Nabiki - New Horizons
Chapter 21 - Jade
by G.L. Sandborn




	Nabiki scurried around the living room of her Honolulu home, picking up 
magazines and discarded bits of family flotsam and jetsam while she tried to 
balance the receiver of her cordless phone between her shoulder and her head.
	"Oneechan, I just can't figure out how you do this every day," she moaned 
while snagging one of Sodoshi's bunny slippers sticking out from under the 
sofa.  "If I didn't have the cleaning lady come by twice a week, I'd go nuts."
	"It's really very simple, Nabiki," came Kasumi's gentle voice through the 
phone.  "You just need to get organized."
	<Get organized my butt,> Nabiki thought with a scowl. <This is hard work.  
I hate hard work.>
	It had been two months since she'd returned home to Hawaii.  In that time 
she'd started her final year at Chaminade, watched her growing investments 
in the booming American stock market, and took motherly pride in how well 
her daughter was doing in First Grade.  Everything was going her way for a 
change.  Everything, that is, except the annoying housework.
	"So, how's the planning for Akane's wedding coming along?" she asked while 
struggling with the cord on her new vacuum cleaner.  While it was more or 
less self-propelled, she still hated the contraption.  It made her feel... 
domestic.
	"Just fine.  I've arranged for all the chairs and sake cups.  Akane decided 
she wanted to keep it simple - just family and a few close friends.  Right 
now she's up to two hundred or so."
	"Two hundred?" Nabiki exclaimed as she stepped repeatedly on the start 
button to her vacuum.  For some reason, it wasn't working.
	"I know that sounds like a lot --"
	"Kasumi, there's no way she's going to fit that many people in the dojo.  I 
know, we tried."  Nabiki rolled her eyes when she noticed the outlet she'd 
plugged the vacuum in to was one controlled by a switch on the wall.
	"I told her she's going to have to cut down her list or move the wedding 
somewhere else."  Kasumi's voice sounded exasperated, like she'd grown weary 
of having to deal with Akane over this issue and was about to give up all 
together.
	Nabiki flipped on the switch and gave the vacuum a little kick, just to 
remind it who was in charge, before punching the start button with her foot. 
 The wailing sound of the device filled the room, threatening to swamp her 
long-distance conversation.  "So what's Daddy say to all this?" she shouted 
into the phone.
	"He and Mr Saotome are still missing.  Frankly, I'm beginning to worry.  
It's getting colder here at night."
	"They're both acting like little boys, Kasumi.  Oooops..."
Nabiki let go of the vacuum and lunged to catch a lamp it had knocked off an 
end table.  Snagging the lamp in one hand, she frantically chased after the 
runaway vacuum as it careened across the floor heading for the television.
	All this did not go unnoticed.  "Is everything all right there?  You sound 
like you're having a fight or something."
	"Come back here you monster," Nabiki growled as she caught the handle just 
inches from the TV.  "Nothing I can't handle, Oneechan."
	If Kasumi had any doubts, she covered them well.  "I just wish they'd come 
home.  Neither one had much money on them."
	"I wouldn't worry.  When it gets bad enough, they'll come home."  Nabiki 
turned off the vacuum and surveyed the odd-looking stripes she'd made in the 
carpet.  She figured that just doing the center of the room was good enough 
for now.  "How's Reiko doing?"
	"Oh, that's the best news of all."  Kasumi sounded genuinely pleased.  
"When we discovered she had been in the nursing track in high school, Tofu 
put her to work down at the clinic.  His patients just love her.  I've only 
had to go down a couple of times to help her with the books but other than 
that she's doing very well.  Tofu even thinks she can get certified with a 
little work.  It's so cute watching her and Miki sitting around the table at 
night studying."
	"Miki like her school?"  Nabiki pressed the button to retract the cord and 
frowned when nothing happened.  Following the cord with her eyes, she 
discovered it was still plugged in.
	"Couldn't be happier.  She has lots of new friends and is such a help 
around the house."
	Nabiki stopped fiddling with the cord long enough to snort her response.  
Kasumi always talked about how she was going to teach her own daughter about 
being a good housewife.  Miki must be filling the role a little early.
	"Kasumi, I have to go pick up Sodoshi."  Nabiki kicked the vacuum once more 
as she struggled to put it back in the hall closet.  She still couldn't 
figure out how Kasumi did this stuff day in and day out.  It was all so 
tedious.
	"That's okay," Kasumi chirped.  "I just finished the breakfast dishes and 
need to start on the laundry before I go shopping."
	Nabiki shook her head.  Kasumi would always be Kasumi, no matter what.  The 
things she did before lunch would be a full day for Nabiki.
	With goodbye's out of the way, Nabiki returned her cordless phone to its 
station just in time to hear it ring again.  Checking the Caller ID box, a 
broad smile broke out across her face.
	"Konnichiwa, Sister," she said happily answering the phone.  "How's St. 
Catherine's?"
