Nabiki 1/2

Vol. 1: A Visitor From China

Chapter 1

‘Hi. Bringing Ranma from China. Saotome,’ Soun Tendo flipped the small postcard over to look at the design again. A Panda looked back at him frozen in the middle of eating a shaft of bamboo almost daring a staring contest. Another turn of the postcard brought the message back up again as he reread it once more. He barely noticed the extremely poor penmanship as he whispered out the message. Nine years ago Genma had left Japan with his child on a training voyage.

For a moment Soun wondered what it would have been like had he been able to go on the voyage rather than Genma, but his three daughters needed him. That thought was quickly behind him as he could imagine in his mind one of his daughters marrying Genma’s son.

Already his mind was formulating who would best be suited to marry Genma’s son, Ranma. Kasumi would be perfect to help keep the house, and run it while Ranma concentrated on the Dojo, but however Soun had sensed for sometime that she was really in love with Doctor Tofu. With a deep sigh he moved on to his next daughter.

Nabiki could easily handle the business part should Ranma not be able to and she would certainly make the Dojo profitable enough so that they could hire a maid, and a cook. His days would be secure then, and perhaps Nabiki might even hire her own sister to help cook the meals. However Nabiki had showed no interest in going out with anyone, not in the same way that Kasumi used to date. Once more Soun reminded himself to ask if anything was going on with her.

Finally Soun came to his youngest daughter, Akane. “She’d probably kill him within a day.” Soun thought to himself as he made his way to the kitchen to begin telling his daughters the good news

******

All day long Kasumi’s mind had been wondering around to a certain Doctor’s office. Not that she was ill, of course. Other than a few cases of the flu she hadn’t been ill since the first time she meet Tofu. In her minds eye she could see herself that day waiting patiently in the doctors office leaning on her father completely exhausted.

“Kasumi” Her father’s voice drifted into the kitchen waking the eldest daughter from her daydream

“Yes father?” when no reply came she gave a deep sigh and returned to her food to make sure it would be fine before making her way to the living room. Something important must have happened, she thought to herself as she entered the empty room.

******

In her room Nabiki lazily turned the page to the Manga she bought last week. She had already finished reading her last batch, but didn’t have the money to purchase anymore, yet. It was the type of manga that she had taken pains to hide from her father and her sisters, a very steamy romantic story set in Australia. She quietly turned the page of the manga glancing at the door for a moment before turning her attention back to the page itself. On it the main characters were deeply kissing their hands exploring…

“Nabiki”

With a quick and fluid motion of countless times of practice, Nabiki, quickly swept her manga under her pillow and pulled out one of her safe manga. When no other noise came from the door she stole a glance to see that he only opened her door and was already looking for Akane. With a deep sigh she slide her safe manga under her pillow and sat up. Something must have happened.

“Akane” Soun glanced into his youngest daughter’s room to find it empty. With a sigh he quickly made his way to the training hall to yet again find it empty. “Where is that girl?” Soun muttered to himself as he made his way to the living room to tell Kasumi about the good news, All the while missing Akane who had just ran in through the front gate

******

It been the perfect day for jogging Akane thought to herself as she made her way through the front gate of the Tendo residence. So far the jerk Kuno hadn’t shown up, so she actually had peace and quiet for once during her jog. The youngest Tendo daughter stopped by the gate to stretch out again before walking into the training hall’s changing room where she placed her practice outfit.

As She entered the changing room she glanced at the mirror set up on the back wall thinking to herself about her mother. Her father had told her time after time how much she had grown up looking like her. The long raven hair and her eyes the same shape, much like Kasumi. She wondered not for the last time how Nabiki felt that she took more after their father.

Grabbing the bottom of her shirt Nabiki quickly pulled it over her head tossing it into the changing room bench quickly followed by her shorts as she picked up her practice outfit. With a smile she quickly dressed in the white and light blue outfit passed on to her from her mother.

She could remember the day in which her father brought out the gifts to his daughter’s from their mother. Akane was happy to receive her mother’s training outfit while her older sister Kasumi received her cookbook.

