This was the first Ranma fanfiction I ever wrote - note the year! The whole idea was that people pushing Ranma and Akane together only helped keep them apart. What if they got tired of it?

"Breaking Free", a Ranma 1/2 fan fiction, by KaraOhki, 1997-98.

Ranma ½ belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. This story was written for entertainment purposes only.

BREAKING FREE

Prologue

The view outside the window was of night, and snow falling. The faint outlines of other buildings in the complex could be seen through the blowing snow, and after a while, Soun Tendo tired of watching it fall, and turned around.

There were three other occupants of the room, and all of them were asleep. Kasumi and Nabiki were together on a couch. Kasumi had her arm around her sister, and wore a worried expression on her usually serene face. It was obvious from the tears on Nabiki's cheeks that she had cried herself to sleep, and Soun wiped away his own tears.

At the far end of the room a small blanket-covered figure was curled up in an armchair, and Soun hesitantly approached her. Akane was sleeping, her face no longer showing the fury it had an hour ago. As her father observed her, Akane stirred, and the blanket slipped to the floor. Soun picked it up, covered her gently, and went back to his own chair, to await the return of his friends, the Saotomes, who had gone downstairs to have a cup of tea.

Chapter 1

It's My Decision

"Mrs. Saotome?"

Akane woke, and opened her eyes. Ranma's doctor was standing before her. Her expression changed from weariness to fear.

"Yes?"

"Please come with me. We need to talk privately."

Akane nodded, and tried to stand up. The doctor could see that she was having difficulty, and helped her out of the chair. Without sparing a glance for the sleeping occupants of the room, Akane followed the doctor to his office.

The doctor poured Akane a cup of tea, and waited for her patiently while she sat with the cup between both palms, watching the steam rise. Eventually, Akane squared her shoulders and looked up. Ranma's doctor had sent her out of the room while he examined him, and she had been waiting impatiently for what had seemed years for some word.

"I'm ready. What did you want to tell me?"

The doctor smiled. "Your husband has improved, Mrs. Saotome. My colleagues and I believe that it's no longer necessary to keep him on life support, but the final decision is yours. You must understand that there is some risk, but it's very small."

Akane nodded. "Go on, please."

"Do you want to go back and wake up your family, so that you can discuss this with them?"

Akane smiled faintly, and shook her head. After what the doctor had witnessed of their last "family discussion", she couldn't believe that he'd asked.

"No, let them sleep. Ranma is my husband, and it's my decision. Is it all right to go back to his room yet? I'd like to sit with him while I think."

"Go ahead, and take your time. When you're ready, use the phone in his room to call me. Here's my extension number."

Akane entered Ranma's room and quietly closed the door behind her. The equipment surrounding her husband was making the same quiet whirring noises as before, and Akane looked around at all the readouts. She didn't understand them, but at least none of the alarms were ringing. She'd been present when the man across the hall died, and every alarm in his room went off.

Akane leaned over, and kissed Ranma's forehead, avoiding the large bruise on one side of it.

"I'm back, love. Can you hear me?"

Akane studied Ranma's face intently, but could see no change of expression on it, or any indication that he'd heard her. She touched the bruise with her fingertips. It felt hot-a contrast to his hands, which were ice cold.

Akane watched Ranma's chest rise and fall, in rhythm with the machinery that controlled it. The rest of his body was still.

A shiver of fear ran through her, and she looked once more at the readouts on the monitors. Nothing had changed. If so, what was wrong?

Akane closed her eyes, trying to determine what was disturbing her. She began to see very clear images of her husband, all of them in motion. Akane could see Ranma running along the fence, accompanying her to school. She remembered him sparring with his father, and with her.

Ranma was always in motion, it seemed. Even when they lay in each other's arms late into the night, talking, he was always caressing her, or tangling his fingers in her hair.

Akane opened her eyes, and looked at Ranma again. Normally when he slept she could still see the life under the surface, his vitality. This was not sleep, this was like death.

Coming to that realization was enough to help Akane make her decision. She started to rise, and fell back into the chair, one hand to her stomach. Akane raised Ranma's hand to her cheek, holding it there while her tears fell onto it.

"Please come back to us, Ranma. We both need you. I don't want to raise our daughter by myself."

Akane placed Ranma's limp hand flat against her stomach, hoping he would feel the movement within. There was no reaction from him, and she released his hand and reached for the phone.

The wind whistled in Ranma's ears, and the darkness around him was impenetrable. He wanted to raise his arms and feel around in the dark to find out where he was, but his muscles wouldn't respond.

What kind of place was he trapped in, and why couldn't he move?

Then Ranma stopped struggling, because he heard a faint voice calling to him. He recognized the voice, and tried to answer.

"Akane?"

The word never reached his lips. Ranma felt something blocking his throat; something that prevented him from speaking, and even from breathing. He struggled against it.

Genma strode down the hallway, and spotted Ranma's doctor ahead of him. He increased his pace, and soon pushed his way through the crowd of medical personnel accompanying the doctor.

"How is my son, Doctor? Has there been any change?"

"He's improved, Mr. Saotome. I'm on my way to disconnect the respirator, so that he can start breathing on his own."

"How dare you do such a thing without consulting me!"

"Excuse me, sir, but the decision was his wife's."

The light of battle in Genma's eyes was enough to make the doctor back up a step, but before he could respond a piercing alarm came from Ranma's room. The door flew open, and Akane emerged, and grabbed the doctor's arm.

"Help him, help him, please!"

Genma started to follow everyone as they ran into Ranma's room, but one of the doctor's assistants closed the door, and stood in front of it.

"I'm sorry, sir, but you can't go in right now."

"But if Akane can go in . . ."

"There isn't enough room, sir. Stay nearby, and I'll keep you informed."

Chapter 2

A Look Backwards

Akane moved her chair close to Ranma, so that she could hold his hand.

When the doctor had come into the room, he'd discovered that the alarm was ringing because Ranma was trying to breathe on his own, which was impossible with the tube going down his throat.

Akane had been close to panic, but once the tube had been removed, she was relieved to see him stop struggling, and breathe normally. She was concerned though, that he hadn't woken up. The doctor, though, reassured her.

"Give him time, Mrs. Saotome. He's been through a lot. I'm sure he'll be waking up within the next few hours. I'll send up something for you to eat, and you should get some rest."

"I'm not really hungry, Doctor."

The doctor folded his arms, and frowned at her.

"You may not be hungry, but you need to eat for your child's sake. And after the scene in here with your family, you need some rest."

Akane flushed. Her father and father-in-law had burst into the room. They'd berated Akane for making the decision to stop the life support without consulting them, and accused the doctor of trying to kill Ranma. The doctor's response (with Akane's full agreement), was to have them tossed out of the hospital. Akane, however, was not about to leave Ranma's side.

"Please don't tell me to leave."

"I wouldn't. Someone will bring in a cot for you."

Akane turned back to Ranma, and leaned over to kiss his cheek. His hands were warmer than they had been, and he looked more comfortable. She was determined to stay awake until he opened his eyes, and decided to keep herself alert by talking to him.

"Has it ever been easy for us, love? Remember what happened after the wedding everyone spoiled for us?"

Akane sat beside Ranma, fidgeting, while her father lectured them.

". . . so we'll have to postpone the wedding for now."

Soun finished talking, and left the room. Ranma and Akane looked at each other uncomfortably, and got up. Ranma started to walk away, but Akane put her hand on his arm to stop him.

"I'm sorry about the water, Ranma. You deserved to be cured."

"Yeah, Akane. I'm sorry, too."

Ranma looked like he wanted to say something else, but turned around and left. He went outside, and sat down by the pond. Akane was sorry he wasn't cured, but was she sorry they weren't married? He couldn't tell.

Akane looked at Ranma sitting by himself, and resisted the urge to go sit beside him. If he'd wanted her company, he could have asked for it. Perhaps he was relieved that their wedding had been interrupted. She had to put it behind her, and go back to school as if nothing had happened.

