Disclaimer: I own nothing. Ranma and characters used are the creation of
Rumiko Takahashi and owned by her and Shogagukan, Kitty and Viz
Communications.
The storyline comes from The Heiress from Jude Devereaux


The Tendo Heir: Chapter Two

It was a wonderful summer day on the Tendo Estate. The large lawn outside
the estate was a beautiful green, surrounded by cherry trees. Nabiki was
painting Akane's portrait, her beauty well complimented by their
surroundings. The escort to the end of her life was due to arrive tomorrow,
so she was busy enjoying one of passions, painting.  She had no delusions
about her marriage to Tatewaki Kuno.  Her father was a very shrewd
businessman, who charged a premium for his property, and she was worth a
lot.  Having no other direct heirs or even close relatives she would be the
sole blood recipient of his empire.  Oh, there was always the off chance he
would leave some of his money to some outside faction, a distant relative, a
business associates, or even to a complete stranger if the mood stuck him,
but chances were that he would leave the bulk, if not all of his fortune to
his daughter.  Her husband would realize a huge return on her dowry when
Soun Tendo past away.  That brought up another fact, she had heard this Kuno
was undesirable in some way, vague rumors about his looks and social
manners, the fact that he and or his family would pay the dowry spoke ill
for his suitability as a husband.

"Please stop fidgeting Akane," she admonished the girl.

"Grr, this isn't as fun as you said it would be."

"Just think of it as a small price to pay, for this lasting monument to your
beauty," she actually meant it, being slightly jealous of her cousin's
looks. As she continued to paint, her mind drifted back to her marriage.  It
meant the end of her freedom, what precious little she had.  She wondered if
her husband would allow her to continue painting. A man jumped down from the
property wall, she only caught a glimpse, but she was sure it was no one she
recognized.

"Take a break Akane, I just remembered I have to go check on something"

"OK Nabiki."  Akane moved to sit on a small bench nearby while Nabiki headed
back into the estate.

^_^_^^__^^__^_^^_^_^_^_^_^__^^__^^__^_^^_^_^

Ranma dropped down from the estate wall, moving through the trees he spotted
a beautiful woman sitting for a painting.  She was of average height, long
black hair, and wearing a very expensive looking dress. The painter was
walking back towards the estate, he watched her disappear around a corner
before he returned his attention to the vision sitting for her portrait.

"This must be the Tendo Heir." She appeared to be the right age, and that
fine dress could only be worn by someone of money. He had promised his
sisters that he would do whatever it took to marry the girl and Ranma
Saotome always kept his promises. Moving to the edge of the trees he stopped
to stare at the beauty before him.  He was there to get a lay of the land so
to speak.  He was hoping to catch a glimpse of the Tendo Heir, not wanting
to be shocked when he saw her for the first time tomorrow

Nabiki had doubled back after she had rounded the corner of the estate.  She
was about two feet behind the intruder when he moved with a quickness that
defied reality. Before she knew it she pinned to the ground, one of his
hands was covering her mouth, while the other pinned one of her wrists.
Thrashing about as hard as she could, she couldn't break his grip.

"Shush, Don't scream, I won't hurt you, I've just come for a look at your
mistress," Nabiki calmed at his words, but she still looked like she would
kill him with her eyes.
"I'm going to remove my hand, don't scream."

"Who are you?" She practically spit out the words, the nerve of the man.

"Ranma Saotome, I'm here to escort the Tendo Heir."  He spoke with a rakish
grin and arrogant tone.

"It's customary to enter through the front gate not from over the wall."

Ranma gave a small chuckle before responding," Yes it is, I'm due to arrive
until tomorrow and I wanted to get a look at the Tendo Heir before I met
her. She is beautiful isn't she," he indicated Akane.

"She is, and she knows it. So you are here to try and woo the Tendo Heir!"
Nabiki had known of many men who had come to try and woo her over the years.
To her knowledge, this was the first that had tried to break-in to meet her.

"What! No! No! I'm here to escort her, just because she's rich doesn't
matter."  Nabiki noted how cute he was when he was defensive, actually he
was quite a hunk, kind of a dashing figure in his loose tunic and hose, his
chest was exposed at the top where the ties were loose, and those shoulders.

"And don't forget beautiful, Come on, I know you're dreaming of getting your
hands on Soun Tendo's money."  Ranma knew he was on the defensive, something
he wasn't used to unless it was his family.  Talking with the girl in front
of him reminded him a little of his arguments with Ranko. They were playful
and he never did too well against her.

"Well, I wouldn't mind finding out more about the young lady, what is her
name?"

"Her name is Akane and I think you two would hit it off."

"Really?"

