Disclaimer: If you're poor and you know it write FanFiction/ If you're poor and you know it write FanFiction/ If you're poor and you know and you really don't want to get sued/ If you're poor and you know it write FanFiction (like me!)
Real Disclaimer: Don't own any of them, am not making money, am not stealing them cause i like Rumiko Takahashi as a writer and artist long may she pen.
Sukuu to Chie
by Prospero Hibiki
hell_frost@hotmail.com
Chapter 2: Honor Debts
Waking up early was something that had become ingrained in Ranma even before he would walk. It was now such a habit that even on his first day back he was up long before the sun practicing his katas in the Saotome Dojo. The space for the dojo was the only reason that he and his mother had moved out of their old home in Juuban and into Nerima. They didn't get a truly opulent house, which they could have afforded, with their newly earned wealth. They instead bought a simple home with a compound large enough to build a dojo. Their new home was instead rather humble their only real luxuries being the yard and their basement, which contained their family computer system.
Being heavily involved in the computer industry their system was beyond top of the line and included experimental technologies that many companies would literally kill for if they knew they existed. Which was one reason why the Saotome clan protected its privacy as well as it did. Almost no one at Genma Industries knew where their owners lived and only a bare handful even knew that Ranma was their CEO. Many of their employees had met Ranma at some point in time but most thought he was only an incidental member of the Saotome family. It was his way of ensuring that he had competent people in his company. Most people who received promotions never understood it was because they had impressed the young clan leader when he visited infrequently.
Several hours passed in a blur as the pigtailed martial artist went though dozens of katas in almost as many fighting styles. When he finished he was startled to find that he wasn't alone and that his mother had at some point joined him performing her own sword forms.
"Mom, I didn't see you come in."
"I know." She smiled. "I still have some tricks up my sleeve that I haven't taught you yet."
"So what brings you down so early?" He knew his mother well enough to know that she tended to sleep in if she got the chance to.
"I thought it would be wise of me to remind you that you have school today."
Ranma blinked. "School?"
Nodoka sighed. "Yes, school. You really need to learn to associate with people your own age. I know you are experienced with communicating in the business world, but that just isn't the same."
Ranma knew that he wasn't going to win this battle so he acquiesced. "Okay I'll go."
"There's another reason you should go as well. Kuonji Ukyo is going to the school I've enrolled you in."
He stiffened for a fraction of a second, before he nodded. He'd been devastated when he had learned about Ucchan. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that he had betrayed his best friend, and yet he had. He hadn't known that Ukyo was a girl or that his father had run away with her dowry. When he had discovered it several years before he had tried to make reparations, but nothing could have made up for the harm he had inadvertently done her. He knew he would have to face her eventually and he had wanted to get it over with. "Okay, mom, I'll go. But I'm not wearing a uniform."
"That's okay, son. I've discovered that Furinkan High School is extremely lenient in it's uniform policy." She took out an old pocket watch. "You should get cleaned up if you don't want to be late for school."
"Yes, mom."
Using the dreaded secret techniques of Bath Fu and Martial Arts Dressing, Ranma was soon ready to go, only slowing down to eat and get directions from his mother, before kissing her cheek and running off. The techniques paid off when he actually arrived at the gates of Furinkan well before the bell rang. It was a slightly strange sight that was before the green clad martial artist. There were several dozen boys armed with an assortment of weapons. They appeared to be waiting for something. It was then that a tall boy in what seemed to be the garb of a samurai of old approached Ranma. Despite the boy's goofy appearance Ranma kept a close eye on his wooden bokken.
"Greetings fellow warrior. I can see that you possess some pittance of skill at the arts of war. Mayhap you are here to partake in the romantic defeat of the fair Tendo Akane the victor of which has my permission to date with her. Of course the fame of these fair battles has obviously reached you so you must know that my peers know me as the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High. I am Kuno Tatewaki age seventeen." Thunder rang ominously in the background.
It took Ranma several seconds to understand what the fool had said. "You're saying that if someone beats up this girl then that person will be able to go out with her?" Ranma needed to make sure.
"That is correct. But of course I will win this battle through superior skill at arms. So says the Blue Thunder!" Again lightning struck the ground nearby.
