All Characters in this story are the property of Rumiko Takahashi and various other people…I’m only borrowing them for a short time. The story and idea, however, are mine. It has been three years since Ranma moved into the Tendo household and became engaged to Akane. It has been a year since he formally proposed to her and they set the wedding date. It was two days before the wedding. Ranma paced in his room at his mother's house. Their parents had agreed that the couple should be apart for a week before the wedding. Bare feet tapped against the wood of the floor as Ranma walked back and forth, trying desperately to think of a way to be cured; trying to think of anything as long as it wasn't Akane. He missed her more than he'd ever thought it was possible to miss an uncute tomboy. No, Ranma grinned to himself; she is definitely NOT uncute. A vision of Akane's cute face popped into his mind. He remembered her as he last saw her. She was wearing a yellow skirt that came midthigh with suspenders and a tight black skirt. She'd walked to the bus station with his family to wish him farewell, with tears brimming in her eyes. When his parents were distracted by the bus driver, she'd flung herself into his arms, wrapping hers tightly around his neck. "I know I should have said it sooner, but...” She looked into his eyes. "Akane...I know." Akane smiled through her tears and quickly kissed him. Ranma sat down on his floor and thought about their first kiss. It had happened a few hours after he'd formally proposed to her in front of their families, producing a small, but stylish diamond that had been his mothers. After everyone had went to bed Ranma had crept outside and hung upside down in Akane's window, knocking until she opened the window. She had been wearing her favorite pajamas, the yellow pair of pants and top. He'd hopped inside and she'd sat on the bed, staring at her new ring. He walked close to her, hoping that she hadn't changed her mind. "Akane, are you happy?" She'd raised her eyes and looked at him, tears gently running down her face. "Of course I'm happy you dope. Why else would I be crying?" She'd laughed a little though her tears and unconsciously Ranma had lifted his right hand and brushed the path of tears away. She'd caught his hand and stared into his eyes. Ranma would never understand what it was that made him lean forward and place his lips against hers, but whatever force had been behind it Ranma thanked daily. When their lips touched some kind of spark had gone through Ranma's lips, shocking him and alerting other parts of his anatomy. He remembered Akane's reaction. A slight noise resembling an "oh" had escaped her lips and she'd wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. "Ranma, my boy, I don't think I want to know what you're thinking about." A glazed look had into Ranma's eyes as the memories floated through his consciousness that his father couldn't help but notice. His brass statement immediately shook thoughts of Akane out of Ranma's mind and he growled at his father. "Whaddya want pop?" He was in no mood to deal with any more of the marriage sermons his father had been delivering daily. Ranma had been quick to point out that Genma hadn't been the world's best husband, but even this didn't cease his preachings. "Don't be so quick to judge your old man Ranma. After all, it was my doing that you got engaged to Akane Tendo and now are marrying her." Ranma growled again, looking to his father this time. "Yeah, I got engaged to an uncute tomboy who will kill me with her cooking in a few days." Genma chuckled. "You can't fool me Ranma, I know you're in love with the girl. Love is a wonderful thing, why I remember the first time I fell in love...” Ranma was in no mood for stories today either. "Get to the point, will ya pop?" "I was merely going to say that while love is a good thing, you can't let it make you any less of a man than you already are." Ranma flinched. He wasn't usually sensitive about his girlside, but the upcoming marriage had made his reevaluate his situation and he found he didn't like where he was coming from. As much as he loved Akane, he was scared of having children with her. He didn't know if his curse would be passed on to his children or not. Even Dr. Tofu hadn't been of much help with this situation. "No one knows for sure Ranma. As far as I know, no cursed human has ever reproduced before. Either they live their life single, or they've found a cure before they get married. But there's no need to worry, I'll keep a close eye on Akane when she starts expecting if you'd like." Ranma had taken the doctor's offer, but still wasn't comforted. "...a training journey for a day or so." "What?" Ranma had been thinking about Dr. Tofu and his condition and had missed what his father was saying. "I said that because you still want to be a man, maybe you should do a short training journey for a