Disclaimer - I do not own Ranma 1/2

AN: I am so sorry about the long wait for an update. I rewrote this chapter several times because it kept feeling forced or out of character. I am finally satisfied with it and hope you enjoy it too. Putting a few corrections into last chapter too... nothing big just a couple grammar problems that were pointed out to me. I don't mind grammar correction sent to me as long as they are nice and these certainly were :) My goal was to always be 2 or 3 chapters ahead of what I was posting so that I could spend a lot of time rereading my work for corrections and adjustments but in December I fell behind and have stayed behind. This chapter probably has a couple that I nor my editor caught (and he already caught a dozen or so for me).

Chapter 14 – Forging Signatures

Nabiki woke to her alarm, groaning and stretching she forced herself to get out of bed. First thing she needed to do was make sure Ranma was up and getting ready to leave. As she approached the guest room she could hear Genma snoring loudly, sliding the door silently she immediately saw that Ranma's futon was unused. She descended the stairs and checked the kitchen but he was not to be found. Thinking that he might have actually gotten up to bathe she started toward the bathroom but soft snoring from the family room caught her attention.

Ranma was asleep at the table with his head cushioned by his arm. He had pages of letters started and discarded around him with only one neatly folded. Disgusted she picked up the folded letter and read it. It was obvious that Ranma truly did not want to be away from Akane today. She almost felt really bad… almost. Quickly and quietly she took the note upstairs and slide it under she sister's door. She didn't want the fool chickening out on her. Once back downstairs she shook Ranma awake.

"Time to go."

"Mphf… 5 more minutes."

"You can get more sleep on the train." Well maybe she would let him get a little more but he also needed to learn as much about her plan as possible.

One eye opened and glared at her. "Do we really have to get up this early?"

"Good god you are whiny in the morning. How does Akane stand it?"

"Don't have to get up this early for school."

"Oh boohoo. Get moving." She stormed out of the family room to scavenge something for breakfast in the kitchen. Ranma eventually joined her and they managed to make a meal out of cold cereal, bananas and juice.

They both changed and finished getting ready, eventually meeting at the door. Ranma was still glaring at her every chance he got, "You are buying everything I need to day. Like a train ticket, entrance fee, and lunch."

"That is all calculated into my investment. I expect you to follow my directions and make this day very profitable for me."

"Fine"

The walk to the train station passed in silence, which was fine with Ranma. As promised Nabiki paid for the two tickets and they found seats easily enough. They were heading somewhere north of Tokyo, he only knew that because he had overheard the attendant ask if she needed the northbound or southbound train and she had said north. He wanted to know as little about the "plan" as possible, figuring he would just get mad at the absurdity of it. The sun was starting to come up, he imaged that Akane would be up fairly soon. She was an early riser and to make it more irritating most mornings she was a happy person.

He was able to relax in the seat and imagine Akane finding the note and being upset. She would probably break some bricks while imagining that they were his head. He couldn't help but smile at the thought as he leaned his head back to try and catch a little more sleep.

"You're not going to sleep yet," Nabiki reached out and smacked him with her notebook.

Opening one eye, "You said I could sleep on the train."

"It got you up and moving. So sue me… I lied." She opened her notebook and crossed her legs, "Right now you need to listen closely. I have a list of likely opponents to go over with you."

"Really," he groaned.

"Yes, now pay attention. Most of the guys you will fight will be very easy for you to defeat. There is only one guy that might show up that will give you a bit of trouble."

"You really think someone is going to actually give me trouble? Get real."

Poking him with her pencil, "He cheats."

"All my opponents cheat; hell my own father cheats every chance he gets."

She chewed her pen as she considered the statement, "Good point. You are still going to have to hold back." Consulting her notes once again, "His name is Kenta Masaru. New participants are not supposed to be paired against previous winners in the first round so you will not see him for a little while."

"Whatever"

"Don't screw this up for me Ranma. You need the prize money."

"Look, I can win this thing hands down. I don't need you to help me win. I agreed to your terms, but don't push me."

"You'll listen to me?" She eyed him closely.

"Yeah, as long as you don't make me look like an idiot," Then, thinking for a minute, "and keep any cold water from hitting me. That will definitely ruin your plans."

"Deal… go back to sleep."

Nabiki poked him again when they were near the station. "Wake up Sleeping Beauty." She heard him only growl in response and figured that was enough for now. Packing all her things away into her bag, she smoothed her slacks and shirt. It was time to look like she actually knew what she was doing.

Ranma woke up just enough to follow Nabiki off the train; fortunately the walk wasn't far to the arena where the tournament was being held. Once there she had him stand in the registration line while she left to find a phone.