	"A lot quieter now that Sodoshi has moved on to St. Elizabeth's," the nun 
said without even a hint of her surprise at Nabiki knowing who was calling.
	"It's been a long time since we've talked."  Nabiki shifted her weight, 
cradling the phone and checking her watch.  Jeffrey would be there any minute.
	"I just have a few moments and thought I'd call you about something your 
husband and I talked about a couple of weeks ago."
	Nabiki tried to hide her irritation at the thought of Jeffrey discussing 
something behind her back like that, but decided to let it slide because of 
where she was and what she was doing when the conversation obviously took 
place.  "So what is it you two discussed?"
	"He mentioned how much you disliked doing housework and that got me to 
thinking."
	"Oh?" Nabiki said, not certain she was going to like what the good Sister 
was driving at.
	"Yes, and I believe I have come up with a solution."
	"Okay..."  Nabiki's voice trailed off as her mind tried to figure out what 
Jeffrey had gotten her into this time.
	"We are working with a number of immigrant families down at the mission.  
Some of them are really in desperate shape."
	"Does the mission need a donation or something?" Nabiki interrupted 
hopefully.  Parting with a little money for her best friend wouldn't hurt... 
too bad.
	"That would be nice, but what I was really getting at was there is a family 
there from Hong Kong.  The mother died about three months ago and the father 
is trying to make ends meet as a gardener."
	"We don't really need a --"
	"What I mean is, they have and older daughter, about twenty or so, who can 
cook and clean and would be just right for you and your busy family."
	Nabiki frowned and tried not to sound as hesitant as she felt.  Her mind 
raced to find some objection.  All she could say was: "I see."
	"She's a wonderful girl and they really could use the money."
	"Can she cook Japanese food.  We don't really like most Chinese dishes 
around here."
	"I'm certain she could learn.  She picks things up very quickly."
	Nabiki hesitated, her mind whirling with replies of varying intensity.  For 
some reason, she couldn't use any of them.  After all, this was a nun she 
was talking to.  
	Sister Angelica misinterpreted Nabiki's silence for indecision.  "Now I 
know this is kind of sudden and I don't expect you to make a decision over 
the phone.  Jeffrey said you'd have the final say in the matter."
	Well, the goof got at least that much right, Nabiki thought with a sardonic 
grin.  "I'm not really sure about this."
	"I know, she's a stranger in your house and I understand your reluctance.  
Could we just stop by this evening and discuss it?  I'm certain you'll want 
to ask her some questions."
	To say the least, Nabiki thought as her grin dissolved into a frown.  A 
stranger in her home, especially a Chinese stranger, was something that made 
her uncomfortable.  "Well, I'll talk to her and we'll see."
	"I'm so glad you agreed," Sister Angelica said sweetly.  "We'll be over at 
seven.  Bye."
	Nabiki hung up the phone with a feeling of foreboding.  She felt trapped.  
Just agreeing to the meeting felt like a mistake.  "Way to go, Jeffrey," she 
mumbled as she heard his car pull up in the driveway.  "You owe me for this 
one."  Her smile slowly returned.  "And I *always* collect."
	
	Nabiki met Jeff outside.
	"How's my favorite elder?" he asked with a grin as his arm slid around her 
waist.
	Instinctively, her body went taut.  "Jeffrey, not in public," she warned, 
her head tilted to allow him access to her neck.  She actually liked it when 
he greeted her like this.  The admonishment was more for the sake of 
appearances.
	Jeff kissed her just below her ear, sending shivers up her spine.  Her 
hands clutched at his shirt as his public advances set off the usual 
responses.  She fought the urge to let Sodoshi wait while she hauled her 
husband inside, but her mind overruled her body.  Maybe it was part of that 
maturing she had heard so much about.  It might be more responsible but it 
was certainly a lot less fun.
	She slowly disengaged herself and smoothed her skirt.  "I promise.  Later," 
was all she said before turning and walking towards the Jeep.  She could 
feel his eyes caressing every inch of the figure she worked so hard to 
maintain.  She liked that.
	She heard him sigh before following.  Her satisfied smile hid itself behind 
a delicate hand as she waited for him to unlock her door.  She still had the 
power over him.
	In the Jeep, Nabiki smoothed her skirt again before putting on her seat 
belt.  The bait was out and the trap set.  Now all she needed was Jeffrey.
	"I was thinking," she said as he started the Jeep.  "You promised I could 
take driving lessons."
	Jeff hesitated as the memory of that agreement caused him to swallow hard.  
"Yes, I remember."
	"I've been checking around and found a really good school that's run by a 
nice lady named Elsa."  Nabiki checked her husband's reaction out of the 
corners of her eyes.  He had that satisfying look of resignation.  Just to 
make sure, she slid the hem of her skirt up a little higher.  "It's not 
often you find a driving school run by a woman."
