"Ranma Nibunnoichi", which includes various characters and situations
are copyrighted by Takahashi Rumiko, Shogakukan, and Viz
Communications. Used without permission.
-----
"Furinkan-cho, the next stop is Furinkan-cho." The announcer's
monotone voice wafted through the loudspeakers, more or less oblivious
to those that were seated on the stifling train. As the train hurtled
down the tracks, the casual observer could see the affects of the sun
just under the horizon, leaving a dimming orange glow halo along the
eastern part of the cityscape.
But the beauty of this didn't seem to phase one particular
passenger. A woman of the world, aged by time but still with the
vivacity of her youth somewhere within her deep, brown eyes. Her
features were set within a stoic mold, an unreadable guise that
didn't let anyone through save a precious few, and as the passenger
car came to a stop, she let all those who found that stop their
destination disembark before she picked up the bags at her side and
made her exit. Wordlessly, she left the station and made her way
across the darkening city.
It didn't seem real, as she peered back into the thoughts and
actions of the past few weeks. Her life seemed to spike from high
point to low. But throughout all of this, she didn't crumble, and
neither would she now. She was Tendou Nabiki, after all. As she
neared her destination, she paused under the feeble light of a
nearby lamppost. Taking out a compact mirror, she peered into it,
noting the toll of her skin that only age could extract. She
remembered a time, more distant than she'd ever care to admit, when
there weren't any wrinkles. The bags under her eyes were usually
reserved for others who dealt with her. She set a purse to her lips
and said to herself, "It won't be so bad, 'biki. Two weeks, tops.
And after that, you'll be back out in the world." With that, she put
her compact away and opened the gates to a familiar home out of the
past.
She resisted the urge to just turn the doorknob like so many
times. Instead, she knocked on the door. A few moments later, a
familiar face appeared in the door with a smile on his face. Even
after all the years, the presence that emanated from the man in the
doorway could not be denied. "Welcome home, Nabiki." said the man.
"Thanks Ranma. It's good to be back."
Hitotoshi...
by
b. b. brittain
A Ranma Nibunnoichi Fanfiction Story
Nabiki tentatively walked down the second floor hallway towards
the stairs. Ranma obviously spent time in fixing up her old room,
where she would be staying for her estimated two weeks. Up until
recently, it was used as another storage room. It wasn't much,
compared to what she was used to. A simple bed, a desk with a couple
of drawers. But the boxes that used to occupy this room were cleared
away and there wasn't a speck of dust anywhere to be found. It would
become her base of operations, and for all the time spent, she was
inwardly grateful. She descended the stairs and looked out at the
old homestead.
In so many ways, the home was just as she remembered it. Down to
the simple vase that stood off to the side of the living room, plastic
flowers put out in a graceful but eye-catching pattern. It surprised
her so, that she didn't realize Ranma had come out of the kitchen and
put down some tea, asking her if she was all right. She made sure her
surprise was checked as she replied, "I'm fine. It's just...you've
kept everything the same."
Ranma nodded, as he waited for Nabiki to sit with him on the
couch before continuing. "Yeah. Funny enough, but it's sorta
comfortin'." He chuckled as he sipped his tea. Looking at Nabiki,
he said, "So...."
Raising an eyebrow, Nabiki glanced back to him. "So...?" She
reached down to pick up her cup.
Ranma set his down. "Oh c'mon, Nabiki. We haven't seen ya in
five years. Five years, and suddenly ya ask fer a visit. What's
goin' on?"
Nabiki was primed to keep her information to her chest. She
had come up with a dozen different excuses on the train alone. But
looking at Ranma for a moment she let loose a small sigh instead.
She needed to confess. "It...it's hard to explain. Have you been
keeping up with the news lately? About the stock market?"
Ranma gave a nod. "Yeah. Somethin' 'bout a market crash,
right? But you're the numbers guru in the family, Nabiki. All that
stuff's lost on me." With a curious look, he asked, "Why? What's
goin' on?"
Nabiki paused, as she shifted in her seat. She looked down
into her cup. "I lost everything. My job, my house...gone."
Nabiki's facade cracked a bit as she whispered. "I'm bankrupt,
Ranma."
Ranma's face slowly turned pale. "Bankrupt...? But you were
vice-president of the damn company! How could ya have gotten fired?"
Nabiki shook her head. "I wasn't fired. The whole company went
under."
Ranma said with a soft voice, "I don' know what ta say. Didn'cha
have anythin' put away?"
"I do. Well, did." She gave a small shrug. "I tried to shore
up the dam, as it were. Help the company. But it wasn't enough. I
had to sell my house to pay things off. All I have now is a few
hundred thousand yen. And what's upstairs, plus a few boxes in
storage, but that's it."
Unable to think of something else to say, Ranma just sat there.
Reluctantly, Nabiki finally took a sip of her tea. "I'm not looking
for charity though, Ranma. I just need a place to stay for a while,
to get myself on my feet again. I can pay you room and board until
I find something."
Ranma blinked, appalled. "Not if I have somethin' ta say about
it. You're goin' ta stay here free, got that?"
"I can't, Ranma." Slowly, a small smirk appeared on her lips.
"I'm not going to be a freeloader like someone I used to know. I'll
pay my own way."
Ranma returned the smirk with one of his own. "Okay. Done deal
then." Looking up at the clock on the wall, he slowly stood. "Well,
I need ta get dinner ready. Wanna help?"
* * *
Ranma was a wiz in the kitchen, Nabiki noted. He hovered over
the various pots, pans, and sorted uncooked foods like a warden,
ready to put an ingredient here, a spice there. Nabiki just shook
her head in amusement at the changed man from her memories. Over
the years, the macho jerk became quite a devoted housekeeper, not
to mention an exquisite martial arts sensei. He still had the ego,
but it wasn't as pronounced as it once was. And there was one
single reason why. Over the years, he acquired a third title to
the previous two. Saotome Ranma, family man. Nabiki still had to
chuckle at that.
"She's already 8 now, an' a mankiller like her ol' man, yep!"
Ranma said proudly, as he was putting tofu into the soup he was
making. Nabiki smirked. "Now is that literally or figuratively,
Ranma?"
Ranma laughed, "Both, dependin' who ya are. She's got her
mom's temper. But she'll grow outta it. Well, I'd like ta think so
at least." He gave a grinning shrug and stirred the soup.
It was then when they both heard a pair of voices call out,
"Tadaima!" from the front of the house. Turning from the cutting
board, she spotted the aforementioned fireball of energy coming at
her. She had just enough time to set down the knife she was holding
so she could be assaulted by the glomp given to her by the little
redhead. "Nabiki-obasan!" the girl screamed happily.
Nabiki's lips curled into a small smile. "Heya kiddo. How are
you doing?"
The girl let loose enough to say in a singsong voice, "Fiiine!
Are you gonna stay with us for a while?"
Nabiki coughed but nodded. "Yeah, looks like it." It was at
that moment that another figure walked through the doorway, dark eyes
sending daggers at Nabiki. Even though it had been years, the woman
in the doorway still possessed most of the childlike features she had
in her childhood. Nabiki's smile faded as she said, "Uh...heya
Akane."
Akane gave Nabiki a small nod before she turned towards the
girl. "Michiko, go get cleaned up for dinner, okay?"
