I know a lot liked this one, and since I'm about to bring this to the RAAC
Archives, please, if you haven't already replied, or haven't seen this one
yet, could you C&C it, mostly for grammar correction I might have missed.
Thanks in advance.
Hey, David A. Tatum. I rushed this before x-mas just for you, have you
read it yet? ^_^
Special Thanks to...
Jeff Shelton
Ronny Hedin
Anand Rao
The Rams
On with the show...
-------------
Never Forever
-------------
by Florencio B. de la Merced, Jr. (fmerced@pworld.net.ph)
A Fanfic inspired by the anime Ranma 1/2 created and copyrighted by Rumiko
Takahashi
----------------
------------
| Prologue |
------------
-----------------
| Furinkan High |
-----------------
Nabiki stepped out of the main hall and scouted around looking for her
sister. Figuring she was too early coming out of class, Nabiki sat on the
steps, in front of one of the huge pillars that decorated the facade of
her school. A quick glance at her watch verified that it was five minutes
after classes had ended, but still no sign of Akane, or her sister's
fiancé, Ranma Saotome. Dismissing any thoughts that something might be
wrong, Nabiki dug into her backpack and brought out a small notepad. She
reviewed several pages and wrote on a few new ones.
A loud scream came just above her and on her left, easily catching her
attention. Looking up, Nabiki saw her sister was engaged in a verbal
tussle with Ranma. It wasn't surprising to find the two couple locked in
heated debate, as Nabiki had grown accustomed to her sister and Ranma's
petty quarrels.
"What was I suppose to do? BAKA!"
"Well duh, Akane. If only you could keep your temper."
"Look who's talking, jerk!"
Nabiki placed her notepad back into her bag and stood up. She started to
walk off the steps when Ranma and Akane finally noticed her. "Let's go,
guys." Nabiki didn't bother to look back as she heard the angry voices of
her sister's and that of Ranma followed her out of Furinkan High.
"He was just kidding. Why can't you see that?"
"I'm not going to let him get away with saying that! Even if he is your
friend."
"But, I always call you that."
"You're...different." Akane looked the other way. Nabiki missed a step or
two in her stride when she heard it.
"Really?" Ranma stuck his head closer to his fiancée.
"Oh! Grow up!" Akane ran further ahead and joined her elder sister.
Nabiki smiled, hearing the conversation behind her and seeing the flush
red face on her sister, who was now walking along side. Nabiki turned her
head and looked at the curious stare Ranma was giving her little sister.
"You better listen to her, Ranma."
"Huh?"
"BAKA!" Nabiki sarcastically grinned back at him.
"Hey! Only Akane can say that to me!" Akane almost tripped herself.
Tears fell from Akane's eyes as she hurriedly ran off ahead of her two
companions.
"Hey, wait up Akane!" Ranma followed his fiancée, leaving a happily
smirking Nabiki behind.
--------------
| Tendo dojo |
--------------
Nabiki threw her bag on the bed upon entering her room. She quickly
scoured through her closet for some change of clothes. Nabiki pulled out
an orange hanging blouse, which she always liked to wear around the house.
"Nah." Nabiki returned to her wardrobe and pulled out a few more of her
regular outfits.
"Um, Nabiki." Akane was standing behind the half-opened door of her room.
She placed all the clothes she had taken off the rack on the bed before
letting her sister inside. "What is it, Akane?" To Nabiki's surprise, her
sister pulled from behind her back, two dresses.
"What do you think I should wear?"
Nabiki examined the two sets; one was a petite blue blouse with matching
skirt, while the other was a pink outfit. Nabiki was about to say what
dress she liked but a thought occurred to her. "But, these are not house
clothes, Akane. Are you going somewhere?"
"Hai. I'm going on a date." Akane pressed forward the two dresses again,
hiding her smile from her sister.
"The blue one. You always did look good in blue." Nabiki looked back on
her bed and sighed, realizing her own indecision on what to change her
school uniform in to.
"Thanks. Ranma always did like this dress." Akane was about to leave but
hesitated when she saw the difficulty her own sister was having with her
wardrobe. "Try the orange, you always look sexy in it."
"Thanks." Nabiki waited for Akane to leave before going back to her
closet.
----------------
| Akane's Room |
----------------
"Just a second." Akane tipped her hat towards the left, as her reflection
looked better that way. She stood back from the mirror and circled in her
place. Finally, she was convinced she was dressed well enough for her
fiancé.
"Is everything all right?" Ranma's hand twisted the doorknob but to his
surprise the door sprung open, almost tripping him into the room.
"Oops."
Ranma pulled himself up and looked at Akane. "Uh..." Akane laughed a bit
at Ranma's reaction and quickly closed his gaping jaw. Akane lead him out
of her room.
"You look like you've never seen me like this." Akane fought a bit to
control her giggling.
"Only in my dreams..." Ranma slapped his head the instant he realized he
was mumbling.
"Really?"
"Well, no." Ranma looked the other way as he tried to his embarrassment.
"Well, I think you look very handsome in that white outfit of yours."
Akane lost control and laughed as they climbed down the stairs holding
each other's hands.
-----------------
| Nabiki's Room |
-----------------
The room was littered with large and small boxes with some open and some
still sealed with duck tape. Nabiki was browsing through old pictures she
had stored away in one of the boxes she pulled out of her closet.
"Oh, Mom. I wish you were here. I really need your help right now."
Nabiki closed her eyes to rest. Looking at so many pictures had brought
lot of memories she had long forgotten.
She put down the pictures and wiped the tears that had formed in her eyes.
------------------------
| Nerima Train Station |
------------------------
"Where to?" The driver asked a tall, well-dressed young man while loading
the luggage into his taxi.
"The Tendo dojo." The young man took comfort in the back seat of the cab.
"What?" The driver turned the ignition key and the car roared to life.
"The Tendo school of Anything Goes Martial Arts, please."
"Funny, you don't look like a martial artist." The taxi snaked its way
through the late afternoon traffic.
"I'm not." A wistful grin briefly appeared through the rear view mirror
but the driver was paying more attention to the road ahead rather than his
mysterious passenger.
--------
| Park |
--------
Ranma and Akane were sitting on a bench overlooking the small man-made
lake that served as the main attraction of the park. Akane was enjoying
every moment, and was a bit amused at the effort her fiancé was putting
into the cotton candy she had bought for him.
"Isn't this wonderful?" Akane wiped the small bit of candy that smeared
Ranma's face.
"Sorry."
"You should see yourself, eating away at that candy." Akane let out a
brief giggle before turning her attention to her own cotton candy.
"You...you..." Ranma grinned upon seeing the mess Akane made on her face.
"What?"
Ranma deftly wiped the small bud of candy hanging at the tip of Akane's
nose. They both laughed.
--------------
| Tendo dojo |
--------------
"Thank you." The man quickly faced the gates of the dojo as the taxi sped
away. He knocked a few times, noticing the absence of any doorbell of
some kind.
The gates slid open and a tall and beautiful woman faced the stranger.
"Oh, my. May I help you?" She bowed in reply to the courteous greeting
the young man gave.
"Hello there. Kasumi, right?"
"Why, yes. How did you know?"
"I used to have a big crush on you. When we were both young."
"You did?" Kasumi backed a bit, not really remembering the kind face that
was in front of her.
"Is Nabiki home?"
"Why, yes she is. Did you have a crush on her too?"
The young man blinked a bit, but soon recalled how the eldest of the Tendo
sisters was innocent to so many things. "Um..."
A deep and harsh voice came suddenly from behind Kasumi. "Who is it,
Kasumi?" Soun walked away from the shogi game he and Genma were playing in
order to investigate the visitor.
"I don't know father."
"You don't know?" Genma fixed his glasses and looked strangely at the man
standing at the gates of the dojo.
"Oh, who are you anyway?" An energetic smile accompanied the question from
Kasumi.
"I'm Misaki, Tendo Misaki."
"Did you say, Tendo?" Soun and Genma blinked and stared at each other when
the young man only nodded in affirmation.
"Misaki? Hey, I remember you." Kasumi paused to recall more from her
memory. "Aren't you Nabiki's best friend?"
"That was ten years ago, Kasumi. I'm so glad you still remember me."
Misaki promptly followed Kasumi inside the dojo, carrying his things with
him.
Soun and Genma only followed the two with their eyes. "Are you related to
us, Misaki?" Soun had never heard a relative named 'Misaki' before and it
was bothering him.
"Yes. I'm Nabiki's husband."
Kasumi stopped abruptly when she heard the answer from her guest. Soun
fainted upon hearing those words from Misaki. Genma held his friend up,
the least he could do.
"Did you say husband?" Kasumi turned around to face Misaki.
"Um, I guess Nabiki never told anyone."
Kasumi only nodded in response to the fact that indeed the news came as a
surprise to everyone.
-----------------
| Nabiki's Room |
-----------------
Nabiki was holding an old picture taken when she was still a child. It
was at the carnival and she remembered that day clearly. Her mother was
still alive, Akane was still chubby and Kasumi was smaller but still the
same. She noticed the small boy that was part of the picture. "Misaki. I
wonder where he could be right now?" Nabiki smiled as she recalled the
many happy moments she had with young boy, especially that day at the
carnival.
"Oh, Nabiki." Kasumi peeked into the crack of Nabiki's half-opened door.
"Yes."
"Misaki is here to see you."
Nabiki blinked and almost fell off her bed. "Who, Kasumi?"
"Your husband is downstairs, Nabiki. You better change your uniform
before you see him." Kasumi closed the door before she went back
downstairs to entertain the new member of the family.
"Husband?" Nabiki winced after recalling something from her childhood
past. "Oh, my!" She stood up frantically looking around her room for the
orange hanging blouse she first pulled out of her closet.
-------------------
| End of Prologue |
-------------------
-------------
| Chapter 1 |
-------------
-----------------
| Ten years ago |
-----------------
--------------------
| Carnival grounds |
--------------------
Everyone was having a wonderful time. Soun was happy to see the smiling
and joyous faces on his three daughters. Little Akane was very noisy and
excited all at the same time, while riding piggyback on his shoulder. His
wife and Kasumi, the eldest of his daughters, were trailing behind and
enjoying themselves as well. Nabiki, on the other hand, was with a
friend, a young boy, and were overlooking the performances of some circus
clowns.
"Isn't this fun?" Misaki handed over the cotton candy he had just paid for
to Nabiki.
"Sure is!" Nabiki eyes grew big in delight at the sight of the bluish ball
of sweet given to her.
"I'm glad your father allowed me to come along." Misaki turned his head to
look at Nabiki's father, who was receiving some hair pulling from the
youngest of the Tendo sisters. Kasumi waved at the two to hurry up and
for them to follow.
"We would sure miss you, Misaki-san." Nabiki took a bite from her cotton
candy. "Kasumi too."
Misaki grabbed Nabiki's hand and led her towards where the rest of her
family was going. Nabiki didn't even notice that they were dodging people
in their rush, since her attention was caught up in the delicacy she was
eating. "I would miss you, Nabiki."
"Why me? I thought you like my sister?" Nabiki looked for a trashcan to
deposit the remnants of the candy she had just finished.
"Hai. I'll miss her too. But..." Misaki saw the mess Nabiki had made to
herself, "Did you like it?"
Nabiki gave a joyous nod and her friend could only laugh in response.
"What's wrong, Misaki-san?"
Misaki grinned while cleaning up Nabiki's face that was smothered in blue.
"Nothing."
"Is everything alright?"
"Oh, Mrs. Tendo. Nabiki just had too much candy to eat." Misaki was red
in embarrassment as if he felt he was just caught doing something wrong.
Kasumi laughed at her younger sister upon seeing the blue patch on the tip
of Nabiki's nose. "Look, Mother. Nabiki nose has turned blue."