Ranma then asked the only thing he could think of. "You wouldn't happen to be part Amazon would you?" Seeing Kuno shake his head he shrugged. "I'm afraid I can't compete today for I have some," Ranma thought for a moment to come up with an idea that would make the blowhard leave him alone. "I fear a matter of family honor must take me away from yon battle, kind sir. Perhaps on the morrow I will join thee in a most noble quest to seek the Holy Grail." That the last part was spoken in perfect English threw off the obtuse kendoist long enough for Ranma to escape. And he wasn't lying either for he did need to find Ucchan and see what he could do to restore his family's honor.
It didn't take very long at all to discover that Kuonji Ukyo had been out sick the past few days but was expected back the next. It was slightly surprising to discover though that people kept referring to Ukyo as a guy. Of course he had thought Ukyo was a guy when they first met, but that had been ten years before. He learned different when he had discovered about the engagement. Slightly upset and depressed he went to his new homeroom before he would have been considered late. He introduced himself and sat down hardly noticing some of the stares his clothes and scar received.
The classes that morning didn't appeal to him at all being as they were three topics he knew very well: English, math, and computers. In fact he was able to get some sleep during those classes and still answer the questions the teachers asked him when the noticed he had nodded off. It was during lunch that the truly interesting things started to happen.
It all started with his cell phone ringing while he was eating the lunch his mother had made for him. He had picked it up and answered it Japanese, but had immediately started speaking in Bantu when he heard that being spoken over the line. And so he had had a very nice conversation with an old friend of his in Africa. Of course speaking so casually in a foreign language had attracted a large crowd so when he had hung up and then made a phone call in Cantonese everyone was even mores surprised. Immediately after he finished people started asking questions at a frantic pace.
"What language was that?"
"Where did you get that scar?"
"Why aren't you wearing a uniform?"
"Are you currently seeing anyone?"
"Would you go out with me?" It was these last two questions that seemed to be asked the most.
Seeing no other option open to him Ranma jumped onto the lower branches of the tree he was leaning against. "Could you just leave me alone please? I'm really quite flattered, but I just don't have …" Ranma shut up before he put both feet into his mouth. "Sorry got to run." With that said he ran even further up the tree and leaped to a neighboring one, before hitting the ground at a dead run.
Hiding behind a corner he saw the students milling around before he saw them rush over to a girl with short brown hair. Sneaking close enough to overhear and not be seen he discovered that they were trying to buy information about him from her. Once all of the people had been sent away with what little information she had he decided to make his appearance. Such a person could prove useful.
"Hello there. I guess you're the person people go to in order to get information." He waved vaguely in the direction of the departing students.
She smirked slightly. "I've been known to come across such things on occasion. I'm Tendo Nabiki and how can I help you Saotome Ranma?"
Ranma nodded. She wouldn't be very good if she couldn't recognize who he was. "I assume that all your transactions remain confidential. I would hate to have my affairs known to others unless I told them, Tendo-san." The threat and promise lay hanging in the air.
"Of course Saotome. Anything that you wish to remain between us shall. And no one will ever discover what you purchased from me."
"Very good. I wish to purchase some information from you. In exchange I will tell you a little about myself that no one at this school today knows. I believe that this would help you in your business efforts."
"That sounds fair. Information for information. If you would please go first." Nabiki took out a notepad and motioned to some of her factors to keep people away from them.
"Very well. My name is Saotome Ranma. I am sixteen years old, my birthday having been yesterday. I have studied martial arts for a majority of my life and am ranked at master status in seven different styles and am acknowledged as more than competent in at least twice that. I speak eight different languages fluently and know enough of others to get by in my travels. I am competent in both math and computers. Some of my favorite foods are stir fry, okanomiyaki, and an African dish that I am not able to spell for you and which no one in Japan has the ingredients to make. I live in a fairly simple home with my mother since my father passed away nine years ago. I like the color green the best." He paused. "Is that enough information for you Tendo-san?"
Nabiki nodded after thinking for a moment. "All except for one thing. How did you get that scar?"
Ranma stiffened slightly. "I suppose that is a fair question. I just need to ask that you tell no one the circumstances until tomorrow."
This certainly got Nabiki's attention. "Why?"
Putting his hand behind his head he looked a little embarrassed. "Because I haven't yet told my mother how I received it, and I would prefer that she not hear it from anyone else but me."
"Fair enough. I swear I'll only sell that information tomorrow."
He placed his right forefinger over the scar and traced it from forehead to jaw. "I was in Africa one year ago and I helped an injured lion that had been caught under a fallen rock. The rock had a piece of volcanic glass in it that cut me when I moved it aside." Ranma didn't see how it was pertinent to mention that he had been living with that lion for two months in order to rid himself of the Neko-ken.
