** Honestly, I had to get more of this story out of me right away. This is a fan fiction, Ranma 1/2 belongs to Rumiko Takahashi.
** Arelyssvargas, Thank you for the review. Akane is a kind soul when she is not pushed, misunderstanding a situation or seeing someone being wronged.
** Liora Lee, Thank you for the review. Glad you liked it.
"Ranma, position your arm around Akane," Nodoka instructed from behind the camera.
Ranma and Akane stood awkwardly together in front of a rose gold backdrop that was set up inside the Tendo home. Ranma very cautiously started to move his arm around his new wife.
Akane looked up at Ranma and smiled. "It's okay, Ranma. We are married now. You can put your arm around me," she reassured him.
Ranma was still uncertain, but decided that the best course of action was to continue doing as instructed. Very carefully, of course..
"This suit is really uncomfortable. Can I go change yet?" Ranma asked his mother.
"A few more shots and then I will take some of the bride and bridesmaids while you go change," Nodoka insisted.
Ranma sighed. "Yes, mom."
Akane giggled. "Just go with it, Ranma. You'll be rewarded with party food, soon. The family has a reception ready for us," Akane reassured him.
"Since when are you so laid back?" Ranma asked.
"I don't know. Just seems stupid to fight it all now that we are already married. We might as well enjoy it," Akane explained. Ranma nodded and smiled, turning his head toward the camera one more time.
"Alright. One more, Ranma. I want you to hold Akane like you're carrying her to your room on your wedding night," Nodoka giggled.
Ranma's face changed to the colour of a ripe tomato. If there was one thing he hadn't yet considered, it was the wedding night and the expectations that went along with it. His mother laughed. "Relax, son. Don't ruin the pictures."
Ranma gulped and then carefully scooped Akane up. Akane gasped as her veil fell to the floor. Ranma looked at Akane incredulously. Akane couldn't help but laugh at Ranma's expression.
Ranma's face softened. "You think this is funny?" He asked.
"It's actually hilarious," Akane laughed. Ranma couldn't help but smile, knowing full well that he probably looked ridiculous.
"Alright, Ranma. Go get changed into something nice for the reception. I'll go get the bridesmaids for the rest of the pictures," Nodoka said as she walked away from the camera and out of the room. Ranma carefully placed Akane back on her feet.
"Ranma, let's just take it one step at a time. We have a lot to figure out and I have no idea what I'm doing, either. I just know that you are my husband now and we need to accept that new reality. I didn't realize how this all would make me feel, but I'm actually feeling happy right now and I hope you are, too," Akane said to Ranma.
"Akane, I.." Ranma trailed off. "Yeah, I think I'm happy. I mean, I would always have chosen you anyway. You know that, right?" he asked.
Akane smiled. "I do now. Let's just take the pressure off of ourselves and do this our own way. Go get changed and I'll see you at the party, okay?" Akane shooed him away. Ranma nodded and left the room to get changed.
"Akane!" Nabiki said as she ran into the room. "We have to get these pictures done quickly and get you changed into your reception dress."
"What are you talking about? Why are we in a rush? It's just our family," Akane eyed her sister suspiciously.
"What kind of lame party would that be?" Nabiki asked.
"What did you do, Nabiki?" Akane demanded.
"Oh, don't worry so much. I may have invited everyone we know to come party with us. I just told them it was a party, so no one knows it's a wedding reception," Nabiki smiled.
Akane glared at her sister. "You do realize that they are all going to quickly figure this out, right? Couldn't we have just kept this to ourselves one whole day?" Akane scolded her sister.
"Oh my," Kasumi said as she entered and heard the commotion. "I hope you two aren't fighting on Akane's wedding day."
"No one is fighting. This is a magical day!" Nodoka insisted as she entered behind Kasumi. Nodoka walked straight up to Akane and fixed her veil back on top of her head. "Today, I gained a new daughter and I couldn't be happier."
"Thank you, Auntie Saotome," Akane blushed.
"My dear, I am your mother in law now. I know I could never replace your own mother, but you should call me mom," Nodoka encouraged.
"Okay, mom," Akane agreed with a smile, although feeling a little guilty about the change.
Ranma wiped the sweat from his forehead then took off his suit jacket. Someone had hung up a more casual, yet still nice, outfit in his room with a note that said, "For the Reception." Ranma chuckled lightly. "I guess they all knew something I didn't," he said as he took the hanger down and started pulling the clothing off. Ranma still felt like he was in a daze.
