Nabiki - New Horizons
                      Chapter 17 - Revelations
                          by G.L. Sandborn



     "What do you mean you're not coming home right away?"  Jeffrey's
irritated voice cut through the distance between Hawaii and Tokyo.
     "Jeffrey please..."
     "It's been three weeks, Nabiki.  It's time to come home."
     "I've got one more thing to do.  Then I'll be home."
     "Your last semester of college begins in two weeks.  You're not
even enrolled."
     "Yes I am.  I pre-enrolled last semester.  All you have to do is
go down and pay for it when you enroll.  The paperwork is pinned to
the bulletin board in my office."
     "What about Sodoshi?"
     Nabiki instinctively bristled at what the mention of her
daughter's name implied.  "That's not fair, Jeffrey."
     "For the last two weeks, your daughter has been making plans for
when you get home.  She starts school soon too, you know.  Have you
forgotten that?"
     "I'll be home in time to do everything she wants before she goes
back to school."  Nabiki's irritation factor had finally exceeded her
guilt over remaining in Nerima for another week.  "What's your
problem?  You knew this wasn't going to be easy."
     "You've gotten your sister married.  You've had your little
meeting with the elders.  What's left to do?"
     Nabiki hesitated.  "Well, the meeting with the elders didn't go
very well."
     "What do you mean?"
     "My sisters and I talked it over and --"
     "You let THEM make the decision?"
     Her irritation finally produced a genuine flash of anger.  "No,
Jeffrey, I ASKED for their thoughts." 
     "I don't believe this."
     "Dammit, Jeffrey!  Why can't you be a little more supportive and
understanding.  They are the only clan members I have left.  They're
my chunin.  They're my family.  Their job is to advise me.  Don't be
so hard-headed."  Nabiki fought to control her escaping anger.  This
was the first real altercation the couple had experienced in a long
time.
     "I'm *trying* to be supportive but you haven't given me a very
good reason why you need to stay in Japan for another week."
     Nabiki swallowed hard.  Her voice became softer, more tentative. 
"I think I may had done something terrible."
     It was Jeff's turn to pause as Nabiki's words and the way she
said them darkened his response.  "What did you do?"
     "When I told the elders we were no longer going to be bound by
Shinobi laws,..."  The sound of Jeff's groan only caused Nabiki to
speed up her explanation.  "They threatened us.  They made it sound
like they would start the 'blood hunts' all over again."  Nabiki
paused to sniff as she grabbed the phone handset with both hands.  Her
knuckles turned white as the tension in her increased.  "Jeffrey, all
I could see was So-chan.  I didn't want it to start all over again
because of my daughter."  Nabiki choked and swallowed hard.  A shaky
hand covered her face momentarily as she tried to regain her
composure.  What occurred in that council scared Nabiki like nothing
had before.  Even days later she could still feel the malevolence that
emanated from the elders when she confronted them.  While she and her
sisters walked away with their pride intact, there was no telling what
the eventual reaction of the elders would be.  
     Slowly, her shaky hand ran itself through her hair as she
steadied herself.  "I was about to say something to them... I don't
remember what.  I was so mad at the time.  Sato just stepped into the
clearing and confronted the council.  Jeffrey, I was surprised in the
way he stood up for us."
     There was a long silence from Jeffrey before he answered.  "I
told you he would be an ally."
     "I know."  Nabiki sighed loudly and leaned back against the wall
of the Tendo hallway.  "Jeffrey, they disowned him.  They striped him
of his honor.  They took from him everything he was in Shinobi
society.  He's no longer a chunin."
     "I was afraid this would eventually happen.  He's never seen 
eye-to-eye with the council."
     "There's more.  He also burned his staff."
     The stunned silence from Jeffrey's side of the line was only
broken by a softly gasped question.  "Burned?"
     "He threw it into the fire.  He said he was no longer a master."
     Jeff's voice took on a trace of fear.  "He's right.  Without the
staff, his power is gone."
     "I've got to find him, Jeffrey.  It's all my fault."
     "No, Nabs, It's not your fault.  This had been building for some
time.  You were just the catalyst."  Jeff took a deep breath and
exhaled loudly.  "It was bound to happen sooner or later."
     "Whatever the case, I feel responsible because he was defending
*us*."
     "Nabiki, he's always been trying to defend you.  Even before the
kidnapping he was defending you.  The elders have never liked your
clan.  You and your sisters were never fully trusted.  Deep down, I
suspect they would have been just as happy if the 'blood hunts' or
Snow Fox Clan had been successful.  You never had any friends there."
     Their combined silence was broken only by the long distance hum
of the telephone line.  Nabiki shifted uncomfortably.  If what Jeff
said was true, she had been unfairly maligning someone who'd devoted
over five years to helping her and the Cold Moon Clan - someone who
just sacrificed everything he held dearest for their benefit.
     "I have to find him," Nabiki finally repeated as she drew her
legs up till she looked like a child huddling in a corner.
     Jeff sighed loudly.  "You could try the village my grandfather
helped back when all this got started.  I think it's called Iwasata -
about 3 hours North of Tokyo.  I've only been there once.  I guess
because Master Sato's method of teaching usually brought him to me."
     "I've been there too, Jeffrey.  When we opened up the monk's
cave."  Nabiki's hushed voice spoke of the pain at remembering her
last visit to that part of the country.
     "Well, if he's anywhere, I'd bet that's where you'll find him."
     An awkward pause created more silence between them as each tried
to find the proper words.
     "I'm really sorry about before, Nabiki.  I wasn't being fair to
you."
     "No, I'm too caught-up in this clan business.  I've been
neglecting you and Sodoshi."
     "I love you, Nabs."
     "I love you too and I really need one of your hugs right now,
Jeffrey."
     "Hurry home.  Doshi and I will be waiting for you at the
airport."
     "Jeffrey, don't call her 'Doshi'.  It sounds like the name of a
video game character."
     "She likes that name."
     "Her name is Sodoshi.  We call her So-chan.  Nothing else.  Got
it?"  Nabiki smiled slightly with her lecture.  It wasn't all that big
a deal to her - just another way of exerting control over her husband. 
Besides, deep down, she believed he enjoyed the game nearly as much as
she did.
     "I'll ask Doshi what she thinks --"
     "Jeffrey..."  Her tired warning look somehow was accurately
transmitted across the phone lines.
     "Okay, Nabs.  You win."  Jeff chuckled softly.
     "I'll be home on the same flight with Ranma and Akane."  Nabiki
paused to caress the phone handset with her cheek.  "I miss you,
Jeffrey."
     "Be careful, Nabs."
     "I will.  Take care of So-chan."
     "Don't worry.  We'll be fine."
     "I know you will.  You've always taken better care of her than I
could."
     "You're still her mother."
     "Maybe someday I'll feel like I am.  For now, I'm just glad she
has you."
     "We'll be waiting for you at the airport.  Good bye, Nabiki." 
Jeff's voice sounded soft and reassuring just before the click that
indicated a termination of their phone connection.
     Nabiki quietly returned the phone handset to its cradle and
paused to run her fingers lightly over its surface.  It was hard for
her to stay another week in Japan.  She missed her family.  She longed
to be held in Jeff's arms again where she could relinquish her fears
and responsibilities - if only for a short while.  She also missed her
daughter.  The last three weeks had shown her just how much Sodoshi
really meant to her.  Nabiki closed her eyes and silently vowed to
work harder to become a proper mother - if she could just figure out
how.
     Nabiki's thoughts turned to her more immediate problem - and its
cause.  With a reluctant sigh of resignation, she sought out the
council of one she trusted more in death than life.  A short glow on
the stairs announced Sodoshi Tanaka's arrival.
     "You seem troubled, my elder."
     Nabiki glanced at the spirit of her departed best friend before
attempting a weak smile and waving a limp hand at the ceiling.  "I
used to be able to do whatever I wished here and never had to fear
failure.  Now, it seems like everything I touch goes wrong."
     "And you think this is your doing?"  Sodoshi appeared to sit on
the stairs, supporting her chin on her fists.
     "I don't know anymore.  I try and I try but things just don't
work out like they used to."
     "You're an elder now.  Things are more complicated."
     "That can't be the only reason."  Nabiki drew her legs up and
hugged her knees.  Resting her chin on them, she looked forlornly at
Sodoshi.
     "True.  Before you were dealing mainly with classmates and
assorted others who were easily manipulated.  The stakes are higher
now.  You deal with those who could do serious harm should you fail."
     Nabiki sighed and rolled her head back to rest on the wall. 
Closing her eyes couldn't remove the images of her formerly carefree
life.  She still wondered if those she took advantage of had all
forgiven her for what she did to them.  Nabiki sighed out loud.  She
assumed man had not - still clinging to their experiences with the
scourge of Furinkan High School.
     Sodoshi, however, hd other things on her mind.  "You did the
right thing at the council, Mabiki.  You had no choice.  They weren't
going to accept our clan back no matter what you said or did.
     "Maybe, but did I need to cause Jeffrey and Master Sato to suffer
as well?"
     "I doubt your husband is bothered much at his clan separation. 
He's too Western to be effected the way we would be."
     "What about Sato?"
     "Now *he's* a problem.  You're right in worrying in his case. 
His whole life has been tied up in the clans.  For him to be an
outsider..."  Sodoshi's voice seemed to trail off as her expression
changed to hints of fear.  Being disowned by one's family was the most
feared punishment a Japanese could imagine.  The effect was magnified
the closeness of the Shinobi clans.
     Nabiki sighed heavily.  "I know and it's all my fault."
     Sodoshi shook her head causing her twin pony tails to slowly
flare and swirl.  "No.  His path had long since been set to this end. 
It was inevitable."
     "I can't believe that.  He may have had his troubles with the
clans but they respected him."
     "They *feared* him," Sodoshi corrected as her glow became
brighter.  "He stood for values they no longer believed in.  He was
the last honest Shinobi.  By disowning him, they have set themselves
on a path to their own demise.  In a few years, I fear even the
Council of Elders will be but a memory."
     "What about our clan?"
     "That depends on you and your sisters."  Sodoshi looked Nabiki in
the eyes.  "You are the key, Nabiki.  What you do from now on will
determine if the Cold Moon Clan lives or dies."
     Nabiki groaned softly and buried her face in her legs.  Alone,
this was all too much for a person so young.
     Sodoshi must have read her emotions.  "You still have your
sisters... and Jeffrey."  Nabiki's quizzical look forced Sodoshi to
elaborate.  "This had all been set in place many years ago.  Our
ancestors in their wisdom knew there would be few survivors to the
'blood hunts' and took great pains to insure there would be those who
could rebuild the clan.  You and your sisters are the right people in
the right place at the right time to successfully do that rebuilding.
     "And what about Jeffrey?"
     "Your husband represents something very special.  He's a lot more
than he appears - although he doesn't realize it yet."
     "I don't understand."
     Sodoshi smiled as her glow increased.  "He has something very
powerful outside the traditional Shinobi framework; the ability to
shape dreams."
     Nabiki scowled as she tried to see Jeffrey 'shaping dreams' -
whatever that meant.  An incredulous look Sodoshi's way prompted
further explanation.
     "In our society, there are those who can dream prophecies and
those who can act upon them.  But it is very rare to find one who can
do both.  Jeffrey's Western ways allow him to think beyond our limits,
his strong sense of morality guides his actions, and his Shinobi
training allows him to use those dreams himself.  Look to him, clan
sister.  He will provide those who follow us with a foundation unlike
any in history."
     "A business foundation?"
     Sodoshi glowed even brighter as her cover-girl smile lit up the
Tendo entrance way.  "And that's where you come in.  You have cunning
that is even beyond that usually found in our people.  Together, you
could shake nations."
     Nabiki shook her head and frowned.  "We're just a couple of kids
with a lot of money.  We're not powerful international financiers."
     "For now.  But things change, clan sister.  You and your husband
do not fear change like other Shinobi.  You welcome it and incorporate
it into your plans.  That is very special, Nabiki.  Never forget
that."
     Nabiki pursed her lips and grimaced as another thought occurred
to her.  "What about my daughter?"
     Sodoshi sighed like she knew what kind of reaction her thoughts
would cause.  "She has... potential."
     "Potential?"  Nabiki's eyes narrowed.
     "When I'm near her, I get a sense of something powerful,
something not seen among our people in 400 years."
     Nabiki now strongly suspected where this was all going.  "What
power?"
     Sodoshi appeared to swallow hard.  "She has the potential to
become the most accomplished shadow warrior our people have ever
produced."
     "NO!  I won't allow that!"  Nabiki's hands instinctively drew
themselves into fists.  Her eyes flashed with anger mixed with...
fear.  "She's NOT going to become a genin.  She's not!"
     "I don't understand, clan sister...."
     "Because of *you*," Nabiki hissed, her body vibrating.
     "Me?"
     "I didn't like you very much when we first met.  I tried, but you
made that impossible."  Sodoshi's glow dimmed at the reminder of her
past deeds.  Nabiki pressed on.  "In fact, after that day in the
Chaminade gymnasium, I hated you.  But after Jeffrey was attacked, I
saw in you something more noble, more innocent than before.  You were
as much a victim as I was.  You were a victim of a lifetime of
persecution.  You had become something that only unending heartbreak
could have created.  I could feel your fear, your loneliness.  You
were a little girl that desperately wished only for acceptance and
love."
     Sodoshi closed her eyes tightly and dimmed even more.
     "When I saw what it did to you - when I held you in my arms the
night you died, I swore I would never let something like that happen
again.  The idea of my daughter following your path --"
     "Your dreams..."
     Nabiki flashed a horrified look.  "You.... you've seen them?"
     "I... I couldn't help it.  They were so vivid, so horrifying." 
Sodoshi hung her head and dimmed to almost transparent.  "I saw the
night I died over and over again.  But instead of my body, you were
holding the body of your daughter."
     Nabiki closed her eyes tightly as the climax of the nightmare
she'd had almost every night since the birth of her daughter flashed
past.  It was as intense and terrifying as ever.  In the darkness she
could see the face of her daughter twisted into unbearable pain, smell
the unmistakable odor of death, and feel the death rattle of her only
child's last breath.  The entire package struck at Nabiki with a
ferocity unequaled in her sleep.  The pain stabbed home like a tanto,
slicing through her gut and shredding her soul.
     Nabiki gritted her teeth, her face twisting into a mask of stark
agony.  A tiny whimper blubbered free as the first of her tears fought
their way free, sliding quickly down her cheeks.  "Don't you EVER
enter my dreams again.  EVER!"
     "I've made mistakes in life, Nabiki.  Sodoshi needn't repeat my
errors --"
     "NO!  She will NOT repeat your mistakes because I won't allow her
to.  Do you hear me?  I won't allow it!"
     The two locked eyes - Nabiki projecting her defiance and Sodoshi
fishing for something she could use to convince her clan sister of how
baseless her fears were.  A deadlock appeared imminent until Sodoshi
saw something that caused her eyes to open wide with realization.
     "So that's why you haven't gotten closer to her --"
     "Stop it!" Nabiki growled.  She knew where this was going.  It
was a place she only saw in her worst nightmares.  It was a place she
refused to go willingly.
     Sodoshi's voice dropped and she spoke slowly.  "You fear she will
leave you like... your mother."
     "I said: STOP IT!" Nabiki screeched, her control lost as the scab
of her deepest fear was violently ripped away leaving behind raw,
exposed emotions.  Her hands repeatedly clinched into fists as she
stepped menacingly towards the spirit of her best friend.  Facing this
in her sleep was one thing.  Facing it wide awake in the home of her
late mother was too much.  "How dare you," she hissed.
     Sodoshi's blank stare seemed to look right through Nabiki, its
icy fingers brushing her soul and causing her to shudder.
     "My namesake must be trained.  Surely you know that."
     "Not in that way, Sodoshi.  It will NEVER happen that way.  Not
while I draw a breath will my daughter be trained to be what you were. 
NEVER!"
     "We shall see, clan sister - Elder of the Cold Moon Clan." 
Sodoshi's form dissolved away leaving only her ethereal voice echoing
from afar.  "We shall see."
     Nabiki continued to stare at the steps where her clan sister had
been seated, her body continuing to vibrate and her tears leaving deep
trails that glistened in the subdued light.  Nabiki sniffed and
growled once more.  "Never!"

