Before I start thing off, I want to say that I'm posting this from an 
alternate account because my normal account is acting up.  I'd prefer 
that any private reply be sent to my normal address, 
jdrutsch@ucdavis.edu.  

Anyway, I'm finally back at writing these crazy things, and here is my 
revision of Ranma/Nabiki 8.  Two main changes.  The first it to more fully
explain Ranma's motivations for making a decision regarding his fiancee.  
I do this through a conversation between Ranma and Ranma's father.  My 
second change is the setting of the proposal.  

It's probably similar enough to the previous draft that you can just read 
the somewhat lengthy first scene and be happy.  However, I'd appreciate a 
reply if you thought that the scene didn't fit, or that Ranma's 
motivations still aren't clear.  Or if you thought the opposite.  

Tales of Ranma and Nabiki 8:
Rough Draft

     Giving scarcely a conscious thought, Ranma released a quick
barrage of punches and kicks at the blocking dummy.  Pushing himself
as hard as he could, he released fourteen strikes in what probably
amounted to less than ten seconds.  If it had been a human opponent,
the blows surely would have been fatal.  Stepping back, he
contemplated what would be next in his workout.  Until he fell flat on
his face.
"You're getting sloppy, boy," came the voice of his father.
"You took me by surprise, old man," said Ranma, getting into fighting
position.  "Besides, I thought mom was after you!"
Genma got into a fighting stance, but didn't initiate an attack.
"Ranma...when will you learn?  There's not a woman in the world who
can resist my charms.  I merely explained to your mother the
predicament that led me to betrothe you at such an early age.  She
understood perfectly."
"Yeah...whatever."  Ranma initiated an attack with a sweeping kick to
the upper body.  Genma narrowly dodged the attack, but didn't take the
easy counter-strike.
"I thought you came to fight, pop," said Ranma, backing off.
"Ha!  Why should I spar with you?  A blocking dummy is a more suitable
opponent for one of your skills!"
"Don't knock it.  It's good practice for when we do fight.
Surprisingly good."
"Ranma," Genma was changing the subject.  "I came here for a more
serious reason."
"More serious than fighting?" Ranma looked at his father quizically.
"More serious than fighting."
"You...you mean Nabiki."
"You're about to get married to her, boy."
"Married?  I didn't say nothing.  I haven't even proposed yet.
You...you don't get married until then!"
"Foolish boy!  Have you learned nothing?  You get married when your
mother tells you to get married!"
"No way!  I'm the one getting married, not mom!"
"And she's the one wielding the katana, not you!"
"Yeah, so..."  Ranma didn't respond.  He half-heartedly resumed
training with the blocking dummy.
"Don't take it so hard, son."  Ranma still didn't respond.
"I was betrothed to your mother.  At first I was unsure..."
"Yeah, you and mom are a real marriage success story."
Ranma flinched, expecting a harsh reprisal.  Instead, Genma calmly
nudged his glasses and continued speaking.
"Even when we are not together, there is love," said Genma.  Ranma
unleashed a series of strikes at the dummy.  Genma watched.  It was a
while before either said anything.
"It's...about Nabiki...It's not all bad, pop."
"Oh?"
"Well...to tell the truth...I wouldn't mind, if she wouldn't."
"Then what's the problem?"
"You know..."  Ranma looked embarassed, and returned to his attacks at
the dummy.  "It's hard, and sometimes..." Ranma didn't complete his
sentence.
"I know what you mean."
"Mmm."
"But, even if you find it difficult to say anything, son...it's
important.  If she thinks you only married her to fulfill an old
promise, or to get out of a bad situation..."
"I think she already knows...knows I like her."
"Make sure she knows!  Don't let it enter even the back of her mind!"
"Geez, pop.  Calm down!"
"Ranma...I can't say enough how important it..." Genma came to a
pause.
"Ranma...do you promise not to repeat what I am about to tell you?"
"Sure," said Ranma, curiously.
"I think you know that Soun, too, was betrothed."
"That's what I guessed..."
"He loved his wife very much.  But he never proposed.  He never told
his wife he loved her, just on a whim.  And...he never got the chance.
It will haunt him for the rest of his days..."
"Geez..."
"I don't want that to happen to you."
Ranma didn't respond.

