That is essentially it.
"So how about I go to where I first screwed up," said Ranma visualizing the point.
Ranma startled. Everything was back to solid again, but he was so little. He was back, before the catfist. They'd just started the ten year journey a few weeks ago.
"Well, Ranma?" asked Genma. "Which do you like more? Ucchan or okonomiyaki?"
"Ucchan!" Ranma said absently, still staring.
"Errr. Maybe you didn't hear me," said Genma. "Do you like Ucchan or okonomiyaki better?"
"Ucchan," said Ranma.
"That isn't what you're supposed to say, Ranma!" Genma's voice got angry.
"I take it back. Earlier," said Ranma.
"C'mon boy, just a little fingerpainting on the nice piece of paper." Genma dangled the sheet down in front of Ranma.
"Don' wanna," said Ranma.
"Stubborn boy," complained Genma, forcing the child's hands onto the contract. "There. Ah, the open road. Freedom. Your training beckons, Ranma."
"That didn't work too well," Ranma realized. "I'd have to be able to kick his butt when I'm four years old. Can you do something about that?"
The scene froze as Genma was about to ask what Ranma was going on about.
You don't want to sign the contract or you don't want to go on that training trip?
"See - that's the problem," admitted Ranma. "I don't want to sign the contract and have that hangin' over my head. And don't think I didn't go through all kinda crap on that training trip. Thing is, if I didn't go on that trip, I wouldn't be as good as I am at the Art. But that trip is also what caused me so much grief. When I got to Nerima I didn't know nothin' about sleeping indoors regular or getting along with more'n me and Oyaji. Hell, I spent more time missin' school than attendin' it."
The scene seemed to blur and rewind.
"C'mon boy, just a little fingerpainting on the nice piece of paper." Genma dangled the sheet down in front of Ranma.
"Don' wanna," said Ranma.
"Stubborn boy," complained Genma, forcing the child's hands towards the contract.
"He said he didn't want to," said a voice.
Genma froze. "Oh. Dearest. We were just..."
Eyes seemed to glow in the shadows like the powering up of fifty megawatt laser cannon.
"...dearest..." said Genma, backing away from the child.
"How long were you planning this training trip to last, dear," said the outwardly composed Nodoka.
"Ten years!" Ranma exclaimed. "Daddy says we gonna go steal stuff to get by, and he's gonna engage me to lots of girls for food, and we not gonna see you again until after I'm all old and married off. Isn't that right, Pop?"
"Gakkk," said Genma, wondering what preposterous story Ranma had just come out with. It wasn't like he'd do any of that. Well, not much.
"Anata," said Nodoka, using her most formal tone as she lifted the discarded document up. "I will hold you to this."
"Eh?" said Genma, hope dawning within his heart.
"You will raise Ranma to be a 'man among men' and engage him to a lot of girls," said Nodoka. "That would certainly be manly. Only truly exceptional girls though."
"Erk," said Ranma, not liking the gleam in his mother's eyes.
"This 'ten years' period is something else I disagree with," said Nodoka. "However am I to judge whether it is working or not if all you do is drag him off until after his marriage. Every three years at least. Bring pictures of him and all the girls you engage him to."
"What?" Ranma asked, feeling very insecure at the moment.
"Perhaps I'll engage him a few times too. I'll need regular reports on how he's developing." Nodoka nodded her head. "You've often said that I coddle him too much while he's here. Well, I am his mother - and therefore I have a vested interest in his development."
"There are times your mother scares me," confided Genma in a soft voice.
Ranma nodded. Who'd have thought?
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(Posted Sat, 15 May 2004 17:53)
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