jason.ashton@vuw.ac.nz (Jason Ashton) Hi all. I was watching tv a while back, watching the movie Regarding Henry, starring Harrison Ford, when I thought of Ranma 1/2 In the movie we have a lawyer that is slimey, nasty, having an affair while his marriage breaks up, sending his child to a unpleasant boarding school etc etc etc. He has an accident and things change. I thought to myself... Ranma is always getting into huge fights, even getting injured. I prefer nice endings so a little incentive to make things go right was needed as well. Mousse does what I think he might do if he ever thought things through (and there was ever such a rule). Anyway. I hope you enjoy. Post me at jason.ashton@vuw.ac.nz should you feel the need to comment. All criticisms welcome. Now....... on with the tale: BEGIN -- Cut Here -- cut here Regarding Ranma By Jason Ashton. Akane fell back, dazed and hurt. All around her lay the still forms of the attack group. Shampoo lay upside down against a broken brick wall, bleeding slowly. Mousse was buried under a pile of his own weapons, at least one wing broken. Cologne had had her staff broken and was last seen hurtling towards the south pole. Ukyou was also out of sight, having been thrown through a rather solid stone wall. Ryouga's head was plastered on the bottom of a three foot deep depression, clearly out for the count. Kunou and Kodachi were entangled together by Kodachi's whip and had rolled out of sight. Ranma was the only one still standing. Before him stood a huge figure. Bright red, twelve feet high, six claw tipped tentacles, five eyes, and a mean attitude. The warrior demon from the third level of hell chuckled as Ranma launched yet another attack. Akane could see Ranma waver and nearly fall. The demon looked badly injured but not nearly so as Ranma. It attacked in return. Ranma managed to block the first four tentacles but two got through. His left arm sagged uselessly and he flew backwards past her, landing hard. Akane struggled to stand but before she was up the demon turned to face her. It's glare pierced her flesh, making her shiver. Weakly she tried to get into a defensive posture. The creature reared back, it's six tentacles tensing to strike. Time then seemed to slow. She could see the six appendages approaching, each one bound to hit her, and was unable to move. Something pushed her to one side at the last moment. As she fell slowly towards the ground she could see a ball of blue fire hitting the demon squarely between all five eyes. The tentacles hit Ranma harder. He staggered before falling forwards onto his head. The demon roared in pain and reeled towards Ranma, death in his eyes. Akane watched in horror as it began to form an energy blast between it's appendages, it was going to kill him. Fighting with all her strength she forced herself to her feet, she couldn't let it kill Ranma, she couldn't. The globe of pulsating energy was growing incredibly large. It crackled and spat with barely contained fury. The demon's balance faltered momentarily, stepping back uncertainly, then it raised the ball of destruction to throw it down at Ranma's still form. Akane wrenched her self to her feet and all her energy brought her mallet down on the creatures head. She fell backwards and watched in amazement as the demon dropped the ball of energy onto it's own head and promptly died. What little was left collapsed to the ground. Akane crawled to Ranma and hugged him close. He was barely breathing and his chest moved unnaturally. She lay him down carefully and crawled down the street to a payphone. She just managed to call for ambulances before she passed out. It was quiet when she woke. Very quiet. She could feel soft sheets covering her and the rough texture of bandages. It was warm and dark. She snuggled into her warm bed and turned over. The window was strangely distant and there was something between her and it. It was a bed. This wasn't her room. She began to wake up further. There was a soft slightly irregular beeping sound and there were wires trailing from the form in the bed before her to odd looking machines. Akane sat up slowly and carefully got out of bed. She approached the still form. It was Ranma. She gasped and looked closer. He was pale, very pale. His left arm was in a cast, his head in bandages, a complicated wire frame surrounded his chest and he was mottled with black purple bruises. A tube down his throat was breathing for him and the beeping measured out his every heartbeat. "Oh Ranma...." She collapsed into a chair by his side and held his right hand, it was surprisingly undamaged. "Be alright, you've got to be alright." She cradled his hand to her cheek, laying her head by his side. "I'm here. Don't worry... I'm here..." Her eyes closed and she drifted back to sleep. "Miss Tendo? Come on Miss Tendo, time to wake up." "Huh???" Akane grogerly opened her eyes. She tried to sit up but her neck was painfully stiff. Ranma's hand was still in hers. "Here now, up you get." The nurse helped her to her feet. "The doctors want to have a look at you fiancee." "Ranma!" She looked down at his form and found it unchanged. He did not look well. "What's wrong with him?" She turned and grabbed the nearest doctor. "What's wrong with him!" "Easy Miss Tendo. Why don't you..." He could see Akane swell with anger and hurriedly changed track. "Ranma Saotome is not in very good condition. His left arm has been broken in three places. Half his ribs are cracked or broken. One lung had collapsed and it's operating weakly just now. He several torn ligaments and muscles. He's a mass of cuts and contusions. And he's sustained some nasty blows to the head." "SO?? What does all that mean? Will he be alright?!" "Bones, muscles and such will heal. However when he was brought in he'd been clinically dead for five minutes. At the moment he's in a coma and we don't know how long it will last. He was without oxygen for a long time and he'd already taken several blows to the head. We don't know yet but there may be brain damage." "Brain damage?..." Akane released the doctor and half fell back into her chair. "What do you mean brain damage?" "We don't know yet. He may be alright, however he may not. We'll be able to tell when he wakes up." Several days pass. We see shots of the other fighters slowly recovering. Shampoo, Ukyou and Ryouga are confined to bed with severe injuries. Akane quickly recovers. We see various shots of her around Ranma's bedside. Holding his hand, watching TV, reading to him, sleeping. We cut to a doctor's patient record and see a brief list of Ranma's conditions over these days. He seems to be improving rapidly, much to the amazement of the doctor. "Well Ranma, there's nothing much of interest in today's newspaper. A few burglaries, some political scandal, and so forth. Do you want me to read out the martial rankings?" Akane waits for an answer she knows she isn't going to get. "No? Maybe later. I suppose I'd better do some of the homework father brought round. You'd think being in hospital lets you off schoolwork wouldn't you?" Again she pauses. Akane sits by his side and holds his hand. "Oh Ranma...." A couple of tears slide slowly down her cheek, and she lowers her head. She shakes herself roughly and turns back to her homework. Maths, Ranma hated, hates maths. Akane does a couple of problems before she notices a change. The background beeping, the pulse of Ranma's heart, increases slightly. "Ranma?" Akane spins and grabs his hand. Ranma's eyes blink sleepily. "Ranma!" Ranma's gaze slowly orientates over to Akane. She shivers when she sees that his eyes are blank. "Ranma?" Still the blank gaze. "Come on, wake up. It's me, Akane." He looks at her with a complete lack of recognition. "Ranma.... Snap out of it! Stop kidding around!" Nothing, absolutely nothing. Akane slowly backed away until she reached the door of the room. Poking her head outside she shouted "DOCTOR!!!!" They came, they prodded, they muttered unintelligible doctorise. They took one look at Akane's face and started speaking normally. "Possible severe concussion..." "Still doped up of the drugs we..." "Amnesia, nothing else..." "Tests, tests, we need more tests..." And test they did. Simple tests, complex tests, weird tests, seemingly normal tests, inexplicable tests.... On through the night and into the next day. Finally the next afternoon Akane, her family and Genma were herded into a office. "Ah come in, sit down. My name is Dr Bonsai." "What's wrong with my son?" Said Genma "Ah.... There we have not such good news. Physically he's fine. Given a few weeks he should be back to full physical condition." "Physically? What about mentally?" Lawsuits, thought Nabiki. "From what we can gather the injuries sustained at the fight scene, along with a long history of concussions, compiled with the oxygen deprivation he suffered has affected him mentally. He has Amnesia." The way he said it you could hear the capital A. "Amnesia?" Akane's voice was rather small. "What sort?" "Unfortunately nearly the worst sort. He remembers nothing at all, not even his name. He has even forgotten many basic motor functions, he can't talk, walk, use his hands etc... The physical side we can easily rectify, he should be physically back to normal in a couple of months with intensive care...." "What about his memory?" Kusami's voice was soft and full of pity. "To be frank, it may never return. He is able to remember words and their meanings, and may remember physical reactions but nothing else." Genma broke down at that, as did Soun. Akane looked confused, as if not sure what to think. "The only thing you can do is send him to a special clinic to aide his physical recovery. Beyond that....." "Is there nothing else you can do for Ranma?" Kasumi was clearly the calmest person there. "Nothing. We pride ourselves on our progressive ways but even the best magiks won't help young Saotome. It would be best not to confuse him while he's recovering physically so I would suggest only one of you going with him to the clinic. Perhaps the presence of someone familiar may bring to light a few vague memories." "Go with him.....?" Akanes voice was very small. "You are the best choice." Said Kasumi. "My daughter... you must!" Soun declared hysterically. "Not me!" Nabiki was firm. "My son! My son! My son!..." Genma was clearly less than his calm self. "But..." Akane still wasn't really listening to the rest of her family, all she could think about was Ranma's sightless gaze. "No buts... You're going." They all said. Mousse stood up silently and stepped over Sasuke's still form. He had been lucky enough to knock the ninja out before he had heard anything much from the electronic bug in the doctor's office. He listened carefully to the discussion before destroying all records of the conversation. Kunou and Kodachi would not hear of this. Ranma had risked his life fighting that demon, taking at least one blow intended for Mousse's beloved Shampoo. He had also helped save Mousse's life. Akane had been the one to kill it, saving them all. He owed a debt of honour to them, one that temporarily took precedence over all others. He longed to kill Ranma, burned to free Shampoo from his