Out of Sight, Out of Mind
Chapter 19
"When all else fails, use magic!"
Ten seconds later
"D-Debt?" Gosunkugi shifted his eyes about the room, trying to see if he could grab at any weapon. However with Nabiki almost all over him, he couldn't move.
"Of course! You think I forgot how much you owe me?" She pulled back and showed him a printout, and barely gave him a chance to read through it before stuffing it back into her pocket. "I'm here to collect."
"B-but..." He sat up straighter, now that he wasn't being forced against the wall. "I don't have any money on me!"
"Oh, that's a shame..."
Nabiki got up and started looking around his room, peering closely at his few high tech items. She spied a few candid photos of Akane.
"Maybe I should start making up for your debt by pawning off some things?" She picked up the photos off his desk, noting that they weren't of her high quality, and assumed they were his. "I'll take these for starters."
"No! Not those ones!" He leaped from the bed, only to grab onto air as Nabiki sidestepped him.
"What? I'm reclaiming my property. You got a problem with that?" She narrowed her eyes.
"Those are my pictures! I took them..." His gaze focused on the floor.
"Are you doubting me?" Her tone bore no argument.
"Wh-What do you want from me?" His hands curled into tiny fists.
Good, I've broken him. He doesn't want to me find any more of his pictures... "Well, you don't anything worth more than a few hundred yen, hardly of any use to me when I sell them on." She sat on his bed and paused theatrically, before speaking. "Perhaps there is a way... You can give me something, one thing I know you specialise in."
Gosunkugi looked up, his entire demeanour changing from hopeful to confusion. "What's that then?"
She grinned.
"Information."
Two hours later
Nerima
Nabiki and Gosunkugi were walking side by side, the former very annoyed, the latter with a terrified expression, almost cowering away from Nabiki, whose strangely luminescent purple aura was glowing for a second.
"This better be the real deal this time, Gos-kun. We've been to three salesmen, and they were all just rip-off merchants."
"I-It is, I'm sure!" He gave a frightened smile. "He's reliable, I got some useful things from him. He only comes here once a month, and sometimes even has stuff from China."
"Great..." Nabiki was not enthused. China, probably has some of those cheap Jusenkyo cures, maybe a love rod or two as well...
Nabiki smirked to herself as they approached the front of the shop, she could already tell that within the crowded entrance there were many old carved objects, some antique. She even recognised some magical items, the suggestion incense for one.
I know a lot about gossip and rumour, but nothing about magical things or vendors... She looked to her nervous victim. Gosunkugi likes to think of himself as a great enchanter or curse inflictor, but he's useless, no magic whatsoever... She stared at all the archaic devices before entering. But, he does know where the real magic merchants are, maybe one can help me...
"Hello kind sirs, you looking for something?"
Nabiki smiled at the owner. He was old, his wrinkled face hidden behind large circular glasses, and he wore some tattered navy blue robes that would not look out of place in a dojo.
"Hello there, I was wondering if you had something that could help me with my predicament."
"Oh, tell me and I see if I can help."
Nabiki looked a bit bored, blowing on her fingernails, her casual look was not mirrored by her hard accent and voice. "I'm looking for someone, and I need to know where he is. Do you have anything that could help?"
The old man held his chin, rubbing the short grey beard that grew there. "Not so sure... Difficult to make, old Chinese method lost decades ago... Very rare..." He looked at her. "Why you want to find him?"
She smiled vaguely. "I only want to buy it, there's no real reason for you to know why..."
The man's gaze hardened, but he sighed. "I go look in back for a minute, please browse other goods." He went behind a string curtain, the plastic pieces clinking against each other making a loud noise in the otherwise quiet shop.
Nabiki looked to Gosunkugi. "Are you really sure about him? He doesn't seem all right in the head."
He shrugged, still wary. "That's the way he is... You won't find anyone who knows a lot about these old artefacts better than him."
"I suppose so..." Nabiki murmured.
"Young lady, you in luck today." He blew a thick layer of dust away from the top of a large cup. "This might help you."
She looked at it with mild disdain. "You're supposed to tell me that that thing is going to help me search for him?"
The old man shifted his glasses about on his face. "True, you not strong enough to work it. Need a magic core to start."
Nabiki understood the hidden meaning. "Okay, so if I pay you extra, you'll help me with this?"
He nodded but held up one finger. "There a catch. Divining Bowl can only work once for same person, both searcher and target."
Damn, so I only get one shot at this... "Okay, you have a deal."
