Here it is, Part Six!  For this and any of my other works,
visit my Web Site at:

http://www.geocities.com/coutuva

As always, C&C is anticipated, accepted, and appreciated.
All original Ranma1/2 Characters and Backstory Copyright
Rumiko Takahashi, and are used without permission.

Please Enjoy!
Coutuva.



Secrets: Volume One Part Six
--------------------------------------------------------------------



        Nodoka, Akane and Kei slowly walked back to their hotel
from the park, taking full advantage of the pleasant afternoon.
Nodoka noticed that except for the period when they had spoken,
Akane wouldn't let Kei out of her sight.  In a way, she seemed
to be clinging to the child, as if she couldn't stand to be
separated from him.
	Nodoka had a feeling she knew why, having witnessed many
such occasions in the past, particularly when Akane had been upset
over something.  She knew that Akane didn't have any friends, and
with her father having passed away, very little contact with her
family.  In fact, she knew that had she not volunteered to look
after Kei while Akane worked, she herself would probably not have
been around much either.
	She was pleasantly surprised by the apparent change in
attitude that Akane had exhibited since she arrived, and earnestly
hoped that it was a sign of things to come.  She was aware of
Akane's anger control problem, having seen the empty prescription
bottle in the one of trashcans she changed out.  She hoped also
that perhaps, her 'kinder, gentler' attitude was a sign that Akane
had finally stopped fighting her therapy.
        "Akane-chan...  Look over there...  Isn't that a nice
looking little shop?" she ventured, curious about the reaction.
        Akane looked across the street and smiled.  "Hai...  Want
to go in?" she asked, glancing back at Nodoka.
	"Hai. I do.  It's been a while since I've just gone
shopping, and as long as I'm here, I might as well indulge," she
responded, happily.  "How about you, Kei-chan?  Feel like doing
some shopping?" she redirected, grinning.
        "Ano...  Shopping?  Yuk," he grimaced, drawing a laugh from
both women.



        It had taken hours, but Miyoko finally managed to get
Yoriko calmed down enough to stop trembling.  The poor girl had
literally gone into shock, clinging to Miyoko like a frightened
child.  The situation had honestly scared Miyoko, bringing her very
close to calling an ambulance.
        Miyoko had seen people handle trauma in a wide variety of
ways, but had never seen anyone react like this.  It was almost as
if the experience had awakened some lurking demon from Yoriko's
past, one that utterly terrified her.
        Even now, as the exhausted Yoriko slept fitfully against
her side, she knew that the girl was still reliving the earlier
episode.  Miyoko sighed again as she glanced over at her, her heart
aching for the girl's torment.
	Her face darkened as she vowed to herself that Nabiki was
going to suffer for this outrage, and suffer as much as she could
make her.  She was already angry at the middle Tendou sister for
her interference in what was once an idyllic life, and this
incident only served to throw fuel on that fire.
        "She's going to pay for this, Yoriko-chan...  I swear it,"
she whispered, leaning down to kiss her girlfriend's forehead.  "As
soon as you're okay," she added, pulling the blanket back up
over the girl's shoulder.




	Nabiki was stunned.  He cell phone lay beside her open hand
on the bed, its flip still open.  She had just heard from her
'assistant', as he called in from the Emergency room of the
Hospital.  She had already figured that Ranma would be angry, but
couldn't believe just how angry he had actually been.  Suddenly,
she knew what it was like to be in fear for her life.
	Having already gathered her papers and such back together,
she decided it was a good time to leave.  Hurriedly packing her
suitcases, she called down for a porter and stacked them all near
the door.
	 A few minutes later, she heard a faint knock at her door,
followed by a voice yelling "Porter!"  She walked to the door
quietly and peered out the peephole nervously.  In the hall stood a
young man with a cart, patiently waiting for her to open her door.
        Flinging it open, she was about to put the rush on him when
two large men in black suits and sunglasses stepped in from either
side.
        "Tendou Nabiki?  Would you come with us, please?" the one
on the right stated, gruffly.
        "Why should I?" she snapped, trying to act tough.
	The man opened his coat to reveal a shiny automatic pistol
in a shoulder holster, then smirked slightly.  "We believe it would
be in your best interest," he stated, quietly.




