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A Good Day 2
No Need for a return to The Status Quo
By
Bryan Neef
And
Andrew Norris
Nodoka sat at the table, talking with her son, Ranma. They had been talking
for hours a day since his return from his grandfather's temple, where he spent a year learning about himself During that time, he had come to terms with his curse, and his heritage as a Julian, something Nodoka herself still had to come to grips with.
Nodoka, for her part, accepted her child easily. Her loneliness and depression
faded the night the young woman she knew as Tendou Ranko revealed herself to be
Saotome Ranma, her son. Nodoka was thankful her father had helped her only
child in his time of need.
Their conversation was interrupted when the front door opened. Nabiki's voice
carried throughout the house, "I'm home!"
Ranma looked at his mother. She smiled, pouring the water over his head.
"We'll have to do something about this, Ranma."
"I know, Mom. I'll see what Washuu-chan can come up with," replied Onna-Ranma.
Nabiki stepped into the room. She stopped cold when she saw the red-haired
woman next to Nodoka. "What are you doing here, 'Ranko?' Haven't you caused
enough problems?"
"Problems for whom? My problems, for the most part, are solved."
"So you've come back to freeload? I have news for you, we can't afford your
bottomless pit. So unless you can pay..."
"You'll through Ranma out?" continued Nodoka.
Nabiki stared at the smiling women. Ranma stood up, walking over to Nabiki.
"I told Mom everything last week."
"And I have my son and daughter back."
Nabiki sat down, staring at her sister's fiancee. A calculating smile crossed
her face. "Well, I guess I can negotiate some things from you. Does Akane
know you're still a girl?"
"I have to go to school in a few minutes. You happened to walk in at the right
moment."
"Why?"
Ranma smiled her half-smile. "I'm registered as a woman. I made Akane, and
myself, a promise before I left. I'm no longer bound by that promise, but I
had to register for school as a female. Oh, and don't tell the Kunou's I've
returned. My, um, great-aunts wouldn't take too kindly to that."
"What can they do, beat me with their canes?" Nabiki said with a smirk on her
face.
"No," came a calm voice from behind Nabiki, "but we can deal with you in other
ways."
Nabiki turned to see Ayeka glaring at her. "You must be Akane's sister,
Nabiki," began Ayeka.
Nabiki nodded. "I am Masaki Ayeka, Ranma's great-aunt. I would appreciate it
if you respected her wishes. I may not be a martial artist, but I am far from
helpless."
"Great-aunt? That's impossible!"
"What about my niece being married to a panda, or my grandniece actually being
my grandnephew?" Akeya said with a smirk of her own.
Nabiki sighed. "I see your point."
Akane stepped into the room. She wore her school uniform, with the addition of
an elegant necklace. She smiled at Ayeka and Nodoka. She embraced her sister,
"Nabiki! I didn't hear you come in."
"I was pretty quiet. I saw Ranma-chan already. Nice necklace. Where'd you
get it?" Nabiki was quietly esteeming the value of it.
"Ranma gave it to me. He got it from his great-grandmother. You like?" Akane
held up the necklace for closer inspection, unaware of the math going on behind
Nabiki's brown eyes.
"It's very nice." *Where did Ranma get that? It's easily worth seven figures.
No way did he earn that money, and if Akane said that his great grandmother
gave it to him for Akane, that means they are well-off.* Nabiki thought to herself.
"Yes, Akane-san. It looks very good on you." Akeya said, with a smile on her
face.
"Thank you, your Highness." With that statement, Akane did a little bow, with a
smile of glee on her face.
"Oh! Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho! We're practically related. Besides, you should not refer
to me in that manner." Akeya had her hand covering her face.
"Highness?" Asked Nabiki, with a stunned look on her face.
"That's right, Nabiki," answered Ranma as Nodoka helped adjust her uniform.
"Ayeka and Sasami are Princesses of Jurai. Tenchan, my cousin, is the Crown
Prince, like my grandfather was. I'm also a prince, or princess, but I don't
have the same claim to the throne. Thank Kami for that." Ranma said with a
smile on her face.
Nabiki's jaws dropped. She had never figured Ranma would be royalty, unless he
was forced to marry a prince or princess. "How long have you known, Ranma?"
