A little while later Nadoka smiles at her son holding Akane close with his eyes closed, smelling her hair and her sent not carrying for the first time in his life who sees him because he knows where ever she is that will be his home for now on. She bends down and places her hand on his shoulder to get his attention. Ranma looks at her "Mother, it's safe now. They will never hurt anyone again" Nadoka smiling with pride "I know Dear but there are somethings you need to know now and quickly for your life is changing and you need to be aware of these things" Ranma separates from Akane and they stand but he still holds her hand, as if he could remove it.
She looks at him making sure he understands what she is saying "Do you remember the first time you meet me and I was carrying a sword" Ranma looks at her for a moment "A course that was when I thought you wanted me to commit seppuku" She smile and touches his cheek gently "That's right, but do you know why I really was carrying the sword?" Ranma thinks for a moment and then looks at Akane to see if she knew. Akane shows that she is as clueless as Ranma. Turning back to his mother Ranma shakes his head "No I don't. Why were you carrying a sword?" Nadoka continues "When you turned sixteen you were intitled to inherit your Great-Grandfather's sword. Happosai knew that and wanting to keep us apart so he built the lies about Seppuku, forged the document and told Genma what to say." Akane looking sad "So many lies they told us for so long, did my father know it was a lie?" Nadoka thinks for a second "I'm not a hundred percent sure but I would not be surprised that Soun didn't know so that when he heard the story his reactions would be genuine; he had no need to know ahead of time so probably not." Ranma looks at Akane "No need to worry anymore they are all dead now and we are free for the first time in our lives from all the lies" Nadoka smiles "Not quite there yet" Ranma and Akane look at her in wonder "Back to the sword, as you know old swords are symbols of Family rank and position. You Ranma are the Grandson to a powerful Viscount and he is very proud of you and is coming to see you now"
Ranma and Akane followed Nadoka out front of what was left of the Dojo. Kasumi and Tofu are standing there waiting for the arrival. Akane ask Kasumi if Nabiki is alright and she reassure her that their sister is fine, a little shaken but a she will recover. Then Akane ask the most important question again "Do you consider Ranma and I married now?" Kasumi is a little surprised by the question and then smiles "Fine, you and Ranma are married, OK?" Tofu laughs looking to Ranma "She wasn't letting go of that was she?" Ranma smiles "That's my Akane" and she hugs him.
To Ranma's surprise a crowd starts to gather, all people he knows and has seen in the neighborhood. After about ten minutes of standing around. Kasumi noticed that Ranma and Akane haven't let go of each other yet. She looks at Nadoka and the two share a smile.
Another fifteen minutes go by and a large Bentley pulls up in front of what is left of the Dojo. The chauffeur came around and in smart military fashion opened the car door and out stepped an older woman in a kimono. Nadoka bowed to her and everyone around bowed so Ranma copied. Then an older gentleman steps out dressed in a tuxedo and wearing a fedora. Akane saw it at once the man looked just like Ranma but if he was seventy. After everyone bow to him Nadoka steps up to them and kisses each on the cheek "Mother, Father this is your Grandson Ranma." Nadoka grabbed Ranma and pulls him forward towards his Grandmother. Akane tried to let go of Ranma's hand but he wasn't having any of it. If he had to go, so does she. She wasn't getting out of it that easy.
Ranma's Grandmother looked a lot like his mother just a little shorter and older. When she got her hands on Ranma he felt like he was in a death grip so tight was her hug "Oh Ranma I have waited so long to meet you" and she kisses his cheek. She then ejected him from her grasp and turned on Akane "This must be Akane! I have so wanted to get to know you. Just look at you, you're so beautifully just like your Mother." And she grabs her and doesn't let go. Akane is very surprised that she even knows her name but she is taken back by being compared to her mother. Akane looks over to Kasumi and sees her oldest sister holding her hands in front of her mouth with tears coming down and her husband holding her close with his arm around her.
