Ranma woke slowly. He had not been plagued by the nightmares but actually enjoyed a pleasant dream. He had been walking in his male form with a petite red-haired girl. She had told him that things would eventually resolve themselves and that the one who had attacked him would be brought to justice. The girl had warned him that he could not take part in the hunt for the rapist. He had something more important to protect.

    The dream ended before Ranma had realized who he had been talking to. By the time he did recognize her, he was already waking from the dream.

    Looking around the dojo, Ranma spotted Alex and Ryoga both still asleep. From their postures, they had stayed up watching over him till they couldn't stay up any longer. For some reason, this brought a smile to Ranma's face. Then the morning ritual kicked in.

    Ranma broke all land speed records getting from the dojo to the toilet. After he finished bringing up the remains of last night's dinner, he washed his face and rinsed out his mouth to wash away the taste.

    "This is getting old," Ranma said to himself as he turned to get the furo ready for his morning bath. He quickly washed and lowered himself into the furo's welcome warmth. He sighed in comfort. "I wonder if Kasumi could be convinced to bring my breakfast up here." Thinking about that for a moment, Ranma shook his head. "Probably not. Oh, well, can't blame a guy for wishing."

    The door opening to admit Akane, wrapped only in a towel interrupted his thoughts. Ranma's eyes got very large. "Akane!" Quickly he averted his eyes. "I'm sorry, I forgot to turn over the sign." Ranma took in the shocked look on Akane's face. He added softly. "Please don't kill me."

    Akane looked at the ridiculous sight of the red-haired girl sitting in the bathtub begging for her life. The smile grew without her noticing and her first laugh caught her by surprise. After all the stress, the attack, and Ranma's withdrawal, here was the first sign that things were beginning to heal. She couldn't stop laughing, especially when Ranma began to blush. She had never noticed it before, but when Ranma was in his girl-form, he blushed ALL over. This only made Akane laugh harder.

    Soon, to Ranma's embarrassment, Kasumi and Nabiki joined their sister in the bathroom. In bits and pieces the sisters got the story of why Akane was in stitches. The sight of the still blushing Ranma getting out of the tub said more than words.

    By the time Genma and Soun reached the bathroom, Ranma had wrapped a towel and what was left of his dignity around his body. He tried to get out the door through the press of Tendo sisters. Before he could exit, however, Akane grabbed Ranma and pulled him into a firm embrace. Speaking so only Ranma could hear, she said. "I'm so sorry, Ranma. I..." Coming to a decision, she hugged Ranma harder. "I love you, Ranma Saotome. No matter what, remember that. I love you."

    Ranma's eyes were large when Akane finally broke her grip. Ranma looked in Akane's eyes. "Even when I'm like this?"

    Akane shocked everyone in the bathroom by kissing Ranma on the cheek. "I don't care anymore, Ranma." She thought about the conversation with Alex last night. "I just don't care. You're the man I love and my fiance. Nothing else matters."

    Suddenly, they were both aware of their surroundings. Nabiki had a big, silly grin on her face. Kasumi beamed at the pair smiling perhaps a bit more satisfied, or was it relief?

    Soun and Genma, subtle fellows that they were, were literally dancing in the hall and slapping each other on the backs on how their families were finally going to be joined together.

    Ranma and Akane walked out hand-in-hand and looked at their fathers in annoyance. Ranma called out. "Hey, Pop! I can think of at least one big problem from us getting married right away." He smiled as Genma stopped to look at the two WOMEN standing in the hallway wearing only bath towels. Genma fainted dead away while Soun began to cry profusely.

    Akane looked at Ranma questioningly, "Why'd you do that?"

    Ranma's face held satisfaction. "Oh, I've got years of payback to get from to my old man. This is just the icing on the cake." He looked down at their state of attire. "Why don't you take your bath, while I go and get dressed."

    Akane smiled as she watched her father tried to revive Mr. Saotome. "Okay, I'll meet you downstairs." She entered the bath where Kasumi and Nabiki were still standing. "A little privacy, please?"

