Epilogue

"Now we cut to breaking news; a large explosion of unknown origin has been reported in Tsinghai, China. So far the details surrounding the event remain unclear, and experts on all sides are scrambling to understand what has happened. Munitions experts and seismologist are claiming that the explosion was man-made in nature, the result of an illicit weapons testing program. Beijing has issued categorical denials, claiming that the explosion was caused by natural phenomenon.

At precisely 2:14 p.m. today, seismographs across Japan were triggered by a large explosion in Western China, nearly 4000 kilometers away. The American Central Intelligence Agency has confirmed a large explosion triggered seismographs in San Francisco, charting an energy pattern previously unseen, but atypical of conventional weapons. Judging by the strength of the seismographs collected in Japan and California, and the damage to the mountain, experts calculated that the explosive yield was roughly 112 terajoules, roughly 25 more powerful than the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki.

A satellite photo from the area in question shows that the explosion leveled a mountain and destroyed a large swath of surrounding forest, leaving only a large crater where the mountain used to be. Unfortunately, heavy smoke cover has obscured the area from further photography, but pictures taken in the infrared spectrum have shown several large fires burning in the area. The small size of the blast puzzled scientist who estimated a much larger yield was necessary to obliterate a mountain that size. Also, there have been no gamma rays nor have any radioactive particles been detect as a result of the explosion, two events traditionally associated with a nuclear detonation.

China has denied a report alleging it has resumed underground weapons testing, in violation of the 1996 Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. China pointed out that the treaty was never been ratified, and emphatically denied that any testing was taking place. Beijing claims that the explosion was meteoric in origin. Experts dismiss China's claim, citing that there was no evidence of a meteor entering the Earth's atmosphere earlier today large enough to generate the explosive force necessary. Also, weapons specialists noted that the lack of dust and debris from the explosion is further evidence that this was a man made explosion, not a natural phenomenon.

These troubling facts has convinced many that China has indeed discovered a new type of low radiation, high yield, high damage explosive device, that some scientist have dubbed an "anti-matter" bomb. The Prime Minister has flown to China to meet with members of the Politburo, hoping to conduct high level talks to forestall any possible arms races in Asia. The United States Secretary of State has pressed to be included in the talks, citing national security concerns and non-proliferation agreements.

The United Nations is also concerned about the recent event, calling into question China's suitability for membership in the organization in light the weapons testing accusations. Predictably, Beijing has been quite upset with the U.N.'s proceedings, and recently issued a statement that the explosion should have no relevance in regards to China's standing in the organization.

We will keep viewers updated as more news develops.

In local news, the search for Tendo Akane continues. It has been two weeks since she disappeared without a trace after school. Authorities have created a toll free hotline for anonymous tips, and encourage anyone with useful information to phone immediately. Any tips that lead to finding the girl are eligible for a reward. The number is posted on the bottom of the screen. Again, if you have any news about this girl or might have seen her at any point since her disappearance, the authorities urge you to call immediately.

Now for something a little lighter; The local zoo in Chiba prefecture got a new occupant today, as the baby panda, affectionately nick-named the 'mysterious horse,' arrived from..."

Nabiki turned off the news. She had hoped that the television would have been able to take her mind of her little sister's disappearance, but they just kept running the same dumb stories, not talking about the things that mattered. The events in China were interesting, but the talking heads had nothing new to say, and Nabiki's worries came crashing back.

Akane was still missing. Almost two weeks ago she had come home from school, and suddenly disappeared. It was possible that she had run away, but considering that none of her clothes were missing, no money had been taken from her room or bank account, and her bags were still here, the police had ruled that it was unlikely.

They checked anyway, on Nabiki's insistence. She had told them about her sister's fiancée who had left for China just a week before. Airline travel records were search, but no tickets had been issued under any of the various names that she might have traveled under. Stumped for leads, they had begun investigating the possibility of either foul play or abduction. All the hospitals and morgues in the metropolitan area were checked for unidentified patients or bodies. Nothing turned up locally, so they gradually began to widen the search, airing Akane's picture on the evening news along with the toll free hotline. The case had created a sensation, and the hotline had been flooded with calls from well-wishers, but not one useful piece of information had turned up.