	"Yes, that *is* unusual."  She could see him trying to keep an eye on the 
road while casting furtive glances at her exposed legs.  She had the mouse 
interested.  As a precaution, she exposed a little more of the 'cheese'.
	"I've talked to her and she thinks I can be ready to pass my exam in two 
weeks."
	"Uh-huh," Jeff mumbled as his eyes caught on Nabiki's bare thigh.  She was 
almost exposed all the way to her panties.  He swallowed hard again.
	Nabiki smiled to herself.  It was time for the trap.  "I was also thinking 
that a Jeep just wouldn't be appropriate.  I want one of those little 
minivans the other mothers drive around in."
	Jeff blinked.  "Minivan?"
	Nabiki crossed her legs, momentarily hiding her thigh.  "You don't want me 
to be different from the other mothers, do you?"  She pouted and rubbed her 
legs like she was checking her tan.  Both legs were exposed now almost to 
the top.
	"Of course not," Jeff said as they stopped for a red light.  He turned 
slightly in his seat and cast a wary look her way.  "It's just I always 
thought of you more of a sports car kind of girl."
	She gently stroked his cheek.  "That's so sweet, Jeffrey.  You always think 
of everything."  She smiled in a predatory way.  "Like getting me a Chinese 
housekeeper without even asking."
	"Ooops," Jeff mumbled.  "I didn't actually agree --"
	"Oh, I know, Jeffrey."  She glanced at the light.  "The traffic light has 
turned green.  I think that means 'go'."
	Jeff recovered enough to start through the intersection before too many 
cars honked their annoyance.  His look was like a mouse in a trap.  "Sister 
Angelica can be quite persuasive."
	"Yes, she mentioned she'd talked to you while I was in Japan.  She seemed 
to be of the opinion that you agreed to this girl."  Nabiki's voice had 
taken on a distinct edge, one she liked to use when the trap was sprung and 
her victim was helpless.
	"All I agreed to was she could talk to you about it.  Nothing else."  Jeff 
was sweating now.  He knew this little misunderstanding was going to cost 
him.  The only question that remained was how much.
	Nabiki was all too happy to name her price.  "Well, I certainly think a 
*new* minivan with all the options would be a nice gesture."  She covered 
her legs again and sat back with a satisfied smile.
	"I'm certain I could find a good *used* minivan somewhere."
	"No way, buster.  You owe me."
	There was a short, anxious pause before Jeff started chuckling.  "Okay, my 
sweet.  You pick it out and I'll buy it."
	"That's better," she said patting his arm.  "I knew you'd see it my way.  
Now, about this girl..."
	"That's still your decision, Nabs.  I'm staying out of it," he said while 
calculating what his Jeep was still worth.  If Nabiki was going to get a new 
minivan, he was going to get that new SUV he'd had his eye on.  Fair is 
fair, he thought.
	"You better believe it.  I'm not too keen on the idea of a Chinese girl 
running loose in my house."
	"I'm sure she comes with fine references.  After all, if Sister Angelica 
recommended her, she must be a trustworthy girl."
	"I suppose," Nabiki said with a sigh.  "I just don't like strangers in my 
house."
	"Your xenophobia is showing, my dear."
	"That has nothing to do with it," Nabiki protested.  "She's Chinese,
Jeffrey."
	"So?"
	"They're not a very trustworthy lot."
	"Oh come on."  Jeff frowned at his wife.  "She's probably a very nice girl."
	"She's still Chinese."  Nabiki crossed her arms and slumped back into her 
seat.  Her set jaw went well with her unhappy pout.
	Jeff just shook his head and went back to his driving.  He'd encountered 
the Japanese dislike for things Chinese.  They were the ultimate gaijin, 
even worse than Americans.  He figured that Nabiki would just have to work 
this one out by herself.
	Nothing more was said until they reached St Elizabeth's School.  Jeff 
parked the car and opened his door.  "You're still going to meet with them, 
aren't you?" he asked with one hand still on the door.
	Nabiki sighed and opened her own door.  "I suppose I'll have to.  I gave my 
word."
	"Spoken like an honorable elder," Jeff said with a slight bow.
	"Knock it off," she said with just a hint of a grin.  "In Hawaii, I'm just 
Nabiki Tendo-Lawrence - wife, mother, and all around nice person."  Her grin 
grew.  "Just don't cross me."
	"Or she'll send a nin-ja after you."  Jeff laughed out loud.
	Nabiki scowled his way.  "Watch it, buster.  You have to sleep some time, 
you know."
	Jeff chuckled and shook his head.  "Point taken.  Shall we go get our 
daughter?"
	They held hands crossing the parking lot, Jeff always liked holding her 
hand in public.  It was one of the simple things they often did to show how 
much they cared.  He especially liked it because he felt like he was walking 
with the most beautiful girl in the islands.  She liked it because it staked 
her claim on the richest man in Hawaii for all to see.  There was never a 
mistake of just who he belonged to.
	"Daddy!" Sodoshi called as she broke away from her classmates clustered 
under a large tree awaiting their parents.  "Look what I drew."
