Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma ½, or anything else you may recognize. Not a dime is being made of this story and is for entertainment purposes only. Enjoy!

A/N: I decided to finally go back and write the chapter with all the letters in it. Quite a few people asked me ta do it, so here it is. I'm still thinking there might be a way to continue this story, don't know though. Might make it a crossover if I do, or maybe a time travel fic. It's up in the air. This could be the final chapter for the story. Let me know if you want me to continue and how you want me to. Still no guarantee I will, but if a bunch of people want me to I probably will. Personally I'd prefer the Ranma/Eva crossover since that's been bugging me for a while and I wanna get one written, but if enough people don't like that idea then the time travel one has been on my mind for a while too.

Crossover would be with Evangelion.

Time travel would only involve Nabiki going back.

Let me know in your reviews.

Chapter 2: Letters

Nabiki

When Nabiki returned from the grave yourd she turned her room inside out before she finally found the letter that Ranma had left for her. It appeared that he wanted it hid fairly well so she wouldn't find that one first. With shaking hands she opened up the letter and began to read:

Nabiki,

First I wanna thank you for all the help you've given me in the last two weeks. You didn't have to work as hard as you did, but I'm grateful for the effort you put inta it. I don't want you blaming everyone for what I'm doin', cause it's my choice and I'm doin' it for them, as well as you. I know you have been working harder since we showed up then you had to before we did just ta make ends meet.

I want you ta keep my pack an' everythin' in it as a way of settlin' my debt. There's a few things I got on the road I was able ta hide from Pops that you should be able ta sell for good money. I never wanted ta be a freeloader but I never had the chance ta get a job, cause if I did the place woulda been destroyed before I got my first paycheck by the wrecking crew.

As one last favor ta me, can you do somethin' about yer own reputation? Ditch the Ice Queen and show everyone how much of a caring person you are. I know you've buried it deep down, but I know it's still there. I saw it when we talked two weeks ago. I've always liked you Nabiki, even when you were blackmailin' me cause I knew you only did what you had ta do.

Take care of yourself,

Ranma Saotome

P.S. It's too bad our engagement never worked out, I might've been happy married to you.

After reading the letter over and over again for a consecutive hour Nabiki broke down once again in heart wrenching sobs that would've disturbed anyone who heard her for her lost chance and losing the one person she loved other than family.

Akane

Like Nabiki, Akane had practically torn her room apart looking for the letter from Ranma, of course she didn't think to look right on her desk in plain sight. When she found it she opened it and practically devoured each word on the page like a drowning man would air. She had to read it several times just to make sure that she hadn't read it wrong the first few.

Akane,

First I gotta say you better not be actin' like an uncute tomboy and blamin' yourself. This ain't your fault, if anything there's enough blame to go around to everyone. If I find out you've been blamin' yourself I don't care where I end up, I'm coming back ta haunt ya.

Now that that's out of the way I wanna say thanks. You've put up with me and Pops for the past two and some years, and it couldn't have been easy. I know it wasn't for me. What I really wanna say thank you for is those rare times when you showed your sweet side ta me. That made it easier to deal with the chaos.

Sorry I had ta do this, but this was the only way I could see out of the chaos. I didn't think there'd be a way to solve the honor agreements along with the Amazons demands and everyone escape with honor intact. This way the only person who loses honor is me.

I've got one final favor to ask of ya. Kind of a last request or something. I want ya ta get some help with your anger. It's the only thing holdin' ya back in the art. Once you calm down you have the potential to be better than the rest of the wrecking crew. That's the only reason I wouldn't train ya, your temper would get in the way and destroy any progress made.

Take care of yourself,

Ranma Saotome

P.S. You're cute when you smile.

P.P.S. Ryoga is P. Chan.

Once she was sure that she hadn't read it wrong Akane broke down in tears muttering about a 'stupid baka' who 'didn't know she loved him'.

Kasumi

Unlike her two sisters Kasumi found her letter immediately after going into her room the day Ranma ended the fiancée wars. The one thing that stopped her from reading the letter was the request on the front of it to wait until after the funeral. She had carried it in her apron ever since, and now was the time she was going to sit and read it.

Kasumi,

Since I know ya won't blame yourself or anyone for this I don't gotta get into that, but I wanna say that I always thought of you like an older sister. If I had a sister I would hope she was as sweet as you. You've always done your best to take care of me and Pops, and for that you have my eternal thanks. Especially for the times you patched me up making me as good as new.

