The sound of a busy phone alerted the family about the new development in the house. Kasumi picked it, wondering about a possible wrong caller because most contacts were from patients looking for her husband in the middle of the night . "Hello? . . .Yes, this is the Tendo residence . . .Well . . .No. . .Akane Tendo doesn't live here any longer . . ." The tone felt somehow familiar when chewed up words encompassed the caller's vocabulary with a distinct familiarity about her youngest sister. "Ranma?. . .It is you! . . How are things after all this time?"
The female voice on the other side told the oldest Tendo what the now young man planned on the road was to lure the lost boy into the open. . .By staying as a girl. Her enthusiastic tone told her of the contact she made with the lost boy and the place she was living for the time being. "Kasumi . . .Where did 'kane leave to?" The now woman changed the receiver to the other side, making the call a bit personal.
Kasumi played nervously with the headset after ending up in the middle of a ten year old separation her sister was supposed to finish in the first place. The now mother of two grabbed the phone tightly hoping her trembling voice wouldn't betray her remorse.
"She left for America . . .There was not much to do here after you left and the rest of her friends began to move overseas as well. Some family received a letter from her studies exchange to that country and they accepted her. . .I'm sorry Ranma-kun . . ."
The girl hoped for a way to avoid the news about her sister's last decision, but there was nothing else to hang onto. "Akane-Chan married two years ago over there. . .She called me the night before begging me to contact you, but there was no way for me to know where . . ."
Finally her words betrayed her solid demeanor after silence invaded the line. "I am really sorry . . ." There were noises and scuffles from the redhead's side giving the oldest Tendo an idea about her hurt feelings.
Ranma said nothing else, she hanged the phone ignoring the other side of the line, walking back to the restaurant. "Well girl . . Were you able to get help for Yamabushi-san?" The girl scoffed at the name, sitting on the chair deflated, sad at the news.
"The hermit . . .What a weird name, yet . . .So fitting. . .No old man . . .Everyone moved on, leavin' me an' Ryoga behind . . ." The man assented and sat at her side. "Indeed that's life young one. . .If we stay and fight for what we want, the world leaves us and move on without us. . .Don't feel bad. . .After all, you are his goddess. . .We just need to find him."
The woman's point of view changed after his last comment. He wanted to fix his errors by finding him and separate himself from the curse, but after so long, what was his curse, but part of him. . .It always had been part of who he is. Ten years felt like the right time to convince himself of the true nature of his ever-lasting curse. "You're right old man . . .I need to find him and fix all this mess."
Ranma decided to stop using her male side altogether after sharing the room with the girls. The now full time redhead walked to the street after a hard day refreshing herself with the cold breeze from the powdery snow outside. Kids would run to where she sat, attracted by her beauty and for the statement given by the girls living in the restaurant.
"See . . .She is his girl . . .His red-ghost . . ." The girls would sit at her side while the boys in front. "Please Ranko-Chan . . .Tell us more about Yamabushi-kun . . .What adventures you two shared when you were young?" The girl giggled at the puzzled faces, starting with tales of teasing dates and how he always managed to get lost in his own house.
Old couples sat close by her too, and enjoyed the strange tales about monsters and powerful warriors rescuing damsels in distress and saving the day. "So. . .When that man lost the magical kettle, Yamabushi-kun jumped into the chasm devoid of any fear to try and rescue it for me . . .He risked his life to save me from that man . . ."
All the girls sighed in unison making the redheaded woman chuckle at the totally wrong idea from the fight's description, still . . .The tale sounded so heroic and romantic when she told it that way, she began to see herself as the damsel instead of the fighter. "Ok guys . . .Time for bed, see you all tomorrow."
All the kids left running, except for a little girl standing before the bigger female. "Why? . . .Why did you leave him? . . ." Ranma felt a pang of guilt, pondering the same question herself for the last ten years. "I have no idea kiddo . . .I guess, I had no idea how much I really love him . . ."
She always accepted her "female side" as the guilt ridden girl who irremediably fell for the strange, lost boy but time once again began to change when the "I really love him . . ." statement rang closer to what he really felt for his friend.
"Damn . . .If Ryoga would hear me sayin' that I would be dead in a second. . ." Her hand moved mechanically at the little girl's head, ruffling her hair in the process while smiling at the change of pace in her new life.
The girl hugged her and left mumbling her last rant for the day. "Find him please . . .He must be so lonely out there. . ." The woman agreed one hundred percent with the little girl, hoping he would still be alive by the time she would go looking for him.
On the coldest of nights, three men traversed through the wilderness hoping to find a good spot to hunt. The men left behind on their camp a boy and two girls cared by their mother. Everything seemed so peaceful after the snow stopped falling, but just before they left civilization, one of the women told the others about the storm heading their way.
"I don't even know why are we here . . .The resort is just a few miles passing the bridge . . I swear . . .Men and their guns are the worst." The other two travelers agreed after rubbing their hands on the fire. "This is supposed to be a vacation, not a hunting trip. . .I am going to tell mom about this, just you wait. . ."
Sounds of gunshots made them stare at the far darkness where their strong protectors ran back at the camp. "What happened? Why are you in a rush?" The men hurried trying to pack everything they could, moving it into the truck.
"I don't know dear . . .We saw a herd of deer pasting nearby but something big scared them away, when Joe yelled at that . . .thing . . .It stood up on two legs, surpassing well above any of us . . .Whatever it is. . .Is really big, and is chasing us here. . ."
The families ran at the vehicle when that monstrous being swiped it, turning it upside-down like it was nothing. The group began to scatter all over the place, leaving their equipment behind. Sounds of heavy walking on the snow told them of how close he was to their location, forcing them to move in direction to the bridge.
"Ok. .Go ahead honey. . .Take the girls and Brian . . .Cross first while we distract it. . ." The blonde woman refused to leave her husband, asking the boy to be brave and to go ahead with his sisters. The teens went ahead until the beast walked close to the cliff, making the bridge shake from the rumbling.
"Mom! . . .Dad! . . .The bridge . . .Is collapsing . . .!" The grown ups saw how the sturdy overpass fell in pieces from the weather and the beast pulling from the lines. The older woman screamed in desperation after her whole life flashed before her eyes. "Brian! . . .No! . . .my children . . ." There was nothing left to live for after the distraught parents and the other couples saw the young teenager's demise.
They stood before the beast ready to be killed when the giant stopped, sniffing something in the air and moving against it. The tourists heard steps coming their way from somewhere but there was no sign of anyone near by.
"Hello?" The giant bear growled menacingly at the man shouting for help, but stopped again, awaiting his old nemesis. Surely enough, the steps kept coming closer and closer until the bushes by the cliff moved, giving pass to another man.
This man looked rather young, on his late twenties porting a black beard and eyes filled with fury. The stranger had their boy and girls on his back, depositing them carefully on the ground and staring at the monster.
