Hi,
I just finished the c&c of part one.
Here it is, hope you don't mind it's lateness...
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-- Attached file included as plaintext by Listar --
-- File: ranmatreasure1.txt
->C&c, here it is! Everything is my opinion by
the way. By the way, I reformatted the fic for
me own convenience.
TREASURE HUNTER: Chapter 1
A RANMA 1/2 FAN-FIC
BY:GREG HOUSLEY
(Disclaimer)- Ranma 1/2 with all of it's
characters and situations belong to Ms. Rumiko
Takahashi. I take no claim over the rights to
her work and have written this fic purely in
fun.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Kasumi entered the den with her usual
bright countenance carrying a small stack of
papers. She glanced about the room at the
several oblivious members, engaged in their own
individual activities. Nabiki and Akane were
busy staring blankly at the TV watching their
daily soap opera while Soun and Genma were busy
arguing over where the missing shogi pieces
were disappearing off to. Ranma had engaged
himself in a small work out just outside the
door. Kasumi glanced back down at the papers
she had in her hand and looked back up.
"Nabiki." She addressed
->"Nabiki." she addressed.
Nabiki glanced back at her older sister.
"What's up sis?"
"You have some mail, isn't that nice?"
Kasumi continued. "Ranma?" She called. Ranma
paused from punching at a rope wrapped post and
looked up through the door. "You have some mail
too."
->"You have some mail. Isn't that nice?"
"Really? From who?" Ranma asked as he
grabbed for a towel and proceeded to enter
through the open door.
Kasumi looked down at the envelope.
Nabiki grabbed for hers and looked it over.
"IRA" Kasumi answered as Ranma reached
for his.
->"IRA."
"Hey so's mine!" Nabiki looked up from
her envelope quizzically. "Doesn't that stand
for Irish Republican army?" She asked no one
particular.
->"...Irish Republican Army?" she asked no one
in particular.
"Yeah I think so." Akane answered taking
an interest in what was going on.
->"Yeah, I think so."
"Irish repub what?" Ranma asked looking
somewhat confused.
"Irish republican army." Akane repeated.
->"Irish Republican Army."
->I'm honestly not sure whether someone in
Japan would know about the IRA. They live two
oceans away, which is the same distance I live
away from the violence in India. I don't know
the names of the terrorists names there. It's
just a thought...
Before the conversation elevated into
what possibilities the Irish republican army
would write them for, if in fact it was the
Irish republican army, and why it was Ranma and
her were the only ones they addressed, Nabiki
slipped open the envelope. She pulled out the
folded piece of paper and began to diligently
read. "International Recruiting Agency..." She
said in confusion and continued reading in
silence. Ranma had already pulled his letter
free of its envelope and was reading as well.
->International Recruiting Agency..." she
said...
Nabiki finally came to the conclusion of
her note and looked up at Ranma waiting for him
to finish as well. When finally Ranma had
looked up from his letter, Nabiki noticed her
confusion mirrored in his eyes and realized his
letter read the same.
"Well?" Akane asked in anticipation.
"What is it boy?" Genma asked now taking
interest in the conversation. Soun was looking
quizzically at the two as well.
"It say's that my qualifications are
identical to what they're looking for based on
a series of school taken test." Ranma answered
simply.
"So's mine." Nabiki agreed.
"What does that mean?" Akane asked
sharing the rest of the family's blank look.
"Well let's see..." Nabiki said glancing
back at the note. "It states that a series of
test were taken about six weeks back. Hmmmm..."
"Hey I remember that!" Akane spoke up.
"Something about testing our interest and
aptitude."
"Oh yeah now I remember." Nabiki
acknowledged.
"I don't." Ranma said with disinterest.
He cast the note down on the table and began to
head back out the door.
"Hey, now wait a minute." Nabiki called
after. "Your not even going to find out what
this is about?" Nabiki asked somewhat
tauntingly.
"Why should I?" Ranma answered back.
"It says there's a lot of money
involved." She smirked, knowing the trap she
had just set and sprung.
"Money!!!" Genma's head popped up at his
favorite word (aside from food). "Well what are
you waiting for, boy!" He shouted as he grabbed
Ranma around the shoulder. "Oh I knew you'd do
your old man proud one day." He brought Ranma
up in a gigantic bear hug; tears began rolling
down his cheeks. "To think I ever doubted you."