"Almost a year. You will not tell anyone of this. Jurai is not well known,
and we're not ready to reveal ourselves." Ranma suddenly had a stern look on her face.
"How much is it worth to you?" Nabiki, as usual had aquried a scheming look to
her face.
"Nabiki," began Akane, "Ranma just got back. We don't need you screwing up our
lives anymore. When we're married, we'll decide how to tell everyone. Until
then, NO ONE is to know I have my own prince. Or else." Akane's look would not
have been out of place on Auzua's face, Akeya and Ranma both noted.
"So you finally accepted him, eh? What about his current body? Or is it
permanent?" Nabiki had a small disbelieving smile on her face, seeming to
suggest that she didn't believe a thing anyone was saying. What happened next did the one thing that no one who knew her would believe. stun her into shock.
"From the day he left to regain control over his life, I accepted him for what
he is, and that means this body too." Akane leaned over and kissed Ranma on
the lips, stunning Nabiki past words. "I accept him as I would accept you or
Kasumi. With no reservations." Akane had a small grin on her face as she finished her statement.
"You'd best get to school, I'll finish telling her," interrupted Nodoka.
"Thanks, Mom." With that, Ranma scooped Akane's hand into her own and led the
group out to school.
***
"Washuu-chan, do you mind If I talk to you for a while? Alone?" Nodoka asked
the young looking genius.
"Not at all Nodoka. Shall we find a private place?" Washuu gestured to her
lab's door.
Both were silent and poker faced as they walked though the door, both wondering
what this conversation would entail. Nodoka had questions for the woman that
replaced her in her role to Ranma, not by her child's choice, she hoped, but
because of Genma forcing her child to hide from her, under the disguise of
Ranko, who she thought was a poor orphan girl, who needed motherly love and
caring. She was right, but what "Ranko" needed was not what Nodoka thought.
Washuu wondered what Nodoka would say, because she feared that Nodoka was upset
with her for taking a role that was rightfully hers, not that Washuu wanted to,
but due to the situation, she had no choice but to step into that role. She
knew Nodoka wanted to be a mother to Ranma, but Genma had taken that away from
her. While she didn't think Nodoka or her were to blame for this, she feared
that Nodoka would blame her for what happened.
"Washuu, I will be blunt. How can one be a good parent? I feel that I need
advice, mainly because that I have no clue on how to do it. The only experience
I had since 11 years ago, when Genma took Ranma away, was when I visited
'Ranko' and I feel that I made too many mistakes. Instead of helping 'her' I
only added to my child's pains and problems. I drove her away instead of being
a person that she could come to. Since you seem to have helped her, I ask that
you help me." Nodoka stopped and looked at Washuu.
"Nodoka, I haven't been a mother for 7000 years, and then I made as many, no
MORE mistakes than you did. The only ideas that I can give you or advice that
I have, is care and try to do your best. Always give love, and acceptance
unconditionally. This lesson took me 7000 years to learn." Washuu paused, and
looked all her years for a second, and then added, "At least, your child was
not hurt badly by her life, but I fear the the damage that I was responsible to
Ryoko will take far more time to fully heal, than I can see." With that she
turned her head and looked at her computer, hiding her face from Nodoka, so she
would not see the tears that spilled down her cheeks.
"Thank you, Washuu-chan, for the advice. I would like to talk to you more, and
hopefully become friends with you. I do not want to be out of my child's life
anymore, and you are a part of that now." Nodoka had a look that would be
undefinable to most people but Washuu, if she had turned around would have had
the same look on her face.
Nodoka walked out and went into the kitchen where Sasami and Kasumi were
talking, and saw Nabiki lurking in the background.
"What do you wish to speak about, Nabiki? I see you are wanting to ask
questions." Nodoka asked the young woman.
"How do we know that Ranma's grown up enough to handle being Akane's
husband now? While he might act like he's learned something, I don't want
Akane hurt again." Nabiki stated.
"Oneechan would NOT hurt Akane-oneechan's feelings, Nabiki-oneesan. She
loves her too much." Sasami said with a fierceness that was unusual for her.
"Are you sure of that?" Nabiki asked the girl, plainly doubting what she
said.
