Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ City of Dreams ❯ When Nightmares Attack ( Chapter 12 )

Hathor was sitting in her garden when she felt the presence of another power enter her domain. A blue light floated in as if dancing on air currents. It came to rest on the other side of the courtyard and resolved into the form of a tall blue haired lady in elegant robes.

 

“Greetings Goddess Hathor, I am Tsunami Goddess of Jurai.” She said.

 

Hathor bowed and gestured for one of her servants to bring tea, “I greet you in return. What do I owe the honor of your visit to my humble estate?” She motioned for Tsunami to sit on the bench across from her.

 

“I apologize for intruding but I have come on a request from one of my followers on the behalf of Nodoka Saotome.”

 

Hathor paled visibly and took a cup of tea offered by an imp to calm her nerves, “I had expected something like this would occur soon. I have felt a shift in the currents of the Dreaming. There are dark omens I fear.” She looked up from the floating tea leaves in her cup.

 

Tsunami tried to reassure the distraught goddess, “I have no power here over you or yours. I am here however to beg for the release of Ranma Saotome. His mother misses him terribly and I feel Akane Tendo would like to see him face to face as well.”

 

Hathor frowned then shook her head, “I'm not sure if you know what you're asking. Ranma has lived in the Dreaming for ten years. He barely remembers the waking world anymore. However, I will speak with him on the subject. Things have happened that may take the decision from me anyway. Akane has been exiled from the Dreaming and I fear my son holds me responsible.”

 

Tsunami gasped, “Will Akane be all right?”

 

Hathor sighed, “If she does not return to the dreaming within a week or longer if she is strong willed, she will slowly begin to go mad as the excess emotional energies build up before finally killing her. I have appealed the decision of the council and will continue to do so until I am heard. I'm afraid my influence in this realm is not what it used to be however.”

 

Tsunami digested the information as she drank her tea, “Unfortunately I cannot interfere. I can tell you that Nodoka Saotome is aware of Ranma's fate through Akane. I believe she has fallen in love with the boy.”

 

Hathor laughed, “Even in the realm of dreams Love is still the one unpredictable, uncontrollable force in existence. Tsunami, thank you for bringing this to my attention. I will discuss this with Ranma at the earliest opportunity. If worse comes to worse, I will bring Nodoka here to visit Ranma. I think I should talk to her regardless.”

 

* * * * * * * * * *

 

“I'm home!” Akane's voice called out from the front door. Soun and Genma were still in the middle of their game although Genma was looking a little tense. Ryu was watching TV and eating a bag of potato chips ignoring the scowl Nabiki was giving him for stealing her snacks.

 

“Welcome home Akane” Kasumi said as she came from the kitchen, “How did things... Oh My, we have a guest. I'll go get some tea.” She turned and hurried back to the kitchen.

 

Soun finished his move and looked up as Akane came in with Nodoka behind her, “Akane, who's our guest?” He wasn't sure but she looked very familiar. Genma took advantage of Soun's inattention and quickly moved some pieces around on the board.

 

“Hello Soun, Genma. I see you are still up to your old tricks.” Nodoka responded.

 

Soun's eyes widened and Genma froze in fear, “N-N-Nodoka!” They both stammered in stereo.

 

Nodoka gave a cold smile, “Yes, I believe the Americans have a phrase for situations like this. Oh yes, `the jig is up.' I've told Akane-chan here everything about her mother's legacy. Frankly Soun, I expected something like this from Genma but I'd hoped you had more honor than this.”

 

Soun gulped nervously then winced under the cold glare his youngest daughter was giving him. Ryu was staring with mild curiosity and Nabiki entered the room with Kasumi from the kitchen. Genma however was moving ever so slowly towards the open doors facing the pond.

 

Akane stepped forward, “how could you do this Daddy? We trusted you. We loved you!” Tears were beginning to form in her eyes.

 

“There...there were debts... With no income from the dojo...things were...” Soun trailed off, unsure of what else he could say to restore the trust he had betrayed.

 

Genma took that as his cue, “WellSoungottarunnowitwasniceseeingyouagainNodokacomeonRyuit'stimetoc ontinueourjourney” he grabbed his `son' by the back of his shirt and took off across the yard and over the fence.

 

Nabiki came further into the room, “What's going on here?”

 

“It's simple dear. If you'll have a seat I'll explain how your father and my ex-husband were about to swindle you girls out of your mother's inheritance.” Nodoka sat down.

 

Surprisingly, Soun managed to find his spine, “What?! How dare you come in here and make accusations?! I demand you leave right now!”