That was easier said than done. First of all, Ranma had left his usual perch on the fence, and walked beside her all the way to school. He hadn't been very talkative, but having him so close made her nervous. Akane would have been more nervous, however, if she'd had any idea what awaited her at the school gates.

When they turned the corner, all of the male students were waiting for Akane. They shoved Ranma aside, and surrounded her.

"Akane, you're free again! Date me!"

This and other similar demands were hurled at Akane, and she began to react the same way she had in the past. Ranma pushed his way towards her, past flying bodies and books.

"Leave me alone! Go away, all of you!"

Ranma's voice stopped them. Without shouting, his quiet question made them all pay attention.

"What gives you guys the idea that Akane is available?"

One of the seniors stepped forward, a sneer on his face.

"You didn't marry her, did you?"

The boy stepped towards Akane, reaching out his hand, but Ranma stepped between them. Akane jumped, looking at Ranma in surprise when he took her hand, and held it firmly.

"Don't even think about it. Akane is still my fiancee."

Before Akane could recover enough to respond to Ranma's statement, an unwelcome voice chimed in behind them.

"Is that so, Saotome? An honorable man would have married her. You failed."

Akane yelped as Ranma's grip tightened involuntarily. He let go of her hand, looking apologetic, and turned around to face Kuno.

"I can't believe you have the nerve to talk about honor, Kuno, after what you did."

For the first time, Ranma actually heard Kuno stutter.

"I, um, um, had, "

"Would you spit it out already?"

"I had to, Saotome. How could I allow my precious Akane Tendo to make such a horrible mistake, and ruin her life?"

As Ranma's foot connected with Kuno's chin, he felt a wave of searing heat, and saw a small fist beside his foot. Kuno sailed away, leaving a small trail of smoke in the blue sky.

Ranma quickly stepped away from the source of the heat. Akane was glowing with anger, both fists tightly clenched. The glow slowly faded as she calmed down, and Ranma then stepped forward and took her hand. The crowd parted before them, and they walked into the school.

Chapter Three

The One I Want

Akane took another sip of her soup, and yawned. The light coming through the window was getting brighter, though the snow still fell. Despite her determination to stay awake, Akane had fallen asleep sitting next to Ranma. When she'd awakened, she'd found herself on the cot in his room, covered with a blanket.

Akane lost interest in her soup, and put it aside. She stroked Ranma's cheek, and smiled at him.

"You need a shave, love."

Ranma didn't respond, and Akane kissed his cheek. The stubble tickled.

"Where were we when I fell asleep? Let's see . . ."

If Akane thought that the worst was over once she'd left the boys behind, she was mistaken. The girls were waiting for her inside. Akane was surrounded by her friends, some of whom expressed sympathy, and some of whom congratulated her on a narrow escape. Akane wasn't sure which viewpoint reflected her own, and kept quiet. She was unable to maintain that silence; however, when Toshi approached her. She and Akane had never gotten along, and Toshi couldn't help but rub her nose in what had happened.

"Oh poor, poor, Akane! It's bad enough that you hate your fiancé, but to be rejected by him like that! You must be devastated."

Akane flushed, and stood up.

"You are mistaken, Toshi. We were interfered with."

Toshi smiled in a way that made Akane want to slap her.

"And if you hadn't been, Akane dear? Would Ranma have married you, or would he have run for his life?"

Akane just stood there, unable to respond. Across the room, Ranma was surrounded by his friends, who were alternately teasing him and sympathizing with him. He wasn't paying too much attention, because he was observing Akane. Ranma could see that she looked very unhappy. He wasn't too concerned, since he knew that she was capable of taking care of herself, but when Akane turned white he left his friends behind and crossed the room to her side.

"Akane, what's wrong?"

"Nothing."

Refusing to take that for an answer, Ranma grabbed Akane's arm and dragged her out to the hallway.

"Don't lie to me, Akane. Tell me."

"I can't. Not here."

"Then we're leaving. Go get your sweater, Akane, and meet me behind the building."

Akane was halfway to her locker when she stopped, and looked behind her. She and Ranma had missed so much time from school because of their trip to China, and he'd just asked her to cut class with him. Why was she listening? It was too late to say no, though, and she continued on her way.

Ranma re-entered the classroom and gathered his and Akane's things together. When he left the room and headed for the back door, he was unaware that he was being followed.

Ranma left the school and headed for a small stand of trees behind the building. This would be a good place to talk to Akane privately. He sensed the presence of someone behind him, and spoke without turning around.

"That was fast, Akane."

"It's me, Ran-chan."

Ranma whirled. Ukyo stood behind him. He hadn't seen her since she'd help break up his wedding.

"Go away, Ukyo. I have nothing to say to you."

Ukyo looked rather disappointed, and came closer.

"Not even a thank you, Ranma? After all, I helped save you from a fate worse than death."

Ranma's anger toward Ukyo, which had been simmering for days, exploded.

"How dare you! Do you expect me to thank you for what you did? You might have killed Akane!"

Ukyo's face fell.

"You mean you would have married her? But I thought you cared for me! Please, Ran-chan . . ."

Before Ranma could react, Ukyo had thrown herself onto him, kissing him passionately. He put his hands on her arms, to try to push her away, and heard a gasp. Akane had arrived.

Ranma forcefully pushed Ukyo away from him, and held out his hands to Akane, who was backing away.

"Akane, wait!"

Akane was looking at him with wide eyes, and was even paler than she'd been previously. Se let out a strangled sob, turned, and ran. Ranma started after her, but Ukyo grabbed his arm, trying to restrain him.

"Ranma, don't leave! Please, you must have felt something just now. You can't say that didn't mean anything to you."

Ranma slowly turned to Ukyo. He saw that she was trying not to cry, and knew that what he was about to say wouldn't help.

"I did feel something, Ukyo. I felt sick. Don't touch me again."

As he'd expected, Ukyo burst into tears, and Ranma hesitated for a second.

He was stuck once more in the position he hated most-caught between two women. Only, for the first time, his choice was clear. He knew who he wanted to be with. Ranma retrieved his and Akane's bags from the ground, and left Ukyo behind.

Ranma ran all over town looking for Akane, but no one had seen her, and she wasn't in any of the places he'd usually found her before. He finally concluded that she'd gone home, and started toward the dojo.

Akane ignored Ranma's plea for her to wait, and ran. They had become so close over the past few months, and even more so in China, and to see him kissing Ukyo was too much to bear.

She ran blindly, not looking where she was going, and found herself at home. Akane stopped before going inside to compose herself, and wipe away her tears. It obviously wasn't enough, to judge by her sister's reaction.

"Akane, what are you doing home? Is something wrong?"

"No, Sis. I just don't feel well. Excuse me, I think I want to lie down."

Akane locked her door, and sat down on the bed. Sooner or later Ranma would come home, and she didn't know what she was going to say to him. Her usual response, which would be to hit him, didn't seem to be an option. Akane felt too miserable to hit Ranma.

Kasumi wasn't surprised to see Ranma arrive home a few minutes after Akane did.

"If you're looking for Akane, Ranma, she's upstairs. Did you have another fight?"

"No, Kasumi, but I'm sure she's mad at me. I'd better go up."

The house was quiet, and Ranma was grateful that his parents and Akane's father were not at home. They'd been spending a lot of time away from the house lately. At least they'd miss the explosion. He went upstairs, and knocked softly on Akane's door.

"Akane? May I come in?"

"Go away, Ranma."

"No, Akane. Let me in. Now."

Something in Ranma's tone made Akane get up and unlock her door. She opened it for Ranma, and returned to the bed. Ranma closed the door behind him and sat down in Akane's chair.

"Akane, please let me explain what you saw before."

"Why, Ranma? I'm tired of your excuses. I know what I saw. You were kissing Ukyo."

"No, Akane, she was kissing me. It's not what I wanted."

"Ranma, don't bother. I'm tired. I'm tired of having to compete for your attention. I'm tired of listening to this over and over again."

"Damn it, Akane, would you please listen to me!"

Ranma hadn't meant to shout at Akane, and seeing her eyes fill with tears and overflow increased his guilt a hundredfold. He pulled her into his arms, and let her cry on his shoulder.

