Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction, I do not claim any rights to any of the characters or concepts created or owned by Viz Video or Rumiko Takahashi. This is just the work of one fan to the others. The only characters or concepts that i claim are the ones I created or introduced. That said, I bring you:
Wednesday, June 10, the Saotome Residence, 7:00 AM
Ranko wakes early the next day, going through her meditations and checking on her correspondence after letting her personal maid help her get ready for the day. Her breakfast eaten and newspaper read, she looks at the phone with nervous trepidation, then sighs and makes a call to a certain Mrs. Watanabe. She swallows a little nervously at the nature of her call, then calms herself as she hears the phone picked up. "Hello, Mrs. Watanabe, I do hope I did not catch you at a bad time?" She asks, knowing that her friend is not exactly a morning person.
Her friend laughs on the line, hesitating for a moment, then continues "No, not a bad time at all, I am just sitting here talking to my sister, is there something I can help you with? Is there a legal matter you need some help with this morning?" Mrs. Watanabe asks, surprisingly polite for so early in the morning, at least for her.
Ranko, for her part, laughs softly "Oh, it's not that important, I just had...a favor to ask, if it's a bad time, I can call back later... " She trails off, waiting for a reply as she chews on her bottom lip nervously, not quite so sure of herself now that she knows that they have an audience.
Mrs. Watanabe chuckles "If you don't mind the odd, curious looks my little sister is giving me right now, I don't mind. So, what is this favor of yours?" She asks, chuckling at what must be the reaction from her sister at her statement. It's clear that she must enjoy egging on her sister, a habit that Ranko is hardly surprised by.
Ranko clears her throat and sighs "I...Was hoping that you might be available to help me with some shopping? I'm going to a concert this Saturday with...a friend...and I don't have anything to wear that seems appropriate." She chews nervously on her bottom lip, and jumps when she hears over the phone "You really shouldn't chew on your lip like that, it will leave marks." This leaves Ranko sputtering for a moment, then laughing merrily.
Mrs. Watanabe chuckles as well "I would be available later today, I have the day off from the firm. I am just checking up on my father and kid sister, but how does, say, six o'clock at the Ishiro boutique sound? I think we can find the perfect thing for you." At Ranko's quiet assertion that that would be fine, the two hang up, ready to finish their business for the morning, so that they can meet that night.
Ranko makes the arrangements for the car, and books a private table for them both at Le Chavre, a french resturaunt that she knows her friend prefers, then sets about the rest of her day, letting her maid once again make her presentable for the public. While being primped, powdered and made ready, she checks on the stocks and state of the Saotome holding, finding comfort that her family's legacy continues to prosper.
When the time comes, she is taken to the car and driven to the boutique, the perfect image of the affluent japanese woman, even as she worries inside about the teasing she is most certain to get from her friend over this. 'First, helping Ranma make arrangements to take Ukyo to a play, and now helping me get ready to go see a concert….She is going to have a field day with this!' is her thoughts as they stop outside the store, and she is taken inside, groaning and chewing on her lip as she sees her brown-haired companion waiting for her with a predatory smirk on her face.
Wednesday, June 10th, the Tendo residence, 7:00 AM
Mrs. Nabiki Watanabe makes her way down to the breakfast table, dragging just a bit as she stretches and yawns, already hearing her younger sister bustling about the house, sure that she had already finished her morning practice, her morning run, and prepared a simple meal for the three of them. She mumbles a sleepy good morning to her father who was reading the paper like he had every day that she could remember. He nods to her, turning the page as Akane comes bustling out, pressing a large cup of coffee into her sister's hand, knowing that is about the only way to get her moving and functioning in the morning.
Akane watches with some amusement as her sister slowly comes back to life. It was rare when her sister would spend the night anymore, but when her husband and partner at their law firm was out of town for work, she would occasionally come over 'To see her little sister and dear father' she would say, but she was pretty sure it was for the meal in the morning and to get a cup of coffee that she didn't have to do anything but drink. Akane gives her sister a questioning look as Nab's phone starts to ring, shaking her head as she sees her smirk before answering it.
Akane watches as Nabiki laughs at whatever the person on the line says, then Nabiki replies "No, not a bad time at all, I am just sitting here talking to my sister, is there something I can help you with? Is there a legal matter you need some help with this morning?" Akane shakes her head and laughs quietly, amused by her sister's tone. She eats her food, glancing over as Nabiki talks on the phone, sputtering a bit at Nabiki's next statement, said with a chuckle "If you don't mind the odd, curious looks my little sister is giving me right now, I don't mind. So, what is this favor of yours?"
Akane huffs a bit, looking away as she eats, but still curious enough to listen in as Nabiki says "You really shouldn't chew on your lip like that, it will leave marks." Akane rolls her eyes, glad that at least Nabiki has found another subject for her mind games. Nabiki grins over at her sister, giving her the odd feeling that she knows exactly what is going on in her mind as she laughs, then says once the laughter dies down "I would be available later today, I have the day off from the firm. I am just checking up on my father and kid sister, but how does, say, six o'clock at the Ishiro boutique sound? I think we can find the perfect thing for you." After another few moment's she hangs up the phone, looking smugly over at Akane.
