A/N: Chapter two, ALREADY!? Oh I know, but I've been getting SO many good reviews that I was just so enthusiastic to give you guys something else to nibble on. Alas, I regretfully own not the Ranma 1/2 cast but... a girl can dream can't she? (No, they'll sue your ass!) OK OK moving on.... (If only I could be as excited to continue the Prophet.... hint hint )

Ladies Ball Chap. 2

by: Ranichan

The news the women of Nerima recieved the next day was far better than that of the men.

"'You invited?'" Shampoo murmured as she deciphered the note she had recieved from the mercenary girl. "Airen on sale for whole day!? I get him and he be mine for whole life!"

At Ucchan's, Ukyo was thinking along the same lines for her beloved Ranchan. "Oh, Ranchan, you and I will finally be able to be together without anyone's interference..." she sighed dreamily.

Women everywhere, in fact, were getting excited about the Ladie's Ball, as it had been dubbed. Nabiki of course was right in the midst of it all, selling tickets to women with the promise of a day filled with the services of martial artists and other "choice" young men. It was going to be one hell of a turnout. However, some were not as enthusiastic.

"You know, Nabiki, I doubt anyone will be able to pay off all my debt. Even I wouldn't go for that much..." Ranma reasoned, trying to get out of the auction. He knew that there would be a riot when he was being sold off.

"You know, Ranma... I think you're right... and wrong. You see, I think some of you're bigger... fans will pay top dollar for you, but you're right since none of them can pay off all of your debt," Nabiki stated after hearing the practicallness in what Ranma said.

"Exactly! So, I don't need this!" Ranma grinned, relieved. He gleefully grabbed a fresh cookie from the plate Kasumi had put before him.

"Wrong again, buddy," Nabiki sang. "You see, one person alone can't pay me 590,000 yen..." she began.

"But... I only owe you 570,000 yen!" he interrupted.

"I added an extra 20,000 because you're trying to get out of your... 'punishment'. Anyway, like I was saying, if all goes according to plan, chances are Ukyo and Shampoo may pool their money to ensure that they'll at least have you for half the day. But even if that doesn't happen, I still know just how to get more money for you."

Ranma did not like the smirk that accompanied her statement. "What do you mean?"

"Well... I'm sure Kuno-baby will be willing to pay well over your debt to spend a day with you, his beloved pig-tailed girl!" Nabiki cackled maniacally.

Ranma gasped desperately and ended up accidentally inhaling his cookie. "Nabiki, no, please no!" Ranma shuddered the thought. He had gone out on a date with Kuno as the "pig-tailed girl" before and he hated every moment of it.

Nabiki walked away, smiling at her own cunning.

"Damnit, I'm in deeper than I was before..." Ranma griped.

"Well, Ranma, you should know better than to reason with Nabiki." Akane pointed out as she entered the dining room with P-chan in her arms.

"So, Ryoga, heard about the auction? Didn't see ya at the meeting," Ranma asked the little black pig.

"Honestly, Ranma, who are you talking to? It's just me and P-chan."

"I know." At that, P-chan began squirming in Akane's arms and squealed angrily.

"So, Akane, will you be participating in the auction?" Kasumi asked as she returned to the dining room with water for the couple.

"Hmm... I didn't really think about it..." Akane answered unconciously thinking about the possibilities.

"Only way an awkward tomboy like that would get a date, paying him off!" Ranma sneered as he shoved four cookies into his mouth, smiling. He didn't even notice the mallet descending upon his head.

"How about you, Kasumi? I hear Tofu will be among the men being sold," Akane hinted, winking to her older sister.

"Oh my!" Kasumi blushed.

"Besides, he'll probably be among the only real men there..." Akane sighed matter-of-factly.

P-chan froze in mid-squeal.

Akane nibbled at her cookie as Ranma stalked off, fuming.

"Oh, Akane, really!" Kasumi cried in a voice that resembled scorn.

