WARNING: While there will be no actual 'Lemon' content contained herein, adult situations, language, violence and acts of a sexual nature are strongly implied.

Disclaimer: The rights to 'Ranma 1/2' are owned by its creator, Rumiko Takahashi. The rights to 'Gold Digger' are owned by its creator, Fred Perry. The rights to characters from other sources, which are likely to make cameo appearances, are retained by their respective creators. This story is for entertainment purposes only and written without expectation of monetary or material profit.

Notes: While drawing primarily from the original 'Ranma 1/2' Manga series, some elements and characters from the 'Ranma 1/2' Anime series may also be utilized. This is BOTH a 'Continuation' and an 'Alternate Universe' fan-fiction in regards to the characters and events of 'Ranma 1/2' and 'Gold Digger', meaning: the characters WILL be 'Out-of-Character' to one extent or another and that canon events the reader is familiar with may or may not have been altered to a greater or lesser degree. This fan-fiction is also a 'Crossover', combining elements from the two aforementioned sources. For most of the story, we will attempt to adhere closely to canon, in regards to Fred Perry's 'Gold Digger' series, but at some point, events will diverge from canon and concessions will have to be made for the intermingling of the two base series.

Furthermore, it is 'presumed' that the events of the 'Ranma 1/2' Manga series take place over a span of less than one year, as there is little, if any, real indication of the passage of time in canon. Therefore, Ranma and Akane are still freshmen at the time this story begins, while Nabiki and Kunou are juniors.

Timeframe: Immediately following the failed wedding attempt at the end of the 'Ranma 1/2' Manga series; there are several months remaining until the end of the current school year at Furinkan High... ('Gold Digger' timeframe will become apparent when introduced into the story.)

WARNING: This is self-beta'd if there are any spelling or grammar mistakes, please PM me with the paragraph and fix.

BATTLE MAGE

By

Ryan Slicer

(original story concept, writing and guidance)

Book One: Control

Part Eight: Awakenings and Past Indiscretions

Morning awoke the martial artist in bed with the light shining through the window. While the sun was rising in the east, it's light still shone through the western side of the house, even if it wasn't directly in his face. Ranma groaned quietly as he raised his arm to cover his eyes, very much aware of the light waking him up. He felt that he wasn't lying on his futon in his room, but a western style bed, complete with covers and normal pillows. His body started processing everything, including the weight on his chest. And he knew damn well he was male so it couldn't be his own breasts, but he did feel said mounds on his chest, or at least a little bit to his side.

Ranma opened his eyes enough to look down at what was on top of him only to find Nabiki lying there, covered in the blankets up to her shoulders, which were bare. Ranma took the moment to drink in the sight before lifting up the blanket only to find that it wasn't just Nabiki's shoulders that were bare, but the rest of her body was. At the movement of the blankets, Nabiki's body shivered and she unconsciously grabbed Ranma and held him as close as she could, compressing her breasts even more against his side. Ranma took the moment to cover her back up with the blanket.

'Oh shit... I don't think I was supposed to be here.' Ranma thought as he looked around the room finally, realizing he was in Nabiki's room. 'As if Nabiki being here wasn't a big clue.' He told himself after he realized he was thinking the obvious. His arm that was being held down by said Tendo sister had just enough movement to wrap around the woman as he traced her spine slowly, wondering if he should be doing this at all. 'Still, if I'm gonna die, I might as well go out with a bang.' He started to relax and hold Nabiki, as he didn't want to wake her yet. His body, on the other hand, had a different idea and he started to become aroused by the fact that he was holding Nabiki in such an embrace. He felt most of her body was laying on top of his, her right leg was almost over both of his legs while most of her torso and hips were laying on top of him. Her right arm was holding his torso and her head was resting on his chest, as if she was holding a body pillow, his body as the pillow. 'I wonder why lying here with Nabiki is making me feel aroused now, but when Shampoo held me in the tub there was nothing there.' He thought to himself of the only other time when he held or was held by a naked beauty. 'Oh right. Akane walked in and saw us. That might be why. Or I was more concerned of Shampoo trying to do something that I didn't want to happen.' He told himself.