day or so. You know, just to make sure you can handle being married." Ranma looked into his father's eyes and saw concern there. No matter how mad he got at his old man, Ranma always knew that Genma loved his only son and in the end only wanted what was best for him. A small training journey did sound good to Ranma. If he decided to go he'd be able to have something to do to keep his mind off Akane and his worries for the future. Genma was still muttering almost wordlessly, almost starting to resemble his cursed form. Ranma stood up and patted his father on the back. "Thanks for the idea pop." He grabbed a traveling pack, shoved some things in it and ran to the kitchen to get food to bring along. Ranma had chosen a training spot that wasn't too far from his mother's house, just in case they needed to get a hold of him for any reason. Humph, he thought, I used to just go on training journeys without worrying about anyone else, now I'm staying in close range just in case someone needs me and I'm not even married yet! Ranma frowned at the thought, then smiled as he remembered Akane. Sometimes the prices are worth the prize. For a day and a half Ranma trained, finding relaxation once more in the sport he'd been training in for most of his life. The katas took his mind off Akane and his problem, as he'd hoped they would. The afternoon before the wedding, Ranma packed his tent and other belongings back into his traveling pack and headed back for his mother's house. She'd told him to be home by dinnertime, promising a dinner that was fit for a king. During his walk he started daydreaming. Dreaming of what living would Akane alone would be like, dreaming of the honeymoon that would soon follow, dreaming of getting Akane pregnant....no. He thought, closing his eyes while he continued forward. No, I'll never get Akane pregnant. Not while there's a chance that the baby could be born cursed. A black kung fu shoe hit a kettle, knocking it over and spilling its contents onto the ground. Ranma opened his eyes when he felt the object tip over. He looked around for the owner and saw a middle aged man sitting in front of a small campfire. His long brown hair looked scraggly and reached to the small of his back. His beard mirrored the hair and reached to the middle of his abdomen. Bright blue eyes looked up at him in anger. The man used his loosely clad black panted legs and stood up, unfolding his 6' frame. An amber colored stone hung from his neck, barely reaching the top of his white undershirt. "You knocked over my kettle." His voice was deep and husky. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." Ranma bent over and picked the kettle up, brushing it off as he did so. "It doesn't look like there's any damage...here ya go." The man took the outstretched kettle and put it down beside him. "I'm not worried about the kettle." He spat. "You've insulted me. Prepare yourself." The man stepped into a fighting position and looked at Ranma. "I hope you can fight." Ranma dropped his backpack and stared at the man. "Look buddy, I'm sorry I knocked over your kettle, but I hardly think it's a reason to..." Ranma's sentence was stopped as the man threw a closed fist towards Ranma's face. Ranma reacted automatically and blocked with his left forearm. The man countered with a left fist towards Ranma's face. Again Ranma blocked, attempting to grab the man's bony arm to throw him, but as soon as he wrapped his fist around the other man's he felt a force pulling him downward, then a knee in his stomach knocked the wind out of him. Ranma got his breath back after a few seconds and turned around to face his attacker. The man was standing still with a mocking grin on his face. Frustration overcame Ranma as he ran for his attacker. The bearded man grabbed Ranma's wrists and rolled onto his back, using his foot to propel Ranma into the air behind him. Ranma flipped in the air and landed on his feet, facing the brown haired man. "Very good. I see I'm finally going to beat someone deserving. Come, let us continue." The man lifted his leg and aimed his foot at the side of Ranma's throat. Ranma reacted by snapping his right foot to the knee on the leg that was supporting the other man. The bearded man sprawled onto the forest floor but quickly kipped up, facing Ranma once more. "Who are you?!" Ranma was exasperated by the man and groaned inwardly when his right fist flashed by Ranma's face. Ranma blocked it with his forearm, as well as the left punch that came towards him. The man surprised him by wrapping his fingers quickly around Ranma's blocking arm and tossing him to the ground sideways, pushing his weight onto Ranma's forearms with his hands. Ranma skillfully maneuvered his hands then tried to kick his attacker in the side. He reacted as Ranma hoped he would, quickly pulling backward to avoid the kick. Ranma used his momentum to kip up and punch the older man in the