Here we are trying to mend all the broken hearts,
In a world where the pain is the fear.
Ain't no doubt there's a method to madness here,
Set your clock to the start of a brand-new year.
- "Face to Face" by Yes
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Ranko follows Akane through the streets of Nerima, her mind a-whirl. Akane's setting a decent pace and she's having a little trouble keeping up. She's still so tired and cold. Even bundled up in a hat, gloves, coat and borrowed scarf from Akane isn't enough to keep it entirely at bay, and she shivers a moment.
Akane looks back and slows down slightly. "You OK?"
Ranko nods, rubbing her hands together. The chill of early winter is really starting to seep into her. "J-just cold." She says in her soft voice.
Akane takes her hands. "Oh, well then." She says, squeezing them and trying to push some warmth into the short girl's hands.
Ranko smiles sadly. "Where are we going? Or aren't you going to tell me?"
Akane taps her nose. "It's a secret, silly. You won't know until we get there!"
Eventually they move on, the air still chilly, until Akane stops in front of a small hall rented for gatherings.
"Are we going to a party?" Ranko asks.
"In a manner of speaking." Akane says mysteriously. "I didn't set it up, else it'd be in the dojo."
"O-oh." Ranko says, looking down. Probably something for Akane then.
She follows the taller girl into the main building, sighing as the warmth of the heaters washes over her, and they move towards a door. Akane takes her hand again. "Don't freak out, OK?" She asks.
Ranko nods confusedly as Akane opens the door to a wall of noise. The conversation stops as Ranko does, staring into the room. On the far side is a motley group of people, people she all recognises.
The people she helped during that time. At the forefront stand Miki, Akemi and Kaname, next to Officer Kanazawa and the others behind him, all smiling at Ranko. She blinks and looks to the side. Sayuri and Yuka are there, as are much of her and Akane's school class group.
Akane turns and smiles, taking Ranko's other hand in hers and squeezing them. "Surprise, Ranko-chan!"
"Wha-what is…?"
"It's a celebration, for you, o 'Angel of Nerima'." Akane says, smiling impishly at her. "After all, you did all those good deeds. You deserve recognition. All of these people agreed and once I was asked, I pointed Officer Kanazawa at Yuka-chan and Sayuri-chan, and they got the rest of the class involved."
Ranko stands, heart thudding. "B-but… but why?!" She asks, bottom lip trembling. "Wh-why do this for me? I just…"
"Rescued my baby girl and kept her safe." Kaname says, approaching. She bows to Ranko as Akane pulls the redhead into the room and shuts the door behind her. She lets go of Ranko's hand so Ranko can take the card held out to her in trembling hands. "I'm Ogino Kaname. Thank you."
A woman in the attire of an office lady approaches, bowing to Ranko and offering another envelope. "I'm Koizumi Azusa." She says in a warm voice. "I was being accosted by thugs, and you dropped them in front of me with no effort. Thank you, Ranko-san."
The next was a man in a suit. "I'm Tanaka Hiroshi. You stopped some muggers from taking me down a dark alley. Thank you." He says, "I don't know if I'd be alive if not for you."
Ranko blushes but shakes her head. Before she can speak, another envelope is pressed into her hands.
And so it continues. Everyone she helped during her stay in the industrial district; every person helped by the 'Angel of Nerima' comes up to her, personally thanking her.
A little boy thanks her for returning his action figure to her. A little girl, her dollie. Another little girl her Super Sentai figurine.
Office ladies, and salarymen and officers, shop owners and security guards. All thank her warmly, bow and give her an envelope. Akane has to set them in a pile on a nearby table.
Ranko is overwhelmed as the last stands back and they all clap for her.
Then her classmates come. Not all of them have a gift, but all of them greet her warmly and give kind words.
Tears are streaming down her face by the time the last of them; Akane's other two friends Asami and Hiroko, come before her she's sobbing. Akane holds her gently as she cries and pats her back.
"So, don't you see, Ranko?" She says. "You did so much good. You do so much good. You'd be missed, you know?"
"Yeah!" Yuka cheers. Hiroko nods.
"Definitely, Ranko-chan. Class 1-F sticks together!"
It takes a while for Ranko to calm down, in which time everyone in the room mingles a little. When Akane's managed to calm her down, Ranko wipes her eyes on a handkerchief Akane hands to her. Akane's smile is impossibly bright, and Ranko's heart flutters as she beholds Akane being proud of her work.
Akane beams at Ranko. "I told you that I'd find a way to show you that you're worth something." She says. "You should try to believe more in yourself. I know Mitaka-sensei is trying, but she can only tell you. I, on the other hand, as your awesome friend and official knight in shining armour, can show you."
Ranko wiped at her eyes and looks down. "Th-thank you." She says softly. Akane takes her hand and squeezes it.