"Yes, she's as vain as she is beautiful; you two have a lot in common."
Something about this man intrigued her; he carried himself with a
self-confidence that just heightened her attraction.  It was a shame she
thought that he was just another money seeker.  It gave her an idea and a
chance.  She would let Akane play heir for the trip and she could have a
little fun before her doom.

"You're a big fan I see.  May I ask your name?"

"Nabiki, Nabiki Otonashi, Akane's cousin."

"It's nice to meet you Nabiki," bowing slightly and flashing his killer
smile.  A friend in this place would be good to have; maybe he could get the
inside track if he handled this correctly.

Nabiki knew he was posing for her, but the smile made her go weak in the
knees, she scolded herself.

"Listen, I was thinking of getting her a present, I thought it would be
appropriate to give her a small gift.   As congratulations on her impending
wedding that is. I was wondering if you had any ideas."  Nabiki looked
thoughtful for second.

"She loves yellow tulips."

"Really?"

"Thank you Nabiki, I'm forever in your debt."

"Just leave before you get into trouble."

"OK good-bye," He bowed and quickly made his way back to the wall. She
watched in amazement as he jumped the wall in one bound. She chuckled to
herself, "very nice looking indeed, I wonder what he'll get her?" Akane was
allergic to Yellow Tulips. She turned her mind to other plans as she went in
search of Akane and Tofu.

^_^^_^^_^^_^_^^_^_^_^_^_^^_^_^_^_^_^_^^^_^^_^^_^__^^_^_^__^^_^_^

"You shouldn't do this Nabiki." Tofu hadn't taken the news well. Actually,
he hated the idea. "It is improper for Akane to parade around as you. What
if your father finds out?"

"Father won't find out. Only the three of us will be traveling and I can get
the staff to go along with the idea for the one or two days before we
leave." Nabiki loved the idea; it would give her a glimmer of freedom.
Their escort and all those they met would believe Akane was The Heir.
Nabiki would be the cousin, allowing her freedom from gawkers and suitors.
"I'll meet by doom soon enough Tofu, this will be my only chance, and once
I'm married I'll be chained up."

He loved her as a daughter, and couldn't resist the pleading in her voice.
He had heard of this Kuno and he thought her talk of doom might be an
understatement. He was supposed to be ghastly man, both in look and deed.  A
man ruled by his own believed self-importance and held others in ill regard.
The Kuno name was very reputable and many would love to have their children
marry into the clan.  All clan's have their black spots, especially the most
noble. Kuno's slights were overlooked and covered up.  He had even heard
stories of Tatewaki's inability to sire a child.  No, he would give Nabiki
anything he could before the marriage.  "OK, don't promise Akane too much.
Have you already talked to her?"

"Yes, she loved the idea."

Tofu frowned, waiting for Nabiki to divulge more information.

"All right, I gave her ten gold pieces, promised I wouldn't change my mind,
and that I'd act like she was The Heir, following her every whim."  She
practically snorted the last part.  The money itself was a small fortune,
although Akane had originally asked for forty.

"Ten gold, that's not to bad."

"Tofu, ten gold is more than all the servants make in three months.  It's
enough to feed the household for a year.  It was outrageous!"

"I know that Nabiki, I was just thinking of what she could have asked for."

"I need to go talk to the servants, the escort is supposed to arrive
tomorrow."  She hadn't told Tofu that she had already met her escort.

^_^_^_^_^^_^_^__^_^^^^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^__^^_^_^_^_^

Everything was ready. Ranma Saotome had sent word that her would be arriving
at any moment.  Akane would play the Tendo Heiress and the servants would
all go along with it.  Nabiki was waiting in the sitting room with Akane and
Tofu.  Akane was dressed in a beautiful blue dress, dripping with jewelry,
looking every inch the heiress.  Nabiki and Tofu were dressed in their
normal attire, Nabiki an old brown dress, Tofu his ever present tunic and
hose with a hood covering his face. The large door opened and in strode two
men. They were both finely dressed in shirts with lace on the edges, and
hose. Ranma walked up to Akane and bowed slightly before he spoke.

"I'm Ranma Saotome, I've been hired to take escort you to Tokyo."

"It's very nice to meet you."

"The pleasure is all mine, this is my associate Hiroshi," He indicated his
companion who bowed at the introduction.

"It's nice to meet you Hiroshi, I'm Akane, this is my cousin Nabiki, and my
servant Tofu."

"I have brought you a small present." He had bought a fine woman's coat and
hired a seamstress to sew Yellow tulips into the edges. "It's not much, an
engagement present, something to help you during our travels; the nights can
get a bit chilly."

Ranma took the package from Hiroshi and moved around the room opening up the
coat. "It's a traveling coat for our journey. I hope you like it."  He made
his way around the room and helped her on with the coat. "It looks
wonderful," she was genuinely pleased. All of a sudden her face started to
grow red and she started chocking.

