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 49 – Lasting Impressions and Commitments

By all rights Miyuki should probably still be in bed. She hadn't gotten that much sleep and her head felt like… like… well like that with the slightest disturbance, it would explode. And her stomach didn't feel that much better. But Miyuki's system was conditioned not to sleep beyond seven in the morning, so she remained in bed with Hikari by her side for nearly an hour before she finally decided the need to go to the bathroom far outweighed the pain that would be induced by standing up and getting there.

And once she was up she really saw no point to going back to bed. Besides at this point her stomach was empty. The idea of eating did not particularly appeal to Miyuki but having something on her stomach might improve the way she felt overall. She only hoped that her wrenching hadn't disturbed Hikari. She need not have worried.

So after cleaning up a bit and changing out of the yukata she had spent the night in and into some clean clothing, Miyuki headed toward the dining room.

It wasn't all that late, but most of the guests had already departed. All that remained were two couples who were regular guests of the inn, a table of Aka-chan's classmates (including Mika and Kisho) and at another table were Akane, Ranma, and Akio.

"Morning," Miyuki said in a tone of voice that was far from enthusiastic as she joined Akane, Ranma and Akio at their table.

"Good morning," Akane replied.

"I didn't say anything about it being good," Miyuki said in a voice that was obviously pained. "And how can you feel so chipper when I feel like… like…"

"No need to explain," Akane said. "I've been there before. And the reason that you feel that way is that you and Hikari drank most of champagne last night."

"I didn't think I had that much to drink," Miyuki said.

"Hikari kept filling your glass and hers," Ranma explained.

"Sorry about that," Miyuki replied.

"By the way, where is Hikari?" Akane asked.

"She's still asleep," Miyuki responded. "She cried for almost two hours last night before she finally collapsed and fell asleep."

"Is she all right?" Akane asked.

"I think between the lack of sleep and being more that just moderately drunk everything kind of hit her last night," Miyuki explained. "She wrapped her arms around me and wouldn't let go. I thought she might have cracked a couple of my ribs. But when I left her now she was still sound asleep. I'd like to let her sleep as long as possible."

"I'm sure Kano can give you a ride to the train station," Akio said. "So you can let her sleep as long as she needs to."

Miyuki looked around for a moment. "Where is Aka-chan?"

"She went to get some breakfast for Akane and Ranma," Aiko replied. "Don't let those smiles fool you. They just dragged their butts out here a few minutes ago. If you'd like I can go get some breakfast for you."

"No," Miyuki said. "I think I'll see if I can get some food to take back to the room for when Hikari wakes up. I won't let her sleep too long and I think some time in the spring will be just the thing she need when she wakes up."


Hikari slowly opened her eyes but quickly shut them as the light caused a piercing pain in her head. She slowly turned in bed so that she was now lying on her back and in doing so let out a quiet pained moan.

"Hikari…" a voice asked, "… are you awake?"

The voice sounded familiar, but the pain she felt distorted the sound so that she couldn't tell who was speaking.

"Huh… What?" Hikari moaned.

"Hikari, are you all right?" the voice asked.

This time the voice was clearer and Hikari knew that it was Miyuki.

"No," Hikari replied. "My head hurts and my mouth tastes like an open sewer and I feel like crap."

"I guess that's to be expected considering how much we had to drink last night."

"I didn't have that much to drink."

"Akane and Ranma said that they only had two glasses of the champagne each. You and I apparently drank the rest of it."

"Oh!" Hikari said as she tried to sit up but quickly decided that it was better to remain lying down. After a moment to recover she asked, "What time is it?"

"It's just barely nine o'clock. I went down to get some breakfast for us."

"I'm not sure I can eat anything. My stomach feels really bad."

"So did mine," Miyuki responded, "but it felt better after I had a little to eat. I figure we can have a light breakfast and soak for a while in the hot spring before we have to leave."

"I guess so," Hikari said tentatively.

"Why don't you go to the bathroom, take care of what you need to take care of and wash up a bit. That helped me. I'll get the food on the table and we can have a quiet breakfast together."

Slowly Hikari sat up and then sat on the edge of the bed. After a moment she said, "About last night…"

"What about last night?" Miyuki said cutting her off.

"I was kind of an idiot last night."

"No you weren't. You were tired and drunk… and you did exactly what you needed to do."

"It was just that I started thinking about some of the things Aka-chan and I had talked about and as hard as I tried I couldn't remember a single pleasant memory of my parents. All I could remember was the arguing and fighting. The only pleasant things I could think of were the times I spent with you or Akane and Ranma or the rest of the girls from gymnastics."

"Considering how your parent fought, I guess that's to be expected," Miyuki responded.

"That's what Aka-chan said."

Hikari tried to stand up but without much success. Miyuki extended her hand to Hikari and Hikari took hold of it but remained seated.

"Miyuki… last night… did I say… that I love you?"

"Yes you did," Miyuki replied.

"I'm sorry," Hikari said.

"Please… please don't be sorry," Miyuki said. "It feels really special that you came to me when you needed that shoulder to cry on… and someone to hold close to you. I just wish you hadn't bruised the ribs."

"Sorry…"

Miyuki paused and then smiled timidly. "Anyway I think I said that I love you too."

Hikari thought about it for a moment and then asked, "Do you think Akane will be jealous?"

"Oh! I certainly hope so,"


Miyuki had been right. A light breakfast of clear broth and rice and a soak in the hot spring gave Hikari a slightly better outlook on life. Oh, her head still felt like some demonic spirit was trying to use a pick axe to escape from her head, but at least her stomach no longer felt like it was tied up in knots and the tea that Aka-chan's grandmother provided after the soak in the springs helped to alleviate the headache. By the time lunchtime arrived Hikari was feeling quite human again and actually interested in having some lunch.

