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 was just like Nabiki had predicted. The awful letter she had in her hands two weeks ago was put up the very next day without delay. She inwardly winced. She was not prepared for that one. Already, the whole of Furikan High school was buzzing with all kinds of emotions in reaction to the letter which was posted up all-over the notice board of the school. Excited, dread and fear so far were leading. But in Nabiki's case, it was more dread and fear. She kept feeling her stomach twist and knot when she hears the conversations.

"Did you hear?"

"Oh my God what shall we do?"

"Can You believe it?"

"Never thought this was going to happen."

Were only some of the titbits of the conversations running all over Furikan. It didn't help either that the Blue Thunder of Furikan had redoubled or should we say tripled his efforts in gaining his two beloveds affections. While from time to time seeking her as well. Further fuelling the rumour mills in Furikan High.

"Stupid Letter… Stupid Kuno… Stupid…." Nabiki kept mumbling to herself as she walked down the corridor hall. Everyone that saw her quickly made way for her, while her lackeys flanked her from behind.

Her associates remained quiet through out the whole ordeal but was also curious about the recent changes that took place. They had wanted to ask Nabiki about it themselves but feared Nabiki's reaction. So instead they waited patiently until Nabiki had somehow calmed down. Though as luck would have told them, it had been approximately two weeks already and Nabiki had not shown any sign of her mood lightening.

"Uh… Senpai?" one of her braver cohorts uttered. She wanted to ask how she was.

"What is it?" Nabiki immediately snapped back at her. Making the girl step back in fear.

"N-nothing!"

Nabiki took a deep breath and sighed. She need to get herself together. Who knew a simple notice would create such havoc?

But Nabiki couldn't help her growing ire. She can imagine the rest of the students laughing behind her back. While she was used to them talking behind her back it was the pity and mockery behind her back that got under her skin the most.

Nabiki took a deep breath to calm herself. It wasn't like her to be so angry and feel out of control with her emotions. She looked at her colleagues and saw the fear in them. She was used to that too, but the women who flanked her were the people who she considered friends and right now her so called friends feared her. Something that stung her. Was she really that terrible?

"Listen ladies, I would like to be alone for a while." She sighed.

"Are you sure?" Ryonami asked. Her right hand hench woman and whom she considered as her best friend.

"Yeah." Nabiki reassured them as she walked away from them.

"Do you think sempai would be alright Ryo?" Asked Hiroko as she watched her senpai walked away.

"She'll be fine. She just needs a breather that's all. There had been a lot of changes that took place. I think she's just trying to adjust with everything." Ryonami explained as she watched her friend from a distance.

"Why do you think she made such sudden changes though? It's so not like her to be spontaneous unless there's a hidden angle somewhere." inquired Mai.

"I really don't know Mai and I doubt she knows it too." Ryonami replied back softly.

Nabiki went to the back of the school grounds. A place where she can be alone and collect her thoughts. It was also the place where most of her business deals were dealt. But today the lot was empty. She has not seen anybody or made any appointment with anybody so the place was deserted. She doubted anybody would try to look for her and even if they did, her cohorts will be there.

She made her way towards the cherry blossom tree. The particular cherry blossom tree had been there as far as she could remember and had witnessed so many things in its lifetime. She stared idly at its trunk. She studied it well as she began to circle the tree, looking for something. Tracing her fingers across its sturdy trunk. Until at last she found it.

She smiled as she traced the carved letters. It was a moment of pure spontaneousness. Something she made when she first attended the school. Wanting to make a mark on the world, being the naïve girl that she was, She decided to make her first mark on the tree. She smiled at the thought as she traced the clumsy strokes that marked the tree.

"I think today is the only day that I saw you smile. These last couple of weeks must have been bad for business ne?" a male voice interrupted her musing.

She didn't bother turning around. She already knew who it was. "What are you doing here?"

"Just hanging around." the voice replied back before he jumped down from his perch on the nearby tree.

