Kasumi entered the den with her usual bright countenance carrying a small stack of papers. She glanced about the room at the several oblivious members, engaged in their own individual activities. Nabiki and Akane were busy staring blankly at the TV watching their daily soap opera while Soun and Genma were busy arguing over where the missing shogi pieces were disappearing off to. Ranma had engaged himself in a small work out just outside the door. Kasumi glanced back down at the papers she had in her hand and looked back up. "Nabiki." She addressed

    Nabiki glanced back at her older sister. "What's up sis?"

    "You have some mail, isn't that nice?" Kasumi continued. "Ranma?" She called. Ranma paused from punching at a rope wrapped post and looked up through the door. "You have some mail to."

    "Really? From who?" Ranma asked as he grabbed for a towel and proceeded to enter through the open door.

    Kasumi looked down at the envelope. Nabiki grabbed for hers and looked it over.

    "IRA" Kasumi answered as Ranma reached for his.

    "Hey so's mine!" Nabiki looked up from her envelope quizzically. "Doesn't that stand for Irish Republican army?" She asked no one imparticular.

    "Yeah I think so." Akane answered taking an interest in what was going on.

    "Irish repub what?" Ranma asked looking somewhat confused.

    "Irish republican army." Akane repeated.

    Before the conversation elevated into what possibilities the Irish republican army would write them for, if in fact it was the Irish republican army, and why it was Ranma and her were the only ones they addressed, Nabiki slipped open the envelope. She pulled out the folded piece of paper and began to diligently read. "International Recruiting Agency..." She said in confusion and continued reading in silence.  Ranma had already pulled his letter free of it's envelope and was reading as well.

    Nabiki finally came to the conclusion of her note and looked up at Ranma waiting for him to finish as well. When finally Ranma had looked up from his letter, Nabiki noticed her confusion mirrored in his eyes and realized his letter read the same.

    "Well?" Akane asked anticipantly.

    "What is it boy?" Genma asked now taking interest in the conversation. Soun was looking quizzically at the two as well.

    "It say's that my qualifications are identical to what they're looking for based on a series of school taken test." Ranma answered simply.

    "So's mine." Nabiki agreed.

    "What does that mean?" Akane asked sharing the rest of the family's blank look.

    "Well let's see..." Nabiki said glancing back at the note. "It states that a series of test were taken about six weeks back. Hmmmm..."

    "Hey I remember that!" Akane spoke up. "Something about testing our interest and aptitude."

    "Oh yeah now I remember." Nabiki acknowledged.

    "I don't." Ranma said with disinterest. He cast the note down on the table and began to head back out the door.

    "Hey, now wait a minute." Nabiki called after. "Your not even going to find out what this is about?" Nabiki asked somewhat tauntingly.

    "Why should I?" Ranma answered back.

    "It says there's a lot of money involved." She smirked, knowing the trap she had just set and sprung.

    "Money!!!" Genma's head popped up at his favorite word (aside from food). "well what are you waiting for, boy!" He shouted as he grabbed Ranma around the shoulder. "Oh I knew you'd do your old man proud one day." He brought Ranma up in a gigantic bear hug, tears began rolling down his cheeks. "To think I ever doubted you."

    "Pop! AIR!!!" Ranma choked out from underneath Genma's iron hold.

    Genma looked down at his son's paling face and let go. "Sorry there boy, don't want to suffocate the money maker of the family." He let out a hearty chuckle and pat Ranma on the back.

    "Gee thanks, pop." Ranma thanked sarcastically.

    "What is it their looking for?" Akane asked diverting her attention back to Nabiki.

    "It doesn't say." Nabiki answered. "However it does mention, travel, paid expenses, training, fame and fortune." She said almost sounding interested.

    "So what." Ranma spoke up. "It's probably some stupid gimmick anyway.

    Nabiki let a sigh and laid the letter down. The rest of the family continued to stare in open anticipation.

    "Well?" Akane asked not wasting anymore time.

