Ranma 1/2: The Insanity Continues

Volume 1 - Trapped

Chapter 3 - Dealing with Love

Written by Lord Archive

This chapter has a couple sexual references, but I wouldn't classify
it as even Lemon-scented.

Legal babble: Characters are own by Rumiko Takahashi, Shonen Sunday,
Viz Video, ect... They are used without permission. They'll be
returned... eventually.

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Nabiki approached the Kuno mansion. She was here to handle a little present
for her sister and Ranma. They were to be married tomorrow, and she was
going to remove the Kunos as a threat. Nabiki rang the bell at the front
gate, waiting for one of the servants to answer.

A short man answered the bell. "What business do you have here today?"

"I am here to see Kodachi and Tatewaki concerning their love interests,"
Nabiki answered.

"Master Kuno is not here currently, but I shall inform Mistress Kodachi that
you wish to see her." The servant left her at the gate as he returned to the
house.

Several minutes later the servant returned. "She will see you now. Follow
me."

Nabiki nodded and followed the servant to a large pond. Apparently it was
feeding time for her little pet. Nabiki hoped Kodachi had enough sense not
to add her to the alligator's diet.

"What news do have about my darling Ranma-sama?" Kodachi asked.

"Now Kodachi, you know I don't give information freely," Nabiki replied.

"Of course. How much is this information you have?"

"A favor and a deal."

"What? No money?" Kodachi asked, surprised.

"Not this time."

"Tell me what the favor and deal are, and I shall consider them," Kodachi
said suspiciously.

"The favor is you do not interfere in anything Ranma does until sunrise
Tuesday."

Kodachi looked at Nabiki skeptically. "And the deal?"

"I help you find other love interests."

"My darling Ranma-sama is all I need."

"Now Kodachi, you know full well that he has no romantic feelings for you.
Pursuing him is only making you look like a fool."

Kodachi glared at Nabiki, then turned her gaze at the pond. "He is the only
man to ever make me feel this way. I must have him. He should be mine and
not belong to some lowly wench."

"There are other men out there that you may find as attractive, if not more
so. You know there is nothing you can do that will win him. You can accept
my offer and walk away from this with something."

"The information you have, it is that Ranma will marry your sister tomorrow,
isn't it?" Kodachi eyed Nabiki evilly.

"I cannot say until we make agreement."

Kodachi looked at Nabiki for a sign, if she was right or not. She couldn't
tell, but suspected she was correct. <Ranma is mine! I shall stop this...
and Ranma will hate me even more. He made his displeasure clear to me about
my involvement in that fiasco of a wedding.>

Kodachi gazed again into the pool. <To try and prevent the wedding and
farther push Ranma away, or accept the offer and be able to walk away with a
promise from this mercenary to help me find someone to love.... Ranma should
be mine, for I can offer him the world and my love, and yet he stays with
that wench. What can she offer that I cannot? I have money, power, and
status. What does she have?> Kodachi let out a long sigh. <His love, that's
what she has. And, to interfere would likely cause him to be hostile towards
me. I would rather see him married to another before that.>

Kodachi turned back to Nabiki. "Very well, I shall accept your deal provided
I don't pay for your services and I promise not to interfere with anything
he does from now until sunrise Tuesday."

"Agreed," Nabiki replied. "And, you are correct, Ranma and Akane are to be
married after-school tomorrow."

"See that I have a date for that event."

"I don't think you'll be invited."

Kodachi glared. "I shall attend Ranma's wedding, even if I am not the
bride."

Nabiki shrugged. "I'll see what I can do."

"See that you succeed. Have you spoken to brother-dearest yet?"

"Not yet."

Kodachi nodded. "I shall give you certain criteria I expect of possible love
interests after you've talked with him."

"Fine by me."

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Nabiki waited in the study for some time for Kuno's return. She looked over
several books of poetry and was getting quite bored.

"So, Tendo Nabiki is interested in poetry. Is it your wish for that I recite
some of my favorite works for you?" Kuno questioned.

Nabiki rolled her eyes. "Maybe another time. I am here about news concerning
my sister and the pig-tailed girl."

"What news does thou have of my goddesses?" Kuno elated.

"First we have to make a little deal." Nabiki grinned. "I can tell you where
to find your pig-tailed goddess whenever you want, but you will no longer
chase after Akane nor interfere in her relationship with Ranma."