        "C'mon, Mom!  I want to watch Sailor Moon!" Kei insisted,
tugging at his mother's hand as they made their way toward the hotel.
	"We're only going in to get cleaned up and changed, and
then we're going back out," Akane chided, shaking her head.
Nodoka only smiled.
	"Mo-om..." he groaned, looking up at her impatiently.  "We
only got ten minutes!" he indicated, frowning.
        "I'm not rushing for that, Kei-chan.  If we get there in
time, we do.  If we don't, you'll catch the rerun tonight anyway,
so just hold your horses," she responded, her patience wearing.
	"Will Nabiki be meeting us there, Akane-chan?"  Nodoka
asked, attempting to disrupt the 'discussion' before it created a
scene.
	"No, probably not.  She told me she had to follow up on some
things, and may not be back until later," Akane replied, hoping
Nodoka wouldn't press for details.
        "I see...  So then we should just go for supper without
her?"
        "Hai...  She'll probably meet us there," Akane confirmed,
breathing a sigh of relief.
        "I hope she does...  I'd like to see what her plans are,"
Nodoka remarked, sighing.  "I'm still hoping that things will work
out...  At least partially."
        "Hai.  I am too," Akane responded, trying not to sound as
sad as she felt.
	"Is it a nice place, this 'Happy Spatula'?"
        "Not too bad.  It's not fancy, but the food is excellent.
You probably know the chef...  Kuonji Ukyou?"
        "Hai...  I do remember that name.  She was the girl with
the boyish clothes, was she not?" Nodoka asked, thoughtfully.
        "That's her.  She left Nerima in the spring to open this
place."
        "I look forward to meeting her," she smiled, noting that
Kei had settled nicely, and their Hotel was only half a block
away.  "Although, I think I'll call a cab to take us there.  Kei
seems to be getting a bit tired," she noted, as the child
finished yawning.
        "He probably is.  You traveled late into last night.
I...  Meant to thank you for bringing him so quickly, by the
way.  I was missing him pretty badly," Akane smiled, glancing
down at him.
	"I know," she responded, smiling.
	



        "Don't worry, Yoriko-chan.  By the time I get back, this
will all be over," Miyoko insisted, darkly.
        "Miyo-kooo....  I don't want you getting in trouble just
for me," Yoriko whined, grabbing her girlfriend's gi sleeve as
she walked by the couch.
        "Yori-chan...  If I don't finish this now, it'll never
*be* finished.  She went after you to get to me.  She probably
found out something about your background, and was going to
threaten you with revealing it.  That's her style.  I know that
if..." she started, but stopped as she noticed Yoriko's face.
	 The girl had sunk back to her knees on the couch, looking
like she had seen a ghost.
        "Yori-chan?" she asked, moving up to her and sitting
beside her worriedly.
        "Ano...  Gomen, Miyoko-chan...  I just...  Had a
flashback..." she gasped, shaking her head.
        Miyoko growled.  "See?  This is what I mean!  If I
don't put a stop to this crap, we'll never have any damned peace!"
she snarled, leaping to her feet.
        "What...  Where are you going, Miyoko-chan?" Yoriko abruptly
asked, bailing off the couch and heading after Miyoko.
        "The Happy Spatula.  They know where she is, and I know
they'll tell me.  At least they damned-well better," she replied,
stomping toward the door.
        "I'm coming, too...  I want to see what's going on,"
Yoriko insisted, stopping to slide on her uniform pants.
        Miyoko stopped and looked at her for a moment, considering
insisting that she stay at home, but when she saw the concern in her
eyes, she simply grunted.
        "C'mon, Yori-chan.  Let's get this over with," she
glowered, holding open the door.