"That didn't just happen, right? I'm married? The one thing I've been so scared of all this time, and it's over. This is crazy. We aren't even done with high school yet," Ranma thought as he pulled his pants off and kicked them to the side. Ranma sat down and started to pull the left leg of the new pants up as he caught the faint sound of someone approaching his bedroom door. As he pulled his pants the rest of the way on, he heard a faint knocking at the door.
"Yes?" Ranma called.
"It's me, son. I have something for you. You should have it before you get dressed," Soun said from the other side of the door.
Ranma looked down at the pants he just finished pulling up, then dropped the pants back to the floor, kicking them to the side. "Come in," he said.
Soun opened the doorway and took a step in, holding the barrel from earlier in his hands. "I think your father forgot about this, so we should get this over with before he remembers and there's a new fight for it," Soun placed the barrel down and opened the lid, exposing the spring water inside.
Ranma's jaw dropped. "Gee, Mr. Tendo. With all the commotion, I kinda forgot myself!" Ranma said as he scratched the back of his head.
"A deal is a deal, son." Soun lifted the barrel and threw the water at Ranma, who was not yet expecting to be drenched in water.
Ranma shivered. "Man, that's cold!" Ranma shook the water off. "Wait a second," Ranma said as he felt parts of his body to be sure. "It's cold and I didn't change into a girl!" Ranma, still in a (now wet) dress shirt and underpants, ran out of his room, through the house and out the door toward the koi pond. Ranma wasted no time as he jumped in. Ranma rose from the water still in his original body. "It worked!" Ranma started laughing hysterically, as realization started to overcome him. "Never gonna be a girl again!" Ranma cheered.
Soun caught up with him. "I'm glad it worked, son, but now you are all wet and your bride is waiting," Soun said with a smile.
Ranma nodded. A full man once again. "Right!" Ranma got out of the pond and went to dry off. Nothing could ruin this day for him now.
"I picked this out for you, Akane," Nabiki said as she pulled out a very light pink dress with a halter top and flowery knee length bottom.
"Wow, Nabiki. That's beautiful!" Akane said as she took the dress from her sister. "What is it going to cost me?" She asked, eyeing Nabiki suspiciously.
Nabiki laughed. "Consider this one a wedding gift," she said. "But, also, I'm going to need it back."
Kasumi entered the room and quietly closed the door. "Come here, Akane, and I will help you undo the gown," she instructed her sister as she walked toward her.
Akane turned her back to her sister, as Kasumi started to undo all the straps tying the back of the wedding dress. "I'm so proud of you, Akane," Kasumi told her sister.
"All I did was get married. I didn't accomplish anything to be proud of really," Akane argued.
"Nonsense. Putting Ranma's cure first and getting married even with a sense of uncertainty. You showed a lot of courage. I know you love Ranma, and now you two can show each other without other fiances getting in the way or misunderstandings," Kasumi continued as she finished undoing the wedding dress that then fell to the floor.
Akane's body tensed as she spun around to face her sister. "Show each other? You don't mean.." Akane trailed off as her eyes widened in horror.
"Well, you can show each other in many ways. However, tonight is your wedding night and you will need to consummate the marriage," Kasumi said matter of factly.
"C-consumate?" Akane blushed, making sure to not have direct eye contact with either sister.
Kasumi nodded. "Yes. The marriage isn't truly complete until this happens. I know you are nervous, but you have responsibilities as a bride," Kasumi explained, calmly and cheerfully.
"You should see your face, Akane!" Nabiki laughed hysterically.
"I don't have to do anything I don't want to do!" Akane insisted.
"You don't want to make love to Ranma?" Kasumi asked.
"I.. I don't know!" Akane looked away, not able to look her sister in the eye.
"Listen, sis," Nabiki put her hand on Akane's shoulder. "Don't worry about it. Ranma is probably even more of a nervous wreck about it than you are! However, I did make you a little care package." Nabiki walked over to the closet and pulled out a bag. She walked back over to Akane and handed it to her.
Akane took the bag and opened it. Akane's face turned crimson. "Nabiki!" Akane scolded.
"What? It's just some necessities. I'm sure you're not looking to get pregnant while still in high school, are you?" Nabiki said.
"No, I mean.. I never thought about all this before. I guess I should thank you for the condoms, then. Is the silk negligee, thong and all these other random accessories really necessary?" Akane asked.
"Well, it is your wedding night, Akane," Nabiki said.
"Oh my," Kasumi said as she peered into the bag.
Ranma entered the dojo dressed in a pair of slacks, a blue chinese dress shirt and a goofy grin.
"I'm glad to see you're so happy, Ranma!" Nodoka ran over and hugged her son.
Ranma beamed. "I am, mom! I'm a full man again!" Ranma looked at his father triumphantly as he watched his father's jaw hit the floor.
