Celestial Navigation

I just know they're avoiding me. What the heck is wrong with this quirky family, anyway?! They're always so dodgy, like they're hiding something. And what family can support a pet panda on a martial artist's income, anyway? What did these strange people do to my boy?Pushing through the half-open gate into the yard between the Tendo home and the dojo outbuilding, Nodoka Saotome looked around for any sign of her husband or her son. She found not only no sign of the two men, but no one at all. "Hello?! Is anyone here? The gate was open!""Uh-huh. No, I understand where you're coming from, Armand." A lithe young woman in denim overalls and a green sweater gave Nodoka a little wave as she stepped out through the open sliding door from the kitchen. She held up one finger in the just a minute gesture as she spoke into the wireless telephone pinned to her ear with her shoulder. The tips of her brown bob were caught between the phone and her arm.Nodoka sighed, smoothing her yellow floral kimono and watching the noonday sun sparkle off the koi pond half-heartedly as she waited. After all this time, I'm finally going to see my Ranma again. I'm finally going to see what's become of him. I won't be denied this time, she resolved as one of the large orange fish flopped out of the water momentarily."Look, I get it. You've never done a celebrity endorsement before. But think about it, man. Your business does radio repair. My client literally has a hit song called Demon in Your Radio. I mean, even you have to be able to see the tie-in opportunities here, buddy. An appearance in even a radio ad would be a huge win for you, and pretty affordable too, if you get on it quick before her sales numbers go public."Not wanting to eavesdrop further on the telephone conversation, Nodoka crept into the dojo, her eyes tracking around every corner and crevice for any evidence that her son was there, or indeed, ever had been. The building's interior was incredibly sparse even by dojo standards, and finding nothing of consequence to interact with, she took a kneeling position on the floor in front of the Tendo family shrine to await the young woman who had greeted her in the yard.Is this where my boy trained? Is this where Genma taught him? Where are you, Ranma? Where are you, Genma? What are you hiding from me?A moment later, the girl's silhouette appeared in the door frame of the dojo. "Sounds good, Armand. I knew you'd see things my way. I'll have my people get with your people, and we'll send over our terms. Better start planning your Caribbean vacation with all the extra sales you're about to make. Uh-huh. Take care."Pushing the Talk button to disengage the white cordless telephone and slipping it into her right pocket, Nabiki's gaze fell on the woman whose very appearance had been the boulder sending ripples through her family's pond for weeks. "Sorry about that. Business waits for no one."Nodoka nodded as she stood, adjusting the long bundle strapped to her back. "Of course. I didn't mean to intrude. I was just hoping my husband had returned with news of Ranma. I told him he had two weeks, and that was over a month ago. I need answers. Please.""I'm sorry, Mrs. Saotome, but we haven't seen Mr. Saotome in weeks." Nabiki sneered in sadistic pleasure. Wonder how long it takes to swim back from whatever island they dump the trash from downtown on."I see." Nodoka sighed. "Is there a reason no one will tell me where my son is? Genma, I understand. He's always been something of a coward."Nabiki laughed. "Yeah, you can say that again. I honestly don't know that we'll see much more of him around here, Mrs. Saotome. He's kind of persona non grata here these days.""You…" Nodoka reached out, resting her hand supplicantly on Nabiki's wrist. "You know him, don't you? My Ranma? Everyone acts as if they know something, and no one will share anything. Where is he? Tell me about him? Anything at all? Please?"With an intimidated sigh, Nabiki nodded. "Yeah, I know him. He's certainly… something else. Ranma's… special. Truly. Definitely not what meets the eye. But we love him, and we're super proud of what he became." Or at least, the girl she is now."Tell me more?" Nodoka gripped the girl's wrist pleadingly. "Is he strong? Handsome? Smart? Brave?"Nabiki pulled her arm back gently. "Look, Mrs. Saotome. The situation with Ranma is… complicated. It's really not my story to tell; my family doesn't really want me getting involved. Things tend to get violent. But, you seem like a nice lady, and so, between you and me, I could definitely help you…" She flashed a shrewd smirk. "For a price."Nodoka growled a bit under her breath. Cheeky girl, taking advantage of a mother's desperation! Still, no one else has offered to help, bribe or not.She reached into her purse, withdrawing two 5,000-yen bills. "This is all the money I have on me." Nodoka closed her yellow shoulder bag and proffered the bills to the enterprising tween. "Now, where is my boy? I've been about as patient as I can manage." Almost nineteen years is long enough to wait.Nabiki stuffed the bills into the pocket on the left hip of her blue denim overalls. Thank you for your generous contribution to your daughter's wedding fund, Mrs. Saotome."Alright," Nabiki said, leaning toward her and speaking in a hushed tone. "You didn't hear this from me, but… In the Minato district of Tokyo, there's a little bar called the Phoenix, right by the water. Two-story red brick building; you can't miss it. My sister Akane works there. Go before they open and ask for her. She should be there by about three in the afternoon. Don't talk to anybody else. If anyone knows where Ranma is, she will. They used to date." And now? Well, about that…The Saotome matriarch stepped back and bowed deeply at the waist. The sword strapped to her back nearly bonked Nabiki on the head. "Thank you so much for your help, Miss Tendo! This is my first real lead on where to find my son in years, and you have no idea how much I appreciate it!"Nabiki respectfully returned the bow. "Yeah, don't mention it. Good luck!"Nodoka gathered herself and started to head for the dojo door, but Nabiki's voice called her back. It had lost its sinister edge, and there was a soft, almost hopefulness to it. "Hey, Mrs. Saotome?"Ranma's mother turned, calling back over her shoulder. "Yes?"Nabiki swallowed hard. "Look, it's not my place to say anything, but… Ranma's been through a lot these last few years. Like, a lot. You may not like everything you hear, but if I can respectfully ask you to, please try and keep an open mind. The kid could really do with a bit of grace.""I don't follow," Nodoka said, a pallor of concern crossing her face. "Is something wrong with my son?" The strap holding the Saotome family katana to her back felt a little itchier all of a sudden."Not wrong, no," Nabiki said, cringing and wishing she'd kept her mouth shut. "Just, it's a bit of a story. Try to be understanding, is all. Please.""... Very well." Nodoka turned back for the gate, a mystified expression on her face. What is that girl on about? One can only guess. But at least I have a bread crumb to follow. I'll see you soon, son.As soon as the woman's shadow had disappeared from view, Nabiki pressed the Talk button on her cordless phone again, punching a few buttons. A familiar voice answered on the second ring."Hello? Tendo residence."Nabiki suspired heavily. Her sisters' plan was in motion now, ready or not. "Hey, Akane. Your message has been delivered. Fingers crossed." She pulled the two bills she'd collected from Nodoka from her pocket. "Oh, and by the way, hon. Your wedding invitations are on me."