A/N: This chapter is probably full of more ooc’ness then anyone cares to read but bear with it. Drama ahead as well, hopefully not too cliché. I’ve started a forum in my profile for people to discuses and comment more easily on my works, feel free to visit. Thanks again for the reviews and C2 invites, feel free to correct any mistakes I may have made.

Also a big thanks to brindani for prereading and correcting many mistakes.

Please

- chapter 2 -

Nabiki was frustrated and more then a bit confused. It had been two weeks since that night, two weeks of her demonstrating her power, two weeks of Ranma absolutely not caring. No mater how many rumors she spread, no mater how much trouble she brought his way, he still handled and accepted it with his regular gusto. In fact she could even say he was enjoying the additional attention, she was starting to suspect Ranma was a masochist. It would certainly explain his foot-in-mouth syndrome.

Her hands tightened into small fists as she watched from the second story window with her two closest lackeys, observing Ranma who was currently submerged in battle with Ryouga and Kunou. Every moment her eyes lingered on the taunting marital artist, her need to hit something grew. Perhaps this is what Akane had always felt around him, she wasn’t sure. All she knew was her plan was defiantly not working.

“Hitomi, Yuriko. Find some dirt on Ranma, anything I don’t care. Profits been lax recently, we need to stir things up a bit.” Nabiki coldly ordered her lackeys only to receiving no reply.

“Well?” she glanced at them expectantly.

“But…” Hitomi started.

“Haven’t we been doing that all week?” Yuriko finished.

“Yea and we haven’t found anything yet.” Hitomi whined.

“Exactly girls, yet.” Nabiki turned back to the fight which had moved beyond the school gates or more precisely, through them. Setting her jaw, she could only glare in defiance as her insides turned and fluttered with unease. She had finely come to the conclusion Ranma was a Monster, plain and simple. Maybe not the big bad boogieman that hid under her bed, but unlike the boogieman Ranma wasn’t a dream and could easily reach out and touch her.

“But don’t you think you have been too hard on Ranma lately?” Hitomi began after several moments.

“Yea, did he do something?” Yuriko and Hitomi shared a glance full of silent assumptions and communication, as one they suddenly gasped and stared at Nabiki.

“Did he and Akane finally!?” Nabiki face faulted against the window.

“Oh my god they did!” The two squealed and hugged each other in discovery of a tasty morsel of gossip.

“Are you two perverted old men?” Nabiki deadpanned rubbing her soar forehead and glaring daggers. “Of course they haven’t done that!” The two looked crestfallen and pouted slightly.

Honestly, thinking Ranma and Akane would… The very thought made Nabiki smile and restrain a laugh. Even if the time came for them to have a honeymoon, she was reassembly sure nothing would come of it, at least not without divine intervention. Until her little sis got over her ‘all men are perverts’ there was little hope of a happy relationship between her and Ranma.

“I guess your right; I mean Ranma isn’t the type of guy to take advantage of a girl, is he?” Hitomi spoke, receiving earnest nodding from Yuriko.

“If you think about it, wouldn’t Akane be the one to take advantage?” Yuriko added as Hitomi seriously considered the opinion.

“Akane does have that dominatrix quality about her, oh I feel sorry for poor Ranma.” The two hung their head in sympathy.

“What the hell are you two talking about?” Nabiki sweat dropped catching the last part of the conversation as her lackeys began to mourn Ranma.

--

Ranma-chan smiled arrogantly as she leisurely reentered the school grounds; ignoring Pchan who was latched onto the scruff of her shirt, defiantly oinking and refusing to allow her to flee their duel.

“Yeah, yeah whatever you say Ryouga, how long do you plan to stay there anyway?” Ranma-chan scuffed as she had long since given up dislodging the stubborn pig; she only hoped Akane wouldn’t get the wrong idea again. Speaking of Akane.

“Hey Akane.” Ranma-chan called as Akane intercepted her at the entrance to the school. Surprisingly, she seemed happy for a change; usually after a fight, Akane would scold or reprimand her and worse if another fiancée had gotten involved. Thinking about it, there had been quite an increase in her rival’s attacks, surprising few of them involving her fiancées.

