Author's Introduction: What's this? Another fic in this series? Already?

While writing "Nabiki's Dilemma" I had a ton of comments where the readers all had the same idea for how they thought that story would end. I liked the idea, but didn't want to change my story to fit it, since I had a complete outline.

Well, "Nabiki's Dilemma" is done and I'm working on expanding it. What better time to write this AU alongside the sequel!?

This first chapter takes the place of Chapter 4 of Nabiki's Dilemma. It probably would be a good idea to go back and read chapters 1 through 3 before you read this work.

Oh, and if you don't want spoilers, maybe don't read the comments on that story…

Two lines.

Positive.

Nabiki took a shuddering breath. The test fell from her numb fingers, clattering noisily in the sink. Her legs felt like jelly, and she put both hands on the counter to support herself.

She swallowed hard. She knew this was going to happen. She knew it.

Then why was she crying?

She sniffed, wiping tears from her face. Okay. It would be okay. She would still have a home, she would still have her family. She would still have…

Ranma…

Oh shit, what was he going to think?

She hadn't cared about what he thought when she came up with the plan in the first place. He had barely even been part of the plan except as someone to blame for her condition.

Would he leave? Yeah, this was the point of "combining the schools" of course, but that didn't mean he wanted to be a father so young.

Fear gripped her heart, and she started to hyperventilate. Ranma was practically a nomad based on all of the adventures he told her about, and Nabiki was sure that wasn't even half of them. He would be just fine packing up his backpack and walking out the door.

That was a thought that chilled her like no other.

She considered her options. Tell him? Or not yet?

Maybe she could convince him they should just get married now and be done with it. That way he would be obligated to stay.

She clenched her jaw. Okay. That was plan A. She wanted to sleep on it, though, see if something else came to mind.

She cleaned her spill with a washcloth, rinsing it out and tossing it in the hamper. She just needed to think. She just needed time to figure out her next step. She grabbed the test and got ready to leave the bathroom. In the meantime, she would hide the test in her room until…

"Oh! Sorry Onee-chan," Akane said as she walked into the bathroom. "I didn't…" She trailed off as she saw what was in Nabiki's hand. She looked up at her sister, eyes wide with surprise.

Nabiki winced. Shit.

"And you're absolutely sure?" Akane asked.

Nabiki sighed. After she had been caught by her sister in the bathroom, she dragged Akane into her room to keep her from blabbing to the whole family. "Yes, I'm sure," she said, sitting on her bed. "I've been feeling a little off for a while now. I thought it might have been my period, but it never started." She gestured with the positive test. "This just confirmed it."

Akane sat down hard on Nabiki's desk chair; her face white as a sheet. She knew Nabiki and Ranma were having sex, of course–her bedroom was right next door, and they kept her awake more than once with their passionate cries–but she thought her sister was smart enough to make sure nothing more came of it than a good time. "You're such an idiot!" she said.

Nabiki ducked her head. "You have no idea just how much," she muttered.

Akane wasn't done. "You could have gone to college!" She stood to her feet, looming over Nabiki. "I know you had the grades for it!"

"I know," replied Nabiki, not looking up at her.

"They're going to kick you out of school!"

"I know," replied Nabiki. She swallowed hard. Shit, was she going to cry again? She took a deep breath, trying to keep her emotions under control, but it came out ragged as her chin waggled with the effort.

Akane's expression fell when she saw the first tear drip from Nabiki's face onto her hand. She sat next to Nabiki on the bed, putting her arms around her in a tight hug.

They sat there for a long time while Nabiki cried softly. Akane rubbed her sister's back and stroked her hair, encouraging her to let it out. She didn't remember the last time she saw Nabiki cry; her Ice Queen reputation was well-earned. It was almost a relief to learn that she was human after all.

Finally, Nabiki seemed to be cried out, resting her head on Akane's shoulder. "So what's your next move?" Akane asked.

