#Frontier orphans Dia and Ruby

[lonelypond]

Learning The Ropes

NicoMaki, Love Live, 2.2K, 1/1

As promised, the Tumblr native version.

Summary: Nico and Maki are sharing a house now, as Nico heals and gets to know Ruby and Dia. But soon, Nico will have to confront the gang that nearly killed her.

Learning The Ropes

Sleeping Maki felt the intensity. She was now used to Dia waking her up by standing in the doorway of her bedroom and staring.

“Good morning, Dia.”

“Good morning, Mama.” Dia could now come to the bed for a brief hug, according to the Dia rules. “Ruby’s cooking.”

Maki was out of the bed and racing for the kitchen. Ruby had no business being by the stove. Cereal was a fine breakfast. But as Maki was about to roar into the kitchen, she saw her patient, tiny, but not as tiny as Ruby, wrapped in Maki’s worn flannel robe and standing next to the stove, one hand on Ruby’s shoulder.

“Nico?”

“Oh, morning, Doctor Maki. I was just showing Ruby here how easy it is to make an apple pie.” Nico raised an eyebrow, “she says you don’t like sweets.”

“No. The girls aren’t allowed candy.” Maki answered automatically. “Where did you get the apples?”

“Your cousin managed to find some Rome beauties, they’re best for baking, and dropped off a half bushel. Nico’s making a pie for dinner tonight. Ruby cut the butter and rolled out the pie dough.”

As far as Maki knew, there was nothing in her pantry you could make pie dough out of. She had the ingredients for tonight’s pot roast and the makings of lunch ham sandwiches, but that was all.

“I sent Rin off with a grocery list.”

“We’re fine.”

“Nico wants to put up some preserves so the girls can have fruit with their winter breakfasts.”

Maki rolled her eyes, “I can buy that.”

“Nico’s recipe is the best.”

“Nico’s going to show me how to do it, Mama, so I can cook for you and Dia.” Ruby sounded more determined than shy.

Nico must be feeling better. But Maki was not going to turn her adopted daughters into child kitchen labor.

“That isn’t necessary, Ruby. I can cook what we need. Or buy it at the general store. Or one of the restaurants in town. Is anything on the stove?” Maki asked, her patience thinning.

“No.”

“Dia, take Ruby to wash up." Maki pushed Dia gently toward her sister, "Nico, I want to look at the wound.”

“Nico is healing fast, Doc.”

Maki pointed to the closest chair, “Sit down, Nico, and I will judge how you’re doing.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Nico saluted with a spoon, eyes bright, smile brighter. Maki refused to be charmed.

Maki would certainly not be mentioning this, but the apple and cinnamon smells seasoning the kitchen air, hit delicious high notes that made Maki think apple pie would be an excellent, always breakfast.

###

Maki was nervous. Too many people would be in the house tonight. Ruby was fidgety. When Maki got restless, it seemed to impact Ruby. Maki cut another pound of potatoes into quarters, then laid them in the bottom of the roaster. Carefully settling the browned, seasoned meat on top of that, Maki put the roast in the oven. The girls would have some rewarmed chili when they were ready for their supper. It would be an early night for them. Maki didn’t want them to overhear the conversations so she was letting them tire themselves out by playing outside. Nico was napping.

Maki heard the door.

“Mama?” Dia’s voice, but with no worried notes to concern Maki.

“Be right there.” Maki closed the oven door and washed her hands.

“Ruby’s tired of playing.”

“Okay. Come inside. I'm done here."

“Can we sing?” Dia asked, green eyes wide and hopeful.

Sunday afternoon with their songbook was a family tradition. This was just a regular day for the girls, no matter what having a dinner with law enforcement to discuss the bandit who had ended up in Maki’s spare room was doing to the doctor’s nerves.

“Sure.” Maki sat, poised, at the upright, flexing her fingers, playing a few scales to warm up, while Dia decided which songbook to pick.

“Nico’s a cowboy?” Dia asked.

Any word was better than bandit. “Cowgirl. Maybe cowpoke.”

“Cowpoke.” Ruby giggled.

"This one." Dia handed Maki Jack Thorp’s Songs Of The Cowboys, open to the first song, “Ti Ri Youdy.”

That was a fun one, the girls singing the chorus after each verse.

“Let’s practice the chorus. Remember, it’s Singin' Ti Ri Youdy I ea ea ea, singing Ti Ri Youdy I ea.”

All three voices: “Singin' Ti Ri Youdy I ea ea ea, singing Ti Ri Youdy I ea.”

Then Maki started the verse, “Well boys you see I’m back, on my old red roan And I find there’s no place, like this old ranch home…”

After getting through most of the song, Maki skipped a couple of verses, finishing up with “Well I’ll bid you adios for I got to mosey long And I hope you all enjoyed an old Cowpuncher song.”

A new voice joined the family chorus, lively and bright, “Singin' Ti Ri Youdy I ea ea ea, singing Ti Ri Youdy I ea.”

Maki paused, turning to where Nico was leaning in the doorframe, watching the scene.

“You’re a CowPUNCHER.” Ruby declared, pointing at Nico.

“Nope. Nico never started a fight with anything four legged. Nico had a chuck wagon. Cowpunchers would line up for her famous Range Riders Stew.”

Dia was sitting next to Maki, “Can we have that?”

“Well, we have the apples. Just need beef and the regular stew stuff.” Nico counted ingredients off on her fingers.

“Mama?”

“Give me a list; I’ll pick it up in the morning.”

Nico came over to the piano, leaning over Maki, brushing her shoulder as she flipped through the songbook, “What else is in here? Nico knows a bunch of songs. We should make camp some night and sing them around the campfire. Nico wants to see the Falls before she leaves. We’ll have campfire chili and johnny cakes and roasted potatoes. ”

“Put it on the list.” Maki said.

“And pudding.” Dia added.

“Nico can do pudding.”

Ruby’s eyes were so big Maki feared she’d never be satisfied with Maki’s simple cooking now.

Nico bumped into Maki’s back as she turned another page, humming, smelling like peppermint somehow, a refreshing and cool calm. Maki focused on that, not overheating from everyone crowding around the piano. No one mentioned that Nico said she was leaving.

###

Sheriff Umi Sonoda pushed back from the table. “Kotori will chide me for eating so much. I didn’t know you could cook so well, Maki. Nozomi gave me the impression the girls only got hot meals when you brought them home from a restaurant.”

Maki huffed. Nico grinned. Maki cringed, waiting for some comment about how the girls were so eager for “Nico’s number one cooking” or something like that.

“Dia and Ruby love their Mama’s cooking.” Nico took another bite of roast, “And it’s healing Nico up darn fast.”

“Good to hear. You’ll need your strength.”

“Shall we move this to the parlor?” Maki asked. “I have some brandy a patient sent me.”

Nico helped Maki put the dishes in the sink, but with the housekeeper coming tomorrow, they were just left there. Maki pulled four cut crystal snifters from the hutch.

With everyone settled in chairs, Maki poured. “How is Kotori?”

“Doing well. She has a wedding dress to make for a client in San Francisco. And her mother is coming for a visit next month.”

“I am sorry she couldn’t join us.”

Umi shook her head at Maki, “It is best to just keep the discussion among those of us most involved.”

Rin nodded. “Hanayo doesn’t need to know details.”

Nico sipped at the brandy, then put the glass down.

“Nico knows too many.”

“So, Nico, how did you go from chuckwagon to robbing wagons.” Umi needed reassurance that Nico could be trusted.

Nico’s eyes darkened. “Someone heard I inherited my father’s rifle and found out about Nico being the best shot in camp.”

“Your father’s rifle?”

“His Sharp’s rifle and his sniper’s eye. Tsubasa found out and made Nico her lookout.” Nico fist was clenched, her knuckles white, remembering the threats to her family “Tsubasa makes it so no one says no.” Nico glanced at Maki, “Nico never killed anyone. Tell them, Rin.”

“No, Nico never killed anyone. Nico’s not a killer.”

“What did your father do?”

“Soldier, then miner. He died in a mine collapse.”

Awkward silence.

“So tell us about this meeting you attended.” Umi got everyone back on topic.

“Nico was the lookout. Big plans to head back to Colorado for a meetup at the end of the month, then back into the mountains to derail a train. Tsubasa had information that one of the big banks was sending gold west.”

Umi unrolled a map. “Where’s the meetup?”

Nico pointed.

Rin examined the map. “Where are they hitting the train?”

Nico moved her finger.

“It’s our best chance to catch the whole gang.”

“We need to get…” Umi stopped, awkward.

Rin sounded worried. “If she leaves before they all head out for the heist, they’ll know. And call it off."

“They plan to ride fast. There’s not much on this trail.” Nico shuffled her finger. “But there is a bridge we could block to set up an ambush.”

Rin sighed, “I don’t know if we can get any other marshals there in time.”

“Maybe someone could follow them from…”

Umi shook her head, “We can’t afford any leaks of information. Her life is at stake.”