"Where is everyone today?' Miyuki asked as she and Hikari joined Ranma, Akio, Mika and Kisho in the dining room.

"I didn't realize it," Akio explained, "but today is the shrine tour for the guests of the inn. Kano loaded up the bus and left about an hour ago. And Aka-chan's grandmother had to run some errands so she won't be back until after dinner."

"Aka-chan, Mika and I don't have school tomorrow," Kisho added, "so we're going to stay overnight and go to school to help with the festival cleanup in the morning."

"Where are Akane and Aka-chan?" Hikari asked.

"They had some errands they needed to run," Ranma answered. "They should be back any minute now and then we'll head out."

"Head out?" Miyuki asked.

"Unfortunately I do have to go to school tomorrow," Akio replied. "Aka-chan is going to make sure I make it home safely and then she's going to go with you to the train station. Aka-chan hasn't been in a train station since her parents died, let alone been on a train, but she thinks is just another step toward getting her life in order… And I think there is a shop near the train station she wants to take Akane and Ranma to."

"And Kisho and I are just tagging along for the ride," Mika said. "Although Kisho and I may get a charm from Akio's father."

"It sounds like someone's relationship is becoming a little more serious," Hikari said.

"No more serious than it has been all along," Kisho replied. "Our parents decided we were the ideal couple when we were born and it has always been their assumption that we would end up getting married some day. Mika and I have always been good friends, but I guess what we're going to pray for is to know that we really are meant to be married."

"The fact that you're asking that question now is a good indication that you are," Akio said. "My father and I see so many couples come to the shrine that know absolutely nothing about each other. Sometimes they can't even agree on the kind of charm to get and end up arguing about it and leaving without getting a charm. My father thinks that's all for the best."


Nabiki was not in the best of moods to begin with. She hadn't slept soundly and when she woke up she realized that she had two more assignments for school that were due on Monday. They weren't huge assignments, but she was angry with herself for leaving them to the last minute.

And to top things off, Mami was nowhere to be found. None of the staff could remember seeing her or her father since Friday and that pissed Nabiki off all the more.

After breakfast Kuno had made himself scarce. Nabiki realized that by now Kuno had learned the little signs that said it was better to leave well enough alone, but today Nabiki knew she had a huge sign that said 'Avoid if you value your life'. Kuno deserved better than that. She'd have to make it up to him when she felt more… more… more like not wanting to rip him to pieces.

When lunch time came it was one of the regular staff members that came to bring Nabiki her lunch in the library where she was working on her assignments. Mami usually did that even though technically Saturday and Sunday were her days off. It had become a bit of a ritual that gave Nabiki a welcome break from her work.

The staff member that brought lunch hadn't seen Mami or Isamu. Nabiki asked that if she saw either of them to tell them to come and talk with her. After assuring Nabiki that she would do so, she asked Nabiki if there would be anything else she would need. Nabiki couldn't think of anything at the moment.

Nabiki was just finishing off lunch when Kodachi poked her head into the library.

"You haven't seen my brother today have you?" Kodachi asked.

"I haven't seen him since breakfast," Nabiki replied, "but he's probably hiding."

"Oh? What did my darling brother do to need to go into hiding?"

"He didn't do anything," Nabiki replied. "I was having a bad morning and I growled at him. I think he'll come out of the woodwork once he thinks it's safe to show his face."

"I didn't mean to bother you," Kodachi said, readying herself to duck back out of the library. "I needed to ask him something."

"That's all right," Nabiki responded. "I needed to take a break from the homework and it's nice to have someone to talk to. So why are you looking for my husband?"

"I was wondering if he'd seen Isamu-san," Kodachi replied. "He seems to have disappeared from the face of the Earth. I was hoping my brother might know where he is."

"I don't think he does," Nabiki said. "At least he didn't know this morning. Why are you looking for Isamu-san?"

"Actually I was looking for Mami-chan," Kodachi replied. "She asked me to help her with some of her homework on Friday and we were supposed to get together this afternoon. So you haven't seen her either?"

"We were going to to shopping yesterday, but I never found her."

"Hmmm… That's not at all like Mami-chan She has always been one of the most reliable members of the staff."


Akane and Aka-chan's errands didn't take all that long and they soon returned carrying several packages that were quickly packed away in Akane's luggage.

"It's too bad that Kano is out with the guests visiting the shrines today," Aka-chan said as they left the inn though the front door and down the walkway. "Having a ride from Kano would have made this so much easier."

"It's not a problem," Ranma said in reply. "The walk will do us good. So where is our first stop?"

"Lunch," Aka-chan replied.

"I was hoping you'd say that," Ranma responded with a smile.


Lunch was the first stop but not quite the lunch that Ranma had expected.

"This will give you the opportunity to make good on what you promised Akane," Aka-chan said to Ranma as they group entered the ice cream parlor.

Akane had always considered her self a serious chocoholic, as had Akio, but they were no match for Mika and Kisho. Akane's double hot fudge sundae on four scoops of chocolate fudge ice cream with chocolate sprinkles and Akio's chocolate sauce on chocolate chip mint ice cream paled compared to Mika and Kisho's order of hot fudge on chocolate brownie ice cream (served on top of a chocolate brownie) topped with whipped cream and shavings of both extra dark and white chocolate. The only difference between Mika's order and Kisho's order was the addition of a little black raspberry sauce to Kisho's sundae.

And what was even more amazing was that Mika and Kisho placed their orders simply by saying 'The usual'.

Akane could only sit and stare when the near matching mountains of ice cream arrived at the table.

"Hmmm… It looks like Akane may have met her match," Miyuki said to Hikari as they ate their rather plain looking chocolate sundaes.

