All Ranma characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi, first published by Shogakugan in Japan and brought over to North America by Viz Communications.
A Different Viewpoint: Epilogue pt 2 of 2
Dawn broke over the Tendo household, to find two very content couples. Breakfast was a pleasant affair. Johnathon and Kasumi immediately picked up on the relaxed attitude and shared smile of Ranma and Akane, and shared a knowing smile of their own.
C-chan was the first to finish his breakfast and he crawled up into Kasumi's lap.
Ranma glanced at the kittens bowl and frowned. "He didn't eat very much again."
C-chan meowed up at Kasumi questioningly.
Kasumi blinked. "No C-chan dear. Not
today." The kitten meowed again in the same tone and walked its front
paws up her belly, pointedly looking up. Kasumi shook her head again
patiently.
"No C-chan. I'm afraid I can't today."
Johnathon looked at his wife, one eyebrow raised. "Don't tell me you can understand what he wants."
Kasumi nodded. "Oh yes. He has special calls for several different things. I cat also tell by the way he's acting."
Ranma looked interested, he had taken to studying up on cats, to help keep down his phobia. "Oh? What's he saying now?"
C-chan meowed again on cue, still staring up from his perch on Kasumi's lap.
Kasumi blushed faintly. "Ah, C-chan meows like that when... when he's hungry."
Ranma glanced back at the kitten's bowl in confusion. "He didn't finish his food. Are you sure he's hungry?"
Akane blushed as well, suddenly realizing what C-chan was staring at. "How does he make the connection.... Between your cursed form and you, I mean?"
Kasumi sighed. "He's seen me change... and of course, I smell mostly the same." Kasumi looked down at the kitten with faint pride. "He's very smart you know. He's even figured out...." Kasumi blushed and shook her head. "Never mind."
Ranma looked more and more confused as the conversation continued. "What? What are you all talking about?" He glanced at Kasumi. "What did C-chan figure out?"
Johnathon chuckled softly. "Even I've figured it out by now, Ranma. I'd have thought you'd have gotten it as well. Especially as you're half girl."
Ranma blinked. "What does that have to do with anything?"
Johnathon picked C-chan gently off off Kasumi's lap and placed him on the table. The little cat's point of interest didn't change, and he meowed again in that same tone.
Ranma blinked again. < What am I missing?
C-chan's hungry, but he doesn't finish his food. Johnathon seems
to think it has something to do with being female. C-chan's staring
at Kasumi's
chest....> Ranma's eyes went wide and he blushed.
Johnathon chucked again. "I see you've figured it out. C-chan has a breast fixation. He knows where the milk comes from apparently."
"Johnathon." Kasumi looked mildly disapproving. She shook her head. "I can't figure out how he knows...."
Akane suddenly blushed again. "Oh my."
Ranma glanced at her then at C-chan, putting two and two together. "Oh no...." Akane looked very embarrassed and Ranma joined her.
Kasumi blinked in understanding. "Oh my."
She looked disapproving again. "Next time, you might put C-chan in
an empty room. He's too young...." She stopped, unable to stop
blushing. "I
suppose I should have weaned him before this. He's just so plaintive...."
She shook her finger at the little kitten. "C-chan, no." Kasumi
frowned as C-chan reached for her finger playfully. "I don't suppose
that will work. I really must buy a book on taking care of kittens.
Although I wonder if this
problem is covered."
Johnathon shrugged, trying not to laugh out loud.
"I suppose he'll grow out of it. All kittens do eventually... although
most kitten's 'mothers' don't become human." A chuckle came out against
his
will. "I have no idea what we'd tell any visitors, if they figured
out what C-chan was staring at."
Kasumi sounded indignant. "Johnathon!"
Her husband snickered. "Sorry, I'm just teasing, Kasumi-chan."
Kasumi sighed, hiding a smile. "Oh, you're terrible."
Johnathon nodded with a grin. "Uh huh. But you love me anyway, don't you."
Kasumi giggled behind her hand.
Akane tried not to giggle as well, fighting back a smile she asked in a serious tone. "Don't you get a little jealous, Johnathon?"
Johnathon shook his head. "I don't begrudge C-chan his adopted mother." He switched momentarily over to english. "As I get the whole Kasumi-cabodle."
Ranma, Akane and Kasumi all blinked in confusion.
Johnathon sighed. "Puns just don't translate right."
The rest of the morning passed quietly. Ranma, Johnathon and Akane practiced together, and they and Kasumi chatted about inconsequential matters. After all the excitement they had been through, it was nice to have a normal boring morning for a change.
Before lunch, Johnathon brought up a more serious
subject. "Kasumi, my folks called again yesterday. There's still
around two weeks until school starts. What do you think about going
to visit
them for a few days. Say, for a week."
