Ranma ½ – Happily Ever After

Disclaimer: Ranma ½ is the property of Takahashi Rumiko and all those other large corporations that publish and distribute Ranma ½. No profit is gained from this work, just a great deal of enjoyment writing it.

Chapter 8 – The Morning After the Night Before

The sun was just beginning to shine through her window when Akane sat bolt upright. It suddenly occurred to her that the events of the previous day actually might have been a dream, or nightmare as the case might be.

It was still early, but Akane got into her workout gear. She didn't have to worry about school, it was Sunday, but her morning workout would settle her mind and she would be able to reflect better on the events of the previous day.

As per usual, she would begin her day with her run and then retired to the dojo for her morning exercises.

The house was quiet, but that really wasn't unexpected. That was why she liked to begin her workout early. No one, not even Kasumi, would be up this early. The streets of the neighborhood where she ran were for the most part empty, with only shop owners and a few other runners up and about.

What was unexpected this morning was what Akane found in the dining room. It was Ranma. He was at the dining room table with his head resting on his arms. She thought for a moment about sneaking out past him, trying not to wake him, but instead she decided to make sure something wasn't wrong.

"Ranma… Ranma…"

Ranma lifted up his head from his arms. It was obvious that he had not gotten very much sleep.

"Ranma, are you all right?"

"Sorry, Akane, I didn't get much sleep last night. My dad was being a real pain, so I came out here to try to sleep."

"I'm going out for my run. I know you're tired, but do you want to come with me."

"It sounds like a good idea. I'm all stiff from trying to sleep at the table."

Ranma got up and stretched a bit. "Akane, could you wait and let me get changed out of my pajamas?"

"No problem. I'm actually a bit ahead of schedule."

Ranma headed to his room to get changed while Akane went to the kitchen to get a drink of juice.

It didn't take more than a moment for Ranma to return wearing his usual clothing. It suddenly occurred to Akane to someday ask Ranma how many different sets of the same clothing did he actually own.

"Let's go," Akane said and they were out of the house and off and running. Since Akane did not have to get ready for school, she took her slower Sunday pace.

"So what was your dad being a pain about?"

"He was asking me all sorts of questions that he had no business asking. I don't know. Sometimes I think my dad is worse than Happosai. At least Happosai admits that he's a pervert and a lecher, but my dad is just as bad."

"What sort of questions was your dad asking? Wait… Don't answer that. I don't think I want to know."

"I will tell you one thing. Most of the questions I couldn't answer because I don't know. And I would not have told him even if I did know. He seemed rather disappointed at that."

"Jeez! Why are guys like that?"

"I don't know."

"You don't know. You're a guy. You should know."

"I guess I have a different point of view."

"What do you mean, 'a different point of view'?"

"Think about it Akane. Since I moved here, I've probably been molested by Kuno at least as many times as you have."

"True. But you have to admit that you've gotten yourself into some pretty perverted looking situations."

"Usually because I changed forms at times that were not really convenient. Let's face it, one minute I'm a girl in a pretty dress and the next minute I'm a cross dresser. Or I've ended up as a guy in the women's bath."

"That is true, but I still don't quite understand what you mean by different point of view."

"I guess I just wouldn't want to do to a girl things that I wouldn't want happening to me when I'm a girl. I think every guy should suffer with my curse for one week."

Akane laughed. "Can you imagine Kuno as some big-boobed bimbo for a week?"

"I don't think that would be good. Considering the way he is, he would probably enjoy it."

After a moment of visualization, "Uhhh! Your right! Forget I even thought of that."

Ranma and Akane continued to run in silence for a few minutes, and then Ranma said, "Akane, last night when you were dancing close to me, it felt really nice. I never realized that holding you close like that could feel so good."

"Thank you. It did feel wonderful."


There was very little conversation for the remainder of the run. Akane headed to the dojo for her workout, but Ranma (who usually did his workout with his father after breakfast) went to wash up.

Akane's usual workout consisted of doing the kata she had learned so long ago. At this point the movements were almost second nature and automatic. Later in the day she would do some of the more challenging exercises and would either spar with her father or with Ranma. Sometimes Ranma would spar in his male form, but usually he would change to his female form. Today, for some silly reason, Akane hoped that he would spar as a guy.

Once Akane had completed her morning workout routine, she went to wash up for breakfast. During the week it usually had to be quick so that she could get to school on time, but on Sunday, she had the chance to relax in the bath, at least for a few minutes.

Settling into the bath after washing up, she began to think about the previous days events. They hadn't been a dream after all. The ring was still on her hand. Ranma was still being nice to her. If this was a dream, she didn't want to wake up.

The thought of what kind of a wedding to have came to mind. Of course a traditional wedding would be proper, but she had always dreamed about getting married in one of the western style wedding gowns.

