Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Third Chances ❯ Steps towards the Future Part 2 ( Chapter 6 )

Chapter 6

Steps towards the Future Part 2

 

 

Disclaimer: I don't own this series or any other series. I am just floating an idea. I am making no money, nor plan to, off this venture. If you think of suing me over this, then grow up.

 

I would like to first personally thank all of those reviewing my stories. I enjoy reading your comments, and try to correct the grammatical errors I miss with my final read-through as well as my spell checkers. The suggestions you all make will help make this story better for everyone to enjoy, as well as allow my to fix some plot holes I may unintentionally leave. If you find any, let me know, and I will correct them and repost the chapters.

 

I find that if I let thinks sit for a while in my head; I can play them out farther. Plus by trying and keeping my chapters between 2500 and 3000+ words, it helps keep me from making the story slide out of control, turning a diamond to a pile of shit.

 

Please feel free to review, and make comments. If you find a spelling or wordage mistake, feel free to let me know. Thank you.

 

Also, please check out my other stories. I try to keep a constant level of dedication to all of them.

 

Thanks again to Howard Russell, the best damn pre-reader out there and the main reason my latest stuff is so damn good.

 

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So simple. It had been so simple to get Ranma from Akane; the girl didn't even throw a fit like the last time. She had just stormed off, acting as if she was justified in her reaction of the situation.

 

Truth be told, the two remaining people in the room would have felt better if even a half-hearted attempt at an infamous Akane Tendo Temper Tantrum had been used. It would have meant that Akane had cared.

 

But to show no emotion, no violent reaction to the switching of the engagement, other than the tone of her speech, thoroughly confused Nabiki and Ranma. But it had hurt Ranma even more. He simply sat in Nabiki's room for a good hour after the betrothal was shifted; Nabiki had dragged him there, preferring it to one of their fathers finding them and prattling on about supposed betrayals, possible schemes, and slighted honor.

 

Ranma had just stayed in her room, staring off into space while she did her homework. He even mindlessly did his own—at her prompting—and had actually completed it all correctly. She should know; she checked it.

 

But she could tell how hurt he was.

 

The non-existent reaction was proof enough to him that Akane had given up on him: that she no longer cared even enough to get mad at him. Whether it was true or not, that was how he saw it. To him, her love was already dead. She had managed to prove it to him by not taking action where months of mallet-attacks had not.

 

Nabiki would have to agree. For all appearances, it looked as if Akane had just given up on Ranma completely. Sure, she stared at him with anger, but it was more like what one gives a defeated foe rather than a former love.

 

Had Akane ever loved Ranma? Or was she just using him as a prize like the others: only being nice to him when her prize was in jeopardy of being lost?

 

Now, it seemed like the latter.

 

And the biggest pain Nabiki had was that she had been a part of it. Still was, since Nodoka was planning on springing the truth of her knowledge of his curse and the solutions for the marriage agreements in a few days. The only thing that would hurt him more, should it come out, would be Nabiki's little secret.

 

Slowly, she made her way downstairs. She was the only one up at this time, having decided to wake up at two in the morning to ensure that she could make the call in private. Normally, she would have made it in her room, from her own private line, but she felt that was too close to Ranma. And the downstairs phone would provide a more quiet and secure locale.

 

She admitted to herself that it was a flimsy excuse. But she needed some tea to settle her stomach, and she could prepare it while she made the call.

 

She wasn't worried about waking Nodoka. According to Sasuke, Nodoka would be staying the night at the hospital with Kodachi. Apparently the formally psychotic Black Rose was reaching a critical point in her therapy and it was felt best that Nodoka should be close by for support.

 

I wish you luck, Kodachi. Your pain will soon be over.

 

Mine is just beginning.

 

Hell, with my luck and that of Ranma's, I'll probably be having triplets spread out over four days of labor.

 

After she set the water on the stove to heat and made certain the tea was in her cup, waiting to be made, she made her way to the phone, casting a glance to make certain Kasumi wasn't coming downstairs for some unknown reason. The girl could sense any disturbance and had been doting on Nabiki, believing that she was still ill. It wouldn't do well for her to hear the conversation with Nodoka's answering machine, especially since Nabiki's nerves were too shot to come up with a believable excuse.

