Random Observation: Nabiki is actually a very cheerful person in the manga (she's excited when Nodoka first visits, she's smiling throughout the whole "Ranma-burns-her-ticket" ordeal, and seems like she's enjoying herself during the Kinnosuke date. She does have bouts of sarcasm etc, but for the most part she's not as perpetually cynical as fanfic authors (myself included) portray her. Mind, this is what I got from the manga. Is she much different in the anime?
Another Random Observation: In a way, doesn't Nabiki (or fanfic's representations of her) remind anyone of Archie Costello from the book "The Chocolate War"? They're both manipulative, good actors, and in a way control the student body… Maybe I'm just crazy. ^_^ ;
Btw, what's going on with the Ranmascan project? I tried going back there recently and it seems like it's out.
Sorry for the long wait for this update. Hope it'll be substantial. On with the show…
Chapter 11—UndyingThe visit to the cemetery was short and painful. There had been shedding of tears and bowing and praying and incense and flower arrangements. Soun wailed, Kasumi and Akane both wept and chatted with the dead. Ranma and Genma stood out of the way, looking uncomfortable. Nabiki also stood back, aloof, silent and completely unsatisfied with the proceedings. She hated these traditional ceremonies and public displays of grief. She knew that this was what her mother and father both wished, and so kept a respectful silence. But that didn't mean she had to like it.
Now, she stood alone in the graveyard, gazing at her mother's tombstone, conducting her own private ceremony.
"Hi mom."
This was the first time the whole day that she had time to herself; the entire morning had been a flurry of anxiety and getting prepared.
"I'm doing ok… profits have gone up 15% the past month, but sales on Ranma pictures are expected to go down the next few weeks cuz… yeah." She looked at her toes. "I still can't believe it's been ten years. More than half my life… sometimes I wonder what I… everything would be like if you were still here. I'm so different, mom, I'm not your little Biki anymore." She laughed softly. "It's hard to even remember now, what you look like. All I have are a few photos, for crying out loud…"
She fell silent, thinking unfathomable thoughts and seeing nothing. She stood there for a timeless period, arms wrapped around her for protection against the cold wind which had appeared, and dreamed of snow on bones. Unbeknownst to her, a small tear glistened on the side of her cheek. It wasn't until the rumbling in her stomach roused her that she unclenched her jaw and focused her gaze. The air was bitingly cold, and she wished that she had brought a coat; her solemn, charcoal-grey dress was not well suited for outdoor weather. As she turned to leave, she glanced back once more at the quiet grave.
"Dammit, mom, I miss you."
Then, steeling her face and her heart, she fled.
*
Heavy footsteps sounded on the cement pavement behind her.
"Nabiki Tendo, I would speak with you." A hand rested gently on her shoulder, Kuno appeared beside her.
"Hi Kuno," came the subdued reply. "What's up?"
He glanced worriedly at her pale, grave face. This serenity was unlike her. Calm: yes… controlled: definitely… but never serene. "You are shivering."
She sighed. "Probably because it's cold." The sarcasm was muted by the heaviness in her voice.
He offered her his coat. That was when Nabiki noticed that he wasn't wearing his usual hakema, but a very formal, very solemn outfit that she didn't recall seeing him wear before. It didn't take long for her to put two and two together. "Have you been at your mom's…?" She trailed off.
"Yes," was the grave reply. "Kodachi and I went this morning to pay our respects."
She didn't bother to raise an eyebrow mockingly. "So why're you still here? It's two o' clock."
"I was waiting for you. To finish your mourning."
"Ah." At any other time, Nabiki would have come up with several scathing replies to that. But as it was, she merely nodded.
Silence hung between them, unspoken pain and old memories balanced precariously in the chasm. The day was young but Nabiki felt old. She had no idea what to say, what to do, how to acknowledge what had happened to both of them ten years ago.
Then she realized that he was still holding his coat out to her. She reached out and took it. "Thanks."
"You're very welcome."
The strong scent of Kuno washed around her for a moment as she swung the heavy coat around her shoulders. It woke her from a daze that she hadn't realized she was in. Nabiki looked around for a moment, gathering her surroundings and assessing her situation. Something in the conversation hadn't added up.
"Uh, not that I mind or anything, but why were you waiting for me?" She cocked an eyebrow and at the same time wrapped the coat closer around her shoulders.
"My demented sister said that you wished to speak with me." He raised an eyebrow back at her.
"Yeah. Tell her thanks, for nothing. She sent me on this wild goose chase into the park, where you obviously weren't." She snorted, disgusted. "I should have known that."
"I was at the park," Kuno remonstrated. "I was at the tree—you must not have looked hard enough."
"I did check out the tree." A sudden blush rose to Nabiki's cheeks, which she instantly checked; she remembered what had happened last time they had been to the tree. The memory of his kiss still caused her heart to flutter a little (very little). Kuno smiled slightly as her hand rose unconsciously to her cheek. "What do you take me for? That was the most obvious place you would have been," she continued, discomfited. "You weren't there. Don't try and tell me otherwise."
"Maybe I had left already…" Kuno said vaguely, gesturing with his hands. "Nabiki Tendo…"
"What."