"YES!" With that Sasami turned off and went off to help Kasumi make
dinner.
Nabiki looked at Nodoka who looked at her with a half smile on her face.
"Sigh, I think she's right, but, I don't want Akane hurt anymore, obasan."
Nabiki stated.
"Wait and see, wait and see, Nabiki-chan. I believe Ranma-chan has grown
up and learned about life." Nodoka said with a strange sad smile on her face.
***
Ukyo walked grimly down the street. She had returned to carrying her weapons.
She tried to make sense of what Ranma had said the week before. Did she really
hate Ranma? He had ruined her life again.
She sighed before bumping into someone. She looked at the man, irritated that
he had interrupted her thoughts. A wry smile crept across her face.
"Who dares accost the great and noble Kuno Tatewaki?"
"I'm sorry, Kunou. I was thinking of something that may interest you."
"And what would you know about my interests?"
"Do you still want your 'Pig-tailed Goddess?'"
"Of course! I shall not rest until she is free from that foul daemon, Saotome.
You have news of her whereabouts?"
"Come to school at lunch. She's back in classes. But...no, nevermind."
"What? What more is there?"
Ukyo smiled. "There is someone else she hangs out with. He also has two other
women under his spell."
"That cad! Saotome, you shall feel my righteous wrath! Though she is beyond
my reach, is Tendo Akane affected?"
"She also hangs out with this guy. He's not Saotome. I don't know what his
name is, though."
"It matters not. Thank you, Kuonji Ukyo. I shall smite this demon, be he
Saotome or not. My goddess shall once again be free."
Ukyo watched Kunou run down the street. She smiled, despite the gnawing in her
stomach. "You'll wish you never returned to her, Ranma."
***
Cologne looked up from her breakfast as the tall woman entered the kitchen.
She frowned as her great-granddaughter sat before her. "Welcome back, Xian Pu,"
she greeted in Chinese.
"Hello, Great-grandmother. I have returned because Ranma's trail went cold."
"How long has it been cold?"
"About two months. I followed his trail to the Masaki Temple. I recognized
the name, but I can't remember why."
"That particular family is dangerous. Their men have defied us too long."
"How so?"
Cologne sighed. "The patriarch's name is Masaki Katsushita, At least, that's
what he goes by now. His true name is Yosho. He was to be my groom over one
hundred fifty years ago. He has defied the laws for much longer."
"Then he is family!" Exclaimed Shampoo.
"He is an enemy. He has destroyed more warriors than any army. He is simply
too powerful to allow beyond our control, yet he has refused our way, as does
Ranma."
"What does he have to do with Ranma?"
"Ranma is the grandchild of Yosho. Ranma, apparently, is becoming aware of his
heritage. If he has the potential his grandfather has, then we must kill him,
as well as others of his bloodline."
"Why? Isn't that why you wanted Ranma to join the tribe? His strength, as
well as his handsome features, would help the tribe."
"Every warrior of age must swear to destroy the line of Masaki Yousho. You are
nearly of age. I am fond of Ranma, but it is my duty to kill him and his
family."
Shampooo paled. "How do you know Ranma is related to this Yosho?"
"Ranma returned home last week. With him came Yosho and several other,
powerful people. Yosho's presence has complicated matters greatly. I can no longer fight against him."
"He is just a man, Great-grandmother. You can easily beat him."
Cologne smiled. "If only it were so. I could barely match Ranma's power when
he was here last year. Now, after a year with Yosho, I would surely lose. If
I angered, and fought Ranma now, I would not survive against just him. If his
allies became involved, Ancestors protect me, there would be nothing left of me
to return home."
Shampoo gasped at that statement. Cologne shook her head. "Last year, Ranma
came close to hitting you with his full strength, correct?" Shampoo nodded,
prompting Cologne to continue, "He was upset over his life. He is no longer
upset. In fact, he has accepted his curse.
"He has also accepted Tendou Akane as his future bride. I fear, Child, that if
you continue your pursuit of him, by eliminating Akane, he will destroy the
village.
"We have been offered a choice: accept Ranma's choice and live in peace, or
incur his wrath and condemn the Amazon Nation to death. As my heir, I will let
you decide the fate of our people."
