For this and any of my other works, visit my website at: http://www.geocities.com/coutuva Check out my Romanji Page! All those Japanese words defined! 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. Goodbye Is Not Forever - Part Six ----------------------------------------------------------------- Ranma sighed silently as she gazed out the window of the darkened car, still awestricken by the spectacular view. She didn't mind, as it gave her something to do while she waited for the others to wake up. Nabiki meantime, slumbered against her side, and she couldn't help but smile down at her peaceful, content face. The girl had snuggled up after Himiko drifted out, and was still in virtually the same position. Himiko slept soundly in the single forward seat, emitting only a regular pattern of soft breaths. Gently, Ranma shifted herself to rest her arm over Nabiki's back, and hold the girl's soft form closer to her own. As Nabiki moaned softly and cuddled in, she had to sigh once more. She still found it surprising how comfortable and secure Nabiki's presence made her feel, and how the physical contact made it that much better. It was almost as if she needed it. Her smile widening, she returned her gaze to the crystalline clarity of the starscape, able to feel herself being drawn into its limitless depths. She'd never realized how many stars and features she'd been missing, simply because they'd been hidden by the atmosphere. "Kuso... I'm gonna hate to go back down after this," she whispered, a soft sigh escaping her. That was when she felt a warm hand cup her left breast, and a thumb drag over the nipple. She shuddered. "Hey -- stop that," she hissed affectedly, knocking the hand away and turning to meet Nabiki's teasing smirk. "You just can't keep your hands off those, can you?" "Couldn't help it. When I woke up to it right in my face, I had to make sure I wasn't dreaming," she whispered, her eyes and smile wanton as she pushed herself up. Ranma looked at her for a moment, taking in the starlit picture of her kneeling on the seat, hands clenched lightly atop her thighs. Her thin cotton nightshirt draped gently over her smooth, nude form, offering an incredibly erotic view of her considerable charms. Drinking in the wonderful scene, she found her gaze strangely drawn to Nabiki's softly shadowed face. But when her eyes met Nabiki's, she shuddered. An ache flashed through her chest, and she found herself rising to bury Nabiki's lush lips in her own. Their bodies melted together all too easily, despite the awkwardness of their quarters - until a different urge took advantage of the first's satisfaction. "Uhhhnn... Iya... I have to go, and this is making it worse," she whispered, reluctantly breaking the promising union. "Mmmm... Me too, but I sure wasn't going to stop you," Nabiki smiled back, her eyes smoky. "Much as I'd like to stay up here with you, I say we wake up the pilot there, and get that looked after," she added, jogging a thumb at the back of Himiko's seat. "I thought you'd never ask," Himiko chimed in, breaking into a yawn. Ranma saw her own gape mirrored in Nabiki's face. "You were awake? Why didn't you say anything?" "What? And disturb you two? That wouldn't have been polite," she countered, teasingly. "And just sitting up there listening to us is?" "Well, maybe not, but I just figured that since you were doing it, you weren't all that concerned, anyway. I know I wouldn't be," Himiko remarked, turning to look back at them with a smile and a wink. "You have to take your opportunities where you get them, ne?" "Okay, okay... Can we get to a bathhouse or something now?" Ranma countered, the heat in her cheeks becoming unbearable. Nabiki, her own face colouring, broke into a chuckle. After ruling out a bathhouse for safety reasons, Himiko landed the car beside a small, out of the way lake, and within short order, all of them were in the water. Ranma couldn't help but notice that Himiko, while otherwise rather 'uninhibited', made a point of keeping her hair and face out of the water. Meantime, she got a kick out of how Nabiki eyed the woman warily, despite similar behavior on her own part. In fact, it was that behaviour that drew Ranma's attention to a large bruise purpling along Nabiki's side and hip. She slid the girl a critical look, but Nabiki just shrugged it off. She responded with a huff and a headshake. Once everyone had bathed and changed, Ranma convened a 'meeting' over the cookies and pop Nabiki supplied, in an attempt to sort out some kind of plan. The fact that they'd been on the ground for over an hour, and not yet been attacked was making her nervous. As well, the frilly, pale green sundress Nabiki gave her wasn't helping, and the panties kept giving her wedgies. "I want to hear the rest of your idea, Himiko-san," she opened, settling on a convenient rock after yet another adjustment. "After last night, I think you might be right," she continued, opening her legs and shoving the dress down between them, then leaning forward. "Not much to it," the woman sighed, pulling out a small unit and popping it open. "About the best we can do is try to distract it, and see if I can take it out. According to my data, that's not going to be easy. It's not stupid, just limited by the implant." "Yeah... You mentioned that. What's it all about, anyway?" "Lots. It's a bioelectric chip that messes up certain of your neurotransmitters, and uses them to impart whatever instructions it carries. They've been experimenting with it for years, and only just recently perfected it. The details of it are complex, and closely guarded - which is why I was hacking in their 'net. My job is to get as much info on it as possible." "So in plain Japanese, you're a cyber-spy. Now this starts to make sense - one thing led to the other," Nabiki nodded, looking pleased. Himiko nodded. "But... That's not all I discovered. Uhm... Ranma, do you remember me telling you that I could explain