Ranma stands helpless and his Grandmother pulls Akane away from him and steps aside with her talking a mile a minute, he can't help but smile at her as she looks to him for help. He then feels his mother's hand on his shoulder and turns him "Ranma this is your Grandfather" Ranma is turned to see he is stand next to the very distinguished gentleman. Ranma quickly bow "It is a great honor to meet you Sir" The older man laughs softly "Why don't we try you just calling me Grandfather and see if we can wear that out first" and he gives Ranma a warm hug. His Grandfather continues "I would have been here sooner but someone had to come along and wasn't ready when the call came." Grandmother turns on him "You were going to make me wait till tonight to meet them! I've been waiting for eighteen years because of you. So, I don't want to hear it." Grandfather wears a half smile and shakes his head as Grandmother walks over to Kasumi with Akane "That's true love Ranma, true love. Wouldn't have it any other way" Ranma is stopped in his tracks and has to ask "How is that true love?" Grandfather smiles he is already teaching his grandson life's lessons "It's true love because she knows that no matter what she says or does you will except it and understand even if no one else does. Actually, especially if no one else does because you love her. Do you understand?" Ranma thinks for a moment and smiles "Akane!" he calls over "You must really love me" Akane turns red as she turns her head and glares at him "Now he says something? Can't get him to say a thing for years and now he won't shut up" Kasumi is taken back by the sudden anger that flares in her sister. But Grandmother laughs "That is men in general, can't get them to say anything and when they do you can't shut them up, like it's their original thought. If we didn't love them so much, we would have to smother them with a pillow in the night." She looks over at Akane with a twinkle in her eye and both women smile and start laughing. Akane hugs her new Grandmother.
After Grandfather meets Kasumi and Tofu, they offer tea and cake inside of the Dojo but Grandfather politely turns them down "We have four hours to get Ranma in a tux and a dress and shoes and whatever for Akane" Akane looked to Grandmother "I'm coming too?" Grandmother put a loving arm around her "Always Dear always, you're a part of the family now, no escaping us" "OK Nadoka, Ranma and Akane time to go we have lots to do and little time to do it." He then turned to Dr. Tofu and Kasumi "I have talked to the Mayor and the Chief of Police; all will be taken care of. As far as anyone knows Happosai, Soun Tendo and our Genma Saotome went out for the night and hasn't been seen since." Looking towards his daughter "Is that ok with you dear?" Nadoka didn't smile but did bow to her father's well.
Ranma is a little surprised "You can do that? Just make everything that has happen go away" Grandfather gives a small smile "I'm the Viscount, it is done. Now let's get everyone into the car"
Dr. Tofu looks at his wife as the car drives away with the sad little smile on her face and tears in her eyes. "Would you like to go inside and have a cup of tea and relax a little before we go home?" Kasumi looks at his kind and loving face and puts a hand on his cheek "That isn't my home and after those horrible men used my sisters and I as slaves for all those years and the things they did to my mother and grandfather. No, my love, my home is with you anywhere but here." And they turn and walked home to the clinic.
