Chapter 2

'House Party'

The Saotome home was a bustle of activity. With seven teens and five adults, bustle was an inadequate word. In one part of the house, three teenaged girls were on their knees and scooting across the wooden floor of one long hallway pushing an oiled cloth as they went. The three girls giggled as they competed in an impromptu race.

The girl on the right was Japanese and had long black hair tied in two ponytails, she had a tiny nose and full lips. She seemed the living embodiment of the word 'cute'. The girl on the left also had her hair in two ponytails, but her hair was a vivid orange. She was pretty in the way healthy and athletic girls tended to be.

The girl in the middle was, like the girl on her right, Japanese and she also had her shorter fire red hair tied in two ponytails. She had a triangular face, with large and piercing blue eyes. She giggled as she took the lead pushing her cloth.

The orange haired girl and the black haired girl looked at each other for a moment and exchanged smiles and then started moving faster. Their giggles joined the redhead's.

In another part of the house, four teens, two boys, one with black hair in a pigtail, the other with brown hair, also in a pigtail, both muscular as their tank tops revealed and two girls, one with pink hair in two long ponytails, and one with blue hair also in two long pony tails, vacuumed and dusted furniture.

"Man, you'd think the emperor was coming for a visit." The brown haired boy complained.

"Almost, Tagaki." The black haired boy replied. "It's Dad's boss." He said in reminder.

"Yeah, yeah, I know, Akama." Tagaki replied. "Doesn't mean I like vacuuming." He explained.

"Yeah." The pink haired girl agreed. She picked up a picture frame and dusted it angrily. "This not fit work for warrior."

"You think picking up clothes not fit work for warrior." The blue haired girl said tartly. "Only person worse than you is Tagaki."

"Yeah." Agreed Akama. "Geez, Lo Shan, its only dusting. It won't kill you." He said in well-worn tones. "You don't see me and Mei Lin complaining."

"That's because you and Mei Lin are neat freaks." Tagaki shot back. He pushed the vacuum furiously.

"Yeah." Agreed Lo Shan.

Akama and Mei Lin exchanged long-suffering looks. "Why do we put up with them?' He muttered in an aside to Mei Lin.

"Cause we keep you from breaking your fool necks." Tagaki said in response despite the comment having been said in a whisper. "Gods I hate vacuuming." He muttered.

The front door of the Saotome home opened and Ranma Saotome walked in. He was a powerfully built man, he had piercing blue eyes and his black hair tied in a long pigtail that reached to his waist. He seemed to be, at most, in his early twenties even though he was closer to forty years of age. Entering just behind him was another man. This man was fit and trim with dark brown hair and pale brown eyes. He too appeared to be in his early twenties even though; he too, was closer to twice that age. Both men carried packages in their arms. He was Kenichi Kasamura, Ranma's best friend and the father of Tagaki.

"We're home." Kenichi announced. He and Ranma removed their shoes and put on slippers before proceeding into the main room. "Still sounds kind of weird saying that." Kenichi said. He and his wife, Yuchiko, had moved into the guest room of the Saotome home the week before and they were still getting used to it. 'Getting used to a lot of things.' He thought.

"Second thoughts?" Ranma asked with a touch of concern in his voice.

"Hell no." Kenichi said forcefully.

Ranma smiled in relief. "Good." He replied.

"You were worried?" Kenichi asked in surprise.

"A little." Ranma admitted.

Kenichi looked at Ranma. Akane walking out of the kitchen interrupted anything he might have said. "There you are." Said Akane in slightly annoyed tones.

"Sorry Tomboy." Ranma said contritely. "We had trouble finding those mushrooms Uk-chan wanted." He explained.

"We had to go to three different markets before we found them." Kenichi added.

"A likely story." Akane noised skeptically.

"Honest, Tomboy." Ranma opened one of the bags he held. "See?" He said. "Different store." He pointed to the label on the bag and then the label on another bag.

"Well, okay." Akane said. "Bring the bags into the kitchen." She ordered. "Uk-chan and Mouse are waiting,"

"Come on, Ken-chan." Ranma said. Ranma, with Kenichi on his heels, walked quickly into the kitchen. Akane followed. Ukyo was at the stove as usual and Yuchiko was at the sink washing some vegetables. "Sorry we're late Uk-chan."

The brown haired chef gave both Ranma and Kenichi an amused look. "Took you long enough. " She said cheerfully. "Mouse was sure the two of you had...stopped somewhere."

"Honey." Kenichi said in protesting tones. "You know I...we wouldn't do that."

