All the characters in this story are the creation of Akahori Satoru,
Kotobuki Tsukasa, and Rumiko Takahashi... or practically all of them,
anyway.  The title is stolen from Heinlein... with one letter s added.

    Strangers in a Strange Land
         Chapter 15

    Lorelei and Nabiki entered the lab to find half a dozen scientists
and techs going over the final preparations for the experiment.

    Lorelei swallowed at seeing the crowd, then went over to Nobou.
"Sensei."  Lorelei began respectfully.  "Is everything
ready?"

    Nobou nodded.  "We are finishing up just now, Lorelei-san.  You can
start anytime."

    Lorelei glanced around the room nervously.  "Are this many people
necessary to monitor the... experiment?"

    Nobou blinked.  "Ah... well several of my associates wished to help
collect data for outside use as well...."

    Nabiki frowned.  "You mean they want to watch Lorelei play with
herself so they can tell their friends, right?"

    Nobou blinked again.  "I assure you my colleagues have only the most
professional of intentions."

    Nabiki waved a hand.  "Fine, fine.  Just clear out anyone who's not
essential to run this thing, or we're done."

    Nobou hesitated, glancing at Lorelei, who nodded.  "Please do as
Nabiki asks, Nobou-sensei.  I would prefer it."

    Nobou blinked a third time.  "Ah... certainly, Lorelei-san.  I
should have no problems handling the station by myself."

    Nabiki nodded, then glared at the other men in the room.  "You heard
them, boys... everybody out!"  She flipped her thumb
at the exit.  "And don't let the door hit you as you leave."  She
muttered darkly under her breath.  Nabiki looked around at all
the monitoring equipment and her eyes narrowed.  "Sensei."  She turned
to Nobou.  "Do these cameras feed anywhere besides the viewing booth
right here?"

    Nobou blinked.  "Well, the recordings feed directly into the booth,
yes."

    Nabiki nodded.  "But could they go anywhere else?"

    Nobou frowned thoughtfully.  "Well, all the computers in the labs
are networked to some extent."

    Nabiki rolled her eyes.  "Of course.  Is there any way to keep this
computer from sending out what happens in this room?"

    Nobou hesitated.  "Well, I suppose I could disconnect it from the
network."

    Nabiki nodded.  "Do it."

    Lorelei blinked.  "Is all this really necessary, Nabiki?  Why would
anyone be using the other computers to look in on us here?"

    Nabiki turned to the petite scientist matter-of-factly.  "I know
boys, and these guys are really just big teenagers.  If you tell
them they can't do something, they'll try and do it anyway.  If you
don't want them all watching while you do this... and making
tapes, showing the tapes to their friends, and so on and so forth, we
should make good and sure."

    Lorelei paled slightly.  "They wouldn't, would they?"

    Nobou blinked in confusion.  "Well, we should make a complete
recording...."

    Lorelei sighed.  "I really hadn't though this through very well."
She shook her head.  "No, I agreed to do this.  I won't back
out from cold feet... or personal embarrassment."

    Nabiki shook her head.  "No, we can deal with this, you'll see.
We'll just have to take some precautions."  She patted
Lorelei on the shoulder.  "Just leave everything to me."

    Half an hour later, everything was finally ready.  Cherry was jacked
into the computer system to monitor it for security and
Bloodberry was standing at the door to keep any unwanted guests out.
Nabiki helped Lorelei into the chair and handed her
the electrodes she'd have to wear.

    "You sure that you're OK with this?"  Nabiki asked.

    Lorelei glanced at Cherry and Bloodberry, then nodded.  "They might
as well be here.  They'll be receiving this new program as well... and I
suppose it's about time they learned."  She looked at Otaru's two
marionettes again.  "Cherry, Bloodberry, what I'm about to show you is
very personal... so if you please."

    Bloodberry nodded.  "Don't go telling anyone else about it?  Sure,
Lorelei."

    Cherry spoke up from the control booth.  "Lorelei-sama, we really
appreciate you agreeing to do this for us.  Nabiki explained how
difficult this is for you."

    Lorelei sighed.  "I feel responsible to you two, and Lime as well.
You're almost like my own daughters.  There is no one else
to do this for you, so it's my responsibility."  She hesitated.  "I'd
appreciate it if you wait a bit before explaining this to Lime.  She's
not ready for it yet.  She's still too young at heart."

    Cherry nodded immediately, but Bloodberry blinked.  "What about
Ranma?  Didn't you say she didn't know how to masturbate either?"

    Lorelei blushed bright red and Nabiki chuckled.  "That's OK.  If she
wants to know, Akane can teach her... once we get this program updated."

    Lorelei sighed.  "Alright, I suppose I should get started."  She
handed Nabiki the electrodes and started to undress, pulling her sweater
over her head.  Soon enough Lorelei had stripped down to her panties,
and laid back on the chair, covering her nipples with her left arm.
Nabiki walked around behind her and placed the electrodes on Lorelei's
temples.  "Are you
comfortable?"

