Author's note:

Here's the long awaited (yeah, right) part 2 of my series,
"A Change For The Worse".  For those that haven't read part
1, here's a quick summary of what's gone before:

      Nabiki blackmailed Ranma into attending a college frat
      party (mostly to be Nabiki's bodyguard).  Unfortunately,
      Ranma-chan punched out an overly fresh freshman who put
      the moves on her; when Ranma-chan decided to leave, the
      collegian tried to forcibly have sex with Nabiki, and
      Ranma-chan came to her rescue.  In doing this, Ranma-chan
      accidentally killed the collegian (or so she thought),
      and Ranma and Nabiki end up on the run from the police,
      eventually driving over a cliff edge in the car they stole.
      Thinking Ranma was dead, Shampoo, Mousse and Cologne returned
      to China, Ukyou left to see her family, and Ryouga wandered
      off, to no surprise.

      Ranma and Nabiki eventually returned to Nerima after going
      to China, specifically Jusenkyo.  Since it was two girls
      responsible for the collegian's "death", by making Nabiki
      a boy, they could both hide from the police.  It turned
      out the collegian did _not_ die, so Nabiki got a Jusenkyo
      curse for nothing, and is furious at Ranma....

Now, onto part 2.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Hikaru Gosunkugi walked briskly down the street on a clear Friday
morning, a smile on his face and a spring in his step.  It had
been five weeks since Ranma had died in a fiery car crash, the
best news he had heard in a long time.  What made him even happier
was the knowledge that his magic had actually begun to *work*.  It
had meant taking two weeks of unauthorized leave from school, but
the time had allowed him to perfect his spells, which now gave him
the ability to deal with anyone who crossed him.  That pleased him
no end.

"Soon, Akane Tendo," he thought as he strode confidently on,
"Soon, you will be mine.  How I love you."

He was full of joy and courage, knowing all his problems were
solved, or that he himself could dispatch of anyone who would
cause him problems.

Except for one.

"C'mon, Ranma, we're going to be late for school."  The voice
came from nearby came to his ears, freezing Hikaru Gosunkugi in
place.

"No.  By the kami, NO!!!!" he screamed inwardly, before collapsing
onto the sidewalk.

Ranma and Akane ran past, and as they did, Ranma noticed Hikaru
lying there, twitching.

"Yo, Akane, you seen the guys with the masks around here?" Ranma
asked as the two carried on toward Furinkan High.

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              R A N M A 1/2: A Change For The Worse

                     Part 2 :  Bokken Forth
                           by Shunsuke

-----------------------------------------------------------------

It was Ranma's and Nabiki's first day back at school since their
return from China three weeks ago.  Both had taken time to rest and
get their bearings, and also for Ranma to help Nabiki get used to
the changes brought on by the Jusenkyo curse.  It had not been easy,
what with Nabiki being irate over having unnecessarily jumped into
the Spring of Drowned Man, she was in an almost constant Akane-like
state of anger directed entirely at Ranma.  It was nothing new to
him, but from whom it came was.  Ranma almost welcomed school as a
chance to get away from Nabiki.  Almost.

"MR. SAOTOME!"

Bleary-eyed, Ranma awoke from sleep induced by his history lesson.

"Yes, Miss Hinako, Yokohama," he said, hoping he guessed right.

"That was twenty minutes ago, Mr. Saotome," she said, barely holding
in her anger.  "Only a delinquent would fall asleep in class.  I
don't care if everyone's happy you're not dead, you still need to be
punished," said Miss Hinako as she drew out a ten-yen coin.

Not wanting to put his classmates against him, Ranma quickly sprang
from his desk, grabbed two water buckets and ran into the hall.
Akane groaned, her hand against her forehead, while Hiroshi and
Daisuke laughed aloud, the rest of the class eventually joining in.

Miss Hinako scowled, quickly silencing everyone.  She turned to
face the blackboard and began writing again, mostly to hide the
silly grin crossing her face.

        *****

"To hell with class," Hikaru though as he tore his school uniform
from his pathetic frame, "there's more important things to do."  He
grabbed his robes and conical hat, donned them, then headed down to
his sanctum to begin another spell.

"Ranma died!  Everyone said so, even the police.  So how did he
come back from the dead?" he thought aloud as he prepared the
materials for the spell.  "Okay, divination spell charts, bucket,
salted water...perfect."  He smiled.

