The Sacrifice
Chapter 3 – New Experiences
Dinner past by with a cheerful note, Akane and Ranma sat very close together and were deeply involved in their own conversation, and everyone else was talking about the oncoming wedding.
Later that night when everyone was going to bed, Ranma and Akane were wrapped up in each other's arms and were having their final words for the evening.
"Only one more day to go, and after that things will change."
"And fffor the best of course."
"Yet things will be different for us tomorrow; you're coming to school with me."
"Great," muttered Ranma. "I haven't been to school for at l-least three years, and I never looked forward to it then."
"Don't worry. You will have me there, and you can brighten up my day. I can parade you around in front of everyone. This is going to be so much fun. Did you see how everyone reacted when you picked me up?"
"Yeah, and I d-don't think I am going to ennnjoy it too much. The girls ssseemed as though they were ready to steal away with me, and the guys didn't seem to l-like me. I think that I would be g-getting more attention than I would l-like to have."
She waved his last comment away. "Anyone who would likely try to do anything about you would be a push over. I mean I've been fighting with them for the past year, in my weakened condition too!"
"Y-you have? How many are there?"
"Almost every boy in the school."
"That's incredible! Have you been improving since we started training?"
"Yeah, a little. But since they all attack me at once, there was little need to aim properly. I mean when I hit one, they fall back taking out several more."
"That's beside the p-point. It makes you become sloppy if you fffind no challenge in it."
"Hmph!"
Ranma chuckled. "D-don't worry. I'll reserve judgement 'til after I see y-you in action. Then I can remedy anything I can see you do wrong during the lunch break."
"That's fair. But enough of that." She drew him in for a passionate kiss, and held him tightly. "Time for us to get some sleep."
"You t-tease," he mumbled.
When morning came, Ranma was spry on his feet and ready for an early workout before breakfast. Akane was grumbling and wanted to be back in bed where it was warm, but he wouldn't allow it.
"This is a p-part of your training. You should b-be ready to fight at the drop of a hat. Who says that you would only nnneed to defend yourself d-during the day? When training I fffound that most attacks came during the night when I would b-be less attentive."
Akane muttered something unintelligible but continued to follow Ranma's lead as they ran around the neighbourhood.
They got back to the house as Kasumi started to make breakfast. When she saw the two enter, she said "You two should go and get cleaned up. Breakfast will be ready in half an hour."
"Thhhanks Kasumi," Ranma said cheerfully, while holding Akane up preventing Akane from dropping on the floor with exhaustion.
He dragged her off to the bathroom and Kasumi could make out Akane's words of "Slave driver".
When they came back out in fresh clean clothes, the rest of the household were awake and Breakfast was being laid out at the table.
"Good timing Sis," Nabiki called. "You're not usually this late. Did Ranma work you hard?"
"Ten kilometres!" she gasped.
Nabiki was shocked. She didn't realise how hard Ranma would be pushing her so early in the morning.
"Pretty soon you'll be doing twenty," Genma said. "In fact I'm surprised you didn't do it this morning."
"She already d-does a lot in the mmmorning before school starts. I have yet to evaluate how much she's cut out to do, and I w-wanted to see how well she p-performs against half the school's population as she was boasting last night," Ranma answered.
Genma nodded. "That's fair, as long as you keep her working at it throughout the day."
"That is the p-p-plan."
Akane face faulted into her breakfast at the news of more work.
"Don't worry y-yourself Akane; I'll mmmake sure that you have plenty of energy for tomorrow," Ranma assured her.
"Speaking of which," Soun said. "Have you two thought about those things I asked you?"
"Yep. Akane wants to b-become a Saotome..."
"Oh course she does!" Genma spouted.
Ranma leered at his father, "I would have been j-just as happy to become a Tendo Pops!" Back to Soun, "The room you ssset me up in is bigger thhhan Akane's, so we should p-probably move into there. And as for a h-honeymoon, I thought I could t-take her on a training trip."
"Sounds like you have done a lot of thinking there Ranma," Nabiki irked.
"Hey! Akane mmmade the d-d-decisions. In fact I suggested the alternatives, b-but the idea of going on a training t-trip was mine."
"Where are you planning on going?" Soun asked.
"I was thinking of t-taking her up the mountain pass that we w-were at before we went to China." He nodded towards Genma. "We would nnneed at least a week if we are to g-get anything done after travel."
Soun became a bit worried for Akane's safety. She hadn't been out on a training trip before, and to be so far away from any help...
Seeing the look on his friend's face, Genma reassured him "Don't worry Tendo. Ranma can handle that place very well. In fact he had to help me up there, and he was only, what, ten at the time."
Soun lightened up. "I'm sure they'll have fun."
"Yeah," Nabiki added in a dreary voice. "No one to hear them scream as they make ou.."
"Nabiki!" Kasumi stopped her from finishing, but the implication was got across.
Akane got huffily out of her seat, "Let's go Ranma."
"Okay."
Kasumi got up too and handed them their lunches before they forgot.
"Thanks Kasumi," Akane said.
"Yeah, thanks a l-lot," Ranma said, before they left the house.
On the way to school they walked side by side. Ranma noticed some other students walking from other directions. "W-why don't you w-wear a uniform?"
"Every morning when all the boys challenge me for a date, I caught some of them perving up my dress when I kicked their heads in, and so I had to kick them some more while they were passed out. It ruined my best time records," Akane growled.
"That's g-good then." He jumped high up onto the fence beside their path.
"Huh?"
"Since you're nnnot wearing a dress to worry about anyone looking, you c-can do some balance p-practice. Come on, get up h-here!"
"You expect me to be able to jump up there?"
"Sssure."
Akane's face went red. "Um, I can't jump that high."
"Oh." He leapt back down, and before Akane could react, he bounded back onto the fence bringing her with him. "Now you c-can try it."
Akane looked down at the narrow fence that they were somehow standing on. It seemed way too narrow to possibly get any balance. Unfortunately her eyes then focussed on the ground much further away. "Waaa!" she screamed as she felt herself lose balance and start to fall.
Ranma caught her and lifted her back in place. "Was that fffun?" he teased.
"N-no!" she whimpered and clung tightly onto him.
He laughed. "Don't p-pay attention to the ground. Only concentrate on the fffence. The ground has no r-relevance to us up here. Come on, try again."
"Just don't let me fall."
He held onto her shoulders and she slowly let go of him. "Just take one st-tep at a time and you will b-be fine."
They walked up on the fence for the rest of the block. Akane stumbled many times and Ranma caught her. Soon she began to find it easier after every time he righted her back on the fence, but she was a long way from walking it without help.
When they were back on the ground Ranma told her that they would be doing that every morning until she can do it herself. She didn't take it very well.
After a few more blocks they approached the school. The gates were blocked by a large gathering of boys waiting for Akane's arrival. "Okay, your fans are here. Let's see y-you in action."
"Just watch me, its so much fun!"
Akane charged into the crowd which had gathered at the gates of Furinkin High School. Boys went flying into the air as Akane belted into them, handing out nasty presents to the crowd. Akane punched, swept, elbowed, spin kicked, and threw the crowd of horny teens with such passion that Ranma realised how lucky he was to have such a brute for his companion; she didn't hold back when she was having fun!
