Epilogue


It was late in the afternoon and Kasumi had just finished cleaning up after dinner. Turning, the eldest Tendo removed her apron and made her way into the den to finish her sewing. As she entered the room, Kasumi could see Soun and Genma playing another game of Mahjongg. She frowned slightly in annoyance; Kasumi was a bit upset at her father and their houseguest since they did nothing to help search for Ranma and Akane. They had been trying to gather up enough money to go look for the two missing heirs but each time they had ended up short of funds. Her frown was quickly replaced by a look of worry as she thought about her youngest sister, Akane.

Kasumi remembered the day that Akane and Ranma had left for that trip, her sister had been so excited about finally being able to make enough money for college that she hadn't thought twice about going. Of course, Ranma had to go along with her at the insistence of their fathers. Kasumi had started counting the number of days that her little sister and soon to be brother-in-law were missing. Blinking, the eldest Tendo realized how much time had passed since she had last seen her sister. Oh my! I can't believe It's been four years! Oh Akane, please be patient. We'll get enough money saved to start looking for you soo

Kasumi's thoughts were interrupted as Nabiki ran into the room screaming at the top of her lungs in excitement. I've finally got it! Come one everyone! It's time to go!

Genma glanced up from the board game and asked, What are you shouting about girl?

Soun quickly took advantage of Genma's distraction to switch the board game around, then he glanced turned, Yes, please tell us what has gotten you so excited?

Nabiki paused in the doorway, panting, before she gained enough breath to continue, I have finally managed to make enough money to finance our trip to search for Akane and Ranma!

OH that's wonderful, Nabiki! Kasumi exclaimed, smiling. How did you manage to do it?

Well, I used to make more money off of Ranma and Akane when their rivals wanted information about them, but since they've all left, I've had to resort to relying on the stock market. I just checked this morning on the Takashu stocks, that's a brand new up and coming computer business.I found out that the stocks are worth billions of yen!

Genma shouted, completely shocked. But, didn't you invest in that company?

Nabiki grinned like a shark and nodded her head like a yo-yo. YES! I bought every share that I could get my hands on with the remaining savings of everyone in this house! WE Nabiki started bouncing in place, her face flushed a bright crimson and dollar signs appeared in her eyes, she quickly through herself at her older sister and started dancing around the room and screamed at the top of her lungs

It took a moment for the information to sink in but when it did, Soun babbled incoherently, then, promptly fainted.

Genma just sat in the same spot he had been in, completely frozen. If a strong wind had come through the shoji doors he would have been flat on his back. When Kasumi and Nabiki finally finished dancing around the room, Kasumi whispered, When can we leave to search for Akane and Ranma?


Nabiki glanced towards the two men and sighed, exasperated. Just as soon as we get Tweedle Dee, she pointed to their father, and Tweedle-Dum, Nabiki moved her finger and pointed it straight at the frozen Genma, to snap out of it, she replied dryly.

Kasumi followed the pointing finger and realized that they would have their work cut out for them. Oh my, it looks like they'll be like that for hours or maybe days. We'd better start packing.

Well I Nabiki started to say but was interrupted by a knock on the front door. Can you get that while I try to wake these two clowns up?

Well alright, if you insist, Kasumi sighed and walked out of the room. She had really wanted to see their father's expression once he finally came too. Opening the front door, Kasumi saw two police officers standing on the stoop. Bowing respectfully, she asked, What can I do for you?

Excuse me for bothering you but, my name is officer Nugumi and this, The mustached police officer pointed towards his companion who looked to be a rookie,Is my back up, officer Huro. Officer Nugumi removed his hat and bowed respectfully while Huro fidgeted beside him. Taking a deep breath Nugumi continued, Mam, we recently came across some information on your missing sister and her fiancé, Ranma.

Kasumi could feel the beginnings of hope and said, Oh my, I hope you've found them." It had been a four years since she'd last seen Akane and the eldest Tendo didn't know how much longer should could hold onto her cheefulness act. Lowering her eyes, she stared at the ground as tears ran down her cheeks, I miss them very much and we are all worried about them." Kasumi sniffled, whipped away the tear tracks and continued, "You see, we have received word about their whereabouts several times in the past few years, each time it led to a dead end.

