That afternoon, the weary shoppers returned home. Nodoka had purchased uniforms for Shampoo and Ranko, who would be attending High School as seniors, as well as a small collection of simple skirts, shorts, slacks and blouses for each. She had also had the two girls measured for kimonos for formal occasions. A good supply of underwear, as well as pajamas, and robes for each completed the purchases. She had purchased clothing for her granddaughter that was identical to her mother's. Ranko had noticed, and thanked her mother.

Nodoka also went to a martial arts store and purchased a bokken for Ranko and one for Shampoo, so they could learn Kendo. Both girls were excited about learning a new martial art. Nodoka also purchased gis for all three girls at the same shop, Shampoo's was pale pink, and Ranko's the sky blue she now favored. Of course Sakura's matched her mom's.

=======

The Saotome residence was still in Nerima, but was quite a distance from the Tendou home. It had been unoccupied for the duration of Nodoka's visit to China. Ranko ran to the door when the house came into view and stood looking expectantly, her eyes alight. Nodoka walked up the short path to the porch, unlocking the door.

Ranko went immediately to her old room, and found it unchanged after all these years. The girl began to cry softly, the tears quickly building to sobs of release. Her mother held her, wordlessly offering comfort to her child who, at last, was home. Ranko's arms encircled her mother in a returned embrace. Time seemed to stop for the two women. Neither let go until Ranko sobs were silent, and her tears had stopped.

Ranko let go, her mother doing the same. She looked into her mother's eyes. "I am so happy to be HOME, mother. Sometimes I never thought I would ever be in this room or ever see YOU again." Her tears had given way to a smile. She hugged her mom again briefly, the noticed her new sister in the room. "This is my old room from when I was a child. I never thought I'd see it again. Because of your faith in me, I was able to make it home, thank you!"

"That's why I sister Ranko, I love you." Shampoo embraced her sister, then let go to smile at Ranko.

"If its not too painful Ranko, I have some pictures of when you were younger..."

"It IS too painful for me, but please show our guests, as well as my sister and daughter, the pictures."

"I understand, Ranko. I will show them."

Nodoka left Ranko in her room. The girl had soon curled up for an afternoon nap on the bed, just like she used to.

=======

Sakura saw the first picture of her mom as a little boy, and decided to check on her. She went to her mom's old room, and found her asleep. She was glad mom was still a girl. She tried to snuggle next to her mom without waking her up, but couldn't. Ranko groggily noticed her little girl trying to take a nap with her. Mother encircled daughter in a gentle embrace, then went back to sleep, soon to be joined by her child.

=======

The Tendou girls and Shampoo had seen the pictures of young Ranko, including the last one, taken as he smiled, turning around to wave goodbye to his mom. All four wanted a print of that one, and Nodoka was happy to get one made for each of them.

The four girls went to check up on Ranko, but decided not to disturb the two sleeping girls. They rejoined Nodoka in the living room.

Nodoka had to see what the four were smiling about. She came back with a smile, too.

The Tendou girls left and Nodoka helped Shampoo get settled in a guestroom.

=======

Akane, Nabiki, and Kasumi walked home from the Saotomes. "So, Akane, what have you done to consolidate your lead in the 'Ranko' sweepstakes?"

"Like I've said before, I don't even know if I want to pursue a relationship with her. With no guarantee she would EVER be a man again, I don't really see it. Do you want to marry a woman Nabiki?"

"Of course not, Akane. I do see some advantages in a marriage with Ranko, but he needs to be a guy, as far as I'm concerned." Nabiki replied.

"Yeah," Akane concurred. "What about you, big sister?" She asked Kasumi.

"I want to get to know Ranko. Like me, she didn't ask to be a mother, but had to become one. We share so much in common."

"Yeah, I guess you two DO have a lot in common, you sort of ended up being OUR mother/housekeeper." Nabiki replied.

"But doesn't she need to be a guy?" Akane asked, concerned.

