Disclaimer:

The characters in this story aren't mine, they belong to Rumiko Takahashi and other publications… I'm only here so I can practice my writing…lol… I do not own any of the characters and gains no profit from writing this story… so again please don't sue!… I already have enough problems managing bill payments…..

I do not intend on making any profit from making this story but only a writer writing about one of her favourite character, namely Nabiki.

"It is true then." Kuno said to himself before turning to Nabiki.

"Nani?"

"Saotome seduced the infallible Tendo Nabiki." He said as he looked straight at her.

"I don't know what you mean?"

"I had you monitored. I was wondering why such drastic changed happened to your person. Never fear Nabiki for I will save you. You might be a fallen angel but there is still hope for you." Kuno ranted on.

"Monitored?" Nabiki repeated the words. "Seduced?"

To think that, that cur had the audacity to force himself upon your person." Kuno continued his ramblings.

"Force himself?" Nabiki frowned. Then everything clicked together. Last night was real. She and Ranma did kiss! Excitement and dread filled her almost at once. But How could Kuno know any of this? Then her mind began to go to overdrive.

"Sasuke." Nabiki whispered Kuno's diminutive ninja.

"Hai. My Manservant saw everything." Kuno answered for her when he heard her mention his servant's name.

"Thou shant worry mercenary one. Like I said, I will protect you from that vile sorcerer Saotome." Kuno continued his ramblings.

Nabiki on the other hand has zoned out. Her mind working on over drive for damage control. If she doesn't do anything, the fiancée brigade will learn of this, thus putting her life in grave danger. She shuddered. First thing she needed to know was what exactly did Kuno know.

"How did you happen to come by this information?" Nabiki asked.

"I have my sources of course." Kuno said arrogantly. For once he had the upper hand. He knew something that Tendo Nabiki wanted to know and he relished the little rush he gained from it. Nabiki asking him how he knew was simply too good to be true and he intend to make her beg for it.

Too bad Kuno already gave away that it was his servant ninja Sasuke who saw them. Nabiki only wanted to know how much he knew so that she could easily remedy the situation.

Kuno waited for it. He waited for her to ask him. To interrogate him. But all he got was a pensive looking Nabiki. He didn't know that already Nabiki had worked out how exactly Sasuke manage to spy on her.

Knowing Kuno like Nabiki did, she knew Kuno would have sent the diminutive ninja for either of the two things. One was to spy and get some pictures of Akane since she was no longer supplying him with his daily fix of photos. The other was only a guess, but she had an inkling that Kuno also sent Sasuke to spy on her, on why she had suddenly stopped selling pictures of Onna-Ranma and her sister.

Nabiki knew it was a bad and a very rash decision to make. Seeing that she never thought that Kuno would be very suspicious of her actions. But she couldn't help it. She was emotional at the time.

Emotional. She was never emotional. Not until she found her self attracted to Ranma. This was really bad for business. Since when did she act or made decisions without thinking about them first?

"Aren't you going to badger me about who my sources are?" Kuno asked rather annoyed. He wanted her to nag him. To see the look of desperation in her eyes. The worry. He wanted to see if there was something more than ice in Nabiki Tendo.

"Well?" He asked once again, not getting a reply from her.

"Nani? Sorry.. What were you saying Kuno? I wasn't really listening…" Nabiki replied back as she noticed that Kuno was getting rather annoyed with her.

"I said…" Kuno was about to repeat his earlier query but Nabiki interrupted him.

"Never mind. I'll speak to you later." Nabiki replied before getting up from her seat and made her way towards the door. Formulating a damage control plan and also try and speak with Sasuke about the importance of a person's privacy. Her privacy to be in fact.

Kuno stared at her slack jawed. How dare this woman undermine him. How dare she challenge him. Ignore him and walk away from him. Before he could say anything, he saw her turn around.

"Oh by the way Kuno-baby, You owe me 1000 yen for bringing you here and another 1000 yen for my time." She replied back to him before stepping out of the door.

"How does she do that?" Kuno asked himself. How could she infuriate him time and time again. Yet he doesn't find any sort of malice from her? But as soon as his brain processed how much he owed her he mentally screamed in frustration.

The people around her talked. They talked about him and what had happened this morning. She tried not to grind her teeth together in anger. It was anger not jealousy. The only problem is, she doesn't know who her anger was directed to.

Akane took a sneak look at Ranma's seat. There he was being talked to by the other boys in the class as well as the other girls. They were all grilling him for information on why Kuno ranted like that. In truth, Akane wanted to know too. Ranma had been suspiciously hanging around Nabiki too much for her liking. Granted the trip to the library stopped and they didn't seem to get along a few days ago. But she still felt very uneasy. Could it be? Was she getting Paranoid?