Nabiki blew out a breath. "Dunno. I've literally only just missed my period. It's so early I could still miscarry. It's apparently really common in the first three months."

Akane nodded. "And if you don't?" she asked. "Are you keeping it?"

Nabiki shrugged. "Dad'll kill me if I don't. I don't really see a way around it, do you?"

Akane scoffed. "He wouldn't kill you."

Nabiki quirked an eyebrow. "The guy so traditional that he engaged one of his daughters to a stranger? The guy who is expecting me to 'carry on the dojo'? You do realize that has always meant popping out kids, right? Ensuring there's an heir?" It was her turn to scoff. "If I aborted and he found out, I'd probably be disowned."

Akane winced. She hadn't thought about it like that, but she could find no flaw in Nabiki's logic. "Okay, so you have the baby. He's still going to be upset." She laughed darkly. "He'll probably castrate your fiancé."

"I'm not so sure," she grumbled. "At least I'll still have a home. That's good enough."

Akane sighed, squeezing Nabiki again. "What did Ranma say?" she asked.

"I haven't told him yet," Nabiki said softly. "He doesn't even know I took a test. I didn't want to scare him off in case it was negative."

Akane nodded, understanding. "You know you have to tell him, right? We can break it to Dad later, but Ranma deserves to know."

Nabiki nodded, but she didn't look happy about it. She pulled her legs up, hugging her knees.

Akane raised her eyebrows. "What? You don't think he would run away or something, do you?"

Nabiki shrugged. "He grew up on the road, never staying in one place for long." She shivered. "I hope he doesn't leave, but..." Not to mention the other little secret she was carrying: It wasn't even his.

She wished she had never even heard of luxury purses right now…

Akane dropped to her knees, looking up at Nabiki from below. "Hey, I don't think he will," she said reassuringly. "I don't know him as well as you do, but I think he's a genuinely nice guy, and he thinks about us as his family already." She stood up, flexing a bicep. "If he does run, I'll kick his ass, all right?"

That earned a laugh. "You've never hit him in sparring yet!"

"Yeah, but he hasn't made my sister cry yet either!"

The two of them laughed. Finally, Akane sobered. "If you want to hold off on telling Dad and Kasumi until you're past that three-month threshold, I'll keep your secret," she said. "But Ranma deserves to know now."

Nabiki sighed. "You're right. I'll tell him. Tonight."

Akane nodded. "Good."

Dinner was weird and awkward that night. Kasumi, Genma, and Soun carried on a conversation without the three youngest members of their blended family. The fathers were regaling Kasumi with a story from their days together under their old master. Nabiki wasn't really paying attention to what they were saying; something about burying something under a big rock.

The younger three ate in silence. Ranma seemed to have caught on that something was wrong and he kept looking over at Nabiki, but she was avoiding returning the looks. Akane kept stealing glances at both of them, trying to decide if there was anything she could do; if there was anything she should do.

Finally, Nabiki put her chopsticks down. "I'm finished," she announced to the table. She finally looked directly at Ranma. "I've been thinking about it, and I kinda want to try to get back into shape. Think you can teach me some simple katas?"

Ranma brightened. "Sure!" He wolfed down the rest of his dinner in record time, bowing in thanks to Kasumi. "Thanks for dinner! I'll wash the dishes later!" he promised. Leaping to his feet, he walked over to his fiancée and offered her a hand up. Nabiki smiled up at him, accepting the help.

As they walked out to the dojo, Nabiki tuned him out as he excitedly discussed his plans for how to best train her. Periodically he would squeeze her hand affectionately, smiling brightly at her before going into his next idea.

Finally, they entered the dojo and Ranma released her hand. "So do you want to get changed into a gi? I know Akane prefers to wear one when she works out."

Nabiki frowned, and she felt the hair on her neck stand on end. Why was he bringing up Akane now? She took a slow, deep breath. Don't get distracted… "No. I'm sorry Ranma, I lied to you," she admitted. "I didn't want to come out here to train."

