Author's notes: I apologize for how late this chapter is. I'll admit that a lot has been happening, though mostly a lack of motivation is the greatest culprit. The main reason I've started going over the chapters now is due to the subtle encouragement of Porthos112 who then had to deal with a completely overhauled chapter with minimal correction. My deepest appreciation goes out to Porthos112, Weebee, and James Axelrad for their help in making this a far better story than I could do by myself.
Disclaimer: I own neither Noir nor Ranma ½
The Fourth Sapling
By: brindani
Chapter 18: The Weight of the World
Ranma slumped down into his chair, realizing one serious drawback to his nighttime activities; mornings were now the bane of his existence. Coming home well after three in the morning only to be roused by his Mother's far too cheerful voice at six would leave anyone dragging. His uncoordinated floundering deep within soft silken sheets as he struggled out of sleep at least brought a small smile over her worn features.
He didn't like his Mother's insistence on getting up so early. After all, she knew full well what time he came back in the morning. The last time he had asked her why, she had only replied that it helped to build character.
While it was rather annoying, Ranma didn't really mind it that much. He'd noticed the hidden edginess behind her increasingly weary eyes. He knew she stayed up well into the early hours of the night waiting for his return, her reading lamp casting shadows over her features as she slept in one of the overstuffed chairs near the door. More than once, he had lightly placed a blanket over her only to hear her mumble, "Ranma, please be ok." as she hugged the blanket tightly to herself.
His concern only grew when, on those few occasions he stayed home at night, he heard her shouting Genma's name frantically. He had held his Mother during those times, uncertain who was offer whom comfort.
Neither of them mentioned those late nights.
Besides, waking up early wasn't too much of a problem. After fussing over him for a couple of hours, his Mother always let him get back to sleep for an extended nap, say till two in the afternoon.
"You need to eat more to keep up your health." Ranma blinked as he watched Nodoka wearing a pale cherry blossom kimono sit across from him. His sleep deprived mind able to do little more than stare. She allowed a strained smile as she gently gestured to the piece of pancake held midway between his plate and his mouth.
Nodoka nodded as she watched Ranma continue to eat.
"So how did last night go?" Nodoka asked as she always did when he spent his nights out, the casual way she rested her chin on her left arm belied the importance of the question to her.
The steady flow of food paused, Ranma's eyes widening a fraction before eating at a much faster pace. Nodoka raised one brow as their early morning routine suddenly took on an interesting twist.
Ranma continued to eat, hoping his Mother would think he hadn't heard the question, or continue with another. Several long minutes banished such hopes as a stolen glance revealed her sole attention remained focused on him. Setting his chopsticks down carefully, Ranma took a long gulp of milk, trying to postpone the inevitable. Setting the glass down, Ranma hesitantly met his Mother's intense gaze.
"It… went alright," Ranma answered, picking up his chopsticks to start eating again.
The spark of interest grew in Nodoka's eyes. Ranma was always full of details the day after one of his missions. How he and Chloe found the scum of the gutter and…took care of them. He tended to gloss over the details of the deed, but that was about it. 'What could possibly have happened last night that he wouldn't want to tell me? He and Chloe…' The tired smile took on a life of its own, creeping ever larger.
"I… see. Did something… interesting happen that you don't want to tell your Mother?" Nodoka asked, leaning forward, giving Ranma the look. The same expression that parents across the world seemed to inherit when they have children. The one that let their offspring know that every single trace of a secret they held dear was shortly to be ripped away, one piece at a time.
Ranma was caught completely off guard.
"Um…no, nothing… interesting happened at all," Ranma hedged, attempting to laugh it off only to find his Mother now sat next to him, leaning over, her eyes focused intently on his own.
The laugh cut off abruptly.
"Really?" her large luminous eyes eclipsing his vision, the big predatory like smile eliciting a frantic desire to flee. He had faced hundreds of the Soldat's gunmen, armed with the most advanced weaponry in the industry without breaking a sweat and he suddenly had the deep seated urge to relieve himself under the gaze he now found himself.
