There will be: language, nudity, sex, violence, death, and rather detailed descriptions of such. I'm an adult, and a writer. I revel in the coincidence that I'm also an adult writer.

I only own what someone else does not.

Chapter Six

"Nonohara-kacho, need to have a word with you."

The owner of the Baraen-sō raised a brow at her new onsen manager, putting down her sake to wave the redhead into the kitchen where she was preparing a meal for two of the inn's parties. "Not quitting on me already are you?"

Ranma waved the woman's concern aside as she leaned against the frame of the doorway, "Nah, I'm good."

Nodding, the older woman pulled back a sleeve of her uniform kimono, keeping it from draping in the soup she was working on. "Fair enough. What did you need then, and why aren't you watching the Furosawas?"

"They'll be done in about ten minutes – Juhiro-san's really predictable. Could set a clock by him," the martial artist observed with a derisive snort. "Focused though. Could start cleaning the onsen around him and he'd not notice."

"Ah. So what brings you to my office?" Nonohara asked, smirking slightly at the inside joke. Seeing as she had no other cooks currently on the staff, and that Ranma was mostly pinned down out by the springs with their guests, the inn owner was most often found cursing like a sailor over a stove and fanning herself, preparing meal after meal to be delivered to rooms and the few dining halls that the Rose Garden offered. It didn't help that in the small corner closet she kept locked all the paperwork was kept for after hours, when she'd tally and balance the inn's accounts.

Grinning slightly at her manager's humor, Ranma snatched a rice ball, deftly avoiding a retaliatory spoon-strike. "Need to talk to you about Kono-chan."

"Konoka-san?"

"Yeah," Ranma mumbled around her mouthful of rice. "These are good. Anyway, you know she's only fifteen, right?"

Nonohara sniffed, rolling her eyes. "Ah, I understand. You're worried about your friend's innocence." Seeing Ranma nod, the woman produced her fan from a sleeve. "I see. I could tell she was still... uneducated, which is why I was surprised she was with you. That's why I hired her on as a hostess – it has the lowest exposure to such things here. However," the woman's fan stilled, as she considered Ranma for a moment, intently. "I don't think she will be fully insulated. At some point, she will cross into a situation where our guest's activities will become quite obvious. The question I suppose is... Does her desire to have this job exceed her limit for bearing such things?"

Ranma frowned, folding her arms under her breasts as she leaned back against the kitchen wall. The assumption Nonohara made that she herself wasn't an innocent in such things made her curious, but she could pursue that another time. "Honestly, she wasn't even here looking for work with me. She was just tagging along that day."

"Yet, she accepted my offer," Nonohara commented while testing the soup. "Mm, good. That implies some interest, at least, or another motive. Why haven't you warned her of what to expect?"

She dismissed Nonohara's suggestion of Konoka having an ulterior motive out of principle. The girl was like freshly driven snow. Ranma did laugh darkly at the suggestion she should have been the one to inform the other girl of the inn's full nature, however, "Hell of a conversation, Kacho. Not one I could have had with her, until today."

Nonohara hummed thoughtfully at the admission. "I placed you two as being much closer."

"Recent friends. She's just that sort of girl, I think. Really friendly, really easy to get along with. Happy," Ranma added, smiling somewhat as her gaze turned distant.

"I see," the twenty-something woman stated, blinking once in contemplation of her employee's far-off look. "After the Furosawas, do you have another couple scheduled for the onsen?"

"Not for an hour, was going to clean up after they left, since... well, you know."

The older woman nodded sagely, beginning to lay out bowls, small platters, and cups on a wide tray. "Good. Just get it presentable for the next time-slot, should take about fifteen minutes. After that, find Konoe-san, and an empty room," she ordered, beginning to ladle soup into the small bowls. "I leave it to you, to let her know."

Wincing, Ranma made to argue, thinking maybe Konoka could take Nonohara's place in the kitchen, but had no idea if the girl could even cook, much less manage the rather exquisite fare she was witnessing the older woman so casually make during her silences. Outside of her current position, nothing else at the Baraen-sō had less contact, either. Then of course there was the other problem. How the hell was she going to explain this to a girl who reminded her of an adolescent Kasumi Tendo? Heaving a sigh, she nodded once, "Fine."

"Oi, don't embarrass me so much with your gratitude," Nonohara called back, one eye closed as she glared at the redhead. "You do know I could have just had her do futon duty, right?"

"Sure, whatever you say, Kacho," Ranma offered the woman, turning to leave. "But yeah. Thanks. I suppose it's best to hear about this kinda thing from a friend, rather than stumbling on it."

Nonohara snorted indelicately. "Suppose. Though that begs the question... how are you so nonchalant about it all, already? Until just now, I didn't place you as much older than her – something I'm reconsidering quickly. Skeletons of former illicit lovers in that closet of yours?"

Ranma turned and gave the woman a sunny smile. "Nah. Closet was too small – started using the well out back a while ago."

The inn manager could do nothing at that, but raise a brow. That was, until she realized what the redhead had changed about her uniform that had bothered her but not stuck out enough to pin down, as she walked away. "Oi, you ungrateful wench! What's with the chest-wraps? That kimono was sized for best possible visual effect!" Sighing, she looked to the sky, as if for answers. "What did I do to deserve such a difficult emplo-gackpft."