"You think," Hikari replied. "There's enough chocolate in one of those for the entire gymnastics' team… and have enough left over for Ranma."


Kodachi decided to spend the afternoon doing her homework with Nabiki. Being able to talk through her assignment (on marketing strategies) with someone helped her immensely and Nabiki was able to provide Kodachi with help on her English assignment. But often discussion drifted to other topics as well.

"How long has Isamu-san been working here?" Nabiki asked when they decided to take a break from homework.

"For as long as I can remember," Kodachi replied. "He took over as head butler when his father retired and that was before mom died."

"I've never met Mami's mother, have I?" Nabiki asked.

"Nor are you ever likely to," Kodachi answered shaking her head. "My brother and I had simply become too much for her to handle. She packed up and left about five years ago and no one has heard from her since. There were some really nasty rumors about her being a drunk and taking drugs."

"There always seem to be a lot of nasty rumors going around," Nabiki responded.

"It comes with the territory," Kodachi said. "My brother and I were the favorite source for most of those rumors, but rumors about other people added variety and some additional entertainment value."

"So what are the rumors about me and why Isamu-san doesn't like me?"

"The usual. You're the outsider. You're only interested in my brother to plunder the estate and throw everyone out of their jobs," Kodachi answered offhandedly. "But then Isamu-san never thought very much of any of the girlfriends and boyfriends that my brother and I brought home… although that may have been because they usually arrived at the house either drugged or bound and gagged."

"What do you think about the rumors about me?"

"Nabiki, personally I think you're the best thing that ever happened to my brother… and maybe that's one of the things that Isamu-san dislikes about you."

"What do you mean?"

"Before my brother and I had our rude awakening, Isamu-san ran the household. We didn't really care about anything as long as we were fed and clothed and comfortable. Now my brother asks questions about this and that. Not to be bossy or to take over, but just so that he understands what's going on. Before you came into my brother's life he never would have done that and maybe Isamu-san feels a little threaten by it."


"I know exactly the charm you need," Akio's father said after Mika and Kisho explained what they were looking for. "It won't take more than a few minutes for me to make it. You're welcome to stay for a while and use the baths if you like."

"Thank you for the offer," Ranma responded, "but we have a train to catch at five."

"And I still want to take them someplace before they leave," Aka-chan added.

"We'll take them and show them the shrine while you prepare the charm," Akio said.

"That's fine," Asogawa-san said as he turned to walk to his workroom. "Like I said, this won't take more than a few minutes."

"Ahhh… I was wondering," Miyuki said to Akio's father before he walked away. "Could I ask you about something?"

Miyuki began to follow after Asogawa and Hikari began to follow her but Miyuki said, "Why don't you go see the shrine. What I want to ask is really silly and I'd be too embarrassed to ask it if anyone else was around."

Hikari cast a puzzled glance at Miyuki, but Miyuki said as she walked with Asogawa, "Don't worry. It's nothing serious."

Aka-chan and Akio led Akane, Ranma, Mika, Kisho and Hikari to the shrine and Aka-chan explained the shrine's legend.

"I think she knows the story better than I do," Akio commented to Ranma, "and I'm the one who lives here."

After Kisho penned their petition (for the wisdom to make the right choices) and followed the procedure that Aka-chan had described, Mika asked, "Where do you think would be a good place to put our request?"

Akane and Aka-chan looked at each other and smiled. Aka-chan led Mika and Kisho to the back of the shrine where Akane and Ranma and Aka-chan had placed their petition. "I have the perfect place for it. So far it looks like it's two for two."


Miyuki rejoined the group as they exited the shrine. "Your dad said that he'll be done in about fifteen minutes," she reported.

"If you need to leave to catch your train," Kisho said, "Mika and I can wait for the charm. I'm sure we can find our way home."

"It's still early," Aka-chan responded as she took Akio by the hand. "There's no need to rush."

"Good! While we're waiting Hikari can give me the tour," Miyuki said, "since she's an expert about the shrine now."

Miyuki took Hikari by the hand saying, "Come on and show me what I'm supposed to do?"

Hikari looked back at Akane and Ranma as Miyuki dragged Hikari toward the shrine.


Hikari didn't quite know what to make of the turn of events. After entering the shrine building Hikari told Miyuki an abridged version of the legend but once she had done that an uncomfortable silence hung in the air.

"Was Akio's father able to answer your question?" Hikari finally asked breaking the silence.

"Well… sort of," Miyuki replied. "He really didn't give me the answer I expected. He ended up answering my question with another question."

"Do you want to tell me what your question was?"

"Not really," Miyuki replied. "Like I said before, I'd be to embarrassed to ask it if there was anyone else around."

Miyuki paused and looked around the shrine. "Look at all of those slips of paper. There must be thousands of them. Can you imagine how many people have come here to ask for a blessing of their relationship or marriage? I'm kind of envious of them."

Miyuki sighed and then said, "Well, I guess I should add my request to the others."

Miyuki took a pen and one of the slips of paper and carefully wrote, 'For Hikari to be happy.'

Hikari looked over Miyuki's shoulder as she wrote and when Miyuki was done Hikari said, "I'm happy knowing that there are people like you and Akane and Ranma and Yuka and Sayuri who are concerned and care about me."

Then Hikari took the pen from Miyuki and on another slip of paper, wrote, 'For Miyuki to be happy.' Hikari turned to Miyuki and said, "Why shouldn't you be happy too?"


Mid-afternoon brought the first hint that something wasn't quite right at the Kuno estate. Actually the hint came somewhat more like a shriek… and there was no mistaking the source. It came from Nabiki.