 

“Hello, this is Nodoka Saotome. I'm busy right now, so please leave your name, number, and reason for calling and I will get back to you as soon as I can. Thank you.”

 

BEEP

 

“It's done. Proceed as planned.” Nabiki hung up the phone and returned to the kitchen, finished preparing her tea, then returned to her room. This night was just getting too hectic, and she had only been engaged to Ranma for less that twelve hours.

 

Who knew what tomorrow morning would bring.

 

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“Hello, welcome to Ucchan's. How may we—oh, Auntie Saotome, welcome. Shall I fetch the Mistress for you?”

 

Nodoka looked at the cross-dressing ninja, still surprised that she had been missing so many of the strange things that everyone in Nerima took for granted. She had honestly thought that Konatsu was really a kunoichi, not a boy whose stepfamily showed that there truly was a thin line between demons and humans; all a matter of how they acted to determine which were truly evil. “No, child, first I have something to ask you, if you would permit me.”

 

Konatsu smiled, gladdened to see someone treating him so kindly like his Mistress had once done. “I am at your disposal, Auntie, until you require me to fetch my Mistress. What do you require of this humble ninja?”

 

Nodoka motioned towards an empty booth and both sat down, the place empty because the lunch rush had already ended and the dinner rush still hours away. “Child, would you be comfortable should your Mistress and my child wed? I have been informed that you do have quite deep feelings for her, and you understand that, while I would wish my son a happy and blessed marriage with many grandchildren, I myself understand that some hearts may be broken.”

 

The smile faded from his face, replaced with a deep frown. “I cannot lie to you, Auntie. It is true that I have deep feelings for Mistress Ukyo, and would be eternally grateful to the gods should they deem me worthy of having her equally return my humble affections. I would even forgive the fates for placing me with those horrid trolls that I was forced to live with for all those years when my own family passed beyond the veil. But unlike many others in this town, I will not force my desires upon the one whose affections I seek. Nor will I attack the one whom she desires in hopes of proving my superiority through combat. If she is to be with me, then it shall be her choice alone to stop the pursuit of your son.”

 

Nodoka reached her hand across and took the ninja's free hand. “I thank you for your honesty, child. Just know that tomorrow your Mistress will need your support, your counsel, and your wisdom. If you are able to guide her well enough, she shall either have her dream or you shall, but only your heart can tell you which path is the correct one.”

 

Nodoka stood up, smoothing out any wrinkles in her kimono and straightening her silk bundle. “I thank you for this time, child. Please know that, should you ever need someone to talk to or even a parent to support you when you decide to leave the dark shadow of your past life, please let me know, and I will be there for you. It would seem that in this part of Tokyo, those whose parents have forsaken them end up here in Nerima. Please inform your Mistress that the both of you are to attend a meeting at the Tendo residence at seven tomorrow night. All the fiancées will be gathered there and it will be a meeting of peaceful discussion. Know that any who start a fight for whatever reason will be disqualified from the possibility of marrying my son. Also inform her that I have prepared ways to save honor, so that my son will not be pressured by his father's stupidity into making any decisions. If they refuse my offers to save honor, then they will face the punishments for such on their own shoulders, and not be able to blame my child or family for their misfortune. Good day, child.”

 

Konatsu returned to his seat after seeing Nodoka out. It would seem that she has tired of the inability of her son to choose. Not that I blame him, as he holds what little honor his father has left him above all else and knows choosing one will have dire consequences for the others as well as his intended.

 

Oh, what a weird day tomorrow promises to be. I do hope the Mistress will survive it.

 

With those thoughts, the ninja slipped back into the storeroom to inform Ukyo of tomorrow's meeting, hoping that her hopes would be carefully constrained. Though he did not wish to see her hurt in any way, he could only protect her so much from the outside world.

 

From herself, there was little he could offer in the way of protection.

 

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“Nihao! Welcome to Nekohanten. How may Shampoo—oh! Is Airen mother! Please sit, what Shampoo get for you?”

