This has the same setting as "The way out" mini-fic, "Autumn Leaves",
"Keeping Up Appearances", "Such things as dreams are made of" and
"Consultations".

This is a Nabiki centred fic.  The title was chosen for the literal
meaning, and to indicate the business of being part of a family -
Something Nabiki hasn't been too hot at.

What has gone before:
Ranma's better nature and a Chinese-Amazon artefact have combined to
return Akane's mother to life - in Ranma's body.

Family Business

Day 1.

  I have decided to start a new journal today, it's like some wonderful
dream and I want to write it all down in case it fades with the coming
dawn.

  My mother is back.

  Who would have thought I could ever write that line?  Daddy took it
about as I would have expected - tears of joy instead of sorrow for once.
Although there may have been some of the latter for Ranma's loss.  As for
Ranma, well, I suppose it's the way he would have wanted to go -
sacrificing one's life for an innocent is practically mandatory for great
warriors.

  Akane's taking it well.  I used to worry sometimes that she really was
falling for him, something that could only have caused her pain, but it
was 'Ranma you idiot.' to the last.

  Kasumi is, ... Kasumi.  I don't think she'll ever change.

  As for my mother she's obviously dazed from what's happened but I think
she's strong enough to cope.  It's surprising how well she matches my
memories, although I suppose Kasumi knows her better.  Actually she's a lot
like Kasumi (Hmm, I suppose that should be the other way around) but she's
more worldly wise.

Day 2.

  Looks like I spoke too soon, Akane's in denial.  In fact given her
behaviour now I suppose it's fair to guess that she's been in denial ever
since she first walked in on that idiot.  Only before she was denying she
liked - then loved - Ranma, and now she's denying she's lost him.  Life's
full of these little surprises.  Dr. Tofu didn't make much impact - but
I'm sure that Cologne knows a trick or two they can use for next time.
She said it would take a week to prepare - I can only hope Akane doesn't
get any worse in that time.

  I don't entirely trust Cologne, but I can't see what she has to gain
from Akane remaining as she is.  As I always say, 'If you're not sure
what's going on, or who to trust, look for the profit.'

Day 3.

  Back to school.  Well, for a while.  I heard mom didn't make it through
the first period - I suppose I should have expected that.  I made my
excuses when I found out in the first break and left early.  My trusted
'lieutenant' can take care of the collection today.

Day 4.

  Visitors today - Dr. Tofu came with Cologne in the morning, seems he
wanted to make sure mom was getting the training he recommended.  He's
taking and hour and a half out of work each morning, and Cologne the same
in the afternoon.  I decide to take the afternoon off school - my grades
are good enough and I have 'connections' in the right places to make sure
I don't get into trouble.

  I watched Cologne like a hawk throughout the training session mom seems
to be making excellent progress, although she's nowhere near as good as
Ranma was, of course.  I rang my subordinates and set them to watching the
'likely suspects' I won't let mom get into a fight she can't handle.  If
they can't get in contact with me they're to warn 'Ranma' directly.  Miko
was quite uppity with me - wanted to know why I wasn't setting up bets and
arranging fights as usual. I soon put her in her place, everyone has
something they need to hide.

  Moms getting a tutor!  Looks like she'll be re-taking high school exams
after all.  I guess it would be difficult to persuade people that the
qualifications of a 10-year-dead woman apply to you.

Day 5.

  I'm starting to get strange looks at school - not that I care what
_they_ think.  If I want to leave early that's my business.  Mom told me
that Dr. Tofu is teaching her about pressure points and it looks like
Cologne is already teaching her the 'Chestnuts Roasting on An Open Fire'
technique!  Still, if the body's done it before it can't be as hard to
manage the second time.

  Kuno cornered me and demanded pictures of the 'pigtailed goddess'
although to give him his (very slight) due he actually remembered her
name 'Kimiko Tendo'.  I told him he'd had the last photo he was ever
getting from me.  The idea of giving him dirty pictures of my Mom to ...
It just make's me sick.  When I think of all the pictures I've already
given him I wonder just what sort of person I've become.  Then, of
_course_, he asks for photo's of Akane - I decide there and then that he's
not getting any.  I want my mother to be proud of me ... I can't let her
find out about my past.  From now on this journal is being kept in a
hidden, locked box.  Under the pillow just doesn't cut it anymore.

Day 6

  Still no sign of Genma.