When to have the wedding was another question. The school year was almost over and she and Ranma would be starting their last year of high school. Having an outdoor wedding would almost be ideal, but that would mean planning it for during the summer break. But that would mean that they would be a married couple for the last portion of their school career.

She doubted, considering how much Ranma hated schoolwork, that he would be trying to get into college, but Akane had always considered the possibility of at least getting some college education. That had been Nabiki's plan, but Nabiki was a natural for some type of business degree. Akane was not really sure what her plans would be now.

Of course, there was the Anything Goes School. Ranma would take over the instruction duties at some point (if they could get any real students), but Akane had thought that she might instruct classes for girls, while Ranma took care of instructing the guys. Come to think of it though, Ranma could easily do both.

Akane was still deep in thought when she heard a tapping on the door of the bath.

"Akane… Akane…" The voice was definitely that of Ranma.

"Yes Ranma."

"Breakfast is almost ready. They sent me up here to get you."

"I will be out in a minute."

"If you don't mind, I'll wait out here. I have no particular desire to sit downstairs with my dad while he is being so obnoxious."

"Fine, I'll be out and dressed in a minute."

True to her word Akane was dressed and ready to go down to breakfast in very short order. Ranma was waiting for her and they walked into the dining room together.

As they entered complete silence fell over the dining room. It couldn't be any more obvious that everyone (with maybe the exception of Kasumi) had been talking about them. Actually that meant only Nabiki, Mr. Saotome and her father, since Happosai had vanished on one of his training (AKA lingerie gathering) missions several weeks ago and had not been home since.

Ranma and Akane sat in their usual seats next to each other, but the silence persisted until her father broke it, saying, "Idatakimasu!"

Everyone replying, "Idatakimasu!"

The dining room remained relatively quiet, with the exception of people asking to pass some item, until finally Genma asked, "So Ranma, did you two lovebirds spend the night together?"

"Mr. Saotome," Kasumi gasped.

"No Akane and I did not spend the night together," Ranma said quite angrily.

Akane was not pleased with the comment either, "No he spent the night trying to sleep here in the dining room, because you wouldn't let him get any sleep."

"Now Genma, I think that these two young adults understand that it would be inappropriate for them to partake in such activities in this house."

Akane was glad to hear her father stand up for her and Ranma.

"I would expect them to at least make use of a love hotel for such activities."

"Father!" Akane said as she turned bright red. Ranma was no less pleased with the comment.

"Father," Nabiki said, "you are assuming that Ranma has the money to pay for it."

"Nabiki!" It was Kasumi who was voicing her outrage now. Akane was glad that someone in the house who was still being reasonable.

"Hmmm…" Soun said thoughtfully, "Well I'm sure you could make Ranma a loan, I just ask that you not make the interest rate too high."

Ranma looked at Akane. She was so red that Ranma thought that she might literally be ready to explode. "Akane, we don't have to listen to this."

Then turning to the others at the table, "Excuse us."

Ranma took Akane by the hand and led her out of the dining room to the patio and into the back yard of the house.


Watching Akane break bricks was a thing of beauty. Sure, Ranma could do it, but with Akane it had truly developed into an art that she practiced when she was really, really angry with someone.

Ranma assumed that Akane visualized the face of the person she was angry with in the bricks. Ranma also assumed that up to now, his face was the face that Akane usually visualized in the bricks.

Today was a bit different. Today it was not a simple tune Akane was composing, breaking one or two sets of bricks. Today Akane was composing a symphony. Ranma had already set up nine sets of bricks, which Akane broke handily. She was now ready to break set number ten.

Ranma was sure that he had never seen Akane this angry since… Come to think of it Ranma, had never seen Akane this angry.

The eerie thing was that Akane hadn't spoken a word since they had left the dining room.

Akane focused on the bricks and with a quick, lightning fast movement, brought her fist down and in contact with the bricks and they disintegrated into rubble.

"Akane, I think that's enough. Your hand is really going to hurt later… and I think we're out of bricks."

"Those idiots… Those perverted idiots. All they seem to want to do is get us into bed together. Is that all they think about?"

Ranma had nothing to say. He figured it best that he kept his mouth shut and let Akane vent for a bit.

"Is that all you are thinking about? Getting into bed with me?"

Ranma took a deep breath. "Akane, someday I will share a bed with you. And yes… I am looking forward to that day. But it will be when you are ready, and not one minute sooner."

Suddenly Akane's face mellowed. She looked at Ranma. His eyes were sincere. She couldn't hold it in any longer. She began to cry.

Ranma had never seen Akane really cry. A few tears here and there, but even when she had broken her ankle and was obviously in pain, she would not let a tear pass her eyes. Ranma wondered when the last time Akane had cried. Maybe when her mother died.

Ranma embraced her and let her head rest on his shoulder. It took a few minutes, but the tears eventually dried.

