Chapter 4: Father Makes Three

Ryoga sat outside of Ukyo's restaurant staring up at the bright stars above as Ukyo made a check list of things to do in the final days before the wedding. He was really proud of her for holding fast to her resolve and carrying out her duties in the face of impending evil. From what he understood, a bridesmaid's job was no laughing matter as it was. Her abundance of enthusiasm was quite infectious. He took a deep breath, feeling strangely refreshed. Was it strange to be so calm in the face of certain danger, he wondered. Maybe he'd just gotten used to having his life put in danger every few months, sad as that thought was.

Yet, deep down he was still troubled. Neither about Mint and Lime, nor about the danger they posed, but how the wedding made him feel. He was fighting a battle and his insecurities were his opponent. He admitted that he was slightly jealous of Ranma and Akane. He too wanted so badly to join Ukyo in blissful union. However, while he was eager to take this next large step in his life, a part of him was terrified. There was no doubt in his mind that neither he nor Ukyo were ready. They hadn't been dating long enough to entertain such thoughts. That didn't mean he didn't fantasize about it.

He sighed loudly. Was he truly ready to settle down? He instantly checked that down, smiling wryly. Nothing ever "settled down" in Nermia. He looked up at the moon and watched it glow, thinking of his curse.

That's right, he realized with a start. There were plenty of other things he wanted to do in the meantime. Finding a cure and fixing his shyness around Ukyo should take top priority. So what if Ranma got married first?

Everything in his life except for his love for Ukyo seemed so uncertain. On top of his directional issues, insecurities, and shyness, he now had blood on his hands. What guarantee did he have that Ukyo would even want to spend her life with a murderer?

On top of all that, Ranma had sent invitations to the wedding to Ryoga's family as a polite gesture, but there had been no reply. Ryoga hadn't seen his parents in almost two years so he had little hope that they'd seen the invitation, or found their way home to check the mail, for that matter.

Ukyo appeared out of nowhere as if she had read his thoughts and sat next to him, fishing for his hand. "I just called Akane. You remember those two food thieves from a while back? The ones who beat Akane and kicked her out of the house for a while? Turns out the Tendo's adopted them tonight."

"You're kidding?"

"Nope! Voted in as part of the family via unanimous vote."

"Well, from what I saw of those two, they're really strong. Some extra firepower won't hurt when…"

"Let's not bring that up again right now," she said suddenly, heading him off at the pass.

Ryoga fell silent again for a few moments and he sat there lost in tought, nudged a loose rock with his toe and studying it as if it was the most interesting thing in the world.

"Whats wrong sugar?"

He looked up at her and shrugged.

She sat down next to him and gave him her full attention. "It's Zero again, isn't it?"

"I don't think about that day much anymore," he said defensively. "It's just that every now and then it all comes back to me. It's like a reoccurring nightmare that I just can't shake."

"Listen sugar, I'm not necessarily the most sensitive girl. I mean, I'm not Shampoo or Akane mind you. I have some tact. But I'll be the first to tell you that you did what you had to do in a battle not of your choosing. That jackass would have killed me and the others. Scum like that always get what's coming to them. Furthermore, you didn't kill him on purpose. It was an accident."

She tapped his nose. "Besides, we have a wedding to help our friends get through. So let's focus on that for now, ok? When it's over, we can work out anything you need help with. Deal?"

He nodded. "Deal. You really do make me feel better. Thanks a lot Ukyo."

"Yeah, we get along pretty well, don't we?" she stood up and put a hand on her hip. "It's hard to believe we would mesh so well after our first meeting. And what a meeting it was, eh?"

A flustered expression caused him to start stuttering, causing Ukyo to giggle. He remembered the incident all too well. He and Ukyo had gotten into a fight concerning Ranma at Furinkan the day after she had transferred there. He had almost knocked her out cold, but luckily Ranma had opened her shirt, showing him that the squealing Ukyo was in fact a girl and not a boy as he had first thought.

"Yeah, everyone's changed a lot since then. I guess we're all starting to grow up." Ryoga smiled thoughtfully.

"Yeah, my baby girl has grown up a lot these past two years now that you mention it! I almost didn't recognize her myself"

The two teens turned their heads around quickly to see a short and stocky middle aged man step out from the side of the restaurant. His face was covered in a short black beard and his blue eyes, the same color as Ukyo's, shone in the cool evening light. He was wearing his cooking attire, the same type Ukyo wore. Ryoga started to rise to his feet to challenge the intruder when he glanced over at Ukyo and relaxed as a look of pure elation crossed her face.

