Childhood Loyalties

Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma ½ or any related characters in any way, shape or form.

Author's Notes: this anthology as a whole is something that's been clicking away in my mind more or less since Another Rainy Day In Nerima began to reach its climax. This idea I literally just came up with straight out of nowhere, so I decided to run with it and start this anthology off. For the curious, yes, I do have plans for a Ranma/Shampoo equivalent to this. Keywords and prompts are always welcome, especially seeing as how I have nothing to do with LiveJournal.

Back to Nerima

The crowd roared and cheered; the martial arts tournament being held today had turned out particularly exciting, with a strange challenger literally coming out of nowhere and defeating every other competitor. Now it was the final round, and neither fighter seemed in the slightest diminished as they punched and kicked at each other. The enthusiastic uproar only got more intense when one challenger backflipped away from the other, landing at the other end of the arena, and then threw some sort of yellow fireball at the second fighter, knocking her clear out of the ring. The referee promptly made the obvious call.

"Winner! Ranma Saotome!"

Breathing heavily, sweating with exertion, but smiling triumphantly, Ranma made a triumphant gesture for the crowd.

After collecting his winnings, Ranma began heading back through the streets, looking up at a delighted call of "Ranchan!" He had barely managed to turn in the direction the voice had come from when the speaker had thrown her arms around him with a cry of delight. He smiled, but before he had the chance to say anything, she kissed him on the lips for several seconds before he managed to shake her loose.

"Ucchan!" He protested, blushing brightly.

The girl in his arms simply smiled back indulgently. "Three years we've been together, and you still get flustered over a little kiss? We've done more than that…" She teased, stepping back from him just enough that she could gently run one hand over her stomach, a slight swelling barely visible beneath her clothes.

"Not in public, though." Ranma pointed out, his blush faded, but still present. "I won the tournament." He said, eager to get off this embarrassing topic of conversation.

"Never doubted you for a second, Ranchan. That money will help us make up what it cost for that trip to Jusenkyo." Ukyo said casually. It had barely been four months since they had finally saved enough that they could comfortably afford the trip to China for Ranma to finally remove his Nyanniichuan curse. In fact, she was positive that it had been their night of celebration afterwards that had led to her present condition. "Let's get back to the cart; I've got something to tell you."

Ranma looked at her curiously, but followed her without asking. As usual, Ukyo had set up their cart and other personal belongings in a convenient alcove, not too far away, and they reached it soon.

"So, what is it?" Ranma asked.

"While you were fighting, I got a letter… from Nerima." Ukyo added hesitantly, easily able to read the spark of pain that flashed in Ranma's eyes at that name. It was obvious that it still hurt to think about the past; their departure from Nerima hadn't exactly been under the best of circumstances. Finding out that Akane, for reasons that Ukyo didn't know (and was rather sure Ranma didn't know himself), had slept with Mousse would have been bad enough for a relationship as full of mistrust, jealousy, possessiveness and disrespect as Ranma and Akane's had been… but coupled with Akane finding out she was pregnant because of that, Mousse vowing to make an honest woman of her (the cynical part of Ukyo's mind still couldn't resist speculating as to how much of that was Mousse's sense of honor and how much was Cologne standing behind him with the proverbial pointy stick and blunt knife), and Soun's willingness to accept Mousse as Akane's "new husband"…

Ukyo was drawn out of her thoughts when she realized that Ranma had been speaking while she was lost in her memories. "Sorry, what was that, Ranchan?" She asked.

"I said, what's the letter?" Ranma repeated. Ukyo handed it over, unspeaking, and Ranma began to browse. "You are cordially invited to the wedding of Kasumi Tendo and… Tsubasa Kurenai!?" He shouted this last part, drawing curious stares from the passers-by. He quickly quieted down and waited for them to lose interest and move on before turning quizzically to Ukyo. "Did you know about this?"

"Not until I got that later, I didn't." Ukyo answered without hesitation, her expression making it clear that she was also confused and surprised by it. "I don't know which is more surprising; that she invited us or that she's marrying that crossdressing stalker."

"I'll say." Ranma muttered, continuing to read over the invitation. "Hmm… we probably could make it there in time, we're not that far from the place… but do you want to go?"

"If you're willing to go, then I'll go too." Ukyo declared instantly. "I never had anything against Kasumi, and even Tsubasa wasn't that much of an annoyance. You're the one who that place hurt; it's your decision if we go. I'll stand beside you either way."