There's just one last thing I wanna ask ya ta do, but it's kinda complicated. First I want ya ta take Nabiki and go out shopping. Have her help you find somethin' to knock Tofu for a loop. Hopefully we've taken care of his little problem of goin' nuts in your presence. Then once ya got the outfit go and claim him! I know ya love the guy, and I've had my talk with him so he should remain sane around ya. Everyone knows he loves ya, that's why he went bonkers every time he even heard yer name. After you've claimed Tofu there's one final thing I want ya to do. Go back ta school and do whatever makes you happy. I've seen ya reading those medical books and I think you'd make a great doctor or nurse. Whatever makes ya happy, just do it. You've taken care of your family long enough, and it's your turn to live your own life.

Be happy Kas-chan,

Ranma Saotome

P.S. If Tofu ever starts ta go nuts, just ask what I told him I'd do if he ever hurt ya.

P.P.S. Tell him it's still a promise.

When she had finished reading it she refolded it carefully so it wouldn't get damaged and placed it between two pages of her diary with tears of both sadness and joy streaming down her face. Sadness of losing someone she thought of as a little brother, and joy at the prospect of finally getting Tofu and being happy doing what she wanted.

Soun and Genma

The idiot duo had completely forgotten any mention of letters left for them and had spent the days leading up to, and the night after the funeral finishing off the sake in the house. What came as a shock to both of them was a letter taped to the final bottle of sake addressed to the pair of them. With a nod of agreement the two of them opened it and the writing immediately sobered both.

Pops and Tendo,

If you two bakas are acting anything like I think you are then you've been getting drunk for the last few days and never even looked for a letter. Good thing I left it here. Now, before you two idiots get it into your heads that there's a specific person to blame, or start blaming me, I want ya both ta sober up and think about it for a good hour.

With that proclamation the two fathers did just that considering Genma had been wailing about a 'no-good son of mine' for the past few days, and Soun had heartily agreed with him.

Good, sober now? It ain't anyone's fault that this happened, more along the lines of everyone being at fault or things just going too far. So I don't want ya blamin' anyone for this, and Pops, don't go harpin' on me about bein' a no good son cause this was the only way to satisfy the honor of everyone involved without anyone losin' honor, 'cept maybe me.

Tendo-san, I want to thank you for puttin' me and Pops up for the last couple years. Your home is the first home I can really remember and it meant a lot to me to have a roof over my head constantly. Pops, I gotta thank you for all the training ya did for me in the art. Ya did what you set out to do. I'm the best, nobody disputes it, so rest easy.

I got a couple requests for both of ya. First Pops, go back to Mom. She'll need you right now, and you can always visit the Tendo's. She's been without ya for over 12 years, it's time ta go home. Tendo-san, forgive my rudeness, but hey I'm dead, now about my request for you. WAKE THE HELL UP AND TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND YOUR DAUGHTERS! They've been sacrificing they're own freedom to make sure everyone had a roof over their heads and food on the table for too long. It's time you took up the mantle of Head of the family in actions instead of just words. Get yourself in shape and reopen the dojo, or something! Start bringing in money so your daughters can go to college and do what they want with their life. But most of all; be the father that they need you to be instead of the useless lump that you've been since your wife died.

Ranma Saotome

P.S. Pops, get a job!

The letter shook both of them more then they cared to admit. Genma realized that there really was no other way that Ranma could've taken out while keeping his own honor, and he knew how much that meant to his son. As for Soun it served as a wake up call that had been sorely needed for the last few years, especially when he could faintly hear the wailing of one of his daughters in the background. For the first time since his wife died his spine returned to a point that it wouldn't desert him later. Both men nodded at one another showing their agreement to follow with the last requests that Ranma had made for them. Neither were honorless enough to ignore a last request.

Nodoka

Now that the funeral was over Nodoka opened the letter that hadn't left her hand since she found it. She hadn't even let go in her sleep, because it was the final words of the son she had come to love more than her honor.

Mom,

First I wanna apologize again for lyin' to ya about who I was when we first met. When Pops first told me about the Seppuku contract I was too scared to lose my life. I understand now how much that's hurt both of us, I only wish I would've known then what I know now. I know now that ya wouldn't have held me to that contract, or I woulda asked ya to be my second to make the ritual honorable. I hope you don't blame Pops or the wrecking crew for what I did, because it wasn't anyone's fault that things went as far as they did.