"What? To know where the healthy pig-tailed goddess is, and yet to know is
to lose my goddess of the hunt. What to do? What to do?" Kuno cried out.

Nabiki shook her head. "Now Kuno, you do know that Akane is bound by family
honor to marry Ranma? Even if she didn't want to marry him, she has to. And
she does want to marry him, without any coercion, magic, or any other means
of enslavement."

"And why would she want to marry such a vile sorcerer?" Kuno demanded.

"Because she loves him," Nabiki answered simply.

"LOVE! How can she love that foul sorcerer?!" Kuno yelled in outrage.

"Because she does, and as I said, 'she is bound by family honor to marry
him.' To interfere is dishonorable, even if he is as bad as you think or if
is she didn't want to. So, if you care for your noble honor, you will accept
my offer," Nabiki stated coldly.

Kuno posed dramatically. "The Kuno clan is nothing if not honorable, but I
cannot sit aside and let that vile sorcerer have his way with Tendo Akane."

"But it is not just his way, it is also the way of the Tendo and Saotome
clans that they marry. Honor demands that they marry. Akane will lose her
honor if she does not marry him. Do you want that? Do you want to ruin
Akane's honor, as well as your own, to act in any way against her wishes?"
Nabiki challenged.

"No, I do not," Kuno said meekly.

"Then you will accept my offer?" Nabiki asked coolly.

Kuno reluctantly nodded. "Yes, I shall accept."

"Good." Nabiki nodded. "The news is that Akane and Ranma have decided to be
married tomorrow."

"WHAT?!" Kuno screamed.

Nabiki waved her finger at him. "Remember our deal, Kuno-chan. THEY have
decided to marry. It is Akane's wish to marry him tomorrow, the decision was
not made by my father nor Ranma's parents."

"I will confirm this."

"Of course." Nabiki pulled a video tape, seemingly out of nowhere. "Now to
show you how to find the pig-tailed girl. This tape has not been altered in
any way. What you see is the truth." She handed Kuno the tape.

Kuno walked over to the VCR in the study and started to watch the tape.

The video tape showed Ranma turning from a guy into a girl and from a girl
into a guy at various times and in different situations. It also showed no
break in Ranma's action. When Ranma was talking, he would complete the
sentence even if changed halfway through saying it. When he was fighting he
would complete his attack, despite the change. Certain people, like Akane,
Ukyou, Shampoo and several others showed no difference in behavior towards
either form, while people in the background sometimes looked startled.

"What sorcery is this?!" Kuno yelled, after the shock of what was on the
tape wore off.

"The sorcery in question is a curse Ranma picked up in China." Nabiki folded
her arms. "Whenever he is splashed with cold water his body is transformed
into a girl. His mind, however, does not."

Kuno raised his bokken to the air. "This is fallacy. Trickery! I cannot
accept what you say."

Nabiki poked Kuno in the chest. "Kuno, how about all the times he has
changed in your presence? They are the same person."

"It is sorcery I say. Sorcery! That is how the coward flees from my presence
by switching places with her."

Nabiki shook her head. "Perhaps seeing another cursed individual will help
convince you."

Kuno stared at Nabiki coldly.

"And a statement from a doctor."

"It might."

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Kuno and Nabiki approached Dr. Tofu's clinic. Nabiki was glad that Genma
worked today, so she could use him as the cursed subject. During the walk
over to the clinic she tried to convince Kuno about the curse and ensure
Kuno would no longer chase Akane.

"Hello, Mr. Saotome," Nabiki greeted the cheerfully whistling panda as they
arrived.

"Growf," replied the panda, who was sweeping the sidewalk.

"Why do you refer to this creature as 'Mr. Saotome?'" Kuno asked.

"Because, he's Ranma's father. He got cursed with a panda's body at the same
time as Ranma got cursed."

"That would prove nothing. Ranma's father would employ the same sorcery on
this creature as Ranma has on the pig-tailed girl."

Nabiki shook her head. "How about we have a little test? You say something
to him, and then I'll have him change into his human form and then have him
repeat it. If they had switched places, he could not possibly know of what
you said."

"We shall attempt your test." He turned to the panda. "The message I wish to
be repeated is: lies shall not keep me from my love."

"All right Mr. Saotome, unless you wish him to interfere with the wedding, I
suggest you change back."

