Ranma and Nabiki were in their room, one in night gown the other in a pair of Morning came quickly for the Tendo home. Too quickly for a certain pair of aquatransexual, martial artist, teenaged, Amazon spouses. "I don' wanna get up!" whined Ranma. "Too early!" chorused Nabiki from next to him. "Do I need to get a bucket of water you guys?" asked Akane, not a hint of kidding in her voice. Ranma groaned as he sat up. Nabiki started to roll into the space his top half had been occupying when she realized he wasn't there any more. This got her to sit up as well. "No. We'll get up peacefully. The last thing I want is to be a girl this soon after getting up," said Ranma. "What's the matter with being a girl?" asked Akane, an edge to her voice suggested she was a little peeved. The frown on her face confirmed it. "Nothin' if you were born one. But I'm a guy," said Ranma. "Besides he's a lot cuter as a guy," said Nabiki as she wrapped her arms around Ranma and rested her head on his shoulder. "Not the his other half isn't really cute too," she amended. Akane blushed a lovely shade of pink, Nabiki smirked and Ranma winced at the reminder that not only was he half girl but he was half _cute_ girl. "Anyway, come on. Breakfast is almost ready and school isn't too long from now either." Akane said right before she left to go take her morning jog. "She seemed in a hurry to leave, didn't she Nabiki?" "I think she has a problem with two girls finding each other attractive," said Nabiki. "Guess so. But what's the matter with you calling my girl-half cute? I'm a guy." Nabiki sighed. Then smiled and kissed Ranma. "Yes, you are Ran-chan. How about we go make sure right now," suggested Nabiki seductively. Ranma looked pained to reply as he looked at his gorgeous wife in her nightgown, next to him in their bed. Finally he sighed and did though. "I'd love to, but I need a bath and I don't think I'd have time if we did." "Oh, well. There's always later tonight, right?" "Yes, and you'll not be the only one looking forward to it. I can tell you what we could do now though, if you think you can control yourself." "I'm sure I can. What is it?" "You need a bath too." Nabiki smiled at the reference to the first time they had been more intimate than a little feeling up as she accepted Ranma's proffered hand to help her up. As they made their way to the bathroom they each grabbed a pair of clothes. Nabiki and Ranma ½ Part 3 By: Mike Malaspina After a quick but delightful breakfast Akane, Nabiki and Ranma headed off for school. Ranma and Nabiki wore matching outfits. Both in black pants and red silk shirts from their trip to China while Akane wore her school uniform. Nabiki and Ranma who walked along the top of the fence didn't really notice the look Akane was giving them from the sidewalk. When Nabiki finally did she said, "You see something of interest, Sis?" "Well, I was just wondering why you two are walking on the fence?" asked Akane. "Balance," stated Ranma, simply. "Huh?" said Akane, only a little less confused. "We usually turn anything we can into a training exercise. It's one of the good things Genma has taught us. So, for balance we walk along the top of the fence," explained Nabiki. Akane nodded. "You know, since Ranma and I will be training you Akane you'll need to start doing the same." "All right." Akane began to fidget a little nervously. "Too bad you're wearing a dress. If you weren't we could start today," said Ranma. "Why does it matter what I'm wearing?" asked Akane, suddenly on the defensive. "Well, it doesn't if you don't mind the fact anyone could come along and look up your skirt," said Nabiki. Akane blushed, glad she hadn't tried to show Ranma up by just jumping onto the fence to prove she could do it, dress or not. She wasn't the only martial artist in the family. Even if she... wasn'tthebest. -------------------- As the three students reached Furinkan High School Akane let out an exasperated sigh and frowned. Nabiki noticed and wondered what it could be. Not seeing anything that could immediately annoy a person Nabiki decided to ask. "Hey, Sis, something wrong?" "No!" Akane snapped. She quickly apologized, "I'm sorry about that Nabiki, it's just that... Hold on, I need to take care of something real quick." Akane jogged ahead a little and was confronted by a tall brown haired boy in a kendo outfit. In his right hand was a bouquet of red roses and in his left was a bokken. Ranma and Nabiki could tell he was good with it by the way he held himself. -------------------- "Ah, beauteous Akane, it is a pleasure to see you looking as radiant as ever this fine, fine morning. The only thing that would make this day finer would be if you would accept this small token of my affection and agree to date with me. What say ye oh fierce tigress?" spoke the boy in an arrogant tone as he flipped his bangs out of his face. "Listen, Kuno, I've said it before, everyday for the last year and a half to be exact, NO!" said Akane almost screaming. Ranma and Nabiki had heard the whole thing but had just now caught up. Ranma eyed Kuno warily. "Hey, Akane, this guy givin' you any trouble?" asked Ranma, casually. "No, Ranma, I can take care of Kuno just fine, thank you very much," said Akane a little annoyed that Ranma would suggest she needed help with such a petty matter. "You there, what reason have you to be so familiar with Akane Tendo?" asked Kuno glaring at Ranma. "I'm her brother in-law," said Ranma. He had his arms crossed and looked a little annoyed himself with Kuno. "What's it to you?" "I am the rising star of the Kendo world and the Blue Thunder of Furinkan high, Tatewaki Kuno and wish to date with Akane Tendo. When you did not use the proper title befitting of Miss Tendo I assumed that you were either a suitor or a cad. Please forgive me...," explained Kuno before trailing off in a question. "Saotome, Ranma," supplied Ranma, smiling. He was glad he hadn't gotten into a fight his first day. Or at least hadn't yet. "Saotome, Ranma. I was not aware that Akane's sister had married. When did it happen?" inquired Kuno. "He didn't