gziped
/archive/anime-fan-works/Ranma/ranma.for-love-or-money.what-price-love.gz

Donny Cheng <chengdo@shaw.wave.ca>

Disclaimer:  All characters portrayed in this story are the property of
Rumiko Takahashi and co.  Please don't sue me.

This story takes place after volume 38 of the manga.  It draws ideas
from both the anime and the manga.  This is a sequel to For Love or
Money.  I hope you like it.

C & C welcomed.  Flames not.

What Price Love?

By

Donny Cheng

        **glomp**

        **bam**

        **whack**

        **slash**

        **bong**

        Nabiki waited on the sidelines with her rest of her classmates
as the battle slowly drew to a close.  It was another one of those all
out brawls that came out whenever all of Nerima's premier martial
artists met up in one place.  This was not a rare occasion.  This
seemed to happen at least once every few weeks.  The battle finally
ended after a short while.  When the dust cleared, the only person left
standing was Ranma.  Nabiki walked over to Ranma with disgust on her
face.  "Do you always have to act so macho?"

        Ranma tried his best to feign innocence.  "What do you mean?"
She couldn't know everything that went on in his mind.  Could she?

        Nabiki read Ranma like a book.  She lightly tapped Ranma on the
chest.  He fell over.  "I mean that.  You're clearly as beat up as the
rest of the people, yet you insist on acting macho.  Come on.  I've got
to get you to a bath.  You stink."

                               * * * * *

        Akane, Kodatchi, Shampoo, and Ukyo all watched this exchange
from their positions on ground of the battle zone.  Ukyo groaned as she
picked herself up.  "What does she think she's doing?  Ordering Ranchan
around like that.  Like he would ever follow a woman's orders."

        To all the girls' surprise, Ranma stood up and followed after
Nabiki.  Of course he was cursing at her from behind the whole time.

        Shampoo gave the girls a knowing look.  "Nabiki blackmail
husband again."

        Kodatchi, with hatred clearly written on her face, looked at
Akane with distaste.  "Can you not control that mercenary sister of
yours?  It is bad enough that evil pigtailed wench has control over my
Ranma-sama.  He now has to contend with that cutthroat you call a
sister."

        "Hey!  What ever Nabiki's got on him, the pervert deserves it."
Despite her words, Akane was ashamed of her money hungry sister.
Always taking advantage of her Ranma.  Did she just think her Ranma?

        Ukyo smiled secretly to herself.  She didn't mind what just
happened at all.  If Nabiki had found something to blackmail Ranma
with, it meant that he was probably available on the market again.
Though she hated resorting to buying a date with Ranma, she couldn't
help doing it.  With so many girls competing for Ranma, she needed as
much help she could get.

                               * * * * *

        "I took a bath, now what?"  Ranma grumbled as he flipped
through the window into Nabiki's room.

        "Here's your share of the money from the fight."  Nabiki handed
five hundred yen to Ranma.

        "How come so little?"  Ranma asked as he looked at the meager
sum in his hand.

        "There's my ten percent as manager.  I took out money for first
aid equipment.  Band-Aids aren't free you know.  There's also the cost
of handling the betting pool.  My time is valuable.  And I took money
out for..."  Nabiki rambled on as she looked over her expense list.

        "Okay!  Okay!  Forget that I asked."  Ranma muttered to Nabiki.
Jeez, you ask a simple question.

        "Oh!  I almost forgot.  There's also your share of the bills
for the dojo.  You did agree to help out whenever you could."  Nabiki
deftly took back Ranma's payment.

        Ranma looked wistfully at the money being taken out of his
hands.  There went that triple decker fudge slice of cake.  "Well, is
there anything else you wanted, your majesty?"

        Nabiki ignored Ranma's comment and thought for a moment.  "Did
you brush you teeth like I told you to?"

        "Yes.  I can't really see why, though.  Mother and Kasumi are
going to cook dinner in a while anyway."

        "Your breath stinks."  Nabiki suddenly grabbed Ranma's head and
brought it down to her own.  She kissed him passionately for a whole
minute before letting him go.  "Now get out.  I've got to study."
Ranma was immediately pushed out the window.