Akane shook her head. No. She was not being paranoid. It must be Ranma. It was Ranma and Kuno. Those two idiots are at fault somehow. It's their fault right now for distracting her from her studies. But One thing is for sure. She will have a little conversation with her so called fiancé later at lunch.

Ukyo on the other hand watched the other students surround Ranma and bombard him with questions. Something was wrong. The rumour mill was running hay-wire and Nabiki was in the centre of this rumour. Why wasn't it stopped?

Ukyo frowned. She didn't know Nabiki well since she never viewed her as a potential rival. Only a person to look out for. And gathering from what she knew about the middle Tendo, it was that she will never let a rumour like this go wild. Especially when it's about her. So how come there was no damage control?

"What exactly are you up to Nabiki Tendo?" Ukyo asked herself as she watched Ranma and then turned her attention at Akane. Surely Nabiki will not try and go against her own sister?

"Ranchan is right." She said to herself. "She is up to something."

Remembering what Ranma had told her a couple of weeks ago about Nabiki acting suspicious. She watched Ranma closely. She had a feeling there was something not quite right about him. As if something changed. Something intangible. Something significant.

Ukyo just brushed away her thoughts. Nabiki was not a threat. Not until she figures out what she's up to. She won't be a rival to her Ran-chan. For one thing her Ran-chan had no money and they have absolutely nothing in common. Nabiki wasn't into martial arts and Ran-chan wasn't into money making ventures especially if he was the asset. The two will be like oil trying to mix with water. But Ukyo couldn't feel at ease. She will have to keep a close eye on the middle Tendo just in case she tries anything on her Ran-chan.

Lunch time…

"So Ranma man, what gives?" Hiroshi asked the pigtailed boy.

"Yeah dude what's up?" Chimed in Daisuke.

Ranma had to mentally shake his head. He couldn't believe how nosy his two friends are. Like everyone else, everyone was curious of Kuno's little morning rant.

"So dude is it true? Are you hitting on the ice queen?" Hiroshi prodded once again.

"Would you guys leave me alone? There is nothing going on between me and Nabiki." Ranma replied back rather peevishly.

"Sorry man, it's just too good to let go you know." Apologised Daisuke.

"What do you mean?" Ranma asked.

"Well, for one thing Kuno's rant was out of the ordinary and there are also rumours that Nabiki stopped selling photos of you and Akane. Everyone is just scared that it's the sign of the apocalypse." Daisuke explained.

Ranma just sighed. Things are getting more and more complicated. All he needs now is another thing to complicate matters. Speaking of which.

Ring! Ring!

Upon hearing what sounded like bells, Hiroshi and Daisuke quickly moved away from the pigtailed boy, knowing already what was going to take place.

"NIHAO AIREN!" Shampoo greeted her husband as her bike embedded itself on the pigtailed martial artist.

"SHAM-URK!" was all Ranma could say after his face got acquainted with Shampoo's bike. One of these days he will have to make sure to teach Shampoo how to use the bike's hand brakes and not use his face for it.

"Shampoo bring airen lunch." Shampoo sing-songed happily. As she began to glomp Ranma.

Before Ranma could reply, Ukyo and Akane showed up. Each carrying an extra lunch for him. Coincidentally, both girls also wanted tospeak withRanma about Kuno's morning ramblings. What they didn't expect was to see the very blissful well-endowed amazon that was currently smothering their fiance with her "assets".

This prompted both girls to work together to pry off the amorous amazon. Freeing the slightly purplish Ranma and giving him the precious air he needed to survive.Once he had recovered, his pigtail nearly stood up, from the battle aura that he felt.

All three girls glared at each other before once again commencing an all out brawl. Ranma who was just tired of getting hurt while trying to stop the girls simply picked up the unattended bentos excluding Akane's before simply making a subtle exit. He had a rough day and he really didn't need all this chaos right now.

It was a full 5 minutes when the girls finally realised that Ranma was not around and so was their proffered lunch. With the exception of one of course.

"RANMA!" Akane screamed out in frustration as her two rivals just snickered at her expense.

Ranma on the other hand was at the back of the school yard. He was sitting on a tree branch and was eating Shampoo's lunch as well Ukyo's. He decided not to take Akane's since he wasn't sure if Akane made the bento. He didn't want to take a risk and add food poisoning on thelist of his problems.

