Epilogue

Four years ahead. . .

A Sunday couldn't be more beautiful or more crowded than the one family and friends were reunited today. Flowers and birds rhythmically sang at the pace of a soothing melody all thanks to a special commemorative moment in the life of a family here, in Nerima city.

The whole place had been restored beyond its glory form after the last battle against three kings left nothing but barren soil and disfigured landscapes. In time the Kuno estate managed the restoration and birth from many new buildings that accentuated its old beauty into a much modern and accessible environment.

Old blended with new and while some buildings were made from scratch according to Tatewaki and family, what made them special were the small details sculpted by those who preferred the old ways. Among the most distinguished were a bigger community center where the old city council decided what to do with the sudden emergencies plaguing the land.

Furinkan high school became a much greater institution filled with all manner of students from early ages of six to faithful students well into their twenties. They all arrived from all over the world, attracted mostly by the rare study branches this school offered.

Some studied human relations among new civilizations like the evasive Musk or the fabled Phoenix culture, others would empathize over ancient archeology related to Chinese Amazon artifacts and lastly one branch specifically developed a better solution over the new rediscovered of pools in Jusenkyo, China.

That group of researchers were principally led by Akane Tendo and Midori Mitsushi who had close ties with many subjects affected by that type of curses. Their assistants and bright minds were no other than Kenta and Akemi Hibiki, two sixteen year old girls who were by all means the closest direct result from two Jusenkyo cursed test subjects in love.

These extraordinary family had the best of lives not only on the scientific community, but were closely related to another cursed young man who defeated all odds in the end, Ranma Saotome. The charismatic and well liked twenty year old fighter who conquered most gold medals from the last special Olympics held in Japan.

The young man had reached very important goals along his career in almost every sporting event, and as he reached his highest degree in athletic sportsmanship the now senior manager in charge of the Nerima University gym taught to other students the same techniques that made him into a star.

The Saotome-Hibiki-Tendo dynasty became a cornerstone on most issues compelling the city and its surrounding areas, giving the city's council a way to fix any problem either foreign or domestic.

But unlike any other day the family of heroes resolved to take this weekend off from work or duties, and away from the public eye because this next three days meant much more for them than any accomplishment gained out there.

It was a nice Sunday indeed, filled with the tensely screams from teenagers arranging the place and women bickering like crazed people in the middle of a disaster.

"I can' find my dress!. . .I'm sure I left it right here!" Shouted loudly a twenty year old redhead who wanted to be ready for the upcoming event since morning, but failing miserably so when the traffic on this house became pure chaos.

"Ranma, your dress is right here, daughter." Said Nodoka Saotome, famous for her tea ceremony school all over the country and proud mother to Ranma Saotome.

"I swear Ranma, if we are late for this afternoon you'll be sleeping on the bathroom. . .Again." Quipped Akane Tendo angry who kept tabs on every little detail up to the invitations and how the system for this impossible task was supposed to work.

On the second floor young maidens and handsome boys donned the proud pink dresses and tuxedos rented for this special occasion, and despite the well rehearsed episode they repeated several times over during the week, what made every teen look at the floor nervously was the significance of at all.

"C'mon guys. We all know what to do, and if something wrong were to happen, I will be there every step of the way." It was Sachiko Saotome who led every child into this new battle with their chins high on the air. As the eldest daughter on this family the girl in glasses always had the last word on every decision, and as such, the others respected her to the letter.

"Let's go. . .Mom is about to arrive." Said the girl proudly.

Downstairs everyone chatted about the place. How beautiful it was with the white arrangements created by Kasumi Tendo, Miko and Nodoka. The guests were seated around the garden which was fixed with innumerable chairs and tables thanks to Ranma Jr. and Makoto Kuno.

Those two became masters on their own art, and although junior perfected many aspects from the secret Saotome school, the oldest Kuno teen worked even harder to unearth secrets Soun Tendo created on his own for his side of the school.

Everything seemed perfect, and to make matters even better the place where the main event would take place made its meaning more relevant. The renewed Tendo Dojo gave a magical effect to the ceremony the Saotome family reserved for much later in their lives.

When King Toma finally sailed from Japan's shores four years ago the chaos and unruly effects from war left with him as well. The family decided to take things in a slower fashion and while the kids and adults alike pitched in the reconstruction of a new city, their private lives had to be postponed for the time being.

