Here's the next chapter. This doesn't have as much to do with the main plot, but it was an idea that I decided to stick in here.

I got my Hot Fighting Songs DVD (also called Ranma 1/2 Nettou Utagassen). This is a Region 2 DVD, but that's no problem for me. After watching it, I don't think its part of the "official" storyline. The same for the Doco videos on the OVA discs. However, there's a part where Akane was playing a keyboard on a guitar-like handle. You can view the picture I got of it on my website. To get there, go to my author bio and click homepage.

Also, Nodoka appears, although she don't have much of a part in this whole fic. I haven't gotten very far in the Manga. Does Nodoka learn of Ranma's curse? She seems to already know in most of the other fanfics I've read. Also, does she live at the Tendo's or in her own home?

A month passed since the failed wedding.

Ranma, Akane and Ryoga were walking home from practice. It was during summer vacation, so they had practice during the day, after the lunch crowd died down at the Nekohanten. They weren't having practice tonight, because they expected to have a visitor.

"It's been a year already since we saw her last," Ranma said. "Do you think she'll come?"

"I'm sure of it," Akane said.

"Who's coming?" Ryoga asked.

"Kogane. She's a ghost who'll appear tonight for the Obon (Festival of the Dead)," Gosunkugi said as he appeared right behind them, startling all three.

"I take it you want to see her again, don't you?" Ranma asked.

"Yeah, of course!" Gosunkugi said. It's a good thing we have that potion, or I might be stuck practicing for that competition right now!

So later, The Tendos, Ranma, Genma, Nodoka, Ryoga, Happosai, Gosunkugi, and also Shampoo, Mousse, Ukyo, and Cologne (who wanted to see the ghost) were waiting at the koi pond outside the dojo.

Soon, the group saw a blue flame floating in the air. Then they heard singing.

"The young Raccoon cries looking at the sky, up in Kokkuri Mountain…"

A young girl materialized. "I have returned," she said, somewhat menacingly.

Most of the group sweat-dropped except for Akane and Ranma. "She's a ghost. She's suppose to say that," they both said simultaneously.

"It's good to see you all again, especially you Gosunkugi," Kogane said.

"It's great to see you too, Kogane," Gosunkugi said, slightly blushing.

"Gosunkugi, let's go. We should leave the Tendos alone with their other guest."

"What other guest?" Nabiki asked.

"Someone I ran into in the afterlife that wanted to come with me," Kogane said, and another blue fireball appeared. It took the shape of a woman.

"Oh…my…" Soun said as the new ghost finished taking shape.

"It's good to see you again, my dear husband."

There was a moment of silence, then Akane broke into tears and ran towards the ghost, closely followed by Nabiki and Kasumi.

"Mom!" she yelled, as she wrapped her arms around the woman, never wanting to let go.

"My daughters…Soun, you've raised them well." Mrs. Tendo said.

"I've tried my best. It wasn't easy after you passed away, but I did what I could."

Gosunkugi and Kogane quietly left for the grave site they went to before. Ryoga and Ukyo decided to slip out to give the Tendo's some privacy.

Ranma watched the family reunion in front of him. He didn't even notice as a tear fell from his eye. He was happy for them, especially Akane.

Shampoo watched with Mousse and Cologne. "Great-grandmother," she asked. "Do you think that Shampoo's mother and grandmother return too?"

Cologne shook her head. "I'm sorry, child. We're Chinese Amazons. The ghosts only come back to their native land."

"Ayah," Shampoo said sadly. Mousse put an arm around her to comfort her.

"I know how you feel. My heart aches for them as well," Cologne said. She remembered when she got back from a trip many years ago to find that the village was attacked by a rival tribe. Her daughter and granddaughter were found dead in the burnt remains of one of the huts. Shampoo had somehow been found safe. She was only about three when it happened, and Cologne was thankful that Shampoo survived.

Cologne then remembered a ritual she read about contacting the dead. Looking up, she saw the moon and stars were aligned properly to make it work. "Perhaps we can do something to see them again. Shampoo, let's go." Cologne then started back to the Nekohanten, hoping what she had in mind would work. Shampoo and Mousse followed.

Ranma had overheard what they had said, and he smiled. He hoped that whatever Cologne was planning would work too.

"Ranma, come over here," he heard Akane say. He did so.

"Mom, this is Ranma, my fiancée," Akane said.

Mrs. Tendo smiled. "I know. I've been watching over you and my family for a while. I'm glad you two managed to work out your differences."

"You've been watching over us?" Kasumi said.

"Oh my, yes," Mrs. Tendo said. Ranma noted how the 'Oh my' sounded a lot like Kasumi's. "I know about Ranma's curse, and his battles. I'm glad you've realized that he isn't a pervert and that he cares about you, Akane."

"Thank you," Akane and Ranma said at the same time.

- - - -

In the basement of the Nekohanten, Cologne, Shampoo, and Mousse were sitting on the floor, forming a triangle. Cologne was reciting some words from a book, while Shampoo and Mousse had their eyes closed, concentrating.

(A/N: during this segment, the dialoge is in Chinese. That's why Shampoo talks properly here.)

"We've arrived, my children," Cologne said.