Michiko nodded and waved happily at her aunt before scampering
off to the bathroom. Making sure she was out of earshot, Akane
looked back to Nabiki. "So what brings you to this part of Tokyo,
Nabiki? Slumming?"
Nabiki looked at Akane, putting on her usual mask of
nonchalance. "I wanted to visit my sister and her husband. Got a
problem with that?"
"Yeah, as a matter of fact, I do. I...." the words died on her
lips as Ranma walked over towards his wife. "Akane...stop it, 'k?
Why don'cha go wash up for dinner? We'll talk 'bout this after
Michiko goes up ta do her homework."
Akane growled but muttered, "Yes, dear." in that mechanical way
reserved for things done not out of want but of necessity. After
sending another scowl Nabiki's way, she walked over to the bathroom
herself.
Turning back, Ranma sighed and looked over to Nabiki. "Ya knew
this was goin' ta happen, comin' back an' all."
"Yeah...I know." she replied a shake of her head. "But I didn't
know what else to do. I still have that knee-jerk reaction and wall
her off."
"But she's yer sister. I still can't believe ya two are like
this after all this time."
Nabiki slowly nodded as she picked up her knife, turning slowly
to the cutting board. "It...happens."
Ranma made his way over to her and put a hand on her shoulder.
"We'll have a nice meal, then talk about stuff, k?"
Nabiki nodded. "Sure." After a pause, she added, "Oh, by the
way?"
"Hai?"
"Your soup's boiling over."
"Shimatta!" went Ranma and he rushed over to the pot in full
flight and panic.
* * *
Dinner wasn't quite the war zone that Nabiki envisioned. That
was the case mainly because Michiko deflected most of the proposed
fire. There wasn't any way Akane was going to fight with her daughter
there. While Ranma, Nabiki, and Michiko caught up on idle banter,
Akane sat at the other end of the table, eating quietly, stewing.
Finally, dinner was over and Michiko excused herself to go up to do
her homework. The three cleared off the table and sat down in the
kitchen, drinking some coffee.
After minutes of silence amidst the casual sip that would have
driven anyone up the wall, Ranma started things off. "So how long
are ya plannin' ta stay again, Nabiki?"
Nabiki gave a shrug. "I think two weeks ought to cover it.
Just enough to--"
She was cut off by Akane's remark. "Two weeks? You stop by,
and decide to stay two weeks?" Turning to Ranma she asked, "And you
said it was okay?"
Ranma frowned at his wife as he replied, "Akane, she just needs
ta get herself back on her feet." Turning to Nabiki, he said, "You
should tell her."
She slowly nodded, and despite her facade she couldn't help but
sigh. Looking down into the mug she cradled in her hands, she said
quietly, "Fact of the matter is, I'm broke, Akane. I lost everything
when my company went under. I just need a couple of weeks to get back
on my feet."
Akane started to say something, but stopped as the words seeped
in. "I...see." was finally what she was able to come up with.
Nabiki looked up to Akane. "I'll stay out of your way, if it
makes you happy. And I'm going to pay rent, I at least have enough
to do that. A couple of weeks, and I'll be out of your hair, okay?"
Akane blinked but gave a curt nod. "Y-yeah, fine."
Ranma chose this moment to come back into the conversation.
"Anyone want a refill?"
Nabiki shook her head. "Uh, no...I'm fine. I'm going to turn
in early, actually. I should get an early start tomorrow." She set
down her mug and slowly got to her feet.
Ranma nodded. "Well, oyasumi nasai, Nabiki. Sleep well, k?"
Nabiki nodded and moved off towards her room. A pair of eyes
gazed until she was out of earshot, before Akane whirled her head back
to look at Ranma. "You should have told me, Ranma. I mean Nabiki of
all people comes in and wants to crash here for a few weeks? You
know what I would have said."
Ranma sighed as he stood to put the dishes in the sink. "Yeah,
I know. An' ya know what I'd say in return. Akane, she's family.
More'n that, she's yer sister. I wasn't gonna put her out on the
street like that."
Akane flailed her arms about, "What, we're a charity house now?
She could have stayed with Kasumi."
Ranma turned from the sink and leaned back on the counter. He
did think about Kasumi, but it was only a passing thought in the end.
Crossing his arms, he peered towards Akane. "Yeah. But her an' Tofu
ain't livin' here. It's the home that she needed, not just family
members. She needs the laughter a Michiko. A longtime friend. An'
her sister ta be there for her."
Akane scowled at Ranma before slowly breaking into a wan smile,
the first of the night. "Gods above, Ranma. You still never cease
to amaze me."
Ranma blinked. "What'd I do now?"
Akane stood and made her way to him. "That the great and mighty
Saotome Ranma is actually considerate to someone other than his
daughter."
Ranma gave his wife a hug. "Ya know how family is ta me, hon.
An' I know there's bad blood 'tween ya two right now. But bad blood
or not, she's family. An' we gotta stick together."
Akane sighed but relinquished a nod. "She gets in my way though,
I'm still going to deck her."
Ranma sighed as well. "Well, we'll work on that." He leaned in
and gave her a small kiss. "Let's go on ta bed. I think someone
needs a pick-me-up."
Akane grinned up at her husband. "I'd love to, but I've got to
finish this file I'm working on. If things go well, I'll be able to
finally have little Kaori living with the Matsunagas by Friday."
Ranma gave a nod. "Gotcha. Raincheck?"
Akane grinned. "Of course."
He slowly disengaged his arms from Akane. "You go on inta the
room. I'm gonna see if Michiko needs anythin'."
"Well, don't be long." With that she made her way to the main
bedroom. Ranma made his way up the stairs and towards what was
Akane's old room. He gave a knock and peeked in the door. "Ya
need anythin' hon?"
Michiko looked from her desk to her father. "Nope! Just
finishing homework. You gonna go to bed?"
Ranma nodded, slowly sliding through the door. "Yeah. Just
seein' if ya needed anythin'."
Michiko shook her head and slipped from her desk to run and
give Ranma a hug. "I'm fine. Yasumi, Daddy."
Ranma smiled and returned the hug. "Yasumi, Michichan. See ya
in the morning." With that, he left the room and closed the door
quietly. As an afterthought, he walked over to Nabiki's room. He
brought his hand down to knock, but was stopped when he heard
something. After a few moments he heard it again. It was
unmistakable, though he only heard the sound once, maybe twice in all
the years he had lived in the house. It was better he thought to
leave her alone for the night instead of being a nuisance. He slowly
turned and walked away from Nabiki's soft sobs.
* * *
Nabiki was never a morning person. It showed when at first
light the sounds of fighting emanated from outside her window. She
leaned out the window in a half-sleep and yelled out, "We're sleeping
here!"
A form raced out into her line of sight. "Ohayo, Nabiki! Just
gettin' some practice done!" And with that a flash of red sent Ranma
into the koi pond. "Ohayo, Obasan!"
Nabiki blearily looked down at her niece. "Ohayo, kiddo. Keep
kicking butt, hon."
Michiko flashed a victory sign up at her aunt. "Always!" And
with that she raced to give her onna-father another bashing. Nabiki
just shook her head and went back for 30 more minutes of sleep.