"Papa!" She sprang to her feet and embraced him tightly. "Papa, I've missed you so much! I wasn't expecting you until tomorrow! Thanks for coming to the wedding!" Ukyo kissed his cheek, hugging him tightly.

"I've missed you too, sweetheart. The train got in early so I decided to take my chances and stop in for a bit." He smiled broadly and put his fingers under her chin, raising her face to look up at him. "My little girl has become a woman! You're the spitin' image of your mother, Ukyo. Bless her soul. Ranma and his sad excuse of a father really messed up letting you get away."

"It all worked out for the best Papa." Ukyo beamed then tugged on his arm sleeve. "I want you to meet Ryoga Hibiki. He's my boyfriend."

Ryoga felt a cold sweat sprout on his forehead and he nervously bowed low before her father. "It is an honor to meet you Mr. Kuonji."

"Hello, Ryoga. It's nice to finally meet the boy my daughter has written to me so much about."

Ryoga stood up straight and clasped the other man's hand in a strong handshake. Mr. Konji's eyes widened slightly at the powerful grip the young man had. He had more strength in his hands then a boy of his age should ever possess. There was no doubt the young man was a warrior. Even if he hadn't had such strength, the fire that blazed in his eyes was unmistakable.

"You're a martial artist. I can tell that much. Been giving Ukyo a few lessons too eh? Good for you son, good for you!

Ryoga looked first at Ukyo who gave him a small smile. "I assure you that she's taught me far more than I've taught her."

The bearded man slapped Ryoga on the back. "Ha! Who knew there were still modest men in the world! You hold onto this one Ukyo. He's definitely a keeper."

Ukyo slipped her hand into Ryoga's. "Father, would you stay over with us tonight? I've been dying to show you the restaurant and there's so much we need to catch up on!"

Mr. Konji scratched at his beard. "Well, I was planning on renting a hotel room but if my baby girl wants me to stay then how can I refuse?!" His merry, disarming laugh brought smiles to the faces of the two lovers.

Walking in behind Ukyo and her father, Ryoga threw his fears of the coming attack out as he quietly shut the door behind him. What was to be was to be and he simply wasn't going to worry about it any longer. Eager to make a good and lasting impression he followed the two into the kitchen to make them some tea.

Natsumi and Kurumi lay on a futon in the small storage shed off to the side of the dojo. A soft rain had started up and the two listened as it pitter-pattered against the roof. There was silence between them as both tried to digest everything that had happened throughout the last twelve hours. There was no doubt that they were glad to be back. This dojo had been the only place where they'd ever felt safe and happy. This time around though, they truly felt like part of the family.

However it hadn't all been fun conversation after the men had cleaned up the shed and turned it into temporary housing. Ranma had informed the four of them of the imminent attack of Mint and Lime. It had been all the two new Tendo girls could do to console him.

After Genma managed to convince Soun to come with him back to the house to distract him from taking further steps towards a nervous breakdown, Ranma had filled the two sisters in on everything that had happened since their first departure, from Saffron to Wraith. He also cleared up any confusion as to his curse.

"Hey Natsumi," Kurumi finally said, looking over at the boxes stacked against the wall. "Ranma's had a pretty hard life huh? I mean, we always thought that everyone else who had a home was better off than us right? Now I'm not so sure."

"It would seem so. But we're here now and we can change things." She nodded confidently." I'm sure we can help out. All these wonderful people welcomed us into their family. They've given us a purpose and duty other than just to survive."

Her sister rolled over and blinked her large brown eyes. "Duty? Purpose?"

Natsumi smiled confidently. "That's right. Now we can protect those people. We'll help return things to normal."

"A normal life," Kurumi's voice softened with whimsy. "We'll get to go to school and make friends, sleep in a bed every night."

"Not have to worry about going hungry or hunting small animals in the wilds," her sister added.

"Thank goodness for that too. I was getting tired of rabbit."

The list of pros against cons went on and both the sisters laughed into the night. Of everyone living in the Tendo dojo, the two former vagabonds were the only ones looking forward to the attack because they had something to prove. Against all odds, Natsumi and Kurumi went to sleep that night vowing to defend the wedding at all costs. That singular goal brought them the best sleep they'd had in months.