Finding Bliss

Part Two

Akane opened the front door about twenty-three seconds after she heard the knock. She was expecting it to be Kuno, and it was. So she drew back her fist in order to properly explain to him her feelings.

Then she noticed that he was holding a baby. And you just don't hit people holding infants, not even if you'd gladly see them slowly roasted alive over hot coals. "Get out," she said coldly.

"I am sorry, but I need to..."

"You're even dumber than I remembered. He doesn't want to see you. Go home."

"I need to see..."

Akane glared at him. "What part of Go-The-Fuck-Away don't you understand, asshole?" She reached for the edge of the door, intending to slam it shut in his face.

"The baby," he said desperately, "it's about the baby, please."

She hesitated, the scowl turning into a frown. "What about it?"

"Her. She's not eating, and I hoped... I hoped maybe her mother..."

Akane's face softened slightly. "Okay. Hand her here, and I'll take her in."

"I thought I would give her to..."

The scowl returned. "You aren't getting within his sight, pervert. Unless you want a repeat of yesterday, with him trying to kill himself."

Kuno's face turned ashen. "She... he tried to...?"

"He was in the process of jumping off a cliff when I grabbed him. That should make it real clear how he feels, ne? Frankly, I'd be pretty horrified if I were in his shoes, and I'm not even a

man."

He looked as if she had punched him in the stomach, and part of her felt sorry for him. For a second.

"I didn't wish... I didn't want to hurt her..."

She laughed, the sound mocking. "You've done nothing but that since the day I met you, Kuno. Ignore it, beat it up, or throw your perverted self at it, that was your routine, remember?

I used to merely dislike you for causing me to be assaulted every morning and grabbing me every chance you got. But that was before you ruined Ranma's life, wasn't it? Now, now I truly hate you."

(Complete change from here on)

"Akane?" They turned to find Ranma standing behind her. Akane stuttered, and Kuno looked on sadly, holding the baby. She gurgled contentedly.

Akane turned to Kuno and frowned, "Hand her over and go away." She held out her hands.

Kuno silently held the baby and started to hand Nabiki over. Ranma's voice stopped him, "Akane, let me talk to him."

Akane scowled and snapped, "No. You do not need to talk to him. He'll confuse you more."

Ranma landed his hand on Akane's shoulder and tightened his grip slightly. His voice had the steel to it, "Akane. Take the baby and look after her. Kuno and I are going to talk."

Akane opened her mouth to protest, but the grip on her shoulder was beginning to become slightly painful. She snapped her jaw shut and took the baby. She stared at her, and her face instantly went from cold glare to admiring warmth. "Oh, what a beautiful little girl!"

"Thank you," Ranma softly said as Akane brushed past her. He turned to Kuno, who stood there dejectedly. "Come on," he gestured for the man to step in and waited as Kuno slip his shoes off. Then led him toward the dojo where they would have some privacy.

As soon they sat down facing each other, they heard the cry come from inside the house. Ranma sighed and closed his eyes.

Kuno turned his head toward the cry, "Nabiki wouldn't eat. She wants her mother."

Ranma rose and gave him a gesture to wait and left the dojo. He returned shortly with Nabiki in one arm and a cup of water and kettle in another hand. Nabiki eyed Ranma with distrust on her face but was silent. He sat down and settled her in his lap and set the kettle down beside him and upturned the glass water over his head.

Kuno watched Ranma go from male to female, the forms melting from one to another. His breath hitched as his Akane appeared. It hit him; their eyes were the same. Their mannerisms were the same. He watched as Ranma unbutton the Chinese shirt and lifted giggling Nabiki to her breast and started to feed.

She winced, "Good strong teeth." Tapping a finger on the baby's cheek, she sighed a small relief as the eager suckling let up to comfortable suckle. She turned her eyes to the man across her.

Kuno watched Nabiki feed with a sad smile and then lifted his eyes to meet the blue eyes he had come to love, and the smile faded.

