Disclaimer: These characters are not mine. They belong to the wonderful
Romiko Takahashi and her licensees (Viz Communications in North
America). This work is strictly for the non-profit enjoyment of fans.
No copyright infringement is intended.
==========================
Children (Working Title)
Part 2: Considerations
A Ranma 1/2 Fanfic by TeW
Last Update: July 25, 2000
==========================
Ryoga heard the tent zipper, but didn't look up from his preparation of
breakfast.
"Yo, Ryoga." Ranma said with a fraction of his normal viality.
"Good morning. How was your first night with the perpetual poop
machine?" Ryoga said dryly.
That got a small smile out of Ranma. "I changed three diapers last
night, and I think Akane changed two. We should get some more before we
head for the train."
"At least you have the package of disposables. I was using cloth
diapers until I got here." Ryoga said.
"Ryoga, I don't know what to say. I'm trying to decide between
thanking you and knocking you into next week."
Ryoga sighed. He'd like nothing better than a fight with Ranma right
now. He'd learned quickly in the last three days that he no longer had
the luxury of fighting, or running away from his problems. At least the
hell of his lone trip with the two children was over.
"We can't fight. We've got a responsibility to the children now." He
said, trying to make sure Ranma understood how much everything had
changed.
"I know. Thanks for taking care of Midoko." Ranma said.
"Your welcome. And thank you for comming to rescue me from hell." Ryoga
said.
"Huh? Was taking care of the kids that bad?"
"Think about it Saotome. What if I had gotten splashed with cold water?
Or gone to far away from my camp to see it and gotten lost? I've lived
in constant fear these last few days."
Ranma's eyes were wide. "Oh, man Ryoga! Why didn't you call us sooner?"
"Took this long to find a phone."
"Uhh... good reason. So what do we do now?"
"I can't take are of Himi-chan by myself." Ryoga said quietly. "I've
got to find out if Ukyou is willing to even look at me. If she is then
I've got to propose to her. After that we've got to make sure I don't
get lost again, and that Ukyou can keep her business going through her
pregnancy, and..."
"Yikes! Hold it. I was just talking about today."
"Better get used to long range planning." Ryoga said. "What are *you*
going to do about your daughter?"
Ranma frowned. "I've got no clue. I don't think Akane is going to give
her up, even to have her adopted by my parents or her dad. You should
have seen them together last night."
"So are you going to let her take care of Midoko by herself?" Ryoga
asked, unable to keep the warning growl out of his voice. He was trying
not to judge Ranma, after all Ranma wasn't the one who left a pregnant
girl alone.
Ranma looked down at the fire. "No. Of course not."
Ranma stayed like that for a long time. Ryoga let him think while he
worked on everyones breakfast. Just the fact that Ranma was *thinking*
about it was a good sign.
Ranma stired from his thoughts as Ryoga moved everything to the edge of
the fire to keep warm.
"Ryoga? What do you think about a double wedding?"
Ryoga let the smile he felt grow. Maybe Ranma could handle this. It
would be nice having someone around to share his burdens with.
"Sounds good to me. Now we just have to get the prospective brides to
agree."
* * * *
Akane woke slowly, as she often did. This time, though, she was
immediately aware of the small warm bundle against her side. It was her
daughter. She smiled as she thought about how good it had felt to have
this little bit of life to take care of. Even if she needed *lots* of
diaper changing. Akane smiled widened as she thought about Ranma's
reaction to changing diapers. He'd done it though. He'd actually been a
big help in taking care of Midoko. Maybe she shouldn't be so surprised,
he was her father after all. Sort of.
She heard soft voices outside the tent and looked over to Ranma's
sleeping bag. Sure enough, it was empty. She yawned and stretched, it
was time to get moving. They had to get Midoko home and...
Akane froze. How was she going to explain this to her father, to her
friends? She suddenly had a daughter but had never been pregnant? Not
to mention being unmarried. They might not even let her keep the child!
She sat up, picking up Midoko and hugged her feircely.
No, she decided. No one was going to take Midoko from her. No matter
what it took, she would keep her baby.
* * * *
Ranma shifted nerviously. He had been figity since they'd left the camp
that morning. Ryoga's comment about long range planning kept coming back
to him.
"Ranma, will you please hold still? You're going to wake Midoko." Akane
said peevishly.
"Sorry." He mumbled. He shifted to the seat facing her, sitting next to
Ryoga who was holding Himi-chan so the boy could see out the window. He
had his face plastered againt the window, fasinated by the scenery.