Shampoo stared at her great-grandmother, letting this new revelation sink in.
She failed to notice Cologne leave the room.
***
Ranma sat with Akane under the large cherry tree at the edge of the sports
field. They ate their lunch quietly. They talked of their adventures over the
last year.
A shadow fell over them, causing them to stop talking about Jurai. "Osage no
Onna! You have returned to me! Come, let us engage in meaningful
conversation."
"Oh my, you're back," commented Ranma flatly.
"Yes. I have returned for the extended collegic weekend."
"In other words, I have to beat the crap out of you until you leave."
"If that is how you wish to escape that foul sorcerer, Saotome."
Ranma stood up, straitening her skirt. "Kunou, I will say this only once: I
despise you. You are an arrogant ass who has no respect for women. I have
beaten you repeatedly, trying to get you to stop your unwanted advances.
"If you continue to pursue me, I will hurt you in such a way that no woman will
ever have to fear you. Do you understand?"
"Who would make a beautiful woman, such as you, reject my undying love?"
"You."
"Show me this so-called man."
Ranma sighed. "I really shouldn't do this."
"Do what?" asked Akane, annoyed with Kunou.
"Use Washu-chan's computer."
Akane sniggered. Kunou glared at her. Ranma smiled her half smile. "You want
to see who causes me to hate you? Very well, I shall show you this misguided
fool. Behold, the foul deceiver, Kunou Tatewaki!"
Ranma touched a key on the ethereal computer. An energy mirror appeared before
the kendoist. He stared at his image for several seconds. "H-how is this
possible?" stammered Kunou.
"A man who tries to defeat a woman in combat, for love, is a fool. A man who
chases after two women at the same time, deceives himself. A man who denies
the reality of being rejected is an even greater fool.
"I give you this simple choice: leave me alone and remain a man, or continue
what I consider attacks, and end the Kunou line."
"If I leave you, who will fill my life with joy? If I continue pursuing you, I
will die." Kunou tapped his head for a moment. "If I am to die, let it be at
the hands of the one I love!"
Ranma easily sidestepped the advance. With considerable skill, she sent him
into the tree. She picked up the bokken before leaning into Kunou's face.
"Ever here of castration?"
Kunou's eyes widened in horror. He struggled to stand. He watched Ranma twirl
his favorite weapon like a batton. He stared at the weapon as it flew between
his legs. Feeling the pressure on his manhood, he looked down.
"You have been given one more chance, Kunou Tatewaki. Next time you try to
show
your 'love' for me, you will become a eunich."
Ranma and Akane turned to leave the kendoist to the few thoughts he could
manage. <She left me my legacy. If I pursue her, I will be less than a man.
I have lost my Osage no Onna, just as I have lost the lovely Tendou Akane. Why
do the gods frown upon me? Am I not the great and noble Kunou Tatewaki, chosen
of the gods?"
***
Ukyo watched the fight from the wooded section of the campus. She knew Ranma
would win. She, however, expected him to knock out Kunou.
"That was way cool!" exclaimed Ryoko.
Ukyo turned to see the woman hovering to the left and above her. She stared as
Ryoko floated to the ground.
Ryoko chuckled. "You have to learn to leave Ranma alone. She, uh, he has
grown stronger since coming to the temple."
"Oh?"
Ryoko smiled. "Believe what you want, but Ranma is not someone you want to
fight. Neither is Tenchi. Those two have an understanding. Ayeka and I found
this out after we hurt her, him, more than we should have."
"Why do you refer to Ranma as a girl?"
"Because that's how we knew him for a year. I only found out last week that
the shy, angry young woman that came to live with us is actually one of the
best, male martial artists in the world.
"Of course, I could teach him a few things on our next training trip," grinned
Ryoko.
"Ranma's mine. I lost eleven years of my life to him. I won't let you, or
Akane, have him."
Ryoko chuckled. "If you think you can take me on, go ahead. You should know I
walked away from one of Ms. Hinako's attacks. It tickled."
"Impossible!"
"Perhaps," shrugged Ryoko. "If you want to stay healthy, and catch yourself a
good man, stay away from Ranma."
"Why should I? By staying away from him, he went to the woman he hates."