     "Nabiki?" came Kasumi's voice from somewhere inside the house. 
"Who are you talking to?"
     The Elder of the Cold Moon Clan hesitated before quickly wiping
her face and trying to compose herself.  It wouldn't do for her to be
seen in such an emotional state - even by her oneechan.
     As Kasumi reached the entry hall, Nabiki forced a smile.  "It's
nothing, Oneechan.  I was just talking to myself."
     Kasumi calmly tucked her nightgown under her as she knelt on the
tatami mat in the doorway.  "Oh.  I thought you were talking to
someone out here.  Working through a problem?"
     "It's nothing," Nabiki repeated as she sniffed.
     Kasumi stared at her for a few moments.  It was clear she wasn't
fooled.  "You're upset.  What's wrong?"
     Nabiki tried to think of some excuse for making so much noise so
late at night but when she looked at her sister's motherly face, she
wanted to cry again.  Closing her eyes again, Nabiki sighed.  It was
time for some clan and sisterly support.
     "It's about... Sodoshi."
     "So-chan?"  Kasumi clutched her hands together at her chest. 
"Nothing's wrong, I hope."
     "No... not like that."  Nabiki slowly slumped back against the
cold wood wall at the bottom of the stairs and slid slowly until she
ended on the bottom stair.  Despite the warm summer air, the room was
still unnaturally cold.  "It's about her future."
     Kasumi tilted her head with a quizzical look.
     "Sodoshi is the last Shinobi-born member of our clan.  Jeff..." 
Nabiki paused as a pang of loneliness sparked through her.  "Jeff
insists Shdoshi needs to be trained."
     "Is that not proper?"
     "No!"  Nabiki's sudden declaration startled both sisters with its
vehemence.  "I don't want her to become a genin.  My daughter will NOT
follow her namesake as a damned shadow warrior."
     "Oh."  Kasumi's soft reply was accompanied by her bowed head and
a blank face.
     "Don't tell me you disagree."
     "I would never dispute the decision of an elder --"
     "I'm your sister!"
     "In that case, I think you're wrong."  Kasumi's voice was soft
and thoughtful.
     Nabiki stared incredulously at her oneechan.  She couldn't
believe her own sister was in favor of this nonsense.  Kasumi,
however, continued as if she didn't notice.
     "Allow me to explain.  I'm certain that Jeffrey would never do
something to cause his daughter to be harmed.  I also know that your
daughter is the last of our people... so far."  Kasumi blushed and
shyly covered her face for a brief moment.  "It is only proper she
learn what it is to be Shinobi.  Some fundamental training in the
basics of our people.  Perhaps... perhaps if you weren't so adamantly
opposed you could find a way to... be involved."
     "Are you nuts?"  Nabiki glared at her sister.  "Why would I want
to do THAT?"
     "Hear me out, please."  Kasumi hugged herself like she too could
feel the coolness of the entry hall.  "You could... direct the
training."
     Nabiki eyed her sister suspiciously.  She wasn't sure where this
was all going but was not inclined to stop before finding out. 
"Direct the training?"
     "You wish your daughter to be and elder-in-training.  I
understand that.  It's only proper."
     "So?"  Nabiki folded her arms and leaned against the stairway
wall.
     "Wouldn't it be better if she were to become a new kind of
Shinobi?"
     "New?"
     "You said we would create our clan in whatever image we wished. 
Why should we be bound by the traditional hierarchy of the ancient
Shinobi clans?"
     Nabiki frowned at the front door as she digested her sister's
words.  They made sense.  She didn't need to keep her daughter from
ALL kinds of training.  She simply needed to make sure Sodoshi learned
what *she* thought important.  "I could direct it?" she asked absently
as a faint replica of her usual sardonic grin slowly appeared.
     "Hai.  For the good of the clan, of course."
     "Of course."  Nabiki's grin grew as she further contemplated the
possibilities.  She had to admit, her sister was on to something.
     "In the mean time..."  Kasumi ran her hand lightly over the door
frame.  "We need to see about the remodeling."
     Nabiki sighed at the change of subject.  She had just focused on
a wonderful vision of her daughter, sitting behind a large desk,
terrorizing captains of industry and causing rival financiers to
blanch at the thought of crossing her.  "I suppose we could just use
the same contractor that rebuilt the clinic.  He's most reasonable and
does a good job."
     Kasumi nodded her agreement.  "His work is most satisfactory."
     "I'll call him in the morning."  Nabiki slowly untangled herself
and stood up.  It was late and she suddenly felt very tired.  Whatever
other troubles she might have, they could wait until morning.
     With softly offered excuses, Nabiki bid her sister good night and
trudged up the stairs.

