Certainly been a while since the last update, and all I can say is thanks to everyone who remains a steadfast reader despite my abysmal update times. Well, personal disasters and RL being, well, RL led to ALR, no, make that all of my stories, taking a backseat for a while, but now I've got my finger outta... err... got my act together. Writer's block's gone now, hopefully for a good long while too...

Title: A Legend Reborn

Author name: Trugeta

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by Rumiko Takahashi and VIZ as well as Akira Toriyama and many others. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. Note further that I don't own any of the trademarks mentioned in this story.

Also, the OCs used in this story are a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any person, living or dead is not intended and purely coincidental.

This story takes place after Movie 10 of Dragonball Z and at the beginning of the Ranma series. It's an AU, and reviews are welcome and appreciated.

Chapter 22: Family affairs

One Ranma Saotome was standing in the backyard of the Tendo compound clothed in nothing but his black boxers and an equally black t-shirt, but the young Super Saiyan neither seemed to notice nor care as he surveyed the damage the most recent fight had wrought. If it could be called a fight, that is, for to be honest, it had been more of a slaughter.

The pigtailed young man took a few deep breaths to come down from his adrenaline high, and his aura faded away slowly. He still remained a Super Saiyan Level Two, though, and the cool morning breeze did nothing to move the hair that still stood on end like a crest of knives. His head suddenly swivelled to the right when his keen senses picked up on a rapidly fading ki-signature, and a grim smile played in the corners of his mouth. 'Maybe they'll finally realise that I ain't fooling around.'

Ranma's gaze then fell upon the scorch-mark on the perimeter-wall that was the only evidence of Happosai's demise. He admitted to himself that he might have overshot the mark by killing the old grandmaster in what could only be called a fit of rage, but if he were honest with himself, he felt neither regret nor guilt. There were some things that plain simply carried with them a death sentence, and trying to rob him off his manliness was pretty much on top of that list. His tactical mind also deduced another advantage. Him killing Happosai would go a long way in convincing the annoying Amazons that he wasn't taking anyone's shit, that he was willing to go the whole nine yards and then some if push came to shove.

His keen hearing picked up on footfalls in the soft grass, and when Ranma craned his neck to the side he saw that the three Tendo sisters and the fathers were running towards him. Ranma just had time to register that the expressions of his mates reflected fading worry, awe - and was that a hint of sadness? - as well as the fact that the fathers were waving flags and assorted articles in what was no doubt a celebration of Happosai's final defeat before Nabiki and Kasumi barrelled into him. A reliefed sigh escaped the females as they hugged the living daylights out of the young man - or tried to at least - and a grin appeared on Ranma's face as he hugged his girls to him.

"We were so worried, Ranma-kun!" mumbled Kasumi into his chest, and the pigtailed young man could feel the tears Kasumi was crying on his chest as they dampened his shirt.

Nabiki, always the most collected of the three sisters, expressed her relief by giving Ranma a scorching kiss on the left cheek and then looked up into Ranma's teal eyes, "What exactly happened, Ranma? What did that old pervert do to you that merited you blasting him into his component atoms?"

Ranma, who'd almost lost himself in the brown orbs of his younger fiancée, narrowed his teal eyes dangerously. "He tried something unforgivable as his petty revenge, but I'll soon get to that.

"Didcha notice that I briefly spaced out after he'd hit me with the waters?" he queried in what seemed to be a non-sequitur, his tone clipped.

"Waters, as in plural?" Kasumi wanted to know, a delicate brow cocked in surprise.

"Yeah," replied Ranma with a fierce scowl, "one was distilled Instant Nyannichuan, girl water in other words, the other was a vile substance called Permanence Water," he growled, face scrunched up in anger.

"It makes sense," commented Nabiki with a nod, her sharp mind having already solved the puzzle, "He tried to turn you into a girl forever. So what happened that it failed?"

"And good that it failed, Tendo," spoke up Genma with an audible sigh of relief, who, like Soun had held himself in the background to listen in on the conversation.

"Oh yes, Saotome, imagine it had worked! The master, may he rot in hell, would've gained a battery with limitless energy to recharge from!" Soun exclaimed, horror edged into his face at the mere thought.

"So that was his plan!" Ranma exclaimed angrily and balled his fists, "Not only did he want to get back at me by trapping me a girl, no, he'd planned on making me his personal milk cow! I should've tortured him for days on end instead of just blasting that... that creature into atoms and granting him a quick death!" he growled, hate and disgust playing on his face for a few moments before a sinister grin appeared on his face, "But I'll get a shot at that in a few months, oh yeah."

"What do you mean, son? Ain't the master dead and gone, spread to the four winds?" Genma wanted to know and dropped the flags, worry creeping on his face.

"Oh yeah, he's pushing up daisies alright, but I'm toying with the thought to resurrect him in a few months time to fight him for the title of Grandmaster and beat him to within an inch of his life-"

"What!!" Genma and Soun yelled in fright and anger, their faces going white and then red when anger got the upper hand.

"Boy, you can't! As a master of the Saotome style of the Anything Goes I forbid it!" Genma practically yelled, veins appearing on his forehead.

"Right, Saotome! As the master of the Tendo style I forbid it as well!" Soun added forcefully and nodded his head gravely.

Ranma, who'd seemingly calmly listened to the tirade carefully shoved the girls off of him and beckoned them to move a safe distance away. Genma and Soun exchanged a confused look when Nabiki and Kasumi hurried to get behind one of the tall Sakura trees round about twenty metres away, but their confused looks were replaced by fright when Ranma suddenly brought forth his aura with a roar.

The sudden power-up knocked the fathers flat on their butts, and their surprised expressions soon turned grovelling as they remembered just whom they'd tried to order around. But Ranma, in contrast to Happosai, was not to be mollified by their begs for forgiveness and just stared at them coldly.

Ranma's hair had turned a darker shade of gold due to the ascension and stood even more on end, the fact that his skin had turned even paler and that his eyes held an even colder glint than ever before making for a truly intimidating impression. When he spoke, silence reigned supreme. "Enough," he said in a voice barely above a whisper, yet his tone held so much command he might as well have yelled, "Your behaviour disgusts me, and that neither of you has grown any real backbone yet shows why neither you," he glared coldly at his father, which made said man flinch, "nor you," a glare at Soun that almost made the man fold followed and very nearly caused him to slip into waterworks mode, "should even think about ordering me around. In fact, No. One. Orders. Me. Around. Got that?"

Genma and Soun bopped their heads up and down so hard that watching alone was painful, and Ranma shook his head and snorted. "Happosai was onto something when he said you two were weaklings, but we'll remedy that. Oh yes, will we ever. It seems I overestimated the progress you two had made, and I'll have to... re-evaluate you," he said, an evil gleam shining in his eyes.

"Oh, I wouldn't want to be in daddy's shoes what with the evil look on Ranma's face," commented Akane and shuddered lightly from her position behind the tree.

Kasumi, who was standing to the right of her younger sister took a look at her fiancées' face and nodded. "You're right, sis, but Ranma's hit the nail on the head. Dad may have improved, but when it counted he showed that he still has as much backbone as a jelly-fish. Whatever Ranma-kun has planned for him can only do him good."

Nabiki, who was standing to Kasumi's right, smirked at her older sister, "Undoubtedly. But I doubt daddy dearest will see it this way."

Ranma smirked at them, "I'll make Soun see it my way, 'biki-chan, eh, Soun? And if that doesn't work the way I envision I'll simply have to show him and my dear pops here that there're forces much more terrible than Happosai ever was," he said meaningfully and made the lightning bolts swirling in his aura flare up.

"Ranma-kun, don't scare daddy so much," Kasumi scolded lightly and stepped out from behind the tree. "He'll just do something silly like taking up his waterworks habit again."

"I doubt that very much, 'sumi-chan. For each tear he'd cry he'd have to do five one-fingered push-ups with one of you sitting on his back, and if that ain't enough I'm sure I'll be able to come up with something more... convincing," Ranma retorted with a catty grin and a malevolent glint in his eyes.