Who was “her?” Maki wondered as she sat still, gathering as much information as she could.

“There’s the three of us.”

“You don’t have to come, Nico.” Umi said seriously, “It’s not your job.”

“She saved my life. Rin did too. I owe them.” A quick look to Maki, “And Nico wants to prove Nico’s one of the good guys.”

Why did that involve Nico putting her life in danger again, making herself the target of more bullets, Maki’s thoughts grumbled. Wasted effort saving someone who was just going to leave for more trouble.

“Oh, I brought your Dad’s rifle along.” Rin ran out of the room, Maki heard the door, then Rin was back, handing Nico a wrapped rifle. “You can get in some practice.”

“Thanks, pal.” Nico did a quick visual, handling the gun easily. “You took good care of it.”

Maki had a sudden flash of Nico lining up a shot, kneeling behind a rock, bullets chipping off small stones, getting closer and closer.

“You can’t have that in the house.” Maki snapped.

“All right. Lock it in your gun safe.”

“No.” Maki prickled, suddenly tired of everyone, now that they were all staring at her.

“Nico will keep it in the stable then, somewhere no one can find it.”

“The girls get everywhere. They’re at that age.”

“Nico knows what age they’re at. Nico has siblings…”

“And are they going to be glad when they hear you’re dead in a railway robbery shootout?” Maki spun and stomped out of the room, knowing her next sentence, whatever it was, would be shouted.

Nico winced, sitting and holding the gun across her lap.

“Perhaps it is time to say good night.” Umi said.

“Yeah, I’ll stop by and fill Nico in on the details when we figure 'em out.” Rin yawned, eager to get back to the ranch.

“When do we have to leave?” Nico asked quietly, staring after Maki with a thoughtful expression.

“With those dates and distances….a week.” Umi decided, “Will you be ready to ride?”

“Yeah, Maki really is a good doctor. And Nico heals fast.”

“All right. Stay low. Rin will be in touch.” Umi picked up her hat.

“We got this.�� Rin chirped as she bounced after Umi.

“We got this…” Nico echoed, adding a pained note.

###

“Lotta stars tonight.” Nico said, as she walked to where Maki was leaning against a fence, staring up, infinite gems sparkling on sable stretching to the heavens.

“That’s why I love it here.” Maki blew out a puff of air, stretching out her arms. “Space and space.”

Nico carefully propped the Sharps within Maki’s reach, “Do whatever you want with it. I just need it a week from now.” Nico stepped up on the rails, seating herself on the top of the fence. “Nico would never endanger your daughters.”

“I know.”

“It’s why Nico has to leave.”

Maki turned to stare at Nico, not hiding her surprise.

“Everyone has seen the poster. Here. Nico’s hometown. All across the Plains. Nico Yazawa, bandit. Now if Nico…” Nico stared up, humming a tune Maki almost recognized, “comes back the hero who caught the A-Rise gang, Nico has a new story.”

“You can get a new start without getting shot at. People reinvent themselves every day out here.” Maki kicked her toe into the dirt, “It was a lousy picture anyway.”

“Thanks for that." Nico laughed. "Maybe you can take a photograph so Nico can have a better one for fans.”

“Maybe.”

Silence and wind and bats and night in all its fluttery brushes of life. Across the sky, a meteor streaked.

“Make a wish?”

“Nope.”

“You’re a stubborn one. Should Nico make a wish?”

“Stop being silly. Make a plan. And make it a damn good one.” Maki grabbed the rifle, stomping back to the house.

Nico laughed, startling an owl flying overhead. She would miss learning new things about the pretty, prickly doctor more than she wanted to admit.

A/N: A/N: Another Yeehawgust prompt as our Wild West tale continues

[lonelypond]

A Whole Heap Of Trouble

NicoMaki, NozoEli, Love Live, 2.4K, 6/?

The time to track down the A-Rise gang is nearing. Nishikino Maki has feelings to confront; Sonoda Umi has allies to recruit

A Whole Heap Of Trouble

For once, Nozomi Tojo was eager to climb the stairs to her room over the general store, to have  some private moments. Business had been bustling, people in and out, full of news, but Nozomi couldn’t shake the sense that as much as the flow of information flowed freely on the surface, there were undercurrents and shadows in the depths. Maki’s cousin, Rin, was a friendly visitor nearly every day, but some days her purchases made no sense if Nozomi tried to link them to Hanayo’s ranch. And frankly, the only person in town who had as much cash as Rin was spending was Doctor Maki. Even when they socialized together, dinner with the girls and Hanayo at the saloon, once a week as usual for Maki, Nozomi couldn’t get a read on their relationship. The Doctor was even more closed off than usual. And Eli, Eli was working later, spending more time visiting distant ranches, and restless when she and Nozomi found themselves together. That wired energy would translate into nights with Eli that Nozomi wanted to linger in bed and daydream about, but somehow it wasn’t exactly the Eli that Nozomi knew and loved. Today, today, Nozomi would get answers from her oldest friend, the well worn Tarot deck she carried everywhere. Her thoughts on Eli, the feel of the cards against her fingertips familiar, Nozomi dealt out three cards.

A very mixed picture. In the Past slot she had the Two of Pentacles. Freezing passerbys outside looking in, unable or unwilling to reach for help. The Present slot was the frankly disturbing reversed Eight of Swords, a woman blindfolded in a maze of deadly edges. There is a path out of the present twisting around, but steps must taken blindly, forward. The future was a strike from a reversed Ace of Wands. Unexpected change. What path will be chosen?

Disgruntled, Nozomi reached again for the deck, taking the top card and turning it, giving the pictures shuffling around her some grounding. Three of wands. A horizon, perhaps a journey, a new start. A new start that embraced a past Nozomi had asked Eli had put behind her. Nozomi sighed. She should have known better than to set Eli on a path that took nothing forward.

Something important was about to happen, an opportunity for Eli to help, but only if Nozomi could convince her that breaking a promise was the only way forward. Reshuffling the cards, Nozomi left them out, where Eli would see them. The next step was to return something Eli believed gone forever.

###

Kousaka Honoka walked at a brisk pace, blue eyes taking in as much detail as possible, goofy grin on her face covering serious thoughts. She’d gotten a message, a fellow marshal had taken a chance and sidled up to the bar next to her, demanding they cut cards for whiskey shots. Honoka had lost two pulls of of three, but thanks to very carefully phrased challenges, Honoka knew that help was coming, riding out to the train intercept. Not from this town though. Honoka had realized A-Rise had chosen this Colorado town as a reunion point because Tsubasa had a very cozy relationship with the sheriff, who was passing information from the marshals. Honoka and Rin had known that there was a turncoat in the organization somewhere. They kept their plans limited to the people they could absolutely trust. Yazawa Nico had become one of them so Honoka was glad Rin had ridden after her. But that left Honoka in a lonely, dangerous position.

“Honoka!” Yuuki Anju, one of A-Rise’s lieutenants bounced up to throw an arm around Honoka, “Where ya been? Tsuba’s been looking for you.”

Honoka rolled up the frayed cuff of her jacket, showing a new undyed shirt sleeve. “Caught my sleeve on a nail at the livery, needed a new shirt.”

“Can’t wait to get to San Francisco and buy something fancier than you can get here.” Anju scuffed at the material.

“Yeah.” Honoka chuckled, “I’ll go straight for linen. Calico’s too coarse.”Honoka straightened her battered gray bowler, “Need a new hat too. This one’ll see me through the winter but…”

‘No flair.”

Honoka swallowed a wince at the woman’s matter of fact assessment. She really needed to dandy up before she saw Umi and Kotori again.

###

Yazawa Nico knocked gently on Maki’s office doorframe. “The girls are all packed and ready for tomorrow. Nico’s about to cook up lunch. Want some?”

Maki shook her head.

“They’re so excited. They say they've been wanting to go camping for awhile now. All the songs made them curious." Nico grinned, bright and jaunty.

Maki shrugged, “Busy.” She smiled down at her inventory, thinking of Ruby and Dia playing, tumbling around and roughhousing with her. “Plus, they outnumber me.”

“Nico fixes that.”

“You do.” The smile continued.

A pause.

“Nico will save you lunch. For whenever you're done with serious doctor things.”

“Thank you.” Back to serious doctor face.

Getting Maki to talk about anything for more than a sentence or two was becoming impossible. Nico wondered if it was punishment for Nico leaving or just the doctor shutting off her emotions. But Nico kept throwing out topics like baited fish hooks, hoping to snag the doctor's attention.

“Nico is looking forward to seeing this waterfall. Your pictures are gorgeous.”

Maki grunted.

“Nico is very lucky to have found such a beautiful place and such a beautiful doctor.”

Why did Nico keep doing that? Maki grumbled to herself. Maki didn’t know, had never known what to say to compliments. Nico must know that. She’d been tossing sweet words at Maki like lariat loops, but Maki just let them slip to the ground. She raised a hand to her warming cheek. A blush. Had Nico seen that?

