Sister 2

ISDH

Nabiki

05/10/1992 , Sunday

She Woke, her alarm ringing in her ear. Slowly, she silenced it, and crawled back under her heavy quilt.

Only to erupt out from her bed. She had stopped using her alarm clock the week after she had graduated from high school. She quickly looked at the Calander over her desk. Every day was marked off when she went to bed each night. So the date that was not marked off was todays date...the Day Ranma was due to arrive!

Only she was not to know that...

And the "past three years" came back to her. Not every detail, but most of them. Enough to know what had happened...what it had cost...

She fell back onto the bed.

Her head hit something, something under her pillow. Turning over, she moved the pillow and pulled out a note book. It was form Ranma's Backpack. Kasumi found it when she cleaning out his old things a "few monthes ago." Nabiki had removed it from the burn heap, just before it was touched by the tongues of flame. It was also writen in code. The fact it was Ranma's intriged Nabiki, but what drove her wild, the dates was not in code, and dated up tell the day he died, and a small note for the day after.

The only entery she had not decoded was the one for the day after. She just could not bring herself to break that last meesage...

She flipped oped the book. on the first page, where Ranma had writen his name, date of birth, and Clan links as he knew them in his code. Below that, Nabiki, having cracked the code, wrote the words the writer could not, forming the code key to the rest of the book.

Only now there was a new note... in a new hand...

'Use this to watch over and protect Him. He is needed, in this world and the next. His last death was too soon. And as It ended badly for him, IT ended worse for the Tendo Line. '

A hot bath was what she felt she needed right now. She set Ranma's journal on her desk as she wearily got out of bed. She then gathered her stuff and made her way downstairs. She suspected Kasumi would have a bath ready. While Kasumi didn't seem to notice things, she usually had things like that done for you before you knew you wanted it.

Nabiki made her way to the bathing room, but the bath wasn't ready. She just shrugged it off, Kasumi had been having a hard time since Ranma... left. She decided to wash her face and prepare a bath for herself. She stripped down. Started the Tub to fill, cold rinse, lather up, quick scrub, cold rinse. quickly follwed by hot soak. She knew that if this was the day Ranma was due, then things as she knew about that day would need to be adjusted.

Rising from the tub, the now warm water falling from her perky breasts and well formed buttocks, Nabiki ran her hands over her body. the first thing was to catch Ranma's Eye, and to do that ment that she had to dress both as the Lady she was and the martail artist she was no longer. She would have to plan today's events out for her advantage.

Item one: wardrobe: what to wear...

If this was that fateful day...her shorts and a sports bra would do for the showing off her body and for any little sparring that Ranma might put her through. Over that a dark Kimono, to show that was something of a Lady.

If this was not that Day...People would think she might still be morning Ranma...as she was...in her way.

Item two: Confirm the Date

She grabbed the Journal from the desk, and tucked it into the back of her obi. She thought about appling some makeup... and dismissed the idea. If anything it would off put Ranma that much more, and she needed him to be able cling to her rather then Akane. She stepped out the door and closed it. She then begain the long walk down the stairs.

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Her silk slippers slapped the street in a muffeld cadance. Her pack swaying slightly. She was not running all that fast for her chest was unbound, and she was not yet accustomed to the flapping of her sizeable breasts. She pulled to a stop at a cross street.

Looking about for the road she wanted... she missed the Great Panda behide her. it was on the Fence...it jumped towards her... aiming for her head with a snapkick... as she starts jogging off down the street to her left. The Panda hits the street, leaving a whole in the pavement.

The Panda limps after the girl. grumbling under its breath.

"Come on Pops, the sooner we get this meeting over with, I can get back to China and find My Cure!"

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"Father?"

Soun quickly attempted to hide a postcard. His face tear-ridden. "Yes, daughter."

"What day is today?" Nabiki asked meekly.

"Sunday, Dear."

Nabiki blinked, "Um, I meant the date."

"May tenth." Soun looked at her puzzled.

Nabiki's head began to spin. It was Sunday, May tenth, but yesterday was Tuesday May tenth. Ranma arrived on May tenth... Sunday. "I-is the year 1992?"

"Of course, daughter. Are you all right? You don't look good."

"I'm fine... Great even." Nabiki grinned. "Did you Not say somethign about someone speacial coming today?" Nabiki cocked her head to the side, "Or was it my Starchart?" seeing the Look on her father's face, she flushed, and dropped her head to hide her face.

She dropped into her place at the table and pulled out the journal. Kasumi brought her a tea cup, a Jolt cola and a pair of choclate Pop Trats. She helped herself to the cooling pot of Tea on the table and begain to reread the book.