Genma shrugged and entered the clinic, followed by Nabiki and Kuno. He
walked over to the kitchen area, picked up a kettle of hot water and poured
it on his head in front of Kuno.

Kuno blinked at him changing forms. "Now repeat my message."

"'Lies shall not keep me from my love,'" Genma replied.

"Satisfied?" Nabiki asked.

"No! The sorcery may have given that knowledge to him."

Nabiki wanted to beat her head against the wall. No, she wanted to beat
Kuno's head against the wall. "You can also get the word of Dr. Tofu about
the curse."

"I shall."

Dr. Tofu entered the waiting room as he gave some last minute medical advice
to one of his patients.

"Hello, Dr. Tofu. I'd like you to explain to Kuno, here, about the Jusenkyo
curses. And tell him of some of the victims you know of."

"Hello, Nabiki. I guess I can explain what I know of them, since my next
patient isn't here yet." He led Kuno into his office and sat down.

He began, "Genma, Ranma, Shampoo, and Mousse are all victims of the cursed
springs of Jusenkyo. There are over a hundred springs, each one has it's own
curse, changing whoever falls into that spring into that which drowned
there. The springs that are known to exist are drowned girl, panda, cat,
duck, little boy, piglet, octopus, yeti riding bull carrying crane and eel,
Akane...."

"Akane?" Kuno asked, shocked.

"She was drowned to make a spring so that one of Ranma's enemies could use
her form to get near him. They kept her alive as insurance against him."

"So, more than one person holds the visage of Tendo Akane?"

"Correct," Dr. Tofu replied, and then continued, "Hot water changes the
cursed individual back to normal, and cold water turns them into their
cursed form. Save for a couple pools, like the good Samaritan cursed spring,
the curse does not directly affect the mind of the cursed individual."

"Is Saotome Ranma's curse like that?"

Dr. Tofu shook his head. "His mind isn't directly affected."

"What do you mean 'directly affected?'" Kuno asked.

"I mean that the curse doesn't have a separate personality that overrides
Ranma's mind when he's in his cursed form. The curse, however, will have
affects by its nature. Having water be able to change you into a form that
is not your own will alter your mind in some ways."

"This is not some sorcery that Ranma has enacted on the pig-tailed girl?"

Dr. Tofu stifled himself from laughing at Kuno. "No, Ranma had no part in
gaining the curse beyond falling into the pool, nor does he even like the
curse. The girl that drowned at the Jusenkyo pool died fifteen hundred years
ago."

"Thank you for your time, doctor." Kuno was still unsure whether to believe
what he had been told and intended to confirm it. But enough evidence had
seeped in for him to admit that it was possible his pig-tailed goddess may
be a deception. And if it was, Ranma shall pay for it.

He exited the office and was greeted by Nabiki. "Satisfied now?"

"For now I see the possibility that your words ring true, but I shall make
certain that this is not a deception." He turned and left the clinic.

Nabiki followed him. She still needed to get Kodachi's list.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

As Nabiki approached Ucchan's, she thought, <Hope Ranma didn't mess up
things too badly with Ukyou.> She reached the door and entered. She saw that
Ukyou had so completely absorbed herself into her work, she didn't offer any
greeting. <Good. Only two customers here. Don't want her to make too much of
a scene.

Nabiki first went to Konatsu and told him, "Please, keep your eyes on Ukyou.
Don't leave her alone for a minute."

Konatsu replied, "I would never leave her in this time of need."

Nabiki then went to the counter and said in a friendly tone, "Hello Ukyou,
I'd like two of your specials."

"Hi, Nabiki, coming right up," Ukyou replied without emotion.

As Ukyou finished the order, Nabiki asked, "So how is one of my favorite
customers doing?"

"How do you think I feel? Ranchan left me for your sister!" Ukyou shouted in
anger, crushing her spatula in her hand. The two customers were now looking
at Ukyou and Nabiki.

"You probably feel terrible, and besides, you know I had nothing to do with
him choosing her. It was in my best interests to keep his relationships
unresolved." The two customers returned to eating as they attempted to
ignore the rest of the conversation.

"You would have continued pitting us against your sister for Ranma's love?"

"Sure. It was a great source of income."

"You helped delude us into thinking we had a chance for Ranma's heart! Just
for money! Don't you love anything beside money?" Ukyou demanded

"My family," Nabiki replied simply.

