Disclaimer:
The characters in this story aren't mine, they belong to Rumiko Takahashi and other publications… I'm only here so I can practice my writing…lol… I do not own any of the characters and gains no profit from writing this story… so again please don't sue!… I already have enough problems managing bill payments…..
I do not intend on making any profit from making this story but only a writer writing about one of her favourite character, namely Nabiki.
Nabiki tossed and turned in her sleep that night as images began to swim in her mind. Snippets of memories mixing with her dreams were making it hard for her to breathe.
She moaned in despair, but in her dreams she was a reluctant observer of her younger self. She was calling out to herself, berating her younger self. Telling herself to stop.
-------
Ranma wasn't normally a light sleeper but the constant nightmares that plagued him from his training was enough to keep him awake . It was always hard to find any decent sleep after the nightmares he had, that's probably why he was aware that there was something not quite right in the silent darkness of his room. He could hear someone's agonising moan and couldn't help but investigate.
-------
Kasumi was a light sleeper. She has trained herself to be one especially since the loss of their mother. Every time she felt there was something wrong in the Tendo home or if one of her sisters were in turmoil, she would be there for them to give them the comfort they needed. Tonight was the same.
She could feel her heart constrict as she heard muffled whimpers of despair. It was rare for her now a days to be disturb from her slumber, since the arrival of the Saotomes there was some sort of veiled security that washed over the harmony of their home. Still the agonising whimpers though it was muffled was hard to ignore, so without further delay, Kasumi had donned on her robe to see if her sisters were alright.
-------
Ranma briefly but quietly knocked upon the door where the noises emanated from. When he got no response he decided to turn the doorknob and let himself in, leaving the door slightly ajar for the moment. His curiousity getting the best of him as he entered the room when concern washed over him.
He saw her lying there in a foetal position, shaking uncontrollably as she continued to mumble incoherent words. Tears fell from her closed eyes drenching her pillow. She was dreaming.
He hesitated at first. He didn't know what to do or why was it he was always compelled to be around her presence. But he knew he couldn't leave her like this. There was something about her that demanded every part of his being to stay and try to comfort her, just like the time when she had that nightmare.
He approached her quietly, not wanting to disturb her. Mesmerised by the tears and agonising whimpers she kept repeating to herself.
He sat beside her, not knowing what to do next. He didn't think taking her in his arms would be appropriate. So instead, he began to run his hands up and down her back. Trying to sooth her and probably try and drive whatever it was she was dreaming of away. Before he can even form any coherent thought, he also began to whisper comforting words to her, trying to coax her to stop crying.
"It's alright Nabiki. Everything is alright." he whispered to her, but his sitting position was beginning to affect his back. He was getting uncomfortable bending over her like that.
He looked at the little space on the bed and the trembling girl. He couldn't leave her like this. So he lay down behind her, wrapping his arms around her torso and continued to whisper soothing words in her ear.
Unknown to him that there was someone by the door.
-------
Kasumi didn't know what to make of the scene before her. A part of her mind was screaming that what she was witnessing was inappropriate, but another part of her was glad that he was comforting her sister. That is until she felt a gentle hand upon her shoulder giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze.
"Go to sleep Kasumi." Her father's soft tired voice instructed.
"But father…"
"Leave them be Kasumi, your sister is in good hands." Soun replied back to his older daughter.
Kasumi merely bowed in response, still hesitant to leave Nabiki's door but complied to her father's wish.
Soun watched his older daughter walked away, before turning his attention in Nabiki's room. He watched his middle daughter being comforted rather intimately by her baby sister's fiancé. He watched them with unreadable features.
This was the second time he had witnessed the two together. The first was a week ago, when he was checking his daughters' room to see if they're asleep. He nearly burned himself with the cigarette that became loose in his mouth when he saw Nabiki on top of Ranma. Normally he would have barged in and damn the consequences of his actions, but he also knew that if he did just that, he would have alerted Akane in the opposite room. He really didn't want his daughters fighting amongst themselves.
He hoped against hope that what he saw a week ago was merely a figment of his imagination. An illusion created by his mind from binge drinking with his childhood friend Genma, but it seems that his worst fears had been confirmed.
He really should stop this nonsense right now, but looking at Nabiki being consoled by Ranma and witnessing how gradually her whimpers began to cease, the father inside of him couldn't do it. He hasn't been the best father to any of his girls and he'd like to think he had raised them well enough to know what was right from wrong, but something about the scene in front of him tore his heart apart.
