Disclaimer

All characters from Ranma 1/2 were created by Takahashi Rumiko, not me. Rights to such are owned by Takahashi-sama, Shounen Sunday Comics, Kitty Video, and (in North America) Viz.

Urd, Skuld and Verdandi are mythological. But the interpretations of them within this fanfic are the work Fujishima Kosuke, not me. Rights to such are owned by Kodansha, AIC, ADV Films and (in North America) AnimEigo and Dark Horse Comics.

Tail Kinker Presents

Goddess Fayu

Chapter Three of Six: Of Channels and Splits

"I'm home."

Kasumi looked up from the soup pot. "Welcome back." She set down the spoon carefully, then walked out to the family room.

Nabiki was standing near the television, rummaging through some papers. By the door was a tall, white-haired woman, even taller than Father, dressed in a severe business suit. Kasumi noted the triangular tattoo in the middle of the woman's forehead, but decided against mentioning it.

"Sorry I left so abruptly last night, Sis." Nabiki stood up, and Kasumi was shocked to see a tattoo on her forehead, as well. "Got a tip, and had to follow it up."

"A tip in the middle of the night?"

The tall woman spoke up. "We're a 24/7 operation." She bowed. "Urd, at your service."

"Tendo Kasumi. Pleased to meet you." She returned the bow, then turned back to her sister. "What sort of tip?"

"A job offer. Seemed perfect for me. Urd recruited me, but I'm gonna be training under another woman, a real master in her field."

Urd grinned at that.

Kasumi stepped a bit closer to her sister. "Are tattoos part of the corporate culture?"

Nabiki seemed startled. "You can...is it that noticeable?"

"Just a bit."

Urd grinned. "Henna washes off in a week. But yes, a lot of our staff wear these."

"What sort of job?"

Urd paused. "We're not sure where exactly we're gonna have Nabiki working, but I know she's got the qualifications for most of the jobs we've considered. Probably, she'll be in our Accounts Payable department, but you never know."

"Ah." Kasumi shifted to Big Sister Mode. "And what of schooling?"

Urd shrugged. "Nabiki's file indicates that she's only one credit shy of graduating from High School. We can cover that. Plus, she'll receive a full diploma from our affiliate College. We're covering all expenses for that."

Kasumi blinked. "Full..."

"Yep. We have high hopes for Miss Tendo, and see no reason that she may let us down."

"This is certainly a generous offer, Miss Urd."

"You bet it is, Sis." Nabiki sighed. "But it's not all roses. I've gotta move to Nekomi, pretty much today."

"Oh, dear. We'll miss you."

"I'll miss you guys, too." She grinned. "Give Ranma my room, once I've moved out. He'll need the space. Is Akane up yet?"

"Yes, and already out. I'm sorry."

"Me too. Give her my love?"

"Of course." Kasumi picked up a pen and scratchpad. "Can you give me your address and phone number?"

"Sure." Nabiki took the proffered items, scratched out the address and number. "Listen, Kasumi..."

"Yes?"

"I know you're worried."

"Just a bit." Kasumi's tone indicated that it was more than a bit. "It seems that you've jumped into something without thinking, and that's not like you."

"I did, kind of. But I think it's for the best." She sighed again. "Can you trust me to know that?"

Kasumi considered, and nodded. "Yes, I think I can."

"Thanks." On an impulse, she pulled Kasumi into a hug. "You've been the best big sister anyone could have, Kasumi. Thank you, so much, for everything."

Kasumi smiled, and hugged her back. "Be safe."

"Wow. You're right. The resemblance is scary."

"I know." Nabiki chuckled. "But then, they are sisters, right?"

"True." Urd smiled. "We're gonna have to take the train back. Beaming in was fine, but I don't think I can take you and all that stuff with me on the way back."

"'All that stuff?'" Nabiki looked at her travel tote. "This and one backpack."

"With you alone, I'm pushing my mass limit. Those two bags put me over. Sorry."

Nabiki waved a hand. "That's all right. I'm used to the train. Did you mean what you said back there, that you wouldn't be part of my training?"

"That's true." Urd frowned. "My license prohibits me from training."

"Pity." Nabiki looked up at the taller woman. "I'm getting to like you."

Urd smiled. "Must be my naughty side."

- - - - -

"Courage."