Knock, knock
"Gaau! I'd better get that," Ranma exclaimed, appearing to teleport in his bid to flee the table. It wouldn't be polite to leave someone waiting now would it?
"Hmmm… the chase begins," Nodoka whispered as she stood, lightly smoothing out her kimono before walking without rush to greet Chloe. After all, she was the only one to visit and if Ranma was hesitant to reveal details of the previous night, his partner would be the next best source of information.
Nodoka's guess was confirmed as Chloe calmly rounded the corner, wearing jeans and a pale blue sweater against the frigid morning.
"Chloe, what great timing. Ranma and I were just discussing the details of last night." Nodoka exclaimed, her smile serene as she was suddenly stood directly in front of the girl.
Chloe nearly drew back, still unaccustomed to anyone able to enter her personal space without her being aware of it. To her credit, Chloe did resist the urge to flail back at the unexpected presence. She managed to confine her reaction to a simple eye blink. It took a moment under that intense smile to realize just what Nodoka had said. Chloe's brow twitched as she slowly turned to Ranma with an unreadable expression. Ranma franticly shook his head behind his Mother's shoulder.
"I see. Not very much happened last night." She responded quietly, walking past the two.
All traces of weariness from the past weeks evaporated as Nodoka's eyes fully lit up.
"Oh, my. You two really were up to something! When can I expect the grandchildren?" Nodoka asked eagerly, her face beaming as she nearly hopped from one foot to the other in anticipation.
Ranma spluttered incoherently while Chloe almost tripped on her own feet while whirling around to face the older woman, her expression unreadable. At least Chloe hoped it was unreadable. That last jump in motherly intuition, especially its direction, had pushed Chloe well beyond anything she had once considered her comfort zone.
Regaining his senses a little bit faster, Ranma ran in front of his Mother, staring at her with as much incredulity as he could muster.
"What are you talking about!? Nothing like that happened!" Ranma proclaimed, breathing heavily at the mere mention of such a thought.
Nodoka pouted. "What a shame, I was really hoping for grandchildren soon. I suppose I can wait a little longer for the two of you. However, if that was not the case, what were you up to?"
"Uhhhh, we just took out a couple of Yakuza bosses, that's all," Ranma explained waving his arms back and forth frantically.
Nodoka critically examined both of the youths. Ranma was sweating heavily with a large false reassuring smile plastered on his face while Chloe hid a slight blush from the older woman's searching gaze by facing away from them both. "Are you sure that is all that happened?" Nodoka asked skeptically
Ranma nodded quickly, gulping when Nodoka's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
Ring
'Thank god, saved again,' Ranma thought as he turning away from his Mother, pulling out his vibrating cell phone
"This is an important call. I've got to take it, Mom." Quickly grabbing Chloe's arm, Ranma hastily retreated out the back door. The spacious backyard was surrounded by a high glistening oak fence with a small walkway leading to a pond bordered by brightly polished granite. From within the deep clear pool, an occasional koi would jump up to claim a tasty morsel.
It was next to this pond that Ranma let go of Chloe's arm and used his sleeve to wipe a thick layer of sweat from his brow.
"Shoot, that was close." Ranma mumbled, flipping the phone open.
"Hello? Yes?" Ranma answered, absently walked around the pond, his concentration fully on the conversation. Chloe stood back, watching his pacing figure make its first circuit of the watery sanctuary. She was well aware from their time at the Manor that if he couldn't be on the roof to think, by mandate of Nodoka in this case, he tended to absently walk around the pond. "You want to discuss that more in person? Do you think they figured out how to listen in? I thought you said this phone was scrambled or something." Chloe watched Ranma's concerned expression ease. "I see, and you don't mind… Up to me?" Ranma's eyes widened in surprise. "Yes, ok I'll be there tonight." Ranma finished, shutting the phone.
