Chapter 2: New Life, New Sister?!
Ugh.
This is sooooo boring!
Boring!
Borrrrrring!
Booooorrrrrrriiiiiinnnngggggg!
"Ranma, sit up straight please."
"Oh, sorry Momma."
"Ah, I apologize for that."
"No, no. It's alright Miss Saotome."
"Please, just call me Nodoka."
"Of course, Miss Nodoka."
K, is he gonna talk about the training now? Ugh, no! More stupid grown-up talk. Come on, hurry up! I wanna get to the cool ninja stuff! And whys the girl kimono gotta be so tight. It's dumb! Least it's pretty though. How come this guy don't have to dress up though? Me and Momma are all dressed up nice and he's got a bunch of patches on his clothes.
One…two…
three…four…five…
six…
Um…oh yeah! seven…eight…
nine…ten…
Um…
Uh…
…
A whole bunch of patches. Don't he got anything nicer ta wear? He's s'posed to be really strong too. Wait, are all the strong martial artists dirty like that? Ewwww, no. I don't wanna be dirty. I wanna be pretty like Momma. But I wanna be strong too! Well, I'll show em. I'll be the strongest and the prettiest martial artist in the whole world!
…
…
Ugh, this is boring! When is he gonna show me cool ninja stuff? I could be showing off all the cool stuff I've learned. Or that super awesome new dance I came up with. Or I could be checking out this house and figure out how it's still standing. I bet I could punch that wall and the whole thing will crash down. Now that would be cool!
Huh?
Wait, who was that?
"Momma, did you see that?"
"Not right now sweetie."
"But Momma, I need to show you!"
"Ranma, not right now. You can show me later, okay?"
"Okay Momma."
Guess she didn't see. But I thought-
There! In the door. Someone's peeking out. Hey, it's a kid. Wait, there's another kid here and I'm stuck listening to boring grownup talk when I could be playing with her?
"Ranma, where are you going?"
"Um, I…uh…"
Uh oh, what do I say? I gotta go potty? But I don't! Thata be lying! Lying's the thing that Daddy did. So what do I do?
"Ranma, please stop fidgeting. If you need to go, go quickly."
"Oh. Okay, Momma."
"And hurry back once you're done."
"I will."
Yay, I didn't hafta lie! Now I can find that other girl and play with her. Oh, maybe she knows fighting like Ucchan. Thata be great!
X
Ranma blinked a few times before noticing half his face was pressed against the floor and he quickly sat up. What was that? Was…was that me? But that was a girl and I wasn't a girl back… He paused and looked down at his body again. Oh.
He got up and sat on the bed, absently noting how soft and comfortable it was. If I was born a girl, I guess Pops didn't need to take me away from Mom for training. Or maybe it was Mom who took me away? What kind of training did I get though?
New scenes flashed through his mind. Images of the same man from before instructing in various techniques and philosophies of stealth and subterfuge. Of sparring with that man and sometimes with a girl the same age as him. Of his mother occasionally joining in for some lessons, but mostly watching on in approval. Once the flashes of another life that was his ended, he only had one thought.
I know ninjutsu. Woah.
Once he got past that revelation, a new one came crashing down. Hey, if Mom was the one that took me training and not Pops, that must mean I got a whole bunch of new techniques and stuff I'll be remembering. Awesome! I'm gonna be twice the best now!
The giant grin on Ranma's face was shortly tempered. Wait, is Pops even here? I don't remember seeing him there, just Mom. But he'd havta be, if he and Mom had another kid-Oh right! I'm supposed to be getting her up.
Ranma started to head to the door, only to stop and look up. Hey goddess lady, can you maybe give me some memories of my sister or something? I don't want this to be weird cause I don't remember her yet.
The young redhead was rewarded with a vision…of the white ceiling of his bedroom.
Gee, thanks. Big help there.
Stepping out into the hallway, Ranma found himself with another dilemma. This was not the same house that his mother was living in from the previous reality and he had no idea where to go. Okay, so I'm lost in my own house and have no idea where to go to find a sister I didn't know existed until now. Huh, I guess I should apologize to Ryoga the next time I see him.