    Lorelei swallowed, blushing.  "Not really, but never mind that."
She uncovered her breasts and started to fondle them with
both hands, blushing terribly.  She closed her eyes and tried to pretend
she was alone in her bedroom.

    Nabiki swallowed.  "We'll go into the booth and give you some
privacy."  She took Bloodberry out of the room and into the
booth, where Cherry was watching half a dozen monitors in fascination
and embarrassment.  The three marionettes watched for almost half an
hour, with Nabiki interspersing an occasional quiet explanation into the
embarrassed silence.

    As Lorelei was finishing up, Nabiki turned away from the monitors.
"Now remember, this isn't something you do in public.
Lorelei will be very sensitive and embarrassed about this, and she'll be
worse if anyone learns about today, so make sure no one finds out,
okay?"

    Cherry nodded.  "I've been monitoring the computer continually.
There are no outside sources connected at this time.  All the data is
here and only here.  The translation program is already running, and as
soon as it's complete I will erase the recordings."

    Nabiki nodded.  "Very good.  Lorelei would be mortified if this got
out."

    Bloodberry nodded back.  "I'll stick around until Cherry's finished
and make sure no one else gets in.

    Nabiki looked relieved.  "OK, I'd better go in and take care of
Lorelei.  I'll see you two back at Otaru's place."  She turned
and left the booth, then went inside the room Lorelei was in.  Lorelei
was still going, and she looked over at the door wide eyed as Nabiki
came into the room.  "It's just me."  Nabiki assured her.  "Cherry says
they've got enough data to finish the program now."  She came over to
Lorelei and handed her a large towel.  "Here you go."

    Nabiki gave Lorelei her gentlest smile.  "You were great.  I don't
think anyone else would have agreed to do this.  I can't tell you how
grateful we all are.  Akane and Ranma would thank you too, if they ever
found out what you did for us.  All nine of us, marionettes with Maiden
Circuits, owe you big time for this."  Lorelei started self-consciously
wiping herself down with the towel as Nabiki picked up her clothing and
brought it to her.  "Do you want some privacy while you get dressed?"

    Lorelei blinked, as if surprised, then shook her head.  "No, it's
not important now.  We've gone a bit past the need for that,
haven't we?"

    Nabiki nodded in agreement, looking at Lorelei calmly.  "I suppose
we have."

    Lorelei started getting dressed.  "Well, at least it's over.  I'm
glad that I was here to do this for you, Nabiki, but I'm also glad
I don't have to do this again."  She put a hand on Nabiki's arm.  "I'm
also glad you took the precautions you did.  You were right.  I didn't
want all those men watching me, or recording me for posterity.  I don't
think I could have done it if they had been.  I was so embarrassed just
with them knowing what I was going to do."

    Lorelei finished dressing and sighed.  "So, Bloodberry and Cherry?"

    Nabiki smiled at her.  "They both really appreciate what you did
too, and they're going to wait for the translator program to
finish, so they can erase your session in here."

    Lorelei hesitated.  "Good... well...."  She started toward the
booth.  "Actually... if Cherry could make me an encrypted copy
of the recording... for when I'm eighty years old and want to remember
how it was...."

    Nabiki smiled again and nodded.  "I think that could be arranged."

    They went into the booth and Cherry and Bloodberry both turned to
face them.  "Oh Lorelei-sama, thank you!"  Cherry
gushed enthusiastically.  "You've given us an incredible gift!"

    Bloodberry nodded.  "Yeah, I really owe you one for this.  If you
ever want a favor, anything at all, just ask.  We'll do it."

    Lorelei blushed.  "Please, you're embarrassing me."  She took a
breath.  "Cherry, when you're done with the program, bring
a hard disk to me.  I'll install it in Nabiki, and then in you two if it
works properly.  We'll do the others during their next
maintenance, or sooner, if they wish it."

    Cherry nodded.  "Alright, Lorelei-sama.  It should be two hours or
so before the translator program finishes up."

    Lorelei nodded back.  "I'll be in my room until then.  Oh, and
Cherry, once the program is ready, erase the records, except
make me one encrypted copy for safe keeping, and bring it to me along
with the sensor program."

    Cherry bowed.  "I'll deliver them both directly to you,
Lorelei-sama."

    Lorelei smiled.  "Good.  Thank you."  She left the booth, Nabiki
trailing.  Lorelei took the most direct route to her rooms,
grateful when she didn't meet anyone on the way.  As they entered her
bedroom Lorelei went to her bed and sat down, then
lay back.  "What a day."  She sighed.  "I'm hungry, but I don't want to
go out right now...."

    Nabiki nodded in understanding.  "Why don't I bring you something in
here?  I'm pretty hungry myself."

    Lorelei nodded gratefully.  "Could you?"

    Nabiki shrugged.  "Sure, what would you like?"

    Lorelei turned to face her.  "Well... can you make chicken donjon?"

    Nabiki blinked.  "Er... I can boil ramen... and order takeout...."

    Lorelei smiled faintly.  "Ramen would be fine.  There are fixings
for pork ramen in the refrigerator.  Do you want me to do this?"