"As I said… my daughter is no longer employed by the Kuno household," Isamu said standing next to the table in the library where Nabiki and Kodachi had been sitting and working on their homework. Neither was sitting at the moment.

"And since she is no longer employed here, she is no longer living here," Isamu continued, seemingly unfazed by Nabiki who was standing face to face with him. "If you didn't hear me clearly I will repeat myself."

Nabiki was furious. Her face was bright red and veins began to bulge in her neck… and Isamu's apparent calmness made it all the worse.

"You really should calm down," Isamu said in a sarcastic tone. "Having your blood pressure so high can't be good for your baby."

Kodachi was angry but far more in control of her faculties. "Why, Isamu-san? Why would you do that?"

"To be quite honest I heard some very disturbing rumors concerning a possible illicit relationship between my daughter and Mistress Nabiki," Isamu reported placing an unusually strong emphasis on the word 'mistress'. "And although I put no credence in such unsubstantiated talk I thought it best, for my daughter's sake, to eliminate any reasons for such rumors to occur."

"Where is Mami-chan" Kodachi queried.

"That is strictly my business," Isamu said turning to face Kodachi directly, "since my daughter is no longer an employee. And please to not concern yourself with her continued attendance at school. I will contact the school tomorrow and explain that my daughter will not longer be attending. If there is an issue of tuition, I will repay master Kuno."

Nabiki had finally composed herself sufficiently to speak and asked, "What gives you the right to take Mami away from here?"

"What gives me the right is that I am her father," Isamu said turning back to Nabiki, who had put at least a small distance between her and the butler. "And I will do as I see fit for my daughter. I don't need some ignorant bitch who isn't smart enough to make sure she doesn't get pregnant telling me how to raise my daughter."

Nabiki had never formally trained in martial arts. To her it was all a waste of time. But that didn't mean that Nabiki was less able to hit someone when she wanted to… and that's exactly what she did. Before Isamu had the chance to react, Nabiki slapped Isamu across the face… full force… leaving a clear red imprint of her hand on his face. Quickly Nabiki turned and stormed out of the library.

Once Nabiki left, the stunned Isamu turned to face Kodachi. At first she said nothing but after taking a moment to contemplate she said, "If I were you I would count myself lucky that that was Nabiki and not her little sister Akane. She would have kicked you so hard, you'd still be looking for your balls a year from now. If you don't believe me, ask my brother about it. He can explain his first hand experience to you."


"I'm sorry Aka-chan," Akane said as they walked down the stairs from the shrine to the street below. "We should have given you and Akio a little more privacy when you two were saying goodbye."

"Don't worry about it," Aka-chan said as they reached the street. "Akio's parent weren't about to go anywhere. Anyway, Akio and I have a date for next Saturday. I'll help Kano with the shrine tour and we'll make this our last stop. I'll stay at the shrine and have dinner with Akio's parents and sister. Then we'll go to see a movie. And I get to meet Karin's latest date."

"Karin?" Miyuki questioned.

"Akio's sister," Aka-chan replied.

"Is this another date arranged by her parents?" Ranma asked.

"No, actually this is someone that Karin met at school," Aka-chan answered. "He's supposed to be really cute, but this is the first time Karin is bringing him home to meet her parents."

"It sounds like that might become a serious relationship," Ranma said.

"Akio hopes so," Aka-chan responded. "I think he's tired of hearing his mother ask 'When are you going to get involved with someone like your brother is?'"

"I think Akane and I can appreciate that," Ranma said. "So where are we going next?"

"When I was looking for maid's uniforms for the festival I found this shop near the train station," Aka-chan replied. "They had uniforms but they also had some really pretty dresses. I was hoping I could get some advice on something to wear for my date next week."

"So that's why you wanted to drop Akio off first," Mika said. "It sounds like you really want your date to be something special. So are you looking for something really sexy to wear for Akio."

Aka-chan began to blush. "No, I don't want anything too outlandish… just something really pretty."

"So what are us guys supposed to do while you are shopping for girly things?" Kisho asked.

"I don't know about you," Miyuki replied, "but Ranma might want to do some shopping for himself."

"Ranma doesn't need any more outfits," Akane said. "He has a closet full of girl's clothing already."


"Yes… Of course… I understand completely," Kuno said speaking on the phone. "Of course… I'll tell her. Thank you again for your help… Please call if anything changes… Of course I'll do the same… No I won't mention that we talked… Tell Mami-chan we miss her… Thank you… Good bye."

"Well?" Nabiki asked when Kuno hung up the phone.

"Mami-chan is staying at her aunt's house," Kuno replied, "… at least for time being."

"How did you find that out?" Kodachi asked. "Isamu-san wasn't exactly forthcoming with information when we asked him. I can't imagine he would have said anything to you."

"No, he didn't," Kuno replied. "I won't repeat exactly what he said but he basically told me to mind my own business… rather rudely. But you can thank Sasuke for the information. He apparently felt that something wasn't right and he followed Isamu-san and Mami-chan to his sister's house. Once Sasuke was sure that Mami was staying there, he reported back to me."

"So what do we do?" Nabiki asked. "How do we get Mami back?"

"At the moment there isn't much we can do," Kuno replied. "Isamu-san is right. Mami-chan is his daughter and he is well within his rights to move her out of the house. And if I fire him we'll lose any chance of getting Mami-chan back."

"So, like your wife asked, "Kodachi pressed, "how do we get Mami-chan back?"

"Well, first, I think we need to figure out why Isamu-san took her away," Kuno replied.

"I can't believe that this is all over Mami going shopping with me," Nabiki said.

"I think it's more than that," Kodachi said. "I was talking with Noriko-chan…"

"Noriko-chan… from the kitchen staff?" Nabiki asked.

