Strained Harmony

A Ranma Sailor Moon fic thingy.

By Sunshine Temple and Trimatter

Naturally, We own neither Sailor Moon nor Ranma. So here's the disclaimer

Ranma 1/2 and its characters and settings belong to Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan, Kitty, and Viz Video. Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon belongs to Naoko Takeuchi, Koudansha, TV Asahi, and Toei Douga, and DIC.

Previous chapters and other works can be found at our fanfiction websites.

http://home.austin.rr.com/trimatter/

 http://jtemple.florestica.com/

Other website Temple of Ranma's Senshi Seifuku

http://fukufics.com

C&C as always is wanted.

Yes, the next chapter is here. Sorry for the long wait

Chapter 2 Changing Horizons

 

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            Ranma held a bottle of green tea in one hand and idly fingered her brooch as it dangled from its short, thin chain with the other. Even though she was not "in uniform", since it was her day off, Ranma found herself very used to wearing the brooch that Setsuna had given her as part of her uniform. It made her feel closer to her employer and by extension Hotaru; like it reminded her that she was part of something larger.

 
            She found it comforting in ways that she never really felt before.

 
            With her other hand, she lightly touched the tall bottle of green tea as she waited for Akane. In preparation, Ranma had another bottle waiting for her friend when she showed up. Removing her hand from her tea, Ranma unconsciously smoothed out her turquoise knee-length skirt. Though the white short-sleeved shirt was tailored for her frame and modest in cut; it still left just barely enough cleavage so that her brooch would fall nicely into place.

 
            "I wonder if she'll be my friend after today?" Ranma thought worriedly. "But I can't pretend things will ever go back to how they were; I hope she'll understand."

 
            Ranma could not keep her hand still, and it wandered up to her hair where she played with her lengthening curled locks. Having it in a perm kept it relatively short compared to her pigtailed days, but over the months it had grown down to the nape of her neck. Ranma stopped her brushing and settled for idly playing with her "favorite" lock of hair - the one that just wouldn't stay put - while carefully looking around again.

 
            The food court of the mall was so packed with eaters that Ranma was glad to be able to get a table that was against the partition that surrounded the large court rather than a table out in the middle of the large room. Having her chair bumped into by passing strangers when she was trying to eat was quite vexing. As a happy coincidence, it also gave her a good vantage point to watch over the main entrance about one hundred feet away. If anything threatening came through, she'd have a chance to get away before being spotted.

 
            She could not help but smile when a welcome face appeared, but her mood was dampened by what could happen after Akane was told.

 
            "Ranma!" Akane called out.

 
            "Hey Akane!" Ranma called back as a girl with just shorter hair walked up to her. "You're late, what happened?"

 
            "Oh, my sister again," Akane replied with some venom in her voice. "She thinks it is her job to know where I'm going - and when I tell her it is none of her business she takes it upon herself to try and follow me."

 
            Pondering only a brief moment, Ranma concluded, "She's probably figured out that you're seeing me."

 
            Nodding in agreement, Akane mumbled under her breath some disparaging things about Nabiki. "Well, at least I lost her somewhere in Shibuya Station. Maybe she can make money off selling her own damn body instead of trying to sell other people's."

 
            Ranma's eyebrow raised at the sheer amount of anger that Akane was exhibiting toward her sister. Something more must have happened. "What?"

 
            Sighing, Akane settled into her seat. "She's really getting on my nerves. It's like she watches every little move I make - I caught her going through my room three times already. The last time I caught her she was trying to pry open my diary."

 
            "Oh," Ranma said, slightly at a loss as what to say. She pushed the waiting bottle of green tea toward Akane.

 
            "I told her to get out of my room and stay out," Akane said as she twisted the cap off the bottle. "And the next time I caught her in there, I'd do something she'd regret."

 
            "I bet she loved that," Ranma commented as she watched Akane take a sip of tea.

 
            "Yeah," Akane said, placing the bottle down. "But you know what really took the cake?" Ranma shook her head no. "She told my father and he got on to me about it."

 
            Ranma stared a moment in incomprehension. "W-what?"

 
            "That's what I thought," Akane said in agitation. "My own father had the... the gall to tell me that 'finding you was now a matter of honor'. Can you imagine that?"

 
            Nodding slowly, Ranma just then realized how much heat Akane was taking from her absence. "Sorry...," she mumbled.

 
            "It's not your fault," Akane said, pausing to take another sip of her tea. "Between father, Nabiki and Genma, they all feed off each other."

 
            Silence, or what passed for silence in the noisy mall, was shared between the two.

 
            "Might as well start with Nabiki," Ranma thought. "Before going onto other things."

 
            "I reported Nabiki and our fathers," Ranma said guardedly.

 
            Akane sat across from the redhead for a moment before nodding. "Good," Akane said with heat. She was relieved that someone finally worked up the courage to do that.

 
            "They say it'll take a month or more before a preliminary investigation wraps up," Ranma continued as she looked out at the waves of shoppers in the mall. "I guess you can expect to be interviewed," Ranma said understating what Setsuna had planned.

 
            "What do you think will happen?" Akane asked.

 
            "I really don't know," Ranma admitted. "But from what I heard, they take a very dim look on this sort of thing - especially after what came out about what North Korea pulled in the seventies."

 
            Akane nodded. Relations had been strained between the two counties for decades, but North Korea's admission of kidnapping Japanese citizens - some as young as thirteen - to help their spies fit into society better had made things worse. Nabiki, Genma and Soun conspiring to sell a Japanese citizen to someone in Hong Kong as a sex slave would be seen as just about the same thing.

 
            During Akane's musings, Ranma was gathering herself up for the next problem: telling Akane that she would not be going back to the Tendos' after this was over with. Summoning up her courage, Ranma opened her mouth to speak when –

 
            "Hey Ranma!"

 
            The voice pierced the din of the crowded food court. Looking about, Ranma spied Nami as she weaved through the mass of people toward where Ranma and Akane were seated. Ranma waved the other bespectacled girl over to the seat across from her.

 
            "Hey Nami," Ranma greeted from her chair. "Grab a seat." This would complicate things.

 
            "Thanks," Nami said as she plopped down across from the redhead. "Man, the mall's insane today - and there aren't even any good sales going on or anything."

 
            Akane studied the newcomer. Ranma had mentioned her new friends, but this was the first time that Akane actually met one. As if picking up Akane's thoughts, Ranma made the introductions.

 
            "Nami, I'd like you to meet Akane," Ranma said. "She's one of my oldest friends from back when I lived in Nerima. Akane, this is Nami; she is a friend from my new school."

 
            "Hi."

 
            "Pleased to meet you." 

 
            Nami rested her elbows on the table top and looked between the redhead and Akane. "I'm not interrupting anything, am I?"

 
            "Oh no, Akane and I were just talking," Ranma said with a smile that almost covered the lie. "We go way back."

