Note! This story is based on events and characters from a previous work, "Secrets". You should be familiar with that story, or this one won't make any sense! To get "Secrets", or any of my other works, visit my Web Site at: http://www.geocities.com/coutuva As always, C&C is anticipated, accepted, and appreciated. All original Ranma1/2 Characters and Backstory Copyright Rumiko Takahashi, and are used without permission. Please Enjoy! Coutuva. Friends and Lovers - Part One A "Secrets" Prequel ----------------------------------------------------------------- Miyoko lowered her sunglasses and looked up at the man beside her. "What part of 'get lost' did you miss, buddy?" He grinned. "I just don't give up that easy. If I did, I wouldn't be much of a man, now would I?" Miyoko bit her tongue, sized him up with an exaggerated eye movement, then huffed. She guessed him to be a university student, definitely unskilled, and certainly cocky. Just as she went to return her gaze to his, she spotted a group of other guys standing a few yards off, watching as if they expected fireworks. Luckily for her persistent 'suitor', she just wasn't in the mood. "Well, unless you want your buddies there to see you get your ass hauled off to jail, then you'd better just walk away quietly - before I start screaming 'rape'. And since I know a lot of the cops in this town..." His smile fled. He looked at her eyes, glanced at his buddies, then at the large number of families walking near them. "Uh, sure thing, lady. Sorry to disturb you." A quick bow, and he was gone. "Hentai," she spat, then pushed her glasses up and settled back to her mini-lounge. It was one of her rare days off, and it just happened to be the warmest, sunniest day so far. The last thing she wanted to do was spend it exerting herself, since she'd just come off a week of twelve hour shifts. Unfortunately, since her arrival just after lunch, she had been plagued by a steady stream of unwelcome 'suitors'. It was rapidly making her wonder why she'd listened to Michi in the first place. Being the only one at the club without a tan wasn't that big of a deal. With a long sigh, she laid her arms alongside her bikini-clad form and closed her eyes, hoping she'd be left alone long enough to actually get some colour. The mid-Kyoto park was a nice place, but as she was discovering, it could also be a very busy one. And it took only about fifteen minutes for that theory to prove itself -- again. In the near distance, she heard the sound of her most recent annoyance's voice, hitting on yet another girl. This time, however, he was being more persistent. Curious, she opened her eyes and turned her head toward the sounds, and saw him hovering over a petite blonde-haired girl. She was standing with her back to a tree, and looked completely flustered. It was as if she had no idea how to deal with what was happening. The guy seemed as if he either didn't notice or didn't care, and kept up his attempts. The girl became more and more distraught, and finally buried her face in her hands and broke down in tears. Miyoko pulled up her legs and launched herself to her feet. He'd been warned. Silently, she walked up behind the guy, who was now trying to weasel into the girl's graces by sounding sympathetic. Her hackles bristled. She stopped immediately behind him, and after a moment, tapped his shoulder. He jumped, then yelped when he saw who it was. "Hey! I'm not bothering you!" "You're bothering my friend - and that *really* bothers me. You got two seconds to vanish -- before I hand you what you do your thinking with." "You?" he laughed, looking her up and down. By the time he finished, she handed him his belt, wallet and keys. "Any other stupid questions?" He shook his head. "Good. Now pick up your pants and get the hell out of here -- before I really get mad." She huffed as he stumbled away, then turned her attention to the girl. She was amazed to note that she was still sobbing into her hands, and apparently oblivious to the entire scene. "It's okay now. He's gone, and he ain't coming back," she opened, as gently as she could. The girl didn't respond. "Hey -- you okay?" she asked, and leaned a bit closer. The girl jumped, then slowly lowered her hands. Miyoko almost gasped at the pair of incredible sea-green eyes that seemed to leap out at her. "G-gomen... I... Didn't hear you," the girl sniffed, wiping at her face. "Don't worry about it. I know how it feels," she smiled back, as pleasantly as she could. "You gonna be okay, though?" The girl nodded, but it seemed to Miyoko that she did so a bit quickly. "H-hai. I should be fine now. Thank you for helping me." "Okay, if you say so. Anybody else bugs you, you just let me know. I'm right over there." "I-I will. Thank you again," the girl responded, then proffered a weak smile. Even though it was obviously forced, Miyoko found herself noticing it was a pretty smile - and how it looked so out of place on the girl's wet face. "Shimata... Just a minute," she huffed, then strode back to her beach bag, pulled out a tissue pack and brought it back over to the girl. "Here. Looks like you need these more than I do." "Oh, no... You don't need to..." she protested, but Miyoko