Ryoko pointed behind Ukyo. "Does that look like hatred?"
Ukyo turned to see Ranma and Akane share a tender kiss. She involuntarily
whimpered. Ryoko put her hand on Ukyo's shoulder.
"A year ago, Ranma would never have done that. I teased him mercilessly about
'her' and Akane, after I found Akane's picture. That was the most painful day
of my life.
"Not only did Ranma beat me, physically, Tenchi lashed into me emotionally. On
top of that, my own mother said I would cease to exist if I continued my
teasing."
"I'm sure. And how would she do that?" asked Ukyo skeptically.
Ryoko frowned, turning her attention to Ranma and Akane. "She...she would put
me in this chamber. It's a lot like a cyclotron. She would bombard my body
with so much energy, I would start to fade. Thing is, I would still be aware
of everything around me.
"I never want to go through that again. What's worse, my mom would do it
without a second thought. She can always bring me back, but why push my luck?
Ranma's closer to my mom than I am. Hell, he's closer to her than his own
mother. Of course, they're working on fixing that."
"Do you know why he left?" asked Ukyo, the anger in her voice gone.
"Hai. He felt his life was falling apart. One of several childhood promises
came back to haunt him. While they weren't necessarily made by him, they were
made in his name, on his honor.
"Do you have any idea what honor means to him?"
"It's his life."
"Exactly. To someone like Ranma, which will win first: love or honor?"
Ukyo watched Ranma eat an offering from Akane's bento. She watched as they
laughed at a joke. Her heart sank as Ranma whispered something into her
rival's ear. Akane responded with an obviously playful punch.
"I-I guess love. But why her?"
Ryoko shrugged. "I don't know, exactly. All I know is that when he talked
about his home and family, he was sad. He regretted leaving his mother, uncle,
sisters, and..."
"ENOUGH! Why did he have to come back? Why, when he's not man enough to at
least consider me as his fiancee?"
"Because he needed to come home. He needed to know who he was supposed to be.
Also he had to clean up the mess that his father caused. That is the true mark
of a mature adult, Ukyo, dealing with the problems that are in your life."
Ryoko paused, and looked strangely at the scene, and then added, in a soft
voice, "Growing up isn't fun, but it has to be done."
"My husband. We've been engaged since we were six." Ukyo's face showed that
she had no give in her.
Ryoko sighed, and then in a soft tone of voice, stated, "I'm sorry, Ukyo.
You'd make a great space pirate, putting your all into getting what you want.
Ranma has far too few friends. Less than I do. Don't hate him for his
continuing beyond the life his father gave him. Don't let Genma's mistakes
kill you, or Ranma. Let go before you are destroyed. Learn this lesson from
me, I didn't learn it until I got locked up in a cave for 700 years."
"It was Ranma's fault! He said we would be together forever. He promised!"
"He has promised a lot of things, Ukyo. If he can, he fulfills them. He's
just now learning that some promises are not meant to be kept. Also, how do
you know that he meant as husband and wife, or what he really thinks of you:
His best friend?" She stopped and was about to leave, when a thought crossed
her face, and she added to the last statement,
"Before I go, don't hurt Ranma or Akane in any way. They're family to me. I-I
have been known to destroy entire families when provoked."
"Oh yeah?"
Ryoko held out her right hand. She created her energy sword. "You may think
this is chi, but it's not. The principle is the same." She easily sliced
through the tree's thick branches. "I know of Ranma's powers. He knows my
favorites. If you talk to him, he may tell you about me and Ayeka. I would,
but I've promised Tenchi I wouldn't."
Ryoko faded from sight. Ukyo stared at the space the former pirate occupied.
She shook herself out of her chaotic thoughts, turning her attention to Ranma
and Akane. "Why?"
***
Ranma, Akane, Tenchi, Ryoko, and Ayeka walked down the street, laughing at
Kunou. Ryoko kept quiet about her confrontation with Ukyo.
Without warning, Ranma stepped between Akane and the wall. It exploded,
showering the group with dust and pebbles. As the air cleared, Akane noted the
flickering barrier surrounding them.
"Hello, Shampoo," began Ranma, her voice even and calm. "I'm glad to see you
have returned to Japan safely."