Her alarm woke her up the second time, and rather than pounding
it into dust she just pounded it and slowly sat up. She rubbed her
tearstained eyes and looked around her room. "Okay, new day, 'biki.
Time to find a new job."
Sliding over to the edge of her bed, Nabiki slowly put on her
slippers and a robe, and groggily made her way down the stairs. In
the kitchen, she found a pot of coffee and a kettle warming on the
stove. She grabbed a mug and poured herself a cup of coffee and
walked towards the engawa. Sitting down and leaning back on one of
the support beams, she looked out at the father-daughter practice,
sipping her coffee slowly.
It didn't take long for Nabiki to realize that Michiko was
certainly as talented as her father, though still clearly under his
level. Though the last time she did any martial arts was at an
age even younger than her niece's, she still had an eye for judging
people, and Nabiki was certain that when she was 16, Michiko would
be better than Ranma was at that age.
Ranma gave his daughter a pat on the shoulder. "Okay, squirt.
That's enough fer today. Go get cleaned up fer school." With that
Michiko rushed into the house, pausing only to give Nabiki a kiss on
the cheek. Ranma looked up to see Nabiki and smiled. "Heya.
Sleep okay?"
Nabiki gave a shrug as she looked at him over the rim of her mug.
"Sure. Losing everything does wonders for sleeping." Standing,
she said, "I'll give you a hand with breakfast."
Ranma picked up a towel by the steps and started to wipe himself
off. "Sure, that'd be great. Akane should be home from her jog in
about 20 minutes." With that they got into the kitchen and made
short work of the morning food preparations. Things were all set by
the time Akane returned from her jog.
Akane walked into the kitchen and poured herself a cup of coffee.
"Morning." she said and made her way to her husband for a quick kiss.
Ranma smiled. "Good jog?"
Akane nodded. "As always. Early meeting today, though. I need
to go get changed. Is breakfast going to make it, or do you need
help?"
Ranma shook his head. "Nah, I've got it handled with Nabiki
here." Nabiki was making Michiko's bento at the moment. "It'll be
fine, really."
Pausing to give Nabiki a critical eye, she nodded to Ranma.
"Okay then. I'll be back down in 20 then." With that she vanished
into the house.
"She's not going to let up, is she." Nabiki commented, as she put
the finishing touches on the bento.
Ranma sighed. "Give her time. She's also pressured by this
adoption case she's been working on. There's a little kid out there
that's needin' a family, y'know?"
Nabiki gave a nod. "Well, I'm sure she'll do great. She's
really put the effort into that job."
Ranma nodded. "I know. All those college courses and extra
time at the family services center finally paid off. If things go
well, a new family will be made. It's really a sight ta see
somethin' like that." The two worked in silence for a bit after that.
After tying the bento up, Nabiki said, "Well, that does it I
think. Is this okay?" She presented the finished item for Ranma's
approval.
Ranma nodded. "Looks good." After a moment he blinked and
asked, "Ya know, I just remembered something. Since when did you
learn how ta cook? Last time I saw ya, ya were all thumbs when it
came ta cookin'."
Nabiki chuckled. "Obvious as always, hmm?" She shrugged and
replied, "Living alone, I didn't want to order out every night. I
got some cooking lessons from Kasumi on the sly a while back so I
could at least have a home cooked meal once in a while."
"Took better than her attempts with Akane, I take it." Ranma
said, a grin on his face.
"You could say that." she grinned in return. "Though I'm sure
by now Akane's food is decent."
Ranma looked towards the door before moving close to Nabiki.
"Confidentially, it's still around hospital food quality. But at
least it's consistent now. Though ya didn't hear it from me."
Nabiki nodded solemnly. "Understood." Her lips formed a small
smile. "I still have to laugh, Ranma. When we first met, if I was
told you'd become superdad, I'd have laughed in their face." She
looked at him seriously. "You're so much different since then."
Ranma paused and looked at Nabiki. "Thanks, Nabiki. It's
just time, I think. I guess some things just came inta focus. But
look at you, I mean...vice-president? For a woman in Japan, that's
like...."
The small smile faded and out came the usual taciturn purse of
the lips. "Well, I'm not a vice-president anymore." She sagged
slightly. "I'll find another job. Won't take too long to find
another one. I mean, I've got the skills and experience. I'll be
okay."
Ranma nodded slowly. "Sure thing, Nabiki." At that moment a
bundle of energy chose that moment to make herself known by barreling
into Ranma. "Daddy!"
Giving her a hug Ranma looked down at Michiko. "Heya hon. Set
the table, okay?"
Nabiki shook her head, clearing away the cobwebs and finished
wrapping up the bento. She'll be okay, she thought. All it took was
a few days, and a few of her contacts.
* * *
Nabiki leaned back in her chair, after moving her mouse and
clicking the accept button on her laptop's screen. "Well, that's
that." she muttered and closed down the web browser that was
currently showing the webpage from The Monster Board. The site
was supposed to be a headhunter type service for executives, but it
was still rather new. She hoped it would at least produce something.
She had already called her grapevine of friends, several of
which were top executives at various companies spread across Japan.
Unfortunately, the economic woes were hitting everyone hard. Most of
her friends were scrambling to save their own jobs, and couldn't
afford a new executive. "At this rate, I'll be working at McDonalds
by next week." She sighed and stood up. She decided to go downstairs.
It was almost noon, and she wondered what Ranma was doing.
As she descended the stairs, she couldn't help but sigh once
more. After all these years, not accepting any help from anyone,
she ascended the corporate ladder with the speed no one thought
possible. At 27, she became a vice-president. No one in Japan had
ever heard of a female vice-president in a multinational corporation,
much less one that young. She was on the cover of Time Magazine for
the gods sakes. 'The changing face of Japanese Business' the
headline said, with her portrait and a Japanese flag in the
background.
And then two years later, she's out of a job. It just didn't
seem right. It didn't seem fair. It didn't...she just shook her
head and looked around. The house was empty. But from the dojo
emanated sounds, so she headed on over. She entered and found a
group of about 20 women of various ages in training gi, facing
Ranma.
"Okay, now partner up and we'll go over what I just taught ya.
Remember, ya need ta follow through with yer actions. The contact
ain't the end of it, it's that ya continue with yer motions until
the move is completed. Okay, let's start." Ranma's eyes darted over
to Nabiki and he waved before making his way over.
"Which class is this?" Nabiki asked, as various women were
getting tossed on their backsides from their partners.
"Lunchtime selfdefense class. Various OLs from the area come
in durin' their lunch hour. We also get some housewives too. We
train fer about 30 minutes and then eat here, before they go back
ta work or home."
Nabiki whistled. "That's pretty slick, Ranma. And pretty
smart. I would think that more people would sign up though,
especially here in Nerima."
"You kidding?" He grinned like a cat. "This is only the
Monday course. This one's 3 days a week. Tuesday-Thursday's got
30 enrolled."
"And here I thought you didn't have a sense for business."
Ranma gave Nabiki a nudge. "Rubbed off from you, I guess. Oh,
one second." Ranma jogged up to the front of the class and said,
"Okay everyone! That's enough for today. Let's get changed and
eat!" With that the class formed their lines and bowed to Ranma to
which he bowed back. Then some women started for the changing rooms
located in the back while others started in on the tables of food to
the side.