“Ranma want to have lunch together?” Akane smiled holding out an abento. Ranma’s danger sense blared until she noticed the tiny stitched duck on the corner of the covering cloth. A secret sign from Kasumi telling the family it was not Akane’s cooking; Kasumi was scary at times with her forethought and insightfulness.

“Yea sure why not.” Ranma-chan beamed “I’ma go change back, be right back Akane.” Ranma made to enter the building till she noticed a quickly growing killing intent, one all too familiar.

“Akane?” Ranma-chan blinked, tuning before slowly backed away from her glowing fiancée.

“Ranma… Just what do you think you’re doing to Pchan!?” Akane growled dangerously.

“Ah what? Hey wait, he’s the one…” Ranma-chan never got the chance to explain as a mallet floored her, the traitorous pig bounding happily into Akane’s arms, his revenge complete.

“I think I’ll have lunch with Pchan instead.” Akane humped as she walled away, Pchan giving her the red-eye over Akane’s shoulder. She could only glare daggers as she recovered and dusted herself off.

“Like I wanted to have lunch with her anyway.” She grumbled before entering the school, she had intended to buy her lunch today in any case. Patting her pockets, she froze, not finding her yen. Franticly she turned them inside-out, not even a lump of lint remained. With a frustrated cry she hung her head and resigned herself, it wasn’t the first time she lost her lunch money while battling all out with the goon squad. Usually Akane would help her out but in her current mood, there was only one option left if she wished to eat.

Of course, she dreaded her only hope. Since that night with Nabiki Ranma-chan had done her best to stay off the radar. Nabiki hadn’t brought it up the few times they had bumped into each other, so perhaps everything was ok now. Ranma-chan smiled, it was nice that someone, for once, didn’t hold a grudge against her. Nabiki wasn’t so bad after all.

--

“Hey Nabiki, ya got a minute?” Nabiki froze like a statue before slowly turning towards the voice. There, hanging upside-down outside of her classroom window, was Ranma. The suddenness and casualness of it put her on edge; it was the same as that night.

“What do you want Ranma?” She turned back to her obento, cursing herself for sending her Lackeys away just moments before Ranma’s arrival. She had encountered Ranma several times since that night; each time he got close, she became paranoid that he’d see through her lies and discover just how intimidated she was. Luckily for her Ranma Saotome was denser then a brick. Still it didn’t make interacting with him any more comfortable.

“Well you see, I lost my lunch money.” Ranma laughed nervously after flipping expertly into the room, hair damp from recently changing back to his male-half. Nabiki in reply stared indifferently at him for several moments, causing him to shift nervously before continuing. “So you think you can lend me, just this one time?”

“Ranma Saotome” Nabiki leaned back with a sing song voice “the greatest martial artist in the world has had his lunch money stolen?” She smiled slyly at Ranma’s scandalized expression, open mouth and wide-eyed before giving her a glare which sent sudden and unwanted chills up her spine.

For an instant Nabiki felt terror, two weeks ago she would have smiled and accepted it, a complement of her skill and position. But now it felt so different, terrifyingly different. Too often had she seen that same glare directed at Ranma’s rivals, usually followed by intense battles even for Nerima standards. It was only credit to her years of practice that she was able to keep her cool.

“No one stole it!” Ranma denied earnestly. “I said I lost it. When I was battling Kunou and Ryouga.” Nabiki playing her part widened her smile even as she felt no amusement, only a growing sense of dread as Ranma became tense with anger.

“And what’s to say nether stole it Saotome?” Nabiki continued crossing her arms over her chest. “It would only take a moment of distraction; even you Saotome can’t see everything that happens in a battle.” Nabiki shook her head smiling brightly.

“I said no one stole it!’ Ranma full of denial and irritation slammed his hand down on Nabiki’s desk casing her obento to jump; if he hadn’t been distracted with catching it he’d of noticed Nabiki had as well.