*****

     Jeff had barely hung up the phone from Nabiki when he sensed the
presence of another person in the room with him.  With a sigh, he
centered himself for what he knew was coming.  Turning to face his
daughter, he displayed his best smile.  Sodoshi's worried frown was
all he got in return.
     "When is Mommy coming home?"
     Jeff started to say something but paused to reconsider.  What his
daughter needed right now was reassurance.  "Mommy is still helping
Aunt Akane.  She'll be home next week."
     Sodoshi's head seemed to drop towards her chest.  "Oh."
     "Hey, let's not let your mommy being away dampen our plans." 
Jeff dropped to his knees in front of his daughter.  "You still want
to go see the Arctic Foxes at the zoo?"
     Sodoshi nodded while she continued to pout at the floor.  It was
clear she held mixed emotions about the trip.
     Jeff tried to make things sound exciting, or at least pleasant,
for his daughter.  "And Rachel is going to take you shopping tomorrow
while I get some work done at the office.  You like shopping
with Rachel."
     "Yes Daddy."  Sodoshi's voice sounded almost mechanical.
     "We can go to the aquarium after that."
     "Okay."
     Jeff paused as his face dissolved into a hurt expression.  He
really wanted to do things with his daughter.  She needed a parent. 
But he also had a business to run.  Rachel could fill-in part of the
time but there were times when he simply *had* to be at the office. 
With a sigh, he pulled the dazed little girl into his arms and held
her tight.  He knew what she was going through but felt certain they
could work it out.  Nabiki would be home soon.  Her class schedule
wasn't all that demanding so she should be able to spend more time
with Sodoshi.
     Sodoshi's arms found their way around Jeff's neck and she
squeezed her father like she was afraid he might disappear too if she
let go.  For several seconds, father and daughter shared a hug.
     Slowly, Jeff disengaged himself and held his daughter at arms
length.  "Let's finish getting you dressed and we'll go see the foxes.
Okay?"
     Sodoshi nodded and obediently took her father's hand as they
walked back to her room.  It took only a few minutes to find her a
stylish short and shirt combination.  Like a child doing what was
expected of her, she dressed in a listless manner while Jeff picked up
some of her room.  Nabiki was never much of a housekeeper.  She was
also a rather messy person when left to her own devices.  It appeared
that her daughter took after her in that department.
     After running a brush through his daughter's long hair, he
stepped back and nodded his approval.  Sodoshi continued to look less
than excited.
     Thirty minutes later, they were in the Jeep Cherokee heading for
the zoo.  Jeff continued to talk like this was an exciting adventure. 
Sodoshi just sat quietly in her carseat, her little tummy rumbling.

     There was a line of cars waiting for the parking lot of the zoo
to open.  Jeff maneuvered his SUV into the line and patiently waited
for the line to move - all the while keeping up a steady monolog about
things he thought his daughter would be interested in.  Sodoshi, not
really interested in what her father was saying, idly rolled her head
over an looked out the side window.
     Her eye caught on a small family, their picnic spread out on the
grass.  As she watched, a young woman set out the food she'd packed
and appeared to be talking happily with a young man seated next to
her.  Moments later, a little girl, about her age, ran from the swings
to the picnic and appeared to jump on the man's back giggling, her
broad smile telling of her joy.  Sodoshi swallowed hard and sniffed
quietly as the man, she assumed to be the girl's father, rolled the
girl onto the grass and tickled her.  The girl's legs kicked excitedly
as the mother joined in an the three played freely on the grass.
     In her mind, the little family changed.  Instead of three
strangers, there was now her mommy and daddy playing happily with a
giggling Sodoshi.  A tear formed as she thought how much fun it would
be to do simple, happy things with her parents - both of them.  How
much fun it would be to have the undivided attention of both parents. 
Sodoshi bit her lip and tried to control how sad it was to see someone
else enjoying things she desperately wanted.
     It was then the first pain struck.  Like a red-hot poker in the
pit of her tiny stomach, it burned all the way through to her back
with a pain that caused the little girl to suddenly double up in her
car seat and cry out.
     "Owwwwwww!" she moaned loudly.  Her face turned red and her eyes
screwed tightly shut.
     Jeff's head snapped his daughter's direction with a startled look
on his face.  "What is it?"
     All she could do was repeat her cry of anguish and wrap her arms
around her midsection.  The pain was unbearable.
     "Oh my god! Oh my god!"  Jeff quickly started looking for some
way out of the line he was in.  "Hang on, sweetheart, I'll get you to
the doctor."
     With horn blaring, Jeff urged the oversized vehicle across the
opposite lane and over the curb as he tried to turn the Jeep around. 
Gunning the engine, he sped away from the zoo in search of a hospital.
     He'd gone only a few blocks when it occurred to him they were
closer to Sodoshi's pediatrician's office than a hospital.  Making a
snap decision, Jeff abruptly turned off the main street and ducked
down a few back streets - running stop signs and carving new routes
around stopped cars and trucks.
     It took him only a few minutes to arrive at the office of Dr.
Hedge.  To him, it seemed like hours as he listened with increasing
anxiety to his daughter's wails of distress.  It was clear something
was terribly wrong.
     Almost as the Jeep screeched to a halt, Jeff was out of the
driver's seat and opening the passenger side door.  Unbuckling her in
record time, he gathered her into his arms and lunged at the doctor's
office doors.
     Bursting through the door of the doctor's office like a policeman
in a drug raid, he looked in panic for help.  Sodoshi just continued
to cry, her little body trembling and convulsing in pain.  Help
arrived quickly in the form of the head nurse.
     "Mr. Lawrence, what's wrong?"  Her voice sounding calm but alert
to an obvious emergency situation.
     "I... I don't know.  One moment she was just sitting in the car
quietly and the next she was screaming in pain."
     "Bring her back here."  Nurse Daniel led the way back to an
examination room.  "Tell Dr. Hedge we have an emergency in Room 3,"
she called over her shoulder to the receptionist.
     Opening the door to Room 3, Nurse Daniel told Jeff to place his
daughter on the table and immediately began to help the little girl
out of her shirt.  "You better wait out front, Mr. Lawrence.  You'd
just be in the way here.  We'll let you know what's going on as soon
as Dr. Hedge sees her."
     Reluctantly, Jeff allowed himself to be shown the hall.  As he
tried to see over a second nurse who quickly arrived from another part
of the office, the door quietly shut.  The only thing he could hear as
he stood anxiously in the hallway was the screams of pain from his
daughter and the soothing but muffled sounds of the nurses as they
tried to calm the child.  Jeff slumped against the wall and rubbed his
eyes.  He couldn't believe this was happening.  His only daughter was
in pain - severe pain if her actions were anything to go by.  What
would Nabiki say if anything happened to So-chan?
     Jeff was trying to push his most depressing thoughts from his
mind when a friendly voice interrupted him.  "I hear we have a little
problem."
     Jeff spun around to see the smiling face of Dr. Jeanne Hedge as
she approached.  She calmly adjusted her oversized glasses while
listening to Jeff tell her about Sodoshi's sudden distress.  He must
have asked her three times in rapid succession what she thought was
the problem.  Dr. Hedge just politely repeated that she would have to
examine Sodoshi before making any initial estimations of the child's
condition.  Dismissed by the doctor, all Jeff could do was nod his
resignation and slowly begin to slump his way to the waiting room.
     For the next 30 minutes he paced nervously amongst the other
nervous parents and occasionally noisy young patients.  Each circuit
of the room concluded with a pause to look questioningly at the
hallway leading to Room 3.  He could no longer hear her daughter's
cries of distress but that failed to comfort him much.
     He was just about to ask the receptionist for the fifth time if
there was anything he could do to help when Dr. Hedge came to the
door.
     "Mr. Lawrence?"
     Jeff practically pounced on the doctor in his nervousness. 
"Yesyeswhat?"
     Dr. Hedge smiled through her annoyance at Jeff's reaction and
calmly asked him to follow her back to her office.  Inside, she closed
the door and offered him a seat.  Right away, Jeff suspected the
worst.
     "So what's her problem?  How bad is it?"
     Dr. Hedge calmly took her seat behind a cluttered desk and
flipped open the child's chart.  "It would appear that she's suffering
from an acute case of gastro-intestinal distress.  I don't suspect an
ulcer or anything, she's a little too young for that, but I am
concerned with finding out why she's having such problems."
     Jeff fidgeted nervously.  "What do you mean?"
     "Usually, when we see cases like this, the child is undergoing
some traumatic experience in her life.  It could be a divorce, the
death of a loved one, or..."  She paused to look sharply Jeff's
direction.  "Or even some forms of child abuse."
     "WHAT?"  Jeff's look of shock surprised even the doctor.  She
expected a denial but nothing so openly distressed.
     "I've checked Sodoshi and have found no evidence of physical
abuse."  Dr. Hedge nervously chewed on her lower lip before adjusting
her glasses and looking sternly at Jeffrey.  "I haven't ruled out
mental abuse."
     "This is insane!"  Jeff launched himself out of his chair, his
eyes wild with fear.  "I love my daughter.  We do things together all
the time.  We go to the zoo, the museum, the library... we even go to
the observatory."
     "All are excellent ways of entertaining someone in an educational
manner."
     "Then what have I been doing wrong?"
     "Mr. Lawrence, I only have the best interest of the child in
mind.  I am not suggesting you've somehow purposefully abused your
daughter.  She spoke very highly of your efforts on her behalf."
     Jeff made a weak, futile gesture of exasperation before slumping
back into the chair and covering his face with both hands.
     "Mr. Lawrence, I need to ask some questions about your home
life."  Dr. Hedge adjusted her glasses again as she pulled a form out
of her desk drawer.  She didn't look like this was something she
enjoyed doing.  "To begin with, what is Sodoshi's typical day?"
     "Typical?"  Jeff blinked at the floor as he tried to piece
together the various aspects of his daughter's day.  "She gets up with
us, has breakfast, I drop her off at the pre-school - she's attending
St. Catharines up by Chaminade - I pick her up afterwards and we
sometimes go out to eat.  We sometimes go to the library afterwards or
do some shopping - just the usual things; groceries, toiletries, and
the like.  She sometimes plays in our pool while I finish up my
business correspondence or try to handle a few of the details of my
job on the phone."
     "And what about her mother?  Does she work too?"
     "Nabiki?  No, she's a student at Chaminade."
     "Where is she now?"
     Jeff scowled at the carpet.  "In Japan."
     Dr. Hedge hesitated like she was uncertain she wanted to follow
where Jeff's answer led.  "Marital troubles?"
     Jeff looked up in shock.  "No, she's handling a family problem."
     "I see.  Has she been gone long?"
     "About three weeks.  She'll be back next week.  She has to.  Her
school starts then."
     "Does your wife do things with Sodoshi?"
     Jeff scowled again.  "Sometimes."
     "But not very often."
     All Jeff could do was nod.  It was such a simple but embarrassing
admission.  He felt like he was betraying his wife in answering. 
"She's trying.  Both of us are."
     "Is there ever a time when the child is left alone?"
     "No.  Never.  Either I'm with her or her mother or Rachel."
     "Who's Rachel?"
     "My... secretary."  Jeff grimaced at the thought of how that
probably appeared to the doctor.  "But she's also a good friend."  He
added the last in hopes it would convince the doctor it was all
alright.  It appeared to work as the doctor nodded while writing
something on the form.
     When she finished, she sighed, sat back in her chair, and
examined Jeffrey through half-opened eyes.  "Mr. Lawrence, your
daughter's problem is caused by her feelings of detachment from her
home life.  It's alright for adults to live the 'always on the go'
life-style, but children need a home with parents that are available." 
     She paused as Jeff hung his head and nodded weakly.  He had known
this was coming.  He and Nabiki had not been fully fair with their
daughter.  He knew it, he suspected Nabiki knew it, and Sodoshi was
just reacting to it.
     Dr. Hedge leaned forward, clasped her hands together and placed
them on her desk.  Licking her dry lips, a worried look crossed her
face.  "Ordinarily, I'd..."  She paused again - this time as if she
was considering her words carefully.  "Mr. Lawrence, I've known you
for almost five years.  We belong to the same country club.  I've seen
you many times in public.  I've always thought of you as a kind and
considerate person.  If it were anyone else, I'd write a report to the
state in a minute."  With a sudden move, she slapped her hand on the
report and made a fist.  "You and your wife need to settle a few
things concerning your daughter."
     Jeff closed his eyes and gritted his teeth.  Like a child being
disciplined, he braced himself.
     "Mr. Lawrence, every patient that comes into this clinic, rich or
poor, becomes someone very important to me.  Sodoshi is no exception -
despite your wealth.  That little girl needs parents that don't just
provide the material things but are willing to give of themselves. 
She needs parents that will look at things from a 4 year old's
perspective once in awhile."
     Dr. Hedge practically bolted from her chair, the report crumpled
in a waving fist.  Jeff actually pressed himself deeper into his chair
as he watched the doctor with apprehensive eyes.
     "Take her to the park.  Go on a picnic.  Take her to the beach. 
Do things NORMAL people do with children!  She doesn't understand why
her mother is always gone.  She doesn't understand why her father
can't spend more time with her.  But most of all, she's been holding
in her real feelings about you and your wife for so long it's effected
her physically.  In my considered medical opinion, her stomach
problems are the direct result of her treatment at home."  Dr. Hedge
paused and closed her eyes like she was trying to control herself.  It
appeared to work.  "What I'm saying here is that you need to take more
time to be with your daughter doing things *she* wants to do."
     "But I was just trying to engage her mind - develop her
observational and analytical skills."
     "Which are all fine except that she's FOUR YEARS OLD!"  Clearly,
she obviously thought Jeff missed the point.  "She's a child.  There's
just so much you can do educationally with someone that age.  She
needs to be entertained more than educated."
     "I just don't want her to grow up like so many other..."  Jeff
flapped his arms in frustration at not finding the right - or
acceptable - words to describe the shiftless type of kids he'd seen
since moving from Japan.
     Dr. Hedge sighed and leaned against her desk.  Running a hand
along the side of her head, she looked at Jeffrey with tired eyes. 
"Mr. Lawrence, do you allow her to eat lots of candy?"
     "No."
     "Do you allow her to stay up to all hours of the night?"
     "Of course not."
     "Why?"
     "It wouldn't be good for her."
     "Exactly.  Moderation, Mr. Lawrence.  Everything in moderation. 
Education for a child of this age should be handled in moderation. 
They have short attention spans.  They don't have the kinds of mental
foundation that older kids have.  A surprising amount of your
'educational' experiences are totally lost on your daughter because
she simply doesn't understand everything you're trying to teach her."
     Jeff scowled at the floor as he tried to acclimate everything the
doctor was saying.  He had to admit, she made sense.  He could
remember all the times Sodoshi acted bored when he took her on their
educational outings.  Perhaps the doctor was right.  Maybe he *was*
stifling the child in his rush to develop the young lady in Sodoshi.
     "I'm sorry, Mr. Lawrence.  It's just that I hate to see an
obviously intelligent and likeable child like Sodoshi get warped by
overambitious parents who mean well."
     Jeff nodded.  "Of course.  You're right."  He sighed.  "I thought
we were doing the right thing."
     Dr. Hedge leaned over and placed a hand on Jeff's shoulder.  "Let
her be a child.  They grow up so fast.  Don't cheat her out of her
childhood."
     Jeff flashed a weak, embarrassed smile before nodding again.
     "Fine."  Dr. Hedge stood up.  "Let's go get your daughter."
     "Doctor?" Jeff asked as he followed her to the door.  "Thank
you."
     Dr. Hedge snorted as she opened the door.  "Wait till you get my
bill."
     They chuckled lightly.  Both knew what happened in that room -
Jeff learned more about being a parent and Dr. Hedge saved a child
from a miserable childhood.  Today, everyone was walking away a
winner.
     "I understand you play golf.  You ought to join Dr. Wiseman and
me some time."
     "You play golf?"
     "Every Wednesday."
     "What's your handicap?"
     "Playing with Dr. Wiseman," she chuckled flashing a mischievous
smile.  "But don't tell him I said so."
     They were still laughing and telling stories about playing golf
with the irreverent obstetrician when Nurse Daniel arrived with
Sodoshi.  
     "We've given her a mild antacid," Nurse Daniel said as she handed
some samples to Jeff.  "She'll be fine.  Just watch what she eats for
a couple of days and have her drink lots of water."
     Jeff looked down at his serious-looking daughter.  "Feel okay?"
     Sodoshi nodded as she fingered the little sucker the nurse had
given her.  Jeff raised his eyebrows at the sight of the candy.
     Sodoshi caught her father's reaction.  "Can I, Daddy?" she shyly
asked, holding the sucker up in front of her so her Daddy could see.
     Jeff looked at Dr. Hedge.  "Of course.  Everything in
moderation."  Dr. Hedge nodded and smiled at the two.
     Sodoshi excitedly tore the covering off the candy and shoved it
happily into her mouth.  The three adults shared a laugh at the little
girl's reaction.
     "We better be going."  Jeff took his daughter's hand and led her
towards the waiting room.
     Sodoshi paused long enough to bow abruptly to the ladies. 
"Arigato Sensei," she gurgled around the sucker in her mouth.  Dr.
Hedge and Nurse Daniel grinned back while bowing in return.
     "Daddy?  Are we going back to the zoo?"  Sodoshi sounded slightly
apprehensive.
     "Perhaps another time.  What do you want to do?"
     Sodoshi pulled the sucker from her mouth and smacked her lips. 
"Picnic?"
     Jeff chuckled.  "Sounds like fun."