She was prevented from concluding her question, as one of Ranma's slippers smacked her in the face. Stomping back down the hall to the woman who was collapsed and flailing on the floor, the redhead snatched back her footwear. "Never do that again."

"...'kay."

Ranma found her fellow new hire sweeping off the walk, humming quietly to herself as she bustled about out between the roses. "Damn. She looks kind of happy here... hope this doesn't ruin things for her," the redhead muttered, breaking cover from behind the inn's front entrance. "Hey, Kono-chan! Break time!"

Looking up, the younger girl smiled brightly. "Alright, I'll be right in."

While Konoka finished up with her sweeping, Ranma double-checked the schedule register, making sure there wouldn't be any other guests arriving for the next half hour or so. As it turned out, they were having a light week apparently, and only one other couple was due to arrive before the Rose Garden 'closed' for the night. Setting out a sign and bell so any unexpected arrivals could ring for service, Ranma tidied up while Konoka put away her broom. "I thought you'd be busy all night, with what Nonohara-kacho described as your duties."

"Eh, something important came up," Ranma muttered, leading the Dean's granddaughter to one of the empty rooms, off the second floor hall. "Besides, I needed to talk with you about this place a bit."

Konoka's eyes widened slightly, as her companion closed the door and spun to lean against it. "Auu, is everything alright? You seem agitated, Ranma-san."

Laughing in a nervous fashion, Ranma nodded quickly. "Oh, yeah! Just fine. Just fine..." Taking a deep breath, the martial artist clapped her hands suddenly, startling her companion. "Ah! Let me pour us some tea!"

"Er. Right..."

Over tea, Konoka couldn't shake the feeling that something was bothering her new friend, and finally it became too troublesome for her to stay silent. "Ranma-san... what's wrong? You're nervous and agitated," pursing her lips slightly, the young woman sighed, thinking perhaps it was something else, related to what had happened earlier that day. Something like her roommates attacking someone, apparently with magic. "...is it something you can't talk with me about? Something secret?"

Shaking her head, Ranma put her tea down and looked away guiltily. "Er, that is... Konoka-san. One of the reasons I wanted to leave early for the onsen today was to talk with you about the Garden."

"It's so lovely," the young woman replied, smiling despite her worry. "I've never seen such well-tended roses. I hope one day I can come here as a customer myself, and enjoy how relaxing it seems."

Ranma's face went as red as her hair, as she pictured her coworker 'enjoying' the onsen properly. Swallowing thickly, she fanned herself with her hands. "Ahaha... yeah. It does seem rather nice," she commented, her determination completely derailed in the face of that imagery. It took a long minute and half a cup of tea to regain her equilibrium, and stifle the heat that seemed permanently attached to her cheeks. "But um," she began again, "there's something really important I need to tell you about what kind of visitors come here and why."

"Oh?"

"Yeah," Ranma muttered, taking a steadying breath. "You know how that day we got hired, I mentioned this was a couple's inn?" Konoka nodded hesitantly, a bemused expression on her face. "Ah, good. Well... um. Oh, say think of it like this.

"The Garden probably gets a lot of recently married couples," she explained, nervousness passing as she found a direction to attack the problem from. "As in, couples on their honeymoon vacation."

Konoka blinked, clearly not understanding but nodding regardless. "Oh, I see."

Ranma slumped. "No... no I don't think you do. You see-"

Shuffling from the hallway got the attention of the two, though it was the words spoken by a familiar voice that caused Ranma's eyes to widen, her pupils shrinking to pin-pricks. "Ah, this room looks good!"

Grabbing Konoka's hand, Ranma dashed into the futon closet, silently thankful the room had been laid out earlier and that there was no need for anyone to open it. Pushing Konoka in ahead of her, the redhead pulled the slatted closet door closed, just as the Furosawas entered the room, both of them clearly quite tipsy from sweet sake.

Cursing quietly enough for only her companion as audience to hear, Ranma turned where she lay on her side, facing the girl. "Alright, I was hoping to avoid just this kind of thing," she muttered, reaching up to rub at her temple where the headache from earlier in the afternoon was returning with a vengeance. "Kono-chan..."

"Ranma-san," the girl whispered, her eyes widening slightly at what she saw begin to take place over the redhead's shoulder. "...why are we hiding? We work here!"

Wincing, Ranma fidgeted slightly. "We... we really shouldn't ruin the mood. It's why they come to the Garden," she explained, trying to tune out the noises that were beginning behind her. "This is what I meant by this being a couple's inn. People come here to be... intimate."

Konoka's attention snapped to the redhead, as she blinked owlishly at the martial artist. Licking her lips slightly, she took a small breath. "You mean..."

"People make reservations here, to have a romantic setting where they can focus on having sex," Ranma whispered her reply, blushing hotly as the woman in the room behind her cried out loudly. "Oh kami, I forgot she was a screamer."

That caused a hard stop in the younger woman's thinking. "Wait," she hissed, "how do you know that?"

"Onsen. Twice."

Her mouth working silently for a moment, Konoka's mind seemed to catch up with what was implied as a blush to match Ranma's hair bloomed on her face. "You... watched them?"

Shaking her head rapidly, Ranma stared resolutely at Konoka, refusing to turn toward the noise at her back. "I stay by the doors, heating sake or waiting for someone to call for towels or something," she quietly replied, refusing to comment on the one couple that had began their activities while she was there. "But... that's not much of a barrier. It's easy for sound to carry."