He bent his hand towards him, taunting the beast who obediently lunged at him. The men gaped at the difference in size, yet . . .The man handled the beast like a regular combatant. Several minutes passed when a tired stranger saw the animal ran away again from the lost fight.
He said nothing to the people, he just kept walking to the truck and pushing it until it fell on its tires. "T-Thank you . . ." The man kept ignoring them, walking back at the side of the bridge and pulling the broken lines, tying them back in place.
"Leave . . .Now . . ." The family got on the vehicle which amazingly turned on and drove through the bridge while seeing how the stranger held from the lines, enduring the pressure from all the weight. The family arrived to the only place open at the moment, entering without any regard for the other patrons.
"Please . . .I need some help . . ." Ranma rushed with a first aid box, helping the hyperventilating women with alcohol and grabbing clean towels for the rest. The old man walked to where the men rested. "Welcome . . .Tell me . . .What happened?"
The older of the three looked at the others not wanting to sound stupid but the rest agreed with the same version. "Well . . .We were exploring on the other side of the old bridge north of here. . .Something came out of no where . . .Something really big and tough . . .At first I thought it was a bear, but there are no bears that size here, are they?"
The old man saw Ranma with a smile and puffed his pipe before asserting their encounter. "Oh young master . . .There is none but that one in here . . .He has lived an outcast for many years, but he never comes here. . .Actually, the forest after the bridge is his territory. . .Weren't you hunting on those areas?"
Their blush told him the truth, giving him reason for their trespassing and nodding to what really went on. "Oh yes. . .You needn't to come back ever to that area, that old bear has killed many until Yamabushi-san came though . . .Since then, we haven't had an encounter except for this one."
The old American passed page after page from his English-Japanese translator until finding the right word. "Yamabushi . . .Hermit. . .That was "him" wasn't it? . ." In that moment, Ranma and the family gave their undivided attention at the tourists. "The bridge collapsed when that beast cornered us against it and . . ."
His tears began to spill when he realized his near death experience finally set in. "My children fell into the cliff . . .I thought they were done for, but he . . .He came from no where with my dear children on his back. . .Oh . . ." He began to cry uncontrollably, letting his wife finish the story.
"He . . .He saved my babies and confronted that monster . . .How can a man compare his strength against that force. . .It's just inconceivable." The redhead saw the old man with a big smile, walking and cheering at the family. "Oh well, he is not a normal man either . . .He is Ryoga Hibiki . . .The strongest man on the planet. . ."
They definitely agreed with the woman, and accepted the meal of the day. After the scare passed, they said their goodbyes and promised to share the legend of "the hermit of mount Yotei"
The pigtailed woman made haste, walking out of the restaurant with the old man's blessing. "Be careful girl . . ." Ranma waved and began her walk into the wilderness. A few miles into the forest, the girl saw how the bridge was tied strangely to the beams and the tracks from human feet lead her to a deserted path.
Ranma kept thinking on what to say if anything to someone who not only doesn't remember her, but never did after the severe beating thanks by her arrogance. The woman felt years of isolation fall on her with the only constant to find him and make things right.
The path became narrow but the tracks doubled in size and were making more indentations on the snow . . .Like something a lot bigger followed the hermit. "Ryoga . . .That thing must be hunting him . . .I need to hurry. . ."
The steps became swift and steady until the track stopped near a river. "Damn it! . . .How can I find them now . . ." The redhead didn't need to think that far ahead when her silhouette was over shadowed by an even bigger one.
The woman saw how the towering bear was indeed several feet tall, unlike anything she had seen before. The beast was chewing a boot which hanged from his sharp teeth like a dangling piece of spaghetti. "Y-You monster! . . .What did you do to him . . ."
Her years of personal training and isolated practice made her even deadlier than before, but this was probably as strong if not stronger than Ryoga back then. Her fists blurred from plain sight and her avoidance made her untouchable.
But the result was still a stalemate. The enormous animal simply resisted every punch with ease, showing off his thick hide and countering the slowest attacks with his claws. Ranma focused only in one thing. . .To avenge her friend, forgetting everything else . . .Including the cold weather slowing her movement and breathing.
There she was again . . .Fighting for a greater cause before a bigger force and arrogantly forgetting her own life. Ranma felt the tiredness seep in from the fight fast enough. The jumps became misplaced and finally, a false step made her succumb to his heavier style.
"D-Damn it . . .I guess this is it for me too buddy . . .I . . .I failed you. . ." The bear raised menacingly at the girl ready to strike when a voice made him growl desperately. "Hiroto! . . . You never learn do you?" The bear roared at his pesky opponent ready to fight, but decided to ignore him, walking away from the girl.
The man walked near the woman, lifting her and walking back home. Several hours passed before Ranma woke up, when she opened her eyes, the cave felt cozy and warm by a fire and several fishes near the flames.
"Are you lost Miss? . . .The town is only a few miles from here. . .Let me rest a bit and I'll take you back." The redhead contemplated this moment for so long. When the man turned around, his bandanna covered his eyes like if he was blind. Ranma extended her hand and touched them wondering the reason.
The man chuckled, grabbing her hand cautiously. "I'm sorry Miss . . .I can only see someone, so I decided to see nothing else, but I'll be fine . . ." The girl pulled the bandanna up, revealing him who was on the other side of the cave.
The tired sigh he let out told Ranma how frustrated he had to feel after seeing only her face as the only memory during the lonely times he endured in the wilderness. Still, she came for him and nothing would let her stop after everything she went through.
"See? . . .I see her again . . .Right there, where you're sitting . . .I'm sorry, is an old curse of mine." Ranma giggled reassuring him she was real. "Not anymore Ryoga . . .It's me . . .This time I am here . . ." The man blinked, getting closer and touching her hair.
The same silky feeling. . .The red always accentuated those beautiful blue eyes. . .And that pigtail. . .For some reason it suited her nicely. A tear started to roll when his eyes closed and opened slowly one last time.
"I-It is you . . .My goddess . . .You finally found me!. . ." The man jumped, hugging her tightly and trying not to let her go. Ranma had to catch up with all her thinking as a woman when his warm embrace made her remember who "he" really was, forcing her to push him away with all the care in the world. "Whoa, easy there man . . .I am not leavin' any time soon . . ." The man didn't let go though, keeping his eyes glued to hers.
"I don't care. . .I don't want to loose you ever again . . .I need you in my life . . ." The girl accepted his embrace, staying in that position for the rest of the day after accepting her feelings and the understandable desire from the now adult. "So do I Ryoga . . .I have lived for so long looking for you. . .I ain't taking you off my sight. . ."
Night fell like in a dream, neither him or her knew the day had passed since the light of the cave reflected the golden flames of the fire. What really mattered for them both were what they experienced during their sleep. The next morning Ranma woke up in his arms, cuddling and forgetting any possible repercussion from her acts.
"How did you sleep my beautiful girl?" Ranma blushed by his words but accepted them with a new light in her life. "Ryoga . . .I had the same nightmare I've been havin' the last ten years, an' today I can say. . .I never felt more secure."