cut her off. "Yes, I do. Can't have you walking around here looking like that. Just keep 'em, I got lots more," she smiled, then turned to go back to her lounger again. "Have a better one, ne?" With that, Miyoko walked back to her spot, hoping to avoid any further protests. She had the feeling that the girl was probably raised in a very proper household, based on her timidity and politeness. And that, in turn, explained why she'd started to cry about being hit on. "Probably never been face to face with a guy in her life," she mused to herself, suppressing the urge to shake her head. As she settled back down, she put her glasses back on and sighed, again hoping she'd be left alone. It proved once more to be a futile hope. "Ano... Sumimasen?" She reached up and lifted her glasses, then turned to see the blonde-haired girl standing a few feet away, looking very meek. "Hiya -- something wrong?" "Uhm... I... Didn't introduce myself. My name... Is Naganato Yoriko, and I am pleased to meet you. Please forgive me for being so rude." Miyoko had to smirk, but she tried to make it look like a smile. "Don't sweat it. I'm Takara Miyoko, by the way, and I'm pleased to meet you, too," she responded, as she sat up. "You feeling any better?" "Hai, I am. The tissues helped a lot." "Yeah... Well, you kinda looked like you needed 'em. What did that bakayarou say to you, anyway?" "Uhm... It... Wasn't anything he said. I... Just... Had a fight with my boyfriend, and..." she began, her voice fading to a whisper as she lowered her face. Miyoko felt her heart twinge. "Been there," she huffed, turning on her seat. "So what'd he do to you?" The girl's head snapped up, revealing two very wide eyes. "Uh... No, I... Don't want to trouble you. You've already been more than kind." Miyoko shook her head and grinned. "Too late. Now you gotta finish the story." The girl opened her mouth, but couldn't seem to get the words to come out - just as Miyoko expected. At that, she pulled a towel from her bag and set it out on the sand. "This should keep your pants clean," she stated, then gestured toward it. The girl looked at it, then at her. Miyoko nodded, then gestured again. She stood her ground a moment longer, then her shoulders dropped a bit, and she moved to sit. Miyoko couldn't help but see the relief wash over her face, despite her attempt to hide it. When the girl finally arranged her legs under herself, she looked up again, only to gasp at the can of pop that Miyoko was now holding toward her. "It's not the coldest, but it helps on a day like this," she grinned again, then put it in the girl's hand. "No -- you don't need to..." "Yes, I do. It's hot, and you're overdressed. Hell, I'd be dying in that outfit." The girl flushed. "I... Am a bit warm. I thought it was going to be cooler today." "Figured. Lose the sweater. It's way too hot for that kind of stuff." "But... My blouse is..." "Tame. Compared to me, you look like a schoolteacher." While she spoke, Miyoko looked down at what there was of her attire, and smirked. "Jeese, compared to me, a jogger'd be well dressed!" The girl giggled. "I think you look very nice," she stated, as a genuine smile grew on her still-tear-streaked face. "Hrmph. Now you're being too kind," Miyoko puffed, reaching for her hasty ponytail. "I never even did my hair today, since it's my day off. These little snappy things come in real handy. Anyway, get that sweater off -- you're making me hot just looking at it." "All right..." the girl finally agreed, then slipped it off quickly. Miyoko shook her head as she watched her fold it neatly in her lap. Out of curiosity, she glanced at the girl's blouse, and noted only that it was a bit form fitting, and that she couldn't see anything through it - again, just as she thought. "See? You look fine, and you'll feel better, too," she smirked, holding up an 'ok' sign. "So, tell me about yourself. You from around here?" "Hai. But I lived at the other end of the city. I... Don't know this side very well." "Then how'd you end up here?" The girl wilted. "I... Don't know. I've been walking around for hours... And just... Found myself here." "Wow -- musta been some fight." "It was... He... He called me some terrible things - and... And then he just threw me out - and t-told me... H-he never wanted to see me again!" she sobbed, dissolving into a flood of tears. "Chikusho. I'm really sorry, Naganato-san. I didn't mean to drag all that up," she attempted, resting her hand on the girl's shuddering shoulder. The girl shook her head vehemently. "Iya. I... I'm s-s-sorry, Takara-san - I... I just don't know what to do. I-I... I've never had anything like this happen to me... I don't know what I'm going to do!" "Shhh... It's okay, Naganato-san, it's okay," Miyoko soothed, beginning to wonder what she'd gotten herself into. At that same moment, she happened to notice the attention they were attracting. "Kuso -- c'mon, Naganato-san... We better go for a walk before this crowd gets any bigger," she urged, rising and helping the still blubbering girl to her feet. After taking a second to gather her effects, she took the girl's hand and started for the walkway path. Once they'd left the small patch of sand and the