 
            "Really?" Nami asked. Though Ranma had told much about her past, she had yet to meet anyone from it, and clearly the two were not just reminiscing. "Then you must know martial arts then - everyone from Ranma's past knows martial arts," she said semi-seriously.

 
            "I'm the heir to the Tendo School of Anything Goes," Akane replied, then added under her breath, "As if that family's anything to be proud of."

 
            "Anything Goes? Isn't that what you told me that you practiced?" Nami asked Ranma.

 
            "Yes, er - same school, different branch," Ranma explained. "I was the heir to the Saotome School , but it can go to hel-... never mind."

 
            Knowing that this was a sore spot in Ranma's past and apparently Ranma's friend's as well, Nami opted to changed the subject slightly. "So, you've known Ranma a long time?" Nami asked as she made eyes between Ranma and Akane.

 
            "Umm... about a year-? No bit more... about a year and a half now," Akane answered. She suddenly realized that she had known the curly-haired nanny almost as long as the brash fiance.

 
            Nodding, Nami smiled mischievously and leaned toward Akane. "So tell me," she whispered to Akane, but just loud enough for Ranma to still hear, " - has Ranma always been such a tomboy?"

 
            Blinking at the question, Akane manage to catch the humor in the other's eye before replying. "Oh yes," she answered in a low, playful voice. "Did you know when she first showed up, she didn't even know what a bra was?"

 
            "Hey!" Ranma said in false indignation; she had caught on to the shifting mood of the table. "I didn't need one when I first showed up."

 
            "My, you must have bloomed very quickly," Nami quipped. She had seen how much Ranma had grown in the time they had known her. Definitely a late, but big bloomer.

 
            "Why yes," Ranma chuckled. "It was as if one day I was flat-chested and then centerfold material the next."

 
            Akane and Nami giggled at the redhead's proud smirk. Akane arrested herself in mid-giggle. Ranma was not embarrassed or flustered at this reminder of womanhood. Ranma seemed to have gone along with the jest without any problems.

 
            "So where's Kimiko?" Ranma asked, deciding to shift the subject further away from her past and into the present. She reached for another sip of tea. "It's not like you to go shopping by yourself."

 
            "She's with Kenusuke," Nami said with a trace of disapproval.

 
            "Kenusuke?" Ranma repeated, freezing in mid sip. "On man," she then sighed, putting the bottle down. "I thought we talked her out of seeing him."

 
            "I thought so to," Nami agreed. "But that asshole called her up the other day and - wham."

 
            "Who's Kenusuke?" Akane asked, feeling more than left out of the conversation.

 
            "Some older guy who graduated from our school a couple years back - a real jerk," Ranma paused before continuing to explain. "He's real smarmy, you know the type: likes to see how many notches he can get on his belt."

 
            Nami shook her head. "I care for Kimiko dearly, but I just don't understand what she sees in him."

 
            "She thinks she's in 'love'," Ranma said with bitterness. "I swear if that little shit hurts her, I'll break him in two."

 
            "What I don't understand is why some of the girls chase after him," Nami said plainly. "They have to see that there is something wrong with someone that old wanting them."

 
            "I don't know - some girls are just stupid that way," Ranma snorted as she paused to take a sip. "They think it makes them more mature when an older man takes an interest in them."

 
            "How much older is he?" Akane asked, joining in on the conversation. Akane knew what type of guy the two girls were talking about and had built up a personal hatred for men who used girls' emotions to lure, play with and then discard them like old toys. The money the girls got from "compensated dating" was another enticement, though Kimiko's boyfriend did not sound old enough to do that. Her friend, Sayuri, was almost taken in by just that kind of man - until he was arrested for engaging in under-aged prostitution and that opened her eyes to the man he really was.

 
            "He's a about five years older. It's more that he's a jerk." Nami answered while shaking her head.

 
            "Why is Kimiko going with a guy like that?" Akane asked. "Doesn't she know he's a pervert?"

 
            "That's what I'd like to know," Ranma said darkly as she sipped her tea, griping the bottle tighter than necessary. "I mean he's just using her."

 
            Akane blinked at Ranma's choice of words and demeanor; it immediately deflated her own outrage slightly. She then took a sip of her, almost untouched tea. Ranma was obviously unhappy with Kimiko's choice and didn't even try to hide it.

 
            "What do her parents think?" Akane asked, in a tone that was a cross between concern and being appalled. "Certainly they can't think that this is a good thing."

 
            Nami snorted.. "They think he's a nice confident young man, and applaud Kimiko's decision to date a serious student."

 
            "Bastard got her family, hook, line, and sinker," Ranma snorted. "This guy goes for the heart, and knows to charm the girl's family too."

 
            "I just don't know what to do," Nami said forlornly. Ranma sighed in agreement and silence ruled the table for a moment.

 
            "You could just castrate him," Akane suggested darkly, looking into her bottle. She really hated guys like that.

 
            "Thought of that," Ranma said. "Especially after he tried to put the moves on me, but it would've been too messy."

 
            "And we don't want to go to jail either," Nami pointed out in a defeated tone.

 
            The three fell silent in contemplation.

 
            "How about," Akane began, "you get - er, what's her name?"

 
            "Kimiko," Ranma supplied.

 
            "Why not get Kimiko together with one or two of this jerks ex-girlfriends?" Akane suggested. "At least she can hear first hand what this guy is like."

 
            "That's an idea," Nami said with a blink. She thought it over a bit. "Say... that is a good idea," she said with a bit more conviction.

 
            "I never thought of doing that," Ranma muttered more to herself than anyone else, then she looked across the table. "Akane, you're a genius."

 
            "Er... thanks?" Akane said uncertainly. She knew how dense Ranma could be and was not surprised that she had not thought of it, but she was surprised that Nami had not either. But then again...

 
            With that plan in mind, Nami decided to move onto the next crisis at hand. "So... you girls doing anything or you want to come help me shop?"

 
            "Er...," Ranma stammered a bit before catching herself. "I guess... if Akane doesn't mind."

 
            "It's fine with me," Akane said with a shrug. "I have nothing planned for the day."

 
            "What are you shopping for?" Ranma asked.

 
            "A dress," Nami answered with a slight frown. "A nice dress as my mother calls it," she clarified. "We're going to visit my grandparents during break and my folks want me to be 'presentable'."

 
            "Ahhh...," Ranma said in understanding.

 
            "What's so hard about that?" Akane asked.

 
            "Her grandparents are a bit old fashioned," Ranma said offhandedly. " They're picky from what I understand, but there's nothing wrong with dressing up to something fancy or important." She shrugged. She had dressed nicer herself on that... outing with Setsuna. 

 
            "Oh. Well I don't mind tagging along if you don't," Akane said with a noncommittal shrug.

 
            "That would be great," Nami gushed. "The more, the merrier."

 
            Half hour later, Nami came out of the dressing room wearing yet another fashion disaster - in a sense that it would be totally inappropriate to be seen in near her grandparents. It was a pale blue skirt with a high-cut matching shirt that exposed Nami's belly. "How about this one?" she asked.

