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 41

Thursday, January 7th. The Saotome Residence, 6:30 PM.

Akane, Ukyo and Ranko made their way back to the garden where they found their unexpected guest, Kodachi Kuno, admiring the flowers. She had a cup of tea in hand while she looked at the black rose. She didn't turn to face them as she spoke, her voice oddly somber.

"I was once known as the Black Rose, when I was still in school. I was a wild and unhinged young woman, who did many things that should have been unforgivable." Kodachi spoke softly, then looked over at them and her expression changed. "Some would have even said I deserved to go to hell. I'm sorry I interrupted your visit with Gos, but I couldn't resist. He has always been so much fun to mess with."

Ranko smiled awkwardly at that statement and cleared her throat. "So, I see. Do you mind me asking just why you seem to find so much enjoyment in it, and why exactly he is so terrified of you? We… Kind of need him to help us."

Kodachi laughed as she turned to face them. "I promise not to break him, darling. Like I said before, he called me, and I offered to grant him any desire or whatever he wished, but he balked at the payment and has yet to pay me. So, I tease him a little. I will hold off on collecting my payment, for now. But I don't need him to know that." Kodachi said with a saucy wink.

The three other women looked at each other, then Ukyo addressed Kodachi. "Ummm… Sugar, if you're not in the… umm…. Business… anymore, why do you need to collect from him?"

"Oh, that's simple, really. I always collect on my deals and contracts. It's a matter of principle!" Kodachi said, then her strident laugh rang out.

"Okay… so, why did you come to visit, Kodachi?" Akane asked as she rested a hand on Ranko's shoulder.

"Oh, I just wanted to check on you… And see if I could be introduced to your brother, Ranko dear." Kodachi said with a suggestive little smile

"As long as you don't forget that he is spoken for, Sugar." Ukyo said as she locked eyes with Kodachi.

"Perish the thought! Don't worry, dear. I wouldn't steal him from you… Just borrow him for a bit." When Ukyo glared at her, Kodachi held her hands up and smiled. "Just teasing, Dear. I will respect your claim, don't worry."

After that, the women settled in to talk about the mundanity of their lives, and the events that had happened to them that week

Of course, Kodachi had to regale them unapologetically with her exploits of the last week, which left an exasperated Akane biting her tongue until Ranko laid a reassuring hand on her lover's hand. Akane looked over at Ranko and relaxed as she smiled warmly, then looked back to Kodachi.

"If you would like to, we can see about arranging a visit for next week, either Monday or Tuesday? I don't think we have any major events planned for then." Akane said with a warm smile.

Kodachi smiled and nodded as she stood up. "I will let you all get to dinner, then. Thank you for having me." Kodachi bowed to the three, and after it was returned, she took her leave.

As Kodachi walked away, she glanced back at the estate with a pensive look on her face. "I hope you are right, dear. I hope that he will listen to me."

She nodded to herself as she faced forward and pressed on. Monday was bound to be an interesting day, she was sure. At least Ranma seemed more likely to listen to her, and not just simply erase her with a chi blast. Or at least, that is what she hoped.

"Why is it that everyone in her family has to be so scary? Honestly, they scare the hell out of me…" Kodachi said, then giggled to herself as she turned the corner, and basked in the stares of those that passed her by. She might be trying to change, to not give into her baser needs and hunger, but it was not too bad to indulge, once in a while.

For the three ladies of the Saotome residence, the rest of the night looked to be rather normal, mundane even. There was no longer the feeling that had lurked in the back of their minds that they were being watched. No malevolent presence that seemed to leer at them from every mirror they passed. Everything felt normal, but at the same time they could feel this pressure, like something pushing at an unseen wall.

The three ladies compared notes between dinner and their evening practice sessions, and decided that they would talk to Gosunkugi about it if the feeling persisted.

That night's training was a bit more introspective. They ran through various exercises and two-person katas from Tai Chi Chuan, and finished their session with more soup.

Ranko couldn't help but notice with some level of amusement and satisfaction that neither of her students complained about the soup exercise.

Perhaps there was some good that could come out of their little incident, after all.

Afterwards, the three retired to the comfort of the large furo, where they discussed the events of the day, including the unexpected visit by Kodachi.

