Some Surprising Companions

Disclaimer: These characters are all Rumiko Takahashi's. I wish they were mine!!

Author's Note: This is my third fanfic, and this is a sequel to "The Twelve Days of Kuno." My last fic turned out to be a Ranma-Akane fic, even though it was originally supposed to be a Kuno-Pigtailed Girl fic. This fic will have match-ups that everyone will like... whatever, I'm confusing myself... just read and enjoy. And pleeeeeeeze R&R!!

When Akane and Ranma returned together from their cruise to Alaska, everyone in the Tendo house was ecstatic.

"I've waited so long for this!" shouted a teary Soun Tendo.

Genma Saotome exhibited several signs saying, "I knew they were meant for each other!" and "They're so cute together" and "When's the wedding?"

Kasumi made an extra special dinner, and after being pestered for a few hours about "how far they got," Akane and Ranma both decided that it was time to go to bed.

Soun and Genma, however, stayed up late talking at the dinner table.

"Do you believe that it is time?" Soun asked Genma with a desperate voice.

Genma shook his head. "...Not quite yet. What can we do?"

After thinking deeply for a few minutes, Soun shouted, "I KNOW!" He whispered something to Genma, and then they spent the rest of the night on the phone...

~*~

Ranma yawned as he came down the stairs. He was hoping that today would not be like yesterday, with Soun and Genma prodding him with questions and ideas. He sat down at the table, and was surprised to find an envelope at his place. Ranma looked at Kasumi, who was busy cooking breakfast. "Hey, Kasumi, what's this?"

Kasumi looked at the envelope and shrugged, but as she turned away, Ranma could see that she was hiding a smile.

Realizing that Kasumi wasn't going to tell him anything, he opened the envelope. Inside, there were three pieces of paper.

The first piece of paper was a plane ticket to Avalon in Catalina Island. The second paper was a resort confirmation. The third paper was a letter:

Ranma-

I must once again congratulate you on your bond with Akane. I always knew that you were meant for each other. Soun and I have decided to send you and Akane on a little vacation to finalize your bond before you get married. Avalon has been said to be a town filled with romance and mysteries. You leave in 5 days. Bon voyage!

-Pop

::Sweatdrop.:: "Genma and Soun really want something to happen between me and Akane," Ranma thought. Then he sighed. Couldn't they ever stay out of his business? Sure, spending the cruise with Akane had been nice, but he just wasn't ready for another vacation. He just wanted some time... alone, for himself.

He wasn't going to get it.

Akane came down the stairs and her eyes met with Ranma's. He looked slightly annoyed. "What's wrong, Ranma?" she asked.

Ranma handed Akane the envelope that was at her place at the table. Akane had a matching ticket and resort confirmation, and the letter from her father was similar to Ranma's.

Akane sat down at the table. "This sounds fun, Ranma. But you don't look too happy about it."

Ranma sighed again. "It's nothing. I just wish that Pop would stop trying to push things too quickly."

Akane nodded. "I know what you mean. Our fathers are getting way too carried away... but let's have a good time, Ranma. Avalon is supposed to be really exciting. And our fathers won't be there to bother us (but Nabiki might!)."

Ranma agreed.

~*~

That afternoon, Akane handed Ranma two notes. "From Kuno," she told him.

Ranma read the first one:

Pigtailed Girl:

Are you okay?!? I am hoping that you have escaped safely from the evil Ranma Saotome. Meet me in the park at 4:00 this afternoon to discuss our future.

-Your loving fiancée, Kuno

Ranma had completely forgotten about Kuno's proposal. Feeling slightly ill, he read the second note.

Ranma Saotome:

I WILL GET YOU FOR YOUR KIDNAPPING OF THE PIGTAILED GIRL! THIS TIME YOU SHALL NOT WIN! MEET ME IN THE PARK AT 4:00, OR FACE EVEN WORSE CONSEQUENCES!!

-Kuno

Ranma decided to take the easier way out. Later that afternoon, he left for the park... as a girl.

~*~

Kuno spotted the pigtailed girl, and ran to greet her with a huge smooch and a powerful hug. "Pigtailed girl! I thought that maybe you were lost forever!" After raging for what seemed like an hour about "the evil Ranma Saotome," Kuno asked, "Have you considered my marriage proposal, pigtailed goddess?"

Kuno looked so hopeful. "What if Akane told me that she didn't love me that night of the cruise?" Ranma asked herself. "I can't do that to Kuno..."

"I've thought about it," said Ranma, "and... I've decided that it's a bit too early for me to get married. Ranma took a deep breath. "I love you, Kuno, but I think we should wait a few more years before... before..."

"I understand," Kuno said sadly. Then he seemed to remember something. "I wanted to tell you something, pigtailed girl! I am very sorry about our cruise; you must have had a dreadful time with that Ranma. I wanted to make it up to you..." Kuno handed Ranma a ticket.

She looked at it. It was a ticket to Avalon.

~*~

Ranma (male) raced into the Tendo yard. "Akane!" he shouted.

"What?" screamed a voice from an upstairs window.

"Come down here, now!" Ranma shouted back.

Minutes later, Akane came out into the yard. "What's so urgent, Ranma??"

"Kuno... invited... me... to... Avalon!!" Ranma panted angrily. "And it's exactly when we're going! Same plane, same hotel! Pop must've found some special deal or something," Ranma grumbled.

"Let's double-check!" Akane cried. She ran back into the house, and quickly came back with her envelope.

"Now, let's see..." whispered Akane as she compared the information. She hadn't gotten very far when a bicycle landed on her head and she heard a high voice exclaim, "Nihao!"

Shampoo grabbed the envelope out of Akane's hand. "What this?" Shampoo asked. As she read the letter, her eyes narrowed. "Akane and Ranma going on vacation?!" Shampoo cried angrily. She glared at Akane. "Then Shampoo comes, too. Shampoo not let Akane steal Ranma!"

Shampoo sped away on her bicycle, leaving Akane and Ranma staring after her.

~*~

Meanwhile, halfway across the world, a small black pig was getting on a plane to Avalon...