gawkers behind, she slowed her pace and let go of the girl's hand. "Man... You'd think they'd show a little damned compassion," she grumbled, rooting through her bag to find her beach shirt. It wasn't until she pulled it out that she noticed she was alone. "Naganato-san? Where...?" she began, only to spot the girl standing a few paces behind her, wiping at her face. Her heart sank. "Uhmm... Naganato-san? Did I hurt you?" The girl lowered her face for a moment, then began to fidget with her hands. "Iya, iya. You... You've been very sweet. Which is why I should go. I... I really don't want to involve you any further... In my problems." Miyoko had to fight down a disgusted eyeroll. Despite her words, it was pretty obvious that the girl really didn't want to be left alone, and under the circumstances, Miyoko couldn't blame her. "Shimata. And here I was thinking about asking you to grab a bite with me. There's a neat little place right over there," she frowned, doing her best to look greatly disappointed. "Sure you don't want to think it over?" The girl looked back as if she was going to protest, but Miyoko wasn't about to let her. She knew full well that Kyoto would eat a naive, innocent kid like her alive - especially at night. She waited until the first hint of a sound came from the girl's uncertain lips, then instantly cut her off. "Great! Let's go!" she exulted, then grabbed her hand and nearly dragged her across the street. After helping the girl get cleaned up, Miyoko slipped into her black denim shorts, but as she hadn't expected to be going anywhere but the park, she was stuck with her suit-top and shirt. She assumed, from the odd looks she got, that her new friend wasn't used to seeing such 'casual' dress. It made her wonder how the girl would react if she were ever to see the 'uniforms' she had to wear at work. They weren't any more revealing, but were definitely meant to be sexy. When they arrived at the table Miyoko picked out, it seemed as if the little conversation they'd so far exchanged ground to a halt. The girl kept her eyes down, other than when someone would pass the windows of the shop. And when she did raise them, Miyoko swore she could see fear. After about five minutes, she'd had enough. "What gives, Naganato-san? You look like you're afraid of your own shadow." The girl jumped. "Iya -- it's... I..." "Kuso... Lemme guess. You're afraid he'll come looking for you or something, right?" The girl's eyes widened for a moment, then she withered. "He... He told me not to tell anyone what happened - because he'd know. He'd know, and he'd..." she began, only to stop for another sniff. "Feh. That's pure crap, Naganato-san. It's a control thing. He figures if he scares the hell out of you, you won't embarrass him. If you buy into that load of bull, then you're letting him win," Miyoko huffed, leaning toward the girl. Her eyes widened again. "Iya... I'm sure he'll..." "No way. He's probably sitting in a bar with his buddies, telling them all about how he put you in your place. I see it all the time at work," she countered, then sighed when she saw the girl lower her face again. "Look, Naganato-san. I've been down this road, and the way I see it, you can either sit here and cry, or get over it and move on. I know that ain't easy, but it beats the hell out of wasting your life over someone who ain't worth it. Trust me, I know." The girl raised her head as if she was going to protest further, but when she went to speak, she started to lose it. Miyoko had seen enough. She moved her chair closer to the defeated-looking girl, and as she wiped at her face, Miyoko reached out and caught her hand. "You can do it, kiddo... I'm living proof." The girl sniffed, then met Miyoko's gaze with fearful eyes. "But... But I don't know how... I... Really don't." Miyoko smiled. "You don't need to worry about that. Since there ain't no way I'm gonna let that bastard win, I'll help you any way I can." The girl's eyes widened briefly, then slowly, as Miyoko felt her search her eyes, her face softened - and a hopeful smile found its way through her tears. "You... You will?" "You got my word on it. C'mon... Lemme buy you a hot chocolate or something -- you look like you could use it." The girl's sodden smile was worth a billion yen. Miyoko set down her mug. "You're kidding me. You have nothing?" Yoriko shook her head. "I... Have a little money -- but I didn't get a chance to get anything else. It all... Happened too fast." Miyoko couldn't believe her ears. She'd just been handed the perfect excuse to give the girl something else to think about. "Good. A clean break is the best kind. We'll just take you out and get you a few things - not much, just enough to hold you over until we can find you a job." "A job?" "Yeah. You're gonna need one. I know of a couple places that might be looking for girls... If you don't mind slinging noodles or burgers." "But... I've never had a job. I wouldn't know what to do..." "Feh. They'll train you. Those outfits always do. I worked at a bunch of 'em when I first got here, and they'll do until you get some experience. Then you can move up to something classier." The girl didn't look convinced. "I still don't know if I