"And this is what you wanted to talk to me about?" Konoka asked with a thread of incredulity in her voice.

"I was going to explain it and make sure you were alright with working in a place like this, but that craziness with Sensei came up and, well..." she trailed off as Konoka's mouth opened in a silent 'o', her eyes growing huge. "Oh boy."

The two went silent as the sounds of furious sex from outside in the room picked up, making their whispered conversations impossible regardless. Ranma tried to keep her eyes in a neutral location, but her companion's posture, the nature of her dress, and the younger girl's labored breath were playing havoc with her kimono, exposing more and more of the expanse of skin just below Konoka's collar and the curve of her neck.

Konoka was staring unblinkingly at the spectacle playing out between the rather attractive young couple, eyes fixed on her first real exposure to physical intimacy in any form. Myriad impressions zipped through her mind, as the couple expressed themselves, unknowingly playing to a literal captive audience. She boggled at how the woman could accommodate her lover, having never witnessed the mechanics of the physical act before, but currently spared nothing thanks to the couple's very enthusiastic acts.

The dialog had almost as much of an impact on her, as her eyes were drawn to the motion of the woman's body, driven by her lover in ways she'd not imagined before. Seeing her explosive reactions sparked curiosity on Konoka's part, and despite herself she wondered if she too would react so, to a lover. Would she be as vocal, as demanding? Would her arms and legs draw her partner in love in as well? To say a number of her preconceptions and views were violently readjusted would be understatement, at that point.

Though she did consider her life somewhat sheltered, once she began attending Mahora, that had broken down quite a lot. She made friends, and being a girl's school, conversation sometimes strayed to boys and what this or that girl thought was attractive, or who. She'd been so shy and hesitant in the beginning when those talks happened that most assumed wrongly that she had a boyfriend 'back home' or something more fantastic – some lifetime fiance, or a promised prince waiting for her.

Later, her grandfather's hobby of setting up marriage interviews for her disabused the young woman of many of her own fantasies. Recalling that her own parents were married by such an arrangement, one made for political purposes rather than love, she began to despair almost as she'd began becoming interested in such things that she'd never have a romantic moment of her own. Moments like those in the manga and stories her classmates found so interesting, where she began to cultivate those dreams. Oh, and there were so many of them, too, and so many interesting ideas... She was particularly fond of that one with the fencing girl who saved the princess who was made a prize by her callous brother, in some grand tournament that determined the fate of the world.

It simply struck a chord with her, for some reason.

Parting her lips to ease her breathing, she panted slightly, eyes half closing. "...too warm in here," she whined.

Ranma's eyes glazed over at the unintentionally erotic sight. "Konoka..."

"Ranma-san?"

The redhead blinked and shook herself, realizing that the noises behind her had gone quiet. "Oh. Are they...?"

Konoka nodded, though she made no effort to move. Swallowing thickly, she spared her companion a flushed smile. "I'm not upset, you know. I'm... glad I can work in a place like this."

"Eh?" Ranma blinked, vague notions that Konoka was a very stealthy pervert raging to the fore.

Rather, the girl's thoughts earlier had crystallized. "Some day, I think grandfather will arrange my marriage for me," the younger woman explained frankly, her hands moving up to loosen her kimono's collar from the heat. "I don't know if I'll ever get to be in love. Not like that couple was. So... I think I can find a little happiness, a little love of my own, knowing I'm helping those who are truly in love have a place to make such memories."

Her words striking a familiar chord in the redhead, Ranma sobered quickly, her hazed thoughts receding. "Yeah... I can definitely understand what you mean." Turning her head for a moment, she noted that the Furosawas were gone, apparently wandering off to either their own room, or more likely, back to the onsen again to cause her more work. "I'm glad you're not upset though. I was worried."

"Why?"

Ranma laughed quietly. "That you'd think I was a pervert, working here. For bringing you to a place like this." Her smiled turned wry. "That you'd not want to be my friend anymore, after you found out."

Konoka smiled warmly, shaking her head. "You didn't know, when you came for your interview did you?" Seeing her companion indicate a negative, her smile grew a bit wider. "Then, how could you be blamed? Besides, this doesn't change anything that I like about the Garden. Just adds a new facet. Given, it is an unusual one to find myself witnessing," she added dryly.

Reassured and feeling much better now that the cat was out of the bag, Ranma breathed a sigh, giggling quietly as the action unintentionally caused her bust to press against her companion's own from their close quarters. "Sorry," she noted, pausing at the distracted look in the other girl's eyes. "Konoka-chan?"

"Hmm?" Blinking, the younger girl smiled brightly. "Sorry, was just... lost in thought for a moment," she replied, another blush replacing the one that had faded recently. She had not expected such incidental contact to be so electric. Obviously the display had affected her quite strongly, she admitted to herself, as her blush rose. "Ranma-san...?"

Ranma abandoned the idea of sitting up from under the futon shelf, deciding to just wriggle free once the door was opened. "Yeah?"

"Do you think," Konoka paused for a moment, reaching out a hand to lay on Ranma's shoulder, to make her companion still, instead of shuffle about as she had been. "Do you think some day I could... come here with someone special too?"

