'Over the Clouds'
Nabiki and Akane left the cafe in solumn silence, allowing the woman they had just met with to ponder. The youngest turned an irritated, yet concerned glance towards her second-eldest sister, who failed to meet the gaze.
Barely obstructed by the sparse crowds around them, Nabiki almost listlessly made her way home with Akane dropping back a slight foot. Eventually, the silence between the two sisters became agrivatingly unbearable, managing even to swallow up the din and cacophany a vibrant life around them, "You didn't have to yell at me."
"Not right now, Akane, okay?" Nabiki replied in a tone that was emotionally drained, lifeless like the lost hope.
The hollow tone caught Akane off-guard, "Nabiki, how come you never talked about how much you missed Mom?"
"I didn't need to, alright?" Nabiki replied, tersely, the sharp sting of annoyance affecting the younger girl adversely.
"You don't have to take it out on me! If you want to hold all that in, that's your fault, alright!" Akane picked up her pace, and started to walk ahead of her sister, "Honestly, I don't even know why you asked me to come along if you're going to be like this..."
"Support."
Akane stopped, and turned to Nabiki.
Sullen, red eyes belayed the flicker of a smirk that tried to cross Nabiki's face, but found the task too grave and daunting. Feeling her heart give for her sister, Akane turned back, and enveloped Nabiki in a hug.
"I needed you there for support," Nabiki stated, laying her head onto Akane's shoulder
__________________
It was becoming a habit, but a pleasent one, Kasumi found. Every opportunity she was able to garner, she watched Ranma as he played games, 'played the art', slept, or looked at old manga she fished out for him. As old as he was supposed to be, it was hard to distinguish him from a simple, innocent child.
Observing Ranma gave Kasumi a sense of something, something she hadn't realized was missing for so long. A satisfying feeling of contentment that was usually lost when one made a transition to adulthood. It was a tiny hint of innocent indulgence, a sweet and subtle taste of carefree, a miniscule comforting warmth of security, and a rare and valuable gem of life as it should have been.
Kasumi felt no need to lament for her own loss, because she rediscovered it through the lively boy.
"Shampoo see you watch Ranma often."
Kasumi didn't take her eyes from Ranma, as he rolled onto his side, and flipped the page of the manga he was rapt in, "He really is a joy to watch."
Shampoo made a sound of agreement, as she came to stand next to the eldest Tendou daughter. "Shampoo... I not like before. Before I meet Ranma." Kasumi diverted her attention to listen to what Shampoo had to say. "Before Ranma, Shampoo no care about anything more than being best in village, and finding strong husband."
The Amazon closed her eyes in distain, "Strong trophy husband, Shampoo know now. I no really know much, too, too prideful, Great-Grandmother tell me, but say is lesson one need learn by oneself. Shampoo think Great-Grandmother mean learn by defeat of better, but Shampoo know never give up until claiming final victory. Shampoo never learn hu... hub..."
"Hubris?" Kasumi helpfully supplied.
Shampoo gave her a smile, and nodded, "Yes, is word Shampoo need. Shampoo never learn hubris in battle, because Shampoo never believe she be truly defeated. Ranma show Shampoo hubris not by fighting Shampoo, but by being example."
Kasumi watched Shampoo for a few moments, until it was clear that the Amazon wasn't going to continue. "I don't know if I quite understand what you mean."
Shampoo seemed to think deeply about it, before answering, "Ranma easy greatest fighter Shampoo ever meet, before Great-Grandmother. Great-Grandmother say he easy surpass her in technique knowledge soon, but he no not what techniques meant for. Ranma no know that he learn to fight, only know constant practice, and is eager to knowing more. Shampoo now realize that Ranma no have ambition, he no has in... intent... is right word, yes?" Kasumi nodded, and urged Shampoo on, "No intent to why learn art. He learn because he enjoy, no learn to be better than others."
"Ah," Kasumi spoke up. They both watched Ryoga approach Ranma, and kneal next to him, asking him what he was reading. "So, you always trained to be the best, I imagine."
"Shampoo *is* best in village, village champion..." Shampoo's expression became whistful, "But Shampoo learn that it no matter who best. What matter is why you learn, and what you is learning for."
