Ranma 1/2 is the property and creation of Rumikio Takahashi and under copyright protection from Viz Video and Manga International. All written work under this title is also subject to copyright protection. Reproduction of any material for personal or monetary gain is not advised.

Presented by Lord Overon

Part 1

Nodoka crept into the house and plopped herself at the table. She was hungry and she knew it was that time of the day when her mother would have something for her to eat. She was only five years old. It really wasn't if you took into account the amount of time travelling her mother did. Her mother had one of the strangest jobs ever created. Her mother was human as opposed to a descendant of some god like some of her friends were, but she was respected by many of the goddesses and gods alike. She was a strange synapse between the two other worlds that held the mortal world in check.

Five! Yeah Right! Nodoka bulged her biceps, which were larger than her mother's but way smaller than her father's. Where her mother had been adopted by father time, her father had been adopted by no one and sort of fell into a unique role that could only describe him. He wasn't a tall man, nor was he as ravishingly handsome as some of the other men she had seen, but in her eyes he was an adonis of epic proportions. He was just well so... ahh she just couldn't find the words. She always harassed his other name, that being the Lord of Chaos. He usually didn't start any of it, but he always had to control it. Somehow the worst cases of chaotic happenstances always occurred when he was around. It was just how things were.

Nodoka frowned. Her mother had been a bit late with supper. That was not a normal thing. If anything, her mother was always prompt and regular. Her father was usually the opposite and she had grown to accept that.

"Mom!" exclaimed Nodoka as she finally saw her mother coming out of the trans-gate.

"Hi honey, sorry I'm late, but the meeting ran a bit longer than I expected. Oh by the way, I saw that Yuri fellow again today. "

"Mom!" shouted Nodoka. She hated how her mother could see through her so easily. In fact, both parents could. She just wished that they couldn't tell that she was interested in Yuri. They knew, they always knew. That's what irked her all the time. Her parents might not be the most intelligent people in the world but their perceptions were excellent. There was hardly any way she could keep anything from them.

Her mother and father were by no means strange. They were normal people who lived in earth realm the only difference was that a goddess and a demon had taken pity on them a long time ago and helped them out in their time of need.

Her parents did not like working for the gods and goddesses at first primarily because it was as if they were being used but as they began to actually help in maintaining the absolutely fluctuating balance, they earned respect on both realms.

Five. That was her real mortal age. Age for her however was as meaningless as it was for her parents. No they were not immortal. No one was. But she was definitely not five. Her hair was much like her mother's except for the colour. Instead of a solid colour, her hair streaked and was more coppery then anything else, which hinted to others of some exotic mixture. That was one of the reasons why the boys liked her so much. She knew she was considered one of the best catches in the three worlds, but that didn't bother her much. If she really wanted to place her age, she would be somewhere in the late teens. Probably seventeen or eighteen but she was not sure. She had tried to ask her parents about her origins but even though they complied, the pain that showed on their face was enough to keep her questions at bay. She did not like hurting them. She didn't mind bashing a couple of the boys and girls who were stupid enough to think that they could take her, but hurting her parents, that was one thing she could not take. That was why she never brought up their past. It always seemed to hurt them. This time though, she knew she would have to hurt them and she did not like it. She knew she would have to dredge up unpleasant memories but her father always said the life of a martial artist was frought with danger. Having seen their life, she believed him.

"Mom?"

"Yes No-chan?"

"I have to ask you something."

"Hmm..."

"I want to know my real family. I want to know my father."

Nodoka could hear the stillness in the air when she said that. She crossed her fingers and hoped that her mother would say yes. All her mother had to do was say yes.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes Mom. I've put this off for too long already."

"I cannot tell you his name."

"Why?"

Her mother raised her hand and waved off the question.

"I was going to tell you earlier, but I applied for a holiday. I thought you like to go back to the Fields of Ishamonen again, but I think I know a better place. We will go to the Nerima district in Tokyo, to see your family...and your father."

"Mom. You okay?"

Nodoka placed her hand on her mother's shoulder. She could tell that a tear was escaping down her cheek.

"If you want we could...."

"No...no No-chan. I've waited too long before I've faced those demons. We will go. Tomorrow we will go."

Nodoka prepared herself the next morning as she awoke strangely earlier than her mother. She was in a lotus position trying to meditate. Today was going to be the day she would set things right. She knew some of what had happened in Nerima. She had been able to pry a bit out from her mother and her father. Nodoka had never known her real father but she knew that if her mother had reason not to stay with him, he might not be someone she would even want as a father. She had been able to take a peek at her father's personal file without the knowledge of her parents after she had befriended one of the record keepers who was ultimately interested in her. The notes on her father however were way beyond the keeper's authorisation. Unlike other files, the reference did not even give an image or name associated with her genomic inheritance. She had wanted to find out exactly what had happened between her mother and her father but neither parent would speak much about it.

At night when she was younger, they would take out a small orb that was enchanted by one of the kinder gods after they had done him a great favour. In the orb was a three dimensional picture of people she had never met before, except probably the boy in the faded shirt. He had appeared out of nowhere once when she was tending to the garden and he disappeared as quickly. She had wanted to tell them she had seen him but she kept it a secret since she did not want them knowing that she knew their secret. More often than not, their gaze would fall upon a young woman who was supposedly their age. Nodoka thought she was the most beautiful of all the girls gathered there and apparently so did her father. That could however be due to the fact that she was the brightest lit of them all in the orb and all the other girls seemed to melt into the background. Nodoka was always peeved that she was unable to discern any distinguishing marks about the girl. He always sighed when he saw her. He usually reached out to touch her face. She knew he loved her very much. Nodoka was a simple girl, but simple didn't mean that she was stupid. She had her ways of evening the planes. She would even the planes. She had a lot to do in a little time and perhaps she could make her parents lives a little better along the way.