 
            Shaking her head, Ranma looked over her friend with a critical eye. "I don't think your grandparents would approve. You did say that their tastes leaned toward the conservative?"

 
            "Well I don't want to dress like a dweeb," Nami complained, but knew Ranma was right. "What did you think?" She asked Akane.

 
            "I think it is nice, but I don't know much about your grandparents," Akane ventured.

 
            "Imagine thinking kimonos are the height of fashion," Nami said as she regarded herself in the full length mirror. She did not look too bad; she'd keep this dress in mind for next time.

 
            "How about this one?" Ranma asked as she held up a green jumper-type of dress. Akane was taken aback slightly. Ranma had actually picked out a fairly nice looking dress, but what Ranma said next really floored her. "It would go nice with that necklace you have - you know the pearl one."

 
            "That might work," Nami commented. "You were always better at coordinating accessories than I was."

 
            "Ranma's better at coordinating accessories?" Akane's mind whirled. " I knew she was starting to accept all this, but what in the world-"

 
            "But - I don't think so," Nami said as she studied the dress closer. "It looks too much like a school uniform."

 
            As Nami reentered the dressing room, Akane looked over the racks of clothing and selected a fairly revealing dress - one with lots of cleavage. She wanted to test something. "Say Ranma," she began with false distraction in her voice. "This one would look good on you," she finished by holding the dress out by the hanger.

 
            Cocking her head, Ranma evaluated the dress, then shook her head slightly. "No, it shows too much," she finally said.

 
            Akane blinked. Then blinked again. "You used to not mind wearing stuff like this," she said carefully as she rehung the dress.

 
            Shrugging as she paged through the rack in front of her, Ranma replied plainly. "That was before I preferred guys to look me in the eye when they were talking to me and not my chest."

 
             "Ranma's a real stick in the mud when it comes to what to wear," Nami called out from behind the curtain of the dressing room. "She doesn't want to give the kid she's nannying any bad impressions."

 
            "Really?" Akane said while raising an eyebrow.

 
            "Well, yeah," Ranma replied as she leaned against the rack she was just looking through. "I can't let Hotaru think that it is okay to dress like a... a..."

 
            "Hussy," Nami finished for Ranma as she exited the dressing room wearing the clothes she had had on. "At least that's what you've always said."

 
            Cheeks flushing a bit, Ranma meekly let a "right" escape her lips.

 
            "Find anything else?" Nami asked tiredly. Shopping wasn't as much fun when you had to shop to please other people.

 
            "Nope," Ranma replied.

 
            Later on Akane simply shook her head. After four clothing stores, Akane was confused, Nami still had to buy a single garment but more than Nami's pickiness, or more likely, her grandparents' pickiness was Ranma's very casual behavior in the stores. At the last shop, all three girls even perused through the lingerie and Ranma was looking for bras. Akane mentally kicked herself for being amazed at that. Ranma had been living as a girl for months; she had to know by now how underwear worked.

 
            Akane felt as if she were shopping with her own girlfriends than... well, with Ranma.

 
            "Had he really changed? It makes sense for Ranma to be like this after this long, but so conservatively dressed..." Akane mentally added

 
            Sighing tiredly, she decided to find out more about Ranma's friend.

 
            "So, you two are in the same class?" Akane asked as they made their way to a fifth shop.

 
            "Yes. Ranma was really shy when I first met her. You know how she was raised, right?" Nami asked. To be honest Ranma was still fairly shy but she was making great progress.

 
            Akane nodded hesitantly; she was unsure of exactly what Ranma had told Nami.

 
            "I can't imagine living like she did," Nami continued.

 
            "It wasn't that bad," Ranma commented.

 
            "Would you go back to that kind of life?" Nami asked.

 
            "No way," Ranma replied without thought. "I like where I'm at right now."

 
            Feeling a pang, Akane controlled her first instinct to ask Ranma outright for clarification. She felt that something fundamental had changed over the months... something real and irrevocable, but it was clear that Ranma felt it too. Akane made a mental note to ask Ranma about it when they were alone.

 
            It was sometime later and the three girls were sitting on a bench, all feeling slightly depressed. Ranma was on one end, cleaning her glasses, Nami was rubbing her head, trying to stave off a impending headache and Akane was removing her shoes to relieve her sore feet. After spending the majority of the afternoon going from one shop to another in what was now looking like a useless attempt at pleasing someone else's tastes, they were all a bit at the end of their rope.

 
            "You know," Nami said tiredly, "I think I'll buy the most daring outfit I can find and just shock the hell out of my grandparents."

 
            "And catch hell from your folks," Ranma pointed out, her mood just as tired as Nami's.

 
            "Are they really that picky?" Akane asked for the tenth time since they started shopping as she rubbed her foot.

 
            "Yes," Nami replied dryly. "They still wear yukatas and kimonos and all that old fashion stuff."

 
            "Well then, why not show up wearing a kimono," Akane said tiredly, slipping back into her shoes. "They can't complain if you dress like they do."

 
            Nami and Ranma stared at Akane with the same stupefied expression on their faces.

 
            "What?" Akane asked, looking back as the other two.

 
            "Why didn't we think about that before?" lamented Nami. "It's so obvious! Akane once again you are a genius!" She finished by leaning over and hugging Akane tightly.

 
            "Aren't kimonos kind of expensive?" Ranma asked.

 
            "There's bound to be something affordable," Nami said. "If not, then I can rent one for a week."

 
            "I think there is a place near the mall that had some on display," Ranma pointed out. " The White Crane, I think it was called. I saw it on the far side of a plaza on way over here."

 
            "I've heard of that place," Akane piped in - then paused with a cock of her head; she tried to recall from who she had heard the name of the store from.

 
            "Sounds good to me," Nami said, her voice reflecting her raising spirits. "Let's check it out."

 
            The crowds thickened as the trio approached the White Crane forcing the girls to walk single file as they threaded their way. Ranma was leading the way, followed by Nami with Akane bringing up the rear. As they neared the store itself the crowd slackened to a point where they could walk side by side.

 
            "I thought it was around here," Ranma said as she looked around the plaza. She could have sworn it was around there somewhere.

 
            "It's okay," Nami assured. "We'll go somewhere else."

 
            "Akane!" a feminine voice called out.

 
            The three girls turned as one to face a smiling, older woman bustling toward to them. She was taller, by a whole head, than Ranma, her auburn hair was done up in a tight bun and she moved with grace despite her hurry. She wore a nicely tailored kimono that had a simple, yet pleasing pattern on it.

 
            Nami looked at the newcomer with curious eyes.

 
            Akane internally groaned as she recalled who she had heard the name of the store from.

 
            Ranma's heart sank as Nodoka Saotome glided up to them. She almost missed that Nodoka was sword-less but filed that away for later.

 
            "It is you Akane," Nodoka said. "What a pleasant surprise."