"And, what are you learning for?" Kasumi chuckled as Ranma rolled to the side away from Ryoga, causing the fanged boy to tackle him from above, and attempt to wrestle the manga away from the other boy.
The lavender haired young woman allowed her chuckles to die down, before continuing "Shampoo learn because is Shampoo life, the art like Airen call it. And, Shampoo now learn for keeping Ranma happy."
As noble a sentiment it was, Kasumi couldn't help but ask, "Oh my, are you sure that is all? Surely there is more you want to do."
"Shampoo agree, but Ranma Shampoo priority."
"I guess Ranma has that affect on most people." Kasumi lowered her eyes in a hint of shame, "I don't understand why Akane is so against him. She's usually so sweet."
Shampoo gave a derisive snort, "She jealous. No like that Ranma better than her. Is simple to understand."
Kasumi wasn't so sure. Granted, she had never really known Akane to be jealous, but she thought there was something more to it. She could understand that Akane would feel so towards Ranma, since she had practiced the art a great deal since their mother died, an escape from her own pain, Kasumi surmised, and to have Ranma come by, and commit uncanny feats that the eldest Tendou daughter knew her sister couldn't even hope to imitate on her best day would wound Akane's pride.
But, if she were to fully believe Shampoos tale (even if she suspected some exadduration on the Amazon's part, but would not comment on it), Akane's reaction alluded to more than just a sting of humility. "I don't think it's that simple, Shampoo."
Shampoo shrugged, "She is you sister, you know her too, too better than Shampoo. But, Shampoo only say what is obvious."
"Was it not you who was willing to give Ranma the kiss of death when you first met?"
Shampoo frowned slightly, and gave Kasumi a look signalling that the older girl had overstepped her bounds, "Shampoo not know at time Ranma special. Think is cocky outsider who is humiliating Amazon strength." Shampoo turned back to watch Ryoga and Ranma, both holding a half of a once whole manga, "Is different than Kasumi sister."
Kasumi shook her head in negative, "Shampoo, the only difference is time. You had time to understand Ranma. And you had Mr. Saotome to help you understand, and I suspect with assistance of your Great-Grandmother."
Shampoo looked back to Kasumi, as the taller girl put her hand on her shoulder, "Akane needs time to understand Ranma. She doesn't ever mean to be negative to anyone, and is very caring and loyal to those she trusts and loves." Kasumi allowed her hand to slide from Shampoo's shoulder, "Time, and understanding. You gave those to Ranma, perhaps you have a little extra to spare for my sister?"
Shampoo slumped slightly in resignment, "Shampoo... consider it." Less than a second after those words left her lips, Shampoo gave Kasumi a steely glare, "But still no trust violent girl near Ranma. She earn Shampoo trust first, and is no easy to do."
"I guess... I guess that's the best I can ask for, under circumstances," Kasumi replied.
__________________
Nodoka sat upon her bed, once again looking through her old photo album. This time, no tears fell upon the memoirs of precious, happier times, as her eyes were full of contemplation.
Had she done her penance? Was she truly destined to suffer for the rest of her days for her sin? She desperately wanted to make up for her past greatest mistake, but she was never allowed to.
All those years, she believed it was her own fault. She abandoned him, and she deserved no second chance. Reconsidering that notion, was anyone beyond redemption? Did she truly deserve denial of resolution to her pain?
Fate had a hand in events, she believed, leading this stranger to her, a young woman half her age who suffered a great loss, one that could never be recovered; urging her to do what was possibly the right thing. Nabiki's pain was evident, and undeniable, and Nodoka's own misery was ebbed by it. In the space that misery had partially occupied, determination replaced it.
No, Nodoka realized, she did deserve to see her son, even after what she had done, and no one had a right to keep her from him. It is only her ex-husband's doing that she was denied.
For the first time in years, a fire returned to Nodoka. She closed the photo album that she had emotionally lived off of for eight years, refusing to let the last page be the final cherish memory she could ever have with her only child.
From the doorway, Nodoka's mother faded around the corner, undetected by her daughter. The change in Nodoka was apparent even to the most dimwitted and blind. But, whatever brought on the change, she could not fathom, or help but feel a foreboding concern for.
