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:
For Love and Money, Chapter 10: Life is lived in the moments between events.
Xaph Ti Pyn checked her room, then checked it again before pulling the satellite phone from where it was hidden. She checked the time and nodded to herself as she hit the 'send' button after entering her mother's number from memory.
"Tomorrow I will have my first official dance lesson. I will need to bring a few yen with me, to make sure I cover all costs." Xaph Ti Pyn said as soon as the phone was picked up but didn't wait for a response before she disconnected the call.
Xaph Ti Pyn smiled as she set about preparing everything for tomorrow. It was sure to be a fun day, indeed.
Meanwhile, at the house of Nabiki Tendon, Yaayaa was in the kitchen, as she helped Nabiki prepare the meal.
"You really don't need to do that, you know." Nabiki said again as she watched the short, plump girl doing prep work.
"It's the least I can do, Mrs. Tendo. You were nice enough to have me over, and I know how much work it is cooking. I help my mom out all the time." Yaayaa said as she smiled at the older woman.
Nabiki smiled back as she watched the young girl. Yaayaa obviously thought she was being discreet when she glanced at Qiang Pu with a starstruck look in her eyes, but the Ice Queen was a bit more observant than that. Nabiki chuckled to herself as she remembered that age, a time of curiosity and first crushes. Sadly, it seemed that Qiang Pu was rather oblivious to the attention she had gathered from the other girl.
Nabiki grinned as she looked at Yaayaa and asked. "So, are you spending the night, dear?"
Yaayaa's train of thought clearly had derailed as she stopped what she was doing and stared at Nabiki. "I...I can? I mean, I would love to stay… As long as it's okay with Qiang Pu, that is of course…." She said nervously, as she gazed in the direction of the Joketsuzoku warrior.
"I would like that, as long as it is okay with Yaayaa's parents? I don't want to offend." Qiang Pu said quickly, as she looked to the others to see if she had answered correctly.
Yaayaa was far too gone in some happy dreamland to do anything, while Nabiki nodded. "Very thoughtful of you, dear. Now Yaayaa why don't you call your parents and ask if they mind if you stay overnight. If they say it is okay, Qiang Pu can set the spare futon in her room for you." Nabiki said with a smirk as Yaayaa practically teleported in her rush to get to her phone and make the call.
Maybe being the mother to a teenage girl was not going to be as difficult as she had assumed. She remembered all too well being that age, without having a mother to guide her. She had depended on Kasumi, and she knew all too well now how much that had cost her older sister.
She was determined to be a good mother to both of her children, and right now that might mean overseeing the haphazard advances of her erstwhile adoptive daughter's best friend.
If nothing else, it would be a good exercise in interpersonal relationship skills for Qiang Pu. And if it helped Qiang Pu decide to stay? Well, could you blame her for trying?
Nabiki smirked and continued to work on the curry she was making, a grin formed on her face as she heard the excited noise that Yaayaa made.
It seemed they would have a guest. Nabiki smirked and continued to cook. This would be an interesting night.
Dinner was animated, with the two young girls talking rapidly about their day. Nabiki listened with a critical ear, taking in the details of the events of the day. Of particular note to her was the newest addition to the school, perhaps someone she would have to look into the next day. Xaph Ti Pyn was a very strange name, but it didn't immediately raise any flags. She knew all too well how many odd names there seemed to be out there. Msu Tsu and Xian Pu were prime examples, as far as she was concerned. She had never met either one in person, but Ranma had told her a bit about them. And the dread and wonder he used when speaking of Khu Lon still sent shivers down her spine. Nabiki shook her head as she focused on the details of what they were talking about, and caught the references to a sparring match of some sort.
Nabiki nodded thoughtfully, as she reached for her phone and sent a quick message to Akane. She smiled as she received an almost immediate response. "Well, you girls are in luck. I just asked Akane, and she said you can use the dojo tomorrow. She seemed rather eager to get a chance to watch you in action, Qiang Pu."
The two girls grinned at each other, and Yaayaa looked particularly star struck for a moment. Nabiki could not help the laughter that bubbled up in her. "Okay, you two get cleaned up, and I will get the furo ready. It sounds like you two have an exciting day ahead of you tomorrow, so I want you to take your baths and then head off to bed. And no late night shenanigans, my room is just down the hall from yours." Nabiki said as she gave Yaayaa a particularly pointed look.