clutches, but to do so now would not be honourable. Ranma was too weak from the fight, and may never recover. And Akane cared for him. There had to be a way to free Shampoo. He thought long and hard about it as he had been doing so for the past few days. Torturing himself by excluding all other thought, even that of his love. His head still rung from the fight and he was only distantly aware that he wasn't thinking quite like himself. It had been so long now since the fight between them had begun, and every battle had been lost. It was not good tactics to continue so. As a master of the hidden weapon he knew that the direct approach was not always the best. An unexpected strike, from an unexpected direction. That was what was needed. Perhaps using the very rules that entrapped Ranma, or devotions some would deny. Ranma's position could be used against him. Mousse slowly came up with a glimmering of an idea. He ran to the restaurant and grabbed all his stuff, every item of his he could get his hands on, all his oddly shaped weapons. Then he took it all to a pawnshop and dumped it all on the counter. "What you give me for all this?" The jewellery auctioneer looked at the earnest boy, shrugged his shoulders, and examined the pile before him. He gasped in surprise and hurriedly reached for his calculator. Mousse, hearing the gasp, and being very proficient at identifying sounds as a result of being near blind, quickly spoke in as menacing voice as possible. "And want fair price too, know what are worth." The auctioneer, being very unfamiliar with threats, took the lad at his word and began to honestly appraise the items. Gold chopsticks, intricately engraved. A bejewelled staff. A two thousand year old vase. And other such treasures Mousse had inadvertently taken from Cologne's room. The auctioneer named a humungous price. Mousse blinked, assumed he'd mis-read the last exchange rate between China and Japan, and accepted the cheque. He stopped off at the bank, exiting with two bulky suitcases. Sixteen attempted muggings later he managed to make it to the Tendo dojo. He knocked politely on the door blinked when Kasumi opened the door. "Nabiki?" "Oh, hello Mousse. Nabiki's upstairs." "Thank you." After bumping into the door he made it up the stairs. Nabiki looked up at the knocking on her door. "Come in." She was surprised to see Mousse in the doorway. "Sorry Mousse, Ranma can't fight you right now, he's... in... the....... hospital." She slowed down quickly as she recognised the type of suitcase he was carrying. "Nabiki. Business." With that word she had him inside, seated comfortably, tea by his side. "What's on your mind Mousse?" "Ranma and Akane." "....?" "I have business proposition." He placed one suitcase on his lap and opened it. Nabiki's eyes bugged out and she began to drool. It took her a moment after Mousse had shut the case to pull herself back together. Mentally she tried to calculate the amount she'd just seen. Reached a figure that seemed far too much. Re-calculated and came up with the same figure. More than she could earn in ten years at her current rates. "I..... I'm listening." "Shampoo mine. Ranma not have her. But, owe Akane and Ranma debt of honour. Must eliminate Ranma from competition and pay back him and Akane honour I owe them." "Sooooooo?" "I heard all doctor said about Ranma. I know he and Akane going to clinic. And Ranma has lost all memory." "And.....?" "Here two suitcases of money. Both yours if you do task." "Yes.... yes....?" "Ranma and Akane must be happily married." "...??" "If Ranma happily married then Shampoo can not have him. Old rule: subclause 4, paragraph 12 of 'Laws of the Amazons'. Akane show concern over hurt Ranma, she make good wife for him. Make both happy. Leave Shampoo free for me." "Let me get this straight.... You want me to arrange to get Akane and Ranma married?" "No. Must be happily married." "Okay... Happily married. They're already engaged." "Not good enough. Ranma engaged to others too. Ranma not happy. Akane not happy either. Both must be happy for rule to work." "Hmmmmm. Without his memory Ranma is sure to be more susceptible to suggestion right now. Can't let any of the others interfere. Might be able to.... " She muttered to herself for a bit. Glanced at the suitcases full of money. Muttered to herself a bit more. "Also." Nabiki glanced warily at Mousse. "Must be married soon, in six months, and be happy for six more. You get first suitcase when they married, second at end of second deadline." "I'll need some cash right now. This won't be easy or cheap to arrange." Mousse thought about this for a moment, produced a large book entitled 'Making a legal deal' in outsized print from his robe, and read a little before replying. "Third of suitcase now, two thirds when married." "And the second suitcase after another six months." Nabiki finished for him. "How can I be sure you'll keep your word? And where will you keep all that money?" "Mousse's word is honourable, no break. Not know where keep money." "Okay I'll accept you word. As for keeping the money in a safe place..." Between them they quickly agreed on two high interest bank accounts and immediately went to the financial district to seal their bargain. Mousse walked away looking very satisfied. Akane sat in the grey room feeling very small and alone. Ranma had been put into the bed before her and was lying listlessly. The trip here had been fast and bewildering. Shunted down dark hallways, hustled into a windowless van, driven like a madman to god knows where and finally dumped into this room sometime around midnight. Nabiki had dropped off a couple of suitcases with her and Ranma's stuff and left before Akane could stir. Ranma gurgled softly and Akane rose to take his hand, shuddering a little at his touch. "Oh Ranma... You silly pervert, you'll remember again, you'll come back to me..." Someone cleared their throat behind her and she whirled in embarrassment. "I... ah... It isn't what you think." "I rather hope it is actually." It was a slight, older man, dark of skin, in a white outfit. "Hi, I'm Bob. You must be Akane." "Uh... yeah..." "Sorry I wasn't here to meet you, they were supposed to deliver you at twelve, mid-day, not twelve midnight. Welcome to McDoodle's Hospital. You'll be in my care here, as will Ranma. But it's too late to talk, lets get you settled in the next room." He picked up her suitcase and hustled her out the door. "Get settled and some sleep, we'll talk later in the morning." Bob went back to his room and sat down at his desk. On it's surface were two folders, labelled Ranma Saotome and Akane Tendo. Both were equally thick and from what we can see the writing looks very familiar. Beside them was a letter. Bob picked this up and re-read bits of it. "...two patients... ...serious amnesia... ...volatile temper... ..healing from a nasty beating... ...He saved her as he always tries to... ..she jumped in as she always does... ...death wish surfaces in form of cooking... ...suffered from macho pride and course tongue... ...failing education levels... ...problem with men... ...fear of intimacy... ..martial artists..." He made a few notes before returning to bed. We see several disjointed images here. In a dark room a torch flashes briefly on rows of filing cabinets. There is the scraping of metal against metal and the rustling of paper. All pauses before a computer screen flares to life. Keys tap, a program runs with insidious silence, following connections to the main database. The screen dims and the paper rustles once more. Red light springs to life, red hot flames dance over crumpled paper in a metal wastepaper basket. The door to the room opens and shuts quietly. Elsewhere two men discard the ill fitting ambulance uniforms and begin to fade into the city background. In their hands a small wad of money. The guard at the ambulance parking grounds slowly wakes from his drug induced sleep to a puzzle. A busted gate lock and an ambulance that has moved all of five meters sideways. In another part of the city a figure dressed in black tries desperately to keep up with a speeding ambulance as it dashes through the traffic, sirens wailing. The ambulance drivers are responding to an emergency, though what the CPR dummy on the stretcher in the back is needed for they have no idea. Finally we see the aftermath of a fight between invalids. Three girls already injured lying in pain having just beaten each other over an empty bed, recently occupied. Akane woke to bright sunshine. Her room looked as nice in the light as it had been daunting in the gloom of the night before. She dressed quickly and opened her door. Ranma's door was ajar and someone was humming within. Her heart beat a little faster as she went to open the door, but it was only Bob. "Good morning." "Ah Akane, good morning. Come in, come in. I was just helping Ranma to wake up." The sheets had been pulled back and Bob was pushing and pulling on Ranma's arms and legs. Ranma's eyes were open but his gaze was still unfocused. Akane watched with mixed emotions from the doorway. "What are you doing?" "Ranma here has forgotten even basic movements. This should eventually help re-establish some connections. It also helps to get the blood flowing. There... that should do for now. Come over here and help me get him into the wheelchair." Akane reluctantly approached and helped lift Ranma into the chair. She shuddered a little at touching him. "There, now lets go get breakfast." They walked down to a private dining room and Bob quickly fetched food from a nearby room, three plates. He and Akane ate quietly while Ranma sat unmoving before them. After Bob collected their dishes and returned with a bottle of murky liquid. With well practised ease he got Ranma to drink it without swallowing his own tongue. Akane had to turn away while he did this. After breakfast they went outside to a sheltered little grove and sat down. Bob put Ranma into a comfortable position and then lay down, facing the two of them. "Okay.... lets talk. Ranma here is not in good condition, but he will get better with time. However it will take a lot of patience and work, especially on your part Akane." "Me?..." "Yes, you. While I can help Ranma recover physically to remember how to move on his own it will be your help that will encourage him to remember himself." Akane looked very nervous. "You do want him well don't you?" "Of course." She was quick to retort. "But......? Look at him Akane. Really look at him. At this point he is as innocent as a babe, and like as helpless. He needs help. He needs you now as he never has before." "Hai..... but..... He's always.... He's never shown any.... Why should I...." "Whatever he did before Akane he has forgotten about. It's as if, for him, he has never met you. Ask yourself, do you want him to know you? Or do you want him to not forget you, he's already done that, but to never have the chance to know you." "I.... want....?" Akane stammered in indecision. "Think about it, think hard. You have a chance here, but only if you take it. If you can't, or won't, help Ranma now when he needs you the most, then you might as well say goodbye right now." He stood and