{These characters are not property of me. I would never attempt to claim them as my own. This story may not be used without my permission, and may not be used to make money in any way, shape or form. Characters and certain situations were created by Rumiko Takahashi, and by Mike Loader and Susan Doenime, so don't try any funny stuff!}
It was weird. Like a ripple in the fabric of reality, it was nearly insubstantial, but it carried quite a bit of weight.
One moment, Ranma had his fingers clutching Nabiki's throat, the next, he was still clutching her throat. Actually, Ranma hadn't noticed a thing except maybe something subtle in the eyes.
Nabiki noticed a huge change. She was no longer in her room getting ready to go out. She was still in her room, but Ranma was there and was choking her. He was also standing uncomfortably close to her.
She tried to speak, but could only gurgle; her air supply was almost non-existent.
She slumped to the floor. Whatever had happened, it was a lifesaver. She had no idea what it was, but Ranma was gone and she could breathe again. She began coughing uncontrollably, her throat raw.
Strong arms were instantly around her, lifting her to her feet.
Turning, suddenly afraid that Ranma was back, Nabiki froze in the face of who it really was.
"Does something ail you?" Kuno asked.
He had glowing red eyes. Nabiki wanted to scream, but her voice refused. She settled for fainting for the moment.
Ranma stared. He couldn't believe it. Just what the fuck was going on!? "What are you?" How could he have missed this?
Nabiki stared at Ranma, teeth bared, growling, and she could feel the saliva building in her mouth. He had quite a nerve asking her questions. She was only defending herself, while he had been apparently attempting to kill her. And where was Kuno-chan, that idiot?
Positions reverse, Nabiki barely felt the feeble blows he was delivering, though she would have to make this quick or he would be able to apply some painful hold or use pressure points. She wasn't immune to that stuff.
She squeezed a little tighter, being able to hear the slowing of his heartbeat, how he struggled for air. She wouldn't kill him, even if maybe he deserved it, but... She squeezed even tighter, wondering if maybe she should anyway.
Fainting wasn't something Nabiki usually did. Returning to consciousness in the situation she was in was something she NEVER did. It was comfortable and warm, and it was softer than anything she had ever felt.
A fur blanket? Hey, who was she to look gift horses in the mouths? Yet, this one was growling softly in her ear. Trying to pull away from the thing holding her, Nabiki practically fell out of her bed, and scrabbled across the floor.
She looked back at the thing still in her bed and stared. Just what was that... monster? But what was even worse was that it started to change shape into Kuno. "Wha..."
"Pray tell, what is the cause of your ills, my love?"
And that was almost as bad as the monster thing.
Nabiki waited until she was sure Ranma was unconscious, then released him. Released him? She tossed him out in the damn window. A little bit lucky for him it was open at the time. She didn't appreciate his death threats, and wouldn't stand for them when there was something she could do about them.
She would make sure Ranma didn't bother her again. Her or whatever...
But she definitely knew one thing: something funky was going on. This was her room, but it wasn't quite her room. Things were oh so subtlely different. A book here instead of there, a pencil left out that she was sure she had put away... This wasn't where she belonged.
And Ranma. That had been the biggest change of all. Why in the hell would Ranma be trying to kill her? At least, if she was where she was supposed to be. The Ranma she knew would never try to touch her in any way, let alone try to choke her.
Kuno. He wasn't here, and after they had just... That was another reason she knew something was wrong. Very wrong. And she had no idea how to put it right.
Nabiki heard the commotion downstairs, including Akane calling for help, and quickly slammed her door. Could she afford contact with whoever these other people were? Sure, they looked like her family, but they could all be homicidal maniacs like Ranma. Or maybe she shouldn't even let on that there was anything wrong.
For the moment, she decided that's what she'd do. She could adequately defend herself if necessary, and she could outrun them all if needed. Yes, she'd pretend there was nothing wrong, if she could get her heart to stop beating so quickly.
"Please, tell me what has happened?"
"You... You... You..."
Kuno blinked at her. That had been the only thing she had said for the past five minutes, staring at him, her mouth agape. "I shall get your sister." Looking at her to make sure she wasn't going to get up and run off, he turned quickly and left the room, heading downstairs as quickly as possible.
He found Kasumi in the kitchen, preparing dinner. She turned and smiled at him, ignoring his distress for the time being.
"Tatewaki, you and Nabiki should really get married if you're going to continue..."
