Hero Needed

Disclaimer: Ranma and all characters from the Ranma1/2 series are the sole property of the Queen of Anime Rumiko Takahashi

Chapter 2: A Quiet Room

The low hum of machines and steady beat of the heart monitor were the only sounds to be heard in the tidy one-bed hospital room. Akane lay on the bed with an IV strapped to each of her wrists but her lightly closed eyes and slightly tousled hair gave the illusion of a light doze. The window ledge to the right of the bed was crammed with vases of flowers and get-well cards and a chair sat at the head of the bed on each side. The chair next to the window on the right was occupied by a woman who appeared to be in her early thirties. She had her fingers curled around Akane's hand, soothingly drawing small circles across the back of her hand with her thumb. She rested her head next to Akane's on the pillow, her long chestnut brown hair gathered over her shoulder as she hummed an old lullaby their mother used to sing.

The door opened quietly and Nabiki the middle sister stepped in. Her perfectly cropped short hair and expertly tailored suit did little to hide the tension lurking behind her normally cool demeanor. "Has anything changed?"

A soft sigh escaped Kasumi's lips as she responded "No, the doctors don't know how long she'll be like this… every now and then it looks like she is about to wake up, but then nothing… but the doctors say there is still hope, she still has brain activity… Have you heard anything about where Ranma is?"

"I still can't find him; it's already been three days…" Frustration was evident in her tone as she continued. "It's like he dropped off the face of the earth." She pulled the chair on the left closer to the bed and twined her fingers with those of her younger sister. "It's never taken me this long to find someone in my entire life…" An uncharacteristic tear rolled down her cheek as she rested her head on the mattress.

"I know you'll find him. In the meantime we'll just have to tighten security and be more careful…"

"I've already started to track down anyone that knows him and I'm calling on Kirin and his team… I just can't trust the cops around here… they have no idea what Ryoga is capable of… and wouldn't believe us about his curse if we told them… we need experienced help."

"Yes, we do. You know, I never thought I'd be happy to know you had a camera set up to watch the store. It's a little disconcerting to know my sister is being watched all the time…"

"Hn… it was just supposed to be for security reasons, I never thought that He would show up again… we should have let her make the damn curry."

Silence stretched between the women for a while, each occupied with their own thoughts.

Suddenly Kasumi said "I bet you knew Detective Oneha came in while you were gone. He said the tape will be used as evidence against Ryoga."

"Yeah. There's something else… I haven't found the Girls yet. I didn't think anything of it when the Nekohatten was closed, I just figured she'd headed back to China, but it seems Ukyo's been gone for a while and you know how she's been chained to that restaurant since he left."

"Oh my, it did seem as if she and Konatsu were getting closer… so sad."

"Kodachi and Akari haven't been seen in the last few weeks either. I don't know if he's involved, but I'm not a big believer in coincidence."

Suddenly the cell phone in Nabiki's purse began to vibrate. She looked at the name then flipped it open and put it to her ear. "Tendo here, do you have any new news for me?"

"Yes ma'am, we've found Saotome Ranma, he's in the Philippines on a tiny island off the coast of Manila. We are making preparations to bring him to you."

"And you've double verified it is him?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Good, hold the plane until I get there, this is something I need to do myself. Understood?"

"Yes ma'am, the flight is ready for take-off."

"Good, also I need you to send a reinforcing guard to the Hannah William's Hospital… and Erica, send the Nekonron Team, they will tie this to their honor."

"Yes ma'am, anything else?"

"No, that'll be it for now. Thank you Erica, let me know if anything changes or you receive an update to Hibiki's whereabouts." She snapped her phone closed and looked at Kasumi. "I'll be back as soon as I can. Ranma is somewhere in the Philippines. Whether he does this for sentimental reasons, the goodness of his heart, pride, pay or blackmail, I swear I'll bring him back somehow."

"I know you will Nabiki. Go. Kirin and his team will help Tofu and I guard Akane. We will be safe when you return." Nabiki nodded, bent down and brushed a kiss across Akane's brow then she gave her older sister a hug and kiss before rushing out to the airport.