	Nabiki's smile never faded despite her daughter's focus on Jeffrey instead 
of her.  She still had a ways to go.  Little things like that always seemed 
to be there to remind her.  Instead of being irritated, she just vowed to 
work harder at being a good mother to Sodoshi.  In time, the girl would 
realize how much her mother really loved her.  In time, she'd happily call 
her mother's name instead of 'Daddy'.  She reminded herself to be patient.  
All things come in time.
	"I'm going to talk to her teacher for a moment," Nabiki said as she broke 
away from the family reunion and headed for the large shade tree.
	Sodoshi never missed a beat, pointing out all the interesting things she'd 
drawn in her picture.  She pointed out all the different animals, which Jeff 
had her repeat the names of in Japanese.  She seemed to take a certain pride 
in pointing out each animal and saying the name in her mother's language.  
She paused when she came to a pair of figures in a park.
	"And who are they?" Jeff asked with raised eyebrows.
	"You and me," Sodoshi said with confidence.
	"Where's Mommy?"
	Sodoshi glanced towards the big tree where Nabiki was engaged in a serious 
discussion with her teacher.  Looking back at the picture she pointed to a 
figure on the other side of the paper.  It was on a patch of green and brown 
separated from the rest of the figures by a band of blue.
	"Why is she all the way over there?"
	Again, Sodoshi hesitated and glanced at her mother.  "She's back in Japan 
with her family."
	"But we're her family," Jeff insisted.
	"No, she's always in Japan.  She likes them better."
	"That's not true, So-chan.  Your mother loves you very much."
	"Then why is she always gone?"
	Jeff winced at the question.  It was the thing he'd always worried about.  
Kneeling down next to his daughter, he took her by the shoulders and looked 
seriously into her eyes.  "Sodoshi, I don't expect you to totally understand 
this but your mother has to go back to Japan often because she's a very 
important person there."
	Sodoshi frowned as she searched her father's face for some sign he wasn't 
telling her the truth.  Despite his serious expression, she remained 
unconvinced.  "Like you are in Hawaii?"
	Jeff smiled and stroked her long dark hair.  "In some ways even more 
important.  You're too young to understand but your mother has more 
responsibilities than even your daddy."
	Sodoshi cast another glance at her mother.  Nabiki was smiling now and 
chatting in an animated manner with the teacher.  Sodoshi liked it when her 
mother smiled.  She looked so pretty.  "Daddy?  When will I be old enough?"
	Jeff closed his eyes and sighed.  There was another question he'd feared, 
maybe even more than the first.  "I can't say exactly but you will know and 
your mother will tell you everything then.  I promise."  He hugged his 
daughter, not caring it was in public.  He could tell she didn't care either 
by the way she clung to him.  "It hurts your mother every time she has to 
leave.  She misses you so much it hurts way down inside.  All we can do is 
continue to love her and give her our support.  Okay?"
	Sodoshi sniffed, wiping the back of her hand across her eyes.  "Okay Daddy."
	Jeff released his daughter and handed back the picture she'd drawn.  "This 
is a beautiful picture, So-chan.  But your mother might not understand."
	Sodoshi nodded and wiggled her tiny backpack off her shoulders.  Folding 
the picture carefully, she slid it in the outside pouch and forced a smile.  
Just in time, too.  Her mother was coming back.
	"And just what have you two been up to?" Nabiki asked with her crooked 
little smile.  She paused next to Sodoshi but made no effort to touch her.  
Jeff could see his daughter's apprehensive look.
	"We were just talking about... uh, how much we want to go get ice cream," 
he said looking at Sodoshi.  The little girl eagerly nodded her approval.
	"It'll spoil her dinner," Nabiki said with a serious frown.
	"Aw, come on, Nabs.  It's only this once."
	"Well..."  Nabiki glanced down at Sodoshi.  
	Despite her desire to go out for ice cream, Sodoshi never looked back at 
her mother.  She was still the bringer of authority, the one that always 
said 'no', the one who demanded strict discipline.  Sodoshi's chin dropped 
like she already knew the answer.
	But sometimes even Nabiki could surprise her.
	"I suppose we could if we combined it with a real meal."
	Sodoshi's head turned so she could look at her mother's face.  Was she 
telling the truth?  Was she going to go along with their plans, just this
once?
	"We could stop at that pizza place on the way home," Jeff suggested.  "You 
know, the one that has games and ice cream too."
	"Do they still have a salad bar?" Nabiki asked with a questioning look.
	"They did the last time we were there."  He patted Sodoshi's head.  "And 
the pizza is surprisingly good, as I recall."
	"Why not," Nabiki sighed.  "I just have to be home by seven."
	"No problem," Jeff said picking up his daughter's backpack and taking her 
hand.
	They paused as Sodoshi looked up at her mother.  Nabiki cocked her head 
like she didn't understand why the delay.  Hesitantly, the little girl 
reached up and took her mother's hand.  Her hopeful expression wasn't lost 
of Nabiki.  Jeff could see his wife squeezing the girl's hand.
