Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Three Sisters ❯ Surprise! Are You A Nendo-kata, Too?! ( Chapter 6 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Imported From: RAAC
From: fherriot@yahoo.com

"So this is home, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it is," Ryouga smiles as he and Ryooko relax in the living room of
the Hibiki home. To the latter's surprise, her newly-adopted family didn't
live too far outside Tokyo proper, just to the west-south-west of Nerima in the
general direction of Fuji-san. Ryouga's father, Ichiro, was a travelling
salesman whose work took him all over Japan and sometimes abroad. According to
a note left on a board inside the door, the elder Hibiki would be back in a
week. Older notes indicated that Ryouga's mother Ishiko, his brother Kyouga
and his sister Junko were still on the road, heaven only knew where. "It's
actually okay, I guess. We still hang onto our memories of it, so sooner or
later, we come back."

Ryooko hums, then concentrates, her eyes glowing as she seeks out the
psionic and other energy patterns permeating the home. "Yes, the links between
this nest and our missing family are still strong," she muses, staring at him.
"With a little effort, I can reach out to touch Kaa-san, Kyouga-niisan and
Junko-imotousan, then 'guide' them in psionically. Perhaps have them home in a
week."

"Like a homing beacon, you mean?"

"Exactly. It's not right that the members of our family are forced to
endure this, Nii-san. Once you're all together, I can better endeavour to
eliminate this problem within all of you."

Ryouga blinks, then nods. "Heck, I definitely agree with that. I haven't
seen any of them in so long...just Tou-san. Um, what about the little guy
inside my head? What do I do about him, Nee-san? I take it he wants out of
there as fast as possible."

"Hai, that is true. The School of Sages made contact with someone who can
be here in a few days. Once she comes, I assume you'd desire her to template
herself of you as I did?"

"Sure, why not? Do we have to be with Kikuko-san to do that?"

"It would be advisable. While I don't foresee Kikuko and our soon-to-come
sister becoming life-mates, they will be very close friends. Other people on
the outside will become more involved. I dare say if this keeps up, a full
school can form."

Ryouga blinks, then hums. School. A close clan of immediate family bound
to work as a group. Ranma, Ranko, Kikuko and Ukyou were survivors of various
schools. In effect, they were the last witnesses to what those lost families
did. The lowest number of Nendo-kata to form a school was eight. Counting
life-mates...Akane and Shampoo...and tossing in Ryooko and the reincarnated
piglet-turned-girl soon to arise from his subconscious, the new school Ryooko
now envisioned would have a pretty good start.

Ryooko stares knowingly at him. "Relax, Nii-chan. What I have in mind
will also include you and the other relatives. We'll have quite an extended
family when this is all organized correctly. In the meantime, why don't you go
relax in your bedroom? I'll get to work bringing everyone in. Don't leave
the house."

"Hai!" Ryouga nods as he heads down a hallway, scanning the walls. In his
home, he was actually pretty safe; it was small enough and the place was
designed for people afflicted as he was. In a moment, he arrives at his room,
then heads inside.

"WHERE AM I NOW?!?!"

In the living room, Ryooko jolts, then sighs, shaking her head ruefully.
Ryouga HAD to learn how to keep himself calm...!

* * *

"Three Sisters"
by Fred Herriot
fherriot@yahoo.com
**** **** ****
Edited by E.B. Kushnir <kush1@iaw.on.ca>
With C&C by Kevin D. Hammel <khammel@pacbell.net> and Robert Geiger
<robertgeiger@prodigy.net>
**** **** ****
Based on "Ranma 1/2" created by Rumiko Takahashi
**** **** ****

PART SIX - SURPRISE! ARE YOU A NENDO-KATA, TOO?!

Elsewhere...

The young woman stifles a yawn as she walks down the street towards
Kolkotz High School, located some distance from Nerima's district centre. She
travelled alone, as she had for the last two weeks. Before that incredible
night when everything in her life changed...*Much to the better!* she
muses...she would normally be seen in the company of her partner or being
haggled by her small club of otaku. Not as big as what some girl named Akane
Tendou was said to have at Furinkan High or what the Oni-Urusian woman Lum
Moroboshi once had at Tomobiki High over a decade ago, but still enough to
shower Azusa Shiratori with lots of attention.

Which never truly seemed enough, she contemplates.

The martial arts skater slowly exhales, glancing around as she feels her
empathic powers reach out to touch those around her. It was quite automatic to
one trained in the ways of the Great School, especially one as experienced as
Azusa's Wanderer self. It was nice to be among fellow sentient beings again
after four centuries alone...even if most Terrans hadn't even a fraction of the
innate understanding a Nendo-kata possessed concerning her place in the Cosmic
Chain of Life. Under normal circumstances, the changes invoked by the
Crossing Over would've made Azusa's new life easier to handle, without serious
problems.

Problem was, Azusa wasn't normal before the Crossing Over.

She blinks as a familiar...and now somewhat unwanted...feeling arcs
through her. Mikado Sanzenin. Once again surrounded by his small school of
"fans," girls who were so taken aback by his looks and innate charm that they
couldn't see the contemptuous narcissist lurking beneath his skin. Blessed
Mother Ocean, how could some people fall for that suave act?! Azusa spares a
quick glance at her partner before heading inside, trying not to feel too
nauseous. What was it with people her age, wanting so much to grasp at
anything which they could admire and worship?

*Being a little self-reproachful, aren't you, Azusa-chan?* a voice
inquires inside her.

She hadn't been so different before a thief chose the wrong night to
attempt a break-in at her family's palatial mansion, just as a Wanderer came
into sensing range. Her attention-seeking bouts of kleptomania, when she would
try to snare some cute thing, give it a French name and keep it regardless of
who really owned it. Her periods of self-denial over any wrongdoing, periods
effectively encouraged by her parents' absence and servants who didn't want to
"hurt" Azusa by being strict. That didn't mention having to put up to a
food-scrap lap-remora like Mikado, who didn't value anything of their
partnership save for the money diverted from Azusa's private trust fund to keep
the Golden Pair going.

