Well, here it is. The final chapter of my first good story. Thanks to all who reviewed, and countless others who made this one of their favorites. I am astounded on how many people like this piece of work, considering the first three chapters were written while I was under the influence of…well, Jim Beam. There won't be any lemons in this chapter. But it is the last one, and I will make it count. Enjoy!
Saturday morning came, and Akane and Ranma were up early. Classes started in a few hours, and there was much preparation to do. They scrubbed the dojo from floor to ceiling, ate breakfast, fed and changed the kids, and took them to the elder Saotome residence. Shortly thereafter, the students started showing up, led by Mr. Yamado.
"I do very much look forward to your lessons, Sensei. I was able to recruit five students for your class. Most people seemed rather put off when I told them you would be training them, though,"
Ranma bowed to the old man. "Thank you for joining us, Yamado. When the rest of the students show up, I will ask for a demonstration of your skills, an' then I'll be able ta start teaching based on the skills I see,"
"Sounds good to me, Sensei," Yamado replied with a smile.
Suddenly, a familiar voice called out. It belonged to a wiry middle-aged man with scraggly hair. "Hey, Ranma! Yamado signed me up fer yer class! Hope ya don't mind teachin' an old burn out like me. I thought maybe I'd get back inta the Art, an' turn mah life around,"
"So that's what ya look like after a shower, Hachiro. I'd be glad ta train ya. What are you hoping to get out of this training?"
Hachiro scratched his head, "Well, I wanna learn ta fight with honor, as I forgot how to. Also I wanna learn hand-to-hand combat without usin' weapons. Maybe learn a chi move or two, though my concentration's a bit off these days," Hachiro looked at the ground.
"Yeah, ok. There'll be a learnin' curve that you'll have ta overcome for sure, but I'll make sure you at least get yer green belt," Ranma smiled.
"Thank you, Sensei," Hachiro bowed, and went in to the dojo following Yamado.
Seventeen more students showed up a few minutes later and soon nineteen people in various mental states were sitting in lotus positions on the floor. Some were nervous, others eager, still others were slightly afraid.
Ranma began. "Ok, my name is Sensei Ranma, and you are all here to learn the Saotome and Tendo styles of Anything Goes Martial Arts. The training will be long, and unpleasant at times. If anyone feels too weak to go through with this extensive training program, or feels they may not be skilled enough for this level of training, join my wife outside for beginner classes," Ranma waited as five people went outside, and got the class description for Akane's class. "Ok, the rest of you are going to show me what you've got. One at a time, state your names and come at me with all ya got," Ranma smiled as the first person stood up.
"My name is Hideyoshi Osamu, age 24!" He ran at Ranma and launched a lightning fast punch, which Ranma blocked. Ranma smiled, "Too slow. You have much to learn. Have a seat, White Belt Hideyoshi,"
Hideyoshi bowed, and sadly took a seat. Geez, I'll never get a black belt in this art. I'll be really happy if I can at least get a red belt out of this class. Either way, I'll be doing really good compared to what the other schools around here are teaching. Totally worth the 25,000 yen.
"NEXT!" Ranma called out, and the next student, a female, jumped up.
"Naomi Michi, age 19!" Naomi came at Ranma with a leg sweep, which Ranma jumped over. But she was right under him, and raised her fist aiming for Ranma's stomach as he came back down. Ranma countered with his foot, and pushed her onto the floor as he planted his hand on her shoulder and somersaulted beyond her immediate reach.
"You have some good skill, but your technique needs work. I'll start you out as a yellow belt, Naomi,"
Naomi got up, bowed and took her seat. Wow, my last teacher got me up to a blue belt, but Ranma's started me at a yellow belt! This class is going to be awesome!
"NEXT!"
"Hachiro Yuzuki, age 54!" Hachiro came at Ranma, knowing full well the skill he was up against. Still, he attempted to deliver an elbow to the side of Ranma's head. Ranma grabbed the offending elbow, and threw its owner against the far wall. Hachiro pushed off the wall with his legs, and came back with a fist. Ranma grabbed him again and tossed him straight up into the rafters. As Hachiro came back down, Ranma did a handstand and kicked him back into the rafters, then got on his back in a vertical fetal position. When Hachiro hit Ranma's feet this time, Ranma spun the man into a ball and kicked him across the room after a few rotations. A dazed Hachiro attempted a bow and sat in his seat on the floor, stumbling.
"Too slow. We'll work on that, though. I'll start you off as a purple belt, Hachiro, only because I know you were holding back," Ranma smirked as the other students gasped at this amazing display, only to find out that the elder man was not displaying his full skill. A couple students face-faulted.
