** I do not own Ranma 1/2. That masterpiece is the property of Rumiko Takahashi.**
** Ranma420, Thank you for the very long and detailed review. As you are specifically asking me questions, I would like to take a moment to respond to them. Q1: If I had to pinpoint in my head who Miyuki looks like within the confines of other anime characters already in existence, I would say she looks like Sena Kashiwazaki from the anime Haganai. I would say Kaze looks something like Takumi Usui from Kaichou wa Maid-Sama. Q2: I can't answer this. Keep reading to find out. Q3: I think we have differing views on love, which is absolutely okay. I see love as something that isn't confined to the social construct that tells us it can only be between two people. There are many different types of love and relationships, and sometimes they can get very messy. There are many songs written about forgiveness, losing love, even cheating and wanting someone back because they messed up. It doesn't make it okay, but this happens everyday. As for this story, it's supposed to be written like a soap opera, so it's going to be messy. As for putting it back together, you'll have to keep reading. Q4: I understand and have taken note. Thank you. Q5: I'm not really sure what the question here is. Thank you for reviewing :)
If anyone else would like me to respond or has questions, please let me know in the review, as I do read them all. Thank you all for reading. **
Ranma, Ukyo, Kasumi and Kaze sat in the waiting room at Dr. Tofu's clinic. Megami was also present, sitting on Ukyo's lap happily chewing on one of her teething toys as a small amount of drool slowly fell from the corner of her mouth. Kaze sat with his arms crossed over his chest, avoiding looking in Ranma's direction with a frown on his face while Ranma sat quietly in his own guilt on the opposite side of the room. The two women chatted amongst themselves in between the two men.
Nabiki, Soun and Nodoka arrived. Soun immediately started crying as he entered the doors. "Where is my baby girl? How is she?" He asked through sniffles.
"We are still waiting for the doctor to come back to update us, father," Kasumi told him.
Nabiki sat beside Kasumi. "Hey, what's going on between Kaze and Ranma? You can almost cut the tension with a knife," she asked Kasumi quietly and cautiously.
Kasumi smiled at Nabiki. "Ranma set up a date for him and Akane. Kaze found them together after Akane was already poisoned." Kasumi delivered the shortest version of the story possible, trying to keep her voice low..
Nabiki sat wide eyed. "Wow. Ranma never fails to surprise me. He wants Akane now?" She asked with a hint of irritation.
Kasumi nodded sweetly.
Dr. Tofu entered the room. "Hello, Mr. Tendo, Mrs. Saotome and Nabiki," he greeted the newcomers. "Akane's prognosis is positive. You all did very well in getting her here quickly. She is going to require some ongoing care to ensure the poison continues leaving her system. I'm going to prescribe some Vitamin K to assist with this. She is currently sleeping and will likely require a lot of rest for the next couple of days. I am going to keep her overnight for observation, as a precautionary measure. She will be able to go home tomorrow as long as she shows improvement overnight." Dr. Tofu announced.
All of the guests in the waiting room released a large sigh of relief.
"Could we visit with her, Doctor?" Kasumi asked.
Dr. Tofu shook his head. "She is sleeping right now. It's best that you all go home and get some rest. You can return tomorrow. I promise to call when she wakes up," Dr. Tofu smiled sweetly at Kasumi, who returned his loving gaze.
Nabiki watched her sister with the doctor. What is going on here? Kasumi is keeping something from us. I'm going to have to have a word with my sister later.
Ukyo arrived back at Ucchan's. Ryoga was in Ukyo's regular position behind the counter, covering the dinner rush while she was with the gang at the clinic. Ukyo smiled at her future husband. She had trained him well and he was more than eager to be her partner in every way possible. Konatsu, although disappointed that Ukyo did not choose him, has been around to help, as well, as Ukyo can't risk Ryoga getting lost. Besides, Konatsu didn't hate Ryoga. Ryoga looked toward Ukyo from his position, after he finished plating a seafood okonomiyaki, and smiled up at his future bride. "Hello, beautiful," he greeted her.
Ukyo's smile grew wider. "Hello, handsome." Ukyo approached the counter and sat in Ranma's usual spot as she rested her elbows down and rested her face into her palms, watching Ryoga at work.
Ryoga turned and smirked at Ukyo. "Are you going to help or are you going to watch me work?" Ryoga teased her with a chuckle.
"I am enjoying the view from this spot right here, thank you," Ukyo flirted. Ryoga winked at her as he flipped another order.
