The heart by no means is perfect. For some who are kindred spirits their hearts didn’t recognize and passed each other by leaving the people in hopeless marriages or loveless relationships. These hearts are weak, easily swayed by clouded judgement or blocked off by more materialistic views. But, sometimes. For one, her heart was filled with love for her family as she did everything in her power to make sure her family wasn’t hurt by her pain. For another, her heart was filled with pain at what she had been through and vowed that if she ever got out it would stop. These two hearts cried out to each other, begging for comfort, begging to be near each other. One heart however, had lain secretly watching, unable to do anything. Another had been forced to watch, and could do nothing.

A Lost Heart

Chapter 5

Realizations of the Heart

Ranko stood over... herself? She pulled on his shirt pulling him up from the ground, “What the hell do you mean ‘my better half’?”

“I’ll explain in a bit, but right now I could go for some tea,” he calmly whispered.

“Dear,” came Nodoka’s voice, “let him go. I don’t think he could fight back right now and he did take the impact for you.”

Ranko looked over and sighed nodding, “Sorry.” She gently placed him back down, “I’ll go get the tea.” She walked to the kitchen.

Kasumi and Soun gently helped Ranko’s other half up and to the table where Kasumi pulled off his shirt and continued tending to his wounds.

Shortly Ranko returned with the kettle and another cup. Noticing how her male half was staring intently at Nodoka. She set the kettle down and waved her hand in front of his face.

“M... mom?”

Nodoka looked closer then pulled out a picture she kept close to her heart. She compared it against the man sitting in front of her then gasped, “Ranma? It can’t be.”

Ranko sighed, poured the tea and walked over to Nabiki.

The young man nodded, “It is, my father’s name is Genma. I remember the last night I was with you. You and dad were talking and I remember putting my hand print on a piece of paper. Something about a contract, I didn’t understand it at the time I thought I was just finger painting.”

Nodoka couldn’t believe it, she jumped up and ran over to Ranma crying. She hugged him and squeezed as if she would lose him again if she let go.

Ranko sighed as she leaned against Nabiki, “I have a feeling tonight’s going to be one emotional roller coaster ride after another.”

Nabiki sighed, “You can be so dense sometimes can’t you?”

Ranko looked blankly at her before Nodoka dragged her into a group hug.

Nodoka hugged the two fiercely, “I’m so happy right now!”

Nabiki leaned down towards the blue face of Ranko, “Here I’ll spell it out for you. If Ranma’s her real son, and you and Ranma are the same person...”

Understanding and joy filled Ranko’s eyes as she began returning the hug almost as fiercely, “I have a mother!”

Nabiki stood up again smiling.

After fifteen minutes everyone had calmed down, Ranma now set next to Nodoka. Somehow during the hug fest Kasumi managed to patch him up. Ranko took her normal place next to next to Nabiki.

Ranma sighed, “So far you guys know about my curse and the time I spent in the prison camp. The last piece of my life is the two years between the time I left and when I ended up at the camp. We... me and pops.. we were supposed to go on a training journey. I was only six and had no idea what was going on, pops just kept telling me that I’d love China with it’s great training grounds. So China’s where we went, and the nightmare began. The first place we went was a brothel, he called it training, said I needed to be able to keep my focus under any condition.”

This earned a growl from Nodoka and everyone instinctively backing away from her.

“Pops didn’t seem to even notice I was there and I saw him continuously going to the backrooms with one to several woman at once. Of course he quickly ran out of money there.”

Akane was puzzled, “How did he even get the money for it?”

“He pawned a sword.”

Nodoka slammed her fist down on the table, “That bastard! So that’s where the family blade went.”

Ranma waited a bit before continuing, “When pops finally ran out of money he started asking around if there was a place that was looking for a pair of hands, his son needed training after all. He made me do the few odd jobs there were and blew the money on more whores. Then the night came when he over heard someone that was selling his daughter, the man had just gotten a hundred and fifty thousand, well, whatever the Chinese use, for his girl. As soon as pops found out who the contact was he packed us up and headed to Jusenkyo.”

Ranko sipped her tea with an annoyed look on her face, “Man he really sounds like a great father. Number one dad in my books.”

Nabiki slapped her arm and pointed to Nodoka who was silently crying.

The red head sighed and leaned her elbows on the table, “Don’t cry mom, I’m sure he wasn’t anything like that when you married him am I right?”

Nodoka looked up and shook her head.

“You had no way of knowing he was going to pull something like this.”

Nodoka cheered up slightly before pulling a switch out of thin air and rapping her daughter’s elbows with it causing Ranko to snatch them back, “Elbows off the table dear.”