The police were trying to narrow down the list of suspects for a possible abduction case, but there were just no clues and no leads. Those who had a motive, like Akane's various admirers, check out clean with rock solid alibis. Ranma, Konatsu, and Herb's travel records clearly showed that they had left the country much earlier. The police were checking ever angle, and Nabiki couldn't help but be impressed with their thoroughness. But Nabiki was good at reading people, and judging by the way the detectives on the case muttered and scratched their heads, things didn't look very promising.

Soun had surprised the family, though. Nabiki had expected him to become a blubbering wreck when they discovered Akane's disappearance. Oh, he had cried alright, but he refused to lose another family member, assisting the police as much as possible. He started funneling all his grief and frustration into activities, opening the Dojo to students again and attending city council meeting, and above all, working tirelessly to find his daughter. All in all, his daughters approved of the change, but wished the cost weren't so high.

Nobody had given up hope, but it just seemed so unlikely that anything would ever be found. Had Akane been alright, she would have called by now. It was possible she was in a location without a phone, but that was next to impossible in Japan. That meant she was dead, severely injured, or captive.

Nabiki couldn't shake the feeling that somehow, the events on the TV and Akane's disappearance were linked. A silly as the notion was, it refused to leave her. Maybe she was just hoping too hard, looking for something, no matter how small, to reveal her sister to her. Nabiki looked at the information the detective had left with her. She knew the contents inside and out, but she opened the booklet one more time and began reading.

Kasumi came in the living room, carrying a tray of tea and some snacks. She knelt beside her sister, placing the tray on the table and wordlessly wrapping Nabiki in a hug. Nabiki responded, wrapping her arms around her older sister as they held each other for a few minutes.

When the hug ended, Kasumi turned to tray. Nabiki used the distraction to surreptitiously wipe her eyes with her sleeve, accepting the cup of tea Kasumi passed with a smile and a nod. The two merely sat side by side, enjoying each other's presence as the tea cooled.

Kasumi looked over at the booklet in Nabiki's hands. "The Police Academy, Nabiki?"

The younger girl shrugged. "It was... Just a thought, you know? They've been so helpful, and professional... I just..." She sighed. "I'd do it too, if I thought I'd be any good at it. I feel like it would be worth it if I could prevent just one family from having to suffer like we are..."

Kasumi simply hugged her again. "Nabiki, having noble thoughts?"

That caused Nabiki to chuckle, which in turn set Kasumi to laughing. It became infectious, and before long they were clutching each other and laughing. The laughter gave way to tears, and the two sisters hugged each other tightly as the tears faded away. They felt guilty enjoying having laughed, but by the same token reminded them of how long it had been since laughter had last been heard in the house.

Kasumi reached up and gently wiped away a tear from Nabiki's face. "I bet you'd be one of the best detectives ever, Nabiki."

"Damn right I would be." She smirked as she reached up to hold Kasumi's hand against her face. "And if they don't find her, I will. I promise."

The search for survivors began as the groans of the injured and dying could be heard on the battle field. Healers moved through the blood soaked ground, flanked by orderlies and non-combatants bearing stretchers. The healers were looking for those too injured to move under their own power before shock set in. Unfortunately there were just too many injured, forcing the medical staff to make decisions about who could be saved, and who would simply be comforted as they died. If they found someone who could be helped, they would be loaded on a stretcher and carried to the medical tent. Otherwise, they would be offered some kind words, a drink of water, and company as life expired.

At one edge of the battle field the surviving Phoenix army knelt on the ground, hands tied behind their backs and feet bound together. They were under the guard of a mixture of Amazon and Musk soldiers. All together, about two thousand Phoenix soldiers had survived, but their spirits and wills had been shattered. They were huddled together under the watchful eyes of their guards, not caring about their fate. Those who hadn't run when the battle ended had simply thrown down their arms and surrendered.

