Chapter 2: Seeking Answers
Tofu Ono was an early riser. He not only prescribed to the old adage of early to bed and early to rise, but there were practical reasons for it as well. While his clinic was not large it was filled with a steady stream of patients. Mostly older people with long term maintenance needs. His patients did not normally require intensive medical care and when they did he would transfer them to a nearby hospital, instead they were more like checkups and consultations.
Tofu was something of a practitioner of alternative medicine, which was still popular with the older and more traditional members of the population. So he had taken up the practice of rising early to take care of his own needs, practice his Tai Chi and prepare his patient records for the day. It would have been helpful if he had a full time assistant to help with the later but he couldn't afford to pay much and good help is hard to find. In his more innocent dreams Kasumi Tendo assisted in his practice as a nurse and all around care giver, an area in which she was very experienced.
On this morning his routine was thrown off a little due to the presence of his guest. Ranma joined the doctor for breakfast and tried to join his morning workout, but she found that whatever had replaced her chi did not respond in the way to which she was accustomed. When she had channeled her chi it's response was smooth and disciplined, but this new energy was unruly and she had little control over it. Since childhood her life had been devoted to mastering her body and spirit. Finding that her spirit was now erratic and out of control frustrated her more than anything she had ever experienced. It left her weak and clumsy, right now even that fool Kuno could beat her. It was more than her battered emotions could take.
Besides there was a good chance that Akane would stop by the clinic during her morning jog and while Ranma really wanted to see the tomboy, right now she didn't think she could face her fiancée without breaking down in tears, something her pride refused to risk. While the doctor continued his workout, she took her rain coat, a borrowed shirt and umbrella and bid him goodbye promising that she would stop by later to talk.
****
Morning at the Tendo house was business as normal, well, almost. The rain meant there was no sparing outside in the morning. While Genma may not mind turning into a panda, somehow starting a spar in their cursed forms killed the thrill for him. Besides, the dojo wasn't big enough for a satisfying spar and thanks to the rain the lawn was too muddy for any sort of fight that wasn't labeled adult entertainment. His son turning into a girl was bad enough, seeing her doing something even remotely suggestive was more than he could handle. Ranma's girl form looked too much like her mother and it was wrong for her to make him feel that way.
All of this added up to most of the household happily sleeping in for a change. Nabiki wasn't even taking bets on how long the rain would last least she jinx it and it stop. The unusual quiet meant only two people were up this early in the morning, Akane preparing for her morning jog and Kasumi who had already started her chores.
This particular morning the eldest Tendo daughter was pensive and worried, something was wrong and she knew it. She didn't know what it was but it revolved around her little sister's fiancé.
Kasumi didn't know what happened in China but Ranma hasn't been his normal, overconfident self since returning. No sooner had her sister and her fiancé returned than the fathers instigated the latest attempt in operation 'Unite the Schools', springing a surprise wedding on the erstwhile pair. It might have worked this time, something had changed between the two and while Kasumi didn't know if they were ready for marriage she could tell that each secretly wanted to marry the other.
Either Nabiki didn't share her perspective, or she just couldn't pass up a prime chance to make some money and mischief at the same time. Kasumi dearly hoped it was the former, she refused to see Nabiki as the type of person who would cause their own sister so much turmoil and pain without caring.
Whatever happened in China, Akane was making an effort to act as if it never happened. She returned to her old routine like it had never been interrupted. In the past she always told Kasumi about her adventures and Ranma was guaranteed to brag, but this time they and everyone else involved had their lips sealed as tight as clams.
If Akane was behaving like normal, Ranma wasn't. For the last week he had been wound tight, his nerves riding a razors edge. He went to extremes to remain a boy, yet when turned into a girl he acted like he was in no hurry to change back. Only to disappear from sight and return later as a boy. Now that she thought about it she had seen him change into his cursed form several times over the last week, but she hadn't seen him change back since the one time when the kettle proved not to be hot enough.
Was Ranma intentionally hiding his changing back?
Then yesterday, after three days of refusing to even get near the door and the rain outside, Ranma, as a girl, had suddenly grabbed coat and umbrella and dashed out the door only saying that he needed to get out of the house for a while. Apparently a long while, six hours later he still hadn't returned.
This alone didn't set off any alarms for Kasumi. In the past Ranma would often disappear to spend time with his friends on some adventure or another, but most of his friends had Jusenkyo curses of their own and didn't like to play in the rain.