Thirty minutes later
Inside the store
The darkened room had candles laid out in a pentagram fashion, the old man sat on the top star point, Nabiki sitting opposite him between the two lower points. The Bowl was in the middle, a dark green liquid churning about inside. She left Gosunkugi standing outside the doorway, his presence wasn't needed in the ceremony.
The man began to chant in a foreign tongue, one Nabiki did not understand. When he finished, his arms hovered over the liquid and it started to glow brighter.
"What language was that?" She asked, as there was a strange timbre to the voice in which he spoke.
He smiled. "Code to access Divinity for three minutes." He looked up at her, for once his eyes now visible behind those opaque lenses. "I need anything belonging to missing person. Put things in cup and speak his name."
She began to sweat, the liquid bubbling hotter. My only chance... She pulled out the vial of blood, and poured it inside the green water. She also threw in the torn shreds of clothing, and watched them get drawn down into the depths. Finally, she pulled out a plastic bag, and dropped in the one strand of red hair. The cup swirled and the colours changed to black and red.
"This person been to Jusenkyo?" He sounded mildly interested, as Nabiki nodded her assent. "No matter, speak the names the person might go by."
Nabiki cleared her throat, somewhat anxious by now. "R-Ranma Saotome, or Ranko Saotome..."
"Thank you..."
The old man pulled out a vial from behind his back, filled with golden fluid with glittered with the candlelight. Pouring it inside, the new concoction turned into a sky blue. He spoke the strange code again and dipped his fingers inside the mixture, muttering more arcane spells.
His arms began to strain as some pressure took over his body, his veins bulged and he shook. A cloud of white grew from the cup and it began to form several symbols, again, something that Nabiki could not understand. They stayed there for another minute before vanishing with a 'pof'.
The man slumped forwards, breathing heavily. Nabiki leaned inwards. "Hey, you okay?"
She almost stood up to help him, but he held up a hand and waved her off. "I will be fine. Need rest..." He took in several breaths before continuing. "The person you are looking for... A boy cursed in Nyannichuan."
"Yes...!" Her excitement grew. "Where is he?"
The man shook his head. "I warned you, these tools not -"
"Tell me now..." She growled.
He sighed. "He is North of here."
"Wha-" Nabiki had to close her mouth again. "Wh-what do you mean 'North of here'? How's that going to help me!"
"I'm sorry, young lady." He stood up carefully. "This the best I can do."
"No..." Nabiki stared at the bowl, as if it would answer another wish of hers. "That's too vague..."
"This only work for this island, so he not in Hokkaido." He smiled sympathetically.
Nabiki got to her feet and staggered towards the door. A waste... A waste of time... How can I find Ranma like this? She stared dully at Gosunkugi, who shirked back.
"Thanks for your help, your debt is paid." She looked at him evilly. "Now get away from me before I charge you for my time and company."
Gosunkugi ran off without looking back once.
Nabiki stared at her watch idly. "North, huh?" She smirked. "Better start packing again..."
9:30pm
Tendo Home
Nabiki wiped her forehead. "Phew... All done..." She smiled wryly. "I can't believe that I'm doing this all over again..."
She stood up and clapped her hands clean. Still, I might as well wait for another night, no point in leaving just yet.
She walked downstairs and saw the family all emerge around the same time as Kasumi's meal was brought out, the aroma filling the house.
"Looks great, sis." Nabiki smiled.
"Agreed." Soun stated. "Let's eat."
With that the feast began, and Nabiki slowly ate her food whilst watching the others. Kasumi looked at her occasionally, a knowing gaze reflected in her vision. Akane was much brighter, school was going to restart again soon, and for some reason she was looking forward to it. I think I know why... Nabiki grinned to herself before looking to the others. Soun was eating slowly, savouring the taste, but his oblivious nature meant that Nabiki knew he was thinking about nothing in particular. Genma was scarfing down the rice with much gusto, but after a quick glance to his disapproving wife, he reduced his speed to normal. He's probably worried about Nodoka hurting him... The Saotome matriarch was also eating slow, but was happy. I think she's glad to be around a family again...
It's a shame I'll have to break it up again...
She sighed and put down her bowl and chopsticks. Akane spotted her movement. "Are you okay, Nabiki?"
"Yes, I'm fine, never been better in fact." She smiled genuinely. "I have something to tell everyone."
"Oh?" Soun also lowered his plate. "What might that be, daughter?"
"Well, I'm going on a little journey again..."
The uproar began.
"A young lady shouldn't be out on her own..."
"N-Nabiki, why are you going again?"
"Oh my..."
"I hope this has nothing to do with the Master..."
"Waah! Don't run away again, please!"