 
            "Um... why hello Mrs. Sao- I mean Aunty" Akane greeted the older woman. "I didn't expect to see you today," she tagged on lamely.

 
            "It wouldn't be a surprise if you did," Nodoka quipped in an amused tone. "And who do we have here?" She asked as she turned her attention to the two girls accompanying Akane.

 
            "Umm... oh! Aunty Sa-er, Nodoka, I'd like you to meet... Nami." Akane said as she introduced her new acquaintance, "and this is..." Akane froze. "How am I going to introduce Ranma? She thought wildly. She'll figure out that she's 'Ranko' and with Nami here-"

 
            Akane's frantic thoughts were cut off as Ranma spoke. "Why Aunty, I'm surprised that you don't recognize me," she said coquettishly as her eyes twinkled mischievously

 
            The older woman cocked her head and studied the redhead. "We've met?"

 
            Removing her glasses, Ranma smiled up at her 'Aunty'. "I'm Ranko," she said simply. She was amazed, but heartened. Changing her appearance so that no one could recognize her had been one of her goals.

 
            "Ranko?" Nami mumbled in confusion as she watched the exchange.

 
            Nodoka's eyes narrowed slightly as she further studied the girl. After a short moment her eyes widen and her mouth hung open in surprise. "Ranko! It is you!" She exclaimed loudly after quickly getting over her shock. "Look at you! My, you've grown so much since I last saw you."

 
            "Thank you Aunty," Ranma said brightly, but it seemed slightly forced to Nami.

 
            "You are really growing into quite a young woman," Nodoka continued as she studied 'Ranko's' body's proportions. Gone was the thin, but busty country girl that she remembered and in her place was a young girl preparing to bloom into full womanhood. It was good to see Ranko finally grow a bit taller and get some meat on her bones. "I bet the boys are beating down your door trying to date you."

 
            Er... yeah," Ranma half muttered, looking uncomfortable, but to Nodoka's eyes 'Ranko' just looked slightly embarrassed by the compliment, which was just as true too.

 
            "And I must say how lovely you are dressed. It's about time you started dressing properly. Turn around, turn around - I want to see what you're wearing."

 
            Ranma obeyed her 'Aunty' and spun slowly on one foot to give the appraising woman a better look at her outfit. Akane couldn't help but notice that there was no forced girlishness in Ranma's movements; it was all as natural as if Ranma was doing a kata.

 
            "It's so good to see that you're dressing appropriately instead of like a boy," Nodoka commented as Ranma modeled her clothes. The jewelry was very nice too, especially her necklace. Nodoka made a note to get a closer look later if possible. "And so tasteful to. Did your cousin help you pick it?"

 
            Akane sputtered at that.

 
            "Umm... no, er... but my friend Nami did though," Ranma stammered while motioning to her friend.

 
            "Well it's good to know that you have someone to help you with these things," Nodoka said, nodding at Nami before continuing with Ranma. "I recall you being quite ignorant of proper attire."

 
            "Er... thanks - I think," Ranma said in a half laugh to cover her discomfort.

 
            "Oh Ranko it's so good to see you like this - you're so grown up and you do look so lovely," Nodoka beamed as she clasped her hands together in glee and smiled wider in a very approving way. "It's so feminine - unlike your past choices."

 
            "Why thank you Aunty," Ranma gushed, honestly feeling happy about her mother's approval. She liked her look too, it was nice to have people look at her face instead of her body, and it helped with Hotaru. "It is much more comfortable than what I used to wear."

 
            Though Ranma was happy to see her mother, she was also nervous enough to play with the stray lock of hair. This caused Nodoka's attention to be drawn to another radical change in her 'niece'.

 
            "And.. Oh! Oh! Your hair! Oh, it's so beautiful," Nodoka exclaimed as she stepped up and ran her fingers through Ranma's hair. Ranma tensed and just as quickly relaxed in the comfortable sensation of having her hair brushed. "I'm so happy that you decided to get rid of that pigtail, it just didn't do you justice."

 
            "Thanks Aunty." Ranma found herself smiling. It took her a while to get used to her new hair, but it had really started to grow on her. Her smile faltered only for a split-second as an empty feeling touched her; she quickly dismissed it and focused on her mother.

 
            "Oh Ranko, I'm so happy to see that you are finally growing out of your tomboy phase," Nodoka continued while drawing the shorter girl into a heartfelt hug. "It's good that you are finally starting to behave more feminine. Pretty soon I think your cousin will have to take lessons from you."

 
            Akane snorted as she barely manage to suppress a giggle. It was clear that she was still the tomboy here.

 
            "So what are you doing here? You girls looked lost," Nodoka asked.

 
            "Cousin?" Nami asked. All during the exchange, she had been getting more and more confused. Now she was thoroughly confused. What was with Ranma being called Ranko? And why did Ranma not mention having any cousins?

 
            "Why yes, Akane and Ranko are cousins," Nodoka explained, keeping an arm around her "niece". "Didn't you know?"

 
            "Er... Nami is a friend of mine that Akane just met today," Ranma said hurriedly. "We're helping her shop for something to meet her grandparents in and since they're real traditional-like we thought kimonos and that's why we're here to look but I couldn't find it and-"

 
            "Slow down dear," Nodoka gently admonished, silencing the babbling redhead. After a moment of silence, Nodoka turned her attention to Nami. "I understand that you are looking for a kimono?" she asked clearly amused.

 
            "Um, yes ma'am," Nami replied as she focused on the taller redhead. Nami could tell that there was some sort of family resemblance going on - and it wasn't between Ranma and her cousin. "But something that is comfortable."

 
            "You're in luck. I know the exact shop you're thinking about," Nodoka laughed. "In fact I'm going there myself," she said giving the obi to her own kimono a gentle tug. "Do you mind if I show you where it is?"

 
            "Why yes, that would be lovely," Nami said with a bow. Sensing that something more - something big - was going on, it was all that Nami could do to not start asking questions right there. She did however, decide to ask Ranma about it once they were alone.

 
            Nodoka took them down one end of the plaza and around a corner through a gateway to another small plaza and to a specific store in one quiet corner. The White Crane was a surprisingly narrow store, but looking through the window it seemed to stretch back quite a ways. The front was all glass with various kimonos and other less formal traditional wear on display.

 
            Once inside, Nodoka waved the sole proprietor over to them. The woman was old - and her appearance almost freaked Ranma out because on first glance she was reminded of Cologne. It was only when the elderly woman stepped up closer that it was clear that she was merely an elderly woman, and nothing like the Amazon mummy.

 
            "Nodoka," the woman bowed and greeted in a surprisingly clear voice. "What a pleasant surprise. Let me put some tea on."

 
            "That's quite all right," Nodoka said brightly. "I actually ran into some young women who might be interested in your wares." Nodoka smiled. "Aunty Suzuki, this is Akane Tendo and her cousin Ranko," Nodoka introduced the girls cheerfully. "And this is Nami... I'm sorry I didn't get your last name?"

