Chapter 2
Four years later Gray and Nodoka walked down the aisle together in marriage. They were very happy. Achika and next Kimiko, with Noboyuki and Soun, followed them a little after in marriage.
Genma was in a rage at Gray for getting Nodoka. He wanted her and her money. It angered him.
Within two years Nodoka was pregnant and Gray disappeared without a trace, not in abandon, but from something else, without knowing he was to be a father.
Nodoka grieved and conveniently or inconveniently Genma was there to comfort her. Nodoka grieved about a month or two, knowing prolonged grieving was a disrespect since her life was so long.
She and Genma dated for a few months then married at his insistence that her baby needed a father even though it was not his. He would also give it a name.
When her child was born mal, she noticed how ecstatic Genma was and sensed something in him that placed her on edge and she feared for her offspring. The only part of her beloved Gray she had and she made a vow to herself and her beloved Gray that she would protect their son from everything that her new husband threw at her and her son.
Nodoka held her newborn son, Asuka, named after her father, the emperor of Juri, to her breast and the baby suckled greedily. When Genma left the room the doctor asked what to put on the birth certificate and she said, " His name is Asuka Hino. Father: Gray Hino and mother: Norika Hino." " But your name and your husband . . . ." " Norika is my real name and Asuka's real father is dead. His father was my late husband Gray. I want him to have rightful claim on Asuka, even if he is dead. Call Asuka, Ranma Saotome around my current husband Genma. Do you understand?" " Right away ma'am."
* * * *
When Asuka or Ranma was three, Nodoka started him in the use of a sword. Genma was disgusted with the use of the weapon. He wanted his heir to learn only unarmed combat.
He also had to join the Tendo and Saotome Schools of Anything Goes. He figured that no one knew that Ranma wasn't his biological son and he planned to never have Ranma know that. He was quite angry when he couldn't access Nodoka's bank account no matter what he tried.
He was still angry about that money thing. Genma had a plan to get Ranma from Nodoka, not knowing that a certain ship knew where ever Ranma was and it had a three-year-old sapling with it that was linked to Ranma.
* * * *
" Good Asuka. That is very good. You learn quick my son." " Thank you mama. Um why do yous calls me Asuka? I'm Ranma." " It's 'you' and 'call' not 'yous and 'calls' Asuka. You're a smart boy. Don't talk like Genma son. He is an uneducated idiot, even if he went to school, your not. I am teaching you until you go to school." Nodoka couldn't keep the disgust and contempt from her voice at the mention of her idiot husband's name. 'Thank goodness Asuka doesn't know much about voice tones just yet.' " Ok mama. Why do you call me Asuka? I'm Ranma." " Well Asuka is your real name. Ranma is your middle name and we call you that mostly, so only and I mean only Asuka do you answer to Asuka when I am the one addressing you." " Yes mama." " Good boy. Now how would you like to visit your cousin Tenchi tomorrow and stay a few days? Just you and I." " What about pops mama?" Nodoka winced at the address her son used to address her cowardly, greedy husband, but hid it well and said with a small smile, " He is going to visit his friend Soun. He doesn't like my family and they don't like him."
Ranma 'oh'ed and Nodoka and him continued he sword practice. His tiny wooden sword swinging and connecting with Nodoka's.
* * * *
An hour later they stopped practicing with swords and started his hand-to-hand that Nodoka was teaching him along side Genma's sessions with Ranma.
When practice was over Nodoka hugged her son and said, " How about we get a bath. After that I have something to give you." Ranma got excited, " A present! What is it?! Tell me! Tell me! Tell me! Please!" Nodoka giggled at her little boy and replied, " It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you. Come. Sooner bath is done, sooner you get your present." " Yay!"
Mother and son entered the empty house just as the phone rang and Nodoka answered it, " Moshi Moshi." A male voice was on the other end of the line, " Nodoka, it's Yoshi Hino, Gray's twin brother."
Nodoka dropped the phone with a gasp and Ranma ran to her and picked it up and gave it back to Nodoka. Yoshi's voice repeatedly called out hello.
