Epilogue

It would be inconclusive to say that our story ended on the day Akane and I exchanged vows. In fact, it was just the beginning of another chapter of our lives.

Shortly after the wedding, the twins Soun and Shiori were born. Akane thought it would be appropriate to name them after her parents. I couldn’t agree with her more.

Michiko was committed into an asylum as soon as she was found guilty for attempted murder and arson. It was business, as usual for the Tanaka Enterprises. I heard in the news that Yuuki Tanaka asked his nephew to take charge.

Hikaru eventually graduated from Yokohama. He was among the first in his class. We were so proud of him. My relationship with him strengthened throughout the years. I continued to be his sensei, and always looked forward to our sessions. Gradually, the sensei-student bond progressed into a deep friendship.

Though she was still in college, Yi Ping married Hikaru. As soon as she graduated, she and Hikaru moved to Ichikawa, and they took over the dojo there. A few months later she gave birth to our first grandchild.

In the same year Hikaru graduated from college, another member was added to the Saotome family. A daughter. She was born during one of the coldest winters we had in Japan. Nevertheless, her birth made our home glow with warmth.

I remember when I held her for the very first time. I felt a very strong yet eerie bond between us. It was as if a part of me that died had resurrected. As I gazed at our daughter, I saw an image of a redheaded girl who wore her pigtail much like mine. I knew that I had gained something back I lost twenty years ago.

"What do you plan to name her?" The nurse had asked.

My eyes met Akane’s. No words were exchanged between us, but for some reason, she knew what was going through my mind.

"Rinne," I replied. "Her name is Rinne."

"It’s a perfect name," said Akane.

I looked at my wife and smiled. "Thank you for her."

I turned back to Rinne and kissed her forehead.

***

They say that life is a journey, and what a journey it has been for me.

For seventeen years, I took a road that was often dark and gloomy. Somewhere along the way, it curved into an awkward and then smooth pathway. I happy but was uncertain at times. And then by some stroke of miracle, the trail became clear.

My future with Akane and my family is bright. Our lives happy and fulfilled. Each day I spend with them is something I cherish as we create new memories I choose to remember.

THE END

Author’s Notes:

I decided to hold off writing my own views until after the Epilogue since I know that most of you would probably want to get to the very end.

Let’s go back to DYR 19 and start with…

1. Shampoo’s fight with Kodachi.

We all know that Shampoo is a very skilled warrior, and Kodachi probably wouldn’t even touch her, but Shampoo did manage to get hurt. The explanation here is simple. The effect was to only for the sake of making the fight a bit exciting. Judging with Kodachi being locked up in an asylum for so many years, I would think she would have all this energy with her. Since she really had been planning to escape, she would probably have trained hard. Furthermore, she’s insane here than usual, and her moves wouldn’t be predictable either. So, this fight is not clearly to taint Shampoo’s reputation. That’s not my style. Leave that to the anti-Shampoos out there.

Besides, who won the fight anyway?

2. Ranma not being able to fight.

I didn’t have him become part of the action here because I would think that Ranma would want to be with Akane after she got hurt. And he definitely wouldn’t confront Michiko during her arrest since he would want to stay with Akane after the traumatic event.

3. Michiko losing her marbles.

I honestly didn’t think of this until the last minute, but hey, there were hints going towards her losing her sanity since the last chapter. (Although I would think she would have earned a couple of brownie points after masterminding Akane’s death threat.) Her insanity would explain a lot too since she is the Queen of Denial. She won’t face reality and just won’t give up the fact that she lost Ranma. In the end, she continued to hold on to her looks since that is the only thing she had left.

In DYR 20, I was vague about Hikaru and Yi Ping’s trip to China. (HINT! HINT! Possible side story for all you interested authors out there!) This is because they are only minor characters here in DYR, and I didn’t want to prolong the story than it already is, and I wanted to focus more on Ranma and Akane.

In the Epilogue, rinne is a Japanese term for rebirth. Ranma’s girl-side, after being long gone, returns to him. In a way, Ranma felt like he was reborn.

And so ends another Ranma fanfic. Writing this was very fun and at times very challenging. Of course, I wouldn’t have made it if not for these people…

My pre-readers (Silver-chan, E-chan, Kalaong, Nonsequitur, and ShigatsuC), all of you have helped me in your own ways, and I am so thankful for you guys. I’ve really learned a lot from all of you.

Brad, I really appreciate you writing the actions scenes in DYR 19, including the scene where the asylum was on fire in DYR 18. Great job! Good luck in your own fic.

Remi, thank you for giving me a chance to post DYR at your site.

Steph…my goodness…"Why am I here?" She wonders. Well, that’s just it. You’re there when I needed cheering up every time I am caught in a dilemma and giving me a hand every once in awhile. Thanks. Btw, nice site!

Melissa…thought I’d forget you, huh? Huh? Well, I didn’t. Thanks for all the drawings and being a good friend.

And of course, the readers for hanging around and reading through the end, I am very grateful…especially to those who took the time to write me whether it was via the guestbook or email. I enjoyed reading the comments and exchanging emails with you.

-Bing G

September 24, 2000