Nabiki groggily made her way downstairs to breakfast. She'd been up way
too late talking to her new fiancé. She smiled dreamily as she remembered
their flight over Tokyo in the dark. It had been romantic even with Ranma
in girl form and not intending to be. Then Ranma had actually kissed her
hand before going to take a bath and change back to a guy. Nabiki had been
so stunned she didn't even tease him for walking in on Akane and getting
slapped. Then they had sat in the TV room talking for hours. Neither one
of them really wanted to get married, at least not now, they were too
young, but they did agree to acknowledge the engagement.
"Nabiki..." she heard Akane call.
Nabiki snapped out of her daze and wiped the drool that was forming at the corner of her mouth, "What?"
Akane grinned, "You were thinking about him weren't you?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Nabiki assumed her Ice Queen mask.
"Nabiki's in love, Nabiki's in love." Akane teased.
Nabiki blushed in spite of herself. *Damn it get control of yourself!* She took a deep breath trying to find her center.
There was a loud crash outside and onna-Ranma came in a second later, "Now who's all wet old man? Hey Akane, good morning Nabiki."
Nabiki downed her miso soup hoping no one caught her blush again and got up, "Morning Ranma, got to get ready for class." She ran upstairs.
Ranma sat down with a confused look on her face, "I hope Nabiki got enough sleep last night."
There was a snap and everyone turned to see Akane holding a pair of broken chopsticks, "And why would Nabiki not have gotten enough sleep Ranma?!"
Ranma backed away from the simmering blue aura Akane was putting out, "We were up late talking! You don't think..." she trailed off not completing the thought before a fist found his face. She flew out of the house and into the koi pond.
"What the hell did you do that for you stupid tomboy?" Ranma growled, crawling out of the pond.
"You keep your perverted hands off my sister!" Akane screamed.
"Ranma was a perfect gentleman last night Akane. I would appreciate it if you didn't abuse my fiancé." Nabiki said as she came downstairs in her school clothes. "Ranma go get changed, we don't want to be late for your first day."
Ranma sighed and squeezed water out of her hair before leaping up to her window on the second floor.
"I can't believe you're going along with this!" Akane protested.
Nabiki shrugged her shoulders, "We talked about it last night. For now we'll accept the engagement, if it turns out we hate each other's guts we'll call it off, no harm done. If I were you I'd be more supportive, if I'm not Ranma's fiancé then you would be bound by honor to marry him."
Akane's mouth opened and closed a couple of times but nothing came out. Finally she managed, "You're right Nabiki, he's perfect for you." And turned around and went to finish getting ready for school.
It was a short time later that the trio were walking to school. Ranma was high on a fence separating the road from a canal. Nabiki silently wondered at Ranma's innate skill while Akane fumed.
"What are you doing up there?" Akane said.
"Balance practice. Pop taught me that everything can be turned into training of some sort." Ranma responded.
Akane muttered something under her breath to the effect that she could do it but wasn't so full of herself to need to prove it. Nabiki just shook her head. Jealousy was definitely Akane's color.
"Hey Ranma, if we're going to be engaged maybe you should take me out on a date." Nabiki suddenly said.
Ranma quickly lost his concentration and fell headfirst into the canal. She spat out a stream of water as her head broke the surface, "Cute, real cute. Now I gotta go home and change. I'm gonna be late for school."
Nabiki stopped Ranma before she could run off, "Not to worry, I brought you a change of clothes just in case of something like this. And we can stop along the way to get you some hot water."
Akane humphed and continued walking. Ranma seemed torn decision wise but finally agreed to follow Nabiki. They arrived at what appeared to be a doctor's office, more of a chiropractor really. For some reason Akane followed the couple inside. Nabiki excused herself and went into the back to get some hot water. Akane was looking anywhere but at Ranma when a skeletal hand descended on Ranma's shoulder. With a shriek Ranma leapt to the ceiling. Akane burst into laughter and Ranma looked down to see an older man holding a medical skeleton looking slightly embarrassed.
"Sorry, I guess I shouldn't have tried to sneak up on you two ladies."
"H-hello Dr. Tofu." Akane said with a slight blush.
"Oh, hello Akane. You haven't been by lately. No new cuts or bruises?" the doctor asked.
"No, I haven't been doing anything to get any."
Nabiki came back with a kettle of water, "Here Ranma, take the water and these clothes. You can change in there." She pushed Ranma into an examination room and slid the door closed.
It was a short while later that the two girls and a guy were quietly traveling the last short distance to Furinkan High school.
"So Dr. Tofu is a martial artist huh?" Ranma said breaking the silence.
Akane nodded, "Yeah, he's pretty good."
"He'd have to be to sneak up on me like that." Ranma boasted.
"Ever the modest one aren't you Ranma?" Nabiki teased.
