Chapter 22 Another Day in Nerima
It was another wonderful day in Nerima. It was about mid afternoon at the Saotome-Tendo home, otherwise known as the site of the Saotome-Tendo School of Anything Goes Martial Arts. Ranma and Akane had spent a relaxing day with just each other, since their daughters were spending the day with their grandparents. Nodoka and Soun had come by earlier in the day to take them out for a day at the park.
Ranma walked into the kitchen. There he beheld a sight that once would have made strong men weep and women run and hide in fear. Akane was in the kitchen, cooking. Ranma smiled to see his wife so engrossed in what she was doing. She still got entirely too intense when she cooked. He walked over to his wife, and slid his arms around her and began nuzzling her neck. He stood there content for a while; just to be close to her. Then he chuckled.
"What's so funny, dear?" Akane asked.
"Just an stray thought. I was just thinking about how not so long ago this sight would have had me petrified in fear. You, in the kitchen, cooking," he said with a smile.
"Baka," she teased, "You know my cooking is fine now."
"Actually, "he teased back, "Considering where my hands are right now, shouldn't you be calling me Hentaii?" as he gently caressed her breasts.
"Stop that, Ranma," she giggled, "I haven't ruined a dinner in ages, but if you keep distracting me like that, I will. If that happens, I'll get you."
He stepped back, cowering in mock fear, and said, "Oh, no, anything but the mallet of doom!" He started laughing.
She laughed so hard she had to wire tears from her eyes. "Everyone should start showing up for dinner soon. Could you set the dishes out, please?"
"Sure, 'kane. It was sure nice of our parents to take the girls out to the park. We haven't had many chances to be by ourselves since we moved back. It was fun working out this afternoon with you. I think you just about got that last attack down pat," he said as he gathered the dishes. He went into the dining area and set the tables. After making a couple of trips, everything was ready so he went back into the kitchen to watch his wife.
"Do you think they'll tell us tonight?" Akane asked.
"Who knows? They did want us to invite everyone over for dinner though. I can't believe they thought they could keep it a secret. I mean both Ucchan and Shampoo figured it out almost immediately, once your dad moved into Mom's house. You'd think they were lovesick teenagers from the way Ucchan was describing their behavior," Ranma replied with a chuckle.
"I think it's sweet. Father has been alone for so long, with just us girls. Mother would have wanted him to find someone after she died. Your Mom's been good for him. He's acted a lot happier," she said.
"I agree. Do you think we can talk him into staying on as a teacher at the dojo? I really want to start that beginner class, and he would be perfect for that. He has such a good eye for picking talent. If he does, and if we can talk Ryoga into teaching, then we can have more classes," Ranma said.
"Hello, anyone home?" Nodoka called out from the front door, "We're here, Akane, Ranma."
Ranma walked over to the entry hall and greeted his mother. She was carrying her namesake and Soun was carrying Kimiko. "Hi, Mom, Soun. Did you have a good time with your granddaughters?" he asked.
"They had a good time. They were just little angels," Nodoka said, "My daughters all had fun with them, too. They should be here shortly, they stopped at the restaurant."
Soun added, "I think they really liked the park. They kept pointing out things to look at, we really had to keep an eye on them; they're crawling so well. Of course, they're a little over nine months old now. They kept talking, or at least making sounds. I bet they start saying real words soon." They took the girls into the living room and set them in their playpen. Little Nodoka promptly fell asleep, but Kimiko found a rattle to play with.
"Does Akane need any help in the kitchen?" Nodoka asked.
"She's got everything under control in there. She would like some company, I'm sure," Ranma replied. "Why don't you go in and say hello?" Soun sat in the living room watching his granddaughters. "Soun, would you like some sake?" Ranma asked politely.
"Certainly, Ranma, thank you," Soun replied. Ranma went and got a small bottle of sake and two saucers. He poured some in one of the saucers and gave it to Soun, and poured a smaller amount for himself.
"Soun, Akane and I wanted to talk to you about continuing to teach. We've gotten enough students now that I want to rearrange the classes. With just two classes, we have too much variation in skill, that we can't provide enough individual attention to everyone that needs it. I think we need to start a beginner class and put the students that are not learning as well in there. Then we'd like to split the rest of the students up into an intermediate class and a couple of smaller advanced classes. You've got such a good eye at evaluating talent that I think you'd be perfect to teach the beginner class. I also have a couple of students in Akane's advanced class that I what your opinion on. We need an unbiased viewpoint," Ranma said.
"I think I'd like that, after all. To be honest, I've had second thoughts about giving up teaching, Ranma. The only reason I had considered it in the first place was that I was afraid that I would be intruding, Son," Soun said.