	It was busy, but not terribly crowded at the Happy Spatula,
much to Nodoka's relief.  She had been slightly afraid of ending up
stuck in a small, noisy restaurant, especially since she had
expected to be having some fairly serious conversations.
	The meal turned out to be a cordial affair, at least until
the rush quieted, then Ukyou made her way over to their table and
introduced herself.
        "You're Mrs. Saotome?" Ukyou exclaimed, blinking in
surprise.  "I had you pictured a lot differently," she added,
regarding her intently.
	"I have the feeling that I should take that as a
compliment," Nodoka remarked, uncertain of exactly *how* to take
it.
        "Hai...  It is.  I was expecting someone older...  And less
pleasant," Ukyou indicated, earnestly.
	Nodoka flashed a glance at Akane, who only shrugged.
	"So this is the same little guy that I remember as only
being this big?" Ukyou redirected, walking over and tousling
Kei's hair.
        "Hai!  I growed this much!" Kei indicated proudly,
holding his hands about a foot apart.  "I don't fit my pants
anymore!" he added, eliciting a snicker from Nodoka and red
cheeks from Akane.
        "Wow...  You must be cold," Ukyou quipped, shooting a smirk
at Akane.  "So, I guess you plan on going ahead, ne?" she slid in,
lowering an eyebrow.
        "No...  I just couldn't stand to be without the man in my
life.  I missed him," Akane replied, adjusting Kei's shirt front as
she flashed a scathing look back at the chef.  "He came in late 
last night with baachan."
	"Baachan?" Ukyou blinked, then leaned close to Akane.
"How much does he know?" she whispered quickly, not wanting to
hurt the boy's feelings over a casual remark.
        "He doesn't know who Miyoko is, if that's what you mean.
I'll explain it later," Akane whispered back, tersely.
        "Hai...  I'll go back to the kitchen.  Come see me."
        "Nodoka-sama...  Ukyou would like to show me something in
the kitchen.  Could you look after Kei-chan for a minute?" Akane 
announced, slipping Nodoka a wink.
        "Most certainly, Akane-chan...  Take your time," Nodoka
smiled, rising with Akane to move closer to Kei.
	In the kitchen, Akane wasted no time.  "I called them and
asked them to come.  And Kei doesn't know about 'Miyoko' or
her little plaything.  And no, this isn't a setup, so don't give
me that look," she whispered, seriously.
        "That's what I wanted to know.  So if this isn't a setup,
then why are they here?" Ukyou countered, eyeing her suspiciously.
	Akane's face immediately saddened slightly, although her
voice didn't give it away.  "Like I said...  I missed him.  We've
never been apart for more than a few hours."
        "Fair enough.  So where's Nabiki?  I thought she was coming
with you?"
        "I don't know.  She left us at the park today, and I
haven't seen her since.  She's probably still trying to dig up some
dirt on 'blondie'."
        "Masaka.  I hoped she'd quit," Ukyou responded, frowning.
"That's only going to raise more hell."
        "Don't ask me...  Anyway, let's get back out there.  I
don't want Kei eating too much junk, and Nodoka will feed it to
him just to spoil him," Akane noted, glancing back toward their
table.  "He's a bit hyperactive, and sugar makes him wild."
	Ukyou only stared back at her for a heartbeat, eyes slightly
wide. "Kuso, Akane...  What happened to you?  You sound like a
mom, and look like a woman all of a sudden.  What gives?" Ukyou
abruptly blurted, regarding her incredulously.
	Akane's face abruptly sobered, and her eyes rolled to the
side.  "It's amazing what being slammed into a wall can do to a
person," she responded at length, then turned and walked back to
the table.
	Ukyou watched her go, then broke into a smile.  "There may
be hope for you yet, Akane-chan," she whispered, starting after
her.
    