Soun had understandably paled; considering the average amount of tears contained in his 'waterworks' he'd be doing push-ups for damn near forever! The aged Tendo master shook his head fervently, "N-No need, Ranma, heh heh. I'll... I'll get back in shape yet," he was quick to assure, and muttered to Genma, "Scary! Sometimes I'm glad you don't have more kids, Saotome. Imagine you'd had a daughter-"

Genma cut him off with a gesture, "Don't even go there, Tendo, for that's uncharted territory labelled as 'here shall be dragons' as far as I'm concerned. No-chan's bad enough, I don't even want to imagine... no... the thought alone's too much," he muttered, shivering.

Soun nodded gravely, indicating his agreement, "Right you are, Saotome. I have known Nodoka for a long time now, Saotome old friend, and she's almost as beautiful as my dear departed Kimiko. But some of her odder quirks better never be passed down," he said with a shudder, making Genma pale and nod.

Ranma regarded the fathers with an odd look, then gazed at the girls. "Didcha just hear the same as me? Did he say 'No-chan'?" he inquired with a cocked brow.

The sisters shared a look and nodded as one, "Yeah, he did."

"I wonder what that could mean for you, Ranma," Nabiki mused thoughtfully, her analytical mind kicking into high gear as it began to work with the information it had available.

Ranma looked at her inquisitively, head tilted to the side, "What do you mean?"

"If this 'No-chan' he mentioned is your mother then there's a high probability that she's still alive and not dead as he repeatedly claimed on the training trip," Nabiki explained and eyed Genma with a calculating look for a few seconds before looking back at Ranma, "For why should he speak of her in the present tense if she were dead?" she asked and shot the sweating Genma a glare.

Ranma recoiled as if he'd been dealt a physical blow, then he looked from girl to girl and saw that Kasumi and Akane found this thesis adequately believable as well. Before he could do more than level a smouldering glare at his father his senses tingled, and the pigtailed Saiyan sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose, "And here comes the cavalry, just when I wanted to 'question' pops," he growled and audibly popped his knuckles, fact that made his father sweat even more, "Figures they'd have picked up on my jumping to the next level."

"Who?" Akane wanted to know, "The Z-Fighters?"

Ranma inclined his head in answer, "Right on the money, Akane. That feels like Gohan and Vegeta, and what with the speed they're travelling at they should be here any minute now."

"Well, that gives us enough time to hear the story behind that... super pervert's demise," Akane opined, giving her sensei a look that said 'spill the beans'.

"And why Happosai's plan failed," added Nabiki and gave her fiancé a nudge with her elbow, which was something that Ranma didn't even feel; Nabiki on the other hand felt nothing but rock-hard muscles, and it was all she could do not to jump her fiancé’s bones here and now, "Not to mention why you're like this," she breathed and reached up to touch his spiky hair, "Mmmmh, feels very tough but also somehow... soft to the touch. Intriguing."

"Really?" Kasumi asked in surprise and mirrored her sister's actions, much to Ranma's embarrassment.

Genma and Soun, who'd kept some distance, shared an amused look and muttered "Whipped!" as one, and not even Ranma's death-glare and the silent threats contained therein did anything to qualm the fathers' gaiyity.

When his fiancées showed no inclination to stop their ministrations Ranma caught an amused Akane's eyes, and foregoing his pride the defeater of Happosai mouthed, "Help!"

Akane looked at him fake-oddly and rubbed her ears, pretending she hadn't heard right, "Pardon, did you say something, Ranma?" she inquired innocently, well aware that she was enjoying this way too much; the only thing missing here would be her sisters beginning to braid Ranma's 'oh so tough yet soft hair', but should that happen she had no doubt she'd die laughing. Ranma would probably die as well, most likely from acute embarrassment.

The answering death-glare she received for attempting to prolong Ranma's 'torture' promised many, many hardships in upcoming training sessions, and after one more good chuckle at her sensei's 'misfortune' Akane cleared her throat, "Sisters, as much as Ranma probably enjoys that," queue instant death glare that'd have killed Akane many times over had death glares been a legitimate cause of death, but went completely unnoticed by her older sisters due to the fact that they'd turned to face their youngest sister, "we're getting off-track here. I for my part would like to know why the pervert's plan failed and what happened when Ranma spaced out. Someone or something's got to have told Ranma what Happosai tried to do, right?"

"You've got a point there, Akane-chan," Kasumi mused as she stopped her ministrations (much to Ranma's silent relief), and the young woman's face lit up, "Good thinking!"

"I have to agree, imouto," agreed Nabiki who'd stopped playing with Ranma's hair as well, "impressive deductive thinking."

Akane blushed from the praise and modestly bowed her head, "Aww, was nothing," she said, and then regarded Ranma, "Am I right, though?"

Ranma, who'd been silent throughout the exchange, smiled, "I admit I'm impressed as well, Akane. You made a logical deduction based on the facts, and that goes to show that you've improved very much," he said in his sensei voice, tone completely serious and solemn.

Akane unsurprisingly beamed, "Thanks, sensei! But now enough with the stalling and out with it!" she exclaimed and punched the air.

Ranma grinned briefly before schooling his features into impassivity, "As 'biki-chan already concluded, Happosai tried to turn me into a girl. Permanently. What he didn't know though is that the Spirits of Jusenkyo blessed me with an immunity to all Jusenkyo curses, and even that Permanence Water he got his hands on couldn't do jack about it," he explained and held up his hand to forestall the comments he knew would come.

"How did I come to know that, you'll ask... well, when I spaced out after being woken up with cold water I found myself in the Jusenkyo valley, much to my astonishment and confusion, and there I met a representative of the Jusenkyo Spirits. Haruko. She told me everything, and when I see her next I'll have to apologise. I left rather... rudely, but I was running on pure anger then. All I could think about was getting revenge, which I did," the pigtailed Super Saiyan concluded, and he didn't make an effort to suppress the satisfaction in his tone.

"Wow, spirits that blessed you... neat!" opined Akane after going over the facts.

"Good thing they did or Ranma'd be female now," Nabiki said gravely, and immediately looked reassuringly at her fiancé to prevent any hurt feelings, "Not that I'd love you any less, never think that, but it'd have complicated things in the long run," the brown-haired girl added with a suggestive wiggle of her brows, making Ranma nod with a grin.

"Pervert," muttered Akane good-naturedly and lightly bonked her sister on the head, but she'd to admit that she could understand where her sister was coming from; Ranma looked even better now.

Soft giggling emanated from Kasumi which caused Ranma and the girls to swivel their heads, "Oh my, I don't know, I think I'd have liked an all soft, cuddly Ranma-chan," she said and left her words hanging and the others stunned.

Grinning impishly Kasumi's hands reached up and locked around Ranma's neck, pulling the stunned young man's head down to drop a scorching kiss on his lips. At first he didn't react, but when Kasumi began to press her body against his' Ranma began to kiss her back in earnest. Akane blushed and looked away whereas Nabiki was torn between wanting to join in on the fun or just being content to watch. In the end the decision was made for her when two golden glowing men landed in the perimeter of the Tendo compound, their SSJ auras fading away after a few seconds.

The taller SSJ, Gohan, watched the going ons in amusement, but the shorter and more sturdy built SSJ who was incidentally the Prince of all Saiyans had his eyes narrowed in anger. "Surpassed by yet another brat. Unbelievable," Vegeta muttered and shook his head in disbelief, fury glinting in his cold teal eyes.

"That's hardly anyone's fault, Vegeta, least of all Ranma's," Gohan commented in a hard tone, "You just haven't found the trigger yet."

Vegeta muttered something unintelligible but reigned his anger in nonetheless seeing as it would be unbecoming of a Saiyan Prince to show weakness, "Whatever," he gruffed and folded his arms across his chest.

Akane, who'd watched the conversation between the Saiyans in interest nudged her oldest sister with her elbow, eliciting a protesting noise from her. "Sis, you might want to stop now, our guests are here," she said in a tone that practically oozed amusement.

Kasumi disentangled herself from Ranma with visible reluctance, and when her gaze fell on Gohan and Vegeta her reaction was limited to a mild blush while her brown eyes held a defiant look. Vegeta chuckled despite his previous mood, "This woman's a keeper, brat. Mark my words, she'll give you strong heirs," he commented surprisingly serious.

Gohan silently shook his head at yet another example for Vegeta's usual bluntness, but then again, the atomic blushes on his new friends' faces made for a funny picture, "Be that as it may," he said, effectively turning everyone's attention away from the blushing couple, "First off, congrats to becoming a SSJ2, Ranma."

