Chapter 35 The Revenge of Women Scorned
As the sun rose bathing the streets of Nerima in the light of the morning, Genma slowly walked into the Tendo home after a night of carousing with his friend Soun, he met his wife pacing angrily in the living room. Soun took one look at her and fled. "Genma, I have come to a decision!" Nodoka announced, "After weighing everything that you have done, I have decided that you have failed in your pledge to teach my son to be a man among men. A man so lost to honor as yourself could never have taught anything about how to be manly."
Genma began to cringe; shocked totally sober. He suddenly dropped into one of the Saotome Forbidden techniques, that of the Crouch of the Wild Tiger. He begged, "Please don't make me commit seppuku, I don't wanna die!"
"Get up you miserable worm! You disgust me," she said icily, "No husband, we will merely end this farce of a marriage. It is your choice however; it can end with divorce or your death. I have no intention of allowing you to do something so honorable as seppuku, though."
He began babbling incoherently, but she thought she heard him say, "Divorce, divorce, divorce."
She smiled grimly and said, "Excellent choice. Now come with me to the town hall to take care of that." She grabbed her soon to be former husband by the arm and dragged him out of the house.
Several hours later, a smiling Nodoka and a spineless, sobbing, Genma came back to the Tendo home. As she entered, Soun approached them and asked, "What's wrong, old friend?"
Nodoka bowed politely and said, "Soun, I wish to thank you for your hospitality these many months. Unfortunately, I must return to my home. I have started the process of divorcing Genma. I no longer consider myself married to this person, therefore it would not be honorable for me to share a guest room with him."
"I'm sorry to hear that, Nodoka. We've enjoyed your company and your help. Are you sure there isn't some way that you can stay?" Soun almost pleaded.
"It wouldn't be fair to you to have both of us staying here, Soun," Nodoka replied. She fingered the hilt of her katana blade, thoughtfully, looking at Genma.
Shampoo came in from the backyard to see what was going on. She smiled evilly as she saw the cringing Saotome. "Old man, I had a talk with my clan Elder. Due ta your lack of honor, she dissolved the Kiss of Marriage I gave ya. You are not worthy to be my Airen!" she said. She walked over and kissed him on the right cheek. "Thus the Kiss of Marriage is annulled," she said. She held her bonborris almost casually, glaring at the figure in front of her.
"Tendo, old friend, I'll stay in the dojo, tonight," Genma said, "I'll leave tomorrow. I've imposed on you enough." He eyed the two women nervously. 'I can tell I'm not wanted here,' he thought sadly to himself.
At that moment, Ranma walked in carrying a letter. "Hey, Pop. You look horrible. This came for you today. Seems like someone has challenged you to a fight tomorrow afternoon at six," he said, handing his father the challenge letter.
"Well, boy, it looks like you'll have ta uphold the honor of the Saotomes," Genma began.
Ranma interrupted, "I thought you called yourself a martial artist, Pop! What kind of man backs out on a challenge like that?"
"He's right, Saotome, old friend. The challenge was addressed to you. Your son can't fight in your stead. It wouldn't be honorable," Soun said.
Genma stared at his friend, feeling betrayed. "Soun, how could you think that? Of course I'll go. I just wanted to give my son the opportunity instead," Genma replied, "Looks like he'll just have to come and watch a real martial arts master at work."
"Pop, I wouldn't miss it for the world," Ranma said with a smirk.
The next afternoon, Genma headed off to the remote park where the challenge was to take place. He was surprised when Nodoka and Shampoo went with him. Ukyo joined them as they left the Tendo grounds and said, "Ranchan said to tell you he would meet you at the park, Mr. Saotome. I think he's looking forward to seeing you fight. He certainly was looking excited about it at school."
"A martial artist's life is full of peril," Genma intoned, "I'm glad my son understands that." He missed everyone rolling their eyes at how pompous he sounded. Finally, they reached the deserted park a few minutes early. Ranma was waiting for them by the entrance. As they walked to the location specified in the challenge letter, there was no one to be found. Genma said, "I wonder where this challenger is? It's almost six and there's no one here. He must have heard how good I am and backed out. I'm sorry all of ya came this far for nothing. I'm happy with the sign of support, though I'm a little surprised ya came."
"Actually, Saotome, your challenger is here," Ranma said with a smirk, "I'm formally challenging you as Master of the School of Anything Goes Martial Arts."
"You, you ungrateful pup. How dare you challenge me for mastery!" Genma blustered.
"Enough talk, more action!" growled Ukyo, "Go ahead and fight, Ranchan!"
"Well, what are you gonna do, old man? You gonna fight or what?" Ranma taunted.
