Innocence of Mine Chapter 4 Differing Points of View, a ranma fanfic

Innocence of Mine

By Douglas Helm and "Tuxedo" Will Wolfshohl

Those characters that are original and the story "Innocence of Mine" are copyrighted ©2006 ShoujoFiction .com by Douglas Helm and Will Wolfshohl. Ranma ½ characters are copyrighted by Rumiko Takahashi.

This story and our many other stories reside at our Shoujo Fiction dot com domain. Comments are welcomed and encouraged.

Chapter 4 - Differing Points of View

Later that night as eight year old Nabiki lay in bed, she once again grumbled to the older girl riding in her head. 'Are you trying to get me into trouble, Onee-chan?' she complained, 'You made me say a naughty word! What if Mommy finds out?'

'Gomen nasai. I didn't mean to say it, Na-chan,' the teenage Nabiki apologized, 'I was just really mad.' There was a sulky silence. 'Come on. Do you think I'd really get us into trouble?'

'Iie...'

'Of course not... I mean I'm in here with you so anything that happens to you happens to me too.' Na-chan rolled to her side and hugged a stuffed animal to her chest. 'We're gonna study math real hard, ne Na-chan?'

'Hai... Guess so,' the youngster replied, sounding both sulky and sleepy.

'You want Happosai-ojiisan to give us that present, ne? And maybe if you're REALLY good, I'll go away.'

'Don't...' The little girl gave a tremendous yawn. 'Want you go...' Her thoughts trailed off and the teenager knew the little girl was sound asleep. It was an odd feeling, being awake yet knowing that the body she inhabited was drifting rapidly into sleep. Nabiki smiled to herself as she felt Na-chan snuggled against her.

'You're a sweet kid,' Nabiki thought fondly to herself and then allowed her own mind to finally drift into slumber.

# # # # #

Ranma Saotome in girl form was sitting on a low stool in the room where the furo was located thinking deeply. Idly, he soaped the back of his neck leaving a trail of water and suds in the wake of the sponge just cold enough to keep from transforming.

As had happened on a few occasions in the past, the gender-altering martial artist was deeply worried about his daughter. Certainly, he loved her. There was no question in his mind about that. It only bothered him slightly that Nabiki did not want to continue his family's tradition in the Art. There was still time. Nevertheless, if she did not start soon, it was unlikely that she could ever attain master status and with that, inherit their dojo when she came of age.

Should he apply some friendly parental pressure? 'After all, I was forced into it by my old man and look where it got me?' He smiled ruefully down at his curvaceous feminine form. 'Although my cursed form does have certain advantages... I know what Kasumi-chan likes.' Kasumi greatly preferred his male side but was not averse to cuddling with his female form occasionally.

With an effort, he stopped himself from following a Happosai-like line of thinking about his lovely wife. Ranma sighed and started scrubbing his flat feminine belly, frowning at the floor slightly. 'Something's going on with Nabiki, I just know it.' He wished his daughter would confide to him. 'Hell, I wish she'd get into some trouble now and then.' Not that Ranma wanted his daughter to misbehave. All the same, it would have comforted him to know that she was getting into the same sorts of pickles he had gotten into at that age. Of course, Kasumi was the disciplinarian in the home. 'I suppose if Na-chan were more aggressive, we'd share responsibility.' He tried, and failed, to picture Nabiki being naughty. She was just too timid and shy for that. If she could be more like Akane...

The recently voluptuous female was jarred from his thoughts by the opening of the door to the furo room. Turning slightly, he saw Kasumi Saotome standing there wearing only a robe. She was looking rather coyly at him. Outside, the January wind seemed to howl but inside, the room's temperature suddenly rose by twenty degrees!

"Husband," she declared in a rather formal sounding voice, "Would you like me to wash your back?"

He looked about the room cautiously. "Is Nabiki-chan asleep?"

"Hai!" Kasumi smiled then, "And our fathers are watching a baseball game on TV."

"Then I would enjoy your assistance, my love." He felt his body reacting as he watched his wife undress. Kasumi simply smiled at the reaction she was getting. She had learned much in a decade of marriage to Ranma.