"Thanks, buddy," Ranma replied with a grin, "Now I can kick your ass."

Gohan wiggled his right index finger and smirked, "Tsk, you'd have to get up a lot earlier to beat me. Remember, I've been a SSJ2 for seven years now, and I've only increased my power. But that aside, what happened to push you over the edge?"

Ranma's face darkened and in one swift motion the pigtailed Saiyan had sat down in the soft grass Indian style, and Kasumi and Nabiki chose to cuddle into either side of their fiancé. Gohan followed Ranma's example suit and sat down across from Ranma while Akane chose a spot in close proximity to Kasumi. Vegeta whereas chose to remain standing with his arms crossed across his chest, and the fathers had long since chosen to make a tactical retreat ever since Genma had gotten scent of the fact that a certain Saiyan Prince would stop by for a visit.

Ranma's face still held the same expression that had settled upon his face right after Gohan had asked his question, and when he was certain he had everyone's attention the pigtailed Saiyan began to tell his tale.

-.-

Vegeta and Gohan had identical looks of cold fury on their faces by the time Ranma had finished his story. The older son of Goku gnashed his teeth and virtually snarled out, "Hadn't you already sent him to hell I'd have gladly helped. No one does that to one of us and lives!"

The Saiyan Prince nodded his assent, "Well spoken, Gohan. To think that this... human had the gall to make such an underhanded attempt... Should I ever encounter this Happosai, be it here or in the Afterlife, he'll have to face my jurisdiction," he said coldly, an unforgiving look in his eyes. A second later said eyes lit up with unholy glee, "I must say, I like your idea of using the dragonballs to resurrect him so as to speed things up. After you had your go at him we will generously supply him with one of those detestable Senzu beans, and then it's my turn," the Saiyan Prince added, cracking his knuckles menacingly.

Gohan just grinned evilly, "And then it's my turn for Round Three. Recon he'll beg for being sent back to hell after ten minutes?"

Ranma made a thoughtful face while simultaneously stroking his fiancées, "Nah, he won't last more than five, tops," he said dismissively.

"Keep one thing in mind brats, proper torture of a victim is not bound to the boundaries of time. Sometimes a quick end is too much of a mercy to be granted," Vegeta said coldly.

The three sisters shared uncomfortable looks as Ranma and Gohan exchanged predatory grins, but then they reminded themselves that the victim in question was Happosai, a man who'd tried to pull something on Ranma that justified almost any form of retaliation, and kicked back again. "Say Ranma, have you heard about the next World Martial Arts Tournament that's going to be hosted on Papaya Island in a few weeks time?" Gohan asked out of the blue.

Ranma's expression turned contemplative, and a flicker of strong interest appeared in his eyes, "The Tenkaichi Budokai's back, huh? No, can't say I've heard 'bout when the next one’s gonna be yet, but I sure hope this one's ain't gonna be as much of a farce as the last one."

Gohan nodded gravely and glanched at the others to gauge people’s reactions, and he noticed with interest that Vegeta’s eyes gleamed briefly before the older Saiyan schooled his features back into his customary cold indifference. The girls were a bit apprehensive, but that was to be expected. Kasumi and Nabiki were likely worried about Ranma getting injured, and they were likely asking themselves – much as probably Akane – if they were ready to enter a tournament that attracted very powerful fighters. "I know that look, Kasumi-san, Nabiki-san, Akane-san. You’re uncertain if you should enter the tournament, am I right?" the oldest son of Goku asked, an understanding smile playing on his face.

The young women each shared a look before nodding as one, and Ranma softly stroked the sides of his fiancées. "Don’t feel bad about not feeling ready, loves. I bet a lot of very strong people are gonna enter, heck, even Goten, Gohan’s li’l bro could knock you outta the ring by using just his pinky finger, and that's not to belittle your skills or how far you've come. Nah, I’d say this time around you’re just gonna watch, okay?" he said and smiled at each young woman.

Glances were exchanged between the sisters that communicated a lot, and it was clearly obvious that Akane was less than pleased, but the girls reached a consent within moments and nodded. It was Akane who chose to speak for her sisters, "Loathe as I am to admit it, sensei, you’re right. We have no hopes of winning against opponents such as you," she admitted, only to add a cheeky, "Yet."

Ranma grinned right back at the grinning sisters, and Gohan masked his amused chuckle as a cough while Vegeta snorted in amusement. "Oookay, that means our very own cheering departement’s all set then... yeouwch!" the golden-haired young man exclaimed when he was cuffed from three sides, and held up his hands in mock-surrender, "Just joking, girls.

"Gohan, when exactly’s the Tournament gonna be?" Ranma then wanted to know and looked expectantly at the older Super Saiyan.

"In roughly five weeks, on the 22nd of May," Gohan replied, and grinned, "Gives us more than enough time to train."

Ranma’s eyes gleamed, "Righto. I’d say some sessions in our GRs are in order," he grinned back and almost rubbed his hands in anticipation. "Now that ours been finished we can finally train efficiently wherever and whenever we want."

"That’s true," agreed Gohan, and got a thoughtful look on his face, "What you say, up for some sparring right now? We could go one on one, and I could contact Piccolo who could then fetch Ryo-chan."

Ranma mulled it over for a few moments, then looked at the girls, "Whatcha say, girls? Up to some training?"

Vegeta snorted in amusement and muttered "Whipped," under his breath while the girls communicated with glances, and it was a smirking Nabiki who replied, "Sure, stud, sounds good to us. You know my dear older sister and yours truly like to see you all sweaty."

The pigtailed Saiyan chuckled, "That goes vice versa, Nabs, Kas-chan," he replied with a smirk as he eyed his fiancées up and got to his feet, "Now less talk and more fight!"

-.-

Less than twenty minutes later almost everyone was congregated in the newly finished gravity room of the Tendo dojo. In all honesty, Ranma, his fiancées and just about everyone else had completely forgotten about the crew of workers from Capsule Corp. in all the hodgepodge that had happened in the last 48 hours, but the fact that the construction work had happened in another dimension made this oversight excusable. The said construction crew had been as busy as a horde of beavers as the residents of the Tendo Dojo had found out when the project supervisor had notified them of the project’s completion yesterday evening, incidentally after Happosai had been decisively beaten.

Now that the old Grandmaster had been beaten for good – or at least beaten for good until he'd be ressurected – Ranma had suddenly remembered that they had a brand new toy at their disposal, a toy that’d now get it’s very first test run. Ranma, who was standing in front of the control console, had taken over the task to create three different zones of gravity, one for the four Super Saiyans and Piccolo, one for the normal humans, and one for the chibi-Saiyans who’d be joining in on the fun courtesy of Piccolo.

It’d been Gohan who’d had the idea of fetching the whole gang and not just Ryo-chan as originally planned, and a reluctant and grumbling Piccolo had hardly been able to refuse a request from his erstwhile and favourite student. Now the gravity room was afill with almost the entire Z-Gang – minus Tien, Krillin, Yamcha and Chaozu who hadn't been able to make it on such a short notice but including Bulma and Chi-Chi – and, of course their new Neriman members. The only ones missing otherwise were Soun and Genma, who’d adjourned to the Tendo-ke’s living room in order to properly ‘celebrate the old demon’s defeat’, as they’d termed it.

Gohan and Ranma faced off against each other with Ryo-chan and Vegeta being the next ‘match-up’ while Piccolo was content to train with a double of his, completing the list of matches in the 400g zone. The human group, consisting exclusively of females this time around, chose to train in a 3g zone, while the members of the third and last group, Goten and Trunks, were squaring off against each other in a 200g zone.

Especially Ranma had hardly been able to wait to get cracking and it had shown in his commands which had gotten increasingly impatient, but if he'd thought he could jump the gun as soon as the zones had been established he'd been dead wrong. As luck would have it he’d had to take the time and tell his story of what had happened again, and though reluctantly he'd told his tale. Again.

Now, ten minutes later still everyone was in his or her allocated gravity zone, and the sparring started in earnest...

-.-

Meanwhile in the Tendo-ke

The delivery of a letter had briefly interrupted the victory party Genma and Soun were indulging themselves in, and Genma, who’d expended the energy to accept the envelope from the postman plopped down heavily onto the soft, low cushion that’d become ‘his’ cushion.

