Disclaimer: I don't own the Ranma ½ gang, **pout** they're owned by Rumiko Takahashi. I'm using their names without permission.

Author's Notes: Here's chapter three. Anyway, there is a major time jump. This chapter takes place about seven years after chapter 2. The reason? I couldn't think of anything to put between the two time periods. The same stuff just happens over and over. Ranma and Akane continue to sneak out, Ryoga's left, Nabiki and Kuno continue to go out, and Soun, Genma, Kasumi, Ukyo, Shampoo, and everyone else doesn't know the difference, thanks to Akane and Ranma's great acting. That would make a very boring chapter. Anyway, this is about a month before Ranma and Akane graduate from collage. (Ranma and Akane are living at home, by the way.) I think I'm done talking now.

On With The Story!

~

Akane sat at her desk, watching the birds fly around the garden. Finally, she turned her attention back to her textbook. She couldn't see the typed words, only… nothing. She seemed to have an almost one-track mind lately. When were they going to tell their parents? That question had been plaguing her a lot lately. She and Ranma had, so far, managed to keep anyone else from finding out. Akane sighed and rose from her desk. She could hear Kasumi calling her for dinner. 'I'll talk to Ranma tonight.'

~

At the dinner table, Ranma noticed a slight change had come over his fiancée. 'I'll talk to her tonight.'

~

At Midnight

~

Ranma tapped on Akane's door. A few seconds later, she emerged from her dark room. He smiled, and kissed her gently. She grasped his hand and they left the house.

While they were travelling to the park they normally went to, Akane turned her question in her mind. 'How am I going to ask him? When am I going to ask him? I guess I'll know when the time is right.'

They arrived at the park, and Ranma set her on the ground. He took her hand and led her into the park. They stopped at a park bench. Ranma sat and indicated that he wanted her to sit beside him. After she was seated, he asked her, "Is something wrong, Akane?"

"Actually, yes." Akane paused. 'Here goes nothing!' "When are we going to tell them? I mean, we've kept the secret for this long, and we're almost out of collage, and they've already tried to marry us once."

"I've been thinking about that too, and I don't know when we'll tell them. It's gonna be awfully hard, you know."

"I know, but we'll have to tell them eventually. Our fathers will try to marry us again so that we can take over the schools. They'll most likely try again after collage."

"You have a point there." Ranma thought for a moment. 'I'll have to ask her soon. She wants to stop this secrecy. But when can I ask her? I've got the courage, but the time never feels right. Oh, I hope it won't slip out at the wrong time!' "Let's walk," was all he said. Akane nodded, smiling, and got up. Then, Ranma draped his arm around her shoulder and she leaned her head against his shoulder. They walked down the path in silence, as words would break the fragile peace and destroy their moment of happiness.
~

Ryoga was still swooning over Akane's choice. He hadn't seen her in person for seven years, but every time he closed his eyes, he saw her smiling face, and when he slept, which wasn't often anymore, she came to him in his dreams. But the dreams never ended the way he wanted them to.

They all started with him and Akane laughing together, all his pleasant memories of her. Then he would see his Akane kissing Ranma, the same scene he had seen seven years before. Then… then it was their wedding. But he wasn't the one on her arm, saying 'I do,' lifting her veil and kissing her; it was Ranma.

Ryoga always woke up sobbing on those few nights he did sleep. He would sit there, in the dark, and cry until dawn broke the silence of the lonely night. Then he would push himself to train harder or walk farther than the day before. No matter how exhausted he was by the end of the day, Ryoga dreaded falling asleep, fearing the dreams that endlessly plagued his head, never leaving him be.

Ryoga shifted the weight of his backpack so that it rested more comfortably on his shoulders. Blinking away tears, Ryoga walked up the mountain. He felt like he was going to collapse from exhaustion and hunger, but he kept going. If he stopped to think or rest… he didn't want to think about it. He just pushed himself harder. He was halfway up the mountain, when he passed out.

~

A farmer was travelling up the mountain, heading to Nerima to sell his goods. He sat on the hard wooden seat of his cart as his cherished stallions pulled faithfully along. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a young man sprawled out by the roadside. The farmer stopped his horses, and hopped off the seat. He walked over to the man. The young man was wearing black leggings and a tattered shirt, and the ties on his shoes went up to his knees. Around the man's forehead was a yellow and black bandanna. The farmer shook the young man gently. "Hey, you okay?" When the young man didn't respond, the farmer attempted to lift him onto the cart.