I wanna thank you for being the mother that I always needed in the short time we knew each other, and I also gotta apologize for you not gettin' those grandbabies you kept asking for. I just wish I could've known you more before it came to this.

I got somethin' I wanna ask ya to do, and I know it'll be hard on ya, but it'll make it easier on me to know it's taken care of. I want ya to visit the Tendo's every now and then and make sure they're doin' alright. I'm hopin' Tendo-san grows up, but it might be too late. They need a mother as much as I needed you, and as good a job as Kasumi did, she needs one too. So please, just keep an eye on them for me.

Take care, I love you,

Ranma Saotome

P.S. Hopefully Oyaji will be showin' up soon ta help you get through your grief.

When Nodoka finished the letter she had tears of sorrow flowing down her face but a determined glint in her eye. She knew her son was right, the Tendo girls did need a motherly figure, and she would be the one to help them. She would mourn her son for the rest of her life, but she would go on. She would not abandon those girls like she had her son, or like their father had.

Cologne, Shampoo, and Mouse

"Shampoo, Mouse, get down here," Cologne called. She'd been holding the letter addressed to all three of them since she had found it in her room. How Ranma had gotten in and out without her knowing puzzled her, but she figured that if anyone could do it, it would be him.

"Yes Elder Cologne," Mouse asked subdued. He hadn't been acting the same since they had found Ranma's body and had sworn vengeance on Ryoga. He had been packing his provisions to head out when he heard the call.

"What Great-Grandmother need," Shampoo asked with tear stains on her face. It was rare she showed up anywhere without looking as if she had just been crying, or in the middle of crying.

"I have the letter Son-in…Ranma left for us. It's addressed to all three of us so sit down and listen," she told them patiently. When they were seated she scanned the top that told her to read each and every line out loud and not sensor any of it. She would abide by it, even though it might hurt them to hear if it said what she thought it did.

Cologne, Shampoo, and Mouse,

I gotta say it was definitely exciting knowing the three of you. Between the fights, the magic, the drugged food, and the glomps there was never a dull moment when any of you were around. I don't know if you three are planning on staying in Japan now that your reason for being here is gone, but if you do stay I ask that you no lay blame on anyone. Things just got out of control and there was no way it could have gone any other way. If ya gotta lay blame then lay it on everyone equally. I honestly don't blame anyone for the situation we all were in, so I hope none of you do either.

Now be a little patient because I want to thank each of you but it'll take a little explaining. First 'old ghoul', you were one of the best sensei's I've ever had. Even if you had ulterior motives when you were training me it doesn't matter. You did your best training me and making sure that I became stronger by training Ryoga. I'm sure you made subtle pushes with Mouse so I wouldn't lose my edge against weapon users with only Kuno-baka to fight against. I really want to thank you for that. It definitely helped me become the best. Shampoo, this is going to sound fairly strange, but I wanna thank you for the glomps you gave me. Had things been different I might have been more receptive to them instead of trying to get out of them all the time. They were really the only source of affection that I received until I met my mom. If it wasn't for all the other engagements and the whole 'men are second class citizens' I may have agreed to go back to China with you. Mouse, I know we haven't been on good terms very long but I still want to thank you. You helped try to find a way around the Amazon laws and truly showed that you were an honorable man. I enjoyed the few talks we had over the last two weeks. I also want to thank you, as strange as it sounds, for all the times you attacked me by yourself. That was some of the best training I've had against weapons users. You're an excellent martial artist and I know if you would go full out against Shampoo you could probably fight her to at least a draw if not win.

Now there's some things I gotta ask of ya, but ya don't gotta do it if ya don't wanna. First Cologne, if ya end up back in China can ya do something about that 'males are second class' law? I'm not even sayin' let them be in power, just let them be able to express their ideas, train to become warriors, be 'somewhat' equal to the women of the village. Ya woulda had a better chance gettin' me ta go with ya if that were the case cause I won't give up the art for anyone. Plus, for all he acts like a moron, Mouse is a smart guy. I'm sure there's plenty of other intelligent males in your village that would have ideas to help your village prosper. Shampoo, what I gotta ask ya is conditional on ya stayin' in Japan. If ya go back to China it don't matter, but if ya stay here will you please learn Japanese better? It took me until writing this letter to figure it out, but if you're smart enough to know medicine and work with Tofu than ya can't be the bimbo you portray. When I asked Mouse about it he agreed that ya were an intelligent woman, just didn't bother to learn more Japanese thinking you'd be leaving soon. Mouse, I got two things ta ask of ya. First, get some contacts man, or corrective surgery! I know you're plenty blind, but if you hate your glasses that much then take advantage of what we got here in Japan and get rid of 'em. Second, if I know Ryoga as much as I think I do then he's either dancing on my grave or complainin' that he didn't get to kill me. Can ya track him down and give him a message for me? I don't care what ya do with him after ya give it to him, as long as you don't kill him, but just tell him that as much as he took advantage of me and tried to kill me, I always thought of him as a friend.