	Maybe things would work out between them after all.

*****

	At Circus Pizza, Sodoshi was delighted to find some of her friends from the 
gymnastics club.  Like a swarm of little bees, the girls attacked the 
various mechanical amusements, pausing only briefly to watch the animatronic 
show featuring a goofy-sounding bear that told really bad jokes.
	Jeff picked a table in the back, as far away from the 'birthday tables' as 
he could and settled down to snack on the oversized pizza.  Nabiki picked at 
her salad and fought the urge to snatch a slab pizza.  She'd noticed a 
couple of extra pounds gained in Japan and was determined to rid herself of 
the embarrassment before Jeff said anything.  Just the thought of not being 
the most beautiful girl in his life filled her with dietary resolve.
	"Sodoshi was telling me about the gymnastics team down at the gym.  I guess 
they're pretty good," he said adding peppercorns to his pizza.
	"Well, they're the most expensive," Nabiki said stabbing an escaping piece 
of carrot.  "I suppose you could expect they would be good."
	Jeff chewed his pizza and nodded.  The animatronic bear launched into a 
happy birthday song for one of the birthday tables.  "Sodoshi's coach thinks 
she should be in the team development program."  He watched for Nabiki's 
reaction.
	To his surprise, she took the news well.  "What's that all about?  More 
classes?"
	"Not really.  Just different classes."  Jeff wiped his mouth with a napkin 
and leaned back in his chair.  "They think she has the potential of being a 
really good gymnast."
	"Oh?"  Nabiki stopped tormenting her veggies and regarded her husband with 
a raised eyebrow.
	"Yes, and Sodoshi really wants to do it.  I understand her two friends have 
been asked as well."
	Nabiki chewed her salad while rolling the proposition around in her mind.  
"Is this like a school club where they meet six days a week?"
	"Oh no, Nabs.  It's nothing like that.  They meet only two nights a week 
and on Saturday afternoon."
	"Hmmmm, when is she going to do her homework?"
	"We'll work something out.  I think it's a great opportunity for her to see 
if she's really going to like this gymnastics stuff."
	"I don't want anything to interfere with her school work."  Nabiki frowned 
at the pizza in front of her.
	"It won't.  If we see any drop in her grades we can... well, take what ever 
action you think necessary."
	Nabiki knocked around a couple of tiny tomatoes in the bottom of her salad 
bowl.  "I suppose we could try it for awhile."  She paused and looked at 
Jeff with narrowed eyes.  "Just why are you trying to sell me on this?"
	Jeff squirmed.  "I think she should have the opportunity to follow her own 
path.  Neither one of us were exactly joiners in our youth.  She has 
something we never had, friends.  Those friends are into gymnastics.  She's 
good at gymnastics.  To me, it's obvious she belongs there with her friends 
doing the thing she likes."
	Nabiki sat back and stared at her husband.  "First of all, I had friends 
when I was her age.  Second, I joined plenty of things.  Finally, I have no 
objection to her doing this so long as it doesn't effect her grades and you 
don't try to turn it into some pre-Shinobi training camp."
	"I thought you gave up your objections to her training?"
	"I gave up..."  She paused and looked nervously around when she noticed the 
bear had stopped singing and her voice was carrying farther than she 
intended.  Leaning forward, she growled: "I gave up my resistance to her 
learning about my people.  I did *not* give up my resistance to you turning 
her into a... you-know-what."
	"A little nin-ja," Jeff taunted louder than Nabiki thought necessary.
	"You know what I mean."  Nabiki was practically whispering now.  People 
were passing by the table and she didn't want anyone to overhear their 
conversation.  "Sodoshi is going to be a jonin - an elder in our clan.  It's 
her birthright, Jeffrey."
	"Which means the development of her mind over her body," Jeff added with a 
frown.
	"Her mind is what's most important.  Elders have other people do the heavy 
work."
	"That's a pretty elitist view, Nabs."
	"It's a realistic view, Jeffrey.  She's not going to become a 
shadow-warrior.  There is no longer room in this world for those relics from 
the past."
	"I thought you said your clan would be whatever you and your sisters 
decided it would be."
	"I've been thinking about that.  The fighting style of the Shinobi have no 
place in the modern world."
	Jeff snorted.  "Have you discussed this with your sister?  Seems to me 
Akane might not agree."
	Nabiki glared at her husband.  "I'm the elder, Jeffrey.  I make the 
decisions."
	"I'd watch stuff like that, if I were you.  You better learn to work *with* 
your sisters and not dictating to them or you might just find yourself in a 
clan of one."  Jeff slid out of the booth and stood up.  "And *that*, my 
dear, is a very lonely number."