The car pulled in front of a tall apartment/office building of over 25 stories. Ranma after exiting the Bentley looked up marveled at the size and elegance of the building "Wow Grandfather which floor do you live on?" Grandfather smiled and put a hand on his shoulder leading him into the building "Let's just say for now I live in the top three floors." Being nervous Ranma grabbed Akane's hand and to his relief he could feel that she was nervous also. After an elevator ride that was very fast yet very smooth, they step out into (for Ranma and Akane) a large foyer were two men in identical butler suits waited and two women in identical maid dresses waited. Grandfather taking charge "Akane go with Nadoka and the Ladies to get ready and Ranma will come with me" And Ranma has had enough "OK now wait a minute. You're my family and I'm obligated to do as you ask but, Akane, is this something you want to do? Do you even understand what is happening? Because I don't." Akane who is not sure of anything is holding on to Ranma's arm for dear life. Grandmother who is surprised at the apprehension on both of their face turns to her daughter "Nadoka, you explained everything to them didn't you?" Nadoka is concerned for Ranma and Akane "Well to be honest we were almost dead on hour ago till Ranma was able to save us and we just haven't had time to talk without a crowd of people around us once it was over, I called you as soon as possible and gave them a moment but no we have been running on adrenaline for the last three, three and half hours. And to be honest I'm not sure what we are doing that we need to get dressed up for. I thought we were coming back to bring them into the family and let us take a bath and get something to eat and maybe catch our breath and to be honest I'm tired" Grandmother is surprised "Oh my, a course your confused, we didn't realize." Grandfather is lost for words "I didn't think, I am so sorry. So, you don't have a clue of who or what we are and who you are do you?" Akane speaks "I'm very sorry but no we don't and it is a little over whelming" The older of the Ladies steps forward "Excuse me Sir, why don't I take them to the Lounge area where they can relaxes for the moment and Miss Nadoka can explain in more detail where they are then things can proceed to your plans" Grandfather smile again "Thank you Carman, as always you are wisest among us. I'll go make a phone call"
Carman lead and one the other men followed the group through a side door and down a hallway to another door. Inside was a very nice table a little larger the Tendo family table and cushions all around. A large flat screen was on the wall and silk hangings with pictures of different scenes of an old castle hung on the wall. When everyone was seated Carman pushed a button on an intercom "Bring some tea and five cups to the Lounge." A young woman a little older than Akane comes in with a tray passing out cups and left a tea kettle next to Carman. "As you have heard I am Carman and this gentleman is Ted. We are the heads of the household staff for Lord and Lady Komatsu" Akane perks up "Like Lord Komatsu of the Castle of the Morning Light?" Ted motions to the silk hangs of the castle.
Nadoka takes sip of tea, "Our family has always worked directly serving the Emperor, we were not part of the Peers" Ranma is confused and looks to Akane "Teaches you for not listening in class. You know the big castle north of town?" Ranma starts to understand "Yah" Akane continues "That use to be your family home" Ranma's eyes get big "That was our home? Pops always said Mom's dad was a gardener who hit the bottle a little too often" Nadoka looks like she could use an aspirin. "Not to say anything good about your father, who just tried to kill me, I was living on my own when I meet him through Soun, being Akane's mothers' husband. Akane's mother and I grew up together and are best friends. That is how Kasumi remembered me. When Happosai found out who my father is he ordered your father to take you and run till he contacted him."
Nadoka takes a sip of tea "Enough of those evil people for now" Putting down her cup "We have been and always will be Direct Representatives for the Emperor. Our connection goes back to Prince Fushimi Kuniie two hundred years ago, we are Samurai. Your grandfather is trying to prepare you for an introduction to the Emperor." Akane grips Ranma's hand "I have to leave. I can't meet the Emperor I'm just a girl almost graduated from High School." She looks around "I have to leave" Ranma's eyes bug out of his head "No you're not, no way. I can't do this without you" Nadoka closes her eyes for a moment as if dealing with a migraine "Children Stop" she says firmly then taking a deep breath to regain herself "Akane your petition has already been presented to and approved by the Emperor. He is looking forward to meeting both of you." Akane blinks, her mind is moving too fast to think "Approved for what?" Nadoka smiles "Why to marry Ranma a course." Akane is surprised looking at Ranma "You asked for a petition?" Ranma is surprised by her question "I just found out I love you" Akane turns to Nadoka "Did you ask?" Nadoka smiles and pats her hand "Yes, some time ago" Akane and Ranma look at each other surprised. Ranma looks to his mother "We just talked about it for real, we just told each other that we love each a couple weeks ago" Nadoka softly chuckles "Oh Ranma, everyone has known for a couple of years now. It just took a while for the two most stubborn people in the world to figure it out." Ranma and Akane look at each other and down and turn very red. Nadoka continues "Your Grandfather and the Emperor have been following your story for some time now. They have been referring to it as Ranma's Hero Quest. And when you, Akane, was brought into the story Ranma's Grandmother and the Empress became hooked on it also. They thought of it as a Romantic Adventure story. You two have been the soap opera around the court for a while."
