Disclaimer: These characters are not mine. They belong to the wonderful Romiko 
Takahashi and her licensees (Viz Communications in North America). This work is 
strictly for the non-profit enjoyment of fans. No copyright infringement is intended.  So don't
sue me, I'm just a poo college student.  I'm so poo I can't affort the R in poor. lol  Anyway
enjoy :)

Bottom of the Barrel
by RJ

	Ranma rubbed his hand, it was sore.  He stared at the dried blood, which was
not his own and sneered.  He hated himself.  He hated what he did almost every
week, but he was he was good at it. God damn it! If it wasn’t for the money, he
wouldn’t do it.  There was no honor in it.  He remember clearly the first time. 
The first time he had to fight for money.  The entire Tendo house and Dojo was
destroyed because everyone was fighting with or over  him.  It would of
bankrupted them to rebuild everything.  So Ranma did the one thing he knew he
was good at.  He began fighting in illegal street fights.
He remembered the smell of sweat and blood, the dim lighting, heckles and taunts
from around the ring from the first time he walked into the strange gym, or
warehouse, where to fight were being held.  He watch as two street fighters went
after each other.  Blood and sweat splattered on cheering crowd waving money
around.  Ranma watched as a man standing on a platform above the rest was taking
bets as a guy behind him was starting to placing the odds on the next fight. 
Within seconds the first fight was over.   An exhausted blood covered man raised
his arms in victory and staggered off to the sided lines.  The guy with the
chalk crossed out the loser’s name and placed a big check mark next the winner’s
name.  The man, taking the bets, jumped down from the platform and walked into
the middle of the man made ring with a microphone.
"Okay ladies and gentlemen, now for the Champaign for the last six months,
Ruckus!"  The crowd went wild.  " And the challenger, Metallio!"
"Hey kid?  Aren’t ya gonna put any money down?"  Some strange man asked Ranma.
"Naw, I want to see how this guy fights."
"Are ya kidding?  Ruckus is the best there is.  No one has come close to beating
him for the last twenty fights.   It’s 99 to 1 percent ration.  That guy
Metallio doesn’t have a chance."
	"What if he does win, how much money does he get?"
"Well, the guys who run these fights take 30%.  The rest goes to the fighter and
the manager, if they have one."
"Really?"  Ranma said with growing interest.  He was there to fight and he was
there to win.  It was just for the money and that is all.

	Again Ranma watched the fight happening between the two street fighters.  Ruckus
was extremely strong, but sloppy.  His movements were ones of brute force rather
then actually training.  A tall man. Looked to be about 6’5 and at least 250
pounds,  most of it muscle, his eyes glowed with excitement when he struck his
opponent.  His dark short hair glistened with sweat as he went in for the kill. 
With a upper punch to the jaw, Metallio was out cold.  He throw up his arms
above his head and began barking to the crowd.  "I bet that’s why they called
him Ruckus.  He’s making an awful amount of noise." Ranma thought.
"Who here wants to challenge me!"  he screamed to the crowd.
The crowd grew silent, nobody answered.
  "Come on, what’cha all afraid to lose!"  He boasted and laughed.
His challenge bounced off the metal walls of the warehouse.  People started to
mumble, yet no one excepted the fight.
"I’ll bet your just a bunch of friady-cats!"  He mocked.

"I’ll fight you!"  A voice yelled from the back of the crowd.
"Who said that?"  The man with the mic asked.
"I did!"  Ranma began to make his way through the crowd.  Once Ranma made it to
the ring Ruckus looked down at the small boy who wanted to fight him.
"Ya gotta be kidding!"  He laughed along with half the crowd.
"You asked for a challenge, I’m answering it." Ranma said crossing his arms over
his chest.
"All right little boy, if you want to be beaten to an inch of your life, that’s
fine with me."
"Well okay then, go to the corners of the ring."  The MC said walking up to
Ranma and Ruckus.  "We have a challenger!"  he yelled.  "Hey kid what’s your
name?"
"Ranma."
"The challenger, Ranma will have to survive the undefeated champ, RUCKUS!
The crowd went wild.  The MC walked over to Ranma, covering the mic, and asked.
"Are you sure you want to do this?  This guy won’t give you any mercy."
"I get 70% of the winnings if I win?"
"Yes…."
"Then, yes I’m sure."
"It’s your funnel kid."  He said walking away and jumping back on to the stage.
"Place your bets!   Place your bets!"