Ranma walked over to her. "Very immmpressive." Ranma beamed at her. "But nnnow that your chi is getting stronger, you must put our practice lessons into action; st-top using so much force behind your blows, and instead focus on where y-you are aiming. Then you could do this in mmmuch less time and have more energy left afterwards."
"I still have plenty in reserves. I save that last bit for the most annoying one here," gesturing to a tall boy garbed in a blue robe, and possessing a wooden sword.
"Love, Lust, they have lost again. These fools who lie before us do not grasp the truth; that your eyes lie on me alone." He spouted this in a tone as though confessing to someone who cares.
"Only when I need to be sick, but you do a very good job at it."
"Me thinks doth protest too much! As you seem to try to impress me with your grace every time we gather before the gates."
"Ranma, leave him to me."
"Are you sssure?"
"Yeah. Besides you've got Genma to kick around, here's my someone."
Kuno saw the two talk quietly to each other and smile, he became extremely jealous. He, the Blue Thunder of Furinkin High, had spoken words of his undying love for the girl many times, and a new boy was speaking with her in a way that Kuno had never achieved. "DIE YOU FOUL CREATURE. HOW DARE YOU TALK TO MY BELOVED AKANE!"
Ranma saw the lunatic charging toward him, waving his sword. He ducked, jumped, and dodged around the waving stick, laughing. This infuriated Kuno, and he started taking wilder and swifter strikes.
Ranma flipped around the courtyard dodging Kuno's strikes, thoroughly enjoying himself as if he were on a carnival ride. "You're rrright! He is fun to p-p-play with!"
Akane stared in awe at Ranma's speed, and yet he was doing it so calmly, and without effort. "Okay Ranma. You can have him. I think he's fallen for you!" she joked. "Just remember to give me a turn with the panda!"
Ranma hooted at Akane's words, jumped clear of Kuno, and stood still. Kuno still on the offensive raised his sword for one last powerful blow which should finish the boy off, and...
The sword shattered in kuno's hands upon impact with Ranma!
Kuno stared dumbstruck at what he was seeing. His bokken had disintegrated in his hands, from a strike that would have impaled his toughest practise targets. Yet he was looking back unhurt, and still grinning at him.
Ranma walked closer to Kuno (who was mouthing silent words) and pat him on the shoulder. "Yeah I kn-now it's tough when you fffind out that you hav-ven't got a chance." He continued chuckle as he walked back to Akane, who after seeing the look on Kuno's face, fell about laughing too. They linked arms for support and walked in through the school gates with glee.
When they walked into the classroom, a great hush followed as every eye turned to Akane, walking in with a stranger while they were sharing a joke. More to their surprise, the stranger sat next to Akane and they continued on the conversation.
A moment later the teacher walked in.
He took a look at the roll, and exclaimed "Ah. We have a new student with us. One named Ranma Saotome.
Ranma payed very little attention to the other students. He just waved his hand half-heartedly.
The class was in shock. He behaved just like Akane usually does. A low murmur filled the room with noise as the students whispered to each other of their suspicions concerning Ranma. "Who is he? Is he related to Akane?"
A shout sounded from down the corridor.
"HE'S HER FIANCE?"
Apparently Nabiki sold the information to Kuno for a nice swab of money.
"NO! I WILL NEVER ALLOW IT!" he shouted, and ran down the hall.
The door in Ranma's new classroom burst off its hinges as Kuno charged through.
"How dare you come here and take my sweet Akane away from me, you common thief!" Kuno waled.
"L-leave us alone Kuno" Ranma said calmly.
"Never! I'll never let you take Akane to force into your foul needs!" he shouted back.
"D-d-do you still remember what hap-pened to your bokken this mmmorning? That was without m-me moving. You d-don't want me to cause you injury." Ranma warned.
At this stage the class were all on the edge of their seats, curiously awaiting what was to happen next.
Kuno shouted more. "You scoundrel! Akane would never succumb to your desires! You are a treacherous swine!"
Ranma slightly annoyed with this madman, got up, grabbed Kuno by his collar, and from everyone's perspective, promptly vanished from the classroom. Then a loud crash sounded from the courtyard outside.
Akane jumped out of her seat and ran outside to see what was going on. What she saw was highly amusing. Ranma had fallen into Neko-Ken and was playing with his prey.
Kuno was tied to a rope hanging from the flagpole, dangling and swinging around while Ranma was happily pouncing around trying to swat him. As Kuno swung back, Ranma crouched in anticipation, ready to spring for another grab.
Ranma caught his play toy with his teeth, and tried to pull him away. The rope still tied to Kuno pulled the top of the flagpole over into an extreme spring trap. Ranma shook him around violently, and Kuno's robes ripped. He shot up into the air, and upon reaching the rope's tether, was jerked back down again, into the awaiting paws of Ranma.
"Ranma" Akane called, patting her knee. "Come here Ranma, come here boy."
Dropping what he was doing, he happily bounced over to Akane and rubbed up against her leg. She took Ranma's arms and pulled him upright. Snuggling around her neck he said with contentment, "You're right. He is so fun to p-play with!"
Akane Jumped! "I thought you had gone Neko then!"
"I was, but you pulled me back out."
"How?" Akane asked flabbergasted.
Looking up at their teacher yelling out the window, Ranma said "Um. I'll tell you about it l-later. We should probably g-go back inside now." They went back to class, and were given a wide berth. No one bothered them, and they all avoided looking into Ranma's eyes.
When the class resumed, Ranma got stuck right into the lesson; he paid close attention to what the teachers were saying, he offered answers, and to the annoyance of the staff he corrected mistakes in their notes which have been used for many years.
Throughout the morning Akane sat happily next to him, marvelling at the enormous bin of information that Ranma had accumulated.
Much to the relief of the teacher (who had started to sweat about what the new student was going to correct them on next), the lunch bell rang.
When they were outside, Akane dragged Ranma to the far side to the school oval. They sat down beneath the trees and began to unpack lunch.
"Where did you learn all that in class? You really showed up the teachers."
"Oh, living on the road, you tend to pick up things. In order to survive, you have to outsmart your enemies," he replied.
"What's more is you impressed me," she said sheepishly.
"How?" Ranma was surprised.
"The way you handled Kuno. Both times."
"I just wanted him to stop bothering us, so I d-decided to humiliate him. After tying him to the flagpole, I got a bit carried away."
"You went Neko on him! What caused it?"
"Well I guess we both wanted to bat Kuno around, and Neko had the b-better idea, so I let it have control."
"But how did you recover so quickly?" Akane asked. "I thought you usually have trouble."
"I think it was because it was content from playing after I let it out, and we both like c-cuddling up to you," Ranma nervously looked up at Akane. "As Neko, it couldn't express our feelings that you could understand so it gave me back full control."
Akane thought for a moment, then said "So you willingly used your Neko side, and peacefully came out again when you needed to."
Ranma looked on to Akane, wondering where she was heading.
"Also, have you noticed that you are stuttering less? I think you should try the same with your girl side."
"No!" he interjected.