'Kuso!' the pigtailed martial artist thought, 'Kasumi's putting on a show!' Kasumi apparently knew what she was doing to him and was doing it on purpose. By the time she was done, Ranma was quivering in excitement.

"Ran-ma-chan," she breathed in a tone that made him glad he was sitting, "May I have the pleasure of attempting to make another baby tonight?" She pointed at the warm waters of the furo. The only response she got, and it made Kasumi grin evilly, was a small squeak of consent.

# # # # #

Kaji stood silently atop the fence surrounding the Tendo compound and frowned up at the house inside. Things had been going "too" smoothly. He considered his options and then sighed. Perhaps, he had given his mercenary associate enough of a shock. If the truth were to be known, he was feeling slightly paternal.

A small smile formed on his face as he sensed his ever-present companion, "Mamoru". He gritted his teeth as a single tentacle slid silently into place beside him. "Should I end this, Mamo-chan?" His silent partner shrugged; it didn't care one way or the other. "Perhaps I should shrink Akane instead. She was always very rough on Saotome-kun... Of course, she never did anything to me like her onee did."

He stood there for a while longer musing about what to do before he sensed the approach of a human. Ensuring he was not seen, Kaji faded away, just as Ryouga Hibiki came into view.

# # # # #

Little Nabiki was not having a good start to her morning. She was grumpy because she was tired. She was tired because she had wet the bed during the night. This would not have been a total disaster if the bed she had piddled in had been her own. Unfortunately for her though, it had been Akane's and the teen was more than a little livid. What was even worse for the little girl was the fact that her aunt seemed intent on relating every accident she had ever spawned to their early morning guest, Ryouga.

Na-chan normally liked the lost boy - it had only taken him three days journey to arrive. Ryouga was something of a big brother to her. He could be fun to be around and was extra kawaii when he transformed into a pig.

'Oba-chan!' She was embarrassed. Akane was making her sound like a helpless infant! Her passenger was silent. Luckily for Nabiki, Ryouga wasn't even looking at her; his gaze was firmly entranced upon her ranting aunt.

"Akane," Ranma interrupted, "There is an expression that says 'If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.'"

"Then, Kami-sama, put a lock on my door!" she countered. Ranma stretched reminding Nabiki that her father was in his cursed form. "And another thing, why are you in girl form?"

"I have certain errands to do which are much easier when I'm a girl," Ranma explained calmly. "Besides, it's helpful for showing some men that they ain't better than women." He winked at his wife.

"And as to the lock," Kasumi chimed in, "You shouldn't need to lock your door, Akane. Nabiki just wanted to cuddle and what happened was an accident."

'That's right!' the teenaged Nabiki suddenly remarked stoutly, 'I can't believe my imouto is being this bratty!'

'Hai...' Na-chan agreed silently, 'Akane-obachan yells a whole lot.' "G-Gomen nasai, minna... I-I just forgot to go..." little Nabiki offered unhappily while trying to look as repentant as possible. 'I wish I'd hurry and grow up.' Her mother has assured her that she would grow out of it soon.

"That's okay, Nabiki-chan," Ranma reassured his daughter. "Mommy and I forgot to wake you up." He grinned goofily at Kasumi. 'We were very busy!'

Akane erupted at this point. "Excuses! Excuses! If she was my kid, I'd spank her little behind!"

Kasumi, apparently seeing that her husband was about to explode, steered the conversation to their guest. "Please excuse my imouto's behavior, Hibiki-kun," the lovely mother of one remarked bowing her head, "She has had a very bad night."

"Don't worry, Saotome-san. I'm just glad I could come and comfort Nabiki-chan," Ryouga replied diplomatically and then turned toward Akane. "Akane-ch... Tendo-san, would you walk to school with me?"

"Not on your life, Ryouga!" Akane snapped. The young man gave a disappointed squeak. "The last time I did that we wound up in Kyoto." Not that their four-day trek together had been all-bad. Nevertheless, she ended receiving an "F" on an English test given in her absence, which she had to make up after school.