Her nerve failing, Ranma sucked in a breath and pushed the door behind her open with her foot. "Oh, sure thing!" She blurted, laughing nervously as she quickly backed out of the futon closet, rolling to her feet in a maneuver that should have been impossible in a kimono. "Konoka-chan is... is a lovely girl. I'm sure one day you'll find a handsome guy that you'd want to share something like that with," she babbled, turning to adjust her clothing and gather up the now-sweaty futon that had been laid out, clearly uncomfortable.

Frowning thoughtfully, Konoka exited the small closet as well, raising a hand to help, only for Ranma to flash an obviously fake smile and shake her head. "I have this. Why don't you get the tea set and run it down to the kitchen and Nonohara-kacho? Let her know we're done, so she won't get cranky." Turning again, she busied herself folding and sorting the mattress and the sheets.

Her frown becoming a quiet sigh, Konoka nodded. She'd missed something... something important again. "Then, I'll talk to you later, Ranma-san," she excused herself with a small bow, not sure what else to say.

Once the other girl had closed the door behind her, Ranma's frantic motion died away, the futon falling from her hands with a muffled thump. "Stupid..." she swallowed the lump in her throat, growling at the stinging in her eyes. "Real stupid, getting caught up in the moment like that," laughing bitterly, she cursed as one of them broke into a sob. "Should know better by now. Love isn't something you'll find in this world, baka."

Ranma beat against her temple lightly with her fist. "Better get that girl out of your head. No way that'll ever happen. Not for a freak you. Those people in Nerima were right," she declared with a note of finality, huffing out a breath as if to banish the thought along with it. "Right. Back to work."

Scrubbing the back of her hand across her traitor eyes, Ranma gave into the biting need to sink into the Soul of Ice to counter the emotional roller-coaster her unbalanced ki was driving her along. As the temperature in the room dropped, so did the ache in her heart, as the void there was filled with snow. It wouldn't last – it never did. But for now, the ache would be numbed for a while. Painting on a smile that wasn't so obviously strained as simply false, she gathered the futon with precise motions before returning to her duties.

The rest of he night passed without incident, and if she seemed less warm and sincere, no one commented on it. The sake was warm, and the onsen the perfect temperature.

As she and Konoe left for the afternoon, they picked up their schedules. Nonohara was quietly pleased that the Dean's granddaughter would be returning, though she noted something of a chill between the previously close girls she'd hired. Frowning, she shot a pointed look to Ranma, only to blink at the dead gaze and plastic smile she returned.

Vowing to figure this new development out, the inn manager snapped her fan open, mind a-whirr as her newest source of entertainment and help walked off toward the Academy an arm-length away from one another.

Alone in his apartment, Ranma relaxed after a scalding bath, cracking open a can of tea he held in a hand. "Man... today was some kind of crazy," he muttered, slumping into a chair, letting the remnants of the day fade now that it was drawing to a close. The living room to his apartment was a combination type, with the kitchen nearby, though like the bedroom it had more western accents that he was used to. A wide couch and a small single-person recliner were situated a few feet from the low table and mats more common in a traditional home. It was like some kind of fusion thing Ninomiya-sensei had favored, he recalled.

It was strange, but it was home. In a way, it helped define the room, he supposed. "Maybe I'll get a TV later," he muttered quietly, looking around the room, placing odd furnishings in his mind, discarding them for others. Basically anything he could do to keep his mind off of the day.

"Master doesn't need noisy box," his Shikigami chirped, cradling a slice of apple in her hand. "Master has Suzu. Suzu will keep Master happy."

Ranma smiled, reaching out to fluff the tiny girl's hair with his finger, eliciting a pleased chirp. "You're a sweet one. I shouldn't get you so many apples, you're turning into sugar, little Bee." His smile grew at bit at her blush, as she busied herself with her treat. Memories of another's blush dimmed his expression, though he cast those thoughts aside quickly. Counterproductive.

"Are you looking forward to meeting some new people, tomorrow? Make some friends?"

The Shikigami paused, regarding him with a tilted head for a moment. "Suzu will do her best. Suzu only wants to be useful for Master. Others not important to Suzu."

He hummed at that, shaking his head. "Silly little Bee. But that's just how you are. I think you'll get along well with Chacha-chan, though. She and you are a lot alike."

Suzumebachi considered that with a small frown. "She is Shikigami like Suzu?"

"Not quite. She's an artificial girl. Someone made her."

The little summon blinked behind her bangs in confusion. "Suzu has parents. Parents made Suzu. Does this make Suzu artificial too?"

It was Ranma's turn to be confused, though that only lasted long enough for him to laugh. "No, it's not quite the same. Though, I suppose in her own way, she has parents too. Suzu is a smart girl," he praised, grinning as the little wasp summon beamed at his praise. "She teaches me how people are really just the people, no matter where they come from, or how they get here."

"Suzu happy that Master is happy," the tiny girl chirped, deciding she preferred Ranma's shoulder to her spot on the table.

The relaxing interlude was broken as the intercom buzzer rang. Ranma regarded the thing blankly for a moment, forgetting what it was for till the memory of the landlady describing it came back to mind on the second ring. "Gah, hold on!"

"Waaah!" Ranma's sudden lunge for the buzzer caused Suzumebachi to flail and grab onto his shirt frantically, as she was nearly unseated, bouncing around madly as the martial artist stumbled around to the wall.

"Uh, how's this... this one?"

The intercom crackled to life, "Auu, hello?"