Frowning briefly the heavy-set man opened the envelope and extracted the letter contained therein, and Ranma’s father paled briefly before a deep sigh of relief escaped him. Soun placed his sake bottle on the table and cocked a brow as he read his old friend like an open book, "What’s the matter, Saotome? That better not be more bad news," the aging Tendo master commented in a warning tone.

Genma turned his head to the fellow master and waved his hand dismissively, "Nothing to worry about, Tendo. Not any more at any rate. Had the master’s attempt to turn Ranma into a girl worked that’d be quite a different story now, but the way things are – and they could hardly be any better – we’re good. It’s just a letter from my wife telling me she’ll stop by soon, and seeing that the letter’s been mailed a good two weeks ago I’m certain she’ll have found out where Ranma and I are staying at. I bet-"

Just then the bell at the main gate rung, and Soun stared at Genma, an expression of disbelief on his face. "You don't reckon..."

"Might just be," Genma shrugged in reply.

Soun grunted. "You reckon she’s changed any?"

"Gauging from the letters we’ve exchanged not a bit," Genma retorted with another shrug. "It's as you said, I'm really glad her... odder quirks haven't been passed down on Ranma.

"So," he then exclaimed and got to his feet, "I'd say we shouldn't keep her waiting, what says you, Tendo?"

"Right, Saotome," Soun agreed amicably, "a lady - even if she has quirks as odd as yours - shouldn't be kept waiting. Lead the way."

That Genma did after taking a long swig from his sake bottle, and reluctance was visible in his posture as he walked out onto the porch. Soun couldn't help but notice that his old friend held a posture that was quite similar to a man that was about to be led up to the gallows, and he had a suspicion as to why.

The training trip was now - assuming that their guest was indeed Nodoka - over for good with all that entailed, and his old friend would have to face the life of a married man once more. While not without its benefits, Nodoka was a woman who could be a right handful, and it wasn't the first time that Soun was glad that he wasn't in Genma's shoes...

-.-

Not two minutes later the aging masters had reached the main-gate, and while Genma opted to remain hidden behind a tree to 'give No-chan an even bigger surprise' as he termed it Soun opened the gate. "Yes, how may I help you, Nodoka?" he asked formally.

"Good day, Soun!" a beautiful auburn-haired middle aged woman exclaimed; she was clad in a formal but stylish kimono, and carried a cloth-wrapped bundle whose function couldn't be discerned on her back.

"The same to you, Nodoka," Soun replied, bowing.

The woman tilted her head. "I've come to know that you're hosting my husband and son, Soun..."

Soun stepped aside, which was the previously agreed upon sign between the men, and Genma stepped out of the shadows. "That he is, No-chan," he said non-chalantly, a small grin adorning his face, "Hey No-chan, good to see you. You're as beautiful as ever, if not even more so."

Nodoka's face showed surprise, then joy. "Husband! You're looking good yourself. Hmm, aside from your hair or lack thereof," she mused and smiled at her husband's frown, "But where's our manly son?"

'Yeah, she hasn't changed one bit,' Genma thought and had to try his hardest to paste a smile on his face as he answered his wife's question, "Last I heard he wanted to train with some of his friends, No-chan."

Nodoka nodded as if it were a given, "Of course, a manly man takes his training seriously," she mused to herself in a serious tone and regarded Genma with an intent gaze, "Lead me to where he trains, husband."

"That's not such-" began Soun in a doubtful tone.

Genma interrupted his fellow master with a dismissive gesture, "No-chan will have to learn of 'it' anyway, Tendo. Why not right away?"

Nodoka had watched the byplay with interest but also confusion, "What are you two talking about? Is Ranma unmanly?" she asked sharply and fingered the cloth-wrapped bundle.

Genma paled for a second and shook his head rapidly, "Nothing of the kind, No-chan. If anything he's the very definition of manliness."

The explanation seemed to have the desired effect and Nodoka nodded in an obviously placated way, "Then I'm just the more curious what you were referring to when you mentioned 'it'," she said and made air quotes.

"You'll find out soon, No-chan. Follow me," Genma replied and began to walk down the path that led to the Tendo-ke.

"That I will husband. I admit to being most curious," Nodoka commented as she set herself in motion.

Soun who formed the rear of their little group couldn't help but think, 'I just hope your curiosity won't kill you like the metaphorical cat if you choose to proclaim your displeasure when you learn that Ranma's not human any more. For if you do I'm certain the boy won't react well at all. And I like my home and Dojo undamaged.

Or at least intact,' he amended.

This troubling thought and possible consequences that could result from the meeting of mother and son running through his head the Tendo patriarch followed Genma's lead on autopilot and hardly even noticed that they'd arrived at the closet that served as the gateway to the Gravity Room until he realised that they'd come to a full stop. Discreetly discerning his inattentiveness Soun noticed the disbelief and peevedness literally painted upon Nodoka's face, and he barely managed to contain the snort of amusement that wanted to escape him.

"Husband, am I to believe that our son trains in a closet? That notion is far from funny and utterly ridiculous," Nodoka ground out sternly, her glare drilling holes into her husband's head, "Why, I'm almost inclined to think you're hiding something from me. I ask again, is Ranma unmanly?" she queried and emphasised the last three words, yet again fingering the cloth-wrapped bundle.

Genma sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose in irritation. Sometimes Nodoka's single-minded focus could just get too much, and now was such a time. Instead of answering the Saotome patriarch opted to simply open the door to the hallway that led to the Gravity Room, and took Nodoka by the hand. "You be the judge if our son's manly or not, No-chan, for I've done my part. Now come."

Confusion showed on Nodoka's face yet again as she was led into what appeared to be nothing but a janitor's closet, "Where to? There's nothing but darkness in that closet. If that's your idea of a joke, Genma, I don't find it very funny. Or manly. I-"

"Computer, lights," Genma interrupted in an annoyed bark, and the artificial intelligence obeyed instantly; unfelt picoseconds later the long hallway leading to the actual Gravity Room was illuminated by unseen sources of light, and the balding martial artist turned to his wife, his left brow cocked, "Still think I'm playing a joke, Nodoka?" he asked ironically and emphasised his wife's name.

Nodoka looked around in confusion as her mind latched onto the fact that this was something far different from your everyday closet, and she turned questioning eyes on her husband, "Where are we, Genma? What is this and where does it lead to?"

Genma smiled sheepishly and scratched the back of his head, "Don't ask for any specifics, No-chan. The technical details go so far over my head it ain't funny. This hallway's part of a pocket dimension as far as I've understood it, and it leads to a huge training facility called the Gravity Room. That's where Ranma and his friends are currently at."

"Different dimension... Gravity Room... If I wouldn't be standing in that impossible hallway I'd declare you insane and dismiss what you've just told me as ramblings, husband, but the fact that I am standing here must mean it's the truth. Normally a room can't be bigger on the inside than on the outside, but this one is... Intriguing.

"Now, what are we waiting for? Lead me to my manly son!" Nodoka exclaimed enthusiastically in a virtual non-sequitur, and it seemed as if all of her previous doubts had been wiped away seeing that her expression had turned as sunny as the brightest summer morning.

His wife's peculiar reaction left Genma gaping for a few seconds, then the balding martial artist nodded dumbly before he decided to shake his head, thus implementing his return to reality. 'Yep, still as loony as they come, but just as beautiful. I wonder, I wonder what Ranma's reaction to No-chan will be. I hope she plays her cards right and doesn't try to impose her views of manliness on him. That'd result in nothing short of an unmitigated disaster what with how hard-headed and stubborn Ranma is, but as they say, it's out of my hands.

'And who knows, maybe No-chan needs a reality check of the kind only Ranma can provide. Kami-sama knows it worked for me, even though I'd never admit it out loud,' the master of the Saotome school thought to himself, and the thought of Ranma speaking to his mother in a tone as cold as ice as he laid down the realities to her brought a guilty smile to his lips.

"What are you smiling about, husband?" Nodoka queried with a delicate scarlet brow raised, the woman having picked up on the change of mood in Genma.

"Nothing, nothing, No-chan. Just something that happened in the past, is all," replied Genma and made a dismissive gesture with his hand before he began to walk down the hallway, pulling Nodoka along with him.

