Ranma; Hard Core
Book 2
Chapter 5
Nabiki lay on the bedding that had been set up by her father. After the conversation with Akane, the middle Tendou sister hadn't spoken to any of her relations. Even dinner was a startlingly quiet affair; with Kasumi openly ignoring Nabiki's presence, Akane seeming to treat it with indifference, and appearing to withdraw into herself whenever Nabiki looked like she was about to speak in her direction, and the stern look her father was giving her kept Nabiki from starting any conversation with that end.
She missed Ranma, as quiet and enstranged as he would act often, at least she never felt alone with him. It was an unsettling feeling, being among those that would be your loved ones, and feeling as if you do not fit in. Still, it was only but the first day of her being back, things were bound to get better the next. Not only that, they may say that she can't pick up where she left off when she left them, but that didn't mean that they couldn't give her answers; she was good at getting answers. With that in mind, Nabiki settled herself to begin her sleep.
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Xian Pu settled into her hotel room. It was nothing lavish, but it was refined. The seemingly antique chair and table set matched the obviously new single model bed frame, and the carpet of the room provided pleasant cushioning when one strode upon it. The Chinese woman settled onto her bed, and reached for the phone on the nightstand. She dialed for an operator, and waited for a few moments.
"Yes, would you route me to the line service within the Quangxi Providence in China? Yes, I'll hold...." After a minute wait, she began again in Madarin, "Hello, requesting if you may connect me directly to the village line of Neichizuu, my thanks for your service.... Hello, I require a conversation with the Elder Khun Lon... her great grand-daughter and heir..."
Xian Pu removed her shoes, and finished, just as her Great Grandmother answered the phone, "Yes, honored elder, and I hope the ancestors have blessed this day for you, also. Am finding my sabbotical well. Yes, I am in Northern Honshou, it is lovely here." Xian Pu paused, and then grimaced, "I am sure the land has not changed at all much from when you had once graced it. But you are young yet, Great Grandmother... No, I do not say this to flatter you, no one in the village can match your pace, you are to spry for one of your acclaimed age, but your wisdom is the only evidence of your experience in time. I promised to check in every so often, so I am now. Understanding, you are not much worried about me, but I felt it was necessary. I shall keep in touch, as is your wishes... ancestors bless both our journies."
With that, the Amazon hung up the phone, and sighed in irritation. She had gotten better at lying to her great Grandmother, but was sure she would not be able to do it if she were in person. Xian Pu crossed her legs as she sat on the end of the bed; wincing slightly at the action. She rubbed her forehead at the headache she had developed from the unfamiliar atmosphere of Japan. She reached into her purse, and pulled out two perscription pills, swallowing them dry, and then deciding to get ready for the rest of the day. The morning was still bright, yet, and she still had the Tendous to look up.
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Nabiki was sure her father was still upset with her about the pregnancy, and decided to avoid him until she could determine better. Kasumi kept herself busy, not saying a word in Nabiki's presence. At the time, it had suited them both just fine, as Nabiki wasn't sure she would be able to hold her tongue without the presence of her father or sister, though she would have loved to show her 'loving' sister how much sharper her own tongue had gotten in her absence.
That really left Nabiki with very little to do, so she had decided to see how much the neighborhood had changed. She had guessed correctly that it would not, not that she had really expected it to. The only notable additions were a couple of restuarants and venders in the marketplace, and a new office building or two. She ended up in front of her old school, the one she graduated from via correspondence. It was about to get out, so she may as well wait for her current favorite sister to exit so that they might go out and get a treat on her.
After not too much waiting, a stream of students exited the school. A few of them recognized Nabiki, and the quiet whispers ensued. Hardened from snide comments and backhanded remarks from being on the road with Ranma; having to put up with people who addressed the two traveling together and out of wedlock as less than acceptable, Nabiki easily ignored the rumors that would be circling about her. She had not considered the effects the rumors may have on her own sister, unfortunately, not that it could do any more harm to Akane than what's already been done to her.