    Nabiki waved her hands negatively.  "No, no, you cooked last time.
It's my turn, you relax."  She nodded.  "I can handle
ramen, no problem at all."

    Lorelei nodded back.  "Alright."

    Nabiki slipped out of the room and headed for the kitchen.  "What's
happened to me?  Cooking?  Acting domestic?  Job or
not, I've never been so... eager to please.  Is this what being in love
is like?  Akane and Ranma don't act like this... it feels...
good... to make her happy, but it's like I'm a whole different person
around her.  I wish...  I wish...  I don't know what I wish."  Nabiki
shook her head.  "I don't know what to think."  She sighed.  "I guess
this is just something I'll have to learn to deal with."

    Hours later, back in Lorelei's personal lab, Nabiki sat up and
looked down at herself quizzically.  "So, is it done?"

    Lorelei nodded.  "Yes.  I just put in the new chip.  Cherry and
Bloodberry have already left too...."  She blushed lightly.  "Er..."

    Nabiki tried not to snicker.  "To try out their new program?"

    Lorelei nodded gratefully.  "Yes."  She hesitated.  "Um..."

    Nabiki glanced thoughtfully down at herself.  "I don't really feel
any different... although I guess there's no reason I should, yet,
anyway."  She sat there silently for nearly a minute, until the silence
became uncomfortable.  "Ah..."  Nabiki began.  "I don't suppose, um...."

    Lorelei nodded helpfully.  "You'd like some privacy?"

    Nabiki shrugged helplessly.  "I share the space with Akane and Ranma
back home.  I was wondering if there was somewhere here...?"

    Lorelei nodded at once.  "There is a guest room near my apartments.
You are welcome to it, of course."

    Nabiki sighed with a nod.  "Now I'm starting to! understand a bit of
how you must have felt earlier today.  This isn't something you normally
talk about... at least, not quite so frankly."  She looked thoughtful.
"On second thought, maybe it's just how artificial this feels that's
bothering me... I don't really know."  Nabiki shrugged.  "It doesn't
matter.  I really have no reason to feel so shy about it, I just do."

    Lorelei shook her head.  "You have plenty of reason, Come, let not
fuss about it anymore.  I'll show you the room, and leave you there.  I
could use some sleep, I think."  She paused.  "And if there are any
problems... you can tell me in the morning, so I can make any necessary
adjustments."

    Nabiki hesitated.  "Do you think you'll... need to make further
adjustments?"

    Lorelei blinked.  "I'm not sure... but I think not.  From what I was
able to determine, everything went fine."

    Nabiki sighed slightly.  "Oh."

    Lorelei blinked again.  "Why do you sound disappointed?"

    Nabiki sighed again.  "Oh well, I was kind of looking forward to
having to do lots and lots of "experimentation" with you."

    Lorelei swallowed nervously.  "Er...."

    Nabiki laughed.  "I'm sorry, I've really got to stop doing that. You
are just too easy to tease."

    Lorelei shook her head.  "Nabiki, Nabiki, whatever am I going to do
with you?"

    Nabiki shrugged.  "Whatever you want, naturally."

    Lorelei blinked, then her eyes narrowed.  "Oh... really?"  She
grabbed Nabiki by the wrist.  "I think for once I'll take you up
on that!"  She hauled the astonished Nabiki off down the hall without
looking back.

    "Er..."  Nabiki stammered nervously.  "Where are we going?"

    "The tech's break room."  Lorelei answered calmly without looking
back.  "I overheard of them mention that they'd really
like to help test your new program, so why not now?  Some of them were
quite handsome you know."  She continued hauling
Nabiki down the hall as the short haired Tendo's head swam.

    "You're kidding!?!"  Nabiki said finally, hoping that this was all a
joke.

    Lorelei turned around in mid step, blinking.  "Hmm?  Didn't you say
that you'd do whatever I want?"

    Nabiki blinked twice.  "Well... yes."

    Lorelei looked hurt.  "Didn't you mean it?"

    Nabiki hesitated, then nodded quickly.  "Yes... yes I did.  I owe
you that much."

    Lorelei nodded matter-of-factly.  "Alright.  I really want to test
your program under working conditions, I think we'll try several
different variations... don't worry, the tech boys were quite eager to
help, you know!  Won't hurt a bit, I promise." She started hauling
Nabiki away again.  "Hurry up, I believe at least five or six of the
techs should be on a break now...."

    Nabiki followed after her "mistress" with a growing look of dismay
on her face, but something kept her from protesting
further.  "All in the... the name of science, huh?"

    Lorelei nodded without looking back.  "Of course.  I'm glad that you
understand."  She came to a halt at shogi door, and
pulled it open. "Well then, in you go!"  She pulled Nabiki to the door
and pushed her inside.  "Hello boys, guess what I brought?"

    Nabiki shut her eyes as Lorelei pushed her into the room, trying to
think of a way out of her current predicament without
hurting Lorelei's feelings.  She grit her teeth, not wanting to see the
leering faces of all the men that would soon be "testing her
out" for Lorelei.  The silence started to get to her, and she peeked one
eye open, only to see a rather ordinary looking bedroom, and Lorelei's
smiling face.