“Fine fine.” Nabiki relented and withdrew a few yen coins from her pocket as she internally shook and swore to herself for being so stupid. She should have just given Ranma the money so he could go and leave her alone, why was she purposely irritating him? It was getting her exactly what she didn’t want right now, Ranma’s attention. Holding the coins out she smiled brightly.

“Here you go Ranma, now if the big bad bully’s try and take your lunch money again, come tell onni-san and she will make it all better.” Nabiki paled even as she spoke unable to stop herself, screaming internally as she used her baby talk voice, treating Ranma like a child. He hated that voice.

Ranma just glared at her before tuning away with a humph, throwing his hand out towards her, on her part Nabiki watched in slow-motion heart stopped at the action. This has happened before it was a little game of theirs, irritating Ranma enough to make him swipe at the money only to missing. She had always anticipated and evaded his futile attempts, but this time was different. This time she was too scared to pull away, too stunned to even think.

SLAP! Clink clink clink.

The echo of the slap filled the room. The clinking and chiming of the coins as they bounced off the desk, window, and floor driving the event home. Nabiki stared ahead blankly dead inside without thought as her hand began to sting still held motionless over the desk. Ranma stared in utter disbelief, the silence lengthening as the dull hum of a single rolling coin making its escape across the room, only to slow, tremble, and fall flat with a tiny tink of submission.

“Nabiki… I’m…” Ranma reached out.

“Don’t touch me!” Nabiki screamed and bolted from the room in blind panic, no longer thinking and no longer caring. Her hand, it hurt but she only cradled it to her chest as she ran without destination. Tears unknowingly building in the corners of her eyes and slowly jumping free as shock and disbelief assaulted her, Ranma had hurt her, he had actually hurt her. It wasn’t a lie, how could he have… why did he? God.. She had to get away she had to hide… He hurt her… Why?

Her mind screamed in terror and anguish as she came to a dead-end, the school roof surprisingly barren of any student activity. There was no exit here, no freedom or safety nowhere to hide. Hearing footsteps behind her she darted around behind the roof access, was it Ranma? It was Ranma it could only be Ranma…

“Nabiki, you up here?” Ranma called, guilt thick in his voice from the other side of the roof-access, she didn’t respond. She didn’t even hear his words. “Look I’m sorry ok?” She stiffened as the voice sounded partway around the access closer… closer… She cradled her hurt hand in a death grip to her chest easily feeling her racing heartbeat; he was going to find her, he was right there, around the corner. There was no way for him to miss her… She bit her lip hard, completely amerced in her terror having never felt so trapped in her life, never so weak and undefended. She wanted to die, to melt away, and to be gone from existence so Ranma could not find her. Pease don’t let him find me… please…

“Ranma! For the love of Akane Tendou and the pig-tailed girl I challenge you!” Kunou bellowed bursting from the roof access, taking Ranma by surprise.

“Hey wait a minute, I aint got time for this. Hey watch it!” Ranma stricken with guilt evaded Kunou’s attacks just barely, the battle forcing Ranma further and further from Nabiki’s sanctuary.

“ahah! An opening!” Kunou stuck forward at an unsuspecting Ranma who jumped just in the nick of time. Sadly the momentum carried him well beyond the reach of the school roof and fell landing with a roaring splash in the school pool.

“My perseverance has not been in vain for the gods have favored me this day, I have won.” Kunou stood tall, proud full of self worth several moments before peering over the edge of the roof.

“My precious Pig-tailed girl is in need of rescue! Never fear, my beloved, for I shall save you.” He screamed franticly ruining any dignity he might have gained before vanishing back into the school.

Kunou’s noisy exit broke Nabiki from the urgency of her panic. Trembled she fell against the wall, slowly sliding to her knees before losing the last shreds of her strength and began to cry, loudly and anguished hiding behind her hands. No thoughts made themselves known as she gave in fully to the chaotic aftermath of her terror and the overwhelming relief that followed. Her image, her masks; they meant nothing at this single moment in time, nothing did. All that existed was herself.