The girl wanted to make sure how everything would work out for them anyway so those questions had to be taken care of. "Tell me Ryoga . . .What do you think of me. . .?" The man ran his fingers through her hair, closing his eyes and enjoying the silky sensation.
"If your talking about being a guy . . .I don't care . . .To me you are my everything. . .I'm ashamed to say one thing though. . .I can't remember how you look on the other form and I'm afraid I won't recognize you when you change, but if you need to be a guy. . .I'll adore you just the same. . ."
The amazed female gaped after the boy somehow guessed who she really were even when amnesia was his constant companion for the last decade. They both blinked until the girl popped the question. "How . . .?" The boy shrugged innocently at her and looked to the side nervously. "I . . .I don't know . . ."
The girl knew about his undeniable feelings from the first time when he couldn't recognized him until he changed, so that wasn't the real problem. She took a deep breath and poured her heart on the situation. "Buddy . . .I was born a boy . . .And raised a boy for half my life, yet . . .Saeya taught me about feeling right with who you are . . .I feel right at your side, and I want to stay with you. . .Does that make me a bad person?" The man grabbed her face, playing nose with nose tenderly.
"Not by a long shot. . .I want to be with you and I don't care for any of that . . .I want you Ranma Saotome . . .The pigtailed boy . . .My pain in the butt on Junior high . . ." Ranma gaped at the new development when sudden pieces in the lost man's brain began to flash before them both. "R-Ryoga? . . .Are you rememberin' me?"
The boy frowned deeply, concentrating on her alone. "I can remember you, and him . . .And Akane and the rest. . .Oh Ranma! . . .I remember how to separate you from the curse . . ." A giant crack in the middle of the couple broke her of any desire after reality set in when his comment made the girl's eyes tremble by those news. Demoralized after so much effort and her decision to be a real woman for his sake, she tried to push the man away with all her strength while tears threatened to leak in desperation.
"Damn Ryoga . . .Move . . .You will get her once an' for all . . .Let me go already." The man had a hold on the girl without any effort, staring at her hurt eyes and waiting for the girl to look back. When she did, he attacked her with a deep kiss, stopping her complaints forcibly.
They separated and he went at it again, this time kissing her nose, eyes and forehead. "I told you I remembered how to separate you. . .I never said I wanted to . . ." The girl saw him again with those blue eyes brimming with happiness squinting them with the desire to read his mind from her sheer will.
"You mean it . . .You really meant that?" The young man nodded, cuddling even closer and forgetting the rest of his memories from that point on. "Damn Ranma . . .I can't believe I love you this much. . .I guess you really are a tease. . ."
The remark hit the desired point when her sly looking eyes darted into a ten-year old tease she used on him while disguised. He immediately recognized it as well, eagerly waiting for the woman's answer to his own declaration.
"Hey! . . .No human can resist me, an' for that matter . . .How can you fall for so many redheaded girls pretending to be your fiancée, admirer or girlfriend in Nerima, when the only one is me?" The man blushed that time admitting his fault and resting his head on her hair.
"Fine Saotome, you win . . .I hate to admit it, but you always defeat me and I'm happy you did it this time too. . .I want you . . .I really do." That's when his face turned into a sad expression making her wonder about the sudden change. "What is it Ryoga . . .You can't jump from happy to crabby in a second. . ."
The man smiled at her, guessing the next answer from the boy in her. "What about Akane. . .I don't think I can compete against her for your love. . .I guess no matter how much I try. . ." The girl kissed him back, making sure he was ready for her version of the story and stopping his lack of self trust.
"Ryoga . . .She left us both . . .She moved to America and married two years ago . . ." The man blinked and snickered not at the Tendo girl, but at his new found happiness. "Then Mrs. Hibiki . . .Where should we get married?"
Again those words told her how strong this relationship was turning into but at this point anything was possible so, she let go of her fears and accepted her fate at his side. "That . . .Sounds great. . ." The fanged man basked in his happiness at her side with such force, he could accept the Saotome surname too.
"Well . . .If you want we can go with Mrs. Saotome . . .I don't care either way . . .I only care for you." They cuddled closer until she told him about an old friend who is awaiting their arrival since the long past departure all those years ago.
"Well . . .I owe Saeya a bottle from the pool of drown girl, so we can hitch there and live with the old guys too . . ." Ryoga agreed and they took several days as vacation until walking back to Niseko. Ranma adapted on any situation with ease and this was no different. When she walked around the familiar cave one thing called her attention.
There were strange words written on them with what looked like blood. The young woman saw how the lost boy in his crazed state wrote "red-ghost" and "my love" all over the place with such intensity she was able to read it like a diary.
"It's 'bout time man . . .He loves me subconsciously an' he declares his love after knowin' me . . .Yes! . . .This is what I have dreamed for so long. . ." It made sense to her and to Ryoga so there was nothing anyone could do to destroy this. . .Or so she hoped.
Their arrival made the city cheer in celebration at the hero of the mountains.
The old man smiled proud at the boy and the girl after their final encounter while the little girls would run and bow at him with respect. The man wondered about their hairstyles voicing his concern to his wife. "Ranma? . . .Why are they wearing a pigtail? . . .Is there some kind of style after you?"
The woman laughed, pointing at the boys, fighting each other. "I ain't the only one Yamabushi-kun?" The boys had the same black beard faces making him laugh at them goodhearted. "I never expected this at all . . .Am I that hermit guy?"
"Indeed you are young one. . .You saved me that faithful day from the monster's paws. . .I counted my stars and commended my soul to the heavens above when you just simply jumped in and beat him away from me . . .I really thank you for that. . ." Squinting eyes told the old man Ryoga didn't recognized him or anything related to recent facts.
The day began to turn into a festivity when people all over the place arrived after the gossip from the fabled hermit. Cars and tourists came by to recognize him and to finally meet the elusive woman in his dreams. Ryoga stared fearful at the masses and walked slowly away until a reassuring set of limbs held him in place.
"I got you buddy. . . I will always get you . . ." The bandanna, young man smiled and stopped running away, embracing his new found friends. They all gathered up in the now crowded restaurant and began to form a line in front of the couple.
After the old man and others came, they thanked him for several heroics he didn't even remembered. The ones gathering wood or hunting were the first ones arriving, expressing their doubts about that beast always lurking in the shadows waiting for them furtively. From all of them, a girl pulled his pants in doubt from their safety.
"Yama-kun . . .What will we do when you leave? . . .Will that monster hunt us forever?" Ranma never accounted that for, waiting for his answer, the girl accepted living in the city as a protector at his side if her husband would agree to that. Ryoga had another version of things opposed at what they believed though. "Well little one. . .That monster is a mom. . .I met the cub a few years ago when I got lost in the mountains."
The man ashamedly explained the occurrences on his dreaded life. "At that time, I stumbled within a cave if I remember right, in China. . .The cub was alone so I decided to carry him out of danger, but when I blinked again, I was standing on top of that mountain with the cub on my hands. . .I brought him from wherever he was and decided to raise her with me."