"When you're feeling low, Ranko-chan, when you feel like you don't help the world – remember this night. Remember these people, okay?"
"I'll… I'll try." Ranko says. Akane stands, helping Ranko do the same.
"Best I imagine I'll get right now!" She grins, squeezing the redhead's hands. "Alright, go and mingle, Ranko-chan. Talk to all these friends."
Ranko moves away and Akane sighs softly, Yuka, Sayuri, Hiroko and Asami approach her.
"Is she alright?"
Akane shrugs. "She's… getting there. I'm hoping this helps her to pull out of her funk." She rubs the back of her head. "I think when she comes to school she'll have more to focus on than just sitting at home."
"When will that be, Akane-chan?" Asami asks. Akane shrugs.
"No idea." She says. "The doctors haven't yet cleared her fully, though she's definitely started eating more than she was and we've not had her on any special diet for a few days now."
Sayuri kisses Yuka on the cheek. "And how goes the wooing?"
Akane flushes bright red. "N-not happening!" She exclaims. "N-not yet. She's still recovering. I'm not going to complicate that if I can."
Hiroko shrugs. "Well, best stake your claim as soon as possible. Half the lesbians in school had heart eyes the first day she was here, not to mention the boys."
Akane nods. "I know, it's just… I don't think she'll be ready for some time."
Ranko, meanwhile, approaches Officer Kanazawa. "H-hello." She says, bowing. "Th-thank you for helping to organise this, O-officer."
"Please, Ranko-san. Akira is fine." Akira says, giving her a smile. "And really, I should be thanking you. We still don't have half as much trouble as we did before you cleaned things up."
Ranko flushes. "O-okay, Akira-san." She says.
"You're looking better." He says, kindly. "I was going to try and grab you to take home to my wife. She'd have fed you up, too." He laughs. "Still, Tendou-san has certainly done a good job. Look at all these people you helped!" He indicates the room. "One by one they probably don't look like much but when you get them all together…" He laughs again. "I heard the Yakuza started rating how stupid their grunts were by how willing to go into our district they were."
Ranko giggles and nods. "Good." She says. Her gaze goes over to Akane.
Akira smiles at her. "Want to take her home?" He asks, nudging her.
Ranko goes more red.
"I'm playing with you, Ranko-san. But she's definitely a nice young lady. You could definitely do worse."
Ranko plays with her fingers. "I-I guess…" She says quietly. "B-but why would she w-w-want me?"
Akira stares at her for a moment. "Why not you?"
Ranko can't answer and is soon accosted by her classmates, who drag her over to the food. A plate with her favourite foods on is placed on her lap as she's asked to sit down. They're all in small bites and Hiroshi gives her a grin. "Tendou-san gave us what she knows you like so you should probably thank her."
It's that disconnect again that she gets sometimes. Speaking to someone who, for Ranma, was as close to a good friend as he'd had at Fuurinkan. Speaking of people from there…
She looks around. Definitely no Kunou Tatewaki here. She'd have thought he'd be crawling to get here. Then again, he too is different.
Ranko eats the food she has but pushes more away. "I-I can only eat so much before I'm full again…" She says.
She knows that at some point her ki production's going to go back into overdrive. If she starts practicing martial arts with any intent again – and now she has the choice at least.
She looks around at the happily talking people, older from the district and younger from her class and wonders if this is what it is like to be accepted. Ranma, for all of his good traits, was rarely accepted like this.
Ranko spares a moment to mourn her old self. She's not thought about him in a long time, but he crosses her mind now.
She thinks she has a few photographs of him in boy form in the album. Or she can pray for one or two to be changed back once copied. She'd like to set up a butsudan for him, even if no one else would remember him.
Miki clambers onto the chair next to her and Ranko smiles at the exciteable little girl. "Hello, Miki-chan."
"Ranko-nee!" Miki exclaims, hands over her head. "It's a party!" She says happily.
Around her the girls in the classroom crowd around her, asking about Ranko and if she's really her sister. Miki beams and shakes her head but then says that she's like her big sis.
Ranko nods with a shy smile.
She eventually escapes her classmates and finds a quiet corner to sit, closing her eyes a moment.
Sayuri sets herself next to the red-haired girl. "Akane-chan did say you tired easily at the moment, Ranko-chan." She says quietly. "Sorry it's probably a bit overwhelming." She smiles, though Ranko's still got her eyes closed. "Anyway, I hope you realise now how much we want you back in our classroom."
Ranko grimaces but nods. "I-I can s-see… Though it's hard to… to tell myself that, Sayuri-chan."
Sayuri pats her arm. "One step at a time, Ranko-chan. That's what every journey is like."
Ranko nods, opening her eyes now and looking around. "I… still feel like I don't deserve this. Like… what I did was what I was supposed to do. It's a martial artist's duty to protect those who can't protect themselves. To help people in need. And it's what any decent person should do." Her voice is still quiet and disused, and she wonders if she'll ever be loud again.