After being cooped up in the house for so long it was decided that the family would go out to eat last night. When Ranma still hadn't returned they decided to go without him. Kasumi left him a note and some ramen noodles with vegetables that he could cook for himself. When they returned two hours later Ranma's umbrella was in the stand but he was nowhere to be found. In the kitchen Kasumi found the ramen she left still sitting on the counter, along with one of Ranma's shirts. On the floor lay one of her sauce pans in a pool of cooling water. It looked like Ranma took off his shirt to cook, spilled the heating water, then left the house taking his rain coat and leaving his umbrella.
Akane was working herself up into a tizzy with worry when Ranma called to assure them he was alright. Kasumi had answered the phone and Ranma, in his soft girl voice explained that he had an accident while preparing his dinner and had gone to Doctor Tofu's clinic for medical care. He claimed he was fine, it was just a minor burn but with the rain continuing to fall he was going to stay at the clinic. Then he said he was going on a training trip for a few days but he would return soon. He didn't give Kasumi much chance to ask questions and before she could respond he hung up.
Akane was livid, accusing him of running off with one of his hussies.
Kasumi could tell it was just for show, that underneath it all Akane was really worried.
Strangely it was Ranma's father Genma who came to his defense. When father began bemoaning how the schools would never be joined, Genma told him not to worry, that Ranma just needed some time alone to work things out in his mind. Kasumi didn't know what the elder Saotome meant, but her father was suddenly very understanding ( and a little pale ).
Her ruminations were interrupted by Akane sticking her head into the kitchen from the hall. Trying to sound innocent she asked if there was anything Kasumi needed, or if she needed anything dropped off to Doctor Tofu. Since she was going to be out anyway there was no need for Kasumi to endure the rain as well.
Kasumi pretended to be fooled and asked her to wait one moment while she went up to her room to retrieve a book she had 'borrowed'. When the elder Tendo returned she handed into Akane's safe keeping a book, not mentioning that it was one of her own or that there was a note to Tofu inside expressing her concern. Akane was too relieved to notice the ruse and throwing the book into a waterproof bag, grabbed her umbrella and rushed out the door.
Kasumi smiled, it was so nice seeing Akane expressing her love through her actions if not her words.
****
Akane was making good time considering the falling rain and the added burden of her umbrella. She slowed as she came to the street with the clinic on it, calming her breath and schooling her face not to show her worry. The clinic wasn't open yet but she knew the doctor would be in his office doing paperwork. Stepping up to the door she pushed the buzzer and after a moment saw Dr. Tofu enter the lobby. When he saw who was at the door she thought she saw a shadow of something pass across his face, before it was quickly replaced with the warm smile that until Ranma came would make her heart race. He opened the door and ushered her in out of the rain.
"Good morning Akane. I'm always happy to see you, but I'm afraid Ranma has already left."
Akane suppressed her disappointment, hopefully before it got a chance to show on her face.
"I'm not here looking for that baka."
Quickly holding up the bag she presented him with Kasumi's book.
"I was going out jogging and Kasumi asked me to return this to you."
Dr. Tofu took the book, confused because Kasumi returned the last book she borrowed yesterday afternoon when she brought him the food he and Ranma consumed last night. The title didn't look familiar either, then he noticed the edge of the note sticking out between the pages. Opening the book to that page he sureptuously read the note. It said that they were worried about Ranma, Kasumi detailed what she found when she returned home and added in notes about his strange behavior. She still didn't know what happened in China, but now he did and that reminded him of something else important.
"Akane, maybe its best that Ranma isn't here right now."
Placing Kasumi's book on a table he looked Akane in the eye, a serious expression on his face.
"Akane, Ranma told me about what happened in China. I think we should talk about it."
Akane's cool façade cracked, "It was nothing Doctor Tofu, some prince kidnapped me again, Ranma beat him up and we came home. This wasn't the first time it has happened you know. There's nothing for you to worry about, we're fine."
Tofu handed her the note from Kasumi, "I'm not the only one that's worried Akane."
She read over the note, recognizing her sister's handwriting. She wasn't surprised to learn that Kasumi was worried, she had been like a mother to her since their real mother died and it was only natural that she would worry whether or not there was cause.
She was surprised by her sister's observations about Ranma. She herself had been too wrapped up in returning to her normal life to notice that Ranma wasn't doing the same.