"I've seen a lot of people that have had bad relationships with people, some of them rather traumatic. It's rare to see someone react like he does. He seems to be genuinely scared of her, but it's not like the others I have dealt with… I won't speculate. It's not my place to do that. Plus, anything she says is confidential, of course. I will have to check on Gosunkugi, make sure that he is okay." Akane said as she lounged next to Ranko, with Ukyo sitting across from them.

Ukyo nodded, a thoughtful look on her face. "What do you think she wants to talk to Ranma about?"

Ranko shook her head, a thoughtful look on her face. "I'm not sure, but I don't think she means him any harm.. I'm still good about detecting hostile intent, and the only thing I get from her besides an incredibly vibrant life force, is that she seems to be very nervous a lot. I'm sure she is hiding something, but I think she might feel easier talking to my brother about it."

"Why do you think that, Sugar?" Ukyo asked as she looked at the little red head.

"I'm not sure… He definitely comes across as the more grounded one, and as the male heir, he has more sway in many areas than I do, even if we share everything equally. It could have something to do with the business, the school, politics… There are any number of things. We will just have to trust that my brother will share what he thinks he can without breaking whatever promises she is sure to ask of him. My brother is by far the one who has a stricter sense of duty and honor than I do." Ranko said with a serious expression on her face.

"No putting yourself down, dear. You are both amazing, wonderful people and we are both very lucky to have you in our lives." Akane said as she rested her hand on her fiancee's thigh, perhaps just a bit higher than was strictly polite in any company.

Ukyo noticed the satisfied little smirk on Akane's face,and how Ranko squirmed and let out an exasperated sigh. "I swear, you two… I'm going to head to our room and work on some correspondence, you two… Try to keep it down to a low roar, please?"

Akane winked at Ukyto and then gave her an innocent look while Ranko turned even redder. "I have no idea what you are talking about, Ukyo dear."

Ukyo shook her head as she climbed out and wrapped a towel around herself before she headed for the changing room. Akane and Ranko noticed how Ukyo paused for a moment as she looked at the top of the two wooden racks that held their clothes and bathing supplies. After a moment, Ukyo closed the door and left the two other women alone.

As Akane turned her gaze on Ranko, the little red head swallowed at the look in her lover's eyes.

It seemed that she would not be getting any sleep anytime soon.

Ukyo sat at her desk and chewed on the end of the pen. She had her earphones on, so she was at least spared listening to the sounds of the two lovers down the hall. She needed to be able to concentrate, since she had decided it was well past time to write home about everything that had been happening, at least what she could share. It seemed old fashioned, but that suited her family rather well. They had never been ones for the latest craze in gadgets and gizmos, they liked things traditional and the way that they had always done it. Sometimes she had to wonder what she would have turned out like, if she had stuck closer to her parents ways of seeing things. Well, for one she would not be living (basically) in this massive house surrounded by people that she cared for, and with the man she loved, when he wasn't spending time in some odd between place.

And because it was her parents she was sending a letter to, it had to be handwritten. Especially since she wanted to feel them out on visiting with Ranma in tow, and announcing their upcoming marriage in person. She felt more than a little bad about not going the traditional route, but she was a more modern woman, she could decide who she wanted to marry without her father and mothers consent.

At least she hoped she could.

She shook her head and put her mind to it, and started to write. She would go through more than a few pieces of paper before she ended up with something that she thought would work.

WIth a yawn, Ukyo slipped into her bed and wished for Ranma to be there with her.

The rest of the week passed in relative quiet as they enjoyed the reprieve, no matter how brief it may be. Saturday came, and Ukyo was whisked away by Nabiki to go over details on the plans for her upcoming nuptials,and a secret project that the two of them had started to scheme on together

Nabiki sat back as she sipped at her ridiculously expensive coffee and regarded the woman who sat across from her. "I've secured the primary and secondary venues, the caterer's are all lined up. And I've talked to her manager. She said she would be honored."

Ukyo looked up from her tea and smiled. "You got Iname. They are going to be thrilled."

Nabiki laughed and shook her head. "We are supposed to be planning your wedding, you know. It's okay to be about you."

Ukyo smiled warmly. "I've gotten everything I want. Friends and family, a wonderful man to spend my life with. What else could Iwant but to see the ones I love even happier?"

Nabiki laughed and shook her head at that. "How can I argue with that logic? That being said, I do think I've found the perfect venue for the other project."

