Disclaimer: This is a fan-fiction and not an official Ranma 1/2 Storyline. All rights to the official name and official characters are reserved for their proper owners.
Episode 3: Meeting the Mother, Again
In the weeks that came, it was an extremely peaceful time. Ryoga enrolled into school late in the year alongside Ranma and Akane. Ranma was actually able to teach Ryoga to find his way home from school on his own after helping him do so after so many times.
After some time, Ranma, Ryoga and Akane started training together. Although Ranma and Ryoga trained a little more in their female forms as to lessen their weaknesses. For Ranma, it was gaining strength to match his speed, and for Ryoga, it was getting faster to match his strength. For Akane, it was generally gaining strength and speed to match her friend and fiancee.
"Fiancee", something Akane was blindsided with when Ranma first arrived. After seeing her fiancee turn into a man from a woman was really . . . interesting. But being engaged to him? She believed that he would just be another guy who would do guy things like, call her names, treat her like crap, not really care about her, ya know, the usual.
But that wasn't the case, to her surprise. He was a kind-hearted, charismatic young man. Sure, they had their disagreements, they were able to be mature about it. The best part, he doesn't force her to get along with him, he treats her more like a childhood friend or the closest thing to it.
As she thought, she heard a voice, calling her. It was Ranma. They were performing kata and practicing a certain part at the end that was a little more difficult and required a little more precision.
(Ranma)(F) Akane! Hey! You there?
(Akane) Yeah, sorry, got a little distracted.
(Ryoga) Ok then, let's continue.
The three trained for a while longer, then just hung out for awhile, drinking tea.
(Ranma) So, Ryoga. How's avoiding Kuno workin out for ya?
(Ryoga) Oh God, PLEASE don't remind me of that guy! I can't stand him! He's so creepy too.
(Ranma) Just wait until you meet his sister, Kodachi.
(Ryoga) No... nononononononononononononono! THERE'S TWO OF THEM!?
(Ranma) Yup, and be careful, if she appears, get a vacuum. She leaves a shit ton of black rose petals EVERYWHERE. Remember Akane?
(Akane) I still find some of the petals in my room. She's might be worse than Kuno!
The three continued to talk about the two psychos for a little longer before Ryoga left on his own.
The two were alone for once. No Ryoga, no Soun or Genma, no one else to disturb them.
(Ranma) Akane...
(Akane) Yeah?
(Ranma) Do you . . . Wanna get some new manga?
(Akane) Huh? Oh yeah... Sure!
Although it was nice that he didn't force the relationship, but it would be nice if he would make a move every once in a while.
The two went to one of the nearby corner stores, found some manga and brought it home, and proceeded to read it in silence in Akane's room.
The two went silently undisturbed for a while until they went to sleep for another day.
The day went along like any other. The two go to school, get into their usual shenanigans, go home
and repeat.
But, today was different. Genma and Soun were waiting for them at the gates of the Tendo's home.
Ranma and Akane were surprised to see them outside, usually, the two were inside, either playing shogi together or doing their own things. Another thing, Genma was in his cursed form. This was extremely unusual because Genma hated being in this form.
Ranma, Ryoga and Akane walked up to the pair.
(Akane) Hey guys, what are you two doing out here?
(Genma) Well... your mother is here.
(Ranma) What, Mom? Like... She's alive?
(Genma) I never said she DIED! I just never mentioned her...
(Ranma) That's why I thought she was dead!
(Ryoga) Wait, you have a mom?
(Genma) Well, she's here now and wants to see us!
(Ranma) Well, what do we do?!
(Genma) We should . . . Hide in our cursed forms!
Ranma gut punched Genma and dragged him inside. Meanwhile, after the initial shock, Akane walked by Ranma and Genma inside.
(Ranma) I tried to let you be honorable and you failed. C'mon, we're telling her the truth!
(Genma) But what about the death contract!?
(Ranma) I do not care, THAT is MY mother and YOUR wife! Come on!
The two walked up to the entrance to the common room.
(Genma) It's been 14 year...
(Ranma) Thanks to you, father of the year.
The two walked into the room, preparing for who and what they were about to experience.
Soun Tendo was sitting at the table with Kasumi, Akane and a woman with red hair.
Genma jaw hung open, the woman looked at them, but seemed to only focus on Ranma. Genma had yet to change back to a male.
(Genma) Nadoka...?