After many tries, The farmer managed to lift the young man onto the cart, along with the man's backpack and umbrella. The farmer was surprised that the man could even lift the umbrella, let alone travel with it. The farmer sighed and got back up into the seat of the cart. He started the horses back on their way to Nerima.

~

Ryoga woke once, groggy and unable to see. He could vaguely tell that he was being jostled around slightly, and he could hear the creaking of wooden wheels and the snort of a horse. Then Ryoga passed back into the sweet, bleak world of unconsciousness.

~

The next day, the farmer and his cart reached Nerima. The farmer heard a moan from he back of the cart. He immediately stopped the horses, and rushed around to the back of the cart, to where the young man was. The young man was awake!

"Hey, are you okay?" Ryoga opened his eyes slowly. He saw the farmer staring at him.

"Wh-where am I," Ryoga asked quietly. He sat up and held his head at the sudden pain.

"You're in Nerima. You must have passed out back on that mountain."

Ryoga looked at the farmer. "I'm in N-n-nerima?"

"Yeah, and I'm taking you to the doctor's. Do you know where one is?"

"Uh, there should be one just down the street."

"Okay, I'll take you there. Just relax."

"Yeah," Ryoga said, "I'll just relax." But Ryoga couldn't relax. 'I can't stay in Nerima, the pain...' Ryoga just closed his eyes and waited.

Finally, the cart stopped moving and the farmer came around to the back. "Here we are. You need help getting inside?"

"No that's alright. Thank you for taking me this far." Ryoga got up, hefting his bag and his umbrella onto his back. Then he walked into the doctor's office.

"Good luck kid," said the farmer, as he got back onto the cart and drove off.

~

Inside the office, Dr. Tofu greeted Ryoga. "Well, Ryoga. I haven't seen you for some time now. How are you?"

"Exhausted, depressed, and lonely."

"I see. What brings you here," asked the doctor.

"A farmer found me passed out on the roadside. He brought me here for a checkup."

"No problem. Come into the examining room, and I'll take a look at you." Dr. Tofu led the way into the examining room, and Ryoga followed.

~

Ranma was walking down the street when he saw the farmer's cart stop in front of Dr. Tofu's office. He watched as the farmer went and talked to someone in the back. As the person got out of the cart, Ranma recognized him as Ryoga. 'So, Ryoga's back after seven years. I wonder how hard he took it.' Ranma mentally shrugged his shoulders and started to walk off, only to be glomped by Shampoo.

"Oh, Ranma! How Shampoo miss husband! Ranma go on date with Shampoo, yes?" Ranma attempted to peel Shampoo off him, but it didn't work.

"Uh, actually, Shampoo, I've, uh, got, um, exams in the, uh, morning, and I, uh, gotta study for 'em if I wanna pass." Dejectedly, Shampoo loosened her grip on Ranma.

"Ranma go on date with Shampoo tomorrow?"

"Uh," Ranma looked skyward, "I'll be really wiped out tomorrow. The Profs say the exams are killer."

"So Ranma go out with Shampoo day after!"

"Um, I gotta go, I think my Pop is calling me!" With that, Ranma ran off, leaving a very puzzled Shampoo behind.

~

Ryoga left Dr. Tofu's office, still depressed despite what the doctor had said. Ryoga just wandered, not caring where he wound up. Some how, he arrived at Ucchan's. He looked in the window and saw Ukyo, happily preparing okonomiyaki for one of her customers. He sighed and walked into the restaurant.

At the sound of the door chimes, Ukyo looked up. She smiled at Ryoga, but instead of returning her smile, he slumped into a booth. Ukyo walked around the counter to her old friend and slid into the seat across from him. She looked him up and down. He looked… different somehow. His features were not the smooth features of his teen years, but the rugged features of a young man who had had it rough. Although he kept his eyes to the table, she could tell he had been through a great deal of pain and suffering. "Hey, sugar. Is something wrong?"

Ryoga looked up quickly. Ukyo saw more pain in his eyes than she could have imagined. "No, Ukyo. Everything's fine."

"Now, you know I'm not gonna believe that. What kept you away for seven years?"

"Something happened."

"What happened? I'm your friend, you can tell me."

"I know you're a really good friend and all, but I am not able to tell you. I gave my word as a martial artist that I wouldn't tell a soul." Ryoga returned his gaze to the polished surface of the table.