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

Nodoka trudged behind her mother as they ambled through the thick forests. She could hardly believe the amount of knowledge her mother possessed about the woods. Year s ago, she would have thought nothing about how her mother had taught her to walk in the forests and on rough terrain. Now, she was amazed at how much her mother had passed on to her. Here they were, moving through the forest at a very fast pace yet they made hardly a sound as they moved. Years of training had imbued them with that ability and she still could not get over the fact sometimes. Of course, that trait did come in handy when you wanted to hide from someone or run away from them. They had passed many training grounds over the last few days and they had engaged some of the masters. She naturally of course won all of the matches she had taken part in. Her mother did not take part in them though.

There were many reasons for that. One, her mother did not like fighting those that were weaker than she was, and two, her mother was just that good. With her travels through the time line, Nodoka wondered just how old her mother really was.

Her mother held up her hand signalling to join her in front. Nodoka obeyed and gasped when her mother cleared the last remaining bushes from in front of them with a flick of her wrists.

Before her lay the city of Tokyo. It was it was...she tried to think of a phrase, but nothing came to mind. Entranced, she failed to notice her mother jumping off the side of the cliff. Nodoka peered down to see her mother jumping down the cliff, using inch wide footholds to slow her descent. Nodoka shrugged and followed suit. She never liked jumping down cliffs but it was the fastest way down.

She found her mother waiting for her at the bottom of the cliff.

"Do you want to go to Nerima now, or would you like to do something else?"

Nodoka held her head in thought. She did want to get to Nerima, but her mother wanted to do something else. Her mother had promised they would go and she never backed from a promise.

"What do you have in mind?"

Something was whispered in her ear and her eyes lit up. She grabbed her unsuspecting mother and mercilessly fled into the city. If there was anything she liked more than martial arts, it was shopping.

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

Nodoka and her mother found themselves outside the stone walls of a very beautiful house.

"So No-chan, do you think we should go in?"

"You said some of my family might be here?"

Unfortunately for her, her mother had promised a long time ago never to reveal who her family was. It was one of the demands of becoming immersed in the time stream. She had made a lot of enemies and a lot of friends. Father Time had made her promise though as a precaution in case of some vengeful deity and true to her promise, her mother never told. It was up to her to find the resemblance between her and the other people living in this area. It was sort of thrilling really. She got to play detective and that could be a lot more fun and rewarding than having the answer given to you. She was both scared and excited at the same time.

Her mother nodded, adding a greater feel of premonition to Nodoka's heart.

"Well then. I guess I should see."

Her mother gave her a hug and wrapped her hand around her shoulder. This was not a strange for Nodoka. Her parents were openly affectionate when it came to her. They told her that when they were younger, they were never really given the kind of affection they needed while growing up so that was why they had always poured it on in heaps. They never told her the 'whys' though; they only stated what they thought was enough for her to know.

Nodoka always thought her parents were weird when compared with the others she knew of. Who else did she know would smother their child in love while teaching her the most lethal form of Martial Arts on the planet?

She saw the Dojo as they entered the yard. It wasn't the largest she had even seen, but she knew it was grand all the same. Land in Tokyo was a premium commodity. To have this much meant you were something.

She could feel the tension rising in her mother. Things were going to get chaotic again and Nodoka wondered why her father wasn't the one with her at the moment. Her eyes found a doorbell, which was strange for this kind of traditional house. Shrugging, she pressed the bell.

She heard someone answer from within the house. The door creaked open and evidently needed some oiling.

A smiling face peered out at them. "Hello, how may I help you?"

"I would like my daughter to train with your sensei."

Please, come in..."

Nodoka felt a little push on her middle of her back.

"Mom, aren't you staying?"

"No No-chan, but remember, this school is one of the strongest there is. Learn from your sensei," whispered her mother.

Nodoka understood what her mother was telling her. She wanted to meet her family though.

"When will I meet my father Mom,"

"In due course. Look for the signs."

(pause)

"Where will you be?"

"Around No-chan," smiled her mother, "You know I'm always around."

"Hai..." replied Nodoka, then she turned and followed the other girl inside the house.

Nabiki welcomed the girl into the house. Apparently, she was as much of a tomboy as her baby sister had been a few years ago. They were lucky anyone had been home. Akane was out getting supplies for the Dojo while the fathers had decided to go to the town meeting. Nabiki herself was only here because she had decided to take a half-day from work. Royalties were her game and time for her was as precious a commodity as diamonds. Nabiki wondered who the girl before her was. Pouring two cups of tea, Nabiki thought it was time for introductions.

"My name is Tendo Nabiki, and you are?"

Nodoka was about to reply with a false name but she just managed to fight the impulse. She had done that in the past and had been scolded by her parents. This time, she would not lie.

"Nodoka, my mom told me that I could study the Art here." Nodoka gave herself a star. She had told the truth.

"Is that your whole name?"