Nodoka took the proffered phone with a 'Thank you' to her son and said, " Yoshi, I'm sorry. I just haven't heard from you in so long. How's little Rei doing? She just turned three didn't she?" " Yes. Listen No-chan; um my father is going to take care of Rei now. I'm going to move to America for my job. Father wanted Rei to stay here with him. I'd just thought you needed to know that. It's the family shrine in Juuban. That's where Rei is going to stay. How's Asuka or Ranma is it?" " He's well. Call him Ranma, Yoshi. I am the only one that calls him that. You should see him Yoshi. He looks just like . . . . you know." " Yes. I will try to see him before I go." " Please do. Goodbye Yoshi." " Bye No-chan. Maybe I'll return to Japan in the future." " Yeah."
The phone hung up and Nodoka sighed and turned to Ranma and with a weak smile she picked him up and went toward and into the bathroom and to the furo."
* * * *
Once both Nodoka and Ranma were out of the furo; they got dresses and Nodoka took Ranma into a secret room and said, " My son, you mustn't tell anyone about this room or what I give you or tell you unless I tell you ok."
Ranma nodded and said, " Ok. I promise on my honor, not to tell anyone; even pops." " Thank you son. Here. This sword is a family heirloom. It was mine when I was about your age. It is just the hilt, but once you concentrate a blade of energy will appear. I'll teach you how tomorrow on our way to your cousin Tenchi's house. The sword fighting is our family style, well my family style. Now this other thing is a pendent just like mine. Once you put it on it will never come off, but the pendent part will lift from your skin, but if you try to take it completely off, it will not. This final thing is your birth certificate, a copy, but legit. Don't read it just yet. Wait a few years son. It might just safe your life one day, and somehow I just know it will. Ok now I am going to tell you about your heritage you get from my side of the family. You're to young to understand, but once I told you; it will stick, all of it, in your mind and never leave. I love you son. Now to start. You are not completely human . . . ."
Nodoka told Ranma everything about his heritage from her side of the family. He took it all in and absorbed it all, and Nodoka knew he would remember everything consciously or unconsciously.
Four years later Gray and Nodoka walked down the aisle together in marriage. They were very happy. Achika and next Kimiko, with Noboyuki and Soun, followed them a little after in marriage.
Genma was in a rage at Gray for getting Nodoka. He wanted her and her money. It angered him.
Within two years Nodoka was pregnant and Gray disappeared without a trace, not in abandon, but from something else, without knowing he was to be a father.
Nodoka grieved and conveniently or inconveniently Genma was there to comfort her. Nodoka grieved about a month or two, knowing prolonged grieving was a disrespect since her life was so long.
She and Genma dated for a few months then married at his insistence that her baby needed a father even though it was not his. He would also give it a name.
When her child was born mal, she noticed how ecstatic Genma was and sensed something in him that placed her on edge and she feared for her offspring. The only part of her beloved Gray she had and she made a vow to herself and her beloved Gray that she would protect their son from everything that her new husband threw at her and her son.
Nodoka held her newborn son, Asuka, named after her father, the emperor of Juri, to her breast and the baby suckled greedily. When Genma left the room the doctor asked what to put on the birth certificate and she said, " His name is Asuka Hino. Father: Gray Hino and mother: Norika Hino." " But your name and your husband . . . ." " Norika is my real name and Asuka's real father is dead. His father was my late husband Gray. I want him to have rightful claim on Asuka, even if he is dead. Call Asuka, Ranma Saotome around my current husband Genma. Do you understand?" " Right away ma'am."
* * * *
When Asuka or Ranma was three, Nodoka started him in the use of a sword. Genma was disgusted with the use of the weapon. He wanted his heir to learn only unarmed combat.
He also had to join the Tendo and Saotome Schools of Anything Goes. He figured that no one knew that Ranma wasn't his biological son and he planned to never have Ranma know that. He was quite angry when he couldn't access Nodoka's bank account no matter what he tried.
He was still angry about that money thing. Genma had a plan to get Ranma from Nodoka, not knowing that a certain ship knew where ever Ranma was and it had a three-year-old sapling with it that was linked to Ranma.