I'm sure that you will like this The two officers stepped apart and motioned for her to look behind them. Kasumi raised her gaze as saw a van parked in the street. Suddenly, the doors of the van slid open and two figures stepped out. One figure had looked to be in their twenties and had hair that extended past her waist. Her companion stood a good five inches taller than the girl and from what Kasumi could see, was obviously male, he had a good muscular buld that bespoke of constant physical activity. His eyes, were blue and he had black hair that was held back from his face in a pigtail.....

"Wait a minute...a pigtail...,"the thought crawled accross her mind. Blinking in astonishment, Kasumi gaped as recognition slowly worked its way across her mind. Sucking in a deep breath, Kasumi lost her composure and screamed excitedly, AKANE! RANMA!

Deep within the house, the occupants became alerted to the noise and the pounding of feet could be heard. It was so loud that the officers likened it to a stampeding herd of elephants. Nabiki was the first to appear, What is all the commotion about! What are you yelling their names fo then she saw them. Nabiki's ice queen composure cracked and she screamed, "Akane! Ranma!,"and ran over to them and enveloped them in a hug.

Genma and Soun tried to exit the front door and got promptly stuck. They were too busy fighting with each other to notice what was going on ten feet away. Let me though Tendo! We have to see what Kasumi and Nabiki are screaming about.

Soun shook his head and shoved harder to get through the door and replied, I most certainly will not! I'm going firstafter all Saotome, they are my daughters!

"Yes, but something might be wrong," Genma replied and froze in his struggling to be the first out the door when he heard Nabiki's words.

"Oh Akane, Ranma! I'm so glad you're back! What the hell happened?"

Blinking, both fathers stared in shock at the sight of their long lost children, returned to them. It took less then fifteen seconds for it to finally sink into their brains before they both broke out with huge smiles on their faces, they both managed to extract themselves from the door way with a loud poping sound. Akane and Ranma didn't know what hit them as their fathers enveloped them in huge crushing hugs while wailing at the tops of their lungs, "MY BABY'S BACK!"

"ACK! POP! Cut that out!" Ranma cried as he unsuccessfully tried to shove his wailing father off of him. He could vaguely hear Akane's protests as she tried and faild to shove her father off of her. "Daddy! No....Stop that! Ack! Now I'm all soaked!"

Kasumi quickly mande her way over after thanking the officers and pulled both fathers off of them. "Father, Mr. Saotome, please let them breathe. Thank you. Now Akane, Ranma we are very glad that you're back home, please let's go inside.

Everyone turned to go but paused when they heard two young childrens voices say, "Mommy, Daddy...we're hungry!"

Turning, they spotted a young boy and a girl exit the van while rubbing sleep from thier eyes. Soun and Genma both stared at the children before switching their attention towards Akane and Ranma. "Why are they calling you mommy and daddy?" they asked.

Ranma blushed and replied nervously, "Hehehehe. That's because we're their parents."

"What?" Nabiki yelled in shock as she stared at her sister's face and then back towards Ranma. "You're kidding me!" You two would never do anything like that....I mean," she paused, taking a deep calming breath and continued, "the last time we saw you, you were ready to kill each other!"

Akane grinned as she watched her sister's display of emotion. Akane knew that when Nabiki became surprised, she tended to scream. When the middle Tendo was finished, Akane replied, "Yes, we were at each other's throats. But, so much has happened since we were trapped on that island."

Kasumi ignored the commotion of her father and Mr Saotome dancing around like idiots while waving flags in the air and screaming, "Our schools have finally been joined. Oh happy day!" Instead she stared at the two small children and a smile slowly worked its way across her face, kneeling down she called out softly towards the two toddlers, "Hello, I'm your aunt Kasumi. Would you like to go inside for something to eat?"


Kamiko liked this lady and nodded while nudging Tenma in the ribs, "Yes. Come on Tenma....let's eat!" She followed Kasumi into the house.

"Hey! don't do that Kamiko," Tenma grumbled as he followed his sister. Nabiki, Soun and Genma could hear the little boy's last parting shot before he was too far away to hear anything more "...you are so uncute!"

"BAKA!" came the reply that was followed by a loud banging sound.

Blinking, Nabiki replied, "Yep. That's their children alright!"


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Later that night as Ranma and Akane got ready for bead, Ranma reflected on the past few years. Slowly, climbing into bed Ranma whispered, "I love ya very much and I can't believe how much it took us to get ta where we are today," then, he leaned forward, enveloped Akane in his arms and kissed her.


When Akane was able to regain her breath, she gently brushed away a lock of hair that blocked her view of Ranma's deep blue eyes and whispered lovingly, I love you too, Ranma.