 

Nodoka had to smile at the young woman; child seemed such an inappropriate description for her. She was in the prime of her life and, aside from the stupidity of her elders—a fault Nodoka admitted she shared—she showed much potential. But these were things she was here to fix. “I simply request a meeting with you and your great-grandmother, child. We have details to discuss and, yes, it does deal with your relationship with my son.”

 

The smile that statement brought to Shampoo's face was wide and infectious. Nodoka couldn't help but continue to smile as the girl skipped into the back to fetch Cologne. She truly does have feelings for my manly son. It would be such a pity if he should only choose one of his intendeds. Well, I really can't force him to choose one in particular. But, oh the options I can give him. If nothing else, I will end up with another new daughter or two.

 

“You wished to speak with us?”

 

Cologne's sentence managed to break Nodoka from falling into daydreams of grandchildren. “Yes, Elder. I wish to discuss some things with you, and I feel it would be best to do so now.”

 

“Ah, would this have anything to do with son-in-law, as my great-granddaughter has suggested?”

 

“It does, and while I appreciate the candor with which you speak with me, please refrain from calling my son that.”

 

“By our laws, he has wed Shampoo, and this is absolute.”

 

“Really?” Nodoka's smile betrayed nothing as she quickly whipped out her family honor blade and held its point against Shampoo's throat. “I win, child.”

 

Cologne could only stare, not knowing how Nodoka could have moved so quickly without betraying a sense of intent or of powering up her chi or ki to invoke such speed.

 

Shampoo, however, was confused. Her mother-in-law had just defeated her, without challenge. “Why Airen mother do this to Shampoo? She no like Shampoo?”

 

Nodoka almost broke her gaze at the child, seeing her eyes begin to tear up at the thought of losing Ranma. Ah, young love. How I miss those days. “As my prize, I claim Rite of Custody.”

 

The Amazons' eyes went wide, expressions and hypotheses forgotten. “And how, may I ask, do you know of that law, Elder Saotome?”

 

Nodoka removed her sword from Shampoo's neck, placing it back in its sheath. “I did some digging on your people, Elder Cologne. Imagine my surprise at what I found. First, you punished your kin for failing at a task she should never have been given in the first place. Her fight with my child was for the food he and my worthless husband ate, not for dominance over one another, and certainly not worth a Kiss of Death. Second, you so poorly taught her how to associate with people, that she attacked anyone who may have had knowledge of my son's whereabouts. Third, you continue the stupidity of honoring those kisses, even when my son only defeated her to save another from her attack.

 

“You know no formal challenge for her hand was ever issued and, back in your own village, no one informed my child of what could happen should he face an Amazon. What more, you allow the worthless and dishonorable suitor constantly after my new daughter to continue to attack my son with deadly intent. What say you to my claims, Elder?”

 

Cologne's brow grew. “I have not proclaimed you successful in your challenge, Elder Saotome.”

 

Nodoka kept her smile. “To refuse my claim would also be to refute your claims on my child, Elder. Unlike you have demonstrated, I do care about what happens to this child. The simple fact that she did not react to my attack before the blade was to her neck has shown me that you have been sorely lacking in her training. Perhaps to give that idiot suitor a chance to win her should your plans for my child fail.

 

“But I will not allow her to suffer anymore for the arrogance of those who claim wisdom. Nor will I allow you to force my son to be with her for the sake of maintaining her honor, with which you have ensnared her as well. Should my son not choose to be with her, she now would face no backlash, as I now control her path.”

 

Her smile faded, her eyes focusing directly into the furrowed gaze of the Amazon Elder. “Be careful your next move, Elder Cologne. Should you push events against those I claim as kin—which now includes Shampoo—then you will force a blood feud that will make what my son did to Saffron look like a child's fight. Do not confuse the weakness of my husband for that of all of my bloodline. The Saotome name is mine, not his, and we are far from weak. Do not force us to humble the Amazon Nation as my son has done to others in your lands.”

 

“May I ask why you have done this?” Cologne tried to hide her rage at what Nodoka had done. It was true that Cologne had been considering having Ranma find out about what Shampoo faced at home should he fail to return with them. But Nodoka was ruining her plans, and revealing little of her intentions.

 

“For that, be at the Tendo Dojo at seven tomorrow night. There will be no fighting, or that group will forfeit their claim to my son. If another starts a fight, there will be no retaliation, only defense. But I dare say that I will be more than enough to take care of such matters.”