Ranma felt the tug in her heart. That feeling she had during their time on the island. It was strong as ever, and she swallowed hard. It can't be. She was a man and prefers women.

But it was there, that love she had for Ukyo. It was real and clear as the sky. Closing her eyes, she dropped her head, allowing the bangs shadow her face.

Kuno saw the look in her eyes before shielding them. He understood what Ranma was thinking. He also had the same thought. Despite knowing his Akane and Ranma was the same person, he still loved her, rather him.

When Nabiki had her fill with milk, her eyes dropped close, and she was asleep shortly after. Ranma handed her over to Kuno and got up and grabbed another seat pillow and brought it back to their sides. She took the baby and laid her down. Nabiki yawned and shifted, falling back asleep once again after being disturbed.

Ranma sat down and lifted the kettle and allowed the warm water run over her head, transforming her back into a male. Kuno watched the transformation with fascination. It had never ceased to amaze him. The kettle set down with a soft thud.

He held his gaze to Ranma's familiar blue eyes. He realized, he has lost it all for good. The guarded expression told him all. His Akane was gone forever. He bent over and bowed, "I am sorry. For all that I have caused you and Akane troubles. I remembered everything last night, and it was painful to remember. I deserve to die. I will leave you and Akane alone, on whatever honor I have left."

Ranma frowned. "Kuno." He reached over and laid a hand on his head. "I accept the apology but..."

Kuno lifted his head and sat back up. "Yes?"

Ranma stared at Kuno and realized, this wasn't the same Takewaki Kuno he had always known. This is Ukyo Kuno. The island had changed them. He knew he also had changed too; he wasn't Ranma Saotome. He is Akane Ranma.

Their memories had merged. Their feelings had evolved, and now they are a completely different person than they were on the island.

"I..." Ranma started and frowned, looking away.

Kuno also found it difficult to say anything but knew he had to. There was a tiny glimmer of hope, so tiny that it would be lost among the speck of sands on the cursed island forever. But he has to start. "Ranma. I now know who you are and what you are to me. I am not the same man I was. I will accept whatever fate has in plan for me." He looked to Nabiki. "Right now, all that matters to me is her. But she still does need you too." Ranma nodded, glancing at their daughter, a beautiful girl they had created on the befouled island.

"Yes. I love her, and I can't just forget her." Ranma said softly before turning his head back to the other man.

Kuno sighed softly. "I still love you. Akane; that is." He closed his eyes. "I know you, and my Akane of the island are one same person, and I find it difficult. I... I struggle with my feeling."

Ranma's eyes dropped to his hands on his knees. He slowly replied, "I also struggle too. At first, I was disgusted and upset that it happened, but then, I thought about our time on the island and all that." He looked up. "I still have the same feeling. I miss that simple time we had together. It was real. It was bliss."

Kuno nodded. "Bliss, yes. It was. But what now?"

Ranma stared at Kuno. It was painfully evident that they both grew up on the island. He was starting to feel alienated around the Tendos. They still had same perspectives despite being grown up. Akane still harbored the same temper she was known for, yet he doesn't know who she was anymore. But he knew he would never be able to go back to the way things were. Most of his friends had died or left. He didn't feel comfortable being in the Tendo household anymore. What he had before the island, they're all gone, dead. Killed in that wreck.

However, sitting with Kuno, that comfort and feeling he had in past two years was something he had grown accustomed. They came to rely on each other, understood each other. They shared a deep bond that they would never get with anyone else. Strangely, he realized, his bond with Kuno was stronger than what he had with Akane.

Ranma inhaled deeply and said, "I... I want to check something first." He rose and leaned over. Kuno stared at him bemusedly but remained silent. Ranma swallowed and inched closer until his breath mingled with Kuno. He closed his eyes and kissed the other man.