Probably not. She doesn't feel the need to talk much these days anyway.
Sayuri peers closer. "And is that what you are, Ranko-chan? A martial artist?"
Ranko shifts uncomfortably. "I… have the choice not to be now. I… don't know if I'll take it."
Sayuri smiles at her. "Well, only you can answer that question. But I'll definitely tell you this – it'd definitely make Akane's day if you sparred with her when you're better. She's always looking for other girls who share her interests and you seem to."
"Are you saying I should?" Ranko asks. Sayuri shrugs.
"That's up to you. But from what I can gather, you are good at it."
Ranko nods and returns to thinking. Sayuri gives her a quick hug and then stands. "I'll let you catch your breath, but don't think you'll get out of socialising forever, missy!" She mock-scolds, giggling.
Ranko manages a small giggle of her own. It's breathy and quiet, but the most feeling she's had from the girl.
"You've got a lovely laugh, Ranko-chan. I'd love to hear it more." Sayuri says. Then Yuka grabs her hand. "Oh no, the jealous girlfriend attacks! Saaaaaaave me, Ranko-chaaaan!" She mock-wails as said girlfriend rolls her eyes and drags her off to a different corner for some smooching.
Ranko watches them go and smiles to herself. She looks around the room at her classmates and the people she's helped and manages to feel a tiny sliver of pride in a job well done. It shocks her momentarily, and she blinks, before continuing to look.
The party winds down slowly, but eventually everyone but Akane, Ranko, Sayuri and Yuka are there, along with Akemi and Akira.
Ranko starts helping to clean up before Akane makes her sit at the table with all the envelopes and gifts on. "This is your party, Ranko-chan. No cleaning up. Go through what you got instead."
Ranko does so while the others clean up the hall. Many of the envelopes hold some small amount of money. Collected together it's rather a lot in the end. She'll probably need a bank account, or maybe to give it to Nabiki for the house. Her hospital bills must not have been cheap if they hadn't got her onto their own plans.
Amid the envelopes are a myriad of cards. All asking her to get well, to come back to school, to look after herself. Thank-you notes written in the scribbled hand of children whose parents she helped, professional calligraphy of some she saved.
As she's finishing collating everything together into a large satchel she'd been provided by Akane, Akira approaches her and sits down, groaning theatrically.
"There's more where that came from." He says, pointing to the money in the satchel. "Bounties and reward money, too." He smiles and pulls out a small black handbag. "My wife gave me this to give it to you in, but I and the other officers in the area chipped in, and saved the reward money for you. So it's all in here and she wanted you to have the bag too."
Ranko looks at it, then to him incredulously. "F-for me?"
"Indeed, Ranko-san. This is our way of saying thank you for making all our lives easier."
She takes the handbag and looks at it. "Th-thank you." She stammers out.
Akira smiles at her, putting a hand on her shoulder. "No, Ranko-chan, thank you."
Ranko nods as Akira stands and bows to her. "Well, Ranko-chan, I must be going. My wife expects me back as soon as possible."
Ranko nods as he walks off. Akemi, ever-impassive, walks over. "I'm heading out as well, Ranko-san." She says. A rare smile flits onto her face. "Good work." She pats Ranko's shoulder, squeezes once and then walks off.
Akane, Yuka and Sayuri help Ranko carry the satchel on the way back home until it's just Akane and Ranko on the road back to the dojo. Ranko looks at the satchel she's wearing and then the handbag on her shoulder, all full of well-wishes and a smile graces her face for but a moment.
Her gloved hand reaches out and takes Akane's as they walk. "Thank you." She says quietly. "For the perspective."
Akane grins easily at her, squeezing her hand. "Anytime, Ranko-chan."
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Nabiki eyes Ranko as the petite girl enters her room, fidgeting a little.
"Hi Ranko-chan. Weird to see you up and about at this hour."
"H-hi Nabiki-nee." Ranko says, looking down.
"Well, spit it out girl. You're clearly here for something." Ranko holds out an envelope that Nabiki takes. She opens it to find a large amount of money. The bob-haired girl swallows. "What's this for?" She asks.
"I-I… Rewards and… and stuff for my, um, work in the industrial district, and th-thank yous." Ranko explains. "B-but I thought I'm a drain on th-the house, so…"
Nabiki looks between the redhead who is looking away and the envelope full of money. She shakes her head. "You really think the worst of yourself, don't you?" She says quietly to herself.
Ranko feels the envelope being pressed back into her hands. "Wh-what?"
Nabiki closes Ranko's hands around it. "That money is yours, Ranko-chan. You earned it; you keep it." She smiles as Ranko looks up. "You aren't such a drain on the household finances as you might think."