Akane tried to withdraw from Ranma's arms, but he wouldn't let go, and she gave up and sobbed into his shoulder. When she finally calmed down, he let go, and she pulled back and looked up at him, rubbing her eyes.

"Akane, don't you know by now that you're the one I want? I love you."

Chapter 4

Hard Times

The wind had stopped its roaring, leaving Ranma alone in the darkness. He could still hear Akane calling to him, and he tried to answer.

"Akane?"

Ranma's faint whisper made Akane jump. She stopped her narrative, and leaned toward him. Had she imagined it?

"Ranma? Ranma, can you hear me?"

Ranma thought he heard Akane again, but was unable to answer. He was overpowered by the need to rest, to sleep . . .

Akane waited for some time, hoping Ranma would speak again. After a while she sighed, found a more comfortable position in her chair, and started her story again. She was so sure that Ranma was listening.

Ranma could feel his face turning red. No, not just his face. The blush was spreading down his neck, creeping toward his chest.

Ranma couldn't believe that he'd blurted out the words "I love you" to Akane. After all the planning he'd done, waiting for the perfect moment, to tell her in the middle of an argument? He knew she was going to clobber him, and waited.

To his surprise, Akane froze, and then smiled. Taking the smile as an encouraging sign, Ranma gathered Akane back into his arms, and tilted her chin up with one hand.

Akane had wanted to hear Ranma say he loved her for such a long time that at first nothing else mattered. She melted into his embrace, and turned her face toward his, waiting to be kissed.

Then an unwelcome vision came before her eyes. Ranma, kissing Ukyo.

Ranma was almost pushed off the bed by the violence of Akane's shove.

"Don't touch me!"

"What?"

Ranma inched further away from Akane, who looked like she was going to breathe fire.

"You liar! How do you expect me to believe you, after what I saw?"

Akane expected Ranma's usual reaction. Anger. Shouting. That wasn't what she got. Instead, Ranma's entire body sagged. For one uncomfortable second, she thought he was going to cry. Then Ranma visibly controlled himself, and spoke in a quiet, sad voice.

"Just once, Akane, I wish you would trust me. I guess it's too much to hope for."

Ranma got up and walked toward the door. In those few seconds, their entire relationship flashed through Akane's memory. How many times had she trusted Ranma with her secrets, even with her life? Akane ran to him, threw her arms around him from behind, and rested her cheek on his back.

"I'm sorry, Ranma. Please tell me what happened today. I'm listening."

Kasumi hummed to herself as she worked. She set the teapot on a small tray, and added the sandwiches and fruit. At first, she had been worried when she heard Akane shout at Ranma, but she hadn't heard any further outbursts. Perhaps her sister was finally coming to her senses. She picked up the tray, and started upstairs.

Ranma finished his story, and waited for Akane to speak. She hadn't interrupted him once, but had sat there quietly, letting him talk. The only strong reaction she'd showed was to gasp and turn pale when he told her what he'd said to Ukyo.

When Ranma stopped talking, Akane looked down at her lap, and clasped her hands together. She didn't know what to say to him. Because of her jealousy and lack of trust, she had nearly chased Ranma away. Finally, she managed a whisper.

"I, I'm sorry, Ranma. I do believe you."

Akane wanted to continue, and was very impatient with herself when the tears began again, especially when she heard the concern in Ranma's voice.

"Akane, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you cry."

Akane finally looked up, shaking her head. Ranma couldn't believe it when he saw that she was smiling.

"Baka. You don't know anything about girls, do you? We cry when we're happy."

"That has got to be the most kawaiikune thing . ."

Ranma found Akane's hand over his mouth, and was unable to complete his statement. Then Akane leaned closer, and whispered into his ear.

"Be quiet, Ranma. I'm trying to tell you that I love you, too."

Akane started to withdraw her hand from Ranma's mouth, but he grabbed her wrist, pressed a kiss into her palm, and then released it. Once more, he leaned forward, closed his eyes, and

Missed.

Akane had closed her eyes, but they flew open when Ranma's kiss landed on the side of her nose. She tried to suppress it, but couldn't help giggling. Soon they were in each other's arms, laughing helplessly.

Ranma's second attempt was more successful. First kisses are often clumsy and awkward, and this was one of them, but it was intriguing enough for them to try a second, a third, and a fourth. They'd lost count when the door opened, and Kasumi came in.

"Oh my."

Ranma immediately released Akane, who turned bright red. Kasumi walked in, set the tray on the desk, and walked back to the door. She started out of the room, turned back, and smiled. Then she left, without a word.

Chapter 5

Leave Us Alone

Akane got up to stretch, and walked to the window. In the early morning light she could see the traffic slowly making its way through the snowy streets. Akane watched for a while as a crew of hospital employees came out to clear the sidewalk and paths, and then left the window to return to Ranma's side.

"Everything was so perfect when it was just the two of us, Ranma. It was the rest of the world that wouldn't leave us alone, not even our own families."

Even though Ranma and Akane made no direct announcement to their families about the resolution of their differences, their obvious contentment in each other's company was evidence enough. Soun and Genma positively swelled with pride, claiming all of the credit, and began quiet preparations for another wedding, without the knowledge or consent of the prospective bride or groom.

At school, however, things were anything but quiet. The young men at Furinkan High could not accept or become accustomed to the sight of Ranma walking into the schoolyard every day holding Akane's hand. Whether the individuals concerned were among the group of disbelievers or those who were intensely jealous, the results were the same for Ranma. He wasn't left alone for a minute. Ranma had too much pride to feel the need to explain his relationship with Akane to the disbelievers, and as far as the others were concerned, if they wanted to challenge him for Akane's affection, they knew what kind of treatment they'd receive.

After a few of them were carried away unconscious, the challenges stopped, with the exception of Kuno, who insisted that Ranma had used some sort of enchantment on Akane, and demanded that he release her. Ranma took great pleasure in keeping Kuno off balance, with words and fists. Since Kuno's ego was so large that he believed Akane cared for him, he refused to believe that she was lost to him until Ranma made his claim on her evident to the world.

Akane was writing a report when Ranma knocked on her door.

"Akane, are you busy?"

Akane finished jotting down the rest of her sentence, and closed her book.

"Just finishing my homework, Ranma. Why? Aren't you doing yours?"

"I'm done. Meet me in the dojo."

Akane quickly finished what she was doing, and ran down to the dojo. She was eager to have an opportunity to be alone with Ranma. It seemed that every time she tried to be with him, someone or something was in the way. When she slid the door open, Ranma was sitting on a pile of mats, waiting for her.

"Akane, please lock the door."

Akane raised her eyebrows at the request, but locked the door and joined Ranma on the mats. Ranma hugged her briefly, and then just sat there, looking at her.

"Is something wrong, Ranma?"

Ranma shook his head, and reached out to touch Akane's cheek.

"No. Not as long as the door is locked and no one can bother us."

"Do you mean what's happening at school, Ranma? I'm getting tired of it, too."

"Not just at school. Our families, too. I wish they'd stop trying to run our lives. Our fathers started when we were babies, and they're still at it."

Akane stared. What was Ranma saying? She began to speak, but Ranma hushed her.

"Don't, Akane. Let me finish. What I'm trying to say is, we should make our own decisions, and I need to know what you want."

"What I want?"

Ranma's previous words had come out in a rush, as if he'd been in a hurry to get them out. Now he spoke haltingly.

"Akane, I mean our engagement. Um . . . because . . . I need to know - is it because your father said so? Because I don't want that. I love you, Akane. Will you marry me because YOU want to?"

Akane's answer was so soft it was nearly a whisper.

"I want to, Ranma."

Akane found herself in an embrace that was so tight she couldn't move. Her cheek was crushed against Ranma's chest, and she felt his heart thumping. Then Ranma abruptly released her.

"Close your eyes, Akane."

Akane obediently closed her eyes, and felt Ranma pick up her hand. She had a hard time keeping them closed as she felt something slide onto her finger.

"Okay, you can look now."

Akane looked into her fiance's eyes before she looked down at her hand. He was smiling, the lines of tension that had been there earlier gone. Then she looked down at the ring on her finger, which was gold, holding a small pearl.

