I know two years is a long time, and most people probably thought it was dead, but I've always been thinking about it.

Anywho, here's the first bit.

ClubCafé presents

The Widow :: Chapter 7

Ranma woke the next morning free of a hangover, but feeling incredibly hungry, which in itself was not abnormal. Chuckling at the thought of marketing a martial artist metabolism program, he began digging through his fridge, pulling out ingredients for his breakfast. Setting a few things out on the counter, and the rest on the stove, he was about to pull out a bowl when he saw his mobile on next to the microwave, the message light blinking slowly, indicating a new voice message. Pulling out a medium sized bowl and placing the rest of his breakfast ingredients in it, he walked over and keyed into the voice mail menu. After entering his password, he held the device to his ear and waited for the message to play. After a short pause he was greeted by the voice of Nabiki Tendo.

"Ranma-kun, hey it's Nabiki. Long time, right? Anyways, I got some vacation time this week and was wondering if it'd be ok to drop by, you know, see how things are going? Kasumi's told me a little but about what's been up lately, and I'd like to thank you. Anyways, gimme a call whenever you get this. Bye bye!"

After deleting he message, Ranma made a mental note to call Nabiki after breakfast. It had been about six months since he last saw the second Tendo daughter, during Christmas break. It had been a fluke meeting, but had turned out a lot better than he would have thought. They were both shopping for gifts in Akihabara, much to Nabiki's chagrin, when they crossed paths while looking at mobile phones. His had broken during a street fight and Nabiki just wanted a newer model. He hadn't recognized her at all, but she had jumped nearly a meter into the air, yelling his name and pointing. She had changed her look completely. Her hair was now long and she wore stylish glasses, which she said she now needed after burning out her eyes studying to get into Todai. It gave her a very business woman look which he had commented on, saying it looked quite good. They both shared at laugh when she brought up the fact that he had a mobile and the both of them traded contact information afterwards.

Smiling at the memories, Ranma cleaned up after his meal and put everything away before finding Nabiki's number in is contact list. The dial tone sounded twice before he heard Nabiki's voice.

"Ranma! Good to hear from you so quickly! How are you?"

"Great, yourself?"

"Excellent now that I'm on vacation!" Nabiki said with a smile clear in her voice.

"That's good to hear. What're you up to then?"

"Well, right now I'm shopping…"

"Haha why am I not surprised."

"Yeah yeah, anyways, I'm fairly close to your place, so would it be alright if I swung by today?"

"Yeah sure, as long as we're done before two. I'm volunteering at the hospital today."

"Oh ho volunteer work! Didn't think it was in you Ranma-kun."

"Well things change you know."

"That they do. Two is perfect though, I was thinking we could do lunch at that Italian spot I saw by your place."

"On me of course?" Ranma said with an accusing grin.

"Don't be silly, I'm dragging you out, so it's my treat."

"Seriously?"

"Don't be like that Ranma-kun, things change you know." The playfulness of her voice was easily picked up.

"That they do. What time should I expect you?"

"How's eleven thirty sound?"

"Sounds good, I'll see you then."

"Great, talk to you then!"

"Bye Nabiki."

As Ranma and Nabiki walked into the Bel Fiore, one of his favourite Italian restaurants, not just because it was close, he was pleased to see the owner, Marcel, recognize him and moved to meet them.

"Ranma, how good to see you! I see you've brought another lovely lady friend with you today!" turning to Nabiki, he took her hand and kissed it before winking and introducing himself. "Marcel Ramazzotti, at your service, mia bellezza."

Marcel was a young immigrant from Italy who came to Japan to open a branch of his family's restaurant. While not as entirely successful as any of his father's or brothers' stores in Italy and America, he enjoyed a steadily growing customer base and local popularity.

"My my, how charming! Tendo, Nabiki. Nice to meet you."

"Yes, the pleasure is all mine. Now let me get you two to a table. Come!"

