For Better or For Worse Chapter 1: The Wedding, a ranma fanfic

**Hello there! I know I haven't finished my other story, and apologize that it's taken so long to update it. I have had the next chapter ready for some time but have not been a hundred percent happy with it and have had a lot of stuff going on since the last update. I have not forgotten it and promise to get back to it soon. However, this story has been rolling around in my brain for a really long time and it needs to get out.

**This story is a continuation with a twist. Instead of Nabiki sending out those invitations and ultimately ruining the wedding, Soun instead pays Nabiki to stop her. This story is almost exactly the same as the end of the manga, except for the changes I've made to the end. I take no credit for most of the story leading up to the stealing of the Nannichuan by Genma. All of that is from the manga and written by Rumiko Takahashi (and whoever translated the English version). All characters so far are property of Rumiko Takahashi, as well as their histories and background, and development to now. I hope you enjoy it.

"We have to finish while he's unconscious!"

"I know! Just a bit of this! And some of that!"

Ranma woke up from his position on the floor with his father, Genma, and Akane's father, Soun, hovering above him. He shot up to his feet and looked down at the white tuxedo he found himself sporting without any memory of having it put on. "What the?! What the heck am I wearing?!" Ranma shouted.

"A tuxedo, son. You have to dress appropriately for your wedding, don't you?" Soun answered him.

"My what?" Ranma asked, incredibly confused.

"Akane has consented to proceed with the wedding," Genma explained.

"Oh, Ranma! You look so strong and manly!" Ranma's mother, Nodoka, cried from the other side of the room.

Ranma stood confused for a moment before he decided to push past the adults in the room to go find Akane. Ranma didn't hesitate before throwing Akane's door open, confusion and frustration overpowering him. "Hey Akane! What is this nonsense about you agreeing to the w…" Ranma stopped, stunned at the sight in front of him. Akane stood in her beautiful, western style wedding dress. ."Aguh.. Gwufa? Ooga? Whoa." Ranma stammered, completely stunned. He knew Akane was beautiful, but seeing her in a wedding dress, ready to marry him of all people, was more than his brain could handle.

"Do you like my dress, Ranma? I guess the Japanese style one would've been better after all," Akane asked, looking down at her gown.

"Ah.. No. I mean they are both c… cute." Ranma took a deep breath in. "Wow. You look really beautiful, Akane."

"You really think so? I'm so glad," Akane blushed.

Ranma started fidgeting, having a lot of trouble coming up with the words. He couldn't believe what was happening. Did he hit his head? "Um, well, y'see.. Um.." he started as he dropped to his knees.

Akane followed. "Yes, Ranma?" she asked.

"Why the sudden change of heart? What made you want to go ahead with the wedding?" Ranma was finally able to find the words.

"Well.. Ranma, you love me. Don't you?" Akane asked, looking at Ranma with a sweet smile as she remembered the moment she heard Ranma's voice tell her those special words.

"Eh?" Ranma asked, shocked. "Um.. I do? What made you think that all of a sudden?" He asked with his foot stuck directly in his mouth.

"But.. When you were crying over me at Jusenkyo.. I could've sworn I heard you.. Y'know, say you loved me," Akane explained.

Ranma tensed and immediately reacted as the memory came back to him. "I'm sure I didn't say it out loud! I didn't! No way!" Ranma shouted in an obvious panic.

"What's the difference? I'm just as sure I heard you in some way!" Akane shot back.

"What? You wanna fight about it?" Ranma challenged as he sprang back onto his feet in a fighting stance. "You'll ruin that pretty dress of yours like that."

"Hmph! Fine, be that way. Obviously I made a mistake when I pushed myself to go through with the wedding," Akane said as she also stood and looked away from Ranma. "But I'm warning you Ranma," Akane glanced back toward Ranma in a sideways warning glare, "If you call it off at this point, you'll regret it."

"Wuh?" Ranma said, examining Akane's face for some clue as to what she was talking about.

"The Jusenkyo guide called my father. The springs have returned to normal. Daddy said, if I marry you then he will give you the gift that the guide sent as a thank you for all our help. Enough for one," Akane explained smugly.

