This started out as something else... But I had a
breakthrough.
I don't claim to own Ranma or his friends. I leave
that honor to Takahasi-san. But I will play with
them.
Mother's Pride
by Leloi
I am getting old. There's no denying it. The woman
in the mirror is a lot older than the young bride
brought to this dojo to bear an heir. It's been years
since I have seen my child... my only child. After he
was born my husband felt his obligation was fulfilled.
After the birth he rolled over every night and
snored.
It is the Way for all Saotome women married into the
clan. I understand that now. I was given to my
husband in exchange for a heavy dowry. The contract
demanded that I provide a male heir to the clan.
My mother-in-law was a kind woman. She taught me the
Ways of the Saotome men. If it wasn't for her support
after my husband left with my child, I don't think I
would have survived.
The man took everything from me... my name... my
body... my child. Everything that was of any value
was gone by the time my child was five. I would never
hear his childish laughter or see his smiles... or see
him grow. It is cruel torture for a woman to endure,
but my mother-in-law assured me that I could see my
baby.
Now I visit the Saotome bride-to-be. She will
eventually marry my boy. There is so much I have to
teach her. Things taught to me once my fate was
determined. I offer her the Way of the Saotome
woman...
"My dear, you must never forget to instill a mother's
love early because you won't have a chance after his
fifth birthday," I say to her.
"I understand, Auntie," she says. She is a beautiful
girl. I hope my son will grow to love her. Maybe
then she will have more success than I did with his
father.
"The Woman's Way is like this katana," I tell her as I
show her the family legacy katana. "It was folded
hundreds of times until it finds perfection. Saotome
men are stubborn but they can slowly change,
generation by generation. A mother's work is to
influence each generation before they are taken away.
This has been the Woman's Way for many centuries... We
are close to perfecting them."
"How have you changed them?" she asks me, her eyes
full of hope.
"I worked on my son's a sense of duty. I suggest
working on their honesty or compassion when it is your
turn," I tell her with a reassuring hug. Our legacy's
hope lies in close relationships between mother and
daughter-in-law. Without them we have no hope of
passing down the katana� both the finished and
unfinished.
"Thank you, Auntie Saotome," the next Saotome woman
says with a low bow of respect.
I return it with a smile, "You are welcome,
Nodoka-chan."
--End
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