She placed a quick call home so that Kasumi didn't overly worry, "I don't know if we will be home in time for dinner." Her sister assured her that plates would be left in the refrigerator for them, "Um… Ranma doesn't want Akane to know he is here. He wants the prize money to buy her a gift." Nabiki wasn't surprised to find out that her sister didn't stay home and pout but instead called her friends. She returned to where Ranma was standing in line, now nearly to the booth, "Well Ranma, looks like Akane isn't staying at home crying over you today."

He frowned, "What do you mean?"

"She took off with her friends. I bet they will make sure to remind her that you are a terrible fiancé for being gone. That is what friends do for each other… especially girls." She grinned at him.

"Where did they go?"

"How should I know? I didn't bother asking." When Ranma looked away she began getting the somewhat forged paperwork out of her bag. Technically Ranma represented the Tendo Dojo, but technically that wasn't her father's signature on the forms. What Daddy doesn't know won't hurt me.

Ranma felt a building tightness in his chest that hadn't been there in a long time. He tried to control his heart rate by closing his eyes and focusing on his breathing. He was pleased when he started feeling calm again. Maybe I don't have to worry about it anymore.

Nabiki filled out several more forms and answered questions from the person checking them in. She filled herself in as Ranma's manager so that she could be close enough to him to direct his actions but no one would think twice about her speaking to people attending. They would assume she was drumming up a sponsorship or two for her new "star." She took the map handed to her and turned to Ranma, "Time to find the locker rooms."

He had his arms crossed in front of his chest and was scowling. Shrugging she assumed he was still irritated with her but when he won his attitude would change. She tugged his elbow and pulled him in the right direction. He didn't seem to be paying her much attention at all.

Ranma thought he had stamped down the raising panic but he still felt off. He knew he was being pulled along by Nabiki and thought that maybe he should try to stop being cold towards her. It wasn't like this was her fault really. He flexed and forced his shoulders and arms to relax and picked up his pace so that she didn't have to pull on him.

"Here, go change." She handed him a black belt and pointed him toward the correct door. As he opened the door to the locker room they heard high pitched laughter behind them somewhere. The type of psychotic laugh that sent shivers up any sane person's spine. Both Nabiki and Ranma turned quickly scanning the crowd for Kodachi. Nabiki spotted a young girl who was the source of the unfortunate pitch, "Whew, if it had been the crazy one our plan would be blown. All your various suitors better be back in Nerima."

Ranma quickly escaped into the locker room and sat down on a bench near the back. He knew his hands were shaking and he felt like he couldn't breathe. He knew there were other competitors in the room but it seemed like they were moving in a fog around him. He couldn't hear their voices or make out faces. All he could see were images his mind was generating, knowing they weren't real didn't help him relax but he was able to keep himself from running out the door to the nearest train station. He saw Akane alone in the street, being pursued by Kodachi, Mousse, Pantyhose Taro, Kiima, Shampoo or any of the other crazy people who had hurt or taken her away from him in the past year. He kept getting flashes of her in his arms not responding as he called out to her. He became aware his was standing and sat back down again, vaguely wondering why his hand hurt. Now his head was feeling light and had to put it in his hands while the dizziness passed.

Ranma seemed to be taking his sweet time so Nabiki retrieved the first round match ups and took a few bets. On her way back to the bench outside the locker rooms she overheard two participants talking.

"When he dented that locker I was worried he was going to be a serious challenge but I think he is going to stay sitting in that corner the whole tournament."

"Some people think because they know a little martial arts they can sneak into one of these things and make a show of themselves."

"That kid will be out in the first round."

"Hell yes he will, we'll be sending him home with that black pigtail between his legs."

Black pigtail has to mean they are talking about Ranma but I have never known him to even pretend to be scared. Instead of sitting back down she marched into the locker room to the great surprise of a few participants.

"You can't be in here."

"Take a hike I need to check on my student."

"Calm down little lady. The kid back there must be yours," Using his thumb to point over his shoulder he indicated the last row of lockers. "Trust me; your student isn't ready for a competition like this. You should wait for the junior event next week."

"I'll take that under advisement." She narrowed her eyes as the men left the locker room. "Ranma?" She walked to the back row and took a step back in shock when she saw him. He was visibly shaking and muttering to himself. She had learned over the years to listen to her own instincts and they were screaming at her to be careful. She approached him very slowly.

"Ranma, you don't have to put on this much of an act but it is working, no one thinks you are a threat." He didn't answer her and kept his head in his hands. Gently she wrapped her fingers around his wrist intending to pull his hand away but she could feel his pulse jumping under her fingers. He's not acting… shit what is going on?

