It is a painful thing to lose ones own memories and not know what drives them to go to the last place they knew yet don’t remember. For our resident red headed martial artist, it’s the only thing she had any recollection of. The memory of both her mother and father were not there. Nor what her name was, nor where she had lived prior to that. The only thing she had to point her in any direction was an old picture that was no longer discernable except for scribbling on the back that read: “... and Tendo Family, Tendo School of Anything Goes, Nerima, Japan.” This is what drove her to make the trek from China back to Japan.

A Lost Heart

Chapter 2

It’s Anything Goes

If one person is tangled in themselves and it’s called a human pretzel, then what in the hell is this? Nabiki thought about this for a bit as she carefully untangled herself from the still sleeping form of Ranko. Though her alarm clock was not due to go off for another two hours her joints were screaming at her again for the pain she was putting them through. Just as she was about to pull her arm free Ranko’s face contorted into fear and her hold on Nabiki felt like a large set of vice grips had just closed on it. Deciding she wouldn’t mind getting another couple hours anyway she laid back down and let Ranko snuggle into her side.

“You poor thing,” Nabiki whispered as she brushed at Ranko’s hair, “though I’m sure everywhere you go you get nothing but pity. I won’t give you that though, I’ll do my best to make sure you feel safe and welcome anywhere we go.”

Ranko opened her eyes and smiled, “Thank you, Nabiki.”

Nabiki sighed, “And just how long have you been awake?”

Ranko smiled, disarming Nabiki with her soft timid voice, “Ever since you started untying yourself from me.” Ranko was now trying her best to look cute and was playing her first fingers against each other.

Nabiki just smiled, “Hm, you win this round. I’m thinking of going for a jog if you wanna tag along.” And to clear my thoughts, thought Nabiki. Ranko smiled again and nodded.

Nabiki climbed out of bed and grabbed two sets of sweat suits and tossed one to Ranko who was seemed like one swift move had changed clothes.

Nabiki changed slower and soon after they both headed downstairs and met up with Akane, “Hey sis, you don’t mind if Ranko joins us do ya?”

Akane silently shook her head.

“Thanks sis.”

Ranko smiled at Akane before sitting down and putting on her shoes. Soon they headed out.

The morning job was quiet. A good thing considering Nabiki's need for thinking. I don't get it, thoughts of last night swam through her head, even the first time I saw her I wanted to grab her and hold her close. Then after she woke up, the poor thing didn't know who she was, but she knew where to find us. I ran to her without thinking. Nabiki was starting to get frustrated, I consoled her in the bathroom, I had my camera on me but didn't even think to take a picture. That frightened look in her eye almost broke me as well. In the bedroom we talked for hours, I've never been able to stand more then 10 minutes with anyone other then family. She gets through my walls and then there's that warmth when I'm with her. Damnit all I even offered to by her clothes last night!

Nabiki ended her train of thoughts there with a silent curse as she saw they were reaching home.

As they returned all three of them went straight to the dojo, “Hey I know this Tai-Chi exercise that’s great for cooling down.” Ranko was definitely doing better then yesterday.

Ranko went through the form first and then Akane and Nabiki joined in. It was 15 minutes before Kasumi called for breakfast. The three of them headed off to the dining area, Nabiki and Ranko lightly holding hands on the way there.

Ranko took a seat in between Kasumi and Nabiki as both of them motioned for her to sit next to them, Nabiki silently cursing herself once again. Akane sat next to Nabiki and Soun sat on the other side going over his student roster.

“Hm,” he seemed to muse for a bit. “Akane, do you think it’s time for Ayaki to proceed to the next stage of training.”

Akane thought for a bit and nodded, “She knows the form well enough I think.”

Soun nodded and made a few markings next to her name.

As Akane finished with breakfast she got up and headed to her room to get ready for school.

Once Ranko and Nabiki finished, Nabiki led Ranko up to her room to pick out clothes for the day. “Don’t worry if they don’t fit, you can wear whatever we buy from the store. Once we’re done with our baths we’ll head out.” Nabiki picked up her camera about to take a picture of Ranko in the tight shirt but something inside of her stopped that from happening and she silently berated herself, Great, is this what they call a conscience?