Moments later her train of thought had quickly vanished as she began stacking cinder blocks just outside the Dojo’s front doors. Almost as fast as she had stacked the last cinder block she quickly pulled herself back into a stance her father constantly showed his students, and focused her energy into her fist.

“HYAAHHH!”

Her fist quickly sliced through the stack of blocks as fast as it had sliced through the air itself almost causing the blocks to explode from the energy she focused into her fist. “Now that… was nice the youngest Tendo daughter whispered as she studied her handiwork.

“There you go again Akane.” Nabiki spoke out knowing that once more she’d been able to sneak up on Akane without her younger sister even realizing she was there. “No wonder the boys all think you’re so weird.”

“Why should I Care?” they are just a waste of time anyway she know she doesn’t date anyway either, “Not EVERYONE thinks that the world revolves around boys, Nabiki.” I wonder what happened this time.

“No? well then I guess this wouldn’t interest you.” Nabiki gently rubbed the back of her neck as she turned back towards the house never noticing the odd look her sister turned on her, or the clouds above her threatening to rain upon them.

******

“Fiancé?” Akane could barely believe what she was hearing. A quick glance towards Nabiki, and Kasumi quickly told her that once more she was the last one to hear about this, like everything else that took place.

“Yes. The son of a very good friend of mine… The son’s name is Ranma Saotome.” He turned his eyes towards the door as the rain outside began coming down much harder almost at the same time he spoke the words. “If one of you three girls were to marry him and carry on this training center then the Tendo family legacy would be secure.”

“Wait a minute” Akane quickly went to her feet “Don’t we have some say in who we marry.”

“Akane’s Right, Daddy, we’ve never even met Ranma.” Kasumi quickly added.

“That’s easily fixed” Soun held up the postcard he had just received as he studied his daughters. Akane like always, wore her emotions on her sleeve, and was about to strangle him for not telling her about this engagement. He sighed silently as he thought about how much she reminded him of his late wife. Kasumi while not nearly as aggressive as her sister, reminded him of what his wife was trying to be like all during her short life.

Kasumi had basically taken over when his wife died. During the long time when Soun didn’t think the sun would ever rise again, Kasumi had made sure that all of the meals were cooked and the house was kept clean, until Soun finally came out of his depression. It was quite clear, looking back and forth between Akane and Kasumi that the youngest daughter was trying to copy her older sister. He wondered to himself what would happen when Akane realized that the object of her affection, Dr. Tofu, was equally in love with Kasumi as she was with him. He hopped her heart would not break when that happened.

He didn’t even notice her as he looked back and forth between the oldest and the youngest daughter, but the constant lack of sound coming from Nabiki finally brought his eyes on her. He could never tell what was really on her mind. She knows much more than she lets on, maybe she meet him before, Soun thought to himself as he glanced at the living room clock wondering when Ranma would arrive.

******

Rain, I hate rain. Ranma thought to herself as she dashed down the street wishing she had an umbrella, but knowing that it was too late anyway. The young red-haired girl never turned her head to look behind her at the large panda only a few steps behind. A quick movement to the left brought her inches from the claws of the panda as it made another grab for her. He’ll try again, as the thought formed in Ranma’s head she was already in the air the panda inches below her as it made yet another attempts to capture her.

“Cut that out!” the girl shouted at the panda as she let go of her bag letting it fly to the side of the road so she could fully concentrate on her opponent. I’m sick and tired of running. In a blur of movement she brought her left around catching the panda under the chin sending it wobbling unsteadily to the side crashing into a street sign a foot away.

“Say isn’t that a panda?”

“That is a panda isn’t it?”

Ranma quickly glanced to the side surprised to see how much of a crowd they had drawn. The panda was already on his feet and taking an offensive stance ready to attack by the time Ranma’s eyes finally turned back towards him. “Your Move.”

In a blur of movements shocking the spectators the panda did move swinging clawed paws at the girl almost faster than the spectators could see. Each attack, however, was simply meet by empty air as his target slide back and forth dodging each and every attack with ease.