**

"Ukyou!"
"Oh, hello Ran-chan!  What's up?"  Ukyou had been working on something
during lunchtime, but she set her papers aside and turned to face
Ranma.  Ranma sat down on the grass beside Ukyou.
"Nothing much..."
"Mmmm."
"Actually, there is something."
"What?"
"About yesterday."
"Oh.  Yeah.  What?" Ukyou looked a little uncomfortable.
"Well...I was just wondering what you meant, when you told mom about
our engagement." Ukyou looked to the side.
"We're engaged, aren't we?  I just mentioned it."
"Yeah, but there's more than that.  I mean, maybe I'm wrong, but it
seems that you...I dunnow.  Maybe meant something more.  It's probably
all in my mind....but..." Ranma didn't continue.
"Ranma..." Ukyou blushed.  "it's not, well...I told you our betrothal
was off."
"Then why..."
"I don't know.  I wasn't trying to make your mother call off your
engagement to Nabiki or anything.  It just...it seemed so fast.  One
second you were just sitting around the table, the next minute your
mother comes in and tells you that if you don't marry Nabiki you'll
have to commit seppuku."
"Yeah..."
"I guess I didn't want to see you forced into a decision."  Ranma
thought about this for a second.
"Ukyou..."
"Yeah?" Ukyou responded, with a hint of hesitancy in her voice.
"Thanks a lot.  But no thanks."
"What?"
"It's just...you're the first person I've told this to...so don't go
telling everybody or nothing..."
"Tell what?"
"I don't want Nabiki to think it's forced.  Because...it's not.  I'm
going to make a real proposal sometime soon."
"You are?"
"Yeah.  Tomorrow, or something."
Ukyou didn't know how to respond.  A tear formed in her eye, which
she wiped off with as quick and subtle a motion as possible.
Eventually, Ukyou broke the silence.
"That's hard to believe."
"You're tellin' me it's hard to believe" said Ranma.  Despite her
sorrowful state, Ukyou laughed.
"So what are you doing?  To propose?"
"Actually...I was kind of hoping you could...assist me."
"You want my advice?" Ukyou was a bit startled.
"Yeah.  Why do you look so surprised?"
"Uhhh...No reason, I guess.  What are you thinking of doing?"
"Proposing."
"That's it?"
"Yeah," replied Ranma.
"I guess I can try to think of something."  Ukyou paused for a few
seconds before turning to face Ranma.
"So when would you get married?"
"I don't know.  Soon, I guess."
"Mmmm..." Ukyou wavered.  "I like what you said.  It's hard to
believe."
"Yeah," said Ranma.  He agreed, and he felt like he should expand on
what she said, but didn't know what to add.  After a few seconds, he
returned to the old topic.  "So got any ideas?  I can't think of
anything."
"Nabiki seems like the type of person who'd appreciate being 'swept
off her feet.'  Why don't you do something unexpectedly romantic?"
"Like roses and chocolate and limo rides and everything?"
"Maybe some of that.  But you're not trying to be Santa Claus."
"She'd go for it."
"I don't think so.  It seems to me like anything she can attach a
price tag to she views apathetically.  I mean, I haven't known her
that long, but..."
"Yeah, I think you're right." interrupted Ranma.
"Ok, here's an idea..."  for the next fifteen minutes Ukyou discussed
plans with Ranma.
"That sounds like a pretty good idea" said Ranma.
"Yeah...but not perfect."
"Well...it's hard to be perfect."
"That doesn't mean you can't try.  Want to work on it later today?"
"Sure."
"Ok.  While you're at it, you can drop by my new place, check it out!"
"Sounds good."
"So after work, okay?  Let me give you directions."
"Ukyou?"
"What?"
"I know it may have seemed kinda weird, me asking you how to propose
and all, when you're still my fiancee and everything."
"Yeah..." admitted Ukyou.
"I just wanna say...thanks."
"Thanks?"
"Thanks for helping out, and for your good ideas, and everything."
"It was...no problem."
"I hope we can stay friends...even after everything." Ranma stopped.
He looked uncomfortable.
"Of...of course."
"I'll see you after school."
"You too, Ran-chan."
"Ok, bye!"