--

Kasumi frowned softly as Nabiki entered the house; it was very unusual for her to be home so early, not even Ranma or Akane had arrived yet. Nabiki always stayed for her after school ‘activity’s’, maybe something happened?

“I’m home.” Nabiki called.

“Welcome home.” Kasumi replied cheerfully as Nabiki passed the dinning room sparing her a glance.

It only took that one glance to tell something was wrong, though there was no outward signs, Kasumi knew the truth. Long years of caring for her family had allowed her to develop that maternal 6th sense only a partner shared with their children. She also knew Nabiki well, better then Nabiki would probably ever suspect. Her little sister wouldn’t come to her for help or advice, and if approached, would shun it. It was with sad acceptance that Kasumi changed the dinner menu, they would be having Nabiki’s favorite tonight, and hoped for the best.

--

“Ranma, what is it? You have been acting strange.” Akane frowned, as Ranma continued to walk beside her absent-mindedly with his hands behind his head, staring off into the distance.

“Nothing.” He answered off handedly scuffing at the question, which irritated her. Something was going on and Ranma wasn’t being honest, ever since school Ranma had been following her around like a lost puppy. He didn’t even bat an eye when she said she was going shopping. He hated going shopping with her, but this time he gave no argument and willing followed. Not even when she, on a whim, dragged him into the panties shop to pick up a few things did he comment or protest. She stopped and turned towards Ranma angrily. Ranma froze for a moment before hopping back, taking a defensive stance, probably afraid she was about to mallet him.

“I know something is going on so tell me.” She demanded, if it had something to do with his other fiancées… grrrrrr.

“Look nothings going on alright?” Ranma whined, relieved at not being malleted.

“Then something happened!” Akane growled “Was it one of your fiancées? Do you have a date with Shampoo lined up, spending time with me to throw my suspicion off when you go prancing with one of your cute fiancées?”

“What? No, who said anything about a date with shampoo! Nothing’s going on and nothing happened alright? Sheesh, your such an uncute tomboy.” Ranma walked past Akane knowing full well what awaited him, taking one for the greater good.

“Ranma you baka!” It was only after Akane collected the discarded bags Ranma had carried and stormed off that he sighed. There was no way he could tell Akane what happened, least not till he figured out someway to fix it. Letting his guard down like that, he could of hurt Nabiki, or even worse did hurt her.

“And why the heck did she scream ‘don’t touch me’ not like I meant to hurt her or anything.” Ranma frowned full of guilt. If he hadn’t turned, he’d of seen Nabiki wasn’t able to pull away, she wasn’t a martial artist like him. He assumed it was her little game they had been playing expecting to meet only air but he hadn’t. The realization as his had hit hers, had hit him harder then any of Akane’s mallets.

It was the first time ever he had hit a defenseless or unarmed person, the sickening sensation was still stuck with him; His hand meeting Nabiki’s much smaller, much softer hand, the gentle silky warmth and the instant give as it was brutally knocked aside throwing her offering everywhere. He hadn’t been gentle either, there was no real strength in the swipe but his irritation gave it speed, the bulk of his arm alone added more force then should have been used.

Then when he tried to follow her, god knows why she ran in the first place; he had cornered her on the roof. It was almost amusing that she hid behind the roof-access from him, and somewhat cute but the seriousness of the situation was too much, so much so that he had been completely caught off guard by Kunou’s surprise attack. It was only after he climbed from the pool that he decided it would be best to wait till later.

Experience with Akane showed 9 times out of 10 that it’s better to let things settle a bit before approaching them. But this whole situation was brand new, its not like he ever had to apologies for hitting someone before. He was a martial artist after all it’s what he did. Also there was that open mouth disbelieving look Nabiki had had the entire time, it hurt. It truly hurt to see anyone with such a face directed at him, it felt like he broke something or lost something at that moment. Her eyes dead and wide as if she had just been told the sky was in fact green and was proven true.

Mournfully he decided to head home. With any luck he could start off a brawl with his old man to lighten his mood. Later tonight he would go see Nabiki after dinner and make sure to use the door this time, there was no way he was going to make that mistake again. It was the blessing of Kami-sama himself that he only got off with a 500 yen surcharge.

