Chapter 5: An Unexpected Reunion

The next day, early morning.

Ranma sat cross-legged on a largest rock encircling the large Koi pond, deep in meditation. Even as the sun was rising, the Tendo household awoke with bustling activity. Akane and her sisters were upstairs admiring each other's dresses and planning out the day. Soun and Happosai went to the dojo after breakfast to meet up with Cologne and Mousse adding on the final details to the makeshift wedding hall. In the kitchen, Shampoo was just preparing the main course for the coming feast. Her angelic singing filled all their ears.

Spirits were running high and there was no sign of Mint and Lime. With the wedding just two days away, it seemed as if Ranma and Akane would finally catch a break.

Ranma felt a hand on his shoulder and opened his eyes to see his father looking down at him, glasses shinning in rising sunlight. He bore a completely serious look of determination on his large face. A trifle bit of interest seeped into Ranma's expression.

"Hey pop, what's up?"

"Ranma m' boy, soon you will willingly enter a new life with Akane. You do realize that the major task to complete in the next several years is to create an heir to the Saotome line, don't you?"

"Create?" Ranma blinked.

Genma paused a moment then sighed. "Ranma haven't they taught you about the 'birds and the bee's' at school?"

"If you mean sex education, then no. You had us moving around so much that I never stayed long enough in school to catch that part. All I know is what they talk about in the locker rooms and stuff."

Genma sighed and sat next to his son. "Ranma my boy, it's time we had a long, long father to son talk..."

"Akane, your dress is so pretty! It must have cost a fortune," Nabiki exclaimed, running the material through her fingers. Akane frowned. No doubt Nabiki was running figures on how much she could sell it for after the wedding.

Kasumi seemed to have similar thoughts. She took it from her sister and placed it back in its plastic protector before hanging it on a hook on the back of the door.

Akane sat down on her bed, still clad in her yellow P.j.'s. "Well, it was expensive but I've been saving for quite some time. Plus, dad was more than happy to help me out in defraying the cost. He's almost more excited about this then I am!"

Kasumi seemed on the verge of getting a little bit emotional. "Oh my. It's still so hard to believe! Our little sister is getting married. We always knew you would marry before us, but now that the day is here... well, I just can't believe it."

Kasumi kissed Akane's forehead as tears formed in the corner of her eyes. "I know you and Ranma will be perfectly happy together."

Akane smiled. "Ranma and I always could be happy together. We were just too immature to realize it."

"Speaking of making a guy happy Akane, did you learn about 'IT'?" Nabiki asked leaning over and giving her sister a wink.

Akane fidgeted, blushing furiously. "Only what they taught us in school…"

Nabiki whistled. "Sis, that isn't going to help you at all! You need info. What to do, what not to do, where to put your hands. etc."

Akane sat on her bed, blushing crimson as her sister went into full detail on what to do the night of the wedding. Kasumi listened too, occasionally muttering an 'oh my' when Nabiki got overly graphic.

The next morning after a good night's sleep and breakfast, the three had sat down to catch up.

"So then Ryoga and I eventually escaped from the tunnel and the ghosts and when we came out everyone thought we were a couple! They all cheered as we got to the concession stand. I never blushed so much for so long in my life!"

Mr. Konji looked at his daughter, laughing loudly. "You run away from home for revenge and end up getting caught up in this whirlwind life and surprisingly enough, you enjoy it! I'll tell ya, the world sure is strange sometimes."

Ukyo passed him a piping hot cup of tea. "I enjoy it here. Osaka was just too boring, even when I was a little girl."

Mr Konji grinned happily. "Ukyo, you make me jealous! Your cooking is even better than mine and you're in better shape to boot!" He grinned. "So Ryoga, I heard you and Ranma used to be rivals, even got in some pretty big scraps along the way?"

Ryoga nodded. "Yeah, we did. But we found out that we fight better together then we do against each other. I couldn't have beaten Pantyhose without him."

Mr. Konji nodded. "I will enjoy meeting young Ranma again. Besides, I think I need to have a nice and friendly chat with Genma anyways." He cracked his knuckles as a dangerous twinkle entered his eyes.

U kyo lightly bonked her father on the head. "Wait till after the wedding to get your revenge, Papa! Speaking of which, Ryoga, aren't your parents supposta' be there too?"

R yoga looked crestfallen. "I sent them the invitation a week ago but I don't think they will make it in time. Their sense of direction is even worse than mine."

