Rearranging an Arrangment II The Sequel Bestill my Beating Wallet *CLICK* Watcher-1: I'm going to watch some more of this alterverse. Watcher-2: Is it going to be a lemon? Watcher-1: Shut up, and bring the popcorn. Watcher-3: Where did we get him, is he a perv--or what? Watcher-2: I am one with my citrus side. You two are just denying it. Watcher-1: Whatever. This fic interrupted to bring you the following Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 belongs to R. Takahashi, and her licence holders. I do this or my own entertainment, no profit to be gained. Notes: I have pre-readers now, may God have mercy on their souls. Nabiki wasn't too terribly fond of waking up in the morning. Worse still, she didn't like waking up early in the morning at the foot of her own bed. Sleeping in the sitting position tended to make things sore, not to mention the wonders it does for one's outlook on life. In fact, it tended to make one rather, well, cranky. Add to this a person screaming, a mallet aimed a bit too closely, and not having had breakfast--things can get rather hairy. Nope, all in all, Nabiki was not pleased. Thus, she voiced her concern in the most polite and sincerest way possible, "Why are you screaming this hour in the morning, Akane? People sleep here ya' know. Just what is it you have against people trying to get some sleep?" She thought that would be enough to remove the sleep invader from her presence, but she seemed to notice something else. That something else just happened to be why she didn't sleep in her own bed, Ranma. Nabiki quickly concluded that her dear little sister had assumed the worst. Again, her trusty friends, otherwise known as vocal chords, came to the rescue. She simply stated, "Akane, if you're going to try to kill my husband, have the decency to do it behind my back." "I'm sorry, big sister, I thought..," managed a slightly deflated Akane. Her heart was really in the right place; since, all boys were perverts. She quickly summised that if her sister hinted that all was good, then maybe the guy wasn't being perverted--yet. The freak would try to use the fact that he turned into a girl to his advantage sooner or later, and she would be ready. With that determination, she quietly removed herself from Nabiki's room. "God, it's too early. Oh well, might as well brush my teeth and freshen up," Nabiki said, though not particularly to Ranma. She got up, stretched, yawned, and heard a small male voice... "Big. Mallet. Big Mallet. How?" Nabiki tried to roll her eyes, but she only managed to open and close her mouth. Since it worked so effectively the first time, she tried it again. Same result. Again, those vocal chords would have to move using what little wit that was available at this hour in the morning, "Really, Ranma. For someone who has a panda for a father, you seem to have a hard time dealing with the unexplainable. C'mon get up, breakfast will be ready soo.... Ranma? Ranma?!!?" +++++++++++++++++ Breakfast Table +++++++++++++++++ A flash of red and black suddenly shocked Soun out of some sort of revere. Calmly lamenting something of fate at the moment, he was shocked out of whatever thought by the sudden motion in the room. The red and black flash was the speeding form of one Ranma Saotome, who was now sitting at attention awaiting the morning meal. Soun quickly returned to thought, "Ahh, my dear sweet Kasumi is making a wonderful breakfast again! She is such a wonderful daughter, well except for blab- bering off our money situation to Ranma last night..." "Well old friend, the curse isn't so bad. Although, I'm glad that you mentioned it to me first. Maybe we can find a way to explain it to Nabiki before something terrible happens," Soun stated. He was fairly sure that his middle daughter would under- stand after some coercion. "Agreed, Tendo," his friend exclaimed. He was further reassured by Saotome's assurance that Ranma had the makings of the finest martial artist in the world! At this point, they had both made several phone calls about the impending wedding, checked with Nabiki, and finally went to check on Ranma. Approaching the door, they heard Kasumi's voice, "Well, Ranma, Nabiki is still a very sweet girl. How- ever, she has to keep the bills straight for the family, as father hasn't been too well since mother passed on. Why Ranma, yes father is finally doing better. Thank you for asking. As I was saying, Nabiki handles all of it. She pays the bills, balances the books, and even manages to bring in some money from some nice school activities!" Soun didn't like the sound of where Kasumi was going with her discussion with Ranma, but felt that she was trying to help. He wasn't very happy about what she was saying, wasn't happy about