"Something has happened with your contact?" Chloe asked, leaning against the pole that hung over the pond, its antique lantern swinging from the slight disturbance.
"Hmmmm," Ranma pondered, his attention drawn by Chloe's question. His eyes slowly shifted up and down her body, taking in the relaxed posture, well aware she could lash out with lethal intent in an instant.
"What?" She asked, the faintest of blushes crossing her cheeks, Nodoka's insinuations fresh in her mind.
Ranma ignored her question, continuing to study her intently, his eyes finally locking on her own. Chloe would have asked again, but found herself mysteriously unable to. His gaze felt like it was constricting her throat uncomfortably. She was saved from her discomfort as Ranma finally nodded his head coming to some final decision.
"Do you still want to meet my contact?" Ranma asked, his roguish smile returning in full now that his decision was made.
Chloe forcefully cleared her mind of the powerful sensations that had run up and down her spine under his scrutiny, deliberately focusing on his words.
Chloe eventually nodded.
"Good, do you have a ballroom gown?" Chloe blinked and then blinked again.
"Yes," She said slowly, uncertain what Ranma had in mind.
Ranma nodded before pulling a piece of paper out of his pocket, quickly scribbling an address. Putting the pen away, he offered the paper to the short haired girl.
Taking it, Chloe examined the messy scrawls, her attention drawn away as Ranma spoke again. "There is going to be a ballroom dance tonight. Meet me at that address dressed for the occasion. I don't expect any trouble, but just in case, carry a few extra knives, okay?"
Chloe returned her attention to his note, squinting to make out each character before nodded, slipping the address away into a pocket. "I recognize the name. It is that high end ballroom they finished last year. It was supposed to have had substantial funding from the Yakuza. Interesting..."
"So I will see you there?" Ranma answered, watching Chloe think about the possible repercussions of this newest information.
"Yes, I'll come," Chloe answered, coming out of her reverie before turning to walk away from Ranma.
"What's your rush? We have breakfast ready and there is plenty for one more." Ranma offered, smiling lazily, he gestured a hand towards the house.
Chloe shook her head, nodding behind him.
Confusion written across the pigtailed boy's face, he turned around. Ranma's eyes widened as he found his Mother waving serenely from behind the screen door.
"Oh… I see your point. Ummmm… in that case… could I come with you?" Ranma pleaded, forming his male version of the puppy dog eye attack.
Chloe, unimpressed, shook her head, a small smile blooming once her back was to the frantic boy.
"Well, I'll see you later tonight."
"Ranma dear, time to come in and finish your breakfast."
Said boy cringed as he slowly turned back to his Mother's beckoning call.
"At least I hope I'll see you later tonight," Ranma whispered under his breath as he forced his legs to move towards his impending doom.
The blazing sun taunted any who believed the cool morning would be an indication for the rest of the day. Waves of distorted air drifted up from the searing hot sidewalk, making the single occupant of the desolate streets feel as if he existed within an oven. The impeccably dressed man with the pressed grey suit and matching bowler hat chuckled at the thought. The chuckle changed to a gasp as he clutched his chest, wheezing as pain lanced through his body.
"I knew I shouldn't have come, even the weather sides with the house against my honor bound duty, trying to kill me before I can meet him." He mumbled, leaning heavily against a large oak fence similar in nature to many of the yards surrounding him. Even as the pain receded, slower than ever before, he knew that the oak he currently leaned against was special. It held something precious, something he had not seen in nearly seventeen long years.
It brought a tear to his aged brown eyes to finally have a chance to see it once more, to have the privilege of placing it on the pedestal it was denied for these long years. Shaking away such lofty thoughts, he leaned away from his impromptu support, feeling dizzy even as he steadied himself. Turning around, he gazed up at the tilted roof that barely peaked over the fence.