The war had been especially deadly for the bird people, as only those who had been on the battle field survived. They had been poorly equipped to fight as a result of the flood, and had been slaughtered in droves by the bombardment of the siege engines. Those who had made it to the battle were quickly cut down by the well armed opposition. But what the Phoenix had lacked in arms they had made up for in numbers.

The Amazons and Musk had suffered greatly, too. While not nearly as devastated as the Phoenix, over two thirds of those who had marched to war that day did not return. The battle taken its toll, as the many warriors had fallen to a combination of exhaustion and sheer numbers. Unlike the Phoenix, though, they had homes to return to, with families, husbands, and wives to waiting to when the day was over. The blast that had claimed Mt. Phoenix had completely eradicated the almost the entire race, with the last survivors currently under guard. With no leader and no home, they were lost, completely dependent upon the mercies of the victorious armies.

What had really turned the tide of the battle were the few warriors for the Musk and the Amazon who stood head and shoulders above the normal soldiers. Herb was one, as was his father. Shampoo, the late champion, had been another. Before she had died, she had taken as many as five hundred enemies out single handedly, using the last of her strength to cut through a knot of Phoenix who had armed themselves with bows.

Herb, for his part, had been a force of nature. Grief and rage had fueled his battle, and his weapons knew no match. Whole legions had perished before his wrath as he had fought with utmost abandon. He would unleash tightly focused burst of ki in waves, cutting everything around him to ribbons. Even his own soldiers had been terrified by the way he tore through the ranks of the enemies. He left no wounded behind, only the dead.

Herb's father had just as deadly. He didn't have the martial arts background his son possessed, but had an even greater store and control of his ki. He had taken to the skies early in the fight, raining down death and destruction upon the Phoenix armies. No one had escaped his attacks. Those who attempted to fight were blow apart, and those who attempted run where incinerated.

For the Amazons, Ku Lon had led the charge, fighting with all the skill and lethality that three hundred years of training could impart. Ki enhance staff strikes were more lethal than any sword because no armor was impervious. Mousse, a lowly male, had also been instrumental, showering the opposing ranks with deadly projectiles and creating obstacles that became deathtraps for the Phoenix.

The battle had ended with the destruction of the mountain. Some ran, some surrendered, but all the combatants knew it was over. Only a few knew what had caused it, but the tide had turned, and it quickly became a rout.

The captured soldiers were put to work preparing the bodies for the pyres. The task was monumental. A good many had been incinerated when the mountain blew, but that still left a good ten thousand or more bodies to deal with. The prisoners separated the bodies by race, loading them into a cart and dragging them to the cremation grounds. The huge stockpiles of wood that the Amazons had prepared before hand were put to use, laid out in large grids on top of which the bodies were piled.

With so many dead, it was impossible to burn them all at once, so the fires had already started. The bodies were stacked a hundred or so high before being doused in fat. A priest would say a prayer for the dead, and throw on a torch. All across the field various pyres burned, some dying down as the fires consumed their contents, others still billowing blackly as the flesh within was burnt away. The fires would burn for days. The stench of burning flesh was overpowering as it drifted on the wind, causing anyone down wind to wretch.

Ranma had quite a good deal of time to think as he flew through the air. The Getuskajya had disintegrated in his hands when Saffron's blast had hit. The energies had overwhelmed it, ultimately causing the artifact to fail, but not before it had weakened the blast enough to force it to detonate. The explosion had launched Ranma through the sky, high, high above the earth.

He floated in and out of consciousness, fighting to stay awake. The sky was bright blue and the earth receded below him. He could see the curvature of the earth, the horizon stretching far in the distance. Unbidden, images flashed through his mind. He recalled the first time he was thrown to the cats, the fear he felt, the pain, and the betrayal. He closed his eyes, and the images disappeared. He could feel the wind rushing past his skin as he was propelled higher. The air was thin and his lungs burned.

He recalled the first sermon he ever heard. "Does the dog have the Buddha nature?" Ranma frowned, feeling his skin pull as the muscles contracted. Did he ever have a dog? No, that wasn't right. What was the answer again? Oh yeah, Mu.

