Nodoka's Daughter
By James Lee

Disclaimer: None of these characters belong to me. If they did I wouldn't be working at Pizza Inn. Instead They belong to their respected owners. Suing me would be pretty useless.

Part 1: The Accident
This story takes place before Ranma knows about his mom.
Ranma Saotome was walking on the fence on her way back to the Tendo Dojo. Ranma-chan was deep in thought as she walked. It was raining, but this wasn't on her mind. She was female again thanks to the rain, but this wasn't on her mind either. What was on her mind was her mother. Who was she? What was she like? Was she alive?

He had just visited Mrs. Tendo's grave with Akane and his father Genma. Ranma had wondered what his mother was like and out of curiosity had asked his father.

*What did he mean that he bore me.* Thought Ranma-chan as she walked.

So preoccupied with her thoughts Ranma-chan had not noticed that she had walked out of Nerima district and into Juuban. She had also not noticed a break in the fence. Thus it was a complete surprise to Ranma-chan when she went face first into the canal.

*Well this is great!* Thought Ranma-chan, dragging herself out of the canal. Something else Ranma-chan had not noticed was that during her "swim" she had lost her wallet.

As Ranma got up to the street she noticed (yes, the first thing she'd noticed all day) a middle aged woman crossing the street toward her. The women had dark red hair and a face not unlike her own. She was dressed in a kimono and had a strange wrapped bundle on her back. The women was carrying an umbrella and had a concerned look on her face.

*Probably wondering if I'm okay.* thought Ranma-chan. She was about to tell the woman that she was fine when suddenly a cab going at high speed turn the corner heading strait for the woman. Without a second thought, Ranma-chan acted.

*****

Nodoka Saotome was on her way to Nerima to visit her husband's friend Soun Tendo. Hopefully he might have information concerning the whereabouts of her husband and son Ranma. After not hearing anything from Genma in over a year she was beginning to worry.

As she walked towards Nerima she noticed a young girl walking on the fence. The girl was dressed in black pants and a red Chinese style shirt. The girl had bright red hair (something rare in Japan) and a face that was like her own.

*My, that isn't very safe!* thought Nodoka as she watched the girl. Her thoughts were confirmed when she saw the girl fall from the fence face first into the canal.

"Oh dear. I'd better go see if she's okay." said Nodoka as she started to cross the street. She was halfway across the street when she noticed something out the corner of her eye. She turned to see a cab coming straight at her at high speed. She saw the cab getting closer, but her legs wouldn't move. She heard the driver hit the brakes, but knew it was to late. Why wouldn't her legs move?

Suddenly there was red blur in front of her, it was the girl. She felt herself being pushed out of the way of the oncoming car. Nodoka then realized that the girl that had just saved her life didn't have time to get out of the way herself! Nodoka watched in horror as the girl was hit hard on the side and thrown head first into the windshield of the cab. With a sickening smack the girl bounced off the windshield and landed once again head first onto the road behind the cab.

When Nodoka was finally able to move she rushed to the aid of the girl. She felt however, that it was already too late. After all nothing could have survived that, RIGHT! But, Nodoka was very surprised when she heard the girl muttering before going unconscious. SHE WAS ALIVE!

"SOMEONE CALL AN AMBULANCE, NOW!" Nodoka screamed as she tried to remember the CPR course she had taken.

*****

"Has anyone seen Ranma? He was supposed to help with the dishes tonight," asked Akane. "I don't know Akane I haven't seen him since we left the cemetery." replied Genma. Most of the rest of the Tendo household had a similar response.

"Don't worry Akane he's sure to show up sooner or later." Said Kasumi.

"Yeah I guess your right" All though she wouldn't admit it, Akane was beginning to worry. Not only had Ranma not shown up to help with the dishes *Just like that Baka to dodge work!*, but he had also not been at dinner. It wasn't like Ranma to miss a meal. Unless of course he getting food somewhere else!

*Why that no good JERK! I bet he's at the Ucchan or Nekohoten pigging himself out! OHHHHHHHHHHH! Wait until I get my hands on you Ranma Saotome, you'll wish you were never born!* with that in mind, she stomped up to her room. Slamming her door she started to plan the various ways she'd hurt Ranma when he got back.

*****

Over at Juuban Central Hospital Nodoka Saotome was beside herself in the waiting room. The brave girl who saved her had paid a horrible price. The girl was now in her seventh hour of surgery. It was nothing short of a miracle that she had survived that long. Nodoka felt what happened to the girl was her fault. If only she'd moved or done something, this wouldn't have happened.

Nodoka wondered who the girl was. What would her family do when they found out what had happened? Did she even have a family? They had not been able to find any identification on her and had no idea who she was or were she lived. A check with the Juuban police department had come up empty handed.

*I guess we'll have to wait until she wakes up to find out who she is.* thought Nodoka. *IF she wakes up.*

Nodoka's thoughts were interrupted by the entrance of her old school friend Dr. Reiko(Yeah I made it up.) Mizuno.

