Chapter 7 – Gathering
From Last Chapter:
She closed the file and left for her home, completely forgetting about the feeling that picture of pig tail boy bought in her mind.
The storm clouds were gathering outside, foreshadowing the conflict which would be happening, the lives which would eventually clash with each other like thundering mountains, and the way fate and destiny would bring new surprises.
Hinako Home
Hinako cleaned the dirty dishes as she finished the breakfast for the morning. Last night was supposed to be an ego booster for Ranma, but it only ended in disaster. She really wished that he realize how far he has progressed in his recovery. Once he was written as someone who won't be even able to move and now look at him. She was frustrated that he was always stuck in the mentality on blaming himself for all her problems. Last night she explained to him that even if he was not in the same night club, she still would be hit on by the trouble makers who would try to force her anyways. Ranma counter her argument by saying that if he wasn't giving her trouble by staying with her, she won't be stupid enough togo into the night club at the first place. Hinako was not delighted at all.
"Well I am really offended that you are suggesting that I won't be going to clubs and having fun if it wasn't because of you. Let me tell you something, I went to clubs before I even met you and there were trouble makers there also, now it just so happens that this time it went little out of hand."
"No, Hinako" Ranma sighed as he tried to win his argument. "I am not saying that it was because of me that you are going into clubs. My point is, if I wasn't there, then you would be able to get away. Surely it was my inability that forced you to stay there and take care…"
"Now shit the hell up and listen!" Hinako was getting irritated by Ranma's irrational arguments, which were made worse because he was presenting them in a very rational and calm way.
She continued. "Lets assume, that I was not there, lets just say I was crossing the street and got hit by a truck, let me ask you, would that be your fault?"
"Hm…No…but"
"That's exactly it you dumb ass! Not everything is resulted because of you. Whether it is good or bad. You think that the world goes around you? You think that your so important? Well let me tell you something, that it doesn't. So stop blaming yourself. In fact, we all came out without getting messed up and that is what counts ok?"
The argument died naturally after that, but the unspoken tension remained between the two.
Tendo's Home
"God Damn, I swear I am gonna kill someone! I forget that how chaotic the Nerima could be." Nabiki cursed under her breath, as the full force of hangover hit her with a vengeful headache. She quickly regretted opening her eyes, as the sun light pierced her eyes like a sharp knife. She felt like her headache doubling and her anger rising. Quickly closing her eyes, she shut the offending sunlight assaulting her senses and slowly got up from her bed.
Nabiki forgot that how she was always awoken from her beauty sleep from the Saotomes morning battle. A slow smile, perhaps a longing one, crept on her lips as she realized that she would be finally watching her pig tail champion. A wild horse that she could never have, for it was not to be her fate. A dream, just a fantasy, and nothing more. Dragging herself downstairs slowly, for she was not a morning, she greeted Kasumi in her not so happy morning voice.
"Good Morning Kasumi, I hope I am not disturbing anything. But damn it, I can go for some of your killer recipe to get over the hangover I got."
Kasumi stopped stirring the breakfast as she replied with her ever present smile. "No problem, it is on the table already waiting for you." She beamed brightly at Nabiki as she continued making her breakfast.
"Well I am not surprise, that you even remember my favorite cup. I am telling you girl, you will make someone a lucky wife. So tell me how is Tofu doing, or should I assume that your dating him? Hell tell me how far you went with him and tell me everything!" Nabiki teased Kasumi like she used to, while slowly drinking her tea to get rid of her hangover.
"Well….I haven't seem him for a while." Kasumi replied hesitantly, her pause did not went unnoticed by Nabiki.
"Well don't worry sis, I am here now and I promise that I will put everything together for you."
"I know Nabiki, I know you will." Kasumi smile genuinely after a long time, she just knew that Nabiki would solve all her problems. She cannot wait to get things together and every moment without Tofu was killing her.
Nabiki thanked Kasumi as she went to watch the morning battle between the two early fighters. She saw Mr. Saotome, aka Mr. Panda, getting a kick on his face as he tried to dodge Ryoga's move.
Nabiki took a double take, Ryoga? What the idiot still doing here in the morning. The idiot should have got himself lost already at somewhere over in Timbaktu as far as she was concerned. She frowned, looking around the room, slowly. This time she gave more attention to details she was missing last time. It felt something missing, something very important. Hell, the entire dojo just didn't feel right. The uneasiness she felt on last night party, was somehow growing like a toxin in Akane's cooking. She saw, as Kasumi called everyone for breakfast and Akane came and sit near the Ryoga, which was suppose to be Ranma's spot. She saw how his father was now fighting Ryoga for food, how her father just cried like usual, and how Kasumi looked at her.
"Hey Nabiki, are you ok? Breakfast is waiting." Kasumi smiled as she invited her again for the breakfast.
Nabiki felt that something was not right. No one even mentioned Ranma, hell no one even told her about him since yesterday. Was he in trouble? Her heart missed a beat, as that thought ran ion her mind.