"How's Akane doing? I assume she's better since you've come back with a smile on your face," Ryoga asked, hopeful to hear some good news.
"The doctor is pretty sure she's going to be okay. She should be released tomorrow, as long as everything improves tonight," Ukyo explained.
Ryoga smiled as he grabbed Ukyo's hand lovingly. "I'm glad to hear it. Are you okay?" he asked, looking into Ukyo's eyes.
Ukyo swooned for a moment. "I've never been happier," she told him as she stared lovingly into his big eyes for a few extra moments before Ryoga needed to send an order out and had to break the mutual gaze.
Ranma sent his mother home with Megami so he could keep his daughter away from the possible conflict of his next planned visit. Ranma opened the doors to the Neko Hanten with a little more force than he should have, almost breaking down the door. "Shampoo!" he called out as he stormed through the doorway.
Mousse looked confused as he shifted his gaze toward the sound of the livid patron, who had just entered the restaurant. "What's going on, Saotome?" he asked with a hint of irritation.
Shampoo, who was behind Mousse, slowly started trying to duck away to avoid being seen. However, Ranma spotted her easily.
"Shampoo! Hold it!" Ranma demanded, pointing at the young amazon.
Shampoo stopped in her tracks and then turned to look at Ranma. "Nihao, Ranma!" she said sweetly. "What husband do here? Ranma take Shampoo on date?" Shampoo asked, trying to maintain an innocent demeanor.
"Shampoo, how did Amazonian poison mushrooms end up in the food I made for Akane?" Ranma demanded.
Shampoo took a sheepish step backwards. "Shampoo no idea. Maybe stupid kitchen wrecker buy wrong kind," Shampoo suggested.
"Ukyo bought the ingredients. Ukyo is a chef and knows the difference between a regular mushroom and a poisonous one. These ones magically appeared out of seemingly nowhere. Are you trying to tell me you know nothing about this?" Ranma's voice was raised.
"Saotome, don't you talk to my Shampoo this way!" Mousse yelled at a flower pot.
Ranma ignored Mousse. "Answer me, Shampoo!" he scolded.
Shampoo shook her head. "Ranma, you no need feel bad Akane gone. Now Ranma free date Shampoo."
Ranma let out a growl. "You didn't succeed in killing her, Shampoo! She's alive and she's going to be okay, but she could have died! How could you?"
Shampoo held her chin up high. "Shampoo only remove obstacle. Shampoo hear Spatula Girl say you love Akane again!" Shampoo defended, as if this was a perfectly reasonable explanation.
"Stay away from Akane, Shampoo! Stay away from me, too, for that matter. You can't have me, especially by poisoning people I care about!" Ranma slammed his palm on the counter, causing Mousse to jump. Shampoo stood stunned. Cologne hopped out to the front of the restaurant to see what the commotion was all about.
"Son-in-law, what is going on?" Cologne asked, her eyes wide with confusion.
Ranma looked at Cologne with venom in his eyes. "Shampoo poisoned Akane! When will you Amazons get it through your heads that you can't force me to have feelings for Shampoo? Especially not by harming those I love!" Ranma spit out before he turned and stormed out of the restaurant.
Cologne looked at her great granddaughter. "What did you do, child?" Shampoo lowered her head before she started explaining herself to her great grandmother.
Akane opened her eyes and stared up at the ceiling as the room came into focus. This isn't my ceiling. Where am I? Akane turned her head before squeezing her eyes shut and grabbing her face with both hands. Ugh! My head! My head is pounding!
"You're awake. How do you feel?" Dr. Tofu asked as he entered the room.
"Like my head is going to implode. What happened? Why am I here?" Akane asked with growing irritation caused by the headache.
"I'm not surprised you don't remember. You were poisoned," Dr. Tofu told her matter-of-factly as he handed her two aspirin and a cup of water.
"Poisoned?" Akane asked with bewilderment., then took the aspirin and water from the doctor.
Dr. Tofu nodded. "It seems that someone slipped poisonous mushrooms into your meal yesterday. Thankfully, your friends got you here before any permanent damage could be done to your system," Dr. Tofu smiled at her. "I would like you to keep resting, but you have a visitor who's been waiting for you to wake up for a while now." Dr. Tofu smiled down at Akane before he left the room with his clipboard. Akane could see the doctor motion for someone outside to enter the room.
Kaze peered his head into the room. "Akane?" he asked. Akane smiled when she saw Kaze cautiously enter the room. Kaze slowly walked over to the side of Akane's bed and grabbed her hand as he sat down beside her. "How are you feeling?" he asked.