"Tendo! You gave him the Nanniichuan!" Genma growled at his friend.
"Relax, Saotome. The springs are in tact again, remember? Everyone can just go back and jump into the spring!" Soun reminded his friend.
"You're right, Tendo. I never thought of that," Genma pondered as he fixed his glasses on his face.
"Wait. You used that spring water as leverage to get me to marry Akane and all along we could have just went back to China?" Ranma asked, realization settling in.
"Do you regret marrying me, then?" Akane asked as she entered the dojo, with Nabiki and Kasumi.
Ranma's face fell. He nervously chuckled and scratched the back of his head. "Of course not. I was just a little surprised no one had thought of that yet," he said. "Wow, Akane. You look really beautiful in that dress," he added. His mother smiled at the interaction.
"Thank you. So, the Nanniichuan worked?" Akane asked, not used to these types of compliments and wanting to change the subject.
Ranma nodded and beamed. "Yeah, it seems so!" He answered as he smiled.
Akane smiled back. "I'm so happy for you, Ranma," she said.
Soun approached the couple and turned them to face the family. "Introducing, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Ranma and Akane Saotome!" Soun cheered.
Nodoka, Genma, Nabiki and Kasumi all cheered around the newlyweds.
"Akane Saotome?!" Ryoga boomed from the dojo entrance, his face darkened. "This wasn't just some party. It's a wedding?!"
"No," Nabiki said. Ryoga looked at her, confused. "It's the wedding reception. They are already married."
"Argghhh!" Ryoga screamed. "Ranma! Prepare to die!" Ryoga jumped into the air toward Ranma, his umbrella yielded and rage engulfing him.
"Ryoga Hibiki. Stop this instant!" Akane scolded.
Ryoga stopped dead in his tracks. "A-Akane?" He asked.
"Why are you attacking Ranma?" Akane insisted.
"I.. I don't.. why did you marry him, Akane?" Ryoga cried.
"Because we love each other!" Akane insisted. Ranma's face went beet red.
"Love? He actually said he loved you?" Ryoga asked suspiciously.
"That's none of your business. You have no right to be acting this way. I know you have a bit of a crush, but Ranma and I are married now. You can stay and celebrate with us peacefully or you can leave!" Akane put her foot down.
Ryoga bowed his head down. "I'm sorry, Akane." Ryoga backed away. Ranma smirked as Ryoga shot him a death glare.
"Hey, Sugar!" Ukyo entered. "Am I late for the party?"
"Nihao, Ranma!" Shampoo entered behind Ukyo.
"Great. This is going to be a long night," Akane sighed and then turned to Ranma. "Hey, do you want talk to Ukyo and I'll take Shampoo?"
"Are you sure about that, Akane? We don't know how Shampoo is going to react. I know you're plenty strong and skilled, but so is Shampoo and I don't want you getting hurt or even ruining that really nice dress," Ranma reminded.
"I will help Akane," Ryoga declared. "I'm sorry about how I reacted before. It will take me some time, but I should have known this was coming after seeing you both at Jusendo."
"There. It's settled. Ryoga will help me. I'll be fine. Ukyo is your oldest friend. You need to be the one to talk to her," Akane told Ranma.
Ranma nodded and looked over at Ukyo. "Hey, Ucchan. Can you come here for a minute? I need to talk to you about something," Ranma said, poorly acting as if nothing was too serious.
Ukyo nodded, the look of confusion on her face never wavering, then walked toward Ranma, as he led her outside of the dojo.
Ranma sat on a step, and invited Ukyo to join him. Ukyo sat down beside him, getting a little frustrated with all the secrecy.
"What's going on, Ran-chan?" Ukyo demanded to know.
"Look, Ucchan. I know we haven't spoken at all since I got back from China, but things changed while we were away," Ranma started.
"What do you mean? What changed? What is going on, sugar?" Ukyo said with rising frustration.
Ranma took a deep breath. "It's really a long story. A lot of stuff happened, but the really tragic thing that happened was that Akane died," Ranma told Ukyo, then paused for a reaction.
"What do you mean she died? Was that not Akane in the dojo?" Ukyo threw her hands up in the air, frustration taking hold.
"Yes. She did die. I saved her, but there was a long while where I thought she was gone forever. When we got back, a lot of stuff just kinda sorta happened faster than I could even explain to you," Ranma started to explain further.
"Cut to the cha-" Ukyo started, but then her jaw dropped to the floor as she grabbed Ranma's hand and oogled the wedding band. "You got married?! To her?!"