He took a few more minutes to think about things, worried that if Akane saw them, or anyone else that would matter, might cause some problems for them. 'I think that we should get married. If anyone finds us, I know dang well the fathers will be getting the priest. Mom probably would go with it, but she would just want grandchildren to spoil.' He frowned, 'How would this change our friendship? Will I lose her as a friend? Will I be rejected again?' he shook his head before letting his body relax. 'No, I won't think about this until I talk to her.'

Ranma gently started to trace circles on his lover's back, as he idly let his mind wander, especially from last night. He knew he was slightly buzzed from the night before, but it didn't inhibit him from remembering fully what happened. This caused him to blush further and it also aroused him more. He then heard a soft moan from the Tendo sister laying on his chest.

-LINE BREAK-

Nabiki's eyes fluttered open as she felt something poking her stomach, she turned her head and felt the wall of muscle and skin against her cheek before she looked up and found Ranma's face looking down at her with an almost worried look, but also with a soft smile that didn't reach his eyes, "Ranma? What are you doing here?" She asked softly, her head aching from the night before. 'I know I didn't drink that much. But what happened?' She moved her legs and moaned even more at the fact that she was sore down between her legs. "What did we do last night, Ranma?" She asked quietly, gently hugging him as she moved a bit more.

"I think we did a lot more than what was expected." Ranma answered her, "But I do remember you saying you were drugged, and it looked like three toughs wanted to get you to a room."

'Drugged... that's right, someone knocked into me and I took a sip of my drink. It must have been a fast acting drug.' She shivered and held Ranma tightly, 'I'm very grateful that Ranma was there.' she thought before looking back at Ranma from her position, "Thank you, Ranma." She ran her hand down his chest and then back up, "If you weren't there, I don't know what I would have done."

"I'm glad that I have your trust, Nabiki." Ranma said quietly, not wanting to wake anyone else in the household.

"My question to you is, why are you so calm and still here?"

"It might be that you were on top of me." He gave her a roguish grin. "Not like I had anywhere else to go without waking you."

Nabiki gave a soft smile at that, 'He's being very considerate of my well-being. Oh Akane, you're missing out if you keep up your attitude and lose him.' she thought as she hugged him tightly again, "Well I think you did wake me up, just not intentionally." She pushed her stomach and moved her body up and down, causing him to groan.

"Now you're being mean."

Nabiki stuck her tongue out as she pulled the blanket over them again. "So what now, Ranma?"

"Well... I think we should get married, because you know someone's going to find out and they'll push for it. And... I think it's a general principle that we should."

"Get married? Because of what? We had sex, Ranma, not declorations of love."

"But isn't that what you're supposed to do? I mean, yeah I get brothels and love hotels, but that's different right?"

"The only difference is why you do it, Ranma-kun." Nabiki idly traces little circles on his chest, "It could be at home, or a brothel, or a love hotel. But if you don't love someone and just need a quickie, then it really doesn't matter where." She gently poked him in the chest, "Remember the couple in the corner of the club. I did tell you that people do it because of a need."

"So what about us? Aside from having alcohol and being drugged that is."

Nabiki groans, 'I forgot about the drugs. God I was stupid.' She moved a bit and sat up, taking some of the covers with her. "That's where that fine line is. Drugs make you do things, and some things you just can't help. Only this time, I was lucky to have someone keep an eye out on me." She answered part of what could be a good answer. "But for us... That's up to us to figure out."

Ranma also sat up and kept himself slightly covered in the cool air of the room. Nabiki saw this and scooted closer and leaned up against him so that he could get some more of the blanket, "I still say we should get married, if you become pregnant."

"That's not going to happen for a while, Ranma." She reached down and patted his leg, "I'm on the pill and that stops that from happening."

"And what if it doesn't?"

"Then we'll figure out a solution. You think I wouldn't have a plan beforehand to take care of things like this?"

"I'm sure you do, but can you graduate and get a job right now?"