Eventually, Akane exited, alongside a brunette boy with a lengthy ponytail. Nabiki had to smirk, as this left a good deal of teasing opportunities open for her.
Akane stopped, and stared with a startled expression at her sister. With a slower stride with smaller steps than before, Akane approached Nabiki, followed by the puzzled looking guy.
"Hey, was just walking around, and thought I'd treat you to a little something afterschool, it's been a while since we've gotten together, and we still have a lot to talk about."
"Akane-chan? Who's this?" the young man standing just behind Akane asked with a curious tone.
Nabiki immidiately attempted to jump upon the opportunity, before Akane hastefully replied, "Someone visiting."
"Does 'Someone visiting' have another name to go by?" The boy said with a cute smile that made Nabiki had to approve in her sister's choice of boyfriends.
"Ooh, I like him, he's definitely a keeper, Akane," Nabiki answered, and chuckled to herself at the wince both of them made, they did make an adorable couple.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Ukyo," Akane said curtly, trying to buy herself out of a potentially disasterous situation.
"Come on, Akane-chan, you going to introduce me, or am I gonna have to pound it outta ya?" the boy named Ukyo jested, "Come on, a friend of Akane's is a friend of mine, especially if you can help me cheer her up, even for a little while," Ukyo's expression grew slightly morose, as he looked at Akane from behind. He perked back up, and continued the conversation, "How about you two stop by my restaurant in an hour or so, and we can talk later?"
"Ooh, and an entrepeneur, you sure do know how to pick em, Sis."
" Ooooooh, nononononononononono, we're not going out! Really!" Ukyo denied, waving his hands frantically. Nabiki thought his actions were just too cute not to pursue.
"What, you embarressed about..." Nabiki started to narrow her eyes, taking the jest further.
"Um, I think I left something in the school, come on," Akane stated, careful not to use her sister's name.
"Yeah, um..." Ukyo attempted to change the subject, not wanting to have to explain her situation to someone else while on school grounds, "I'll see you in a little while then, Sugar, Akane knows the way to 'Ucchans'. Best okonomiyaki you'll find in all Japan, if not the world!"
"Hmm, 'Sugar'? Be careful, I'm a married woman," Nabiki replied with a smirk, "And if your boast holds true, I may end up spending more than a few visits there!"
"Nabiki, let's go!" Akane said, her tone urgent.
"Don't worry, if Akane tries to get lost, I saw it on my walk around the neighborhood." Ukyo nodded in reply, and headed out to set up shop for the evening. At the back of her mind, Ukyo wondered where she had known that name before.
"Walking out of school together, referring to each other intimately, and you say you're not going out!"
"That's not funny, Nabiki," Akane replied in a sullen tone.
"You're still too easy, Sis," Nabiki replied with a jovial tone, "What is it you needed to get, anyway? You were in a pretty big hurry."
"Forget it, let's go home," Akane answered, starting back to the Tendou Home. Nabiki wasn't in the mood to face her father or her older sister, just yet.
"Hey, let's go see if 'Ucchan' needs help opening up. Who knows? We both may get to eat for free!" Nabiki interjected, pulling her sister back towards where the brunette had dissappeared to. Akane put up a mild protest, but stopped, once she noticed Nabiki's grip. Sure, she may no longer practice the art, but she hadn't lost all that much of her strength, and Nabiki may have been on the road for the past year or so, but the way her hands felt on her arm. She could feel the strong interplay of muscles in Nabiki's palm, and she noted the the way the muscles that could be seen under her sleeve flexed...
Akane's eyes widened, and she jerked her arm away from Nabiki quickly, puzzling her sister. "Um, Akane? What's wrong?"
Akane continued to stare at her sister with a nervous glance, but did not reply. Nabiki started to become slightly concerned, "O...kay, if you don't want me to hold onto your hand, just say so. You don't need to go through all this melodrama. I mean, really, little Sis..." Nabiki turned to walk towards Ucchans, galvanizing Akane to follow, and hopefully keep damage to a minimum, and her sister alive.