The Saotome matriarch shot Genma a dubious look but remained silent as she walked by her husband's side. Soon they reached the massive entrance door that led to the actual Gravity Room, and after Genma had pushed the door opener the doors opened obediently. Nodoka's gaze scanned the room that lay ahead of them, and Genma registered with surprise that her eyes widened to impossible seeming sizes; then his wife fainted on the spot with a gasp, and just Genma's quick reflexes saved her from making uncomfortable acquaintance with the floor.

-.-

If a fish's element was water then Ranma's element was battle, and the pigtailed Saiyan took to it like a fish to water. Battle was his life as it seemed, and to get the most out of the match Gohan and him had laid down a few ground rules before conducting their actual spar, the most limiting being that no flying whatsoever was allowed. The second rule was that both combatants wouldn't hold back at all, making this a full-contact full-out match with the goal to make full use of the effect that Saiyans grew stronger from injuries. And due to the fact that neither Ranma nor Gohan were willing to give one inch injuries were a given, on both sides.

While Gohan was the stronger of the two with a power-level bordering on SSJ3 Ranma was the more versatile and skilled hand-to-hand fighter, resulting therein that while Gohan's blows hurt more Ranma scored much more hits in total, which evened things out.

The former had just scored a hit to the ribs that smarted like hell, and the younger Saiyan barred his teeth in an angry snarl as he called upon more of his power to suffuse his blows with. A swirling golden maelstrom of energy snapped into existence around Ranma as he brought forth his aura with a defiant yell, and Gohan raised a brow seeing that he was once more confronted with the phenomenon that his friend's power-level had considerably grown during their spar. It was still low to mid SSJ2, but well on its way to an average mid-level with its round about 42 million.

Ranma was just about to launch an attack when his keen hearing picked up on a gasp, and both his and Gohan's heads swivelled over to where the noise had originated from, the entrance door. There, in the doorframe, stood a sheepishly smiling Genma carrying his wife bridal style in his arms, and Ranma almost laughed out loud when his father said, "Sorry 'bout that," in the same sheepish tone he was alledgedly prone to use.

-.-

All eyes were immediately upon Genma and Nodoka, and it was - unsurprisingly - Chi-Chi who took things in hand; the authoritative Son woman ordered Genma to place his wife onto the ground - which he did, placing the cloth-wrapped bundle onto the ground as well, a noticeable distance away - and Chi-Chi somehow produced smelling salts from within her kimono that almost instantly did the trick and brought Nodoka back to the land of the living.

Ranma's mother blinked her eyes a few times to get the blurry world back into focus, and her eyes immediately fell upon the only young men in the room. Her head drooped in disappointment upon noticing that neither had black hair and blue eyes, and Nodoka shook her sadly before looking up at Chi-Chi, "Thank you, Mrs.-"

"Son, Chi-Chi Son," Chi-Chi replied with a kind smile and stashed the smelling salts, "And you're very welcome, Mrs.-"

"Saotome," answered Nodoka, and her own smile turned sad, "And even though I've found my wayward husband it seems fate wants to keep me away from my son."

"So you're Ranma's mother!" Chi-Chi exclaimed delightedly, "I-"

"You know my son? Do you know where he is?" interrupted Nodoka hopefully.

Ranma who'd been standing by his father's side since Genma had placed Nodoka onto the ground had an odd look on his face as he watched the exchange, and Nabiki and Kasumi sensed their fiancé’s conflicting emotions and stepped to either side of him, the younger sister almost shoving Genma aside as she pressed herself into Ranma's side, Kasumi mirroring her. The young man's arms snaked around his fiancées' waists almost off their own volition, and Ranma had one question going through his mind, 'Could this really be my mom?'

"Of course, Saotome-san. Why, he's standing right over there with his fiancées, the tall young man with the spiky hair," Chi-Chi retorted in just that moment, and when Nodoka's eyes fell on the only young man who fit the description her eyes went wide.

Nodoka's unique logic system left her in a quandary as one part of her found it very manly that her supposed son had two fiancées, and the way the girls were pressed up against him suggested that he was very manly, but that he'd coloured his hair blonde and had chosen to wear such oddly coloured contacts was decidedly unmanly. In the end and two seconds later Nodoka decided to forego that conflict of interest for the time being in favour of asking, "Ranma?" in a voice that was much too emotional and insecure sounding for her own taste.

Ranma frowned briefly - which was due to the fact that he'd seen the emotions racing over his mother's face - but couldn't help but ask, "Mom?"

Akane, who'd been watching in silence much like the others shook her head, "Sometimes I feel like I'm in a real-life soap opera.

"Ranma you baka," she called a bit louder, catching his attention which consisted of an annoyed look, "drop the transformation. Your mother only knows you with black hair and blue eyes, remember?"

"But of course," Ranma breathed and felt like smacking his forehead as he shook his head before following Akane's advice, returning to his Saiyan base level, "I kinda forgot, thanks for pointing out the obvious to me, Akane," he said sheepishly and scratched the back of his head in true Saotome fashion.

It was in this very moment that something clicked within Nodoka Saotome's mind, and seconds later Ranma felt someone impact his chest, and he noticed absently that his fiancées had had to jump to either side to avoid getting barrelled over; that annoyed him to some degree, but his mother looking up at him with teary yet happy eyes washed away these feelings, and when she reached up with a trembling hand to touch his cheek and breathed "My son!" in true happiness Ranma couldn't help but smile.

Bulma was so touched she almost sniffled, and Chi-Chi, who'd always been one to weep easily sniffled outright and was almost bawling into a hankie. Gohan was almost as glad for Ranma as Kasumi and Nabiki, yet Vegeta's and Piccolo's reactions consisted thereof that they resumed training; it wasn't that the two warriors weren't happy for Ranma, for family and community were important to Saiyans and Nameks, but indulging in emotions caused by this reunion didn't make you stronger, only training did. Trunks and Goten followed the adults' example seeing as they couldn't bare seeing all that 'icky and uncool emotional stuff', and just listened in into the conversation with their keen hearing as they traded blows.

"Yeah, mom, it's me," Ranma assured her, and cutting right to the chase as he was wont to he added, "And these beauties you almost barrelled over are my fiancées, Kasumi," he indicated the older sister with a nod of his head and a fond smile, "and Nabiki," he concluded, giving the middle sister a smile just as fond.

Nodoka resisted the urge to squeal as that'd have been undignified, but her mind was screaming at her with joy at having two likely sources of grandchildren. This whole situation was playing so well into her plans, only that hair- and eye-colour-change thing, that had to go. Japanese men were traditionally dark-haired, and while her son's blue-eyedness could be overlooked and even considered an exotic and alluring trait, this aberration was neither Japanese nor manly. Now was not the time to broach this topic, though, now was a time to evaluate her prospective daughters-in-law.

-.-

Little later pleasantries had been exchanged between Nodoka and the girls, then the Saotome matriarch dived headlong into what could only be called a marriage interview. Both girls held their ground admirably in face of the occasional very intimate and downright noisy question with Ranma butting in occasionally when he felt it was necessary, and the Saotome youth had noticed right away that his mother hadn't approved of his interruptions; he hadn't given a damn, though seeing that while it was nice to have his mother back, protecting his mates came first, and those disapproving looks she'd sent him had been like water off a duck's back anyway.

Anyone who'd gone through what he'd faced and come out on top was afraid of nothing, least of all of disappointing someone's expectations, especially if this someone was a mother who'd been out of his life for over ten years. An old tale about the typical Japanese man with which he'd personally never agreed came to mind unbidden, paraphrasing that a Japanese man would rather save his mother's life than a wife's seeing that he had but one mother, yet could have as many more wives as he wanted.

That couldn't be more untrue in his case, though. Not only had him becoming a full-blooded Saiyan changed him and strengthened certain traits and beliefs, he'd also found real love in Kasumi and Nabiki. They were his mates, they came first, always. Somehow, despite his happiness at being reunited with his mother he had a strange feeling that she'd find out about this the hard way; his instincts had picked up on something during the 'interview' his mother had held with his mates that warned him she had her own plans for him and his mates, and should that prove to be the case he'd have no qualms to show her the error of her ways just as he had done with his father.

But now it seemed he'd have to tell his story yet again...