Last, and above all, I want you three to take care of yourselves. I cared about all of ya and I don't want ya joinin' me anytime soon. Well, Cologne probably will before anyone but Happosai, but I hope she's got another hundred years in her.

Take care,

Ranma Saotome

As soon as Cologne finished reading the letter she looked up to see Shampoo once again crying and even Mouse had tears streaming down his face. That's when she noticed tears of her own falling from her chin into a partially wet lap indicating it started early on in the letter.

"What Great-Grandmother do," Shampoo asked with a sniffle. She knew Mouse was going to track down Ryoga anyway so she didn't bother asking him.

"As I told you before child, we're going to stay here, but I might venture back to the village to attempt to get the law changed," Cologne replied, "Ranma had a decent point about the males having ideas. I've eavesdropped on them before when they were discussing things and some of those changes have been implemented in the village."

"Elder, would it be possible to request aid in getting contact lenses for now," Mouse asked respectfully. He asked about the contacts knowing the surgery was much more expensive and the cheaper option would probably have a better chance at succeeding.

"We will discuss that once you return from you journey to punish Ryoga. Just make sure you deliver your message prior to it," Cologne told him while musing over it herself. The only reason Mouse had glasses at all was because of some aid workers that showed up in the village, per their agreement, several years before Ranma showed up. Before that he walked around as blind as he did now, except he didn't have the option of wearing glasses.

"I will be leaving as soon as I finish packing," Mouse replied before standing up and leaving the room.

Ukyo

Konatsu had found the letter for his mistress as she hadn't moved from her bed since coming back from finding Ranma's body, except for going to the funeral, and felt now was the best time to give it to her. Hopefully it would break her out of her grief and give some life back to her.

"Ukyo-sama," Konatsu called entering the room.

"What is it Konatsu," Ukyo asked tiredly. She was depressed, hadn't slept a wink in days, and felt as if she had cried all her tears.

"I have the letter from Ranma for you," he told her before setting the letter on the bed next to her head and leaving the room silently. Ukyo immediately felt energy course through her as she bolted up and grabbed the letter before tearing it open.

Ucchan,

I don't want ya blamin' yourself for what's happened. It's nobody's fault that things happened the way they did, and I doubt they could've gone any other way. If ya absolutely gotta assign blame, then blame everyone equally, because it was no one person's fault that things turned out this way.

I gotta thank ya for being one of the best friend's a guy could ask for. You've been there for me and listened to me when almost nobody else would. I've always thought of you as a sibling. First it was a brother, when I still thought you were a boy, then it was as a sister, after I got over my shock of you bein' a girl and all. You and Kasumi were like the sisters I never had and always wanted. I'm gonna miss ya Ucchan, don't doubt that, but ya best not be in a hurry ta join me either.

I gotta ask ya ta do something. After ya let your Pops know what happened, if he wants to disown you for not marryin' me then I want ya to talk to my mom. We were talking about bringing you into the clan anyway, before it was apparent that there was no way we could satisfy everyone's honor. She's got the paperwork ready, just needs you to sign it, and she can file it. Oh yeah, give Konatsu a chance. That guy thinks the world of you. Above all, take care of yourself.

Your Brother,

Ranma Saotome

P.S. Can ya make sure someone tells the Kuno's about what happened?

When she had finished reading it she realized she hadn't truly run out of tears because they were making their way down her face and dropping onto the letter. She hurriedly put the letter on her bed stand where it wouldn't get ruined by her tears and started sobbing once again. It took a post-death letter from Ranma to make her realize that he truly was like a brother to her. She vowed to herself that if her father took the news badly that she would take Ranma up on his offer and join the Saotome clan.