     As they watch Jeff and Sodoshi leave, Dr. Hedge crossed her arms
and leaned against the wall.  "Well, we've dealt with half the
problem."
     "Half?" Nurse Daniel asked with raised eyebrows.
     "Lyn, there's still the mother to consider.  I suspect she's
going to be even tougher to convince than Mr. Lawrence."
     "How so?"
     "She's Japanese.  They have strange ideas about child rearing."
     Nurse Daniel scowled at the door the Lawrences had disappeared
through as she considered the whole problem.
     "In any case, I think Mr. Lawrence understands now."  Dr. Hedge
pushed herself upright.  "Time will tell if he can convince his wife."
     Nurse Daniel nodded before checking her watch.  "We've got some
time before your next appointment.  How about lunch?"
     "You buying this time?"
     "On my salary?"
     "Don't start with me," Dr. Hedge chuckled as the two started
towards the next door deli.

*****

     "Ranma?"  Akane's soft voice accompanied her gentle stroking of
her husband's chest as they lay together in their new bed.
     "Mmmm?"  Ranma was obviously just this side of sleep.
     "I've been thinking."  Akane lifted her head from Ranma's arm and
supported herself on an elbow.  "I've overheard you and Daddy talking
about the new opening day for the dojo."  She paused to lick her lips. 
"I was just wondering if I could teach a couple of classes too. 
Nothing special.  I just want to do some children's classes."
     "Uh-huh," Ranma replied between slow, deep breaths.  Despite
Akane's request, he hadn't moved.
     "I really think we'll be a good team.  You can teach the men and
I'll take the children.  Maybe I could even do a women's class - just
for exercise, you understand."  Akane's voice was becoming excited as
she outlined her plans to the dozing Ranma.
     "Un-huh."
     "There's plenty of time available.  After all, men won't want to
take classes in the middle of the day.  Women will just love to have
the dojo for themselves.  I could even run an aerobics class or
something."  Akane was getting genuinely excited about the prospects. 
"I read in a magazine the other day that in America they do a kind of
exercise that looks like fighting.  I'll bet I could come up with some
kind of martial arts exercise for women that would be fun to do. 
Maybe we could even install an audio system to play tapes or CD's."
     "Uh-huh."
     Akane snuggled back onto his shoulder and draped her arm loosely
over his naked torso.  "I just knew you'd understand."
     "Mmmmm-mmmhmmguh."
     "Oh, I agree.  Daddy will be so pleased we're working together."