 
            "Oh, I'm sorry Aunty," Akane piped up. "I didn't think to ask."

 
            "That's quite all right, Dear," Nodoka said smoothly as she turned her attention back to the proprietor.

 
            "Aunty Suzuki?" Ranma asked. She had more family she wasn't aware of?

 
            "Yes," Nodoka smiled. "Girls, this is Etsuko Suzuki. She's known me since I was young. She's been like a mother to me," her smile became melancholy in remembrance.

 
            "Yes," Etsuko nodded as she studied the younger redhead. "You know, you remind me of her when she was your age," she said appraisingly of Ranma. Etsuko looked thoughtful. "Say, you're not related to Nodoka, are you? You look a bit like her when she was younger," she shot a playful glance at the taller redhead. "Have you been seeing someone on the side No-chan?"

 
            "Now Aunty..." Nodoka flustered.

 
            "Oh let an old woman have her fun," Etsuko laughed while Ranma shuddered in fright.

 
            "Of course you're far too feminine, Ranko. No-chan was quite the tomboy in her day, always poking around in attics and cellars. She always made a mess of her clothes." Etsuko explained.

 
            Ranma blinked. "Uh, imagine that."

 
            "Anyway, Aunty," Nodoka said, clearly embarrassed. "Nami here needs some affordable traditional garments that are comfortable. I understand that she's visiting her grandparents soon."

 
            "Well she came to the right place," the old woman cackled out in a way that just raised the hairs on the back of the younger girls' heads. "Come this way," Etsuko continued as she extended an inviting arm. "I'll size you and see what we have."

 
            The measuring of Nami went quickly and painlessly and in no time Etsuko had shown her customers the section of the shop that held the proper sized kimonos. Since Nami was about average height for her age, that meant that she had a wide selection to choose from.

 
            "This one looks nice... I guess," Nami said uncertain at what she was looking at. The garment was a bright blue with little decoration.

 
            "I don't think you would be comfortable in that one," Nodoka pointed out. "It is rather heavy and would be difficult to get in or out of unaided." Nodoka could sympathize; she enjoyed Kimonos but also enjoyed not wearing them. Visits to the Tendos and Aunty Etsuko were different, however.

 
            "Oh," Nami said then paused. "But it looks simple enough."

 
            "That's because you are looking at the outer wrap," Nodoka explained. "There are other pieces that are worn underneath along with the obi that ties the whole thing together."

 
            "Oh," Nami said dumbly. "This is looking like another dead end."

 
            Etsuko padded up to Nami with an outfit held in both hands. "Try this on and see if you like it."

 
            "What's this?" Nami asked as she took the offered garment. It was long and flowing in a reddish color.

 
            "It's a yukata," Etsuko replied. "It is just as nice as a kimono, but not as difficult to wear and much more light weight."

 
            "Umm...," Nami hesitated.

 
            "Go on," Ranma urged. "Let's see how you look in it."

 
            "Oh, all right. I mean, I came out to buy a outfit for my grandparents...," Nami said as she started to move to the back of the store where a beckoning Estuko and the changing rooms waited. "But you don't go anywhere Ranma, you're stuck with me to the end."

 
            "I won't," Ranma said as she smiled and waved.

 
            "I hope that does it for her," Akane commented wearily. "I never thought shopping could be such a chore."

 
            Nami hesitated, smirked evilly and grabbed Ranma's arm "Oh no, you are are coming too."

 
            "I'm not planning on getting anything... I don't want to waste Mrs. Suzuki's time."

 
            "Please call me Aunty Etsuko, dear," the store owner said warmly. "And it's no problem for me if a lovely girl wants to try on something."

 
            Defeated, Ranma sighed, there was only one thing to do: spread the pain. "But we can't leave Akane out."

 
            Akane glared at the redhead.

 
            Etsuko laughed at the three girls' antics and led them to the back changing room. Once there, Ranma shrugged as she took the whole thing in stride and unbuttoned her top. Akane held her tongue as she looked at the redhead's chest. Her eyes darted at the other women as if to gauge their reactions; more importantly, she was gaging Ranma's reaction - or lack of. Ranma was behaving as if being in a woman's changing room was perfectly normal.

 
            "I think you're gonna need another bra," Nami laughed as she looked over at Ranma.

 
            "Again?" Ranma pouted as she examined her chest; unasked, the elderly woman ran a tape measure over her quickly and professionally.

 
            "Yes Dear," Etsuko noted after comparing her actual measurement against the tag on Ranma's bra. "My, you really should have proper support."

 
            "I thought they were starting to fit bad," Ranma sighed. She liked that bra, she only bought that bra a month ago.

 
            From inside the changing stall Nami laughed. "Oh it's not that bad, some girls would kill to have a body like yours."

 
            "I'll be right back," Etsuko said as she ran out of the changing room and to another part of the store.

 
            "Why aren't you taking off your shirt?" Nodoka asked Akane.

 
            "Uh... Aunty Etsuko's not here..." Akane blushed.

 
            "Oh don't mind me," the owner said seeming to appear in the changing alcove. She handed a lacy white bra to Ranma, and turned her attention to Akane.

 
            Ranma looked at the bra and sighed. At least the price was reasonable. She slipped out of her old one and changed into the new bra. She automatically adjusted the straps and shook in just the right way to settle her breasts properly in the cups. The new bra was a definite improvement over the old one.

 
            "Miss Tendo?" Etsuko asked as she attempted to get Akane's attention away from the changing redhead.

 
            "Sorry!" Akane's face reddened again and she fumbled with her shirt. "What does it matter that Ranma's here. I just saw her take her bra off." Akane reassured herself as she finally got the shirt off. "And wearing a bra is about as revealing as wearing a swimsuit."

 
            As Etsuko made her measurements she mumbled to herself. "I think I have something nice for you two," she said looking Akane and Ranma over. She then walked out of the alcove.

 
            "Ranko, why did your friend call you by my son's name?" Nodoka asked in a low tone, once Etsuko had left. Her eyes were filled with a mixture of curiosity and hope. "And where have you been these all these months? I heard that you were on a training trip with my son, then that you went back home to the country."

 
            "Ummm...," Ranma began - only to stop. "Awwww crap," was the only coherent thought that passed through her mind, as panic encroached. She looked around the alcove but short of diving into a changing booth there was no escape.

 
            "Aunty, can you keep a secret?" Akane stepped in, distracting Nodoka from the floundering Ranma while trying to come up with a plausible explanation herself.

 
            "Why certainly," Nodoka replied, looking between the two girls. She could tell that there was something going on. "What ever is the matter?" she asked with deliberate vapidness.

 
            "Er... Ran..ko is hiding," Akane ventured, hesitantly. "She's had a falling out of sorts and she's... ummm... ummmm..."

 
            Ranma smiled. Akane could be quite devious. "I'm using Ranma's name to hide, yeah," Ranma interjected. She then smiled darkly. "I don't want to be found because of Nabiki."

