All characters, with the exception of The Decisions Master, belong to Rumiko Takahashi. This is the last chapter. If you have enjoyed, please leave a comment. Writing this story inspired me to write a sort of reboot. I am outlining it now and hope to get started on it soon.
18
Surprisingly, Ranma made it back to the Nekohanten without interruptions. The sun had set, and he had made one last stop on the way home. It's so weird to think this is my home now. The door swung open before he made it to the entryway and Shampoo ran out and jumped into his arms.
"Airen! Welcome home."
Ranma's heart pounded in his chest. He was home. "I brought these for you." Ranma handed over the bouquet he was holding.
"Airen bring flowers?"
"Yes, I was talking to Ukyo about everything, and it just hit me all over again how unfair I was to you in the past, especially because of how happy I am with you now."
Tears filled Shampoo's eyes. "Airen, please no feel bad for past. Without past we no be here now, and Shampoo so happy with Airen!"
Ranma pulled Shampoo in and hugged her tight.
"Oh Genma! This is so sweet."
Shampoo and Ranma quickly jumped apart and turned to see the new arrivals.
"Pops?" Ranma questioned. His father stood before him, but he wasn't alone. An older woman stood beside him. Her chestnut hair pulled up, tears swam in her brown eyes, and a katana sword was strapped to her back.
"Oh Ranma dear!" The woman ran toward Ranma.
Ranma and Shampoo jumped back. Not another fiancee! Both had identical thoughts.
"Ranma! What kind of welcome is that for your mother?"
"My mother?"
After a brief moment to compose themselves, Shampoo and Ranma invited his parents inside. They sat at one of the tables at the restaurant, as it was now closed. Picking up the duty of hostess, Shampoo prepared drinks and snacks for everyone. She placed them on the table then took a seat next to Ranma.
"My mother is alive?"
"Yes. I am Nodoka Saotome. Genma has told me a great deal about your life, Ranma. I'm so sorry, I've missed out on so much."
"My mother…"
"Boy, snap out of it."
"Why didn't you ever tell me she was still alive?"
"I was trying to protect you."
"Protect me?"
"Yes, you see, before we left on our martial art journey, I had to make a promise to your mother."
"What promise?"
"That I would raise you to be a man amongst men, else we'd have to…"
"We'd have to what?"
"We'd have to commit seppuku."
"What!?" Ranma jumped to his feet.
"What this mean?" Shampoo could tell from his reaction it was something bad, but she wasn't sure just how bad. The color drained from her face as Ranma explained the ritual. "What it mean to be 'man among men'?"
"It means to be an honorable man. To live with purpose and bring happiness to those around him. To follow his convictions and fulfill his promises. To live without lies and deceit."
Shampoo visibly relaxed. "Airen already do those things. Airen most honorable man."
"Is that so? From what Genma's been telling me, I'm not so sure."
"Pops! What have you been telling her?"
"Do not concern yourself with his words. Instead, tell me your tale."
Ranma looked to Shampoo. She nodded her head and interlocked her hand with his to offer her support, before he began his tale.
Nodoka remained expressionless during Ranma's explanation. She waited until he was done, before she turned her glare toward her husband.
"Don't look at me like that. The deal was that Ranma would be a man amongst men; not that I would be."
"We are all lucky for that!" Nodoka reached up and unsheathed her sword.
Ranma rose from his seat, pulling Shampoo with him, and they escaped out the front door. "They will be busy for a while."
"Panda man really do all that?"
"Yeah, he did."
Shampoo shook her head, then stopped hard in her tracks.
Ranma looked to Shampoo. Her face was frozen in surprise. He turned around and found Akane walking towards them.
"I'm surprised to find you two out."
"What are you doing here, Akane?"
Akane looked hurt by the question.
"I didn't mean it like that. I'm just surprised. I didn't think I was going to see you again for a while."
"I wasn't planning on coming, at first. I heard you stopped by earlier."
"Yes, I was hoping to see pops, and check on you. I heard you found out about Ryoga on top of…everything."
"Yes, things have been eventful. I can't believe you never told me about Ryoga!"
"What! I tried so many times! You're just too stubborn to listen to me."
Akana laughed, and Ranma visibly deflated. "I know. I was so angry with you when I first found out, and then I realized you did tell me, multiple times, and it really made everything you said to me at the amusement park set in. I finally understood what you meant and realized that you were right in saying it. I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry, too."
"It's not all your fault. I understand that now."
"I don't think either of us are at fault. I think maybe we just were not ready."
Akane nodded. "It may be that simple. I came by because I just wanted to say, I wish you happiness. Both of you."
"Thank you, Akane. I hope you find happiness as well."
Akane turned away.
Shampoo stood beside Ranma. He draped his arm over her shoulder as he watched Akane slip into the shadows.
"She be okay?"
"In time."
"We be okay?"
Ranma turned to face Shampoo. He studied her face and he could see the worry in her red eyes. "We will be just fine."
He pulled her towards him, lifting her chin up to him, he sealed his words with a kiss.
In the distance, a man watched the scene unfold with a gorilla beside him. Looks like another case successfully resolved. The gorilla beat on his chest in triumph.