Ranma is still confused "But why does everyone care what happens to me? I get my Grandfather caring but the Emperor?" Ted speaks up "If I may, it would be a diplomatic disaster for the Emperor if a Japanese Prince is harmed or to harm someone in another country like China." Akane shakes Ranma's arm to get his attention "Prince? You're a Prince?" she turns and looks at Nadoka "Prince? Really?" Nadoka smiling now "Yes, and that will make you a Princess." Akane's eyes get really big "No!" "Yes, you are" answers Grandfather.
Everyone turns to see Grandfather standing at the door "OK I hope the time was well spent, everything is in a little better perspective. I talked to the Emperor and told him we don't have time to get everyone all gussy up and he doesn't care he wants to see you as is. Now just sign this and we will go into family side of the house" He leans over and hands Ranma a piece of paper and a pen. Ranma and Akane look at the paper with the Heading "Marriage License" both of their names and information are printed out neatly on the form. Ranma looks in Akane's eyes "Last chance to back out." Akane starts to say something and Ranma quickly signs his name "Too slow" and he gives it to her. Taking the form, she starts to sign her name realizing this will be the last time she signs Tendo "You're such a Jerk" Ranma takes it when she is done "You're so un-cute" and hands it back to his Grandfather. Grandfather smiles at them "Congratulations all we need now is the Emperor to sign this and you two are married" Looking at his watch "In about twenty minutes"
Akane screams and jumps up at once "I, I need a dress, I need my hair done. I, I need my Sisters!" Nadoka stands and put a hand on her shoulder to calm "This is the same as if you went to city hall and had a clerk sign it." Akane is besides herself "Just the clerk is the Emperor!" Ranma whispers in her hair "If you don't want to, we won't. It is as simple as that." Akane settles down and blinks "Really?" Ranma smiles to her "Yep as simple as that" Akane smiles at him for being so understanding and considerate of her needs "And then what?" Ranma smiles "We go home and live in the Dojo while we rebuild it. Things will be tight cash wise, I'm sure Kasumi and Tofu won't mind if we catch a meal with them. In time thing should start to look up for us, in say five years unless we have children then it could take longer. You could take in laundry to help with the bills" Akane looks at him and just blinks for a moment and then to Ranma's surprise she smiles at him and gives him a hug. Grandfather has to ask "So we are good? You are going back to the Dojo then?" Akane squints and shakes her head "No, if the Emperor wants to see me like this then I'm good" and everyone laughs.
A little later they meet the Emperor and the Empress in an unformal ceremony they bowed to them and then the Royal couple walked over and to their surprised gave them a big hug like an old aunt and uncle. They afterwards made their way to the family tea room with a large antique table and silk cushions on the floor and carvings on the wall and beautiful teak beam ceiling and silk screen in front of the windows. Staff started serving the best tea Ranma and Akane ever had. Then things started to relax for the young couple. After the Emperor asked some questions the Empress asked some, then Grandmother and then Grandfather. Ranma and Akane and Nadoka did their best to answer as truthfully as possible. To Ranma's and Akane's surprise the questions went back years about their many different adventures and they already know about the curse and all the different people involved.
As they answered questions Ranma noticed one of the Emperor's staff was taking notes and writing down everything that was said. Ranma asked why the notes and the Emperor informed him and Akane "You have no idea what you two have accomplished over the years. It is an epic journey you both have been on. And in the truest form of the Hero's Quest, after all has been said and done and with no regard for yourselves, you two were ready to sacrifice yourselves for each other. And by doing so, found your greatest reward, each other."