Nabiki looked at him strangely, "What do you mean graduate? Graduate from what? High school?" Ranma nods before looking pointedly at her, "You can't be serious right?"

"If push comes to shove, I can graduate and get a job to provide for my family, if it starts very soon."

"I figure you were smart, but what you're saying is that you can graduate from high school at any time, which is not something I would expect you to be able to do."

Ranma grinned at the fact that Nabiki didn't know everything about the school and what his abilities are, "Let's just say that, I should be in your class and I would be graduating with you if it wasn't for the fact that I told the teachers to keep me in the same class as my age group."

This caused Nabiki's jaw to drop, though Ranma couldn't see it from his position, "So, when you mean you could technically graduate from high school..."

"It means that right now, if I studied for the next two months before school ends, I could graduate with the current seniors by passing the mid and final exams. May not be able to get into a college, but it'll be enough to get a job right now until I can."

Nabiki's mind just went into overdrive over the thoughts of what Ranma just dropped into her lap, 'Ranma, not only is he smart, he could technically be in my class and still graduate without an additional year of study. And I was about to ignore this man because of my bratty sister, who claims she loves him but won't admit it. Nabiki, you're an idiot.' She thought as she turned around in Ranma's arms, straddling him so she was poised and ready. "Right now, I'm not ready for marriage quite yet and I definitely plan on getting a degree."

"I know that." Ranma watches her as she reaches over and grabs a condom from her nightstand drawer, "But you know we're going to have to deal with the consequences if we're caught."

"Kasumi will cover for us." Nabiki smiles, "She's always been able to keep Daddy oblivious about things when she needs to." Nabiki opens the condom package and puts it on for Ranma before smiling, "Now how about another round?" her smile increases before she nips him on the neck, "Just a bit more gently, I'm still a bit sore."

-LINE BREAK-

The soft moans that Kasumi could hear made her jealous that she was already awake and getting ready to serve breakfast instead of in her room where she could take care of such a need herself. 'Seriously again?' she thought as her mind tried to focus on setting the table for breakfast. She got up and went back to the kitchen. She grabbed the rice cooker and brought it in, setting it down next to the table. As she got up again, her father came in and looked at Kasumi.

"Is Nabiki alright?" Soun asked as he heard another moan from upstairs.

"She'll be fine, Father. She told me there was alcohol there and she had a little too much of it." This caused Soun and Genma to nod, having been there with the Master a few times, before running on said bills because the Master wouldn't pay. This caused both adults to shiver at the fact that they remembered something about Happosai, which they didn't want to.

Nodoka looked over at Kasumi before tilting her head, "And my manly son who escorted her? He wasn't in the room when we woke up."

"He's in the dojo, but please let him be." She looked pointedly at Genma, who was about to get up and grab his 'worthless' son of his. "I promised him that we would leave him in peace today because he had a rough time at the party."

"Ah yes, he probably had too much himself, like my daughter." Soun chuckled at his words, before patting Genma on the shoulder. "We'll let them be for now, he did make sure that Nabiki got home safely from the party, and he does deserve something for that."

"Quite right, Tendo." Genma nodded, thinking it was his idea, "We'll let him rest, he deserves that."

'Oh he deserves the rest, but from what I'm hearing, he could go on more and more and doesn't need that much rest to begin with.' Kasumi thought to herself, wondering if her sister really didn't mind sharing with her older sister.

Once breakfast was finished, both Saotome's got up from the table and looked at Kasumi and Soun, "We'll probably not be back until supper, the contractors at the house are giving us some problems. Those Juuban contractors just can't deal with the destruction as quickly as the ones here in Nerima.

"Yes, that is a shame. If it were permissible, the district could send someone from the Nerima construction corps to help them out." Soun responded, having known about the issues at Juuban and why, according to the district council meetings, that Nerima happened to have the best construction group around.

"Yes, but the insurance wouldn't take it anyway. Still, we'll be discussing things with them before we head back here for supper. If not, we'll be at a hotel for the night."

