Akane had been in full 'pervert-bash' mode, using a workman's leftover sledgehammer as a 'mallet', only to see it break. Her rage and denial wasn't all there was to her, but it colored everything she did of late. Those Eyes.. Akane was currently writing her formal resignation from the School, until such time as she was taught to control her temper. The Gaze simply brought home how uncontrolled her rage was, and her Martial Artistry failures as well. They seemed to share the same cause, and Tendo Akane vowed not to let that flaw remain one day longer than she had to.
As for the cause of the latest blowup in the Tendo corral Dojo, Kodachi had been there hoping to recruit the red-headed 'wench' for her team in a upcoming match. It was a trap of course--but that was to aid Ranma-Sama, obviously, right?
Needless to say Kodachi was not in the best of shape after seeing that and every other deception come undeniably to light in the Gaze of that supreme being. Kodachi wasn't Catholic in herself, although she leaned that way--her mother was Catholic however, and she'd feared the Angelic being that confronted them. Then all her illusions were literally torn to shreds without cruelty--or a iota of compassion.
This left Kodachi currently retching into the Tendo toilet, a Western-style one, she idly noted. The worst part of her newfound clarity was it was NOT going away. She'd denied herself so long that she effectively had no chance of starting it up again. "hnh." She snorted, "I am *quite* sure that that effect is going to be Hell for my Brother and Father. Question is, *how* do I get the Angel in Ranma to help them? My old ways will not do.. Maybe just ask?" She continued to muse, and occasionally rinse her mouth free of the aftertaste, as..
Kasumi finished rinsing her own regurgitation into the kitchen disposal (purchased to help deal with Akane Meals, as they are best disposed of promptly). She'd been simply trying to be Sunny Cheerful girl for quite the longest time now, after all. This had not been total ignorance, At least not any more than the average Neriman seemed to show. Kasumi simply hoped for the best and tried not to think bad thoughts. She knew it was a habit she'd gained after Mother died, but she'd honestly lacked the persepctive to see how far afield she'd been.
Ranma's Gaze (and Kasumi could see something of Ranma in that being's reactions, although what remained to be seen) had shown Kasumi the Truth of her soul, as seen by the mystically enhanced and focused perceptions of the Angelic Symbiont. Kasumi sighed a bit whimsically, then steeled herself, as several things not immediately clear to a girl trying to wear rose-colored glasses were rapidly *click*ing in her mind. P-Chan, Nabiki's routine, and the behaviors of Ranma and the others in his orbit being very strong contenders.
Yet the most immediate worry was Tofuu Ono. 'Doc Tofu' as he was known simply.. loved her. She had to face it. At the same time, he also went mad whenever she was close, to the point he'd dropped them as far as medical services went. It was disquieting to say the least to realise you were a medical hazard. The others, well, the worst she knew of all got nailed by the Gaze, with Kodachi as pickup. They could wait until Kasumi saw how they learned--or didn't--from this most revelating experience. "Hmmm.. yuch!" Pausing to spit and rinse out the taste, Kasumi hummed again, then pondered in a near whisper "Should I contact him, take a chance? Or just see what's out there for Tendo Kasumi? Hmmm.."
Nabiki was at the family shrine to her mother at this point. She'd been thinking of running, then she Saw. She was never in denial on what she'd done to get ahead and pay the bills, but she did deny their significance. She compared all things to helplessness and Death, namely their inability to get decent help until Mother's illness was too far along.
Now she saw what she'd suppressed under a mask of the cold facts (bereft of later realization), and realised her mother had simply never allowed a fuss until she was so ill Soun took her to the doctor and they got the news it was terminal. Nabiki's denial of traditional roles for women, her dislike of being poor, her need for control--all came from that, as did her casual abuse of men. After coming out of it she immediately erased Ranma's debts, as well as those of a few others, since those were largely manufactured debts anyway. The family resources could handle it. They'd all survive, Nabiki knew. Then she'd come here, where she was quietly explaining matters to her Mother's spirit.
"*sigh*.. And that's how it stands. I'll never be a soft, traditional woman, but I vow, Mother, to stop trying to hurt others or push them away. I.. I don't hate you for never telling us you were ill, but dammit, This is your fault to that extent. I cannot be that woman. I won't." She felt a hand at her shoulder, and gave a start, worse when she saw it was Soun. "Father, I.."
"No apologies, my brilliant Nabiki. You've earned the right to a opinion. Besides, hearing what you just said, after what that.. that *thing* Ranma became did to us all.. I have to concur. Kami know I am weak, foolish, and prone to hysterics, but I have to stop blaming myself for not giving my wife.. your Mom more of a backbone. I have to be here *now*, or I fail you far worse than ever I did then." Soun's face showed a quiet power, not the fakey-solemn look of his Honor Act, but the honest acceptance of his soul.
He added "I'm assuming we ALL got hit by that? Genma's passed out, I fear a little for him, actually. I just wish Happosai were here.." A small smile showed on the Tendo patriarch's face as he comtemplated the likely results.
"Yeah, it got us all, all right.. Does seem well-suited as Happi's Nemesis, doesn't it? I don't blame you.. anymore. I thought you should hear that." Having said that, Nabiki hurried on before it got mushy "aaaanyway, It looked like Ranma didn't have a clue that was about to happen. I suggest we just pick up the pieces and see about matters once he gets back. I think we're all going to be doing heavy thinking, after all."
Soun paused in lighting a new incense stick before his late wife's picture and said "I am glad you mentioned that. Nabiki. I am going to begin classes once more, with Genma's aid hopefully. I'd like you and Kasumi to rejoin the School. Muscles are not every solution, but the lack of fighting skill is no solution at all."
Nabiki smiled a bit herself, a genuine, if tiny one, as she said "I'll.. think about it. But I formally request you train Akane once more. Please, Father."
And thus, as Soun blinked and nodded numbly..
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(Posted Fri, 26 Dec 2003 01:12)
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