"Found anything interesting?" She asked keeping her voice neutral and devoid of any emotion.

"Nothing much really." He shrugged. He decided that today was the day he would talk to her. There's no point in beating around the bush anymore. She had her fun. She had messed with his head but enough is enough.

He was driven up the wall from paranoia, that Nabiki had some hidden angle that she was playing at. It had been more than two weeks now since they kissed. They never had the chance to really talk about it since then. He never seemed to have a chance of getting her alone or get the right timing. In truth he was worried.

Nabiki hasn't been herself lately if he was to be honest with himself. She had been aloof and was always in a bad mood. Ever since the whole rumour began to spread. It didn't stop. The rumours went from bad to worst and became more incredible and far fetch as each day passed. The damage control didn't work. All was left now was to let the rumour runs it course for doing something about it, will only fuel it more. It only got worst when the announcement about the dance was announced.

Speculations began to arise, as rumours about Nabiki spread like wild fire and she couldn't do anything to stop it. If she did; it will only make her look like the speculations about her, Kuno and Ranma true.

It's ridiculous really. It ranged from Ranma being the sex slave to Nabiki being one and so on and so forth. Everyone was now keen on what's going to happen and who will Nabiki attend the dance with. This was only a few of the reasons why he knew Nabiki was constantly aloof.

"So why are you here again?" Nabiki asked him again. Aware of the growing silence between them.

"You know why I'm here Nabiki. We need to talk."

"Talk about what Ranma?" Nabiki replied back. Keeping her back to him.

"Will you at least look at me when I'm trying to talk to you?" Ranma angrily retorted.

Nabiki sighed. "There's nothing for us to talk about." Still keeping her back to him.

Ranma, tired of talking to her back spun her around. "Of course there is!"

"I've already said whatever I need to say to you. I got nothing left to say!" Nabiki hissed. She was not going to say it again to boost whatever male ego he had. Once was hard enough.

Ranma felt frustrated. They did try and talk and it resulted with them kissing. Resolving nothing. "I just want to be sure you're not playing any tricks." he softly whispered.

Nabiki heard him. She wanted nothing more but to slap him. Did he think she could joke about something like this? That she would stoop so low as to kiss him just so she could get her jollies?

"You have some nerve Saotome!" Nabiki hissed angrily. "Do you really think I would stoop so low so I could get my rocks off?"

"I wouldn't put it pass you." Ranma sighed. He really wasn't doing well.

Nabiki began to shake with anger. "So you really think that? That I'm the type of person who can't have feelings for you? Why? Is it because I'm not hell bent of marrying you? Is that it!" Nabiki accused.

"Nabiki…" was all Ranma could say. He didn't know what to say.

"Should I jump the Fiancée band wagon and declare my undying love and devotion for you? Should I start waging war with my baby sister and your other would be fiancées so that I could prove to you that my feelings for you are real?" Nabiki scoffed in disdain.

Ranma was speechless. Was that what he really wanted her to do? To prove to him that she cared about him.

"I have feelings for you Saotome. I don't know how or why and when it happened but it's there now. And you know what else I realise? I don't want to! I don't want to have feelings for you but I do! It's not rational! It's a pain I really don't need right now! I can't even think straight anymore!" Nabiki began to rant at him never noticing that tears began to flow from her eyes. She violently wiped them away.

"I don't want to be like Akane, Ukyo, Shampoo or Kodachi. I don't want to be like the other girls that chased you hoping you'd give them a time and day because unlike them I'm rational. I don't want to pine for you!" Nabiki could feel she was breaking down and tried to get a grip on herself.

"Do you think I wanted that? Do you think I enjoy being chased like some kind of prize?" Ranma angrily retorted. "Don't you think that I wouldn't be suspicious of your motives simply because you decided you have feelings for me? There are a number of girls after me for crying out loud! I've been drugged, threatened, beaten and tricked only so I can marry them so forgive me for being cynical!"