"Not great, but much better now that you're here," Akane told him with a pained smile.
Kaze smiled at her. "I've never been happier to hear anything in my life. My life would be incomplete without you in it," Kaze picked up Akane's hand and kissed it, then leaned over and kissed her lips.
Akane blushed. "Turns out I'm here to stay for a while longer," Akane almost chuckled, but her head stopped her. Akane groaned.
Kaze brushed her hair back out of her face with his fingers. "Good," he told her with a half smile full of concern for the clear amount of pain his girlfriend was facing.
"What time is it? How long have I been out?" Akane asked, squinting her eyes.
Kaze sighed as he looked away. "It's around 2pm. You've been out since yesterday evening. Your family is probably being contacted right now to come get you," Kaze said, then paused as he looked back over into her eyes. "I'm just so happy to see those beautiful brown eyes open again."
Akane blushed. Kaze was laying it on a little thicker than she was used to, but it was obvious that the incident had scared the man who was proving he truly cared about her. Akane brought her other hand over and placed it on top of his. "I'm so sorry any of this happened. I don't know what I was thinking. I shouldn't have even been.." Akane started, but Kaze cut her off.
"I don't want to talk about that right now, Akane. The only thing that matters is that you recover. Akane, I need you to know how much I care about you," Kaze looked away from Akane for a moment as he mustered up the courage to say what he was convinced he needed to say.
Akane's face softened as he looked at him with curiosity. "What is it, Kaze?" she asked.
"I.. " Kaze started as he took a deep breath, "I.. my heart.. aches to be with you," he finished as he exhaled. He looked up at Akane and watched for a reaction.
Akane's smile grew larger as her excitement rose. "My heart aches to be with you, too, Kaze," she reciprocated.
Kaze's smile beamed as he reached across to cup Akane's face in his hand and pulled her in slightly as his mouth met hers in a more passionate than normal kiss. "I'm so happy you feel the same way, Akane." Kaze stared at her for a few moments before he was interrupted by the doctor walking back into the room.
"I'm preparing your discharge paperwork, Akane. As long as you continue feeling better, you should be able to go home in a few hours," Dr. Tofu announced. "Your father and sisters have been contacted and should be on their way shortly."
Akane and Kaze smiled at each other once again. "Great. I could really use my own bed," Akane said before switching her gaze to Dr. Tofu. "My head is already starting to feel better since you gave me those aspirin. Thank you, doctor."
Ranma was walking back from the Neko Hanten when he saw Kaze walking toward him. Kaze walked slowly with his eyes to the ground, clearly deep in thought. Ranma winced as he knew Kaze would not be very pleased with him. As he got closer to Kaze, his anxiety over the situation started to rise significantly. All of a sudden, Ranma was directly in front of Kaze.
"Hi, Kaze," Ranma said sheepishly.
Kaze lifted his head and looked at Ranma. "What do you want?" Kaze asked without a change in expression and a hint of venom in his voice.
"I'm sorry, man. I should have talked to you about what was going on before any of this happened. You've become like a brother to me and it wasn't cool of me to have set up a date for Akane without talking to you about it first," Ranma explained.
"What is going on, Ranma?" Kaze crossed his arms, waiting for his answer.
Ranma took a deep breath. "I.. told Akane I love her and want to be with her." Ranma said quickly before he lost his nerve.
"I see," Kaze said without changing his expression. "Does Akane return these feelings?" he asked.
Ranma shook his head. "She says she doesn't. I had to try, Kaze." Ranma told him.
"Did you?" Kaze asked. "What about my sister?" he asked.
Ranma shook his head. He couldn't believe the amount of people asking about his feelings for someone who was no longer living. "I can't be with someone who isn't here, man. I do have to move on at some point. It's been over six months since she died and even longer since I've seen her," Ranma said.
"I understand that you feel like you need to move on, but it really hasn't been that long. She is the mother of your child and you had a very intense, albeit short, relationship. As for Akane, you already moved on from Akane when you started seeing Miyuki. Why go back?" Kaze asked.
"It's complicated. I loved Akane long before I met Miyuki and I never stopped loving her. That doesn't mean I didn't love Miyuki, I just.. I.. I don't know." Ranma looked to the ground struggling to find the words to smooth things over with Kaze.
"Doesn't really sound like you even understand what your feelings are or what you truly want. It is possible to love more than one person at a time, Ranma. Many people in the world do it every single day. It's not okay to go after someone who isn't available, though," Kaze said, sternly.