    In the dojo, Alex and Ryoga slowly woke up. Each groaned as they worked the kinks out. Ryoga turned to Alex. "There are a couple of dozen faces I'd much rather wake up to first thing in the morning."

    Alex chuckled as he worked a stubborn cramp out of his shoulders. "I love you too, sweetheart. I can think of one or two myself. I guess we're just stuck with each other." Ryoga slapped the back of Alex's head in response.

    Ryoga got to his feet. He looked over at the remnants of Ranma's bed. "Guess he beat us up."

    Alex began to straighten Ryoga's bed up. "Yeah, I heard that morning sickness is as regular as clockwork. I guess it's really true."

    Ryoga nodded. "Makes me glad I don't turn into a girl."

    Alex stared at Ryoga for a moment. "What do you turn into?"

    Ryoga's eyes went wide. "What makes you think that I'm cursed like Ranma?"

    "Ryoga, I've worked with Ranma and the panda for most of last evening. In addition to that, a friend of mine back at Majestic is also cursed." Alex leaned against the wall and smiled. "Trust me, I can spot someone who took the Jusenkyo plunge a mile away, and you're one of them. So, I ask again. What do you turn into?"

    Ryoga's face was unreadable. "I turn into a little black piglet." He looked at Alex, his discomfort growing. "Akane knows me like that as her pet pig P-chan. She doesn't know that I'm cursed."

    Alex nodded. "I won't tell her. But I will tell you this, the longer you wait to tell Akane, the more hurt she is going to be."

    Ryoga nodded sadly. "I know that. I've tried to tell her, but...I'm afraid she'll hate me for deceiving her if I tell her."

    Alex walked over to Ryoga. "Well, for the time being, I think P-chan should remain scarce. I'm not saying you have to tell her today." He watched Ryoga carefully. "I know you are an honorable man, Ryoga. You'll do the right thing, I know. Just don't wait too long." With that, Alex turned and walked to the house leaving Ryoga in deep thought.

    At breakfast, conversation was centered on the expedition to acquire Ranma a bed for his bedroom. Genma's protests about being evicted from his room were cut short by Akane when she threw him into the koi pond. He finished breakfast as a panda. It was decided that Nabiki, Kasumi and Ranma would go and find the bed.

    Nabiki looked at Akane. "Why aren't you going with us, sis? I thought for sure that you'd want to have a say in the kind of bed we would buy."

    Akane traded a glance with Alex before answering. "I have an...errand to run today. It's kind of important...otherwise..." She looked at Ranma. "You don't mind?"

    Ranma smiled. "No. I'm not so sure about this bed thing though. My futon should be okay..."

    Nabiki smiled, "Let's hear you say that when you're six months along." The look on Ranma's face ended his dissent. She next turned to Alex. "What about you? Still planning on speaking to the Spirit of Drowned Girl?" Nabiki's voice dripped sarcasm.

    Alex met her gaze evenly. "Sure do, I also need to make some...preparations beforehand. I should be ready by the time you get back from shopping. In the meantime, I can touch base at home and make sure they know I haven't fallen off the planet." Everyone laughed as he flopped backwards on the floor to illustrate his point.

    They had just about finished when a bedraggled Tatewaki Kuno walked up to the house. He staggered at the porch and fell to his knees. Soun and Ryoga kept him from falling. Kuno muttered about is quest to find the attackers of his sister. He looked as if he hadn't slept all night. Kasumi went into the kitchen for a cold rag and another plate.

    Akane knelt by his side. "Oh, Kuno, what happened to you?"

    Kuno focused on Akane and seemed to become more lucid. "Fair Akane, how happy I am to bask in your loveliness. Dear lady, I beg of some morsel of sustenance so that I might continue my quest for the scoundrels who has injured my sister."

    Before Akane could reply, Ranma was on Kuno. "You didn't leave Ucchan to walk home alone, did you?" His voice held a dangerous edge.