Ranma pouted. "Aww…"

Nabiki rolled her eyes, but she was smiling.

"So what's up then?" he asked.

Nabiki blew out a breath. She walked up to him, taking both of his hands in hers. "I have something to tell you," she said. Her heart started to beat faster. This was it. Her whole future was going to hinge on his response to her next three words. "Ranma, I—"

Thunder rolled, slow and ominous, interrupting Nabiki. The couple looked up as the lights flickered and the doors rattled. Despite the thunder, there was no sound of rain, though a glance out into the yard suggested it was soon coming. Nabiki felt Ranma squeeze her hands tighter for a moment as the rumbles faded, and she wondered if it was for her benefit or his own.

"Geeze, that was close," he said with a chuckle. "Hope it doesn't mean anything."

Nabiki chuckled nervously. "Y-yeah. Um…" She took another deep breath. "Ranma, I—"

A door leading outside slid open, rattling in its track. The couple turned to look and saw a figure there holding an umbrella over his head. "Ranma? What are you doing in Kyoto?"

Ranma blinked at him. "This is the Tendo dojo," he replied. "Nabiki and Akane live here."

Ryoga grimaced, looking around quickly. "Is Akane around?" he asked in a panic.

Ranma chuckled. After Ryoga cut her ponytail off, Akane had completely stomped him into the ground, promising more if he dared show his face in the near future. "She's in the main house."

Ryoga let out a sigh of relief. He stepped into the dojo, and folded his umbrella, before brandishing it at Ranma menacingly. "Good! Then she won't save you from me this time!" Without another word of warning, he leaped at Ranma.

Acting quickly, Ranma shoved Nabiki out of the way before deflecting the attack. "Dude! You really need to work on making sure no innocent bystanders are around when you do shit like that!" he chastised. Counterpunching, he tagged Ryoga on the chin, and the battle was joined.

Nabiki sighed. She knew better than to try to stop the fight; best to just wait it out. "Come find me in the house when you've kicked his ass!" she yelled to Ranma.

"Will do!" he replied.

"Hey! I'm gonna kick his ass!" Ryoga complained.

"Yeah, yeah," Nabiki called over her shoulder as she walked back to the house. "Have fun with that!"

Nabiki munched on a rice cracker, reclining on a cushion in the living room. There was electricity in the air from the storm brewing outside, but the rain still refused to fall. It was enough to get on her nerves, making the anticipation of her coming conversation feel so much thicker.

Akane sat next to Nabiki, alternating between laughing at the sitcom on the TV and worrying about her sister. "You really couldn't have told him?" she asked softly.

Nabiki frowned. "I don't need Ryoga to be all up in my business." She took another rice cracker from the package. "Ranma can handle him, and then I'll tell him."

Akane grumbled. "Maybe I should go out there and beat up Ryoga instead so you can talk to Ranma.

Nabiki chuckled. "Thanks, Sis."

Footsteps coming down the hall attracted their attention. There stood Ranma, breathing hard and nursing his knuckles, but otherwise none the worse for wear. "Whew! That guy's skull is super hard!"

Akane quickly stood. "I'll go check on him, make sure he doesn't need a doctor or something." She rushed out of the room.

"Bring a bucket of water with you!" Ranma yelled after her. "He's going to need waking up!"

"Will do!"

Ranma walked over to sit next to his fiancée, glancing around for a second to ensure they were alone before kissing her on the cheek. "Hey," he said softly.

Nabiki blushed, smiling at him. "Hey yourself."

"So what was it you wanted to tell me?"

Nabiki blew out a breath. This was it. She put a hand on top of his, leaning in close to him. "Ranma, I—"

Rumble Rumble Rumble

Thunder rolled in, louder than before, but still no rain. Nabiki grumbled about being interrupted again but pressed on. "I—"

The front door opened. "Oh!" said Kasumi. "Doctor Tofu! What a pleasant surprise!"

