DISCLAIMER: I neither own nor make any claim to Ranma Nibunnoichi by Takahashi Rumiko. I just enjoy it. I also enjoy making up stories about the characters. I do not claim to be writing an official continuation of Ranma, if I did I'm sure the laughter alone would cause an earthquake. My characters will have a 'slight' tendency to be considered Out of Character and possibly a bit AU.
If I have spelt something terribly wrong please let me know. I hope you enjoy reading my attempt at writing. If you hate it then the correct option is to simply not read it. This story is fantasy and makes no attempt to be bound by the realities of life; if it did it would not be fantasy or at least not my fantasy.
I write for fun, I will update when I have the next chapter finished. I will do my best to make updates regularly but will only update when I am satisfied that it is ready. Namiko is a composite character of the big sisters of several of my friends and a second grade teacher I knew, most tend to be slightly controlling but in a supportive manner.
Letters is a companion piece or is it the reverse, I have the letters and now I'm trying to write the fill in story. I am hopeless when it come to writing conversations but will hopefully become better at it. I do much prefer using a narrative but some readers have asked for more and I shall try to deliver. If I have made big errors please don't be shy about pointing them out, I'll correct them if I can. I use Microsoft Works with spelling and grammar: English (United Kingdom), I disagree with it at times so errors are likely.
Tattered Mist
Chapter 5
Keiko wheeled Ranko out of the store and down the street to Dr. Akira's office. Namiko had Kasumi and the others loading the purchases including those she grabbed after Ranko had left the store. Haru and Akino decided to take everything back to the house while Namiko and Kasumi joined Ranko at the doctors.
"I'm sorry sir, are you sure you are in the right office?" the receptionist was not very friendly and had her hand on the panic button.
"If you check the appointment book you will see that I am expected by Dr. Akira." Kasumi noticed the nervousness of the receptionist and back off a few feet. " Saotome Ranko would have been in just a few minutes earlier, we are supposed to see the doctor together."
Namiko walked up and defused the situation. "It's alright Aki, he's a special patient along with Ranko. I believe they are supposed to have an MRI first."
"Oh! Of course Namiko. Ranko just went in, let me let Dr. Akira know Tendou-san is here." Aki visibly relaxed and lifted the telephone.
"I'm still not used to that. I looked around for my father before I realised she was talking to me." Kasumi was somewhat downcast and nervous. This was, except for the test taking, his first venture out as a male."
"You did well. Dr. Akira treats abused women quite often and some have had family members try to retrieve them by force. Her taking you as a patient is unusual and the Tendou Kasumi listed probably didn't have you listed as a male." Namiko explained as they followed an intern who had come to escort them to MRI facility.
Keiko and Ranko were talking to the technician while waiting for her trip through it. Ranko was a little nervous but calmed visibly as Kasumi came in. when Kasumi saw what he was to wear he blanched. "At least when I change forms there will be more material to cover me." earning a laugh from Ranko and the others.
Dr. Akira came in and helped Ranko onto table and stood by the technician watching the screen as she was scanned. Kasumi was ready and lifted her off the table and into her chair. Then climbed on the table to repeat the process. When Dr. Akira poured warm water on Kasumi the technician almost went into shock. Blood work was drawn before he changed back and Ranko had hers drawn at the same time.
Namiko chased Kasumi and Keiko off to do some sight seeing as Dr. Akira had decided to do a more thorough exam of Ranko. "Now remember that I do need my hand and don't squeeze so hard this time." she admonished Ranko with a smile.
Ranko was nervous as she lay back to be examined but the talks she had had with Namiko paid off. Each part of the exam was fully explained and the reason for it given. Her nervousness wore off as the exam proceeded and when Dr. Akira inserted the speculum Ranko tensed only slightly. Even as a male Ranko had never had as thorough an exam.
After Ranko dressed they went into the office and she showed her the results of the MRI and the reason she had done such a thorough exam.
