Nodoka Saotome had been a little surprised to be informed by one of the guards that she’d received a letter. After her work detail had ended, she eagerly reported to the prison mailroom to pick it up. When she saw the address for the Tendo Dojo on the envelope, her mind raced with possibilities all the way back to her cell.
Had Soun written to formally cancel the marriage arrangement? As depressing as that idea was, it would be understandable. Her son was missing with no clue to go on and his daughters were quickly growing into women. He couldn’t afford to keep waiting for who knew how long to arrange proper marriages for them. Her heart sank further as she contemplated if her actions might’ve prompted such a decision. She’d acted in the moment, blinded by anger and passion, but that didn’t excuse what she did.
But, maybe it was good news. Maybe Soun was writing to tell her that Ranma had been found? Her heart soared at that hope. If that were the case, she wondered if the prison authorities would allow her to attend the marriage ceremony. Even if she had to be escorted by guards, she wouldn’t want to miss her son’s wedding.
Returning to her cell, she seated herself on her bunk and opened the envelope. Unfolding the paper, she began to read. As she scanned the contents, it became apparent that neither of her assumptions had been correct. Her hand went to her lips in surprise as she found herself reading Soun’s heart-wrenching account about his daughter’s arrest and imprisonment, and his desperate plea that she look after her.
Nodoka placed the letter down and sat in thought. Akane was being sent to prison?! She couldn’t believe it, yet here were the words of her father saying it was true.
“Hey, No-No, the bus with the new girls should be arriving anytime now. Wanna go see our new neighbors?”
Nodoka glanced up to find her friend, Yuriko Kuonji, standing in the doorway.
“What’s wrong, No-No?” Yuriko asked, seeing the thoughtful look on her face. She noticed the letter lying on the bunk, “Bad news from home?”
“Something like that, Yuriko,” Nodoka answered, rising to her feet, “Anyway, the bus is arriving?”
“In a few minutes. We need to hurry if we want front row seats.” Nodoka joined her friend as they walked out of the cell. Her mind though was still coming to terms with everything she’d just learned. Soun’s and Kumiko’s daughter was coming to prison! Heck, she was going to be there any minute, if Yuriko was right about the bus’ arrival.
The two women soon arrived at the prison yard. The yard was a fenced off area of a much larger courtyard surrounded by a high stone wall with towers. Dozens of other inmates were milling about in their own groups. Nodoka and Yuriko found a spot close to the fence just in time.
A call went up as soon as the gate in the large wall began to open. Everyone hurried to the fence, pressing and shoving to get a good vantage point. The bus soon appeared, rolling through the open gateway before coming to a stop. The main entrance to the prison was right by the yard, so the new prisoners would have to walk from the bus to the door in full view of their sister convicts.
As the first new arrival emerged, chained hand and food, a chorus of mocking cheers and threats arose from the assembled prisoners behind the fence. They continued as one-by-one the other recently sentenced women filed off the bus, many of them averting their eyes, clearly frightened. Every new arrival was subjected to this public and intimidating welcome.
Nodoka watched silently, not caring for scaring anyone. She found the whole spectacle very distasteful, but there wasn’t anything she could do about it.
“Heh, looks like we’ve got some kiddies comin’ in!” someone shouted as the last two new arrivals exit the bus. They were younger than the others, still teenagers by their looks. The one with long dark hair kept her eyes lowered as she walked by the fence, visibly cringing under the laughter and threats hurled her way. The redhead didn’t seem so easily cowed and fixed many of the inmates behind the fence with a menacing glare.
Nodoka instantly knew the one of long hair was Akane. She matched her father’s description perfectly. She recalled the last time she saw her years ago. She'd still been a baby at the time, now here she was grown up. It broke her heart to see her like this, chained and heading into the same hell she was forced to endure. She resolved that she’d do everything in her power to look after her. Soun was a good man and Kumiko had been a true and dear friend. She’d watch over their ch1ld and make sure she didn’t come to harm.
Sun Jan 19 12:17:40 2014
2 comments Last updated: Sun Jan 19 22:43:01 2014