The character sprung fully formed to his mind as her remembered drawing it with a brush as a young child. The calligraphy master had made him write two characters over and over again, the other being the word for sword. The master would simply stare at his two characters, and bade Ranma to return in a few years time. He had, and again drawn the two. The old man had remarked that his art had come along, but that his mind was still lacking. Ranma hadn't returned a third time as he had been bidden, because he had come to China. But thinking back on the experience, he thought he could see what the master had been talking about.

His first sword had been harsh, strong, and bold, a reflection of how he had felt about himself at the time. He had been a warrior, swift and deadly, regardless of what implement he held. His other character had been just that – a character. It was pretty enough, drawn correctly and with the proper attention to detail, but it didn't represent anything.

When he had returned later, Ranma noted some obvious improvements. His sword was better. The character mu finally formed some meaning in his mind. When he left, he was shown a scroll by his master, a large scroll done in bright red ink that was almost eight feet by four feet in size. On it was emblazoned the character that Ranma had been trying to write. It was perfect. His teacher had truly been a master. Ranma realized what the old man had been trying to tell him. As a warrior develops, he reaches a stage where he becomes deadly with any weapon. After a while, he himself becomes the weapon, an unstoppable force of nature. Finally, the warrior places his weapons aside, as there is no more need.

Peace.

Images of Konatsu flashed in his mind, from their first meeting when they fought to washing dishes together. He followed those thoughts, watching in fascination as they played out. He watched as they underwent Jusenkyou, the Bakusai Tenketsu training, being captured by Lime and Mint, and camping trips with Herb. The way that Konatsu and Herb would moan as they enjoyed each other, or yell as they sparred.

Compassion.

Thoughts of Herb sent his mind reeling on another tangent. He remembered Herb's anger at Lime and Mint over their capture so long ago. He remembered that first banquet and the glorious dresses they had been given. Ranma still had his somewhere, and she knew that Konatsu had worn hers on the honeymoon. Wait she? Ranma felt his form shift, and suddenly she was female. That was better.

Images continued to parade through Ranma's mind, images of training and austerities, and the pleasure that came from simple things like food and sex. He watched in fascination as those thoughts triggered a whole series of images about the first time he/she discovered masturbation, then images of Akane.

Love.

Sensations continued to bombard Ranma. She opened her eyes, and noted that she had stopped ascending. The sky was darker now and stars were visible above her. The cosmos stretched before her in a mighty tableau, overwhelming in its vastness and yet it if she but reached out, she could grasp the whole of it in her hand. She seemed to hang suspended in the heavens for a second before gravity reasserted its hold, pulling her back to earth. The earth receded even as she fell, until it became nothing but a pin prick in her eyes. She reached out and cupped the small orb in her hand, feeling the weight of it as it started to rapidly grow larger. She felt her stomach rise into her throat, and watched in fascination as the earth seemed to expand exponentially.

She closed her eyes again, and the earth disappeared. A long forgotten conversation came to her mind. Shinran had mentioned an ancient master, Master Tosotsu. What was the first question? Where is your true nature? Did he know?
Ranma shook his head and opened his eyes. The earth had drawn no nearer in that time. Had time passed? He was unsure. Had he become male again? Yes he had. No, she hadn't. The thoughts passed.

Something else about Tosotsu, though... Freedom from birth and death lay in grasping one's nature. If then, one's eyeballs have dropped dead, how can one be free from life? Was it because he had a dog?

The world stretched before her, but yet strangely seemed to be still. Again thoughts came unbidden. One instantly knows where to go after death, right? So, if being dead and the body dispersed into the four elements, where then does one go?

Ranma couldn't feel that she was falling any more. Nothing seemed to move. She couldn't feel the wind, she couldn't feel. Time was endless, neither going forward or backward at that moment.

The fight with Saffon sprang unbidden in his mind, interspersed with recalled memories. When had she become he? It didn't matter. Who had cursed Saffron?

"Ranma, let me tell you a story."