Checking different doors he found a linen closet, a larger bedroom that was most likely his mother's, and a bathroom. He paused at the bathroom door, then tentatively stepped inside. This one was smaller than the one at the Tendo's and a bit more Western in style, with the shower built into the bathtub. He stopped to take a few calming breaths before looking into the mirror.
The red haired girl staring back at him was indeed a few years younger. He couldn't help but study the details of this new face since he had never been a 12 year old girl before. On closer inspection, he realized his chest wasn't quite as flat as he first thought. It was just compared to the chest of his girl form before…
Great, and now I need to apologize to Akane. What are you doing to me, goddess?
Ranma studied the girl looking back at him for a few more seconds, before giving a little laugh. Since I was born a girl, if Pops did actually take me training, I bet he woulda taken me to Jusenkyo and threw me into the Nanichuan on purpose. He paused and looked down at the sink under the mirror, then quickly turned on the cold water and splashed himself in the face. After waiting a few seconds for the familiar sensation that never arrived, he looked up at the girl giving a resigned expression back to him. He responded with a shrug. Hey, it was worth a shot.
Checking the last door, Ranma found a mostly empty room with the completely made up but unused bed in the corner the only clue as to its intended use. He was about to turn around when he noticed that the small lump of blankets on the floor opposite the bed was moving in a regular rhythm. Curious, and also wanting to try out the training he just started to gain memories of, he very carefully snuck in and got a closer look, seeing a head with long dark hair peeking out. It was definitely a person currently sleeping under that pile.
So this is my sister? Weird, how'd she fall so far out of bed? The bed's even still got that fancy blanket and stuffed animals on top. Better wake her up and find out.
Looking down, Ranma suddenly got a very mischievous idea. He very slowly bent down until he was right next to the sleeping girl's ear.
"GOOD MORNING!"
However, instead of the startled reaction he was expecting, he was greeted with a quick puff of smoke and he ended up face to face with…a stuffed oval shaped orange cat? The strange sight and odd familiarity hit Ranma like a kick to the head.
Which was followed by an actual kick to the back of his head, that caused him to fly across the room and land face first next to the bed.
"Oh my gosh! Miss Ranma, are you alright? I am so sorry!"
Ranma let out a groan that in certain martial arts circles translated to 'I'm fine' and slowly sat up. He got a good look at the other person who was confirmed to be a girl around his current age wearing black pajamas and a look of worry on her face that made her appear absolutely adorable. He blinked a few times as he realized this was the same girl from his new memories and that he definitely knew her name, but for some reason it refused to come to him. Like her name was just at the edge of his vision no matter how much he turned to look at it.
"Hey, it's okay. That one was kinda on me, uh…Sis."
"Sis?"
"Oh, um yeah. You know, since you're my sister and all."
The girl's response was a high pitched squeak and another puff of smoke, leaving behind a small black piglet plushie.
Okay, seriously? Turning around, he saw her sitting on the bed with her knees pulled up to hide her face. "You, you really mean that?" she asked in a quiet voice. "Even after what I did?"
Ranma stepped back and waved his hands in front of him. "Hey, it's okay. It was basically my fault for doing that. Um, why were you sleeping on the floor instead of the bed anyway?"
She looked up slightly. "Oh, it looked so pretty and so expensive. I would never dare risk ruining such a thing." She then looked down and seemed to finally realize where she was sitting as she gave out another squeak and quickly hopped off the bed, landing behind Ranma. "Oh no! The bed is still okay, right?"
Ranma was unsure of what to say at this point. Fortunately, he was saved by his mother calling from downstairs.
"Girls! Breakfast is ready!"
"Okay, Mom! We'll be right down!" Ranma called back. He turned to the girl behind him, and was slightly taken aback by the contemplative look on her face. Recovering quickly, he gave a friendly smile. "Hey, don't worry, the bed is perfectly fine. We better hurry up though. We don't want to keep Mom waiting, right?"
"Huh?" She looked back up to Ranma. "Oh! Right, we should make sure not to be late." She then hurried out of the room.