    Kuno looked at Ranma and simply shook his head. "Nay, Saotome. The fair Ukkyo was escorted by myself and my retainer to her establishment." Kuno straightened to look more dignified. "I instructed Sasuke to keep watch on her so as not to allow the fiends a chance at another target."

    Ranma's face softened. "Oh, I'm sorry." To everyone's surprise, Ranma bowed to Kuno. "Thank you for watching over my friend."

    Kuno recovered quickly. "I could do no less and retain my honor." He returned Ranma's bow. "I promise that I shall do all in my power to insure her safety." Rising, Kuno added, "I also shall aid in protecting the Tendo women as well."

    Ryoga bristled. "Hey, what am I, chopped liver?"

    Nabiki interposed herself. "Ryoga, I don't think a fight now would do much good." She looked at Kuno. "I'm sure that between you and Kuno-baby here, we should be well protected." Nabiki caught Alex nodding. He raised his cup in salute before taking a drink of is tea. Nabiki glowered at his grin. She had given the American the second, third and fourth degree and still didn't know much more than when she had met him last night.

    To Nabiki's annoyance, he had seemed to already have won over Akane, Ranma, Kasumi and Ryoga. Daddy was still on the fence and Mr. Saotome was nursing a serious grudge. That was the worst of all, she hated being on the same side as Mr. Saotome. She needed more information. 'I wonder if I can find Happosai?' she thought with an evil grin.

    Akane and Alex took the train across Tokyo to the neighborhood Mrs. Saotome lived. Akane led the way from the station. She still looked troubled.

    "I hope I made the right choice." Akane said as they crossed a street near their destination.

    Alex looked at her. "I said it was your call, Akane. You can still change your mind."

    Akane stopped in front of the house. "No, we've come this far. We just have to be careful how we handle this."

    With a grand gesture, Alex replied. "Then lead on, MacDuff."

    Akane gave him the evil eye. "Now you're beginning to sound like Kuno."

    "Bite your tongue." He said with a smirk. He followed Akane up the walk and stood behind her as she rang the bell.

    Nodoka Saotome opened the door and smiled as soon as she saw Akane. "Well, this is a pleasant surprise." She looked at Alex with curiosity. "What can I do for you?"

    Akane smiled at her. "Well, we have some things we need to discuss with you." Now Akane began to get very uncomfortable. "Some of it is about...Ranma."

    Nodoka led them into her house and served them tea. Alex couldn't help but notice the scabbard on the wall. He knew from what Akane told him on the train that Nodoka knew exactly how to use the sword to deadly effect. He decided to let Akane do the talking for the most part. Even so, Ranma's mother kept looking at him curiously.

    Akane decided to jump in with both feet. "I think the first thing I need to tell you is that I know where Ranma is." Seeing that Mrs. Saotome's face remained passive she continued. "He and his father have been staying with us for the last few years."

    Nodoka sipped her tea and nodded. "I suspected that, dear. After all, Ranma has been betrothed to you. It only makes sense he would stay there." She frowned slightly. "It is rather strange that all the times I visited they were off on some training trip somewhere else." She turned to Alex. "What brings you here, young man?"

    Alex felt her scrutiny. "I'm mostly here as moral support."

    Nodoka was skeptical. "I see." She didn't seem inclined toward pressing him on the point just yet. She turned back to Akane. "You didn't just come here to tell me this, did you?"

    Akane shook her head. She looked toward Alex who nodded and smiled supportively. "The reason why I came is...Ranma's been hurt."

    Nodoka gasped. "Then I will go to him immediately!" She stood and reached for the sword.

    Alex intervened. "Mrs. Saotome, I think you need to hear what Akane has to say before you go. We need to explain about Ranma's current...condition."

    She rounded on the American. "He's not dying, is he?"

    Alex shook his head. "No, physically he's fine." Out of the corner of his eye, Alex saw Akane gape. "Well, technically anyway. Let's just say that he's not quite himself."

