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 24: Invest in money, and you will be rich for a day. Invest in people, and you will know wealth forever.
The next morning broke as the ladies recovered from the trials that they had endured. Tachi sat quietly as Michi tended to her back, neither one shared a word, but the companionable silence was the balm that the Scarred Lily of the Teahouse needed more than anything. She had endured much over the years, injuries and trials that would have broken someone without a will of tempered steel. It had forged her into the person she had become, so very different from the thug she had once been, or even the novice in the Teahouse who had worn her preferred style of clothing for the first time in the public eye.
She hoped in her heart of hearts that Qiang Pu would learn from this, and become the fine woman that the three who endured her trial with her could see just below the surface. When, and if, she returned home the lessons she had learned here would shape her and through her, the village.
If she was going to be honest with herself, she hoped for nothing more than for their young Joketsuzoku warrior to stay here, with the friends and family she had found. But she also knew that she had friends and family back home who surely missed her.
She just hoped that Nabiki could handle the separation. As much as she loved her son, everyone could clearly see how attached she had become to Ranma's daughter.
How attached they all had become, during the short time she had been here. Qiang Pu had made a place for herself here, in their homes and hearts, during the time they had known her.
Tachi tensed for a moment as Michi worked on a particularly tender spot.
"This one apologizes for any discomfort, Sister." Michi murmured softly.
Tachi shook her head softly and smiled. "You know very well that I have never minded a little pain." Tachi slowly leaned back and rested her back against Michi for a moment, lost in thought. She is pulled from her ruminations when Michi gently wrapped her arms around her, and nuzzled gently against Tachi.
Tachi smiled and closed her eye as she rolled her head slowly towards the former medic.
The kiss they shared was tender and lingered for some time.
Koda sat alone in her room and looked over the books. Regardless of how much discomfort she felt, she still had a job to do. Michi had been by earlier to change the dressings, and to give her a herbal tea to help with the pain. Other than that, it was just a matter of trying to rest so that the marks would close up and heal, and keeping up with the duties she could carry out on her own
There were so many details that needed to be taken care of, and not just in the Teahouse itself. She had to also see about making arrangements to take care of any fallout with the events that led up to this moment. They might say they are satisfied, but you always had to be prepared for what they might do when they thought they could get away with it.
There were times that her previous life helped her maintain and manage the strange world that she had found herself in.
She had to also make sure that things were prepared for moving forward. That they were prepared for what may come next. Mother Konatsu was, without doubt, the heart and soul of the Teahouse. She was also the final voice when it came to anything regarding the Teahouse, but she left much of the day-to-day matters in Koda's hands.
She always did her best to be respectful of the boundaries between what she should do, and what was to be left in the capable hands of Mother Konatsu. She just hoped that someday she would be worthy of the responsibility and heavy burden that Mother Konatsu carried with such poise and unwavering elegance.
Koda sighed as she rubbed the bridge of her nose. It would be years until she had that chance, she was sure. Konatsu had already found the prospective Mothers for the other Teahouse she had started to plan with the aid of Lady Nabiki. When they thought she had progressed enough, proven herself enough, then perhaps she would be chosen.
Koda once again fixed her gaze on the ledgers and books, and didn't look up at the soft, polite knock. She had asked for some tea to be brought to her, and assumed it was of the younger girls. She knew quite well that Michi would almost certainly be… busy… for a while with Tachi. Not that she would ever let in to anyone that she knew about them. Even if it wasn't serious, it certainly did Tachi good to let herself care for anyone.
"You may enter. This One thanks you. You can serve the tea, or leave it if you wish." Koda said, without looking up.
The hand that he tly placed the cup before her belonged to a woman certainly older than any that would be attending her. And the slight scar at the juncture of the thumb and forefinger was one she knew well.
Koda looked up and locked eyes for a moment with Konatsu as the senior Geisha stood once more before her.
Koda bowed her head instantly as a flush of shame colored the back of her neck. She took a deep breath, and bowed as low as her back would allow. "This One's ashamed of the manner that she would speak to the most honored Mother of this House."
A gentle hand on her shoulder helped her rise, as Konatsu shared one of her few genuine smiles. "Sit, Koda. You have nothing to apologize for. This One knew you were expecting one of our younger girls, but there is a matter that this One would like to discuss with another, and she could think of no one better than her most capable attendant." Konatsu said before she gracefully sat and took her own cup of tea
Koda smiled and nodded her head. "This One would be happy to be of whatever assistance she could be."
Konatsu smiled and nodded as she refilled each of their cups. "The series of events that have happened recently have proven that we can no longer remain completely separate from China. We have deep connections with the Joketsuzoku, and there are many there that we consider friends, or even family."
Koda arranged her thoughts before she spoke. "While this One agrees with the sentiments of our most esteemed Mother, what can we do from here in Japan?"
"This One is glad that you are so thoughtful and perceptive, Koda. There is little we can do from here in time to make a true difference, that is why this One believes it is time to open a new House, one in China near enough to the Valley of Jusenkyo to be able to better assist in what happens in the area." Konatsu said as she watched Koda over the rim of her cup.
Koda's eyebrows creased in thought for a moment as she contemplated what Mother Konatsu had just said. "And this One would assume that you have chosen an appropriate candidate for such a challenging House, Mother?"
"This One has, indeed. Now, convincing her shall be the challenge." Konatsu said with her perfect poker face.
Koda let out a little unintended sigh, then smiled. "Would aid in bringing this candidate over be of use, Mother?"
