Based on the characters and situations so well created by Rumiko
Takahashi and owned by Rumiko Takahashi, Viz Communications and 
others I have no doubt.  Please don't sue me!

Let me know what you think at john@compqna.com, and visit my 
webpage at http://www.compqna.com/fanfics

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New Dealer, New Hand  (Part 2)

By 
John Morales

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Chapter 4
	
	Since it looked like dinner would be ready shortly, Kasumi
suggested Mousse and Ranma clean up and everyone could talk over
dinner.  Akane went back out to the dojo to try recreating some of
the moves she saw, without noticing Nabiki following after her.
Kasumi stepped back into the kitchen to continue dinner preparations.
This left Soun in the dining room with a moment to think.  
	The Sensei of the Tendo dojo was having a confidence crisis.  He
had always counted on Kimiko, his wife, and Genma being there when it
came time to have this talk with his children.  Now it seemed he
would have to do it himself.  Could he?  Was it even still the right
thing to do?  Ranma was cursed, but that was not as bad as it could
have been.  He was still a remarkable martial artist, and now, the
only person with training in the Saotome style.  More importantly, it
had to be done, if only because coming here to complete the agreement
was one of the last things his old friend had tried to do before
dying.  How could they both be dead?  What would Genma do in this
situation?  Probably leave for a training trip and let someone else
deal with it.  What would Kimiko do?  Soun Tendo, Master of both
Kenpo and Anything Goes Martial Arts, Head of the Tendo Dojo, and
Figurehead (at least) of the Tendo clan, did the only thing he could
do.  He went to talk to his eldest daughter.  
	
****
	
	Ranma added his compliments to Mousse's praise of the dinner,
grimacing slightly as he realized how right Mousse was.  Ranma was
never completely convinced that no one else fought over food as his
pop had taught him.  He was certain that it was simply a bit of
training particular to the Anything Goes school.  He knew if they
ever found anyone else who practiced the Art, he would be proven
right.  'So much for that theory.'
	"I must say Ranma," Soun started as everyone lingered over tea,
"you are a living tribute to your father.  I can see a lot of his
style in you.  One thing puzzles me, though.  One of his favorite
tactics was to distract his opponent with taunts and insults.  He was
always calling me one thing or another when we sparred.  I don't
think I ever saw him as quiet as you when practicing the Art."  
	"Yeah, it was his favorite tactic.  I used to do a lot of that
myself, but...  I don't know.  It just seems different now, know what
I mean?"  
	"I think I do.  I had not seen him in many years, but it still
hurts to know I won't see him again."  Soun lapsed into silence.  
	"Daddy," Nabiki started impatiently, "you said you needed to talk
about something?"  She waited a moment before prodding him again. 
"If not, I was going to ask Ranma something myself."  
	"Let me say what I have to say first, Nabiki," he answered before
turning back to Ranma.  "Ranma, I am sorry for your loss, and I am
sorry I do not have any way of contacting your mother.  I do have
something I can offer you, though."  He stopped again, taking several
deep breaths.  'Genma,' he thought, 'how can I do this without you?' 
He looked around the table at the five young people gathered before
him, finally locking eyes with Kasumi for a moment.  "Ranma, your
father and I hoped to unite our two styles through you.  Many years
ago, we agreed that this dojo would be used to teach a unified school
of the Art."  
	Shock reigned around the table, but one person acted faster than
the others.  Akane leapt to her feet, and the first conclusion she
could reach.  "Do you mean that this guy we never even met is taking
over our dojo?" 
	Kasumi's soothing voice slowed everyone just a bit.  "Actually,
that would not be unified, would it, Akane?"  The eldest Tendo felt
rather guilty for her part in this plan, but her father had been
adamant that the agreement must be upheld.  All she could do was try
to make the best of a bad situation.  
	"That's very true, Kasumi," Soun confirmed with a smile,
encouraging Akane to sit down.  "In fact, the idea was that one of
you girls would...."  He ground to a halt, not strong enough to speak
the truth and enforce the will of the two clans on the children, and
not strong enough to put his dreams on hold and speak the lie Kasumi
had convinced him was necessary.
	"One of us will need to teach Ranma our family's style," Kasumi
finally spoke up, filling the gap, "and learn the Saotome style from
him, right father?  Then the dojo will be run jointly."  Soun looked
rather uncomfortable.  
	Nabiki's eyes narrowed.  She loved Kasumi like, well, like a
sister, but she knew something was up.  The normally unflappable
older sister was notably worried about something.  Luckily, Akane had
other things on her mind.  
	Kasumi continued.  "Akane, you are the obvious choice."  
	Akane frowned in response and looked at Ranma.  "So you're gonna
teach me the Saotome style?"
	Ranma, though, was still confused.  "I, well, I guess.  Mr. Tendo,
are you sure about this?  Pop never said anything about this."  
	Ah, back to the truth.  "That's not really surprising," Soun
responded.  "We were not going to tell any of you until you were
actually on your way here.  I would have told my daughters when I
received the postcard your father wrote."  
	"Well, I don't know.  I still gotta find my mom.  I didn't expect
to stick around here very long, ya know?"  
	"And you can still look for her.  It won't do much good to just
wander around Tokyo, though," the older man advised.  "You can stay
with us while you look.  She may even come here looking for you and
Genma.  She knew of the agreement as well.  In the meantime, we will
do all we can to find her."  
	"It does make some sense," Mousse finally spoke up.  "We don't
really have anything specific on your mom.  We need to re-group, so
we might as well do it somewhere your mom may look for you."  Turning
to Mr. Tendo, he continued, "I'm sure we could make ourselves useful
somehow."  
	Nabiki's eyebrows shot up, but she was not quite fast enough.  
	"That won't be necessary," Soun intoned.  "As I said, The dojo will
eventually be in Ranma's hands, at least partly.  You should both
consider yourselves family."  
	Nabiki tried not to let anything show.  She made sure her eyes were
closed before they rolled back.  'Of course he would say that,' she
thought, 'he hasn't looked at the checkbook in over a year.'  
	"This okay with you, Akane?" Ranma asked.  She was the only one who
had objected.  
	Akane looked at him for a moment.  Part of her screamed 'NO!'  Part
of her, though, remembered some of the moves she had seen in the
dojo.  Jealousy was a powerful thing.  If she cooperated, she could
learn some of those things. The dojo might not be an issue, really. 
Ranma would probably just leave once he found his mother.  It would
mean spending a lot of time with him, and what if he found out about
Kuno's challenge.  Would he challenge her?  'Well, if I do have to
fight him eventually,' she realized, 'training with him would be a
good way to learn his weaknesses - if he has any.'  
	"Yeah, I guess it's okay," she finally answered.  
	