what happened to you a year ago?" Her face darkened. "Hai... But not in those words." "Well, I know quite a bit about it -- but you actually know *all* about it." "Nani?" "Reach up and run your finger along your skull, just behind your right ear," Himiko instructed, at which Ranma felt her face drain. "Kuso," she gasped, as her finger found a rectangular impression, right under a fine scar. "You guessed it. Only that's an earlier model, and in fact the second type you've been fitted with. It's not nearly as sophisticated as your assassin's, and unless I miss my guess, you've been having weird dreams and such, right?" "H-hai... Only I know they're not just dreams," she confirmed, exchanging a nervous look with Nabiki. "You're absolutely right. They're the results of a bad memory cap. In a sense, it leaks. You'd likely be plagued by the results for years." She huffed, then lowered an eyebrow. "I get the feeling you can do something about that, and I hope I'm right." Himiko's face became sympathetic, which only made her feel worse. "I can, but like I said, it's not going to be easy to take. They... Did quite a number on you, and... Well, you'd better make sure you're prepared for it." Her eyes narrowed. "I couldn't be more ready." "All right, Ranma. I've set the proximity warning to maximum, but that's only going to give us a few more seconds. If that thing shows up, I'm going to have to pull this off you in a hurry. The shock will disorient you for a few seconds, but it will pass with no harm done," Himiko cautioned, as she snapped the tiara-like device on. "So... What will this thing do again?" she asked, fingering the unit gingerly. "It's going to 'open' your cap. You'll get all your blocked memories back, and until it stops, the process will take you over completely. It will only take about five minutes real time, but because your brain is so busy trying to deal with it, it will feel like it takes forever," the woman reiterated, as she stepped back and opened her small unit again. "Well, we're all set. You ready?" She drew a deep breath. "Hai," she confirmed, closing her eyes. "Okay. See you on the other side," Himiko responded, followed by the sound of a soft beep. The office of Doppelganger Biomedical Research was large, bright and equipped with the latest, which brought a sigh of relief to Joseizou Kigai's chest. She'd been afraid she'd end up in a dingy old prison cell of a building, which would have been the same as not getting the job - because she'd have quit. She hadn't left her old job and gone through months of intense upgrading for nothing. Those thoughts moved away quickly however, as she was led closer to a cluster of desks, and the women there all looked up at her and smiled. She returned a bright smile, even as she glanced down at her dress and quickly checked her hair. The others all looked very pretty and professional, making her hope she looked even half as good. Her reception, however, soon allayed all of her fears. The other girls were as friendly as their smiles, and within half an hour, she felt like she was amoung old friends. The morning went by quickly, and before she'd even realized the time, the other girls were inviting her to lunch. Delighted, she suspended her computer and grabbed her purse. For some reason, she was as hungry as a horse. At lunch, her new co-workers interrogated her, and were very complimentary of her flame-red hair. She was used to that, however, as it was an unusual colour for Japanese women. In fact, it just made her feel that much more at ease. If they were discussing it with her, they wouldn't be behind her back. Her smile widened as she decided she was going to like this job. A few weeks later, she walked into the office at her usual time, but wasn't able to get to her desk. Her friends had seen the glow on her cheeks, and ambushed her in the aisle. Her flush brightening, she finally had to come clean about the wonderful gaijin man she'd met, and how he had spoiled her rotten all evening. Her excited smile grew wistful as she remembered his bright, clear, light blue eyes and handsome face, and the gentleness in his massive hands. In fact, she caught herself wondering if they'd even be able to kiss, as he was extremely tall -- particularly when compared to her. It wasn't until her friends started laughing that she realized how her face had echoed her thoughts. The rest of her day was a struggle, as between her friends and her own curious fantasies, she wasn't able to concentrate at all. Matters only became worse after he called, and offered to take her to supper. As she departed the office amid the envious looks of her friends, she couldn't have wiped away her happiness to save her life. On the street, he was waiting, and when he saw her, he broke out in a smile that weakened her knees. He opened the door to his very nice car, and held it while she stepped in. He then flew her to an exclusive club, and treated her to an evening of dinner, dancing, and doting attention. By the time he flew her home, she was sure she was falling in love. He was smart, well-spoken, funny and caring, and seemed to delight in her presence -- almost as much as she delighted in his. She'd never known a man who made her feel so important, so comfortable - so complete. In fact, as his tailights disappeared into the deep indigo sky, she felt the emptiness start in her chest. And he still hadn't even tried to kiss her. With disappointment touching her pretty face, she clutched her purse to her chest, sighed wistfully, then turned and headed up to her suddenly lonely apartment. From then, her days became long, and her nights anxiously awaited. Her fingers lay still on the keyboard as she looked up at the clock, counting yet again the minutes until she could see him again. At last, the hour dawned, and in a blurred clatter of her conservative heels, she was gone. She had already decided that this night was going to be special. As had become