Kasumi nodded. "I'd like to meet you parents, Johnathon." She smiled. "Going to America. How exciting!"
Johnathon frowned. "Hrmph. 'Exciting' is exactly what I'd like to avoid. I'm sure it would be 'exciting' if, for example, I got splashed somewhere in downtown San Francisco. I'd probably make the front page news, if I didn't get shot first."
Kasumi patted his arm. "I'm sure nothing that bad will happen."
Johnathon shot her a questioning look. "Oh? What if when my parents take us out to eat, the waiter spills some water on you or me?" He shook his head. "My father would have a stroke and my mother would have a nervous breakdown!" He shuddered. "We've just got to be really careful."
Kasumi sighed. "You don't think we should tell them?"
Johnathon paused, giving the matter serious thought. Kasumi only asked a question like that very rarely, and Johnathon recognized how serious she was.
He sighed after several minutes and shook his head.
"I really don't think it would turn out that well. In the best possible
scenario my folks would insist on 'helping' me find a cure... for both
of
us probably. Then they wouldn't accept no for an answer.
They'd spend all their money, and the rest of their lives, trying to cure
us. I couldn't stand to see them do that to themselves. It wouldn't
be much fun for us, either." Johnathon shook his head. "No,
I think it's best that they never know."
Kasumi nodded, her eyes somber. "Yes, Johnathon."
The english teacher, and newlywed husband, Johnathon Dwire, frowned at Kasumi's easy compliance, but decided not to make an issue of it.
Instead he took her hand, brought it up to his lips, and kissed it. "Thank you, Kasumi, for your understanding."
Kasumi blushed around a pleased smile, and stood. "I believe it's time for lunch. It will be just a few minutes."
As if on cue. Nabiki walked around into the back yard, heading for the rear doors. "Lunch? Great! I'm starved!"
Kasumi smiled pleasantly at her sister. "It's so nice of you to drop by! I'll be out in just a little while."
Nabiki sat casually, then looked around the table, pretending disinterest. "So... how is the honeymoon going so far?" She glanced over at Ranma and Akane with interest..
Johnathon attracted Nabiki's attention away from the younger teens. "We're doing great, Nabiki. So, you're getting bored at the Saotome's house?"
Nabiki shook her head. "Nope. In fact, I was doing some reading. I also had a nice chat with Nodoka." She paused, waiting expectantly.
Johnathon rose to the bait. "Oh? What did you talk about?"
Nabiki shrugged. "Nodoka was mentioning that your mother had called, Johnathon. She was wondering if you might be planning on visiting home soon."
Johnathon nodded. "As a matter of fact, we are planning on that. I was just going to call my folks and tell them this afternoon."
Nabiki smiled and reached into her pocket.
"Nodoka thought that's what you'd say. She and your mother got together
over the phone yesterday." Nabiki grinned and brought her hand out
of her
pocket.
Ranma spoke first, counting out loud. "Four? Four plane tickets?"
Nabiki nodded. "Four tickets to San Francisco International airport, and back. They are from Johnathon's folks and Auntie Nodoka."
Akane blinked. "But why now, and why four tickets?"
Nabiki snorted as if the answer was obvious.
"Two are for Johnathon and Kasumi, of course. With Kasumi cured of
the Cat's tongue, and school coming up again, there wasn't any time to
waste
in getting them. As for the other two, they're an early birthday
gift to Ranma, from Nodoka. She thinks if you take Akane with you,
you two will have a chance to get closer."
Ranma looked dubious. "Mom's idea, huh?"
Nabiki grinned. "Well, it is just possible that a certain two fathers might have had some influence in the choice of gift."
Ranma continued to look uncertain. "What about the class at the dojo?"
Nabiki chuckled slightly. "Happosai's most humble pupils can hold the fort for a week, and I'll even make sure Ryoga shows up to help out. It's time he earned his keep anyway."
Kasumi chose that moment to come out with a pair of serving trays and started setting out bowls and plates with sandwiches.
Akane looked at the food and didn't quite recognize it. "What's this, Kasumi?"
The eldest Tendo sister beamed at her. "I thought I'd make something special in honor of our trip to Johnathon's home. These are his favorites, chicken noodle soup and grilled cheese sandwiches."
Johnathon was grinning from ear to ear. "Just like mother used to make! Thank you Kasumi!"
Ranma shrugged and dug right in, mumbling his thanks over mouthfuls of food. Akane and Nabiki began eating as well. As usual, Kasumi had prepared a tasty lunch, if a bit different than normal.
Kasumi went back into the kitchen to make seconds, and Nabiki sat back. "That's not bad. When Kasumi comes back in, I think I'll tell you all about my other news."
Johnathon looked interested. "You said you had been reading?"