Nabiki shook her head. "I don't know why, but I actually believe you when you say that is what happened." She put away the notepad. "Now what did you wish to know Saotome-san?"
"I wish for all the information you have on one Kuonji Ukyo." He nodded to himself when he saw her stiffen slightly. She obviously knew Ukyo was a girl and was wondering if she should tell him. "I do ask that nothing that is said among us on this topic be revealed to anyone by either one of us." He saw her relax slightly.
"Kuonji Ukyo is registered as the son of Kuonji Haruka, who owns an okanomiyaki restaurant in Kyoto. He registered here for reasons unknown to the student body at the moment. He doesn't seem to be interested in dating any of the girls here at Furinkan." She paused only briefly at Ranma's snort. "Distinctive features about him are the blue male uniform and the large spatula he has strapped to his back. His long hair is tied back in a long ponytail. Is there anything else you want to know about him?"
Ranma watched her carefully. It was clearly a verbal trap to see if he knew Ukyo was a girl. It was interesting and he didn't know whether to take the bait or not. In the end he decided not to. "Thank you, Tendo-san. I would appreciate it if you forgot that this latter conversation ever took place." He waited for her nod before walking away.
The rest of the day passed by without any major incidents, except that one of the girls in his class kept glaring at him for no particular reason, while all of the other girls just kept staring at him. It was fairly unnerving and so when the final bell of the day rang he was out of his seat and through the door before anyone else had stood up. He raced out the gate ran all the way to the train station which would take him into downtown Tokyo. From there it was only a matter of time before he made it to Genma Industries. He only stayed for an hour, which was long enough for him to pick up one of their new mini computers. It was small enough to fit inside his school bag without any difficulty and considerably more powerful than most conventional laptops. It would be a good gift for Nabiki since she was protecting Ukyo's secret.
The trip home was uneventful and soon Ranma found himself sitting in the living room with his mother discussing his travels. She listened to him as she always did, silently letting him explain things in his own time. She softly cried when she heard how he had recovered from the Neko-ken madness and received his scar. Most everything else she accepted calmly even if he described life-threatening situations. Nodoka was just so proud of her son, especially how he had faced and overcome his greatest fear.
"I'm very proud of you, Ranma, as I am sure your father is proud of you. Now, tell me how today's meeting with Ukyo went."
"It didn't. She wasn't at school today. And I found out something today. Apparently Ukyo is now registered as a boy. I think this has hurt her far more than I will ever know. I can only hope that when I talk to her tomorrow that I can find someway to restore her honor."
"Son, you do realize that your father took all of his promises about you to the grave with him. Tell me why, of all of those promises, Ukyo's means the most to you." The way she said it indicated that she knew the reason just as well as he did, but she just wanted to here him say it.
Ranma nodded. "I know the arrangement was dissolved with father's death, but still I feel bad about leaving her behind. She didn't deserve that. No one does." He now looked directly into his mother's eyes. "And besides she was my friend. No one was really my friend during that part of my life, but she was."
Nodoka nodded in turn. "You do realize that it might be that the most honorable thing would be to marry her. Would you do that to restore her honor?"
It was something that Ranma had found himself thinking about all during the day. "No, mother. I wouldn't marry her to restore her honor. That wouldn't be fair to either her or me. I would only ask her to marry me if I loved her and she me."
"Very well. I will take all of this under consideration. You know that I don't approve of arranged marriages. I would not see you forced into one that you did not wish. Now, did anything else happen at school today?"
"Not much. Apparently I have become rather popular all of a sudden. I met a girl who was able to tell me about Ukyo in exchange for information about myself. If someone named Tendo Nabiki talks to you be very careful mother. She is quite intelligent and I believe she could ferret out any secret given the opportunity to do so."
"I see you still wish to remain outside the spotlight," she said. "I agree and I do not wish to become the center of attention either. But is it wise to keep knowledge of our wealth from people?"
"I will not be a prize to be won!" Ranma stood up and took several deep breaths. "I'm sorry mother, but I want to have real friends and not people looking to gain my favor." With that he stormed out of the house.
~~~
Nodoka watched him go and secretly smiled. It was hard to be pushy about certain topics when she didn't agree with what she said. She was glad that he had such strong feelings about friendship, but she also knew that such confrontations only served to strengthen those feelings. Her son had grown into a fine man indeed.
