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

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All original Ranma1/2 Characters and Backstory Copyright
Rumiko Takahashi, and are used without permission.

Please Enjoy!
Coutuva.



Secrets: Volume One Part Seven
--------------------------------------------------------------------



        "Get on with it Ranma.  We haven't got all night," Akane
grumbled as she settled on the bench.
        "My name is Miyoko," she responded, evenly.  "Okay, here's
my proposal.  You two just go back to Nerima and forget about finding
Ranma.  He's gone, and he ain't coming back," she began, to the
chorused gasps of the two women.  "Auntie Miyoko exists now, and
that's how Kei-chan is going to know me," she continued, before
either of them could react.
        "What the hell are you saying?" Akane blurted, before
Nodoka hushed her with a look.
	"I'm saying this.  I heard your conversations for the last
hour and a half.  Forgive me for eavesdropping, but I wanted to find
out why Kei and my mother were here.  I discovered something during
all that -- Kei thinks his Dad is a god.  He has such a huge image
built up that I doubt any man could live up to it.  If I came back as
his Dad now, one of two things is bound to happen.  He'll be 
disappointed, or he'll be so in awe of me that I'll be all he talks
about -- moreso than now," she noted, earnestly.  "Do you think you
can handle that?" she asked pointedly, looking directly at Akane.
	Akane opened her mouth, but nothing came out.  Sheepishly,
she closed it.
        Miyoko nodded confidently.  "I heard you too, Akane.  When
you talked about me, all I heard was anger.  When you spoke to Kei,
or about him to someone else, there was nothing but love and pride
in your voice.  He's everything to you, isn't he?" she noted,
gently.
        Akane lowered her eyes and smiled slightly.  "Hai -- he is."
	"As I figured.  There's no point in me coming back as
Ranma -- it'd cause more problems that it'd solve.  However, if I
was to visit every so often as 'Auntie Miyoko', I'd get to see
him, you won't have to put up with my ghost, and Kei can have his
image...  For now," she explained, pleasantly.
	"Which still leaves him without a father," Akane noted,
dourly.
        "Not quite.  There may not be a dominant male, but I'll
still be a part of his life," Miyoko stated, firmly.  "It's better
than things are now."
	Akane didn't reply for a moment.  Finally, she looked up at
Miyoko with a strange mix of emotions on her face.  "So what will
you do?  Move back to Nerima?" she asked, in a manner that made
her question difficult to read.
        Miyoko's answer was swift.  "No.  I have a life here now,"
she replied, reaching for Yoriko's hand and gently urging her
toward herself.  "Yoriko-chan and I have a life here.  We'll come
to visit you often -- maybe even stay in town a few days -- but
that's about it," she reiterated, firmly.
	Abruptly, Nodoka spoke up, unable to contain her questions
any longer.  "Then what of your engagement?  The Dojo?" she
asked, although Miyoko could tell from her voice that she already
knew those answers.
	"Nothing.  When Akane and I were fighting prior to my
'departure', she screamed at me that our engagement was off.  We're
not in love anymore, anyway.  In fact, we can't even get along
for more than a few minutes," she attempted, to which Nodoka
responded with a sad nod.
        "I expected as much -- from the day you left," she
acquiesced, lowering her gaze.  "I must tell you...  Of my shame
over that arrangement.  I missed out on your life because of it,
and it has caused our families nothing but trouble.  I regret
agreeing to participate in it, and I ask for your forgiveness for
what my actions have done to you," she continued, then fell
silent.
        Miyoko almost couldn't speak.  "I'm...  Glad to hear you 
say that, but...  It didn't actually work out all that bad..." she
indicated, clearing her throat repeatedly.  "I met Yoriko-chan
here because of my curse, which I got by training for that
arrangement," she noted, squeezing Yoriko's hand and looking over
at her flushing face happily.
        "Then you will forgive me?" she asked, raising her now 