began to wheel Ranma away. "Think Akane. We'll see you tonight for dinner." "Hi Ukyou." Nabiki greeted her as Ukyou limped out the hospital doors, using her giant spatula as a crutch. "Feeling better are you?" "Nabiki, do you know where Ranchan is? His room is empty and the doctors won't say what happened to him other than he's well." "Oh, he was discharged yesterday." "He's back at the dojo then?" Her face lit up. "Wellll nooooo." Ukyou's face fell. "But I do know roughly where he is." "Where?" "It's my memory you know, so hard to remember." Nabiki's hand was out, fingers rubbing together in the common gesture for money. "Nabiki! Oh very well... A weeks free okinomiyuki for yourself." "He and Akane left for some training place, somewhere with a good reputation that he hasn't visited before." "Ranchan and Akane???" "There are others there as well, as far as I know." "I've got to find him." She left quickly. Nabiki continued through the doors and headed towards the elevators. They opened before she got there and Shampoo stepped out, followed by Mousse. Nabiki could see an impression of Mousse in the back wall of the lift and he looked rather battered. Shampoo's arm was still in a sling. She saw Nabiki and grabbed her. "Where darling!" "Urk..." "You tell where husband now!" Nabiki felt her not so thin wallet and compared it to the look in Shampoo's eyes. Perhaps she could extend Mousse's credit to her, just this once. "I... ah... saw him leaving yesterday, lather late. He was in a bit of a hurry to get to a training place, a new one for him." "Shampoo go, darling need her. Where training place!" "They left south." Until they reached the motorway that is. Shampoo released her and raced out the main doors. Nabiki was about to enter the elevator when a voice hailed her. "Hold there, oh sibling to the divine Akane. I venture forth, I am ashamed to admit, to seek information from your capitalistic self of the two exquisite souls who grace my heart but are all too often overcome by my magnificent presence and have apparently been kidnapped by that fiendish sorcerer Ranma, he whose name must be cursed to die a thousand deaths and live forever in torment as punishment for his unending sins, who has so recently fled this institution of healing to run amok through the innocent..." "Hi Kunou. What do you want." "Though my resources are vast I find that the evil magiks of he against whom my noble blade shall drink of his blood and purge the land of his corrupt ways, have clouded my sight and misled my servants so that the location of the two flowers whose beauty rivals even my own are unknown to me and are as such at the mercy of Saotome the malignant." "25,000 yen." "...?" "25,000 yen." "You think that I, the noble son of the.." "Just pay up Kunou, I'm in a hurry." "Oh very well." "Thank you. I just told Shampoo where to go. If you hurry you can follow her. She always leaves a easy trail." Nabiki hurried away before Kunou could thank her, she didn't want to be stuck there all day. Walking down one of the corridors she came across Ryouga. He was a bit red in the face, redder than his wounds would account for. He was studying a chart on the wall, obviously trying to figure out the directions. "Hi Ryouga." "Nabiki. Thank god you're here. I can't find anything in this cursed maze." "What are you looking for?" Ryouga's face turned even redder. "The toilet..." "..... uh.... It's right behind you." She pointed to the sign on the door behind him." "Thanks." "You can pay me later." Dinner at the clinic was a quiet affair. No word was spoken. Bob left the two of them in the lounge, in front of the Tv. Ranma still gazed about with unfocused eyes. Akane half watched him and half the programme currently showing. She stood after a while and sat beside him, taking his hand in hers. "Oh Ranma..... What do I do... We've never gotten along... But you always fought for me... always got protective when I was hurt... never stood for anyone approaching me... why?... why......" She snuggled down beside him, head on his shoulder. "You once said I was cute........" Several weeks pass. Ukyou closes shop for a couple of weeks and goes searching. Long does she scour the few training grounds that Ranma and co have not yet terrorised. But to no avail. Searching far and wide she found no trace of them. Finally, when her funds began to run low she was forced to retreat to her restaurant. Shampoo travels south in a zig zag fashion, carefully looking about. Behind her trails Mousse and behind him there are a dozen servants dutifully looking after their master Kunou. They bump into Ukyou several times, pausing to exchange news before staggering away to resume their search. Ryouga finally manages to escape the twisted hallways of the Hospital and ventures forth to find everyone. A week goes by before we see him studying a map outside an old manor house surrounded by a large wall. There is a sign saying "McDoodle's hospital for the mentally impaired", Ryouga can't find it on the map. He turns to knock on the gate and ask directions but loses his way and wanders off. Inside the clinic events pass with rapid slowness. Days pass quickly as Akane slowly, at first, helps Bob to exercise Ranma and keep him moving about. There are several amusing incidences when Ranma gets wet. Bob freaks out temporarily, Akane runs around desperately with a steaming kettle, the other patients accept it all as part of their warped worlds. Surprisingly Ranma accepted it as well, showing as little surprise as Akane did and far more calm about it. After the first week there is only slight improvement on Ranma's part. His eyes now focus, and they move about, following people. After the second week there is more. His head turns to help his eyes and his fingers and toes begin to move. The third week and he manages to chew a little soft food and swallow, as well as jerk his limbs. Time has effected Akane a little too. She and Bob have talked at great length in the evenings, Ranma between them. He draws out of her the whole story of their engagement and the troubles they have had. Having begun to speak it is as if a plug has been lifted. Akane talks of many things, unburdening herself from the stress and strain of the past year or so. She touches Ranma almost constantly now, gently, with affection rather than revulsion, reminding herself why she is at the clinic. She appears a little more relaxed, a little less taunt with anger. Nabiki calls in once a week, bringing samples of Kasumi's cooking, more books and homework, and news of the family. She talks to Bob each time, giving instructions and handing him wads of money on receipt of current psychological evaluation. This day brings change. Bob finishes exercising Ranma and roughly get him into the wheelchair. Akane is not about to help him. Ranma looks about with a slight frown on his forehead. They walk slowly down the corridor and enter the elevator. As the doors open and they exit they are confronted by an odour most foul. Green smoke wafts on the breeze towards them and there is the sound of pots clattering together in the kitchen. Bob frowns and quickly places Ranma in the small dining room. When he opens the kitchen he is confronted by a most unusual sight. Akane, dressed in a heavy leather apron, oven mittens and a wielders mask is fighting with a pot that seems determined to jump off the stove. It seems that she had to fight it all the way from the bench. Overturned chairs, a broken rolling-pin, spilt ingredients all attest to this. Akane turns and grins at him. "Bob, hi. You're both ready then." "Ready for what?" "Breakfast of course. Go sit down and I'll bring it through." Bob retreated quickly and sat next to Ranma, a notebook in hand. He was making notes about the situation when Akane brightly walked in with two plates in hand. She places one before him and picks up the spoon in front of Ranma. The bowls contain a yellowish, purplish, oily goo that burps greenish smoke. Bob holds his nose, feeling a little ill. Akane scoops a little up with the spoon and approaches Ranma whose eyes have bugged out a little. She waves the spoon before him but he refuses to open his mouth. Getting obviously annoyed she holds his nose shut and waits, spoon poised. After turning as red as a beet Ranma opens his mouth to breath and she shoves the spoon forward. Ranma chokes, spits it out starts to make glutteral sounds. Bob stands to end this but Akane scoops up another spoonful and brings it closer. Ranma finally gets himself under control, knocks the spoon aside and almost shouts. "No!" Akane turned bright red and habitually brought out her mallet to thump him. Bob steps behind her and grabs the hammer before she can swing. "Akane! Wait. Ranma, he spoke." "....?" "He spoke Akane, Ranma spoke." They look at him as he looks back at them. Akane's anger quickly fades and she embraces him. "You're going to be alright, he's going to be alright isn't he?" "Yes Akane, he's going to be alright." The sun was very soporific. Akane dozed on the grass, the book she had been reading forgotten. Ranma was lounging nearby. The day had been busy doing weird physical and mental exercises. Progress had been swift, Ranma was now walking hesitantly, his balance a little uncertain, but his strength and confidence slowly returning. He had spoken little since his first word, mostly reactions to immediate events. Akane had taken to reading to him as a way to fill the silence. She stirred a little and Ranma looked at her sleepily. "Akane....." "Hmmmm....." "Akane....." "Uh? Ranma?" She sat up, shading her eyes to look at him. He was looking a lot more himself these days though there was a difference. Something that made her feel very protective of him. "Yes Ranma, what is it?" He blinked a couple of times and when he spoke it was a little hesitantly. "Who am I?" "Oh Ranma..." She sat beside him and he gazed at her with such an intensity that both warmed and embarrassed her. She smiled as she quietly said "Your name is Ranma Saotome. You are one of the best martial artists in Japan, you've been studying most of your life. You're also heir to the Tendo school of indiscriminate grappling, and........ and my fiancee." There was a pause while Ranma digested this. "You...." He looked puzzled, as if trying to grasp something indefinite. "You're cute when you smile." Akane turned even redder and looked away, her hand slowly sought his and they sat holding hands until the shadows grew. "Bob! Bob!" "Yes Akane?" "Ranma remembered something." Bob put his pen down and turned to face her. She was smiling brightly and there was a bounce in her step. "Are you sure?" "Of course I'm..." She suddenly paused uncertainly. "I think so. He said... that is... he... said I'm cute when I smile." "Well you are you know." Akane blushed a little. "It might only mean that he's starting to think properly again." "But he had this distant look on his face, and... and he said the same thing before." "Don't get your hopes up Akane. Please. There are bound to be many things that he repeats just because it's reflex. Physically he may make familiar gestures, vocally he may use the same phrases. Give him, and yourself, time Akane." "Okay