Real Disclaimer: Don't own any of them, am not making money, am not stealing them cause i like Rumiko Takahashi as a writer and artist long may she pen.
Sukuu to Chie
by Prospero Hibiki
hell_frost@hotmail.com
Chapter 2: Honor Debts
Waking up early was something that had become ingrained in Ranma even before he would walk. It was now such a habit that even on his first day back he was up long before the sun practicing his katas in the Saotome Dojo. The space for the dojo was the only reason that he and his mother had moved out of their old home in Juuban and into Nerima. They didn't get a truly opulent house, which they could have afforded, with their newly earned wealth. They instead bought a simple home with a compound large enough to build a dojo. Their new home was instead rather humble their only real luxuries being the yard and their basement, which contained their family computer system.
Being heavily involved in the computer industry their system was beyond top of the line and included experimental technologies that many companies would literally kill for if they knew they existed. Which was one reason why the Saotome clan protected its privacy as well as it did. Almost no one at Genma Industries knew where their owners lived and only a bare handful even knew that Ranma was their CEO. Many of their employees had met Ranma at some point in time but most thought he was only an incidental member of the Saotome family. It was his way of ensuring that he had competent people in his company. Most people who received promotions never understood it was because they had impressed the young clan leader when he visited infrequently.
Several hours passed in a blur as the pigtailed martial artist went though dozens of katas in almost as many fighting styles. When he finished he was startled to find that he wasn't alone and that his mother had at some point joined him performing her own sword forms.
"Mom, I didn't see you come in."
"I know." She smiled. "I still have some tricks up my sleeve that I haven't taught you yet."
"So what brings you down so early?" He knew his mother well enough to know that she tended to sleep in if she got the chance to.
"I thought it would be wise of me to remind you that you have school today."
Ranma blinked. "School?"
Nodoka sighed. "Yes, school. You really need to learn to associate with people your own age. I know you are experienced with communicating in the business world, but that just isn't the same."
Ranma knew that he wasn't going to win this battle so he acquiesced. "Okay I'll go."
"There's another reason you should go as well. Kuonji Ukyo is going to the school I've enrolled you in."
He stiffened for a fraction of a second, before he nodded. He'd been devastated when he had learned about Ucchan. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that he had betrayed his best friend, and yet he had. He hadn't known that Ukyo was a girl or that his father had run away with her dowry. When he had discovered it several years before he had tried to make reparations, but nothing could have made up for the harm he had inadvertently done her. He knew he would have to face her eventually and he had wanted to get it over with. "Okay, mom, I'll go. But I'm not wearing a uniform."
"That's okay, son. I've discovered that Furinkan High School is extremely lenient in it's uniform policy." She took out an old pocket watch. "You should get cleaned up if you don't want to be late for school."
"Yes, mom."
Using the dreaded secret techniques of Bath Fu and Martial Arts Dressing, Ranma was soon ready to go, only slowing down to eat and get directions from his mother, before kissing her cheek and running off. The techniques paid off when he actually arrived at the gates of Furinkan well before the bell rang. It was a slightly strange sight that was before the green clad martial artist. There were several dozen boys armed with an assortment of weapons. They appeared to be waiting for something. It was then that a tall boy in what seemed to be the garb of a samurai of old approached Ranma. Despite the boy's goofy appearance Ranma kept a close eye on his wooden bokken.
"Greetings fellow warrior. I can see that you possess some pittance of skill at the arts of war. Mayhap you are here to partake in the romantic defeat of the fair Tendo Akane the victor of which has my permission to date with her. Of course the fame of these fair battles has obviously reached you so you must know that my peers know me as the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High. I am Kuno Tatewaki age seventeen." Thunder rang ominously in the background.
It took Ranma several seconds to understand what the fool had said. "You're saying that if someone beats up this girl then that person will be able to go out with her?" Ranma needed to make sure.
"That is correct. But of course I will win this battle through superior skill at arms. So says the Blue Thunder!" Again lightning struck the ground nearby.
Ranma then asked the only thing he could think of. "You wouldn't happen to be part Amazon would you?" Seeing Kuno shake his head he shrugged. "I'm afraid I can't compete today for I have some," Ranma thought for a moment to come up with an idea that would make the blowhard leave him alone. "I fear a matter of family honor must take me away from yon battle, kind sir. Perhaps on the morrow I will join thee in a most noble quest to seek the Holy Grail." That the last part was spoken in perfect English threw off the obtuse kendoist long enough for Ranma to escape. And he wasn't lying either for he did need to find Ucchan and see what he could do to restore his family's honor.