The woman looked at her, confused.
(Nadoka) Yes, that is my name. Who might you be?
(Genma) Oh, I'm just a
(Ranma) OH HELL NO! Mom, that's your husband, Genma Saotome!
(Nadoka) I'm sorry, but that's a woman Ranma. Are you feeling okay.
Feeling embarrassed, Ranma aggressively threw hot water on Genma, returning him to his normal form.
Now, Genma was forced to face his wife, as himself.
(Nadoka) What... is this? A trick? If so, then call me impressed!
(Ranma) It ain't no curse Mom. Me and pops were cursed. We can both become alternates of ourselves.
(Nadoka) Oh that's impossible! If so, then what do you look like?
(Ranma) I look like you actually.
(Nadoka) Prove it.
Her demeanor had become grim. Gone was her happiness and surprise.
Everyone was now nervous. Nadoka's aura could be felt by everyone in the room, especially by those who could already sense it.
Ranma then splashed himself with cold water, going from black, to bright red hair.
(Ranma) See? I'm not lying, we are actually cursed.
(Nadoka) I see. Does this mean you prefer men now?
The tension immediately went straight out the window.
(Ranma) WHAT?
(Nadoka) You heard me. Do you prefer-
(Ranma) I know what you said, just... THAT'S what's bothering you?
Nadoka pouted like a child.
(Nadoka) Well, yeah.
(Ranma) REALLY THOUGH!? THATS THE ISSUE?! Not, I don't know, BEING CURSED!?
(Nadoka) I mean, it would be a lot to take in after not seeing my son for 14 years.
(Ranma) And being cursed is just fine?
(Nadoka) Well, there are cures for curses aren't there? Why not go to a shrine to rid yourself of the curse?
(Ranma) Didn't work.
(Nadoka) Prayer?
(Ranma) No answer
(Nadoka) Other religions
(Ranma) Too complex.
(Nadoka) Well there's gotta be something!
(Ranma) Eh, I'm already used to it by now, so I'm just gonna ride it out for now.
(Nadoka) OK, now that, that's out of the way, how've you been Ranma dear?
(Ranma) Well, things are great. I've made friends, train with others, there's never a boring day around here.
(Nadoka) That's great honey. I thought I was gonna have to use these today.
Nadoka proceeded to pull out three blades, two short swords and a kitana, from seemingly out of thin air
Everyone dreaded the thought of what she was gonna use them for if she didn't like the answers she heard
(Nadoka) Oh, I almost forgot! Do you have a girlfriend yet?
Ranma and Akane immediately looked down and blushed.
Nadoka looked at the both of them and smiled.
(Nadoka) I see. Well, I'm going to stay with a friend for now so I can stay closer to my family.
Nadoka left and everyone let out a deep breath, she was a very traditional and friendly woman, but underneath that friendly face, she was a woman NOT to be trifled with.
Afterwards everyone went about their usual business, except for Ranma, who, as seen by Ryoga was just sitting on the roof, staring miles and miles away.
(Ryoga) (He's probably thinkin about his mom right now... I'll go try to cheer him up!)
Ryoga got onto the roof and walked up to Ranma.
(Ryoga) Hey man, you alright?
In mere milliseconds, Ranma had jumped at little at the sound.
(Ranma) Oh SHIT!- Oh hey Ryoga.
(Ryoga) What the hell happened?
(Ranma) I got startled, didn't hear you come up here.
(Ryoga) Oh. So, you thinkin about your mom?
(Ranma) Not really. I was just starin out into the distance. Just letting my mind wander for a bit. Although, other than the fact that my mom was ready for me and pops to commit seppuku, it was awesome to see her after so many years.
(Ryoga) Huh, that's good... So, what does she look like anyway?
(Ranma) Funnily enough, just think of my female form, but aged to about 20 or so, and without the eye-liner
(Ryoga) WOW, she looks that young? And you have the same colored hair in female form? Thats interesting.
(Ranma) Why do you say that?
(Ryoga) Well, wouldn't that mean, you fell into a hot spring that your ancestor drowned in thousands of years ago?
(Ranma) Maybe, you never know. I could probably ask her to see if she would know.
(Ryoga) Mind if I join?
(Ranma) Sure, just don't get hit with cold water, or else she might just lose it!
(Ryoga) Sounds good to me. I feel kinda weird in my female form to be honest... I really don't know how you do it with the differences in your body.
