Here We Go Again

Notes to follow

**************PRIVATE FEEDBACK ONLY**************

Christopher Angel
cja124@mail.usask.ca

Chapter 4: A Wedding and A Future
(End of the school year)

Tenno sat in the Cat Cafe, drinking tea and marking tests.  He wrote
something on a paper and put the test in the all-too small pile on his
right.  He picked up another paper from the large stack to his left and
sighed.  He HATED marking tests, and finals were worse.

"More tea?" A soft voice asked.  Tenno looked up, and nodded at
Mousse-chan.  He looked at the form-hugging bodysuit she wore,
appraisingly.

"Nice outfit," he remarked casually.  Mousse-chan blushed.  "I assume it
wasn't your idea."

"Shampoo says we get more business this way," Mousse-chan replied.  She
sighed.  "Poor Shampoo."

Tenno looked at Mousse-chan curiously. "What's up?" he asked.

Mousse-chan looked about the store.  It was empty, and it was late, so she
walked to the front and turned the 'Open' sign to 'Closed.'  She returned
to the table and sat down.

"An Amazon tribunal showed up," she explained.  "Shampoo and the ghoul had
been gone too long, and they wanted to find out why.  We had to tell them
what happened."

"So?"

"These are Amazons, remember?  They didn't like hearing that one of their
most powerful elders had been defeated by a man.  Even worse, that she had
cowered before him.  Berzerker or not, that's unacceptable."

"Oh.  I get it.  Am I in trouble?"

Mousse-chan shook her head.  "I explained it to them.  It's not your fault,
and they know it.  The ghoul was cast out from the tribe.  She is no longer
an Amazon."

"She didn't deserve that!  Poor Colo-mphf!" Mousse-chan's hand was over his
mouth.

"Don't say her name.  Especially to Shampoo.  The ghoul has been stricken
from the tribal records.  Her name is forbidden."  She swallowed.  "In
addition, they banished Shampoo.  She's still an Amazon, but she is banned
from ever returning to the village."

"Ouch," an awed Tenno remarked.  "They don't kid around.  But what did she
do that was so wrong?"

"She broke Amazon law." She smiled.  "They're still women, but they're not
cruel.  If an Amazon has competition for a man, she's expected to TRY win
his heart.  Honestly.  She doesn't even have to succeed. All her tricks
were against Amazon law."

"But I'd think C...the old woman would have known that,"  Tenno said,
suprised.

"I don't think she cared.  She was always convinced the end justified the
means."  Mousse-chan shook her head.  "Oh, Shampoo..."

Tenno looked at the yound girl.  "Uh...Mousse, if you love her so much, why
don't you defeat her?  If that's all it takes..."

Mousse-chan shook her head again.  "Not any more.  I'd have to defeat
Ryouga."

"So defeat Ryouga.  You don't have to kill him, just beat him..."

"NO!" Tenno pulled back from the girl's fierce response.  "I want Shampoo
to want me for what I am, not because I beat up some other man.  I refuse
to force her to marry me based on some ancient barbaric law."

Tenno looked at the young girl.  "I see."  He shook his head.  "If what
Ranma tells me is right, I wish you luck."  He stood, gathered his papers. 
"I've got to go.  I promised Nabiki I'd meet her at some bar."

"I envy you, Nahaki Tenno."  Mousse-chan said.

"Thanks Mousse."  He started to walk out of the cafe, and stopped. 
"Mousse, maybe you had better think about how Shampoo feels about you.  Are
you SURE she doesn't love you?"  He left the cafe, leaving a bewildered
Mousse-chan at the table.

********************************

"No way, Pop!  We're not getting married yet!  We're still in high school,
damnit!"  Ranma and his father hopped from roof to roof, sparring.

"It's not my idea, boy," Genma retorted, ducking under his son's swing. 
"Your mother and Tendo seem to agree, and with those two in cahoots,
there's not much you can do."  He relaxed from his battle stance. 
"Enough."

"I don't care what they do, Akane and I are not getting married yet!  Wait
and see what Akane says about this!"  Ranma bounded from roof to roof,
heading back to the dojo.  Genma followed his son.  As they approached the
dojo, they saw a small explosion and a small body flew through the air. 
Ranma stopped.  "Oh, great.  The freak is back."  They continued to the
dojo, in time to see Tenno-chan and Akane talking.

"THAT is a martial arts master?!  That...that PERVERT?"  Tenno-chan
shuddered.  "And I thought L.A. was wierd.  It has nothing on this place."