Ukyo frowned. Poor guy. He hasn't seen his family in so long and he won't even get to see them during the biggest moment of his life.

Sadness gripped Ryoga as Ukyo unintentionally reminded him of his last piece of bad news. The loneliness he felt in the long separation from his family was eating him alive inside. If they didn't make it to his wedding he didn't know what he would do. Glumly he realized he had to prepare him for that seemingly certain eventuality. It wasn't that they wouldn't try to come, he reasoned, it wasn't their fault they had no sense of direction. He took some comfort in the fact that they'd probably end up in China while trying to find him.

There was a knock on the front door. Ryoga jumped up, motioning for the other two to remain seated. Is it Mint and Lime? It couldn't be them. They wouldn't waste time knocking.

He grabbed his umbrella just in case and went to the door, unlocking it slowly. He opened it a crack and peered out. It never hurt to be cautious.

A look of disbelief appearing on his face.

Mr. Konji jumped up and ran to his side. "What's the matter?"

Ryoga didn't answer. Mr. Konji reached for the door handle and jerked the door open with incredible speed. Standing there in the doorway were two people who clearly looked as confused as he did.

"Could you tell us how to get to the Tendo Dojo? We're late for a wedding and we're utterly lost." An attractive woman said, brushing a strand of black hair from her face. A black headband was clearly noticeable through her bangs. She was dressed in a formal kimono that simply shouted elegance and grace.

"Yes, its most urgent we get there as soon as possible," the man said. He had deep gray eyes and a yellow bandanna on that somehow matched with his black tuxedo.

"M-mom? Dad? Is it really you?" Ryoga chocked out as tears springing from his eyes. Was this some trick? Was it real? He couldn't believe it! He closed his eyes then opened them again and saw to his utter joy that it was no dream or figment of his imagination.

"RYOGA!" Mrs. Hibiki ran forward and grabbed her son in a bone crushing bear hug. Ryoga couldn't have cared less. Tears streamed from her dark gray eyes and fell onto his shoulder. "Oh my boy, my boy, my boy! I've missed you so much!"

The tears wouldn't stop flowing but Ryoga didn't care. He returned his mother's hug, felt his loneliness and sadness wash away like sand in water. She pulled him away and looked him over, smiling gently. "Ryoga, you've grown up on me! My little baby boy has become a man!"

Ryoga's father embraced his son warmly then stepped back to shake his hand. He was clearly pleased to see the strapping young man his son had become during their long abbesses from each other. His was having a slightly better time at controlling his emotions then his wife, but Ryoga could still see the mistiness in Mr. Hibiki's eyes as he looked over his son with pride. "You have grown up. I didn't even recognize you!"

Ryoga was growing flustered under all this attention. He had so much he wanted to say but no words would come out. He stood there as his parents fussed over him, unsure of what to do or say, afraid of ruining the moment.

What was he thinking?! He knew exactly what he had to do! Banishing his flustered senses, he took a moment to get a grip on himself then he fixed his gaze on his parents. "Mom, Dad, I love you." He hugged them both tightly, allowing the tears to flow with abandon at last.

"Would you like to come in?" Ukyo appeared at his side, squeezing his shoulder to show him she was here to support him during this heartwarming moment.

"You must be Miss Konji!" Ryoga's mother exclaimed, clasping her hands. "Ryoga has told us all about you in the last letter he sent us. I'm so glad he found such a sweet girl like you! I'm sure you two will be very happy together!" Ukyo flushed and said nothing as the group walked into the main dining area.

"Mother, Father, allow me to introduce Mr. Konji, Ukyo's father." Ryoga said, motioning politely with his hand. Greetings and handshakes were given out and the group sat down at a table.

Mr Konji massaged his aching hand. Now I know where Ryoga got his strength from!

"Tell us, son, how was the wedding? We tried our hardest to make it on time but well...you know how it is…" Mr. Hibiki took off his glasses and polished them.

"Dad, you didn't miss it. The event is tomorrow."

Mrs. Hibiki squealed happily, bouncing up and down in her seat. "Tanaka, did you hear that! We weren't too late after all!" She started into a fresh set of tears that proceeded to flood the restaurant floor.

Mr. Hibiki did his best to calm her down as he talked to his son. "Ryoga, we have a lot of catching up to do. You used to write us all the time but you stopped a few months back. What happened?"

Ryoga chuckled softly. "Mom, Dad, get comfortable. It's a long story."