* * * *
" Good Asuka. That is very good. You learn quick my son." " Thank you mama. Um why do yous calls me Asuka? I'm Ranma." " It's 'you' and 'call' not 'yous and 'calls' Asuka. You're a smart boy. Don't talk like Genma son. He is an uneducated idiot, even if he went to school, your not. I am teaching you until you go to school." Nodoka couldn't keep the disgust and contempt from her voice at the mention of her idiot husband's name. 'Thank goodness Asuka doesn't know much about voice tones just yet.' " Ok mama. Why do you call me Asuka? I'm Ranma." " Well Asuka is your real name. Ranma is your middle name and we call you that mostly, so only and I mean only Asuka do you answer to Asuka when I am the one addressing you." " Yes mama." " Good boy. Now how would you like to visit your cousin Tenchi tomorrow and stay a few days? Just you and I." " What about pops mama?" Nodoka winced at the address her son used to address her cowardly, greedy husband, but hid it well and said with a small smile, " He is going to visit his friend Soun. He doesn't like my family and they don't like him."
Ranma 'oh'ed and Nodoka and him continued he sword practice. His tiny wooden sword swinging and connecting with Nodoka's.
* * * *
An hour later they stopped practicing with swords and started his hand-to-hand that Nodoka was teaching him along side Genma's sessions with Ranma.
When practice was over Nodoka hugged her son and said, " How about we get a bath. After that I have something to give you." Ranma got excited, " A present! What is it?! Tell me! Tell me! Tell me! Please!" Nodoka giggled at her little boy and replied, " It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you. Come. Sooner bath is done, sooner you get your present." " Yay!"
Mother and son entered the empty house just as the phone rang and Nodoka answered it, " Moshi Moshi." A male voice was on the other end of the line, " Nodoka, it's Yoshi Hino, Gray's twin brother."
Nodoka dropped the phone with a gasp and Ranma ran to her and picked it up and gave it back to Nodoka. Yoshi's voice repeatedly called out hello.
Nodoka took the proffered phone with a 'Thank you' to her son and said, " Yoshi, I'm sorry. I just haven't heard from you in so long. How's little Rei doing? She just turned three didn't she?" " Yes. Listen No-chan; um my father is going to take care of Rei now. I'm going to move to America for my job. Father wanted Rei to stay here with him. I'd just thought you needed to know that. It's the family shrine in Juuban. That's where Rei is going to stay. How's Asuka or Ranma is it?" " He's well. Call him Ranma, Yoshi. I am the only one that calls him that. You should see him Yoshi. He looks just like . . . . you know." " Yes. I will try to see him before I go." " Please do. Goodbye Yoshi." " Bye No-chan. Maybe I'll return to Japan in the future." " Yeah."
The phone hung up and Nodoka sighed and turned to Ranma and with a weak smile she picked him up and went toward and into the bathroom and to the furo."
* * * *
Once both Nodoka and Ranma were out of the furo; they got dresses and Nodoka took Ranma into a secret room and said, " My son, you mustn't tell anyone about this room or what I give you or tell you unless I tell you ok."
Ranma nodded and said, " Ok. I promise on my honor, not to tell anyone; even pops." " Thank you son. Here. This sword is a family heirloom. It was mine when I was about your age. It is just the hilt, but once you concentrate a blade of energy will appear. I'll teach you how tomorrow on our way to your cousin Tenchi's house. The sword fighting is our family style, well my family style. Now this other thing is a pendent just like mine. Once you put it on it will never come off, but the pendent part will lift from your skin, but if you try to take it completely off, it will not. This final thing is your birth certificate, a copy, but legit. Don't read it just yet. Wait a few years son. It might just safe your life one day, and somehow I just know it will. Ok now I am going to tell you about your heritage you get from my side of the family. You're to young to understand, but once I told you; it will stick, all of it, in your mind and never leave. I love you son. Now to start. You are not completely human . . . ."
Nodoka told Ranma everything about his heritage from her side of the family. He took it all in and absorbed it all, and Nodoka knew he would remember everything consciously or unconsciously.