"Alright, if we don't see you tonight then we'll see you tomorrow." Soun responded as he got up to show his guests out. Once they left, he began to help Kasumi with the dishes, "Kasumi, when you have a chance, please see to both Ranma and Nabiki and make sure they're alright."

"Of course, Father." Kasumi replied as they finished the dishes in silence, including the silence from upstairs. 'I hope that they used protection. Because if not, I'll be bringing it up to Father.'

-LINE BREAK-

Nabiki laid down with Ranma, once more in the position they were that morning, except now that she fully remembered her experience she had enjoyed it a bit more. She took a moment to gather her thoughts as she relished her experience. 'God that was good. I wonder if he was just as gentle before.' She smiled into Ranma's chest before she got up a bit to look at Ranma, "You were good." She traced small patterns on his chest, "But then this is my first time with anyone else, aside from 'Nami."

"Who's 'Nami?" Ranma asked, "And should I be jealous that I wasn't your first?" He smirked before he yelped after Nabiki pinched his chest, "Ow. Okay okay. No joking after sex."

"Prat." Nabiki grinned, having got one on him again. "No, you know her as Ryonami." She answered his question.

"Her? Well you guys do hang out a lot." He remarked before he movesHe looked at her once more as she laid her head back down.

"She's one of my best friends, even though I don't have many of them." Nabiki mentioned quietly. "She is also the one that helped me figure out I was bi-sexual."

"Thank you for confiding in me with that." Ranma said to her, knowing that it was a bit of a taboo to talk about your sexual orientation.

"Kasumi knows as well, which is why she lets me go out with her when we do." Ranma nodded as he listened to her, "But going out with you has been fun too."

"Yeah, it's been fun for me too." Ranma said as well. His fingers gently strumming a tune on her back. "However, I still think that we should be getting married as soon as we can. It just doesn't seem right to do this and not be married."

'Still as old fashioned as ever. It's what makes him so unique.' Nabiki smiled to herself as she thought about her answer to his thoughts. "In all honesty, Ranma, it doesn't really matter if we have sex one time or a hundred times. We don't have to get married right away." She kisses his chest, enjoying the tapping on her naked back. "Just think of us as friends with benefits." She looked at his face, where he had a slight frown about her casual way of explaining her thoughts. "Ranma?" She asked as she propped herself up with a concerned look on her face.

"What about Akane?" He asked, "I mean, didn't we do something that she would get worked up about?" Ranma frowned a bit more before he spotted Nabiki's scowl.

"In all honesty, she fucked up big time the other day. I can't believe that she did that to you after she saw Ukyo leave." She pushed herself up more so she was face to face with him so she could talk to him better, "And that includes all of this week. She's been angry and upset with you for no reason as you haven't done anything that warrants her behavior."

"But.."

"But nothing. All you did was have a normal problem that all women go through and she throws it back into your face." Nabiki growls out, not upset with Ranma, but at least most of her anger is directed to Alane and her father. "Then she gets upset because you were asked to go to the party with me as an escort and she nearly blows her top off because of that."

Ranma lifted his free arm and ran his fingers through his unbound hair and nodded, "I guess you're right, but isn't it still cheating with her?" Nabiki then flicks his nose.

"If you feel that bad about it, how about I take up the role of fiancée so you don't feel as bad about it." Nabiki mentioned, "It would make life easier wouldn't it?"

"Yes it would, but... I'm not sure that's a good idea either."

"Well we know Kodachi wouldn't mind, she would just try to get me to let you go out on dates with her."

"Don't remind me about that. But Shampoo and Ukyo will not be bothering us too much anymore. Especially Ukyo..." Ranma looks down at Nabiki before Nabiki gets up, pulling the covers up to cover her body, and moves herself to a sitting position next to Ranma, who sits up as well taking what Nabiki generously gave him of the covers so he could cover his lower half.

"You're still hurting about it?"

"Not about what I said, just the consequences that happened afterwards."