"Potluck?" Nabiki asked.
Ranma nodded. "Yeah. It made sense, since it'd take too long
ta get food somewhere else and make it back ta work in an hour. Some
of the housewives make food, others bring in stuff they made the
night before. Hey, you hungry? I'm sure the girls won't mind."
Nabiki nodded and they proceeded to eat. Women slowly drifted
off after that, some hurrying back to work, others heading back home.
Soon it was just Nabiki and Ranma. Ranma was already on his third
plate.
"That was something...." Nabiki said, after finishing her
plate.
"Ain't it? Saves me from cookin' durin' the day too." He put
down his plate, his belly more than full. "So, what's on tap fer you
today?"
Setting her plate to the side, Nabiki shrugged. "I've various
appointments scattered this week, but I couldn't get one penned in
for today. And I sent out my resume to all the internet resources
I could. I guess today's...a free day." She looked down to her
hands. "I don't know what to do with myself."
Ranma smirked. "Well, I've got an advanced teen class at four.
But hey, why not call up some old friends? I saw Naokosan the other
day over by the markets. I'm sure she'd love a visit."
"Naoko? Hasagawa Naoko? Huh, it's been...10 years...since I
thought of her. Since we graduated from Furinkan. How's she
doing?"
"Well, she's married now. Her last name's Tanaka now. She's
got one kid, a boy. He's in my toddlers class on Thursdays. Really
nice kid, an' he's got some talent. She works part-time at a law
firm, as an OL."
Nabiki blinked. "Really. Well, isn't that something. Maybe
I will go see her."
"Yeah. I'm sure she'd love ta see you. Hmm, who else...."
* * *
Nabiki waved goodbye and stepped off the porch, into the late
afternoon. Naoko was shocked to see Nabiki, but after that wore
off they started talking. It was really something to see her after
all those years.
"Who would have thought, Tendou Nabiki, the corporate hellcat,
in my house! We're all proud of you, you know. You really made
your dreams come true!" Naoko said.
"Well, yeah. I guess I did. I'm just surprised you still
remember me."
"You were in all the papers not long ago, how couldn't we?"
Nabiki sighed as she walked down the street. She skillfully
avoided letting out the secret she didn't have a job anymore. It
wasn't a finalized thing for another week, thankfully, so it
wouldn't be in any papers yet. And, she didn't want the whole
conversation to revolve around her. She asked instead of Naoko's
family. To which she gushed on and on about for the better part of
an hour.
But as it was time to go, Naoko asked, "How's your family? You
have a husband, ne?"
Nabiki blinked, being blindsided by the question. "Family?"
Naoko nodded. "Yeah! Did you marry?"
"No, no." she replied, shaking her head. "I just didn't have
time to find a husband, I guess."
Naoko nodded. "I'm sure. Being so busy as you are, I'm
surprised you have the time to visit me!" She laughed, and Nabiki
laughed along, with much less enthusiasm.
Nabiki shook her head. Marriage? It never occurred to her.
What's marriage, compared to being at the top? She had a few flings
here and there, sure. But the whole marriage and kids thing wasn't
for her. Was it?
Nabiki's ruminations were jolted when a crash was heard in the
distance. She looked up to see a ki ball on a slanted trajectory,
following the skyline. It wasn't hard to determine the source, and
with that she set out on a run towards the dojo.
* * *
"Oh c'mon, man. Ya can't be serious." Ranma said as he dodged
another flurry of punches by his opponent.
The man who threw them took a step back, his eyes shooting
daggers at Ranma. "You stole more of my students! My honor has been
destroyed by you! Everyone will see that Tanabishi Kokoru is the
best sensei in Tokyo!" With that Kokoru launched himself once more
at Ranma.
Ranma for his part, at least went through the motions of dodging
the combination thrown together by Kokoru. Frankly though, he wasn't
that good. Sure, he knew a ki attack or two, and he was better than
most that challenged Ranma in the recent past, but he still wasn't
in Ranma's league. Not quite yet. As his opponent geared himself
for another ki ball, Ranma thought it was enough property damage for
one night and with a deft move to the inside of Kokoru's defenses,
let loose a Moko Takabisha into his stomach, launching him through
the dojo's doors and over the wall and out of Nerima.
Nabiki arrived in a huff, enough to see the man yell, "You'll
regret this, Saotome!" Ranma dusted off his hands and turned to see
Nabiki. "Oh, heya Nabiki. How was yer visit with Naoko?"
Nabiki looked at the disappearing speck that was Tanabishi and
shrugged. "Not bad. Who was that, the fruit of the month?"
Ranma tilted his head from side to side. "Sorta. He owns this
dojo outside a Nerima, and claims I'm stealin' his students. He comes
over once in a while an' demands retribution fer his honor."
"But you are, aren't you?" she asked with a sly smile.
Ranma shrugged. "Not my fault, really. He's an asshole ta his
students. He's got some skills, but he's somewhere 'round where I
was about 5 years ago."
Nabiki nodded. "Well, just so long as it's par for the course."
Ranma looked over at the partial damage to the roof. "Pretty
much. Need ta call the contractor though. He hit a support beam."
As to accentuate the fact, the north side of the dojo groaned.
"Still use Takahashi Construction?"
Ranma nodded. "Yeah. With as much work as we've had, they
have things fixed up in 24 hours these days. We're their
breadwinner." He smirked. "Actually, they might fix it up tonight
if we call now."
Ranma did just that as Nabiki put on a pot of coffee. It
wasn't long before there was a knock at the door. "Come on in,
Toji! We're just having some coffee in the living room!"
A burly man walked in, carrying his tools. "Heya Ranma. How's
it going?" the man said in a gruff as gravel tone.
Ranma raised his cup to him in greeting. "Not bad. It's just
the north support beam and the ceiling above it. Shouldn't take too
long, ne? Want some coffee and cake for the crew afterwards?"
Toji nodded. "Yeah, appreciate it." With that Toji trundled
down the hallway to the dojo.
Nabiki nodded her head towards the retreating man. "Kinda
friendly with him, hmm?"
Ranma shrugged. "You know how it goes. He's actually in
charge of most of our building projects. He added in the changing
room a few years ago to the dojo. We're thinking of remaking
the old guest room into a workroom for myself and Akane sometime down
the line."
Nabiki nodded as she sipped her coffee. "How about Kasumi's old
room?"
Ranma mmmed. "That's where the shrine is now."
Nabiki slowly nodded. "Mind if I go see?"
Ranma blinked. "Um...sure." Nabiki set down her mug and stood,
slowly ascending the stairs. She paused at the door, and after taking
a breath walked in.
It was different than how she remembered it, when it was her
older sister's room. Everything was cleared out except for the
shrine on the far wall, just under the window. Nabiki slowly made
her way and knelt down, looking at the two pictures. After a long
pause, she smiled faintly and said, "Okaasama...Otoosan...hiya."
* * *
"Well, isn't this a surprise. Heya Nabiki. When did you get
in?"
Nabiki turned from watching the business channel to see the
new arrival. "Sunday night. I'm staying for a couple of weeks, a
vacation of sorts."
Kuonji Ukyou walked over and sat down on the couch. "So I'm
just in time for the fireworks then, hmm?" She smirked. "How are
you?"
"Not bad. What are you doing here?"