	After money was collected he walked over to a bell and yelled into the mic,
"Let the fight begin!"  *DING*  The crowd began cheering.
Moving his head slightly to the right, Ruckus crack his neck.  He did the same
action to the left side and clenched his hands, cracking all his knuckles.
"Your dead kid.  I hope you know a good plastic surgeon."
"We’ll see."  Ranma said waiting for the guy to attack.
"Come on kid, I’ll let you have a freebie shot, right here."  Ruckus said
pointing to his chin.
"No thanks, I don’t take charity from anyone, not even the mentally challenged."
After letting the insult sink in, he finally got it.  "Hey! You’re DEAD for that
remark!"
	Ruckus charged Ranma, but Ranma stayed in place, finding the right time to
dodge and attack.  The big man throw back his right hand and with all his force
he punched.  However, Ranma was up in the air, dodging it perfectly.  With the
huge mass trying to regain himself, Ranma kicked him right in the chest, sending
Ruckus back.
	Stunned that someone got a decent hit on him he just stood there.  Ranma used
this to his advantage and sweeped his left leg, causing the man to fall on his
ass.  Many people in the crowd were shocked that this kid that seemed half
Ruckus’s size took down the champ.  So they began cheering for him.
	This angered Ruckus, he got up and growled, "No more playing around!"
For the next five minutes Ruckus attacked as Ranma dodged and ran about, getting
in a few good hit.
	"Would you look at that kid go!"  The MC said to the man keeping score.
	"Yeah, no shit, look how he’s running rings around Ruckus."
	"He’s tiring the guy out."
	"You think boss?"
	"I know it.  I’ve seen many fighters.  Most of them to stupid to get out of the
sixth grade, but this kid is smart.  He’s probably strong enough to get a few
good shots in, but that won’t stop Ruckus.  He needs to be run down and this kid
is doing it."

	That’s exactly what Ranma was doing.  He may not be as strong as Ruckus, but he
was faster and with each passing second Ruckus was getting weaker.  To the point
where he was throwing weak punches and hardly moving.  Ranma took the
opportunity and jumped kicked him in the chest, sending him flying, landing on
his back.   Walking slowing over to him, just in case the brute got up, he
looked down.  Ruckus was out cold, indicated by his eyeballs rolled back into
his head..
	The crowed roared with excitement, half yelling for kid and the other half
because of all the money they lost.  The MC ran over the Ranma, picked his arm
up and yelled into the mic, "THE WINNER!"

	That was the first time, and not the last.  He found himself going back the
ring, to defend his title.  "It’s was only for the money."  He would tell
himself.  "it’s only for the money."
Many had seen Ranma’s ability and wanted to represent him.  To be his manager,
but Ranma only knew of one person he could trust with money. The only person who
would keep their mouth shut for a percent of the profits.

~~~~~~~~~~~
{Two weeks after the first fight}

	Nabiki scribbled something down in her notebook when someone knocked on her
door.  "Who is it?"   She asked.
"It’s me."  Ranma stated behind the door.
"You may enter."  She said turning towards the door.
	Ranma walked in with a fresh bruise forming under his eye.  Closed the door
behind him and looked at her.
"Well, how did you manage to get that beauty."  She said pointing at the black
and blue mark.
"Oh this,"  he gestured to it.  "Ummm..Ryoga or Mousse must of given it to me."
	Nabiki’s stone cold face didn’t change.  She crossed her legs and crossed her
arms over her chest.
"Don’t lie to me Ranma.  What’s really going on.  I’ve noticed you leaving on
certain nights and that you haven’t come begging for money.  Why?"
	Ranma placed his hand behind his back, feeling for the door handle.  He was
contemplating whether or not to tell her, or just go and deal with  it himself. 
No, he couldn’t.  He was no good at math and stuff.  Plus, Nabiki was probably
the only person he could trust, when it came to money.
"I need your help."
	Her stone cold face fell and a wicked smirk appeared.  "Well, why didn’t you
just say so.  You know I will always make time, for a small fee."
"How about a large fee."
"Excuse me?"
Ranma reached into his back pocket and withdrew a huge wad of money and throw it
down on Nabiki’s bed.  He watched as Nabiki’s eyes widen in shock, stunned and
didn’t know what to say.
"W…..Where did you get all that?"
"First you promise this doesn’t leave your room and you never tell a living soul
about it."
"Done.  Now where did you get all this?  Did you rob a bank of something?"
"No, I know that the last rebuilding of the house and dojo kinda killed the cash
flow around here.  So…I wanted to make some money quick.  I did it the only way
I knew how, the only thing I’m good at."
Nabiki picked up the wad of money and began thumbing through it as she listened
to Ranma. "Ranma if you want me to be your pimp, then I’m sorry I just don’t do
that."
"AH!  NO I haven’t been doing THAT!  I have been fighting in street fights and
those are just some of my winnings."
"Street fights?  Ranma those are elligil!"
"Oh I’m sorry, running bets and blackmailing aren’t just as elligal?"
The shock face faded and a smirk found it’s way to her face.
"You are right, but what do you need my help with?"
"Basically, the money is to good to stop.  I good and nobody has come close to
beating me.  What I need is for you to manage me.  I need someone to deal with
the money who I can trust."
"Why Ranma, I’m flattered that you can trust me with your money."
"No, I don’t really trust you, but I figured you don’t want to miss an opportune
like this.  There is a lot more of that."  He said pointing to the cash. "And I
can get more.  So how about it?"
"I want 50%"
"No."
"Then go."
"No.
"What?"
"No.  The gym gets 30% of the winnings.  That leaves 70% to split up."
"Fine I want 35%."
"20%"
"30" She responded
"25% and my final offer."  Ranma said with a stern look.
Nabiki started at him and finally smiled.  "Fine then, 25%