->"Well, what are you waiting for, Boy?" he
shouted...
->You might have noticed, I am changing He to
he after someone has spoken. The same goes for
she, they, it, everyone, everybody, and ex
cetera. The rule is, it's all one sentence.
It's very difficult to describe...so I will
give an example instead.
->Ranma ran after Akane shouting, "Akane, wait
for me!"
->It is one sentence. This next example is also
one sentence.
->"What do you want, Ranma?" she asked,
annoyed, but the tears in her eyes betraying
her outward appearance.
->If you're having trouble understanding,
please reply and ask for more information about
capital letters. I will try my best to help.
"Pop! AIR!!!" Ranma choked out from
underneath Genma's iron hold.
Genma looked down at his son's paling
face and let go. "Sorry there boy, don't want
to suffocate the money maker of the family." He
let out a hearty chuckle and pat Ranma on the
back.
"Gee thanks, pop." Ranma thanked
sarcastically.
"What is it their looking for?" Akane
asked diverting her attention back to Nabiki.
"It doesn't say." Nabiki answered.
"However it does mention, travel, paid
expenses, training, fame and fortune." She said
almost sounding interested.
"So what." Ranma spoke up. "It's probably
some stupid gimmick anyway.
Nabiki let a sigh and laid the letter
down. The rest of the family continued to stare
in open anticipation.
"Well?" Akane asked not wasting anymore
time.
Nabiki looked over at Ranma and realized
his gaze was directed back at her. "I suppose
I'll go to the place mentioned in the letter
tomorrow morning. Ranma, are you coming?"
"What are you talking about of course
he's going!" Genma interrupted. "You are going
aren't you boy?!" Genma's face pleaded.
"N-... I-... Arrr." He growled in
frustration. "Yeah sure, whatever." He finally
caved.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ranma lay in the dark next to Genma
panda, unable to get to sleep. Whenever he
curled up in a ball his boxers would ride.
Whenever he stretched out they'd start to creep
off. When he turned on his side his shirt would
begin to slide up. When he turned on his
stomach he had trouble breathing, and the one
thought that seemed to plague him was what was
that letter all about. He had tried to busy
himself for the better part of the day. Not
wanting to think about the letter anymore. He
had seemed uninterested in front everybody,
sure. But the truth was he was dying to know
more. He hardly ever got mail to begin with and
certainly not mail that stated that he had been
selected for anything. In fact the only mail he
ever seemed to get read something along the
lines of "prepare to die Saotome." or "Meet me
at a designated time and oh by the way prepare
to die Saotome." or even "If you want to see
Akane alive meet me at a designated place at a
designated time. PS Prepare to die Saotome."
Never anything that read you have been
selected. He rolled over onto his back and was
forced to pull his boxers back up. Then was
forced to pull them back down because he had
pulled them too far up. Frustration was
starting to settle in and Ranma was beginning
to grow hot. He tossed the covers off and lay
there momentarily trying to decide if that was
enough. Deciding it wasn't he also removed his
shirt.
->"P.S. Prepare to die Saotome."
->I suggest cutting this paragraph into
separate pieces, because I believe there are at
least four ideas in it that can stand alone.
->Here is my suggestion:
->Ranma lay in the dark next to Genma panda,
unable to get to sleep. Whenever he curled up
in a ball his boxers would ride. Whenever he
stretched out they'd start to creep off. When
he turned on his side his shirt would begin to
slide up. When he turned on his stomach he had
trouble breathing, and the one thought that
seemed to plague him was what was that letter
all about.
->He had tried to busy himself for the better
part of the day. Not wanting to think about the
letter anymore. He had seemed uninterested in
front everybody, sure. But the truth was he was
dying to know more.
->He hardly ever got mail to begin with and
certainly not mail that stated that he had been
selected for anything. In fact the only mail he
ever seemed to get read something along the
lines of "prepare to die Saotome." or "Meet me
at a designated time and oh by the way prepare
to die Saotome." or even "If you want to see
Akane alive meet me at a designated place at a
designated time. PS Prepare to die Saotome."
Never anything that read you have been
selected.
->He rolled over onto his back and was forced
to pull his boxers back up. Then was forced to
pull them back down because he had pulled them
too far up. Frustration was starting to settle
in and Ranma was beginning to grow hot. He
tossed the covers off and lay there momentarily
trying to decide if that was enough. Deciding
it wasn't he also removed his shirt.