--

Since arriving home form school Nabiki had hidden herself away in her room, finding comfort in her covers, safe from the boogieman and Ranma. For the longest time she rested there, devoid of thought or action until finely her mind began to wake. Curled tightly in her covers she slowly became lost in thought, no longer an emotional wreak.

Shortly after her fit on the roof she was able to recover, if not fully, just enough to fool thoughts around her giving no indication that something had accrued over lunch. Inside she felt numb and empty, shocked. Not from Ranma, that had passed sometime during the school hours. No it was sock that she had felt that strongly at all. Never in her life had she felt such terror, never felt the raw unclouded panic or any emotion for that mater that could completely possess her blocking out all reason.

It felt surreal now. Had it really happened? Was her mind just lying to her? She of could just as easily went to the roof in frustration… as apposed to fleeing for her life. No… she shook her head. She was rational enough to recognize truth; she had indeed felt thoughts emotions and fled from Ranma. Too think she was even capable of feeling such strong emotions… Nabiki rolled over, pulling her covers closer, bearing herself deeper into their safe loving embrace.

What was she to do now? How was she supposed to deal with Ranma? Had he seen the state she was in? He had to of. He was Ranma after all. What did he think seeing her in tears, did he feel guilt, or was it a burden. All the girls that surrounded his life cried whether for attention, from frustration, or out of opportunity. They had all cried and each time Ranma was left confused and off center; jumping threw hoops to make things right. Was she just a burden for Ranma, something his honor demanded him to fix but wish he hadn’t had to deal with? She didn’t know, and she was more then a bit frustrated that she cared.

Ranma was going to come to her soon, if not before dinner then after. She was sure he wouldn’t leave something like this unattended or neglected till tomorrow if the fights involving Akane had any indication. Would she be ready to see him? Could she even look him in the eye knowing he saw her broken and weak, crying like a newborn, where was her pride?

It stunned her as she thought that, right now, she didn’t care. Her pride, her image, it didn’t mean anything. The masks and the position she had painstakingly built for herself could just disappear, vanish. What did it matter? Why should it? She laughed, and the sudden sound in her silent room startled her. Was this what it was like? Being broken? Was her world being shattered such a tragic event? Why not slit her wrist right now? Oh but that would be to cliché.

Nabiki rolled over once more, mood slightly lightened by her childish thoughts. Still it was shocking to see herself laid-open completely bear of reason, inhibitions, or responsibility. The years of wearing her masks had set her in a path she couldn’t break free even if she wished it, keeping her emotions hidden from herself, her thoughts purely for amusement and profit, since when had her personality become so cardboard, and two-dimensional?

When was the last time she thought of something other the profit or personal gain? When’s the last time she dreamed of something that didn’t involve fame and riches? She couldn’t answer; she couldn’t answer because she had never thought about them, not in the longest time. It may have been because she considered the typical high-school girl’s wish list to be to immature or unattractive, devoid of profit.

What about a boyfriend? She had not once given that thought, before or after Ranma had arrived. Did she intend to become an old maid or perhaps a cat lady? The goals she set in life and the path she was walking would not lead her to a happy relationship, if one at all. Did having a partner in life make it worth living? Who knew, but did she want to run the risk of never knowing? The fact she had never saw a partner in the future told her she had no desire, or need for one. Still, even if she could live a solitary life, should she not at least sample the alternative?

She laughed again staring at her hand that had fallen free from the protective bundle of covers, the one Ranma had hit. To think such a small thing could unravel her and make her rethink her life, damn Ranma… She swore and thought about him again; concentrating on him, imaging him beside her now, feeling the intimidation and fear build within her. She had to sit up and scan her room suddenly to assure herself she had only been imaging.

In truth she still had no reason why she feared Ranma; rationally there was nothing about him to cause fear. Could it be at just how illogical it was, for one person to be capable of so much? It was insane, sheer insanity to accept what Ranma was capable of at face value. If he could do what he dose already, then why not more? Or could he already do much more and keeps it hidden from the world.