The pair followed the owner and head chef to a small table in the front corner of the building, next to a window. A classic red and white cloth adorned the table and two comfortable looking wooden chairs awaited them. Marcel pulled out the closest for Nabiki while Ranma tended to his own. As they sat down, Marcel handed them two menus and poured some ice water into the glasses from a pitcher he had picked up along the way. Quickly and efficiently finishing the task, all without spilling a drop, Marcel then took the pitcher back to the hosting podium and dashed into the kitchen. The door had barely closed before he hustled out holding a large basket of bread and a plate of butter. Placing it between the two of them he then took a step back and clasped his hands in front of his chest, positively beaming and bouncing lightly on the balls of his feet.

"So my friend, how have you been?" Marcel said, turning the sunshine smile towards Ranma, who returned the gesture with a smile of his own.

"Doing great, actually! Although not as good as you it would seem, what's got you so excited?"

"Yes, teeming with joy doesn't even cover it!" Nabiki quipped playfully.

"Oh am I that easy to read?" Marcel chuckled gleefully and all but vibrated in place. Ranma chuckled at his antics while Nabiki was completely enthralled by his exuberance. Placing his hands on the table, Marcel leaned in and whispered conspiratorially "I am going on a date tonight!"

"That's great! Who's the lucky gal?" Ranma exclaimed, giving him a friendly pat on the shoulder. Nabiki nodded as well, caught up in the scene.

"Her name is Noriko, and we met at a group date our mutual friend Ryoma put on! Oh we sang karaoke all night and at the end!" Marcel paused to swoon "She gave me her number and e-mail and said to contact her anytime!" Falling back into a regular standing position, Marcel fluttered for a moment before turning to Nabiki. "I'm so excited!"

Laughing, Nabiki could only nod in agreement. Ranma shook his head with a large smile on his face.

"Ha! That playboy Ryoma sure knows how to set people up! Well I wish you the best tonight then! Where are you guys going?"

"Well she doesn't know about this place yet, I will surprise her with that later, but I was thinking of going to the new Garies in the shopping promenade down town."

"Oh that will go great! I've been there before and I loved it!" Nabiki said encouragingly. "They've got a great menu and an excellent wine selection."

"Ah ha! Well speaking of menus and wine, what can I start you off with?" Marcel said happily, clasping his hands in front of him once more.

After ordering and receiving their meals, Ranma and Nabiki whittled away the time with stories and idle chatting, bringing each other up to speed on the recent events in their lives. Nabiki went on about how dull her love life had been and lamented on how her studies had not let her enjoy the 'college life' she so desperately yearned for, to which Ranma laughed at.

"Seriously Ranma-kun, I'm a woman of social grace and beauty! I need to spread my wings and glide on the gentle updrafts of high society!" Nabiki posed dramatically for emphasis, hand on her forehead, eyes closed to the ceiling. Rolling his eyes, Ranma reached for another breadstick before adding his opinion.

"I would hardly call frat parties and beer bongs the gentle updrafts of high society. Well, you'd be high alright."

Nabiki cast a sideways glance at Ranma before breaking her pose and giving into a playful pout.

"Oh you're such a buzzkill! Let a girl dream!" Taking a sip from her wine, Nabiki gestured grandly with her free hand. "Besides! As long as I'm getting laid I'm happy with whatever."

Practically choking on his bread, Ranma swallowed before glaring balefully at Nabiki's audacious claim.

"The truth comes out! Tendo Nabiki, the party animal! Are you really that strung up for a date?"

Nabiki sniffed disdainfully before holding her glass in front of her face.

"Damn men are all scared of my brains. I mean can you believe it? Come on! It's the twenty first century here! Women are doing the same things as men now, grow a pair already!" Setting down her glass in a huff, Nabiki crossed her arms before continuing. "Is is so much to ask for a nice guy to come up and ask for a dance?"

"What about turning the tables and asking a guy out? It's the twenty first century, is it not?" Ranma grinned.

"Oh don't you get all smart with me! That just intimidates them further!" she sighed. "Why can't more guys be like you or Ryoga? Too stupid to be scared or intimidated."

