A New Beginning
by Lerris
Smith
Disclaimer: I don't own Ranma 1/2, Sailor Moon or Tenchi Muyo. This piece of work is purely for entertainment purposes. This is just a reposting to insure clean chapters. This story is on hold for now.
Ranma and Akane were walking home from school when they ran into Dr. Tofu of all people.
"Hey you two. I was wondering if you could help me with something. Its kinda important."
Akane replied, "Sure Doctor. What can we help you with?"
Dr. Tofu didn't sense anyone nearby so he continued with, "Its something you two are perhaps uniquely qualified to help with. We are almost there."
Dr. Tofu only had one patient. She was a very pretty young woman of around 30 years of age. She was quite pale and breathing shallowly. She was also obviously pregnant. "Her name is Himiko. She has already been to Tokyo general hospital. They could do nothing for her there. The cancer has spread throughout her system. There is little I can do either. I gave her a shot to help her to rest. She asked me .. She begged me to do something so she could live long enough for her daughter to be born. I'm sorry for burdening you two with this, but you two are my last hope."
Ranma nodded. "It is nothing to be sorry about. We will do what we can." Ranma sat down beside her and placed his right hand on her forehead and began to concentrate. A violet glow spread from him and into Himiko. He stayed that way for several minutes.
Akane looked worried. She had taken hold of Himiko's other hand gently and seemed to be crying softly. Not again. I don't want to see another mother taken from this world. Please, Please not again.
Ranma came out of his trance and said, "She is very weak. It is spread throughout her system. The baby is weak as well, but ok, at least for now. Dr. Tofu could you make sure we remain undisturbed. This will take well into tomorrow morning I think and even then I can't promise anything although I'm fairly sure we can at least buy her the time to deliver her child."
"Thank you both."
Akane added, "We can't let her die. There must be something. I don't want to see someone else's mother die."
Ranma said, "What happened to the father of the child?"
"He left her, after she found out that she was pregnant. We are all she has I'm afraid."
"My mother used to call it the burden of a healer... I'm going to call Pluto. Perhaps she can bring Saturn. With her help, perhaps it will be enough. Can you call home and make some excuse about where we are?"
Akane nodded and went in the other room to use the phone.
Ranma wove a tiny ward against listening around himself. He then pulled his communicator out of subspace and made a call.
"Pluto here."
"Hello Sailor Pluto. I'm in Dr. Tofu's clinic."
"I know of it."
"A very sick pregnant woman is here that Akane and I are going to try to save. I don't think we will be enough though. Could you ask Saturn if she can help as well? The doctor here doesn't know about the Senshi yet, although I'll have to tell him about Akane and myself to avoid confusion. He can be trusted, but I see no reason for him to know anymore than necessary."
"Of course Ranma. I'll go ask her. We should be with you shortly. Is their anything else you need?"
"Yes. I fully expect this to take until morning, so if you can pick up some additional food somewhere it would be greatly appreciated."
"From guardian of time, to delivery girl. You are going to owe me one you know."
"I already do." Ranma cut the connection and dropped the ward.
Dr. Tofu and Akane had returned and were looking at him talking into his communicator. Neither could hear what he was saying of course. Doctor Tofu looked thoughtful, but then he came alert again when Ranma spoke.
"I asked for some help. She should be here before too long." Ranma glanced to be sure the patient was still asleep. "Akane and I need to change to be able to help Himiko fully. Don't be alarmed. We will explain more some other time, when there is time." Ranma shifted to Ranma-chan. "Sun Star power, Make Up!"
Akane was a little surprised at Ranma revealing who they were, but since it was Dr. Tofu after all she wasn't worried. "Io Lumina power, Make up!" After a light show, the two newest Senshi stood where Ranma and Akane were.
"How? What? When?"
"Please call me Sailor Sun and Akane Sailor Io when we are like this. I'm going to start with casting a spell to keep her asleep and to slow her bodies operation down. It will make it easier for us to heal her when we begin. You should probably turn up the thermostat a little so she doesn't get too cold. A light blanket would probably help as well."
Io sat down next to Sun and extended her hand. Sun took it and drew power from her lightly to cast the needed spell. Himiko's breathing slowed. I can see what Ranma does, but I still don't understand it.. I hope I can learn this someday.
