Epilogue, 2 months later:

	Akane heaved a sigh of relief as she got up from her seat.  "Don't go
anywhere, Ranma.  I'll be right back.  And don't let Shampoo see you. 
You're in enough trouble with her already."
	She wove through the crowd at the Nekohanten, intending to refill her
plate, but bumped into the bride on her way.  "Shampoo,
congratulations!  Mousse didn't make as much fuss as I thought he
would."  She looked over at a bandaged mass in the far corner.  A pair
of glasses was the only clue to their contents.  Beside the mummy sat
Kodachi, feeding him from her own plate.
	"Shampoo glad.  Having Black Rose for sister-in-law very handy.  She
and great-grandmother work well together."
	Akane suppressed a grimace at the thought of those two working side by
side in a laboratory.
	Sasuke dashed by, laden down with trays.  "Tendo-san, my master would
have a word with you at your pleasure."
	"Sasuke!"
	"Coming, Mistress Kodachi!"  Leaping over the sake-sipping panda, the
Kunou family nija vanished into the crowd again.
	Shampoo smiled.  "Shampoo get used to ninja.  She just wish he have
more backbone.  Maybe Amazon training help."
	"Maybe." Akane agreed.  Looking around, she spotted Kunou at the
counter with the members of his kendo club.  "Mind if I go talk to him? 
He hasn't forgotten me, has he?"
	"No, Shampoo no need 119 formula.  Shampoo have better effect on him by
being herself."
	Akane grinned.  "Oh, I'm sure."
	"Ai!  Go!" the Amazon girl exclaimed, shaking with laughter.  "Talk to
husband.  He respect you now."
	As she moved towards the counter, Kunou looked up at Akane, then
excused himself from his teammates.  He picked up two teacups and made
his way over to her side.  "I find it quieter over by the staircase,
Akane.  If you would follow me. . . ."
	Once they were seated on the empty staircase, (Kunou chasing the
stragglers off with a mere look), he passed her a cup and leaned back. 
"First, let me say that I am sorry for the many years of torture I
forced on both of us.  Most of it came from my foolish delusions and I
repent myself of them."
	Akane blushed.  "Well, I wasn't very polite to you, either."
	Kunou smiled.  "I understand why, too.  My dear wife and sister have
told me much about myself and forced me to accept reality as it is.  It
was a. . . difficult process.  Hah!  ‘God give them wisdom that have it,
and those that are fools, let them use their talents.'  I understand I
was a rather talented fool who was always receiving a foot in the face."
	Akane sipped at her tea.  "That's true enough, senpai.  What took you
so long?"
	"No one, Akane, no one, had ever taken the time or patience to tell me
things before kicking me away. Besides, I never shut up long enough to
consider listening to them." *Sip* "But that is all water under the
bridge.  For there is another subject to which I must turn: That of your
fiance, Saotome."
	"Uh. . . well, he's not really here, Kunou."
	The Blue Thunder waved her down.  "Save your excuses, Akane, and please
listen.  It is his doing that I am sitting here, newly married.  For
that, I am grateful.  But he also betrayed Shampoo's trust in order to
achieve that task.  That is not a case for such gratitude.  But I will
not press that issue.  We both know that he can still defeat me.  But
Shampoo will not look at him the same way again.  And, quite frankly,
after hearing of his curse, I don't think I can either."
	He laughed at her expression.  "Did you think I would still be sane,
having found out that my "dear pig-tailed girl" was none other than my
enemy?  I must confess, I nearly did collapse upon first hearing the
news.  But my wife managed to keep my mind from dissolving.
	"Can you imagine how sick and foolish I felt?  I must have invested
over a million yen with your sister for photos of the girl of my
dreams.  I briefly considered slaying Nabiki for her deception!  Here
was I, thinking that Saotome was a great sorcerer, enslaving all young
women.  Then I find out that he is nothing more than a simple, cursed
boy with a father whose appetite outweighs his common sense!  Do you
know what that can do to a massive ego such as mine?"
	Akane felt embarrassed.  "We tried to tell you. . . "
	". . . but I was too dense to listen." he finished.  "I know.  I
destroyed all those photos months ago at Shampoo's request.  Knowing the
truth made it. . . seem ugly."
	He heaved a sigh and brought his teacup to his lips again. *Sip*
"Anyway, I feel ten kinds of a fool and ask you, Tendo Akane, for a
chance to be friends once again."
	Taking his offered hand, Akane shook it firmly.  "I accept,
Kunou-senpai."  She peered through the railing.  "I'd better get back. 
If Ryouga starts looking for me, I'll have to send out a search party." 
She shook her head.  "Should I pass on your news to Ranma?"
	Kunou paused, then smiled wickedly.  "No.  Let him continue to think of
me as a talented fool who is unable to believe the truth.  I may have
need to surprise him someday."  Winking once, he vaulted over the
banister to land beside Shampoo, who squealed with joy.
	Akane grinned to herself and rejoined the table with Ranma, Kasumi,
Nabiki, and Ryouga.
	"You know," said Nabiki, polishing off her third salad.  "I don't think
Ranma's enjoying himself.  I can't understand why.  The food is great!" 
She offered Ranma a celery stick.  "Come on, it's good for you!"
	Ryouga chuckled.  "Maybe it's got something to do with his curse?  A
loss of appetite?"
	"Well, it was the only way Shampoo would let him come to the wedding."
Akane said.  "And I had to bring him, since we're still engaged."  She
leaned over to nudge him.  "What do you think, Ranma?"
	The rabbit stared at her from its cage and twitched its nose.

END!