She sighs, stepping into her homeroom as she relaxes at her desk, drawing
out her books. While she didn't want to make really big waves, it was past
time for things to change. Time to stop living this insane lie which ruled
Azusa's life for so long. Even though she was a warrior of Unity, destined to
bringing sentients together, it was clear to Azusa that a better Unity could be
found than what she possessed now. With her parents, Mikado, everything else
in her life. A new Azusa had been born two weeks ago.

It was time to take advantage of that fresh start.

She had already set into motion a transfer to a new school, to occur
within the next week. From the choices available, she had selected Furinkan
High. It wasn't much farther from her home than Kolkotz. Besides, other
choices such as Saint Hebereke and Seishun didn't satisfy her. Seishun was the
local home of martial arts cheerleading, concentrating its resources on that
instead of Furinkan's profound diversity of martial arts clubs.

And Kodachi went to Saint Hebereke.

Azusa sighs. No, no need to cause a friend unnecessary grief. The
Catholic nuns running that school just wouldn't understand it if a certain
sexual liaison became public knowledge. A month ago, two VERY lonely women,
who would NEVER admit such banal weaknesses in public, went to a Shinto shrine
to seek guidance to improve their hollow personal lives. Kodachi Kunou, who
lost her mother at a young age and had no idea where her father was. Azusa
Shiratori, whose parents trotted the world constantly in pursuit of money and
fame, forgetting their daughter in the process. Learning the other's story,
the two became friends, both choosing not to go public with that in fear of
losing face among their peers.

Then one night, just a week before the Crossing Over...!

Azusa fights to keep her blush down as those warm memories, memories that
now sent her heart into a tail spin, flow back. The confusion. The
anticipation. The shared need to go out and find answers. The heart-dropping
leap of faith and trust one took in her first sexual encounter. People said
you never forgot your first lover. Azusa certainly DIDN'T want to forget
Kodachi. But if they tried to keep it up and Kodachi's teachers learned...?

Even though a week later, when the very possibility of pursuing Kodachi as
a life-mate became prominent in her heart, Azusa chose to remain steadfast.
The religion whose sages ran Saint Hebereke invoked some narrow-minded ideas
concerning personal relationships. Further, they were fanatical about
enforcing their ways on their adherents...and as long as Kodachi was a student
there, she was treated as an adherent, for both good or ill.

Still, it would be so nice...

* * *

Saint Hebereke Girl's Private High School...

"Sempai, you didn't...?"

"No, I did not," Kodachi sighs, stretching herself. "A slight distraction
turned me from my set course, but it will be resolved soon enough, I believe.
Worry not about it, Suzuko. I assure you, we'll be triumphant when we deal
with my silly brother's school."

"Ah...h-hai," Suzuko nods, then heads off to stretch herself.

Kodachi watches her go, then takes a deep breath. *Becoming a master of
understatement, aren't you, 'Dachi?* she hums, trying not to laugh. A "slight"
distraction? That WAS an understatement! It wasn't every day one encountered
a half-alien Amazon warrior whose ability to perceive truth was quite
breathtaking, even when it was turned on someone like herself.

Tsubasa and Kodachi spent a wonderful afternoon in a coffee shop
exchanging life stories, forming the friendly rapport Nendo-kata desired when
they met those of other races who attracted their interest. For the first time
since her brief affair with Azusa Shiratori, Kodachi had found someone willing
to understand her, give her the benefit of the doubt. Clearly, her
long-missing father or her witless brother didn't care for what Kodachi really
felt. Azusa, bless her heart, did...but both had decided that a girl-girl
liaison would just cause them no end of problems, from peers and teachers
alike. And now, in Tsubasa Kurenai, Kodachi had found another person willing
to take a chance and be true friends with the woman many feared as the Black
Rose of Saint Hebereke.

It was even more fortunate that those wonderful fellows of the SCAA, Kay
and Jay, had come right away to her home to help Tsubasa better adjust to her
new life. Before yesterday, Tsubasa Kurenai was legally a man, an orphan under
the care of a centre in Kyoto although he'd been missing for some time. Now
Tsubasa was legally a woman, an alien...a legal adult to boot!...having taken
permanent residence on Earth. With a few words in the right places, all past
reminders of Tsubasa's previous life would be erased.

Even better for the girl's spirits, Ukyou Kuonji was revealed to be alive
and well...and much to Tsubasa's surprise, also one of the Great School.
According to a Nendo-kata sage based in Juuban, Matsuri Dokai, Ukyou had caught
up to Ranma, made peace, then became an adopted member of the Saotome family
to regain her own honour. To add to Tsubasa's surprise, Ranma had become a
Nendo-kata herself, which would make things easier when she and Ukyou
consummated their relationship. Maybe then, Haruka Kuonji would leave them in
peace and accept his daughter back.

A hand touches her leg and helps her reach back to further her stretch.
"Feeling better?" a voice muses.

"Very much so," Kodachi sighs. Tsubasa had, to better support herself,
taken a job at Saint Hebereke as assistant trainer to the various sports clubs
in exchange for private classes. While the coaches had been tempted to just
make her the water girl, Tsubasa (with the help of Kodachi and her rhythmic
gymnastics squad) had quickly changed that. She quickly won over the trust of
everyone on the team...hey, if Kodachi really liked Tsubasa, she couldn't be
THAT bad!...and had become the team's unofficial morale officer.

"You miss Azusa-san, don't you?"

Kodachi sighs. "It would cause problems, Tsu-chan."

"'Dachi, if you care for her, why are you running away?"

"As I said, it would cause problems, for her and I," Kodachi affirms, then
turns herself to stretch her other leg. Both she and Tsubasa were
sufficiently away from the others to have a private conversation. "If my
situation...and hers, admittedly...was much better, it could work out...IF, by
the way, we're both of that persuasion. Just because it's natural for you
doesn't mean that is the same for myself or 'Zusa-chan."

"Hai, that's true," Tsubasa nods, gently pushing Kodachi's leg up as her
powers keep track of her friend's pain tolerance. "I guess it's because we
don't mask personal relationships as much as people here do. From what I
sensed of your time together, there was such Unity between you and Asuza-san,
'Dachi."