"Yeah," Kodachi replied. "She's one of my most reliable sources of unreliable information. If there's a rumor circulating in the house, Noriko-chan will know about it. I was checking on the rumor that Isamu-san said was the reason that he took Mami-chan away."

"You can't possibly think that there was something going on between Mami and me," Nabiki protested.

"Of course not," Kodachi said, trying to calm Nabiki. "Of course not. Normally though, when there's a rumor as juicy as that, it will spread through the house in a matter of hours. It's all part of the dynamics of rumors. The strange thing is that Noriko-chan, the gossip magnet, hadn't heard anything about it."

"Which means?' Nabiki asked.

"If I see where my sister is taking this… it means that it wasn't really a rumor," Kuno replied. "Just an excuse that Isamu-san came up with to use as a reason for his actions."

"Very good brother," Kodachi said with a laugh. "You really aren't as stupid as you look."

"Thanks," Kuno said with a scowl on his face.

"On the other hand I found out some other very interesting things," Kodachi continued. "There isn't anyone on the staff who is happy with Isamu-san at the moment. For one thing no one… and I do mean no one… is happy about Isamu-san taking Mami-chan away. She has always been kind of the house mascot and everyone was overjoyed when she assigned as Nabiki's personal servant."

"Isamu-san wasn't enthusiastic with the idea when I asked him to do that," Kuno said, "but he didn't argue against the idea either. I thought it was a pretty good idea."

"It was a marvelous idea darling," Nabiki said as she gave Kuno a little squeeze.

"On the other hand, brother," Kodachi continued, "didn't you authorize a pay increase for the staff?"

"Yeah, just after graduation," Kuno answered. "I can't remember the last time the staff had an increase in their pay."

"Well neither can anyone else on the staff," Kodachi said, "because they haven't seen it yet. There are rumors about a Christmas bonus this year and maybe a pay increase after the New Year, but that's it."

"I told Isamu-san to arrange the pay increase to begin with the first of April," Kuno said. "He said that he would take care of it and work it into the household budget. I need to talk to him about this right away."

"Wait a minute," Kodachi said. "We still don't have all the facts yet… And I'm thinking this may be the wedge we can use to get Mami-chan back."


"Thank you for helping me with picking out the dress," Aka-chan said to everyone as they walked out from the shop. "I hope Akio likes it."

"Akio can't help but like it," Mika responded, "considering it will look so much better because you're the one wearing it."

"You don't think it's too… too… ?" Aka-chan asked.

"Revealing…" Akane said. "No, I don't think it will put Akio in a state of shock like your swimsuit did this summer. And at this point, Akio's seen quite a bit more of you than he could see when you were wearing the swimsuit. You have been in the baths together."

"That's true," Aka-chan said. "but it's different in the baths. I don't know why?"

"She's right," Hikari said. "It didn't bother me being in the hot spring with the guys, but I would never even think about wearing one of the swimsuits that Miyuki bought for Akane out in public."

"I don't know," Mika said. "I saw some skimpy swimsuits I wouldn't have second thought about wearing to the beach."

"You mean that red one you showed me?" Aka-chan asked.

"That one," Mika replied, "or the white one."

"I saw those," Miyuki said. "They make the ones I bought for Akane look conservative. I don't understand how they can charge so much money for so little cloth."

"I bet Kisho wouldn't mind seeing you wear either of them," Aka-chan said. "Right Kisho?"

Kisho remained silent as he had since they had entered the shop. He also hadn't stopped blushing for almost as long. He just walked quietly next to Ranma.

"You can stop blushing now," Aka-chan said. "We're out of the shop now."

"It's not as if we were modeling anything," Hikari said.

"I think he was doing all right in the dress department," Ranma said, "but I think he lost it when you started with the lingerie and sleep wear."

"I think his imagination was running away with him," Aka-chan said. "It can't be any different than the things you guys look at in those magazines guys look at."

"Kisho doesn't look at magazines like that," Mika responded.

"Right… Sure…" Aka-chan said. "And if you believe that one I have some swampland outside of Sapporo you might be interested in."

"Maybe he doesn't," Ranma said defending Kisho. "I was never interested in magazines like that."

"But Ranma you're a special case," Miyuki said. "All you have to do is pour some cold water on yourself and you can see anything you want."

"So what should we do now?" Aka-chan asked.

"We should probably get to the train station," Ranma replied.

"What are you going to do about dinner?" Aka-chan queried.

"I hadn't really thought about it," Ranma answered. "I guess we can pick up some bento boxes from one of the stands in the train station to eat on the train."

"Euuu!" Aka-chan said. "You don't want to do that. That food is terrible and expensive. I know a place not far from here where you can get some good food and it won't empty your wallet."

"Well then, lead on," Ranma said.

"It's down the next street," Aka-chan said taking lead of the group, "and there's a short cut to the train station across the street from it."

Kisho continued to walk next to Ranma and remained silent for quite some time. Finally he asked, "Ranma, the things you bought at the shop… are those for Akane… or for you?"

"A little of both," Ranma answered. "I bought them for Akane to wear, but then I get to enjoy them too."


"Thank you for coming to my festival," Aka-chan said to Ranma and Akane as they stood outside the ticket gates at the train station.

"I'm glad we could come," Ranma replied. "It was a lot of fun. Thank you for having us."

"You're welcome any time," Aka-chan said, "but next time give me some warning that you're coming and I'll make sure your room is ready for you."

"That isn't necessary but we'll give you some warning the next time," Akane responded. "We promise."

"I'm glad we had the chance to meet your classmates and friends," Ranma said.

"I'm glad we had the chance to meet Aka-chan's legendary guests from this summer," Mika replied. "I have to admit you made the weekend… interesting."