	He dropped his napkin on the table and stomped off.  Nabiki stared at his 
retreating form and resisted the urge to continue the argument or chase 
after him.  He was wrong, she thought, and you don't chase someone who is 
wrong just to correct him.  "Don't you dare try to turn that little girl 
into a genin," she hissed to herself.  "She's a jonin - MY legacy."
	Snatching a large slice of pizza from the tray, she bit into it savagely as 
she glared at the spot she last saw Jeff.

*****

	"Kasumi!"  Akane's voice rang through the Tendo house like a fire bell.
	"In here," Kasumi calmly answered as she finished putting away the cleaned 
breakfast dishes.
	Akane barged into the kitchen and stood trembling by the counter.
	"Goodness, Akane, you look like you've seen a ghost."
	"She's dead, Oneechan," Akane gasped, a wild look in her eye.  "I just came 
from there and she's dead."
	Kasumi clutched her tiny dish towel to her chest.  "Who's dead, Akane?"
	"Baby.  I went over to check on her for Mrs Suzuki and she was on her side 
under the stairs."
	"Are you sure she's dead?"
	"Yes," Akane choked.  "I called her and she didn't move.  When I touched 
her and she didn't react, I knew she was dead."
	"Oh the poor dear, Mrs Suzuki will be so upset.  She only went into the 
hospital for those tests because we promised to watch her dog."  Kasumi 
reached for the phone.  "You go get Ranma.  Find something to cover the 
body.  I'll call the police."
	Akane nodded and stumbled from the room.  Naturally, the police down at the 
koban needed to be informed.  They could arrange for someone to pickup the 
body and would make sure to watch Mrs Suzuki's home more carefully now that 
its loyal guardian had died.
	Kasumi dialed the neighborhood koban with growing apprehension.  She 
remembered what Mrs Suzuki told Nabiki.  The only thing keeping her alive 
was having to take care of that scruffy old dog.

*****

	The Lawrence family arrived home in their usual quiet manner.  Jeff chasing 
little Sodoshi to the porch while Nabiki followed trying to maintain the 
family dignity.
	Inside, Sodoshi announced she wanted to go swimming in the family pool.
	"I'll watch her," Jeff said as he playfully swatted his daughter's behind.  
"I'm expecting a phone call from Mr Gaffney anyway."
	"Good because I've got that Chinese bimbo coming over at seven."  Nabiki 
adjusted another picture then grimaced at the dust clinging to her fingers.  
She'd forgotten to dust the picture frames.
	"Nabiki, why can't you treat the poor girl like someone who just wants a
job?"
	"Because she's Chinese, Jeffrey.  If it wasn't for you and Sister Angelica, 
I wouldn't even be interviewing her.  There will be ten feet of snow outside 
that door before I trust one of THEM in my home."
	"You're just over-reacting because of Shampoo and her kin.  Don't judge the 
Chinese people for what those idiot Amazons did."  Jeff moved to take his 
wife into his arms.  Nabiki stopped him with a hand to his chest.
	"You just don't understand, do you?" she said in a pitying voice.
	"About your mindless xenophobia, no."  Jeff gave up the idea of holding his 
wife and crossed his arms instead.
	"It's not mindless, Jeffrey.  It's well founded."
	Jeff started to say something about long-held beliefs and myths but decided 
it wasn't worth getting into an argument over.  Shaking his head he sighed 
and turned towards the bedroom.  She'd see the error of her ways soon 
enough.  Pity it was going to cost some poor young lady the chance at a good 
job.

	Nabiki savored her victory.  Despite the fact Jeff had abandoned the field 
instead of fighting back, she still considered it a win.
	Before she could slip into some serious gloating, the doorbell rang.  That 
has to be Sister Angelica and the Chinese bimbo, she thought with disdain.
	She paused just long enough to assume an appropriate expression of 
superiority before reaching for the door.  The door latch clicked as it 
released from the hasp.  She pulled lightly on the door.  It swung easily 
open.  When she saw who was standing on the other side, she suddenly froze, 
her mouth open and her eyes wide.
	She gasped at the sight before her, her mind screaming multiple conflicting 
instructions.  Finally, she slammed shut the door before a scream in terror 
escaped her throat.  Throwing her body against the steel-frame door, her 
eyes frantically searched for things she could pile against it.  No, that 
wouldn't work.  Letting go of the door for any reason would only allow them 
to push their way inside.  Her heartbeat sped up as she eyed the distance 
between herself and the back door.  Beyond was Jeffrey. It was a long shot 
but if she could just make it to the kitchen, there was a chance she could 
get away.
	Before she could act, the doorbell rang again.  Nabiki hesitated, her head 
cocked as she listened carefully.  They wouldn't ring the doorbell, she 
thought.  More likely, they'd break down the door.
	Nervously licking her lips, she leaned over and carefully peeked out the 
tiny window next to their front door.  Instead of danger, she saw a nun with 
a curious expression.
	This only confused Nabiki more.  What was a nun doing with them.  More to 
the point, why did the nun look exactly like Sister Angelica.  The doorbell 
rang again.
