**Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma 1/2. That masterpiece is the property of Rumiko Takahashi.**
** Sorry all. I live in Canada (if you couldn't tell from my writing) and we actually just had a derecho/tornado where we were without power for some time. I had to work through it and it was quite challenging. We are all safe (everyone I know anyway, there have been some fatalities), but it did put a little delay in my ability to publish this next chapter. Thank you for your patience! *** FYI the news report at the end is from CP24 News and is legitimately what happened this weekend/week in Canada. **
** Manuel: Thank you for the review. I can't tell you that I suddenly want Akane and Ranma back together or why because that would spoil things. I will, however, tell you that nothing has been sudden as this is calculated on my part. Thank you :) **
** Ranma420: I was not ready for Kaze and Akane to have a giant declaration of love at this juncture. There are reasons that I can't share, but it wasn't yet time. This was his way of attempting to express his feelings without going all the way to love. I love that you have so many questions because that is part of what should happen in this type of writing. I hope that everything will be answered in the story, because I don't want to spoil where my brain has gone with this. Thank you again for your thoughtful reviews! **
"Let me get the door for you," Kasumi said as she opened the Tendo household's front door for Kaze to carry Akane inside. Kaze stepped into the house, with one arm around Akane's back and the other under her knees, and walked toward the living room.
"Kaze, you can put me down now. I promise I'm okay," Akane said as she smiled up at him in appreciation.
Kaze looked at Akane with a touch of concern, but then did as instructed. "Are you sure you're going to be okay while I'm gone?" he asked her as he adjusted her position and placed cushions to make her more comfortable.
Akane nodded. "I will be fine. I promise," she told him with confidence.
Nabiki followed behind them. "Don't worry, Kaze. We will take good care of her," she said as she winked at him.
Kaze's concerned eyes didn't leave Akane as he inspected her. "Maybe we should get you to bed," he suggested.
Akane chuckled lightly. "Kaze, I'm fine. I don't need to go to bed. I will rest out here with my sisters. I will see you when you get back," Akane smiled sweetly at him as she adjusted herself to her own liking.
Kaze sighed in defeat. "Alright. I know you will be protected. I'm just worried," Kaze said as he leaned down and kissed Akane softly on the lips. Nabiki and Kasumi smirked at each other as they watched the scene unfold between their sister and her boyfriend. Kaze turned to leave, but as he started to walk toward the door, he said quietly to Nabiki, "Watch Ranma with her." His eyes remained looking forward as he continued on his way. Nabiki blinked a few times. Wow. I've never seen Kaze jealous before. He really is pissed off.
Akane yawned. Kasumi and Nabiki both looked over at Akane and raised an eyebrow. "What?" Akane asked.
"Go to bed, Akane," Nabiki ordered with a small chuckle.
"Yes, it would be a good idea to get some rest now that you are back home," Kasumi added.
"Fine. I guess I would like to spend some time getting reacquainted with my own bed," Akane laughed lightly as she got herself onto her feet and headed up the stairs. She paused briefly. "I appreciate you guys being so concerned, but I'm feeling a lot better and I don't want you watching my every move. I promise I will let you know if and when I need anything," she added before she continued up the stairs with her sisters watching.
"Alright, Ranma. We have a lot to get through," Ukyo ordered Ranma at Ucchan's as she placed a plate of okonomiyaki in front of him. Megami sat on his lap and discreetly moved her hand to steal some of her father's food while watching to see if he would notice.
Ranma looked at Ukyo. "What do we have to get through?" he asked her.
"Best man tasks," Ukyo said as her eyes lit up at the thought of her wedding planning commencing.
"Oh. Isn't Ryoga supposed to tell me what he needs me to do?" Ranma asked.
"You don't argue with my fiance, Ranma," Ryoga called from the other side of the restaurant where he was cleaning the grill.
"Fair enough. What are you- hey!" Ranma cut himself off as he realized his food was being stolen by a tiny thief. Megami squealed happily, okonomiyaki hanging from her mouth.
"Oh, Megami. If I knew she was eating regular food, I would have made her a plate of her own!" Ukyo cooed at the baby.
"Well, she was only eating purees that mom was making out of vegetables and grains. I guess maybe she's trying to tell us she's ready," Ranma smiled at his daughter.
Ukyo laughed. "Megami is definitely your daughter," she said while grabbing a napkin then leaning over to wipe Megami's face.
Megami stuck her whole hand in her mouth to push the food further. "Ah, don't do that. Eat slowly, sweet pea," Ranma chuckled at her.
"Ranma, I always wondered why you always called her sweet pea. Is there a reason for that?" Ukyo asked.
"I don't know. I just called her that when she was born and haven't stopped. Maybe because she's sweet and growing?" Ranma chuckled. Megami squealed.