Suddenly getting the urge to tear his hair out, Kuno interrupted her politely. "I'm sorry, but there seems to be something wrong with her and she will not speak to me. Could you lend your assistance?"
"Oh dear, of course." Kasumi got the tiniest look of concern on her face as she followed Kuno out of the kitchen.
Back upstairs, Nabiki was still sitting on her bed with a look of disbelief on her face. Just what... what in the world... How... Who was... Where the hell was she!? This was not her home; it couldn't be! She refused to accept that.
She shook her head, unwilling to believe the series of things that had happened over the last... Hell, she didn't even know how long she had been in the... the... flip world. And Kuno... The idea made her shiver.
But Ranma, she was away from that psychopathic piece of shit. And she was the only one that could save Akane, and as much as she hated it, she had to get back to stop him. There was no way around it.
That was when the idea flitted through her mind. If she was here, and they apparently had no idea that she was not her self that was supposed to be here, then that meant that she had... displaced herself here. Agh. It was all so confusing. But Nabiki was getting the distinct impression that she had put someone who could very well be her double in a very bad position.
And... and what if her double died and there was no way for her to get back? She couldn't live her life out in a place that was so... messed up. That just wasn't fair to her, or any of the people that expected her to be someone else. As much as the idea... turned her off, it wasn't fair to deny Kuno whatever sort of relationship he'd been having with her double.
Just the way he had acted... It was obvious there was something heavy going on between the two. Nabiki shivered again at the idea. And he was some sort of monster! Hello? Being a nice guy and in love and all was nice, but he turned into a big furry monster, which definitely did not win any points.
A soft moan escaped Nabiki's lips. What was she going to do? It was all wrong, all a mistake... She couldn't stay, but then, she didn't really want to go. She loved her family, but Ranma... She loved her family, but she so desperately wanted to stay alive.
In the movies, the choice is always so easy. Everyone does what's right. The safety of her family should come easily before her own safety. But Nabiki wasn't in a movie. She wasn't the hero, she wasn't morally sparkling, she wasn't nice. Her personal safety was very important to her to the point... Her family could fend for themselves if they didn't want to see that there was something very wrong with Ranma.
A soft knock on her... the door interrupted her thoughts. "Nabiki, would you mind if I talked with you?" Kasumi asked.
Trying to gather her wits, Nabiki spoke slowly. "Sure. Come in." She tried to appear nonchalant, but could feel every muscle in her body tense up as the door opened. She was just waiting for Ranma to be there, to attack her again.
Hiding the torn clothes, Nabiki quickly dressed in something a little more conservative. Whatever was up with Ranma, the way his hands had been... touching her, she wanted to keep covered up at all times.
Though this was not HER room, everything was the same in one way or another. Her clothes were in a different order, but they were all the same clothes she had at home. Some of the files in the desk were organized differently, but considering the information, it was how she might have done it. It was most definitely her room, but not HER room.
Feeling as ready as she thought she might ever be, Nabiki put her hand on the doorknob to open it. Closing her eyes and taking two deep breaths, it was the only way she thought she might be able to control herself in the current situation.
Still feeling tight as a drum, she opened the door slowly and peeked out. She stepped out and looked each way down the hall for good measure. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Of course, she had just thrown the out of the ordinary thing out the window.
Things seeming ordinary was about the most worrisome thing of all though.
She walked swiftly and quietly to the stairs and descended them. If only one thing was the same, that would be some sort of comfort. Just one thing...
Kasumi was smiling softly as she entered the room. "How are you feeling, Nabiki-chan?" She was using that tone again, like Nabiki was little, or sick.
Nabiki didn't miss it. "I am fine, Kasumi." It felt weird calling this stranger Kasumi, even if she looked and sounded like Kasumi. Acted like her... "I just don't..."
"Don't what, Nabiki-chan?" That tone again.
Nabiki bit her lip, unsure what to say, how much to say. "I just don't feel too well." Could she get away with it? For how long?
"Tatewaki was very worried about you, Nabiki-chan. I know he's slightly over-protective, but..."
Kasumi knew about this... relationship, and didn't care? "Yeah, well..." Nabiki answered quickly, not wanting to hear anymore about it. "Sometimes it happens."
Kasumi's smile seemed to increase just a touch. "Yes, it does. If you need anything, you just ask, Nabiki-chan."
Nabiki nodded as Kasumi stood. It was then she saw the gold band her sister was wearing on her finger. Married? Kasumi was married? Again, Nabiki felt faint.
