Early in the morning, Nabiki was already up and went through the Tendo's financial resources and bank accounts. Nodoka was sitting next to her and helped as best as she could.
"I don't get it..." Nabiki murmured. "Mom has left us quite the sum before she... well, you know... left us. But all of that couldn't possibly be used up by now? Even if you consider the amounts of food Ranma and Genma have consumed ever since they arrived, as well as the property damage caused by the regular fights between Ranma and his rivals... it shouldn't be that much money."
Nodoka nodded. "I've seen Himiko's testament... and I don't get it either. Besides, my husband DID work in Dr. Tofu's practice for some time."
"I know, and then there are still my very own incomes... I don't use ALL of my savings for just myself." Nabiki sighed and put her head down on the palm of her right hand. "It's almost as if someone has tapped into our bank account... but that can't be."
When Ranma and Akane came down, ready to head for school, the middle Tendo sister was still sitting in the living room.
"Nabiki, you're still here?" Akane wondered. "Normally you're already gone when I leave the house."
"Yeah... had to take care of things..." She got up. "Still, I have to do something... Let's see, Kuno still owes me some money for those pictures... and I have to hold a meeting with the girls. We just HAVE to collect all debts today. I need to know how much money we have left if all of those debts are paid."
She put some paper sheets into her school bag and stood up. Ranma and Akane were amazed at the speed at which Nabiki was running to school today. That really wasn't like Nabiki.
"She must really be worried about our situation," Akane realized. She then sighed. "But I guess we're all worried, huh?"
"Maybe we should find some way to make some money as well," Ranma suggested. "Pops is gonna ask Dr. Tofu if he can work for him again for a while. And Kasumi is considering opening up a booth at the street, where she wants to sell fresh cookies to the passengers."
"That's a good idea!" Akane brightened up. "Maybe I can help her."
Ranma grimaced. "Akane, that wouldn't help our financial problems... If you do that, people will claim compensation because of food poisoning."
Akane growled. "Ranma no baka!"
Just before they reached the school gates, a figure stepped in front of them.
Akane frowned. "Kodachi! What do you want?"
The Black Rose smirked enigmatically. "Akane Tendo... why, I heard your family seems to have quite some problems, isn't that correct?"
"Wha-what would you know about that?" Ranma asked in surprise.
Kodachi smirked. "Oh, my dear Ranma-darling, I'm so sorry... I didn't mean to ignore you. Why, word just goes around, that's all. Isn't it true that you have some troubles regarding your... financial status?"
'How does she know that?' Akane wondered. 'Even if Nabiki has already told her 'employees' about it, Kodachi wouldn't know. She doesn't even go to our school.'
"My poor Ranma-darling..." Kodachi sniffled in a melodramatic voice. "How you must suffer... But don't you worry, you won't have to starve to death... You are always welcome to join me in my family's mansion. I will feed you and care for you, so you won't ever have to worry about money supply again."
"No way, Kodachi!" Ranma grumbled. "I know you like to poison not only your flowers, but also your food. I'd rather take my chances with Akane's toxic cooking than with your hazardous food."
Akane clenched her fists and teeth. "Raaanmaaaa... what was that?"
Ranma shrugged. "Well, I mean, back at your home, I got at least the chance to eat what Mom and Kasumi are cooking..."
"BAKA!" Akane screamed as she punted her fiancé into the air.
She then glared at the girl in the gymnastic suit. "And you, Kodachi, you better quit making fun of my family! Or else..."
"Ohohohohoh..." Kodachi chuckled. "Very soon, my dear Ranma will have no choice but to come to me. If you and your family can't provide him a place to stay at anymore, he has no one else to go to than me. And in the end, I will be his only true beloved one."
She leapt away, trailing her ribbon after her. "OHOHOHOHOHOHOH!"
"That Kodachi..." Akane grumbled. "I'll bet she has to do something with what happened to us..."
----
Ryoga was pacing up and down the Tendo's backyard while he was thinking about his strange encounter during the last night.
"That little Puk..." he muttered. "He really seems to care about Akane's family. So that means he probably isn't some bad guy. Still I wonder what he and his friends plan to do to help the Tendos... I can't really imagine that such little guys would be able to achieve much. But I guess I'll respect his wishes and don't tell the Tendos that I met him."
But he really was worried about what he heard about the financial troubles the Tendos and Saotomes were in. While he couldn't care less about Ranma's troubles, his mom was a very nice person, and the bandana-clad boy wouldn't want to see her suffer. Also the Tendos were some of the very few persons he could call his friends. Especially Akane...
No, he couldn't let anything happen to her. "I have to do something!" he exclaimed as he stood straight up. "I will find a way to support the Tendos, and if it is the last thing I'll ever do!"
He then looked around the convenience store he was standing in.
"This isn't the Tendos' backyard..." he muttered.
"DAMMIT! WHERE THE HECK AM I NOW??"
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(Posted Sun, 28 Jan 2007 12:49)
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