hopeful face.
        "I never blamed you.  I always thought it was Pop's idea,"
she noted, smirking.
        Nodoka smiled with relief and rose to face Miyoko.  "I...
missed you," she stated softly, then stepped forward and hugged
the redhead happily.  "And I'm glad to have you back," she added,
sniffing.
        "Well, sorta, anyway...  But we'll talk about it," Miyoko
noted, returning the hug.
        Akane, meantime, had not responded to Miyoko's assertion
that she was staying in Kyoto, instead keeping her eyes downcast.
	Yoriko noticed her state, and gently tapped Miyoko's 
shoulder when she stepped away from Nodoka.
        "Akane...?  What do you say?" Miyoko asked, stepping
a bit closer.
        "I...  Can't accept...  Your terms," she choked, her voice
barely controlled.  "That deal gives it all to you...  And leaves
me right where I am now.  That's not what I want," she bit off,
not looking up.
        Miyoko frowned.  "You got a better idea?" she asked,
mainly to see what Akane was thinking.
        "I...  Just don't like it!" she snapped abruptly, then
jumped off the bench and plowed through between Miyoko and Yoriko,
storming back into the restaurant.
        "Real mature, Akane!" Miyoko hollered after her, snarling.
"You okay, Yoriko-chan?" she asked, turning to her girlfriend and
looking her over.
        "Hai...  Except for my foot," she winced, indicating the
solid footprint on the top of her soft black shoe.
        "Kuso...  How petty can you get," Miyoko grumbled,
looking back after Akane, now long out of sight.
        "R... Miyoko, I'll speak to her.  She's having a
difficult time with all of this.  Your solution makes sense to me,
and I'll try to make her see that it can work.  This is my Hotel,
and my room number is 1123.  Call me tomorrow, and I'll let you
know what she says," Nodoka interjected, handing her a business
card.
        "Arigato.  I didn't expect she'd accept it right away...
it's not what she wants.  I figure she still wants me to come
back, but there's no way I am," she reiterated, sternly.  "If
she can ever learn to accept that, then this has a chance to work."
        "Let me speak to her.  You go home -- she'll only get more
upset if you stay here," Nodoka repeated, touching Miyoko's arm.
        "Hai...  That's it in a nutshell.  Thanks again, Mom...
I'm glad at least *we* can understand each other," she smiled,
nodding.  "We'll have to do the girl-talk thing one day," she
winked, smirking.
        Nodoka froze for a second, the implications of Miyoko's
quip abruptly hitting home.  "Hai..." she responded slowly, then
her face took on a thoughtful look.  "Gomen, Miyoko...  It just
occurred to me that I...  Really do have a *daughter* now," she
stated, slightly embarrassed.
        Miyoko smiled.  "Arigato.  I appreciate that more than
you can know," she stated, her face indicating her great relief
and happiness.
	Nodoka lowered her head for a moment, then brought it back
up with a genuine smile firmly in place,  "After everything that's
happened, I don't care about your gender.  I'm just happy to be
able to get to know you...  Again," she indicated earnestly, then
stepped forward and hugged Miyoko happily.  
	As she stepped back, her smile abruptly took on a 
mischievous edge.  "Just wait till I teach you tea ceremony," she 
remarked, then bowed politely.  "Oyasumi, Miyoko...  Chan," she 
smiled, then walked back into the shop.
        Miyoko sighed happily and turned to Yoriko with a smile.
"Well, at least it's underway.  It's up to her now," she indicated,
glancing at the shop.
        "Miyoko-chan...  I'm so proud of you...  You did it!"
Yoriko smiled, wrapping a hug around the receptive redhead.
        "It's not done yet though, Yori-chan...  I still owe
Nabiki for what she did to you, and I intend to see that she pays
you back -- with interest," Miyoko noted, her face sobering
slightly.
        "You've done enough for one day, Miyoko-chan.  Let's go
home," Yoriko urged, more than ready to call it a day.
        "Hai...  I guess so.  How's your foot?"
        "Sore, but I can use it.  I'll be fine to get home," she
grinned, starting to lead Miyoko away.
        "You talked me into it,"  Miyoko grinned, happily.




