Nodoka spared her plate a glance, sighing deeply at the untouched food laden upon it. The moment her son entered the room her appetite had completely vanished. There he was, four years older, talking animatedly with Ryoga and the strange girl he had introduced as Alex, apparently she was his flight instructor. Akane looked just as nervous as she felt, constantly stealing glances at her son. She looked on the verge of abandoning decorum and letting loose with a torrent of questions.
Ryoga cackled madly, "You crashed the helicopter into a tree?!"
The Matriarch of the Saotome homestead wanted to say something. To say anything to get her sons attention. Her entire life she had wondered how he was doing, what he was making out of his life, what he planned for the future, and for that whole life she had been forced to sit to the side, always wondering, never knowing. When she finally met her son again after so long, she found herself being pushed away. Fear of what she would do, fear of the contract, that damnable thing she never had any intention of using keeping them separated. It was like looking through a one-way mirror. She could see everything, but couldn't reach him with the fear between them.
"Hey! It ain't like I did it on purpose!" Ranma cried out in defense.
Alex giggled, "B-52 bomber." she mentioned casually.
Ranma colored in embarrassment, "Uh, eh. How was I suppose to know they didn't serve airplanes in the drive thru!"
Ryoga roared in laughter.
Kasumi looked pale, "Oh dear, Ranma-kun. Tell me it isn't so!"
Nodoka had to wonder just who this Alex person was. Her appearance as some type of furry wasn't surprising. A bit unnerving to be sure, but she was married to a man who spent half his time as a Panda so it wasn't a stretch to accept her for her despite her looks. She seemed to be awfully familiar with her son, sitting close and.. Oh dear, was that her tail wrapped around her sons waist?
Tofu smirked, "Knowing Ranma..." he let it hang, the lighthearted tone poorly hiding the older mans amusement.
"Boy! Flying has nothing to do with martial arts!" Genma snorted, stuffing some of the lobster in his mouth.
Ranma rolled his eyes, "Whatever pop."
***
Penny grumbled, "Yeah. Species? Eh?" she nodded in time to someone over the phone, "Harpy then."
"Yo chica." Ace gave Charlotte a concerned look, "The painkillers workin?"
"Oh Ace! I feel so good!" Charlotte giggled insanely, tittering off the cot she was laying in.
Ace blinked, picking up an empty bottle, "Oh geez. You didn't take the whole bottle, didja?"
Charlotte nodded with a smile, "Yep yep! Almost tastes like peanuts!"
Penny groaned, "Yes, yes. I'll pay extra. Right. I'll be there." she said, hanging up the phone.
"News girl?"
"The receptionist is contacting the doctor now. We have to go to Nerima for the operation." Penny said with a sigh. Damn, this trip was really starting to drag.
***
Akane practically lunged into the conversation when the dinner was finally concluded, "Okay! We waited the entire two hour-long dinner! You owe us some answers Ranma!"
Ranma grunted, sighing. He had hoped they'd give him a little more time to think. He guessed it was better this way, this moment was the entire reason he had even come home in the first place. "Well I..."
Nodoka lunged at her boy the moment he opened his mouth, "Oh my son!" she grabbed him, pulling the man into her lap and initiating the cradle of hell technique! "Oh! I love you, I love you, I love you, my beautiful baby boy!"
Genma glared at Soun. When did he teach Nodoka that technique?!
Soun chuckled nervously, but said nothing.
Alex blinked. She didn't think anyone could manhandle her fiancée like that... not that her disbelief stopped her from collapsing in a fit of giggles.
Ryoga smirked, "Geesh Saotome, how long has it been since you've hugged your mother?"
"Ah! Mom! Come on, not in front of everyone!" Ranma blushed bright red.
Nodoka wouldn't have anything of it; she started kissing him desperately on the cheeks, "Oh my dear boy! I've missed you so much!"
Akane wilted slightly. She had been all set to ask the first question, but it looked like Auntie had taken the spot light with Ranma. Sighing, she turned to the weird looking girl that had come with her baka fiancée. "Um, hi. I'm Akane. Who are you?"
Alex smiled brightly, "Hi! I'm Cassandra Alexandra Tora! Just call me Alex, though."
"Nice to meet you." Akane returned, smiling a swell. She was a friendly sort, and after only a few seconds of conversation Akane believed the two of them would become good friends. "So how do you know Ranma?"
Alex spared the man being smothered by an overeager mother a glance, before shrugging, "I was his flight instructor."
Ryoga smirked, "I didn't think it was proper etiquette for instructors to date their students."
Alex colored brightly at that remark, "Ah.. heh.. ahhh..."
"Ryoga-kun!" Akane scolded, "Be nice! She's a guest!"
"Oh, don't worry about it Akane-san." Alex offered politely, "He's right. It isn't well received for a teacher to date their students."
"Ah.. but your not dating him.." Akane looked at the woman in confusion.
"Of course I'm not dating him!" Alex grinned happily.
Akane felt a wave of relief flow through her at that admittance. Good, one less obviously beautiful woman/cat person after her fiancée!
"I'm his fiancée!" Alex said brightly.
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(Posted Mon, 23 Feb 2004 01:55)
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