The sheer chaos and uncertainty that surrounded Ranma was a plague on Nabiki’s mind. Her world was one of facts and numbers, hard proof and explanations. While with Ranma it never had to make sense and rarely did. Nothing that surrounded Ranma could be considered rational or simple. Perhaps that was the true reason for her fears, and it had already been realized. The fear that Ranma would bring his chaos and uncertainty into her order, tipping her off balance to fall out of control without a guiding light.

Right now, she was lost. Shamelessly she could admit that to herself. After today could she return to the normal? Could she continue the way things have always been, even long before Ranma arrived? Or should she forfeit the losing battle and grab onto the chaos that surrounds Ranma, and ride out the storm, taking a completely undefined path in life full of unknowns. It was a surprise at how exhilarating the thought felt, something new and perhaps dangerous. If she where to take a new path and fall there would be no recovering, no contingency plans to save her, no safe path back. Could she live life on the edge? Could she handle going day to day without a plan, without a goal. Taking things head on and breaking threw them with will alone? Able to accept defeat when it finally came? She sighed heavily, she didn’t know.

“It must be about time for dinner.” She thought aloud before a knock sounded at her door.

“Nabiki its time for dinner.” She heard Akane speak and trail off, not waiting for a reply as she left for the first floor.

Resigned to her fate Nabiki tossed her covers aside and striped from her school cloths, slipping into her lose shorts and baggy t-shirt before checking her window as an after thought. She wondered how Ranma would react when she arrived and prayed he wouldn’t make a scene, and just how was she gong to react? Like nothing happened, of course.

--

‘So-far so good.’ Nabiki thought as dinner progressed smoothly if quietly. Ranma wasn’t showing the same motivation and skill in his food fighting. Something Genma was taking full advantage of. Akane was quiet a well, quietly fuming at Ranma. For a moment she was afraid Akane knew what happened, but it didn’t seem likely. Ranma wasn’t one to share his problems so unless Akane witnessed the act, she had no way of knowing.

“Nabiki, would you like another bowl?” Nabiki blinked at Kasumi’s sudden question. Nabiki nodded and thanked her. She had thought her appetite would be small but surprising, dinner had turned out to be her favorite. Something she just couldn’t resist.

Accepting her newly filled bowl her eyes crossed Ranma’s. She nearly dropped the dish, fortunately no one notice. No one except Ranma who had been watching her, had he been watching her the whole meal? She hoped not, but now that she thought about it, she could feel Ranma’s eyes. Even after looking up to find Ranma once again fighting with his father she could not shake the feeling that he was watching her and it frustrated her. Did it have something to do with the arts? Could he somehow watch someone without looking?

Now that she thought about it, she remembered Akane talking about the very same thing. One warm afternoon when she had been lounging on the boardwalk with a manga Akane had sat down besides her toweling her hair from a fresh bath. They had started a conversation she couldn’t remember the specifics but towards the end, Akane had begun to talk about the arts and how she could sometimes feel things, and people without knowing they where there, a sort of 6th sense. Nabiki wondered idly if she had continued the arts, could she do things like that?

“Daddy, will you teach me the family art?” The words echoed around the deathly silent room, she had to take a moment to register what she had asked. Looking around, everyone was staring stunned or amazed, even Kasumi that wore an unidentifiably expression. It took several moments for anyone to recover.

“You want to learn the arts sis?” Akane asked in true surprise, remembering the conversation they had share two weeks ago where Nabiki had off handedly wondered if she should have continued the arts. Nabiki didn’t reply as she was hitting rewind furiously in her mind, as to exactly why she asked but her mind was suddenly blank.

“Um well” Soun coughed, caught completely off guard. “The family arts?”

“I can teach you a few things.” Akane offered, causing Ranma to invulnerably laugh.

“You teach, that’s a good one Akane.” Ranma smirked in true amusement.

“You jerk! I may not be as good as you, but I’m still good. I’m sure there’s plenty I can teach Nabiki.” Akane argued and glared daggers.