No, she couldn't allow herself to be faint. She had to stay calm and maintain the lie for just a little bit. Just to give herself time to think, form a plan, and then she would tell. Yes, just enough time to recover her wits. That was all she needed.
Kuno appeared in the doorway after Kasumi had gone. This, Nabiki did not need. "What do you want?" she snapped.
"I am not as easily placated as your sister." He could tell there was something more than illness, but what, he couldn't put his finger on. "Tell me what the problem is."
"Kuno, just get the hell out of here and leave me alone." The look on his face told Nabiki that she had made an error in saying that. He was even more suspicious now.
"You promised to return with me to see Reichi and Aichiko tonight. They're not yet..."
Nabiki couldn't get her mouth under control quite quick enough, and asked, "Who?" And immediately she knew that had been a mistake.
Instead of saying anything, Kuno just looked at her curiously. "Please come with me," he said after a moment. It was a subtle command.
Nabiki looked fearfully at the hand he had extended toward her.
Unfortunately, the first person Nabiki encountered downstairs was Ranma, who stared at her. Luckily, Akane was with him, doting over him. There was no hint of the malice she had seen in his eyes before, no gleefully evil smile, nothing. He just stared at her.
"Ranma, how could you have slipped off the roof. That's not like you," Akane said worriedly, her eyes filled with adoration.
"I just did, Akane. Drop it." Ranma was looking at Nabiki the entire time.
Well aware of the fact that Ranma could hurt her if he put his mind to it, even as she was, Nabiki looked away quickly and walked swiftly to the kitchen. If it had been any other situation, she would have glared daggers at him, but this... this was not any other situation. This was very wrong.
Stopping for a moment before entering the kitchen, she inhaled deeply, trying to get a fix on Ranma's scent. As she suspected, there was something slightly different about it, but she couldn't say from what. But now that she knew what he smelled like, she wouldn't be caught unaware by him. No way.
"Nabiki," Kasumi said, seeing her younger sister standing in the doorway, "we need something from the store, and Akane is busy helping Ran..."
"Sure, sure." Anything to give her an excuse to get out of the house, get away from the weirdness.
Avoiding looking at Ranma, Nabiki put on her shoes quickly and almost ran out of the house after getting the brief list from Kasumi. Malice, definitely. Hatred, yes, some of that too. Fear, strangely, but yes. And she had seen in his eyes that he knew she didn't like him.
There was apparently some feud going on between them that was kept quiet. Feud, hell, it approached war from all that Nabiki could see after she had... appeared in the mixed-up world. So just what was she supposed to do?
There was no one for her to turn to, nothing she could really DO to figure out just what was going on. And it was probably just the fear and adrenaline doing it, but she already missed... them. She had never asked for that "family", but it was hers to take care of. That was something she never failed to do. Ever.
Until now.
"Reichi... Aichiko..." she whispered to herself.
She didn't want to do this, but she felt compelled after that awful slip. If she didn't, surely he would know there was something wrong, and that... that would be bad.
But if he tried... tried anything with her, she was going to knock him flat. If everyone else could do it, so could she. So far though, he hadn't even spoken to her, let alone put his hands on her.
That was somewhat troubling, as she knew Tatewaki Kuno to be the biggest blabber mouth in the school, no matter what he was speaking of. Nabiki looked up at him, almost expecting him to be looking back at her suspiciously.
He walked slowly at her side with his eyes directed forward, unwavering from that viewpoint. His hands would change, somewhat restlessly, from their position of being clasped behind his back to swinging lightly at his sides. There was no bokken in sight.
Nabiki could see that his jaw was clenched tightly and that he was obviously keeping himself under very tight control. There was no doubt in her mind that he knew something was wrong, something was more than wrong. Was he actually attempting to manipulate her? Kuno the airhead was manipulating her? What a laugh!
The smile that threatened to plaster itself all over her face died immediately when she saw they were approaching the Kuno mansion. And this was one of the last places she wanted to be.
Nabiki returned to her foster home. She had no place else to be and had no desire to go investigating how things might be different. She just wanted to let her brain vegitate, or meditate, as Kuno would always claim he was doing.
Walking inside slowly, quietly, she removed her shoes and practically tiptoed to the kitchen with the bag. "Here you go, Kasumi," she said, dropping the bag off.
"Thank you, Nabiki."
Nabiki looked at Kasumi for a moment, looking for any subtle differences in her, something just a little out of the ordinary, but found none. Kasumi appeared to be the same. It would be too weird if she were some psychopathic axe-murderer. That was just beyond imagination.