"B-but…"
"Ranko, like me you're still a child. An older child, yes, but still a child. It's the adults' job to look after you. After us. With Father's income from the dojo and the work he does for the city council, as well as Auntie Nodoka's money from her house renting and the people she teaches, we're very comfortable. We can easily accommodate three of you." Her hands squeeze Ranko's. "So don't you worry."
Ranko's stomach drops out.
Stupid, stupid, stupid! Of course things are better here without her having drained the coffers with all the fights. Of course things are better because she's somehow still thinking of the dojo as run-down, with no students, when it's a bustling centre of martial arts learning for Nerima.
Nabiki's hands tighten around hers more and she shakes her head. "I can see what's going through your head, Ranko-chan. I'm starting to get an idea you're from somewhere where things weren't so good. But do not beat yourself up because you're able to be here, where we're doing well."
Ranko stammers at Nabiki but doesn't say anything that can be really taken as real words. Nabiki smiles at her.
"Ranko, you're a member of our family now." She says. "I wouldn't charge you to live here. Perhaps if you got an after-school job and started making some money, then perhaps Mom and Dad would ask for some to help contribute, but it wouldn't be much out of it and it's only in that case. This money, you earned." A slow smile spreads across her face. "Though, we'll need to get you a bank account and after that I'd be happy to help you spend it. Gods know you need a wardrobe update. Can't keep wearing Akane's cast-offs forever. They don't quite suit the figure you're going to get back." Her eyebrows waggle. "I know girls who'll kill for that figure - either to have it or to play with it."
Ranko blushes and Nabiki lets go of her hands. "O-okay." She says. She stands from the chair she'd sat at and heads to the door.
"Ranko-chan!" Nabiki calls. The redhead turns to see Nabiki making finger guns at her. "Good work making that money. I bet the tales of the things you did to earn it; about the baddies you beat up got Akane all hot and bothered!"
Ranko lets out a squeak and flees the room, heading back down the landing to the room she shares with her mother. Her face is burning.
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Ranko sits in the dojo, once again watching Soun work with the kids along with Akane, since it's a Saturday afternoon.
As always, Akane is good with them, and Soun is too. She smiles fondly in remembrance and compares him to the previous Soun she knew.
There really is no comparison between the two of them. He's just more rounded, less of a wreck. Stern and yet kindly, the kids seem to love him given how many of them outside of the dojo bid farewell to their 'Uncle Soun'.
With a pang, she thinks of her own father again. Is he better in this world? Possibly not given how her mother divorced him in this world, and quite publicly, apparently.
She spends a long time during the lessons thinking, but she doesn't slip into the darkness. She's getting better at avoiding becoming lost.
Miki comes and hugs her goodbye and then it's just the three of them; Soun, Akane and Ranko, in the dojo.
"I'll come inside in a moment." She says softly, and both Akane and Soun nod.
Ranko pulls herself to her feet after they've gone and stands in the centre of the large hall. Sucking in a deep breath, she makes a decision and starts moving through a kata she's been doing her entire life.
She moves fluidly, shifting to some of the more advanced ones, though she reaches a roadblock fairly quickly in the form of her low stamina and that she's still not fully recovered. Gritting her teeth, she floods her body with ki, radiating it through in an effort to recover some additional strength as she starts to move faster and faster until finally she comes to a stop at the end of a particularly tricky Saotome-style one.
Panting heavily, red-faced and sweating far more than she would have before all of this happened, she sinks to her knees and gasps for breath.
She hears clapping behind her and looks back to see Kimiko and Soun standing there, along with Akane. All of them look impressed and Akane whistles.
"Ranko-chan, you've been holding out on me!" She says. Soun's expression is pleased, but thoughtful, a flicker of recognition in his eyes. Kimiko is simply concerned at Ranko's bedraggled state and moves to kneel by her as the redhead crashes onto her back.
"So… So… Sorry." She pants. "I… sh-should have not d-d-done so much so qui-quickly." She hauls in deep lungfuls of air, feeling the pleasant burn on her still-thin muscles, surpassed by sharp aches and pains running through her body. Her arms and legs cramp up. "D-definitely." She says, mewling in pain slightly.
At the same time as she's feeling the pain her body she feels a warmth running through her from her ki channels. Something inside her clicks, the sluggish flow returning at least towards its original state.
Kimiko and Akane help her to her feet, though she leans heavily on Akane, her muscles still cramping. Soun regards Ranko.
"Who taught you the Art, Ranko-chan?" He asks, stroking his moustache. "It looks very familiar."
Ranko pants. "My- My father." She says. Soun raises an eyebrow but she offers no more and he doesn't ask.
"Indeed?" He doesn't question further and the other two help the limping, cramping girl to the furo so she can warm up, relax and soak her aching muscles.
Into the night, Ranko feels the burn but she manages a small smile as she falls asleep.