"Ranko your bones are healing nice but if you look here and here." She said pointing to her hip and thigh. "Those pieces of metal need to be removed. You also have a few stuck in your shoulder and if you look at the thickening here that is scar tissue built around it to protect you." she stepped away from the desk for a minute.
"Ranko, those I could probably remove here in the office but what has me concerned is some others that will require you to check in for surgery." she moved back to the desk and brought the head area into view. Namiko gasped as she saw it and it took Ranko a moment to comprehend what she was seeing.
"Dr. Akira is that wire in my brain?" Ranko was shaking and Namiko moved forward and wrapped her arms around her.
"No, it is just above it. Look at the back of the skull and you can see where it is embedded the dark area behind your ear, it appears to be a screw or a short nail. It doesn't look like it is actually touching your brain. But it has a lot of scar tissue built around that could prove to be a problem if it is allowed to stay there." She gave Ranko a hug. "It won't be any problem to remove but I can't do it here in the office. And while I have you in surgery I would like to go ahead remove all the rest."
"My father is Ranko's legal guardian now so he will have to sign the paper work. Who will be doing the surgery?" Namiko asked. She was holding Ranko who was just staring at the monitor.
"Dr. Kobayashi. He is very good and I will be there to assist. I asked him to come by the office and he should be here in a few minutes. Kasumi is in the office now, so you should go home. Ranko you don't need the wheelchair just don't do anything to strenuous at first. I have to do some research but I will be out there tonight with the paperwork that needs to be signed. I'll bring some prints of this with me. Maeda-san will probably wish to see these as well." she escorted them to the door of the office.
Ranko clung to Kasumi. She knew the injuries were old, Dr. Akira had explained the scar tissue build up, but the knowledge that she had something like that in her head was new and more than just a little frightening. She was a fighter but there was nothing she could fight against here. The images on the screen kept repeating in her head. The build up around old fractures and breaks had been pointed out and she had noticed that that those sites were numerous. Not spoken of was the evidence that there had been no medical intervention for injuries that could have been crippling or fatal.
"We'll get through this Ranko. Nothing ever keeps you down long and this won't either." Kasumi's comforting voice eased out of the building depression.
"We're here for you and you can count on us." Keiko was upbeat. "Dr. Akira is the best."
Even through a head as hard as hers it eventually got through that she was not alone in this, this time she had someone to she could rely on. No, not just someone. Definitions became redefined and clarifications chased through her memories. She had real friends now, not sometime friends, sometime enemies. Not someone who would help her one moment and then betray her the next. Real friends and family, she gently squeezed Keiko's hand and snuggled closer to Kasumi. Her depression lifted, she had friends she could depend on, that cared for her, that she cared for. Family, she paused for a bit, something she had never had, something that had now become central to her life, something she would willingly make any sacrifice necessary to keep.
"Ka-chan!" Ranko grabbed both ears. "Listen again. Dr. Akira said I could walk, just for me not to do strenuous exercise. I am not going to hurt myself standing in the kitchen cooking." Kasumi had been hovering over her worse than a mother hen.
Namiko walked up, pulled her hand off Kasumi's ear and replaced it with hers pulling him out of the kitchen. "Sit!" She dumped some books in his lap. "Stay and read. Come back in the kitchen before you are called and she will explode. I like my kitchen the way it is." she squeezed his shoulder. "She's not helpless or fragile. Don't try to coddle her, just be ready to support her no matter what."
"I think it's sweet! Annoying but sweet." she gave Ranko a hug before cutting vegetables for the salad. "He's worried and feeling helpless, pretty much like the rest of us. All we can do is trust those that can do something about it, and pray."
"I know. I'm scared. There isn't a technique I can learn to defeat this and it scares me. The meditation helps and knowing everyone is supporting me helps me accept that I have to go with trust. " She gave a weak grin. " I have those test for school right before I go
in. At least I can worry about something else." Ranko turned back to the stove.
