Disclaimer:

I do not own these characters nor do I claim too, this is a simple fan based homage. Their creators and the companies they work for and with own the characters and all that pertains to them. (I.E. Rumiko Takahashi, Viz, Shougakukan). I do not intend on making any profit from making this story but only a writer writing about one of her favourite character, namely Nabiki.


Previously:

Kuno was sent on a blind rage when he saw Ranma comforting his wife Nabiki. Never knowing that they had shared an intimate kiss. The mystery person is still planning their revenge and Kinnusuke questions where he's loyalties lie. Dr Katherine Yumiko witnesses Nabiki and Ranma together and seemed to have a past with Nabiki. Now Ranma and Nabiki are about to confront what had happened to them 3 weeks ago.


Nabiki had two choices. One was to drive on and ignore Ranma. Drop him off and be on her merry way, or Pull over and talk to him. So far the first choice was winning. She dreaded the talking with him more than anything else, which very much annoyed her.

Talking was one of her best qualities. She can deflect questions and manipulate answers. But for some twisted reason, she felt like she had no option. She felt trapped. Cornered. He was also still looking at her. Demanding her to do what he said. To obey.

She found that for once she can't believe how commanding Ranma was. He usually took the more passive approach rather than resistance. Which brought him more trouble. But his stare brook no arguments. And she felt her self complying. Which angered her. She was Nabiki Tendo. She answered to no one.

"Pull over." Ranma again spoke with deadly seriousness Nabiki never knew he possessed.

Before Nabiki could snipe back at him, she found that she was already pulling over. Her body unconsciously following his orders. Much to her irritation.

They had pulled over in front of an abandoned playground. There was a sign in front that say it will be demolished to make way for new construction. It was virtually deserted. A place were they can definitely be alone. Much to Nabiki's dismay.


Akane had just gotten out of the shower when she heard someone knock on her door. She quickly got dressed and hope the whoever it was would wait.

To her relief and annoyance, the knocking continued.

She opened the door only to find someone she didn't expect to be standing there.

"Hello Akane, May I come in?" Asked her visitor.

Akane was speechless. Before remembering her manners.

"I.. Why sure come in…" She invited. Once her visitor had stepped into her thresh hold she then asked him.

"Would you like some tea?" She asked him. He only declined politely. What he will say wont take very long.

"What brings you here?" She asked as she kindly gestured for him to sit down.

"I am here on behalf of your sister." He explained. "I know it is not my place to interfere, but the strife between you and Nabiki is deeply affecting Kasumi."

Akane frowned.

"Please Akane, talk to Nabiki at least make peace with her." Tofu Ono pleaded.

"I'm sorry Tofu-san but I cannot do what you ask." Akane said as she respectfully stood up.

Tofu Ono looked on at her deject fully.

"I don't see why it has to be me to apologise and make peace when it was me who has been wronged. Can you not understand that?" Akane said in a cold tone.

"Please Akane, reconsider." Ono Tofu pleaded.

"I'm sorry Tofu-san but my answer will remain. Please excuse me but you have worn out your welcome." Akane said as she indicated for him to leave.

Akane walked Tofu to the door but stopped him.

"Please, I hope you understand. This is between me and Nabiki. Tell Kasumi to not worry and send her my regards." Akane said before closing the door.


"This cannot go on Mariko." Kuno said to her. Once again they were alone at his massive office. She was yet again tempting him.

Mariko just smiled and practically purred into his ear.

"Oh I agree." She replied back.

"You do?" Kuno asked rather askance. Rather confused that she was taking his news pretty well.

"Of course I do. I want you all for myself you know." She answered him. As she wrapped her arms around his waist.

"I think you got this the wrong way." Kuno said as he dislodged himself away from her.

"I think you got this the wrong way around Kuno-chan." Mariko said.

"It is plain to see that you desire me and I desire you. That alone is a fact that, we both shared not once but twice." She smiled while he winced.

"Don't try and hide the fact that you did not like it too." Mariko pointed out to him.

Kuno felt himself backed up against a corner, figuratively speaking. She was right. He did enjoy their forbidden act. He found himself desiring her yet again. It was sweet temptation. And he found it quite exhilarating that he was not caught out by his beautiful and wonderful wife. Not yet anyways.