Ignoring the jibe Ranma continued on, "So what's with the crush on the good doctor? I thought you hated guys."
Akane gave him a glare that would have killed four lesser men and growled, "I do! I hate Boys!"
Ranma realized then that they had reached the school and Akane broke into a run towards the main gates. Pouring out of said gates was a flood of hormonally driven boys all wearing various sporting gear or uniforms. Some wielded hockey sticks or baseball bats, many began to attack with just their bare hands. All of them were proclaiming their love for Akane as they attempted to beat her into submission.
Ranma gave Nabiki a questioning look. Nabiki shrugged.
"It happens every morning, don't worry about it. Akane will be fine. Besides, it'll just piss her off if you interfere."
True enough, Akane made short work of her admirers. As she was panting to catch her breath she instinctively caught the red rose that had been thrown towards her. A figure emerged from behind a nearby tree wielding a boken and dressed in a kendo uniform. He began a speech about how everyone tried to defeat Akane but had been unable to do so or at least that's what Ranma gathered anyway. Ranma wasn't stupid but archaic Japanese was never something Ranma felt the need to learn.
Ranma followed Nabiki up to where Akane was, "So who's this bozo Akane?"
"Who are you to speak thus to the fair Akane Tendo?" The kendo man asked arrogantly.
"Huh? Oh, I'm..." Ranma began.
"Wait, is it not custom to give one's own name first? Fine, I shall! I am the rising star of Furinkan's Kendo team, Kuno Tatewaki, Blue Thunder, age seventeen." Kuno ranted.
Nabiki placed a finger against her cheek, "Blue Thunder? Wasn't it Shooting Star just the other day?"
"Never you mind, now what say you knave?" Kuno ignored Nabiki.
"Uh, yeah. I'm Saotome Ranma and I'm staying at the Tendo's as Nabiki's fiancé." Ranma replied.
Kuno froze momentarily at the mention of Ranma staying with the Tendo's but relaxed when Ranma said he was Nabiki's fiancé, "Of course. I will allow this. It is good you are not engaged to Akane then as only the one who defeats her in combat may date her. So I have proclaimed."
Ranma was starting to understand what Kuno was saying if not the exact meaning behind it. "He heh, it's a good thing I didn't beat you after all yesterday." He told Akane.
"What? You attacked the beauteous Akane! You low born cur, I will not accept this. Defend yourself!" Kuno flew into a rage and struck at Ranma before he had a chance to realize what Kuno was talking about.
Fortunately Ranma's training kicked in and he easily evaded the first few swings purely on instinct. Ranma removed his backpack and tossed it to Nabiki as he leapt through the air. Nabiki was only slightly worried as she moved through the recovering students and others newly arriving to watch the fight. She knew that Ranma was at least as good as Akane if not better but she also knew that Kuno held back some in his fights with Akane. She took bets with the odds in favor of Kuno to win. Most people of course bet on Kuno having seen him trash everyone around the school for months now. Nabiki figured if Kuno won she'd break even however with the odds she set, if Ranma won then she have enough cash to keep the dojo in the black for another month even with two guests. Ranma didn't have access to his powers in his male form though so he would have to fight on his martial skill alone. Nabiki hoped it was enough and not just for the money's sake.
Ranma couldn't understand what Kuno's problem was. He expected people to attack Akane but got angry if they did? Besides, it wasn't as if he wanted to date Akane, it was obvious she didn't like him and he was engaged to Nabiki anyway.
"Hey look, I don't want to fight you. I'm not even interested in Akane." Ranma tried reasoning.
"So Akane's not good enough for you is that it? How dare you play with her emotions like that!" Kuno retorted.
Ranma mentally shrugged. Obviously this guy was just going to twist whatever he said to suit his own delusions. Guys like this were usually looking for an excuse to fight anyway. Might as well take him down before someone gets hurt. Ranma backed away from Kuno to give him some room when he stepped on a broken bat left over from Akane's earlier dual. He fell backwards already tucking into a roll to bring him back to his feet. As he stood up his back touched the stone wall surrounding the school as Kuno used the momentary distraction to attack. The sword came within a hair of connecting to Ranma's head and instead struck the wall behind him. Suddenly Ranma's sigil flashed and he felt power flow through him. It was familiar yet different from what he experienced in his girl form. Not noticing anything apparent Ranma decided to peruse it later when he wasn't in the middle of combat.
Nabiki wasn't quite sure what she was seeing. Ranma had his back to the wall when Kuno struck. She noticed a flash of light from Ranma's hand then suddenly Ranma turned the same color as the wall. Even his hair and clothes shifted. Unfortunately Ranma was moving too fast for Nabiki to really get a good look. Did he have some sort of chameleon power now? He didn't say anything about it last night so it was probably something even he was unaware of. As Ranma moved away from the wall his color shifted back to normal. A few people commented on it and wondered what it meant not having gotten a better look than Nabiki did.