    Nodoka returned to the table with her sword. "You are not making any sense. How could Ranma be fine and hurt at the same time."

    Alex looked to Akane, but she seemed to be content to watch him stew. "You brought it up. You handle it. And don't forget your promise."

    "Gee thanks, Akane."

    Nodoka was getting impatient. "I'm waiting, children."

    Alex took one last glance at Akane before beginning. "Okay. Before I do, I need to know your thoughts on an oath your husband made with you when he left on his training trip so long ago."

    "That?" Nodoka laughed. "Genma promised he'd make Ranma a man among men. If Ranma were a coward or a brute, I would have to insist that he follow through on his oath." She looked at Akane. "Ranma's not either of those, is he?"

    Akane shook her head rapidly. "No! He's neither of those things! He's a bit inconsiderate sometimes, but that I blame on Mr. Saotome." She noted Mrs. Saotome's dark look. "He is getting better, though." She quickly added.

    "I should hope so." Ranma's mother said. "Please continue."

    Alex nodded. "I can say that under the circumstances, Ranma is handling his condition as well as can be expected. As to his courage, well, according to Akane, he has come to her aid whenever it was necessary. He always comes to the aid of those who can't defend themselves."

    Alex paused to drink his tea. "Now, the next question is: would you find cause to change your opinion about him due to a condition that is completely beyond his control?"

    Nodoka sipped her own tea thoughtfully. "An interesting question. What kind of 'condition' has Ranma been afflicted?"

    Akane looked at Ranma's mother warily. "We can't tell you that yet."

    "Cannot or will not, Akane dear?"

    Akane dipped her head. "Will not..." She raised her head to meet the older woman's eyes. "Not without some assurances."

    Nodoka raised her eyebrows. "What kind of assurances, dear?"

    Akane took a breath in. "That no matter what we tell you, you won't make Ranma commit seppuku. He's enough of a man for me, that's all I care about."

    Nodoka smiled. "He must be something to inspire this kind of loyalty."

    Alex smiled. "Ma'am, you don't know the half of it...OW!" Akane kicked him before he could say more. "What?!?"

    "Alex!" Akane said, warningly.

    Nodoka hid her smile behind her hand. "Perhaps I should agree before Alex here is badly injured." She looked at them both. "I agree to your terms, now tell me about my son."

    Alex held his hand out to Akane. "You're on."

    A short time later, Akane finished bringing Nodoka up to date about her son and husband.

    "...And so every time you came around, they would transform and pretend to be Ranko and Mr. Panda." Akane bowed her head. "I'm sorry if he hurt you. He really believed that his curse would cause you to make him commit suicide."

    Nodoka toyed with her empty cup. "I should have known. Ranko is so close to Ranma...I just never imagined." She looked at Akane. "He doesn't stay like that, does he?"

    Akane laughed. "Not if he can avoid it." Suddenly her eyes began to fill with tears. "Unlike now..." Her voice cracked and she was unable to go on.

    Nodoka stepped around and held Akane close. She looked at Alex. "What did she mean?"

    Alex cleared his throat. "About two weeks ago, Ranma was attacked in his girl form. We still aren't sure who was responsible, but Ranma was found beaten in an alley. He was taken to the Tendo's family doctor..."

    Nodoka cringed at hearing of Ranma found beaten in an alley. "I thought his father would have trained him better..." She felt Akane shudder in her arms.

    Alex continued clinically. "Ranma was examined and it was determined that in addition to being beaten, 'she' was also...sexually assaulted."

    Nodoka squeezed Akane tighter. "Oh no! My poor baby! How is he...she...How is Ranma taking it?"

    Alex smiled. "Ranma's hanging in there. Some days are better than others. Also, I've talked to the Tendos and some of Ranma's friends. Even in his girl-form, Ranma is about the best fighter in Japan, if not the world."

    "From what we've heard, he's not the only 'female' martial artist attacked." He grew serious once more. "Actually, there is one more thing. You might want to prepare yourself because this one's a doozy."