"Nihao, Airen! Shampoo come to take husband home."
Akane began to move forward. She felt a gentle hand grasp her shoulder. She
saw Tenchi nod toward Ranma.
"Shampoo, I cannot marry you. You have no regards for my feelings; you change,
often by choice, into something I can't stand the site of; and there is a blood
feud between your people and my grandfather."
"Shampoo no care about feud. Airen is Shampoo's by law. No let Airen take
false wife!"
Shampoo stepped forward, ignoring Akeya's barrier. The amazon crashed into it,
stunning her.
Ranma stepped forward, summoning her Juraian battle garb. She picked Shampoo
up by the neck, holding her against the remaining portions of the wall.
"This is your only warning, Shampoo: do not come after me, my family, or my
friends. You can NEVER be more than my friend. Go back to your village and
tell them the man and woman you pursued died before you could satisfy your
honor.
"I will not tolerate any more interference from you. As far as I'm concerned,
the Blood Feud is over."
Ranma released Shampoo. The Amazon fell to the ground. Through ragged
breaths, she asked, "Why?"
"Because I am nothing without Akane. She is my life and my love. If you wish
to remain my friend, I will be happy to help you whenever you need it. I may
even invite you to my wedding."
"But Airen love Shampoo. Why else he defeat Shampoo?"
Ranma stared at Shampoo before shaking her head. "The first time was because
you challenged me over a simple misunderstanding. The second time was because
you attacked Akane, the woman I love more than life."
"But Amazon law say..."
Ranma rubbed the bridge of her nose. Her battle garb faded away. "Shampoo,
your laws mean nothing to me. When I marry Akane, you will not interfere."
"But Arien no have two wives!"
Ayeka walked up to Ranma. "Ranma-sama, why are you wasting time with
this...woman?"
"Because if I don't, she'll keep trying to marry me. It took me a year to
admit I love Akane. If I have to spend a another year convincing Shampoo to
leave us alone, I will."
"You could always have Ryoko stop her," offered Akane.
"As much as she deserves it, I can't see the need to do that."
"But it'd be so much fun," purred Ryoko as she floated over to Ranma and
Shampoo, energy crackling in her hands.
Shampoo stood up shakily. "Who you?"
Ryoko smiled, letting her energy flow around her. "I'm Habuki Ryoko, at your
service."
Ranma shook her head. "Go home, Shampoo. Find someone who loves you, not some
one who defeated you in combat."
"Ranma love Shampoo! Why else he defeat Shampoo?"
"Are you related to Kunou?" Asked Tenchi.
Shampoo stared at Tenchi for several seconds. "Why you ask that?"
Tenchi shrugged. "Well, you act like he did when he tried to make a pass at
Ranma. From what he and Akane say, Kunou falls in love with any woman who can
defeat him in combat."
"He only crazy boy who should marry violent pervert girl."
Akane began to gather her anger in her hands. Ranma stopped her with a calm
look. Akane took a deep breath before speaking. "Do you love every man who
beats you in combat?"
"Is law."
"Would you love Ranma if he lost to someone?"
"Ranma always win."
"But I've lost to someone, Shampoo."
"Who? I avenge husband's defeat."
Ranma smirked, winking at Akane and Tenchi. "The man I've lost to is very
special to me. I owe him everything for helping me come to terms with myself,
and my life."
"Who defeat husband?" Growled Shampoo.
Ayeka and Ryoko were ready to destroy Shampoo. Only Ranma's relaxed state
prevented them from carrying out their plan, unless Shampoo made a move against
Tenchi.
"The only person to consistently beat me is a member of my family. The Old
Ghoul can't touch him. In fact, I willingly follow his laws. I'd follow him
to the ends of time."
"Who is he?" screamed Shampoo.
"I am," replied Tenchi as he shifted his stance.
"DIE!" screamed Shampoo as she leapt for Tenchi.
Her senses exploded in pain as Ryoko's energy sphere engulfed her. When the
pirate dispersed the energy, an eternal heartbeat later, the Amazon collapsed
to the ground.
"I will not let you harm Tenchi, Ranma, or Akane," began Ryoko. "If you want
to fought someone, fight me."