Kasumi's breakfast, yes, the one which she always looked forward for every morning when she was living here. Her cooking, missed immensely, while eating in pathetic existence of so called Japanese restaurant in America. How ironic, now Kasumi's breakfast was just sitting right in front of her, but it felt like years away.
"Yes I am ok, was just thinking that's all." Nabiki decided to keep her cool as she joined the breakfast. Akane quickly finished her breakfast and grabbed Ryoga as she prepared to depart for the school.
"Hurry up, I don't want to be late for the school again and this time for the GOD SAKE LET ME handle the stupid Kuno!" Akane yelled at Ryoga as she dragged him away form the table.
Soun and Genma started dancing as soon as they heard Akane. "You heard that Saotome, your son is defending his fiancée!"
"Right Tendo, I believe it is time to call the priest!"
Crack
Slam
She slammed her hand on the table, as she finally got enough of the stupid drama. All eyes turned at her and even Akane got totally still when she gave one look at Nabiki's angry face. Nabiki never showed any emotion, and for her face to get this angry, that was definitely frightening.
"Ok I have enough of this crap. Can someone tell me what the hell is going on here?" Nabiki hissed angrily as she demanded explanations she felt she deserved.
"What do you mean Nabiki? This happens every morning, everything is fine." Leave the oblivious Kasumi for explaining the situation.
Nabiki tried to calm herself, trying to stop herself from strangling Kasumi first time in her life. She closed her eyes, took three deep breaths, clenching and unclenching her fists, as she opened her eyes again.
Finally she took the scene in front of her and the entire room. The uneasiness since yesterday, the previously rattling in her stomach, the missing feeling in the dojo, it all suddenly start making her feel like throwing up with disgust as all the missing pieces came together like solving an obvious clue.
"Well let me now explain you all slowly. Since I came last night, I haven't met Ranma. I mean even this morning Ryoga is still here fighting with Mr. Saotome without getting lost. Now, Ryoga NEVER stays in one place for that long (especially without changing his forms). No one here is even concern that Ranma is gone all night. Now I know, NO two days ever went together without anyone getting nervous without Ranma, especially Akane. And now Daddy calls Ryoga Akane's fiancée. However, unless it is suddenly discovered that Ryoga is Mr. Saotome's long last bastard, who is now found and got adopted and Ranma decided to let go of his engagement to Akane's, which I certainly don't blame him for, I don't see how is this possible? NOW someone tell me where is Ranma?"
Nabiki finally quieted down, as she finally asked about the person she wanted to meet more than anyone since she came. Even she was little surprise at her outburst, but damn it, she just knew that something big was going on here and no one was telling her about it.
Mrs. Saotome slowly started cleaning her honor blade as she answered. "NABIKI, I want you to calm down and watch yourself! Calling my son Ryoga bastard was uncall for. And as far as Ranma was concern, he was the real bastard and I do not want you to ever monition his dishonorable name again!"
"That's right daughter, enough of this nonsense. I forbid everyone to even mention his name in this house! He is a Ronin and we do not associate with his kind!" Soun was not a happy man on sudden turns of events.
"But what has he done so horrible to be disowned? Can anyone please tell me something?" Nabiki was a not a woman who would be back down easily.
"Now now Nabiki, Please can you just forget it? Can't you see that you are disturbing everyone? Please sister, it is better to forget and never mention some evil." Kasumi spoke as she tried to calm the situation before it went out of hand.
"YOU TOO Oneechan? I would expect this from everyone, but even you? What evil has he done to deserve it?" Nabiki's anger was only rising, on the account that no one was telling her that what was going on.
Oh Ranma, what have you done so bad that even Kasumi don't want to hear your name?
Tofu Clinic
"I told you Mrs. Kawasaki to take your medicine twice a day, so how come you are not taking it?" Tofu rubbed his temple in frustration with his index fingers. Taking care of patient was definitely not an easy task. He really wanted to teach some of his patients a lesson or two when they don't follow his advice and get sick again. Then they come back to him, complaining like he did not even do his job right!
"Alright, now again Mrs. Kawasaki, please do not skip your medication and follow my instructions. I can not help you if you don't follow my advice." Tofu nearly screamed as he tried to convince her of the importance of his words.
"Ah sonny you got to lighten up! These old bones are not as they used to be. I heard you and I promise to follow your advice." The old woman humbly tried to calm the doctor down. She slowly got up, trying to ease her pain at the same time.
Tofu shook his head, he knew that she would be back again, complaining again about mundane stuff next week. They always do that.
"Well I am glad to see that at least some things stay in Nerima the same way even when I am gone for a long time."
Surprised, Tofu turned and met the last person on earth he expected to see in front of him.
"Nabiki? What in the world? Well how are you doing, being gone for so long?" Tofu was unable to hide the surprise in his voice, which was definitely noticed by Nabiki. The reality was, he was even more surprise to see a worried look on her face. She looked little frightened and out of breath.
