Introducing:

Ranma ½ Fanfic Production:

A SECOND CHANCE TO LOVE…

Part Eight:

Nabiki threw up her arms in surrender. "I gave up!" After hours of preening and comparing numerous outfits upon outfits that would prepare her favourite younger sister for the looming date with Ranma on Friday, the overly conservative dressing of Akane very nearly drove the mercenary Tendo sister to visit a shrink for her mental well-being.

The youngest sister of Tendo family blushed in embarrassment. "Well, there's no way I'm going to let the pervert see me in those clothes!" She grabbed a silky toga top and displayed it to Kasumi.

Ignoring the "Oh my!" remark, Nabiki smirked teasingly, "You've got to admit that this will flatter any curves you have that Saotome have denied all along." With a long-suffering sigh, Nabiki dug deep into her closet and retrieved a sheer white blouse. "Alright, you win. Here, this is the outfit I've been keeping for that special date with a rich hunk in the future. Take it and don't bother me any longer with my past borrowing of your clothes and makeup."

Akane bit her lip at the transparent fabric and whispered, "I don't know… It's pretty and all but isn't it a little too revealing?"

Restraining a cry of exasperation, Nabiki pushed the pile of examined outfits and shake a simple blue sundress. "Wear the top as a covering for this spaghetti-strap dress and you'll be fine. You know, like a shawl over a dress."

Intense golden eyes scrutinized the combination and Akane threw her arms around the middle sister. "Thank you! Thank you!"

A rare soft smile drawn out by her little sister's exuberance was quickly disguised with a snort of superior air. "Of course I'm good. You had better have a good time or else Saotome will be in for a long modeling career with her female half."

Kasumi gathered the surprised Nabiki and Akane in a warm hug and said, "Mother would have been so proud of you two right now."

Akane squeezed them tighter and mumbled, "I couldn't have done anything without my two sisters."

With sniffles of sentimental laughs and teasing, the Tendo sisters continued with the tremendous task ahead of choosing makeup for Akane.

Ranma was sprawling on the balcony floor with his comics strewn around, without a care in the world. Genma strode past with a huge slice of watermelon in hand as he questioned, "Son, whacha gonna do for your date with your fiancée?

Ranma lazily waved off a buzzing fly as he swallowed his cold drink. "What date? Nothing more than a usual visit to the sundae store or something." His nose flaring, Ranma demanded, "Ya didn't eat all the watermelon that Mr Tendo bought, did yah, Pops?

Saotome Genma backed off warily with his precious slice, "Boy, a true man's got to see that his interests are well-protected." He tried to sneak off but Ranma caught his in his retreat.

"Yeah. So you happen to take your son's interests as well, right?" With a battle roar, Ranma charged forward for the fruit but missed and fell right into the pond. Emerging out as his girl half, cursed and pursued his father out in the yard, the impending date promised with Akane forgotten once again in his pursuit after the offender.

(End of Chapter 8)