Was that Shinran's voice?

"When Manjusuri found that the Buddha' gathering was adjourned and each person was going back to his/her land, he observed one woman still deep in meditation near Shakyamuni. Manjusuri properly bowed and asked Shakyamuni Buddha, "That woman has been able to reach that state of Enlightenment and why have I not?"

"Who was Manjusuri, Shinran?"

Ah, Ranma, how could you not know Fudo Muyo, the one of immoveable faith and the greatest of the five great kings?"

"Forgive me, Shinran. I simply did not know the other name."

"HA! For the Bodhisattva who binds demons with his rope and cuts through ignorance with his sword? He must have missed with you!"

Ranma blushed. Shinran continued.

Shakyamuni replied, "Bring her from the Samadhi and ask her yourself!"

Manjusuri walked around the woman three times and snapped his fingers, unable to bring her out of her meditation. He held her high up in his hand and brought her to the first of three meditative heavens, totally detached from any lust, and exhausted all his mystical powers in vain. Observing this, Shakyamuni said, "Even a hundred thousand Manjusuri could not awaken her from Samadhi. There resides Avidya Bodhisattva, the lowest of all, below this place past twelve hundred million lands. He alone can raise her from her deep meditation." No sooner had the Shakyamuni spoken than that Bodhisattva sprang up out of the earth, bowed and paid his homage to Shakyamuni. By Shakyamuni order, Avidya snapped his fingers. Instantly the woman came out of meditation and stood up.

Ranma closed his eyes again, and could feel the wind whipping through his clothes. He noticed for the first time how cold it was, and how much the air hurt his burnt skin. Why had he not noticed before?

Poems came to his mind as he watched the world rush in.

Under blue sky, in bright sunlight,
One need not search around,
Asking around what Buddha is,
is liking the stolen goods in one's pocket and declaring oneself innocent.

To instantly realize is to see endless time.

Endless time is this very moment.

If one sees through the thought of this very moment,

At this very moment, one can see through the one who sees through.

If you are awakened, all things are one and the same,
If you are not awakened, all things are varied and distinguished.
If you are not awakened, all things are one and the same,
If you are awakened, all things are varied and distinguished.

What is the Buddha?
The mind is the Buddha.

Once upon a time when Shakyamuni Buddha was in Grdhrakuta mountain, he twirled a flower in his finger and held it before his congregation. Everyone was silent. Only Maha Kashapa wholeheartedly smiled. Buddha said, "I have the eye of the true teaching, the heart of Nirvana, the formless form, the mysterious gate of Dharma. Beyond the words and beyond all teachings to be transmitted, I now pass this on to Maha Kashapa.

At that moment, he understood. His senses functioned according to their respective sensory organs. These in turn influenced his mind. His mind perceived nothing until the moment it received the senses. In a sense, nothing existed until he acknowledged it. Things are just as they are. Ranma could remember exactly what it felt like when he saw Shakyamuni holding that flower before him.

His mind was beyond himself now. He watched the world approach with growing trepidation. Just because he would be able to put the impact beyond himself didn't mean it wouldn't hurt. His eyes closed slightly as he slipped into a meditative trance.

Herb bent down to pick up one of the fragments of white material adorning the crater floor. He turned it over in his hands, clearly puzzled.

"What is it, Herb?"

"It... I think it's an egg shell, Ku Lon." The Amazon Elder closed her eyes, clearly puzzled. The group hastily made its way down the crater's edge, Herb helping Akane maintain her balance as she hobbled along.

The baby had stopped crying by the time the party arrived at the center of the crater. Ranma's body lay curled protectively around the infant, his arms sheltering the boy from the harsh glare of the sun. Ranma's shirt was open, and the baby was tuck inside its folds, swaddled as best he could in the red silk.

Ranma wasn't breathing.

Akane immediately started CPR while Herb and Ku Lon fell to their knees, looking for injuries. Herb handed the infant to his father before he began to compress Ranma's chest while Akane force air into his lungs, listening for a pulse. Saffron began to wail as the group continued their attempts for half an hour. Eventually Ku Lon forced them to stop. It was no use trying to revive the dead.

