A Mother's Secret

By JaquiK

Chapter 6: Endings

She stared at the door.

How many minutes ago was it? How many hours? How long since the last time she laid eyes on him? As he was being carried out of the house by her husband. Leaving to begin their training journey. Reaching out for her the entire time.

She continued to stare at the door.

Of course it was necessary. He needed this. This training. He needed to learn. To become strong. To be able to do what she failed at. Make it through this world intact. It was necessary.

She kept staring at the door.

Of course, there was no need for her to be there. All she could do was ruin things for him. Just like she did with everyone else. No, just like a samurai's wife dutifully waited for the men to return from battle, so too must she perform this duty. After all the running and hiding and fighting, it was finally time for her to accept the role she was meant to have.

She stared at-

She turned away from the door and started to walk further into the house. She gave a glance to the piece of paper still on the table. Sealed with a thumbprint. Along with several handprints, although those didn't matter. No, what mattered was the promise her husband made. A vow that was life binding. That alone proof enough he would be safe.

She kept herself from turning to the door as she continued to walk.

A feeling of something hitting her foot caused her to stop. She looked down at the object. A stuffed cat plushie. She bent down to pick it up. It was his favorite. He took it everywhere with him. Refused to go to sleep without it.

She glanced back at the door.

It had been less than a day. If she hurried maybe she could-

No, no that would just be foolish. Her husband could send a letter with an address to mail it. Or a new one could simply be purchased. She needed to trust him. She needed to have faith. There was nothing more she could do.

She sank down to her knees, in the dim light of her house, clutching onto a lost piece of childhood, staring at a door.

Waiting for the day when her child would finally come home.

X

Akane nervously made her way over to the corner of the school grounds where everyone stored their bikes. Even though Ranma actually took the time to eat before slipping out, her own bento was still sitting on her desk, barely touched. She was far too busy trying to figure out what her fiancé wanted to talk about. Did it have to do with what Nabiki mentioned? Was it something to do with his mother? Could it have possibly been something she said? What though?

She spared a quick glance over to the wall surrounding the school and a certain kendoist that was currently embedded in it, passed out. It seemed that Kuno had gotten word that his 'pigtailed goddess' was here again. As she walked by the results of his ambitious pursuits, she silently wondered if that put Ranma in a worse or better mood.

Approaching the designated meeting spot, Akane spotted Ranma, who was absentmindedly rubbing his cheek as he looked up at the metal roofing above the bike racks. She looked up at the structure as well. It was finally rebuilt after being completely destroyed during Ranma's first fight with Ryoga. She reached back to her neck and felt the point where her short hair ended.

She could still recall with crystal accuracy the exact moment one of Ryoga's stray razor bandanas (or was it his belt?) flew past and sliced clean through her long hair. She never tried to grow it out again. Oddly, everything immediately before and after that moment was completely fuzzy to her. Like staring so hard at a single point that everything surrounding it seems to fade from view.

"Yo, Akane. You in there?"

Akane started slightly as she looked down to see Ranma staring back at her. "Yeah, of course I am. I was just…um… So, you wanted to talk to me about something?"

"Right, well…" Akane waited as she watched Ranma start to scratch the base of his pigtail nervously. "It's just, that stuff you were saying earlier, you know, to Ucchan and everyone."

"You're welcome by the way."

"What?"

"Well it got everyone to stop asking you dumb questions, didn't it?"

"Oh. Yeah, it kinda did." Ranma gave a hopeful look to Akane. "So that's the only reason you said those things then?"

Akane gave a shrug. "Hey, all I had to do was tell the truth. Maybe you should try taking a lesson in…Ranma?"

Her currently red-haired fiancé suddenly looked crestfallen. "Oh, so that was really…you actually…"

Akane crossed her arms over her chest and gave a glare. "Ranma, what the heck are you talking about?"

Ranma looked to be absolutely torn over something. "Um…well…you see…it's kind of a whole thing that I…"

Akane rolled her eyes. "Look, if this is about some scheme you came up with or a dumb challenge, I'm going back to my lunch and-"

"It's about my mom, okay?!" Ranma quickly blurted out.

Taken aback slightly, Akane looked at the slightly trembling redhead. As she once again scanned over the outfit he was wearing, a look of determination grew on her face. "Ranma, you have to stop."