"Would you do me the honor of accompanying me to lunch?"
"What?"
"What you wanted to speak to me about—it would be most appropriate to discuss it over food, considering how we've always discussed things over food…" He raised his eyebrow again, an act which was really pissing Nabiki off; it made her legs feel like jelly. She hated feeling unsteady.
"I dunno Kuno…we're dressed up pretty fancy…" This, at least, was familiar territory for both of them—a manipulation that Nabiki pulled almost every week, a ruse that Kuno tolerated every time. I don't think I can afford a restaurant as expensive as the one we should go to with these clothes. Sorry, but lunch is…"
"…compliments of Tatewaki Kuno."
"Oh! In that case…" Nabiki grinned and looped her arm through his. "Lead on, kind sir!"
*
The restaurant was, as Nabiki had suspected, a fairly upscale, elegant place that was almost small enough to qualify as a café. Nabiki had passed it several times before, and had glanced in longingly more than once, but had never entered. Her own budget wouldn't allow it (not for two, at least, and what's the fun of eating alone?) and most of her customers definitely did not have the means to treat her. The food, needless to say, was excellent. Nabiki, always appreciative of culinary expertise, enjoyed the meal immensely, almost to the point of forgetting what day it was.
During dessert, Nabiki was suddenly aware of the silence that had grown during the meal. They had exchanged usual remarks and commentary, and had praised the food, but beyond that… Nabiki poked at her crème brulee. It was now or never.
"Kuno…"
He looked up at her, momentarily abandoning his tiramisu.
"I…" She looked down at her plate, avoiding his questioning gaze. "I guess I just wanted to… ahem… say-sorry-apologize-I-guess-for-the-way-I've-treated-you-and-it-was-bad-of-me-and-I-shouldn't-have-there." Nabiki really, really hated apologizing. For anything.
Kuno continued to look at her. She endured three moments of his smoldering gaze until he spoke. When he did speak, his voice was rough.
"What are you apologizing for?"
"For… everything." Nabiki whispered. "I'm sorry I blamed you for mom's death. It wasn't your fault."
Kuno made a movement, but when she looked up, he was still.
"Mom always taught us how we should be forgiving people… I guess I'm just not a very forgiving person. I always take things personally. And the… payback I give is always personal too. I've been pretty cruel to you, huh?"
"Kodachi… what has my twisted sister told you?" Flames flickered in his eyes.
"What you thought of me. What I did to you."
"She can't keep her mouth shut, can she. Damn." He rose abruptly, threw some bills onto the table, and stormed out of the restaurant.
Nabiki rose too, and followed him out. He was already halfway down the block. She sped up to catch up to him. While she jogged over, she smiled grimly to herself. Finally, she knew what she was doing—an understanding Kuno she didn't get. An angry Kuno she dealt with all the time. But all the same… she bit her lip anxiously.
"Kuno, wait up!"
He didn't stop.
"Tate!" The cry spilled unbidden from her lips, surprising them both. Kuno paused. Giving her time to catch up.
"Tate… *pant*… goddam… don't make me run… *wheeze*… after I eat…" She grabbed his sleeve, pretending to double over with exhaustion. "Besides… what was that… about… *gasp*… Kodachi?"
He pressed his lips together. "She had no right to tell you that. It was my own business."
"What the hell! Of course she did!"
"No, she did not. Nabiki, it's hate now, isn't it. You… me… we both blame each other… I have to forget this! Things will never return to the way they were. Whatever forgiveness or apology you bestow upon me, there is no truth in it. Your feelings are based upon what you have heard from others… my sister… others… You haven't forgotten or forgiven anything on your own free will." He turned and began to walk again.
"Tate." She placed her hands on his shoulders and forced him to look into her eyes.
"My feelings are never dictated by what others say. I'm not so easily manipulated as that, idiot. Everything I say is by my own free will. What I'm going to say now is completely me… Biki. So listen up.
"I came to apologize for my words and actions the past ten years. They were cruel and untrue, and I should never have used them against you."
His eyes widened slightly, recognizing the same apology he had given to her, two days before.
"I would like to ask your forgiveness."
He could only see her eyes, staring deep into his.
"I had absolutely no right to hurt you that way, Tate."
So deep…
"Please… Forgive me."
He did not speak, but tenderly put a hand to her cheek.
"I don't have a flower to give you," she continued. "But… I hope that this will make up for it."
She rose onto tiptoes, tilted his head down, and breathed a soft, quiet kiss onto his mouth, her lips barely touching his.
He responded instantly, wrapping his arms gently around her waist.
This is nice… Nabiki thought to herself. Or it would be, if it wasn't in a public place…
Some people were looking curiously their way, though Nabiki didn't particularly mind, that much. She was enjoying the kiss too much to be bothered. But then, for a brief second in the store window behind Kuno, was a reflection of her mother.
She broke the kiss.
To be continued…
A/N: Ok, just to be clear, this won't turn into a ghost story or anything—I just didn't want to cut those two a break just yet. It'll make the story longer, and get more emotional twisting out of both of them. I'll see if I want to do anything with the mother reflection or not. C&C!