#Dia and Ruby are orphans Maki found

[lonelypond]

Warning Shot

NicoMaki, Love Live, 1.8K, 1/?

Summary: An injured Yazawa Nico finds herself on the run from the notorious A-Rise gang. Headed toward Otonokizaki Falls, she first meets two children who will change her life.

The bullet pinged off the boulder to Yazawa Nico’s left. A chunk of granite flicked her cheek, liquid warmth telling her blood had been drawn. She spun, reaching for her Colt, but froze as she watched Tsubasa Kira hand her rifle to Todo Erena.

“You left the Wells Fargo driver alive.” Tsubasa spit, her right hand hovering over the grip of her pistol. “You’re that damn undercover marshall.”

“Nico is the Number One Bandit.” Nico couldn’t help the proud swagger as she posed.

A movement to Nico’s right showed her that Tsubasa’s other lieutenant, Yuki Anju, settling into a sniper’s position.

“That was your warning shot. The next one…”

Kosoka Honoka stepped in front of Tsubasa, arms up, “I was there too. We got the money; no reason to kill the stagecoach driver.”

“I ordered it.” Tsubasa stepped forward, “Out of my way. You’re cute, Kosaka, and new so I’ll forgive you for not knowing we take traitors seriously here.”

Honoka’s distraction had given Nico a minute to calculate an escape, the minute she needed. But a minute was all she needed. Yazawa forced Anju back into cover with a quick shot that kicked up dirt in her face. 

Nico rolled over the rock, tossing a smoke bomb behind her, a high pitched whistle summoning her horse. She sprinted toward where Smiley would be approaching, determined to leave shouts behind her. Another shot, and a bulllet rushed by, too close for any ease. Grimacing, Nico continued in the direction where her horse should be running her way. She needed a bridle and a blanket saddle. Nico paused, small against a night full of danger. She’d need her rifle too. Tsubasa shouted confusing directions. Nico headed for where she had her saddle.

A quick close sound, a pinch in her side, an explosion of pain. Not a warning shot. Erena’s narrowed eyes looked surprised that Nico still stood. And then Erena was tilting, the tiny ginger speedster, Hoshizora Rin having clocked her with the butt of her Winchester. Nico’s horse, prepped with saddle and head bridle, neighed a greeting.

“Mount up and go, Nico-chan. I’ll send ‘em in the wrong direction.”

Nico nodded, hand pressed against the wound in her side. She’d do a more proper bandage once she got on horseback but for now a bandana and hard pressure was all she could manage. Mounting was one smooth motion. With a nod to Hoshizora, Nico headed Smiley toward the North. She’d heard rumors of a quiet town, immigrant built, near a cluster of waterfalls.

###

Sheriff Sonoda Umi sighed, tacking another wanted poster to the wall outside her office. These criminals were getting younger and younger. The latest, Nico Yazawa, looked like a teenager. How could someone with a face like that have committed crimes worthy of such a bounty. Umi squinted at the signature. Some bank manager who’d hired a rider to deliver the posters to all the towns in a 200 mile or so radius. Umi couldn’t imagine a criminal making their way here to the quiet of Otonokizaka Falls. There wasn’t even a full time banker. Three saloons, one general store, a seamstress, a blacksmith, a doctor, a barber, a laundry, livery stable, dry goods, carpenter, community hall, school house. Another town was closer to the mines so most of the shameless activities and businesses miner’s money attracted had grown up there, leaving the Falls a quiet, friendly town surrounded by ranchers and natural beauties, most of the visitors riding in either to see Doctor Nishikino or stay at the hotel and have their pictures taken at the Falls.

###

Daylight was louder, Nico Yazawa realized as she scrunched deeper into the bare warmth of her lined duster. The sun always seemed to give off its own music, a cloud driven rhythm that drove the harmony of creatures living their lives in full daylight. Nico was a nocturnal creature, here, under the silence of the slicing moon, a lone owl hooting, his baritone note a call for companionship. Nico’s horse shifted suddenly, Nico biting back a curse as the movement jostled her. The gunshot in her side needed attention. She didn’t need the pain stabbing her a reminder of that.

In the silence, she could almost hear hooves in pursuit. Surely her picture had been circulated by now, her betrayal complete, cut off by the A Rise gang as an easy target to cover their escape with two train cars worth of gold bullion. 