"That's cute. Cute nickname for a little cutie," Ukyo cooed at Megami. "Anyway, back to business!" Ukyo insisted.
"Yes, boss," Ranma nodded with a smirk.
"Great. So, we set a date. We have one month to pull this together. The first thing I need you to do is.. find Ryoga's parents," Ukyo said sternly.
Ranma's face dropped. "His parents? You want me to find two directionally challenged people who could be anywhere in the world?" Ranma asked.
Ukyo nodded. "We are still too young to get married without our parents' consent. I don't want to wait until after we are 20 to get married. I want to start my life with my new husband as soon as I can," Ukyo said as she crossed her arms over her chest.
Ranma let out an exasperated breath. "I will do my best," Ranma agreed.
"Your 'best' better be to find them and make sure they make it to the ceremony to sign papers!" Ukyo demanded.
Ranma saluted. "Sir, yes sir," he joked.
"There's a long list of other things, too. We need to get the flowers, the dresses, the tuxedos, the rings.." Ukyo started reciting her list.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Ranma stopped her. "This list looks long. I thought Akane was supposed to help."
"Akane is still recovering!" Ukyo defended.
"You haven't asked her yet, have you?" Ranma accused.
Ukyo lowered her head with a hint of shame. "I just feel so guilty. I feel bad I played any role in how she ended up poisoned. I know I didn't do it, but she made me realize that I shouldn't have helped you in the first place. She's my friend, too, and she made it clear what she needs from me as a friend," Ukyo explained.
"I understand and I'm sorry I put you in that position. The guilt of that night is eating me up, too. You have to ask her, though. I'm sure she would be thrilled and can do some simple things to start," Ranma suggested.
"Are you asking for my benefit, hers, or yours?" Ukyo asked suspiciously.
"What are you accusing me of, Ukyo?" Ranma asked.
"You seem a little eager to have me ask Akane and we both know Kaze has left the continent for a few days. Akane made it clear to me that she wants to be with Kaze right now. I'm afraid you're just going to break your own heart if you keep going after her," Ukyo told him with sympathy.
"Ukyo, Akane is always going to be my friend no matter what happens, just like with you. Besides, how are we going to get this giant list done and find Ryoga's parents without her?" Ranma asked, trying to reassure Ukyo that everything was fine. Ukyo didn't buy it, but left the subject alone for now.
"You are right that I need to ask her. We didn't leave ourselves a lot of time to get this done. I'm going to go check on her. If she looks like she's feeling up to it, I will ask her," Ukyo said.
"That's fair. I guess I should get started on finding Mr. and Mrs. Hibiki, then. That will be the biggest job," Ranma said as he started to think about how to accomplish this seemingly impossible task.
"Start with my house, Ranma, and go from there," Ryoga said as he walked over to the table.
Megami pointed at Ryoga, "Oh-ga!"
Ryoga blinked. "That's right, Megami!" Ryoga smiled at the youngster. Ryoga averted his gaze to Ranma. "Ranma, I'll go with you. I'm done at the restaurant for right now. I could help," Ryoga suggested.
"Perfect! I'll likely need all the help I can get finding anyone related to you!" Ranma agreed.
Knock, knock, knock.
Kasumi answered the door at the Tendo household. "Hello Ukyo. Oh, Megami, my sweet girl! What are you two doing here? Where's Ranma?" Kasumi asked as Megami bounced and clapped happily.
"I've sent Ranma and Ryoga on important wedding business and I offered to keep Megami with me while they did so," Ukyo explained.
"Wedding business?" Kasumi asked. Ukyo showed off her ring to Kasumi. "Ukyo! You're engaged?!" Kasumi hugged Ukyo with excitement.
Ukyo shushed Kasumi. "Kasumi, the others don't know yet. I need to talk to Akane before I can be too loud about it. Is she around?" Ukyo asked.
Kasumi nodded. "She's in her room last I checked. Please leave her if she's sleeping, though." Kasumi directed.
Ukyo nodded. "Thanks Kasumi," she said as she entered the home. Ukyo picked Megami up out of her stroller and placed her on her hip as she started up the stairs to Akane's room. As she approached Akane's room, she felt hesitant. What if she says no? Maybe this will be too much for her. She knocked on Akane's door lightly.
"Come in," Akane called from the other side of the doorway.
Ukyo gently pushed the door open with the hand that wasn't holding the baby. "Hey Akane," Ukyo said carefully as Akane sat upright on her bed.
Megami squealed then started bouncing and reaching for Akane. Akane giggled then reached for Megami. Ukyo brought Megami closer then handed her to Akane.
"Hello Megami! Hello Ukyo. What are you two doing here?" Akane asked, placing Megami on her lap and tickling her belly.
"We came to see how you're doing today. Are you feeling better?" Ukyo asked.