Herb gently laid Ranma's body on the pyre. Akane had washed the body, and Herb had helped her wrap it in linen. The assemble group simple stood for a while in quite contemplation as Ku Lon lit a torch. She passed it to Akane, who nodded and wiped tears from her eyes. She placed a lingering kiss on Ranma's lips before tossing the torch on the wood. The flames leapt up quickly. Maybe they had been inured to the scent of burning flesh, but afterwards everyone claimed they could only smell burning sandal wood.

Herb allowed his grief to overwhelm him on the ride back to the palace. His horse knew the way home, walking with out guidance as Herb's body was racked with sobs. His father rode along side, reaching out to rub the prince's back as he convulsed.

Herb staggered to his room, exhausted and blinded with tears. He was too tired to summon any ki to light his way, placing the lantern on the night table as he crashed on the bed.

"OWWW!"

Herb hadn't made that sound. He looked at where the sound had come from, only to see the other side of the bed was occupied. The figure was in a full body cast, the only visible flesh was the tip of the nose and the mouth.

"Umm... I hate to ask you this, but could you scratch my nose? Please?"

Herb knew the hospitals were crowded, but this was ridiculous. "I'll call a nurse."

"But you're the only one who can scratch this itch, my dragon."

Something about that voice...

"Konatsu?"

"In the flesh. Or, in a cast, anyway. OWWWWWW!! Don't hug me!!! OWWWW!!!! Stop it, AAAHHHH Don't shake the bed, you dolt!!!"

Three years later:

The cold November air made Akane want to pull her shall tightly around her neck as she walked along the temple grounds, clad in a kimono. Unfortunately both hands were currently occupied. Her left arm was holding her two year old son to her hip, and her right hand was clutching Saffron's as the walked towards the step. Her whole family was here for the occasion, including Herb and Konatsu who were visiting from China. Ryoga would have been here to help if he hadn't gotten lost again. Oh well. He'd turn up eventually.

Ryoga had saved her life many times that day, and had never asked for anything in return. He had always been a great friend and a great comfort in the years following Ranma's death. The other day he had proposed and confessed to her that he had loved her for a long time, but never had the courage to ask. She was... unsettled, but not altogether surprised. Nabiki had commented that the boy had it bad for her, but she had never believed. She told Ryoga that it was still too soon after Ranma's death to think of anyone else, but when she was ready, she'd let him know. It wasn't what he was hoping for, of course, but more than he expected.

Kasumi was walking with Tofu while Nabiki was haggling with some venders near the shrine entrance about some chitose candy. Soun just hung back, overwhelmed by the group but clearly proud of his family. Everyone was dressed in their finest silks, donated to the family from Herb. Akane, as Ranma's widow, had inherited his belongings, including the wealth he had accumulated in China. In addition, the survivors of the war had donated a considerable amount of money and materials as condolences as thanks for Ranma's part in the battle.

Akane had adopted the child very soon after the battle. Akane had waited until Saffron had been old enough to travel before returning to Japan. She had wanted to return earlier, but had been advised against it. Ku Lon wanted her to have her second baby in the Amazon village, of course, but Akane wanted her family to experience it with her. The extra wealth had been useful, of course. It allowed Akane to stay at home with her children as she took correspondence classes to finish her education. At the same time, it paid for Kasumi's nursing program and helped Nabiki concentrate more on the Police Academy work than hustling for money.

She would have traded it in an instant just to have Ranma back. She had cried every day for months after he first died. Having the baby Saffron around had given her something to do, besides train and mourn. When she found out she was pregnant with Ranma's child she had cried even harder, and at the same time, been relieved. If she couldn't have Ranma, at least she could have some part of him.

Akane was used the idea now, but when she had first come back she nearly had a miscarriage when she learned of Nabiki's plans to be a cop. Her blackmailing, bet taking, scheming, conniving sister doing police work? It couldn't be true. But Akane had to agree that Nabiki was perfect for detective work – she knew all the tricks, and if she didn't know one, would learn it fast. Plus, her attention to detail and steel trap mind made her a formidable investigator. On top of that, Nabiki seemed to genuinely love the work.