"Oh, well I usually spar with Ranma after his class. Ucchans
is pretty slow on Wednesdays so I grab a chance to get out of the
house when I can."
Nabiki aahed. "He should be finishing up now, actually."
"So...Akane actually agreed to you coming here, huh?"
"You could say that." Nabiki gave a shrug. "It took some help
by Ranma."
Ukyou chuckled. "Considering the last time you two met. You
guys are still at it, huh?"
"I guess." She peered over at Ukyou. "Nosey, aren't you."
"Sugar, there's not much I don't know about this house anymore."
"Speaking of which, how's your house doing? Husband's okay?"
"Wouldn't you like to know." Ukyou smiled as she leaned back
into the cushions. "But yeah, he's doing fine. He's manning the
other store in Shinjuku right now. He should be over in a few hours
for dinner."
"You and he come over to eat every week?"
"Every Wednesday, yeah. It's sorta a ritual now. Ai gets
together with Michiko upstairs and the grownups talk or whatever down
here."
"Well, fancy that."
"I'm gonna go head over to the dojo. C'mon over and watch,
hmm?"
* * *
Ranma was making his way in the darkness towards the kitchen.
Somehow through his pea soup fog of sleep he heard something in the
kitchen, and went to check it out. As his eyes adjusted to the
light, Nabiki slid over an empty mug. "There's warm milk on the
stove if you want some."
Ranma shrugged and took the mug. "It's pretty late. What's
up?"
"Couldn't sleep. Just thinking about today I guess."
Ranma poured himself a cup to the brim and walked over, sitting
down at the kitchen table next to Nabiki. After a yawn he said, "I
must have missed somethin'. I thought it was just a normal night
with Ukyou, Tsubasa, an' Ai."
Nabiki nodded. "Well, for you it was. For me...." She paused
and took a sip of her milk. "Tell me, Ranma. Does it seem odd that
I'm not married by now?"
Ranma sipped from his own cup. "You have yer priorities. I
always figured, you'd be married on yer own terms, like after ya set
yerself up. Business first, an' all."
Nabiki sighed. "Huh. That's what I always thought. But Ukyou
brought up something after dinner that just...I don't know, irked me
I guess."
"What's that?"
"Well, just about her being a business owner and married and all
that. She had a family through all of that, and it didn't slow her
down."
Ranma nodded quietly as he sipped his tea.
"Doesn't that seem odd that I couldn't do that?"
Ranma looked at Nabiki seriously for a moment before answering.
"Well, after the whole Mitsune incident, she realized we weren't
gonna be together. She wanted a family, but she couldn't give up
being a chef. She's made a lot of compromises, ya know. She's not
very much better in the Art since high school. After Ai was born,
she was goin' blind with takin' care a her an' workin' Ucchans.
I'm sure she's happier now that she married Tsubasa , but she's
stifled in bein' pulled in 3 different ways. Her love a the Art,
her business, an' her family. She wouldn' give up any one a them,
but at the same time she feels trapped."
Nabiki blinked. "So how'd this Wednesday ritual get started?"
Ranma took another sip before setting the mug down. "It was
after Soun died. Ukyou's father cut her outta the family when she
confronted him with the fact she an' I weren't gonna get married,
an' both Akane an' her were feelin' a little lost. They're good
friends now, ya saw it tonight. I guess they both lost their
fathers 'round the same time, one literally, and one...well,
pretty much literally."
Nabiki faltered at that. "I...I see."
Ranma shook his head. "Nabiki, I know we had this conversation
before, but I really want a straight answer from ya this time. Why
didn't ya come when ya heard of yer father's heart attack? Ya could
have talked ta him before he died."
Nabiki blinked and set down her mug. "R-Ranma...I told you. I
was out of the country. I didn't hear about it until he died."
Ranma humphed. "Bull, and ya know it. Kasumi was with Tofu in
the US when they got the word, an' they made it. What made ya so
special in Hong Kong?"
Nabiki's features turned solid. "I don't want to talk about it,
Ranma."
Ranma frowned as he leaned towards her. "Tough, because yer
gonna. This family's been through enough already, without Akane an'
ya not talkin' save fer the essentials. I wanna know why ya weren't
there when the family needed ya."
Nabiki shook her head and looked away. "Ranma, please...."
Ranma sighed. "There's one thing that means more ta me than
the Art, Nabiki, an' that's this family. Ya
/know/ that. I just
wanna know why."
Nabiki reluctantly turned back to face Ranma. "Why?" She
wanted to put up another wall, another feint. But she just couldn't
grasp anything but the truth. "I...I couldn't bear to see him go like
that. It was like Mother. Ranma, I still remember when Mother left
us. I watched her dwindle away for 6 months before she died. First
she couldn't do all the housework. Then she couldn't go to the
market. She couldn't go outside. She couldn't leave her room.
"Okay, father wasn't like that. After the heart attack, we
knew the surgery would be risky. We knew when he'd go under the
knife. But the feelings were the same!" She sighed, and wiped the
silent tears that flowed from her eyes. "I couldn't go through with
that, Ranma. Not again. I couldn't stand there and say goodbye to
him, thinking it might be the last time I'd see him alive!"
Ranma reached over to put a hand on hers. "I...I know what ya
mean. It was hard. But he wanted ya ta be there, Nabiki. His last
thoughts before they took him in was a you."
Nabiki sniffed and turned away. "S-sure, you just had to say
that, didn't you."
Ranma sighed. "It's because it's true. Nabiki, he was proud a
you. Dammit...think about it. Me an' Akane, we joined the houses.
Kasumi went back ta school an' became a doctor. But yer the one that
he was the most proud of. Ya can't say he wouldn't be proud a the
daughter who was known the world over, would'ja?"
Nabiki shook her head. "I just couldn't be there, Ranma." She
looked up with defeated eyes. "Why do you think I went to the funeral
at least? "
Ranma rolled his eyes. "Ya decked Kasumi, Nabiki! I mean,
Kasumi!"
Nabiki gulped. "Uuuh...I apologized, didn't I?"
"It woulda helped if ya weren't plastered and mumbled it."
"I didn't know what else to do, okay? Dammit, Ranma...it wasn't
like I didn't care for Daddy, I did. I...I just..." she sighed and
looked into her lap.
Ranma paused before leaning over to give Nabiki a hug. "Yeah, I
know. I know."
Nabiki sobbed quietly into Ranma's shoulder for a while. "Hey,
it'll be all right. Ya know, ya should tell this ta Akane. I mean,
if she saw things in yer light, maybe it'll help?"
Nabiki slowly broke from the hug. "I...I don't know. I mean,
what do I say? I mean, I called her a lot of bad things then. She's
the one who kicked me out of the funeral after all."
Ranma nodded and started to chuckle. "Yeah. She was a nutcase
for the next week, too. Damn Nabiki this, damn Nabiki that. Ya
ranked up there with Saffron fer a long while after."
Nabiki weakly smiled amidst her tears. "Then after that meeting
with her a week later...you know, I don't think I could ever do that
again?"
Ranma let loose a small chagrin. "Again, it woulda helped if ya
listened ta her...ya broke her arm ya know."
Nabiki quipped, "The chair did most of the work, I think."
