Dear FFMLers
Here is chapter three of Fruition. C & C will
be greatly appreciated, but please keep all comments
tasteful and constructive (I have a rather delicate
ego ^_^). You may send comments privately to
gnbean@u.washington.edu or to the FFML.
Thank you and I hope you enjoy this fanfiction
of mine.
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FRUITION by B.S.N.
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DISCLAIMER: The characters of Ranma 1/2 are the
property of Ms. Rumiko Takahashi, Shonen Sunday, Kitty,
Viz Video and all other associated parties. This
fanfiction does not intend to reap profit or benefit
of any kind; it was created for entertainment purposes
only.
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NOTE: This fanfiction does not follow the Ranma 1/2
manga/anime timeline. Rather, it has created an
alternate time. Moreover, although it uses the
characters of Ranma 1/2, not all of the characters will
be employed as I have not yet read all the manga and
have not yet seen all the anime.
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TEXT CONVENTIONS:
* * indicates thought
---- denotes change in scene/break in scene
<" "> shows Chinese dialect
_ _ notes emphasis
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CHAPTER 3: Sisterly Confidences
Although the inhabitants of Nerima were deep in
slumber and the streets were dark and still, one lonely
light glimmered faintly in a room on the second floor
of the Tendou home. Its sole occupant was quietly
pacing up and down the length of the room, her hands
clasped loosely behind her. The winter night was
growing colder and older--the clock had struck one--but
Nabiki was unmindful of the time.
She stopped to take up a sheaf of papers from the
desk. The bright, bold lettering of the University
of Kyoto logo caught her eye but she continued to shuffle
through the papers. She soon found the section on the
business department and quickly scanned the type-written
pages. "Hmm, although this university has a reputable
business department, I'm not sure if Iwanbo Electronics
will approve. . ." She glanced at the papers once again,
a thoughtful look in her brown eyes. "I suppose I could
talk to the company. . . This university is quite a
good school and, thankfully, it's far from home." She
shrugged and tossed the papers aside. "However, I
should think about this some more."
Nabiki took up the long-cold cup of coffee
and absently sipped it. She grimaced and set the
cup down. She heaved an exasperated sigh and
looked at the clock. "It's going to be a long night.
Application deadlines are approaching and I still have
to decide on what schools I'm going to apply to." She
collected the scattered papers and the cup. "I guess
I'll just have another cup of coffee downstairs and
read my papers there," she said to herself as she made
her way down the dim hallway towards the stairs.
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Upon entering the passage, Nabiki heard the
faint sound of rustling papers issuing from the main
room. Cautiously, she crept up to the doorway and
looked in. Seated there at the low table and clad
in her yellow pajamas was the youngest Tendou daughter.
Nabiki silently observed her sister for a few moments
before she cleared her throat. Akane, absorbed in her
reading, made no answer. Nabiki cleared her throat
once more, but again, Akane failed to notice. Finally,
Nabiki walked up to Akane and laid a hand on her
shoulder. "Akane-chan."
Akane started. "Nabiki oneechan!" she gasped,
"You scared me!"
"Sorry. I tried to get your attention earlier
but you didn't hear me. What are you doing up so late?"
Nabiki asked as she leaned over Akane's shoulder.
"Oh. . .just some homework," Akane answered,
hastily closing her book.
Before Akane could put the book away, however,
Nabiki seized the book and carelessly leafed through
its pages. "Biology, huh? An interesting subject
though it's not. . ." Her arched questioningly as she
glanced at the battered cover of the book. "Akane. . .
didn't you take that class last year?" Nabiki inquired.
"Well, yes. . .but I thought it might help me
in chemistry," Akane returned glibly as she rose from
the table. "Just, uh. . .thought I'd review a little
before class tomorrow."
"Oh, I see. Well, I suppose it's best to be
prepared," Nabiki blandly replied as she returned the
volume to Akane. "Study hard ,then."
"Uh. . .thanks. But. . .I think I'm going to
bed now. It's getting rather late. Konban wa,
oneechan!" Akane said.
Nabiki waved her hand distractedly in answer as
she walked towards the kitchen. "Yeah, yeah, Akane.
Sleep well."
Akane departed and Nabiki soon emerged from the
kitchen, a steaming cup of coffee in her hand.
