Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Pack of Cards ❯ The Fall of Saotome ( Chapter 9 )

 

PACK OF CARDS


By


Taro M.D


Chapter 9
The Fall of Saotome

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I'm back guys and lookie here it's a hint into what's going to happen... if you have been reading this far then you will know with what is going to happen next and I did promise that hell will come to the Tendo Dojo and let's say things will change, people will fall and mostly things will come to an end for some within but I won't give too much hints, hell I won't even say who's going to fall.


You are going to have to read this to find out.


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Recapp ing of what happened in the last chapter of Pack of Cards, Cologne finally finds out that Ranma killed Saffron and ponders on the future of her tribe before finally sending a message back to her elders whilst Ranma finally started to work on the overdue homework with Akane supervising... then later on Nodoka interrupted their private time insisting that she spoke to Ranma on a private matter.

Meanwhile Kuno and Kodachi were having a meeting about family arrangements and finding out that their father was now thrown out of the clan, Kodachi instantly accepts an offer from their uncle to move to Kyoto to restart and to get away from the chaos whilst she convinced her own brother to join her otherwise he would of been disowned as well insisting that if he didn't then their cousin would be named the heir to the family fortune... Kuno instantly made up his mind.


The Tendo dinner then proceeded with the announcement that Nodoka had became the head of the Saotome household and cancelled the sekkipu contract and her last announcement was to officially declare Ranma independent and the household was in shock including the now independent Ranma.

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"I PROTEST TO THIS OUTRAGE, I'M THE HEAD OF THE SAOTOME FAMILY AND YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME!!!"


Genma screamed in his rage over at what happened... how dare his own wife take the position that he had long schemed to protect and manipulate so his son would take over as the head with his debts so that he can retire whilst his son and his bride would work at the dojo constant to ensure the future of the school unfortunately that meant that his son would be unhappy but he didn't care.


"Genma you know that this was coming for a long time, you were married into MY family before I even agreed to take your honourless name!"


"But YOU can't raise our son especially with that damn contract looming over my head and of Ranma!"


"WHICH I WHY I DECIDED TO RETAKE MY PLACE AND MAKE SURE THAT HE LIVES THE REST OF HIS LIFE FREE OF OUR INFLUENCE!!!"


Nodoka screamed this out at her 'husband' whilst the rest of the dinner table looked on in stunned silence as the domestic breakdown of a troubled marriage was now visible that and it was long overdue... then Nodoka took a quick breath and briefly calmed herself down right before the fat panda spoke, she instantly cut him off.


"Next call of business concerns Nabiki... I know it was you who sent out the invitations out to the wedding crashers, I have here the document to prove it."


Nodoka then revealed that said document which was confirmed by the investigator that she hired which had the details of all the wedding presents that she would eventually sold to keep a profit on the family and on the dojo itself... she then passed it around and each time it was looked at, the temperature seemed to drop a degree and then finally Nabiki had the copy and was promptly stunned.


"Well Nabiki why did you do such a thing?"


Nabiki then looked at Nodoka with a look that seemed silent but eventually it grew to hatred, to anger as her face went red and finally she snapped as she jumped into the air.


"YOU WANT TO KNOW WHY I SABOTAGED THE WEDDING, IT WASN'T DUE TO THE FACT THAT YOUR HUSBAND AND FUCKING WORTHLESS SON EAT THEIR WAY INTO THE FOOD BILL BUT ALSO HE'S FUCKING RUDE TO MY LITTLE SISTER AND THE REASON WAS THAT THEY WEREN'T READY TO GET MARRIED!!!"


"Yes Nabiki dear I knew about that... but there's something else is there? It was more than that..."


"Uh..."


"I think it was because you hated your sister's popularity and the only way you could it was by manipulating and merchandising their relationship in a way that you could keep this dojo alive and if they did get married then your intakes would suffer a massive dent."


"Um..."


"Nabiki how could you do this to your own family!"


Nabiki didn't know what to do well there was one thing that she could only do for now... so she decided to leave her spot on the table in a briske walk and headed straight up her room and locked herself in, it was there that she finally felt the blunt force of her guilt as she cried her eyes out letting go of years worth of malice, hate and jealousy.