	Nabiki was startled out of her uncomfortable sleep by the
sound of the door behind her clanging shut, followed by the clack
of the lock turning.  Rubbing the bleariness from her eyes, she
was surprised to see a tray of food on the floor just inside the
doorway.
        "Huh...  So they decided to feed me," she observed aloud,
frowning.  "Probably poisoned," she grumbled, moving to retrieve
the tray.  Setting it on the table, she noted with mild surprise
what it was made up of.  Fresh, hot coffee, eggs, bacon and toast,
served on a good quality china plate, and the accompanying
silverware was neatly wrapped in the serviettes.
	"Have to give them good marks on presentation," she
mused, noting the precise arrangement of the food items.
	As she quickly ate her food, she wondered if her 'hosts'
were going to let her use a bathroom, but, noting the lack of any
other doors, decided that she was out of luck.
	Looking around the room once more, she couldn't help but
wonder who her 'hosts' were, given how much effort had gone into
just her quarters.  The walls were seamless, and by the way sound
behaved in the room, quite thick and well insulated.  An ideal
facility for the purpose, and it could be in any part of a larger
building.
	The more she thought about it, the more she actually
started to get nervous.  She had just described how it would be
possible to keep her in the room indefinitely, with no fear of
discovery.
	Just about the time that she was about to start worrying
seriously, she heard a soft click from the sound system.
        "Ohaiyo.  We trust your sleep was adequate?" the voice
asked, slightly sarcastically.
	"Oh, just wonderful," she sneered, rolling her eyes.
        "Very well.  Have you reconsidered your responses?" the
voice prodded, curtly.
        "Not one little bit," she remarked, crossing her feet on
the table.
	"It has come to our attention that you arranged to have
Naganato Yoriko kidnapped.  Is that true?" the voice stated,
accusingly.
        "Hai.  I wanted to invite her to tea," she responded
smugly, secretly impressed by her 'host's' intelligence gathering.
	"Enough of your insolence!  What is your interest in
Naganato Yoriko?  You will tell us the truth, or be held here until
you do!" the voice commanded, impatiently.
        "I already told you.  Look, you have pretty good
intelligence by the sound of things -- you tell me," she volleyed,
wondering what they'd say to that.
	"What we know indicates a malicious attempt to cause harm
to Naganato Yoriko, both physically, and by seeking to malign her.
If this is in fact your objective, then you shall be dealt with
accordingly," the voice responded, obviously ready for such a
redirect.
        "Very good.  Not accurate, but very good.  I told you
already what my intentions were, and on no uncertain terms.  Stuff
that in your pipe and smoke it," she retorted, crossing her arms.
	"Again, you refuse to cooperate.  Before we ask you to
reconsider for the last time, you should be aware that we have
evidence of several of your illegal practices, evidence the
government would be most interested in.  Extortions, illegal
imports and exports, forcible detainments, assaults...  And if the
government doesn't handle them all, we are certain that the
recipients of your acts would be interested in knowing who ordered
them," the voice indicated, sternly.
	All of Nabiki's bravado instantly vanished.  It hadn't
occurred to her that the info gathering she was so impressed with
had been used on her.  And if they were even half as efficient in
her case, she knew they probably had her by the short and curlies.
        "Okay...  Look.  If you guys have that much of a problem,
then I insist you use pentathol.  As long as a real doctor or nurse
gives me the shot, that is," she suggested, trying to keep her cool.
	Silence reigned for a few long seconds, then the voice
responded.  "An excellent suggestion.  We will arrange it," the
voice indicated, then she heard the sound system click off.
	Nabiki shuddered.  She had suggested it as a bluff, hoping
they'd take it as meaning she was for real.  The last thing she
expected was for them to actually do it.
	Now, she was scared.





