Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Third Chances ❯ Steps towards the Future Part 1 ( Chapter 5 )

Chapter 5

Steps towards the Future Part 1

 

 

Disclaimer: I don't own this series or any other series. I am just floating an idea. I am making no money, nor plan to, off this venture. If you think of suing me over this, then grow up.

 

I would like to first personally thank all of those reviewing my stories. I enjoy reading your comments, and try to correct the grammatical errors I miss with my final read-through as well as my spell checkers. The suggestions you all make will help make this story better for everyone to enjoy, as well as allow my to fix some plot holes I may unintentionally leave. If you find any, let me know, and I will correct them and repost the chapters.

 

I find that if I let thinks sit for a while in my head; I can play them out farther. Plus by trying and keeping my chapters between 2500 and 3000+ words, it helps keep me from making the story slide out of control, turning a diamond to a pile of shit.

 

Please feel free to review, and make comments. If you find a spelling or wordage mistake, feel free to let me know. Thank you.

 

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Classes had ended for the day, sending many students to after-school jobs, assorted hangouts, or home to study.

 

Nabiki sat on the couch, staring at the television, a random anime now playing on the TV.

 

But her eyes were not watching the show.

 

Her mind was busy going over her conversation with “Auntie Saotome”. Nabiki had told her everything, believing that the proud woman's own honor code would keep her within limits; keep her from spilling the secret before its time. It was a small victory to use the woman's honor against her as she had been Auntie had been so willing to do against Ranma. That thought alone gave Nabiki a small smile.

 

Of course, it did little to stop the woman from dragging Nabiki to a family doctor to make certain the baby was okay, let alone from buying the entire standard “new mother pills”: vitamins, aspirin, and assorted medical items for a new mother to take to ensure a healthy baby. It was an embarrassing moment for the young woman, often having her face red from the talk with the doctor, not to mention the exam.

 

Purchasing the books had been the worst, as Nabiki felt as if all eyes were staring at her; judging her in some way. She could almost imagine the comments they were thinking: calling her every derogatory name in the book. She felt they were mentally slamming her for betraying her family, let alone for having a baby out of wedlock. She had been so nervous, that she had crushed the spine of several of those books be clutching them so tightly. Her heart had spent the day in overdrive at the perceived judgment being passed on her. Even Auntie had asked her to calm down as she often looked like she was ready to bolt at any moment.

 

Who knew the fact she was carrying another life would be enough to destroy the Ice Queen Façade.

 

It was only because of the reassuring arm and hand of Nodoka that Nabiki did not run fleeing from the place. At the moment, Nabiki had been grateful for the assistance of the woman in what was certain to be a trying time. Normally one would ask their own mother for support and what to expect. But Nabiki did not have this option, and no others she could turn to for help without revealing her pregnancy and risking exposure. No matter what happened, she was thankful that Nodoka was able to act like a normal mother to her for that brief moment.

 

But she was back home now. Those supplies were safely locked away in her safe - ample room provided by the removal of everything she had been saving to blackmail Ranma with. With the books and pills tucked away, she didn't have to worry about someone finding them before she was ready. Luckily, she had convinced Nodoka to leave the baby clothes at the Saotome home, as well as put off the trip for maternity wear for another week or so. Now she had to work on other things. She knew that within the next few days, Nodoka would be hitting the Nekohanten and Ucchan's to offer the girls a way to save honor, or remove them from consideration permanently. While only one plan had existed before the meeting with her, Nabiki and Nodoka believed they had come to some understanding of how to deal with the Amazons. Hopefully without instigating a war or destroying the friendship Ranma valued with them.

 

So she sat there, contemplating how to deal with her own promise to Nodoka, but confused as how she could pursue Ranma without betraying her sister. After all, Nabiki had sacrificed so much for her family. While she did have some clothes she had purchased or received as payments, most of what she owned was hand-me-downs that Kasumi had altered to fit Nabiki's personal style or borrowed from Akane. The technology she had was usually related to her business practices, school-required, or management of the household finances. In truth, what spare money she had for herself not spent on the occasional shirt or pair of shorts, was usually spent on her sweet tooth, which was currently yelling at her to ignore what the doctor had said about sugar and its possible effect on the baby. She had no real friends, outside those of her lieutenants, but she valued them, and had begun to train them to take over after she left for college.