By this time Dr. Tofu had readjusted the thermostat and returned with a blanket.
"Akane and I will begin. Akane, I know things are very intricate now and hard to follow, but do your best. Dr. Tofu, when Pluto and Saturn arrive you will have to entertain them. Once we tire it will be Saturn's turn."
Sun took hold of Akane's hand. "Remember, a lot of the energy will be coming from you. You will be tired when we are done, but try to eat something before sleeping ok?" Io nodded. "Then let us begin." A violet aura formed around Io lined with streaks of blue. It flowed into Sun's own violet and gold aura and then through her hands flowed into Himiko. Sun used the magic to strengthen failing cells and slowly, ever so slowly began to destroy the cancer cells. They were lost to the world when Pluto and Saturn stepped out of a hole in the air.
Saturn looked on in a bit of awe and relief.. Here was someone else who could do much of what she herself did. It made her feel less alone somehow.
Pluto said, "Ranma was always impatient. It figures that he would start without us."
Dr. Tofu jumped a bit and turned around. "Hello, I'm Dr. Tofu. You must be Sailor Saturn and Sailor Pluto. Ranma said to greet you and that he and Akane would take the first turn.. Um which of you is which?"
"I'm Sailor Pluto and this is Sailor Saturn."
Saturn continued to watch what was going on with fascination. So many similarities, and so many differences.
"Perhaps we should eat while there is time. I picked up a some pizza's and soda from an American restaurant known as Papa Johns." Well its not as if I can do anything anyway, other than perhaps give Saturn some of my power when she tires.
Almost an hour had elapsed in conversation that carefully avoided any serious topics. One of the pizza's was gone. Saturn had even given up her observation for a few minutes to consume a few pieces. Finally the glow around Sun and Io faded and they seemed to visibly wilt.
Sun quietly. "We did as much as we could until we rest some." Sun and Io looked around spotting the food and the others. "Sailor Pluto, Sailor Saturn. Thank you for coming. She will need all our help I fear. I just hope it is enough."
"It has to be. Please, it has to be."
"It is my turn. I will do what I can as well."
"Just remember, don't spend yourself too deeply. We have time yet. Akane and I will take another turn after we eat something and rest a bit."
Saturn just nodded and sat down beside Himiko. She placed her hands over where the baby was and began. So much sickness, and it had spread so far. She could see the work that Ranma and Akane had already done and marveled at it. She began to send her own energy into the darkness to destroy more cancerous cells and continue to bolster her failing systems. She paid particular care around the baby, to make sure it stayed healthy.
It went on like that till 10 am the next day. A few times someone knocked on the door looking for Dr. Tofu, but once they read the sign they apparently went elsewhere. Dr. Tofu stayed awake most of the time watching his patient. He looked at her aura many times during that long night and could see the marked improvement in it. He also looked at the others aura's. Much of it he couldn't understand, but he could read the ever growing fatigue. Even Sailor Pluto seemed to grow tired when around midnight she glowed briefly and energy seemed to pass from herself into Saturn.
Sun and Io were sitting next to Himiko when the glow vanished and seemed to relax. Sun and Io seemed to wilt slightly when it was over.
"We did it. Thanks to all of you, the cancer is gone. She should be fine but she will need a lot of rest and care yet. She should wake in an hour or so."
Akane went over and hugged Saturn. "Thank you. Thank you." She sobbed quietly in the younger girls shoulder.
"Saturn and I should go." She turned to Dr. Tofu. "I'm not sure what you are going to tell her, but make sure it doesn't include us, ok?"
Dr. Tofu nodded. "I will." Pluto took Saturn by the arm and then they were gone.
Sun dropped her transformation and Io followed suit. They sagged into each other but remained standing.
Akane said, "We should go as well. Let us know how she does ok? Perhaps we can stop by as our ordinary self's later and bring some flowers."
Ranma-chan asked, "What will you tell her?"
"I will tell her that I did what I could for her, but that it was definitely not I who healed her. I will tell her that I saw her glow during the night, how I thought it might have been a passing spirit or spirits who felt compassion for her and helped her to heal for her daughters sake. "
Ranma-chan nodded. As stories go, not bad. It even has a certain amount of truth to it. "Goodbye Doc." Akane and Ranma headed home.