Without any physical actions on Hikaru's part, the room began to
darken, and the water in the bucket started to churn and blacken.
He held up his hands, stood beside the water, and chanted the
magic words:

"Framming on the Jim Jam!  Fropping at the Krotz!"

Lightning flashed within the room, smashing glass and wood, and a
wind caused paper and cloth to swirl around him.  Through it all
he was unharmed, while the paper sliced like knives through the
furniture and lampshades.

From mere brine smoke began to emanate, and soon a gaseous figure
began to rise.  Shaped more like a cloud than any living creature,
a face began to form and called to him.

"What do you wish of me, O Master?"

"Show me how that wretch Ranma Saotome came back from the dead."

"I cannot, Master."

Hikaru turned to the cloudy shape and scowled at it, "You dare to
disobey me?  You know what I can do to you..."

"No, Master, I meant that Saotome did not die."  A slightly calmer
Gosunkugi let the figure know it could continue unharmed.  "When
the car crashed," it said, showing a magical image of the scene to
Gosunkugi, "he and Nabiki Tendo escaped from the wreckage, and from
there went to China."

Hikaru stood watching the vision provided to him.  That Ranma was
not some reanimated zombie or simulacrum, but still true human
flesh would help in deciding how to arrange the spell.  That only
left deciding which spell would be needed.

The image of Nabiki malletting Ranma brought laughter to Hikaru,
but soon his hatred for Ranma overtook his mirth.

"Now, Spirit, how do I defeat Ranma and win Akane's hand?"

"You cannot defeat him, Master."

"WHAT?!  Do you dare refuse me?  Mine is the strongest magic!"

The cloud wavered and twitched, eager to avoid Gosunkugi's wrath
and the thought of being put in a bottle for a thousand years.

"No, Master, I simply meant as combat or direct spell casting, you
would not be able to deal with him.  If, however, you found a way
to defeat him without fighting, victory would be yours."

"So, now you suggest dishonorable and treacherous actions on my
part," he spoke to the cringing figure.  "Oh well, it's never
stopped me before," Hikaru said as the cloud managed to face-fault.
"So what do you suggest I do?"

"You cannot defeat Ranma," began the cloud, "When he chooses to
fight, but if he is unable to fight, or has no reason to do so,
you have won."

"No reason to fight..." thought Hikaru, "...what would give Ranma
a...YES!  I have it!" shouted Hikaru as again lightning crashed
within the room.  "Go, spirit, you've done well.  I will torment
you no further today."

"What a megalomaniac," thought the spirit as it began to fade and
drift from the water that cleared as quickly as it had blackened.

Hikaru's magic allowed him to hear the cloud's thought, and he
considered several exquisite torments for next time.  But for now,
he concentrated on the task at hand: removing Ranma's need to fight.

        *****

The school bell rang to end the day, and a mass exodus of students
ran from Furinkan High, like rats from a sinking ship.

"WEEKEND!" was a rallying cry heard all round as Ranma and Akane
ran for the gates and headed for home.

"Honestly, Ranma, you think you'd learn by now."

"Hey, can I help it if history's so boring?"

"_Just_ history, Ranma?  How about math, English, science..."

"Ok, so I was tired, you bookworm tomboy!"

"Perverted jerk!"

"Uncute!"

"Dummy!"

The two continued to hurl insults at each other as they ran until
they began to repeat themselves, then resorted to sticking out
their tongues at each other.  After enough of this, Ranma ran off
ahead leaving Akane in his wake, but she didn't mind.

It let her hide her smile.  She was happy to have him back, and no
Shampoo or Ukyou to have to share him with.

        *****

While everyone else was in a hurry to leave, a few dedicated
individuals were hard at work in one of the school's clubs.

"That's it!  THRUST! PARRY! TURN!"  Kuno's voice rang out around
the room, bellowing out commands and heaping derision upon those
who could not match his pace.  The kendo club was hard at work as
per usual, readying itself for a battle that never seemed to come.
What was unusual, however, was the newest member of the club.
Tatewaki's attention was focused on the newcomer, eager to impart
his skill as quickly as possible to a willing and very capable
student.

"Yes, Tendo, you carry the sword well!  Perhaps one day you shall
be worthy to stand at my side in battle."

The practice session was a grueling two hour affair which left
most people in desperate pain and agony, yet this newcomer, this
boy with no history in the art, carried himself well enough to
impress all his clubmates.

