Dawn has just broken. The sky was blue, the air was clear, and the birds were singing. It was a pleasant and tranquil morning in Nerima. The woman took a deep breath as she neared her destination. The calm morning radiated hope and peace. Maybe, just maybe, this time she'd-
"GET BACK HERE POPS!" A young man's voice echoed out from the Tendo Dojo. "I AIN'T DONE WITH YOU YET!"
With a gentle gasp she sped up. Could it be? Was she finally going to meet him?
She knocked twice on the door. Even though no one opened it she let herself in, spurred on by the welcoming sounds of physical aggression. It had been so long since she heard violent fighting in the morning! Dare she hope?
As she hurried down the hallway she ran into two girls. The first one, Kasumi Tendo, greeted her with a kind smile despite her haste, "Good morning Auntie Saotome."
With that the second girl, Akane Tendo, whirled around "Morning AUNTIE SAOTOME," she shouted "It's so nice to see RANMA's MOTHER. Are you LOOKING FOR HIM?"
"Why, yes I am Akane-chan. What an odd way to phrase that. It's lovely to see you, but you should be careful not to shout. Young ladies shouldn't ruin their voices you know," she replied. Nodoka Saotome almost swore she heard a splash echo from the yard, but her attention was stolen as she practically tripped over Akane's foot, and grabbed the banister for balance. "Oh, and please watch your feet dear, I almost stumbled."
Akane blushed, and seemed genuinely embarrassed as she apologized. "Sorry Auntie Saotome."
"Now, is my son home? I could have sworn a heard a masculine voice."
"Uhh, well..."
Nodoka was too anxious to wait for a reply, and bursting into the center room which was open to the yard she saw none other than-
Ranko splashing around in the pond with her panda.
She breathed a sigh a disappointment and let the moment pass. It was always a joy to see Ranko, the girl was just as dear to her as Akane. "Oh Ranko-chan, how many times have I told you not to play in the pond? It's simply not lady-like."
"Yes Auntie Saotome," the redhead replied.
"I don't suppose Ranma is home?"
"No, you just missed her," Nabiki called from the other room.
"I think you mean HIM." Ranko glared back.
"Quite right Ranko." Nodoka interjected. "Well, it's a shame. I was so hoping I'd finally meet him. But I trust he's off with Genma, training harder than ever."
The panda, still in the pond, held up a sign reading What about your husband? which Nodoka saw no reason to acknowledge.
"Well, Ranko, why don't you get changed and join Akane and I for breakfast. There's actually something I wanted to discuss with you, and Akane might be able to help." She sighed as she turned away. "I did so hope I'd catch him this time."
"Yes Auntie Saotome." Ranko whispered, slipping upstairs.
Nodoka put down her tea and looked up at Akane and Ranko.
"Ah, now don't you both look adorable. Akane-chan, thank you so much for lending Ranko-chan those cute clothes. They suit her so well."
Ranko blushed.
"Now, as both of you young women know, I care about you a lot. And, although it may not be my place, I do feel responsible for you at times. Neither of you have an adult woman in your lives, to help guide you, and I hope you know you can always turn to me."
"Akane-chan, I look forward to being your mother-in-law, because not only do I already consider you a daughter of sorts," she paused as Akane turned a face full of love, hope, and a little fear towards her. "I know that my son Ranma is a good strong man and can protect you. It's important that a young woman like yourself has a man who can take care of her. I rest easy knowing that should anything happen, he is there for you."
For some reason Akane's face fell. And, if Nodoka didn't know better, she'd think Ranko was smirking.
"However," she continued, "These days I've been really worried about you Ranko-chan. You have never mentioned a man to me before. I know you might think you're young, but this is an important time in a woman's life. You, like Akane, are a martial artist, and yet, you're also a woman. You need to begin looking for a man who is strong enough to provide for you and take care of you. I would feel so much more at ease if I knew you were seeing a young gentleman."
Ranko's jaw was wide open, while Akane was covering her mouth and holding back laughter.
"Akane-chan this is no laughing matter, I assure you. While you may giggle now to imagine Ranko with a strapping young man, in a home of her own, I am sure that one day she'll want nothing more."
"You're right Auntie Saotome, my apologies." Akane smiled. "Please, continue."
"Ranko-chan, isn't there anyone you fancy? Anyone who fancies you?"
Ranko stuttered a response. "Well, you see, M-Auntie Saotome, it's just that, at the moment, I'm not- well I don't want to go on a date with a GUY."
"Oh please, who else would you go on a date with? A girl?" Nodoka laughed, missing the embarrassed glance Ranko and Akane exchanged.
"NO! It's not that, it's just, who needs a stupid fiancé?" Ranko interjected, dodging the fork and the glare Akane threw her way. "I can manage my OWN affairs."
"Oh dear, I know you still think 'boys are gross' but we've got to start talking about your future Ranko-chan. Aren't there any boys you think are cute?"
"No." Ranko said firmly.
"Any boys you like?"
"No."
"Any boys you tolerate?"
"No!"
"Well then, let's start somewhere else. Are there any boys who like you?"
Akane's grin stretched from ear to ear. "Auntie Saotome, I have great news for you..."
I do not make any money off this story. The characters and world of Ranma 1/2 belong to Takahashi, Viz Media, and all other respective owners.
Hello y'all, I'm back. I'm tackling another shorter fic that's been bouncing around in my brain for years again. This story will be very short, and I am only really breaking it up into chapters so I don't get carried away while writing it, since I should be doing other work. Again, please feel free to give feedback, this is an exercise in developing creative writing muscles for me. I will try to update once a week. Thank you for reading! :)