After pulling her fingers out of her ears, Nabiki spoke clearly. "I'm going off to find myself. There's something missing in my life, and I won't stop until I discover it." She paused for them to listen carefully. "I don't know how long it will take. I'm not going to be leaving the country, and I won't be taking any big risks, so you shouldn't be worried about my safety."
"But... why?" Soun's tears still flowed down his cheeks. "How have I failed you to make you want to leave to find this... whatever-it-is you need?"
Nabiki's expression fell. "It's not you daddy, or anyone else's fault. It's just something I have to do." She saw most of them giving her sad faces.
"It's not proper for a young lady to be travelling alone."
She looked to Nodoka. "I understand that, however this is my choice. I'm not stupid, I know what can happen to someone alone in a strange place." She tapped her scar. "Case in point..."
Nodoka looked away, guilty, but turned back, her look adamant. "I can see that you're determined, just..." Her face grew more loving. "Please take more care of yourself this time."
Nabiki grew more melancholic, sudden memories of her own mother caring for her, rising to the surface. She held back her tears. "I... I will..." She coughed once to get back on topic. "I'm leaving the house tomorrow. I'll be heading in a northerly direction, until I run out of land..."
"Well... Can you write to us? At the very least?" Her father pleaded.
"I will daddy, I'll be sending my letters to Kasumi, she'll be able to read them to you whenever she gets them." I won't mention that she'll be able to reply to me...
"This is a respectable journey, worthy of a true martial artist…" Genma said sagely, and pulled out a sake jug from somewhere and filled up several cups for everyone. "We should commemorate this day."
Nodoka looked at him, not happy with the alcohol, but sighed and let it pass, she raised her cup, followed by the others. "Campai!" They tapped the glasses to one another and sipped the liquid.
Nabiki did the same, her grin for once not tinged with subtext, nor promises of pain.
She was happy.
The next day
10am
The rush hour had passed, so now it was safe to travel on the trains without being squashed against the windows and groped. Nabiki stood at the station, waiting for her line. Kasumi stood with her, holding her small (and new) suitcase.
"The next train with be arriving in one minute, please stand back from the platform edge..."
"So, this is it..." Nabiki murmured.
"Yes, your train is here." Kasumi continued, smiling. "Are you all packed and ready?" Nabiki nodded. "Then I suppose this is goodbye." The elder Tendo brought the younger in for a big mothering hug. "Take care of yourself, little sister." She gave a light peck on the cheek.
"Thanks Kasumi. I send you a letter once I leave Tokyo, I have to start searching the areas north of here, then leave the city."
"Good luck..." Kasumi replied, as the doors opened. Nabiki carried her suitcase onboard and waved goodbye, the elder sister doing the same, not moving as the train began to move.
Once it was gone, a tear fell down her face. "Good luck, Nabiki..."
Two months later
Fukushima
A wet and tired Nabiki walked through the streets of Naru, and sighed. Her soppy hair clung to her forehead, hiding her scar for the time being. She returned to her rented hovel, and lay on the bug-ridden bed.
I've scoured this region of the city, it's about time I move to the outskirts and farmland... She sat up and ruffled her hair, fingering the scar.
Two months already, and no sign of him, or of 'her'... Nabiki pulled out the photos of Ranma, one of him practising a kata in male form, and the other of an irritated female Ranma squeezing the water out of the bottom of her silk top, beside the koi pond. Nabiki smiled.
Heh... Sher looks mad there... She began imagining how Ranma would then pound his father into the pond, and join breakfast as a panda. Her look returned to its sullen state. That was a long time ago... Things have changed so much...
She unfroze Ranko and prepared another letter to her family, and one personal one to Kasumi, telling her where she would be going. She learned that Ranko despite travelling through the rain, would arrive dry, letters included. Sending it on her way, Nabiki got up and looked in the mirror.
"God... I'm a state..." Her eyes had bags beneath them, a sign of her trawling the streets with photos and asking anyone if they have seen Ranma. She began to apply some moisturising cream to the darker places to lighten her face.
She couldn't risk making the search more public, in case he saw it and vanished permanently. It took one day for her to figure out a suitable strategy, to ask small shops and supermarkets. These places Ranma rarely visited while under the Tendo's roof, since Kasumi and occasionally Akane dealt with all the groceries.
I know he can live in a tent easy enough, but surely anyone would want one home-cooked meal at least once in a while... Eating rabbits every day must be boring...
That was her thought on the matter, but no matter where she went, no one mentioned having seen him, ever.
Besides searching, she rented out tiny places to sleep until people woke up for rush hour, and began the search again, moving from one to another when she was satisfied that the area was Ranma-free. Nearer the outskirts and forests, she elected to explore a small area near to civilisation, but wisely avoided delving any deeper. While there, she would ask people who resided there is anyone new camped in the area.
