Author's notes: Thank you to everyone that reviewed the last chapter; especially those with a discerning eye. I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that only James Axelrad out of my original prereaders has gone through this. The good news is that Weebee has very kindly helped to go through and help hunt for errors when time allows. So this isn't as refined as it could be, but should still be decent. A very large thanks goes out to both of them for all of their help.
Disclaimer: I own neither Noir nor Ranma ½
The Fourth Sapling
By: brindani
Chapter 13: Respite
One-by-one, crystal clear stars twinkled their last in the twilight of dawn; snuffed out by the encroaching sun's omniscient presence. It was a calm and quiet time. Disreputable predators of the night lay down from their never ending pursuit for hapless pray while upstanding citizens yawned over their first cup of overpriced coffee. In this odd time where light's grace slowly melted the shadows away, one refused to fade.
The figure moved awkwardly on the cracked sidewalk, teetering back and forth as they staggered forward, their arms shakily spread to preserve balance. Stumbling, the figure crashed against the brick wall next to them. Standing back up, dull eyes gazed at the thin abrasions covering their arms. The pain penetrated the cotton like haze clouding their mind.
Light fell onto the figure. Unsteadily, their head turned towards the intrusive illumination. Glazed eyes squinted, confused by the brilliant ball of flame hanging in the distance.
Groaning, the person raised their hands, clawing at the air as if to rip the light asunder, forcing it away, returning the lost soul to the comforting shadows; the shadows whose seductive touch welcomed them to the oblivion of its dark embrace.
"There you are young man."
Blinking away from the hated light, they turned, attracted by the odd noise. Behind them spun a blurry outline. Squinting, a medley of pinks and blacks melded into a semi-stable figure. 'What was that…? A… sword…?.' The person rested a hand on the wall, allowing the object to stop spinning. Deep caring brown eyes framed by a mess of auburn hair, waved in and out of focus as the person drew closer. 'Red… hair? I know red hair. That face…'
"Mom…"
"Ranma!" Nodoka exclaimed, rushing forward to catch the pigtailed youth as he fainted dead away.
Baby-blue walls surrounded a sturdy oak king-sized bed dominated by a fluffy pale red silk quilt. A small lump amidst the waves of goose feather softness the only indication the bed was currently occupied. Near the pillow, a little pigtail stuck out. Looking closer, one could see Ranma's pale features, just under the large comforter. He lay there appearing dead, only a slight raise and fall of his blanket covered chest proving otherwise.
The sun had risen hours earlier, its light slowly creeping across the floor through the billowing curtains, slowly settling onto his weary features. As it reached his eyes, an uncomfortable grown issued forth. His hands instinctively drew up to protect against the light's searing touch. It was one of the few things strong enough to penetrate the haze surrounding his mind. Simple emotions drifted, driving away dreamless slumber. Most prevalent of these emotions was an intense sympathy for drunkards. Though he hadn't touched a drop, his head felt like a bongo drum used by an exuberant Jamaican.
Turning away from the piercing threads of light, the boy found temporary relief amongst the folds of silken warmth. The reprieve allowed Ranma's clouded mind to clear. As with every morning after a serious fight, his body automatically informed him of its status. He was surprised to find that his ki levels were abysmally low, lower then they had ever been in his life. He had seen the dead with more.
Then again he shouldn't be surprised. His ki reserves were not boundless and he had splurged outrageously. He had burned through nearly every ounce of ki at his disposal.
There really wasn't much of a choice. His ki was the only edge he could use to stroll into the middle of assassin central and survive.
As it was, jumping off the fourth story with his baggage was likely the only reason he hadn't been caught by sniper fire.
Thoughts of the ki bullets made him wince. Compacting the technique made it even more draining. He had used several of them after he had been disarmed. And after everything else, there was that powerful blast to cover his tracks and get out. No wonder his body was rebelling.
Knock knock.
Ranma clutched his head, twisting in agony as each of those horrendous crashes hammered through his skull.
To his great relief, the knocking did not continue. Slowly creeping an eye open, he watched the door swinging wide, the hinges thankfully well oiled. A very familiar woman stepped through.
"Ranma, I'm glad you are awake."
Ranma's hands flew to his ears. "Please, not so loud." He whispered desperately.
When the ear shattering voice did not return, he braved an eye open. He found the odd vantage of his mother, wearing a light blue kimono with a nice cherry blossom pattern, standing over him with a mixture of worry and confusion written on her face.