Ranma shook his head, his smile growing. "I'm just glad ya
didn't study the Art more. The whole house woulda been ta hell in a
handbasket if ya did."
Nabiki laughed. "Well...." Her smile dimmed. "Maybe I should
talk to her about things. It's been too long. I miss having a little
sister who actually talks to me."
* * *
"I'm sorry, Tendousan. As valuable as you would be to us,
there's just no available openings right now."
* * *
"Unfortunately, you're really overqualified for this position."
* * *
"It's because I'm a woman, isn't it."
"Well...yes."
* * *
"I know if you hire me, I'll be able to raise your revenue by
at least 20 percent."
"What market have you been following?"
* * *
"Excuse me, is this the right office? I'm supposed to have an
interview."
"Not anymore. The company just went under. I don't suppose you
know of any good openings, do you?"
* * *
Nabiki returned to the dojo and made a beeline for the couch.
She collapsed fitfully, and muttered incoherently about bastards and
smartasses. Ranma was just coming in from the kitchen. "Care fer
some coffee?"
Nabiki raised her thumb up in the affirmative. Ranma went to
fetch some and as he came back out Nabiki righted herself on the
couch. "No luck, huh?"
She took the mug gratefully. "I can't believe there's so many
assholes out there."
Ranma nodded. "Well, can't beat workin' fer yourself, let me
tell ya. Set yer own hours, an' no one yells at ya. 'cept the tax
forms're a bitch ta fill out."
Nabiki grinned. "I'm sure they are. So, what's going on
tonight?"
"Well, nothing, really. Friday nights are family nights.
Akane, Michiko, an' me usually just hang out an' do somethin' quiet."
Nabiki nodded slowly. "Oh. Well, I could catch a movie then.
Where's the paper?"
Ranma shook his head. "Uh uh, Nabiki. Yer stayin' right here.
Yer family too, ya know."
Nabiki groused. "Okay, okay. You got me. So what's something
quiet?"
* * *
"What? I hit you, I know I did!"
"Nuh uh, Daddy! You didn't hit the buttons right!"
"Kuso."
"Ranma, your language!"
"Sorry, dear."
Nabiki blinked at what was considered family night. Ranma and
Michiko were currently going at it on their Sega Dreamcast, playing
Street Fighter 3. Michiko was currently handing her father his
behind, finely sliced and ready for serving. Nabiki let loose a
laugh as Ranma's animated counterpart suddenly flew to the other
edge the screen, knocked out.
"Mommy, your turn!"
"Uh...Mommy's tired, Michiko dear. Why don't you play with
Daddy some more? I'm going to get some coffee." With that she exited
the room.
"Hey Nabiki." Ranma said, as he rapidly pushed his controller's
buttons.
"Yeah, what's up?"
He turned back and motioned to the kitchen. "Now?"
Nabiki nodded as she muttered, "Good as time as any I guess."
She slowly stood from the couch and walked towards the kitchen, as
Ranma screamed more at another defeat looming.
Nabiki entered, looking around for Akane. She was seated at the
kitchen table, rubbing the bridge of her nose and looking into her
cup. Clearly she was tired but the wan smile on her fact was telling
her she was enjoying the moment. The smile faded though as she
noticed Nabiki in the room.
"Ranma's pretty funny out there, trying to keep up with the
little rugrat."
"Mmm."
Nabiki walked over and poured herself a cup of coffee. "She's
a real gem, you know. Still keep wondering how the heck she got red
hair though. Gotta love those Jusenkyou curses."
Akane's voice was flat. "What's on your mind, Nabiki."
The false bravado broken, Nabiki slowly walked over to the
table. "Okay, okay. It's about us, Akane. You and me. Can I sit
down?" Akane made no movements, so after a few moments Nabiki sat
down. "We really need to talk."
"About what? About not so much as a postcard for five years?
About showing up unannounced after all this time? I know you're
going through a lot, but what are you expecting, a big happy ending?"
Nabiki sighed. "Akane, I'm sorry I wasn't there for you when
Daddy had his heart attack. I just couldn't be there."
Akane pushed the mug towards the center of the table as she
looked up. "Oh, come off it. You could have. I know that whole
Hong Kong thing was garbage."
Nabiki slowly nodded. "Yeah, it was. I heard about what
happened that night. It's just that...I couldn't be there Akane."
She sighed. "You don't remember how it was when Mother died, do
you?"
Akane hesitated, as she looked at Nabiki. Finally, she shook
her head. "Not really. It's foggy, like a dream. I remember a
couple of things. Like when Kasumi took me to see Mom that last
time, or when Daddy went into his own world for that whole month
afterwards."
Nabiki nodded. "Yeah, you were a little too young to get the
full impact. I, on the other hand, remember all of it." She paused
to gather herself a moment. "I remember everything, from when Mother
was all well, to when she died. It was horrible, Akane. You didn't
remember, but I sort of went into a shell too after she died. Do
you remember when Nodoka went with Daddy all those times, after
things calmed down some?"
Akane nodded. "Yeah. They always went out on Fridays. It was
for coffee, right?" She shook her head. "And I was always jealous,
because you went along and I didn't."
Nabiki coughed. "Those weren't coffee clutches. Nodoka took
Daddy to see a therapist. And right after him, I went in."
Akane did a doubletake. "Nani?" As Nabiki nodded she said
quietly, "Oh gods...I didn't know."
"Of course not. It wouldn't have made sense to you at that
time. And we didn't tell anyone else after we stopped our sessions.
I doubt even Genma knows about them. Nodoka always told him that she
was going to see some girlfriends. And then of course Genma left with
Ranma."
Akane sighed. "I can't believe this...." she muttered.
Nabiki nodded. "It's funny though. When Daddy was able to go
without Nodoka's help, he and I used to stop by that little kissaten
on Kei Street. Remember which one I'm talking about? We used to talk
about what happened. I don't know, but I guess we formed a bond then.
In a few ways, we were closer to each other than either you or Kasumi
were to him.
"Anyways...when I heard about the heart attack, I just couldn't
go, Akane. I wanted to, gods did I want to. But I couldn't bear to
see him go down like that. It felt like Mom all over again, and I
couldn't handle it. So...I threw myself into my work in Hong Kong.
I got reports from my assistant in Tokyo, but I decided to stay
there.
"When I heard he died in surgery, I cracked. I was coming out
of a meeting, and one of the OLs there gave me the message. I was
told I passed out, I was totally out of it. When I was finally in
some sort of control, I jumped a plane over. And sorta drank
myself into a stupor courtesy of first class amenities."
Akane looked down. "We all know what happened next. But
Kasumi? Why Kasumi of all people? You sent her into the punch bowl
with that uppercut of yours."
Nabiki coughed. "You didn't see it, but right before I did
that she was chewing me out bigtime. The venom in that woman's
words could have burned through metal. But it was understandable.
Unfortunately, I wasn't in a stable mind, so whoosh, there she flew."
Akane nodded, but something wasn't quite right. After a moments,
she stifled a giggle. "Sorry, but I can still picture it. I can't
bear to see her hurt, but her landing butt first into that bowl was
a sight I'll never forget!"
Nabiki smiled ruefully. "I wish I could forget it. It took a
long time for her to forgive me for that."
"I'll bet. I mean, even she has her limits."