"A blessed relationship?"

"If you wish to refer to it that way, of course."

"Mistress."

Kodachi blinks, then sighs. No doubt, her family's servant was keeping
him invisible; the teachers frowned heavily on the presence of non-staff males
in class. "What is it, Sasuke?"

"Forgive me for interrupting, but I've learned some things about Mistress
Azusa," the voice whispers. Sasuke was the only one who knew of Kodachi's
brief time with the skater, how much it had inwardly warmed her heart. "It
appears she is now contemplating a transfer to Furinkan High School within the
week."

Kodachi blinks, then hums. "Odd. I doubt she'd be willing to leave
behind that witless boor Sanzenin."

"She IS leaving him behind, Mistress. Further, according to the rumours
circulating around her school, Mistress Azusa has undergone quite a change in
personality as of late."

Tsubasa hums. "How much of a change, Sasuke-san?"

"Quite profound, Miss Tsubasa. Mistress Azusa has forever given up
her...'habit' of collecting cute objects. Further, she seems very focused on
her studies. She still performs well with Master Sanzenin, but there is
clearly a strain forming in their partnership. I say Mistress Azusa is ready
to give up on him."

Kodachi closes her eyes. "Sasuke, I need a favour."

"A dozen or two dozen, Mistress?" he chuckles knowingly.

Kodachi gives her order, then relaxes...before noting the far-away look on
Tsubasa's face. "What is it, Tsu-chan?"

"I...oh, gomen ne," Tsubasa smiles. "It just seemed strange hearing about
how much Azusa-san changed. That's pretty radical, don't you think?"

"Yes, it is..." Kodachi exhales, then stares at her. "No, you can't
possibly mean...?!" her eyes widen, then she laughs. "Tsu-chan, the odds of
THAT happening are...!"

"As I told you, 'Dachi...we don't BELIEVE in odds!" Tsubasa winks. "We
believe in facts. If it's happened, I can confirm it after school. Kolkotz
isn't so far from here, you know."

"True..."

* * *

The Tendou dojo, after school...

"TSUBASA CROSSED OVER?!?!?!"

Ukyou gapes slack-jawed at Matsuri Dokai. The Shinto shrine maiden was
the sage of the Cold Flat Mound School. As everyone in the Great School knew
now, Matsuri was also the life-mate to the Avatar of Hope, Ayako Maida. She
was also known, only to a very select circle outside her sisters, as the Fire
Sentinel, Sailor Ares of the Sailor Senshi Twins. Past mid-life, she had come
to Earth a decade ago to save the life of a poor girl who had been dragooned
into trying to kill the famed pretty warriors of Juuban. Because of her place
in the Cold Flat Mound School, Matsuri was often the one who helped new
Wanderers settle in, seeing to their spiritual needs. She also liaised with
the SCAA concerning new arrivals, getting them legally registered in.

"Hai, Ukyou-chan, she has," Matsuri nods. She had visited Saint Hebereke
that morning to meet Tsubasa. "Tsubasa-chan most likely Crossed Over the same
night you did, albeit in a different place, out of range from your senses.
Since she didn't perceive what happened to you, she spent the last two months
believing you had died that night, racked with guilt over what her actions
could have done to you. Despite her propensity to push it, she really did
care, Ukyou-chan. Believing you dead nearly destroyed her."

Ukyou blinks, then sighs. "Aw, hell...!" she slumps her shoulders. "So
what's she doing now?"

"She works as an assistant physical education coach at Saint Hebereke
Girl's School in exchange for progressing her education," Matsuri announces.
"Further, she's found someone to be a friend to her...though from what
Tsubasa-chan told me of this person, she may have potential competition if
things get intense."

"You mean she won't come after me anymore?" Ukyou blinks. "Matsuri-chan,
this is the perfect situation..."

"Ukyou-chan, Tsubasa-chan knows about the situation that made you Cross
Over," Matsuri warns. "In her eyes, she did you a very grievous injury and
thus finds herself unworthy of anything when it comes to you. Atop that, she
does know of your pending bonding with Ranma-chan, so she definitely won't
interfere in that."

Ukyou's eyebrow arches. "You're kidding, right? Geez, this new girl must
be some looker to turn Tsubasa away from me."

"Hai, she is that, from what I saw of her," Matsuri chuckles. "Further,
Kodachi-chan is...in many ways, as much an orphan as Tsubasa-chan.
Tsubasa-chan is trying to help her better accept her place in life and progress
from some...very disturbing habits her lack of proper parentage partially
forced her into."

"A loony, huh?"

"Ukyou!" Matsuri scolds.

Ukyou ducks the scornful look the sage passes her. "Sorry..." she
flusters, then sighs. "Well, at least she's found a place to call her own.
That's good for her. I guess the reason Tsubasa admired me so much is that I
was so independent. He just wanted out of that damned orphanage he lived in."

"No doubt," Matsuri sighs. "Oh, I heard that Ryooko-chan's sister might
come down to Cross Over with that poor sentient in her brother's
subconscious."

"A Lore Mistress, right?"

"Hai. But...according to my friends among the Sages, Ryooko-chan's
sister...is a little out there," Matsuri shudders.

Ukyou blinks. "A little out there" was the phrase Nendo-kata used to
describe Wanderers who had been isolated from the Mother Ocean for an
inordinately long period of time. "How long...?"

"Right after she faced the Cavern."

Ukyou face-faults!

* * *

Elsewhere...

"We know this bitch's tactics!" the woman sighs. "We know how she makes
sure her team 'wins' by hitting the other side ahead of time! Are we going to
let this bitch get away with it?!"

"No way!" the other girls shake their heads.

"But how do we stop her from coming after us?" one of the others then
wonders.

"Easy," the first smiles. "We hit her before she hits us. I've already
got some people helping us on that. By doing it that way, she has no idea that
it's us coming after her!"

"Eh?!" the others blink confusedly.

The first shudders, inwardly delighted at her inspired act of "preventive
medicine." No one had ever been able to beat Saint Hebereke when it came to
martial arts rhythmic gymnastics...in most parts because the opposing teams
always defaulted the match. The reason why: the private school's team
captain, Kodachi "the Black Rose" Kunou, went out to hit the opposing teams
some days before the match, crippling them, ensuring they couldn't compete.