"Akane, I'm not going to marry her. I just want to be her friend... Like you already are, little sister. Ranko needs friends, Akane... Not fiancees."

=======

Ranko and Sakura had risen from their naps, feeling refreshed. "Mom, do you miss being a boy? You looked happy in the picture I saw."

"I used to, until I became your mom. Then I got used to being a mom, a woman."

"Do you still want to be a boy?"

Ranko thought carefully, then replied. "I've been female for most of my life, now, and I've finally come to realize that it's really the way I want to be from now on. I was male once, yes, but now, "she spoke as she looked down at herself, "this is what I am. I am a woman and your mother, and I want to stay that way forever."

The phone rang and Nodoka answered it. "Ranko, it's for you," she called. Ranko hurried out to answer the Phone.

"Yes? OK, I'll be there at 4:30. Bye"

"What was that?"

"Tendou Kasumi wants me to train her at 4:30 in the morning, before school. I told her I would."

"That's nice." The oldest Tendou daughter had impressed Nodoka greatly. She hoped Ranko and Kasumi could get along.

=======

Ranko showed up at the Tendou home at precisely 4:30 the next morning. Kasumi was waiting for her, wearing a long coat.

"Let's get started," Ranko said. The two women entered to dojo.

Kasumi took off her coat. Unlike the gi Ranko had expected her to wear, she was wearing a white leotard, tights, and slippers. She also offered Ranko a package. Ranko took it, finding similar clothing, except in the shade of blue she favored.

" I usually wear a gi when practicing the Art."

"Why not wear something NICE for a change?"

"Uh, could you look the other way for a few moments?"

Kasumi turned away, and Ranko donned her new attire. "OK, I'm ready," she said at last.

Kasumi was pleased Ranko had accepted her gift. She looked much prettier dressed as she was now than in that baggy gi. Why did they insist on wearing those anyway?

The first class consisted mainly of exercises to prepare Kasumi for the real lessons to follow in a few weeks. When the exercise was over, Ranko reminded Kasumi to bring running shoes and shorts tomorrow, as running would be added to their training regimen.

As Ranko hurried upstairs to wash up after her workout, she caught sight of a smiling Akane. "Nice gi, Ranko."

"Kasumi's idea..."

"I'm not surprised. It looks very nice on you."

"Thanks," Ranko turned to continue up the stairs.

Akane shook her head; she couldn't even imagine the cute redhead ever having been a man.

Ranko went in to take a quick bath and put on her uniform. She then hurried downstairs to help with breakfast.

=======

Kasumi had breakfast well underway by the time Ranko entered the kitchen. "Need some help Kasumi?" Ranko asked the oldest Tendou daughter.

"I'm almost done, " she turned to smile at the redhead. "Thanks for the offer, though."

"Could I help set the table?"

"Of course, Ranko. We'll have six this morning. The bowls and plates are over there, " the taller woman said, indicating a cabinet, " and the utensils are right here."

"Thanks!" Ranko said with a smile. She immediately began to set the table using some of the Martial Arts Housekeeping techniques she had developed in China. After she finished the chore, in about fifteen seconds, Ranko noticed that she had an admiring audience of one.

"Could you teach me how to do that?" Kasumi asked with a thoughtful smile.

"Sure!" Ranko proudly replied. "You don't need to beat people up to use the Art, Kasumi."

"I see. I'm even more interested in learning."

"I'm happy to help, Kasumi!"

There was a knock at the door.

"I'll get it!" Ranko sang out, then hurried to the door. Opening it, she was not surprised to see Shampoo dressed in her uniform. Ranko turned to the kitchen, "Kasumi, do you have enough for another?"

"Of course, Ranko. Did Shampoo come by?"

"Yeah, I'll set her a place."

"Thank you, Ranko."

The redhead set her sister's place in a flash.