    Nodoka smiled sadly. "I find out my son is also a part-time daughter. How bad could it be?"

    Akane took this one. "Auntie Saotome, Ranma's going to have...a baby..."

    Nodoka looked at Alex in shock. When he nodded in confirmation of Akane's statement, she grew dizzy. "This is getting surreal. Can't he just change back?" She felt Akane shake her head against her chest.

    Alex elaborated. "We've discovered that Ranma can't change back for the moment because the...uh...Spirit of the Drowned Girl is blocking his reverse transformation." He took in Mrs. Saotome's disbelieving look. He grinned disarmingly, "Ma'am, I don't write them, I just report them."

    Mrs. Saotome shook her head. "You take all this in such stride. I'm having a hard time keeping up." She looked down at Akane. "How do you two do it?"

    Alex and Akane exchanged a glance, then both began to chuckle. Finally Akane said. "Actually Auntie, after a while of dealing with the bizarre, it becomes rather tame."

    Ranma was walking downstairs when he saw his mother walk in the door. Part of him wanted to throw himself into her mother's arms and let the chips fall where they may, but that wouldn't be fair to Pop. Oh well, he'd enjoy the peace with the old man being stuck in panda-form for a few days.

    Plastering a fake smile on his face, Ranma called out a greeting. "Auntie Saotome! Hi! It's so nice to see you!"

    Nodoka paused at the bottom of the stairs. She looked at 'Ranko' with a new perspective. Although most everything else was different, the eyes...those were the eyes of the little boy she hadn't seen for so long.

    Finally, she said. "Hello...Ranma..."

    Ranma froze on the stairs. His mind raced and he was torn between running away and running into his mother's arms. She didn't seem angry but...

    Finally, his heart made the decision for him. Ranma slowly took the first step then quickly made his way down the stairs to his mother's waiting arms. Ranma could feel the tears welling up but right then, he just didn't give a damn. In seconds, he had finally finished his training trip. Safe in his mother's arms, Ranma Saotome came home with a sob. Both of them were in tears as they held each other tightly. Ranma could only repeat over and over. "I'm sorry, mom. I'm so sorry!"

    Nodoka held her 'son' close for the first time in fifteen years. "Shhh, it's all right, Ranma. Everything's going to be all right." She kissed the top of Ranma's head. She wasn't sure what she would do next, but for now, Ranma came first.

    The commotion soon brought the rest of the household into the foyer. Genma almost had a heart attack when he walked in and saw his wife embracing his 'son'. He tried to beat a hasty retreat toward the koi pond and furry anonymity.

    Unfortunately, Nodoka had already spotted him. "FREEZE, GENMA SAOTOME!"

    Ranma looked up at his mother in fear, but she quickly quieted her son's fears. "I understand everything, Ranma. I'm not going to make you kill yourself." Her gaze fell once more on her husband. "As for your father...I haven't decided yet."

    "You really don't have to kill him." Nodoka turned her head without releasing Ranma as Alex stepped forward. "We could always spray him with cold water and sell him to the zoo."

    Ranma's mother looked at her husband who was now bowing before her and begging forgiveness. She smiled wickedly. "I'll think about it."

    Alex turned back to a misty eyed Akane. "You know what? You do good work." He winked at her and grinned. "You keep this up and my boss may decide to replace me."

    Akane blushed as she continued to watch Ranma and Nodoka. "Don't worry." She said wistfully. "I've got a prior commitment."

Ranma: Motherhood

Chapter Six: Anarchy Returns

Finding Happosai, Nabiki learned was much harder then she had first envisioned. She had thought that all she would have to do was follow the trail of stolen women's underwear. Unfortunately, Happosai was more troublesome to find especially when the little pervert didn't want to be found.

She tried the public baths, but he had been there already leaving the usual carnage in his wake. Furinkan’s girl’s locker room, same thing. Oh, the girls got some good licks in, but sadly the little freak still got away. She even tried the beach, even though it was still early in the year. Still, no Happosai to be found.