--------------
| Tendo dojo |
--------------
Soun Tendo was having the greatest difficulty understanding the latest
predicament that fell on his family. Particularly those involving one of
his daughters. He walked back and forth across the dojo, one hand behind
his sore back, the other holding up his chin.
Nabiki was quiet and was kneeling down on the floor. Her eyes were making
quick glances at the young man kneeling adjacent to her, all the while
she's trying to avoiding looking at his visibly worried father.
Misaki also threw glances at her old friend and would often catch Nabiki
retracting her look at him.
Genma Saotome was in between the two and only had his arms crossed and
eyes closed, as if he was in deep thinking.
"I hope you like these." Kasumi laid out a tray of biscuits and a glass of
juice in front of Misaki.
"Thanks, Kasumi." Misaki turned his head. "Would you like some, Nabiki?"
Nabiki closed her eyes and was silent for a moment when everyone else in
the room was expecting a verbal reply.
"Are you...all right?"
Nabiki stood up and glared at Misaki. "For the last time, Misaki. I'm
not your wife!" Misaki, too, stood up and tried to approach Nabiki.
"But..."
Genma and Soun quickly intervened as Nabiki was showing signs of violent
protestations.
"Sit down, the two of you!" Soun had never raised his voice to anyone of
his daughters like that, but the tense situation had called for his strong
and affirmative action into the matter.
Everybody settled back again and the dojo was again filled with silence.
"Funny that your wife didn't say anything about this, Tendo."
Soun immediately dropped to his knees in front of Nabiki and poured out
his frustration. "How could she do this? I'm suppose to be the father!"
Soun's crying drowned out the rest of his bickering.
"Um, Daddy. I assure you, I'm not his wife." Nabiki shot a glance at her
long lost friend and saw the flush pale reaction on Misaki's face.
"Then, how do you explain this?" Soun brought out a long piece of folded
parchment that listed numerous things, among which was a hand written note
by his wife, refuting Nabiki's claim.
Nabiki knew the importance of the list and remembers how her mother wrote
on it certain things her best friend had to fulfill before she would be
affianced to Misaki. "But that was a long time ago. And we were just
kids. Kids!"
"What happened to you Nabiki?" Misaki was casting a woeful stare directly
to Nabiki.
"Misaki, I...I..." Nabiki fluttered the words due to uneasiness.
Soun stood up and crumpled the piece of paper. "No, matter. If your
mother wanted you two to be a couple...I won't get in the way." Soun's
mood suddenly changed.
"What?!" Nabiki gasped in dumbfounded response.
"Right!" Genma walked over to his best friend and patted Soun on the back.
"If your wife wanted Misaki and Nabiki to be married, then we shouldn't
interfere." Of course the two then danced around in joyous relief, much
to the dismay of Nabiki.
"Daddy!"
"So, Misaki...When will the two of you get married?" Soun was profusely
shaking Misaki's hand.
"Daddy!"
"Um, I...I can't." Misaki's words silenced the chanting of Soun.
"What?" Soun almost fell forward in shock. "What do you mean, Misaki?"
Nabiki heart raced after hearing the indecision on Misaki's part. "What
do you mean you can't?" Everyone turned his or her attention to Nabiki.
"Hey, I didn't mean it that way!"
Kasumi held on Nabiki's shoulder. "Don't be like Akane, Nabiki." Nabiki
frowned and her faced turned a bit gloomy after hearing her sister
speaking so frankly on behalf of her own true feelings.
"Everybody is a comedian! Ha, ha, ha!" Nabiki quickly stormed out of the
dojo.
"Oh, my. Did I say something wrong?"
-----------------------
| Somewhere in Nerima |
-----------------------
"Too perfect." Ranma stared at Akane after she made that sudden outburst
out of nowhere, quickly interrupting their romantic walk back home.
"What?"
Akane leaned her head on Ranma's shoulder and tightened her embraced
around her fiancé's arm. "Its too perfect...this date, I mean." Akane
looked up and further saw the confused look on Ranma.
"Ok." Ranma looked up ahead, but his mind was filling with ideas brought
about his fiancée's observation about this date that they were about to
conclude. "I wonder if Ucchan's available later." Ranma winced as his arm
was being crushed all of a sudden.
Akane grinned as she realized what Ranma was trying to do. "Very funny,
Ranma."
"Um, can you loosen up now?" Ranma was relieved as he again felt sensation
on his arm.
"Carry me." Akane stopped and quickly raised her two arms towards her
fiancée. Ranma only blinked in reply.
"Huh? Really?" Ranma was about to reach out and carry Akane across the
threshold. But, a huge mallet hits his head when he was leaning down.
"Oww!"
"In your dreams, Ranma!" Akane ran ahead laughing a bit.
Ranma ran after her. "Hey, wait up!"
"Last one at the dojo will cook dinner!" Akane ran faster.
"What?! Hey, no fair!" Ranma closed in the gap. A minute later they
where abreast of each other. They only exchanged smiles and hurried back
home.
-----------------
| Nabiki's room |
-----------------
Nabiki was lying down on her bed and was browsing over some old
photographs. "Oh, Mom." One particular picture caught her attention. On
the picture were Misaki and she, almost ten years ago. There was an
archway, which held up a sign that said 'Tunnel of Love'. "Stupid! How
could I be so stupid?"
"So, Mother engaged you to Misaki that day?" Kasumi was sitting on
Nabiki's bed and was also looking at the same set of photographs.
Nabiki sat up and sighed. "Well, it was something like that. I guess I
engaged myself that day too." Kasumi only blinked in reply.
"How come?"
"How shall I put it?" Nabiki crawled out of bed and paced around her room.
Kasumi only followed her with a blank stare. Nabiki stopped and kneeled
in front of Kasumi. "I...guess I liked him. Ten years ago."
"True. You were very sad when he left for another school." Kasumi placed
a hand on Nabiki's shoulder. "But, he's your husband now." Nabiki frowned
even though Kasumi intended the pun as a mere jest.
"I'm sorry Nabiki. If you want, I'll take him." Kasumi genuinely smiled
at her sister.
Nabiki blinked a few times after hearing that from her sister. "You do
like him, don't you?"
Kasumi quietly stood up and was about to leave. "Yes, I did once. But,
he always fancied you more than me, Nabiki. I hope you don't make the
same mistake I made." Nabiki was more surprised than relieved at her
sister's parting revelation.
"Mistake? Kasumi..." Nabiki thoughts preoccupied her.
-----------------
| Ten years ago |
-----------------
--------------------
| Carnival grounds |
--------------------
Nabiki's eyes look high up and read the sign posted on the archway.
"Tunnel of Love? What are we doing here?" Nabiki looked at her companion
with a sincere innocent look.
"Nabiki, will you...marry me?"
Nabiki's reaction was a bit more relaxed than what the situation would
normally had called for. Nabiki continued eating the chocolate ice cream
she was holding, completely ignoring Misaki.
"I know your mother and my mother made arrangements, but I think it's a
little unfair for you to get involved in such things." Nabiki quietly
stared at Misaki. "You don't have any clue what I'm saying, do you?" A
nod came back as a reply.
Misaki lead Nabiki into a small boat that Nabiki thought was shaped like a
duck, which Misaki corrected that it was actually a swan, and waited until
they got inside the tunnel before talking again.
"Misaki, are you really going to somewhere far?"
"Yes. I'm sorry to have been born far too earlier than you Nabiki, or we
could go to the same school at the same time."
"But why not study here in Nerima? Kasumi is already your classmate,
right?." Misaki sadly nodded.
"I...don't know. My father found out about the principal at that school
and decided it wouldn't be a good idea to just let me study here."
"I'm going to study real hard."
"I'm sure you'll do great. Don't you always say that you're the best
pupil in your class?"
"Yes, that is true."
"You sure are proud of being humble."
"Yes, that is true too."
Laughter filled the same boat wading along the path of the tunnel.
"Tell me something, Misaki-san."
"What?"
"Will you come back?"
"Of course I will, I still have to fulfill your mother's wishes."
"Oh."
"Hey, if you like I'll get you anything you want when I get back. Name it,
you'll have it."
"Really? Ok."
"Make a list, and I'll pick it up tomorrow before I leave for Osaka."
After reaching the end of the short trip, the two hopped off the swan and
rejoined the rest of the Tendos.
---------------
| Present Day |
---------------
--------------
| Tendo dojo |
--------------
"We're home!" Ranma sat down on the porch and tried to relax after that
short distance run he had with his fiancée. Akane joined him and the two
were leaning against each other, trying to catch their breaths.
"Oh, there you are." Kasumi walked out of the porch turned and smiled at
them both but returned only to stare blankly at the fishpond in the
garden.
"I win." Ranma said in between deep breaths.
"No, you don't...you cheated." Akane remarked.
"I did not." Ranma noticed that Kasumi was still looking straight out
towards the garden. "Hey, Akane."
"What?" Ranma pointed up to her fiancée's sister standing silently a short
distance from them.
"Kasumi, is something wrong?" Akane stood up and walked towards her
sister's side.
"Oh, nothing. I just remembered something, that's all."
Akane and Ranma observed for a bit more, and their concern grew when
Kasumi still stood perfectly serene and was enjoying the view.
"Something's wrong, I just know it." Ranma whispered to Akane.
"Yeah, but what?"
Soun Tendo surprised the two from behind. "So there you are. Where have
you two been?"
"Ranma and I went on a date, Daddy."
"That's wonderful. So, have you two decided when to get married?" Soun
was having a hard time controlling his urge to tell the great news.
"Uh, I..." Ranma was again tongue-tied whenever asked the question.
"Well, no matter. You two can get married after Nabiki's wedding."
The two almost fell over in shock. "What?!"
Oblivious to them, Kasumi's head bowed and her eyes closed before a tear
fell down on her cheek.
--------------------
| End of Chapter 1 |
--------------------
-------------
| Chapter 2 |
-------------
-----------------
| Ten Years Ago |
-----------------
-----------------
| Kasumi's room |
-----------------
Kasumi was finishing up wrapping a small present. She had earlier written
on a small card but had intentionally placed it underneath the
gift-wrapping she had used. She turned and flipped the gift around and
inspected her work, and was satisfied. "I hope he likes this."
She cleaned her bed of the remaining cut up gift-wrap, translucent tape,
and red ribbons. Kasumi again looked at her small gift and she happily
smiled. She turned to her closet and pulled out a pink and white outfit
and changed into them before leaving.
-----------------
| Nabiki's room |
-----------------
Nabiki was writing profusely on her desk. She hadn't noticed how many
items she had already on the paper. She had already spent a whole hour on
it. Finally her pen stopped moving, and Nabiki leaned back while
re-reading her list. She smiled as her head was filled with dreamy
thoughts. She stood up and pocketed the list before leaving the room and
going downstairs.
-----------------
| Training hall |
-----------------
"Please reconsider." Soun Tendo was about to convene the next training
class when the news reached him. "Your son is really doing well in my
kempo class."
"Soun, I've already had this conversation with your wife. It's not really
your fault that I'm taking my son to another school."
Soun was relieved, for a moment the news of one of his pupils pulling out
would send the wrong signals to the rest of his students. "So, It's not
that my martial arts teaching that's the problem?" The woman only nodded
while letting out a bit of laughter. Soun only bowed his head in
embarrassment.
"Oh, by the way. How is she? Your wife, I mean." Soun's eyes were
visibly holding back.
"She's going to be all right." Soun smiled even though he was hurting
inside knowing how ill his wife had been the past few months. Even the
family outing to the carnival only brought temporary happiness.
"I'm sorry to have not finished my training, sensei." Misaki bowed in
courtesy for his teacher. Soun extended a hand and whisked through the
young lad's brown hair.
"I'll sure miss you. And so will the rest of your classmates." Soun would
also miss the commission he would have received taking in a student to
teach his Anything Goes martial arts. The young boy just nodded in
affirmation.