“That’s certainly true.” Soun spoke up suddenly “I’m sure your sister would be a wonderful teacher.”

Nabiki frowned at her father’s words, ‘you’re always taking the easy way out’ she thought. When she noticed Ranma scuffing at her fathers words as well her mind was set, even Ranma agreed if for different reasons.

“No I want you to teach me daddy.” Nabiki left no room for argument as she adopted her sugar sweet voice. The tension noticeably climbing as all turned towards Soun. Everyone knew the reason he didn’t teach anymore. This was the first time since their mother’s death that anyone had confronted him.

“Nabiki dear, you know I don’t teach anymore.” Soun laughed lightly, sweating buckets, but showed no signs of giving in.

“Yeah, sides Nabiki, what could your old man teach you after being settled down here for so long? If you really want to learn the arts you should have me or pops teach ya.” Ranma said off handedly.

Damn it Ranma, Nabiki swore with true anger. You never know when to mind your own business. Akane and Kasumi favored Ranma with matching expressions, Nabiki almost felt bad at Ranma’s startled look when he got the point.

“I have to agree with Ranma.” Soun shamelessly admitted, even sounding proud.

“I don’t want to learn the Saotome arts; I want to learn the Family’s.” Nabiki continued cheerfully hiding her internal battle. Soun seemed turn inwards, perhaps to think of an escape or a valid reason to turn her down.

“Very soon the Saotome’s art will be the families.” Soun beamed as if it would solve the situation. Akane growled but remained silent, Ranma didn’t need another hint.

“Daddy, I want to learn the arts like you taught me as a girl, when mom used to watch us. I want to learn them again.” Nabiki’s internal battle raged on a massive scale, there were no more words she could say or add. Anything more and she would lose her battle. Soun seemed taken aback and contemplated it for several minutes; no one spoke or moved, afraid of what might happen in such a tense atmosphere.

“Nabiki I’m sorry.” Was all he said, sitting stoically for the first time in a long time serious. Nabiki knew she lost, her battle a devastating defeat, and her father would learn victory isn’t always for the best.

“I’m sorry.” Nabiki whispered head down as she was unable to hide her anger, fists clenching almost tearing into her shorts. “I’m sorry.” She repeated as the others around the table looked on mournfully, somehow expecting or predicting the coming outcome. Kasumi looked away not wanting to bear the site, Akane followed suit by lowering her head in sympathy.

There was no illusion that of the three, Nabiki had been dealt the worst card from their mother’s death. They knew one day things would surface, but not like this. Neither of the sisters flinched as the dinning room was filled with the crashing of plates, victim to Nabiki’s rage.

“Your sorry!” Nabiki cried, truly cried, tears of pain and betrayal glaring at her father full of hate and spite. How dare he say he’s sorry. “How dare you say you’re sorry! How dare you!”

“Nabiki!’ Soun taken aback and stunned gasped not understanding.

“Do you think you’re the only one who suffered when mom died!? Do you?” Nabiki screamed another dish victim to her fury, shatter against the wall behind her father, too angry to see straight. “Answer me!”

“Nabiki! Please calm down!” Soun begged.

“What have you done since mom died? Nothing! Who had to take care of you when you wouldn’t eat, and refused to teach? Us! All you did was cry and hide, leaving real life to us; we never got a chance to cry, we never had time to mourn mom’s death taking care of you and your responsibilities!” Soun was too shocked to continue pleading with Nabiki, only able to absorb the brunt of the attacks.

“Do you even remember Kasumi quitting school!? Or getting part time jobs to support the family? All alone Kasumi had to dress us and make our lunches every day before escorting us to school. Like mom did, and when she got home she would have to clean up after you and feed you like a baby! Do you remember!?

How many months did she keep that up? Countless, between us, you, and the jobs Kasumi had nothing! Nothing but this hell! And even then pampered like a baby free of all responsibility you tried to take your own life! Did you plan to abandon us? Kasumi couldn’t chance it and had to quit the jobs, the only source of income we had!