 

Nodoka had to admit Soun's demon head technique was quite good and a lesser person might have been cowed into submission. Nodoka however was made of sterner stuff.

 

“I dare because of Kimiko! I dare because it's the only way to stop you from doing just what she hoped to prevent. Now sit down and shut up or leave. This is for your daughters only.”

 

Soun shut up and glared at Nodoka for a moment before cringing from Akane's equally harsh glare.

 

Taking Soun's silence as her cue Nodoka began her tale, “You're mother and I are cousins by marriage and grew up together. Her family was quite wealthy and had stock and businesses not only here in Japan but also in America as well. It was when we were down in Kyoto, to visit the various shrines and temples as part of your mother's studies in college, that we met your father and my ex-husband.”

 

Nabiki and Kasumi gasp in surprise. That their mother had been in college came as a shock to them all. Kasumi hoped Ms. Saotome would stay for a while and talk about mother. It had been over ten years since she had died and Kasumi's memories were slowly fading.

 

Nabiki felt torn, this woman was accusing her father of horrible things but she also knew her mother, had grown up with her she claimed. Deciding she needed more data, she kept silent.

 

Akane had already heard most of the story so she kept an eye on her father to judge his reaction. She didn't want to believe Nodoka's tale but from living with Genma for a while she had to wonder.

 

“Apparently Soun and Genma's master had decided to train in Kyoto since it was a larger city and there was less chance of being caught by the police. Master Happosai...”

 

“Don't say that Name!” Soun yelled.

 

Nodoka frowned at the spineless man, “As I was saying, their master created the Anything goes school as a means to steal and evade capture. Food, money, alcohol, even women's panties were fair game for Happosai.” Soun whimpered but stayed silent. “The master was a pervert of the highest order.”

 

“So how did Mother end up with father if he was being trained to be a pervert and a thief?” Kasumi asked quietly. Soun looked at his eldest daughter with tears in his eyes and a hurt expression on his face.

 

“It was quite funny in a way. Your mother was quite the bold one in those days. Soun and Genma had been standing outside a nearby temple while their master was inside stealing kami knows what when we happened by. Your father was really an attractive man in those days and your mother began to flirt with him. After about ten minutes, your father worked up the nerve to talk to her. That was when their master returned. He saw your mother and launched himself at her, attaching himself to her chest in a most perverted fashion. Your father attacked him and knocked him to the ground and between him and Genma beat the lech unconscious. Your Mother was impressed with Soun's gallant defense of her honor and they hit it off. It wasn't until Nabiki was born did I finally marry Genma with the promise that they'd get rid of the master, which they did somehow.”

 

“So what does this have to do with an inheritance?” Nabiki asked.

 

Nodoka bowed her head, “Sorry, I got off track. As I said before, your mother came from a wealthy family and had a decent dowry, this house was part of it. They also knew of Soun's past and his association with Happosai. Your grandparents made specific provisions in their will that while you girls would always have a home and be provided for, Soun would never be able to touch any of the money. Your mother received a monthly allowance from a trust fund in order to pay bills and buy food. More than enough to live comfortably if not richly. The bulk of the money had been set aside for the day Kasumi came of age or one of you girls became married.”

 

Nabiki was now glaring at Soun. She balanced the house budget and never knew of any of this. When she saw him flinch from her gaze she knew it was true. All her scrounging and scheming and they didn't have to worry about money?! The bill were always paid? So where did all the money she brought into the household go? She vowed to have a talk with her father in private later.

 

“Oh my,” Kasumi exclaimed, “I turn twenty in less than a month. That must have been why father and Sao... I mean Genma-san were pushing Akane to get married so fast.”

 

Nodoka nodded, “With her married and still under the age of majority, her husband would become legally responsible for the money. Unless he was also under age, then it would fall to the legal guardians of the couple to manage the money until one of them reached twenty.”

 

“Daddy, please tell me the fat Panda put you up to this.” Nabiki asked while looking into his eyes.

 

Soun nodded, “Yes, it was all Genma's idea! He said we could reinvest it and make even more money before you girls grew up!”

 

Nabiki sighed and shook her head, “He's lying.”

 

“How do you know?” Kasumi asked quietly.

 

“I can tell. It's what I do all day at school. I ferret out the truth. I've gotten very good at telling whether someone is being truthful or not. If you'll excuse me.” Nabiki said as she got up to leave the room. Akane could see her fighting to contain the tears that all three daughters were threatening to shed. Nabiki ran upstairs.

 

“Saotome-san, I thank you for bringing this to our attention. I would like to talk to you again about our mother sometime but now we must deal with this.” Kasumi said soberly.