 
            "Yes, my sister ... she's trying to... ," Akane paused to gather her thoughts. "Well, Aunty I don't want to say what my sister Nabiki has been trying to do to poor Ranko here."

 
            Ranma smiled thinly at Akane's cleverness, she was telling the truth too. "Yeah, that's it," Ranma said. "Nabiki has been trying to do stuff that's... would dishonor me. So I left with Akane and Ranma's help and I'm hiding out until the police get through with their investigation." Ranma was pleased that she had avoided lying to her mother, or at least avoided any new lies.

 
            Inside her booth, Nami concentrated on her reflection. The yukata was quite nice, but that conversation was engrossing. It was a lot like what Ranma had told her but with a few new wrinkles. She remarked on the amazing and unbelievable coincidence given Ranma's engagement to a guy and Akane's engagement to a guy named Ranma. They had seemed to have forgotten her and she dared not remind them of her presence.

 
            Nodoka raised an eyebrow skeptically. It was really quite shocking. "I can't believe that Nabiki would do anything that serious to her own flesh and blood," she said looking aghast. "But it's not like you would run away without reason. What about Mr. Tendo? This implies he was unable to help."

 
            "Aunty, please," Akane interrupted, almost pleadingly. "Don't say anything to my father or my sisters. If they found out where Ranm- er, Ranko is, it'll be bad for her."

 
            "Are you serious?" Nodoka asked disbelievingly. She was skeptical, but the apparent fear in both girls' eyes spoke volumes.

 
            "Yes, mo-er, Aunty," Ranma said firmly while covering her slip. "It is serious. If you say anything it would interfere with the police investigation. I know Nabiki is family, but the law must do their job unhindered."

 
            Nodoka raised and eyebrow at the second mention of police and then nodded. "Very well, but I want you to know that if there is anything that I can do, I'll help you. Do you have a place to stay? And what are you doing for money?"

 
            "Thank you for the offer," Ranma bowed. It was nice that her mother at least cared for Ranko. "I have a job - for several months now... I'm a nanny to a girl," Ranma replied. "I have room and board and even a bit of an allowance." She looked out to the rest of the shop and wondered what had happened to Etsuko.

 
            "I see," Nodoka said and she cocked her head at Ranma. She then smiled. "A nanny you say? You must have matured a great deal to take on such responsibility at your age - but you do seem much more womanly now."

 
            "Yes, I'm starting to understand what it's like to be more than a girl, to be a woman," Ranma plainly said as Akane covered her mouth to keep from openly laughing.

 
            "So tell me about this child you're a nan-"

 
            "Ta-dah!" Announced Etsuko's return. "Please try them on," she said handing two garments one to each girl.

 
            Ranma and Akane took the offered garments. Akane was just about to enter the remaining empty booth when Nami quickly exited hers to let Ranma in.

 
            Ranma, Akane and Nodoka looked to see Nami in a very nice summer yukata. The reddish color was enhanced by the sakura pattern that seemed to flow from the left shoulder to the side where the right leg was.

 
            "Wow," Ranma commented. "You look great."

 
            "Yeah..." Akane muttered, still holding the door.

 
            "You look marvelous," Nodoka chimed in with a smile. "How does it feel?"

 
            "Great," Nami replied merrily as she checked herself out in a full length mirror. "It doesn't feel heavy or restrictive at all."

 
            "You two should try yours then," Etsuko gently prodded.

 
            Ranma nodded and slipped into her booth, while Akane went into hers.

 
            "I think your family will be quite pleased," Nodoka commented to Nami.

 
            "Really? That's good," Nami beamed. "I'm amazed at how fast you picked this out, thank you," she said, bowing to Etsuko.

 
            "It's my pleasure," Etsuko said.

 
            Ranma stepped out of the stall with a beaming smile; the yukata was elegantly draped over her form and was tied to fit perfectly.

 
            "Oh my," Nodoka said as she looked over Ranma in that turquoise yukata; the wave pattern on it was beautiful and almost hypnotic to look at.

 
            "Yeah, that's just wow," Nami said with a tinge of jealousy.

 
            "You look great too," Ranma assured her as she pushed her glasses back up her nose. "Aunty, you're spooky," Ranma complimented Etsuko as she looked at another mirror and idly fluffed her curls.

 
            "I try my best," Etsuko remarked. "You've worn this stuff before haven't you?"

 
            "Sure, for festivals and stuff." Ranma's shrug was interrupted by Akane exiting her booth.

 
            Akane proudly showed off a green yukata with a nice dragon weave.

 
            "We'll make a proper lady out of you yet," Ranma teased.

 
            "This feels great," Akane said running a finger over the material.

 
            "You almost got it," Etsuko said as she discretely adjusted Akane's obi.

 
            "Thanks," Akane looked at Ranma's and Nami's clothes and smirked slightly when her gaze returned to her reflection. Theirs were nice, but for once she was dressed just as good as Ranma.

 
            "Now is this what you want?" Etsuko asked Nami.

 
            "Well, yes..." Nami said.

 
            Etsuko nodded and led Nami back to the counter near the entrance.

 
            "I hope Nami can afford this," Akane said fingering her own clothes.

 
            "Her parents gave her some money to buy something like this," Ranma assured.

 
            "I suppose I can fill that role for you two," Nodoka offered with a little smile.

 
            "Really Aunty, you don't have to," the dark blue haired girl said. She did not know how much Nodoka would have to spend and there was not price tag on the garment, but Akane knew it had to be too much.

 
            "This is really overly generous," Ranma piped up. Part of her was irritated but she reminded herself that her mother was trying to be nice. "I mean, it's generous and all," she continued as she fingered her new yukata. "But it would be a bit much."

 
            "Oh, I assure you it is all right," the older woman said merrily. "It's been so long since I've had the opportunity to shop for someone other than myself, I couldn't help myself."

 
            "Are you sure this won't be a burden to you?" Ranma curiously asked. If her mother had resources like this why did she act so... The redhead paused, her mother never acted poor when she visited the Tendos. It was more that money was never an issue on her mind.

 
            "Of course not," Nodoka assured. "Now I won't accept no for an answer."

 
            It was inevitable. Soon enough a kimono attired woman was followed out the door by three yukata clad teenage girls. Each girl was carrying bags that held the clothes that they were wearing when they entered the shop. On their feet were the shoes they had worn in, since they politely declined to wear the offered sandals. Akane was a bit surprised at the old woman's selection.  Women didn't wear geta with kimonos anymore. She shrugged,  this woman was friends with Nodoka, traditional too.

 
            "Now, no more funny business about the bills," Nodoka admonished cheerfully.

 
            Yes, ma'am," the girls chimed, knowing it was useless to argue.

 
            "I just think it's suspicious mine was on sale," Nami added.

 
            "Nonsense, Aunty Etsuko depends on repeat business and word of mouth advertising." Nodoka explained.

 
            "Makes sense, high scale places work like that," Ranma shrugged. That was what the store she had bought her blue gown in was like.

