Kasumi walks back in interrupting their conversation carrying a envelope. "Mamoru this came in the express mail for you today."

Mamoru takes the envelope and sets it aside for the time being. He notices the nice kimono she is wearing. "Thank you Kasumi, you look nice, the Dr. will be knocked out."

Kasumi blushes three shades of red at the compliment. "Thank you Mamoru, thank you Cologne, thank you Dad."

Mamoru notices she is staling for time. "Enough thank yous, get out of here, and we want details."

Mamoru returns his attention to the envelope Kasumi handed him. "Good, its my Credit Card in Ranma's name. Now I can get some things done."

Cologne suddenly forgets her manners. "Just how rich are you?"

Mamoru cringes at the rude question. "Rich enough to make two siblings lives miserable. We will be going on a shopping spree tomorrow." He thinks for several minutes. "Cologne do you need a investor for the Café? Any warriors that go to either village will be needing a way to supply income for their needs."

Cologne "I still have a lean on the place."

Mamoru "Good, just give me the account number and it will be taken care of."

Cologne does something very un-Cologne like. She faints. This has not happen in nearly one hundred years.

Mamoru breaks out the smelling salts. "Wake up."


Cologne still woozy from the fainting spell regains her equilibrium. "You have surprised me at least three time today. That has tied a record from over fifty years ago."

Mamoru smirks. "Want me to go for a fourth? I'm sure I can think of something."

Soun eyes are as big as saucers. "You're being very generous."

Mamoru waves him off. "Its an investment, I had planed on expanding in Japan eventually. If I can help a friend at the same, time so be it. Once every thing is settled down, it's my intention to wow Nabiki at some point. Right now its just fact-finding. I know about her past so don't worry about that part. If it works out fine, if it does not work out fine also. If Nabiki proves herself worthy, she will find herself as a Vice-President in my operation after some training. I'll still need someone to look after my Japanese holdings."

Cologne tries to learn more about this young person. "Just what is your operation just out of curiosity?"

Mamoru smiles as he talks about his business. "I find artist and publish their works. I also research and distribute parts, and I do low level training on computers for everyday home use. I have a consulting firm now and I am just the coordinator. Most of my employees are college students. I'm also a investment holder."

Soun "Very wise, does Nabiki know?"

Mamoru "She knows a little about my companies and there intake, but she knows nothing about my own personal wealth. Most of it inherited."

Soun "I see, as long you don't hurt her, you have my approval. I'm not happy with the age difference, but I know you will make her happy."

Cologne frowns. "Dang, I let another one slip by."

Mamoru "Sorry Elder, just let me be known as a unnamed ally."

Cologne "Another wise statement from one so young."

Mamoru stands up. "Well if you excuse me I'll go check on the girls homework. Good night Elder Cologne. Soun I'll be down later with Akane later to teach her how to cook. I may have to use some drastic measures."

Soun "If you can help my Baby girl, then you have my blessing to do what ever is necessary."

Mamoru "Hopefully it will not come to that Mr. Tendo."

Soun "Call my Soun son, Mr. Tendo makes me feel so old."



Mamoru approaches the bedroom of doom. How many times had Ranma been hurt in that very room? He knocks and waits for an answer, her hears Akane call out to come on in. "How are you two doing on your homework?"

Shampoo frowns. "Not so well? Akane not as stupid as I thought she was, she help out a lot."

Akane frowns at the insult/complement. "Thanks, I think."

Mamoru decides to break the tension. "Can I see what you have done so far?"

Mamoru looks over everything and points out a few errors in the English and Math homework. He can find no errors in any thing else. "How much have y'all got left to do?"

Akane sighs at all the mistakes he found. "We were just finishing up."

Mamoru "Good, Akane I was??."

There is a knock at the door, Mamoru answers it and it is Nabiki.

Nabiki holds out a paper to him. "I was wondering if you could look at this proposal I made for Business Class?"

Mamoru takes the paper. "Let me take a look????????. Does anyone have a red pen? ????.. Here we go Nabiki, while sound, it could be polished considerable. Rethink the areas I marked through and let me check the grammar in your English assignment and we will go from there."

Nabiki looks like she is on the verge of tears. "Aie" She burst out of the room.

Mamoru sighs. "Ladies I'll be right back."

Mamoru chases Nabiki to her room. "What's wrong Nabiki?"

Nabiki "I worked so hard on this paper, how could you just?."