"Gomen, Akane-chan, but you did look so very kawaii on the beach in that swimsuit."

"Nani? Swimsuit?" Kasumi questioned.

"He meant my school swimsuit from last term, Onee-san," Akane offered quickly before giving Ryouga a hard glare. He wasn't supposed to mention the beach there. "I was taking it to school for swim class." Ryouga had noticed that her swimsuit appeared to have grown a little tighter since the last time she'd worn it. Nabiki watched her mother open her mouth as if to make further comment when a new voice entered the picture.

"Ho! What cur be this that doth desecrate my fair Akane Tendo-chan's space!"

'Kuno!' both Nabiki's thought happily.

"Be gone, you filthy swine!" Kuno demanded as he strode into the room from the engawa, "Or I shall smite thee!"

"Boys!" Ranma hissed in a very soft and feminine tone of voice, "You don't want to be knock holes in my walls, so take it outside."

"But of course, Saotome-sensei..." Kuno complied, bowing to the martial arts master. His gaze lingered momentarily on Ranma's substantial breasts. If "she" were about ten years younger and not married...

'That was truly weird!' Nabiki Tendo commented, 'Then again, this is Kuno.' Na-chan agreed. 'Hai, he always talks funny.'

"That's okay, Saotome-sensei. I was just leaving with Akane."

"I think not!" Kuno countered and swung his Kendo sword up to halt Ryouga's departure.

"You think you can beat me, Kuno?" Ryouga asked with a toothy grin.

"I have triumphed before, knave."

"Once!" the Hibiki boy shouted and without further warning, he launched himself at the upperclassman.

Nabiki for her part would have liked to stay and watch the ensuing battle but her mother had hustled her off to get ready for school. By the time she left, everyone but her grandfather and mother were gone.

"Otou-san," Kasumi asked Soun, "Could you walk Nabiki to school today?"

"Certainly, Kasumi-chan!"

Soun replied, "Are you all set, Na-chan?"

"HAI!"

# # # # #

The school day for Nabiki Saotome was, thankfully in her opinion, trouble-free. Well, except for the fact that she had been sent to stand out in the hall holding the class bucket during her last class because she wasn't paying attention. She hadn't been paying attention because the older Nabiki had been silent since they arrived.

'Nabiki-oneechan?' Na-chan thought in a worried tone, 'Did you go away?'

There was a long pause in which no response came and then, the teenager's voice said, 'Hmm?' It sounded distracted.

'You were quiet,' the second-grader remarked.

'I was thinking, Na-chan,' Nabiki replied, still in a distracted tone of voice.

''Bout what?'

'Why worry? You wanted me to go, ne?'

This question caused the youngster to frown. She didn't want Nabiki to go away forever; she just wanted her to stop pestering her about schoolwork. On the other hand, her older self made her lessons more fun. At least, Na-chan could talk to her during the more boring bits. She'd gotten worried when Nabiki had been so quiet. 'What were you thinking about?'

'Nosey neighbor today, ne Na-chan?' Nabiki commented sarcastically.

'Are you mad?' There wasn't any response. 'Nabiki-oneechan?'

'I just wanna get out of here!' the seventeen year old replied. Before the little girl could inquire further, the bell sounded ending the school day. Jumping slightly, she hurried back to her desk to gather her things and prepare to leave for the day. She prayed fervently that she wouldn't run into the bully.

# # # # #

Upon entering her home, little Nabiki froze and sniffed the air. Her eyes widened and she gave a cry of delight. "Cookies!" She flung her shoes off and pelted down the hall to the kitchen in her socks. Unseen by any of the inhabitants, Kaji crept into the home and watched with interest. The eight year old skidded on the floor as she entered the kitchen. Then she lost her balance and landed with a thud on her butt. 'Careful!' the teen in her head admonished as she giggled.

"Are you okay, Na-chan?" Kasumi asked her daughter.

"Hai!" Nabiki chirped while getting to her feet.

"Would you like a cookie?"

The youngster positively squirmed in delight as she nodded her head. As her mother held out a plate of still warm cookies, the little girl asked, "Mommy, can I have two?"