"Come now, Misaki." The boy followed her mother obediently and was almost
at the gate of the dojo when someone tapped his shoulder. "Nabiki." Misaki
asked his mother for a minute for him to stay behind and wasn't
disappointed.
Nabiki dragged Misaki towards the base of the stairs before giving him the
piece of paper she worked on all morning. "Here it is." Misaki
half-heartedly accepted the list and quickly browsed through it.
"You want all of these?"
Nabiki was only happy to nod back in reply.
"Ok. I'll see what I can do." Misaki stood there for a moment more
before he leaned forward and kissed Nabiki on the cheek. He then hurried
off to catch up with his mother.
Nabiki followed Misaki only to wave goodbye.
-----------------
| Up the stairs |
-----------------
Kasumi stood in perfect awestruck. She hardly breathe for a minute or so
as the scene that greeted her when she was about to go down the stairs
took her by surprise. She clasped her hands, almost crushing the gift she
was holding in her hand. "Mother." Kasumi ran back upstairs towards her
parent's bedroom.
---------------
| Present Day |
---------------
--------------
| Tendo dojo |
--------------
Ranma sat out on the porch, and he was thinking. Akane was sitting next
to him and was leaning against him.
"Geez, we only go out on a date and your sister suddenly has a husband."
Ranma sighed at first, but soon his mood changed, and he later let out a
chuckle in some sort of amusement.
"What's so funny? How would you feel if you're suddenly engaged to a
total stranger?" Akane frowned a bit after realizing something. "Don't
answer that." Ranma only grinned back at her.
"I wonder who the guy is?"
"His name is Misaki." Kasumi was with them but she continued to display
serenity while kneeling down and looking out towards the garden. "He was
once my classmate," Kasumi turned and smiled to both, "and friend."
Akane tugged on Ranma's shirt. "Um, Kasumi. Aren't you going to cook
dinner, yet?"
"Oh, my!" Kasumi stood up. "I almost forgot." She left in a hurry towards
the kitchen. Ranma and Akane were still clueless about Kasumi's recent
behavior.
-----------------
| Training Hall |
-----------------
"Nothing much had changed here." Misaki broke the silence that clouted the
air between him and Genma Saotome.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Did you say something?" Misaki was able to hide his
disappointment but he halted the conversation by swinging his head.
Instead he refocused his attention to memories coming back into view as he
continued to inspect every nook and cranny of the room he once trained in.
Misaki looked at the gate of the hall and he briefly recalled the numerous
children like him crowding this hall during the morning weekends. They
were dozens of young boys like him, whose identities he can’t recall.
"Would anyone mind if I toured..." Misaki realized his companion was
already fast asleep, though Genma was perfectly still sitting upright. It
was unbelievable for him how anyone could sleep sitting still. "Never
mind." He stood up and walked out the doorway.
-----------------
| Ten Years Ago |
-----------------
--------------------
| Parent's bedroom |
--------------------
"Come in, Kasumi." Kasumi hesitantly entered her mother's bedroom, afraid
that her mother would get worried over her crying. "Is there something
that you need, Kasumi?"
Kasumi only ran up to her mother who was lying weakly on the bed. She
hugged her and cried. Her mother hugged her back and comforted her and
tried to make Kasumi stop crying. "Oh, mother."
"Kasumi please don't cry. You've got to be strong. We've talked about
this before." Kasumi raised up her head but even the loving smile her
mother greeted her wasn't able to wash away the sadness she was feeling.
"Don't leave us, mother. Please." Kasumi buried her face within the
embrace. "I don't think I can..."
"Kasumi. Your father will need you. Your sisters will need you after I'm
gone. You're strong and I know you won't let me down. You are mommy's
dearest. That's why your father and I decided to tell you."
Kasumi head rose again and her mother helped her wipe the tears off her
face. "I understand. I'll do what you ask of me, mother. I'll take good
care of father, Akane and..." Her mother only blinked at Kasumi's
hesitation. "Nabiki."
"That's my girl. I know it will be hard, but I know you love them as much
as I do. More than anything, right?" Kasumi only nodded in reply. In
Kasumi's heart and mind she echoed `more than anything' and everything
changed for her that day, forever.
--------------------
| End of Chapter 2 |
--------------------
-------------
| Chapter 3 |
-------------
-------------------
| Three Years Ago |
-------------------
-----------------
| Nabiki's room |
-----------------
Nabiki was leafing through her favorite magazine when a knock came rapping
through her bedroom door. She rolled off her bed and walked up to the
door to see what her sister needed. "Yes, Kasumi?"
"This came for you today. Must be pretty important." Kasumi handed over
a rather large package done up in pink and yellow wrappings. There was no
card, only a confirmation receipt from the parcel service that hand
delivered the package.
"Who would send me this?" Just then Akane ran past the two and was in a
mad rush to get to her own room. "What's eating her?"
Kasumi smiled. "I think those boys from school won't leave her alone."
Nabiki grinned a bit before turning her attention back to the mysterious
package. Kasumi didn't stay long enough to see Nabiki open the package.
"What's this?" Nabiki, one by one, pulled out an assorted array of what
she thought were children playthings. "Wow, I haven't seen one of these
in years." Nabiki was holding a small ceramic doll that looked familiar to
her. "Hey, I have one of these. I think it's..." She looked towards the
far wall where a wooden cabinet was hanging. She stood up, bringing the
opened box with her. Nabiki slid open the glass doors and gently
scrimmaged through the various valuables she had placed on the display
cabinet. "There you are." She drew an old but similar ceramic doll and
she couldn't help notice how the two are perfectly matched.
A few minutes later she had retrieved the last gift from within the foam
filled box. Nabiki sat down to rest and think, but she was rather
surprised at the final result of her work. "Now I have twice of
everything in my collection." Nabiki paused to think of the special
person that would have done such a nice thing for her. "Who could know
everything in there? Could it be Kasumi? Akane, perhaps?"
Just then, someone was again knocking at her bedroom door. Nabiki didn't
bother to stand, as she was still tired from her work. "Come in."
Akane's head popped out and peeked through the doorway.
"Nabiki, Daddy wants to speak to us. Something about the guests coming
today." Nabiki stood up and closed her collection cabinet before leaving
with her younger sister, Akane.
---------------
| Present Day |
---------------
---------------
| Soun's room |
---------------
Soun was crying again. He was sitting on his bed and was holding a framed
picture of his dearly departed wife. "My wife, I've missed you so much."
Soun embraced the frame. "How I wish you could see our three daughters
now. Kasumi has been the guiding light of the family. Nabiki's finally
found someone, and Akane...well, you know that I've been praying for her
to finally accept Ranma." He wiped off the tears overflowing from his
eyes.
"Oh, look at me. I should be happy. Now that two of our daughters are set
in life. I just wish," Soun held up the picture in front of him, "you had
said something to me about this Misaki fellow." Soun walked over towards
the small table on one corner and resettled the picture back from where he
had taken it.
-----------
| Kitchen |
-----------
Kasumi was singing while she was busily cutting up some vegetables on the
counter top. She stepped towards the stove and turned it on in order to
preheat it. She was enjoying the lovely tune that was in her head and was
even slightly waving her arms in imaginary compass. She picked up the
knife again to start cutting up some carrots, but she finally noticed the
second voice accompanying her own singing. "Oh." Standing near the
doorway was Misaki, and was visibly smiling back at her. "Misaki...Ouch!"
Misaki ran towards Kasumi in swift reaction to her distress. "Did
you...cut yourself?" Kasumi was applying pressure to her bleeding
forefinger. Misaki quickly led Kasumi's hand towards the kitchen sink and
allowed running water to clean the wound.
"The first aid kit is just over there." Kasumi smiled as he saw Misaki's
prompt retrieval of some ointment and Band-Aids to stop the bleeding and
preventing any infection. Misaki applied first aid swift and with
experienced precision. "I'm glad you know first aid."
"Huh? Oh, it's pretty simple." Misaki inspected Kasumi's hand and was
finally convinced of his handiwork. Kasumi only turned her head as she
was turning red embarrassment. "I'm sorry if I frightened you so."
Kasumi's head jerked back a bit, not really expecting Misaki's asking for
forgiveness, since it was her fault the incident happened. "No, It was an
accident." Kasumi's beaming smile was greeted back with a similar
enthusiastic grin. Kasumi tried to get back to her work but somehow her
hand couldn't bolt away from Misaki's grasp.
"I was surprise you still remember that song." Misaki noticed Kasumi's
uneasiness, so he held her hand for a few seconds more before letting go.
Kasumi further turn into a deeper shade of pink before turning her head
again, away from the inquisitive and loathsome stare of Misaki.
"Actually, I forgot the lyrics, but I can still remember the tune in my
head." Kasumi breathed deeply before gazing back at Misaki.
Surprisingly, Misaki sported a confused and somewhat lost expression on
his face.
"It had lyrics?"
Kasumi blinked. "Come to think of it." They both burst out in laughter.
Unknowing to them, someone was observing the two through the doorway.
"Kasumi?" The name of her sister rang in Nabiki's head as she withdrew her
hand from holding up the drapes that hanged over the kitchen doorway. She
quickly ran up the stairs and retreated to her room.
-------------------
| Three years ago |
-------------------
--------------
| Tendo dojo |
--------------
"So who's this person anyway, Daddy?" Nabiki was more disappointed than
inquisitive that some stranger was coming to the dojo, and as was revealed
by her father, would be staying for a while.
"An old friend of your mother, Nabiki. But, she's not the one staying
over. I think?" Soun reread the letter that he received that morning.
"Ah, It's actually his son, that's coming over. Now, I get it."
"His son?" Kasumi exclaimed with a nervous and surprised notion added into
it. Nabiki and Akane only stared suspiciously back at Kasumi.
"Do you know the guy, Kasumi?" Akane hastily grabbed the letter from her
father and read it for herself. "Misaki? Hmm...Never heard of him." The
letter changed hands again, this time Nabiki was the culprit. "Hey!"
"Oh, oh!" Nabiki folded the letter and carefully pocketed it. "Let me
take care of this one, Daddy."
"Eh, take care? What for?"
Kasumi was dreaming again, as she almost knocked over a flower vase as she
was waltzing her way back into the kitchen after hearing the announcement
from her father. Nabiki and the rest could only gape in astonishment as
Kasumi skillfully saved the vase from falling off the table.
"Oh my! I'm sorry Mr. Vase." Kasumi only hummed a wistful tune as she
turned her way towards her duties. She left the rest of the family
wondering.
---------------
| Present Day |
---------------
-----------------
| Training Hall |
-----------------
"Hey Pops." Ranma shook his father in order to wake him up. Genma wasn't
replying to any of his question when he and Akane entered the hall. So
they walked a little closer and eventually realized the older Saotome was
way fast asleep. "Yo! Pops!" Ranma's head came crashing down on the
wooden floor. "Oww! What ya do that for, old man?"
"I heard you the first time, son!" Genma cleared his ears, "You want me
deaf or something, boy?!"
"Well, you sure looked deaf when we got here." Ranma picked himself up.
-------------------
| Three years ago |
-------------------
-----------------
| Nabiki's room |
-----------------
"What exactly do you mean, Nabiki?" Kasumi was sitting on her sister's bed
while Nabiki was writing something on her desk. Kasumi thought long and
hard for what she would say next, and in between the ideas that popped in
her head, she would glance at her sister, who was busy thinking herself.
"I know, hair. Yeah, that's right." Nabiki jotted down on her notepad
several ideas that were pouring out of her head. Kasumi only blinked.
"There's nothing unusual about hair, Nabiki. I don't think it's something
rare." Nabiki only grinned in response. Finally Nabiki stopped writing,
and to prove it, she flicked her wrist sending the blunt pencil flying
towards the nearby trash receptacle.