'This can't be good. I've never seen anyone act like this.' "I get you something to eat. I'll be right back."

"Thanks Ukyo." Ryoga looked up and, for the first time in seven years, smiled. Ukyo smiled back and went to make Ryoga some okonomiyaki.

~

A Few Days Later

~

Ranma slipped into Akane's room without a sound. Akane turned in her desk chair to face him. "Hey," she whispered.

"Hey. Guess who's back in town."

"Who?"

"Ryoga. He was actually back a few days ago, but I never got a chance to tell you." Akane smiled. 'I'll ask her tonight.' "Hey, tonight, let's just go onto the roof, okay?"

"Sure." Akane stood from her chair and crossed the room to Ranma. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him quickly. "See you then." With that said, Ranma slipped out the door.

~

That Night

~

Ranma tapped on Akane's door, and she slipped out into the dark hallway. Once outside, Ranma carried Akane to the rooftop. As she sat down, he reached his hand into his pocket and fingered the small box. She looked at him and smiled. He smiled back as he dropped down beside her. Akane sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. Ranma tilted his head so that it rested on hers. They stayed like that for a few minutes.

Finally, Ranma spoke. "I think it's time."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean," Ranma reached into his pocket and pulled out the box, "I think it's time we told them." Ranma pulled the box out of his pocket, opened it, and pulled a ring from it. Wordlessly, he slipped it on Akane's hand. "I know this will sound stupid, but, will you marry me?"

A single tear slid down Akane's cheek. She wrapped her arms around him, almost knocking him flat on his back. She kissed him, long and passionately. When they broke the kiss, Ranma looked at her and said, "I take it that's a no?"

Akane laughed quietly. "It's a yes. I will marry you, Ranma Saotome." She smiled again and kissed him once more. Then they sat back to watch the stars, unaware of the pair of eyes that were watching them.

~

Ryoga sat in the tree, watching Akane and Ranma. A look of horror passed over his face as Akane's words drifted to his ears. "It's a yes. I will marry you, Ranma Saotome." That phrase echoed in his head, torturing him. He quietly sprang from the tree, heading in no particular direction. All he heard was Akane's voice. 'I will marry you, Ranma Saotome.' Ryoga continued to run, as he had seven years before. Only this time, he heard a voice calling him, even though it seemed to be an eternity away.

"Ryoga, wait!"

Ryoga stopped and turned around. Ukyo was running after him. He blinked away his tears. Why would she be following him? When Ukyo caught up with him, Ryoga said, "What do you want Ukyo?"

"I want to know what's wrong." Ukyo put her hands on her hips and gave Ryoga a stern look.

"Everything's wrong. Every damn thing is wrong." Ryoga sat on the sidewalk. "Nothing ever goes right in my life," he said quietly. Ukyo sat next to him.

"Now, you know that can't be true." She placed one hand on his shoulder in an attempt to comfort him. "Now, tell me what's wrong. What's making you run."

Ryoga's tears had begun to flow again. Ukyo offered him a Kleenex, which he took. He quickly composed himself. "Well, it all started seven years ago. Ranma told me something, a secret. The only reason he had told me was that I had accidentally stumbled upon it. Then he told me not to tell anyone. I promised him, gave him my word as a martial artist. Then I ran. The secret hurt too much. So I ran from it. For seven years I ran from it. I told myself I could never come back. Until I passed out on a mountain, and a farmer brought me here. But tonight, I discovered something even worse than what I'd been running from." Ryoga's voice cracked, and he began to cry again. He felt two arms wrap around him, and he cried on Ukyo's shoulder.

"Listen, why don't you stay at my place tonight?"

Ryoga sat back, wiping away his tears. "Thanks Ukyo." Together, they stood and walked back to Ucchan's.

~

That morning, Akane sat at her desk, staring at the ring on her finger. It was a thin gold band, with a small diamond in it. Akane smiled. She could still see Ranma's face as he asked her. He looked so embarrassed, but that look soon dissipated when she said yes. She smiled again. She played that scene over and over in her mind. A knock at the door snapped her out of her reverie. . "Come in."

Ranma poked his head in the door. "Everyone's here," he said, "you ready?"

"Yes, let's go." Akane stood, and walked over to Ranma. She took his hand and smiled nervously. Together, they walked down the hallway and out into the garden. Everyone was there, her family, Ranma's parents, Shampoo, Cologne, even Mousse, Ukyo, Kodachi, Kuno, and Ryoga.