"Pretty much, Mom doesn't hold any ties with her former clan."

"Oh, I see."

"So will, you be my new sensei?"

"No, no," chuckled Nabiki, "but my sister teaches."

"Really, what style does she teach?"

"Anything Goes of course..."

"Hmm...never heard of it."

"Yes, it's a pretty small school."

"Are you calling my school small?" asked another person entering the room.

"Of course not sis, I was merely stating that it is not as widely spread as other schools."

"Hrumph...not as yet anyway. Akane Tendo, pleased to meet you..."

"Nodoka..."

"So Nodoka-san, what brings you to the Tendo Dojo."

"My mom told me I should study here..."

"Why?"

"She said it was one of the best schools of martial arts."

Akane turned to Nabiki.

"Small is it? I see the word is getting around."

Turning back to Nodoka...

"Well, let's see how good you are and then we'll see what class I should place you in."

Several minutes later, Nodoka, still in her silk floral blouse and knee-length white skirt faced Akane who preferred to wear a yellow gi.

"Are you sure you don't want to wear a gi?"

Nodoka looked at what the older woman was wearing and vigorously shook her head. She was not wearing that. She would look awful in that. She preferred simple clothes like her parents.

"Okay well, let's see some of your katas."

Nodoka nodded. Her parents had taught her a lot, but she had never been judged by a certified sensei before. She began how her parents told her, with a simple kata and then she built upon it. She added a kick a punch, a couple of feigns, she changed her posture, her stances, she kept nothing constant except for a bare routine that was hardly noticeable through the confusion swirl of kicks, feints and punches. The simple kata was there but what was once a kata was no longer a kata while still being a kata. She never understood what father meant by that but then again, her parents were so much older that sometimes when they spoke they were being cryptic without trying to even be confusing. When she finished the kata, Akane stared at her.

"Who..what was that you did?"

"It's called the Chaos Dance," replied Nodoka proudly, "My dad developed it."

"Your dad?"

"Yep, he taught me all I know," replied Nodoka proudly.

"Would you like to spar?" asked Akane. Normally she would not spar with a new student but evidently the girl in front of her was well taught. It would do no harm if she sparred with the young girl in front of her. Akane had always wanted a decent sparring partner, even through the confusing days with Ranma and his many fiancees.

"Sure! I'd love to!" exclaimed Nodoka. Her parents did spar with her, but she did not get a full workout with them since they always pulled their punches. That was why they went on these trips. She wished that they would go all out on her but they never would and she knew they never could. If Nodoka had one assurance from her parents, it was their love for her. Unlike others she had met on her journeys, she was not afraid of mentioning that word like other people were. She, like her parents, did not lie. As of such, she did not lie to herself and her parents never lied to her. She had heard that living in a household like hers should have left her a sissy. If someone had that idea in their mind about her, she would change their minds in very short order.

Akane and Nodoka bowed to each other and faced off. Akane's took up a slightly offensive stance that allowed her a variety of opening moves while providing a solid defence. Nodoka pulled her legs together then spread her feet a shoulder length wide. Her hands came up in a basic karate position. Basic always seemed better for her when dealing with a new challenger. That was one of the reasons why she won almost all her matches. She was able to defeat a lot of her opponents because they underestimated her.

Nodoka did not wait for Akane to make the first move. She darted in, leaping into the air with her first move and lashing out with her foot. Akane blocked, but Nodoka had already compensated and was already inverted and sending punches to Akane's lower body. Akane blocked the first with her foot then flipped backwards as she found purchase on Nodoka's second punch. Nodoka was impressed. Akane knew aerial combat. That was good.

They squared off again and simultaneously leaped into the air. In mid-air, they exchanged a volley of blows that were unable to pass through either's defence. They landed on the opposite sides of the Dojo and prepared themselves. Nodoka knew that this was going to be fun.

For ten minutes, the jumping, volleying and fighting continued at a steady pace and Nodoka was thoroughly enjoying herself. She loved sparring sessions and this was almost as if she was sparring with one of her parents.

Akane was smiling at her student. Finally she had found someone with some promise in the Art. She wondered how good Nodoka really was. It was time to test out the theory. Flying again into battle, Akane settled her mind into a combination that was used only by those in the Anything Goes School. She wanted to teach her student humility. From the start she saw that Nodoka had a trait that Akane herself had when she was younger. She was too proud. That had cost Akane in the past and as a teacher, Akane looked forward to improving her students and moulding them into the finest humans she could.

She drew Nodoka into the complex weave and was surprised as the girl was able to counter her every move. However, the girl had fallen into her trap. She was starting to read into Akane's moves and that was exactly what Akane wanted. Sensing an opportunity, Nodoka attacked at what seemed to be a flaw in the defensive pattern used by the sensei. Her hand met no contact however and she was overextended by only a few millimetres. A few millimetres however meant a lot to the present situation. Akane had stepped away slightly and now used her more powerful frame to send the girl into what appeared to be a throw. Nodoka made the appropriate adjustment, but Akane did not throw her. Instead, she continued with the momentum until Nodoka was face flat into the floor; a place she could not rebound from.

Akane hopped away and came to a bowing position. Nodoka unsteadily got her feet and bowed also. One thought was rushing through her mind: she had been defeated.

Yes! Yes! She had been defeated. Finally she had found a school that could teach her something her parents had not taught her. Maybe she could get the edge on them now and finally defeat them in a match, a real match, not the ones she knew they threw just to give her encouragement.