"Not unless you know of anyone with red hair." Nabiki peeled off the page
that she had been writing on and expertly folded it. Nabiki was showing
renewed spirits as she and her older sister left the room.
------------------------
| Nerima train station |
------------------------
"Taxi mister?" A cab driver was competing with those like him for
prospective fares. "Where to sir?"
A young Misaki had just stepped out of the front gates of the station and
he was looking for a familiar face among the crowd. Someone was supposed
to meet him, he knew and expected as much, which is why he didn't bother
to approach the growing queue of patrons waiting for a taxi.
"Are you sure you'll be all right?" A tall, old man wearing some sort of
formal clothing asked Misaki. The lad only sat on the luggage that
accompanied him in order to rest from the long and weary journey.
"I'll be all right. Are you sure she received the package?" The old man
bent over in affirmation. "Then I'll be alright. Have a safe trip back
home." The man bent over again and disappeared in the crowd. Misaki
looked at his watch and realized he was early.
>From a short distance away, lurking behind a water fountain, was Nabiki.
She was looking at the young man sitting on some leather bags. Carefully
trying not to be obvious, she walked over towards the vending machine,
which was a little bit closer to her target. "Could that be him? He
certainly looks like he's waiting for someone." Nabiki reached into her
purse for some money to complete her disguise. "He's far more handsome
than I remember him." The machine spewed out a few jingles and some
clatter noise, but nothing was dispensed for Nabiki. "Huh?" She kicked
and slammed her hand on the glass and tried desperately to get her money
back. "Stupid machine! Give me back my money!"
Misaki tried his best in surveying the crowd. But a train station was not
an easy place to pick out a familiar face from the bustling people coming
and going from the trains. He thought he someone familiar, only to
realize that that woman was also a passenger sitting in his section of the
train he just got out of. That's when he heard the curses, so distinct
and discernable from the horde of people normal clamor and babel. He
turned around and instantly saw a damsel in distress.
"Stupid machine! I'm never going to buy anything from a vending machine
ever again. Hmmph!" Nabiki froze immediately after she turned around.
Misaki too was startled, but he quickly apologized.
"You seem to have a problem with that contraption, miss. Let me offer my
assistance." Before Nabiki could utter a word, Misaki had already kicked
the machine hard enough to jar her soda can off the clutches of the
nuisance. Misaki promptly retrieved the can from the receptacle and
handed it over. "Here you go. Um, I hope you like Ginger ale?"
Nabiki winced, realizing she made another mistake. "Well, I guess I have
to."
"I guess you didn't order that?" Nabiki embarrassingly nodded. "Well,"
Misaki reached into his pocket and fed the machine one more time, "what
did you want anyway?" Nabiki tried to stop him, but Misaki reason that he
was thirsty also and he also like ginger ale.
"In that case, I'll have a cola." Misaki pushed the right button and the
machine finally dispensed the order immediately. Unfortunately it was
another Ginger ale can. Both looked displeasingly at the machine and
somehow they concluded that it needed more than a few hard kicks. "I
guess we'll have to go with Ginger ale then." Nabiki opened her can and
handed it over to Misaki. Misaki did the same.
---------------
| Present Day |
---------------
-----------------
| Training Hall |
-----------------
Ranma sat besides his father. "Isn't that strange? How come Nabiki never
told anyone about her fiancé?" Akane sat in front of the two and was also
thinking the same thing.
"Ranma. We're not here to question her motives, what ever they may be?"
Genma proudly declared. "It's something Soun has to deal with, we have to
leave it up to him." Ranma grew suspicious.
"So you're saying you don't have a clue either, right?" Genma stared at
Ranma and then at Akane. Genma slammed his hand on the wooden floor.
"Right!" Genma only smirked while Ranma and Akane frowned. "Who ever this
Misaki is, he mustn't be trusted." Akane blinked in surprise.
"Why did you say that? Do you know him?" Akane impudently asked.
"No. But I've got a funny feeling about fiancés popping out of nowhere.
He doesn’t seem to be Nabiki's type, anyway." Ranma shot a glare at his
father.
"You've got a funny way of saying that, Pops. Especially after you got me
involved with so many people I didn't even know at first." Ranma was
angry, but he had learned to live with his problems, for now.
"What does he look like?" Akane waited for Genma's response.
"Well," Genma scratched his head, "he was here a moment ago. He must be
walking around. Why don't you two meet him."
-----------------
| Nabiki's room |
-----------------
Nabiki scoured through a lot of boxes in her room. "It's got to be here,
somewhere." Nabiki dismissed the box that contained a collection of
assorted things from her childhood and proceeded in opening another box
that she sealed up for storage only a few years ago. "This has got to be
it." Out from the container came old dresses and shirts. A few old
notebooks and spent marking pens. She exclaimed when she finally struck
gold. She sat up and retrieved a small box that was wrapped only in
silver foil. It didn't have a card or something, but Nabiki knew she had
found what she was looking for. "God, it's still here. I can't believe
it." Nabiki flipped the gift around but there was denying what was
troubling her. "How could I have been so selfish? Oh, Kasumi. I'm so
sorry." Nabiki laid the foil-wrapped gift on the bed. She lowered her
head. Her hand covered her eyes, and she began to cry.
--------------------
| End of Chapter 3 |
--------------------
-------------
| Chapter 4 |
-------------
-------------------
| Three Years Ago |
-------------------
------------------------
| Nerima Train Station |
------------------------
"Forgive me. I haven't introduced myself." Misaki brought down his can
and candidly wiped his lips, "I'm..."
"Misaki Sato, I know." Nabiki took a sip from her drink, catching a quick
glance at Misaki's startled reaction. She felt laughing, seeing him
groping to return to form after her shocking revelation. "Hmm. I could
get use to this ginger ale."
"Nabiki? Is that really you?" Nabiki finished off her drink and looked
disagreeably at Misaki.
"Yes, I'm Nabiki Tendo. Where you expecting a beauty queen or something?"
Misaki chuckled a bit.
"No. But I surely met one." Nabiki was a bit overwhelmed by those
flattering lines. "It's so good to see you again, Nabiki." Misaki
excitedly hugged Nabiki. After which, Nabiki struggled to get her poise
back.
"Um. It's nice to see you again, too." A bit of hesitation, a second of
silence between the two indicated there was still more to bridge the two
friends together again. "So, what brings you back to Nerima?"
"Back? Didn't you get the package?" Nabiki finally realized who gave her
that box of figurines and toys. "You asked for them, remember?" Nabiki
thought about it, then realized he was speaking the truth.
"Thank you for the lovely gifts, Misaki." Nabiki felt a bit uneasy when
her companion grabbed his luggage and started walking towards the nearby
exit accompanying her. "Um, where will you be staying?" Nabiki felt
there was something wrong with her unthought of question.
"Didn't your father get my mother's letter?" Nabiki squinched, realizing
her mistake.
"I mean, I have some bad news, Misaki." Nabiki stopped abruptly. "I'm
afraid the dojo was hit by..." Nabiki paused to think, "by fire, recently
and we're just starting to rebuild it."
"I'm so sorry for your lost. Is there any way I could help."
"Um. Not really, Daddy is already having a hard time dealing with those
builders, and carpenters..." Nabiki realized the flushed and pale look on
Misaki. "Is there something wrong?"
"I hope no one was injured or something."
"Injured? What for?" Nabiki almost blew her cover. "Oh, you mean during
the fire? Naah, it was a good thing it rained that night."
"So where are you staying in the mean time?"
"Actually, we're renting a small, cramped apartment way further out on the
suburb." Nabiki knew her choice of words would suffice for her intentions.
"Kasumi is really having a hard time dealing with the small quarters."
That should do that trick, Nabiki thought.
"I see."
"Oh, cheer up, Misaki. If the accident didn't happen, we could have
easily received you at our home." That made Misaki look up to her.
"Accident? I thought it was a fire?"
"Um, well," Nabiki tried to pick the words, "the fire occurred because of
an accident. It was...Akane, she was trying to cook again, hence the
accident." Nabiki breathe a sigh of relief. That reason was at least a
half-truth, anyway.
"I see."
---------------
| Present Day |
---------------
Ranma and Akane entered the house through the open porch. No one was in
the dining room, but they heard voices coming from the kitchen. Ranma
held on to Akane as they slowly approached the doorway. Inside they saw
Kasumi with a stranger talking. No, in fact they were more than talking.
A faint whistling and humming confirmed that the two were also singing.
"Strange?" Akane giggled and jokingly nudged him. "Huh? What's so
funny?"
"Didn't Kasumi say that this guy was once her friend?" Ranma apologized,
though he felt he had to retaliate anyway. "Hey?" Ranma changed the
subject and told Akane to quiet down, or they'll be heard. Too late, as
Kasumi and Misaki were directly staring at them. "Oops."
"My, Ranma, Akane. What are you two doing over there?" Kasumi washed her
hands and wiped it dry with her apron. Misaki, on the other hand, stayed
in place, looking in some other innocent direction.
"Um. Hi, Kasumi. We were just checking," Akane felt a soft elbow nudge
from Ranma, "checking on lunch!" Akane turned to glare at Ranma, making
her fiancé flush red.
"Oh, it going to be right on time, Akane." Kasumi smiled to both of them,
then to Misaki. "As usual."
"Hi, you must be Nabiki's fiancé?" Ranma extended a hand, which Misaki
promptly shook.
"Um, I guess you can call me that. I'm Misaki Tendo...Um, excuse me.
Misaki Sato, I mean." Kasumi turned to Akane. Her facial expression was
indescribable.
"Ranma Saotome, nice to meet you." Ranma turned to Akane. "And this is
_my_ fiancée, Akane." Misaki looked surprised.
"Akane, my, you've grown to be quite a charming lady." Misaki and Akane
cordially shook hands.
"Why, thank you, Misaki." Akane turned and gave Ranma a smirk. "It's
been a long time since somebody had said those words to me." Akane laughed
a bit, sort of irritating Ranma, which succeeded.
"So how did you become Nabiki's future husband?" Ranma lead Misaki towards
the table and chairs. "Did your father engaged you when you were young
too?" Akane sat between the two and hastily stomped on Ranma's feet,
making him wince.
"No, not exactly," Misaki sat across Ranma, "my mother arranged it with
Akane's mother." Akane was surprised by his revelation. "I used to be a
student of Mr. Tendo, and that's when Mrs. Tendo and my mother got close
and became friends.
"You knew my mother?"
"Yes, I did?" Misaki realized some sort of sadness from Akane's
expression. "I'm so sorry for your lost. You must have been too young to
remember her?" Akane nodded slowly. "She was a very beautiful woman, I
can tell you that. She couldn't have raised three beautiful daughters if
she wasn't."
"Thank you, Misaki." Akane tried to remember her past, she seems to
recall something about Misaki, but she can't place it.
Ranma clasped on Akane's hand and tried to calm her, it wasn't necessary
but he felt he had to do it anyway. Ranma again turned to Misaki. "How
come you chose Nabiki?" Another foot stomped on his feet again.
"Choose? It was an arranged marriage, how could I choose?" Kasumi almost
lost her hold of the knife again. Akane, though, saw her but Kasumi only
smiled, apologizing for interrupting their conversation with her
clumsiness. "Um, did you hurt yourself again, Kasumi?"
"Oh, no, Misaki-san. I'm fine." Kasumi headed towards the pantry.
"So your mother chose Nabiki for you? Hmm. A bad move on their part,
anyway." That was the last straw. Akane slapped Ranma's hands that were
on the table, and kicked him on the shin at the same time. This time
Ranma couldn't hide the pain anymore. "Oww! What ya do that for?!"
-------------------
| Three Years Ago |
-------------------
-----------------
| Kasumi's room |
-----------------
"You want me to cook dinner?" Akane was mixed with emotions. "Really?!"
Kasumi reached for her hat and stood in front of her mirror. "Yes, Akane.