Cologne pogoed quietly into the room.
"I have sensed you off and on since Himiko arrived. Why is that?"
Cologne stared at the doctor. "Tend her well healer. She is very important, as is her child."
"You know how she was healed don't you?"
"Yes. If necessary I would have asked them myself. I received this the day before yesterday." She gave a small rolled up painting to the doctor. It showed a picture of Himiko nursing her baby. "About a hundred years ago one of the wisest of us wrote a book of prophecy. She is the only true prophet we have ever known. One of the prophecies was, 'There shall come a man, born of woman, of water, and of spirit. His fate shall be the fate of the Amazons. Should he thrive and prosper, so shall the Amazons.' Another was, 'The fate of the world shall be balanced on the edge of a blade. Should the thrice born man and his chosen not become one with the woman guardians then the world shall be covered in darkness.' It wasn't until recently that I was sure that prophecy referred to Ranma and now I know that his chosen is Akane and the women guardians are not the Amazon's but the Senshi. The picture you have is a copy of one in the book. It came with this prophecy, "A woman betrayed lost and alone. The world's future is as fragile as the newborn tears of her unborn child. Guard the child and her mother well for in their hands rests a key to our future."
"Something tells me the story of how those two became one of them is an interesting one."
"You do not know?"
"No. I only just found out because they apparently weren't strong enough as they were."
Cologne nodded. "They will tell you in time I think. I think it best that Ranma and Himiko not be told they are mentioned in prophecy. Too much knowledge of prophecy by those directly involved usually just causes trouble since it is easy to misinterpret. I thought I was so wise, insisting that Ranma must marry an Amazon and become one of us. If I had succeeded, it might have doomed us all." Cologne fetched a small bag out of a hidden pocket. "Give her a single glass of tea made with this. It is a very rare restorative tea. It should help her to restore her strength more rapidly."
Dr. Tofu took the bag and nodded.
"I should get back to the restaurant. Good day to you."
A weary but content Ranma-chan and Akane walked home to the Tendo dojo. They were greeted by Kasumi.
"Oh my, what happened to you two. You look exhausted."
Akane replied, "We were training. I think we got a bit carried away. I feel like I could sleep for a week."
Ranma-chan simply nodded and followed Akane into her room where they collapsed on their respective sleeping areas and promptly fell asleep. Nabiki looked in on them a moment later, but decided answers were not going to be forthcoming. Still caller ID had revealed that their real location was Dr. Tofu clinic and not the train station as Akane had told Kasumi. I wonder if my idiot father or Genma will ever see through the training trip excuse. Nahh. As long as those two are together they don't really care. I think Kasumi may be hurt though if she is not told something soon. Big sister is not nearly as dense as people think. Nabiki sighed. She had been doing that too much of late.
Himiko awoke at about 11 in the morning. She felt very tired, yet better than she had in weeks. She looked around and saw the Doctor had fallen asleep in his chair.
Himiko in a quiet voice says, "Hey Doc?"
Dr. Tofu woke up at the sound of her voice and looked at her and went over to her. "How are you feeling?"
"I don't understand it, but I feel better."
"Well I have good news. I think if you are a very cooperative patient and work hard to get your strength back, that you and your baby are going to be fine."
"Seriously? I thought it was hopeless, that the best I could pray for would be my child."
Dr. Tofu went ahead and told the prepared story. Himiko looked skeptical. He has allways been the worst liar. Still I must be better somehow. He would never lie about that. I can't believe that I'll get to see my baby grow up. "Thank you doctor. Please if you see those spirits or whatever helped me could you thank them for me as well?"
Dr. Tofu nodded and then caught himself. Oops.
Himiko kept a neutral face. Gotcha. So you do know something huh doc? Well if you think it important enough to keep secret I'm not one to pry. I just wish I could thank them in person though. "I still can't believe. I had hoped that somehow my child would live, but now..." Himiko broke down into quiet tears.
"I'll make you some breakfast."
Ranma and Akane slept through most of school that day and woke up in the afternoon just before Nabiki got out of school. Ranma insisted that Akane train before eating anything. They then cleaned up and raided the fridge. Kasumi was fixing some food in the kitchen when Nabiki walked in.