Ranma gave her an appreciative smile, then his attention turned inwards as he tried to decide what he was going to do. Though he didn't regret leaving Nerima with Ukyo after that whole disaster had stormed in (hell, he was sure he'd have gone mad if he'd tried to stay), that didn't mean he really wanted to see Akane again- no matter how the situation might have turned out with Mousse after he'd left, he still couldn't forget the fact she had slept with another guy and gotten pregnant. And, to make things worse, he had no way of proving that Akane was totally innocent in that affair.

Shampoo had outright laughed in his face when he'd first told her about it, then gotten irritated and asked him to stop joking, then finally fainted when she'd accepted that he was actually telling the truth, so that took responsibility off of her- she was pretty good at faking innocence, but she wasn't that good. Cologne had sworn on her honor that she wasn't responsible, pointing out that she (and, by extension, Shampoo) had always attempted to influence Ranma to fall in love with Shampoo- getting Akane and Mousse out of the picture wasn't really advantageous, seeing as how Ranma still had Ukyo and Kodachi chasing him, not to mention Nabiki and Kasumi as potential "replacements" for their sister. That didn't mean that Mousse couldn't have tried to use some kind of "lust potion" on Shampoo, only to goof up and mistake Akane for her (it wouldn't be the first time)… but Ranma just couldn't bring himself to have that much trust for Akane. Maybe it was because of how she had always been so quick to accuse him of perversion, even though he could usually explain things reasonably if she'd give him a chance.

But, on the other hand, he didn't have anything against Kasumi- in fact; she was the Tendo girl who had been the most hospitable towards him (well, she hadn't been in the habit of hitting him, yelling at him, or trying to steal from him, and she made sure that he got regular meals, so same thing). If she wanted him to be there for her wedding, well, he couldn't really say no, now could he?

Plus, he was curious. Not just morbidly curious about what could have possibly happened that might have made Tsubasa and Kasumi get together (admittedly, Tsubasa was the least clingy person he knew in Nerima, and Kasumi never really had seemed all that aware of Tofu's crush on her), but also about what might have changed. It had been three years since he'd left and, as aggravating as it had been sometimes, Nerima was the one place that he could best consider a home. He'd never spent so long in a single town until his father had brought him there. Even though he'd moved on in the end, it still meant something to him. He nodded to himself as he made his decision and put the invitation in his pocket.

"I guess if she's inviting us, then the least we can do is go."

"If you're sure, Ranchan." Ukyo said, not looking too displeased with the idea. "But first we'll need to get some appropriate clothes- we can't turn up in these old things. Oh, and presents for the bride, naturally." She began in an excited tone.

"Naturally." Ranma parroted. He looked at the cheque he'd been given for winning the tournament, then heaved an exaggerated sigh. "Well, it was nice while it lasted."

Ukyo gave him a friendly punch in the shoulder, prompting a wry grin from her fiancé and traveling partner. With that, the two began discussing whether they should start shopping now, or head to Nerima and buy the appropriate things when they got there.

XXX

"Would you please stop fidgeting?" Nabiki asked in an exasperated tone, causing an embarrassed smile and perfect stillness as Kasumi heard her and snapped awake. The middle Tendo girl sighed and shook her head. "I know that you're hopeless, but would you please not wriggle? Getting you into this dress is hard enough- and we're going to have to get you into and out of several more before this day is over, you know."

"I know, sister, I know." Kasumi said softly. "I've been waiting for this day for what feels like ages, now…"

"Certainly feels that way to me." Nabiki muttered sourly. "Why am I doing this, anyway? I was never really the dress wearing type- even Akane wore this sort of thing more often then I did."

Kasumi gave an understanding smile. "Is that jealousy I hear? Upset that your boyfriend hasn't asked you yet?" She teased.

Nabiki did something that would have been unthinkable about four years ago. She blushed. "Oh, come off it sis, you know it's not like that- Ryoga and I simply hang out now and then; he still brings those souvenirs around, so somebody should take them."

"Whatever you say, Nabiki." Kasumi said, smiling. "And I know this isn't really what you'd like to be doing, but you were the only one I can ask. It really should be one of my sisters who helps me today, and Akane's… well…"

"Too pregnant?" Nabiki supplied helpfully. "Well, you're right about that- I'm amazed the girl can still get out of bed."

"I heard that, Nabiki." The youngest Tendo complained as she… well… waddled was the only appropriate word… into the room. "It's my last trimester and I'm having twins- excuse me for looking a little bigger than usual."

"Big?" Nabiki repeated sarcastically. "Face it, sister, that girlish figure of yours was a casualty the moment you started throwing up in the mornings."

Akane blushed and placed one hand on her protruding stomach, apparently unconsciously, as her firstborn daughter Hitomi toddled idly up behind her and nodded with all the graveness a pink-haired (inherited from her father's side of the family; Mousse had confirmed it) three-year-old could muster.