Grandfather slides over the Marriage Form. The Emperor looks at it and smiles and he turns back to them "You know what happens when I sign this?" He looks first to Ranma and then to Akane and they just look back at him and he smiles "That is an honest answer, you don't. You might understand that a title is involved, symbolic since 1947, but to me it is still as true today as it was then, but it comes at a very high price" Akane tightens her grip on Ranma's hand "You both will work for your Grandfather, my closest adviser and one of my dearest friends, in other words you will be working for me. At first you will have to go to school and learn things you don't know exist or ever heard of. You will learn secrets beyond your comprehension and you will learn how to lean on each other more than anyone else in the world. You will be Emissaries to the World for the Emperor of Japan and there for the Japanese people. We are not Elected Officials so we have to be stronger and more noble in our Office and our dealings with the people of the world. Anything you do that is seen as wrong will be magnified ten-fold on Japan and a hundred-fold on me. That is why we have been watching you from afar for so long, the person you both truly are has to be able to withstand the greatest of temptations and confront the most powerful of evil. The price you both will pay will be everything." The Emperor stops for a moment letting it all sink in. Then Ranma ask what is most important for him "Will Akane be by my side?" the Emperor smiles "Absolutely, to be honest you two are nothing without each other, a package deal shall we say" Ranma leans over to Akane "You ready to jump off a cliff with me?" Tears come to her eyes "Always" Ranma turns back to his Grandfather and the Emperor "To be honest I have no idea of what you're talking about. But if my Mother and Grandparents think it is the right thing for Akane and I to do then yes" The Emperor smiles and signs the paper, then he folds it and puts it in his inside coat pocket "That is an honest answer and the only answer I will ever expect from you and the hardest."
Ranma and Akane watched as the paper disappears inside the Emperor's coat pocket "What does this mean now?" Ranma ask. Grandfather smiles "You are now Prince and Princess Ranma and Akane of the Royal House of Komatsu" Akane blinks and looks around to Nadoka "I'm married now?" Nadoka smiles and pats her hand "Yes Daughter, you are now a married woman" Ranma smiles with a wicked grin "Now as my wife you have to do as I tell you" Akane glares at him like she has a thousand times in the past "Prince or no Prince, you're still a jerk and No I won't" The Empress chokes on some tea sandwich getting everyone's attention "Well we picked the right ones after all" and everyone laughs except Ranma and Akane, they blush and kiss.
Later that night after everyone had left. Ranma and Akane Komatsu are shown to their suite. A corner apartment on the second to top floor. Needless to say, they were overwhelmed. Akane walks around looking at the unit. Large bedrooms and walk-in closets full of clothes for them with adjacent washroom, sitting area with table and cushions for twelve and a very large flat screen. Private office spaces with desk and chair, phone and computer plus bookshelves full of books on subjects they will have to learn that's not in any school book. They have their own kitchenet but they are expected to eat with the family and what she like most of all her very own bath. It's is bigger than the one in the home she grew up in. Ranma looks out the windows at the view of the city lights around him and then he looks at all the labeled buttons on the intercom system that connects the apartment with the rest of the house and the phone systems and he asked his mother "You are sleeping here also, right?" Nadoka smiled at her son "I don't think there is enough room for the three of us in here." Nadoka looks at her son for a moment seeing the puzzled look on his face and turns to Akane "He belongs to you now, see if you can explain it to him. See you in the morning. Good luck" and Nadoka turns and leaves the suite humming a little tune to herself.
Ranma turns to Akane "what did she mean by that?" Akane smiles at her husband and starts to unbutton her blouse walking slowly towards him. The last thing Ranma says is with a smile "You are so un-cute" Akane undressed from the waist up puts her arms around her husband with a look in her eyes and a small smile on her face that had always confused Ranma before now "You're such a jerk" and they kiss.
The last week of school Ranma and Akane show up as usual taking their classes and their finals. As far as everyone they know they are living at the Clinic because the Dojo and Tea House are pretty much destroyed. All their friends know they have been through a lot knowing their fathers and a close personnel friend died and then the Dojo exploded because of a natural gas leak.