"Yeah… interesting," Kisho said quietly.

"I'm not sure Kisho has recovered from his experience of meeting Ranma," Miyuki commented.

"I don't think so either," Aka-chan responded. "Hey Kisho, I never found out. Whose boobs feel nicer… Mika's or Ranma's?"

"Aka-chan!" Mika exclaimed.

"Sorry, I couldn't resist," Aka-chan said with a broad smile. "Akane… Ranma… I was wondering… Do you have any plans for Christmas?"

"No, not really," Akane answered.

"You mean you and your family aren't going to put on another Christmas show like you did the one year?" Hikari asked.

"No we're not," Ranma quickly responded.

"Christmas show?" Aka-chan asked.

"It's a rather long story," Ranma said, "and we have a train to catch."

"Here we go with the long stories again," Miyuki commented.

"Why do you ask?" Akane inquired.

"Well, grandmother usually closes the inn for the weeks of Christmas and New Years," Aka-chan replied. "There just isn't enough business that time of year to stay open… and it gives the staff the chance to spend the holidays with their families instead of working. Usually she goes to visit her sisters, but I'm not really interested in going with her this year. My aunts are really annoying. I was wondering if I could come and visit you for the Christmas holiday?"

Akane and Ranma looked at each other and Akane replied, "I don't see why not. We have plenty of space now that Nabiki is married and out of the house."

"You're sister is married," Aka-chan said. "When did that happen?"

Ranma looked at Miyuki and smiled and then turned back to Aka-chan and answered, "That's another long story, but the short version is… right after she found out she was pregnant."

"I won't ask any more," Aka-chan said.

"Akio is welcome to come with you," Akane added.

"I don't know if he'll be able to," Aka-chan said. "I don't know if he'll have to help his father at the shrine."

"The invitation is open," Akane said.

"I'll talk to Akio about it and let you know," Aka-chan replied.

"We have to get going or we'll miss our train," Ranma said.

Aka-chan forced a smile to her face. "I really wish you could stay."

"I know, but we'll be back," Akane said. "And we'll make arrangements for a visit for Christmas."

"Thank you so much for coming," Aka-chan replied.

Then she threw her arms around Akane and kissed her saying, "I love you mama."

She did the same with Ranma. "I love you papa."

She stepped back and said, "Please take care of yourself and don't do anything stupid."

"We'll make sure they take care of themselves," Miyuki said, "but the stupid part might be difficult. Remember we are talking about Ranma."

"Hey!" Ranma exclaimed.


"No sign of Isamu-san," Nabiki said as she, Kuno and Kodachi walked away from the dining room after dinner.

"No, not at all," Kodachi said, "And none of the staff has seen him since he came back this afternoon."

"Although it isn't that unusual for him absent for Sunday dinner," Kuno observed. "Sunday is his normal day off."

"I get the feeling that he's avoiding us," Kodachi remarked."

"Do you blame him?" Kuno said with a laugh. "My darling wife left quite a mark on his face. Remind me never to get you that angry with me."

"I don't think that's possible," Nabiki replied.

"Give him some time," Kodachi said sarcastically. "It's amazing what my brother is capable of."

"And I love you too," Kuno responded in an almost equally sarcastic tone of voice.

"Children… Children…" Nabiki said laughing. "We'll have no more of that."

"So brother," Kodachi asked, "have you deduced a plan yet?"

"Not really," Kuno replied. "It would help to know why he's acting like this but none of this is making any sense. Isamu-san is acting like he wants me to fire him."

"Or daring you to fire him," Kodachi countered.

"But why?" Kuno asked.

"Maybe what your sister said is true," Nabiki responded. "Maybe Isamu-san feels threatened by me."

"I don't think it's that simple," Kuno said. "And even if he does feel threatened by you for some unknown reason, there isn't much that can be done about it. You're my wife. You're a part of this household and that isn't going to change because Isamu-san's nose it out of joint."

"Maybe if Nabiki slapped him from the other side she might knock it back into place," Kodachi quipped.

Nabiki and Kuno stopped and stared at Kodachi.

"Sorry," Kodachi responded. "It seemed funny at the time."

"But if Isamu-san has a gripe with me," Nabiki asked, "why involve Mami in it?"

"That may actually be the problem," Kodachi replied. "It is a well known fact around here that Isamu-san was never happy about the fact that Mami-chan is a girl. Isamu-san is the sixth generation of his family to be head butler of this household… A job that Mami-chan is not suited to hold."

"Why?" Nabiki asked. "Just because Mami had the ill fortune to be born female?"

"In Isamu-san's mind, yes," Kuno responded.

"If you haven't noticed," Kodachi said, "Isamu-san has a very sexist mindset."

"I noticed most of the staff is female," Nabiki said, "… especially the housekeeping duties."

"With the exception of the head cook and the grounds and building maintenance staff, the entire household staff is female," Kodachi reported.

"And that's not by my choice," Kuno quickly added.

"Nor by mine," Kodachi said. "I wouldn't mind a few good looking guys working around the house."

"That still doesn't answer the question of why Mami is at her aunt's house and not here," Nabiki said.

"Isamu-san has always treated Mami-chan as just another employee," Kodachi answered. "You, on the other hand, treat Mami-chan as a friend and companion."

"Of course I do," Nabiki said. "Why would I treat her any other way?"

"Exactly," Kodachi replied, "and that may be the problem. In just the short time you've been here you've developed a better relationship with Mami-chan than Isamu-san has ever had."

"I don't think that's it," Kuno said after a moment of reflection. "You're right that Isamu-san only thinks of Mami-chan as another employee. Who Mami-chan has made friends with in the past doesn't seem to be of any concern to Isamu-san. Why should a friendship with Nabiki be any different? And if Isamu-san is so unhappy with the situation here, why doesn't he just quit? Why try so hard to get fired? As I said, none of this makes any sense."