customary, he awaited her on the street, his wonderful smile looking better than ever. He immediately announced different plans for their evening, as his company had managed a major success, and he wanted to share his celebration - with the most important person in his life. She almost fainted at the gleam in his eye. She almost did again when they landed in Vancouver City, and he told her that he wanted her to see the auroras dance - because only that could show her what she did to his heart. After a wonderful dinner and an aimless, laughter-filled tour of the downtown, he finally whisked her away to his chosen vantage -- the top of a pristine, tree-blanketed ridge. And then the show began. As she watched the colourful wisps of light write their freedom on the inky darkness, she took the chance to nestle against his side, her hand on his chest. Over time, she heard his heartbeat faint beneath his clothes, and sighed at the strong, hypnotically soothing rhythm. His arm descended over her and pressed her to him, bringing the sound even stronger to her ears. Her eyes closed and a small, content smile grew as she heard its pace increase. The time was right. With all of the will she could avail, she stepped around out of the embrace, and moved her hand up to grace his sculptured visage. When he looked down at her with widened eyes, she responded with a soft smile. In a scene reminiscent of an old romance film, he gently, wordlessly lifted her into his arms, and guided her lips to his. And in that wonderful, silent moment, under the celebration of the auroras - two became one. Even in the light of the office, her ring was alive with sparkles, rivaled only by the ones in her sapphire blue eyes. Her friends were predictably envious, but still excited by the prospect of her wedding. The ceremony itself, despite all the guests, was a very simple affair, as both she and her husband were anxious to begin their new life. And begin it, they did. The euphoria of their month-long honeymoon had only just faded when she received the news that made her life complete. They were with child. Her husband was so proud that he told everyone he knew, and asked that she call him 'Papa' from then on. She gleefully agreed, and in fact, went one step further. She called him 'Kawaii-tousan', in reference to his wide, ever-present smile. Her motherhood was easy for her first few months, despite fears her co-workers had raised over morning sickness and pain. She was well into her fifth before she even began to show, at which her husband promptly shot 72 hours of video disk. But, her new daughter grew quickly, and by the seventh month's passing, she regretfully had to leave work. It was the saddest, most heart-wrenching day of her life, as she had become best friends with all of her co-workers. Upon arriving home after her tearful goodbyes, however, she had been surprised to find her husband waiting, his strong, comforting arms wide open. Her daughter continued to grow rapidly, and by the time they had moved to their new apartment, her once petite form had become awkwardly parturient. She was soon after forced to spend most of her time at rest, simply unable to do else. Concerned by her weakness, she went to see her doctor. He determined that her daughter was healthy, but drawing so much from her metabolism that little remained for her. Given that, he advised that her last six weeks be spent in bed. At her husband's worried insistence, she complied. But it wasn't until the trip to delivery that she learned the true meaning of pain. Her daughter, it seemed, was impatient to meet her father, and came screaming into the world only three hours later. Exhausted, sore, but gloriously happy, she cradled her beautiful new daughter to her chest - and cried. At her side, her husband shared her joyous tears. Her life was not only complete, it was now more perfect than in her fondest dreams. As she nursed her healthy, hungry little Kayoko in the hospital mother's lounge, she still smiled from the news that she'd been discharged. She'd already had a shower, and was packed and ready. All that remained was for the man that had so blessed her to come pick her up, and take them back to her now even happier home. That night, she smiled tenderly as her daughter settled into her crib, and almost chuckled at the sight of the little one smacking her lips. She felt her husband's arm slide across her back, and rose to nestle against his broad chest. With a last, lingering look at her precious child, she exchanged a proud, satisfied smile with her husband, and let him guide her from the room. As she settled to their bed and rolled into his embrace, she sighed as her body succumbed to her tiring day. She looked up to see him smile at her, and felt his hand slip onto her rear. She reached back and laughingly deflected the advance, though disappointed she had to deny his unspoken request. The way his eyes saddened when she told him it would be a few weeks, however, quickly chased away her mirth. He seemed to notice, and moved to hold her to him. In a soft, earnest whisper, he told her he loved her - more than anything on Earth. Her smile returned as she nestled against him, and quietly told him of how she returned that love. As she heard his heart begin to beat a little faster, the smile widened - and graced her content visage even as she drifted into pleasant slumber. Ranma gasped, then her eyes slowly opened. Without a word, she lifted the device from her head and let it fall from her hand. She turned searchingly until her gaze found Nabiki, at which she rose and started toward her. As she approached, Nabiki rose and stood, concern etched in her features. Ranma walked up to her in silence, buried her face in the shocked girl's top - and wept. ==================================================================== END - Goodbye Is Not Forever - Part 6 A Ranma1/2 Fanfic by Coutuva Comments Welcomed - Flames Extinguished! coutuva@vecdev.com