"Enough what for one?" Ranma eyed Akane harder as he leaned in. "Tell me, Akane."

"Nanniichuan," Akane braced herself.

"They sent some Nanniichuan?! Geez, Akane, why didn't you tell me right away?!" Ranma yelled as he bolted out of Akane's room to find the cursed spring water.

Ranma ran through the house to find Soun hovered over a small barrel giggling quietly but maniacally, clearly pleased with himself. Nabiki and Kasumi stood nearby, watching the action unfold with a lack of surprise. Before Ranma was able to reach the barrel, Genma ran through him and stole the barrel from Soun.

"How could you think so little on me that I might steal it?!" Genma called as he ran off with the barrel. "Mine! Mine! Mine! Mine! Mine! Mine! Mine!" he chanted as he continued.

"Saotome!" Soun called with increasing fear. "If you take that water, then Ranma won't marry Akane!"

Genma stopped in his tracks to process what Soun had said. Ranma used the opportunity to snatch the barrel from his father. Holding the barrel over his hip, Ranma looked at his father's shocked expression and laughed. "This was delivered for me, Pop. I'll take it." he said.

Nabiki took the barrel from Ranma with ease, as Ranma was not expecting any attack from the middle Tendo sister. "Nabiki? Give that back!" Ranma said sternly.

"Now, Ranma. A deal is a deal. Daddy didn't have to choose to give it to you. He told Akane he would give it to you if she married you. She has consented. You need to fulfill your end of the bargain, or the spring water goes to whomever Daddy chooses," Nabiki explained.

"Yes! Exactly!" Soun crossed his arms and stood triumphantly.

Ranma thought for a moment. He looked back at Akane searching for any reaction. Akane simply watched Ranma with curiosity. Ranma looked at the floor in front of him and closed his eyes. "No!" he declared looking back up at Nabiki with frustration. "I will not force Akane to marry me so that I can be cured. That's not love, that's extortion!" Ranma scolded.

Nabiki smiled at Ranma, pleased with his answer. "But, Ranma," she started. "In order for you to have made that sacrifice, you've proven you do love my sister. If you didn't, you would have taken the water from me by now or agreed for your own benefit," Nabiki said with a smirk. "Sounds to me, you'll still be marrying for the right reasons."

Ranma looked confused. "I didn't.. I mean, I don't.." Ranma stuttered.

Akane huffed. "Ranma, just marry me and get your cure." Akane demanded.

Ranma shook his head. "No. That isn't fair!" he declared.

"Who isn't it fair to? Me? I agreed. That was my choice," Akane insisted.

. Ranma scratched his head. "I know, but.." he started.

"But what? I'm telling you it's okay. I want to marry you , Ranma, or I wouldn't have put on the dress," Akane declared.

"Akane, we're only 18," Ranma said as he moved closer to face Akane.

"So what, Ranma? We're going to end up married one way or another eventually, anyway, right?" Akane looked Ranma dead in the eyes when she asked. "So what if we do this early? What difference will it make? Maybe your other fiances will back off if we do this now and we can have a more peaceful life," Akane's face softened as she thought about the potential this marriage could have for their lives.

"I guess that makes sense," Ranma scratched the back of his head again. "If you're really that sure then, okay." Ranma said decisively.

Every family member in the room's eyes widened with shock. Nabiki leaned over to Kasumi. "I can't believe that worked," Nabiki said with a smirk. "Oh my," Kasumi added.

Suddenly, Nodoka peeked into the room. "Excuse me," she started. "But the ceremony is ready to start."

Soun grabbed Ranma's arm. "Son! Let's go get ready and let the women have a moment!" Genma cheered as Soun dragged Ranma out of the room and in the direction Nodoka had been moments earlier.

Genma snuck stealthily over toward the barrel, still in Nabiki's arms. "Don't even think about it, Mr. Saotome," Nabiki switched arms holding the barrel and glared at the man.

Genma scratched the back of his head and laughed with a belly full of fake guilt.