~~~~~~~~~~~~

(The Present)

	"You know just staring at your hand isn’t going to make it go away."  Nabiki
said walking next to Ranma.  She was in a Business suit and carried a brief
case.  A brief case full of money.
	"We made out good tonight."
	"Yeah, I guess."  Ranma let out a huge sign.
	"Come on,  five fights and all winners, that’s more then a ‘I guess."
	"Whatever."  He flatly stated.
	"I heard that a lot of big league fighters are hearing of you.  They may want
to challenge you."
Ranma sighed, "Whatever."
"You know you can say more then that."
"I don’t want to do it anymore."
"What!"  Nabiki yelled.  "Are you crazy!  The amount of money you have brought
in last week alone is more then I make in three months.  That also includes the
pictures Kuno buys."
"I know, I know.  The money is to good to pass up.  Sometimes, I wish I could go
back to before."
"Well, you made the choice, but look at the bright side of things.  You are
getting pretty good work outs."
"Yeah, I guess.  I just keep telling myself it’s for the money, but sometimes I
think I lose myself in the ring."  Ranma stopped walking and clenched his fists. 
Nabiki watch as he buried his head into his chest and stared at the ground.
"I mean these are just honorless fights.  Blood thirty thugs  and money grubbing
gamblers, which I am now apart of. I afraid I’m gonna become like them.
Nabiki walked up to Ranma placing her free hand on his shoulder.  "Ranma look at
me."  She commanded.  "I said look at me!"  Ranma’s eyes shot up and stared into
Nabiki’s.  "Ranma I’m going to tell you this once and only once and if you tell
another living soul I will make your life a living hell."
"What."  He growled.
	Nabiki’s tone of voice soften as she spoke.  "Ranma you are the best fighter I
have ever seem.  That doesn’t mean you can defeat everything you come across,
even through you do, but being a good fighter also means having honor and pride. 
This thugs are just throwing their weight around.  They don’t know what it is to
throw their life in danger to help a friend out or for that matter an enemy who
may also be a friend.  These guys cheat, you are honest.  They fight dirty, you
fight fair.  Who else but you, Ranma Saotome would put their honor at stake to
help the family of his tomboy fiancee, which he claims would never marry in a
million years, yet still goes through with the torture of fighting for money
because he care for her."
Ranma stared as Nabiki went on, he tried to get the words out to defend himself
against her attack.  "I…I….do..don’t c…care for her."
"Please Ranma, why would you keep doing this if you didn’t care for her?"
"…."
"Exactly, but don’t worry Ranma, my future brother-in-law, I won’t tell her. 
That will be up to you.  However, I wouldn’t wait to long. Akane may lose
interests if she hasn’t already.
"Lose interested?"  Ranma managed to squeeze out.
Nabiki sighed.  "Ranma look at it through her point of view.  You at least three
girls throwing themselves at you ALL the time. You don’t fight with them like
you do with her.  I can see it that she thinks you don’t like her enough to
marry her."
"But that’s not true!"
"Ahh, so you do care for her?"  Nabiki smirked placing her hand on her hip.
"That was a dirty trick."
"Well, sorry, but I can’t fight the way you do.  I do what I have to.  I’m an
observer.  I watch people and I have been watching you and my little sister for
about a year.  Now are you convinced that you are not worthless and have no
honor?"
"Yea."
"Well, then we better separate so no one sees us together."
"Okay, just make sure that my share goes in right where it belongs."
"Why Ranma, you don’t trust me, even all I have said and done."
"let’s just say I’m cautious."  He said, smiling.