  I dreamt last night.  I dreamt I saw my mom sitting on the canal-side
fence, staring into the water.  When I walked up to her I saw she was
crying.  I asked what was wrong and she pointed at her reflection, when
her tear drop hit the water the ripples left behind a different image -
That of Ranma's half skeletal decaying head looking up at me.  No more
late night pizza for me, _that's_ for sure.

  I can't believe the day I've had!  I was presented with 10,000 Yen by
Miko, when I queried what it was for she told me I was being bought out.
Bought out of my own organisation!  She said I'd 'Lost my edge.',
naturally I didn't stand for it, but she had some twisted version of the
relationship between my mother and father - she allegedly had proof that
Soun was making out with Ranma's female form.  I had something on her, but
that just made it a stalemate.  In the end I had to accept it.  I suppose
it might be for the best, I'd like to see how long _she_ can keep it going
anyway - hasn't got half the business savvy that I have.  What I can't get
over is how she looked down at me, who does she think _she_ is to pity me?

  This still leaves the question of how I'm going to make ends meet, my
'golden parachute' wouldn't last a typical week.  Luckily things had been
atypically quiet recently...  I had a chat with mom, we both had a talk to
dad, and I set a few wheels in motion.  I still know who the best gossips
are in Furinkan High - We'll soon see who's got the 'edge' and who hasn't.

Day 7

  Today was rather a mix, but good on the whole I think.

  On the one hand mom mastered the 'Tenshin Amaguriken' and Cologne said
she'd prepared the things she need to treat Akane - although she isn't
making any promises.  The big day is tomorrow, at Tofu's.

  On the other hand this morning my father received a letter from the
school about my absences and warning him that my performance was slipping.
Luckily I managed to 'lose' the letter and he didn't think to tell mom,
she might have kept me from watching Cologne training her and I can't
leave her alone and vulnerable like that.

  I had another dream last night ... I don't think I'll record it here.
When I see Dr. Tofu tomorrow I'll have to see if he has something to make
me sleep more soundly.

  Talking about sleep, I found out that mom's got a separate bed made up
in dad's room.  I'm not sure what to think about that, I mean nobody
thinks of their parents 'doing the nasty' but is that really normal?  I
suppose part of it is that she looks completely different - AND - like a
'boy' who's been living with us for most of a year.

  I saved the best news till last!  I persuaded daddy (with mom's help) to
re-open the Dojo.  So many boys turned up for the first evening he had to
teach in three shifts!  The advance deposits alone are enough to pay for a
typical week's repair bill.  Of course the success may have something to do
with my implying that daddy could teach the school of fighting that Ranma
used to defeat Kuno, and that if _they_ could defeat Kuno they should have
a chance to try to date Akane again.  The printing job was a bit sloppy,
but I had welcome leaflets with the Dojo rules available for everyone.

Rule 1.  Don't mention Ranma.
Rule 2.  Don't mention Akane.
Rule 3.  DON'T FORGET RULES 1 AND 2.

  Dad was tired, but I do believe it's actually going to be good for him.
In fact I've every hope that given a week or two to settle down he might
be able to spar with mom.  At the moment he's treating her like an
exceptionally fragile glass ornament.

Day 8

  Just a quick note now - more to follow.  The details of another private
tutor arrived in the post today - now the Tendo Dojo is making money again
mom can afford the best.  I've never seen such glowing references!

  [Written in margin] Hi, day 10 here.  I should have realised there would
be a catch - no wonder the references were so good, everyone must have just
wanted to get rid of her!

  [Main entry] Time to for Akane to visit Dr. Tofu and Cologne, they're not
going to leave me and mom behind!

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
Author's Notes

  Well, there you go.  My first attempt to write in diary style.

  Some of you probably think Nabiki is OOC, well Duh! [only kidding].
I've just taken her world, turned it upside down and shaken it.  This is
what fell out ^_^

  I should note that I have _NO_ idea if Kimiko can really drop out of
school like that and take private lessons.  Don't forget though, Dr. Tofu
would doubtless be willing to sign a plausible Doctor's note.

  You may also think the 'Dojo turnaround' is too abrupt and complete,
well you are right.  After the initial boom numbers will drop sharply as
they realise just how tough it is.  Things will probably settle back down
to one lesson an evening and making just a tad more than the Tendo
household needs to make ends meet.  There will also probably, eventually,
be a class for (a few) adults once it is clearly a going concern again.

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