Bob..." Akane looked deflated. "Still, he did say you were cute." "Yessss......" She looked up, a little hope in her eyes. "Yes." Some days pass. Bob receives a large package in the mail. Inside is what looks like an ancient recipe book and a receipt from the 'Authentic antique book store: Heirlooms made while you wait'. Bob goes in search of Akane. He finally finds them in the gymn. Ranma is walking a little uncertainly along a high bar while Akane looks on concerned. After Ranma descends Bob approaches the two. "Akane, Ranma." "Bob." They reply in unison. "You're looking good Ranma, I need to speak to Akane alone if you don't mind." "Okay Bob." Ranma looked at Akane as she glances at the high beam. "I'll go lift some weights." Akane smiles with relief and Ranma smiles at her smiling. Bob gestures and Akane follows him out into the hall. "Ranma really is looking much better these days Akane. Soon you'll be ready to leave." "Leave??? But his memory? He still doesn't remember a thing." "I'm sorry Akane, but there's not much more we can do here. Familiar surroundings and other familiar faces may help but we doubt it. Our tests show that it may be a long time, if ever, until he regains his memories." Akane's face fills with mixed emotions, a curious cross between relief and sadness. "Anyway, if Ranma is soon to leave then you're going to have to learn what medicines to give him to keep his recovery going so well." "Medicines???" "Yes they've been part of every meal he's had. You need to learn how to cook those meals." "Me....!?! But I... that is everyone says that my..." "No matter. All you have to do is follow the instructions in the recipe book exactly. Not one thing different." Bob placed the ancient looking book on the kitchen counter. "This is very old. These recipes have been handed down from doctor to patient for centuries. As you learn them you shall copy them down into a book of your own." Akane looks at him with extreme trepidation. "But everything I cook doesn't quite end up the way it should." Bob looked at her sternly. "For Ranma's sake then, you'd better practice hard. These are not normal recipes, make one little mistake and things could go bad." Akane began to sweat. "But you'll have a few weeks yet to get things right. Ah, here's Mrs Sake'." "Bob, is this Akane?" "Yes. Akane, this is Mrs Sake'. Our chief cook and a master food taster. She can taste if any ingredient has been added a little too much or a little too little, any variation. She can taste as little as a milligrams difference. Now then, lets get to work." Weeks pass again. Tension is building round the Tendo dojo. In the past seven days there have been twice as many fights. Kodachi, Ukyou, Ryouga, Shampoo, Kunou, Mousse, Genma, Cologne. All itching away. The two missing people were both the cause of the violence and the relief from more. With them they would have fought over possession. Without them they fought for the right to have possession. The repair bills were getting so high that Nabiki had forbidden fights inside the fence (house included). The neighbourhood was trashed. That evening Nabiki got the letter she had been fearing. They were due home in two days. Eleven weeks had passed since the start of the deal and from all reports things had been going right on track. Now the hammer was about to fall. Fifteen weeks to the first deadline. It was going to be tough. The next day Nabiki began to drop hints and rumours about Ranma and Akane. She had many willing ears. Before the day was out people were leaving Tokyo left right and centre. A few days grace. She also visited many dubious shops. Ones with strange mystical symbols decorating their walls. There were many preparations to make. The van pulled up to the kerb and stopped. Bob turned around and looked at his two charges. Akane was nervously grasping Ranma's hand and looking out the window as if all the demons of hell were about to descend. Ranma was holding Akane's hand like a security link and looking about as if all were new. Bob got out and opened the door. "Well, here we are. Come on, out you get. There, now I'll carry your bags." They walked slowly to the main door. Bob rang the bell and turned to go. "Now you both have my phone number, call me if you wish to talk. And take care you two." "Bye..." They both spoke in unison. The door opened and Kasumi looked out. "Akane, Ranma! Welcome home." Kasumi embraced them both and drew them in. "Come in and sit down, I've just finished some biscuits." They sat down quietly. "Akane?" "That's Kasumi Ranma. My older sister and the one who looks after the house mostly." Nabiki appeared from the upper story "Right, Kasumi. So this is, Nabiki?" "That's right. Hi sis." "Hello Akane. So, how's Ranma?" "Ask him yourself." "Hello Ranma, how are you?" "Hi Nabiki. I'm, alright mostly. I'm afraid I don't remember you." Nabiki could see that Ranma was not nearly himself. He was quiet, polite, a little tentative and far too innocent looking. She made a note to check his martial abilities before the day was out. God help things if he couldn't defend himself when the horde returned. "That's alright Ranma, I remember every cent you owe me." "Nabiki!" Akane stood between her and Ranma. "He doesn't owe you anything!" She said it like a statement. Not that it was true of course, but Nabiki decided that Mousse was paying her enough already and it didn't help her plan. Interesting that Akane had been so quick to jump to his defense though, looked promising. "Alright, he doesn't actually." "Akane!" "My Son!" The two respective fathers hurtled in through doorways and embraced their kin. Ranma looked over his fathers shoulder at Akane and raised his eyebrows, she nodded in return so he hesitantly embraced the man. Things became rather complicated as everyone wanted to talk and few were listening. After an hour Akane stood up and shouted for quiet. "Look enough is enough. Give Ranma a little space." She dragged him upright and went upstairs. Ranma went happily. They went to her room. Akane collapsed on her bed while Ranma looked around in bemusement at the feminine decor and fitness equipment. He looked in askance at her. "Ah, this is my room, okay!" A little anger crept into her voice, she habitually waited for a sarcastic remark about the various unfeminine things. Ranma nodded without comment, reminding her as he constantly did now of his change in behaviour. "Look, I've got to go and prepare your meal soon. You can stay here, or wander about the house if you like. Don't worry, you're with family here." She left. Ranma looked about the room for a while before opening the door. There was no one in the hall. He wandered quietly about the place, following the blueprints that Akane had drawn for him back at the clinic. All the bedrooms, the bathroom, the dojo, nothing looked familiar. He was looking at the large writing in the dojo when there were footsteps behind him. It was his father. "Ranma..." He approached hesitantly. "How are you?" "I'm well, physically that is. I don't remember you father." "I know." Soun was quiet and surprisingly sensible. "Do you remember any martial moves?" "Akane said I was a good fighter, I don't remember though." "Do you think we could... spar a little. Just to see." "Sure." They took up positions. Nabiki quietly entered the dojo and sat down, her suggestions had worked. Ranma stood sloppily and Genma easily hit him with his first blow. Ranma flew backwards, flipping over to land on his feet. Good agility, he remembered that much. He began to dodge, avoiding each and every blow with ease. He seemed to be alright as far as defensive was concerned, in fact he was better if anything. But Ranma wasn't hitting back, he didn't seem inclined to. A short while later Genma was so exhausted trying to hit Ranma that he nearly collapsed when Ranma poked him in the back of his head. Nabiki was satisfied, he could avoid harm at least. Kasumi entered and announced dinner. After towelling down they all trooped along to the dining table and sat waiting. Kasumi brought in food for all but Ranma. When they looked at her questioningly she gestured towards the kitchen as Akane entered bearing a very different meal. Genma turned white and stood up. "You didn't cook that did you?" "Of course I did." Akane's eyes narrowed dangerously. "My son has suffered enough, don't force your cooking on him." "Uh, Akane." Nabiki tried to be more diplomatic, it wouldn't do for Akane to lose her temper, and it wouldn't do to let Ranma be poisoned by the one he was supposed to marry. "Do you think that's wise?" "Get out of my way! I worked very hard at this." "Daughter to be, don't do this. You'll poison h###" The mallet squashed him into the floor and Akane stepped over his still body. Ranma looked on wide eyed at the scene. "Here Ranma." She sat beside him. "Oh don't worry, this is sort of normal round here. He'll be alright, he's got a hard head. You used to do a lot worse all the time." That didn't seem to comfort him. He picked up the bowl she handed him and began to eat quietly. Everyone, except Akane, looked at him, awaiting a reaction. He finished the entire bowl and turned to Akane. "Thank you Akane, that was delicious." Akane blushed while the others gaped in surprise. The evening and next day pass slowly. Everyone walks about as if on eggshells, especially around Ranma. Akane spends the day getting used to her room, siblings and such. As for Ranma, he talks to each of the inhabitants and examines every section of the house and area. Nothing helps him remember anything. The others are struck by the change the Amnesia has had on him. His gaze is guileless, his manner polite and hesitant, all in all not quite the person they knew. Nabiki is seen sneaking about several times, placing odd herbs in odd places. Genma was found later that day in a corner, cradling a small photo album, by Kasumi and Akane. "Mr Saotome? Are you alright?" "Kasumi, (sigh), Akane. I'm fine. I'm just.... it's Ranma." Kasumi placed a hand on his shoulder while Akane looked uncomfortable. "He's like he was before we left home, exactly. Did I change him that much?" "Children grow Mr Saotome, we all change." "Not always for the better though, not always..." When Akane opened the door early the next day she found Ranma waiting for her. He was dressed in his usual attire but seemed rather unsettled. "Morning Akane." "Good morning Ranma. What's wrong?" "Kasumi said today's a school day, what do we do?" Akane sighed and started to lead him downstairs. "Well, first I go running while you and Genma spar. We have breakfast and then leave for school." "Spar... You mean father and I fight, every day? Like we did yesterday?" "Mock fight only, you test each others skills, practice what you've been taught." "Oh. I don't want to fight right now, could I run with you?" Akane stared at him. Ranma, not wanting to fight. Admittedly he'd been rather gentle, even a little meek since the incident but not even wanting to spar? She took his hand and led him outside. "Are you sure Ranma? You used to enjoy sparring." "Did I?" "Oh yes, you couldn't resist a challenge fight, even used to seek them out. Look, how about we spar." "I