        "Is this a progress report, Sasuke?" Tatewaki asked,
turning his chair to face his underling.
        "Hai, Tatewaki-dono," the diminutive ninja replied, bowing.
"Phase One of your 'present' has been long completed.  They expect
Phase Two completion fairly soon."
        "Very good, Sasuke.  Pass along my compliments, and report
back on Phase Two.  I am most interested in the results," he
smiled, turning his chair back around.  "You are dismissed."
        "Arigato, Tatewaki-dono," Sasuke replied, and quickly
exited the office.
	"Are you enjoying your little game, brother dear?" a
familiar voice intoned from the sliding panel in the wall.
        "I am...  And the play becomes more exciting by the minute,"
he smiled, leaning back in his chair and grinning evilly.



	
        Miyoko sprang back from the doorway and flattened against
the wall, face white as a ghost.  Yoriko, startled by the sudden
move, gasped and reached out to her.
        "Miyoko-chan?" she blurted, noting the shock on her face.
        "Maaa...  I can't believe this!  DAMMIT!" she suddenly
cursed, spinning to punch the brick wall, and scatter shards of
masonry and dust all about her.
        "Miyoko?" Yoriko shrank, tucking her hands under her
chin fearfully.
        Miyoko blinked, then shook herself. "G-Gomen, Yori-chan.
I didn't mean to scare you," she began, then her eyes suddenly 
flew open.  "Hang on!" she warned, then grabbed Yoriko by the 
waist and leapt straight up.
        "Aieee...!" Yoriko squealed, then suddenly found herself
on the roof.
        "Shhh!  They're right down there," Miyoko cautioned,
pointing at the ground below her.
        Yoriko moved over beside her and looked over the edge, only
to see the owner of the shop and two other women, one of whom was
holding a small boy.  All three were looking around, she assumed
for the source of the damage to the wall.
        "He's...  Incredible..." Miyoko suddenly breathed, her eyes
softening.
        Yoriko blinked.  "Is that your son?" she asked quietly,
touching the redhead's shoulder.
        Miyoko turned to her and nodded, her face a mixture of
pride and sadness.  "Hai...  And he's every bit as handsome and
healthy as I hoped," she smiled, sadly.  "And that's not all...
See that older woman?   That's...  My mother," she added,
shaking her head.  "Shimata...  I'm not ready for this..."
        Yoriko bit her lip as her mind conveniently replayed
Miyoko's words from a few nights ago.  Unconsciously, her hand
sought out her new ring and toyed with it nervously.
        Abruptly, Miyoko turned, then stepped up and hugged her 
tightly.  "Yori-chan...  Give me strength."
        "Miyoko-chan...  I love you..." she responded, returning
the hug supportively, even though her knees felt weak.