There were several time slots for the first round of fights and Ranma didn't fight in the first two groups so that gave her a little extra time to figure out what to do. She tugged carefully on his arm and pulled it away from his head. She could tell his breathing was unusual and his pupils were very constricted. "Ranma what is going on?"

When he didn't answer she tried another tactic, "Ranma Saotome, you will tell me what is going on right now."

"I need to get back to Akane."

She almost didn't hear him he had spoken so quietly, "Why?"

"She could be hurt."

"Why would she be hurt, that's absurd?"

"Kodachi could find her, Shampoo could do something crazy, Moussse might turn her into a duck, or Kiima…" He shutter violently, stood quickly, slamming his hand into a nearby locker. "I'm not there to make sure nothing happens to her again."

"You can't be there all the time."

"I have to be. I can't let it happen again."

He can't let it happen again… what is he talking about? Maybe when she was taken to China? "She can take care of herself. She had already proven that before you ever came into her life. She fought the horde of boys every day, sure things got crazier when you showed up but she is always fine." She watched him shake his head vigorously and scoffed at him, "So what if she was a little weak when you got back from China. She is fine now."

Ranma laughed dryly, "A little weak?"

Nabiki stepped away from him when he turned and looked at her. Anger was rolling off of him in waves, even she could easily feel it. "SHE DIED IN CHINA. I DIDN'T PROTECT HER. I FAILED AND SHE ENDED UP DEAD IN MY ARMS."

She sucked in a breath, "You're lying. She didn't die, she came home with you."

Ranma collapsed back down onto the bench and hung his head.

"You need to calm down so that you can explain it all to me." She could see that he was still shaking. She remembered that he acted strange after a fight with his father when Akane had accidentally gotten hurt. He had knocked his father unconscious again recently and afterwards had told Akane he needed to calm down. They had disappeared for a while into her room after that. "This isn't the first time this has happened to you is it?" Eyeing the two lockers in front of him, she was glad they weren't people.

His only response was to shake his head.

"You never back down from a fight and you aren't going to start today. You are doing this for Akane. She is fine, I am sure of it. Last year all they did was get together at Yuka's house and watch movies, they don't even watch scary movies since Akane doesn't like them."

Ranma focused on imaging her sitting with her friends watching movies and complaining about him. Her friends seemed to be able to both cheer for their relationship and tell Akane what a jerk he was sometimes. He found he could start to control his breathing again and the tightness in his chest loosened a little. "Thanks."

She reached out to grab his wrist again and took his pulse. With Akane's proclivity to have minor accidents both Kasumi and she had taken first aid, so she knew his heart rate was still too high. She stared at him with wide eyes. Slowly and cautiously she kneeled down in front of him, "You need to take deep breaths. Breath with me… three counts in and four counts out."

Concentrating on controlling his breathing, he was surprised when she stood and moved behind him, even more so when he felt her hands begin or work on his back. He finally felt relief, not quite the same as when Akane helped him but it was working. He felt in control again and could focus on his surrounding once more.

"How did you know how to do that?"

"I just thought a massage would relax you."

Turning to face her better he scrutinized her face, "I don't think you are telling the whole truth. You followed chi flows along my back. Why?"

Nabiki folded her arms across her chest and tried to look bored. "You were having a panic attack. I dealt with it so you can go fight and win me some money. That's all." Glaring at him, "Enough about me… what the hell did you mean when you said that Akane died in China?"

Ranma took a deep breath and gave her a very brief explanation of the events. "I swear I have no idea how she came back. Sometime I think if I knew then this…" he gestured at the lockers, "would get better." He stood and stared down at her, "Your turn. How did you know what to do about the panic attack?"

It didn't seem he was going to let it go, "After our mother died things were bad. Father stayed in bed for days at a time, to say he didn't handle it well is an understatement. Akane barely remembers and most of the time Kasumi kept her entertained. We were all still young but a man came to the house and explained to our father that we might lose the house and be homeless if he didn't start paying the bills. I am sure you will not be surprised to learn that I was listening in on the conversation. I told Kasumi and we started looking for all the bills. The amount due was enormous and we couldn't find any income. As it turns out Daddy dearest didn't file the appropriate paperwork so that the family would receive survivor's pension. I found the forms, filled them out and filed them by forging his signature."

Ranma stopped her, "You don't have to tell me, I know thinking about your mother is hard for you."