"Why not?" Yuchiko replied tartly. Then she giggled. "I would have." Yuchiko walked over and gave first Kenichi and then Ranma a short but affectionate kiss on the lips. "Welcome home." She said warmly. Yuchiko almost purred when both Ranma and Kenichi wrapped their arms around her.

"Okay you three, knock it off." Akane said. "We've got maybe an hour before people start showing up." She said. "Ranma, you and Kenichi, take a quick bath." She gave Ranma and Kenichi a cross look. "Just a bath." She ordered.

"Yes Tomboy." Ranma and Kenichi chorused. The two men hurried away.

The door barely closed behind them when Yuchiko and Ukyo broke into giggles. "You don't really think they...snuck off...do you Tomboy?" Yuchiko asked.

"Nope." Akane replied cheerfully. "Still gonna make them suffer though." She promised in the same cheerful tones.

"How do you plan on doing that?" Yuchiko asked. Akane's smile widened into an evil grin.

"I've seen that look before, Mouse honey." Ukyo shuddered dramatically. "Oh the horror, the horror." Yuchiko giggled in response.

A limo pulled up in front of the Saotome residence. The driver got out and opened the passenger door. A man stepped out. He was tall, tanned and fit looking. He had slightly deep-set dark brown eyes that, along with his misshaped nose, a result of some altercations he had in his youth, gave the man a dangerous look. In most cases looks can be deceiving. In this case, however, the old phrase, 'what you see, is what you get' was apt.

Ky Young ji, founder, CEO and President of KYJ Enterprises, was a dangerous man. Though his business dealings were now legitimate, that had not always been the case. Born in poverty he had fought and clawed his way out of the ghetto. When you are truly poor, in the way Ky had been poor, being squeamish, scrupulous and law abiding, were niceties that could easily get in the way of survival. And Ky Young Ji was a survivor.

Now, in his late thirties, he was successful and wealthy. He had decided that though he could now afford the niceties it wasn't worth it. Still he had abandoned most of his former 'bad' ways and set about creating a financial empire that would last.

He turned and reached into the limo. A dainty and well-manicured feminine hand took his. The woman that Ky escorted out of the limo was an extremely attractive woman with long dark brown hair. She wore a well tailored and form fitting gray and black business suit. She took Ky's arm. Ky turned to the driver. "I don't know how long we'll be." He said brusquely. The driver nodded.

Ky escorted the woman to the front gate of the Saotome residence and rang the bell. In less than a minute the door opened to reveal a powerfully built man in a gray business suit. "Ranma." Ky Young Ji said in pleased greeting.

"Ky." Ranma replied in similar tones. "Please come in." He stepped back and waved the couple into the inner compound of the Saotome home.

Ky Young Ji nodded and entered. "Ranma Saotome may I introduce, Noriko Mata."

"A pleasure, Ms. Mata." Ranma replied.

"Noriko, please." Noriko Mata said. "Mr. Saotome."

Ranma smiled. "Only if you call me, Ranma." Noriko Mata nodded. "Wonderful." Ranma said.

They reached the front door of the Saotome home and Ranma waved the couple inside. Waiting just inside was a receiving group of four adults; Yuchiko and Kenichi Kasamura on one side and Akane and Ukyo opposite them. The four adults bowed respectfully in greeting. "Welcome to our home." Akane said in formal tones.

"Ky, may I introduce my wife, Akane." Ranma said in introduction. "Our house guest, Ukyo Kuonji." He continued. "You already know, Kenichi Kasamura." Kenichi bowed nervously. "And his lovely wife, Yuchiko."

"Kenichi, yes." Ky replied. "But I've never met his wife." He said. "I'm pleased to finally meet you." Ky smiled at Yuchiko with appreciation. "A pleasure to meet all of you." He said. "May I present, Noriko Mata." Noriko inclined her head. "Ms. Mata is Vice President of our Entertainment and Hospitality division."

"Impressive." Akane said.

"Drink?" Ranma asked. "Your choices are kinda limited; beer, scotch, sake and the like." He said. "Personally, I'd pick the beer."

"Then you and Ky will get along." Noriko Mata said in amused tones. "American Scotch?" She asked. Ranma nodded. "A short one on ice, please."

Ranma smiled back. "Coming up." He said. When Ranma came back with the drinks, Ky Young Ji and Noriko Mata were sitting on one of the couches in the conversation area. Akane and Ukyo were speaking animatedly with them but Kenichi looked nervous and tense. Ranma handed Ky and Noriko their drinks then went over and stood behind Kenichi and placed a hand on his shoulder. He sent a mild pulse of Ki into Kenichi to calm him down. "Where's Yuchiko?" He asked.