Furinkan High wouldn't suffer the same fate.

After all, accidents could happen both ways...

* * *

Saint Hebereke...

"'Dachi, what are you doing?"

Kodachi tenses, then blinks, essaying a smile. "I'm just packing away my
gear, Tsu-chan, that's all."

Tsubasa blinks, then sighs, crossing her arms. "Are you sure that's all
you're doing?" an eyebrow rises.

Silence as the team captain's heart churns. On meeting and learning about
Tsubasa, she knew right away she couldn't lie to the woman behind her. She
also knew Tsubasa might not approve of this tested...and always
proven!...tactic to ensure Saint Hebereke won tournaments in martial arts
rhythmic gymnastics.

But...still...!

Hands gently touch her shoulders. "'Dachi, I believe in you."

Kodachi blinks, then shudders. "Tsu-chan..."

"I believe in you," Tsubasa whispers in her ear. "There's no need to do
this, you know."

"D-demo..."

"You're afraid of losing, aren't you?"

A pause, then, "Hai."

Tsubasa blinks, then chuckles. "It's only a game, 'Dachi. A simple,
harmless competition between two schools in a certain Art. Why are you taking
it so seriously?"

"B-because..." Kodachi stares at her, then sighs. Clearly, Nendo-kata had
no concept about what such tournaments did to the participants, both the
winners and losers.

Tsubasa sighs. "'Dachi, can I tell you something?"

"Nani?"

"Sometimes, winning is the WORST thing that can happen."

Blink, blink. "I...don't understand."

"Let's take what you want to do," Tsubasa lightly smiles. "You go out,
find the Furinkan team, then do what you do. Now, will they forfeit or press
on? I say they might decide to press on. After all, Saint Hebereke has had a
string of 'victories' like this and they'd consider it choice revenge against
you to break that string. They decide to find someone. Say...someone trained
in another martial art beyond rhythmic gymnastics; after all, you've only
concentrated on gymnastics. Someone who can defend herself against you in case
of another ambush. You try to deal with her...but you can't because she's on
guard against you. Then you have to face the tournament. What happens then?"

Kodachi stares at her, then sighs. "I could lose."

"Hai. All your efforts would've been wasted."

"But still..."

"'Dachi," Tsubasa lightly smiles. "There's nothing wrong with wanting to
succeed in a set task. Nothing at all. But...I'm afraid that the culture
looming over sports competition isn't the best thing at times for the
competitors. The emphasis is always 'Win, win, win!' What about simply
enjoying the competition? Doesn't that matter? Do you enjoy practicing your
Art, 'Dachi?"

"Of course I do, Tsu-chan, but..."

"Then go enjoy it," Tsubasa urges. "Have fun! Work to win, of course,
but don't be so afraid of losing. It won't be the end of the world, you know.
Do you want to know something, 'Dachi?" a knowing smile crosses her face. "I
strongly bet you can learn more lessons from a defeat...than in any ten
victories."

Kodachi gazes at her new friend, then looks at her equipment. Part of
her...the part everyone called "the Black Rose"...railed at the impudent
commoner's criticisms against her actions. The other part...the real
Kodachi...knew better. Tsubasa was acting out of simple concern for her and
the others on the team, something the other coaches didn't seem to care for.
All the older coaches cared about was getting victories, bringing honour to
Saint Hebereke. Indeed, Tsubasa had it right. "Win! Win!! Win!!!" Besides,
she was also correct about one other thing. It had been a VERY long time
since Kodachi had faced a really good opponent. Maybe she was getting a bit
rusty in her moves. That could be death to anyone!

Yes, perhaps a change of tactics was called for.

"Alright," she nods. "We'll see what happens. In the meantime, shall we
go home?"

"Hai!" Tsubasa smiles.

Kodachi zips up her bag, then follows the assistant coach out of the
gymnasium. Tsubasa already had her backpack. It was late in the afternoon;
most of the students and staff had gone home or returned to the convent located
beside the school. Given Tsubasa's current mode of dress...worn blue jeans,
button shirt and ascot, a white sports bra totally invisible under her
shirt...she seemed a very bishoonen boy to the casual onlooker. How amusing.
Before the Crossing Over, Tsubasa WAS a bishoonen boy who dressed as a girl.
Now she was a girl who was now dressed as a tomboy.

Clearly, Kodachi muses, the Mother Ocean Tsubasa revered as the progenitor
of her race had an odd sense of humour.

With that, Kodachi slips her arm around her friend's. Even if there were
"proper" modes of behaviour she MUST follow as a student at Saint Hebereke, the
odd show of rebellion didn't bother her one bit. Being as rich as she was
gave her a level of latitude in case some idiot truant officer rose an
objection...and it would keep Tsubasa shielded. Besides, it was so nice now to
have someone she could relate to, confide secrets in, knowing that other
person wouldn't leave her if she could avoid it.

Tsubasa certainly had such a beautiful smile...

Kodachi shudders, then clicks her tongue. *Careful, 'Dachi!* she scolds
herself. That sort of attitude had led to her and Azusa pulling apart after
their deliciously wonderful, yet brief fling. No, she didn't want to fall into
that cycle again...

"Daijobu desu ka, 'Dachi?"

Kodachi jolts, then gazes on Tsubasa. A concerned look is etched on her
face. She then sighs. Honesty. Stay honest with this person...oh, gods, this
was SO embarrassing! "Tsu-chan...um, I..." she stammers, then sighs. "Would
you...?"

"Want to go on a date with you?" she supplies.

The gymnast jolts, then feels her cheeks flame. "H-hai..."

Tsubasa smiles. "Yes, I'd love to."

Kodachi blinks, then smiles. "Arigatou."

The Nendo-kata hums, then leans close to her ear. "You're very, very,
VERY beautiful when you blush, you know that?"

Instant tomato effect. "Ts-tsu-chan...!"

Both laugh...