"No, Ryoko!" Exclaimed Ranma.
"I owe you this, Ranma. In spades."
Ranma was about to say something, but stopped. She nodded slightly before
turning to Akane. "We'll see you at the dojo. D-don't be too long," replied
Ranma sadly.
Ryoko smiled as she built the energy in her hands. "The little kitten won't
hurt Ranma while I'm around."
***
The quartet stepped through the gates of the Tendou Dojo. "We're home!" called
Akane as they moved toward the house.
Ranma felt the change as the hot water expanded his body. He gasped for air as
the fabric of his uniform tightened around him.
"Damn it, Pop, let me prepare for our practice first!" gasped Ranma as Akane
loosened the ruined clothing.
"A true martial artist, even a Jusenkyo cursed one, must be prepared to fight
at all times!"
"Let. Me. Change. First," growled Ranma as he stood.
"You don't have time to change! You must always be..."
Genma paused as he saw Ranma shift into his battle suit. Akane took a step
back as she felt her fianc‚e's power warp the space around him.
"Can you take me on, Old Man?"
"RANMA!" Yelled Tenchi.
"Ranma glared at his cousin. "Stay out of this Tenchi. This idiot has to
learn there is more to life than martial arts."
"True, but is this the way to convince him?"
Ranma looked at his hands. He took a deep breath, clenching his fists. When
he released both, he battle suit disappeared. "Thanks, Tenchan. You're
sounding like Grandpa more everyday."
Tenchi chuckled, putting his hand behind his head. "Thanks, Ranchan. I
think."
Everyone watched Ranma walk into the house in his ruined uniform. Genma shook
his head. "You disgrace me, Boy."
Ayeka walked by Genma, her nose in the air. "Why Nodoka married you, I'll
never know. Tenchi's father is better than you."
Genma stiffened at the mention of his brother-in-law.
***
Ranma stood in the middle of the dojo, moving his arms through a series of
complex gestures. With each movement, his tense face relaxed. He finished,
bowing to the central sign.
"Very good, Ranma," called Nodoka from the door.
Ranma smiled. "Thanks, Mom."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"About what?"
Nodoka sighed. "Akane told me your father ambushed you with hot water after
school."
Ranma clenched his fists. "Yeah. He ruined the uniform, not to mention nearly
suffocating me."
"Was this an example of his 'training?'"
"Hai. Has he always been like this?"
Nodoka motioned for her son to sit next to her. "I'm afraid so. When we were
married, he wanted me to give up my martial arts. I did, for a while. One
day, he caught me practicing with you happily strapped on my back."
Nodoka wiped the tear from her eye. "That was when Achika died. I-I felt her
passing away."
"How'd she die?"
"Something she killed years earlier injured her. Well, that's what Washuu-chan
says."
"So she died from the injuries?"
"In a manner of speaking. When you were born, I had very little power. W-when
Achika died, I grew a good ten times stronger. When Genma saw my new powers,
he took you away, saying he would train you.
"I believed him, because I was scared. I made him promise me many things.
Unfortunately, seppuku was one of several I forced when my mind was not
accustomed to my powers.
"I'm sorry, Son. H-had I known you were 'Ranko,' I would have ended the lies
sooner. Talking with Father, I am pleased that I was a fool. You have become
a true man."
Ranma blushed. "Thanks, Mom. I never wanted to lie to you."
"I know, Son. Let's never allow a situation where we must lie to each other
again."
Ranma hugged his mother. "I will do anything I can to keep from lying to you."
***
Ryoko walked into the house, just as Kasumi and Sasami were laying dinner on
the table. Her face had a strange look on it, a mix between sasitfaction and
regret.
"Ranma, with a little bit of luck, Shampoo has been dealt with. I think she
has gotten the message that you and the rest of us are off limits, and that she
cannot hope to fight us and win." With that statement she sat on one side of
Tenchi.
"What did you do, Ryoko? Is she still alive?" Ranma asked with a grimace.
"Yes, Ranma, I wouldn't kill, or even serverly hurt her, not because she
doesn't deserve it, but because, you and Tenchi wouldn't like it. and nor would
I, now. I just scared her badly. She will recover from what I did quickly, at
least physically. Mentally, I don't know when she'll recover from the shock I
gave her." Ryouko stopped with a look of almost shame on her face.