"This One is not sure if you can convince her, Koda. She does not truly understand her own value, and the importance she has in regards to the House." Konatsu said with a placid face.
"Does this One know her, Mother?" Koda asked as she tried to think of who amongst the Lillies, or perhaps the other senior Geisha, would be an appropriate candidate.
"This One supposes that you would know her well, but also not truly know what she is capable of." Konatsu said with just a little lift of her lips.
"This One does not know who you may be considering, Mother. Tachi would not be a good choice, and her services are needed here, the same could be said for Michi and Amaya. Both of them for different reasons, of course." Koda said thoughtfully as she sipped at her tea.
"This One would miss the candidate's assistance greatly, but she has sheltered too long in the shadow of my wing, and the comfort of the House. Her potential is wasted here, and is needed elsewhere." Konatsu said as she gently placed her cup down.
"This One still does not know who you refer to, Mother. Unless you are looking outside of the House?" Koda said as she bit her lip.
Konatsu smiled as she looked at Koda. "You still do not understand the precious gem you are, Koda. That is part of the reason that this One wishes for you to establish a House in China."
Koda stopped dead still, and looked at Konatsu with a stunned look on her face. "You… would send this One?" She asked, unsure she had heard Konatsu correctly.
"This One would, even though she will miss you. You are needed elsewhere, Mother Koda. This One hopes that you will accept." Konatsu said with a soft smile.
"When… When will you need an answer from this One?" Koda asked softly.
"When Ranma has returned to us at the latest. The sooner we can begin, the safer all will be." Konatsu said as she rose gracefully.
Koda nodded, and bowed slightly as Konatsu left the room, her mind in a whirl.
She had never expected this.
She was unsure that she was worthy of this honor.
But she already knew what her answer would be.
And she would miss Japan dearly.
In the suite that she shared with Qiang Pu, Nabiki Tendo fretted even as those who attended her from her office watched on with concern.
"I still don't think you should be here. Who is minding the office? Who is answering the phones? Who is making sure that no one gets shaken down again?" Nabiki said as she looked at her secretary with an exasperated look on her face.
"Mr. Wong is there to make sure that we have no unwanted guests. That nice young man you recruited is answering the phones, it seemed like a good way to break him in. And don't worry, they are keeping tabs on him as well." Her secretary said as she poured some more tea.
"And who is watching Mr. Ashida?" Nabiki groused even as she took the tea.
"Ms. Hashiro is. We figured that the professional gambler, retired though she might be, would be the best to make sure he stayed on the level." Nabiki's secretary said with a smile.
Nabiki looked over into one of the corners and sighed. "And what are you doing here, Saki? Shouldn't you be dealing with your clients?"
Saki looked up from where she was once again cleaning her pistol before she would assemble it again. "I took some time off, decided I would visit one of the most famous sights in the area." She said with a little glint in her eye.
Nabiki sighed and settled back down on her stomach. "You know I don't need a babysitter, much less two. I'm in the middle of the most secure house of mildly ill repute in Japan. I literally am surrounded by some of the most dangerous and polite people in the world."
Saki chuckled as she slipped her pistol back into the holster she kept tucked under armpit. "And then you have us."
Nabiki's secretary nodded as she placed a few papers near where Nabiki lay. "I brought those reports you wanted. We figured that it would keep you busy while you mend from your little adventure."
Nabiki sighed and lifted up so that her overly helpful secretary could place pillows so that she could read without straining her neck.
As Nabiki started to read, she reflected on the fact that she had made some good choices, especially in the people that she had surrounded herself with.
She just couldn't tell them that.
In the inner room of the suite that Nabiki shared with Qiang Pu, the young Amazon laid on her stomach as her back was tended to as well. She glanced aside at the young Geisha that tended to her. She had become more and more unsure about her interactions with others, but Rei seemed to not be bothered by the bloody mess that was Qiang Pu's back at the moment.
Rei gently turned her young patient's head back to where she needed it to be. "Please just lay there, so that this One can tend to your wounds. Mistress Michi said that they will scar, but if we tend to them carefully, they should not hamper your movements." Rei had been amazed at how Qiang Pu had handled the ordeal that she had been put through. She knew that there was no way that she could have endured it, and yet here Qiang Pu lay as she was tended to, and she barely flinched even when Rei had to apply the antiseptic ointment to make sure that infection would not set in.
Qiang Pu relaxed, even as her mind kept running over the events that had led to this moment, and she could not stop finding fault in what she had done, and what she had not noticed. She was pulled out of her thoughts by a gentle shake by Rei. She looked over at the young Geisha with a questioning look on her face.
"If you can sit up, I will wash you off? I brought clothes and warm water. I mean, this One brought…" Rei sighed and hung her head. "This One apologizes, she is… Still learning. But she is quite competent to take care of our most honored guest."
Qiang Pu bit her lip, then sat up with the assistance of Rei. 'On one condition."
Rei looked at Qiang Pu with a questioning look in her eyes. "What condition would that be that you would ask of this One?"
"Can… You just… Not be so formal, when it's just us? At least…. Not for now? Qiang Pu mean…. I mean… I… would like it if we can just talk normally…." Qiang Pu said, then looked down sheepishly.
"I can do that, for you. Now, how about we get you cleaned up so that you can get some rest?" Rei said as she reached for the cloth.
"Okay…. Thank you…" Qiang Pu said.
"You are welcome. Now, I won't be able to do your back… Or, well… Probably your more… Ummm… Private areas…." Rei said as she blushed.
Qiang Pu just nodded and relaxed, and left herself in the hands of the young geisha.
Maybe she could endure all of this, after all.