'Over the Clouds'
Almost listlessly, she turned the thick page, looking at the old images with wistful fondness that was accompanied by the pangs of remorse and regret; two pains that had fortunately dulled with time, but yet still felt like searing flames of atonement against her troubled yet serene soul.
As always, Nodoka Soh, formerly Nodoka Saotome of several years ago, felt the welling tears begin, as she looked through the old photo album that reminded her of the family she once had. As much as it hurt to look through the thin, yet precious leatherbound book, she needed to. It was her penance, a bittersweet punishment for the greatest crime a mother could ever commit...
The abandoning of their child.
She was the one that shunned Ranma, her darling little boy, because of something she didn't understand. She didn't want to believe it, that such a thing could happen to her flesh and blood. So, at the time, she refused it, disacknowledged it.
Disowned it.
It wasn't till much later, after the anger and denial had been nibbled, then knawed away by the presence of guilt over her tragic and atrocious actions, did she realize that her only child wasn't 'damaged' or 'ill', and that the little boy that she turned her back on, the great part of her heart that she had closed away and ignored, was still her child. Regardless of any ailment, pact, or social prejudice, she was charged by the very gods themselves with the raising, protecting, and loving of the gift she had been given.
The gift she ultimately refused, and may never, ever, reclaim again.
Ayumi Soh stood in the doorframe of the room of her only daughter, feeling her heart go out to the infinitely troubled woman. She had suggested that Nodoka move on with her life, that what she had with Genma was now sadly in the past. The grey-haired woman with slight auburn streaks closed her eyes, wishing that the past could be wiped away, and then rewritten.
At the time of the ordeal, she was angry at her daughter's callous actions, furious at Genma for his ultimatum, and ultimately filled with loathing for her own society, for things would not be as harsh and dire as they were, if people like her grandchild were not treated with such contempt, pity, and prejudice.
"Nodoka..." Ayumi asked, timidly, as if she were afraid her own voice would shatter her fragile daughter.
Nodoka looked up to her mother, causing the dim lamp to reflect off the tears that slowly cascaded down the woman's face. Since her divorce from Genma, she had steadily seemed to grow older, not so much in appearance, but in bearing and misery. her once proud and full hair that used to be styled so precisely now hung limply down to the middle of her back in a dull brown color, where it once shown like beacon. Blue eyes that once held affection for her husband, and adoration for her child, now were like crystals without light to shine on them, and reveal their splendor. Her pale complection didn't glow as it did almost ten years ago in her younger days, like she had been drained of much of her life.
She folded the photo album back up, and set it on the small table in her room, "I'm okay, mother."
"No, you are not," Ayumi replied in a firm tone that spoke of concern and properness, "You have not been okay since you had left your husband. it has been eight years, Nodoka."
"I... I'm sorry," Nodoka replied, half sobbing, "but I... I just..."
"Still love them both, I know." The elder sighed, and entered the room. She sat on Nodoka's bed with a prim and proper bearing that spoke of great upbringing, "I've seen it since you have gone your seperate ways, and no matter how much I urge you to carry on with your life, that you cannot undo your past mistakes, you pine for them, and waste away."
Nodoka looked away from her mother, "I apologize for being such a burden for you, mother."
"Nonsense, you are my only daughter of three children. I couldn't aband..." she quickly rephrased herself, noting her daughter's wince, "I could not do anything less for my daughter in her time of need. But..."
Nodoka looked back to her remaining parent, "Mother?"
Ayumi continued, "But... it is time you settled with old spirits, lest they continue to haunt you till your remaining days. I will no longer sit by and allow you to die a tragic tale with no resolution."
"You want me to find someone new?" Nodoka asked, once again feeling a pain of betrayal towards her ex-husband for the very idea. It wasn't the first time her mother had suggested such a thing, and it wouldn't be the last. Nonetheless, Nodoka bore it, as it was part of her penance.
"No, that is not what I am asking," the elder Soh replied, "I was blind not to see it sooner, but until things are resolved, you won't move on." Ayumi rose from off the bed, regally walked to her daughter, and put her hand on her shoulder in a reaffirming manner, "Look for them, discover if they're okay. If only to see once more the face of your son, to know he's growing up, and well. If only to tell Genma how sorry you were, how sorry you are to both of them, and tell him how much you loved him, and never stopped loving them both."
