A Mother's Secret
By JaquiK
Chapter 1: Secret
Ranma had a lot on his mind as he walked on the fence over the canal. For one, it was the anniversary of the death of Akane's mother. The ceremony at the grave site was very somber and he could tell that all the Tendos were feeling quite emotional. He really wanted to go and comfort Akane, but of course the fathers would overreact and try to turn it into a wedding day as well.
Something that was brought up though was Ranma's own mother, someone he had no recollection of. His pop was absolutely no help either, although what could he expect from someone that went to a grave visit as a panda instead of simply borrowing a black suit like a normal person? So now Ranma was left wondering just what kind of person his mother was.
His thoughts were interrupted as the panel of fence he was on suddenly started to give way. Thinking quickly and using his expert martial arts prowess, he jumped away and landed perfectly on the next piece of fence, which immediately dislodged and dumped him right into the canal. The cold waters activated his curse and he changed into his short, red haired, female form.
Ranma grumbled as he sat in the canal waters annoyed at being wet more than anything. Now, if he was to be perfectly honest, although he never would, his girl form didn't really bother him. Sure he was a lot shorter and didn't have nearly the same reach, but he eventually learned to use his faster speed to more than make up for it. He generally preferred speed over strength in his fighting style anyway, so he could even consider his girl form to be an advantage. Besides, his girl form was what allowed him to fight that cheerleader battle to get vengeance for Akane's humiliation. Not that he'd ever admit it of course.
He couldn't really admit any of that anyway. After all, he was supposed to be a man. Not just any man either. A true Man Amongst Men. That was how his father raised him all his life, so that's how it was going to be.
"Oh, young lady! Are you alright down there?"
"Huh?" Ranma looked up to see an older woman wearing a kimono and kneeling at the edge of the canal wall where he fell down.
"Here. Grab onto this and I'll lift you out." The women then lowered a long object that was wrapped in silk.
Ranma could have just leapt up to reach the top of the wall, but he didn't want to seem rude so he accepted the help and started to pull himself up. He tugged a little too hard though, and managed to pull the older woman right off the edge causing them both to fall into the canal. "Ohmagosh, I didn't mean ta. I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Ranma cried out as he helped the woman to her feet in the knee deep waters.
She seemed to take it all in stride though and smiled down at the currently redheaded currently girl. "Oh, it is quite alright, dear. You certainly are a little tomboy, aren't you?"
"T-tomboy?" Ranma paused at that. Great, she's not going to start calling me uncute, is she?
"Yes. In fact, you remind me quite a bit of myself back in the day."
"Really?" Ranma was having a hard time imagining the elegant woman in front of her ever being like that.
"Yes, well I...actually that's not really that important." The woman then smiled again and placed her hand on top of Ranma's head in a comforting gesture. "The important thing is that we try to act a little more like the young lady we really are, shall we?"
Ranma waited for that feeling to come up again. The desire to protest, to yell back that he was really a guy, despite his current form. Of course he would need to make sure to repress that desire this time. There was no way he was going to let this nice woman know about his curse. Fortunately, there was no need to as that feeling never came. "Uh...yeah...sure," was all he could manage for a response.
The woman continued to smile for a bit before backing away slightly. "Well, it was nice meeting you, but I really must be going. I have somewhere very important I need to be today." She then started to walk off towards a stairway in the distance. "Goodbye now!"
Ranma could only stare in wonder as he watched the retreating form. What a nice lady. I hope I get to see her again someday.
Ranma didn't have to wait long for a reunion, although it wasn't the way he expected. It started with him returning to the Tendo house only to be carried off by his own father, Genma, who insisted they need to go on a long journey immediately. Quick intervention by the Tendo patriarch and an interrogation of the man revealed that a woman named Nodoka was going to stop by shortly. On top of that, the elder Saotome let slip that she was actually Ranma's mother.