"I'm sorry that I upset you, but I'm not sorry I made my feelings for Akane known to her," Ranma insisted.
Kaze scoffed. "To think.. I was coming by yesterday to tell you my divine energy was charged enough to make another trip out to Canada," he told him. Ranma anxiously looked up at him, as Kaze was a bit taller than Ranma. "Listen, Ranma. I am going to trust you and the others to help take care of Akane while I do this trip on my own this time. I need the space for a few days and Akane needs as many people here as possible. This will also give me more time without having to rush back so you can take care of Megami. I will let you know how it goes when I return," Kaze looked away from Ranma and started to walk off in the direction he was originally heading in. Ranma watched after him, feeling stupid and guilty but knowing better than to argue at this point.
Ukyo poked her head into Akane's clinic room door. "You're awake?" she asked with a spark of hesitation.
Akane nodded her head carefully. "Yes, but I have a headache, so please talk quietly. What happened to me, Ukyo?"
Ukyo approached Akane's bed and sat beside her. "Ranma thinks it was Shampoo. It was an amazonian poisonous mushroom. I'm so sorry, Akane. I was the one who bought the groceries for Ranma to make the meal, but I had no idea Shampoo would be lurking around looking to make the switch. I'm also sorry if I overstepped with helping Ranma. He's my best friend and he needed me," Ukyo explained.
Akane smiled at Ukyo. "I know, Ukyo. I'm not mad. I know you are Ranma's best friend and I can see how hard he's trying. It's just.. Kaze is important to me, too," Akane told Ukyo.
"Too?" Ukyo asked.
"We both know Ranma has always been in my heart, but he shattered it when he started dating Miyuki. I know he regrets a lot, but it's not something I can just forget. Kaze has always been amazing to me. Can I tell you a secret?" Akane asked.
Ukyo's eyes lit up. "You better believe you can!" she responded with excitement at the prospect of a secret.
Akane smiled. "Kaze and I finally kissed. It was amazing!" Akane became giddy.
Ukyo's jaw dropped with the corners of her lips curled into a smile. "No way! Finally! So, it went the way you wanted it to?" Ukyo asked.
Akane nodded. "He's everything any girl could ever want. Handsome, kind, considerate, and, turns out, he's one heck of a good kisser! We have already kissed a handful of times," Akane sighed happily.
"Wow, girl. That's big news! What about Ranma? Does he even stand a chance anymore?" Ukyo asked.
Akane sighed, a little less happy. "I wish he never decided to pursue me again. He is complicating my feelings. I will admit, it's been hard playing it cool with him. I mean, it's Ranma. I thought I was going to marry him, but I can't help but think about if Miyuki was still alive. I don't know. I feel like I have to see this thing with Kaze through," Akane explained.
Ukyo nodded. "I'm sorry, Akane. That sounds hard. Is there anything I can do?" she asked.
"Yeah," Akane smirked at Ukyo, "don't help Ranma cook for me anymore."
Ranma put Megami down in her crib. Megami immediately used the bar to pull herself to her feet and started bouncing while making gurgling noises. Ranma chuckled as he started to change her into her pajamas for the night.
"Mama," Megami said, clear as day.
Ranma gave Megami a sad smile. "I wish you could have met your mother. She really was amazing. It's not fair that you have to grow up without her." Ranma said to his daughter as he picked up Miyuki's photograph and showed Megami. "Megami, this is your Mama," Ranma showed her.
Megami used her chubby little finger to point at the photograph. "Mama!" she exclaimed with increased volume.
Ranma nodded. "That's right, sweet pea. That's Mama. You may not get to meet her, but you can see her here in this picture," Ranma sighed. "I know it's not the same. I wish she would have come down and told me about you when she was pregnant. I could have heard all her hopes and dreams for you so that I could tell you all about them. I don't know what she was thinking at all."
Megami laughed at her father. Ranma ruffled her hair. "You're a goofball," he laughed. Megami had a way of pulling Ranma's heartstrings and making him smile no matter what is going on.
Megami reached for her father. "Dada!" she called him. Ranma picked Megami up and held her in his arms. Megami reached her arms as far as they would stretch around her father and rested her head on him. Ranma chuckled. "I love you, too, sweet pea," he said as he hugged his daughter. "You may not have come along the right way or at the right time, but you mean everything to me and I couldn't imagine not having you here with me anymore." Ranma placed her on her back inside the crib and pulled the covers over her. He turned the nightlight on and flicked off the light. "Good night, my beautiful baby."