Ranma went deathly still and stared at the small box, disbelieving what he just heard. Raising his hand, the martial artist paused, before pressing the outbound key. "Hello? Who is it?" Not that he didn't know already.

Silence reigned for a heartbeat, before Konoka's voice returned, more unsteady than before. "Ah. I'm sorry, I was looking for Ranma Saotome. I think I have the wrong address... Please forgive the intrusi-"

"Hold on, I'll open the gate," he called down, before pressing the key that would unlock the outer door. Immediately after, he made sure the intercom was off, before smacking his head against the wall. "...what am I doing?"

"Master?"

"Oh, crap."

Konoka hesitantly climbed the steps up to the third and last floor of the off-campus apartments, wondering if she wrote down Ranma's address wrong. She'd met the redhead outside the building twice now, in the mornings before class, but hadn't yet actually gone up to her apartment. Time or opportunity never presented themselves, something she'd hoped to fix, before the day's madness. She still wanted to – her friendships weren't so fickle as to be swept away so easily. Setsuna was proof of that. Konoka knew she still harbored deep affection for the girl, but had yet to really reestablish contact. Though, it wasn't for lack of trying. For some reason the girl form her childhood just wouldn't let her get close – and it frustrated her to no end! Still, she planned to take advantage of Ranma's advice there, and be persistent. She would make contact again, and she would close that distance.

However, it wasn't Setsuna that was causing her problems, currently. She didn't know why she'd thought that things would be the same back at her dorm, considering she shared a room with all three of the people on the 'other side' of the conflict that day. It was true that she'd had a lot more to say to Asuna at the time, but after her shift at the Garden and the odd mood Ranma had been in, the usually chipper and cheerful girl found herself wanting nothing but a good night's sleep and a mild case of amnesia.

Her tenacity in keeping what friends she had, Konoka knew, was likely the only reason she counted Negi and Asuna in that category at all at the moment after what had happened after her shift at the inn. Returning to her dorm so soon after things, or maybe without immediate closure had been a mistake, she understood now. Having all night to sit and stew amongst themselves, Negi, Asuna, and Chamo had entrenched themselves in justifications, new research proving that Eva wasn't just a vampire, but one with a price on her head, and that surprisingly enough, Ranma Saotome didn't exist.

It had taken all the training from her time in Kyoto, raised as an heir to her father's name to keep her composure – but she had. She had suffered through their speeches, their explanations, their justifications for nearly an hour before sighing and putting her now-cold tea down with a very final-sounding clink. In the silence that had come after, she had quietly stood again from where Asuna had sat her down near the table, and started collecting clothing and books into an overnight bag. Finding her underwear drawer empty, she calmly closed it before sending her diminutive teacher a look that told him who specifically she held responsible. Konoka ignored the ermine's sputtered excuses, much like she had ignored his presence entirely that night, as she collected her belongings from his bedding.

As she packed her laundry bag full of underthings she refused to wear until they'd been washed, Konoka thought about what she was doing, and where she was planning to go. Or, rather, where she hadn't planned to go.

The problem was, it had grown to the point where all of it was just too much. The day had seriously taxed her, and though she could probably go and find Yue, she had no idea if her roommate would be willing to let her stay there for the day or two she needed to settle her mind.

Apparently her actions made Asuna desperate, causing the energetic girl to fix on Ranma for the next quarter of an hour as she packed, in the hopes of disproving the redhead's words earlier, Konoka assumed. She'd glanced at the picture they printed out of the only Ranma Saotome on record anywhere, seeing a reasonably attractive young man, maybe a year or two older than herself. Something of the picture made her pause, however. It tickled at her memory, refusing to surface, though she admitted as she had walked later, it might have been due to the fact the redhead she knew resembled the young man quite a lot.

Konoka wasn't beyond being logical, in fact, she was more than a little worried about what they were saying. That, however, made no difference at all in what had happened that day. Enough, was simply, enough. Turning to address the room finally while shrugging off Asuna's hand on her shoulder, she stated, "I'm disappointed in you all. You're behaving like children, trying to justify yourselves out of your own guilt." Rather than say more, she simply left, knowing that if she remained at the dorm that she'd get no peace either, and didn't trust herself to be civil if things continued as they had. She just needed a little time to get her head wrapped around everything. That was all.

But, that need didn't get her a place to sleep that night.

That only left one possible destination, though it wasn't one she consciously decided on. She'd not known where she was going initially, but her feet had carried her to Ranma's apartment complex more or less automatically. Which brought her back to the current moment, standing in a darkened hallway, with a single rectangle of light some distance ahead.

A silhouette was outlined by that lighted portal, and it wasn't one she was expecting. Coming closer, she stared in confusion and a little fear at the person standing there, where she'd expected her friend to be. In fact, had she not been having the kind of day it had been, she'd honestly have thought she was dreaming, or her mind was playing tricks on her.

In the doorway to what she had though was her friend Ranma's apartment, stood someone else she had been told bore that name. Only, this was a somewhat tall young man, with black hair had the same eyes and bearing as her classmate. He even had the same hairstyle. With all that had happened that day, it wasn't a large leap in logic to make, as a memory from before term placed the young man. "You're her, aren't you? Ranma-chan, I mean."

The young man had frowned for a moment, a thoughtful look on his face before nodding. "Yeah. Well, at least now you know why I dislike magic so much. Come on in. I'll... go change or something."

