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:
Broken Mirrors
Friday, July 10th 11:00 AM. The Toho Center for Rehabilitation.
Ranko takes another calming breath as she is wheeled into the Toho center for her second session with Ukyo. Being around the water is still nerve wracking for her, a weakness that she finds hard to deal with, but until recently she had managed. No soaking in the furo or enjoying hot springs, sure, but it was manageable. Now, though… She wanted to get past this. She wanted to be able to enjoy all of her time with Akane, and that meant being able to go near a body of water bigger than a sink without having a panic attack. Yet another thing she had to thank her idiot parents for.
She puts on her best face as they enter the building, seeing Akane and Ukyo chatting together. The closeness they seemed to share already was a good and a bad thing. If things worked out, having the two women in the Saotome's lives on good terms was a good thing. Now, if they didn't work out it would be worse. And Ranko was now going to look at the petty little green eyed monster that was sitting on her shoulder whispering horrible things into her ear. Nope, not at all. Jealous of Ukyo, of all people. At one time, someone very like Ranma's Ukyo was close to her, almost like a sister. Knowing what her idiot parents had planned, she was almost glad that things ended how they did. Almost.
Akane looks over, seeing Ranko enter the building and that megawatt smile is soon gracing her face. She turns to explain to her new friend, but Ukyo just laughs and points. "You better go see your girlfriend, sugar, before she gets here. I have a feeling she is feeling a bit out of sorts right now."
Ukyo watches in amused silence as Akane hurries over, leaning down to talk quietly to Ranko and watching the expression on the diminutive redhead clear almost instantly, totally engaged in whatever the two of them are talking about. It was sweet, seeing how close the two of them were. Yes, it made her miss Ranma even more. And it might make her wish that the reserved, stoic of the two siblings could be a bit more like his expressive sister. But that would take time. Seeing how Ranko acted made her even more sure of her decision and resolve. It was going to work out.
Ukyo shakes her head, clearing her mind as the pair make their way over to her. "Hello, Ranko dear, are you ready for today? If you're nervous, it's ok sugar. Trauma and fear are hard things to deal with, but they can be managed. It just takes time to teach your brain that it's ok. Honestly, they are good things to have, just sometimes they are a bit too intense. Today, we are going to sit in the water on the steps, and just relax. We will take this slow and easy, and let you get used to it. Learn that it's safe, that YOU are safe."
Ranko swallows and nods, looking at Ukyo and she sees a steely, unwavering resolve that she has come to know very well. "I trust you, Ukyo. Help me get past this, so that I can enjoy my life again. I've never let my fears or worries stop me before, so why is this any different? A martial artist's life is filled with danger. I might not be able to practice anymore, but I am still who I am, in my heart of hearts. I haven't backed down from any challenge before, and I won't start now." She says, then blushes a bit.
Ukyo laughs as Akane rests a hand on Ranko's shoulder. "It's ok, sugar. Believe me, I know that nothing stops you Saotome's when you get your mind set on something. Ok, let's get you ready and head for the pool. Nothing like sitting around and talking with a bunch of other girls to really make you enjoy your life, right?" Ukyo laughs as Akane starts to wheel Ranko into the changing area. "Did you want me to help you again, Ranko?" Ukyo asks as they walk into the main area. At the shy nod of the diminutive redhead Akane smiles and goes to change as Ukyo takes the shy Saotome with her to get changed.
A short time and a quick shower later the three ladies are sitting together at the edge of the pool, Ranko sitting with one hand in the water as they talk casually, letting her get used to the idea of being close to such a large body of water.
The initial panic and anxiety is slowly fading as Akame holds her other hand and Ukyo watches her closely. Eventually, Ukyo slides into the water and moves towards the steps leading into the pool. At the worried look on Ranko's face, she gives her a gentle smile. "It's okay, sugar. Just try and sit on the top step with your feet in the water. It's going to be okay, we are both here with you."
Ranko looks to the side, at the smiling, supportive face of her girlfriend she gives a shaky nod. "Okay, I'm willing to try. Just don't let go of my hand, Akame.". She concedes and let's the two other women help her gently into place, her hand squeezing Akanes almost painfully at first.
Slowly, her breathing slows once more. The three women continue to talk amongst themselves as Ranko eyes the pool once in a while, her attention pulled back by a question or a gentle touch from one of her companions. After a while Ukyo looks at her, smiling softly as she asks "Are you ready to move a bit more into the water? Just so you are sitting in it on the step. One step at a time, Ranko. You're safe, just relax."