Breakfast was pleasant. Conversation consisted mostly of the two Furinkan High alumnae and one current student filling Ranko and Shampoo in on some of the details... Like the school's crazy principal, and some bizarre rituals his son had presided over. Listening to Akane describe her many run-ins with the boy, Kunou Tatewaki, both Ranko and Shampoo were glad he went to college with Nabiki now. When they had finished eating, Ranko quickly cleared the settings, then joined her sister and friend on a brisk walk to school.

=======

Soun and Genma had adjourned to the shogi board, leaving Nabiki and Kasumi alone in the kitchen. Nabiki spoke first. "So, how did things go with Ranko this morning?"

"Fine. She's very handy in the kitchen." Kasumi replied then busied herself with housework. Kasumi began the chore of cleaning the dishes soiled by seven people at breakfast.v

=======

While her two older sisters were talking, the youngest Tendou girl was escorting her two new friends to school. "Ranko..."

"Yeah, Akane?"

"Do you know a boy named Kuonji Ukyou?" Akane asked.

Ranko looked thoughtful for a few moments. "The name sounds familiar, but I can't place it."

"Well, he came by looking for you and your father a while back. He thrashed your dad pretty severely. It seems he has a REAL grudge against you two."

"Why tell me now?"

"Well, he goes to our school, and runs an okonomiyaki shop just a bit off campus."

"Okonomiyaki rings a bell, Akane. I remember a little boy I used to fight with every day when I was younger. I THINK his name was Ukyou. I'll have to find him and see if we can settle this without resorting to fighting."

"It'll be pretty easy, Ranko, he'll be in the same class as us."

"Good, and thanks for the tip, Akane." Ranko turned to her sister, "Are you excited about going to school, Shampoo?"

"Yes, Ranko, I very excited. If that Ukyou boy attack you, I teach him lesson."

"Let me deal with him, PLEASE?" Ranko asked her sister with a pleading smile.

"Sure, Ranko. I just looking out for little sister."

"Thanks Shampoo, but I'm not your LITTLE sister."

"You much smaller than me, Ranko."

"Yeah, but I fight bigger than you!" Ranko grinned at Shampoo.

"I guess you right." Shampoo said, returning Ranko's grin with a laugh.

All three friends were laughing by the time they arrived at Furinkan High School and entered the main building.v

=======

Ranko and Shampoo waited at the front of the room for the rest of their new classmates to take their seats. Ranko kept her eyes open for her childhood friend, Ukyou, or Ucchan, as he used to call him. A tall boy with a long ponytail and a large spatula in a holster on his back entered the room.

"Ucchan?" Ranko asked.

The boy turned around, his eyes blazing with anger. "What did you call me?"

"Ucchan!" Ranko replied with a smile.

The boy scowled at her. "Who are you? Why did you call me that?"

The bell interrupted the boy and Ranko's conversation.

"Please be seated, class." The teacher requested. "Today we have two new students, Shan Pu, an exchange student from China..." Shampoo bowed and wrote her name on the board, puzzled by a few snickers from the seated students. "And Saotome Ranko, who has been away from Japan for a few years." Ranko wrote her name on the board, then sought out Ukyou's eyes, receiving a look of hatred from the youth.

The two sisters took their seats. Ranko realized she would have to speak with Ukyou at lunch.

=======

Lunchtime came quickly, and Ranko rose to greet her childhood friend.

"Could we eat lunch together, Ucchan?" Ranko asked the much taller boy.

"Why do you call yourself Saotome Ranko? Are you his sister?"

"It's a little more complicated than that, let's talk it over at lunch."

"If you wish. I won't punish you for what your brother and father did to me."

"Uh, good... thanks." Ranko didn't know what to say, OR what he and his father had done to Ucchan so long ago.

=======

Ranko, Shampoo, Akane, and Ukyou found an isolated table.

"Okay, Miss Saotome, why did you call me Ucchan?"

"Well, when I was little, I used to fight a little boy every day over Okonomiyaki on his dad's cart."