"If I did not know better, Ranma, I would think that you had been out drinking last night." Nodoka said, silently kneeling beside him. "The scent on your breath while I carried you home, however, proved otherwise." Nodoka whispered much to Ranma's relief. She placed a warm soothing hand over his brow. The tender touch calmed his raging headache, allowing the agony he felt to subside.
"I must assume you are overly fatigued. Your symptoms are not typical. I can only imagine it has something to do with the ki your Father had mentioned in the past. If that is the case, some good food should rejuvenate you quickly." Nodoka said, removing her hand. Ranma would have reached out to take back that touch that radiated comfort, but he dared not try against the impending pain motion caused.
Her words were meaningless to Ranma's pained mind, but his stomach recognized them with a hearing as sharp as a panther's. A long drawn out growl echoed from the depths of his belly.
"It appears my diagnosis has been seconded." Nodoka said with a small smile. "Would you prefer me to bring breakfast up or are you feeling well enough to make it to the table?"
Ranma groaned as his stomach's pain momentarily overrode his head's. He clutched at it as it finished its drawn out howl.
"I guess that will have to do for an answer. I will be back momentarily." Elegantly, Nodoka stood, walking out of the room. With the topic of food gone, Ranma's stomach pain eased, allowing him to concentrate on the throbbing in his head. Pushing through clouds of pain, Ranma sat up, wincing as he moved too quickly. He stayed perfectly still; if he didn't, he was certain the jackhammer running full speed in his head would split it in two. Minutes passed by slowly, bringing the throbbing back to manageable levels. By the time he thought he might survive, his mother returned, supporting a large tray.
Ranma's nose went into high gear as the scent of unfamiliar food washed away the pain.
His attention was riveted to the tray as it lowered, revealing a high stack of okinomiyaki smothered in an alluring thick brown sauce. The next, a plate filled with an omelet except all mixed together without any contents, and the final plate held thin crispy strips of meat that smelled heavenly. All in all it was more food then a family of four or five would eat for Thanksgiving dinner.
He briefly recognized silverware similar to that used in the manor. He ignored it immediately. His stomach howled for restitution. Ranma responded with gusto, grabbing whatever was closest at hand.
Three okinomiyaki vanished through the cavern of no return, followed by five strips of the crisp succulent meat with two or three handfuls of the yellow-white mixed omelet next.
Nodoka tisked, but said nothing as her boy was ravenous. She could only imagine the levels of exertion he must have underwent to reach such a state.
In two seconds flat, every single scrap of food had been devoured. Ranma picked up the plate, his tongue poised above the glistening syrup covering it.
"Now, we will have none of that. Hungry or not, you should never sink so low as to lick the plate." Nodoka lightly reprimanded with a frown before offering a smile to the distraught young man. "Besides, there is plenty more food where this came from. Why don't you wait a little while longer while I fetch it?" The temptation was large, but Ranma jerkily released the plate, allowing it to settle amongst its neighbors.
Ranma was amazed as he watched his Mother pick up the large tray. Even he had not eaten that much without some ill-effect. Any regular person would have exploded, but his stomach was adamant that he just hit the top of the iceberg.
He was relieved when his Mother returned shortly with three more plates stacked high with the scrumptious foods. His appreciation for her skyrocketed; she had prepared all of this knowing he would be starving.
Half of the food disappeared in the blink of an eye, but even Ranma had his limits. His notorious stomach simply could not contain so much at once. He slowed; barely finishing everything with a long gulp from a glass of orange juice.
Ranma sat back, contentedly rubbing his slightly distended stomach. A warm fuzzy feeling rapidly spread throughout his body.
"I guess I'll have to place priority on teaching you table manners from now on." Nodoka commented as she gathered the plates into one stack.
Ranma was lifted temporarily from his food induced lethargy. Blinking sleepily, he stared at his mother. "I'm sorry, I was just so hungry, I couldn't control myself."
Nodoka smiled down at him, moving around the table to sit by him. She lightly placed a hand on his head. "I know Ranma, but it is something that you should learn for the future no matter which direction you decide to take."
"But I already have table manners." Ranma argued drowsily, his eyes drifting down as the food settled comfortably.
"We will talk about it later. For now, sleep my precious child." Nodoka's last words faded away into darkness.
In the blink of an eye, Ranma sat up, jerked out of his dreamless slumber. He hastily looked around, wondering where his mother had disappeared to. 'She was here just a moment ago… wasn't she?' Ranma thought confused as he looked around the barren room.