Ranma heard a crack of thunder and realized it was getting ready to rain. Deciding to wrap things up he took to the air intent on giving Kuno a final strike to remove him from the fight. Just as the first few drops of water hit him, Ranma's fingers touched Kuno's forehead. Suddenly Ranma was grabbed by a wet, smelly panda and rushed into the school.
Nabiki caught up with Ranma and Genma in the school's storeroom. Genma handed Ranma a kettle of water off a hot plate. Nabiki briefly wondered how Genma knew to come here.
"Not bad Saotome." She said.
"Yeah, that Kuno guy's not bad either but he was still no match for me." Ranma boasted as he changed back to a male.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that." Nabiki pointed to Ranma's neck near the throat.
Ranma felt the area with his hand and winced in slight pain at the bruise forming there, "Wow, and he didn't even connect."
"If he had, you'd be breathing through your neck now. Anyway I wanted to thank you."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Ranma asked.
"Well, for taking on Kuno like that I won a bundle of money. It's good to see you taking care of your fiancé so well."
Ranma blushed and flustered trying to think of something to say. They had agreed to try the engagement but that didn't mean Ranma was comfortable with the idea yet. Finally Ranma was shocked into coherence by Genma's claim that he had to go to work. His father had a job? He briefly wondered how much time he had left before the world ended.
"So you won a lot of money today huh? How about you give me some and then I'll... I'll take you somewhere for dinner. It'll be a d-d-date." Ranma flustered again after Genma had left.
Nabiki smirked trying to keep her own cool demeanor. He was so cute when he was embarrassed, "All right Ranma, but it had better be someplace nice. No fast food restaurants or all you can eat buffets."
Ranma nodded.
"Ok then, what happened during your fight with Kuno? I saw something I can't explain. It had something to do with that tattoo on your hand right?" Nabiki said becoming serious.
Ranma frowned as he tried to remember what had happened during the fight, "I felt the sigil flare up and then a rush of power but nothing happened that I could see."
"It was when you were touching the wall, you seemed to change color and texture to match the stone, but only for a moment. You didn't know you could do that?"
"No, but then I've never been attacked as a guy since I got that thing on my hand. Pops doesn't count because that's just sparring. Maybe it manifested in response to danger. That's how it happened with my anti- bodies." Ranma went silent as he thought on the matter.
Nabiki nodded as if she'd been thinking along the same lines, "We'll have to practice and see what you can do later. Right now we need to get to class. I'll take you to yours so you won't have to stand in the hall. The sensei owes me a favor."
Ranma made it to class and with only a look from Nabiki the sensei introduced Ranma to the class and gave him a seat next to Akane. Akane gave him a look that promised pain later and then promptly ignored him.
Ranma sighed as class resumed and tried to remember what Nabiki had told him last night. They had started talking about what kind of plans they had for the future. Nabiki expressed interest in business because of her affinity with numbers and her ability to deal with people. Ranma of course had never really thought about his future much beyond the next technique or dojo. He realized that he would like to teach the art someday but he'd never thought about it as a career. Nabiki told him flat out that she'd never marry someone who would grow up to be a homeless wanderer. Before Ranma could get angry or indignant, Nabiki suggested going to school and at least graduating High School. Maybe he could find something that was interesting enough to make a career out of. At the least he could easily get a physical education degree from a local college to help teach martial arts at the dojo if and when he took it over.
Ranma had thought it over as he lay awake the rest of the night and decided to at least give Nabiki's suggestions a try. If nothing else he had to attempt for the sake of honor and Ranma was nothing if not honorable.
An eraser bounced off Ranma's head bringing him out of his contemplation, "Saotome, it's bad enough you were late for class but that's no excuse to not pay attention. Go stand in the hall!" His sensei scolded.
Akane snickered quietly as Ranma picked up some buckets on the way out of class.
Nabiki sat in class pondering her new fiancé. She was feeling like Lois Lane since Ranma confided in her about his abilities. Or maybe not, she'd never read anything beyond the basics of the gaijin manga. She did know that Ranma had entrusted her with an enormous secret the likes she'd never had before. Honest to god super-powers or something anyway. There were so many things Ranma could do with his anti-bodies. Scouting and re-con work were the first things that came to mind. The ability to phase through solid objects would be handy for rescue work or if he was sneaky he could go into bank vaults by phasing right through the doors. Nabiki was pretty sure Ranma wouldn't go for bank robbery, she had limits of what she was morally capable of as well. It was the scam, the thrill of hard work paying off that motivated Nabiki. If not for the need to provide for her family Nabiki wouldn't have gotten involved in her small time Yakuza outfit. She brought her thoughts back to Ranma. How could she make money off his abilities while not compromising either of their morals? It wasn't as if she was taking advantage or using her fiancé, he had offered to help out if possible since he was staying with them.