****    ****    ****    ****
	
Chapter 5
	
	Early the next morning, too early by her estimation, Nabiki was
surprised when Mousse knocked on her door.  She was actually awake,
hoping to talk to Akane first thing, but Akane was up earlier still,
and already out jogging, or moping more likely.  
	"You have a second?" Mousse asked.  
	"Actually, I have three," she said with a straight face.  Let him
figure out if she was joking.  "What's on your mind?"
	"It's about helping out around here, like I said at dinner last
night.  I was wondering...."  He paused for a moment to gauge her
reaction.  When she showed none, he started again.  "I was sitting
right next to you at dinner, and I noticed... well, let's just say I
think you were about to give a different answer than your dad did."  
	Now it was her turn to gauge him.  "Daddy gave you an answer, why
persist?"
	"Well, I was able to help your sister with the dishes afterwards,
and we got to talking.  I commented on how much she seems to do
around here, and she told me about how you pitch in.  I believe the
phrase she used is: 'Nabiki holds the purse strings.'  Besides, your
dad said we should consider ourselves 'family.'  For me, that means
working in the family business - if you had one.  Kasumi tells me the
dojo doesn't get used much these days except by Akane."  
	Now something showed on Nabiki's face - curiosity.  "Your buddy
feel the same way?  About helping out, I mean."  
	"Ranma?  I usually handle the money for both of us, so he probably
hasn't thought about it much.  If I tell him we need help making ends
meet, though, he'll pitch in," Mousse replied with confidence.  
	Nabiki was distracted for a moment by the sound of the bathroom
door.  Akane?  "You mentioned working in the family business like
you've done that before?"  
	"Yeah, spent some time keeping records and doing some sales for my
Uncle's business.  Not sure how easily I can get a job around here,
though.  My paperwork is a little... irregular."  
	Nabiki raised an eyebrow.  "Hmmm, well I may be able to help you
with that.  Or it may not be necessary.  The dojo isn't the only
family business around here."  She looked at Mousse for a long moment
before deciding to hold off on her next thought.  "I've got another
business proposition for Ranma.  Do you know where he is?"  
	Mousse shrugged.  "Last I saw he was in the yard working on a new
kata.  What's up?"  
	"Can't say just yet, I still need to talk to Akane first.  She
should be done in the bath soon.  Grab Ranma, and the four of us can
meet in the dojo in thirty minutes.  Sound okay?"  
	"Sure.  We'll be there."  
	