Ranma, Akane and Ryoga found ways to make a three spouse relationship work, not without its ups and downs of course, but they learned to share and work together towards an environment easy to work with.

Ranma opted to go back and finish his sports grant while Akane re-applied for a new scholarship under Midori's tutelage. Ryoga became a strong willed man and a resolute woman who excelled as a language expert and translator for Kenji.

In their family matters they skillfully dealt with the care of their children, Ryoga would take care of the house while Akane and Ranma would go out and make their relationship work. Same happened for a very feminine Ranko who kept her husband happy at all times.

When the redhead took turns to care for their children Akito and Ryoki worked not only on their closeness as a couple, but both Ranma and Akane always pressed forward to empower the lost girl to believe in herself more often than not.

There were the occasional distrusting squabble among the trio, specially when male Ranma wanted to sleep with both Akane and Ryoki at the same time. It took some time to sand off those rough edges, but their love and understanding always gave them the strength to keep that relationship alive.

After the little kids became much more mature and responsible, a certain string of thoughts reigned across their collective minds, prompting the most important question the adults nervously hesitated to ask themselves.

"Dad. . .Mom. When are you getting officially married?" Mentally asked a curious Kenta, while excitedly seconded the rest of the bunch. Their bright faces and wondering eyes slowly began to seep on their parents confused ones until only one choice was only left to make.

That was in fact the turning point and the reason why Ranma, Akane and Ryoga decided to meditate on their past lives and what they really wanted to become in their future.

"Well, we all are finally done with school, sports or the tours around the country. . .I think that's a great idea Kenta-chan has come up with." Mentally admitted a shy Ryoga towards the other two spouses.

Akane definitely was in the mood for the real deal, and as the family discussed the preparative details for something so elaborated as a three way wedding, the next year seemed like the best allocated time to finish all their personal business and fix a date for the grand event.

After that year passed. . .

"Hurry up guys!, everyone is coming in already and It'll be hard for you to get on the front stage." Announced Midori at the four most notorious couples besides the grooms and the brides. They all had increasingly matured as both, fighters and human beings dotted with all manner of special techniques and powerful abilities.

This time around though, what waited for them wasn't an evil foe ready to decimate their home, but the goal they forged as a family and the one celebration they all expected to happen for a long time. It had been hard to see their parents deal with such a difficult relationship up until now, but the time had finally come and they were ready to back them up all the way to the altar.

Displaying long cocktail dresses with matching roses on top their shoulder straps Kenta, Akemi, Sachiko and Mei carefully dashed stairs down after the last call given by the purple haired woman set the event in motion. On the ground floor Makoto, Shota, Isamu and junior respectfully waited impatiently to take them to the altar before the crowd would render their intentions to act as special witness rather impossible.

Each of the young couple swore a new type of commitment and a promise to marry each other when the time would feel right, and not like their fathers so blatantly forced upon themselves. In two years they would be consenting adults with enough power to take every choice they wanted, but responsibility was in fact the one rule they preferred to follow, unlike Ranma, Ryoga and Akane.

Still, all four resolved to leave that for the future and, instead, opted to enjoy what life brought them as friends. A second later the girl in glasses raised her hand and snapped the others into her line of sight, hoping to refresh the plan they already had in mind.

"Alright, I think the order goes like this." Said Sachiko somewhat anxious by the impressive feat they were about to undertake. "First goes mom in male form and dad as a girl. Then Akane-mom and dad. Mom in male form with Akane-mom next, and lastly Akane-mom as a guy and mom."

Every head nodded at the rather complicated order in which this ceremony was going to be dealt. Junior would shake his head every now and then trying not to get lost, but a simple smack from Makoto would bring him back to speed in no time, not to mention a growl or two in discontent.

All four then rushed among friends and family members from all parts of town. At first Nabiki offered her much bigger auditorium, but the Dojo had proven a big place the several Christmas parties the Tendo family withheld over the years, so space was not an issue in this case either.

Inside the Dojo two tiny rooms were lightly built for this purpose alone, and while Soun Tendo waited on the altar as the oldest council member and previously appointed spiritual minister his old pal comfortably dressed in a white tux managed the grooms on one side while Nodoka checked on the bride's opposite cubicle.

Clock finally hit seven o'clock. The audience cozily seated gazed from their vintage points at the marvelous job most women on this family did to illuminate and show off their artistic talents as receptionists, slowly contemplating the beautiful redheaded bride who, before so many people stayed directly focusing on her, nervously stepped in from the right.

