The heaviness in the air on that moment was clearly visible. Ryoga had to put a stop to all this before it got out of hand; specially since it was taking new casualties. Soun meant to create a moment that could erase all the craziness his family was suffering.
"Son. Saotome-san has agreed to accept you as a member of the family. We believe that you'll become a strong part on uniting the schools; you know the anything goes techniques from previous teachings, and my daughter seems ok with it since Ranma has decided to stay a girl."
This was already out of hand. If there was a thing Ryoga always pitied in Ranma's life was the forced decisions taken on his behalf, and this is not his way. He might be clueless and distracted, but he could never let others posses him like this."Sir. Do I still have a say on all this? I have many important choices to take, and I need to think them over."
Soun was expecting this, and agreed. Akane was a different matter; this time she had to take the situation on her own hands by going in between the new father and son, and mostly taking center stage in front of Ranma. "Ryoga-kun. You know as well as I do that you have feelings for me; Nabiki made me realize it when she told me once 'Don't you wonder why Ryoga-kun brings you so many gifts, more to you than anyone else. Maybe he is in love with you', and so got me thinking that it's true, but most of all I know that you are P-chan."
If Ryoga's eyes would've open any more his eyeballs would be on the floor, and rolling everywhere. "How did . . . .you. . . ." His come back wasn't very articulated, but did the trick.
"Ryoga-kun. I might be an un-cute tomboy, but I'd like to think I'm a bit smart, and all the hints Ranma threw at you plus the bandanna on either form didn't give any doubt left, but there's one more thing though."
Moving the lost boy closer to the red-headed girl, and away from her father was the next move since the next bit of information was intended for their ears alone. "Ryoga-kun. I'd feel inclined to accept daddies offer. He doesn't know how many times you slept with me, and he hasn't learned that you have lived in my bedroom. Who knows doing what, while I was changing or talking about my most secret thoughts to my diary."
"Is Akane-san blackmailing me? No. . . .not when I finally found the love of my life, but my honor, and the way everyone would react to that. . . .what can I do. . . ." Ryoga's pleading eyes reached Ranma's , and she understood the lost boy was asking for help. She knew he loved her, but what Akane was asking would put him on a very distressful situation. "Akane. I can't believe you'd fall this deep to keep him away from me, and that's not fair."
Surprised at her ex-fiancee's response she talked back in the only expected tone "Are you seriously thinking that I would give him up? To you, and you're twisted, and perverted idea you call love?"
"No Ranma. I may still have feelings for you, but I am going to save you from yourself you hear me? Whether you like it or not I'm taking Ryoga-kun to myself, and if you interfere I'll tell everyone about P-chan, and I'll tell daddy you knew from the start, while hiding it from me."
The air became stale, and the atmosphere too dense; Something was about to give up. Ranma might not be the lovable girlfriend Ryoga wanted, but she would always fight for what she believed was hers. Akane seemed very fond on a same path, but she had no chance because love was set in the couple's hearts.
"Akane-san. I understand my place, but please give me some time to think. I promise I'll come back with an answer." Akane saw this suspiciously, but had to agree. No point on keep fighting when she was holding all the cards. "Sure Ryoga-kun. Take as much as you need I'll be waiting."
Than she turned to see the other girl. "Ranma I don't hate you I still love you, but not. . . . this." Pointing to the red-headed girl self. "I want you back, but only in your real form not this fake, unreal human being."
"Akane. This is what I am now, and you might still want my male self, but Ryoga accepts me, and respects me no matter my appearance. I don' care what you think because your love is conditioned. Ryoga's not." Done with her speech Ranma ran behind the lost boy, while getting out of the Tendo's house. Moments after; they ended up on the canal under the bridge. Ranma stood on the bridge's wall meditating on a way out when arms snaked around her.
"Ryo-kun not in public. I'm still not used to this kind of attention." Ranma tried to get away, and blushing, while doing so but was cut short when Ryoga pinned her putting his arms on either side of her, and looking into her eyes, pleadingly. "Please Ranma-chan. I need this. . . . . .I need you."
Ranma knew that was true; it didn't matter if Ryoga was the strongest man on earth; in the end she was his world, and that enticed her to believe he was the one. "And what if I find a cure? Would you still love me?" Ryoga smiled, and began to short the distance. "You are my everything, and not because you are the most beautiful girl I have ever met, but because you're always there for me either by : fighting me, taking me to and from school in junior high, and saving me from my curse in more than one occasion. Ranma I love you because of you."
