For disclaimer see prologue.

{ …. } -thought speaking

[ …. ] -Weapon speak

Chapter 05

The Reaper's Apprentice

By: Master Yume

(Between Wuhan and Shanghai in the Chinese wilderness.)

Ranma sighed as he finished the last of the soup he (at this point though he was a she) and patted his temporarily sated stomach.

"Ah that hit the spot."

"Oh you're a girl I guess it isn't so bad then."

Ranma looked up at the strange man that he had swiped the soup from.

"Huh? What do you mean? I'm a boy?"

The man looked at Ranma oddly then Ranma muttered Jusenkyo to which the man suddenly nodded.

"In that case I'm assuming you're a boy cursed to become a girl. Right?"

Ranma nodded wondering where the guy was going with this. He was surprised when the man braided his hair and tied a little piece of string in his hair.

"What's this for?"

"It's a dragon's whisker it was the main ingredient in the soup you had. If you don't have that in your hair it will grow and grow until your hair grows out completely leaving you bald."

Ranma stared wide eyed at the man then felt the braid his hair was now in.

"So if the whisker comes undone then I'll go bald?"

The man nodded and Ranma shivered suddenly having a flash of himself looking like a taller thinner Genma without glasses.

'Oh Kami-sama the HORROR.'

The man nodded and turned and left Ranma-chan to his musings. (Or hers depending on how you look at it.) Before the whole event could begin to weigh too heavily on his mind his musings were interrupted as Genma ran past in human form and grabbed the somewhat stunned Ranma.

"Come on boy we have to hurry it seems we didn't loose her in that swamp back there."

Ranma didn't respond favoring trying to get the image of a bald him out of his mind.

Shampoo cursed as the fat bald man began to run off with her quarry. It was just her luck to find the girl without her surprisingly fast and agile panda escort, only to have it scooped away by some male.

"Stupid lucky girl-type Ranma."

With that Shampoo gave chase to the fleeing pair.

---------

Perfume could hardly believe it she was selected to go on a mission into Japan and start a Amazon post in Tokyo. A place where in a few months her great-grandmother would join her and her husband. It was to be a place where some Amazons could go and find out about the outside world in an attempt to begin a subtle modernization of the tribe. While Cologne didn't like the idea she was forced to agree when all but 2 elders voted in favor of the idea. Especially seeing as it managed to retain this Will male in the 'control' of the tribe. At least that was what Cologne thought. Will smiled as he followed his 'wife' as soon as he and Typhous felt they were far enough away from the village and any possible watchers he would propose his method of transportation to Perfume.

'Oh yes teleporting will be soo much easier than walking.'

Just as he thought this he tripped on a rock and fell to the ground kicking up a small cloud of dust. He grumbled as Perfume glanced back and snickered at him.

'Screw discrete I want to get the hell out of here.'

{I don't know Yume I might be wiser to…}

However Typhous's words of wisdom were interrupted by Siren's rather persuasive voice.

[Go for it Master Yume, you can do it.]

Will got the distinct feeling that Typhous was sweat-dropping mightily but ignored it in favor of democracy.

'Ok that's two votes for teleport now and one against. Majority rules we make the jump.'

Again before Typhous could voice his concerns about Will's power waning Will acted. Walking up to Perfume after getting up and grabbed her shoulder.

"Hey hon I have a much faster way to get to Tokyo."

"What's that husband?"

With out answering with the truth he began to channel the teleportation spell envisioning the Tendo Dojo. Then before he cast the spell he smirked at Perfume and caused them both to vanish while muttering.

"By magic my dear."

Soap had been discretely following Perfume and her husband hoping to tag along for the trip to Japan. Just the thought of all the manga she could read nearly sent her into convulsions of pleasure. However her ticket to the oodles of drawn goodness suddenly vanished in a flash of darkness and a puff of smoke. She walked to the place where she had seen the couple last only to find a bit of sparkling black dust that reminded her of Will's scythe and cloak. Quickly she packed the substance into a cloth pouch she had on her. After she was sure she had most of it she left and returned to the village. Maybe she could convince one of the elders to let her go with Lotion when she followed the pair to help settle the new Amazon post.