-.-

Vegeta, Gohan, Piccolo and the kids had opted to continue to train in favour of listening to Ranma's story seeing that they knew his tale by heart, thus the energy spike coming from Ranma caught them completely by surprise. It wasn't the strength of the outburst so much as how densely focussed it was, and to anyone who was sensitive to ki it spoke volumes about the anger Ranma was presently feeling. Training activity abruptly stopped, and even the Saiyan Prince dropped all pretence of being disinterested in favour of listening in into the conversation.

One look at their fellow Z-fighter revealed just how pissed off he was at whatever his mother had just said, and the shocked and surprised faces of Bulma and Chi-Chi were a strong additional indicator that it had to have been bad. Cold blue eyes set in a stony face stared unblinkingly at Nodoka, and Ranma's voice was like ice when he said, "I must have misheard you, that's the only explanation. You did not just say that my... changing into this... aberration, I believe you called it, was un-Japanese and unmanly, did you?"

Nodoka met his gaze unflinchingly and nodded imperiously, "I most certainly did. And I do not like the tone you're taking with me, son. You're obviously forgetting who your elders are, and that aside, it's not manly," she retorted sternly and fingered the cloth-wrapped bundle she'd somehow retrieved.

The others - most of all Vegeta and his wife, Piccolo, Gohan and Chi-Chi - watched the exchange in silent disbelief while Soun and Genma exchanged significant glances that communicated things were about to get ugly and fast. As one the masters plopped down onto the benches behind the protective glass, and all that was missing now was some sake and popcorn to properly enjoy the explosion that was bound to happen any minute now.

Genma nudged Soun with his left elbow, "You see that, Tendo? That tick in his left eye, the frown lines, and... Oh shit! His eyes just turned teal! He's gonna blow!"

"Indeed, Saotome. Something tells me it'll do your wife some good, though," the Tendo patriarch returned sagely.

Genma had the time to shrug before he had to strain his hearing to catch what his son was saying...

-.-

Everyone waited with bated breath for Ranma's reaction, and then it came. Those who knew Ranma knew from the way that his teeth were nearly inaudibly grinding and several other indicators that he was beyond pissed off, and it was a testament to his self-control that he hadn't taken out the gravity room in a fit of rage yet. Then he spoke, and the temperature seemed to drop several degrees, "Do you even have an inkling of how much I've trained to come this far?" he asked almost quietly yet in a voice that was eerily calm, yet this seeming calm was suddenly contradicted when he turned SSJ2 on the spot, the lightning bolts being reflected in Ranma's cold teal eyes making for an intimidating picture, "Of the sacrifices I'd to make, the hardships I'd to face? I fucking killed Happosai, the freaking Grandmaster of the Anything Goes not an hour ago-"

"Not in this tone, young man," Nodoka interrupted, "It's unmanly and-"

"Silence!" Ranma barked coldly, his glare holding so much anger Nodoka flinched back as if she'd been dealt a physical blow, "Where do you get off to make these outrageous demands? You think you can come back into my life after ten years of no contact and order me around like a little boy? And believe I'll happily obey? Are you barmy?"

Nodoka was so surprised that she sputtered almost incoherently for about a minute, then her eyes narrowed in cold fury, "Who I think I am? Who I think I am? I am your mother, and you will listen to what I say and do what I say!" she seethed, almost beside herself with anger, "I've never been spoken to like this, in this... unmanly manner, and I never will-"

Ranma's aura flaring brightly interrupted Nodoka's tirade, and the lightning bolts coursing in his aura crackled audibly, "What the fuck is it with you and your manliness shtick? Every second word is manly this, manly that. Do you belong to a manliness cult or something?" he growled out and shook his head in dismay, "You're crazy if you believe I'm going to forsake my powers, powers Kami-sama blessed me with so I could protect my mates and this world better! And for what reason should I forsake them in the first place? Just so I can be the ideal Japanese man and momma's good li'l manly son? Hah, forget about it!" he concluded and crossed his arms across his chest, his intent and defiant gaze boring into his mother.

For a moment it seemed that Ranma's argument and outright defiance had stolen Nodoka's thunder, but mere moments later she was back at it, "Oh but you will, for you swore and oath that says you'd commit seppuku if you were unmanly. And your current behaviour is more than unmanly."

A virtual kaleidoscope of emotions flashed over Ranma's face as the tactical super-computer that was his mind tried to compute the facts it had just learned.

-.-

At the sidelines Gohan, much as Kasumi, Nabiki, Chi-Chi and Bulma were literally itching to enter the fray and talk some sense into the Saotome matriarch, but Vegeta wouldn't budge an inch. The Saiyan Prince had stated at the very beginning of things that this was Ranma's fight, and no one, not even he was to intervene, and one look at Ranma showed that he'd have approved of Vegeta's decision.

This left them limited to the sidelines for the time being, but just watching the going ons was interesting enough. Ranma was once more proving that he could brave seemingly anything life threw his way, even a mother who apparently had a few screws loose.

Speaking of which, their opinion of Nodoka had - unsurprisingly - changed for the worse, and Chi-Chi really regretted having had her ever trusty smelling salts on her today. Seldom had she been so wrong in judging a person's character, and she was looking forward to giving the woman a piece of her mind once Ranma was through with her.

Similar thoughts ran through other heads as well, and one Nodoka Saotome couldn't help but shiver at the sensation of foreboding she was feeling.

-.-

A look of utter coldness that'd have made the Frost Giants of Norse mythology proud was levelled at Nodoka, and it was obvious that the expression on Ranma's face seemed to be giving her second thoughts. Then Ranma spoke, and his tone matched his look to a t. "I signed a contract, yeah?" he drawled in a low voice that seemed to cut straight through Nodoka like a blast of cold air.

The Saotome matriarch briefly shivered but collected herself quickly, "That you most certainly did," she stated, her confidence rising now that she believed herself on firm ground.

"And how old was I when I supposedly signed this contract, and what was the method by which it was supposedly done?" he asked sibilantly, a raven brow raised almost mockingly.

"Five. And you signed this contract with your handprint," answered Nodoka confidently and chose to ignore her son's irritating behaviour.

The cold and mocking laughter emanating from Ranma caught Nodoka completely off-guard and stunned her into silence as that was the last reaction she'd have expected. "Five years, yes? And I signed it with a fuckin' handprint?! Do you even have an inkling of how ridiculous that sounds? 'You know, Kikoko, my son signed a suicide contract when he was five, and he used finger-paint to do it. Isn't that the most manly thing ever?'. Honestly, get real," he spat, his forceful tone preventing his mother from forming a coherent reply, "You know what's funny? I read up on a whole lot of stuff after my change, and it just happens that law was among it.

"Guess what? Five year olds are legally incompetent! Even if I did sign that contract, it doesn't mean shit! And in case you're thinking about the approach to surrogate my signature, a contract of this nature with such far-reaching consequences doesn't allow for a surrogation. Try to take it up to court and it’ll blow up in your face. Maybe they’ll declare you unfit as a mother to boot, maybe they'll go even further and section you," Ranma listed with a shrug, "So take your fuckin' contract and stuff it where the sun doesn't shine. Good day, I've better things to do than waste my time on a mother who obviously hasn't got her priorities straight. Come back when that's changed," he finished coldly and made move to get up.

"You agreed upon your honour to uphold the terms of the contract. You swore that you’d become a man among men and the best martial artist of your generation, and this is how you choose to uphold your oath?" Nodoka asked, unwrapping the clothed bundle to reveal a sharp-looking katana, "It is neither manly nor honourable to talk back to your parents, and your refusal to stay a true Japanese man is unmanly as well. I find you wanting, Ranma."

Ranma sighed and plopped down onto the ground, and much to the surprise of all attendees he began to pinch the bridge of his nose, "Lady, if this is your attempt to spur me into agreement then let me tell ya you’re only digger yourself deeper and deeper. You’ll hardly find someone with a more stubborn streak than me, and if you don’t stop pushing me I’ll push back harder than you’d believe," he ground out with clenched teeth, his eyes hard and narrowed as he drilled holes into his mother, "What you’re trying to do is to govern my behaviour through that contract that ain’t worth the paper it’s written upon, and you better mark my words, ‘mother’, no one and nothing controls me. Not even my mates. No. One. Nothing. Not you, not pops, not my powers. Those who try to will find out what it’s like to be crushed by an unstoppable force. Now excuse me, I have to train."