Funny thought is when you see a couple in the darkness of a lone corner embrace themselves, and even funnier when you see the girl fighting off the boyfriend by placing her hands on his chest, and trying to pushing him in a mocking way.
The make-out session was brief. Kisses and hugs, but the meaning behind it was what gave the strength in the relationship. "Ranma. What do I do? I love you, and I'll fight for you, but She's forcing me by honor.
They kept thinking on each others arms when an old and raspy voice interrupted them, making them jump a heartbeat. "Well boy it seems the jewel did wonders. Congratulations you look a lot happier." Ranma blush increased when noticing the old man staring at her with a smile planted on his face. Ryoga didn't expect him either, but he beamed with an air of pride letting people know that yes indeed he was happy.
"Old man I'm glad to see you. I have a few questions about the gem, but I would like you to meet my girlfriend first. Her name is Ranma. Saotome Ranma." The old man felt a tingling sensation. "I think I have heard that name before. . . .yes. The bald man who stole my lunch. I believe he said his name was Saotome." Ranma immediately recognized "her" father's doing, and tried to apologize to him, but the old man's behavior was different to say the least. "Oh don't worry about that. Is water under the bridge." Said while pointing at where they were standing. "Augh. . . .augh? Oh you don't know a good joke even when it hits you in the face."
After a weird silence Ryoga prepared the questioning. "Say old man. You told me the jewel would cure me of my illnesses, but instead it almost killed me. I owe my life to her, but she lost a very important part of herself. Please tell me; Can we get that part back?" The old man sat beside the young couple to ponder on the boy's explanation. "It should have worked. . . .The only reason it may backfired is if you're attached or had strong feelings towards your illness, but that's crazy. It's the wish to get rid of it the main reason for the jewel's power to take action. Tell me what was your illness?"
Ryoga blushed, and stutter for a moment so Ranma had to intercede. "Jusenkyo curses old man. We were cursed by them. I'm a guy who used to turn into the girl you see now, and he turns into a piglet." after seeing Ryoga in the eyes she knew she screwed up. Now the old man knew that the lost boy was in love with a boy turned girl. and felt like a pervert by saying so. "Ryo. I'm sorry I thought on keepin' quiet, but ya know me, my mouth is faster than me, I'm . . . . ."
She couldn't finish the sentence since a hand on her face and lips on hers stopped her from doing so. After a few seconds they fell apart. "Ranma. You are my everything remember?" And than turned to the old man showing resolve, and stopping the stutter. "Yes old man, I love her even before she was this beautiful girl. He might not have been the nicest of guys, but his honorable attitude and friendship are always there for me."
The old man and Ryoga began a staring contest, and after a minute or so the old man began to laugh hysterically. "Indeed young one. You truly deserve each other, but that's the answer to your problems. Tell me; Are you so angry to your curses that you wish them destroyed? Remember they are based from living beings drowned in magic pools, and by extension they are part of a soul."
"Well I don't wish any ill feeling to it, and yes sometimes I feel like in the company of someone else when in my piglet form."
"Same here. I might be annoying, but I swear It was like someone else was tellin' me to tease guys. . . .specially you Ryo. . .I . .I-I always felt attracted to you, but as bein' pushed by something else, and now I'm in l-love, and it feels right."
"Well you see? The jewel didn't see your illness as such, but a side you weren't able to live with, but the jewel is very powerful so I don't think it destroyed another living being cursed or not. I believe the other forms are trapped in the gem. In your case it took your original form. I'm thinking you have issues with being a male?" Such accusation asked for a threatening shout, but it made her think about it.
"Is not that I hate bein' a guy, but all the chaos seems to follow me everywhere. I am expected to fulfill every one of my parents whims as insane as they are, and most of all. I must marry someone forced on me to join the wishes of the fathers and not for love or conviction."
She just hugged herself, and sat on the floor, but this time she wasn't alone. "You don't have to suffer on your own you know? I am here, and I don't care if Akane-san takes away my honor. As long as I earn your respect and honor is all I need." He smiled at her and brought her into his arms.
"Then is settled. Go back and talk to the jewel; tell the gem everything was a misunderstanding, and that your willing to live with your curses. I'm sure there's time to fix all this mess." Ranma and Ryoga went back to the Tendo's house , and took all their gear, and got ready for a new training mission.