There were no melodic tunes at the moment, but the sheer surprise from men alike, and the inspirational awe stricken gasps from all females around the house gave Ranma the biggest, most intoxicating rush she had ever felt as a woman.

Next came Ryoga Hibiki dashing and making all males proud with his black tuxedo and the unmistakable bandanna accompanying him everywhere he went. Both twenty year old boy and girl stared at each other as if they met recently, but held deep within their hearts a love no one could deny or question.

"W-Well, we finally made it Ranma." Said the fanged boy with an alluring smile on his face.

"Did you ever doubt it man?. . .You knew we were meant ta be together." Charmingly attested the redhead with that flare she always used to show pride and determination.

"Yes, we were. . .Man." That last word made Ranma giggle more openly and relaxed this time, after all, this was a ceremony where her original form wouldn't matter in the equation. There was no need to hide or force his feelings as either a wife or a husband. In fact, Ranma Saotome felt like a human being right there and then despite the white dress covering her shy looks.

With a shaky glimpse over the present company the redhead felt a powerful need to deny the reason for a look well past her physical state, emphasizing that exact sentiment with the groom first. "You know Ryoga. I love bein' here an' all, but why the white?, after all, we already have children ta spare."

The young man in the tuxedo did nothing more than to reciprocate that same sentiment as close as possible into her ear, musing with soothing words what he thought about tradition. "I don't care. To me you are perfect and I want this to be the greatest time in our lives."

As agreed with the family King Herb notoriously moved a few steps forward during their romantic squabble, showing as the best man two set of rings made by the Musk and blessed by their own magical properties, and given to Akemi Hibiki, proud mother and loving wife.

The lost boy threw the biggest smile he could muster in that precise moment, murmuring at his mother if this satisfied her wishes. "I couldn't feel more proud baby. . .We are so happy to see you with the one you love."

Hearing this Ranma simply closed her eyes and smiled at her mother in law with so much calm on her features, both women somehow knew this was the right thing to do. After a while Mrs. Hibiki bowed respectfully and moved aside, leaving Mr. Tendo in charge for the next part.

Soun gave the aforementioned speech, the couple repeated their vows and anxiously waited for the most important part in the ceremony to happen and the one demonstration they truly withheld until now.

Once facing each other at arms length Soun Tendo gave the final rites assigning both the titles of husband and wife, and before the cheers from friends and family could be heard, Ranma and Ryoga deeply kissed one another without a care on the world.

Normally this was the time to cut the giant cake Ryoga and Kenta had prepared the day before, but since this was more than a simple event the general public was asked to remain in their seats a little longer.

The crowd stayed on obediently, watching in awe how both spouses vanished into their respective little rooms, and after a minute or two Ranma, as a male and in a tuxedo this time, appeared in front of everyone. Some wondered the reason for the sudden change which was immediately explained when Akane Tendo walked from the other dresser donning her own long white dress.

"Very well. We are gathered here to commemorate the union between Ranma Saotome and my daughter Akane Tendo." After the proper introductions by Mr. Tendo ended kind of the same protocol followed suit, only this time the raven haired girl became Akane Saotome whilst Ranma in her female cursed had previously become Ranko Hibiki was now its proud counterpart, Ranma Saotome.

The same roaring round of applause became loud and exciting the second Akane pulled the shy pigtailed groom from his corner, plunging the deepest of kisses the boy had felt as a guy and showing to the rest how proud she felt as an official wife.

Gossip and banter flew all over the place, congratulating a couple that had taken years to do what most had done until now, and were even past into parenthood. Others, like Tatewaki Kuno remained quiet and pensive by all this.

He imagined himself part of what the Saotome family shared, and although he was an important branch thanks to Nabiki, the soft memory of a redhead on his bed stayed in his mind most of the wedding without any way to dissipate its toxic effects.

"Finally!, cake it is!" Shouted some of the unsuspecting guests who were promptly stopped by junior and the other kids.

"This ain't over yet!" Demanded the kid right before giving all attention to his grandfather Soun.

"Ladies and gentlemen!, the last part in this ceremony is about to proceed, please remain on your seats and let's begin." The man somehow managed to stay up after the chronic medical state he developed over the years, but this was an honor no one else deserved to lead but him.

