This is the final post of this chapter before going to RAAC so please C&C
this.

Ranma 1/2: The Insanity Continues

Volume 1 - Trapped

Chapter 3 - Dealing with Love 

Written by Lord Archive

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"A favor and a deal."

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

"Not this time."

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

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

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

"I help you find other love interests."

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

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

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

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

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

"I cannot say until we make agreement."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"I'll see what I can do."

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

"Not yet."

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

"Fine by me."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Because she loves him."

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

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

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

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

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

"Then you will accept my offer?"

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

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

"WHAT?" Kuno screamed.

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

"I will confirm this."

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

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

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

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

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

"This is fallacy. Trickery! I cannot accept what you say."

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

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

"Perhaps seeing another cursed individual will help convince you."

Kuno stared at Nabiki coldly.

"And a statement from Dr. Tofu."

"It might."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Satisfied?" Nabiki asked.

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

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

"I shall."

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

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

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

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

"Akane?" Kuno asked, shocked.

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

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

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

"Is Saotome Ranma's curse like that?"

"His mind isn't directly affected."

"What do you mean 'directly affected?'"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"My family."

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

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

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

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

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

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

"I don't think I'll love anyone the way I love Ranchan."

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

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

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

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

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

"What kind of person do you take me for?"

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

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

Nabiki said calmly, "Just remember, Ranma would never forgive himself if
you commit suicide, nor forgive you if try to stop the wedding." She then
put 1500 yen on the counter for the meal and left.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"I'll leave you men to your party. And Ranma, please avoid being the
dancing girl," Nodoka said as she dragged Nabiki with her.

"This could be fun," Mousse grinned.

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

The others laughed and Genma said, "I will not permit that to happen,
your Mom might make us commit Seppuku if you did."

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

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

Akane sat on her bed, looking out her window. When she heard a knock at
her door, she said, "Enter." Nabiki opened the door, entered and sat down
on the desk chair. 

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

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

"They're having a what?!"

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

"How come you're not down there video taping it?"

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

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

"Probably hunched over the toilet and in great pain."

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

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

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

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

"How did you get them to agree to stop?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Good night." 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Akane grinned, "We decided to get married."

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

"The wedding is tomorrow." 

"Bweeep?" <That soon?>

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

<He told her!>

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

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

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

<OH KAMI-SAMA, NO!> he thought with his eyes wide in shock.

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

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

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

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

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

<My fault for following him?>

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

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

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

"Bwee Bweeep?" <Bachelor party?>

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

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

"Not mad, just very disappointed."

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

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

"I understand."

"Now hurry up and join that party, you silly pig." Akane said with a
little giggle as she pulled Ryoga towards the party. Ryoga reluctantly
went along. She opened the door to the remnants of the party and saw
Genma and Soun passed out, while Mousse and Happosai were apparently
trying drink the other under the table. It looked like Mousse was
winning.

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

"Greetings, Ryoga," Mousse said.

"Hiya," Happosai slurred.

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

"Ah, okay," Ryoga said.

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

"Praying to the porcelain kami. He really can't hold his liquor," said a
smug Mousse.

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

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

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

"Ugh, I feel sick. Did I eat your cooking?" said the groggy Ranma.

"No," Akane replied as she slammed Ranma into the floor and let go of her.

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

"Care to tell me about the dream?" Akane asked. <He's probably written of 
the past couple days as a dream.>

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

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

"It wasn't a dream?"

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

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

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

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

"Not yet. By the way Mousse is waiting for his morning practice."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"It's nice to hear that, but I doubt Akane would let you do that and
live."

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

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

"Advice about what?"

"Being a good husband."

"Too bad no one gave Pop that advice."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ranma looked Ryoga as if aliens had just taken his body. <He's asking me
to be his friend?> He looked at Akane and saw her smiling. <She must have 
asked him to try and be friends.> Ranma answered, "Sure, but I've always 
considered you to be a friend of sorts."

"You have?" Ryoga questioned.

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

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

Akane was also a bit confused.

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

"So, you actually thought of me as a friend and liked fighting me?"

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

Ryoga nodded in agreement.

After a moment, Ranma asked, "Does anyone know what kind of 
wedding it'll be?" 

"Western," replied Nabiki.

"Guess I'll need a best man then. Ryoga would you do the honors?" asked
Ranma.

Akane smiled her approval.

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

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

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

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

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

Kasumi entered, calling out, "Breakfast!" 

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

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

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

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

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

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

"You're such a spoil sport," Happosai pouted as everyone started
laughing.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"I can also help," Ryoga added.

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

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

"Me neither."

"Why not?"

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

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

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

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

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

"Who did you invite?" asked Akane.

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

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

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

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

"If you say so," Kasumi shrugged.

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

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

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

"Oh. Bye!" 

"Bye," replied everyone.

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

Author's Note:

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

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

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




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