"Courage is better than cowardice."

"Correct." Bell smiled at the two smaller girls. "Skuld, the second virtue?"

"Truth."

"Strength is better than weakness." Nabiki considered. "How is strength related to truth?"

"Who has the greater strength, one who faces up to an unpleasant truth, or one who hides from it?"

"Gotcha. Sorry."

"There is no need to apologize, Fayu. If you do not ask, you will not learn. This itself is Strength."

Nabiki chuckled. "Honour."

Skuld finished the Virtue. "Honour is better than dishonour."

"Yes. Remember, Nabiki, that a promise made must be kept."

"Fidelity."

"Kinship is better than alienation."

Bell smiled. "Are you not happier, knowing us?"

"I think so. Discipline."

"Joy is better than guilt."

"That one puzzles me, too."

"I can see why. Skuld?"

Skuld's expression took on a serious bent. "One who leads an undisciplined life will find herself with a string of would-haves, should-haves and didn'ts. These will prey on her, causing her guilt. One who can go to bed, knowing that that which must be done, will be done, will rise in the morning with a glad heart."

Belldandy beamed at her sister. "Very good."

Nabiki shook her head. "I'll need to think about that one."

"Then do so. This too is Discipline."

"Hospitality," continued Skuld.

"Freedom is better than slavery." Nabiki considered. "If you offer a person hospitality, you are saying to them, 'You are free to come and go as you please'?"

"There is more to it than that. You grant yourself liberty as well."

"Add that to my list to consider. Self-Reliance."

"Ancestry is better than universalism." Skuld grinned. "It is more important to be true to yourself than to try to conform to what others believe. And who you are comes from your ancestry, including those who raised you."

"Skuld. This is Fayu's training."

"Sorry."

"I was going to ask, anyway." Nabiki chuckled. "It seemed pretty far-fetched to me."

"My favourite. Industriousness."

"Vigor is better than lifelessness. Makes perfect sense."

"Consider it tonight, nonetheless. There is more truth in that than you immediately see."

"Gotcha. Perseverance."

"Realism is better than dogmatism."

Nabiki frowned. "Doesn't that one contradict itself?"

"Not at all!" Skuld leaned forward. "Perseverance includes knowing when you're on the wrong track, and finding a new path. It's one I have to keep in mind when I'm working on my devices. Sometimes, I realize that I'm going at something the wrong way. Then, I've got to change the way I'm thinking about the problem."

"Oh."

Belldandy smiled. "These are the nine Noble Virtues. On these, our conduct hinges, for we must be exemplary in our keeping of them, to act as an example for Mortals."

Nabiki nodded. "They seem a good set. Sort of a Nine Commandments."

"They are not Commandments; they are guidelines. If you live by the Noble Virtues, you will have a better life." She took a more serious expression. "But for us, the Goddesses, we must try to uphold them as much as possible."

"Or we can lose our license?"

"Yes."

Skuld piped up. "Urd lost her license once, because she told too many lies."

"This is true." Belldandy nodded. "But she has earned it back, though adhering to the Virtues." She stood. "Enough of theory. I can see that you are itching to get to the practical part of today's lesson."

"Magic. Yummy." Nabiki hopped to her feet. "What are we going to start with?"

"The very basics. Channelling." Belldandy touched her chest. "All of life on the planet generates energy. Some energy is good, and some is evil. Most of it is neutral in flavour."

"Is this related to karma?"

"It is the same thing." Belldandy smiled. "Action always is countered by reaction. An action on the material plane has a spiritual component as well, and this component produces a spiritual reaction. To work our magics, we can use our own energies, or we can channel the energies around us. For now, you will have to rely on channelling, until you learn how to unlock your Element."

"Do the Virtues help with unlocking your Element?"

"No. But they will guide you to it. Come with me."

They stepped out the front door, and walked some distance away from the temple.

"This is part of the reason I am glad we have this land, Fayu." She smiled. "Early channelling attempts can be chaotic."

"I bet." She glanced over at Skuld. "Did you do your training here?"

"Yep." She grinned. "I didn't make too much of a mess, at least."

"Okay, let's find out what sort of disaster I make." She looked over at Belldandy. "What do I do?"

"Open your mind, to all the life around you."