"You should have seen Dr. Tofu today. He acted almost normally around me. He seemed really tired though. He had apparently stayed up all night taking care of a sick pregnant woman. I talked to her for awhile. Its amazing, she was told she was dying just a few days ago and now shes on the road to recovery. Dr. Tofu is truly amazing, although he insists it wasn't him. I'm making this to bring to them. I shouldn't be gone long though."
Akane added, "We should all go and cheer her up. I'm so glad that a little girl will now grow up with a mother."
Nabiki looked at Akane. Your slipping sis, Kasumi didn't say she was carrying a girl. "I'm in. I even know a flower shop that owe's me a favor." Nabiki grinned.
Ranma added, "Everyone owes you a favor."
"True."
They arrived with a vase full of flowers and set them beside her bed. Kasumi sat down the food as well.
Dr. Tofu fidgets slightly when he sees Kasumi but remains otherwise in control. "Kasumi... How nice to see you again. Oh you brought food. I sometimes wonder how my patients live through my cooking."
"Hello Dr. Tofu. Oh don't be silly. I've had your food before and its fine. Hello Himiko. Your looking better all the time. These are my sisters Nabiki and Akane and this is Akane's fiancee Ranma."
Dr. Tofu faded into the background and let everyone visit. My control around Kasumi isn't quite perfect yet after all.
Himiko looked at them all. She sensed almost a kinship with Akane and Ranma. She looked at the pair. "Do I know you?"
"I don't think so. My big sister was just telling us about you. I'm glad your feeling better."
Ranma smiled at Akane in an attempt to distract Himiko from continuing that train of thought.
Nabiki added, "The three of us, lost our mother when we were very young. We are just glad you are alright." It had to be them especially given the call.
"I never thought I'd get a chance to raise her. I swear I will do my best."
They chatted for a little while. Every now and then Himiko looked at either Akane or Ranma oddly as if trying to puzzle out something. Soon the Tendo sister's and Ranma headed home.
Kasumi said, "I'm glad Genma and father went out. We probably won't see them back till late. The house should be peaceful. In a few minutes they were home.
Kasumi turned to Akane. "So Akane. How is your training coming? You've seem to have done a lot of it lately. It doesn't seem right to tire yourself so much that you can't go to school though. It does seem odd that Ranma was so tired though. "
Nabiki looked at her sister. "How much do you know?"
"Who me. What could I possibly know?"
Akane winced. Ranma looked a bit confused and concerned.
"Your mask is, if anything, better than my own Kasumi. Don't worry they won't give away your secret."
Kasumi nodded. "It has been so long since she left us. I hadn't thought about it much till I saw Himiko today then it all hit me. She made me promise to take care of the family you know. I have done my best, but it always seemed so far out of my hands. It was so much easier to just smile and do my part and pretend everything would be fine. I suppose I still owe you an apology Ranma-kun for shoving you off on to our sister that day. Despite fate pulling you two every which way, you two found your own way and I'm glad. It was obvious that you loved each other long ago, but I did sometimes wonder if you still might end up making each other miserable."
"There is no need to apologize. If anything perhaps I should apologize for bringing so much chaos into your lives."
"I did worry so at times, but then again you also brought excitement into our lives. Do you know how dull it can be doing nothing but keeping house? Your friends, enemies, yes even your suitors brought some excitement into this house that was sorely lacking. I must admit it grew very hard to not burst out in laughter or anger sometimes. No if you want to do something for me, tell me why Nabiki is suddenly interested in martial arts and why you all are encouraging me to do so as well. I'd also like to know why Akane's training trip was apparently in Dr. Tofu's clinic. I checked the caller I.D. before you did Nabiki. For that matter, why did you two come home from it exhausted, and yet Himiko or the doctor never mentioned your names. I suppose we can skip the fact that Ranma has been sleeping in Akane's room or the late night conversations Nabiki joins in."
"It seems that both of your sister's are full of surprises Akane. Layers upon layers."
"Your telling me."
A violet glow flared briefly around Ranma and then faded. "I just wove a ward against listening around the Tendo property. It will also let me know when they return. I suppose the best thing to do would be to start at the beginning. You must keep most of it secret of course, especially from Genma and your father. Genma would try to make money out of it and your father is very apt to get tricked into whatever hare brained scheme Genma came up with. Even if they didn't intend harm, it could cause a great deal. It could even lead to some of our deaths. Are you sure you want to know?"