"How beautiful, Ranma."

Ranma drew her back into his arms for a kiss, and paused for a moment.

"Not as beautiful as you are."

Across the room, behind a set of weights, a small pig dozed. He'd been wandering all day, and had found himself (once more) at his beloved Akane's house. Since she wasn't expected home from school yet, he'd hidden himself in the dojo to await her return. A strange sound disturbed his slumber, and he stirred, and looked up, horrified at what was happening across the room.

Akane was in Ranma's arms, and he was (as P-chan viewed it) mauling her. P-chan got up to cross the room, and was frozen as he watched Ranma lower Akane to the mat, still kissing her passionately. One of Akane's hands clung tightly to Ranma's pigtail, while the other held onto him.

P-chan squealed, and ran toward them. Ranma and Akane both became aware of his presence when he leaped onto Ranma, scratching his cheek. Ranma let go of Akane, and grabbed the pig.

"Will you stop that!"

"Wait, Ranma."

"Akane?"

"Give him to me."

Akane took the pig, and walked to the door. She unlocked it, opened it, and bent down to put him outside.

"I'm sorry, Ryoga. You're disturbing us. Please leave."

P-chan cringed at hearing his true name, and behind Akane, Ranma gasped. Then the pig turned, and ran. Akane re-locked the door, and returned to Ranma, sitting beside him. She gently touched the scratch on his cheek, which was no more than a red mark that would soon fade.

"Akane, you knew?"

"Yes, Ranma."

"How long?"

"I figured it out a while ago."

Ranma looked mystified.

"I thought you would kill the both of us. I couldn't tell you, Akane, because it was my fault. I accidentally knocked Ryoga into the spring."

Akane giggled.

"I knew there had to be a reason why he was so angry at you. Poor Ryoga. I think his curse is worse than yours."

"Worse?"

"At least you stay human."

Akane put her arms around Ranma's neck, and brought her lips close to his.

"But I like you better male."

Ranma was picking up where he left off when there was a knock on the dojo door. Thinking it was his father, he was about to shout at him when Kasumi's voice came through.

"Ranma, Akane, dinner is ready."

Everyone was already seated at the table, and Kasumi was passing bowls of rice around, when Ranma and Akane entered and sat down. Ranma felt something in the air, and looked suspiciously at his father, who was acting oddly.

"What's going on, Pop?"

"You'll have to start packing, boy. We're moving back to our house. Your mother and Tendo have been helping me work on it for weeks."

"Pop?"

Nodoka responded.

"We've been here long enough, dear. It's time to go home."

Akane involuntarily gasped, and clutched Ranma's hand.

"No."

The word came from both of them, causing everyone to focus attention on the couple. Despite the fact that Akane's small hand was almost entirely swallowed by Ranma's, Nabiki's sharp eyes focused on her ring.

"What's that on your hand, Akane?"

After the initial pandemonium died down, Akane's father folded his arms, and looked seriously at the pair.

"If Ranma is going to stay in this house, Akane, then you have to marry him. Now."

Chapter 6

Wedding Blues

Akane paused, and chuckled.

"I can still remember the dead silence at the table after Daddy made that statement. Neither of us knew what to say, at least I didn't, and then I saw you turn red . . ."

Ranma stood up, dragging Akane along with him.

"Will you stop it, already!"

Soun's mouth dropped open.

"Ranma?"

"Stop trying to tell us what to do. It's our decision to make, not yours."

Genma cleared his throat, and Ranma looked down at his father, frowning.

"You have something to say, Pop?"

"That's right, Son. The two of you have a decision to make. So go make it."

"Now?"

"That's right, Ranma. Now."

Ranma looked at Akane, and she nodded. They filled a couple of bowls from the table, and took them upstairs to Ranma's room, where they could eat and talk in (relative) quiet. Soft footsteps told them that someone was trying to listen in, and they turned on a radio to make it difficult for the eavesdropper, whoever it was.

At first they ate quietly, not speaking at all, because they didn't know where to start. Then Ranma pushed his bowl aside, and looked toward the window, away from Akane.

"Why are they in such a hurry, Akane? I mean, we're only seventeen-we still have another year of school."

"I don't know, Ranma. That's just the way they are, I guess. What should we do?"

Ranma thought for a minute, and Akane watched his expression. It wasn't encouraging.

"Akane, they must feel they've backed us into a corner. If we don't get married, I'll have to go live with Mom and Pop, and they know we don't want to be separated."

Ranma paused, and then smiled, taking both of Akane's hands.

"To tell you the truth, I'm tempted to go along with it. I like the idea of making you all mine. Permanently."

"I am yours, Ranma. You know that."

Ranma pulled Akane into his lap, and answered her statement with a kiss.

"Then we tell them yes?"

"I think we should. But there are things we should talk about first."

Nabiki put her ear to the door and strained harder, trying to hear. The music defeated her, and she walked away, frustrated. Next time, she'd make sure she hid a microphone in the room.

When Ranma walked Akane back downstairs, Kasumi and Nabiki were nowhere to be seen, but their parents were still sitting at the table. Nodoka was pouring tea, and poured two more cups when she saw them. Genma waited until they were seated, and then spoke.

"Well, what do you have to say for yourselves?"

"We're getting married, Pop."

"Good! Now. . "

"Wait a minute, Pop. But not right now. After school ends for the summer."

Genma looked like he was ready to argue with Ranma, but his wife put her hand on his arm, and gave him a look that plainly meant "be quiet".

"What are you trying to say, Ranma?"

"Mr. Tendo has enough to do right now, planning Nabiki's graduation party, and Akane and I are still trying to catch up on what we missed while we were in China."

Soun had been sitting there, nodding, and he smiled at the pair.

"That's fine, Ranma. It will give us more time to plan your wedding."

Akane caught her father's eye, and when he saw her expression, his face fell.

"No, Daddy. Not again. Ranma and I talked it over, and we'd prefer something small, and quiet."

It took all of their determination to withstand the pressure that was put upon Ranma and Akane after their parents heard her statement. After some time, it became obvious to them that the young couple was united in their decision, and that nothing would make them change their minds.

Akane got up and went into the bathroom for some warm water and a washcloth. She bathed Ranma's face and hands, and sat down again.

"It took us a long time to learn that two of us together were stronger than being apart, and it's a good thing we did, honey, because everyone gave us such a hard time."

Chapter 7

Doing It Our Way

At first, it seemed as if their families had taken Ranma and Akane seriously, and were not going to interfere in their plans.

Ranma moved out of his room into a small guest room, so that he and Akane could redecorate the one he had been using. Kasumi and Nodoka had looked at their plans, and begun to comment on the color and style, but one look from Akane had been enough to make them clear their throats and change the subject.

The elaborate wedding dress that had been chosen for Akane upon her return from China had been returned, and Kasumi wanted to take Akane shopping for another, but she had other plans in mind. Taking her older sister's hand, she led her up to the attic.

"This is what I want to wear, Sis. May I try it on?"

Akane had opened a trunk, and removed her mother's wedding kimono, and held it up, trying to see if it would fit. Kasumi smiled wistfully, and brought her sister downstairs to her bedroom.

"Turn around, Akane, and let me look at the back."

Akane turned around, Kasumi tugged at the kimono, and then backed away a few steps.

"It looks lovely on you, but it's a little bit long. We can shorten it, and then it will be perfect."

Kasumi paused, and then sighed.

"Father will cry, you know."

Akane couldn't help giggling.

"Kasumi, Daddy would cry no matter what I was wearing."

Spring break was coming closer, and that meant Nabiki's prom was coming up. Focus shifted from the wedding to the prom, and the graduation that would follow. Or at least that was what Akane thought. Ranma, for his part, didn't believe it, and told her that.

"Akane, don't let them fool you. Our parents are up to something."

"What makes you think so, Ranma?"

"Don't be a dummy, Akane. Every time we walk into the room, they stop talking, and look embarrassed, especially Pop. He couldn't keep a secret if his life depended on it."