Ranma landed beside them.  "I know.  Sick, isn't it?  He's pretty good,
though."  He turned to Akane.  "We need to talk.  Now.  Come on."  He swept
her up and jumped onto the roof.

Tenno-chan went to find a kettle as the two talked on the roof.

"What is it, Ranma?"  Akane asked.

"Have you heard what our parents are planning?" he asked her,

"The wedding?  Yes, I'm helping them plan it," she replied.  Ranma froze
like a statue.

"Don't you think you coulda asked me?" he bitterly demanded.

Akane was silent for a moment.  "I'm..sorry, Ranma.  I thought you WANTED
to marry me."  Tears began to form in her eyes.

"Oh hell," he swore, and hugged her tightly.  "I DO want to marry you, you
uncute tomboy."  He looked down at her, and smiled sadly.  "But I wanted to
ask you for real."  Akane stiffened, and she threw her arms about his neck
and kissed him.

"So ask me now," she demanded.  Ranma froze again, and he looked around
wildly.

"Uhh..one sec.  Stay right there."  He bounded of the roof and ran in the
house, leaving a bewildered Akane on the roof.  She heard a crash, and
Ranma yelling from within the house.

"I need the ring!  No, Congrats later!  Damnit Pop, get outta the way!" 
Akane put her hands to her mouth and giggled. Another crash.  "I said
MOVE!"  Ranma ran out of the house and bounded back up on the roof.  He
held a small box in his hands.  He knelt before her and opened the box. 
Inside was a plain gold ring adorned with a small diamond.  She wondered
where he got the money for it.  It was the most beautiful thing she had
ever seen.  

Ranma tooak a deep breath.  "Akane, I love you," he began.  His voice was
very unsteady.  "I don't think I could ever be happy without you. 
Will..Will you marry me?"

Akane picked up the ring, and slipped it on her finger.  She looked Ranma
in the eyes, and simply said "Yes."

A silly grin painted itself on Ranma's face, and he whooped.  He swept her
into his arms and kissed her soundly.  He then picked her up and bounded
off of the roof, to where the families waited.  "Congrats NOW," he informed
them.

************************************************

Ranma stood uncomfortably in his suit.  Only two months had passed since he
asked Akane to be his wife.  It seemed to be far too little time.  "The
collar's too right," he complained.  Ryouga chuckled beside him.  Ranma
looked at the audience, and noticed some absences.  "Hey, how come Shampoo
and Mousse aren't here?  And where's Ucchan?" he hissed to Ryouga.

"They're playing guard," his friend replied.  "Ukyo is too.  We all want to
make sure you two can't find a way to screw this up.  You're doomed, my
friend."

"I still think I was tricked," he muttered.  "You all planned it."

"Actually, it was Akane's idea.  Your mother just helped on the details,"
Ryouga informed him.  "Tenno suggested the American wedding though.  He
said there was less for you two to foul up."

Ranma started to reply but was silenced by the rising music.  He looked
behind him, and saw Akane walking down the aisle with her father, who was
showing remarkable control.  Not a tear marred his face. "Showtime," Tenno
whispered to Ryouga.

Ranma saw nothing but Akane.  The white wedding dress she wore was elegant,
but understated.  It didn't hide her body, like many dresses did, but
enchanced it, like only a special few could.  The veil she wore was almost
invisible, and didn't hide her face at all.  She practically shone, she was
so beautiful.

As they reached Ranma, Akane's father released her arm, and stepped to the
side as Akane continued the last step to Ranma.  She smiled at Ranma, and
his heart began to race.  The priest began the ceremony.

"We are gathered here to witness the joining of two houses, that of Tendo
and Saotome," he began, then paused.   "I am told that these two young
people have their own vows to say."  Nodoka gasped, and Tenno smiled. 

A crash was heard outside the hall.  Ranma turned to Akane, his heart in
his eyes.

"Akane, I promise I'll always be yours.  I promise to fight with the last
ounce of my strength to protect you.  I promise that no matter what, I will
always, always come back to you.  I take you as my wife, Akane, for the
best, the worst, and whatever comes in between.  I love you, Tendo Akane,
and I promise I always will."  He placed his ring on her finger.

Another muffled crash was heard, but it was ignored by all.

"Ranma, I will always be yours.  I promise to fight by your side, and never
let anyone take me away from you again, or let anyone take you from me. I
promise I'll be your wife, and you my husband, no matter what may come our
way.  I love you, Saotome Ranma, and I promise I always will."  She placed
her ring on his finger.