"Two?" Kasumi asked, "Why two, Musume? You'll ruin your dinner."

"I get one and Nabiki-oneechan gets one." Seeing her mother's puzzled look, she explained, "Nabiki-oneechan is being really grumpy. I think she needs a nap."

"Well if she's grumpy," the mother reasoned, "Maybe she shouldn't get one."

"Pleeeeease Mommy?" Na-chan pleaded while staring up at her mother with a beseeching look that never failed against her father. There was a momentary internal struggle and then Kasumi gave in with a nod. "Hai!"

'Hey! That's not fair!' the teenaged Nabiki whined as her hostess skipped from the kitchen and down the hall, 'You get two and I don't get any!'

"I got one for you, Onee-chan."

"Arigato," came a new voice. Much to Nabiki's horror, Akane snagged the second cookie and before the child could protest, she stuffed it into her mouth. "But I'm still not forgiving you for wetting my bed, pipsqueak." Kaji was irritated by Akane's crass attitude.

"What do I do?" little Nabiki asked her older counterpart.

"Nani?" Akane asked in a puzzled tone.

"Not talking to you!" Nabiki snapped at her aunt and then blushed brightly. "Gomen."

"Listen, you," Akane began in a menacing tone while moving her face closer to the youngster's. "If I ever catch you in my room again, I will spank you so hard you won't be able to sit for a week!"

'Onee-chan?' little Nabiki questioned while backing up.

Kaji, on the other hand, was not pleased. Nabiki was supposed to be learning a lesson from him, in a controlled way. He was not going to allow some bratty teen to abuse this defenseless child.

"I don't like you, pipsqueak," the teenager commented. "I wish you weren't my niece."

In the next moment, several things happened. Kaji's expression changed and for an instant time froze. No one except Kaji saw as the sixteen year old's form blurred and began to shrink. Akane's arms and legs toned by years of martial arts and various athletics shortened, becoming smaller, although retaining their proportional strength. Her modest-sized chest flattened then became non-existent. Her pubescent curves vanished as her frame grew smaller. In contrast, the teenager's hair began to lengthen until it was to the small of her back. A large blue ribbon materialized atop her head.

Kaji briefly considered changing Nabiki's age as well but then dismissed the idea. Nabiki was doing well at the moment and there were still some lessons to be learned. He'd save a younger age in case her progress stagnated.

In the next instant, time unfroze and then teenaged Nabiki said sternly, 'Cry!' Little Nabiki thought the idea was a good one so she plunked herself down onto the floor, and started to bawl at the top of her lungs.

Kasumi seemed to materialize out of thin air as she came charging out of the kitchen. "Oh my, what happened?" she demanded as she knelt down beside her youngest.

"S-She took my other cookie, Mommy!" the little girl whined, tears streaming down her face. "I would've shared. Honest." There was some loud sniffling before she continued, "Akane said she didn't like me and was gonna spank me for wetting her bed!" Unseen by either Nabiki or Kasumi, newly elementary school-aged Akane was looking stricken.

"What's going on?" Ranma in boy form asked as he came quickly down the hallway dressed in his gi. "I heard Nabiki-chan all the way in the dojo."

Kasumi stood the youngster up, produced a tissue, and held it to the eight year old's nose. "Blow." Nabiki did so, and felt much better. 'Huh?' the teenaged Nabiki commented upon seeing her much smaller sister. 'That's weird?'

"Nani?" Nabiki mumbled.

"Ranma, could you watch supper? Akane and I need to have a serious talk."

"Hai... Na-chan, wanna help?"

"She should change into her play clothes first, Ranma-chan," Kasumi suggested while taking her daughter by the hand, "Come along, young lady." Both Nabikis watched Akane being led down the hall. The nine year old had a stunned look on her face.

# # # # #

Akane Saotome sat in acute embarrassment as she did her homework. She glanced up at her little sister who was busily coloring a picture with a crayon, the tip of her tongue firmly lodged in a corner of her mouth.