He finally grew still. It wasn't just
what he and Nabiki had read to the family that
bugged him. It was what they hadn't...
He felt his boxers begin to ride once
more and proceeded to struggle with relocating
them in a more comfortable spot. Finding this a
more difficult task than he felt it should be
Ranma finally gave up and just decided to get
some air.
He silently stood himself up making a
semi-effort not to wake the panda, and slipped
out into the hallway. The house as expected was
dark and absent of activity. He walked his way
over to the stairway and descended down into
the den, there he approached the back door and
slid it open. A shadowy figure sitting on the
edge of the porch caught his eye and he
realized that it was staring back at him.
"Ranma?" He heard a familiar feminine
voice ask, and he proceeded to take a seat next
to her.
"Yeah it's me." He confirmed.
->"Yeah, it's me." he confirmed.
->In fact, I suggest doing away with, he
confirmed.
"Couldn't sleep either, huh?" Nabiki
asked in a small whisper.
"Yeah." Was all that Ranma said.
"Where's your shirt?"
"I got hot." He looked up at her gaze and
misread it. "Why you want me to jump in the
pond for you? Need some new photos?
"No." Nabiki answered unconcerned. She
let her chin rest on her knees as she pulled
them in. "What do you make of the letter?" She
finally asked.
"You're asking me?" Ranma asked
surprised.
"Don't let it go to your head Saotome,
I'm just curious is all." She responded without
looking up.
"I'm not sure." Ranma replied. "I wonder
why it's classified. Why we're not supposed to
tell anyone what we're doing."
"Who knows." Nabiki answered. "It was
specific enough to instruct us in what could be
told, and what couldn't be wasn't it?"
"Yeah but I don't see why the fact that
it's dangerous is such a problem." Ranma
stated.
"Because whatever it is might be
illegal." Nabiki Hypothesized. "After all they
were cautious enough not to say what the job
really is."
"I suppose." Ranma sighed.
"Did you burn your letter like it said?"
Nabiki asked looking back up at him.
"Yeah... I almost didn't though. None of
this makes sense." Nabiki simply nodded.
"Ranma lets just get some sleep. We'll
have our answers in the morning." Nabiki then
got up and headed inside through the back door.
Ranma watched after and then proceeded to do
the same.
->The Japanese are a law-abiding people. I find
it difficult Ranma and Nabiki would even
consider something so...secretive and
mysterious. It would probably do better to have
the letters mysteriously vanish or turn into
dust when left in the air too long, as though
the letters were made of some unstable fibre
when in the open air.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The next morning to Ranma's distaste came
early. He was greeted by the usual faces around
the house and groggily marched himself into the
washroom. He dropped his boxers to the floor
and began to run the water.
"Ranma?" He heard through the door. It
was Nabiki.
"If you don't get your butt in gear we're
gonna be late."
Ranma shut the water off. "Yeah yeah, be
out in a minute." He said uncaringly. He jumped
into the tub and immediately jumped out. "It's
freezing!"
Ranma-chan threw on her boxers and
proceeded to storm downstairs and into the den.
"All right what's happened to the hot water?"
She demanded
Kasumi walked in from the kitchen and
took notice of Ranma's bare chest. "Oh my,
Ranma. All the hot water must've been used up
when Mr. Saotome took his bath. Ranma's eyes
narrowed as she turned her attention on Genma.
"I'll warm you some water." Kasumi offered
disappearing back into the kitchen.
->Uh, the typical Japanese family all use the
same bath water. They fill the tub in the
morning, and then leave to finish their
business, and then return home. They take a
cold shower to clean themselves off, then hop
clean as a whistle into the tub.
"No time Kasumi." Nabiki called after as
she came down the stairs. She noticed Ranma's
battle aura switch on and caught her by the
arm. "Ranma stop wasting time and get some
clothes on." Ranma's aura dropped and she spun
around to meet Nabiki face to face. Something
there seemed to register in Ranma's eyes and
she proceeded to do as told.
Nabiki simply let a grin as she watched
the red headed martial artist scurry up the
stairs.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ranma-chan as usual was walking along the
fence top with careless ease, while Nabiki
walked silently next to her on the ground. They
had been walking for a good ten minutes, each
with her own thoughts. Ranma had finally
dressed and was now wearing her green jusenkyo
suit while Nabiki was wearing a nice striped
shirt tucked into a pair of tight jeans. Ranma
looked down at Nabiki and wondered inwardly
what she was thinking about. Nabiki caught the
look and smiled. "What is it Saotome?"