"Imouto, how do you do it?" Namiko put the vegetables in ice water and moved to the next chore. "Your world has been turned upside down, time and again. As much as Shampoo did to you, you are still worried about her, you hate being a girl yet you are willing to learn how to be one. Don't tell me it is just for Kasumi, I know better."
"I have to win, it was the way I was raised. That meant I had to learn any technique that would give me an edge. Genma believed in sacrificing anything and everything for he art, unfortunately that only applied to me. You've seen how fast I eat and even concentrating on slowing down it is still difficult, if I couldn't eat fast enough I didn't eat. Home, school, friends were all a distraction to the art so Genma made sure I avoided those distractions." Ranko shrugged her shoulders. "Mother wants me to finish my schooling, being here showed me it is something that I not only need but that I want. You're responsible for a good bit of that." Reaching over she gave her a hug.
Maeda-san and Dr. Akira came in together still in deep conversation and Kasumi quickly set the table. The conversation barely touched on the upcoming surgery, focussing on Ranko's tests and the new technique. After dinner she had to model the dresses and Kasumi showed off his new ward robe.
When they both came out in formal kimonos they blushed at the comments. Kasumi had the appearance and bearing that Kuno strove for but never acquired. Ranko's blush and downcast eyes reminded one of a porcelain doll, tiny, fragile and nothing less than beautiful. Her blush deepened as Maeda-san ask Kasumi if his attentions were honourable toward his daughter. The ensuing laughter did nothing to erase the blush as a very flustered Kasumi stuttered his attentions would never be less than honourable.
Dr. Akira gathered with the girls around Ranko and complimented her about how well she looked and soon had her relaxed. Kasumi on the other hand was still being gently ribbed by Maeda-san and Miyoshi. Soon Dr. Akira reminded them that she had test in the morning and needed to get rest to do well on them and everyone pitched in to set house back to its proper state.
Maeda-san and Ranko talked after everyone had left about the upcoming surgery and the sake she had had after dinner soon had her drowsy and broke down her control of her emotions. He gathered her into his arms and let her cry. She couldn't remember much from her early childhood, but she knew she had never been held this way while on the road with Genma. A need she hadn't known she had was finally being met.
Namiko had heard her sobbing and started in but at sight of her father gently rocking Ranko in his lap she stopped and started to close the door before her father beckoned her over. They talked quietly and she added her reassurances to that of her father. A half hour later Ranko finally relaxed and was sound asleep. Maeda-san gently carried her to her room where Namiko changed her into her nightclothes. Her sleep that night was free of the nightmares that often plagued her.
Kasumi's training had not slowed much. Ranko couldn't show him the moves but was able to correct the flaws as he did kata after kata. Namiko and Maeda-san had taken to joining him for the early morning work out and had quickly adjusted to having Kasumi shift from male to female and repeat the kata. The second day Maeda-san had sparred with him lightly and soon Namiko was convinced to join in.
Namiko was amazed that Ranko could apparently be concentrating on writing and still call out corrections when Kasumi over extended. Cooling off was accomplished with tai chi starting off in female form and they soon learn to expect the brief shower or dew laden leaf that had just enough moisture to cause the change. In either form Kasumi was graceful catching and holding Ranko's eyes before she would force them back to the work she was doing.
This morning Ranko joined them for the first time, heeding Dr. Akira, she restricted herself to the less strenuous kata and didn't join in the sparring. When it was time for tai chi she ranked herself with Kasumi and Namiko leaving Maeda-san to lead as he had been doing while she was restricted from participating. All too soon it was time to leave for the testing with Namiko.
The work crew Kasumi was to join came by to pick him up just before she left and both were soon blushing from the comments about his beautiful girlfriend.
Ito-san had been amazed at her progress, so much so that she had convinced the other teachers not to give the regular placement test but one that was reserved for gifted students. Open-ended it was more comprehensive and required the student to write out the answers instead of using multiple choice.