While the Tendo girls were all excited and looking forward to meeting the Saotome matriarch, Ranma couldn't help but feel trepidation. His own mother. Someone he had no memories of. What would he say? He didn't get a chance to think on it for long as there was a knock at the front door and Ranma found himself grabbed once again by Genma. "Sorry boy, but you must never meet your mother," the old man exclaimed as he leapt up, flinging both himself and Ranma into the koi pond with a panda and a furious redhead emerging.
"What the heck are you talking about pop?!" Ranma yelled while bopping his pandafied father on the head.
#Great danger will occur if you show yourself# explained the sign the panda held up.
"And just what is that supposed to-"
"Excuse me!" a voice called out from the entryway.
Huh? That voice. Ranma quickly walked over and peaked through the back door.. There he saw Mr. Tendo greeting a woman who was very familiar. "I was told the Saotome's were currently staying here," she continued.
No way. It's the nice lady from the canal. She couldn't be. Could she?
This was how Ranma currently found himself: still female and hiding on the back porch while the nice woman who may or may not be his actual mother was telling stories in the Tendo family room. "So what's the real story, Pops? Why can't I see that woman? Who is she?"
#I told you, boy! She is your MOTHER#
"Oh, tell me another one. Like that nice lady would ever get married to someone like you."
Ranma waited for some stupid reply, only to find a look in the panda's eyes. A look he only sees when…
"You really mean it?" A small nod is all he got in response.
Ranma found himself torn on what to do next. She already saw him in his cursed form. If he went to meet her, would she make the connection? How would she react to his curse? Well if she really was Ranma's mother, then it shouldn't matter, right? From what he heard, a mother was supposed to love her child no matter what.
With new determination, Ranma grabbed the convenient tea kettle on the porch and poured the hot water over himself, transforming back to his male form. "You can cower back here if you want, but if it's true, then I'm not gonna hide." He turned around and confidently headed for the entryway, not noticing the bucket of water that was rushing towards the back of his head.
The loud clank of metal against skull was enough to send everyone inside running out. Nodoka looked down in surprise, recognizing the girl laying dazed on the ground. And standing over her holding a bucket was…
#It's nice to meet you, someone else's wife# read the sign the giant panda held in it's other paw.
Nodoka froze, unsure of how she should respond. Fortunately, the girl recovered and got up. "Would you cut that out you moron!" she cried out, bopping the panda on the head.
Normally, Nodoka would be quick to reprimand such language from a young lady like that. But if she was here and had a giant panda with her, then…
Akane took that moment to intervene. "Excuse me, Mrs. Saotome. You were saying something about a vow that your husband made?"
Nodoka let out a sigh. Right, that. I really hoped I could maybe let the Tendos know before… She looked down at the red haired girl who stared right back at her with those deep, blue eyes. Eyes just like… Well, time to face the music then. "Yes, let's all go back in and I'll explain."
Once again Nodoka found herself seated at the dining table along with the Tendo family. This time she was joined by the girl and, interestingly, the panda who was in no way acting like a normal panda should. In fact it seemed to be quite nervous and...sweating? She decided to just ignore the panda. It made sense after all.
Instead she focused on the young girl. Or would that actually be...no, she shouldn't jump to any conclusions yet. Until she clears things up, she wouldn't be able to confirm anything. Still, she couldn't help but really notice the...child's hair now. Bright red, just like she had when younger. She couldn't help but wonder if the hair would also be dark black, just like-
"Mrs. Saotome?"
Nodoka snapped out of her ponderings and addressed the group in front of her. "Oh yes, sorry. Well, since we have some more, I mean an additional...person here, let me back up a little." She couldn't help but glance at the redhead looking back with wonder, hope, and...was that a bit of fear?
"Well, as I was saying before, my husband Genma was quite determined to make my Ranma the best martial artist ever. So, when my...my child was very young, Genma tried to take him away to begin a training journey. I was a bit resistant to the idea at first."
"Oh yes," the Tendo girl she recalled was named Nabiki interjected. "I believe you mentioned a table to the head there."