“I still say this whole thing sucks picking my fiancée for me…” Ranma quickly ducked under one particularly slow attack reaching up to grab the furry arm. It was then an easy matter for her to pull the panda off balance and send him once more crashing into the street sign he landed against earlier, this time breaking in half as the large mass collided with it. “…Without even asking!!!” She stood there for several moments watching the panda that remained still after the last landing. “I’m going back to China! Suck on that old man!”

With one fluid motion Ranma quickly grabbed hold of her discarded backpack turning around to once more make her way back towards her destination, never once seeing the panda rise to his feet.

The panda having picked up the street sign that was torn loose quickly snuck up on the unsuspecting girl and knocked her on the back of the head with one of the broader signs on the post. Discarding the sign the panda quickly lifted the girl to his shoulder with one paw while the other lifted her backpack.

“Panda”

“Big one”

“Hmmm”

“Man”

“You think we should call the zoo?”

The panda just stood there for several moments listening to the crowd before he twisted his head left and right giving off a growl, which sent the spectators back to whatever they were doing before the fight, had caught their attention.

******

“Ranma and his father have been on a voyage of training. Recently it seems they crossed into China.” Soun continued to explain to his daughters watching as Nabiki became more excited while Akane became more annoyed.

“Wow China” wish Ranma could have taken me with him then, I would have loved to have seen china, Nabiki signed to herself when she realized neither Genma or her father would have allowed such a thing.

“What’s so great about walking to china?” Akane sighed not really paying any attention to what she really was saying; only thinking about the injustice of the whole situation.

“How old is he?” Kasumi began to grow more and more worried thinking about Dr. Tofu as she asked her question. “What kind of guy is this Ranma?”

“No Idea”

“No Idea? Father what have you done?” Kasumi gave a small gasp.

Nothing so bad Ranma is a nice person, Nabiki wanted to say because it seemed to her that she was the only one to have even meet him

“Leggo Y’ol’ fool!”

“Hm?” Nabiki turned thinking she heard Ranma’s voice, but something was different about it.

“We have Visitors” Kasumi quickly stood up to go greet them, but before she was even on her feet her sister, Nabiki, and her father were already on their way to the door.

“Oooo! It must be Ranma” Nabiki was already several steps ahead of her father. It’s been so long I hope he remembers me.

The speed which Nabiki was using wasn’t lost on Soun, I was right she does know him. “Saotome me friend! We’ve been waiting!”

By the time Kasumi was on her feet the other two most likely already meeting the visitors, Kasumi turned to look at her little sister who just sat there looking at the table still in shock.

How Depressing, Boys! Was all that went thought the youngest daughter’s mind as she continue to stare at the table, this can’t possibly get any worse, can it?

Before Kasumi could even speak to her little sister to ask if she was okay, her father and Nabiki were rushing back into the room at full speed, followed by a panda that carried someone about the age of Akane, or possibly the age of Nabiki on it’s shoulder.

“Stop it you are scaring them.” The guest shouted at the panda, as it continued to make it’s way into the living room.

“Daddy… This is your friend?” Kasumi edged herself behind her father as she watched the panda come to a stop in the living room.

Soun, however, was completely speechless as he simply shook his head back and forth.

That can’t be Ranma, he’s too short, and Ranma should be much, much taller. “Oh, so this Panda just decided to visit! Happens all the time!”

The panda quickly ended their conversation as it placed the person he was carrying in front of the Tendo’s.

“You… wouldn’t be…”

“Ranma Saotome. Sorry about this.” The guest gave a small sigh as she looked at the floor, what will go wrong now.

“At last you’ve come” Soun still wondered where Genma was but soon forgot that as he wondered which daughter he would choose.

This can’t be Ranma, Nabiki was the first to step forward, “he is cute” but Soun who welcomed Ranma with a hug once more blocked her view.

“It was so good of you to come…” When Soun hugged Ranma he realized something was wrong. He felt breasts, where there shouldn’t have been any. With quick movements Soun moved Ranma backwards a foot and looked again. Sure enough Ranma had them, and Soun turned speechless once more.