She had thought of selling photos of him (or her as the case may be) but she found herself not willing to share her fiancé with anyone. If Kuno continued to harass Ranma then there was the potential for more betting at least until everyone realized just how good Ranma really was.
Nabiki looked up suddenly as she realized class was over and Kuno was trying to get her attention. She had to summon all her reserves not to laugh in his face. Scribbled across his forehead in a series of bruises were the words 'hentai no baka'. Apparently no one had bothered to inform Kuno of this little fact.
Kuno began to speak once he had Nabiki's attention, "So is it true that this Saotome person is engaged to you?"
Nabiki held out her hand, "Five thousand yen."
Kuno grimaced realizing that Nabiki had information he wanted and was going to be mercenary about it. He dropped five bills into her hand. She quickly put them away and turned a sweet smile on Kuno.
"Yes, he's my fiancé. Our fathers arranged a union between our two clans before we were ever born. If I don't marry him then Akane would be honor bound to. Kasumi is sort of taken already."
Kuno was silent for a moment and Nabiki swore she could smell smoke as Kuno worked the information over in his mind.
"And what of his attack on my beloved?" Kuno finally asked.
"It was an informal sparring match between two students of the same school. Nothing more."
Kuno nodded, "Then there is no further need for Saotome to fear my wrath. Let his earlier defeat be punishment enough. So long as he keeps himself away from my fierce tigress."
Nabiki rolled her eyes. Kuno was in denial again or was that still?
Ranma was actually relieved to have made it through his first day with no major problems. He was going to have to get a doctor's note to get out of swimming in P.E. but otherwise it had been rather pleasant. Except for Akane chewing him out at lunch for interfering in her morning fights. Silently Ranma decided Akane and Kuno were perfect for each other. They both lived in a fantasy world of self denial.
Nabiki intercepted Ranma as he left the school building. Telling Akane to go ahead and go home, she took her fiancé and they went around to the soccer field behind the school.
"What's up Nabiki-chan?" Ranma asked.
Nabiki turned so Ranma couldn't see her blush at the level of familiarity Ranma addressed her with, "We're going to see if we can figure out what your new power is. I hope anyway."
She rummaged through her pack and handed Ranma a stone left over from the wall after Kuno's attack, "Hold this and tell me if you feel anything different."
Ranma took the stone and looked it over. He shrugged after a minute, "Nothing."
"Hmm, how does it feel when you use your power in your girl form?" Nabiki asked.
Ranma seemed lost in thought for a moment, "It's strange, I never really thought about it before."
Nabiki frowned. Too bad there were no instruction manuals for super- powers, "Ok, concentrate on the rock and pretend you're summoning an anti- body."
"But I'm a guy right now." Ranma protested.
"Just humor me ok?" Nabiki smiled. Ranma could be dense at times but he did seem pretty bright for someone without much education.
Ranma looked at the rock again and focused his will. Nabiki gasped at the flash of light from his sigil as Ranma assumed the same color and texture as the rock. Ranma almost dropped the rock as he noticed his condition, "What the hell?"
Nabiki reached over and touched his cheek. It was rough and cold, "Wow, you seem to be made out of stone now. Let's try something else."
Ranma dropped the stone and returned to his normal self. Nabiki handed him a metal bottle cap. Ranma tried again, he turned a shiny iron gray. Then he tried a piece of glass. Nabiki's eyes crossed as Ranma became translucent. She could see a warped distorted school through Ranma.
Finally they tried a piece of wood. Ranma again concentrated. Nothing happened.
"What's the matter?" Nabiki asked.
"Dunno, it's not working. Hmm, let me see." He dropped the wood and fingered his silk shirt, "Nope that doesn't work either."
Nabiki could see what he was attempting, "Oh, so your power only works on non organic material."
"Uh, I guess. I figured it didn't work on stuff that used to be alive in some way." Ranma answered blankly.
Nabiki shook her head, "While this is very entertaining and would be a good trick at parties, what practical use is it? I guess if you're stone or steel when you're fighting then you couldn't get hurt but is this all?"
Ranma wasn't too sure about the not getting hurt part. He'd seen how Kuno demolished the school wall this morning and he knew he could bend or snap steel himself. Nabiki was right though, compared to his girl side's powers this seemed pretty weak so far.
He shrugged, "Maybe there's more to it. I guess I'll just have to practice like I did with my anti-bodies."
Nabiki grinned, "Well we need to get home anyway and change. You're taking me out tonight remember?"
Ranma gulped nervously, "Yeah, about that..."