Hesitantly he stepped away from Nabiki's room and as quietly and subtly as he could he closed the door. It seemed he would need another drink tonight to fall asleep.
The Next morning…
Kasumi seemed distracted as she prepared breakfast the very next day. She was taking longer than intended just to prepare breakfast. She fell into a dreamless sleep that night. She was torn. Last night was something unexpected. It was something she never thought herself to be able to handle.
"Oh my!" She cried out in mild alarm as she nicked her finger with the chopping knife. She immediately put the injured digit to her lips and sucked the blood out before going to the faucet to clean the cut. It had been years since she was this distracted. She was the master of the kitchen. It was her domain. Yet she found herself injured because she was distracted. What should she do?
She didn't expect the sight that greeted her last night . She had every right to worry didn't she? The fact that their father was also there and had witnessed what she had seen was surely something to be concerned about.
But why was her father there? Why didn't he look shock at all?
"Morning Kasumi." Ranma greeted Kasumi. Snapping her out of her thoughts.
"Good morning Ranma-kun." Kasumi replied back as she wiped her hands and applied a band-aid on her finger.
"Is there something wrong? You look like you're out of it or something?" Ranma asked but before Kasumi could reply Genma jumped his son.
"RANMA! HOW DARE YOU LAG ON YOU'RE TRAINING!" Genma admonished as he grappled his son.
"LET GO OF ME YOU OLD FOOL!" Ranma angrily retorted. As he tried to dislodge himself from his father's grip.
"You guys make too much of noise every morning." Nabiki commented gruffly as she entered the kitchen. "Take it up outside will you?"
On cue, the father and son continued their skirmish. Finally Ranma got sick of it and launched his father outside the back yard with Ranma hot on his heels.
Nabiki on the other hand just set the kettle to a boil to make herself a cup of coffee. She sat at the table as she waited. Akane came to the kitchen already in her jogging gear.
"Morning Kasumi, Nabiki. I'm going for my morning run now oneesan." Akane informed Kasumi before heading out.
Kasumi was now left alone with Nabiki. She unconsciously began to grip and twist the wash cloth she held tightly, making her knuckles grow white. Kasumi's fidgeting finally registered to a still sleepy Nabiki.
"What has your panties in a knot Oneechan?" Nabiki asked as she eyed her sister's hands. "Something in your mind?"
Nabiki knew there must be something that was bothering Kasumi if she was fidgeting like she did. It must bother her a lot since she looked like she was struggling for the right words to be able to speak to her.
"Nabiki…" Kasumi began but was cut off abruptly by their father's greeting.
"Morning girls." Soun greeted his daughters looking worst for wear.
Nabiki merely grimaced at the sight of her father. Whenever he looked like this, it normally means he had drunk himself to sleep again. Nabiki greeted her father, showing a little bit of disdain in her voice at her father's state but took two cups and began preparing herself and her father coffee. While she was busy preparing their coffee, Soun and Kasumi exchanged a silent look towards each other. Soun warning Kasumi not to speak or say anything about what she had witnessed last night to Nabiki.
Kasumi wrung the wash cloth so tightly in her hands that she could almost feel the fabric cutting the skin of her flesh. She bit her lower lip, her eyes pleading to her father, wanting to protest but the look Soun gave her brook no argument. The authority and seriousness in his eyes did not waver.
"Here daddy. Looks like you need this as well as I do." Nabiki sat beside her father as she handed him a cup of black coffee, oblivious to the silent conversation between her father and her older sister.
"Thanks Nabiki." He smiled gratefully masking his features well.
"I'll get the morning paper for you then father." Kasumi commented as she left the kitchen, trying to school her features and emotions. She found herself standing by their front door but seemed lost and forgotten her purpose. Their father knew and yet he didn't want her to intervene. Does that mean that he will?
"Oh mother what shall I do?" Kasumi whispered to herself.
-------
"So Akane, what are your plans this fine Saturday morning?" Soun asked his youngest daughter.
"Well dad, I was planning to go shopping with Yuka and Sayuri today and probably watch a movie." Akane replied back.
"FANTASTIC!" Genma cried out in glee. "This is a great opportunity for you and Ranma to spend the day together! Isn't that right Soun!"
"You old fool! Didn't you hear what she just said? She was going to go shopping!" Ranma protested.
"YOU'RE GOING TO THE MOVIES WITH AKANE, BOY!" Genma replied back in the same tone of voice as I'm your father and I know what's good for you kind of tone.
"Uncle Genma didn't you just hear what I just said? I said I was going with my friends!" Akane protested.