Kuno's eyes widened in surprise before closing them, returning the kiss. It was familiar, the taste and the feel were the same, but with a slight difference. He could feel Ranma feeling the kiss, and he raised his hands, threading his fingers through the other man's hair. It was just like his Akane's, the smell, the feel, the aura coming from Ranma. Everything, they were one and same, and his heart sang.

Ranma broke the kiss with slight heavy breathing. He rested his forehead on Kuno's forehead and smiled softly. "The feeling, it's all there and still the same. It's not that confusing when it's just two of us."

Kuno tightened his grips on Ranma's head, "Same here. You are still Akane to me."

"And you are still Ukyo to me," Ranma said as he sat back once Kuno let go of his hair. "What now? You know I am a man."

Kuno shook his head, "I don't know." He gazed into the blue eyes. "To be honest. It doesn't matter if you're a man or a woman, you are you. To me."

Ranma slowly nodded. "Yeah. Couldn't say better."

"Do you plan to stay here?"

Ranma grimaced. "It's not the same here. Pops' gone, Mr. Tendo no longer lives here. I don't feel like I belong here anymore. Akane," he glanced up. "Still thinks she and I will marry and take over the dojo."

"Are you going to do that? Marry Akane?"

Ranma shook his head. "It wouldn't feel right, with my feeling as it is. I thought myself in love with her but not anymore. It's gone." He grasped his shirt and shook a little bit. "I've always fought hard to be a man among men, even with the curse. But now, looking back on it, it's so silly. Everything was so utterly ridiculous. And for what?" He scowled, pain filling him up as he thought of Ukyo, Shampoo, Mousse, and Ryoga. What they had paid for. He gripped his shirt so hard that his knuckles turned white and tears welled in his eyes. "It's funny how the time on the island knocks your perspective in place and make you see things that you've never thought to see. It's simple; I am me."

"Indeed, you are," Kuno replied. He gestured to Nabiki. "I am alone in my house, with Nabiki. Kodachi's gone, and my father isn't there. Stay with me, at least for Nabiki's sake? I have more than enough rooms."

Ranma nodded. "I think it might be best for all of us for the time being." At the moment, Nabiki woke up and yawned. Her eyes caught Ranma, and she remembered his transformation into her mother. She cooed and waved her fists at him.

Ranma chuckled and picked up Nabiki. "Now you know who I am?"

Nabiki replied by grabbing his hair as she had always done when he was Akane. She giggled.

"When would you like to come to live with me?" Kuno asked.

Ranma turned his eyes to the other man. "Now would be good. I got nothing but clothes on my back and few things. Aw, crap." He muttered and saw Kuno's confused look. "I'm gonna have a heck of a time telling Akane this. It's going to be awkward as fuck."

They stood up together. "I will wait for you at my house," Kuno said as he took gurgling Nabiki into his arms. He and Ranma walked through the house to the front door. Ranma watched as Kuno left through the gate. He closed the door and turned around. The main floor of the house was empty; it felt strange to him. Never he had felt so empty and isolated as he is now. Even on the island, he never had felt alone; he had Kuno and Nabiki.

He took the stairs and approached Akane's door. He knocked softly; he had to tell her. At least that he wasn't going to stay.

"Come in." He heard Akane said from within her room. He opened the door and found her sitting at her desk, writing something. He stepped in and stood there, rubbing the back of his head. A gesture he had done when he was nervous.

Akane looked up and placed her pencil down. "Come in, what is it?"

He met her brown eyes. It was solidified. He didn't feel the same for her as he felt for Kuno. It was strange to know the reality of his feelings. He may have liked her and perhaps loved her at one time, but those feelings were gone. All he felt was a friendship with her like he did with Nabiki and Kasumi.

He dropped his hand, feeling a strong sense of resolve. He knew where he belonged. It didn't matter anymore. He had come to accept his cursed form for a long time, and it had been a part of him. He knew if he had attempted to get rid of his female side, he would miss it. It was time to look at his female form a blessing now, rather than a curse. There are things out there that are far worse than switching gender, and he knew this from experience.