"Huh? Stop what?"

"This. All of it. You can't just keep pretending to be something you're not just to try to make her happy. Look, I know you're scared-"

"Hey! I ain't afraid of nothing!"

"Dammit, Ranma, I'm trying to help you here!"

"Yeah, well, who asked for your help, ya dumb tomboy!"

"Listen to me you idiot! You need to stop this, or you might end up losing your mother for good."

"And what the hell do you know about that?!"

The moment those words left her lips, Ranma knew instantly just how much she screwed up. Nothing happened and time seemed to stand still as she saw the shocked expression on Akane's face. Well, at least I was able to see my mother again before I died.

After a little bit, nothing continued to happen. Ranma could only look on as Akane remained completely still with the same unchanging expression. "Um…" Ranma managed to nervously get out. "Listen, Akane, I-"

Ranma's terror about what just happened meant she didn't notice the person running up to her until she was suddenly grabbed and carried off.

"Huh," she said in surprise, then looked up at her abductor. "Pops? What are you doing?"

"Hmph," Genma said, looking down at her as he continued to run. "Be grateful I went to save you as well. Now let's get out of here before your mother-"

Genma wasn't able to finish as a large, flat piece of metal collided with his head, causing him to fly back. Ranma took the opportunity to break free and land several meters away from her father. Looking around, she saw they ended up on the soccer field.

"Alright, ya jackass!" yelled out the source of the strike, Ukyo, who was wielding her oversized baker's peel in front of her. "What'cha think yer trying ta do?"

Genma quickly recovered and stood up, glaring at the martial artist chef. "This has nothing to do with you, girl." He then turned his attention to Ranma. "Alright, forget whatever thing you've gotten into this time and change back. We'll need to lay low for a few days, but I should be able to come up with a plan for dealing with your mother by then."

"I ain't running from anything, ya coward!" Ranma yelled back, not noticing the expression on Ukyo's face or the crowd that was starting to form around them.

"Dammit, boy, have you already forgotten about the seppuku contract hanging over our heads?"

"Over your head maybe," Ranma said, before folding her arms over her chest. "And if ya have to know, Mom's just letting me try out being an actual girl."

"What?!" Genma responded with a scowl. "I should have known. Less than a day with her and you've already turned into a weak little girl."

"Hey! I ain't weak, old man!"

Genma went into a dramatic pose with a hand over his heart. "Oh, to show such ungratefulness, after all the sacrifices I did to try and make you a true man among men."

"Right, and how many times was I the sacrifice?" Ranma shot back. "At least I know Mom actually cares about me?"

"Oh really?" Genma said with a dark smile. "Is that why she abandoned you?"

In her efforts to remain firm against her father, she still managed to start slightly. "T-that's not true!" she said, slumping a bit. "She thought she was helping me become strong. And she really wanted to be with me!"

"Then how come she never tried to find you until now? I think it's obvious who really cares about you."

Ranma didn't say anything, looking down at the ground, bangs covering her eyes.

"Good, you finally see reason," Genma said with a satisfied smirk. "Now, let's get out of here before-"

"When's my birthday?"

"What?" Genma blinked in confusion.

"What day is my birthday?" Ranma asked, still looking at the ground, the temperature around her seeming to drop several degrees.

"Bah," Genma scoffed, "a true martial artist doesn't concern themselves with such trifle things."

"Maybe, but a parent that truly loves their child would always remember when they were born." Ranma replied, almost sounding like she was quoting someone else.

"Oh, yes of course," Genma responded, trying to suddenly sound stoic. "Obviously I was too busy with my own training for the exact date, but I believe it was…sometime in the summer?"

"March 4th," Ranma said, her voice now sounding as if it was coated in ice. "Mom told me."

"There see? I was only off by a couple of seasons."

"Yeah, I just had my birthday a few weeks ago," Ranma said, before standing up straight and lifting her head to look Genma directly in the eye. "My fifteenth birthday!"

Any chatter that was going through the crowd stopped instantly and a lingering silence permeated the area. Genma just blinked several times. Eventually, he made the mistake of speaking up. "That doesn't seem right. I was sure you were at least two years old when I first met her."