Yaayaa didn't know why, but she shifted in nervousness. "I promise, Mrs. Tendo, we will be quiet."
Nabiki nodded as she got up. "You two can decide who goes first. I will leave the details to you young ladies." Nabiki said as she walked out of the room, heading for the bath to get things ready. The grin slipped back onto her face as she hummed happily to herself. If tonight went well, with Yaayaa being able to behave herself around her crush, then she would have to contact her parents to see if they minded if this became a bit more of a regular thing. She had to admit, it was nice having more girls around in the house. Perhaps it came from growing up with two sisters, and of course being married to an aqua trans-sexual who spent a fair amount of time in their female form, but it just felt right somehow.
Something to think about another time, perhaps. For now, she had a furo to prepare, and a second lunch to make for the morning. All in all, Nabiki was rather happy with how the night had gone so far.
In the other room, Yaayaa and Qiang Pu were working together to clean up from supper, as they chattered away animatedly. Yaayaa had to admit, the speed that the object of her attention and affections was acclimatizing to Japan was almost terrifying, if it didn't send such a thrill up and down her spine. She cast a glance up at her taller companion and barely contained the little wriggle of glee that bloomed in her chest. This was going to be the best night ever.
Qiang Pu smiled down at her friend when she wasn't looking and bounced on her toes a little bit. She had read so much about sleep overs in her manga, she was now curious how close the books were to the reality of the event. In her home village, you never did anything like this unless you were in need of shelter for a night, or if you were apprenticed to another warrior for training. One must never discount the effectiveness and ruthlessness of Joketsuzoku training, as her Great Grandmother often reminded her. So, not exactly a pleasant or fun night. She really hoped that tonight would be fun, even if she didn't really know what to expect.
Yaayaa cast a sneaky little glance at her crush and wriggled happily. She cleared her throat as she gazed up at Qiang Pu. "So, did you want to take your bath first? I could use the time to get the last bit of my notes transcribed, perhaps?" Yaayaa asked, while she secretly hoped for a chance to gaze once more on the scarred perfection that was Qiang Pu. Was it odd that even her scars seemed perfect? They added to the tapestry of her body, instead of subtracting from it. Yaayaa had to admit, the first time she had seen Qiang Pu change, it had shocked her just how extensive the scars were, but now she couldn't really imagine her without them.
Qiang Pu stopped, as she cocked her head to the side in thought. "I was going to suggest we just share the bath, but if you insist I can go first."
Yaayaa turned various interesting shades of color before she cleared her throat. "N….No, I think that would be an excellent idea! That way I can wash your back, if you would like?"
Qiang Pu grinned and nodded. "Then, I will return the favor for you as well."
Yaayaa flushed even more before she sighed and wrapped her arms around her rounder body. "Why would you want to do that, though? I'm not pretty or thin like you are."
Qiang Pu gave her friend an odd look. "You know you look good, right? I think how you look is perfect, very...Well...Very Yaayaa? I like, so no need to be so tough on self, yes?"
Yaayaa honestly forgot to breathe for a moment, then smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Qiang Pu."
"Why thank? Is only tell truth. You are being silly again, Yaayaa." Qiang Pu said with a grin, her blue eyes sparkling.
The two girls finished their work in the kitchen and dining room and found Nabiki sitting on a chair by the door to the bath, looking at something on her tablet. "DId you two young ladies finish, then?" She asked as she raised an eyebrow.
"Yes Mrs. Tendo, cleaned, washed and put away!" Yaayaa reported.
"I see, thank you Yaayaa, dear. So, who is going first?" Nabiki asked as she stood up.
"We is going to share bath, Elder Nabiki." QIang Pu said as she smiled.
Nabiki stopped and narrowed her eyes as she looked at a suddenly very still Yaayaa. "Was that your idea, dear?" Nabiki asked in a voice that was a little too happy and gentle.
Qiang Pu gave the two of them an odd look. "Why is Elder Nabiki talking like Elder Khu Lon when Mother is in trouble? It was my idea, I thought it would be better than wasting the time and hot water?"
Nabiki waited until Yaayaa nodded shakily before she smiled and relaxed. She tucked her tablet away under her arm and started to walk towards the living room. "Okay, you two young ladies have a good bath, then."