"Akane." He started with a determined tone. He saw her smile fade. "I can't stay here."

"Ranma!" She stood up, frowning.

He held his hand up. He knew how she would react and every muscle in his body tensed up in preparation. It was a familiar old feeling, and he hated it. It was always like that with her. Damn, had he seriously considered marry this violate tomboy!? He shuddered.

"Before you say anything." He started and saw her clench her jaw, struggling not to explode. He sighed. "I talked this over with Kuno; it would be best for Nabiki that I stay with him. She needs us both, and she is very young. Right now, it's a bit weird for me to be here."

He tensed silently, and it came.

"Ranma! No! Kuno's never been full of restraint, Ranma. I can't count the number of times the slimy creep grabbed one of us."

Ranma stared at Akane with a hint of stony expression. "Akane. He and I had changed in the past two years. For two damned years, we had no memories of our lives before. We lived with what we knew. Now we remember, and we've changed. I am not the same person I was before. He isn't either. He apologized and felt he deserved to die for all he did to us before."

Akane's scowl deepened, "he should! Instead of groping you, he's gotten you pregnant!" She shook her head and calmed down a bit. "I don't think that's a good idea," Akane said. "I don't want a repeat of yesterday."

"Yesterday was yesterday. I wasn't thinking straight; I was a little nut." He said quietly, "but now I am thinking clearly with everything straightened out in my head."

She didn't smile. "I think it's a bad idea."

"Look, the guy's probably hurting as much as I was..."

"Let him."

"No. I won't. I am not going to let you run my life."

Akane focused a baleful stare at him. "You're not going, and that's final."

"Oh?" Ranma closed his eyes for a second, and then met the stare. "No, Akane. I'm gonna go. It's clear that you don't trust me enough. It's best that we break things off between us right now. I never minded getting slapped around a bit, but none of you, not even Ukyo or Shampoo, ever really trusted me. And I deserve better than that. So what's it gonna be?"

Akane didn't meet his eyes. "I'm sorry, Ranma. I do trust you, really I do." Then she looked up suddenly, eyes fierce and wet with sudden tears. "But I don't trust the person who married Kuno. I'm scared of her. I'm scared that she's going to take you away from me again."

"That's ridiculous. She and I are the same people. Even Kuno knows that."

"No it's not!" she screamed. "Look! Your baby! God, she's beautiful. And she's not mine. You lived with him for two years; I had you for one year. You made this... this wonderful little girl with him..." She was openly crying now. "How am I supposed to feel? Ranma?"

He stared at her, digesting what she had said. "Okay. I can see why you'll be upset. But you're still going to have to let me go sometime, and it might as well be now. We've had two years apart, and you're living a different life now. I can't come back here and pick up where I left off. It doesn't feel right. Nothing is the same anymore, I am not the same person, and you are not either."

"Can you tell me, honestly tell me that you don't love him?"

He sighed. "No, no I can't."

Akane screwed her face, "So, you're gay now?"

Ranma frowned. "I see." He looked away, unable to look at her anymore. It was clear now. "Supposedly, if you and I were married... would you be gay? With my female side?"

Akane stammered, "that's different!"

"It is not." He replied stonily. "Do you realize that I am me, in both forms? It doesn't matter. Gender is a word. Male, female, there is no difference. You have proved yourself thousands time over that you are equal to any male. Why would that matters to you?"

Akane was stunned speechless. Ranma had it sorted out, and she hadn't.

"I would like us to be a friend. But it seems, we can't be until you come to term with who I am now." Ranma said and turned around, "Goodbye, Akane."

She stared at the door as it closed behind him. She slumped down in her chair, and the tears finally came.

Ranma's sleep was restless. He woke up periodically, his mind filled with thoughts of both Akane and Kuno. Akane had shown her true color to him. Kuno needed him, but he wasn't sure how to fit in.