Saffron pulled his hand free to run over and pester his favorite aunt and uncle. Konatsu laughed as the little boy wrapped his arm around the ninja's leg, trying to hold on as Konatsu walked. Rather than shake the boy off, Konatsu simply let him hang on, ignoring the weight.

Konatsu was in male regalia, while Herb was dressed as in female garb. Not that she had much of a choice, of course. Six months pregnant, it was amazing that she could even fit into a gown, much less have the energy to accompany Akane on during the festival. Akane remembered quite clearly how she had felt at that stage. Between the heartburn, the swelling, and leaking breasts, she had felt like a fat disgusting pig. Then again, that might have been because she had gone on an ice cream binge of epic proportions around that time, too.

They were here for the Shichi-go-san festival, a festival that occurred on the 15th of November to pray for the health, success, and well being of young boys and girls. Boys visited on their third and fifth years, while girls visited on their third and seventh. Today was Saffron's day for celebration. He might be too young to understand, but he was happy enough, glad to have a chance to get his dress clothes dirty. His younger brother Kaoru would be visiting next year.

Akane let out an exasperated sigh as the Saffron let go of Konatsu and began running towards the basin that held the water. She picked up her pace. It wasn't easy to run in a kimono, but she did her best. She grabbed the little boy's hand before he could pick up a ladle and start splashing water everywhere. For some reason the kid just had a fascination with water.

Konatsu chuckled as he watched Akane kept Saffron from terrorizing the other patrons at the shrine. She began to demonstrate to Saffron the right way to use the ladles. They washed their hands in the cold water before taking a small sip, swishing it in their mouths, and discretely spitting it out, shielding the action with a hand. That done, the little bundle of energy took off down the stone path, running with a child's abandon.

Akane just sighed. She caught Konatsu's amused smirk and turned on him. "Oh, don't worry, Konatsu. You'll have one of your own soon enough. You'll understand." Konatsu held up a hand to fend of her anger, hiding a smile. Herb looked pleased at the prospect of a little bundle of terror running around causing havoc. Who knew the dragon prince was so... so matronly?

By all rights Konatsu knew he should be dead. The only reason he had lived was because some musk soldiers had disobeyed his orders to fight to the death, taking his crushed body down the mountain when the fighting had broken out. The convalescence had been... quite painful. Practically every bone in his body had been smashed when the water slammed him into the ground. Then, he had fallen over a hundred feet with the weight of the water on top of him.

It had been thousands of times worse than any Bakusai Tenketsu training he had done. He had lived, though, where as Ranma had not. Even after all three years it was strange not to have him near. No more sparring, no more snide comments about his nocturnal activities, no more Ranma. Konatsu wished he could have been there for the cremation, at least. Konatsu felt Herb squeeze his hand.

Konatsu chuckled softly. Herb never ceased to amaze him. She seemed to instinctively know when he was thinking about his friend, and pulled him out of it before he got depressed. "Ready, dear?" Konatsu offered his arm to Herb. Herb beamed, accepting the arm and shuffling along next to him. Pregnancy certainly seemed to agree with her. Herbs stopped short suddenly, a panicked expression on her face.

"What is it?"

"I have to pee again!"

Konatsu groaned.

"Well, I do!" Somehow, Herb looked cute even when whining.

The ceremony itself was relatively straight forward. Saffron fidgeted while the priest said his blessings, and as soon as it was done the boy tore out of the hall, intent of finding some bug to capture. Soun managed to catch the boy before he made it too far, and Kasumi demanded to hold little Kaoru as the family made its way home.

Back at the Tendo compound, everyone changed into less formal clothing before gathering around the living room table. The conversation stretched as it grew steadily darker. Kasumi and Konatsu headed into the kitchen to prepare dinner. This led to some good natured ribbing about only women being allowed in the kitchen, prompting Konatsu to shift genders. Saffron loved this, squealing in delight. Konatsu never did make it into the kitchen as the little tyke monopolized his time, making him switch back and forth.