Hachiro frowned. I wasn't holding back. That was my full power. What you saw in the fight club was what I came at you with. Though I admit that my arthritis makes things more difficult these days.
"Yamado Kondo, age 134!" More students face-faulted as Yamado announced his age, and launched a ball of chi, which Ranma blocked with a chi shield. After dissipating the shield, Ranma prepared for another attack. It came in the form of a fist from a floating Yamado. Ranma roundhouse kicked at Yamado, who flew out of the way. Ranma took to the air as well, and grabbed the old man's beard. This threw him off balance, and Yamado hit the floor while Ranma touched down on his left foot. "Green Belt Yamado. You are deserving of yer green belt. We'll work on yer form, though,"
"Thank you, Sensei. It took me twenty years to get my green belt, but I can take another twenty to get my brown belt before I die satisfied,"
"Don't worry class. I can get you all to red belt in a few months or years, dependin' on how hard ya wanna work, an' how much discipline you have. Not a problem," Ranma smiled.
The rest of the students were sorted through, and finally, Ranma was ready to begin.
"Alright, this is good. We have a wide range of skill levels an' a wider range of personalities. Age has nothin' ta do with it. 300 year-old ghouls, 300 year-old perverts, an' fifty year-old idiots have taught me what I know. It took me twenty-five years ta get where I am, and situations I hope none of you ever have ta be in," Ranma looked around at all the worried faces in the room before continuing. "There are some techniques I have that are forbidden, and will not be taught. There are others that some of you may be unable to do. That's fine, and I understand. I'll start everyone off by demonstrating some basic katas that I expect everyone to know by the end of this lesson. Let's get started!"
-TWO HOURS LATER-
"Alright, break!" Ranma shouted. Many students were out of breath and struggling to keep up with Ranma as the katas became more and more complex.
"Sensei, these are the katas you use to practice with?" Naomi asked, panting.
Ranma laughed, "Are you kidding? I learned these when I was five! No, I no longer use these for practice. They are a great starting point, though. Next lesson, we will learn some attacks associated with these katas, but I think we need some lunch first. So go in the house, and Akane will make you all a light lunch, then we can start learning some very basic attacks,"
The students sat at the table, completely winded. They compared techniques and talked of the differences between the Tendo and Saotome styles of teaching. Yamado was talking to some of the youngest students in Ranma's class and Hachiro was talking to some of the students who were in their twenties and thirties. It was these conversations Ranma was listening to.
"Well, ya see, I wasn't holdin' back like Ranma says. I got arthritis real bad from years a fightin' in th' ring, and taday's a bad day fer it. Ya see, I was in a fight club, an' I gots ta tell ya, that ain't no place ta be. Ain't no honor in fight clubs. In order ta be a good martial artist, ya gotta 'ave honor. If ya ain't got honor, ye ain't worth a damn. Ranma'll teach ya honor, alright. Pay him good mind when 'e's teachin',"
"I can tell that this is going to be a very hard class. You mean, even in Anything Goes, there's honor?" Hideyoshi asked. Ranma approached the small group.
"It's more complicated than that. Anything Goes is all about winning, and bein' the best you can be. However, honor does come into play. True, these techniques will win any fight, but more than that, they also give you the power ta help those in need. Would ya rob a bank?"
The group shouted, "Of course not!"
Hideyoshi replied, "I'd rather stop a robbery in progress,"
Ranma nodded, "That's where the honor comes into play. It's not the art that is honorable; it's how you use the art that makes it honorable. Let's all go back to the dojo, an' I'll show ya what I mean,"
The group followed Ranma back into the dojo, and waited for instruction.
Ranma looked around, and said, "Sit," Everyone sat and looked at their sensei nervously.
At six PM, class was dismissed. Ranma and Akane went into the house and changed clothes. "That went well. How was your class, Akane?"
"I've got some promising students. They are all excited to learn, and even though most of them are younger, I see a lot of potential!" Akane replied as they left their room, refreshed.
"How are th' kids, Pops?" Ranma looked at the panda in the living room who had two babies sleeping on its stomach. It was holding a sign that read "Sleeping,".
Akane picked up Kohaku and Akemi, and handed Ranma Akemi.
She whispered, "Let's put these two to bed, Ranma,"
Ranma nodded, and put Akemi in her cradle while Akane put Kohaku in his cradle. Ranma and Akane sat on their bed.
"Ranma, what would you like for dinner? We have some salmon and fatty tuna...I could make sashimi, or sushi. There's also some chicken and beef, we could also have kebobs..."
"Sushi sounds good, actually, Akane. Need any help?"
