Chapter One

Tendou Nabiki walked through the remote valley.  The tournament she had
entered would not be held until late in the evening.  She paused at the foot
of a path.  A feeling came over her as she started down the path.

She turned her thoughts to her young son.  His strange dreams had not only
haunted him, but her as well.  She shook her head at the memories, fighting
them.

Looking up, she saw the entrance to a temple.  As her habit of twenty years,
she strode through the gate.  Any temple was a welcomed sanctuary from the
worries she had, and the demons that haunted her life.

As she stepped into the courtyard, she noticed a young priestess.  She paused
as a memory flashed through her mind.  She held her breath as she watched the
young woman go gracefully from task to task.

Each action she observed was carried out with great care and reverence.  The
young priestess maintained her temple in such a way that it reminded her of
her older sister.  Her only remaining sister.

Nabiki gasped when the priestess turned to face her.  Before her stood a
younger version of a person she thought she would never see again.

"Ranma?"

The young woman's eyes widened in surprise.  She recovered, extending her
hand to Nabiki.

"Nabiki?  Is that really you?"

Nabiki embraced the young woman.  Tears ran down her face as she held Ranma
tightly.  "Gods, Ranma, I didn't think you were alive.  W-when you left, you...
you didn't contact us."

Ranma returned the embrace.  She fought the tears.  After a moment, she
pushed Nabiki away.  A gentle smile replaced her shocked face.

"I'm glad to see you, Nabiki.  Please, come inside."

"H-hai," replied Nabiki as she wiped the tears from her eyes.  "I-I have some
hot tea in a thermos if you want to use it to change."

Ranma frowned slightly as she opened the door.  "That won't be necessary,
Nabiki.  I gave Akane that at the funeral."

"I don't understand.  What do you mean?" asked Nabiki as she sat at the
table.  Ranma removed the hakama she wore, revealing her jean shorts.  "I
left what I thought was the most important thing to me with Akane.  I-I have
not been a male since that day."

"I-I'm sorry, Ranma.  I thought it was just your grief speaking."

Ranma smiled as she put on a sweater.  "At first, it was.  Then, as I
traveled, I realized that I failed Akane so many times because I put my so
called manhood before her happiness and safety.  I-I never had the chance to
tell her I accepted the curse.  Shampoo took that chance away."

Nabiki nodded, shuddering at the memory of the funeral.  She stood next to
her father and older sister, Kasumi, watching the procession of people drop
items of worth into her younger sister's grave.  She had expected Ranma to be
at the services, but he hadn't shown up.

Shampoo walked by, dropping a dagger into the grave.  "Shampoo glad Violent
Girl accept gift with open arms.  Make saving Airen easier."

Shampoo smiled slightly as she moved on.  Cologne and Mousse followed.  The
crowd parted as the male Ranma walked up to the grave.   No one argued that
he cut in front of the mourners.  Nabiki whimpered at seeing Ranma's empty
eyes.

Ranma knelt beside the grave, touching the casket.  "I'm sorry, Akane.  I'm
sorry for everything," whispered Ranma as he kissed the spot where Akane's
lips would have been.

Standing up, Ranma removed the lid from the bottle he held.  "Some man I
turned out to be."

The crowd watched as Ranma poured the contents over himself and the casket.
"Please accept what I was, Akane-chan."

Before anyone said anything, Ranma left the gathering.  Nabiki watched as the
various suitors shouted at each other and threatened to end the truce.  She
caught Shampoo's calculating look.

"Nabiki?"

Nabiki shook her head as she faced Ranma again.  "I'm sorry, Ranma.  I...I
was remembering the funeral.  I don't think anyone understood what you did.
Since we never saw you again, we assumed you became a man again."

Ranma smiled sadly.  "I suppose I'll have to take you to the hot springs
sometime.  Anyway, at first, Mom didn't understand.  After a while, she knew
what I had done, and helped me.  If it weren't for her, I would probably be
dead now."

"I don't believe it.  You're a strong m...person."

Ranma smirked.  "You almost said `man.'  Nabiki, I haven't been a man since
the day I ran from the funeral.  I've moved on.  I've finally found peace.
With myself, my past, my future, and with Akane.  Are you at peace?"

Nabiki stared at the young woman before her.  "I think so.  For my son's
sake, I hope so."

"You have a son?  How old is he?"