Or... or what if the reason Ranma had been... attacking her was that SHE was the psychopathic axe-murderer? And Ranma had only been protecting the family from her. She had almost killed him, was ready to... What would have happened if she had and then she returned home, leaving everyone defenseless for the person that returned?
No. Ranma hadn't just been protecting the family. If he had, why had he been... Why had his hands been... He hadn't been playing protector, and the looks he had given her didn't lead her to believe they had been involved in any kinky sex games either.
Nabiki was not the enemy here. Ranma was. And she really wanted to get out of that fake home and escape from that fake family.
Feeling the need to be around someone in case Ranma made another appearance, she went to where she could count on someone being. "Daddy, Uncle Saotome," she said simply, taking a seat ten feet away from the two men playing shogi.
They stopped their game and looked at her curiously. They watched her arrange herself in a comfortable kneeling position in the sun, close her eyes, and sit silently like that. After a few moments, Genma shrugged and looked back at the board. He never had understood that girl anyway. Soun maintained his gaze for a moment more, missing the pieces his friend was rearranging on the board, then returned to the game as well.
Nabiki just hoped, in her state of tenuous calm, that she would be returned home before night came.
Kuno opened the gate for her and waited for her to go through it. Nabiki looked at the open gateway, then walked through it slowly, as if expecting someone to jump out at her.
She did jump a little when Kuno closed the gate and put his hand on her shoulder. "They are probably asleep. It has become nigh impossible to deny them their afternoon naps."
The way he said that... He knew. He knew it wasn't her. Nabiki tried to turn to say something to him, but the hand on her shoulder gripped it tightly, forcing her to face forward and continue walking. Swallowing thickly, she began to sweat some. The whole situation with Ranma had put her on edge, shaken her up a little, and that tense, chicken confronted by a crocodile feeling would not leave her.
It was beginning to look like everyone was after her, they were all twisted in the head, sadistic murderers. Nabiki suddenly felt faint again, at a time she could not afford to lose her wits, no matter how paranoid and absurd she had gotten... She could not allow herself to be at the mercy of any of these people.
Doors slid open, revealing Kodachi in a very simple kimono. Her face was... odd, lifeless, unemotional. She looked haunted beyond haunted.
Nabiki froze in her tracks, feeling like she was suddenly the lamb being led to slaughter. The lamb being sacrificed to Kodachi...
Kuno forced her forward though, not allowing her fear to stop them. "Asleep?" he asked Kodachi.
Instead of saying anything, Kodachi nodded in assent. She looked at Nabiki, but not with her usual predatory gaze. Again, it was emotionless, flat... dead.
"Did you take your prescribed pills?" Kuno asked her.
Kodachi turned her gaze from Nabiki to her brother and nodded.
"Good. I will make dinner for you shortly."
Nodding, head bobbing like her neck was a spring, Kodachi turned around and disappeared inside.
"They will be hungry when they wake up. Will you be able to feed them?" Kuno asked her quietly.
Nabiki could hear what he was really asking in the tone of his voice. It was almost contemptuous. Staring at the open doorway, she began to shake her head jerkily.
"A good mother should always be ready to feed her children," he said quietly.
No, that wasn't true. He was lying in an effort to make her confess. No children, not any children at all. No. She refused to believe it because it would simply never happen. Never. Not with him, not with anybody, ever. She began shaking her head more vigorously, her vision blurring, hair whipping in her face.
Nabiki closed her eyes, her face taking on a look of pain and anguish. Never. This was not where she belonged. She couldn't stay here where she was only a lie. A fake, an imposter because she could never do the things that Kuno was saying she had.
"Oh no, what's happened to her?" a woman's voice said from far away.
"I am unsure."
Arms of multiple people were around her supporting her, but she couldn't let them control her. Struggling against the people, Nabiki's mind was a whirl of random thoughts about Ranma and her family and what would happen to her if he... if he...
"She's passed out. What do you think..."
"I do not know, but when she awakens, I intend to get answers," Kuno answered, looking critically at the unconscious girl in his arms.
"Don't be too harsh on her. There's probably a very good reason for whatever's happened."
Kuno's voice softened. "Of course."
When dinner finally rolled around, Nabiki ate quickly and quietly, not answering anything asked of her by Kasumi or Akane. She needed to go out and get something else to eat because she was hungry from before, and dinner wouldn't fill he suddenly bottomless stomach.