With a sigh, he tore his eyes away from the roof, focusing on the finely crafted door that seamlessly matched with the fence. "My, it appears that the Mistress has not changed the lock of the door in all these years. Perhaps…"
Squinting, the man deliberately counted each post, stopping on the twenty third. He lightly placed his soft plump hand against the wood, feeling the smooth texture of the finely crafted wood as he trailed his fingertips against it. "Ah, the Mistress did not find it I see." He mumbled, stopping at the base of the board, using a nimbleness that defied the pudgy digits used, coerced a seamless section of wood away to reveal a secret panel, a small ornate key laying on the bottom.
A small smile formed as he emptied the box, lightly pushing the container back into position where, once again, it became indistinguishable from the fence that held it. The key fit perfectly, a soft click issued as it turned. Without the slightest noise, the well oiled gate opened, revealing the house in all its glory. A wave of nostalgia swept over him as his eyes traced the beige flagstone path that led up to the steps made of a similar material. Well trimmed grass on either side of the path. To the left, an immaculate bird-bath, small African animals boldly chiseled on its side, each frozen in immortality.
"Nothing has changed. I can still see the young Mistress cradling that wonderful bundle of joy, laughing so freely as she turned to me with that beautiful smile." The man shook himself. "I can not allow myself to fall into the memories of those good times. Time is paramount." So saying, the man allowed the entrance to close, hearing the click as it locked again before moving slowly up the flag stone path.
"Awww!" the man screamed, finding his face abruptly pressed against the grass, separated only by the thin spectacles hanging on his nose. The view of the grass was as nothing compared to the sudden presence he felt behind him, holding his arms at an uncomfortable angle behind his back and a very sharp object now hovering next to his throat, the last weighing very heavily on his mind.
"You are alive for only two reasons." He heard the menacing whisper next to his ear, sending a shiver of fear shooting throughout his body. "One, you are so out of shape that you pose no threat and…" The voice drifted off a moment, the sweat running off his brow moments ago was nothing compared to the torrent that featured now. "…you are wearing a grey suit." The man nearly collapsed, saved from such folly by the pointed reminder that remained firmly to his neck. 'I…I am so glad I didn't follow Yoko's advice for this meeting!'
"Now, your life depends on how you answer these next questions. Who are you?" The threatening whisper came again, promising to act at the first sign of hesitance.
"M…my name is Yoshi," the words sounded strangled even to his pounding ears.
"Who sent you?"
"My h…h…house."
"Now, what are you doing here?"
"I…I'm to return with the Master of this household." The man gasped as the edge cut into his throat, drawing a thin trail of blood.
"So you're here to capture me?" the words were harsh steel, ready to remove his life from this existence.
"Is that you, Ranma?" Yoshi asked, startled by the small revelation.
"Answer the question!" The man cringed as the knife bit into his throat another millimeter.
"I would never do such a thing to you, young Master. I have come because the Saotome clan desperately needs your guidance!" The words tumbled out, as a level of fear Yoshi never imagined possible gripped his heart.
The moment stretched, Yoshi heard the thunder of his heart beat against his chest, each strained breath the roar of a hurricane as his fate hung at the nape of his neck, its cold metallic bite eager to end his life.
As fast as it had arrived, the knife vanished, the only evidence of its existence the small seep of blood that continued to come from the wound. Still very much afraid, Yoshi felt the weight from his back lift, allowing him free movement once more. He turned slowly, nearly blinded by the light after his close encounter with the local flora. Outlined from his low crouch he gasped as for one moment he was certain he once again knelt before his true and only Master in his glorious youth.
His eyes adjust quickly, spotting differences between the boy before him and the one he had taken care of all those years ago. His brown eyes were nothing like the intense steely blue that gazed down on him now. He felt as if he was in the presence of the grim reaper himself, a specter he had taken no stock in until he trembled before this boy.
"What business does clan Saotome have with me?" The tight emotionless words broke the image as Yoshi realized his life was by no means spared.