He was enjoying his lunch. It was nice. It was peaceful and quiet here. There was no one to pester him. Unbeknownst to him, he forgot that this is also where the middle Tendo conducted most of her business. He was soon drawn to the people below as he began to hear their voices. He wasn't really all that interested until he realised that one of the voices he recognised was Nabiki's.

"What would you like us to do sempai?" asked one of the girls.

"We will do damage control. Most of the students will already have dismissed the rumour by now." Nabiki replied back. "I assume it will die on later today. Your jobs are to make sure that the rumours does not escalate."

"Hai." All the 3 girls chorused together.

"But sempai…" One of the girls asked.

"What is it Yuriko?" Nabiki asked her subordinate.

"Is it true though? About you and Kuno?" Yuriko asked, earning a warning stare from her two colleagues. To the other two's surprise, Nabiki remained silent. She looked rather pensive.

"Yeah sempai? What's up with that? Kuno never used to be protective of you before?" Asked Mai. Feeling a little braver since she saw that Nabiki didn't seemed annoyed or angry at her fellow friend.

Nabiki sighed. She had no idea about that one. "How the heck should I know what runs around his head?" Nabiki answered earnestly. As she shrugged her shoulders giving her subordinate a playful smile.

The 3 girls all giggled in response.

"But sempai, why don't you give him a chance? He's not that bad looking. He's also very rich." Hiroko teased. She had seen them together numerous times and had even thought that the two would make a very cute couple.

"Do I look like I've taken leave of my senses? Come on girls!" Nabiki replied back playfully. "Maybe some other time but for now, damage control must be done. Alright?"

The other girls agreed with a lot of giggling before dispersing. Leaving the Tendo girl alone.

Ranma in the other hand heard everything. "Kuno and Nabiki? She's actually considering Kuno?" Ranma asked himself. Not really use to seeing the other side of the middle Tendo. But before he could ask her, she suddenly heard her call out Sasuke.

"Sasuke I know your out there." Nabiki replied back in her most ominous tone. "Come out right now or you can bet your life that I will make your existence more miserable than the Kuno family could possibly can." Nabiki threatened.

Within a blink of an eye, Sasuke appeared before her. On his knees to be in fact.

"Please forgive me Mistress Tendo." Sasuke pleaded. He already knew that he was in trouble with the middle Tendo. "I was only doing what my master commands."

"I know Sasuke. I know." Nabiki replied back. She couldn't really get angry at Sasuke, especially when he was only doing his job. It was not his fault. How was he to know howKuno would have reacted to the information the diminutive ninja has discovered and given to him?

Sasuke's relieved sigh was short lived however.

"Still Sasuke, You should have known that I don't like my privacy being invaded." Nabiki replied back, which made Sasuke shiver.

"But mistress…"

"But nothing Sasuke. I'm so angry right now that I could simply tip off you clan and tell them what the Kuno's really use you for." Nabiki threatened.

Sasuke gulped. While living with the Kuno's was no picnic, he preferred to be with them since he had more freedom. He did not have to abide the stiff laws of his clan and he did not have sully his hands in blood. He did not have to assassinate or kill someone. He never really could stand blood and violence. He was free to live in relative peace, watching soap operas and lounge around the Kuno mansion when not needed.

"Please mistress! Forgive me!" Sasuke begged as he hugged Nabiki's legs from desperation. He did not relish to be sent back to the clan and be replaced. Besides he had grown quite attached to the dysfunctional family and living in Nerima was interesting.

Nabiki really had no intention of calling Sasuke's clan. She didn't want Sasuke to be replaced by a blood thirsty ninja. It will just give the Kuno's the encouragement they didn't need. The Kuno's are harmless enough, but you don't need to add a blood thirsty ninja to the mix to predict what kind of future will occur. It was like giving a little kid an atomic bomb to play with. that kind of power, they can live without. As she inwardly shuddered thinking about the consequences that may occur.

"Okay Sasuke. I will forgive you this one time. But next time I won't be very forgiving." Nabiki replied back. Removing the ninja form her person.

"Thank you mistress… Thank you…" Sasuke replied back as he began to kow-tow Before the girl.

"I would appreciate it that next time you master orders you in regards to my family that you consult me first." Nabiki replied back with a tone that brook no argument.

"But mistress…"

"I know he is your master, but remember that my wrath is much heavier than your master's sword." Nabiki warned.

"I… I will do my best mistress." Sasuke replied.

Nabiki could only smirk. She was quite impressed with Sasuke's loyalty to the Kuno's. Getting him to agree to warn her the next time Kuno pulled out something idiotic could mean less problems for her in the future.