After the bow, Nodoka ran up to Akane and hugged her.

"What was that for?" asked a surprised Akane.

"Finally I'll have a chance of beating Mom."

"Your Mom?"

"Yep she's real good? In fact, I've never seen her been defeated twice by the same person."

"Really, I'd like to spar with her someday."

"I don't know if she will spar with you. She's pretty picky about who she spars with."

"Is she now?"

"Yeah, one day a man stopped by and wanted to spar and mom didn't even fight him. He was pretty mean and he got really angry that she wouldn't spar."

This girl likes to talk, thought Akane, but at least the story is interesting.

"And what happened?"

"Well one of dad's friends happened to pass by and tricked the man into fighting him and boy did dad's friend cream him. He didn't have the chance."

"So your dad is pretty good then?"

"Yep. I think he's better that mom, but he hardly ever spars with me. I think he's afraid he'll hurt me or something."

"Yeah, men always think that," replied Akane as her mind wandered for about a second to some memories in her past.

"Oh, I've got a lot of stories about dad if you want to hear them."

"Maybe later, right now, I'll settle for some food and a hot bath."

"That sounds like a good idea."

Nodoka and Akane made their way to the kitchen where Akane pulled out some sandwiches from the pantry. Nodoka was slightly puzzled. Her mother usually cooked a hot lunch; she wasn't accustomed to sandwiches.

Akane handed Nodoka a pair and escorted her to the dining room. Sitting at the table, Nodoka ate the sandwiches quickly, gobbling them up. Her appetite was quite ferocious. She still felt she could hold more though. The sandwiches were delicious. They tasted almost as good as her mother's food, but then, nothing could beat her mother's food.

"Akane-san, did you make these?"

"Oh no Nodoka-chan, my sister made them the other day."

"Nabiki-san?"

"No, my eldest sister, Kasumi. She was here yesterday with her baby boy."

Nodoka's eyes flashed. Babies! She loved babies. Loved to hold them, to cradle them in her arms. There was something so special about them ever since she was first called upon to baby sit.

"Are they coming by later?"

"No, not today, maybe tomorrow though. She comes to see father every so often."

Akane finished her sandwiches quickly and downed them with a soda she found in the fridge. Satisfied, she called Nodoka back into the Dojo.

The two of them bowed to each other and then slowly, Akane began a kata that was fundamental to the Anything Goes style. Nodoka watched with a gleam in her eyes and then, she began to copy. A few moves at first, then more and more until she copied the whole kata. Satisfied, she started to speed up the kata and casually glanced at Akane to see if she was impressed.

She could not see Akane's face, but there was a problem. She wasn't doing the same kata Akane was doing. She stopped and watched again. It was...it was the same kata, but it wasn't at the same time. She scratched the back of her head. She looked again. Maybe this was something like what her father had been teaching her. Structure with unknown structure he had said. There is always some structure. Nodoka looked for the structure but could not find it. There was balance to the kata, that much was evident, but the lack of a definite backbone holding the kata together intrigued her.

Akane stopped.

"Confused?" asked Akane.

Nodoka nodded. Akane smiled.

"That is the purpose of this kata. Our school relies on flexibility and change. Nothing stays the same, and this kata is just like that. It is the same, but then again it isn't."

Nodoka raised her eyebrow in disbelief. How could something without consistencies be a good martial arts form?

"Every time you execute a kick, do you do it the same way?"

Nodoka nodded in the affirmative.

"Well try it then. Do two roundhouse kicks."

Nodoka complied.

"Were they the same?"

"Yes?"

"Did you feel the same when you did both kicks?"

Nodoka hesitated.

"You didn't, and the reason that you didn't was the fact that no two kicks can be the same. Nothing is the same, what we feel, what nature is at one time is different than the next. My school recognises this and changes it's form to fit. This is why the Anything Goes style is the most deadly of all the styles ever invented. It is unpredictable and each master uses it differently. My father fosters it with his emotions. Uncle Genma uses his for stealing, and finding food. You too will use it in a unique way. Do you understand?"

"Hai sensei. I understand," replied Nodoka.

"Now let's start again and this time feel the difference."

Nodoka stopped at stared at the clock that was affixed to the wall. Three hours, they had been practising for three hours!

"Nododa-chan, I have a class now, but perhaps you will stay with me in the Dojo to watch over the class. You are a promising student and I hope you will consider staying here to continue your training."

Nodoka's eyes leapt with a burning fire. She could stay, here! Wow, then she'd be sure of getting training. However, she had to ask her mom first. She felt a voice calling her and was surprised that her mom was just outside the gates. Talk about coincidence.

"Mom's out front, I'll be right back."

Nodoka rushed outside.

"Mom!" exclaimed Nodoka as she rushed into a hug, "You won't believe what just happened. My sensei just asked me to stay."

"That's good No-chan, but what about your family?"

No-chan was too excited. She could meet the rest of her family later; after all she could spend as much time here as she wanted. Mother had said so on the trip.

"I'll meet them later."

"Go then, you have my permission."

She watched as Nodoka scampered back into the compound. The wheel was spinning just as she wanted. Soon all would be told.

Nodoka sprinted back to a slightly shocked Akane.

"How, how did you know that your mother was calling you?" asked a surprised Akane.