Nodoka felt a new well of tears grow, and closed her eyes, flushing them down her already streaked face. She brought her right hand up, and grasped her mother's hand that was on her left shoulder, as if she were attempting to draw strength from it.
_________________
Nabiki and Akane sat with their father, across from Shampoo and Genma, and watched the red-headed surge of energy known as Ranma Saotome explore the vicinity with a child-like intrest. "How could you be his mother?" Akane asked with an arched tone, "You're no older than she is!"
"Shampoo actually... Ranma younger," Shampoo replied with a slight sheepish grin, "Ranma is three month older."
"Ah..." Soun put the pieces together, "Saotome... I cannot judge you for your... lovely wife..." Shampoo beamed a smile, that made Soun even more uncomfortable, "So I would just congradulate you."
"Ah, a cradle-robber, I see," Nabiki stated with an amused tone.
"Of course Ranma can't be a pervert, 'he's' 'his' father's 'son'," Akane stated sideways to her father, garnering a nervous laugh.
"I assure you, it isn't by my choice," Genma stated, adimantly, earning him a cross glance from Shampoo. Genma returned a dark glare towards the Amazon, "She attacked Ranma..."
Shampoo's gaze wavered, before she turned to look down at the table in shame, "Shampoo not know."
Genma turned back to the Tendous, just as Kasumi arrived with beverages and snacks, "After..." Genma though about where to start the story, "We happened into her village during a tournament. Shampoo here had just finished her contest with her final opponent, and while I was enquiring with our guide and one of the elders about re-establishing our suplies..." Genma gestured over to Ranma, who was now outside, looking curiously at the fish pond, "Ranma had climbed up onto the challenge beam that the tournament was being held upon."
"Shampoo think outsider girl arrogant enough to challenge village champion," Shampoo stated with self-bitterness.
"Shampoo attacked Ranma, and Ranma thought it was a game. He easily evaded all of Shampoo's attacks, and when I had seen what was going on, I... overreacted."
"Airen tackle Shampoo from off challenge log," Shampoo took over the story, "He pin Shampoo, easy."
"Anyhow, to make a long story short, apparently their village has laws about the loss of one of them to outsiders. You see, losing to me, an outsider male," Genma cleared his throat nervously, "kind of... made me her husband."
"village laugh at Shampoo for getting old husband..."
"I'm not *that* old," Genma interjected, indignatly.
Shampoo gave him a smile, "Shampoo now know, and know that husband strong, too."
Nabiki cleared her voice to get everyone's attention, "Excuse me, love birds..." she flashed a smirk at Genma's irritated expression, "But, other than how stupid a law that is, why did Ranma climb on the log in the first place...?"
Shampoo and Genma looked at each other, before Genma started, "Well, that's the second thing I wanted to discuss..." The elder Saotome looked towards Soun with a firm expression, "Tendou, of course, you recall the pact we made, and have informed your daughters about it, correct?"
"Yes," Soun said in a tight, and irritated voice, "Though, it would be possible if your 'son' was a boy..."
"He is," Genma stated, gaining puzzled glances all around from everyone exept Shampoo, "But we won't go into that just yet." Genma pushed his glasses further up his nose, before continuing, "I'm afraid that I cannot force the pact, due to certain... circumstances."
"Like Ranma being a girl?" Nabiki quipped.
Genma ignored her, "Ranma is... special, and I would not commit him to anything he wouldn't understand."
"Special, as innnnnnnn....?" Nabiki asked for her family.
"This isn't the correct term for Ranma, really," Genma replied, "But I would presume you all are familiar with what is called an 'idiot savant'?"
Kasumi and Nabiki's eyes lit up in comprehension, while Akane and Soun remained slightly confused.
"Are you saying your so- your daughter's stupid?" Akane asked, suddenly finding herself really disliking the elder Saotome, regardless of his relationship with her father.
"No," Genma replied in a firm and slightly angry tone, " He is *not* stupid. And I would urge all of you to remember this."
"Nobody is calling anyone stupid, Saotome," Soun spoke up, "But, you left us curious as to what you mean. Ranma seems a bit youthful, sure, but she does not seem to be mentally deficient."