They spent most of the day in the mall. The first thing the two did was shop for clothes, they both picked out similar outfits and found they both had similar tastes. The outfit Ranko decided to wear around consisted of leather boots that came halfway to her knees, a leather mini-skirt, a white blouse and a leather vest. At first Nabiki didn’t think the entire ensemble would work but it most definitely did on Ranko.

The next place they stopped was the music store. As they began to browse and sample the different styles Ranko decided that she seemed to like Pop better then any of the rest.

Nabiki just shrugged and thought to herself, Oh well, can’t like the same things all the time. She sighed inwardly, What am I doing, I'm looking forward to the things we share in common. She was distracted from her thoughts.

“Hey Nabiki! Who’s this?” Ranko had picked up a cd of a band known as Bad Luck.

“Bad Luck? Rumor has it they’re an up and coming band. It’s been all over the news lately that the lead singer, Shuichi Shindo, is involved with the famous author, Eiri Yuki. If you ask me it’s the only reason that they hit a million copies so quickly.”

Ranko nodded then smiled, “I love his hair cut,” she absent-mindedly ran her fingers through her own hair.

Nabiki smiled then grabbed up a copy of Bad Luck, ASK, then Nittle Grasper. Dragging Ranko along, she paid for the cd’s then headed for a barber’s. Showing the barber the picture of Shuichi, Ranko was now sporting a brand new hair cut that Nabiki approved of looking good on both her male and female forms.

Lunch finally came around and the two of them were sitting in a private booth in a quiet restaurant. Even though Ranko ordered she hadn’t even touched her food and before long was starting to get worried looks from Nabiki. Why isn't she eating? Nabiki could once again feel her emotions fighting against each other, Why am I worrying? This is going to far, last night I agreed to spend money on her and I lost track of how much. Today was supposed to be just like business but I was having fun, I bought things FOR HER that she didn't even ask for, and now I'm worrying about her.

A second voice broke her train of thought, it was if the voice was saying that Ranko needed comforting and that she needed to give that comfort.

Nabiki finally gave in to her curiosity and placing a finger under Ranko’s chin lifting her eyes up, “Hey, what’s wrong?”

Ranko just sighed, “It’s just, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all of this. But it’s all so sudden, er... it doesn’t feel that way, but...”

Nabiki laid her hand on top of Ranko’s, “You know you’re really cute when you’re flustered.”

Ranko just blushed and Nabiki giggled at that.

Ranko’s spirits seemed to raise though as she stared at her shopping companion.

As they were finishing Nabiki ordered 3 special’s to go and after paying headed straight home. Though that didn’t stop Ranko from finding the nearest Chinese tailor and with a certain amount of begging and pouting eyes talked Nabiki into getting three more pairs of what she was first wearing when she showed up. I'm doing it again, she thought.

Later that evening Nabiki had informed Ranko that they’d be going to the same school.

Ranko seemed to tense up a little bit but still just smiled and nodded.

She followed Nabiki to the dojo and watched as Soun instructed his students and was amazed at how closely it resembled her own style.

After a bit she stood up and bowed to Soun, “Sensei Tendo,” it was said with such earnest that the entire dojo just seemed to stop. “Sensei, please forgive me for interrupting but I need to see something. Please allow me a sparring partner.”

Mr. Tendo seemed to think for a bit but before he could answer (and as per usual Akane’s jumping to conclusions) Akane offered herself.

The students all scattered to the side walls while Soun and Nabiki took their places at the head of the dojo.

Ranko placed her hands in her pockets and walked to the center meeting Akane’s determined gaze with her own cool and calm look.

Soun laid out the rules, “The first one to score a hit anywhere on the body wins. Fight!”

The fight commenced with Akane going immediately on the offensive and Ranko easily dodging, This is almost to coincidental, the slender red head thought to herself. Ranko leapt easily over Akane and kicked with her left foot. Akane blocked and attacked again getting more and more frustrated with each miss. Ranko thought to try and step it up a notch and pulled her hands out of her pockets now trying to exploit the holes in Akane’s defense. Akane easily sidestepped the punches and countered with her own. Ranko decided to start backing up, as she did she saw her chance. One of Akane’s punches had gone errant during her frustration and Ranko connected with her stomach. “Match!” Soun yelled as he stood and walked over to the pair.