Both opened their eyes and gasped. They were in the forest near their village. It felt like a dream.

"We're in a space between the living world and the dead," Cologne said.

"I thought you said they couldn't visit us," Mousse said.

Cologne chucked. "That's right, but we can visit them if the proper conditions exist."

"Shampoo?" Someone called.

They spun around to see who it was. They saw two people who looked like Shampoo and a slightly younger Cologne.

"Mother? Grandmother?" Shampoo said.

"It's good to see you again," her mom (the one who looked like Shampoo) said.

They all chatted for what seemed like hours. Shampoo never looked so happy.

Mousse had been standing to the side, happy for Shampoo. His thoughts were interrupted

When Shampoo's grandmother called his name.

"Mousse, I want to thank you for saving Shampoo."

Mousse blinked. "You mean from the bird-man from that island?"

Both the mother and grandmother chuckled. "Way before that. I'm not surprised you don't remember, since you were only three years old."

Cologne, Shampoo, and Mousse gasped. "Something that had to do with the attack on our village?" Shampoo guessed.

Her mother nodded. "Yes. Mousse broke into our burning hut and saved you while you were unconscious. He tried to save us but we knew it was too late. We ordered him to take you and go."

Mousse looked at them. "I…I do remember a little about that, but I never thought it really happened. I never thought that I was really strong enough back then to do anything like that. I passed it off as some silly dream about me being heroic."

"There was a lot of smoke in the house. Some got in your eyes. That's what caused your sight to become so bad."

Shampoo gasped. Mousse was blind…because of her? Now she felt really guilty for treating him like dirt just because he would talk to rocks and walls when he thought he was talking to her.

"Wait...my mother wears glasses," Mousse pointed out.

"True, but you were born without the need for them. She did need them," Cologne said. "I always wondered why you suddenly couldn't see without them, but I never would have guessed that you made such a sacrifice, and at such a young age, no less."

After some more chatting, the living had to go, as the ritual was almost over. They bid their goodbyes to Shampoos mother and grandmother and returned to the living world.

"We're back," Mousse said.

"Mousse, I never knew you saved Shampoo. You have my thanks, long overdue," Cologne said, and bowed to him.

Mousse bowed back. "Thank you, Elder."

Shampoo gave Mousse a kiss on the cheek, and the couple started up the stairs together. Cologne grabbed her stick and started up the stairs, and stopped to look at the site where they just awoke from. "Rest in piece, my daughter and granddaughter. I will join you someday, but I'm still needed here," she whispered before turning off the basement lights.

- - -

The next few days at the dojo were filled with happiness. Mrs. Tendo spent time with all three girls and Soun. The band practice was put on hold for this time, so that Akane could spend more time with her family. Soun even tried to stay awake during the whole festival to spend as much time as possible with his wife (this is a three day festival), but Mrs. Tendo didn't want him to get sick. Not one to let his wife worry, Soun gave in and slept at night.

Akane was in her room on one of the nights, practicing a few notes on the synthesizer, when her mother came in. They talked for a while, and they played on the synthesizer together. Mother tried to teach her a new piece, but she couldn't get it right.

"Don't worry," her mother said. "You'll get it eventually. You can learn anything if you try hard enough." Then she did some thinking. "…as long as it doesn't have to do with cooking."

Akane face-faulted. "Mom!" she yelled. Then she sat on the bed. "Well, I guess you know that I'm a disaster in the kitchen."

"Kasumi is a better cook than you," her mother said. "A few of the times that Ranma ate your cooking, I was sure he would be joining me in the afterlife. But you know…" she lifted Akane's chin with her hand. "Everyone's good at something. Did you know that Kasumi tried to play music when she was young?"

Akane shook her head.

"She did, but she was a disaster with every instrument she tried. She tried because she was jealous of how well you played. She eventually gave up and found an interest in cooking."

Akane nodded as she took in this information.

"Don't think about what you can't do. Focus on what you can."

Akane smiled. "I will. Thanks."

The three days had passed, and the group was gathered around to watch Kogane and Mrs. Tendo leave for the spirit world.

"Not planning on doin' anything, are ya, gramps?" Ranma asked Happosai, remembering what happened last year.

"I won't do anything, I swear!" Happosai said. "Now, could you loosen these ropes?"

Happosai had been tied to a tree, to prevent interference.

"We'll get you down after they leave," Nabiki said. The others nodded.

"Ungrateful little…is this any way to treat family!" Happosai cried.

The torches stayed lit, and the two ghosts left. "Good luck in the band competition! I know you'll do well," Mrs. Tendo said as she left.

"I will, mom," Akane replied, although the ghosts were already gone.

Ranma went over and untied Happosai without saying a word. Happosai decided to go on a midnight panty raid, and left. Most of the others, even Gosunkugi, also left. Ryoga went in to get some sleep, although it was more to give the Tendos some privacy.

The Tendos stood outside, looking at the moon. The Saotomes stayed with them. Ranma put his arm around Akane. After nearly an hour of silence, they went in to get some sleep.

As long as Shampoo's mother and grandmother weren't seen elsewhere in the Manga, I should be safe to use them like this. Please review!