Ranko's study under Ochi-san and Namiko's insistence on her writing paid off as did the brush up on history that Kasumi had insisted on. Ranko was amazed she thought she was prepared but his test was hard, much harder than her friends had led her to believe. She was fairly sure she had passed it but didn't expect a high ranking in the class. If this was what the students in her grade level did she was apprehensive about the next school year. At least she would have a chance to get accustomed to this course work before her last year in school but knew she would have to study extra hard. She was also worried she had thought the tests would only take a few hours but she hadn't finished until three o'clock, she hoped taking the extra time to finish wouldn't count against her too much.
Maeda-san arrived to take her home before she had time to worry about it too much and she barely had time to thank the teachers for their trouble and apologise for taking so much longer than expected. She didn't see the shocked expressions on a few of the faces as she had kept her eyes on the ground, nor did she see the smile on Ito-san's face as her request for the special testing was vindicated.
Ranko's fears seem to confirmed when the school called later that evening for Ranko to return the next day for additional tests. Ito-san called right after though and explained that she had done well and the tests were only to make sure she was accurately placed.
"Tonight we celebrate you being able to move around again and having successful tests. Now come on, you can tell me about your tests while we get ready." Namiko grabbed her steering her to the furo.
"It was awful. I thought it was going to be easy we covered everything but it took hours. Are you sure Kasumi studied the right things? Some of the math I did I really had to work hard on and a lot of the math was what we were helping Kasumi with. I glad we went over that together. I don't know what I would have done if Keiko hadn't shown me how to write proofs." Ranko was shaking her head as she stripped to rinse. "As easy as the work we studied was I thought it was going to be so easy. AHHH! Did you put ice cubes in that?"
Namiko laughed and dodged the sponge. "I don't think you took the normal test. I think I know which test you took, I haven't taken it, I didn't qualify but someone must think you do."
"Qualify for what?" Ranko was perplexed, some students had to take a harder test to get into school? That didn't seem fair.
"You're a genius, dummy!" scrubbing her back.
"Well, ya I know I'm dumb, that's no reason I should have to take a harder test though." Not really paying attention as she was trying to avoid the fingers trying to give her a good tickling.
"No, I mean you are a genius. Just like Gadget." Finally pouring rinse water over her.
"Who's Gadget" Ranko was perplexed.
"Keiko, there was an American cartoon about some mice or something but a cute little girl mouse was a genius at making things and figuring out complex problems. At the time Keiko was making model airplanes and working on the principals of aerodynamics and a serviceman from Okinawa tagged her with it and it stuck." she grinned "It was the simple problems that caused the trouble, you always look for the hardest solution."
Ranko stared at her. "You're joking, right? You can't be serious. I'm no where near as smart as Keiko" sure she could do the math but that was just because Ito-san showed her how to and of course Keiko helped. That should be proof right there.
"Nope, not joking. You even have two advantages Keiko doesn't have, an eidetic memory and you speed-read faster than anyone I have ever seen. I'll have to talk to Keiko you might be even a few points over her but I doubt that as smart as the two of you are that it makes much difference and Kasumi is up there, too. She should have been in college a long time ago. That accident while horrible was maybe the best thing that happened to both of you. I haven't seen or heard her this happy since we were freshmen." Namiko sat and laughed at a sputtering Ranko who couldn't believe she was smart.
"Come on we need to get finished so we can get dressed." Namiko grabbed a big towel tossing one to Ranko. "We are dressing to knock the men to floor tonight, Jiro, my intended, is coming with us." Namiko was a whirl wind, Ranko was dressed, make up applied, and she was half finished getting dressed before she noticed Ranko was not moving.
Namiko had a set of three mirrors in her room and Ranko was in the middle of them, frozen except for her eyes, with a look of horror on her face. Her eyes were flickering from one image to the next and then she started crumple. Namiko caught her and lay her on the bed and quickly called her father.