“Where did you learn that style? It’s...”

Ranko cut him off, “Exactly like the Anything Goes Style. Yeah, I know...” She trailed off before running back into the house and upstairs to Nabiki’s room.

Moments later Nabiki walked in, “That was... amazing.” Nabiki sat down on the bed and rubbed Ranko’s back, “So, wanna talk about it? Or do I have to tickle it out of you?”

Ranko laid still, “You wouldn’t.”

“Oh wouldn’t I?” Nabiki started poking at Ranko’s side getting her a whine in protest. Nabiki found this highly amusing so she poked again getting yet another, higher pitched whine and Ranko kicking the bed several times.

“Ok Ranko you asked for it. Tendo School of Anything Goes Final Attack: The Tickle Torture.” Ranko looked up just in time to see Nabiki leap at her and start tickling her sides furiously.

Ranko squealed and squirmed but just couldn’t get away. Placing her feet against the wall Ranko pushed off against Nabiki sending them sprawling onto the floor, but not to her advantage with Nabiki’s quick reflexes and the fact she twisted in the air ended up with Ranko laying on her back with Nabiki smiling evilly over her.

Nabiki noticed that her captives shirt had come up slightly exposing her stomach and her tracing the outlines of Ranko’s abdomen with her finger. Ranko was by no means overly muscular, if anything in Nabiki’s mind she was jealous of Ranko’s seemingly perfect body. For now, Nabiki would just have to be content to trace her finger along the muscle’s contour and to kiss those soft pouting lips.

After a few moments Ranko pulled back shaking her head, “No, we’re moving to fast.”

Both of them just stared at each other until Nabiki sat up, her face dropped as she leaned against the bed, “Perhaps you’re right.” Why am I sad now? I've never liked any girl like that.

Ranko could feel her heart being torn in two, she hadn’t meant to hurt the person she trusted most, but her own emotions were complex and foreign to her. Ranko sat up as well pulling her knees into her chest. “I’m sorry, I’m just scared.”

Nabiki nodded, “So am I. I’m known as the Ice Queen of Furinkan High, and for a good reason.” Nabiki smiled at Ranko, “I closed my heart off to everyone except close family members cause all the boys in this city seem to be nothing more then a bunch of pigs. Of course I had other reason’s, painful reasons...” the last was said quietly and Ranko could pick up on the pain there and she knew exactly what it meant.

Nabiki looked as Ranko stood up, hesitantly Ranko pulled the front of her pants and underwear down to just below the hip line exposing two discolored marks, each over where her ovaries are.

Nabiki could only stare, the question on her tongue but Ranko guessed it without her wording it, “They... they wanted to... use me for their own pleasure, and keep using me... without any consequence.” Tears were streaming down her face as she retied her pants and buttoned her shirt back up. She climbed into Nabiki’s lap and they held each other.

"I trust you Nabiki. I don't know why, I've never trusted anyone this much. It's like gut instinct around you, sometimes I can't stop myself and other times I ague with myself. But in the end..." Ranko trailed off and laid her head down on Nabiki's shoulder.

Nabiki couldn't think of anything to say, once again she was fighting with herself over what to do.

One gate to complete trust was open, but how many more did they need to unlock? Neither of them cared at that time, all they cared about was finding the comfort they needed in each other’s arms. And that’s where they stayed for the better part of the night, not moving, not speaking, except for their two hearts calling out to each other.

---

From the Author: Someone pointed this out to me and I just want to clear it up. Yes , several idea’s do seem to come from other works on this site. What I’m attempting to do is bring several of those idea’s into one fluid story with several twists and turns that flow into each other and keep reader’s guessing as to what’s going to happen. But, if I’m going to far with taking other peoples idea’s and you aren’t comfortable with it, please feel free to let me know with a copy of the section and I’ll try to amend it while still keeping the story flowing. Be kind, Please rewind, and then review. Constructive criticism is a good thing, lemme know where I need work.

If anyone wants to proofread my work please lemme know, since this work is definitely much larger then my previous work I need the help.

Disclaimer: I in no way shape or form own any character's from Ranma ½ nor the manga, anime, breakfast cereal or flamethrower associated with the works of Rumiko. You can tell what i've made up, it usually has a horrible name.