Ranma had just started the book the day before He and his father had arrived, but there were many referances to enteries in that predated the first entry in this book. The Code was both complexe and simple; no use of kanji, the words were writen out, almost like English. Nabiki had tried to use English to break it, but the words were not right...

The steady hand showed both control, and grace. the Code was not random, but rather like a Kata of letters following from one point to another. It was easy for Ranma to hold the Code in his head, it was just another Kata. Now the Code was in Nabiki's head. She could read the journal without writing it out on paper. Now only She and Ranma could read the journal.

'This will be one way to talk to him. I need to forge a bond with him. But how do I Lock myself ahead of my sisters?' Nabiki nibbled on her pop tart. 'I could play on Akane's dislike of boys at this time, but how to gain the edge over Kasumi...'

A motion from her father caught her eye. He was reading a post card with the picture of a panda and a redheaded girl waving...

Nabiki reached out and took the postcard from Soun's hand. Looking at the picture, back then(aka today) everyone had thought it was just a cute picture, now Nabiki saw that is was Ranma and Genma posing for pictures, most likely for free post cards and postage. She grinned. Flipping over the card she read the script for the first time.

Old Friend, Ranma and I are on our way. the Oath will fullfilled the Schools will be joined be there May 10th , a little after noon

Genma

Nabiki handed the card back to her father. and went back to reading the Book

1992.05.10

Met the Tendos today. It seams that I am to marry one of them. The Girls picked Akane to be my 'bride'. but their father had offered me the Choice of whom to be my Wife. Having only just met the Females, What I know is limited to what I see from their stance, movements and dress.

Soun: Father: Skill in the Art: Unknown, but friend of Pops. will need to look into it later. Details: Weak Contition, feints easily, given to great bouts of weeping and tears. (his crying might be a form of Art, if it is, It will be one I do not want to learn) Opinion: Weaker then Pop, Loss of edge do to lack of motivation.

Kasumi: Eldest Daughter Skill in the Art: dress and manner says None, but her movements and focus of mind says otherwise. Maybe mastering a household form of the Art. Observe for further particulars. Details: Sweet Manner. Seems a bit out of touch with what is going on around her, but able to adapt to almost any issuse that is in her way. Opinion: Good house wife, but not in my style. A bit older then I am. prefer to keep her as HouseKeeper, as her Cooking is Devine.

Nabiki : Middle Daughter Skill in the Art: Grace and movements are that of Student of the Art, but she shows no interest in now. Details: Sharp mind, seems to be in search of something. Her body is lith, and she dresses to show that she knows it is worth showing. there is a coldness about her, but is because she has kept so much to herself? Opinion: Good Mind, Could help with long term plans, but am unsure of what it will cost me. while she is very pretty, there is something that worns me off.

Akane : Youngest Daughter Skill in the Art: Skilled, but limited. She works on Strength, where speed is needed. had she been training as I have been, she would be damn close to my equal. I think she leveled off because her father stopped teaching her what is needed. Look into teaching her. Details: Violent. Strong. Smart, but lacking in control and focus. her body is attractive, but I find her manner not. the only thing at this time she has going for her is her love of the Art and the fact that her sisters seem to want her to be the one I choose. Opinion: My bride by defacto and my student if she is willing.

Nabiki sat back as she nibbled on her other pop tart. Plans forming in her mind, plans on how to catch one as slippery as Ranma.

Akane Came in from her morning of crushing bricks and smashing 4x6s that Nabiki had bought for her, scrap from construction groups around the area.

'memo to self; contact many construction groups, tell them that properrty damage will be on the rise. Contact our insurance people, same worning, tell them to send out agents to the Ward, somepeople might want to upgrade their statis.'

Akane ploped down across from Nabiki, her hair pulled back into a ponytail for when she was fighting, or practicing. Kasumi brought out two more cups and a fresh pot of tea. Kasumi glided into place at her end on the table. Seeing that all of his girls were here, Soun sniffed.

"Ah, Good. You all are here. I have wonderful news for you.

Soon we will have some visitors."

Nabiki rolled her eyes as she sipped her tea.'Here it comes'

Kasumi smiled. Akane remained emotionless

"One of them will be a fiance to one of you."

"FIANCE!" yelled the three Tendo girls. Nabiki hoped they bought her acting.

"Yes, the son of a very good friend of mine. The son's name is Saotome Ranma. If one of you three would marry him and carry on this training center then the Tendo family legacy would be secure."

Nabiki resumed drinking her tea, thinking of her plans to keep this news to her advantage. From what her father said, marrying him means she would inherit the Tendo home.

Nabiki wanted to say something, but didn't want to give away anything. If Akane thought Nabiki was a step ahead, she would do something stupid.

