[Episode 206996] [Episode 206996]Ranma walked slowly beside the Goddess Amaterasu as they made thier way along the wooded trail. If Ranma had been more of a spiritual person the idea of walking along side a real live living and breathing Goddess would have sent him into fits. However a lifetime of being convinced that his whole existance was simply that of being some cosmic plaything for some seriously deranged Kami had pretty much taken the mystique and sense of awe out of the experiance.
"Now Ranma," the Goddess began in a musical voice "As you know, the women of your family have served as my Taiyohime for over 30 generations and if you were to continue the tradi..."
Ranma raised up a hand and interrupted the Goddess "Look, let's save the small talk. I'm sure you have all sorts of reasons and examples that you can give me that would convince me to become this Takiyoki magical girl."
"That's Taiyohime." Amaterasu corrected before being waved off by the irate redhead beside her.
"Whatever." Ranma grumbled "However this is just another example of my parents trying to use me to further thier own plans without taking my plans for my life into consideration."
Ranma stopped walking and turned to face to solemn faced Goddess "You say that Mom's family has served you for 30 generations? Then why was i never told anything about them? I mean come on, you'd think that having relatives working for a real Goddess would give rise to at least a few family stories."
Ranma kicked a small pebble into the grass next to the path as she continued her rant "I mean Mom never even mentioned having any family ever before then out of the blue she drops a bomb that she's from a long line of magical girls!"
Amaterasu tried to sound sympathetic as she responded "I'm sure this seems like quite a shock for you..."
Again she was interrupted by a waving hand "This? A shock? Naw, a surprise maybe but not a shock. Finding out that my mother has been planning my whole life for me to take over as this Takiyoki while never bothering to mention anything about it to me? Now that's a shock!"
Ranma threw her hands up into the air as she began to wander in small circles "But why would this surprise me? I mean it's not like my folks haven't pulled this kind of stuff before. I mean what i thought was going to be a visit to the park turned into a 10 year training trip, a chance to play with k-k-kittens turned into the Nekoken..."
Ranma's rant was beginning to build up steam and even Amaterasu was impressed.
"Let's go train on those poles sticking out of the pools Son, Oh look, you're a girl now. Son, did i ever mention that you have a fiancee? Or at least 7 or 8 of them?"
Ranma stopped her circles and soon faced the Goddess again "MY whole life has been things that other people wanted me to do. I'm supposed to get married, have kids and run a dojo. Or was that get married, have kids and run a oknomiyaki shop. No, No It was get married, get dragged off to China and be treated like some stud animal for the rest of my life. And somewhere in there i'm supposed to go to college, increase my martial arts skills, get it through the thick skulls of several idiots that i don't want to fight them for stupid reasons and still find the time to live some kind of life while i support my lazy father through his happy retirement. I'm sorry but i don't have time to do this Takiyoki thing, i'm booked solid."
Ranma finished her rant with a heavy sigh while Amaterasu simply stared at the girl.
"Look," Ranma looked up at the Goddess "I know that there is evil in the world and someone needs to fight it, i mean look at them youma things that showup in Juuban every once in a while but at least the Senshi are there. Someone is always there to fight it. Why does it have to be me?"
Ranma sat down on the grass beside the trail with a heavy thud and a heavier sigh "It seems like all i ever do is fight. Everyday it's the same old grind, Fight Kuno, Fight Ryoga, Fight Mousse heck i'm always fighting someone, even if it's just stupid Oyaji. I'm tired of fighting, i just want a normal quiet life for a change."
Amaterasu softly shook her head "I'm afraid Ranma that 30 generations of divine service has left you marked for a life of heroic destiny. In one form or another you will find that destiny. As for why you? I could say that it is simply family tradition but to be honest, you're the best one for the job. Yes, there are others that i can call on should you truly wish to decline the position of Taiyohime but no one comes close to your level of skill."
Amaterasu crossed her legs as she floated in a lotus position mere inches above the grass as she continued "Your Art teaches that one such as yourself should protect the weak, become the Taiyohime and you will possess the power to do that on a scale you never imagined."
A frown crossed Ranma's face as she groused "Stop that! You're trying to my honor to force me to accept becoming the Takiyoki, what next? Guilt trips? Perhaps you'll use the old "Can save your family and friends from Evil's grip" line next?"
A look of sadness crossed the Goddess's face "Is there nothing i can say that will have you accept the position of Taiyohime?"
Ranma snorted "You're a Goddess, there are lots of things you could say that would make me accept. But if you do that, i'll hate and resent you and my Mother for the rest of my life."
Amaterasu shook her head "No, I will not force you to accept a position that you do not want. To do so would cause you to not take your duties as seriously as you must to fight the evil that must be faced. I have learned that much from your Aunt Ritsuko."
"I have an Aunt named Ritsuko?" Ranma asked in surprise.
"No child, you HAD an Aunt named Ritsuko." Amaterasu wiped away a tear from her eye "Like yourself, she did not want to be the Taiyohime but her own family pressured her into it. She was, unenthused, to say the least. Because of her lack of desire in her duties she failed to train as seriously as she should have and finally faced an Evil greater than she could handle."
"And it killed her, right?" Ranma inquired.
The Goddess shed another tear "It would have been a great mercy had the beast simply killed her. No Ranma, i will not tell you what the creature did to Ritsuko's body and soul, only that death was the only mercy i could grant her when her successor finally freed her from the beast's clutches. I do not wish such a fate on you Child yet i fear that would be your fate as well were i to compel you to assume the mantle of Taiyohime."
Amaterasu floated to a standing position and motioned for Ranma to stand as well. "While it saddens me that you will not succeed your mother as my Taiyohime, i will respect your wishes and i release you from any obligation to my service. Go Child with my blessing and may you find the life you seek."
With a gentle kiss to the redhead's forehead, Amaterasu opens a portal and with a gentle push sends Ranma through it.
Ranma blinked as she found herself standing in the backyard of the Tendo dojo, happy that the magical girl nonsense seemed to have been resolved, in her favor for once, Ranma headed into the house to search for hot water to change back with.
Ranma no sooner entered the house and passed by the living room before she found herself caught up in a glomp that would make an Amazon proud.
"Oh my daughter," Nodoka cried out as she squeezed that stuffing out of her stunned child "I can't tell you how proud i am that you are going to follow in my footsteps. I know how persausive Amaterasu can be."
"Mom," Ranma gasped as she began to turn blue "Can't breath."
"Oh sorry about that Dear." Nodoka released Ranma, who dropped to one knee while gasping to get her air back "Now we shall start your sword training first thing tomorrow."
Nodoka looked around, finally noticing that Ranma was not holding the Taiyohime katana "Um, daughter where is the katana?"
Ranma was still rubbing her sore ribs as she replied "The glowy lady still has it."
Nodoka was puzzled as her face plainly displayed "But why does she still have the sword?"
Ranma shrugged "It is her sword after all."
"Yes, i know that," Nodoka rolled her eyes "But the sword is the transformation item and main weapon of the Taiyohime, you're going to need it to tranform into the Taiyohime."
"Mom, I'm not going to be the Takiyoki girl." Ranma replied as she headed for the stairs "I told her i didn't want to do it."
Nodoka dropped to the floor with a loud thud which Ranma ignored as she made her way to the furo and hot water.
"Not going to be the Taiyohime??" Nodoka mumbled in a dazed way "Refused the Goddess??"
Finally her brain could no longer take the overload and she passed out cold right in the middle of the living room floor.
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(Posted Thu, 19 Jun 2008 02:06)
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