Since their conversation under the stars two nights ago, Nico had carefully kept her talk mostly general, telling stories to the girls, asking Maki about ‘doctor things,’ but no more lips brushing anything or Nico expressing future plans. Why not? How could Nico just leave that statement out there, “Nico wants a family of her own sometime”, ambushing Maki at random, without any further discussion.

Maki was on feet, out of her office, before Nico was halfway across the living room.

“Why?”

Nico turned.

“If you want…” Maki couldn’t articulate what Nico had described. Her hands flailed in the air, “Why are you going away to get yourself shot? Again?”

Nico’s shoulders slumped, she looked back, but the girls remained in the kitchen. So she stepped toward Maki. “It’s the right thing to do. It’s what Nico has to do.”

“You’re not a marshal, you're not a hero. You’re just…” Maki stopped before she started crying.

“No, Nico’s not a hero.” Nico had Maki's hand again, and then Nico was brushing tears from Maki’s cheek. Her voice was a whisper, “Tsubasa threatened my family. I have to make sure they’re going to be safe. Nico made a big mistake back then; I’m gonna fix it. I can’t bring my problems here, Maki. You deserve better.”

��I don't care. I can help.”

“You have to take care of Ruby and Dia. They need you. Nico can take care of Nico.”

“You shouldn’t have to.” Maki was on a cliff and neither she nor an imaginary speeding horse knew where the fall would start.

“It’s what Nico does.” Nico was too good at easily shrugging off Maki’s arguments.

But before Maki could explode, two cheerful voices came rushing forward.

“Mama, come have lunch.” Dia skipped to Maki.

Ruby crushed Nico’s leg into a hug. "Soup!!!"

For this moment, the present, the presence of Ruby, Dia, Nico, and lunch pushed future concerns past the horizon. Perhaps Maki could just stay in this moment, not think, and let the cheerful bustle surround her.

“Yeah, come have lunch, Doctor Maki. You can sit next to Nico.” Nico winked, before she turned to pull Maki into the kitchen, not letting go of her hand.

“Soup!!!” Ruby cheered.

Maki picked up her youngest daughter, engaged in every detail, every sensation around her, forcing a match for Ruby’s enthusiasm. “Soup!!!”

###

“Nontan.”

Nozomi had fallen asleep. Eli had crept into the room so quietly, sitting next to Nozomi, brushing her hair with gentle fingers. Twilight had left the room in a limnal state, Eli catching just enough of a glow from Nozomi’s Tarot deck to wonder what the psychic had been up to before her nap.

“mmmmmm….Eli.” Nozomi murmured softly as she nuzzled into Eli.

“I’m back, Love. Did you have a good nap. Shall I cook you something?”

Nozomi shook her head, then pulled Eli down into a deep, slow kiss. Surprised at the sudden intensity, Eli pulled back, blue eyes seeking clues.

“I love you, Eli. From the very first day we met. You know that, right?”

“What’s wrong, Nozomi?”

“You’ve been restless.”

Eli sighed, then laughed, “Much as I love horses, they’re not really much for talking.”

“You miss….”

Eli’s response was sharp, cutting off what she thought Nozomi might say, “I gave that up when you asked me to, Nozomi. I have no regrets.”

Another kiss.

“I was silly. And worried. Scared.”

“I know.” Eli held Nozomi’s hand, lacing their fingers together.

“I have something for you, something you'll need.” Nozomi whispered, her head pressing into Eli’s shoulder. She then leaned over to pull something out from Eli’s usual pillow. The dark, polished leather of Eli’s gunbelt, customized pearl handled twin revolvers were so out of place on the bed they often shared.

Eli froze, shocked at her lover’s action.

“Nozomi? Love???” Eli’s voice cracked. "What did the cards..."

“They say it’s time to embrace your past, to not be an outsider, to take steps forward.”

Eli pushed back from Nozomi, “You made me promise never to wear those again.”

Nozomi’s eyes fluttered closed, as the seer considered her next statement, “I should never have asked you to bury your past.”

“But it was for our future.”

Nozomi put both hands on Eli’s cheeks, holding the teary blue gaze, “Can you tell me you’re happy?”

A harsh knock on the door sent Eli diving off the bed, reaching instinctively for a pistol. The Russian’s reflexes were deep muscle history, the weight of the gun lay perfectly in her palm and she lined up a shot, just as if someone were about to break into her hotel room, to try to recover some of the money Eli had won at poker.

“Nozomi, Eli?” Umi. “I have a favor to ask”

“Of course.”

Nozomi slowly opened the door, Eli taking the opportunity to stash the gun belt under the bed. Umi stepped inside, head bowed.

“My apologies for intruding.”

“You’re always welcome.”

Umi flashed a glance at Nozomi, who pointed her to a chair. Nozomi joined Eli on the bed.

“What can we do ya for?” Nozomi asked gaily in her best company drawl.

Umi twisted her hands, weight centered, leaning forward over her firmly planted boots. “I’ll be riding out in a couple of days, with Rin and Nico.”

“Nico?” One question, two voices.

Umi frowned, “The big black horse new at Hanayo’s is hers. Maki’s been tending her bullet wounds. She and Rin escaped from the A-Rise gang.”

Umi’s voice was soft. But this was hard news. Eli and Nozomi had both heard A-Rise tales, a flood of crime, mayhem, and murder from Colorado to the Pacific sea. The gang had splinter groups, always on the move, uniting together for big heists. They had never been active in these mountains, but the stories went everywhere the rails did.

“Rin’s not Maki’s cousin? But she’s so nice. Does Hanayo know?”

Mutual confusion worrying her, Nozomi took Eli’s hand in hers.

“You cannot share this with anyone. Anyone.” Umi’s tone was so solemn Nozomi and Eli nodded automatically.

“Rin is a marshal. She was undercover with another marshal to get enough evidence to bring down the gang leaders. She saved Nico’s life, but had to leave her assignment.” Umi’s golden brown eyes flooded with worry. “The other marshal has been keeping her cover. And now we have a chance to ambush and corral the gang.”

“They’ve caused a whole heap of trouble.” Nozomi knew the news and gossip was always full of the gang.

“And they have informants inside law enforcement. They’ve paid off many sheriffs. We don’t know who to rely on in other towns.”

“So you’re going to go ambush the biggest gang in the West and rescue a marshal, you, Rin, and this Nico person. With no sheriffs to help you.”

“Kotori, as well. The other marshal is…” Umi sighed, “our partner.”

A memory of the fair haired tailor at work, strong hands cutting through leather fabric, sharp eyes measuring unerringly came to Eli. She had faced many less sure opponents across gaming tables and duel distances.

“Why did you come to us?” Nozomi batted her eyelashes, voice coy.

“Nontan.” Eli chided.

Umi cleared her throat, but there was no embarrassment in her voice, “My job is to keep Otonokizaka Falls safe. So when someone new arrives in town, I send discreet inquiries to some trusted colleagues. Eli Ayase is a well known name in some very big towns.”

“That’s not true.” Nozomi leaned forward, turquoise eyes glittering with mischief.

Eli smiled apologetically at Umi. “Nozomi, please don’t tease our friend.”

“She is right though.” Umi stood, “I am not here for Eli Ayase, blacksmith. I need the skills The Russian can bring to this job, guile, street smarts, and unerring aim.” She extended her hand to Eli, “I know you’ve hung up your guns, but I must ask you to take one more gamble.”

Nozomi stood next to Eli, her arms wrapped around her lover’s waist, Eli seeing nothing but a hearth fire worth of warmth in those eyes. She remembered the thrill of taking a risk, of only knowing the probable outcome, not certain of the success of a gambit. And Umi was her good friend. Eli wanted to be there, to help her return a loved one home.

“I’m in.”

Nozomi’s loud kiss smacked on Eli’s cheek covered Umi’s “thank you”.

“My hero.”

Eli rolled her eyes. “We’ll be doing this with a minimum of heroics and a maximum of solid planning.”

“Agreed.”

Nozomi’s raised a hand to her heart. “Y’all make a lady swoon with your sweet talk.”

Even Umi couldn’t hold in the giggle.

A/N: This one was hard yo…so many feelings. Although I did enjoy the chance to cast Tarot cards for Nozomi

[lonelypond]

Gunsmoke, Part II: Horses Know Where To Go

NicoMaki, Love Live, 2.1K, 2/2

After dinner conversations.

Horses Know Where To Go

Her mother had asked almost no questions, letting Ruby and Dia drag her around, showing her everything of interest to them, especially Nico. There was a family sing a long and lunch and dinner and the girls tucked into bed with their grandmother reading them a story and it had been a whirl of conversation flowing by Maki like a river engorged after a storm. When the girls had been tucked in, Nico had gone outside to settle Smiley and Scherzo for the night. She’d been taking on that task since Maki had agreed she needed to work toward getting her full range of motion and stamina back. Both horses adored her and Nico didn’t mind the chores. Maki suspected she appreciated a captive audience for whatever Nico was thinking about, which would be whatever Nico was talking about. Outside the stable, whenever Maki managed to sneak a glance at Nico, unaware, Nico was usually staring after something, her profile sharp and thoughtful. Then she would catch Maki and be all “Nico Ni” but the smile would lack its genuine glow, dulled like a dusty diamond.