    "What in the..."  Nabiki groaned.  "You tricked me!"

    Lorelei broke out into giggles.  "I can't believe you actually
closed your eyes!  You should see the look on your face!"

    Nabiki blushed bright red.  "I guess I had that one coming.  You
really had me fooled."

    Lorelei couldn't stop giggling.  "I had to keep my face... turned
away..."  Her giggling was making it hard for her to talk.
"Because I was... trying so... hard not to... laugh!"

    Lorelei broke down into laughter, while Nabiki shook her head and
sighed.  "You're never going to let me live this down, are you?"

    Lorelei slowly brought herself under control.  "Now, now, Nabiki. As
you said, you brought this on yourself.  Anyway, this is the room I was
talking about.  I'll leave you alone now, alright?"

    Nabiki nodded, chuckling slightly.  "Sure you don't want to get all
the guys to drop by?"

    Lorelei smiled, shaking her head.  "Not really, but if you'd like, I
could invite just one... was there anyone in particular you
might want to invite?"

    Nabiki flushed again.  "You're teasing me again, aren't you?"

    Lorelei nodded.  "I certainly am."  She hesitated, then stepped
forward and gave Nabiki a chaste kiss on the cheek before
stepping away and heading for the door.  "Come to me if there's any
problems, alright?"

    Nabiki put a hand to her cheek, her face flaming.  "What was that
for?"

    Lorelei smiled sweetly.  "For luck... and... well... think of it as
a promise."

    Nabiki blinked in understanding and smiled back.  "I'll hold you to
that promise... someday."

    Lorelei shivered, but remained smiling.  "I know."  She winked and
was gone, closing the door behind her.

    Nabiki turned away from the door after staring after the petite
scientist for half a minute and started to the bed, pulling off her
clothes as she went.  "The only one I want is you, Lorelei."  She said
quietly to herself.  "And I will get you, girl, just wait and see."

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

    Akane came into the restaurant late in the afternoon, looking
thoughtful.  When she spotted Ranma, she walked over to the
red head purposefully.  "Ranma, you'd never believe who I saw today."
Akane spoke softly, not wanting to attract attention.  "I thought I was
seeing things at first, but..."

    Ranma looked at Akane, then glanced at the man who she had been
serving.  "Hold on a sec."  With a sudden burst of
speed she finished setting out his food, then waved at Cherry.  "Hey,
Cherry, can you spare me for a couple minutes?"

    Cherry nodded with a smile.  "We should be fine for awhile, Ranma!"

    Ranma turned back to Akane.  "Come on, let's go upstairs.  I've got
some stuff to tell you, too."  The two marionettes
slipped away from the crowd and up the stairs.

    As soon as they got to the top of the stairs Akane spoke.  "I know
it sounds crazy, but I swear I saw... Ukyo....  Um... do you hear that?"

    Ranma was nodding.  "Yeah, I saw her, I mean him, too.  The bread
delivery guy?"  She paused.  "Wait, I do hear
something... kinda like panting... from the back room?"

    Akane flushed red as the sounds became clearer.  "I think it's
Bloodberry... come on, Ranma, let's go out back instead."

    Ranma hesitated.  "Hey, she doesn't sound too good, maybe we should
check on her?"  Ranma started toward the back room, where the panting
and gasping for breath was getting quicker and louder.

    Akane grabbed the red head by the arm and stopped her.  "Ranma, I
REALLY think we should leave her alone.  I'm sure she's fine."

    Ranma blinked.   "Are you sure?  I mean, we don't know all that much
about marionettes yet...."

    Akane's grip tightened slightly and her face grew red.  "Ranma, I
can't believe you!  Do you seriously expect me to believe
that you... that you don't know what...."

    Ranma blinked again.  "What?  You mean you know what's going on with
Bloodberry, Akane?"

    Akane sighed.  "Actually, yes.  Just trust me and come outside,
okay?"

    Ranma nodded uncertainly.  "Okay, if you say so, Akane."
Bloodberry's panting became low moaning and Akane hauled
Ranma out of the room, her face flushing pink.

    When they had gotten to the back yard she stopped.  "Ranma, promise
me that you won't go barging in on anyone when
they're... making sounds like that, okay?"

    Ranma shrugged.  "Sure, I guess.  What was that, anyway?"

    Akane sighed.  "Ranma... you had better not just be pretending you
don't know, or I'll...."  She sighed at Ranma's look of
confusion. "Ranma you idiot.  Bloodberry is... well... masturbating,
okay?"

    Ranma blinked.  "Master whating?"

    Akane looked incredulous.  "You don't have any idea, do you?"

    Ranma frowned.  "Hey, it's not like I was born a girl or nothin.
This is something to do with being a girl, right?"

    Akane rolled her eyes.  "Not... exactly.  Didn't you ever pay any
attention in sex-ed class?"