Back downstairs everyone heard the crying from where they were as Soun made a note to himself to have that all important chat with Nabiki... but soon as that was done, the elders were ready to go up and have a game of Shogi where a hard cough interrupted their thoughts.


"Oh and another thing Genma, I believe this belongs to you and it concerns Soun as well... something called a retirement plan."


Genma and Soun visibly went pale as their greatest plan was now being uncovered.


"Daddy?"


Soun heard his youngest voice as he finally couldn't handle the guilt but Nodoka struck the first blow.

 

"You were going to marry off these two before they became of age so you two would become their legal guardians and then run off with the money that they were destined to have so you can retire in comfort whilst they would take care of the dojo here which would at this point falling apart."


The temperature within the room dropped even more lower as Kasumi, Akane and Nodoka shared a collective glare whilst Ranma shook his head in unforgiving terms, this was definitely something his old man would do.


"But it was for the best interests of the dojo, I didn't know how to handle the finances that came in when your mother died all I ever know was to take care of the school and of the arts..."


"So when my baka pops here decided to get greedy and plan all of this then you easily followed him like a dog on a leash."


Soun could only nod in guilt as he started to cry a little whilst Genma knew that his plan, his entire plan was now being dismantled right in front of him and he couldn't run away because he knew that Nodoka would find him quite easily.


Kasumi then decided that she would be the one that would talk to Nabiki so she left whilst Ranma decided to take a destroyed Akane out of the room and into the dojo whilst Nodoka stayed behind so she could finally dish out the punishment that these two old men so richly deserved.


"I think it's time we had that conversation..."


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La ter on though as Akane was very much calmed down by her husband, she then saw Nabiki heading downstairs with a small bit of luggage as she had a sullen look on her face.


"Nabiki where are you going with that suitcase?"


She then turned around slowly and it was clear that her eyes were puffy, her cheeks were red and she was still not over her guilt.


"I'm leaving for a while... I'm not sure when I'll be back little sister but this is for the best, so much has happened and I need to think about what am I going to do next."


"You got anywhere to stay?"


"Yeah I'm heading over to Hiroko's place as she convinced her parents to let me stay; they are nice people after all... Akane I'm sorry for what I've done to you over the last few years to you and Ranma, I hope you forgive me within time."


"I know... one day I will but not now."


"Hey congratulations on finally marrying Ranma, Kasumi told me the news... don't worry I'll keep this silent for free of course."


"I hope you do because I would have treated you so much different."


"I know, I know but believe me this is for the best, I'll see you around school Sis."


Akane nodded as Nabiki opened the door and walked out of the Tendo Dojo just as she felt a hand on her back and wrapping it around her shoulder just as Ranma appeared.


"She'll be alright Akane."


"I know Ranma..."


Kasumi then made an appearance as she saw the couple.


"Hi Kasumi so what did you say to Nabiki?"


"Oh it was actually straightforward actually, I told her that she needed to get away for a while so she doesn't get involved and then from there she can then decide on her college application in total peace."


"At least she's gone for now... I'll miss her Kasumi..."


"I know and I'll miss her too."


Ranma then was involved in a three-way hug which he then finally felt was to be involved with a happy family, he knew that things would be different but together with Akane he would conquer that path and then they'll be on the final home stretch.


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Later on though, Nodoka finally left the dojo and following behind her in a leash was a freshly beaten up panda sporting several cuts, bruises and scars... it was because of this that the Saotome Elder thought she would take him home to sort out the final details of their divorce.


"Come on you dumb panda, let's get you home."


And all through the night on the way to the Saotome House was the gentle sobbing of a broken panda.

TO BE CONTINUED...


(Taro) Sorry for the long delay guys and gals but I wasn't sure that If I ever wanted to get this done... what with University starting again and having lectures again but hey I'm glad to see that most of you out there were willingly patient with me so nice one guys your the best.


I also noticed that someone finally made a crime fic involving that fat bastard Genma... Originally I was going to do a one shot of that but it's a good story so check that out when you get the chance because it's a good one shot and it involves CSI: Vegas aka Grissom and his crew.


See you guys later!