By Michael Fetter

Ranma wasn’t sure how he should feel. He was standing in a small church wearing a black tuxedo and waiting for the wedding march to begin. In the crowd he could see Kasumi smiling, holding onto Dr. Ono Tofu. Beside her, Nabiki had let her mask of deception and was almost ready to cry as she anticipated the event about to occur. Ranma had never thought something like this would make people cry. He always figured it should be a happy occasion with laughing and dancing.

He could see Genma in the back, his face was stern as usual, blocking the door in case of outside interference. There wouldn’t be though. Ranma knew that for certain. As he waited, Ranma had plenty of time to think about his time with Akane. Neither of them had wanted to get married when they first met. They could barely tolerate being around the other. Now here he was, standing on a dias, Ryouga at his side, waiting for the bride to walk down the isle.

Ranma found it hard to focus once the ceremony began. He was lost in a haze of thoughts. None of them directly concerning the wedding. A poke in the ribs was the only way he could remember the ring he held in his hands was for Akane. Then the minister smiled and announced to the crowd, in a deep baritone, "I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."

From the audience, Ranma could hear weeping. Tears of happiness, tears of sadness, people congratulated the newly weds in their own way. Ukyo stayed in the back at a respectful distance from the one she loved and had hoped to marry. Soun hadn’t stopped crying except to walk his daughter down the isle. Ranma was getting very irritated by all the sobbing sounds and the boisterous cheers making his ears hurt.

The pigtailed martial artist turned away from Akane, his job done, and headed out of the chapel. He could wish Akane and Ryouga a happy life together, but at the moment, Ranma just wanted to go for a long walk.

The walk ended up being shorter than he would’ve liked. Ranma found himself at the Tendo dojo fairly late into the evening. The reception had started to diminish, but there were still a few stragglers amongst the usual Nerima crowd Ranma associated with. He’d seen Kuno flying out of the yard in the direction of the setting sun and guessed Akane had kicked him again. Kuno never did learn to quit, Ranma thought.

Ranma was sitting on the roof like he normally would when he needed to think about things. He felt fortunate that Soun never pressured him into marrying either of the other two Tendo’s sisters. Sure, Kasumi was nice, but she and Tofu had been getting pretty serious so that option was gone. Then there was the mercenary girl, Nabiki. She had never really liked Ranma and the feelings were mutual. Soun had known that that particular marriage would be very bad if not down right cruel and unusual.

Pops had left on a long training trip by himself after the first hour of reception, taking just enough time to stuff his face with food. Ranma still hadn’t met his mother in his male form. He wondered if he could see her now without oyagi’s interference. Nodoka seemed like a very nice lady and lonely enough that she may forego the seppuku agreement she and Genma had made.

There were other things for Ranma to do. Cologne still wanted him to be a part of the Amazon tribe and with no more ties in Japan Ranma had given the idea some serious thought. By their custom, he was engaged to Shampoo and she was nice, though Ranma shivered every time he thought of her cursed form. Still, going to China, he could look for a cure, learn fighting techniques from Cologne, and, with help, get over his fear of cats. Mousse would be a problem, of course, but life would be boring without someone attacking you at least once a day, in Ranma’s life anyway.

Living in a female controlled society did not appeal to Ranma at all, however. Cologne was never the most forthcoming of people with her knowledge, and Ranma had actually gotten used to his curse over the years. So long as Nodoka didn’t force him to commit seppuku, Ranma was willing to live the rest of his life with his curse.

Things figured out in his mind, Ranma decided to go see his mother tomorrow after picking up his meager belongings from his old room and getting a bit of shut eye. He listened closely to the conversation in the living room from his perch and discovered everyone to still be talking. Not wanting to confront anyone, Ranma walked to the edge of the roof, next to the window for the guest room, and nimbly let himself in without making a sound.

Genma had already been through here, Ranma noticed as he sat down on the only cot in the room now. His father felt the contract had been dishonored and blamed Ranma for it. That was just one more thing someone blamed him for though. Ranma could care less about what his father thought. His life was his own once again, no more fiancees, malleting, or as many kidnappings that he would have to deal with. Ranma did feel a little bit used for all the times he had saved Akane only to be dumped now. It seemed like a rather big waste of two years that he could’ve spent really training with real martial arts masters. Well, he wouldn’t let this opportunity slip through his fingers again.