The priest chuckled.  "I'd pronounce you husband and wife, but you seem to
have done that for me."  He turned to Ranma.  "You may kiss your bride."

Very slowly, Ranma lifted Akane's veil.  He looked into her eyes for a
moment, and saw nothing but love.  He smiled, and gently kissed his wife. 
When they broke apart, the room erupted in cheers.

Ranma and Akane turned to leave the hall.  At the exit stood Shampoo, Ukyo,
and Mousse.  The two girls had tears in their eyes, and Mousse had a grin
on his face.  They parted to let the newlyweds pass, and joined in the
procession that followed.

Tenno stopped Shampoo.  "I assume there was trouble?" he asked her.

Shampoo sniffed.  "Only crazy flower girl and stupid sword boy, but they
not put up much fight." She looked around.  "Where Ryouga?"

********************************************

Ranma and Akane sat dazed at the reception, dumbly accepting the
congradulations of the revelers.  Tenno and Nabiki, sat beside them,
resting.

"Jeez, Nabs, I know you like to dance, but give me some time to rest!" 
Tenno complained.

"But you're such a good dancer," she replied.  "I like showing you off."

"It's Ranma and Akane's wedding, Nabiki, not yours," an admonishing voice
broke in.  Nodoka's.  "Yet."  Nabiki and Tenno blushed.  Nodoka went over
to her son and daughter-in-law.  "Those vows were very beautiful, you two."

Ranma and Akane blushed.  "We didn't like the standard ones," Ranma
explained.  "So we enlisted a little help."  His eyes flicked over to
Tenno, who looked embarrased.  Nabiki looked at him in amazement.

"You're full of suprises, aren't you?" she accused.  Tenno started to
explain, but she laughed lightly and kissed him on the cheek.  "Good, I
wouldn't want to be bored."  A new song started.  "Come on, lets dance."
Tenno protested as she dragged him out on the floor.

Ranma looked over at Akane.  "Shall we go?" he suggested.  "They're going
to be here for a few hours."  Akane looked startled at that, then blushed. 
She nodded.

Ukyo and Ryouga glided up.  "Are you two still here?" she demanded. "Go on,
get out of here."  The newlyweds were led to the door, and the party
cheered them a goodbye as they got into the car to return to the Tendo's. 
Ukyo and Ryouga watched the car drive off.  "Come on, Ryouga, let's dance. 
I want to get some in before Shampoo comandeers you for the night."  Ryouga
looked a little panicked.

"Help me.."

******************************************

Ranma watched the first rays of sunlight steak in from Akane's window.  He
looked how at the beautiful woman he held in his arms.  His wife.  He
smiled and held her closer.  "Love you," she murmurred.

"Love you," he replied softly, and she slowly openned her eyes.  She looked
up at him and smiled.  He bent his neck and kissed her.  She giggled, and
snuggled closer.  Ranma sighed.  

"Regrets?" she asked.  

"Yes," Ranma replied softly.  Akane stiffened.  "We should have done this a
very long time ago."  She relaxed, then grinned up at him impishly.

"Oh," she remarked casually, "I think we can make up for that."  She pulled
his head down to hers for another kiss.

**************************************************

Nabiki looked at the papers in front of her and sighed.  There was no
getting around it, she'd have to take a year off.  There was no way they
could afford college as things stood.  She heard the front bell ring and
Kasumi's voice say "Why, hello, Tenno!"  Nabiki brightened for a moment,
then sighed.  She felt a light kiss on the back of her neck.

"Morning,"  Tenno said.  He looked at her closely.  "Problems?  Anything I
can do to help?" he asked, concerned.

Nabiki sighed again.  "Not unless you happen to have a college fund in your
back pocket."  Tennno looked at her, suprised.  "I can go to college this
year," she explained, "And end up making Ranma and Akane have to wait two
years, or I can wait a year, invest their and my money, and we can all go
together."  She pounded her fist on the table. "Damnit Tenno, I don't want
to wait a year!"

Tenno was very silent.  "Nabs, I'd be lying if I said I was completely sad
to hear that." Nabiki stared at him in shock, and he smiled.  "I really
didn't want to lose you for a year.  Besides, there may be an upside to
this.  Which college were you planning on?"

Nabiki picked up a pamphlet and tossed it to him.  Tenno picked it up and
quickly flipped through it, frowning.  He found something he liked and
smiled.  "Good, they have a graduate program."  Nabiki froze, and he smiled
at her.  "What would you say if I told you I was going to go for my
Master's degree?"  She said nothing.  "Don't you get it, this way, I can be
there with all of you!"