Soon Kuno dismissed the group, save his new pupil, a very male
Nabiki Tendo.  Tatewaki desperately wanted to have an ally worthy
of himself to aid in defeating the cursed Ranma Saotome, and this...
'man' who was not a man, was surely the best choice, if not in skill
then at least in cunning.

The two continued to spar, going well beyond the point of exhaustion
and into pain of adrenaline.  Sweat had long since pasted Kuno's
clothing to his body and the white gi to Nabiki's.  The swords met
and clashed many times, both unable to land a single blow.

Kuno was going easy on his student, but was still amazed at the
tolerance for pain and his desire to learn the ways of the samurai.
Nabiki charged, preparing to land a blow that would send Kuno to the
mat, but since Tatewaki was so close to the wall and both failed to
notice a person entering the room, it was not a surprise that Nabiki
almost flattened the intruder.

"Oh no!" cried Nabiki as he tried to push off with his feet to and
bounce away from the girl, but the two fell together in a heap on
the floor, Nabiki using his body to protect her.  When they came
to rest near the wall, Nabiki looked at who he held.

"Are you alright?" Nabiki asked while climbing off of Kodachi.

"Am I...yes, I'm fine," she said, looking up into this boy's face.
A starry-eyed look appeared on her face as she looked into Nabiki's
deep dark eyes.  "You...you saved me, kind sir.  Please, tell me
your name."

"My twisted sister, you are mistaken, the person upo-" Tatewaki
spoke before silencing himself in surprise at Nabiki's response.

"Why, my dear, I am...Louis.  I am ever so pleased to meet you."
Male Nabiki feigned kissing Kodachi's hand, knowing she would not
allow it; as Kodachi pulled away her hand, she provided her best
blush.

"Oh, dear, you are so handsome, I..." Kodachi tailed off, reaching
into her school uniform to pull something out.  Kuno, appalled at
the scene before him, quickly struck with his bokken to knock the
poisoned roses from his sister's hand.

"Sister, you do not know whom it is you embrace.  The boy you hold
in your evil clutches is actually-"

"A transfer student who won't be here long," Nabiki spoke,
interrupting his sensei.  "We would not have much time together, but
we can shine brightly, like fireflies."

Kuno dropped his bokken, either in dismay, shock, or disgust.  With
images of stars in her eyes, Kodachi glomped him.

"Yes, darling, yes!  I shall be yours!"  Kodachi spoke with a glee
she had not felt since...since Ranma-sama had arrived in Nerima.
She stood, starting a wave of the inevitable rose petals, and leapt
for the door.  "I, Kodachi Kuno, the Black Rose of St. Hebereke High
School, shall be your one and only.  I shall return tomorrow to greet
you, once I have dispatched of my *infuriating brother*," she spoke
with glee, "and let you be the man of my dreams.  O ho ho ho ho ho!"

"My dear sister, have you gone mad?  You cannot love this one."
Kuno had great concern on his face for his sister; not out of love,
but of self preservation, especially after the grand party he had
held after Ranma's "death".  Total attendance had been Kuno, Sasuke
and Gosunkugi, Sasuke only there to serve the guests.  For a brave
samurai like himself, he was filled with fear at the prospect of
his sister discovering the truth.

"Why, does the pig-tailed hussy claim him for her own, as well as
interfering with my Ranma-sama?"

At that last statement, Nabiki's eyes bulged as if she were sick,
then spoke.  "No, Kodachi dear, she does not, but if you wish, I
will help you rid yourself of the little bitch."  Kuno was still
too stunned to be angry at the disparagement of his own love.

Kodachi's eyes brightened, and she bowed to Nabiki.  "Truly, you
are a wonderful man, I...I love you!" she cried out as she ran out
the door slamming it behind her.

Kuno looked wide-eyed at the door, then at a grinning Nabiki.

"C'mon, Kuno baby, you've got two loves of your own, so why can't
she?"  Kuno merely babbled in reply.

The door opened again, and Kodachi quickly spoke:  "I almost forgot
why I came: Brother dear, Sasuke said the cook is ill again, so I
will be preparing dinner tonight.  O ho ho ho ho ho..."

The door closed again and Kuno hung his head in despair.

"Likely as not she poisoned him herself simply to torment me.  Come,
Nabiki Tendo, I shall expend some of the family's wealth to avoid
unnecessary discomfort by purchasing dinner.  Would you care to join
me and discuss our plans for destroying that cretin, Ranma Saotome?"