the truthfulness of it, and didn't want to explain it him- self either. That last thought helped him make the decision he did. "Saotome," he began, "let us just hurry to dig out the paperwork that must be signed!" His friend answered in the positive, "Yes, let us seal the contract and make our families one!" In all honesty, Soun still wasn't so sure he wanted to even try to defend the home's financial situation. Besides, Nabiki had been doing a wonderful job. Ahh, Nabiki. She would indeed make Ranma a wonderful wife! The future of the dojo was secure, and soon he could relax as the complexities of life were passed to the next generation. Soun had been looking foreword to this time for such a long time... His revere was broken yet again, and again it was Ranma. Apparently, there was some discord over whether or not he would attend school. Feeling the need to add his fatherly advice, he arose from the table. "Ranma, what do you mean..," he began, but was immediately cut off by his daughter, Nabiki, who had just walked into the room. "Dear, I would appreciate it if my husband wasn't an uneducated buffoon; so, please come with us to school," Nabiki stated in a flat voice that gave no hint of even the slightest of arguments about the subject. Hearing this, Soun was relieved that his daughter was taking the initiative to keep the well being of the newly expanded family in mind. He decided to sit next to his friend-turned-panda and sip some more morning tea. The sounds of the various arguments faded into a distance, as Soun Tendo and Genma Saotome sat at the table. Soun could tell that Genma was satisfied, as was he. Even the voices in the distant sounded sweet to their ears. +++ "Why are you walking up there? Do you think you are better than us? Why can't you walk to school like a normal person?" Akane's face told on her, she really didn't like the way that he, Ranma, was showing off. Nabiki, on the other hand, had more pressing matters to attend to. Although muddled up emotionally, she had to prepare for "business." She really didn't mind Ranma walking up on the fence, it gave her a nice... What was she thinking?!!? " I need to get ready for the day's business!," she swallowed some small emotion or an- other, hoping against hope there wasn't an audible "gulp" to go with it. Then, she proceeded, "Ranma, I would like to be the one to tell the people at school about our marriage. They know me, and I want to be the one to tell them. OK?" For his part, Ranma didn't see any big deal about it. It wasn't as if the mar- riage itself was more than another curve ball to be dealt with. Somehow, he had ex- pected something of this nature, and was just thankful that he hadn't been forced to marry some witch. Further, this request just seemed silly; why should she care about who knows first? He concluded that it didn't mean a whole lot, so he readily con- ceded the point. "Sure thing, Nabiki, whatever you want to do." At this point, Akane couldn't really care less about this stupid marriage. They were both pig headed, stubborn, conceited people. "Bleh," thought Akane with a face that echoed her emotion. Not wanting to directly annoy her sister, she decided to let her steam out on the next available target instead. "Would you come down from there?!!?" "You're not a real martial artist unless you..." Ranma berated the annoying girl below him. "What did you say, you jerk?" Akane was not going to have any flack from that flamboyant show-off. "Uhm, I have things to do. Would you two pick another time to fight?" Nabiki was going to have to do something about the way her little sister wanted to pick at her new husband. But as fate would have it, Akane lost her temper and threw something at Ranma. Nabiki watched for a moment, as he began to lose his footing. She was amused when he got it back, and was irritated by the time Ranma had gotten splashed from someone tossing out a pot of water. "Akane, take him to Dr. Tofu's. I'll meet you guys at school later. I really can't be late." She took a moment to wave, and picked up her pace to get to school a little early. Although Ranma wasn't pleased with yet another person learning of his curse, he would soon learn that the kind doctor's location would give him a way point in his various comings and goings. After a quick scare ( by the skeleton Betty ), a quick dousing with hot water, and a few words with the doctor, he and Akane were sent along their way. On the way out, Ranma could only wonder about the doctor's closing statement, "If you trust Nabiki, and be honest about your feelings; you'll be awarded by a dedication that few people are capable of." With that, the two teenaged martial art- ists were out the door. -- ELSEWHERE -- At the same time, Nabiki