->Jusenkyo
->Names and places are always capitalised.
Ranma was caught off guard and quickly
tried to make something up. "I uh. ummm. Well I
didn't see Akane this morning." She finally
said. 'Smooth Ranma, smooth...' She thought.
"We talked last night." Nabiki began.
"She's upset that I said she couldn't go."
Ranma looked down at her surprised. "Oh?"
"Yeah well, she wanted to see where it
was we were going and asked if she could tag
along. I said it was none her business and she
got upset."
"No doubt." Ranma replied. 'Which means
she might be following us.' Ranma concluded to
herself. "Yeah that stupid tomboy! Always
trying stick her nose where it doesn't belong."
Nabiki looked up at Ranma-chan with a
question written on her face. "Hey what can I
say? Akane doesn't know when to keep out of
other peoples business. Hell she's always tryin
to follow me around. 's like she's obsessed or
somethin. I mean geez she's as clueless as an
ox and built like..." Ranma just barely managed
to sidestep a large mallet as she felt it brush
past her and into the fence.
->"I mean, jeez, she's..."
"OBSESSED AM I?" Akane shouted.
"Akane! Fancy meeting you here, of all
places!" Ranma-chan gloated tauntingly.
'Wow.' Nabiki thought dully impressed.
'Ranma actually did something smart!'
Akane immediately recovered and realized
her error. She looked over at Nabiki's stone
gaze and felt a chill in her spine. "Nabiki
hey! Imagine me running into you two like this,
I was just jogging and..."
"Save it Akane." Nabiki said flatly. "I
told you not to follow us."
"I know but... Fine whatever. See if I
care." She looked back over at the triumphantly
grinning redhead. "Baka!" She spat and
proceeded to bury her mallet in her original
destination. She then spun around with a
"HMPH!" and stormed off in the opposite
direction.
Nabiki looked over at Ranma-chan and felt
a smile creep on her lips. 'That's my little
sister for you.' "Ranma you okay?"
Ranma seemed to pull herself out of the
crippled like position and looked over at
Nabiki. "Fine."
"Come on we're half way there."
Ranma jumped down from the fence and next
to Nabiki. From there they both continued their
trip to the IRA building.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
They came to a stop outside the indicated
building and paused. "Meme's dry cleaning?"
Nabiki asked, puzzled. "Are you sure this is
where were supposed to go?"
"This is the address they gave." Ranma-
chan answered equally confused.
"Well let's try it and see." Nabiki
finally decided. They pushed the double glass
doors open and walked in.
"I can't believe their making me work."
They heard someone mumble as they entered the
shop.
Nabiki approached the front desk where a
young woman with white hair stood. "Excuse me."
She said politely.
"Yeah what do ya want." The woman
grumbled.
"I think we are supposed to meet someone
here." She continued.
"Yeah well if your not sure come back
when you are." The woman grumbled again
obviously annoyed.
Nabiki's eyes narrowed though the woman
didn't notice. "I'm Nabiki Tendo, and this is
Ranma Saotome." Nabiki introduced. The woman
looked the two over disinterestedly
"Yeah so?"
"Is there anyone else here?" Nabiki asked
growing somewhat annoyed herself.
"Maybe." The woman answered flatly and
turned to do something behind the counter.
"Excuse me?" Nabiki asked again.
"Now what?" the woman asked as she
whirled around. "We were both sent a letter
instructing us to meet someone here."
"Look I'm busy right now." The woman
growled. "Why don't you buy a coke or something
from the machine and I'll get back to you."
Nabiki let a small growl slide from her throat
and turned to Ranma. "We're never going to get
anything out of her, Ranma let's go!"
"Wait, Nabiki." Ranma stopped her. "A
coke doesn't sound bad."
Nabiki rolled her eyes. "Ranma do you
have any money?"
"Well no." Ranma-chan let her eyes drop.
"And you want ME to buy YOU a coke?" She
asked accusingly.
"Well I was kinda hoping." Ranma almost
whispered.
"Ranma you know better than to try the
cute act with me." Nabiki scolded. Ranma didn't
look back up. Nabiki was growing even more
frustrated by the moment. "Fine, here, but you
owe me dinner or a back rub or something."