Mamoru "Make it bleed like that, Nabiki, while it is sound, and I using higher than normal standards on it?. It can be better. You want a business major, and here in Japan if you go to college here your going to have a rough time of it. I was going to work on Akane's cooking skills tonight, but let's order out. I'll help you with that paper. What do you want for take out that takes credit cards?"

??..


Mamoru "Then make the call, while I go tell Akane and Shampoo what going on."



Mamoru walks back into Akane's room of doom. "Akane, Shampoo?. Nabiki took my criticism a little hard so I'm having her order take out. I'll be helping her out with that paper. So you two have a free night. Shampoo if you manage to stay to late you have your Grandmothers permission to stay over. Akane? Can she stay in your room tonight?"

Akane "Sure, it will give use a chance to talk about school and let me help her catch up."

Mamoru "That's fine?. Just remember my two rules?."

Akane and Shampoo "Aie."


Mamoru "Ok Nabiki, lets tackle this paper until dinner gets here OK."

Nabiki "Take a look at what I just rewrote."

Mamoru "Very good, but how about wording it in this way."

Nabiki "That says the exact same thing."

Mamoru "True, but look at the placement of power words this time."

Nabiki "It is more powerful this time around."

Mamoru "Nabiki, your going to have to work twice as hard as any male in Asian and American society. I'm sorry if I seem a little cold?"

Nabiki "I know, ?.. Thanks for the help. How would you change this next paragraph."

Mamoru "Well lets see????"


Soun calls out from down stairs. "Mamoru, dinner is here, could you come down and pay for it."

Mamoru "Nabiki could you get the others? While I go down and pay?"

Nabiki "Sure thing, and Mamoru? Thank you for your help."

Mamoru "No problem Biki."

As Mamoru runs down stairs Nabiki pops into Akane's room to find two very nosy people with their ears to her wall.

Nabiki "And just what are you two doing, spying on me like that."

Akane frowns "Come off it sis, you do it to me all the time."


Nabiki "And what money making opportunities do you think you can gain by listening to Mamoru and myself working on a school paper."

Shampoo smirks. "Is that all you were doing?"

Nabiki turns red at this time from a blush.

Akane joins in on Shampoo's gambit. "Admit it sis, you like him."

Nabiki goes stone faced. "I will admit nothing."

Shampoo "I can't wait to tell everyone at school Nabiki has crush. Tongue won't say anything, but blush does. Akane lets give mercenary girl new Amazon name."

Akane giggles. "It would not happen to be blush would it?

Shampoo "Ai you got it Akane"

Nabiki humps "Think what ever you like, I do not have a crush on him, ?. At least not yet."

Akane smiles at this bit of news. "The Ice Queen of Nerima is starting to melt."

Shampoo smile "I like watching young love develop."

Nabiki "You two are impossible."

Shampoo "What is that song you had me listening to earlier Akane?"

Akane "Queen of D Nile."

Shampoo "Ah that it, is good song no?"

Akane "I like it."

Nabiki "Believe what you want to, I'm going down to dinner."

Akane "Thanks for telling us Sis, we will be right down."


After some help by two mischievous matchmakers Nabiki was stuck next to Mamoru.

Mamoru takes a few bites and thanks Nabiki for her great taste. "Nabiki, this was a great choice."

Nabiki smiles back at him. "Thank you Mamoru."

Some giggling is heard from across the table.

Mamoru notices that Akane and Shampoo appear to be plotting. "What?"

Sudden silence.

Nabiki breaks the silence. "It is believed amongst some people at this table that we have feeling for each other."

Soun has long since given up on his serious mode. "Waaaaaa, My oldest is out on a date, my middle daughter has found a boy friend, and my youngest daughter is engaged."

Nabiki yells at her father. "I have not found a boy friend."

Mamoru desperately wants to defuse the situation. "Akane, Shampoo quite teasing Nabiki. Let her explore any emotions she may or may not be exploring in peace. If she has anything to talk about I'm sure you will be the first to know Akane."

Akane frowns at the scolding. "But she teased Ranma and myself all the time?"

Mamoru looks thoughtful for several seconds before speaking. "I'm sure she has learned a valuable lesson tonight also."

Nabiki frowns. "And what lesson is that?"

Mamoru "That one's raw emotions are not to be trifled with. That when love is developing it should be left alone until it is established. Then the real fun can begin to test that love."

Crickets can be heard chirping at the Koi pool as they eat the rest of their dinner in peace.


I'll be breaking away from the humor for some time now. Sorry folks. Its time for me to get back into serious mode. I'll try to throw in a joke when I can. All constructive criticism is welcome.