marry Kasumi, Kuno-sempai. He's married to my other sister, Nabiki. I don't think you've met her before. She's been on a ten year long training trip with Ranma and his father," said Akane who was much calmer than she had been only moments ago. "I have not. Perhaps she, Ranma and you, Akane, would like to go out for dinner tonight. A double date if you will. I would gladly pay," offered Kuno, hopefully. Before Akane could tell Kuno to bug off a hand clamped over her mouth. Nabiki who had stayed back until now popped up between Akane and Ranma, careful to keep her hand over Akane's mouth, and accepted. "Hi, I'm Nabiki and we'd love to Kuno-san." "Ah, then it's a date?" Kuno smiled widely as Nabiki nodded. "Would I be correct in assuming you and Ranma are staying at the Tendo home?" Nabiki took a moment to readjust her hand as Akane struggled before answering, "That you would." "Then I shall have a car by to pick you up at seven o'clock if that is suitable." "That would be great," said Nabiki. Anyone watching Kuno walking to class could have easily mistaken him for a toothpaste spokesman the way he smiled. Nabiki finally let go of Akane as Kuno entered the main building. "Hey, why'd you do that, Nabiki! Now that jerk thinks I'm going to go on a date with him!" screamed Akane, at her sister. "Free meals are nothing to pass up, Akane. Besides how much harm will it do to go out on one date with him? I mean he is sort of cute in a pompous sort of way," said Nabiki. Akane was once again cut off before she could reply. This time it was Ranma and not a hand. "Hey, Nabiki, what do you mean by he's cute?" asked Ranma, pouting a little. Nabiki smiled and turned to Ranma. She pulled him in and gave him a quick kiss and said, "I mean he's cute and if I didn't have someone as wonderful and good looking as you to come home to I might consider thinking about giving him a chance. But I do have you and you're much cuter to boot." Nabiki started to kiss Ranma again. After a quick glance around, confirming only Akane was around, Ranma returned it. *I should just let them be late. It'd serve Nabiki right for setting me up with Kuno.* Akane thought about it for a second, turned and walked away leaving the two love birds engrossed with each other. The school bell ringing finally snapped them out of it and with a synchronized curse they leapt up into an open window and rushed to class. -------------------- Nabiki and Ranma had both ended up late to class and had to stand out in the hall holding buckets of water. Akane had smirked as Ranma 'urk'ed at his impending closeness to water. Nabiki had just sighed as she thought about how it had been worth it. -------------------- Ranma and Akane were walking down the halls of Furinkan to meet Nabiki out front and talking to each other as they went. "So, Ranma, did you need hot water at all today?" "Nope. It's kinda weird. Out in the middle of nowhere Nabiki, pops and I would get wet almost as fast as we could heat water to change back. But here in the city where cold water is so much more common our curses have only been activated a few times," said Ranma. "That is a little strange," said Akane, holding the door open for Ranma. As they navigated the steps something caught Akane's eye. She turned to look out into the field and saw two people who were obviously fighting. She looked closer and realized one of them was Nabiki. "Ranma, isn't that Nabiki over there fighting?" Ranma looked over quickly. "Yeah! Come on." Ranma hopped over the side of the concrete staircase and started to jog towards the combat zone. Akane followed. "Hey, Ranma, wait up!" she called out to the pigtailed boy. He started to respond but instead dropped to all fours when Nabiki took a hit that looked very bad, even from their distance. Akane stared as a hissing Ranma quickly covered the ground between he and the fight. Akane kept running but had to watch the fight from a distance as it was over before she even got close. -------------------- Ranma tackled Nabiki's assailant, swiping at him with open hands. Nabiki saw the cloth of the man's shirt fly into the air accompanied by some sort of stuffing and a few droplets of blood. Nabiki immediately called out, "Ranma, no!" Ranma stopped and looked at Nabiki questioningly. The man took the opportunity to kick Ranma off of him and ran away holding his arms over his chest. Nabiki grabbed Ranma around the neck before he could pounce at the fleeing man. Ranma looked at Nabiki worriedly. He cocked his head to the side and opened his mouth. Instead of words coming out though Ranma said, "Mreow..." And then purred as he butted his head against Nabiki's face. -------------------- By the time Akane arrived Ranma was comfortably curled up in her sister's lap, being petted by his wife and purring contentedly. Akane took a moment to catch her breath. "Hey, Nabiki, what's with Ranma?" "Remember the Neko-ken?" asked Nabiki. "Of course!" said Akane, wondering how anyone could possibly not remember such a horrible thing. "This is it," said Nabiki, who laughed when Akane quickly backed up and started to sweat nervously. "Didn't you say he's really dangerous when he's like this?" "Very much so. And so far unbeatable too. Don't worry though, Akane, he's only dangerous to people threatening him or someone he loves," turning her attention to Neko-Ranma Nabiki continued, "isn't that right my little Ran-chan." Ranma moved his head up into Nabiki's hand as she spoke. Akane, still looked a little nervous but wasn't sweating or backing away. Not that she was getting any closer either. "So, uh... What brings him out of it again?" "Well, it used to be the only way was for me to hold him for a few hours to calm him down but since we need to get home and start your training activating the curse will work too. Can you get me some cold water." "Sure, Nabiki, wait right here." Akane called over her shoulder as she quickly ran off in search of cold water. *Guess that will take her a few minutes. Maybe I can figure out who that guy was and why he was using a big spatula for a weapon while I'm waiting.*