Almost as if his thoughts had summoned her, the door opened, revealing Nodoka carrying a small tray with two cups of steaming tea.
"I'm glad that you are awake." She said with a small smile, setting the tray down in front of him before taking a seat on the opposite side of the bed.
Ranma sat up, looking down at the cup in front of him forlornly before hiding it. He had hoped for plates stacked high with food. Already his stomach gnawed at him again, but he could wait. Breakfast had taken the edge off of his voracious appetite.
"Thank you for the wonderful breakfast. I've never had food like that before." Ranma said, gently sipping from his cup, restraining the desire to gulp.
"My, you have learned some manners after all. You are very welcome. I thought you might be hungry after exerting yourself."
"I didn't recognize all of it. I mean, I recognized the okinamiyaki, and the mixed omelet, but the meat..."
"That wasn't actually okinamiyaki, Ranma. They were pancakes with maple syrup, scrambled eggs and bacon respectively. They are heavier foods so should provide you with more sustenance then a traditional Japanese breakfast." They quietly drank their tea.
"I'm sorry, Ranma." Nodoka said, breaking the brief silence.
Ranma's head rose, returning a blank stare. "What are you sorry for, Mom?"
"I'm sorry for many things. Most of all that you were dragged into a destiny that you should never have had to face."
"You mean Noir?"
"Yes, it is the fate of two maidens, their black soles trod over the wicked to lead the children to salvation."
"What was that?" Ranma asked, his head tilted.
"The ancient Soldat scriptures have many sayings regarding Noir. Each represents a different philosophy. Sakura and I decided upon this one. Each Noir that has taken it went on to save many people. At the same time, they were generally frowned upon for questioning the leaders of the Soldats."
"It isn't your fault." Ranma whispered, staring intently into his tea cup.
"What?" Nodoka asked, looking up to Ranma.
"You never caused, nor wanted this to happen. You are not responsible for it. You tried your best to shield me from this fate and for that I thank you. But it is a fate I must face. I know that not all the Soldats were responsible for hurting us, but at least someone in the top ranks ordered my Pops dead, and I will avenge him."
Nodoka smiled, nodding. "I'm proud of you, my son. And I know that your Father was very proud of you as well."
That was when he heard it, a small sniffle. Startled, he found his mother's eyes tearing, brimming with barely restrained emotion. The damn broke, in an instant his mother knocked Ranma's empty cup away, clutching Ranma tightly while sobbing into his shoulder.
"I'm sorry…" sniff "…I can't help it. In one night I lost my beloved husband and… and I thought I lost you too." Her grasp tightened as if to affirm his reality, her tears streaming freely. "You disappeared so suddenly, not telling me where you had gone. I was frantic searching the streets. If I lost you too… I do not think I could continue." Nodoka voice became distant, lost in the torrent life had sent to engulf her world.
Ranma was startled, his Mother had always been a foundation, standing tall and proud no matter the strife sent their way. To find even she could crumble under the strain brought home everything that had happened. In the span of a day he had failed to save his fiancée and was forced to watch his Father die, always restrained by the shackles of a martial artist.
He had reached the end of his tether; broken through those weighty chains. There would be no quarter given. He would make those responsible pay with their lives. Black flames shimmered into existence, surrounding Ranma's eyes as he envisioned the faceless men in black suits slowly withering in agony, dieing by his hands.
The flames snuffed out, settling into a comforting blue as they beheld his grieving Mother. There would be a reckoning, but for now, healing the raw wounds left behind took priority. He wrapped his arms around his Mother, slowly rocking her back and forth. In time, it calmed her, easing the tears.
Time slipped away from the two, allowing Nodoka to recenter herself. Wiping away a few stray tears, she sat back up.
"I apologize for my weakness. I had no right to place my burden on your already heavy shoulders." She said, silently returning to the opposite end of the bed.
Ranma smiled up to Nodoka; one of few he allowed into his heart.
"Don't worry about it. A lot has happened. More then I care to think about." Even Ranma's eyes moistened as the vivid images seared into his soul flashed across his vision. The sight of his Father's once life filled eyes now unfocused would haunt him until his dieing breath.
"Let us speak of other things." Nodoka suggested, seeing the pain radiating across Ranma's face. Her voice dragged him away from the house of horrors his mind had become entrapped in. "Please, tell me how did your trip go? You must have had some very interesting experiences in the manor."
Ranma looked up to his mother, revealing a strained smile.
"That could take awhile. It's a long story."