It'll be a big favor for me if you could look after the house and father
while I'm gone." Akane jumped happily and she was already thinking of
what to cook. Kasumi put on her hat and adjusted it.
"Ok, Kasumi. I'm gonna make you proud." Akane hugged Kasumi from behind.
"I just know you will." Akane broke off and was heading out the door.
"By the way, where are you going anyway?" Akane had a few guesses. "Are
you going to the clinic again?" Akane hoped not.
"No, I'm going to the train station." Akane breathe a sigh of relief.
"Good." Akane and Kasumi both left the room soon after.
------------------------
| Nerima train station |
------------------------
Nabiki sat besides Misaki as the two patiently waited for the train to
arrive. She was sharing a sandwich with him while they waited. She
looked at the bulletin board, it was still ten minutes till the train
would arrive.
"This is a strange list, Nabiki." Misaki scrolled from top to bottom again
of the paper he was handed. "Are you sure you'll want these, too?"
Nabiki smiled innocently enough to convince him. "All right, anything for
you, Nabiki." He pocketed the piece of paper, much to her relief. Just
then, the station was filled with the sound of a train's blowing horn.
"Wow, it's early." Misaki stood up, carrying his things. Nabiki walked
alongside, holding his arm. "I'm really looking forward to your next
visit." Misaki smiled.
"I will come back, Nabiki." Something inside her believed him. "And then
we shall finally get married." That changed her mood instantly, though,
she hid it from him.
"I'm looking forward to that." She waved goodbye as Misaki boarded. She
was about to walk away, when she felt someone grab her hand. "What?"
"I almost forgot. Could you please give this to Kasumi." Nabiki received
a small box enclosed in silver foil. "Thanks again, Nabiki." He then
disappeared along with the train. Nabiki waited for the locomotive to
start on its journey back to Osaka before she walked away again.
"I did it. I can't believe I pulled it off." She was exhilarated and
relieved as the train sped off. "I never knew I had it in me." Nabiki
strolled cheerfully all the way towards the gates. She was so happy and
full of herself that she almost failed to notice a familiar figure running
towards her. "Kasumi?"
---------------
| Present Day |
---------------
-----------------
| Training Hall |
-----------------
"I'm so glad you accepted my offer, Ranma." Ranma shrugged his shoulders,
thinking nothing of it.
"Hey, you said you wanted to talk. So what is it about?" Misaki cleared
his throat. What he felt right now needed advising, and who else would be
better than someone who's in a similar situation.
"You like your fiancée, Ranma?" Ranma felt disappointed, thinking Misaki
was another one of those guys who suddenly found Akane attractive, or
something.
"Hey, she's mine, bud. If you..." Misaki apologized immediately for the
confusion.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way." Ranma calmed down. "I wanted to
ask you about Nabiki."
"Nabiki? Well, she's a thief, a con artist, evil, just pure evil. That's
Nabiki." Ranma somehow felt good inside after saying those things about
Nabiki. Misaki, though, was shocked.
"I can't believe that."
"Better believe it, Misaki. If you only knew how many times she's conned
me with all her bets, then you'll get what I meant by that." Ranma
proudly smirked at Misaki.
"Bets are not like stealing."
"Not in the way Nabiki does it."
"I still can't believe you. Where I come from, we do not speak about
women like that."
"Hey, that's the truth, I don't see it any other way." The tension
between the two filled the room.
"Tell me, Ranma. Does your fiancée share your sentiments?" Ranma was
surprised by the question. He thought of lying, but he had just said he
only spoke of the truth, and the truth was, Akane and him didn't quite see
eye to eye on a lot of things.
"Well, no. But that's Akane." Misaki suspected as much. It was hinted
to him while in the kitchen, and now further confirmed by Ranma's
statements. Misaki tried to figure out from the little things he knew.
Here was Ranma, and Akane was his fiancée. They've been together for
years now, but the two seemed so far apart. But, when the two were
together, they understood each other. They expected this and that from
each other. Ranma's occasional insults, and Akane's physicality. That
wasn't the problem, though. He envied them and that bothered him.
"You do love her, right?"
Ranma jerked and felt intruded. "I don't have to answer that!" Misaki
apologized again. He truly didn't have to, for Misaki already knew the
answer. But those things he saw between Ranma and Akane were the things
he longed for. And it was tearing him inside not knowing if he, and
Nabiki could ever be that close.
"I'm truly sorry, Ranma. Please forgive my insinuation. It's just that,"
Misaki felt uneasy, "I never knew love, Ranma. That's my problem." Ranma
was stupefied.
"Say what?"
-----------
| Outside |
-----------
Genma and Soun were at it again in their favorite pastime. Soun moved a
piece that all but defeated Genma. "You win again, Tendo."
"Shall we play another?" Genma nodded, and Soun proceeded in rearranging
the pieces again. Meanwhile, Akane sat nearby, patiently looking towards
the closed doors of the training hall.
"What do you suppose they're talking about?" No one answered her.
-------------------
| Three Years Ago |
-------------------
"Nabiki I'm so glad to have caught up with you. Did he arrived yet?"
Kasumi embraced her sister with so much excitement it felt almost
intolerable for Nabiki.
"Um, I'm glad to see you too, Kasumi. But, tell me. What brought you all
the way out here? And who's watching over the dojo and," Nabiki sort of
gasped in horror, "what about dinner? Who's cooking? Not, Akane." Kasumi
only disappointed her. Nabiki flinched, realizing what would greet her on
the dinner table when they got back home.
"Did he arrived yet? I forgot to ask you what time his train would
arrive." Kasumi tugged on Nabiki's arm almost dragging her back towards
the tracks.
"Whose train? I don't recall..." Nabiki finally realize what her sister
was asking about. She forced her sister from further reaching any closer
towards any train. "I'm sorry Kasumi, he never showed up." Nabiki felt
that was right in saying. If he never showed up, she would have an easier
time convincing the others back home, she thought. "I'm really sorry. I
was eager as you to see him too." Nabiki knew that was a lie, but she was
feeling lucky today, and anything she says was almost too believable to
doubt.
Kasumi, though, fell silent and spiritless all of a sudden. One minute
she was running impulsively towards the trains, then in just a single bite
of reality, she was sullen and dejected. And, she had Nabiki to thank for
that. "Me, too." She looked up at the boards, and realized the train
from Osaka arrived hours ago, and still Nabiki was still in the station,
also probably hoping that he would have showed up. Just like what she had
hoped he would. "I guess we'll go home now?"
Nabiki grinned. "Want to pass by the ramen shop before we head home?"
Kasumi laughed and agreed.
--------------------
| End of Chapter 4 |
--------------------
----------------------
| Start of Chapter 5 |
----------------------
--------------
| Tendo dojo |
--------------
-----------
| Kitchen |
-----------
Kasumi sat near the table. She quietly looked up on the open window and
stared uninterestingly at the outside scene. Her thoughts were somewhere
else, which was pretty obvious. Nabiki had to rush up to a flaming wok,
in order to save that's day's lunch. Kasumi snapped out of her trance only
to heave a sigh at Nabiki. "Oh, Hello, Nabiki." Kasumi turned her
attention to some burnt carrots and cabbage leaves, and proceeded in
cooking again.
Nabiki fell into a chair, looking aghast at her strange behaving sister.
"Kasumi?" She didn't reply, and Nabiki feared as much. Not knowing if
Kasumi already knew her secret or not. Of if she could face her sister
after what she had learned she had done to her. Nabiki left. What was
left on the table was a small box, wrapped in foil. Sunlight coming from
the window reflected from it. Kasumi noticed it almost immediately.
"What in the world is this?" Kasumi had enough sense to turn the stove off
before sitting back on the chair. "Could Misaki had left this?" She
looked around, and convinced that no one, even Nabiki would see her, she
easily unwrapped the little gift."
>From somewhere, Nabiki stood, almost invisibly, looking on. "Darn, why
did I forget that there?" Nabiki hated making mistakes, especially those
that will just worsen things between her and Kasumi.
"Oh my!" Kasumi held up the small heart shaped locket, it glistened
against the morning sunlight. Nabiki was more than shocked at what she
had been keeping in her storage boxes all these years. "He remembered! I
can’t believe it." Kasumi ran her fingers through the golden chain
attached to it. "Misaki, you're truly a true friend." Nabiki wanted to
intrude, but she hesitated when she heard a bell ring. "Oh my. The pot
roast must be cooked already." Kasumi pocketed the locket and rushed
immediately towards the oven.
Nabiki rested her back on the wall out on the hallway. She tried to
remember where she had seen that locket before. She knew it was like a
family trinket or something, but what?
-----------------
| Training Hall |
-----------------
"What do you mean by that, Misaki?" Ranma felt uncomfortable asking about
something he himself is not familiar with. They were talking about their
fiancée's, he suspected as much. But he was considering if he was really
suitable in giving advice, since he himself needed them.
"It just that," Misaki turned at the closed doorway, "you and Akane have
been together for a long time now. And it shows that she really likes
you." Ranma's brow rose.
"It does? I mean she does?" Misaki nodded.
"But with me. I've never stood in the same room with my fiancée long
enough to get a descent conversation." Ranma stayed silent. He somehow
recalled something similar that also happened between him and Akane. "And,
it now looks like she doesn't really like the idea of being engaged, and
all." Ranma nodded back, though he wasn't really sure what he was agreeing
on.
"I guess I can relate to that." Ranma crossed his arms. "I used to have
the same problems. But..." Ranma turned towards the door, "but I guess I
grew to love Akane. She's special, for me." Ranma heard some noise
coming from the gate's direction. "Even though she keeps hitting me with
her mallet! Even if she keeps calling me pervert!" Ranma quickly glanced
at Misaki, "Which I'm not, anyway." Ranma turned back at his imaginary
friend he's shouting at. "Even if she doesn't seem to be as beautiful as
Shampoo! Or as cute as Ucchan!" He then heard a growling sound behind the
door, "I still love her!" Ranma grinned as the noise quietly died down.
"Who is this Shampoo and Ucchan?" Ranma blinked.
"Um, long story."
"You've got more fiancée's?" Ranma shamefully admitted another truth to
Misaki.
-----------------
| Ten Years Ago |
-----------------
--------------
| Tendo dojo |
--------------
"Misaki? What on earth are you still doing here?" Soun chance upon the
young boy waiting inside his training hall. He passed by when he saw the
lights inside were still open. They had just come from the carnival, and
so he was curious as who could be at this hour. "Isn't it a bit too early
for training?" The young boy felt his head embarrassingly and bowed before
his sensei.
"I'm sorry, sensei. I was just asked by Kasumi to stay behind." Soun
remembered that he was Kasumi's classmate, and that it must be nothing
more than something about school that they were going to talk about.
"Actually, she's giving me a going away present. I think?" Soun frowned.
"You're going away, Misaki?" The young lad nodded. Soun trembled in some
sort of fear, and resentment. Was it something about his training that
forced one of his best students away? He had to know tomorrow, since
Misaki still intended to attend his session in the morning.
"Don't worry, sensei. I'll still attend tomorrow's training session."
Soun was temporarily relieved, but he knew he'd sleep uncomfortably that
night.
Misaki stared through the doorway, the retreating figure of his teacher
the only person around. The sun was slowly coming down and he knew he had
to be home before night falls. That was when he heard the footsteps
behind him.
"Thanks, Misaki. I want you to have this." He received a crumpled silver
foil covered present, tied with a little red ribbon. Kasumi smiled
enthusiastically.
"What is it?" Misaki asked to open it in front of her, and Kasumi gave her
consent. "What's this, a locket?" Misaki checked it. It was only a locket
and no chain accompanied it. It was fairly tarnish, but still held a
golden brilliance that would rival's Kasumi's own. "Oh, this locket."
"Remember your promise, Misaki-san. That is the locket you broke.