It didn't take very long at all to discover that Kuonji Ukyo had been out sick the past few days but was expected back the next. It was slightly surprising to discover though that people kept referring to Ukyo as a guy. Of course he had thought Ukyo was a guy when they first met, but that had been ten years before. He learned different when he had discovered about the engagement. Slightly upset and depressed he went to his new homeroom before he would have been considered late. He introduced himself and sat down hardly noticing some of the stares his clothes and scar received.
The classes that morning didn't appeal to him at all being as they were three topics he knew very well: English, math, and computers. In fact he was able to get some sleep during those classes and still answer the questions the teachers asked him when the noticed he had nodded off. It was during lunch that the truly interesting things started to happen.
It all started with his cell phone ringing while he was eating the lunch his mother had made for him. He had picked it up and answered it Japanese, but had immediately started speaking in Bantu when he heard that being spoken over the line. And so he had had a very nice conversation with an old friend of his in Africa. Of course speaking so casually in a foreign language had attracted a large crowd so when he had hung up and then made a phone call in Cantonese everyone was even mores surprised. Immediately after he finished people started asking questions at a frantic pace.
"What language was that?"
"Where did you get that scar?"
"Why aren't you wearing a uniform?"
"Are you currently seeing anyone?"
"Would you go out with me?" It was these last two questions that seemed to be asked the most.
Seeing no other option open to him Ranma jumped onto the lower branches of the tree he was leaning against. "Could you just leave me alone please? I'm really quite flattered, but I just don't have …" Ranma shut up before he put both feet into his mouth. "Sorry got to run." With that said he ran even further up the tree and leaped to a neighboring one, before hitting the ground at a dead run.
Hiding behind a corner he saw the students milling around before he saw them rush over to a girl with short brown hair. Sneaking close enough to overhear and not be seen he discovered that they were trying to buy information about him from her. Once all of the people had been sent away with what little information she had he decided to make his appearance. Such a person could prove useful.
"Hello there. I guess you're the person people go to in order to get information." He waved vaguely in the direction of the departing students.
She smirked slightly. "I've been known to come across such things on occasion. I'm Tendo Nabiki and how can I help you Saotome Ranma?"
Ranma nodded. She wouldn't be very good if she couldn't recognize who he was. "I assume that all your transactions remain confidential. I would hate to have my affairs known to others unless I told them, Tendo-san." The threat and promise lay hanging in the air.
"Of course Saotome. Anything that you wish to remain between us shall. And no one will ever discover what you purchased from me."
"Very good. I wish to purchase some information from you. In exchange I will tell you a little about myself that no one at this school today knows. I believe that this would help you in your business efforts."
"That sounds fair. Information for information. If you would please go first." Nabiki took out a notepad and motioned to some of her factors to keep people away from them.
"Very well. My name is Saotome Ranma. I am sixteen years old, my birthday having been yesterday. I have studied martial arts for a majority of my life and am ranked at master status in seven different styles and am acknowledged as more than competent in at least twice that. I speak eight different languages fluently and know enough of others to get by in my travels. I am competent in both math and computers. Some of my favorite foods are stir fry, okanomiyaki, and an African dish that I am not able to spell for you and which no one in Japan has the ingredients to make. I live in a fairly simple home with my mother since my father passed away nine years ago. I like the color green the best." He paused. "Is that enough information for you Tendo-san?"
Nabiki nodded after thinking for a moment. "All except for one thing. How did you get that scar?"
Ranma stiffened slightly. "I suppose that is a fair question. I just need to ask that you tell no one the circumstances until tomorrow."
This certainly got Nabiki's attention. "Why?"
Putting his hand behind his head he looked a little embarrassed. "Because I haven't yet told my mother how I received it, and I would prefer that she not hear it from anyone else but me."
"Fair enough. I swear I'll only sell that information tomorrow."
He placed his right forefinger over the scar and traced it from forehead to jaw. "I was in Africa one year ago and I helped an injured lion that had been caught under a fallen rock. The rock had a piece of volcanic glass in it that cut me when I moved it aside." Ranma didn't see how it was pertinent to mention that he had been living with that lion for two months in order to rid himself of the Neko-ken.