	Definitely over the last month, Nabiki and himself have become friends. Be it
only when she was his manager, it was still friendship.  She looked after him,
as he looked after her when they were in the "bad neighborhood."  Ranma jumped
up on to the roof of the Tendo house and sat down in his usually spot.  He had
to wait until Nabiki got into the house change and go upstairs.  He would wait
for fifteen minutes.

	Akane watched Ranma and Nabiki came home from where ever they both have been
coming from.  She noticed it a week ago.  She wanted to know where they have
been going, what they have been doing.  Well, she was determined to find out.
She stalked her door waiting for Nabiki to come up the stairs.  Soon she would
find out.  She heard the stairs begin to creek as Nabiki walked up.  Akane
waited and when she was close enough, she opened the door and found Nabiki in a
pair of jeans, a T-shirt and books.
Akane was shocked, she was excepting her sister in a business suit and a brief
case, but instead she was wearing street clothes.
"Oh, hi Akane, is anything wrong?"
"Where have you been Nabiki?"
"I was studying at a friends."  Nabiki said raising the books in her hands
"Till this late at night?"
"Uh, what time is it?"
"2 A.M."
"I guess we didn’t realize it.   Well next time we will try to end earlier."
	Akane wasn’t getting anywhere with her sister. She would have to try a
different approach.  She looked Nabiki straight in her eyes and asked, "Where is
Ranma?"
"How would I know?  He’s probably sleeping.  Did you check his room?"
"Yes, I did and he wasn’t there.  Now where have the two of you been going every
weekend?"
Nabiki waved her free hand as she answered her nosy sister.  "Akane, I have no
idea what your talking about; but if you want to check his room again, then by
all means."
"Fine, I will."  Akane walked towards Ranma’s room with Nabiki closely behind
her crossing her fingers hoping Ranma was in their.  Akane slid the door as
quickly as possibly ready to see just a sleeping panda, but she was wrong again. 
There was Ranma in his usually sleeping attire of a white tank top and blue
boxers.  He was sprawled out on the floor mat as usually and snoring.  Akane’s
sneered as she witness Ranma sleeping.  Nabiki whispered into her sister’s ear,
"Now that we’re finished, can I go to bed?"
Akane didn’t answer but  in her head she was screaming.  She closed the door and
walked away.
	Without moving, Ranma stopped his snoring and opened his one eye to see if the
coast was clear.  Once he made sure he sat up and released a sigh of relief. 
Thank the gods he heard Akane in the hall way before he went the bathroom. 
However, he would have to wait till morning before he could bathe.