During the Graduation ceremony everyone noticed Akane and Ranma were not called up to received their diplomas. When the last student had received theirs Principal Kuno stepped up to the microphone "I have a special announcement for everyone here that I just found out about right before we started. I am please to award the last two diplomas to Prince and Princess Ranma and Akane of the Royal House of Komatsu" Ranma and Akane stood up and everyone bowed to them as they walked up to the podium arm in arm. After they received their diplomas, they turned to everyone in the auditorium and bowed. As they walked back to their seats the whole place was quiet, so shocked was everyone till Ukyo jump up on her chair and shouted "Ranma and Akane Yo! Yo! Yo!" and everyone in the auditorium started to scream for joy. Cologne leans over to Mouse "OK now is a good time" and Mouse stood up and extended his arms and a volley of fireworks shot out of his sleeves. During the explosions Shampoo leans over to her Grandmother "You know I think I'm going to start paying more attention to Mouse. He is a very nice man" Cologne chuckles to herself and shakes her head, somethings never change.
Ten years later: Ranma has just come home from a trip and is sitting in his and Akane's tea room reading the paper. The tea room has a door that open up to a garden with a koi pond in the middle. It feels a lot like the Tendo house but saner. Akane walks in from the kitchen with some food on a platter for her husband "Descent food at last. No one and I mean no one can cook as good as you do Akane." Ranma stuffs his face. Akane watches him and smiles "That's what you get when you travel without me." Ranma nods in agreement. "The French Ambassador was asking about you the other day." Ranma says between mouthfuls "He thought you were coming with me to Paris this time, they missed you. So, did I, you speak French as good as they do." Akane smiled as she sat down next to her husband "I wish I could have gone but I had that little thing for the Emperor to do. You know hoist 67 Business women from around the world to show them that the Modern Japanese woman can compete with them and grow their businesses" Ranma puts down his tea "The French Ambassador had nothing but praise for your presentation" Akane was surprised to hear that "I only gave it five days ago, that was fast" Ranma put his arm around her "What did you expect? You put the world on notice that you are the bar to be measured against."
Akane puts her head on Ranma's shoulder "One of the women from Korea asked if I was going to run for Office in the next Election cycle." Ranma looks into Akane's eyes and brushes the hair to the side and kisses her "What did you tell her?" she smiles "Told her I didn't have time to take a vacation like that. She laughed thought I was being funny, then she wanted to know if my good-looking husband would be showing up" Ranma perks up "Oh" Akane smirks "Told her it was getting hard for you to get around with all of your Panda genes from your father's side. Told her you were getting fat, bald and hairy, not to mention so lazy" Ranma looks at her like she is going crazy "Me fat and lazy, Me?" Akane squints her eyes and has a half smile "Yah you. You've been home for twenty minutes and you haven't taken your wife to bed yet. Pretty lazy if you ask me" Ranma looks around "Where are the kids anyway? Too quiet" Akane starts to unbutton his shirt "If you would listen instead of running to the refrigerator you would know the children are at Kasumi's playing with her kids till diner time when Dad/Uncle Ranma is going to calls for a car to take everyone to Grandfather's Big house to run around and play with Grandmother, who will spoil every last one of them and then blame Mom." Ranma looks at his wife snuggling in his arms after she has unbuttoned his shirt, but he has been busy too, Akane's blouse is unbutton and open. Ranma bends down and kisses his wife while he touches her and she smiles in return "Now I think I'm supposed to be taking you upstairs for some special attention" Akane bits his chest and with half closed eyes looks at him "This should do just fine for now"
As Ranma starts to stretch out on the large silk cushions around their table and Akane removes her blouse they hear small feet running hard into the house and a small girl screams "Mom I found a stray Siamese cat! Can I keep it? Can I Mom? I'm calling her Shampoo! Can I Mom! Can I?" Ranma and Akane sit up together and a one voice shout together "NO!"