He always considered himself the wise one compared to Genma, and as the patriarch well into his forties eloquently spoke over the importance of love and respect as a couple, he felt the need to clear some misconceptions about the next part and assured mostly to his colleagues and those who weren't aware of this new marriage system that everything was made by the book.

After all raising hands or ominous stares were addressed the man with a mustache happily called Akito into the altar, followed by another girl, this one dressed in a white Kimono made like the ones Shinto priestesses use during special ceremonies.

Many stared mesmerized at the traditional attire which reminded them of their roots, but what made some even gasp in awe was how the most beautiful bright green eyes and flowing jet black hair matched perfectly with the cultural dress.

The men at the docks and many foreign students recognized the cute girl getting married. They all cheered and boasted to the world how their princess was finally getting away from their grasps without knowing that she had been in a relationship long before this time.

Akito made the rest of the family proud with his dashing looks and how amazing his corpulent body filled every part in his extra large black uniform. The ceremony followed as planned and even though this time Nodoka was the one giving the rings to the new Ryoki Tendo, both women contained their expressive desire to hug each other until Soun's speech would over.

"You may kiss the bride." Said lastly the man. Akito waited no longer for any cheer or toast from the crowd. He instead took his bride into his arms and planted such penetrating kiss the guests began to blush at the demonstration.

After a few seconds Ryoki pulled away, gasping for a much needed whiff of air. The bigger man on the other hand found this amusing, and while the rest began to finally break apart and mingle among themselves the bounty hunter sneakily took his wife on his arms ready to part ways without actually staying for the cake.

"Hey!, where in the hell are you goin'?" Asked Ranma who had already taken his monkey suit off and was now on his regular red and black clothes.

Ryoki pink shaded nose and looks to the side kept Ranma guessing their apparent escape, that is until a smug Akito lowered his brows in defiant challenge and declared the next step on their plans.

"Sorry Ranma, but King Herb has waited for an heir to the throne for four long years. I think is about time for us to, um. . ."Consume" that order." Defiantly reported the fighter.

His sly features made a big impression on the pigtailed man once he tried to connect Akito's mental personality with the sweet girl Akane really was. He always believed that the bounty hunter was a much needed personality Akane used to become equals with him, but as time went by a certain rivalry was born with one goal in mind. . .To conquer their mild mannered and mellowed downed third spouse.

Once the pigtailed master realized Akane's confrontational behavior was for real his own brows descended rather questioningly, somewhat accepting the invisible contest the bounty hunter did between the lines.

"No way I'm lettin' you go just like this. Besides, Herb is here right now so, why don' you leave her be fer now an' help me attend our guests" Countered Ranma in a more serious tone, trying to make this a peaceful event.

Both men began a staring contest Ryoga could never understand. The girl knew they were officially married now, and by all accounts they had dealt with their petty differences before as a multiple relationship slowly worked into one. Then, why on the world would they brag about who is the better husband, wife, father or mother at this point?.

While the two morons stayed glued one in front of the other, the fanged girl still very much dressed in a uncomfortable tight Kimono simply shrugged her shoulders, rolled her eyes defeated and walked towards the house without being detected by the other two.

"Wait. . .What the?" Wondered both fighters in unison, watching nothing but empty chairs and all the guests making a single line for the unmistakable scent of mint on the icing of the cake.

"Better leave this for later Ranma. That way I can beat you more easily without this cumbersome suit." Defied one last time Akito to a scowling young man.

A moment later nothing but a growl escaped an annoyed Ranma who readied himself for a fight, that is of course until a small splash from the pond courtesy of a raven haired girl vanished Akito by turning him into one of the most beautiful girls on this house.

"C'mon. I want to cut the cake as well dummy." Said Akane this time in a more mellowed mood than what she portrayed as a man.

"You know, being a guy sure makes you more annoying than the flat chested girl I see now." Said the transformed pigtailed boy who until recently was the man, and now thanks to another splash from the same pond had become the redhead everyone cared and loved.

"Well, I can only be this way so I can keep tabs on you." Said Akane in a more sensitive manner. Then like if nothing had happened between both cursed males the girl rounded an arm around Ranma's smaller frame, leading the shorter girl towards the mass of people crowding Ryoga and the special carving knife for the cake to be divided in hundred of slices .