Remember?" Kasumi kept nagging, though in jest. "I hope you remember that
it's my mother's locket, and if she finds out I," Kasumi lowered her
voice, "I mean, if anyone finds out that you broke it's chain the other
day, I..I..." Misaki knew exactly what he'd get if he failed to replace
the chain. "Good." Kasumi walked up to Misaki and helped him open the
locket. "See, I added my picture in there. So it's like I'm always
reminding you to replace the chain." Misaki smiled. "You do plan to
replace it with some yellow chain, right?"
"You mean gold?" Kasumi giggled, realizing her mistake. "Thanks for the
going away present. Sort of?" Misaki easily pocketed the gift.
"Oh, no. That's not my going away present. I haven't wrapped it properly
yet. My mom is still going to teach me how to wrap a present correctly."
Kasumi lead Misaki towards the gates. "You are still coming at tomorrow,
right?" Misaki nodded. "Good."
Misaki and Kasumi walked silently the rest of the way. She opened the
gates for him. Misaki bade goodbye, even if Kasumi insisted that they do
that in the morning. Misaki never knew what it felt to lose someone close
to you, a friend you've known most of your life. And, it didn't help that
Kasumi was still smiling, even as the hour for them, in never seeing each
other again, was drawing near.
---------------
| Present Day |
---------------
-----------------
| Training Hall |
-----------------
Ranma and Misaki were still alone inside. "Most of my life, I've got
this," Misaki paused, searching for a right word, "burden, on my back."
Ranma knew exactly what he meant. Being affianced is not walking in the
park and that's for sure. "I knew Nabiki ever since I started training
here at this dojo."
"You..trainied?" Misaki was curious at Ranma's question.
"A long time ago. But that's all I know about martial arts, I'm afraid."
Ranma breathed a sigh of relief. All or most of his suspicions that
Misaki was a treat, not only to him, to the Tendos, or to his fiancée had
all been washed away by Misaki's own honest conveyance during their
conversation. "Anyway, I just don't know what to expect."
"Expect?"
"I heard women expect a lot from men, especially from their future
husbands." Ranma tried hard not to believe Misaki, but something about
that statement felt real for him. "Women have this...you know, they have
dreams, ambitions..."
"Doesn't everybody have dreams?" Ranma still couldn't piece what Misaki
was trying to say.
"Yes, but when it comes to future husbands. They sort of dream of a knight
in shining armor, or being swept off their feet in a rescue...Um, you
understand what I'm saying here?" Ranma swung his head, for he truly can't
get the gist of Misaki's line of thinking.
"Anyway, that's exactly what I've been trying to do." Ranma blinked before
laughing. "Huh? What's so funny?"
"So you gave up martial arts for knighthood, eh?" Misaki was disappointed.
Doubting if the current path of their conversation was indeed wise to
continue. What does Akane see in this guy, Misaki thought.
"No Ranma. I've been preparing."
"For what?" Misaki growled his frustration.
"For being married, of course!" Misaki scowled at Ranma. "Don't you ask
yourself if you're ready to marry Akane, or anyone of your other
fiancées?" Misaki was more convince that he had misjudged Ranma. "Don't
you ever wonder if you're even worthy of her?" That struck deep in
Ranma's thinking.
"What do you mean, worthy? Ranma felt he was being threatened, but Misaki
was only talking to him.
"Ranma. What have you done to even get a kiss from your fiancée?" Ranma
was dumbstruck. He knew he tried for countless times to kiss her, but
getting a kiss and willingly, was almost impossible. "Don’t tell me..."
Misaki didn't really expect Ranma's hesitation in answering.
"Hey, I've kissed her lots of time!" Ranma broke his own rule, but it was
necessary, he thought. "And, what about you? How did you get Nabiki to
kiss you?" Misaki also took some time to answer. "Ha!"
"Wait, I'm trying to recall...Ah, I know," Ranma faced defeat, "I brought
her some cotton candy." Ranma flinched. That easy, he asked himself,
realizing that plan didn’t work with his fiancée.
-----------
| Outside |
-----------
"Whoa! What's going on in there?" Akane had her ear pressed against the
wooded door, but she still had difficulty listening clearly. What she did
know was that the two were now arguing. "What are they talking about?"
Genma too had his ear on the door. "Sounds like they're fighting about
something. Maybe Misaki challenged Ranma to a fight. Wasn't he once your
pupil, Tendo?" Soun hovered just above Genma, also with an ear pressed on
the gate.
"That was a long time ago, Saotome."
----------------
| On the porch |
----------------
Nabiki stared quietly at the fishpond, while contemplating on some very
serious thoughts. "Oh, mom. I wish you were here. I really need your
help." Nabiki stroked the still waters of the pond when she strolled
around the garden. "I was so selfish. I know, I know." Nabiki had no
answers for herself. She had to ask someone for advice, but who? The
first one she'd turn to was the same person she was trying to avoid.
Kasumi was her dearest sister, and she knew she had sinned against her.
All these years since her mother died, Kasumi was the nearest thing she
had to a mother. And now, she really felt alone. For once in her life,
not even Kasumi would help. "Kasumi, if I only knew." Nabiki was tearing
up. "I guess mother is all to blame for this." She felt more disgusted
than relieved in saying that. "No, I can't blame my mother. I have only
myself to blame." She stopped at the porch steps, leaned back at the
posts, and breathed deeply. "There was only one thing left to do."
Nabiki sat down, "I surely can't get back at my mom," she looked at the
distant flowers, "I definitely can't risk losing Kasumi too." That left
her with the real problem. "He has to go! He has no place in my heart."
Nabiki lowered her head. "Kasumi is too good for him."
She cried again. She tried to cover her tears up with her hands. "Then,
why do I feel so empty?"
-----------------
| Training Hall |
-----------------
"This is hopeless. I'm still lost." Misaki sighed depressingly and tired
from all that shouting with Ranma. Ranma also felt tired.
"Geez. I never thought I had to do all of those things you did just to
get married." Ranma fell on the floor thinking about everything he had
learned from Misaki. He contemplated everything that he knew was his
life. He wasn't prepared even to have one fiancée, much more getting
married. Ranma was really bothered with his inexperience, his lack of
preparation. The only thing he was sure of was that he was able to beat
anyone who even makes any moves on Akane. But, even that, Ranma knew
Akane didn't want from him. A good example was that pet pig Akane calls a
friend. "Damn, what am I going to do?" Ranma didn't get a chance to
answer his own question when the doors of the training hall opened all of
a sudden.
"Misaki? Are you here?" Both men looked strangely at the shadowy figure
outlined by the light coming into the training hall. "Ranma, can you
leave us for a minute." Nabiki walked up to Misaki and knelt before him.
Ranma didn't object, somehow Nabiki was serious in talking alone with her
fiancé. Ranma closed the door behind him.
-----------
| Kitchen |
-----------
Kasumi was already finished cooking. All her dishes were laid out in
front of her, just waiting to be brought to the dinning room. Her
attention, though was on a small heart shaped locket, golden in color, and
matched with a gold chain. She hesitated in opening it, fearing what she
might find. All she remembered was that on each side were the pictures of
her parents. She also remembered a small, childish picture of hers she
slipped in between.
"Oh, well." Kasumi unlocked it and the half wings opened for her. There
they were. Her mother's smile was as sweet and caring as she can remember
it. And, her father's...well, he was her father, Kasumi thought. She did
notice something fall from inside the locket she opened. It had slid down
towards the floor, and she was expecting that it was her picture. When
she picked it up, though, she realized she was wrong. "Misaki? My, you
look a lot more cute when you where young." She smiled and laughed a bit.
She recalled that last day with him. That day at the carnival, when she
didn't walk with him because of the locket he broke. "Funny. I guess it
was wrong of me to have gotten angry at you, Misaki." Kasumi closed the
locket. "But, mother would have been more angry with me if I..." That's
when she realized something. "Oh, my. My going away gift!" She stood up
immediately, and rushed towards the doorway. She paused and looked at the
food that was waiting to be served. "You can wait. I've got ...
something to do. Something important." Kasumi rushed up to her room.
-----------------
| Training Hall |
-----------------
The odd couple stared endlessly at the floor of the training hall. Both
were nervous, and not expecting nor prepared in what to say to each other.
Misaki looked up, seeing Nabiki all grown up now, and more than a woman he
had expected her to have turned out to be. She was beautiful, Misaki knew
as much. But, was that all that he had to expect?
"Misaki, this can't happen to us." Nabiki looked up, not really expecting
his dark brown eyes staring straight at her. She immediately turned the
other way. "It's so unfair, for the both of us." Nabiki expected at least
a reaction, but when he kept his silence, she knew something was wrong.
"I'm sorry to hear that, Nabiki. I truly am." Misaki wanted to fight for
her, but he'd only end up fighting Nabiki. Nabiki was everything he
thought of all of his life. He went to school, earned a degree, made a
few businesses grow, all for her. And now, it looks like everything was
all for nothing. "If only...we got to know each other a bit better, I
guess..." He felt it wasn't necessary to continue. Ranma was right,
Misaki thought. "Love has to grow. I'm just sorry I wasn't able to plant
that in our relationship ten years ago." Nabiki blinked.
"Huh? Where did you hear that?" Misaki laughed at his own words.
"Ranma. He's quite a good listener, and advisor." Nabiki flinched.
"Ranma, giving out good advice. I doubt it." Nabiki crossed her arms.
"Did he say anything about me? If he did, they're all wrong!" Misaki
grinned.
"I know. He's just being a good friend, that's all." Nabiki was
surprised to hear that compliment about Ranma. "I guess this is the end,
Nabiki?" It was hardest for both to realize it, but in the end, it would
have been for the best.
"So, where are you going next?" Nabiki walked alongside Misaki towards the
door. "Do you plan to stay, or have you already made plans?" She slipped
her arm around Misaki's arm, not really thinking anything about it.
"I did plan to drop by one of my franchises out here in Nerima." Nabiki
almost tripped when she heard. "I guess I'll do that." Nabiki leaned on
him.
"You own franchises? Really? What?" Her mind was racing with schemes
right now.
"Ranma told me about something about you and money." Misaki laughed as
Nabiki was visibly disappointed, feeling being had by two grown men. "I'm
sorry, I was only trying to make a joke."
"Yeash, men are so alike." The two opened the door, and both were
surprised by the greetings they received.
"Congratulations! So when are you two getting married?" Soun vigorously
shook Misaki's hand, completely annoying her daughter.
"Is it true, Nabiki. You are getting married?" Akane stood right beside
Ranma, who kept saying it will never happen, but was completely ignored.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Tendo. We've decided," Misaki stared at Nabiki, "that
we'll both wait for the right time for us to get married." That brought
the old Tendo down on his knees.
"No, not you too. I can't believe this. When will my daughters ever get
married? How could this ill-fortune strike two of my daughters." Nabiki
tried to calm her father.
"Daddy, we are still getting married," Nabiki winked at Misaki, "but it'll
be much later in our lives." Nabiki purposely left out one major detail.
"See, Tendo. You didn't have anything to worry about." Genma dragged his
friend up."
Ranma, though, knew better. "I don't buy it." Nabiki excused herself and
Ranma before dragging the young Saotome towards the inside of the training
hall. "Yikes."
"Nabiki!"
"Don't worry, sis. I'll try to be gentle on him. He is your fiancé."
The door quickly closed shut.
--------------------
| End of Chapter 5 |
--------------------
-------------
| Chapter 6 |
-------------
-----------------
| Kasumi's room |
-----------------
Kasumi found what she was looking for. It was old, and already had been
collecting dust in her closet, but it was still wrapped perfectly. Her
gift was laced in red ribbon, and it's still as cute as she remembered it.
"I hope you likes it. Nabiki is so lucky to have you."
