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Ranma nibun no ichi - 5 - Forget Me Not             [WARNING : Lemon fanfic!]

All characters portrayed in this fanfic are copyright of Rumiko Takahashi
and Shogakukan Inc, etc, etc, etc.
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[Tendou Dojo, afternoon]

Ranma, back at the Dojo, sat on the veranda, waiting. <Jeez, she's been in
there for so long! What on earth are those women talking about?!> He looked
up towards their room. <I'd like to get back to our place before sunset!> He
sighed, and looked in the direction of the university, where he and Akane
had set up residence. Ranma turned, hearing a sound behind him, and watched
Genma walk onto the veranda with the shogi board. Soun followed.

"Hey, Oyaji! What's with them?" Ranma indicated Akane's bedroom window with
a flick of his head.

Genma put down the shogi board, and held up a sign, "They are talking about
your future child! You should be interested in what's going on!"

"Feh. They've been there for hours."

Soun put a hand on his son-in-law's shoulder, "I think it's time you learned
about women..."

Ranma sighed, "I know that women love children, and that's what they are
talking about! But why for so long? I've been waiting for hours!" Women loved
children. That was the start of his problems. Women talking to other women
was the next problem. He closed his eyes, remembering.

[Tendou Dojo, Seven Months Ago]

Ucchan had visited the dojo, delivering an order of okonomiyaki to Nabiki.
Akane had been there, talking to Kasumi and Nodoka about her and Ranma's
future child.

"Akane! Are you and Ranchan having a baby?!" Ukyou looked at Akane, excited
by the thought, "Congratulations!"

Akane smiled and nodded.

"Sugoi! What will you call your child?"

Akane looked a little surprised, "Call it? We haven't discussed a name..."

Kasumi smiled, "You two will have to talk it over!"

Nodoka nodded, "A name for the child is very important. Maybe you should
think of some names first, then ask my son what he thinks. Men aren't usually
very good at naming children!"

"Akane! I'll help you find a name! Maybe we can get Shampoo to help, too? Oh,
you are so lucky!"

Akane blushed and smiled, "Thank you, Ukyou..."

Ukyou waved, "I'll see you later!" She waked outside, leaving the dojo.

[The Nekohanten]

"Shampoo! Guess what! Akane and Ranchan are having a baby!" called Ukyou.

Shampoo looked up then smiled, "A baby? Oh, that is very good!  Ranma and
Akane have strong child! Mousse, did you hear?"

Mousse looked at a statue, wiping his glasses, "A child? That's good news.
Now the old ghoul can't get Ranma to marry you." He put on his glasses and
noticed the statue. <Not again,> he thought. He turned to Shampoo and smiled.

"They also need to think up a name for the child! Do you know any good names?"

Ukyou, Shampoo and Mousse started to think up some names for Ranma and
Akane's future child. Behind them, at the door, Cologne frowned, listening
to their conversation...

[Ukyou's Okonomiyaki-ya]

Ukyou entered her restaurant and hugged Ryouga, who was serving a customer.
"Oh, Ryouga-kun! Ranma and Akane are having a baby!"

Ryouga almost dropped the okonomiyaki in surprise. "What?! Ranma has gotten
Akane-san pregnant?! That beast! What has he done to her? He has sentenced
her to nine months of pain! All because of his animal lusts!! He --"

Ukyou kissed him, stopping his flow of words. When she eventually broke the
kiss she smiled, "Ryouga-kun, it's good that Akane is going to have a child!
Don't you like children?"

Ryouga blinked, never having thought about it before, "I don't see anything
wrong with them..."

"But you don't think that it's good that Akane will have a child? Don't you
want to have children?"

"Uh... I do... but..." he trailed off.

Ukyou smiled and kissed him again. Then she started serving the customers.

[Outside Kunou's Residence]

"Oh, so Ranma-sama is to be a father... I wonder if my brother knows... Hmmm.
That could be an interesting development..." <And maybe this will find a way
to keep that money-grabbing Nabiki out of my brother's life.> Kodachi smiled
at Shampoo and Mousse, "I'll have to see if Mikado-sama knows any names that
may be suitable for the child..."

Kodachi watched Mousse and Shampoo walk off down the road, then she entered
her house, thinking up a plan. "Ohohohohohohohohohohohohoho!!"

[Tendou Dojo]

Nabiki re-read the letter than was attached to a black rose. She raised an
eyebrow. Then she picked up a pen and wrote a reply.

Kodachi,

      Your feeble threats have no effect on me. Tell your brother of Akane's
      pregnancy. You will only succeed in hurting Ranma.

                                                                      Nabiki

[Tendou Dojo]

Kunou burst into the dojo, his bokutou at the ready. "Ranma Saotome! You
animal! Prepare to meet your doom!"

Ranma blinked up at Kunou, "N-nani? What's this abou - "

Kunou ran at Ranma, "Strike! Strike! Strike! Strike!"

Ranma easily dodged Kunou's sword thrusts, "What's this about?" he asked,
and jumped over Kunou's head.

Kunou turned around, anger in his eyes, "Animal. How can you ask such things!
What you have done to the delicate Akane! Die monstrosity!"

Ranma jumped over Kunou again. Then, when Kunou turned, Ranma performed a
flying kick, right into Kunou's face.

Kunou fell to the floor, then stagered to his feet. "You think you have
stopped me, cur?"

"No, but - "

Ranma was cut off by Ryouga entering the dojo, with Hikaru Gosunkugi. With
seeming calmness, Ryouga leaned against the wall. "So, you finally have let
your lust overrule you. You have made the beautiful Akane pregnant. She is
still too young. You are not worthy to be called her husband!" Ryouga tensed,
then lept at Ranma, sending his bandanas flying.

Gosunkugi pulled out a voodoo doll and a nail, and started to hammer it into
the wall, "Die, Saotome! Die, Saotome! Die, Saotome!" he started chanting.
Unfortunatly, one of Ryouga's stray bandana's knocked the hammer out of his
hand, sending it flying across the room.

Ranma blocked, not backing away, "Why you!"

Kunou reached Ranma, and his bokutou hit... Ranma flew backwards, Ryouga's
bandanas striking him, along with Gosukugi's errant hammer. Stunned, Ranma
ended up with his back to the wall... Then Kunou and Ryouga were on him.

[Tendou Dojo, Present]

"Stupid idiots!, ganging up on me like that..." he muttered, thinking back.
He looked around, hearing the door open behind him. <Finally we can go, now>
He stood up and smiled at Akane. Even though her stomach was filled by a
baby she was still pretty. Her face seemed much more peaceful and she smiled
more. She had continued to keep herself in shape - only her thin waist had
disappeared, but that was sure to come back after the birth. He took her in
his arms and kissed her.

Akane smiled holding onto Ranma. She felt like a beached whale and was sure 
she looked like it too. But her husband didn't seem to mind. There had been 
times when she had dreaded being alone with him, knowing her body was 
misshapen, but he had always been tender with her and had never made snide 
comments about her size... Well, maybe a few...She smiled to herself. <And we 
never fight as often now... I guess there are some advantages to being 
pregnant, after all!> She kissed him back...

"Let's go home, Akane. I've been stuck here for _way_ too long. What were you
women talking about, anyway?" He lifted her off the ground and started 
carrying her to the street.

Akane shook her head, about to protest yet again that she was quite capable 
of walking. She sighed a little and gave up. "We were discussing motherhood 
and childbirth. Nothing that would interest you!" She stuck her tongue out at 
him.

Ranma smirked to himself, <Women's stuff!> He kissed her his tongue meeting 
hers. He mmmmmmmed softly, feeling her tongue respond to his, each kissing
the other passionately. <Oh, Akane, how I miss making love to you... But
soon... soon... we will have our child...> He broke the kiss, smiling at her,
hiding his longing for her, carried her home.

