A Measure of Honor
A Ranma Nibun no Ichi FanFic by Anansi42
Disclaimer - This is a story based on characters created, owned and copyrighted by Takahashi Rumiko, Shogakukan Publishing, VIZ Communications, Kitty Film, Fuji TV and other associated parties. I'm only borrowing them for a bit without permission. This story is written expressly for entertainment purposes.
Synopsis - Aw, why spoil the surprise?
Part Five - A New Contract
------
Ranma's body was still in a kneeling position on the dojo floor. His face was a frozen mask, the eyes open in shock; pupils fixed and staring, unseeing, at the severed end of a pigtail that had been his trademark. Nodoka stood over Ranma for a moment before she set down the sheathed katana.
"Ranma."
An audible blink. "Yes, Mother?"
"Rise and face me."
Picking up the severed segment of hair from his pigtail, he did so, eyes wide.
"Do you know why I did that?"
Glancing at the katana, Ranma thought VERY carefully; but… "No."
"There are many reasons for what I did. The first has to do with the dojo itself: this place has been blessed in the Buddhist tradition for instruction and training; to commit seppuku here would taint the room with death and I would prefer not to do that. Other reasons have to do with the contract itself.
"Incidentally, Ranma, when did you first become aware of the contract? When was its meaning made plain to you?"
"It was when you first came to the Tendo house, I guess almost a year after me and Pop got back from China. I was about to go see you when Pop grabbed me, sayin' I couldn't meet you or that I'd be unhappy if I did. Before I could beat an answer out of him about why, you brought up the contract. After that, he did everything he could to keep me from seeing you."
"So before that, you were not even aware of the contract?"
Ranma just averted his gaze, staring down into his lap. "Before the day you came and introduced yourself to the Tendos… I didn't even know you were still alive. I didn't remember anything about a contract."
I can see that Genma and I are going to have… words… later, Nodoka thought with a frown. She continued, "Despite Genma's opinions about the agreement, I will not recognize a contract with a child: both parties must understand a contract when it is signed, or be reasonably expected to understand it, for it to be valid in my eyes: I especially will not enforce it against someone who does not even remember the agreement.
"More important, you never signed the seppuku contract."
"What? But Pop said I did! And you even showed the Tendos and me that contract with my handpri--"
Nodoka's sharp look silenced Ranma in mid-outburst. "I'll excuse that interruption because you have just been through a trying experience. Your handprint is on the contract because you were playing with the inkstone that day: you also put handprints on the table, a chair, my apron, and your father; but I do not consider any of those to be a valid signature either.
"You were perfectly able to write your own name at the age of six, though your penmanship needed work: if I had wanted your signature on the contract, I would have gotten it along with a simple thumbprint for confirmation. Your father treated the handprint as your signature, in the same manner as the thumbprint he gave to confirm his own, so I have been telling others that to preserve his dignity. You did not put anything valid on the contract of your own freewill and understanding.
"Another reason is that your father, though I assume he meant well by the contract, is an idiot. I… Ranma?"
Ranma fought to control his laughter. "G-gomen, Mom. I guess I never thought I'd hear you say that about him."
Nodoka smiled at that, "I suppose that it was unexpected. I was very impressed by his resolve when he made the promise; but was not happy with the implications of the contract. I tried to persuade him to reconsider but he took you away soon after the contract was made.
"As the years passed I came to doubt many things I thought I knew about your father. I now have very strong doubts that Genma could make anyone a 'man among men', even himself. Your father is skilled in the martial arts, so I told myself that the training would be of benefit to you; but I did not realize at the time what form some of that training would take, nor that it would keep you from home for so long."
Nodoka's expression had become sad as she spoke. She composed herself before speaking again. "Let us go into the house and discuss what happens now."
"What happens now?"
"Ranma, the contract was foolish but had a laudable goal, that of prodding you to become an exemplary man. I will not enforce the seppuku portion of the contract on you but at the same time you are not yet what I can call 'exemplary'. We will discuss how you might become that." Nodoka turned to exit the dojo.
A thought suddenly occurred to Ranma, "Mom? Were those all the reasons?"
A shadow of a smile crossed Nodoka's face. "No. I also didn't like that pigtail."
Shaking his head, and feeling the strange sensation on his neck as what was left of his pigtail unraveled, Ranma followed his mother into the house.
------
Ryoga looked up from his wandering to see a sign marking the boundary of Edogawa Ward.
Rats. I thought I was getting close, but this isn't Nerima. I'll have to keep searching.
Turning, Ryoga walked away from the sign, heading for parts unknown (at least to him).