As he stripped off the last of his Chinese clothes, Ranma set himself on the cot and closed his eyes while dreams of the future, his future, played in his head.

He woke up early the next morning, unassisted. Ranma put on his last set of clean clothes and threw everything else into a duffel bag and crept silently out the door. When he closed the door to the guest room he heard some shuffling feet further down the hall.

Akane had just come out of her room, a light robe hanging off of her shoulders. Even if Ranma knew how she had gained the sheen of sweat that covered her body, he still thought she looked beautiful.

They stood in the hallway for a moment, facing each other. Neither was sure what to do or if they should do anything. Ranma studied her deep brown eyes that had captivated him so many times before. She seemed happy and yet sad at the same time. He didn’t want to make her feel anymore awkward than he already had so Ranma started to make his way down the stairs. Akane followed his movements the entire way, a disturbing silence settling in her mind. "Ranma." It was only a whisper and he would never hear it, not as he walked downstairs, not as he passed through the living room, and not as he closed the door behind him.

Ranma walked in silence, letting his mind wander through the garden of his memories. He remembered the times Akane had smiled at him and did something nice just for him. It seemed so certain that they would fall in love and marry. What had gone wrong?

Ryouga came by the dojo often enough to become one of Akane’s friends. She always thought Ranma was picking on the lost boy and never gave him the chance to explain. As she yelled at Ranma, Akane would act kind and motherly to Ryouga. That was the true test of time. Ranma idly wondered if Ryouga had worked up the guts to tell Akane about his curse yet? He almost laughed as he thought of the misery that would result once Akane had made the revelation. It would’ve been terrible if she married Ranma, but having married Ryouga she might go easier on him. After all, wasn’t Ryouga the man she loved?

Ranma had walked the entire way to his mother’s house in silence. The sun was still low in the sky and the streets were empty except for the occasional jogger. The Saotome home was much larger than the Tendo dojo, looking more like a mansion than a house. The paint was still bright and clean, the shutters were open to let the morning light in, and the lawns surrounding the home were trimmed and neat. He knew that Nodoka lived alone so she must have hired help come in to maintain the place.

The path to the front door seemed like a mile as Ranma began to doubt himself. Would Nodoka accept him so easily? Does her honor rule her life as much as Genma suggested? He hoped not, but Ranma had few other options left to him. He knocked on the door.

From inside the house, Ranma could hear someone moving about, making a slow shuffle to the front door. When it opened he saw Nodoka still in her nightgown, the family sword in her right hand. "Yes?"

"Uhm . . . hi, mom." Ranma spoke nervously.

Nodoka rubbed the sleep out of her eyes with her free hand and took a closer look at the young man at her door. Black hair tied into a ponytail, lean muscular build, and beautiful blue eyes, this was most definitely her son. She gasped in happiness and dropped the sword to the ground before grabbing Ranma about the shoulders and hugging him fiercely.

Ranma smiled and returned the embrace. At least she didn’t kill me on sight, he thought.

"What would you do now, Ranma?" After explaining the bulk of his life up until now to his mother, Ranma lounged back against the sofa and took a cautious sip from his hot tea. Nodoka had been upset that he had not revealed himself sooner, but with Genma’s threats of seppuku she did not get mad at Ranma. She did say something about trimming the fat with Genma the next time she came across her wayward husband.

"I’m leaving." What else could he do? There was no other reason to remain. Nodoka had been a very insignificant part of his life thus far and her absence would barely register for Ranma. It sounded cruel, but Ranma had to concede that it was the truth. It all boiled down to the true focus of his life, the Art. Living in Nerima he had heard plenty of gossip and knew that there were other great martial artists out there he could learn from. It was still Ranma’s goal to be the greatest martial artist in the world; the only common ground he had with Genma.