Ranma-chan not hearing the condition swiped the
money from Nabiki's hand eagerly.
"Thanks Nabiki!" She ran over to the
large red vendor and entered in the correct
amount of money. She looked down at the
selection and decided on a coke, which she then
proceeded to punch the correct button. Ranma
squatted down to the part of the machine where
you get your drink and waited...Nothing
happened... "Hey!" She yelled. Finally she
heard a clicking noise and the face of the
machine slung open nearly knocking her off her
feet.
Nabiki and Ranma were both forced to
stare as a passage from within the machine was
found. Nabiki looked over at the woman and
found her busy at the daily grind, oblivious to
what was transpiring.
"Nabiki?" Ranma-chan whispered.
"What?" Nabiki whispered back.
"You suppose we follow this passage?"
Ranma questioned further.
"Why not." Was Nabiki's response.
->"Just let me get my soda first." said Ranma.
-> "How typical Ranma, I lend you a dollar, and
then you spend it on nothing." Nabiki frowned.
They entered in through the open machine
and pulled the door shut behind them.
Inside was a dimly lit descending
stairwell that curved to the right at its end.
They slowly began their descent, carefully
taking stock of their surroundings. Which
wasn't much. The staircase spiraled down
several more times to the right before finally
coming to an end outside what looked like an
office door with an opaque glass window.
After giving a glance back at Ranma,
Nabiki knocked on the door.
"What's the password?" Was the response
they got in a thick British accent.
"We weren't given one." She answered.
"Oh really? What's your name?"
"I'm Nabiki Tendo."
"And I'm Ranma Saotome."
"Oh I see..." There was a long pause at
the other side of the door. "You sure you
weren't given a password?" The voice asked.
"No I'm pretty sure if I'd been given one
I'd have seen it." Nabiki answered.
"Yes, ah... I suppose so..." The voice
agreed. "Well then why are you here?"
"We don't know. We were hoping you could
tell us." Nabiki said somewhat irritated.
"Hmmmm. Yes.... Well, what's your
favorite color?"
Nabiki arched an eyebrow. This was
becoming pointless. "Blue." She answered.
"Aha!" The voice stated triumphantly.
"You cannot be the real Nabiki Tendo because we
have her test and she answered Green."
Nabiki rolled her eyes. "Maybe I was
lying." She offered.
"Uh... No that can't be. She also stated
that she does not lie." Nabiki heard Ranma
snicker.
"Yes but if I did lie, wouldn't it stand
to reason I might lie about that also? And
perhaps I also lied about my favorite color."
She smirked.
"When?" The voice asked simply.
"Both times." She answered. "But then
maybe I'm lying now? Of course you also didn't
take into account that I might have simply
changed my mind since I took that stupid test."
"Yes...I suppose so." The voice seemed to
sound defeated. There was an audible sound of
footsteps approaching the door and then the
lock slipped. The door opened to reveal a
middle-aged man wearing a black suit.
"Nabiki Tendo?" He asked.
"Yes." She answered.
"I'm Sean Oliver. Come in." Nabiki
entered in through the door and the man walked
behind a large cherry oak desk and seated
himself. "Ranma Saotome?" He questioned,
directing his gaze at Ranma.
"Hai!" Ranma answered cheerfully. They
took notice of two other gentlemen similarly
dressed seated on either side of the room.
"Have a seat." Ranma began to oblige but
then took notice of Nabiki's lack of movement
and continued to stand.
"What exactly is this about sir?" Nabiki
asked to the point.
"A job." He answered. Nabiki's eyes
narrowed. "A job that you two seemed best
qualified for, assuming you didn't lie about
everything else." He elaborated.
"We've been told as much from your
letter, what is the job."
The man let a chuckle. "Yes you are
exactly as your test indicated." Nabiki blinked
at this. "We are a small self employed group of
treasure hunters, if you will. But as you can
see, myself being the youngest, we are starting
to become unfit for the task. You see we have
just recently obtained... well... I'm jumping
ahead of myself. The point is we need a new
generation of youth to continue where it was we
left off."
"So you issued that test to all the
schools across Japan in search for a couple of
heirs to your business?" Nabiki asked
surprised. She finally took a seat and Ranma
followed
"More like a couple of lackey's" Ranma
added.
"Oh no." The man started chuckling. "
That test is funded by small groups like
ourselves, but certainly not issued by us, and
not just in Japan, either. The entire world.