Still, nothing changed.
The sound of footsteps creaking in the corridor outside made her halt her actions, and to grab her bag ready to throw it.
As they passed by her door and receded, she breathed out a long sigh, and dropped her backpack on the dingy bed.
"Damn, that bastard Anji has me all worked up now..."
Nabiki grabbed inside her jeans back pocket and pulled out a large wad of money, flicking through it fast, the fanning effect cooling her face.
Now I have some bumpkin yakuza wannabe chasing after me because 'I didn't pay his dues...' Scoffing at the incredulity, she stuffed the cash into her safe place, and checked her bag. So I have a few more caps, a flash and two smokes... Shaking her head, she got ready for sleep, opening her cupboard.
Back when she confronted Gosunkugi, she surprised herself at the accuracy of her throw. Since then, she decided to play on it, in case she came across goons like now. However, all her tactics were revolved around delaying and distractions, so that she could escape. Fighting was out of the question.
But she knew that one day, they would carry a gun, and no amount of smoke can stop a bullet.
She looked at the calendar in her diary, noting down a new location, before having another fitful night.
The next day
3:10pm
The last one... She came across a small shop selling miscellaneous items that most people need on a daily basis, bread, milk, groceries, newspapers, cigarettes and other such vices.
Going inside, the small bell above the door tinkling on entry, she went straight up to the counter, where an old man stood behind the counter. Nabiki started upon seeing him, his eyes were more suited on an owl, his glasses magnifying them to monstrous proportions.
"Can I help you?" He asked in a pleasant tone.
"I hope so..." She held out the two photos. "I'm looking for someone that looks like this..." The man held his glasses to focus in on the images before him. "His name is Ranma, but he may be using the name Ranko..."
"Hmm..." His held the male photo for a few minutes. "I think I saw this boy..."
Silence reigned in his shop for one minute.
"Wh-when did you see him?"
"Sorry, my memory is failing me in these years..." He rubbed his head before popping his fist into his upturned palm. "I know, he came by two days ago, but I sell many things, and I forgot what he bought..."
Nabiki voice rose expectantly. "Do you which direction he headed?"
The man raised his arms and shrugged. "No..." He shook his head. "I was serving someone else when he left I'm afraid..."
Maybe he'd gone into the woods, I should head out now to see if there's any sign...
"Thanks for your time, you've been a great help to me."
"Not at all, please, come back any time!"
She left the shop, and shifted the bag about, walking to the end of the street. Time for a hike...
"Hello there, pretty. Got the time on you?"
Nabiki paused and looked to her left, where a group of three men stood by the local bar. She noted their not so cheap clothing and subtle bulges in the chest area, where there shouldn't be any. Damn... They've found me... She pulled a hand back into the bag's side pocket, and threw her last flash bang grenade.
She started running.
Twenty minutes later
"Shit!" She leaped the last low wall and ran into the trees.
"Get the bitch!" A fat man with bad pock scars on his face pointed in her direction, as a group of seven men trailed her.
I'm not going to be able to run for long, I have to hide... Ahead of her, through the branches, she could see a clearing, and was about to avoid that area before the sight of a crackling fire caught her attention. Chucking her final smoke grenade behind her she ran forwards, not caring who was after her.
She stopped at the edge of the clearing, and took in the sight. A simple tent, fashioned from nearby trees and some tarpaulin was set up, near to a campfire that was closed off by some well placed rocks. Above the column of rocks was a metal grate, on top of which was an old fashioned kitchen item.
A kettle? A teakettle!
She heard the sounds of cried throughout the woods about her, guns firing before becoming unerringly silent. The last shout was from the man who was chasing Nabiki.
That was Anji... But who...
The hairs on the back of her neck stood up, as the lack of wind and the absence of anything behind her.
No sound... No wind...
Her mind recalled the only time this happened before, and turned around so fast that she fell backwards onto the dry earth.
The wind picked up sending the leftover smoke from her grenade into the clearing. The Umi-senken faded away, leaving the figure standing there in the grey air and all Nabiki could do was sit there in shock.
"R-Ranma?"
---
Author's Notes
Apologies, my inspiration levels increased dangerously high, so now we are going to be ending in no more than three chapters. Sorry in advance.
Can you think how hard it must be to track someone down, when all you have is a direction and no clues? I thought that 2 months would be an accurate number to search a few places. I also go by the fact that Gos has no magic experience (despite fanon to the contrary), but has managed to get several objects of magical influence, so he should know where to buy some.
Still, hope you're enjoying the story. I promise that there's not long to go!
- J