"He just turned fifteen.  He's a handful, but a good kid.  He's the heir to
the dojo."

"Oh.  Um, who is the current heir?"

Nabiki smiled.  "I am.  After you left, I took over both schools.  I think I
can beat you, provided you haven't picked up any new tricks."

Ranma looked at her hands.  "I...I don't fight any more.  When Akane was
killed, I died.  Well, the old me died.  After a few years of wandering, I
came here.  I finally had something to live for.  Becoming a priestess meant
more to me than being a martial artist.

"I can't go back, Nabiki.  I no longer want to be a fighter.  I can heal
people.  Give them the peace the need, like I needed.

"I've presided over several weddings, and funerals, that I finally feel some-
thing other than pain.  It hurts, knowing that I'll be alone for long time.
Maybe for the rest of my life, but I at least get to bless those who have the
courage to marry, before it's too late."

Nabiki nodded.  "That's why I took over the art.  I wanted to make it up to
you, and Akane.  I did some stupid things, things no sister is supposed to do
to her family.  I have finally come to forgive myself for what I've done.
Can you forgive me?"

Ranma took Nabiki's hand.  "Hai.  Life is too short to hold grudges forever.
I...I even forgave Shampoo."

Nabiki withdrew her hand.  "Why?  She killed my sister to marry you!  Did you
forget that?"

"No.  I forgave her, otherwise she'd haunt my dreams.  I hate her for what
she did, but I forgave her.  That's why I'm at peace.  I no longer let my
past rule me.  Please Nabiki, before it's too late for you, forgive her.  If
you don't, you'll never truly know peace."

Ranma smiled.  "I don't want one of the women I would have called `sister'
haunted.  I may be able to perform exorcisms, but I don't want to be the one
to cleanse those I once called family.  Please, Nabiki, let the past go."

Nabiki glared at Ranma.  "I need to be getting back to my hotel.  I have a
tournament to attend.  Do you want me to pass anything on to Kasumi or
Father?"

"No, Nabiki.  Please don't tell them you've found me.  I've finally found
what I'm looking for.  I can't go back to the way it was before.  I'm sorry."

"I understand.  Until you're ready, I will not tell them.  Is your mother
alive?"

"Hai.  I'll tell her you said hi and wish her well."

"Will you be at the tournament tomorrow?"

"No.  I have given up that part of my life.  Keiichi's not there, so I won't
go."

"Keiichi?"

"He's a young, troubled teen.  I have taken him on as my helper, here at the
temple."

Nabiki half smiled.  "Are you dating men or women?"

"Neither.  I don't have the desire to date anyone.  They may end up dead.

"I wish you the best of luck, Nabiki."

"Thank you, Ranma.  I hope to speak with you again."

"So do I," replied Ranma as she watched Nabiki walk down the steps.

As Nabiki faded into the long shadows, Ranma clutched her heart.  Tears
rolled down her cheeks.  "I'm at peace.  I'm at peace," chanted Ranma as she
began to sob.


The Priestess

Chapter 2

The lines seemed to go on forever.  Ranma fidgeted as she looked ahead of
her.  Next to her stood hermother, Nodoka.

"Are you nervous, Dear?"

Ranma nodded.  "I haven't been in a crowd this big since...since I left
home."

"I understand.  Are you sure you want to do this?"

Ranma nodded.  "I have to.  I don't think I told her who I am now."

Nodoka chuckled.  "Always forgetting what's important, eh?"

Ranma turned an angry glare towards her mother.  "How dare you!  I haven't
forgotten what's important to me!"

Nodoka put up her hands in defense.  "I'm sorry, Dear.  I wasn't thinking.
You have not forgotten anything.  You only forgot that Nabiki hadn't seen you
in twenty years.  I understand."

Ranma sighed.  "How do I tell her that Saotome Ranma is dead?"

Nodoka adjusted her purse as they neared the ticket window.  "Just introduce
yourself.  Let her know you didn't have the chance."

"Swept up in the moment?  She'll say I haven't changed."

"She knows you have changed.  You told her yourself.  She'll understand."

Ranma smirked as she took her ticket.  "Just like she did back then?  I hope
so."

***

Nabiki sat on the bench, looking over the crowds.  The turnout was better
than she expected for an exhibition match.  She kept looking for a particular
woman.  "Where are you, Ranma?  I know you're here," she whispered.

"Tendou-san?"