"Ryoga, I think we've got a problem." Ranma said.
"Tell me about it. Which problem do you mean." Ryoga said gruffly.
I'm talking about serious problems. Problems like what will Kodachi do
when she finds out Akane and I have a kid, or Kuno, or Shampoo. Or when
Tsubasa finds out about you and Ukyou. He's been pretty quiet lately,
but this might set him off again. You *should* be okay with Konatsu, at
least he wont hurt Ukyou or Himi-chan.
Ryoga stared at him.
"Oh my." Was all he said.
"And we've got to do something about Happosai too. We don't want
whatever happened before to happen again. For that were going to need
thf old troll's help. That means I've got to be ready to negotiate with
her in a way that she wont force me to marry Shampoo."
"Shit. I don't need this Saotome. I've got enough to deal with as it
is."
Ranma ignored Ryoga's comment. "It's too dangerous in Nermia right now.
I think we should get off the train somewhere else and make some plans
and arrangements."
Akane leaned toward them "Ranma? Are you really worried they might hurt
Midoko or Himi-chan?"
"Not just them, but you, me, and Ryoga too." Ranma said. He added in this thoughts.
"I can take care of myself." Akane said.
"No you can't. Not while you've got Midoko in your arms. And even when
you don't you can't because you can't take a chance on getting hurt or
killed. She needs you to be around to take care of her."
"I...guess your right." Akane said. She looked a little shell-shocked.
"I'm to tired to think straight right now. What do you think we should
do?" Ryoga said.
"Get off the train somewhere. Hole up. Call someone, probably Nabiki,
or maybe my mom to help us out."
"What if we went to your moms house?" Akane asked.
Ranma thought about it. His mom didn't live in Nermia, but she was
close. Was she too close? Was it too obvious?
"That should work, as long as we're not seen going there and as long as
no one knows something is wrong."
"We can wait somewhere until after dark." Ryoga suggested.
"Bakas." Akane said. "We can just take a cab from the train station."
"Oh yeah, that should work." Ranma agreed. That would keep them off the
streets where they'd be most visible.
* * * *
"Why do I have to carry the children?" Ryoga groused.
"Too many of the neighbors know Akane and I from our visits here.
They'd talk if we had the kids with us."
"Okay, fine."
"Here we are. You pay the fare Akane, I'll want to get Ryoga inside as
soon as possible."
Akane nodded and started talking to the cab driver. Ryoga hoped out
with a child in each arm - Himi-chan had fallen asleep during the train
ride and Midoko was awake - but thankfully quiet.
He hussled Ryoga do the door and got them inside as quickly as he
could. Besides keeping them from being seen, he was carrying Ryoga's
pack and it was *heavy*.
"Mom! I'm home. I brought visitors."
"Ranma?" His mother's voice came from somewhere in the house. She
hurried into the entryway, smiling happily.
"Ranma! It's so nice of you to visit me! Kasumi called and said you and
Akane had to run off last night. Anything you want to tell me?"
"Uh..." Great, his mom thought they'd eloped or went out to a love
hotel or something.
"Lots I need to tell you, but nothing like your thinking. This is Ryoga
Hibiki, I think you've met."
"Hello Mrs. Saotome." Ryoga said politely.
"The kids are Himi and Midoko. Akane will be here in a second, she's
paying the cab fare."
"I'd best call Kasumi to let her know you're here." His mom moved off
toward the phone.
"Mom, please wait. We've got a problem and we need to talk to you about
it."
HIs mother turned and gave him a puzzled look. All right dear, why
don't we move into the main room. Ryoga, would you like to put Himi
down in the guest room?"
"Yes, that would be nice." Ryoga agreed.
"Would you like me to hold Midoko for you?" His mom sounded hopeful at
that.
Ranma smirked. Wait until she found out the child was her
granddaughter. He'd probably have to pry her out of his mom's hands.
Ryoga handed over the infant and Ranma led him to the guest room.
When they got back down Nodoka and Akane were sitting and fussing over
Midoko, who was wide awake and smiling at them.
"What an adorable child." Nodoka said to Ryoga when he came down. "Is
she yours?"
"Uh, no. Himi-chan is, but Midoka is...not." Ryoga stumbled over the
words, not sure what to tell Ranma's mother.
"Mom, better let us tell you the whole story."