Ranma's eyes widened with horror. "Ucchan.. I'm trying to explain," he tried.
Ukyo stood up. "Why, Ranma? Why did you marry her and not me?" Ukyo tried her best to hold back tears, but failed.
Ranma stood up and took Ukyo's hand in his. "Ucchan. You are my best and oldest friend, but I don't see you that way," he tried to let her down gently.
"And you see Akane that way?" Ukyo asked.
Ranma took a breath. "Yes. I do."
"I see," Ukyo said as she looked away.
"Ucchan, I never meant to hurt you. I care about you very much and hope you stay a big part of my life," Ranma told her.
Ukyo wiped her face. "You know Ranma, I really do love you. I would have made an excellent wife. I may not ever understand why you chose Akane over me, but there's nothing I can do about it now. I didn't even get the chance. You didn't even trust me enough to invite me to the wedding." Ukyo paused then looked Ranma in the eye. "Well, I guess the best friend at least needs to help celebrate," Ukyo faked enthusiasm. "Got any booze?"
Ranma shrugged. "Probably, knowing this crowd."
"Fine. I may need some time, but I'll survive this. I'm strong. Let's go back in," Ukyo faked a smile and started back into the dojo. Ranma grabbed her hand to stop her.
"Ukyo, I'm sorry things went down this way. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you all this before and that I let it go on so long. Please forgive me and promise me you'll stay my friend," Ranma begged.
Ukyo faked a smile, then nodded. "Of course, Ran-chan. We will always be friends."
"What this about, Akane?" Shampoo asked, frustrated.
"Shampoo, I'm sorry to have to tell you this," Akane started. "Ranma and I got married earlier today."
"You lie!" Shampoo accused, pointing at Akane.
Akane held out her hand and showed Shampoo her wedding band. "I'm not. I'm Mrs. Ranma Saotome."
"Why you lie?!" Shampoo yelled, her face turning red with anger.
"Shampoo, she isn't lying," Ryoga confirmed.
"Is Amazon law. Ranma must marry Shampoo!" Shampoo insisted.
"He can't marry you, Shampoo. Not after he's already married me," Akane positioned herself to be able to safely move into a defensive state, should the need arise.
"Then Akane must die!" Shampoo yelled as she dropped into her fighting stance.
"Oh, no. No, no, no. None of that. You are not destroying this dojo because you can't keep your emotions in check," Nabiki said, approaching the trio. "We are trying to have a celebration here. Stay if you want to party. Leave if you want to fight."
Ryoga stepped in front of both Akane and Nabiki. "You heard her, Shampoo. Which is it going to be?" He asked. "You know Ranma will defend her, too, if you attack."
Shampoo glared at Ryoga. "This not over, Akane! Great Grandmother have much to say about this!" Shampoo said as she ran off and left the party.
Ryoga turned and faced the girls.
"Well, that actually went better than I expected," Nabiki laughed.
"Nabiki, are you crazy?!" Akane asked. "You can't just come over here and scold Shampoo! She's dangerous!"
"Oh, pish," Nabiki told her sister. "Not nearly as dangerous as some guests who haven't arrived yet."
"Nabiki, who else did you invite?" Akane demanded.
"Akane! My fierce tigress! It is but a blessing that I receive an invitation to attend a gathering in your home!" Kuno said as he flew into the dojo.
"Ranma? Where is my darling Ranma?" Kodachi followed her brother inside.
"Well, that answers that. You are crazy," Akane told her sister with a sideways glare.
"What's going on?" Ranma said as he and Ukyo walked back into the dojo.
"Ranma! My love!" Kodachi called as she ran toward Ranma.
"Kodachi!" Ranma exclaimed as he stepped back.
"Kodachi! Stop!" Ukyo stepped in front of Ranma as she scolded Kodachi. "I am way too upset right now to deal with your crap on top of everything else. Ran-chan, just tell her."
Ranma gulped. Akane and Ryoga walked over to stand with Ranma and Ukyo.
Soun turned to Genma. "Saotome, now that we are officially family, we should celebrate over some sake and shogi! Let these kids have their fun without us," Soun suggested, eager to leave all the drama in the dojo.
Genma nodded. "Right, Tendo." Genma followed Soun out of the dojo and into the Tendo home.
Nodoka shook her head at her husband, then walked toward Kasumi and Nabiki. "Well girls, it looks like the fiancé situation is coming to a head. Shall we sit and watch how this plays out?" Nodoka asked. Kasumi and Nabiki smiled and nodded.
"Kodachi, you can't hang off of Ranma anymore," Akane told the Black Rose.
"How dare you! Ranma wants to embrace me!" Kodachi insisted.