"She still does bother you, right?"
"Y-yeah, but she is no where near as d-distracting as Neko was. It's easy, all I have to do is avoid c-cold water..."
"But you can't do that forever. It's a part of who you are now. You just have to learn to live with it."
Ranma looked downcast. "It's j-just that I'm a guy. I don't want to be a g-girl." He shivered.
Akane held him close. "You are still a guy. Nothing will change that. You just have the ability to know how girls feel too. That means you have the ability to please a woman better than any other man, because you would know what we like," she added smartly, while gazing into his eyes affectionately.
He remained silent.
"We should prepare for it in case it causes problems on our honeymoon. Even though there are hot springs there, there is still the matter of getting to them after you change."
"I know that I nnneed to get used to it as Dr Tofu said, b-but I just started adjusting to Neko. It is too much to work on both at the same t-time..."
"Just try it for half an hour this afternoon. After that I won't bother you about it again."
He nodded.
"Why don't we talk about my training? What do you think we should do?"
Brightening up at the change of topic, Ranma dove into describing Akane's faults that he had noticed so far. "You relied too much on being faster. You forgot to block any of their hits and hoped that your strength would incapacitate them."
He watched as Akane screwed up her face as she realised how she had ignored all her lessons and had gone back to her old ways. Smiling, Ranma said; "I did say that it will take a while to get used to it. All we can do is continue on with the katas." He stood up.
"What? Now?"
"Why not? We do have some time before the end of lunch."
Across the school yard, Kuno watched the girl of his dreams square off with the demon Saotome. "She is amazing! She is willing to fight the darkest of foes known to man by herself. A real man would go and help her finish off the beast," he rambled on to himself.
Without needing much convincing, Kuno straightened out his new samurai outfit, drew his new bokken, and then rushed off into battle.
"Curses! The 'dark one' spotted our approach. I must not falter in this holy war. I must save my fair Akane from the evil this foe will bring." He continued on with his crusade.
Ranma lashed out a fierce kick at Akane. She turned and deflected his leg while aiming a vicious punch to Ranma's chin. He tucked his head down, and with his right, made a quick jab to Akane's hip which she managed to block.
"Good. You got it right that time."
Akane broke face broke into a wide grin.
"Hey, looks like we've got some target practice coming our way."
Akane looked in the direction Ranma was facing and saw Kuno charging with his usual manner.
"Akane, watch my moves. I'll fight with him as slow as I can so you can see how I block. See if you can reproduce some of them afterwards."
"Die you fiend!" came Kuno's battle cry.
Ranma moved slowly, and parried the sword strikes. After every strike he manoeuvred his way out from, he looked toward Akane to make sure she was watching.
"See how it is done? This is plainly how to avoid getting hit. Now if you just change the direction of the blocks, you can turn the attacks back onto your opponent."
Kuno was getting frustrated. He was using his best moves on the vile beast, and he had yet to make contact due to the 'dark magic' it must practice.
He saw Ranma talk to Akane, but Kuno tried not to listen to it in case if it was an enchantment spell he was casting on her.
"Fear not my dearest Akane. I shall save you," he promised, but his attacks began to rebound and hit him back in the face.
At Ranma's demonstration, Akane started to laugh. "That's looks really funny! Are you taking this in Kuno?"
Kuno looked toward Akane who had just spoken his name. "Yes my love? How may I serve thee?"
Before she could retort, Kuno was knocked out with his bokken by Ranma's last move. "That was another good tactic you used then Akane. Distractions can be very useful. You just have to make sure they can't be used on yourself."
At that moment the school bell rang, signalling for the students to return to class. Ranma looked back at the school, and Akane snuck closer and gave him a kiss.
"Mmm, Mnnnnnn," he said in surprise before he sank into the moment. Pulling back out, Akane said "No distractions huh?"
Ranma playfully poked his tongue out at her, which Akane quickly snagged in another kiss. They were interrupted when Nabiki yelled out the window at them to 'put it away until tomorrow' and to get back to class.
"Later then?" he suggested.
"I s'pose," she pouted, and then they went back inside.
When the day ended and the couple were walking home, Akane brought the idea of Ranma trying out his curse again. "Should we do it first thing, or after some more of my training?"
"After your t-training I think," he said glumly. "In c-case something goes wrong, you will still get your workout."
"Don't worry. Nothing will go wrong. You'll be fine."
"I h-hope so."
When they arrived back home, they dumped their school things up in their rooms. They went back down stairs to see if Soun and Genma had everything ready for the next day.
Finding them playing go, the couple approach, but before either of them could ask about the wedding, Genma spoke up. "How was school today boy?"
"Umm, it was okay. There were some stupid people there who were fun to play with. I didn't learn anything new in the class though."
The two men look up. They noticed Ranma's lack of stutter. "What happened Ranma?"
"Me and Neko played with a ball on a string."
At the look of confusion, Akane gave the details. "He humiliated Kuno in the morning, and shortly later Kuno came charging in screaming about our engagement. Ranma took him outside, tied him by the rope on the flagpole, and then played with him as if he were a cat."
"No other problems with it?"
"Nah. We were working together on Kuno, and Akane came down to me. The cat couldn't talk to Akane so I took over."
Genma looked pleased. "So you're making progress. It's about time."
"How's your progress Pops? Get any bigger titbits from the animal keeper?"
Genma growled.
"Good boy," Ranma sarcastically patted him on his bald head.
"The ceremony will be at ten tomorrow morning. You two will have to be up by eight to get ready, and you could set off for your trip after lunch if you wish," Soun told them.
"Oh," Ranma said, thinking that it would take a bit longer. "Let's go and do some training until then." She took hold of his arm, and they walked out to the dojo.
While they were sparring, Akane couldn't help notice that Ranma didn't put his heart into it. Most people wouldn't have noticed the difference, but being around him lately, she had picked up on the smallest change in his behaviour.
When he gave her hints on how to perfect her moves he didn't have the same buoyant charm in his voice. When he was about to suggest that she try the moves he used on Kuno earlier, she interrupted him. "What's bothering you?"
He tried to say that nothing was wrong, but she persisted until he came clean. He sat down with his back against the wall and Akane moved in beside him.
"Everything's j-just happening so fffast now." He rested his chin on his knees as he held them up to his chest. "I'm nnnot used to having so much to d-deal with."
She wrapped her arm around his shoulders and leant her head against his. Her gesture greatly comforted him, but he was still felt a bit uneasy.
"I mean my whole l-life was dedicated to the Arts. We took it at carefree pace, taking things as they came. But nnnow that's all over; I have a place to call h-home, we're getting married tomorrow, and I've been breaking down on one of the first lessons Pop taught me whenever I'm with you."
Akane thought the same thing. She too had been finding comfort and to rely on Ranma when he was there beside her.
"My p-past has started to catch up to me; I'm getting to know a part of mmmyself that I have been t-trying to ignore for years. The more I do, the more I fffeel as if the Neko-ken t-training was self-inflicted. It's as though I was attacking while I was t-t-trying to fffight myself off.
"Next I have to d-deal with a c-c-curse which will only cause me more troubles." He paused. "Everything has changed! I don't know what to expect to h-happen next."