	With a centering deep breath, Nabiki's trembling hand reached for the door 
knob.  As the door latched clicked, she jumped back ready to run.  Silently, 
the door swung open.
	"Konnbenwa," the purple-haired girl said in a tiny voice as she bowed.  Her 
frightened eyes darting between Nabiki and the nun standing next to her.
	"Nabiki?" Sister Angelica inquired as she leaned over to look into the 
house.  "Are you okay?"
	Nabiki's eyes never left the purple-haired girl.  Her mouth tried a couple 
of times to say something - anything - but failed.  She was stunned into 
silence by the Chinese girl.  She was the same height, the same build, and, 
heaven help them all, she had the same face and hair.  If Nabiki had to bet 
her life fortune, she'd bet it was Shampoo standing on her front porch.  
Only the presence of Sister Angelica cast doubt on her analysis.  Surely, 
the good Sister wouldn't betray Nabiki's home to a mortal enemy.
	"Can we come in?" Sister Angelica asked as she stepped between Nabiki and 
the Chinese girl.
	Nabiki slowly gave way as she continued to stare at the Chinese girl who 
arrived with her friend.
	"Are you sure you're okay?"  Sister Angelica paused next to the sofa and 
looked at Nabiki with a questioning expression.
	Shaking herself out of her initial surprise, Nabiki nodded and gestured for 
her visitors to take a seat.  Nervously she settled into the chair across 
from the sofa, her eyes taking in every inch of the Chinese girl.
	Clearing her throat, Sister Angelica started the discussion.  "Yes, well, 
Nabiki Tendo-Lawrence, this is Mao Xifaji.  She's twenty years old and comes 
from Hong Kong.  Her father is a gardener and she has three sisters."  The 
good Sister's voice softened.  "Her mother passed away six months ago."
	"I see," Nabiki said with a dry throat.  She continued to stare at the 
Chinese girl.  She couldn't get over the resemblance.
	A long uncomfortable pause followed Sister Angelica's introduction.  The 
Chinese girl never looked up from the floor, her expression never changing.  
Nabiki could tell she was mortified but it couldn't be helped.  Nabiki had 
to protect her family.
	"Uh... Nabiki?" Sister Angelica finally broke the uncomfortable silence.  
"Could I talk to you alone in the kitchen?"
	Nabiki nodded and made a mental inventory of everything within the girl's 
reach before leading the way into her kitchen.
	"Nabiki, you know me and hopefully you know I wouldn't say this for any 
reason other than my love for you and your family."  She licked her lips and 
frowned at the floor like she was preparing herself for something unpleasant.
	"What is it?" Nabiki asked as she reached for some tea cups.  	"Have you 
totally lost your mind?  What the hell is wrong with you?" Sister Angelica 
hissed, her face screwed into a mask of shocked anger.  "I bring this nice 
young lady over to help you and all we get is doors slammed in our faces, an 
ice cold reception, and someone acting like the next victim in a bad horror 
movie."
	Nabiki sighed and leaned against the counter.  "I'm... sorry.  It's not 
what you think."
	"What do you think I think it is?"
	"I... can't tell you," Nabiki said with a grimace as she turned around to 
face the counter.  "It's something the happened back in Japan."
	She felt a hand on her shoulder.  "Tell me about it, Nabiki.  I'm your 
friend, remember?"
	Nabiki hesitantly told Sister Angelica about the Amazons, the troubles with 
Ranma, and how she was responsible for her family being in danger.  Sister 
Angelica listened patiently before slowly shaking her head.
	"This is not the same girl, Nabiki.  I know she may look the same but she's 
been in Hawaii the whole time you were back in Japan.  She couldn't be one 
of those Amazons.  She just couldn't."
	"There's one way to find out."
	"How?"
	"It involves cold water."
	"What?"
	"I can't explain it.  Just call her in here."
	Sister Angelica cast Nabiki a wary look before sighing.  "Very well."
	Seconds later the girl appeared in the kitchen doorway, her hands held 
tightly together in front of her.  Her eyes never left the floor.
	Nabiki turned on the cold water faucet in the sink and tested the water 
with her fingers.  It was certainly cold enough.  "I want you to wash your 
hands."
	The girl looked at Sister Angelica like a child searching for the reason 
for the odd actions of another adult.  
	The nun just smiled and nodded.  "Go ahead.  She won't hurt you."
	The girl glanced nervously between the two women like she was trying to 
decide if any job was worth this odd initiation.  Swallowing hard, she 
drifted to the sink and stared at the running water.
	"Put your hands in the water 'Mao', or should I say: 'Shampoo'?"  Nabiki's 
eyes narrowed to the point she was practically glaring at the girl.
	The Chinese girl glanced once more at Sister Angelica.  Seeing the nun nod 
and smile reassuringly, she reached for the stream of running water with 
trembling hands.  Everyone in the room held their breath.