"The funny thing about her is the relation we had with each other. . .Her instinct set in, forgetting me and moving on while I forgot her and walked away. I think she must've find someone special, since I found a small family with the same attributes on the chest."
The boy saw at the redheaded girl when talking about special mates, making all the teenagers fume and Ranma blush by the sweet remark. "I believe she is defending her children like any living creature would do, so please, avoid the location I marked on this map." Finished by giving the old man the tattered cloth.
Something dreaded in the air when a few feet away from the restaurant, a scream alerted them of impending danger. Ranma and Ryoga rushed outside until they met her. The tallest bear with a white patch on her chest growled menacingly here. . . .Inside town of all places.
Ryoga walked close by after all the awe stricken faces of the bystanders and noticed something . . .Hearth-warming. When the town stepped up knowing their savior would protect them, they raised axes and rifles ready for the hunt when he raised his hand with authority.
"Stop! . . .Give me a second please. . ." Ranma walkekd near the young man and when she took his hand the bear tirlted her head inquiringly at them. The boy smiled and gripped her tight. "Yes Hiroto-Chan . . .This is my mate. . ." The giant bear growled even louder, forcing the people to step back and see something else.
Behind the proud female bear, a smaller, yet big bear walked in and three cubs playing at their side. Ryoga and Ranma smiled at the proud family and bowed in respect at them. "Hiroto. . .Can you remember me? . . ." The bear's eyes sparkle ina motherly way, giving him the rightful answer but she wasn't interested about the boy. . .Something else was in her mind.
With a feral understanding, the bandanna boy nodded slowly at her silent communication, smiling at her for all the help. Ranma had that face again which made him explain their actions promptly. "I can't remember all. . .But I've seen her taking care of me . . .The strange thing is that I was among her cubs. . ."
The explanation choked in his throat when the rest came out with an embarrassed look in his face. "I was on four legs and running with them. . .I remember them very tall too. I think. . .I transformed into a pig or something during their mating season. . .I'm amazed they didn't eat me."
The looks went from amazement to laughs and disconcerted questions but they preferred to leave the details hidden and decided to move on. The family of bears agreed with the wild boy to leave any human alone as long as they would leave them off too. The old man accepted the deal and the family of bears walked back with no problem from the hunters and the people.
Walking away from the city, the young man took his flaming wife by the hand, arriving to the train station where the girl paid for the tickets and fixed their private compartment for the trip. They snuggled back on the same bed contemplating the light, snowy rain outside and looking at each other with care.
The redhead scoffed silently making him wonder about her thoughts. "What gives? . . .Am I making you uncomfortable babe. . .?" The woman laughed accepting his touch but the thought never left her mind. "It ain't you Ryoga . . .A few months ago I was in front of the repaired Jusenkyo pools."
"I stared at the pool of drown man for like forever, an' you know what I did?" The boy shrugged, hoping her decision aimed at his love. "I walked back to the pool were I fell, grabbed a bottle and filled it, walking away without turning back."
"I want to be Ranko. . .I am Ranko Hibiki, an' I like it. . ." Ranko's new decision came with a price though. " . . . Ryoga?" The man never left her eyes, waiting impatiently for her request. "Never leave me Ok? . . .I learned to love you an' I ain't quitting on you. . ." The man showed those big fangs with pride, hugging the misty eyed girl with devotion.
"Oh my dear Ranko . . .My friend . . .Ranma . . .You are the whole package in one. . .My best friend and lover . . .I'll die before I could leave you behind." They kissed and ignored the romantic weather outside the window."
The Climate changed for sure not only on Niseko city, but Nerima surfaced back when Ukyo and Akane arrived at the same time to the district. The two grown women looked stunning, the Chef brought with her a flaming new husband versed in the business field and owner of many restaurants.
The man accompanying Akane looked very familiar to the cook bowing before the brown haired man. "Wait . . .I know you from somewhere. . ." The man smiled and bowed back. "Well I hope you do, otherwise all those years at Ranma's side counted for nothing."
"Diasuke? . . .But I was told Akane married in the states. . .How?" The man hugged his wife making the statement highlight his chat. "I applied to the same exchange family. . .We both were picked and they accepted us as a couple over there. . ."
"What about you Ukyo . . .Your man seems very wealthy?" The chef smiled slyly at the comment declaring their status in Japan. "After much work, yes. . .We developed the first Okonomiyaki restaurant in Europe and everything has poured on us ever since." The man bowed doubtful, not knowing well the local customs and not used to do that before total strangers.
"Hey . . I'm Kabuto Abashi, I was born in Japan but raised in France, and this stubborn girl is my wife . . ."Ukyo Abashi". . ." Ukyo laughed at the friendly rivalry from their name sakes and their competitiveness, but that was the thing she always admired about her Ran-Chan.
"Well . . .Kasumi Nee-Chan told me they had extra rooms since Nabiki and Mr. Saotome moved a long time ago so, it would be an honor to share a house with the mighty Abashi family." The couple accepted, walking into their limousine with the Tendo couple.
"So Akane . . .Where did Ranma found him?" The girl sat comfortably at her husband's side and when another familiar face jumped on her lap. Ukyo blinked when P-Chan stared back at her, recognizing the girl after so long.
"She called a few days ago saying he was stuck on Mount Yotei, near Sapporo city. She went after him and apparently they're stopping on Niseko city before coming back." The chef kept staring at the pet, wondering about the meaning of his existence.
"You know Akane . . .Ran-Chan told me once that Ryoga had a curse of his own. . .People used to call him . . ." The girl giggled, holding her pet high in the air. "P-Chan? . . .Yes . . .This little bundle is my pride and joy and yes. . .He is Ryoga's curse, is a long story but I'm sure we got plenty of time to talk about it."
The two women looked at each other, gasping after their realization and nodding, understanding their silent conversation. "Yes Akane . . .After so many magic floating in Nerima and handling love potions, it affected us after all."
The blue haired woman tear jerked from the sad news. "Then, you're as sterile as I am?" The other girl nodded looking down ashamed by her lack of children. "I wonder if Ran-Chan will be affected since he was the target of all those artifacts. . ."
They kept wondering until arriving to Nerima ward, and observing how changed the place was. New buildings replaced old houses and the park looked even bigger than before. Both women gaped when girls ran in direction to their old school wearing a tiny miniskirt resembling their blue dresses.
"Well . . .I'm glad I am not a young girl wearing that "thing" . . ." Ukyo nodded quickly showing her support. "I agree with you there sister . . ." The men shrugged, wondering why since their wives were stunning but their angry looks forced them to clear their throats and change the subject.
"Ahem . . .Tell me Akane, how is this going to work with Ranma still single and waiting for you all this time?" The Tendo girl smirked from old feelings taking them for granted while grabbing him by the hand. "Diasuke-kun . . .Those were childhood romances. Ranma knew what he was betting when leaving us behind."