Nodoka was visibly upset at hearing the news. Her son had only just returned to her life and so quickly he was planning to leave. Did she do something wrong? Was Ranma punishing her? "Nerima?"

"Japan." His training trip had been long but woefully incomplete. There were many countries and cultures he had learned about in school, many that harbored amazing histories in war and the Art. Broadening his horizons sounded like a good idea to Ranma.

Japan? Why did he have to go so far, Nodoka wondered. The happiness had fled her eyes and she slumped low in her chair. The normal proper posture of a Japanese woman could no longer bare the weight of her life. She had been a fool to allow Genma to take her son for so long. An even greater fool if she lost Ranma again. "Could . . could you at least stay the night?"

It was the least he could do. Ranma nodded. It would at least be nice to get to know his mother first.

Get to know his mother.

Ranma snorted in contempt.

He had planned to spend the day with Nodoka and find out what she had been doing for the past twelve years. Maybe learn of her interests and if there was something that he could identify with, but Nodoka had been very unforth-coming. She had been absent, in fact.

Ranma spent something of a normal day since their discussion this morning. Looking very smug, Cologne had dropped by expecting Ranma to throw himself at Shampoo. That wasn’t bloody likely, Ranma thought then became concerned with the time he spent watching the BBC.

There was a fight that started in the Saotome backyard, Ukyou and Kodachi had gotten wind of it and arrived to stake their claim. It was hard to keep it all straight and Ranma could not hit any of his attackers but the old ghoul. He still held the belief that he should not hit a girl, if it can be helped.

Things went downhill from there as he and Cologne started to get into a ki war. Maybe when he first arrived in Nerima, Ranma would have lost, but he had grown since then. Ranma put up a valiant standing before the Amazon matriarch and expended so much ki that it sent his three fiancees flying through the air. They were either unconscious or terrified to move. Either way, he and Cologne were making a real mess of the area.

"Give it up, son-in-law! You are a hundred years to early to beat me! Why don’t you just return with Shampoo to our village and forget about Japan? It is what you were planning, wasn’t it?" Cologne hopped about the yard on her cane, dodging ki blasts and lightening fast kicks while throwing back some of her own. This was truly the best fight she had had in many years. Ranma never ceased to amaze her. Cologne had expected the cursed boy to become exhausted long ago, especially after dumping cold water on him.

Not only did Ranma keep up her heavy attacks, but she was also able to deflect the numerous pressure point attacks Cologne had set out to deliver. After half an hour, the pig tailed girl was running low on energy, the problem was, for Cologne, that she had also begun to scrap the bottom of her energy barrel. Ranma had somehow avoided most of her ki attacks and made her expend almost all of her energy. There was only one thing left to do . . .

Slipping from her cane, Cologne collapsed onto the ground, panting for breath. She looked up to see Ranma-chan breathing hard, but holding her guard up and ready. There was no need to see who could finish this fight on top. Coming to Japan, Cologne had never considered that this would ever happen. She was the greatest warrior of the Amazon tribe with three hundred years of experience and now . . now she had been beaten by a young boy/girl, whatever.

A normal Amazon would have to give Ranma the Kiss of Marriage, but being Matriarch, Cologne did not have to follow this rule. Instead . . . Instead she had to inform the tribe of the new leadership in the group of elders. Ranma was an Honored Amazon of War. The title had been hers for so long, Cologne had grown slightly weary of the position while worrying that no one would ever take her place. If it had to be anyone, she was glad it was this boy. "Well done, Ranma. You are the victor."

Ranma blinked at the surprising change in Cologne’s tone. Before she had been mocking and condescending to her. Now, now there was some deeply seated respect in the old ghoul’s behavior. Maybe she and the Amazons would leave her alone finally. "That mean you’re gonna forget about this son-in-law stuff?" She hadn’t missed the fact that Cologne had used her name for the first time.

Cologne looked like she wanted to protest, but she bit off her usual retort and rested against her cane, defeated. "It does, Patriarch."

Ranma blinked, shook his head of the growing cobwebs and blinked again. "Huh?"

"After all this time, I should have known you would be the one to finally beat me. I was too arrogant to see the way you had progressed. I believed that no matter how strong you became, my experience would be enough to win every time. That simply was not true.