"Take as long as you need, we have all the time in the world." Nodoka answered with a soft smile.
It did take time. Ranma explained all of his experiences from Chloe's unexpected arrival to his recent return to Nerima. Nodoka listened attentively, asking questions periodically. By the time he finished, night had long fallen over the city.
"Yes, a lot has happened during your travels," Nodoka said, her focus off into the distance as she contemplated the tale. Her thoughts were interrupted by a strangled gurgle emanating from below the silken covers. Nodoka smiled as she watched Ranma nervously laugh, rubbing his neglected tummy. "It appears your stomach has also been through some endeavors of its own. Why don't we go down and prepare some supper?" Nodoka suggested, standing gracefully to her feet.
Ranma happily nodded, gathering the scattered cups and tray as he stood. He was rewarded by a small nod of appreciation before they left his room. Ranma realized this was not their old home as they entered the unfamiliar hallway. In fact, it was not the old abandoned house either. The richly embroidered forest green wallpaper was far too clean and elaborate to be apart of that decrepit place.
Depositing the small table onto the kitchen counter, he turned to face his Mother as she made her way to the refrigerator.
"Where are we?" He asked, ostentatiously looking from the seamless white marble floor to the artistic muffin motif surrounding the kitchen.
"We are in one of our homes," Nodoka answered absently, placing a head of cabbage onto the counter.
"One of our homes?" Ranma repeated with a brow raised.
"Yes, an assassin makes a lot of money, and a notorious potential Noir commands a far higher commission. As I had little use for it all, I simply saved it. When Genma and I discussed our future, we decided several houses hidden throughout the city would be very prudent. This is one such house.
It is a way to hide from the eyes of the Soldats. Even with such precautions, we will have to move again sometime in the next two weeks. The Soldats despise being left in the dark." Nodoka answered, placing an assortment of vegetables onto the counter.
"I see." Ranma said, eyeing the marble and remembering the smooth silk sheets he had slept in. "And to think all that time Pops and I were out on the road and we were actually rich." Ranma said, stunned by the newest revelation.
Nodoka offered her son a smile. "We have enough to get by."
Ranma sweat dropped on that one. They had multiple houses apparently stocked with enough food to feed an army and they had enough to get by? Shaking his head, Ranma let it go as he washed the vegetables his mother handed him before making the salad.
Dinner was a quiet affair, Ranma deliberately eating slowly to prove he had learned something through his experiences in the manor. Of course, anyone unfamiliar with him would say otherwise.
Ring.
Nodoka stared at Ranma.
Ranma stared at Nodoka.
They blinked simultaneously.
"Are you expecting guests?" Ranma asked hesitantly.
"No, nothing should be arriving until tomorrow, and our less couth associates would have used a more forceful means of entry." Nodoka answered, her brow lowering in puzzlement.
Ranma nodded. He felt blind without his extra senses. They could easily have identified who was at the door, but his ki was so low, using them was impossible currently.
Standing, Ranma walked to the door, his Mother trailing behind with a hand on her sword hilt, ready to draw at a moments notice.
Ranma stood to one side, his gun prepared as he looked through the peep hole. He blinked once before rubbing his eyes and looking again.
"Well I'll be damned. I guess if anyone could find us, it would be her." Ranma said with a small smirk and a chuckle.
"What do you mean?" Nodoka asked, more confused then worried as it appeared Ranma knew their visitor.
Instead of answering, Ranma opened the door, revealing Chloe in her green cloak, waiting patiently. Dispassionately eyes starred into Ranma's own. She looked far from amused.
"You never arrived at the rendezvous." She said, coolly eyeing Ranma.
Ranma shrugged, tugging his pigtail. "Sorry about that, Chloe. I used more energy than I thought. If it weren't for Mom, I would have been in serious trouble."
"Your Mother?" Chloe looked behind Ranma to find a young woman considering her critically. She appeared an older version of Ranma's girl side. Chloe blinked.
"Chloe? As in Ranma's friend Chloe?" Nodoka's smile nearly broke her face in two as she eyed the girl, quickly taking in her profile, nodding as she appraised the young woman. "I've heard all about you. Please come in, there is so much I would like to discuss with you." Chloe blinked again, her hand seized before literally being dragged into the house. It was a little disconcerting. She never even saw the older woman move.
Ranma dumbly closed the door after watching the two disappear around the corner. He could have sworn that he had seen something similar on the Discovery channel. Maybe it was that documentary on trap-door spiders? He didn't know why the imagery came so vividly, but it did.