"Two years worth. I finally was able to apologize to her, but
she still rubs her jaw when we get together."
Akane shook her head. "So what happened the week after? I
mean, Nabiki, you slammed me with a chair."
Nabiki sighed. "That's a little harder to explain. I resented
the fact you kicked me out of the funeral. And I was pissed off at
what I did to Kasumi."
Akane uuhed, "So you broke my arm?"
Nabiki's lips formed a small chagrin. "Um, well...I was aiming
for your head."
Akane blinked. "Er...glad you have a bad sense of targetting."
Nabiki shrugged. "The point is, Akane, I'm sorry about what
happened. It's been five years, but I'm asking for your forgiveness.
I want my sister back."
Akane took a long breath. "You know, for the longest time, I
always thought you thought we held you back. That you resented Daddy
and that was the reason you didn't come."
Nabiki blinked herself. "What? No! That wasn't it at all."
She reached over to Akane. "You guys were the ones that helped me be
the woman I am today. Er...well, the woman I was up until a few weeks
ago."
Akane smiled faintly. "Well, something good will come up. You
were always the resourceful one."
Nabiki tilted her head from side to side. "Usually. It helped
being surrounded by gullible people all the time."
"Oh you!" The two giggled and hugged, both of them feeling the
wetness of their eyes.
"Hey Daddy, what's going on?" a little girl asked softly, just
out of earshot of the two sisters.
"Nothin', squirt. Just somethin' a long time comin'." He
reached down to pick his girl up. "I think someone needs some ice
cream."
"Me, me! A big triple decker chocolate parfait!"
"Like father, like daughter, ne? Well, I'll need ta change, but
I think we can manage that."
"Daddy, why don'cha go as a Daddy for ice cream instead of a
Mommy-Daddy?"
Ranma gulped. "Uh, I'll explain it when yer older. Go get yer
shoes on, I'll get the girls."
* * *
"So you're saying there's no chance of getting this position?"
"That depends. Can you work for free?"
* * *
"What will it take for you to hire me?"
"High heels and a black teddy for starters...."
* * *
"I know that I'm as qualified as any person in this company!
Why isn't that a valuable asset?"
"Because you'd put the boss out of a job! Why do you think he
sent
/me/ to talk to you?"
* * *
Nabiki didn't quite make it to the couch before collapsing.
She was able to make it to the armrest before tumbling into the
cushions. Ukyou walked out of the kitchen, looking curiously at
the butt that was hanging in the air on the couch. "You know, I
don't think that's good for the back." Peering over the couch she
added, "Or the lungs."
Craning her neck just enough to see Ukyou, she sighed. "It's
just been a long day. Any coffee on the stove?"
* * *
"So let me get this straight. You've worked yourself to pretty
much the top of the heap, and now that you've been flung down to the
trenches no one's giving you a leg up?"
Nabiki nodded as she sipped her coffee. "That about sums it up,
yeah."
Ukyou shook her head. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry, sugar."
Nabiki shrugged. "It happens. I should go check my email
though. Maybe something's come up from the 'net."
Ukyou nodded. "Maybe. I hear those internet job sites are
pretty good. A friend of mine got a position as a marketing executive
through one of them. Well, here's to your clawing your way back to
the top!" She raised her glass.
Nabiki raised hers and clinked Ukyou's. "I just can't stand
these damn interviews though. If one more person tells me I'm
overqualified or asks me out on a date, I'm gonna rip their heads
off."
Ranma commented as he passed through the doorway, "Ya know,
that's not a way ta find a date these days. Heya Ucchan." Ranma
smirked as he avoided the swat by Nabiki, and made his way to the
stove. "More troubles I take it?"
"Nabiki's been telling me about the wonderful world of corporate
sleaziness. It's no wonder women can't make a mark these days in
business, with creeps like that guarding the door."
"Say, Nabiki...how'd you start out at TeleForm anyways?"
Nabiki shrugged. "It was a company started out by one of the
people in the Business Club at Toryo. Since I was president of the
club my senior year, I met up with him, and we got to talking. He
gave me my first break as an assistant to one of the executives a
year later. I then became an executive a couple of years later,
after being a project head in a few projects. Then I just bided my
time and made my move to get a vicepresident position that opened up
a couple of years ago."
Ukyou shook her head. "That's amazing, y'know? I remember
when you were on the cover of Tokyo Business."
Nabiki glanced over to Ukyou. "You saw that?"
Ukyou nodded. "Oh yeah. I was working in the Shinjuku
Ucchans when a salaryman walked in and started reading it. When I
saw your picture I picked up a copy."
Nabiki grinned. "What did you think?"
Ukyou squinted her eyes as she deadpanned, "You really need a
new haircut. You've had that look since high school."
Nabiki laughed, "Hey, it stands for smart, decisive, and easy
to fix in the mornings. Unlike some long haired people I know."
Ukyou coughed, and pulled her long mane of hair over her
shoulder. "Well, to be honest, I was thinking of cutting my hair
too. Not as short as yours, but just over the shoulders. I dunno
though, it doesn't feel right though. What do you think, Ranchan?"
Ranma, who was deftly avoiding the conversation by looking
conspicuously out the window, blinked and looked towards the table.
"Huh, what? I didn't do nothin'!"
The girls laughed in response. Ukyou slung her ponytail back
over her back. "Figures. Anyways, I'll just leave it as is. After
all, it's the style that's made me the Okonomiyaki Queen of Tokyo!"
Ranma chuckled, "Ya coulda been that anyways. It don't matter
what kind a hair ya have, it's what skills ya have. An' yer
okonomiyaki's the best around."
Ukyou blushed, "Oh Ranchan, you mean it?"
Ranma nodded. "Yeah."
Ukyou looked over to Nabiki, "Okay, let me get this straight.
This is where I proclaim I'm the cutest fiancee and glomp Ranma into
submission, right?"
Nabiki nodded. "And I charge a ton of money to keep this quiet
to Akane."
Ranma hrmed. "And I'd be dying slowly a asphyxiation from the
glomp."
"And I'd run in and yell, 'Ranma no baka!' and clobber him into
the next district?"
The others turned to see Akane fresh in from the outside, a grin
on her face. "So enough already, I want to pull out the hammer!"
* * *
Nabiki wasn't one usually inclined to do so, but nonetheless
she fidgeted with her hands. She looked down at the printed page she
had in her lap, before looking over at the group.
As they sat around the living room, Ranma asked, "So, what're
we gonna do tonight?"
Nabiki coughed, "Uh, Ranma...mind if I throw something on the
fire?"
The others nodded. "Sure, what's up Sis?"
Nabiki unfolded the piece of paper in her hands. "I got an
offer for a job interview. I got it by e-mail this afternoon."
Akane smiled. "That's great! Why so glum though?"
Nabiki passed the paper for Akane to read. "I mean, it's an
executive position...it's my way back to the top. It's what I've
been looking for."
Akane gasped. "It's in the United States!"
Nabiki nodded. "Yeah, that's the catch. From the sound of it,
the interview's more of a formality though. I think they want me
right away. By next week I could be working in New York."
Ukyou coughed. "New York? Wow, that's pretty good, sugar."
Nabiki nodded again. "It is, but...."
Ranma blinked. "But what?"