"In the tribe I was known as Matriarch of War because of my superior skill in the martial arts. There were only two ways to assume the title, be raised from birth to be the Matriarch of War, or beat me in combat that I agreed to participate in. The second had long been my way to find a worthy successor and I had always assumed it would be my great granddaughter."

Pulling herself up to a standing position, Cologne held her right fist over her heart and bowed to Ranma-chan. "Congratulations, Saotome Ranma, Patriarch of War, of the Joseketzu Amazons."

Speechless. For the first time in her life, Ranma did not have a quick insult or snide remark to deliver. She had expected another normal day where her suitors fought over the engagements, but normal did not seem to be a word her life was regularly, or ever, acquainted with. It would have been normal for Ranma to grow up in a house with his mother and attend school. It would have been normal for Ranma to play with the pet cat he used to have when he was young. It would have been normal to remain a single gender for the whole of his life. It would also have been normal for her to marry the girl Ranma had spent two years of her life, saving and spending most of her time with. What did this all add up to?

Ranma’s life was not, or would ever be, normal, even in the most general of translations.

"Patriarch." She whispered, still in a bit of shock.

Cologne nodded and took slow painful steps to where Ranma-chan stood. "Well, at the moment I suppose you would be Matriarch, but you get the general idea. Ranma," Cologne tapped the girl on the shoulder. "I could not be more honored with anyone else as my successor."

Only staring straight ahead, Ranma guided her body to the few standing chairs in the backyard. Cologne followed close behind and sat down in the chair beside the redhead, looking over the battleground of her defeat. "We should discuss what this all means, but it can wait until you have had a chance to let this sink in."

Shaking her head again, Ranma leaned back in her chair. "Is this another trick of yours to get me to return to China and marry Shampoo, old ghoul? Cause if it is my answer is still no. I beat you once and I can do it again if I gotta."

"This is no trick, Ranma. I would never dishonor the title of my position for any reason. It is the greatest honor any Amazon warrior could hope to receive." She intoned calmly and respectfully.

The back of Ranma’s hand brushed the sweat from her forehead as she sat there. "But I’m not an Amazon. I can’t be given something like this. There has to be some sort of rule, at least against a man, for this sort of thing!"

The ex-Matriarch only smiled with some humor. "Come now, Ranma. You know that we Amazons have set up our rules to bring strong warriors into our tribe. That was why Shampoo and I were after you from the beginning. It is true that I could revoke your right to my position." Here, Cologne gained an introspective look as she gazed up at the sky. "But I am tired and no longer wish to continue with these duties. I would not rest until my successor was found, and now that is done."

"But . . . but, I just got my life back. I don’t wanna lose it again." Ranma-chan’s eyes burned with fire. She would not submit to a life of servitude without a fight!

The old ghoul nodded her head once. "It is not as bad as you think, Ranma. You are still too young to be a part of the council, though you could never really be a part of it. Only a woman could be among the council so you would have to gain a counterpart to act on your behalf during their meetings."

"Ah ha!" Ranma-chan shouted and pointed a finger at Cologne. "You are trying to make me marry Shampoo."

"No, I’m not." She sighed and continued to explain. "You are Patriarch now, and as such, above the Kiss of Marriage. You may choose whomever you wish to marry or if you ever will, but you must have someone take your place in the council."

Ranma still did not quite trust Cologne, but the old ghoul had never lied to her. Ranma-chan told the old woman she would think about what Cologne had told her and would arrive in China, at the Joseketzu village, with her answer.

Cologne nodded her head; it was all she could do now. "Shampoo?"

"Yes, great-grandmother?" Came the small reply from the ground a bit further off.

"Did you see the end of the battle?"

"Yes, great-grandmother."

"And you understand what this means?"

There was a momentary pause followed by a choked sob. "Yes, great-grandmother."

Cologne sighed and slid off the chair. Shampoo slowly rose from the ground herself and followed the old woman, walking slowly out the back gate.