"Oh, uh that. Well I really can't explain it. Mom just has this ability of finding me when she wants too. Never asked her how it works; don't think I'll understand even if she does explain it to me. I don't even know if she could explain it to me if she wanted to."

Akane nodded her head as if to show that she understood which clearly she did not. She felt a bit of nostalgia with this girl and her parents. It was as if some of the vitality that had been lost in the past had returned to the Tendo Dojo. She was accustomed to strange things during her teenage years with Ranma. She wondered if this girl would bring back the days that had passed so long ago. A time when life was good and friends were plenty: a time that was shattered by one decision.

"Sensei!" shouted Nodoka, "are you alright?"

"Hmm...oh yes. I'm fine. Just thinking."

"You should really meet my mom. You two look almost the same when you start thinking like that."

That statement surprised Akane and she was about to ask Nodoka some more questions when her eyes glanced at the clock on the wall. Classes had to start in minute. She shooed Nodoka into the Dojo and followed soon afterwards.
 
 

Hours later...

"So Akane, how are you and your new protege getting along?" asked Nabiki.

Akane gave her sister a suspicious glance and finding no guile behind the question began to answer. One always had to be careful when answering her sister's questions.

"She good, she's very good. I have never seen anyone fight like her before. She a bit verbose, but beyond that she can become one of the best. I haven't seen anyone that good this young since Ranma, Ryouga and even Shampoo. Come to think of it...nah..."

"Sorry sis. I have to disagree she reminds me more of Ukyou or Konatsu. She's quite exotic. I mean black hair with red streaks, you've gotta be joking!" replied Nabiki before taking a sip of her hot tea.

"Hey Shampoo had what, purple hair. Seems that only exotic people can follow in the paths of a martial artist," scoffed Akane. "I should ask her to introduce me to her mother the next time she sees her. Hey you saw her, what does she look like?"

"Her mother?"

"Yes, her mother!" exclaimed Akane. Nabiki could be so hard to get through to sometimes.

"I only saw her for a minute so I didn't really get a good look at her. Now that you mention it, she was wearing a heavy white cloak around her. Like the ones you see in those Star Wars movies. It was pretty long and it was white too. Didn't see her face though, it was hidden by the cloak. Had a white hood at the top."

"Wow!" replied Akane, "for someone who said she only saw a person for a minute, you sure did observe a lot."

"With my kind of work, it pays to be observant," grinned Nabiki.

"And speaking about work, when are you going to get those huge things from out of the guestroom?"

"Oh come on Akane, they haven't been there that long!"

"You told me only a week."

"Hey, I just haven't received the right bid yet!"

"Well make it soon, I want to put Nodoka in that room."

"Let her stay in Kasumi's room. She won't be coming and I don't expect to see Auntie in a while."

"Why, what happened?"

"Let's just say that the Saotome's had a disagreement and the Saotome girls are giving Uncle Genma a lesson in humility."

"It's about time!" exclaimed Akane.

"Yeah. He had it coming. Can't believe he forced them on a training trip with him. Well now he had to endure their training trips and you know what that means."

"Yep, shopping!"

The two young women giggled.

"Sensei, I'm feeling a bit hungry," interrupted Nodoka. Those small sandwiches did not fill her in the slightest, she was accustomed to large meals with her parents and their friends. If it was one thing her parents and their friends could do, it was eat.

The two women in the room suppressed their snickers and accompanied Nodoka to the kitchen.

Opening the fridge, Nabiki pulled out some of the leftovers from the Sunday meal they had had when most of the family had gathered at home. Both of the Tendo sisters had grown disgusted with eating the same leftovers every day. Kasumi had cooked enough for a normal meal with the Saotomes. Unfortunately, this was the same day that Uncle Genma had to start his surprise diet as Auntie had called it. Nabiki had noticed that he was beginning to add a lot of weight since he was not exercising as much as he used to.

Stuffing the containers in the microwave, a tool that Nabiki used most extensively in her quest for sustenance, Nabiki quickly reheated the leftovers and place them on the kitchen table. Akane and her had fallen into the habit of eating in the kitchen since it was closer and there was enough room for two or three people to have a comfortable meal. Father was usually out visiting the Saotomes or somewhere with Miss Hinako. Sometimes she wondered how dense her father was. They had bee going out for almost two years and she could see that Hinako-sensei's patience with her courtship was, to put it mildly, waning.

Having set the table the three sat down to eat. Since Nodoka was their guest, she served her first and then her sister. Nabiki herself was not feeling that hungry and only took a small portion. She watched Nodoka watch her food for a second and then she attacked the food. Well attack was not the right word; eating quickly with inhuman speed and reflexes was probably a better description. This girl could give Uncle Genma a run for his money! In seconds, her plate was empty.

Since the usual human waste disposal unit was not around, Nabiki kept serving Nodoka food until almost all the leftovers were finished. She was both exuberant and abashed by the thought. On the good side, she would not be eating any more leftovers; on the bad side, she would have to cook or stomach one of Akane's creation, which though edible, could not pass for food. Neither Akane nor her was surprised of this girl's eating abilities. All the prominent martial artists who were that young devoured food like there was no tomorrow and having been around so many during their life, this was no change from the norm. The only difference though was that while the other seemed to vacuum the food in, Nodoka held a semblance of table manners while she engulfed the leftovers. This fact did not skip by Nabiki: if she had been taught how to eat fast with table manners, she wandered what else this would be martial artist had been taught.