 

If she left for college.

 

Nabiki closed her eyes, her hands rubbing her temples. While it was true that she could, and did plan to, attend college, her choices were now limited to those based entirely in Tokyo and the surrounding wards. She desperately wanted to go to Toudai, praying that she would get an acceptance letter within the month, as it was the easiest for her to get to. The main reason now however, was that she would not have to sacrifice time away from her new child to attend This fact was more acceptable since “Auntie” had so graciously volunteered to baby-sit. I'm just glad I got her to promise on her honor that Genma would not be training the baby. Since she had sacrificed so much already for her own family, there was no reason she would not be willing to sacrifice more for her child.

 

Of course, that had been based on another possibility: that Ranma would be there to mentally support her. If Ranma didn't choose her, then she had already decided, and cleared it with “Auntie”, that she would move in with Nodoka. The others would be told that Nabiki needed to get away from the dojo for a while. She would be guaranteed privacy as Nodoka and her honor sword would keep both fathers away. Her sisters were a different story, as one would be bound to visit.

 

So what? Are those my only choices!? Do I either have to win Ranma's heart in two months or flee like a thief in the night? I mean, why are those the only choices? I'm smarter than this! I should have no less than seven plans for this event, and all I have are two measly little plans? That either have me with a man I'm not certain I'm in love with, or hide like an escaped prisoner so I don't bring the winner's wrath on my child?

 

I'm just tired. So very tired.

 

She opened her eyes, once more staring at the television. In the last twenty-four hours, she had confirmed that she was pregnant; met with Nodoka Saotome; survived her first encounter with Shampoo; made plans to deal with three determined fiancées; and been informed that she had to get her family's engagement switched to her before the end of the week; an extra part added on by Nodoka so her son would have enough time to be wooed by Nabiki and her charms once again. If she didn't, the final decision would be put off for another month, by which time even Ranma might be curious why her stomach was getting larger.

 

“Are you okay Nabiki?”

 

She turned to see her older sister Kasumi looking at her, a little worry showing on her face. “I'm okay, just had a rough few days.”

 

“Akane's cooking isn't still bothering you, is it? I imagine it was pretty bad since you had to spend the night at Auntie's house.”

 

Nabiki laughed a little, finding some humor in the fact that Kasumi was so close to the truth, yet still not getting it. “You can say that again. Let's just say I'll be glad when it is over.”

 

“Okay then. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes; could you go get the others if you are feeling up to it?”

 

“Sure thing.” She needed the distraction. Anything that would normally seem mundane and routine felt welcoming now, as it was something she didn't have to think about, it just had to be done.

 

Slowly making her way out to the Dojo, she figured she would get Akane first, as she was less likely to want to talk, let alone do something unexpected. Her sister was all too predictable at times, staying with certain patterns no matter how much they were exploited. Akane always fought the same, cooked the same, and reacted the same way to any particular situation. She never looked when she cooked, never tasted what she cooked, she got angry if anyone slighted her skills in cooking. It was also known what would happen if you talked about her lack of skills as a martial artist; though one could hardly be blamed for this considering she had been kidnapped four times in the last two months, a fact that Nabiki would have to contend with possibly happening to her as well by the end of the week. And no matter what, it was always Ranma's fault.

 

Really though, how weak is she to get caught by the heir of the Narcoleptic Martial Arts School?

 

Nabiki released a heavy sigh. Is that what I'll start doing? I mean, I can barely cook instant ramen, I have less skill in the art than Akane, and I've probably made more enemies than Ranma. If they kidnap me like they seem to enjoy doing to Akane, then what? What can I do to defend myself against the trouble he seems to attract, let alone the trouble I may end up causing?

 

For the last time, Nabiki said goodbye to her past life, and began making her way to get the others. Trying to strengthen her resolve at what the week would surely bring, and hoping she was ready enough to face it.