Nico sighed. She needed food, rest, a place to water Smiley, a place to hide. She’d ridden out this far, searching for Otonokizaki Falls. Nico smiled at the thought of water rumbling, rushing, as a soothing wind rustled rough against cool green leaves. Must be a fever, Nico realized, water wouldn’t seem nearly so soothing otherwise. Tugging the reins gently, Nico guided Smiley to the easiest path down this mountain. Maybe by dawn they could be tucked into an unused outbuilding on some ranch.

###

“Slow down, Ruby!” 7 year old Dia Kurosawa worried about the speed at which 5 year old Ruby Kurosawa was racing toward a large black horse. What if her sister fell again? Their new mama, Doctor Maki, wasn’t due back for a day or two. Koizumi Hanayo was sweet and cooked much better than Mama, but if Ruby got hurt, Dia wanted Mama right there. At least until Mama let Dia have her own surgical bag.

Ruby stood in front of the large black horse now, bouncing on her toes, gingham dress flitting in the breeze, hand open, a contraband sugar cube on her palm. She must have pocketed it at breakfast. Dia dressed like her new mama most days, button down linen shirt and corduroys tucked into boots, a matching vest her only vanity. Mama wore wrinkled jackets and kept an open collar. Dia thought it looked messy. But Mama was always in motion, rolling up her sleeves, measuring out medicines, examining patients.

“Sis!!! He’s new. And so pretty.” Ruby was petting the horse’s neck, its head lowered.

“Be careful.” Dia walked quickly to her sister’s side. “He’s not from the herd.” Hanayo had a small herd of horses as well as sheep wandering her ranch, along with Juniper, her sheep dog.

“No. But he’s so nice.”

The horse took Dia’s sleeve, pulling her a little.

“I think he wants you to go with him, Sis.”

Dia was a little scared. It was a very big horse. But Ruby kept looking at the both of them with a total faith that Dia could not disappoint. She gently patted the horse’s neck as she leaned near an ear, “You better not bite me. My mama wouldn’t like that.”

The horse nickered, then snorted, continuing to pull.

“All right.” Dia nodded, her tone decisive.

“Are we going to ride?”

“No, Ruby. We don’t ride strange horses. Mama warned us.” Dia tapped the strange horse’s neck in an encouraging fashion and it took off at a trot.

“He’s taking us to the south barn.” Ruby said.

“There’s nothing there.”

“There’s some hay. Maybe he wants to eat.” 

“Bzzzttt. He can’t steal hay.”

“What if he’s really hungry?”

“We’ll have to ask Hanayo.”

“Do you think he’s lost?”

Dia shrugged, hurrying to keep up with this visitor, Ruby’s hand clutched tightly in her own.

###

Voices. Children? Cotaro? Where was Nico? Nico opened her eyes to sunlight bright enough to make her groan. She remembered. She’d crawled into a small barn when the pain had become too much for riding. She was supposed to be gone by dawn so no one would discover she’d hidden out here. No sense bringing threats to some innocent rancher. 

Nico sat up, her side throbbing, her head aching. She needed water. Where was Smiley? She’d left him with a loose tie; he must have worked himself free. She could see where he’d helped himself to hay. She’d have to leave some money.

“Smiley?” Nico winced at how raspy her voice sounded, as she pulled herself up to stand in the stall she’d fallen asleep in, under her saddle blanket, the Sharps rifle by her side. She picked it up to check. Unloaded. Nico wasn’t going to take chances around children.

“BZZZTTT!” A hissing sound, “Drop that. Now.”

A very young, very determined voice shouted at Nico, who slowly placed her rifle to the side, then raised her hands in the air. Two children stood in front of her, a tiny one with red hair hiding behind a dark haired one dressed like a junior banker.

“Nico is a friend.”

“Is that your horse?” The redhead asked.

“Yes. He’s very friendly. Just like Nico.”

“He’s pretty. I fed him sugar.”

“He likes sugar.” The junior banker interrupted, “Why are you here?”

“Nico needed a place to sleep. And Smiley needed breakfast. We’ll be going now.” Nico could feel her energy fading. Where was Smiley? She could use his solidity right now. “You look pale. When Mama sees people like you they have to stay in bed.”