*****

     Jeff hurriedly dried his hands as he answered the doorbell.  He'd
been washing up the morning dishes with Sodoshi's help.
     He peeked through the window near the door to see who it was and
gasped at who he saw standing on the front porch.  Quickly, he moved
to open the door.
     "Good morning, Sister," he said with a slight, instinctive bow. 
"Nabiki's not here."
     "That's okay, Mr. Lawrence.  I've actually come to see you."
     Jeff froze in the doorway, his mouth idly trying a string of
possible responses.  In the end, he chose the one that took the least
effort.  "Oh?"
     "May I come in?" the young nun nodded to the living room.
     "Huh?"  Jeff's glazed expression quickly changed when he realized
he was blocking the nun's entrance.  "Of course."  He moved out of the
way as Sister Angelica quietly entered.  He paused at the door when he
noticed what was parked in his driveway.  "Uh, Sister.  How did you
get here?"
     "I had to drive myself.  Sister Mary Rose was busy and Sister
Margaret had choir practice."  Sister Angelica calmly made herself
comfortable on the family sofa while accounting for her presence.
     "You drove yourself?" Jeff asked while staring at a bright yellow
late-model Camero IROC-Z parked behind his Jeep.  It wasn't there
before Sister Angelica arrived.
     "Well..."  The young nun blushed, the fingers of one hand
instinctively covering her lips in embarrassment.  "I'm not supposed
to but I thought this needed to be done in person."
     "Nuns certainly travel in style now-a-days."  Jeff shut the door
and shook his head.
     "Oh, the car."  Sister Angelica giggled lightly.  "It was donated
to the mission last week by some dear soul.  It was the only
transportation available.  I told Father O'Malley I was going to wash
it.  I'll have it back before he knows it's missing."
     Jeff stared at the ecclesiastical car thief in his living room as
he took a seat across from her.  He'd heard Sister Angelica was a
bit... different than other nuns.  He just never expected one to be so
much like his wife in ethics.
     Sodoshi heard the nun's voice and came from the kitchen - a towel
over her shoulder.  "Shuudojo!" she happily called using the Japanese
word for a Catholic sister.
     "Ah, my little fighter," Sister Angelica happily called as she
returned Sodoshi's waist-deep bow with a simple nod.  A sudden thought
caused her to look Jeff's way.  "I hope you've forgiven us for the
unfortunate incident involving your daughter."
     "You mean the fight?"
     "We prefer to call them: altercations."
     "So I gather."
     "In any case, I understand the boy's parents were quite upset. 
How did that turn out?"  Sister Angelica gently guided Sodoshi in
front of her and happily brushed the girl's bangs like she was playing
with a large doll.
     "I left it to my lawyer, Mr. Bateman.  He tells me they've
developed a sudden disinterest in suing over the incident."
     "Yes, they've also removed their son from our school.  Most
distressing."  The nun looked over Sodoshi's attire and nodded her
approval.  "Of course, knowing your Mr. Bateman, I'm not surprised."
     Jeff frowned to himself as he tried to figure out just how the
nun knew his attorney.  "I want to thank you for not expelling my
daughter over it."
     "For a school-yard squabble?  If we did that, we'd soon be out of
students.  Children do those things, Mr. Lawrence.  Occasionally,
someone gets hurt.  Rarely, is it ever more than a few bumps or
bruised egos."  She smiled at Sodoshi.  "I'm certain that Miss Sodoshi
understands that next time she is to come get one of us."
     Sodoshi glanced at her father before nodding her agreement.
     "Fine.  Now the reason I've come all this way is I've had a
discussion with Doctor Hedge..."
     "You know Sodoshi's doctor?" Jeff interrupted.
     "We play bridge every Friday evening and she helps out down at
the orphanage."  Sister Angelica smiled knowingly - like this was
common knowledge.
     "Bridge?"
     Sister Angelica blushed and covered her mouth again.  "Well,
sometimes it's poker.  But don't tell the Mother Superior.  She'd be
terribly upset."
     Jeff blinked as he tried to imagine the young nun sitting around
a card table in a smoke-filled room sucking down cans of beer and
telling dirty stories.  At least, that's the way they did it on TV.
     "Anyway, I understand from Doctor Hedge that you and your wife
are in need of some regular help around the house.  She said you need
someone who can help with Sodoshi - making certain she gets regular
meals, gets proper exercise, and even a regular bath."
     "I take a bath every day," Sodoshi protested with a serious
scowl.
     Sister Angelica chuckled.  "Yes.  I'm quite certain you do.  I'm
just suggesting that you could use the help of a permanent
housekeeper.  I know how busy you are Mr. Lawrence and I also know how
Nabiki can be about housework.  She clearly indicated to me that she
would rather not do anything around the house."
     Jeff grimaced as he thought back to all the times Nabiki just
threw things into rooms and closed doors instead of putting them
properly away.  Whatever else he might have thought about Sister
Angelica's visit, she certainly had a point about Nabiki's
housekeeping skills - or lack thereof.  He wasn't much better,
preferring to spend his time taking care of Sodoshi.  As a result, the
house was usually let go until the cleaning lady came by on Tuesdays
and Thursdays.
     "The person I have in mind is from a large Chinese immigrant
family here in Honolulu.  She is the eldest daughter, about 20 I'd
imagine, speaks English tolerably well and used to work in a Japanese
restaurant in Hong Kong.  So I'm quite certain she'd do an excellent
job caring for Sodoshi."
     "I'd have to ask Nabiki," Jeff offered as he tried to come to
grips with having a stranger in his home on a daily basis.  He wasn't
totally adverse to the idea.  It was just he knew Nabiki and *she* was
unlikely to think kindly to having another woman running loose in her
house - Chinese or not.
     "Of course.  I understand."  Sister Angelica rose and smiled
again at Sodoshi.  "I'll have her come over when Nabiki returns from
Japan.  By the way, how soon do you think that will be?"
     "Oh, in another week or so."
     "Fine."  Sister Angelica flashed her famous 'Kasumi' smile Jeff's
way.  "I'll check with you in about a week."
     Grateful the Sister's visit was over, Jeff escorted the nun to
his front door.  Opening it, he thanked her for coming and added how
he was looking forward to meeting the new housekeeper.
     Jeff remained in the doorway and watched as the nun happily
hopped into the Camero.  With a sudden roar, the car came to life and
lurched backwards out into the street.  To Jeff's incredulous look,
the little yellow car spun it's tires and shot off down the street.
     "Well, that's something you don't see every day," he said to no
one in particular as he closed the door.  He was immediately
confronted by a scowling Sodoshi.
     "When is Mommy coming home?"  Her serious look and set jaw caused
Jeff to swallow hard.
     "Soon and she'll be bringing Aunt Akane and Uncle Ranma with her. 
Won't that be fun?"
     Sodoshi's face brightened at the mention of her Aunt Akane.  The
youngest Tendo daughter was clearly Sodoshi's favorite.
     "Now, let's get ready to go to the country club."  Jeff shooed
his daughter towards her bedroom.
     "Golf?" she asked as if she were only mildly interested.  It
wasn't true.  She liked to go with her Daddy to the golf course - for
a very good reason.  "Can I drive the cart?"
     "We'll see.  That reminds me.  I have to schedule your mother's
driving lessons.  I don't want her behind the wheel of a car without
getting proper instruction.  You know how your mother can be."
     Sodoshi just nodded and grinned.

*****

     Ranma crouched over the family table scowling as he nibbled
thoughtfully on his pencil.  The object of his concentration was a
piece of paper he occasionally made marks on between long pauses of
head scratching.
     The sound of a breaking plate in the kitchen caused him to glance
up for only a moment as Kasumi's firm voice admonished his wife's
clumsiness.  Akane could be heard apologizing over sounds of broken
plate being hastily gathered.  With a shake of his head, Ranma
returned to his paper, determined not to allow such outside
distractions prevent him from finishing.
     Moments later, Akane emerged from the kitchen wiping her hands on
a towel and wearing a satisfied grin.  "Well, that wasn't too bad.  I
only broke one plate this time."
     Ranma only grunted as he scratched his head and continued to
stare at his work.  Akane slowly worked her way around the table until
she could read what her husband was working on.  Over his shoulder,
she could make out what appeared to be a weekly schedule - a schedule
for classes in the dojo.
     "Whatcha working on?" she asked happily while flipping the towel
over her shoulder.
     Ranma paused without moving and slowly rolled his eyes towards
his wife.  "Nuthin."
     "Well it looks more like something to me."  Akane bent over and
supported herself with hands on her knees.  "It looks really
interesting."
     "Really?"  Ranma finally abandoned his study of the chart to look
at Akane with raised eyebrows.  He was still getting used to her being
properly submissive in a family environment.
     "I like how you've organized the dojo use with enough time
between classes to properly clean the place."
     "Yeah, well, I learned that from Inoue-sensei."  Ranma's voice
took on a sense of pride tinged with excitement as he pointed out how
each class was arranged so the lesser skilled students could observe
the more advanced classes while they were preparing themselves.  They
could also be required to help clean up after the more advanced
students - just to teach them proper respect for those with more
advanced skills.
     "So, where will my classes fit in?"  Akane's innocent question
caused Ranma to start sweating.
     "Classes?"  He paused to rub the back of his head.  "I suppose I
could work you in on Tuesdays and Thursdays."  Ranma waved a hand at
the schedule.  "But I really don't think you'll have time.  After all,
it really wouldn't be proper for my wife to be sweating in a dojo when
there are rooms to clean and laundry to do."
     Akane jerked upright and stared at Ranma.  He began to sweat even
harder.
     "What did you say?"  Her voice took on the more familiar tenor of
a small buzz-saw.
     Ranma swallowed hard.  "Well, it wouldn't look right for me, a
working man, to have his wife hanging around.  What would the other
men think?"
     "Who cares what those jerks think?"
     "Those *jerks* will be paying customers.  We *better* care what
they think otherwise that dojo will go back to being an empty shell
fit only for your tom-boy brick breaking."
     From there, the argument got REALLY interesting as two supposed
adults rapidly traded childish insults.

     Nabiki reached the bottom of the stairs just as Akane launched
into one of her screaming fits that had recently replaced her usual
mallet-to-the-head routine.  At first, Nabiki toyed with the idea of
going in and breaking it up - again.  But, since she intended to slip
out of the house unobserved anyway, this diversion would prove to be
just what she needed.  Adjusting the shoulder strap of her travel bag,
she shook her head as she slipped into her shoes and quietly left the
building.

     "You PROMISED, Ranma!"
     "When?"
     "Last night in bed!  I asked you if I could teach a couple of
classes for women during the day and you AGREED!"
     "I don't remember that!"
     "Well you did!"
     "Girls don't teach martial arts!  They cook and clean and take
care of babies."  Ranma almost bit off his tongue when he said that. 
His first clue that he'd gone too far came as Akane started to glow.