Realizing he was left alone, Ranma moved to catch up.
He found them sitting at the dinner table, Nodoka serving dinner to Chloe on a plate even as the girl politely declined.
"Come now dear, you are a growing girl that needs her strength. I know just how draining your job can be." Nodoka said pleasantly as she placed a piece of sweet corn onto the plate.
Chloe noticed Ranma nodding his head from the corner of her eye. She refrained from sighing. "Thank you for inviting me to your table." Chloe said, bowing slightly to the Saotome matriarch.
Nodoka nodded back, gesturing for Ranma to sit as well.
Chloe was about to take a bite of corn when she blinked. Nodoka was critically examining one of her knives. Lowering the corn back to the plate, Chloe checked her reserves; one was missing.
"Hmmm, this looks like one of Altena's. It used to be her trade mark when she was working as an assassin." Nodoka commented as she set the knife down in front of Chloe.
'When did she take one of my knives? I didn't even feel her remove it. That should be impossible.' Chloe looked beside her at Ranma's very accurate depiction of a vacuum cleaner before closing her eyes. "Then again, she is Ranma's Mother. Wait… did she just say Altena's style?'
"You know Altena?" Chloe asked neutrally, unconsciously lifting her corn.
"Certainly, we both used to be Noir candidates after all."
Chloe's eyes widened. "You were a survivor of the previous Noir attempt?" Nodoka nodded, "That means that you are…" Chloe's corn fell to her plate. "…The Black Widow of the underworld?" Chloe asked, her tone held a strong measure of reverence.
"My, I haven't been called that in nearly twenty years," Nodoka answered, her hand lightly covering her quiet laughter.
Ranma's eyes widened before whipping around to face his mother. His mouth outlined the words: 'Black Widow?!'
"Please close your mouth, dear. It was only a nickname. I didn't go around marrying men only to kill them. It was more of a misunderstanding. I've been told I was very attractive in my youth…" Chloe raised a brow. "… and men wouldn't leave me alone. On a couple of important missions I ended up killing a few high profile Mafia that threatened to blow my cover. I do not know why the name stuck. It probably would have scared Genma away if he had known." Nodoka finished thinking speculatively.
'Ranma's mother was the fabled Black Widow?' Chloe thought. Swinging her head around, she took in Ranma's stunned expression. 'Apparently Ranma didn't know either. It does explain some of Ranma's talents, but why didn't Altena tell me this from the beginning?'
Not looking forward, Chloe missed the speculative look going up and down her figure, before moving to Ranma's. A wide Cheshire grin spread across Nodoka's face, vanishing as the children turned their attention back to her.
"Ranma could you take care of the dishes for me? I do believe that Chloe and I should have a little girl talk."
Ranma blinked.
Chloe blinked.
'Girl talk?' they thought simultaneously.
"Uh, sure Mom. I can take care of the dishes no problem." Ranma said quickly under a very intimidating look from his Mother. Putting words to action, he started gathering the used dishes.
Nodoka's face became peaceful as she stood, gesturing for Chloe to follow her.
"We can move our conversation into my room. Please, take your plate with you. I'll wash it later on."
'What would the Black Widow want to talk to me about?' A slight twitch began to develop on her brow. 'And why is it that Ranma and apparently his Mother are able to put me off balance so easily?' Chloe thought resignedly as Nodoka led her away to the matriarch's room.
Author's end notes: For anyone confused about Ranma and his behavior, he is now in a lull after spending himself dry in his revenge. The last chapter was in no a representation of how Ranma will be throughout the story. Certainly when on a job it will be close, but not nearly as intense.
Why go through all of this? The reason is all apart of why I started this fic. The basic idea behind it is what series of events would be necessary to realistically turn Ranma; fun loving, egotistical, chaos magnet martial artist into a true candidate for Noir in essence as well as name.
What does that mean? Take the Noir girls as a template. They have emotions which are very easy to see both on and off case. The major difference is a whole lot more maturity as well as a distinct lack of inhibition to kill. Kind of a long task to do realistically. I can easily attest to that. This was originally supposed to end after nine chapters. It currently stands at twenty-one chapters with four or five more before the end. By far the longest story I have ever made or plan to ever make again.
Anyway, can Chloe survive the confrontation with Nodoka. Just what does Nodoka want to talk about? Will Ranma ever find out or shall it too be chocked up to the dreaded phrase known as 'girl talk… talk… talk… talk'. Does anyone else hear an echo?
Thanks for reading,
brindani