"Or. . ." This time the girl twirled around to see Ranma directly into her blue eyes, hoping that they could be on the same page now that their relationship ascended into a new level.

"Haven't you noticed how passive and feminine Ryoga is either as a guy or a girl. I don't know. I think all this ordeal left him more mentally weak than he lets on." Confessed Akane somewhat worried.

Ranma had exactly the same idea and even though he kept thinking on his best friend and spouse at all times, keeping such ideas in motion throughout their active connection usually harmed the fanged boy's psyched mind a lot more, so he decided to keep this conversation away from their mental link.

"Yeah. That's why I like ta push him beyond his limit. I'll let you be his salvation as long as he needs it, but I don' want him ta drop into a depressive state again and make himself think he's useless." The feeling indeed was mutual, after all, both knew Ryoga was an avid listener waiting for someone to point out his or her defects within that link.

When the couple caught on into the house all three handed the same knife simultaneously, smiling at the magnificent photo taken by the automatic tripod focused specially on them, the kids sitting in front and as many family and close friends that could fit on the background.

Every different familiar pieces scattered during these past sixteen years seemed to finally fall into place, and once junior shook the instant print from the camera the enormous picture stood right alongside a second photograph Ranma and family had taken long before all this mess came into light.

"To Ranma Hibiki, Akane Saotome and Ryoga Tendo. . .Cheers!" Toasted Soun proudly. Glasses were raised and clang one another as the serene night began to dissipate the crowd and appease the loud murmur from the party.

Akane loved the idea to tear apart every gift friends and relatives left by the front porch, a sentiment mostly left for an originally born female. Ranma and Ryoga stared at the girl as she turned beautifully stamped wrappings into piles of distorted and ripped paper, wondering with shrugged shoulders what was so amazing about that.

"I'm sorry dear boys, but that tradition will never escape a woman's dreams." Explained Nodoka with a bright smile. Both pigtailed husband and a still female fanged wife found their third spouse amusing, but their smiles faded instantly after Akane's eyes furrowed dangerously closed.

"Better get scarce man." Said nervously Ranma.

Both decided to leave that tradition and the furious girl alone, and as the moon shone across the sky, they began to walk towards the Dojo, attracted mostly by yet, another couple sneaking past guests and family.

"Look at her Ranma." Pointed the fanged girl at the unlikely of pairs Makoto and Kenta made and were skipping their way into that old roof. "Didn't we use to make "that" our meditating place?"

The pigtailed fighter tilted his head towards the two young teens, and during their conversation many ideas began to flow into his mind. "Yeah. Way before I saw you this way we were workin' our way here, ain't it?"

A tiny shared kiss under the moonlight was all the proof both needed to admit there was a connection ever since they met long ago. When Ryoga pecked him on the cheek again, the second question the girl mused left a deep impression Ranma found interesting to consider.

"You think they'll be as reckless as us?" Asked Ryoga somehow trying to guess someone else's future.

"Let's see. . .Kenta Hibiki is as determined as you, but, she gets your shy demeanor a lot more as well." Ranma raised his head and watched how careful the Kuno boy treated his girl, and while the family relation did make the young man shudder internally, he knew Makoto had won his place in this family through hardships in battle.

"On the other hand Mako-kun sure knows how to handle the situation very well. He is a very courteous boy and I find no problem letting him date my, um. . .Our girl."

The mistake made Ryoga chuckle a bit, but since the light of the moon clearly kept both into view, the fanged girl decided to leave the two love-birds on that roof alone for the night. "C'mon Ranma, let's see how Akane is doing."

From the opposite perspective though, things weren't as nice as Ranma and Ryoga made it out to be. Kenta had worked years to understand and adapt her natural ambiguity with a lot of success thanks to Makoto, but tonight was a very special night she wanted to come clean about that specific struggle, if anything to solidify that relationship they already had.

Both kids sat on top of the red shingles, resting their heads on their crossed hands and watching how the moon competed with the million lights the stars shined with it.

"Can't believe we are finally here." Said Makoto with a certain air of satisfaction. "And the best part is that I got to know you." His staring gaze never left the brunette for even a second, and although Kenta's blowing raspberries made the situation a bit awkward for the mood he wanted to set in motion, both kids ended up laughing good heartedly by the response.

"Can't you get anymore corny?. . .Really." Shook the girl as the click of her tongue made Mako's intent to lull her pointless. The boy found the reaction surprising at first, but before a shocked Kenta could do anything about it, the Kuno heir had already lunged forward and kissed her square on the lips.