"Indeed." Nodoka smiled a little while taking a glance at the panda to see his reaction. "Well, once I calmed down, Genma explained his reasoning. Ranma is to be a great martial artist and take over the Saotome School. He wouldn't be able to achieve this while stuck at home and softened by a mother's coddling."
"Do you really believe that Mrs. Saotome?" The question came from the youngest Tendo girl.
"Yes Akane. For a warrior to excel, they must face hardship. Also, while on the road Ranma would be able to meet and learn from many martial arts masters. After all, how could someone improve if there's no one to teach them?"
"I see your point." Akane then took a moment to send harsh glares to both her father and the redhead.
Interesting. Looks like another thing we'll need to address in time.
"So you really entrusted Ranma into the care of his father?" This time the eldest Tendo girl, Kasumi, spoke up.
"Honestly, he was so earnest in his convictions. I wasn't entirely convinced yet, but that was when he went and made his vow."
"What vow was that?" asked the young redhead.
Nodoka hesitated for a moment. "Well, Genma promised to raise Ranma to be...to be a good person. And if he failed to do so, then both Father and Son would commit seppuku."
Silence permeated the room, eventually broken by the Tendo patriarch, Soun. "Committing seppuku if he failed?"
"Well yes, if Ranma turns out not to be a good person." Nodoka took the time to glance around the room, noting that all the Tendos looked to be ready to come to Ranma's defense, although some looked more willing than others. Moment of truth time I suppose. "Although, the actual words my husband used was 'Man Amongst Men'."
The temperature of the room seemed to drop by several degrees as the color faded from the faces of everyone else, especially the redhead. Stop fooling yourself Nodoka. You know exactly who that is.
Nodoka took a calming breath before continuing. "Genma would send me letters keeping me updated on how their travels were going. But then suddenly, he stopped writing. His last message mentioned them going to a legendary training ground called Jusenkyo."
She saw the silent looks on the Tendo's faces and could most likely guess what they were thinking. She also had to do her best to suppress a smile at the sounds of a girl berating a panda behind her.
The youngest Tendo, Akane, then decided to speak up. "But Mrs. Saotome, you wouldn't actually hold Ranma to that, would you? Suicide is so extreme!"
Nodoka took another deep breath to calm herself, then picked up her so far neglected cup of tea. "Perhaps it is, but I too come from a martials arts family and I know just how important such vows are. If that is what is required, so be it. Although in this case, I think the burden would fall more on the father." Noting that the tea was still quite warm, she turned and looked the redheaded girl directly in the eyes. "Wouldn't you agree, Ranma dear?"
She watched as the girl performed a rather good impression of a stone statue while the panda quickly held up another sign. #You must be mistaken, complete stranger I never met before#
Nodoka kept her face as calm and neutral as she could, before flinging the contents of her cup outwards. She saw the child try to flinch away, before realizing the hot liquid was directed at someone else. She then turned and stared at the now human Genma, clad in his usual dirty white gi and bandanna. "Perhaps it is time to drop this charade. Right, husband?"
"Um, look Nodoka s-sweetie. I know you r-really want to see your manly son, but Ranma's not here right now, and-"
Everyone in the room, Nodoka included, was shocked at just how quickly she reached for the silk bundle, took out the katana wrapped within, unsheathed it, and had the tip of the blade pointed just millimeters away from Genma's nose.
"Would one of you be so kind as to give me some hot and cold water?" In the corner of her eye, she saw the eldest daughter rush off to the kitchen. "So tell me, husband dear, can you give me a reason why I should not have you do what honor demands, here and now?"
"Mom, wait!"
It took all of Nodoka's willpower not to drop her katana as she looked over and saw the fear and pleading in the young girl's eyes. "You have something to say for this man, despite what he did to you?" she asked, noting Kasumi's return bringing two kettles over to the table.