How could you be so selfish? Even Akane, day after day Akane would sit by your side asking you to teach her, asking where mom was. She wouldn’t listen to me or Kasumi she wanted you to tell her, our father to tell her. But you never did, NEVER! You let her beg, beg till she stopped asking and then finely stopped caring! Do you have any idea what it felt like hearing her say she didn’t care if mom was coming back or not? That she didn’t care because you never told her!?”

Nabiki had to stop and cover her eyes as wailing sobs broke through her, rivaled to the ones she had shed earlier on the roof. She had never realized how much she truly hated their father. How much suffering he caused their family. Her words where not doing justice, she wanted her father to know, to feel every ounce of hate and pain he had caused, but found only sobs.

“What do you think would have happened to the family if I hadn’t found your Stipend?” Nabiki cried prepared for another assault, and drew both Akane’s and Kasumi’s gazes instantly, this was the first they knew of it. They would bare the sight of their sister in pain, they had to for her sake.

“Kasumi was killing herself taking care of your responsibilities, and Akane refused to recognize mom’s death. I was alone, completely alone, I tried everything I could to help, everything! I took over dressing and schooling for us, helped buy groceries and cook but I only got in the way or made things worse for Kasumi.

Things got so bad that we would live on rice for weeks, not able to afford anything else. When Akane ruined her school uniform from fighting, Kasumi went so far as to stop eating to save the extra yen to repair it! She stopped eating just so we could afford cloths! And.. and then!” Nabiki threw her clay tea cup at her father, smashing over his arm he raised barely in time.

“You tried to kill yourself! Kasumi was devastated; she had no choice but to quit her jobs to take care of you! Do you remember mom’s pearl earnings? The ones she gave me on her deathbed? I had to sell them, sell them for a fraction of their value on some low-end street corner just so we could eat! I told her I made it at school from some games! She scolded me for gambling and grounded me!”

Kasumi covered her mouth as her own tears flowed, remembering the pair well and how much Nabiki cherished them at the time, and also remembered the grounding. It was far more then a scolding, she remembered it clearly how she and screamed and yelled as if Nabiki had been the cause of their problems, the frustration of their useless father and the stress of maintaining the home warring through, how their mother would be ashamed of her for gambling.

She remembered when she tucked Nabiki in that night how she pulled away. From that day on a rift formed between them, one that would never be repaired. Had she known that Nabiki had sold the earrings out of desperation… her own personal gift from their mother she would have died. The thought even now hurt too much to bear.

“But there was nothing else I could do! We had no income! I finally found your stipend when I was going through mom’s jewelry to sell. It was right there! Kasumi was a mess; I couldn’t bear to see it. So I took it on myself, and began paying the bills. It was barely enough to catch us up, and maintain the dojo! I had to find other ways to make money. Kasumi in taking care of you forgot completely about the bills, when I started to bring money home she accepted it, even knowing where it came from because there was no other hope.

Do you know how much work it was for me to make food money? The stipend only covered the dojo’s expenses, day after day I’d have to gamble, bully, and steal just so we could eat. Several times I was brought home by teachers and police who caught me in the act. Kasumi would always deal with them since you where useless! Do you think I wanted this? Even now you sit there drinking your tea and eating the meals Kasumi dutifully prepares, all the while not giving a single thought or care to how they got here!

Do you think all the bills magically went away? That they disappeared just like mom had? While you have been sitting there gorging yourself and playing games, I’ve been providing for this family, every day since mom died! And the first time any of us asked something of you, you say you’re sorry. You don’t even have a right to be.”

With that Nabiki left the room, followed closely my Akane who was franticly trying to comfort her. The rage the anger boiling inside her, she wanted to die. She just wanted to die.

- end -

Stipend: is an allowance for living expenses. Examples of these expenses include, but are not limited to, rent, utilities, incidentals, etc.

Soun is on the city council and it’s reasonable to assume he’s paid a stipend for the position that would cover his living expenses. Making Nabiki’s position in the anime and manga much more realistic in the sum of money she brings in for the family. She doesn’t have to pay the mortgage or utilities from her exploits at school.