"Hmmm. . .that's strange," murmured Nabiki as she rubbed
her chin thoughtfully. "Akane doesn't need to study
biology for chemistry and she's already taken the class.
She's obviously lying about something." Nabiki's eyes
narrowed. "But about what? What is that girl up to?"
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The vase shattered into a sparkling shower of
glass around her feet. Kasumi swayed slightly as she
clutched the edge of the sink with white-knuckled
hands. Her vision blurred and dimmed and a sheen of
perspiration formed on her brow. Gradually, the
darkness that threatened to overwhelm her receded and
color slowly returned to her pallid face. She raised a
trembling hand to her cold forehead as she stared
blankly at the floor.
*Why did I feel so. . .faint?* She continued
to gaze down at the gleaming glass shards of that
littered the floor. *These dizzy spells are
getting alarmingly frequent. . .but then again. . .*
She slowly bent down to collect the fragments of glass.
*Maybe I'm just tired. I haven't been sleeping well
lately--*
"Oneesama!" cried Akane. Kasumi turned to
see her sister hurry to her side. "What happened?
Are you okay?"
"Oh, I'm fine," Kasumi answered.
"You don't look well. Would you like to sit
down?" Akane inquired worriedly.
"No, I'm fine, really. I'll get this cleaned
up and--"
"Here, let me do it." Akane gently nudged
Kasumi aside and began to gather the scattered pieces.
"No, don't," Kasumi protested as she tried to
move Akane away. "I can clean this up. I don't want
you to hurt--"
"It's okay, I can do it," Akane interjected.
"Please, oneesama, go into the main room. I'll take
care of this."
"You should have a broom to sweep up the
smaller pieces, otherwise you may cut yourself,"
Kasumi admonished as she took out a small hand broom
and dust pan from the closet. As soon as she
approached, Akane snatched the articles from her
sister's hands.
"Thanks, oneesama." Akane swiftly swept up
the remaining particles of glass into the dust pan.
She set the broom and dust pan down and turned to her
sister. "Now go! I have this all taken care of."
She playfully pushed her sister out of the kitchen.
"Now go into the main room and rest. When I'm done,
I'll make you a cup of tea."
Kasumi looked dubiously at the steaming cup
placed before her. "Is this. . .?"
Akane smiled brightly. "Don't worry, oneesama,
it's not green tea. I made barley tea instead. It's
not difficult to make; after all, I do know how to boil
water and I do know how much barley to put in."
Kasumi gave a small breath of relief as she
took up the cup. "Thank you, Akane-chan. It was very
nice of you to help me in the kitchen and make this tea."
She took a tentative sip and gave her sister an
approving smile. "It's very good."
Akane beamed. "I'm glad you like it, oneesama.
Are you feeling better now? You didn't look so well in
the kitchen."
"Oh, I was feeling fine earlier, Akane-chan,"
Kasumi replied cheerfully. "You didn't need to worry.
What happened in the kitchen was simply an accident."
"But you looked so pale. . ."
"Oh that!" Kasumi waved her hand dismissively.
"Well, I was just surprised by what happened, that's
all. Really, you are worrying for nothing!"
Akane looked at her sister, her brow creased
in worry. *Will she be okay? Oneesama never drops
antyhing--she's usually so careful. . .*
"Oneesama, are you sure you feel okay?" Akane
queried once again.
"Quite sure," Kasumi responded.
Akane studied her sister's features for a few
minutes. *She looks a little pale still. . .but she
said her was feeling all right. . . I suppose she
turned pale from surprise. At any rate, there's
no point in pursuing the issue. Oneesama would only
insist that she's okay. I guess I better take her
word for it.* Akane nodded gave her sister's hand an
affectionate squeeze before she rose from her seat.
"Well, if you're sure that you're okay, I guess there
isn't much I can do. But if you need me, please tell
me." Akane glanced at her watch. "Anyway, I need to
leave, oneesama. I have some things that I need to
take care of before school."
"Surely you don't have to leave now, do you,
Akane-chan? It's still very early." Kasumi set her cup
down and patted the seat next to her invitingly. "Why
don't you sit down and chat with me for a little while?"
"Well. . .I don't know. . ."
"Come now. We haven't had a good conversation
for quite some time. It would be nice for us to talk
for a bit, wouldn't it?"
"Well. . ." After a moment's consideration,
however, Akane sat down. "So, oneesama, what is it that
you want to talk about?"