The former teen turned her attention back to her Grade 4 verb conjugation assignment with a silent sigh. She couldn't fathom why she had been so mean to Nabiki and she felt rather bad about it. She remembered doing it. Akane was certainly not going to blame the consequences of her actions on her younger sister.

She wanted to apologize to Nabiki, to tell her that their mommy had scolded her for a good five minutes. Wanted to tell the eight year old that their mother had then proceeded to threaten a spanking would be Akane's next stop if there were anymore naughtiness that day. Kasumi was, if nothing else, traditional. The nine year old wanted to do all that but couldn't. She was worried that Nabiki wouldn't forgive her.

"Onee-chan," Nabiki said from right beside her. Akane jumped in surprise and stared wide-eyed at Nabiki. The young girl was holding out a piece of paper. "I drew you a picture."

"Honto?"

Nabiki nodded. "Please don't be mad." The youngster gave Akane a nervous look as the older girl took the paper. "It's Ryouga-kun and P-chan. See?"

Akane grinned and gave her sister a huge hug. "Sugoi! Um..." She released it and bowed her head. "Gomen nasai, Na-chan."

Nabiki hugged her sister back and asked, "Was Mommy really mad?"

"Hai!" A blush spread across the regressed girl's cheeks.

'Maybe she'll be nicer now, Na-chan,' the teenaged Nabiki chimed in to her younger counterpart. 'Nani? Onee-chan's always nice. She's the bestest onee in the whole world,' the smaller Nabiki countered. 'Yeah well... Well what? I'm glad she likes the picture. I wonder what Mommy did?' The teenager shook her head. 'That's between Akane and Mommy, Na-chan.'

"Imouto-chan?" Akane asked.

"Nabiki-oneechan was just saying she hopes you'll be nice."

"I will be! Promise!" Akane smiled then and regarded the picture again, "Do you think that Ryouga-chan will like this?"

As if on cue, a new voice broke into the conversation, "Konnichiwa Akane-chan! Nabiki-chan!" Both Saotome girls looked up to find Ryouga Hibiki standing in the doorway. "What's new? Is your dad around?"

"Ry-chan!" chimed in the voice of Ukyo, "Did you find Ranma-san?"

"Not yet!" the transforming martial artist replied. Moments later, Ukyo appeared.

"You dare speak to the 'Great Ukyo'?" came an enraged voice. Both girls turned to find Kuno standing in the other doorway leading to the veranda.

'Woah!' the teenaged Nabiki voiced, 'He's hooked on Ukyo?' Again, Na-chan disagreed. 'Nani? Hooked? Iie, he's always like that.'

"You will desist from this nefarious endeavor!" Kuno demanded in a stern voice while brandishing his bokken.

"I will defend Ukyo's honor for I am engaged to her!" Ryouga replied while moving into a defensive stance holding out his umbrella.

"What means 'engaged'?" Akane asked her sister.

Na-chan shrugged. "Don't know. Maybe Nabiki-oneechan knows." She waited to see if the teenager would explain.

'It means Ukyo is his girlfriend.'

When Na-chan informed her sister, Akane grew angry. "Ryouga-chan's MY boyfriend!" The lost boy gave the little girl a pained look and then promptly forgot she was there.

Meanwhile, Na-chan was startled when her older self started howling with laughter. Before Akane could make any more protests, Ryouga was saved by Kuno leaping upon the dining room table and declaring, "You foul cur. I, the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High, will strike you down, you worthless cur!"

'What's a cur?'

'It's a dog,' the teenaged Nabiki supplied through her continued laughter.

"But Ryouga's a pig, ne?" Na-chan remarked in a puzzled voice.

"You are right, my fair little damsel," Kuno agreed, giving Nabiki a little bow, "I will eradicate this SWINE from your abode."

"I'll be right back, U-chan," Ryouga told Ukyo before pecking her on the cheek.

This particular action made both girls go, "Eew!" Kuno growled and leapt towards Ryouga who dodged easily and ran out of the room.

"Boys are so weird!" Nabiki remarked.

'Daddy's a boy,' the teen in her head pointed out.

"Iie, he's Daddy."