"Nonsense Akane. This is a great time to spend sometime with your fiancé. I won't let you go unless I'm sure you are safely accompanied by Ranma." Soun replied back though it sounded hollow in his throat.
"BUT DAD!"
"I'm not going to the mall with a bunch of girls!" Ranma protested.
With all the racket the two youths were making it was enough to get into Nabiki's nerves. "Well why don't you invite your other friends along with you Ranma? I'm sure Daisuke and Hiroshi would love to hang-out with you at the arcade while Akane and her friends are doing their shopping. You can all just meet up at the movies later."
Genma looked like he was going to protest and insist that Ranma and Akane should spend the whole day together but Soun had already given his nod of agreement.
"That's a great idea Nabiki!" Soun cried out. "Speaking of which, what about you Nabiki and Kasumi? What are your plans today?"
"Well Father, I'm planning on borrowing and returning some of the medical books and journals from Dr Tofu." Kasumi answered oblivious to the other people on the table sweat drops and hopes that there will be no patients for Dr Tofu today.
"What about you Nabiki?" Soun inquired his middle daughter.
"Just going out and have some fun. You know girl stuff." Nabiki replied back airily.
"Like swindling some poor guy off of his cash." Akane muttered under her breath which gained her a disapproving frown from Kasumi and funnily enough Ranma.
"What was that Akane?" Nabiki gave her a false smile, indicating she did hear her barbed remarks.
"Nothing Nabiki, I said I hope you enjoy yourself." Akane replied back swiftly. It wouldn't do to make Nabiki angry or she might find herself with no money to go out for the day.
"That's what I thought." Nabiki smiled back serenely and too smugly for Akane's taste.
"So what do you think she's really up to?" Ranma asked Akane as they both made their way towards the mall. He had called Daisuke and Hiroshi and agreed that they will meet up at the arcade.
"Like I would know? I'm betting that she's off trying to swindle poor idiots off of their money." Akane replied back.
"That's not a very nice thing to say about your sister." Ranma admonished.
"I know, but I can't help it. She's been doing this kind of stuff for like years now and I guess the perception just stuck I guess." Akane sighed. "Don't get me wrong Ranma, I love Nabiki to bits, it's just that the stuff she does gets on my nerves you know?"
Then after some after thought Akane realised that Ranma just defended Nabiki just a minute ago. "Hey wait a minute, why do you sound so offended all of a sudden? You're the one who insults her behind her back you know! So don't go all high and mighty on me!"
Ranma sighed. "I ain't defending Nabiki or nothing Akane. It's just that don't you think it's funny that you think like the rest of the students of Furinkan? I mean yeah sure I insult her and stuff but what you said earlier wasn't exactly all pleasant since she is your sister after all."
"Look Ranma, I'm entitled about my own opinion and that includes my sister. Why are you so quick to defend her anyway?"
"Why are you so quick to condemn her? Aren't you suppose to be defending her and stuff?" Ranma replied back.
"Whatever!" Akane said in a gruff as she increased her stride and left him. "Stupid jerk, who's he anyways? Trying to make me feel guilty when he insults everybody! Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!"
Somewhere in Nerima in the old playground,
Nabiki sat by the bench and watched the little kids play and frolic in the playground. A smile graced her lips as she watched them in wry amusement.
"This used to be our playground." She whispered to herself. In her mind's eye, she could see younger versions of herself, Akane and Kasumi all running up the slides, jungle gym and sandbox, while their mother and father watched over them.
Flashback…
"TACHI!" Nabiki excitedly called out to her six year old friend.
"BIKI!" Tatewaki Kuno rushed towards her excitedly leaving the group of boys he was playing with before her arrival.
"Look everybody Tatewaki has a girlfriend!" A boy Nabiki didn't know teased.
"Shut up Kowaru!" Tatewaki replied back in anger.
"Don't let them get to you Tachi. Let's go on the swings instead." Nabiki replied back as she tried to pull Tatewaki's hand. Trying to pull the angry boy away from the other boys.
"Why don't you guys play House instead?" Another boy teased.
"Shut up! I'm warning you!" Tatewaki growled.
"Ohhh… I'm so scared!"
Tatewaki couldn't help it anymore and charged at the other boy as a full blown scuffle erupted. It was then that Tatewaki began to get into fights with other kids every time they teased them.
Scene change...
"I can't be friends with you anymore Biki." Tatewaki said not looking Nabiki in the eye. He was getting into too many fights lately because of the insistent teasing he got from the other boys.