can..." Miyoko shook her head. "Sure you can. I learned, and this thing's made of cement," she smirked, rapping her forehead. "For someone as bright as you, it'll be a piece of cake." The girl blinked. "Iya... I'm not that smart..." "I don't buy that for a minute. How far'd you get in school?" "I... Have a degree in Equestrian Sciences - it's not a normal degree, though." Miyoko huffed. "See? I don't know what that means, but I do know that it says you've been to university. You're plenty smart enough. Hell, you'd probably take one of those places over in a year," she grinned, then reached down to retrieve her bag. "Anyway, enough talk. Let's go shopping." For the second time since they'd met, the girl smiled. On the way to the strip, Miyoko detoured around to her apartment, intent on changing into something more comfortable. During the trip, she noticed how her new friend seemed to want to stay right in her footsteps, almost as if afraid to lose sight of her. All in all, the girl's behaviour spoke volumes about her background and self-esteem, and didn't surprise Miyoko at all. It was obvious that what she'd been through had been pretty bad. It had completely stripped away whatever confidence she might have had. As they stepped off the elevator, Miyoko had already decided she had to do something about that. She knew the girl would never make it if she didn't get the confidence to take care of herself. "Okay Naganato-san, we're here," she grinned, as she unlocked her door and gestured the girl through. "I gotta hit the girl's room, then go get changed. If you want a drink or something, kitchen's through there. Make yourself at home, and I'll be right out." "Ano... Thank you, but I'll just wait here, Takara-san." "Suit yourself, but it don't bother me. I trust you," she countered, then smiled and turned away from the girl's surprised face. "Step one," she thought to herself, and headed to the bath without looking back. When she returned a few minutes later, she had to smirk at what she found. The girl had indeed gone into the kitchen, but had done so to wash the few dishes left in the sink. "Thanks, but that wasn't quite what I had in mind, Naganato-san," she chided, shaking her head. The girl turned around, and to Miyoko's surprise, grinned. "You said to make myself at home." Miyoko blinked, then smirked. "Baka." The girl giggled, then turned and put away the tea towel. As she did, Miyoko caught herself thinking how great her giggle sounded - and how good it felt to hear it. She was still smiling as she walked to her closet to pick out a jacket, knowing the air conditioning in the malls was arctic. After a few moments looking through her selection, however, she discovered that she didn't have any that worked with the jeans she'd put on. A frown crossed her face as she realized that since she hadn't done laundry recently, she didn't have many options left. "Kuso. I gotta go change again, Naganato-san. It'll only take a sec, but go ahead and check out the TV if you want," she puffed, then turned to face the girl. She looked surprised. "You knew I was here?" Miyoko nodded. "Sure -- my floor squeaks. Remote's over on the couch arm," she stated, then grinned and headed to her room. As she closed the door behind her, she wasn't surprised to hear the girl cross the room, pick up the remote, and then station herself outside the bedroom. And when she stepped back out a few minutes later, the girl was still there, leaning against the wall and straining to see the TV. "You're gonna hurt your neck doing that," she snickered, as she did up the last of her bodice ties. "Iya, I'm fine..." the girl began, until she turned and got a look at the Chinese two-piece pantsuit Miyoko had on. Her face fell. "A-ano..." Miyoko erked. "What? Does it look that bad?" "Iya, iya, Takara-san! It looks... Perfect on you," she breathed, through the hand covering her gaping mouth. "Are... Are you from the mainland?" "Hell, no. I went there as a kid, and I just got to like the clothes. Kuso, don't scare me like that! I haven't worn this one for a while, and you had me thinking there was a reason why," she puffed, with a shake of her head. "It's beautiful, Takara-san. You should wear it more often," the girl smiled, an unusual tone to her voice as she admired the form-fitting, short-sleeved teal top and capri-length pants. Miyoko had to laugh. "More often? I wear these all the time," she chuckled, then turned to walk to the closet again. "I can see why," the girl commented, then seemed to start. "Ano... Takara-san? May I use your bathroom please?" "Sure -- it's all yours," Miyoko waved over her shoulder, still chuckling. "And by the way -- you don't need to ask. It's there - use it." The girl blinked, then smiled politely. "Arigato! I'll only be a minute." "Take your time, Naganato-san. I ain't in no hurry," she countered, then smiled as she heard the girl turn and head for the bath. When she heard the door close, she puffed out a long sigh. "Girl, you got a long way to go..." ==================================================================== END - Friends and Lovers - Part One A Ranma1/2 Fanfic by Coutuva Commenst Welcomed, Flames Extinguished! coutuva@vecdev.com