They both stared at each other then. Both seething with a tumult of emotions.

"I don't want to fall for you." Nabiki honestly replied back as she glared at him.

"And I don't want you to fall for me too." Ranma honestly admitted as he too glared at her.

"Then we agree." Nabiki stated as Ranma nodded. Unaware that their heated discussion had both made them incredulously close to each other.

They could almost feel each other's breath against each other. They knew they were still at school and there's a great chance that someone would be able to see them. The right thing to do was to walk away.

They knew what the right thing was. Knew the consequences if they didn't. But common sense is sometimes much harder to do when temptation was just right in front of you. Ranma was about to do the right thing, to back off away from her and walk away. But the moment their eyes met. He couldn't move. Instead he found himself drifting towards her moist and inviting lips.

The moment she saw his head descend, she knew the right thing would be to turn away or at least push him or stop him, cry out in protest even but she didn't. Instead she found herself meeting his lips half way. Their lips brushed at first, enough to alert them about what they were doing, yet they still didn't heed these warning signs. All they seemed to crave was more. It wasn't enough.

Nabiki found her arms encircled him as his encircled her body. Despite their talk, their bodies didn't seem to listen.

Nabiki found her back against the tree as she and Ranma shared a passionate and rather heated kiss. It was so much more different from the last kiss they shared. There was a sense of urgency in it. An overwhelming hunger feel to it. She found her hands buried in his hair as his hand roamed her back.

"We should stop." Nabiki manage to say when both finally came up for air but continued to plant butterfly kisses on each other.

"Yeah." Ranma agreed but didn't relinquish his hold on her. Eagerly returning her kisses.

"No... Really... We should..." Nabiki replied back breathlessly.

"Yeah... I agree..." Ranma absently relied back. Though he didn't show any sign of letting go any time soon.

"I really think you guys should really listen to each other." Spoke another voice.

That was enough to make Ranma and Nabiki jump away from each other. Ranma blushed uncontrollably while Nabiki tried to act like she wasn't caught with her hand in the cookie jar.

"What are you doing here Ryo?"Nabiki asked her friend. Embarassed at being caught.

"I could ask the same thing with you Nabiki, Ranma." Ryonami replied back as she gave Ranma a curt nod acknowledging the martial artist's presence.

"Yo Ryonami." Ranma greeted. "I guess I better head back to the guys. Be seeing you guys later." Ranma replied back as he scratched the back of his head. Trying to make a smooth exit.

"Later Ranma." Ryonami replied back as she watched the pigtailed youth walk away. When she was sure he was out of ear shot she turned her attention to her friend. "Care to explain why I found you guys at each others throats?"

"We were not at each other's throats." Nabiki replied glaring at Ryonami for her awful play on words.

"Could have fooled me. I was pretty sure I could distinctly see your tongue but then again I could be wrong. It could be Ranma's." Ryonami grinned as she teased Nabiki. Relishing her friend fluster.

Nabiki merely groaned. "You're enjoying this aren't you?"

"Not as much as you enjoyed it I bet." Ryonami continued enjoying her friend get embarrassed before returning to her serious demeanour. "But you still haven't explained what's going on with you."

"There is nothing going on with me." Nabiki replied back.

"Don't even try and avoid the topic Nabiki. I've been watching you closely these past few days."

"Some people would call that stalking Ryo." Nabiki remarked. Wanting to dismiss their discussion.

But Ryonami ignored her jibe and continued. "I mean the sudden ceasure of photo sales, Kuno's sudden interest in your person and let's not forget, you snogging Ranma just then. The number one chaos magnet." Ryonami then looked concernedly at her friend. "I can't help but feel worried about you Nabiki. This isn't like you at all."

Nabiki sighed. "I know Ryo... Believe me I know... And you know what the scariest part? I don't even know what I'm doing anymore."

Ryonami looked at her best friend as she engulfed her in a comforting embrace. "Its' happening again isn't it?" Ryonami softly asked.