     Kasumi was just pouring herself a fresh cup of tea when there
came a loud 'bang' from the main room followed by a distant splash. 
Disgusted at spilling tea down the front of her clean apron, Kasumi
stomped out of the kitchen, her face set in a determined scowl.
     "Akane Saotome, how dare you do that in this house!"  Kasumi's
admonishment was tempered by the sight of a perfect cutout of Ranma's
body in the middle of the shoji and Akane's fierce look.
     One look at Kasumi's angry face caused Akane's anger to drain
from her body.  "I'm sorry, Oneechan," Akane moaned as her body
relaxed.  "It's just --"
     "--It's just nothing.  You know better than to do that inside.  I
thought you'd learned."  Kasumi crossed her arms and began tapping a
foot.  Akane's head dropped further at her sister's admonishment.
     The shoji suddenly slid open and a wet Ranma-chan glared inside. 
"What did ya do that for?"
     "Because you promised me I could teach in the dojo."  Akane's
voice began to rise again.
     "I was trying to sleep!  I can't be held to something you ask me
when I'm trying to sleep."  Ranma-chan waved her arms wildly flinging
droplets of water in all directions.  Kasumi grabbed her head with
both hands at the mess he/she was making.
     "You promised!"
     "I DID NOT!  There's no way my wife is going to embarrass me by
working a job!"
     Akane began to glow again.
     Kasumi immediately caught her sister's ki preparation.  "AKANE!"
     "All right!"  Akane's glow disappeared only to be replaced with a
large mallet.  Ranma-chan immediately recognized a losing proposition
when she saw one and bolted for the yard.
     Ignoring Kasumi's shouts to stop, Akane charged after her husband
swinging the mallet with practiced skill.
     "Come back here!"
     Ranma-chan bounded over the wall near the gate and disappeared. 
Akane chose the more lady-like departure and stormed through the gate
like a samurai on a mission.  Kasumi dashed to the front door and
flung it open just in time to see Akane's exit.  A couple of shouts of
surprise and an explosion of letters marked Akane's passage outside
the wall as she collided with the postman.  Kasumi groaned as she
watched Akane's progress.  A cloud of neighbor's laundry here and a
detonation of a passing yattai there followed by the expected angry
shouts.
     Kasumi just stood in the doorway and sighed heavily.  They had
been doing so well in recent weeks.  Ever since the marriage both had
exhibited the kind of behavior one would expect.  Now this.
     The contractor working on the upstairs addition waddled up behind
Kasumi and leaned heavily on his measuring staff.  He'd heard and seen
everything.
     "You want me to include repairs to the shoji in my estimate?"
     "Please."
     The contractor chuckled as he shook his head.  "They're quite a
pair."
     "Yes."  Kasumi slowly turned to stare at the man.  He got the
message.
     "Well, I guess I better get back to work," he said with a visible
gulp.  Kasumi looked to him like a woman not to be crossed and he was
certainly not anxious to find out what *that* was like.  "Shall I give
the estimate to you?"
     "No, my sister, Nabiki, is handling that."
     "I see."  He shuffled his feet nervously.  "I suppose it can wait
until she gets back."
     Kasumi frowned.  "What do you mean 'gets back'?"
     "She left a few minutes ago.  From the looks of the bag she was
carrying, I'd say she was going to be gone for some time."
     Kasumi's frown went from the nervous contractor to the stairs and
back again.  "I see," she said icily.
     "I can wait until you call me --"
     "That won't be necessary.  I'll see she gets it."  Kasumi didn't
wait for the contractor's response before turning abruptly and
disappearing back into the kitchen.
     "Whatever you say," he mumbled while fumbling for a cigarette. 
He had just placed it in his mouth when Kasumi's voice shot from the
kitchen.
     "There's no smoking in my house."
     Startled, the man quickly snatched the tobacco product from his
lips and stared towards the kitchen.  With a snort, he shook his head
and dismissed the whole incident as just a coincidence.  "This is one
freaky family," he muttered as he started up the stairs.
     "We are not!  We're Tendos."  Kasumi's voice startled the man so
much he bolted back up the stairs, his eyes wide with fear.  This WAS
a freaky family.

     Ranma-chan ran only a few blocks before she lost Akane in the
crowd.  Ducking around the corner of a building, she found herself in
a deserted alley.  She dodged down the alley, past a cart full of
rolled tatami mats, looking for someplace to hide.  Taking temporary
refuge behind a trash container, she crouched down against the ancient
back wall of a shop and gasped for breath.  She couldn't believe Akane
was acting this way.  She had been so reasonable of late.  Ranma-chan
couldn't believe Akane was getting so upset over fulfilling her wifely
duties while he worked in the dojo.
     "Hello, son-in-law," came a familiar voice from behind her.
     Spinning around quickly, Ranma-chan came face-to-face with
Cologne.  Whatever thoughts that might have been going through
Saotome's head were quickly dashed when she was hit with a bucketful
of very warm water.  Screaming in surprise, Ranma-chan stumbled out
into the middle of the alley only to come chest-to-chest with a
grinning Shampoo.
     "Nihao husband," she cooed happily while dropping the now empty
bucket.  She appeared to be fighting the natural urge to throw herself
into the waiting arms of her transforming husband.
     Ranma-chan vibrated through the transformation as she returned to
her normal, uncursed state.  She wasn't sure why but it seemed to hurt
more as he got older.  
     Staggering away while trying to maintain a fighting posture,
Ranma quickly discovered he couldn't walk straight.  The alley and all
in it were spinning furiously.  His vision began to blur and his mouth
went dry.
     "The water," Ranma gasped as he staggered towards the alley exit. 
     "Yes, it was in the water," Cologne answered nonchalantly.
     "Why?"  Ranma tripped over his own feet and landed heavily on the
dirty alley surface.
     "You did something unforgivable when you participated in that
sham ceremony with Akane Tendo.  You know our laws make you Shampoo's
husband."
     "I'm... I'm married," Ranma gasped as nausea welled up in him
causing him to sweat and take great gulps of air.
     "Yes, to Shampoo."
     "No."  Ranma's weak protest was lost when he collapsed
unconscious at the feet of Mousse.
     "Oh, poor husband."  Shampoo's pity was short lived as she turned
to scowl at Cologne.  "Why we use drug in water on husband?"
     "Because, my dear, he's less trouble that way."  Cologne smiled
like a contented cat.  "Now, you two roll him into the large tatami we
brought and load him into our cart."
     Moments later, an old pushcart left the alley.  To the odd
passerby, it was just a small party of Chinese pushing their filthy
wares to places unknown.  No one noticed the rolled up tatami on top
was a little larger than the rest.