"Your Grandfather recently passed away. You are the heir to the Saotome line as was decreed by your Grandfather's last will and testament. I have come to guide you to your birthright." Yoshi finished, bowing low.
Ranma stared at the man intently, his eyes ripping Yoshi apart, carefully examining each piece before moving onto the next. It was a very… disconcerting feeling.
"No."
If he had not already been bowing on his knees, Yoshi felt certain he would have crashed to the ground as Ranma walked away.
"Wait!" He cried franticly, reaching a hand from his crouched position.
Ranma stopped halfway back up the sidewalk, not turning to face the man.
"I don't have time to play at being the head of the Saotome clan, there are far too many things on my plate as it is."
"Please, young Master, without your guidance the Saotome clan will surely fall." Yoshi shifted his crouch, fully prostrating himself before Ranma. "I beg of you to reconsider."
"I thought I…" Ranma's response was lost, interrupted by an almost musical voice from behind.
"Yoshi? What a pleasant surprise. What brings you all the way out here?" Ranma turned, finding Nodoka standing at the front door, tranquil smile shining as if seeing her son and an old acquaintances prostrate himself on her front lawn was a daily occurrence.
"Lady Nodoka, you honor me with your presence," Yoshi said, shifting his bow to Ranma's Mother.
"Oh, please. You needn't stand on formality here. Why don't you come in? You can tell us what has brought you over a refreshing cup of tea." Nodoka requested, returning to the house.
Of the two, Ranma was the first to recover from the unexpected offer.
"If Mom wants to invite you in, that's fine, but as far as I'm concerned my decision is final." He whispered, just loud enough for Yoshi to hear.
Yoshi heaved a large sigh, wheezing as he pulled himself back up to his feet, brushing what dirt and grass he could from the rumbled suit.
"Sometimes it does not pay to get out of bed." He mumbled, ambling after the young Master.
He followed Ranma into the house, respectfully taking his bowler off as he entered, lightly placing it on the rack next to the door. Yoshi brushed a hand through his thinning dark brown hair, taking the moment to bask in the wondrous invention known as air-conditioning. His brief reverence was interrupted by a small cough. Looking back, Yoshi found Ranma gesture with his head, a touch of impatience very clear in his features. His previous encounter very fresh in his memories, Yoshi gulped, quickly moving into the living room. Nodoka sat serenely behind the table, three cups of steaming tea waiting.
Ranma joined his Mother while Yoshi sat across from both. Glancing wearily at the young man, he calmed down before reverently taking a deep breath of the fragrant tea.
"Awww, no one I have ever met has been able to make tea as well as you, Mistress Nodoka." Yoshi complemented as he wrapped his hands around the cup, sipping from the refreshing beverage with his eyes closed to capture each moment of the rare mixture of herbs and spices tantalizing his taste buds.
"I had a wonderful teacher all those long years ago," Nodoka nodded in turn.
Yoshi's cheeks grew dark red as he hid himself behind his cup.
"Perhaps, but the student quickly outstripped the teacher," Yoshi offered back.
Ranma's eyes flicked between the two adults, his confusion growing by the second.
"You know this guy, Mom?" Ranma asked, his tea untouched.
"Certainly, Dear. Yoshi was the personal attendant to Genma and his most faithful servant when he was heir to the Saotome clan. It was he who took care of me those few times Genma had to leave while I was injured. He spent many long hours teaching me the fine art of cooking. To this day I am in awe of his extraordinary patience with my negligible cooking skill." Nodoka finished, offering a small smile to the older man.
"Please, you give me too much credit. It was simply a pleasure to witness your determination. Besides…" Yoshi grinned as an image formed in his mind. "…the look on Master's face when he returned to find the microwave destroyed the day you attempted to boil water has kept a chuckle close to my heart all these years."
Nodoka quietly laughed behind her hand, smiling pleasantly as she reflected on memories from long ago.