    Nabiki looked over at Ranma and realized his gaze was directed back at her. "I suppose I'll go to the place mentioned in the letter tomorrow morning. Ranma, are you coming?"

    "What are you talking about of course he's going!" Genma interrupted. "You are going aren't you boy?!" Genma's face pleaded.

    "N-... I-... Arrr." He growled in frustration. "Yeah sure, whatever." He finally caved.

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

    Ranma lay in the dark next to Genma panda, unable to get to sleep. Whenever he curled up in a ball his boxers would ride. Whenever he stretched out they'd start to creep off. When he turned on his side his shirt would begin to slide up. When he turned on his stomach he had trouble breathing, and the one thought that seemed to plague him was what was that letter all about. He had tried to busy himself for the better part of the day. Not wanting to think about the letter anymore. He had seemed uninterested in front everybody, sure. But the truth was he was dying to know more. He hardly ever got mail to begin with and certainly not mail that stated that he had been selected for anything. In fact the only mail he ever seemed to get read something along the lines of "prepare to die Saotome." or "Meet me at a designated time and oh by the way prepare to die Saotome." or even "If you want to see Akane alive meet me at a designated place at a designated time. PS Prepare to die Saotome." Never anything that read You have been selected. He rolled over onto his back and was forced to pull his boxers back up. Then was forced to pull them back down because he had pulled them too far up. Frustration was starting to settle in and Ranma was beginning to grow hot. He tossed the covers off and lay there momentarily trying to decide if that was enough. Deciding it wasn't he also removed his shirt.

    He finally grew still. It wasn't just what he and Nabiki had read to the family that bugged him. It was what they hadn't...

    He felt his boxers begin to ride once more and proceeded to struggle with relocating them in a more comfortable spot. Finding this a more difficult task than he felt it should be Ranma finally gave up and just decided to get some air.

    He silently stood himself up making a semi-effort not to wake the panda, and slipped out into the hallway. The house as expected was dark and absent of activity. He walked his way over to the stairway and descended down into the den, there he approached the back door and slid it open. A shadowy figure sitting on the edge of the porch caught his eye and he realized that it was staring back at him.

    "Ranma?" He heard a familiar feminine voice ask, and he proceeded to take a seat next to her.

    "Yeah it's me." He confirmed.

    "Couldn't sleep either, huh?" Nabiki asked in a small whisper.

    "Yeah." Was all that Ranma said.

    "Where's your shirt?"

    "I got hot." He looked up at her gaze and misread it. "Why you want me to jump in the pond for you? Need some new photo's?

    "No." Nabiki answered unconcerned. She let her chin rest on her knee's as she pulled them in. "What do you make of the letter?" She finally asked.

    "You're asking me?" Ranma asked surprised.

    "Don't let it go to your head Saotome, I'm just curious is all." She responded without looking up.

    "I'm not sure." Ranma replied. "I wonder why it's classified. Why we're not supposed to tell anyone what we're doing."

    "Who knows." Nabiki answered. "It was specific enough to instruct us in what could be told, and what couldn't be wasn't it?"

    "Yeah but I don't see why the fact that it's dangerous is such a problem." Ranma stated.

    "Because whatever it is might be illegal." Nabiki Hypothesized. "After all they were cautious enough not to say what the job really is."

    "I suppose." Ranma sighed.

    "Did you burn your letter like it said?" Nabiki asked looking back up at him.

    "Yeah... I almost didn't though. None of this makes sense." Nabiki simply nodded.

    "Ranma lets just get some sleep. We'll have our answers in the morning." Nabiki then got up and headed inside through the back door. Ranma watched after and then proceeded to do the same.

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

    The next morning to Ranma's distaste came early. He was greeted by the usual faces around the house and groggily marched himself into the washroom. He dropped his boxers to the floor and began to run the water.

    "Ranma?" He heard through the door. It was Nabiki.

    "If you don't get your butt in gear we're gonna be late."

    Ranma shut the water off. "Yeah yeah, be out in a minute." He said uncarringly. He jumped into the tub and immediately jumped out. "It's freezing!"

