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 23
Saturday, November 21st, The Weeping Lilies Teahouse and Revue. 5:45 PM.
Ukyo paced back and forth, just like she had been doing since they had arrived. Akane had thought it would be a good idea to arrive early and she had stupidly agreed. Needless to say, she had regretted that decision.
Akane sighed as she sipped at her tea. "Ukyo, why don't you sit down? You're just going to wear yourself out at the rate you are going. Take a breath, sit and enjoy some of the tea that Madam Konatsu brought for us. It is rather good."
Ukyo stopped pacing and looked at Akane "Sugar, I don't know if I can do this. What if they try to pressure me? What if they are mad or disappointed in me?". She sighed and started pacing again until Akane sighed, stood up and gently forced Ukyo to stop and sit.
"You need to relax, okay? You know they are not going to do any of that. They are our friends, Ukyo. Friends that we haven't seen in a while. We are going to sit, talk, have fun and reconnect. That's all. So, take a deep breath." Akane said in a fondly exasperated tone of voice.
Ukyo fixed her with a look and flopped down in a very unladylike way as she accepted the cup of tea that Akane offered. She took a desultory sip at first, then let out a happy little sigh as she took another. "This...Is really good." She conceded.
Akane nodded sagely and took another sip. "It's also a calming herbal blend. Not that I think either of us might be a bundle of nerves." She said with a wink, as she drew a laugh from Ukyo.
"Okay, okay. So I'm nervous, sugar." Ukyo said as she took another sip.
"You're not the only one, you know. I don't know how things will play out, and you still need to figure out what you want. I will continue to hold my tongue until you do, so take your time." Akane said as she took another sip of her tea.
Ukyo laughed softly as she settled herself a bit more comfortably. "Is that part of the reason you wanted to be here early, hun? So that we could both settle a bit?"
Akane nodded sheepishly as she composed herself. "We are going to do this together, one way or another Ukyo. And if that means we show up early to events so that we don't LOOK like a bundle of nerves, well, then that is what we do."
Ukyo looked at Akane and chuckled as she shook her head. "You really have been around Nabiki too much, sugar."
Akane smirked and shrugged as they heard a couple of voices approaching them down the hall.
"I swear, I am never riding with you two again if you let Kurumi drive again, Natsume." Nabiki said in an aggravated tone of voice.
"Hey! We got here in one piece!" Kurumi said energetically.
"Somehow" Natsume added drolly.
"Hey! I'm a good driver! It's the rest of them that need to learn to drive!" Kurumi said, with an audible pout.
"I think the claw marks on the inside of the vehicle from your passengers that don't want to die would say otherwise, Kurumi." Nabiki said as they entered the room.
"No one has died! No one has ever died riding with me!" Kurumi said in an aggravated tone of voice.
"Not yet, no." Natsume said as she stopped and bowed to the other two women.
Kurumi bowed, then sat in a huff.
Nabiki shook her head, a warm smile on her face. "It really is good to see you two… Alive, and all." Nabiki said, then bowed and sat as well.
Kurumi's pout seemed to intensify for a moment, then she noticed the snacks already laid out and helped herself, her mood instantly improving.
Akane and Ukyo bowed to the other three, as Akane gave Nabiki a curious look. "I thought that Kasumi-neechan was going to make it?"
Nabiki nodded as she helped herself to some of the tea. "She is just running a bit late, Ono had to take care of something, and the sitter was a little delayed."
Natsume accepted the tea that Akane offered her, a rare smile crossing her usually stern features. "Thank you, Akane. I hope you both have been well?" She inquired as she took a sip of her tea.
"Well enough, I think. End of the year is always a busy time for me, what with the stress of the holidays getting to people." Akane answered.
"My job remains about the same, year round. Just less outside activities for my patients until the weather improves again." Ukyo said as she refilled her cup, taking another long sip from it, and letting the warm, floral tea soothe her.
Nabiki nodded as she grabbed some snacks before the human vacuum cleaner could get to them. "I'm glad to hear that you two are doing well. Akane, think you will make it to the family christmas this year? Kasumi has said she plans on going all out."
"On one condition, as long as I can drag this homebody with me." She motioned towards Ukyo who blinked and looked a bit surprised.
"I don't see a problem with that." Nabiki confirmed.
"Don't I get a say in this?" Ukyo asked as she shook her head.
In unison, the two sisters looked at her and shook their heads, then grinned at each other and laughed softly.
"Ugh, sisters." Ukyo groused in a good natured sort of way.
"Well, there ARE two sets of us here at the moment, so you, miss only child, are outnumbered." Akane pointed out helpfully.
Ukyo shook her head and blew a raspberry at her friend, before the humor got to all of the women of the group. They start to chatter amongst themselves, and about ten minutes later Kasumi hurried in, looking apologetic.