Akane and Nabiki shared a simple conversation with their eyes alone. One that probably could only be read by the eldest Tendo daughter, but unfortunately she was not there.

"Mmm...that was excellent," praised Nodoka. She would not mind staying at the Dojo if she would be able to eat food like that. Of course, nothing beat her mother's cooking but still...it was good to know that there were cooks that were as good as her mother.

The weight of all that food and all that exercise that morning had made her sleepy. She just managed to cover her mouth when she warned and half blushed at the thought that she might not have caught it in time. She watched the faced of the two women in front of her.

"Come on Nodoka-chan, I'll show you to your room."

"Hai sensei," replied Nodoka.

 Nodoka saw the bed and immediately she knew that she was falling asleep. Her parents did not care for beds and they had asked her when she was younger whether she wanted a bed or not. She really didn't care when she actually looked at it. The mats they slept on were the handiwork of Mistress Alvaerne herself and although they were flat and hard, you never woke up with a still back. At least neither she nor her parents had. She had only occasionally slept on beds and for some reason, every time she saw one, she was prompted into the dreamworld. She knew that as soon as she lay on the bed she would be asleep. She was not that far off. After one minute, she was.

Nodoka found herself again with her mother at the step in front of a huge door. She looked up and saw that it rose at least a hundred feet into the air before being bordered by a stone arch that seemed even more ominous than the door itself. She could see the stone wings of some stature jutting from above the arch and somehow she knew she did not want to know what that was.

He mother knocked at the base of the door, a short rapid burst of rapping. It started as a faint sound then the sound of knocking grew and grew exponentially until all she could hear was the echo of her mother's rapping. After what seemed to be ages, the door opened or rather cracked open. Only a small crack broke the otherwise encompassing barricade of the door. The crack however was enough for her mother to fit through and she followed her to...
 
 
 
 

Nodoka saw her father lifting what for most people would be an impossible task. The Sword of Antiphon looked like a normal sword except that it was forged by an immortal smithy. That alone made it a precious reminder of what the gods could do. But why did her father have it with him. He was the Lord of Chaos, she still had no idea why that was his title, but he was holding the sword in his hands. It was a sword that was heavier that all but three in the three worlds. It's edge was triple cleaved sharp and would never need sharpening. The use of any oilstone against its surface would probably destroy the oilstone. The sword itself could not be harmed by almost any power in the three worlds but as with everything in the three worlds, there were always exceptions. Why was her father carrying it? Not only that, but why was he carrying it as if he were not the one to use it. She knew how her father handled swords. He had shown her all the forms that could be done with them. They way he held it though, spoke of no known form. It was as if he was keeping it for someone. As if...
 
 

T'hania was with her, walking in a field of morning glory; flowers that she regularly used to make her necklaces. T'hania was not laughing though, her eyes were grim and bloodshot. She looked worried, her fields showed of her worry. They were beautiful kept and they radiated her care, but within the fields and gardens, Nodoka could feel a taint growing. It wasn't anything evil; it was more of a concern of the field for its mistress. Nodoka played with T'hania so long that she had often forgotten that the permanently teenaged girl carried burdens that dissolved among the beauty of the flowers. T'hania was her best friend, but she was also something much more than that. She was like a mother, a keeper of the times. Unlike her mother, T'hania did not keep the time stream flowing and the seasons running their periodic courses. Her purpose was different. Scattered among the beauty of her fields and gardens was the knowledge of the gods themselves. T'hania was a guardian yes, but of something so important that she had never even hinted what she kept hidden within the blooms. Even mother did not know. Something was drawing her to the gardens though, calling her...
 
 

At the break of dawn, Akane entered her student's room to find it empty. Surprised, she wandered around the house until she heard the telltale signs of activity. The activity was definitely coming from the Dojo and as such, Akane went to the Dojo. Akane did not know the katas that Nodoka was practising, but she could see why Nodoka chose them. The katas were slow but they forced the performer into a meditative state. Akane had never actually tried to master something like that before and was surprised that Nodoka could do it so easily at such a young age. Nodoka stopped as she obtained a lotus position.

Akane smiled. It was time to teach the child some of the Anything Goes forms. If Nodoka picked it up as quick as Akane thought she could, Nodoka could surpass her within a few months. It was time to see what the kid could do...

Akane and Nodoka were soon finished with their forms. Akane hadn't had this much exercise in years and was visibly panting from all that exertion. Nodoka however was not the worse for wear. She seemed cool and collected. A sheen of perspiration glistened against her body as once again she practised some of the simple katas her father had taught her.

Akane needed to relax a bit and unlike her younger relaxation method of breaking bricks, she had also come to rely on katas for relaxation also. She began her series of katas that were more complex than Nodoka's and unique in all respects.
 
 

Akane again woke up this morning to find her student missing from her bedroom. There was barely any noise coming from the house itself. Nabiki would no doubt be sleeping this early in the morning. At times like these, the house almost sounded lifeless. All the activity of those years ago had suddenly ceased and Akane found herself wishing for the old days.