Ranko was curled in a tight ball when he arrived and Namiko told him what had happened. He gathered Ranko in his arms and realised she was mumbling "NO" over and over. He simply held her, and as he comforted her softly she uncurled and clung to him and began to sob.
Through the sobbing he could here a litany "a boy not a girl, a boy not a girl" and he remembered she was Ranma, a boy, even if he had never seen him in male form. And changed from telling Ranko that it was alright to telling Ranma that it was alright.
Disjointed at first, the honour pledges, the insults, the fears, trying to do what everyone wanted, trying to be what everyone wanted. When he had looked in the mirrors Ranma was gone. Back and forth he had looked and there was no trace of Ranma, all that he saw was her, the epitome of all he had been taught was bad, weak, emotional, useless except for one purpose, a purpose that had really escaped explanation until Dr. Akira. Forcing himself to become a girl because that was what everyone he cared about wanted.
An hour later she was still in his lap but listening now as Maeda-san talked. Quietly tackling every point, refuting Genma's assessment of women, refuting his denial of emotions, refuting Genma's disdain of schooling, acknowledging that, yes, he saw him as a girl because he had never seen her as boy. But when he was able to change then he would still accepted.
Namiko filled a spot that Ukyou could have filled if she had been allowed to travel with them. A spot that Kasumi had come close to filling before a jar of water led to a change in their relationship. She was not a rival or a suitor , she was not scared of her, she corrected her when she did wrong but didn't abuse her and she did something that no one had really done before, she praised her for doing things right. Namiko was her sister.
Maeda-san didn't threaten, didn't insult, didn't abuse , he listened, he asked, he accepted, he helped without demanding anything in return, and something that Ranma did not remember Genma ever doing, held and comforted him. Something he had seen other parents do for their children he had just experienced for the first time in conscious memory. He felt safe, and he felt the same thing from Maeda-san that he felt from Namiko, love. No seppuku pledge had the force their expectation that he would do his best had, Ranma would do his best. The affirmation of acceptance, quiet and undemanding calmed Ranma down.
Maeda-san held a child that was starved for affection and emotional support and let him know that the support and help was there. His/her name may depend on his/her form, but the only effect his/her form would have here was one of designation as son/daughter, sister/brother.
Ranma looked at Namiko as she sat up. "Is it too late to go out like you planned?"
"No, I was really getting us ready early. We can change your clothes while Kasumi gets dressed."
"Will you come with us?" her smile was a bit tremulous but it was there.
Maeda-san wrapped her in a hug. "Of course. It might take me a few minutes to get ready but I would love to." He was smiling as he strode through the door.
"I think I need your help replacing this makeup." she couldn't change back yet but it was no longer the pressing need it was moments before. The problems had not disappeared but they were no longer looming monsters to be faced alone. Maeda-san had said son and daughter and right now Ranko was here.
An hour later with several impatient people waiting they came out of the room. Namiko had changed them both completely. Keiko stared for a minute and then laughed at the frozen expressions on Kasumi's and Jiro's faces. Namiko's father followed her gaze and joined her before nudging both men to collect their dates. Kiyoshi and Haru joined in the general laughter and led Akino and Cho forward to compliment them.
Namiko had redressed them to accentuate their differences. She wore an iridescent silk skirt that shimmered with blue and green and a severe black silk blouse. She was tall and now she appeared even taller. Beside her Ranko was wearing a black silk sheathe and an iridescent silk blouse that changed her from a small to a petite woman. Judicious makeup covered any traces that she had been crying earlier.
She watched as Namiko held her arm out for Jiro and she did the same to Kasumi, both required a slight shove to get them moving. Kasumi was stunned, but copied Jiro's action and they made it to the limousine. First stop was dinner and Maeda-san had used his name to secure reservations for them. Only years of training allowed him to not break into laughter as the reactions of the other patrons were as Namiko planned. The men were stunned and the women openly envious. Jiro had come directly from base and was in still in his officers uniform. Kasumi had the bearing that Kuno strove for, copying Jiro and Maeda-san he assisted Ranko at the table. His attention to Ranko left doubt of the connection between them and her actions mirrored his. Only a Kuno would have been stupid enough to interrupt and fortunately was not here.