She waved the offer off, as she slipped her shoes off by the door tiredly. "Don't worry about it. This is your home. Though," she considered, looking up at the young man with an expectant stare, "I'm not going to let this one go till 'later'."

He had managed a little laugh, before guiding her inside his home. Konoka smiled privately, easily recognizing that sound, even if it was coming from a different face. "Fine, but frankly, I'm beat so you can grill me in the morning. You can take the bedroom, I'll be fine on a futon out here."

"But-"

"No buts," the male Ranma countered, taking the girl's bag and her arm in hand. "It's been a hell of a day, and we're both probably exhausted. Tomorrow's a Sunday – I got nothing to do till later in the day, so we can talk all you want. For now, go sleep it off, and get some peace and quiet."

At those magic words, Konoka beamed a smile and nodded. "Right. I'll see you in the morning, Ranma-chan."

"Oi, I'm a boy here!"

"So. What are your thoughts?"

Takahata sat, as did the other mages within Konoemon's circle of trust, at a large table, located in a small adjacent room to his office. Dimensionally adjacent – only those with the proper pass could hope to enter. Such was the level of secrecy needed for some of the discussions that the Kantō Magic Association had.

Ones much like the present, the graying teacher noted while running a hand through his hair. "She is willing to learn, an apt pupil, and so far, has shown remarkable moral fiber."

"Is that what you call her choice in workplace, Takahata?"

The man in question raised a brow at his associate, the often-overlooked Seruhiko. "No. I call that filling an employment contract that she insisted on requesting," he explained as if to a child. "You know – taking responsibility for your actions."

Seruhiko's frown became a near-scowl. "So, she should also be held accountable for the Dean's granddaughter being exposed to such things? I see."

Patience withering, Takahata leaned his elbows on the table, directing a blasé but heavy stare at the younger man. "Look, kid. You want to earn your spot here being a yes-man toady, do it on your own time, not when the adults are at the table. Try and pretend to have something between your ears, or don't open your mouth. Got it?"

The young man looked to be ready to take his aggravation and bring it to a physical level, but was cut off by the Dean himself. "Takahata's words aren't the most considerate, but his message does apply. Seruhiko. Please leave such sentiments at the door, for these meetings."

Swallowing thickly, the young teacher nodded, refusing to meet the eyes of anyone present.

"That said, I admit to being less than pleased that my granddaughter has not only been exposed to such an environment, but has also proven willing to continue such exposure on her own," the older man admitted. "In the future, perhaps some steps will be needed to address this.

"That however isn't the concern for the moment," Konoemon pointed out. "As the closest in contact with Saotome, what do you have to report, Takahata? I think after our initial exposure and the lack of incidents up till now, her personality has been proven relatively clear. She doesn't seem to be the instigating party in much of her recorded history, merely the lynchpin. Now that she's free of those situations, things seem rather calm, and Saotome appears eager to continue that trend.

"Surveillance will still continue, as her potential remains worrisome. If something does happen, I would rather know quickly, so we can react to contain and minimize the damage," the old man concluded, voicing his views so far to those present. "Now, on to why we are here. Let us begin with ability."

Takahata leaned back in his chair, the middling-aged teacher humming in thought. "She lacks some of the basic needs one requires to succeed as any kind of mage, the least of which actually being the training. Honestly, she'd do better as a Ministra than a Magistra. Saotome's martial training, mindset, and sheer power simply make her an ideal subject for a Pactio..."

"But?"

"But, she won't admit that she needs that kind of support," Takahata explained. "Her pride in herself and way of thought regarding magic directly conflict with that system. Trying to push her into accepting magic as necessary would be... a herculean effort at best."

Konoemon nodded, looking troubled. "She truly hates magic that much?"

The teacher could only shrug. "I can't say to what degree, but a general yes applies. Perhaps she could be convinced it's a necessary evil, but I'd almost fear more what would cause that kind of paradigm shift in her. Hell, I almost shudder to think what kind of Magi would be needed to Contract her," he admitted, scrubbing a hand through his hair. "Be that as it may, I have no solid idea. The girl willingly discusses ki theory and martial principal with me, but beyond that, she's a closed book. She's so internalized that her outward reactions are always schooled, even when her emotions take to the fore. Saotome does not lose control – and that is the basic problem.

"Suggesting she take a Contract with someone as subordinate would simply be pointless. It goes against everything that's built her up to this point, as that puts her not only under a mage – which she won't abide – but also implies her own skills and abilities aren't sufficient." Takahata pointed out.

Gandolfini grunted in irritation at the conundrum. "I'd say simply putting her in a position that shows she has no other way to overcome it would be the best option, but as Takahata indicated, her current abilities make such a thing unthinkable to orchestrate. The collateral damage would be immense based solely on her previous pre-Jusendo record, I would question the sanity of anyone that would do so, regardless of the benefits gained," he concluded. "Pactio do not by necessity provide power – some are nearly useless. Personality, ability, skill, and some kernel of the inner self all go into an Artifact's creation. We have no guarantee that Saotome's would be something worthwhile."

"Yet her focus solely on ki limits her," Konoemon argued. "Each world has a way to pass on the power of one to another. Here, the rigidity of laws that govern nature allow technology to flourish, where in other worlds the same must be accomplished by magic or ki. One can use their power to build an engine of war, and simply hand such a formidable force to another – and such is Pactio. A method to transfer magical power.