"Akane," Dr. Tofu gently placed a hand on her shoulder, "Ranma told me that this time the challenger wasn't trying to marry you. He told me this time it was serious. Akane, Ranma told me that this time he had to kill someone. He's wrestling with guilt over doing what he was raised to see as a failure, but even worse, he's dealing with the fear of losing you. Ranma told me that you were dieing in his arms." Firming his grip on the shuddering girl's shoulder, he placed his other hand under her chin and tipped it up until she was looking him in the eyes.
"Akane, will you let me examine you?"
He saw the objection beginning in her eyes, he blocked her mouth with his hand before she could give it voice.
"Its not just to reassure everyone that your alright."
He struggled with how to tell her what he needed to if he was to have her cooperation, without betraying Ranma's confidence.
"Akane, something is happening with Ranma." That got a response.
"Was it his accident in the kitchen? That baka was seriously hurt and he tried to hide it from me!" Her fear and frustration was quickly spiraling out of control.
"Akane!" Tofu yelled to get her attention, giving her shoulders a firm squeeze. "Yes Ranma was hurt last night and yes it was more serious than he led you to believe, but that's not what I'm talking about. Last night Ranma received second degree burns over a significant portion of his torso but that is going to be okay. I treated him with some very good cream and this morning the burns have all but faded. By tomorrow you won't even be able to tell it happened. What I'm worried about is the reason why…"
Now he was treading on ethically dangerous ground.
"In China, when Ranma fought that monster, when he, when you nearly died in his arms, something happened that has… upset the balance of his… condition. I have no reason to believe that you will have any problems, but studying you might help me to understand what is happening to him."
Now that he could see she understood how important this was, he asked her again,
"Akane, will you let me examine you?"
****
While Doctor Tofu was confronting Akane, Ranma Chan was again riding a bus into neighboring Suginami. Somehow she felt more comfortable going there than anywhere else in Tokyo besides Nerima. She couldn't remember anything about the ward before living in Nerima but this is where the Saotome house was, where her mother lived. While there was a chance someone might know the Saotome name, 'Ranko' had never spent much time here and she was confident no one would connect her to Nodoka or her son. The only thing she had to fear was actually running into her mother, something she didn't feel was likely, something she secretly longed for.
She was afraid, her life was changing in ways she wasn't prepared for and it was only natural that she would long for the comfort of her mother's presence.
She exited the bus at a stop along the Kandagawa River. Suginami was an older residential area, like Nerima, and some of the homes dated back to before the Mejia period. The city had grown up around the River and its sisters to the west and the north. Now the area around the river was mostly parkland, grassy areas shaded by the Cedar trees for which the district was named.
The falling rain seemed less dismal when surrounded by the comforting presence of the trees, she could feel them lending her their strength, but this little oasis of nature wasn't the reason she was here. Along the river was a hill and atop that hill was a Shinto shrine. She had never been there before but according to what she read in the Nerima library, another place no one recognized her, the shrine had been here since before Edo became the seat of Imperial power.
She didn't know too much about religion beyond the Zen she learned studying Bushido, but she figured that if anyplace was home to a true holy man it would be a really old shrine. The fact that this shrine had no connection to the martial arts meant her father had probably never stolen from it. She didn't think it was good karma to ask for help in a place her father had defiled. She loved if not respected her father, but she knew that like everything else his morals took a distant second to the art. She really wished she could have known him before Happosai got a hold of him, could know the man her mother married.
Lost in her thoughts, her vision obscured by rain, she nearly missed the torii gate, the red wooden arch that stood over the path to the shrine. Looking past the torii and up a long flight of stone steps she could just make out the ancient wall that surrounded the shrine proper. Passing under the arch she felt a tingle go up her spine and down her limbs. Whatever had replaced her chi surged, filling her with warmth and strength. She felt good and raced up the stairs without the slightest effort. She hoped it was a good omen.
****
Hsiao had been a monk for as long as he had lived, an orphan he was raised in the priesthood and knew no other life. He was more then seventy years old, pious, humble and gifted with little ambition. When he was asked to take over as keeper of the Kandagawa shrine he had been honored. That was nearly thirty years ago and now he was as much a part of the shrine as the flagstones under his feet. Normally he would have been sweeping the steps this time of the morning, readying the shrine for any faithful or tourists that might visit. He was always amazed by how many westerners would come to the shrine to bask in its presence. Not today though, today the rain that kept him inside would ensure that the shrine had no visitors tourist or otherwise.