 

Nodoka turned her attention to Shampoo. “Child, I will offer you a chance to be with my son, but only he can make such a decision. But now, you have no fear of what awaits those you care for should he choose another.” She went forward, embracing Shampoo in a motherly hug. “Be well, child. I wish you luck tomorrow night. All shall be explained then.”

 

As she turned to leave, she was interrupted by the Amazon missing from their meeting. Unfortunately, he wasn't wearing his glasses again.

 

“Shampoo, I love you! Marry me!”

 

With her free hand, since she was currently being hugged by the myopic male, she concentrated a bit of her ki into her finger and touched him upon his forehead where the supposed `third eye' is.

 

Mousse dropped to the floor. “What the hell—”

 

“I merely hit the one weakness to the Hidden Weapon's style, something a master such as yourself should know about. What you now feel is the weight of all you hold pressing against you.” She lowered her head. “Now hear this. If I hear of you attacking my son again, I shall send you back to whatever family will claim you in your village as a glazed duck dinner. Should you make any more unwanted advances towards Shampoo, whom I have claimed by Rite of Custody, then I shall do the same. Elder Cologne and the others of your village might accept your foolishness, but I will not! Understand me, child?”

 

“But…but she loves me—”

 

“If she loved you, she would say so. Instead she proclaims love for my son, whom you attack. I know your laws, child, and that is not the way to win her hand. But guess what; even your laws will not win her hand now.”

 

She turned back to the astonished Amazons. “The technique will wear off in a few minutes. I would suggest getting his eyes fixed as soon as possible. I would so hate to have to kill him because he attacked an innocent. Good day, ladies; I shall see you tomorrow night. And remember; be on your best behavior.”

 

With that, she left, and three Amazons were left wondering what the true power of the Saotome might be, and why she hadn't begun to train Ranma in it yet.

 

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Nabiki knocked on the door to the guest room before entering. She had expected to see her new fiancé in there in his girl form, but not the way Ranma was now. She was standing in front of the wall mirror, sniffling a little and wiping away a few stray tears.

 

“I'll never see her as a guy, will I, Nabiki? I'll only ever be able ta see her as your cousin, `Ranko Tendo'. I can't ever face her as her son, no matter how much I want to.”

 

Nabiki walked over to her fiancé, trying to keep a brave face and from spilling her secrets. Placing her hands on the shorter girl's shoulders, she stood behind Ranma, pulling herself close and looking into the mirror over her shoulder. “It'll be okay, Ranma. Maybe she's coming here to tell you that she knows and is going to accept you as her son.”

 

Ranma turned towards Nabiki, backing away slightly so as not to be too close to her. “Yeah, I'm sure she'll accept me. I can just see it now. `Hello, son. So nice to see you. Oh, you're actually Ranko? Well, here is the ceremonial white kimono, and a pen and paper to write your goodbye poem on. Now, would you like to commit seppuku in the dojo or outside? I would suggest outside, since the weather is oh so lovely.' That about sound right to you?”

 

Nabiki could only sigh. Ranma's right, though. She might very well have done that if I didn't have that talk with her. “Listen, Ranma. I know for certain she will not ask you to commit seppuku when she finds out. She loves her son too much and misses him more than anything to ask that of you. Besides, with three women after you, how can she not think you're manly?”

 

Ranma's face bore his confusion. “Three? You mean you're after me now?”

 

She could only smile. “I told you I plan to try and make this work, Ranma. I promised you I wasn't going to sell you like I did last time.

 

“And besides, if for some stupid reason she even thinks about it, I'll simply tell her that our agreement was made before it, which means I have first dibs on your life. Then we just have to make certain I outlive her.”

 

Ranma turned back towards the mirror. “Thanks, Nabiki. I…I really appreciate it.”

 

She closed in on the girl, wrapping her arms around Ranma's waist and placed her head back on her shoulder. “I'll be there with you, Ranma. And I won't let her hurt you in any way. She's only coming here to sort out the mess your father put you in.”

 

“I…I know. But I can't shake the feelin' that something bad is gonna happen. I mean—HEY!”