"You're not backing out are you?" Nabiki took a warning tone.
"NO! no, I was hoping you knew a good place. I still don't know where everything is." Ranma explained.
"Let's go home and get ready. I know the perfect place." Nabiki led Ranma towards home.
From nearby shadows a pair of reddish eyes peered after the departing couple.
"Nabiki..." she heard Akane call.
Nabiki snapped out of her daze and wiped the drool that was forming at the corner of her mouth, "What?"
Akane grinned, "You were thinking about him weren't you?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Nabiki assumed her Ice Queen mask.
"Nabiki's in love, Nabiki's in love." Akane teased.
Nabiki blushed in spite of herself. *Damn it get control of yourself!* She took a deep breath trying to find her center.
There was a loud crash outside and onna-Ranma came in a second later, "Now who's all wet old man? Hey Akane, good morning Nabiki."
Nabiki downed her miso soup hoping no one caught her blush again and got up, "Morning Ranma, got to get ready for class." She ran upstairs.
Ranma sat down with a confused look on her face, "I hope Nabiki got enough sleep last night."
There was a snap and everyone turned to see Akane holding a pair of broken chopsticks, "And why would Nabiki not have gotten enough sleep Ranma?!"
Ranma backed away from the simmering blue aura Akane was putting out, "We were up late talking! You don't think..." she trailed off not completing the thought before a fist found his face. She flew out of the house and into the koi pond.
"What the hell did you do that for you stupid tomboy?" Ranma growled, crawling out of the pond.
"You keep your perverted hands off my sister!" Akane screamed.
"Ranma was a perfect gentleman last night Akane. I would appreciate it if you didn't abuse my fiancé." Nabiki said as she came downstairs in her school clothes. "Ranma go get changed, we don't want to be late for your first day."
Ranma sighed and squeezed water out of her hair before leaping up to her window on the second floor.
"I can't believe you're going along with this!" Akane protested.
Nabiki shrugged her shoulders, "We talked about it last night. For now we'll accept the engagement, if it turns out we hate each other's guts we'll call it off, no harm done. If I were you I'd be more supportive, if I'm not Ranma's fiancé then you would be bound by honor to marry him."
Akane's mouth opened and closed a couple of times but nothing came out. Finally she managed, "You're right Nabiki, he's perfect for you." And turned around and went to finish getting ready for school.
It was a short time later that the trio were walking to school. Ranma was high on a fence separating the road from a canal. Nabiki silently wondered at Ranma's innate skill while Akane fumed.
"What are you doing up there?" Akane said.
"Balance practice. Pop taught me that everything can be turned into training of some sort." Ranma responded.
Akane muttered something under her breath to the effect that she could do it but wasn't so full of herself to need to prove it. Nabiki just shook her head. Jealousy was definitely Akane's color.
"Hey Ranma, if we're going to be engaged maybe you should take me out on a date." Nabiki suddenly said.
Ranma quickly lost his concentration and fell headfirst into the canal. She spat out a stream of water as her head broke the surface, "Cute, real cute. Now I gotta go home and change. I'm gonna be late for school."
Nabiki stopped Ranma before she could run off, "Not to worry, I brought you a change of clothes just in case of something like this. And we can stop along the way to get you some hot water."
Akane humphed and continued walking. Ranma seemed torn decision wise but finally agreed to follow Nabiki. They arrived at what appeared to be a doctor's office, more of a chiropractor really. For some reason Akane followed the couple inside. Nabiki excused herself and went into the back to get some hot water. Akane was looking anywhere but at Ranma when a skeletal hand descended on Ranma's shoulder. With a shriek Ranma leapt to the ceiling. Akane burst into laughter and Ranma looked down to see an older man holding a medical skeleton looking slightly embarrassed.
"Sorry, I guess I shouldn't have tried to sneak up on you two ladies."
"H-hello Dr. Tofu." Akane said with a slight blush.
"Oh, hello Akane. You haven't been by lately. No new cuts or bruises?" the doctor asked.
"No, I haven't been doing anything to get any."
Nabiki came back with a kettle of water, "Here Ranma, take the water and these clothes. You can change in there." She pushed Ranma into an examination room and slid the door closed.
It was a short while later that the two girls and a guy were quietly traveling the last short distance to Furinkan High school.
"So Dr. Tofu is a martial artist huh?" Ranma said breaking the silence.
Akane nodded, "Yeah, he's pretty good."
"He'd have to be to sneak up on me like that." Ranma boasted.
"Ever the modest one aren't you Ranma?" Nabiki teased.
Ignoring the jibe Ranma continued on, "So what's with the crush on the good doctor? I thought you hated guys."
Akane gave him a glare that would have killed four lesser men and growled, "I do! I hate Boys!"