Nabiki sighed. "That leaves us asking the same question as before. What do we do to get Mami back?"

Kuno could only reply with a shake of his head, saying, "I don't know."


Miyuki and Hikari had settled into their seats directly behind Akane and Ranma and quickly fell asleep. Akane was yawning broadly as she cuddled up next to Ranma.

"Why don't you get some sleep?" Ranma said quietly to Akane.

"I probably will," Akane replied as she cuddled closer to Ranma after another particularly deep yawn. "I don't understand why I'm so sleepy."

"Two very busy days… not very much sleep last night," Ranma replied. "That could add up to someone being sleepy."

"And whose idea was it not to let me sleep last night?"

"I don't remember anyone complaining at the time."

Akane paused and smiled and said, "Come to think of it, neither do I. What do you think about Aka-chan coming to visit for Christmas?"

"I really don't see any problem with it," Ranma replied. "And Aka-chan was really enthusiastic about coming."

"Sometimes I think she's a little too enthusiastic about things," Akane said. "I don't want to see her hurt."

"Neither do I," Ranma said. "We can call her grandmother and talk to her about it. How do you think Hikari is doing?"

"Miyuki thinks this is exactly what she needed," Akane replied. "Miyuki said that Hikari and Aka-chan talked last night and after that Hikari opened up."

"After talking to Aka-chan and drinking most of the champagne," Ranma said. "That was good champagne. I wish I could have gotten more of it."

"Awww… " Akane said with sarcastic sympathy. She smiled and continued, saying , "Don't worry. I have two more bottles in my suitcase."

"So that's where you and Aka-chan went this morning," Ranma said. "To get more champagne."

"More champagne… and a bottle of good, high quality sake," Akane said.

"Why sake?" Ranma asked.

"Well I was thinking that we should have a gift when we have dinner with your great grandmother." Akane replied, "but I had no idea what to get for her. Aka-chan suggested sake and when we were looking for the sake I spotted the champagne we had last night."

"You had enough money to pay for all of that?" Ranma asked. "The service charge I paid the last time I was there was more than I paid for what I bought."

"He didn't charge me a service charge," Akane said. "But that may be because Aka-chan was with me. I think she reminded him how much business the inn did with him this summer and how many customers she sent to his store. And when Aka-chan mentioned that mint liquor, his eyes lit up and he threw in the second bottle of champagne for free. Ranma, how much did you spend at the liquor store?"

"I'm not sure I want to tell you," Ranma said nervously, "but don't worry… I won't make a habit of it."

"I don't think you'll have to," Akane said. "We have what's left in the bottle at home and the bottle that Yumeko bought for us… and now the two bottles of that other liquor… and the chocolate liquor that Taro bought for us."

"And the two bottles of champagne," Ranma added. "We're gathering quite a collection."

"Just remind me not to try to drink everything in our collection all at once," Akane responded.

"You know how good I am at reminding you about things like that," Ranma said. "The last time you depended on me to remind you about something like that, we ended up drunk and naked on the roof of the dojo."

"Drunk and naked on the roof of the dojo," came a voice from behind Akane and Ranma. "You mentioned that before but you didn't get into any details."

Akane and Ranma jumped at the sound of the unexpected voice behind them. They turned to find Hikari and Miyuki leaning over the back of their seats.

"I thought that you two were asleep," Ranma squeaked, not quite having caught his breath.

"We were," Miyuki said, "until this really rude couple started talking about the perverted sexual practices they partake in when they've had too much to drink."

"It wasn't like that at all," Akane said.

"Well what was it like?" Miyuki pressed.

"Ranma and I really don't remember," Akane responded. "Like you said, we had too much to drink."

"Don't give me that," Miyuki responded. "Give us details… And don't tell me that it's a long story. We're going to be on the train for four hours. We have plenty of time."


Kuno was already lying in bed when Nabiki entered the bedroom from the changing room. She was running her hands down over her stomach as she walked toward the bed.

"Maybe I don't really need to go shopping yet for maternity clothes yet," Nabiki said. "I'm probably just putting on weight because of all of the good food that the kitchen staff makes. I really need to watch what I eat. I don't want to get big and fat."

"You look fine," Kuno said as he sat up. "And if you like, I'll tell the kitchen to not make the food taste so good."

"No… don't do that," Nabiki quickly responded. "I'll just let them know to put out smaller portions for me." Nabiki paused for a moment and then said, "I'm sorry about this morning. I was really angry at the whole world."

"That's OK," Kuno said as he pulled the covers back and Nabiki climbed into bed. "I understand that you're going to have days like that. And now that I understand what was wrong…"

"It isn't OK," Nabiki said. "Just because I'm angry at the whole world doesn't mean that I have to take it out on you."

Nabiki reclined in the bed and put her hands on her stomach. She smiled. "It's hard to believe that there's a baby in there."

"Our baby," Kuno said as he moved closer to Nabiki.

"Our baby," Nabiki replied. She took Kuno's hand and placed it on her stomach and then placed her hands over his.

"Sometimes I think I can feel the baby moving in there," Nabiki said.

"Isn't it too early for that?"

"I don't know," Nabiki replied. "I'll ask the doctor about that."

"When do you see the doctor next?" Kuno asked.

"Next Monday," Nabiki said. "I have an appointment in the afternoon between classes."

"You're not pushing yourself too hard, are you?"

"No… As long as I keep up with the assignments and don't let them pile up I'll do OK. I talked to my teachers and most of them are pretty understanding about the situation. I don't think it will change how much homework they hand out but at least they understand my situation. My marketing teacher even offered to work with me at home for the year I take off so that I can get one or two class credits."