Forcing herself not to acknowledge Ranma's presence, Nabiki took her empty dishes, the first at the table to finish, to the kitchen. Trying to get out before anyone else could finish and follow her, she gave a half-hearted goodbye, and hurried out. It wasn't necessarily wise, but she needed it. The fresh air would do her good.
In fact... Nabiki changed her path and headed for the park instead of back toward the market. She could wait there in relative privacy until after dark and then explore this place on her own terms.
Glancing behind her every so often, she somehow avoided running, though it was something she wanted to do more than anything. No, Ranma wouldn't be able to sneak up on her, but it was nice to confirm that fact with her eyes.
Once at the park, Nabiki found that the greenery did afford her some peace. It was enough to hide the rest of the neighborhood from her sight, and hopefully hide her from it.
Finding some trees that were sufficiently bunched together to create a small patch of wildness in the well-groomed park, Nabiki went among them and sat down. She had chosen well. While sitting, the height of the bushes obscured her from view, and it looked like no one had bothered exploring this little area for some time.
It would do until dark. And in the meantime, she could consider her options, or lack of.
Without even knowing what had happened, there was nothing that could be done to counter it. Nothing at all had felt different about her, and she hadn't felt anything when it has actually happened. One moment, she was just finishing getting dressed, and the next, she was being choked by Ranma.
Reclining amidst the vegetation, Nabiki was glad there wasn't anyone to see her tears of anger and frustration.
"I think she's waking up."
"Good. Then she shall be able to give me the answers..."
"Don't be so harsh, Tatewaki. She's obviously scared."
"As she should be."
"Tatewaki! If that's the attitude you're going to take, why don't you just leave until she's recovered her wits?"
"Forgive me, but..."
"Yes, I know it's difficult. Just relax and settle down, and we'll get her back somehow."
Nabiki opened her eyes then, feeling probably even more confused than she had before. Who was this woman who talked to Kuno with that type of familiarity? She most definitely wasn't Japanese, but she spoke expertly. Better.
The woman dabbed a cold, wet washcloth to Nabiki's forehead, looking at her with obvious worry. "Don't let Tatewaki scare you. He's just very concerned about..."
"His wife?" Nabiki asked with restrained anger, and also fright.
"No." It was Tatewaki's turn to speak. "She will not marry me. I only believe she stays because of..."
"Your children." The word flowed smoothly from her mouth, but she felt a kind of overwhelming dread.
"Reichi and Aichiko, yes. She loves them."
"And you?" Whatever was going on, this was not the same old Kuno-chan that she had known.
Voice suddenly growing quiet and almost hurt, Tatewaki answered, "I like to think so. She refuses to show it oftentimes, but I know..." He bowed his head suddenly and covered his face with his hands.
Nabiki watched, stunned, as the woman went over to him and put her arms around him in a gentle hug. The woman began rocking him gently, whispering in his ear.
Tatewaki dropped his hands from his face, burying it into the woman's shoulder, and wrapped his arms around her.
"Sh, it'll be fine, Tatewaki. Don't worry, don't cry. She'll come back. Just you wait." Nabiki was most surprised by the scene before her when the woman kissed Tatewaki on the top of his head in a motherly manner.
"Look," Nabiki said, shaken from what she had just seen, "I didn't ask to be put in this world. It just happened. I'd go back if I could." Or would she? It was so hard to think about it, because she wanted to go back where she could be herself, but that meant... Ranma. She knew further encounters with him could be dangerous to her health.
"See, Tatewaki? It's not her fault. Don't take it out on her. We just need to make the best of what's happened so far. Maybe you need to go lay down. Come along." The woman tried to steer Tatewaki out of the room, but he resisted her attempts.
"No. I... I have to make dinner for Kodachi," he said haltingly, and pulled away from the woman. Avoiding looking at Nabiki, he left the room quickly without further words.
Time passed slowly. At least, it seemed like it. Nabiki wasn't sure what time it was, but it was dark, and that was what she had been waiting for. No one had approached her hiding spot in the time she had been waiting, and it appeared it was safe for these little things.
Looking around, over the bushes, for any people in the park this late, Nabiki quickly began to undress when it appeared to be deserted. Carefully wrapping her clothes in a bundle, Nabiki changed into her wolf form, suffering through the slight pain.
Not trusting to just leave her clothes on the ground, Nabiki picked up the bundle and climbed halfway up a tree. She tucked the bundle against the trunk and a branch, sufficiently hidden among the leaves, then dropped to the ground.