------
In Edogawa Ward and blissfully unaware of their near brush with the Eternally Lost Boy, Nodoka and Ranma had been speaking for a while about honor, bushido, and the expectations Ranma was expected to meet.
Ranma was downright stunned by the breadth of knowledge and skills his mother expected of him: it was so different from what his father had said was important. No wonder Mom doubted that Pop could satisfy the contract.
"So, Ranma," Nodoka said, breaking into his train of thought, "what I am expecting to see is not something that is taught exclusively in a class, though the classroom can help you. I am also not looking for something practiced in a kata, though martial arts will also help you."
"I'm not sure I get it."
"I'm not expecting you to understand it all right away as Genma's instruction has not prepared you for my full expectations. I only expect to see improvement.
"With our talk today, you now know at least a little more of what I am expecting in a 'man among men', Ranma. How you reach that state is something you will have to determine for yourself. I will be available should you want advice or even just someone to talk to."
"I think I understand, Mom, and I'll probably be takin' you up on that offer of advice, but what do we do? You say that you won't force me to commit seppuku, and don't think I don't appreciate that; but you haven't torn up the contract either. How do we deal with the contract?"
"We will sign a new contract, just between us. It will not necessarily invalidate Genma's foolish document but will clarify what that contract means between us."
"What will it say?"
"I have thought much about that, and last night drew up… this."
They both leaned over the paper she placed on the coffee table:
[I, Saotome Ranma, promise to become an exemplary person and to uphold the traditions of bushido to the best of my ability. I will not return to the Saotome home until and unless I believe I am ready for evaluation by Saotome Nodoka. Saotome Nodoka shall have sole discretion to approve or reject my claim of being 'exemplary'. I also will not stay in the Saotome home unless found exemplary by Saotome Nodoka.
[No penalties shall be levied for failure to prove an exemplary nature save for a return to training for a period of no less than three months before another evaluation is permissible. Exceptions or amendments to this contract may be made with the agreement and consent of both Saotome Ranma and Saotome Nodoka.
[I, Saotome Nodoka, hereby witness this promise and agree to the terms listed above.]
There were spaces for two signatures at the end of the page.
"It sure looks legal."
"It probably would not stand up in court; but I did learn a few things about contracts when I had the dojo built and started taking students."
"So what does this mean?"
"It means, after you sign this, that Saotome Ranma will only be allowed back in this house when it is proven to my satisfaction that he is exemplary."
"I won't be allowed back?"
"You don't fully understand. Ranma would have something to prove before returning home but Ranko has no such obligation. Ranko is welcome at any time; in fact I highly encourage her visits."
Ranma felt a headache approaching, "Huh?"
A slight smile touched Nodoka's face, "I'm not foolish, Ranma. I know who 'Ranko' really is, but yesterday reminded me of how much I have missed my family. If you sign the contract, you may see or visit me at any time you like, and I hope that will be often; but only 'Ranko' will be welcome in this house unless you have come for evaluation or for other circumstances we may work out later. The fact that you have used the false identity of 'Ranko' with me, undoubtedly with the help of your father and the Tendo family, supports my treating 'her' as a separate person. While I really want to see my son returned to me, I would be very happy to spend time with my… daughter, even if it is only a form of make-believe."
"I know I'd rather be able to see you than not. Could 'Ranko' ask questions about bushido and stuff if I think I'm having trouble?"
"Of course. I would also like to instruct Ranko in the martial arts as a way for her to perhaps better understand the concepts behind bushido. In addition, my honor sword should be inherited by a daughter: your female self would qualify in my eyes; but only when Ranko is ready."
"'She' would need train fare to come regularly. I'll be starting a part-time job soon but that's mostly to help out the Tendos."
"I approve of that. I'd be more than happy to buy Ranko a pass, but she should dress more appropriately when she visits."
(wince) "I'll… um… tell her." Ranma signed the contract and applied his thumbprint.
"Your penmanship could still stand some improvement." Ranma looked up in surprise, but his mother's smile showed she was gently teasing.
Nodoka also signed the contract and thumbprinted it. "Before you go to continue your training, Ranma, is there anything I can get you?"
Ranma thought for a moment, "A glass of water? 'Ranko' would like to say goodbye before going back to Nerima."
Smiling, Nodoka led her son to the faucet.
------
The express train across town was a fast one, allowing Ranma to return to Nerima and the Tendo home only a little late for lunch. After much persuasion from Nodoka, Ranma was wearing one of the blouse/slacks combinations she'd purchased yesterday; she hadn't intended wearing it so soon but, as Nodoka had taken great pains to point out, Ranma's male clothes didn't fit 'her' form very well. All she really minded was the feel of the underwear: she shifted uncomfortably for most of the trip.