 
            "Do you think your parents will approve of your purchase?" Nodoka asked Nami who was following slightly behind Ranma and Akane.

 
            "Oh I think they'll be very surprised," Nami smiled as she seemed to glide along in her new outfit. "They would never expect me to buy anything this... this nice. Thank you so much for your advice."

 
            "You're quite welcome. I don't know about you girls, but I could use a refresher," Nodoka said off handedly. "How about we stop for something to eat before we... depart our separate ways?"

 
             "Sounds good to me," Akane replied. "But we're buying."

 
            "I couldn't ask you-"

 
            "Too bad," Ranma said with a playful exaggerated firmness. She smiled wickedly; she knew just the place.

 
            Nodoka resisted the urge to tell "Ranko" how cute she looked with her lower lip sticking out like that.

 
            "You bought us new outfits, so it's our turn to treat you to something," Ranma countered enjoying being proactive against her mother for once.

 
            "I'll chip in for that," Nami piped in. "You were really helpful back there, and I'm sure you know a good place around here. You always do. "

 
            "No, this is my treat. I want to do something nice for my friends," Ranma assured.

Nodoka glanced at the unwavering looks of determination that the three girls wore. "All right," she relented. "As long as you girls promise not to go overboard."

 
            Ranma smiled mischievously. She would show her mother a thing or two. The redhead lead the quartet down a block and over to what looked to be an unassuming restaurant.

 
            "Green Mountain?" Akane said reading the name.

 
            "It's a nice place. Traditional food," Ranma shrugged as she opened the door for the others. Setsuna had taken her to this place for lunch more than a few times before and it was close and seemed appropriate for today.

 
            "Welcome to Green Mountain, do you have a reservation ?" The hostess in a kimono warmly greeted them after bowing. The restaurant was warm and inviting with plenty of warm woodwork and soft lights.

 
            "Hi Keiko-san," Ranma bowed in response, and then removed her shoes.

 
            Keiko's smile broadened when she recognized the redhead. "Oh hello Miss Ranma. No Miss Meiou or Hotaru-chan today?"

 
            "No, I'm with some friends," Ranma smiled. "I'm sorry I don't have a-"

 
            "Nonsense." Keiko waved her off adding a warm smile for affect. "We would never be rude and turn you and your friends away. "

 
            Nodoka nodded. A woman who could afford a full time nanny had to be well off.

 
            "I wouldn't want to impose," Ranma demurred.

 
            "No, we've got an opening," Keiko assured as she made a mark on the appointment book. Miss Meiou was a frequent customer, not just with personal lunches, but business meals and events. She then gathered a set of menus and escorted the four girls to a secluded corner of the restaurant. Soft sunlight filtered down from windows high up on the wall. "I must compliment your clothing, such lovely patterns," Keiko said as she led them. "Miss Ranma-chan always had such a wonderful fashion sense," she thought.

 
            "Thank you, Keiko, Aunty Nodoka bought us these at the White Crane."

 
            "Such nice decor," Nodoka complimented as they passed some paintings and statuary.

 
            "Oh, so you shop there?" Keiko's eyes brightened. "Suzuki-san supplies our uniforms as well."

 
            Akane blinked as she looked about the interior of the restaurant. The fit and finish just screamed wealth and money; the layout of the largish dining area was divided into small semicircular booths with partitions that provided guests a certain amount of privacy for business or other dealings. She knew Ranma was being paid for her work, but never connected it to an actual surplus of money for the redhead; her job did come with room and board after all. Pausing to consider that more, Akane realized it was not just money, but influence - no one just gets into a place like this without a reservation - and they had just walked in.

 
            The four sat down and after a brief consultation with the menus gave their orders to Keiko who rushed off and quickly returned with some appetizers and tea.

 
            "Isn't it odd for the hostess to take orders?" Nami asked.

 
            "She always takes the first order for us," Ranma assured. "We'll get a proper waitress shortly." She was sitting across from Nodoka, flanked by Akane and Nami. They each had cups of tea and were enjoying a plate that contained spring rolls.

 
            "So Ran-" Nodoka paused in thought, before continuing. "Ranma, tell me about this child that you are a nanny to," Nodoka asked as she set her cup on its saucer. She had decided to go along with 'Ranko's alias and address the redhead in her son's name.

 
            "Well...," Ranma thought a moment. "Her name's Hotaru; she's thirteen, sweet, smart and has developed a love of martial arts that rivals mine."

 
            "You're still into martial arts?" Nodoka asked. It appeared that Ranko had not shed all of her tomboyness.

 
            "Oh yes, it's how I keep my figure," Ranma answered with a smile. "But I'm using it to help strengthen Hotaru: we practice several times a week over at Prince Arisugawa Park when the weather is nice. When I first started as her nanny she was pretty weak - I mean she couldn't really do anything that was psychically active for any length of time. But with exercise and diet she has gotten a whole lot stronger."

 
            "It sounds like a lot of responsibility," Nodoka said as she mentally filed the name of the park away. "I hope it's not more than you can handle."

 
            "Oh believe me, Ranma can handle it," Nami piped in. "Even her boss, Miss Meiou, says she's over dedicated."

 
            "I'm handling it just fine," Ranma said, slightly annoyed. It was a good thing Nodoka's tone was not judgmental.

 
            "Really?" Nodoka asked. She was intrigued by this Miss Meiou.

 
            "Yes," Nami replied while taking a bite of food. "Ranma behaves more like Hotaru's mother than anything."

 
            "Really now?" Nodoka said with a cock of the eyebrow. She could tell how much Ranko loved her job and her charge. She was proud of the progress she had made from that skinny, lonely country girl, and was sorry to have missed out on it.

 
            "Hello, I'm Shiori," a woman in a simpler kimono in the same style as Keiko's greeted as she stepped up to them with a bow. "Are you ready to place your orders?"

 
            Akane froze as she watched Ranma shift topics and discuss lunch specials with the waitress. Ranma's familiarity with the restaurant was displayed by the smooth way that Ranma navigated through the choices and selections. The only thing that kept the scene from being too surreal was the quantities that the redhead was ordering.

 
            "Do you want anything?" Ranma gently asked Akane.

 
            The Tendo coughed and looked down the menu. The selections were recognizable, but there were no prices to be found for anything anywhere on the menu, which she found quite worrying. "Umm..."

 
            "Don't worry, I have it covered," Ranma assured.

 
            Nodoka smirked as Akane stammered out an order with Ranko's guidance. It was good that Akane and Ranko were still close. Once the waitress bowed and left with their orders Nodoka looked back to the redhead. "So it's rewarding being a nanny? That's a very womanly job."

 
            "Er... well, yeah," Ranma fumbled out. "I mean, she doesn't really have much in the way of family and I sort of... well... you know... fit in... if you know what I mean."

 
            Akane stared at Ranma with a odd look before a contemplative expression crossed her face.

 
            "It still sounds like a lot of responsibility for someone as young as you," Nodoka said.