Ranma continued with an amused look on his face, “When we reached Jusenkyo pops had the guide give us a tour and explain what every spring was. At the end of the tour the guide treated us to a nice lunch and the talked about the springs. Pops brushed it off as a bunch of hocus pocus but the guide pulled out his visitor book and pointed to everyone who had visited and what they turned into. Pops just waved it off and soon he had me pole training, he walked along ground saying he would catch me if I fell while I jumped along the tops. Well I did very well, up until I reached the Spring of Drowned girl. I felt the pole waver a bit then I fell, I thought pops would catch me but I slipped right through his fingers.”

Ranma took another sip of his tea to moisten his throat before continuing, “Sure he cried for all of about thirty seconds before he had us packed up again and heading back to the traders. You’ll be happy to know he got a hundred and seventy-five whatever out of me.”

Ranko looked away in disgust, “Jerk, should’ve gotten at least two hundred.”

A chuckle came from Nabiki, “Well don’t we think highly of ourselves?”

“For the first year and a half I was there I kept hoping it was a bad dream. I kept staring at the only picture I had of mom and pops, but I continuously cried on it and constant drying smeared the image, I even managed to somehow erase my family name as well. After I could no longer make out the image I decided that maybe it was time to become like the picture so I started wishing for a release. Eventually my wish came true and Ranko was, for all intents and purposes, born. I do have her memories though.”

Ranko was the next to speak up, “Hm. It makes me wonder why the elder split us up like that and how we ended up back here. I mean Kuno has Shampoo which is why Cologne came after me, but she was supposed to take me back to Kuno.”

Nabiki looked at Ranko in confusion, “Shampoo?”

Ranma answered the question with a slight chuckle, “The elder’s great granddaughter, her name is Shampoo.”

Akane looked at Ranma, “Well if she’s a great grandmother so it’s possible in her old age that she made a mistake.”

Ranko spoke up as she shook her head, “No, the elder meant to do this. The Jusenkyo Splitter seal was never mixed with a teleport seal the times I’ve seen it used. She meant to split us and send us back here.”

Ranma nodded and just sipped his tea.

Back at the Kuno estate, Cologne watched from her cell as a beaten and exhausted Shampoo was taken to her own cell. A tear fell from her eye as she listened to Shampoo’s quiet sobbing. “I’m sorry great granddaughter, I only hope it’ll be over soon.”

Kasumi had set up the guest room for Ranma with Nabiki’s help of course. Nabiki had confided in Kasumi that Ranko wasn’t even using the futon so Ranma could have it instead.

This info caused Nabiki to get a scolding from Kasumi which was in the form of, “You two shouldn’t be doing things like that.”

Nabiki mused at how such a simple phrase like that from Kasumi could cause her to be so ashamed. “Sis, I know. It... well it just sorta happened.”

Kasumi sat down on the futon and patted the space next to her, “Come sit down and talk to me Nabiki. I know you have a lot on your mind and you’ve been acting strange lately.”

Nabiki hesitated but not for long, she could never really say no to Kasumi’s smile. She sat down and leaned back getting comfortable. She smiled and looked at Kasumi, “Or would you rather I laid down. I could also get you a notebook if you want to take notes.”

Kasumi giggled, it was a heavenly melodious sound that could soothe the hearts of everyone around.

Nabiki sighed, “I don’t know what’s going on. I remember the first day I decided to close my heart, it was the day mom died. I was heartbroken, everyone was heartbroken, everyone was showing it in their own way but I didn’t like how it affected me. I didn’t know anyone was talking to me until they were yelling my name. I couldn’t pay attention to where I was going because my mind would always stray to mom.”

Kasumi nodded, “Yes I remember, you would always come home with a new scrape ‘cause you would trip over the same root on your way home.”

Nabiki chuckled, “Yeah. After a few weeks I decided I couldn’t stand it anymore, so I kept pushing all my emotions down. Friends eventually started to stop talking to me because I stopped showing emotions, I no longer would get happy or sad about something that happened. I didn’t share in their enthusiasm if something good happened to them. The only thing good that came out of it was my grades improved, of course I didn’t show any emotion then either.”

Kasumi sighed as she thought to herself, The heart is a wonderful and yet dark place at the same time.

Nabiki continued, “Then the end of middle school came when I met Gosunkugi.” She tensed as memories came flooding back to her. “He was a sweet boy then. He always followed me around no matter where I went, if I was taking Akane to the park or out to buy ice cream he was always there saying ‘A man should always be willing to escort a lady around especially during these trying times.” She had lowered her voice and waved her finger back and forth as if emulating him.

Kasumi giggled again, “Didn’t you also throw a book at his head for throwing rocks at your window and calling out your name in the middle of the night.”

