Epiphany Chapter 2

By Tripolar Disorder

This is a revision of the original Epiphany I posted to the FFML
I got very good feedback from other members and the majority
thought I needed a little more content with the plot, maybe two
chapters out of one rather busy one.

They also thought that shampoo and Ukyo would not be able to
stay away from The dojo for the two weeks I let elapse.  and
you know they are right.

****************************************************************

Nodoka was crying.  Crying because she was holding her son.  Her
little boy had finally returned to her.  She was crying because
she was happy.

Ranma-chan was crying too.  Her mother didn't care about her
curse, she just wanted her, er him.

Ranma thought back to that first year of the training trip.  He
had been convinced that Nodoka had sent him away because she
hated him.  He had cried about it, until Genma began beating
him.  It had forced him to put on a face.  To never show any
emotion around his father.  But he had never forgot how he felt
about the day he was taken away.  But now he knew he was wrong.

Nodoka wished that he had never left.  She really did want him,
no matter what.  And that is what made him cry.  He was taken
away from his mother, who cared about him, and forced to deal
with Genma.  She probably never would have starved him, or beat
him, or throw him into a pit of cats.

Nodoka kept holding Ranma-chan until she calmed down.  then she
held the redhead out at arms length so she could give her a good
look over.

"So, Ranma.  Are you going to change back so I can see how manly
you are?  I would like to see what you have been hiding."

Ranma-chan's expression became more solem. Nodoka that Ranma was
mentally changing, like she was putting on a mask.

Nabiki held out the kettle and poured hot water over Ranma-chan.

Nadoka was stunned at the speed of the transformation.  Ranma's
hair darkened till it was a deep black.  Ranma's breasts shrunk
into well developed Pectoral muscles.  A few inches in height
and an even more expressionless face.

Ranma stood up and turned slightly.  Nodoka smiled.  "I see that
your father was able to do something right.  You look very
handsome and strong Ranma."

At the comment of Genma doing something right, Ranma inwardly
shuddered.  He saw Kasumi and Akane cringe at the statement too.
<Mom really has no idea how wrong she was.>

Nodoka did notice the effect her words had.  She would have to
investigate further.  She suspected that they were still hiding
something.  But for now it could wait.  She had much lost time
to make up with her son.

She was about to suggest that They all sit down and Ranma tell
her about his training trip, when she was interrupted by a
section of the exterior wall exploding.

"Hi YA!  Shampoo bring too too delicious Ramen for Arien!!"

Nodoka looked out the open shoji doors out past the Koi pond to
see the purple haired Amazon walking out of the dustcloud that
she had created.

Shampoo stopped.  just inside she could see a woman standing
next to Ranma.  It was not as well lit inside and she could not
see the woman exactly.  She was sure that it wasn't any of the
Tendo sisters.  <Another Fianc�e, stupid Panda-man and his
promises.  I will show her that she doesn't stand a chance.>

Shampoo hopped over the pond landing just outside.  She set the
delivery box down and pulled her bonbori from some unseen place.

Nodoka saw the attack the coming and took a step backward.

Shampoo charged.  As her bonbori went for the woman's head, she
heard the unmistakable metallic hiss of a sword leaving it's
sheath.  She felt the air near her hands disturbed and then
the blade was holding up her chin.

As Ranma watched, still trying to deal with what happened, he
saw Shampoo attack his mother too late to stop it.  His outcry
did not make it from his lips before the battle was over.

Nodoka was standing on Shampoo's left side, with a Kitana at
the girl's neck.  The bonbori were on the floor despite the
handles still in her hands.

<Oh Kami, I didn't know Mom was a sword master.>  He recognized
the technique from one of the Dojo that he and Genma had stayed
at on their trip.  The Sensei there had wanted to show Ranma
the forms, but Genma had insisted on the unarmed.  He stood in
shock at whole scene.

Nodoka meanwhile was interrogating Shampoo.

"Who are you, and why did you attack me?"

Shampoo growled, but her chin was nudged upward by the business
end of Nodoka's Kitana.

In a horse voice, she replied.

"Am Shampoo.  Ranma is Arien.  Not you.  Will fight for Arien."