"Why Tachi?" Nabiki replied back crying. Tatewaki was her best friend.
"Because Biki! Just because!" Tatewaki replied back shouting at her. "I don't like you ok!" and just so he could make a point, he pushed her rather violently away making her stumble backwards and fall.
Tatewaki looked shocked from what he has done. "Hey Nabiki, I'm sor…"
Nabiki began to cry as she looked up at her former best friend. "I HATE YOU!!!" She yelled at him as she pushed herself from the ground and seeked her mother's comfort. Her mother gave Tatewaki a disapproving stare.
She never played with Tatewaki again. She didn't even like going to the playground anymore. It was then that she noticed there was something wrong with her mother.
Back at the present…
Tears began to glisten in Nabiki's eyes. Not even a year later after that, her mother passed away. They didn't have enough money to pay for her treatment. Her mother's health deteriorated right before their eyes, until finally she was gone.
Back to the Flashback…
"Biki?" She could hear Tatewaki's voice filled with concern. He found her near the koi pond watching the koi swimming absently. She didn't want to be inside where her mother's memorial service was taking place. She was wearing a formal kimono and was sitting idly near the pond. Her fingers teasing the water and the koi.
"What do you want now Kuno?" Nabiki replied back.
"I'm sorry about your mother." she heard him say nervously.
"So?"
"Are you ok?"
"Why would you care anyway? You're not my friend anymore."
"Biki…"
"Go away and don't call me that name anymore."
A year later, Tatewaki's mother died from a horrible accident.
Nabiki and her family attended the funeral service but not once did Nabiki approach Tatewaki, afraid of what to say to him. They never did cross paths again not until they reached middle school.
Scene change...
"Hey there beautiful." the upperclassman greeted her. "What are doing here all by your lonesome?"
"Leave her alone." she heard his familiar voice. "She doesn't want to do anything with sleazebags like you."
"And what are you going to do you little shrimp?" the upperclassman then recognised his face. "Well if it isn't little rich boy, how quaint."
It was then that Tatewaki realised that the upperclassman was not alone. Several other boys began to surround him. Needless to say Tatewaki didn't stand a chance against them. It was Nabiki that dragged him to the infirmary.
Back at the present…
Nabiki closed her eyes. She doesn't want to remember anymore. She doesn't want to replay images of memories and wonder about what could have been. The damage has already been done and there was no point in worrying about the past.
She was interrupted from her musings when a curious little boy approached her.
"Why are you sad?" said the little boy who couldn't be more than five years of age.
Nabiki smiled at the little boy. "I'm not sad."
The boy looked curiously at her before taking a seat beside Nabiki. Swing his feet idly. "Your pretty." the boy boldly declared. Eliciting a warm chuckle from Nabiki. She can already picture the boy's future as a potential lothario.
"So how come you're here and not with the other kids?" Nabiki inquired.
"I'm tired. Kiki and the others runs too fast." The boy grumbled.
Nabiki quirked an eyebrow at that, but the little boy was just too adorable. She reached into her purse and pulled out a can of soda.
"Here you go. You can have it. I can buy another one later."
The little boy beamed at her with a toothy grin. "Thanks lady! My name is Kaneda."
Nabiki couldn't help but grinned back. "My name is Nabiki."
And with that the two began to talk idly, with Kaneda asking her a barrage of questions. Pretty soon Kaneda's playmates also joined them. Bombarding Nabiki with questions ranging from why the sky is blue to what it was like being a grown up, to the latest games and cartoons on TV.
Ranma was bored. While it had been fun hanging out with Daisuke and Hiroshi, their constant arguing and trying to pick up girls got to his nerves. Especially when the said girls began flirting with him instead. He really didn't want anymore girls vying for his attention, so he decided to just hang out somewhere else and meet up with the rest later at the movies.
While idly walking around with no destination in mind he was drawn to the sounds of laughter coming from the nearby playground. Feeling nostalgic due to the hardships he had experienced during his childhood, he was drawn to the children's merry laughter and decided to hang-out with the kids for a while. What surprised him was finding Nabiki surrounded by half a dozen kids trying to gain her attention.
Nabiki couldn't help but laugh as the kids that surrounded her continued to ask her questions all trying to gain her attention. Each kid was trying to out voice the other. Some of the boys even began to brag what little abilities they have.
"I can jump this high!" A boy with head full of brown curls named Hayate pronounced as he began to gesture just how high he could which Nabiki estimated was about her knee high.
"So? I can kick the ball the farthest!" Claimed another boy whose name was Takumi.