Kasumi was the first to speak, "Daddy, we don't even know who this Ranma is."

Soun was surprised Kasumi seemed to be the most upset at this. "Then let me tell you a little about him: Ranma and his father have been on a voyage of training. Recently, it seems, they crossed into China."

"Wow! China!" Nabiki chirped in. 'Oh Kami, bet he regrets that trip.'

"How old is he? Younger men bore me. What kind of guy is this Ranma?" Kasumi asked, upset.

Soun laughed, and then deadpanned, "No idea."

"'No idea,'" Nabiki repeated.

"I've never met him." Soun began to sweat.

Suddenly the sound of a fight was heard outside. "Leggo, y'ol' fool!" someone called out.

"We have visitors!" Kasumi said.

"OOOO! It must be Ranma!" Nabiki said, facing the door.

"Saotome, my friend! We've been waiting!" Soun yelled racing to the Door.

Kasumi followed, straightening her hair.

'Don't screw this up. Remember, he doesn't know me. He hates things being forced on him. And most of all don't let Akane hit or insult him. Just be his friend first, hopefully love will come later.' Nabiki blinked 'Ukyou must of thought that, I've got to check if Ukyou lost because of what he felt for Akane. I don't want to end up just his friend.' Nabiki came out of her thoughts as a Panda, driving Soun before him, entered the room and set down a person with red hair onto the floor.

"You wouldn't be..." Soun began.

"Saotome Ranma. Sorry bout this." Ranma nervously said.

Nabiki's heart ached at the sight of Ranma looking so vulnerable. She wanted to hug her and make her feel welcomed, but that would probably be a bad idea, right now.

"At last! You've come!" Soun shouted for joy. Soun hugged Ranma tightly. "It's so good of you to come! So..." Soun felt something wrong in his hug with his old friend's 'son.' He pushed away Ranma and started sweating.

Akane looked closer at Ranma and saw he had a rather big chest for a guy. She poked Ranma in 'his' chest.

"Um, could you stop that?"

"'He's' a girl," Akane said, upset at the loss of her punching bag.

Soun fainted.

Nabiki was momentarily torn between helping her father or helping Ranma. She decided to help Ranma.

As Akane manhandled Soun into his room. Nabiki reached out and took Ranma's hand. "Come with me." She led her/him out to the Dojo.

When they got to the Dojo, Nabiki knelt. Motioning Ranma to join her, she collected her thoughts. The redhead glided more smoothly to her knees then even Kasumi did. Nabiki looked into those clear sky blue eyes...and knew she had to have this person as hers.

Deep breath. "Ranma, do you believe in visions?"

She shook her head

"What if I told you that I know you are a guy who turns into what I see before me with a splash of cold water?"

Ranma's eyes widened.

"What If I said that the Panda in there was your Father? That while he is a master of the Art, he is a little more then a common thief."

Ranma was first looking worried, and then when Nabiki called her pop a thief, pissed. "take that back" the redhead growled.

Nabiki cocked her head to the side. "No. I know a few things you do not know yet. I know for a fact that your father sold you for food, and then in the middle of the night, stole you back. I have seen what he has done to you, your mother, and others."

At the mention of her mother, Ranma's eyes Clouded up. "My Mother is dead."

Nabiki shook her head. "No, She is not. I know the pain of losing one's Mother. Our Mother died almost Ten years ago. She died slowly so she could say good bye, but it hurt everyone around her to see her in the pain she felt. Your Mother is alive. She lives in a near by Ward. She drops by every month or so. After we get you settled, I will make arrangements for you to meet her. "

Ranma's eyes and voice became hard as steel. "What do you get out of all this?"

Nabiki swallowed. "If I had done nothing, odds ar that you would be with Akane, and she has issues with Males. With My offer, I hope to adjust the odds into my favor. While I am not a perfect match to an Artist of your Level; Dan level in most Schools. The Only School commonly praticed that you have not mastered is Kendo. And Only because it is a style just for the Katana and you personally hate to use weapons." Ranma nodded. "My mind and Knowledge give me a slight lead here and there. Your showing up has caused me to alter my plans ever so slightly."

She took a deep breath, and looked Ranma straight in the eye. "Back to What I am getting out of this; I get a Cute Fiancee. A bodyguard who is the best Martial Artist in all of Japan. And chance to get something my sisters do not want at this time, but are most likely to want when they get to know you. We can always changes things later."

Ranma Blinked. "Okay, Deal" She offered her hand.

Nabiki took the offered hand, and jerked Ranma in for a Kiss. A Quick kiss. Nothing more. "Deal Accepted and Confirmed" she Purred.