*****

     It was late afternoon when Nabiki stepped off the bus in Iwasata. 
Pausing in front of the small bus stop, she frowned at her
surroundings.  It was little more than an updated village, each end of
town easily seen from the other.  The buildings that lined the one
paved street of the village appeared to contain both shops and living
space - such as it was.  Nabiki took a deep breath and easily
identified the unmistakable smells of farming.  What better place for
jizamurai, warriors living like farmers, she thought as she glanced at
the faces of those who ambled past at a pace far more leisurely than
city people.  Even the children seemed to move at a pace that
suggested controlled caution - as if the very act of running were to
blunder ahead without a plan.  The whole atmosphere suggested a tight-knit 
community wary of strangers and constantly alert for danger. 
Nabiki would have been especially alert had her natural warning
instincts been trying to caution her.  As it was, she got no feeling
of danger whatsoever.
     She considered just going directly to the old man's home.  She
still remembered its location from her last visit.  With a shake of
her head, she rejected barging in on him so late in the day.  He might
consider the intrusion unwelcome and feel obligated to give her
lodging.  She didn't want that.  She didn't want to be in any way
obligated to him any more than she already was.
     Self-consciously, Nabiki adjusted the strap of her bag on her
shoulder and set off in the direction of the most buildings.  Surely,
she'd find shelter for the night there and possibly even information
on the current status of Masaake Sato.
     As Nabiki navigated the side of the road, residents seemed to go
out of their way to avoid her.  Women would duck into buildings or
change directions suddenly, men would turn away in serious
conversations, and children would become active and run away in
silence - not in a blatantly obvious manner but one detectable by a
person such as Nabiki.
     Unable to find anyone on the street to ask directions, she
stopped into a small store front medical office.  Her entrance caused
waiting patients to bury their noses in magazines or shuffle out
through the door she had just used - always making sure to bow
politely but quickly.  Undaunted, Nabiki approached the older woman at
the desk.
     "Excuse me," Nabiki said in a voice that was firm but cordial. 
"Is there somewhere in this village I can stay for the evening?"
     The older woman suspiciously eyed Nabiki.  "We don't usually get
strangers in this town."
     "So I gather."
     "Are you certain you wish to remain here this evening?  We have
few facilities that would suit a person of your stature.  Another bus
will be by soon.  It goes down towards Tokyo.  I'm certain you'd be
more comfortable there."
     Nabiki started to react like someone just pulled her blouse off. 
How did this woman know of her 'status'?  Perhaps it was just a
reference to her obvious city manners, she thought.  In a display of
her ability to control her emotions under such conditions, she thanked
the woman but insisted she needed to stay the evening.
     "I suppose you could try old Mrs. Hamashita.  She sometimes has
rooms for strangers," the woman said with an icy voice.  It was clear
to Nabiki that the typical Japanese trait of hospitality didn't apply
in Iwasata - at least not where she was concerned.
     Thanking the woman and receiving directions, Nabiki quietly
returned to the street.  She paused in front of the building trying to
sense any feeling of danger.  Despite her best efforts, she failed to
detect any animosity from anyone.  There was just the overriding
feeling of wariness mixed with distrust.
     There was also something else.  Something she couldn't exactly
put her finger on.  As she walked to Mrs. Hamashita's place, she
searched for the key to whatever it was the made her uncomfortable
about the emotions of this place.  Instead, she was met with only a
vague feeling of discomfort.
     Arriving at the described building, Nabiki did a quick evaluation
of the place.  It was a moderately sized house with but a single floor
raised slightly off the ground by a series of supports making it look
like a giant bug with numerous legs.  Cautiously, Nabiki approached
the front door.
     Opening it, she called out a typical big-city greeting.  An old
woman's voice answered from the back of the building.  It sounded
irritated.
     "Yes?  What do you want?" the old lady asked as she entered the
front hall.
     "I was told you sometimes rent rooms for the evening.  I just
need a room for one night."
     The old lady eyed Nabiki suspiciously.  There was a long pause as
if the lady were trying to decide.  "Well, I suppose for one night I
could make something available."  The old lady turned and began to
waddle back down the hall.  Nabiki paused only long enough to adjust
the strap of her bag before following.  She tried to sense danger here
but was again met with nothing.
     After winding through a labyrinth of passages, far too many for
the size of house she saw from the outside, the old lady finally slid
open a panel and gestured towards the room inside.  "You may stay here
for the evening.  I hope you will forgive my humble accommodations."
     The old lady's expression of concern for Nabiki's comfort seemed
odd considering the way she'd 'welcomed' Nabiki into her home.
     Nabiki glanced back the way the had come.  "I'm sorry but I have
a terrible sense of direction.  I'm not certain I'd be able to find my
way to the front door again."
     "That won't be necessary.  You will use the back door."  The old
lady indicated a door at the end of the short hallway.  "I don't want
to advertise that you're staying here."
     Nabiki actually recoiled at the old lady's bluntness.  It was
something she didn't expect even from such a rural environment.  "I'm
sorry if my presence here offends you --"
     "It's not you personally, young lady," the old lady growled as
her hand shot forward and snatched Nabiki's amulet from its hiding
place.  "It's because of THIS."
     Nabiki's bag tumbled to the floor as she froze in fear.  The old
lady's grip on her chain seemed to tighten as her face changed into a
look of loathing.  "I'd heard some of you survived."
     "What do you mean?" Nabiki gasped as her mind whirled with
thoughts of her own demise.  She knew some Shinobi still harbored ill
will towards her clan.  She just never expected to be met with such
hatred.
     "You have a lot of nerve coming here after what you've done to
him."
     "Master Sato?"
     "He gave his life for you!"  The old lady's grip seemed to
tighten as her eyes flashed with anger.
     "I... I didn't know he'd died," Nabiki gasped as she fought the
old lady's unnatural strength.
     "He might as well be dead!  What you've done has left him an
empty shell."
     "I've... I just want to see him.  I want to explain --"
     "Explain WHAT?  There's nothing TO explain!"  The old lady
stopped pulling on Nabiki's chain and instead roughly pushed her
against the door frame.  "We tried to warn him.  We tried to stop him. 
But he insisted he owed you.  He insisted on going to the council
alone.  WHAT CURSE DO YOU HOLD OVER HIM, WITCH!"
     "I don't know why he did what he did.  I don't know why he would
sacrifice himself for me.  That's why I must see him."  Nabiki's voice
had become frantic, pleading.
     The old lady stared deeply into Nabiki's frightened eyes like she
was trying to fish something out of the younger woman's soul.
     As quickly as the incident had begun, it was over.  The old
lady's grip released and she stepped back.  "I want you gone by
morning.  Don't EVER come back here."
     Nabiki froze in fear at the venom of the old lady's warning.  All
she could do was stare as her attacker waddled back the way they'd
come.  Nabiki couldn't believe her sense of warning had failed her. 
She couldn't believe the hatred she'd encountered from a woman as old
as her 'Baba' Suzuki.  With a trembling hand, she tucked her amulet
back behind the folds of her blouse.
     It occurred to Nabiki she'd not been told where to look for
Master Sato.  Fighting her better judgement, she pushed herself
upright and started after the old lady.  She saw the woman turn a
corner of the hallway.  She was only a couple of steps behind the
woman when she turned the corner.
     "Excuse me," Nabiki called as she rounded the corner only to
screech to a halt at the empty hallway before her.  She stared wide
eyed  - her eyes darting from wall to wall.  Like a ghost, the old
lady had disappeared - vanished into thin air.
     Slowly, Nabiki began to back up.  She'd heard about Shinobi
houses with all their false walls, hidden panels, and secret passages. 
This was the old lady's home.  Like a spider in her own web, she knew
her territory well.
     With a shudder of cold fear, Nabiki quickly returned to her room
and slid the panel closed.  Flopping down on the futon, Nabiki pulled
her bag into an embrace and nervously scanned her accommodations.
     The room was totally devoid of any kind of decoration.  Nothing
broke the consistency of the room's smooth beige walls.  No pictures,
no scrolls, not even a blemish on the walls' surface.  There was also
no alcove for a shrine.  It was as if this room were built to provide
temporary lodging for those unworthy of more friendly surroundings. 
Nabiki swallowed hard.  She was unwelcome here; an outsider, a giajin. 
Her fear battled with her anger for control.  Her fear won.
     Instinctively, she called for help from the one person who could
do anything for her.  Surely, she wouldn't be denied because of her
clan position.  But try as she might, no Sodoshi Tanaka appeared.  It
was as if even *she* feared this center of Shinobi power.  The four
beige walls of her room took on the feeling of a prison cell.  Nabiki
was alone in a strange town, in a strange home, with no hope of
rescue.
     Slowly, as if she feared she was being watched, Nabiki crawled
into the futon and covered herself with the thin comforter.  With a
sniff, she reminded herself of all the times she lashed out at the
venerable Master Sato and how often she thought ill of him.  She had
been unfair, unjust, and irrational to him.  He didn't deserve all she
had accused him of.  As Jeffrey had said, he was the last truly
honorable Shinobi master and was now in disgrace because of her.  A
foreboding sense of gloom settled over her as she bit hard on her lip,
fighting her urge to cry.  She wasn't successful.  With the comforter
pulled over her head, Nabiki Tendo-Lawrence, Elder of the Cold Moon
Clan, cried herself to sleep.
     Mercifully, she wasn't visited by her usual nightmares.  She did
not hold the body of her daughter in her arms as the last flickers of
life slipped away.  She did not revisit the death of her mother.  She
slept soundly, peacefully.  It was a blessing for a woman lost in the
darkness of her past deeds.
     Instead of nightmares, she felt the strong arms of her husband
wrapped around her and his comforting voice as he reassured her,
making all her troubles disappear - if only for the night.  She felt
his breath on her cheek, the soft caress of his lips and smelled the
sweet fragrance of his presence.  Snuggling securely in his arms,
Nabiki slept, her pillow wet with her tears, her body aching from her
long absence from his embrace.

