Ranma 1/2: Ranma No More Alternate History By: Dani Yanega yanega@mindspring.com (please respond to this e-mail address) Chapter Thirty Four Kasumi holds her younger sister tightly, sobbing like she hasn't since their mother passed away. Tofu comes up behind them placing a comforting hand on Kasumi's shoulder and gives Nabiki's hair a comforting caress. Kasumi looks at him and he nods his okay then walks back to the Takashi table. Kasumi watches him go with a deep respect and love showing in her sad brown eyes. "Shh, my little flower, all will be all right." Kasumi croons to her sister. "You haven't called me that in years." Nabiki sniffles into her sister's neck as she tries to collect herself. "You haven't needed it in years, little flower, but you do now." She responds handing Nabiki a handkerchief. "We will go get your things and you will move in with me, until you can find a place of your own, _but_ I will not allow your old habits to come with you sister." Kasumi says with a stern voice. Nabiki cringes as she knows what her sister is referring too. She looks up into Kasumi's face and she no longer sees the oblivious sister from a few days ago, she has shaken off that mantle and is now showing her true self for all to see and marvel at. She has an inner strength that neither Nabiki nor anyone else ever realized was there, except maybe Dr. Tofu. Nabiki lowers her eyes, she sighs deeply. "How will I earn money, I am too young to get a job." The tears flowing down her cheeks, but it isn't Kasumi she gets her answer from. "If you promise to stop the business tactics you now use I will give you a paid internship at Takashi Industries, with a possible permanent position when you graduate from college." Nabiki looks into the stern gaze of Hiroshi and Keitaro Takashi. "This offer however has some conditions, other than the ceasing of your now habits. There is only one other condition and that is _you_ apologize to my cousin Cologne for having listening devices and cameras placed in their home." Nabiki gulps, she stares at the two men then over to the Elders of Joketsuzoku, and nods. She disentangles herself from Kasumi, but she knows there is no way they would know if she quit raising money the way she is now or not. She can still get some spending money by getting pictures of Ran Koh and the younger Amazons. She starts to head to the old women when a hand lands firmly on her shoulder. She turns and looks into ice blue eyes. Eyes so cold they make her Ice Queen look like a spring shower. "Do not think we won't know if you do not keep up your end of this agreement _girl_, my granddaughter has a unique ability to know what people have done and what people can and will do. Remember if she tells us you are not keeping your word you will find your new residence in a jail cell for violating the rights of a foreign sovereignty." Keitaro tells her as ice fire blaze in his blue eyes. Nabiki looks deep into his eyes and sees the truth of his words, she sees a man who has been where she has been but has been to places she never knew existed. She finds herself wanting to learn from this man and his son. She wants to be what they are businessmen of honor, yet ruthless when it comes to protecting what is theirs. She deflates as she nods her understanding. She walks to the Amazon Elders, and bows deeply, tears streaming down her face. "I ask humbly for your forgiveness, you are the first to ever refuse my offers, and I am afraid *sigh* ego took over the reasoning that I pride myself on." Swallowing hard Nabiki again bows. When she stands she stares into the two wizen faces that are set like stone into a mask she is unable too read. The table stares at the three people silently, all of them holding their breaths. Ku Lon rises and walks to the young Tendo, girl. "We accept your apology _but_ if you miss use the trust of my family, you will bring down the wrath of the Amazons upon your head and that of your family, and we are only satisfied by spilt blood." Ku Lon tells her while holding out her hand. Nabiki rises from her bow and nervously takes the offered hand. The others at the table let out the breath they were all holding. Kasumi comes up behind her sister and gives her a hug, Nabiki slumps into her sisters embrace. The other Amazons give Nabiki, suspicious and mistrustful looks, but they honor Ku Lon's agreement. /*\*/*\ "_How did you get in here_!" Ran Koh growls while trying to get up. "It is time for you to know why you were chosen." The monk standing behind Taj and Alex tells them. "Where are the rest of the monks?" Msu Tsu asks, the monk standing behind Ryoga and Ran Koh. "Why does it matter Msu Tsu, they are in the smoke, when we finish here they will pull us back." The monk behind Taj and Alex again replies. "Do not worry about us we will explain all to you _brother_." The monk behind Ukyo and Samuel tells Msu Tsu. "Why do you call me brother, I have _no_ brother!" Msu Tsu responds to the Dragon Sect monk. "Do not lie to your companions brother." The monk tells him as he removes his hood. "_Tal Kom_!" Msu Tsu stares agape at the leader of the Dragon Sect monks. "We will talk later