****
	
	Ranma and Mousse were discussing possible jobs a little while later
when the two Tendos entered the dojo.  Nabiki had her business mask
in place, but Akane's deep scowl was anything but business-like.  The
two young men shared a quick glance before things got underway.  
	"So what's up, Nabiki?  Mousse says you got a deal for me?"  Ranma
immediately tried to get to the heart of the matter.  It was how he
approached most problems or difficult situations.  Mousse had been
trying to get him to use more tact recently, without much success.  
	"Well, first I have to see something," Nabiki responded with
aplomb.  "I don't even know if you can do your part of the deal.  Do
you mind sparring with Akane?"
	"If my part of the deal is just sparring-"
	"No, it's not just sparring.  I just need to see what you can do."  
	Akane walked to the middle of the dojo and waited for Ranma to join
her.  She closed her eyes, trying desperately to put her anger aside
and find her center.  Above all, she had to avoid making a fool of
herself.  She took a deep breath and opened her eyes to find Ranma
standing across from her waiting patiently.  She bowed and took up a
ready stance.  She was somewhat satisfied to see Ranma stand with his
arms in front of him, as he had when Mousse used his weapons
yesterday.  
	The two stared at each other for a long moment.  Akane too self-
conscious to commit the first attack, and Ranma watching patiently. 
His strategy was based on analyzing weaknesses, something that was
difficult to do without seeing someone fight.  Besides, he was still
trying to figure out how to spar without actually attacking a girl.  
	"Well?" Akane finally asked impatiently.  
	"Well, what?"  
	"Aren't you going to do anything?"  
	"What about you?"  
	"Nabiki doesn't need to see me fight, she needs to see you."  
	"I can't just attack you."  
	Akane relaxed a bit in her confusion, but kept her guard up in case
this was a trick.  "Why not?"  
	For his part Ranma slumped, and admitted his weakness.  "I, ah,
well, I don't hit girls."  
	Nabiki let out a small sigh.  "I need to see how you do against
her, Ranma."  
	"And why can't you hit girls?" Akane added.  "I'm a martial artist,
too, you know!"  
	"Actually I don't know," Ranma countered.  "I could hurt you.  I
don't know what you can take."  
	"You're NOT gonna hurt me!  You won't know what I can do until you
try me out.  And if you do have something I can't block, I need to
know that!  How else am I supposed to get better?"  
	"She's right, Ranma," Mousse added.  
	Ranma rolled his eyes.  "You're biased, Mousse.  All the warriors
in your village are women."  
	"Really?" Akane asked in surprise.  As Mousse confirmed it with a
nod, Nabiki turned to Ranma with a smirk.  
	"So you do hit women, huh?  You told Daddy that you fought and beat
one of the Amazon warriors.  What's the deal?" 
	 "But, I - I didn't mean to, err, want to."  He noticed the dark
look on Akane's face, and redoubled his efforts to dig out of the
hole.  "It just sorta happened. I don't normally, well, I...."  
	"So I'm just not GOOD ENOUGH, huh?" Akane bellowed.  
	Nabiki and Mousse were chuckling amiably, watching as the verbal
sparring progressed.  Ranma continued, inserting more of his foot in
his mouth, and Akane turned a darker shade of red.  Finally, Nabiki
decided to save her deal, and in the process, save Ranma from
himself.  
	"Look Ranma, you two are supposed to train each other, right? 
Can't you at least do a drill?  Maybe take turns so one attacks while
the other just defends?"  
	"C'mon Ranma," Mousse encouraged his friend.  "You've gotta do it
sometime."  
	"Oh, okay.  But you attack first!"  
	"Not a problem!" Akane answered.  
	Akane had seen Ranma, but it was still disconcerting.  She was
rather proud of her speed, which had increased dramatically since
Kuno had issued that stupid challenge.  She attacked high and low,
with punches, kicks and combos.  It just did not matter.  It was like
trying to catch a speck in soup with a single chopstick - the harder
and faster she attacked, the less likely he was to be there when the
attack arrived.  
	"Okay, switch," Mousse called from the side, hoping to get this
over with before Akane became too frustrated.  
	Ranma stood watching Akane's defensive stance, deciding how to
approach this.  He liked Akane, and she was better than he expected. 
Mousse had warned him about humiliating someone he was going to have
to work so much with.  He hoped to make his point this one time so
that they would not have to do this again.  
	Akane felt the rush as he closed the distance quickly and saw his
right leg stretch forward for a low kick.  Instinctively, she brought
both arms low in a safe, two-handed block.  She realized her mistake
in an instant, as the kick never snapped.  Instead, the leg dropped
as Ranma leaned into a forward stance.  Her body stayed bent as she
only raised her eyes.  She saw the spear-hand attack, frozen an inch
from her forehead.  
	"That's why I didn't want to spar.  It's not that you're not good. 
I just haven't had anyone that could really challenge me since Pop
died," Ranma explained with a frown.  "No offense, Mousse."  
	"None taken," Mousse called from the side.  "So Nabiki, need to see
anything more?"
	Nabiki pursed her lips before answering.  "Okay, you two.  Come
over here and let's make a deal."  
	