"I am so very sorry I was late! Ono had to take care of something, so I was a bit delayed. I do hope I didn't miss anything?" Kasumi said as she bowed deeply to all those gathered.
"Just us picking on Ukyo." Kurumi chirped helpfully.
"Oh my! That's not very nice, Kurumi dear." Kasumi said as she gave Kurumi a look.
Kurumi seemed to wilt under the gentle gaze, and murmured an apology.
"And that is the power of Kasumi the mom." Akane quipped helpfully.
"A most formidable opponent, indeed." Natsume commented dryly.
"Aren't you supposed to be on my side, Natsume-neechan?" Kurumi complained.
"Whatever made you think that?" Natsume replied.
Kurumi visibly deflated, at least until she was offered a plate of sweets by Akane. "See! Big sis Akane loves me!" Kurumi crowed as she tucked in, which only drew a shake of the head from Natsume.
"So, how are you coming along on your decision, Ukyo?" Natsume asked, and Ukyo winced at the curious looks she received from the oldest two Tendo sisters.
As Natsume noticed the reaction, she nodded and stood up. "Would you like to walk with me, Ukyo? I am sure that you could use some air, and when we get back I am sure everyone will be ready to order?". She said as she stared at her sister.
Kurumi puffed out her cheeks and sighed. "Fine, fine.". She started to read through the menu, as she pointed dishes out to the others.
Natsume offered her hand to Ukyo, who took it as she was pulled to her feet before trailing behind Natsume out the door, and into the courtyard. The cold, brisk air caused both the women to pull their winter kimonos a little tighter around them as they walked in companionable quiet for a time.
"I'm sorry for making things awkward for you." Natsume apologized.
Ukyo let out a little bitter laugh. "It's fine, it's not like it isn't on their minds too. Maybe I should just give them another chance."
"That is up to you, Ukyo. I'm single because I tend to over analyze everything. It makes me a good person for Nabiki's workplace, but a horrid person to date. I've been told that sometimes you have to follow your heart more than your head." Natsume said as she gazed at the small grove of sakura trees lingering under a light coating of snow.
Ukyo laughed and nodded. "Why is Kurumi single then? I've never heard her talk about anyone, and with how she talks about food, wouldn't they get jealous anyhow?"
"Kurumi dates, but they tend to think about paying to cover that appetite, and they have second thoughts. I've been trying to set her up with a chef I know, but it's been a struggle." Natsume commented with a shake of her head.
"How is that not a perfect match?" Ukyo wondered.
"He keeps saying he must 'Traverse the endless wasteland of food, and conquer the storm before he can create a divine dish worthy of her god-like tongue.' or something like that. It's food, if you cook it properly it's good, how complicated can it be?" Natsume said with a hint of exasperation in her voice.
Ukyo chuckled, "I come from a long line of chefs. Believe me, it can be."
Natsume shook her head before she turned to Ukyo. "If you want to talk, I will always listen and offer what advice I can."
Ukyo smiled softly "You are a good friend, Natsume."
"Thank you, Ukyo. I consider all of you family, you know. And I will always be here for you." Natsume said as she relaxed in the brisk air.
"Do you think I'm over thinking all of this?" Ukyo asked.
"I think you have an important decision to make, and you need to take whatever time it takes to sort it out." Natsume replied.
Ukyo chuckled softly "shall we head back in?"
Natsume stood and nodded "We should, if we want to be able to eat."
Ukyo laughed and nodded as she walked alongside Natsume to spend time with some of the people that she realized actually mattered to her.
Maybe she had really known the answer all along.
A talk with Akane later was in order, maybe with Natsume along to give them both a neutral third party to bounce ideas off of.
Ukyo nodded to herself as they walked back into their private room, not surprised to see Kurumi eating far more food than someone of her small stature should even be able to consider. But, these were her friends, the people she chose to associate with. Maybe that said something about her?
Something to think about when she was not with the rest of the girls.
Later that same night, in Los Angeles.
Ranma glared at the clock as he sighed. There was no way he would be back home in time for the ritual. Talks were going to take at least another day to settle out. It would have been better if they could have had this talk in Tokyo, so he would be closer to home. Unfortunately, the person that he had to deal with was a bit… Eccentric, was a nice way to put it. In this day and age, who didn't travel? Eccentric millionaires, it would appear was the answer.
He sighed as he looked out the glass doors and onto the balcony, wishing that Ukyo was with him here, that he could show her the sights of the city.
He could only hope that in time they would come to some sort of terms, and that they could maybe return to something resembling the most normal span of his life since that incident five years ago.
Time would tell, and like Nabiki insisted, there was nothing else he could do for now.
He never had liked feeling powerless, but Nabiki was right. The ball was in the girl's court now, and they would have to be okay with whatever they decided to do with it.
It didn't make it any less lonely, though.