Nabiki still said nothing.  She turned, and looked Tenno in the eyes. 
"But, why?" she asked, softly.  Tenno grimaced.  

"It's obvious you're going to major in commerce.  Let's be honest, my
bachelor's degree isn't the most useful thing, unless I want to teach for
the rest of my life."  He shuddered.  "With some training in applied math,
I could easily get a better job.  There's always work for statisticians in
the corporate world."  He paused.  "You see why I was kind of happy?"

Nabiki said nothing for a moment longer, then turned, and kissed Tenno
lightly on the lips and hugged him tightly, tears in her eyes.  "Oh,
Tenno," she said softly.  "You keep on suprising me."  He just held her.

"I have the money now," he continued, "but, with Ryouga..." he stopped and
chuckled.  "Did you know that twit isn't just good at school, he's
fantastic?  Aside from geography, he has A's in every course!  I wouldn't
be suprised if he got a scholarship."

Nabiki sniffled, and looked up at him in suprise.  "Ryouga?!  But he's such
a...such a..."

"Dolt?" he finished for her wryly.  "Yeah, I know.  Go figure."  He
remained silent.  "So do you have a job?"

Nabiki nodded.  "Accounting firm.  One of my classmate's dad owns it, and
he needed a clerk."

Tenno chuckled and shook his head.  "I'm not suprised."  He looked around
and sighed.  "Where's your father or Mr. Saotome?  I thought I had a
training session today." 

Nabiki smiled up at him.  "After last night?  Those two have a hangover so
bad a pin drop makes them groan in agony."  She looked at the papers in
front of her.  "Oh well, I'd better go look to the school and get my
grades.  The Principal is having an american style prom this Friday, and
only people who actually graduate get to attend."

Tenno grinned.  "That, I can help with."  He reached over for his pack and
pulled out his envelope, and handed it to Nabiki.  "Being a teacher has
it's privilges."  Nabiki grabbed the envelope and tore it open.  She
scanned the pages inside and smiled, then suddenly frowned.

"An A- in Calculus?"  she gave him a withering glance.  "I KNOW I did
better than that."  

Tenno shrugged.  "Hey, I didn't mark your paper, the other math teacher
did.  I didn't want to hear anything about favoritism.  You goofed up the
integration sections."  he chuckled.  "But you realize this means you're
going to the prom." He paused.  "I don't suppose you'd consider going with
me?"  She smiled, and then frowned.

"Don't you have to chaperone?" she asked. Tenno shook his head.

"I traded a bunch of favors for the night off."  He grimaced.  "I had to
promise Miss Hinako a dance.  I hope she doesn't drain some poor boy."

Nabiki stiffened, and a faint blue glow started to appear around her. 
"She'd better not."

Tenno looked at her nervously.  "Uhh...Nabiki, you can't do that thing with
the hammers, can you?"

******************************************

"...so, I'm going to wait a year for college."  Nabiki finished.  The
newlyweds, Tenno, Nabiki, Ryouga, and Ukyo walked in a group to school. 
Nabiki looked over at Ranma and Akane, who were walking together.  It was a
nice sight.  Ranma had his arm around Akane, and she had hers around him. 
Ranma stopped and kissed Akane's forhead.  "Jeez, you two, give it a rest,"
she said, disgusted.  The two blushed as the others laughed.

"So what are your plans for the break, Ryouga?" Ukyo asked.

Ryouga shrugged.  "I was thinking I'd get a job, and earn some spending
money.  Maybe I could get a job at a restaurant or something."  Ukyo looked
at him appraisingly.

"Well, I could use a waitress..." she mused.  Tenno started to chuckle.

"Have you been talking to Shampoo?" he asked Ukyo.  "You should see the get
up she's got poor Mousse in."

Ukyo patted Ryouga's arm.  "Don't worry, sugar, I won't make you wear
anything TOO embarassing."

Ryouga blushed and scowled.  "What about you, Ranma? And you Akane?" he
asked, trying to change the subject.

Ranma stopped.  "It hadn't really occured to me.  I suppose I could start
getting students for the dojo..." Ukyo shook her head.

"You ARE planning on college right?"  Akane nodded slowly and Ranma shook
his head.  Akane glared at him and he sighed, then nodded.  Ukyo continued.
 "Then don't bother.  No offense, Ranchan, but you're a lousy teacher. 
You're not a patient guy, and you need to learn some teaching methods." 
Ranma scowled while Tenno nodded.