“Ruby and Dia are certainly thriving here.” Maki’s mother annnouced her reentry into the living room.

Maki put aside the book she’d been pretending to read.

“They are resilient, curious, and energetic.” Maki smiled. “I think that they would do well in any environment.”

Maki’s mother shook her head. It was still so hard to give her stubborn daughter a compliment. “I mean to say, you have done well, Maki. They are healthy and happy, after a trauma that could have changed their lives dramatically for the worst. I am proud of you, my daughter.”

“They are lucky Maki found them.” Nico walked into the kitchen, to wash her hands. Maki tried not to focus on the yearning edging Nico’s voice. “And I am alive because they found me.”

“You never did explain…” Dr. Nishikino the elder left an opening for Nico’s response.

“Nico needed a job, made some friends and then made some enemies. When someone puts a bullet in you, it’s time to hit the trail. Smiley had good instincts.”

“He and Scherzo are getting along.” Maki offered before her mother could come up with more questions.

“Smiley gets along with everyone. He and Nico are a team.”

Maki got along with no one, really, not without effort, although every day spending time with Nico seemed more natural. Did that make them a team?

“Is it time for brandy yet, Maki?”

Maki raised an eyebrow. “Of course, Mama.”

Nico was already halfway to the kitchen. “You two settle in the library. Nico will grab the glasses and make sure the girls are asleep.”

So they don’t overhear anything. And the library was farther away from their rooms. Maki twirled a curl of hair as she followed her mother into what usually felt like a sanctuary. Now it seemed small, closed in, entirely lacking a breeze or view of the stars.

“Nico’s a natural with children. Ruby and Dia are already so fond of her.”

“She’s had to raise three siblings with her mother. Her father died in a mining accident. Her brother had just been born.”

Dr. Nishikino sighed, “No stranger to difficulties then.”

“No.” Maki opened the cabinet with the brandy, carefully lifting the decanter, “Nico has been a big help to me. This place will be lonely without her.”

Maki’s mother was openly staring at her daughter and Nico had frozen in the doorway, her face expressionless. No words came to save anyone. Nervous in the silence, Maki gripped the decanter tightly, determined not to lose her grip on it.

“Glasses.” Nico said, placing them in an even row on the sideboard, avoiding eye contact even as her hand brushed Maki’s back. She retreated into the depths of Maki’s favorite armchair, pulling an afghan around her.

Dr. Nishikino took the decanter from her daughter’s shaky hands, pouring out three even measures. She stepped over to hand one to Nico and got a murmured thanks.

“Ever been to San Francisco, Nico?” Dr. Nishikino joined her daughter on the divan.

“Nope. Nico’s family stopped at the Rockies.” Two sips and Nico put the glass aside with a yawn.

“We’ve done a good job of rebuilding after the earthquake and fire.”

Nico had her legs pulled up in the chair, but brought a hand down squarely on the arm, “Nico prefers a place with ground that doesn't split open.”

Should Nico be that adorable, Maki thought. The tiny terror was often brusque or smiley, sometimes three different people in a minute but with her hair down and a soft expression as she stared into the fire, Nico was one of the most distracting sights Maki had ever seen.

“Maki?” Her mother nudged, having asked a question and been ignored.

Maki gulped down brandy, coughing at the unexpected surge of biting liquor over her tonsils. “What?”

“I just wondered if you missed going to the theatre? Many are still standing.”

“No.” Maki wiped off her chin with her hand, frowning at her mother for the disturbance.

“The destruction of the earthquake just a couple years after the Black Plague nearly convinced your father to move elsewhere, but now he can not be pulled away from his rebuilding and expansion plans for the hospital. He believes that through the efforts and investment of the business community, San Francisco will truly be one of the greatest cities in the world, not just the “Paris of The West.”

“Papa always says San Francisco is his second first love.”

Maki’s mother chuckled, “My husband is a romantic.”

Nico nodded, yawning.

Dr. Nishikino drank the last of her brandy and stood, “I will take myself to bed, Maki. Don’t worry about disturbing me if you decide to stay up later.” The brandy glass made a slight squeak as it returned to the sideboard. “Good night, Nico.”

“G’night.”

Maki started to rise but her mother held out a restraining hand, “I know where I’m going, Maki. You needn’t rush. You and Nico enjoy your brandy. I can get the girls breakfast in the morning.”

Nico’s yawns had settled a sleepy calm over the room, like a blanket. Maki stretched out her own legs, as if this were any other evening after a taxing day. “All right. Good night, Mama.”

“Good night, Maki.”

A quick air kiss over her daughter’s head. Then the only sounds in the room were the logs in the fireplace, settling as the flickering flames turned wood to ember and ash. The fire had been good company on many nights. Maki stared, letting her thoughts feed the flames as well, gunsmoke ephemerance up the chimney, nothing lingering. Maki allowed herself one quick glance. Nico had somehow made herself even smaller. Sleep had stolen the energy that propelled Nico. It was obvious Nico still needed rest, needed to heal and regain her fortitude. But waking, walking Nico would never stop long enough to hear that diagnosis.

###

Nico was warm. Too warm. She had burrowed deep enough into the wool blanket to start her own hearthfire. Everything about her time here had been warm, even as prickly as Maki was. But the doctor couldn’t hide the caring. Her eyes opened into deep amethyst studded caverns of concern and affection, with perhaps flickers of closer bonds that might mature into…

This interlude had been like nothing in Nico’s adult life, the closeness of a family, freely given love from two small, lonely children, and someone who could be a partner. Nico and her mom had worked together, raising her siblings, but it was something else to be two adults relying on each other as equals, watching out for beings so vulnerable and trusting. And caring. The way Ruby would smile shyly and ask Nico to sing…

Time to fold up the blanket, lay down on her borrowed bed, and get more rest for the adventure to come. One more day. Then, Nico rides off to rescue Honoka, bring down the A-Rise gang, and ensure that she was all right with the law. She wanted to be able to offer a future. And not as a fugitive. Maki, Dia, and Ruby deserved the best. Nico would be the best. But first...

Maki. Sleeping. Fire mostly out. Nico dealt with the last embers, surprised that the doctor was undisturbed. She seemed to sleep on the couch more frequently than in her room. Nico supposed it was easy enough to fall asleep in front of the fire.

Nico knelt beside Maki, taking a moment to refresh her memory of Maki, in shadows and moonlight, the evenness of her breathing, the slight pucker of her lips, the wavy knots her hair seemed to work itself into. It took all of Nico’s self control not to brush straying strands off Maki’s forehead, but Nico turned that motion into a poke.

“Wake up, Doctor Maki.”

Maki swatted, groaning, “Just Maki.”

“Time to tuck you into bed with your mama.”

“ “m not a kid.”

Nico grinned as Maki sleep grumbled, her eyes mostly closed.

“Nico knows.”

“Good.” Maki turned over, “Sleeping here.”

“No, you’re not.” Nico slid her arms under Maki’s torso ready to flip her.

But at the contact, Maki sat up.

“All right, all right.”

“Want Nico to read you a bedtime story.”

“Go ‘way.” Maki pushed off Nico.

“Yes, ma’am.” A quick spin, Nico heading to her guest room.

Maki’s whisper reached out, “I didn’t mean…”

“Nico knows. Good night, Maki.”

“G’night.”

###

The door slipped out of her hand. It wasn’t really a slam. Or a call for attention. But it did wake her mother, who had been restless, listening for her daughter.

“What time is it?”

Maki shrugged, glancing out the window, “Moon’s up but low.”

“Forget how to use clocks?”

Maki snorted, pulling out her pocketwatch. “3:37, Mama.”

“Thank you, Maki.” Dr. Nishikino sat up, leaning back against the headboard, watching her daughter lean and stare out the window.

“Have you taught Dia and Ruby all the constellations yet?”

“Of course. And the stories.”

That’s my girl, Dr. Nishikino thought.

“Dia wants to see the sky from Alaska. When she’s older, I might take them on a ferry from Seattle.”

Ah yes, Nishikinos spoil their knowledge seeking children.

“They really like Nico.”

“Yes. They found her, they feel an attachment.”

Maki might have been about to turn back to bed, but now she’d frozen, a sculpture in moonlight and granite inertia.

“Nico is very determined to fix her ‘error.’” Dr. Nishikino continued to push, “She seems capable enough to do it, too.”

“She is.”

A pause. Was Maki shivering? Mornings could be cold. Especially if thoughts ran restless. Imagination could be either cruel or kind, a simple coin spinning between hope and desolation.

“Are you going to let her go alone?”

The question cracked the statue Maki had become. She turned, her mother recognizing the stubborn set of her jaw.

“Of course not.”

