It was evening in the Tokyo district of Nerima. Nabiki Tendo was in her room, laying on her bed, asking herself the question many persons had during the last two days...
"Where is Ranma Saotome ?"
Somehow, two nights before, Ranma had just disappeared. No warnings, no explanations, no traces... He hadn't taken his few belongings or his backpack with him. His father swore he hadn't felt or heard anything suspicious. Once all the Tendo dojo residents realized the situation, they rounded up the usual suspects. But none of the fiancees and rivals knew where Ranma was.
Reactions were mixed. The fathers went into a crying fit bemoaning the loss of their retirement. Ryoga, Mousse and Kuno were ecstatic, claiming Ranma had run away like the coward he truly is. Ukyo, Shampoo and Kodachi announced their intention to go look for Ranma. Akane at first feigned indifference but agreed to join the search under parental pressure. Happosai left on one of his panty raids, sure he wouldn't be opposed for a little while. Nodoka remained stoic and seemingly unfazed. Kasumi had just said "Oh, my !" and went to prepare lunch.
The one whose reaction surprised Nabiki was Cologne. The old matriarch inspected Ranma's room and the Tendo dojo's garden. Apparently what she found out didn't please her. She rounded up Shampoo and Mousse and declared the amazons would operate alone. When they had asked for explanations, Cologne just scowled and said "This is much bigger than you think. None of you are capable enough to assist us. Farewell" The Nekohanten had been closed ever since.
Ukyo and Konatsu left on their own. The Kunos started to use their money and connections to look for Ranma. Ryoga promised to be on the lookout in his wanderings. Nabiki went through all her contacts. Still no trace of Ranma Saotome. He hadn't been spotted anywhere since that night.
Nabiki knew that he had probably been kidnapped. His honor would have prevented to simply run away. And she was partly responsible, to her great shame.
A week ago, a nondescript man came and bought all the information she was willing to provide on Saotome Ranma, his personal story, his martial arts skills, his inhuman feats... They needed the money and she thought it was only another angry father or a rival martial artist acting smart for a change. Besides Ranma always won no matter how much the odds were stacked against him, right ? Chances were she had sold him to nastier people than Nerima was used to. There had been no ransom notes, no blackmail, no dead body... (Nabiki was glad for the latter).
Nabiki pondered what would be her next course of action. Should she be happy that Ranma was gone from their lives ? Should she keep searching to atone for her part in this ? Should she find Ranma for her sister's sake ?
The fathers were worse than useless since they kept drowning their sorrows in alcohol every night. Happosai didn't care. Kasumi and Nodoka were no help. And Akane was becoming more and more manic-depressive without Ranma to procure an outlet to her frustrations. It ended up to her in the end.
Nabiki yawned. These kind of thoughts weren't productive. She put on her nightclothes and went into her bed. She silently hoped that she would not dream of a bloody Ranma asking her to sell him akane's virtue for thirty silver pieces this night.
See other episodes by Jamil Nate
(Posted Sun, 27 Oct 2002 21:05)
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