Nabiki closed her eyes, and breathed deeply. "Dad taught me to meditate, even while standing up and wide awake. Should I try that?"

"If you think it will help." Belldandy smiled. "Reach out with your consciousness, and touch each life form around you."

Nabiki took a deep breath, and tried to picture what Belldandy suggested.

"Touch each person with your hand, from where you are." Belldandy's voice was soothing, almost hypnotic. "Let them feel your love."

She felt almost as though she were drifting away. She could hear the sounds of the city, mixing together like a glorious symphony

"Gather their love for you, and draw it into your heart."

She could feel the warm glow...hear the pounding of the orchestra, as the music of life unfolded around her...

"Now raise your hand to the sky."

In her mind's eye, she saw her hand raised, and a deep golden beam shot heavenward.

"What in the name of all that is holy...?"

Keiichi stared out the window, at the massive column of golden light flaring up from the yard. He ran out the front door, and over to where the girls were standing.

Well, Belldandy was standing. Skuld was seated ungainly against a tree, and Fayu was crumpled on the ground, her robes badly singed.

"What happened?"

Belldandy looked a bit shocked. "She did it."

"Did what?"

"She nearly blew us to Asgard, that's what." Skuld picked herself up off the ground. "She's got more power than Urd!"

"No, Skuld." Belldandy shook her head. "But she grasped the basics of channelling faster than even I did." She smiled impishly. "I am impressed."

"So am I." Skuld shook her head. "How can she tap into such power?"

"Let me check." Belldandy walked over to the unconscious girl, and touched her temple with two fingers. "Her father's meditation techniques; she already knows the benefits of networking; long-term exposure to magic." She stepped back. "She's not a prodigy, and she still will need a lot of training, but her background gives her a step in the right direction." She glanced over to Skuld. "This could make training her more hazardous than I first thought, Skuld."

Skuld flashed her a thumbs up. "I'm not backing down."

"Perseverance."

"Yep."

Belldandy sighed. "Let's help her into bed..."

- - - - -

"I am sorry, Fayu. I honestly didn't expect you to succeed at channelling so early."

Nabiki waved it off. "That's all right. It's good to know that I'm not completely useless at this job."

Bell smiled. "That's a good thing, yes." She turned a bit more serious. "You will have to use channelling to power most of your magics for a while. Please, try not to channel so much."

"Don't worry. I'm not anxious to repeat that." Her eyes took a faraway look. "It was a rush, though."

"I know." Belldandy smiled. "Skuld and I felt it, and it was...invigorating."

"So what's next?"

"Well, since you seem to be able to draw power, we can try teleportation."

"I'd like to learn that one, yes." Nabiki grinned. "Beats taking the train."

"Myself, I've learned to appreciate motorcycles."

Nabiki stared at Belldandy in shock. "You? On a motorcycle?"

"Oh, yes." She smiled. "Keiichi's bike just begs to be ridden. Who am I to deny it?"

"Weird." Nabiki shook her head. "You on a motorcycle seems as out of place as Kasumi on a motorcycle." She considered. "Maybe I ought to buy one for her."

"Teleportation."

"Yes."

"First, you should choose a focus. I know that this seems trivial, but the proper choice of a focus will aid in learning." Belldandy considered. "Foci are usually based on your Element, and we haven't learned yours yet. Round objects, or reflective objects, often make good foci for a beginner. All three of us, the Norns, use reflective surfaces of one type or another."

"Round and reflective, huh?" Nabiki thought for a second, then said, "How about a coin?"

From the doorway, Urd snorted. "From what I've heard, it sounds perfect for you."

"Sis!" Skuld scowled at the older Goddess. "Be nice, will ya?"

Belldandy raised a hand. "Skuld."

"Sorry."

Belldandy turned to Nabiki. "How do you feel about the coin?"

Nabiki thought about it. "Urd's kind of right. Money's been a big thing for me in the past. And from what I've heard, it's going to stay that way." She considered further, then nodded. "Yes. A coin." She fished into her pocket, and pulled out a five-yen coin. "This one."

"A good choice to start. Two circles, and reflective."

Urd grinned. "You see, kid?"

"Don't call me a kid!"

"Please!"

They both cut short, and looked over at Belldandy. She looked cross; that in itself was unusual.

"If you are going to fight, I will ask you both to leave while I am training Fayu."