"Dada make mama all big." She stated matter-of-factly, at which Akane blushed in embarrassment and, with a grunt of exertion, awkwardly bent down to pick her up.

"Now, sweetie, we don't say things like that in public." She said as sweetly as she could, her tone made a lie by the icy glare she shot at her sniggering elder sister. "Laugh it up, Nabiki- wait until you have kids."

"As if." The middle Tendo drolled, then returned her attention to Kasumi's dress. "Why don't the guys have to deal with this sort of headache?" She muttered to herself.

Meanwhile, in the groom's room…

"Will you stop pacing? You're giving me a headache." Mousse complained, staring right at Tsubasa despite the fact he wasn't wearing his glasses, a fact that would have surprised those who knew of him but were unaware that he'd switched to contact lenses.

"That's easy for you to say." The soon-to-be groom complained, striding over to the full-length mirror and nervously examining his clothes again.

"I am married myself, you know. And about to be a father for the second time." Mousse pointed out flatly.

"Are you sure my clothes are alright?" Tsubasa asked; if he had heard Mousse, he certainly hadn't paid any attention.

"They're fine…. Wait, what do you care? You wear women's clothes most of the time." Mousse pointed out incredulously.

"Which is why I'm so nervous about these!" Tsubasa snapped back. "Where's Ryoga?" He suddenly bit out.

"Who knows?" Mousse said dismissively, making a gesture with his wrist for emphasis. "Could be on the dark side of the Moon – I certainly wouldn't put it past him."

Almost as if responding to some unwritten script, the door suddenly flew open and what looked like a walking flower arrangement strolled in, which a second glance proved to Ryoga carrying a flower arrangement. "I'm not that bad, duck-boy." He grumbled.

"So where were you?" Mousse asked.

"Doing what Nabiki said and making sure Mr. Tendo wouldn't be causing a scene at the wedding." Was the instant reply.

At that, Tsubasa looked even uneasier. "I know that it's wrong to do so… but I can't shake the feeling that Kasumi's father is a little nuts."

Mousse snorted. "I've been his son-in-law for three years, and trust me when I tell you that there's nothing wrong with feeling that way- he's completely out of his gourd."

Tsubasa simply looked worried for a few moments… then his gaze went to the flower arrangement that Ryoga had dragged in and his eyes hardened, rage chased the doubt from his stance, his back stiffened and, to the confusion of the other two men in the room, he strode over to it practically bristling like a cat about to start clawing. Comprehension dipped when he thrust a hand into the middle of the flowers, then dawned as a feminine yell of pain exploded from amidst the blooms, Tsubasa drawing out a shorthaired feminine head by means of a tight grip on brown hair.

"Ow, ow, brother!" The stranger whined.

"Just what do you think you're doing?" Tsubasa snarled angrily.

Ryoga and Mousse looked at each other, and their gaze rendered words obsolete. He was going to fit right in.

XXX

It had taken Ranma and Ukyo a while to reach Nerima, and they had spent a lot of that time discussing exactly what they were going to do at the ceremony. While Kasumi had invited them, there were people that they didn't particularly want to meet, and they knew that there were also people who wouldn't take their presence very well either. They had finally agreed that, as rude as it might be not to actually congratulate Kasumi face to face, it would be impossible to do so without being seen by someone who bore a grudge- and it would be far ruder to cause a riot on her wedding day.

So they had stowed their belongings in an out-of-the-way vacant lot, and taken care to enter the church only amidst the last groups of strangers- people they assumed to be friends of the Tendo family, members of the Kurenai family, or friends of the Kureni family. Secretly adding their own contributions to the pile of wedding presents, they stealthily took up seats where they were sure that they wouldn't be noticed. As the organ music played, Ranma softly began talking to Ukyo.

"I never would'a figured Kasumi to go for a Western style wedding. She always was a traditional sort of girl."

"Maybe, but people change." Ukyo pointed out. She then sighed, her eyes practically glittering as she took in Kasumi's dress, the decorations, everything, really. "Besides, isn't this just so romantic?" She asked.

Ranma shot her a worried glance at of the corner of his eye. He sort of figured that they'd get married someday- she was still his legal fiancée, and they had been traveling together for three years, and they were going to have a baby together, but he wasn't sure he wanted to get married just yet! He said nothing, though; this wasn't the sort of place to cause a scene. "I always figured they couldn't afford a real traditional one anyway."

He'd intended to mutter that to himself, but Ukyo overheard him and her expression darkened. "When did you get so cynical?" She asked, in the same fashion.

Ranma tightened his jaw, lest he say something he shouldn't… only for it to fall open in surprise. "What happened to Akane?" He murmured.