"What's wrong?" He said with some alarm.

"Ack," she fell backwards gasping for air.

"Good sir, are those yellow tulips in that coat. She's allergic." Tofu spoke
slightly frantic.

Ranma immediately ripped the coat off of her, tossing it quickly to Hiroshi.
"Take that out of here!' He yelled at Hiroshi, as his friend quickly left
the room. Ranma grabbed some water that was on the table and forced some
down her throat.

She sputtered a little before screaming, "WHAT ARE TRYING TO DO, KILL ME!" A
fist to the jaw punctuated her statement. Removing himself from the wall he
started apologizing. "I'm so sorry, I didn't know you were allergic to
Yellow Tulips." He said the last while casting a withering gaze towards
Nabiki.  Who in turn had the good grace to look ashamed.

"It's OK." She steadied herself before smiling to him again. "It was an
honest mistake."  Akane had noted how handsome the young man was. Her future
was extremely uncertain now; Soun Tendo was paying her family for her to be
Nabiki's companion, now that Nabiki was engaged Akane would no longer be
needed.  Posing as the Heir gave her a chance to shine.  She put a lid on
her temper for this meeting.  Maybe if she played her cards right she could
land a husband.  Someone to take her away before she had to return to the
squalor she had grown up in.

"So, what is our plan of travel?" Akane asked.

"We will be traveling as merchants. I've purchased some wagons and some
cloth. There will be five of us so we will attract little attention."  He
and Hiroshi had spent most of the trip there determining how they would
transport the Heir.

"You expect to protect the Tendo Heir with only two men?"  Nabiki asked
incredulously.

"I was expecting a large escort?"  Akane asked simultaneously.  She had a
bad feeling about this.

"Two? I have four men including myself. It is more than enough to handle
common bandits. No one will expect The Tendo Heir to be traveling with less
than twenty soldiers.  We can travel more effectively in just as much safety
if no one knows who is passing."

"But, Tofu and I are coming along."

"NO! The less people the better and there is no place on this trip for your
foolishness."

"You have to take us also."

"If Akane wants Tofu can come along, but you are staying here." This mission
was important and he wasn't going to let this spoiled brat complicate what
should be a simple job.

"I'm sorry but Mr. Tendo will be quite upset if you take Nabiki and myself
with you," Tofu spoke up "Right Akane."

The gazes of all present shifted back to Akane. "Yes, Tofu is right, they
must accompany me," She spoke reluctantly, still disappointed at not
traveling in pomp and ceremony.

After a few moments of silence Ranma finally responded, "I don't like it.
That one will be nothing but trouble," indicating Nabiki.  "We'll leave in
two days, I have preparations to make, be ready to leave first thing in the
morning. I'll have the wagons brought to the estate tomorrow so you can
begin packing. It was a pleasure Akane."  He said with a bow.

She inclined her head back with a broad smile. "It was a pleasure to meet
you as well."

Turning his gaze rested on Nabiki, "I need to talk to you for a moment." His
voice gave no room for argument. Gripping her arm he practically dragged her
out of the room.

Finding a small room he pulled her in and closed the door. "I don't know
what game you're playing but I don't appreciate your foolishness. What were
you thinking, she almost died from that joke."

The anger at his treatment of her was replaced by the shame at her prank
gone wrong. "I didn't know that would happen." He stared at her, not
believing her for a second.

"Really. We play pranks on each other all the time." Well, Nabiki played
pranks. "She usually just coughs, sometimes her eyes would water."  She
wondered why she was explaining herself to this man.

"Listen, her life is now in my hands. I won't stand for that being
jeopardized for some silly prank. I don't know why she insisted on bringing
you, but I would just as soon leave you here where you could do no harm."

"Well, I am traveling with you, and I will not be threatened!" Walking past
him she left the room.

^_^_^_^_^_^__^_^^__^-^__^_^_^^^_^^^_--__--___--_-^^_^_^_^_^^

It was well past nightfall, the house and estate we're silent. Nabiki
silently crept across the lawn towards the wall. She had done this on
occasion, left the grounds at night to go view the small town. She enjoyed
walking the streets at night, viewing the revelers or the solitude of the
streets. She could imagine she was an ordinary girl doing ordinary things.
Occasionally a fair would be in town and she would enjoy herself there.  No
one would believe who she was if she told them. The young girl in plain
clothing, walking unescorted would never reconcile with the myth of the
Tendo Heir. Safe in her anonymity she climbed over the wall and left the
estate.

Tofu looked on as his ward climbed over the wall. He never told her he knew
about her leaving the estates. He trusted her enough not to follow her, even
if he did worry. She needed what little freedom she could get. He turned and
returned to bed.

^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^^_^^_^_^_^^_^_^_^_^^^__^_^^___^_^_^^__^__^^

Nabiki was walking across a field when she bumped into someone. "Sorry,"
she said as she turned move past him.