 

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In the beginning of a cool Sunday morning, a single woman was walking. She had her auburn hair done in a short bun, wearing a kimono with a silk bundle tied to her side. She was walking with a small purpose: to meet the daughter of one of her former friends.

 

It had been well over twenty-three years since she last had contact with Hitome, the woman who married Godai Kuno. They had not parted on the best of terms. Hitome had often followed Nodoka around like a puppy, acting more like a little sister than a best friend. They had both competed against each other in a friendly rivalry, from everything from cooking to advanced kendo. They had been the best of friends; until…

 

Some things are best left in the past, but she knew she would need to bring up that incident when she talked to Hitome's daughter; Kodachi.

 

It was a shame really; she really was the true daughter of both her parents. She resembled her mother in both appearance and talent for both matters of the body and mind. But she had unfortunately inherited her father's penchant for madness.

 

Hitome always did like the wild men.

 

But such things were neither here nor there. Now, she had to forget the trouble she once had with Hitome and concentrate on saving her daughter from such fates. It was doubtful Nodoka could save her brother alone; it seemed the poor boy was more delusional about reality than his own father, and Nabiki did mention that he would in all likelihood assume Nodoka herself wished to date him.

 

He is so manly; too bad he is too much like his father, lost in a perpetual dream world.

 

Nodoka stopped and shook her head, trying to clear out the false reality she had been creating for herself, the one that had almost cost her her son. These are such foolish things we do for hopes of helping our children, Hitome, only to ruin their lives long past the time with which we spend with them.

 

She made her way to the mansion with which her former friend last lived in, which she bore two children in, which she spent her last few moments in this world in.

 

She had to do this - not for the former friendship she had with Hitome, but for the loyalty she owed to her friend - to save the last of her children from the madness that had often followed her husband's family. She knew Godai's family had a penchant for madness; one only needed to look at him to know how their family was. It was unusual to have someone with a hair fetish, let alone crazy enough to grow a palm tree from their head.

 

Money: this family kept itself out of court--an out of a psychiatric institution--only through the use of money. To this, Nodoka was no stranger. She herself had used her vast family fortune to dissuade suitors and debtors incurred by her soon-to-be-late husband on his training trips, removing much of her husband's incurred debt, even what he had made pretending to be their son. She remembered no less than fifteen suitors and two families who had shown up; claiming her son.

 

Genma will pay for his stupidity, of that I will accept no consolation.

 

But she couldn't think of such things right now. She had to save the daughter of her once-best-friend. I can only hope to reach the woman who reminds me so much of the friend I left behind.

 

She had been ill prepared for when Nabiki had mentioned the now-departed mother of the Kuno family and had broken down in front of her. It had been decades since her last thought of Hitome. Even Nabiki had no idea that the two women had been so close. And to see what had occurred to her former-friend's legacy…

 

Nodoka wiped a tear away from her eye, trying to keep herself from breaking once more into tears about what she had helped allow not only to their friendship, but to the children of a person who she had once promised to always be there for. Hitome if you can hear me wherever you are, please forgive your friend's stupidity and pride. But I ask that you help me now try and save your children. I may have lost my chance to make amends with you in this life, but I will not allow my foolish ego to let me fail your children!

 

Steadying herself against the tide of emotions and regret that had threatened to overwhelm her, she once again started to make her way to the Kuno mansion. She had a mission to complete.

 

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“I'm home!” It wasn't as strong as her usual greetings. Truth be told the middle Tendo daughter had spent much of her time at school in a daze, trying not only to figure out how to win the fiancée title from her younger sister, but how to do so without making both her sister angry - something anyone who truly knew Akane would believe impossible - and without arising suspicion about her own current situation.

 

She only had three days left in which to win Ranma as a fiancée, before Auntie Saotome would arrive and decide whether or not Ranma had a time limit to choose a fiancé. She knew he would have to date the others, to prove he had no feelings for them. Ukyo, she was quite certain, would pose no possible risk to taking him away, nor would Shampoo; as demonstrated by how Ranma had been trying to both avoid her and the “Bicycle of Death”.