"How can you say that, when you've caused your own sister no end of misery
over this suitor business?"

"Because I know my sister, she wasn't ready to get married and she loves a
challenge. If there wasn't any competition for him, she wouldn't have any
feeling of accomplishment when she finally won. And you gave her a real
challenge. You've known him the longest. In terms of martial arts and
marital skills, you beat her hands down," Nabiki explained.

"If I'm so much better than Akane, why did he chose her?" Ukyou snarled.

Nabiki shrugged. "Can't say for sure. I guess, in the end, it came down to
love. And love, as we all know, can be blind."

"Gee, that sure helped me figure things out." Ukyou said sarcastically.

"Look, I know it hurts to lose someone you're in love with. At least he is
alive and you should try to be happy for him. The world won't end tomorrow.
It'll just feel like it. Eventually the pain will fade away. And when it
does you can try to find love anew."

"I don't think I'll love anyone the way I love Ranchan," Ukyou remarked
bitterly.

"I have no doubt of that. No one ever loves two people the same way, because
that would mean they're the same person. But you will eventually find and
love, someone who loves you back. If you need help finding him, just let me
know."

Ukyou glared. "I would have to be pretty desperate to ask you for help."

Nabiki smirked. "You would be surprised at how many desperate guys and girls
I've helped."

"Judging from the 'Tendo Akane Fan Club,' there has to be a lot of desperate
people out there, and I don't want to be one of them right now."

"That's good. Oh... Look at the time, I've got to go. But, in waiver of a
fee for talking with me, I just want you to promise that, no matter how bad
you feel, you won't do anything stupid or rash, like stop the wedding or
commit suicide," Nabiki stated in a business tone.

Ukyou stared at her. "What kind of person do you take me for?"

"A very sad, upset, and angry person. A person who might be capable of doing
anything," Nabiki explained simply.

Ukyou clenched a fist. "The only stupid or rash thought I'm fighting right
now is the one that says I should beat the crap out of you."

Nabiki said calmly, "Just remember, Ranma would never forgive himself if you
commit suicide, nor forgive you if try to stop the wedding." She then put
fifteen hundred yen on the counter for the meal and left.

Ukyou stood there and made a silent oath to herself, "I promise I won't do
any stupid or rash. I will be happy for Ranma. And one day, I'll find
someone to love who loves me." She then snarled angrily, Nabiki's bill had
been sixteen hundred yen. She then returned to work as Konatsu continued to
watch over Ukyou.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Everyone had finished dinner. Mousse and Nodoka were still present. Kasumi
had left to work on the dishes, and Akane had returned to her room. Ranma
was about to follow her, but he was stopped by Soun's announcement, "Well,
my boy, you're finally going to marry my daughter. I think we should
celebrate."

Genma added with a grin, "I agree, Tendo. I even got out the special sake
I've been saving just for an occasion like this."

"Come on Nabiki, let's leave these boys to their impromptu bachelor party,"
Nodoka said.

Nabiki almost whined, "It would be fun watching them get drunk."

"But it's more fun to find out where they end up in the morning," joked
Nodoka.

"As long as I get to take photos of them."

"I'll leave you men to your party," Nodoka said.

"Do try to avoid being the dancing girl, little bro," Nabiki added before
following Nodoka out of the room.

"This could be fun," Mousse grinned.

"If any of you try to get me to be the dancing girl, I'll kill you.
Understand?" snarled Ranma.

The others laughed and Genma said, "I will not permit that to happen. I
certainly wouldn't want to upset your mother."

As the sake was passed around the conversational quality of what was said
went out the window.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Akane sat on her bed, looking out her window. When she heard a knock at her
door, she called out, "Enter."

Nabiki opened the door, entered and sat down on the desk chair.

"Where's Ranma? We were going to talk now," Akane asked angrily.

"Dad stopped him. He decided to throw Ranma an impromptu bachelor party,"
Nabiki replied.

"They're having a what?!"

"A bachelor party, Auntie feels it's important that the guys have the party
to celebrate the end Ranma's childhood and the beginning of true adulthood.
At least that's what she told me." Nabiki shrugged.

Akane eyed her sister. "How come you're not down there video taping it?"

Nabiki frowned. "Auntie won't let me, but I do get to take photos of them in
the morning."

"I wonder what Ranma will look like," Akane said with a slight grin.