"When are you ever going to tell me about this mystery client of yours, Nabs?" She asks as the two sisters take the dishes into the kitchen, a warning light going off in her mind as Nabiki makes sure the door is closed, a hand on her hip as she looks at her little sister, sending Akane's danger sense into overdrive.
Nabiki sighs and looks at her, watching her carefully "Oh, about the same time that you come out to Daddy, I think." Nabiki smirks and nods to herself as she watches the reaction that statement has on her sister. "You really didn't think that I knew? Remember who I am, Akane. I know all, I see all, and I keep my family's secrets." She says and gives her sister a warm hug "When you are ready, both Kasumi and I are here for you, ok sis?"
The two sister's break down into a good cry for a while, and when they come out, they are smiling and at ease again. A fact that is lost on their less than observant father. It is some time later that Nabiki makes her way to the boutique to meet her friend and client, smirking at her as she watches her reactions.
Ranko does her best to school her pensive fidgeting, sighing as she watches Nabiki, thinking how this is going to be amusing, for at least one of them. "Hello, Nabiki, I hope you haven't been waiting for long?" Ranko asks politely as Nabiki falls in next to her, smiling down at her as they travel into the exclusive boutique, the manager heading quickly towards them, a broad smile on her face at seeing the reclusive redhead in her store.
Nabiki smiles down at her companion "No, not long at all. Always worth the wait, you will definitely have to tell me about your...companion...at some point, Ranko dear." She turns her attention to the manager, smiling softly "Hello, Mrs. Ishiro, as always, it's a pleasure to see you. My friend here wants to attend a concert, and she needs something to make an impact. I, of course, thought of you first. Now, I was thinking…." she pulls the manager aside as Ranko makes a slow tour of the store, just enjoying the ambiance of the elegant store, her driver wheeling her along quietly. She looks at the clothing on display, the elegant women moving about, both the clients and employees, and wonders once again at how she is here now, never would she have believed a few years ago that she would ever be in a place like this, shopping for an elegant gown.
She looks up at the sound of heels on the floor, giving a soft, warm smile to Nabiki as she walks up, the manager and a series of employees in tow, each holding a dress for her to look at, and to choose to try on. Ranko looks over them, touching a few to feel the cloth before settling on three dresses to actually try on. The manager looks at her, a sympathetic smile on her face "Would you like one of my employees to help you into these, Ms. Saotome?" Ranko looks at her, sighing softly, then giving a thankful look to Nabiki as she steps forward, taking one of the dresses "If you don't mind, I will be assisting Ms. Saotome with her garb, I do want to be the first to see her in them." She says as she steers them all towards the changing rooms, taking charge as she always does, an amused look in her eyes as everyone follows her lead.
Once they are alone in the changing suite, Nabiki helps her diminutive friend into the chair that was placed there for her, amazed once again at just how light the curvaceous redhead actually is. As she helps remove her current outfit, she can't help but be shocked once again at the scars that criss-cross her body, and the fact that even though she is unable to stand or walk, at how much tone remains in her legs as she helps her change, each outfit being carefully tried on then placed neatly onto the rack. Eventually, they settle on a long, elegant green and lace gown, one that suits her fiery red hair well and fits a woman that will be seated the entire time well. As they make their way out, the dress, shoes, and countless accessories in tow Nabiki looks down at her companion "You really must tell me about your companion at some point, my dear. I have to admit, I am...curious...that possibly you both might be coming out of your shell, just a bit."
Ranko gives her a wry little smile "Really, Nabiki, she is just a friend I met, one that has helped me a great deal. We share a common interest in music, and she introduced me to the music of the performer we will be seeing. She is hardly a 'companion', just...a friend. A very dear friend. And I have to have SOME secrets from you, after all. Otherwise, you are likely to get bored with the Saotome's." Ranko says in a matter-of-fact manner as she is wheeled out to the car, and both ladies are seated in the back by her ever-present driver.
Dinner is a quiet affair, the two women sitting and talking, laughing softly over one thing or another, Ranko fending off Nabiki's subtle attempts to pry out details about her companion, and Ranko listening with rapt attention to the more humorous situations Nabiki has dealt with this week. "He really tried to claim that his mistress in Kyoto was a 'bussiness expense?'" Ranko asks in astonishment over one of the situations that Nabiki had just told her about, amazed at how bold some people could be.
Nabiki laughs as she sips her wine "Yes, he really did. He insisted that his wife didn't need to see those receipts as well, since it was a 'business expense' of his, AND that his firm should really reimburse him for it, as well!" Nabiki shakes her head, sipping once more "Needless to say, I don't think that he will be employed or married much longer." She smirks as she watches Ranko blush and laugh softly, amazed at just how different the two siblings are from each other, especially considering their situation.
A few hours later the two ladies make their way home, Nabiki watching her friend drive off, shaking her head as she makes her way home, half tempted to see if she could find out details from the theater about Ranko's companion, then laughing as she decides to leave her friend her privacy, at least for now.