Nabiki shook her head. "I don't know why, but I actually believe you when you say that is what happened." She put away the notepad. "Now what did you wish to know Saotome-san?"
"I wish for all the information you have on one Kuonji Ukyo." He nodded to himself when he saw her stiffen slightly. She obviously knew Ukyo was a girl and was wondering if she should tell him. "I do ask that nothing that is said among us on this topic be revealed to anyone by either one of us." He saw her relax slightly.
"Kuonji Ukyo is registered as the son of Kuonji Haruka, who owns an okanomiyaki restaurant in Kyoto. He registered here for reasons unknown to the student body at the moment. He doesn't seem to be interested in dating any of the girls here at Furinkan." She paused only briefly at Ranma's snort. "Distinctive features about him are the blue male uniform and the large spatula he has strapped to his back. His long hair is tied back in a long ponytail. Is there anything else you want to know about him?"
Ranma watched her carefully. It was clearly a verbal trap to see if he knew Ukyo was a girl. It was interesting and he didn't know whether to take the bait or not. In the end he decided not to. "Thank you, Tendo-san. I would appreciate it if you forgot that this latter conversation ever took place." He waited for her nod before walking away.
The rest of the day passed by without any major incidents, except that one of the girls in his class kept glaring at him for no particular reason, while all of the other girls just kept staring at him. It was fairly unnerving and so when the final bell of the day rang he was out of his seat and through the door before anyone else had stood up. He raced out the gate ran all the way to the train station which would take him into downtown Tokyo. From there it was only a matter of time before he made it to Genma Industries. He only stayed for an hour, which was long enough for him to pick up one of their new mini computers. It was small enough to fit inside his school bag without any difficulty and considerably more powerful than most conventional laptops. It would be a good gift for Nabiki since she was protecting Ukyo's secret.
The trip home was uneventful and soon Ranma found himself sitting in the living room with his mother discussing his travels. She listened to him as she always did, silently letting him explain things in his own time. She softly cried when she heard how he had recovered from the Neko-ken madness and received his scar. Most everything else she accepted calmly even if he described life-threatening situations. Nodoka was just so proud of her son, especially how he had faced and overcome his greatest fear.
"I'm very proud of you, Ranma, as I am sure your father is proud of you. Now, tell me how today's meeting with Ukyo went."
"It didn't. She wasn't at school today. And I found out something today. Apparently Ukyo is now registered as a boy. I think this has hurt her far more than I will ever know. I can only hope that when I talk to her tomorrow that I can find someway to restore her honor."
"Son, you do realize that your father took all of his promises about you to the grave with him. Tell me why, of all of those promises, Ukyo's means the most to you." The way she said it indicated that she knew the reason just as well as he did, but she just wanted to here him say it.
Ranma nodded. "I know the arrangement was dissolved with father's death, but still I feel bad about leaving her behind. She didn't deserve that. No one does." He now looked directly into his mother's eyes. "And besides she was my friend. No one was really my friend during that part of my life, but she was."
Nodoka nodded in turn. "You do realize that it might be that the most honorable thing would be to marry her. Would you do that to restore her honor?"
It was something that Ranma had found himself thinking about all during the day. "No, mother. I wouldn't marry her to restore her honor. That wouldn't be fair to either her or me. I would only ask her to marry me if I loved her and she me."
"Very well. I will take all of this under consideration. You know that I don't approve of arranged marriages. I would not see you forced into one that you did not wish. Now, did anything else happen at school today?"
"Not much. Apparently I have become rather popular all of a sudden. I met a girl who was able to tell me about Ukyo in exchange for information about myself. If someone named Tendo Nabiki talks to you be very careful mother. She is quite intelligent and I believe she could ferret out any secret given the opportunity to do so."
"I see you still wish to remain outside the spotlight," she said. "I agree and I do not wish to become the center of attention either. But is it wise to keep knowledge of our wealth from people?"
"I will not be a prize to be won!" Ranma stood up and took several deep breaths. "I'm sorry mother, but I want to have real friends and not people looking to gain my favor." With that he stormed out of the house.
~~~
Nodoka watched him go and secretly smiled. It was hard to be pushy about certain topics when she didn't agree with what she said. She was glad that he had such strong feelings about friendship, but she also knew that such confrontations only served to strengthen those feelings. Her son had grown into a fine man indeed.