"I should be ok, Ranma. Thanks for the offer, though," She smiled and kissed Ranma as she left the room, wiggling her butt teasingly at him. "She does that on purpose," Ranma thought as he shook his head smiling. Just as Akane closed the door, the twins started crying. Ranma changed their diapers and got them back to sleep. He sat on the bed and remembered when they were born.
-Flashback-
Ranma and Akane are watching TV in the living room; the rest of the household has gone to bed. Akane clutched her big belly, feeling a sharp pain.
"Akane, are you alright? Do you want me to call Kasumi?" Ranma asked, worried about his very pregnant wife who has been in off again on again discomfort for the past hour. "She looks so pretty in her blue sundress. Man, how did I get so lucky?" Ranma thought to himself.
"I'm ok, just having mild contractions, Ranma," Akane replied giving her husband a soft smile. Ranma started to rub Akane's back soothingly.
"It'll be alright, Akane. Kasumi is on her way. She should be here any minute," Ranma explained.
About five minutes later, a wet spot started to form on the couch. "RANMA! It's happening!" Akane shouted.
Just then, the front door opened and Kasumi ran into the living room, and got to work immediately examining Akane.
"Oh dear. You should get up and walk around some, Akane. Practice your breathing while you walk around. Ranma, help her out, won't you?"
"I'm on it!" Ranma exclaimed. He helped Akane to her feet, and put his arm around her while she held his free hand. Slowly, they walked up and down the hall while Akane worked on her Lamaze breathing, and Ranma rubbed her back for support. Meanwhile, Kasumi was setting up the equipment she needed.
After about twenty minutes, Kasumi called the couple into the living room where a tub of warm water was waiting. Kasumi pulled Akane's sundress off and was relieved to find no underwear or bra. "Oh, good...you planned ahead! Ok Akane, let me examine you...OH MY! You need to be in the water right now!"
Upon hearing that, Ranma picked up his wife and set her in the water slowly. "Goddamn it, Ranma! Don't you ever pick me up again! I can take care of myself! This is YOUR fault, Ranma!"
"Yup, she's in labor, all right," Ranma muttered. He had been expecting this. Akane started breathing through her contractions while Ramna rubbed her back.
"Don't touch me, baka!" Akane screamed between contractions.
Kasumi once again examined Akane's cervix.
"Oh my...Akane, start pushing now. HARD! Push, Akane!" Kasumi coached.
Akane pushed and cursed Ranma as the first of their children came into the world via a tub of warm water. Kasumi clamped and cut the umbilical cord, then handed her to Akane.
"Akemi. Ranma, her name is Akemi," Akane stated. Ranma nodded in agreement and smiled. "She's so beautiful! Just like her mother," he stated.
"FUUUUUUCK YOOOUU, RAAANNMMMAA!" Akane yelled as she pushed hard. After pushing twice more, their son was born.
"Kohaku. Can we name him Kohaku, Akane?" Ranma asked gently.
"Yes, yes we can, Ranma," Both babies slept in the warm arms of their mother while she replied.
Kasumi clamped and cut Kohaku's cord, and handed him to Akane, who smiled and held her children, one in each arm. Ranma stood behind the tub and rubbed Akane's shoulders.
"I love you so much, Akane. I love you too, Kohaku and Akemi," Ranma started before Akane interrupted him.
"AHH! What is this? There's something else coming out?"
"That would be the placenta, Akane. Go ahead and push it out," Kasumi gently explained with a smile.
Akane pushed, and the placenta came out. Kasumi pulled it out of the tub and placed it in a bio hazard bag, then tied the bag tightly. She left Akane and Ranma to bond with their newborn children.
-End Flashback-
Ranma stared at the picture of his wife holding their two children in a hospital bed, and smiled. He went down to eat when Akane called. This was the beginning of a wonderful life, he thought. As he walked towards the dining room he remembered all the things he had been through to get to this point. Over 20 years had passed since he first set foot into the Tendo home and met Akane, over 5 years had passed since he left. Now he was back, and he was happier than he ever had been before. He has two beautiful children, a beautiful and fantastic wife, and a supportive extended family. Ranma smiled to Akane as he sat down in front of the fantastic sushi in front of him. Yes, he was very happy, and was looking forward to teaching his children as well as other people in the Anything Goes style of Martial Arts as the dojo was officially open for business.
So ends this story. Sorry it took so long to write it, my life has been very hectic these past three years. I am very glad to have loyal readers to keep me honest, and motivated. Ryan L. Spradling, this means you! I never expected to ever hear from my readers after all this time, even after seeing new notifications from people following this story as recently as a few months ago. I hope you all enjoyed the last chapter of the last fanfic I will write for years to come.