AN: It is Alive!!! And so am I. Sorry for the long delays but my brain fried it self and I couldn't find the backup. Neither this story, nor Lunar Eclipse are forgotten. I just have some serious Writer's block. I want more for this chapter, but I don't have it.
Legend of the Crimson Bridge
Chapter 3
Kimi wasn't entirely sure why she had asked to stay. Sure Ranma was an awesome instructor and Yuri and herself were safer here then they would be at the Shelter. But she hadn't discussed it with her partner beforehand. She hadn't even thought it through herself. She had acted on a spur of the moment impulse. She hated people who let themselves be controlled by impulse and 'gut feelings'. Yet last night she had spoke with barely a thought. She had sworn she would never act in such a way. Ruefully she shook her head. Leaning up on one arm she stared down at Yuri's face. She was still asleep on her pile of cardboard. Occasionally she tossed back and forth restlessly, her dreams disturbed by something. Still, for all the tossing and turning, she was far more restful this morning then Kimi could remember seeing her in months. She smiled as she reached across and moved a strand of hair from Yuri's face before laying her head back down. If today was anything like yesterday, she would need all the help she could get.
That morning, after a quick bite and some water, Ranma reviewed the two girls. Yuri seemed to remember it better, but seemed reluctant to use it. Kimi on the other hand was all gung-ho, and seemed quite willing to do whatever was necessary. She set them to practice some simple moves and began her own morning practice. Lately she had used the familiar motions to lose herself, forgetting the past in favor of the moment. Today she looked to the future. She had people that depended on her. Instead of the fast paced aerial kata she had gone through yesterday, she used slower, simpler moves to find the right balance of power and precision she felt the girls could handle. Beginner moves though they were, they brought her more comfort then the advanced moves she had performed yesterday. These weren't just for her.
Later, after the trio returned from a day's worth of scrounging Ranma showed them the new moves. Again Kimi was far more enthusiastic, while Yuri was quicker to pick up the moves. Still, something seemed off about her quiet student. Ranma blinked while thinking back over the last two days. After a moment she realized that she had never once heard Yuri speak. It was buried under the fact that Kimi talked enough for three people when she was nervous or excited, but Yuri had yet to utter a single word in Ranma's presence. She always conveyed her meaning through gestures or small non-specific sounds.
For barely a second, Ranma was tempted to ask why. But such questions also end up being returned. As she had no wish to talk about her past with two people she barely knew, she figured they wouldn't either. Shoving the thought to the back of her mind she focused on the now instead.
"Kimi! You have to keep your arm bent slightly. If you lock your elbow straight like that and someone hits it, they could shatter it." She moved forward, adjusting the taller girl's arms slightly. "Like this you still have a lot of power, but it is harder to turn against you."
"Hai, sensei." Those two words nearly sent Ranma reeling. She had dreamed of being a sensei, of teaching students who would one day surpass even her. That dream had been yanked away by her father's betrayal. Who would learn from a ronin sensei? She had found her answer. Here under a bridge somewhere in another city, she had found her life. She laughed aloud at the irony. To gain her dream, all she had to do was lose everything that made the dream worthwhile. Her laughter took on a desperate note and quickly changed to sobs as she collapsed to her knees. Ranma wrapped her arms around herself, fingers digging into the flesh of her upper arms. Suddenly a hand gently touched her shoulder.
"Sensei? Ranma? Please, it's okay. We're here." Kimi gathered the sobbing red-head into her arms, pulling the girl bodily into her lap. Slowly she rocked back and forth. She had no idea what had caused this, but this little girl had saved her and Yuri, and she would do all in her power to help her. A second pair of arms wrapped around the two. Kimi looked up to see Yuri kneeling next to them, embracing both. One hand reached up and stroked the scarlet mane. "We're here."