	Nabiki didn't know whether to be angry or scared, but she
was definitely a little of both.  She sat alone in a small, dark
room, furnished only with a desk, a chair and a large mirror on the
wall behind the far end of the table.
	She had a suspicion what was going to happen, but no clue
as to anything beyond that.  In fact, she started to rise to go and
inspect the mirror, just to throw a little defiance at her captors.
        "Remain seated!" a gruff, badly amplified voice ordered,
startling her slightly.
	"And why should I do that?  Afraid I'll figure out who you
are?" she responded, off-handedly.
	"If you do not follow our instructions, you will be
punished.  And judging from your history, there are many who would
like the opportunity.  Move to your seat!" the voice ordered again,
then went silent.
	Nabiki fumed for a moment, then decided to play the game
and see what transpired.  Settling into her seat, she crossed her
hands on the table and waited like a schoolgirl.
	The voice returned a second later.  "What are your
intentions concerning Naganato Yoriko?" it demanded, flatly.
        "She's dating my brother in law...  I want it stopped," she
replied, evenly.
        "Takara Miyoko is not married, in either of her forms.
What are your intentions?" the voice repeated, a bit angrier.
	Nabiki raised an eyebrow.  These people had done their
homework.  "Ranma is my sister's rightful fiancee.  That 'Yoriko'
is preventing him from marrying my sister as he is honour-bound to
do!" she shot back, indignantly.
        "Takara Miyoko left Nerima Ward long before meeting
Naganato Yoriko.  Your argument is invalid.  What are your *real*
intentions?" the voice persisted, sounding more impatient.
        "I've already told you!" Nabiki snapped, angrily.
	"Lies!  You have persisted in attempts to gather
information on Naganato Yoriko for more than 72 hours.  This
indicates malicious intent.  You will explain your actions!" the
voice yelled, angrily.
	Nabiki's patience wore out.  "Yeah, my intent was malicious
all right.  I want that little blonde twat out of my family's
life, and I was trying to find something to discredit her!!  Can
you assholes grasp that concept?" she shouted, leaping to her feet.
	"It is apparent that you do not wish to cooperate.  You will
remain in your present quarters until you provide reasonable
responses.  Oyasumi," the voice replied, followed by a click -- 
and silence.
	"Bastards!" she spat, landing heavily back in her chair.
Looking around her room glumly, she sighed and looked at her watch.
Noting that it was only seven p.m., she suddenly had the sickening
feeling that it was going to be a long, lonely night.
	Meanwhile, behind the mirror, several people observed
Nabiki's behavior, each shaking their heads.
        "Do you believe her?" the one at the microphone asked,
turning to another seated beside him.
	"It's possible, but I want to make sure before we turn her
loose.  She spent far too much time digging for my liking," he
replied, flipping through his reports.  "She could be a mole..."
	"There is a family agreement to wed the children, but one
of the parents has passed away now.  And observations have
indicated nothing but animosity and anger between the principals.
That was the core of the situation that resulted in his leaving,"
a third, female observer indicated, flipping through pages on her
palmtop.
	"Hm.  Okay, continue the session in the morning, and keep
the heat on.  She may crack then.  We'll decide based on what
happens," the first one stated, rising from his chair.  "Pack it
up for tonight, we'll meet here tomorrow at six am.  I have to
submit a progress report now, so I will see you then," he
continued, opening the door at the rear of the room.
	Quietly, the others followed, except for the one female
observer.  Taking a last look at Nabiki cradling her head in her
hands, she shook her head sadly.  "Stupid girl," she whispered,
then turned and left the room.
	