Nabiki and Akane left the cafe in solumn silence, allowing the woman they had just met with to ponder. The youngest turned an irritated, yet concerned glance towards her second-eldest sister, who failed to meet the gaze.
Barely obstructed by the sparse crowds around them, Nabiki almost listlessly made her way home with Akane dropping back a slight foot. Eventually, the silence between the two sisters became agrivatingly unbearable, managing even to swallow up the din and cacophany a vibrant life around them, "You didn't have to yell at me."
"Not right now, Akane, okay?" Nabiki replied in a tone that was emotionally drained, lifeless like the lost hope.
The hollow tone caught Akane off-guard, "Nabiki, how come you never talked about how much you missed Mom?"
"I didn't need to, alright?" Nabiki replied, tersely, the sharp sting of annoyance affecting the younger girl adversely.
"You don't have to take it out on me! If you want to hold all that in, that's your fault, alright!" Akane picked up her pace, and started to walk ahead of her sister, "Honestly, I don't even know why you asked me to come along if you're going to be like this..."
"Support."
Akane stopped, and turned to Nabiki.
Sullen, red eyes belayed the flicker of a smirk that tried to cross Nabiki's face, but found the task too grave and daunting. Feeling her heart give for her sister, Akane turned back, and enveloped Nabiki in a hug.
"I needed you there for support," Nabiki stated, laying her head onto Akane's shoulder
__________________
It was becoming a habit, but a pleasent one, Kasumi found. Every opportunity she was able to garner, she watched Ranma as he played games, 'played the art', slept, or looked at old manga she fished out for him. As old as he was supposed to be, it was hard to distinguish him from a simple, innocent child.
Observing Ranma gave Kasumi a sense of something, something she hadn't realized was missing for so long. A satisfying feeling of contentment that was usually lost when one made a transition to adulthood. It was a tiny hint of innocent indulgence, a sweet and subtle taste of carefree, a miniscule comforting warmth of security, and a rare and valuable gem of life as it should have been.
Kasumi felt no need to lament for her own loss, because she rediscovered it through the lively boy.
"Shampoo see you watch Ranma often."
Kasumi didn't take her eyes from Ranma, as he rolled onto his side, and flipped the page of the manga he was rapt in, "He really is a joy to watch."
Shampoo made a sound of agreement, as she came to stand next to the eldest Tendou daughter. "Shampoo... I not like before. Before I meet Ranma." Kasumi diverted her attention to listen to what Shampoo had to say. "Before Ranma, Shampoo no care about anything more than being best in village, and finding strong husband."
The Amazon closed her eyes in distain, "Strong trophy husband, Shampoo know now. I no really know much, too, too prideful, Great-Grandmother tell me, but say is lesson one need learn by oneself. Shampoo think Great-Grandmother mean learn by defeat of better, but Shampoo know never give up until claiming final victory. Shampoo never learn hu... hub..."
"Hubris?" Kasumi helpfully supplied.
Shampoo gave her a smile, and nodded, "Yes, is word Shampoo need. Shampoo never learn hubris in battle, because Shampoo never believe she be truly defeated. Ranma show Shampoo hubris not by fighting Shampoo, but by being example."
Kasumi watched Shampoo for a few moments, until it was clear that the Amazon wasn't going to continue. "I don't know if I quite understand what you mean."
Shampoo seemed to think deeply about it, before answering, "Ranma easy greatest fighter Shampoo ever meet, before Great-Grandmother. Great-Grandmother say he easy surpass her in technique knowledge soon, but he no not what techniques meant for. Ranma no know that he learn to fight, only know constant practice, and is eager to knowing more. Shampoo now realize that Ranma no have ambition, he no has in... intent... is right word, yes?" Kasumi nodded, and urged Shampoo on, "No intent to why learn art. He learn because he enjoy, no learn to be better than others."
"Ah," Kasumi spoke up. They both watched Ryoga approach Ranma, and kneal next to him, asking him what he was reading. "So, you always trained to be the best, I imagine."
"Shampoo *is* best in village, village champion..." Shampoo's expression became whistful, "But Shampoo learn that it no matter who best. What matter is why you learn, and what you is learning for."