"If Ukyo truly is a friend, then she will remember that you treasure friendship more than any other relationship you have." Nabiki grabs his hand and places it on her lap, "I know that I didn't appreciate you when you first got here, but now, I wouldn't trade your relationship with me for anything else in the world." She squeezed his hand, "Though if you leave yourself open I'll take advantage of it for my own gains." She grins before flashing him her breasts, which causes him to laugh and give her a hug. His first one that he initialized without any prompting or the other person initiating it. This caused Nabiki to stop and go into a bit of shock, not only at the implications that she received his first hug, but that she really wants to keep it going and further. 'Down girl, just hug him back, no matter how sexy it is to be hugged by a naked Ranma.'

Ranma almost stops hugging her until she responds, as the position is a bit awkward, Nabiki moves, sliding into his lap, and then straddles him to get a better hold on hugging him. He smiles calmly and both rest their heads on each other's shoulder, with Nabiki kissing his neck softly. "Sure, Nabs. I'll try to not leave myself open to your machinations." He chuckled into her neck before yelping as she bit him. "Hey now." He hears Nabiki chuckle and she kisses where she bit him.

"That's what you get for calling me Nabs."

"So... You think that we're still good with everything?" He asked, "This isn't going to bite us in the ass and we'll lose what we have now."

"I don't think it will. At least not right now." Nabiki said as she nuzzled his neck. "Besides, I don't want to lose what we just got. Even if this changes how we interact with each other." Nabiki sat up a bit to look at him. "Is this going to change us, Ranma?"

"No, it's not."

"But if something does happen and the parents do get it in their head to change fiancées, then I'll think about getting married."

Ranma nodded before speaking up, "I think it's time to get up." He mentioned. Nabiki nodded and got off of him so he could get out of bed, flashing him her breasts, which caused him to blush slightly. "You tease me again and we'll never get out of bed."

"You say that like it's a bad thing." Nabiki smirked as Ranma picked up his boxers, giving her a flash himself, 'Mmm. A girl could get used to him very quickly.'

-LINE BREAK-

Kasumi stood next to Nabiki's door and contemplated on opening it. 'They must be done and both of them covered.' she thought as she knocked before opening the door, she stepped inside and was about to say something when she saw Ranma picking up his boxers and mooning her. "Oh my." She exclaimed quietly, seeing his full physique up close like the other day, but.. 'My God, he smells fantastic, I don't know if I can hold myself from him.'

"Ack!" Ranma turned around to face Kasumi and saw the hungry look in her eye. "Kasumi?!" Ranma exclaimed before pulling his boxers on and grabbing his clothes from last night. Nabiki also grabbed the sheets and covered herself as well.

Kasumi closed the door behind her and turned around once more to face the two lovers. "I really hope you had protection with you, Nabiki."

"Of course, Onee-chan." Nabiki nodded, "I'm on the pill anyways."

"That's fine, but that's not always effective." Kasumi nodded and she walked up to Ranma, who had put on his tank top from last night, "And I expect you both to use protection, because if you get Nabiki pregnant, I will go to daddy and have you two married as soon as possible." Kasumi laid her best glare at both of them, which caused them to nod quickly to her suggestion.

"Next, if you do have sex at home, you need to do it in the bedrooms and no where else." She laid a flat glare at the two, "I don't care if you want some water fun, but not here in the furo like I caught you earlier in the month." This caused them to blush at that embarrassing catch that seems to creep up on them with Kasumi. "Otherwise, I really think you should get married."

"So says the queen, hmm?" Nabiki mentioned as she stared at her sister, "Or is it because it's Ranma?"

"I just think that it would be good if you guys got married, that's all." Kasumi replied as she returned the stare.

"Kasumi, Nabiki and I talked it out and we're not getting married unless she's pregnant or she decides if she wants to." Ranma replied. "While I do agree with you, we hashed it out and came to an agreement."

"That's all fine and dandy, Ranma-kun." Kasumi responded back, "but that agreement should include something about you marrying her or at least her being your fiancée."