"What do mean Arien.  I do not know that word."

"Ranma is Husband.  Is Arien."

Nodoka frowned at this.  "Then Why did you attack me?"

Shampoo turned her eyes toward her captor.  "Because you is
obstacle.  You will not have Arien, besides you is too old."

Nabiki started moving toward Shampoo.

"Shampoo, you best stop.  I think you've insulted Ranma's Mother
enough."

Shampoo sweatdropped.  She had just attacked Ranma's mother.
Her expertise with the sword and her speed explained how Ranma
was as skilled as he was.  It ran in the family.

Ranma turned toward Nodoka.  "Mom, you can let her down, I don't
think she meant to hurt you."

Nodoka dropped her blade, and shampoo collapsed to the floor.
She had her hand up by her neck checking for blood.

Nodoka had moved toward Ranma, circling the girl, with her
kitana at the ready.  She looked at Ranma, pointed her blade at
Shampoo.

"Do you know this girl Ranma?"

"Yeah mom, she's Shampoo.  Another of my unwanted Fianc�es."  At
hearing the words unwanted, both Akane and Shampoo began to
growl at Ranma, making him feel like dead duck all of a sudden.

Nodoka sighed, her son's life was far from simple.  "How many
fianc�es do you actually have dear?"

"Um, three persistent ones.  Akane, Shampoo, and Ucchan.  She
may be by later, but she'll probly talk to you 'fore she starts
attacking.  Pops engaged me to more girls than I can count
while we were travlin'.  Sometimes just for some food.  Stick
around here long enough and one of 'em will show up and you can
meet em."

"This one, Shampoo is it, called you her husband.  Is that true
dear?  Are you really her husband?"

"Well, kinda.  You see she is from this tribe of girl warriors
in China, and they got some complex laws about outsiders in
combat.  I beat her one on one, so according to their laws, she
said that we are to marry to have strong children.

Shampoo stood up.  "Laws say we is already married, just need to
take husband into bedroom and show who is boss."

Nodoka still had not taken her hands off her sword, so Shampoo
decided it may be a good time to leave and come back later.
She did not wish to get into battle with Ranma's mother, since
it looks as though Nodoka would have the advantage.

She turned toward Ranma.  "Arien, please forgive.  Not mean to
harm, just to scare.  Shampoo be going now.  Many deliveries to
make.

And with that, she left, taking her box with her and quickly
exiting through the hole she had made.

Ranma turned toward his mother, he was going to see where she
had hidden the blade, but it was already gone.  He would ask her
later.

Nodoka turned toward him.  "Ranma, is there anything else that
you should be telling me about?"

Kasumi saw this a cue to brew some tea, so she went into kitchen.
Nabiki and Akane

Ranma sighed.  He figured he'd better start explaining the kind
of routine that occurs in Nerima.   It was going to be a long
day.

****************************************************************

Nodoka was in the kitchen.  Kasumi was off at Doctor Tofu's
clinic.  She had said it was to return a book, but her eyes
had told a different story.

So she was getting started on dinner when her thoughts drifted
to the last visit at the Tendo's.  She had watched with
fascination as Ranko had turned the making of a salad into
a martial arts demonstration.

She know knew the truth and it made her both happy and sad.

Nodoka had grown quite fond of the strange girl.  She was always
happy to see her, and always ready to help out.

<Ranma just wanted to see me.  And risked exposing his secret so
many times.>  She remembered when the hot water pipe burst in
the kitchen.  It made her smile to think how creative Ranma had
to be.

As she was getting out the ingredients she was still thinking
how helpful Ranko had been in the kitchen.

"I almost wish Ranko was here.  She was always so helpful."  She
outloud, not talking to anyone.  She just didn't realize that
someone heard her.

Ranma was about to walk into the kitchen when he stopped at
hearing what Nodoka said.  He turned around and quickly went
up to his room.

Nodoka was getting started on the stove when she noticed
movement out of the corner of her eye.

Standing in the doorway was Ranma-chan.  She was in the same
house dress and apron that she had been wearing the last time.
Her hands were clasped together in front of her.

"Can I help you make dinner Auntie?"  Came a slightly trembling
voice.