        Ranma landed on the ground with a thud.  To say that he was in
shock would be an understatement.  No matter how hard he tried, he just
couldn't understand Nabiki.  Ranma was still undecided about their
romance.  Ever since she became his fiancˇe, their relationship came at
differing degrees of hot and cold.  At moments she would ignore him for
days at a times.  At other times she would lavishly pay attention to
him like today.  It may not look like that to others, but Ranma knew
better.  Any time Nabiki spent more than a few hours away from her
'prime money making hours' to be with him was an extraordinary amount
of time.  Also, she kissed him.  Nabiki hardly showed much affection
most of the time.  But when she did, it sure was sweet.

                               * * * * *

        "Three thousand yen."  Ukyo coutered.

        "I said five thousand yen and I meant it."  Nabiki said through
her clenched teeth.

        "Okay already."  Boy, Nabiki was in a bad mood.  All of
Nabiki's prices were usually negotiable.  Lucky for her, Ucchan's had
been turning a very huge profit lately due to word of mouth.  Ukyo paid
Nabiki her money and went back to her restaurant.  All she had to do
now was wait for Ranma to show up.

        Nabiki stared hard at the five thousand yen in her hands.  Was
it worth it?

                               * * * * *

        Ranma had the feeling of dread as he looked at the triple
decker fudge slice of cake Nabiki was holding in front of him.  "What
do you want now Nabiki?"

        Nabiki looked at Ranma in shock.  "Can't I do something nice
for my fiancˇe every now and then?  Does everything I do have a
motive?"  She now looked like she was about to cry.

        Oh man!  If there was anything in this world Ranma hated to see
it was to see a woman cry.  He knew that Nabiki was probably faking it,
as she used these tears often enough.  Even though he knew this, it
hurt him just the same.  "Sorry, I said that."

        Nabiki sniffed back her tears.  "I forgive you.  I want you to
make it up to me.  Take me out to dinner, okay?"

        "Alright, I'll do it.  I'll take you to Ucchan's, okay?"  Ranma
breathed a sigh of relief.  It seemed that all she wanted was to go out
to eat.  Seeing as how he was broke again, Ranma had no choice but to
go to a place where he could get free food.

        Nabiki nodded in agreement.  All had gone as she predicted, but
she did not feel happy at all.

                               * * * * *

        "Ranchan, that was just Nabiki on the phone.  She said that she
couldn't make it and that you should eat without her.  Since you have
nothing to do for tonight, do you want to go with me to the movies?  I
heard that a new martial arts movie just opened up."  Ukyo told Ranma
as she put down the phone.

        Everything clicked into place for Ranma as he heard this.  So,
Nabiki had decided to use him again to make a little money.  Though
this was a very common occurrence, Ranma felt a heavy weight on his
heart.  What was he to Nabiki?  Just some tool to be used whenever she
saw fit?  "So how much did you pay for me, Ucchan?"

        Ukyo stopped in mid pace and blushed.  "Oh, not much.  Don't be
angry with me.  If I didn't buy you someone else would have.  I'm sure
I'm a better choice than that psychotic Kodatchi or even that bimbo
Shampoo."

        Every word made Ranma wince.  It was probably true that Nabiki
hadn't charged very much for him at all.  It was also true that even if
Ukyo didn't buy him, Nabiki would have found someone else.  "Come on
then.  Let's go see that movie."  Ranma could not let Ukyo's money go
to waste.

                               * * * * *

        "Okay, that's it.  What's wrong Ranchan?  You're usually not
this moody without some reason of another.  Is it Akane again?  Did you
guys get in another fight?  Did she cook dinner again?  Come on, out
with it."  Ukyo and Ranma had come back to her restaurant after the
movie for a late night snack.  She noticed that Ranma had hardly paid
any attention to the movie at all and was now declining seconds.
Anytime Ranma failed to get upset about the fake fighting in a movie or
refuse a second helping of food meant there was something on his mind.

        Ranma looked up at Ukyo and blinked in surprise.  "Akane?  No,
this doesn't have anything to do with her."  Actually Ranma hadn't
really talked with Akane much of late.  As a result, they got into
fewer squabbles and tended to get along rather well when they did get
together.

        Ukyo knew something was wrong.  The mentioning of Akane's name
usually brought some type of reaction from Ranma.  Whether it was
guilt, sadness, happiness, or anger, Ranma always had some kind of
emotion of his face.

        "Look, Ucchan.  There's nothing wrong with me.  I'm probably
just coming down with something.  I'd better get home.  It's getting
late."  Ranma stood up and turned to leave.