"I would love to some day sit down and tell you how my life was in America, but I am here for other things. I want to know what happened to Ranma." Nabiki went straight to the point, the last thing she needed was another run around. First she was little angry when she left her home this morning, her own family refused to tell her anything. Her anger turn to worry when she saw Ucchan was gone and then turned to panic when she realized that even cat café was closed down.
Did he left with Shampoo or Ukyo? DAMN DAMN DAMN, I did not give him up for him to be snatched by those idiots.
Tofu suddenly got himself in control, his expression turning serious, grave, and cold. Nabiki felt like his gaze on her would turn her into icicle any moment. She never realized that how scary Tofu could be!
"Look Mrs. Tendo, I like the way you just went straight to the point, instead of trying to play around as you usually do. However, if you are still trying to make money of him, I assure you that I am definitely NOT he right person to talk. Haven't your family done enough already? We have nothing to discuss, so please don't forget to close the door when you leave." Like a cold and calculated business man, Tofu refused to answer her question.
Now Nabiki knew for sure that something was not right. Something went real bad and her own family was somehow at fault. She had to know what happened., even if Tofu would have to kick her out of his clinic physically.
"Please Tofu, I am just trying to find out what really happened. Look at me, Do you think I am playing games? No body is talking to me. Ukyo, Shampoo, Mouse, everyone is gone. Damn Ryoga is my sister's fiancé and Ranma's name is forbidden in my home. What really happened Sensei? Please!"
Nabiki grabbed his arm, as she was unable to keep herself calm anymore. Tofu hesitated as he looked her in the eye, but just for a moment. His iron resolve came back, his eyes hardened, he pushed her away.
"I am sorry Mrs. Tendo, but your family business is NOT my business and they are certainly not welcome in my clinic. That includes you."
He pushed her out, as he locked his clinic for the day. His body shivered involuntarily, as the cold breeze of the evening greeted him. Turning around and away form her, he ignored her pleading, and just went home for the night.
Felling on her knees, Nabiki nearly cried. But she kept herself falling that low. All her tears dried up when her mother died and she wanted to keep it that way. She promised her mother to never to cry again. The fading sound of Tofu's footstep only made her feel more lonely and desperate. Sitting herself against the clinic's wall, she brought her knees to her chest. Her eyes stared ahead at nothingness, trying to make sense of the situation around her, as she hugged herself tighter against the cold. How ironic that she felt more lonely in Nerima that she ever did in America.
Tofu smiled as he greeted the usual people on his way to the clinic, just like every morning. The rain was definitely very hard last night, and he expected not much business but just a routine cleaning of his clinic today. However, arriving at the clinic, he was shocked to see Nabiki, still sitting in front of his clinic. Well more like laying down and ALL WET. He coming over his shock, he tried to wake her up.
"Nabiki, Nabiki, wake UP! WHAT the hell you are doing in this cold morning laying here all wet? BY GOD, you have a fever! Were you here all night?"
Groggily, Nabiki woke up, she gave him a weak smile, "I told you, I am not going home…unless…I am not playing game, Ranma." She was unable to continue any further as she lost her conscious again.
Time Gates
The beauty in green hair was not a happy person. Things were getting messy, and something was making her feel strange. Like she was missing something for a long time. A memory, better served s sealed away. Then being remembered and bringing grief. She sighed as she grabbed her staff. Stupid emotions, all they do is just make her job harder.
Tofu's Clinic
4 hours later
Nabiki woke up the fresh smell of coffee. A very welcoming smell.
"Finally you are awake huh? I still say you were an idiot, waiting here all night. But I got to say, you are very stubborn."
Turning her head, she was greeted by Tofu.
"Well good morning to you too Sensei, thanks for taking care of me, but as I told you. Please. Tell me what happened, tell me all about Ranma."
Tofu grabbed his chair as he gave Nabiki her coffee. He looked in her eyes again, recognizing the painful and desperate look he saw before. But it was in a young man, the wild horse.
"Grab some breakfast I got for you, and let me tell you everything from the start. Everything. Are you sure you want to know what happened? You might not be able to handle it."
"Damn it doc, I want to know, please hide nothing, and don't give me any sugar coated version again. Tell me as it is." Nabiki was perhaps physically weak for Neriman standards, but definitely strong emotionally.
"Ok, you get what you want, but I got to warn you, if you even have one inch of human dignity and sense of humanity in you, you will completely loose the respect of your family. Let me start from the beginning, when it all…"
So did began a story of twist and pain for Nabiki, the likes of which she never imagined. Even if it happened to someone else, she felt like it happened to her. The lost of hope, the lost of family, the pain of betrayal. That day Nabiki broke her promise she made to her mother on her death bed. For the first time in more than a decade, she finally broke down and cried.
Author's Note:
Hey all, here is another chapter. Since School starred and I am now taking microbiology and other God forbidden subjects, it took me a while to product this update. Hopefully, next one would be much better and faster. Well don't forget to do some constructive criticism. Thanks
Big Daddy Cool