"Oh, nothing in particular. It's just that it's
been a while since we last chatted. I need to catch up
on the news--I'm sure you have so many things to tell
me," Kasumi replied brightly.
"There's really nothing exciting or special
going on in my life, oneesama."
"Well, how about school? How are you doing in
your classes?"
Akane looked at her sister in confusion and
surprise. "Uh. . .it's fine, but. . .um. . .why do you
ask?"
"Nabiki told me you were studying late last night
and since you've been having those tutorials, I've been
a little anxious," Kasumi explained. She set her cup down
once more, a look of motherly concern on her young face.
"Are you okay? Are those tutorials with Hinako Sensei
helping at all?"
"Oh no! Really, I'm okay! Don't worry about
me, oneesama! Trust me, Hinako Sensei really is helping
me a lot! I'm doing a lot better now in school because
of the extra time I spend with her."
"Are you sure? If you must study late at night
in addition to the hours of studying that you do in
the afternoon, it seems that your tutorials with
Hinako-sensei are inadequate. I think--"
"Oneesama, really, I'm doing fine," Akane
interrupted impatiently. "If you want, I'll even
show you my recent test scores to prove to you that I'm
still doing well in school.
Kasumi said nothing for a few moment. Finally
she said, "It's okay, Akane-chan. If you say this is
so, then I suppose it's all right."
"It is, oneesama. Don't worry."
Kasumi nodded but her expression was still grave.
Akane noted the look and asked, "What's wrong, oneesama?"
"Nothing, Akane-chan."
"What is it? You still look worried."
Kasumi smiled and shook her head as she took up
her cup. "Oh, it's nothing, Akane-chan. Don't worry."
"What is it? If it were truly nothing, you
wouldn't look so anxious. Tell me."
"I don't know if I should say anything. . . It's
really quite trivial. Besides, I don't know much about it
and I could be wrong. . ."
"Please, oneesama?"
"Well. . ." Kasumi began, "I was just thinking
that it seems odd that you would need to study biology
for chemistry."
"Oh. . .that. . .uh. . .well. . ." Akane
shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "It's just that
we've been studying some really difficult material
lately and I. . .uh. . .thought that I-I needed to
review a little."
"Really? I don't think I ever had to review
biology for chemistry when I was in school. Well, it's
been so long since I've been in school, I suppose things
have changed," said Kasumi.
"Yeah, well, things have changed, oneesama," Akane
echoed weakly.
Kasumi shrugged as she took another sip of tea.
"I suppose so. But that isn't what Nabiki-chan told me."
"Nabiki oneechan?"
Kasumi nodded. "When I asked her if the course
curriculum has altered since I went to school, she said
that it hasn't."
"My instructor t-teaches things a little. . .
differently," Akane stammered, a flush beginning to
stain her cheeks.
"I see." Kasumi rose and walked to the doorway.
She gazed out into the hallway for some minutes before
she finally said, "Akane-chan, I don't think that you're
telling me the truth."
Akane stared at Kasumi in astonishment. "H-how
did you. . . Wh-what are you talking about, oneesama?"
"You have never been a very good liar, Akane,"
said Kasumi as she turned to face her sister. "I can
always tell when you are lying to me."
"I-I don't know what you mean. . ."
"I think I know what is going on, but I would
rather have you tell me."
"Th-there's nothing to tell. . ."
"Akane, please, I want to hear it from you."
Although Kasumi's voice was still gentle, Akane detected
a subtle note of hurt in its tone. "Please, Akane-chan,
tell me what is going on. What is it that you're trying to
hide?"
Akane averted her eyes to avoid her sister's
gaze. The tender look in Kasumi's dark brown eyes--so
much like their mother's own--distressed her. She
longed to speak--to release the secret that had been
locked away within her for so many months, but fear and
doubt kept her silent. Akane glanced at Kasumi--the
sister who had been her mentor, her mother and her
best friend--and was torn between her guilt and her
apprehension. Akane sat for some minutes in a silent
struggle, but though her remorse was great, her fear
was even greater. She bowed her head and remained
reticent.
"I see," murmured Kasumi. She paused for a few
moments before she continued. "Although I would prefer
hearing it from you, I suppose that I must tell you what
I think is going on, since you are unwilling to talk
about it." She looked out into the hallway
again. "I think you have those study sessions with Ms.