        "Looks like this was a waste of a night.  I wonder if I could
get a refund from Nabiki."  Ukyo said to herself under her breath.  Out
of the corner of her eye, she saw Ranma stop short at the mentioning of
Nabiki's name.  Had he heard what she said?  Nabiki?  Could it be that
those two are...  It couldn't be.  Could it?

                               * * * * *

        Kasumi looked worriedly at Ranma and Nabiki.  It seemed that in
all of Nerima, only she and auntie Saotome knew of Ranma's and Nabiki's
feelings for each other.  The engaged couple were at the moment
ignoring each other.  Something had happened between the two of them.
She would have to ask Nabiki.

                               * * * * *

        Nabiki sat down with Kasumi.  Her thoughts poured out in the
presence of her caring older sister.  "I can't get this feeling of
guilt to go away.  What do I have to feel guilty about anyway?  I've
always acted this way when a moneymaking opportunity presents itself to
me.  Why should this time be any different?"

        "Because this time the man you love was involved."  Kasumi in
her seemingly infinite wisdom told Nabiki.

        "So what!"  Nabiki said back angrily.  "He can't expect me to
change myself just for him."

        "Do you expect him to change for you?  Do you expect him to
forget his pride and sell himself just for you?"  Kasumi asked Nabiki
insistently.

        "No!  It's not like that at all."  Nabiki practically shouted
this out.

        "Isn't it?"  Kasumi pressured Nabiki.

        "Ranma will understand.  Tomorrow, I will take him out to
dinner and treat him nice.  He will be fine."  Nabiki tried to sound
confident as she assured her sister.

        "If you say so."  Kasumi's voice was full of doubt.

                               * * * * *

        After school, Nabiki found Ranma and asked him to walk home
with her.  "Ranma, there's a new restaurant opening.  Do you want to
try it out?  It'll be my treat."

        Ranma sighed deeply.  "What is this time?  Did Shampoo offer
you five thousand-yen?  Or was it Kodatchi?  Maybe your price has gone
down.  Four thousand?"  Ranma could see that Nabiki looked as if she
was hurt.  He immediately shut his eyes.  If he didn't see the tears,
they wouldn't be there.

        Nabiki felt a stab of pain in her heart as she saw Ranma close
his eyes to her budding tears.  Perhaps she had cried wolf once too
often.  She forced herself to remain calm and continue.  "No, I didn't
sell you to another girl.  I just want a night alone with my fiancˇe.
Is that too much to ask?"

        Ranma refused to look into Nabiki's eyes.  "What?  No girl
willing to pay the price.  Maybe you sold me to Kuno?  You're just as
bad as my father is.  I'm beginning to think that your loving me was
just another scheme."

        <Slap>

        Ranma opened his eyes to see Nabiki fleeing into the distance
and held his cheek.  He sank to the ground in absolute shock.  What had
he done?

                               * * * * *

        Nabiki finally stopped running as she felt her legs nearly give
way.  It was all over.  Her life was over.  After what he had said and
what she had done, there could be no turning back.  For one of the few
times in her life, Nabiki felt genuine tears threatening to burst from
her eyes.

        "Here, take this."  A voice called out to Nabiki.

        Nabiki opened her eyes to see the blurry shape of Ukyo holding
out a handkerchief.  Nabiki grabbed and quickly dabbed her eyes.  She
couldn't let anyone see her like this.

        Ukyo watched as Nabiki quickly regained her composure and her
usual demeanor.  "So much like my Ranchan.  Always have to save face in
front of everybody.  I could see why he might like you with so many
similarities."

        Nabiki glared at Ukyo for her use of 'Ranchan'.  "He's not
yours or anybody else's."

        Ukyo just smiled sadly.  "Too bad you realized that a little
too late.  Ranma doesn't belong to anybody.  He's just like his name.
Wild and free.  It's all for the best.  It would never have worked out
between you two."

        Nabiki needed to vent her frustrations and found Ukyo to be the
perfect target.  "Why wouldn't it have worked out?  I care about him,
isn't that all that matters?"