The girl sniffled from her memories and the rejection before the wedding. "I called him that night I cried in the bedroom . . .Do you remember?" The girl finally let out her big secret after keeping it for so long away from her man. "Diasuke, you thought you upset me but the truth is, I called Kasumi to try and contact him. . .I wasn't sure how everything ended between us, but he never contacted me ever since."
"I accepted his love for me as something in the past, deciding to move on with my life." The woman kissed him lightly, moving back and staring firmly before her next declaration. "And I don't regret it . . .I love you. . .He might had been my first love, but you are my life. . ." He accepted that happily with no doubt, turning his questioning looks at the Chef.
"Don't look at me sugar, I kicked him way before I left Nerima . . .Besides, I got me a real man who can provide and I can rely on. . .Ran-Chan was the bravest, but a family supporter? . . .I don't think so." Sadly, the others agreed, noticing the limousine slowing down in front of the still same house.
"Well, we're here . . .Let's go inside while the men take care of the rest." Diasuke and Kabuto scoffed at the last word, but went on obediently afterwards. The family reunion felt somehow empty when Ono and Kasumi welcomed them along with their two children. Their father waved enthusiastically at them from the living room, but there was no one else in the house.
"Nee-Chan . . .So long! . . .Wow! . . .These kids grow too fast for their own good. . ." The woman saw a big resemblance between her sister and the boy while the girl looked a lot closer to Ono, specially with the same type of glasses.
"Auntie! . . .Wow you look incredible. . ." The woman giggled at the complements, pulling savory treats from America and staring at them on her hand. Kasumi understood the sudden sensation when a boy used to bring her treats all over the world only to her and the Tendo sisters.
"I really miss Ryoga. . .I hope he'll be Ok. . ." The thought took her at the boy's companion and old flame. "Oh Ranma . . ." The sighed name floated through the wind from that district to a moving train by a miracle, the girl in question woke from the nap and not finding her husband at her side, her senses came alive in a second.
Ranma got up panicking and rushing to the door when the lavatory marked occupied, making her feel silly. "Ryoga? . . .Are you too busy or can I share your private place?" Loud noises from the several bathroom articles falling all over the place disturbed the redhead more than anything he would be doing alone in there, forcing the door open.
"Wait! . . .Don't come in, please! . . ." It was too late when the girl went in, staring at the messy room. The clutter made of toilet rolls and towels was the least of her concern. The young man stared away with tears on his eyes when a big stream of thick blood trailed from the floor through his clothing, beginning all the way from his mouth.
"R-Ranma . . .I . . .I tried to stop it, I really did, but . . .I couldn't!" The man sat on the toilet starting to cry while holding his stomach. Ranma trembled in fear, running at his side and hugging him desperately. "What is it Ryoga . . .Tell me. . .I need to know . . ."
The man accepted those warm, welcoming arms when his tears fell from the agony. "I have some kind of seizure or something every now and then. . .I don't know why but since I was in the cold weather I've been feeling weird . . ." The fanged boy looked down ashamed by his secret.
"Damn it Ryoga . . .Don' you dare hide anythin' from me . . .Not when it took me all my strength trying to find you and my happiness. . .Don' ever . . Do that, you hear?" They stayed there for a few minutes. Afterwards, they cleaned the place making sure everything was the same way they arrived and preparing to leave the station.
After the telegram, Saeya and Ikku received them, taking them to the retirement home and calling the doctor once again. The woman checked on him, this time taking him to a clinic fully equipped. The redhead waited impatiently outside, walking up and down without stopping from her worry.
Ikku held her firmly trying to make sure she wasn't going crazy, but Ranma's ire showed him her concern more than the effort to free from his hold. "Don'!. . .T-This is all my fault. . .I always mess things up, always, for some reason I end up hurting the ones I love. . ."
The big man stopped her from hurting someone or herself. Ranma stared at him chuckling at their hold. "I can' believe it . . .I'm master of the anything goes martial style an' here I am, bein' overpowered by a single opponent. . ."
"No Ranma . . .You are not being overpowered. . .You are distressed by you husband. . .That's not the same. .. Calm down and wait for what the doc is going to say." She nodded, calming down and sitting near by the other girl.
"I got to hand it to you Sae-Chan . . ." The woman felt ashamed all over again, sharing the sensation of peace from the other female. "H-How do you do it?. . .How can you accept a permanent change like that. . .I can go back and forth an' I don' know if I'd had the guts to "lock" it that way. . ."
The long haired girl grinned at her way to put it. "Ranma, When you feel at peace from what you are, it makes you defeat any challenge in life. Do you think it's easy being ridiculed, hated and beaten because you feel differently from other boys?"
"My change is a statement about what I think of myself. . .I did not go through so I could experiment "the other side" . . .I did it because it makes me whole. . .This change has to be mental and not only physical. . .Tell me. . .What do you feel when transforming?"
The redhead always declared his manhood as her primary line of defense above anything else. Time . . .Time and "him" made her re-think her life radically the moment they met. "I was raised to believe women were weak an' worthless for the art. . .I was taught to uphold manliness an' honor as my banner in life. . ."
Saeya turned to see her man and back at the girl. "Well . . .That's nice and all, but I didn't ask you what others taught you . . .I asked you what are your feelings about being a woman." Ranma swallowed nervously pretending to avoid this question for the longest time, but she had to understand how her mind worked anyway, and maybe she could shed some light into her situation.
"I . . .I like bein' a guy, but for some reason I loved to tease boys. . .I . . .I always liked to accept treats from other men, I felt great when they looked my way and mostly, I loved to tease Ryoga because he is so nice an' he always gave me my rightful place."
Saeya waited for the girl to explain in more detail her last statement which she did in a more comfortable sense. "He sees me how I am. . .To Ryoga I ain't Ranma the guy or the girl. . .When we fight, He goes all out 'cuse he knows I can take it, an' I won't accept anythin' less. . .That's why I want to be with him. . ."
The girl smiled and nodded, sharing with the girl the answer she looked for so long. "That's the secret. You love him because to him you are not a wife or a woman. . .You are Ranma. . .His Ranma. . ." The young woman agreed looking to the floor and blushing when a lost boy walked from the other room.
"You have no idea Saeya-Chan how much she means to me. . .And he is the biggest pain in my butt, but I accept nothing less either. . ." The girl rushed at his side and they hugged tightly, ignoring the other couple. "Damn it Ryoga . . .You're goin' to make me a cry baby ain' you?"
He kissed her forehead, guiding her back to the chair. "Nah . . .Ranma Saotome never cries, that's my department. . ." They laughed and waited for the doctor patiently. Miss Inno walked silently while still reading the results.
"Ryoga. . .You seem to have gone through a dramatic experience on some kind of icy wasteland. . .According to the CT scan, some of your digestive system froze by a very low environment. Now, This won't be a major problem, but you cannot over-exert with strenuous workouts or any kind of fighting. . .I'm afraid that you need to have a normal life with no dangers forcing your illness to progress."