But he knew Nabiki would find out sooner or later. And what will happen next will be more painful than anything he can imagine.

"Regardless of what I may feel. My place is with Nabiki." Kuno replied back.

"Are you sure about that?" Mariko questioned him.

"What do you mean?" Kuno asked not liking what Mariko was implying.

"Do you even know where your wife is at this very moment?" Mariko asked.

"She will be at home right now." Kuno replied back confidently.

"Are you sure? Why do you not call her and see." Mariko challenged him.

Kuno met her eyes. He will prove to her that Nabiki was home. He began to dial their home, but found that Mariko pressed the speaker button so that she may hear as well.

The phone rang then finally one of the servants picked up.

"Hello? Tatewaki here. Has Nabiki come home from work yet?" Kuno asked the servant.

"I'm sorry Master Kuno but the Mistress has not come home yet." The servant answered.

"What do you mean she is not home yet?" Kuno almost growled.

"Perhaps the Mistress has been working late?" The servant replied back, fearing the wrath of his lord.

"Very well, I'll call her work." He said before hanging up.

He turned only to be greeted by Mariko's triumphant smile.

"She's working late. She's been working on a very controversial case. It requires her to put in some extra hours." he excused.

"Oh really? Does this have to do anything about the Infamous industrial dispute concerning the Yamato industries?" She asked him.

"Yes but how do you know. The case is a Private and close court case." Kuno replied back.

"It's all over the business grapevine news." Mariko replied back.

"You must be proud that your wife is so… dedicated…" Mariko continued.

"Indeed I am." Kuno replied back ignoring her jibes.

"You must be lonely that she now deviate most of her attentions towards the case… It must be terribly cold alone in that massive bed." She replied as she began to saunter towards him. Knowing exactly which right buttons to push when it comes to him.

"Mariko stop… This is wrong." Kuno struggled as he held her at bay within arms length.

Mariko merely caressed his powerful arms and was able to snake her way, now her body was just within inches from him.

"Yes. Terribly sinful." She said as she planted a soft butterfly kisses on his neck. Then momentarily stopped to gaze in his eyes. His now lust filled eyes.

"And terribly delicious." She finally said with a husky voice before capturing his lips with hers.

Kuno tried to fight back his lust. Tried to picture Nabiki. Tried to reason his rapidly betraying body. He only managed to remain unresponsive for a mere couple of minutes before lust took over.


"Nabiki we need to talk about this. What happened before…" Ranma began. But was cut off.

"What happened before means nothing Ranma… NOTHING!" Nabiki interrupted him. As she got out of the car. She needed to breath. She felt constricted and confined.

Ranma followed her. He needed to talk to her. To let things go out in the open. To open himself up. To tell her whatever the hell it was he felt. To find out why he was so inexplicably drawn to her.


Akane once again heard an insistent knocking at her door. She found herself yet again annoyed.

It was no one else's business.

So what if she disowned Nabiki?

She most certainly deserved it!

Why can't people see through her eyes?

What she sees?

How truly despicable, a person Nabiki is?

She opened the door ready to tell who ever it was to get lost. She wanted to be alone. She was not fit to entertain anyone today or to be in another's company.

But those thoughts died in her lips when she saw him. Out of the blue. He was yet again here. By her. He seemed to know when she needed to comfort.

"Ryoga?" Akane said in wonderment.

"Akane." Ryoga greeted.


"You can't run away from this." Ranma called out to her.

Nabiki abruptly spun around. "I am not running away from anything."

"Then prove it! Why is it so hard for you to just talk to me after what had happened!" Ranma questioned her as he stood in front of her.

"BECAUSE!" Nabiki panicked. She turned around ready to walk away from him yet again.

"BECAUSE WHAT! WHAT NABIKI!" Ranma called out to her as he was forced to follow her yet again. Deciding to stop this chase. He caught her arm and pulled her to a stop, effectively making her face him.

"JUST BECAUSE!…" Nabiki tried to explain but nothing tangible came out of her mouth. She seemed to have lost all words.

"That is not an answer nor a reason." Ranma said not letting go.

"Please Ranma…" Nabiki pleaded.

"Please what?" Ranma asked. He practically stopped himself from the thought of shaking her until she could make sense.

"Please don't make me say it…" Nabiki began as she found herself begin to cry.