* * *

Unseen...and unnoticed by Tsubasa, who was concentrating on her
companion...were three large men, dressed in the uniform of some non-descript
high school from a seedier part of the area. They came into the main part of
Nerima from time to time to stir up trouble. This was one such time. All they
had to do was rough up a certain snob gymnast with black hair in a ponytail
named Kodachi Kunou. A girl, so the leader of Furinkan High's martial arts
rhythmic gymnastics team told him when she was "paying" for their services, who
loved to cheat when she was in competition.

While the toughs certainly didn't mind bending rules and tossing out all
sense of honour when it came to them interacting with other people, it
assaulted their sense of propriety that some stuck-up bitch would cheat in a
sports competition.

No, that definitely wouldn't do...

* * *

Whistling happily, Azusa skated down the street, bookbag slung over her
shoulders as she weaved her way through the crowd. Thanks to one of her
friends, she discovered a new Western variation of
skating...rollerblading...and wanted to try it. Unlike traditional roller
skates, the wheels of her blades were set in a single line along the long axis
of her feet, thus demanding greater balance concentration. It was even more
challenging than figure skating, especially since the surface rollerbladers
used was a minefield of textures, more challenging than the polished glass of
an ice rink.

She hums, then blinks as her empathic senses detect a very familiar
warmth. Another Nendo-kata! A grin crosses her face as she tracks the
source-point, then she blinks. Close to Saint Hebereke. Well, talk about
coincidences! With that, Azusa changes direction, then skates off down the
street. The sister close by only had a local for a companion. Clearly, she
would welcome the chance to be with one of her own kind. Who could it be...?

A jolt of pain then catches Azusa off-guard, followed by a chorus of
nauseating feelings that forces her to stop by a parking meter to catch her
breath. Both the newcomer and her companion were under pressure...but
from...oh! Closing her eyes, Azusa reaches out telepathically...oh, Mother
Ocean, NO!!

"Kodachi!!!" she gasps, leaping down the street as she slips on shaded
safety goggles over her eyes. For rollerblading, since she was still
practicing, Azusa had on a safety helmet and padding to protect her in case she
fell. The goggles would make onlookers believe she was keeping her eyes
protected from dust. Besides, they were hued perfectly to disguise her eyes
when they glowed.

*Hang on, 'Dachi!!* Azusa grits her teeth...

* * *

Kodachi gasps as she is flung against a wall, air exploding from her lungs
as she drops to the ground. Her uniform was ripped and she was now deprived
of her weapons. Worse of all, as Tsubasa had warned, Kodachi was no
hand-to-hand combatant by any stretch of the imagination. Still, she had full
control over herself...she hadn't received a head blow...so she could keep some
sense of order on this madness. A quick glance to her right shows Tsubasa
slumped on the ground by a garbage can, blood seeping from a nasty wound in her
scalp. These thugs had decided to "take it easy" and eliminate Kodachi's
companion before coming after her.

Gritting her teeth, she dodges as one of the thugs tries to kick her in
the stomach. Thank Heaven she could still dodge and weave. As long as she
kept clear of their fists and feet, she could try to regain the upper hand once
she regained her weapons. With that, she cartwheels free of a swung iron
pipe...the same weapon that had downed Tsubasa...then lands some distance away.
Her bag was flung down beside the one she believed the leader of this rabble.
If she could draw them away from the bag far enough, she could double back
and grab it.

"Damn bitch!!" one of the toughs snarls, hefting some sand from the road
and flinging it.

Kodachi dodges...the LAST thing she needed was sand in the eyes to blind
her...then cries out as the tough with the pipe makes a telling blow in her
side under her short ribs! Pain arcs through her as she drops to the ground,
then gasps as the pipe makes another hard strike on her spine, her strength
vanishing.

"There we go!" the leader smirks, walking up confidently to kneel before
her. "Don't mess her up too much, guys. Don't want to hurt the merchandise
more than we have to."

"What about the tomboy?" another nods at Tsubasa.

"You want her, go ahead!" the leader chuckles, staring at the bleary-eyed
Kodachi. "This one's all mine."

The others chuckle...then they jolt on hearing the sound of something
skidding on asphalt behind them. They turn...to see a girl in the fuku of
Kolkotz High School standing there, now on rollerblades with full safety gear.
The contemptful scowl of her face clearly indicated she was aware of what was
happening...and disapproved. "Care to try that on me?"

"Hey, we got one for all of us!" the third tough laughs, bolting up as he
lunges at the newcomer. "C'mere, babe!"

She raises a hand in a "stop" gesture...then the tough screams as
SOMETHING snares him from head to toe, sending him flying into a telephone pole
HARD!! The concrete doesn't yield as the tough is released from Azusa's
telekinetic "hand," dropping head-first to unyielding ground below with the
loud *CRACK!!* of skull bones being broken from the impact. The other toughs
gape in shock, then turn...as Azusa pulls off her goggles, revealing her
glowing eyes.

"Like I said," Azusa mocks. "Care to try that on me?"

"Wh-what the fuck IS sh-she...?" the leader stammers.

"Fuckin' dead!!!" the other tough leaps up, swinging his pipe to brain the
monster...

...then he gasps as SOMETHING grabs his weapon and yanks it out of his
hands, the bar sailing right into Azusa's outstretched palm. The tough's
motion isn't slowed as he comes in range...then Azusa belts him HARD on the
side of the head, crashing into the fence near the unconscious Tsubasa! As he
drops, the leader shudders. "Fuckin' BITCH!!!" he grabs Kodachi, drawing out a
switchblade to point at the gymnast's neck.

Azusa sighs, then concentrates...as the tough gasps, feeling an icy
vize-like grip snare his chest, squeezing his heart. He releases Kodachi and
the knife as he staggers back, trying to do ANYTHING to get that grip away from
his heart. "M-monster..." he gasps as nausea begins to overwhelm him, the
stilled bloodflow to his mind causing his brain to shut down.

"Yes, I AM a monster...to sub-creatures like you, who would attack people
with no reason save tasting another's fear and pain!" contempt drips from
Azusa's words. "This life has no need for those such as you. I think the
world's better WITHOUT you..."