That’s my girl, Dr. Nishikino thought. “C’mon and warm up and let me nap again before I have to cook you girls breakfast.”

“Okay, Mama.”

Dr.Nishikino couldn’t keep Maki safe anymore by discouraging adventure. What she could do was ensure her daughter left no neglected responsibilities to worry at her concentration. And keep faith.

“Nico’s lucky to have met Dia and Ruby.”

Maki had pulled a nightshirt over her head, “Do you ever think about destiny, Mama?”

“It doesn’t usually come up at my weekly ladies lunches.”

“Maybe, it’s being out here…” Maki crawled into bed, “The scale of everything is so much bigger, so distant. I can’t help wonder exactly what brings someone into anyone’s life. The probability of running into any single person is so low. Is it chance, fate, destiny, luck, magnetism…”

A deeper question than expected. But some days – or nights – a rare urge to talk through something seized Maki.

Dr. Nishikino chose her words carefully. “Choices, Maki. Nothing as fancy as those myths of yours. I think we all make choices. And from those choices, we find the paths that let us move forward.”

“I should have told you about Nico.”

“It would have been nice. But I know you. You don’t share, especially if it’s…private.”

Maki sighed. And suddenly she was wrapped in a hug.

“You are doing well, Maki. I have faith in you.”

“And my choices.?

“Are you where you want to be?”

Inhale. “Yes.”

“People always say horses know where to go. Maybe you do too.”

Maki snorted, a fair imitation of Scherzo, and let her mother’s giggling warmth lull her back to sleep. Her next choice could wait ‘til after dawn.

A/N:

December...wow. I think that's the longest conversation I've written between Maki and her mother. And peace and freedom and no frikkin' genocide, please and thank you.

[lonelypond]

Gunsmoke

NicoMaki, Love Live, 1.8K, 1/2

Summary: Dia and Ruby draw a unexpected co-conspirator into their 'keep Nico" planning.

Five Days Before The Arrival

Dr. Nishikino stared at the photo on her desk. Carefully taken by her daughter, Maki, Maki was in the center of grandchildren the Nishikinos had never expected, frontier orphans Ruby and Dia. Today was Ruby’s birthday and Dr. Nishikino had plans to call later, after she stopped by the hospital. But her plans were not the ones that mattered today. The phone rang, jarring her out of reminisces about Maki’s early birthdays.

“Dr. Nishikino here.”

“Grandmama!!!”

“Dia?” Dr. Nishikino couldn’t keep her voice level, “Is something wrong? Where’s your Mama?”

“You haven’t wished Ruby a happy birthday yet.”

Dr. Nishikino glanced at her desk clock, “It’s 8:30 in the morning, Dia.”

“Ruby’s had breakfast already. Nico made her favorite.”

“All right, I’ll wish Ruby a happy birthday. Did your Mama get a cook?”

“No.”

“Then who’s Nico?”

“Ruby and I found a cowpuncher dying at Hanayo’s ranch and Mama stopped her bleeding and pulled a bullet out and now she wants to go get shot again and Mama’s mad sad but won’t tell Nico about it. Ruby just finds her sighing or playing the piano and then Ruby worries about Mama and Nico and cries.”

Dia rarely paused for breath.

“Someone has to fix Mama. Here’s Ruby.”

And then before Dr. Nishikino could arrange all the words that had flowed out of Dia’s mouth into something that made sense, she heard Ruby’s soft, “Hi!”

“Hi Ruby. Happy Birthday! I sent your Mama some presents to give you.”

Ruby wasn’t really much of a talker. Dr. Nishikino wondered if she could get any more information that might explain what her daughter’s household current situation is.

“Nico’s baking birthday pie.”

“What kind of pie?”

“Sweet potato.”

“That’s your favorite.”

“Why won’t Mama make Nico stay?” Start of sniffles. Maki had brought the girls to San Francisco once. Ruby was very easy to upset.

“Please don’t worry, Ruby.” Dr. Nishikino sighed. Being more than a day away with responsibilities and her only regular informants small children “Let me talk to Dia. We’ll figure out how I can help.”

“Promise?” Ruby said that sharply.

“Yes, Ruby, I promise.”

“Okay.”

And then there was Dia.

“Do you and Ruby want me to talk to your Mama, Dia?”

Dr. Nishikino heard some movement. DIa was shaking her head. Or nodding. Which was it?

“Should I talk to Maki?”

“No.”

“What do you want me to do, Dia?”

“We want Nico to stay. But Mama says she has to go see her family.”

“That’s a good thing, Dia.”

“Ruby will miss her.”

DIa will miss her stayed unsaid.

“I miss you, Dia, and Ruby too, and we manage.”

“Nico almost died. We saw.” Dia’s voice was a whisper, “Mama always looks sad now when Nico talks about leaving.”

What was this person, this Nico like? A woman. A…cowpuncher. Someone who nearly died from a bullet wound but recovered enough to make Ruby a sweet potato birthday pie. Dr. Nishikino flipped open her calendar. She and Maki had had their disagreements, even very recently, but the thought of Maki, sullen again, and tantruming, like her teenage years, with two scared, sad children in the house, twisted at Dr. Nishikino in a way she’d forgotten children could pull on emotions. She glanced at the photo again. Even with their own children, they’re never really fully separate.

Decision made, Dr. Nishikino recruited a co-conspirator, “Dia, I need your help.”

###

Three Days Before The Arrival

Knock on the door. Patient? Maki stepped out of her office, to open the door and greet the visitor. Western Union courier.

“Telegram, Dr. Nishikino.”

“Thanks, Ira.” She reached into her pocket for a nickel, giving him a brief smile but distracted by curiosity. It was a quick read.

“I will be arriving by train on Thursday. Please have someone meet me. Love, Mama. P.S. Dia said there was a new member of your household so I thought it was time for a visit.”

“Dia!” Maki’s voice reverberated through the house. Nico poked her head out of the kitchen, Dia came tearing downstairs, Ruby following behind.

“Don’t run on the stairs, Dia. It sets a bad example for your sister.” Nico said automatically.

“I can say that.” Maki snapped at Nico, then her attention swivelled to Dia, “When did you talk to your grandmother?”

A nervous Ruby stood next to Dia, holding her sister’s hand.

“I called your mama for Ruby’s birthday.” Judgy Dia.

“Where was I?”

“With Nico.” Dia preened, a magician pulling roses out of a hat.

Nico snorted, Maki ignored her. “You should have come and told me.”

Dia shook her head, “After Ruby told Grandmama about Nico, she told us she wanted to surprise you.”

Nico leaned in the kitchen doorway, curious about the frozen look on Maki’s face.

“When you go with Nico, Grandmama can watch us and take over your patients.”

Nico doubled over with laughter. Maki whirled, nostrils wide. “This is not any of your business.”

“It is if you think you’re coming with Nico, because you’re not.”

“Mama has to go.” Ruby's pout was as stubborn as the set of her jaw.

Nico sighed, tucked the dishtowel into her denim waistband, and walked over to kneel in front of both girls, wrapping them in a huge hug.

“Your Mama needs to stay here. With you. Nico will be fine. Nico wants to keep your Mama safe too.”

“I can keep myself safe.” Maki huffed.

Nico shook her head, “Why do you think your Mama has to go?”

Dia’s eyes glittered with an evangelical fervor, “To bring you back.”

“Nico will come back. Nico might get her own place, but Nico will come back.”

“You won’t promise.” Ruby whispered.

Nico glanced up at Maki, who frowned.

“What are we going to do with these two, Doctor Mama?”

“I don’t know.” Maki fell into the couch, head in hands. “And Mama’s coming.”

“Well, a family of hungry stomachs won’t help anybody.” Nico stood, taking Ruby’s hand, “Help Nico finish making supper, Ruby.”

“What are we having?” Maki and Dia asked.

“Like mother, like daughter,” Nico chuckled. “Cowpuncher spaghetti, with bacon and extra tomato and cheddar.”

Ruby pulled on Nico’s hand, whispering as Nico leaned down. “Mama loves tomatoes.”

“Nico knows.” Nico winked. Ruby giggled.

###

The Arrival

Maki was at the station, pacing, her face a storm of emotions. She and her mother talked a couple of times a month usually. After the telegram, Maki had tried to pick up the phone and call, but her nerve crumbled before the operator could ask the number.

"Maki!" A hail loud enough to be heard over a train engine.

Nozomi. Maki cursed. She didn’t know what Nozomi bribed the telegraph clerks with, money, goods, meals, but the store and saloon owner knew all the important news in town as fast as it arrived.

“Waiting for someone?” Nozomi blinked, her face an innocent mask.

“My mother.” Maki gritted out.

“Hanayo waiting at home with the girls?”

Maki nearly bit through her lip. She wanted to talk privately to her mother so she’d left the girls at home. She glanced at the sky, clouds drifting in the color of gunsmoke, ominously building to a darker gray. Mood.

“I was worried about the rain.” Maki chuckled, “Dia’s as reliable as me for a half an hour at a time.”