brother, there is much that needs telling." He says as all the companions stare from Msu Tsu and Tal Kom. The two men are identical twins, save for that fact Tal Kom's hair goes just to his shoulders. Tal Kom then pulls his cowl back up, turning to the leader of the Tiger Sect. He nods then turns to the companions. "You fifteen are the chosen Warriors of the Light, and you will fight an evil that came to this world many millennia ago. We do not know from where." He states while and his two brethren place a lighted candle at each end of the table and one in the middle. /*\*/*\ Akane serves dinner to the two bruised and battered masters of the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts. She places a large pot with _food_ dripping over the edge of the pot, where it touches the pot a loud sizzling noise can be heard and smoke rises. The men look into the pot to see a mustard yellow concoction with black chunks they can swear they saw move. "Well eat up, I will get the rest of supper. This is one of my better recipes." Akane explains as she skips back into the kitchen. The two men look at the pot, then each other and start to sneak out the back door when they hear a loud scream from the kitchen. They rush to the kitchen and stop in shock, while they watch the youngest Tendo. She is standing in the middle of a destroyed kitchen beating a moving brown blob with a frying pan. "KKKAAAAAAIIIII! Take that, and that, _die_ you pervert _die_! I'll teach you to grab me!" She yells as she continues to pound the blob. Both men turn and hurry toward the door. They manage to open the front door only to be confronted by the same two Amazon warrior from when Kasumi left, Nabiki, and Genma's brother-in-law Hayashi. They all enter and Nabiki steps forward to face her father. "I am here to pick up my things, I am moving in with Kasumi, and have been offered an internship with Takashi Industries. I can not live in this house where what ever I might say will end in my getting _killed_!" Nabiki pushes past her stunned father. The two women follow her up the stairs to help her pack while Hayashi stands guard at the bottom of the stairs. Genma and Soun stand there mouths agape while they watch Nabiki head to her room. Soun then starts bawling and Genma backs away to avoid getting wet. They were so surprised by the visitors that they forgot why they were leaving until... "Oh, we have a visitor for supper, come there is plenty." Akane enthuses at the sight of Hayashi while she carries a platter with the brown blob laying on it. "I'm sorry miss but I am not here to eat, I am waiting for Nabiki to finish her packing so that I may escort her to her new home." Hayashi says with a slight bow. Akane looks at the man with confusion, then recognition sets in, when she realizes who he is. She then looks at her crying father and the sneaking Genma, as he tries to sneak out while she is occupied. She bashes him on the head with her mallet, then turns to face a smiling Hayashi. 'I don't know why you are here Mr. Takashi, but my sister is not leaving, she has no reason to leave her home. I would like it if you left now." Akane tells him politely but making clear it is an order and not a request. The Takashi swordsman, glares at Akane, daring her to make him move. This infuriates her as she feels he is insulting her ability to make good on her threat. Her anger explodes into an aura of deep red around the young Tendo, but Hayashi just looks at her as if she is doing nothing new. This causes her to go into an even deeper rage and she summons her mallet. [This will feel good.] She thinks with an angry smile, she then chargers her guest. "_AKANE STOP_!" Akane skids to a halt a few inches from a sword tip. [Where did he get the sword?] She wonders absently, when she sees her older sister come down the stairs with the two Amazons. "This is why I am leaving, Akane I fear for my life living here with _you_ and that _DAMN MALLET_!" Nabiki shrieks the last part. Akane looks at her sister, confusion written on her face, then it turns to anger, then to hurt and shame then the tears start to flow. Akane then pushes violently past her sister, storming up the stairs. They hear her door slam indicating she has gone to her room. Nabiki stands and stares up the stairs to where her little sister has gone. Then she turns to face her father. With a sad expression she gives him a hug, and a kiss on his cheek. She then turns and leaves her home, she leaves feeling she is being forced out because no one will stand up to Akane and her temper. She will no longer be a part of her family because of the anger that resides in her sister. Tears stream down her face when she turns to look once more at the home she has known for her entire life, a home where there was once unimaginable love. That love died a decade ago when their mother left them. Then what was left fled when Kasumi left, at the stupidity of their father and his friend. It is not a home any longer, it is a house, just an empty shell. With tears still streaming she turns and walks out the gate of the Tendo Dojo, and heads to her new temporary home at the clinic with Kasumi and Dr. Tofu.