Chapter 2

DaisukiFox: *A guy with silver hair and glasses walks inside a white void, holding an arm out before light energy gathers around his hands and stemmed forth a blade of pure energy, once far enough into the infinite sea of light he slashed the air and opened a tear into a hole of binary numbers before reaching into his pocket and throwing a new chapter in. Once done he turned and looked at the camera before smiling and holding a thumbs up*

Ryoga woke up and smiled at the sight of the redheaded woman wrapped in his arms. Somehow that she wasn't actually a female didn't bother him, Ranma was still Ranma, no matter which form and Ryoga cared about him. Ryoga blushed slightly when he realized how intently he was examining her. He touched her braid and noted that some of her hair was escaping from the tight plait. She was going to have to braid it again he realized. He had a vision of himself combing her thick, wavy hair loose over the creamy flesh of her back and then dividing it into three heavy strands and braiding it for her. He would finish by pressing a kiss onto her smooth shoulder and her turning and giving him a look of love.

Ryoga blushed at the image; it wasn't dirty but implied a degree of intimacy that he'd never shared with anyone. He carefully got out of bed, pulled on his shirt, took his comb out of his pack, and combed his hair, not realizing that he was being observed.

He left off his bandana and went to the kitchen to brew a pot of tea because Kasumi wasn't awake yet.

Ranma pretended to sleep as she admired how Ryoga combing his hair pulled his shirt tight against his solidly muscled body and caused his muscles to dance with each stroke. He had a look of concentration on his ruggedly handsome face that she found endearing.

She wondered where he was going as he padded softly from the room and then returned minutes later with a tray of tea and a bottle of aspirin. Seeing she was awake, he smiled at her self-consciously. Ranma felt relaxed in his easy company but also a little shy after the night before.

"I thought you might have a hangover," Ryoga explained as he poured her a cup of tea and handed her two aspirins.

"Thanks, man," she said, popping the pills between her pouty lips and gratefully sipping her tea, unaware of what effect her dimpled smile was having on the lost boy.

Ryoga blushed and cleared his throat, "So we have to meet Kuno and everyone else to pick up our tuxes and get ready at his place, before we have brunch and go to the church…" he said as his voice trailed softly.

Ranma could sense that the kiss from the night before was making Ryoga feel awkward and chose not to mention it. "Yes, as best man I gotta', I kept Nabiki's ring here with me. It's a really nice ring. Wanna see it, Ryo?" she asked.

"Sure," Ryoga said with a light smile, eager to get past the strange feelings that came over him when he was around Ranma.

Ranma went over to her dresser and fished out the small box from under her clothes. Both of them admired the platinum diamond and sapphire eternity band. "I never knew that Nabiki's fingers were so thin," Ryoga commented, looking at the girth of the band itself.

"It's not that small, it fits on my finger. See?" Ranma said slipping it onto her ring finger. Ryoga glanced over to see her wearing a wedding band and shivered as he got a sense of déjà vu.

"Are you cold?" she asked wrapping her arms around him, 'I kissed the guy like Akane, so is this really that weird?' she thought with a blush before glancing up at him and wanting to kiss him again.

Ryoga looked into her sweet, upturned face and gently pushed her away. "I'm just fine, you should go change," he suggested, wishing desperately that she would change her form. This one was far too tempting with her beautiful girl-next-door good looks and sugar-sweet voice that could enslave a man.

Ranma stood back and frowned, "Yeah, I guess I should go take a bath. I must smell filthy after last night," she agreed and got into her robe.

Ryoga sagged back against the door and groaned, her skin smelled as sweet as a baby's and her hair of night blooming jasmine. 'Why am I acting like this around Ranma? I know I'm lonely and we...' he questioned himself.

Ranma washed herself off and shrieked when she flung the bucket of cool water over her head.

She stood up and examined herself in the mirror, noticing as if for the first time that the swell of her bosom and the curve of her hips made her small waist look minuscule and showed off her flat stomach and long legs.

"Man I'm pretty," she thought with a blinking of her eyes and then climbed into the bath and became her usual self.

Ranma returned to his room and Ryoga was relieved to see his male friend. Ranma dressed and then they went on their way to meet Kuno.

Ranma stood beside Kuno, Mousse, and Ryoga at the end of the aisle. The older man was nervous, but excited at the same time and had flipped between wondering a loud if he was doing the right thing by getting married this young and giddily boasting of his future wife's intelligence and charm.

Ranma nudged him as Nabiki reached the end of the aisle and Kuno's eyes went wide with shock at how beautiful she looked. She gave him a ghost of her former smirk at his reaction.

The middle Tendo sister wore a form-fitting nineteen-thirties style wedding gown of ivory silk that shimmered and shifted as she moved. It had ruched straps and a neckline, which flowed into a formfitting skirt that terminated in a flowing train.

The only adornment she wore on her head was a jeweled ivory feather fascinator. She'd looked beautiful as she had walked towards him; her dress flowed against her body and promised long legs and a trim, athletic figure. She appeared to wearing no bra and obviously, none was needed.