"Well I can out run all of you when we play tag!" A girl with honey blonde hair piped up. Nabiki assumed her name was Kiki after a brief introduction.
Kaneda remained quiet for a while. His face frowned in concentration trying to outdo his friends. His face began to light up as he began to search the pockets of his trouser. Then grinned widely as he presented Nabiki with his prize.
"I have candy!" Kaneda cried out in glee as he handed one to Nabiki as payment for the can of soda he has received earlier.
"Thanks Kaneda-kun." Nabiki smiled fondly at his as she ruffled his hair.
"Taking candy from little kids now Nabiki?" Ranma's voice interrupted her, making Nabiki frown.
Ranma was slightly taken aback. He was only joking and meant it in good humour but it seemed he had upset Nabiki.
Noticing their new friend's distress, the kids that surrounded Nabiki glared at Ranma. Kaneda spoke up for the group. "Leave her alone you big bully!"
"Hey calm down little buddy. I was only joking right Nabiki?" Ranma replied back as he looked at Nabiki for support. He didn't get any.
Nabiki suppressed the urge to giggle. Ranma looked intimidated by a bunch of pre-schoolers was just hilarious. But Ranma's comment did hurt her, reminding her of her melancholy mood hours ago.
"It's alright guys. He's a friend." Nabiki placated the little rugrats.
The little kids merely look at Ranma with suspicion. Ranma had put his hand up to portray his innocence.
Nabiki merely sighed. "Well it's getting late and I have somewhere else I need to be." Nabiki announced turning the kids' attention to her.
"Are you coming back?"
"Don't go!"
"Are you going to be here tomorrow?"
"We haven't even played games yet!"
The kids all protested at once.
Ranma in the other hand watched the scene in wry amusement. Who knew Nabiki had an affinity to little kids? The little kids seemed to be sweet on her, a trait he never would have guessed because of her aloof and icy demeanour. He couldn't help but smirked when the kids began to use puppy dog eyes on Nabiki to make her stay. The overly cuteness of the kids was enough to make anybody bend to their will.
But they were dealing with the master of manipulation. Nabiki smiled at them and just when Ranma thought she was going to give in she pulled full 180 at them.
"I'm sorry I really can't. Tell you what though I'll come again next week." Nabiki softly spoke to them.
"Really?"
"Promise?"
Nabiki nodded. "I promise. In the mean time, why don't you play with my friend Ranma here? I'm pretty sure you'll love playing with him. Right Ranma?"
"W-what?" Ranma replied back in shock.
"See? Well I'll just see you guys next week. Behave yourselves and play nice! See ya!" Nabiki bid her farewell as she made a hasty retreat, leaving a very bewildered Ranma.
Ranma just stared at Nabiki's retreating back, when he felt a small tug on his pants. When he looked down, he saw a girl with honey blonde hair looking up at him.
"What is it?" Ranma asked.
"My name is Kiki." The little girl replied back sweetly.
"Uh? My names Ranma." Ranma introduced himself as he scratched the back of his head.
"Your cute." Kiki continued. "Would you like to be my boyfriend?"
All Ranma could do was blink at her. He didn't know how to reply to that.
Meanwhile…
Not so far a way by the telephone booth, Nabiki stared at the numbers on the phone. She bit her lower lip and hesitantly dialled the numbers.
Her finger began to coil itself around the telephone cord absently as she listened at the ring tone. She was getting a bit edgy and was about to hang-up when a familiar voice finally picked up the phone.
"Hello?" Nabiki asked hesitantly.
"Yeah, it's me. Listen I've come to a decision." Nabiki paused as she listened to the person in the other line. She then took a deep breath. "The answer is yes Kuno-baby."
xxxxxxx
Author's Notes:
I hope you liked the latest update. Thank you so much to the people who continued to support this story. It really is greatly appreciated. I find it funny that my little cousins sparked this little inspiration for me to write. Lol.
As for the answer to the last chapter's question about who witnessed Nabiki and Ranma's intimate display, the answer would be Soun Tendo. Bet you readers didn't expect that did you?
I thought of writing it as Kasumi at first but changed my mind, but as you could see Kasumi still caught them. The question now is what am I planning to do with two other people in the Tendo home has seen Ranma and Nabiki in such a compromising situation?
What was Nabiki dreaming of the night before and what has that got to do with the flashbacks she was having at the playground?
What was the deal with Kuno?
All this and more so please stay tuned to the next exciting chapter of My Little Secret. Please read my profile about updates info.
Please review
Ja Ne