"Of course dear, why don't you ..... Oh Kami!!"

Nodoka dropped the wooden spoon she was holding, ran over and
wrapped her arms around Ranma-chan.

"I am sorry Ranma, I didn't know you could hear me."  She had
begun to cry again.

"Ranma, I don't want you to try to be Ranko again just to make
me happy.   I was just thinking about the last time you helped
me in the kitchen.  I want you to be happy.  I am happy just
having you back."

Tears were also in Ranma-chan's eyes.  Still trembling she
slowly asked, "Ok mom, but can I still help you?  It would make
me happy to help you out.  I promise I'll wash the vegetables
first this time."

Nodoka stopped crying, and chuckled a little.  She let go of
Ranma-chan.  They looked into each other's eyes.  Nodoka saw
nothing but unconditional love staring back at her.  Strong
enough that her son would change into a girl and pretend he was
her helper, just like before.

Ranma-chan picked up the spoon off the floor, and held it out
toward Nodoka.  "You dropped this...Mom."

She looked toward Ranma.  "You don't have to remain a girl if
you want to help me.  You can upstairs and change quickly."

Ranma seemed to ponder this a moment, before smiling and shaking
her head.  "Nah, I'm already dressed to help.  And your pot is
boilin' over."

"EEP!"  Was all Nodoka could say as she grabbed the spoon and
dropped it in the sink.  She took down another from it's wall
hook and tended to the stove.

Soon Nodoka and Ranma were busy making the meal.  Instructing
her charge on the proper way to make a salad, and what needed
to be added to the soup.  She noted that Ranma-chan was smiling,
a genuine natural smile.  Nodoka made sure to address her child
correctly and the rest of the meal prep went without any other
incident.

****************************************************************

Kasumi came home to find Nodoka and Ranma-chan serving the meal.
Nabiki and Akane were sitting quietly at the table.  A pile of
used tissues behind them.

Everyone took their time, picking and moving around the food on
their plates.

Ranma-chan turned to her left to look at the empty pillow that
was her father's.  She stared at it for quite some time.

"I can't believe he's really gone."

Her spoken thoughts triggered Akane to start crying again.
Ranma-chan quickly moved over next to Akane and pulled the
crying girl into her shoulder.  She just held Akane, letting her
cry.  Ranma-chan looked like she wanted to join Akane, but she
was holding herself back.

Nodoka was watching the scene, when something dawned on her.

She turned toward Nabiki.  "I am sorry to bring this up at a
time like this, but did your Father have a will?"

Nabiki nodded.  "I made him put one together a year or so ago.
he was crying about missing mom, and that he wasn't going to see
....her... for <sniff> awhile."

Nabiki was trying her best to control herself.  She wiped her
eyes and blew her nose.  She sat there composing herself for a
minute before continuing.

"I asked him what would happen when he did go to see... mom, and
got him to tell me his plan.  The dojo goes to whichever one of
us decides to continue the Dojo.  If no one does then it would
go to the first of us to marry.  Kasumi is listed is holder of
the estate until that time, because she was old enough to be
made executor."

"Can Kasumi be made guardians of you and Akane?"  Asked Nodoka

"No, but I figured we would both be of age before Dad died.
Kasumi needs to have an income to be considered a guardian.  I
don't know what we can do about it."

"Then I propose a plan.  I wish to fulfill the wishes of the
recently deceased, by bringing our two schools together.  As
such I will move in here and become your guardian.  Ranma seems
happy here, and I know he is among friends.  Maybe one of you
will marry him someday and carry on the school."

It was talked over a bit more, and after Akane calmed down, she
agreed to it as well, at least with Nodoka moving in.

****************************************************************

That night Nodoka was trying to get some sleep on the Sofa
downstairs, but she just couldn't get to sleep.  Her instincts
were telling her something was wrong.  Very wrong.

She crept upstairs silently.  She stopped at the door to Ranma's
room.  She thought she heard a weak voice on the other side.  It
sounded like a small child crying.

Nodoka slid open the door a crack to see inside.  Her eyes
strained to see the contents.