"Nani?" Akane asked in confusion but before Nabiki could explain, there was a crash from somewhere in the house. "I better go hide and do my homework."

"Can I come too, Onee-chan?" Nabiki asked hopefully.

"Hai..."

"Sugoi... I'll get us more cookies... Ja Ukyo-oneechan." And skipped after her sister.

# # # # #

The next evening Kasumi watched as her two children played happily in the furo together. Whatever trouble there had been between the two girls earlier the day before was now gone. Nabiki, apparently having had a very good day, was spiritedly trying it tickle her sister while avoiding being tickled herself. Akane was playing in kind and both children were giggling. Kasumi smiled and watched contentedly.

"Nabiki-oneechan says you cheated!" Nabiki squawked as she backpedaled around the furo.

"I did not!" Akane replied and stopped dead in her tracks. Nabiki took this opportunity to reverse her direction and go towards her sister at top speed.

Kasumi shook her head. Akane was taking her little sister's imaginary friend with good grace. The young woman wasn't quite sure what to make of it though. In one sense, she thought it was cute. She had worried because of the onetime Nabiki had said her friend thought she needed a spanking. It appeared, however, that this was cleared up and both were children back on good terms. Kasumi did not want to disapprove strongly of Nabiki's little friend. After all, this "Nabiki-oneechan" was encouraging Nabiki to do well at schoolwork, something neither Kasumi nor Ranma had had success in doing.

'Maybe I'll take her to Tofu-sensei,' Kasumi thought. 'He can have a look at her and talk to her. Nabiki's always liked him.' A worry struck her then. 'Perhaps, Nabiki's invisible friend isn't so imaginary.' She would wait and see what Grandfather Happosai thought. 'He should be here tomorrow or the next day.' The mother of two briefly considered telling Ranma and then shook her head. 'Iie... he'll only worry. And it seems to be doing Nabiki some good.'

Kasumi was drawn from her thoughts when Akane got out of the furo. "Are you done, Onee-chan?"

"Hai," Akane replied, wrapping a towel about her. Then she said, "Na-chan?"

"Nani?"

"Com'here for a sec."

Nabiki came over to the edge of the tub and regarded her sister. "Whatcha want, Onee-chan?"

"TAG!" Akane shouted tapping her on the shoulder, "YOU'RE IT!" And with a giggle, she dashed from the room.

"A-KA-NE!" Nabiki protested. Before Kasumi could stop her, Nabiki leapt from the water and chased after her sister, completely devoid of a towel.

'You'd think she was four,' Kasumi thought with a sigh. She got up, grabbed a dry towel from the cupboard, and went in search of her wayward daughters.

# # # # #

Seventeen year old Nabiki Tendo opened her eyes to find herself at the bottom of a grassy, flower-dotted hill. She felt a warm breeze blow through her hair and as she lifted her eyes to the sky, she felt the warmth of the sun.

Slowly walking up the hill, she came to the top and looked about. There she saw a little girl whom she recognized wearing a pretty sundress, her hair done up in pigtails. As she got closer, the cute little girl spotted her and her face broke into a huge grin.

"Nabiki-oneechan!" the eight year old cried. She ran forward and hugged Nabiki about the legs. "Come see the bunny!" the youngster demanded and taking Nabiki's hand tugged the older girl over to where a pair of small cottontails was blissfully nibbling clover.

"Kawaii!" Nabiki exclaimed softly and sat down on the grass a few meters from them. Na-chan immediately crawled into her lap.

The brunette hugged her younger counterpart. "I like your hugs, Onee-chan," Na-chan declared. "They're like Mommy's." Nabiki giggled and tightened her hug for a moment before letting go. The eight year old took on a serious look and slid from the older girl's lap.

"What's wrong, Na-chan?" she questioned her younger self, "Do we need the bathroom?" She tried to sense whether her dozing body needed to relieve itself. She didn't think so. Her sister had awakened her during the evening to make sure she didn't have an accident. That had been how both she and Akane had wound up sleeping in their parents' bed with Kasumi. Poor Ranma was relegated to the edge of the bed.

"Can I ask ya somethin', Onee-chan?"