Nabiki nodded. "Actually, I finished finding out what I'm about to tell you over a week ago, but I've been waiting for the right time to mention it. I didn't want to ruin the party yesterday, and it didn't seem very important with Kasumi trapped in her cat form."
Akane started looking curious. "What's all this about sis?"
Nabiki nodded to the kitchen. "This involves our big sister, and I really only want to go through this once."
Kasumi walked in then, with seconds for Ranma and Akane. "What involves me, Nabiki?"
Nabiki nodded sharply. "I'll explain. There are two things, really, that you all should know." Nabiki paused and was pleased to note she had a attentive audience. "First off, Johnathon-san... big brother. Were you aware that on the marriage document you signed, you were listed as Johnathon Tendo?"
Johnathon blinked. "I was?" He looked
thoughtful. "Hmmm. Things were quite hectic that night. I remember
Soun saying that since Akane would be becoming a Saotome, he was proud
to accept me
into his family. I guess that was what he meant." Johnathon frowned,
then shrugged. "I don't really mind that much, although I wish Soun
had been a bit more up front about it."
Nabiki snorted again. "Daddy probably thought you'd protest the change, maybe even stop the wedding. He wanted Kasumi or me to carry on the Tendo name, but since Kasumi married first...."
Kasumi looked apologetic. "I'm sorry, Johnathon. I didn't realize that father would do that without asking."
Johnathon shrugged again. "Forget it.
I don't care about that. My dad might be annoyed, but I don't think
even he'd fume much about it. He still has Michael, and about a dozen
other relatives,
to carry on the Dwire name. No big deal."
Kasumi smiled in relief.
Nabiki sniffed in amusement. "Well, daddy just wasted 2000 yen there."
Ranma blinked in confusion. "Huh?"
Nabiki chuckled. "Daddy paid me to tell you all the news. He hates getting yelled at you know."
Akane sighed and rolled her eyes. "Only 2000 yen, Nabiki? You probably could have gotten more."
Nabiki grinned and winked. "I did, for informing
you of this next bit of news." She turned to Johnathon again.
"My next news is a bit nicer, for you anyway, big brother." Nabiki
shook her head
wryly. "Daddy really dropped the ball here."
Johnathon looked confused. "What is it?"
Nabiki sighed. "It's about the inheritance laws. When Ranma married Akane, he was supposed to inherit the Tendo Dojo, right?" Nabiki rolled her eyes. "Daddy kept on harping about it, remember? It was in part because of the need to carry on the training hall, and the family martial arts school, but there was another reason for Ranma to inherit the Dojo, the inheritance laws. You see, the first marriage in the family can receive it's inheritance without most of the inheritance tax. When Akane and Ranma got married, they would get the Dojo without worrying about having to sell it to pay the government the taxes. However, in the rush to the preparation for the double wedding, everyone forgot. It wouldn't have mattered, actually, except at the last minute, Cologne interfered, and by the end of the day, it was only Johnathon and Kasumi who got married."
Nabiki paused, letting the details sink in.
Johnathon understood immediately and whistled incredulously under his breath.
Akane got it a second later, dawning disbelief and anger showing on her face.
Ranma figured it out just after Akane and had the wits to look shocked.
Kasumi finally blinked and spoke. "Nabiki, are you saying that Johnathon and I, are going to inherit the dojo?"
Nabiki nodded. "If you want something left to inherit, anyway." Nabiki shrugged. "It never mattered to me, of course. I always knew Akane or you would marry first, big sister."
Akane looked ready to start malleting someone. "But... but, what about the dojo? What about the school? What are we going to do about that? Johnathon and Kasumi can't run the dojo! I mean... what about Ranma and me?"
Akane looked over at Ranma, who gazed back calmly. "I don't need a dojo, Akane. I've always said so. Kodachi offered me one once, remember? I just need the Art. That's what we'll carry on, Akane, our family's schools of martial arts."
Ranma blinked. < Wow, I can't believe I managed to say all that. I hope someone remembers what I said, cause I don't think I could say it again.>
Akane sighed, then nodded, breaking into a small smile. "I guess... that that will have to be enough."
Johnathon cleared his voice loudly. "Who says
you won't have a dojo?" He glanced at Kasumi, who smiled and nodded,
then turned back to Akane. "You're right about one thing. I
can't run a
dojo, and neither can Kasumi. That's a job for you two, one you're
already doing, I might add. As far as I'm concerned, the dojo is
yours to run. The house is ours, all of ours, to live in. I don't
know exactly how things are going to work out, but I know they will.
Did you think Kasumi was going to
kick you guys out? I'm certainly not going to! Without
teachers, what good is a dojo anyway? We're a family, aren't we?
What's to stop us from sharing the place?"
Nabiki waved her hand in dismissal. "I, at least, plan on moving out."
Johnathon shrugged. "I figured as much, little sister. I expect you'll be a corporate executive before long.."