"What you call Shampoo here for, Ranma? Why you hold violent-girl's hand?" Ranma looked at Akane and gently squeezed her hand.

"Um, we have something to tell all of you."

Soun started to wail. "Our schools will be united!"

Akane gave her father a look, which quieted him down. Ranma looked at Shampoo, whose face was etched with pure rage. Ryoga kept his eyes to the ground, not looking at anyone. Ukyo and Kodachi looked as if they knew what was coming. Kuno was, well, almost blowing up at the sight of Ranma and Akane holding hands.

"Ryoga and Nabiki already know this, but, Akane and I are… in love." Ranma looked at the ground as he heard the gasps. Soun began to wail again. "And we're getting married." Genma rushed over to his son.

"How long, boy? How long have you two been like this?"

"Seven years, Mr. Saotome," Akane said, looking him right in the eye. Soun fainted.

Shampoo screamed in anger. "No! Ranma is Shampoo husband, not violent-girl! Ranma love Shampoo!" She leapt at Akane. Ranma pushed Akane aside and grabbed Shampoo's wrists. She twisted and writhed, attempting to free herself so that she could attack Akane. Ranma held her fast. Shampoo screamed in agony and rage, as Ranma squeezed her wrists. "Let go! Shampoo kill violent-girl!"

Ranma just pushed her to the ground and held her there. "How dare you attack Shampoo!" Mousse leapt at Ranma, throwing weapons from his sleeves. Akane moved in front of Ranma to intercept the projectiles. She knocked them away, but Mousse just fired another volley at Ranma. Akane reflected them, but one cut her cheek. She cried out. Ranma released Shampoo and attacked Mousse. Shampoo sat up, and before she could attack Akane, Cologne stopped her.

"Leave them be. Ranma is happy, and he has made his own choice." Shampoo's lower lip trembled, but she nodded. Ranma had knocked out Mousse, and he crossed back over to Akane.

"Akane! How could thou choose the vile Saotome over your true love," Kuno said.

"Can it, Kuno. I love Ranma, not you." By this time, Soun was recovering.

He rushed over to Akane and Ranma. "When do you want the wedding? We could have everything prepared by tomorrow."

"No, Dad. We want to get married after college, no earlier."

"Are you sure you want to wait that long?"

"Yes, Mr. Tendo, we're sure. We want to wait." Ranma draped his arm across akane's shoulder.

"Well Tendo, at least the schools will be joined!"

"Yes, that's right. Oh, happy day!" The two grown men started to dance around in joy. Ukyo approached Ranma and Akane next.

"I'm happy for you Ranchan. I knew something like this would happen, but I didn't want to believe myself. Congratulations. I hope you two will be very happy together." Tears started to form in Ukyo's eyes.

"Thank you, Ukyo. We'll always be friends, right," Ranma asked.

"Yeah, friends forever." Ukyo hugged Ranma and then Akane. "Well, I'd best leave. I do have a restaurant to run." Ukyo started to leave. "Good luck you two!"

Ranma walked up to Ryoga. "Hey, Ryoga. How're you doin'?" Ryoga kept his eyes to the ground. "Listen, I know how you feel about Akane, maybe you should go talk to her. Sort things out."

"I guess you're right Ranma," said quietly. He looked up, and saw Akane talking with her sisters. He walked over to her and tapped her on the shoulder. She turned around to face him. Before she could say anything, Ryoga said, "Can we talk? In private?" Ryoga eyed Nabiki, who looked skyward.

"Sure Ryoga." Ryoga lead her off to a deserted corner of the garden.

"Look, Akane, I know how you feel about… about Ranma, but I think it's time I told you how I feel. I just wanted to let you know that… that… that I love you. I've loved you all the years I've known you." Ryoga looked into her eyes. "And there's something else. I'm… I'm… sorry."

"What do you mean, Ryoga?"

"I mean, I've been deceiving you all this time. I'm P-Chan." Ryoga looked to the ground again, ashamed.

"Oh, Ryoga," was all she said. She put her hand to his cheek and lifted his head so that he had no choice but to look into her brown eyes. "Deep down in my heart, I've known this, but I was just to stubborn for my own good. I didn't believe it, no matter how obvious it seemed." Ryoga didn't say anything. "And don't worry. I don't hate you. If you want, we can still be friends."