The tough gasps as consciousness fades. Azusa lets him go, allowing the
tough to collapse in a heap on the ground, then she skates over to the slowly
stirring Kodachi. "Daijobu?! 'Dachi!!"

Kodachi blinks, then focuses on a very welcome sight. "'Zusa-chan...is
that you?" she reaches up to gently stroke her friend's cheek. "How did
you...?"

"Long story," Azusa smiles, then glances at Tsubasa. *I see I'm not the
only one who thinks 'Dachi's sexy as all get out,* she hums, sliding over to
help the unconscious woman up. "C'mon, let's get over to my place. You can
rest up there."

"Can you...oooh, that HURTS!!...take us...?" Kodachi moans, staggering to
her feet as she moves to retrieve her bag.

"Hai, pretty easy now," Azusa lifts Tsubasa into her arms, then slides
over to Kodachi. "Wrap your arms around me and hang on tight, 'Dachi. We're
going for a ride."

Kodachi blinks, then nods, allowing herself to slump on her friend's back
as Azusa's eyes glow. With a leap, they're airborne, soaring towards the
Shiratori mansion...

* * *

Minutes later...

"Oh, dear! Mistress!!"

Kodachi sighs as Sasuke emerges from his hiding place, two dozen red roses
in hand, then she nods assuredly. While she often treated the poor ninja like
a slave, she did appreciate his concern for her welfare. "I'm alright,
Sasuke," she takes a deep breath as Azusa carries the unconscious Tsubasa
upstairs. "Will you find that nice chiropractor my brother knows of near the
Tendou home and summon him here right away, please? Tsubasa's been badly
hurt."

"Ah...h-hai!" Sasuke nods, then vanishes.

Kodachi groans, feeling her side as she begins to stagger up the
stairs...then smiles as Azusa's body leans against hers as the weight is
shifted off the gymnast's spine. It had been...just so exhilarating! One
moment, she was in an alley recovering from several bad blows from those
hooligans. The next, she was flying on the back of her friend toward the
Shiratori home. She knew it was possible for Nendo-kata to fly using their
telekinesis, which only confirmed what had happened to Azusa.

"When...?" Kodachi wonders.

"Two weeks ago," Azusa smiles, boosting her friend into her bedroom,
laying her on the canopied bed beside Tsubasa. "A robber tried to break into
this place. I caught him and he shot me. I would've died hadn't my Wanderer
half been close by."

"What of the thief...?"

"Ashes in the wind."

Kodachi blinks, then shudders. That was the phrase Nendo-kata used when
they employed their more dangerous psychokinetic powers to disintegrate
something. Usually, it was used to eliminate all traces of their previous
selves, thus ensuring no one could learn the sacred secrets of the Crossing
Over. Wise, indeed. With that, she glances over at Tsubasa. The head wound
had stopped bleeding and was clearly mending. Her friend's breathing was
steady.

"I placed her in a meditative trance to help her recover," Azusa explains,
sensing the questions Kodachi wanted to ask, then her eyes glow as the front
door is opened and closed. "Oh, good!"

Sasuke comes in, followed by Toofuu Ono. "Greetings, fair doctor,"
Kodachi smiles. "As you can see, my friend and I are in some need of your
assistance."

Toofuu pauses, then concentrates. Kodachi was unchanged...but thanks to
his examination of the Saotome sisters, Ukyou and Ryooko, he could tell that
Azusa and the unknown girl beside Kodachi were both Crossed Over Nendo-kata.
Seeing the blood stains on Tsubasa's forehead and shirt, he examines the wound
on her scalp. "Hmmm...blunt object hitting her in a surprise attack, I
believe. What happened, Azusa-san?" he stares at the skater.

"No doubt, someone thought 'Dachi an easy target to take down for whatever
ecchi reason," Azusa sighs. "Seeing Tsubasa-chan with her, they took her out
first, then went after 'Dachi. I came onto them before things would've become
interesting."

"Soo desu ka," Toofuu sighs, shaking his head. What on Earth was this
world coming to? "She seems in a coma."

"Meditation trance; it allows her to heal faster. All I'd recommend is
that she has to rest. Anything further could inhibit her recovery," Azusa
warns. "'Dachi took four hits. Her left leg, right forearm, mid-spine and
right side below her ribs."

Toofuu hums, then moves around the bed. "Could we have some privacy
please, Sasuke?"

"Of course, Sensei," Sasuke nods, heading out.

With that, Kodachi's uniform is removed. Toofuu tsks on seeing the dark
splotches on her skin were Azusa indicated. "Not bad. Muscle and tendon
bruising. No sign of chipped bones. No doubt, you were automatically shifting
to cancel the full effect of the strike. Pretty automatic to experienced
martial artists."

"You're too kind, Sensei," Kodachi smiles.

"You deserve it. I can see why Azusa-san chose not to heal you herself; I
doubt her self-awareness of her own body would've really been of help to you.
Alright, let's see..."

With gentle manipulation of her shiatsu points plus some ready ice packs
provided by Azusa, the swelling on parts of Kodachi's body is quickly halted.
"All I really can recommend now is for you to rest and stay off your feet until
the pain in your back eases. I suggest you have Sasuke tell your brother what
happened."

"I would prefer to keep my brother out of this, thank you very much,
Sensei," Kodachi sighs. "He tends to overreact at the wrong times and for the
wrong reasons. I've no need to put up with it, nor will I subject my friends
to his mindless tirades."

Toofuu hums, then nods. "Good point. How soon do you believe Tsubasa-san
will recover, Azusa-san?"

"Probably later tonight. If you want, I can have her come to your clinic
tomorrow to let you examine her then."

"Alright, fair enough. You people know your own body dynamics better than
I. Oh, does the SCAA know about what happened to you?"

Azusa blinks confusedly. "The who...?!"

"I'll explain it to her, Sensei," Kodachi smiles. "Though unlike the case
of Tsubasa-chan, I hardly see much in the way of changes when it comes to
'Zusa-chan."

"Still, it's better for the authorities to learn about me. I don't want
to cause trouble if I can avoid it," Azusa smiles.

"We might as well wait for the morning, then," Toofuu nods...