Nabiki winked. "Care to wager on the year?"
Johnathon shook his head. "And throw away my money? No thanks." He turned back to Ranma and Akane. "So, what do you say?"
Akane looked back at him interestedly. "Exactly what are we talking about here, exactly?"
Johnathon smiled. "Why change a good thing? You and Ranma can run the dojo, Kasumi takes care of us, and I...." Johnathon paused in thought, frowning.
Kasumi looked slightly disappointed, then concealed it instantly.
Johnathon shook his head. "I guess I'm going to keep teaching english, and helping Kasumi around the house, and you guys in the dojo...." He smiled faintly, trying to hide the faint feeling of disappointment he felt as well. Kasumi was the only one who noticed.
Kasumi's face grew thoughtful. < I suppose I'll be taking care of my family for awhile longer then I expected. With Johnathon here to help, though, I can't be unhappy. But... I wonder if Johnathon is happy with how things have turned out?>
Nabiki looked around at her sisters, then at Johnathon and Ranma. "Well, I hope this all works out for you. My work here is done." She stood and winked. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."
Ranma snorted. "What is that, exactly?"
Akane punched him in the arm absently and smiled at Nabiki. "We won't, sis."
Nabiki chuckled and left. < Hmph.
Easiest 7000 yen I ever made. Daddy really is a coward about these things.>
As Nabiki headed for the Saotome home she started to think. <
Akane has
Ranma, Kasumi's happily married to Johnathon, and the four of them
seem to be pretty content with their future. What about me?
I always thought I'd be happy becoming successful in business, but is that
all I really want?>
Nabiki frowned to herself. < I just don't
know anymore. When Johnathon first came back from China, I... I was
interested in him. It turned out he had a thing for Kasumi, so I
forgot about it.>
Nabiki frowned harder. < No, at first I was jealous.
I can see that now. I tried to use Dr. Tofu to get them apart...
and then I ended up kissing Dr. Tofu.>
Nabiki shook her head wryly. < What an idiot
I was, acting like a love sick school girl. For a while, while everyone
was off rescuing Kasumi in China, I thought Tofu might be feeling something
for me. Obviously he was just being kind. Now he's engaged
to Shampoo. So now I've started practicing martial arts again.....>
Nabiki blinked. < Why? So I can win
the doctor away from Shampoo? What in the world was I thinking?>
Nabiki shook her head again. < It was... it was because I was
jealous of Shampoo....
I am starting to act like a lovesick teenager! This has got to
stop. I can control my feelings. I've always managed to do
so before.>
Nabiki's face became thoughtful. < So, should
I keep practicing? I don't mind getting in better shape again, and
being a kick ass martial artist never did Akane any harm to her reputation
with
the guys....> Nabiki shrugged. < Why not, it certainly
can't hurt. All the interesting guys that come around Nermia seem
to like martial artists.>
Nabiki paused to consider available prospects.
< Now that I've admitted I actually want a guy, I should try to catch
one, an available one. Hmmm, Ryoga's available... and he's kinda
cute. I could
wrap him around my little finger if I wanted to, but do I want to?
Half the girls in school are interested in him, and there's the pig girl,
Akari. Ryoga's not stupid, really, but he can be pretty slow on the
uptake. He's usually depressed, and he's obsessive. Not to mention
the fact that he turns into a pig, and slept with Akane....>
Nabiki rolled her eyes. < What a joke that
turned out to be... still, maybe I could work with him. I'll think
about it.> Nabiki started considering other possibilities.
< There's always Kuno. On the
plus side, he's rich, handsome, and....> Nabiki frowned. <
Well, I guess that's all, really. Kuno's also obsessive, arrogant,
and a few cards short of a deck. Still, from all reports he is showing
more sanity recently, and more restraint. At least he's stopped bothering
Akane and Ranma. We haven't seen him for awhile.>
Nabiki looked thoughtful then shook her head.
< Kuno is too much work. If he come to me, pledging his love,
and has gotten past some more of his mental problems, I might consider
him,
but....> Nabiki shrugged. < Who else? None of
the guys at school are interesting at all.> She sighed. <
Maybe I'll meet someone at college.> Nabiki started to grin.
< Why not? There is a whole world full of guys out there.
There's bound to be one for me.>
**************************
Back at the house, the dishes had been all cleared
away and Ranma was struggling to say something to Johnathon. "Johnathon-san...
I want to... I want to thank you, for what you did...
back when I was stuck in the Cat-fist. You risked your life for
Akane, and for me. I'm sorry for what happened, and I'd like to tell
you how much I appreciate what you tried to do."
Johnathon shook his head. "Forget it. Really. You'd have done the same, in my shoes. Besides, you aren't to blame for what happened, alright?"