Ranma got carefully out of bed, trying not to wake Nabiki. He and Kuno had been taking turn keeping Nabiki with them each night, sharing responsibility.

It had been few weeks since he moved into the Kuno household. True to Kuno's words, Kodachi and their father was no longer living there. Kuno has gone and erased all traces of them both and refurnished the house with new furniture and things, erasing all traces of his old lives. He even took down all the pictures of Akane and female Ranma from his room and changed the style. Now it looked like it belonged to the master of the Kuno household, Spartan and classy.

Ranma has been given a room of his own across the hall. It was a big nice traditional room, and Ranma had nothing to his name, and moving in was easy. All he had to bring a bag of clothes and few belongings and he was done. Kuno had offered to buy more clothes and things for him, but he declined. He was used to living simplistic lifestyle.

He stepped out onto the porch and sat down, looking to the sky. He had taken to do some sky watching when he was troubled.

Until Akane accepted the way things would be, he had to stay away. It hurt in his heart, his mind, and his pride.

He froze when little Nabiki started to squirm around behind him in her box. He pulled her box toward him and patted her back, watching her settle down once again, Ranma sighed.

He heard a light creak in the hallway behind him and the shoji door slide open. "Ranma?"

"Come in, Kuno." He replied softly.

The older man silently crept into the room and padded softly across to settle beside Ranma on the deck. "Can't sleep?"

"No. You?"

"I'm a light sleeper." He saw Ranma make a wry grin. "When I am not forcibly knocked out cold. I heard you and Nabiki."

Chuckling, Ranma nodded as he glanced down to Nabiki beside him. "Just thoughts."

Kuno hummed. "Akane is not coming around?" Ranma had told him about what had transpired between them and had to admit, Akane could be stubborn.

"If I know her that well, it will be a long time."

"Yes. At least you got Nabiki and me here."

Ranma laughed. "What a twisted fate of irony. If I were told couple years back that this is where I would end up, I would have committed the person into an institute."

"Or kick him into the low stratosphere."

"Or that, too." Ranma laughed. "We've come a long way."

"Yes."

Kuno looked over to Ranma. Few weeks they had been living together, and there was only a handful of time that he transformed into a female. And they were to feed Nabiki and few accidents. He was starting to understand how much of a water magnet Ranma was.

But they had not come anywhere close physically yet. He had missed holding her. Missed having her beside him in bed at night. Missed their lovemaking. The last time was on that raft. It was desperate and frantic. But now, it had been nearly a month since they came back to Japan. He inhaled and turned away.

Ranma glanced from the corner of his eyes, catching Kuno watching him. He knew the look on his face. Knew what he wanted.

He knew part of him was afraid to take the step forward. But at the same time, he wanted it too. Having missing being beside him, missing his touches. He glanced down to Nabiki. She was starting to squirm. It was almost feeding time.

He got up and went to his bathroom to change. She came back and settled down. Nabiki was wide awake and waiting. She picked the baby up and pulled her tank shirt up. Almost immediately Nabiki latched on and drank happily, making a light cooing sound as she suckled. Kuno watched them with a hint of adoration in his eyes.

After Nabiki had her fill and burped, she was back in dreamland, sleeping soundly.

"She would be out until morning," Ranma commented softly as she brushed Nabiki soft hair that curled around her face. "She starting to drink more during her feeding and needing less feeding time."

"She's growing."

"I should start weaning her."

Kuno almost felt sad at the thought.

Ranma looked up. "Kuno."

"Please," He said, "Tatewaki."

"Tatewaki," She tested the name out. "It's strange. You were always Kuno and then Ukyo to me."

He turned his head to her. "As you were my pigtailed goddess, then Akane. But I have come to term and accepted Ranma. With all of my memories in place, the previous names weren't right."

She bobbed her head slowly. "You're right." She moved the box back the bed's side and sat on the futon. "Tate." She held out her hand to him. "Come here."