She remembered the last time Nabiki was like this. Remembered the last time she was unsure of herself. She only had to look at the names engraved against the cherry blossom tree to know who and when it happened.

The rest of school time was spent as normal or as normal as it could be spent in Furikan High. Spirits were still high as the day finally ended. Still one question lingered in everyone's mind. Who's going with whom to the Dance?

With the multitude of rumours assimilating into one, everyone was excited. It was the juniors chance to be asked by the seniors to the dance since it was dedicated to Nabiki's year. Everyone waited for anticipation at the latest gossip of who goes with whom, will things develop after wards and who will be all alone at the event. Everyone even made bets on the outcome curtesy of Nabiki's cohorts.

Nabiki sighed. Finally the day had ended. She couldn't wait until she got home and just lock herself in there and forget everything. But it seems the Gods have other plans for the middle Tendo.

"Tendo Nabiki, a word with your person please." Tatewaki Kuno called to her. Nabiki's cohorts merely looked at the bokken wielding samurai wanna be and waited for Nabiki's answer.

Nabiki nodded to her cohorts and bid them her farewell as she turned her attention towards the kendoist.

"What's up Kuno-baby?" she asked as she watched the remainder of the students walk out of the school gates.

"I'd like to speak to you in private." Kuno replied as he too watched beside her as the students walked out of the gates of the school.

Nabiki knew exactly where they could talk without being interrupted. Everyone should be out of the school anyway and it seemed Kuno wanted to make some sort of business deal.

"You know where right?" Nabiki replied back as she continued to watch the students. She saw Kuno nod.

"After you." he replied as he made a grand gesture of letting her walk before him.

"Ever the gentleman." Nabiki commented as she led him towards the back of the school.

"Did you see where Nabiki went?" Akane asked Ranma as they both walked home.

"No. Last I saw her, she was walking out with her minions." Ranma replied back.

"That's strange I thought I just saw Hiroko and Mai walked pass." Akane replied back.

Ranma just shrugged. "Nabiki's a big girl. She can handle herself."

"I guess you're right." Akane replied back.

Nabiki arrived home around two hours later. She was seated inside Kuno's limousine.

"Think about my offer and give me a call." Tatewaki said to her.

"Well thanks for the ride Kuno-baby." Nabiki replied back as the door to her side opened. Sasuke was standing outside indicating that it was he who opened the door for her.

She was about to step out when Kuno held her hand. "Just think about it Nabiki."

Nabiki looked at his hand and then at him. She smiled briefly. "I will."

She then thanked Sasuke before entering her home.

"Do you think she will consider master?" Sasuke asked.

"Who knows Sasuke? Who really knows what goes on in the mind of a woman? Even someone like Tendo Nabiki." Kuno replied back cryptically. In two weeks time he will have his answer.

Dinner was a peaceful event or as peaceful as it could be in the Tendo household.

As much as Nabiki loved her older sister's cooking, she didn't seem to have any appetite. She ate very little and excused herself something that Ranma didn't miss.

Kasumi watched her younger sister walk up to her room. Concerned of Nabiki's behaviour. She even skipped dessert tonight and Nabiki never passes dessert. Kasumi knew her sister had a penchant for sweets and would often catch Nabiki stealing or munching on a cookie before meals. But tonight Nabiki truly looked bothered by something. She had wanted to speak to her but didn't want to intrude on her sister's privacy. She was torn about what to do. Should she speak to her or wait for Nabiki to come to her?

Nabiki laid awake that night. Too many things ran into her mind. Things just got from complicated to worst in a matter of days. Just how the hell did she get to be in the middle of all things?

It was then that she heard a familiar rapping by her window. She wanted to ignore him and just be left alone with her thoughts but bit her lip when she thought that he would probably catch a cold if she left him outside. So with much deliberation she let him in.

"Thanks Nabiki. Took you long enough though." Ranma commented as he rubbed his arms for warmth. It was exceptionally chilly tonight.