Ranma Thanked her for the recommendation obliging him to obey and to leave the rough stuff to her. "You hear buddy? . . .No more fighting for you an' from now on I'm in charge of the family. . ." His eyes shined humiliated at the news, baring his fangs menacingly.
"Ranma . . .You know me . . .I am not following that. . ." The girl bared her own at him, grabbing him from the shirt and throwing the meanest expression she could muster. "Don' give me any lip . . .I am your wife an' your best friend. . .You think I'm letting you die on me?"
The order would have felt defying but she began to cry uncontrollably, trembling at the pressure of his loss. "I ain't loosing you . . .Ever . . .!" He slowly nodded obeying her and tearing up by her pain. "Damn it Ranma. . .When you cry I feel like the greatest jerk in the universe . . ." She smirked and they hugged.
The doctor gave a personal note to the redheaded woman, Ranma took it but she preferred the diagnostic on the open. "Don' worry doc, I ain't hidin' a thing from anyone in this room, you can tell me my test result." The medic blinked and shrugged after their friendly trust.
"Ok, Ranma. . .I did a physical on you and I have determined something curious, not bad, but strange. At first I never believed about those magic waters, but now I am excited about them . . .The only side effect is written on that preliminary result . . .Read it, talk about it with Ryoga and be cautious." She left the rest after her when they walked out.
Saeya thanked her friend, leaving the clinic and back to the mansion. When they arrived, Ranma offered the girl a medium size bottle with clear water inside. "Is this it?" The redhead assented and the girl ran at her bedroom leaving the rest behind.
Moments later the girl came back pacing slowly until meeting her man and kissing him passionately. "If your ready, so am I . . ." Ikku laughed nervously back at her while waving at the couple goodbye. "Thanks Ranma . . .We'll try to make you proud. . .Take care on your journey."
The young couple waved and went back on the road, ready to meet the rest of the family. On the ship taking them from Hokkaido to Nerima bay, the couple took the voyage as a honeymoon to celebrate their union. Ryoga awaited patiently at the flaming redhead wearing nothing but a very revealing lingerie.
Ranma felt so uncomfortable wearing it, Ryoga had to close his eyes so she could run to hide under the blankets. Finally they went on with the consummation until the girl once again stopped him before the last part. With a labored breathing, the girl pushed him slightly aside, looking at the wall ashamed and blushing.
"R-Ranma? . . .What is it? . . .If this bothers you we can always cuddle and sleep." The girl shook her head and begged to try again. When the fanged man moved in position, a single tear on her face made him move away scared.
"It's that incident with the sailors isn't?" Ranma nodded, cleaning her face and looking refuge in his arms. "S-Sorry Ryoga . . .I tried, I really tried . . .But It ain't as easy as I thought. . ." The man kissed her and kept her close.
"Silly . . .I love you because of you. . .Nothing else matters but your happiness. . ." They cuddled the rest of the trip ignoring anything else in their lives. Hours later upon arriving to the Nerima central station, the couple gasped at the new stores, malls and even a dance theater a few blocks away from the house.
"Ranma . . .Do you think they'll be here?" Ryoga felt a certain pressure on the pit of his stomach from all the time lost, especially the fact of his illness changing him into a regular Joe in exchange for a longer life. "Yeah, Kasumi told me 'kane and even Ucchan made preparations to meet us here."
The redhead frowned her eyes when the young man waved his hand awkwardly at a girl dressed with an even tinier skirt than the ones she used to wear as disguises. "Hello! . . .You must be new here. We are collecting money for the cheerleading squad. . .Would you like to take a picture with us for a hundred yen?"
The fanged tourist stuttered when his eyes fell down, looking at the skimpy outfit on her, and then trying to look away but the girl used her smiley face and pouting lips to bring him back to business. "Thanks missy, but my husband is busy with his own woman. . .Why don' you go play with your friends or somethin' . . .?"
"Sure. . ." The girl waved, walking away but not before she blew a kiss his way. When she walked to the corner, the only comment the pigtailed girl could her was. "Let's try someplace else, that old lady is making it hard over here."
"Did you just hear that? . . .She called me Old! . . ." Ryoga scratched his head not understanding the big deal and pulling her away from the teenagers. "Well Ranma, technically . . ." The redhead held a pointing finger right on his nose.
"Don' even think 'bout it . . .Say that again an' I'll beat the stuffing out of you . . ." Ryoga waved his hands defensively while pacing backwards. "S-Sorry . . .I didn't mean to say a thing . . .Why don't we just keep walking?"
His spouse agreed to his bright idea, grabbing his hand and leading him to the house. When they arrived, signs of a fight told them of the arrival from the others. This time, amazingly, Akane practiced the semi-advanced techniques from the anything goes style against another man with brown hair.
The couple sneaked silently reaching the Dojo. From afar, the man looked like an ordinary guy most likely her husband but when she got closer, the face became very familiar. "No way! . . .Diasuke? . . .You actually married the tomboy?"
The man waved at the surprised girl walking from the entrance. When Ranma waved back, she noticed the shy demeanor on Ryoga, forcing her to walk back and pull him with her. "Hey 'kane . . .Congrats on the wedding an' all that . . ."
The young woman smiled reservedly, accepting the complement, but getting ready to demand his explanation from ten years ago. "Thanks Ranma . . .You look . . .Great, Why are you in girl form?" The redhead giggled nervously while scratching the back of her head.
"Well you see . . ."
Diasuke saw the timid fanged man holding her hand from behind and looking down, ashamed by the implication. With a sly smile, the man slid between his wife and the other girl. "Ranma. . .Don't tell me you and Ryoga are together? . . .Somehow, I always knew you two would end up like this. . ."
The man laughed openly making his spouse open her eyes from the surprise and pulling the other girl with her, away from the lost boy and her husband. Far on the other side of the Dojo, the blue haired woman looked intently at the girl.
"Is this true? . . .Are you dating him?" The redhead cleared her throat, trying not to make a big deal out of it. "No. . .I ain't dating him. . .I love him and we are a couple. . .Why? . . .Is that a wrong thing to do in your eyes?"
"Oh Ranma. . .I . . .I waited for you an eternity. I reached the brink of depression after you left us and to escape my sorrow I moved away from the painful memory Nerima meant. Time cure all they say, well . . .Time helped me get over you . . .Time and Diasuke-kun, but I always hoped for you to come and rescue me from my sadness . . ."
The redhead walked closer to the woman, furrowing her brows and changing her demeanor into a more hurt one. "You got no idea how much I missed you. . .But the more I focused on Ryoga's location the more it made me infuriate at my situation." Ranma grabbed her hands, pulling her down to a sitting position on the grass. "Akane. . .In all my travels I learned about Ryoga. . .Many places in Japan honor him as a good person helping poor and unfortunate people from danger an' accidents."