Now it was time to see just what things were like in this screwed up place.
She burst from the trees, running full speed to the other side of the park. If anyone did happen to see her, she wanted to be far away from her hiding spot. Pausing momentarily in a deep pool of shadow, Nabiki smelled the air, smelled Nerima.
There was just something different, so subtle she almost missed it, but this was definitely not the place she had grown up.
She sniffed again. There WERE some people in the park. They just hadn't been close enough before to concern her. Following the faint scent of people, she ended up at the edge of the largish pond. That island in the middle. It was coming from there.
There? Why would people be camping/hiding out there? Not that it mattered. She couldn't be bothered with that at the moment. But she tucked their scents away so she would know if they decided to steal her clothes. Ah, revenge was so easy for her now.
Sprinting away, she decided to have a look in on her "home" and see what was going on there. Surely, they couldn't be idle, not with that... psychopath in the house. He must have been a better actor than she had ever dreamed of being to fool them all. None of them were THAT stupid or clueless.
Nearing the house, moving silently through the darkness, she was distinctly aware of someone else's presence. Very close, but not moving. She didn't like that presence, whoever it was.
There, the wall. She hopped up on top of it, then lept up into the nearest tree. Clinging carefully to the trunk, she maneuvered around until the house was in clear view. That presence was still waiting someplace on the opposite side of the building, where Nabiki expected it to stay. If it knew what was good for it.
Not very happy about the position she was in, Nabiki tried to find a position a bit more stable to wait in. Trying her best not to shake the branches too much, to call any attention to herself, Nabiki managed to lay out on one branch that didn't bend too much under her weight.
And now it was time to wait.
"Who are you?"
"I think I should be asking you that, don't you?"
Nabiki sat up slowly, wondering just when she had wandered into the twilight zone. "I... But it's just me. I can't tell you anything different than what it looks like."
"But you're not OUR Nabiki."
Our? "No, I'm not. I don't belong here, but I don't know how to get back either."
The woman looked at Nabiki for a few more moments. "I'm Irina. I suppose we could keep you as a guest until we sort things out." There was something not totally friendly about the way she was speaking, but this girl, this fake...
"Here?" A tremor of doubt went through Nabiki. Stay? At the Kuno mansion? With...
Irina saw the doubt and fear still in the girl's eyes, and couldn't help herself from feeling sorry for her. "There's nothing to be afraid of. Nothing here will hurt you." She sat a little closer to Nabiki and put an arm around her shoulders tentatively.
"Here... with Kodachi." And Kuno who turned into a monster. And two children who weren't hers, but they might think they were.
"Why would you be afraid of Kodachi. The poor girl's as harmless as a kitten." Ever since Kodachi had emerged from her coma, she barely spoke and never left the safety of the house for more than ten minutes at a time. Who would ever find her frightening?
"Harmless? She..." She had quite a reputation, and she certainly came across as the most intimidating thing since Godzilla, but she had never actually done anything.
"Why, I can barely get Kodachi to speak. I can't see anything for you to be afraid of. It's quite sad really. She hardly goes outside, and never alone. Tatewaki and I are hoping with time she will recover, at least be able to go out on her own." Irina leaned a bit closer to whisper to Nabiki. "I don't think she'll ever be able to go back to what she was before. I can see it in her eyes."
"What happened to her?" Nabiki asked in her own fearful whisper.
The presence had left, and Nabiki waited a bit for quietly exiting the tree. Whoever it had been, they had been observing the house for quite some time. They had remained motionless and silent the entire time, and Nabiki had wondered just what they had been so interested in.
It most assuredly wasn't just a burglar. They had been far too stealthy for that. Even Happosai never bothered with that level of skill for his panty thieving. Whatever the person had been there for was a lot more serious than stealing.
The lights of the house were still on, and Nabiki had listened to Akane fuss over Ranma the entire time until Kasumi had finally "suggested" she let him get some rest.
Ranma had retreated to his room, alone, leaving the others downstairs. The two men were still playing shogi, Kasumi was still in the kitchen, and Akane was watching some TV. That was when it occurred to Nabiki just how easy it would be to rob the house, with all the residents so transparent and routine.
Akane turned off the TV just before the news came on and went to get ready for bed. Kasumi followed shortly after, having cleaned up the empty glasses from the men. They played one last game of shogi before they too ended their day.
And it was all out in the open. If anyone had the patience to wait in the tree like she had, they would know all this. It was insane how vulnerable they were.