Ukyou's battle aura began to flare. "The kid who fought me was a BOY and had BLACK hair."

"Ukyou, look at me closely, and tell me I'm NOT the boy you remember."

Ukyou looked for a few moments into Ranko eyes, and saw why this girl remembered him. "I don't understand! My father engaged me to a GIRL? My life was ruined by a girl?" His battle aura flared even brighter. "How could you do this to me?" He drew his spatula. Battle auras flared around Shampoo and Akane. Ranko remained passive. "Defend yourself, Saotome!"

"Why, Ucchan?" Ranko asked, puzzled.

"What?" The confrontation was not going as he had expected, not at all.

"Why must you beat me and my father? What could I possibly have done to you to... to deserve this?" Ranko earnestly asked her friend.

"Your father accepted my dowry and abandoned me, taking it and you. I was left behind, disgraced and dishonored. But you weren't even a boy!" Ukyou looked on the verge of tears.

"Please come home with me tonight and we'll discuss this in a more private setting." Ranko did not want her... secret revealed in public, after all.

"Better yet, let's go to MY place, I need to work at my restaurant tonight."

"Okay, I'll call my mom. I'd like her to be there."

"What about your father?"

"It sounds like he's part of your problem, Ucchan. He's CERTAINLY part of mine! I'll see you tonight!"

"Yeah, tonight!" Ukyou said, his aura dissipating as he holstered his spatula.

"Why you no fight him, Ranko? He not as strong as you!"

"Shampoo, Ucchan was my friend when I was little. I don't want to fight him before I find out why he's mad at me!"

Shampoo saw the wisdom of her sister's actions.

=======

Soon classes started again. Ranko thoroughly enjoyed her PE class, though the locker room did put a bit of a damper on her enjoyment. She was a woman, and she had a daughter she loved, but the last time she had been in a locker room, she had been a he.

=======

Ranko and Shampoo said goodbye to Akane at the front gate of the school and followed Ukyou to his cafe. It was only a few blocks from school, just as Akane had said. Nodoka and Sakura were already there, waiting for Nodoka's daughter and Sakura's mom.

When Sakura saw her mom, she ran to her. "Hi, mom! How was you day at school? Grandma says I'll get to go to school soon, too!"

"I had a great day at school, Sakura. I met a friend from when I was your age." She turned to Ukyou. "Ucchan, this is my adopted daughter, Sakura."

"Hi, Ucchan! Did you know mom when she was a boy?"

Ukyou was shocked. Ranko was CLEARLY a girl, he had seen her in PE class today, how could she ever have been a boy? What was going on? And how did she come to have a daughter, even if adopted? "Yeah, I knew your mom when she was a boy." Was all Ukyou could come up with.

"Uh, mom, this is a childhood friend of mine, Kuonji Ukyou." Ranko turned to Ukyou. "Ucchan, this is my mom. My father took me from her when I was five. I've only been with her again for a few weeks."

Ukyou was shocked by Ranko's statement. It seemed Saotome Genma... had hurt them BOTH. "Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Saotome." Ukyou said as he bowed.

"Ukyou, why do you pretend to be a boy?" Nodoka asked.

Ranko and Shampoo looked at Nodoka with shock, Ukyou with surprise. "Come inside and I'll tell you. I don't open for another hour." Ukyou was already impressed with Ranko's mother. How could that... man take Ran-chan away from her mother for so long?

Shampoo, Nodoka, and Ranko, with Sakura in tow, followed Ukyou into the darkened café.

=======

Ukyou motioned the four to sit at the counter as she prepared to open for business. "Could I fix you a little snack?" The chef asked.

"Sure, Ucchan! I remember the delicious okonomiyaki I used to eat off your dad's cart!"

"I like to try Japanese food! If Ranko like, Shampoo like!"

"Could you make some for me, please Ucchan?" Sakura said, giving Ukyou a look that melted the chef's heart like butter on her griddle.

"Sure, Sugar. You're up first!"

"Cool!"