Her eyes grew and the fear to be assaulted with such amorous demonstration made the girl pull nervously back. Of course the boy had none of it, after all he was going for the perfect mood and that's what he intended to obtain.

Once they separated from each other Kenta gasped desperately away from him, afraid to dabble in emotions too hard to understand. She clearly was impressed by his audacious move, but something still kept her afraid to this day.

Mako immediately felt this sensation as well, and as daring as he was, the teen used that comprehensive demeanor he always shared when Kenta had trouble assimilating something to give her the trust she much needed.

"What is it?" Asked the boy concerned.

The young sixteen year old slowly made her way towards the angled side of the roof, shrinking her tensely body into a ball by bringing her bent legs into her chest, and resting her head over the knees. "I-I don't know. What if. . ."

The other teen wasted no time in joining his long time friend. He carefully positioned himself against the chimney wall, and with soothing shushing sounds the boy brought her into his warmer arms. "You know you can tell me everything Kenta. C'mon, don't let whatever is worrying you drift us apart."

His eyes trembled in need for an explanation, reflecting the light from the moon back at her worried face and leaving the girl with no other choice but to fully expose her inner most fears.

"Mako. W-What if I want to be like mom, sometimes." When the girl threw the question directly at the boy Makoto found it a bit had to discern, that's when she giggled at his lost expression and opted to be honest once and for all.

"You know. . .A, um. . .A-A guy?" Said afraid the girl.

Mako started to see why would Kenta be so fearful to ask that. He himself asked many times before if it would be ok to love someone regardless of gender or in this case, double gendered like his girl is. Truth is, his own father gave him some good advice once and in time, he too agreed that love is the most important thing in his life regardless of any other inconvenience.

"What of it?" Asked the boy with a risen brow. "I don't care if you want to be a boy or a girl. Kenta. . .To me you are you, and not a stereotypical image."

Kenta began to see how direct and determined his eyes stayed glued at hers. He was being truthful, and being a girl or a guy didn't seem to phase him one bit.

"Y-You mean. I can be a guy sometimes?" Asked the girl next with a ray of hope and a lit face.

The boy threw an even bigger smile this time, snuggling close to his girl and assuring her nothing she'd do could ever phase him at all. "Hey, how am I supposed to beat you one on one without the others blaming me for fighting a girl?"

His arms reached around the girl and as the moon slowly drove across the black sky, both teenagers decided this to be their real first date ever. "Thanks Mako. . .I knew you'd understand."

A few hours later the cold from the night forced them to drop into Kenta and Akemi's spare room. The boy was trustingly admitted at their bed's wooden floor in one of the mats always ready for visitors, and as the night ran its course the light of a new day began to appear on the horizon.

New day, new life. . .

Morning announced itself on this house like it always had been doing before, only the protagonists were all scrambled and different one from the other.

Splash!. . .

"Hey!, what did you do that for!" Screamed junior from within his room, Kenta laughing at the wet boy while his sister Akemi held the evidence bucket firmly on hand.

"C'mon!, it's almost seven thirty and we're not even ready to have breakfast!" Complained the fanged twin at her older brother.

As stated before, the place Ranma father occupied on this house for years had suddenly been replaced by his son who, by all accounts was born from yet, another lazy man. Luckily the next part had been memorized to a tee thanks to all the women in the house attending, serving and cleaning while the teenagers made their way from the table and towards school.

An hour later Ranma Saotome walked down the stairs with that deep whiff of air he always took in the middle of the living room as part of his ritualistic notion to be the "only man of the house".

"Oh yeah. Another beautiful day." Proudly boasted the man right before sitting at the head of the table.

"Say. . .Haven' Akane an' Ryoga been down yet?. I wonder if they are alright." Snidely let out the man, fully aware that last night both Akito and Ryoki left the after party early and headed towards the room where little Sachiko's crib had been set.

"Oh boy. I hope Ryoga is doin' fine so far." Couldn't help the man point out again with snickering laughs..

"Actually she is resting right now, but she should be along in a little bit later." Reverberated the sweet voice from Akane coming from the kitchen and making Ranma tilt his head in that direction puzzled. The man began to wonder what had happen, or for that matter, if anything happened at all during their honeymoon.