        Miyoko opened her eyes slowly, the wonderful aromas flooding
her room making further sleep impossible.  It took her a second to
realize that Yoriko wasn't beside her, and was likely the source of
the aroma, rather than it coming from some nearby apartment.
	Rolling on her back, she stretched catlike in the bed,
working the sleep from her body.  Throwing the blankets aside, she
crawled out of the bed and groped around for her robe, only to find
it wasn't on the back of her makeup chair as per usual.  Giving up,
she went to her dresser and pulled out an oversized tank tee,
pulling it over her head as she walked to the bathroom.
	A few minutes later, she wandered into the kitchen, there to
find a fully-laid table arranged immaculately, and hot food waiting.
Her coffee was even poured.
        "Ohaiyo, Yoriko-chan!" she announced, walking up to the
brightly-smiling girl and slipping her a hug and kiss.
        "Ohaiyo!  It's all ready, Miyoko-chan!  Dig in!" she urged,
excitedly.
        "Hai...  Can't wait; it looks fantastic!" Miyoko noted,
still slightly overwhelmed.  "Are you going to join me?" she
asked, noticing at that point that there was only one place set.
        "Iya...  I already ate some toast," Yoriko responded,
turning off the stove and lifting away the pan of eggs she had
just made.
        Miyoko erked.  "You mean you made all this just for me?"
she gasped, looking at Yoriko incredulously.
	"Hai!" she responded, proudly.  "After what you did for me
yesterday, it was the least I could do," she grinned, happily.
"So sit down -- it's getting cold!" the girl chided, sliding the
perfect sunny-side eggs off onto her plate.
        Miyoko smiled and shook her head.  "Baka ne...  If you ever
do this again, I expect you to join me, girl," she noted, sliding
into her seat.
        "Oh...  I never eat a big breakfast.  It would make me
fat," Yoriko responded, patting her tummy.
        Miyoko instantly smirked.  "Judging by how you moved last
night, I don't think that's a concern," she intoned, wagging her
eyebrows at the now flushing girl.
        "Stop it...  That's private," Yoriko sputtered, turning
bright red despite her smile.
        Miyoko started to snicker at her, then picked up a piece of
bacon.  "Mmmm...  This is really good, Yori-chan.  You better be
careful -- a girl could get used to this," she commented,
snatching another slice.
	"I hope so," she responded happily, still waving her
hand before her face.




	It had taken surprisingly little time for her 'hosts' to
arrange things, and Nabiki now found herself on a gurney, and a
shot of 'truth serum' going into her arm.  Everything had been
brought into her room, including a waiver she had to sign stating
that she had agreed to the injection as part of an interview for a
high security job.
	All of the Medical staff wore full-face masks, as did the
grunts that brought her gurney in.  Despite her fear, Nabiki
couldn't help but be impressed at the efficiency.
	All too rapidly it seemed, her mind began to fog and her
body felt like she was floating off the gurney.  She heard her
voice speaking, but barely understood what she was saying, as her
ability to think seemed to vanish along with her inhibitions.
	The session seemed to be over in a flash, although as her
head finally began to clear, she noticed that it had gone on for
almost two hours.  She also assumed they must have used some sort
of counter-agent after the session, since she was 'coming to' so
fast.
	The gurney, staff and everything else new was gone from
her room, and as she collected her marbles, she couldn't help but
groan aloud.
        "Are you feeling better?" the voice suddenly asked,
although devoid of any emotion.
        "No...  As a matter of fact, I feel like shit," she
responded, slowly.
	"You will be pleased to know that we accept your story.
You are to be released, but before this is done, you must agree
never to divulge your attendance at this interview, and never
divulge what has been discussed.  You must also cease and desist
any activities concerning Naganato Yoriko," it instructed, firmly.
	"We have your records, and several tape recordings of your
session 'under oath'.  Should you violate this agreement, we will 
not hesitate to use this information against you," the voice 
continued, insistently.  "And we *will* be monitoring you."
        "I'll be a good little girl, I promise...  Can I go to the
bathroom, now?" she groaned, crossing her legs.