Both sisters immediately looked contrite.

"I'm sorry, Belldandy. I'll behave." Skuld looked down in shame.

"Me, too." Urd sighed. "I can't seem to resist teasing her. So I'll keep away for a bit."

"Thank you, Urd." Belldandy looked as guilty as the other two. "I don't want you to leave, but if you feel that is the best way..."

"Dunno about best, but it's the easiest. And training is as hard on the teacher as it is the student." Urd grinned. "I'll just nip on down to the bar." She turned and walked out.

- - - - -

Beneath the window, Peorth smirked. "Coins, eh?"

She pulled out a handful of five-yen coins.

- - - - -

"I'm sorry I'm such a pain, Belldandy."

Belldandy turned to Nabiki. "Sisters help each other, as much as they can. There is no need to apologize." She paused. "Do you have another five yen coin?"

Nabiki dug into her pockets again, and produced a second coin. Belldandy took it, and concentrated.

A single, pure note rung out, and the coin glowed for a second.

Nabiki blinked. "Whoa. Was that your channel?"

"Yes."

"I see what you mean. I could feel the power as you called it."

Skuld piped up. "So you know what it felt like for us. You had a lot more energy leakage." She grinned. "It was like having my brains smashed out with six liters of Haagen-Dasz."

Bell held up the coin. "I've cast a minor spell on this coin, to make it a bigger target for teleportation." She smiled. "Its spiritual footprint is about six feet wide now."

"So big, I could just walk through it."

"This is what I hope." She handed the coin to Skuld. "Please put this by the bell outside."

Skuld gingerly took the coin. "Got it." She walked carefully out the door. Nabiki watched her go.

"She's treating that like it's made of nitroglycerin."

"She could find herself falling through it, if she's not careful." Belldandy took the other coin from the table, and concentrated. Again the note rang out, and Nabiki shivered. Belldandy put the coin on the floor, stood, and stepped back.

"Stand up."

Nabiki stood.

"With a source and target this strongly amplified, you will probably succeed the first time. But don't be discouraged if you do not. Teleportation comes naturally to a Goddess, but it can take practise."

"Gotcha. Perseverance."

"You are a good student. Stand on the coin."

She stepped forward, and placed one foot on the coin.

"Open your mind, and seek the other coin."

She reached out mentally, and found the other coin. It was easy; it called out to her.

"When you have found it, begin to channel, and draw energy through this coin and to the other."

She reached out again, heard the choir, and poured the energy through the coin.

"Whoa!" Skuld's voice reached her from outside, and she started. She looked around.

"Didn't go anywhere. Rats."

Belldandy smiled. "You're not channelling quite properly. There was an energy flare outside. The energy went through, but you did not."

"Try again?"

"Of course."

Nabiki grinned, then reached out again. Touched the sound of the city, and drew it in. Down through herself, into the coin, and out to the other.

And fell through the coin.

Golden light nearly blinded her as she fell, and she felt herself pushed along, as though through a tunnel. Up ahead, a glowing disk seemed to beckon, and she accelerated towards it.

Only to see it splinter at the last moment, just before she reached it...

"Aaaahh!!!"

"Fayu!" Belldandy ran out the front door.

Nabiki was standing by the bell.

Also by the garden shed.

Also just near the shrine.

Actually, with a quick glance through the ether, she realized that Nabiki was in about ten different places around the compound.

"Oh, dear."

Nabiki was staggering about, one hand on her head.

"What's going on? I can't--"

"Focus on this coin!" Skuld was kneeling beside the coin she'd placed near the bell. "Focus on it, and pull yourself out of it!"

All over the compound, Nabiki popped out of existence, and then reappeared.

"I can't do it!" Nabiki was shaking like a leaf. "They keep calling me back!"

"Skuld."

Skuld nodded, and closed her eyes.

The various Nabikis vanished again, and then one reappeared, over the coin. She collapsed to the ground, trembling.

"What happened?" She clutched her stomach. "Did I miss the target?"

Skuld was grinding her teeth. "This was no accident." She reached through the coin, causing it to flare golden, and pulled back a handful of coins. "Bell, these were trapped. And there were a lot of them, all over the gardens."

"Oh, no." Bell looked crumpled. "Who would do this?"