**

"Hey Ukyou..."  Akane walked up to Ukyou, still sitting on the grass.
"Oh, hello Akane!  C'mon, sit down!"
"Sure...ok." Akane sat in the grass beside Ukyou.
"So what's up?"
"Well...I saw you with Ranma."
"Yeah?"
"I was just wondering..." Akane came to a standstill.
"What he said?"
"Yeah.  I don't mean to sound petty, but I couldn't help but look.
And wonder."
"You like Ranma, don't you?" asked Ukyou bluntly.
"Ukyou!"
"Just asking."  Akane blushed.
"Maybe."
"Maybe.  Akane, well..." Ukyou paused before continuing.  "I think
Ranma's getting serious with Nabiki."
"Getting serious?  He's already betrothed to her, and now his mom's in
on it too!"
"True.  I meant...getting more serious."
"Getting more serious?"
"Yeah."
"You don't mean..."
"I...I can't say for sure, but I wouldn't be surprised if he proposes
to her any day now."
"Oh my god."
"Yeah..." said Ukyou.
"I have to do something!"  Akane sounded agitated.  Ukyou put her hand
on Akane's shoulder to calm her down.
"Akane...I can't tell you what to do....but..."
"But what?!" asked Akane, raising her voice.
"Don't go too far."
"I have to do something!"
"Akane..."
"I'll never forgive myself if I don't!"
"Akane..."
"What?!"
"Sometimes there's nothing you can do.  Or should do.  You have to
accept that."
"I can't!"
"You have to try...you can't."
Akane sat on the grass, thinking.

