By: Ianthe Almario [malmario@hotmail.com]
-----------------------------------------
Disclaimer: I do not own this! If I did I would be sitting on a throne and ordering people around. Rumiko Takahashi owns Ranma and Co. I have no illusions of owning it 'coz I do not want to go to jail! Characters not mentioned in both Anime and Manga are mine!
Author's Note: This fic takes place 17 years after the canon. We all know that Ranma and Akane would eventually get married but the Anime nor the Manga did not mention when, and how long it would take before they reach the Happy Ever After. But mostly this is about certain characters trying to live their lives despite everything.
Inspired by : La Femme Nikita
------------------------------------------
=============================================
Let Me Forget the dark seas
rolling,
The taste of wind, the lure and lift
Of far, blue-shrouded shores;
No longer let the wild waves singing
Build high the waves in this
My heart's own storm;
Now let me quietly work, for I have songs.
Let not my blood beat answer to
the sea...
The beaches lie alone so let them lie.
Let me forget the gray banked distant hills,
The echoing emptiness of distant towns;
No longer let the brown leaves falling
Move me to wander... I have songs to sing.
- Louie L'amour
Prologue
The woman named Scarlet escaped from her blood-drenched nightmare with neither a start nor a jerk of surprise. She simply opened her eyes and her nightmare ended, but its ghost followed her to the waking world. Shaking hands covered her face, there was no rest for her, not in sleeping and especially not in waking. Scarlet felt the exhaustion in every cell of her body, something more than sleep can cure, her eyes immediately scanned her immediate surroundings, noting the pre-dawn morning and the apparent emptiness of the road but as she knew appearances can be very deceiving. Scarlet pulled the lever of her car seat, bringing it up to its upright position, she checked her watch and found that she had been asleep for only an hour. No, not *only* an hour, an hour to other people was a life for her. Every second counts, especially now. She had no time to dilly-dally about, she'd already wasted 6 hours flying here there was no telling when Phoenix would pick-up the scent again. That thought jolted her to sudden action, the car came to life instantly, thankfully the car she rented was in good condition, and wound out of the sidewalk. The car sped away, out into the road and closer to *them*, it was foolish of her to return here of all places but she just *had* to see them, a glance before the inevitable.
How the hell did her life go so out of control so fast? Scarlet asked herself, another turn, a bitter smile curved her lips. What control? She never had control of her life, she only had the illusion of control. She was running for her life with no one to help her, the only people who could would not even help her, she had gone into this mission alone. Investigated, when they had no prior orders for her to do so, and worse doing so while operating on a mission they had ordered. The Agency she had worked for, risked her life for, turned her life into hell for suitably turned their backs on her because she'd crossed one too many lines, and because they'd not dare cross the Phoenix. The main reason being the latter rather than the former, the Agency was afraid of the Phoenix, the assassin with no death. And the people she wanted to run to? They were here but they would not know she was here. They were the people she trusted her life to no question...
NO!
A glance at the side mirror revealed another car trailing her Scarlet had no doubt in her mind who the driver was, she did not live this long to believe it would be otherwise. She turned the wheel sharply at an intersection, her hands began to hurt but she ignored it her mind divided between the road and the car. After a few more minutes of dodging she was sure that it was Phoenix. She rounded another corner she pressed down on the accelerator buildings blurred by until she was outside city limits now, just where the woods and the mountain met. No time after all. Bile rose to her throat, Phoenix was playing with her and why not? Phoenix had something she did not have -- time. Ran aground and tired, anger and defiance rolled over her and she reached into herself. The part she had become because she had to and came to a decision. If she were to die, here she would rather go down with a bang rather than die silent.
She jerked her hand break, and turned the wheel spinning the car around. She could hear the tires protest against the pavement. Scarlet palmed her gun and extended her arm, she knew that her pursuer was surprised and took advantage of it. She fired directly at the engine, she fired report after report feeling her gun jump in her hands.
Bam. Bam. Bam.
The usual cold detachment she used every time she killed was lost in the insanity of survival, something she only felt trapped in foxholes, she was shouting so loud but she could not here herself speak. She was on a blind haze shooting and challenging phoenix to a deadly game of chicken.
"Die, bastard! Die!" Incoherent words streamed from her, the chamber would soon be empty but she didn't care. No more running for her. And suddenly her pursuer's car lurched to a stop, immediately Scarlet stepped on the brakes, confused by the act but wary she opened her door the insanity wavering.
<click>
Scarlet froze on foot out of the car, understanding flooding in, in a span of half a second, she realized with a half ironic smile that she would indeed go down with a bang. Then the car exploded in symphony with the other car. The sky turned red and the ground sang. It was a fitting end for a woman named Scarlet.