Nico didn’t have time to make sense of that statement. Or the time for it to be true. “Nico can’t stay in anyone’s bed. No matter how nice your mama is.” “Mama’s a doctor.” The banker said, each word carrying serious weight.

“Oh.” Nico cringed at any implication that might have been…but surely that child couldn’t be more than six or seven. “What’s your name?”

“Dia Kurosawa. This is my sister, Ruby.” “Hi!” Ruby squeaked cutely as she got nudged from behind by a Smiley who’d decided to join them.

“Nice to meet you, Dia, Ruby. Nico has to go.” Nico, using the top edge of the stall as an aid, pulled herself toward her wandering horse, “C’mere, boy.” It felt like only two more steps and then she would collapse.

“Sit.” Dia pushed her, knocking Nico’s side.

“Ksssshhhh” Nico hissed through gritted teeth, hitting the ground, letting the stall wall hold her up. She’d have to get help. The wound needed tending to. Maybe this doctor could actually do something. Nico heard rumors about women doctors coming West after graduating with actual medical degrees, unlike some of the frauds who’d mistreated people she knew.

“Go get your Mama.” 

“She’s not here.”

“Is there someone else?” “Hanayo. She lets us stay here when Mama’s busy. Do you want to stay?”

“Thank you, Ruby. Nico does.”

“Ooh!” Ruby started to run off.

“Wait for me!” Dia shouted after her sister, then turned back to Nico, “You wait.”

“Nico’s not going anywhere, kid.”

Serious green eyes considered Nico’s statement, examining her expressions, then Dia nodded. “We’ll be back.”

Leaning her head back, biting her lip to swallow a pained shout, Nico groaned, “Nico’ll be right here, kid.”

A/N: Does Time surge or swirl? Doing some Yeehawgust prompts to jumpstart writing and because I've always loved Western themes. Cheers.

[ghikij]

The Lily White

               This is a story of three sisters, who are not related by blood, and their humble little bakery. Their tale began as orphans, who never knew any of their blood relatives. They were also never adopted out, as is the case for many orphans. Upon reaching the age of eighteen, Nozomi, the eldest of the three, endeavored to be create a life centered on her two beloved younger sisters, Umi and Rin. She took whatever classes she could afford and taught herself the wonders of baking in order to make it her livelihood. She found out that she had a knack for the craft and soon, she was on apprenticing under a reputable baker in the city.

                 When it was time for Umi to leave the orphanage, Nozomi had saved enough money and was capable of getting a loan to send the younger woman to school. It was fortunate that Umi was a bright and diligent student. She managed to finish her education is currently looking for suitable employment. But for now, she spends whatever time she could afford in helping Nozomi earn enough income in order to send their youngest sister, Rin, to even higher places.

                 So, this story focuses primarily on the Lily White, the sisters’ bakery where all three have made a living. There were ups and downs of course, but with love, hardwork, and a little patience, they were able to make something out of this small shop.

Characters:

 The Staff

 Toujou Nozomi

·       -  The matriarch and eldest sister of the Lily White trio. She’s a bit wishy-washy and has an unpredictable sense of humor, but she beloved by all who work at the shop. She is also the head baker at the small establishment.

·      -   Certain people—namely a certain chef—calls her lazy because of her typical demeanor, but Nozomi is very diligent person, especially when it comes to her sisters. Having been unable to get proper education, her wish to give Umi and Rin that gift so they can blaze their own paths.

·        - She spends her spare time telling the (unfortunate) fortunes of her employees.

·        - She is also deeply worried about her sisters’ lack of chests.

Sonoda Umi

·       -  The second sister and the main POV of the story (probably, who knows).

·      -   She is a fresh graduate and finished her education barely a month ago. While she is certainly in a hurry to contribute to the family, she also have lingering sentiments about having less and less time with her sisters. The thought of having to move to a different city for work somewhat intimidates and saddens her.

·       -  She tends of be strict and thus has taken on the mantle of being the Lily White’s manager. She takes care of the shop’s logistics and inventory. Sometimes she bakes but Nozomi often shoos her away saying that they must be something else, something more interesting, for her to do.

·         She reads a lot behind the counter, especially when there are not a lot of patrons present.

·      -   Her best friends, Honoka and Kotori, are also involved in the food industry. The pair run their own shop, which focuses more on wagashi and cakes.