"He started it..." Akane muttered childishly as Kasumi, too, left the dining room. "Hmmm... I wonder, P-chan, Nabiki is right, Ukyo and Shampoo will probably pool their money just so I won't grab him... not that they will have a problem. Who would want to spend a day with that idiot!? But I should contribute since a lot of the damages are, in some way, my fault. But who should I bid on that I's want for a whole day?"

"Bwee! BWEE!" P-chan squealed, his hopeful eyes watered in anticipation.

"Akane, since you're my sister, I have something special for you." Nabiki smiled, taking a cookie from the tray. Akane was quite skeptical, it being Nabiki and all, but Nabiki quickly shot down her suspicions. "Akane, it's not a scam or anything. it's a favor. A f-f-free one..."

"Oh yea?" Akane questioned, staring disbelievingly at her sister.

"Yea. I just want you to be happy, of course. So, I wish to give you a line of credit for as much as you'll need to... win the guy of your dreams." Nabiki smirked.

"And the catch?"

"Well... the catch, there are a few things you'll need to do for me."

"I knew it! There's always a catch!" Akane thought, a small frown on her face.

"There's a lot of preparation, as you know, and the catch is; one, you'll help Ranma put up the stage, and two, you'll pay me back ten percent of what you spend using the line of credit. I can't let you but people for free but lastly, you must stay away from the kitchen while we get ready for the auction. Deal?" Nabiki explained.

Akane was shocked to say the least, she thought the catch would be much worse but this sounded reasonable. After all, she didn't have much yen for the occasion. "Deal," she smiled.

"Well then, get to it, I want the stage up and decorated by tonight so you two better get going." Nabiki instructed.

Akane forcibly exhaled as she hesitated outside the door. She gulped as she raised her fist, stopping herself in mid swing. This door was causing her a lot of trepidation, but why? She knew why. She knew that on the other side of the door was a still-steamed Ranma who was still fuming over her comment earlier. She knew the tongue lashing that awaited her should she bother him and this caused her to stop and think. "Why does he have to be such an idiot!" she mused angrily. "...why do I have to be such an idiot? If only I hadn't said anything... but... he did start it." Her emotions warred within her, justifying themselves. P-chan rest in her crossed arms, watching her questioningly. "Hmph!" And with that, she turned on her toes and began down the hall.

"What do you want?" Ranma asked as he opened the door of the guestroom.

"Nabiki is making us put up and decorate the stage. She wants it done tonight," Akane mumbled angrily as heat flashed across her cheeks.

"Both of us? How'd she get you to help?"

As Ranma walked into the hall, Akane could see he was wearing old clothes and carrying a hammer. "He was going to do it himself!? So macho! Hmph! But then... I didn't have to come up here, did I? Ugh!" Akane thought to herself. So much trouyble she had caused herself. With a sigh, she followed Ranma down to the dojo.

"Nabiki already had the supplies delivered. You don't really need to help, I can handle it," Ranma stated a little harsher than he meant to.

"Oh, so you can handle it, huh? Well, Nabiki didn't think so because she sent me!" Akane snapped defensively. Her crossed arms closed tighter over poor P-chan's necks.

"You may be macho enough but you're to clumsy to handle so much lumber," Ranma scoffed.

Just as Akane was about to counter attack with another witty quip, she recalled their last exchange of words and how it only led her to another closed door. With a forced sigh, she muttered, "Look, whether you like it or not, I have to help you. I have a promise to keep... Nabiki and I made a deal."

The room was uncomfortably silent. Akane couldn't face Ranma any longer so she averted her eyes to the ground. Ranma uneasily put his hand behind his head. Finding common ground between them, Ranma chuckled, "Hmph! That Nabiki, huh?"

"Yea..." Akane breathed, happy that the tension between them was dissapating.

More to come soon...

A/N: Well, I know, not much, just bait. But at least now, Akane recognizes that their relationship isn't quite normal and with every mean word, they end up at that same closed door (mentally...) but the action is coming soon but let me know what you think!