Nabiki said, "Oh stop being so melodramatic Ranma. This is Kasumi after all."
Ranma nodded. "You are right Nabiki. I apologize Kasumi. Perhaps I'm just getting paranoid is all." Ranma and Akane took turns telling of the rest of the story since Saffron. They also told the remaining details of how they made peace with the Amazons, of the danger coming, and the debt they were going to try to repay the Senshi.
"Well if you two are Senshi, can you transform or something? Ranma doesn't really look the part, even with a costume, but I suppose some cold water might fix that."
Ranma and Akane transformed. Kasumi hugged them both. "Its true! Its really true. Oh I'm so proud of you Akane. A Tendo is going to help protect the world. And you too Ranma-chan. Or should I say Sailor Sun and Sailor Io?"
Akane replied, "Please try to use our Senshi names when we are like this. There is magic in the transformation that keeps people from recognizing us, but if our names are used it doesn't work."
"You did it, didn't you? You two somehow saved Himiko's life and the life of her child."
"Actually we only did perhaps half of it. Another of the Senshi has skill with healing magic. She did every bit as much as us, with mostly only her own strength. It is only because of Akane's strength added to my own and the power of the Senshi transformation that we were able to do as much."
"Because of you two a girl will be born that otherwise would have died and she will have the chance to know her mother. I want to learn to do that. Can I learn ...?"
Ranma took Akane's right hand in his left. "It will be easier to see your potential if we join hands. I am also using every opportunity to teach Akane, so she will see as well." Kasumi placed her right hand in theirs.
Nabiki added, "Can I join in?"
"It is easy for me to show Akane what I am doing because of the bond between us. I can show you afterwards if its ok with Kasumi."
"Its alright with me." Ranma nodded and a violet aura extended from his hand and entered into Kasumi.
"We can talk to each other in our minds while we are like this. Follow my thoughts Akane. Can you see it, there it is. It is your sisters spirit. She is truly beautiful inside and out is she not?"
"Your not having second thoughts are you Ranma?"
"No Akane. I am merely being objective. Dr. Tofu, if he doesn't wait too long, could be a very lucky man. Now look at the bundle of golden energy. Can you sense its potential? Can you feel the warmth from it. She is a natural healer I think. She has a bit more innate potential than I ever did. And yes, she has slightly more than you. Look at what else there is though. There is little of the fiery potential you'd expect from a combat mage or even a top rate martial artist. I still think she should train as she has time, but I don't think it will ever be in her to hurt anyone unless something very important is on the line."
"Its not surprising really. Kasumi has always hated to hurt people. She will be glad she has the potential to be a good healer."
"Now lets do one more thing. Follow my focus away from Kasumi... there can you see it, there is your own spirit. There is the essence of the woman I fell in love with. Where Kasumi has a simple beauty you have an intricate tapestry. The fierceness of a lion. The gentleness of a breeze. The loveliness of a sunrise. All those things and many more make up what is you. You can even feel the warmth of the bond that links us together."
Akane smiled. She mentally sent, "Ok, now that we are sharing what about you?" Ranma shifted his focus inward to his own spirit. You could barely tell it was once the spirit of two people anymore. Determination, hope, purpose, yearning, compassion, love, anger, desperation, and others sparkled throughout his aura like stars in the sky. The bond between them, if anything, felt warmer here. She could feel the warmth of his love coming from it. She could also see the flecks of chaos linked to him now. The flecks that limited his ability to heal, that he hated so much, even as he tried to pretend they were a good thing since he could fight better. That chaos that became a part of him because he saved her life. They came out of their trance.
"Thank you Ranma."
"Nabiki. Your turn." Kasumi, Nabiki and Ranma joined hands.
Ranma mentally explained to Nabiki what it was she was seeing. In a few minutes they were done. Nabiki was in awe. It made sense. It was so like her sister.. So beautiful.
Kasumi asked, "Well?"
"You have the greatest potential to be a healer that I have ever seen. Is this what you truly want though? Its not really something you can do part time. It took me eight years to learn to do what I did. We are also moving to Jubaan before long, which will make things more difficult. I'm not trying to dissuade you. If anything the opposite, but it will be a lot of work. What about Dr. Tofu?"