**

After school at the Tendo household, nothing much was happening.
Nabiki was busy working on some problem with her abacus, Genma and
Soun were playing a game of Go, and Ranma was sitting at the table
looking bored.  Kasumi was busy serving tea and snacks to everybody.
Nodoka was busy talking to her husband and son.
"So you decided to train by the springs even though the guide told you
they were cursed?"
"Yes..." admitted Genma.
"And after you were transformed into a panda, you jumped up and
decided to push Ranma into a spring?"
"Not exactly...you see..."
"Oh," said Nodoka.
"It's not like that!  I mean, I was in a state of rage!  And
confusion!"
"Oh," said Nodoka.
"You can't know what it's like!  I've never been...in less control!"
"Oh," said Nodoka.  Genma didn't reply.  Nodoka continued.
"And then when you got here, you betrothed Ranma to Nabiki?"
"Yep," replied Nabiki, who continued to work on her abacus.
"Well, at least you did something right."
"Hard to believe, isn't it?" grumbled Genma.  Kasumi entered the room
and sat down to the side of Ranma.  Nabiki turned to face the
conversation.
"Mr. Saotome is very skillful managing Ranma's affairs," Kasumi said,
cheerfully.
"Yeah, don't I wish," replied Ranma.  Kasumi smiled.
"You're an excellent martial artist, Ranma.  Your father trained you
well."
"Thanks, Kasumi, but I'm not like world-class or anything."
"Sure you are," replied Kasumi.  "Besides," she said, "Nabiki likes
you enough to pause from her calculations.  He must have raised you
well for that to happen!"
"Kasumi!" replied Nabiki, turning to face her sister.  Kasumi flashed
a ridiculously happy smile at Nabiki.  Nabiki caught Kasumi's joke and
stuck her tongue out.  In response, Kasumi was about to say something,
but before she could she was startled by a loud crash to the side of
the room.  Everybody turned and look as one of the walls was
demolished.
"Somebody just broke down the wall!" uttered a shocked Nodoka.
"You get used to it," responded Ranma, whispering.
"So," asked Soun, sternly, "who goes there?  And why didn't you use
the door?"
Through the hole walked a stranger to the family, although evidently
no stranger to Ranma.
"Sh...Shampoo?  What are you doing here?"
"You know this girl?" asked Nodoka.
"Long story, mom" replied Ranma.  Meanwhile, a hostile if
uncomfortable-looking purple haired Amazon approached Ranma.
"Uhhhh...long time no see, Shampoo.  I mean, not that I've ever seen
you before.  How did I know...uhhh...heard about..."
"Stop you stupid talk."  Ranma felt compelled to obey.  Shampoo
reached down to her hip pouch and opened two containers.  Nonchalantly
taking one, she doused the contents on Ranma.
"Wha'd you do that for?!" asked Ranma-chan.  Shampoo didn't reply,
only flashing a nasty look at Ranma.  She reached for the second
container and tossed the contents at Ranma.
"Hey!" replied Ranma-kun.  "You can't just come in here and..."
"Is true!  You a man!"
"Yep, I'm a man, all right."
Shampoo looked at Ranma with momentary indecision.  Eventually she
hugged Ranma passionately and spoke.
"Mota airen."
"Mota airen?" asked Nabiki, still in a state of disbelief.
"My beloved husband," translated Nodoka.
"Oh my!" said Kasumi.  "Well, I imagine our guest will want a glass of
tea!"
"Uh...look Shampoo," said an uncomfortable Ranma, struggling to remove
himself from Shampoo's embrace.  "I uh...Well, I can't..."  Ranma
broke out of the embrace and started running away.  He couldn't get
too far before his progress was impeded by Shampoo, so he started
running around the room, Shampoo in chase.
"I hope this doesn't change your opinion of my son," said Nodoka to
Nabiki.  She ducked as Ranma jumped overhead.
"Of course not.  I mean, he wouldn't be running away if he was
interested in her." Nodoka smiled.
"There's still people who would have been jealous.  I admit that I
would have been."
"Nah," replied Nabiki, moving her arm to avoid being jumped on by
Shampoo.  "I mean, I know Ranma..." Nabiki paused.
"Loves you?"
"Yeah..."
"And you love him?"  Nabiki didn't answer.  Nodoka smiled and
continued.
"It gets easier every time you say it."
"Yeah...I love him."
"That's good."  Nodoka raised her hand to block her head in case
Shampoo made a careless jump, which didn't happen.
"When I..." Nabiki came to a halt.  "When I paused, I hope you didn't
think I didn't mean it."
"Of course not," replied Nodoka, sweetly.  Kasumi, arriving with some
tea for Shampoo, side-stepped a charging Ranma and sat by Nabiki and
Nodoka.
"I'm sorry for the chaos, Mrs. Saotome.  Ever since Ranma and Mr.
Saotome arrived, life has been so unpredictable."
"Don't worry," replied Nodoka, smiling,  "I hadn't forgotten the
trouble they can cause."