Skuld scowled. She concentrated on the coins, and a ghostly image appeared above it. An image of a rose.

"Peorth."

- - - - -

"You interfered with my student."

Belldandy was about as mad as Nabiki had ever seen her. It reminded her of that first day that Ranma had arrived. Kasumi had shocked them all by nearly throttling the panda.

Peorth shrugged. "She was gonna have to learn to deal with multiple targets eventually, right?"

"It was for me to decide when to tackle that problem! With a coin as her focus, it would come sooner than later. Do you have any idea what kind of setback this could be for her?" Belldandy crossed her arms. "Suffering a split on her first teleportation? She might never learn the art!"

Nabiki stood, and walked towards Peorth. "You did this out of revenge, didn't you?"

Peorth glanced over at her. "Be quiet when the adults are talking."

Nabiki turned to Belldandy. "She wouldn't leave my futon last night, so I embarrassed her until she fled."

"Oh?" Belldandy turned a full glare back at Peorth. "And because of that, you decided to sabotage her training?"

Peorth shrugged. "Hey. I'm First Class, Unlimited License. That gives me a right to assist in her training."

"A right, not an obligation. Assist, not resist. If Kami-sama heard of this, I think you would face severe punishment."

"Well, I'm not gonna tell him." She shrugged. "Are you?" She tossed one of the five-yen coins in her hand. "With a focus as stupid as coins, she's gonna face this more than once." She glanced over at Nabiki. "Might as well get used to it."

Nabiki closed her eyes, and channelled a massive wave of force, through Peorth and into the coin. Peorth winked out of existence, and the coin clattered to the ground.

"Fayu...that wasn't very nice." Belldandy looked more surprised than disappointed.

"She was getting on my nerves." Nabiki glanced around. "Why didn't she split?"

Belldandy sighed. "Because of her disparagement of the medium, she cannot teleport through coins."

"So she's stuck?"

"Yes."

"Rats. I wanted to put her through what she put me through." Nabiki sat down, and scowled. "Nearly made me barf my guts up."

"Splitting causes disorientation, unless you have a lot of practise." Belldandy sat as well. "Your senses are taking in information from multiple points, and it takes a clear mind to keep those points separate. Otherwise, it can cause nausea and physical pain."

"Makes sense." She glanced down at the coin. "I guess I should let her out."

Belldandy considered. "No, I think we've done enough teleporting today." She took the coin from the floor. "You should spend the next few hours in meditation. I'm going to start dinner."

"Meditation or sleep, whichever comes first. I'm still pretty messed up." Nabiki got to her feet, and walked towards her bedroom.

Belldandy looked down at the coin, then reached into her pocket and added a large number of other coins of various denominations to it. "Skuld?"

Skuld stepped in. Her head was hung, and tear streaks marked her cheeks. "Yeah?"

"Thank you for helping Fayu."

"I shoulda seen the trap." Skuld looked up angrily. "When I held the coin, I shoulda felt the others!"

"Coins are not your medium."

"It doesn't matter! I let her down. I let you down!"

"No, Skuld." Belldandy smiled. "Your quick actions spared Fayu more pain than she experienced. You made me proud today."

"Really?"

"Yes, my sister." She handed Skuld the coins. "Go buy yourself some ice cream."

Skuld nodded. "Okay. Thanks, Sis." She grabbed Belldandy, and hugged her.

- - - - -

Somewhere in Yokohama, a cracked camera lens glowed, and Peorth appeared.

She glanced around the landfill site, and grumbled. Turned back to the camera lens on the garbage heap, and scowled. "Broken. I can't teleport back through this." She glanced around the landfill in disgust, then leapt into the sky.

And promptly fell down into the garbage.

"What--" She looked down at her hands. "My powers..."

"Suppressed."

She looked over, to see Skuld staring at her.

"What do you mean, suppressed?" Peorth smirked. "By you?"

"Nope." Skuld pointed up at the sky. "Maybe Sis couldn't rat you out, but I sure can. One week suspension, starting now."

"Kami-sama..."

"It's a long walk back to Tokyo. Have fun." She jumped into a nearby puddle, and vanished.

Author's notes:

The Nine Virtues were drawn from the Odinic Rite and the Asatru Folk Assembly versions. These organizations don't mix the two lists together the way I did, but hey. This is fiction.