 

Nabiki silenced Ranma's protests of her fears by quickly spinning the neo-girl around and planting her lips on Ranma's. The kiss continued for a few seconds before Nabiki broke it, staring into the startled girl's eyes, hoping she had not dared too much too quickly in giving Ranma the kiss. “I mean it, Ranma. No matter what, I'll be by your side. It doesn't matter if after the meeting we are to be married or as friends, I will always be there for you, no matter what. Understand?”

 

Ranma could only nod her head, still shocked by Nabiki kissing her, let alone in her cursed form. “Understood.”

 

After a quick stop in the furo to wipe the remaining tears from Ranma's face and for her to blow her nose, the two made their way downstairs to wait the arrival of not only the other fiancées, but of the woman most feared in the Nerima Ward: Nodoka Saotome.

 

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Once all of the members of the household and the invited guests were seated in the dining room, Nodoka entered. She stood in the kitchen doorway, two thermoses of hot water hidden behind her back. “Before we can begin, there are two who have yet to arrive.”

 

The hot water splashing them was the only warning Ranma and Genma received before Nodoka sat down. “Now that my son and husband have decided to join us, we can begin.”

 

The two in question paled, Genma trying to move towards the exit while Ranma stayed where he was; frightened about having to die now. It was only Nabiki holding his hand under the table that kept his heart beating. While his father would always try to shirk responsibility, he would accept his fate. He would not beg for his life or more time. Having her hold his hand meant he would be okay, if but for the moment.

 

The sword barely missing his nose was the only warning Genma received. “Husband, do not tell me you are so unmanly that you would leave this meeting so soon. I can think of nothing, save the arrival of the Kami themselves, which would warrant such.”

 

“Ah, no, dear.” Genma made his way back to Soun's side, wishing to put as much distance between himself and his wife.

 

But he wasn't afraid of her, no. He was being tactical.

 

“Good. Now we are here to discuss which girl my son will be marrying. This is not a discussion of the Seppuku Contract, which my son has fulfilled, though my husband's part leaves me wondering. As such, my son need not fear me.”

 

Ranma's grip lessened on Nabiki's hand. “Um, not that I ain't happy that I met your expectations, Mom. But what do ya mean?”

 

Nodoka could only smile. “Remind me afterwards, Ranma, we need to work on your scholastic aptitude.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“She means your school work and the way you talk, Ranchan.”

 

“Oh!” He nodded towards Ukyo finally understanding. “Okay, Mom. I wanna be the best for ya. But I'm afraid I ain't much good with school. Of course might have something to do with psycho teachers and pineapple-happy principals.”

 

“That's okay, Ranma. We will work on it together. Soon, I'll have you being the smartest student as well as the best martial artist at that school.” She absolutely beamed with pride when she saw the smile on her son's face. “But first, we must discuss the engagements that your father has so carelessly made for you.” She turned towards her husband. “Did you even consider that I might want some input into whom my son married? You are fortunate that I made no such promises, or I would request you kill yourself right now!”

 

Genma shrunk back behind Soun. “But it was for the schools.”

 

“Oh yes, I know what you have done, claiming it was for the schools. You will be happy to know I've kept in contact with the people who you received `help' from. They'll be glad to talk to you about reparations. Perhaps they will simply be satisfied with a pound of flesh.” Her gaze lowered. “Perhaps that bottomless pit you call a stomach will provide them that pound. It seems you have put on much weight, stealing food from our growing child, claiming it as speed training. I also know of the other `training' you have put my son through, and I guarantee you, you will be alive long enough to try and justify it.”

 

It was rare to see Genma as pale as he was now, but all at the table, minus his good friend whom he was currently using as a shield from his wife, would agree it was deserved.

 

“First off, the three girls involved in this discussion are Nabiki Tendo, Shampoo of the Amazon, and Ukyo Kuonji. There will be no further changes of this listing, and no more switching of the engagements. Each of them will be offered an honorable solution to not wedding my son. But should they choose to refuse that option, then the dishonor they would receive will fall onto them alone. Is that understood?”

 

All three women nodded, knowing that Nodoka was serious.

 

“Good. You three should know that if my son does not choose you, then you will be adopted into my clan, with provisions preventing my husband from trying to marry you out. He will not be allowed to repeat this debacle with you as I failed to stop him from doing with my son.”

