Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Chained World: The Fall of the House of Kuno ❯ Breaking the Bad News ( Chapter 6 )

This was originally published by me under the name Anduril at Anime Addventures, with the only changes being a few corrections in spelling, punctuation and the occasional word choice. If you like the beginning of my story but think I've gone off the rails, or have your own ideas for a great branch-off, or think I'm taking too long to update and want to continue the story yourself, come to Anime Addventures and join in the fun!

I claim no ownership rights to any of the works of Rumiko Takahashi.

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“We're home!” Nabiki and Ranma-chan called out as they stepped into the front hallway after changing their shoes.

“Oh, you're finally back!” came a voice from the direction of the kitchen, and both girls stiffened — that hadn't been Kasumi's voice. Then a beautiful redheaded middle-aged version of Ranma came around the corner toward them.

“Mom!” “Auntie Nodoka!” the two girls chorused.

Ranma's mother walked up to them and bowed to Nabiki. “I was sorry to learn of your father's death,” she said soberly. “His end was honorable, but too early.”

Nabiki returned the bow. “Thank you,” she said. “Now Father has rejoined Mother, as he has longed for these twelve years — something to rejoice at even if we will miss him.”

“Of course, dear,” Nodoka said with a gentle smile, and turned to Ranma. “Ranma, Genma told me when he called that you are working on a way to save the Tendos from Lord Kuno. Have you thought of a way?”

Ranma nodded. “Yeah, I did, and after askin' around today it'll work. I'll tell everyone what it is after dinner.”

Nodoka nodded, face serene, though she was unable to keep her concern completely hidden. “Very well, dinner is ready. Would you two get Akane from her room and Genma from the dojo while Kasumi and I set up the table?”

“Sure, I'll get Akane as soon as I get some hot water,” the younger redhead said, and headed for the kitchen.

Nabiki rolled her eyes. “I suppose I can't begrudge the division of labor. I'll go get Genma,” she called to Ranma's retreating back. Then, turning back to Nodoka, she softly said, “Kasumi, Akane and I wanted to keep you out of this mess, but I'm glad you're here. Thank you.”

“I could wish you had called me in immediately, and especially after Soun committed seppuku, but I understand your reasoning and am grateful you wished to protect me,” Nodoka said. “But we are going to be family, and family should support each other.”

Nabiki carefully didn't flinch. “You're right, Auntie Nodoka, family should look out for each other. I'm glad you're here now. I'll go get Genma.” The two headed down the hall, separating as Nodoka turned toward the kitchen and Nabiki continued out of the house toward the dojo.

When Nodoka had told her that Genma was in the dojo, Nabiki had expected to find him running through katas. So, when she quietly stepped through the doorway, she was surprised to find the stout middle-aged man kneeling on the floor, eyes fixed on the small family shrine and apparently oblivious to all else.

She simply stood there watching for a few minutes, but Genma failed to acknowledge her presence and finally she coughed slightly. At the sound, Genma started and turned his head to look at her, and Nabiki was stunned speechless at the tear streaks running down his cheeks.

When she failed to say anything, Genma smile slightly. “Yes?” he asked in a surprisingly normal tone, and Nabiki shook herself out of her shock.

“I'm sorry to disturb you, Uncle Genma, but Auntie Nodoka says that dinner is ready,” she said softly.

Genma nodded and rose smoothly to his feet. “Thank you,” he said simply, and strode by her toward the house, Nabiki quickly following.

The two met Ranma and Akane at the foot of the stairs, the pigtailed boy and youngest Tendo with their arms around each other's waist, and the four sat down at the low table as Nodoka and Kasumi, red-eyed but looking much better than she had the previous day, brought in the last of the dishes for the meal.

 

Nodoka looked around the table and nodded, satisfied that everyone was more or less finished. It had been an odd dinner — no speed-eating contest between Genma and Ranma with insults to match, no verbal sparring match between Ranma and Akane with sardonic comments being tossed in by Nabiki, no talking at all, just silence as everyone ate.

But the meal was finally over, and it was time to give the curiosity Nodoka had been firmly sitting on free rein. Putting down her chopsticks, she looked over at her son, sitting across from her with Nabiki on one side and Akane on the other. “Everyone is finished eating,” she said to Ranma. “I believe it is time to tell us of the solution you have come up with.”

Everyone else except Nabiki turned to stare at the pigtailed boy, and he and Nabiki exchanged glances before Ranma reluctantly nodded. “Yeah, I guess so. But first, let Nabik tell ya what won't work — it'll save time after. Then I'll tell ya what we've worked out.”

Nodoka paled while Akane stiffened, then with a worried look at Ranma slipped an arm around his waist — if he and Nabiki were shortcutting protests, this wasn't going to be good.

 

It wasn't. “... then, when Kuno breaks his word — and he will, sooner or later — I'll be in a position ta deal with it. After that, Nabiki says I should be freed in around five ta ten years—assumin' I'm not charged with murder,” Ranma said, then looked around at the stunned faces. Kasumi had tears streaming down her face. Nodoka didn't, though her face had paled and it was obvious that under the low table she was gripping her husband's hand. And Akane ... Ranma repressed a flinch at the uncomprehending pain in her eyes.

For a few minutes no one spoke, then finally Genma asked, “And the Adjustment you'll undergo before they put you up for auction?”

“Already got it handled,” Ranma said. “When the time comes it won't be a problem.”

Then, looking at his father steadily, Ranma added, “Pop, this'll get Kuno off a' Akane's back and the Tendos out a' debt, but it won't bring in more money and Nabiki says she won't be able ta do that herself anymore — too much attention. But she says the family will be able ta get by if the dojo reopens for classes. Can ya do that — teach the classes?”

Genma nodded solemnly as his wife's grip on his hand tightened. “Of course, boy. I'll see to it that my old friend's daughters are taken care of. And once the debt is paid, there will be a home for you to return to.”

“How ... how long until ...” Nodoka managed to ask past the lump in her throat.

“Tomorrow Cologne's gonna be gettin' what she needs ta lock the curse,” her son responded. “The next morning she'll lock it, so the magic will have time ta settle before I'm processed. Kuno's goons'll be by ta get me by noon the next day.”

Finally shaking off her own shock, Akane burst out, “Ranma, please, there's got to be another way!”

“No, Akane, there isn't,” Ranma said as softly as he could. “And even if there is a way I missed, it's too late — I gave Kuno my word, and until he breaks his part of our agreement that's that.”

“You and your honor!” Akane snarled, then rose and ran from the room. Ranma sat and stared after her as they listened to the sound of her footsteps receding down the hall then up the stairs. Silence fell, until Kasumi spoke up.

“Go to her, Ranma,” the matronly Tendo said softly, wiping at her cheeks. “You have so little time together, before ... Don't waste any of it.”

Ranma nodded without a word, then rose and walked out of the family room. As the sound of his footsteps started up the stairs, Nodoka buried her face in her husband's shoulder, and he let go of her hand to pull her into a hug as her own tears finally came.