Ranma realized then that they had reached the school and Akane broke into a run towards the main gates. Pouring out of said gates was a flood of hormonally driven boys all wearing various sporting gear or uniforms. Some wielded hockey sticks or baseball bats, many began to attack with just their bare hands. All of them were proclaiming their love for Akane as they attempted to beat her into submission.
Ranma gave Nabiki a questioning look. Nabiki shrugged.
"It happens every morning, don't worry about it. Akane will be fine. Besides, it'll just piss her off if you interfere."
True enough, Akane made short work of her admirers. As she was panting to catch her breath she instinctively caught the red rose that had been thrown towards her. A figure emerged from behind a nearby tree wielding a boken and dressed in a kendo uniform. He began a speech about how everyone tried to defeat Akane but had been unable to do so or at least that's what Ranma gathered anyway. Ranma wasn't stupid but archaic Japanese was never something Ranma felt the need to learn.
Ranma followed Nabiki up to where Akane was, "So who's this bozo Akane?"
"Who are you to speak thus to the fair Akane Tendo?" The kendo man asked arrogantly.
"Huh? Oh, I'm..." Ranma began.
"Wait, is it not custom to give one's own name first? Fine, I shall! I am the rising star of Furinkan's Kendo team, Kuno Tatewaki, Blue Thunder, age seventeen." Kuno ranted.
Nabiki placed a finger against her cheek, "Blue Thunder? Wasn't it Shooting Star just the other day?"
"Never you mind, now what say you knave?" Kuno ignored Nabiki.
"Uh, yeah. I'm Saotome Ranma and I'm staying at the Tendo's as Nabiki's fiancé." Ranma replied.
Kuno froze momentarily at the mention of Ranma staying with the Tendo's but relaxed when Ranma said he was Nabiki's fiancé, "Of course. I will allow this. It is good you are not engaged to Akane then as only the one who defeats her in combat may date her. So I have proclaimed."
Ranma was starting to understand what Kuno was saying if not the exact meaning behind it. "He heh, it's a good thing I didn't beat you after all yesterday." He told Akane.
"What? You attacked the beauteous Akane! You low born cur, I will not accept this. Defend yourself!" Kuno flew into a rage and struck at Ranma before he had a chance to realize what Kuno was talking about.
Fortunately Ranma's training kicked in and he easily evaded the first few swings purely on instinct. Ranma removed his backpack and tossed it to Nabiki as he leapt through the air. Nabiki was only slightly worried as she moved through the recovering students and others newly arriving to watch the fight. She knew that Ranma was at least as good as Akane if not better but she also knew that Kuno held back some in his fights with Akane. She took bets with the odds in favor of Kuno to win. Most people of course bet on Kuno having seen him trash everyone around the school for months now. Nabiki figured if Kuno won she'd break even however with the odds she set, if Ranma won then she have enough cash to keep the dojo in the black for another month even with two guests. Ranma didn't have access to his powers in his male form though so he would have to fight on his martial skill alone. Nabiki hoped it was enough and not just for the money's sake.
Ranma couldn't understand what Kuno's problem was. He expected people to attack Akane but got angry if they did? Besides, it wasn't as if he wanted to date Akane, it was obvious she didn't like him and he was engaged to Nabiki anyway.
"Hey look, I don't want to fight you. I'm not even interested in Akane." Ranma tried reasoning.
"So Akane's not good enough for you is that it? How dare you play with her emotions like that!" Kuno retorted.
Ranma mentally shrugged. Obviously this guy was just going to twist whatever he said to suit his own delusions. Guys like this were usually looking for an excuse to fight anyway. Might as well take him down before someone gets hurt. Ranma backed away from Kuno to give him some room when he stepped on a broken bat left over from Akane's earlier dual. He fell backwards already tucking into a roll to bring him back to his feet. As he stood up his back touched the stone wall surrounding the school as Kuno used the momentary distraction to attack. The sword came within a hair of connecting to Ranma's head and instead struck the wall behind him. Suddenly Ranma's sigil flashed and he felt power flow through him. It was familiar yet different from what he experienced in his girl form. Not noticing anything apparent Ranma decided to peruse it later when he wasn't in the middle of combat.
Nabiki wasn't quite sure what she was seeing. Ranma had his back to the wall when Kuno struck. She noticed a flash of light from Ranma's hand then suddenly Ranma turned the same color as the wall. Even his hair and clothes shifted. Unfortunately Ranma was moving too fast for Nabiki to really get a good look. Did he have some sort of chameleon power now? He didn't say anything about it last night so it was probably something even he was unaware of. As Ranma moved away from the wall his color shifted back to normal. A few people commented on it and wondered what it meant not having gotten a better look than Nabiki did.
