Black Waters
Epilogue
One Year Later
Kuno was happy. For once in his life, he was happy without having to hide behind a delusion.
After he had gained the 'curse', he had finally shaken off his delusions about the world and people around him. Ranma had been a surprisingly firm friend, making sure the older kendoist didn't get into any trouble, or caused any. Kuno was surprised by this, since he had caused Ranma such misery in the past.
However, he was no longer comfortable being a male around anyone but his closest friends. His family were out of the question. So, he had reenrolled as 'Kuno Tae'. His own father didn't even catch on to the truth.
After she had enrolled, Tae had found herself overwhelmingly popular. She didn't have to do anything, not be the strongest or the richest, but by just BEING. All the guys kept asking her out because they thought her cute, and all the girls thought that she was just....nice. She was flattered by all the attention, but would always feel overwhelmed.
Ranma and Akane had been a great help that first day, making sure nobody bothered her too much or tried anything to earn their ire.
But the greatest thing that had to have happened was HER.
When she had first asked Tae out, the neo-girl was speechless. She wasn't even sure she still liked girls anymore. But, after careful deliberation, and a lot of guidance from her friends, she accepted Konatsu's love, on the condition that she never did anything with the kunoichi as a guy.
Tae accepted. After all, for all concerned, including herself, Kuno Tatewaki was pretty much dead.
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Shampoo watched as Ukyo prepared a special okonomiyaki for her 'Sham-chan'. Shampoo smiled at the nickname. To think that one who she had once hated and would have even killed if given the chance would now make her feel so wonderful.
They had both been devastated when they found out that Ranma could never regain her manhood, but not because the red-head was their fiance, as it would be the case before, but because they genuinely knew how awful she was feeling. After all, Ranma had never kept it a secret how much she hated the curse. However, she and Akane had adjusted.
Shampoo had almost urged Ukyo to use the Nannichuan for herself, but the chef refused. She had said that she didn't need a curse to make her Amazon goddess happy. This had moved Shampoo so much that not only did she glomp the chef, she had passionately kissed her.
That was the first time Shampoo had actually shown any true affection for the brunette.
And now she was living with her ex-rival. Great-grandmother had kicked her out of the Nekohanten, but she knew the old woman still cared for her. And Mousse.....she didn't want to think about that stupid duck.
Ukyo plopped the okonomiyaki in front of the lavender-haired Amazon.
"Penny for your thoughts?" The chef asked.
The Amazon turned to look up at the brunette. "Shampoo just think of past."
Ukyo smiled at that. "Yeah, a lot's happened."
Shampoo nodded. "How you think A-Ranma do?"
"Probably still fussing over the kid, as always."
They both smiled at this.
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Ranma sat outside, and thought back on the events of the past year. She was surprised that they had managed to survive at all.
When it came time to use the cursed water, she had explained what Makio had told her. She knew he wasn't lying. After all, Cologne herself had said he told no lies.
At first, she had asked Kuno to cure himself, but he declined. He had no desire to return to the 'foollish knave' that he once was, and had instead decided to remain as Tae for as long as possible. Konatsu had then volunteered to use some of the Nyannichuan for herself. Ranma had approved. About time something went right for the kunoichi.
She had been pleasantly surprised by Konatsu and Tae's newfound relationship. Somehow, they seemed....RIGHT for each other.
Then Akane had stated that she would use the Nannichuan so she could at least marry her beloved red-head. At first, Ranma was against it. She loved Akane the girl, and would never feel anything for another man. But, when it was made clear her reasons for wanting to do such an extreme thing, and why it would help in the long run, Ranma had grudgingly accepted.
Shampoo had then decided to take what had remained and keep it safe. She and Ukyo were not yet sure whether or not they wanted to use either spring water for themselves.
Mousse had been furious at finding out the realtionship between the chef and the Amazon. He had proceeded to challenge Ukyo but was soon made too unconcious by Shampoo's bonbori to do much else. It had been pretty funny. Not that Ranma herself wasn't surprised, she was, but she at least had given them her blessing.
And on the day that she had discovered she was pregnant, she had asked her oldest and dearest friend to be the child's godfather, or godmother; depending what would happen in time.
Ukyo had accepted whole-heartedly.
The red-head was brought out of her reverie by her currently female husband's footsteps. She turned to find Akane standing with their daughter in her arms. Ranma got up and went to hold her precious child.
She smiled at the baby, and then at her lover. "I still can't believe we made such a beautiful girl."
Akane smiled back, wearily. Ranma was always saying something like that since Ami was born. "Yes, we did, Ranma. I would have rather that I had her, but --"
" It can't be helped." The red-head finished. "And I told you to stop worring about it. What's done is done. There's no use worrying about 'what could have been'."
"Yes, dear."
Ranma smiled, and kissed her tomboy briefly. She then gave her daughter a peck on the forehead.
"And you're the best thing to have ever happened in my life, Ami-chan."
She and her husband went back inside with their daughter, finally having found some happiness.
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Hirai came to the cell that held possibly the most dangerous individual living in Japan.
Tendo Nabiki.
"Tendo-san, you are aware of the trouble you're in, correct. Aiding and abetting a confirmed psychopath. Attempted murder on the lives of one Saotome Ranma and one Tendo Kasumi. Nearly helping spark a war between two whole races. And then there are all your scams and deals. And don't think that's all." He shook his head. "You're just lucky that we're holding you in a cell. Do you have anything to say in your defense?"
Silence. The older man was concerned. For the past year, Tendo Nabiki had said not a word since Makio's death. Something in Hirai told him that something was wrong, and so he opened the cell door for the first time in over a year. He gasped.
It was empty.
He took out his cell phone, and called one of his subordinates. "Brier? It's me. Get everyone on alert. Warn the Saotomes and anyone they know. Tendo Nabiki is loose. I repeat, Nabiki is loose!"
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Well, that's it. Black Waters is done. I hope ya all enjoyed it!
As I have stated before, I MIGHT do a sequel, but only unless I have full support from everyone. Otherwise, barring the nabiki thing, it's pretty complete. Shame I couldn't involve everyone, but, we only needed to focus on a few people. Especially when you consider that this is RANMA's story, and not really anyone elses.
I also have planned a side story focusing on NerSIS.
Oh well, if enough of you support it, then we'll see these guys again. If not, well, it's not like I'm out of ideas.
Anyone who'd like to do a fan project based my on fic (comic, fanart, continuations etc.), you have my full approval! Just try not to mangle my original story too much.
Finally, I would like to thank everyone who has reviewed my story. It is thanks to you that I was able to continue on with such passion. I hope you look forward to what I might write in the future.
Well, enjoy your day! And please review!