Ukyo felt an instinctive swell of jealous anger rise within her (at least, she hoped that was what it was; she still wasn't entirely over the morning sickness phase), until she looked to the bridesmaids and saw her old rival, whereupon shock pushed it out of the picture. "Either she's really let herself go, or she's pregnant again." She dimly heard herself replying, but couldn't be sure that she had actually spoken, as most her attention was fixated on the girl with whom she had once fought for Ranma. A tangled knot of feelings, including some fear, began to well inside her; was that what she was going to look like in a few months? She bit back a yelp as Ranma's elbow suddenly planted itself none-too-gently in her side, but internally felt more than a little grateful that he'd gotten her mind off of that and back onto the ceremony. Yes, it truly was surreal to see the boy who had stalked her in Junior High marrying someone else- and the fact he was actually wearing men's clothing only heightened that feeling. However, that didn't mean the ceremony wasn't beautiful, or that she couldn't see the love the couple felt for each other.

Once the rings and vows were exchanged, and people began to file out for the reception, Ranma and Ukyo were amongst the first to do so. They would have left the building then and there, but Ukyo had a sudden need to use the facilities, and so Ranma had resolved himself to the equivalent of standing in the corner with his face to the wall. This actually worked fairly well, as the other adults were more interested in talking with those they recognized, but one thing Ranma hadn't counted upon was the inquisitive nature of children.

"Who are you?" The little girl asked, staring up at him with shameless curiosity.

Ranma looked the three-year-old over, realizing just who she had to be, and felt something bite at his heart. Forcing it away, he simply smiled at her. "I'm an old friend of your aunt's, that's all."

The girl was silent for a few moments, then, matter of factly, stated, "You're kind of weird."

"So are you." Ranma replied instantly and in a pleasant tone of voice, his smile growing a touch more genuine when she laughed in delight.

"Hitomi, where are you? Hitomi? Oh, there you are. What have I told you about bothering nice… people…" Mousse's voice trailed off as he stared right at Ranma's face, recognition clearly dawning on his face, Ranma's own mental reaction equal parts "Oh shit" and "How the hell can he see without his glasses?"

Ranma began to back away as subtly as he could, Mousse's eyes never leaving him. "It's you…" Akane's husband of three years said, disbelief and surprise dominant in his voice, but a definite icy undertone was enough to make Ranma feel threatened.

"Relax, we came here only because Kasumi invited us, and we're leaving now. I'm not here to pick a fight." Ranma stated bluntly, not bothering to warm the ice from his voice.

Mousse did his best to stay calm, his own former hostility towards Ranma helping him maintain his dignity, but a part of him was truly hoping that Ranma was speaking the truth. He couldn't forget that Ranma had always been able to beat him in a fight, and right now he had almost no weapons on him- if Ranma was holding some sort of grudge, then Mousse was honestly afraid of what the outcome might be. Apparently, though, Ranma's skills at reading people had only sharpened in the three years since he left, and his old rival simply smirked at him.

"I'm not here to fight. It wouldn't do any good- besides, you two seem to have sorted things out for yourselves. Kinda surprising, though; I'd'a figured she'd get you fixed after the wedding."

"Why you…!" Mousse hissed, forcing himself to keep still. His anger ebbed when Ranma suddenly shook his head and looked apologetic.

"I… shouldn't have said that. Sorry."

Mousse could be forgiven for reeling at that. This was really all more than he had expected, or needed, on a day like this. It did not help matters when another familiar figure suddenly slipped up beside him, clearly looking ready to fight.

"Ranchan? What's going on?" Ukyo asked, ready to defend her lover if she needed to.

"Nothing, Ucchan. We're leaving." Ranma said, turning and walking towards the exit, Ukyo following in his wake.

Mousse blinked, trying to process what had happened, and could only call after them, feeling rather stupid the moment the words left his mouth. "Are you going to come back?"

The two stopped, then continued, their answer floating back to him. "Probably not. Things change."

Mousse watched them vanish out the door, then felt a tugging on his hand, looking down at Hitomi. "Dada, who were they?" She asked curiously. Mousse smiled down at her, then began to lead her back to her mother. "Just some ghosts from the past." He said.

"Oh." She said, thoughtfully. Then grinned. "Cool."

Yes, I know, a weird work, but isn't that rather expected of me? This was just something that came to me, so I managed to go with it. Don't know when A Chinese Connection will get put up, so don't ask. For the curious, the poll to determine the next serial Gideon020 and I has been closed, and the winner is… to nobody's great surprise… Chasing the Rainbow! The first chapter should be out hopefully within the week.