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 42

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

Ranma shifted a little in his seat and regarded Kodachi closely. "So, are you like that cat creature that attacked my family?" Ranma asked as he watched Kodachi intensely.

Kodachi hesitated, then looked up at Ranma. "Before I answer you… Do you mind if I change back? It's harder for me to suppress my nature like this "

Ranma regarded her, then took a breath and nodded. "Yes, you may."

Kodachi smiled and took a breath as the change rolled over her once more, leaving her human in appearance again. "Thank you." She said with a voice like honey.

Ranma nodded and adjusted his tie as he regarded Kodachi. "So, are you like that thing that attacked my family?"

Kodachi smiled and sat down in a chair and regarded Ranma. "The cat, myself, and your sister all share a few things in common. We all came from another world, one separated by the Mirror. A place that has differences from your world, some small, some large. None of us belong here, and normally we can't cross from one world to another. And we certainly can't stay, not usually. As it was explained to me, every existence in a world is checkmarked, as it were. And the rules that define each world seek to keep that balance of existences. That's why you and your sister have to exchange places, because there can only be one existence of Ranma Saotome, child of Genma and Nodaka. Now, it is possible for you to push through, and exist in a world with a version of you, for a time. But the world will seek to push you out, back to where you came from." She smiled at Ranma and shrugged. "That's what happened with me, when Gosunkugi summoned me. His power held me here for a while before I was sent back."

"So, how are you here now? Did someone else summon you, and are they keeping you here now?" Ranma asked as he leaned forward slightly.

"Not this time, no. I actually exist here, now. The laws that kicked me back to, well, the hell I came from now keep me here." Kodachi said as she helped herself to some tea

"I thought you said there can be only one version of a person here." Ranma said as he narrowed his eyes.

Kodachi nodded and looked at Ranma. "You are right."

"And you are not the same Kodachi that I remember from when I was younger." Ranma stated.

Kodachi sighed and shook her head. "No, I'm not."

Ranma nodded and asked his next question. "So, what happened to our Kodachi?" He said as he regarded her with a serious look.

Kodachi shifted a bit. "I asked the person who brought me here to stay… And I honestly wished I hadn't. I assure you, I had nothing to do with what happened to her."

"The person who brought you here, you said. Who could manipulate the rules to let you stay here. She put you here for a reason, didn't she?" Ranma said as he regarded Kodachi.

Kodachi gave Ranma an innocent look. "Maybe she just wanted to help out a being that saw the possibility for more?"

"I think that you are here because Natsume decided to meddle again. So, Kodachi, why are you here?" Ranma asked.

Kodachi laughed and smiled. "Because she wanted someone to watch over you two, and I… I wanted to escape the world I came from." Kodachi said with a sad smile.

"Why, exactly? Was it really hell?" Ranma asked.

"Not literally, but it may as well have been. My kind are yang vampires. And the easiest way to gather yang energy is by drawing out pleasure, at least for my kind. Others do it through less… pleasant… means. The thing is… I was content with how things were. I thought that was just how things were supposed to work. I answered the summons of those that were foolish enough to open the door for me, then I fed on them. You see, for whatever reason the energy we gather from those that don't belong to the same world as we dwell in is… More vibrant, more filling. Worth the extra effort, as it were…" Kodachi bit her lip and wrapped her arms around herself, a rare show of insecurity from the outspoken and outgoing woman.

"You said you were content. That would imply that something changed, and you were no longer happy with how things were. Please, explain." Ranma said as he poured himself, then her, another cup of tea.

Kodachi laughed and smiled in thanks as she wrapped her hands around the cup and savored it's warmth for a moment. "Then Gos summoned me. I figured it would be more of the same… But… it wasn't. He was so awkward, and couldn't even really speak to me directly. It was… Cute, in a way. Nothing like I had experienced before. We only ever had sex the one time, and it took a lot of effort on my part to even get him there. It took a lot of talking, and getting to know him… And, I ruined what had made my time here special by giving into my nature. He sent me away after that. It wasn't until then that I realized that I missed our talks, our time together. That, for whatever reason, he had continued to keep channeling magic to keep me here even though he didn't seek anything from me besides my company." She shivered and took a drink, her eyes closed for a moment.

Ranma regarded her for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "So, did you seek out Natsume, or did she find you after that?"

Kodachi chuckled. "She found me. I had been poking around the boundaries, but I couldn't even find a crack back into the world that he had called me to. I even tried answering other summons, but none of them led me back here. I had honestly almost given up, when she found me. She made me a deal, not the usual contract either. She offered me a chance to leave the world I was from, and to live freely in the one that Gos was from. How could I say no? In exchange, I would keep an eye on you two. I would act as her agent here, and make arrangements in the background to keep you two safe. When I felt the barrier weaken and that something had slipped through, I… I acted selfishly, and sent Ranko, Akane, and Ukyo to Gosunkugi dear. I knew that he could help you, and I… I hoped I could at least see him again."

Ranma looked at her intently then blinked and rubbed the bridge of his nose. Something had become completely clear from having talked to Kodachi so far. She had a crush on Gosunkugi, at the very least. And she had no clue how to deal with it. He thought about it for a moment, then asked another question. "And how did you meet Akane and the others?"

Kodachi shrugged and shifted in her seat. "I started to see her as a therapist, to help with my sex addiction."

Ranma stopped and stared at her for a moment before he started to speak. "You're a succubus who is seeing a therapist about your addiction to sex. Well, as a set up, I guess it works."