---------

Death sighed as he left the elevator. He really hated these meetings the only reason he still went was because he had agreed to. He was currently on his way to a meeting of the Underworld Council (at least that's what they called themselves.) He had out lasted many of the Reigns of the Underworld. Hel, Anubis, Ereshkigal, Hades, Midir, Okuni-Nushi, and Dis/Pluto. Even the lesser gods; Dumuzi, Mictlantecuhtli, Hunhau, and Mahiuki. Each having reigned for some amount of time in the Nether realm. Still throughout all of their reigns he had been there. Now though things in heaven were changing, there was democracy (although the Almighty's will was always final say) it kind of irked him, but still he let it pass. Now the Underworld was ruled by a governing body of three of its former rulers. These were picked by the Almighty they ruled for a while then the Almighty pick another three, sometimes a god who had been in the previous council was called to be on the next sometimes they were all fresh. He sighed again as he let himself slip into his death-guise. After he had made the brief transition he continued on his way to the Hall where they conducted business. He stood and looked at the heavy steel and stone doors that were ornately decorated. With a wave of his scythe said doors swung open the hinges that held them squealing in protest, then banging heavily against the wall. The action caused Hel, Hades, and Pluto to look up at him, ah the upstarts. Pluto nodded to him which he returned solemnly. Hel just glanced at him with her half face. All the while Hades was running his fingers through the flames that lit the top of his head looking like a facsimile of hair made from blue fire, he looked up at Death and smiled a pointy toothed grin.

"Why do you insist on looking like that Hades?"

Hades shrugged and smiled.

"Hey what can I say I like the portrayal those schlemiels at Disney made."

Death blinked and sighed as the three ruling gods of the nether realm gathered behind a big wooden desk. Death on the other hand remained standing leaning wearily against his scythe. Hel began speaking her strange empty, yet strong and full voice echoed off the chamber's walls.

"It has come to this council's attention that you have again chosen a new apprentice. It is also our understanding that you plan to pass on your title and responsibilities to this former mortal. Is this true?"

Death tried to resist the urge to sigh, he really did, but it came out anyways.

"This is indeed true, while he may not be the best person for the job." 'Far from it actually.' "He has been approved by the Almighty and has accepted the mantel, all that remains is his completion of the trial and my subsequent stepping down."

The three gods nodded then made an impromptu huddle. Discussing things with each other. He already knew what they were thinking, with him gone they would gain just a bit more power. They thought his apprentice to be stupid, which he could very well be, however they also thought him to be a pushover in terms of Power. Death knew that he would need to explain a few things to his apprentice before allowing council members to meet with him. After all it wouldn't do to have Yume fall so easily to these gods while Death himself (which was who Yume would become) was thought to be their lackey. The only reason that Death listened to them was that it lessened his paperwork. While he could very well ignore any order they gave him so far he hadn't. The only being that he had to answer to in reality was the Almighty himself. But his further musings were interrupted by the clearing of Hel's throat.

"It is the ruling of this council that we request to meet this person who is to be your heir."

Death nodded and turned his back on the council.

"I will discuss it with him and bring him when I can."

Before the council members could annoy him further he walked from the room. As he crossed the threshold of the chamber he waved his scythe causing the hinges to scream in mistreatment as the doors they held swung close with such force that the frame cracked and the doors themselves jammed. The silence that followed him down the hall to the elevator was almost deafening. However it was not meant to last. For not four step from the elevator Loki appeared before him with a rather self satisfied look on his face.

"What is it Loki?"

Loki leaned back onto the balls of his feet trying to take an almost cute stance. It was lost however as Death began to move past him having not received a response.

"Ok, ok you win. I have news about our apprentice."

"What about Yume?"

"He's not our apprentice any more."

"Does that mean what I think it means?"

"Yep. I got myself my own heir. You could say he just fell into the position."

Death let out a sigh of relief though he would later deny it. He was really looking forward to the prospect of retirement that Yume would give him if he passed this trial.

"So that leaves Yume as only my heir then right?"

Loki nodded vigorously in such a way as to make death wonder just how he didn't get whiplash from doing that.

"Yep I got my heir training at boob… Er I mean Boot camp. He should be ready to enter the world Yume's in right about the time Yume gets settled into Tokyo."

Death looked at Loki with one of those level stares that only a skull could pull off. Under which the trickster crumbled like a mound of mashed peas.

"Well I was kind of hoping that your heir could put him up at his place for the duration of the trial. After all the Almighty gave him the same trail as Yume."