Nozomi grinned, “She is very serious. They could almost be your own children, the way they look and act.”

Maki shrugged. She never made a response to those comments. Ruby and Dia were her children, biology be damned. She would do anything for them. Which meant she understood better why her own mother was showing up here, in Otonizaka Falls, concerned, after Ruby and Dia’s update on the new and seemingly temporary member of the household.

Nozomi looked past Maki and whistled, “You’re going to age well if your mother is any indication.”

Maki whirled to see her mother, followed by a porter, striding confidently toward them.

“Go home to Eli.” Maki hissed.

“Dr. Nishikino,” Nozomi slid around Maki, holding her hand out, “Maki’s told me so much about you.”

“Oh, are you Nico?” Dr. Nishikino glanced over Nozomi, face giving no clues as to thoughts, then shaking the offered hand.

“Oh, no, no, Nico’s at home with your grandchildren.” Nozomi giggled at Maki, “Or so I guess. I’m a very good guesser.”

Of course, Nozomi knew. Umi? Right now, it was time to seize the conversation. “Mother, meet Nozomi Tojo, owner of the General Store and the Queen of Cups saloon.”

“Welcome to Otonokizaka Falls, Dr. Nishikino. Stop by if you need anything.” Nozomi stepped back, hands folded in front of her. “We all rely on your daughter.”

“Nice to meet you, Miss Tojo. I am sure I will see you again during my stay.”

“Well, I would look forward to that but I am about to head out of town with my partner.”

That was a surprise to Maki.

“Where are you and Eli going?”

Nozomi didn’t even bother to glance around for eavesdroppers, “Same place your house guest is. Didn’t Umi tell you?”

Maki glared at Nozomi, the sheriff's office, and her mother before stomping off carrying luggage. A mutter of “no one tells me anything” drifted back.

“I had better keep up with her.”

"Tell Dia and Ruby, I'll leave some candy for them." Nozomi waved, gathered her skirt in the other hand, and jumped down from the platform.

###

“Grandmama!” Dia opened the door.

“Piggli!” Ruby rushed to hug Dr. Nishikino, who held the tiny redhead close. Her full attention was caught by a tiny woman leaning in the doorway of the kitchen, checkered shirt tucked into denim pants, kerchief tied around her head, keeping her hair out of her eyes.

“Howdy.” A wave of a dishcloth.

“Nico, this is my mother. Mama, may I present Yazawa Nico.”

“My pleasure, Miss Yazawa.”

“Call me Nico. Everyone else does.” A brilliant smile, “It’s friendly.”

“Nico.”

Dia stepped to Nico’s side, protective. “Nico’s been making brownies for you. I helped.”

“There’s coffee too.” Nico’s glance turned to Maki, glittering ruby eyes amused, watching relief race across the redhead’s face.

Maki dropped her mother’s luggage, “Oh thank the gods. Too many people talking. I’m not awake enough for that.”

“Station busy?”

“Friend.” On days like today, Nozomi by herself was too many people talking.

“And your mother.”

Maki grunted, heading into the kitchen, attention only for the elixir of life awaiting her.

Nico shrugged, an apology, “Maki’s too used to coffee and quiet in the morning. Care to join us…her?” A very hasty switch from a shared kitchen to one where Nico was a visitor. Now Dr. Nishikino was even more curious about the relationship between her daughter and this compact “cowpuncher”.

A/N: Had to wrestle with who was actually going to ride to Honoka's rescue. Turns out no one wanted to stay home

[lonelypond]

Heatwave

NicoMaki, Love Live, 1.2K, 1/?

Summary: Nico is healing. How will Nico, Maki, and the girls cope when goodbyes have to be said.

Heatwave

Yazawa Nico leaned closer to the piano, singing softly, fingers becoming more confident as they reached for notes to strike.

“We sing on Sundays.” Dia Kurosawa declared, arms crossed over her torso, refusing to make eye contact.

“You should sing every day.” Nico countered, patting the piano bench next to her.

Dia approached cautiously.

“My dad taught me that. Sing every day.” Nico remembered her father and the other miners, their voices bright as the cage lowered them into the dark each day.

Dia seated herself close enough to Nico that Nico could pull her in for a hug. When Nico released her, Dia scooted a scant three inches away.

“Do you miss him?” Such a quiet question.

“Every day.”

“Is that why you sing?”

Nico chuckled, “You’re a sharp one, Miss Dia Kurosawa. But Nico also sings to make people happy.”

“Can I do that?”

“Of course.” Nico grabbed the Cowboy Songbook off the music stand, “Is your favorite song in here?”

Dia shook her head.

“What is it?”

“Oh, Shenandoah.”

“That’s a pretty one. And sad.”

Dia nodded.

“But sad songs can be magic too and come out happy.”

Dia frowned as she worked out that puzzle. “Because you’re happy to sing.”

“Yes!!!” Nico hugged Dia again. “How’s it start?”

“Oh Shenandoah…”

And Nico joined in.

###

Rin dropped bags on the table. “Everything on Nico’s camping food list. And the coat you ordered from Kotori.”

Nico’s clothes had been ruined when she arrived, bloodied and torn. Rin had ridden to the mining town last week for shirts, long underwear, and denim for both of them. Nico’s boots were sound, but her coat had been shot through, bled through, ridden over. Maki knew there would soon be very cold nights on the trail so she had Kotori customize a duster with wool and extra pockets. It was finally ready, just in time for their trip to The Falls.

“I’m just gonna leave Smiley here.” Rin popped open a ginger beer, “He misses Nico and is getting along pretty well with Scherzi.”

Ruby ran through the door, her palm out and open, “Smiley ate an apple from my hand, Mama.”

“You left her…” Maki hissed.

“No, no, not me. She must've been hiding.”

“Smiley was sad.” Ruby frowned at Maki, “You made him stay away from Nico.”

“No, I did not…”

Rin knelt next to Ruby, sneaking her a licorice twist “We needed to keep Nico a secret. To keep her safe.”

“Is Nico not a secret anymore?”

“Nico is leaving with me and the Sheriff. She needs her horse.”

“You’re coming back. Hanayo said.” Ruby chewed thoughtfully on her twist.

Rin nodded.

“Is Nico?”

Rin glanced to Maki.

“We don’t know, Ruby.”

“But Nico…”

“Nico has a family of her own. You know that, Ruby.” Maki picked up her tiny daughter, “Don’t you want Nico to see them?”

Ruby nodded, tears welling up in her eyes.

“Everything will be fine, don't worry.” Maki gritted out, lying to her daughter for the first time she could recall.

Rin’s sympathy face almost broke Maki’s self control.

###

“Ruby fell asleep before I could sing to her.” Nico stretched her arms, leaving the door to the girls’ room ajar behind her, “Then Dia shooed me away.”

“Dia is the definition of overprotective.”

“Yeah, Nico gets that. It is just the two of them.”

What do you mean?” Maki’s hand knocked one of the glasses she was handling into the whiskey bottle.

“Not a criticism of you.” Nico grabbed the glasses, her fingers brushing Maki’s. She could feel the warmth. “Children live in a…harsher world, everything is immediate, so everything that hurts Ruby is something that Dia wants to take care of now.”

“Were you like that with your siblings?”

“Are we going outside?” Nico asked, pointing the glasses at the door.

Maki nodded, picking up the bottle.

“Nico was…determined to keep bad news away from them. So Nico made the world glow like the sun was always up.”

“You’d never see stars.” Maki held the door open for Nico.

“We’re talking about Nico’s siblings who were under seven years old at the time. I wanted them to never be afraid of the dark. Or feel alone. Stargazing wasn’t as important.”

“Oh.” Maki followed down the porch steps.

“Since you rescued them from a fire, Dia probably just needs to keep Ruby safe from any physical danger.”

“That’s too much pressure.”

Nico leaned against the fence, “Yeah, Nico’s glad you realize that. Is Dia trusting you more?”

“Yes. Especially this summer.”

“That’s a good sign. She’s learning you’re safe for Ruby. And her.”

The night's sounds and scents were becoming familiar to Nico. She could feel herself relaxing into this landscape, the sharpness of pines blending by some alchemy into a welcoming softness.

“Ruby wants you to stay.” Maki offered Nico the whiskey, Nico held out her glass.

“Ruby does…” Nico gave Maki the side eye.

“She told me.”

“Ah.”

“I just thought you should be prepared for when she mentions it.”

“What did you say?”

“You wanted to see your family. She can understand that.”

Nico hummed.

“Did I say the wrong thing?”

Nico shook her head, then took a sip of the whiskey, “No.”

Did Nico shuffle nearer? Maki could feel her hand trembling and a warmth flooding her cheeks like a false Autumn heatwave. “You healed quickly.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Nico raised her glass to the stars in a toast, “Thanks, Doc. Must be eager to get me back out on the trail.”

“No.” Maki’s denial rushed out, whiskey splashing at her hasty turn, “That’s not…”

“Nico knows.” Soft. But confident.