Soon after that, Ranma-chan went back into the house to change and leave before either of her other suitors woke up. Ranma walked aimlessly about the city for the next couple of hours, hoping to find some of his friends to hang out with. Thinking about it, Ranma realized he only had two friends, Hiroshi and Diasuki, and they weren’t often around. Everyone else in Ranma’s life was a fiancee or a rival. Most of his time in Nerima he had spent at the Tendou’s, working out or getting into arguments with Akane.

"I’ve gotta stop thinkin about it. Nothin I can do about it so just let it go." Ranma wasn’t watching where he was going and accidentally walked into someone. They both fell on their butts.

"Hey, watch where you’re going, idiot!"

Ranma blinked and took a better look at the man he collided with. He was half dressed in boxers and a pair of socks with a familiar bandanna wrapped around his head. "Oh, hey Ryouga. You get lost or somethin?"

"Ranma?" Ryouga stood up and noticed who it was he had run in to. "I didn’t get lost, Ranma! This is all your fault!"

"Whatever." What is with this guy, Ranma wondered. He’s got everything he ever wanted and he still blames me for whatever goes wrong in his life. Ranma walked past the lost boy to see if he couldn’t get himself a little more lost.

"What’s wrong, Ranma? Don’t you have some stupid insult for me? Or are you too upset that I’m the one who won Akane’s love?" The boy taunted, sneering at the pig-tailed martial artist.

"That’s no way to ask me to help you find the dojo again, P-chan." The insult was more reflexive than anything now. Ranma didn’t mean anything by it. If Ryouga wanted to start a fight rather than get home, Ranma wouldn’t complain.

Ryouga growled and bared his teeth, but did little more. He did want to get back to Akane as soon as possible and the only way that would happen was with Ranma’s help. Any other way and he wouldn’t even find the dojo for weeks. "Fine."

"Fine what?"

Growling a bit deeper, Ryouga glared at Ranma. "Would you please take me back to the dojo?"

A bit disgusted, Ranma turned from the lost boy and started walking off. "Whatever. Just follow me. I ain’t pulling you along like some dog." Ranma walked thirty steps, stopped, turned around and was surprised to see Ryouga was still there behind him. He pointed to the building they were standing next to. A sign in the front yard read ‘Tendou Dojo’.

Ryouga sighed with relief and started walking into the house.

"Hey, Ryouga!" Ranma called out. "Ain’t you gonna thank me?"

The boy considered then turned his head. "No."

Ranma smirked. That was all he wanted to know. Rushing the lost boy as his back was turned, Ranma plucked him off the ground easily and carried the boy onto the roof. Akane was outside checking the corners of the house. "Lost something, Akane?"

Said girl looked up at the roof in surprise. She hadn’t expected to see Ranma ever again. Akane was grateful to see Ryouga with him, or in his grasp anyway. "Where did you end up this time, Ryouga?" She mock scolded before turning to Ranma. "Thank you for bringing him back."

Ranma shrugged and tossed the lost boy into the koi pond. No reason to keep Ryouga’s promise anymore. Akane may as well find out about his curse now rather than later.

"Ryouga! Ranma you je- Splash –P-chan?" There he was. Akane’s cute little black pet piglet, struggling to escape the wet boxers. "Ryouga is P-chan?" She asked in a small voice.

Ranma didn’t care to stick around. If Akane forgave Ryouga then nothing would change. If she got mad, then Ryouga would likely get lost once he landed. He could feel a great surge of ki energy followed by a loud kiap. One of the side stories that night on the news would warn people of the seventh sign and depict a black piglet flying through the sky over China.

Day turned into night and Ranma eventually found himself back at the Saotome house. His mother was still absent so he cooked a simple dinner and went to bed. Ukyou and Kodachi dropped by the house again to reassert themselves into his life, but he brushed them off quickly and was soon fast asleep.

It was morning again in Nerima and Ranma was already up and about. He skipped the morning routines to get himself out of the country as soon as possible. There was nothing to do here. His mother never showed up and his fiancees would only continue to bother him ceaselessly, though he tries to tell them he doesn’t want to get married. Why couldn’t girls listen to him about these sort of things?