Nabiki looked at her sister with a pointed look, nodding at her request, "We did." She pulled the covers even more over her, "If we do decide we want to be a couple, we'll have the marriage agreement transferred." She spoke before Ranma did, who nodded after Kasumi looked back at him. "And If I do get pregnant, we'll get married." This caused Kasumi to agree with their sentiments before walking over to Nabiki's bed and sitting down.

"As long as you both agree, or I'll bring Father into this."

"You don't have to, Kasumi." Ranma responds, taking the lead this time. "Nabiki and I will be careful if we do this again." To which Ranma nodded to himself mostly. 'Nabiki might be the only one who I would have sex with again and not be dragged to the alter right afterwards.' he thought to himself, "I'll see you later, Nabiki and Kasumi. Gonna go work out to loosen up." He said, having just finished putting on his pants when he saw Nabiki's grin. 'Oh no.' he thought.

"I thought you were already loose enough, Ranma, or are you expecting another romp sometime today?" Nabiki looked him up and down, before Ranma tossed his shirt at her. "Thanks, I've always wanted one of these." Her grin continued to grow before Ranma turned around and huffed like Akane would, though Nabiki knew it was playful and did not actually show any malice. "Here, take your shirt and we'll see you after your workout." She tossed his shirt back and he caught it without looking at her. 'Those reflexes. I wonder if the teacher has issues with him.'

-LINE BREAK-

As Ranma left the middle sister's room, Kasumi went over to Nabiki's bed and sat down, looking at her sister with different eyes. "So what happened to being just friends?" Kasumi said as she watched Nabiki get more comfortable in bed, reaching down to pick up the pajama top that never got worn the night before. "Did something happen at the party to change your mind?"

Nabiki took the offered night shirt and slipped it on before letting the blanket fall to her lap. "Ranma was a very helpful gentleman." This caused Kasumi to raise an eyebrow at her sister. "No really. I knew that he wasn't going around and teasing or doing things with his other fiancée's, but I never knew I would be brought into this menagerie of being saved by Ranma."

"Aside from Toma, right?"

Nabiki nodded and took a moment to think about it. "Kuno technically takes that, but Ranma was trying to save us all, even if it was at his chance for a cure."

"But that still doesn't answer my question. What happened?"

Nabiki shuttered slightly as she tried to recall most of what happened, "All I remember was talking to a bunch of girls at the party when we kept getting bumped into by guys. Next thing I think I remember is finding Ranma and him telling someone off before we left. Only thing that I remember was an alley, the bath and then asking him to stay in bed with me." Nabiki felt Kasumi give her a hug before she stood up.

"I think I should go to Father with this."

"I thought you wanted to hear more?" Nabiki said, with a sly smile, "Especially with last night and this morning." This caused Kasumi to groan before sitting down, finally acting like a sister instead of a substitute mother.

"So what happened last night? You two were going at it like rabbits in heat." Kasumi said, as she settled on the covers next to her sister. Nabiki blushed slightly at the metaphor before she took a moment to adjust the sheets.

"You know he wouldn't do anything to any of his fiancées right?" Kasumi nodded as Nabiki continued. "Well, he did help take care of those thugs that I think crashed the party, that is one thing I do remember."

"Thank God for that little help. I wouldn't want to go to Father about that and have him go after Ranma."

"But after that it's hazy, like a floating dream." Nabiki took the moment to gather her thoughts. "But when I was laying in bed, I asked him to stay." Nabiki blushed at the slight weakness she displayed to Ranma that she remembered. "Then he was such a gentleman that even asked if I was doing it because of the drugs. I told him no and..." Nabiki grinned at her sister, who was now blushing as if she was listening to one of her romance novels, "And this morning. Well, you probably heard, but we were trying to keep it quiet as much as possible."

"That man has more stamina than..." Kasumi started before she blushed.

"More stamina than who?" Nabiki grinned, knowing it was one of Kasumi's lovers from before she was a stay-at-home sibling.

"Takeda-san." Kasumi blushed even harder, "Oh my, I can't believe I'm talking about this."