She had learned a lot from the most unexpected source: Genma Saotome. She let herself free and let the auras around her permeate her body. It was simple technique but it required a lot of patience and practice. That was something Akane knew she lacked. During the entire length of the training, Uncle Saotome had decreed that if she lost her temper once, he would not teach her the technique again. It had been a long and uphill battle but somehow her stubbornness and pride had won out against her anger as strange as that sounded. She reached out and touched a very strong and compact which was emanating from the vicinity of the Dojo. Akane sauntered into the Dojo, but the aura's source was not coming from there. She peeked behind the house and saw nothing but felt much. That was a very strong aura! She ran across the short stretch of grass top the fence separating the Tendo compound from the abandoned lot next door and strained to identify who was there. Her face was transfixed at what she saw. Nodoka was practising, but it was what she was practising that surprised Akane. Nodoka was practising every single kata that Akane had attempted during her relaxation the day before. That in itself did not surprise Akane; that the girl was doing them perfectly did. She moved as slowly and gracefully as a ballet. The movements were slow to the eye but Akane knew the ferocious pace that Nodoka could generate. Akane did not know the limits of this girl but Akane did know one thing: the girl was an excellent martial artist.

Akane went over in her mind the katas the girl had performed then went through the practice sessions she had had with Nodoka. She gasped. The girl had been playing with her. Akane could not believe that she had been taken for a fool. What she saw before her proved it! The girl had not shown her true skill at the beginning. She wondered just how good the girl was. From the strength of the girl's aura and her skill, Akane knew that Nodoka was well beyond her level in a fight. If Nodoka boasted that her parents were better than she was, Akane would most definitely want to meet the girl's parents someday.

Nodoka stopped and bowed to her. Akane returned the notion then smiled.

"So why did you really come here?" asked Akane.

"To learn the Anything Goes style of course," responded Nodoka.

"So I guess our first fight was more of a fluke," remarked Akane.

"Not really. If I won that, you would have considered me your better and would not have taught me all that you have already. I would have learned nothing and this visit would have been pointless."

"So what about the hug and wanting to beat your parents?"

"Oh, that was real enough. If you could beat me while I was using a restricted style, these new moves ought to cause mom some problems. The thing with the kicks was a bit new. I was never taught to fight in a single pattern by my dad but he never said why. He never really was that good at explaining things. That's why we always go on these trips. Whatever he can't put into words other people usually can and with his training and their knowledge, I'll become one of the best!"

Akane smirked. So the girl did have a bit of an ego, but her skill was on par with it. Akane wondered what it would be like if she really sparred with Nodoka.

"Nodoka-chan I'd like to spar with you, but this time, for real."

"Are you sure?" asked Nodoka.

"Yes, I can take care of myself." It felt very strange telling that to a girl that was younger than she was.

Akane used her tried and true slightly aggressive stance while Nodoka prepared herself by calming her body. She stood there, not with any true martial arts stance but with an everyday stance that you would take up if you were going for a walk down the road.

"Ready?" asked Nodoka.

"Yes," replied Akane,  and that was all she was able to say before Nodoka had closed the gap between them. Akane knew the girl was not going all out on her but that thought did not help her one bit. She was too preoccupied trying not to get hit. Nodoka had taken the offensive as soon as she had nodded and Akane had to admit, the girl was good at it. Akane was finally able to get a perch on the girl and threw her to the Dojo wall. She was surprised when she saw Nodoka buckle her body into a ball then lash out with her feet, propelling her back to Akane.

Akane was surprised, but she was ready. She had practised mid air combat with Uncle Saotome and through his teaching she had become very adept at it. She launched herself at Nodoka who met her and matched her every attack while seemingly suspended in the air. They touched down on the ground and jumped back to meet each other. This time though, Nodoka got a hit in and Akane fell back down. She rolled when she touched the ground decreasing her impact and found herself on the defensive again as Nodoka pressed her advantage.

Nodoka attacked using a little of her massive repertoire of techniques. Two of her attacks slipped though Akane's defences and struck her on the chest. Akane flew back but used her hands to spring off the wall and back into battle. She was distracted when a black cord wrapped around her wrist.

Looking up, she scowled. Her visitor was a woman in a very tight fitting black leotard with a single black rose etched onto the fabric with red thread.

"Ohhohohohohohohoho...I thought that my beloved had once again returned to this estate when I heard of fighting. It does not seem so however. I will wait for my beloved for I know I will once again bask in his presence."

With that, the cord loosened around Akane's hand and the figure disappeared again. Another figure stood there on the wall though and stared intently at Nodoka. He stared at her for all long time until he saw the irritated gaze that Akane was giving him.

"Sasuke why are you staring at Nodoka?" asked an annoyed Akane.

He bowed respectfully.

"I am sorry Mistress Tendo, but Mistress Nodoka reminds me of someone though whom I cannot say."

He bowed again and left.

"Who was that?" asked Nodoka.

"Kodachi Kuno and her ninja servant Sasuke. Sasuke is nice enough, but I think Kodachi is insane; much like her brother."

"She has a brother!" exclaimed Nodoka in a way that reminded Akane of Yuka and Sayuri when they first thought about a good looking boy.

"Don't get any ideas Nodoka-chan. As far as I'm concerned, the entire Kuno family is nuts. I'd stay as far away from them if I were you, especially Tatewaki. I wish Nabiki would do the same but since she's their estate manager...well, at least she gets paid a lot to do that."

"Hai sensei."

"Sensei?"

"You still haven't taught me all the secrets of the Anything Goes Style," responded Nodoka.