"Sure thing, Kuno-baby," Nabiki said with a wicked smile and an evil
glint in his eye.

        *****

Late the next evening, Nabiki lay on her bed, working on the dojo's
monthly figures.  It would be a tight fit, but she would make the
books balance somehow.

She was still sore and tired from the previous day's training, even
considering a night's rest and the switch from boy to girl.  It
didn't help her regain any strength, and it made her wonder just how
Ranma bounced back so quickly after each change.  She quickly bit
back the thought of him, and simply spat out his name, "Ranma."

She continued to work in silence, enjoying the friendly numbers and
rare quietude in the Tendo home.  Like the window, the silence was
shattered in an instant.

Instinctively, Nabiki rolled and covered her face from the broken
glass, but was injured by the rock which broke through and struck her.
What sounded like a herd of elephants ran toward her room as she
picked up the bloodied rock and looked out the window.  She could see
no one in the yard, no sign of where the rock came from.

The door near exploded open as Akane, Soun, Kasumi, and Genma entered.

"Nabiki!  What happened?" said Akane, until she saw the rock in her
hands and the blood trickling down the side of Nabiki's head.

"Oh, Nabiki!" said Kasumi who rushed in, tending to her sister's
wound with a dishcloth.

"I'm fine, sis," said Nabiki, "nothing I can't handle.  It's just
a rock."

"Please, Nabiki, sit-oooohh!"  Kasumi nearly collapsed, the glass
on the floor cutting into the soles of her feet.  Akane realized
what happened, quickly jumped over the glass and picked up her
eldest sister before she fell, then she and Nabiki put Kasumi on
the bed.

"My poor daughters!" was an echo that could be heard coming from
Tendo Falls, as Genma padded his shoulder with one hand, and hid
a Shogi piece with the other.

"What happened, Nabiki?" asked Genma.

"I don't know, I'm lying here doing the books, suddenly I get
air-mail, special delivery,"  Nabiki said sarcastically.  She
stopped padding her head with a cloth and began to untie the note
from the rock and opened it.  She then stopped and looked around.
"Where's Ranma?"

Everyone looked, curious as to why he wasn't there.

"Nabiki, you don't think he'd-" spoke Akane.

"I don't know, Sis, I wouldn't put it past him."

"Nabiki!  That's - that's not a nice thing to say about Ranma-kun,"
said a near-shock Kasumi.  "He'd never do this,..." she said, then
passed out.

"Dad, please go call Dr. Tofu," Akane spoke with a quaver in her
voice, "we need him."

"MY LITTLE GIRL!  WAAAAHHH!"

"RAAANNNNMMMMAAAA!" shouted Genma as he ran from the room.

"Looks like it's up to me, Sis," said Nabiki as she left the room
to find the phone.

Akane watched Nabiki leave, only then realizing that Nabiki's feet
weren't injured.  "But she was standing barefoot in the broken glass
the whole time..." she thought to herself.

        *****

The door to the dojo flew open.

"RANMA!  What kind of coward are you!  How could you attack a girl
by throwing rocks?" Genma bellowed as he sprung at his son, who
parried the attack.

"What are you talkin' about, old man?  I didn't do nothin'."

"Lying boy!  You threw a rock at Nabiki's window.  She's upstairs
bleeding, and Kasumi is hurt and in shock."  Genma jumped and kicked
out at Ranma.

"K-Kasumi's hurt?" said Ranma, his face paling.  The news caused
him to let down his guard, and Genma's attack got through, sending
him flying across the dojo into a wall.

Ranma quickly countered Genma's next attack, sending his father
into a heap at his side, then left the dojo at full speed running
into the house and upstairs.  He saw Akane in Nabiki's room, and
quickly entered.

"Akane!  How is she?" Ranma said quickly to her, looking at the
fallen Kasumi.

"You......IDIOT!  I don't care if you're feuding with Nabiki, but
this has gone too far!"  Quickly the mallet came out and smashed
Ranma into paste, leading to his usual reply.

"What are you talking about, Akane?  I didn't do nothin'!"

"Oh, really?  What do you call that?" she screamed, pointing to
the broken pane.  Akane quickly related the events in the room,
again blaming Ranma for doing it.

"I was in the dojo training.  You think I'd do something this
stupid?  That's your department,"  he spoke with an edge in his
voice.  Akane's face took on it's angriest look as Ranma lowered
his voice and spoke calmly.