The speech Ranma was prepared to give died in her throat and the icy aura surrounding her dissipated in an instant. She looked down at herself in confusion. It was odd. She thought the final confirmation would fuel her cold rage. Instead she felt much lighter, a massive weight removed from her shoulders. She felt…a release.

Taking a long, calming breath, she looked up again at him. The man who was once her sensei.

"You know what, fine," she finally said through half lidded eyes. "Go off in the wilderness and find a rock to hide under. Or heck, go back to the Tendos and live there for the rest of your life if you want to. But you are not going to stop me from going home to my mom!"

"Dammit, boy!" Genma yelled out. "Looks like I'll need to knock some reason into you after-"

He was interrupted as another swing of an oversized metal spatula sent him flying in the air well outside of the school grounds. Ranma looked over to the martial arts chef, who finished the swing and rested the spatula on her shoulder. "Thanks Ucchan."

"Not a problem, Sugar. Always love reasons ta go after that waste a panda fur," Ukyo said with a grin that quickly fell from her face. "So, yer ma, huh?"

Ranma had the whisper of a smile on her face. "Yeah, she came back yesterday. It's been so wonderful."

Ukyo thought for a moment. "Guess I wouldn't know 'bout that. My ma split a bit after I was born. Something 'bout an affair or whatever."

"Oh. Um…that's…"

"S'fine. Got over it long ago. Hey, I should probably go after the panda ta make sure he doesn't bother you or your ma."

"Alright. Just don't kill him or anything. I…wouldn't want you to get in trouble because of that idiot."

Ukyo gave a smile, then quickly ran off in the direction Genma was knocked to.

Ranma stood there watching her childhood friend go, until the sounds of murmuring hit her ears. Looking around she finally noticed what looked to be the entire Furinkan High School student body surrounding the soccer field. Even though everyone was trying to keep their voices low for the most part, the open air of the field carried their words to her in all their horrible clarity.

She looked around, trying to think of something that she could say, when her eyes landed on a particular face in the crowd. A face, framed by short, bluish black hair. A face with deep brown eyes that were staring right back at her. She froze for just a moment, before performing the only thing she could think of.

She ran.

Taking a gigantic leap, she passed over the large crowd of onlookers, landing outside of the school grounds before racing as hard as she could. Back to the Tendo house.

Back to her mother.

Akane had absolutely no idea how she should be feeling at that moment. Not helping the matter was the hundreds of eyes looking her way, as if she could somehow provide any sort of insight on the series of massive bombshells her fiancé dropped on everyone, herself included. Fortunately, a loud whistle managed to draw everyone's attention.

"Alright, listen up everyone!" Nabiki called out, flanked by two of her friends/assistants. "Everyone looking for information on everything that just happened, I have the scoop for you. Now, this is hot news, so special rates apply, cash up front. Come on up if you want to be the first in on the newest gossip about our resident pig-tailed martial artist!"

A decent chunk of the crowd took up the offer, going over to Nabiki's friensistants to make their payments. The rest quickly made themselves scarce lest they be charged later for staying within earshot.

This left Akane out by herself. She didn't move from her spot, instead continuing to stare at the place Ranma left trying to make heads or tails of what just happened. She barely noticed the eventual ringing of the schoolbell and everyone going back into the building. Taking a deep breath, she started to head there herself.

"And just where do you think you're going?"

Akane stopped and turned to see Nabiki walking up to her. "Back to class of course."

"Oh really? Isn't there somewhere else you should be going to? Or should I say, someone?"

"Yeah right, like I'm going to skip school just for him. Besides, I'm just going to see the idiot again anyway after school."

"Are you sure about that?"

"What does that mean?"

Nabiki held out one hand, palm up.

Akane rolled her eyes and continued on towards the school.

"One yen."

She froze mid step, slowly turning back to her sister. "W-what?"

"One yen," Nabiki repeated, hand still held out.

Akane slowly approached, never breaking eye contact with her sister as she fished in her pocket and pulled out a one yen coin before very cautiously placing it into Nabiki's palm.

Nabiki looked down and slowly closed her fingers over the coin before looking back up again. "Akane, when Ranma talked about going home, she wasn't referring to our house."