It's a little thing started by private
organizations like us to seek out new additions
and possible candidates. The international
police use it. The American CIA, FBI, and NSA
use it. Other elite government agencies around
the world use it. A couple based in Japan, and
independent agencies such as us. Pay the fee,
receive the results. That's basically all there
is to it. Oh and no not lackey's as you put it
young lady." He responded finally looking over
at Ranma. "We haven't much need for money
anymore." He continued indicating the other two
gentlemen. We only require a small share of
your profit. This helps pay for your training,
your airfare, the location of various
treasures, and other expenses, such as food,
lodging, guides, and travel gear. All we're
really looking for is someone to continue our
work." He then looked over at Ranma and seemed
to consider something. "Young lady I was under
the impression that you were a young man."
"I am most of the..." Ranma began but
Nabiki elbowed her in the ribs.
"I beg your pardon?" He asked even more
confused.
"Long story." Ranma stated simply.
"Uh, she likes to think of herself as a
guy sometimes. Her father raised her that way."
Nabiki quickly recovered not willing to trust
the three gentlemen yet.
"Nabiki, I..." Ranma-chan started to
protest, but she caught a warning look from
Nabiki and ceased.
"She's a little modest too I'm afraid."
Nabiki assured. She was forced to bite her lip
at that lie.
"Uh....yes... Well can we depend on you
two? Realize that this cannot be discussed with
anyone other than yourselves not even family.
We cannot afford to be discovered.
"First I've got some questions!" Nabiki
replied, taking control of the conversation
"Yes of course!" The man spoke
cheerfully.
"Okay, what was it on our test that
suggested to you that Ranma and I would be most
fit out of everyone else for your job?"
The man seemed to purse his lips in
thought. "Well, several things really. You see
we're only given a handful of candidates by the
organization that handles the test. We submit
what attributes we're looking for, an age
group, and a general location we're most
interested in receiving candidates from and
then submit our money. Your test results were
accompanied by eight others. Three from Great
Britain, one from America, four from china, and
yourselves."
"And what made you choose us out of the
ten candidates you received?" Nabiki continued.
"Well out of all our candidates you two
seemed most liable to compliment each other in
skill. The fact that you both already knew and
lived with each other made it a quick
decision."
Nabiki looked at the other two gentlemen
in the room and then back to the man behind the
desk.
"What specifically was it about our test
that indicated us as candidates?"
Nabiki pressed on.
"Well, you specifically expressed an
interest in large wealth and something that
would get you out of the chaos at home."
"So how does that differ from anybody
else?"
"Well specifically the way that you wrote
this information for instance. But more than
that your ability for puzzle solving was rated
most high in the exam. Not to mention
compromisable morality was also indicated."
"Why would that be a necessity?" Nabiki
asked cautiously.
"Not really... A necessity..." The man
seemed to think his words carefully. "More like
a...Plus." He finally finished.
"I see." Nabiki replied not really
certain if she did. "What else suggested me?"
"Well you seem to have a real nac for
bargaining and manipulation, this was indicated
in the same section as morality. In-fact most
of the answers in this part of the test connect
some sort of profit or control in your favor.
Now with this job that will not be necessary.
You will be forced to keep a low profile at all
times. And as far as money, rest assured you'll
have plenty." He smiled.
"Why is that anyway?" Nabiki asked
changing the subject. "Why all the secrecy?"
"Well, that might prove difficult to
explain to your satisfaction." He hesitated.
"You see, we," He indicated the other two men
again. "Have over time accumulated alot of
enemies. And it might suffice to say that the
treasures we know of are, well, of the most
rare and valuable sort. Which makes these
enemies most interested in us."
->Aha! A mistake many make, yet never realise,
alot is not a word. It is two separate words, a
lot.
"Competitors?" Nabiki asked wryly.
"Some..." The man answered. "Some are of
a darker sort."
"Like what?" Nabiki asked genuinely
interested.
"That is something you must discover for
yourself."
"Hey didn't you play that James Bond guy
several years back?" Ranma finally made herself
known again. Nabiki rolled her eyes.
"That was Connery!" The man said somewhat
testily.
"No it was Bond!" Ranma-chan argued.
"No I mean the man who played him was
Sean Connery not me, Sean Oliver."
"Oh!" Ranma stated defeatedly.