She just HAD to forbid me my boxers when I'm in girl-type. The sportsbra feels strange, too; not necessarily… bad, just really, really weird. How do women get used to it? At least Mom agreed to take the dresses and skirts back. I really didn't want to deal with those if I didn't have to.
As she entered the Tendo home with a call of "I'm home," Ranma found Kasumi waiting near the entrance. The older girl had a strange look on her face as she welcomed Ranma inside.
"Ranma… chan, you don't look how I expected."
"I had a pretty nervous time, but at least I didn't lose my head." Ranma shook her head to highlight that point, her new ponytail swishing beyond her collar and down past the middle of her back. "Where is everyone?"
"They went to the park for a picnic lunch, but I asked to stay behind in case you came. I also wanted to see how the rest of your visit went."
"I'm surprised that Akane wasn't asked to stay."
"She was, but was a little upset at you. She thinks that you met another fiancée in Edogawa."
Closing her eyes, Ranma just pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head at that. "Well, I guess that's not surprising, considering Pop and some of the stuff he's pulled. I'm just glad you know the truth."
"I'm glad you felt you could tell someone what was happening, Ranma-chan."
They both went upstairs to unload the packages Ranma had brought home while she told the older girl about the trip.
Kasumi, her eyes wide, held up some things from that store. The items were pretty plain, but still, "You bought these, Ranma?"
Ranma looked at the articles in Kasumi's hand and grimaced. "Mom made me. She told 'Ranko' in no uncertain terms that boxer shorts were off limits."
"But she knows it's really you--"
"She didn't know while we were shopping; but finding out later hasn't changed her mind. Mom's decided to continue treating 'Ranko' and 'Ranma' as two separate people, and 'Ranko' has been told to dress more 'proper'. Believe me, it could've been worse: you didn't see what she first wanted Ranko… me… to get." Brrr.
"I hope the rest of your visit wasn't so uncomfortable, Ranma-chan."
"The visit went well after a rocky start. I was really worried when Mom saw my curse but it turned out all right. We even worked out a new deal."
"Not another seppuku contract, I trust," Kasumi said.
"Definitely not! Mom was against that too. The basic deal is that Ranma can't go home until he can prove he has become an exemplary man."
"I'm sorry she didn't accept you, Ranma."
Ranma just sighed, "It's… disappointing, but I can deal with it; and I can still visit Mom at home if I go as 'Ranko'. She knows it's really me but wants to be able to spend time with family."
"She must have been lonely during your training trip."
"Yeah. That's one reason I agreed to the new contract. I don't really like going around in girl-type that much but I'll do it for Mom. Besides, I missed her too."
"I wonder if your mother had another reason for asking you to do that. Perhaps she wants you to become more at ease with your curse?"
"I hadn't thought of that but I guess it makes sense. She seemed a little upset when I told her how I felt about the curse; like I was looking down on all women, including her."
"You are… distant around women, Ranma-chan. I thought it was because of your training trip and how you were only with your father for that time, or even an effect of your curse; but respect may be part of the problem, too."
"You could be right. Pop never did say anything good about girls."
"And your curse makes you appear, at least some of the time, to be something you have been taught was not worthy of respect. About that, doesn't your attitude about women come from the same man who thought that the Neko-ken was a good idea?"
"So his attitudes about women could be another of his stupid ideas? Maybe."
"I believe you should think about it, Ranma-chan." Kasumi looked up at the wall clock, "We're missing lunch. Did you want to go?"
"You bet! Just let me change first."
"Your outfit is just fine."
Ranma laughed softly as she left for the furo, "That's not the only change I mean. I'll meet you downstairs in a few minutes."
------
Nodoka sat in her living room, sipping tea while trying to relax from her trying morning. Ranma had been put through an emotional roller coaster today, but so had she.
When she had risen this morning, she still hadn't known if she would go through with the seppuku contract or not. Ranma was a highly skilled martial artist; but for all that was pretty much a dumb jock, at least in his speech and manner: this was not exemplary in Nodoka's eyes.
By the same token, Ranma was the one who had saved her in the hot water geyser several months ago: she now knew it had not been a dream. He had leapt into the water, heedless of danger, to rescue her. His actions that day, brave and selfless, were exemplary.
Ranma's actions regarding the contract also bore inspection. She did not know who's idea 'Tendo Ranko' was; but that sort of cowardice was certainly not designed to impress her. At the same time it seemed that Genma, as everyone in the Tendo household, had gone along with it.