Ranko hesitates, then nods slowly as she looks at Akane who smiles back and gives her shoulder a reassuring little squeeze before they gently move the diminutive redhead one step farther down, both of the specialists watching her carefully. Ranko tenses, her breath catching in her throat as images of large, powerful hands holding her under water start to fill her mind, her hand reaching for her throat as she starts to panic, her eyes wide. The next thing she knows she is in a gentle, loving hug as Akane holds her close and gently strokes her hair, whispering soft words of comfort as the suddenly crying redhead clings to her like she is a lifeline in a raging sea.
"You're okay, Ranko-chan. We are here for you. I am here for you. I won't ever let anything happen to you again. Breathe for me, it's ok. There you go, that's my girl. Slow, deep breaths. You can breathe, you are safe. Let's call it here for today, if that is okay with you Ukyo?" Akane looks to Ukyo with worried eyes as she cradles the scarred form of her girlfriend close to her.
Ukyo watches them, then nods and smiles. She was half expecting something like this, it's going to be a process to get her past this fear, to let her enjoy herself without the terror. She can't help but wonder what happened, what trauma created this fear. At the same time, she is not sure that she really wants to know. What could instill such terror in the strong willed woman who she knew? "That sounds like a good idea. I was just about to wrap things up for today, anyhow. We all have big plans for this weekend, right? No need to overdo things today. I will talk to the receptionist and see what I can arrange for two weeks from now, probably wednesday again, if that works for you, Ranko?" At the meek nod from the clinging redhead she smiles and nods. "Ok, lets go get you cleaned up so you can spend some time together, hrm?"
Ranko nods as she clings to Akane, blushing slightly as she clears her throat. "Akane...Would...You mind helping me change? I..Kind of don't want to let go right now…" She says as she looks away, blushing brighter.
Akane looks at her, then her eyes soften and she smiles as a light blush crosses her cheeks as well. "I would be happy to help with that. I promise not to stare too much." She says with a wink to the suddenly brightly red redhead.
Ukyo laughs as she gets out of the pool and shakes her head as she helps Akane get Ranko settled into the chair they provided for her. "You two are adorable."
Both of the other women blush and look anywhere but at each other as the three make their way back to the changing rooms. A short shower later finds Akane and Ranko alone in the changing room as Akane smiles at the nervous redhead and without a word strips out of her swimsuit like it was nothing before casually getting dressed in front of the suddenly staring Ranko-chan.
"It's not like you haven't seen it all before...And if I am going to be helping you, it seemed only fair that you should not be the only one exposed, right? Just...Don't stare too much…" Akane says as she blushes and finishes getting dressed. "Ok, your turn Ranko. You okay?" She asks the still blushing redhead.
"Y..Yeah, I am. It's fine, we are dating, after all...I just...wasn't expecting THIS to be the first time you saw me naked…" She says with an embarrassed little laugh.
"Oh, have you been thinking about that alot, hrm?" Akane teases as she helps Ranko out of her swimsuit, doing her best not to oggle the buxom little bombshell too much.
Ranko blushes and looks away. "Why don't you just take a picture, jeeze. Hentai." She says, then looks back and winks at the blushing taller woman.
The two of them stare at each other for a moment, then break into gentle laughter, the awkwardness falling away with their easy laughter. Shortly after, a fully dressed Akane and Ranko are leaving the room, pointedly ignoring the grinning personal trainer that is leaning against the wall. "And here I was starting to think I was going to have to send in a rescue team. Are you doing better now, sugar?" She asks Ranko as she smiles down at her.
"I'm doing better, thank you. I will see you later, ok?" She looks over her shoulder at Akane, who nods and starts to wheel her out. Soon, the pair of them are talking lightly among themselves, the tenderness in their expressions speaking volumes about the bond they share.
She watches till they get into the car and then heads back in to clean up and clock out so she can make sure that everything is ready for the party she was invited to the next night.
She still wasn't sure who all had been invited, but she had a sneaking suspicion that someone was meddling. She shakes her head and smiles. Sometimes meddling wasn't a bad thing.
Saturday, July 11th 6:00 PM, The Weeping Lilies Teahouse and Revue.