So Hsiao settled in to meditate, allowing his spirit to merge with the essence of the shrine, learning patience and wisdom from the ancient stone. The spirit of the shrine had been uneasy since the rain began. Rainfall was normal if a little early this fall, but something about this rain was unsettling. It felt sad, like the tears of a kami. Years past as a young boy he had felt something similar while his people engaged in games of slaughter with the Chinese and the Americans. Back then he had felt the same sense of sorrow and despair as the American bombs washed ancient Edo in fire. This felt similar, but more localized, more personal. Where as before it felt like the sorrow of the entire celestial bureaucracy, this felt like the sadness of a single entity. It was unfocused, confused and equally confusing to understand.
He had conferred with several of his brethren in the Kanto region and each of them shared his dilemma. Perhaps the rain itself was symbolic, or maybe it was just Kami-sama's way of giving them the time to properly focus. Never one to argue with the ways of the kami, Hsiao devoted himself to spending this day in meditation.
Age is a burden shared by all the creatures of the Earth and as they say in the west, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. In spite of his discipline and good intentions, Hsiao was an old man and he drifted off to sleep still sitting upright.
In his dream Hsiao found himself a young man again, standing on a mountain top overlooking a great forest below. The scene seemed surreal and he knew he was dreaming. He was drawing his focus together to push himself back to the waking world when he was distracted by a shadow falling over the land. Looking up into the sky of his dreamscape, he saw a great darkness swallow the sun. The darkness seemed to thrash and roil as the rays of the sun sought to break free. As the struggle between light and dark continued he began to discern a form to the darkness. He could now see what appeared to be several bestial heads on the ends of long sinuous necks snapping at the escaping light. The multi headed darkness gave out a terrible cry that chilled the marrow of his bones as the light finally broke free, the sun falling towards the earth like a massive shooting star. It grew smaller and dimmer as it fell, as if the mortal world was suppressing its power and glory, throwing everything into a dim twilight.
The falling sun lit upon a neighboring mountaintop. It had grown so dim that he could now make out a great wolf, its coat a white as pure as snow marred only by the flaming sigils that surrounded its head and shoulders like a mane. All that remained of the glorious sun was a bright golden disk that hovered above the wolf's head like a halo.
An icy cold shadow fell over Hsiao as the darkness passed overhead. Following the sun to earth it too was greatly diminished, but it was still great enough that its impact shook the mountains and caused the stone under his feet to crack, knocking him to his knees. Regaining his shaky footing, he saw that the darkness had taken the form of a great dragon with seven heads on long serpentine necks surrounding one massive one that resembled that of a lion. He watched as the terrible dragon sought to snatch up the white wolf in its great mouth, its necks seeking to entangle it in their coils, but the wolf was to fast flowing like the wind between them, its steps striking the dragon like fire. The dragon's central head let out a cry of insatiable hunger, the sound rolled over Hsiao like an icy wind and he felt the life being leached out of him. Wrapping his arms around himself against the cold he saw the plants at his feet wither, the trees around him dropping their needles as the dragon's breath blighted the mountain top.
The wolf pulled back as if in horror, then charged the beast. Nimbly dodging between the weaving maze of necks, it passed through the jaws and beneath the shadow of the great head. There it drove its jaws into the flesh of the bloated neck, the dragon's lesser necks quickly wrapped around it in a crushing hold. He watched the two combatants locked in their violent throws and knew that while the wolf was doing great damage, fire burning the dragon everywhere they touched, the dragon was too great, the fire not doing enough to keep it from enveloping the wolf in its lethal embrace.
The great head roared in triumph, sure of its victory. The wolf responded by pulling back from its biting grip and releasing a long wail of defiance. As its cry grew in volume, the disk that was all that remained of the sun seemed to shrink in size, while growing in intensity. When the last of the wolf's cry broke over the mountain, the pulsing disc exploded in sweeping blades of light. The body of the wolf was consumed, fueling their fire as the blades bit deep into the flesh of the dragon, striking all of its heads simultaneously. With a cry of hate and rage the great and terrible darkness fell from the slopes of the mountain. The flares of light still lashing its body, the beast fell into the forest below and disappeared. Then the skies opened up and the heavens wept.