Ranma looked dumbstruck. There was a time his Mother didn't know how to cook? A time when she made even Akane look competent? He simply couldn't bend his mind around such a concept.
"Tell me, Yoshi, you appear much changed from those days. How has life since Genma's removal treated you?" Nodoka asked, her expression changing as she critically examined her friend from so long ago.
A wane smile spread across Yoshi's features. "When Genma left and did not allow me to accompany him, the clan placed me into an endless stream of meaningless paperwork. I'm afraid that over the years I have allowed myself to grow lax under the constant strain."
"I see, the clan could not remove you due to the repercussions if Ranma were to become clan head, yet they did not want you to affect clan affairs."
"Yes, I'm afraid that is likely the case."
"I apologize for the suffering you must have endured simply because you were faithful to us." Nodoka moved back from the table, bowing low to the older man.
"Please, you honor this unworthy soul too much. The best moments of my life were spent in the service to both yourself and Master Genma. My only regret is that I could not join you in your forced exile." The moment stretched out, Yoshi and Nodoka staring at each other, one with contentment, the other with regret.
"I do apologize, but the situation, unfortunately, does not allow us to reminisce about the old times." Yoshi said, lowering his head.
"Yes, you are correct, Yoshi. What has brought you here? I can only imagine that even with your personal knowledge of our planning, it took some effort to find our location."
"Indeed, please forgive me, Mistress. I would never have used that knowledge unless the situation were not grave."
"I assumed as much. What has happened?" Nodoka asked taking a sip from her tea.
"The clan head died last night. The Saotome clan is in upheaval. Its attendants fight each other over control of its assets. I'm certain that if they are allowed to continue that they will rend the clan apart in short order. Despite what they believe, the clan needs its new Master."
Nodoka frowned. "I feared this day would come. How did he die?"
"I was told it was a peaceful death in his sleep due to old age." Yoshi replied.
"I held no love for the man, but I am happy he did not suffer in the end. So you have come to take Ranma and place him as the clan head?" Nodoka asked, sighing deeply.
"I apologize, but the clan needs a head or the work of generations will dissolve in a matter of months." Yoshi said, again bowing his head.
"I see, this does pose a problem. My Son is currently taking care of some private business dealing with the Soldats. Leading the Saotome clan would not only be impractical, it would prove fatal."
"The Soldats? You mean that they are after you again? I thought that they had dismissed their claim on Master Ranma for the title of Noir."
"So had I until recently. They have come to claim him both figuratively and literally. Altena has cemented Ranma 's position as the fourth sapling and other sections of the Soldats have become disquieted by the fact."
"But I thought he was disqualified due to his gender?" Yoshi asked, confused by the ordeal he had stumbled into.
"Ranma, would you be a dear and show him?" Nodoka asked, taking another sip of her tea.
"Do I have to?" Ranma groaned, every time someone new came into his life, he always had to go through the same thing. He was getting sick of it.
"Please dear, this is a very old and good friend of the family. He, more than anyone, deserves to know."
Sighing, Ranma stood, ducking into the kitchen. He returned with two cups of water. Yoshi noticed that steam rose from one of them. All in all, he was more confused than when the conversation started.
"See I got cursed when my Pops took me on a training journey to China. When I'm splashed with cold water…" Ranma pored one cup over his now her head. "…I turn into a girl." Yoshi's eyes grew wide as he witnessed the transformation.
"That's…That's…"
Ranma sighed as she closed her eyes. "Impossible? Believe me, I get it all the time."
"But then how do you return to normal?" Yoshi asked, nervously, it wouldn't be good if Ranma permanently became a girl in demonstration for him.
"When I'm splashed with hot water, I turn back." Ranma explained, splashing her now himself with the hot water.
"Here," Nodoka said, offering Ranma a towel.
"Thanks Mom." Ranma said, taking the towel.
Yoshi rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he watched the youth dry himself.
