Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ The Silent Warrior ❯ Home Coming ( Chapter 1 )

Chapter 1 Home Coming

It was a beautiful evening in the little Tokyo ward of Nerima. Men were just getting off work and were returning home to their families, and women were returning from the market in order to begin dinner. Children ran through the streets playing games only they could understand, and shop owners were getting ready to close down after a hard days work. This was the scene the two men met as they trudged through the street.

The first was a stout man that most would consider overweight. But a person with an eye for the Art would be able to see the hidden strength that lies underneath. He wore a white bandana over his head in order to conceal his baldness. He adorned a white gee that had turned grey from long use, tied at the waist by a black belt. Wire framed glasses were worn upon his face that looped around the ear rather than set atop of it. No one gave him a second glance since martial artist were an everyday sight in Nerima.

The second man however brought quite a few second looks from the younger women traversing the street. Even older women looked upon him with an appraising eye, seeing whether or not he could be fine husband material for their daughters. This man also wore a once white gee the same as the first man, tied with a black belt at the waist. There was a considerable difference though since it was partially open in the front giving many females a great view of a finally toned chest and washboard stomach. He had long, black hair that was tied in a lose ponytail and ran down to his lower back. It seemed as if it were made of fine silk and had many a women wishing they could run their hands through it. The most catching feature about the man though was the deep sea blue eyes with flecks of grey throughout. They showed many depths of sorrow and loneliness that had every mother that peered into them want to go up and hug the man and tell him everything was going to be alright. Not that any of the younger women didn't want to do that also ( : P ). But the reoccurring thought that ran through all the minds of the females that saw him can be summed up in two simple words: 'Whoa momma!!'

"Well m'boy were almost home!" The heavy set man, Genma Saotome, said as he turned to regard his son. He adjusted the monstrous pack strapped to his back with a role of his shoulders.

The second man, Ranma Saotome, just nodded his head in response and followed his father. It had been ten years since he was last here and he has yet to recognize anything. Soon though they arrived in front of a gate that struck a cord in his memory. He gazed at the sign that was hung on the right and read: Saotome Dojo.

'Home' he thought as he followed behind his father through the gate. Inside he caught sight of a beautiful garden that showed signs of continual attention and had many typed of flowers. Further back he looked upon a decent sized dojo that seemed well kept if not still in use. Then he gazed upon the main house. As he looked upon the first thought that came to mind was 'Whoa', and this was said with good reason. The house was a traditional Japanese house that consisted of two stories and an attic. The outside wall was painted white with blue shingles, and also consisted of the traditional shogi sliding doors. A covered walkway connected the house and dojo. And the covered patio had finely polished wood floors. All in all this house would carry a very high value in the market nowadays.

Ranma looked over at his father. 'Who woulda thought someone as worthless and cheap as him could own a house like this. Mother must come from a rich family'.

He was knocked out of his thoughts as his father began to speak. "Well boy, what say we say hello to your mother, shall we?"

Another nod from Ranma and both continued to the front door. As they approached Ranma began to get nervous as all the questions he asked himself last night resurfaced in his mind. He watched as his father knocked on the door and waited. He faced forward and decided to face the inevitable.

A few moments later and Ranma could hear the light footfalls of someone on the other side of the door. Then they stopped and the door slid open.

A middle-aged woman answered the door. She was beautiful in her own right and looked more to be in her late twenties then her actual age. She first caught sight of Genma and here eyes widened. "HUSBAND" she screamed and threw herself at Genma giving him a glomp that would make and Amazon green with envy.

"Hello dear, how have you been" Genma said in a soothing tone trying to calm the babbling woman in his arms. Then her head shot up and swiveled from left to right looking behind Genma. Then she caught sight of Ranma.

Ranma gave a small smile and bowed at the waste. "Hello Mother" he said in a quiet refined tone.

"R...Ranma?" she whispered in a voice filled with hope and happiness. The next thing Ranma knew he was being crushed in a hug that made him swear he could hear his ribs creak. Tears of joy sprang form the woman, Nodoka's, eyes as she buried her face between his neck and shoulder. "Oh son, I'm so glad to see you. <Sniff> You're so handsome and all grown up I almost don't recognize you." At this point she looks up and sees that her beautiful son is now going through seven different shades of blue. She wonders what wrong with him until she realizes he can't breath and releases him apologizing all the while. "Oh Ranma honey I'm so sorry, are you alright?"

As his skin starts to return to normal and his breathing slows, he looks into his mother's eyes and sees nothing but concern and unconditional love. He slightly smiles once again and hugs his mother lovingly. "I'm fine mother, it's wonderful to see you" he says into her ear.

Tears spring up once again as she realizes her baby is with her again. After a few more moments she releases him and gives a light kiss to his forehead. "Finally we can be a family again" she says with a big smile on her face. "Oh, you both must be tired. Let's go inside ad I'll brew us some tea and you can tell me about all the wonderful places you both visited on your journey" Nodoka says as she grabs both men's arms at the elbow and drags them into the house.

The Saotome's were once again together.

The scene fades in to show the three residents of the Saotome house sitting around a sitting table in the den. Each is now sipping from small tea cups and snacking on freshly backed cookies.

As Ranma looks around the den, he has a major since of Nostalgia as old memories of a childhood long past began surfacing in his mind. Not much had changed since he was a child. All was well kept and dusted. Pictures lined the walls displaying family photo's of numerous generations. "So tell me about your trip?"

Startled out of his reverie, Ranma looks up to see his mother peering at him and his father with curious eyes. He then looks over to his father as he begins to speak.

"Well dear, as we left…"

~Three Hours Later~

Story after story and question after question is discussed between the three long into the night. Genma has done most of the talking as Ranma spoke only when asked a question directly. Nodoka had watched him throughout the discussion and was drawing her own conclusion about her son.

'Hmm, he's well mannered and very polite, unlike his father. Gorgeous looks and body, so he's sure to be a man sought after by many ladies. Oh my son is so manly!' Nodoka practically beamed with pride as she gazed upon her son. Then she turned to her husband. 'I don't know how you did it husband but it seems you have raised our son outstandingly.'

All the nervousness and tension Ranma was holding before he stepped into his new home had melted away as he watched his mother appraise him and complement him. 'It was wrong of me to ever consider being rejected by her. I can't believe I was thinking that she would be like pop.' Ranma looked over at his father. 'My god why would she ever marry a man like him.'

"Well it seems that both of you had quite the adventure on your journey. But it's getting late and I'm sure you are both tired. Ranma, I enrolled you at our local school, Furinkan High, when I received your father's postcard. Tomorrow we shall go to the mall and get you a few new uniforms and a satchel so you can attend Monday, ok?"

Ranma looks at his mother and smiles. "Thank you mother, I can't wait to spend some more time with you."

Once again Nodoka beams at the thought of her boys being back. "As do I son. Anyway let me show you to your room…"

And the night comes to a close with Ranma falling asleep in a room he hasn't been in for ten years. And for the first time since he could remember, Ranma slept a dreamless, peaceful sleep. A slight smile adorned on his face.