Hinako, not to help you with your current studies, but
to help you. . .with the college entrance exam. That's
right, isn't it?"
Akane sat in stunned silence for a few minutes
before she finally asked in a low voice, "H-how did you
know?"
"I've seen how hard you've been studying,
Akane-chan. For a long time now, I've know how much you
wanted to go to college. I've know that you've been
studying for the exam since you were in middle school.
But lately, I've noticed that you've been studying twice
as hard--every morning before school, in the afternoons,
every night when everyone on the house is asleep."
Kasumi smiled to herself as she recalled those nights
when she discovered Akane asleep, her head on her book.
The smile faded, however, and she sighed before she
proceeded.
"When I found out about your tutorials with Ms.
Hinako, I suspected that you had somehow managed to find
someone to help you study for the exam. I knew that you
didn't need help with your studies--your grades are too
good. I've also seen what you've studied. Most of the
subjects that you are working on now are ones that you've
already taken in school. It doesn't make sense for you
to study subjects that you've already completed--especially
when you said that your tutorials were to help with
the subjects that you were studying now."
Akane did not respond, however, and continued to
gaze down at the floor.
"Now tell me. . ." Kasumi said as she turned
away from the door and walked towards Akane, "Why
did you want to keep this a secret?"
Akane rose and looked up, an anguished
expression in her eyes. "Oneesama. . .I-I--" Without
warning, she turned and ran towards the door. Yet before
Akane could cross the threshold, Kasumi palced a gentle
hand upon her sister's arm.
"Akane-chan." Kasumi said. "Don't go. Please
talk to me. I want to help you."
Akane said nothing and turned her head away.
"Akane. . ." Kasumi began.
Akane glanced up, her eyes welling with tears.
Suddenly, she reached out and held her sister tightly.
"Oneesama. . ."
"Shh. It's all right, Akane-chan," Kasumi
whispered as she embraced her. "Don't cry. Everything
will be all right."
"Now, Akane-chan," Kasumi said as she sat down
beside her sister and took Akane's hands in her own.
"There is no need to hide anymore. What is it that kept
you silent?"
After a long pause, Akane finally spoke. "I-I was
afraid that. . .someone in the family may. . .disapprove
of it."
"Why, Akane, who do you think would do such a
thing?"
"I feel that perhaps. . .Dad. . .or Uncle
Saotome will. . ." whispered Akane.
"Oh, I see," Kasumi said.
The two sisters sat side-by-side in silent
contemplation. Finally, Akane murmured, "I know what I
said seems rude. . .and disrespectful. . .b-but I can't help
but feel that this will happen."
Kasumi pressed her sister's hands in mute
understanding. "I know what you mean, Akane-chan.
I can see why you want to keep this a secret. What you
said is neither rude nor disrespectful--it is the truth."
"I know Dad is unlike most Japanese men; many
men would not train their daughters in the martial
arts. But Father is still traditional in many ways; he
has already engaged me to. . ." Akane paused, a strange
expression of sorrow, anger and wistfulness on her
features. After a few moments of reflection, Akane
slightly shook herself as if to dismiss the dark musings
that troubled and continued. "Anyway, Dad expects me to
marry as soon as I complete high school. Although Dad
allowed Nabiki oneechan to attend college, she had to
argue and coax him into agreement. Even now, I know he
is still unhappy with her decision. But oneesama, I-I
want to go too. There are so many things in life that I
have yet to experience and there are so many things that
I still want to do. You know how I've always loved to
learn. . .and how I've always wanted to go to college so
that I can continue to learn."
"Yes, I know," Kasumi answered.
"That is why I've tried to keep it a secret--why
I tried to hide it from the family. If Daddy or
Uncle Saotome found out, they may try to. . .prevent me
from going. I think it was easier for Nabiki oneechan
to persuade Father because of. . .because of. . ."
Kasumi nodded. "There is no need to say
anything more, Akane-chan. I know that too."
"I-I'm sorry that I didn't tell you sooner,
oneesama. I-I wanted to tell you, but--"
"It's okay, Akane-chan. I understand."
"Oneesama. . .you won't tell Father or Uncle
Saotome, will you?"
"I promise you that I won't tell Father. And
I'll do whatever I can to help you."
"Thank you, oneesama."
The sisters lapsed into silence once more.