couldn't hit you Akane??? Why should I learn how to fight anyway?" A new voice interrupted before Akane could speak. "One learns how to fight for several reasons Ranma," Dr Tofu stepped around the corner of the house, "to avoid getting hurt when a fight is inevitable, to learn how to avoid fighting in the first place, to help others who have not learnt how to avoid being hurt, to stand up for what is right. I could go on." "Dr Tofu-san!" Akane almost embraced the man. "Akane, Ranma. How are you both feeling?" "I'm fine Tofu-san and Ranma's well too, though..." "Though I can't remember anything. Do I know you Dr Tofu?" "You used to Ranma, I'm sure you will in time. I'll leave you two to spar." Looking at the expression on Ranma's face. "Don't worry Ranma. It's not a bad thing, as long as neither of you really hurt each other. Go and try it at least." He left quietly then leaving the two of them to make their way out into the backyard. Akane started and soon the two of them were practising nicely. Ranma did a lot more dodging than he did attacking. After a good workout they went inside for breakfast. Ryouga paused as he looked at his map. This wasn't Tokyo, where was he. He walked quickly down the road looking for someone to ask directions from. As he looked down one side street he failed to notice the sign behind him. Nabiki paused at the gate to the dojo, wondering why Ryouga was looking about so lost, this was usually his destination. She shrugged her shoulders and didn't argue with luck. Reaching into the bag at her side she withdrew a small pouch and grabbed a handful of powder from within. Taking care not to make a sound she threw the handful so that it hit Ryouga softly. He walked away without noticing. Later they left side by side on the way to school. They were a little late due to the time Akane had spent meticulously cooking Ranma's lunch. Nabiki had managed to slip something into Ranma's lunch bag while the two of them weren't looking. Akane became more and more restless as they came closer to Furinkan High. Finally, when they were nearing the school grounds she stopped Ranma and hesitantly faced him. "Um..... Ranma...." "Yes?" "Uh.... Schools sort of.... It gets rather chaotic. There tend to be a lot of fights and such." She could see Ranma getting a bit concerned. Once again she was reminded how vulnerable he was now, how much he depended on her. She was ashamed that it felt good. "Ah, just stick by me, and don't worry if we get into a fight or two." He didn't look happy but let her drag him along to the school gates. Shortly after they entered the crowd that had gathered at the main doors noticed them. Akane saw that it was her old group of morning combatants. There was an almighty cry and they surged forward. Akane was about to start pounding them into the ground when something grabbed her round the waist and flung her airborne. She spun a little but that didn't prevent her from seeing Ranma weaving his way between all the opponents without once striking back. They knocked each other out as Ranma dodged their every blow. He caught her neatly at the other side of the courtyard. "Ranma! That was my...." "I couldn't let them hurt you Akane." "You don't think I'm good enough to beat them?!?" "I... But..." He looked sad, Akane immediately relented. "(sigh)... Sorry Ranma. I shouldn't have snapped at you. Try not to surprise me next time okay?" They were about to proceed when Kunou stepped forward, red roses in one hand his bokken in the other. "What vision of delight do I see before me. Can this be the light of my heart, the warmth of my heaven. Akane Tendo, let me sing your praises for all to..." "Oh can it Kunou." Akane tried to step past him but the bouquet of roses halted her. Before she could react he swept her up in an embrace. Akane was about to hit him when Kunou suddenly let her go and slumped to the ground. An embarrassed Ranma was standing on Kunous head. "Um... Are you alright Akane?" "I'm fine Ranma. Come on, lets get to class." Lunchtime saw the two of them separated. Akane was swept away by numerous girls eager for gossip. She quickly disappeared with them, eager for all the news herself and the company she had missed over the past couple of months. Ranma was left at a loss. He wandered about for a bit before settling down under a tree to start on his lunch. Akane had packed a bag three times the size of anyone elses. He was immediately swamped by a group of boys. "Hey Ranma, where you been?" "Long time no see." "What's with the change in fighting tactics?" "What did you do to Akane?" "Where'd you go?" "Darling!?!" Everyone scattered at that last shout. Ranma just looked up when someone hurtled into him, knocking him backwards. They rolled for a distance before stopping, Ranma underneath. He opened his mouth to speak when the person kissed him. He went rigid with shock. When she stopped he was able to recover enough to dislodge her and stand up. He backed away slowly from the beautiful girl. She pouted slightly and frowned. "Why darling back off?" "Uh..... Who are you??" "Ranma Shampoo's husband, why not know Shampoo?" "Husband???????" "Violent girl's fault, Shampoo kill Akane." She turned to go but stopped when Ranma put a hand on her shoulder. Before he could react she had embraced him again. He wriggled out of her grip and retreated back to the tree. He grabbed his half eaten lunch and continued to back away, the pause was enough for Shampoo to latch onto him again. He froze again as she kissed him. "Ranma!!!?!" Akane's voice broke his paralysis and he turned to face her while disentangling Shampoo's arms. "A... Akane?" Her face was red and her eyes wide. He was about to explain when she hit him. Dr Tofu looked up as his clinic shook from an impact. He walked into the next room and opened the window. Reaching out he snagged Ranma just as he fell off the roof. A minute or two later he began to come round. "Oooohhh.... Ouch. Where am I?" "Ah Ranma. You're awake, good. What happened this time?" "Dr... Tofu? This time?" "That's right, I'm your regular doctor. Was it Akane again?" "Yes." Ranma said miserably. "Another girl was kissing me and she saw." "That would account for it." Dr Tofu dabbed a little lotion onto the bruise. "Who was the girl?" "Don't know. She kept talking about shampoo and she called me darling." "Ah, that girl's name is Shampoo. You're her husband." "......?" "You defeated her in combat and according to her Chinese amazonian laws that makes you her husband." "I... ah...." "Of course Akane didn't take it very well, especially since you're engaged to her. There, the bruise should fade quickly. You'd better get back to school." "Uh... what about Akane and Shampoo?" "I'm afraid you'll have to deal with that on your own." "What did I do before?" "Ignored it. Put up with it." "Oh...." He left and headed for school. The rest of the day passed slowly. Ranma tried to talk to Akane several times but she turned away each time and ignored him. It didn't help that all the schoolwork was entirely new to him, he couldn't follow it at all. At the end of the day he had to race to catch up with Akane. "Akane, please wait up." She kept up her swift pace. He ran up level with her but hurriedly had to dodge when she swung at him. Taking refuge on the top of a fence he took a moment to catch up with her again. "Akane.... It wasn't me. She was the one who grabbed me." he jumped down beside her. "You could have dodged. You didn't have to let her kiss you!" She swung again so he jumped back onto the fence. "I didn't know. I won't let her grab me agai### Arrrgh!" No soon as the words were out of his mouth did a bicycle crash through the section of fence he was standing on. Ranma immediately lost his balance and fell straight towards Shampoo. Akane's school bag shoved him enough sideways that he missed Shampoo's grasp and was able to retreat. "Darling! Why retreat?" "Um... ah... Shampoo.... Leave me alone..." "....?" Shampoo looked between Akane and Ranma and frowned. "Shampoo make husband food, Ranma hungry." "Uh... Actually I had a good lunch, Akane made plenty for me." "...?!?" Shampoo swung round to face Akane. "You put spell on darling. Shampoo kill." "No!" Ranma darted forward, grabbed Akane and jumped up to a nearby roof. Another leap and they were out of sight. Shampoo was too stunned at his flight to immediately pursue. "Ranma!" Akane squirmed in his grasp, causing him to misjudge their trajectory. "Why'd you gr#" They landed just right in the centre of an open barrel full of water. "Didn't want to fight. Don't want to hit girls, and didn't want you to get hurt. Sorry I couldn't warn you." "(sigh) okay.... Thank you Ranma.... Lets go home." By the time they got home they were nearly dry. They went inside and Akane put the kettle on for Ranma. She showed her where everything was as she did so so she could do it himself next time. Just as the water was beginning to heat up there was a squeal from the doorway and a little piglet rushed inside. "P-chan!" Akane grabbed him and hugged him tightly. Ranma looked curiously at the little thing. He felt the faint twinges of something. "Ranma, look. This is P-chan, he's my little pet. He keeps wandering off but he always returns." P-chan looked up and Akane, puzzled. Ranma scooped him out of Akane's grasp and stroked his head. "Hello P-chan. Nice to meet you." P-chan squirmed in her grasp so Ranma gave him back to Akane. They sat at the table to wait for the water to boil. Nabiki popped her head in and out before they could see her. "Akane... Why is it that I can remember to read but I can't remember any of the school lessons?" "Well... you never really payed any attention in school." "I didn't? Why not?" "You always said that you didn't need schooling to be a master at martial arts." "Oh... are you sure?" "Here, hold P-chan. I'll go get your old school books." She handed her the piglet and went upstairs. Ranma carefully held the little creature by it's spotted collar, ignoring it's attempts to escape. She waited until the kettle was just beginning to steam, she didn't want it to be too hot. Quickly she grabbed the kettle and poured it over herself. His arm suddenly felt heavy. He looked down into the furious face of a boy near his age. Ranma let go of the boy's bandanna. "Who are you?" "RYOUGA!!!!!!" They both turned to face the doorway. Akane was standing right in it's centre, in full view of the two of them. She was bright red and a huge mallet was before her. "YOU HENTAI!!!!!" Ryouga made a very big hole in the ceiling and roof. She then fell to her knees, shivering, tears in her eyes. Ranma approached her quietly and knelt. At his touch she seized him and began to cry on his shoulder. She shuddered for quite a while. Kasumi entered and stopped when she saw Akane so upset. She opened her mouth to speak but didn't say a word when Ranma shook his head. She smiled in acknowledgement and left as quietly as she had arrived. When Akane finally stopped shaking Ranma spoke. "Akane? What's wrong? Who was that boy?" Akane looked at him angrily. "That.... that.... hentai was Ryouga Hibiki. He's been P-chan all this time." At his bewildered look she continued in a vicious