Kuno's face lit up and all doubts were cast aside as he accepted her hand from Soun Tendo.

Ranma watched the touching scene and couldn't help feeling a stab of envy at how the bride and groom looked at each other. He felt eyes on him and looked at Ryoga; something was exchanged in that glance.

Ranma trained his glance on the bridesmaids Kasumi, Akane, and Shampoo, who all wore beautiful, turquoise-lined gowns that complimented each beautiful woman.

Ranma's throat got tight as Nabiki handed her bouquet of white and blue roses to Akane and said: "I, Nabiki, pledge my undying love to you Tatewaki as I invite you to share my life. I promise to be kind, unselfish, respectful, and trustworthy so that together, our dreams of a beautiful future can come true. To this end, I call upon all present to witness that I take you Tatewaki to be my husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health for as long as we both shall live." She smiled humorlessly at the richer part, which her groom returned.

Kuno seemed to swallow a lump in his throat and repeated the vows in a voice that was choked with emotions. There wasn't a dry eye in the house when they exchanged their kiss while he held her like she was the most precious thing in the entire world.

Nabiki blushed and giggled when they were presented as Mr. and Mrs. Kuno.

"Looks like we made it Kuno-baby," she said with a smile in her voice.

"Wasn't this worth all those times you took care of me?" he asked, stroking her cheek.

Everyone lined up to kiss the bride, Mousse clapped Kuno on the shoulder and said, "Welcome to the land of the marrieds!" he welcomed their friend.

Shampoo frowned at him and he put his arm around her, "It's the best state to be in," he said looking tenderly at his wife.

She playfully swatted him with her bouquet, "You'd better love it!" she admonished.

"I do," he said squeezing her tight and she giggled.

"Is it hard for you to be here?" Ryoga whispered to Ranma out of concern.

"I'll live, I'm just happy for my friends," he said, brushing off his feelings of longing.

Shampoo hugged Akane when they we relieved of their bridal duties. "Is so nice to see you. I guess you get in really late last night!" she said.

Akane hugged her friend back, "Good to see you two. How's married life?" she asked her.

"Is wonderful, Mousse is too too good husband," she responded. "Now where your boyfriend? I not meet him yet," Shampoo said.

"He right over there, his name is Yamato Nakamura," Akane said pointing to a tall, attractive Asian man who was talking to Kuno.

"Nakamura? Isn't that Japanese?" Shampoo asked.

"Yes his parents are from Japan but he just happened to be around," Akane explained somewhat shyly.

"Silly Akane, you leave Japan to travel and find Japanese man? You could have just stayed here." Akane thought about it and then joined in her laughter, which called the rest of the crew over to welcome her back.

"Come we must have some champagne to toast Akane's return!" Kuno said and he signaled a waitperson over.

"Sorry Shampoo can't have any," Shampoo said.

"Shampoo do you mean...?" Mousse said with his eyes going wide with shock.

"We're pregnant!" she cried happily to her stunned husband. There was a flurry of congratulations.

"I think that your children are going to have lots of relations that they aren't really related to" Ryoga observed.

"Actually, Mousse and I discuss this. In our village, the whole tribe raises a child. We don't live in the village, however. Will you all agree to be our tribe? We all have been through so much together in four years, you're all practically like family to me," she said.

Mousse already had his hand on her still flat belly and Kuno put his over Mousse's, "Consider me but their humble Uncle Kuno!" he declared, not really earning the humble part.

"I'm Aunt Nabiki, but you know, actually a little humble…" Nabiki said adding her hand but also getting roughly the same looks as Kuno.

Ukyo came to join them, for the occasion she wore a tuxedo while Konatsu wore a kimono.

When it was explained to them what was going on she said, "I'm Aunt Ukyo!" and placed her hand over all the rest. One by one the gang made the pledge until there was only Ranma and Ryoga left.

"Call me Uncle Ryoga," he swore as he added his hand.

"Same here, just call me Uncle Ranma," Ranma said and placed his hand over Ryoga's their eyes met and Shampoo giggled when a hand started to tickle her.

"I guess we have a village," she said.

The band struck up a well-known song and Ryoga asked, "Do pregnant women dance?" to Shampoo.

"Yes, but I lead, last time you led we ended up in Paris on Eiffel Tower. It was bizarre" she said and gave him her hand.

"You don't mind, do you Mousse?" Ryoga asked.

"Take my wife please," Mousse said with a grin. She batted him with her bouquet again and walked onto the dance floor with Ryoga.

Ranma watched as they danced past him, they were both graceful and moved well together.

Ranma thought about what it would be like if Ryoga were dancing with her girl form. He shivered slightly at the idea and cast a covert glance at Kuno and Mousse. Both were attractive in different ways. Both had matured, grown taller, and leaned as they headed toward adulthood.