Suddenly Maki and Nico were almost nose to nose, Maki wondering if Nico was sweating from a sudden rush of heat as well. Too dark to register colors, but Nico’s eyes rivaled the sky for infinities of space just waiting. Maki could feel the expectation, the pause as Nico slowed her breathing, each exhalation reaching Maki’s cheeks another warmth on this suddenly febrile night.

Nico put the glass behind her, taking the bottle and Maki’s glass out of her hands, placing them carefully on the ground. She took both Maki’s hands in hers, pulling her closer. Maki raised her chin, confused eyes meeting Nico’s steady gaze.

“Nico wants a family of her own sometime, somebodys to tuck in with a lullaby, someone to talk to at the end of the day, somewhere together to share warmth in winter.”

“Oh.” Maki froze, petrified by surprise, her eyelids the only movement, blinking, rapidly, hummingbird wings, not fighting off tears, but counting each thought racing through too fast for Maki to do anything but stare after its shadows.

Nico stepped back, raising both of Maki’s hands, a slow, gentle kiss barely brushing Maki’s knuckles, then letting the hands go, “That’s what Nico wants.”

Nico had both glasses and the whiskey bottle and had gone inside before Maki could move, before Maki could get her heart slowed enough that blood wasn’t pounding in her ears.

Did Nico mean…how could such a light, short contact still linger, still burn? Maki rubbed her fingers against skin, feeling the bones beneath, glancing up to the stars above, sparkling, new and brighter somehow. There were rubies there, deep deep in the darkness, scattered among blues, brights, and yellows. Far far away. Burning. Like Nico’s lips on Maki’s hand. What would have happened next? What if Nico had…

What did Maki want?

A/N:

This has 2 or 3 stories left so Yeehawgust will be continuing for awhile. Take care, cowpokes.

[lonelypond]

"Tall" Handsome Stranger

NicoMaki, Love Live, 2.7K, 1/1

Nishikino Maki returns to find more people at Hanayo's ranch than she expected.

"Tall" Handsome Stranger

Sheriff Sonoda Umi had very cleverly set up her office triangulated between the hotel and the largest saloon in town. This way when visitors checked their personal firearms it wasn’t too much of a trip for Umi to lock them up in the gunsafe. Maki did not carry a pistol. A rifle snugged into its case on her saddle, for protection out on the trails or in the woods. A new wanted poster caught Maki’s attention as she strolled through Otonokizaki Falls. This one barely looked a teenager. Maki grimaced. Always sad to see innocents turn to crime for survival. Good thing she’d found Dia and Ruby before someone less kind. The frontier was an inhospitable place for orphans and Maki had saved them from that when she’d found them in the wreckage of their burning wagon and took them home with her.

Right now, though, they were safe with Hanayo and Maki needed some adult conversation after a particularly difficult surgery. She tied the sprightly Scherzi to the post, striding through the doors of the Queen Of Cups.

“Maki!” The proprietor’s voice rose over a low roar, “Welcome back. Your usual?”

Maki nodded and sidled up to the bar to be greeted with a smile by proprietress Nozomi Tojo, who quickly hit a glass with a squirt of bitters followed by brandy, almond syrup, and lemon zest. “So what’s Hanayo cooking for you and your girls? Eli always makes me something special when I’ve been working late.” Nozomi leaned in with a leer.

“It’s not like that.”

“Not your type?”

“I don’t have a type.”

“Eli…” Eli Ayase was Nozomi’s partner and the local blacksmith, “said there was a big black horse up there she’d never seen before.”

“When?”

“This morning when she was riding out to work at the South Falls ranch.”

Maki frowned. Hanayo was very very shy, rarely having visitors, never any non locals. An unfamiliar horse was a worry.

Maki chugged the drink, tossing three dimes on the bar. “Thanks. Catch you next visit.”

“So I’m your type?” Nozomi flipped her bar towel.

Maki growled; Nozomi giggled.

“Still holding out for a tall, handsome stranger?”

Maki leaned into the bar. Though mildly worried about the strange horse at Hanayo’s, she was mightly overwrought at Nozomi’s constant pestering.

“Some of us aren’t waiting for anyone at all.” Maki’s amethyst eyes were narrowed and hard as flint. “So I would much appreciate your not making me find another place to drink.”

“Whatever you say, Doc.”

Maki waved an aggrieved goodbye.

###

Hanayo couldn’t just curl up in her bed. First, a stranger with a bullet in their flank currently occupied it. And second, two children watched her every move with wide, curious eyes. And asked questions. Hanayo needed Maki to arrive soon.

“Can Nico have my soup?” Ruby asked.

After finding Nico in the barn and the struggle to get her into the house, both Nico and Hanayo had collapsed. Hanayo’s brief nap in the rocking chair had given her a boost. Once Nico hit an actual bed, she’d slipped into a deep deep sleep, not even disturbed by Dia poking her or Ruby asking questions. Hanayo hoped it was exhaustion and not the last stages of sepsis. Nico’s wound looked a deep deep red. Even deep in sleep, Nico flinched at the slightest pressure on it. Hanayo had done a quick cleaning, but had no way to deal with the bullet. She’d just layered cloth over the wound, leaving Nico lying on her back.

Hanayo hugged Ruby. The girls were so caring. “No, Ruby. Nico needs to sleep more than she needs to eat.” Hanayo wondered how many days ride Nico had had. Her horse had shown signs of hard wear. She’d have to call the blacksmith in to look at him.

“MAMA!” Dia’s excited call brought Hanayo’s attention to Maki, walking through the door, carrying her doctor’s bag, hat pushed back, eyes tired. She smiled when Dia hugged her leg.

“Hi, Dia!”

“Mama, you have to come and fix Nico.”

Dia switched from Maki’s leg to pulling with both hands on her arm.

“Nico?” She glanced to Hanayo.

“The girls found someone hiding in my barn. She’s been shot.”

Maki processed that. Girls. Wandering. Finding someone who’d been involved in a shooting. And who might have people chasing them.

“You let them…”

Hanayo raised both hands, “They always go for a walk after breakfast while I wash up. I can usually see them from the kitchen window.”

“And when you didn’t?”

“I was about to get Juniper and go look for them when Ruby came running in.”

“Where is Juniper?”

“Out with the sheep.”

Juniper was a working sheep guard dog, not her daughters’ bodyguard. Maki grunted at Hanayo.

“I am so sorry, Maki…I didn’t know anyone had…”

Maki raised a hand, pulling Ruby close when Ruby came in for her hug, “Everybody’s fine.”

“Nico’s not fine, Mama.” Ruby whispered, “She won’t wake up.”

Maki sighed. Patient first. Then figure out if there was actual danger for the girls.

“I had to leave the bullet in.”

“Good.”

“Good?”

“Yes. Leave the bullet in, drain the wound, let the new skin grow. Lead won’t kill her; infection might.”

“Her side’s really red.”

“Did you clean it?”

“I didn’t want to be too rough.”

“Wait a minute, Dia.” Maki stopped letting Dia steer her. “Hanayo, make me coffee and bring me boiling water.”

“Okay, Maki.” Hanayo headed for the kitchen.

“Fast.” Maki could feel the headache starting. Fortunately, there hadn’t been that much punch in the brandy she’d drunk at the Queen Of Cups. Her head was clear.

Lying on her back in Hanayo’s bed was a pale, tiny woman, all sharp angles and fragile beauty. Her hair was long, lush, and sable, straying all over the pillow. Her lips twisted as she breathed, maybe muttering, maybe just nonsense syllables of pain.

“Her name is Nico?” Maki asked.

Ruby nodded.

“That’s what she told us.” Dia said.

“Did she tell you anything else?”

“We had to keep her a secret.”

“We might not be able to do that.”

“Mama, we promised.” Ruby’s eyes were wide.

“And you told us never to go back on our word.” Dia was right behind Ruby.

Maki had. But Maki hadn’t promised. And although this woman seemed older than the teenager Maki had seen on the latest Wanted poster, the resemblance was enough to give her many new concerns.

“First thing, we have to get your new friend’s wound cleaned out and disinfected.”

Ruby and Dia exchanged a look.

“Mama always knows what to do.”

“I can assist you.” Dia opened Maki’s bag.

“You can. Find some gauze. Or see if Hanayo has some plain, CLEAN, cotton cloth she doesn’t need.”

“What can I do, Mama?” Maki glanced back to the woman in Hanayo’s bed, noticing the thinness and the evident fatigue, picking up a sudden feeling of loneliness seeing her so stark, tiny against the plain sheets. “You hold her hand, Ruby. She seems like she needs to know there’s someone on her side.”

“All right, Mama.”

###

Pain. A blast of pain and heat. Nico’s hand squeezed something small and warm and there was a high pitched squeal. Nico immediately released the…hand? She opened one eye to see Ruby, both hands over her mouth, bright green eyes wide. Then the blast of pain again and Nico turned to see another redhead, a grown up redhead, linen shirt plastered to her skin, sleeves rolled up, packing Nico’s wound loosely. The stench of carbolic acid made Nico gag.