So finding him was out of the question. In desperation, she decided to do the one distasteful thing she knew would bring him running if he were within twenty miles, her stomach turning as she planned it. If only there were another way…surely if I were a little smarter, I wouldn’t be putting myself through this. Ha…if I were smarter, I wouldn’t need Happosai to tell me what I need to know, neh? Just so you and I understand that, self – right?

Lying out in a miniscule bikini, Nabiki adjusted her sunglasses and tried to focus on her book. Thankfully, the weather was warm enough she didn’t want to think about what a cold breeze would do. Her book was the most up to date on speculations as to which stocks to buy in the next five to ten years. The forcasts seemed to think that high-tech and Internet stocks would be most profitable in the first few years but would tank out after overinvestment.

All very useful and marginally interesting but waiting for Happosai to make his appearance and using herself as bait made it difficult to concentrate on the text.

After about two hours, her expectations were confirmed when she felt a weight attach itself to her rear end with a happy sigh. Happi had arrived in his usual fashion.

"Oh, Nabiki-baby! I never realized how full and healthy you had become while I was away!" Happosai said as he began to toy with the strings on her bottoms.

Nabiki was not amused. Two hours indeed! She quickly detached the offensive martial artist and shrugged on a handy robe. "Happosai, we both know that you'll latch on to any woman with the proper…attributes shall we say?" She held her book at the ready to bat away Happi's groping hands if needed. "Now, shall I tell you why I've summoned you or shall we continue with the preliminaries?"

Happosai looked at her with hurt in his eyes. "Oh, Nabiki, you misjudge an old man. I only think about you like a granddaughter." Seeing Nabiki's skeptical look, Happosai shrugged. "Oh well, it was worth a try." He plopped down next to her and began to smoke his pipe. "So what do you want?"

Nabiki smiled but never took her eyes off of the pervert. "You have heard about Ranma, I assume…and that Alex person Dr. Tofu brought by."

Happosai's face actually became sympathetic. "Yes. Such a shame," Happi glanced slyly at Nabiki once more. "He still hasn't changed back, has he?"

Nabiki shook her head. "No, he's still a girl. The problem is my foolish father has been taken in by some gaijin who thinks he might be able to cure Ranma once and for all." Not exactly the truth, she thought. Still, Happosai was not the subtlest person on the planet. His reaction to her statement was proof enough.

"What! He wants to what? No! I don't want to loose my precious Ranma-chan!" Happi popped right up and ran into the house. He barely paused long enough to remove his shoes before entering.

Nabiki smiled and followed more slowly. Her grin was grim as she thought about what Happosai was about to do to Alex…

Happosai's battle aura was plainly visible as he stormed through the house. "Where is he? Where's the one who wants to take my Ranma-chan away from me?!?"

Hearing the commotion, Alex followed Kasumi out of the kitchen. He had been helping Kasumi get dinner ready. Kasumi smiled. "Oh, Master Happosai. How nice to see you, will you be staying for dinner?"

Happi didn't seem to hear Kasumi. The minute he laid eyes on Alex, his aura intensified. "So you're the one! Prepare to die!" His ki energy shot forth toward the startled Alex who stood there with eyes wide.

Nabiki strode in the door ready to expose Alex as the fraud she knew he was. Hmmph, I know he’s a fake and thanks to Happosai, I’ll finally be able to prove it.

She entered the room where the sounds of a loud, brief fight had originated. She was shocked to see Happi suspended in the middle of the room by... She suddenly realized that the pervert was just hanging there in mid-air with no visible means of support. Or so she thought…

Happosai meanwhile was seriously begging for his life. "Oh please, Guardian, I didn't realize what you were when I came in here. Nabiki only said that you were trying to cure my Ranma-chan and I became insane!" Happi hid his face in his hands. "Please! Let me down! I'll be good!"

Nabiki's jaw just about hit the floor. Guardian? What was this idiot talking about? Then she saw Alex's eyes. The glow around his eyes was clearly visible now even in broad daylight. She next noticed the scorch marks on the wall behind him and…Kasumi?