Akane rubbed her head against his, "I know you have had to cope with a lot in your life, but now I am here. We will face your problems together."
Ranma looked into her eyes and managed a small smile. "I know." He lightly kissed her on the lips, and then said "Thankyou."
They embraced each other for a while before Akane suggested that they could put off the 'girl' training.
"No," he straightened up and pushed his other problems aside. "You are right. I do need to prepare for it."
Akane was startled in his sudden change of attitude. "Um, where would you feel more comfortable? In here or up in your room?"
"In h-here would be fine. More space in case I lose control."
"Okay then. Pull up a mat from the corner, and I'll get some water." She left Ranma alone in the dojo.
He trudged himself over to the mats and pulled one out. Lying on his back, he thought about what he was about to do. He tried fighting off his fear, but failed. Ranma started to panic. His heart raced until he could hear it pounding in his ears.
Soon enough Akane came back, holding a bucket of cold water and a kettle. She placed them nearby and knelt down next to Ranma. She looked at him and noticed how scared he was. "Shhh, you need to calm down. That is the purpose of this exercise." She gently caressed his cheek. "I'm going to let you change when you are ready." She offered him the bucket.
He took a few deep calming breaths, and then stuck his hand into the bucket. With the coldness on his hand, he felt the shift in weight as the boundaries of his body change shape. He felt a strange tingling sensation as he became the small red-headed girl. It felt so alien to him. He cried out. First instinct was to go Neko, but Akane was there, caressing his cheek, talking to him in a soothing voice. "Calm down. You will only be like this for a little while." She massaged Ranma's forehead as she waited for him to calm down.
Eventually Ranma's breathing slowed enough for him to talk.
"F-feels weird," he stammered. "S-so strange."
"Can you explain it?" Akane asked.
"Everything my b-body is t-t-telling me is new to me. Bits are mmmissing where I know thhhey should be, and there are extra where they shhhouldn't. My insides feel all d-different, and my scars are painfully tight around mmmy chest. It is all just so strange."
"You just need know your new body to understand. You know all about your male body, just give it some time and you can come to know this one too."
"I don't w-w-want to know it though! It's wr-rong!"
Akane lifted one of Ranma's hands and pressed to her breast. "Does this feel wrong?"
Ranma stared, surprised at first, but then started to say, "No, b-but you're a g-g..."
"And so are you at the moment." She immediately regretted what she said. It was one of the last things Ranma needed to hear. Akane moved her hand to Ranma's breast and said, "We are the same. Your only problem is that you have a curse, there is nothing wrong with the body it gives you."
Ranma extremely was upset. It became all too much for him. As his new emotions run through him, tears started to fill his eyes.
Akane lay down next to him, and held him to her. Ranma turned and buried his face in Akane's neck, and she gently rocked him as he quietly sobbed.
They lay like that for some time. Finally Akane released Ranma. "I think that is enough for tonight." She reached for the kettle. It had gone cold. "Oh. We can go for a bath now and you can change back." Ranma nodded. "Come on," Akane had already gotten to her feet, and offered her hand to Ranma. Ranma took Akane's hand and held on to her for support as they walked back into the house.
All heads turned as Akane led the red-headed girl to the furo. No one spoke as they all remembered the story he told them; how he went Neko to escape what he felt when he turned into the girl. He must be putting up a great deal of control so that he didn't slip. Akane was helping him greatly with that.
They sat in the furo together, and Akane held Ranma tightly against her. She thought back to when she saw how much Ranma's scars disfigured his female form. They ran deeply over his chest. It's no wonder why he fears his curse. They looked painful. Akane shivered.
Ranma looked back at her. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," she replied. "You did really well today."
"Yeah I b-broke down crying!"
"Sometimes it is good to have a cry. Let all your feelings out. Yes especially you," she said, looking at the reproached look he gave her. "You've had a hard life. No one should have to put up with what the world handed you."
"You mean what Pop handed me."
"Yeah, that too. But you've achieved so much with what you have."
"That's the problem. I have achieved more than I should have. I never expected to have the feeling I have when I g-go girl. It's all too much to d-deal with."
"You have to face it. It is a part of you that you can't run from. You will deal with it, and you will come out stronger than you were before," she encouraged him.
"Yeah. But I will havvve to take it very sl-lowly. Would you mmmind if I let Neko out for a while? I need to diminish my thoughts for a while."
"Only if it agrees to let you back out when you need to," she said. "And I want you to stay with me during that time; we both need to comfort each other for what is coming up."
"I'll t-try."
"And put some clothes on first! I don't want you running around naked in front of everybody!" she said. Then in a whisper, "I want you to save that for our honeymoon." They both laughed.
They camped themselves in front of the television. Akane sat on the lounge, and Ranma was curled up in her lap. She was absently stroking his hair and Ranma started to purr loudly. He looked so peaceful. Through all the hardship he had suffered, and the worries that have been afflicting him lately, in the Neko-ken Ranma could forget all and just be concerned with what was most important to him. Akane envied him in a way. But she also knew that one can not run away from their problems for ever.
Breaking her train of thoughts, someone knocked at the door. Every one else was in bed so Akane gently pushed Ranma aside, he curled up on the cushion and continued to pur. Akane received a surprise when she saw who it was.
Nodoka Saotome stood at the threshold of the Tendo home.
"Nodoka! Come on in! You couldn't be here at a better time!"
Nodoka was surprised to see Akane in such a good mood. "Why, hello Akane. How are you?"
"Very well, thankyou. How have you been?"
"Not too well I'm afraid. As usual, the last postcard you showed me led me nowhere. I couldn't find my son or Genma anywhere," she said in a downcast tone.
"We got another one a few weeks ago. And now they are staying put."
"Where are they? Please tell me," Nodoka pleaded.
Akane took Nodoka by the arm and led her to the television room. "Here," she said.
Nodoka fell to her knees when she saw Ranma. "Oh my!" she gasped. "He's alright!"
Nodoka hastily crawled over to her son and pulled him into a tight hug. Neko-Ranma who was rudely awoken by a stranger, started to growl.
Nodoka was startled by the sounds resonating from deep within Ranma, and jumped back in fright.
Akane rushed forward to Ranma. "It's okay Ranma. But it is now time to put Neko away."
Ranma reached up and hugged Akane, then looked at the strange woman, clutching her chest. "S-sorry about that. I don't like being woken so suddenly." He then took a big cattish stretch. "Who are you anyway?"
Akane spoke up. "Nodoka, meet Ranma. Ranma say hello to your mother."
They sat at the table, while Akane made them some tea.
"So Ranma, tell me about yourself. I am sorry to say that I don't know anything about you."
Ranma felt awkward. He remembered the reactions he got when he told the Tendos. "Um. You p-p-probably won't like this, but I need you to promise me something fffirst."
"Anything!" She was pleased enough to get her son back, nothing could dampen her spirits.
"Don't k-kill Pops."
She was wrong. "Genma!" her face darkened. "What has that fool done to you?"
"Just promise me first."
She was reluctant. She wanted him dead from the start. But she was finally reunited with her son and didn't want to ruin it. "Okay. I promise I won't kill your father. But if he did anything..."