His wrinkled nose and questioning looks never left Akane's amusing eyes either, and as the girl served coffee and three plates with food on the table, her smug smile flared madly towards the doubting man who desperately waited to hear what Akito had done.

"Yes Ranma. We did it all night long and it was. . ." Prodded the girl with a wicked grin on her face.

At this point the pigtailed man moved at the edge from his seat, lured by the incomplete sentence and the way Akane moved closer and closer to the fighter, slowly leading him into the hardest word a proud man can receive from another man.

". . .Amazing. . ."

That last word snapped every cog in the young husband's brain, forcing Ranma to scowl evilly at his now wife. By now all the women in the room were vastly impressed by Akane's love making prowess as a guy, and simultaneously worried at the fact Ryoga wasn't even down from her bedroom.

It was such a relief the second the fanged girl appeared from the corner of the upstairs corridor, a big sight left most elders and sisters rest from the pressure.

Afterwards they all acted amicably and cheerful just like every day, and forgetting the banter both Akane and Ranma tried to get on as they all focused more importantly on the girl.

"Morning dear. Would you like something to eat?" asked Nodoka in that way she always uses to extract information with the softest of words.

Ryoga saw all the adults gathered around the table, and despite watching Akane so smug and confident drinking her cup of coffee what surprised her the most were the amusing features in Ranma's face.

As if the girl were lifting tons of rocks on her back her tired demeanor, and the sudden loud thud she made on the chair after letting herself drop unceremoniously won the stares from everyone, specially the pigtailed man.

"What!?" defiantly asked the bandanna wearing girl, clearly annoyed by Ranma's demanding looks.

"You know what?, never mind. . .Just. Never mind." Complained the girl after knowing what Ranma was going to ask.

Time moved as slow as it could. Everyone enjoyed a nice breakfast and as the males in the house promptly left for work, the looks between the three parents couldn't be more pronounced.

"Sigh. . ." Finally released Ryoga defeated, aware that her husband was dying to ask anyway.

"Yes Ranma. What is it." Asked regretfully the girl.

The pigtailed master closed in on his tired wife, hoping for Ryoga to be truthful while trying to keep Akane out of the loop. "C'mon man. It couldn' be as good as when we did it. . .Um, could it?" Wondered an skeptical man after the torrid romance they had all those years ago.

Ryoga found his question more interesting than before. This time, the girl bent forward and responded his inquiry with a daring banter of her own, if anything to spice things up and trying to win one for Akane. "You wouldn't believe it Ranma. . ." Said the girl with a grin.

It could have been enough to entice him and mess with his bravado, but when the second statement left her lips, a lot more crossed a line than to simply brag who was better in bed.

"By the way. I think I'm pregnant. . ." said lastly Ryoga.

Akane definitely chocked with some of the eggs, but the quiet stares from Ranma and the puzzled looks from the rest begged the girl to repeat what she just said in a more serious manner.

Instead the fanged girl pulled a plastic stick from within her clothes, showing with a blue colored area a red line across it.

"I can't be one hundred percent sure, but this kind of helps some." Appointed the girl while shaking the positive pregnancy stick on the air.

The screaming roar of happiness couldn't be contained by now. Nodoka, Miko and Midori joined the girl with all manner of hugs and kisses, contributing to Ranma's fear stricken face and the one deed impressing even him.

"Nah, I don' believe she can be this good. I mean. . .C'mon Ryoga. We are guys longer than she has ever been." At this point everyone knew this was about pride as a male, an aspect Ranma always had a trouble to begin with, and the one challenge both Akane and Ryoga always had trouble correcting it.

"Fine!" Yelled Ryoga exasperated. "If you think Akane-chan can't hold herself as a guy, prove it." Defied the soon to be mother again, peaking that old prideful emotion Ranma had so much trouble to control back in the game.

Now that Ryoga compelled him to match her defying test the pigtailed father stood from the table, arguing that no one was as capable on bed as much as himself.

At the end of the day Ryoga had a great feast where all the close family was called once again. Herb was reported about the great news and as a reward the King invited all to pass a few weeks among the Musk.

That same night all bets were down, and as the happy festivity died down every single adult, boy and girl went on their way to bed, only this time a self-righteous fanged girl watched from the sidelines as Ranko Hibiki and Akito entered that same room she had enjoyed as a fully adult woman, this time for Ranma to prove Akane's worth as male.