**

Shampoo finished moving steaming hot bowls of Ramen, covered with fish
cakes, mushrooms, and green onions, to the table.  They joined an
already impressive display of Chinese and Japanese foods, with a wide
array of sauces and styles of cooking.  The entire family sat around
the table.
"So Shampoo good cook and make wonderful wife, Ranma!" said Shampoo,
excitedly.
"Right, right.  So get on with it, why aren't you trying to kill me,
and now trying to marry me?" Shampoo filled bowls with steamed rice
and passed them around.
"When you challenge Shampoo, and Shampoo loses, Shampoo suffer grave
consequence."
"You mean your prize food?  Heck, you're cooking more food for us now
than you ever would have won..."
"That stupid!  No!  In Joketsuzoku, when Amazon woman loses, if loses
to a woman, she must kill woman or face dishonor!"
"Yeah.  I knew that.  That's why you were trying to kill me back in
China..."
"Just because a law.  Shampoo no mean anything.  When Amazon woman
loses, if loses to a man, she must marry man!"
"Oh my!" said a startled Kasumi.
"What type of stupid law is that?" asked Akane.
"Is ancient law of Chinese Amazon.  Very important tradition.  Is what
makes us Amazon, not just women of Joketsuzoko."
"But wait a minute..." butted in Nabiki.  "If you're beat by a man,
you have to marry him."
"Shampoo just say that!"
"Well, you weren't beat by a man!"
Shampoo reached over and put her hand on Ranma's chest.
"Ranma is man!  Shampoo no blind or stupid!"
"But he's also a woman!  He's an exception to your laws!"
"Amazon council already make ruling.  Is really a man, so Shampoo
marry."
"How'd you find that out, anyway?  That Ranma was really a man?"
"Great-grandmother tell Shampoo!"
"How'd she find out, then?" asked Ranma.
"Very mysterious stranger come to village.  Tall woman, strange
markings on face.  Great-grandmother sees her.  Great-grandmother not
see every stranger, this stranger very special!"
"Oh,"  answered Ranma.  "Regardless, Shampoo, I already have a
fiancee."
"You do?" asked Shampoo.
"Yep.  Nabiki over here.  So I'm afraid you'll have to tell the people
at your village that I'm already taken..."
"Shampoo do no such thing!  You no marry sneaky girl!"
"Shampoo," said Nabiki, "Ranma isn't bound to obey your village's laws
and traditions."
Shampoo's eyes narrowed as she looked at Nabiki.
"Shampoo will have husband."

**

"So why are we going to the park?" asked Nabiki.
"You'll see," answered Ukyou, smiling.
"Ooh.  A surprise.  I'm so excited," said Nabiki, sarcastically. Ukyou
didn't respond.  Nabiki continued speaking.
"I don't like surprises, Ukyou.  Just tell me."
"You'll find out!"
"Does it have something to do with your apartment?"
"Maybe."
"Maybe?  I bet it does...you got it furnished or something?"
"I'd show you that later....I wouldn't drag you over to the park to
show you that, anyway."
"And you wouldn't be so excited about couches."
"Maybe I would.  If they were nice couches..." joked Ukyou.  Nabiki
didn't respond.
"Okay, so we're at the park.  Now what?"
"Go to the veranda."
"Okay..." Nabiki walked, but stopped when she realized Ukyou wasn't
following.
"I'll just look.  You go," encouraged Ukyou.
"What?"
"Just go..."
"Okay..." said Nabiki with a look of hesitancy.  Ukyou looked from
about twenty feet away.  Nabiki noticed her pull out a camera.  She
was about to question Ukyou about it when she noticed a man in a
tuxedo walk onto the veranda.  It was Ranma.  He was holding a dozen
roses.
Visibly shaking, he approached Nabiki slowly and determinedly.  Nabiki
looked back in confusion.  Ranma stopped a few feet in front of Nabiki
and bent down on one knee.
"Nabiki..." he eventually got out.  After a pause that seemed
infinitely long, but was truthfully only a few seconds, he continued.
"Nabiki, since I met you I've come to love you very much, and I want
to ask you something..."
Eventually, Ranma went down to his pocket and fumbled out a ring,
which Nabiki recognized as her mother's engagement ring.
"Nabiki, I've come to love you very much, and I want to know if...if
you'll marry me."
"What?" asked a stunned Nabiki.  Ranma again laughed nervously.
"If...I want to know if you'll marry me."
"No way!" said Nabiki.
Ranma, shocked, looked at Nabiki.  After a few seconds, he turned and
ran.  Ukyou put her camera in her pocket and ran to follow him.