Book 2
Chapter 5
Nabiki lay on the bedding that had been set up by her father. After the conversation with Akane, the middle Tendou sister hadn't spoken to any of her relations. Even dinner was a startlingly quiet affair; with Kasumi openly ignoring Nabiki's presence, Akane seeming to treat it with indifference, and appearing to withdraw into herself whenever Nabiki looked like she was about to speak in her direction, and the stern look her father was giving her kept Nabiki from starting any conversation with that end.
She missed Ranma, as quiet and enstranged as he would act often, at least she never felt alone with him. It was an unsettling feeling, being among those that would be your loved ones, and feeling as if you do not fit in. Still, it was only but the first day of her being back, things were bound to get better the next. Not only that, they may say that she can't pick up where she left off when she left them, but that didn't mean that they couldn't give her answers; she was good at getting answers. With that in mind, Nabiki settled herself to begin her sleep.
__________________
Xian Pu settled into her hotel room. It was nothing lavish, but it was refined. The seemingly antique chair and table set matched the obviously new single model bed frame, and the carpet of the room provided pleasant cushioning when one strode upon it. The Chinese woman settled onto her bed, and reached for the phone on the nightstand. She dialed for an operator, and waited for a few moments.
"Yes, would you route me to the line service within the Quangxi Providence in China? Yes, I'll hold...." After a minute wait, she began again in Madarin, "Hello, requesting if you may connect me directly to the village line of Neichizuu, my thanks for your service.... Hello, I require a conversation with the Elder Khun Lon... her great grand-daughter and heir..."
Xian Pu removed her shoes, and finished, just as her Great Grandmother answered the phone, "Yes, honored elder, and I hope the ancestors have blessed this day for you, also. Am finding my sabbotical well. Yes, I am in Northern Honshou, it is lovely here." Xian Pu paused, and then grimaced, "I am sure the land has not changed at all much from when you had once graced it. But you are young yet, Great Grandmother... No, I do not say this to flatter you, no one in the village can match your pace, you are to spry for one of your acclaimed age, but your wisdom is the only evidence of your experience in time. I promised to check in every so often, so I am now. Understanding, you are not much worried about me, but I felt it was necessary. I shall keep in touch, as is your wishes... ancestors bless both our journies."
With that, the Amazon hung up the phone, and sighed in irritation. She had gotten better at lying to her great Grandmother, but was sure she would not be able to do it if she were in person. Xian Pu crossed her legs as she sat on the end of the bed; wincing slightly at the action. She rubbed her forehead at the headache she had developed from the unfamiliar atmosphere of Japan. She reached into her purse, and pulled out two perscription pills, swallowing them dry, and then deciding to get ready for the rest of the day. The morning was still bright, yet, and she still had the Tendous to look up.
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Nabiki was sure her father was still upset with her about the pregnancy, and decided to avoid him until she could determine better. Kasumi kept herself busy, not saying a word in Nabiki's presence. At the time, it had suited them both just fine, as Nabiki wasn't sure she would be able to hold her tongue without the presence of her father or sister, though she would have loved to show her 'loving' sister how much sharper her own tongue had gotten in her absence.
That really left Nabiki with very little to do, so she had decided to see how much the neighborhood had changed. She had guessed correctly that it would not, not that she had really expected it to. The only notable additions were a couple of restuarants and venders in the marketplace, and a new office building or two. She ended up in front of her old school, the one she graduated from via correspondence. It was about to get out, so she may as well wait for her current favorite sister to exit so that they might go out and get a treat on her.
After not too much waiting, a stream of students exited the school. A few of them recognized Nabiki, and the quiet whispers ensued. Hardened from snide comments and backhanded remarks from being on the road with Ranma; having to put up with people who addressed the two traveling together and out of wedlock as less than acceptable, Nabiki easily ignored the rumors that would be circling about her. She had not considered the effects the rumors may have on her own sister, unfortunately, not that it could do any more harm to Akane than what's already been done to her.