Death sighed as that feeling of everything blowing up in his face returned full bore. Somehow he just knew this would spell trouble, he wasn't sure for whom, but he was sure it spelled trouble.

"I'll talk to Yume about it but remember you'll owe him."

Loki nodded at his friend (at least he liked to think so) Daryl.

"How about this? I let him keep the power-up I gave him when he became my apprentice. That should level it a bit."

Death shrugged.

"I'll ask Yume about it."

So Loki disappeared in a flash of light much the way he came. With that Death walked into the elevator preferring that way to get where he was going as opposed to teleporting around, after all that could prove a problem if something went wrong. This fact was proven later that day as Death watched Loki run terror stricken from and enraged gaggle of goddesses, maybe he should apologize for tripping Loki like that before his teleport…. Nah.

---------

Soun Tendo sighed heavily as his thoughts returned once more to his former wife. Oh how he missed her she was what made him the man he once was. If only she hadn't fallen to the ravages of that disease like she had. As his thoughts continued in this way tears began streaming down his face. As he did this his eldest daughter Kasumi watched from the kitchen hoping that he didn't fall into one of his worse crying episodes it was always so hard to get the veneer back to its original quality. But luckily this was not the case today. Suddenly there was a bright flash of light and two muffled thumps heard on the roof. One thump became many and soon a black robed figure rolled off of the edge of the roof and landed on the ground with a rather hard sounding thud.

"Oh my I hope that person's alright."

Soun only nodded in response to Kasumi. Then a green haired curved figure jumped down from the roof and landed beside the black covered lump. Said figure looked at the lump and prodded it with her foot.

"Ayah husband be more careful from now on."

The lump twitched a bit as a rather disturbing looking scythe finished its slide down the roof and landed on the place where Kasumi figured the head was, if the crack was anything to go by. Suddenly realization dawned on Kasumi.

"Oh goodness guests I should make tea."

Soun merely blinked as his daughter walked back into the kitchen to fetch some tea. The green haired girl, as Soun could see now that he was actually paying attention (Spending as much time with Happosai as he had gave him a sort of sixth sense to these things, well that and her rather prominent assets.) Leaned down and hauled the black robed figure to its feet. The figure stood unsteadily for a bit then finally regained his ground and stood up straight dwarfing Soun's own rather tall height.

"Where are we?"

The green haired girl merely whacked him in the back of the head in response and pointed to his scythe. The cloaked figure bent down and grabbed the afore mentioned scythe, as the figure came back up he pulled the hood back on his cloak. The black clothed figure turned out to be a rather tall sinister looking boy of about twenty years old. His hair was dirty and unruly, his face was abit bit dusty from the fall while his cloak remained free of dust looking just like a black midnight sky. The boys cold blue/yellow eye rested on Soun. The scowl on the boy's face was quickly replaced by a smile.

"Ahh so we're in the Nermia prefecture of Tokyo. Excellent."

The tall boy bowed a bit to Soun, as did his apparent wife.

"Good afternoon sir. I am Will and this is my wife Perfume. You must be Mr. Tendo if memory serves me correctly."

Soun looked perplexed.

"Memory my boy? I never recall meaning you."

"Well of course not I merely saw an aged picture, that an acquaintance of yours was carrying with them when we met."

"And who may I ask are you referring to?"

"Why Genma Saotome, your old training partner, under Master.. Ha...."

Will's words were shortly interrupted as Soun covered his mouth.

"You know Genma?"

"Well not real well but I know that he has a son named Ranma."

Soun nodded upon hearing this. It had been the first new he heard of either of the Saotome's since Genma had left on his training mission.

"Well any friend of Genma's is a friend of mine."

At this point Kasumi returned to the porch with a tray of cookies and some tea things. Slowly she took a seat beside her father as Will and Perfume sat across from them.

"So how is my old friend? Well I hope."

Will glanced at his wife who was now chatting congenially with Kasumi about one thing or another. Quickly he turned his attention back to the patriarch of the Tendo clan.

"Well last I saw him was in China a few days ago. But he seemed well for the most part."

"That's good, do you know if he was planning to return to Japan soon?"

Will looked down in thought.

"Well if I had to hazard a guess I'd say he'd be here in anywhere from three days to two weeks. He did seem a bit preoccupied the last I saw him."