'Ranko's' eyes, though, clearly showed that the deception was not one that Ranma wanted. Such expressive eyes - I can only hope that Ranma has avoided card games and gambling; he'd be awful at them.
The deception certainly had its cost on her son's dignity. Nodoka remembered the first shopping trip she had made with 'Ranko': the poor girl had been miserable for the entire trip; but hadn't wanted to say anything to upset her 'Auntie Nodoka'. There had also been that strange cross-dressing boy…
That boy was Ranma. I dragged the poor boy, in his 'Ranko' form, to a 'girl's day out'; then I nearly put him to death when his curse was repeatedly triggered.
Nodoka wasn't sure whether to laugh or weep at the situation. Her son, raised by her husband to be a 'man-among-men', forced and encouraged to shop for dresses, purses, make-up, and other undeniably feminine things: and she'd been one of the instigators of her son's torture.
Yesterday's shopping was just another case in point. Ranko… Ranma had resisted each blatantly feminine article that Nodoka had suggested; but rarely had she… he outright refused her.
He was so afraid of disappointing me that he put up with what to him was sheer hell. No wonder he complained about how his curse caused other people to treat him. The least I could do was return the dresses and skirts to the store; but I still think I'm forgetting something…
Oh, Kami-sama! I forgot about the underwear! I was so exhausted from this morning that I completely forgot about that, and with Ranma in his cursed form…
I'll just have to make it up to him, Nodoka thought, then she smirked. Then again, I suppose it's just desserts for the 'Tendo Ranko' deception. I'll call him later to release 'Ranko' from that particular promise.
Ranma's curse - how am I supposed to deal with that? No matter what he says about the curse, I don't think I could ever understand it. To change form to something completely other, yet remain the same inside. So many might consider it a blessing, or at least a vacation from their lives; but the reality is far from that for Ranma.
It isn't even his fault that he's cursed. How will I reward Genma for that particular piece of brilliance?
There had been a time when she wouldn't have been accepting of Ranma's… condition. Kumon Ryu had inadvertently changed her mind after he used Nodoka's loneliness in an attempt to gain Genma's Umisen-ken techniques. When he had returned later to apologize, and pledge to her not to use the stolen Yamasen-ken techniques again, Nodoka made a vow to not be so trusting of anyone claiming to be her son in the future.
She hadn't wanted to believe that Ranko was really her son Ranma; but as he had described his training trip Nodoka had slowly come to face a painful fact. Ranko was Ranma, her son and… now sometimes daughter. The curse was not Ranma's fault; so how could she, in good conscience, punish her son for something so… unexpected?
In the end, Nodoka chose to make her decision based on Ranma's appearance but on his reaction: what would her son do when faced with seppuku? Plead for mercy? Run away? Face fate?
Ranma had not disappointed her. When faced with the seppuku ritual her son had barely hesitated, only becoming upset when she switched a fan for the kozuka blade. He had not performed the ritual flawlessly, but he had shown determination and honor in how well he'd managed. Bravery. Selflessness. Determination. Honor. Ranma had many good qualities, at least when the situation called for them.
With this in mind, Nodoka chose to play for time. Ranma was not yet exemplary; but he had a good start on it. The new training agreement between Nodoka and Ranma would give him time to improve, to become an exemplary man in every sense of the word, if he was up to the challenge.
Nodoka reasoned that it wouldn't be easy for him. Genma would likely not be supportive of anything that was not directly tied to his perception of the Art. The Tendos might not help Ranma toward Nodoka's definition of 'manly' but at least she doubted that they would hinder it. The others in Ranma's life… were unknowns that she'd have to learn more about.
"Saotome-sensei?" a woman asked, sticking her head through the door to the dojo.
Nodoka was jolted from her reverie. "Yes, Achika-san?"
"The others would like to know if they can put away the seppuku items they set up this morning, Saotome-sensei."
"Yes, I won't be needing them any more today; and it's not 'Saotome-sensei' outside of class, you know."
"Whatever you say, Nodoka-chan!" the older woman replied with a smirk.
Nodoka just shook her head as she rose to her feet. "What I put up with from my students. I'll give you a hand."
"No need; we'll have everything put away in just a few minutes. Looks like you didn't have to use it after all."
"Who says I didn't, Achika-san? I just didn't need to separate anyone's head is all."
"Well that's good news! Would've been a mess to clean up anyway. So who was the young man?"
"My son."
"No kidding! I'd like to meet him!"
"He already left. Maybe you'll meet him on a future visit."