	The following weekend Nabiki pulled her stocking up and fix the blazer of her
suit.  Ranma was the main attraction for tonight’s street fight and she had to
look her best.  Over the suit she through a loose fitted flannel shirt and a
long khaki skirt to cover up the suit.   At the same time Nabiki was getting
dressed, Ranma was meditating in his room.  He was trying to prepare for
honorless battles he was going to engage into tonight.
Akane watched Nabiki’s door, she was going to follow her tonight.  She knew it
would be easier to follow her sister rather then Ranma.  The door opened and
Nabiki exited holding gym bag, which probably held the brown leather brief case,
which Akane had seen her carry.  Nabiki lightly tapped on Ranma’s door and left. 
It must of been a code, telling him she was going.  Akane made sure she was a
good  distance away from her sister.  She manage to follow her all the way up
the an abandoned warehouse.  However, it was far from abandoned.  Akane watched
Nabiki walk up to Ranma, wearing his classic black pants and a white tank top. 
She patted him on the back and the two of them walked into the warehouse.
Not wanting to lose them, Akane went in.  She walked through the metal door as
the bouncer eyed her as she walked in.  She had to be strong, she didn’t know
what to except.
"Come to see your boyfriend fight tonight?" The bouncer asked.
"Fight?  Oh…yeah…well actually my fiancé."
"Really, who’s your fiancee?"
Akane said the only name that was the truth, "He’s name is Ranma."
"Hey no shit!  Hey Zion, Wynn, this chick is Ranma’s fiancée."
"Really!" One big man said walking over to them
"Wow, she’s a cutie."  The other said as Akane blushed.
"Hey see that she gets into the VIP section."
"Will do Vito."  Zion said waving two fingers.
"What’s your name cutie?"
"A…Akane Tendo."
"Well, come this way Miss Tendo, I will give you the best sit in the house."
Why?"
"Why?"   Zion laughed.  "Hey Wyatt she want’s to know why!"
"I don’t understand."  Akane said.
"Ranma is the best fighter we have ever had.  He never told you that."
Akane blushed, "Umm… No, he hasn’t."
"Ah, well he’s kinda shy.  You know what Wyatt, I bet that’s why he never went
out with all the fighter babes."
"Ah you’re right, why go out with those sluts when he can go home to her." 
Wyatt said pointing to Akane.
Akane laughed nervously.  "Do you guys know my sister Nabiki?"
"Wow, that’s incredible, two gorgeous babes in one family.  Yeah, she’ll be in
the VIP box."
"Oh."  Akane replied.
	The two man escorted Akane into a raised platform on one of the sides of the
ring.  Inside sat a few man and women towards the back.  In the front row sat a
thin blond man with glasses, to the right of him a woman with brown hair wearing
an extremely tight red dress and to the left of him sat Nabiki.  She was engaged
in some sort of conversation with the blond man.
"You go in miss, let me introduce you.  Mr. Taima this is Akane Tendo, Ranma’s
fiancé."
The blond man stood up and bowed, "Very nice to meet you."
"Likewise."  She bowed then sat next to Nabiki, who mouth was slightly ajar.
"Hello Nabiki."  Akane said not looking at her sister.
"Well I see that you figured it out."
"And when were you to planning on telling me?"
"I see that you told them you are his fiancée."
"I didn’t lie, and you didn’t answer my question."
"He didn’t want you or anyone else to know."
"Why you?"
"He needed someone to handle the money part and I’m the best one for the job."
"But why?  Why does he need to be fighting for money?  We’re fine."
"Akane, are you that clueless?"  Nabiki said meeting her sister eyes.
"What do you mean?"
"Akane, we came real close to losing the house and the dojo. "
"What!"  Why didn’t you guys tell anyone?"
"Well, at first Ranma just did it to pay for the payments on the rebuilding of
the house.  He figured it was his fault everyone started to attack him and
wrecked the house again.  Then he told me about it, and we worked out a deal for
him to help with the rest of the bills.  He felt he owed us something for
staying with us."
"Oh."
"Don’t worry Akane, he’s good at it, but to make you feel better he hates doing
it.  I will warn you, these guys play dirty, Ranma is the only one who fights
fair.  I may get a little messy."
"I can handle it Nabiki, I am a martial artist too."
"Okay, don’t say I didn’t warn you"
"When does he fight?"
"Not till the fifth fight.  They have others fighting to start the betting.  The
guy who won last weeks fight will fight Ranma.  A newcomer, The Bastard,  he
looks like he will actually give Ranma a challenge."

	The night went on and Akane watched as two men in the ring beat the crap out of
each other.  She watched as people cheered them on, asking for more blood,
waving their dirty money around.  She continued to watched as four more fights
went on.  The next fight was Ranma’s.  Akane began shifting in her seat.  She
had seen Ranma fight tons of times, but for some reason this time was different.
"Anxious?"  Nabiki asked.
"No."
"Whatever."

	A man with a mic entered the ring after the last fight was done.   He started
yelling into the microphone. "Ladies and Gentlemen, are you ready for the main
event!"
"YES! The crowd yelled
"What I can’t hear you!"  he yelled putting his hand to his ear.
"YES!!"  They roared.
"That’s better! Now for the challenger!  Welcome The Bastard!"
A door opened up and a semi tall man with dark brown hair with blue steaks
walked out.  The crowd greeted him as how they greeted each fighter that night. 
Some were cheering and some were booing.
"Now let’s welcome the champ. He’s been undefeated since his first fight here
over two months ago.  Let’s give it up for RANMA!!"  The crowd continued to
scream and roared, yelling Ranma’s name.