Chapter One
Nabiki Kuno neč Tendo, entered the house that was formerly her home it was like time stopping every time she entered. Almost everything was the same, the wooden panels, the signs some of the furniture... And at any moment she'd hear Akane shout... No, not going there, Nabiki thought. This was the hardest part memories of yesteryears came and went so easily that it hurt. Nabiki walked on, Kasumi was already ahead of her carrying the casserole, that was Kasumi still the den mother worrying about them even after all these years.
"Good Morning, Ranma," Nabiki heard Kasumi say.
Ranma answered good naturedly, his voice was deeper now, and he was more mature. That was something Nabiki thought she'd never associate with Ranma but then again, they've all changed but it was sad to realize how they changed. Ranma's changes though were more apparent, he was quieter, a bit more sensitive than before. Taller, too, she added seeing him tower over Kasumi, the pigtail was longer and his eyes a deeper blue.
"How was your training trip?" Kasumi asked just as she entered the room.
"Yes, do tell, brother," She said, "What became of the training? Got clobbered by Ryoga?"
"He wishes," smirked Ranma, the smirk vanished a second later. "You guys really shouldn't have bothered."
"Since you weren't able to come to the party last night I thought I'd bring you some of the food left-over."
Ranma looked like he was about to argue but Kasumi's serene smile won out, he sat down on his usual place but before he did anything else he glanced at Akane's usual place. Nabiki looked away, seeing him like that it hurt too, when once this family room was full of people now only one person remained. No one wanted to remain here, not since... Akane died. Even her father left right after marrying Hinako-sensei, it was liked they had not wanted to be part of the home filled with memories of both her mother and sister.
There was no question, as to who the Tendo Home would go to, it was a foregone conclusion, even before the tragic disaster. She even helped Ranma obtain the necessary papers and the means to own the Dojo.
Thinking about it brought on all the memories, things she can easily think about but not, it seems, today. Nabiki wondered about that, they've all moved on with their lives, accepting the sorrow but there were just times when it was still hard.
"Love to stay and chat, boys and girls but the stock market waits for no woman!" She said trying on her droll expression.
"Yeah, I was wondering how the world functions every time you sleep," Ranma said.
"It doesn't," was her answer, then she was out the gates and into her chauffeured car. Away from a place that used to be her home.
~*~
Afternoon rolled in without much excitement, the same stocks and bonds rose and fell but it was nothing Nabiki could have predicted. It was, frankly, a boring day Nabiki bit her pen and thoughtfully stared at the walls, if only she hadn't developed scruples she'd have a lot of fun. Her phone rang suddenly, after the third ring she picked the receiver.
"Tendo," she said, flicking through papers.
"How goes you, fair wife?" The voice greeted cheerfully.
"Better, How did the deal go?"
"It fills my heart with sadness, that you ask of business than ask about your beloved Husband." Kuno's voice was anything but sad Nabiki smirked.
"Oh, you know the only reason I married you was for the money." Kuno gave a put-upon sigh, "Too true."
"Makoto's team won yesterday," Nabiki put-in.
"Of course," Even far away he sounded unbelievably arrogant,"He e-mailed me about it, truth be told." His tone changed, "Makoto, he is not angry, is he?"
"I don't believe so, we've been through this, Tatchi. He understands."
"But--"
"No, buts." Nabiki said firmly, Kuno was paranoid about his son. Reminding Nabiki once again of Kuno's demented absentee father, his father was root cause of all misgivings and fear Kuno has as far as Nabiki was concerned. It was a minute before Kuno spoke.
"The deal went well, almost fell apart but we've managed to salvage it," Most people were still amazed how Kuno could manage to talk straight without his occasional Shakespearean lingo. It took Nabiki a few fair years to wean him away from it. Kuno continued, "On the whole I rather like it here."
Nabiki glared at the phone, "You better not be eyeing some blond bombshell, Kuno-baby, if you don't want to find yourself suddenly penny less!"
"Woe is unto me, then," he went on unrepentant, "Good-bye, my love." The phone clicked, Nabiki shook her head and wondered if she taught him a little too well. Someone knocked on her big oakwood double door, that she was quite proud of.
"Enter," she said.
Yasaki, her Personal Assistant entered, with her ever trusty palm top in hand. She was a tall woman with intelligent dark eyes, and quite young but she was an investment. Yasaki was an off-shoot of those British governesses and secretaries; crisp, business-like, and organized everything Nabiki liked in a P. A.
"An invitation from the Raider has arrived this morning,"Yasaki deposited a white envelope she was carrying onto her desk. Nabiki looked at it curiously.
"Really? What event does our esteemed Minamino have for us?" Shuichi 'Raider' Minamino was nothing short of brilliant, the only man in Japan, who can and did rival her. A few years back he caused quite a stir with the various attempts on his life, then he married the detective assigned to his case, and quite possibly who saved his life.