    Ranma-chan  threw on her boxers and proceeded to storm downstairs and into the den. "All right what's happened to the hot water?" She demanded

    Kasumi walked in from the kitchen and took notice of Ranma's bare chest. "Oh my, Ranma. All the hot water must've been used up when Mr. Saotome  took his bath. Ranma's eyes narrowed as she turned her attention on Genma. "I'll warm you some water." Kasumi offered disappearing back into the kitchen.

    "No time Kasumi." Nabiki called after as she came down the stairs. She noticed Ranma's battle aura switch on and caught her by the arm. "Ranma stop wasting time and get some clothes on." Ranma's aura dropped and she spun around to meet Nabiki face to face. Something there seem to register in Ranma's eyes and she proceeded to do as told.

    Nabiki simply let a grin as she watched the red headed martial artist scurry up the stairs.

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

    Ranma-chan as usual was walking along the fence top with careless ease, while Nabiki walked silently next to her on the ground. They had been walking for a good ten minutes, each with her own thoughts. Ranma had finally dressed and was now wearing her green jusenkyo suit while Nabiki was wearing a nice striped shirt tucked into a pair of tight jeans. Ranma looked down at Nabiki and wondered inwardly what she was thinking about. Nabiki caught the look and smiled. "What is it Saotome?"

    Ranma was caught off guard and quickly tried to make something up. "I uh. ummm. Well I didn't see Akane this morning." She finally said. 'Smooth Ranma, smooth...' She thought.

    "We talked last night." Nabiki began. "She's upset that I said she couldn't go."

    Ranma looked down at her surprised. "Oh?"

    "Yeah well, she wanted to see where it was we were going and asked if she could tag along. I said it was none her business and she got upset."

    "No doubt." Ranma replied. 'Which means she might be following us.' Ranma concluded to herself. "Yeah that stupid tomboy! Always trying stick her nose where it doesn't belong."

    Nabiki looked up at Ranma-chan with a question written on her face. "Hey what can I say? Akane doesn't know when to keep out of other peoples business. Hell she's always tryin to follow me around. 's like she's obsessed or somethin. I mean geez she's as clueless as an ox and built like. <WHAM!!!>  Ranma-chan felt a familiar blunt object smash into her head.

    "OBSESSED AM I?" Akane shouted.

    'Wow.' Nabiki thought dully impressed. 'Ranma actually did something smart!'

    Akane immediately recovered and realized her error. She looked over at Nabiki's stone gaze and felt a chill in her spine. "Nabiki hey! Imagine me running into you two like this, I was just jogging and..."

    "Save it Akane." Nabiki said flatly. "I told you not to follow us."

    "I know but... Fine whatever. See if I care." She looked back over at the smooshed figure of Ranma-chan. "Baka!" She spat and proceeded to walk away in plain sight.

    Nabiki looked over at Ranma-chan an felt a smile creep on her lips. 'That's my little sister for you.' "Ranma you okay?"

    Ranma seemed to pull herself out of the crippled like position and looked over at Nabiki. "Fine."

    "Come on we're half way there."

    Ranma jumped down from the fence and next to Nabiki. From there they both continued their trip to the IRA building.

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

    They came to a stop outside the indicated building and paused. "Ryoko Masaki's dry cleaning?" Nabiki asked, puzzled. "Are you sure this is where were supposed to go?"

    "This is the address they gave." Ranma-chan answered equally confused.

    "Well lets try it and see." Nabiki finally decided. They pushed the double glass doors open and walked in.

    "I can't believe their making me work." They heard someone mumble as they entered the shop.

    Nabiki approached the front desk where a young woman with wild white hair stood. "Excuse me." She said politely.

    "Yeah what do ya want." The woman grumbled.

    "I think we are supposed to meet someone here." She continued.

    "Yeah well if your not sure come back when you are." The woman grumbled again obviously annoyed.

    Nabiki's eyes narrowed though the woman didn't notice. "I'm Nabiki Tendo, and this is Ranma Saotome." Nabiki introduced. The woman looked the two over disinterestedly

    "Yeah so?"