"WHAT did you just call me?"

Ranma backed off a step, and didn't respond, at first. When he did open his mouth, what came out wasn't very understandable.

"Um, um... um"

"RANMA NO BAKA!"

Akane lifted her hand to slap Ranma, and brought herself up short. She looked at her hand, and then at Ranma, stricken. Their relationship was far from perfect - they still had their share of arguments - but she'd promised herself to try not to hit him. Akane turned around and ran. She flew up to her bedroom, locked the door, and threw herself onto her bed.

When was she going to learn to control her temper? Akane started to clench her fists, and found that her hands were shaking. Then, strangely, she began to laugh. She would probably learn to control her temper when Ranma stopped making stupid remarks.

Ranma sighed sadly as he watched Akane run out of the room. When was he going to learn to stop calling Akane names? Maybe when she learned to listen to what he had to say.

He left the house, and entered the dojo. He and Akane had been drawing up lesson plans for the summer. They intended to begin teaching as soon as school let out, and continue until it began again. He sat on the floor, pencil in his mouth, and read the plans. Soon, the mental exercise calmed him, and he forgot that he and Akane had been arguing.

Akane calmed herself, and went downstairs. She didn't see Ranma, and wondered where he'd gone. Probably off somewhere to calm down, she concluded.

Akane went to the living room and opened a drawer. She wanted to look at her parents' wedding album, to see what kind of flowers and jewelry her mother had worn with her wedding kimono. There was a file folder on top of the album, and when Akane lifted it up to get the album, quite a few papers fell out. Akane took one look, and snatched up the papers and file, the album quite forgotten. She quickly scanned them, and went pale. Then she turned red, took the folder, and went looking for her fiancé.

Ranma heard the dojo door slide open, and lifted his head from his reading. Akane stood there, looking extremely upset. Ranma braced himself, wondering what he had done wrong this time.

"Ranma, honey, I…I…"

Ranma was taken aback. Akane rarely used endearments when she spoke to him. She was obviously having difficulty continuing, so Ranma put his papers aside and got up. He brought Akane inside, closed the door, and sat down with her.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry, Ranma. You were right. Here."

Akane handed Ranma the folder, and he began looking through the papers in it. What he found confirmed his suspicions that their parents were plotting again.

The folder contained a guest list - a VERY long guest list - for their wedding. Ranma continued reading, and discovered elaborate plans for a reception, and receipts covering formal wear, formal wear that he and Akane had told their parents was unnecessary.

Ranma closed his eyes, and counted to ten. It didn't help.

"I've had it, Akane. Forget it - we're not going to do this. Forget the whole thing."

Akane gasped.

"The whole thing? We're not getting married?"

Ranma dropped the folder, and pulled Akane into his arms. She was shaking, and close to tears.

"No, that's not what I mean, Akane. Take it easy! We're going to get married, but we're going to do it our way."

"Our way?"

"Yeah. I was beginning to wonder if we'd made a bad decision, anyway. Every time Kuno looks at your ring, I think he's going to attack me. I hear his sister has been threatening you again, and Shampoo and Ukyo have been a little bit TOO quiet. I think we'd be much better off eloping. Do you want to?"

Akane was too stunned to think. She sat there in Ranma's arms, her head on his chest. She could feel his heart pounding, as hers was. His idea was tempting, very tempting. To be Ranma's wife, to be able to stand with him as a team, no one being able to try to control their lives . . .

Akane looked up at Ranma, and smiled.

"I want to."

Ranma and Akane drew up their plans quickly. They had to have everything arranged before prom night. Everyone would be too busy getting Nabiki ready to go to notice what they were up to.

Ranma and Akane returned home from school, took off their shoes, and started for the stairs. They were nearly finished putting their room together, completing it ahead of schedule. Akane was halfway up the stairs when she heard her sister's voice.

"Akane, would you stop in the kitchen for a moment, please?"

"Yes, Kasumi?"

Kasumi beckoned to Akane, and waved Ranma away. He looked puzzled, and continued up the stairs. Akane followed Kasumi into the kitchen, and found her sister's expression rather strange.

"Akane, you had a phone call today while you were at school. It was from Dr. Tanaka's office, reminding you of an appointment tomorrow afternoon."

Akane flushed. Dr. Tanaka was her gynecologist.

"Is there something you need to tell me, Akane?"

"No, Kasumi. It's just a checkup, and some planning for birth control."

Kasumi looked surprised.

"Father won't approve."

Akane could feel herself losing her temper.

"Kasumi! This is none of Daddy's business!"

"Akane, you know he wants grandchildren. How are you going to explain this to him?"

Akane' s voice got higher, and louder.

"I don't have to explain anything to him! Ranma and I are NOT starting a family until we graduate! How could I take care of a baby and go to school?"

Kasumi got that wistful look in her eyes again.

"I could take care of it for you, Akane. I wouldn't mind."

Akane closed her eyes in frustration.

"No, Kasumi. My baby wouldn't know if you were its mother, or I was. Sis, I love you, but please stop interfering."

Before Kasumi could respond, Akane left the room, and went upstairs. Ranma had already unpacked the bed they'd ordered, and was putting it together. Akane knelt down next to him, and took the screwdriver out of his hands. She put her arms around him, and held him tightly.

"Ranma, tell me we can make it through these last weeks."

Ranma held Akane, gently stroking her hair. Things had been relatively quiet since his parents had moved out the previous week, and he'd thought that they would finally have some peace.

"Why, Akane? What happened?"

Akane recounted her conversation with Kasumi, and felt Ranma go rigid. She knew that he was furious, and was surprised when he answered in a relatively calm tone.

"We'll make it, Akane. Once we're married, we'll be free to live our lives the way we want to."

"Akane! Akane, come here!"

Akane zipped up her dress, and ran into Nabiki's room. Nabiki was holding two pairs of earrings out.

"Which ones do I wear, Akane? Help me!"

"Sis, I told you last night which ones, remember?"

Akane took the earrings she preferred, and turned her sister to the mirror.

"Look. These match the color of your gown perfectly. Now would you calm down? The prom isn't until tonight, and you'll be a wreck if you keep up this way."

Nabiki nodded, and sat on the bed.

"Okay, Akane, I'll try. Say, isn't that a new dress?"

Akane tried not to look self-conscious.

"Yes, I'm going out with Ranma for a couple of hours. We have some things to do."

"You can't! You have to help me get ready."

Akane sighed in exasperation.

"We'll be back in plenty of time, Nabiki. Now stop worrying."

Ranma appeared in the doorway.

"Are you ready to go, Akane?"

Akane smiled, and held out her hand.

"Yes, I'm ready."

In the end, although they'd arrived on time, they had to wait. There were several couples ahead of them, and Ranma found himself getting more nervous by the minute as he waited, holding Akane's hand. They had come to this office a few weeks earlier, to fill out the paperwork that was necessary and to make arrangements to formally register their marriage. Suddenly, Ranma realized that Akane's hand was shaking. She was nervous too. A clerk came out of an office, motioned to them, and they followed him.

Ten minutes later, they emerged, husband and wife. It had been a very brief ceremony, so brief that they had difficulty at first believing that it was valid. Only when Ranma had been told that he could kiss his bride, and he had done so, had the reality of it struck them.

They got into the elevator, and closed the doors before anyone could join them. Ranma kissed Akane again, and held out his hand. Akane looked sad for a moment, removed her wedding ring, and handed it to Ranma. Ranma removed his own ring, and placed them back in the box.

"We'll get to wear them later, Akane. For now, this is our secret."

Ranma took Akane to lunch, where they held hands, and smiled at each other, and were so oblivious to what they were eating that they couldn't have told anyone what it had been.

The phone rang at the Tendo dojo. Kasumi picked it up, and exclaimed in surprise.

"I haven't talked to you in a long time! How are you?"

The voice on the other end went on for some time. Kasumi turned a little pale, and leaned on the wall. Then she thanked the caller, and hung up.

Kasumi and Akane walked behind their sister as she came downstairs to meet her date. They managed to keep from laughing when he stared at her, overwhelmed. If he had only seen how much trouble getting her ready had been.