"Takeda, Takeda..." Nabiki rolled that name off her tongue before she snapped her fingers, "Was that the teacher that left suddenly after you graduated?" Kasumi nodded and Nabiki blushed herself. Most of the girls had a crush on Takeda-sensei, but to find out that Kasumi was involved in Takeda leaving Furinkan, that was something she didn't expect. "I don't believe it." Nabiki mentioned before she looked back at Kasumi, who nodded and gave a sly smile.

"Oh yes. It was right after my eighteenth birthday."

"No way." Nabiki gasped, "But aren't you supposed to still talk to daddy before then?"

"Like you just did?" Kasumi rounded back on her sister.

"Touché." Nabiki smiled, causing Kasumi to put one finger in the air. This caused the girls to giggle before Nabiki leaned over and hugged her sister. "Thank you, Kasumi."

"For what? Kicking your new lover from your room?" The sly grin came back on Kasumi's face. Nabiki had poked her sister in the ribs, which caused her to squeak.

"Well that, but for telling me to keep it going with Ranma. Trying to find that friendship that, I think, both of us needed."

"Your welcome, little sister." Kasumi hugged her sister back, finding it easier to roll back into a sisterly role than of a concerned parental figure.

"So tell me about Takeda, and I'll tell you about this morning." Nabiki got comfortable, leaning against the headboard, with Kasumi doing the same thing.

"Well, it started around April of the school year..."

-LINE BREAK-

The rest of the day was quiet, with Ranma going out to the Dojo to rest and relax by doing light exercises. Akane still wasn't back and Ranma heard Kasumi talking with her on the phone that she would be with her friends for the rest of the day. He shrugged at what he heard, not really caring about when the tomboy got home and continued his katas while thinking over what both Kasumi and Nabiki said. While he did agree with Kasumi, he understood from Nabiki's point of view as well. 'It was just sex, not like we we're in love with eachother.' He nodded to himself, letting his mind continue to focus on his katas.

"Ranma! Dinner's ready." Kasumi called out.

"Alright. I'll be there." Ranma replied, finishing out his kata in record time. He wiped the little bit of sweat off his body and went back to the main house. He nodded to Kasumi, who finished putting out the dishes and was about to go back to the kitchen, when Ranma spoke up. "Mom and Pop not back yet?

"No. It seems they won't be here for dinner." Kasumi replied, before giving a slight sniff in the air, almost in a teasing way, "Go get cleaned up real quick and we'll have dinner here shortly." She gave the young Saotome a smile as he also smiled back at Kasumi.

Ranma had indeed liked this side of Kasumi, while he did get a few bits of banter between her and him when he was in the kitchen a few times, it wasn't as blatantly like this out in the open. "Akane as well?" He asked, wondering where the tomboy was.

"She's still out with friends. She said she might be back after dinner was done." This caused Ranma to nod at her answer before heading upstairs to get a quick change of clothes. He wouldn't be in the bathroom long, but his clothes did smell a bit. He stepped out of his room and bumped into Nabiki, who slyly and quickly nudged his shoulder with that knowing grin.

"Feel better now?" Nabiki asked, looking him up and down in his tank top and shorts.

"Much better." He smiled back before they stopped at the foot of the stairs and separated, him towards the bath, while Nabiki towards the dining room.

Ranma quickly went through a quick rinse and washed off the sweat, with Kasumi knowing that when she said dinner was ready, it would take Ranma a few minutes to clean up after finishing up in the dojo. Ranma did a quick cold water rinse, changing him to his female form. She finished up and dried off, before putting on her clothes that she brought down. Figuring that since Akane wasn't going to be home, she decided not to change back. As she stepped out of the laundry area of the bathroom, she saw Nabiki look at her.

"Everything alright there, Ranma?" She said, wondering why she would be in her girl form.

"Yeah, I just didn't want to change back." Ranma replied, shaking out her hair before tying it back up into her customary pigtail. "Besides, the tomboy isn't here and neither are my parents."

Nabiki nodded and they both walked over to the dining room. As they sat down, with Soun taking his customary position at the head of the table. Kasumi sat to his right, passing out bowls of rice, with Ranma and Nabiki next to Kasumi. They quietly ate throughout dinner before Soun spoke up.