Snorting slightly with contempt, Ranma passed his mother’s bedroom door on the way to the front door. Ranma had never really known his mother and now, he supposed, he never would. Did it really matter? Twelve years without her, he wouldn’t notice if she was ever . . .

"Mom?" Ranma almost tripped down the porch step as he found Nodoka standing outside next to the fence gate, two large back packs at her side and the family katana strapped to her hip.

"You are ready then, Ranma?" Nodoka asked with a small grin. Did he really think she would let him get away so easily?

"What are you doing?" He stepped up closer and set the small pack on his shoulders onto the ground.

Nodding her head at the packs, "I’m going with you, my son."

"But . . . but . . ."

Nodoka raised her hand to stall Ranma’s protests. "Genma had ten years of your life and I have no doubt that you grew up to be a man amongst men as he promised. He also trained you to be the greatest martial artist in Japan. That much I have seen from your last fight with Cologne, but there is still much for you to learn. Your curse has shown me that, Ranma.

"I wish to continue your training and if you are leaving Japan then I shall follow."

Ranma sighed and looked over at the two back packs. They were probably more complete than his own. It would be nice to have enough supplies so he wouldn’t have to steal everything he needed. But what could his mother teach him?

He had seen her use the katana, but only to threaten others. She never drew the blade, else she be forced to draw blood. It didn’t make a difference, Ranma decided. If his mother wanted to be there with him on this trip, he would greatly appreciate the company.

"Is that what you were doing yesterday? Getting ready for this trip?"

Nodoka smiled and nodded. "It took me half of the day just to sell the house."

"What?!" Ranma turned to get a good look at the house he had been born in. "Why would you sell it?"

"Ranma, this house means less to you than it does me, but there is nothing here for either one of us anymore. Besides, the money we will get will help start us off where ever you decide to settle down once again."

He smiled and shook his head. Things were changing so quickly, but this was a normal day for Ranma, the unexpected. Giving his mother’s kimono a critical look, he thought maybe she had been a bit hasty. "Don’t you think you should change into something more fit for traveling?"

Nodoka shrugged in sort of the same manner her son did. "The kimono is just a cover for proper women in the city. I have my traveling clothes underneath." Grunting under the weight, Nodoka hefted her back pack. Ranma tried to give her a hand, but she just waved him away. "Lead the way, Ranma."

He smiled and easily slipped on the other heavy pack and exited the old home formerly known as the Saotome residence. The sky dawned with new light, bathing the streets and mountains in morning rays, uncovering a path to Ranma’s destiny. Neighborhoods rose into the foothills of the surrounding mountains and Ranma led a course into their hidden promises. His life was on a new rise of possibilities and directions. No matter what happened now, he may run into trouble or hit a stroke of luck, but he would always be gaining altitude.

* * *

Two weeks in the world had done him a lot of good. Ranma had traveled into the mountains for a while to reflect on the ways his life had changed. His mother was still the proper lady she had presented herself to be since the first time ‘Ranko’ met her.

It turned out Nodoka did have something to teach Ranma. He wasn’t very appreciative or excited about it, but he humored his mother anyway.

It was for that reason, Ranma was a girl right now, and had been for the past two weeks. She wore a spandex body suit under her gi since she had refused to wear the bra and panties her mother had brought. Was it her? Or did everyone want her to wear a bra?

"Tell me why we’re doing this again." Ranma asked, kneeling opposite her mother, frowning.

This wasn’t the first time they had this discussion and it likely wasn’t going to be their last. "Because you are my child and I would have you behaving properly as a man or a woman." She replied with a little smile and set down the tea ceremony periphenalia.

Ranma’s frown deepened, but she moved through the ceremony as she had done a number of times before this week. When they had first left Nerima, Ranma thought her mother was going to teach her kendo or something, not how to act like a lady.

"But what’s the point? I’m really a guy." Ranma stated as she picked up the whisk and stirred.

Quirking an eyebrow, Nodoka gave her a good look over, certain to catch Ranma’s attention.

Rolling her eyes, Ranma offered the tea to her mother. "It’s just a body. Not like I’m gonna be like this forever."