"See ya tomorrow Ranko-chan." Goaded jokingly Ryoga.

"Tsk, tsk. No way I am loosin' this bet." Confidently retorted the redheaded girl right before walking into the cozy bedroom.

"She never learns, does she." Said Ryoga after her mind raced to the past and the glimpse of a memory showed her an eternally daring boy who had the curse to accept any challenge coming his way as a trademark to the art.

Looking satisfied and content Akito had to agree with the girl, adding that he would try to be nice and caring, but apologized at the same time for what the lost girl experienced a day before. "I'll be gentle with her. . .I promise."

With that statement the bounty hunter vanished into the dark room, leaving a thankful Ryoga to enjoy a night alone and free to sleep at her leisure.

Each day, just like everyday. . .

Tuesday came to welcome the new city of Nerima. Young people began to work their way out of their beds, and as the Saotome-Tendo-Hibiki siblings rushed across the streets trying to get to school on time the men began all manner of jobs from supervising the docks, to inspire one self for the next speech to be done and even preparing those new bright minds who would take this year's studies over Jusenkyo curses and social behavior.

Nodoka Saotome proudly advanced her own ceremony tea school here and as the first disciple and heir to the school Sachiko Hibiki followed the woman in a Kimono to every practice and training made for those young girls ready to get married in time.

Good old times finally came for those who waited and while everyone else got on with their lives Soun Tendo and Gemma Saotome took pleasure in those several bottles filled with warm sake Akemi always reserved for her beloved grandfather.

"Ain' this great Tendo-kun. I may had always envisioned my son as the greatest martial arts master in the world, but this. This, even I could have never foreseen." Boasted a half drunken Gemma.

The old Tendo couldn't agree more, after all, his daughters had finally made a name after the school, and despite the twists and turns Akane did to win her own happiness, everything seemed to work out in the end. "Indeed Saotome-kun, we are blessed with good children."

The two old fools would eventually had to deal with Happosai who until recently had been stuck in an even bigger cave, compliments of his old students and several kilos of dynamite.

Back in the solitary house the ominous feeling to be alone slowly seeped tranquil into the fanged girl after a really good night sleep. She couldn't change back into a guy for obvious reasons, but being stuck like that for nine months sure didn't seem like a big chore. . .That is until. . .

"Ryoga Hibiki. This is all your fault!, Prepare to die!"

The horrendous howl came from right the top of stairs where a disheveled redheaded beauty ground her upper teeth right against her lower ones, growling and almost foaming from her sneering mouth, clearly annoyed by something Ryoga might have done to her, but what.

"Are you Ok Ranma. . .You look like you've been having some fun lately." Taunted the fanged new mother at the same time she pulled the chair from the table and prepared herself to sprint away from home.

"Don' give me that!, you tricked me into goin' in with 'kane an' that, I won' ever forgive." Ranma was increasingly angry, specially when Akane herself walked out of the bedroom as fresh and joyous as ever, kissing the fuming girl on the cheek and walking towards the kitchen for a good cup of Joe.

Ryoga on the other hand just shrugged her shoulders and spoke some more hoping to buy enough time for the forced morning jog she was about to take.

"Hey, what did you expect!. Jusenkyo made perfect women out of us. It gave us these enormous things over our chests and you can't deny how many men we have attracted over the years. Now think about this Ranma." The more Ryoga explained the curses effects, the more Ranma became ready to pounce on the green eyed girl.

The redhead began to slowly walk step after step, grabbing and crackling every knuckle on either hand while creaking her neck for future hard exercises.

"What did you expect when the potential effects from the Jusenkyo pools could transform a girl into a man capable to be an exceptional specimen." Continued the young mother.

"Shouldn't you consider the curse would make the strongest, better looking and manliest subject just as it did with cursed women?"

The question was more like a rhetorical assumption, but again, it only served to stall enough for the ex-lost girl to jump in the precise moment Ranma dashed forward and broke the table in two.

"That still don' explain myself pregnant!. . .That's just not fair. Hey!, come back here this instant!" Roared excitedly Ranma without caring for her mother's gasping sounds or the fact that she gave away her defeat.

Like it had been said before. people and situations will always change places, but time itself is the same, and as the story ends just like it began, in the final chapter Ryoga is happily persecuted by a redhead while a raven haired girl follows right behind, perhaps not because they are late for school, but the times are just the same.

THE END.