"He left? I didn't see him go, just some girl."
Nodoka motioned her student to a seat and sat back down into her own chair. "Have some tea, Achika-san, and let me tell you some more of my husband's idiocy."
"More than the fiancées? More than the unpaid bills?"
"Much more, Achika-san. Much more…"
Achika sat and listened attentively. Her own husband was no prize; but if even half the things she'd heard about Saotome Genma were true then her Shinji was an absolute prince by comparison. If Genma were my husband I'd take that sword and make pureed idiot out of him. Nodoka has far more patience than I do; I guess that's why she's a sensei.
------
While they walked to the park, Ranma told Kasumi more about his visit home and his mother. Kasumi listened patiently, surprised at some of what she heard.
"I never would have believed that your mother was teaching martial arts, though I suppose I'm not surprised that she teaches the sword."
"I know. When Mom came to town before she seemed dangerous with that sword 'cause it looked like she didn't know how to use it. Turns out all that was an act."
"That reminds me a little of you, Ranma-kun."
"You thought I was dangerous?" Ranma asked, surprised.
"Oh, not that, but you sometimes give the impression in a contest that you are not quite as skilled as you really are. For the most part I think that is due to your very casual attitude against most opponents rather than a deliberate act; but it can give people the wrong idea and they make mistakes based upon that."
"Wow, Kasumi, I didn't know that you paid attention to my fights."
"I don't go out of my way to watch them, but so many people challenge you that it's hard not to witness at least some of your fights, Ranma-kun. At any rate, you don't often show all that you can do, and people can underestimate you because of that."
"I never thought of that but you're right." He puffed up a bit in pride, "I guess it's an Anything Goes Fake-Out technique."
Kasumi hid her giggles behind her hand, "I don't know if I would go that far, Ranma-kun; perhaps call it something that your mother taught you."
Ranma deflated at the older girl's giggles but smiled in return as he considered what she said, "Could be. She'll also be teaching 'Ranko' more about the sword-based arts soon."
"I didn't know you were interested in weapons."
"I know how to use a lot of weapons in a pinch; but I'm not really interested in them. Pop never had much respect for weapons in a fight and I think they're too dangerous to use. Mom says that weapons are important to help learn awareness and control, so while I'm training with her I'll be using weapons in practice; but I'm not looking forward to it."
"Why not, Ranma?"
"Part of it is that I have better control of my attacks in hand-to-hand fighting; I can feel how much power I need to stop an opponent. Another part of it is that weapons are designed to hurt, to kill. I don't really want to get good with techniques that are meant to kill."
"How will your father feel about you training with another sensei?"
"If he has a complaint he can take it up with Mom… if he can face her."
"He'll know that you're training with your mother?"
"I'll tell him about the training, and even who'll be doing the teaching; but he won't know about the new contract or that Mom knows about the curse. Mom didn't tell me not to tell anyone about our new arrangement but I'm going to keep it pretty quiet for now."
"Then why tell me about it, Ranma-kun?"
"Because I said I'd tell you all about my visit when I got back."
"And I thank you for doing that. Will you tell Akane?"
"Probably, but if she's as upset as you said I'd do best to steer clear of her for a while."
"Perhaps she wouldn't be so upset if you would open up to her more, Ranma-kun."
"Maybe, but I think it's just like you told me on my first day in Nerima: Akane's a nice person, but incredibly violent, and I'm gettin' a little tired of being her punching bag."
"I'm sure she would appreciate the effort at least."
"Yeah… but not right away, okay?"
"And your father? Why won't you tell him?"
"Mom's still pretty upset with him about not contacting her after coming back to Japan and also for some of the things he did during the training trip. If I told Pop about the agreement between Mom and me I'm pretty sure he'd try to screw it up somehow tryin' to weasel himself a new deal. The seppuku threat is off my neck but it's still on Pop's."
"How awful."
"Maybe, but he let himself get in that mess. If I can become exemplary in Mom's eyes then he should be okay anyway."
"Don't you think he can still help you fulfill that pledge?"
"Remember, Kasumi-san, this is my pop we're talkin' about."
"Oh, right. Never mind then."
As they walked a while more, the park came into view. The place was filled with people taking advantage of the lack of summer's heat to enjoy picnics and games in the warm sun. The small lake was dotted with colorful boats.
"Kasumi-san, can I ask you something?"
"Of course, Ranma-kun. Always."
"Mid-summer festival's coming up soon: I was thinking about getting some gifts for everyone but wasn't sure if it would be all right. Would it?"
"I think that would be a fine idea, though I wouldn't want you to go to any trouble." If he's this thoughtful when he visits his mother, maybe he should go more often.