    Ranma's eyes widened.  "You mean this has something to do with...
er... sex?"  She blushed.  "Wait... she's in there alone,
right?  How can she be...."  Ranma shook her head.  "I don't get it."

    Akane sighed in disbelief.  "Let's just... talk about something else
for a minute, alright?"

    Ranma nodded quickly, eager to change the subject to one that
wouldn't get her clobbered.  "Sure... so... er... you saw
him too?  The guy that looks like Ukyo?"

    Akane nodded.  "While I was out job hunting.  It was uncanny.  It...
he looked just like her!  Even the giant spatula!"

    Ranma nodded.  "He came into the restaurant this morning to deliver
some bread.  I just stood there like an idiot.  For a
minute I thought it was really her... but it can't be, can it?  It's got
to be a guy that just looks like Ukyo, right?"

    Akane nodded back in agreement.  "Lorelei's the only girl on the
planet, and I'm pretty sure he wasn't a marionette.  But the
spatula... it can't just be a coincidence.  He... he has to be related
to Ukyo somehow."

    Ranma shrugged.  "I guess so.  Weird.  I wonder if anyone else we
know is wandering around."

    Akane shrugged back.  "Who knows?"  She looked pensive suddenly.
"I've been putting this off, but we could probably find out what
happened to everybody back in Nermia... including ourselves, if we check
the records."

    Ranma blinked.  "Oh yeah!  Why didn't I think of that?  I bet they
have a whole lot of stuff about us.  Look at how much the
Kunos knew."

    Akane frowned doubtfully.  "But... I'm not sure I really want to
know."

    Ranma blinked.  "Huh?  Why not?  I think it'd be kinda cool, seeing
what happened to everybody."

    Akane sighed.  "I just... I'm not sure I want to know how things
turned out... between you and me, I mean."

    Ranma thought that over for several seconds.  "Oh."  She said
softly.  "You think something bad might have happened?"

    Akane hesitated.  "That's part of it, but I'm more worried that
maybe we didn't... that the two of us... didn't get married."

    Ranma hesitated.  "Huh.  I didn't think about that."  She shook her
head.  "Well, what's the big deal, I mean...."  She stopped, then tried
again.  "Anyway, I bet we did... you know, get married.  Our pops
wouldn't have stopped trying to get us
hitched, you now, and I... I...."

    Akane looked hopeful.  "Yes, Ranma?"

    Ranma shrugged helplessly.  "I wouldn't have... minded that much."

    Akane sighed, looking disappointed.  "Is that it?  You wouldn't have
minded that much?  I suppose you'd have preferred
being married to Ukyo or Shampoo?"

    Ranma shook her head.  "No way!  Ucchan was my best friend, but I
didn't want to be married to her....  She was a buddy,
I didn't think about her like that."

    Akane raised an eyebrow skeptically.  "Really?"

    Ranma nodded.  "Yeah, really.  Shampoo was a friend too... when she
wasn't grabbing on to me or trying to drug me or
something, but I didn't want to get married to her.  You were the only
one that I... that I would've... that I... wanted to... you
know."

    Akane blinked.  "Really?  You wanted to... marry me?"

    Ranma flushed, looking embarrassed.  "Well... yeah."  She shook her
head quickly.  "Not that it matters anymore.  I mean,
nobody is trying to get us hitched.  We're both girls now, Marionettes.
We can't get married now, even if we wanted to."

    Akane sighed.  "That's true... but... that doesn't mean we can't...
be together."

    Ranma grinned confidently.  "Sure, after everything we've been
through, there ain't nothing that can keep us apart, Akane.
You know that I'll always be here for ya."

    Akane smiled, ignoring Ranma's bad grammar.  "That's nice to know."
She hesitated.  "Still, why should we want to find out
what happened way back then?  It's not as if the same things could
happen.  Our situation is totally different, right?"

    Ranma blinked.  "Well, yeah.  I guess it's no big deal what happened
back then.  If you really don't want to know...?"

    Akane hesitated again.  "I... I'm not sure.  Let me think about it
for awhile, okay?"

    Ranma nodded.  "Sure, Akane, if you want."  She paused.  "So... you
were at this guy's shop?  You know, the one that
looks like Ucchan?  You think we should check it out?  We could find out
if he's really related to Ukyo or not."

    Akane shook her head quickly.  "I couldn't.  I made an idiot out of
myself.  He probably thinks I'm defective or something."

    Ranma laughed.  "Yeah, me too.  He thought I was jammed, the way I
was staring and stammering at him.  Still, so what?
We'll just tell him why we were shocked to see him.  Makes perfect
sense, I think."

    Akane shook her head.  "No thanks, I'd be too embarrassed to say
anything.  We're not likely to see him any time soon,
anyway, are we?"

    Ranma coughed.  "Well, he does apparently deliver bread to the
restaurant."

    Akane's shoulders sagged.  "Oh.  I guess we should talk to him then,
huh?"

    Ranma nodded.  "I think so."

    The two girls stood there for several long seconds before Akane
spoke again.  "Um, do you think we should wait until he
comes back to the restaurant?"