"I'd feel a lot better if my sisters would stop doting on me so much. I swear, I am feeling a lot better," Akane insisted.
Ukyo smiled. "It must be nice to have siblings who love you so much. I think you're the closest thing I will ever get to a sister," Ukyo told Akane.
Akane smiled back. "You will always be an honourary sister, Ukyo," Akane chuckled.
Ukyo sat down at the end of Akane's bed. "I have to tell you something, Akane," Ukyo started.
"Oh, no. What is it, Ukyo?" Akane asked with concern.
"Ryoga and I.. well.." Ukyo trailed off, trying to find the words.
"Oh no! Did you two break up? You were so sweet together! I've never seen Ryoga so happy- you, too, for that matter. Tell me you didn't break up!" Akane said anxiously.
Ukyo waved her hands in front of her. "No, no, nothing like that!" Ukyo told her.
Akane let out a sigh of relief. Her eyebrows furrowed in thought as she noticed the ring on Ukyo's hand. "Ukyo.. is that a ring?!" Akane asked.
Ukyo's lips turned up into a giant, slowing smile. "It is. Ryoga and I are engaged," Ukyo told her friend.
"Oh my god! Ukyo!" Akane reached over Megami to hug her friend. Megami got squished in between and started yelling at them in baby language. "Oh, sorry, Megami! Ukyo, this is so exciting!" Akane added.
Ukyo nodded. "We are pretty excited. Which leads me into the next thing I need to ask you," Ukyo said.
Akane cocked her head to one side. "What is it, Ukyo?"
Ukyo took a deep breath. "Would you please be my maid of honour?" Ukyo asked nervously.
Akane's eyes widened. "What?! Me?!" Akane couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"Yes. You're my best girl friend. Will you do it?" Ukyo asked.
Akane grabbed one of Ukyo's hands with both of hers. "I would be honoured!" she answered.
"Thank you, Akane!" Ukyo wrapped Akane in a hug. Megami started complaining again. Ukyo and Akane giggled. "Sorry, Megami. Akane, there's one last thing I need to tell you. I hope this won't make you change your mind."
"There's more?" Akane asked.
"Yeah. Ryoga's best man.. It's Ranma," Ukyo said.
"Oh. I see. It's really strange how our relationships evolved, isn't it? Who would've thought I'd be your maid of honour or Ranma would be Ryoga's best man?" Akane said.
"You're okay with it?" Ukyo asked.
Akane smiled at Ukyo. "It's your wedding, Ukyo. You two should have who you want standing up there with you. I'm just honoured to be included. Thank you," Akane said sweetly. Megami squealed. Ukyo and Akane laughed. "Besides, Ranma will always be like family. His father is best friends with my father. No matter what happens between us, Ranma and I will always care about each other."
Ranma and Ryoga walked up to the Hibiki household. Ryoga looked over at Ranma, who gave him an encouraging nod before Ryoga started to knock on the door.
"It's weird knocking on my own door, but I really don't feel like it's my home anymore. I've been living with Ukyo for quite a while now. I hope my parents happen to be home," Ryoga said to Ranma.
"That would sure make this task a lot easier," Ranma chuckled.
The door opened, much to the surprise of both Ryoga and Ranma. A very young girl, probably about eight years old, answered the door. The young lady had long black hair, tied back into a high ponytail, and brown eyes. She wore a pair of overalls and a plain t-shirt underneath. "Yeah? What do you want?" the little girl asked them.
"Hey there. Sorry. Are Mr. and Mrs. Hibiki home?" Ryoga asked, very confused.
"No. Anything else?" the little girl answered with obvious annoyance.
"Do you know where they might be?" Ryoga asked.
The little girl raised an eyebrow at him. "Why? Who are you?" she asked Ryoga.
"I'm Ryoga, their son," Ryoga introduced.
The little girl scrunched her face at Ryoga and gave him a cold, hard look. "You're not that cute," the little girl said.
Ryoga's face fell into a state of shock. "Pardon?" he asked.
"I'm Himari Negishi," she introduced with a reluctant bow.
Ryoga and Ranma bowed in return. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Himari. This is my friend, Ranma Saotome," Ryoga introduced Ranma.
"Nice to meet you," Himari bowed to Ranma, who returned the bow. Himari turned back to face Ryoga. "Have you come to meet Machiko?" she asked him.
"Machiko? I'm sorry, I don't know who that is," Ryoga said, confusion riding steadily.
"That's my sister," she explained.
"Hey, Himari. Do you know where Ryoga's parents are? We really need to find them," Ranma asked Himari.
Himari nodded. "I do know where they are. Come in!" Himari allowed Ryoga into his own house, with Ranma following behind him.
