Chapter Three

The greatest money making idea of all time! He called it. But Nabiki just laughed. She knew how to make money and Ranma's idea to raise funds to help the dojo out of financial strait was just laughable. But Ranma thought it was a brilliant idea. He had talked it over with Ukyo, and she agreed to help.

"You really are clueless, aren't you, Ranma?" Nabiki said.

He crossed his arms and snorted irritated at her remark. "Fine! What's your idea then?" he said.

"I don't have one yet," she said. "But the right opportunity hasn't cropped up yet."

"I think it has merit," Kasami rang in, as she brought a cup of hot tea for her father in the tea room. They were all sitting around the eating table, having snacks and tea. "I think we should try it."

"Thanks Kasumi," Ranma smiled thin. "At least I'm not completely alone in this house."

"But it's easier said than done," Kasumi said.

"Right," Nabiki agreed. "It's not economically viable, we don't have the money to make it work."

"Okay, there's a few snags, but it's a good plan. Trust me." Ranma smiled. "We advertise in the local newspaper for a few weeks to trump up some business."

"Why not hand out fliers to would-be students on the street like you did before?" Kasumi said.

"Because I don't want a bunch of horny guys joining just to get a look at my girl breasts," Ranma said. "I'm trying to get some notoriety for the Tendo Dojo. I want to be professional. Teach others with legitimacy and with respect like the martial artist I am. And not for having buxom breasts."

"When ya got it, flaunt it, I always say," Nabiki said.

"Nabiki," Kasumi said shocked. "Ranma's being serious, but you do have a point."

Ranma looked at her with a stunned look on his face. "I thought you were on my side?" he said.

"Nabiki does have a point, why not go with what works? You drummed up a lot of business for the dojo the last time we needed money, why not go with the latter? Sex sells. Everyone knows that."

Ranma was in total shock. He was speechless that the whole family suggested he use his sexy girl looks to bring in money. What was next? He wondered. Should he just stand out on a street corner and wink at guys for a quick romp in the sack? He wasn't a prostitute, nor was he into guys. So there was absolutely no way he was going to do anything of that nature to help Mr. Tendo out!

"I'm surprised you'd say something like that, Kasumi-dear," Soun Tendo said. "But on the other hand Nabiki has an excellent point, too! I believe in a respectable business, son, and you have a very good idea, however, unfortunately, it will cost too much money, money I can't afford to fork out right now on a whim. We need a way to make some money without it costing us a yen."

Ranma snorted out frustration and then grabbed a pork bun off the table and began eating it.

"I have to admit I wouldn't the first one to endorse Ranma's idea, they're usually so dumb and stupid," Akane said, chiming in, "but I think it could work and I have an idea where it won't cost us a yen." She had everyone's attention. "Why not advertise in the school newspaper? It's free."

"That's a good idea, Akane," Kasumi smiled, finally sitting down.

Ranma grinned big. "For a tomboy, you have some pretty good ideas every once in a while," he said.

She looked at him with narrow, angry eyes. "I'll take that as a compliment, Ranma," she said.

Soun Tendo began to blubber, cry in his sleeve. "Oh, thank you, everyone," he said. "You're all trying so hard to help me out of my financial burden. I don't know how to thank you!"

"Think nothin' of it, Mr. Tendo, I'm glad to help," Ranma said, smiled.

"And when did you become the self-sacrificing type?" Akane said.

"I'm just tryin' to help out your dad, what's the problem with that?"

"You're only doing this to gain something, aren't you?"

"Am not."

"Are too!"

"Am NOT!"

"ARE too!"

They snarled at each other and gritted their teeth, like animals baring their fangs to show the other who is the Alpha. But when it came to those two, they both felt they held that position.

Ranma's father, in Panda form, held up a sign, which he had quickly written on a piece of ply board with a marker, that said, "STOP IT, YOU TWO! Be civil!"

They both saw it, and snorted "Hupmf!" Then they turned away from the other.

"Tell me something, Ranma," Nabiki began. "What brought about this idea to make money for the dojo, other than the obvious? I sense a hidden agenda here. Does it have something to do with the Hiroshi Dojo, that just opened up a few months ago? Jealous? I've noticed you spending a lot of time over there lately."

"You haven't switched sides, have you, son?" Soun Tendo's voice sounded angry.

Ranma waved his hands in front of him. "No, no, nothing' like that," he said. "I'm just spyin'. I wanna see what's so popular about that place. Did ya know he has nearly a hundred students?"

Kasumi was agape in amazement. "That many? That's incredible for a dojo around here! Normally any dojo I've visited are for family use only. How did Oro Hiroshi get that many students?"

"He advertised in the local newspaper," Ranma said. "I over heard a couple of students talking about how they joined and where they heard about the dojo."

"Ah, now it makes sense," Akane said. "And you believe if we advertise in the local newspaper we can accomplish the same thing? First of all, our dojo isn't big enough to house a hundred students, and second, it would be too much for dad, no offense, dad."

Soun Tendo smiled. "None taken," he said.

"Then I'll take the burden," Ranma said.

Genma Saotome came out from the kitchen with a kettle and then poured it over his head. He changed from a Panda to human. Water dripped down his clothes and onto the hardwood floor. "Your idea has merit, boy, but you're lacking the proper execution," he said. "There's no way you can handle that many, even if you were certified to teach. Which you're not. Tendo is the only one certified to teach at his dojo."

"Then I'll get certified," Ranma said. "Mr. Tendo can certify me to teach here, can't you, Mr. Tendo?"

"Hum, I guess I could," he said smiling, rubbing the back of his head. "But you'll have to go through a series of rigorous trails to prove to me that you can handle the responsibility of taking over the dojo." Then he grinned big. "I'm glad you're showing initiative, son! Once you marry my daughter, the dojo will be yours."

"You mean I have to marry Akane to be certified?"

"C'mom, boy!" Genma said. "Do it for your father."

"I'd rather live on the street."

"That can be arranged," Akane said, looking angry. "One less free-loader in our house."

"You'd like that, wouldn't ya! Well, touch luck! I ain't leavin'!"

Akane took her glass of tea which was cold and splashed it in Ranma's face. He changed into a girl. His girl breasts sprouted and his girlish charm and sweet face emerged from a completely opposite person. It was then that Nabiki got a totally ingenious idea!

Ranma snarled at her. "Hey! What's go an do that fer!

Soun Tendo sighed depressed.

"Cheer up, daddy," Nabiki said smiling. "Fortune favors the foolish."… and I believe that lady luck has just smiled upon us in the form of a buxom, sexy, young, red-head girl by the name of Ranma Saotome.

To be continued…