[Ranma and Akane's Room, Morning]

Ranma was woken by an incessant tapping. He rolled over, protesting slightly. 
The tapping continued, becoming more insistent. Then a voice drifted into his 
half wakened brain. "Ranma... Ranma, Wake up!... Ranma..." He rolled over 
again, covering his head with a pillow. The next thing he knew, he was 
unceremoniously pushed off the futon and dumped onto the floor. He sat up, 
blinking, "Whas... whas goin' on?" 

Akane glared at him, "Wake up, you baka! I..." She broke off, wincing as a 
contraction swept through her body. She took a deep breath then continued, "I
need to see Dr. Toufuu!"

Ranma blinked and stared at her blankly, "What's wrong?" He scratched his 
head, wondering what was happening.

"Jerk, I've got to see Dr. Toufuu! He told me to go see him when I felt my 
contractions starting!"

"How am I supposed to know they've started?! You push me out of bed and yell 
at me! It's first thing in the morning, you macho chick! How am I supposed to 
know!?"

"If you'd actually woken up properly, I'd have told you, but *NO* you have to 
keep sleeping. Now take me to the doctor's before I walk!"

Ranma got dressed then moved over to Akane, he picked her up off the futon,
still grumbling. Akane glared at him, but put an arm around his neck for 
support. Ranma carried her to the door, and left, muttering about kawaikunee,
irokeganee wives.

[Dr. Toufuu's Clinic, Morning]

Dr. Toufuu looked up as Ranma entered carrying Akane into the examination
room.  She winced once as Ranma gently lowered her onto the patient's table.
He smiled seeing the tenderness the couple displayed, even through their
anger. "Akane, have your contractions started?"

Akane nodded.

"Hmmmmm... we'll get a bed for you, and I'll give you some medication to help
with the pain. Don't worry though, nothing will happen until the contractions
come a few minutes apart. Hmmmmm... I'd like to have someone watch over you 
for a while."

A short ghoul-like old woman hopped into the room on a cane, clinging to the 
top of it. "Dr. Toufuu, I can look after Akane for a while."

"Ah, Cologne, thank you. You will be her midwife?" said the doctor. Cologne 
nodded. Dr. Toufuu smiled at Akane, "It looks like everything is ready. But  
your contractions could last anything from half to a couple of days..."

Ranma's eyes widened as he finally realised what was happening. "You mean 
Akane's going to have the baby..? Soon?" He stared at his wife, shocked. "But
I... are we ready... I mean..." He started to babble, his gaze moving from
the doctor to Akane to Cologne then back to Akane.

Cologne shook her head, "Doctor, you look after Ranma, I'll take care of 
Akane. Shall she go in the bed in the back room?"

The doctor nodded, "Hai. I'll take Ranma to the Dojo, and inform the rest of 
the family." He took the still babbling Ranma and led him out of the room. 

Cologne led Akane to the back room.

"What's wrong with Ranma?" Akane asked, having seen him suddenly go strange.

"He's a male, Akane, about to become a father."

"Oh," Akane sat on the bed, "Will he be alright?"

"Yes, he'll calm down," Cologne turned away from Akane and found the medicine 
the doctor had prescribed for the pregnant young woman. She pulled a small 
bottle from the sleeve of her robe and poured a little into the medicine. She 
turned back and said, "Take this and get some rest."

Akane nodded, drinking the liquid. She lay back on the bed and rested her 
hands on her stomach, feeling her child move a little. Soon she fell asleep.

Cologne laughed evilly, "Ranma will be Shampoo's groom yet!" She hopped out
of the room... 

[Tendou Dojo, Morning]

"Oh, I've got to do something for her! Doctor, what can I do? She needs me!"
Ranma was jumping around agitatedly, his mouth continuing to jabber, having 
apparently escaped from his brain's control, "Akane's going to have the baby.
I'm going to be a father. Oh!"

Dr. Toufuu smiled, watching Ranma bounce into the Dojo. <I need to find 
something for him to do. He can't be at the birth if he's going to be like 
this.> He looked up as Kasumi came to the door. His heart jumped but he
smiled.

"Kasumi! Akane! Baby!" Ranma said urgently to Kasumi, his mouth still out of 
control. He stared at her, unable to say anything else in his anxiety to 
explain.

"Oh! Akane's gone into labour? I must go and see to her," Kasumi smiled.

The doctor scratched his head, wondering how she had interpreted all of that, 
but he shrugged and nodded to her.

"Oh, how wonderful!" Kasumi invited them in then wandered off to find the
rest of the family.

[Tendou Dojo, Late Morning] 

Soun sat at the table, crying. "Oh! My daughter will be a mother! We must go 
to her!"

Genma nodded and patted Soun on the shoulder, "To have a grandchild! What a 
wonderful occasion!"

Nodoka nodded, "But we must go and visit her. She will need our support.. But
to be a grandmother!" She sighed and smiled happily.

Kasumi held up a knitted baby outfit, "I hope the baby will like this!"

Nabiki smiled, "I sure the baby will wear it, regardless." She stood up, "You 
go and see to Akane. I'll meet you there after I tell everyone." She left the 
room, grinning.

Soun blinked. <Nabiki acting like this? Maybe Akane having her baby has
changed her... She didn't even ask to be paid.> He shrugged, his emotions
getting the better of him, and began to cry again.

Eventually everyone followed the hyperactive Ranma back to Dr. Toufuu's
Clinic.

[Dr. Toufuu's Clinic, Afternoon]

Ukyou, Ryouga, Shampoo, Mousse, Kodachi, Mikado, Azusa, Gosunkugi, Happousai,
Kunou and Nabiki entered the clinic, Nabiki holding a clipboard, of names and 
numbers. She smiled, thinking of the vast sums of yen she stood to make. 
<Whichever sex that kid is, I'm guaranteed to make a fortune. Kunou-chan is
so gullible - Everyone's betting on a girl, but if it isn't a boy I'll collect
from him big time! And as he's my love slave, it's not like I'll give him
anything... much... if he collects!>

The doctor came out of the back room and said, "Akane's asleep still... but 
you can see her if you are quiet." He looked sternly at the group.

The Tendous, Saotomes and everyone else filed into the room. Ranma was 
sitting next to the bed, looking anxiously at Akane. The room was 
extraordinarily quiet for so many people.

"Ranma!" Cologne's voice broke the silence, "Akane has drank of the 
forgetfulness potion! I challenge you - If, by the time the baby is born, you 
have not restored her memory, you will dissolve your marriage to Akane and 
marry Shampoo!"

Ranma looked at her suddenly, an ice cold rage in his eyes, "What have you 
done to her, Bakemono!? Die you warped mummy!" Ranma stood up, his aura 
flaring as he built up his Ki.

"No!" shouted Mousse and Shampoo, together.

Dr. Toufuu stood up, "Ranma, Stop! Not in here!" 

Ranma was beyond all reason.

"HIRYU-SHO-TEN..." But before he could throw the blast, Dr. Toufuu's calm
voice pierced his fevered rage, "Stop, Ranma... For Akane!"

This seemed to snap him out of his rage. He staggered as the unreleased power
surged through him. He continued to stare at Cologne, death in his eyes.

"How dare you make a woman about to give birth forget her past!" shout Mikado
indignantly.

"If you have harmed her, I will kill you," said Gosunkugi quietly, glaring at 
Cologne. 

Azusa grabbed Cologne's bottle, then danced around the room, "Maurice! Oh, 
Maurice is so kawaii!" She showed the bottle to the doctor.He quickly swapped 
the bottle for another, similar bottle, sliding it up his sleeve.

Cologne snatched the bottle back from Azusa, secreting it back in her robe. 
"Do you accept? If not she will never remember you!" Azusa started hitting 
Cologne until Happousai threw a cute P-chan toy at her.Azusa grabbed the toy,
bouncing around the room again.

Ranma glared coldly at Cologne, "Alright hag, I accept. I but will make you 
pay for this!"

Cologne laughed, hopping out of the room.

Ranma, preparing to follow, was stopped by the doctor. "Wait, Ranma. If you 
want me to find the antidote,you'll have to give me some time to study this."
He held up the bottle.

Ranma looked icily at the door Cologne had exited from, "You'll have it." 