"Probably hunched over the toilet and in great pain," Nabiki quipped.

"Oneechan, how's Ukyou?" Akane asked, concerned.

Nabiki sighed. "I'm not sure. I don't think she'll do anything stupid. But I
can't be sure with her. I told Konatsu to keep an eye on her."

"I hope she's okay. How did it go with the Kunos?"

"They won't be chasing after either of you anymore. Given Ranma's and
Kuno-chan's history, though, I doubt that they've had their last battle."

Akane's eyes were wide in shock. "How did you get them to agree to stop?"

"Kodachi was surprisingly easy. I got her to stop by promising to help her
land some boyfriends. As it is, I already got her a date with Sanzenin
Mikado. For Kuno-chan, I made him swear an oath to not interfere with you
and Ranma if I told him how he could find his pig-tailed goddess."

"You didn't!?!" Akane gasped.

"Once he agreed, I proved to him that Ranma is his pig-tailed goddess,"
Nabiki grinned.

"What? Are you nuts? Kuno is going to want to kill Ranma," Akane said,
shocked.

"Like he didn't want Ranma dead before. And as I said, he will not attack
either of you because he wants a date." Nabiki smirked.

"If Ranma ends up getting a hang-over, I may to have to fight Kuno." Akane
shook her head.

"I doubt it, Ranma will end up kicking Kuno into orbit for talking to loud.
Oops, it's getting late, I better get to my homework. Good night."

"Good night."

Akane resumed looking out the window. Her thoughts drifted over what had
occurred. <Everything is changing. By this time tomorrow I'll be married to
Ranma. What's more is I'm pregnant already. A mother while still in high
school. What was I thinking when I got Ranma to have sex with me? I
should've known I was fertile and should've at least waited longer before
trying that idea.>

Akane shook her head. <What's the use of being angry over this? I've screwed
up and sent both Ranma's and my life through the blender. It'll be nice not
having to worry about his suitors anymore. Ranma is mine, and nothing is
going to change that now.>

Akane sighed. <What about my suitor problems? Nabiki is handling everyone
except Ryoga as I have to deal with him. I can't believe he did that. I
can't believe he'd be content as my pet. Why couldn't I see it before that
Ryoga was P-Chan?>

Akane looked down. <I didn't want to believe Ryoga was my pet. Deep down I
knew he was, but I wouldn't allow myself to see it. I couldn't believe
someone would be my pet anymore than Kuno could believe his pig-tailed girl
is Ranma. I guess, in a way, all the trouble I've caused Ranma over P-Chan
was my fault. I should've known, but I wouldn't let myself know. So many
problems have happened because of me.>

An hour had passed when she noticed that something was trying climb into her
window. It was P-Chan.

"Hello there," Akane said in a tone a little colder than usual as she picked
up P-Chan. "I've got some things to say to you."

P-Chan began to nervously move, and thought, <Did she find out?>

"Where to start? Well, two days ago Ranma and I were able to have a long
private talk. While talking, we admitted we love each other," she said with
increasing in warmth in her voice.

P-Chan relaxed, thinking, <He finally got the courage to tell her.>

Akane grinned, "We decided to get married."

He frowned, <At least I still have Akari.>

"The wedding is tomorrow."

"Bweeep?" <That soon?>

"Of course you're invited," she said with a smile and then frowned a bit,
"But, that wasn't all we talked about. While talking with Ranma I asked why
he always kept fighting Ryoga."

<He told her!>

"He wouldn't tell me. No matter how hard I pushed."

The pig sighed, <He didn't tell her.>

"But, when I joked that you and Ryoga were one and the same, I would kill
him. He got really nervous when I said that."

<OH DEAR GODS, NO!> he thought with his eyes wide in shock.

"I finally figured it out. You really disappointed me. You should have told
me, Ryoga. I am trying to understand why you decided to become my pet."

"Bweep eep bukweep" <Because, I loved you.>

"I want you to promise me something, Ryoga. You will never, ever fight Ranma
for what has happened in the past. Do you understand? You will not attack
Ranma or I'll make roast piglet out of you."

P-Chan nodded his head and emitted, "bweeep." <Yes.>

"You need to stop blaming others for your mistakes. While Ranma may have
knocked you into the cursed pool, you're as much at fault for following
him."