"Ranma stopped mentally aging I guess around five or six," Genma clarified, "I didn't discover this until he was about eight, and took him to an old healer that I knew that practiced the old arts of medicine. He also studies a great deal in modern medical and psychological sciences. He was the one who figured it out."
"In village, Ranma is what call 'Focused Ones'," Shampoo interjected, "They know only one talent, but is not learning of other. In Village, considered wisemen of talent they learn, and held in high honor."
Kasumi looked over to Ranma, who was poking her finger in the fishpond. Shampoo's attention was drawn, before she got up quickly, and strode outside. She tapped Ranma on the shoulder, and seemed to lightly scold the redhead. "So, Ranma has the mind of a five-year old?"
Genma nodded, "That is what I was told. On the other hand, Ranma has a capacity for the art that is far beyond astounding. He is like a sponge for the knowledge of the art that rivals even the master's ability."
Soun's eyes went wide at the mention of their old master, "SAOTOME! HOW CAN YOU SPEAK OF HIM, KNOWING HE COULD RETURN?!?"
Genma remained non-plussed, "I doubt he'll be returning Tendou, relax." Shampoo walked back, hand in hand with Ranma's. She sat down, and urged Ranma to do the same. Genma gave her a nod, "Thank you Shampoo. As always, you're a great help."
"Is what mother supposed to do," Shampoo replied, earning a sigh from Genma.
"We won't go into it right now." The stout martial artist turned back to the Tendous, "There's just one final issue of business to discuss..."
"Oh? You have yet more surprises to spring on us?" Nabiki remarked, "I guess this night wasn't a total waste of time, after all! It's been quite entertaining."
"You is what one call 'smartmouth, is true?" Shampoo snapped, deciding she didn't like the tone the middle Tendou daughter was using.
"Settle down, Shampoo," Genma stated, before handing Ranma a cup of tea that was still highly warm, but not hot.
Shampoo got the idea, "Ranma show Tendous trick, yes?"
The redhead nodded happily, before dumping the liquid onto her head.
"Before we arrived at Shampoo's village, we made a stop at the Legendary training Grounds of Jusenkyo," Genma began to explain.
Almost listlessly, she turned the thick page, looking at the old images with wistful fondness that was accompanied by the pangs of remorse and regret; two pains that had fortunately dulled with time, but yet still felt like searing flames of atonement against her troubled yet serene soul.
As always, Nodoka Soh, formerly Nodoka Saotome of several years ago, felt the welling tears begin, as she looked through the old photo album that reminded her of the family she once had. As much as it hurt to look through the thin, yet precious leatherbound book, she needed to. It was her penance, a bittersweet punishment for the greatest crime a mother could ever commit...
The abandoning of their child.
She was the one that shunned Ranma, her darling little boy, because of something she didn't understand. She didn't want to believe it, that such a thing could happen to her flesh and blood. So, at the time, she refused it, disacknowledged it.
Disowned it.
It wasn't till much later, after the anger and denial had been nibbled, then knawed away by the presence of guilt over her tragic and atrocious actions, did she realize that her only child wasn't 'damaged' or 'ill', and that the little boy that she turned her back on, the great part of her heart that she had closed away and ignored, was still her child. Regardless of any ailment, pact, or social prejudice, she was charged by the very gods themselves with the raising, protecting, and loving of the gift she had been given.
The gift she ultimately refused, and may never, ever, reclaim again.
Ayumi Soh stood in the doorframe of the room of her only daughter, feeling her heart go out to the infinitely troubled woman. She had suggested that Nodoka move on with her life, that what she had with Genma was now sadly in the past. The grey-haired woman with slight auburn streaks closed her eyes, wishing that the past could be wiped away, and then rewritten.
At the time of the ordeal, she was angry at her daughter's callous actions, furious at Genma for his ultimatum, and ultimately filled with loathing for her own society, for things would not be as harsh and dire as they were, if people like her grandchild were not treated with such contempt, pity, and prejudice.
"Nodoka..." Ayumi asked, timidly, as if she were afraid her own voice would shatter her fragile daughter.
