Pride Comes Before the Fall

Chapter Two

Nodoka Saotome was the next person to feel the fallout from Ranma's banishment.

Three days had passed since Tofu Ono had broken off the engagement to Kasumi Tendo. Kasumi had remained in her room, leaving Nodoka and Nabiki to fix breakfast. Akane was finishing up her bath and the fathers were setting up the Shogi table when there was a loud banging at the door.

Soun decided to answer the door. Standing out in the street was an elderly couple, both dressed in a kimono and a yukata. Soun warily eyed the sheathed sword that the man had in his hand. "Can I help you?" he asked.

"Where's Nodoka Saotome?" the woman demanded.

"She's inside," Soun replied. "We're having breakfast, so - hey!"

The woman didn't give Soun a chance to finish as she shoved him to the side and stepped inside, followed by her husband.

"This is my home!" Soun shouted. "You can't just come barging in here like this!!"

The elderly couple ignored the Tendo patriarch as they strode into the dining room, where the two families - Kasumi included - were seated and having breakfast.

"Nodoka."

Nodoka looked up and found herself face-to-face with her mother, the matriarch of the Mamiya clan, Usagi Mamiya. Standing behind her was her husband and Nodoka's father, Takuma Mamiya.

And both of them did not look very happy with Nodoka at the moment. Genma paled at the sight of Takuma's sword. After all, he had taught Nodoka the family style. They were also against Nodoka for marrying Genma but did not disown her.

Until the news of their roles in Ranma's banishment reached the Mamiyas. And they were pissed off.

Nodoka rose from her seat. "Mother. Father. What are you doing here?"

"I would like to speak with my daughter alone," Usagi said in a tone that showed she was not in the mood to argue as she ignored her daughter's question.

"Excuse me," Nabiki butted in, "but you can't come charging in here like you own the place-"

Usagi turned to Nabiki with a stone-cold stare that made even the Evil Queen flinch. "I wasn't talking to you, little girl. Everyone but my idiot daughter out now."

"We can talk in the kitchen," Nodoka replied.

Usagi stepped to the side, allowing Nodoka to lead her to the kitchen. When the Tendos, Ryoga, and Genma tried to follow, Takuma stopped them.

"This is a family matter. Stay out of this," he ordered coldly.

When it looked like Akane and Royga weren't going to listen, Takuma drew out his sword, which had the desired effect of stopping both teenagers in their tracks. As Genma knew, Takuma's sword was the Mamyia Honor Blade - a Masamune. Takuma drew a line across the wooden floor as he guarded the kitchen's entrance.

"Cross this line and you lose your head," he warned.

Akane stepped forward. "This is my family's home! You have no right to-" She was cut off as Soun yanked her back as Takuma made an attempt to decapitate Akane.

"Do as he says," Genma concurred. "He is very deadly with that sword of his."

Inside the kitchen, Nodoka faced her mother. "Mother, what is the meaning of this?"

{SMACK!}

Nodoka was cut off as her mother's hand impacted hard across her face, sending Nodoka to the floor. Even as an old woman, Usagi was still strong. Outside the kitchen, the slap was heard, but could not do anything, since Takuma and his drawn Masamune kept them at bay.