Nabiki smirked. "I thought a martial artist such as yourself could handle a bit of a cold." she teased.

Ranma merely glared at her as he sat down beside her on her bed. Making Nabiki raise her eyebrow.

"Feeling a little too comfortable aren't you?" Nabiki replied. She didn't give him permission to sit on her bed let alone beside her.

"Don't mind if I do." Ranma replied back with wry grin. Ignoring her subtle jibe.

Nabiki sighed as she lay back down on her bed. She was aware Ranma's eyes were on her making her slightly uncomfortable.

"What's bothering you Nabiki?" Ranma asked concerned.

"Everything Ranma." Nabiki replied back as she closed her eyes. Trying to ignore the way his eyes made her feel.

Ranma remained quiet, wanting her to continue.

"I mean what exactly are we doing? What exactly are you doing here right now?" Nabiki asked softly.

Nabiki felt the bed shift and felt his presence beside her. She didn't have to open her eyes to know that Ranma had also laid down beside her.

"I don't know either. All I know is I'm worried about you." Ranma answered honestly.

Nabiki wished she could be happy with his response but knew she couldn't. This was Ranma who was talking. He was always worried about everyone.

"But if you don't know what you're doing and I don't know what I'm doing… Shouldn't we at least do them together?" Ranma replied back through the silence that be fall them. Unconsciously his hand brushed against hers.

The moment she felt his hand against hers, she inched her hand to be near his. They both laid in bed together while both their hands sought each other. Until finally they held each others hand. Ranma gave her hand a gentle squeeze before inching closer to her.

She felt him move and felt their shoulders touched each other. She couldn't help herself. She rolled over, placing herself almost on top of him and was now resting her head against his chest.

Ranma stiffened. He was caught in surprise when Nabiki moved and put herself on top of him. He momentarily panicked but immediately calmed down when Nabiki didn't move or try anything funny. She merely rested her head against his chest. She needed comfort.

Nabiki thought Ranma was going to push her away but relaxed when she felt him wrap his arms around her. She snuggled closer to him, burying her head in his chest as she listened to his heart beat.

"What are we really doing?" Nabiki asked softly. Not really knowing the answer and hoping that Ranma would.

"I really don't know.. But at least were not alone ne?" Ranma sighed as he began to run his fingers through Nabiki's hair. It felt funny how he seemed comfortable with her lying on him like this and how strange it was to be holding her like he was holding her now. But no matter how strange it felt, it felt comfortably warm and right somehow.

They stayed like that for quite a while. Not noticing Nabiki's door slowly closed and whom ever it was who witnessed them, left them alone for now.

Author's Notes:

Guess how many times I had to re-write this chapter. Sorry about the delay. As I said I was having a hard time contacting my pre-reader and decided to just wing this one and hope you readers like it.

Remember: This story was only meant to be a one-shot idea to begin with so it's only natural that it will start diverting to AU.

Not long now til I actually wrap this story up. I apologise for getting too caught up with my other stories for now but I will try my hardest to produce better chapters and continue and finish my stories.

Thanks to all that reviewed and supported this story. It was greatly appreciated.

Now a little explanation to Nabiki's reaction to the letter/notice about the school dance. I'm sure many of you are wondering why Nabiki was so concerned about this event. To put it simply she was sort of worried about the whole date. As a girl it's always a trying event trying to get dates to go to the school dance. Add the fact about the rumours spreading about her curtesy of Kuno's wild allegations and you have one big problem.

While I'm sure Nabiki have no problems acquiring dates for the event, she will still have to deal with rumours about her paying for one or resorting to trickery to obtain one. Is it a wonder why Nabiki is frustrated?

Now that it's explained what happens between Ranma and Nabiki now?

Who was lurking behind Nabiki's door?

What's the deal between her and Kuno?

What was engraved in the cherry blossom tree?

All this and more, so tune in next time for another exciting chapter of My Little Secret

Please Review!

Ja Ne