Soun started crying again, "Oh, my poor daughter! Who will help Ranma to find 
a cure?"

He bowled over by the positive replies. "Oh, how good it is to know my 
daughter has so many friends!" He wandered about the room, crying and waving
a pair of rising sun fans. 

Eventually Dr. Toufuu ushered everyone out, leaving Ranma alone with his 
sleeping wife. He took her hand in his, gazing into her face. "Oh, Akane. I 
will find the cure for that potion she gave you! I swear it!" He leant over 
and gently kissed her soft lips, then left the room.

Dr. Toufuu entered the room and sat down watching Akane awaken. He put down
the bottle and moved over to the bed. Slowly she opened her eyes, looking at
him blankly.

"Akane, I am a doctor. You have somehow contracted amnesia, but I am here to 
help." His quiet bedside manner seemed to reassure her. Then he saw her wince 
in pain, putting her hands to her stomach. "You are also going into labour. 
There are women here who will help you..."

Akane listened to the doctor as he spoke. <Where am I? Obviously a hospital..
and he's a doctor... But what happened before? Labour?! What's happened to
me?!> Then the door opened and two women entered. A pretty young woman and an
older woman with a kind face.She shrank back from them a little, but steeled
herself. <They must be the doctor's assistants. Oh, why can't I remember?!>

[Tendou Dojo, Late Afternoon]

Kasumi entered the room, carrying a list from the doctor. Every single 
resident of Nerima seemed to be there! She smiled at everyone as she was 
bombarded by questions about Akane's condition. "Akane is in perfect health, 
apart from her lack of memory." She smiled sweetly, and walked outside to see 
Ranma, who was sitting on the veranda, soaking wet. "Ranma, I have the list
of ingredients you need to find for Akane's cure." 

Onna Ranma took her top off, hanging it out to dry. "Stupid, Gosunkugi!" she 
muttered, "Shoving me into the pond like it's all my fault. Still.. at least 
he didn't see me turn into a girl..." She sighed and looked at the list. "Do 
we have any of this stuff here?"

Kasumi nodded, ticking some items off the list, "You only need to find these 
others... I can start preparing the antidote now if you want." 

"Hai, that would be good. But where on earth do I get this _Tasou_ stuff 
from?"

Kasumi shrugged, "Maybe Happousai will know? It came from an ancient scroll
Toufuu was studying."

Ranma stood up, putting a towel around her neck, and entered the dojo. 
She acked as Kunou threw his arms around her, and as Happi glomped onto her 
breasts. "I am not in the mood for this! Get off me!" she yelled, punching 
Kunou into the pond, then removing Happi from her chest and kicking him 
through the roof. She stood there panting, her breasts bouncing from the 
sudden movement. She looked around, everyone was staring at her... 

"What?!" 

Nabiki threw a dry Chinese shirt at her, "Ranko, you shouldn't run around the
house half naked, you know!" <Males!> she thought, sighing as Ranma put the 
shirt on.

"Errr... I've got a list here of the things we need to make the antidote.
Does anyone know where we can get any of these things?" She read out the
remaining items on the list.

"Mandrake powder?... I've got some of that, somewhere... Oh, give me the 
list!" Kodachi snatched the list from onna Ranma's hand and went through it. 
"Yes... yes... hmmmm...yes." She ticked off most of the remaining items. "The
only ones you need to look for are this _Tasou_ and _Kase_. I can acquire the 
rest...if Nabiki can help with some funds. She has enough of my dear brother's
money as it is. I'm sure she'll give some to help her little sister..."

"Hey!" Nabiki started to protest, then hearing her father crying and seeing 
Ranma's pleading gaze, she grudgingly agreed. So did the fact that if Akane 
didn't get her memory back, the bets on the sex of the child might be off,
and she had more to lose there anyway. "Oh, alright..." she said sulkily.

"Ah! Tasou and Kase? Yes! I know how to find them. But it will be a dangerous 
journey into the deepest forest in Japan... Into the cave of an ancient 
sorcerer. I can lead you there, but you young ones will have to defeat him to 
take the ingredients you need," Happi stood at the door, gazing solemnly at
the crowd within.

"Hey, jiji. What this fairy tale about a sorcerer?" asked Ryouga scornfully.

"He is old... even older than me," a low whistle went through the crowd, but 
Happi ignored it, "His magic is dark and powerful. You must defeat him and 
steal the two ingredients you need."

Ranma stood up. "I'm ready, let's go!" She started to walk out the door.

"You're not going without me! I must help Akane!" Gosunkugi stood up, 
brandishing the voodoo doll, a look of determination on his face.

Azusa's eyes opened wide as she saw the voodoo doll, "Waaaa! kawaii!! 
Bridgitte! Bridgitte!" She tried to grab it, but Gosunkugi snatched it away 
from her. "I'm not going until you give me Bridgitte!"

Mikado watched Azusa in action and sighed, "I must go and save that young man 
from my ditzy skating partner." He kissed Kodachi then stood up, "I shall go, 
too."

"Waaaa! San-chan! Make this man give Bridgitte back to me!"

"I will go too, if only to foil the old crone's plans," Mousse moved over to 
stand by Ranma.

"I no can stay behind! Hiibaa-chan no can get away with this!" Shampoo stood 
up with Mousse.

Ukyou nodded, "No,she can't get away with it. I'll go and help Ran-chan too!" 

"And I... Poor Akane-san, how empty she must be with no memories..." Ryouga
gazed vaguely in the direction of Dr. Toufuu's Clinic, clenching his fist.

Kunou suddenly appeared, looking rather damp, "We march now to save the 
beauteous Akane!"

Kasumi smiled, "But first you must all have dinner!" They all looked at her 
smiling and face faulted, falling in a heap.

*Crunch*

[Tendou Dojo, After Dinner]

Happousai led Ranma-kun, Ukyou, Ryouga, Shampoo, Mousse, Mikado, Azusa,
Gosunkugi and Kunou outside to start their trek.

Soun was at the door crying and waving goodbye. Genma held up a sign, "Good 
luck!" it said, then waved a furry paw. Nabiki sighed, counting out a large 
sum of money, handing it to Kodachi. Kodachi leapt away laughing maniacally
to herself.

Kasumi smiled, "Hurry back soon!"

[Dr. Toufuu's Clinic, Morning]

The Tendous and Genma (who had turned human along the way) entered the clinic
Nodoka smiled at them and waved for them to come in. "Akane, this is your 
family." She introduced each in turn, "The man over there with the moustache 
is your father, Kasumi is your older sister whom you've already met, this is 
your other sister, Nabiki and Genma your father-in-law and your husband..."  
Akane looked up at this. "Oh... where is Ranma?" asked Nodoka lamely.

Akane gazed at the people around her, feeling strange and out of place. <This 
is my family? I don't remember... Ranma? Ranma... That sounds familiar. 
Ranma...> she blinked and sighed, <No it is gone.> 

"He's gone to look for the missing ingredients for Akane's cure," said Genma.

Nodoka nodded, "He is being a good husband, like I always wanted!" she smiled
looking at Akane, who winced again. "Your contractions are much closer 
together, now... I'd say the baby will be in the birth canal by midnight...
Just relax now and save your energy for tonight..."

Dr.Toufuu nodded, handing Akane some medicine her said "Drink this and rest."  

Akane sipped the mixture and layed back, closing her eyes.

[Mountains, Midday]

"Oi! Jiji! Where is this cave?!" Ranma glared at Happi. He was hot and 
tired and wanted to be with his wife. Walking all night and day wasn't his 
idea of what an expectant father ought to be doing.

"Be patient, my student, we are almost there. Look, there is the cave 
entrance!" Happi pointed.Halfway up a nearly cliff face, was a large opening.

"What!?!" everyone yelled. They looked up the cliff.

"I can hardly see it." He turned to Happi,"How the hell do we get up there?!" 

Happi continued towards the cliff, the rest having no choice but to follow.