"H-How is she Reiko?"

"Well Nodoka, we're moving her to ICU right now. She has a broken leg, a broken shoulder, a severe concussion, a cracked skull, and a number of internal injuries. She's survived the surgery, which is no small feat. However she's gone into a deep coma."

"S-She's survived the surgery, she's going to be all right, right?"

Reiko couldn't bring herself to lie to her friend. "My friend, only time will tell if she'll be all right. She has a lot of things going for her. She's one of the best psychical specimens I've ever seen and she has gotten through the hardest part. But, she still has a long way to go. It's up to her now."

Nodoka said in a small voice "I see."

"Nodoka you're tired, you should go home and rest now. There's nothing you can do here. I'll call you when she can have visitors."

"O-Okay. Thank you Reiko-chan." Nodoka turned to head home, her trip to the Tendo's completely forgotten.

*****

Later:
Back at the Tendo's thing's were getting tense. Ranma had now been missing for two days and everyone was worried. At first the Tendo's checked at Ucchan's, but found nothing. Ukyo had not seen Ranma since the day before the cemetery visit. Then they checked the Nekohanten, but once again they found nothing. Eventually they had checked everywhere Ranma usually was including: Dr. Tofu's, Furinkan High School, even Kuno Manor. It was as if he'd vanished off the face of the earth.

Genma was especially worried. Not for Ranma, although he was truly concerned for his son, he had more important problems. Two days ago Soun had received a postcard from Nodoka saying that she'd be coming soon.

Genma didn't want to be around if she found out about the curse or that he had somehow lost Ranma. Genma needed an excuse to leave and he needed one NOW!

Genma turned to a sudden noise outside. Apparently Shampoo had started yet another fight with Akane and Ukyo over Ranma. *Why doesn't that girl just go back to China....CHINA..THAT'S IT!*

"I GOT IT!" Genma yelled at the top of his lungs "Ranma has gone to China to look for a cure!"

"Aiieyaa if Ranma go to China Shampoo go to China too!"

"SHAMPOO wait for me!"

"OOHH NO YOU DON'T YOU CHINESE HUSSY!"

"RANMA! HOW DARE GO OFF FOR A CURE ALL BY YOURSELF!"

"SAOTOME! We must get to Ranma before they do!"

"Your right Tendo, or all is lost."

"Ah guys?"

"Akane pack your things!"

"W-WHAT!"

"Excuse me!"

"Kasumi make sure we have enough food!"

"Yes Father."

"Ah Daddy?"

"Not now Nabiki! We must leave for China immediately!"

"OOOKay." Nabiki gave up any chance of trying to point out that Ranma had gone on his "great China quest" without packing a single thing.

*****

Six days later Nodoka stood in front of the now empty Tendo Dojo. She had been spending the past few days working at the shop and visiting the girl, who was still in a coma. Today she had received a call from Reiko saying that the girl had to go back in for emergency surgery and wouldn't be able have visitors for a couple of days.

Nodoka decided that this would be a good time to finally visit the Tendos. However, when she got there, no one was home. She then saw one of the neighbors.

"Ah excuse me. Do you know were the Tendos are?"

"Yes. They went to China with their house guests. They probably won't be back for a couple of weeks."

"Oh really. Well there's no reason to hang around I guess."

With that said Nodoka turned to go home but then stopped.

"Did you say house guests?"

"Uhh yes. A big man name Saotome and his son I think."

"I see. Thank you."

"No problem."

Nodoka turned once again to go home. she felt a little better knowing that at least they were still alive.

*****

Eight days later Nodoka entered the hospital for her now daily visit when Reiko stopped her. She brought her into an office and sat her down.

"I've got some good news and I've got some bad news." She began. "The good news is that she woke up this morning."

"That's Wonderful!....W-What's the bad news?"

"The Bad news is that she has total amnesia. She doesn't remember who she is, how to talk, she's even forgotten basic motor functions. I'm sorry."

"Oh. What are you going to do now?"

"Well. First we're going to send her to a rehabilitation clinic in Nagoya. Then I'll guess we'll have to hand her over to child welfare."

"That won't be necessary!"

"Er....What!?"

"I'll take her in. I'll care as if she was my own."

"N-Nodoka! Are you sure!? I mean...." Nodoka cut her off.

"Reiko! I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for that girl! It's the least I can do for her."

Reiko was partially relieved to hear this. She felt her friend Nodoka had been lonely for far too long and she really didn't feel like handing the kid over to child welfare. But something about the child concerned her.

"Okay Nodoka-chan. But first I must show you something."

She began to lead Nodoka out of the office but then stopped.

"Oh. Nodoka-chan?"

"Yes?"

"Do you have to carry that thing everywhere?" Rieko said pointing at the wrapped bundle.

To Be Continued