 

But still, they had been chasing him longer than she had been, and she had to work against what troubles she had created for him when they were briefly engaged. I think selling him for an hourly rate may have been the worst idea I have ever had.

 

In her mind, she was often tempted to try and see Ranma as a prize; the greatest one to win. If she followed that logic, she could allow her normal ways of operating to work for her. She had noticed how Ranma was drawn more towards those who acted selflessly, and thus her mercenary side wanted to play that part to sway him. But she also understood that should she start acting as such, he might see it as one of her obvious games or ploys and thus destroy the amount of trust they had already generated between themselves. Even though the calendar scheme had bridged the gap between the two, it was not something she was quite willing to risk throwing away. While she had demonstrated how selfless she was when it came to supporting her family, it had been only a little more than a month since then and too small amount of time for him not to see it as a scheme. He did not deserve to see another person trying to win him like that.

 

She was distracted from thoughts of winning Ranma's heart by a loud fight she heard in the backyard.

 

“Idiot, why the hell should I believe you?”

 

“Because, tomboy, it's the damn truth. Do you honestly think I'd do that with Ukyo or Shampoo?”

 

“Of course! You're such a pervert; I bet you can't wait to leave so you can get into their pants!”

 

Good going, sis. I can't believe that, even after killing a god, you still don't trust him. “Enough, you two! It's like you hate each other or something.”

 

Akane turned towards her sister, her face red momentarily from embarrassment, then returning to normal due to her level of anger. “Why would I like that pervert? All he does is run around and flirt and do perverted things to those hussies!”

 

“Akane, one would almost think you don't want to be married, let alone engaged, to Ranma here.” Nabiki found herself falling into her old habits; trying to spur a fight between her sister and her wayward fiancé, as well as trying to get Ranma to make the situation worse with his foot-in-mouth disease. “I mean, the way you two fight, it's almost as if you were jealous of the attention the other girls are giving him.” I have to be careful, I can't afford to mess this opportunity up with my old ways of thinking.

 

“Why the hell would I care what the sex changing pervert does? It's not like I wanted the engagement!”

 

Nabiki could see how much that comment had hurt Ranma. I can't believe you did that, little sister! Is your pride so valuable, that you would hurt the very guy you love? “Well if that's the case, why not shift the engagement over to me or Kasumi again or even let it go and allow him to marry Ukyo or Shampoo?”

 

“Like I would trust the pervert with them! Besides, he's got to marry one of us out of honor.” Akane held her arms against her chest, a smirk hiding the internal fighting in her mind about what she was doing now and the comments she had been making.

 

Sister dear, why do you always have to throw up these barriers? “Well then, you should either release him from that debt our fathers created for him or hand him over. I sure as hell won't treat him like a commodity again. I know Ranma has his own life and, unlike you, I wouldn't dream of forcing him to live it by my own flawed perceptions.”

 

While Ranma was wondering what exactly Nabiki had said, Akane was still fuming at some perceived slight Ranma had dealt her. “So, you would want the pervert even though he changes into a girl to feel himself up and plays around with those floozies?”

 

Sister dear, you are the only real pervert here besides Happosai, with all these scenarios you come up with. “If you mean I wouldn't beat him because another girl shows him some attention and he is too nice and too honorable to tell them to leave him alone without dishonoring them as well as having a curse he has no control over; then yes, sister dear, I would want Ranma as a fiancé.”

 

Ranma meanwhile - trying to get over what had just occurred to him in the fight - had been astounded to hear Nabiki's proclamation. What the hell is going on? Is she saying that she wouldn't mind me getting hugged by the others? That it'd be okay?

 

Akane on the other hand was furious. What the hell is the matter with her? “Fine then, take the pervert! But don't say I didn't warn you.” Akane stormed out, silently cursing herself for what she had done, but also justifying it as a learning experience for her sister at just how much a pervert Ranma truly was.

 

Nabiki just shook her head before turning to Ranma who was still confused at both what had just occurred and what had been said. Ranma, please forgive her for what she has done.

 

And forgive me for what I must do now.