"Gee thanks." Ranma stated dryly. There was a pause before Ranma broke the mood with a hard look. "Nabiki, there's something I need to talk to you about."

Nabiki looked at Ranma directly before looking away. Taking off her glasses and folding them neatly into a small case, she sighed deeply before casting her eyes at the tableware.

"I know." she said in a small voice. "It's about Kasumi."

There was another pause, this one much longer. Ranma thought she was going to say more, but Nabiki remained silent, only the distance sounds of traffic and the occasional clatter of cutlery filling the heavy air. Just when he thought he would have to press her for some sort of response, he was shocked to see her start to cry instead.

"I was so lost Ranma. Just so...lost." Grabbing a napkin, Nabiki tried to muffle a sob. Out of the corner of his eye, Ranma saw Marcel come out of the kitchen only to do an abrupt about-face, an awkward look on his face. He turned back to Nabiki to see her gather herself up to speak again.

"It was the first time since Mother when I had absolutely no idea what to do! Everywhere I turned was met with dead ends. I tried everyone, Father, the Police, hell I even tried the Yakuza!"

Nabiki's admission about going to grimier means of assistance sent a cold chill down Ranma's spine.

"But the answer was always the same. 'Go somewhere else'. He was untouchable. Out of reach. My usual roads of information and networking meant nothing there! I was nothing but a mere child walking the streets filled with lumbering giants. It was all I could do but not get crushed in their footfalls."

Ranma reached across the table to take hold of Nabiki's hand. Giving it a gentle but reassuring squeeze he captured her eyes.

"I understand that, and their ain't a doubt in my mind that you did everything you could, aside from calling me up, but I wasn't exactly easy to reach."

Nabiki sniffled and gave a soft smile.

"The question I hafta ask is why didn't you do anything afterwards? Why'd you leave her alone with those horrible memories?"

At these words the smile left her face and she lowered her head, unable to meet Ranma's gaze. After what seemed like an eternity, Nabiki looked up again, fresh tears in her eyes.

"Cuz I was scared! I'm a coward! I'm not like you, Ranma! I'm just a normal girl! I can't face down demons, or jump over buildings, or stand up against unbeatable odds. I couldn't face her after seeing her go through all that! To show up, and expect things to be better all of a sudden? I mean let's face it, when that son of a bitch died, it was the best possible outcome. At least Kasumi got a good chunk of land and some money. Getting Daddy to ensure that her name was on the records and will was one of the only smart things I did in that whole ordeal."

Ranma nodded for her to continue.

"But even though I know it's the right thing to do, I just can't bring myself to face her. I can hardly talk to her over the phone as it is. I need a bit more time to build up the courage to see her again. Daddy does too. I hear him practicing talking to her picture some nights. We will soon, but we need to borrow your back for awhile again, it seems."

Gulping own the rest of her wine and wiping her eyes with her napkin, Nabiki's look turned sour.

"And you know how my other sister is, she still thinks this whole thing is your fault, that you somehow set the whole thing up. Gods I don't know if she'll ever come around and face the truth."

Nabiki then turned her hand over and captured Ranma's.

"So until this cowardly woman can finally get her shit together enough to do the right thing, please keep helping our Kasumi get better. You're the best thing in the world for her right now, I hope you know that. That giant heart of gold you got thumping away in that idiot chest of yours could cure cancer, I'm sure of it."

Ranma chuckled and squeezed her hand again.

"God I wish I picked you instead of foisting you off on my other sister." Nabiki sniffed slightly before cracking a wry, sad smile. "Ah well, of future's held in past's regret and all that."

On some unspoken cue, the two stood up and got ready to leave. Nabiki wiped her eyes once more before being caught in a surprise hug from Ranma. Giving in, she immediately buried her head in his chest and cried again in earnest. Stroking her hair, Ranma cast a glance to the kitchen door, where his eyes met Marcel's, who's face held a thin smile of understanding.