Genma roared with anger and charged Ranma. Ranma hit him with a ki blast that staggered Genma. Before he could recover, Ranma had hit one of his pressure points, causing Genma to lose the use of one arm. Genma began to look a little worried. He said, "Now son, I know we've had some differences, but I've always looked out for ya. We don't need ta do this."
"Looked out for me, huh! So that's why I have so many fiancées, why I got sold for food several times. Well thanks so very much for that. I'd hate to think what would have happened if you hadn't been looking out for me!" Ranma said coldly. Ranma dodged another wild swing by Genma and touched the pressure point on that arm as well.
Genma tried to run, which was a mistake. The moment he turned his back, Ranma sprang forward and hit the pressure point on the back of his father's neck, paralyzing him. Ranma pushed his father to the ground and said, "Pop, it looks like you lose. I guess that means I'm the new master of the Saotome branch of the school."
Genma looked at the four people who surrounded him. He growled, "So you actually came to see me humiliated by my own son."
"No, Genma. I came to see my son claim his heritage, to try to remove the stain from the Saotome name. I, Nodoka Himura, of the clan Himura, denounce you for the honorless cur you are. Ranma, your father was never much of a man. It's time to correct that."
Ranma looked at his mother and asked, anxiously, "Mom, is this really what ya want ta do? I know he deserves to be punished, but –"
Nodoka interrupted, "It's what we agreed on, all three of us, Shampoo, Ukyo and myself. It is a punishment that will fit his crimes; you have to admit! We need your help though, Ranma, no one else besides Cologne could do it, and she has helped as much as she is going to. Besides, we're doing it partially for you as well."
Ranma closed his eyes in pain and then sighed. "Alright, Mom, I'll do it. You just don't understand what it will do ta him. It may break him completely. You're right though. It is the perfect punishment for what he has done to all of us. Sorry, Pop, but ya brought this upon yourself with your stupidity."
Ranma approached his father, who was lying paralyzed on the ground due to the pressure points that Ranma had applied while fighting with his father. One final time he touched his father, high up on the chest performing a Full Body Cat Tongue. Cologne had taught him that reluctantly, only giving in finally to Nodoka's pleas for assistance. Ranma backed away quickly as Shampoo came forward with her contribution. She poured the cask of cursed spring water over Genma, making sure it only went on him. Shampoo said, "Goodbye, the person who once was my Airen. I hope this hurts you as much as you hurt your son."
Genma felt the transformation, even through his paralysis, and screamed in a high-pitched register in horror as he realized what had been done to him. "That's right, Genma, you have been drenched in water from the spring of Drowned Girl," Nodoka said, icily, "Consider this as Shampoo and my way of finalizing our separation. Did you really think that I would allow you to almost destroy my son and allow you to go unpunished? That I would allow you to escape with merely a divorce! The paralysis will wear off quickly. I suggest you leave once it does." She threw a bag of clothing next to her soon to be former husband.
Ukyo came forward, and added, "This is for nearly ruining my life and for making ten years of it hell. There's a little money in the bag. I'd take off running once you're dressed. My understanding is that this part of town is full of undesirable types who just love to prey on young women."
The three women stood there for a moment, glaring at the person on the ground, making the three avenging Furies of Greek mythology look like meek school girls. Then the three women turned their backs, and left, not one looking at the somewhat homely middle-aged woman lying on the ground. Ranma looked at the person who used to be his father, and shook his head. "Pop, if you're smart, you'll go somewhere far away from here. I wouldn't come near any of them for a long time. They aren't in a very forgiving mood. If you come back too soon, they won't be as merciful the next time. They made me promise not to help you in any way until you showed you learned your lesson. If it helps any, I don't hate you for what you did. Try to keep in touch, if you want to," Ranma said.
Genma stared at him, in shock, and then nodded. She said, "Ranma, my boy. Do the school proud. Tell Nodoka that I'm sorry for what I did, and that I guess I understand why she did this. There's a few things that I want back at the Tendo's. I'll send you a letter when I know where I'm staying."
Ranma stood there for a second more, then replied, "Good luck, Pop. I'll miss you." He ran after the three women.
Ukyo looked at Nodoka and said, "Thank you, Auntie Nodoka for allowing me to be a part of this. Now I truly feel that my honor has been restored. Will she ever be able to change back?"
"According to Cologne, even lukewarm water will cause burns on her skin. Genma might be able to stomach it a few times, but the pain will be too much to bear to do it often. People who have a Jusenkyo curse appear to be cold-water magnets. No, Genma will be trapped in that form for as long as we want," Nodoka said with a wicked smile.