"Checking on the kids." Kenichi replied.

"Ah." Ranma noised in response. He rested his hip on the back of the couch Kenichi was sitting on. "We try not to spring the kids on strangers without warning them first." Ranma said to Ky.

"So your wife was just explaining." Ky replied. He laughed. "Seven?"

"In residence." Akane replied in rueful tones. "Nine on weekends." She frowned slightly. "Or is it ten?" Noriko Mata's joined Ky's laughter. Akane looked up at the sound of the door chime. "That's probably Nabs." She said. She excused herself and went to the front door. As she predicted, her older sister, Nabiki Tendo, was standing in the doorway along with her friend and business partner, Kimi Ota. What Akane had not expected was the three other people standing there with her.

"I hope you don't mind, Sis." Nabiki said in an amused voice. "But they insisted." She grinned in shark like anticipation. Standing in the doorway were Tatewaki Kuno, his sister Kodachi and Hitoshi Niamura, Kodachi's on again off again boyfriend. Usually, when it was off, it meant that Kodachi was again dating Ky Young ji.

"If anything breaks you're paying for it, Sis." Akane said. "Well come on in." She grumped. Akane led the five into the house. "I think you know everyone." She said.

Ky Young Ji looked up and his eyes narrowed angrily at the sight of Hitoshi Niamura. He was about...Ky wasn't sure what he was about to do but he knew it would be loud. Then his eyes glanced over at Nabiki Tendo. Ky paused. "She's almost salivating." He thought in realization. "The bitch wants me to get angry." Ky Young Ji forced his anger down and put a pleasant expression on his face. He glanced at Nabiki out of the corner of his eyes. He detected the faint frown of disappointment, an expression that quickly vanished and replaced with one of reluctant respect.

"Dachi." Noriko Mata exclaimed happily.

"Noriko?" Kodachi replied. The two women met in the center of the main room and embraced. It was obvious they knew each other and were on good terms. "What are...you...you're dating Ky?"

"You broke up with him, Dachi." Noriko said plaintively. "Again."

"Well." Kodachi began.

"And you're dating Hitoshi...again." She accused pointedly. "You're just plain greedy." She glared at Kodachi and then the two women broke into laughter. They embraced again. "It's so good to see you." Noriko said. "The club is not the same without you."

"Old friends?" Yuchiko asked Ukyo.

"I guess." Ukyo replied.

Ky Young Ji and Hitoshi Niamura stood less than a meter apart and glared at each other. "I thought I told you to stay away from Kodachi." Ky Young Ji snarled.

"I believe I told you the same thing." Hitoshi Niamura snarled back. Hitoshi was a powerfully built man. He had dark brown eyes and black hair that was cut in a conservative style. Though not as rich as the Kunos, the Niamuras were very well off, due to the efforts of Hitoshi's father, a successful businessman. Hitoshi himself was a very successful lawyer and, along with Nabiki, Tatewaki Kuno and Kimi Ota, a member of one of Tokyo's most successful and influential law firms. And, like Ky Young Ji, a formidable martial artist in his own right. He and Ky had 'sparred' several times and the results were both spectacular and inconclusive.

"Boys...boys." Nabiki interrupted. "You can play later." She said coolly.

Tatewaki walked over as well. "I knew this was a mistake." He grumbled to Nabiki. "Ky." He nodded to Ky Young Ji. Ky returned the nod.

"But so...informative." Nabiki replied with a cold smile. "Why don't you and Hitoshi get a drink?" She said in tones that matched the smile. Nabiki waited until Tatewaki led Hitoshi away before she returned her attention to Ky Young Ji. "Hitoshi is going to be...unlivable for a week."

"Tough." Ky Young Ji replied. "Disappointed?" He asked.

Nabiki laughed. "I'm never disappointed." She stopped when the blond haired Kimi Ota walked over. "Ah Kimi." She said in greeting. "I don't believe you've met Ky Young Ji."

"No, but I've heard a lot about you." Kimi said with a wide smile. "You sound like a man who... finishes what he starts." She said. "I like that in a man."

"Down girl." Nabiki chided lightly. "As I said, I'm never disappointed." Nabiki said in cool tones. "Though I will admit to a touch of ... regret."