"You can b-beat him up as much as you want," he finished for her. "Heck! I do it all the time!"
Nodoka was pleased. If Genma deserved anything, it would be to be beaten up by his own son! She was very proud.
Ranma then told her the dreadful tale of his life.
"He didn't!? THAT ANIMAL! I"LL KILL HIM!" she stood up.
"NO!" Ranma commanded. "You promised."
"But what he did..."
"I made you promise b-before I told you because I knew you'd respond l-like this. All the Tendos did."
"At first we did, but it would be the easiest way out for him. Then I thought we could rent him out to the district zoo. They have only one panda there, and she gets really lonely," Akane said. Both Ranma and his mother laughed at this. "Have him father some cubs and see if can do a better job raising them."
Ranma wiped a tear from his eye. "That's a great idea. We can take him down tomorrow before we l-leave."
"You're leaving? But I just found you!" Nodoka cried.
"We're getting married tomorrow, and Ranma is taking me on a training trip for our honeymoon."
Nodoka was stunned.
"Don't worry. It'll only be for a week." Akane assured her. "We'll be back before you know it. You two can get to know each other then."
"You're getting married? Already?"
"Yes" the two said together. "Ten o'clock tomorrow."
"Oh my! I must be getting home then."
"You're leaving? But y-you just found me," Ranma mimicked his mother.
Nodoka smiled. "I have something at home I intended to give you when you get married. Also I can't go to a wedding dressed in this outfit,' gesturing at her travelling cloak. "I'll be back early tomorrow morning." She gave Ranma a final hug then left.
"Thhhings are really happening fast aren't they," Ranma said shaking a bit like he did with his earlier spell. "She was the l-last person I had expected to sssee. Although I am somewhat glad to see her, just after all this time..."
"You'll get to know her all over again. Besides, she came at just the right moment. She'll get to see us married. I don't think she would have been too happy if she missed out on that."
Ranma nodded.
"How are you feeling now? Have you gotten over your girl training from today?"
"I am a b-bit better. But it will take a long time before I could get us-sed to it," he admitted. "But that's enough excitement for one day. Let's go to bed. We've got a long day ahead of us."
Akane held Ranma's hand and smiled at him. She pulled him up the stairs and into her room. As Akane took her top off, Ranma grew agitated. "Sorry. Just one more night," he said. "Please don't ruin it."
Frowning, she put her pyjamas on and Ranma stripped down to his tank top and boxers. He edged his way under the covers, and snuggled into Akane's back. He wrapped his free arm around her, and she held onto his hand.
"Good night Ranma."
"Good night."
"I Love you."
"I Love you too Akane."
And sleep finally overtook them.
They were woken with the smells of a fresh breakfast which Kasumi brought up to them on a tray. "Eat up you two. You've got a long day ahead of you."
"What time is it?" Ranma asked while stifling a yawn.
"Half past seven. You have half an hour before you have to start to get ready," Kasumi replied. "And your mother has arrived. She's wants to see you both before anything else anything happens."
"Tell her that we'll be down soon."
Kasumi smiled and left the room.
"What do you think she wants to give you?" Akane asked.
"No idea."
"Let's not keep her waiting then."
They finished their meal quickly and descended the stairs to the living room.
Nodoka jumped up and hugged them both before either of them could react. "Good to see you both. Here, sit down. I have something to show you."
They sat beside each other and Nodoka pulled out a small wooden box. When she handed it to them she said "These have been in our family for many generations.
Ranma opened the box. Inside was a pair of rings. Each were made of gold and engraved with dragons.
"My ancestors were personally responsible for the safety of some highly important families. Without their help, the empire would have certainly fallen during the Great War. These rings were given to them as a token for the services they provided.
"Among the noble houses it is known that the wearers of these rings are of a family which deserves great respect. If any treat you otherwise, their name shall be declared without honour and lose their status among the houses."
Ranma was lost for words at the revelation. He had never seen any such honour in his father, or anything that he did to deserve such respect. "What about Pop? Where did h-he go wrong?"
Nodoka's eyes narrowed. "My parents didn't think your father was worthy enough to wear the family heirloom, so they were put in my care to pass on. At first I was furious with their decision, but as time passed on I began to notice what my parents had already seen in Genma." She broke down crying. "I'm so sorry about what he did to you."
Ranma didn't know what to do. "Um... Thanks." He felt a bit separate from his mother. She did show a lot more respect for him than his father had ever done, but he still did not know anything about her.
"I'm glad I finally found you, 'sob' and that you are okay." Standing up, "I'll let you two get ready now. After all, this is your day," and she walked out to the dojo where the Shinto sanctuary was being prepared.
"And now it's time for you to get ready," Genma said. He led Ranma away to his room while Kasumi led Akane to hers.
While helping to prepare, Genma grasped Ranma's upper arms and said "I'm proud of you boy."
Ranma's ears perked up.
"Fulfilling the family legacy, and marrying Akane..."
Ranma's hope died. He jerked himself out of his father's hold. "Get out."
"What?" his father asked.
"I'm not d-doing this for you. I'm doing this for me. Since this has nothing to do with you, and yet you k-keep bragging like it is, I'll get ready myself."
"But..."
"OUT!" Ranma shouted. His aura flared with an intensity far greater than Genma had ever seen. It was all the help he needed to get rid of the old man.
When he left, Ranma was fuming. 'Of all days, he had to ruin this one!'
He continued to seethe in anger until the image of Akane appeared in his head. Peace flowed over him, smothering his fears and fury.
'Akane.'
In Akane's room:
"I can't believe this; I'm finally getting married to Ranma!"
"You sure seem happy enough," Kasumi commented.
"Enough?" Akane exclaimed, "I don't think I've ever been this happy before! I just hope nothing spoils the day."
"I'm sure everything will be fine..."
She was interrupted with Ranma's shout, "OUT!"
"Ranma!" Akane was about to rush out to see what was wrong.
"No. you stay in here," Kasumi held her back. "I'll check it out." Out in the hallway, Kasumi watched Genma steal his way out of Ranma's room.
"What happened in there Mr Saotome?"
Genma wiped the sweat off his brow. "I don't know. I was just congratulating the boy when he started shouting at me."
Kasumi narrowed her eyes. She seriously doubted that was what happened. "On your way down, could you please send Father up here?" She turned around and went back to Akane without waiting for an answer.
"What's wrong?" Akane asked anxiously.
"I think Mr Saotome just put his foot in his mouth again. I asked him to send Father up here to see what happened."
"Thanks Kas."
"Now let's get you into that kimono."
Standing at the gates of Furinkan High School, Kuno stood proclaiming his endless love for Akane.
"My beloved Akane. Where are thou tis fine morning?
The rest of Akane's fans had already gone to class.
"To be late tis said to be fashionable, but you need not use it to woo me. For I am yours for the taking."
He thrust his bokken into the sky, lightning crashed in the distance. "For I, the Blue Thunder of Furinkan high shall lie in waiting for your return."
Little else happened, but a bit of rubbish blew past him.
Knock Knock
"Hello, Ranma?"
"Hi Mr Tendo, c-come in."