"And, what are you learning for?" Kasumi chuckled as Ranma rolled to the side away from Ryoga, causing the fanged boy to tackle him from above, and attempt to wrestle the manga away from the other boy.
The lavender haired young woman allowed her chuckles to die down, before continuing "Shampoo learn because is Shampoo life, the art like Airen call it. And, Shampoo now learn for keeping Ranma happy."
As noble a sentiment it was, Kasumi couldn't help but ask, "Oh my, are you sure that is all? Surely there is more you want to do."
"Shampoo agree, but Ranma Shampoo priority."
"I guess Ranma has that affect on most people." Kasumi lowered her eyes in a hint of shame, "I don't understand why Akane is so against him. She's usually so sweet."
Shampoo gave a derisive snort, "She jealous. No like that Ranma better than her. Is simple to understand."
Kasumi wasn't so sure. Granted, she had never really known Akane to be jealous, but she thought there was something more to it. She could understand that Akane would feel so towards Ranma, since she had practiced the art a great deal since their mother died, an escape from her own pain, Kasumi surmised, and to have Ranma come by, and commit uncanny feats that the eldest Tendou daughter knew her sister couldn't even hope to imitate on her best day would wound Akane's pride.
But, if she were to fully believe Shampoos tale (even if she suspected some exadduration on the Amazon's part, but would not comment on it), Akane's reaction alluded to more than just a sting of humility. "I don't think it's that simple, Shampoo."
Shampoo shrugged, "She is you sister, you know her too, too better than Shampoo. But, Shampoo only say what is obvious."
"Was it not you who was willing to give Ranma the kiss of death when you first met?"
Shampoo frowned slightly, and gave Kasumi a look signalling that the older girl had overstepped her bounds, "Shampoo not know at time Ranma special. Think is cocky outsider who is humiliating Amazon strength." Shampoo turned back to watch Ryoga and Ranma, both holding a half of a once whole manga, "Is different than Kasumi sister."
Kasumi shook her head in negative, "Shampoo, the only difference is time. You had time to understand Ranma. And you had Mr. Saotome to help you understand, and I suspect with assistance of your Great-Grandmother."
Shampoo looked back to Kasumi, as the taller girl put her hand on her shoulder, "Akane needs time to understand Ranma. She doesn't ever mean to be negative to anyone, and is very caring and loyal to those she trusts and loves." Kasumi allowed her hand to slide from Shampoo's shoulder, "Time, and understanding. You gave those to Ranma, perhaps you have a little extra to spare for my sister?"
Shampoo slumped slightly in resignment, "Shampoo... consider it." Less than a second after those words left her lips, Shampoo gave Kasumi a steely glare, "But still no trust violent girl near Ranma. She earn Shampoo trust first, and is no easy to do."
"I guess... I guess that's the best I can ask for, under circumstances," Kasumi replied.
__________________
Nodoka sat upon her bed, once again looking through her old photo album. This time, no tears fell upon the memoirs of precious, happier times, as her eyes were full of contemplation.
Had she done her penance? Was she truly destined to suffer for the rest of her days for her sin? She desperately wanted to make up for her past greatest mistake, but she was never allowed to.
All those years, she believed it was her own fault. She abandoned him, and she deserved no second chance. Reconsidering that notion, was anyone beyond redemption? Did she truly deserve denial of resolution to her pain?
Fate had a hand in events, she believed, leading this stranger to her, a young woman half her age who suffered a great loss, one that could never be recovered; urging her to do what was possibly the right thing. Nabiki's pain was evident, and undeniable, and Nodoka's own misery was ebbed by it. In the space that misery had partially occupied, determination replaced it.
No, Nodoka realized, she did deserve to see her son, even after what she had done, and no one had a right to keep her from him. It is only her ex-husband's doing that she was denied.
For the first time in years, a fire returned to Nodoka. She closed the photo album that she had emotionally lived off of for eight years, refusing to let the last page be the final cherish memory she could ever have with her only child.
From the doorway, Nodoka's mother faded around the corner, undetected by her daughter. The change in Nodoka was apparent even to the most dimwitted and blind. But, whatever brought on the change, she could not fathom, or help but feel a foreboding concern for.