I don't own any of Rumiko Takahashi's or Jack Chalker's works. They are just borrowed.

Ranma of the Dancing Gods

Chapter 2.4: Brief Nerima interlude

It was mid afternoon. Her child was likely on her way and her delaying tactics had worked as she intended. 'If only Genma would consider his partner's desire for pleasure', she thought sadly, 'No, other than what I carry now, Genma, you are barely worth the effort to divorce. If I demanded seppuku, you would wonder what you did wrong, or, just blame it on Ranma. Actually, you are well worth divorcing,' thinking of her dear grandfather's trust fund that would be available as soon as there was no chance of Genma wasting it. She went to her purse and withdrew a few bills and lay them on top of his gi. Nodoka wrote a note, suggesting that he get Soun and go have a few drinks. She wrinkled her nose at her self. 'Sake and selfish male lust, feh!' A quick rinse in the shower, getting clothed and some fragrance more becoming of her, she left to go to the Tendos to see how events had transpired. It would be nice to use their furo, since she was unable to afford one when her home was rebuilt.

Nabiki answered the door, "Welcome, Auntie Saotome, its sort of lonely with everyone else gone."

"I suspected that you would like some company, and, I wish to know if Ranma is okay."

"Everything has gone almost as we planned. Kasumi is taking care of Ranma, while Akane and Ukyo are protecting them."

"Good. Do you mind if I use the furo before I prepare supper?"

"Sure Auntie, I'll join you. Maintaining the fire was more work than I liked." Nodoka and Nabiki undressed in the changing room and pulled their bath supplies from the shelf. "Let me scrub your back Auntie." They shivered as they poured the buckets of cool water over themselves.

Nodoka washed herself as Nabiki took care of her back. When she was done the back scrub turned into a massage and she sat on the stool going limp, relaxing for the first time since finding out about Ranma's new 'condition'. After a few minutes she took Nabiki's hand and said, "That's good enough." She then assisted the young girl in her own ablutions. They both enjoyed the quiet that permeated the house. Nabiki finally got up and sat in the furo.

Nodoka made as if to get in with the girl when she suddenly turned and looked at herself in the full-length mirror between the sinks. She ran her hands over her abdomen, fingers tracing the very faint striae gravidarum from her long ago pregnancy.

Nabiki perked up at the odd, happy, sad look on the woman's face. "Auntie, what is it?"

Nodoka shook herself and entered the furo with her hands clasped to her belly as she sat down. "Oh, its just that when Ranma comes back, I have some grand news to share with him…or her."

Nabiki's eyes bulged with the realization of what Nodoka 'had' to be talking about. She reached over and hugged the woman. "Oh, Auntie, how long?"

"I have it on good authority that it will be twins…and it's within the last three weeks."

"Ranma's going to be so excited. Does Uncle know?"

"No! and he is not to know for as long as possible. I've been waiting for this to happen before divorcing him. Tomorrow, I go to my lawyer to finalize the proceedings. When the bill collectors and people making claims on my son began showing up about ten years ago, I began to document everything… beginning with the damnable seppuku contract that he left behind when he took Ranma away from me."

"Do you want me to go along to verify that its done right, Auntie?"

"Of course, I've seen how astute you've been in providing for your family. I believe that I can even pay a bit for your time. If you can wait until the divorce is final, and assist me until then, would two million yen cover that and any expenses that my soon to be ex-husband has incurred during his stay?"

"You have that much to spare?"

"Yes dear Nabiki. At least I will soon after. Now, let's get out of here and see to the evening meal. Maybe we can go see a movie afterwards."

AN: Just a bit of Nerima to post while I'm struggling with the last chapter for this arc. Will answer reviews next chapter, except for this:

Trugeta: Yeah I saw the missing quotes a few ignoseconds after posting, trying to figure an easier way to edit. Maybe the export function?