Ryoga smiled faintly. "Alright, Akane. And thank you."

"For what?"

"For all the wonderful memories, and your friendship." Next thing he knew, Akane was hugging him. Ryoga relaxed into the hug, and hugged Akane back. Finally, they broke the hug.

"Promise me you'll come to the wedding? I think Ranma really wants you there."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world." Ryoga gave Akane a fanged grin. Akane smiled back. Together, they walked back to join the rest of the crowd of well wishers.

Shampoo sulked by the house. What did Ranma see in that girl anyway? Shampoo's pout just deepened. But the dam broke, and her eyes began to water.

Mousse saw Shampoo sulking, and he observed the change that came over her face as tears started to trickle down her cheeks. Mousse rushed over. "Shampoo, what's wrong?" Mousse expected to be tossed into the air, or called stupid, but Shampoo collapsed against Mousse, clutching his robe and burying her face in his chest.

"Oh, Mousse! Shampoo so sad! Shampoo really love Ranma, but he no return Shampoo's love!" She continued to sob as Mousse wrapped his arms around her, stroking her long hair. He had waited for this day for so long, when Shampoo would rush into his arms, but he never imagined that it would happen this way. He did his best to comfort her.

Kuno leaned against a tree, thinking. Or at least, it seemed like he was thinking. He decided he would just pursue his pigtailed goddess. She was more than worthy of his full affections now.

Akane noticed Kuno. She grabbed Ranma's sleeve. "Ranma, I think we had better tell Kuno about his pigtailed girl."

"Uh, do we have to?"

"Well, do you want him to still be chasing you, even after we're married?"

"You have a point there…" Akane dragged Ranma over to Kuno.

"Kuno, we have something to tell you." She grabbed the hose. "Now watch Ranma carefully." She turned on the hose and sprayed Ranma. Instant 'pigtailed girl.'

"Pigtailed Girl!" Kuno made an attempt to glomp Ranma. "Wait, wasn't Ranma standing there a minute ago?"

"Yes he was, and he still is, only now 'he' is a 'she.'"

"I still don't get it."

"Okay, listen up," Ranma-chan said. "I am Ranma. I fell into 'Spring of Drowned Girl' at a legendary training ground called Jusenkyo. Now I'm cursed. Whenever I'm splashed with cold water, I become a girl, but hot water reverses the effect." Ranma-chan turned around. "Hey, Kasumi…"

Kasumi came out of the house, carrying a kettle. "I thought you might need this," she said, handing over the kettle.

"Thanks Kasumi." Ranma-chan turned back to Kuno. "Watch this." He poured the water over himself, and became male again,. Kuno just stared. "Get it now, blockhead?" Ranma handed the empty kettle back to Kasumi, who took it back into the house. Kodachi came out of nowhere.

"My idiot brother is speechless. I think I shall take him home before he blows up or does something stupid. Farewell, Ranma darling!" Kodachi picked up her brother and roof-hopped her way home.

"Well, that's done." Akane turned to Ranma and put her arms around his neck. He responded by encircling his arms around her waist.

"Come on boy! Kiss her!" Ranma and Akane looked at Genma.

"What do you think. Should we please them?"

"Why not?" Ranma leaned down and kissed Akane.

Soun fainted again, while Genma rushed over to congratulate the two. Every one else applauded, except Shampoo, who cried out and ran out of the garden. Mousse followed her, and Cologne trailed behind. She stopped at the gates and looked back at the happy couple.

"It's not Shampoo, but I respect you wishes, Ranma," she said quietly, using Ranma's name for the first time it seemed. "You deserve to be happy, just like everyone else." Then she hopped off after her great-granddaughter.

~

Author's Notes: Well that's the end. If you want, I can write a prologue. But I'm so happy! I finally finished chapter 3! It's really mushy, but I'm kind of a bit of a sap. Sorry about all the times the characters went OOC, but I couldn't help it! I got on a roll, and next thing I know, I'm winging it and everyone was OOC. But it sounds okay, and that's all that matters. Tell me what you think. Either review, or e-mail me, at horsecrazy217@hotmail.com , it doesn't really matter (I read 'em through my e-mail anyway) If you want a prologue, tell me, and I'll write it. Thanks for reading my first fanfic, and sorry for the wait for those of you who first started reading it when only chapter 1 was posted. Till next time!