Ranma took a moment to look up once more. Yeah, thanks for the help. That was sure not awkward at all. He then followed after the girl.
He headed down to the dining room and found his mother setting the rice container on the table. "Ah, there you are," she said. "Eat up. We have a big day today." Before Ranma could take a seat though, the girl whose name he still couldn't quite recall spoke up.
"Um, Mistress Nodoka?"
His mother sighed and gave a quick shake of her head before turning to the girl. "Yes, dear. Is there something wrong?"
The girl looked nervous as she continued. "Well, it's just that Miss Ranma referred to me as her sister. Do you know why?"
Ranma found himself taken back a little as his mother shot a disappointed look over to him. "Ranma…" she said in a chastising tone.
"Uh, I can explain. I think." Goddess? Help?
"You said that you wouldn't ruin the surprise."
"Oh, um…I'm sorry?"
Nodoka smiled and shook her head slightly. "No, I should have expected you wouldn't be able to hold it in, especially with how excited you were last night."
The dark-haired girl looked even more confused now. "Um, Mistress Nodoka, what's going on?"
Ranma's mother turned to her with a slight gleam in her eyes. "Well, first off, you can finally stop with the 'Mistress Nodoka' nonsense."
The girl gave a momentary look of horror, then cast her eyes down in resignation. "Yes, I understand. I suppose your debt to my father has been paid in full now." She then gave a deep bow to Nodoka. "I thank you dearly for your hospitality. Per your request, I will make my leave as soon as-"
"No! No no no no, I…" Nodoka sighed and placed her hand up to her forehead. "That's not what I meant at all."
The girl stood up from her bow, once again confused. "It's not? Then why?"
Nodoka knelt down and gently placed her hands on the girl's shoulders, giving a serene expression to her. "What I mean, is that from now on I would like you to refer to me as 'Mother'."
The girl stared wide eyed at Nodoka, before quickly glancing over to Ranma and back again. "That…that is indeed very generous of you, but again I don't think it would be correct to do so, since I am not a part of your family."
Nodoka's smile grew wider. "That's the good news, sweetheart. My request for your adoption has been approved."
"Adoption?! Me?!," was the squeaked out reply.
"That's right. From today onwards you will officially be Konatsu Saotome."
Ranma probably should have had more appreciation for the scene in front of him, but at the moment, he was just happy to know the name of the girl who would soon be his sister. Or maybe she has been his sister already and now it was just official.
The girl now confirmed as Konatsu once again had a look of worry, however. "Um, if it's my official registry, then I can't be…I'd have to be…"
Nodoka gave another reassuring smile. "Now, now. After all you went through to be who you are, do you think I wouldn't do everything in my power to make sure you were recognized as such."
"You really mean that?"
"Yes. You are my daughter and nothing can change that."
Konatsu looked to be beside herself now and almost appeared to be vibrating. "Would it be alright if I called you 'Mother' now?"
"Of course, my daughter."
Konatsu paused for just a moment, then leaped forward, wrapping her arms around Nodoka's neck. "Mother!"
The two embraced each other with joy for several moments before a loud growling sound interrupted them and they both turned to Ranma. He flushed in embarrassment and was about to apologize when a second grumble came from Konatsu. There was a momentary pause before all three burst into laughter.
"Oh dear," said Nodoka while wiping a tear from her eye. "Looks like my daughters are letting me know we better go eat breakfast before it gets cold." The two girls just gave a smile and a nod before rushing to their places at the table.
After all the excitement so far that morning, breakfast was mostly a subdued affair, although Nodoka did need to chastise Ranma a couple of times for eating so fast. Konatsu seemed to be deep in thought with a super wide grin throughout most of the meal. As everyone finished eating, Nodoka clapped her hands once and spoke up. "Okay! Like I said, we have a big day today. Konatsu dear, go ahead and get ready. We'll get everything cleaned up here."
Konatsu stood up and gave a small bow. "Very well…Mother," she finished with a little smile.
"Oh, and make sure to wear something nice for our trip to the courthouse. I think that new kimono would be perfect."
"Really, Mother? Is that okay? I mean, it looks so lovely, I wouldn't want to risk damaging your clothes."