P-Chan's eyes quirked. <My fault for following him?>

"Now, I would like to see you and Ranma to become friends. Can you try to do
that for me? Please?" Akane pleaded.

P-Chan once again nodded and said, "bweeep." <Yes.>

"Good. Now let's get you downstairs so you can join Ranma's bachelor party."

"Bwee Bweeep?" <Bachelor party?>

Akane got up, carried P-Chan to the bath and opened the door, set him down,
and shut the door. A moment later a splash was heard then the sounds of
someone getting dressed. <It's true,> Akane sadly thought as she wished this
was a joke. The door opened revealing Ryoga.

"Akane, you aren't mad?" Ryoga asked.

Akane shook her head. "Not mad, just very disappointed."

Ryoga sagged. "I don't blame you if you hate me."

Akane looked down. "I don't hate you, I still consider you a friend. But, it
may be a while before I completely forgive you."

Ryoga nodded. "I understand."

"Now hurry up and join that party." Akane guided Ryoga towards the party.
Ryoga reluctantly went along. She opened the door to the remnants of the
party and saw Genma and Soun passed out, while Mousse and Happosai were
apparently trying drink the other under the table. It looked like Mousse was
winning.

"I brought someone who should be in this party," Akane said as she pushed
Ryoga into the room.

"Greetings, Ryoga," Mousse said.

"Hiya," Happosai slurred.

"Sit down and join what's left of the festivities," encouraged Mousse.

"Ah, okay," Ryoga said.

"So, where's the groom?" Akane asked.

"Praying to the porcelain god. He really can't hold his liquor," Mousse
replied smugly.

Akane left them to finish the party and went to the bathroom to check on
Ranma. Sure enough, he was asleep curled up next to the toilet. Akane
started to go over to her, but got a devious idea and turned around and
left. She returned a minute later with Nabiki and her camera. Nabiki took
several pictures of Ranma. Then Akane dragged onna-Ranma into the bath area
to get her cleaned up. Once accomplished, Akane dragged onna-Ranma
unceremoniously up the stairs and into her futon. Then Akane went to bed
herself.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Onna-Ranma opened her eyes slowly as Akane shook her. "Wake up, already!"
Akane seemingly shouted. Ranma turned green by Akane's actions.

"Ugh, I feel sick. Did you hit me too hard last night?" Ranma asked
groggily.

"No," Akane replied as she let go of Ranma, who fell heavily back into the
futon.

"Argh. What a weird dream last night. It was nice, but scary," Ranma
muttered.

Akane raised an eyebrow. "Care to tell me about the dream?"

Ranma fidgeted. "Um... er... I'd rather not."

Akane eyed Ranma suspiciously. "Let's see if I can guess it. We got trapped
in a magical prison, declared our love for each other, planned to get
married, had sex, got pregnant, and moved up the wedding date." Akane
giggled seeing Ranma's stupefied face.

"It wasn't a dream?"

"If it's a dream, we're living it."

Ranma sagged. "I hope this dream doesn't turn into a nightmare."

"We'll just have to work to prevent that."

"I guess the roller-coaster ride that is my life isn't done yet." Ranma
massaged her head.

"Not yet. By the way Mousse is waiting for his morning practice," Akane
informed him.

Ranma held her head in pain. <Ugh, with this headache, I'll never be able to
handle teaching today. If only there was... well, maybe I could ask...> He
looked at Akane. "Say... you wouldn't want to take care of it today, would
you?"

"I'd love too," Akane joyfully replied.

"Just work on his endurance and ability to dodge."

"You don't want me to spar with him?" Akane asked with a tinge of anger.

"Well, you won't be much fun tonight if you get hurt," Ranma said with a
slight grin.

"You pervert!" Akane growled while she laughed. She grabbed the pillow from
Genma's futon and smacked Ranma in the face. "Okay, I don't want to spoil
tonight's fun either." She kissed Ranma before she left.

<This is going to take some time getting used to. Argh... my head. Why did I
drink so much?> Ranma thought while she held her head.

"I hope you weren't the female entertainment last night," Nodoka remarked
from the doorway of Ranma's room.

"I don't think I was," Ranma replied.

"So how are you feeling?" Nodoka asked, pulling Ranma's stuff from the
closet.

"Fine, if you don't count a splitting headache. Mom, what are you doing?"

"Moving your stuff into Akane's room. You'll be sleeping there from now on."

