Hi,
my name is Shadowstryker, this is the second and only 'fic I've posted
to the list in a year.  If you see anything wrong with it tell me so I
can _hopefully_ check it.

    Nodoka, Genma, and Ranma Saotome were created by Rumiko Takahashi, I
make no claim to them.  Shadow AKA Shadowstryker is my creation, please
don't use without my permission.
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Shadowstryker's Journeys: Nodoka Saotome

By

Shadowstryker


Shadow is an abbreviation of Shadowstryker, I just don't want to write
the entire thing out.
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Tendo Ancestral Home & Dojo, Nerima Ward, Tokyo, Japan

 Three figures were in the darkened dojo; two on their knees, head
bowed, tanto at their hearts; the other stood above them, katana held
at the ready.  The two kneeling were going to commit seppeku, the one
standing, their second.  In ten seconds, noon exactly, they'd take
their lives, the katana welding figure acting as the second, until her
job down, then, she'd take her own life.

6...5...4...3...2..."STOP!"

 And that's what happened; time stopped, and everything came to a
halt, except Nodoka, for that who the third was, spun around to look at
the voice, the light that was streaming into the dojo from the, now,
open door revealing her face.

 "Who are you to interfere with a matter of family honor?" Nodoka
hissed angrily at the figure who was silhouetted in the door, the glare
from the light hiding the figure's identity.

 "I have been known by many names throughout the ages.  But, the
name I go by is Shadow." The figure said, stepping into the dojo
letting his face be seen.  He stood about 6'2, had thick long brown
hair done in a ponytail, and wore a black wool cloak.

 "Why do you interrupt in a matter of honor?" Nodoka asked
angrily.

 "Really? it's a matter of honor?" Shadow asked sarcastically. "I
only see two people about to die because you saw so." Shadow said,
looking pointedly at the sword clasped in the red haired woman's grip.
"So why are they dying?  Is it because your only son is also your only
daughter?"

 "No.  I can look past that, for it is only a curse, it doesn't
affect the mind." Nodoka replied hauntingly.  "The real reason is
because he's a coward!" Nodoka said, the last yelled.

 "Oh?  I know all about his life, just like I know all about
yours, your husband's, the Tendo's, the young couple that just moved in
next door.  I'm an Avatar of the Four.  As a result, I try to set fate,
destiny, luck and death , right." Shadow replied

 "I know the hardships he's faced and overcome, and he has
overcome them all, from the simplest to the most complex." Shadow said,
his anger increasing. "I couldn't tell you a moment when he hasn't
risked life and limb, for himself, Akane, and for those he doesn't and
will never know."  Shadow said, overcoming his brief moment of anger.

 "So you say he isn't a coward?" Nodoka demanded, then went on
before she got a reply. "Look at him!" She shouted pointing at Ranma
with her sword, "He won't even look his own mother in the eye's!"

 Shadow walked calmly over to Nodoka and in the blink of an eye
was holding the Saotome sword. "There, now he doesn't have a reason to
fear you." Shadow replied, holding the sword in one hand casually.

 "Give that back!" Nodoka demanded grabbing at the sword but
failing.

 "No." Shadow said pointedly.  "The only reason he fears you is
this sword.  And I can't fault him for feeling that fear."  Shadow said
coldly.  "The only thing he's seen you with is this sword, that doesn't
exactly inspire trust."

 "He's supposed to be a man amongst men, and I get is a coward!"
Nodoka shouted angrily.

 "Like I said at first, I work for the Four, and one of them is
Death.  Ranma isn't supposed to die yet, but if you give me good enough
reason, I _might_ allow him to pass on.  However, _you_ won't be, I'll
make you live with your decision until you're old and gray and die from
age." Shadow answered looking at redhead with calm amusement.

 "But, he is supposed to be honorable.  How honorable is it to
fear death?" Nodoka asked, angrily.

 "Very." Shadow replied.  "The death you deem he deserves means he
isn't honorable, yet he's spent his entire life trying to be honorable.
There is no dishonor to fear honorable death.  This, "He said,
motioning at the two figures kneeling on the floor as if they were made
of stone, "Isn't honorable death, this is a mother judging her son and
making him fear if he is honorable or not.  That isn't what you should
be doing, you should be dissuading that fear, not compounding it."

 The two stood in eerie silence, Shadow calmly watching emotions
play across Nodoka's face, while Nodoka thought about what had been
said.  Her emotions warred inside her; her anger at the interruption,
her sadness at her son's fear, her fear that Shadowstryker was right,
but most of all her confusion at not knowing what emotion should win.

 They stood like that for over half an hour, until finally: "If
what you say is true, how do I correct what I've done?"  Nodoka asked,
tears streaking her face.

 "You don't.  _You_ can't do anything, all you can do is stop two
needless deaths, and stop carrying this sword around." Shadow said,
motioning with the sword. "The rest, Ranma is going to have to do.  It
may take a couple of months, maybe even years, but only Ranma can do."
Shadow said walking over and putting the sword down in front of the
male Saotomes.  Turning back towards Nodoka he said, "Give your son a
chance, and don't push him.  You'll only push him away."

 With that said, Shadow stood and walked out of the dojo,
disappearing when he stepped fully into the light.  With his
disappearance, time started up.

 Nodoka was staring at the spot that Shadow had disappeared with
tears.  "Mom, how did your sword appear in front of us?"  She heard
behind her, whirling she saw Ranma looking at her with confusion.

 "I don't know, I don't know."

THE END
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Shadowstryker

"Of all the things I've lost in life I miss my mind the least."
                                -Shadowstryker(misquote from Ozzy