****    ****    ****    ****
	
Chapter 6
	
	"I have some resources of my own, and I might be able to help find
your mom," Nabiki explained.  "Thing is, some will be expensive to
use, and others, I'll have to call in some favors.  The favors will
be my part of the deal, you just pay the actual costs."  
	"REALLY!  How much-" 
	"Hold it!" Mousse cut Ranma short.  
	"What, Mousse?  This is what-"  
	"I know, Ranma, but she's still holding another shoe in the air -
wait for it to drop.  She didn't need to see you spar to decide if
you could cover some bribes."  Mousse looked at Nabiki.  "You call in
those favors in exchange for what?"
	"Well, Ranma helps Akane out with a little problem," Nabiki tried
to smile sweetly.  She could fake most things fairly easily, but
sweet was not one of them.  
	Ranma nodded at his friend, but he liked helping people out of
problems.  This did not sound bad so far.  "Okay, what's the
problem?" he asked Akane.  
	Akane's scowl deepened, but she did not respond.  Nabiki spoke up.  
	"Akane is being harassed by some guys that want to go out with
her," she delivered in a flat tone.  
	"That's hard to believe," Ranma shrugged.  
	"WHAT?" Akane screamed in his face.  
	"Hey!  I just meant that you seemed pretty good!  I didn't think a
couple of school bullies would give you any trouble."  
	"Oh," Akane sat back down, mollified for the moment.  
	Nabiki took a breath before getting into the particulars.  "Well,
it's not just a 'couple' of them.  There's about thirty or forty."  
	"WHAT?"  Now it was Ranma's turn to be surprised.  
	Nabiki went on to detail Kuno's challenge and the daily fights that
resulted.  Both Ranma and Mousse showed their shock.  Akane joined
them as Nabiki got into what she knew about Kuno holding back.  The
two boys did not have to talk to determine that they would help in
any way they could.  
	"Okay, I can see the problem.  What's the plan?"  Ranma did not
know why he assumed Nabiki had a specific plan in mind, he just did.  
	"Well, the one solution I see is to let someone beat Akane, and
then the two act like boyfriend and girlfriend.  Unfortunately, we're
pretty sure Kuno will just challenge the guy for the right to go out
with Akane.  We're pretty sure you can beat him, though, so it may
not be an issue with you."  
	"Oh, I'll beat him all right," Ranma replied with a confident
smile.  
	"Wait a minute," Mousse interrupted.  "How long do they have to
keep up the act?"
	Nabiki frowned at Mousse.  She was having no trouble getting Ranma
excited and ready to make a deal, but his buddy kept getting in the
way.  
	"For as long as it's needed.  Basically, until Kuno lets up, or we
find another solution."  
	"That's pretty steep for calling in a few favors, one time."  Now
Mousse seemed to be having some fun.  "And... if we're pitching in on
the bills, you're gonna have most of our money, anyway.  How about we
split the cash costs?"
	"Split?  Well, that-" 
	"Wait a minute!" Akane stopped everyone.  She was no longer angry,
but still upset.  "There's something else I gotta say.  Ranma, if we
do this, I... that is, you can't... we can't...."
	'So much for liking her,' Ranma thought.  "Akane, if you like, I
will promise, on my honor as a martial artist, not to lay a hand on
you."  
	"Take that back!"  
	Ranma and Akane both turned to look at Nabiki.  
	"You can't do that.  You guys are supposed to be dating.  You're
gonna have to hold hands at school sometimes, and maybe go to an
occasional dance together."  
	"WHAT?" they both asked.  Then both shot angry looks at Mousse, who
made a valiant effort to control his giggling.  
	Nabiki just rolled her eyes at the boy before she responded. 
"Look, I don't want you taking advantage of my sister, but you two
have to look the part.  Maybe you could swear...."
	Mousse was still wiping his eyes as he offered a solution.  "Akane,
I know you don't know me very well, but I can tell you this is a very
honorable guy.  It took a lot of character to come back and rescue me
from my village, and it took a fair amount to show you how good he is
without hurting you.  Why don't you just have him swear to act
honorably towards you?"  
	Nabiki nodded her endorsement.  "That sounds good, Akane."  
	Akane gave a small nod and everyone turned to Ranma.  
	Ranma felt a little silly.  'If I ain't honorable, the oath don't
mean anything.  If I am honorable, it ain't necessary.'  
	"Okay, Akane.  I swear, on my honor as a martial artist, to act as
honorable towards you as I possibly can."