* * *

Some minutes later, the chiropractor and Sasuke leave, the latter bearing
a note from Kodachi to her brother informing him that she was staying at a
friend's place tonight. With that, Azusa assigns the cooks to whip up dinner
before returning to the bedroom. By then, Kodachi had dressed herself in a
flannel nightgown, having done the same for Tsubasa.

"Moving in?" Azusa smirks knowingly as Kodachi relaxes.

"The temptation is unreal, admittedly...especially now that Tsu-chan is in
my life," Kodachi gazes on her sleeping friend, then she looks at her other
friend. "How has it been for you?"

"Not too bad, admittedly," Azusa sits on the bed at Kodachi's feet.
"'Enlightening' is how I'd see it. It's so crazy, how much I've blinded myself
over the years, 'Dachi...and how much that could hurt me for the rest of my
life."

"I've not endured the Crossing Over, but I must confess that my brief time
with Tsu-chan has been likewise...enlightening," Kodachi smiles. "How has
Sanzenin reacted to what's happened? I assume you haven't explained this to
him."

"Not well," Azusa snorts. Before the Crossing Over, Mikado ("Mikki" or
"San-chan" to Azusa) had been an amusing distraction to her. Good skater and
partner in martial arts figure skating, but useless in other areas. At times,
especially when he tried to curb her kleptomania, he was plain annoying as
hell. Now that she had her Wanderer half's telepathy and empathy, she was
seeing him in a very unforgiving light. "He's pretty well off, but compared to
me, he's dirt poor. Greed and overblown pride, 'Dachi; that's what he is deep
down. He thinks, even now, that I'm so easy to control that there's nothing
that'll threaten his present place."

"He freeloads, you mean."

Both turn as Tsubasa's eyes open. "Tsu-chan, you should be resting,"
Azusa warns.

"A thousand humble apologies, sister. Don't worry; it's just my brain and
basic life functions working. Everything else is trying to fix up this hole
in my head." Her eyes then fall on Kodachi. "How are you today, 'Dachi?"

"Glad that you're alright, Tsu-chan," Kodachi smiles. "Oh, you haven't
been formally introduced. Tsu-chan, my first lover and dear friend, Azusa
Shiratori. 'Zusa-chan, my new friend...and now your expatriate countrywoman,
Tsubasa Kurenai."

"Yoroshiku (Pleased to meet you), Azusa-chan," Tsubasa nods. "My
apologies for forcing ourselves on you."

"Yoroshiku, Tsu-chan...and don't apologize. I can guess you were
distracted by 'Dachi to sense those three sub-creatures about to hurt you
both."

"What happened to them?"

"Dealt with."

"How harshly?" Kodachi wonders.

"Very...but not terminally," Azusa smiles at her. "If the local
constabulary were in time, they'll be in a hospital now with very bad
concussions if not permanent brain-damage. I guess all three have caused loads
of trouble to other people before...they just FELT that way to me...so the
police might decide to let it slide and allow them to suffer."

"Good riddance to bad rubbish!" Tsubasa snorts. "By the way, did you
sense why they wanted to hurt 'Dachi?"

"I was too worried about 'Dachi and you, Tsu-chan. I didn't have time to
do a psi-scan. Gomen."

"Daijobu desu," Kodachi sighs. "It's just part of surviving in this
increasingly hostile society of ours. We can investigate this at a latter
time, when all of us have our wits about us. In the meantime, I think the good
doctor's ministrations are making me sleepy. Shall we retire?"

"If you don't mind our sleeping together," Azusa hums.

Kodachi blinks, then stares at Tsubasa before gazing on Azusa. "No, of
course not," she smiles. "I can only guess how long your Wanderer halves were
alone. It's no wonder one of the first things you're inclined to do after the
Crossing Over is seek the intimate touch of potential life-mates. Besides, I
certainly trust you, 'Zusa-chan, as much as I presently trust Tsu-chan. We'll
worry about...progressing things, if we desire, in the morning."

"Hai," Azusa rises to change...

* * *

The Tendou dojo, the next morning...

"...local news, three students from Tannin High School were found badly
beaten in an alley some blocks from Saint Hebereke Girl's High School," the
reporter's voice echoes over the radio in the kitchen. Kasumi, Kikuko and
Ukyou were busy preparing the morning meal while Shampoo was taking her turn
training Akane and Ranma was sparring with Ranko. "Police have no idea as to
what caused them to be so badly hurt, but given that the three boys, whose
identities remain undisclosed, may have engaged in theft and other
misdemeanours over the last two years, it is believed the boys may have been
involved in a botched robbery attempt..."

"Oh, my!" Kasumi shakes her head, clearly disgusted. "To believe such
people exist in this world."

"Don't be so surprised," Ukyou smirks, then hums. "Hey, Kiku-chan, isn't
Saint Hebereke the place our martial arts rhythmic gymnastics team was supposed
to take on next week?"

"Hai, I believe so," Kikuko muses, then stares quizzically at the
okonomiyaki chef. "Do you think this might have had something to do with that
competition, Ukyou-san?"

"Dunno," Ukyou shrugs. "From what I heard at school, Saint Hebereke's
been having a really long string of victories. Pretty odd ones at that; the
other schools that went up against them all forfeited their matches."

"Why would they do that?" Kasumi wonders.

"From what I heard, the other teams wound up getting sidelined with
injuries before the match actually occurs."

"Someone attacked them, you mean?"

"Probably."

"Why would some people do that, Ukyou-san?" Kikuko blinks.

"Anything for a victory, Kiku-chan," the cook shrugs.

"There are times that attitude is proper, but certainly not in a sports
competition between high schools," Kasumi muses, frowning.

"Sometimes, people view sports as intensively as we would view martial
arts, Kasumi-chan," Ukyou stares at her. "It's a real sad statement to make
about society as a whole, ain't it? Do anything in your power just to come up
on top. Sickening if you ask me."

"Don't Nendo-kata believe in that?" Kasumi asks.