"We have lost the knowledge of what the world of spirit considered equivalent, and until we discover it... Saotome will remain an untapped resource, I fear." Peaking his fingers, the old man considered a thought. "Perhaps a different approach to forming a Pactio would work better. Less subordinate than equal share... hrm."

While the Dean muttered to himself, Takahata took off his glasses, his mouth a fine line of annoyance. "Forgive me, but there's one thing I don't understand," he commented into the silence after the Dean's words. "Why is she so important?"

"Simple," the Dean answered amicably. "She is a resource, and a rare one. There are exceedingly few that have her capacity for ki, and fewer still those who would willingly associate with not only humans, but mages. That rarity aside, she would be a dire threat if recruited by Kansai against us."

Takahata's expression soured. "So, on top of everything else, we're keeping a potential Ace out of the other Magic Association's hands. What if she decides to 'defect' on her own?"

"I'm afraid that simply can't be allowed," Konoe answered gravely. "Though we aren't openly antagonistic, the rivalry between the lower ranks of either side would tempt someone to act irrationally. We may have a tentative truce with Kansai thanks to some political maneuvering on my part, however there are clear instances of anti-Western sentiment throughout Japan still. Those acts far outstrip anything outside of a large organization, in terms of coordination and resources." Smoothing down his mustache with a sigh, the Dean shook his head. "No, it's bad enough that Kansai's dissidents openly recruit and hire local talent against us, through third parties – if they had a resource like Saotome, things would get ugly, quickly."

"The decision to retain Saotome's presence isn't simply political," Tōko Kuzunoha pointed out, in her position as leader of the Mage's Association's operations director. "There are also tactical situations to consider. She also levels the field to a degree, as very few Eastern mages would openly work with such a Western organization, and we are in a somewhat disadvantageous position."

"What stance does the Shinmei-ryū have on such things?" Seruhiko asked.

The bespectacled swordswoman spared the man a curious glance. "There is an alliance in place, though the School has no obligation to assist either Association, or bar assistance in turn. The individual is free to make that decision. I would have expected you to know that, considering the marriage between the Dean's daughter and the Aoyama family.

"As I was saying, this is Kansai's home territory, ultimately. Saotome presents an opportunity to study and better understand those systems, in a way that doesn't break any truces or agreements. With both the Shinmei-ryū and an understanding of such things in place, if conflict arises, in time we'll be able to counter Kansai's advances easily. We have the opportunity to gain that knowledge, if she will cooperate with us."

"There are also other concerns," Konoe added with a grave expression. "What we know about the magical world – the one separate from our own – points at something cataclysmic approaching, and the key to staving such an event off may lie not in that world or our own, but in another.

"Balance has been lost, between the three worlds," Konoemon explained. "That balance not only allows the bounties of each to ebb and flow between them, but supports them on a fundamental level. Without magic, ki, and law, the world we know wouldn't exist. The situation is no different for the other realms."

His brow creased, Gandolfini shook his head slowly. "But... the spirit world was lost. Sealed away as it literally shattered in what was called a Riftwar, to prevent its death from taking the other worlds with it," the mage tried to reason out. "This is basic history. If the world of spirit, this place where ki is prevalent above all other energies, still exists... then why haven't we made contact again? Why haven't they?"

"That is the question I wonder if Ranma will answer for us, some day soon."

Ranma woke to the smell of breakfast being cooked, and relaxed into the futon with a happy mumble. She was a little uncomfortable, though it wasn't too much of a worry – the coverlet had just shifted from her wing getting tangled—

Her eyes shot open, and the redhead bolted upright from her slow waking, startling Konoka as she cursed from having slammed her foot into the nearby table. "Ranma-san? Are you... alright..."

The quiet girl had been working on breakfast after waking at her usual time. She hoped Ranma didn't mind, but the little domestic things like cooking and tidying after herself helped center her thoughts, which was something she desperately needed after all that had happened yesterday. Then, there were the memories... that had been another thing to deal with, but not last night. She would think on them in time, but not now. One thing at a time.

Having woken earlier than her host, she was somewhat surprised to find the familiar form of her classmate where the young man had been the night before, though she looked cold with her blankets thrown to the side as they were. Her sense of propriety and privacy didn't let her eyes linger, which was likely why she missed the wings twitching under the blankets in question, as the redhead slept and dreamed on after they'd stolen her bedding.

Which lead directly to the young woman, spatula in hand, left staring openly as a groggy Ranma with one wing trailing a blanket that was tangled around it, the other arching up to scratch at her temple with its crook. Turning on her heel, the Dean's granddaughter returned to the kitchen, worrying about her eggs.

Ranma just blinked, anxiety spiking through her stomach roughly. "Uh... Konoka-chan?"

"Yes Ranma... chan?" The girl called back, voice muffled by the walls.

Closing her eyes tightly, the redhead slumped. "...never mind. I'm going to get the furo warmed up."

"Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes," Konoka called out after, in a distracted tone.

The martial artist merely shook her head, muttering about 'the second coming of Kasumi' as she set the temperature and fill-timer on the heated tub. Leaving before the humidity could foul her wings, the redhead moved to the living room, poking around at the floor and her blankets for her mala. Having found nothing, she panicked slightly, wracking her brain for where she may have misplaced it. "Um, Konoka-chan? Did you happen to see that string of beads I always carry anywhere?"