"An opening of his wife's exhibit, I believe, shall I clear your schedule for that day?" Nabiki opened the envelope and perused its content, three weeks from today.
"Do it, Kuno-ba... Tatewake would certainly appreciate it." Yasaki noted it in her palm top, then glanced at Nabiki, "It's 3 O clock, we better leave now if you want to be on time."
"Damn, I forgot about the Hospital!" Exclaimed Nabiki, she rose from her chair and placed her files in her brief case, "We better leave."
"The helicopter is already prepped, I took the liberty to brief the pilot," They were walking across the halls, a veritable team,
"Here's your speech already typed out." Nabiki took it, she surrendered her case to one of the dark suited men with identical glasses. They reached the Helipad a minute later, the minute the pilot saw their arrival he started the propellers. She bowed her head as the fierce winds from the blades pushed against her, she entered the copter and was followed by Yasaki then the two bodyguards, one carrying her case.
"Do I have to do this every year?" Nabiki asked Yasaki, "I have more important things to do."
"As the main contributor to the Kimiko wing, you are doomed to do so," Yasaki said with a straight face.
"I guess I just have to make the most of it," Nabiki flashed her patented smile.
Yasaki grinned, she knew what that smile meant, "They won't know what hit them."
The Helicopter rose high above the high rise enterprises, above the traffic congested streets, toward the gleaming white of one of Japan's esteemed hospitals. The journey didn't take more than ten minutes, Nabiki alighted from the copter, two doctors waited for her. One was a balding old man with a stoop, and the other a young and bright doctor fresh from Med School. Nabiki greeted them, they in turn led her to the function room. The room was filled with doctors both young and old everyone of them eager to meet their benefactor, inwardly Nabiki sighed, they were not at all like her brother-in-law. She sat on her chair smiling a bit but she couldn't help the ironic twist in her mouth as she listened to speeches thanking her for this and that, and things she honestly did not remember doing.
One thing about doctors was that they can put a person with insomnia to sleep in a matter of seconds , fortunately and mercifully their speeches were short.
"...And now a few words from, Tendo Nabiki, CEO of Tendo-Kuno Corporation!" Announced the Young and Bright doctor. Applause. Applause. Nabiki stood looking faintly amused despite feeling otherwise, after a cursory glance at her watch she prompted for a short version of her speech. Another applause.
"What next?" She whispered to Yasaki, "I swear I'll scream if I have to endure another droning from the docs, Tofu never sounded this boring!" Yasaki chuckled, "Don't worry, boss, just a tour of the wing then we're home free."
"A tour?"
"They want to show how they spent your money." A pained expression appeared in Nabiki's face, "They want me to see how they spent *my* money? That's torture!"
"There, there, Nabiki-san," Yasaki's tone was not at all that sympathetic. Nabiki was not allowed the pleasure of a glare, because the old doctor, Dr. Miyagi, collected her for the sole purpose of showing-off the wing they redecorated with *her* money. Nabiki saw no logic nor reason why they had to redecorate every year but she had to admit the wing did look good. Although she didn't act it, the wing meant a lot to her She had consciously and without second thought donated money to have this wing made. It was made in memory of her mother, Kimiko, who had died in this same hospital. She walked through the elegant halls, remembering the other hall she walked in. Nabiki hated hospitals, hated the white, antiseptic walls; but this wing, the one she helped built was far from impersonal. She made a point ordering the designers and architect to stray from the classic impersonal air of the hospital and they had succeeded magnificently. So did their new counterparts.
They toured the wing, entering rooms with the doctor giving the standard speech and she, she appeared to listen. Discreetly she noted the time on her watch as they entered one room other after the other. Numb and dizzy Nabiki entered the next room, unaware that the others had strayed from it. The room had a guard, he looked surprised when she ventured in, Nabiki ignored him and scanned the room, then her eyes strayed to the woman on the bed. Her breath caught in her throat and her heart stopped, she clutched on the chair next to the bed. Impossible!
"Nabiki-san, what's wrong? Nabiki-san?!" Someone shouted from a distance. She turned dazed eyes to Yasaki.
"It's not possible."
"What's not?"
She did not answer her eyes returned to the figure on the bed, lying limp and covered in bandages. Her eyes took-in everything, the bandage on the head, on her arms... The shock of unusual white blond hair...
"Nabiki-san?" Yasaki called again, she never saw her employer act this way. Nabiki had, in a short span of time, lost all coloring, enough to even scare the doctors milling around them. "Nabiki-san, what is not possible?"
That seem to shake her out of her stupor, "Don't you see it?"
"See what?" The Personal Assistant never felt so helplessly scared as she was now. Nabiki gestured to the woman on the bed, to her face, the features, the bone structure, which eerily enough looked like...
"It's Akane!" Nabiki's eyes were imploring, "but it's not possible, she's been dead for seventeen years!"