At the base of the cliff Happi stopped. "This is where you have to take over.
Be brave and never falter, if you do Akane will never be cured and will be 
left in her memory-less void forever"

Mousse looked up the cliff then laughed, "Heh, climbing this thing will be 
easier than it looks!" He flicked his arms upwards and sent two chains with 
grapnels on them up into the fog. There was a crunch as they hit the rock of 
the cave roof. He gave the chains a tug. Convinced they were secure, he 
flicked his wrists and was carried up, the chains rolling back into his 
sleeves. He reached the top and detached the chains. 

Ryouga watched Mousse disappear over the ledge,"Well that's one of us up-" He
was cut off as one of the grapnels landed uncomfortably near his foot. 
"Yeeoooww!" He looked up and saw Mousse signalling for someone to climb up. 
Ryouga grasped the chain, preparing to climb, when something heavy landed on 
his head. He fell to the ground and saw Ranma rapidly moving up the chain. He 
got up and shouted. "Ranma, how dare you step on- " he was cut off again by 
another set of feet landing on his head as Gosunkugi began to climb the chain

"Gosunkugi, how dare-" he was stood on again as Azusa leapt onto the chain, 
"Give me back my Bridgitte!" Ryouga sat dizzily on the ground, watching Azusa 
move nimbly up the chain after Gosunkugi.

Mikado slowly shook his head and sighed, "She may be a ditz but you have to 
admire her persistence." He started climbing the chain after his skating 
partner.

Kunou walked up to the chain then saw Ukyou and Shampoo. He bowed to them and
said, "I shall go after you in case you fall, fair maidens." He smiled
charmingly and stepped away from the chain.

Ukyou bent and helped a rather battered Ryouga up. She smiled at Kunou, then 
started to climb. She heard Shampoo begin to climb behind her. They moved 
swiftly up the chain.

Happi stood at the bottom of the chain, watching Ryouga and Kunou climb "Be 
brave and defeat the sorcerer." He looked up,watching them disappear into the 
cave. He sat down and took out his pipe, suddenly he noticed someone waving 
something at him from the cave entrance. <It can't be...but it is!> He jumped
up and bounded up the chain, "Sweet! Panties!!"

Ranma grinned to himself, then slipped Akane's panties away in his top. <I'm
glad I stole those from her!> he thought as he watched Happi climb the chain.

[Akane and Ranma's room, a few months earlier]

Ranma sat down on the futon and shrugged off his Chinese top. He dumped it on
the floor, near the futon. He watched Akane as she neared him, scowling.

"Ranma! You should be more tidy! You want to still be like this when the baby
comes?"

"Feh, the baby's not due for a long time, yet! And you think it'll worry about
where I leave my clothes?"

"Ranma!" Akane glared at him, her hands on her hips. Even with her growing
waistline, due to the child, she still looked ready to pound Ranma into tiny
pieces.

"Oi! I'll clean up, okay?!" Ranma would have backed off, but he was sitting
on the futon. He stood up and picked up the top, then flung it at the laundry
basket in the bathroom. "Are you happy, now?"

Akane humphed at him, and sat down on the edge of the bed, starting to undo
her dress. "You are such a slob, Ranma!"

He looked at her sideways, his eyes narrowed, "You didn't seem to mind where
we dumped our clothing the other night, did you?" He reached out and helped 
her with the zipper on her dress.

"Well, umm..." She trailed off and slipped out of her dress, then got up and
folded it, laying it on a nearby chair.

Ranma sat and watched her, gazing at his wife in her lingerie. <Mmmm... She is
so pretty... sexy...>

Akane turned around to find him watching her. She blushed, concious of her
growing stomach. She watched him stand up and step out of his black pants, and
beckon to her. She moved to him, looking into his eyes.

"Akane..." he whispered, sliding his arms around her, pulling her against him.
His hands ran up and down her back, stroking her smooth skin. He felt her push
against him, trembling a little. His hands slid up her back, finding her bra,
undoing the catch. His chest against her breasts held the bra to her. He ran
his hands slowly up and down her back, "We can still make love, ne?" Ranma
whispered softly into her ear.

She pressed gently against him, her hands running over his back, enjoying his
closeness. She looked up into his eyes and nodded, her fingertips stroking the
muscles in his back.

Ranma's hands slid up, his fingers hooking in her bra straps, then pulled them
down, over her shoulders. He leaned back a little, sliding off her bra. Then
he looked down at her and smiled.

Akane smiled back, then rested her head on his shoulder. She nuzzled against
his neck, kissing and nibbling a little, enjoying his scent as she pressed
against him. She slid her hands down Ranma's back, reaching the waist band of
his boxers. Then she pulled gently down, letting his boxers fall to the floor.

Ranma sighed with pleasure, wriggling a little as she removed his clothing. He
pressed against her, leaning back his head, moaning softly as she nuzzled at
his neck. "Oh, Akane..."

She continued to nibble at his neck, softly whispering his name as she held
him against her, feeling his warmth.

Ranma took hold of her panties, then slid them down, smiling a little. Then he
bent over and picked up his wife, moving down to the futon. He layed her gently
down on the bed, then kissed her with passion, his hands moving up to massage
at her shoulders.

Akane closed her eyes and continued to hold on to her husband. She sighed
happily as she felt him stroking her tense muscles. She leaned her head on his
shoulder, gazing up into his eyes, she responding with passion to his kiss.

Ranma's hands move from her shoulders, down, over her neck a little, then down
to her breasts, cupping one as he gently guided Akane's head down to the 
pillow, his mouth pressing against hers, never leaving her soft lips. He 
kissed her deeply, his tongue probing into her mouth... his fingertips 
stroking at her hardening nipple.

She mmmmmed softly, leaning back onto the futon, her mouth pressing against
Ranma's, her lips parted, her tongue meeting his... She stroked his back, her
eyes closed, feeling shy, her stomach filled with the child she'd been carrying
for five months.

Ranma then reluctantly broke the kiss, and smiled down into her face. Then he
moved down, kissing slowly down her neck, then over her breasts. He took a
nipple in his lips, licking softly at the hard, pink nub, suckling...

Akane groaned and arched her back, pushing her sensitive, swelling breasts up
to Ranma's lips. She held him down against her, her hand then reached out to
take hold of his. She smiled, feeling his fingers twining with hers...

Slowly he moved down, resting his ear against her stomach. He closed his eyes
and heard their child's heartbeat... Felt a little movement... He smiled to
himself, but then moved back up and kisses his wife again.

Her hands held his tightly and she kissed her husband back, enjoying how his
lips felt against hers. She held him tightly in her arms, stroking his back
lightly as she kissed him. She rocked her hips against his, feeling his
lengthened manhood against her. "Ohhh... my love..."

Ranma moved a little, still careful not to press against his wife's stomach.
He pressed the tip of his asoko to her opening, gazing down at her. Then he
pushed a little way into her, the tip of his manhood penetrating her a little.
He groaned as the feelings ran through his body...

Akane, feeling Ranma push a little into her, moaned softly, shivering as her
body tingled with pleasure. She slowly started rocking her hips back and
forth, slowly, feeling his manhood pushing shallowly into her body...

Ranma groaned and slowly started to rock against his wife, moving against her
rocking motions, driving himself into her body, but still moving carefully...

He groaned softly, working into her, feeling her tight womanhood surrounding
him. He shivered and pushed, again and again... Akane moved with him, her
hands digging into his back. The moved and rocked, slowly, gently making love
to each other.

Slowly they both moved together, groaning. Filling each other with pleasure.
They moved and rocked, their bodies hot and damp. Then, they both found their
climax together... Both crying out in the ecstasy they gave each other...
Then they collapsesd, Akane on the bed, Ranma moving to the side. He slid
his arms tenderly around his wife...

Once she was asleep, Ranma slipped out of bed and grinned, taking her panties
and hiding them in his Chinese shirt. "A momento of this evening, my beloved
Akane..." He watched her for a moment, then slipped back into the futon, next
to her...

[End flashback]

Ranma grinned, watching Happousai climb.