"Good," Shampoo said forcefully, "Nodoka, thank you bringing me in on this. My skin crawled every time Genma looked at me. Even when he was in Panda form, it felt like I was dismissed as nothing more than a silly, weak woman."
"Ladies," Ranma began, when all of the sudden a rainsquall blew in. "Damn," she said, "I hate it when that happens. Anyway, you really don't know what you've done to Pop, do you? Pop always taught me that women were pretty much worthless. Yeah, you don't have to tell me that was so much garbage. But that's what went on in what passed for Pop's mind. Now he is cursed to be something that I truly believe he despised. I'm not sure he will retain his sanity. I was lucky when I fell into that spring. I had already decided that most of what he had taught me wasn't worth the air that he was breathing. So it wasn't the total mental shock for me that I expect it is for her. Don't get me wrong; I think this is indeed the right punishment. You just need to take precautions in case Pop comes after you."
"He was just a man, before," Shampoo said, disdainfully, "I'm an Amazon warrior, I can take care of myself."
Ukyo shrugged and said, "Your dad wasn't that good, but if you're worried, why don't you train me?"
"Tell you what, Ucchan, I'll let you ask Acchan if it's alright if I train you. I'm not suicidal, after all. She still gets jealous of you, even though we've been engaged for a while now. I think she expects you to dump Ryoga one of these days and start chasing after me, again," Ranma said.
That afternoon, as Ranma, Nodoka and Shampoo returned to the Tendo home, Mr. Tendo met them at the gate. "Where's your father, Ranma? Did the challenge not go well?" he asked.
"Actually, the challenge went very well, Mr. Tendo. The challenger beat Pop, so there's a new master for the Saotome School of Anything Goes Martial Arts. I'm afraid that he didn't take his defeat very gracefully, so until he thinks he can challenge the new master, Pop won' t be coming back here for a long time. I expect that he will go on a long training trip. He did want me to thank you for your hospitality during his stay here," Ranma replied.
"New master, who's the new master, Ranma? You don't look too upset that someone else in now in charge of your school. Don't you think he will come here and try to take over this dojo as well?" Tendo said worriedly.
Ranma smirked, and replied, "I challenged Pop for mastery. Unfortunately, it wasn't much of a challenge. It was over in just a few minutes, and I didn't even hurt him too badly. At least not physically, I think his pride is damaged pretty badly."
Tendo's face went ashen. "Does this mean that you intend to challenge me as well?" he asked.
Ranma's face went blank in surprise. "I really hadn't thought about that, to be honest. Besides, if any one should challenge you for the mastery of your branch, it would seem to make sense for it to be Akane," he replied after several moments.
Soun looked relieved, thinking to himself, 'Akane would never do that. I'm surprised that Ranma actually challenged Genma.'
"Soun, since Genma won't be living here for sometime, with your permission, I would like to remain here," Nodoka said.
"Certainly, Nodoka, you are always welcome here. After all, with Ranma and Akane engaged to be married, you are family. I will miss my old shogi partner however," Soun replied.
"Actually, Mr. Tendo, Akane and I wanted to talk to you about that. Where is she?" Ranma asked.
"She's helping Kasumi in the kitchen, I believe. You two are still planning to get married, aren't you?" Soun asked, not liking the way Ranma had said that.
"That's not what I meant. Let me go get her and we can talk," Ranma said as he went into the house.
"Acchan, let's go talk to your Father. I think it's time," Ranma said with a smile.
"How'd the challenge go, Ranma? I didn't hear your father come in. He isn't hurt is he?" Akane asked as she followed Ranma.
"Pop is fine, he just won't be living here for a while. He didn't take losing the challenge for the school mastery very well, so I imagine he will be going somewhere to train, maybe to sulk," Ranma said, a little sadly.
"So who's the new master, then Ranchan?" Akane said, concerned, "Do we need to worry about a dojo destroyer coming by here, also?"
Ranma took her hand and said, "Acchan, I'm the new master of the Saotome branch. I've already told your father that I won't challenge him. That will be your challenge if you want the title of master. You don't have to have it, but I needed to take it away from Pop. So long as he was the master, his reputation would continue to stain the school. Your father's reputation isn't as bad as Pop's so there's no real need to take that from him. The town thinks very highly of him, actually."
"But why are you so sad then, Ranchan?" Akane asked.
Ranma hesitated, and then said, "I'll tell you tonight in bed. I'd rather talk about setting a date for our wedding right now."
As the two youth neared him, Soun was relieved to see that the two of them were holding hands. He was still worried about what Ranma had said.