"It's no trouble: me and Pop have been stayin' with you for a long time and you've all been great about putting us up, sometimes even putting up with us. I just want to start to say 'thank you' for all that."
"You already do that in your own way, Ranma-kun, and you will be family when you and Akane are finally ready for that, but small gifts would still be appreciated." Kasumi's face suddenly brightened, "Ah! There they are!"
------
"This time the wretched Saotome has gone too far."
"Yes, Tatewaki-sama."
"The one ameliorating factor in the whole disturbing episode is that school is not currently in session. The time afforded by this respite will allow me opportunity to plan."
"I will help you in any way I can, sir."
"That you shall. You will begin by divining the onerous sorcerer's daily movements. I seek opportunities to vanquish him in battle and best free my two loves."
"I shall begin at once."
"But first… I shall need more ice."
"Yes, sir."
"Sasuke?"
"Yes, sir?"
"You are not to tell my twisted sister of my current… inconvenience."
"OHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!"
"I fear it may already be too late for that, Tatewaki-sama," the diminutive ninja said as he carefully backed out of the room.
Kodachi entered the room in a spray of black rose petals, almost dancing on her toes, "Brother, dear! I hear that my darling Ranma-sama has again defeated you."
"I, Kuno Tatewaki, rising star of the kendo team, the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High School, shall never admit defeat!" he shot to his feet to strike his trademark heroic (i.e. 'stupid') pose while faint thunder rumbled oddly in the cloudless sky.
An odd expression crossed Kodachi's face as she caught a glance of her brother's chair. Her mouth twitching, she silently turned and left the room.
Moments later, Kodachi's already tenuous self-control broke down completely.
"OHOHOHOHOHAHAHAHAHAHEEHEEHEEHEEHEE!!" The walls of the Kuno estate fairly quaked with the mad gymnast's laughter.
Listening to his sister's insane, yet unusually amused, laughter, the elder Kuno sibling cast his own gaze at the chair. It suddenly occurred to him that the majestic image of his heroic pose could be marred by the presence of an inflatable seat cushion, especially one in the shape of a donut.
Saotome. You shall pay for your insolence.
Rising star or no, the kendo practitioner decided that he should probably sit. He did so, wincing.
"Sasuke! My ice!"
------
The others noticed Ranma and Kasumi as they approached; it was apparent that they had been holding lunch, waiting for them.
"Kasumi! Ranma! What kept you? We're starving!" Nabiki called out.
Akane looked a little miffed, but still waved a greeting.
Ranma returned Akane's wave but spoke to her sister, "Sorry, Nabiki, I wanted to change clothes after I got back." Ranma replied as he sat down with the Tendos.
Akane eyed him suspiciously, "So what were you doing in Edogawa, Ranma?"
Ranma hesitated only a moment before he answered, "Shopping."
"Shopping? Couldn't you do that in Nerima?"
"I needed to replace some of my old Chinese stuff, and there ain't a place in town for that," he replied. Ranma felt bad not being able to tell Akane the whole story, but there wasn't any way he'd even try in front of everyone else.
"You skipped a day's training to go shopping, boy?" Genma sneered, "What kind of girly notions are you getting?"
"Ain't nothin' like that, Pop. I just had to replace some of my old stuff is all." Ranma's eye twitched in irritation at his father, but he otherwise kept his peace. His mother's admission of Genma's idiocy had had an odd effect on Ranma: he actually found it calming to learn that the elder Saotome's stupidity wasn't just his burden but something that affected everyone, like bad weather. It allowed Ranma to take a more dispassionate view.
"Doesn't matter, boy, you've missed a day's training and I'm going to get you back into shape!" Genma called out, his chopsticks clicking as he reached for Ranma's bento.
"That kinda training'll just get you outa shape, Pops!" Ranma's hand flew out but Genma's bypassed it, flashing several times into Ranma's bento to take large bites of food.
Satisfied that his son had been taught his lesson, Genma leaned back to enjoy his newly supplemented lunch and blinked in surprise. Instead of a bento box piled extra-high with food, his lap held only several bites' worth of food: no bento, and certainly no box to keep things tidy.
"Let me get you a napkin, Saotome-ojisan." Kasumi said helpfully while demurely hiding a smile behind her hand.
Nabiki and Akane just snickered.
"Lookin' for this, Pop?"
Genma looked up to see his son holding two bento boxes, one with several bites' worth missing. "Boy…? How did you…?"
Ranma just smirked. "I think we can quit this part of trainin' from now on, Pop; don't you?"