Ryoga looked around and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. He also did not notice his parents around. Himari walked into the kitchen, then returned with a handheld tracking device. She turned it on and showed Ryoga. "My parents created these GPS tracking devices for your parents. It helps us find them and helps them find their way to wherever they need to go. They have been working very well! Seems they are at the grocery store!" Himari said.
Ryoga took the device. "Wow. This is amazing!" Ryoga looked over at Ranma. "I will be able to actually see my parents!"
Ranma smiled. "That's awesome, dude. It's even more awesome that we don't have to wander aimlessly trying to find them. Ukyo is going to be really happy."
Himari looked up at the two boys with a strange expression, then returned her gaze to the handheld device. "It actually looks like they are on their way back now. We should wait in the sitting room and I will have my sister bring us some tea. I would make it myself, but I don't know how yet. How about you two sit and I'll go get her," she said.
Ryoga smiled at Himari. "Sure! Thank you!" Ryoga and Ranma sat in the sitting room while Himari left to find her sister. "This is a little odd. What are these people doing in my house, Ranma?" he asked Ranma. Ranma shrugged.
Moment later, Himari returned with a bounce. She sat herself across from the two boys and grinned. "My sister will be out shortly with some tea!" she announced.
"Thank you, Himari," Ryoga and Ranma said in unison.
"Himari, can you please come help me?" a young woman's voice called from the kitchen a few moments later.
"Coming, Machiko!" Himari called back. "One moment, please!" She said to Ryoga and Ranma and she left for the kitchen.
Himari returned moments later with a tray holding four empty teacups, cream and sugar. A young woman followed behind her with the tea kettle. The young woman had long, flowing black hair, brown eyes, and an athletic build. She wore a plain red sundress and had ruby earrings that sparkled in the light. The young woman placed the tea kettle on the table where Himari had set the tray she was carrying.
"Greetings. My sister tells me you are here looking for Mr. and Mrs. Hibiki?" the young woman asked.
The two men stood up. "Yes, I am Ryoga Hibiki," he bowed, "and this is Ranma Saotome." Ranma stood and bowed, as well.
The young woman returned the bow. "I am Machiko Negishi. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Ryoga. It's nice to make your acquaintance, as well, Ranma." Machiko introduced herself.
"We're home!" Mr. Hibiki announced from the doorway. Mrs. Hibiki and another woman followed him inside.
"Father! Mother!" Ryoga stood and ran to greet his parents. He wrapped his arms around his mother and his father joined in. "I can't believe I found you!" he said, fighting the tears of joy that were starting.
"Ryoga!" Mr. and Mrs. Hibiki cried out.
After a few moments of introductions and pleasantries, everyone sat back in the sitting room, while Machiko fetched more other woman, who followed the Hibiki's inside, sat with them. She had short black hair, dark brown eyes, a short stature and a purple kimono on.
"So, the reason I came looking for you today is very important," Ryoga started.
"You are welcome any time, son! This is your house, too! We are here much more often now that Mr. and Mrs. Negishi have developed this device for us to use," Mrs. Hibiki told him.
"Thank you, Mother. The reason I came today, though, is to ask you to attend my wedding next month and sign your permission for me to marry my fiance," Ryoga told them, hopeful for a positive reaction.
Mr. and Mrs. Hibiki didn't smile or look very excited at the idea, at all. They simply looked at each other with silent communication, before returning their gaze to their son. "We can't do that, son." Mr. Hibiki told him.
"What? Why not? I never ask you for anything!" Ryoga argued.
"Because we have already betrothed you to someone else," Mrs. Hibiki explained.
"What do you mean? Who?" Ryoga asked.
"You are to marry into the Negishi family. You are to marry Machiko," Mr. Hibiki insisted.
Ranma and Ryoga's expressions turned to stunned silence with wide eyes. "What?!" Ryoga cried out.
Ukyo sat with Akane on Akane's bed, gossiping and having some girl time with Megami. After a while, they decided to turn on the radio and dance. Megami was having the time of her life. She may not have a mother at home, but she had some great female influences already.
"A severe thunderstorm with wind speeds the equivalent of a low-grade tornado swept through the Toronto area Saturday afternoon causing widespread damage and knocking out power for many residents. Power lines and trees were brought down by the intense storm across the region, with reports of downed lines and fallen trees in the Greater Toronto Area. Environment Canada said the derecho developed near Sarnia late Saturday morning and tracked northeastward over Southern Ontario, crossing Ottawa Saturday afternoon. Western University's Northern Tornadoes Project Team has officially confirmed an EF2 tornado was embedded within the leading edge of the derecho." Akane and Ukyo heard the radio announcement. They had been listening to a radio station from Canada though a website they found so that they could keep an eye out for the potentially cursed person they were looking for.
Akane looked at Uyko, "I hope Kaze is okay!"
Ukyo rested her hand on Akane's shoulder, "I'm sure he will be just fine."