“Hey!” Nico swatted weakly at the redhead, who pushed back to give her a long look. The eyes were gemstone colored and just as hard.

Nico felt a soft touch on her hand, turning to where Ruby was propped next to her pillow. “It’s okay, Nico, Mama’s gonna fix you.”

“I’ll make sure she does it right.” Dia handed Maki a dry cloth.

Nico forced herself to sit up. “I know it’s not that bad.”

“For a bullet lodged in you, lower abdomen is one of the better places.”

“Nico knows that.”

Maki frowned, “But there is still a bullet lodged in you. And an infection started. I think I can get the bullet out, but then we’ll have to let the wound drain.”

“Can’t you just stitch me up?”

“I would be stitching the infection in.” The doctor went back to work, “Quick way to waste my time. And your life.”

Brusque manner, quick, gentle hands, angry, clenched jaw.

“You’re hurting Nico.”

Maki sighed, “This is the best way. And I’m a trained doctor, a graduate of the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania.” Maki met Nico’s glare, her voice even, “It’s not my first bullet wound.”

“Pigii!!!” Ruby had turned away, her face in the pillow.

“Maybe this isn’t the best place for your little girl, Doc.” Nico patted Ruby’s back, “Don’t be scared, Ruby. Your Mama’s taking good care of Nico.”

“Here’s your coffee and water, Maki.” Hanayo put a large tray on the cedar chest.

“Can you take Dia and Ruby and feed them supper?” Maki asked, her tone mild.

“Of course.” C’mon girls. You need to eat. You must be starving.” Hanayo picked up Ruby, but Dia refused to leave Maki’s side.

“Go on, Dia. I’ll be there soon.” Maki smiled.

“Listen to your Mama, Dia. Nico will be fine.” Nico managed to not tremble at the surge of pain, keeping a grin for Dia.

Dia considered, then nodded, and followed Hanayo.

Nico let out a long breath, fists clenched. “Now Doc, make Nico fine.”

“It’s Maki. Or Doctor Nishikino. Do you want something to bite into?”

Nico glanced to where the girls had gone. “Yeah.”

###

Maki had her bedroll unrolled in Hanayo’s main room, ready to tuck Ruby and Dia in for the night.

“Time to get some sleep, girls.”

“I want to see Nico.” Dia pouted.

“Nico needs to sleep too.” Maki pulled quilts up around Ruby, guiding Dia under the same pile. “Don’t worry, Hanayo and I will watch over her.”

Maki had moved the rocking chair into Hanayo’s bedroom, between the bed and the window. Hanayo came in from the bathroom, changed into a nightshirt. Maki was still in her trousers and untucked shirt. She was taking this first shift.

“There’s some more coffee I left on the nightstand.”

“Thanks. Glad to have something to keep me company.”

Hanayo settled into her own bedroll.

There was a sudden sound from the bedroom, as if something had hit the floor.

“Mama?” Dia, worried.

Maki was already on her feet, anger pulsing energy to push out any sleepiness. If Nico had gotten out of bed, after Maki…

Maki stepped into the room, surprised at the sight of a ginger haired woman half sprawled between dresser and floor, not having successfully climbed in the window.

“Don’t move.” Maki reached for the rifle she’d left next to the door.

“Don’t shoot, please don’t shoot.” Both hands rose in the air, “I’m sorry. I was just going to be in and gone, after I checked on Nico. I swear. Just let me go. You never saw me.”

“You know Nico? How did you find her? Did you shoot her?”

“I saved her…or stopped Erena from shooting her again.”

“So you’re one of the A-RIse gang.”

The ginger shuffled her feet, “Not exactly. Saving Nico would get me shot if I went back. Tsubasa’s not nice.”

“Tsubasa?”

“Tsubasa Kira, the boss.”

“Who are you?”

“Rin Hoshizora. I’m actually…” Rin moved her hand.

Maki snapped the rifle up, ready to do damage.

“Just wait, please. I’m a Federal Marshall.” And Rin pulled out a badge. “Undercover.”

“So you’re here to arrest Nico?” Maki wasn’t sure if she wanted to explain that to Ruby or Dia. And she was positive Nico shouldn’t be moved.

“Nico’s harmless. Retired from being the number one bandit. Three days ago.” Nico croaked from the bed.

Rin giggled, “Smart move.”

Maki moved closer to Nico, pouring her a glass of water with the hand that wasn’t holding the rifle, “Drink more.”

“Yes, Doc.” Nico quirked an eyebrow at Rin, “She’s a tyrant. Pretty though.”

“Maki, what’s happening?” Hanayo crept into the doorway, her voice soft.

“We have another visitor. A Federal Marshal.”

“Ooohh, that’s so brave.”

“Breaking and entering is not brave.”

“I just wanted to check on Nico, then report in.”

“Nico’s better. Thanks!”

Rin nodded.

Maki was full of practical questions, “Report in where?”

“Got any food or coffee.” Rin was standing now, “It’s been a long run.”

“You didn’t ride a horse.” Hanayo’s eyes were wide.

Rin ruffled her hair, “Hard to hide a horse. Or track from the back of one.”

“I’ll make you pancakes.”

“Nico likes pancakes.”

“All right,” Hanayo smiled, “Pancakes all around.”

“Put the rifle down, Doc. Rin’s not gonna hurt anybody. She saved my life.” Nico urged.

Rin followed Hanayo out of the room as Maki slid into the chair. Exhaustion was never a good constant companion.

“Girls okay?” Nico asked.

“They’re fine.”

“Got a husband?”

“They’re orphans.”

“That’s tough.”

“Yeah.”

“Frontier life is rough enough on kids.”

Maki stared at Nico for a long minute.

“Seems pretty rough on you too.”

“Nico’s got kids running around too, well, before I joined….”

“Really?” Did bandits have families? Would it be safe?

“Siblings. Nico’s Papa died and Mama needed help so Nico took the first job offer.”

“Bandit?”

“Actually, Nico was cooking for A-Rise, but moved up pretty quick.”

Maki rolled her eyes. This wasn’t a job interview. Maki didn’t need a bandit or a cook.

Nico moved and groaned, “Nico will be back to cooking breakfast soon.”

“Sheriff Sonoda has your Wanted poster up.” Maki raised an eyebrow, “You looked like a kid.”

“Tsubasa wants to blame Nico for everything, have everyone chasing her while…”

“What?”

Nico shook her head, “It’s better you don’t know.”

“Sheriff Sonoda will probably be up here tomorrow.”

“Why?”

“I didn’t come back to town with Ruby and Dia. She pays attention.”

Nico exhaled, “It’s good that you have someone looking out for you. The frontier’s no place for a single parent.”

“I can take care of us.” Maki leaned back, letting the chair rock. It was surprisingly easy to talk to Nico.

“Friends don’t hurt.”

“Do you have friends?”

Nico thought about Rin coming through the window, concern on her face, “Might now. But Nico’s always had family. We take care of each other. Nobody hurts them on my watch.”

Nico sounded so fierce.

“I want that for Ruby and Dia.”

Rin bustled back into the room, a plate in each hand. She gave one to Nico, then settled on the end of the bed, finishing hers, “These are the best pancakes, Nico-chan.”

Nico took a bite, “Pretty good, but Nico makes ‘em fluffy.”

“But your buckwheat’s grainer.”

“It’s healthy.”

“Rin likes these.” Rin shoved a huge forkful in her cheek.

“Guess I’ll have to get my own plate,” Maki had her arms ready to push up.

“Nah, Kayo-chin is bringing yours in a minute. She said you’d want bacon.”

“Kayo-chin?” Nico asked.

“Cute nickname for a cute girl. Japanese is fun. English is...” Rin shrugged.

“Next you’ll be calling the Doc here Sensei.”

“Hi Sensei.” Rin waved a fork.

“Just Maki.”

“Okay, Maki. Your friend Kayo-chin is cute. This is a pretty big ranch. She have a…partner?”

“No.”

Rin relaxed, Nico nodded and took another forkful. Maki yawned. Why do people continually obsess over those kind of details?

###

Dawn. Maki woke up. She’d fallen asleep in the rocking chair at some point in Rin and Nico’s continuing pancake dissertation. The ginger marshal had fallen asleep at the end of the bed, curled into a ball like a pet cat. Nico was sprawled out, limbs everywhere, almost laughably silly looking. But more relaxed. Sleep had done Nico some good. She had more color. Maki found herself staring at the sharpness of Nico’s profile, remembering the humor in eyes that hid more painful emotions.

Maki tilted back in the chair, running a hand through unruly curls, watching the sky outside lighten, listening to Nico’s light snore, hearing Ruby make a little cry in her sleep, followed by Dia’s comforting whisper. Maki wasn’t home, but as she stretched out her legs and watched banks of clouds turn as red as the depths of Nico’s eyes, comfortable was an easy enough term to claim.