Nabiki walked off as Yaayaa breathed a sigh of relief, feeling like she had just passed some trial that she was unaware of. There was no way that Mrs. Tendo could know of her attachment to Qiang Pu, right? She had been discreet, she was sure of that. Her ruminations were derailed as Qiang Pu opened the door, and looked at her companion.
"Shall we, Yaayaa? We don't want to let the water get cold, right?" Qiang Pu asked even as she put action to word and walked in.
"O...Of course not! Wait for me!" Yaayaa said as she hurried in behind QIang Pu.
The bath was nice for both of them, even if Qiang Pu did have to remind Yaayaa to wash her back, and not just stare at one point. QIang Pu had to wonder if perhaps the water was too warm, from how flushed her companion seemed. Taking baths together just made sense to Qiang Pu, that is after all how most things were done in the village. It was much better to save the hot water if possible, and if you took your baths in the wilds it was even better to have another set of eyes to make sure that you were safe.
When the two girls exited the bath, they found two sets of pajamas waiting for them, Qiang Pu's sleep pants and the shirt she wore to bed with a chibi warrior from one of the manga she liked and a nice looking nightgown that was more than a little big for Yaayaa.
"Sorry I didn't have anything better for you, dear. Make sure you bring over something next time, or let me know your size so I can have something ready for you if you happen to stay over." Nabiki called through the door before she walked back to the chair and her book.
The girls grinned at each other, Yaayaa more than a bit shyly, before they finished dressing and made their way to Qiang Pu's rather spartan room. In short order the displaced warrior had a spare futon set up for Yaayaa, and the two laid down to get some sleep.
Sleep would prove elusive for Yaayaa, though. The object of her affections and, if she was going to be honest with herself, obsession was sleeping next to her. Well, in the same room at least, but it was close enough! She laid there with her eyes open, staring at the ceiling for a while before she glanced over at her sleeping companion, and noticed just how peaceful Qiang Pu looked.
Perhaps sleep wasn't such a bad thing, Yaayaa thought to herself as she finally gave in and drifted off.
The morning was rushed for all involved, Nabiki stayed just a little later than normal to see the girls off, Chiko waving happily from where he sat on her hip. The girls hurried to school, eager to let their new found friend know that they would be able to use the dojo for their sparring session, instead of the much more basic and functional space at Nabiki's place.
Xaph Ti Pyn seemed oddly disappointed that they would not be visiting Nabiki's home that day, but quickly shook that off as she explained. "I was hoping to meet this Mrs. Tendo of yours, she sounds like quite the formidable woman."
"Oh yes, Elder Nabiki is quite something. She can be very scary when she wants to be, but don't let that fool you. She is one of the most thoughtful people I have ever met." Qiang Pu confided in her new friend.
"I see. Well, then it is a shame I won't get to meet her yet. Perhaps another time?" Xaph Ti Pyn said as she smiled easily.
"Maybe sometime we could do a sleep-over again?" Yaayaa said excitedly.
Qiang Pu thought about that for a moment, and then nodded. "Is good idea! Will have to ask Elder about that."
"Yes, please do. I would love to meet her sometime, and to see your home." Xaph Ti Pyn said happily.
"Will Asuka be joining us today?" Yaayaa asked, feeling a bit nervous about dealing with the prickly diva while enjoying the show that was sure to come.
"Oh, no. She is a bit preoccupied today and won't be able to make it." Xaph Ti Pyn said apologetically.
Yaayaa relaxed and nodded. "We will just have to tell her how it goes, then!"
Qiang Pu nodded as she walked towards the doors, as the others followed her. "I can't wait, this is going to be fun!"
"Oh yes, I quite think so." Xaph Ti Pyn said, as she grinned. A lot of fun, just not quite in the ways that the other girls seemed to think.
Now, as long as Asuka carried out her 'request' the next stage should be set soon enough.
Meanwhile, Nabiki poured over the information she had gathered on the new transfer student, Xaph Ti Pyn. According to the files, her mother was Har Pyn, who had lived in Great Britain for a number of years before moving to Hong Kong. Her father was not exactly the kind of guy she would have expected, if she was being honest with herself. A somewhat heavier set man with blue eyes, dark hair and a history of travel. According to her information, he had passed away shortly after fathering Xaph Ti Pyn. It all looked good, but nothing wrong with being thorough, after all.
Nabiki nodded to herself as she sent what she had dug up to Konatsu by way of a courier.
One could never be too cautious, after all.