"Ranma, I'm glad that you went with Nabiki. You protected my daughter and brought her home safely."

"Uh.. Thanks, Mr. Tendo." Ranma replied before looking at Nabiki, who shrugged.

"I expect you to continue to protect my daughters like you have been." Soun continued, with Ranma looking at him.

"Of course, Mr. Tendo." She said, nodding at the request.

Dinner was quickly finished and Soun helped Kasumi bring the dishes into the kitchen. Kasumi smiled at her father before looking at Ranma. "Father, I'll be right back." Soun nodded and continued to bring the dishes to the kitchen. Kasumi gently grabbed Ranma's arm and dragged her upstairs to her room. Once in her room she sat him down on her bed, just like last time.

"Ranma, I know you know more about what happened at the party. Can you tell me what happened. Nabiki doesn't remember much and she says most of it was in a haze."

Ranma nodded, knowing that she would need to explain to someone about what happened. "We got to the party just fine and were doing our own things. I started dancing with a few girls there and Nabiki was off talking to another group of girls."

"Ooh, such a casanova." Kasumi giggled at the blush that happened across the redhead's face.

"Oh hush. Anyway, I was keeping an eye on her when I couldn't see her after getting a drink. Next thing I know she barrels into me acting drunk. She did tell me that she believes she was drugged and we started heading out when some punks decided they wanted to take her away."

"I know Nabiki realized that she was drugged, but after that, she doesn't remember much."

Ranma nodded and continued her story. "So I told the punks that if she was hurt by what they did that they would be in a world of hurt." She smiled at Kasumi, "I think my exact words were, I would take it in hand, violently if need be." Kasumi raised her hand to her face and gasped.

"I'm really glad that you were there with her. If it was anyone else, Nabiki might have been hurt, or worse."

Ranma nodded again, before explaining everything that happened on the way home. She didn't go into full details, as Kasumi was already blushing at the detail she was receiving from Ranma, but once she got to when Nabiki asked her to bed, Kasumi stopped her.

"Nabiki told me everything after that. She does remember her experience after she asked you to stay." She reached out and squeezed Ranma's hand, feeling how soft and less calloused then her male form. "By the way, what are you thinking about Akane?"

"I'm still not sure. But Nabiki made a good point when we were talking. Akane messed up, through the whole week. And I truly shouldn't forgive her for that."

"Well, with Akane barred from the dojo and yourself, maybe she'll think about why she was punished from the dojo. I won't let her off easy this time. She hurt you emotionally, not physically."

"What about Shampoo or Ukyo?"

"I really don't know what happened between you and Shampoo or Ukyo, but I'm not sure either. I would just figure out which one you might like being with. Either Shampoo, Ukyo, Akane, Nabiki, or me."

"You?"

"Well, you're starting to be fanciful, and I agree with Nabiki on a few things." She smiled at the redhead before leaning over and kissing her on the cheek. This caused Ranma to blush heavily at the implied, "Besides, I think you're pretty cute like this too." She gently pulled Ranma off her bed and guided her to the door. "Just think about what I said. I'm really jealous that you and Nabiki had so much 'fun' together." She opened her door and pushed the redhead out of her room.

-LINE BREAK-

Ranma turned around and looked at the oldest Tendo sister's door, blushing slightly at the implied suggestions that Kasumi told her about also being one of the women in her life that she could choose. She shook her head and walked over to her room. She was glad that her parents wouldn't be here as she needed some time to think about everything that was told to her and what they meant to her.

She took a minute to look at her backpack that was ready to go for any reason, she walked over and pulled out the papers she got from Yuki and Keitaro. She looked them over and back at her pack. She sighed and took a moment to contemplate her ideas on how she would get to where these scrolls are. While the translation was partially in the article, she knew she wanted to see the scroll up close and personal. 'I hope that everything found on that scroll can help. Nabiki said if I control the Neko-ken, then that's one less thing held against me. But for what reason would that be?'