"All right son." Nodoka looked at him expectantly.
He explained it from the phone call to finding Ryoga. Ryoga took over
the story, telling her how he'd gotten the children, and Akane told her
about the plans on the train and why they didn't want to go to the dojo
yet.
Very little could shock his mother, but this managed it. Once she'd
recovered a little she looked down at the bundle in her arms.
"Midoko is..." She let her voice fade out.
"Your grandchild." Akane finished for her.
"Oh."
"But neither of them has any legal records." Akane sounded worried. "So
they're technically not anyone's children.
Nodoka looked thoughtful. "We can fix that. They can be adopted into
the family. We can declare their father's as Ranma and Ryoga without
mentioning the mothers.
Nodoka looked over at Ryoga. "If I understand what you said, Himi's
mother is pregnant with him, odd as that sounds. Are you married?"
"Not yet. I didn't know about the pregnancy until a few days ago."
Ryoga answered.
"If I were to convince Ukyou to come here, what would you do?" There
was an edge of steel in his mother's voice.
"Beg her forgiveness. Ask her to marry me." Ryoga said, looking
directly into Nodoka's eyes.
His mother smiled. "Why don't you all make yourselves comformtable.
I'll go visit Ukyou and see what I can do. Why don't you get some rest?"
His mother stood, still holding Midoko. "Akane, I would like to take
Midoko with me. No one will bother the child I'm taking care of for a
friend."
"Sure, please be careful. I'll put together a bag for you. I think
she'll want to be fed when she wakes up."
"Thank you. Ranma would you walk me to the door?"
They walked over to the door while Akane went through the supplies
they'd bought to put together a diaper bag and Ryoga stared gloomily
down at the table.
"Ranma it is likely there will be a wedding held here in the next day
or so." His mother said quietly.
"Yeah."
"Will it be just Ryoga and Ukyou or will you and Akane be getting
married as well?"
"I...uh, haven't talked to Akane yet."
"When will you do so?"
"Right away."
"Very good son. Good luck."
Akane came over with the oversized shoulder bag she'd been using as a
diaper bag.
"Thank you Akane. I expect I will be back in a few hours, and I expect
I will have Ukyou with me. It might be best if you two were upstairs
taking care of Himi-chan. This will be difficult enough for Ukyou and
Ryoga without witnesses."
"Sure mom."
Nodoka smiled at them and left.
Ranma took a deep, calming breath and turned to face Akane. "Akane,
we've got to talk."
* * * *
"Ukyou-sama?"
Ukyou cracked open one eye to look at Konatsu. "Time for the dinner
rush already?"
"No, Ukyou-sama. Normally I would never dream of waking you from your
nap, but Nodoka Saotome-sama is here and wishes to talk to you."
Ukyou groaned. She didn't need this right now.
"She has an infant with her."
Ukyou sat up. "That's different. I wonder what she wants to talk about?"
Konatsu kept quiet. He knew all about it of course. Everything from
Ryoga walking in emotionally shattered to a little over a month ago
when she'd found out she was pregnant. She didn't thing she'd have made
it this far without his help.
"Please tell her I'll be down in a minute. Offer her something to eat
and tea too."
"Of course Ukyou-sama." Konatsu bowed and disapeared.
Ukyou splashed some water on her face and combed her hair before going
downstairs. It didn't get rid of the circles around her eyes, or the
puffyness of her face, but at least she was presentable.
"Mrs. Saotome! What a pleasent surprise! You haven't stopped by for
quiet some time." Ukyou said cheerfully. She led her over to a booth
and they sat down.
Ukyou looked at the child. It wasn't more than a few months old. Under
the cover of the table she placed her hand over her stomach.
"Hello, Ukyou-chan. I'm sorry to bother you while you were resting, but
some rather odd things happened this morning, and I needed to talk to
you."
Ukyou looked at the older woman and raised an eyebrow.
"Would you like to hold Midoko?" Ms. Saotome asked.
"Yes! Very much, thank you." Ukyou said. Mrs. Saotome would get to the
point eventually, in the meantime she *did* want to hold the child."
She gently took the bundle. Mrs. Saotome moved to sit next to her and
help her adjust her arms so she could hold the child more easily.
Unfortunately the movement woke Midoko who started crying.
Ukyou felt horrible for waking the child. "Oh, maybe you better take
her back."
Nonsense, she'd just hungry. I have a bottle here, I'll just arm it up."