"But… But your honour… you swore on your honour!" Nodoka stammered as she grasped for straws now that she saw her hopes about to be dashed.

Ranma, who’d been in the process of walking away turned ever so slowly around, his teal eyes flashing, "Don’t. You. Even. Start. With. Honour.," he growled out, and every single word was like a thunderclap that made Nodoka flinch, "No one uses my honour against me, least of all someone who decides to crash into my life with intent to lord over said life, especially after ten years of absense on your part. The way you acted doesn’t make you more than the woman who gave birth to me, for I’d never want to have a mother in my life who values honour more than my life.

"And just out of curiosity, just why the hell is it so damn important I be manly, huh?" he demanded, his eyes boring into the shocked blue eyes of his mother.

Nodoka took a few moments to collect herself from the verbal assault she’d just been subjected to, and her voice was cracking just a bit when she answered, "To ensure the continuity of the Saotome line, Ranma. You were our only child, and due to complications during your birth you’ll always be Genma’s and my only child," she said sadly, and Ranma felt almost bad for her, almost being the keyword here seeing as Nodoka’s behaviour was inexcusable, "And seeing that we are the last Saotomes from the main line it’s our duty to ensure our Clan’s continuity. It was a hard decision, but after Genma and I had found out that we couldn’t have any more children he came up with the plan to take you on the training trip to make you into the best martial artist.

"Charmer that he is Genma sweet-talked me into letting you go," she said with a fond smile in Genma's direction, then turned almost wistful as she looked back at Ranma, "But I demanded he make you into a ‘man among men’ as well and had him put that clause into the contract that said you’d both commit seppuku should I find you wanting," she explained with a sigh.

"Did you ever stop to think that it was just wrong to even consider using a clause like that? To use a clause that’d give someone the power to make a life or death decision in regards of your only child? How stupid is that with me being the last heir of our line and you and pops being unable to have more children, huh? That whole thing spiralled out of control, didn’t it?" Ranma deduced, his eyes lighting up as his mind latched onto something it could work with, "I bet you put that clause into the contract to keep pops in line didn’t you? At first, at least. But then the contract became something more for you, it gained more meaning for you. It was your only reminder of us, and you built your whole world around how you envisioned me to turn out. Am I right so far?"

All the wide-eyed staring Nodoka could do was nod, and Ranma was surprised to see a single tear running down his mother’s cheek, "Yes, everything you said is the truth. I envisioned you… like you’re now, to be honest. But-"

"Easier to control, huh?" Ranma cut in, his before neutral face turning annoyed, "Get it straight, I won’t be controlled by anyone or anything, ever, and I’ll never allow others to live through me or be their stepping stone to the fulfilment of their dreams. I have my own life, my own hopes and dreams and the girls with whom I plan to see ‘em come true, so I don’t need a mother who just wants to use me to reach her own goals. A mother who’d have been interested in what I went through to get to this point, someone who’d been happy for me that I’d two wonderful fiancées for reasons other than her selfish dreams or for how powerful I’ve become would have been nice, but as seemingly often in my life, it was apparently too much to ask for."

Nodoka’s head drooped at Ranma’s words, but the pigtailed Saiyan couldn’t muster any pity. He just felt empty, yet he wanted to get to the bottom of things nonetheless. "Whose definition of manliness would be deciding in regards of that contract anyway? Yours?" he queried, and shook his head in dismay upon Nodoka’s nod, "I should’ve known. How can someone be given the power to decide what manliness is if the said person doesn’t even have to follow a recognised definition and can come up with definitions of what is manly to their hearts content?

"So why on Earth should I agree to that shit that’d allow you to hold the contract over my head like the sword of Damocles for as long as you’d like, allowing you to change your definition time and again as you see fit, leaving me the conned one?" he asked, sarcasm saturating his voice.

When his mother remained silent and didn’t offer more than a guilty look Ranma pressed on, "I mightn’t be the genius type like my pal Gohan over there, but even I ain’t stupid enough not to realise that I’d get the short end of the deal. So take your sword and your contract, and come back when you don’t sprout the words ‘manly’, ‘contract’ and ‘honour’ every five seconds. On second thought, I rather don’t want to hear them ever again from you, at least not in a context that has anything to do with my committing seppuku. Now for the third time, good day," the pigtailed Saiyan concluded and made move to get to his feet.

"Ranma, please wait," Nodoka exclaimed, and it was plain obvious that there was something pleading in her voice, fact which made Ranma pause.

"I'm listening," the young Saiyan said after turning around again in spite of himself, but he chose to remain standing.

Nodoka sighed as she looked up at her son, "I seem to have made a lot of mistakes in this reunion, my son," she said, and was unsurprised to hear Ranma mutter, "Understatement of the year.

"But realising you're barking up the wrong tree is the first step in the right direction," Ranma added, and then his face turned completely serious, demanding attention, "Just so that you know I'm not bluffing, should you chose to try and pressure me into behaving the way you want me to or try to use the girls in any way or form to exert pressure I'll happily renounce the Saotome name without a second thought," he said calmly, his words sending Nodoka reeling, "I'll just marry into the Tendo family, which I'm certain Soun would've nothing against."

"Nothing at all, son," Soun called over, calmly munching on popcorn he'd somehow procured.

"There you have it. You'll have to make the decision of wanting to be a real mother who wants to partake in her son's life instead of aiming to lord over her son's life, or you're facing the very real danger that I'll burn all bridges behind me. Pops would still be welcome, but you'd never see any of my offspring, who wouldn't be Saotomes either by the way," Ranma said, crossing his arms across his chest.

Nodoka looked at her son in horror, "You can't mean that! That... That..."

"Would be unusual and cruel, are those the words you're looking for?" Ranma inquired semi-ironically, a raven brow cocked, and Nodoka nodded fervently, "Hardly. With the way you acted there's hardly a court that'd not resort to even more drastic measures, and I'm certain my dear Nabs-chan has recorded every word, right?" he concluded with a grin, which only grew when Nabiki gave him the thumbs up. "There you have it. I don't want to resort to that, but if you force my hand I will. There're three things that are really important to me, my girls, my personal freedom and my being a warrior. You threatened all three within the span of minutes, which wasn't the cleverest thing to do."

The seriousness with which Ranma had delivered his warning did its job in convincing Nodoka that her son meant business, and the ashen-faced woman nodded slowly as the fantasy world she'd created for herself over the years came crashing down due to the fatal blows it had been dealt.

The gears behind Nodoka's eyes began to work in proper alignment for the first time in long, and Ranma - much as the others - watched in expectant silence as the Saotome woman assessed the situation. 'Ranma must be manly- but if I try to force him there's no doubt he'll do what he said. What to do, what to do? Wait, the way he stood up to me was decidedly manly, and him having two fiancées is as well. Yes! His manliness outweighs his unmanliness by far, so I can justify it to myself.

‘If I don't stop pushing him he will really do what he said, there's no doubt about that with the way he acted. And all the consequences he mentioned… I couldn’t bear that, which means I'll have no choice but to let go of my ideals where manliness is concerned. It's a sacrifice that doesn't come easy to me, but the alternative is nothing short of gruelling. No Saotomes to be born ever, and I wouldn't even be allowed to see my grandchildren. That mustn't be, never! I'll do it, I'll give in,' she concluded, and lifted her head which she'd bowed during her brainstorming.

Nodoka used deliberate and slow movements as she reached into her kimono and produced a rolled-up and worn-looking scroll. Unrolling it she held it in front of Ranma so he may read it, and she wasn't surprised when her son's face sported a look of annoyance once he'd scanned the page. "I see that the way I acted was inexcusable, my son, and I dearly hope my realisation is not too late," Nodoka said with a sigh, yet was just met with a neutral stare on Ranma's part, his silence prompting her to continue, "It is always hard to admit that one was in the wrong, but I've been as wrong as one can be.

"The fact aside that the contract isn't valid and thus not legally binding, you'd have fulfilled it many times over, as would your father. I see that now. How you stood up to an old, foolish woman that lived in her own dream world displayed courage and bravery worthy of a true warrior, and I'm sorry that I'd forgotten what it is that defines a good warrior."