"That will do Sasuke. You may go now before Kuno-baby wonders where you are." Nabiki replied back before dismissing the ninja.

Sasuke bowed down. Glad that he was able to hold himself against Tendo Nabiki's ire. But he just couldn't help his mischievous side.

"Thank you mistress. But I feel that I must inform you that our conversation was not in privy." Sasuke smirked. Enjoying the surprised look on the middle Tendo.

"Where?" She asked dangerously. As she narrowed her eyes. Whoever it is will have to face her growing temper.

Rather than answer, Sasuke pulled out a kunai and threw it at the branch where Ranma was sitting. Breaking the branch Ranma was perched at and making him fall hard on the ground.

"ITE! ITE!" Ranma complained as he rubbed his sore butt. Followed shortly by the branch that promptly landed on his head. Earning him a bump on his head.

Nabiki was shocked but manage to hide her expression well. She glared a Ranma before turning to Sasuke.

"Nice shot." She complimented the ninja.

"Thanks." Giving Nabiki a huge grin. Before disappearing. He didn't want to wait for the pigtailed boy's reaction. Nor what Nabiki could do to him.

"That's what you get Saotome." Nabiki scolded the pigtailed martial artist. As she looked at the pigtailed martial artist impatiently.

Ranma on the other hand was still in shock. He still couldn't believe how ruthless Nabiki sounded before when she was dealing with Sasuke.

"You ok?" Nabiki asked before offering her hand to help him up.

"Yeah ok. I guess." Ranma answered as he took her proffered hand. As ok as a guy that fell from a tree branch 3 1/2 metres above the ground. He said to himself.

They stood in front of each of each other in mutual silence. Both not knowing what to say. Time just seemed to slowly pass by.

Just as the two finally was able to think of something inconsequential to say, the lunch bell rang. Signifying that lunch was now over.

Prompting the two to give a quick and curteous goodbye to each other as they headed towards their next class.

Both unaware that they both uttered the same thing to themselves. "Saved by the Bell."

The walk on the way home was quite unnerving to say the least. Akane was once again ranting about Ranma and their teacher for sending an absurd amount of homework.

Both Ranma and Akane were arguing again as per normal, when they noticed that another person was walking with them. They finally realised that Nabiki was also walking with them and had become quiet and looked rather pensive.

Ranma seemed a little unnerved since he really didn't know how to deal with Nabiki about what had happened during lunch. He was intentionally ignoring her to save himself from making a fool of himself for not knowing what to say. Though he did feel rather guilty. Thinking he had caused the middle Tendo to be reclusive and aloof now.

"Hey sis? Whats wrong? You seem quiet today?" Akane asked. She wondered if it could be the rumours that were going around about Kuno's sudden attention towards her sister. A thought that made her cringe. It was bad enough he was after her and Ranma. Now he was now after Nabiki. That sick pervert.

"Huh? Oh nothing Akane." Nabiki replied back absently. As she began to walk ahead of the would be couple.

"What's wrong with her?" Ranma asked Akane. Wishing it was not his fault for making her so dejected and aloof.

"I don't know. I think she's upset about the rumours that are going on at school about her." Akane replied back worriedly. As the two began to follow her towards the Tendo Compound.

Later that night…

Nabiki sat on her bed. Numerous thoughts circled around her head. But somehow her problems were getting worse and worst. She stared at the piece of paper in her hand. Tomorrow it will be put up around the school.

She glared at the paper she held in her hands as if it was the root of all evil. With all the things that went on, how could she forget about this event.

She glared at the letter one more time before crumpling the paper and threw it in the bin. Then buried her head on her pillow.

How could things change so quickly and get out of control?

Ever since she had satrted to acknowledge her feelings for Ranma, things began to spiral out of control.

"This is just not my day…" She sighed.

As dozens of thoughts invaded her mind making her more tired and soon sent her into sleep. Not knowing that a certain pigtailed martial artist watched worriedly outside her bedroom window.

Author's note:

Finally updated!

YAY!

Does a little happy dance.

I know most of you would have probably expected more of Nabiki's ire on Sasuke. And are feeling rather disappointed letting Sasuke scot free rather than experience Nabiki's retribution but as Delta-Theta has told me "Sasuke working for the Kuno's is punishment enough." and I happen to agree with him.

Thanks to griffenvamp for encouraging me to update as well as the others who waited patiently. Not long now till I wrap this all up.

What does Ranma think of Nabiki after he had witnessed her dealings?

What's going on with Nabiki?

What is the mysterious letter that Nabiki got all worried?

Will I ever update fast enough for you guys to find out?

Please review…

Ja Ne