well, what happened..." My question was interrupted by a
holo-call.

     A holo-phone transmission of a young woman popped up in front of
us. "Ms. Tendo?"

     Nijiko looked over at the transmission. "Yes?"

     "Sorry to disturb you, but the production run down in Osaka is
having some problems. They need your help in fixing a flaw that's shown
up in the first run of five-thousands."

     "Very well. I'll call them as soon as I'm able."

     The woman bowed and her transmission ended.

     "Ms. Kounji, can you come here and escort Mr. Davidson out? We're
finished."

     Imoki's voice responded. "Right away, Ms. Tendo."

     "I'm sorry, Mr. Davidson, that's all I have time for today."

     "I understand. Thank you for your time. Maybe we can do this again
as I get into the events you actually witnessed."

     "I think that would be okay. Just talk to one of my assistants."

      "Thank you." Of course, I knew that it would be another
bureaucratic mess to get another interview, but it would be worth it to
get more information for the books.

      Imoki appeared from one of the rooms adjacent to the porch. "Are
you ready, Mr. Davidson?"

      "Yes." I stood up and turned to Nijiko, who had already started a
holo-phone conversation. "Thank you again." I bowed slightly.

      Nijiko nodded and waved her hand absently. "What's the problem,
Sato?"

     The nervous looking man barely looked up from his extreme bowed
position. "I'm sorry Ms. Tendo, but we're going to have to redo the
first batch. The cases are all cracked."

     "Cracked? Show me."

      I walked off with Imoki as the conversation continued.

      "So, get some good information, James?"

      "Yes. So, I'm James now?" I asked, smiling.

      "Ms. Tendo prefers us to use formal terms of address at all times.
But I consider you family."

      "Thank you. It seems like Nijiko has some issues with the rest of
the family."

      "Yes, but I'd really rather not talk too much about that."

      "I understand. It just surprised me to meet a Tendo that was so
serious and viewed the rest of the family with such... I don't know
exactly how to put it. She obviously has some anger focused on Akane,
and maybe even her mother."

      "Ms. Tendo is atypical, but you have only met a small portion of
the members of our extended family here. You may be surprised at how
different we all are."

     "You may be right... maybe I've been spending too much time with
Akane."

     "Don't worry about it, for all intents and purposes, Grandmother is
the heart and soul of the Tendo family. I think that's why Ms. Tendo and
Grandmother don't get along."


[End - Chapter 20]

Coming soon: Chapter 21: For the Love of the Matriarch One Must Die, One
Must Flee, and One Must Live Happily Ever After
=======================================================================
The real author's (Jim Lazar) notes/ramblings:


I'd like to thank my pre-readers Thomas C Kinnen, David Johnston,
Jonathan Ng, Essie, and Jyh-I Lu for helping me find and fix problems
with this story.


Revision 0.0 - Rough draft (May 1, 1999)
Revision 0.3 - Pre-reader draft (July 11, 1999)
Revision 0.4 - FFML draft (July 31, 1999)

-=-
Jim Lazar

E-Mail - mailto:jimlazar@earthlink.net
FanFiction - http://home.earthlink.net/~jimlazar/anime