"As far as we're concerned, this is still your school, too. I'm also thinking of trying to talk Ryoga into taking over the intermediate class. If it goes as well as I think it will, that class will need both of us soon," Ranma said. He noticed his daughter reaching out to him, so he put his sake away, and picked her up out of the playpen. "Hi, honey, did ya want ta play?" he asked Kimiko. He set her down on the floor and watched her crawl around. He stood there smiling gently at her.
He heard the front door open, and looked around the corner to see Ukyo, Shampoo, Ling-ling, Lung-lung and Ryoga entering the house. All of them were loaded down with take-out boxes. He waved at his family and friends, and said, with a smile, "Hey, guys, what's with all of the food? Akane can cook, ya know?"
"Akane called and asked us to bring some stuff from the restaurant, so don't worry, this was her idea," Ukyo said.
"Yeah, but it looks like you brought enough to feed an army," Ranma replied. They all laughed, and the newcomers took the food into the kitchen. Pretty soon, Ling-ling, Lung-lung and Ryoga came back out.
"It's too crowded in the kitchen, so we were told to come play with the girls," Ryoga said, "Besides, I don't think these two have met them yet."
Ling-ling and Lung-lung immediately made a beeline to little Nodoka and Kimiko. Ling-ling began to play with Nodoka while Lung-lung did the same with Kimiko. The two Amazons soon had the two infants squealing with delight. Ranma took that opportunity to talk to Ryoga. "Yo, Ryoga," Ranma asked, "How'd the date go?"
Ryoga blushed, and then said, "The date itself went fine. Shampoo is wonderful. We decided we really liked each other, and kinda want to see where we can go from here. She also decided that she wasn't going to lose me, so she moved me into Mom's house. I have to sleep in the dojo, but that's not too bad."
"I sure hope you've gotten over your shyness then Ryoga. Remember, she can be real affectionate, ya know. For what it's worth, I think she's made a pretty good choice. You've turned into a good friend to us and both of ya could use some happiness," Ranma said, "You've been somebody I can spar with without having ta hold back, and that's important. Ya know, Akane and I have been talking about expanding the classes here. We kinda like ya ta think about being a sensei here. I think you got the ability to teach. Remember when ya taught Akane the Martial Arts Gymnastics? Anyway, think about it when ya get a chance. Oops, looks like I need ta rescue Ling-ling." Ryoga looked over at the girls, little Nodoka was doing her imitation of an Amazon glomp on Ling-ling's leg and was holding on for dear life. Lung-lung was doubled up in laughter at the expression on her sister's face.
"Hi, everyone!" called Kasumi. She came in followed by her husband, who was carrying their son. Nabiki and Tatewaki followed them in. Ranma was a little surprised to see his brother-in-laws. He thought that they would be too busy doing research to come.
Ranma walked over and hugged his sister-in-laws and greeted his brother-in-laws. As he got closer to Kuno, he saw how drawn his face was. Wordlessly, he clasped Kuno's hand, hoping to provide him some comfort. Finally, he said, "You'll find a way, Tachi. I have faith in both my brother-in-laws."
Kuno smiled weakly. "Thanks, Ranma," he said rustily, "Today was really rough. Dachi was crying out in so much pain all afternoon. I hadn't realized how much that was draining me."
Soon, Shampoo announced that everything was ready. The horde gathered around the dining platform. Akane passed around the plates of food, while Ukyo poured the tea. Kasumi poured sake for the few that wanted it. Ranma hid a smile as he noticed how close Soun was sitting to his mother, and then he noticed how close Shampoo was snuggled up to Ryoga.
After they had finished much of the meal, Soun cleared his voice and then said, "Ranma, Akane, thank you for hosting us here tonight." He looked at Nodoka, sweating nervously. "Uh, I have an announcement to make," he started, and then he lost his nerve and suddenly grabbed Nodoka's hand.
Akane smirked when she noticed that, and then in her best Soun impression, she said, tears streaming down her face, "Soon the schools shall finally be joined!"
Ranma grinned and joined her in his best Gemna manner, "Way to go Mom, I knew you'd do the right thing. When do you want to get married? We have a priest on standby."
Everyone looked at Ranma and Akane as if they had lost their minds. Soun spluttered and asked, "What was that all about?"
Akane grinned evilly and replied, "Father, after all the times you did that to the two of us, you have to ask? Paybacks are a bitch, right?" Nodoka broke out laughing.
"Er, as I was saying," Soun began with as much dignity as he could muster, "I hve asked No-chan to be my wife and she has gracefully consented."
"Finally," Nabiki said.
"Oh my, what on earth took you so long?" Kasumi asked with a smile.
"Good, does that mean you two will stop sneaking around the house?" Ukyo said.
"Shampoo so happy!" Shampoo said with a wry smile, "Really, though, I think it's great."
"Seriously, Father we think it's wonderful. We just wondered how long you two would try to hide it. Honestly, you two were as bad as Ranma and I," Akane said with a smile.