Akane volunteered to help out, but Herb beat her to the punch.

"I've got to learn how you do this, you know." Herb rubbed her belly as she waddled into the kitchen. Akane got up to follow, fully intent on helping out anyway. She might not be a stellar cook, but at least she could wash the rice.

"No you don't. You've got servants that wait on you hand and foot! You don't have to lift a finger if you don't want too."

"Not true, Akane. The Musk are still a little low on population to have servants in the palace. Well, more than the vital ones, of course." Herb smiled sadly. "I've gotten much better at cooking, as a result. Still nowhere near as good as Konatsu, though."

Tonight was shabu-shabu, so the only thing that really needed to be done was washing the rice and cutting vegetables. With three cooks in the kitchen things got done rather quickly. That left a lot of time for gossip. With one mother-to-be, one mother twice over, and one girl hoping to join the club, talk soon turned to babies. Akane really didn't have much advice to offer Kasumi in the way of getting pregnant. Herb was full of information, though, and most of it was down right scandalous.

Talk continued in that vein until the rice cooker indicated that the rice was done, the three women carried everything out to the waiting people. Out in the living room Konatsu was talking to Soun about how the surviving Phoenix people were being integrated into the remaining tribes.

Akane scooped out a small portion of rice and a few vegetables and placed them on a tray.

"I'll be right back – you can go ahead and start without me, everyone."

Soun immediately dismissed that notion. "No, it's alright. We'll wait." His sentiment was echoed all around. Akane briefly nodded in thanks, and headed out to the dojo with her offerings. She opened the door slowly, carefully balancing the tray in one hand as she kicked off her slippers and turned to close the door behind her.

With that finished, she turned again, facing the family shrine in the far corner and bowed to it. She walked over to the altar and knelt. She began to carefully place the various food offerings in the shrine, removing the old offerings as she did so. Task finished, she lit a couple a candle and held a couple of sticks of incense over the flame. She waited until the sticks were completely lit before blowing out the flames at the end.

Satisfied, she stuck the ends into a small pot of sand, and struck a small bell. She offered a few quick prayers for her ancestors, and a longer one for Ranma. She always felt calmer when doing this; the scent of the sandal wood, the tone of the bell and the flame dancing before her were mesmeric.

She stared into the small flame dancing atop the candle. The bell rang again, and only after hearing the sound did she realize she had struck it. She watched the flame dance, lost in its beauty as her mind emptied. Maybe it was simply a trick of the light, but it appeared that a small face was dancing in the flames. She continued to stare, unaware of anything but the flame.

The face spoke to her. "Akane..."

"Ranma? Is that you? Where are you?"

"I am."

"I don't understand, Ranma!"

"You will."

"Will I see you again?"

"No."

"What about when we are reborn? Can we meet in the Western Paradise?"
"I am beyond that now. Death and Rebirth are no longer for me."

"But what about me? What about Saffron, and Kaoru? We miss you!"
"Saffron's punishment had been served. He is bound by karma like any mortal, now. You will all join me, eventually. It might not happen in this existence, or for many kapla. But you will join with me."

"I love you, Ranma!"

"Your family awaits, Akane. They need you."

"Wait!"

The sound of the door opening behind her caused Akane to turn her head. Standing in the entrance was her youngest child, Kaoru. Behind him stood Saffron, the two children sent by Soun to find their mother.

"Momma?" Kaoru didn't know a lot of words yet, but he knew the important ones.

"Yes, dear?"

The child rubbed his belly. "Hungry!"

"Okay! I'll be right there, okay? Give momma one more second."

The little child nodded. Akane turned back to the candle, but it was just a flame. Had she imagined it? She blew out the candle and rose. When she got to the dojo entrance the two boys just stood there looking at her. She quickly swept them up into a hug.

"You both know that I love you very much, right?" The children nodded. "Good. Let's go eat. Everyone's waiting." She turned to look at the shrine one last time before closing the door.