    "Is there anyone else here?" Nabiki asked growing somewhat annoyed herself.

    "Maybe." The woman answered flatly and turned to do something behind the counter.

    "Excuse me?" Nabiki asked again.

    "Now what?" the woman asked as she whirled around. "We were both sent a letter instructing us to meet someone here."

    "Look I'm busy right now." The woman growled. "Why don't you buy a coke or something from the machine and I'll get back to you." Nabiki let a small growl slide from her throat and turned to Ranma. "We're never going to get anything out of her, Ranma let's go!"

    "Wait, Nabiki." Ranma stopped her. "A coke doesn't sound bad."

    Nabiki rolled her eyes. "Ranma do you have any money?"

    "Well no." Ranma-chan let her eyes drop.

    "And you want ME to buy YOU a coke?"  She asked accusingly.

    "Well I was kinda hoping." Ranma almost whispered.

    "Ranma you know better than to try the cute act with me." Nabiki scolded. Ranma didn't look back up. Nabiki was growing even more frustrated by the moment. "Fine here but you owe me dinner or a back rub or something." Ranma-chan not hearing the condition swiped the money from Nabiki's hand eagerly.

    "Thanks Nabiki!" She ran over to the large red vendor and entered in the correct amount of money. She looked down at the selection and decided on a coke, which she then proceeded to punch the correct button. Ranma squatted down to the part of the machine where you get your drink and waited... Nothing happened... "Hey!" She yelled. Finally she heard a clicking noise and the face of the machine slung open nearly knocking her off her feet.

    Nabiki and Ranma were both forced to stare as a passage from within the machine was found. Nabiki looked over at the woman and found her busy at the daily grind, oblivious to what was transpiring.

    "Nabiki?" Ranma-chan whispered.

    "What?" Nabiki whispered back.

    "You suppose we follow this passage?" Ranma questioned further.

    "Why not." Was Nabiki's response.

    They entered in through the open machine and pulled the door shut behind them.

    Inside was a dimly lit descending stairwell that curved to the right at it's end. They slowly began their descent, carefully taking stock of their surroundings. Which wasn't much. The staircase spiraled down several more times to the right before finally coming to an end outside what looked like an office door with an opaque glass window.

    After giving a glance back at Ranma, Nabiki knocked on the door.

    "What's the password?" Was the response they got in a thick British accent.

    "We weren't given one." She answered.

    "Oh really? What's your name?"

    "I'm Nabiki Tendo."

    "And I'm Ranma Saotome."

    "Oh I see..." There was a long pause at the other side of the door. "You sure you weren't given a password?" The voice asked.

    "No I'm pretty sure if I'd been given one I'd have seen it." Nabiki answered.

    "Yes, ah... I suppose so..." The voice agreed. "Well then why are you here?"

    "We don't know. We were hoping you could tell us." Nabiki said somewhat irritatedly.

    "Hmmmm. Yes.... What's your favorite color?"

    Nabiki arched an eyebrow. This was becoming pointless. "Blue." She answered.

    "Aha!" The voice stated triumphantly. "You cannot be the real Nabiki Tendo because we have her test and she answered Green."

    Nabiki rolled her eyes. "Maybe I was lying." She offered.

    "Uh... No that can't be. She also stated that she does not lie." Nabiki heard Ranma snicker.

    "Yes but if I did lie, wouldn't that stand to reason I might lie about that also? And perhaps I also lied about my favorite color." She smirked.

    "When?" The voice asked simply.

    "Both times." She answered. "But then maybe I'm lying now? Of course you also didn't take into account that I might have simply changed my mind since I took that stupid test."

    "Yes...I suppose so." The voice seemed to sound defeated. There was an audible sound of footsteps approaching the door and then the lock slipped. The door opened to reveal a middle-aged man wearing a black suit.

    "Nabiki Tendo?" He asked.

    "Yes." She answered.

    "I'm Sean Oliver. Come in." Nabiki entered in through the door and the man walked behind a large cherry oak desk and seated himself. "Ranma Saotome?" He questioned, directing his gaze at Ranma.