Kuno was more classically handsome with well-defined rugged features, whereas was Mousse almost pretty. Mousse had had his eyes fixed with laser surgery, improving his appearance one hundred percent and uncovering his blue-grey eyes.

Ranma wondered if he would have the same reaction if he kissed either of them as he had Ryoga. Or did he have to be in female form? He blushed at the idea of pouring a glass of cold water over himself and having to ask for permission from Nabiki and Shampoo if she could kiss their husbands. As if sensing his thoughts, Kuno glanced at Ranma and said with concern, "You look flushed Ranma, would you like a glass of iced water?" he inquired with a smile.

This caused Ranma to blush even more, but he was rescued by Akane before he had to reply.

"Would you care to dance?" she asked.

"Sure," he said relieved to get away from his thoughts.

"How are you Akane?" he asked as they danced.

"Happy, I can't tell you how peaceful my life is now that I don't live in Nerima. It's nice not having five million martial artists trying to challenge you for me and tons of your fiancées roaming around," she said. "Mind you everyone that I left behind seems to have thrived. How about you, is there someone in your life?" she asked.

"There is someone I like," he admitted with a blush, 'Had a really awkward but passionate kiss and felt swept off my feet but yeah, I think I like him...' he thought quickly.

"I'm really glad. I'm sorry that I left so abruptly, but I needed a life of my own. The first thing I did when I reached European soil was to stop using my mallet. I'm happy with Yamato, his parents are nice and I'm going to be attending university next year. I will always be fond of you Ranma, but I never wanted to marry you," she said. "Oh man, that came out so wrong," she said with a groan.

"It's okay, Akane, I'm starting to realize that we were only ever meant to be friends, ya know?" Ranma asked but hadn't expected an answer. "I'm happy that you're happy and wish you and Yamato all the luck in the world."

"And I wish you all the best too," Akane said smiling at her ex-fiancée as she recognized the look of a person smitten.

The wedding went on long into the night, Ranma and Ryoga had chosen not to imbibe too heavily of the open bar due to having overindulged the night before. "I'm staying in Nabiki's old room for the next little while, she insisted. I've had enough wedding fun. Would you care to go home Ranma?" Ryoga asked.

Ranma felt a surge of happiness when Ryoga called Ranma's home his.

"Definitely, I need to change out of this monkey suit!" he said tugging at his collar.

"Let's go then," Ryoga said and the two identically dressed boys took a cab back to the Tendo house.

They both shyly changed into separate rooms. Ranma kept on examining himself in the mirror and just felt wrong for some reason. With a trembling hand, he filled a glass with cold water and poured it over his head, 'I don't know if this is the right thing to do but dammit it's the closest thing I've felt since...' Ranma thought back to how he had accidently revealed that he had loved Akane long ago.

She opened her eyes and looked at herself, on an impulse she undid her braid and shook her hair loose, and then went to Akane's room to borrow some clothes.

Ryoga had changed into his normal attire and was sitting on the roof when Ranma joined him; he looked up in amusement to see her with her hair loose and wearing black Capri pants and a purple top.

He didn't even think when he spread his arms open to her and neither did she when she sat on his lap and slipped her arms around him. He held her close, her body felt firm but soft at the same time. They sat in companionable silence just holding each other and watching the stars.

"Beautiful wedding," Ryoga commented.

"Yes, it was," she said with a sigh. "Look a falling star!" she said and pointed to the streak of light and made a fervent wish with her eyes closed.

"Did you make a wish?" Ryoga asked tilting a brow up.

"Yes, doubt it's gonna' come true though, sides, it's stupid, I wished that you would kiss me again but I know that ain't happening…" she admitted, wondering if her blushing face was glowing in the dark.

Ryoga was caught off guard by the wish and the fact she had just said that so confidently, meaning that yesterday must have meant something more to Ranma. What did it mean for him though? He had even placed her on his lap without even thinking but now he was blushing.

The redhead looked away in shame, her lower lip trembling for being so stupid as to ask that of her friend and former enemy, 'Dammit! Look what you did now, Saotome! At least he wants to hold me but we did that before without kissing...' she thought as her inner voice trailed, berating herself mentally and fighting off the urge to break down again.

Ranma's eyes widened when she felt something.

Ryoga entwined his fingers in her soft hair and got lost in her eyes, remembering the sweetness of her lips, 'We're both guys but we've got no one and I really want to know what real love is, can I really find it in-in Ranma?' he fathomed the notion and how it had caused his heart to race.

"R-Ryo?" Ranma questioned him but made no effort to pull away.

"Your wish is my command," Ryoga mumbled nervously as he choked near the end of his reply.

Before Ranma knew it she had felt Ryoga's lips pressed up against her as before. From the point of contact, their lips sent out a shockwave throughout their systems, igniting the flames of passion.

Though something else came of it, Ryoga finally felt like he had a home to come back to for the first time.

It was...

Ranma.

Foxes from the Foxxy~

DaisukiFox~