****
When Ranma stepped through the gates of the shrine the energy that had replaced her chi flared within her so bright she could see it shinning through her skin, lighting the courtyard. The stone of the shrine, the ground at her feet, even the air within its walls seemed to call out to her in longing. She felt an overwhelming need to let herself go, to melt away and become one with her surroundings. She could release her fear, loose the many obligations that held her, pinning her beneath their relentless weight. If she let go she could escape, leave it all behind; her pain, her burdens, the art, pops, the Tendos, her mother and Akane.
"No!" she cried out in desperate defiance, she would not surrender so easily, she would not give up Akane without a fight. Ripping free from the shrine she raced down the steps, a diminishing streak of light as the energy within was swallowed by the steps beneath her feet.
Her umbrella abandoned on the steps behind her, she was barely crawling when she finally passed beneath the red gate at the beginning of the path. Having escaped back into the mundane world, the call of the shrine fell silent, releasing her. The strength that carried her so easily while climbing the steps was spent. She was exhausted, wet, frightened and alone. She couldn't understand what had just happened but she had no desire to tempt fate again by remaining near the shrine.
With the aid of a cedar tree she climbed to her feet and staggering drunkenly, she made her way out of the park and into the strangely empty streets. Frightened and confused she didn't know what to do, but subconsciously she knew what she wanted. Blindly she made her way down the street, her instincts guiding her home. A child desperately seeking her mother.
****
Hsiao was forcefully pulled from the strange dream/vision, the spirit of the shrine was in turmoil. He had never felt it so active, like it was reaching out for something, calling for whatever it was to come back. This went on for he didn't know how long, during which the old priest was unable to focus enough of his strength to even stand. At long last the shrine grew quiet again, whatever it had been it was gone. Hsiao made his way out the front door and into the courtyard were he could feel a strong residue of divine power, it passed from the courtyard and down the stairs. He followed it, felt it growing quickly weaker. Near the bottom of the steps he found an umbrella left lying on the path, the trail he was following faded out at the entrance arch. Looking around he couldn't see anything but tress, grass, the city sidewalk and falling rain. Something significant had just happened and he missed it while lost in a dream. To be fair he knew the dream meant something equally significant, but still he cursed his age wondering if a younger man could have acted fast enough to at least see who had visited the shrine. Making his tired way back up the stairs he picked up the umbrella and raised its protection over his head. No point in ignoring it or its usefulness, after all, it was the only link he had to his mysterious visitor. He returned to the shrine without delay, there were many calls to be made.
****
Doctor Tofu's examination of Akane went much quicker than the one he performed on Ranma the night before. This time he knew what he was looking for, though he was still surprised by what he found. Studying her chi paths he found them strong and healthy, no sign remained of the death Ranma told him she had suffered in China. She was easily as healthy as she had ever been, there was only one element that confirmed Ranma's story. While Akane's chi wasn't changing the way Ranma's had, there was still a strong thread of that other energy woven through out all of her pathways. He could see traces were the thread was once stronger, may even have filled her pathways in place of the chi that would have faded in death, but now the thread was a thin stable strand. It supported her chi in ways he wasn't able to understand, but it wasn't replacing it the way it had in Ranma. He let Akane know the examination was over while he finished writing up his notes.
Akane watched him anxiously while buttoning up her blouse.
"Doctor Tofu, did this help? Do you know what's wrong with Ranma?"
Tofu made a show of closing his notes, then pushing his glasses up with his finger. He was debating what he could tell her about her fiancé without violating patient privilege.
"Akane, what I found is that you are perfectly healthy."
The girl in question was starting to look at him angrily.
"Doctor, I could have told you that without taking off my shirt! I want to know what is wrong with Ranma and don't tell me to ask him, the baka never tells anyone what's wrong until its too late."
"I'm sorry Akane but I can't violate doctor patient confidentiality."
Seeing she was about to tell him what he could do with his oaths, he raised his hands in a placating gesture forestalling her coming tirade.
"Ranma has already promised me that she-HE will not try to face this all alone, I made sure of that before I let him leave this morning. I know how stubborn he can be but this time I think even he knows he can't and shouldn't face this alone. Right now he is seeking counsel with another expert, he wants to know what is going on before he confronts you or your families."