Nabiki hated this. She was not like this before. Overruled by her emotions.

She used to be all ice.

So cold.

So fierce.

So utterly alone.

"Say what Nabiki? What is it that you want to say?" Ranma said as he drew her towards him. Engulfing her into a warm embrace. To comfort her and sooth her. To be able to wipe away all her fears and worries.

"Please Ranma let me go." Nabiki begged him as she tried to push away from him.

"It seems I can't do that Nabiki." Ranma said through her hair.

"What ever it is that we have… I know if I let you go now. You will run and this time I wont be able to catch you." Ranma said in all honesty.

Nabiki stopped trying to push away from him. He was right. Once he lets go of her. She will run and never turn back. She found this revelation rather frightful. The thought of never seeing or speaking to him again sent her emotions into total chaos. Before she knew what was happening, her body began to respond to him. Returning his embrace as she buried her face on his muscular chest.

"I don't really know what going on. All I know is I cant bear not to see or speak to you." Ranma said in all honesty. As his hand soothed her back.

Nabiki didn't know what to say. She felt the same way. But it was utterly wrong. They should not do this. They were married for Kami's sake. So why is it hard to let go?


"What brings you here?" Akane asked as she let Ryoga in.

Ryoga smiled gratefully. His eyes seemed to be glued at her back as she led him towards the lounge room.

"About the other day…" Ryoga began. He wanted to give the invitation to them, to his and Ukyo's wedding.

Akane seemed to have felt her heart flutter. She remembered seeing him. Him comforting him. Feeling the same kind of emotions that she felt when she saw him. He was gorgeous, courageous and was utterly devoted to her. How could she have ever not notice what a great guy he was?

Then her mind answered her. It was because of Ranma. Ranma dominated her thoughts and feelings. Nothing else mattered when it came to him. No one else seemed to exist when Ranma was around. So why then is she starting to notice Ryoga now? Could it be that her greatest fear has manifested? Could she really be falling out of love with Ranma.

"I'm sorry about the way I acted that day. I was under a lot of stress that day." Akane said sheepishly. She felt embarrassed about snapping at him when he was only trying to comfort her.

"It's alright Akane. I understand." He replied back as he reached for her hand and squeezed it softly, trying to reassure her.

His touch sent such warmth and electric currents through her body. His words seemed to have awakened something in her. Something she wanted to hear from everybody. Something she desperately wanted to hear.

I understand…

It seemed to echo through her mind.

She gazed at his eyes and saw honesty and such tenderness. She seemed to be drowning into them and was mesmerised by his comforting smile. The same shy smile he used to give her back in the days.

Ryoga felt his heart skip a beat when he saw her gaze at him. It was like his whole dream come true. To see her look at him and only him. The way she used to look at Ranma. But he slowly shook his head. No. that was the past. It was now present. And he was now with Ukyo. They were to be married in a month.

Ryoga quickly withdrew his hand from her and began to search through his backpack.

Akane was a little startled when he broke away from her. But saw that he began to search through his back pack.

He probably brought me another souvenir. She thought as she smiled and remembered the many times he showered her with souvenirs from his many travels.

She was a little startled when he gave her a white envelop. It looked really fancy.

"This is for you both. You and Ranma." Ryoga said as he handed her the envelope.

"What is it?" Akane asked.

"It's a wedding invitation." Ryoga replied back with a smile.

"Really? From who?" She replied back. Someone probably gave the invitation to Ryoga to give to them.

"From me and Ukyo." he added with a smile."We're getting married."

Akane felt her heart stop and she found it hard to believe. She didn't even notice that the invitation fell lightly on to her lap.

"Akane? Are you alright?" Ryoga asked her as he saw her go pale.


Author's notes:

Well that's all for now…

What do you guys think? Like it or hate it?

Please review…

Things are really going to start heating up, as I post the next three chapters entitled "To LOVE, HONOUR and BETRAY." You can only guess what will happen in the next chapters…

Want me to post it? Then review!

Oh by the way I got an assessment coming up so yeah it might take long to post, but maybe if I got enough reviews then I'll post it up as soon as I can…

Can anybody guess what is about to happen?

Will I reveal the mystery person soon?

All this and more in the next chapter….

Ja Ne

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