He took her hand, unsure as he moved to her side. She leaned up and kissed him, and he wrapped his arm around her waist, missing the feel of her body in his arms. He waited for the recoil and rejected but none came.

She leaned back, "I hate to admit this... I miss this."

He looked down at her, "Are you sure?"

She nodded. "I... I missed it. It felt good, and I want to."

It was enough for him, he leaned down and kissed her with as much passion and love he could pour. His hand slipped up her shirt, and he found the soft mound. She moaned and pushed her petite body against him, relishing in the feeling their bodies were making.

She yawned and woke to a soft cry coming from the box beside her bed. She blinked and moved to sit up but found she was restrained. She looked down to see an arm across her midsection. Memories of the night before came to her, and she felt a tinge of horror before the rush of warmth flooding her body. She moved the arm, and suddenly Kuno shifted and curled against her side as he had always done when they slept together. She reached over and picked up a grumpy Nabiki.

"Mm, not a morning person, aren't you?" She asked as she brought the babe to her breast. She winced as her daughter clamped on tight. "Easy...easy." She muttered and shifted to hold her baby comfortably. She leaned back against the wall and allowed her thought drift.

It was pleasurable the night before. She had missed it and Kuno, she had to admit, was a good lover. He knew her favorite spots and how to make her body sing. She frowned, what of her male body? Would she ever know sex the way a man would? It was kind of unfair, with her being the female in the relationship while she was male. How would they remedy that? She wasn't sure.

She winced as Nabiki pulled at her and glanced down to find her daughter trying to suckle more milk out of her spent breast and shifted to change breast.

She raised Nabiki to her shoulder and patted the tiny back gently until the baby burped. She settled the baby in her blanket covered lap and wriggled her fingers, smiling as Nabiki waved her hands, trying to grasp the wriggling appendage.

Ranma's eyes lifted to find Kuno awake and watching her silently from his side of the bed. She smiled at him a good morning. He returned it and rolled to his side.

"I just remembered a cafe in town that had good coffee." He started.

Ranma's eyebrow rose. "Oh?"

"Fancy a walk to the cafe for breakfast? We do need to get some more nappies for her."

Ranma nodded and laid Nabiki down in her box. She was yawning and falling back to sleep. "Let me go wash up and get dressed." She rose, allowing the blanket slip off her. "Join me?"

Kuno shrugged and rose as well, following her into the bathroom. They grabbed their buckets and entered the inner bath and started to wash.

Ranma was quite as she started to wash her body. She recalled the night before and how she had enjoyed it. She gave a side-eye glance to Kuno who was washing. He had his eyes closed as he started to scrub his face. She took the chance to appraise his physique. He was still tanned from the island, as she was. The body was very familiar to her as she had come to know it in the past two years. She felt the slight heat of arousal when she took in his manhood, remembering how it had pounded pleasure into her over and over the night before. She quickly looked away, wondering if she should feel shame because she is a man as well.

She sighed and raised the bucket with cool water and dumped it over her head. She shivered at the rush of water. Blinking her eyes open, she saw his offered hand and took it. He took her over to the furo and let go. She watched as he slid in and sighed as the heat engulfed him.

He opened his eyes and stared at Ranma, asking, "What is it? Come on in."

Ranma fiddled with her fingers. "It's warm."

"Yeah?" He replied and then understood as he nodded. He gestured to space in front of him. "Plenty of room."

Ranma saw the look of understanding on his face but was mildly surprised as he gestured for her to get in. "It doesn't bother you?"

"Your transformation? No. I had time to think about it. Deep down, I knew you were one and same back then before the island, but denied it. But now, I don't see the body you are in but who you are from the inside. That's why I was afraid to lose you to Akane..." he lowered his hands into the water to hide the clenching from her sight. But it didn't go unnoticed by her that his jaws clenched. "I've told you time again and again how I felt. But what about you?"