[Cave, Early Afternoon]

"Where are the panties?!" Happi reached the top and began searching. 
Unfortunately for him he couldn't find them.

Ranma grabbed Happi by the collar, "Listen, Jiji, you are coming into the 
cave with us!" 

Happi grumbled and glared at Ranma, "So... You tricked me. But I will help 
you... If you give me those panties!" 

Ranma walked into the cave, followed by the others, still holding Happousai. 
Having no intention of giving his wife's panties to the hentai, Ranma ignored
the old man's protests. "Look, you're the one who knows this place, and
you're going to help!" he said shaking Happousai severely.

"Which way?" demanded Ryouga, looking about the dimly lit cave. There seemed 
to be a number of tunnels leading off in different directions.

"How would I know? All I know is that the sorcerer lives here!" said Happi, 
tersely, still dangling helplessly in Ranma's grasp.

"Why we not split up?" Shampoo asked, "Five passages, two go down each."

"That sounds like a good idea to me," said Ukyou. Grabbing Ryouga's hand she 
said, "We'll take this one," she pointed to the first passage. 

Shampoo nodded, "Mousse and Shampoo will go there," she pointed to the second
passage.

Gosunkugi looked glumly at Azusa, who was trying to hit him with a rock and 
still raving about 'Bridgitte'. "Mikado, you take your partner down there and 
I'll take this one," he pointed to the third and fourth passages respectively.

"I suppose I will have to go with Hikaru Gosunkugi," stated Kunou flatly, idly
wondering where his osage no onna had gone since last night.

"Then it looks like the old man and I are taking this one," he waved Happi at 
the fifth passage,"Let's go!" With that he ran down the passage, waving Happi 
as he ran, "Oooooeeeerrrr! I don't feel so well!" moaned Happi, the motion 
making him sick.

[Dr. Toufuu's Clinic, Early Afternoon]

Kasumi sat down next to Dr. Toufuu just outside the back room. Nodoka was 
inside, keeping Akane company. "Sensei, do you think Ranma will come back in
time with the ingredients?"

He smiled at her and nodded, "He will be back in time... But it's the 
preparation of the antidote that has to be completed in time... Cologne is 
planning to fill Akane's mind with false memories as soon as the child is 
born. All she needs to do is touch the right points on Akane's head, and she 
will never be cured."

"Is that a side effect of the forgetfulness potion?"

The doctor nodded, "We will have to be ready when she comes."

Kasumi sighed, "Let's go and tell the others..." she and Dr. Toufuu stood up
and went into the back room.

[Cave of the Sorcerer, Fifth Passage, Mid-Afternoon]

After searching the passageway for a while, Ranma came to a dead end. "Kuso!"
Ranma glared at Happousai,"This is all your fault! You should know where this 
secret entrance is! I know you've been here before, so don't act like you're
lost!" 

Happi looked at the ground then glared at Ranma, "Show respect to your 
elders!" He jumped at Ranma, poking him in the stomach. He landed on the 
floor, smiling in satisfaction as Ranma was sent crashing into the cave wall.

"Why, you...!" growled Ranma, dragging himself out of the wall and reaching 
for Happousai. He froze as he heard the wall cave in behind him, "Oh no!"

[Cave of the Sorcerer, First Passage, Mid-Afternoon]

"Ryouga, you're heading the wrong way! We've just been down there!" Ukyou 
sighed. She knew they had been down that side passage before, and she wanted 
to investigate another. "We've been down those others too." She had a strange 
feeling that they had been down the same passage over and over.

"But I'm sure we went down that one before. It's this one!" Ryouga marched 
over to one passage, walking down it, leaving Ukyou no choice but to follow
or risk getting separated. "Even with the worlds worst sense of direction, I
just _know_ we've been going in circles!"

Ukyou followed him, too tired to argue. She looked at the passage as she 
walked. <Something is different...The other passages were all so similar, but 
this one is... I'm sure we've been down here, but...> She looked ahead of her 
at Ryouga as he went around a bend. Moving faster to catch up, she turned the 
corner and saw a blinding light...

[Cave of the Sorcerer, Second Passage, Mid-Afternoon]

Moving closer to Mousse as the passage narrowed, Shampoo looked about her. 
<We've been walking for ages and the passage just keeps getting smaller and 
narrower. I hope it widens out soon...> She looked up at Mousse, who was now 
having to stoop to avoid hitting his head on the roof. She felt him stop 
moving and looked ahead.

"Kuso! What sort of place is this?! The passage is too small to even crawl 
through!" Mousse looked at the passage ahead of him.The roof dropped suddenly 
and the walls narrowed dramatically. <There's not even room to swing a cat in 
here,> he thought sourly, then slowly turned to look at Shampoo, <A cat?!> He
looked at the small hole, then back to Shampoo...

Mousse looked at Shampoo, a wry smile on his face, "Do you have any water 
left?" She nodded and held up a canteen, "Here, you thirsty?" He smiled and 
shook his head, "We need to see what's down that passage..."

[Cave of the Sorcerer, Fourth Passage, Mid-Afternoon]

Gosunkugi held up a candle and sighed,leading the way down the passage. Kunou
followed, his bokutou at the ready, almost as if he expected something to leap
out at them at any moment. <Nothing is going to happen! This is boring. But I
must keep going... For Akane...> 

Kunou watched Gosunkugi as he walked. <What a fool! He has no weapon to 
protect himself! How can he possibly think of coming on a mission like this 
when he can't fight! Buffoon! I, Tatewaki Ku-> He was cut off mid-thought as
he walked face first into a door.

Gosunkugi sighed, standing next to the door. He had felt great magical power 
emanating from it and had decided not to touch it. <Now that blundering fool 
Kunou has walked into it, probably setting off some magical trap!> He watched 
as the door slowly opened and Kunou fell inside. Stepping up to the door he 
took a deep breath and stepped inside...

[Cave of the Sorcerer, Third Passage, Mid-Afternoon]

"Shut up, you ditz!" Mikado shouted at Azusa having finally run out of 
patience. He turned and skated away on his RollerBlades(TM). <How long can
she keep this Bridgitte nonsense up, anyway?> He turned and stared at her
angrily. Then he saw her face, she had started to cry. He sighed to himself,
his anger evaporating. He turned and continued to skate on down the passage.  

Azusa sobbed loudly, then noticed Mikado was going without her. "Ohhh!
San-chan! You're going to get Bridgitte for me, aren't you?" She took no 
notice of the fact that he was clearly not listening to her. She skipped 
happily along behind, her RollerBlades(TM) sliding easily over the flat stone
floor.

Mikado suddenly stopped and stared. Azusa bumping into his from behind a 
second later, only distracted him for a moment, then he looked back. Skating 
down the hall towards him was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She 
was sexy, elegant, and graceful... He watched her as she got closer, and 
closer... She was mouthing something. Mikado blinked as he read her lips,
then ran a comb through his hair. <Oh... another woman has fallen for me. I
must be kind to her. Explain that I have Kodachi. Then kiss her farewell.> He
skated forward, his arms open...

[Cave of the Sorcerer, Inner Cave, Late-Afternoon]

Ranma woke up, his head pounding painfully. <Where is the old man?! I'll kill
him> He opened his eyes and glanced around. He was in a small cul-de-sac that 
was enclosed by glowing beams of light. He leaned forward and touched one. 
Yelping in pain, he jumped back tripping over something. 

Ryouga groaned and stirred, "What the..." He glared at Ranma, who was now 
sprawled over him. "Get off me!" Ryouga sat up, pushing Ranma off. He glanced 
around in the half light, "Where are we?" He put a hand down next to him as
he started to stand up. There was an indignant squeal and Ryouga jumped, 
squinting at the figure next to him.

"Ryouga, what do you think you are doing?!" Ukyou asked testily, sitting up 
and frowning at him. Her frown turned into a bit of a smile."Wait until we're 
alone first!" She winked at him and stood up, "Where are we, Ran-chan?"

Ranma shrugged, "Beats me! But it looks like we're prisoners." His eyes, now 
adjusted to the light, were able to see that all of the others were in the 
room too. "And it looks like we've all be captured together." He kicked at 
Happousai, "Oi! Jiji, wake up!"