Nabiki nodded, “Yeah, I told him the next day that if he wanted to follow me around that’s fine but no more midnight serenades. We went to a restaurant that day too. I think that’s when I first decided to open up to someone. After the restaurant we went to the park, he bought me a flower and gave it to me so I kissed him on the cheek.”

“That’s so sweet of him.”

Nabiki sighed, “Yeah well that’s the last sweet thing he did. Sure I still kept seeing him, it felt really good to open up to someone. But after that day Kuno had come back and started setting up his little squad of do boys. Gosu was an easy target ‘cause he didn’t have much self esteem. I’m sure Kuno poured it on thick about how he’d gain respect and power, how people would look up to him. I tried to get him away from Kuno but he just wouldn’t listen. Eventually he even tried to take me by force to put me in my place as he said. I managed to get away the first time.”

Kasumi was frowning now, “First time?”

Nabiki nodded, “He’s the leader of the Hentai Squad. He finally managed to make an example of me. But it only happened once. That’s why I started training again, so that I couldn’t be taken advantage of again, not like that, not again.”

“Hm.” Kasumi just stared wonderingly at Nabiki, head tilted to one side and a smile on her face.

A knowing smile formed on Nabiki’s lips, “I see where this is going. Ok Kasumi, I really don’t know what’s with Ranko. It just happened so fast and with all the time I spend with her I never really stopped to think about it. The moment she was near me I could feel my barrier fading, but only for her. Like my mind knows something but isn’t telling me.”

Kasumi nodded, “More like your heart is trying to tell you something you already know.”

Nabiki laughed, “Don’t make it sound like such a sappy romance novel sis. But now that you mention it, any time I try and close myself off to her it’s like I’m fighting with myself. All my emotions go out of whack until I give in.”

Kasumi nodded again, “There’s a book I read once called Truths of the Heart. It explains the theory of soul-mates and kindred spirits. There’s a story in there similar to what’s happening between Ranko and you. The story says that two woman in America that were raped found each other because their hearts willed it. Even though they had no idea who the other one was and they weren’t into same sex relationships one of them still traveled from one coast to the other because she followed her heart. Now they’re happily involved with each other and love each other very much.”

Nabiki frowned, “Sis, you don’t really believe this stuff do you?”

“Just call me a sappy romance fan, but can you deny how you feel for Ranko? You can’t get her out of your mind can you? And you can’t keep your emotions in check right?” Kasumi pulled her knees up hugging them and stared off dreamily, “It sounds like love, true love. To find the perfect person for you, the piece of your soul that’s missing, the feeling that you’ll never be whole without him or her. The safety and comfort you feel as they’re holding you.” She turned her head to Nabiki, “I’ll give you this advice little sister: If you do indeed feel this way, then no matter what anyone says keep a hold of it. This type of love doesn’t come around every day, it’s precious, and it can’t be bought.”

Kasumi stood up and gave her sister a kiss on the forehead then turned and walked to the door. Stopping she turned around giving her sister another smile, “Good night Niki.”

Nabiki looked up, “Hey I like my full name thank you.”

“So only Ranko can call you Niki?”

“Huh?” The puzzled look must have been all Kasumi was looking for cause she walked out afterward.

Sighing Nabiki stood up and headed to her room. Inside she found Ranma and Ranko talking about the days events. She quickly put up her Ice Queen mask as she looked at Ranma, “You’re rooms ready.”

He gulped nodded and headed out the door seemingly in one motion under her gaze.

Nabiki closed the door then turned that gaze on Ranko who hid most of her face behind the blanket. “You,” she said evenly, “you did something didn’t you?”

Ranko could only stutter but it didn’t matter as Nabiki was in a “talking” mood.

“Ever since you got here my life has been turned completely inside out.” She walked slowly to the bed causing the frightened red head to try and push herself through the mattress, “I can’t eat, I can’t sleep, I can’t take a step without thinking of you.”

Ranko had completely curled up into ball under the blanket, her eyes never leaving Nabiki’s for fear of quite possibly being eaten (she wasn’t entirely sure but with that look she wouldn’t put it past Nabiki to do just that starting with her face).

“And do you know why?” She quickly descended on Ranko, pulling the blankets down to expose her entire head she leaned in towards her ear. “Would you like to know why?”

Ranko was hoping she was giving the right answer by nodding her head.

“Good,” she smirked as she heard Ranko’s breath of relief, “What you did to me the first day we met, you showed me that you were looking for someone who could understand your pain. And, as much as I hate to start believing in all this sappy romance stuff but, when your heart cried out for comfort it was my heart that answered. In other words you cute red headed pain in my ass,” she brought her eyes level with Ranko’s grinning evilly, “I fell in love with you from the very moment you cried in my arms. And now you’re stuck with me.”

She kissed Ranko deeply who at first, fearing that she was right and was about to be eaten, tensed up but then relaxed and returned the kiss.

