A Noble Endeavor
AN: Surprise! I'm back! A lot has happened in the last couple of years, but things are finally settling down in my life, and the writing bug is back... at least for now. So, while it's here, you all finally get a new chapter!
Without further ado, enjoy!
Chapter 6: A Return to Normalcy
The last week had passed agonizingly slowly for Ranma. She had been granted some peace due to the fact that any visitors for her were turned away until she had recovered, except for her parents. Genma had just made sure she was not going to die, then left with a comment to 'recover quickly so you can get back to your training.' Nodoka, however, had not left Ranma's side since she had arrived. And although there had been a tense moment when Nasu had revealed that Ranma was stuck in female form, for now, Nodoka had accepted it with reassurance from Ranma that he planned to change back once the stitches were out. Once that had passed, however, Nodoka had spent every waking moment making sure Ranma was resting up, comfortable, and generally mothering her more than any time Ranma could remember, much to her embarrassment when anyone else was around.
Now, the day to get the stitches removed had finally come. While Nodoka had initially wanted to stay with Ranma during the process, she had excused herself after Ryoma had whispered something to her. While Ranma was curious as to what he had said, it was quickly driven from her mind by thoughts of the future. Would she be able to turn back into a guy? With the seppuku contract hanging over her head, Ranma had to at least try and change back, and yet, the knowledge that turning back might kill her even quicker hung over her as well. Ranma had never been afraid of hardship, but how could she fight something like transplant rejection? And yet, Ranma knew she had to at least try. Even if it killed her, at least she would die with her honor intact.
"And, we're done."
Ranma looked down in surprise. She had been so wrapped up in her own thoughts that she had not even noticed Nasu begin removing the stitches, let alone finish. "Oh, thanks!" Ranma replied, as she reached for the shirt she had discarded before the doctor had started. "I know what ya said before, but I gotta at least try and change back. Any chance ya could-?"
"The kettle's right over here," Nasu replied with a sigh. "If you insist on taking the risk, the least I can do is monitor you in case something goes wrong."
"Thanks," Ranma said again, feeling a bit of relief. Taking the still slightly steaming kettle, Ranma grit her teeth and poured the hot water over her head, feeling the familiar shift of the transformation occur as she did.
A moment passed...
Then another...
Ranma let go of a breath he did not realize he had been holding as nothing seemed to happen. Nasu began writing on a clipboard as she said, "Well, it seems my fears about missing a bullet fragment were unfounded. I believe we can also rule out instant rejection as a result of your transformation. However, there is still the possibility of rejection occurring later on, especially if you don't keep taking your medication. You may feel fine now, but even with your remarkable ability to recover, I'll have to insist on you stopping by for check-ups in the weeks to come. I'd also recommend keeping something like a bottle of water on hand just in case symptoms do show themselves, as they may be reduced or even entirely relieved in your other form. If that does occur, please contact me immediately."
"Right, I guess that makes sense," Ranma replied, his earlier relief fading a bit. However, even those dire warnings were not enough to wipe the smile off his face at finally being back in his birth form. "Mind if I head out? I want to go find my mom and give her the good news."
"That's fine, just don't forget what I told you," Nasu said, continuing to make notes on what had happened.
With that, Ranma stepped out of the medical room and into a hall of the palace. Over the week he had stayed here, Ranma had learned the layout. Not sure exactly where his mother had gone, Ranma decided to check the guest room they had been staying in. However, as he passed through the entry hall on the way to the guest wing, he saw his mother and Ryoma approaching from another direction.
"Don't worry, Saotome-san. My father is a reasonable man, and would hardly force something like that," Ryoma was saying as they approached. "I'm sure it will just be an offer, and he might even change his mind after talking to- Ranma! Good to see that you were able to change back after all!"
"Oh, I'm so glad to see you back to your manly self, my son!" Nodoka cried out, as she rushed over to embrace Ranma.
Ranma hugged his mother back for a moment, basking in the pride he felt for a moment, before turning to Ryoma. "What were ya two talking about?"
Nodoka stepped back from the embrace, a slight frown on her face as Ryoma's smile fell into a more serious expression. The prince said firmly, "Actually, we were on our way to see you. My father has requested to speak with you once Nasu was done with you."
"The Emperor!?" Ranma exclaimed, eyes going wide. Although he had been at the castle for about a week now, he had still not met the Emperor of Japan face-to-face. In the back of Ranma's mind, some half-forgotten memory from history class surfaced about the Emperor being mainly a ceremonial position in the modern age, but to meet such a man in person still felt like a big deal.
Seeing the martial artist's response, Ryoma's grin returned, albeit to a lesser extent. "Don't worry too much. My father just wishes to get to know my savior before deciding how to shower you with rewards. In all seriousness, I have little doubt that you'll be receiving a Medal of Honor with a Red Ribbon this year, but I'm sure my father plans to give you a more personal reward, as well."
"Ranma..." Nodoka said, before hesitating a moment. Taking a breath to steady herself, she smiled and said, "I just want you to know that I'm proud of you, and I'm sure your father is as well. Whatever choice you make, just remember that, alright?"
"Huh?" Ranma looked at his mother, but before he could ask her to explain, she turned and headed out the main door of the palace.
"Don't worry, Ranma," Ryoma said as he clapped the younger man on the shoulder. "As soon as you finish speaking to my father, I'm sure her concerns will become clear."