Nodoka looked up to her mother, causing the dim lamp to reflect off the tears that slowly cascaded down the woman's face. Since her divorce from Genma, she had steadily seemed to grow older, not so much in appearance, but in bearing and misery. her once proud and full hair that used to be styled so precisely now hung limply down to the middle of her back in a dull brown color, where it once shown like beacon. Blue eyes that once held affection for her husband, and adoration for her child, now were like crystals without light to shine on them, and reveal their splendor. Her pale complection didn't glow as it did almost ten years ago in her younger days, like she had been drained of much of her life.
She folded the photo album back up, and set it on the small table in her room, "I'm okay, mother."
"No, you are not," Ayumi replied in a firm tone that spoke of concern and properness, "You have not been okay since you had left your husband. it has been eight years, Nodoka."
"I... I'm sorry," Nodoka replied, half sobbing, "but I... I just..."
"Still love them both, I know." The elder sighed, and entered the room. She sat on Nodoka's bed with a prim and proper bearing that spoke of great upbringing, "I've seen it since you have gone your seperate ways, and no matter how much I urge you to carry on with your life, that you cannot undo your past mistakes, you pine for them, and waste away."
Nodoka looked away from her mother, "I apologize for being such a burden for you, mother."
"Nonsense, you are my only daughter of three children. I couldn't aband..." she quickly rephrased herself, noting her daughter's wince, "I could not do anything less for my daughter in her time of need. But..."
Nodoka looked back to her remaining parent, "Mother?"
Ayumi continued, "But... it is time you settled with old spirits, lest they continue to haunt you till your remaining days. I will no longer sit by and allow you to die a tragic tale with no resolution."
"You want me to find someone new?" Nodoka asked, once again feeling a pain of betrayal towards her ex-husband for the very idea. It wasn't the first time her mother had suggested such a thing, and it wouldn't be the last. Nonetheless, Nodoka bore it, as it was part of her penance.
"No, that is not what I am asking," the elder Soh replied, "I was blind not to see it sooner, but until things are resolved, you won't move on." Ayumi rose from off the bed, regally walked to her daughter, and put her hand on her shoulder in a reaffirming manner, "Look for them, discover if they're okay. If only to see once more the face of your son, to know he's growing up, and well. If only to tell Genma how sorry you were, how sorry you are to both of them, and tell him how much you loved him, and never stopped loving them both."
Nodoka felt a new well of tears grow, and closed her eyes, flushing them down her already streaked face. She brought her right hand up, and grasped her mother's hand that was on her left shoulder, as if she were attempting to draw strength from it.
_________________
Nabiki and Akane sat with their father, across from Shampoo and Genma, and watched the red-headed surge of energy known as Ranma Saotome explore the vicinity with a child-like intrest. "How could you be his mother?" Akane asked with an arched tone, "You're no older than she is!"
"Shampoo actually... Ranma younger," Shampoo replied with a slight sheepish grin, "Ranma is three month older."
"Ah..." Soun put the pieces together, "Saotome... I cannot judge you for your... lovely wife..." Shampoo beamed a smile, that made Soun even more uncomfortable, "So I would just congradulate you."
"Ah, a cradle-robber, I see," Nabiki stated with an amused tone.
"Of course Ranma can't be a pervert, 'he's' 'his' father's 'son'," Akane stated sideways to her father, garnering a nervous laugh.
"I assure you, it isn't by my choice," Genma stated, adimantly, earning him a cross glance from Shampoo. Genma returned a dark glare towards the Amazon, "She attacked Ranma..."
Shampoo's gaze wavered, before she turned to look down at the table in shame, "Shampoo not know."
Genma turned back to the Tendous, just as Kasumi arrived with beverages and snacks, "After..." Genma though about where to start the story, "We happened into her village during a tournament. Shampoo here had just finished her contest with her final opponent, and while I was enquiring with our guide and one of the elders about re-establishing our suplies..." Genma gestured over to Ranma, who was now outside, looking curiously at the fish pond, "Ranma had climbed up onto the challenge beam that the tournament was being held upon."
"Shampoo think outsider girl arrogant enough to challenge village champion," Shampoo stated with self-bitterness.
"Shampoo attacked Ranma, and Ranma thought it was a game. He easily evaded all of Shampoo's attacks, and when I had seen what was going on, I... overreacted."
"Airen tackle Shampoo from off challenge log," Shampoo took over the story, "He pin Shampoo, easy."