'Yeah preoccupied with saving his skin lousy flea bitten panda.'

"Ahh no doubt training his son in the art."

Will rolled his eyes and took a sip of the tea Kasumi had given him, and was mildly surprised when he tasted it. He never really thought himself a tea man he was really more of a Lipton iced tea mix, sort of guy. Soun watched the boy with a slightly raised eyebrow, this one seemed to be a bit odd. While he seemed to know what he was doing Soun just felt he seemed out of place, maybe he would look better in one of those Christian churches. His musing were interrupted as Will glanced at the sky and turned to his wife then said something to her in Chinese. His wife nodded and thanked Kasumi and chatted a bit more with her as she began to walk from the house to the outside. Will followed silently with Soun. After the reached the main gate proper goodbyes were given as well as a promise from Perfume to come by and visit the soft spoken Tendo homemaker. With it all said and done Will and his wife exited the Tendo home and almost immediately ran into Nabiki, and Akane. Nabiki spoke first glancing up at the strange black cloaked figure.

"Who are you?"

"I'm just a traveler with my wife. And while we were just about to leave I now believe that I have a bit of business to discuss with you Ms. Tendo."

Perfume glanced at her husband a bit oddly but stayed silent knowing that he was in his element. Although she would definitely have to 'discuss' with him later about his choice of transportation. Right now though she was beginning to feel some heavy chi activity coming from the dark haired girl standing beside the one Will was currently addressing.

'Lousy pervert hitting on my sister, he just better keep his hands to himself.'

Akane hadn't like the tall stranger since she had seen him stepping from her house. But still she felt it was best to wait till the pervert did something before attacking and unleashing her oh so righteous fury. Nabiki was however intrigued by the tall young man. He seemed to know her already and he had just met her. While the idea that he had received the information from her father it just didn't seem to stick. It was almost as if he knew her a little better than that and she was sure that she had never sneak the black robed stranger before.

"It seems that you have me at a disadvantage, you know who I am but I don't know who you are."

Will smiled at Nabiki if she was anything like she was portrayed (and she would be if Ranma, Genma, Cologne, and Shampoo were anything to go on) then she would be able to help him out… for a price.

"Oh how dreadfully uncouth of me, my name is Will."

He then gestured to his wife who was glancing at Akane oddly.

"This is my lovely wife Perfume."

She nodded her acknowledgement at being addressed. Nabiki nodded as well.

"Well then Mr. Will what can I do for you?"

Will looked at Aknae nervously it seemed that his hard thought out greeting was a bit much for the pervert bashing little girl.

'Then again most people here compared to me are small.'

"I have need of your assistance and my sources tell me that you are the local go to person."

Nabiki looked at the man again and nodded for him to continue, it seemed that her reputation had preceded her. She caught the incline of Will's head in regards to her sister, it seemed that whatever business that he wished to discuss with her he wished to do so without an audience.

"Akane go inside I'll be in in a little while."

Akane's blossoming aura winked out and she regarded her sister with a start.

"But Nabiki what will you do if this pervert tries something on you with his Chinese bimbo."

Perfume's own impressive aura exploded from her causing Will cloak to billow dramatically in an unseen wind.

"What did you call me weak girl?"

Akane's own aura returned at full power. The two making little flashes of light as they touched each other. Will had opted to put on a pair of wrap around sunglasses while Nabiki just covered her eyes. Overall Will had to admit the whole effect was pretty cool. Both Akane and Perfume fell into hand-to-hand combat stances glaring mightily at each other. Will decided that just maybe he should put a stop to this.

"Ok girls that's enough I think…."

His words trailed off as he saw the simultaneous glares that the two female sent his way. Letting his strong sense of self-preservation kick in he took a step back.

"Never mind what I think just go about your business."

The girls did just that resuming their stances. Akane's stance was rigid and left a few holes that even Will could see. But then again the holes could be left there as a trap. However Perfume's stance was a paradox of sorts it looked like it was tight and at the same time loose. It was just plain confusing to will so he left it alone in favor of turning to Nabiki with a smirk.

"Would you like to place a little wager on this fight?"

"What kind of wager?"

"If Perfume wins you help us for half your usual price. If Akane wins we pay you double for them."