"H-h-hello Kasumi!" Tofu replied. "What brings you here on such a stormy evening?"

Kasumi giggled. "I live here, of course!"

Nabiki and Ranma both winced. Ranma had been the victim of the good doctor's ministrations when Kasumi had come for a visit the other day, and he wasn't anxious to be "treated" by him again.

Tofu danced his way into the living room, Kasumi following behind. His glasses were totally fogged over, a sure sign that the lights were on but nobody was home. "Hello, Ranma! I hear you've been fighting again. Let me look at your injuries!"

Ranma grimaced. "Akane called you for Ryoga, not me!" he cried. Tofu took no notice, continuing his zombie-like approach. He grabbed Nabiki's hand, leaping to his feet and helping her up. "Come on!" he whisper-yelled. "We'll go up to the roof!"

Nabiki found herself being dragged away from the living room, and out to the front yard. Before she could protest, she was lifted into a princess carry, and Ranma jumped up to the peak of the roof.

Ranma gently put her down on the tiles, but she only clutched him tighter. "H-hey," he said with a chuckle. "You're safe, it's fine."

Nabiki's heart was hammering in her chest. She slapped Ranma on the chest. "Don't do that!" she chastised. "Not without warning me first!"

"Sorry," he said. "But it was either get out of the way or get turned into a pretzel."

Nabiki let out a groan. Okay, Akane was down there trying to revive Ryoga, and Tofu was over there going in completely the wrong direction to help. Their dads were over there already drinking a bottle of sake. Nobody was paying them any attention. Nobody would interrupt. "Ranma," she said determined. "I—"

CRACK THOOM!

Lightning tore across the sky above their heads. Then as if the bolt had been a great zipper opening, a deluge of rain poured down. Nabiki was treated to a close-up view of the transformation as Ranma switched genders. The two girls cried out as they were soaked. Ranma grabbed Nabiki again, this time waiting to jump until her fiancée nodded.

They landed on the wet grass and raced into the house. Both were soaking wet, dripping on the floor. Ranma shook herself like a dog, trying to get the worst of the water off of her body. "Ugh, that storm held off during my fight with Ryoga, and now it starts to rain?" She chuckled darkly. "I honestly think the curse is twofold: the transformation, and another curse that makes me a magnet for water at the worst times." She sighed. "Let me go jump in the tub. I'll be right back."

Akane suddenly burst in from the rain. "Holy cow! It's really coming down out there!" She shoved something at Ranma. "Here, take this into the bath with you when you change back. Oh, and bring an extra set of clothes."

Ranma looked down in her arms to find an unconscious pig. "Huh? Where did this come from?"

Akane looked up from wringing out her dress. "Don't you recognize him? Look at the bandana."

Ranma looked again, boggling when he immediately recognized the yellow and black patterned bandana for one that his rival normally wore. He looked up at Akane, shocked. "No way."

Akane shrugged. "He changed right in front of me when the rain started."

Ranma was amazed. "But how did he… When did he…?"

Tofu wandered into the hallway, Kasumi on his heels. "Oh! Have you a new pet, Ranma?" asked Kasumi. "I think a name like 'P-chan' would suit a cute piggy like that. What do you think Tofu?"

Tofu's glasses were still completely fogged over. "Oh yes, I do enjoy a nice pork roast!" He picked Ryoga out of Ranma's hands, handing him to Kasumi. "Can you cook it, please?"

Akane and Ranma started arguing with Tofu, trying to show that the pig was actually a person, but the dazed doctor barely registered anyone was talking to him thanks to Kasumi's proximity. Kasumi tried to diffuse the situation with a plate of cookies, figuring she could redirect his hunger.

Nabiki seethed. The emotions she had been trying so hard to contain since that second line appeared boiled over. "Hey!" she shouted. Three sets of eyes looked at her. Tofu gnawed on Ryoga's bandana. "Do you mind?! I'm trying to have a private conversation with Ranma so I can tell him I'm pregnant!"