But that had never been a worry with Ranma there. Or so they had thought. Nabiki hadn't doubted Ranma's ability to beat the living hell out of any sort of burglar or thief, no matter how much he disliked her. Her home had been his home, and they had been a family. This was not her home though, and it wasn't looking like they were much of a family.
She could only hope they would manage while she investigated the person that had been keeping a close eye on the house and its inhabitants. Except for her. Maybe.
"Dead?"
"So he told me. He said it was the only to save your... you know. He was so sincere. He still looked hurt when he talked about it, almost losing... her like that. And now this. You can understand a little now. And Kodachi, the poor girl." Irina shook her head. "Caught in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Irina actually managed to smile a little then. "She's good with the children. She seems to like them, and they like her very much. She accepted them right away, and they knew it. They're very smart, even for being so young. Intuitive, and they know who's who. Sight, sound and smell."
"Would... would they know... about me?"
Irina blinked, looking confusedly at Nabiki. "I really don't know if they would or not." Then it occurred to her. "You're not... Of course you're not. Then yes, they will know the difference. I don't know if it's a good idea that you interact with them; it would most likely confuse and irritate them." Against her better judgement, Irina added, "We could go see them. Kodachi was looking after them for a little while."
Nabiki nodded, but didn't say anything. Curiosity was getting the better of her. She didn't want to see them, but she had to. For some reason, it was important that she do this. Why, she didn't know, but... Maybe she was just a glutton for punishment.
She had no trouble following the man in the darkness. He took a long, winding route, but when he got to the grungy hotel, she was still behind him.
Sitting on top of the buildings that faced the hotel, Nabiki watched the man on the street below. There wasn't anything about him that gave a reason why he would be watching the house like that. Other than the fact that he was obviously an exceptional martial artists, he didn't seem different at all.
The man looked to his left and right before opening the door of the hotel. Something sudden and unexplainable made him turn around and look up.
Their eyes met, and Nabiki could actually see the hesitation and fear on the man's face. So much the better; he very well should be afraid. If he wasn't, that's when Nabiki would get worried.
After a few seconds of looking at each other, the man backed up slowly, groping for the handle of the door. Finding it, he pulled it open and backed inside the building.
Even though he was out of sight, Nabiki continued to sit and watch. It was far from her idea of a fun night, but it was better than being anywhere near Ranma. She crossed her arms on the ledge in front of her and set her chin upon them. Sighing heavily, she waited.
The thing Nabiki was most surprised about was their size. They were much bigger than she had expected. Of course, she wasn't one much for babies, her own or anyone else's, but they still seemed a bit... large to her.
"How old are they?" she whispered, staring at the two currently playing with Kodachi.
Actually, it was more like Kodachi was letting them run rampant over her to get them tired out. They would run around the room, sometimes on two feet, sometimes on all fours, chasing each other. They would pause as they ran past Kodachi to tug at her kimono in an attempt to get her to play too, but she would only smile wanly and pull her kimono loose.
"Almost five months. It's sad to see how quickly they grow up." Irina smiled wistfully at the scene playing itself out. "Before we know it, they'll be mastering the change and..." Irina stopped and looked at Nabiki.
Her face was unreadable. "You mean they'll... they're..."
Nodding slowly, Irina spoke with sadness in her voice. "The both of you, you tried so hard to find a cure for them. Things didn't go well, but..." Irina's brow furrowed and she frowned slightly. "You did good things though. I couldn't really begin to explain everything that happened, but..."
"This can't be happening," Nabiki said, shaking her head. "This... this just can't be happening." She turned to Irina. "I refuse to believe this!"
"Sh sh. Please, not so loud. Aichiko and Reichi will..."
But it was too late. Hearing what should have been their mother's voice and seeing someone who looked like her, the twins ran at her, making odd little squealing noises.
Nabiki immediately tried backing away, a look of fright on her face, but they soon overwhelmed her, clinging fiercely to her legs.
"Get them off me," she said, afraid to touch them. "Get them off me." Looking at them was frightening when they were so close. Their red eyes stared up into hers, and Nabiki could feel them questioning her presence. They knew.
One of them, Nabiki didn't know which and couldn't tell them apart, suddenly snarled at her.
Now afraid, Nabiki held completely still. "Please, get them away," she whispered, the child still snarling at her.
"Reichi!" Irina snapped, and clapped her hands. "Stop that this instant!"
Reichi released his imposter mother's leg and backed away slowly, his growling audible.