-----------
| Kitchen |
-----------
"Kasumi?" Misaki hoped to find her in here, instead was only met by the
food that was left there. "Wow, she cooked all of these?" Akane was with
him, and inspected the dishes with him.
"Yes, Kasumi is an excellent cook. Someday, I want to be like her."
Misaki sweated a little.
"I hope so too. I hope this house doesn't burn down again." Akane irked
in surprise.
"Excuse me. I never burned down the house because of my cooking!"
"Really? But Nabiki told me." Akane immediately ran back towards the
training hall.
"Nabiki!"
"Oh, well." Misaki decided to climb up the stairs, hoping Kasumi would be
there.
He stopped at one door and knocked. No one answered, so he walked towards
another. This time it had a little duck sign, with 'Akane' written on it.
He didn't bother to knock, and instead proceeded to the next room. He was
about to knock when it suddenly opened. "Oops."
"Oh my. Misaki, what are you doing here?"
"Oh, Kasumi. I just wanted to say goodbye." That drew a look of concern
from Kasumi. "Nabiki and I decided it was not going to work, between the
two of us. So we called the whole engagement thing off."
"What? No you can't!" Kasumi broke down in tears, Misaki was stunned, but
held her up in a friendly embrace. "You can't. Not now!"
"Kasumi? What are you saying?" Kasumi regained some control over
herself. She knew crying won't help her. She had to act, immediately if
possible. She broke away from Misaki.
"Misaki, you can't." Her friend stared at her in confusion. "I have to
talk to my sister." Misaki found himself being pulled into Kasumi's room
to give way to her. Kasumi, on the other hand, closed the door before
Misaki had a chance to follow her. Unfortunately, the impact sent Misaki
jerking back, and the doorjamb got stuck.
"Huh? It's lock." Misaki turned around to inspect the room that had
become his temporarily cell, unknowing what his new fate was. "Wow, so
this is Kasumi's room." He felt helpless and trapped, but decided to make
use of the isolation to get some thinking, and a tour of the room. "I
wonder what Kasumi is planning now?"
-----------------
| Ten Years Ago |
-----------------
--------------------
| Parent's bedroom |
--------------------
Kasumi stood silently from a distant. Her sisters were crying on her
mother's deathbed, and there wasn't a thing she could do to stop it. The
good doctor was comforting her father, but she knew nothing would be the
same. Everything changed, for her father, her sisters, and for her. She
cradled her youngest sister into her arms, fully aware of the tears she
would have been adding to Akane's weeps if only she was not serious about
her promise. A promise to be strong, a promise to be brave. Her mother
taught her well. She would take care of them, until everyone was ready to
face life. That's the only time she'll be set free, just like her mother
now. Free.
---------------
| Present Day |
---------------
-----------------
| Training Hall |
-----------------
"How much do you know, Ranma?" Nabiki had pushed him back on a wall.
Ranma, though, was unfazed. She felt his confidence.
"Come on, Nabiki. Nothing of the sort will happen between you and
Misaki." Ranma slid away, as Nabiki took some time to think of something
to say. "I knew you really didn't know Misaki that much to even like the
guy." Nabiki shot a glare at Ranma, though she really didn't know why.
All Ranma had said was true. She really didn't know Misaki.
"I do know him, Ranma." Nabiki knew she was lying, but she was hoping
Ranma doesn't. "I know him better than you." She clenched her fist, an
illusion that she was angry with Ranma. But she was the one that was
surprised in the end.
"Oh, yeah. I know how he got a kiss from you." Nabiki eyes widened in
shock. "Try to beat that."
Nabiki felt like an animal trapped in a corner. What did Ranma really
know? She tried, as hard as anyone could, to remember her memories ten
years ago. She was only but a child, and the most she could recall was
the death of her precious mother. That's all she could remember. "Ok,
Ranma, how?"
Ranma wasn't particularly excited in wining this contest. But for him, it
was like getting something over Nabiki, more than enough of a reward for
him. "He used to buy you cotton candy, that's how."
"Cotton Candy?" Nabiki's head was immediately flooded with some of her
fondest memories of her childhood. She suddenly became aware of certain
happy thoughts. Her first ace in a spelling bee, her first lunch box, her
first fight. Yup, that was something special for Nabiki. She smirked as
the vivid recollections flooded her mind. Then she remembered a carnival,
the clowns and the animals. "Oh my." She remembers. She could hardly
believe it, but she now remembers who Misaki really was.
"Um, Nabiki? Are you alright?" Ranma jerked back instinctively as Nabiki
screamed and hugged him all of a sudden.
"Thank you, Ranma! Thanks for everything. I owe you one."
Ranma blushed, realizing he never got the good treatment from Nabiki
before. "Gee. Sure, I'm glad to help." Nabiki didn't stay long, though,
as she hurriedly rushed out of the training hall.
-----------
| Outside |
-----------
Akane immediately stood up just when the doors were sliding open. Both
parents too jumped into attention, hoping not to get caught as well.
"Nabiki?"
"Um, Talk to you guys later. I've got to go and talk to," Nabiki froze,
"Kasumi?" Her older sister too was in a rush, and apparently she was
looking for her.
"Oh, Nabiki. I need to talk to you! Immediately!" The spectators were
left baffled as the two sisters trotted back into the training hall.
Ranma was heaved out of the hall as soon as they had entered.
"Gee. What's their problem?" Akane couldn't offer any answers, nor did
the two fathers. "Well...Hey, isn't it time for lunch?" Akane growled at
Ranma.
"My sisters seems to be having a crisis inside and all you think about is
food!" Akane ran after Ranma, who felt it better to seek shelter than
stay and wait for the inevitable. "If you're that hungry, why don't you
ever eat some of my cooking?!" Ranma yelled back as both entered the
house.
"Are you nuts?!"
"Ranma no BAKA!"
-----------------
| Training Hall |
-----------------
"Nabiki, how could you?!" Nabiki hesitated answering. What is exactly
was she asking me about? Nabiki tried to see some signs from Kasumi. But
her elder sister's anger was muddling her judgement. She was angry.
Nabiki realized that as soon as she slammed the door shut. It had been
quite a long time since she had seen Kasumi act this way, and it almost
frightened her.
"What do you mean, Kasumi?" Nabiki could think of several reasons for
Kasumi to be angry with her. There was the gift, her lying to her, now it
could very well be the man she had refused to be engaged with.
"How could you call the engagement off?!" Nabiki blinked in surprise.
"But, I thought," Nabiki was now doubting herself, "I thought you liked
Misaki." Was she wrong in identifying the special friendship Kasumi
cherished with Misaki? Had her own memories deceived her as well? "Don't
you love him, Kasumi?" Kasumi fell silent.
Nabiki approached her sister, giving her a hug that she needed right now.
She was not sure now what Kasumi felt for Misaki. Ranma had earlier
helped her realize that Kasumi and Misaki, where once very close friends.
But it was turning out that she might have been wrong again.
"Nabiki," Kasumi hesitated, "I did like him. But that's over now." Nabiki
wasn't happy to hear that. But, then again Kasumi wouldn't be asking her
if there were something wrong. "I made the same mistake you are making,
Nabiki. Please," Kasumi stared straight into Nabiki's eyes, "please, give
him a chance." Kasumi was almost in tears.
"Kasumi? Are you asking me..." Kasumi nodded, "you can't be serious?"
She was, Nabiki was afraid of that. The future for Misaki was bleak.
Nabiki had already sent him away, and now Kasumi too was rejecting him.
Nabiki had a plan earlier, brought about by that 'cotton candy' Ranma
mentioned. But that too was crumbling.
"Listen, Nabiki." Kasumi wiped a tear forming in her eye. "I love you very
much, and I want to see you happy. I want you to feel safe, I want to.."
Nabiki stopped Kasumi from continuing.
"Oneechan, I'm not in love with him. I barely knew him."
"You'll learn to love him. Just like the way I learned to love him once."
Kasumi tried to control herself. The truth was far from what she was
revealing. "I lost that love, but soon it'll grow in you." That was
almost too unbearable to say. Kasumi knew that she didn't lose any of it,
only kept it inside for all these years. And only a promise locked it in
her.
"But..." Nabiki flinched at the ideas forming in her head. "Kasumi! I
can't! I know it wouldn't be right."
"Nabiki! It is right! It's for the best!" Never had they ever got into
a quarrel since the day their mother died. Both never expected raising
their voices at each other. Most of all, they never, in their wildest
imagination would, ever have dreamed of fighting. Fighting over a single
boy. A boy they once knew, and a man they almost forgot.
-----------------
| In the garden |
-----------------
Ranma looked left and right, concealed behind and up a tree. Akane passed
by his hiding place a moment ago, mallet in hand. He thanked the spirit
of the tree for hiding him so well. He waited a more minutes, convinced
Akane had all but given up on her hunt, before coming down.
"Hey, Ranma." The call shocked him, but realizing it wasn't Akane who
called out his name, he soon calmed. "I'm up here." Ranma looked up, and
saw Misaki peering out the window.
"What in the world are you doing over there?" Ranma calculated whose room
it was Misaki was in. He swore that if it were Akane's he'd kill him.
Fortunately, he figured it was a different room. "What are you doing in
Kasumi's room?"
"The door is jammed, could you help he get out?" Ranma was willing, but
figured a better way.
"Why don't you just jump out the window? It'll be faster.
"Are you nuts? It's a long way down." Ranma laughed.
"I'll catch you, don't worry." Misaki was getting pretty desperate to
even follow Ranma out a window.
SPLASH!
"Gee. Sorry, but did you have to land in the pond?" Ranma looked on from
the banks, safe from the cold water. "I could have caught you easily, but
not on the pond."
Misaki, drenching wet, crawled out of the pond aching all over. "Damn
you, Ranma. I should never trust you again."
"Hey, I resent that." Ranma laughed, hoping Misaki understood his joke.
But he didn't, and got pushed into the cold water instead. "Ack! What ya
do that for?!"
"Ranma? Is that you?"
-----------------
| Training Hall |
-----------------
The tension had simmered down and both had resolved to continue their
conversation without raising their voices anymore. It felt painful for
both sisters to even have this fight. And it was even more shameful what
they were actually quarreling about.
"I'm sorry Nabiki. I..." Kasumi didn't really know what came over her.
For a brief moment, she was fighting like an animal of the wild, then all
of a sudden she realized who she was dueling with. "I'm truly sorry."
Nabiki sighed.
"I'm sorry too, Kasumi." Nabiki lowered her head. "It's just that I feel
I can't do it. I'm not really like Akane, I guess." Both wanted to
laugh, but only a smile broke through their tear frozen lips.
"Will you at least try, Nabiki?" Kasumi placed her arm around her emotion
stricken sister.
"I don't get it. Why can't it be you?"
Kasumi stared blankly at the wooden floor. "I can't Nabiki." Her sister
stared back to her. Kasumi instinctively reached into her pocket. She
revealed a golden locket.
"That's Mom's locket, right?" Kasumi answered with a nod.
"This will always remind me of mother, and the promise she made me take."
Nabiki was curious now more than ever. "I promised her that I'll take
care of all of you, Father, Akane, and you. I promised to take mother's
place in this household, seeing to it that both of my sisters will learn
and grow to become," Kasumi turned to Nabiki, "who they are now." Nabiki
smiled for her.
"You've done the best job a mother could do, Kasumi." Nabiki knew that
wasn't enough praise for all the blessings Kasumi had brought into their
family. She hugged her anyway. "And you know we appreciate it."
"That's why, Nabiki, you must consider this arrangement mother had made."
"But, wouldn't it be better if you took my place?" Kasumi winced in
frustration. She wanted to scream, though, she already spent ten years of
stored shouts in their brief quarrel a while ago.
"Nabiki, only when you also have someone to lean on, someone to support
you, will I become free. I was so happy when Ranma came along and chose
Akane. I just knew there was chemistry between them," Kasumi paused,
"though it didn't look like it as first." Nabiki giggled. "But, it's
your time now."
