Prologue

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Dear Shiriko,
So much has happened since my last letter that I scarcely know where to begin. Well, I do know where to begin, and it is almost too wonderful for words! I have finally met my son. You will remember that in my last letter I told you about little Ranko Tendo? Well, she's my son! Isn't it funny? My husband and Ranma visited the Legendary Training Ground of Jusenkyo during their journeys, and apparently this training ground is filled with the oddest springs which have transformational qualities! So my husband turns into a panda when splashed with cold water and my son turns into a girl. It's alright though; hot water returns them to normal. They had spent months hiding from me in fear that I would be angry with them. Anyway, that mess is all cleared up, and in spite of turning into a girl, Ranma is very manly. He has three fiancees and is a splendid martial artist. Needless to say, I am very proud. Recently he was in China, training again I assume, I'm a little fuzzy on the details, but my husband tells me that Ranma saved the life of his fiancee Akane Tendo. I mentioned her in my last letter too, I think. She's a very sweet girl and a perfect match for Ranma. They get on famously. They were going to be married on their return, but both have so many other suitors who protested the wedding that it had to be cancelled. I'm somewhat relieved: I don't feel old enough to be a grandmother just yet! Anyway, my dearest little sister, I miss you! You must come and visit me soon. I'm staying at the Tendo Dojo, since our house was damaged in one of Ranma's sparring matches. The address is on the envelope, but you can still send things to my post office box.

All the best,
Nodoka

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Shiriko crumpled the letter, then smoothed it out and crumpled it again and ignited it with a swift gesture of her left hand. The letter had told her nothing new and every word in her sister's perfect calligraphy irritated her. The perfect calligraphy was symptomatic of her sister's whole life: perfect manners, perfect schooling, perfect figure, perfect wedding, perfect marriage, perfect son, perfect everything. Everything that made a younger sister feel angry and inadequate.

No, she was not inadequate. She had surpassed Nodoka years before. All Nodoka had was a perfect family and perfect honor. She Shiriko has power. And the day was finally coming when she would get her own back for all the times their parents had said, Be like Nodoka, Shiriko.

Well, she would never be like Nodoka with her empty, chattering letters and her self-satisfied smile. She was her own woman now and proud of what she had become.

It's time to step things up, she mused aloud. For years, she had prepared and carried out her revenge, not against Nodoka, but against the two who mattered to Nodoka the most. Constant meddling had definitively ruined the young Ranma's life, though the boy was not yet aware of it.

She would destroy him, the perfect son of a perfect mother, and Nodoka would see how empty all of her happiness and perfection was. She would show Nodoka that she could succeed. For once, she would beat her sister!

Shiriko smiled to herself and began the final steps to lead the boy into the trap and slowly tighten the noose about his throat. Justice, and revenge, would be done.

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