 

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Kodachi was walking to the room which now held the mother of her beloved. Sasuke had just informed her of Nodoka's arrival, as well as her desire to speak to the youngest Kuno. As she walked, her mind began to spit out several scenarios in which the female Saotome surprised her with the engagement to her son, as well as her support in the wedding.

 

Of course, she ignored the parts of her dream where she was drugging both Saotomes.

 

As she entered the room, she caught sight of her guest. “Auntie Saotome, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company today? Is darling Ranma with you?”

 

Nodoka smiled. The poor child, she honestly believes that they are meant to be. It is all for the best then that Hitome and I never discussed the merger of our families when we were younger. “No dear, I am afraid Ranma is not with me today. I came to talk to the daughter of one of my dear friends.”

 

Kodachi's face quickly changed from her innocent grin to a deep scowl. “Auntie, I find it hard to believe that you would have anything to do with the abhorrent moron I am forced to call Father.”

 

Nodoka smiled. “Of course not, dear. I myself have standards too high to associate with him. I was referring to your long departed mother.”

 

Kodachi's face paled, her movements becoming jerky until she sat down near Nodoka. It appeared that she had experienced a major shock to her system, and in truth she had. It wasn't everyday that a person showed up on their doorstep with a connection to the late Mrs. Kuno. In truth, it had never happened before, as both of Hitome's parents had died a few years after the wedding, barely living long enough to see their second grandchild born. And given her father's proclivity for madness, Kodachi long suspected that it was for the best that her other grandparents no longer existed on this world.

 

But to have someone who claimed her mother as her dear friend… “I…I am sorry, Auntie, it is just that I have never met anyone who knew my mother save my own warped family. May I ask how you knew of her?”

 

“Not at all, child. Your mother and I were the best of friends throughout most of high school, until we allowed ourselves to be torn apart by our own stupidity as well as that of our parents.”

 

“Torn apart?” Kodachi was confused now. Her mother, from all accounts and her own childhood memories, had been a woman of great stature. How she could have lost a friend though stupidity, as well as been ruled by her parents' left her thinking such a story was a lie.

 

“Yes, dear. You see, during our junior year, Hitome and I fell for a young exchange student named Thomas Langley. He was a beautiful male, with deep green eyes you could get lost in, blond hair that waved most amazingly in the air, and a body built from years of hard work. However extraordinary his outside appearance was, his inside mentality left much to be desired. You see, the young man had a romantic streak as wide as the horizon, but hid himself and his exploits in the shadows. He preferred to date many women at once, but also preferred it if those women had no knowledge of each other.”

 

“So you and Mother both dated this man?”

 

“Yes, dear, but neither of us knew about it, as it was a topic he told us to never discuss with another. I guess it made the relationship that much more thrilling and dangerous to have a love no one could know about. And when such secrets did come to the light of day, we both felt that the other had betrayed us. Unfortunately, it was also brought to the notice of several families just how far Mr. Langley had gotten many of his lady admirers, resulting in many seeking the head of that youth for ruining their daughters' chastity as well as family honor. When our own parents learned of those events, we were quickly separated; told to no longer associate with such women who would do such things. In fact, it may have been that incident alone that resulted in the arranged marriages to the men who became our husbands. I must say that it would have appeared that they made rather poor choices in whom to engage us to. Would you not agree, dear?”

 

Kodachi could only shake her head, the revelation of what she heard hitting her hard. Her mother had been a saint as far as she was concerned. “Auntie, was my mother one of those who had allowed the young Langley to violate her chastity?”

 

“No, dear, he did not go that far with either of us. And not from a lack of trying, mind you. But we did have our own wants at that time, and they did not include that young man making us mothers on promises alone. But our parents felt that our mere association with that man had ruined our chances of finding a respectable husband.” Of course, from what they chose for us, it was clear to see they themselves had no clue as to how to do such things. “Unfortunately, we allowed our hatred of the other from the perceived betrayal to cloud our minds and destroy our friendship. But even youth may make foolhardy mistakes, as we did by hiding our true feelings from one another, allowing what should have been a time for our greatest need for our friend turn into a reason to stay and drift further apart. It was only recently that I had discovered what had happened to my best friend, and it shames me to see what I allowed my own bitterness to wrought. Had I been less rash and self-delusional that I had been right; perhaps we may have salvaged that friendship and saved each other from the hells of our own creation. Who knows? Perhaps I would have raised you and your brother after her accident, and kept you away from that maniac you are forced to call Father. But seeing as how callously my own husband treated his own child, it is clear that there was no true winner in these events, save the kami who deemed them to be.”