    Ranma shook her head.  "We'd better go to his shop instead."

    Akane nodded with a sigh.  "I suppose so."  She looked up.
"Tomorrow?"

    Ranma nodded.  "Yeah, after Nabiki's lesson, okay?"

    Akane nodded back.  "Sure."  She hesitated.  "I guess you should get
back and help Cherry, right?"

    Ranma hesitated as well.  "Yeah, I'd better..."  The short red
haired marionette hesitated a bit longer.  "Hey, Akane, about
what Bloodberry was doing...?"

    Akane flushed.  "Later, okay?  I'll explain it later."

    Ranma hesitated for a few more seconds, then nodded.  "Sure... I'll
go help Cherry....  Talk to you later, Akane."  She
walked back into the house and through to the restaurant.

    Akane waited only until Ranma was out of sight before going in
herself and slipping quietly up the stairs.  Listening carefully,
she could just make out a contented sounding sigh from the room, so she
settled down to wait for Bloodberry to come out on
her own.  Just over a minute later, Bloodberry came out of the back
room, pulling on her vest, a large pleased smile on her face.

    When the taller red haired marionette spotted Akane, her grin
widened.  "Akane, hey, I've got to thank Nabiki for this.  I
never would have known what I was missing, otherwise."

    Akane swallowed.  "So... Nabiki showed you how to... er...."

    "Masturbate?"  Bloodberry finished for her.  "Actually, it was
Lorelei-san."  She blushed slightly.  "We... really own her one
for doing this... and keep this to yourself, okay?  Lorelei doesn't want
anyone knowing about... what she had to do to help us out."  She smiled
faintly.  "We really owe her a lot for this.  I can't wait to try some
of this stuff out on Otaru."

    Akane flushed bright red.  "Ah... so Lorelei... um... figured out
what was... er... wrong with Nabiki's...."  She swallowed hard.
"Um...."

    Bloodberry nodded, looking at Akane with a sudden insight.  "This
stuff is really personal, isn't it?"  She flushed.  "Really...
embarrassing, huh?  Lorelei was embarrassed too, like you are, although
she tried to pretend it didn't bother her....  I could tell
that it did, though."  Bloodberry nodded slowly to herself, her eyes
thoughtful.  "It had to be really hard for her.  We really do
owe her for this."

    Akane hesitated.  "Um, so... what exactly... er..."

    Bloodberry blinked.  "Oh yeah, you should head over to the palace
and have Lorelei update your sensory program.  She's
already done the modification for Cherry, Nabiki and me.  You should get
Ranma and Lime and... well, on second thought,
Lorelei thought Lime might not be ready for this yet."

    Akane nodded in agreement.  "I think she's right, Bloodberry, at
least for now.  It's kind of an... adult thing."

    Bloodberry winked.  "I bet you know all about it, eh?"

    Akane blushed brighter red, not knowing what to say.  "Um..."

    Bloodberry nodded.  "Right, right, it's personal.  So... you want me
to tell Ranma for you?"

    Akane's eyes widened.  "No, don't!"  She looked like she was about
to turn crimson.  "I'll... I'll tell her, okay?  I don't think
she's... ready yet either."

    Bloodberry shrugged.  "Nabiki said pretty much the same thing about
her....  I thought you two were... you know, in a
relationship.  You mean she really doesn't know about it?"

    Akane shook her head quickly.  "No... in a lot of ways, Ranma's like
a big kid.  You'd swear she doesn't know how to be a
girl!"

    Bloodberry shrugged again.  "Okay.  Well if you want to teach her
about it, it's fine by me."

    Akane blushed again.  "Thank you."

    Bloodberry stretched.  "No problem.   I'm going to get something to
eat, want to join me?"

    Akane nodded with a smile.  "That sounds good.  I think I will."

    Hours later, when they were closing up the Restaurant and getting
everything ready for bed, Nabiki finally returned from the
castle.  She walked in the back door and went over to where Ranma and
Akane were helping Cherry clean up the restaurant.  When Akane turned to
greet her older sister she was surprised by the happy little grin on
Nabiki's face.

    Akane blinked twice, then smiled.  "You almost look like you're
glowing, sis.  I'd wonder at the reason, except I already
know."

    Nabiki flushed.  "Oh, I guess Bloodberry or Cherry told you?"

    Ranma blinked in surprise, looking from one sister to the other.
"Hey, what's going on?  Why is Nabiki cheerful all of a
sudden anyway, Akane?"

    Akane blushed and Nabiki laughed, winking at her younger sister as
she spoke.  "Do you want to explain it, or should I?"

    Akane glared at her older sibling.  "Don't you dare, Nabiki."

    Nabiki winked slyly.  "Are you sure?  I'd bet Ranma would enjoy
my... demonstration....  I'll provide visual aids and
everything...."

    Ranma turned bright red, even though she wasn't quite sure what
Nabiki was hinting at, even as Akane yelled her protest.
"Nabiki!"