Nabiki knew that her sister was one of the better martial artists of Nermia, possibly the whole of Tokyo itself. However she didn't know if she was better than the green haired foreigner before her. Nabiki glanced at Will and saw a light sheen of sweat break over his brow as well as his body starting a bit was he looked to the fight. Suddenly he blurted out something.

"On second thought how about only 50% in addition to your usual rate. And maybe a favor."

If Nabiki was reading her companion correctly he was beginning to have second thoughts about the whole fight. He did seem a bit more bit then an average guy so perhaps he was a fighter and could see something she couldn't. Weighing the pros and cons of the situation in her mind she quickly came to a decision.

"Ok if Perfume wins I'll help you for 50% my normal rate, but if Akane wins you pay me an additional 50% and owe me a favor."

Yume nodded and shook her hand quickly then suddenly looked very sure of himself. This made Nabiki have a slight sinking feeling in her gut that was just screaming at her that she had just been played, like Mozart would do to a piano.

'Heh and everyone thought that playing an oversized mobster in the school play would do nothing for my talent. Well who's laughing now? Huh? HUH?'

Akane looked at her opponent and waited it seemed that the girl was content to let Akane come. Being one not to disappoint Akane did just that. With a loud scream Akane charged the green haired Amazon. Perfume remained where she was not moving a muscle then when Akane was fully committed to the attack she struck. Her hand shot out and grabbed the front of Akane's shirt and lifted using Akane's own momentum to her advantage as she propelled the Anything Goes heir towards athe wall that surrounded her family's property. While the throw disoriented her she was able to regain herself and managed to dampen her impact against the wall lessening any damage to herself, the wall wasn't a lucky and showed it in the form of a few spider cracks. Perfume didn't give Akane much time to rcover as she rushed after the rattled Tendo. Starting with a sweep using her left leg she quickly followed it up with a rather savage uppercut. Akane managed to jump over the leg sweep but was ill prepared for the powerful follow up strike, however she did manage to get a rather tight grip onto Perfume's arm and lessened the blow again.

'Wow Akane seems to be doing pretty good, but still I think Perfume will pull it out she has a much higher endurance than Akane.'

And he was right because right now Akane was beginning to feel the strain. While she could go on for a good while still she could tell that Perfume wasn't even winded. Quickly she move to put a decent amount of space between her and her green haired opponent. But Perfume proved to be faster and was quickly closing the distance. With a silent cry Perfume launched into a flying kick that Akane managed to roll under. But Perfume just pulled back one leg and used both of her rather shapely legs to propel herself off a nearby telephone pole. And in a move very reminiscent of Ranma's Shooting Star Kick, Perfume managed to tag Akane in the shoulder from behind spinning the now disoriented girl around like a cheap top. (Basically that means that it you ever have used a poor quality top, you know how it spins a bit then wobbles and falls.) Try as she might Akane couldn't regain her bearings the world seemed to blur in and out of focus causing her stomach to lurch in a most uncomfortable way. Perfume was quickly upon the discombobulated Tendo girl and held her arms behind her back in just such a way that if she applied pressure it would hurt a lot, and if she applied a great deal of pressure her arms could very well become dislocated.

"Does little mouthy girl yield?"

Akane grunted and struggled to try and break the hold but it was for not, Perfume's grasp remained strong then she applied a bit of pressure and Akane had to fight from crying out in pain. Slowly her head lowered and then in a very quiet all to hollow voice she spoke.

"I y.. yield."

Perfume seemed to teleport back to her husband's side. After she released Akane. Said Tendo was rubbing her now sore shoulders as she looked at the green haired Amazon. Then suddenly she smiled.

"You're pretty good Perfume. I'm glad you're a girl I'd have hated to lose to a boy."

Will looked decidedly uncomfortable as he glanced between Perfume and Akane. While Akane had felt it was a good fight Will could tell that Perfume had held back A whole lot since she hadn't used her Naginita. Perfume's demeanor wasn't quiet as sunny as Akane's and she stared flatly at the back of her fallen foe who was now walking into the house.

"Now then Ms. Tendo I believe that we had an agreement."

Nabiki blinked at the rather casual attitude that Will seemed to regard the fight that had just occurred. It was rather astonishing to see how well the green haired girl had done against Akane. She also saw that while the outer wall of her home had cracks in it the overall structure was intact.

"Perhaps it would be best Ms. Tendo if we moved to someplace more comfortable, say the ice-cream shop? My treat."