Happi stirred in his sleep, "Mmmmmm... You all want to come and live with me?
I'm so glad! Now let me see your naked bodies and-" He woke suddenly, having 
just been kicked into the wall, "Hey!"

"Hey, Old man, what is this place?" Ryouga looked hard at Happousai, somewhat
irritated.

"In the prison of the Sorcerer. Hmmmmm, you young people are hopeless!"

"Hey, you got caught, too!" Ranma pointed out.He then looked around the room,
"Well, at least it looks like Shampoo and Mousse didn't get caught."

"Ran-chan, take a look behind you," Ukyou said dryly.

Ranma turned and saw a duck wearing Mousse's glasses. "But where's Shampoo?"
He turned around just in time for Ryouga to hand Shampoo-neko to him. 
"Waaaaahhh!" Ranma, Shampoo-neko in his hands, ran around the cell screaming.

Being stepped on by Ranma once too often, Mikado stood up and shoved the cat
in Ranma's face, "Quit stepping on me!"

Ranma went pale and stopped moving as Shampoo-neko was shoved in his face. He 
sank down on his knees, his hands on the floor, steadying himself. Then he 
yowled...

Everyone, including Shampoo-neko, backed away, staring at Ranma. Happousai 
whispered, "Cat-Fu!" his voice quavering with fear, "And no Akane to calm him 
down!..."

Ranma-neko leapt at the beams, entranced by them. He waved his 'paw' through 
them, slicing them into slivers of light, sending them bouncing around the 
room.  Watching the light display, Ranma-neko didn't notice the others diving 
through the gap in the beams. The beams reconnected,and Ranma-neko splintered
them again, this time he jumped through the opening, obviously bored with the 
lights.

[Dr. Toufuu's Clinic, Late-Afternoon]

Kasumi stood, mixing the ingredients, over a small stove. Checking the recipe 
every now and then, she stirred the concoction. <Ranma please come back in 
time to help Akane... I know you can do it!> She looked at the recipe again
"Ranma, you must be back by midnight."

[Cave of the Sorcerer, Inner Cave, Late Afternoon]

The group stood in a large, man-made cave. It was filled with all sorts of  
strange objects, including a shelf ladened with jars filled with potions,
food stuffs, and other unidentifiable substances. Each jar was labelled.

"Those ingredients must be here... somewhere. Probably on that shelf," Happi 
pointed. "Let's find them and get back to save the beautiful Akane-chan."

Before long, everyone was searching the room for the missing ingredients. 
Everyone except Ranma, who was curled up on the floor by the fireplace. Even 
Shampoo-neko and Mousse-duck were searching.

"Widdle Azusa no find these things!" Azusa complained in a cute voice. 
"Azusa-chan go look somewhere else!" With that she bounced off, starting to 
search another part of the room.  

"She's right," Ukyou sighed, "They aren't here!" 

"Well there are a few bottles missing," Gosunkugi pointed to a few empty
places on the shelf, "Maybe the Sorcerer has them?" 

Happi nodded, "We'll just have to search the rest of the cave before he comes 
back."

A maniacal laugh to rival Kodachi's, filled the room. Everyone jumped and 
turned to see the source of the sound. "Before I get back? But I'm back 
already!" An old man in dark flowing robes stepped into the room. He pointed 
at the floor near Ranma-neko and a lightening bolt exploded from his finger 
tip.

The resulting explosion caused Ranma-neko to waken.He glared at the Sorcerer,
getting up on all fours.

"Ranma, you can't beat him, calm down!" Gosunkugi called urgently.

"He can't hear you," said Happi, "We must help him instead, this may be our 
only chance!"

"But Saotome is a sorcerer too, he should use his magic!" Kunou said, raising 
his bokutou.

"Magic... I can do something if..." Gosunkugi muttered to himself.

Ranma-neko launched himself at the Sorcerer... only to be blasted back by
another lightening bolt.

"Now!" shouted Happousai.

Everyone leapt into the fray. Happi threw a Happoudaikarin at the Sorcerer.
Mikado attempted a flying kick at the Sorcerer's head... Kunou initiated his 
pattern strike... Ryouga leapt forward, throwing bandannas while Ukyou threw 
a volley of spatulas at the man.

They were thrown back by the resulting blast as the Sorcerer raised a magical 
shield. He laughed as they were scattered over the floor, "And now you!" He 
turned to Gosunkugi, the cat and the duck. The shield dissipated as he began
to cast another spell...

Ranma-neko jumped at the Sorcerer again, swiping at his with a 'paw'... He  
was hit by another blast from the Sorcerer, but it only succeeded in causing
a minor course deviation in Ranma's flight path. Ranma-neko's swipe came
dangerously to the Sorcerer's head... But missed, a few of the man's hairs
falling to the floor.

With a sudden burst of speed, Gosunkugi leapt forward and picked up the hair,
thrusting it into the voodoo doll, binding the Sorcerer to the doll.

"Kawaii! Bridgitte!" Azusa charged across the room to get her 'Bridgitte' 
from Gosunkugi. Unfortunately for the Sorcerer, he stood between them. She 
barrelled into him, knocking him to the floor.  

Gosunkugi completed the spell of binding, wearing two lit candles on his
head. He looked down while placing the doll on the table, hammering a nail
into it. Staring at Azusa he almost forgot to intone the words that would
break the Sorcerer's power.

Azusa sat on the floor, going through the items that had fallen out of the
Sorcerer's robes.He was being hit on the head with one of his own possessions
as he tried to get his things back. "These are mine!" she cried defensively.

Happi sat up and shook his head. Hearing Gosunkugi finish his incantation, he 
nodded in satisfaction.A few jars had fallen out of the Sorcerer's robes onto 
the floor. Happi looked at them, then saw what he wanted, "Aha! Here they
are!"

Kunou sat up, "You have Tasou and Kase?"

Happi nodded and took the jars over to Ranma-neko, strapping them to him. "My 
boy, you _must_ get home straight away! Give them to Dr.Toufuu. Go to Akane!"

Ranma-neko batted playfully at Happi's hand as he attached the jars. On 
hearing Akane's name, the feline like Ranma's expression became determined.He 
gave a "Miow!" and leapt out of the cave.Although he couldn't understand why, 
he knew he had to get back to Akane.

Ukyou climbed slowly to her feet, helping Ryouga up as well, "Do you think 
he'll get there in time?"

"He must!" Happousai replied quietly.

[Dr. Toufuu's Clinic, Night]

Dr. Toufuu sat at Akane's bedside, near Nodoka and Kasumi. Kodachi was 
stationed at the window, watching for Cologne. Genma and Soun were outside, 
standing guard. Nabiki was at the front as lookout.

Akane lay on the bed, her contractions coming closer and closer together.Then 
the baby dropped into the birth canal. Akane cried out, holding tightly onto 
Kasumi's hand. 

Nodoka talked to her quietly, reassuring her, telling her to breathe slowly,
to push with the contractions, and generally comforting her.

The doctor checked Akane, "The baby will arrive in... maybe an hour. Ranma 
must come back with the ingredients."

[Dr. Toufuu's Clinic, An Hour Later]

A crashing sound from outside stopped everything but Akane's laboured 
breathing. The door burst open and the room was filled with people... Soun, 
Genma and a blur. The blur leapt towards Akane... and landed at the foot of
the bed, curling up. 

"Ranma?" Kasumi smiled with relief, "He's got the ingredients!" She took the 
jars from him and hurried to finish the potion, Dr. Toufuu assisting.

A moment later, Nabiki entered the room, closing the door behind her, "She's 
here!" 

The door crashed open behind her, Cologne standing amongst the shattered 
remnants of the door. She threw her staff at the cup holding the antidote...

Then Ranma was laying on the floor, playing with the staff, having knocked it 
out of the air.

Kasumi rushed over, lifting Akane's head a little, the cup at her lips, 
"Drink this Akane-chan."