 

She turned to Ranma, who was still eyeing her since he feared she would still attack him. “My son, the contract with you is null and void. You need have no fear of me trying to force or request seppuku from you. But you are charged with choosing a bride in two months time. Even you must agree, this debacle has gone on for far too long. Though I do understand why you haven't chosen one yet: because of the dishonor to the others.”

 

Ranma could only nod his head in agreement. It was something he had hoped Akane would understand, perhaps even offer to help him with. But she spurned him, blaming him for their actions. If they could have figured out something sooner, or even if he had been able to approach Nabiki to ask for help to learn of the price, then maybe he could have done things for himself. But his mother helping him… it just felt right. And for once, it felt great to have a family member who cared enough to help him, instead of blame and assault him.

 

Nodoka smiled at her child, promising to herself to make certain her child never felt fear of her again. Her husband had destroyed too many opportunities for them, and she would not have her son hide from her again. “There are four options to what we have right now. The first option is that Ranma will choose the Tendo agreement, specifically Nabiki.”

 

“You hear that, Tendo. The schools will be—”

 

He was cut off as a knife flew from Nodoka's sleeve and impacted the table before him. “I said no talking until I am finished, husband. Is that understood?”

 

All that was there was now a panda holding a sign and playing with a beach ball. “I'm just a simple panda.” A flip of the sign revealed, “Please don't throw knives at me.”

 

She looked at him with disgust. “We will talk about what you have done, later.

 

“Now back to what I was saying if there are no further objections or comments.” She decided to continue as silence answered her question.

 

“The second option will be that he will marry Shampoo.” A bubbly laugh from the mentioned Amazon was the only sound from that response.

 

“The third option will be that he marries Ms. Kuonji.” It was now Ukyo's turn for the bubbly laugh.

 

“Then there is a fourth option. Since Ms. Kuonji is legally registered as a male and Ms. Shampoo only cared about marriage in the eyes of her tribe, then we can have this: Ranma's male form marries Nabiki; Ranma's female form marries Ms. Kuonji, with her taking the Saotome name; and Ms. Shampoo will be officially a mistress here but wife as far as her people are concerned. Then everyone is happy. Oh, there will be so many grandchildren!!!”

 

Everyone could only stare with open mouths, with the exception of the male at the center of the discussion. Ranma had passed out at his mother's last statement.

 

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Nabiki sat on her bed, her face still pale but her mind running at the speed of light. That bitch! That insensitive, manipulative, scheming, psychotic bitch! She planned this. She planned to make that fourth option all along. How could she do this to her own son!

 

Nabiki had always suspected that Nodoka had a warped sense of reality. It was only because of curiosity and a desire to see her son that Nabiki had been able to get the seppuku contract from her. The woman had always shown a dubious belief at what constituted as “manly”, about as dubious as Genma's sense of honor.

 

But the woman had basically placed all the pressure back on Ranma again, and that was not Nabiki's intention or desire. Granted, she did want an honest shot at him, and was glad that everyone's honor would be secure if Ranma didn't choose them. But to do what Nodoka did…

 

“The woman is certifiable. There's no other explanation. It's a miracle that Ranma's as sociable as he is.” Nabiki allowed herself to fall back on the bed, trying to find a way to let lose the stress that threatened to break out of her mind.

 

Okay, let's look at this from another angle. I need to figure out where everyone stands now, thanks to her little monkey wrench in the fiancée works.

 

What are the benefits?

 

All of the fiancées will be nice to each other now. Each one now has an even chance of winning his heart, instead of one to two. Each one will have to win his heart, since they can't use honor as a crutch to try and force his hand. They won't risk Ranma finding one of them being picked on, and now he or Nodoka will be able to see any plans to eliminate the competition. They will have to be honest about him and how they feel, as well as whether or not they wish to risk the possibility of being in a four-way marriage.

 

Hell, even I don't know if I am comfortable with that. But I do have two months to figure it out.

 

What are the drawbacks?