"Oh, right." Ranma sighed, "I'm not sure if I'm ready for all of this."

"It doesn't matter now if you're ready. You must face the challenges of
being a good husband and, very soon, a father."

"I hope I don't botch the job as spectacularly as Pop has," Ranma replied,
presenting her female body. "Considering what a great body for a man amongst
men he cursed me with."

"He definitely could have done a better job, but he certainly raised a
unique individual. And your manliness does show through even when you're in
a female body."

"Yeah, well, I won't make the mistake of taking my kids away from their
mother."

"It's nice to hear that." Nodoka smirked. "But I doubt Akane would let you
do that and live."

"Probably right about that. Um, can I get some of my clothes before you move
all of them."

"Of course, but I want to give you a little advice first."

Ranma blinked. "Advice about what?"

"Being a good husband."

"Too bad no one gave Pop that advice." Ranma smirked.

"I'm sure they did. It was either poor advice or he ignored it," Nodoka
giggled.

Ranma laughed. "So, what did you want to say?" She grabbed her head, cursing
the hangover.

"First, don't lie to your wife, she'll find out eventually. Second, don't
make promises you can't or don't intend to keep, it'll come back to haunt
you. Third, don't be afraid to admit a mistake, it causes less grief in the
long run."

Ranma nodded and added, "Fourth, don't try to keep any secrets, she'll find
out at the worst possible moment."

Nodoka nodded and handed Ranma a pair of pants and shirt. "Here you go,
Dear. You'd better hurry up and get ready."

"Thanks," Ranma replied, grabbing a pair of boxers and T-shirt. She left to
get changed.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

In the Tendo dining room, Soun and Genma were still sleeping to one side of
the room. Ryoga and Nabiki sat on one side of the table while Akane sat at
her usual spot when Ranma entered. Mousse was seen outside running past the
koi pond with a large stone statue on his back.

"Hi Ryoga, when did ya get here?" Ranma asked in friendly manner, showing no
signs of a hangover.

<It's all his fault I got a hangover from his bachelor party. I should...>
Ryoga stopped that line of thought as he looked at Akane, who was gazing at
Ranma and smiling. <I can't fight him. Akane would never forgive me.> He
looked at Ranma. "Sometime after you plunged your head into the toilet," he
replied, somberly. <I'm doing this for you, Akane.> Ryoga took a breath and
said, "Um, Ranma? I was wondering... well... if we could forget our past and
start over as friends."

Ranma looked Ryoga as if aliens had just taken his body. "Sure, but I've
always considered you to be a friend of sorts."

"You have?" Ryoga questioned.

"Of course. You've been my best sparring partner. I never know when your
going to attack and your skills are close to mine. I wouldn't be near as
good as I am now if it weren't for you."

"You mean, you liked it when I attacked you?" Ryoga asked, confused.

Akane was also a bit confused.

"Not all of the time, but there were times I was happy to hear 'DIE RANMA'
because I felt the need for a good fight. Anyway, when I really needed help,
you came along."

"So, you actually thought of me as a friend and liked fighting me?" Ryoga
said slowly.

"Yeah. But now, I guess, we should keep our fights to sparring and,
possibly, have an all out fight every so often."

Ryoga nodded in agreement.

After a moment, Akane cleared her throat. "Um, Ranma, the wedding is going
to be a western one."

"So?" Ranma asked.

"You'll need a best man," Akane pointed out.

"A best man? Ryoga, you want to do that?" Ranma asked.

Akane smiled her approval.

<He wants me to be his best man? He did say he considers me his friend, and
Akane likes the idea....> Ryoga sighed, "Sure."

Mousse appeared and dropped the statue outside and sat across from Ranma and
Akane. Akane asked, "Finished 100 laps already?"

"Yes... I... shall... bear any... pain for... my... Shampoo..." Mousse
answered breathlessly. After a minute he regained his breath and asked, "So,
what's on the training schedule for today."

"Just what I like in a student: complete devotion!" Ranma replied. "Uh,
nothing scheduled today, but if you want something to do, I'm sure Kasumi
could use some help."

"He's my student today. Remember?" Akane snapped. "Um, besides working on
what I showed you this morning, there is nothing planned," Akane told
Mousse.

Kasumi entered, calling out, "Breakfast!"