"That was very nice of him."

"Her… She just came back from maternity leave. She had twins. She looks really good. You wouldn't even know she had had a baby."

Nabiki paused and then asked, "Will you still love me when I'm all big and round?"

The question startled Kuno. "Of course I'll love you. I'll always love you. What makes you think that I wouldn't?"

"Nothing really," Nabiki replied quietly. "But it's really feels nice to hear you say that."

Kuno turned to the table and turned out the light. Then her drew the covers over both of them. Nabiki cuddled up to Kuno and rested her head on his shoulder while Kuno wrapped his arm around her to hold her close.

Nabiki asked, "Would you like to make love with me?"

Nabiki seemed to be asking questions that startled Kuno tonight. He didn't have an immediate answer, but after a moment of thought he asked, "Is it all right for us to have sex? It isn't going to hurt the baby, is it?"

"I don't know," Nabiki replied.

"When you go see the doctor, why don't you ask. If she says that it's all right… I would love to make love with you."


It was well after ten when Miyuki and Hikari arrived home, but Miyuki's mother was still up and watching television.

"Hi mom, we're home," Miyuki said as she and Hikari entered the living room.

"How was your trip?" Miyuki's mom asked. "It didn't cause any problem that you tagged along at the last minute?"

"Considering that Ranma and Akane hadn't told their friend that they were coming to visit, not really," Hikari answered.

"How much do we owe for your stay at this inn?" Mrs. Hozumi asked. "Inns like that can't be cheap."

"We don't owe anything mother," Miyuki replied. "Akane, Ranma, Hikari and I were honored guests. If fact, we were told that we were welcome to visit anytime we like."

"How did you manage that?" Mrs. Hozumi queried.

Hikari quickly answered before Miyuki had a chance to say anything. "It's a rather long story, Mrs. Hozumi."

Miyuki glared at Hikari.

"Did anything happen while we were gone?" Miyuki asked.

"Well, after the incident on Friday," Miyuki's mom explained, "and after an extended meeting at the police station on Saturday… Hikari's Father's family has agreed to stop calling or to have any contact with Hikari. I think when the police chief explained the penalties for threatening and stalking, they decided that it wasn't worth it. The man they caught watching the house on Friday actually apologized for what he had done and he said that he would make sure the other relatives would not bother you again."

"That's my cousin Hideki," Hikari said. "He's probably the sanest member of my father's family. I didn't understand why he would have done something like that."

"He said that he was worried that your aunt might try something," Mrs. Hozumi explained, "and that's why he was watching the house. He said that he would leave things like that to the police in the future. Other than that, your grandmother called. Your aunt is in the hospital in the United States and the doctors are evaluating your aunts condition. She said that once she knows more in the next day or two, she'll call to let you know what is happening… And last but not least, your Gymnastics coach called to remind you that there will be practice after school tomorrow. She warned me that practices for the next two weeks would probably run long."

"I knew she would make up for the week of practices that we missed," Miyuki responded.

"She said that she had an important announcement to make," Miyuki's mom said, "but she didn't give any hint as to what it might be."

After a brief pause Miyuki's mom asked, "So did you have fun?"

"It was a lot of fun," Miyuki replied. "The school festival was something else and the Aka-chan's school looks more like a castle than a school."

"Aka-chan?" Mrs. Hozumi asked.

"Akane Takayama," Hikari explained. "She's Ranma and Akane's friend. Her grandmother owns the inn where Ranma and Akane spent their honeymoon. After the festival Aka-chan's grandmother put on a big party and sleep over for Aka-chan's class."

"Well, it's time to get back into a normal routine," Mrs. Hozumi said. "I hope you don't have any homework you need to finish before morning."

"I don't," Miyuki replied, "but Hikari has a worksheet she needs to finish from the week before."

"That won't take me more than a half hour," Hikari said.

"Why don't you go get started on that," Miyuki said, "and I'll get something to drink from the kitchen."

"I'll take our bags to our room," Hikari said as she grabbed the two travel bags and walked toward their bedroom.

Mrs. Hozumi turned off the television and followed Miyuki to the kitchen.

"Would you like some snacks?" Miyuki's mom asked.

"That would be nice," Miyuki replied. "We had some boxed dinners on the train but a little snack before bed wouldn't be bad."

There was a long pause before Mrs. Hozumi spoke again. "Did anything else happen?"

"What do you mean, did anything else happen?"

"I mean, did anything else happen between you and Hikari?"

"Mother!"

"That's not what I mean. I mean…"

"What do you mean? Yes, Hikari and I enjoyed ourselves at the party… And after that we went to Akane and Ranma's room and had some champagne and Hikari and I got a little drunk. Then we went to our room and Hikari began to cry. She cried most of the night and I held her close to me. She finally cried herself to sleep and that was that. What do you think we did?"

For a long time nothing was said.

"Look," Miyuki said. "Hikari is one of my very best friends… And yes, someday I might… might like to have a more intimate relationship with her. I don't know. I still don't understand how I feel about a lot of things. But I do know one thing for sure. I would be a pretty crappy friend if I took advantage of the way Hikari is feeling right now. Right now Hikari doesn't need a sex partner. Hikari needs someone to help her and support her and to be a real friend to her… And if I can do that for her, that is more than I can possibly ask from my relationship with Hikari."

Miyuki took a deep breath. "So mom, don't worry. At least for the foreseeable future, I have no intention of having a sexual relationship with Hikari… In some ways you're worse than Miss Nohina. I know exactly how Miss Nohina feels. She makes it quite clear that there is no place on Earth for people like me. Mom, is that how you feel?"