Eventually, Akane exited, alongside a brunette boy with a lengthy ponytail. Nabiki had to smirk, as this left a good deal of teasing opportunities open for her.
Akane stopped, and stared with a startled expression at her sister. With a slower stride with smaller steps than before, Akane approached Nabiki, followed by the puzzled looking guy.
"Hey, was just walking around, and thought I'd treat you to a little something afterschool, it's been a while since we've gotten together, and we still have a lot to talk about."
"Akane-chan? Who's this?" the young man standing just behind Akane asked with a curious tone.
Nabiki immidiately attempted to jump upon the opportunity, before Akane hastefully replied, "Someone visiting."
"Does 'Someone visiting' have another name to go by?" The boy said with a cute smile that made Nabiki had to approve in her sister's choice of boyfriends.
"Ooh, I like him, he's definitely a keeper, Akane," Nabiki answered, and chuckled to herself at the wince both of them made, they did make an adorable couple.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Ukyo," Akane said curtly, trying to buy herself out of a potentially disasterous situation.
"Come on, Akane-chan, you going to introduce me, or am I gonna have to pound it outta ya?" the boy named Ukyo jested, "Come on, a friend of Akane's is a friend of mine, especially if you can help me cheer her up, even for a little while," Ukyo's expression grew slightly morose, as he looked at Akane from behind. He perked back up, and continued the conversation, "How about you two stop by my restaurant in an hour or so, and we can talk later?"
"Ooh, and an entrepeneur, you sure do know how to pick em, Sis."
" Ooooooh, nononononononononono, we're not going out! Really!" Ukyo denied, waving his hands frantically. Nabiki thought his actions were just too cute not to pursue.
"What, you embarressed about..." Nabiki started to narrow her eyes, taking the jest further.
"Um, I think I left something in the school, come on," Akane stated, careful not to use her sister's name.
"Yeah, um..." Ukyo attempted to change the subject, not wanting to have to explain her situation to someone else while on school grounds, "I'll see you in a little while then, Sugar, Akane knows the way to 'Ucchans'. Best okonomiyaki you'll find in all Japan, if not the world!"
"Hmm, 'Sugar'? Be careful, I'm a married woman," Nabiki replied with a smirk, "And if your boast holds true, I may end up spending more than a few visits there!"
"Nabiki, let's go!" Akane said, her tone urgent.
"Don't worry, if Akane tries to get lost, I saw it on my walk around the neighborhood." Ukyo nodded in reply, and headed out to set up shop for the evening. At the back of her mind, Ukyo wondered where she had known that name before.
"Walking out of school together, referring to each other intimately, and you say you're not going out!"
"That's not funny, Nabiki," Akane replied in a sullen tone.
"You're still too easy, Sis," Nabiki replied with a jovial tone, "What is it you needed to get, anyway? You were in a pretty big hurry."
"Forget it, let's go home," Akane answered, starting back to the Tendou Home. Nabiki wasn't in the mood to face her father or her older sister, just yet.
"Hey, let's go see if 'Ucchan' needs help opening up. Who knows? We both may get to eat for free!" Nabiki interjected, pulling her sister back towards where the brunette had dissappeared to. Akane put up a mild protest, but stopped, once she noticed Nabiki's grip. Sure, she may no longer practice the art, but she hadn't lost all that much of her strength, and Nabiki may have been on the road for the past year or so, but the way her hands felt on her arm. She could feel the strong interplay of muscles in Nabiki's palm, and she noted the the way the muscles that could be seen under her sleeve flexed...
Akane's eyes widened, and she jerked her arm away from Nabiki quickly, puzzling her sister. "Um, Akane? What's wrong?"
Akane continued to stare at her sister with a nervous glance, but did not reply. Nabiki started to become slightly concerned, "O...kay, if you don't want me to hold onto your hand, just say so. You don't need to go through all this melodrama. I mean, really, little Sis..." Nabiki turned to walk towards Ucchans, galvanizing Akane to follow, and hopefully keep damage to a minimum, and her sister alive.