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, chapter 22
Sunday, November 15th. The Kuonji residence, 1:00 PM.
Ukyo fussed about her house, tidying up, or so she told herself. To be honest, she was oddly nervous about Akane coming over to talk.
It wasn't that the two of them didn't get along. Quite the opposite, in fact. She was still nervous about the talk that was sure to happen. She had an idea of where she stood, but she needed to know where Akane stood, as well. If everyone else had a united front, they should as well it would make it so that they could feel like they were equal partners in whatever lay ahead, regardless of what happened next
That sense of control was necessary, regardless of what they chose to do next. No more being dragged or led along. Regardless of what they decided, they would be an active part of their own lives from now on.
She jumped at the sound of her doorbell, as she took a moment to collect herself before she walked over and opened the door for her guest. Akane Tendo smiled nervously, holding a pair of bags.
"Kasumi insisted on my bringing some food. Takoyaki and mochi, home made of course. And rice balls, but I made those so hopefully they are edible." Akane said as she smiled awkwardly. "Can...I come in?". She asked after a moment.
Ukyo linked and blushed as she moved aside. "Of course, I'm so sorry.". She said as Akane bowed back, a soft smile on her lips.
"It's okay, I understand. Thank you for having me.". Akane said as she took off her shoes and slipped into the guest slippers before she followed Ukyo into the main room.
Ukyo laughed nervously as she fetched plates, chopsticks, and drinks for the two women. "Sorry I didn't have anything ready for us."
Akane finished laying out the spread she had brought and laughed. "It's okay, Kasumi came over to make sure I was okay and figured that we didn't need to worry about more. I didn't tell her anything but that I was going to see you when she asked what I was doing today." Akane quickly explained.
Ukyo laughed softly and shook her head. "I've already figured out it's basically impossible not to be mothered by your sister. I'm relatively certain she would see the Devil on her doorstep, invite him in and have him docile and nice in a few minutes."
Akane giggled and shrugged. "You're not wrong." She said.
"So, how are you doing?" Ukyo asked as she poked at the food.
Akane sighed "Better, I think. I found someone to punch."
Ukyo Looked at her oddly, "You found someone to punch?"
Akane laughed and ate one of the takoyaki "Yeah, Ryouga, he's one of the sensei at the dojo. 'The first always tells the truth.' it's an old adage, and I thought it might help me sort things out."
"Well… Did it? Help sort things out?" Ukyo asked.
Akane nodded as she regarded Ukyo. "It did, now the question is have you sorted anything out?"
Ukyo sighed "Maybe? I don't know. I… I know what I want, I just… Don't know if it's good for me. I don't know if I can trust them, and I will be honest… All of this scares me."
Akane laughed and nodded. "I think being scared is a good sign. It means that you are taking all of this seriously, instead of thinking it's some sort of delusion or trick. I'm scared too, but I don't think running away will make everything go back to normal. It's like the first time you see someone break a concrete brick, or walk a tightrope blindfolded. Any of the things that are supposed to be impossible to do, you have to consider them a bit more attainable after you see it done."
Ukyo gave her an odd look. "We are talking about magic here, like, legitimate high fantasy magic. Not a feat of strength or will. Magic."
"And how many of the ancient techniques seem like magic? Where did all the stories and legends come from, if not something someone saw? Maybe, at one time, it was all possible but we somehow just...Forgot." Akane said, taking a sip of the tea and tentatively nibbling on a rice ball.
Ukyo nodded thoughtfully "You know you're not the only one that comes from a family with a martial artist tradition, sugar. Mine is a long line of chefs and fighters. I know, an odd combination, but that is what my family is. I'm the black sheep of the family."
"You come from a line of chefs? Does that mean you can cook?" Akane asked.
Ukyo shrugged. "We are okonomiyaki chefs, for the most part. I was taught to cook and fight when I was little, but I just felt a calling to help people. And that led me to Ranma, Ranko, and you."
Akane nodded "Well, I am glad it did. You're a good friend, Ukyo. And we need to settle this together. We both have to be in agreement, or it won't be right."
Ukyo looked at her sidelong as she took one of the takoyaki and ate it, a look of bliss on her face. "That...is just wrong. How can she make them this good?" She shook herself and addressed Akane. "Just because they are a pair, doesn't mean that we both have to agree on this."
Akane gave her a long look and sighed "Actually, it does. If one of them is left alone after this, I don't think I would be happy. And I would be neither would you. For better or worse, I think we need to come to a consensus."
"Sugar, it's pretty obvious where you are leaning. And how can I deny you that?" Ukyo said sadly.
"Because if you are not happy or comfortable, how can I be? Take your time, I don't think they expected us to take it well. We need to think this through, one way or the other. We need to be okay with our decision." Akane said as she laid a hand on Ukyo's.
Ukyo laughed sadly "Why did it have to be like this? Why couldn't it be simpler? More normal? Less crazy?"
"Because they might be worth all of this?" Akane answered honestly.
"Are they?" Ukyo asked.
"I will hold my opinion. You need to figure out yours." Akane said with a smile.
"Maybe another girl's night… with your sisters… would be okay." Ukyo conceded.
"I think that would be a good idea." Akane answered.
Ukyo gave Akane a long look "You're channeling your sisters again, sugar."
Akane gave her a serene look "I have no idea what you are talking about."
Ukyo laughed softly and shook her head, wondering for a moment how they were doing, especially since this was Ranma's week.