"NO!" shouted Cologne, leaping towards Akane...

But Genma, Soun, Nodoka and Kodachi moved to block her path.

Rana stirred, whispering his wife's name...

Akane drank the antidote...

Cologne was thrown back...

Akane remembered...

...then she cried out as another contraction hit her.

Ranma went his wife's side, taking her hand, holding on tightly, finally back 
to his senses.

Dr. Toufuu attended to Akane, "Alright, Akane, push!"

This was the longest night of Akane's life. She held onto Ranma's hand, 
listening to the doctor's soothing voice. Pushing, straining, feeling the new 
life inside her trying to get out. Then, after one last effort, she felt 
empty, as Dr. Toufuu took the baby from her body. Then something else...

Ranma watched, his eyes wide as he saw Dr. Toufuu lift the child out, clean
it then cut the cord. The baby cried out to it's new world. Ranma's heart
melted, gazing at his child.

Nodoka carefully wrapped the baby in a blanket as Dr. Toufuu washed up. She 
then gave the infant to it's mother, who, though tired out, took the baby in 
her arms, gazing into it's tiny face.

"Congratulations, Ranma, Akane. You have a beautiful, healthy baby girl" Dr.
Toufuu said, smiling at their happiness.

Ranma stroked the baby's face lovingly, in awe of his newborn daughter. He 
turned to look at his wife's tired but very happy face.

"Ranma," she said softly. He smiled looking into her eyes, then he kissed her 
tenderly. She whispered something in his ear. She smiled as he nodded his 
head.

Ranma looked up, his face showing the pride of a new father. "We have chosen
a name..."

"What?!" they all asked, eager to know.

"We have decide to name our daughter, Miyabi!"

"Oh, what beautiful name!" said Kasumi, smiling, "Congratulations!"

Soun and Genma were crying tears of joy, looking as if they were the father
of the little girl. Nodoka moved to join her husband, "We are grandparents at 
last! And we have such a beautiful granddaughter!"

Nabiki was grinning,looking at the little baby, counting in her head how much
she was going to make from the bets placed. "I new you'd come through for me,
sis," she said quietly.

Cologne was nowhere to be seen.

Dr. Toufuu eventually shooed everyone out of the room, to give the new family 
some time alone together.

He took the baby and watched over her while she slept. Akane soon fell asleep 
too, her husband watching over her, until he too, fell asleep at her side.

[Dr. Toufuu's Clinic, Midday]

Akane woke up, her body feeling drained and sore. She looked down and saw 
Ranma's hand resting on her own, his head lolling forward as he sat in the 
chair. He looked so peaceful, sleeping. She wondered how long it had been 
since he had slept. She smiled, then looked up as the door opened.

Kasumi entered the room carrying Miyabi in her arms, "Akane-chan, your little
girl is hungry." Miyabi was crying loudly, loud enough even to wake Ranma. He 
sat up in surprise, then a big grin spread across his face as he saw his 
daughter. "Ranma, you hold Miyabi until Akane is ready. I've got to go and 
make breakfast," Kasumi said, handing his daughter to him. She smiled and 
opened the door. "Oh! By the way, your friends are back." With that she left 
the room. 

Akane slipped open her loose robe, while watching her husband hold their 
daughter. He held her tenderly in his arms, his manner protective. Akane 
giggled softly to herself as she watched him make funny faces and cooing 
noises at Miyabi. After a while, Akane reached out her arms for the baby, 
"I've got to feed her, Ranma."

He nodded and gently handed the crying infant over to Akane, "She is so 
beautiful!" he said quietly. Akane held her daughter against her, and soon 
the child found the milk she needed. Ranma gazed at his wife, feeding their 
daughter. As his eyes travelled over Akane's body, they were drawn to her 
enlarged breasts, the baby suckling on one. He started to feel his manhood 
stirring. It had been so long... But he bit his lip, keeping his feelings 
under control. Akane would need time to rest and recuperate... He looked up
and saw her gazing lovingly at him...

Once Miyabi had had her fill, Ranma took her, cradling her against him, 
gently rocking her to sleep. Akane closed the robe back up, lying back on the
bed. A knock came at the door. "Come in!" called Akane.

The door opened and Kasumi came in carrying a tray of breakfast for the new 
parents. She gave the tray to Akane and smiled, "You have some visitors!"

Akane nodded and took the tray. "Thanks, Kasumi-oneechan."

Kasumi left and the slowly filled with people, all being rather quiet for the
sleeping child. Ukyou, Ryouga, Shampoo, Mousse, Kodachi, Mikado, Nabiki, 
Kunou, Nodoka, Genma, Soun, Happi, Azusa and Gosunkugi stood about, 
congratulating the new parents and looking at the baby. Kasumi and Dr. Toufuu
entered shortly after.

"Thank you, everyone. For all your help!" said Akane, smiling at her family 
and friends. 

"That's all right, Akane-chan!" cried Happi as he jumped towards Akane's 
breasts, intent on 'glomping' her. He suddenly stopped mid-leap, "What? I'm
not moving!"

"Leave my wife alone, hentai!" Ranma had grabbed Happi by the collar and held 
him, dangling at arm's length.

"Oh! Ranma" Happi turned to Ranma. The next thing Ranma knew, he was splashed 
with something cold, then Happi was all over her, fondling his female body.

"Eeeeeep! HENTAI!" 

Onna Ranma started pounding on Happousai, while everyone else was intent on 
Miyabi, holding her and talking to her, all ignoring the squelching and
cracking noises as Ranma beat the old man to a pulp. Eventually Ukyou
handed the little girl back to her mother, managing to keep Azusa from taking
the child, "You are very lucky." she sighed.

Kasumi frowned a little and wandered over to onna Ranma and Happi. The old
man was a twitching, bloody mess on the floor. "Happousai, why are these jars
filled with sugar and sake?" She held the jars of Tasou and Kase up for him
to see, "I didn't notice until now."

Onna Ranma grabbed Happousai again and shook him, "What?!"

"Oh, didn't I tell you?" he asked innocently.

"What?!!!" shouted everyone, turning to look angrily at Happousai.

"The Sorcerer often gets things mixed up, like that. He must have misspelled
'Sake' and 'Satou'"

Everyone face faulted and fell over, leaving Kasumi standing there, holding 
the jars. "In that case I think I'll cook something with them tonight," she 
smiled and walked out of the room.

"Why you-" yelled Ryouga getting up, "All that trouble for sake and sugar?!"
Everyone else got up, glaring furiously at Happi.

"Ooooops!" said Happi as everyone closed in.

Ranma sarcastically said, "Yeah, well. I suppose you'd call this..."

"GOOD TRAINING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" yelled everyone, as they kicked Happi into the 
stratosphere.
 
Akane sat, holding her child and watching the others punish Happousai. She
turned to Dr. Toufuu and smiled, "Thank you, sensei. It looks like everything
is back to normal."

Dr. Toufuu nodded and smiled, "Yes, things _are_ back to normal."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ranma nibun no ichi - Forget Me Not                                [Epilogue]
_____________________________________________________________________________


[Akane and Ranma's Room, a night later]

Akane lay on the futon as Miyabi slept in her basinet, Ranma sleeping at her
side. She looked over at her husband, his sleeping face looking blissful. She
gave a sigh and looked up at the roof. <I'm a mother... already... Miyabi's
so precious... but...> She looked at Ranma again, then ran a hand over her
stomach, <My body... Ranma will never want me any more. Heh. I'm tewnty one
and a mother.> She sighed and closed her eyes, trying to get to sleep. Her
dreams were filled with Ranma, acting like he used to act when they were
younger... Tears ran down her sleeping face as she tossed and turned.

[Tendou-ke, the next morning]

Akane, subdued, held the sleeping Miyabi against her. She sat with Kasumi and
Nabiki, in the other room, who were both rather interested in their new
niece.

Ranma stood in the kitchen with his mother, nervously twisting his pigtail.

"Ranma! That is not a very manly thing to be doing!"

Ranma yelped and stopped playing with his hair, sweating a little.