To Ukyou's horror Mrs Saotome got up and went back into the kitchen.
Konatsu was nowhere to be seen. She was alone in the room with a crying
baby. In desperation she started bouncing the child lightly and talking
gently to it as she'd seen some mothers do.
To her surprise and relief it worked. The baby stopped crying and
started looking around. It wasn't long before the tiny girl found
Ukyou's hair, which was unbound from her nap, and grabbed a handful.
"Hey, that hurts you know." Ukyou said. She shifted the girl and
untangled the hair from the tiny fist. That made Midoko start to fuss
again and Ukyou went back to bouncing and cooing at the child.
"Here you go Ukyou-chan."
Nodoka had come in without her noticing and was holding out a baby
bottle. Nodoka sat next to her again and helped her get the child held
in one arm while the other held the bottle.
Soon the child was fed and Nodoka showed her how to burp her and spent
some time explaining why it was important to do so and the different
ways that might work.
Ukyou sighed happily. That had been kind of fun, not to mention good
expereince for when she had her own child.
"Thank you Mrs. Saotome, I've never had a chance to do something like
that before."
"Well, dear, I thought you could use the practice. After all it wont be
long before you have to do this things for your own child."
Ukyou stilled in shock. She thought.
"We have some things to talk about Ukyou-chan and we must be honest
with each other. You are pregnant are you not?"
* * * *
Nodoka waited for Ukyou's answer. She knew that the girl was expecting.
After seeing her she would have expected it even if she hadn't heard
Ryoga's story.
"I-I...yes I am." Ukyou looked down at the table, refusing to meet her
gaze.
"How did you find out." Ukyou asked in a small voice.
"I admit I had a rather unusual source of information, but I would have
had a pretty good idea even if I'd just met you on the street. You will
*not* be able to keep this a secret much longer. I image some of your
customers and teachers already suspect."
Ukyou began to cry quietly. Nodoka put an arm around her and made
soothing noises remarkably similar to those Ukyou had been using on
Midoko.
"Ukyou-chan, I think I can help you. I told you something odd had
happened this morning. As a result there is avery distraught young man
in my home right now. He wants to talk to you."
"Ryouga?" Ukyou asked.
"Of course."
"Does he know?"
"Yes, he's the one who told me. He just found out a few days ago.
There's more to it of course. I must say you young people do lead
interesting lives. The important thing is that he needs to talk to you,
and I think you need to talk to him."
Ukyou wiped an eye with the hand that wasn't busy holding Midoko.
"What should I do?" Her voice was pleading.
Nodoka smiled. The poor girl needed a mother right now, and hers was
gone. She'd always wanted a daughter, not it looked like she'd get to
play that role with Akane, Ukyou, and get to be a grandmother at the
same time.
"Pack a few things. Come to my home and talk to him, and bring your
signature stamp along."
Ukyou looked up at that. 'You think he might ask me..."
"It's not my place to say, it is always best to be prepaired though,
isn't it?"
"Yes. Yes, you're right. Would you hold Midoko wihile I go pack?"
"Yes, dear."
Once Ukyou was upstairs Nodoka called out Konatsu's name. The ninja
appeared beside the table.
Nodoka looked at the young man, who did an amazing imitation of a young
woman, sadly.
"Konatsu-chan, I think it likely that Ukyou will be married soon. I
know this is not what you hoped for, but it is best for her."
"I understand. What I want most is to see her happy."
"You are a true friend. There is more to this than Ukyou's problem,
much more. It would be best if noone know what was happening just yet."
"Of course. Perhaps if I was to say she went looking for Ranma-sama,
who I heard is also missing right now?"
"That is an excellent idea."
Ukyou came down the stairs with a small pack over her shoulder.
"Ready? We should go right away." Nodoka said.
Ukyou nodded and turned to Konatsu adn started to say something.
Konatsu stopped her by holding up his hand.
"I understand Ukyou-sama. I will keep the resturant going as best I
can."
"Thank you." Ukyou embrased the ninja briefly, then went to the door
where Nodoka was waiting to give them at least the illusion of privacy.
Ukyou looked at Nodoka who gave her a reasuring smile. Ukyou then
shifted her gaze to Midoko and nodded her head once.
"Let's go." She said in a firm voice.
Nodoka smiled at her and they left.
Behind them Konatsu let a single tear fall before berating himself and
returned to getting the resturant ready for dinner.
=== END PART 2 ===
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