was finally at the school. While she generally enjoyed running the various betting pools at the school, the ghosts from within wouldn't give her the reprieve that she normally took in the morning's activities. No, they came with her; each ghost, worry, and concern were taking their each little toll. Nabiki main- tained her cool demeanor throughout the ordeal that had been bubbling up from within, until someone had mentioned Kuno. Nabiki quickly made a guess, with the knowledge she gained the prior evening, to give the morning's bets a lean towards Ranma. Since most of the school would be betting on Kuno, she should catch a tidy sum if Ranma can pull off an up- set. This information, along with the fact that there was going to be a new guy in school this morning, was given to her business partners. She further indicated to her "friends" that his name was Ranma, he was walking to school with Akane, and that he was taken. She emphasized that he wasn't Akane's boyfriend or anything of the like, then proceeded towards her classroom to watch the action from above. While watching and waiting she hoped that she had covered everything she would need for the rest of the day. Her thoughts drifted, "I hope I covered everything. I'm not myself today. Hmmm, Kuno-baby was going to assume the worst when he saw Ranma and Akane together." Her finger moved to cover her lips as she drifted deeper into thought, "I don't think I'll call him that any more, no matter how much fun it is to annoy him with that name. Oh well, I'll be too busy to notice with selling out the information of my recent marriage, and OOOOH, wedding presents from the rest of the student body! If I play my cards right, I can even get the staff into it! Calm down girl, I know there is something else I'm forgetting. Just what is it? Oh, Kuno! I should have warned Ranma about him!" If anyone were looking at Nabiki they would have seen her tense up, and begin to move. Nabiki's sudden revelation gave her a quick, and unexplained, scare. She prepared to run outside in hopes to warn Ranma, so maybe she could help his chances. Unfortunately, she was too late. Her only thought at that moment was, "What have I done?" Her trusty vocal chords and quick wit somehow managed to an- swer the question asked near her, "Blue Thunder, that's new to me. I thought it was Lightning?" -- OUTSIDE -- Ranma's eyes were wide, almost as if they were more offended than his ears were. His ears, however had about enough of the poetry spewing madman in front of him. With the invitation of a challenge, and he wasn't sure if it came through the midst of the poetry--or his own mouth, he moved quickly into action. Naturally, he tuned out Akane's protests that it was her fight ( further expanding the rift between the two ). The gathered crowd was amazed at the fight before them, as Ranma dodged between strikes that were lightning fast and frighteningly forceful. He feigned to the left, and again to the right. Each time, he would close the gap between himself and the kendoist. The crowd, however, saw Ranma quickly approaching Kuno. Not de- tectable by the untrained eye, Kuno picked up the pace of his thrust in hopes to dis- patch the commoner before him. In retaliation, Ranma picked up his pace, and went airborne. Throughout the fight, Ranma spewed insults as easily as the upperclass- man uttered poetry. Then, he ended the torrid affair with a quick attack using his fore- fingers. His gloating was cut short by the rap of thunder, and the rain that had began to fall--even as he fell his opponent. From nowhere, a panda raced to get him out of the rain. Akane followed quickly behind, rather aggravated that she was late to class be- cause of this Baka and that buffoon of a kendoist. Several grumbling students made their way past them, as they took Kuno to the nurse's station. ...::: MOMENTS LATER:::... Kuno was livid, as he made his way to class. What hath this fool Saotome to do with the angel of strength, Akane? Her mercenary sister would know, and he in- tended to pay whatever price it would cost. He was sure that the boy was after his heart's desire, and that boy would pay! His first class wouldn't start for a bit, so he would have time to question Tendo about this¹. He would also have to figure out why his head was hurting. What was that infernal mercenary laughing at? He would have went straight to the point about Akane's relationship with that ruffian, but first he had to find out about that laughing. "What, praytell, is so funny, Tendo?" Kuno asked in annoyance. The blasted wench had the nerve not only pull out a mirror, but to laugh harder. After a few moments of disagreeing whether or not Ranma intended to spell "Fool" or not, he finally began to question