Kasumi thought about it a bit. "I admit that I was sort of aimlessly waiting for Dr. Tofu to finally do something, but I think the time for waiting is over. Oh I still hope he will at least ask me out." Kasumi paused in thought then continued, "Hmm or maybe I should ask him out? Either way I still want to do this. I know your a super hero now. If you don't have time.."
"No, its not that. Well sometimes I may get busy, but I would still gladly teach you when I can. If only we weren't going to be in different cities.."
"As everyone knows I've applied to several colleges. Jubaan college has accepted me as well. I wouldn't normally think of going there, but well I still need my own martial arts lessons and someone has to keep you out of trouble. They offered me a scholarship, and with all that I've made in high school I should be set. I thought that perhaps Kasumi could come with me. They have an excellent pre-med program there. If your learning magic to heal, then it makes sense to know how to do the ordinary ways as well after all. What do you think sis?"
"I would like that allot Akane, but I don't see how its possible. Father would starve without me, and where would we get the money?"
"The panda and our father can learn to do their own chores. It would do them good. Maybe Auntie Saotome could move in to help. Either way that doesn't worry me. As to how we could get the money, well Ranma said that their Senshi friend is helping them with their home and such. It wouldn't hurt to ask is all I'm saying. Given the line of work they are in, making friends with lots of doctor's must be a good thing after all."
Akane added, "No it wouldn't. I don't know what she will say, but I suppose there is no time like the present to ask." Akane contacted Pluto and gave a brief overview of what they were wanting and why. Pluto appeared out of a hole in the air.
"So you are the one Ranma says has the potential of a true healer. I could always wish there was more of those. Saturn has been near death many times from trying to heal more than any human has a right to heal. Are you willing to put in the serious commitment becoming a top class healer will take? I don't ask you to give up your social life or anything. You could even marry that doctor if you wanted and have children, but learning to become a healer must become one of your top priorities. You must work at it every bit as hard or harder than Ranma works at the art. Is that what you truly want?"
"Yes it is. I have wanted to become a doctor since before I graduated high school. I never mentioned it, since how could we afford it? I also let my families needs override my own. If you can help, I will be eternally grateful."
"One final question. There may come times, when I have need of your help in the future. It could be to save the life of a Senshi or to save someone else's. I don't think they will be often and I will normally try to bring the patient to you, when possible, but sometimes you may have to come to them and your life could be endangered in the process. Is that alright with you?"
"Your saying the Sailor Senshi want my help? Of course its alright. I'll gladly help."
Pluto nodded. "Very well, here are the keys and the address to your new home. Their are only two bedrooms I'm afraid, but if Ranma and Akane take one and Kasumi and Nabiki take another everything should be ok. I think that you will be receiving some scholarships shortly as well as other needed information."
Ranma blushed. Akane did as well, but she was hiding slightly behind Ranma so no one noticed.
"I'm not sure thats proper. They aren't married yet."
Pluto laughed. "Aren't they? It seems to me they have made commitments to each other that make most marriage vows seem a joke. I think they can be trusted. Perhaps Akane should go see Dr. Tofu about some birth control though, just in case."
Akane stated, "Hey we haven't done anything like that."
"I would never. Not before marriage, and ... um... I'll be quiet now."
"Well don't wait too long. Theres a raffle on when you too finally decide to get married among the Senshi and I'd hate to lose."
Nabiki added, "Can I place a bet?"
Akane turned toward her mercenary sister. "Not you too? Yeesh, and I thought our fathers were bad."
Kasumi laughed.
"Welcome to the team Kasumi and you too Nabiki, although I know we haven't formally met. I have heard a great deal about you both. At any rate I should be returning else I'm going to miss dinner." Sailor Pluto waved and was gone.
Nabiki mused, "I wonder what daddy will say when he finds out that all of his daughters are leaving home. Still Jubaan isn't that far away, we will be able to visit."
Akane said, "You mentioned Mrs. Saotome before. I think we should try to get her to stay here. Perhaps something good can come of it. If father can be convinced to take up teaching again, and perhaps Mrs. Saotome and convince her husband to do so as well..."
Ranma nodded. "Its worth a try at least, although it seems unlikely to be that simple."