The woman scoffed jokingly when remembering many anecdotes. " Did you know he is honored on Niseko city as their protector? . . .He fought against many odds to survive and the only hope he had was me. . .Akane. . .He told me 'bout not caring if I'm a guy or a girl. . .He told me . . ."
The other woman stopped her rant, staring at her own needs as his girlfriend. "What about me? . . .I needed you and you left. . ." The woman smiled melancholically at the consequences for her actions and the new life she shared with Diasuke.
Ranma's sadness was apparent, but her decision was made in the same manner Akane's were. "We made many mistakes, but we made our choices. . .I am happy with what I got an' I bet you are too . . ." Akane nodded, patting the girl's hand.
"Yes Ranma. . .I'm happy with him and I plan to live my life to the fullest. . .I regret we never worked out, but I'm glad you found an honest soul in your life." They accepted their silent apologies, walking back to the house. Ukyo and Diasuke talked with Ryoga when they met them back inside.
"Oh sugar . . .That's sad. . .But if you stop being a jackass, I'm sure that illness will go away." Akane managed to hear the last part when she joined the discussion. "W-What illness? . . .Ryoga-kun are you Ok?" The man chuckled, remembering everything he went through along with Ranma. The surprised faces from the rest made him recoil in fear, that's when his wife rushed at his side, hugging him close.
"Sugar . . .Don't tell me . . .You . . .And You?" Ranma giggled while the fanged man nodded nervously at her. "Yes . . .I love Ranma and I want to spend my life with her and when she wants to try me, with him . . ." The redhead laughed goodheartedly at the way he put it, but agreed with the man.
"Like he said. . .We are husband an' wife . . .An' best friends at the same time. . ." The chef couldn't believe how everything ended after so much fighting, but she had to agree with the outcome. "Well . . .The future didn't go as planned, but I'm happy we all are reunited in the end."
Ranma sat on the living room while the others sat with their cups of tea and cookies Kasumi baked for such occasion. The woman began to tell them about their adventures all over Japan and how she found him lost, living on a cave.
"He was alone and in pain all this time, but you should have seen him. . .The cave was decorated with my face on every wall an' the funniest thing was, Ryoga had his eyes covered. . ." The man laughed anxious by the looks from the couples.
"What can I say . . .An old man told me once. . .Love defeats everything. . .There is no such thing as gender or hatred enough to destroy it . . .I guess he was right . . ." They held hands ignoring any stares from the others. "But my desire to be with her gave me more problems that I could handle. . .I guess, I'm destined to be a pain in her back from now on . . ."
Ryoga looked down ashamed, Ranma grabbed the back of his neck, rubbing it as a sign of support. "Don' say that . . .I will find a way to survive for the both of us. . .Don' you worry about it." Akane and Ukyo sat with the bandanna boy, assuring him of their friendship.
"Like she said Ryoga-kun . . .We are coming back to Nerima and I want you in my life. . .I talked with Dia-kun and he is letting me join the schools with Ranma if she wants to. . .Not in marriage, but by legal contract. . ."
"And my hubby and I are moving back too. . .The glamour from the world is nice and all, but I never felt more at peace than in my little restaurant. . . I will keep an eye on you always sugar . . ." Ranma and Ryoga thanked them and assured them to do their part to earn their keep. The Hibiki couple lived at the Tendo Dojo from that moment on and Ranma opened the Dojo as the Anything goes martial arts school with Akane as the defensive teacher . . .The redhead would change into the man teaching the offensive skills.
The change came months later when the proud owner of the Dojo realized her limited knowledge and practice of her art undermined the progress of the school. A some point, Soun taught her the basic skills but after focusing on her studies, the now older woman understood the reason for Ranma's trip since childhood.
The woman began to dedicate her time on the daily house work as a past time while the fanged man offered to teach the defensive set. "Ryoga . . .Are you sure you can handle it? . . .If Ranma see you teaching, doing physical exertion the one in trouble will be me."
"Akane-san . . .I must do something . . .Ranma is amazing as a guy and the best woman I could wish for, but I'm tired of being just on the couch or on bed "because I could activate my illness" . . .Please . . .Let me at least try."
The Tendo youngest let him work that afternoon under Diasuke's supervision. The man made sure of any strain or pain from the fanged martial artist was reported back to his wife. Everything went great on the first class, the kids loved him and surprisingly, many young teenagers signed in his class more than on Ranma's.
The next day when the pigtailed man joined Ryoga's class, the man acted respectful but stiff. As master in the art, Ranma could see his weak points, discovering his demeanor. The class finished and when everyone left, he procured him alone.
"Ryoga. . .I need to talk with you for a second. . .Come here buddy . . ." As soon as the bandanna fighter closed to the pigtailed master, Ranma gently pressed his stomach. The man turned around, covering his mouth, but a whimper told Ranma of his state.
"Damn it Ryoga! . . .I told you . . .You ain't helping me if it hurts you this much. . .C'mon, show me your hand." The man kept covering his mouth until his best friend pulled it by force. Ranma gasped when his palm was completely covered in blood.
"Damn it! . . ." The pigtailed master ran inside followed by Ryoga who tried to apologize. "Please Ranma . . .I'm sorry . . .I want to be useful. . .Don't get angry . . ." Everyone stared at the couple arguing in the living room, Akane snickered at the scene pointing out their eternal squabble as something she hoped to never go through.
"I swear Ranma, If we were married and you'd still tried to fight me, I would've divorced you a long time ago." Diasuke laughed with his wife but the apparent seriousness on the man gave them the creeps. When Ranma pulled the other man's hand up, a line of blood ran from it all the way to his elbow.
"I'm sorry to be a bother 'kane . . .But this moron is hidin' stuff from me . . .I will not see him on a casket you hear me? . . ." The man stared angrily at Ryoga when he looked to the side blushing. Akane gaped and ran at the kitchen, returning a bit later with towels and the first aid kit.
"Damn it Ryoga . . .I knew I shouldn't let you teach. . .I swear. . .There are things you can hide from me, but your health never . . ." Diasuke patted the man on the back, trying to cheer him up. "Sorry man . . .I guess you will be scolded by two women in this house. . .Get used to."
The two girls made sure to clean him up and waited patiently until the man's eyes trembled in fear before his wife. "Ryoga? . . .Tell me now! . . .What are you hidin' from me . . ." When Ranma had an idea in his mind, there was nothing stopping him from finding the answer.
Ryoga stared away, holding what it looked like a paper tightly in his hand and hiding it in the underside of his shirt. "Ryoga . . .Give me that paper . . .Now! . . ." The man kept ignoring him carelessly from his demands. When Ranma pulled his arm, the fanged boy closed his eyes apologizing for his next move. The man pushed him away by force, standing up and beginning to leave.
"Oh no, you don' . . ." The pigtailed master ran behind him, blocking the entrance and staring at him defiantly. "Listen to me. . .I will get that paper whether you like it or not. . .So be ready . . ." The man moved in position ready for the assault, but the pigtailed master always used weakness as his weapon.