Nodoka stood in front of her son and she adjusted his bowtie. "I can't believe how handsome and manly you look right now, Ranma. I'm so proud of you," Nodoka said, then wiped a tear from her eye.

Ranma sighed. "Mom, don't cry. This is what you want, isn't it?" Ranma asked.

Nodoka nodded. "Yes, son. It's what you want, too, right?" she asked.

"Euh?" Ranma's tongue caught in the back of his mouth. "Does that even matter anymore?" he asked.

"Of course it does, son. You love her and want to marry her, right?" Nodoka asked, looking her son directly in his eyes.

Ranma searched for the right words to reassure his mother. "Uh.. I mean.." Ranma looked around him to check who may be listening in to the conversation. "I think so, mom."

Nodoka smiled, happy with her son's answer. "I know you do, son. It's been very obvious to me since the day I found you," Nodoka stepped back and admired her son for a moment. "You're ready."

Ranma's nerves shot straight through him. Marriage. Right now. Without much warning. This was happening. Genma approached the pair.

"Come along, dear. It's time for us to take our seats," Genma encouraged his wife.

"Yes, you're right," Nodoka looked at the seats. There were only four of them prepared. One of the seats held a photograph of the Tendo matriarch. "This seems like such a small wedding."

Genma chuckled. "It cost Tendo quite a few yen to make sure Nabiki didn't send invitations all over Nerima," he took his wife's hand. "It's safer this way, dear."

Nodoka nodded and took her seat directly in front of her son's position. Genma took the seat to her left. The officiant approached the podium.

"Are we ready to begin?" The officiant asked. Genma nodded as he reached over and pressed play on the boombox. They weren't going to take any unnecessary risks to ensure this wedding happened, so they opted to take care of the music themselves.

The wedding processional began to play. Nabiki heard her cue and entered the room, walking slowly down the short aisle in an elegant bridesmaid dress and floral bouquet. Soon behind her, Kasumi appeared in a matching gown with a matching flower arrangement. Both women took their spots at the side of the bride's future placement.

Soun appeared in the doorway to the room. One moment later, Akane appeared, as she took her father's arm and smiled up at him. Soun smiled back, his signature tears streaming down his face. "My beautiful daughter. How I wish your mother could be here to see you today," Soun told his daughter and he reached down and kissed her forehead.

Genma reached over and changed the song to the bridal march. Akane and Soun looked at each other and down toward Ranma and the others.

"Are you ready, daughter?" Soun asked.

Akane looked at an obviously nervous Ranma and smiled. "Yeah. I think I am, dad."

"Then let's have this wedding," Soun said as he began to walk his daughter down the aisle. Akane obediently took her father's lead.

Very soon, Akane and Soun were facing Ranma and the priest. Soun took Akane's hand in one of his, then reached and took hold of one of Ranma's. Soun then placed Ranma's hand over his daughter's and smiled at him. "She is yours to take care of now, son," Soun said to Ranma.

Ranma nodded to Soun, although still in a complete state of shock over the current situation.

"Who gives this woman to this man?" the officiant asked.

"I do. Her father, Soun Tendo, give my daughter, Akane Tendo, to this man, Ranma Saotome," Soun's waterfall tears continued.

"Thank you, you may be seated," the officiant said, as Akane took her place facing Ranma and Soun took his seat on the bride's side, next to his wife's honorary placement.

"Dearest beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of this man, Ranma Saotome, and this woman, Akane Tendo, in holy matrimony," the officiant started the ceremony.

Ranma took a deep breath. Akane watched him, in a slight state of surprise that he hadn't yet gone running.

"Now, as neither party had time to prepare their own vows, you will both take turns repeating after me," the officiant instructed. "Akane, you will go first," the officiant tilted his head to look at Akane. Akane nodded.

"I, Akane, take you, Ranma, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until parted by death," the officiant recited.

"Now, Ranma," the officiant changed direction to look at Ranma. Ranma's eyes did not leave Akane's as Ranma gulped. "You will repeat after me.I, Ranma, take you, Akane, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until parted by death," the officiant recited.