Akane turned to Ranma. "We should get some practice in. I've still got a long way to go."
Nabiki added, "Why don't we all go practice. I'll order some ramen from the Nekohaten."
Nabiki and Kasumi were going through forms, with occasional corrections by Ranma who was sparring with Akane. Akane knew she had a long way to go, but it still slightly infuriated her that he was able to split his attention and still win easily. Still she was learning faster than she ever had and she liked it.
Mouse entered the dojo and saw the sparring. He seemed puzzled. "Nabiki, Kasumi. I never thought I'd see you take up martial arts."
Ranma went over to pick up a box. "They know Mouse. Don't worry they will keep the secrets that need kept. Remember that Genma and Soun don't know, and I think its best that it stays that way. Kasumi is going to become a healer. If she works hard, she will be able to heal something like your eyes much easier than Akane and I could before. They are coming to Jubaan with us. Kasumi and Nabiki are going to college, while we are going to finish high school of course."
"I hope you do well. Shampoo and I are going to learn as well, so we will be classmates of a sort. I can never repay Ranma and Akane for healing my eyes. I hope I can do well in this and bring honor to my village."
Kasumi added, "Thats great. I look forward to it."
Mouse bowed slightly. "Well I have to get back. There are bound to be other deliveries." Mouse left quietly.
Akane turned to her sister. "Nabiki, you didn't by chance get our homework did you?"
"Your teachers seemed overjoyed to give it to me. You'd think school was more peaceful or something with you two absent. Ms. Hinako did seem disappointed though. It seems Ranma's grades were improving and then of course you had to be a delinquent again."
Ranma sighed. "We'd better get to it then Akane. Your the teacher now." Ranma and Akane went off to their room. They sat on the bed and studied side by side for a couple hours, but ended up falling asleep slumped against each other.
"So your finally going to go after Dr. Tofu huh sis?"
Kasumi blushed. "Well I thought I had let enough of life pass me by. Besides it could be fun."
Nabiki gasped. This is so unlike the sister I have come to know. It is good to see. "So would you like to help me pick out the next set of photos to give the good doctor?
Kasumi giggled. "So he's buying my pictures eh? I had wondered why I had suddenly become a target of your camera. Hmm how about this one?"
"I don't know. He has been trying to get over acting silly in your presence. Perhaps we should save that one when hes a bit readier."
They continued to talk for awhile. Nabiki came up with several new 'reasons' to visit the good doctor. Kasumi talked about how much she wanted to go to college and learn to heal. Nabiki talked about how before she was sure she wanted to major in business, but now wasn't so sure. "I think I'm even getting to enjoy martial arts again. Perhaps with the craziness that Ranma and Akane seem destined to be a part of I'll even have a change to use those skills in a meaningful way. Nabiki then wished Kasumi goodnight, and found her own room and finished the work on her ledgers for the day. Her own bed looked inviting, but first she thought she'd check on Ranma and her sister. Akane's head was pillowed on Ranma's shoulder with their books still open on their laps. They fell asleep studying. Well just a few pictures. She sat their books on the ground and covered them as best she could with a blanket. Just a few more pictures. These look far more incriminating after all even if I can't sell them anymore. Nabiki sighed and made her way back to her room and her bed.
Kasumi peeked out her door and saw Nabiki come out of Akane's room and then go to her own. and I thought I was the one who pretended to be the mother. She has looked out for us all, and hardly anyone noticed. College will do her good as well I think.
Ranma had forgotten to drop his ward so was awoken when Genma and Soun finally returned. He concentrated on the magic of the ward and dismissed it. Its unlikely anyone is around Nerima today who could even sense the ward, but no point in taking chances. He then noticed the warmth against his left side and Akane's head pillowed up against him. I could just forget about it and go back to sleep. No. I guess I can't. If nothing else Akane wouldn't sleep well like that. I guess I should thank Kasumi for the cover later. Ranma very carefully slid out of the bed and shifted Akane so her head ended up on the pillow then covered her again. He then found his own palet and covered up before shifting to Ranma-chan.
If one looked carefully they might have noticed that Akane had awaken as Ranma shifted out of the bed. If one had listened even more carefully a soft "Baka" might have been heard. Ranma noticed neither and was soon asleep.
2006-02-01