Ranma blinked, dumbfounded by the question. She looked to the furo and reached out slowly. "I... I am still getting used to it." She stepped up on the step and slid her leg into the water, the warmth was inviting, and she allowed her other leg to step in and slid down to sit, the water covering her body and triggering her transformation.

Ranma looked up at Kuno and saw a gentle smile on the other man's face. He couldn't help but respond with his own.

"There you go," Kuno said as he leaned back and rested his head on the ledge. "Until you are ready, I will wait."

Ranma tilted his head, "What?"

"I understand you're unsure of your sexuality despite what we did last night. But I have come to term with my own."

Ranma's legs brushed against Kuno; he couldn't help it, the furo wasn't exactly a very large one. It was a standard size, even if it had just enough room for two grown men to sit in it. He watched, waiting for a hint of a flinch from Kuno but found none. "And what would you say your sexuality was?"

Kuno tilted his head forward and replied, "I'm bisexual. When it comes to you."

"Oh." Ranma murmured and fell silent. Kuno had done it again, pointing out something obvious that he had not seen yet. He looked up to the other man, who had his head leaned back on the ledge and his eyes closed, relaxing.

On the island, it was simple. It was them and no one else. They were trying to survive day to day, build shelter and fight against the wild dogs. The temple that hovered on the edge of their minds, driving them to near insanity and fighting for their survival. They allowed their most basic needs and desire take over without question. They sought comfort and support from each other. In all, they had no choices, and from that, they developed an understanding and bond that no one could match. From that connection, their love grew, and it was simple.

And he missed it.

With coming back to Japan, remembering everything, feeling confused and mixed up, and it all seemed so complicated. One set of memories and feelings fought with the new ones, leaving him a mess inside. But the feelings he came to develop on the island was stronger and beginning to dominate the older feelings, making everything complicated.

Kuno just took it in stride and went with it.

Why hasn't he?

There was Akane.

The honor his mother demands of him.

The whole training to be a man among men.

All of that clashed with who he is now.

Kuno opened his eyes to find Ranma staring blankly at the surface of the water, lost in his mind. He reached over and brushed the black lock back, snapping the other man out of his reverie. "Let's get breakfast."

Ranma nodded and got up, following Kuno out of the bathroom to get dressed.

"That was good coffee," Ranma said as he walked beside Kuno who was holding Nabiki. They had decided to collect few things at the market for dinner and refill the nappy stock.

"Yes. I was worried for a bit there that it would be no longer there. I am glad it is still there." Kuno said as he paused to look a stall for some food. "Their coffee is best in the area."

Ranma hummed his agreement and stretched, folding his arms behind his head as he held the bag of things they had bought. He looked to the sky, feeling content at the moment. He could hear Nabiki coo among the din of the market noise.

Then, "Ranma?" He turned to the familiar voice and found Kasumi approaching him. She had a couple of bags full of food in hands and smiled at him. "We missed you at home."

Ranma chuckled weakly. "Uh, sorry 'bout that."

Kasumi glanced over to find Kuno turning around and gasped softly. "Oh, it's true. Who is this darling?" She gave Nabiki a tickle and a baby talk, getting a giggle and a coo in return.

Ranma felt pride swell inside. "Our kid."

The eldest Tendo sister blinked and looked up to Ranma. She glanced at Kuno and back to Ranma. Her mind's wheel whirred, and she blinked again before replying, "She is beautiful. Akane didn't say much. She was very upset the day you left. We couldn't get much out of her." Kasumi explained, eyeing Kuno with apprehension.

Ranma nodded somberly. That was to be expected. He had left abruptly without explanation after his fight with Akane. He couldn't blame her for being angry. "Yeah. Well, I didn't feel right to stay at your place. I am staying with him. It's better for Nabiki to have both of her parents around. It was all she known."

Kasumi's eyes widened. "Oh! Nabiki? She would be honored."

"Eh," Ranma laughed. "It was all we remembered, and we liked the name. We didn't remember anything until we came back."