her about Saotome. He began to swear, "I swear no Saotome will ever best the great Blue Thunder, Tatawaki Kuno! Now, wench, you shall tell me the information that I desire!" Nabiki grinned evilly. A fact lost on Kuno, and the grin was more than a mere predatory grin. She wore a grin that was reserved for the most pleasurable of victo- ries. The only thing she questioned was whether or not the delusional kendoist actu- ally predicted what was about to happen. "Why have the gods forsaken the Tendo name?!!? What, praytell, is the relationship between that vile Ranma and the Tendo's?!!?" Kuno just had to know! The cursed name of Saotome must be removed from the Tendo's presence. The evil grin that Nabiki wore only broke for a moment as she quickly stated the thing that Kuno didn't want to hear, "Why, Kuno, it will only cost 50,000 Yen." Kuno was used to Tendo wanting to be paid for information, but surely this was too much, "What!??!!!! Wherefore doest thou ask for a lion's share, harlot?" Nabiki only irritated him further by stating, "Why it's a very deep and personal relationship, and personal costs." She watched the kendoist squirm after that, and briefly pondered if it was the cash or the "personal" part that got to him. "The pain!! The gods are truly frowning upon the fairest Akane... The funds are but a mere trinkleing for the knowledge of the foul one's presence!!" Immediately, Nabiki had her answer, as she has had far too much time to learn how to dissect the poetry of Kuno. He fumbled around a bit, and paid her. She simply replied with a "Thanks, Kuno," then waited for him to squirm just a bit more. She hoped that the amount would be greater than what she could have sold it for to other students individually. Kuno soured, she must be pausing for effect. But, he could take it no longer, "Spill it, thoust must tell me!" Taking a deep breath, Nabiki was about to open the flood gates. Briefly, she wondered again if Kuno realized that another Saotome had just made a fool of him. Then, as expected, she kept her word, and delivered the coup-de-gras, "He's my hus- band, you moron, I'll expect our wedding present post-haste." The information was more than Kuno could take! He just heard Tendo, no Saotome, Nabiki..... The world became dark, and he released his hold onto the world of the awake. Completely unaware of the ruckus around him, causing a loud CRASH. "Kuno? Kuno?!!? Hmm. Took that well, didn't he?" Nabiki stated, with a good bit of humor, obviously enjoying herself. The revere wouldn't last long though, as the first few of the student body began to question her wanting details. She looked around at the many curious faces, and performed a very unique facial expression--the blink-blink. :: OUTSIDE OF AKANE'S CLASS :: Akane was berating Ranma, she was still very put out about this whole late-to-class thing. "Ranma, if you would have just stayed out of my fight, we could have made it to class on time." Ranma countered, "Hey, he challenged me, ya' know. I didn't ask for it. Be- sides, I can't help it that he misunderstood.." He was cut off by Akane, "Look I don't care if Nabiki and..." She was cut off herself, as it took nanoseconds for the information from the floors above to filter to their classes. Which of coarse resulted in an eruption all around the two martial artists. The many questions included: "How did your sister get HIM?," "Why were you walking to school with your brother-in-law?," "Why would Ranma marry her-when I'm available?" The barrage was endless, as is the darkness closing the scene before you. ================== N O T E S : ================== ¹ I'm afraid I never understood this from the original anime, as it seemed to me that while Ranma and Akane were in trouble for being late -- Nabiki was laughing it up at "Baka". Unless, of coarse, there was a black-board in the school's nurses' office. ================== This sequel, if you will, was provided because it was requested by several people who wanted more of "Rearranging an Arrangement." I was happy with it being a one-shot, but I can hardly refuse a request. 8-) Also, I know that some of the characters are somewhat out of character. Then again, pegging every character perfectly would result in redundancy. Once again, I think I'm done with this fic. However, my pen can be forced, as noted above. I hope that this fanfic is enjoyed as a lighthearted diversion. Is there anything else? Oh yeah, my real email address is targhan_aga@yahoo.com - I left out the "_aga" on the last installment. ===================== Special Thanks to Mr. N&R. The Webmaster of www.nabikiandranma.com for his help, inspiration, and motivation. "Back you demons of Grammer and Spelling, Back I say!" ===================== Ja ne!