"Now Konatsu," Nodoka amusingly chided, "those are your clothes. I got them specifically for you. Besides, this is a very special day for you. I think it is well worth taking the risk."
"Oh. Alright, if you're absolutely sure, Mother."
"Of course, dear."
Konatsu smiled and then headed upstairs.
Nodoka and Ranma started to clear the table. "Ranma, dear. Would you care to help me with the dishes?"
"Oh, sure Mom," Ranma responded.
The two got into a quick rhythm of Nodoka washing and Ranma drying. After a few minutes, the elder Saotome spoke up quietly. "Is everything okay, Ranma?"
The younger redhead was slightly startled by the question, but quickly recovered. "Oh, of course, Mom. Uh, I guess Konatsu's reaction to the whole thing really, um, hit me I guess."
"It's not just that, is it?"
"Um, I don't know what you mean."
"I'm your mother, dear. I can tell these things. Is it about your dream?"
"Oh, well sort of. I'm not really sure how to…"
"It's alright. You can tell me."
"Well, you see…there's something I'm wondering about Pops."
He saw his mother tense up for a moment, before relaxing and giving a reassuring smile to him. "Now Ranma, remember what I said about that man?"
"Oh, yeah of course," Ranma lied. He turned his head away as he tried to figure out how to exactly word his question. "It's just…this may sound weird but did he ever…make a seppuku pledge?"
A loud clanging noise nearly caused him to drop the plate he was currently holding. He turned to see one of the pots on the floor and his mother looking very pale. "Mom?"
In a flash, Nodoka knelt down and enveloped him in a tight embrace. "It's okay, Ranma. It's okay. He will never hurt you again. I promise."
Ranma was too stunned to give any sort of a reply. He could only stand there while his mother continued to give reassurances. Her words echoed in his head and he noticed tears starting to well up in his eyes. Finally, it became too much and he wrapped his arms around her, burying his face in her shoulder. The tears were now flowing freely, but he didn't care. There was no one here to chastise him for being weak or unmanly. Only his mother, allowing him to open up his feelings. So he did.
After a few minutes, the tears ended, but Nodoka still held on. "Ranma, if you want to stay home today, I understand."
Ranma shook his head. "No, I'm feeling better now. And I want to be there for my sister."
Nodoka smiled and released the hug. "Okay. I'll finish things here. Go ahead and get dressed. I think your white and red kimono would be good for today."
"Okay, Mom." Ranma headed back upstairs. He first made a quick stop in the bathroom to splash some cold water on his face, then went into his bedroom.
Now that he had a little time, he took a look around the room. On a couple of the walls, there hung a few martial arts scrolls, a poster of Bruce Lee, and some anime posters. A couple of them he knew, but a few featuring girls in elaborate costumes he couldn't recognize. There was also a desk in the corner, a dresser, a closet with a full length mirror besides it, and...another desk? This one had a smaller mirror above it framed by lights and on top of this desk were several containers of makeup. Ranma blinked a couple of times at this. Sure, he used makeup before, but he never thought about having a whole desk just for that.
Shaking his head, he went to the closet and found the kimono his mother mentioned. He decided not to waste any time and quickly changed into it. He was about to braid his hair into the normal pigtail when he caught his reflection in the full length mirror and froze. He looked at the girl staring back at him, then let go of his hair, letting the red locks fall around his shoulders and back. He stepped forward a bit and studied the girl in the white and red kimono closely.
"Well, the girl's kimono is still a bit tight. But it is really pretty too. Pretty…just like Momma."
"Come on, it's not like you actually hate your girl form."
Ranma smiled and leaned forward, head and one hand against the mirror. "Yeah, but I didn't hate my guy form either. At least, I'm pretty sure I didn't. I guess. I mean, I was 100% guy for 15 years and what did that get me? Now, I have my mother and I even have a sister too. Besides, at the very least I know Jusenkyo isn't going anywhere."
"Ranma, dear! We need to get going!"
Ranma stood back up and grinned at the red haired girl smiling back at her. "Okay, Mom! I'll be right down!" She then gave one last quick glance at herself in the mirror before heading out.