Not feeling particularly reassured by that, but feeling obligated, Ranma followed Ryoma into a wing of the palace he had not been to yet. After a few minutes, they stopped before a sliding door, and Ryoma called out, "Father, I've brought Ranma as you asked!"
"Please, come in," Came a voice from within, similar to but slightly deeper than Ryoma's voice.
Ryoma slid open the door to reveal a sitting area open to the sakura trees outside. In the center was a single table with a tea set, two cups, and a platter of assorted sweets. The only person currently seated at the table was a middle-aged man in a simple kimono, with long bushy black hair. He smiled as his eyes met Ranma and said, "Greetings, you must be the one who saved my son's life. I am Sumeragi, the 125th Emperor of Japan."
Ranma stiffened, his breath catching in his throat and his eyes widening. To the average person, the Emperor might appear to be a normal man, if they did not know who he was. Ranma was not an average person in just about any way. In this case, it was his martial arts training that mattered. Specifically, his ability to sense Ki.
And what he was sensing now was a well of Ki greater than anything he had felt since fighting the Phoenix Lord Saffron.
The Emperor smirked and said, "Impressive. I always thought Ryoma was a prodigy, but between you and his cousin, that's two people younger than him that can sense Ki."
"Here I was starting to wonder if it was just something Father had made up, but I suppose that was wishful thinking," Ryoma said with a frown, as he looked at Ranma's expression.
"Er, yeah. Sorry, but it's definitely real," Ranma said, forcing himself to breathe as he got over his shock. 'No wonder the Emperor believes in magic and curses if he's that well trained.'
"Would you excuse us, Ryoma? I'd like to speak with Saotome-dono in private," The Emperor said, turning to pour tea into the two cups on the table.
"Of course, Father. I'll see you later, Ranma," Ryoma said as he stepped back, and slid the door shut.
Seeing Ranma hesitating, Sumeragi reined in his Ki and spoke up. "Apologies for that little test, Saotome-dono. After everything I've heard about you, I was curious how much I should believe. Now, I am sure that you saving my son was more than just a fluke. Please, join me for some tea."
"Thanks," Ranma said, moving to sit across from him as the pressure faded from the room. "So, uh, ya wanted ta talk ta me about something?"
"Indeed. As I mentioned, I've heard quite a bit about you. My nephew had plenty to say when I was catching up with him, while your mother had less than I expected. I've had other sources gather what they could on you, but they were blinded by the bias of the modern age, discarding most of what they found as 'unlikely rumors'," The Emperor paused to take a sip of his tea before continuing. "I think it only fair to hear things from your perspective, before forming an opinion of you. After all, you can learn a lot about a man from what he says about himself... and what he leaves out."
"Er, no offense your majesty, but why take such an interest in me?" Ranma asked. "It ain't as though I went out of my way ta save Ryoma. I was just in the right place at the right time."
"Fate has a way of putting the right people in the right places at the right times," the older man replied. "Besides, when I intend to give someone a reward or a gift, I like to make sure it fits the individual." Sumeragi grinned mischievously as he added, "Of course, if you don't like to talk about yourself, I could always give you a more generic reward. The classic reward for a hero would be marrying a princess, and I've heard of your penchant for collecting fiancees. Neither of my daughters are spoken for, you know..."
Ranma had taken the opportunity while he spoke to try some of the tea, but immediately began to choke on it as he heard that, causing the emperor to burst into laughter as Ranma went into a coughing fit. When Ranma finished clearing his throat, he said, "No, no, I'll tell ya whatever ya want! Uh, where should I even begin, though?"
"Go ahead and start from the beginning," Sumeragi responded. "What I've heard about you already leads me to believe that yours is quite the interesting story, indeed."
"Well, I guess the earliest thing I can remember is Pop taking me on our training trip..." Ranma began.
And so, Ranma began telling the Emperor his life story. From major life events to humorous incidents. From fond memories to terrifying times. He told of friends and enemies made and fiancees forced upon him. Hours passed, and as the sun began to set, dinner was brought to them, but Sumeragi only encouraged the younger man to continue as they ate, listening intently and asking questions to clarify things here and there. Ranma found himself recounting events more honestly than he might have with others and being more open with his thoughts, finding it surprisingly relaxing to share things with someone who was genuinely interested and not trying to get something from him.
Ranma finished recounting what he remembered of the night of the assassination attempt, and came to the end of his story, well after the sun had set. Silence reigned in the room for a moment, before Sumeragi spoke up. "Yours has truly been an interesting life for one so young, Saotome Ranma. You have given me a lot to think about, but I think I may have the perfect way to reward you in mind..."
As the Emperor outlined what he intended, Ranma's eyes grew wider and wider. By the time he was done, all Ranma could think of to ask was, "Can ya really do that for me?"
"I may not have to powers the Emperors of the past did when it comes to political matters, but the National Diet gives me quite a bit of leeway in private matters," Sumeragi explained. "The question is, do you want this? It is a great honor, but does not come without a cost. This is not something I would force upon you and will come up with another reward should you wish, but I feel like it is an opportunity that only I could grant you."
"I, uh, need ta think about it," Ranma replied. "It's really generous, but..."
"Well, I've set things up for an event in three days, to publicly reward you for your heroism. You have until then to decide."
AN: There we go! I know it has been a long time, but I think I speak for us all when I say I hope this is merely the first of many chapters to come!
What reward did the Emperor offer? Why is Ranma so hesitant to take it? Find out in future chapters of A Noble Endeavor!