HoshizoraRin

·      -   The youngest sister and the light of the house. Cheerful and vibrant, Rin is the person who brings happiness not only to her sisters but also their bakery. She is also a college student.

·       -  When not preoccupied at school or sport, Rin works as a serving girl at the Lily White. She is a town sweetheart and many folks enjoy her company. She’s the one who gave Nozomi the idea of serving customers more than just bread, that they can somehow incorporate meals into their menu.

·      -   Her friend, Hanayo, works with Honoka and Kotori. She often visits.

·      -   Her other friend, Maki, is a frequent patron of the bakery. Although, most of the time, she’s there to force the orange-haired cat to study with her much to Rin’s chagrin and Umi’s approval.

Yazawa Nico

·       -  The +1 of the Lily White. A chef by trade, she wound up with the sisters because she lost her previous job. Apparently, the customer didn’t think the steak was spicy enough.

·       -  Nico has a quick temper but her practical nature makes her a good addition to the team. She keeps Nozomi in check, especially when the latter is being overbearing. Although, in doing so, she becomes a frequent target for Nozomi’s less decent punishments.

·       -  She is the one who prepares the full course meals for Lily White’s patrons, specializing in wholesome, home-cooked style of food.

·       -  She has three siblings, all students. Her brother wants to marry Nozomi one day (she’ll never allow it).

·      -   Nico also has a weird friendship/rivalry with a certain blonde chef. She would experiment during her days off and feed whatever she comes up with to Nozomi. She refuses to blame herself for Nozomi’s rather voluptuous figure.

 Other Characters:

Ayase Eli

·       -  A renowned chef taking the city by surprise. Having studied in different countries, Eli is taking all she had learned in Japan. It is said that an influential acquaintance convinced her to leave Paris and practice her skills here.

·       -  She is one of the Lily White’s more distinguished patrons. She orders custom breads from Nozomi to be used in her restaurant downtown. The two have since developed a playful friendship.

·       -  She is also rather close with Nico, or as close as culinary rivals could get. There was one point in which Eli invited Nico to work for her at her restaurant. Nico refused this offer and swore that her cooking would be better than hers.

Matsuura Kanan

·       -  A warehouse manager. She is Nozomi’s primary contact when it comes to flour, sugar and other bakery supplies.

·       -  She has very powerful and affluent friends both in Japan and abroad, yet she has made it her life mantra to only enjoy the bounties of her own hard work.

·       -  These so-called friends have also tried to get her set-up in terms of romance, but these attempts have failed spectacularly.

Kurosawa Dia

·       -  The town magnate. She recently took over the Kurosawa Enterprises from her parents and had since made their influential and powerful family even more renowned. She is the owner of the building in which the Lily White is situated in. She is basically the Lily White’s landlady.

·      -   Apparently, Dia allowed Nozomi to start a shop there without a deposit or an advance. Though considered poor business handling, it was said that Dia (despite her popular image of being as tough and unforgiving as her namesake) did this out of charity. Nozomi still paid her back anyway, in installments.

·      -   It is said that Dia often schedules her weekly brunches with her sister Ruby at the Lily White due to its unassuming location and size.

Kurosawa Ruby

·      -   Dia’s sister and heiress to the Kurosawa Enterprises. Despite her intimidating family background, Ruby is down to earth and kind. She convinced her family to attend a normal university of her choosing instead of following in Dia’s footsteps. Since then, she had grown into a young lady that everyone adored.

·      -   She is especially close to Rin, who is a senpai at their university, and Hanamaru, her childhood friend.

·      -   Unbeknownst to her sister, she is in a casual online relationship with a person named Yohane.

Kunikida Hanamaru

·       -  Ruby’s best friend and a frequent patron of the Lily White.

·      -   She adores bread, or any yummy food in general, and greatly appreciates the retro atmosphere of the shop.

·      -   She is a favorite customer of Nozomi’s.

·       -  She would sometimes work in the shop part-time for extra money and treats.

·       -  Maru has a small crush on Rin, who had been an inspiration to her at school, almost as much as Ruby.

·       -  She and Ruby would often sit by the window table all day to study. There are times when they even get to join Nishikino-senpai in these group studies when she shows up to force Rin to get caught up.

[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]

"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.