The smile that accompanied that remark for some reason remind Ky Young Ji of icicles dangling from the eaves of his grandfather's home in the winter. Ky Young Ji suppressed a slight shiver. He'd seen that smile before.

Where Ky Young Ji grew up, life was cheap, and there were ample killings to prove it. Ky was not even five when he had come across the first of many dead bodies. Some he had even put there himself. Ky Young Ji had seen that smile before, in the mirror. Ky Young Ji bowed respectfully. "For that I apologize." He said.

Nabiki Tendo laughed. "Apology accepted." She replied regally. "You know, you really should consider changing your legal representation." She stated.

"You led me to believe that my business wasn't...welcome." Ky Young Ji replied.

"Did I?" Nabiki replied in mock surprise. "Well we were seriously shorthanded then." She said in reasonable tones. "With Kimi joining the firm, we can give your business the...attention it deserves." She said. "Isn't that right, Kimi?" Kimi Ota nodded cheerfully and somewhat hungrily. Ky Young Ji laughed in response.

Kodachi and Noriko walked over to Akane, Ukyo and Yuchiko. "Noriko Mata may I introduce Akane Saotome, Ukyo Kuonji and their good friend Yuchiko Kasamura." She said formally. "Ladies, Noriko Mata."

"Call me Noriko." Noriko Mata said with a smile. "You have got to tell me your secret." She said in envious tones.

"Secret?" Akane asked.

"If Dachi hadn't told me you went to high school together." Noriko Mata said.

"It wasn't exactly together." Akane replied in slightly sour tones. "Kodachi's brother...well I'd rather not get into that."

"Quite." Kodachi agreed. "Suffice to say that my brother attended Furinken with Akane so our ... paths crossed somewhat often."

"Whatever." Noriko said dismissively. "Come on girls, give." Pleaded Noriko Mata. "You must be in your mid ..."

"Early." Interrupted Kodachi.

"Early thirties." Noriko Mata amended. "Yet..." She waved a hand. "Some special cream you found in China? Diet? What?" She asked plaintively. "Whatever it is, it works."

Akane, Ukyo and Yuchiko exchanged looks. Akane grinned. "Magic." She said simply. Noriko and Kodachi opened their mouths to protest. Akane held up a hand as her grin widened. "Just call what it is magic, okay?" She said.

"I don't care what you call it." Noriko Mata said firmly. "Can I get in on it?"

Akane's smile widened even further. She looked Noriko Mata up and down. "Not bad." She murmured. "I'd do you."

"Tomboy." Scolded Yuchiko. "That's not funny."

"Oh, is baby jealous?" Akane cooed. "Don't be."

"Hmmph." Yuchiko grumped.

Akane leaned over and whispered into Yuchiko's ear. She leaned away. "Now wouldn't that be fun?" She asked. Without waiting for an answer, Akane returned her attention to Noriko Mata. "It'll cost you." She licked her lips suggestively.

Noriko laughed. "If you're trying to...scare me off...that won't do it." She said. "Would it, Dachi?"

"Why Kodachi." Purred Akane. "I never would have guessed." Akane's smile reminded everyone of her sister Nabiki as she returned her attention to Noriko Mata. "Well if that didn't scare you, how about this?" She said. "One million yen." She stated. "Per treatment."

"You're joking?" Sputtered Noriko Mata. "That's a lot for something you haven't proved you can del…" She stopped when she felt something…touch her. The touch was feather light yet it was a definite sensation of being touched. "Is that you?" Noriko asked in slightly nervous tones. Akane nodded. Noriko moistened suddenly dry lips. "One million yen?"

"Per treatment." Akane confirmed. "You'll probably need four a year." She said. "And the only reason I'm offering is because of Kodachi."

"Me?" Kodachi asked in surprise.

Akane grinned evilly. "I still owe you for some of the things you did in High School."

"I thought you hated me in High School." Kodachi protested.

Akane's evil grin got wider. "I did." She replied. "Oh and one more thing." She said. "You have to be there when Noriko has her…treatments." Akane laughed. "Oh ho ho ho." Her laugh a fair, and somewhat chilling, approximation of Kodachi's trademark bad girl laughs.

"Now I'm scared." Noriko Mata said.

Ranma and Kenichi stood next to each other near the wet bar speaking to Tatewaki Kuno and Hitoshi Niamura. Ranma shuddered theatrically when he heard Akane laugh. "Uh oh." He said in an aside to Kenichi. "The Tomboy found a new victim." Kenichi laughed in response.

End Chapter 2

Author's Note: Just a short chapter. I probably could have added it to chapter 1.