	Ranma walked out of a door opposite from where The Bastard walked out of.  He
was still wearing the white tank top and black pants, but he seemed different to
Akane.  He looked distant, angry, he’s eyes were uninviting.  Not what Ranma
usually looks like when he’s going to fight.  He tends to be cocky, confident,
but this Ranma scared Akane.
	Ranma walked to the ring with two body guards pushing the people trying to get
close to him.  Girls tried to grab him, guys were cheering him on, but Ranma
still had the same look in his eyes.  He reached his corner of the ring and
looked over to the VIP box to pay his respects.  He started to bow when he
noticed Akane sitting next to Nabiki.  Ranma’s face dropped to a ghostly white,
his eyes wide.  He stood back up and let the MC start the fight.  *Ding!*

	The Bastard went flying towards Ranma and slammed his fist into his stomach,
causing Ranma to stagger back double over in pain.  Another hit to the side and
one to the face caused him to go down.
"HA!  Your the Great Ranma!  Your nothing!"  The Bastard yelled as he slammed
his foot into Ranma’s side.
"This is no good Saotome, get your act together.  Can’t let this thug beat you." 
Ranma thought to himself.  He rolled out of the way of another kick and stood
up.  He wiped the blood away from his mouth and attacked.  He went right for
Bastards head, but he dodge.  Ranma hit again, blood  splattered on the crowd. 
His blood, that never happened before.
Ranma lifted his hand to his face and felt the warm sticky liquid that was
escaping from his forehead.
"Looks like your time as the champ is up."  Bastard yelled.  He’s voice seem to
carry above the booing crowd.  Ranma just stood there looking at his hand.

"What’s going on Nabiki, why is he losing, he’s hurt stop the fight!" Akane
yelled to her sister.
"We can’t do that."  The blond man calmly stated. "Ranma knew what he was
getting into."
"Nabiki Please!"
"Akane don’t try to stop it, the best way for you to help is to encourage him to
win."
"But I don’t think what he’s doing is right."
"Do you want to see him dead."  Nabiki said staring into her sister eyes.
A stern look crossed over Akane’s face.  "NO I don’t!" She stood up on her chair
and began yelling.  "COME ON RANMA!  YOU CAN DO IT!  BEAT THE GUY INTO THE
GROUND!"

	Ranma head snapped up from looking at his blood filled hand as he heard Akane
calling his name.  She was cheering for him, even through the look on her face
when he first saw was clearly disapproval.  A smile crossed Ranma’s lips and his
eyes lit up with excitement.  He wiped his bloody hand on his pants and ran his
clean hand through his bands, brushing them from his sweaty brow.
"No more playing around."  He said low.
	With that Ranma went after the Bastard, who was distracted with the girls
flirting with him.  "Hey!"  is all The Bastard heard as Ranma’s fist slammed
into his face.  The Bastard shook his head and a wicked smile appeared on his
face.
"Well I see that you are finally ready to fight."
	The two went at it.  Ranma wasn’t going to let this guy get another hit on him. 
Especially in front of Akane.  He would make this guy pay for letting his blood
touch to ground.  A flying kick to chest, a block, a uppercut and a sweep of the
legs, Bastard was flat on his back.  He tried to get up, but failed.  The man
just laid there as darkness engulfed him.
	The MC came over raised his hand and declared him the winner.  The crowd stared
to join in congratulating him.  Akane jumped off the chair she was cheering from
and pushed herself through the crowd.  She reached him and yelled his name,
hugging him.  Ranma didn’t even it let the hug resister.  If he could see her
face then he would of noticed the streams of tears falling form her eyes.  She
pulled back enough so he could get a look at her face.
"Akane why are you crying?"
"I’m just happy you’re all right.  I was so scared."  She said hugging him
again.
Ranma allowed her to hug as he hugged her back.  The screams from the crowd
seemed to go quiet in Ranma’s mind, in fact it seem that they weren’t there. 
Just he and Akane, her in his arms.  Happiness filled Ranma as he hugged her
tighter.
"I promise I’ll try not to do it again."
The MC interrupted the two and shoved the mic into Ranma face, forcing him to
put Akane down.  The crowd back away a little, allowing some breathing room.
"So that was a fantastic fight!  What do you have to say!"
Ranma looked at Akane, then Nabiki who was collecting the money from Mr. Taima. 
She nodded slightly, knowing what he was going to say.
"I’d like to thank you all for letting me fight, but this was my last fight
here."  Ranma said taking his hand pulling it around Akane’s waist, drawing her
closer.  Akane smiled and mouthed the words "Thank you."
"Thank you all!"  Ranma yelled as the crowd cheered form him.