The red haired girl hesitated for a few moments before continuing. "Look, I know Pops can be a bit of an idiot, and greedy, and a coward…"
"Oh yeah, real good defense you're pulling there Saotome."
"Hush Nabiki!"
"...but, well, he's still my dad." Tears were starting to form in the girl's eyes as she gestured to herself. "I know this looks bad, but all I need is some hot water and then I can be the manly son you always wanted." She then went over and grabbed the kettle that had a bit of steam wafting out of it.
Nodoka quickly reached out and placed her hand on top of the girl's own. "That won't be necessary, dear."
"M-mom?"
Nodoka finally let her stone visage crack into a smile as she set her katana down and held the girl...held her child's hand in both her own. "The whole 'Man Amongst Men' thing was all your father's idea. I just wanted to make sure you ended up as a good person. And it seems you did quite well, my child."
Any sense of a strong front crumpled immediately for Ranma and she dove into her mother's embrace. "Mom!"
"Oh, Ranma!"
The two held onto each other for several minutes in silence, the other members of the room being smart enough to not say anything to spoil the moment. Well, almost all of them.
"So, how about some love from your beloved husband who did such a good job raising our son all these years?" Genma started to approach, but was immediately driven back by the harsh glare given by Nodoka.
"Come on, Saotome," Soun said, getting up. "Let's go out and celebrate the glorious reunion of mother and son." Genma only let out a grumble as the two left.
"Oh my! I forgot I have some cleaning that needs to be done upstairs."
"Oh, and I have some homework I need to get done, right Nabiki?"
"Nah, you two go ahead. I have a few more questions I want to-hey! What are you-alright, alright, fine! I'll ask later."
Quickly, the reunited mother and child were left alone. Still in her mother's embrace, Ranma quietly spoke up. "Mom, I was wondering something."
"Yes, dear?"
"When did you figure out it was me? Was it back at the canal?"
"Oh I wish that were the case, that I could say I recognized my own child right away. I wasn't able to put it together until I saw you and your father on the back porch."
"How did you know?"
"Well, I was told my husband and child were staying at the Tendos, and when I got here I found a girl that looks exactly like myself when I was younger and a panda that's able to write, in my husband's handwriting no less. I did have a little help though."
"Oh? What was it?"
"Simple. The Jusenkyo guide told me."
Nodoka watched as Ranma let go of her and backed away slightly. "Mom, you didn't…"
"Go to Jusenkyo? No, I just called the guide from home. Unfortunately, by the time I was able to reach him, you and your father had already been there. He also mentioned you had a run in at the Joketsuzoku village. That's something we'll need to discuss later. Anyway, we ended up having a wonderful chat. Did you know he also has a daughter of his own? She sounds like a lovely little girl."
"Really? Wow, that's kinda surprising."
"Yes, a sweet, beautiful young daughter. Just like I have."
"What?! You have a daughter? Does Pops know about this? Who is she?"
"I'm fairly certain he does, and I'm looking at her right now."
"Wait, m-me? Daughter?"
Once again Nodoka clasped onto her child's hands. "Yes, of course. If that is what you wish, then I would proudly accept you as my daughter."
"I...I...I'm sorry Mom, but I can't. I'm supposed to be...I have to be a man."
"Did your father tell you that?"
"No...well yes he did, but that's not why. It's just…" Ranma then glanced over to the door where the Tendo girls left. "I just have to. Besides, this body is only cause of the curse. It's not like I'm a real girl or nothing."
Nodoka took another long slow breath. "Ranma, sweetie, there's something important I need to tell you."
"What is it?"
Nodoka closed her eyes and concentrated, feeling the shift in her aura for the first time in years.
"Mom? What was that? What did you do?"
Seems like I wasn't the only one to feel the change. Great, now I may have to actually credit my husband for something. "Listen, Ranma. The reason I knew what Jusenkyo was…"
Nodoka then took the still warm kettle and poured the water over her own head.
"...is because I once went there a long time ago," the now deeper, but still soft spoken voice finished.