"Hai."

"Do you like me?" Na-chan asked before biting her lip nervously.

"Of course, I do, Na-chan. After all, you're me!" The youngster stared at the teenager. "Or will grow up someday to be me... and be very pretty."

"Oh... How is it being grown-up?"

Nabiki lay back in the grass staring up at the puffy white clouds that took on different shapes. She smiled as little Nabiki laid down, her head resting on Nabiki's arm. "Well, it can be hard, Na-chan. Lots of schoolwork and stuff." Na-chan grimaced. "But you do get to do fun stuff like staying up late and watching lots of different shows and... boys start to like you."

"Any bullies?"

"Hai, sometimes, I sick Akane on 'em but mostly, they don't bother me. I'm too strong."

"Like Daddy?"

"Well... Iie, but I'm really smart and I know how to talk to them and stuff. They don't like me but I don't show 'em I'm scared."

"How come? I gets scared lots."

"And that's what a bully wants, Na-chan. They're mean. They want you to be scared."

"Oh..." Na-chan chewed her lip again. "I want 'em to be my friends."

"And some can be," Nabiki conceded, idly thinking that she would strive to be Ranma's friend if she ever got out of this place. 'Did Kaji make Akane small?' Nabiki didn't really like that idea even though she was a lot more likable that way. 'Am I supposed to be learning something here?'

The eight year old pushed herself into a sitting position and nervously asked, "Onee-chan?"

"Hmmm?" Nabiki noised while looking at the younger girl.

"Think I should tell Daddy about the bully?"

Nabiki pushed herself up on her elbows and considered the thought. "Na-chan, I think you should. Or at least tell Akane. She's your onee after all." 'And probably tougher than you.'

"I guess so," Na-chan said reluctantly but Nabiki got the impression that the eight year old would do just that. The teenager stretched out on the grass feeling the sun's warmth. "Mommy must be hugging us." She felt the little girl snuggled closer to her and wrap a small arm across her chest.

"Onee-chan, you got boobies like Mommy does."

"Hai!" Nabiki replied proudly.

"Will I get them..." Nabiki nodded. "When I'm older, ne?"

"Hai!"

There was a long silence and Nabiki felt herself drifting. Meanwhile, to her left, little Nabiki was already snoring. In the real world, Nabiki Saotome snuggled against her mother and started to snore softly. The mother of two smiled and rubbed the youngster's back.

# # # # #

That same night in a far off cave, the ancient School of Anything Goes Martial Arts Master sat and stared at his panty collection. Choosing some of his favorites, he carefully packed them into a little case. Into this silky nest, Happosai carefully placed a mirror, its edging engraved with ancient text. He sighed and after a moment placed more of his silky delights atop the precious cargo. Once done and with the case sealed, the old master and panty thief turned to his remaining horde.

"Now, my pretties, which ones should I give to Ranma-chan?" With renewed vigor, he started sifting through his collection of pilfered property. After a moment, he added, "And which ones of you should I give to Nabiki-chan after I change her back?" It was still difficult to believe shy little Nabiki was really seventeen in the flower of womanhood. Little girls do grow up. He hoped she would follow Kasumi (or Ranma) and not Akane in the bust department.

There were not many things that could attack Happosai by surprise, at least not if it wasn't female and busty. A demon tentacle was one of the things that could. The old panty thief froze as a tentacle touched him reinforcing the new realty that was controlling Nerima. After Mamoru was sure that Happosai would not cause too much trouble, he quietly left the cave, on the way picking up a pair of panties that seemed rather familiar.

The old master paused and frowned as he looked over his shoulder. "Could have sworn there was somebody there." As the he turned back to work, a lone tentacle slid away into the night.

Mamoru chuckled silently to himself. Kaji would not be pleased about the mirror, but Mamoru wasn't about to spoil the show. Happosai wouldn't dare cross Kaji, and if the old man did, it would be even more interesting. The demon tentacle briefly wondered if Kaji had turned Akane Tendo back to her normal age yet.

End of Chapter 4

Coming next in Chapter 5 - Elementary School Blues