voice. "He must've been cursed like you. He.... he.... slept with me, as P-chan!" She shuddered, Ranma's face went hard. "He tricked me. He was your friend." Akane accused him. "No more..." Akane almost flinched at his tone. This was a very different Ranma. "Such an honourless person deserves no friends. I... Do..." Ranma released her and moved back. Akane could see that his face looked as outraged as she felt, she could also see that he was very unhappy about what he was about to say. He had a faint faraway look, as if remembering fragments of something. "Akane Tendo, you have been victim to one foul man. Do you wish retribution?" "Ranma??" "If... if you wish, I will seek Hibiki out and do justice upon him." Akane was amazed at the change in Ranma. Ever since the accident he had been so calm, so quiet, so peaceful. Reluctantly sparring, dodging rather than striking, even running away. She could still see that person within him, and she could see the effort he was making to do right by her. She felt tears gather in her eyes. "Oh Ranma!" She embraced him tightly. "Just don't let him near me again." In the other room Nabiki moved away from the intervening wall. She had heard enough. Damn but that had been a surprise. Fancy Ryouga being cursed as well. She wished she'd known that before. Things couldn't be going better than if she wrote the script herself. Of course a little subtle magik always helped. She glanced at the bags of herbs at her side and their labels, misdirection, luck, ill-luck, mild sedatives, inhibition relaxers, truth encouragers. They had been extremely expensive. Even with the advance Mousse had given her. Still, it would be worth it to see Akane and Ranma together. Worth every yen she got. Akane was awakened the next day by someone pounding on her door. She pushed the sheets back to stared resentfully in that direction. The pounding got louder. "Alright, alright. Who is it?" "Akane, please open the door." Ranma sounded a bit hectic. "What is i####" As soon as the door was open a crack Ranma dived through and disappeared into her closet. Akane was about to protest when Shampoo burst into the room through the half open doorway. "Where husband? What violent girl done with darling?!" Akane narrowed her eyes. "Get out of my room Shampoo." "Ranma here." "Do you think I would let Ranma into my room." Shampoo paused "Violent girl always mean to darling. Shampoo kill Akane later, find Ranma now." She left just like that. Akane sighed and opened her closet. Ranma was huddled in one corner, he looked up at her gratefully. "Thank you Akane. She crept into my room this morning, then chased me when I left. I couldn't get rid of her." Akane just sighed, at least Ranma wasn't standing still for Shampoo. Voices rose up from outside Akane's window. "Oh hi Shampoo." Nabiki. "Where Ranma? You see husband?" "Yes I saw Ranma just a moment ago, he was heading towards the shore. Goodbye!" Well, at least she'd be gone for a while. The sparring between them went well though Akane left early to prepare lunch. In the kitchen she set forth with all the concentration she could muster, sweating with the effort, the strain. Her teacher had been exacting but what really motivated her was the memory of Ranma's first try at these recipes, his continued appreciations, and that his well being depended on her. He liked her new cooking, he complemented her. It was enough to keep her mind on the cooking instructions, enough to prevent her from varying. Kasumi had volunteered to help but Bob had entrusted her the medicinal recipes and she didn't want to betray that trust. Akane was concentrating so hard that she failed to see Kasumi enter the kitchen behind her. Kasumi entered quietly for the drink she had forgotten to take to the table for breakfast. She didn't mean to spy on her sister but she couldn't help glancing at the cook book, medicinal meals would be quite a help round here. To her surprise she saw what looked like a perfectly ordinary recipe, it was identical to one she had written down elsewhere. School started well, Kunou wasn't in sight, Shampoo didn't ambush them, Ryouga didn't turn up. Even during class Ranma didn't once get into trouble. Akane was amazed when he even answered a question correctly. He had failed to fall asleep and was taking notes. They were separated once again at lunchtime but nothing untoward happened. It was during sportstime, while Ranma was resting on one side of the playing field, when someone latched onto him from behind. "Ranchan! You're back." Ranma quickly broke the grip and backed away. He half expected it to be Shampoo but it was another girl instead. A very nice looking girl with an odd object strapped to her back. He paused as she looked at him in surprise. "What's wrong Ranchan?" "Uh..... Do I know you?" "...?" "You do know I'm engaged don't you?" "Ranchan? What's wrong with you? Of course I know you're engaged, to me. Where have you been?" "To you??? Oh no.." He began to back up. "Not another..." "Another what? Fiancee? We've been engaged for over ten years Ranma, you don't have any other fiancees." "Ten years??? But?... I.... Uh.... Akane?...." "I brought you lunch. Okonomiyaki." "I, ah.... Already had lunch." "My cookings just as good as Kasumi's. What's wrong Ranchan?" "Akane's was delicious. Uh.... Who are you?" "Akane's??? What do you mean who am I. Stop playing around Ranchan, this isn't funny." "I... ah.... think.... I should... be going..." Just as Ranma spun round to go, he was stopped by a shout from the other end of the field. It was Akane. Ignoring Ukyou he sprinted towards the cry. There was a crowd gathering in his way so he jumped over it, landing between the two in the center. Akane was bright red with anger and shame. Ryouga looked more miserable than he ever had before. "Akane if I could just explai###" "You!!!" They both turned to face Ranma. "The one without honour. Akane Tendo doesn't want you anywhere near her. Go away! Now!" "Ranma....! You oathbreaking cowardly son of a..." Ranma lashed out, catching Ryouga neatly in the stomach. The space around them grew larger as the crowd stepped back. They started to fight in earnest. Ryouga's face was a mask of pure frustration and depression. It fed him strength and he was soon moving faster than he had ever before. Ranma's face was of tightly controlled anger and a little pain. While he dodged and evaded far better than he usually did his strikes had less force behind them. They fought viscously to a standstill, creating a region of destruction about them in the first few seconds. It was when Ranma saw the look on Akane's face as she looked at Ryouga that he finally began to attack. Ryouga went flying up into the clouds, out of sight. Ranma was still full of energy as he broke Ryouga's umbrella over his knee and tossed it to one side. He was about to go and comfort Akane when he felt a presence behind him. Whirling he faced a crone balancing on a staff. He would have relaxed at the unformidable sight if she hadn't moved with blinding speed to poke him. He dodged, barely, and moved back out of range. "Who the hell are you?!?" "So.... Great granddaughter was correct. You have lost your memory." She hopped over Ranma, placing her between him and Akane. Ranma could see Akane's displeasure at the crone's appearance. "What do you want old woman?" "It's certainly improved your manners. Too bad you're so misguided about who you're really engaged to." "Akane is my fiancee!" The look Akane gave him helped dispel his doubts and gave him confidence. Ranma tried to edge around to her side but the crone moved to intercept him. "I can return your memory to you, groom." Everyone paused. Ranma looked at the crone uncertainly. She was so confident, so sure, that she could do as she said. He almost stepped forward when the look on Akane's face made him stop. She looked sad? Almost despairing? Ranma frowned in puzzlement. Just then there was the sound of sirens as fire engines rushed by and other student voices could be heard. "Wow, that was some explosion." "Pity... the Nekohanten was a nice restaurant." "Was anyone hurt?" "Don't know, several ambulances though." The crone whirled, cursing under her breath, and dashed away. Ranma was about to relax when he was assaulted on two sides. The girl who had embraced him earlier ran forward just as Kunou jumped at him from the other direction. He dodged quickly. "Ranma Saotome! You whose foul sorcery has bespelled the light of the heavens who graces the Earth in the name of Akane Tendo must now face the wrath of Tatewaki Kunou, Blue thunder of Furinkan High....." "Ranchan, are you alright...." This was getting too much. Ranma took one brief look at Akane's annoyed face and left, quickly. He needed more information. His need guided his feet and he soon found himself outside the clinic of Dr Tofu. The doctor had answered Ranma's questions before, perhaps he might again. Ranma entered quietly. Inside there was the faint smell of smoke. Ranma knocked hesitantly on a door. "Come in." He entered but stopped when he saw the confusion inside. Dr Tofu was busily applying salve to burns on half a dozen people. One of which was a very unconscious Shampoo. Ranma began to back up. "Oh, Ranma? Are you hurt as well?" "No Dr Tofu... I.... ah.... needed some information." "I'm afraid I'm a little busy right now. Mousse, I can't help her if you're going to get in my way. Go stand over by Ranma. Ranma, can you wait a bit?" "Uh, yeah, sure." Ranma moved back into the waiting room and was soon joined by the boy in the heavy coat and thick glasses. Mousse peered at him. "Hi. I'm Ranma, you're Mousse?" "We met before. Why you here?" "Have we? Sorry but I don't remember you. There were a couple of people at school today and I was hoping Dr Tofu could explain who they were." Mousse examined Ranma, noting his altered manner. "Ask me, I know you well." Know your enemy, one of the first rules of tactics between enemies. Ranma described the two women and Mousse quickly filled him in on their backgrounds. He spared Ranma not a bit while relating many of the more embarrassing parts of his history. Ranma could hear the contempt in his voice while Mousse described some of his actions. It made him very uncomfortable so he left quickly, just avoiding the arrival of Cologne. When Ukyou failed to find Ranma again, and couldn't get an explanation from Akane, she returned to her restaurant only to find several men in grey suits waiting for her. They presented a very official looking form to her when she approached. "Miss Ukyou Kuonji? Owner of the restaurant Ucchan?" "Uh, yes?" "Tax department. Our computers indicated that you have been negligent in filing your tax returns and that there are many discrepancies. I'm afraid we're going to have to examine all your financial records." "But.....?" "Just step lively Miss, it shouldn't take more than a few days." The police officer stepped cautiously through the door and into the smoky interior. There was surprisingly little fire damage compared to the amount of smoke that still hung around after a thorough dousing. He was making some notes when someone coughed behind him. He turned to face a tall man in a black