Ranma reached for the cold tea on the table, splashing himself with it. An even angrier redheaded girl stared pissed at him. "Now. . .Will you give me that paper, please?" Ryoga dropped his arms defeated by his love, dropping the crumpled paper on the floor.
The girl picked it and read it out loud. "Ryoga Hibiki . . .This is Dr. Tofu writing from my office. . .I decided to treat this "matter" outside the house where Kasumi can't take the truth out of me . . .You know how women get. . ."
"Anyway, your results came back positive from the severely damaged linen in your stomach. . .I really hope you can talk with Ranma about it and be ready for the treatment . . .It will be painful since the scalding is too extensive. . .I am sorry for what's to come. . .Hope to see you soon."
The man in the glasses sitting by the table with his wife stared afraid at the redhead, but she was even more pissed at the fanged man. "R-Ranma . . .I just wanted to . . ." She walked at his side ready for the slap, but instead, the girl hugged him by the waist mumbling her feelings against his chest.
"Why Ryoga . . .Why would you hide this from me. . .Don' you trust me? . . .Am I bein' a bad friend or lover . . .Is that it?" The man hugged her back, resting his head on hers. "Damn it Ranma, don't you ever say that . . .I didn't want to worry you . . .I wanted to fix this before you knew. . ."
They bowed at the other two couples, walking upstairs and locking themselves on their room. "Ono . . .Honey, is Ryoga-kun that bad?" The man swallowed dryly, wanting to shook his head, but failing in doing so.
"Honey. . .I wanted to tell you and Ranma, but It wasn't my prerogative . . ." Akane shook her hand in the air, flaring from Ono's attitude. "H-How can you say that? . . .Ryoga is like my brother. . .I would die if he goes away. . .Why would you hide this from us?"
The woman plummeted on the couch, crying but staring at Kasumi's husband. The oldest Tendo nodded at her husband, walking near the girl. "Akane-Chan . . .There is a Doctor-patient confidentiality my husband cannot brake. . .Even if the patient is dying, is up to Ryoga to let his loved ones know about it. . ."
The youngest Tendo looked at him apologetic which Ono understood right away. "Let them solve this as a couple honey . . .If there's one thing Ranma and Ryoga do best, is to never give up." Akane agreed, cleaning her face and extended her arms at Diasuke . . .Requesting his embrace.
Upstairs, a redhead lain on the bed besides her man. "Ryoga . . .Is it really that bad?" The man regretted the moment she read the paper but this was the moment to open up to her. "It hurts like hell . . .Kind of like your Hiryu-Shoten-ha, but the treatment is long and expensive."
The man played with her red hair as he always loved to do. "Ranma . . .How can I afford it without taking it on you or the others. . .I feel so powerless. . ." The girl ran her fingers by his face, staring at those intently.
"I will find a way Ryo . . .You need to trust me . . .Please . . .I . . .I have learned to be patient and understandin' thanks to you, but I want to live old too . . .I want to experience . . .I don' know . . .Motherhood? . . ." Her sparkling eyes told him a thousand truths. Things like to be a woman just like Saeya, or "man" enough to break the corrupted teachings from his father.
Still, The boy needed to wonder about her mind. "Do you feel Ok about . . .That?" Ranma knew his point of view but this was one of those life changing decisions she knew were coming their way. "Yes Ryoga I know an' I don' care. I love you and even know what the Dr. told me in Niseko sounds scary, I still want to try."
"Wait. . .That's true . . .What did she tell you on your check up." The woman laughed, staring at his husband's eyes. "She said my curse resets every time I change. . .If I get pregnant and give birth . . .The next time I change from man to woman, I would be a virgin all over again . . .Weird ain't it."
You could see that as a blessing, but when both boys heard of the painful transition for women about their first sexual encounters and the loss of their virginity, The idea of being a virgin while going through the same painful experience again and again could be hell on earth.
Ryoga kissed her forehead thinking on the implication from the curse. "Weird and painful. . .I know it hurts a lot when is your first time . . .I guess that means if we try more than once . . .I will be punishing you severely. . ." The redhead felt his grieving desire to keep her well which made her fall for him all over again.
Both stared at each other blushing by the comment, but what hit them was the atmosphere between them. Ranma closed her eyes, accepting him and letting go from those barriers holding her back. When the mental walls fell, a woman and a man became one, leaving the rest behind.
The next day, the couple walked downstairs looking at Ono before he left the house. "Doc . . .We are ready for the treatment. . . Tell me how much do we need to pay an' we'll find a way to square with it." The man fixed his glasses, looked at them and smiled.
"Well . . .It is definitely expensive, but I managed to contact a friend of mine. . .There is a research study coming this next month. . .The procedure will cost nothing but the results must be shared with a pharmaceutical company . . .Would you be willing to enroll?"
Ranma stared at Ryoga for a second, they nodded at the same time and agreed with the plan. During the next days the weirdest couple in history learned something about marriage. Ryoga looked tired and his once dark hair began to shed its blackness, giving pass to a few strains of white here and there.
The pain subsided but the therapies drained most of the energy he had left in those days. When night came after his session, a giddy redhead welcomed him with all manner of gifts, backrubs and a fancy dinner cooked by her alone.
"R-Ranma . . .What's with all this? . . .I . . .I don't know what would I have done if you weren't here . . .I . . ." his eyes wanted to cry, but the tears left him a long time ago . . .Still, his wife never gave any credit for his negative feelings.
"Don' swear it Ryoga . . .We passed for so many problems I stopped seeing straight a long time ago, but this time we have to think for more than just us . . ." The hint made him wonder but when the woman showed him the paper with Dr. tofu's signature on it, everything made sense.
"You mean . . .You're pregnant?" The redhead nodded promptly and anxious at him. "Ryoga . . .You need to think 'bout our little bundle too an' we need to be a family from now on. . ." He wanted to ask her about her feelings as a man, but she knew him before the question left his lips.
"Don' worry Ryo . . .I accepted this without any regret an' the best part is . . .I think I am prepared. . ." They passed a nice night alone with nothing to hold them back. The next morning everyone celebrated, calling all who knew them and made the biggest party in Nerima.
Akane sniffled by the news but accepted them happily just as Ukyo did. A few years later they managed to pro-create in their late thirties, thus braking the magic curse.
Ryoga healed quickly after his son was born. So many challenges made them into what they are now . . .Ranma decided to take the day off from classes to spend it with her husband and son. When they walked by the big park, someone bumped with Ryoga making him turn at him.
The younger man apologized but his surprise came when the old, bald man he met on top of the mountain smiled at him. "You! . . .How did you know it would turn out this way?" The wise man laughed while pulling the cover from the dormant child.
"What's to know young master . . .That you loved her all along? . . .Remember . . .Loves defeats everything . . .If we let him . . ." The man waved at the happy couple, walking away into the park.
They loved each other for the rest of their days with no regrets. Ranma learned to understand womanhood, being a mom and a wife. Ryoga to work hard as a father, husband and value the greatest friend, life could ever given him in the end.