"Just give me back my lunch, boy." Genma growled.
"Sure thing, Pop." Ranma looked at the bentos in his hands for a moment before passing Genma the lighter one.
"Hey!"
"It's the one you were eatin' out of, ain't it?" Ranma asked, his face a studied look of innocence, while picking food from what had been Genma's, as yet untouched, bento.
All the Tendo girls, even Kasumi, began to laugh.
Genma looked over to Soun for some support; but the Tendo patriarch was too busy shaking from his own stifled laughter to be much help. Muttering something incoherent, Genma started eating from the depleted box before him.
------
After lunch wound down the group split up, some hanging around the park while others left on errands (and Genma had some laundry that needed soaking). With nothing to do for the moment, Akane and Ranma went for a walk around the small lake.
"So what were you really doing in Edogawa, Ranma?" Akane asked.
"Shopping, like I said before."
"So why did you spend the night there? Kasumi just said you'd met a 'friend'."
Ranma reddened a bit in embarrassment, "I ah… asked Kasumi to tell you that: I didn't want people to get worried. Sorry."
Akane reddened a bit in anger. "So you didn't meet a friend. Who did you meet?"
"Ah… I sorta… bumped into Mom."
Akane's anger was instantly replaced by confusion. "Why would we be worried about that?"
"I bumped into her as Ranko."
"Well, that's all right, isn't it? She doesn't know that you and Ranko are the same person…" Akane thought for a moment. "But what were you doing there as Ranko?"
"Shopping, like I said before." Ranma's face became bright red.
"But I still don't get--"
Ranma looked around frantically, making sure no one else could hear. "I was shopping for things for 'Ranko' to wear, okay?" he hissed, nervously. "I couldn't do that here in Nerima."
"But why--"
"With Nabiki's 'sources' on the prowl? No thanks."
Akane considered that for a moment, "I guess I understand that; but why--"
"I didn't know of a place that had the kinda clothes I like, like my Chinese stuff, until after I bumped into Mom. I had gone to pick clothes to change into for when the curse got triggered, and she decided to 'help'."
Akane began to giggle as she pictured Ranma wearing the kind of clothes Nodoka might find appropriate for girls. "So how many dresses did you wind up with?"
"Two; but I got Mom to agree to take them back."
Akane was still laughing, "How did you manage that?"
"Mom found out about the curse."
Akane stopped short as she considered that. "Well, you're still alive, so it couldn't have been that bad."
"That's true," Ranma agreed, "but she hadn't made a decision about it when I called last night. I didn't know her decision until this morning."
"So what did she decide?"
"So far, just that I needed a haircut." Ranma swished his new ponytail for emphasis.
Akane looked closely at Ranma's loose ponytail for the first time. "Not much of a stylist, is she?"
"Hey! Don't you say bad things about my Mom! Besides, she wasn't using scissors."
Akane's eyes grew wide as realization hit. "She used a sword to do that?" she said with a gasp.
"Good thing she doesn't go for buzz cuts, ne?"
"Ranma… your mother scares me."
"Akane… sometimes she scares me, too," Ranma admitted.
"Still, you obviously haven't committed seppuku; I guess that means your mother thought you were a 'man among men'."
"Well… not exactly."
"Huh? I thought it was an either/or sort of question."
"I didn't pass, but she's giving me time to improve. I can try again in three months."
"That's good, isn't it?"
"I guess so… but I'm still trying to sort out what we talked about with 'manliness' and what she's shown and said before when she'd visit."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, when she'd visit before 'manliness' seemed to be actin' like I was trainin' to be the next Ol' Freak; but when we talked about it this morning she tied it up with bushido an' honor an' stuff. It don't seem to add up."
Akane's face scrunched as she tried to make sense of it and failed. "Maybe it will make sense later?"
"I sure hope so, 'cause it ain't makin' any sense now." He looked at a nearby clock, "Whoops! Sorry, Akane, I gotta run!"
"Huh? Run where?"
"Job orientation! Bye!" Ranma's voice faded as he dashed around a corner and out of sight.
Akane just stared after him. "Orientation? Wait… Ranma got a job? Well, it just better not be at Ucchan's or a certain Chinese restaurant I know." Frowning a little, Akane turned to go home.
------
"That's unbelievable, Nodoka-chan."
"That's Genma for you, Achika-san."
"There's one thing about this that I don't get… well there are a lot of things I don't get; but one in particular."
"What's that?"
"Why haven't you killed your husband yet?"