"I would like to sample your cooking as well. You should come over to our house sometime, I'm sure Ranko would like to cook you some Chinese dishes."

Ranko looked down.

"Modesty becomes a young woman, but don't be TOO modest, Ranko! I wish I was as good a cook as you when I was your age!" Nodoka said with some pride.

"Yeah! My mom's a GREAT cook, Ucchan!" Sakura enthused.

"I'll have to take you up on it, Ran-chan!" Ukyou smiled at Ranko. "You're the guest, my story or yours first?"

"Yours please!"

Ukyou talked as she cooked Sakura's okonomiyaki.

"Well, my story starts when Ranko and I were children. Each day, Ranko would challenge me to a battle in front of my dad's food cart. It seemed Ranko would always win, then let his dad steal an okonomiyaki off dad's cart. Over time, I think I developed a crush on Ranko."

"So that's why you started putting hearts made of sauce on my okonomiyaki!" Ranko interjected.

"Let her finish, dear!" Nodoka interrupted.

"Its OK, Mrs. Saotome. Yeah, that's why I did it, Ran-chan. Anyway, to make a long story short, Ranko's pop Genma proposed that I marry Ranko. So, my dad offered the food cart as a dowry. The two Saotomes took me to train with them, then abandoned me after a few blocks, keeping the food cart. When my dad found me, I was in tears and he was VERY angry. He decided that, because I had been given away as a bride and disgraced the name of Kuonji, I had to become a boy." She looked at Ranko, nearly in tears. "Your friend Ucchan died that day, Ranko. I've lived as a boy ever since."

"How can you blame Ranko for this, he was only a child!" Nodoka asked.

"After talking with Ranko, I found I couldn't blame... her."

Ranko looked at Ukyou, "My father already promised me, before birth to the Tendous." She looked down. "And me being a woman doesn't make marriage even possible right now." She looked up, straight at Ukyou. "I'll do all I can to help you become a girl again. Please come to my house tomorrow. I'll return your hospitality, and invite the Tendou sisters over. Between mom, myself, Shampoo, you, and the three Tendou girls, we'll come up with something."

"Thanks, Ranko. I can afford to close up for one night, at least. Now will you tell me how MY fiancee became a girl?"

"Sure, It all started two years ago..."

Ukyou was amazed by all Ranko had been through, and had real doubts she would ever really be a man again, even if they found the device to unlock her curse. "Thanks, Ran-chan. Perhaps I can become Ucchan again, for you. I hope we can become friends."

"BECOME friends? We already ARE, Ucchan!"

"I know I like you, your Oknomaki is really good!" Sakura added.

The Japanese speakers laughed, Shampoo and Sakura wondered what was so funny.

=======

As they walked back home, Ranko and her mother talked.

"Ranko, your honor does you credit. I was very proud of how you handled yourself today."

"Thanks, mom. What can I do to restore Ucchan's honor? I don't really think I can marry her, or anyone, right now. I wish my pop hadn't been such a jerk."

"His dishonor shames HIM, and our name. I suppose I could offer to adopt Ukyou, she seems to be a fine young lady. That way, we can honor your father's pledge as best we can, under the circumstances."

"Perhaps we could repay her father for his food cart..."

"Or maybe a combination of the two. I'm glad we'll all be getting together tomorrow. I'm sure you'll want to cook dinner, after all, you have FOUR fiancees to impress!"

Ranko reddened noticeably. "Yeah mom. Could you pick up a few things tomorrow?"

"Sure dear, just make me a list."

"I'll help grandma buy the food, mom!" Sakura chimed in.

"How did your training go this morning with Kasumi?"

"Great, mom. Kasumi's really interested in learning the Art, and I had a good time helping her with breakfast preparations." Ranko replied with a smile.

"That's wonderful!" Nodoka looked at her daughter, hoping that they could unlock her curse, somehow. But was this form her curse or was her old one? It was a sobering thought as she looked at her happy daughter.