Ranma sighed. "Aren't I? Akane's forgiven me, although I can't say why, but I'll always regret that day."
Johnathon brought his hand down on Ranma's shoulder. "Put it behind you, Ranma. No one blames you but you."
Ranma sighed again, and nodded faintly. "Well, as for that, I've decided to do something about it." He stood and nodded again to Johnathon. "I might as well get it over with."
Johnathon watched in mild confusion as Ranma walked across the room to Akane.
Ranma went to his fiancee's side and spoke quietly. "Akane, can we go talk? In private?"
Akane blinked. "Sure, Ranma, where?" < My room! My room!>
Ranma nodded toward the back doors. "How about the dojo? I have something to ask you."
Akane blinked. "OK."
As Ranma led Akane outside, Johnathon and Kasumi exchanged glances.
Johnathon spoke first. "Do you think he's going to propose again?"
Kasumi shrugged. "I have no idea. I hope so."
In the dojo, Ranma looked Akane in the eyes, a serious expression on his face. He fought an inner battle to speak, so say the right words.
Akane waited patiently. < He's nervous, which means he's going to say something about our relationship. I think, I hope... I pray he's going to say what I think he's going to say.>
Ranma cleared his throat. "Akane... after last night... I've had a lot to think about. I know I love you, and for some reason, you still love me.... After everything we've been through, after everything I've put you through, that means a lot." He froze for several long seconds, then struggled to continue. < I know I don't deserve you, but... I can't live without you.> "Akane, would... would you m-m-marry me? Soon? I know we wanted to wait, earlier, but...."
Akane was nodding happily, tears in her eyes. "Yes, I'll marry you. Yes I will, and let it be soon. You're right, I did want to wait, if only until high school, but that was before.... Yes, lets get married, and soon. Akane smiled brightly. "So, when exactly?"
Ranma hesitated. "Well, I thought maybe in a month. We don't want to rush into it too fast. We're ready, but why go too quickly? We can only get married once, right?"
Akane's smile turned gentle. "I think a month
is perfect. We can tell everyone after we get back from America.
We won't be able to have much of a honeymoon, but I don't want to wait
until the
next school break to do this anyway."
Ranma nodded. "Then it's settled. In a month, we'll get married."
Akane moved in to kiss him, and Ranma returned the favor.
When they broke apart, Akane blew out a pleased whistle. "I'm starting to think a month is too long."
Ranma shrugged. "We could do it sooner if you'd like?"
Akane shook her head. "No, we'll stick with the month, although, now that's we've started... doing... what we've been doing.... I don't really want to stop."
Ranma blushed. "Ah... I don't want to stop doing... that... either."
Akane grinned mischievously. "Come on, we can tell the others later, but lets tell Johnathon and Kasumi now, before they figure it out for themselves."
Ranma blinked. "About which part?"
Akane sighed. "About all of it.... I need to go to Dr. Tofu too, so nothing... unexpected happens."
Ranma blinked again. "Unexpected? What
do you mean, unexpected.... Oh! You mean....! Oh no!
What about... what about last night? What about.... when I was in
cat mode? Arrggh! We
didn't take any precautions. What if you... what if you...."
Akane chewed on her lip. "Get pregnant? Well, after what happened that day you were stuck as a cat.... I had Dr. Tofu check me out. Nothing happened. As for tonight, well... I'm pretty certain nothing happened. It's just barely possible, but it's as unlikely as it can get, due to my cycle. I don't think we have to worry. As for in the future... well, we can start taking real precautions, which is why we really need to go see Dr. Tofu today."
Ranma nodded slowly. "OK, Akane, if you say so."
Akane nodded back, and smiled. "Come on, lets go tell Johnathon and Kasumi the good news. They've worried about us enough." Akane took Ranma's hand, and led him back toward the house.
******************************
At the clinic, Dr. Tofu's new nurse/receptionist/fiancee was a big hit. Shampoo was proving to be an excellent nurse, and Dr. Tofu's regular customers were quickly growing fond of her. The fact that Kasumi was no longer visiting was an added bonus. Several of the old women had been sad, at first, that such an obvious love had been in vain. Soon, however, they found themselves approving of the Doctor's new match. Dr. Tofu had decided early on not to conceal his engagement to Shampoo, not that Shampoo would have let him do so.
Shampoo soon had gotten used to being referred to
as 'the doctors fiancee.' She was really starting to like the
sound of that phrase. After the first night, Shampoo had attempted
to keep her
relationship with Tofu platonic, until their wedding, at least.
Working at the clinic they had quickly gotten used to each others presence.
Tofu Onu was even started to loose his nervousness around her outside of
work, in the privacy of his... their, home. Shampoo wasn't sure if
that was good or bad.
The last patient left the clinic just after one o-clock. There was usually a lull in patients around the middle hours of the day, and Dr. Tofu usually closed up for lunch.