        "For the same reason it would not work out with Akane.  Aside
from dimensional hammers, toxic food, and telling everybody she's a
martial artist also, Akane is too normal for Ranma.  Ranma's dream in
life is to be the best martial artist in the world.  You and I both
know that staying in a dojo teaching is no way to become the best.  You
have to travel and fight the best to become the best.  I don't know
what Akane wants in life, but whatever it is, it's in Nerima.  She has
friends and family here that she cares deeply about.  She had a whole
life before Ranma came along.  Even if they did get married, I know
that it will not last because of Ranma's need for adventure.  Long and
frequent periods of separation are not good for any relationship.
Would Akane leave with Ranma?  She might, but she will become
embittered with the idea of leaving those closest to her behind.  No,
the marriage would not last.  Would you be willing to leave your life
behind to follow Ranma around?  You know what?  I would."

        Nabiki stood there stunned at what Ukyo said.  Was there no
hope for her and Ranma at all?

                               * * * * *

        Nabiki walked home alone with her thoughts.  What did she want
in life?  There was the obvious answer.  Money.  Was that all she truly
wanted?  She herself had little use for money.  She was not a person
that needed to live a life of luxury.  She looked down at her clothes.
Half of what she was wearing belonged to Akane.  She spent very little
of the hordes of money she made everyday.  She averaged about fifty yen
a student every school day for the last two years at about a thousands
students.  Most of the money was kept in the bank under her and her
father's name.  It was used mainly to pay bills and such.  For herself
she kept a constant amount of a million yen.  No, money was not what
she truly wanted.

        Then what did she want?  She already knew the answer.  She
wanted love and companionship.  Sure she had a life before Ranma came
along, but she had long become bored of it.  It was lonely for her
without as many friends as Akane.  Ranma was a like breath of fresh
air.  With him, he brought excitement.  Though she could not fight like
the others, she was never far from the action.  Heck, most of the
fights in Nerima were caused by her manipulations.  Even before her
feelings had developed for Ranma, Nabiki dreaded him leaving and
returning everything to normal.  Now, just the thought of Ranma leaving
left Nabiki with the feeling that a piece of her had fallen away.

        In the end there really wasn't much of a choice for Nabiki.
She looked down the street at the Tendo Dojo and saw Ranma standing
there alone.  Now was the time to confront him and her feelings.

                               * * * * *

        Ranma shuffled his feet.  He was not very good at apologizing.
"I'm sorry about what I said, Nabiki.  I wasn't thinking straight.  I
was just angry about being used again."

        "Hush."  Nabiki put a finger to Ranma's lips.  He tended to
stammer a lot when he was uncomfortable.  Nabiki found it to be a very
cute trait of his.  "I should be the one to say that I'm sorry, Ranma.
I've been very selfish, haven't I?"

        Ranma was afraid to speak for fear the moment would end.  He
could only stare into Nabiki's shimmering eyes.

        "I've been using you without thinking about how you would feel
it.  I promise that I won't do that ever again."  Nabiki put her hand
to her heart.

        Ranma smiled affectionately at her.  "Don't make promises that
you can't keep.  I know that the money that you make goes towards
keeping us all fed.  If I could help out just a little, I would.  I
just wish that you would ask for my help instead of just using me."

        Nabiki gasped as she looked at Ranma's face.  She could still
see the hand print that she left on his face.  "Did I hit you too
hard?"  She touched his face gently.  It was warm to her touch.

        Ranma laughed out loud at that.  He held her hand to his face.
"I've been hit worse.  Actually after I thought about it, your slap
felt kind of nice.  It wasn't the high powered attack of a martial
artist.  It was just a slap of a girl.  It was very warm, very feminine
and full of feeling.  A slap that only you could throw."

        Nabiki blushed beet-red at hearing that description of her
slap.  She laughed out with Ranma the more she thought about it.  "I
didn't know you were into that kind of thing, Ranma."

        Ranma smiled as he heard Nabiki's quip.  Things were getting
back to normal if she could joke once more.  "Seriously though.  I will
probably put my foot in my mouth once in awhile.  Make sure you slap me
around when I do."

        Nabiki gave Ranma that charming crooked smile of hers.  "I hope
you don't enjoy it too much when I do."

        Ranma bent his head towards Nabiki and kissed her.

        Nabiki cried in happiness.  It was the first time Ranma had
ever initiated a kiss with her.

                               * * * * *

Epilogue

        Ranma gathered Nabiki in his arms as they looked at the dojo
one last time.  "No regrets?"

        Nabiki cuddled closer to Ranma for warmth.  Beside them were
two backpacks filled with everything they would ever need.  "No, Ranma.
No regrets at all."

                               * * * * *

The End. (maybe)