Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma ½ and its characters.
First Thing that Comes to Mind
"Girls, you need to help me with this one. I'll increase your salary because I'm feeling we're gonna make big money again." Nabiki called her crew to gather and handed pieces of paper to them.
She saw her sister Akane and motioned her for a chat. "So, what is it this time? Don't tell me you ran out of pictures again?" Akane raised an eyebrow questioning her sister's motive.
"Oh, not at all, I just need you to answer some questions for me." Nabiki smiled sweetly at her sister but Akane seems unconvinced.
"Why do I have a feeling that you are up to something no good again?" Akane glared at her sister trying to find a loophole in her expression but failed miserably as the older girl looked calm as usual.
"Oh c'mon younger sis, this is for a good cause, give it a try." Nabiki insisted and finally Akane conceded.
"Fine, go ahead then."
"Okay, the rule is you have to answer the first thing that comes to mind, is that clear?" Nabiki clarified eyeing the once-again-having-second-doubts sister.
"W-w-w-wait! What is this question and answer thing for? Don't tell me this is some sort of a test?" Akane panicked and shook her sister.
"Calm down sis. Well, kind of but it is more like a test of character. So don't worry, there's no grading involved." Nabiki explained and winked at her sister.
"Get ready then. Who would you sit down and talk with? Someone who's mouth never stops talking, a person who talks to himself most of the time, or another who only speaks flowery words?"
"I want a lively and spontaneous conversation so I choose the first one. Easy, next. " Akane nonchalantly responded.
" I see you're getting the hang of it. Told ya it's gonna be fun. Anyway, who among these people would likely become your bestfriend? One who wants to always be there but can't, always around but acts like a nuthead or creeps you out in the first place?" Nabiki continued.
"Wow! That third choice is soo weird. Why am I torn between the first and second but I know you want a straight answer so first one again. You know, it's the thought that counts." Akane scratched her head before finally answering.
"Intriguing answer, okay let's keep it coming. Who's the most popular among this bunch? The martial artist with the world at his feet, another martial artist with the strength of a thousand men or once again a martial artist with the girls at his mercy?" Nabiki picked up the pace.
"Why do I feel I know these people? But you know they all sound powerful to me enough to be followed by many. The first one once more because everyone falls his way, the girls and men they're all under one world." Akane reasoned, obviously had a hard time making up her mind.
"Akane you're not adhering to the rule―" Nabiki pointed out.
"But Nabiki your questions are getting harder and harder by the minute." Akane interrupted.
"Okay whatever now onto the next one. Who among these guys would you trust your life with? He'll save you no matter what because it's his fault in the first place, he wants to save you but he can't get there in time, or he'll save you but you know he'll fail."
"Of course I want to be saved then I'll reserve the beating for later. Once again the first guy Nabiki." Akane confidently answered.
"Ooh, but you know I thought you can save yourself anyway. By the way, this is the last question, be prepared, be very prepared. If you would fall in love, who would be the lucky guy? An obsessed stalker in love, a guy who's secretly in love, or a man who can't be man enough to admit evenmore shows the exact opposite." Nabiki turned to look at the girl in hot seat.
"Hmm…Nabiki I'll pass I can't―" Akane blushing hard, stopped when she saw Nabiki's aura, red flames surrounding her body. For some reason, she felt afraid to continue what she's about to say. "Fine, the longest one seems to be the right answer, ne?"
"Well, actually there's no right answer, it's just your choice is what you find is right for you." Nabiki explained and flipped her hair in a graceful manner.
"Now I'm gonna tally the result and let you know in a while." Nabiki busied herself with the paper in hand as Akane moved in to take a look. But the older girl quickly hugged the paper to herself and gave the younger one an evil glare. Akane could only sink in her seat and wait patiently.
"Done! And Akane you're so awful with rules." Nabiki held the paper once more and waited for her sister to respond.
"So, what do you have for me?" Akane tuned in to what her sister will say next.
"Hmm…I'm not surprised but I think you'll be." Nabiki spat back and the younger girl got excited with the result.
"Really? Tell me!"
"Sure! But you have to pay first." Akane sighed, the true Nabiki has awoken.
"Nabiki I'm your sister!" She reasoned out and the other girl just straightened her posture.
"I'm sorry my dear sister but business is business. I can give you a discount though." The businesswoman even managed to smile at the girl with a disconcerted look in her face.
"I knew it! You're even milking money out of your own sister. What a shame! You do know my weakness, do you? Fine, we'll have it your way, and this better be good enough to be worth this much." Akane couldn't do anything as this stiff money-maker sister of hers hold an information she needs to know.
"Sure Akane. Guess what? The guy you chose is Ranma. Now look at that. And he's your fiancée too." Nabiki playfully declared. "Nice doing business with you, sis."
Akane could not believe it, not now, not ever. "You gotta be kidding me, hand it over let me see it. I'm sure you're manipulating the result." Akane tried to snatch the paper out of her grip but her older sister's got quick reflexes and was able to pull it back immediately.
"Well, well, if you're so insistent to see I'll let you have it for a good price. I don't see why you're doubting me, I have a reputation to boast of too." Nabiki tempted her sister to buy more goodies from her.
Akane just spent her hard-earned weekly allowance in knowing whom she had chosen and her sly sister's trying to extract more from her. But she had already reserved the rest of her savings for a novel she had her eyes on yet she's hoping Nabiki wouldn't throw that mysterious paper of hers until she's saved enough to afford it. Knowing her sister, Akane knew everything that has a monetary value is being safely kept.
A/N: I got the idea from one Nabiki-Kuno story (forgot the title), it is about Nabiki putting up a survey regarding what others think about her. That's somehow the basic similarity between his and mine, nonetheless the very story is different. Expect redundancy in every chapter because of the theme of the story. By the way, I already finished writing this story just give me time to type and edit the rest. Anyway, leave a review if you can. ^_^