He grabbed her arm, "Heeyy therre you are, yoouurr late Ranma's waiting for
you."  He was obviously drunk. She allowed herself to be led to a tent and
showed inside.  "I'll tell him you made it, he'll be with you in a minute,"
she was confused but sat silently.  The tent was almost pitch black, she
could barely see her hands. Everything had happened so fast she had just
allowed herself to be abducted, she rose and started towards the entrance
when the tent flaps opened.

She could make out Ranma's outline as he entered. There was just enough
outside light for her to make out his face when he opened the flaps.  He
looked larger than she remembered, maybe due to circumstance or the small
tent making him appear larger. She turned around quickly so he wouldn't
recognize her.

"Shy one are you," his speech was slightly slurred.  He grabbed her arm and
turned her around. She was shocked at the kiss and didn't respond.
Wondering what she had gotten herself into and how she would get out of it.
The kiss was nice though if a little sloppy.

"It's OK, why are you doing this if your so shy, I seen some demure or
disinterested prostitutes before, but never a shy one." She held back her
immediate response of questioning his knowledge of prostitutes. She wondered
what she was doing here again.

"I.. .I I'm a virgin." It was the truth, what chance had she had. She was
fascinated by the concept of sex.  She had gossiped with the maids and heard
some of the stories they told during their chores. The knight in shiny
armor, killing the demon, or saving the princess, returning to claim his
prize. She had left those chat sessions often wondering about love and sex.
She was a normal girl with curiosities and hopes.  She remembered how
beautiful the man in tent with her had looked yesterday in the trees.

"Oh," the realization sobered Ranma slightly. "What is your name?"  He didn
't partake in the pleasures of the flesh often, usually when one of his men
or Hiroshi goaded him into it. Prostitutes were plentiful and although
expensive there were no unwanted attachments to worry about.  Her simple
declaration had somehow humanized her.

"It's . a .a Sayuri."

"Sayuri, let me turn on a light."  He wasn't really in the mood anymore, he
'd still pay her, keep her in the tent so he didn't have to answer to his
men,  he had appearances to keep up.

"No don't," she'd die of embarrassment and shame if he recognized her.

"Why?"

"I, I'm very ugly, My father is poor and hasn't money for my dowry. I've
been trying to earn some money but everyone refuses my services because of
my looks." What the hell was she saying, "You would be my first."

He said nothing for a second. "Listen we don't have to do anything." He felt
sympathetic for this girl. The few before had been objects, cold hard women.

"Please, my prospects are poor, I've heard some of the stories from other
women, you seem nice, and I would like that in my first.  Could you please
do me a favor?"  She found that she meant every word.  She was off to a
loveless marriage with a man that had bought her.  The only differences
between her and a prostitute were that her father got paid for her body and
she would only have to service one man.  Here was her chance, even if it was
imagined, her first time could be with someone she was at least attracted
to.  He seemed so gentle tonight, and the attraction she had noticed but
suppressed before was coming out.

"What is it?"

"I want you to act like you love me, I know it's not true, but it would mean
so much to me."  Ranma found he couldn't resist her simple plea.  She had
touched a cord in his soft heart.  He took her gentle by the shoulder,
moving her into an embrace. "As you wish my love," He leaned in and kissed
her.



^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^No lemons - sorry^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^__^_^_^_


A few hours later Nabiki disengaged herself from his arms careful not to
wake him.  It had been wonderful, a beautiful dream she would cherish for a
long time.  She found her dress and undergarments in the dark and began
dressing.

"Do you have everything?"

She turned at the sound of his voice. "Yes, go back to sleep."

"Wait, Do you know the Tendo Estate?"

"Yes. Why?"  Nabiki was surprised and a little worried.

"I won't let you go on with your profession, you'll go to my sisters and
they'll care for you."

"I couldn't, you've already been too kind."

"No, My family hasn't much but it will be better than the life you're
heading for.  You'll like my sisters and they'll take good care of you.  I'
ve leave money and instructions at the Tendo gate tomorrow.  You will go and
pick them up and go to my sisters, I'll write them tomorrow. "

She couldn't refuse him again.  She wondered if he would go through with it,
he'd be disappointed if he did.   She finished dressing and left.


Author's notes: I hope you like, for those of you who have read the Heiress
I'm going to start making more changes as this goes along.  When they start
the journey, Akane will start becoming more predominant.  I'm trying to
blend their Ranma personalities with growing up in a different era and under
different circumstances.  If you have suggestions I would love to hear them.

Also if anyone wants to pre-read it would be much appreciated.

E:mail: KPJAM@worldnet.att.net

My stories can be found at  Fanfiction.net or my site:
http://home.att.net/~kpjam/index.html
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