Soon, the four people were home.

=======

Ranko got up the next morning in plenty of time to make it to the Tendou home by the appointed hour. She was a little surprised to see that Shampoo was already up, too.

"Good morning, Ranko. I train with you?"

"Sure, sis. You're always welcome."

Shampoo looked at Ranko's new training attire. "Kasumi buy you new training clothes, Ranko?"

"Yeah, Shampoo. She doesn't like gis very much."

"Shampoo buy new clothes today, she think her sister very beautiful in new clothes."

"Thanks, Shampoo." Ranko said as she stepped into a pair of running shorts and shoes. "Lets go!"

The two girls jogged into the pre-dawn darkness.

=======

There were three people waiting at the Tendou dojo this morning. Kasumi had outfitted her sisters for training in much the manner as she had herself. Akane wore a light blue leotard and yellow shorts, while Nabiki was black on black. All three wore running shoes, as Kasumi remembered Ranko's instructions of the previous day.

"OK, let's run!"

A bleary-eyed Tendou Soun looked out the window with a smile. Whether a marriage resulted from her arrival or not, Ranko had already changed his older daughters for the better. He hoped they would stick to it.

=======

Both Nabiki and Kasumi felt like their legs were going to burst into flame by the end of their morning run. It was only the encouragement of Ranko, Akane, and Shampoo that kept them going. Ranko assured them it would only get easier. It had better...

"You two did great for beginners. The same tomorrow."

"Yeah, right. I always LOVE to torture myself in the morning!" Nabiki cracked.

"But when our conditioning improves, it will get easier." Kasumi responded.

"My question is: When is when? Will I still be alive when 'when' comes?"

The five girls headed upstairs to clean up for a day of school and, for Kasumi, housework.

Kasumi had another gift for Ranko, a white apron with ruffles around the edges, much like her own, though smaller. "I thought you should have an apron, Ranko. We don't want your uniform to get dirty!"

Ranko glowed with appreciation. "Thanks Kasumi!"

With two experienced cooks working on breakfast, the food was excellent.

=======

Ranko, Akane, Shampoo, and Ukyou found Nabiki and Kasumi waiting for them outside the school grounds after their classes. Tonight they were going to meet to discuss Ukyou's dilemma. There wasn't a lot of conversation on the way to the Saotome home. Ranko hoped it did not bode ill for their meeting. She was CERTAIN dinner would put a smile on their faces, however...

=======

Her mother and daughter greeted Ranko at the door. She immediately headed for the kitchen, taking the apron Kasumi had given her out of her book bag.

"Who gave you the apron, mom?" Sakura asked.

"Kasumi. I helped make breakfast this morning at her house, so I needed an apron."

"I like it, its pretty. I'll thank her!" Sakura ran off.

"I bought everything on your list, Ranko."

"Thanks mom!"

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Well you can work on place settings."

"That's a good idea!" Her mom left Ranko alone in the kitchen.

Ranko first rinsed off all the fresh vegetables then quickly diced them for use in the dishes she would cook today. She dumped rice and water into the rice cooker and started it up, then devoted her attention to the dishes she would prepare for her relatives and friends. The main dish was chicken with vegetables, with some peppers and vegetables on the side.

By the time the rice was done, so were the other two dishes. Ranko put everything in serving bowls, then prepared a plate for each guest, carrying then out three at a time, first to Ukyou, the guest of honor, Sakura and her mother; then the three Tendou daughters. Ranko next brought out her plate and a china teapot. Finally, the extra food in serving bowls. Everyone waited until her hostess was seated before eating.

"The food looks beautiful!" Kasumi commented, noting that Ranko had carefully placed each ingredient of the meal on the plate so each looked good. Now that Ranko had seated herself, everyone could see how it tasted.

"It's very good mom." Sakura proudly told Ranko. All the other diners agreed the food was excellent.

"See, Ucchan, I CAN cook!"