**

"That stupid girl!  She...she shouldn't have let me think she liked
me!  That stupid stupid stupid stupid girl!"
"Ranma..."
"Stupid stupid stupid!"
"I'm sure she didn't mean it..."
"What do you mean?  She accidentally said 'no?'  It just happened to
slip out of her mouth when I get around to proposing?"
"Ranma..."
"She's an idiot!  She's not worth marrying!"
"Ranma...if you think that, why you did you propose?"  Ranma didn't
respond.  After a few seconds, he started to cry lightly, although he
tried to hold back.  Ukyou wiped the tears off his eyes.
"Don't cry.  Give Nabiki a second chance.  I'm sure she's just as
upset about what happened as you are." Ranma didn't respond.
"You took her by surprise.  And if you think it was difficult for you
to propose...you've been preparing for the moment.  Ran-chan..." Ukyou
paused.  "I've talked to Nabiki, and I know she wants to get married.
To you."
"Then wha'd she do that for, anyways?"
"Nabiki just didn't know how to react."
"Sure.  Whatever."
"Ranma..."
"Leave me alone." Ukyou looked at Ranma sadly.
"Ran-chan...I can't blame you if you want to be left alone.  But I
want you to promise you'll speak to Nabiki later today.  Okay?"
"Can you do it for me?" asked Ranma, gruffly.
"I'm not the person who's about to get married to her," said Ukyou,
smiling.  "It's something you need to do."
"I...I guess..."
"So you promise you'll talk to her?"
"Sure."
"I'll see you later tonight.  Drop by the okonomiyaki shop if you just
want to talk or something...and good luck!"  After patting Ranma on
the back, Ukyou turned to leave.

**

"Well, if it wasn't for you I wouldn't have lost my P-Chan!" yelled
Akane.
"So now it's my fault?  Do tell."
"If Ranma hadn't been with you, he could've been with me, and I
would've had a skating partner!"
"Sure..." replied Nabiki, sarcastically.
"Don't just dismiss what I tell you!  You treat Ranma like a jerk!  I
heard about what happened at the park!  If you don't like him, why are
you so possessive?"
"I don't treat anybody like a jerk," said Nabiki, coolly.
Meanwhile, Ranma was coming up the stairs from a lengthy, difficult
workout.  While it was difficult to do, it was something he knew he
had to do.  He had to approach Nabiki.  Besides, he had promised, and
he didn't break promises.
Walking up the stairs, he heard muffled screams coming from behind
Nabiki's door.  Great...an argument.  Ranma was about to stop and wait
for a better time, but he didn't want to have to do...all of this...at
another time.  He determinedly walked up to the door to knock, pausing
briefly to listen in on the argument.
"You treat Ranma like garbage!" yelled Akane.
"Why do you keep bringing this Ranma up?  Do why should I care about
that person?  How do I treat a stranger like garbage?" asked Nabiki.
Ranma didn't stay to hear any more.

**

"Ranma, where are you going?" asked a curious Kasumi.
"I'm headed over to Ukyou's" said Ranma.  There was a tone of anger
and disgust in his voice that was impossible to miss.
"But it's almost time for dinner!"
"Guess I'll just have to miss it, then."
"Oh my!"
"You got that right."
"Ranma, what happened?  Why are you so mad?"
"Your sister obviously doesn't care about me."
"Why do you think that?" asked Kasumi.  Ranma paused.
"I guess I'm not surprised Nabiki didn't tell you."
"Tell me what?"
"I proposed today, and she refused.  Then I overheard her say that she
hates me."
Kasumi didn't know how to react.
"You may not see me for a while..." said Ranma, turning to leave.  He
paused and continued.  "You may not see me ever again." Before Kasumi
could say anything more, Ranma had left the room.
"Oh my!" she finally got out.

**

This concludes Tales of Ranma & Nabiki 8.
Hmmm...people have any opinions they'd be willing to share? ^_^  I'd 
appreciate a reply be sent back to:

jdrutsch@ucdavis.edu

Which is not this address.  Thank you for reading,

Jeff