Akane paused briefly before recognition hit and her eyes grew wide. Instantly she was off in a dash, running as fast as she could back to her home.

She was starting to get out of breath as she reached the front gate. Rushing inside, she didn't even announce she was home, quickly kicking off her shoes and looking around for anyone. Checking the kitchen, she found Kasumi, standing in front of the counter, her back to Akane. Oddly, her older sister didn't seem to be doing anything at the moment, just holding onto a cleaning rag and staring down at a currently empty countertop.

"Kasumi?"

The older woman spun around in surprise. "Oh! Akane, you're home. Is school done already?"

Akane shook her head. "No, but I…" She looked at how red and puffy Kasumi's eyes were. The tear tracks on her cheeks. She took it as confirmation, but she still had to ask. "It's true, isn't it? Ranma really is moving out, isn't he?"

Kasumi gave a slight nod and looked away slightly. "Yes, that's correct. It does make perfect sense though. Of course Ranma would want to be with…" Her voice cracked slightly as she finished. "...his mother."

"Y-yeah, I suppose. It's going to be strange to not have him around the house anymore. I should really do something nice before he leaves. Oh, I know! I'll make a big going away dinner for him."

The cleaning rag fell out of Kasumi's hand and dropped to the floor. "Oh, Akane…"

Akane became as annoyed as she allowed herself to be at her older sister. "Hey, come on, Kasumi. I've gotten a lot better at my cooking. In fact there's this curry dish I've been working on and I think I almost have it perfected."

"That's great, Akane. I'm proud of you. It's just…you are not going to have time. Ranma is leaving in a few minutes."

The colors in the room became slightly muted as Akane heard herself ask, "What?"

"It's…Father." For some reason, Kasumi seemed to have difficulty getting that word out. "He wants them both gone as soon as Ranma is able to finish packing."

The color returned back to the room, although it was in a more reddish tint than usual. "Where is Dad?" she asked.

"In the backyard," Kasumi replied in a low voice.

That was all Akane needed and she turned and rushed through the house to the back sliding doors, which were currently opened. There, sitting on the porch was her father, currently smoking a cigarette and looking out at the koi pond. A million retorts went through her mind, but as she approached directly behind him, the only thing she managed to get out was, "Why are you doing this?"

Soun didn't turn around. He continued to watch the pond as he responded, "There's no reason for him to be here anymore."

"No reason?" Akane looked down at her father in confusion. "What about the whole engagement thing? Your whole stupid dream about uniting the schools?"

"That dream is gone. Perhaps I was a fool to have it in the first place."

"What are you talking about?"

"That…that woman decided to go and just cancel all of the engagements. Maybe it is for the best. Akane, I'm sorry that so many months of your life were wasted like that."

Akane wasn't listening anymore. She was already running back into the house and upstairs. She slowed as she got closer to the room that had been Ranma's for nearly a year. Approaching the sliding door, she stopped as she heard voices from the other side. She opened the door barely a centimeter and listened in.

"I don't know, Mom. Those Amazons can be really stubborn about stuff."

"Yes, Ranma. I am quite aware of Joketsuzoku and their laws."

"You never did say how you know so much about them."

"That's…something I do not wish to get into right now. Let's just say I have a connection with them and leave it at that."

"Oh. So maybe they'd listen to you about how I just beat Shampoo by accident?"

"Unfortunately, it's not that simple. The defeat itself doesn't matter as much as the declaration. Shan Pu made her vow and sealed it with a kiss. Don't worry though, I'll find a way to deal with this, just like all the others."

"Oh, sure. Um, do you really have to get rid of all the engagements?"

"Ranma, understand that I am doing this for you. If you are going to be with someone, it should be because it's what you want, and not something that man chose for you. And certainly not because some fool cannot accept having a daughter as an heir. I still cannot believe he would stoop to such a thing, especially after what happened with Kimiko!"

"Mom?"

"Oh, Ranma. I loved that woman so much. I was ready to marry her myself before-"

A loud crash drew both of their attention to the doorway where they saw Akane sprawled out halfway in the room, still holding onto a door that was now off its tracks.

Akane looked up to find Ranma sitting on the ground and in the process of putting things into his oversized traveling pack. He was still in his girl form, although he had changed back into one of his normal outfits. His mother, who had been sitting close by, quickly stood up.