face. Brown hair whirled around as the man continued to spin, catching Ranma in the side with a back side kick. He tried to continue with a hopping sidekick, but Ranma blocked with his knee, pushing his attacker's leg further forward. Ranma's leg flashed out as he completed a spinning hooking kick, his leg barely missing the man's backward moving head. He straightened, fingering the strange stone that rested around his neck. "Alright, I've had enough of this. Kashu Tenshin Armigruiken!" Ranma's hands became a blur as he lashed out at the man. Cold hands clamped around Ranma's hands and before he had time to realize that his Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire attack had been caught, which was a first, a large foot connected with his chin and he went flying into the air. Ranma's body slammed against the ground and he groaned. It felt like every bone in his back was broken or cracked. It ain't over yet, he thought as he weakly stood up and resumed his usual fighting stance. The man grinned. "Well, I see you're not going to be defeated so easily. Very well then, try this! Eineg Final Attack! 36 Crazy Fists!" Ranma's eyes widened in horror and pain as two fists suddenly seemed like many, all taking on various Kung Fu punches, ranging from snake to monkey to dragon. Pain exploded in his body and his mind focused on Akane's face as he fell to the ground. No, I can't be defeated. Not yet...not like this. Ranma sat up and glared at the strange man. He was turned away from Ranma, obviously thinking that he'd defeated him. His head was thrown back with his eyes closed, gulping the substance in the metal container. His left hand was once more playing with his stone. That's it! That stone obviously means something to him. If I can get it away from him, I might be able to get him mad enough to follow me into the spiral. Energy flowed into Ranma's body and he silently jumped up, racing for the stone. While the man was drinking, Ranma's hand darted around his back and grabbed the necklace, ripping it from the man's neck. Bony hands threw the glass down and he stared at Ranma, who stood a mere five feet from him, dangling the necklace between his fingers. Ranma put the necklace in his pocket and grinned at the man. "Looking for something?" Rage filled the man's eyes as he yelled, "Give me it!" His anger made it easy for Ranma to get the man into the spiral, and a moment later he reveled in yelling, "Hiryu Shoten Ha!" A large sized whirlwind surrounded Ranma, and he heard the man's scream from his great height. He also heard him hit the ground a minute later. Ranma walked to the fallen man, surprised to still find his eyes open. "Here." He took the necklace out of his pocket and placed it on the man's chest. He walked to his dropped pack and put it on his back. He was walking away from the fight scene when he heard a faint call, "Wait." Ranma groaned. He didn't have time for another fight with this guy, he was barely going to make it home by dinnertime as it was. He turned and faced the standing man. "Aww, what now!" The man starting walking to Ranma, who got a small satisfaction from the winces each step created in the man's face. When he was standing two feet away from Ranma, he stopped. "You win. After two hundred years, I've finally lost." Two hundred...Ranma's mind reeled. What in the world! He's almost as old as Cologne and Happosai, but he doesn't look much older than 30! "As is a duty from my race I am forced to grant one wish." The man's bowed his head and continued. "I am ready for your wish, and ready to cross over." Ranma stared incredulously at the man. "What are you talking about!" The blue eyes collided as the man looked at Ranma. "It is the responsibility of an Eineg that has been beaten to grant the one who bested them one wish, then pass on to their ancestors. I must say that I am almost happy to go, for I've been alone for many years." He shrugged. "I guess that happens when you're the last in your race. Now, what wish may I grant you, so that I might rejoin my ancestors." Ranma couldn't believe his luck. If this was real, and he got cured, then he wouldn't have to worry about Akane. But past hopes and failures kept replaying themselves in Ranma's mind and he decided not to believe the man, that way his hopes wouldn't be dashed again. "Please hurry, I am anxious to go." The man begged. "One wish hmmm? Fine, I wish for Ryouga, Mousse, Shampoo, my father, and me to be cured of our Jusenkyo curses." The man's eyes widened. "Very well, it shall be done." He closed his eyes for what seemed like a long time to Ranma, who was eager to leave. Finally he opened his eyes. "It is done." "What, no magic words, no flash of light?" The man merely grinned and nodded. Then, to Ranma's amazed eyes, he faded completely from sight. Ranma exhaled, wearied by his training and the fight. At least I didn't take him seriously. He turned