        Miyoko paced a long loop along the edge of the roof, trying
desperately to sort out her thoughts.  Yoriko, worried as she was,
could only watch her helplessly.
	Meantime, the appearance of both her son *and* her mother 
had thrown Miyoko completely.  It had washed away her anger at 
Nabiki, only to replace it with fear.  
	She could still feel how her heart had leapt when she'd
spotted that small head of unruly black hair, which told her she'd
be a sitting duck.
	Sighing heavily as she paced, she shook her head.  It was
going to take every bit of strength she possessed not to crumble
the second she made eye contact, and if the boy knew her...  It was
going to be almost impossible.
	She knew there was a simple way around it, that being to
just go back home and pretend she hadn't seen him.  Unfortunately,
the tightness in her chest wouldn't let her get away with that,
and neither would Yoriko.  Sighing again, she realized she had no
choice.  She had to face them, and face them now.
	The problem was that she simply didn't know how.
        Yoriko, now sitting on the side of a large vent cover, was
dealing with an argument of her own.  She could see plainly how
much the situation was bothering Miyoko, and realized that she was
partly to blame.  As well, her old fears about their relationship
had resurfaced, making her wish she didn't have such a guilty 
conscience.
	Abruptly, she frowned.  She couldn't believe she was doing
it again.  Inwardly, she chided herself for putting her selfish
interests ahead of those of Miyoko's son, and vowed that she would
help Miyoko, no matter the cost.  Even so, those last words still 
sent a shudder through her.
        "Shimata!" Miyoko suddenly gasped, pointing to a large,
slanted panel a few feet away.
        "Miyoko?  What?" Yoriko sputtered, caught off-guard by the
hushed outburst.
	"A skylight!  If they're not too far away..." she trailed
off, springing over to the unit suddenly.
        Yoriko rose and walked quickly over to join her, still
wondering what her girlfriend was up to.
        "All right!  They're right near us!" Miyoko noted,
excitedly.  Gently, she wedged her fingers under the lip of the
glass panel and tried to lift it up.  It moved about an eighth of
an inch, then stopped against a lock.  "Kuso.  See if any of the
panes are loose!" she instructed quietly, looking the panel over.
        "Hai!  This one, Miyoko-chan!" Yoriko indicated, pointing
to one with most of its glazing missing.
        "Great!  Now, if I can just get it out," Miyoko grinned,
starting to pick at the glazing.  Suddenly, as she was about to try
lifting the pane, the entire skylight began to open slowly.
	"Ack...!" she yelped, then looked around for who was 
responsible.  Off to the side, near the entry to the kitchen, she 
spotted Ryouga turning the crank carefully and winking up at them.
        Miyoko smirked and signed an 'ok' back to him, followed
by a thankful smile.
        As the panel finally rose enough that Miyoko could hear
the conversation, she sat near the skylight and listened intently.
        "Miyoko-chan, what are you doing?" Yoriko finally asked,
settling beside her quietly.
        "I want to see what they're up to.  It'll be easier to
deal with if I know what to expect," she whispered, leaning closer
to the opening.
        "Hai...  I guess so," Yoriko agreed, looking down at the
laughing little boy below them.  Miyoko was right...  He was a
beautiful child, and he had Miyoko's eyes.  Her heart sank.
	



        "What is it, Miyoko-chan?"  Yoriko prodded gently, as they
sat together on the same vent she herself had been on earlier.
        "Ano...  I'm not sure, Yoriko-chan.  Everything I heard...
sounded like it was coming from different people," she observed,
patting the cover beside her.
        "What do you mean?"
	"I expected to hear them plotting some kind of trap for
me...  You know.  Instead...  I hear a little boy talking about
this incredible father...  Whom he's never met.  I hear Akane
with more love in her voice than I knew she had the capacity
for...  Except when she's talking about me.  I heard my mother
speaking with remorse...  Something I didn't think she ever did,"
she explained, looking slightly flabbergasted.
        "Ano...  I don't understand, Miyoko-chan.  Is that good...
or bad?" she asked carefully, placing her hand on Miyoko's knee
and looking at her searchingly.
        Miyoko smiled and shook her head.  "Neither...  But I think
it's given me a way to sort all this out, Yori-chan.  And if it
works, nobody ends up getting hurt," she indicated, happily.