"Is there anything wrong?"
"Nah, Pop just has trouble learning."
"That's good to hear. Would you like any help?"
"S-sure, thanks."
Soun picked up the black kimono and helped Ranma into it. "Are you nervous?"
"A bit, but just the thought of being with Akane for the rest of our lives helps soothe my nerves. I'm just w-worried that Pops will do something to r-ruin the day."
"Try not to think about that. You mother is here to take care of him. I must say, she has shown great restraint against using her kantana on him."
"Yeah. I mmmade her promise not to kill him. Not yet at least. I'm still waiting for him to acknowledge me for being me. Not just some thing for him to use to gain the upper hand."
"He should come around some day. He is a quick learner after all."
Ranma looked toward Soun with a shocked expression on his face. "Since when has he been a fffast learner? Heck, he still hasn't learnt the techniques I have been using for years! I had to teach him stuff as we moved from dojo to dojo because he couldn't pick it up b-before they kicked him out."
"You must be a very quick learner then! I had trouble keeping up with him!"
"Oh." Ranma felt a bit awkward.
"Nevermind. I am proud to be able to call you family."
"Err, Thhhankyou Mr Tendo."
"Please, call me Soun. After all you will be my son-in-law soon."
"Why not Dad?" Ranma smirked.
"Um, you don't even call your own father that, so I didn't want you to feel obligated. I'm happy enough for you to be a friend."
"Thankyou Soun."
"Enough with the thanking me already! This is supposed to be your day."
"Thankyou," Ranma chuckled.
"Ranma..." Soun said, but started to laugh too.
As time crept on, Ranma's anxiety from the previous night had came back onto him, causing him to pace around the room.
"It's time to go," Soun announced.
Ranma stopped immediately and looked up.
"You can go and meet Akane now and lead her to the dojo."
Ranma dashed out of the room and knocked on Akane's door.
Sounds of shuffling came from the room, and after a short moment Kasumi opened the door. When she stepped aside, Akane walked out to meet Ranma. His jaw dropped at the sight in front of him.
Akane was wearing a completely white kimono, which was designed to fit loosely like her gi, although it fell down to her ankles. Her hair was gathered behind her head and allowed to flow down her back, but was covered in a large veil of similar fabric to her kimono.
She felt a bit self conscious as she met up with Ranma in the hallway, but one look at Ranma's shocked expression and his severely stuttered proclamation of her beauty blew all her doubt away. She smiled at him which to Ranma's opinion completed the ensemble with flying colours.
She linked arms with him and was about to walk with him, but realised he was still staring at her. She elbowed him lightly in the ribs to wake him from his reverie and he led her down the stairs and outside to the dojo.
Before they entered, Ranma faced Akane and said, "This is it. The end of our loneliness."
"And well worth the wait," she replied.
They gave each other reassuring smiles, and entered the dojo for the ceremony which will change their future forever.
After the priest conducted the purification service on everybody, all gathered, recited the Shinto prayer.
Although the people living across the ocean surrounding us,
I believe,
Are all our brothers and sisters,
Why are there constant troubles in this world?
Why do winds and waves rise in the ocean surrounding us?
I only earnestly wish that the wind will soon puff away all the clouds which are hanging over the tops of the mountains.
When the room became quiet once more, Ranma was handed the smallest of the nuptical cups of sake to begin the San-San-Kudo exchange. Ranma brought the cup to his lips and sipped three times before handing it to Akane to do the procedure as well. The pair repeated the ritual with the two larger cups.
Nodoka stepped forward and produced the box containing the rings. Ranma took Akane's ring out. With her hand in his, he gazed up into her eyes. "I Ranma Saotome, do pledge to be your faithful and loving husband for the rest of my life. Through sickness, and in health, I shall be there to help you, and guide you through anything that may stand in our way." He lifted her hand and slid her ring onto her finger. Looking back into her eyes, "With this ring, I bind my heart to you, and take you Akane Tendo, to be my wife."
Tears of happiness were creeping their way out of Akane's eyes as she broke a large grin on her face. Ranma's words etched into her memory, never to be forgotten for the joy they brought into her life. She took his hand in hers, and lovingly looked up at him. "I, Akane Tendo, do pledge to be your faithful and loving wife from this day forth, for the rest of my life. I promise to stand by you, help you in times of need, and will stand by your side through everything that we shall meet in our life together." She slipped Ranma's ring onto his finger. "With this ring, I bind my heart with yours, and take you Ranma Saotome, to be my husband."
They momentarily held their eye contact, and then dove into their first kiss as a married couple. Their world closed around them as they embraced, their lips connected while oblivious to their families' claps and cheers.
When they finally pulled apart, both their faces were flushed bright red from lack of air and realisation that they were the centre of attention.
"Congratulations!"
"Welcome to the family."
"Long live the married couple."
"I'm proud of you boy."
The newlyweds paid little attention to their family, they were too caught up with the idea of actually being married already.
"Wife," Ranma whispered into Akane's ear.
"Husband," she whispered back.
They held each other close until the people started to make their way back to the house.
"Come on, let's go and get ready for our trip," Ranma said.
They linked arms and followed the progression outside.
Bags were packed and the teenagers were changed into more rugged wear. Ready for their training trip, they made their way downstairs to join in with the rest of the festivities.
"Please have a seat Mr and Mrs Saotome!" Soun gestured to the dining table. The table was sagging with a large banquet of assorted food; Kasumi had been very busy in the kitchen.
"Would you like some (hic) sake boy?" Genma slurred, he had started to drink in celebration immediately after he left the dojo.
"No thanks. You can have it," waved Ranma. The more his father drank, the easier it would be to send him to the zoo, especially if he passes out. Nodoka nodded in Ranma's direction, thinking in similar terms.
"Well, have some juice. We need to make a toast."
Ranma filled a cup for Akane and himself.
Soun held his glass in the air, everyone else followed. "To Ranma and Akane Saotome. May the future bring you nothing but Happiness and joy for all that comes your way."
"Cheers!" the rest chorused.
The newlyweds tapped their cups together then took a sip simultaneously. Looking towards each other as they brought their cups down, their eyes drew them closer. Before they realised, their lips were touching, and their arms around each other as they shared their second post-marital kiss.
More whoops and cheers sounded at the show of affection. It wasn't until Nabiki made another snide remark that Ranma tried to brake away from the kiss to retaliate. Akane held him back. "Leave it be this time. No need to spoil our moment," she smiled up at him.
"That's true. We still have other things to deal with yet that may go sour." At the look of confusion on Akane's face, Ranma jerked his head in Genma's direction.
She lowered her voice, "You mean you're still going through with it?"
"Yeah. Probably not for as long or the purpose I joked about last night, but a short stay may do some good. It'll certainly settle my mind down to know that he'll be somewhere so the world would be safe from his actions."
Akane nodded. She looked over to her father-in-law, he was happily downing another bottle of sake. "Could we just wait a little while? He seems to be having a good time at the moment."
"I am waiting for him to pass out first anyway. It would probably come as a bigger shock for him to wake up with a hangover, as a panda in the zoo, with another panda crawling over him. It may teach him the problems with drinking as well," he said with an evil grin.