"I see how that could complicate the situation in regards to Noir. Now that the Soldats have taken an interest in you, your life is in grave danger. Still… the clan will die without your aid."
Nodoka nodded, giving Yoshi a considering look. "Would it not be true that as long as Ranma demonstrated his authority that the clan's advisors could do most of the work regarding the day to day operation?" Nodoka asked.
Yoshi hesitantly nodded his head. "It is possible… if Ranma were to demonstrate himself as a powerful leader, the advisors would likely not seek to undermine his control. Still, that would not last long, clan Saotome would stagnate without a constant presence"
"I understand, however, given the situation you realize that such a presence will not be possible until everything has been settled." Nodoka closed her eyes, uncharacteristically rubbing her temples with a pained expression. Ranma watched as his Mother seemed to come to a decision after several long and awkward minutes. "We do not have a choice. Ranma will have to make an appearance to claim the position and then allow the advisors to continue. Random visits should keep them in line."
"Yes, for the continued safety of the young Master and that of the clan, this does appear to be the only viable solution," Yoshi agreed, bowing his head in deference.
"Wait a minute, what about me?" Ranma asked "I've got a lot of things to take care of. I can't just take time out to play at being the head of the clan periodically." Ranma words brought a worried expression to Yoshi's face.
'It appears that the young Master is just as strong willed as Genma in his youth. He will become a very powerful leader one day, but not if the Saotome legacy crumbles beneath his feet first.'
"Please young Master…" Yoshi implored, but was cut off by Nodoka's raised hand.
"Give me a number where I may reach you. Ranma and I shall discuss this," Nodoka requested, her voice grave. Yoshi hastened to remove a pen from his pocket, quickly writing a number on the piece of paper provided.
Yoshi reluctantly bowed one last time before the matriarch. "I regret the circumstances of our reunion and the additional burden I have placed before you. Please forgive me." With that, the man was gone, showing himself out.
The silence that hung in the air felt cold and heavy. Ranma shifted uncomfortable under his Mother's unreadable gaze.
"Ranma," said boy nearly jumped at his Mother's whisper.
"Yes?" He answered quickly.
"I'm afraid to say that this is another weight that was destined to fall to your shoulders. I understand that together, these burdens can appear to be crushing. I have felt their weight myself. I know their constant press on both the mind and body. Everyone expects you to be and do everything. It can be very difficult.
Few are strong enough to reach Noir, much less have the power to defy the puppet master's strings that bind them to the Soldats for revenge. Revenge, however, is not the only thing that you must keep in mind. If you continue along the path of an assassin, there will come a day where you fail. Youth will eventually overtake you." Ranma's protest was forestalled by his Mother's raised hand. "I speak of the far future, even if you find a way to live as long as Happosai, the day will eventually come. You will make many enemies no matter how you tread, when the time comes, you will need a place to settle and live out your days in safety.
The young do not have to consider such things until much later in their life. They are allowed time to be young, live life in any way they see fit with few restrictions. I am afraid that due to circumstances well out of either of our hands, you have been denied this simply right. Decisions that would balk men twice your age are placed at your feet on a daily basis. The clan represents another of these decisions. If you do not at least make a token effort, the clan of your Father will crumble, forever in disgrace.
Please, do this for Genma. Help lead the Saotome clan to the honor only you can bring it."
Nodoka's resolved stare pierced into Ranma's own. When he did not reply, Nodoka looked away, standing to leave him to his think.
Ranma slumped against the table, feeling every ounce of weight his Mother just described. He was tired. Not physically. No, something deep within him felt stretched and worn, each new tragic event straining him in different directions.
Ranma sighed as he collapsed against the table. He would have to do this. He would do it for the honor of his Mother and Father.
Author's end notes: Not much to say, the chapter is just delving into how the characters are handling the situation combined with a few other elements. The next chapter should be much more interesting.
The comment on the suit comes from the Soldat's tendency to always wear black suits. It kind of pokes fun at the trend.