    The short haired marionette laughed again.  "You two are sooo easy.
I came back to tell you that I'm going to be staying at
the castle tonight....  In fact, I'm going to be moving in there for the
near future at the least.  It's part of the job."  Nabiki nodded to
Ranma.  "I'll come by in the morning to continue our lessons, but if I'm
going to protect Lorelei I need to be there the majority of the time."

    Ranma nodded.  "Yeah, that makes sense."

    Akane looked concerned.  "You're going to be staying there?  From
now on?"

    Nabiki nodded matter-of-factly.  "Um hmm.  I came by to let you
know, and pick up my spare kimono... I really need to get
some more clothes."  She noticed Akane's worried look and reassured
her.  "I'll come by every day, Akane, so don't worry.
Anyway, you and Ranma should come by the castle tomorrow so Lorelei can
update your programs... although Ranma-kun
might not even notice the difference."

    Ranma was starting to get annoyed at all the hints.  "Hey, it's not
my fault that I wasn't born a...."  Akane elbowed her
roughly and Ranma paused, remembering that Cherry was still in earshot.
"... wasn't raised by my mother...."

    Akane sighed.  "I'll tell you, Ranma, alright?  Just... later
tonight, okay?"

    Ranma hesitated, then nodded.  "Sure, if you want, Akane."

    Nabiki chuckled.  "What I wouldn't give to be a fly on the wall for
THAT discussion.  Nevertheless, I had better get going.
See you two tomorrow, right?"

    Ranma and Akane nodded wordlessly, and Nabiki sped up the stairs to
their room.  She was back down the stairs in moments, carrying her
folded up kimono.  "Later!"  She called cheerfully and ran off,
uncharacteristically energetic.  Ranma and Akane went back to helping
Cherry clean up the restaurant, then got ready for bed, but before
everyone turned in that night, Akane led Ranma out onto the second floor
balcony, then up onto the roof.

    "There."  Akane said in satisfaction when they had moved well away
from the balcony.  "We can talk without any
interruptions."

    Ranma nodded nervously.  "Yeah...."

    Akane took a deep breath and did her level best not to blush.
"Ranma, have you ever had a... wet dream?  Boys have them,
right?  You dream about... someone you like... a lot... and when you
wake up your blanket is wet?"

    Ranma blushed bright red.  "You know about that?"

    Akane couldn't help but giggle a little.  "Unlike some people, I
actually pay attention in class."  She blushed again.  "Anyway, it's the
same for girls.  When you... think about someone that you love... and...
touch yourself... down there... that's called masturbation."

    Ranma's eyes were bulging.  "You're kidding?  Do all girls do that?"

    Akane flushed a brighter red.  "Not everyone does it, Ranma, but
it's supposed to be... well... healthy to do that."  She looked away. "I
know, I know, and I'm always calling you the perverted one, right?"

    Ranma hesitated, then shook her head.  "I wasn't going to say that."

    Akane frowned.  "But you were thinking it!"

    Ranma didn't answer right away and Akane started getting angry
again, but before she could blow up at the smaller girl,
Ranma shrugged.  "I don't think you're a pervert, Akane."  She shrugged
again.  "Happosai was a pervert, and Kuno was one... I think... but
you're not like them."

    Akane sighed.  "I certainly hope not!"

    Ranma nodded in agreement, then frowned.  "What was Nabiki talking
about, anyway?  Update our programs?  I don't like
the sound of that.  Isn't that what the Kunos wanted to do to us?"

    Akane blinked.  "I hadn't though about it that way... but it's not
really the same thing.  For one, it's Lorelei, and I think we
can trust her, and secondly, she's only going to be changing our...
er... sensory program, I guess."

    Ranma blinked.  "Okay... but why does she need to do that?  Is there
something wrong with them?"

    Akane nodded.  "Yes.  Nabiki was... er... you know... the other
night, and she noticed that it didn't feel right... so she was
going to ask Lorelei about it...."  Akane shrugged.  "And I guess
Lorelei fixed the problem, whatever it was."

    Ranma blinked.  "Well, that was nice of her."

    Akane nodded.  "We'll have to thank her when we see her tomorrow."
She blushed.  "I don't know exactly what to say
about it, but it was nice of her to help out."

    Ranma nodded.  "She's a good person."  She frowned.  "Still, how do
you know we need re... reprograming?  You say
Nabiki found something wrong with her... um... stuff....  But how do you
know that our... stuff doesn't work right?"

    Akane blinked.  "Um... I hadn't thought of that."

    Ranma hesitated.  "You think we should check?"

    Akane flushed bright red again.  "No!  I mean... I'll do it...
later... before we go...."  She frowned at Ranma.  "Just to make
sure we need to bother Lorelei, okay?  So don't say anything about it,
Ranma."

    Ranma held up her hands defensively.  "Not me!"

    Akane sighed.  "Sorry....  Anyway, we'd better get inside before it
gets too late.  If we stay out too late we'll wake everyone
up when we come in."  Ranma nodded quietly and the two marionettes
slipped back inside to go to bed.