Ranma-chan was on the floor curled into the tightest of fetal
balls.  Her arms were protecting her neck and her face, and she
was shaking from head to toe.  It was obvious that she was crying
and at one point she heard the girl call out, "Mommy, please help
me!!"

Nodoka stood there shocked at what she saw.  Her heart tried to
tear itself from her chest.

It took more time for am eyelash to flutter, then for the door to
be opened with enough force to knock it off it's tracks, and
for Nodoka to be at Ramna's side.

She tried to lift the girl's hand from her face, but it was in a
deathgrip.  The harder she tried to move it, the tighter Ranma
held on.

The final time she tried to lift it, the girl screamed.  Screamed
out, "Mommy help me, the cats are going to get me!"

Nodoka realized that Ranma-chan was having a nightmare.  But what
kind of nightmare would leave her child in such a panic.  Nothing
she knew of scared Ranma, except maybe Akane's cooking.

She lifted the girl into her arms and set her in her lap.  She
repeated over and over that she was there and that Ranma was safe
from the cats.

Ranma-chan stayed curled up for almost an hour, crying for most
of that time.  As she started to relax and calm down, she stopped
shielding her eyes and instead put her arms around her mother.
At no time did she seem to wake up, and instead continued to
sleep in Nodoka's arms.  She didn't mind, and continued to hold
on wondering what happened to her child.

Her question was answered when Kasumi appeared in the hallway.

Kasumi looked in upon the scene and immediatly knew what had
transpired.

"Was he having the Nightmare again Auntie?  The one where he is
calling out your name?

"How did you know dear?"

Kasumi sighed then walked into the room.  She sat down before
the Saotome matriarch.

"What you witnessed is the result of one of Genma's stupid
training ideas.  When Ranma was six years old, Genma dug a pit
in the ground which he filled with cats that he had stolen from
that area.  He then wrapped Ranma in fish sausages and fish paste
and tossed him into the pit.

What Genma was trying to do was to teach Ranma the Neko Ken.  An
almost unbeatable martial art.  What it actually did, was scar
Ranma, both physically and emotionally.  He did learn the Neko
Ken, but he lost his mind.   He is deathly afraid of cats now,
and prolonged exposure will trigger a mental change.  Ranma will
actually believe he is a cat.

Genma tried to get Ranma over the fear of cats by throwing him
back into the pit, day after day.  We don't know exactly how many
days he did it, but we think it was about a month.

I have seen Ranma relive that experience in his nightmares too
many time to count.  He cries out as the cats bite and claw him.
He calls first for his father, then to you, to save him from the
pain.

I wonder what Genma was actually thinking as he hear his son
crying out for his help, even though Genma threw him in there.

I believe that is when Ranma lost his love for his father.  From
the stories I overheard Genma tell Father, Ranma began to
disobey and disrespect him more and more with each day that
passed."

Kasumi had lowered her head while talking and when she brought
it up she noticed that Nodoka's face had gotten quite pale.

"None of us could ever do anything to help him, except to wake
him or triggering the curse.  But tonight it seems Ranma's cries
did not go unheard and his mother did come to save him."

I never should have let them go.  Ranma told me how much Genma
had beaten him in the first year.  It was because he had cried
about going away from me.

I know Ranma doesn't think it, but he hides behind a stone face
because his father made him think that emotions were weak.  He
was just a little boy and I cannot think of whatever else he did
to Ranma that you four are not telling me."

At this Kasumi winced.  Nodoka nodded.  "I knew you all were
hiding something from me when I saw the faces you made when I
had said Genma had gone a good job.  I want you to tell me.."
She looked down at her sleeping bundle, now quiet and relaxed.
"...Tomorrow.   You can tell me tomorrow."

"I promise Auntie, but I will leave you alone now."

With that Nodoka was left to comfort Ranma-chan again.  She
continued to hold her the rest of the night.

*****************************************************************
Sorry it took so long to get this out.
I found myself at a lose of what to say along the way.
Writers block if you will.
But i am happy to say I am back on track.

Coming up in chapter 3
Ukyo, Kuno and Ranma's nightmare.
Plus I tell you Nodoka does for a living and make a plot twist with it.

Tell me what you think  I check my e-mail often.


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