 

Nodoka nodded, “Of course Tendo-san.” She handed Kasumi a small card, “Call me if you need anything. Akane...” She nodded to the youngest girl and got up to leave.

 

As she got to the front door she heard Akane call out, “Auntie wait!” She came close, “Is it... would it be all right if I came by to see Ranma?”

 

“Of course Akane-chan. I'm sure he'd appreciate that. Good luck to you child.” Nodoka said as she stepped out into the early evening air.

 

Akane returned from the foyer to see Nabiki coming down the stairs. She had tears running down her face even though it was set in a look of resolve, “Kasumi, Akane, we need to talk upstairs. Alone.” The last was directed at Soun.

 

As the girls disappeared up to Nabiki's room, Soun sighed and grabbed the bottle of Sake sitting next to the Go board. Taking a deep drink he wondered just where he had screwed up his life.

 

* * * * * * * * * *

 

Ranma appeared in the main entry hall of Hathor's estate. It rarely changed and seemed stable compared to the rest of the Dreaming that was always in some sort of flux. His assignment as part of the resistance was to keep his mother safe. That sounded good in theory, however his mother was a goddess. Anything that could harm her would probably not even think twice about destroying him. He frowned, deep in thought on his way to his chambers. He was so deep in thought that he almost bumped into his mother walking the other way.

 

“Um, sorry. Wasn't watchin' where I was goin'.” He mumbled.

 

“Ranma, I've been looking for you. We need to talk. About you and me, your real mother and Akane.” Hathor held out her hand to him.

 

Ranma sighed, “Yeah, let's talk mom.” He figured she must have had a good reason for doing what she did all those years ago and he'd give her the benefit of the doubt and listen.

 

As they left to visit the courtyard neither of them noticed the dark shadow detach from the base of a statue and follow the pair down the hall.

 

* * * * * * * * * *

 

It was almost an hour before the Tendo girls returned to the dining room. Nabiki clutched a pack of papers in a manila folder that Soun recognized immediately. He knew whatever was going to happen wouldn't be good.

 

“Father, Nabiki has brought evidence of your intentions to light. These papers detail a number of dummy companies and back accounts that would have drained away what these bank statements show to be a huge sum of money. All that money would have gone into secret accounts accessible only by you and Genma-san. Also these pamphlets about the Caribbean imply that you would have left your daughters here with ownership of the dojo and house but no money to run it. I am ashamed of your dishonorable actions and I am ashamed to call you my father.” Kasumi sniffed and wiped her eyes to keep from breaking down and crying again. She was strong when mother died, she would be strong now.

 

“Father. Akane, Nabiki and I have decided. We want you to leave. You are not welcome here anymore.”

 

* * * * * * * * * *

 

Nodoka finished feeding Ranma and cleaned the dishes. She idly thought about what could be going on in the Dreaming as Akane had put it. It was a lot to hope but she couldn't help but be a little excited at the prospect of her son coming back to her soon. The fact that Akane seemed to already be in love with him was a big bonus. Even in the dream world her son was a man among men! Thoughts of grandchildren were interrupted when the phone rang.

 

“Hello, Saotome residence.” She answered.

 

“Auntie Nodoka?” A quiet Akane asked over the phone.

 

“Akane? What's wrong child?”

 

“Um, well... we threw daddy out of the house tonight and we kinda... we need an adult to stay with us. I know it's a lot to ask, especially since we just met and all, but...”

 

“Don't worry Akane, Ranma and I will be right over.”

 

There was an audible sigh of relief over the phone.

 

* * * * * * * * * *

 

Author's Rants:

 

Hah! That chapter took heck of a lot out of me. There must be some sort of laxative for writer's block out there. Of course writer's diarrhea would be messy. Anyway, school is starting soon! Funny thing is, I tend to get more writing done during the semester than sitting around all summer doing nothing. Hopefully this new chapter is a sign that my writing will be back on track now. Heh, we'll see.

 

Ok, latest problem; I have too many fics that aren't done. But I also have ideas for about ten to fifteen more fics that I have this insane urge to write. I don't want to be like all these other big writers who start dozens of fics but never finish. I've seen people post challenges on fanfiction.net (Against user policy) but that never seems to work. As I type, I have seven word windows open, one of which is a new fic I was forced by GOD to write (yeah, that's a good excuse). The others include Ranko's curse, (Next chapter should be up soon) the next chapter of this fic (Not started), Element of shadows, Four years (Haven't written anything new in months), Return of the Age of Heroes chp 2, And too many Ranma's. I have about four other stories I would like to post the first chapters of but am uncertain because I don't want to get yelled at for having too many. Let me know what you think.

 

On a final note, My Ranma