The door closed behind Nabiki, and Kasumi sighed with relief.

"Thank goodness she's gone. Now I can make dinner."

Akane followed her sister into the kitchen.

"Can I help?"

Kasumi turned around, a strange look in her eyes.

"Akane, not today. Today you should be with your husband, not me."

Akane clutched the counter.

"Kasumi?"

"You didn't recognize Kenji - the clerk - this morning."

Akane shook her head.

"You probably don't remember him, then. We went to high school together. He recognized the name Tendo, and phoned me to offer his best wishes. You can imagine how I felt."

"Sis, I'm sorry."

"No, Akane. Don't apologize. I understand why you and Ranma have taken matters into your own hands, and I'll support you. How long do you intend to keep this a secret?"

"We're leaving early tomorrow morning, Kasumi. Ranma and I are going camping for a few days. We'll leave Daddy and his parents a letter; it's already written."

"I could tell them for you, if you like."

Akane considered this for a moment, and then smiled.

"No, Kasumi. They're going to be angry enough at us. I don't want them to be angry at you."

Ranma stuck his head in the kitchen door, and smiled.

"Akane! I've been looking all over the house for you."

He entered the kitchen, and was stopped before he could reach Akane by Kasumi, who hugged him, and kissed his cheek.

"Congratulations, brother. Welcome to the family."

Ranma froze for a second, and then hugged Kasumi. He looked at Akane, his eyebrows raised.

"You told her?"

Akane laughed.

"No, Ranma. Kasumi has her own ways of finding things out. She won't tell."

Kasumi patted Ranma's cheek, causing him to turn red with embarrassment. She then shooed them out of the kitchen.

"Get out, you two. I have work to do."

Kasumi turned out a feast for them that evening. She had even taken the time to bake a small cake, which she placed in front of Akane.

"Would you serve this, dear, while I pour the tea? Give Ranma the first piece."

Akane gave her sister a grateful look, and served Ranma his wedding cake. Soun was too busy accepting a cup of tea from his daughter to notice when Ranma broke off a piece, and fed it to Akane, while she did the same for him.

The family sat in front of the television, watching a video. Kasumi left the room for a minute, and came back with a bowl of popcorn.

"The bath water is hot, Akane, if you want it."

While Akane bathed, Ranma shared the popcorn with Soun, who kept nodding off. Soun had always claimed that this particular movie was his favorite, but he never stayed awake long enough to finish watching it.

Soon, Akane returned to the living room and sat down. Ranma looked at her, amused to see that she was wearing her old faded pajamas with the pattern of cats and suns. He excused himself, and went to take his bath. When he returned, Soun was alone, and nearly asleep. Ranma left him in the living room and went upstairs.

Ranma slid open the door to his and Akane's room. Akane was standing in front of the mirror, brushing her hair, and she turned to him with a welcoming smile. She was no longer wearing the pajamas, but instead wore a lace-trimmed yellow nightgown that took his breath away. Ranma took the brush out of Akane's hands, put it on the bureau, and held her at arm's length, looking at her. He ran one finger down Akane's cheek, and drew her close for a kiss. Then Ranma retrieved the box with their wedding rings, and this time they put them on to stay.

A short time later, Nabiki returned home from her prom. Soun heard her walk in, and sat up.

"Were you waiting up for me, Daddy? Thank you."

"Did you have a good time, dear?"

"A wonderful one, Daddy."

Soun stood up, and kissed his daughter good night. He watched her go up the stairs, and then went to bed.

Nabiki was walking down the hallway when she thought she heard soft voices, and stopped. She looked in the direction of what would be Ranma and Akane's room. There was a light on, and as she stood there, dumbfounded, the light went off, and she heard a giggle.

Nabiki smiled as she got ready for bed. Perhaps some profit could be made of this.

Chapter 8

A Very Short Honeymoon

"We were lucky to get away the next morning, honey. Remember how fast we had to leave the house?"

The sun was just coming up when Ranma opened his eyes. Akane was curled up next to him, one hand resting on his chest.

They'd planned to leave the house before anyone woke up, but Ranma hesitated, not wanting to wake Akane just yet. As lovely as she'd looked in the yellow nightgown last night, the sight of Akane sleeping in his pajama top affected Ranma even more, but in a different way. It was evidence to him that Akane was now a permanent part of his life.

"Five more minutes won't make a difference."

With that thought, Ranma closed his eyes, and unintentionally went back to sleep.

Across town, Nodoka Saotome opened her eyes to see her husband dressing.

"Where are you going, Genma?"

"To get Ranma. He has the week off from school, and I want to take him on a training trip."

Nodoka sat up.

"You didn't mention this to me before. Does Ranma know?"

Genma looked a little embarrassed.

"No. Actually, I decided last night. Ranma will be married in a few weeks, and this will be the last time we'll have a chance to go off together. Besides the training, I'd like to talk to him a bit about marriage. The boy should hear my advice."

Nodoka closed her mouth tightly, trying to control her laughter. She shook with the effort, and a small giggle escaped her.

"What's so funny?"

Nodoka bit back the urge to ask Genma what kind of marital advice he had to offer, and instead got out of bed.

"Nothing, dear. I'll make breakfast - you finish packing."

Akane heard Ranma gasp, and opened her eyes. He shot into a sitting position, looking at the clock.

"Akane, we have about half an hour to make the train."

Akane flew out of the bed, and across the room to the bureau. Seconds later she reversed direction, and jumped into Ranma's arms. She kissed him thoroughly, and pulled away again, rather reluctantly.

"I forgot to say good morning."

Ranma grinned as they dressed. He hoped that Akane would say good morning to him that way for the rest of his life.

Kasumi was dressing when she heard Akane's footsteps going back and forth to the bathroom. She wasn't sure if there would be time for Ranma and Akane to have breakfast, so she hurried downstairs to get it started.

Ranma put on his backpack and crossed the hall to Akane's room, where she had hers waiting, when he heard Kasumi talking downstairs. Her usually quiet voice was raised, as if she wanted them to overhear.

"Mr. Saotome, how nice to see you! What are you doing here so early? Would you like some breakfast?"

"I'm here for Ranma. We're going on a training trip."

Ranma and Akane exchanged incredulous looks. They could hear Ranma's father attempting to go upstairs, and Kasumi stalling him with small talk, and knew they had seconds to move.

Ranma opened the window, while Akane put the letter they'd written on her bed. He climbed down, and caught the backpacks, his shoes and their tent as Akane threw them down. Then Akane closed her window, picked up her own shoes, and took a deep breath.

Genma had his foot on the first step when Akane came running down, practically knocking him down in her haste to get past him.

"Good morning, Uncle Saotome! I'm sorry, I'm going to be SO late!"

Akane never slowed down, but instead dashed to the closet, removed her coat (and Ranma's, hoping no one would notice), put on her shoes, and ran out the door. Ranma was waiting for her around the corner.

They camped out in the mountains, a remote area Ranma had gone to with his father some years previously. The earliest wildflowers were just coming out, and the stars were clear and bright at night. No one disturbed their solitude, at least until their last evening there.

Akane sat by the fire, keeping an eye on dinner. She and Ranma had brought nothing but canned and freeze-dried food, but it was still possible to burn it. She heard footsteps, and tensed. They were not coming from the direction Ranma had gone off in.

"Who's there?"

"Akane?"

"Ryoga!"

Ryoga stood at the edge of the firelight, afraid to come closer. Finally, he made an effort, came forward to sit by Akane, and looked around, confused.

"Akane, what are you doing way out here by yourself?"

"I'm not by myself, Ryoga. Ranma is with me. He went to get water."

Ryoga's look hardened.

"The two of you are alone together? Akane, I'm surprised at you."

Akane stiffened. She'd been gentle with Ryoga when she'd revealed to him that she knew about his curse. Ryoga was fortunate that he'd been away when she'd figured out it, because at the time Akane was so furious that if Ryoga had been nearby his life would have been in danger. Now Ryoga's thoughtless remark had brought all of her fury back.