Not wanting to spoil his mood, Akane started to heap some food onto their plates. "Oh well then, let's get some good food into us before we leave. There's only so much we can make while camping, and I'm not that much of a cook..."
"Don't worry about that. There are some tasty meals that I found easy to make on the road. I could show you some of them."
Brightening up a bit, "I'll be looking forward to it," she purred into his ear.
When lunch was over, Soun made a small announcement. "Akane, Ranma, there is one more thing you two need to do." He pulled up a large envelope of papers. "Here are the documents you both need to sign for marriage to be legal."
Ranma took a glance at his father, past out and sprawled across the floor. "Don't you all have to sign this?"
"Genma has already signed it. We all signed it last night. It is only now awaiting your signatures before I take it down to the registry to be logged."
"Okay then, after you Akane," he offered her the pen.
She immediately signed her name, and Ranma signed afterwards.
"Now that there's nothing else to do here, I guess we can get going now," he suggested to Akane.
"Okay. Let's get our bags." The two ran up the stairs, and returned shortly: both had bags bulging with their contents, but it was obvious that Ranma carried the heavier one as the stairs creaked underneath his feet.
"Hey mum, are you ready to go?"
"Are you going too?" Soun asked Nodoka incredulously.
"No. I'm just taking Genma to his new home, but in the state that he is in..."
"No need to explain any further," Soun stated. "Just remember that you are both welcome here. Besides this place now belongs to Akane and Ranma so I don't see any reason for you not to visit..."
"What?!" the newlyweds shouted.
Soun was taken aback by the sudden outburst. "It was a part of the original plan that Genma came up with. You two were to marry and take over the School of Anything Goes Martial Arts. The dojo comes with it, so naturally this place now belongs to you."
"But..." Ranma started.
"I gave you both the choice of marrying. Just consider it as a wedding present," Soun smiled at the pair who were both sporting shocked faces.
Ranma shook his head, "I'm sorry Soun, but I'll have to say it again."
"What?" he asked, uncertain to what Ranma was talking about.
"Thankyou," Ranma answered through a large grin.
Soun could only laugh.
"Oh well, it's probably time we should go," Ranma said to Akane and his mother.
"Yeah, see you later Pops," Akane waved. But when she saw Genma sprawled across the floor, she found a problem. "How are we going to get him..."
She cut herself off mid sentence when Ranma easily picked up the large man and slung him over his shoulder with ease. "Let's go." He walked out the door and Akane followed after him.
Nodoka was left inside. She turned towards Soun and said "Thankyou for taking in my son, and all the help you have given us."
Soun waved down at her words, "Nonsense Nodoka, over the years it feels as though Ranma was my son already. I care for him as much as you do. I know how much he means to you, so please don't be a stranger around here. You are welcome here whenever you wish to visit, and please do, I enjoy your company." He missed his wife badly, having Nodoka around often helped fill the hole in Soun's life.
Nodoka bowed in thanks, and left the house.
The trip to the zoo was relatively uneventful; at one stage Genma stirred from his alcohol induced sleep so Ranma had to knock him out again. When they arrived Ranma quickly transformed his father in the car park when no-one was around, then dragged him to the zoo keeper's office with Akane and Nodoka following close behind.
The zookeeper's eyes opened wide with surprise when Ranma entered and asked if he was willing to rent a panda.
"W-w-what?!" he exclaimed.
"This panda became my travelling companion in China, but now he is starting to get a bit restless. I think he is starting to get a bit lonely and needs a mate of his own kind. I believe that you have a female panda in your care in the same situation."
"Umm, yeah," the zookeeper stammered.
"Well, would you like to make an arrangement?"
The zookeeper pushed his shock aside. "How long are you willing to part with your pet?"
"How long will you need him?"
"About a month," he replied. The zookeeper saw a hint of disappointment in the youth's eyes, but it was misinterpreted. "Ah, we may not need him for that long. Pandas are only together for the time it takes to mate. I suggested that long in case they don't get along at first... And you can come and visit him as often as you like..." He didn't want to miss out on the opportunity by upsetting the owner.
"No, no. you can keep him for as long as you like. You can put him on display if you want. I am just having trouble housing him at the moment and need some time to relax without worrying what he's up to."
The zookeeper was delighted. "Certainly. How much would you like for his services?"
Ranma shrugged his shoulders and came up with a price on the spot. "Um, how about fifty thousand yen a month?"
"Deal!" the zookeeper jumped in. It was a bargain; it would have cost him much more if he had to get one imported. He could make so much money out of this: A new panda on display as well as a baby panda on the way! He cracked a toothy smile, but was surprised that the boy was also sporting a wicked grin.
"Now, there are a few things about the panda that you should be careful about," Ranma said.
"What?" the zookeeper asked, hoping that there was nothing that would cause problems for the zoo.
"That panda is very sneaky! You have to make sure he can't get out of his enclosure."
"Don't worry. The panda habitat is surrounded by a moat and the walls are topped with electric fences."
"Don't be too carefree about it though. I was on a training trip in China, and the panda knows quite a bit of martial arts."
'A fighting panda! This could make lots of money!' the keeper thought. "I'll keep a personal eye on him," he reassured them.
"Okay, other than that, keep him away from hot water."
"Hot water? What's the problem?"
"He had a bad experience with it a little while ago. Just trust me, you wont like the outcome." Ranma was having a laughing fit inside while he was saying this: it was another way of beating his father up without touching him.
"Sure. If that's it, would you like a tour of the zoo while I get your money ready?"
Ranma looked towards Akane, "Nah. We're about to go on our honeymoon. This was the last thing we had to take care of before we leave."
"Honeymoon?! Well I'll slip in a bonus for you two as a wedding gift."
"Thankyou Sir."
"No problem. Just excuse me for a bit while I get you your money."
When the zookeeper left, Ranma turned to look at his mother. "That was pretty easy."
Nodoka was impressed with Ranma and how he handled the deal. "I can't believe you managed to punish your father as well as being paid for it."
"Yeah, he'll be doing even less work than he did at the circus, and we'll be getting the money!" Akane dished in.
"What can I say...? Pop has to earn his keep somehow."
By the time Ranma had finished his dealings with the zookeeper and helped take Genma to the panda enclosure, the afternoon had started to draw on.
"Hey Akane, we better get going now. We need to go some distance before we get there tonight."
"Yeah, you're right." She turned toward Nodoka and said, "I'm sorry we couldn't spend more time with you, but we'll see you when we get back."
"Goodbye mum," Ranma said.
She swooped down on the two of them, her long lost son and new daughter. "Please come back to me. I couldn't stand the thought of losing you again." She planted kisses on them both and reluctantly let them go. "Have a good time you two." She turned around and made her way back to her house.
Ranma and Akane shouldered their packs, and set off on their honeymoon training trip.
After a two hour ride, they alighted from the train. They had spent the time in a quiet nook of the last carriage, leaning against each other and holding hands. They were not up to the stage of expressing themselves any more in public just yet, although they were straining to hold themselves back while gazing in each other's eyes.