"Father, what Ranchan and I wanted to do was set a date for the ceremony. I know that originally, we had talked about after we had got out of high school, but we both don't want to wait that long. We would like to get married this August, as soon as school is over for this term, that is if we have you and Auntie Nodoka's permission," Akane said.
Soun broke out in a big smile, and said, "Akane, I would be happy if you two got married then." Then he broke down crying in joy, saying, "The schools will be joined, the schools will be joined." He started dancing around the backyard, in his joy and excitement, watering the lawn with his tears.
"Honestly, Father, you're embarrassing us," Nabiki said from the door where she and Kasumi had been listening.
"Nabiki, that wasn't a very nice thing to say to Father," Kasumi chided.
"Nabiki, this is the dream that I have had ever since you girls were born. Can't you allow an old man some happiness?" Soun wailed.
"Sure, whatever," Nabiki said dryly. "Congratulations, Ranma, Akane. I'll help arrange the wedding, with a nice family discount for you," she said to them.
"Actually, Nabiki, I think that won't be necessary. I intend to make all of the arrangements," Nodoka said, with a smile, "You, Kasumi and Shampoo can certainly help, though."
After a very pleasant dinner, Shampoo followed Nodoka upstairs to the guest room to help pack up the remainder of Genma's belongings. Once they were done, Shampoo was surprised when Nodoka held her back from going downstairs. Child, we need to talk, first, Nodoka said, Now that Genma is gone, what are your plans? After all, there is nothing holding you here.
Shampoo said. When I talked to Great Grandmother, she said I was free to return to the village whenever I wanted. I asked for permission to stay here, at least long enough to finish my high school, though I would like to go to college as well. We Amazons do need to have a modern education, after all. She said that so long as I eventually return, when I return is up to me."
Nodoka smiled happily, and replied, I'm happy to hear that, Xian Pu. If you would allow me the honor, I would like to act as your mother while you remain here. I have come to think of you as my daughter.
Nothing would please me more than to call you Mom. I missed having one while I was growing up, and I have indeed come to think of you as my mother, Shampoo responded. She ran over and hugged Nodoka. The two of them went in search of Ranma. They found him in the dojo practicing with Akane.
"Ranma, could we talk to you, dear?" Nodoka asked. Ranma stopped what he was doing and bowed to Akane.
"Later, Acchan. Just keep practicing those moves against the sparring dummy. What's up Mom?" Ranma replied.
"Ranma, now that Genma is no longer considered Shampoo's Airen, Shampoo has no family ties here in Japan. She wants to remain here though and complete her education. I've asked her to consider me as her mother, and she has agreed," Nodoka said.
"Cool, does that mean I can call you little sister, now, instead of step-mom?" Ranma said with a snicker. Then he sobered and said, Xian Pu, it would honor me greatly to have you as my sister. You are a true friend and a valiant warrior.
Shampoo reached out and gave Ranma an Amazon glomp. She said, warmly, "Brother." Akane began to glow blue with anger.
"Shampoo, let him go," Akane said, "He can't breathe." She started forward to rescue her fiancé.
Ranma started turning blue, gasping, "Shampoo, can't breathe." Shampoo turned him loose and Ranma fell onto the floor, attempting to catch his breath. Finally he said, "Shampoo, that's a pretty effective hug you have there."
That night, as Akane was holding Ranma in bed, she asked, "What had you so sad before?"
Ranma looked at her fiancée and said, "I didn't tell you everything that happened. Sure, I challenged Pop for the school, and I don't have a problem with that. It's what Mom did after that bothers me. She got some spring water from Jusenkyo and, well, Pop is now cursed to turn into a woman."
Akane tried to hold back her giggles, but couldn't. "I'm sorry, Ranchan, but that's so poetic justice."
Ranma smiled briefly, then looked downcast. "I know. The punishment does fit the crime, doesn't it? The problem is, I think she will crack under the strain of being a woman. I think Pop honestly was a misogy, er, misogn, oh, shoot, a woman hater," Ranma said.
Akane said, "I think you mean a misogynist."
"That's the word. They just left her there by herself, with no one to turn to. I at least had the Amazon women to help me through it," Ranma said, beginning to weep a bit.
Akane held her fiancé, well, actually her fiancée, while Ranma cried herself out. Finally, Ranma lifted her tear-streaked face and said, "Acchan, what would I ever do without you? Thanks." She leaned forward and kissed Akane gently.
"Ranchan, I'll always be here for you," Akane murmured, kissing her back.
Ranma wiped her face, and turned back on her side. She said, "G'night, Acchan," as she yawned.
"Goodnight, dear," Akane replied as she closed her eyes.