"I, Ranma, take you, Akane, to be my.." Ranma took another gulp then looked over at his mother, who nodded encouragingly, "wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to..
Ranma started breathing heavier and felt the beginning stages of a panic attack. Akane took his hand and caught his eyes in hers.

"It's okay, Ranma. Breathe. I know this is scary. I believe in you," Akane said to Ranma.

Ranma took one big breath in and blew it out quickly. He stood and confidently as he proclaimed, "love and to cherish, until parted by death." Unfortunately for Ranma, this proclamation came out squeaky and full of nerves.

Akane smiled at Ranma and patted his hand. "You're almost done."

Ranma smiled up at Akane. "Thanks, 'Kane."

"We will now start the exchanging of the rings," the officiant continued.

Genma stood up and handed Ranma a small box before taking his seat again.

Ranma opened the box to find a man's wedding band and a matching woman's wedding band. Ranma took the man's wedding band from the box and handed it to Akane. "Here, 'Kane. I think you're supposed to hold this one," Ranma said shakily. Ranma then took the woman's band out and tossed the box back to his father who scrambled to catch it.

The officiant looked at Akane. "Akane, place the ring on Ranma's finger and repeat after me," he instructed. Akane nodded, not taking her eyes off Ranma. "With this ring, I ask you to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish you, for time and all eternity."

Akane took a breath and took Ranma's proper hand, placing the ring on the boy's shaky finger. "Ranma. With this ring, I ask you to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish you, for time and all eternity." Akane recited as she let go of Ranma's hand.

The officiant looked at Ranma. "Ranma, place the ring on Akane's finger and repeat after me," he instructed. "With this ring, I ask you to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish you, for time and all eternity."

Ranma took a big breath and prepared himself. "Akane. With this ring, I ask you to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish you, for time and all eternity." Ranma spit out as quickly as he was able before he lost his nerve.

"Now the couple have vowed themselves to each other and exchanged rings, it is my honor and privilege to pronounce you both husband and wife." the officiant stated. "You may kiss the bride." The officiant closed his notepad.

Ranma froze. He was so worried about everything else, he forgot all about the fact that he had to kiss Akane. This would be their first kiss and it would be in front of everyone. Ranma gulped.

Akane smiled, sensing Ranma's hesitation. "It's okay, Ranma. Forget anyone else is here for just a minute. I know it's scary. I'm scared, too. We can do this, though. Come on, kiss me," Akane encouraged.

Ranma's shoulders relaxed and his face softened. "You're right. It's just a kiss, right? We can do this," Ranma said as he leaned in closer and closer.

Genma started shaking his wife's shoulders. "They're going to do it!" he rejoiced. Soun's tears filled the floor and Nodoka watched her son with stars in her eyes.

Akane could feel Ranma's breath on her lips. He was almost there. "Screw it," Akane thought as she took Ranma's head with both hands and pulled him in the rest of the way and planted a kiss on his lips," Ranma's eyes widened for a few moments, and then closed as he decided to just let the kiss happen. He has already come this far, he may we all follow through.

Soun, Nodoka and Genma all stood and cheered. Nabiki and Kasumi smiled and clapped their hands.

"I can't believe this actually happened without incident," Nabiki said.

"Only because Father stopped you from sending those invitations," Kasumi reminded.

Nabiki chuckled. "The price was right," she defended.

Akane and Ranma broke apart and looked at their families. Nodoka grabbed her son and embraced him. "My son! You have proven your manhood and fulfilled your family's honour! I am lucky to be your mother," Nodoka cried. "Thank you for giving me a new daughter." Nodoka smiled at Akane, still embracing her son.

"I guess I'll go invite the party guests," Nabiki laughed. "Can't have a reception with this many people."

"I thought Father told you not to invite anyone," Kasumi said.

"He said to the wedding, not the reception. It's not like they can stop them now. They are married! It's better some of these crazies find out about it sooner rather than later," Nabiki defended and she turned on her heel and bolted out the door to find a phone.

Nodoka released one of her arms and then pulled Akane into the hug, hugging now both her son and new daughter in law. "I love you both."