Poking her head around the corner, the younger girl's eyes briefly rested on Ranma's wings before moving back to her face. "There was a string of them on your nightstand this morning."

"Suzu," Ranma realized. She'd been more or less programmed to retrieve her beads any time they weren't where they were supposed to be, and considering her usual routine, in the living room counted. Likely the little Shikigami was tired herself, and just moved on automatic, forgetting Ranma had let Konoka sleep in her bed last night. Thanking the apron-wearing girl, she dashed for her room, missing the intense gaze of her house-guest.

Sealed and wingless, Ranma sat on one of the stools situated at the divider between kitchen and living room, watching as Konoka cooked, humming quietly. "You know," she began, getting the girl's attention, "you didn't have to do that."

"I like to cook," Konoka offered, sparing the redhead a small smile which became bemused at the lack of wings the redhead reappeared with. "Besides, there was a lot you promised to explain today."

Nodding, Ranma fidgeted with her mala. "Yeah, suppose so. Well, may as well start, though there's someone I'd like to introduce you to first." Hoping for the best, she nevertheless planned for the worst, palming the only apple not locked in a cupboard into her pocket. "Suzu, come out!"

Konoka blinked at the sudden call, having not seen or heard another person in the young woman's – man's? Classmate's, she decided – apartment the night before. She stared as a small blur darted her by, ducking behind the redhead as it passed her. "Ranma-chan, who are you yelling for?" She asked quietly, hoping for no more massive surprises.

"Suzurin," Ranma beckoned, using the most affectionate name she knew for the little summon, "come up and say hello." Slow and wary, a tiny form was revealed as it climbed over Ranma's shoulder, clinging to her hair and clothing as if preparing to dive back behind her at the slightest provocation. "Konoka-chan, this is my Shikigami and friend, Suzumebachi. She was around last night, but I had her stay out of sight, since we'd both had a few too many surprises. She's a little shy now, but she's normally very protective of me," the redhead explained, hoping the younger girl got her message clearly. "I've never had friends over with her, so she doesn't know how to really behave around them."

Konoka stared at the tiny figure as it seemed to fidget with its hands, before sweeping around the counter and right next to Ranma with a speed the martial artist hadn't expected. "Oh, she is just so darling," the younger girl gushed, causing a fierce blush to bloom on the tiny girl's cheeks. "You're name is Suzumebachi? I'm so very pleased to meet you," Konoka offered, smiling brightly. "My name is Konoka Konoe, but please call me Konoka."

Put on the spot, the little summon could do nothing but stutter and cling to Ranma's collar. "S-S-Suzu is happy to meet Mistress's friend," she managed finally. Seeming to find a bit of her usual steel, the wasp-spirit peered from under her bangs, her eyes glinting golden. "Konoe-sama is Mistress's friend?"

Konoka frowned a little at the address, but having dealt with it for most of her life in one way or another, got over it quickly to address the pointed question she was asked. "Yes, I am. I also work with her, and go to class with her as well."

Something seemed to click from that comment in the tiny girl's mind, and her posture suddenly became something less nervous as polite. Demure, even. "Suzu cannot always go with Mistress," the summon began quickly. "Cannot watch over Mistress some times."

Ranma blinked, before realizing what her sneaky little Bee was up to, "Now, Suzu-"

Quickly, before she could be interrupted, the tiny girl continued, "Suzu wonders if Konoe-sama would watch over Mistress when Suzu cannot? Please?"

Quite taken with the little girl, Konoka beamed and nodded happily, "Well, it is a friend's job to do things like that. So! I promise to watch over Ranma-chan, alright Suzurin? Is that good enough?"

Ranma, seeing the perfect opportunity, and feeling the need to derail her Shikigami's overprotective nature, palmed the apple again, deftly tossing it to Konoka. "Oh! Well look at that Suzu! It seems Kono-chan brought you an apple for breakfast. How thoughtful of her!"

Konoka blinked at the fruit suddenly in her hands, having caught it more out of reflex than anything. "Ara?" She paused, literally feeling the intensity of the tiny girl's gaze on her.

"Can... Can Suzu have the apple for breakfast?" The tiny girl asked, nose cutely twitching beneath her bangs as she faintly vibrated with expectation.

The Dean's granddaughter smiled, "Of course! Would you like me to cut it into wedges for you?"

The wasp Shikigami blushed. "Ah... Suzu can do so herself, but if Konoka-sama offers, Suzu would not object," she stated, hands twisting together while her foot toed at Ranma's shoulder.

Ranma stared in confusion, before turning to whisper at the tiny girl. "Are you flirting with Kono-chan?"

Suzumebachi squeaked and hid behind Ranma's shoulder again, earning the redhead a scowl from her coworker. "Ranma-chan! You can't ask such a thing so bluntly! Take a girl's heart into consideration!"

Mouth working silently, the martial artist wondered what the hell just happened, and why suddenly she was the subject of two disapproving stares. "I... you know, three years as one, and I still don't get women," she muttered, slumping against the counter with a huff.

Konoka smiled and slid a plate full of eggs and toast in front of her, and a minute later, one with a neatly wedged and peeled apple beside it.

She had made a friend for life, if Suzu's watery eyes were any indication.

AN: Fixed an issue where I messed up my timeline. (Kyoto reference out of order, adjusted)
Next up should be either Eclipsed or something new. Yes, again. Nyahaha~
(and that's your hint)