(Ranma) Well, I had a while to get used to it.
The two talked for a little longer before night fell and Ryoga went home.
{The Next Day}
Ryoga and Ranma met at the gate of the Tendo residence. Afterwards, they went searching for Nadoka.
IT TOOK A WHOLE HOUR OF WANDERING AROUND FOR THEM TO REALIZE THAT THEY NEVER ASKED WHERE EXACTLY SHE WAS STAYING.
So the two went back to the Tendo's to ask about her whereabouts. Surprisingly enough, it was Genma who told them where she was.
But not before getting worried.
(Genma)(M) Are you sure you boys want to see her? Even after yesterday?
(Ryoga)(M) Jeez what the hell happened for that warning?
(Ranma)(M) (Quickly)I kinda. . . . .showed my mom that me and my dad were cursed so that we wouldn't have to hide every time she came over and so I could talk to my mom as myself and not as someone else.
(Ryoga) And how did she take that?
(Ranma) Honestly, better than I expected. I thought she would freak out.
(Genma) Seriously, I thought she was gonna kill the both of us!
(Ranma) Better than hiding behind a curse every time she's around isn't it?
(Genma) I think it would've worked.
The two walked out, and went to where Nadoka was staying, a few blocks away.
Ranma knocked on the door. A minute later, Nadoka answered the door.
(Nadoka) Ranma? I'm almost surprised to see you so soon. Who's this, a friend of yours.
Ryoga looked Nadoka up and down, seeing Ranma's cursed form in his mother.
(Ryoga) Ranma. you were right, you two look almost identical when put next to each other!
(Nadoka) That's nice of you to say, but my son has black hair and is a man.
(Ranma) Well, watch this. Ryoga, you get the water?
(Nadoka) Water?- Wait?! He knows?
Before Nadoka could finish her line of questioning, both of the boys before her became girls.
(Nadoka) Another one? How many people in this town are cursed?!
(Ranma) Well, for now, it;s just me, Ryoga and pops.
(Nadoka) What? What do you mean, "for now'?
Ranma and Ryoga then shared turns explaining how Ryoga got cursed and the first time he ended up in Nerima.
(Nadoka) Well, let's go inside, I'm sure my friend wouldn't mind if I had a few guest for a little while.
The three sat and talked over tea.
(Nadoka) After what you three have told me, it sounds like my husband is the reason all of you are cursed.
(Ranma) You might not believe this, but after being cursed, dad's a little more humble than he used to be.
(Nadoka) Although that sounds crazy in it's own right, what is it that brings you two ther today?
(Ryoga) Well, I believe that the cursed spring that Ranma fell into, may have been cursed by an ancestor of your family. Just look at each other!
The two looked at each other.
(Nadoka) Like looking into a mirror...
Nadoka suddenly started to inspect Ranma's face.
(Nadoka) What's with the eye-liner?
(Ranma) I dunno, that just happens every time I swap forms.
She looked at Ryoga. He didn't have any extra features added to his face.
(Nadoka) Well, I could try asking my family about this. But don't get your hopes up, they still hold resentment to your father Ranma.
(Ryoga) Even after 14 years?
(Nadoka) Well, they don't know that I reunited with Ranma. They are also furious for not being able to see their grandson/nephew/cousin/etc.
(Ryoga) I see.
(Ranma) By the way, do our relatives all have red hair?
(Nadoka) From what I remember, most of us had some variant of red colored hair. But there are some who have black or brown hair.
(Ranma) Hopefully we can find something in our history.
Ryoga looked around at the interior. It was very . . . traditional. But it wasn't Japanese.
(Ryoga) So, who IS your friend?
(Nadoka) Oh she's a small Chinese woman named Cologne.
(Ranma) Really, what's she like?
She says that she and her daughter are Chinese Amazons and came here for revenge.
Although Ranma and Ryoga were paying attention and listening respectfully, but Ranma remembered a little something that happened in China. Something that had to do with a certain "Kiss of Death" from a certain Chinese Amazon that is currently hunting Ranma from China.
Although Ranma didn't show it, he was internally freaking out because he didn't want the person hunting him to find him in her home. He also didn't want his mother to get kicked out by her friend.
After some more conversation, the two swiftly left and Ranma explained why to Ryoga later on.
End of Episode 3: Meeting the Mother, Again