Nodoka laughed softly for a moment. "Don't think it hasn't crossed my mind. I had second thoughts about the training trip as soon as Genma left, but wasn't able to do anything about it. While he and Ranma were on the road, I wasn't able to keep track of them except for Genma's occasional letters. When I found they were back in Japan, I kept missing them at the Tendo home… or so I thought."
"I still can't believe it, your husband and son… hidden in plain sight as a panda and a girl."
"I told you about the contract Genma signed. He must have thought I was going to go through with it."
"You mean you weren't?"
"Kill my own son? I don't know if I could do that, and I'm glad I wasn't forced to try. Genma…? That's another story."
"So now that you know where he his, what will you do?"
"I'm going to leave Genma alone for now, each moment he now spends in fear of seppuku is one I think I'll enjoy. I'll deal with my husband later; but my concern now is for Ranma."
"Well your priorities are straight, anyway. What are you going to do?"
"I don't know. I'm still trying to understand everything Ranma told me about his life."
"Your son's been cursed to turn into a girl with a turn of the faucet and you mean to say there's more?"
"I know that my son isn't lying to me, Achika-san; but I just can't believe that that much could happen to any one person. I have to see it for myself." Nodoka took a sip of her tea and grimaced; it had gone cold.
"When will you go?"
"I think I'll go tomorrow and take the weekend. Can you handle Friday's classes while I'm gone?"
"Of course, Nodoka-chan. It's just beginners, after all; I think I can handle them for one day."
"Thank you, Achika-san," Nodoka said as she rose. "In the meantime, let's get prepared for today's class."
"After you, Saotome-sensei."
------
Across town, an entirely different sort of class was in session.
"Welcome to a career at Rising Sun Burgers! We're going to go through a list of job responsibilities for each of your positions but I want you all to pay attention. You may be called on to fill in for any of your associates and you will need to be ready."
Ranma stood with the other trainees, trying hard not to fall asleep from boredom as the restaurant manager went through his talk. This wasn't the job he'd had in mind when setting out but a teenager still in school, especially one with little or no job experience, doesn't have a lot of options.
Well, at least the hours won't be so bad.
He was hired to work three days a week but this would switch to three evenings a week (and Sundays) when school started. The other days/evenings would be spent learning the sword with his mother, studying bushido, and doing his regular martial arts practice when not handling schoolwork. He'd just have to work out a good schedule.
Most of the other trainees had wanted to be cashiers, servers, or other such job where they'd deal with the public; but Ranma had more than his fill of that with his job at the Nekohanten. Other trainees wanted to work in the kitchen, cooking. Ranma could cook, but being a cook in this restaurant was a full-time job and he wouldn't have the time for that. That left the post of dishwasher: Ranma actually volunteered for this job when he learned it would put him in almost constant contact with hot water. Sometimes he'd need to bus tables but that was okay with him as it gave only a small chance for his curse to be triggered.
And at least dishwashing doesn't include the phrase 'Do you want fries with that?' The cashier/server trainees were already getting a glazed look whenever they said it.
------
Somewhere in the greater Tokyo metropolitan area, a certain lost boy was wandering in search of his desired quarry.
I know it's around here… somewhere. It'll take a while but I'll get there eventually. It's been too long since I've had a good burger.
------
Author's Note - All right, you can all say it: I wimped out and didn't kill the boy. Truth be told, I seriously toyed with the idea after getting all the reviews from the release of the previous chapter (so much response from just one implied death, it was tempting to see how much response I could get from having Nodoka suddenly snap and turn the rest of the cast into julienne fries; but I suppose that's an idea for another time). Instead of putting in all that gratuitous death, I decided to stay with my original idea.
This chapter, as you can see, is mostly (if not all) filler. I've gotten at least one review that wasn't happy with the dearth of fights in this story; but those people will just have to be patient. Contests and fights will be part of the story, just not part of every chapter. Also, the emphasis of this story isn't Ranma vs. The Villain of the Week but more internal.
Before I receive reviews pointing out Ranma's problem with a certain dragon's whisker, let me point out that most of the references I'm working from are in the anime timeline, and in the anime the dragon's whisker lost its effectiveness after the Niku men arrived in Nerima to search for ancient China's answer to Rogaine. So there.
And just to play the part of geography teacher, I have one further note about Juuban (the place I specifically did not place Nodoka). There is a Juuban district (actually Azaba-Juuban district) in Tokyo but no actual Juuban Ward: Azaba-Juuban district lies within Minato Ward (south central Tokyo, near the Ginza). References to a Juuban Ward in Tokyo (the way some fanfiction works list it) are like equating Wall Street to one of the five boroughs of New York City: not quite accurate.