Akane was about to ask Ryoko what she did, but the look on Ryoko's face
stopped her, and Kasumi just served her some food without saying a word.
***
A slightly burned kitty dragged herself though the doors of the Nekohaten. The
owner of record knew this cat and grabbed clothes and a kettle of hot water for
the cat. After pouring the water on the cat, and allowing the girl that
appeared in the cat's place, the old woman waited for the girl to dress before
asking a question. "Shampoo, how did this happen? And tell me the WHOLE
story. Period. I need to know."
The girl, still looking much worse for the wear, replied. "Hiba-chan, it
was the spiky-girl. After trying to get Shampoo's airen, she, in her own words
'Handled' me. She first moved around Shampoo without Shampoo seeing firing chi
blasts of some type that barley missed Shampoo. but still burned me a little.
Then she picked me up by the neck and tossed Shampoo around. Last but not
least, Spiky girl splash me, pick me up by sruff of neck, and fly very high,
then drop me, but before Shampoo can hit the ground, Spiky girl catch me and
say ' If you continue this. I will NOT catch you the next time. and a fall from
over a thousand feet WILL kill you. Period.' She leave me in tree and fly off."
Shampoo finished with a sigh, and then added. "I do not know what to do. Hiba-
chan, what Can Shampoo do?"
Cologne looked tired, and said, "I do not know, great-granddaughter. I
do not know. We could try to kill the girl that did this, but I don't think we
would succeed, and even with her dead, the others WOULD strike, and then kill
us. And maybe the village in reprisal. THIS is your Choice. you will lead the
Amazons soon, so decide."
Shampoo looked at her great grandmother for a while and didn't say
anything.
***
As the family ate, Nodoka looked at Washuu-chan and asked, "Do you mind
if we discuss something privately, Washuu-san?"
Washuu looked at Nodoka, and nodded her head. Ranma and Tenchi looked at
this and shrugged.
After the meal everyone went their separate ways, Ranma and Akane to the
Dojo, Nabiki to her room, and others scattered about the house. Nodoka and
Washuu walked to her lab's door and went in. Washuu hit a button, and stated,
"Now NO one will be able to hear us, or come in."
"Thank you Washuu-san, I do apperiacte this. What I wished to discuss,
is due to Genma's splashing water onto Ranma today, and Ranma was in pain due
to the change in forms, after all, the clothes that she wears does not fit him.
I was wondering if there was a way that you can come up with a deceive to at
least keep unwanted changes from happening?" Nodoka stopped and looked at
Washuu.
"Humm, Humm. Let me play with My new guinea pig, and I'll come up with
something, I'm sure." Washuu had a evil grin on her face as she stated this.
"Who is this, guinea pig, you are talking about?" Nodoka was puzzled.
"Ryouga, of course, he does need to learn that Ranma, and Akane are OFF
limits, not just because they love each other, but because of his actions
towards both of them." Washuu grinned, and added, "After I am done, he will NOT
be willing to come within 100 meters of ether. and that should be fit
punishment for his actions. Plus I don't want to experiment on Ranma, and
Genma, well I think you and Ranma would be unhappy if I did that."
"Washuu, you can experiment on Genma all you want as far as I am
concerned considering all his actions towards me, Ranma and others. Though I do
agree with you on Ryouga." Nodoka smiled, but not her usual nice smile.
Washuu returned the evil smile, and spoke "Good, Two guinea pigs will
make it easier, I'll go scoop the panda up and get to work."
Author's Notes(Andrew)
I wanted Bryan to write this part faster, but he had other projects, so I
offered. and now it's done.
Been fun adding a few scenes to this, and doing some small changes, but
the majority of this work, is Bryan's.
As always thanks to Mike Nolaes for One bad day, Bryan Neef for One good
day, and Good day 2. Kevin Hammel, Nightelf, and William Dix for Prereading.
Til Next Time
Andrew Norris
"When in doubt, use a bigger Hammer."
(Bryan's Notes)
Bryan, if you want more, or want some stuff changed, tell me.
Andrew
9/21/99