Shampoo checked on the doctor. "Doctor Tofu. Is time for lunch." Shampoo was always careful to address him by his title during business hours, although she was informal at other times.
Tofu looked up from the chart he was reading and nodded. "Alright. I'll finish up here. You can close the front door and put up the sign."
Shampoo went to do so and was surprised to
see a pair of familiar faces coming into the clinic. "Ranma!"
Shampoo exclaimed. "Why you here?" She looked over to Akane,
who was just behind
the pig tailed martial artist. "Akane Tendo, is you... I mean
are you here to see the doctor?"
Akane nodded. "I am. Shampoo, your Japanese is getting better!"
Shampoo nodded back. "Tofu-san teach. Airen is teaching me Japanese, and more about being a nurse."
Dr. Tofu came into the lobby. "Shampoo, who's here?" He stopped and smiled. "Ah, Ranma, Akane, it's nice to see you two. I hope nothing serious is wrong?"
Akane shook her head. "No doctor. I'm just here for a check up, and some advice."
Dr. Tofu nodded. "Alright. Why don't you come into the office and you can tell me all about it. Shampoo, could you put up the closed sign and fix us some tea?"
Shampoo nodded and smiled. "I will be happy to, Tofu-san."
Dr. Tofu took Akane into the office, leaving Ranma
and Shampoo in the lobby. Shampoo put up the sign and headed for
the kitchen. Ranma sat down in the lobby, wondering what he should
say.
Before long, Shampoo delivered cups of tea to the doctor and Akane
They had stopped speaking as she entered the room and simply thanked her
for the tea.
Tofu smiled at her. "Thank you, Shampoo. Why don't you go talk to Ranma while I finish up with Akane."
Shampoo nodded and left, intensely curious about Akane's reason for coming. She came into the lounge and handed Ranma a cup of tea.
Ranma nodded. "Thanks, Shampoo.... So, how are you and Dr. Tofu getting along?"
Shampoo hesitated for a spilt second then broke into a wide smile. "Shampoo very... I mean, I am very happy! Tofu-san is wonderful man. Very kind, strong martial artist, good doctor. We are very happy together."
Ranma nodded again, relaxing slightly. "That's good. I'm glad to hear it."
Shampoo smiled again and looked curiously at Ranma. "How is... how are you and Akane getting along? Is everything alright?"
Ranma nodded, trying to hide a faint blush. "Yeah, we're getting along great. Really great." < Despite all the terrible things I've done.>
Shampoo noted the blush. "Yes? When is... when are you going to get married?"
Ranma hesitated. "Um... really soon.... We were thinking... we were thinking a month from now."
Shampoo nodded. "Is good... it is good that
you're finally going to get together. I... I am glad that someone
is finally going to get to marry you.." Shampoo sighed and looked
away. "Why is Akane
here to see Tofu today?" She turned back, her eyes questioning.
'Is Akane finally treating Ran... treating you, like the man she'll marry?"
Ranma blinked, unsure how to answer. "Um...."
Shampoo stared at him. "Ranma, Shampoo... I
think I deserve to know.... Are you two really...." Shampoo sighed,
shaking her head. "Never mind... on second thought, that's your business
now. I
shouldn't ask." Ranma looked uncomfortable but didn't speak.
Shampoo gazed seriously at him. "I... I just wanted to know, that
you're really happy."
Ranma looked back equally seriously. "We are,
really. Akane and me decided to get married ourselves, without anyone
making us." < Besides my stupid cat-side, that is.> "We
didn't want to
wait any longer."
Shampoo nodded. "That's good." She smiled mischievously. "So, did you get Akane pregnant yet?"
Ranma's face went beet red. "No! That not why we're here! I thought you said you weren't going to ask!"
Shampoo giggled. "I changed my mind." Ranma's blush told Shampoo that she hadn't been far off the mark, but she relented. "It's alright, Ranma. I'm just teasing you,"
Ranma sighed and shook his head. "Your japanese really has gotten a lot better."
Shampoo smiled, pleased, and sipped her tea.
Before long, Akane came out of the doctor's office. "I'm all done, Ranma, lets go home." She nodded politely to Shampoo. "Drop by sometime, Shampoo, we don't see enough of you."
Shampoo nodded. "I will. You'll invite me to the wedding, I hope?"
Akane smiled and nodded back. "Absolutely, Shampoo just as long as you invite us to your wedding too."
Shampoo nodded again and smiled. "I will. You two take care of each other."
Akane led Ranma outside and they started heading home.
Akane waited until they were alone on the street to speak. "Dr. Tofu has given me a prescription for birth control pills. They'll take several days to start working, so he suggested we use a different method for at least a week."
Ranma swallowed. "OK, what?"