Genma immediately woke up, sitting across from Ranma and Akane. Soun wearily
woke up. He had Mousse move to the corner of the table and sat down next to
Genma. Happosai appeared next to Akane. Nodoka entered and began to help
Kasumi bring out breakfast. Once breakfast was in place, Nodoka and Kasumi
sat across from Nabiki and Ryoga. Everyone began to eat.

"Now Ranma, that was quite some dance you put on for us last night,"
Happosai commented.

Ranma became nervous. Akane and Nodoka were beginning to get angry. Everyone
else took an immediate interest.

"Oh, yes. I never knew a body could move like that," Mousse added, laughing.

Ranma yelled, "What are you talking about? I did no such thing!"

"Well I wouldn't have called it a dance, per say," Mousse began. "I'd call
it drunkenly going into a combat stance. Followed by a mad dash to the
toilet."

"You're such a spoil sport," Happosai pouted.

After Nabiki finished her breakfast, she picked up her notebook and asked,
"I was wondering: for the reception, what should we order for food? I was
thinking of either roast pig or roast duck."

Ryoga and Mousse turned obvious shades of green at that comment. Nabiki
grinned at look of their faces, while Ranma chuckled. Nodoka was a little
confused.  Akane fumed. The others just ignored the reaction.

Akane forcefully said, "Nabiki! Please keep in mind that some of the guests
have a distinct dislike for those foods."

"So what do you suggest?" Nabiki asked, dryly.

"Um... I'm, uh, not sure."

"Don't worry about details, Dear. Leave everything to Kasumi and me," Nodoka
interjected, smiling.

"We'll make sure everything is perfect," Kasumi added.

"Are you sure you can handle it all?" Akane asked.

"Don't worry, we can handle it," Nodoka answered.

"If you need any help, I'll be glad to," said Mousse.

"I can also help," Ryoga added.

"Don't you have school to go to?" Nodoka asked.

"I do not go to school," Mousse said.

"Me neither."

"Why not?"

"I graduated," Mousse answered. <From the Amazon Village's school.>

"Me too!" Ryoga added quickly, not wanting to go into details as why he
didn't go to school. The others chose to ignore his statement.

"Oh. Then we'll appreciate your help with the wedding."

"Just make sure you don't send Ryoga somewhere alone. Or he'll end up lost,"
Ranma commented, earning him a glare from Akane and a snarl from Ryoga.

Kasumi held up a stack of cards. "Ranma, Akane, I made up wedding
invitations for you to give out. I also contacted some friends and family
that don't live near by and invited them."

"Who did you invite?" asked Akane.

"Let's see: there is Akari, the tea ceremony couple, our grandparents, our
cousins, and some others. The list is near the phone, the ones with check
marks are the ones who're coming. Those with dashes aren't."

"You didn't invite my parents, did you?" Genma asked, terrified.

"No, I haven't gotten a hold of them, but I've left some messages for them,"
she replied.

"Good! Don't invite them. Bad things will happen if they're around," Genma
said, hoping they won't find the messages. Nodoka shivered, apparently at
the thought of seeing her in-laws.

"If you say so," Kasumi shrugged.

"We'd better get going," Akane said.

"Why? It's still early," Ranma noted.

"We need to get some of these invitations out before school."

Ranma shrugged. "Oh. Bye!"

"Bye," replied everyone.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Author's Note:

I'd like to give thanks to my pre-readers of this chapter:
David Tatum, Byran Neef, Rea Konecki, and the Rams.

If you think Akane is a little sedated in this chapter and not her
normal angry self. You are slightly mistaken. She is angry, but at
herself and there by cannot release her anger on her normal targets
(Ranma or representations there of.) Part of her being angry at
herself is that she took the blame personally that she didn't know
Ryoga is P-Chan, and that is why bacon wasn't being served the next
morning. She's also being distracted by her approaching wedding and
her pregnancy to really consider what him being P-Chan means (seeing
her naked, held in her bussom, etc...) If I was Ryoga, I'd be careful
not to do anything that could remind her of that.

Some of you may think Kodachi gave up too quickly. She knew she was
losing Ranma for a while. In the story where Ranma had a date with
Kodachi to go against Kodachi's rival Asuka the White Lily in a
contest for who had the best boyfriend, Kodachi admitted she knew
Ranma didn't love her. (BTW: Akane insisted that Ranma went on the
date after Asuka insulted Ranma's looks.)