Ranko smiles as Shiro lets her out, seeing Akane waiting for her outside of the building standing and talking to a matronly looking older woman with long, brown hair and a very gentle smile on her face. She smiles at the pair of them as Shiro wheels her over, her breath catching in her throat at the sight of Akane in a casual kimono, not nearly as fancy as the one she had seen her in the last time. The time they spent after her session yesterday had done wonders in recharging her and relaxing her. They hadn't done anything special, not really. A casual dinner, a long walk and a gentle talk about little nothings. She could freely admit it, she was in love with Akane Tendo.
Akane walks over, taking Ranko's hand as she turns to the older woman. "Kasumi, I'd like you to meet Ranko Saotome, my girlfriend. Ranko dear, this is Kasumi Tofu, my older sister. I dragged her away from her brood for a few hours so that you two could meet without her horde being present."
"Oh my, Akane! They are not that bad, they are just a bit rambunctious, that is all. But your nieces and nephews are good children. They remind me of you and Nabiki so much when you were that age." Kasumi smiles, then leans down to properly speak to Ranko. "It's a pleasure to meet you at last, Ranko-chan. I have heard so much about you from my dear sisters. I hope you take good care of Akane-chan. She is a bit of a tomboy, but she is a wonderful woman." Kasumi says as she stands and bows.
Akane blushes and looks away. "Kasumi! You don't have to say it like that…." She bites her lip, looking around. "Speaking of Nabiki, where is she?"
"Oh, she is inside with the rest of the party. A nice young lady from her work and another friend of hers is with them." She moves to hold open the door for the couple as they walk in. The atmosphere inside is soft and relaxing. Soft music plays in the background, and delicate looking geisha move about silently. A slightly taller woman with impeccable makeup and a beautiful kimono walks towards them, bowing fluidly. "I am Konatsu, the proprietor of this establishment. It's a pleasure to meet the sisters of our dear Mrs. Watanabe. We will always be grateful to her for her assistance in getting established. Now, if you will come with me, this One shall show you the way to your private room." The three follow after the graceful woman, swept along in the wake of her presence.
"This is amazing, I never knew there was a teahouse like this around here. It feels like we stepped back before the reformation." Ranko says in wonder even as her eyes narrow a bit as she watches the geisha moving about the room, before her eyes go wide. She looks up at Akane, smiling slyly. "So, Akane-chan. Tell me what you see when you look at the women who work here."
Akane blinks as she looks down at Ranko, then really looks at the women, her expression growing confused as she looks back at Ranko who nods and smiles, relaxing.
"This is going to be an interesting night. I should thank Nabiki." Ranko says as Kasumi gives the two a curious look.
"Don't worry, I am sure that someone will explain it all to you when we are in private, later." Akane assures her sister.
As the three enter the private room, those inside stand to greet them. Nabiki Watanabe is sitting in the middle of the table, wearing a dark conservative kimono of impeccable cut. Next to her is a woman she introduces as Natsume. The tall, dark haired woman bows respectfully, her eyes hold a certain aloofness to them. "Thank you for having me, I apologize that my sister was not able to make it tonight, Kurumi is..Feeling a bit under the weather today."
Nabiki laughs and grins at the reserved woman. "It was that all you can eat buffet place that opened, wasn't it? She just had to go and try to win the years worth of meal coupons…"
Natsume sighs and nods. "And she was close to winning, too. I am sure I will hear about it for the rest of the year."
Ranko blinks and looks at her closely, then relaxes a bit. "It's very nice to meet you, Natsume. I am sorry for staring, I knew another Natsume at one time." She bows respectfully to the older woman, who just shakes her head.
"It's fine, you must be Ranko Saotome, then? Nabiki speaks fondly of you and your brother. Thank you for putting up with her antics." She bows smoothly to the suddenly amused Ranko who casts a wicked grin Nabiki's way.
"It was one time, Natsume. One time. Will you ever let it go?" Nabiki grouses.
"As soon as you pay for Kurumi's meals for a month." Natsume counters.
"Ok...You win. I can handle your ribbing, your sister would bankrupt me." Nabiki says, then smiles as someone enters the room behind them. "Oh, perfect timing! Ladies, I would like you to meet Ukyo Kuonji. The last member of our little group tonight."
The ladies look at the suddenly blushing woman who is smiling warmly at Akane and Ranko. "Imagine seeing you two here, sugar. I guess we all had the same plans?"
Several sets of eyes turn to regard the smiling face of one Nabiki Watanabe.
"This is going to be such a fun night!" Nabiki says with a grin.