        "She did what?" Miyoko blinked, as Nodoka repeated her
statement.  "Shimata...  I can't believe she'd pull that after
everything else," she commented, shaking her head sadly.  "Okay,
thanks, Mom.  Have a good trip home, and I'll call you soon.
Ja," she concluded, hanging up the phone.
        "Ano...  What did she do, Miyoko-chan?" Yoriko asked,
noting the consternation on her girlfriend's face.
        "Kuso...  She packed up and left this morning while Mom was
in the baths.  They never got a chance to talk because Akane
refused to let her," she relayed, sadly.  "Even I didn't expect
this," she noted, frowning.
        "That's terrible...  What about your son?" Yoriko asked,
moving to sit beside her.
        "I dunno.  She didn't say a word.  I have a bad feeling
about this, Yoriko-chan.  She's probably going to pull something
stupid...  Just to be obstinate," she sighed, shaking her head
again.  "Damn, why can't she ever do anything the *easy* way?
Things looked so good last night," she cursed, huffing in
frustration.
        Yoriko sighed and lowered her head, then looked up at
Miyoko and spoke.  "Ano...  I think...  It has a lot to do with me,
Miyoko-chan," she indicated, sadly.  "I've noticed that every time
I was around her, she got crazy.  You said she had a hang-up about
you changing to a girl -- and she was really mean, rude and
insulting to me when I met her the second time," she continued,
watching Miyoko's eyes for a reaction.  "I think she's very
bigoted...  Even homophobic," she ventured, nervously.  "I've seen
it before," she added, quietly.
        Miyoko didn't reply at first, considering Yoriko's theory.
After a moment, she nodded resignedly.  "Hai...  That's possible.  
I thought she was just jealous, but come to think of it, she even 
made a point of hurting you last night," she observed, thoughtfully.
"Kuso, if that *is* at the bottom of this, then we may have
'Mission Impossible' on our hands...  I just wish I knew what the 
hell she was thinking," she grumbled, looking up resignedly.  "I'm 
not about to chase her back to Nerima to find out, though, if 
that's what she's trying to do," she added, firmly.
        Yoriko smiled supportively, then took Miyoko's hand gently.
"Don't dwell on it, Miyoko-chan.  You did the right thing by at
least trying.  I think that was the most selfless thing you could
have done," she soothed, reaching over and touching Miyoko's cheek.
Tell you what -- I have to work again, so I can't take you shopping,
but let's go out for lunch.  It'll make you feel better," she
suggested, happily.
        Miyoko looked at her sideways.  "Is that your answer for
everything?" she smirked, rising from the couch.
        "Hai...  If you can't beat 'em, go shopping!" she stated,
flashing her now-famous pixie-grin.
        "Baka ne," Miyoko laughed, lifting her off the couch and
into a big, squashy hug.




	Nabiki walked along the sidewalk, trying to look dignified
despite her spinning head.  Her 'hosts' had stopped, removed her
blindfold and dropped her a few blocks from her hotel, a classic
practice intended for her to 'walk off' her medications before
anyone saw her.
	Finally, she reached her hotel and went to the desk, having
to pick up a spare room card to get back in.  The Desk Manager
handed her a message, which once she read, produced a frown.  It
stated that Akane and Nodoka had left, and were on their way back
to Nerima.
	Shoving the note in her pocket, she trudged to the elevator.
	Once she changed, she made her way to the baths and soaked
away her woes, deciding that it was time for her to leave as well.
	Her entire trip and all the effort that had gone into it 
was wasted now, and she saw no reason to stick around.
        She couldn't help but wonder what it was about this Yoriko
that warranted such extreme measures to keep her secrets, and made
a note to keep her ears open, albeit discreetly.  She figured that if
she tried to actively pursue it, she'd likely end up in a landfill.
	Once back in her room, she re-packed her bags and called
to the desk for a porter again, this time watching him approach
from down the hall.  Convinced he was safe, she let him take her
bags and headed down to the lobby.  Her car was already on its
way, so all she had to do was pay her bill and leave.
	Upon arriving at the desk, she was pleasantly surprised to
discover that her bill had already been paid, and in cash.
Shrugging, she moved to a lobby chair and sat down, waiting for
her car.