"Well, it's more than a setup. I honestly wanted her help. My… Urges… Are getting stronger again. It might have something to do with the barrier thinning. But I have honestly looked into what she can do for me, and I don't want to completely give in to my baser nature. I… I want to prove to Gos...and myself… that I am better than that." Kodachi said as she found the floor very interesting.

Ranma sighed and took a drink of his tea. On top of everything else, they had to deal with a lovestruck demon. "So, what are these matters that you needed to discuss with me?"

Kodachi nodded and took a breath before she started. "We shouldn't see any other… incidents… for a while if Gos's wards hold up. But there is a limit on how long they will last, with the pressure that is building." Kodachi said in a serious tone of voice

Ranma nodded, and contemplated that for a moment. "How long do we have?"

"A year? A year and a half? Whatever is happening, it will cause the barrier to become too fragile by then." Kodachi said direly.

"What do we do about it, then?" Ranma asked.

"We train. We get you, all of you, as ready as possible before then." Kodachi said.

"Are you going to tell all of this to the others, as well?" Ranma asked.

Kodachi shook her head sadly. "Not until it's closer, I… I don't want them to push me away before they are ready." She said as she looked down. "I am a monster, after all. A demon. Even if it's no fault of my own, directly, I still took someone else's place in this world. I skulked my way into an open spot and made it my own. How not hate me?"

"Then, technically speaking, my sister is as well. Since she came from another world and takes my own place every other week. But still, I will honor your request, even if I think you are overreacting. Now, do you think you can help us get ready, if you won't tell them everything you told me?" Ranma asked.

Kodachi smiled and shrugged. "I think I can. I'm still a bit different from those that are native to this world, but I don't have to worry about being thrown out of the world… Just potentially vaporized by Akane. Not that she is the only one that could, mind you. Your sister and yourself have scary levels of chi, but Akane's control is not nearly as good as it could be. That would be why she is constantly outpacing everyone on the morning runs. Now, I do have an idea, and it's only slightly sneaky…"

"And that would be?" Ranma asked.

"Have her pace Ranko. Make sure your sister doesn't just wave her off like she has been. Maybe even encourage Ranko to try to keep pace… Not that your sister won't be able to, in time, but for now… She is the best limiter for Akane." Kodachi said

Ranma nodded and looked Kodachi over. "I am going to step out of line here and say something.". He regarded her intently. "You are overreacting. And, you will regret the list time, but I will let you make your own mistakes. That said… Thank you for watching over us. We are in your debt." Ranma said, then carefully stood and bowed deeply to Kodachi before he sat down once more.

A blushing and flustered Kodachi laughed nervously and returned his bow. "I'd like to start this week, if possible… I do need to get myself in better shape, and I'd like to see about joining the ladies on their morning runs, if possible. And your practice sessions, as well. That's what I'm going to tell Akane and Ukyo, when they ask what I needed to talk to you about. To formally join the training with the master of the Saotome school, I needed the permission of the head of the clan, after all."

Ranma nodded and stood up as he took his cane in hand. "Well, let's go tell the rest, then. That way you can join us tomorrow."

Kodachi smiled and bowed again. "Thank you, I am in your care."

Ranma chuckled. "See if you still want to thank me when Akane and Ranko are done with you.". He started to walk, then stopped and looked back. "And I hope you like soup." He said cryptically.

"Soup?" Kodachi asked in return.

"You will see." Was the only answer Ranma gave before he led the succubus out to see the others.

Things were going to get interesting.

When they exited, they found Akane and Ukyo waiting in one of the foyers nearby, with their heads together as they discussed something. They both looked up and regarded Ranma and Kodachi critically for a moment, before Ukyo relaxed and walked over to wrap Ranma in her arms. "Did you two get whatever you needed to discuss figured out, sugar?" UKyo asked with a smile on her face.

Ranma nodded as Akane came over and gave him a little hug of her own. "Kodachi would like to join us in our training. She thinks that she has some insight and skills to add, and seeing as she has been involved now, I don't think that it would be a bad idea." Ranma said as he looped his arm around Ukyo's waist.

Akane and Ukyo exchanged a look, then looked at Kodachi with an expression that could best be described as almost predatory. Kodachi took a little step back, unused to being on the receiving end of such looks, at least outside of the bedroom. She jerked a little as Akane stepped in front of her quickly and gave her a very thorough look over, then nodded. "You are in decent enough shape, but you have a long way to go to start to catch up with us. What martial arts do you know, and how long have you been practicing? Are you actively practicing, and who is your master?" Akane said as she started to circle Kodachi, and Ukyo and Ranma exchanged a look and left Akane with her newest toy.

As the couple walked towards the back hall, Ukyo looked at Ranma and spoke what was on her mind. "That isn't all you two talked about, is it Sugar?" She asked.

Ranma looked at her and shrugged. "What makes you think that, Ukyo dear?"

Ukyo poked him in the shoulder. "No distracting me. I just… Get the feeling there is more going on, that is all."

"I can't say anything else, that is up to Kodachi to decide to tell you three when she is ready." Ranma said cryptically.

"Okay, I will trust you Sugar. So, Kodachi Kuno will be joining us? I just hope that she takes it easier on Gosunkugi. We kind of need him, and not to be broken all the time." Ukyo said, then eyed Ranma as he almost chuckled. "There is more going on than you are letting on, sugar."

"Once again, not my place to say. And honestly? I don't think either Kodachi or Gosunkugi really understand what is going on between them either." Ranma said.

"I see." Ukyo said with a mischievous little glint in her eyes.

Ranma sighed and looped his arm through Ukyo's. Hopefully he could keep his fiancee and soon to be sister in law off of Kodachi and Gosunkugi, at least until those two sorted themselves out. He wasn't going to count on it, though.