Nodoka smiled, "Don't worry, Ranma. You proved your manliness to me already.
Tell me what's bothering you."

Ranma, after getting over the shock, looked down, "It's Akane. She seems so...
so distant, like she doesn't want to be near me today. She was fine before,
but this morning..."

Nodoka nodded slowly, "I noticed that Akane looked a little upset today. You
didn't say anyting to her, did you?"

Ranma shook his head, "Not at all!"

Nodoka placed a hand on Ranma's shoulder, "Son, you should know that new
mothers, especially Akane, don't feel very... attractive any more. He whole
body feels horrible to her, and she feels that she looks the same way."

Ranma scratched his head, "But I love her. It's not like I'm going to leave
her for not looking exactly the same as she used to!"

"I know, Ranma. But she doesn't. She's very vunerable right now. She needs
your support more than ever. And no insults, even in jest."

Ranma frowned and looked out the kitchen door to the living room where his
wife and daughter were.

Nodoka smiled, "Just do your best, son. You have to make her feel like the
most attractive woman in the world while she gets her shape back."

Ranma nodded slowly. <Doesn't she know how much I love her? Or how pretty
she is, even after all this time? ...nor how much I want her...>

[Ranma and Akane's Room, That Night]

Ranma gently put Miyabi into her basinet for the night. His mother's words
continuously circled around in his head. Though he still couldn't understand
how Akane could feel the way she did.

Akane curled up at the table, her legs under the blanket that was under the
low table. She huddled as close as she could to the table, almost wishing
that she wasn't with Ranma right now. <I need to get my shape back... those
movements that Toufuu-sensei told me about haven't done anything yet...>

Ranma sat down next to her and placed a hand gently on her back, and started
to massage her tense muscles. He felt her tense up for a moment more, then
slowly relax as his hands worked over her back, "Akane... I love you." he
whispered into her ear.

She closed her eyes, starting to enjoy the massage, "And ... and I love you,
Ranma..." <But he can't like me looking like this...> Her eyes flew open as
his arms slowly wrapped around her stomach and he rested his chin on her
shoulder. "R..ranma?"

He kissed her ear gently, "Oh, Akane. You are still my beautiful wife..."

Akane frowned a little to herself, <Is he trying to make me feel better? He
shouldn't lie like that...>

Ranma pulled her gently back against him and just held her for a while, his
hands lightly caressing her. He didn't know if he should mention to her how
much he wanted her, in case she took it the wrong way. Nor did he know what
else to say. The best he could do for tonight was to be close to her and to
show her that he did want to be with her. He would make sure that he worked
on this over the next few days...

[Akane and Ranma's Room, The Next Night]

Ranma slowly coaxed Akane, during the day, doing the best he could to show
her how beautiful he thought that she was. He managed to build her confidence
enough so that he could give her another massage.

Akane lay on her stomach, on the futon, only wearing her lingerie. She tried
not to think about things as her husband worked over her back... slowly she
started to enjoy his hands touching her. Her body started to respond to the
pleasurable stimulation... She did her best to ignore things, wondering if
Ranma would ever want her as much as she wanted him...

Ranma stroked her skin, his hands working over her back and arms. He couldn't
help but feel himself go hard as he touched her soft skin... He, too did his
best to ignore the sensations as he continued to try to relax his wife...

Akane soon started to doze... She felt Ranma snuggling up to her, covering
both of them with the futon... As he held her against him, she felt his
erection. She was too tired to think, and soon fell asleep. He sleepy mind
sorted Ranma's gentleness, all his physical contact, the soft words that
he spoke about his love and her beauty, and his desire out in her mind, 
giving her hope.

[Akane and Ranma's Room, Some Days Later]

Akane put Miyabi in her basinet, smiling at her baby as she slept. Ranma
lent over and kissed his sleeping daughter, then turned and wrapped his arms
around his wife, kissing her. "How do you feel, Akane-chan?" 

She smiled, holding him close, enjoying the feeling of his body so close to 
hers. She felt his excitement and passion as she pressed against him. All of
Ranma's coaxing had worked. "I'm fine...and Toufuu-sensei said I've had enough 
time to recover..." she trailed off, kissing him passionately. Although she
was a little afraid that he could reject her, she couldn't help her actions,
especially after how he acted. He hadn't been the only one to miss their love
making.

Ranma pressed her gently down onto the futon, pulling her onto him as they 
kissed, their tongues twining, searching each others mouths, his hands running
up and down her back, feeling her soft body pressing against him. Hardly able 
to contain himself, he trembled, pulling at her top. He finally realised that
his work for her self-confidence had paid off.

Akane felt his hands pulling at her clothing. She sat up and pulled her top 
off,then reached behind her, undoing her bra and throwing it on her top. Then
his hands were on her enlarged breasts, his lips on her neck. She stifled a 
groan of pleasure as she worked at her skirt, then her panties.

Ranma watched her, seeing her naked body, and groaned, needing her. He 
stripped himself, pulling her down on him again, his hands once more stroking 
her breasts, "Akane..." his voice was filled with love and need, "Oh, 
Akane..."

She felt his hard manhood against her sex, his hips pushing up to her, his 
hands stroking her tender breasts. She sighed and shivered with passion,then, 
reaching down, she took hold of his asoko. She then thrust herself down on 
him, crying out as he pushed into her, filling her, her cry joined by her 
husband's.

Ranma felt himself being surrounded by her wet opening, and almost lost 
control after such a long time, but he held on, concentrating on her, 
"A-akane... You are so... so tight, even after... oohhhhh... yessss... the 
baby..." he gasped.

She pulled her hips back up and thrust down on him again, then again, loving 
the pleasure as it flowed through her like electricity,leaving her trembling,
her body hot and flushed. "I... I found s-some exercises... oooooohh...
Ra...n...maaaaaaa"

He slid his hands down to her hips and helped her rock on him, his hips 
thrusting to her rhythm, feeling himself plunging again and again into her 
wetness, feeling her juices running down his manhood, over his kintama. He 
knew he could not hold on much longer. He ran a hand from her hips down to
her sex, where his finger tips started to work on her clitoris.

Akane groaned, riding on her husband, her moans getting louder, her body 
shuddering as he touched her clit. She threw her head back, moaning as waves
of ecstasy rushed through her body again, getting higher and higher as Ranma 
pushed into her body again and again.

Ranma, through half open eyes, watched his wife writhing, throwing her head 
back in pleasure. He moved a little, his hips bucking against hers, and 
captured one of her nipples in his mouth, suckling...and his mouth was filled 
with her milk, he swallowed, his mind now on her breasts, starting to suckle 
again.

Akane cried out as Ranma sucked at her breasts, she groaned, pushing her hips
down to him, harder and faster, wanting more pleasure...Finally she could not 
hold on any longer and let herself go, crying out his name as she orgasmed,
her muscles tensing, her body shuddering as her nectar flowed.

Ranma, feeling Akane's inner muscles clamp around his manhood, was suddenly 
brought to climax, his head falling back from her breast as he cried out, his 
seed exploding into her body, his lips forming her name.

Akane trembled, feeling him come deep inside her, the pleasure of her orgasm 
warming her. Then she collapsed against him, feeling him collapse back onto 
the futon under her, both worn out from love making. After a while, Akane
felt Ranma's arms wrapping around her waist. She snuggled against him, in his
warm embrace, feeling like a woman again, not a mother.

Soon Akane fell asleep,but Ranma continued to stare at the ceiling, thinking.
He heard Miyabi stir and then return to sleep. He smiled kissing his sleeping 
wife. Then, closing his eyes, began to dream of the new life they had begun. 
They were now a family.

____________________________________________________________________________

To be continued..?

Check out any updates and corrections of my fanfics and other things at :

http://yoyo.cc.monash.edu.au/~kunoichi

Ja, mata!

Kunoichi@AnimeMUCK
Kunoichi(-oni/Hathor)@AnimeMUSH
Lum@RanmaMUCK
Akane@SpiritMUCK
Caroline@RealLife