	"You're starting *more* nights?  You're always tired when
you get home from those," Yoriko fretted, affecting a frown.
        "Hai...  Not for too much longer, though.  I'm gonna take
that teaching job.   Now that all the crap is basically over with,
I really want to do it," Miyoko noted, smiling.
        "Yattai!" Yoriko squealed, grabbing Miyoko's arm excitedly.
"I'm so happy for you!" she gushed, almost bouncing around the
redhead.  "I know you'll be great at it, and you're doing what you
should be doing!  This is wonderful, Miyoko-chan!"
        "Hai.  I'm already excited about it, too.  I'm going there
after you go to work to get things started."
        "Great!  Now I'll *have* to take you shopping!" Yoriko
smiled, clapping her hands together and wringing them deviously.
        "Okay, okay...  Just let me get the job first, ne?" Miyoko
teased, laughing at her girlfriend's antics.
        "No problem," Yoriko asserted, stepping in front of her
and walking backwards. "I figure you'll take the place over in a
year, anyway," she intoned, winking.  "So I'm going to start
planning right...  OOF!" she exclaimed, suddenly being knocked
toward Miyoko.
        "Ano...  Gomen...  ACK!" Nabiki shrieked, realizing who she
had just nailed with the hotel door.  Miyoko's reaction was
lightning fast.  She caught Yoriko, set her down, then was up and
straight into Nabiki's face.
        "Give me one reason why I shouldn't *hand* you that black
hole you call a heart!" she snarled, her eyes flashing lightning.
        Nabiki gasped, sputtered, then abruptly -- fainted.  Miyoko
growled.  "Always find a way out, eh, bitch?" she glowered,
letting Nabiki's limp form fall to the ground.




        "Oh, man...  Not again," Nabiki groaned, as she rubbed her
eyes and sat up.
        "What?" Miyoko asked sharply, rising from her chair and
walking over to Nabiki.
        "Never mind...  Aie!" she abruptly yelped, catching sight of
Yoriko sitting nearby.  Quickly, she jumped to her feet and started
bowing profusely.  "Gomen nasai, Naganato-sama...  I meant you no
harm -- I was only trying to help my sister!  Please, forgive
me for my actions, and I assure you it will never happen again," she
blurted, bowing even more.  "I have a habit of getting overzealous,
and forgetting myself," she added nervously, then turned and faced
Miyoko.  "And I apologize to you as well, Miyoko-san -- I should
never have disturbed you.  Please accept my humblest regrets and
be assured I will not bother you again.  In fact, I'll even give
you a tip.  Fix your ID, before someone else finds out it's no
good," she babbled, excitedly.
	Looking around quickly, she abruptly turned her wide-eyed
face back to Miyoko.  "How do I get to my car?" she asked,
worriedly.
        "Downstairs..." Miyoko answered numbly, more than a little
freaked by Nabiki's actions.
        "Domo!  I'm leaving now, and I won't be back.  Sayonara,
and I hope you two have a wonderful life!" she smiled quickly,
then literally raced out the door.
        Miyoko, upon watching Nabiki's hasty departure, turned and
looked at Yoriko, too flabbergasted for words.  Yoriko could only
shrug and shake her head, equally overwhelmed.
        After a moment, Miyoko shook her head and began to walk
around the living room.
	"Aha!  I figured it out!  I know exactly what that was all
about!" she exclaimed suddenly, snapping her fingers and looking
at Yoriko seriously.
        Yoriko stifled a gasp, then started fidgeting with her
blouse cuff nervously.  "Ano...  What do you mean, Miyoko-chan?"
	"Someone got to her!  She must have pissed someone off
enough that they fought back, and scared the daylights out of
her!  I don't think I could have scared her that much, so it
*must* have been someone powerful -- and she tried to scam them or
something.  I *love* it!  I wish I knew who it was so I could
shake their hand!" she exclaimed, clapping and laughing out loud.
"This means she's off our backs, Yoriko-chan!  For good!" she
added, grabbing Yoriko's hands and pulling her out of her chair.
        As Yoriko sank into the ensuing hug, she breathed a quiet
sigh of relief -- and happiness.
        Suddenly, life looked wonderful again.