    "Hai!" Ranma answered cheerfully. They took notice of two other gentlemen similarly dressed seated on either side of the room.

    "Have a seat." Ranma began to oblige but then took notice of Nabiki's lack of movement and continued to stand.

    "What exactly is this about sir?" Nabiki asked to the point.

    "A job." He answered. Nabiki's eyes narrowed "A job that you two seemed best qualified for, assuming you didn't lie about everything else." He elaborated.

    "We've been told as much from your letter, what is the job."

    The man let a chuckle. "Yes you are exactly as your test indicated." Nabiki blinked at this. "We are a small self employed group of treasure hunters, if you will. But as you can see, myself being the youngest, we are starting to become unfit for the task. You see we have just recently obtained... well... I'm jumping ahead of myself. The point is we need a new generation of youth to continue where it was we left off."

    "So you issued that test to all the schools across Japan in search for a couple of heirs to your business?" Nabiki asked surprised. She finally took a seat and Ranma followed

    "More like a couple of lackey's" Ranma added.

    "Oh no." The man started chuckling. " That test is funded by small groups like ourself, but certainly not issued by us, and not just in Japan, either. The entire world. It's a little thing started by private organization's like us to seek out new additions and possible candidates. The international police use it. The American CIA, FBI, and NSA us it. other elite government agencies around the world use it. A couple based in Japan. And independent agencies such as ourselves. Pay the fee, receive the results. That's basically all there is to it. Oh and no not lackey's as you put it young lady." He responded finally looking over at Ranma. "We haven't much need for money anymore." He continued indicating the other two gentlemen. We only require a small share of your profit. This helps pay for your training, your air fare, the location of various treasures, and other expenses, such as food, lodging, guides, and travel gear. All we're really looking for is someone to continue our work." He then looked over at Ranma and seemed to consider something. "Young lady I was under the impression that you were a young man."

    "I am most of the time." Ranma-chan answered back dumbly.

    "I beg your pardon?" He asked even more confused.

    "Long story." Ranma stated simply.

    "Not really." Nabiki jumped in. "A couple of years back Ranma, while traveling in china with his father, came upon a cursed training ground in which Ranma fell into one of the springs. He now changes into a girl when splashed with cold water and back into a guy when splashed with warm."

    "Thank you Nabiki." Ranma-chan said sarcastically.

    "Not a problem Ranma." She answered back smiling.

    "Uh....yes... Well can we depend on you two? Realize that this cannot be discussed with anyone other than yourselves not even family. We cannot afford to be discovered.

    "I think I'll need some time to think this over." Nabiki finally answered

    "Yes of course! And you young lady?" He asked looking back at Ranma.

    "Look I'm not a young lady, okay? I'm a guy! And I guess I agree with Nabiki."

    "Very well then, you have until tomorrow to reach a decision."

    Both Nabiki and Ranma's eyes grew wide. "Tomorrow are you crazy? We'll need more time than that!" Nabiki protested.

    "I'm sorry but we can afford no more time. Tomorrow is final. Be here eight o' clock in the morning, sharp, with your answer. Good day."

    Nabiki began to protest further but thought better.

    "Come on Ranma." She grabbed the redhead by her arm and pulled her to her feet. "let's go!"

    They exited the office shutting the door behind them.

    'Man that was strange.' Ranma thought silently, and followed Nabiki up the spiral staircase and back into the dry cleaners.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


End chapter one.

My writing sucks crap so I figured I'd just forego pre-readers and post it for annihilation on the FFML. Pick at it, tear it up, mutilate it, I can take it. Like I said, I already know it sucks. I seriously don't know if I'll continue this because I doubt anyone will be interested enough to please. C&C is fine. Maybe if you tell me why I suck I can hope to improve one day in the distant future when man has colonized mars or something. Anyway thanks for reading if you did and didn't simply scroll to the end. Ha HA FFML admin. what a funny joke with the PFML. Yeah right! And good bye...

                                    -Greg

______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com