Nabiki's suggestion of going to her room died on her lips. Free ice cream always softened to blow her wallet took when she lost a bet.

"Ok Mr….. I didn't catch your last name."

"Let's deal with that another time from now just call me Will."

"Ok very well Will if you would just follow me I know of a nice place just a few blocks from here."

Will nodded then turned to his wife once Nabiki was out of even her considerable ear-shot. Perfume looked very peeved.

"I wish you wouldn't speak Japanese around me you know it's not my better language."

"I know dear but this girl will be able to help us get a place set up all that much sooner if we just stay on her good side."

Perfume looked at him crossly making Will feel the incredible urge to flee.

"Very well my husband, but if she tries to I insult me or any Amazons I will not be responsible for my actions."

Will nodded then quickly he and her caught up to Nabiki who was unaware that they hadn't been following her this whole time. Before they knew it the were walking into the establishment. Will garnered quite a few glances, not only because of the Amazon that walked so close to him, or his rather impressive height, but mostly due to the long menacing looking scythe he held. Very calmly they all placed their orders (though Will blanched at the size of the sundae Nabiki ordered.) then sat down to get down to business.

"So what would you like my help with?"

Will smiled and reached into Perfume's pack getting no more than a glance from the girl who was trying to fight off a rather vicious brain-freeze. He pulled out a cloth bag and held it in his hand.

"What I need is for you to 'assist' me and my wife in buying an estate of sorts. It's needs to have plenty of land as well as a practice hall that is a good deal larger than your own."

Nabiki nodded as she began doing some of the mental calculations. Then she motioned for him to continue.

"Also the house itself has to have at least twelve good sized rooms, and a large kitchen/common area."

Before Will could continue Typhous interrupted his train of thought.

{We need a big basement preferable of bomb shelter quality.}

Nabiki watched as Will attention suddenly became directed inwardly, only to return moments later.

"Also it will need an extensive basement preferable something built as a bomb shelter."

Nabiki's mind was going over some of the real estate that she knew to be on the market. While she didn't focus greatly on the real estate business, she did keep an eye on it for occasions like this. After all it wasn't everyday that a seemingly wealthy young couple moved into the neighborhood.

"You do of course know Mr. Will it will not be cheap."

Will blinked and nodded.

"Oh of course, but please call me Will. I fully understand that a place like I just described would indeed take a bit of negotiating and work to get, not to mention monetary supplementation."

Nabiki blinked at Will as did Perfume he didn't exactly come across as a person that could think so much. While Nabiki had her doubts about his calm though a bit dim exterior Perfume was floored at seeing just how in his element Will was at this point. Shrugging it off as one of his peculiar quirks she returned to the delectable concoction before her.

"But the real question is Ms. Tendo, do you know of anything that could help us?"

Nabiki's mind suddenly alit upon something she had seen on one of her few visits to the Kuno estate. She had accidentally become lost looking for it and she had found herself before a huge estate situated on a hill. The building itself was impressive while the perimeter around it was even more so. The grounds could have easily fit several houses of that size. Excusing herself for a moment she walked outside (leaving her ice cream defenseless to Perfume's onslaught) and dialed up a friend of hers.

"Miko? Yes it's me. Oh I'm fine. Listen You know that estate on Sakura Trail? Yeah that's the one. How much is it going for? Really? That low? Oh the government acquisitioned it huh? ….. Yes ….. Yes. Well I ask because I have a potential client for you. Yes he's interested in the house. I think he'll cover it. Ok just let me handle the paperwork." 'It will give me a few extra dollars.' "What's that how soon till he can pay?"

"Depends on how much it is."

The sound of Will's voice so close to her free ear made Nabiki squeal like a little girl (which she was for all legal purposes) and jump to an impressive height. When she managed to calm down she spun around at the grinning Will and his snickering wife.

"Well how much?"

"It's on the market for thirty point four million yen. Plus all the fees and such you'll probably be looking at forty million yen."

Will nodded while Perfume looked a bit pale. She wasn't a money expert but she knew that forty million whatever was a lot. Unfortunately she was unaware of the current rate of exchange.

"Does that include your fee Ms. Tendo?"

Nabiki smirked a bit.

"Maybe."

"Hmm I see well then."