"Look, Akane, I know what you think of me.  But you know I *never*
fight girls, and you know that I *ain't* *no* *coward*.  Do you
really think I would do this?"  He looked at her sternly, waiting
for a reply.

Despite her anger, Akane heard the ring of truth in his words.
Fighting her overwhelming desire to send him into orbit and her
normal habit of jumping to conclusions, she softened her face and
sighed.

"No, Ranma, you're right.  Not this.  But then who would?"

"Well, it was obviously directed at Nabiki, so I'm gonna ask her."

"Okay, Ranma, but I don't think she's going to tell you anything.
She says you did it."

Ranma quickly ran downstairs to find Nabiki standing by the phone
reading the note that was tied to the rock, as Soun was wailing into
the dead air of a dial tone.

"Nabiki!  What's going on?  Who did this?"

Before she could answer, Soun turned upon hearing Ranma's voice,
and from his tear-streaked face spoke words no one would ever
expect to hear from him.

"You miserable coward!  How dare you do something so dishonorable!
You are no longer a worthy heir to the dojo, nor to be a fiance to
any of my daughters.  Get out and never disgrace this home again!"
The fire in Soun's eyes told Ranma he meant it.

Shocked, Ranma stood still, struck by Soun's harsh words.

"GET!  OUT!"

Soun began to advance on Ranma.  Despite being so out of practice
and far below Ranma's level of skill, Ranma knew a fight would be
inevitable if he stayed; Mr. Tendo was someone he just didn't
want to ever have to fight.

Ranma turned and ran out to the yard and over the fence.  He ran
down several streets, through people's yards, across rooftops,
where to run from the hate he saw in Soun's eyes.  He couldn't
outrun it.

Tired and with nowhere to go, Ranma eventually ran to the bridge
and curled up underneath, shaking and nearly in tears.

        *****

Dr. Tofu rushed into the Tendo home.  In total contrast to any
other situation, when it came to helping a sick Kasumi, he was
completely lucid.  Akane saw that her sister was in good hands,
and went downstairs to see Nabiki.

Nabiki was sitting at the table reading the note, the dishcloth
still held to her head.  She was so engrossed in the note she
failed to notice Akane's presence.

"Sis?"

"Huh?  Oh, Akane..." said Nabiki, who looked back at the note.

"Are you...are you alright?  Can I get Dr. Tofu to look at you?"

"I'm fine, Sis.  The bleeding's almost stopped, and nothing else
to speak of."

Akane looked under the table.  Nabiki's feet were perfectly fine.

"Nabiki, who did this?  What's in that letter?"

Pausing for a second to think, Nabiki showed the paper to her
sister.  "It's nothing, Akane, just some dumb threats from Ranma,"
she spoke in a dark tone.

"Nabiki, it's-" said Akane as she read the note, clearly in typical
Ranma scribble.

"Let it drop, Akane, I'll deal with Ranma myself.  Just point me
toward the broom and dustpan so I can clean up the glass."

"S-sure, Nabiki," stuttered Akane as she led her sister to the
closet.  She watched Nabiki go upstairs, wondering why she would
believe Ranma would do this, and soon saw Dr. Tofu come downstairs.

"Hi, Akane.  Kasumi's fine, she just shouldn't walk for a day or
two.  Be sure her feet get cleaned daily, Ok?"

"Sure, Dr. Tofu.  Is it safe to move her now?"

"I already did, Akane, Kasumi's in her own b-b-b-bed-d-d-r-room."
A glazed look crossed his face and his glasses fogged, as the
tension of the situation returned to normal.  "Now, Ranma, make
sure your father takes two hours of these twice a week, Ok?" he
said as he walked out over the engawa.

"Sure, Dr. Tofu, Goodnight," said Akane as she read the label of
the disinfectant.  "Oh, Dr. Tofu, that's the-"

*SPLASH*

"-pond."

Akane shook her head, then went upstairs to check on a sleeping
Kasumi.  Seeing that her sister was fine, Akane covered her with a
blanket and brought in some towels and clean water for the morning.
Satisfied that everything was alright, Akane went to the guest room
to get a few of Ranma's things.  Normally, she wouldn't be worried,
because Ranma could have gone to the Ucchan or the Nekohanten for a
place to stay tonight, (or perhaps she didn't worry because he
*couldn't* go to either) but given recent events, neither place
would now provide a refuge.