Akane looked around at the landscape about the train station. The station was a single platform, unmanned, and as Ranma had described a few days previously; was in the middle of nowhere. Yet the rich green of the foliage and hills had a charm to it which Akane found appealing.
"Come on," Ranma interrupted her moment. "We have quite a hike ahead of us before it gets dark." He took her hand in his and led her to a faint trail of trampled earth that meandered the way through the forest.
On their travels, they spoke little to each other. For one, Akane didn't have the endurance to keep up a conversation and their pace. But the contact between their hands spoke all that they needed.
The afternoon wore on as they made their way up the mountain. The scenery changed into rocky outcrops, canyons and narrow ledges on the tall cliffs. Akane became very nervous about these paths, and she showed it.
"Just treat it like the fence, concentrate where your feet are, and not the bottom of the ravine."
Akane drew in a deep breath to calm herself, then continued on with Ranma's reassurance.
Another half hour later, they had found the hot springs Ranma had told her about.
"Oooh! That looks sooo good right about now," Akane dropped to her knees next to the hot pool.
Ranma smirked at her. "Not yet. We need to set camp and start a fire for dinner while we still have light, then we can have a soak." He offered her his arm and lifted her back to her feet. "Now, would you like to pitch tent under the stars, or in a small cave around the corner?"
Her eyes brightened up at the mention of a cave. "I think the cave sounds more appropriate. It will also offer us more shelter in case it rains."
"Yeah, you're right," he said as he continued on to the cave.
Soon enough there was the sound of a campfire crackling and the careless chatter of the newlyweds as they finished off their dinner.
"Mmm! That was good!" Ranma exclaimed as he cleaned out his bowl.
"But it was just plain rice!"
"It was good for a campfire meal. Compared to some of the things I ate on the road..." he looked up at her face and saw her disappointment. "We can have a better meal later. You wanted to get to that spring tonight, remember?"
Akane's expression brightened right up at the reminder. "Yeah that's right!" She jumped to her feet and grabbed Ranma's arm. "Let's go and have our bath," she said as she attempted to drag Ranma out of the cave.
"Whoa! Slow down. Shouldn't we at least get the soap? I'm sure that you worked up quite a sweat on the hike here."
"Yeah I guess so," Akane replied in defeat.
"What's with the down attitude? I think it'll be much more enjoyable lying next to you tonight without having to hold my nose," he joked while ruffling through his bag for their toiletries.
"Baka," she replied and poked her tongue out at him.
He chuckled lightly. "Oh well. Shall we?" he offered her his arm, which she gratefully took, and they made their way over to the springs.
Thoroughly scrubbed of sweat and grime, the pair were soon soaking up the heat of the water.
"Mmm! you smell much better," Ranma taunted while leaning over Akane.
"Hey!" Akane shouted while splashing him.
With water dripping down his face, Ranma gave her a devious grin, and then ducked under the water. When he didn't surface, Akane grew a bit concerned about what he was up to when...
BOOOM!
SPLASH!
The water exploded into the air and drenched everything about the spring. Sputtering, Akane opened her eyes. After pulling her hair which was plastered to her face away, all she saw was a boy with a grin from ear to ear, just begging to be punished. She opened her arms out wide, and sent handfuls of water back in Ranma's direction.
He ducked out of the way as he sent a ball of water at Akane which landed right on target.
"GOTCHA!"
Dripping, she tried her attack again, missed and received another ball of water in return. 'That was it,' Akane thought. 'The next one should get him.' She made a fist with both her hands and made a side sweep at the surface of the water and made a wide splash which surely must get Ranma...
It didn't. He made an impressive jump over it and bombed Akane with another surge of water. He turned around to see the results of his handiwork, and found Akane with her hair again plastered to her face again, and he laughed loudly.
"Ranma! Get back here!" she shouted in a battle cry. She lunged for him and tried to wrestle him to the edge of the spring, but found herself clutching water alone. While quickly looking for where he had gone, she received a large mass of water to the back of her head. When she turned back to him she got another handful of water in her face.
"RANMA!"
"Uh oh," he sounded before dodging her next lunge and landed at the edge of the spring.
Akane stopped her pursuit as she gazed up at Ranma's glory. He felt a bit apprehensive at the hungry look Akane was giving him, knowing what was on her mind. Although he did want their relationship to progress on to the next stage, (after all, he was the one who wanted to wait for this night,) now that the time had arrived, he began to feel a little bit nervous. Under the predatorily look of Akane, he remembered his state of dress, and ducked behind a boulder.
"Hey! No fair!" she complained. She climbed out of the spring to where Ranma was. She found him fumbling, trying to get back into his boxers. She snuck up behind him and said, "Just what do you think you're doing?"
He was just getting his second foot into his shorts when she surprised him. As he twisted around, he tripped and made a grab for the closest thing to stop his fall. It just happened to be Akane, who was not prepared for the sudden move, so she fell with him.
On the ground, his arms around her hips, he found his face embedded in her navel. At first he didn't move, but when he heard the giggle coming from Akane, he looked up into her eyes and lost himself in her expression of amusement.
"We should probably go back to our camp before this goes on any further," she told him.
Nodding slightly, he slowly unravelled his arms from her waist and as he got up, attempted to pull up his shorts. Akane pinned them down with her feet. "Why don't we leave our stuff here for the night? They won't be going anywhere," she said with a sly grin.
"Umm, Ok-k-kay," he stammered.
With the fire stacked, the newlyweds were lying together on their camp bed. Ranma kept telling himself that they were just up to the next level in their relationship. He had gradually gotten used to sleeping with Akane with less material separating their bodies over the previous week. They had just reached the stage where they ran out of clothes to remove, hadn't they? Their roaming hands over each other's bodies while they were making out met with no resistance. Their bodies were closer than ever before, and he could feel more of her body heat radiating into his. This level of intimacy was much greater than before, but now that they were married there was nothing wrong with what they were doing together was there?
He placed one hand on Akane's cheek and kissed her. When he looked into her eyes, he saw nothing but her love and devotion for him. 'No, there was nothing wrong with what they were doing. This was right.'
Again looking deeper, he could see her need of something more, the something that he had been slightly afraid of. He had no idea of what the further activity would be like, or of how it would feel for Akane. This was new ground for both of them, but they will have the rest of their lives to learn and improve on any inadequate attributes. So he decided that if the matter arises, he would not oppose.
As he came to a conclusion, his thoughts must have shown up on his face. Akane's hands roamed lower to Ranma's swelling member while watching his expression. At first he flinched, but then experienced a tingling sensation up and down his spine from her touch. With his unhindered arousal, his anxiety began to fade.
"Are you okay with this?" Akane asked softly.
He nodded while receiving shockwaves of strong emotions for his wife. Akane leaned towards him and kissed him deeply which he returned with as much passion as he could muster.
While the pair consummated their marriage, the flickering fires danced their shadows across the cave walls.
Author's notes
Sorry, just a tad bit late.
Bit O research on Japanese wedding customs – poor results winged most of it (I think)
Lost the muse during that time then had trouble figuring out how to end the chapter without getting too engrossed in their activities.
Don't worry, I had the next chapter planned out ages ago, just need time to put it to story.