"Damn, then I'd better find a summer job too."  He thought for a minute. 
"Maybe Shampoo will hire me for deliveries..." he mused, ignoring Akane's
sharp glance.

"I'm going to learn to cook," Akane said.  Ranma looked at her
suspiciously, and she blushed. "For real, this time.  I have my mother's
book, I might as well use it."  Ranma smiled.  "How about you, Tenno?"

Tenno grimaced.  "That maniac Principal railroaded me into updating the
math curriculum." He sighed.  "I get to spend the whole summer writing
course outlines."  He brightened.  "I got a nice raise out of it, though."

The group chatted on while they walked to the school.  When they got there,
they split up.  The four classmates went to get their grades, Tenno went to
get his notes, and Nabiki, as usual, set up shop.  She was suprised to
discover a group of girls approaching her.

"There she is!"  "Nabiki, you have to tell us about that cute Ryouga boy!" 
"He's dreamy!"  "Those fangs are so cute!"  "Is it true he has a really bad
sense of direction?"  "Is he a pervert like Ranma?  "Hey, do you have
pictures of Ryouga?"  "And the wedding?" "OOh, yes, the wedding?"  "And
what about that handsome math teacher, Mr. Nahaki?"  "Yeah, what do you
know about him?"

At that last question, Nabiki's lips drew into a tight line.  "Forget about
the teacher," she said shortly.  "He's taken."  The girls sighed.  "But
Ryouga, on the other hand..."  She quickly rattled off what she knew about
the boy.  "And yes, I have pictures.  She pulled out a stack of pictures. 
500 yen each."  She quickly started to rake in the money.  She was suprised
how well the wedding pictures sold, even with the group of boys who came up
shortly after.  Ryouga was popular too, with both crowds.  The boys really
liked her Ryouga-chan set.  They weren't very happy that she didn't sell
many Tenno-chan pictures, but she just shrugged and claimed lack of
opportunity.

Shortly later, Ranma and Akane showed up with a furiously blushing Ryouga
and a giggling Ukyo, with Tenno right behind them.  "Nabiki!" Akane
admonished.  "It was bad enough when you were selling pictures of us, but
it's not fair to poor Ryouga!"  She glanced at Tenno.  "Or to Tenno." 
Nabiki shrugged.  "Hey, a girl's got to make a living."  She looked slyly
at Ryouga.  "You should be happy, both the boys AND the girls want pictures
of you."  Ryouga blushed even redder.

Tenno gave Nabiki a pained expression of silent pleading.  "Nabiki," he
complained, "I have to TEACH these people."  

Nabiki smiled and patted him on the arm.  "Don't worry dear, I'll keep it
clean."  Tenno scowled.

Ranma snorted, then chuckled.  "Did you hear about Kuno?" he asked the
others.  When they shook their heads.  "Apparently, he failed half his
classes!"  

Tenno grinned.  "Yes, the staff had a long talk about that,"  he told the
others.  "We sent in his tests to the school board and had them marked, so
the Principal couldn't 'fix' them."  He chuckled.  "I don't care who his
father is, the opening monologue to Richard III is no answer to a
mathematical proof."  He turned to Ryouga. "You, my friend, have been
keeping secrets.  I was never that good in math, let alone school, and I,"
he said dramatically, buffing his nails on his shirt, "was GREA-sphdmn." 
His words were drowned out by a splash of water.  "Hey!" Tenno-chan
complained.

"YOU have been hanging around Ranma too much," Akane scolded, holding a
bucket.  Tenno-chan grinned sheepishly and shook the water out of her hair.

"Come on, lets go, Tenno," Ranma said.  "Someone told us you'll need tux in
a couple days."  He grabbed Tenno-chan's arm and started dragging her off. 
"We'll get some hot water on the way."

"Tux?!  Hey, wait, who said anything about about a tux! I am NOT wearing a
tux to the prom!"  Tenno-chan asked, her femine voice rose in panic. 
"Nabiki..."

"You're my boyfriend, and I want to show you off," Nabiki informed her. 
"Now be a good girl and go."

Ryouga grinned at Tenno-chan has he grabbed her other arm.  "I told you
that you didn't know what you were getting yourself into."

"Aww...maaaaaaaan."  Tenno-chan groaned, as her two friends dragged her
off.  Then she grinned evilly.  "Just you wait till YOUR prom," she
promised.

The two men looked at each other nervously.  Behind them, the girls
laughed.

***********************************

Notes:

I love this chapter.  No combat, alot of good scenes.  Get used to that
bedroom scene, boys and girls, because that's as lemon-scented as I get.