Kasumi was feeling good about herself as she closed Nabiki’s door quietly to give them their privacy. She passed by the guest room to look in on Ranma before heading downstairs. Seeing him downtrodden and holding his head in his hands sent a pain through her heart. She thought she may have just the cure for his ailment though. She headed downstairs and spotted her next target.

“Akane dear. I need to get the kitchen cleaned up, but would you be a dear and go see if Ranma might want anything.”

Akane nodded and headed up stairs, she reached the door and was about to open it but stopped as she thought she heard something. Was he crying? She shook her head, Boys don’t cry, just go in there, ask him what he wants and leave. She opened the door.

Ranma jumped and turned away from the light, “Y-yes?” He mentally smacked himself, Nice one Ranma, first night back this is a great impression.

Akane slowly walked in, So I was right, she thought to herself. “Ranma?” Not knowing why she sat down next to him, to close in her opinion but he was crying.

“A-Akane?” He turned to look at her, tears tracing his cheeks down to his jaw.

Akane was shocked, “Count yourself lucky Ranma, I don’t normally do this for guys but if you want to talk, I’ll listen.”

Ranma nodded and for several moments he was silent. Then, as if pulled by some invisible force he lowered his head onto her shoulder as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Akane silently reprimanded herself, But he’s crying, he needs the comfort, a voice reproached.

Kasumi silently closed the door and sighed while smiling. Is it right to meddle like this, she thought to herself. She thought while she walked down the stairs. She reached the bottom and came to her decision as she looked at her father and Nodoka sitting next to each other, Of course, I can hear their hearts calling out to each other. She walked up to the table and cleared her throat. As Soun and Nodoka looked up to see a stern looking Kasumi.

She let out a hard breath, “I have a lot of cleaning to do so I need you two to leave the room.” She held out a wad of bills and a newspaper clipping advertising a festival. “Please take this and go have fun for once.”

Soun didn’t know what to say but Nodoka gave her a knowing smile and took the money. She stood up and bowed before beckoning Soun to follow.

Kasumi watched them leave before walking to the back rice-paper doors and looking up into the sky. “Soon my love, I hope that our hearts will be able to sing their song again.”

---

From the Author: I’m amazed at how many more reviews I received for this story as apposed to my first. Less time up and it’s almost reached twice the reviews and has an even bigger audience. And with that I give my gratitude to everyone that’s reviewed and critiqued.

That being said I would like to explain a few things. First off, as I find this might be a bit of a problem for some, many people have said that my writing style is a bit odd. I like my reader’s to start asking a lot of questions early on as some people have already done. Questions I’ve received through both PM’s and a review are: Why was Akane not raped? It’s been hinted at in a previous chapter, if you think back Kuno mentioned wanting Akane, there fore they wouldn’t dare touch her. What about Ranko and Nabiki’s relationship? All I can say is read the interaction between the two, they can’t explain it and it scares them but they’re constantly coerced by these feelings and all they really want to do is hold each other and hold each other. The errata explains it in it’s own way as well.

Also I’m hoping that this chapter will relieve some of those questions as well as add new ones to keep you coming back to find out what the hell’s going on. As for my writing style, I like to hint at something and only give a little. Then later on I’ll hint at the same thing and give a little more. Then all at once hit you with it dead on. Take Nabiki’s fear of the Hentai Squad, you knew she was afraid of them, but why; then they show up and Gosu’s the first one to approach her, but why then you find out what he did to her but are still left wondering why it’s Nabiki and then this chapter explains it. As far as why Nabiki and Ranko are taking off like a rocket and they can’t seem to get enough comfort from each other yet, reread chapter’s 2, 3, and then this one. If you still feel left in the dark I’ll give you this hint: Gosunkugi’s at the center of their pain. Hmmm... maybe I should’ve called this part “Rant of the author.”

I also edited chapters 1 - 4 to expand on some things, add in some thoughts and explain some more as to what's going on. Also I would like to take this time to point out that even with Kasumi's last line that does not mean that everyone is hooking up with everyone. Soun and Nodoka both lost their spouses and because they're strong willed people (at least the way I've portrayed them) they won't go to each other for comfort, but Kasumi intervenes here. Akane has always, and probably will always hate men and Kasumi tries to show her another side of men and at the same time give Ranma some sort of comfort. Akane has conflicting emotions, she wants to leave as soon as she opens Ranma's door but also knows that when someone's crying they more then likely need comfort. The voice she heard was her conscience not her heart. I do have plans for that though. I'm sorry if I'm being more confusing but I wanted to get this story out quickly, from this point on the chapters will come out slower and as it stands in my head might become part of a trilogy.

I’m getting tired of posting the old disclaimer. I don’t own Ranma or anything connected with it.