"I'll be waiting for you downstairs, Ranma. Meet me there once you are ready, alright?"

"Okay, Mom."

Nodoka gave a quick glance to Akane before leaving the room.

Akane got to her feet and looked over to Ranma, who had turned back around and continued packing. "So…you're really moving out, huh?"

"Yeah," came the singular reply.

"I bet you're really looking forward to living with your Mom then."

"Pretty much."

Akane wanted to yell at the idiot, but for some reason the anger wouldn't come for her. "Um…so…that was quite the show you made at school today."

"I guess."

"Nabiki managed to placate most of them, but you're still going to get some questions when you go back tomorrow."

"I'm not going back there."

"What?"

"Mom lives a ways away. I don't want to do a two hour train ride to get to school. And I really don't want to spend a whole extra year at that madhouse."

"Wait, I thought you passed all your exams though."

"Doesn't matter. Remember what I said back at school? I'm just barely old enough to get into high school now. You really think Ol' Pineapple Head's gonna pass up the chance to make me repeat a grade, just to stick it to me?"

"Yeah, and you'll just beat him up until he changes his mind," Akane said, desperation in her voice at this point. "Besides, if you go to a different school, you'll have to start over as a freshman anyway."

"Maybe, but at least I'll be away from the chaos."

"And away from me too, right?"

Ranma paused a brief moment, but still kept his back to her. "Akane, I-"

"So that's it then," Akane retorted, her voice harsh but low. "Different schools. Different houses more than 2 hours away. No…no engagement. I guess…" She put her hand up to her chest, desperately trying to hold together the fragmented remains of her heart. "I guess from now on you and I are just strangers."

She looked at the back of the person that was once her fiancé, waiting for the insult. The snide comment. Calling her a dumb uncute tomboy for even thinking such a-

"Yeah, I guess so."

Ranma made sure to keep facing away from Akane as she continued to pack her things up, never allowing the short haired girl to see the tears running down her face. She took a moment to steady herself before she continued. "After all, there's not really anything connecting us anymore, is there?"

She braced herself, ready for the response. The anger. Come on already. Call me an idiot. Smash me into the ground. Please, do something!

"Yeah, you're right," came the quiet voice behind her. "Um, I should probably go and let you finish packing."

Akane, wait!" she suddenly called out, still not turning around.

"Ranma?" Akane asked from the doorway.

"I…I just…I'll see you around sometime."

"Y-yeah. See you around."

And with that, Ranma was alone in the room.

A few minutes later, the red-haired martial artist slowly marched down the stairs, the oversized pack around her shoulders. She hoped that she managed to wipe away the tears successfully because at the bottom to greet her was her mother.

"So, all set then?" Nodoka asked with a warm but still somewhat artificial smile. "You didn't forget anything?"

"No, I made sure to get all the important stuff," Ranma said, trying not to think about what was sitting at the bottom of the pack. The bundle of long bluish black hair still tied together by a yellow bow.

"Alright, that's good. Let's get going then."

Ranma wordlessly followed her mother as they began to leave the house, the place she had known as home for almost an entire year. When they made it to the entranceway, they stopped at the sight of the person there waiting for them.

"Kasumi," Nodoka breathlessly said.

Kasumi showed a nervousness Ranma had never seen from the young woman before. "Nodoka. I…I apologize. I am going to need more time."

"That's alright, dear," Nodoka said, giving a reassuring expression. "Go ahead and take all the time you need. My home will still be there for you."

"Thank you for your offer, but I cannot leave. My…" Kasumi gave a quick glance over to Ranma. "My other sisters still need me. Now more than ever perhaps. I will be sure to visit though. Once I am ready."

"I shall look forward to your visit then. Once you are ready."

Nodoka and Ranma exited the house and started to make their way down the road. Ranma suddenly stopped and looked back, up to a particular bedroom window. She waited for a certain face, a cry out to stop, an insult written on fogged glass. Anything. Instead, all she found was darkness behind a closed curtain.

"Ranma? Is everything alright?"

Ranma broke her gaze away from the window. "Yeah, I'm fine, Mom. Hey, come on," she said looking up at her mother with a smile.

"Let's go home."

End - Part One