     The morning dawned clear in the central mountains of Japan.  In
Iwasata, the gentle sounds of a town awaking stirred Nabiki from the
warm embrace of her slumber.  As her eyes fluttered open, she scanned
the bare walls of her room.  Nothing had changed.  She was still in a
bare room, alone.
     With a sniff and a typical morning cough, Nabiki slowly sat up. 
The bed had been comfortable and warm but she knew there was a task to
be done and she wasn't going to accomplish anything by remaining in a
warm bed.  Besides, the old lady had told her to leave by morning.  
     As her mind sluggishly tried to figure out how she would go about
finding Master Sato, her eyes caught on a small tray placed just
inside the door of her room.  It was a tray of food.  Nothing special,
just some rice colored light amber by what appeared to be soft-boiled
egg.  Next to it was a cup of steaming tea and a tiny origami bird.
     Cautiously, she crawled over to the tray.  With nervous glances
around her, she was still not certain she wasn't being watched, she
cautiously picked up the steaming cup of tea and cradled it's rough
ceramic surface in the palm of her hand - allowing it's warmth to
spread over the exposed surface of her skin.  It's fragrance reminded
her of home - Kasumi's home - where she was greeted daily by the
comforting sounds of her family and the smells of Kasumi's cooking. 
As she took a sip of the tart tea, she wished she were back there
listening to Ranma and Akane fight, the fathers plot, and Kasumi
happily humming in the kitchen.  A tiny smile fluttered across her
face at the thought but changed into a frown as she noticed that the
tiny origami bird appeared to have some writing on its surface. 
Setting the cup down, she gently picked up the paper bird and examined
it closely.  Convinced there *was* writing wrapped in the intricate
folds of paper, she carefully unfolded the creation until she was left
holding a small sheet of paper.  On it was a short message: 'The one
you seek can be found at the shrine on the hill'.
     Carefully folding the paper before slipping it into her pants
pocket, Nabiki wordlessly thanked the old lady who obviously left the
clue to Master Sato's whereabouts.  Perhaps she'd misjudged the old
lady as well.
     She quickly finished the meager breakfast offered, gathered her
things and slipped quietly out of her room.  With cautious glances
back up the hallway, Nabiki quietly made her way to the back door. 
There she found her shoes neatly arranged and ready for her use. 
Well, she thought while slipping on her shoes, she certainly wanted
nothing to delay my departure.
     Cautiously, Nabiki pushed open the old door and breathed deeply
the fresh smells of a country morning.  The bright sun revealed a farm
field behind the old lady's home where people already were toiling. 
Like farmers had done for centuries, they were hard at work with the
coming sun, wasting none of the precious gifts offered by the sun
goddess.  Nabiki paused for only a moment to appreciate the continuous
movements of the men and women in the field before moving on.  She
couldn't shake the feeling that they all looked like they were going
through some complicated kata while going about their work.  Perhaps,
she thought, it was the basis of the famous Shinobi fighting skills. 
Perhaps, it was one of the ways the Shinobi became one with nature.
     Nabiki sighed deeply and adjusted the strap of her bag again
while she walked towards the edge of town.  She remembered he lived
with his granddaughter, the same one who had saved Jeffrey's life, on
the edge of the village.  For just a moment, she toyed with the idea
of approaching her first but rejected it by reminding herself that her
business was with Master Sato and not his granddaughter.
     "The shrine on the hill," she mumbled as she scanned the hills
around Iwasata.  
     It wasn't hard to find.  Perched on an imposing hill was a white
stone structure that had the unmistakable shape of a Shinobi shrine. 
From her vantage point, she could make out a dirt trail that led to a
series of white stone steps set carefully into the side of the hill to
make the climb easier.  If the old lady was right, this was the place
she'd find the one she'd come to see.
     It took almost half an hour to cross town and trudge up the 108
steps leading to the shrine.  At the top, she paused to catch her
breath and make a vow to resume her aerobics classes when she returned
to Hawaii.  She took that opportunity to look over this refuge of a
once mighty Shinobi master.
     It was simple, rustic, perhaps even a bit rundown.  Grass grew
between some of the stone blocks that made up the small entrance. 
Only a handful of prayer messages danced lightly from the lone cherry
tree out front where they'd been tied by some petitioner for good
luck, good grades, or some other need of the living.  The shrine
itself was small, about the size of the Tendo storage shed, but clean
and noble-looking.  It had obviously been well cared for.
     Remembering the proper way to approach a shrine, Nabiki stopped
at the cleansing fountain.  With long neglected skills, she purified
first her right hand, then her left before taking a mouthful of the
crisp, clear water.  Making sure to tap the ladle three times to
signify to the guardian spirits that she came properly purified,
Nabiki looked around for signs of life.
     Slowly, like she was trespassing, Nabiki mounted the last few
stairs to the shrine itself.  Looking around to make certain she was
unobserved, she hesitantly took the bell cord and gave it a tug.  The
high pitched discordant bells rang loud and clear across the hill
side, echoing back from the nearby mountains.  Clapping three times,
Nabiki bowed to the shrine and prayed for the departed spirits of
Jeffrey's recent clan.
     As she was praying, she heard someone slowly sweeping.  Opening
her eyes, she cocked her head trying to tell where the sounds were
coming from.  Bowing quickly, Nabiki cautiously crept around the
shrine.  On the back side, there was a small stone courtyard bounded
by a low white stone wall and a few stone benches.  Next to the
farthest bench was an old man slowly sweeping.  He was wearing the
clothes of a simple caretaker.  Even from behind, Nabiki knew who it
was.
     "Master Sato?" she called softly.
     The old man froze, still facing away from Nabiki.  "There is no
one here by that name, little one."  With agonizing slowness, the old
man resumed sweeping the courtyard blocks in front of him, carefully
removing any trace of dust and dirt.
     Nabiki's mind whirled with things she wanted to say but found it
difficult to utter a single syllable.
     "You've come a long way to pray at our humble shrine.  You honor
us with your presence.  We don't often get visitors of your stature,
little one."  Sato continued to sweep with his back to Nabiki. 
Whether or not he was receptive to Nabiki's visit couldn't be
determined from such an angle.  His voice, however, clearly sounded
sad and tired - like an old man lost in himself.
     "I've come to see you," was all Nabiki could think of to say.
     "Me?"  He paused his sweeping, raised his head and looked towards
the nearby mountains.  "I'm honored to receive a guest of such
stature."
     "Stop saying that!"  Nabiki finally threw caution to the wind. 
Dropping her bag.  She quickly crossed to where the old man stood with
his broom.  "I've come to see you because... because..."  She couldn't
bring herself to say the things in her heart.
     Sato hung his head.  "It is not proper for you to humble yourself
before one such as me.  Your position --"
     "My position?" Nabiki grimaced.  "Forget my position.  I'm Nabiki
Tendo-Lawrence.  I'm the wife of your adopted son.  I'm family."
     "Quite true.  Nevertheless, you are also --"
     Nabiki quickly moved in front of Sato and looked at him
purposefully.  "I'm also the person who's come to beg your forgiveness
for what I've done to you."
     Sato just shook his head.  "Have you so totally abandoned our
ways?"
     "No, but I've come because I was worried about you.  I wronged
you.  I've wronged you so many times I don't know how I'll ever make
it up to you."  Nabiki flapped her arms in frustration.  "Don't shut
me out."
     "Is this the way of your 'new clan' that you talked about at the
council?"  Sato turned slowly and sat heavily on the stone bench.
     "I don't know."  Nabiki hugged herself and took a couple of steps
away from Sato.  His reaction to her only fed her frustration.
     "Perhaps if you prayed for guidance --"
     Nabiki spun around placed her hands on her hips and glared at the
former Shinobi Master.  "That's not what I meant and you know it.  I
came to apologize for all the things bad I've done to you, all the
careless things I've said to you, and all the dark things I've thought
about you."  Taking a purposeful step towards Sato, Nabiki crossed her
arms and assumed a posture she'd often used when confronting her
husband when he acted foolishly.  "I'm sorry."
     Sato looked up at Nabiki.  His eyes looked sad and tired.  "You
are most gracious to admit such.  Knowing your errors is the first
step to learning from them."
     Nabiki sighed loudly.  "You sound like Jeffrey."
     Sato gently set his broom on the ground and clasp his hands
together in his lap.  "It's good to hear young Jeffrey learned his
lessons so well."
     Nabiki snorted and shook her head.  "He uses that same bit of
philosophy on Sodoshi."
     "Ah yes, your child."  Sato nodded knowingly.  "Children are
truly a blessing of the gods."
     Nabiki knelt down in front of Sato and looked up at the aging
former Master.  "Jeffrey speaks often of you.  He's worried about you
as well."
     "I... survive."
     "I gather from the reactions of those in the village you're
considered either a martyr or a pariah."
     Sato looked past Nabiki towards the village in the valley below. 
"I have brought shame on their village.  They allow me this last
refuge in consideration of my past deeds on their behalf.  Nothing
more."
     "Shame?" Nabiki gasped in shock.
     "I renounced my position in the clan.  Because of that, I'm an
outcast among my own people."
     "This is insane!"
     "This is the way of my people."
     "Do they, at least, allow you to live in your own home?"
     "Yes, I still live with my granddaughter.  She is an adult now
but has chosen to stay with me caring for my simple needs."  Sato
grimaced and sadly looked at Nabiki.  "She's paid a heavy price in
this village for her loyalty.  She will have to move away in order to
find a suitable husband.  None of the young men here will have
anything to do with her."
     "I can't believe such cruelty --"
     "It's not cruelty, little one.  It's the way of our people."
     Nabiki shook her head and looked down at her hands.  "It's still
not right to visit on her their disagreements with you."
     Sato chuckled sadly.  "You still don't understand us, do you?"
     "Maybe not but I'm willing to learn."
     Sato looked deeply into Nabiki's eyes.  "You sound like your
sister."
     "Akane?"
     "She came to me with the same sense of humility and desire to
learn."
     "I've seen what you've taught her," Nabiki said sarcastically.
     Sato shook his head sadly.  "You don't understand.  I don't teach
people anything.  I only guide them so they can look inside themselves
to find who they truly are.  Your sister would not be able to channel
ki so well if she had not the ability to do so to begin with."
     Nabiki scowled and cocked her head in a questioning manner.
     "Do you remember our first meeting in Hawaii?  I told you then
that each child of a Shinobi woman inherited a piece of her skills. 
Your sister has buried deep inside her the fighting ability of a
Master.  She doesn't fully realize her abilities yet."  Sato paused to
smile at Nabiki.  "Just as you don't fully realize your own
potential."
     Nabiki wrinkled her nose and turned her head away.
     "You cannot deny it, little one.  Just as you are the result of a
great prophesy, you have powers yet untapped.  The reason they remain
so is because you refuse to look in the one place you fear most; that
dark corner where you keep your most frightening nightmares.  It is
only there you will find your full abilities."
     Nabiki's horrified look only caused Sato to smile reassuringly.
     "You are not yet ready for such a dangerous journey.  You still
have much to do to prepare yourself."  Sato sighed and struggled to
his feet.  "Until that time, I have duties to perform here."
     Nabiki watched as Sato waddled towards the shrine.  "What about
Sodoshi?"  She surprised even herself at what she was suggesting. 
Until this morning, she was adamantly opposed to such a proposition.
     "I cannot."
     "But you trained Jeffrey, her father."
     "He was of my clan.  Your daughter is not."
     "She needs to know what it means to be Shinobi."
     Sato stopped and slowly turned to look seriously at Nabiki. 
"Like you?"
     Nabiki grimaced and hung her head.  "Yes.  Like me."
     "Look to your husband, little one.  He will train your child
properly."
     "And me?"
     Sato chuckled.  "You still don't see it, do you?  You stand
before an open door and refuse to enter."
     "I don't understand."
     "Do you honestly believe that you and your sisters married by
chance?"  Sato advanced towards Nabiki, his eyes bright with the
knowledge of Nabiki's heritage.  "Each of you married the one person
who could help you realize your full potential, provide you with
children who would be full Shinobi, and make your clan able to prosper
while the other clans fade with their ignorance.  Don't you see?"
     Nabiki's mind sifted and sorted what Sato said as she tried to
fit all the parts together.  She married Jeffrey because... because...
of love?
     Sato shook his head as if he could still read her mind. 
"Destiny, little one.  Think of destiny.  You married Jeffrey because
he is your equal in cunning and leadership.  Just as Akane's
husband..."  Sato waved his hand in confused gesture.  "... the
Chinese kid with the bad haircut --"
     "Ranma and he's Japanese."
     "Whatever.  He's her equal in combat."
     "To say the least," Nabiki muttered with raised eyebrows.
     "And your older sister, Kasumi.  She married one who can feel the
suffering of others, just as she can, and has skills in healing that
every clan must have.  Don't you see?  This has all been set in place
400 years ago.  You are the legacy of your people.  You are the only
ones who can rebuild your clan.  Each of your sisters and their
husbands will provide you with a piece that, when combined, make for a
clan unlike any before.  Your power will be...."  He made another
gesture like he couldn't find the right word to describe the magnitude
of power he envisioned.
     "And that's why the other clans fear us."
     "Yes."
     "Instead of something I might have found in the monk's cave."
     "Yes."
     "And my daughter can be trained as something other than a genin."
     "Yes.  Do you see now?"
     Sato's final question was answered by Nabiki's sudden embrace.
     "Here, here, little one.  You are an elder.  Please show a little
decorum."
     Nabiki hastily released Sato, stepped back, and bowed
respectfully to him.  Her smile only partially expressing her relief
and joy at his news about Sodoshi.
     "That's better," he said returning her formality.  "However, I
fail to understand just why the matter of your daughter's training
should elicit such a response."
     "I think it's part of that dark corner you talked about."  Nabiki
grinned.
     Sato thought about her answer for a moment before concluding it
must be something he missed.  He decided it would be a proper topic
for further investigation.  "You must have lunch with me.  My daughter
will be home soon and makes a most satisfactory meal.  I'm certain she
would welcome your company."
     "Yes, I have never thanked her properly for what she did for
Jeffrey... and me."
     Sato chuckled and shook his head in exasperation.  "You still
have things to learn, little one."
     They departed the shrine and worked their way down the hill
towards Sato's home on the edge of town.  Nabiki only half-listened as
he described the many interesting features of the shrine.  She was
happily concluding that she finally had a handle on who she was and
what her life meant.  She was also certain that she had turned a
corner in that life and able to put the last of her fears behind her.
     She couldn't have been more wrong.


[ To be continued... ]