Nabiki shrugged. "I don't know if I should take it. It's
pretty far away. Who knows when I'd come back to Tokyo."
Tsubasa piped up. "It's still a chance of a lifetime though.
But you should think about it. It's a big step."
Nabiki nodded. "Yeah. Well, that's all I wanted to say,
really."
Akane handed the paper back. "We'll be behind you, whatever
you decide, k?"
Nabiki nodded. "I know. I appreciate it." She shook her head
as she let out a deep breath. "Anyways, new subject!"
* * *
"This is becomin' a habit, you an' me."
"Not my fault my kitchen ruminations wake a dead sleeper like
yourself."
"Ya know, Kasumi may be right; the kitchen talks ta the primary
owner in ways ya wouldn't believe."
Ranma poured himself some milk and sat down beside Nabiki.
"Any idea on what'cha gonna do?"
Nabiki shrugged. "If I was smart, I'd hop the first plane to
New York. But I don't know, Ranma. I don't think I can leave
Japan."
Ranma raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"
"Well, it's going to sound kinda sappy, but...I'd miss all you
guys. I mean, I just reconnected here, with you, with Akane. Heck,
if Kasumi was here, it'd almost be like it was before."
"She's a phone call away, ya know."
"I know, but...."
Ranma leaned back in his chair. "It's funny."
"What is?"
"Remember after the failed marriage, in '89? When Ukyou an'
Shampoo bombed the wedding?"
Nabiki nodded. "Yeah."
"Well, I started having trouble sleeping. I used ta come in
here an' drink milk, just like you an' me're doin' now. 'cept it
was Kasumi who kept me company."
"Really? I didn't know that."
"No one did. It was just somethin' we did. I guess she needed
it as much as I did. We sorta talked 'round an' 'round 'bout stuff.
She an' me talked about her goin' back ta college."
"Hey, I remember that. She said she talked to some friends and
decided it was what she wanted to do."
Ranma nodded. "Yeah, well one of those friends was me. She
was doin' so much fer the family, but she finally had a chance ta
go. Turns out before we talked she was talkin' ta a friend a hers
that went ta Furinkan, same grade as she. She went premed an' was
internin' over at Holy Cross Hospital. Well, that set her in
motion. She was tryin' ta figure out if she could risk goin' ta
college an' do the stuff she did here.
"Well, I told her she should do what she wanted. I mean, she
spent like 10 years bein' mom ta you, Akane, an' Soun, then me an'
Pop too. She needed ta go do things she wanted, before it was too
late. I guess she thought I was makin' sense."
Nabiki shook her head. "Amazing. And I thought it was because
of Mitsune kidnapping her."
Ranma chuckled. "That was only the extra push, I think. Not
that she wasn't hurt or nothin', she said she was treated like a
queen. But the fact that she could've died because a that nutcase
wantin' ta sacrifice her in the end, really made up her mind." He
shook his head. "We all could a died because a him."
Nabiki mmmed. "It was the last time the old Nerima gang was
together. Shampoo, Cologne, Ryouga...hey, you know what happened
to them?"
Ranma nodded. "After Akane challenged Shampoo an' won, the
Amazon Mafia left back ta China. I talk ta Mousse once in a while,
funny enough. Shampoo's now the Matriarch, Cologne died 'bout three
years ago."
Nabiki blinked. "She actually died?"
Ranma nodded. "Sorta sad ta see her go, y'know? It took time,
but Mousse gave up on Shampoo an' met up with some girl from Taiwan
that was doing some book on Jusenkyou and married her. Shampoo's
single still."
Nabiki blinked. "Weird. What about Ryouga?"
Ranma chuckled. "Pigboy? He's doin' well, last I heard. He
realized he wasn't in love with Akari, so they split. He's over in
Malaysia with some construction company. Still comes over here from
time to time, thinkin' he's in Malaysia though. Some things never
change."
Nabiki chuckled. "No, they don't." She sipped her tea gently.
"I think I know what I'm going do now."
Ranma looked up from his mug. "Oh? What's that?"
* * *
Dressed in her best suit, Tendou Nabiki looked at the double
doors that was to become her future. "Well, 'biki. The first day of
your new life. Are you up to it?" She smiled. She knew she was.
And with that she pushed opened the doors.
"Ohayo, Naoko. What's first up for business today?"
Tanaka Naoko looked down at her calendar. "Well, you'll need to
get in touch with a Sumimoto-san about the marketing plans for his
company. I believe his secretary said a 10:00 a.m. meeting tomorrow
in their meeting room would be appropriate."
Nabiki nodded. "Sounds good with me. Set that up for me please.
Did Toshi-san ever call back to confirm her interview appointment?"
Naoko shook her head. "She'll call in the afternoon, I think.
I know she's fielding offers from a few people right now, but I
think she's leaning towards us."
Nabiki grinned. "She's got the skills, Naoko. If she joins us,
it'll be great. Oh, lunch...I was going to head over to Akane and
Ranma's. Want me to pick you up something?"
Naoko hrmed. "Monday morning means Ichigomi-san's mochi. Can
you pick me up some of that?"
Nabiki smirked. "Sure."
Naoko perked up as the phone rang. "Tendou Marketing
Corporation, can I help you?"
Nabiki took a moment to look around the office. It wasn't much,
but it fit the price she had. Even if she had to turn an arm or two.
Her connections were giving her the stretching power her money needed
to deliver the few clients she was getting. And while it would take
some time, she knew that she'd be able to get some of the other
clients that were still left in limbo with her prior company going
under. And if she could get Toshi like she wanted, she knew she
could accentuate her experience with a bit of new fire, something that
a lot of the newer clients were keen on seeing.
She didn't think that starting a new business would be this
daunting, but she knew she had enough of the right stuff to rough
it out. It was going to work. Already people were clamoring
to her doorstep. It was going to take some time, but she was the
boss. She'd make the time.
It was funny that Ranma had the answer all along. It really
/was/ great to own your own business.
-----
Final Notes:
About a year ago, I came up with the idea of this story. And
for about 6 months it sat until a lavender sky evening told me to
write it. And so I did, in one night. o_O;; I then put it away
to do some other things, and decided to do some editing and here's
what I came up with.
Just as a sidenote, this story takes place 10 years after
the manga ends. Any help on any errors that I might have made would
be most grateful. Also, I hope that I got some of the more technical
parts of this story correct (ala The Monster Board being the precursor
to Monster.com and whatnot). Again, if you spot an error, let me
know, k?
Anyways, I think that's about it. C&C would be most grateful
(I think I've said that 3 times now, huh? Gomen ne. o_O;;). Lasha and
ja ne.
Lany
______________________________________________________________________
Delany Brittain
turtyl@montana.com ,
turtyl@megami.net
turtyll @ AIM, 19152118 @ ICQ
http://turtyl.megami.net/
Student, Uni. of Montana; Member, Studio YOGIPIGS; Aspiring, Author
-----
Ranma-onna did her best 'Kawaii' routine, sparkles and all.
"With a smile on my face and a song in my heart."
--Saotome Ranma, "Kasumi and the Gaki" by Jack Staik
"When it comes to hitting .400, (real) close is just like
horseshoes and hand grenades, at least in the court of
public opinion."
--Rob Neyer, ESPN.com
The Megami Project --
http://www.megami.net/
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