"Oh?"

Nodding, Ranma received the cup back from her mother. "Soon as I find myself a cure, you ain’t gonna see this curse of mine anymore." Ranma stated firmly, placing the empty cup down.

"Mind your manners and don’t speak so uncouthly." Nodoka chided. She was proud to see how quickly Ranma was able to pick things up. There was little fussing for some reason and Nodoka suspected that Ranma was not certain about his . . . her curse anymore. "You’re certain there is a cure?"

"Of course." Ranma snorted.

This was a weary discussion on most occasions. Ranma never offered any proof of their being a cure or any real protest to remaining a girl during the last two weeks. A while back, they had even walked through a town where Ranma used the curse to get herself free food.

Nodoka only shook her head at the memory, a funny little smile on her face. "So have you decided where this voyage shall lead us?"

Now Ranma smiled as she stepped delicately through the camp, sure to avoid making a sound, and pulled a map from her backpack. With the same ease and grace, she settled back into her seat opposite Nodoka. With a small movement, Ranma opened the map, spread across the ground and pointed.

Nodoka followed her daughter’s movement with satisfaction. Ranma may not understand the training, but it was certainly gaining results. She was starting small, hiding the silence and hearing training with the tea ceremonies. She spoke softer and softer each time, forcing Ranma to concentrate even harder each time until she could understand what was being said though it was only a whisper. The whole point of the exercise was focus. Ranma had it with his martial arts, but nowhere else. A little focus would have saved the girl a deal of trouble long ago.

So everything Ranma had done the past few weeks was simple and direct. Focusing everything she could into the moment. Whether it was walking without a sound, listening to her mother’s soft voice, or preparing the tea without the slightest mistake Ranma had made great progress. Nodoka had even been slightly surprised as Ranma began applying the new focus into other aspects of her life.

Looking down at the map to where Ranma had pointed, Nodoka wondered upon the reasons for this destination. "India?"

Smiling, Ranma nodded.

"What will we find there?"

Getting a little far away look, Ranma stared off into the trees. "A couple of things really. Dhalsim, Ryu, and we have to pass through China anyway."

Searching her memories, Nodoka tried to pull up some information on any of these people or a reason for visiting the Amazons as she was sure was Ranma’s intention. Of the two names, Ryu was the only one to trigger a memory. She recalled the man who defeated an evil man by the name of Sagat.

"I thought you had no more business with the Amazons." Nodoka stated as she picked up the map to examine it more closely.

Shrugging, Ranma prepared another cup of tea with the same proficiency as the last. "The old ghoul wants to make me a Patriarch in the village."

"A very generous offer." Noted Nodoka as she folded the map back up. "I take it you are not interested."

Ranma frowned slightly and sipped from her cup. "I wouldn’t mind if they weren’t so stuck up. She says I can be the Patriarch, but I would need a counterpart since I’m a guy. They probably won’t show me anything for the same reason and I don’t want to be badgered the rest o’my life by some old women in the Council."

"And the others?" Nodoka held no desire to meet with the Amazons any more than Ranma did. She was still a bit upset over how poorly they treated her son.

"Masters of ki." Ranma replied excitedly. "Ryu has supposedly got some really impressive ki attacks and this Dhalsim guy is weaker, but has mastered a variety of more exotic techniques."

Nodding approvingly, Nodoka handed back the map. "A good plan then, daughter."

Wincing slightly, Ranma accepted the map and held it in her lap. "You gotta call me that?"

Considering for a moment, Nodoka nodded. "It would be best that you learn to adapt yourself to the outside world and how it perceives you."

Raising an eyebrow, Ranma protested. "But aren’t ya supposed to not worry about what other people think an believe in yourself?"

"True, but it is also wise to give yourself a range of options to choose from."

Ranma frowned and scratched her head. "I don’t get it."

"Then do it because I say it is important." Smiling, Nodoka leaned in closer to place a caring hand on her daughter’s shoulder. "You will understand in time."

She thought a moment and then chose to give her mother the benefit of the doubt. Ranma smiled in acquiescence, trusting her mother would not lead her astray as her father had.