Alex turned his eyes toward Nabiki. To Happosai, he said. "Say nothing more, we will discuss this later!" Still he didn't let the martial artist down. To Nabiki's horror, she found herself rising off the floor to join Happosai floating in mid-air.

"Hey! What's going on?"

Kasumi crossed her arms. "I think that's our question." She walked around her now completely floating sister. "Now, do we get an answer or does Alex…" She looked at him before continuing. Alex nodded and smiled. "…Or does Alex put you in the spin cycle? Happosai’s already told us who sent him, you see."

"I don't have anything to do with this and I don't care what Happosai may have told you…" She squealed when Alex snapped his fingers which in turn caused her to rotate slowly until her head was about knee-high to the ground. That was when she discovered that her robe’s sash had vanished and the robe was now hanging around her ears. "Eek!" Between trying to restablish some of her dignity, not to mention covering up some of the swimsuit’s shortcomings – it was last year’s suit, after all – Nabiki’s mind dashed from trying to cover herself to finding some explanation anyone could buy to cover for her apparent loss of sanity. What had she been thinking?

"Nice swimsuit." Alex said as he watched her trying to cover herself ineffectually with her robe. "So, is that your final answer?" He crossed his arms. "What do you think, Kasumi? We could lock her in a room with Happosai until she talks…"

"Dressed like that? Oh my!" Kasumi looked thoughtful. "Well, that would do it, but Happosai would think you were rewarding him. Then again, the spin cycle you mentioned…"

Alex shrugged. "True, it’s effective. However it does tend to get…messy."

Nabiki was beginning to panic, but held herself tightly on a short leash. Loose it and you lost everything. "I did not ask Happosai to come barging in here to fry everything in sight," she said, the words clipped and angry. "What kind of fool would do that?"

Kasumi stepped back. She replied sternly. "You knew exactly what would happen. Come on Nabiki, you pay the bills and keep the books in this house. You’ve paid enough to the contractors after Happosai’s been through here." Looking at the little, old man floating contritely in the air with an expression close to pity, but marred with no little pleasure, Kasumi smiled. "Poor little thing – I’ll never forget the look on his face."

"Aw shucks, m’am. T’wern’t nothin’." Alex’s focus did not shift from either of them, but the tone of voice was considerably softer. "I doubt he was expecting to see either of us move at the speed of light either."

Nabiki decided to just give in. "All right! I just hate not knowing about people, okay? Alex wouldn't tell me about himself, so I thought he was trying to pull a fast one! I was only trying to protect the family!"

Kasumi still looked skeptical but Alex's face softened slightly. "Oh, that’s not fair," he said softly. "You didn’t ask. Not once." Slowly, Nabiki was lowered to the ground. Happosai, however, was dropped with a thud and the pervert opted to stay where he lay.

Alex tossed Nabiki the sash back, kneeling down to help her up. "Look, Nabiki, with what I do, a low profile is an absolute must. Maybe I really should have said something. Maybe you should have trusted me enough to come ask. Maybe you could try asking next time?" Shooting a disdainful look at the pile on the floor that was Happosai, he added "And you thought he was a good way to find out what you wanted to know?"

"To prove a theory," she replied, neatly getting to her feet as she tied the sash. "It all sounded good."

"Too good."

She nodded. "Such a thing would be – hmm, how would you put it? A mate to all the bad?"

Kasumi tried to intervene. "Nabiki, can't you just accept…" Alex stopped her with a raised hand, his head cocked and a genuinely pleased expression beginning to brighten his face.

"So you thought it might be me." He almost sounded happy about it, which puzzled Nabiki as she heard Kasumi gasp in alarm. "No, no – she’s right to be suspicious, don’t you think? I wonder what else you’ve been thinking, you little minx… Tell you what, I’ll fill you in," he gestured toward the burnt walls. "But first, you and Happi are going to clean this mess up…"