"No. I haven't. Kodachi gives me the creeps though. I think I'd like to pass by Ukyou today."

"Um, sensei, I have to go, mom's calling me."

"Wha...? How?"

"Don't know," replied Nodoka. "Don't want to ask."

"Maybe I'll just meet your mother then."

Nodoka grinned. "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll like her."

Akane followed Nodoka to the front gates of the Tendo compound. It front of the gates was a lone figure dressed in a long white kimono which for some strange reason had a hood attached to it. The hood hid her face from direct view.

Akane smiled when Nodoka bounded up to her mother and gave her a huge hug. She knew that Nodoka's mother would be smiling under the hood. Nodoka received a kiss from her mother who then gave her a package in a brown paper bag and a schoolbag.

Nodoka's mother turned to her. "Miss Tendo, would you please ensure that my daughter goes to school, she has already been enrolled and her papers are in order. Be stringent though, she likes to ah...find other things to do besides attend school."

"I will make sure of it Miss..."

"Just call me Tiempara."

"Um...Tiempara, would you like to have a cup of tea we can discuss you daughter's progression."

"I'm very sorry Miss Tendo but I can't. Time fluxes are giving me a headache especially when my boss just disappears with his wife on a vacation without telling me beforehand. Perhaps another time?"

"Yes okay then."

Tiempara kissed her daughter again and Akane's eyes bulged open as she area in front of her began to shimmer and Tiempara seemingly dissolved into the air.

Nodoka smirked at Akane's shocked face.

"Don't worry about that. Mom knows lots of neat tricks. I wish she'd teach me some of those someday."
"Tricks!" exclaimed Akane.

"Well, not really tricks," replied Nodoka truthfully, Let's just say that my mom has an interesting job."

She ended the statement in such a manner that Akane knew that even if she did ask no answer would be forthcoming.

Nodoka busied herself opening the book bag and stared in annoyance when she pulled out some school clothes and some books along with a small fortune in yen for spending money. She shoved the items back into the bag. School, what a waste! Well at least she might meet a few cute boys! She carefully unwrapped the package, which contained a brown container. Opening the container, she smiled.

"Mom baked!" exclaimed Nodoka and pulled out a couple of the square shapes, handing one to Akane in the process. "Try this. You're going to love it."

Akane stared at the square object. The shape was not the thing that was bothering her. She had indeed eaten cookies that were of stranger shapes before. What startled her was the soft glow of the blue icing on top of the cookie. It actually glowed. It looked like something Shampoo might cook up.

Akane eyed it, held it in her hand and only until she saw that her student was getting irritated did she take a bite. Her face lit up in awe and soon the whole cookie was gone. She even began licking the crumbs from her fingers.

"What was that?" asked Akane.

"Don't know, don't ask. All I know was that mom traded cooking secrets with some person from some place I don't know and then she started making these cookies. They taste great though!"

Akane nodded in agreement. Maybe she could get Nodoka's mother to teach her how to cook. Kasumi was too occupied at the moment and Auntie Nodoka was not available as much as she used to be.

"Well, tomorrow you'll start your first day of school. We'd better get back to the Dojo now. I have an early morning class to teach. Maybe you would like to teach the children."

"Children!" exclaimed Nodoka.

"Yes. Most of these mothers work late in the day and have some of their young children with them."

"I'd love to teach children," announced Nodoka.

Nodoka and Akane waited in the Dojo for the students to start arriving. Nodoka was hopping around the Dojo, bubbling with energy. Akane smiled. She might have been a teenager but the girl certainly was excitable. She wished she could have been this lively and bright when she was young like a certain pigtailed martial artist she knew.

Slowly the students began to arrive and handed their children to Nodoka while they changed and stretched under Akane's watchful gaze. Akane's gaze also covered the children as they began to play with Nodoka.

The girl was amazing with children. She was all smiles and immediately she had them chasing her around the small part of the Dojo reserved for their entertainment. It seemed to be a game of tag.

The beeping of the clock on the wall reminded her that it was time to start class. The students took their positions on the map, and Akane led them through a simple kata as she started with the basics first to make sure that their bodies were ready for the more complex katas.

During the entire lesson, she did keep an eye on Nodoka as she played with the children and she was amazed as the girl began to teach the children martial arts. Of course, it looked like playing but Akane could see the training behind the laughter. A little help extending a foot there, a casual help trying to catch her by helping a small boy flip in the air with his hands. She was teaching them. She was teaching them how not to be afraid of their body. At some time, she had them playing Simon says and Simon was doing a punch and the children followed her punch, some falling trying to do it, but following their friends who had not. It was training. It was training and having fun at the same time, something Akane had never appreciated when she was younger.

When that class was completed, Nodoka help her mop the mats and prepare the Dojo for the next class. Again there were some small children albeit a few who accompanied their parents to the Dojo. Again Nodoka took them under her wing and had them enjoying their trip to the Dojo.

Usually they had to sit at the sides while their parents practised and Akane knew they most of the children hated staying at the sidelines and sitting still. With Nodoka there, they were all lively and happy and playing and enjoying themselves thoroughly, the way children should be.

After the second class, they again cleaned the Dojo and took a bath.

"Sensei, I'm hungry."

Akane smiled.

"Don't worry, I usually eat at Ucchan's. You'll like her. She is also a martial artist, one who can cook some really good okonomyaki."

Archive of the Child of Innocence Scrolls