Ranma heard a crack of thunder and realized it was getting ready to rain. Deciding to wrap things up he took to the air intent on giving Kuno a final strike to remove him from the fight. Just as the first few drops of water hit him, Ranma's fingers touched Kuno's forehead. Suddenly Ranma was grabbed by a wet, smelly panda and rushed into the school.
Nabiki caught up with Ranma and Genma in the school's storeroom. Genma handed Ranma a kettle of water off a hot plate. Nabiki briefly wondered how Genma knew to come here.
"Not bad Saotome." She said.
"Yeah, that Kuno guy's not bad either but he was still no match for me." Ranma boasted as he changed back to a male.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that." Nabiki pointed to Ranma's neck near the throat.
Ranma felt the area with his hand and winced in slight pain at the bruise forming there, "Wow, and he didn't even connect."
"If he had, you'd be breathing through your neck now. Anyway I wanted to thank you."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Ranma asked.
"Well, for taking on Kuno like that I won a bundle of money. It's good to see you taking care of your fiancé so well."
Ranma blushed and flustered trying to think of something to say. They had agreed to try the engagement but that didn't mean Ranma was comfortable with the idea yet. Finally Ranma was shocked into coherence by Genma's claim that he had to go to work. His father had a job? He briefly wondered how much time he had left before the world ended.
"So you won a lot of money today huh? How about you give me some and then I'll... I'll take you somewhere for dinner. It'll be a d-d-date." Ranma flustered again after Genma had left.
Nabiki smirked trying to keep her own cool demeanor. He was so cute when he was embarrassed, "All right Ranma, but it had better be someplace nice. No fast food restaurants or all you can eat buffets."
Ranma nodded.
"Ok then, what happened during your fight with Kuno? I saw something I can't explain. It had something to do with that tattoo on your hand right?" Nabiki said becoming serious.
Ranma frowned as he tried to remember what had happened during the fight, "I felt the sigil flare up and then a rush of power but nothing happened that I could see."
"It was when you were touching the wall, you seemed to change color and texture to match the stone, but only for a moment. You didn't know you could do that?"
"No, but then I've never been attacked as a guy since I got that thing on my hand. Pops doesn't count because that's just sparring. Maybe it manifested in response to danger. That's how it happened with my anti- bodies." Ranma went silent as he thought on the matter.
Nabiki nodded as if she'd been thinking along the same lines, "We'll have to practice and see what you can do later. Right now we need to get to class. I'll take you to yours so you won't have to stand in the hall. The sensei owes me a favor."
Ranma made it to class and with only a look from Nabiki the sensei introduced Ranma to the class and gave him a seat next to Akane. Akane gave him a look that promised pain later and then promptly ignored him.
Ranma sighed as class resumed and tried to remember what Nabiki had told him last night. They had started talking about what kind of plans they had for the future. Nabiki expressed interest in business because of her affinity with numbers and her ability to deal with people. Ranma of course had never really thought about his future much beyond the next technique or dojo. He realized that he would like to teach the art someday but he'd never thought about it as a career. Nabiki told him flat out that she'd never marry someone who would grow up to be a homeless wanderer. Before Ranma could get angry or indignant, Nabiki suggested going to school and at least graduating High School. Maybe he could find something that was interesting enough to make a career out of. At the least he could easily get a physical education degree from a local college to help teach martial arts at the dojo if and when he took it over.
Ranma had thought it over as he lay awake the rest of the night and decided to at least give Nabiki's suggestions a try. If nothing else he had to attempt for the sake of honor and Ranma was nothing if not honorable.
An eraser bounced off Ranma's head bringing him out of his contemplation, "Saotome, it's bad enough you were late for class but that's no excuse to not pay attention. Go stand in the hall!" His sensei scolded.
Akane snickered quietly as Ranma picked up some buckets on the way out of class.
Nabiki sat in class pondering her new fiancé. She was feeling like Lois Lane since Ranma confided in her about his abilities. Or maybe not, she'd never read anything beyond the basics of the gaijin manga. She did know that Ranma had entrusted her with an enormous secret the likes she'd never had before. Honest to god super-powers or something anyway. There were so many things Ranma could do with his anti-bodies. Scouting and re-con work were the first things that came to mind. The ability to phase through solid objects would be handy for rescue work or if he was sneaky he could go into bank vaults by phasing right through the doors. Nabiki was pretty sure Ranma wouldn't go for bank robbery, she had limits of what she was morally capable of as well. It was the scam, the thrill of hard work paying off that motivated Nabiki. If not for the need to provide for her family Nabiki wouldn't have gotten involved in her small time Yakuza outfit. She brought her thoughts back to Ranma. How could she make money off his abilities while not compromising either of their morals? It wasn't as if she was taking advantage or using her fiancé, he had offered to help out if possible since he was staying with them.