Nabiki looked back over to the man. "Mr.
Oliver, might I ask how it was
Ranma was selected?"
"Of Course." The man obliged. "Her
answers seemed to leave room for imagination,
was one reason. She seems adept to expecting
the unexpected and living and surviving under
extreme conditions. Also her athletic records
seem to hold her as one of the best!" Those are
all qualities that are required Ms. Tendo, and
with you two working together it makes the
perfect team. You see as a trio, each of us had
something to add to the group. This is also
true with you two that is why you two will work
out perfectly. What one lacks, it seems the
other does not."
"You think you could elaborate on Ranma's
qualifications?" Ranma looked over at Nabiki
with a wry look.
'Geez you'd think she didn't want to work
with me!' Ranma thought to herself.
"Yes, well one I particularly liked was
this." He reached in his drawer and pulled
forth a small booklet. "You are at your wedding
just before walking the isle and stating your
vows. An obsessed x-lover unable to part with
you forces you to the ground and begins to
forcibly and repetitively kiss you. Your fiance
happens to walk in at that time. What do you
do? Ms. Saotome writes, Well given my past
performance I'd probably babble uncontrollably
until the Baka takes the initiative to whap the
hell out of me with a large mallet. Then
hopefully seep into unconsciousness or even
death, because the wedding was arranged anyway!
I swear I'm gonna kill my pop! This is all his
fault. And there's the undeniable fact that
some deity must have it out for me which is
clearly evident by the fact that my only known
friends wish to marry me or kill me." The man
looked back up at Nabiki. "You see that's
imagination!" Nabiki mumbled something
incoherent.
"What really does that have to do with
the job?" Nabiki asked skeptically.
"Nothing really, just struck me as
humorous." The other two men agreed.
Nabiki sighed. "Look, sir, What happens
if we agree?"
"You'll be given one week to wrap up any
of your obligations and then report back here.
>From there we'll take a jet to our first
location and begin your training. You'll be
given weekly salaries until you can start
supporting yourself. And we will take care of
all other expenses.
"Weekly salaries?" Nabiki asked.
"Yes five thousand US Dollars." The man
answered seriously. "Which I believe converts
to roughly five hundred and twelve thousand of
your Japanese yen. And three thousand one
hundred of our United Kingdom pounds."
Nabiki stared in utter shock. "Five
hundred and twelve thousand yen a week?"
"Yes that's right! But don't worry that's
just icing on the cake compared to the
treasures you'll be hunting."
"Icing on the cake?!" Both girls mouthed
this silently.
"The man chuckled. "Can I expect your
answer tomorrow?"
"Y-yes sir." Nabiki stuttered. She was
used to having complete control of a situation
but was finding it difficult with the direction
the conversation had taken.
Ranma-chan was ghostly quiet as well.
"I'm sorry but we can't allow you more
time. But tomorrow is final. Be here eight o'
clock in the morning, sharp, with your answer.
Good day."
"Come on Ranma." Nabiki slowly stood up
and grabbed the redhead by her arm and pulled
her to her feet. "Let's go!"
They exited the office shutting the door
behind them.
'Man that was strange.' Ranma thought
silently, and followed Nabiki up the spiral
staircase and back into the dry cleaners.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
End chapter one.
Thanks to everyone that read!
(PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, RESPOND!!!)
-Greg
->Uh, may I make the following suggestion? You
can use this if you want...
->Later, in the Tendo dining room...
->"What do you mean you know what's happening,
Akane?" Ranma asked.
->Akane looked at Ranma, seriousness written on
her face. "I still followed you two...and heard
everything!"
->Ranma hung his head. "Great, I bet this means
you're coming, doesn't it?" Under his breath,
he muttered, "Man, I should'a guessed she
wouldn't've listened...she's as stubborn as a
mule!"
->"What was that?"
->Ranma looked up at a dead-serious Akane. "I
said, you look like a mule, and are twice as
strong!"
->"You jerk!"
->Moments later, Nabiki came from the kitchen,
snack in hand. Before sitting down at the
table, she noticed it was broken over Ranma's
head.
->"Pathetic, Ranma. You're such a late-
bloomer!" She munched on a chip. "So I guess
this means she's coming?"
->The table nodded.
->Just remember, Ranma and Akane's relationship
is often misinterpreted, so be careful of
trapping Ranma and Akane into a two-dimensional
relationship of reaction.