"I'm sorry Ranma."

"It's all right."

Akane sat on the ground across from Ranma. "I don't usually do that."

"I know, but sometimes it's good to get it out of you system. Let me take a look at your hand."

It was obvious that it was going to hurt later. There were already signs of bruising and swelling. "I think you should take it easy for the rest of the day. Maybe we should let Dr. Tofu take a look at it."

"Actually that might be a real good idea. It would get me out of the house for a while and I could tell him the news."

"We need to let someone know where we're going."

When Akane and Ranma went back into the house, the only one remaining in the dining room was Kasumi. Even Soun and Genma were not engaged in their normal game of Shogi.

"I think they all went into hiding when they saw how angry you were Akane," Kasumi said with a bit of satisfaction. "It serves them right."

"I'm going to take Akane to visit Dr, Tofu. I think she hurt her hand venting some of that anger," Ranma explained.

"If you would like to be out of the house for a little while longer, I have some shopping that you could do for me for dinner tonight."

"That might be a good idea," Akane said. Raising her voice slightly Akane said with a bit of a laugh, "Then the rats can come out from their hiding places."


"Breaking bricks again," Dr. Tofu said as he examined Akane's hand. "What did Ranma do to get you angry this time?"

"It wasn't Ranma," Akane replied. Dr. Tofu had pressed a little hard on one spot and Akane pulled back her hand from the twinge of pain. "It was Nabiki and Mr. Saotome and my father."

"Wow! What was this… four or five set of brick?" the doctor asked as he continued to probe her hand.

"Ten," Ranma answered.

"Ten! Ranma never came close to getting you that angry."

"Oh… they were just being stupid… perverted… idiots" Akane said as the Doctor touched several other spots that were tender.

"I need to x-ray this, but you may have to keep it wrapped for a day or two."

"I do have some good news doctor," Akane said as she held up her left hand to show the Dr. Tofu her ring. "Ranma asked me to marry him and I accepted."

"Oh Akane, that's wonderful," the doctor said looking at the ring, "but I thought you two were already fiancés."

"That was something that our fathers arranged," Ranma explained.

"But Ranma made it official yesterday afternoon."

"There was a big dance at the school last night. Did you show off your ring and your fiancé there?"

Akane smiled, "Yes on both counts."

"Well I am so happy for both of you. It is really wonderful when people find their special somebody. Let's get this x-rayed and see if there is anything broken in there."


"Thank you Dr. Tofu," Akane called to the doctor as she and Ranma left the office.

"Your very welcome," Dr. Tofu called back, "and again congratulations on your engagement."

Ranma and Akane walked away, side by side, in the direction of the shopping district. Akane's right hand and wrist were lightly wrapped in a bandage.

"You're lucky you didn't break anything," Ranma said as they walked.

"Yeah, I know," Akane responded. "That was really stupid of me."

"Not really," Ranma said smiling, "You break bricks; I punch a padded post, or trees… or my dad. It's all about the same."

Akane began to smile at that. "That wasn't very nice. How can you compare your father to a padded post or a brick?"

"You haven't been with him as long as I have, but you're right, I shouldn't insult the bricks."

Both of them laughed at that.

"Ranma, Kasumi gave me some money to pay for lunch. What would you like to eat?"

"Hmmm… I don't think I'm ready to see Shampoo or Uchan. And I'm really not all that hungry."

"You're not hungry? Are you sure you're OK?"

"My stomach has been sort of twisted up in a knot since yesterday."

"Mine too. But I know just the cure for that."


Ranma and Akane sat across from each other at a table, each with a large gooey looking ice cream sundae in front of them. Akane was busy eating her treat, but Ranma just sat there, staring and occasionally picking at it.

"What's wrong Ranma?"

"I don't know. I know I've had these before, but always in my girl form. I guess it's just different."

"What could be so different? It's the same ice cream. It should taste the same to you as a guy."

"I know. It's just that big gooey treats don't seem to be a guy thing."

"Ranma, why not eat it because you enjoy being with me?"

Akane extended her left hand and placed it on Ranma's. Ranma smiled and took a spoonful of the treat and put it in his mouth. "You know Akane, when you put it that way, it does taste better."

"Do you think that love could make my cooking taste better?"

Ranma almost choked on the ice cream he had in his mouth.

"I didn't think so, but it was worth a try."

After finally swallowing the ice cream, Ranma said, "Akane, I'm sure that with time, you will learn to cook well. You can do anything you set your mind to do."

"Unfortunately, I think the only thing that will make my cooking better is a miracle."


It didn't take long after that for the two to finish their sundaes and be on their way to do the shopping that Kasumi had asked them to do. It was not a long list, but it was quite obvious that Kasumi had something special in mind. In fact it looked like she was planning to make some of Akane and Ranma's favorite foods.