Akane facepalmed.

Kasumi dropped her plate, it shattered on the floor.

Genma and Soun raced over, stunned looks on both of their faces. They quickly turned to wide joyful smiles and they began to dance with one another.

Tofu's glasses instantly defogged. "Pregnant? Well! I suppose congratulations are in order!" He put Ryoga back in Akane's arms, stepped gingerly over the shattered plate, and walked over to Nabiki's side. Gently, he plucked up her wrist, checking her pulse. "How are you feeling?"

Nabiki swallowed. Huh. So he could be professional around Kasumi. "Um, fine? I haven't really been sick or anything. Just felt a little bloated. I kinda thought my period was coming, but had a positive test earlier today."

Tofu nodded sagely. "And you had reason to suspect it was a possibility I take it? Or you wouldn't have taken the test."

Nabiki glanced at Ranma for a moment. She blushed, looking down. "Y-yeah."

Tofu nodded. "Well, you're a healthy young woman, so I don't foresee any problems." He started to pat at his pockets, looking for something. "I'm not an obstetrician, so I want you to go visit one as soon as possible. I can help with aches, pains, and I have an amazing shiatsu treatment for morning sickness if it becomes necessary. Ah!" He dug in a pocket inside his jacket and pulled out a book. "Here, read this, and don't hesitate to ask me any questions you might have." He handed it to Nabiki.

Nabiki read the cover out loud. "What to Expect When You're Expecting." She quirked an eyebrow. "You just happened to have that in your pocket?"

Tofu shrugged, offering no explanation.

Nabiki flipped through the pages. There were notes here and there in the margins, along with tabs indicating important pages. "Thanks."

Tofu smiled. "You're welcome." He clapped his hands. "Well, I guess I should be off then!"

Kasumi seemed to come out of her shock at the news. "Let me walk you to the door," she said.

The family watched, amazed, as Tofu smiled at Kasumi, and allowed himself to be led to the door. His glasses stayed clear the entire time. Finally, they reached the door, and Tofu put his shoes back on. Kasumi stood on her toes and gave him a peck on the cheek. "Thank you for looking out for my sister," she said softly.

Steam poured out of Tofu's ears. His gentle pull on the door to open it turned into a strong yank, ripping it from its hinges. "Thank you Kasumi," he said robotically. He marched out of the door and down the street, carrying the door with him.

Nabiki patted Kasumi on the back. "You're coming with me to any appointments I have with him," she said. "We'll get him calmed down for you."

Kasumi rounded on her, her face red with barely contained fury. "You're pregnant?" she shouted. "Nabiki, how could you be so stupid?"

Nabiki winced. This is why I wanted to wait to tell people, she thought as Kasumi shouted at her. She gestured to her dripping form. "Can this at least wait until after I get a bath to warm up?" she interrupted.

Kasumi turned purple. "No!" She turned to Ranma. "And you!" Grabbing an ear, she dragged Ranma over next to her fiancée, then harangued them both until she went hoarse.

Nabiki blew out a long breath as she entered her bedroom and shut the door behind her. Kasumi had gone absolutely ballistic on her and Ranma. She was mentally and emotionally exhausted and wanted to sleep for a week.

Maybe she could get out of school tomorrow if she pretended that she had morning sickness… She sighed. No, Kasumi had already told her she wouldn't accept that as an excuse to stay home. She even threatened to drag Nabiki to class if necessary.

"So… uhh… some night, huh?"

Nabiki jumped. Switching on the light, she saw that Ranma was sitting on her bed, waiting for her. "What are you doing in here?" she asked.

Ranma shrugged. "You said we needed to have a private conversation," he said, reminding her of her outburst. "So, talk."

Nabiki sighed. He was right. She moved to her desk, leaning back against it. They stared at each other in silence for a good while, until she finally broke first. "I'm sorry I told you like that. I was trying to tell you quietly."