        "No, it's getting late, Ukyou.  And a certain young man
can't miss his beauty sleep," Akane waved off with a quick smile,
adjusting Kei's bangs.
        "Is it time for Sailor Moon?" he brightened, looking up
from the coloring book Ukyou had supplied earlier.
        "If we get home in the next half-hour, maybe."
	"Let's go, Mom!  You said I could watch this one!" he
reminded, insistently.
	"How about you, Nodoka-sama?  Would you like another?"
Ukyou offered, lifting the pot toward her.
        "Oh, my no.  I'll be up all night as it is now.  Thank
you anyway," Nodoka deflected, smiling.  "Do you want to leave
now, Akane-chan?" she asked, noting Akane gathering Kei's
crayons.
        "Nani?  If you guys leave now, you'll miss all the fun!"
a familiar voice exclaimed, turning every head at the table.
"Konbanwa!  Auntie Miyoko's here!" she smiled, walking right up
to Kei.  "You must be Ranma's boy -- I can tell because you look
just like him," she grinned, kneeling beside his chair.  "You even
have the same hair."
        Kei's eyes just about fell out of his head, along with
Akane's and Nodoka's.  "You know my Dad?" he gasped, jaw dropping
open.  Akane opened her mouth to register an objection to what was
happening, but Nodoka reached over and touched her shoulder,
flashing her a look.
        "Hai...  I do so.  I just saw him a few days ago," Miyoko
nodded, looking down at his doodles.
        "Is he coming?" Kei continued, still wide-eyed.
        "Ano...  I don't know, little guy.  A lot depends on
what happens over the next little while," she replied, casting a
glance at Nodoka and Akane.  "Besides, he's no fun anyway.  All
he talks about is Martial Arts and stuff," she remarked, affecting
a grimace.
	"Hai!!  I know!  He's a great Marsh Artist!  Mom told me
how he flushed an entire tower down the drain to save her from
seven luckies!" Kei gushed, causing Miyoko to have to turn away
to avoid breaking out laughing.
	"He did, did he?  What else did he do?"  she prompted,
needing some time to compose herself.  Fifteen minutes later, she
was more than convinced her idea was correct.
        "Tell you what, Kei-chan...  I have to talk to your Mom
and Baachan for a few minutes.  Can I borrow them?" she asked,
sweetly.
        "Hai!  But not too long.  I want to watch Sailor Moon!"
Kei insisted, seriously.
        Miyoko nodded and smiled brightly, then reached over and
touched his cheek gently.  "Gad, you are an incredible kid.  I'm
glad I met you," she breathed, then stood up and looked over at
Akane.  "Shall we?" she asked, gesturing toward the door.
	"Damn straight," Akane responded, long tired of holding
her tongue.
        Outside, Yoriko waited none too patiently, dreading what
was about to happen.  As she heard everyone approaching, she moved
back slightly, setting up to meet Miyoko as pre-arranged.
        "Okay, 'Auntie'.  Would you mind explaining yourself...
Like right now?" Akane snapped, her cheeks already reddening.
        "In a minute.  Move back away from the door, first,"
Miyoko deflected, urgingly.  Once everyone was out of earshot,
and Yoriko had moved in beside her, Miyoko cleared her throat.  
	She didn't notice Akane's eyebrow twitch as the woman 
caught sight of Yoriko, but Yoriko noticed it immediately.
	"First things first.  Mom, I would like you to meet
someone.  This is Naganato Yoriko...  And we are in love," she
stated, emphatically.  "In fact, we live together here in Kyoto,"
she announced, stepping aside to gesture to Yoriko.
        "Hajimemashite, Saotome-sama," Yoriko bowed with a polite
smile, then stepped back and stood quietly, eyes lowered.
        "Ano...  I am...  Pleased to meet you too, Naganato-san,"
she replied weakly, still trying to assimilate what the girl meant.
        Miyoko had to smirk.
        "Well?" Akane reiterated, setting her hands on her hips.
        "Well nothing.  I have a proposal for you, Akane...  One
that I think will make everyone happy," Miyoko replied, eyeing the
woman levelly.  "And I want you to just listen to it.  Then, think
it over and tell me your opinion.  What happens after that will
depend on your response," she instructed, firmly.
        "Hey...  You're in no position to be making demands,
Ranma," Akane growled, taking a step forward.
        "Akane-chan...  Let him, er, her speak.  It can't hurt to
do that," Nodoka intervened, surprising Miyoko considerably.
	"Arigato, Kaasan," she stated, smiling at her slightly.
        "Fine...  Speak your piece, Ranma.  But don't get your
hopes up," she glowered, crossing her arms.
        Miyoko only smirked again.  "Let's go over to that bench.
You two might want to sit down," she indicated, ominously.



===================================================================
END - Secrets V1P6                     A Ranma1/2 Fanfic by Coutuva


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coutuva@vecdev.com