"Hai?"

"I'm Sueshi Koiji, one of the officials for the matches.  I'd like to speak
with you about your style."

Nabiki nodded, knowing the conversation.  "What do you want to know?"

"Well, it says here that you practice an unrestricted style.  What does that
mean, exactly?"

"We take the best aspects of the traditional arts and combine them into a
fluid style.  This allows us to adapt to our opponent.  If he practices
aikido, we have the aikido counters.  Our style is based around kempo."

Sueshi nodded.  "So you practice your family’s variation of kempo.  I'll give
this to the announcer and referee.  They’ll appreciate it."

"That's not accurate.  Kempo is the basic style.  Everything else is a modi-
fication of another style we've incorporated."

"I'm not sure I understand.  Do you have time to demonstrate?"

"I do, but I'll need the cooperation of the other schools here."

"Hmm.  I don't think they'd appreciate that.  Unless you can demonstrate, I
won't be able to let you participate."

Nabiki nodded.  "I'm hoping the only other surviving master comes.  We may be
able to show you then."

"I see.  What's this person's name?"

"Saotome Ranma."

"Will he be willing to assist you?"

"Only if I can convince her to come out of retirement."

"'She?'"

Nabiki smiled. "Hai.  She's the sister I never had the opportunity to properly
welcome into my family."

"I see.  You have twenty minutes to demonstrate your school."

"Thank you."

Nabiki watched Sueshi leave.  She closed her eyes for a second, praying Ranma
was up to the task.  She opened her eyes, finding the woman she sought
standing before her.

"Ranma!  Auntie!  Am I ever glad to see you!"

Ranma returned Nabiki's embrace.  "We're glad to see you, too.  Are you ready
for the tournament?"

Nabiki sighed as she finished her hug with Nodoka.  "I am now, if you're
willing to help me demonstrate the School."

Ranma stiffened.  "I-I can't.  I'm sorry, I just can't fight anymore."

Nabiki nodded sadly.  "I understand.  Y-you've given up on your old life."

"It was filled with too much pain.  I became a new person, in order to save
myself."

"'A new person?'" asked Nabiki with arched eyebrows.

Nodoka smiled.  "Tendou Nabiki, allow me to introduce to you my only
daughter, Masaki Reiko."

"Masaki Reiko?  Nice name."

"Thanks.  Sorry about not telling you yesterday," replied Reiko shyly.

Nabiki waved her hand.  "Think nothing of it, Sis.  I don't care what you
call yourself now, as long as we're family."

Reiko bowed.  "I regret I can no longer fulfill the pact between our families.
I am, however, willing to accept you as my sister, as I should have long ago."

Nodoka smiled at the two women before her.  Gone was the depressed youth she
had once called her son.  In his place stood a strong woman who had built
more for herself than she was willing to admit.  She was also pleased that
the bond of friendship and sisterhood had lasted nearly two decades.

Nabiki smiled her predatory smile.  "Reiko, would you be willing to help me
get into the tournament?"

"I thought you were already participating."

"So did I, but a complication has arisen.  I need to show off to the judges,
but I can't use any of the other participants."

"I can't.  But, we can do this..."

***

Nabiki, Reiko, and Nodoka stood on the train station's platform.  Nabiki held
a small statue.  Both Reiko and Nodoka faced her.

"Congratulations, Nabiki," spoke Nodoka.  "You have proven yourself a true
master of the Art."

"You are better than I ever was," added Reiko.

"Thank you.  But I'm not that good, Reiko.  You were the best fighter I ever
met."

Reiko smiled.  "That's all I was.  You, however, have taken what I had and
elevated it to a form I never would have accomplished.  You win every fight
you enter simply because you know what to do.  I just reacted."

"Thank you, again, Reiko, Auntie," replied Nabiki with a small bow.  "I guess
my train's here.  Please, Reiko, come see us soon.  I'll let tell Father and
Kasumi that you're well."

"Thanks, Sis.  I will visit.  I have missed you all."

"You and your family are always welcome at the shrine," added Nodoka.

"Thanks again."

Nodoka and Reiko watched Nabiki board the train.  Reiko took a sharp breath.
"I'm glad that's over.  I don't know if I'm ready to face the whole family,
but I need to."

"I'm proud of you, Dear.  You have grown into a fine, young woman."

Reiko chuckled.  "And I no longer hate myself."