Kasumi simply stared in shock as she looked at Ranma, this can’t be.

“Hmm?” Nabiki noticed the Ranma’s chest as well. This can’t be… It’s not Ranma, Nabiki’s mind went back to the time she knew Ranma, or thought she did. She was five and their mother had just died. With a sigh she conceded that Ranma could have been female all along, wearing boys clothing. Nabiki reached out touching one of Ranma’s breasts willing them to be just her imagination in her mind, when they felt real she gave a sigh. “He is a Girl”

******

Soun watched the ceiling from where he had fallen; It’s over all the plans of continuing the Dojo is done.

“Oh poor daddy. He’s so disappointed.”

“He’s Disappointed?” What about me, I’m way past disappointment.

“Well he said he had a son!!” Soun sat up looking at the floor again wondering when he would strangle his best friend for this.

“Do you see a son here? Hmm? Do you?” Without even thinking Nabiki’s hands were pointing at Ranma’s chest again. “No! Looks female to me.”

I’ve got to get her away from them; I’ve never seen Nabiki so upset before, I wonder why. “Hey, want to join me in the practice hall? I’m Akane want to be friends?”

Ranma gave a slight nod with a smile.

Nabiki turned before a tiny tear had escaped down her cheek, this isn’t fair, she thought to herself, I wanted a true love not someone I can be friends with.

Soun nearly missed the tear as Nabiki turned her head when Ranma walked out of the room; I really am missing something now.

******

Ranma entered the training hall glancing back and froth, “This is a really nice place you have here.”

“You do Karate, don’t you?” Akane made her way over to the middle of the room and turned to her new friend.

“A little.”

“Then let’s have a little match okay?”

“Huh?”

“Just for fun. Don’t worry I won’t hurt you.” Akane quickly moved into one of the positions her father recently taught her.

“If you say so.” Ranma simply stood there leaning forward a little as she watched Akane prepare to strike.

With quick steps Akane charged closing the distance between the two in a matter of moments lashing out with her right fist which blurred by to meet empty air as Ranma simply jumped up above her attack. Before she could even think of another attack her body was already in motion well ahead of her as she lashed out with her left foot sending it high at her opponent, missing again. Her opponent shifted her legs in the air as Akane’s attack fanned the air inches below her waist.

As Ranma landed on the ground in front of her Akane quickly launched into another attack sending her right fist at Ranma’s shoulder who quickly slid to the left. Another kick meet with air as Akane’s opponent simply slide under her foot.

“What’s wrong? Swing at me.”

The more she attacked the more frustrated Akane became as each time Ranma easily dodged her attack without even trying or bothering to raise her hand to block any of the moves. Why… Why am I missing her? Is she reading my moves? Okay this time… for real.

Akane quickly charged forward with all her energy lashing out with her right fist as fast as she could possibly move. There was a loud krak as her fist connected with the wall of the Dojo shattering the boards into splinters, it was then that she felt Ranma’s finger tapping her shoulder from behind her.

Akane couldn’t believe what she had witnessed, not even her father was this fast. She turned slowly to see Ranma with a big smile on her face obviously enjoying herself.

“You’re pretty good.” She’s really good, “Well… I’m just glad that you are a girl.”

“Huh?”

“It’s just… I’d really hate to lose to a boy.”

Ranma just watched Akane in silence as her new friend walked out of the Dojo to see if Kasumi needed any help in the kitchen.

******

Nabiki was still contemplating the injustice life had just given her when she noticed her father was talking with a man she’d never seen before. She slide up next to the opening of the room to listen but they weren’t talking loud enough for her to pick up on the conversation. It must be Father’s friend, it was then that she noticed that the panda that brought Ranma was missing.

As she made her way to the kitchen she wondered where the panda might have disappeared. “Kasumi? Who’s that old guy?” She looked over her sister’s shoulder at the food being prepared. Still having a party after this fiasco?