suit. "This is a restricted area, who are you?" "My name is Mr Shanghai, I'm with the immigration department." "What are you doing here? This is a fire, arson perhaps but not immigration?" "That's where you're wrong. We were recently notified that two of the three people in residence here were illegal aliens. This fire may be nothing more than a cover for their escape from us. I'm taking charge of the investigation." Nabiki rubbed her hands in satisfaction. Ryouga had landed outside of town and had immediately walked off towards China. Ukyou was going to be extremely busy for the next few days despite her having nothing to hide. A little computer error and they were all over her. Then there was Cologne and Shampoo. Expired VISAs, no work permits, deliberate arson (even if the building did belong to them), evasion of the law and so forth. The government loves cases like these. And it had been done so simply. When she had renewed Mousses papers she had innocently indicated the other two's status and negligence. From then on they just had to check past records. Nabiki turned and paced about her room. The walls were covered with charts, photos and lists. She picked up a book titled "Psychology 201" and leafed through it for a bit before pacing again. Ranma met Akane at the school gates and walked home with her. She was a bit tense and didn't talk to him but did let him link his arm through hers. He stopped her outside the Tendo house. "Akane, about what Cologne said about.." "Don't." "But I..." "Please, not now." Her face was again sad and a little wistful. "I just... later OK." She pecked him on the check and went inside. Ranma touched his check and sighed. The evening passed quickly and quietly and he found himself lying on the roof, watching the stars. Everything was getting so complicated. So many people claiming ties with him, people angry with him. He was slowly getting a picture of things before the accident and he wasn't sure he liked what he saw. The stars were beautiful this night. Too beautiful to be worried about his past follies. He was daydreaming when Akane's voice floated up on the breeze from her open window. "Oh Ranma..... Why does everything have to be so difficult." Guiltily Ranma moved over so he could hear better. "You've been so different lately, so nice. Everythings bound to change if you get your memory back. Damn Cologne. Damn Shampoo. Even Ukyou. I love you. Why can't things go right for a change............." Ranma retreated, even more confused. Everything was so confusing now. So many people he didn't know, all assuming he would react as he always had before. So many actions he found himself doing, not knowing if it was for the first time or if he'd always done it. So many feelings based on past unknown events. It was frightening quite frankly. And there was Akane, the one person he had learnt to depend upon as he was recovering. The person who made him happy when she smiled and sad when she didn't. The person who tried so hard to make him well. Here she was not wanting him to go back to who he was. Had he been so awful? Ranma quickly remembered Shampoo and Ukyou. What kind of person had he been? The next day passed quickly and quietly. Ranma wasn't bothered by mysterious females at all and he even began to grasp some of the school work. Akane kept looking over her shoulder for Cologne but the crone didn't appear. After school Akane was watching TV while Ranma lay on the roof, thinking. He was sort of dozing when someone knocked on the door below him. He slid to the edge of the roof and looked down. "Hello?" The person looked up. It was an older lady, dressed a little conservatively though she had a odd looking bundle on her back. "Hello. What are you doing up there?" "Oh, thinking. Can I help you?" "You really shouldn't be on someone else's roof you know. Do the Tendo's know you're up there?" "I don't know, I don't recall anyone seeing me up here." Ranma flipped off the roof to drop the two stories and land gently beside the woman, startling her. "Everyone is out right now and Akane's got the sound up a bit high, she probably hasn't heard your knocking." The woman's eyes narrowed at Akane's name. Ranma almost sighed, was this another person with a grudge or something? "What do you know of Akane Tendo? You're rather free with her name." "Well she is my fiancee, why shouldn't.. I.... be........." Ranma slowed as the woman stared at him with huge eyes and an expression of complete disbelief on her face. "Excuse me? Are you alright?" "Ranma???????" She whispered. "That's right, do I know you?" He was suddenly in her arms as she hugged him very tightly. "I.... urk..... ah....." "Oh Ranma! My son! My little child all grown! Ranma! I can't believe it's you." Ranma was shocked. He could feel tears from the woman's eyes, his mothers eyes? Desperately he tried to remember what Akane had said about his family. Father-Genma, mother-..... Nodoka? There was something else too but he couldn't quite remember. He was released as she stood back to really look at him. "Oh Ranma.... it's been so long." "Uh.... has it?" Nodoka looked sharply at him then but was diverted when the door opened. "I thought I heard someone knocking. Hi Aunt Nodoka, I see Ranma's already..... oh." "Akane. Let me see the two of you together." Nodoka gently yanked Ranma to Akanes side and gazed happily at the two of them as they grasped hands. "Oh you look so good together." She hugged them both. "My dear children. My dear dear children...." There was much more of this while the three slowly moved inside. Akane kept looking over her shoulder, expecting cold water to any moment drench Ranma. She was constantly amazed when nothing appeared. Ranma was just generally stunned. Nodoka finally began to notice Ranma's confusion at her comments at how long it had been and his silence over what he'd been doing all these years. Akane noticed Nodoka noticing and she slowly grew silent. When there was complete silence Akane spoke up. "Aunt Nodoka..... uh..... I don't know how to tell you this...." "What?!" Nodoka's eyes grew hard and her hand moved towards the bundle on her back. "Ranma was.... injured a few months back...." "I've got Amnesia." It was almost easier for Ranma to say it, he didn't know how the various people would act. "Amnesia? Then....." "I don't remember anything. I don't remember you I'm afraid, or anything that's happened in the past." "How....?" "Happosai accidentally released a warrior demon from hell, we were lucky to defeat it." "Akane was the one to kill it apparently." "But you took the blow that would have killed me Ranma." Akane hugged him tightly, making him blush. "You saved my life." Nodoka looked at the two of them as they clutched each other. "Why didn't Genma call me? Why wasn't I told?" "I don't know Aunt Nodoka, I was with Ranma at the rehabilitation clinic, he was hurt pretty badly physically as well." "You'll make a good wife Akane. Oh Ranma.... come here." She patted the cushion beside her, tears in her eyes. "Let me tell you about yourself." Akane sat back and watched happily as Nodoka began to give Ranma a mothers view of her child. Unfortunately it was all too little given that they'd been separated since his childhood. She got a lump in her throat at the picture of a son and his mother. It had been so long since her mother had died. Ranma slowly noticed this and drew her against him, including her in the discussion. The rest of the family slowly arrived home. Kasumi walked in with a bag of groceries, smiled and went straight into the kitchen. Nabiki looked in at the unfamiliar voice, grimaced and quickly ducked out. Plans needed to be adapted, changed. Soun took one look and fled the house, Genma needed to be warned. Unfortunately while he left by the front door Genma entered the back, nearly walking right into Nodoka. He stopped dead still as he realised who it was sitting right beside Ranma. "Aaaaaahhhhhhhhh...................." "Genma!... Why didn't you tell me my son was injured!" "Ah... ur... um... eh... ayia... weh..." Nodoka stood and grabbed him. "You've got a lot of explaining to do husband." She dragged him towards the stairs. "A _lot_ of explaining." They disappeared upstairs. The noise of dinner soon covered any noises that might be occurring above. Everyone was settling down when there came a very soft hissing sound that no-one noticed. They began to yawn uncontrollably and before they knew what was happening everyone in the house was fast asleep. A shadowy figure entered the domicile, it's head carefully wrapped against the gas. It moved over to Akane and Ranma and stopped. Something sharp glittered in it's hand as it moved towards Akane. Ranma stirred and the figure paused. Ranma's eyes opened momentarily and the figure cursed quietly. It grabbed Ranma and fled the house, leaving the other inhabitants unharmed. An evil chuckle was all that remained. When they finally awoke Akane couldn't understand why she'd been sleeping in the lounge. She felt thick and stupid, she couldn't think, an aftereffect of the gas. It took long minutes of staring at each other before she finally began to question why everyone had fallen asleep. It took even longer before she noticed that Ranma was missing. The household soon dissolved into chaos. When Ranma came to himself he found himself tied quite securely to a chair in the middle of the weirdest room he'd ever seen in the brief memory he had. It was a warped mixture of pink frilly bits and hard black edges. Behind him someone moved. Turning his head he saw that it was a girl dressed in a pink and black leotard, she was tending some black roses and her hair was in disarray. When she turned to look at him he saw that her eyes were wide and held very little sanity. "You're awake, he he he he he he. You're mine! All mine! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!" Ranma shuddered "Who are you? Why have you kidnapped me?" "Don't play the fool with me Ranma Saotome, I am Kodachi Kunou, your one and only fiancee. I have saved you from the poisonous clutches of that Tendo brat." "But...." "The priest will be here shortly, we'll be married soon. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Now rest beloved." She thrust a bunch of roses in his face and their scent put him out again. When he next regained consciousness it was to the sound of fighting. Blearily he could see what looked like a ghoul attacking his kidnapper, and winning. He only had a brief glance before something began to smother him. He was startled to realise that they weren't smothering him, but kissing him. When they drew back he could see it was Shampoo sitting in his lap and that her great grandmother had just defeated Kodachi. "Wha....?" "Crazy girl have good plan. We wait for priest, get married now." "Bu###" He was cut off as she kissed him again. The kiss was cut short as more opponents entered the room. "Blood calls to blood, withered one, though it shames me to admit the link I must stand forth and defend the honour of my sister from those who seek to destroy that which must be linked to the noble house which I Tatewaki Kunou, Blue Thunder of Furinkan High, am the crowning example of it's legendary worth. Prepare to defend yourself." With which he launched himself at Cologne, with surprising skill. The second opponent didn't waste any time with words but drew her spatula and hurtled herself at Shampoo. Kunou was quickly knocked out but Cologne seemed content to let the fight between the two girls continue. She hopped over to Ranma. "Well groom, shall we see what a little food does for you?" "What... what do you mean?" "Great granddaughter will soon finish that interloper, you must be ready for when the priest arrives so we can leave for China immediately." She began to extract a number of containers full of food from a bag. "I think a mixture of these will ensure your positive participation in the event." She had just started stuffing suspicious edibles down Ranma's throat when the wall next to him blew in, revealing a very angry young man. He glared at Ranma with extreme hatred. "Ranma Saotome! Prepare to die!" His leap forward was intercepted by the crone, she obviously didn't want damaged goods for her granddaughter. Kodachi and Kunou were recovering and about to join in the fighting when yet more combatants arrived. Akane launched herself in through the window and tackled Kodachi before she was fully recovered. Nodoka entered the doorway and started slashing at Kunou. Mousse crashed through the roof and immediately attacked Ukyou who was still attacking Shampoo. Genma and Soun bounded through the doorway and started to help Ukyou in her defense. It was a medley of pure confusion. Ranma suddenly felt the ropes holding him fast beginning to loosen. He glanced behind himself and saw Nabiki cutting away at the mass. His head was still whirling from the double dose of drugs so he remained stationary when the ropes finally fell. Nabiki came round to his front and peered clinically into his eyes. "Gods I hope these don't clash with whatever's already in your system. No hope for it..." She produced some spiced leaves and shoved them into his mouth. "Eat these!" He did. Everything immediately became so much clearer. "Good. Now listen closely to me Ranma. You will go and help Akane in this fight. Okay." Ranma found himself nodding agreeably. "You will stay by her side and protect her. Okay off you go." Ranma repeated what he had to do to himself, help Akane, stay by Akane, protect Akane, as he launched himself into the fray. There was a period of utter confusion. Duels enlarged to mass free for alls and shrunk into duels as opponents temporarily dropped out. Enemies became shield brethren and reverted back to enemies as sides changed and warped. It was five on one one moment then everything reversed and the odds favoured the individual. It was complete and utter chaos. The priest arrived just as everyone was slowing down with exhaustion. He entered the door, took one look at the carnage and yelled as loud as he could. "STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Like a movie paused in mid frame everyone obeyed, they slowly turned from their opponents to face the angry priest. "What in Heavens name is going On Here!" There was a brief shuffling of feet as everyone backed away from everyone else. "Uh..." "Well..." "Um..." "Er..." "It's..." "She..." "He..." "I come here to conduct a wedding and I find this?!? You, " He said pointing at Ukyou, "tell me what's going on?" "She stole my Ranchan and was###" "He belongs to me Ha ha ha ha ha!!!" "Ranma Shampoo's husband!" "He's my fiancee!" "The groom must marry my granddaughter!" "My Daughter! He'll marry my daughter!" "Shampoo is mine!" "I have prior claim!" "My son will be honourable!" "He's mine!" "No he's not!" "She's Mine!" "Shampoo Ranma's!" "Ranma's mine!" "Ranchan's mine!" Ranma could only stand in bewilderment at the chaos that once again reigned. Everyone was visibly restraining themselves from physical action due to the priest there. It was all so confusing, and the drugs in his system didn't help. Four fiancees, a protective lover of one, a bizerker enemy, a powerful crone, two boisterous fathers, a noble mother, an idiot samurai. All, but one, people he'd only just met recently, all determined to grab hold of him, claim him. He was baffled beyond belief. All the voices whirled around him, all saying the same things from a multitude of mouths. There was only one he could isolate. It came from within. Help Akane, stay by Akane, protect Akane. Help Akane, stay by Akane, protect Akane. It cried out within him as the only voice to be recognised. He grabbed Akane round the waist and, before anyone could react, jumped out the window. Running as fast as he could, ignoring all cries of protest or sounds of pursuit, he headed for the one place of sanity in this mad world. Nabiki calmly left the room and sought a phone. Finding one she dialled a number, entered an extension and waited for it to be answered. The bleary voice on the other end reminded her how late it was. "Bob! Wake up! You're going to have two patients knocking on your door very soon. Akane will be in need of minor medical attention, Ranma is more serious. His system is full of numerous drugs right now, they'll need to be flushed from his system. Be careful with Akane and keep them together, I believe Ranma may get violent if she's hurt or you separate them. Are you getting this?" "Yea.. Yes. Akane and Ranma, need treatment, keep together." "Right. Now while they're there I want you to do what you can for them, psychologically. I'll be over tomorrow morning, uh actually later this morning. You might want to let them sleep when I get there." "Right. Okay. Is that all?" "For now." Nabiki hung up before dialling again, she had a couple more arrangements to make. Akane was easy to treat. Some cuts and bruises, nothing much. Ranma however needed more advanced treatment. A sample of his blood went immediately to be tested and all they could do was hover as he restlessly paced around Akane. She had to sit before coming too dizzy at his unnatural energy. He refused to talk so Bob talked to Akane about what had been happening over the last few days. The telling took quite a while. Just as she was recounting the evening's events Ranma suddenly paused and turned to face them. "I'm a little tired now." He blinked at them a little stupidly. "I think I need to.... res..." He collapsed into Akane's lap. "Ranma! Bob.... is he....?" Bob was examining him. "He fine Akane, the negative reactions to the drugs are beginning to kick in. Help me put him on the bed." Though tired Ranma's thoughts were still moving in rapid circles. With Akane holding his hand on one side, the more familiar surroundings of the clinic about him and Bob on his other side he found it very easy to talk about his confusion and the problems he'd had over the last few days. Bob quietly listened as Ranma poured his soul out, only making the odd comment. When the blood analysis came back he gave Ranma a very large injection that also put him out. He then convinced Akane to have a smaller shot as well and arranged for a second bed to be placed by Ranma's so they wouldn't be separated. Later that morning he had a long talk with Nabiki. Much was discussed, only some to do with Ranma or Akane. Payments were made and assurances given. When Ranma awoke he found Bob by his side. "Hi..." "Hello Ranma, lets finish what we were talking about the other night." "Okay..." Ranma noticed Akane nearby, still asleep, and relaxed. "Everythings so confusing. I can handle school work, I can catch up I can. And my martial skills seem to be alright so I can still be heir to the dojo, eventually. But the people.... They all expect me to behave as I did before." "And you don't want to? Don't you want to yourself?" "I.... I don't know if I like who I was...." "Why?" "I don't know.... I can't have been very nice, I mean I had four fiancees, four! One was a bloodthirsty girl and one was even crazy. That's not very honourable? Or right?" "Perhaps your being engaged to so many wasn't your fault." "Maybe... but I could still have picked one for sure, or stood by one or something. And that's not all. It seems that I was forever getting into fights, always beating people up. And lots of people have mentioned how rude I always was. And Akane gets sad when she hears about me recovering my memory so I can't have been very nice to her." "That's important to you isn't it?" ".......yeah......" "Why?" "She's....." Ranma looked at her sleeping form. "Sometimes I get feelings, odd thoughts, as if I remember the faintest fragments of things. I.... I think I love her......" "What about the other fiancees?" "I..... I don't know. I don't think I love them. That Ukyou girl seemed nice but they didn't affect me the way Akane does." "So from all accounts you don't think you liked how you were before?" "No..... But Cologne says she can restore my memory, and even you said I might remember in the future." "That doesn't mean you will be the person you were before." "But what if I do?!? What if I stop being myself.... to be.... myself?" "You will always be yourself Ranma. The trick is to remember who you _want_ to be. So..... Who do you want to be Ranma? What do you want out of life?" "I....................................." Ranma gazed at Akane's sleeping form, smiling as she smiled. "I want Akane to smile more......" "So......... What are you going to do about it?" Nabiki smuggled them in one by one. They disappeared from the Tendo household without warning, each initially leaving due to completely natural reasons. They were watched of course, by a number of very emotional, very skilled persons but to no avail. Nabiki called in favours from many directions, creating tens of false trails which in turn branched into ten each, abducting family, keeping opposition occupied. Nothing was to go wrong with the event. The day before she had again visited certain sectors of Tokyo, purchasing items of subtle and yet powerful magiks. They cost, a lot, but the final rewards would be worth it. Now they were all here, ready and waiting. Kasumi seated at the front with a fogged out Dr Tofu beside her. Genma standing beside Ranma, both dressed to a T. Nodoka in the back, helping Akane. Soun waiting just outside to escort her. Even the priest was ready, spirited away from his home as he had been. Nabiki finished arranging things out the back and took her place. It was a small ceremony, quiet, peaceful, surrounded by family. Words were spoken by all, following rituals, from the heart. The priest directed it all with a calmness that soothed everyones nerves and eased what tension there was. Finally Akane and Ranma were nearing the end. They had drunk the tea, partaken the food, exchanged gifts. They knelt, facing each other, the priest just behind them. He nudged Ranma to speak. "Akane.... I do love you, will you consent to be my wife?" "Ranma.... I do love you, will you consent to be my husband?" "Hai...." "Hai...." The priest leant forward and joined their hands, hands now wearing rings as if it were only natural to do so, special gifts to each other (given them by Nabiki). "So you two pledge your love, so I bless this union. You are wed." They leant forward and gently kissed each other, sealing the bond between them.