He didn't feel it wise to tell her the expert Ranma had gone to see was a priest. It was one thing to tell people you were going to use an alternative or ancient form of medicine, they could accept that, tell them that you were turning them over to the gods and they would treat you like a quack. He wouldn't lie to his patients, but sometimes the whole truth wasn't necessary and even counterproductive.
"What I can tell you about is your own exam. You are healthy, in fact you are very healthy. Right now you are so healthy that I'm not sure if you could even catch a cold. Normally when people suffer the sort of thing that, well that Ranma described happened to you, there are scars of a sort that sometimes never go away. Often it takes months for them to recover their strength if they ever do, but not only are you not weakened I think you might even be stronger, healthier than before. Now this is nothing to worry about, but I found a thread of unknown energy woven through out your chi pathways. It is a remnant of the energy Ranma told me he used to help you recover in China. I don't know what this energy is, but it is not only benign it actually seems to be fortifying you, making you healthier than you would be on your own. To be honest, if I could reproduce it in others they would give me the Nobel Prize for Medicine. That's why I sent Ranma to speak to someone who might be able to help identify it."
Akane worked to understand what the doctor was telling her and not just what he was saying.
"So Dr. Tofu, your telling me that Ranma has this thread inside of him as well. Wouldn't that make him healthier too?"
Tofu was growing flustered, he hadn't meant to drop any hints and he certainly didn't intend to engage in a game of twenty questions, but he knew that until she was satisfied Ranma was going to be okay Akane would worry at this like a bull dog. He decided that maybe it would be best if he told her something that most patients wouldn't care to keep secret, unless they were engaging in insurance fraud or calling in sick. "Physically Ranma is perfectly healthy. There is no reason to fear that he will grow sick or suffer any other malignancy. The way things are now, I think he will probably live longer then Cologne or Happossai. With a little effort I think you too could live longer than them."
By this point the doctor was subtly directing her to the door.
"I have every confidence Ranma will explain everything when she returns."
Opening the clinic doors he gave her that disarming smile of his and before she realized it she was outside.
"Have a little faith Akane, you mean more to Ranma than life itself. This is something she would never keep hidden from you."
With that the smiling doctor closed and locked the door behind her. She watched him cross the lobby, entering his office before she realized she had left her umbrella inside. Looking out from under the awning at the falling rain she thought to herself,
'Doctor Tofu said he didn't think I could get sick right now, so I guess a little rain won't hurt me.'
With that she raced for home to tell Kasumi about what the doctor said. The rest of the family could wait until Ranma told them himself. She couldn't contain a small giggle as that reminded her of how Doctor Tofu had slipped up no less than three times, referring to Ranma as a 'she'. Sure Ranma's curse often made gender a confusing issue, but Tofu-san was the last person she expected to make that mistake.
Author's Notes:
To those who care, I am still focusing on Hogwarts, what I am posting of the Fallen was already written before I ever started posting on and is just over 50,000 words long. I'm posting this to fill time while I work on the other. I like to post a chapter at about nine pages long and so far the next chapter of Hogwarts is a little over one. To be honest, after the chase scene everything I write just seems flat. I'm also trying to recapture a little of the feeling from the first of the story, making it even harder. I do try to work with the advice given. Hopefully soon...
Trashcat gave me a description of Ameratsu from the game, which I have never played, and I was struck by the fact that if you replace the "I'm just a simple wolf" with going girl to get free eats, it sounds a lot like Ranma. Right now Ranma is wallowing in angst because she has lost her sense of identity and all that goes with it. Once she learns to accept the changes and regains some of what she lost I intend for the irrepressible, scrappy fighter to return. Don't get your hopes up, I haven't written that far. As for fan fiction cannon, it can be hard to separate the original from what people post here. Especially now that I have lost my access to the manga. I try to avoid dipping too far into what others have written, keeping somewhat close to what the original author intended in spirit if not in fact, but I won't claim to be all that successful. I apologize for the OOC, some of it is intentional to reflect changes in the characters but some of it is just because it fits. If you don't like a greedy and somewhat vindictive Nabiki, then maybe you would like my remaining, unposted story; Liquid Destiny. It is another reaction to someone else's idea, but in it I portray Nabiki as more the protective older sister. I can't say which is the more true portrayal, in the manga she struck me as mischievous and willing to make a buck as long as no one is really hurt, physically that is.
I was wondering if anyone has read Everybeast's story and how they compare mine to it? He obviously has played the game and his story feels like it to me.