	With a sudden motion, the girl plunged her hands in the icy water and 
fearfully began rubbing them together.  Her eyes sought out Nabiki's.  Her 
breathing came in tiny fearful gasps, like she was on the verge of tears.
	Nabiki tore her eyes away from the girl's and watched intently for 
something to happen.  Seconds passed and still the girl stood in front of 
the sink rubbing her hands together under the water.
	"Satisfied?" Sister Angelica said with a cock of her head.
	Nabiki nodded and switched off the water.  "Cologne could have given her 
something to prevent..."  She paused before shaking her head.  "To prevent 
it from happening," she finally finished.
	"Oh for crying out loud," Sister Angelica threw up her hands.  "I give up."
	As the nun turned to leave, Nabiki halted her with a raised hand.  "Okay, 
maybe I was being... overly cautious."  She grabbed a hand towel and tossed 
it to the girl.  "Please forgive me.  It's just you have no idea to what 
lengths these people will go."  She forced a smile.  "Why don't you wait for 
me in the living room and I'll bring in some drinks.  Cokes okay?"
	Sister Angelica glanced at the girl before smiling.  "Better make it a Diet 
Coke for me," she said pinching the habit at her waist.  "I need to get more 
exercise."
	Nabiki chuckled softly, breaking the tension.  She even smiled and nodded 
in a friendly way towards the girl.  "Please," she said indicating the 
living room with a free hand.
	It took only a few minutes for Nabiki to prepare the drinks and join the 
others in her living room.  After graciously serving her guests, she sat in 
the chair across from the sofa again and tried to act hospitable.
	"You have to forgive Mrs Tendo-Lawrence.  She thought you were someone else 
- someone dangerous to her and her family."
	The girl looked questioningly at the two older women.  Nabiki could see the 
ice in the girl's drink vibrating as her hand shook with fear.
	"I thought you might be one called: Xi'an Pu - a member of a dangerous clan 
who dislike me and my family.  I'm sure you can understand my caution."
	The girl glanced one more time at Sister Angelica before nodding.  She even 
added a shy smile to indicate her willingness to forget the whole incident.
	"Do I call you Mao or... what?"  Nabiki didn't quite trust herself to try 
the girl's other name.
	"Family call me Jade," the girl said softly in broken English.
	"Very well, Jade.  Where are you from?"
	"Jade from Hong Kong."
	"Were you born there?"
	"Yes."  The girl looked once again at the nun for support.
	"Where is your mother from?"
	This question caused a noticeable reaction in Jade, like she was just asked 
an important question she couldn't answer.  "Jade... Jade not know."
	"You don't know where your mother was from?"  Nabiki leaned forward.  
Something in the way the girl evaded her last question caused her warning 
senses to trigger.
	"Nabiki, what is this all about?"  Sister Angelica frowned at her friend.
	"Curiosity, Sister.  I don't happen to believe in coincidences.  Jade here 
and the one we call Shampoo look exactly alike.  There has to be a reason."
	Jade placed her glass on the coffee table in front of her and covered her 
face with her hands.  "Mother not from Hong Kong."
	"I gathered that," Nabiki leaned back in the chair and swirled the ice in 
her drink.  "Could she be from somewhere deeper in China?"
	"Jade... not know," the girl insisted.
	"Nabiki, that's enough," Sister Angelica said taking the trembling girl 
into her arms.  "If you don't want her as a housekeeper, just say so.  
There's no need for all this interrogation."
	Nabiki was about to accept the nun's offer of a way out but suddenly 
remembered one of Jeff's cornball expressions: 'Keep your friends close and 
your enemies closer.'
	"You're right.  I suppose this is all unnecessary.  Of course I can use a 
housekeeper and Jade here would appear to be a perfect fit."  Nabiki smiled 
at the girl.
	Jade slipped out of the nun's arms and bowed deeply which looked awkward 
because of the girl's seated position on the couch.  Nabiki nodded in return 
and continued to swirl the ice in her drink.
	Sister Angelica suggested a reasonable weekly rate and negotiated a regular 
paycheck for the girl.  Nabiki nodded her agreement to all points while 
staring at the nervous-looking girl.
	"Would you happen to have a photograph of your family?" Nabiki asked 
innocently enough.  There was a reason why she wanted to see such a photo - 
she still wasn't convinced the girl wasn't one of the Amazons.
	Jade picked through her tiny purse before producing a small picture.  After 
showing it to Sister Angelica, who nodded her approval, she handed it to her 
new employer.
	Nabiki took the photo and stared at the people.  It wasn't a very old 
picture, possibly only a couple of years old.  She easily recognized Jade 
and skimmed over the other children.  The woman, who she assumed to be 
Jade's mother, looked very much like Jade only a little older.  The man's 
image caused Nabiki to blink and squint at the photo.  He had more hair and 
a thin mustache but after removing them in her mind, Jade's father bore a 
striking resemblance to... Genma Saotome.



( To be continued ... )