"How dare you of all people judge my morals, Ryoga! You, who deceived me, and slept with me? For your information, although it's none of your business, we happen to be on our honeymoon!"

Akane had risen as she spoke, clenching both fists. Ryoga cringed before her. Finally, he got up, murmured something unintelligible, and ran off into the darkness. Akane watched him disappear, and then sat down, weeping uncontrollably. She was still in tears when Ranma returned with the water. He took one look at Akane, put down the pail and lantern, and gathered her into his lap.

"What's wrong, Akane? Did you burn dinner?"

Akane gasped, and reached for the pans, but Ranma took them off the fire for her. Akane was still sobbing, unable to speak, and Ranma waited patiently for her to calm down.

"R - Ryoga was here."

"Ryoga? What a place to get lost! What happened?"

Slowly, Akane told Ranma what had happened. After she was done, she buried her face in his shoulder and held on tight, shaking. Ranma patted her back.

"You feel guilty, Akane, don't you?"

Akane sat up, and sniffled.

"Yes. I think I was too hard on him."

Ranma wiped away his wife's tears, and kissed her cheek.

"No, Akane. Ryoga needed to hear what you had to say. He never listened to me. I don't think we'll be seeing him for a while."

Akane sighed, and squeezed Ranma's hand.

"You were right, Ranma. Ryoga's been avoiding us ever since. Every time he sees either of us, he turns around and walks the other way. It's been a year and a half, and he still won't talk to me."

"I wonder, Ranma, why Ryoga broke up with Akari after that. When you get better, maybe you should go look for him. . . . but where was I? Oh yes, what happened after we got back home. . ."

After they broke camp the next morning, Ranma and Akane followed Ryoga's footsteps for a while, but they got tired of walking in circles, and instead hiked back to the train station. As they got closer to Nerima, Akane found herself getting rather tense.

"Akane, what's the matter?"

"What?"

Ranma pointed at Akane's hands.

"Why the fists? Are you expecting a fight?"

Akane flushed.

"I don't know what to expect when we get home, Ranma."

Ranma nodded, and hugged Akane.

"Neither do I. But Akane, you jumped into a dragon's mouth for me - do you find our folks scarier than that?"

"Ranma, all the dragon wanted was lunch. Our families want control. I think that scares me more."

"Then let me handle it, Akane."

"But Ranma, I thought we were a team!"

"We are, Akane. I'll do the talking this time, but you be sure to make it clear that you agree with me."

Ranma watched Akane shake, and raised his eyebrows.

"What's so funny?"

"I can't wait to see their faces when I side with you."

Passengers all over the car craned their necks to watch Ranma laugh.

Half an hour later, Ranma was no longer laughing. He and Akane stood side by side, facing their parents. Kasumi and Nabiki stood to the side, watching.

Nabiki now knew for a certainty that she would no longer be looking at Ranma as a source of income. She'd suspected that when she learned that he had married her sister, and at the time had been torn between regret (after all, the extra cash was always welcome) and happiness for them. Now she awaited the end of this foolish argument.

Genma had been going on and on about Ranma "spoiling the plans that were made", and had finally stopped for air. Ranma immediately jumped in.

"Enough! Are you people never satisfied? You've been after us to get married forever. We are. Be happy. End of subject!"

Ranma grabbed his wife's hand, and picked up his bag.

"Let's go unpack, Akane."

Akane picked up her things, and began to follow Ranma toward the stairs, when she heard a voice behind her.

"Akane."

Akane turned to look at her father.

"Yes, Daddy?"

"How could you break your father's heart like this, by letting Ranma talk you into missing your beautiful wedding?"

"Ranma didn't talk me into anything, Daddy. We made this decision together."

"Akane! How could you turn against your father like this!"

"I haven't turned against you, Daddy. I love you. But I stand with my husband."

Akane turned without another word and followed Ranma upstairs.

Ranma's parents and Akane's father started to talk at once, denouncing the defiant actions of their children, when Kasumi, who hadn't spoken a word once she'd welcomed the newlyweds home, cleared her throat.

"Excuse me?"

No one heard Kasumi, and she raised her voice, something they were not accustomed to.

"EXCUSE ME!"

All heads turned to Kasumi, shocked to see a frown on her normally serene face.

"Take my advice please, and stop. You've won, haven't you? Now let them alone."

Chapter 9

Challenges and Hurdles

The dojo was crowded and noisy. People gathered in groups around the edges of the room, watching the couples dancing in the center of the floor.

Ranma held Akane close as he danced with her, feeling uncomfortable with all the eyes upon them. The only consolation he could take was that this was a reception, not a wedding, and no one could change the fact that he and Akane were already married.

Akane's father and his parents had hurriedly arranged a party for them, saying that he and Akane had "cheated them out of a wedding". Since they'd had the common sense not to invite any of the people who had caused such trouble last time, Ranma and Akane hadn't objected.

When the music ended, Akane hugged Ranma, and kissed his cheek.

"I can't believe it, Ranma. We actually managed to have a party with no one attacking us."

Ranma's smile was less enthusiastic than Akane expected.

"Yeah, Akane. But that's because we're not out in the real world yet."

Ukyo closed up her restaurant, and went for a walk in the moonlight. She'd heard through the grapevine of the party at the dojo. It hadn't been a surprise that she wasn't invited.

Ukyo's walk led her past the Nekohanten, which was still dark and locked up. Shortly after the original wedding fiasco, Cologne had closed down the restaurant "for renovations", and disappeared, with Shampoo and Mousse. Some workmen had been seen going in and out, but Ukyo wondered if the place would ever reopen.

The alarm clock rang, and Ranma groaned as he reached to turn it off. Akane lifted her head from her pillow, and squinted at the sun.

"Morning already? Ugh."

Ranma turned over, and gathered Akane into his arms.

"We could just stay here, and forget about school."

"Don't tempt me."

The couple turned onto the path beside the canal and raced down it.

"I can't believe Nabiki left before us, Ranma. Why did she want to get to school early?"

"She's either up to something, or she wanted to get inside before the crowd at the gate got too big."

A figure stepped out of the shadows in front of them, blocking their path. She had her spatula strapped to her back, but was not wearing her uniform. Ranma and Akane stopped where they were.

"Ranma, I came to stay good bye."

"Good bye?"

"I'm going home."

Ranma was too stunned to speak. When he finally opened his mouth, Ukyo held up her hand.

"Don't bother saying anything, Ran-chan. I've lost, and I'm not going to hang around and let it hurt me any more."

Before Ranma could respond, Ukyo was gone.

Ranma looked at Akane, stricken.

"I never wanted to hurt her like that, Akane."

Akane lost her temper.

"Then you should have told her a long time ago that you didn't love her, instead of letting her chase after you all this time!"

"I never!"

"Yes you did!"

Ranma opened his mouth to shout at Akane again, and abruptly closed it. Akane was standing the way he'd seen her hundreds of times, fists clenched, arms rigid. For all he knew, her famous mallet would come crashing down upon him any second. This was not what he wanted.

"You're right, Akane. But I couldn't just dump Ukyo like that."

Akane's expression softened, and she put her hand on Ranma's arm.

"I know, Ranma. You may put on that 'tough guy' act, but I can see through it."

Ranma smiled, a little sadly, and looked back the way Ukyo had gone.

"Do you think she'll be all right?"

"I don't know, Ranma. I hope so."

Groups of students stood at the gates, talking. It was evident to Ranma that they were waiting for him and Akane.

"First hurdle, Akane. Ready?"

"Ready."

The first hurdle wasn't too bad. There were shouts of laughter, some gentle teasing, shaking of hands, and lots of hugs for Akane from her friends. The only remark that Ranma took exception to was from one of the seniors, who walked straight up to Akane.

"May I kiss the bride?"

It took a long time for the young man to disentangle himself from the branches of the tree Ranma kicked him into.

Then the crowd parted, and Akane whispered to Ranma.

"Second hurdle, honey."

Ranma grinned. It was the first time Akane had called him "honey" in public, and he understood immediately that she was trying to encourage him. Ranma figured that the gesture should be returned, and whispered back.

"Right, sweetheart."