She smiled in a self-depreciating way and took a deep breath before continuing, and it wasn't just Ranma who was curious as to what she had to say, "Not his strength or the quality of his weapons, those are, while important as well minor points in the end, no, his courage to stand up for others and himself and to champion the things he believes in and the determination to fight tooth and nail for it. That is what makes a warrior," she said in the breast-tone of conviction, and many of the audience felt themselves nodding involuntarily, "Thank you for showing me the error of my ways, my son, and I hope you'll find it in your heart to forgive me some day. I'm proud of what you've become," Nodoka concluded and got up from the ground; then the Saotome matriarch straightened out her kimono and managed to make it look graceful despite the tear-tracks running down her cheeks.

Her head bowed low she made move to leave the Gravity Room and had already taken a few steps towards where Genma and Soun were sitting when Ranma called after her, "Uh, mom, you've forgotten your sword."

Nodoka turned her head slowly, and the Saotome matriarch ruthlessly suppressed the hope that suddenly blossomed in her heart, "No, son, I haven't. I'm not worthy to carry the family honour blade any longer because of my unthinking acts, and I want you to take this responsibility as you've proven that you're honourable beyond a doubt. I'm sorry I ever called your honour in doubt, and I'll take my leave now. I have a lot to atone for tonight and need to visit the shrine.

"Husband," she called over into the silence that had ensued, "you can find me at our home, and I'd be pleased if you'd stop by tomorrow."

Genma just nodded dumbly seeing as his higher thought-processes were still recovering from the surprising twist things had taken and felt himself say, "I'd like that, No-chan."

Nodoka smiled a small smile and began to walk towards the entrance door, but Ranma made no move to follow her. Too surprised was he by the happenings, and he hardly felt the elbow that nudged him into the right side. Repeatedly. "Huh? What?" he queried intelligently as he shook himself out of his stupor, and found an annoyed looking Nabiki stare up at him.

"Sometimes it's decidedly disadvantageous that you're a man of steel," Nabiki grumbled and rubbed her smarting elbow, yet her expression turned serious in the blink of an eye, "Ranma, go after her. At first I thought she wasn't worth it, but her behaviour of the last few minutes led me to believe that we should give her the benefit of the doubt. Kasumi-neechan agrees. We have nothing to lose except a few nerves, and can still change our minds and send her to where the pepper grows should she try anything."

Ranma mulled it over and frowned, "Sounds good, yeah, but the way she pulled a one-eighty was... suspicious. I ain't convinced she really meant what she said."

"And that's why I love you, Ranma Saotome. Not only are you good-looking, a stud and one of the most powerful men on the planet, you also have brains to your brawn," Nabiki said with a smile and raked a hand through her hair, "I'm suspicious as well. Her turn-about did happen awfully fast, but we'll keep an eye on her. Between the four of us I think we can handle her."

Kasumi, who'd stepped at Ranma's side, nodded in agreement, and the young Saiyans' mind was starting to lean in favour of Nabiki's suggestion already when Gohan stepped in front of him. "I know it's a familial matter and I don't want to interfere, but your mates are right. You can only profit from allowing your mother back into your life, and you'll soon find out if she honestly means what she said," he said and grabbed Ranma's shoulders, "I know what loosing a parent feels like, so give her a chance before you make a decision you might regret. There isn't a day I wish I'd finished Cell quicker, Ranma. Don't make a snap-decision, that's all I got to say," he concluded and removed his hands.

Ranma stared off into space for a few seconds, then he squared his jaw and a look of determination appeared on his face, "Thanks, you guys. Be right back, gotta fetch myself a wayward mother," he exclaimed, grabbed the family honour sword and made a run for it.

-.-

Nodoka Saotome walked down the long hallway slowly, her mind in turmoil. One part of her, the one that had been dominant for the longest part of ten years was screaming at her to turn around and demand her son behave like a proper manly Japanese man, but the other, now stronger part virtually yelled the first voice down, 'And what happens then? Our son throws us out of his life and renounces the family name! Result: we won’t have a son nor grandchildren, ever. Good going, Miss Manly!'

'But he must be manly! He swore he'd be!' retorted 'Miss Manly'.

'Oh for the love of... where'd you get those idiotic ideas about what's manly anyway? Stop, don't answer, that was a rhetorical question. We should never have read these perverted orange books seeing as they created you. But your doing stops here and now, you've caused enough damage to last a life-time!' 'Miss Reason' exclaimed, and socked 'Miss Manly' in the head with all her might, knocking her out.

Nodoka shook her head to shake off the onsets of a headache, and shortly thereafter a true smile formed on her face. She'd come to the definite decision that regardless of what Ranma would decide, she'd accept it with grace; that whole manliness thing she'd had going for so long had to go once and for all, though.

In Nodoka's mind 'Miss Reason' grinned evilly as she regarded the fallen form of 'Miss Manly'. 'Well, it seems you've overstayed your welcome, missy. Sayonara,' she exclaimed and produced a katana out of thin air which she expertly used to behead what had been the bane of her existence until a few minutes ago.

'Miss Reason' was surprised at the total lack of blood, but then again, her nemesis had been a split personality after all, and who knew jack shit where those were concerned? 'Miss Reason' immediately felt better as all the pent-up helpless fury that'd accumulated over the years just evaporated into nothingness, much as 'Miss Manly', who disappeared with a poof of displaced air.

'Miss Reason' sighed in relief, 'Good that that nightmare's over. Should she develop another quirk I'll take steps to deal with it, permanently, and a lot sooner,' she growled and twirled her katana, 'This one's time of being a pacifist is over.'

In the real world Nodoka massaged her temples in an effort to ward off a migraine, and the Saotome matriarch slowly shook her head, "Odd, I could've sworn I heard voices. Must have been my imagination."

"Mom?" a voice called from behind, making her almost whirl around; she could control the impulse though and turned around slowly, facing her son. That he was carrying the family honour blade made her a bit apprehensive at first, then she noticed his concerned expression, "Is everything okay, mom? You looked like you were in pain, and your ki was fluctuating wildly for a second there," he said and dropped the sword onto the ground.

Nodoka could have almost squealed in joy that her son was concerned for her well-being, and an inner voice told her that her decision to forego her views on manliness had been spot-on. "Yes, Ranma. I had a mild migraine attack, nothing to worry about," she replied, and smiled softly, "Thank you for worrying, it speaks highly of your character."

Ranma smiled back briefly before pasting a neutral expression on his face as he topsy-turvied his mother with his senses. Nodoka on her part wore an amused smile as her son scrutinised her first with his eyes, which he then, much to her puzzlement, closed. After a few moments she couldn't help but ask, "What exactly are you doing, Ranma?"

"I'm checking your ki-pathways and your ki-network to ascertain that everything's okay with you," Ranma replied without opening his eyes.

Nodoka nodded slowly, impressed, and motherly pride welled up in her chest. "I see, son. I really shouldn't be surprised considering what you did when you sparred with Gohan Son," she mused.

Ranma could hear the smile in her voice and couldn't help but smile as well, "Yeah, I've come a long way, not least thanks to Gohan," he replied, and opened his eyes, "Everything's A-okay with you, mom. The ki-pathways in your head have lost a bit definition for reasons I can't discern, but they're strengthening as we speak. Is probably the reason you had a migraine," he explained.

"That's good to know, son. Thank you," Nodoka replied in honest gratitude.

"You're welcome, mom. Say, how'd you like being a part of my life, a real part?" Ranma queried with a small smirk, and couldn't help but feel amusement at the gobsmacked expression his mother was sporting.

Then, not five seconds later Nodoka Saotome literally squealed in happiness and engulfed her son in a bone-crushing hug, tears of joy streaming down her face. "I'd like that very much, my son," she said in ways of a verbal reply when she was certain she could trust her voice.

Ranma smiled and softly - as well as carefully - returned the hug, "Somehow I'd guessed that, mom," he commented with a grin, eliciting a sheepish expression from his mother, "Now come, let's not keep the others waiting..."

to be continued...

Thanks for reading. Also, thanks to everyone for helping me out with suggestions, comments, ideas and c&c in general.

Special thanks to BorgRabbit for editing services rendered.

As always, comments and constructive criticism are welcome and appreciated.

On a side note, I'll probably update the side story next week, as well as another story.

Till next.

Many thanks to those of you who were kind enough to leave reviews for the last chapter(s):

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