Akane put some things in a bag and threw it out her bedroom window,
not wanting to carry it downstairs and be seen.  She was glad she
had done it that way when she saw her father and Mr. Saotome
sitting at the table, one crying and drinking sake, the other just
drinking.

"Where are you going, Akane?"  Soun asked sternly.

"Oh, Dr. Tofu forgot to leave instructions on caring for Kasumi's
feet.  You know how he is."  Given Soun's mental state, he seemed
to accept the lie and not suspect Akane was helping Ranma.  "Come
home quickly, daughter, we need you here.  And stay away from that
boy.  He is no longer your fiance."

"I will, Dad," she said, hoping her father believed her.  She
thought Genma suspected differently, but he didn't say a word.

Outside, Akane picked up the bag and ran to all the usual places
Ranma went when he was in trouble.  She was relieved to find him
so soon.  He nearly panicked when he saw someone coming underneath,
but relaxed at the sight of Akane.

"I thought you could use a few things," she said softly.  "I snuck
out what I could: a blanket, your jacket, some clothes, and your
bathroom stuff."

"Thanks, Akane," he said in a very subdued voice, "for believing
me, I mean.  At least someone's on my side.  If I know Pop, he's
probably helping your Dad sharpen a tanto."

Akane handed him a few wrapped buns and cookies.  Ranma was clearly
not in a normal mood, eating without questioning who made them.

"Nabiki showed me the note, and it looks like your handwriting, but
I don't believe it.  I do believe you, Ranma."  A small silence
passed as Ranma sighed, then drew a little smile.

"Thanks, Akane."  Ranma lifted his head a little.  "So Nabiki's
using this too to get back at me?  Why can't she just give it up?
I wouldn't be surprised if she paid someone to do it."

"Ranma!  Nabiki wouldn't go that far!  Who says it's her, anyway?"

Ranma raised his eyebrows.  "Go that far?  Since when do you think
of her being capable of anything malicious?  And who else would?
Not even Kuno would try this."

Akane looked down, saying "I don't know, Ranma, this isn't like her.
Whatever reasons she's blaming you for I can't guess, but I'm going
to find out, one way or another."  She stood as she put a hand on
his shoulder.  "I'm sorry I can't stay, but Dad's...well, he's..."

"Demon headed?"  They both snickered at that.

"You're poison at the dojo right now, but I'll try and see you in
the morning.  I promise."

With unspoken goodbyes, Akane left.  Ranma quickly laid out his gear
and went to sleep.

      *****

Ranma woke in the cold morning air, not from its briskness, but from
a foot poking him in the ribs.  In his sleepiness, he forgot he was
not in the dojo and complained to his usual tormentor.

"Get lost, old man, I wanna sleep."

"RANMA!  GET UP!" howled a voice attached to the foot as a punch
came down toward Ranma's head.  Quickly rising from his drowse,
Ranma rolled away and stood, ready to face his attacker.

"Pop!  What are you doing here?"

"Checking on you, Ranma.  Soun asked me to follow Akane last night
to make sure she didn't talk to you.  When I overheard the two of
you talking, I realized you weren't to blame."

"So you didn't tell Mr. Ten- hey!  You were spying!"

"That doesn't matter, boy.  The point is, what are you going to do
about Nabiki?  And no, I didn't tell him."

Despite his anger, Ranma felt a little gratitude toward his father,
but hid his smile in the shadows.  "I dunno, Pop, but I need to talk
to Akane, ok?  Geez, for once, I wish Cologne was here."

"I'll tell Akane you want a date, son," said Genma with a wicked
grin.

"I *DO* *NOT* want to date an uncute tomboy like her!" said Ranma
half-heartedly, again using shadows to hide a smile as his father
left.

      *****

Two people sat in a very tasteful French restaurant, toasting each
other over lunch on their handiwork.  Nabiki-kun, for his plan and
the forging of Ranma's hand, and Kodachi for her ability to carry
out the plan.

"Well done, Kodachi dear," said Nabiki.  "Although there was some
unwanted damage to others."

"Perhaps, but a small price to pay for a victory.  You, my dear
Louis, are mine, and now that my darling Ranma has been forced from
the Tendo home he will turn to me with none of the other hussies
having any claim on him."

Nabiki picked up a glass and raised it, saying, "Soon, my dear, we
shall both achieve our goals, very soon..."  He kissed her.

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                             END PART 2

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Hope you enjoyed it, and keep looking for part 3.  (I will do it! 
Really!)

Shunsuke -|||
shunsuke@mailcity.com