Akane shook her head. "Ranma, you never did pay any attention in sex education, did you?"
Ranma shrugged sheepishly. "Well...."
Akane sighed. "Never mind. I figure we can fill my prescription and pick up some condoms. At least until the pills kick in."
Ranma nodded slowly. "OK."
Akane took a turn toward a drug store. "Great, we can get that stuff here."
Ranma blinked. "Oh... did you want me to come in with you?"
Akane glared at him. "Yes!"
Ranma gave in and went inside the store with her. < Why doesn't it ever rain when I want it too?> Ranma wondered, wishing for once he was female as he uncomfortably followed Akane through the store.
The women druggist filled the prescription without
commenting, although she looked over Ranma appraisingly as she handed over
the bag. Ranma ended up buying the condoms himself, and Akane
was equally uncomfortable at the look the clerk gave her. They
exited the store with relief and headed for home, both of them acutely
aware of the reason behind their purchases.
Akane broke the silence. "So, America, that's going to be quite a trip."
Ranma nodded. "Yeah, we'll have to ask Ryoga if he's ever been there."
Akane laughed. "Oh, come on, it's across the Pacific ocean! Not even Ryoga could accidentally end up in the U.S."
Ranma shrugged. "He does know english awfully well."
Akane blinked. "No way...."
Ranma shrugged again. "With Ryoga, you never know."
***************************
Back at the Tendo house, Johnathon and Kasumi quietly went about doing the dishes.
As Johnathon was drying the last plate he spoke. "Kasumi... I spoke for you, for both of us, without consulting you. That wasn't right."
Kasumi shook her head. "It is your place to
so so, Johnathon-san." She smiled briefly. "Besides, you did ask,
silently. I understood what you were going to say, and I approved.
You knew that, or
you would not have spoken."
Johnathon sighed. "I suppose you're right... but, are you happy with what I said? Are you content continuing to care for the family? Nothing is set in stone. What do you want most in life?"
Kasumi paused in thought. "I'm happy, truly. I like caring for my family, and with you at my side, everything is a joy."
Johnathon looked at her intently. "I have to admit, Kasumi, that life is pretty good here, especially with you in it. But, couldn't things be even better? Isn't there anything you'd like more?"
Kasumi looked back at her husband and understanding blossomed on her face. "Johnathon, are you talking about me, or yourself?"
Johnathon blinked. "I...." He stopped to think. "I.. I guess a bit of both. I want to know what you truly want in your life, so I can help give it to you. Nothing could make me happier, then to see you happy."
Kasumi smiled brighter than before and nodded. "I know that about you, Johnathon.. But there is more to your questioning, isn't there? What do you want, my husband?"
Johnathon paused. "Well. I'll tell you, if you promise to tell me... then we can both help each other."
Kasumi nodded. "Alright, I promise."
Johnathon nodded back. "Well then. When I first came to Japan, it was to be a one year thing, then I was to return home. Being an english teacher... wasn't what I planned for my life."
Kasumi nodded encouragingly. "What did you plan?"
Johnathon sighed. "Oh, no plans, really, just
dreams, ideas of things I wanted to do... many different things.
I thought perhaps I could spend a year working in the movies, doing stunt
work. It
sounds crazy, but I always thought I could do something like that.
I thought, in a couple years I'd go back to college, pick up a masters
or even a Ph.D. in one of the sciences, physics, chemistry, maybe even
astronomy... I really like the college life, always learning new things.
I thought, someday, I'd do something important, be respected.....
Make my father proud...."
Johnathon shook his head. "They are just dreams, life has turned out very different."
Kasumi put her hand out and touched his shoulder. "Johnathon...."
Johnathon looked in her eyes and smiled. "I
have had lot of other dreams too. Of being an astronaut, or millionaire,
or even, marrying the girl of my dreams, and living the rest of my life
with
her." His smile brightened a notch. "Some dreams do come
true, you know. Some already have."
Kasumi sighed. "Oh, Johnathon... I..."
Her husband shook his head and took her hand. "Nope, this isn't about me right now. I've told you my dreams. Tell me yours."
Kasumi hesitated. "Alright... I... when I was
younger, I dreamt of becoming a nurse, or even a doctor.... When...
when mother died, she asked me to take care of the family. So I did.
I had to
become mother, take her place. It wasn't easy at first... but
after awhile I got better at it, and I started to enjoy it. Being a doctor,
or a nurse means taking care of others. I was taking care of my family,
and that was just as important, and just as satisfying."
Johnathon nodded slowly. "OK, I can understand that.... I've felt the same way in my time, but was that all? Wasn't there anything else you wanted, any dream you had, that you don't have now?"
Kasumi hesitated again. "I thought, that when
Nabiki and Akane were grown, when they had married, or gone to college,
that I could marry a nice man, and start a family of my own. You
see, I
discovered that being a mother was everything I wanted to be.