Akane leaned against her sister, her dark head on
Kasumi's shoulder. The guilt that had burdened her
heart was finally lifted; she could openly confide in
her sister once more. For the first time in many weeks,
Akane felt tranquil and happy. Yet as the minutes
passed, the serenity and contentment within her waned
as she felt the familiar anxiety and incertitude
overtake her heart once more.
"Oneesama. . ."
"Yes, Akane-chan?"
"D-do you think. . .that I. . .that I made the
right decision?"
"What do you mean>"
"I-I have this feelings that. . .that I made
the wrong choice. . . I have this strange sense of
foreboding. . . It's as if something bad will happen
because of my decision. Do you think so, oneesama?"
Kasumi looked down at her sister in puzzlement.
There was an expression of melancholy and apprehension
on Akane's features, but she could not recollect a
single instance which would have provoked such a strange
query and look. Although Kasumi was sorely perplexed,
she did not mention it. Instead, Kasumi simply stroked
her sister's head reassuringly and replied, "No, I don't
think you did. I believe that you made the right
choice, Akane-chan."
Akane smiled but was not comforted.
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Kasumi turned to the doorway. "Come in,
Nabiki-chan," Kasumi called out. "Akane is gone now."
Nabiki sauntered into the room, a look of mock
sheepishness on her countenance. "You caught me,
oneesama."
"I knew you were listening to us the whole time."
Nabiki shrugged. "There's no harm in that,
right?"
"No, I don't think so," Kasumi conceded. Yet
the expression on her face hardened slightly; it was
a look of sternness seldom seen on that placid and
sunny countenance. "But remember, this is to be a secret.
I don't want to hear you using this against Akane. None
of your tricks, okay, Nabiki-chan? Promise?"
The second Tendou daughter extended her pinkie
out to Kasumi. "I promise."
"Good," said Kasumi as she curled her finger
around Nabiki's own.
"So," said Nabiki, a slightly sardonic smile on
her face as she knelt by the table, "Akane-chan is
planning on going to college, huh?"
"Yes, isn't that wonderful?" Kasumi beamed as
she stood up. "Personally, I never wanted to go to
college, but I still think it's a worthy ambition."
"Yes, I suppose it is," drawled Nabiki, a bored
expression on her features.
"Why, Nabiki, you don't sound a bit pleased!"
exclaimed Kasumi, giving her sister a reproving look.
"Why, I couldn't be more thrilled, oneesama,"
Nabiki answered as she unfolded the morning newspaper.
"What makes you think that I wouldn't be happy for my
little sister?"
"Nothing, I suppose," said Kasumi as she bent
over the table to retrieve her cup. She shot her
sister a keen glance but Nabiki, engrossed in her
perusal of the business section, did not see it. "Well,
I'm going to prepare breakfast now. Father and Uncle
Saotome should be awake soon."
Nabiki only nodded in answer as her eyes scanned
the paper before her.
"Would you like anything? A cup of tea?
Coffee?"
"No, no, I'm fine," Nabiki returned somewhat
irritably.
"All right, then. Breakfast will be ready in
half an hour," said Kasumi as she walked towards the
kitchen. At the threshold of the door, however, she
paused to look back at her sister. Nabiki, unaware of
Kasumi's presence, slowly laid the paper aside and
propped her head against her hand, lost in thought.
Kasumi said nothing but as she turned to enter
the kitchen, her brows knitted together in worry.
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AUTHOR'S NOTE: Well, this is the third chapter.
Admittedly, this chapter is slow, but this is
intentional--I want to use this chapter to build up to
later conflict. Once again, C & C would be greatly
appreciated. I also want to thank my pre-reader,
Brian Payne, for all his support; you have been so kind,
helpful and encouraging to me. Truly, my poor work has
improved immensely under your guidance and counsel.
Moreover, his work has been a source of inspiration
to me as well. (His Nabiki is one which I would like
to portray in my own work--but I doubt that mine will
be as skillful or as well-done as his own characterization
of her.) Thank you, Brian! ^_^
I also want to thank Allyn Yonge, my
fanfiction guide and mentor. Without his tutelage,
my work would have been indeed quite poor; without
his own fanfiction, I would not be inspired to write
(not to mention awed as well.)
And a special shout-out to Jitou, another
FFMLer and author of the awesome, "Master Battousai."
(By the bye, I will have my C & C finished and sent
out soon! ^_^)
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