Dinner was followed by Aya no Tsuzumi (the 'Damask Drum' a Noh play). Ranko was enthralled, this was her first time, entertainment of any type was considered frivolous by Genma and was rigorously discouraged. Maeda-san took his leave soon after escorting a gently protesting Keiko home, she was a little too young for the drinking and dancing that followed.
Ranko sat at the table sipping sake and watching people dance, she soon had the moves down. A little prompting from Namiko and Kasumi had her on the dance floor. Several dances later she was rotating through the men at her table while the ones sitting commiserated with Kasumi.
Dancing was fun! Jiro and Namiko tried to keep up, Kiyoshi gave it up as a lost cause and Haru soon after. Ranko noticed that several girls were dancing together who had been dancing with boys before and asked about. When it was explained that their partners were probably tired and that it was acceptable for some of the dances she pulled Namiko out on the floor. Before they finally convinced her that they really had to go she had danced with everyone and danced nearly every dance. She was tired but exuberant.
The alarm the next morning was unwelcome but she quickly made use of the furo and had Namiko show her how to apply makeup. Half an hour later she was demurely dressed as a student and would not have been recognizable by anyone in Nerima. There was no hesitation as she gave Maeda-san a cherry good morning and received a hug and well wishes for her success.
Akino was there early to take her for the testing. She tuned Ranko and Keiko out as they went over the problems she had had which ones she may have missed. The few times she even tried to catch what they were saying she would sigh and return her attention to the road. They had already developed a shorthand language to express concepts in that had her lost.
The test she had had the previous day were not there, instead she was facing the teachers and answering questions. Questions that forced her to slow down and think before answering several times she was ask to solve a problem and show the steps to the solution. A question on English would be followed by one on history as the teachers took turns questioning her. The number of people asking her questions had been daunting at first but she soon learned to focus on only the questioner.
When it was over the smiles she received made her feel that she had passed while Keiko's hug and smile confirmed it. The trip to the hospital was quick and although her stomach was growling she knew it would be awhile before she could eat. She was following Dr. Akira's instructions to the letter.
Kasumi and Maeda-san were waiting for her when she arrived and she was taken quickly to surgery. Dr. Akira explained each step as the medication began to work she drifted off. It would be several hours before she woke again.
Kasumi roamed the corridor outside of surgery sometimes with Namiko sometimes with her father. Kiyoshi forced him to drink and eat and Keiko described in detail the testing and how she had faced he questioners. She checked her E-mail and shared it with Maeda-san who borrowed the computer for some quick e-mails of his own.
Finally a still from was wheeled out of surgery into recovery. And Dr. Akira was instantly surrounded. The length of the operation was explained. The surgeons had gone over the MRI carefully and removed all the foreign matter from her bones and joints. Then double checked to make sure they had corrected everything they could. Scar tissue around the appendix had led to an extensive search and several shards of glass were found. As a precaution the scarred appendix was removed. A tray held the material they had removed, almost a half pound of assorted material, none of it normal to the human body. After slicing the clump of accretion that had been behind his ear it was found to be a piece of a nail.
Only one person was allowed with Ranko at a time and Kasumi spent the time she had outside to let Nodoka know that Ranko was alright.
Ranko was still very groggy from the anaesthesia but did remember a bit about the wire. By this time Dr. Akira had decided to let Kasumi to stay and the others took turns sitting with him. Maeda-san was there when Ranko told about the wire and he had gave Kasumi support as they listened to what Ranko considered a normal bit of training. He convinced Kasumi that an upset visitor would not help Ranko and as she had slipped back into sleep Kasumi took a walk in the hall and updated Nodoka about the surgery and Ranko's condition.