	"So they all left, ne?" Ryouga asked, as he helped clear a
table.
        "You bet, sugar.  Nodoka stopped in and said good-bye, and
she tells me that Akane just packed up and left this morning with
her son.  Didn't even say a word," Ukyou noted, shaking her head.
"I get the feeling this probably ain't over yet," she sighed,
wiping the table.
        "Maaa...  She could have made it so easy.  What *is* her
problem?" he asked, moving the bus cart to the next table.
        "I have *no* idea.  I imagine Miyoko must be upset -- she
was sure that her idea was the best for everyone -- and I think it
was too."
        "Well, I guess we'll find out sooner or later.  News has
a way of traveling," he smirked, stacking some plates.
	"Hey, bud.  I have girls that I'm paying to do that job.
Why don't you grab a seat so they can?" Ukyou abruptly chided,
setting her hands on her hips.
        "Iya...  You gave me a room, and fed me all this time.
I owe you for that, fair and square," he responded, lifting the
plates into the cart's top bin.
        "You don't owe me a thing, Ryouga-kun.  Go sit down.
You're making me feel like a slave driver," she chided, flashing
a grin.
	"Hai, Hai," he finally acquiesced, shaking his head as
he walked to a window booth.
	Ukyou nodded approvingly, then went on about her business,
cleaning off the rest of the tables, and choreographing the staff
through their duties.
	Ryouga, becoming quickly bored with the static scene out
the window, turned in his seat and watched her intently.  He noted
with a smile how happy she was, as she kidded with her girls and 
prepared for the after lunch crowds.
	He also began to notice, moreso than he had before, that
she had a charming, attractive nature that affected even the people
she employed.  
	Every girl in the place was always genuinely smiling, which
made for a pleasant, comfortable atmosphere.  He could see why 
people liked to come to her shop, and usually ended up sticking 
around for a while.
	He also began to notice that she had a nice body, kept
trim from her active life and birdlike eating habits, which, given
her occupation, were unexpected.
	In short, he was finally admitting to himself that he
liked her...  A lot.
	At that moment, she happened to glance over at him, and
seeing that he was looking at her, she broke out in a wide,
pleasant smile.
	He made up his mind.
	Sliding from the booth, he walked casually to the kitchen,
tapping her on the shoulder and asking her to join him with a
gesture.  She set down her cloth and followed, curiosity all over
her face.
	"What's up, sugar? she asked, wiping her hands on her
apron.
        "I would like to know...  If you'd let someone else cook
for you," he began, working up the nerve to ask the rest of his
question.
	Ukyou lowered an eyebrow.  "What are you suggesting,
Ryouga-kun?" she inquired, the corner of her mouth twitching.
        "I...  Would like to take you on a date," he blurted,
smiling sheepishly and skritching the back of his head.
	Ukyou gasped.  "Finally!" she gushed, glomping a huge hug
around him, nearly knocking him to the floor.
        "Ano...  I guess this means 'yes'?" he stammered,
recovering from the glomp.
	"It means I'd be delighted!" she responded, smiling
brightly.



	Kuno swung his chair to face Sasuke, a disapproving frown
darkening his features.
	"What do you mean, 'Phase Two' had to be aborted?  What
possible reason could there be for such an incomprehensible
situation?" he asked, his eyes narrowing.
        "Gomen, Tatewaki-dono.  She was not in her room when they
came back to 'convince' her, and the desk indicated she had been
picked up earlier.  She was away overnight, and when they returned
for a second attempt, she was booked out and had gone home," he
explained, nervously.
	Kuno sighed.  "I see..." he responded, rubbing his chin.
"At least we succeeded in removing all of her ill-gotten gains -- 
that should suffice for the moment.  Away, Sasuke...  I must
ponder," he instructed, still frowning.
	"Hai, Tatawaki-dono," he bowed, then turned and left,
still wondering why he hadn't been blasted for the failure.
Deciding he should just take it, he quickly exited the office.
	"It would appear, dear sister, that we are not alone in
our desire to see Tendou Nabiki stopped," he mused aloud, as a
figure emerged from the shadows of the room.
        "I concur, dear brother.  It will be an interesting thing
to watch," Kodachi smiled, wickedly.
	"And perhaps, to celebrate..." Kuno added, smiling every
bit as wickedly.



===================================================================
END - Secrets V1P7                    A Ranma1/2 Fanfic by Coutuva


Comments Welcomed, Flames Extinguished!
coutuva@vecdev.com