It took going to several shops to find everything on the list, but the shopping was completed quickly. And although they were in no particular hurry to return home, they thought it best to get the groceries to Kasumi so that she would not have to rush.

As they were walking home Akane said, "I heard what you said to Kasumi about Dr, Tofu. They seem to be made for each other."

"Yeah, It just seems that they are too shy to tell each other how they feel."

"Just like we were too stubborn?"

"I guess that's a fair way to put it."

"Ranma, It's too bad there isn't some way for us to get them together."

"We should stay out of it. If it is meant to happen, it will happen. If we try to arrange something, we'll be no better than our fathers."

"I guess you're right. It just seems that the two of them will never get together."

"I think it may happen sooner than you think. Ahhh… Akane, have you thought about when you would like the wedding?"

"A little. I know spring and fall weddings are traditional, but that would mean having it while we're in school. And I guess that I would like to have it before my friends go away to college. So I was wondering if maybe… we might… ahhh… plan it for this summer."

"Would that give you enough time for you to plan everything?"

"I don't know, I've never planned a wedding before."

"Maybe Kasumi might be able to help you."

"That's a good idea, Ranma. Maybe it is just the thing to get Kasumi thinking about Dr. Tofu."

"Maybe, but remember, if it's meant to happen, it will happen."


When Ranma and Akane returned home, Kasumi was waiting for them. "I hadn't expected you to hurry back so quickly. How is your hand, Akane?"

"Dr, Tofu said that I only bruised it. Nothing is broken. I have to keep it wrapped till morning and no contact practice for the next three days. Oh! That means I can't beat up on you Ranma."

"I'll let you make up for it after Dr. Tofu says that it is all right."

Kasumi laughed at the two of them, She was so glad that they were getting along so well in spite of the others in the house.

"Kasumi, I was wondering if you can help me with something. Ranma and I were talking about wedding plans and I was wondering if you could help me?"

"Akane, I'd be delighted to help, but I have never planned a wedding before. When were you thinking about having it?"

"Maybe near the end of summer break," Akane said while looking at Ranma for guidance. Ranma nodded his head in agreement.

"Hmmm… This is going to be a busy year, with Nabiki graduating and getting ready to go to college."

"I hadn't thought of that."

Kasumi smiled. "Don't worry about it. If we plan your wedding for near the end of the summer break, there will be plenty of time. And we can make sure you two have some time for a honeymoon before you have to start school again."

The mention of a honeymoon started a new round of blushing for Akane and Ranma.

"Oh! I'm sorry about that. I wasn't thinking."

Ranma laughed, "Don't worry about it. Akane and I will have to get used to it. If we don't hear it here, I'm sure we will hear it at school."

'Ranma is right,' Akane thought. They both began to laugh with Kasumi joining them.


The remainder of the day was peacefully and pleasantly quiet. It seemed that the only discussion at the dinner table was requests for items to be passed and Akane and Kasumi discussion of wedding ideas.

Ranma could not imagine what kind of scolding his father, Mr. Tendo and Nabiki received from Kasumi, but was certainly effective.

Kasumi helped Akane with her evening bath, since Akane did not want to get her bandage wet. Kasumi washed Akane and then helped her into the bath. There, Akane soaked for quite some time, thinking about the events of the previous days and still not quite believing it all was real.

It was actually quite late when Akane finally got out of the bath and dressed for bed. The house was already quiet, but she decided that some juice might be a good idea before she went to bed.

Returning to her room required walking past the guest room where Ranma and his father had been living for two years. And as they had been doing since their arrival, Ranma and Genma were arguing. On most evenings Akane would have just kept walking, but tonight she decided to stop and listen for a moment. She knew that it really wasn't right for her to do it, but…


"Don't you know when enough is enough?" Ranma asked his father in none to quiet of a voice.

"But you have been fiancés for nearly two years, don't you think that should give you some privileges?'

"Akane and I have been engaged for slightly over one day as far as I am concerned, and even if it had been two years, it wouldn't give me the kind of privileges you're thinking of."

"Ranma, you have to demonstrate your commitment to this relationship and sharing a room with Akane is your right."

"The only one I need to demonstrate my commitment to is Akane. I don't need to put a show on for some lecherous old man to prove my commitment."

"But son…"

"Look dad, if you won't let me sleep here, I will go sleep in the dining room, or I will go sleep in the dojo, or if necessary I will pitch a tent in the back yard, but until Akane invites me to share her room with her, I will not cross it's threshold."

"But Ranma…"

"And that is final! Now are you going to let me go to sleep or do I have to pack up my stuff and find some room OTHER THAN AKANE'S to sleep?"

Ranma's father made no response.


Akane almost found herself crying again. "Oh Ranma," she whispered to herself as she began to walk to her room.