 

“Auntie? What was my mother like?”

 

The memories flooded back to her, drawing a smile that shown like a small sun, enamoring the young girl. “She was a woman with few equals. She could be the kindest person this side of heaven, treating all others as equals despite their status, seeing beyond such trifles as wealth or clout. In the realm of sports, she was my main competition, but a friendly rivalry mind you, each of us trying to outdo the other, and thus going much farther than had we no one. In the realm of knowledge, we were the top of our class, showing that beauty, grace, and brains need not be found in separate packages. We drove each other to be better than we had been the day before. In fact, it is through her I mastered my family's sword style at such an early age, as she and I often sparred to see which style was better. I believe in fact we may have started combining aspects and made our own kendo version of `Anything Goes'.”

 

“My mother was a martial artist?” So that is where Tachi got his kendo skills from! Too bad he seems to have not received Mother's gift of adaptability.

 

“Yes, dear, she was a skilled warrior who few could equal. It was said that she even once nearly killed a small pervert who tried to steal her undergarments. She was true Art personified, and I will admit that, at times, I was as jealous of her skills and talents as she was of my own. But be it gymnastics, kendo, knowledge, plants, or even a simple thing like a board game we each strove to become better than the other without sacrificing our friendship or honor. That is why it is so sad to see how one stupid event could have changed everything.”

 

It was those words that began to tear at Kodachi. Even she knew of how great her mother was - one only needs to look at the woman's trophy room which held awards for many sports and sciences -which even Kodachi, had tried to emulate. It began to sadden her to see that, unlike her mother, she did not have a true friend to goad her into becoming better than she had been, becoming complacent with her current pursuits. Her mother even treated common people as her equals, instead of quashing them as she herself had been taught…by her father. Oh, Kami-sama, has that man warped me from what I wanted so badly? Am I nothing more than an imperfect and distorted reflection of my honored mother? “Auntie, am I like my mother?”

 

Nodoka shook her head. “I see how much you have tried to be like her, dear. That fact alone would have made your mother most proud of you. But I have also learned of your father's disrupting influence has done, especially when it comes to challenges and the treatment of others. This would sadden her indeed, as she wanted her children to follow her example. To hear of the action of your brother - violence towards my son and unwanted affections towards my daughter - as well as your own… But do not fret child there is still time and hope to alter these things.”

 

Kodachi winced when her own indiscretions were alluded to, finding it harder and harder to portray herself as an innocent before this woman that in many ways did in fact remind her of her own long departed mother. But then the usual confusion came into play. “Auntie, I know of your darling son Ranma, but not of his sister. May I know of who she is and how my brother and I have offended her?”

 

“Oh dear, I assumed you knew; a foolish mistake on my part. My daughter is named Ranko. I believe your brother refers to her as the Pig-tailed Girl. He pursues her despite her clear disdain for him, while attacking my son because of his perceived influence over Ranko's choices.”

 

Now Kodachi became sick. That means all this time when I was trying to rid that scarlet harlot from my darling's presence, I was trying to injure his sister! “Oh my, how could my darling Ranma forgive me for trying to injure his sister?”

 

Nodoka shook her head, knowing that the young girl was not of the right mindset to accept the truth about Ranma's curse - a sad fact that even Nodoka had been ill-prepared to accept, and would not have, had Nabiki not been there to force her past her own delusions. “Dear, both of them do care for you as a friend, but do wish for you to get better, and I am saddened to say that is very unlikely under the current circumstances.” Nodoka crossed the room, helping Kodachi to her feet, and embracing her in a hug. “Cry it out now, dear. Just let it all out.”

 

For the first time in many years, Kodachi cried from her soul.