The bodyguard, Wyatt, wiped a tear from his eye.  Zion looked at him and asked,
"Why are you crying man?"
"He was the best, man.  He was the best."  Wyatt drove his face into Zion’s
shoulder and cried.
A look of embarrassment and shock came over Zion’s face.  "It’s okay, dude,
there will be another."

	Ranma pushed himself and Akane through the crowd and headed for the door where
he came out of.  He walked through the hall and entered a room where Nabiki and
Mr. Taima were talking.
"I must say, I’m going to miss you Ranma.  You brought in a whole lot of money."
"Yeah well, it was time."  Ranma answered.
"Well if you ever want to come back you are always welcome."
"I don’t think I will."
"That’s okay, but if you want to get in on any professional tournaments, I  know
people."
"Sure, I’ll get in touch with you if I want to compete."
"Very well, have a good life Ranma."
"Thanks I will."  Ranma bowed and smiled
"Mrs. Tendo Nabiki, I’ll miss your ruthlessness.  You’re on your way to becoming
a great business women."
"Why thank you T.  You will must likely hear from  me again."  Nabiki bowed.
"And it was nice to meet you Akane, try not to be to hard on him for fighting."
"I will."  Akane bowed and looked at Ranma with a smile.
"Very well then, I must be off."

	Ranma, Akane and Nabiki walked out to the main room where most of the crowd had
left, only a few stragglers were left and of course the staff.  Ranma saw the
big bouncer Wyatt crying into Zion’s shoulder.
"Hey Ranma, get over here and say good-bye to this big baby."
"What’s matter big guy."
Wyatt withdrew from Zion’s shoulder and grabbed Ranma in a giant bear hugged,
picking him off the ground.  "I’ll miss ya, man!"
"W..Y…A….T..T, UH!  Wyatt, I can’t breath, loosen up.  It’s okay big man, I’ll
visit you."
"Thanks, but it won’t be the same."
"Come on Wyattie, put Ranma down."  Nabiki said to the big guy. "I’m make sure
he’ll come and visit."
*sniff* Sniff* "Okay kiddo, you have a good life. I’ll miss ya."
"Okay then,  I’ll see you guys around."
"You take good care of him Miss Akane."
"I will."

	Akane, Ranma and Nabiki walked out of the warehouse as Wyatt waved goodbye.
"Oh stop it you big baby."  Zion said hitting the bodyguard in the arm,

"So Ranma, just out of curiosity, how much money did you make?"
"Ummm, well I don’t know."
"You don’t know?"
"That’s why I’m here."  Nabiki said.
"Well?"
"Put it this way, their is enough money to pay off the mortgage on the house,
dojo, and years worth of bills."
"Wow, you got that much?"
"Yeah, I guess, plus a little extra for some special things."  Ranma answered.
"Special things?"  Akane questioned.
"Yeah special stuff."  Ranma stated again as he kept walking.
	Akane stopped grabbing her sister.  "Special stuff?"
"Akane for once in your like don’t question it and just except it.  He wants to
buy something special."
	Akane’s eyes grew wide with understanding as she smiled.  Nabiki nodded and
smiled.
"Really?"  Akane asked.
"Just go."  Nabiki said pointing towards Ranma who was still walking.
Akane laughed and hugged her sister.  She looked towards Ranma and yelled, "Hey
baka wait up!"
Ranma turned around and smiled as Akane ran towards him.  Maybe all those fights
weren’t for no good reason.  After all it seemed to bring Akane and himself
closer together.  Again he smiled as he yelled out to his fiancee.
"I wouldn’t have to wait if you could keep up with me!"


The End.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Author’s note:   Well hello out there.  I hope you like this story.  The whole
idea formed when I thought how low would one have to go to earn money.  Yes I
know I could of did the other choice and have Ranma in female form stripping of
something, but I think people would expect that.  I don’t know why, I just do. 
Well, hope you like it.  Ja ne!   :) RJ

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