"It's not my fault," Nabiki said, her eyes locked with his. "I didn't do it." She lifted her hand in a gesture of peace, but that only made Reichi turn and run for Kodachi.
He scurried around behind her legs and peeked out, still growling.
"It's not my fault," Nabiki repeated, staring into his hellfire eyes. A gentle tugging on her leg made her look down. Aichiko was there, looking up at her, her little eyes wide and trusting.
When their eyes met, Aichiko raised both her hands into the air and opened and closed them. The request was very clear.
Curiosity compelled Nabiki to lean down and take the child into her arms. She lifted the girl and cradled her, surprised at the seemingly instinctive feelings to care for her.
And yes, the child was heavy, larger than any solely human baby, and the tiny wolfen features, while disconcerting, had a certain charm about them.
"Aichiko... I don't think she cares whether it's really you or not. She just misses you. They're quite possessive when they want to be." Irina smiled faintly. "You could probably tell with Reichi."
Nabiki turned her gaze away from Aichiko, who was drifting off to sleep in her arms, to look down at Reichi. He had gotten brave and ventured out from behind Kodachi, but shrunk back when he saw her looking at him.
"He's really such a nice little boy," Irina continued, smiling softly at him. "Don't let this give you a bad impression of him. They're not very receptive to change right now. They probably won't be until they've reached a year old."
Nabiki crouched and got down on one knee. Carefully cradling Aichiko in one arm, she held out her hand to Reichi. "I won't hurt you, Reichi. Come here. It's really OK." Whatever happened, she didn't want him to be afraid of her; that was just an awful feeling. She wiggled her fingers, trying to coax him out.
Nose testing the air, Reichi emerged from behind Kodachi, still clinging to her kimono.
For a moment, one frightening moment when Nabiki thought if she started, she wouldn't be able to stop, she almost laughed. She clamped down on the hysterical laughter that threatened to burble forth and got down on her knees. "Come here, come say hello, Reichi," she said sugary sweet.
He stared hard at her, unsure whether to believe this imposter or stay by the safety of his aunt. But if his aunt was there and his grandmother was there, they wouldn't let anything happen to him.
He took a small, wobbly step toward the person that looked like his mother. Was there really anything to be afraid of or not? This... this wasn't his mother, and he missed her. Maybe his sister didn't mind, but he did. With a wail of sadness, he ran to his grandmother.
Irina scooped him up as he practically threw himself at her, crying. "Don't cry. Everything will be fine," she said quietly, rocking him as he held on tightly to her. "Don't cry now."
Nabiki stared, finding herself disheartened that he hadn't been able to accept her... As what though? His mother? She wasn't his mother, didn't want to be his mother! She just... She didn't want to go back either. Even this, two werewolf children by Kuno was better than...
But Akane, and Kasumi. Who knows what would happen with her father. And Ranma. What was she supposed to do?
The house was quiet. It took all of her willpower to go back inside, to change and leave herself vulnerable, but she did. Nabiki snuck as best she could through the house and up to her room.
Every time she entered a darkened room, or turned a corner, she waited for Ranma to be there. She waited for his attack. Ranma knew about her. And if he knew, she had no surprises left. And then he could hurt her.
Nabiki was no martial artist, and maybe she could run faster, farther than Ranma, but if he got the first attack, caught her by surprise, off-guard, there would be no going back to the home she was used to.
So what was she to do? There were three potential people she could talk to. None of them put any confidence in her. In any case, it would have to wait until morning. First thing in the morning, and to hell with school.
She slipped into her room, eyes always down the hall at the guest room, watching, waiting, listening... She shut the door silently, locked it, thankful for her counterpart's familiar habits.
Retrieving clothes that looked almost like her own, but certainly did not smell like her own, Nabiki changed for bed. The idea of actually sleeping with this Ranma around wasn't appealing, but she needed it. Breakfast would also be something she would have to provide for herself in the morning.
Laying down in bed, nearly intangible evidence of her other self all around her, Nabiki closed her eyes. Sleep was elusive and every sound the house caused her to open her eyes to affirm that Ranma was not there.
It was silly, of course, because she would know, she would smell him, she would hear him. She would know he was coming after her before he did. But still...
The feeling that she associated with miniature bolts of lightning ripping through her arm and collecting in her fingers provided a little comfort. She kept her hand, now larger and adorned with razor sharp claws, under the blanket. If Ranma decided to pay her a visit, it would be the last thing he would feel sliding into his gut.