Ranma didn’t need to soak long to make his decision, because despite the more reasonable attitude Amaterasu put forth, the fact that he Was forced to endure the curse because of his own mother’s manipulations and the withholding of information made him certain that he didn’t want the job. Even money wasn’t the issue since his mother had claimed to set up a trust fund, not that he needed much anyway.
So, ten minutes after his bath started he left to find two things, his clothes and Amaterasu. --------------------
Amaterasu was sitting in her garden planning contingencies for, while she believed that he had a good chance for Ranma to accept, she had seen that he had a lot of anger stored up. She decided to have options, because she wasn’t stupid enough to put all her eggs in one basket. The choices were many, she could find another magical girl to take over the duties of the Sun Princess until Ranma produced another heir for her, she could delay until one of Ranma’s hopefully female children became of age to take up the mantel, and chose to do so with the hope that her enemies would delay until that time, or remove the post from Nodoka’s bloodline and empower another.
She quickly discarded option two from consideration, no way that she would be that lucky, and Ranma might not prepare his children to take over the pose. He might even push them away from it.
The last point might remove option one, she would have to ask Ranma about it if he refused her.
The third one would be troublesome, both because she would have to train the new person herself, which her busy schedule doesn’t give her that much time for, or send her to Nodoka and hope Nodoka would train the replacement, although Ranma might be able to help train whichever person she chooses.
Option one had the most promise, simply because she wouldn’t be abandoning a family that has served her for many generations, would provide someone who knew how to fight, and keep the monsters in check. That of course depends on Ranma’s answers to her questions if he declines.
The heard the sounds of footsteps on the gravel path in her garden, and turned to see Ranma approaching her with a serious expression on his face.
“You have decided?” she asked calmly, but by the look on his face she had an inkling of the answer.
“First, do you mind giving my clothes back so I can get dressed?” Ranma asked in a polite neutral tone of voice.
The sun goddess nodded, and in a flash of light, his clothes appeared at his feet, cleaned and pressed.
Ranma quickly got dressed and answered the question, “thanks, and yes I did decide.”
“And?”
“My answer is no,” Ranma said confidently, but he continued with a hint of apology in his voice, “ but thanks for helping to undo her madness that got me cursed.”
“I’m sorry as well, both for the problems your mother caused you, and that you won’t be the next Taiyohime. I do have a question though, would you mind if one of your children…” the celestial being started.
“No, so long as it’s their choice,” replied Ranma.
She nodded, and decided to ask a few questions, “A last question before you go, if I need to choose another would you mind training, and assisting the new Taiyohime? It would of course be paid both by money and a few technique scrolls, and the assisting would be until she masters her powers.” The pigtailed boy thought for a second and nodded his agreement. With a slightly strained smile Amaterasu used Nodoka’s former katana, to save her energy and time doing it herself, to cut open a path back to the Tendo Dojo.
Ranma started toward the portal, but was held up as Amaterasu’s voice sounded out, “two things before you go: the first is, unless I’m forced to choose another the offer will be open ended, and second Please tell Nodoka that I will talk to her later about the mismanagement of you, and when she gave the offer.”
Ranma looked back, gave her a smile before nodding and moving through the portal which closed behind him. With a few muttered celestial curses she decided to think more on her plans while watching Ranma’s return, at least knowing that with one of the backup plans she had help. ------------------------
The first thing he saw as he walked through the portal was the family room table with his mother, father, and the Tendo’s around it.
Nodoka noticed almost immediately that Ranma did not have the family katana, but dismissed it since she knew that he could’ve learned the Amazon boy’s hidden weapon technique. She swept him in a hug and said, “My son, I’m proud of you for becoming the next Taiyohime.”
Ranma looked at his mother incredulously before replying angrily, “I didn’t accept!”
The auburn haired woman froze at those words, and releasing him stepped back in horror. As she watched her dreams of her child succeeding her crumble. Genma on the other hand seemed pleased at his son’s choice. The Tendo’s on the other hand mumbled between themselves at the turn of events, with Nabiki’s grumblings about the fact that she couldn’t scam Ranma out of his paycheck without him having a paycheck being loudest.
Ranma, emotionally drained yawned before he said, “I’m going to take a nap.” He then started to walk to the stairs, but paused before he left the room to add, “Amaterasu wanted me to mention that she will be contacting you later.”
Before he could leave however his mom spoke up, “The Guild of Calamitous Intent and I, have scheduled your screening for your archnemesis…” she began.
“WHAT!” Ranma bellowed.
“The guild wants to interview you to select your archnemesis, they want to make sure they select the right one for you,” Nodoka explained.
“And if I chose not to play their game, and let you and them screw my life up further?” Ranma asked angry that his mother was, once again making his life worse.
“With the amount of supervillains clambering to be assigned to you they would just choose one on their own,” Nodoka supplied smugly.
Ranma’s temper lost the last bit of restraint he had, “Let me make one thing perfectly clear I have enough people after my head already I. DO. NOT. NEED. MORE!” he finished with a roar. Calming himself he continued, “Now get a hold of them and tell them to leave me alone or I will take the fight to them! I need their brand of bullshit like I needed the way you and pops made my life hell! You tell them I’m not a hero, so I do NOT need an archnemesis, finally I expect you to leave me ALONE, and I have had it with your attempts to screw over my life!””
Nodoka turned white at that statement, such an act would break the agreement that was created between the guild and the hero’s making the families of heroes targets again. Before she could reply he was gone, so she stood up and ran after him.
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(Posted Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:35)
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