"Yes, Ran-chan, it seems you can." Ukyou wondered if she should diversify her menu.

"Ranko, have you considered cooking professionally?" Nabiki asked the redhead.v

Ranko looked down. "It's not THAT good..."

Kasumi gently placed a hand on her shoulder, smiling at her friend. "It is that good, Ranko, really!"

"So Ranko, will you explain why you gotten all of us together? You cooking is good, but there MUST be another reason." Nabiki asked.

"Well, Ucchan, could you tell everyone your story?"

"Sure Ran-chan." Ukyou told all the guests her sad tale...

After Ukyou was finished, Nabiki first broke the silence. First she looked at Mrs. Saotome; "I'm sorry, but..." Her gaze shifted to Ranko. "Ranko, you father is a big JERK, you know."

Ranko's expression somehow combined mirth and anger. "I KNOW, why do you think he isn't here, Nabiki? What we need to do is come up with some way to get Ucchan out of this mess. I was hoping you Tendous might be able to come up with a plan."

"What does it have to do with ME?" Nabiki retorted.

"Well, you ARE a fiancee whose claim is older that Ucchan's..."

"Maybe, but why should I help her?"

Ranko gave Nabiki an incredibly cute grin and fluttered her eyelashes a bit. "Because I asked you to!"

Nabiki turned beet-red.

Nodoka looked thoughtful, "Ukyou, do you know if your father still lives?"

"No, Mrs. Saotome. We sorta drifted apart after he declared me his son..."

Ranko looked at Nabiki again, pleased her color was returning to normal. "Nabiki, from what I hear, it was YOU who somehow found where I lived in China, do you think you could track down Ukyou's pop?"

Nabiki looked thoughtful for a moment. "I think I can do that... 10,000 up front should cover my 'expenses'."

"I'll pay it!" Nodoka said, pushing a small stack of bills at Nabiki.

"Thank you, Mrs. Saotome! I'll let you know what I come up with." After counting the money, Nabiki looked thoughtful for a few moments, then glanced at her 'fiancee'. "Ranko, since your cooking IS good, have you considered combining you talents with Ukyou?"

"Well, that would be up to Ucchan..." She said, smiling at her childhood friend.

Ukyou smiled for a moment, then looked a little concerned. "I'd LOVE to add Ran-chan's cooking to the menu, but I'm REALLY struggling right now."

Nabiki arched an eyebrow Ukyou's way. "Perhaps you need a bit of capital to complete your expansion. I'd be happy to help you out for a share of your corporation"

Kasumi began to smile. "Maybe I could invest some of the money I've saved..."

Ranko nudged her fiancee, "And YOU could offer some support in the kitchen, too!"

Akane didn't want to be left out. "Maybe I can cook too!"

The look on the Tendou's faces told those who hadn't had the 'pleasure' of sampling her cooking to be VERY glad.

"You DON'T need to work in the kitchen, little sister, SOMEBODY has to wait on tables. And you'll probably need a manager to keep your books straight." Nabiki added, with a grin.

"Shampoo help with restaurant, too!"

"Since Ranko and Shampoo don't currently have the funds to invest, I'll loan them a bit of money." Mrs. Saotome added.

Nabiki called attention back to the task at hand. "So, if we incorporate, we'll need a name."

Kasumi smiled, "Well, there are three Tendou sisters, Shampoo is Ranko's sister, and Ukyou's ALMOST Ranko's sister... How about 'Six Sisters'?"

"Great idea, big sis!" Nabiki pulled out a notebook, and began jotting what they'd discussed down... "So let's see what I need to do... Find Mr. Kuonji, and draw up the paperwork for our new corporation " She winked at Ranko.

Nabiki, who had clearly taken charge of the proceedings, looked up from her notebook and closed what would come to be known as the first board meeting of Six Sisters Inc. "Well that wraps it up for tonight. Let's meet again in one week at Ukyou's restaurant. I should have some paperwork drawn up by then."

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