With nothing further (seeing as Will recognized that tone and attitude.) Will dropped a cloth sack into Nabiki's hand.

"I'll expect the paperwork and everything to be done by next week. Don't worry, I will find you."

Will then began walking down the street with Perfume walking right beside him speaking in angry Mandarin if Nabiki's guess was right. Miko's voice brought her thoughts back to the present just as the couple turned a corner and disappeared from sight.

"Huh? Oh yes I'm still here yeah you have a sale. Uh huh no problem."

As she spoke to Miko Nabiki undid the tie around the sack and peered inside at its contents. Almost faster than the normal eye could see she retied the sack and hid it in her book bag.

"Miko listen up this guy means business he wants everything ready for him by next week I'm coming over, I'll need you to get the papers drawn up. Also I'll need to use the conference phone. Uh huh, yes I'm sure he can pay."

Quickly Nabiki walked down the street being a bit more aware of her surroundings as she did.

'I'd better be real careful not telling what could happen if someone found this much on me.'

She quickly entered a large office building thoughts of little jewels and gold coins dancing in her head. As an afterthought she called a few of her lackeys and told them to keep an eye on this Will character.

---------

Will walked purposely; it had been a stroke of his rather limited genius to garner the help of the Tendo girl. He had not only gotten the place cheap but for a lot less then he had thought, hell almost half. His bright musing on his situation suddenly screamed to a halt as he was confronted with a rather frightening image of his wife glaring at him.

"How could you? The Matriarch gave us that money for the whole setup not just the home. Now you've spent it all."

Will looked around nervously as he felt the telltale displacement of air that accompanied her drawing her naginita.

"Now calm down dear I didn't even spend a third of the money that Cologne gave us."

Perfume slowly replaced her naginita and gave her husband the once over. Whatever it was that he was going to say next would make the difference between a severe beating, a beating, and no beating. So not trusting his mouth with the job he reached into the recesses of his cloak and pulled out a handful of jewels and gold coins. Quickly he put it back into his robe, earning an appraising stare from his wife.

"So you know the Hidden Weapons technique like that Mousse guy?"

"No I know magic."

"Oh. So now what?"

Will thought about that for a moment before he responded.

"Now we find a place to stay till next week, then we find Nabiki and move to the new compound."

Perfume nodded at the rather blunt logic, which reminded her as to another point of annoyance for her.

"You've been acting awfully mature lately. Why is that?"

"Well I wanted to make sure I got us a good deal and didn't get tricked by the Tendo girl."

Perfume nodded at this monumental display of her husband's limited intelligence. She followed this by moving close to his ear and whispering a few choice words. The effects of said words on Will was almost immediate, his hood suddenly flip up and covered his head. Perfume was rather surprised by this seeing as she knew his hands hadn't moved, while her own had not done so as well. (I'll let you all just think about why she knew that his hands were busy when the hood flipped up.) With a speed born of someone with a great purpose in mind Will scooped up Perfume and dashed away from the scene.

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Late in the afternoon the following week found a bleary eyed Nabiki facing an equally bleary eyed Will (staying outside for a week would do that to a person) in front of the office building, Nabiki had just finished the day before. She had been working most of the night to get this done and was proud that she had done so. (She had called her family earlier in the week to tell them that she was going to have a sleep over at a friends house, Akane was the most vocal with her thinking it had something to do with that Will guy. In order to cover herself so she could work though the week with her political contacts to finish by the deadline.) While she did have to call a few of her favors it had been worth it for the pay she had received. Nabiki handed Will a rather thick envelope to which Will accepted and smiled as he looked it over.

"You did rather well, it would seem that my trust in your abilities was not misplaced."

Will motioned to Perfume who moved up beside him.

"Well Ms. Tendo I will be seeing you later."

With that the tall foreigner and his Amazonian bride walked away and disappeared around a corner. Nabiki sighed and began her trek home with a small bounce in her step

It wasn't everyday that you made enough to keep your family living comfortably for the next six months. Unfortunately for Nabiki's state of mind she was unaware of the chaos that was soon approaching her home. One might almost feel sorry for Nabiki if they didn't know her real well. Oh it seemed that Nermia had some definite interesting times ahead. At that moment many of the citizens felt a chill run up their spines, and suddenly had the almost undeniable urge to pack up and move. But most just ignored this and went about their lives.

(TBC)