"Anyhow, to make a long story short, apparently their village has laws about the loss of one of them to outsiders. You see, losing to me, an outsider male," Genma cleared his throat nervously, "kind of... made me her husband."
"village laugh at Shampoo for getting old husband..."
"I'm not *that* old," Genma interjected, indignatly.
Shampoo gave him a smile, "Shampoo now know, and know that husband strong, too."
Nabiki cleared her voice to get everyone's attention, "Excuse me, love birds..." she flashed a smirk at Genma's irritated expression, "But, other than how stupid a law that is, why did Ranma climb on the log in the first place...?"
Shampoo and Genma looked at each other, before Genma started, "Well, that's the second thing I wanted to discuss..." The elder Saotome looked towards Soun with a firm expression, "Tendou, of course, you recall the pact we made, and have informed your daughters about it, correct?"
"Yes," Soun said in a tight, and irritated voice, "Though, it would be possible if your 'son' was a boy..."
"He is," Genma stated, gaining puzzled glances all around from everyone exept Shampoo, "But we won't go into that just yet." Genma pushed his glasses further up his nose, before continuing, "I'm afraid that I cannot force the pact, due to certain... circumstances."
"Like Ranma being a girl?" Nabiki quipped.
Genma ignored her, "Ranma is... special, and I would not commit him to anything he wouldn't understand."
"Special, as innnnnnnn....?" Nabiki asked for her family.
"This isn't the correct term for Ranma, really," Genma replied, "But I would presume you all are familiar with what is called an 'idiot savant'?"
Kasumi and Nabiki's eyes lit up in comprehension, while Akane and Soun remained slightly confused.
"Are you saying your so- your daughter's stupid?" Akane asked, suddenly finding herself really disliking the elder Saotome, regardless of his relationship with her father.
"No," Genma replied in a firm and slightly angry tone, " He is *not* stupid. And I would urge all of you to remember this."
"Nobody is calling anyone stupid, Saotome," Soun spoke up, "But, you left us curious as to what you mean. Ranma seems a bit youthful, sure, but she does not seem to be mentally deficient."
"Ranma stopped mentally aging I guess around five or six," Genma clarified, "I didn't discover this until he was about eight, and took him to an old healer that I knew that practiced the old arts of medicine. He also studies a great deal in modern medical and psychological sciences. He was the one who figured it out."
"In village, Ranma is what call 'Focused Ones'," Shampoo interjected, "They know only one talent, but is not learning of other. In Village, considered wisemen of talent they learn, and held in high honor."
Kasumi looked over to Ranma, who was poking her finger in the fishpond. Shampoo's attention was drawn, before she got up quickly, and strode outside. She tapped Ranma on the shoulder, and seemed to lightly scold the redhead. "So, Ranma has the mind of a five-year old?"
Genma nodded, "That is what I was told. On the other hand, Ranma has a capacity for the art that is far beyond astounding. He is like a sponge for the knowledge of the art that rivals even the master's ability."
Soun's eyes went wide at the mention of their old master, "SAOTOME! HOW CAN YOU SPEAK OF HIM, KNOWING HE COULD RETURN?!?"
Genma remained non-plussed, "I doubt he'll be returning Tendou, relax." Shampoo walked back, hand in hand with Ranma's. She sat down, and urged Ranma to do the same. Genma gave her a nod, "Thank you Shampoo. As always, you're a great help."
"Is what mother supposed to do," Shampoo replied, earning a sigh from Genma.
"We won't go into it right now." The stout martial artist turned back to the Tendous, "There's just one final issue of business to discuss..."
"Oh? You have yet more surprises to spring on us?" Nabiki remarked, "I guess this night wasn't a total waste of time, after all! It's been quite entertaining."
"You is what one call 'smartmouth, is true?" Shampoo snapped, deciding she didn't like the tone the middle Tendou daughter was using.
"Settle down, Shampoo," Genma stated, before handing Ranma a cup of tea that was still highly warm, but not hot.
Shampoo got the idea, "Ranma show Tendous trick, yes?"
The redhead nodded happily, before dumping the liquid onto her head.
"Before we arrived at Shampoo's village, we made a stop at the Legendary training Grounds of Jusenkyo," Genma began to explain.