"Kasumi, if there was ever something you've taught me it's that I have to
learn to stand on my own. And I am able to do that." Nabiki smirked.
"Easily." She, however, felt no need to brag about her monetary exploits.
"And can you take care of father too?" Nabiki frowned, for once she
didn't have the heart to answer. "I thought so."
----------------
| On the porch |
----------------
"Jhusenkyo? And that's in China?" Ranma told more. "Mr. Saotome becomes
a Panda? I can't believe that."
"Hey, who's telling the story here?" Misaki apologized for interrupting.
Ranma continued. Misaki, though, was already convinced when he himself
saw a ravenous red head girl crawl out of the pond instead of the Ranma he
previously knew.
"That's such a tragic story. How do you cope with this?"
"I don't let it bother me. Besides, as soon as I find I cure, it'll all
go away, anyway." Misaki had to agree and admire Ranma for being so
strong and mature in dealing with his situation.
"I myself wouldn't know what I'll do if I ever got a curse like that." An
evil gleam came from Ranma.
"Want to try? Heh."
"No!" Misaki jerked back.
"Thought so."
-----------------------------
| Outside the Training Hall |
-----------------------------
Soun and Genma were sprawled across the ground, hands on their bellies,
crying the call for food. "Oh, Saotome. Are they coming out yet?"
"Tendo, why don't we eat now...make excuses later?"
Akane, still carrying her mallet, walked towards the two. "Hey, have you
seen Ranma? Did he come back here?" Both elders sang a different tune.
"Yeash, if you're so hungry, Kasumi had already laid lunch in the kitchen.
Both men sprang up hurriedly, life had easily came back into them. Just
then the doors of the training hall opened. "Is everything all right with
the two of you?" Kasumi beamed an exuberant smile, while Nabiki scowled a
bit, but nodded anyway. She then smiled when Kasumi's elbow struck her.
"All right, all right. I'll give him a chance." Nabiki led the three
sisters inside the house. "But, one chance. And that's all he gets. If
he turns out to be a hentai, he's history!" Kasumi giggled, while Akane
stared confusingly at the two.
----------------
| Ranma's room |
----------------
"Here's a change of clothes." Ranma handed Misaki a shirt and pants to
replace his soaking wet clothes.
"Thanks. Um, do you mind turning around."
"What for? We're both guys."
"Not from where I'm standing." Misaki grinned, infuriating Ranma.
"Ok, hurry up. I already hear Kasumi calling for lunch. By the way, what
were you doing in her room anyway?"
"When I told her Nabiki didn't want to be engaged, she immediately rushed
out the door, leaving me stuck inside.
"Hmm. Looks like Nabiki is up to no good again. If I where you, I'd
leave while you still got your money." Ranma was being sarcastic, but it
made sense to him, with all his experience with Akane's sister.
"I still don't get it. Where did you get this notion of Nabiki as a
powermonger?"
"I've stayed here for more than two years now, I just know." Misaki
frowned, Ranma did have a point there.
"Done."
"Ok, get out. I'm going to change too." Misaki offered the same joke.
"Very funny! And get me that hot water!"
"Ok, ok. Hot water coming up." Misaki left Ranma's room.
---------------
| Dining room |
---------------
"I'm so glad you stayed for lunch, Misaki. I," Nabiki stared at her
sister only to get a smirk and a nod from Kasumi, "I need to talk to you."
"It's all right, Nabiki. I've given it some thought, about what you said.
And, I've also come to a decision on my own."
Nabiki blinked. "You did?" Just then, Ranma came down the stairs and
entered the room.
"And, I've got Ranma to thank." Nabiki flinched.
"Hey, no problem. What's to eat?" Akane was waiting for him, her mallet
never left her hand. "Yo, Akane?"
"Die Ranma!" Akane raised her mallet, and was about to pounce on her
fiancé, when she suddenly realized she couldn't move her arms. Ranma had
blocked her mallet, pinning it as high as her arms could swing it.
"There you are. I was wondering if you would like to go out later?"
"As in a date?" Akane wanted to pinch herself, but her arms were busy.
"But, we already went on a date this morning."
"Yeah, but I didn't get a kiss this morning. Maybe, I can do better
later." Akane lost strength on her limbs, sending her crashing towards
Ranma, mallet in tow. "Oww!"
"Oh, Ranma. Are you all right?" Akane helped her fiancé up. "I'm sorry.
I don't know what got into me." Nabiki sneered. Showing a "I know" look at
her sister.
"Gee. If you don't want to go out, just say so. I can take the
rejection." Ranma felt his head, though he wasn't so sure if he could
really accept a 'no' from Akane. "Well?"
"Great! I'll change right away." Akane was about to rush back up to her
room but Ranma stopped her.
"Eat first. Date later, Ok." Akane giggled, realizing her excitement was
far too obvious.
--------------------
| End of Chapter 6 |
--------------------
------------
| Epilogue |
------------
"You're going away?" Everyone was a shocked except Ranma. He stared at
Nabiki expecting some scowling look. The look whenever she loses a bet,
which doesn't really come that often. Ranma thought he had gotten one
over her, surprisingly, Nabiki almost looked overjoyed by the news.
"No, Misaki. You can't go." Kasumi was the one that looked unhappy by the
news.
"Don't worry, Kasumi. I'll be coming back, every so often." Misaki turned
to Ranma. "I've learned a lot with this visit. Ranma had helped me a
lot, in a lot of my problem with the whole engagement thing." Kasumi
heart sank. Nabiki's spirit soared.
Akane, though, was curious at what could her fiancée had thought him.
Nabiki leaned against Ranma, whispering something. "Thanks, I owe you
twice now. Got to be a record, eh?"
"Aren't you sad to see him go?" Ranma turned to Kasumi, seeing in the
eldest of the Tendo sister all he expected from Nabiki. "At least Kasumi
is behaving right. It's hard to lose a friend."
"You just don't know how much you helped me." Nabiki retreated back.
"Are you still going to honor that engagement?" Soun pleadingly asked
Misaki.
"Mr. Tendo. I will honor it, only if I could get...Nabiki to know me
better. It will take time. So I've made arrangements to come back."
Genma smirked, slapping his pathetic friend on the back.
"See, Tendo. You didn't have anything to worry about." Kasumi, too, felt
relieved, with Nabiki showing the opposite.
Nabiki crossed her arms. "So, since it looks like I'm going to be hitched
with you, Misaki. When do you plan to be back?" Inside, "So I can plan
ahead my vacation", Nabiki thought.
"I don't actually know. But, I'll inform you all, just like before."
Nabiki scowled inside herself.
Akane opened the door for Misaki, "So where are you going next, Misaki?"
Nabiki and Kasumi exchanged nudges. Kasumi hoped he sister would at least
smile and wave as Misaki was leaving. Nabiki, though, was trying to get
Kasumi to finally reveal her true feelings before Misaki also leaves.
"I don't know. I still have to inspect a jewelry store downtown." Misaki
turned to Ranma. "The job offer still stands, Ranma." Akane couldn't
believe what she was hearing.
"Ranma? You're looking for a job?"
"Only a part time job, Akane. Misaki thinks it'll be good for me." Both
men laughed, leaving Akane stunned. "Relax, I've got to start somewhere,
right?"
Nabiki was deep in her thoughts. "Misaki, offering a job to Ranma? A
jewelry store?"
Kasumi exclaimed. "So you own that big jewelry store downtown, Misaki?"
Kasumi pulled out her locket from her pocket and inspected the chain.
"The Kawamura Jewelry?"
"Yes, it's my step father's business that I've taken over." Misaki
approached Kasumi. "So you still have that locket, eh?" Misaki reached
for his wallet, showing Kasumi her child photo. "I've still got your photo
here." Kasumi was elated, though she suspected something.
"Do you want my recent photo?"
"Can I, please." Kasumi rushed back into the house. Nabiki stared at
Misaki.
"You own a jewelry store?"
"Um, yes. I was looking for a replacement chain for that locket a few
years ago. That was when my mother met my step-father and..." Ranma butted
in.
"To make a long story short. He's loaded, Nabiki. Big time!" Akane
dragged Ranma away.
"He is?" Misaki looked at Nabiki's changed reaction. "I mean, you are?"
"I'm sorry if I didn't tell you at once, but Ranma did say something
about..." Just then, Kasumi came back.
"Here it is." She handed a beautiful picture of her inside a frame. "And
this was supposed to be my going away present, but that was ten years
ago." Misaki took the present, inspecting it a bit, then smelling and
discovering a strange odor coming from it. "Oh, my. It's cookies I made
ten years ago. Don't.." Misaki knew exactly what to do with it.
"I'm sorry, Misaki. Anyway, come back soon." Kasumi hugged Misaki, a
replacement for her own going away gift. Nabiki finally snapped out of
her trance and cut herself in, hugging Misaki vigorously. Kasumi was
irked a little, Ranma and Akane too was startled.
"Come back soon, honey. I can't wait to see you again." Ranma glared at
Nabiki.
"Yeah, right?" Akane whispered a question. Ranma told her everything.
"Misaki, thanks again for the locket. But, I only got this today?" Kasumi
wedged her way between Nabiki and Misaki.
Though stunned a bit by the recent show of affection, Misaki recovered
from Nabiki's grasp. "Um, sure..Wait only today? I gave Nabiki that,
almost three years ago."
Kasumi glared at Nabiki. "Nabiki?!"
"Must have slipped my mind." Nabiki nervously answered.
Ranma dragged Misaki away from the two siblings. "Well, you better go.
Before you get caught in between, Misaki."
"Well, I guess you're right. Bye Akane, you take care of that guy..and
gal." He smirked, and Akane realized what he meant.
"I sure will." Misaki walked away.
----------
| Inside |
----------
Genma and Soun were setting up their game when both heard shouts coming
from the gates. "Are those two fighting again. When will Ranma and Akane
ever stop fighting, Tendo?"
Soun was about to add to his question when Ranma and Akane appeared
through the door, covering their ears. "It's not them, Saotome." Then
the two older sisters walked into the room, with raised voices.
"Ha, he's mine. All mine."
"I'll stop it, Nabiki. How could you have deceived me like that?!"
"What will you do? Marry him? You already said you won't." Kasumi was
disheartened, her sister was right. Suddenly, Soun kneeling in front of
Kasumi interrupted the two.
"Is it true, Kasumi. You have also found someone?" Kasumi weakly nodded,
though she didn't really want to elaborate on it.
"At last, all of my daughters will soon be married. This is truly a happy
day! Saotome, bring out the sake. We must celebrate."
"Daddy, I still can't marry. I made a promise." Soun looked in
disbelief. Nabiki crossed her arms.
"Yeah, remember. You still got to take care of father. So, I'll get.."
Nabiki's father again interrupted her.
"Nonsense. Kasumi doesn't have to take care of me." He turned to Kasumi,
holding her hands up. "If you have found a man, Kasumi. Then I give you
my blessings." Kasumi hugged her father joyously, and was crying in
happiness.
"Oh, father. You don't know how much that means to me. You've set me
free. Thank you." Nabiki eyes narrowed.
"Um, now that's settled, let's celebrate."
----------------
| On the porch |
----------------
Ranma and Akane watched everything happening inside. "Geez. What do you
think will happen now?" Akane looked back at her two sisters. Kasumi was
jumping and dancing around, almost hitting everything in site. Nabiki was
infuriated, and ran around the room after Kasumi. Ranma too was watching.
Kasumi stopped, stuck out her tongue at Nabiki, before running up towards
her room. Laughing all the way. Nabiki followed close behind, shouting
Kasumi's name.
"War. That's what it looks like." Akane hugged Ranma, and he returned
with the same tight embrace. And before they knew it, they were kissing.
-------------------
| End of Epilogue |
-------------------
-----------
| The End |
-----------