"Hell, of course not!" Ukyou winces, flipping an okonomiyaki onto a plate
now stacked full of steaming hot cakes. "When the stakes are potentially life
and death, then yeah, it becomes very important...but if there's one thing in
the Cosmic Chain of Life that is the enemy to real Unity, Kasumi-chan, it's the
idea of there having to be one winner. What does that do? You sit back and
think about it, all that ends up doing is create resentment, anger, hate...ugh!
No thank you!" she shudders, pouring batter for a new okonomiyaki on the
stove as she begins frying. "It's too much pain for some people,
Kasumi-chan."

"Like you," Kasumi stares at her.

"Amen to that," Ukyou shudders. "Ran-chan was the same way before the
Crossing Over. Hell, A-chan's that way now, even with people laying off on
her."

"Akane-chan has the right to feel like she's better, Ukyou-san," Kikuko
warns. "Look what happened to her."

The cook blinks, then nods. "Yeah, good point."

Kasumi stops, then shudders before gazing on the Nendo-kata. "You...you
know, don't you?" her voice is a whisper.

"Can't ignore sensing that, Kasumi-chan," Ukyou sighs.

"The pain...that event caused Akane-chan still burns deep in her heart,"
Kikuko adds. "It's a beast clawing at her soul. We don't know the full
details of what happened...but when we first met her, it was the most glaring
thing we noticed about her. It explains a lot about her personality even now,
Kasumi-neechan...not to mention yours, Nabiki-neechan's and Otou-san's, too."

Kasumi blinks, then sighs. "That's right. You said your empathic powers
were automatic. Yet..."

"Why haven't we said something?" Ukyou smirks. "First of all, it's
A-chan's pain, Kasumi. If she wants to talk about it, that's her choice.
Ran-chan, me and everyone else won't force her to talk about it if she doesn't
want to think about it. Atop that, we DO hold the confidences of those we care
for. We won't say anything about it to other people. Why should we do
something like that? A-chan wants other people to respect her. She wants to
feel really confident about herself. She doesn't need pity. She doesn't want
to be babied, either, Kasumi. That just reinforces the pain in her eyes." A
pause. "A-chan was never given the chance to recover fully from that, Kasumi.
I know this hurt you all just as bad, but A-chan needed her family to stand by
her then. You weren't there for her...and because Ran-chan and I care for
her, we're now stuck repairing the damage that isolation added to her wounds."

Kasumi shudders. "Gomen..."

"We're not accusing you of anything, Nee-chan," Kikuko smiles. "All we
want to do is help you heal. You can't heal unless you face the truth of what
happened."

Kasumi pauses, then nods. "Hai, that's true. Perhaps we've ignored
Akane-chan's pain...and our own...for too long. What do you think we should
do?"

"Don't mention it to her now," Ukyou sighs. "We want her to learn of
our...knowing her problem on her own. Forcing it down her throat, even
subtlety, creates resentment...and even now, A-chan's quick to feel a lotta
resentment when she thinks others treat her like she can't fight her own
battles, face up to her own problems. It'll happen, but it'll take time."

"True," Kasumi nods.

With that, breakfast preparations are quickly completed as everyone comes
in from their various morning activities. Akane and Shampoo are busy chatting
about the bonbori the former had started to learn under the latter's tutelage.
"It's weighed differently that my mallet," she muses, holding one of the large
maces up. "I think the handle's not weighted right, Xian. I don't know if I
can make use of something like this in a fight."

"You can fix it up to give you more weight in the handle, but that might
take away from the head," Shampoo muses. "Don't worry, Akane. All it needs is
time and practice. You can't learn this overnight, you know. Just like you
can't learn cooking overnight."

Akane jolts, then sighs, placing the bonbori down as she digs into her
rice and miso soup. "Hai, that's true," she shudders, remembering the total
disaster dinner was last night. Thank the heavens the Nendo-kata she lived
with had been strong enough to put down that...WHATEVER it was!...which had
surged out of her attempt at beef stroganoff. "Sorry about that..."

"You've apologized twenty-six times already, Akane," Ranma gently scolds.
"Thank you, we got the message."

"Demo..."

"Akane-chan, when you started practicing martial arts, did you start
shattering bricks right then and there?" Ranko hums.

"No, of course not!!" Akane snaps. "You can't...!"

"Cooking's the same thing, A-chan," Ukyou explains. "Hell, my first
attempt at okonomiyaki was almost as bad as what you came up with last night.
Though I gotta admit, I never created a potential LIFE FORM with my early
cooking."

"Maybe it's a sign of Akane's potential in xenobiology and genetic
engineering," Ranko smirks.

"Yeah!" Ranma tries not to laugh, then rises, slouching as if he had a
haunched back, looming over Akane. "I am Igor, servant to Akane Tendou, the
Evil Mad Doctor of Nerima's Kitchens...!" she slurs through a lapping tongue
and twisted lips.

Ukyou, Nabiki and Ranko fall over laughing. Shampoo seems confused;
clearly, she never read Mary Shelley. Kasumi and Kikuko BARELY keep their
faces straight. Souun, as is his want, wails about Akane becoming a mad
scientist. Akane tries to hide her embarrassment behind her bowl of soup.
While she didn't like teasing in general, she had to admit that Ranma was
pretty good-natured about it. A profound change, according to Ranko, from the
stuck-up, sometimes arrogant boy Ranma had been before Jusenkyou. Who knew
WHAT insults Ranma would've heaped on her after last night hadn't he Crossed
Over and become a Nendo-kata.

"Okay, servant!" she then hums, glaring intently at Ranma. "Just for
that, you get to carry me to every class today!"

Ranma blinks, then in a very good imitation of what Shampoo was like with
she started to date Ranko in Joketsuzoku, leaps over to swamp her fiancee with
a classic Chinese Amazon Glomp. "Oh, Ranma knew Akane like her!" Ranma rubs
her cheek against Akane's, purring contently. "We have nice date tonight,
yes?!"

Akane pales. Jeez, she thought Ranko was joking about the strength of
Shampoo's bear-hugs! "Ranma...I need to breathe...!"

"Wo na ai, Airen," Ranma coos cutely.

THAT gets Shampoo laughing! Soon, everyone joins in...

* * *

To be continued...