 

Guilt. They may try to guilt Ranma into picking them, or try and find some way to make the others look less desirable by trying to show that they would gladly accept the fourth option for Ranma's happiness and peace of mind while another would hate and resent him for it. We may be forced to see if we can tolerate our husband being with another girl, or even being with them ourselves.

 

The worst part is, Ranma may feel that he's betraying someone's honor because of this option and try and commit seppuku just to appease his own sense of decency.

 

I need to talk to him tonight after dinner. I need to make certain he won't try and kill himself because of this stupid option.

 

Damn my head hurts!

 

It was a knock on the door that finally broke her out of her internal monologue. Great, I wonder which demon this is. “Come in.”

 

She was almost glad to see Shampoo come in and shut the door.

 

That was until she heard Shampoo lock the door.

 

“Why Nabiki not tell Shampoo that Airen mother know and help? Why she no tell Shampoo she engaged to Airen or that she want Airen as well?”

 

Nabiki could tell Shampoo was upset, in all likelihood believing that Nabiki had betrayed her trust. But the recent episode with Nodoka had raised her stress beyond caring if the bubbly Amazon decided she needed to pound a Tendo. “I went to get her help after reading your rule book, Shampoo. We were hurting Ranma and I told you he wouldn't choose unless honor could be satisfied between all of us. I got included in that because Auntie decided I would be a better match than Akane.”

 

Shampoo smiled. “That true. Sneaky girl better than kitchen-destroyer. Less chance Airen die from food that fights back. But no explain why sneaky-girl want Airen.”

 

Nabiki could only look towards the wall, trying to hide how deep her feelings were, something that she wasn't willing to concede quite yet to Nodoka. “Can you ask that question with all you know about him? I like him, I really do, but I'm not certain if it's love or not. I'll give it a chance, but I won't jump into this without knowing for certain, and neither should you. We all owe him that.”

 

Shampoo marched over to her, turning her head forcibly to look directly into her eyes. “Shampoo want to know, did Nabiki trick Shampoo into believing she friend?”

 

Nabiki stared straight into her eyes, easily answering a question she knew well. “I am your friend, Shampoo. I wanted to help you and Ranma. You're now safe from the judgment of others in your tribe. You just have to earn his love and his heart, instead of expecting it now. We all do. But we all have a chance; that is all we could ask for, and all we deserve.”

 

Shampoo held her face for a moment, studying her eyes, trying to see if any deceit lay in them. After a few tense moments, she released Nabiki's face. “Shampoo believe Nabiki. But want Nabiki to know Shampoo will try hardest to win Airen heart.” Shampoo turned away and headed for the door. Before she opened it, she turned back towards Nabiki. “Shampoo wish you luck as well. Airen may choose you or all of us. But Shampoo no mind if Nabiki win as much, or sharing Airen with Nabiki.” It was then the trademark Amazon smile appeared on her face again, bringing her back to the bubbly Amazon. “Just you no be upset if Shampoo tire out Airen on honeymoon too too much to let other brides be happy that night. Bye-bye.”

 

In a flash, she was gone.

 

And Nabiki could only stare at the door. She was mad, but happy. I guess she can be herself with all the pressure off her now.

 

A smile crept on her face. I guess we all can be ourselves now, and let him see the real souls behind our masks. “Man, this day just keeps getting weirder and weirder.”

 

“I would have to agree with you, prospective daughter-in-law.”

 

“EEK!” Nabiki flew off the bed towards the opposite wall, staring at her formerly locked window and the diminutive figure of Cologne.

 

“And such excellent reflexes as well. If son-in-law chooses the fourth option, I see I will have fun training you as well. I won't have my great-granddaughter marrying a weak girl who can't defend herself.”

 

Cologne panned her eyes downward, looking at an area on Nabiki that the girl had been trying to hide for the past week. “But it would appear you have already gotten a jumpstart on the competition.”

 

Nabiki froze in terror, fear creeping through every neuron in her head, blowing away all of the stress. SHE KNOWS!

 

)))))))))))))))))))

 

If I messed anything up, then let me know including typos.

 

Any suggestions on how I should continue the story or improve it would also be accepted.

 

Also, if you have any suggestions for how this should go, let me know. My own imagination, while vast, always enjoys a new thought. Also, catch me if you don't think I am making the characters true to form, or a way to make them better.