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

    Later that night, Nabiki found Lorelei in her lab working on her
computer, a schematic of a circular device on the monitor,
areas of it blinking in red.  "I thought you'd have gone to bed by
now."  Nabiki said quietly, resting a hand lightly on Lorelei's
shoulder as the petite scientist typed away.

    "I wanted to get some work done on Tiger's maiden circuit before I
went to sleep."  Lorelei explained, equally quietly.  "I feel like I
haven't done enough for her somehow."

    Nabiki patted Lorelei's shoulder gently.  "Nonsense.  I know you
better than that.  Things have just bee toon busy the last
week."

    Lorelei sighed.  "I suppose that IS true."

    Nabiki looked in interest at the image on the monitor.  "So that's
Tiger's maiden circuit?  I suppose those red areas are
signifigant?"

    Lorelei nodded.  "Those are areas were the data has been lost due to
the damage.  I'm trying to find a way to regenerate the
lost data when I repair those areas, so we don't lose everything Tiger
has become up to now.  Losing her memories, her
emotional growth that was stored in those areas of her maiden circuit
would be almost like dying...."  She took a deep breath and glanced
across the room to where Tiger was standing motionless in a diagnostic
chamber.  "But I won't give up.  I will find a way to bring her back."

    Nabiki nodded confidently.  "I know you will...."  She looked
around, suddenly alert.  "Hey, did you hear something?"

     Lorelei looked around.  "No, not really, what do you...."  As her
eyes passed over where Tiger was resting, she spotted a
shadow in the darkness above.  A human shadow.  "Who's there?"  The
shadow vanished almost immediately, whoever it was
jumping down from their perch in the roof beams and out of sight.

    Nabiki's eyes locked on the movement at once.  "Stay behind me,
Lorelei."  She rushed to the door and out into the hall,
followed closely by the willowy scientist, but when they got outside
there was no sign of the intruder.  Nabiki looked around for the
intruder warily, and Lorelei's eyes came to rest on the security camera
that watched the corridor.  "Let's get you someplace safer than this,
Lorelei."  Nabiki insisted quietly.

    Lorelei nodded.  "The security room?  The cameras might have spotted
something."

    Nabiki nodded.  "Good idea.  Come on, I'm not leaving your side
until you're safe."

    Minutes later, they stood in the security room with Tamasaburo and
Baiko, looking at a monitor showing Lorelei and Nabiki
coming out of the lab.  Baiko expertly brought the recording back to a
point fifteen seconds earlier, which showed a dark skinned individual
with long blue hair, wearing a cloak, jump down from above the doors to
the lab, and just as quickly jump off, carrying a large sack in one
hand.  Baiko rewound the tape and stopped it, then zoomed in on the face
of the intruder.

    Lorelei blinked in shock.  "My god, it's a marionette!"

    Baiko spoke up.  "To think she was allowed to infiltrate the castle
while we were undergoing routine maintenance.  We will
have to strengthen our guard."

    Tamasaburo nodded to Nabiki.  "It was fortunate that you were with
Lorelei at the time, or something unfortunate may have
occurred."

    Nabiki shivered.  "I'm just glad she decided to run instead of
attack.  I'm not sure if I'm ready for another fight so soon."

    Lorelei was continuing to look at the tape in shock.  "This
marionette... has a heart!"

    Nabiki turned to look as well.  "Really?"  She stared at the image
on the screen.  "You know, I think you're right.  Whoever
this is, she has a maiden circuit like me...."  She turned to Lorelei.
"I thought maiden circuits were supposed to be incredibly
rare.  Could there be more of them out there then we thought?"

    Lorelei shook her head.  "I don't know.  I thought only Japoness and
Gartlant had completed work on marionettes with
Maiden Circuits... but obviously someone else has as well."

    Nabiki frowned.  "Do you think this has something to do with the
Kunos?"

    Lorelei hesitated.  "I don't think so... Baiko, had the
investigation team assigned to the Kunos found anything significant?"

    Baiko shook her head.  "Only the manufacture of Nabiki, Akane and
Ranma.  A fourth Saber Marionette would have
required a great deal of resources, and there was no sign of such an
additional expenditure."

    Nabiki nodded.  "So it isn't the Kunos... who else could build a
Marionette with a Maiden Circuit?"

    Lorelei shook her head.  "The Kunos were really the only ones in
Japoness with access to the proper material to build a
Maiden Circuit.  There are other families as powerful and wealthy, but
none with access to that technology.  I'd say it would
have to be someone from another country, most likely a government
project like Lime and the others."

    Nabiki frowned.  "That's not good."  She said with a hint of
sarcasm.

    Lorelei shook her head worriedly.  "No, it most definitely is not."

        End Chapter 15

Please C&C, it's why I write!

You can find almost all the previous Chapters to this at:
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Dojo/1449/ssl.html


             .---Anime/Manga Fanfiction Mailing List----.
             | Administrators - ffml-admins@anifics.com |
             | Unsubscribing - ffml-request@anifics.com |
             |     Put 'unsubscribe' in the subject     |
             `---- http://ffml.anifics.com/faq.txt -----'