and headed towards his mother's house. ******************************************************************** The day dawned brightly for the most popular couple in Nerima's wedding. Ranma and his family had arrived early by train, using Dr. Tofu's house and office to get ready for the wedding. If someone could have observed Ranma and Akane simultaneously one hour before the wedding, they would have laughed. Both halves of the couple were pacing a room by themselves, Ranma in his tux and Akane in her wedding gown. Both were wondering about the future, life after marriage, and children. The wedding bells rang and as Akane walked up the isle, all of Ranma's worries vanished. She looked so beautiful in her white gown, her veil covered her face lightly, but he could still see a faint outline of her dark hair. He remembered feeling how silky its texture was and suddenly couldn't wait to feel it again. The ceremony was short, and only a few friends and family attended. Ranma's parents were there, as was Akane's family. Ukyou and Ryouga had showed up, and though both seemed slightly upset, their faces were nothing but smiles. The crew from China hadn't been invited, neither had the Kuno's because neither fiancé had wanted this wedding to resemble the last one. Nabiki was even being good, having been threatened by her father before hand. Dr. Tofu and his mother were there, smiling during the entire ceremony. Even Miss Hinako had shown, making sure she was an adult before she arrived. The reception was being held at Ucchan's Okinomiyaki, a peace offering from her part in the last wedding, she'd said. Akane was all smiles, getting congratulations from her Furinken High classmates that had been invited to the reception, while Ranma's fears slowly returned. Hiroshi and Daiske congratulated him, having two beautiful college women on their arms as they did so, but Ranma really wasn't taking in any of it. Soun and Genma were congratulating themselves on bringing their offspring together finally, while Nadoka and Kasumi were discussing how beautiful the ceremony had been. Even Ryouga looked to be having a good time, talking to some of Ranma's classmates he'd met over the years. "Hey Ukyou, got any water to drink?" One of Ranma's friends yelled. "Sure do sugar!" She filled a glass from the sink behind her counter and tossed it to him. "Here ya go." The glass flew through the air, and as most cursed people do, Ranma, Genma and Ryouga watched it to make sure it stayed away from them. The man grabbed it out of the air and took a drink. All three men sighed in relief. The last thing Ranma wanted on his wedding day was to turn into a woman. "Ryouga look out!" Ukyou's voice sounded. She'd been signaled by another person for a glass and had misjudged her distance, sending the glass straight at Ryouga! "Aaaargh!" He yelled as it landed on him. I'm done for, now everyone will know my secret, even Akane. He closed his eyes and waited to feel the change: to feel himself shrinking and becoming a black piglet...but it never happened. "Huh?" He opened his eyes and looked at his hands, amazed to find that he was still human. "What the..." Ranma stared at Ryouga in shock. "What's wrong Ranma?" Akane asked. "Nothing. I'll be right back Akane." He grabbed his father and left the restaurant. He ran around the side of the restaurant and grabbed the garden hose, turning it on and towards his father. "What are you doing boy!" Genma shouted. After he'd been sprayed with the hose thoroughly, Ranma turned it off and stared at his father, disbelieving. "Hey!" Genma looked at himself, noticing that he wasn't a panda. Ranma didn't think twice and closed his eyes, turning the hose on himself. He drenched himself and dropped the still running hose, not wanting to open his eyes and find that he was a girl. Slowly his eyelids raised, his hands raising themselves to eye level at the same time. Strong masculine hands greeted his sight. He grabbed his chest to make sure there were no breasts and screamed. "YES!" Ryouga ran out the door and straight into the dripping Ranma. "Ranma! You're cured too! What happened!" Ranma laughed and chanted. "Never gonna be a girl again, never gonna be a girl again, never gonna be a girl again." He told the story to Genma and Ryouga, then ran inside and grabbed Akane, hugging her as tight as he could. "Ranma, you're wet!" she complained. "Akane! I'm cured!" She stared in disbelief. "What?" He grabbed a glass of water off the counter and standing away from Akane, doused himself with it. "See!" Akane slowly smiled, still in shock at this discovery. "Oh Ranma! I'm so happy for you!" She ran to him and leapt in his arms, nearly choking him. She lifted her head away and shyly kissed him. "That makes this day perfect. Absolutely perfect." He laughed and hugged her, kissing her once again. Perfect is definitely the word, he thought as he swung her around. Perfect.