 

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Kodachi made her way to her room, her mind struggling to stay clear to do what she knew she must. “Sasuke, come here please.”

 

The small ninja appeared before her. “Yes, Mistress. What do you desire of me?”

 

“Sasuke, I need you to secure my financial resources so that only I or Auntie Saotome can gain access to it. I do not want my father or my brother to use what I am about to do to further their own ambitions.”

 

“Yes, Mistress.” The diminutive ninja was confused, for a moment; it seemed that his mistress had formed a coherent, logical thought.

 

“Also, I would like a tidy sum deposited into the Tendo account so that they need not fear living on the harsh streets. It would be most unworthy of a family such as ours to allow others of our group to lag behind and fall to the level of lowly street people.”

 

“Mistress, I do not understand?”

 

“It is simple, my faithful family servant. Auntie Saotome has offered to adopt me into her clan, thus freeing me from the foul madness that pervades the clan whom I currently belong to. I wish to honor the original thoughts and ways of my mother, and follow her best friend until such times as I am both willing and mentally able to take control of the clan Kuno. I wish to serve my mother's memory with honor, and I am afraid that at my current level of mentality, I will be unable to honor her memory in such ways as deemed by a member of her stature.”

 

Sasuke almost cried. He had remembered her mother, thought of her as a sister when Hitome had married into the Kuno family. The woman had been the epitome of grace and conduct, proving to be the very essence in which others were measured to be truly noble in spirit. When she had first arrived during the Master's courtship, she had been the one to show him the most kindness and acceptance he had ever had the fortune to encounter, outside the eldest Tendo daughter. Even before his father retired, Hitome favored the faithful servant, often treating him as a younger brother. By the time the courtship had ended, the two had grown close enough for Hitome to try and have her children think of him as Uncle Sasuke instead of a servant to their every whim. She had hoped to rear her children to be the regal examples of what true nobility was. She had hoped that they would rise above the petty actions of their family name and truly make the Kuno name great.

 

They were to be her greatest legacy.

 

Until the accident…

 

But it appeared that at least one of her children was trying to regain their sanity, trying to regain their former prestige, trying to regain their mother's glory. “May I say something, Mistress?”

 

Kodachi turned towards the faithful servant, the only one to remain with her family even after all these years of madness. “You never need fear reprisal from me again for speaking your mind, my faithful follower. Speak what it is with which you wish to impart onto me.”

 

Sasuke simply smiled an honest smile that he hadn't shown in over a decade. “I do believe that the former mistress, your mother, would be quite proud of what you are doing now. Both for your own sake and that of those innocent and unrelated to your current needs, it shows you are truly her daughter.”

 

Kodachi allowed her happiness for that comment to shine upon her face. Mother would be proud of me for helping the family harboring my adopted brother, as well as seeking help out of this madness which clouds my mind. She immediately fell to her knees, embracing her faithful servant, and releasing more tears. “Thank you, Sasuke. You have no idea how much that means to me now.”

 

Sasuke could only smile and hug his Mistress back. It truly was a new day for the house of Kuno.

 

 

OMAKE

 

“Let Akane go!”

 

“ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ”

 

“Damn it, wake up!”

 

“Oh, sorry. So the great Ranma Saotome arrives to challenge the great Narcoleptic Martial Arts School! Fine then, prepare to battle!”

 

“ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ”

 

“Damn it Ranma, wake up and get me out of here!”

 

“Oh, sorry Akane. This style really makes you tired. So, are you ready to face me?”

 

“ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ”

 

A large sweatdrop appeared on Ranma's forehead. “So Akane, how exactly did this guy manage to catch you?”

 

Akane began to glow red with rage. “Damn it Ranma, just get me the hell out of here!”

 

“ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ”

 

“ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ”

 

“GOD DAMN IT!”

 

The lesson: there are some things that should not be incorporated with martial arts.

 

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If I messed anything up, then let me know including typos.

 

Any suggestions on how I should continue the story or improve it would also be accepted.

 

Also, if you have any suggestions for how this should go, let me know. My own imagination, while vast, always enjoys a new thought. Also, catch me if you don't think I am making the characters true to form, or a way to make them better.