Ukyo looked at her and smiled brightly. "You did, Sugar? Where is it? Do you have pictures?"

Nabiki laughed as she laid out the materials she had already prepared, and pointed out the details and features.

Ukyo smiled and reached across to take Nabiki's hands in hers. "It's perfect! Thanks Sugar!"

Nabiki blushed and shrugged. "What else is family for?"

Ukyo really couldn't think of anything to say to that, because she was far too busy crying happy tears.

Monday, January 12th. The Saotome Residence, 7:30 PM.

Ranma sat in his office, as he regarded the woman that sat across from him. Kodachi had arrived at the scheduled time, shortly after supper. Ranma had assured the other two women that he was fine holding this meeting in private with the extravagant woman, and had let them have their evening practice session alone this time.

Kodachi had been unusually quiet, from all that he had heard about her and read in his sister's journal to him. She seemed pensive, as she kept fiddling with her hands then took a breath as she looked up at him. Her smile, as nervous as it was, would probably have stopped the heart of a lesser man, but even Ranma had to admit to the charms of the woman who sat across from him. If it was not for Ukyo being in his life, he might even be tempted by her.

Kodachi took another breath, as she adjusted the rather conservative outfit she wore today, then decided she had stalled long enough. "Thank you for agreeing to see me today, Saotome-sama. As I'm sure you have heard, and possibly remember from when we were much younger, I am Kodachi Kuno. I have come to talk to you about matters that are rather sensitive, and I need your word that you will not share any of what I am about to tell you with anyone, especially your sister. I… Don't think she will be as likely to actually listen to what I have to say as you probably will be, if my old friend was right in what she predicted."

Ranma nodded as he regarded her with his usual implacable, serious expression. "I do remember you, even if it was many years ago. I think the last time I saw you was the year before you vanished. Sadly, we never had a chance to reconnect since you came back home."

Kodachi smiled and nodded as she fidgeted a bit more. "I… I will have to take your word on that. I don't really know much about from before I… Vanished."

Ranma regarded her with a flicker of curiosity. "I was not aware that you had suffered amnesia. It must have been a severely traumatic experience for you. You have my condolences, and I am sorry if I pried into things that are unpleasant for you."

Kodachi shook her head and sighed. "It's not that… I mean, that is what I am supposed to tell people… But she was sure that I could trust you, when the time was right…" Kodachi said as she dithered some more.

"Ms. Kuno, if you have something you want to talk about, please just say it. I will listen to you, and not make any judgements or assumptions until you have finished." Ranma said as he took a sip from his tea and regarded the woman intently.

Kodachi bit her lip and nodded. "Sometimes, showing is easier than telling. I'm a bit of an exhibitionist, so it plays into my nature anyhow." She said and stood up, then turned to face away from Ranma. He bit his lip and didn't say anything as she slid off the suit jacket she had been wearing, revealing that her dress shirt had a large cut out in the back that completely exposed her back from one shoulder blade to the other. Oddly, there was also a small cut out at the base of her spine in her pants.

She took a breath, and released it as he felt a pulse of something oddly familiar roll out from her. He forgot about that for the moment as his eyes widened at the change that seemed to roll over Kodachi. The first and most obvious change was the bat-like wings that sprouted from her back, a red that was almost black at parts. As the wings spread out, her skin seemed to change to that same shade as it rolled over her body. When it reached the base of her spine, she squirmed for a moment, then a long, smoothly skinned tail with a spade tip formed. His eyes were drawn upward as he traced the line of the change, and watched as it rolled over her head. Her ears seemed to grow more pointed, and then it reached the top of her head. He watched in stunned silence as a pair of small horns could be seen peeking above her head from behind.

She turned, a pensive look on her beautiful face, her eyes slitted like a cat and the irises the color of fresh blood. She licked her lips nervously, and Ranma noted with almost morbid curiosity the slight fangs that were revealed for just a moment. She stood there for a moment, then kneeled before him, her head down and her silken hair falling around her face. "Let me introduce myself again, Saotome-Sama. I am Kodachi Kuno, the succubus, and I am here to discuss matters that need to be given the weight that they are due."

As she looked up and met the stunned eyes of Ranma, he licked his dry lips and nodded once.

It seemed that this would be a very interesting day, indeed.