 
            "Though I am glad that it seems to have brought out the maternal side of you... Ranma."

 
            Ranma smiled thinly at her mother's approval and the fact that she was calling her Ranma, though she was unsure about the maternal comment. She then had to fight off the frown as a wave of frustration swept over her; she was prepared to tell Akane that she was breaking with her old life for good before getting sidetracked by shopping... and now this.

 
            She fleetingly considered for a moment in how Nodoka would react if she learned the truth - but those musings did not get too far because there were too many unknowns about the woman. The insult of the one person that she should know better than anyone, being a complete stranger to her sparked a small flame of anger. During her contemplations she absently played with her favorite lock of hair, twirling it about her fingers.

 
            Nodoka gazed at the younger redhead and resumed studying the piece of jewelry that was hanging from a thin, gold chain that was framed by the "v" formed by the crossing over of the left and right sides of the yukata. It was a flat and oval shaped opal set in a simple gold band. There was the hint of a dragon that snaked from the band and intruded over the stone. The opal was quite odd since it was semitransparent and light seemed to dance within it.

 
            "That's a very interesting brooch you have there," Nodoka commented. "Did a boy give that to you?"

 
            "Oh no - I mean, my employer lets me wear it. It sort of a family moniker or something," Ranma explained, her growing ire derailed momentarily. "From what I understand, the employees of the Meioh family have worn this for generations."

 
            "May I see it? It is very interesting," Nodoka asked as she leaned forward to get a better view.

 
            Ranma reached up to unclasp the brooch from it's chain - and hesitated, showing reluctance to let it go. After a bit of fumbling, Ranma carefully handed the brooch to her mother's outstretched hand. 

 
            Nodoka studied the brooch in hand carefully, holding it up to the sunlight to get a better look. The sunlight filtered through the semi-translucent opal-like stone and the refraction of the light was fascinating. Drawing the brooch closer to her face, Nodoka took a small magnifying glass from her obi and examined the brooch closer.

 
            "This is really interesting," Nodoka said slowly as she turned the brooch this way and that, looking at it from as many sides as possible. She took her time in examining the backside where the pin and clasp were joined to the rest of the jewelry. "There's a makers mark," she finally said, "but I don't recognize it."

 
            "How old is it?" Nami asked curiously while leaning forward herself for a better look. She always liked Ranma's brooch.

 
            "I'm not sure," Nodoka replied as she replaced the magnifying glass back from where she got it and handing the brooch back to Ranma.. "It is old, that's about all I can tell, and the workmanship is exquisite, but I can't quite place the style - it seems to be a combination of different eras. At first I thought it might have been an old piece that had been reworked over the years... but then the finish would be rougher. You say your employer gave it to you?"

 
            "Yes Aunty," Ranma replied as she quickly reattached the brooch to the chain. "It's really part of my uniform, but I enjoy wearing it."

 
            "Do you think you can find out anything about it for me? It is very unique and I'm always looking to expand my knowledge," Nodoka said as she munched on another spring roll.

 
            "I could ask," Ranma replied with a slight shrug. She wondered why her mother cared so much about it; it was just a piece of jewelry. "She might know something."

 
            "You know a lot about jewelry?" Akane asked Nodoka.

 
            "When I was young, I was surrounded by heirlooms of my family - some dating back hundreds of years, and I developed an eye for antiques," Nodoka explained. "I appraise items for a fee - that helped me make a living since my husband and son left on their training trip."

 
            Shiori eased in and presented their meals. Akane blinked at the food presented before her and looked to the other girls who were unsurprised and had already started eating. Shiori smiled and with a bow left them as quietly as she had arrived.

 
            Akane looked around at the peaceful atmosphere. She turned to Ranma who, even though she was eating delicately, seemed to enjoy her food a bit too much.

 
            "Training trip?" Nami commented in between sips of her seafood soup. It was amazing how fresh the fish was in it and the completing flavors were exquisite. She noted no mention of a daughter. It was... confusing. Ranma went on a training trip with her father too, but there was no... male Ranma mentioned.

 
            Nodoka looked up from the rice dish and smiled. "Oh yes, over ten years ago my husband left and took our son to make him the best martial artist and a man among men," she said with an attempt at pride. 

 
            "Ten... years...?" Nami drawled out. "You haven't seen your son in ten years?"

 
            "Yes... but I've been close though," Nodoka's voice switched from pride to sounding down before brightening again. "But I'm sure that he is a manly man - why, Akane here is his fiancee."

 
            Akane looked down and wondered if she should tell Nodoka that the engagement was moved to Nabiki. Deciding that things were starting to get uncomfortable as is, she elected to not to admit that fact.

 
            Silently enjoying her food, Ranma sat and watched the emotions, from pride, happiness to sadness, play across her mother's face, while thinking her own thoughts. What was the measure of a mother? The dim, distant, and diluted memories that she had of the woman in front of her did not help. She felt as if a stranger had asserted herself into her life - the anger from earlier began a slow burn.

 
            Nami turned to Akane. She knew she should not pry into this, but she was curious. "So, you're engaged right?"

 
            "Er... yeah," Akane replied awkwardly after a pause. She felt that she was still engaged to Ranma; after all, Nabiki had taken the engagement before.

 
            "What's he like?" Nami asked, very interested in the subject of romance.

 
            Another pause followed. "He's... strong," Akane worked out.

 
            "Is he handsome?"

 
            "Umm... yeah...," Akane replied uncomfortably. Once again, she felt as if she were under a microscope like when Nodoka first showed up.

 
            "I'm sure you two will be happy together," Nodoka chimed in, pride reemerging in her voice. She hoped that her son's involvement in the problems surrounding Ranko was honorable. Ranko did seem to show gratitude for his help. "Don't you agree Ra-Ranma?"

 
            Swallowing hard, Ranma fought her growing anger and managed to control it. She would not let her mother's delusions ruin a good meal. She gritted her teeth and replied weakly, "Oh yeah... very... happy." 

 
            Akane coughed, drawing attention away from the distraught redhead. "I haven't seen him in months though," she said. "He went on a... training trip and he hasn't returned yet."

 
            "Oh? They're still gone?" Nodoka asked. "I thought that was...," her voice trailed off as she looked between Ranma and Akane.

 
            "Yes... er, that is after that, he and his father went on a real one," Akane confirmed then adding rather quickly, "I'm sure that they are fine."

 
            "Well that's good, I remember how much fun my husband had on his training trips. It's nice that he's taking our son on so many." Nodoka smiled in fond memory at, she thought, her future daughter in law.

 
            "Yeah... fine," Ranma mumbled under her breath as her insides raged.

 
            "Well anyway, I'm sure to be reunited with him before too long," Nodoka said in a cheery way. "But for now, I'm contented knowing that he is in good hands."

 
            The table fell silent for a heartbeat.

 
            "How do you know?" Ranma asked suddenly and irritably. She felt that she could not let things slide, not if she wanted to keep from exploding in anger... or was it resentment?