Author's notes….
As always, the original copyright holders retain their rights, and this is intended for the non-commercial enjoyment of the readers. Comments and reviews are always welcome, as long as they bear in mind that I am not a perfect typist, do not always get timelines right, muddle items from manga and anime without regard for canon, and have other personal quirks like my low sense of humour. I plan on staying on the ecchi side of things, but these last few entries are definitely mature in outlook.
This story came out from my looking at the basics of the anime plotline and thought to myself "what would happen if such-and-such character died", and decided upon which one could cause the biggest shift in the canon, especially in personality and personal growth. Well, this is the result of thinking that plot line through.
- Tendo Household, on the arrival date for Ranma -
The day of the Ono ceremony broke with a deep dark overcast and a cold rain started, resulting in everyone becoming cold and rain-soaked by the time that they'd returned to the household and started preparing for dinner.
Akane stepped into the doorway on her way back from the mailbox, looking at a slightly soggy postcard.
"Auntie Nodoka,"asked Akane. "Can you make sense of this writing?"
Nodoka stood up and stepped around the kotatsu where she and Nibiki had been going over the household ledger and accounting books, and took a look at the card and then blanched.
"Auntie," went Nibki, "is this good news or bad news?"
"Not sure," went Nodoka. "Hmm… Here's what it says. On my way to Tokyo with the boy, arriving abut suppertime on the …. Uh, blurred a bit but it looks like they are going to be arriving here today… Card finishes with 'ready to proceed with the betrothal and the plans. Genma Saotome.'"
Placing the postcard on the top of the konatsu, Nodoka sat down and rested her hands on the edge of the konatsu and took long slow deep breathes, then looked at the girls, including Kasumi, who had come into the room from the kitchen.
Kasumi spoke up. "Are you OK, Auntie Nodoka?"
Nodka nodded. "Even after all this time, he still manages to throw chaos into all of our lives. The only good think about this announcement" and flicking the postcard, "is that I will get to meet my son. As to the betrothal, it's news to me, probably something that Soun and Genma would have cooked up somewhere after four or five ten-gos of sake. Regardless of what happens, I will be here to defend you against whatever plan was cooked up in their probably drunken minds and I will surely have a deep and heartfelt conversation with my ex-husband. For that conversation to take place, I'll be taking my husband home with me and I'd like Ranma to stay here with you for however long it takes to get to the truth. Akane, can you promise me to not go off half-cocked with whatever probably stupid ideas my ex-husband has stuffed his brain with. Nibiki, I also want your promise not to take advantage of Ranma no matter how much of a temptation he is. And Kasumi, well, just be yourself. Can you all promise me that?"
All three girls nodded.
There was a flash of lightning nearby and the resulting crash shook the windows of the house.
There was a loud knock from the door.
Kasumi looked at everyone and then stepped to the door.