Someone else woke up at this point, "Grandma?"
"I'm sorry, dear. I was trying to wake your father." To her credit Nodoka didn't stumble over this line.
"Oh, ok. I'll get daddy up for you." Ranko slithered out of her father's arms and proceeded to jump on him while screaming, "Daddy, it's time to get up! Wakey, wakey!"
This did have the desired effect of waking Ranma up, and he grabbed the little girl before she could impact on his stomach again and started tickling her. "What have I told you about waking me up like that?"
"Not to do it unless I absolutely have to!" was his cheerful reply.
"And?"
"Grandma asked me to!"
"She did huh?" Ranma looked over to his mother, who quickly wiped the tears from her eyes. "Mom?"
Nodoka mustered a smile, "It's nothing, dear. I've got supper warming in the oven downstairs and after you eat we have things we need to discuss." She quickly left.
Ranma set his daughter on the floor, "Alright imp, you heard Grandma. It's time to go eat."
"Yay!" Ranko ran downstairs, followed shortly by her father. It was an excellent meal and the conversation was kept light by mutual consent. Once they were done Ranko was sent off to play so Ranma and Nodoka could talk.
Ranma decided to start first, "Mom, are you really alright with everything?"
Nodoka nodded, "Yes, son. I talked with your father and Soun, I don't doubt your story. It's just that watching you with her, it reminds me of everything that I've missed out on. Ranma, how is it that you know... I mean, you react as if she grew up in your care.. are you..." She trailed off, unsure how to exactly phrase her question.
"Well, I kinda, umm, have. I mean that I've kinda umm, dreamt most of Ranko's life. Only it wasn't quite a dream cuz it doesn't fade or nothin' when I wake up. I remember it like it happened to me. It's kinda weird but, it's the best thing that ever happened to me. When I remember the first time I held her," a look of awe crossed Ranma's face, "well, I wouldn't trade that for anything."
"So it's not just the spirit?"
"No. I can't really talk to him when I'm awake. The most I get is feelings when I'm lookin at stuff, and even then it's kinda faint if Ranko ain't real close to me. We figure it's cuz I ain't been attuned to the amulet. Problem is I ain't ready to do it myself without some outside help, but the help I coulda got in the future don't really know me now. The best bet now would be the Old Ghoul, but the other me really hates the Amazons. So I'm kinda stuck. Course I get a lot more if he takes action, but that really uses up a lot of energy and he can't keep it up for all that long. Afterwards I really need to build our energy back up, so I tend ta eat and sleep a lot more. Err, is somethin' wrong?"
Nodoka smiled wryly, "Son, I realize that this might not be the best time to bring this up but we really need to work on your grammar when your stressed. I've noticed several time that when you get nervous your language becomes atrocious. A true gentleman speaks properly at all times."
Ranma flushed, "Right, uhh, sorry about that. I'll try ta, to!, keep that in mind."
"Thank you, Ranma. So I shouldn't worry if you sleep a lot then?"
"Nah. I mean no. Besides, being here helps a lot. A lot of the people that would usually bother me at the Tendo home won't do anything here."
"I'm glad I can be of help to you, son, and that you came to me for help with your problems. I have talked to my family, my maiden name was Fujiwara, and they have agreed to help us get documentation for Ranko on the following condition. You and her must meet with them in person first."
"That's great, Mom! I really..."
"Don't thank me that quickly, Ranma. Their help is not guaranteed. It would be best that you think of this meeting as an interview to which you are going as the supplicant. Plus, there is a bit of history that I must relate to you. You see, my parents have a great dislike of the Saotome family, and I would go so far as to say that mother detests, even loathes them. Hatred is too mild a word to describe her feelings on this matter."
"Then how did you and pops..."
"I was young and filled with foolish notions of romance. I thought that love would conquer all. And your father was a very dashing young man, not to mention the lure of the forbidden. Ours was a quiet courtship. Then he came to my father to talk about marrying me, even knowing how my parents felt about him. Oh it was like watching something out of the legends, him and father sitting across from each other discussing marriage while mother heaped insult upon indignity upon him, which both men pretended wasn't happening. Finally father dismissed his suit, and I ran away with Genma anyway. Everything was fine at first after we were married. We had a home and your father got a good job. Not that he was some salaryman, but we made enough. Then the troubles started. Your father was fired and given some poor excuse. It was only when he lost the next job that we began to suspect what was really happening. He lost job after job and soon no one would hire him. We survived for a while on our savings and then we were evicted from our house. After that things were hard but we still managed. He came to me one night and gave me the family blade. He didn't say anything but we had an understanding. He started to bring in some money and I didn't question where it came from. Then you were born. We were both so happy. You were our pride and joy. We managed fine for years after that. It was difficult and there were some desperate times but nothing my family did could drive us apart. Then... then... they did the one thing that finally broke your father. When you came of age we tried to get you into a good school but they rejected our application. They all but said outright that you were unfit to attend such a prestigious institution. After that Genma decided to take you on the training trip."
Nodoka gave a bitter smile, "Once you had left I no longer had any troubles keeping a home and a small stipend was anonymously contributed to my account every month. Not to say that everything was all one-sided. Happosai, strangely enough, took a measure of revenge when he heard that they had targeted you. Then he declared that we wouldn't have to worry as he would take you under his wing and train you to be his true heir." Ranma and Nodoka shuddered. "Your father and Soun sealed him away before he could do anything." Ranma silently thanked his father profusely.
"Now you know the people you would be asking for help. I doubt it will be a pleasant experience for either of us. However, I ask that you take your time and think hard before giving me an answer one way or the other. I will ask you for an answer in two days son. For the moment I feel the need to rest after going over our past. Goodnight, Ranma."
"Goodnight, Mom," a rather stunned Ranma replied.
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(Posted Fri, 11 Mar 2005 05:00)
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