Ranma heard a knock on the door. After shaking Soun's hand and hugging his Mother, he excused himself and went to the door. When he got there, standing in the doorway was his father. Ranma smiled, and said, "Pop, it's good to see ya. I really missed ya while ya were on that training trip." He reached out to hug his father, but realized his dad was furious. "Hey, Pop, let's go into the dojo so we can talk. A lot has happened to me since we last met, all of it good. For starters, Akane and I are married," Ranma said as he gently guided his father over to the dojo. He sighed in relief as saw his father calm down under the influence of his words. "We have a pair of girls, a bit over nine months old now. They're gorgeous; I know you'll love them as much as we do."
"I'm happy for ya, my boy. How come ya went and broke the engagement then, if you were gonna get married anyway?" Gemna asked.
"'Cause, 'kane and I needed to get to know each other without all of the pressure from you and her dad. I knew I loved her, and she knew she loved me, but every time we almost admitted how we felt, one or both of you would start making noises about getting married, and it made us freeze up. We basically ran away from the two of you so we could find out how we really find out for ourselves if we wanted ta marry. Once we knew that we did, I proposed, she accepted," Ranma replied.
"That's great, boy. I'm glad things finally worked out for ya. I'm a little sorry for my part in pushing ya so hard," Gemna said.
"Pop, I'm sorry you and Mom didn't work out," Ranma said cautiously, "I knew when I left that things were rough between ya, but I didn't think it would end in a divorce." Gemna began to show signs of anger again. "Sorry, Pop, I didn't mean to make you mad," Ranma apologized.
Gemna sighed, and then said, "Ranma, it was as much my fault as it was hers. No, the reason I got angry is that they had sold me to a zoo. I was stuck there for over two years until Nabiki finally came and got me out. I had a lot of time to think during that time, and I realized a few things. I went to find your mother to try ta talk to her, but she hadn't gotten over all of the things I had done ta ya. She said a lot of things in anger, and so did I. After that, we realized the best thing ta do was get a divorce. It was both our decision. The only reason I came here was ta see ya. I got a letter from Happosai before he died saying ya were back. I came ta see how ya were, and ta let ya know it wasn't your fault."
"Pop, there's something else ya need ta know. Damn, uh, well, Mom and Soun just announced they are gonna get married. Pop," Ranma said softly.
Gemna grunted in pain. "Can ya ask them to come talk ta me, Ranma? I promise on what's left of my honor that I will behave," he said.
Ranma looked troubled, and then said, "Yeah, Pop, they owe ya that I think. Just remember, this place is mine now, okay?"
Gemna smiled weakly, and then said, "So all of my dreams for ya came true. I just didn't realize how much I would have ta give up for it ta happen."
Ranma went back into the house. He whispered to Soun and Nodoka who was waiting for them. Soun paled, but the three of them went out to meet Gemna.
"Tendo," Gemna said, bowing to Soun, "Old friend." Soun winced at the ice in his old friend's voice. "Wife," Gemna said to Nodoka. Her eyes flashed, but she said nothing.
"Pop," Ranma growled. Gemna looked at his son, and saw something he had missed before.
"Ranma has told me of the good news," Gemna said, a bit less frostily, "Nodoka, in spite of everything, I still love you. I know I was a lousy husband. I still want ya to be happy. If Tendo does that for ya, I can't stand in his way. I know what I did was unforgivable, so I won't say I'm sorry." His mouth quirked in a wry smile, "Besides, ya wouldn't believe me anyway."
"Gemna, I can't say I'm sorry I fell in love with Soun," Nodoka began, "I wish"
Gemna interrupted, "Nodoka, no, I ruined things, I didn't realize what we would have ta sacrifice for my selfish desires. We mutually agreed to the divorce, you had the right to find a life for yourself. I just wish that I had learned my lesson earlier. The zoo was a bit much doncha think?"
"Yes, I'm sorry about that. We just meant for you to be out of the way for a while. Ranma needed to understand who he was, and your anger at his curse was getting in the way," Nodoka said sadly, "I didn't know what else to do."
"Pop, you spent much of your time as a panda before I left anyway," Ranma said.
"True, boy, and it was nice not having to work for a living. It just got boring after a while," Gemna replied.
Soun sighed, "Old friend, please come meet your granddaughters. Don't let what happened between us ruin that pleasure for you."
Gemna said, "Not tonight, this night should be for the two of you." With that, he hugged his son, bowed to his former friend and wife, and then left.
Ranma breathed a sigh of relief, and then said, "That went well. Mom, you have some explaining to do, though."
Nodoka sweatdropped. "Can we talk later, Ranma? You have a lot of company remember?"
Ranma looked at her and realized how shaken she was. He frowned, and then said, "If that's what ya want. Let's go back in. I want ya ta know I'm disappointed in ya both about how ya treated Pop. Even he didn't deserve all of that."