"You've changed some Ranma," She relaxed her arms and sat on the bench. "I might as well finish." He sat down beside her and looked at her expectantly, so she continued, "I got good at forging his signature but every time another bill came my heart raced and I had trouble breathing. Akane hurt herself one day; just a little scrape but Dr. Tofu patched her up. I started having a panic attack when I realized that we wouldn't have enough to pay him that month. He sent Akane to play in the waiting room and sat me down to talk. I swear that man can get anyone to tell him the truth, too bad he can't tell Kasumi the truth." She waved her hand dismissively, "Anyway, he taught me some tricks and I was to visit him anytime I was feeling stressed. He did the massage on me and only asked that I bring him lunch. Kasumi never asked why I wanted an occasional lunch for Dr. Tofu but she started making extra for him whenever she could. I think he fell in love with her cooking before he fell in love with her."

"And now your solution is to make money any way you can?"

She laughed and punched his arm, "That doesn't take a lot of brain power to that figure out."

"Fine, call the shots manager; let's go make us both some money."

"Ranma I think this could be the start of a beautiful scam."

"I am not pretending to be weak regularly for you but maybe we can work something out." He smirked at her and motioned to the papers in her hand, "Who am I embarrassing first?"

She handed him the pairing, "You know Akane isn't going to let you disappear with me to compete in tournaments all the time."

He looked at the name and look over the write up she had handed him as well, "So find some for girls too. She would probably love that and I figure it will build a name for the dojo again too."

"You are full of surprises today, both good and bad. Think you two are going to be able to run the dojo together?"

"Maybe," He scratched his head and though for a moment, "I mean she will probably attend University but no way will I pass the entrance exam. But winning tournaments… that is basically free advertising right?"

"You have a better head for business that you think."

They finally reached the staging area and Ranma was able to see the spectators as well as the other competitors. There were eight different mats each with a pair competing. It looked like the farthest area for him was primarily for lower skill levels while on the ones closest he saw other black belts. He had never formally ranked up through the belt system, so he wasn't sure how Nabiki got him in that group but he wasn't going to bother asking. There was also a central stage with one more mat but this one had ropes around it and was not currently in use. He assumed that would be for the final matches.

"Time for me to do my thing; they will send someone here to the staging area to call names for the matches. When they call yours, you will follow the person to your mat and meet your opponent." She left him there to wait his turn and started moving through the crowd. She could pick out the most likely candidates quickly and moved to entice a few more bets. She ran odds on all the pairings but it was easy to collect bets against the newcomer who freaked out in the locker room. She ran with it and adjusted the odds against Ranma.

Hayate Nakamura watched the lithe young woman work her way through the spectators. Bet placing and bet taking were standard issue at these events. He prided himself that odds were often calculated in his favor, if he didn't win the tournament then his less than scrupulous friend took the top prize. It had become a game between them to juggle the tournaments so that friends and associates of theirs benefitted from the outcome. Occasionally it was more fun to mess with bet placers that found themselves on the wrong side of one or both of their moods and make sure the pesky individuals walked away with far less yen lining their pockets.

His first round was complete and it was, as predicted, a very easy win. Dispatching the opponent is a few short minutes meant he had plenty of time to size up the new competition. A teenage boy with a black pigtail was being led to the floor. He had heard rumors of this new participant, someone with pre-fight jitters barely deserved his time but there were no fresh faces to watch. The pigtailed boy bowed and moved into a relaxed stance. Hayate watched his movements, which appeared graceful enough although they were nothing straining or difficult. The pair danced around each other for a while before the teen's opponent landed several blows against him. To the kids credit he did adjust his defenses and block additional incoming punches. His opponent was not the most skilled fighter but he was a veteran of this particular tournament and would likely outlast the younger rookie. Becoming bored with the fight Hayate returned to watching the girl. She must have taken some bets against the boy because she was watching that particular pair intently.

He saw a ghost of a smile cross her face before her cool expression settled back in place as several spectators around her groaned. She stood and moved about the crowd again paying out and collecting bets. She seemed to be collecting far more than she was paying out. Shifting his focus back to the match he saw that the pigtailed boy had managed to win. Guess we will see how he does in the next round.

Ranma didn't think that Nabiki would have any complaints about his performance. It was monumentally boring to fight like that but it wasn't terrible letting people underestimate him. These people didn't need to know that he had faced off against much harder opponents with much higher stakes, or at the very least much crazier stakes. He found himself looking forward to the next round and hoped he wouldn't have to hold back as much against his next opponent.

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AN: Always I enjoy the reviews. R&R as you like. I have a healthy amount of the next chapter done so hopefully it will not be almost 2 weeks before I update again. I would love to get back to updating every 4 or 5 days.