Old Life, New Beginnings
Interlude 2
It was late afternoon in the Nerima district as two red haired women walked down the street shaking their heads in disgust at the idiot kendoist they left behind just moments before. The older of the two had showed him what a true master of the sword could do which still left a grin on the younger girl's face whose name was Hikaru Shidou Saotome.
She was still depressed over everything that had happened to her and her two new friends when they was transported to Cephiro. All the fighting and hardships to save the Princess, the Pillar of that world, to have it turn out the way it did. Of course Hikaru knew that they were selfish to call on strangers from another world, force them through all of that just to settle some twisted love story.
The thing that kept making Hikaru wonder lately, and what had actually started to help her, was thinking about if it was worth it. Yes some people died because of the stupidity of many people who kept so many secrets about the true purpose of the Knights but it was their own fault. Right? Was her two friends and herself truly to blame for those deaths?
Hikaru knew the answers was no, they were not to blame. Of course the needless deaths weighed heavily on her but she did gain a lot from it. Umi, Fuu and herself all came out alive and very good friends who enjoyed spending a lot of time together on weekends when she was at her dads. And sometimes even when she was with her mom and her friends in Jubaan like Hotaru and Chibi-Usa.
Shaking her head to get rid of those thoughts Hikaru looked ahead where her mother was walking not far ahead. They had seen papers recently of the gymnastics martial arts tournaments and the martial arts figure skating competition which was both won thanks to a Ranma Saotome. Her mother had some friends do some investigating and found out that Genma and Hikaru's half brother was staying in Nerima at the Tendo home.
That little bit of news enraged Nodoka because Soun knew about Genma taking off with Ranma, for the most part kidnapping him. Nodoka had refused to take that stupid contract and forbid Genma from taking Ranma on any kind of training trip saying she knew what Genma and his ideas of training was.
It saddened Hikaru some to think about it. She found out on accident what happened shortly after. For awhile Nodoka searched for Genma and soon one of her oldest friends had started helping, trying to take his mind off of his wife's passing. In a moment of weakness though, the two made love bringing about the birth of Hikaru from the union of Ryo Shidou and Nodoka Saotome.
Hikaru hated seeing her mom so sad over Ranma but if Genma didn't take him Hikaru would never of been born. It took awhile to actually get over that though her friends helped a lot and was always there for her while she never even really told her mother she knew.
So engrossed in her thoughts Hikaru walked right into Nodoka when the older woman stopped in front of a door. "Sorry mom."
"It's okay, sweetie." Nodoka said, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, just nervous I guess." Hikaru said, lying.
"Welcome to the Tendo Dojo, I'm Kasumi Tendo." A girl with long brown hair said as she answered the door. Nodoka must of rang the bell already Hikaru realized, she must have been in her thoughts really deep. "May I help you?"
"Might we speak to Soun, Kasumi?" Nodoka asked.
"He's inside," Kasumi said moving aside letting the two red heads through. "Won't you come in."
As soon as the three entered the living room Nodoka had her sword drawn and was at a large man in a white gi, wearing a bandana and glasses who was playing shogi with another man in a black gi and long black hair. Hikaru recognized the larger man as…
"GENMA!" Nodoka snarled, "Where is my son?"
"Oh my." Kasumi gasped.
"No-Nodoka, honey…" Genma said.
The pressure of the blade on Genma's throat increased just as the hatred in her eyes had. "Do not HONEY me you bastard, Where! Is! My! SON!"
"He's not here, Mrs. Saotome." Kasuni said trying to intervene before there was blood spilled on the floor…her nice clean floor.
The distraction allowed Genma to pull away and he started to run outside towards the wall. Hikaru knew that if he escaped it may be a long time before they found Ranma and she knew it would break her mother's heart. Instinct took over as she flung her hand out and cried out, "Flame Arrow!"
The whole room stared in shock as a small flame leaped from Hikaru's hand and struck Genma in the back knocking him forward into the koi pond. What was left was a steaming and singed panda who unfortunately was still breathing though unconscious.
"H-How?" Nodoka asked, shock covering her face.
"I-I can explain, mom…" Hikaru whispered, scared of what the older woman would think. Heck, she didn't know what to think. She thought she left all of the magic stuff back in Cephiro.
"He was Genma…then…a panda?" Nodoka stuttered.
"I can explain everything Ms. Satome, I was preparing to anyways after what my little sister caused." A new girl said, her voice sad until mentioning her sister then it sounded almost disappointed. "Kasumi, will you please make some tea for our guests."
"Sure sis." Kasumi said hurrying out of the room.
A few minutes later Nodoka, Hikaru, Kasumi, Soun, Genma who was tied up, and who turned out to be Nabiki was gathered around the table drinking tea as Hikaru thought about all of the crap that Ranma had gone through growing up and all the problems with around here.
Hikaru was surprised her mother was staying so calm though, especially about the curse and how Akane mistreated Ranma and the way Nabiki used him. To Nabiki's credit though, the girl seemed sincerely sorry for everything and wanted so much to help.
"That doesn't tell me where he is now though…" Nodoka sighed, rubbing her eyes.
"I'm so sorry, Ranma…he got sick of everything that was happening and left. He…He went…" Nabiki was having trouble continuing as tears leaked from her eyes.
"He left to go to New Light House and Nabiki and myself has been in contact with Kei there. We helped her convict those bastards there for everything they did but…" Kasumi said, a sad look in her face.
"Kei thinks Ranma may have been one of their victims…she told m-me that she hated herself for believeing her ex about what happened. She thinks Ranma…"
"He's dead, isn't he?" Nodoka asked, fighting a sob.
"I'm so sorry, Nodoka." Soun started.
"Shove it, Soun." Nodoka snarled, "You knew Genma took Ranma from me and you harbored him. If you called me, told me they was here Ranma might of still been alive. I don't blame the girl's for Ranma, I blame YOU TWO!"
"I'm sorry, Nodoka." Soun whispered again.
A flash of silver and the ropes on Genma was cut off leaving a freed Genma to stare in disbelief and horror. Nodoka pulled out some papers from her kimono and dropped them before Genma along with a pen. Genma looked up to see Nodoka's cold, hate filled eyes and flinched.
"Sign them Genma and I will let you live." Nodoka whispered.
Genma hurriedly signed them and Nodoka snatched them back up and glared at the man. "If I ever see you again, I will KILL you." With that Nodoka turned and walked off.
"We're so sorry." Kasumi whispered.
"I hope we can talk again sometime," Hikaru said, "Thank you for your hospitality."
Hikaru felt like she was on automatic as she said that and hurried off after her mother. She was glad they didn't have to explain herself to them even though they wanted to know who she was Nodoka refused to say anything about it. But more important, her brother was probably dead. Tears started to fall freely down her face as she shook with sobs.
Nodoka stopped and turned back to Hikaru and embraced her, holding her as they both cried for a lost son and brother.