That caring for my family, was everything I needed to do to be happy.
I wanted to go from caring for my sisters and father to caring for my husband
and my... my...."
Kasumi's voice faltered, her smile draining from
her face. As Johnathon watched in sympathy, her eyes started to get
moist. He stepped forward and hugged her, tightly, gathering her in, laying
her
head on his shoulder.
Johnathon's voice was soft. "Oh, Kasumi...."
Kasumi quietly cried into his shoulder. Johnathon just held her, stroking her head gently.
Kasumi held onto him tightly, and sniffed back her tears, forcing herself to speak. "Johnathon... what I want is to care for the people I love. I'm doing that. Staying here with Ranma and Akane means I can continue to care for them, and their children. I want to do that...."
Johnathon nodded, squeezing her tighter. "But you want children of your own, too." Kasumi nodded into his shoulder. Johnathon sighed and patted her head. "You will, somehow, someway, you will."
Kasumi looked up at him, her eyes red from crying. "Really?"
Johnathon nodded. "I don't know how, but you will."
Kasumi nodded slowly, her eyes trusting. "Perhaps... we could adopt?"
Johnathon shrugged. "Why not? Maybe there's a way for us to work around the curse. Maybe Shampoo knows something, maybe Cologne.... We will find a way, you'll see."
Kasumi nodded firmly. "I believe you."
Johnathon smiled. "Good."
Kasumi smiled back. "I do, I believe you, because
I know you, Johnathon Tendo...." Kasumi giggled a bit at saying the
last name. "When you say you'll do something, you keep trying until you
succeed."
Johnathon hesitated. "Well...."
Kasumi shook her head. "Oh, when you say you
'want' to do something or you 'dream' of doing something, it might not
happen. But when you say..." Kasumi lowered her voice in imitation
of
her husband's "I will do it!" She smiled at him.
"You mean just that."
Johnathon blinked. "Yeah, I guess I do, at that." He reached forward and wiped a drying tear from her cheek. "You know, I have achieved another one of my goals, besides getting married and being happy, that it."
Kasumi looked interested. "Oh, What was that?"
Johnathon shrugged. "Doing something important. I cant tell anyone about it, but I did have something do do with saving the world." He grinned. "Now that's something most people can't say."
Kasumi giggled. "My husband the super hero. Should I sew you a costume?"
Johnathon snickered. "No, that's OK, I'm strictly
a part time super hero." He snickered again. "Although if you
wanted to, Minako and Rei have come up with a few ideas you could use...."
He
chuckled heartily. "They came to me last week with a half dozen
costume ideas and 'superhero' names. To help my 'public image'.
Some of them were kinda cool, but I'd feel silly in a costume."
Johnathon chuckled harder. "Although, you might want to make Ranma a costume. Usagi's been wanting him to be 'Sailor Earth' again...." He broke down laughing.
Kasumi looked thoughtful. "I do believe I have Ranma's measurements from when Auntie Nodoka took 'Ranko' shopping." Johnathon blinked. Kasumi continued blithely. "And Ranma would look cute in a Sailor fuku...."
Johnathon started laughing even harder, until his sides started to hurt. Kasumi's eyes twinkled in amusement. Ranma and Akane walked into the kitchen.
"What's so funny?" Ranma wanted to know.
Kasumi smiled at him. "Oh, Johnathon was just telling me about something Usagi-chan said the other day."
Ranma's eyes narrowed and Johnathon's laughter died. "Oh he did, did he?"
Johnathon raised his hands defensively. "It was nothing... really...."
Kasumi smiled mischievously. "I think we could get some nice fabric, perhaps a dark blue...."
Ranma growled. "Johnathon...!"
The tall, lanky, english teacher took a step back. "Um... oops?"
Kasumi tried to hide a giggle. "I was just saying how nice you would look in a fuku...."
Johnathon swallowed, then turned and ran, Ranma close on his heels. Kasumi broke down into a fit of giggles. Akane joined her, laughing merrily.
Kasumi listened to the sounds of her husband and his pursuer racing around the house. "Oh my...." Kasumi managed between giggles. "I suppose I should stop them."
Akane nodded, chuckling. "You get Johnathon, I'll get Ranma."
Kasumi listened carefully. "OK. In three, two, one...."
Kasumi and Akane smoothy stepped into the hall together, causing Johnathon to come to an abrupt halt right before them. Kasumi promptly kissed her husband on the lips. Akane slipped past and intercepted Ranma the same way, baring his path causing him to skid to a halt, then freezing him with a passionate kiss.
Kasumi smiled to herself. < Yes, life promises
to just keep getting better, and our future it bright!> She broke
the kiss and she and Johnathon glanced back warmly at Ranma and Akane.
< Our future together. All of us.>
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