Ranma folded his arms, nodding "I know you were. I realized that was what you were trying to say before we got interrupted so much." Now it was his turn to blow out a breath. "How long have you known?"

"I got a positive test this afternoon, before dinner."

Ranma nodded again. "Thanks for telling me right away."

Nabiki laughed darkly. "Thank Akane."

Ranma quirked an eyebrow at her. "You weren't going to tell me?"

Nabiki grimaced. "No… I mean…" she paused trying desperately to collect her thoughts. "I wanted to think about it more. Sleep on it. Of course I'd have told you. There would have been signs if I hadn't," she made a motion in front of her belly to mime being pregnant.

Ranma nodded again. "I just don't get how this happened."

Nabiki boggled at him. "Uhh, we had sex? A lot of sex." She chuckled. "Good sex even! It was bound to happen eventually."

He looked down at the floor, not speaking or moving for a long time. Finally, he spoke up again in a soft voice. "You said it was safe."

Nabiki blinked in confusion. "What?"

Ranma finally looked up at her. "You said that it was safe to have sex. That you wouldn't get pregnant. I asked you that very first night and you said it would be fine."

Nabiki winced. She did say that. "Well… it was that first night…"

"What about the other nights?!" Nabiki jumped when Ranma yelled. "I figured you'd tell me if it wasn't safe!"

Nabiki's anger flared. "Take some responsibility!" she shouted back. "You could have worn a condom!"

Ranma looked confused. "What? What's a condom?"

Nabiki's jaw dropped.

Ranma looked slightly embarrassed. "Pops dragged me off to China before we started sex ed in school," he muttered. He waved his hands trying to change the subject. "Anyway, if you had just said something like 'Don't cum in me tonight, I'll get pregnant' then I would have turned into a girl instead! Two girls can't knock each other up!"

Nabiki groaned, massaging her temples. "Okay. We're both at fault then, agreed?" Ranma considered for a long moment, before finally nodding. "I'm sorry," she said.

Ranma sighed. "Yeah, me too."

They didn't speak for a while. Neither of them could even look at the other. The air was thick with emotion; fear, sadness, shame. Nabiki hugged herself as if she was cold. She swallowed hard around a lump in her throat. Shit, don't cry. Not now.

Without a word, Ranma stood from the bed and walked over to her. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a hug. "Hey, it's gonna be okay," he said softly. "We'll figure it out."

Nabiki sniffed, looking up at him. "'We'? You're not going to leave?"

Ranma looked surprised. "Did you think I would?"

She shrugged. "You grew up on the road, I figured there was a chance…"

Ranma hugged her tighter. "No. I may have grown up on the road, but I'm here now. I don't wanna leave." He lifted her chin, kissing her gently on the lips. "Besides," he said when they broke apart, "I gotta take responsibility for my kid, right?"

Nabiki felt her guts wrench. She very nearly blurted out her darkest secret right then and there. She swallowed hard. "Yeah." She wrapped her arms around him, returning the hug. "Thanks. That's a real load off my mind."

Ranma smiled, releasing her from the hug. "So, I dunno about you, but I'm exhausted. Should we go to bed?" He held up his hands. "Obviously no naughty stuff. Just sleep."

Nabiki gave him a wan smile. "You read my mind."

They undressed and climbed into bed together. Nabiki immediately latched onto his side, laying her head on his chest. Ranma wrapped an arm around her, kissing the crown of her head, and settled in to sleep. For Nabiki, however, sleep was long in coming as images of a future without Ranma kept her awake.

No. She needed him. She would take this secret to her grave if need be. It would be all right then. Hell, she'll even give him his own children someday; a dozen if he wanted. Just so long as he stayed.

Author's notes: Follow me on Bluesky at docebrown.bsky.social

Wanna help me brainstorm ideas and beta read for me? I hang out in The Warehouse Fanfic Server on Discord! (TApH8UvShT)