She had thought of selling photos of him (or her as the case may be) but she found herself not willing to share her fiancé with anyone. If Kuno continued to harass Ranma then there was the potential for more betting at least until everyone realized just how good Ranma really was.
Nabiki looked up suddenly as she realized class was over and Kuno was trying to get her attention. She had to summon all her reserves not to laugh in his face. Scribbled across his forehead in a series of bruises were the words 'hentai no baka'. Apparently no one had bothered to inform Kuno of this little fact.
Kuno began to speak once he had Nabiki's attention, "So is it true that this Saotome person is engaged to you?"
Nabiki held out her hand, "Five thousand yen."
Kuno grimaced realizing that Nabiki had information he wanted and was going to be mercenary about it. He dropped five bills into her hand. She quickly put them away and turned a sweet smile on Kuno.
"Yes, he's my fiancé. Our fathers arranged a union between our two clans before we were ever born. If I don't marry him then Akane would be honor bound to. Kasumi is sort of taken already."
Kuno was silent for a moment and Nabiki swore she could smell smoke as Kuno worked the information over in his mind.
"And what of his attack on my beloved?" Kuno finally asked.
"It was an informal sparring match between two students of the same school. Nothing more."
Kuno nodded, "Then there is no further need for Saotome to fear my wrath. Let his earlier defeat be punishment enough. So long as he keeps himself away from my fierce tigress."
Nabiki rolled her eyes. Kuno was in denial again or was that still?
Ranma was actually relieved to have made it through his first day with no major problems. He was going to have to get a doctor's note to get out of swimming in P.E. but otherwise it had been rather pleasant. Except for Akane chewing him out at lunch for interfering in her morning fights. Silently Ranma decided Akane and Kuno were perfect for each other. They both lived in a fantasy world of self denial.
Nabiki intercepted Ranma as he left the school building. Telling Akane to go ahead and go home, she took her fiancé and they went around to the soccer field behind the school.
"What's up Nabiki-chan?" Ranma asked.
Nabiki turned so Ranma couldn't see her blush at the level of familiarity Ranma addressed her with, "We're going to see if we can figure out what your new power is. I hope anyway."
She rummaged through her pack and handed Ranma a stone left over from the wall after Kuno's attack, "Hold this and tell me if you feel anything different."
Ranma took the stone and looked it over. He shrugged after a minute, "Nothing."
"Hmm, how does it feel when you use your power in your girl form?" Nabiki asked.
Ranma seemed lost in thought for a moment, "It's strange, I never really thought about it before."
Nabiki frowned. Too bad there were no instruction manuals for super- powers, "Ok, concentrate on the rock and pretend you're summoning an anti- body."
"But I'm a guy right now." Ranma protested.
"Just humor me ok?" Nabiki smiled. Ranma could be dense at times but he did seem pretty bright for someone without much education.
Ranma looked at the rock again and focused his will. Nabiki gasped at the flash of light from his sigil as Ranma assumed the same color and texture as the rock. Ranma almost dropped the rock as he noticed his condition, "What the hell?"
Nabiki reached over and touched his cheek. It was rough and cold, "Wow, you seem to be made out of stone now. Let's try something else."
Ranma dropped the stone and returned to his normal self. Nabiki handed him a metal bottle cap. Ranma tried again, he turned a shiny iron gray. Then he tried a piece of glass. Nabiki's eyes crossed as Ranma became translucent. She could see a warped distorted school through Ranma.
Finally they tried a piece of wood. Ranma again concentrated. Nothing happened.
"What's the matter?" Nabiki asked.
"Dunno, it's not working. Hmm, let me see." He dropped the wood and fingered his silk shirt, "Nope that doesn't work either."
Nabiki could see what he was attempting, "Oh, so your power only works on non organic material."
"Uh, I guess. I figured it didn't work on stuff that used to be alive in some way." Ranma answered blankly.
Nabiki shook her head, "While this is very entertaining and would be a good trick at parties, what practical use is it? I guess if you're stone or steel when you're fighting then you couldn't get hurt but is this all?"
Ranma wasn't too sure about the not getting hurt part. He'd seen how Kuno demolished the school wall this morning and he knew he could bend or snap steel himself. Nabiki was right though, compared to his girl side's powers this seemed pretty weak so far.
He shrugged, "Maybe there's more to it. I guess I'll just have to practice like I did with my anti-bodies."
Nabiki grinned, "Well we need to get home anyway and change. You're taking me out tonight remember?"
Ranma gulped nervously, "Yeah, about that..."
"You're not backing out are you?" Nabiki took a warning tone.
"NO! no, I was hoping you knew a good place. I still don't know where everything is." Ranma explained.
"Let's go home and get ready. I know the perfect place." Nabiki led Ranma towards home.
From nearby shadows a pair of reddish eyes peered after the departing couple.