“Got me.” But I think that Is father’s friend. “Nabiki could you keep an eye on this while I find Ranma?”

“Sure”

Kasumi stepped out of the kitchen and onto the front porch surprised to have already found Ranma so quickly. She noticed how sad she seemed and wondered what was going on. “Ranma. Wouldn’t you like to take a bath?” Kasumi knelt beside the girl offering a towel.

“Huh? No! I mean it’s okay.”

She must be worried about taking advantage of us; well she is a polite girl. I just wish Nabiki didn’t seem so sad, it’s not Ranma’s fault she’s a girl. “No it’s not! You must be all sweaty from your workout!” She quickly put the towel in the younger girls’ arms and sent her off in the direction of the bath.

As Ranma stepped into the bathroom she quickly pulled off her shirt dropping it to the left of her backpack. She then quickly pulled off her pants and boxers placing them on top of the shirt before moving her pack onto of the clothing.

She quickly filled a bucket with cold water pouring it on herself, shivering as the cold water splashed across her skin “oooh! Cold!” It was only after she’d shampooed her hair that she finally made her way to the hot tub, slipping into it to relax. “Now what do I do?” With a sigh Ranma wondered what would go wrong next.

******

Akane sat in her room wondering why Nabiki had acted so oddly around Ranma, She could swear that it was like her sister knew the girl from long in the past. However, Akane couldn’t remember a girl like Ranma showing up anywhere near Nabiki. In fact Ranma was the first red haired girl Akane had ever meet. Which made Akane wonder how Nabiki could have known her.

“Akane… the bath’s ready.”

Akane looked up at the door of her room to see Nabiki leaning in, she wanted to ask her sister how she knew Ranma but couldn’t quite fit the question into words, but by then it was too late anyway as Nabiki turned and headed back down the hall.

Akane opened the door softly hoping not to disturb Ranma who was probably already in the bath. She reached up removing her ribbon from her hair, the one that Dr. Tofu had given her after her first accident on her bike. Akane quickly removed her workout uniform placing it in the lower part of the hamper before slowly removing her undergarments placing them in the top part. She noticed Ranma’s clothing peeking out from, she also there was no bra as she folded the clothing to be washed or other undergarments and she wondered where they disappeared to. With a sigh she left the clothes folded where they were guessing that Kasumi could handle it and made her way over the screen separating the bath from the rest of the room.

She could hear splashing just behind the screen and wondered if she interrupted Ranma’s bath, when she opened the door however, all she could see was a very male boy looking back at her.

She didn’t say a word as she moved backwards closing the door before quickly putting on the top part of her training uniform and walking out the door of the bathroom. She stood there for a few moments trembling before she let out an ear piercing scream.

She quickly took off running down the hall and into the garden not noticing that her sisters were now following her as she picked up the largest stone she could find. “I’ll weigh him down! I’ll drown him in the bath!”

Nabiki was the first to speak as she watched her sister waddle slowly with the humongous rock in her arms. “Akane what is it? What’s that for?”

“There’s a pervert in the bathroom!”

“Why didn’t you just kill him with your bare hands.”

“Because I’m Afraid!!”

Kasumi turned looking off in the direction of the bath “Oh dear is Ranma okay she was supposed to be in the bath now.” It was then she noticed the boy standing at the end of the porch wearing the same exact clothing that Ranma had been wearing earlier. “Uh… who… who…”

“Who are you? She means” Nabiki finished for her sister as she watched the boy stand there. She couldn’t believe her eyes, he looked exactly how she envisioned Ranma. “Ranma?” Nabiki whispered not realizing her sisters could hear her.

“That can’t be Ranma… he’s male.” Akane and Kasumi both said in unison as they looked from Nabiki to the boy and back again.

“I’m Ranma Saotome… Sorry about this.”

******

Soun looked back and forth between his daughters and their guest wondering how more chaotic things would get from now on. “I’ll explain it once more… This is my old friend…”

“Genma Satome.” The large bald man quickly picked up where Soun left off, “And this is my son.” Pointing to the boy sitting next to him.

“Ranma.”