The fact that he accompanied the whisper with kiss on the cheek got a reaction from the person the crowd had parted for.

"How dare you kiss Akane like that! You scoundrel!"

"I don't need your permission to kiss my wife, Kuno."

"W - w - w - WIFE?"

Kuno staggered, and leaned against the wall for support.

"It's not possible. I don't believe it."

Akane nodded.

"Believe it, Kuno."

Kuno looked weakly from Akane to Ranma, and back again to Akane. Akane returned his gaze without blinking, and he noted the way her hand was nestled in Ranma's. Then he saw her turn to her husband, smiling at him with adoration. It was that smile more than anything else that told him it was time to give up. Of course, Kuno being Kuno, he had an alternative to Akane.

"Then the pigtailed girl is mine! Saotome has made his choice. I will find her, and declare my undying love!"

Kuno dashed off the school property, running right through several latecomers. When the dust had settled, everyone started walking into the school, and the Saotomes listened with amusement to some of the remarks.

"You'd think by now that the idiot would know who the pigtailed girl was. Shouldn't somebody tell him?"

"Nah, it's too much fun watching him make a fool out of himself. Leave it be."

Ranma and Akane found themselves the main topic of interest at school for a few days, but eventually other things distracted the students (such as the Chem Club blowing up the lab, with Principal Kuno in it), and things went back to normal.

Ranma had walked past Ucchan's several times, but had not spoken to Ukyo. The place was locked up, and there was a large "For Sale" sign on the door. He'd looked inside, and seen her packing, but she'd refused to respond to his raps on the window.

Ukyo smiled. The "For Sale" sign had been replaced with one that read "Sold", and she was ready to go home. A rap on the window distracted her from her thoughts. She was going to ignore it, thinking it was Ranma, when she realized that the pattern of rapping was different, and looked up. A lovely purple-haired girl stood at the window.

Ukyo unlocked the door, and let Shampoo in.

"Hello, spatula girl. Am back. Why you sell restaurant?"

"I'm going home, Shampoo."

"You give up, then? Let Shampoo keep husband?"

Ukyo's face fell. Obviously, she was going to have to be the one to break the news.

"He's not your husband, Shampoo."

Shampoo was indignant. "How can you say so? Amazon law say Ranma Shampoo's husband!"

"Shampoo, Ranma is Akane's husband. They got married last month."

Shampoo turned so fast that she knocked Ukyo into the wall. The door slammed as she left the restaurant, and Ukyo was grateful that it hadn't broken.

Akane sat on the steps outside the school, waiting for Ranma. In a few weeks, their lives would change again. Nabiki was graduating, and would soon move away and go to college. She and Ranma would begin to teach together for the first time.

And Akane was going to learn to be a wife. A real wife. For now, she was a student, going to school, and coming home to take care of homework. Kasumi was still taking care of everything in the house, and Akane wanted to take care of her husband herself. That included cooking for him, which scared her to death.

Ranma had expressed intentions along the same lines. They way he'd put it was that he felt like they were almost "pretending to be married". Akane thought about the talk they'd had the previous night.

"I know I won't be taking over for another year, Akane, but your Dad has to let me learn what I have to do. Every time I try to talk to him about anything serious, he just tells me to run along and he'll take care of it. Maybe he'll take us more seriously when we start teaching."

Akane's thoughts were interrupted when a shadow fell across her, blocking out the sunshine. When she looked up to see who was there, Akane immediately jumped to her feet.

"You steal Shampoo's husband."

"No, Shampoo. Ranma chose me. And I chose him."

Akane heard the door open behind her. Though she could not see who was there, she sensed that it was Ranma.

Ranma stepped outside, and stopped short when he saw Shampoo standing before Akane. His first instinct was to step between them, but he knew that Akane would take that as an indication that he didn't think her capable of taking care of herself. He had to fight the desire to interfere with all of his might when he heard Shampoo's next words, which were spoken very, very quietly.

"Then you die."

Akane's answer was just as quiet, and full of menace.

"You can try, but I wouldn't advise it."

Shampoo laughed, and reached for Akane's throat. Akane's hands moved faster than Ranma had ever seen before, and caught Shampoo's wrists. Shampoo gasped. Akane's laugh held no humor.

"Did you really think I would just stand here and LET you kill me? I'm a martial artist too, Shampoo, and every bit as strong as you are."

To demonstrate, Akane squeezed, and Shampoo cried out in distress. She wrenched one hand free, and slapped Akane's face, hard.

Ranma reached out to stop Shampoo, but Akane had already violently twisted the one hand she still held. Ranma heard a crunch, and Shampoo went white, and fell to her knees. Ranma quickly grabbed Akane's arms, to prevent her from going any further.

Akane ignored her husband, and looked down at Shampoo, who was cradling her arm, looking defeated. Then Shampoo's pride asserted herself, and she stood, the arm dangling at her side.

"Shampoo can still fight you."

Akane examined her opponent. Shampoo was very pale, and her face was covered with a thin layer of moisture. It was obvious that she was in great pain, and fighting to keep it from overwhelming her. Akane couldn't help but admire her courage.

"No, Shampoo. Go home. Go home, and tell Cologne that it's over."

The tears started to slide down Shampoo's face.

"No! Will never be over until Ranma Shampoo's husband!"

Ranma's voice made them both pause.

"Shampoo, give it up already. I don't love you, and I would never marry you, even if Akane didn't exist. You know that I don't hit women, but I will make an exception. If you ever touch Akane again - either you or Cologne - you will be dead. Stay away from us."

Ranma turned his back on Shampoo, and walked Akane down the steps.

"Did you have to break her arm, Akane?"

"I didn't mean to, Ranma. I must be stronger than I thought."

Ranma thought about all the times Akane had clobbered him.

"You are."

A muffled sob behind them made them turn around. Shampoo had sunk back down to the pavement. She looked like she was going to collapse, and they quickly returned to her. Akane reached down, and offered Shampoo her hand.

"You need to get to a doctor, Shampoo. Let us help you."

Shampoo just stared at Akane's hand, and made no move to take it.

"Akane, I think she's going into shock. Let's go!"

Ranma lifted Shampoo into his arms, being careful not to touch her arm, and began to run.

Dr. Tofu heard his door open, came out of his inner office, and nearly walked right into Ranma. He took one look at Shampoo and opened the door to an examining room, where Ranma put her on the table.

"May I use your phone? We need to call Cologne."

"Go right ahead, Ranma."

Ranma was hanging up the phone when he heard a tremendous crash in the next room. He and Akane flew through the door to see the doctor picking himself off the floor.

"What happened?"

"I was trying to set her arm, and she hit me. Please hold her down."

Even with both Ranma and Akane holding Shampoo down, setting her arm was not an easy job for Dr. Tofu. Shampoo was not herself, and struggled violently, cursing loudly in Chinese. Once the bone was in its proper position and Dr. Tofu started to apply the cast, she calmed down, and let him work. Ranma and Akane left them alone, and returned to the outer room to wait for Cologne.

Five minutes later, Cologne and Mousse ran in. Ranma silently pointed to the next room, and they entered. Shortly afterward, Cologne returned.

"Shampoo won't talk to me. Who did this to her?"

Akane flushed.

"I did."

"WHAT!"

Cologne raised her staff to strike Akane, and Ranma got in the way.

"Don't you dare!"

"Get out of my way, son-in-law. Amazon law requires that this one must die."

"I don't give a damn about your Amazon law, Cologne! If you harm a hair on my wife's head, I'll kill you. Shampoo's arm is broken because Akane was defending herself. Shampoo tried to kill her."

Cologne stopped dead. Only one word had penetrated her rage, and she repeated it.

"Wife?"

"Wife. You'd better find Shampoo another husband."

Cologne stood there, silent, crushed by her defeat. She had always been perfectly confident that one day Shampoo and Ranma would marry, and these two teenagers had gotten the better of her. Her age must be catching up with her. Cologne turned around, and started walking back to the treatment room. She started to close the door, and stopped to look at Ranma once more.

"Good bye, son-in . . . Ranma."

Comments welcome!