"No, Kodachi. If my wife says you can't touch me, then please don't touch me," Ranma said.
Kodachi's eyes widened in horror. "Surely you jest, my love! Brother dear, please come tell these cretins that Akane is not Ranma's wife," Kodachi called her brother.
"What's this? Wife? Fear not, my huntress! I will save you from this deviant. You need not marry anyone, except myself of course!" Kuno declared and he lifted his bokken to ready it for battle.
Akane took Ranma's hand and showed Kuno and Kodachi both wedding bands. "It's already done!"
"Ranma sweetums! The lengths this swine will go to to keep us apart! It can't possibly be true!" Kodachi pleaded. "Akane Tendo, I challenge you to a duel for Ranma's hand!"
Akane's battle aura began to consume her. "Kodachi. You can not have his hand, because he already gave to me! It's done! I will fight you, if I must, but Ranma is already married and no fight is going to change that!" Akane yelled at the younger Kuno.
"Saotome! Prepare yourself!" Kuno declared as he stepped forward and pointed his bokken at Ranma.
"You have one chance, right now, to stop what you are doing before I have to kick you out of here by force," Ranma warned.
"Kuno baby," Nabiki started as she got up and walked toward the group. "How about you stay and enjoy yourself. You just have to put the sword down and behave yourself. You can do that, right?"
"What? Of course I can! Tatewaki Kuno can do anything he needs to!" Kuno declared.
"Good, then maybe you would like to accompany me to get a drink at the refreshment stand," Nabiki told him, as she grabbed his arm and led him away from the others.
"Oh hohohoho!" Kodachi stated to laugh. "You may have tricked my dim witted brother, but I can't be fooled. What tricks are you playing, wench?" Kodachi demanded as she rested one hand on her hip and the other pointing at Akane.
"Kodachi, we are going to have to ask you to leave," Akane said through gritted teeth.
"I don't think so, you hussy!" Kodachi pulled out her ribbon.
"Kodachi! You need to go home. Now. You are insulting my wife and, therefore, you are insulting me. You need to accept that I am married now. You and I are never going to be a thing," Ranma tried to get through to her
"I will never accept this. Don't worry, Ranma. This isn't over!" Kodachi ran out of the dojo.
Ranma looked over at Akane. "Is that it? Did we miss anyone?" He asked her.
Akane smiled. "I want to say yes, but I feel like that would be too easy," she answered. "Time for a drink?" She asked.
"Sounds like we could use one today," Ranma agreed and reached out his hand to Akane. Akane smiled up at Ranma and took his hand in hers as he led her away to the refreshments stand.
Ukyo sat down next to Ryoga, both with a drink in their hand.
"How are you doing, sugar? I know you were hoping that Akane would choose you in the end. I know how you feel right about now," Ukyo asked.
Ryoga took a sip from his drink. "You didn't see them in Jusendo. You didn't see Ranma's face when we thought Akane was dead.. Twice," he told her.
"Twice?!" Ukyo asked.
Ryoga nodded. "I've never seen anyone look so broken. Ranma was devastated. I mean, I was devastated too, but.. I can't explain it.. I just knew this was coming. He was never going to let her go again," Ryoga looked down into his drink.
Ukyo rested her hand on Ryoga's shoulder. "You're a good friend to both of them, Ryoga. Don't forget it. Besides, you have Akari, right?"
Ryoga looked at Ukyo, then smiled and nodded once.
"Incoming everyone! It's time for the wedding cake!" Nabiki called as she and Nodoka carried in the 3 tiered cake and placed it on the small round table.
Ranma and Akane walked up to the cake, their friends following. Nodoka handed an eager and hungry Ranma the knife. Ranma looked at his mother, then happily proceeded an attempt to cut a slice of the cake, however his mother quickly stopped him.
"Ranma! You're supposed to do it with Akane!" Nodoka scolded her son.
"Sorry, mom. I don't know all this stuff," Ranma said as he looked over to Akane. Akane smiled at him and placed her hand over his as they sliced into the cake.
"Now, you two must feed each other the first slices, to symbolize your commitment to providing for each other," Nodoka beamed.
Ranma looked over at his mother, then Akane. He shrugged as he picked up a piece of cake and fed a bite to Akane.
"Delicious! Auntie- uh, mom, you really did a great job with the cake!" Akane said. She then took Ranma's piece and looked at her target. Ranma smiled and opened his mouth a bit to accept his cake. Akane smirked and then smashed the piece into Ranma's face.
"Hey!" Ranma said, then started licking around his mouth and wiping the rest into his mouth with his hand. "That is good! Thanks, mom!"