Ranma was tired. That was the best way to describe it. He looked over at Nabiki and sighed as he limped slowly back from the shrine.
"You know, you two are going to drain me dry, Saotome." Nabiki said with a little shake of her head.
"I have no idea what you are talking about, Mrs. Watanabe." Ranma said as he diligently put one foot in front of the other, his cane a soft counterpoint on the ancient stones.
"You do know I dealt with Ranko this morning, and all this week, right?" Nabiki said with a shake of her head.
"If we are such a burden for you, you can always leave." Ranma said darkly.
"And where would you two be then? None of the staff will say what's on their mind when you two are in these kinds of moods. Honestly, we knew it was going to be rough, and that they would likely not take it well." Nabiki said as she stepped forward to hold open the door for the brooding lord of the manor.
He sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I know. I'm sorry, it's just… I thought I would be able to handle her rejection better." Ranma said tiredly.
"We don't know yet that they have rejected you two. I didn't come around right away, either if you remember. The whole having your entire world view shattered does that to a person, and I had the benefit of Natsume explaining what was happening after she called me out of the blue. They didn't have her to help guide them all through this, you know. Just us lowly mortals." Nabiki said as she tried to ease the anxiety of the dark haired brooding younger man.
He sighed and nodded. "I wish she was here to help us all through this again. I know it's not any easier on Ranko, I have read her notes for the week. She won't say outright how she is feeling, but… It's just not her, if you know what I mean?" Ranma nodded in thanks to one of the butlers as he laid tea and something light to eat on the desk before he sat heavily behind the wooden edifice in his study.
"Oh, believe me, I know. You don't have to deal with the woman who is lamenting her existence and the burden it puts on the woman she loves, who just so happens to be my sister who has been giving both Kasumi and I the cold shoulder as well. Like I said, we knew this was not going to be easy on any of us. We just have to trust in the fact that it is Ukyo and Akane we are talking about here. It will work out." Nabiki said with as much positivity in her voice as she could muster.
He nodded heavily, and started to go through the papers on his desk, working his way through the first day's business as he had done for years now. He tried to lose himself in the routine, in the unchanging patterns that had defined their lives before the two women that they missed so much came into their lives. He almost succeeded, in fact. Until he noticed the memo about another out of town trip he had to take, one that would cut the margins on his return close.
"Is there any chance I can reschedule? I don't want to risk not being here in time for the ritual." He said as she looked at the calendar.
"I wish it was possible, but we have had to reschedule twice already. This is the best I can manage. I know that neither of you wants to risk throwing off the cycle, but there isn't much that can be done about it." Nabiki said as placatingly as she could.
He nodded as he stared at the calendar and then put it down with a sigh.
"You are not usually this worried about having to readjust for a week or two. You want to make sure that each of you is where you should be if they come back, aren't you?" Nabiki said with a knowing look on her face.
He coughed into his hand "It's just easier on everyone if we keep to the weekly cycle, instead of having to take two two-week intervals to get things back to how they have been for years now." He said as he looked at her intently, practically daring her to challenge his reasoning.
She bowed deeply. "Please forgive my impertinence, Saotome-San. I would never question your purpose and reasoning." She said formally as she held the deep bow.
"You are impossible at times, Nabiki. Please, stop that. I don't need anymore of a swollen head than I already have. Look, I'm sorry I treated you like that. You are practically family. You have taken care of both of us through some of our worst times, and we can never show you the proper gratitude. So, please. When I am out of line, I trust you to tell me. I know I shouldn't snap at you, or anyone else. It's just…" Ranma trailed off with a sigh.
"I know, Ranma. I understand. You really should set up new appointments with someone else, somewhere different, until we get all of this resolved. Ukyo would be very cross with you if she saw how badly you are letting your recovery lapse." Nabiki said as she placed her hands on her hips. "Honestly, I'm having the same issues with Ranko, you know. I am about to call Akiko over to deal with both of you." She said in a menacing manner.
Ranma paled a bit and shook his head with a dark little laugh. "Okay, okay. You win, you don't need to drag out the pocket demon. She is good at what she does, but since she considers us family, she tends to not pull her punches. We really are thankful for what you do and putting up with both of us while we moon over our lost loves."
"You know that they haven't rejected you both outright, right? They would have told you if that was the case. Have faith in them and give them time. They care for both of you, Kami know's someone has to. You are both way too high maintenance for me." Nabiki said with a fond shake of her head.
He chuckled and shrugged. "Well, what do you expect? We are both attention starved, according to your sister in law." Ranma continued to work through his paperwork until the beeping of Nabiki's phone broke the silence in the room.
Nabiki checked the message, a smug little smile crossing her lips.
"What is it? What happened, Nabiki?" Ranma asked as he put down the current form.
In answer Nabiki held her phone out for him to see. It said "Girls Night, the usual place. Saturday, November 21st at 6:00 P.M." It was sent to Nabiki Watanabe, Kasumi Ono, and both Natsume and her sister from the account of Akane Tendo.
"See? Don't count yourselves out of the game yet. Now, I just have to make sure that I don't have plans that night…" Nabiki said in an almost teasing manner, that she dropped at seeing the look in Ranma's eyes. "Down, boy. I will let them know I will be there, and make sure that Kasumi can be as well." Nabiki said as she set about making the arrangements on her end, a smile crossed her face as she could see Ranma relax a bit.
She knew that she had been right to have faith in her sister.