Kasumi nodded slowly. "Well, I understand. You know you are always welcomed at our house." She turned to Kuno and bowed, "you too."

"Thank you," Kuno said as he shifted Nabiki in his arm. "But it might be best if we don't come around for a while."

Ranma nodded. "Yeah, I am sure Akane wants to kill us both."

Kasumi frowned. "Why would she? She didn't exactly explain."

Ranma sighed as his shoulders dropped. "I ended things with Akane. I..." he glanced over to Kuno for help.

The older man reached out and gripped Ranma's shoulder and filled in. "We are together, as partners and parents."

Kasumi's gasped, she covered her mouth as her eyes darted back and forth between the two men. "Oh." Then she dropped her hand and bowed. "Forgive me. I understand. I hope you both are happy. She is such a beautiful girl. But do visit and we'd like to hear the full story eventually." She waved as she turned to walk away. "As for Akane, yes, she does need to cool her jets. Bye-bye!"

Ranma stared after the older woman. "That's why I liked her. She was the most level-headed of the entire Tendo clan."

Kuno chuckled. "Perhaps out of all of us. Come on." He turned and moved to the next stall.

Ranma grinned and wrapped his arm around Kuno's waist. Everyone's opinions didn't matter to them. What mattered was their happiness. He leaned over and poked Nabiki's nose. "Someday, you're going to meet your namesake, and I'm going to warn you now, don't lose your money to her schemes."

Kuno laughed.

Nabiki wandered into the kitchen and found her older sister chopping vegetables away for dinner. She opened the fridge and took out a can of soda.

"What's for dinner?"

"Soba noodles and fried shrimps. I found some good fresh shrimps on the market today." Kasumi replied.

"Sound good," Nabiki replied as she started to leave the kitchen.

"I ran into Ranma." Nabiki paused as she reached the door and turned slowly to her sister who was still chopping the carrots.

"Say what?"

Kasumi stopped and turned to her sister, "I saw Ranma in the market today."

"Oh? How is he? Where is he living now? Why did he leave?" Nabiki rattled off the questions as she approached her sister's side again.

Kasumi shook her head in amusement and sighed. She turned back to chopping the carrots. "Ranma seems fine. He was with this guy… he was in your class…"

Nabiki's eyes widened, "Kuno?"

"Yes." The eldest sister placed the chopped carrots into the pot and started on the bok choy. "They were shopping. They had a child with them."

Nabiki grasped Kasumi's arm. "Kasumi! Stop chopping the food!" The eldest did just that and turned to her younger sister. "You know Akane didn't tell us everything. What did you find out?"

Kasumi wiped her hands on her apron. "As I understand this, Ranma and Kuno was lost for two years, assumed dead. They survived on an island and together, they had a daughter. Ranma ended the engagement with Akane and did not feel comfortable living here, so he is with Kuno."

Nabiki's jaw dropped. "What… uh, you're telling me that Ranma and Kuno…" She pointed her forefingers together to empathize the idea. "Together?"

Kasumi nodded. "And they have a daughter. An adorable baby, her name is Nabiki." She smiled.

Nabiki stammered. "I am not sure why they named her after you, but you should be proud. It's a beautiful girl. I wish you could see her."

"You know. I think I need to see them and find out what's going on. To clear things up. Ranma shows up out of the blue then disappear. Akane was starting to move on, but it seemed she just took a step back. Now you say there's a baby in the whole mess. What's next? Kuno's cursed too?"

Kasumi shook her head and turned back to her cooking. "Give it a bit. We'll know when the time comes. But I am content to know Ranma is okay. Akane, on the other hand… I am afraid; she will need to let this one go and move on."

Nabiki nodded grimly. "You're right, Kasumi." She turned and left the kitchen.

Note:

Ranma is still trying to figure out his sexuality here but he's starting to accept it. He still has few things to deal with ahead of here.