Epilogue

It has been a year since we last saw our children, Noduka proclaimed sadly, she remembered when they had to leave the estate. They had waited over a month for Ranma and Akane to awaken, but nothing had happened and they were forced to leave and take care of other matters back in Nerima. Turning, she placed one hand on her swelling stomach and slowly made her way over to sit by Genma.

Don't worry No-chan, Genma soothed his distressed wife. I'm sure they'll wake up eventually.

Yes, with the injuries they received I'm surprised that they survived long enough to get into the healing chamber, Soun spoke softly as he was neither sad nor completely happy. He missed his youngest daughter and wished that she would return soon. But, Soun knew that Akane wasn't dead, so he was able to live with itfor now.

I'm sure they will return any day now, Kasumi piped up cheerfully, she had watched her family start to loose hope over the past six months and had decided to try and keep their morale up.

I wish we didn't have to return here butNabiki was missing to much school and I had a lot of obligations to take care of, Soun spoke to the room, knowing that everyone was listening.

Yes, in the end, it was for the best. They are well protected inside the estate, the bald bandana wearing martial artist paused and took a steadying breath. he continued on a cheerier note, with a new baby on the way, I had to get a job. I'm glad we started teaching martial arts again, Genma replied with a small smile as he rubbed his wife's distended stomach.

I sure do miss them though, Noduka whispered.

All those money making opportunities Nabiki moaned in feigned agony. She didn't want to admit it out loud, but she missed her little sister and Ranma as well. Especially Ranma since he was the one who always generated a lot of fights. It was at those fights that Nabiki made the most of her money.

I really didn't want to see the Amazons leave. It was nice for Ranma and Akane to have some friends aroundeven if they destroyed the house, Kasumi said as she carried the tea trey to the table.

Well, I was surprised when we received a letter from them last week stating that Mu-Tsu and Shan-Pu had gotten married, Nabiki interjected from her position in front of the TV.

Ryoga and Ukyo look good as a couple and will be getting married soon, Noduka told them mater-of-factly.

They miss Ranma and Akane as well and are hoping for their friends to return so they can ask them to be the best man and brides maid, Kasumi started to say when suddenly there was a noise from the front room.

Hello? Anyone home, a deep voice called and then another voice, too indistinct spoke. It was too quiet but they heard the deeper voice answer. Alright alreadystupid tomboy!

Everyone in the living room blinked a few times as the familiar refrain echoed throughout the house. They didn't want to believe that it could be who they thought it was. Their suspicions were confirmed by a loud thumping sound, and a screaming yell.

The family was out of the room in a flash, all of them yelling at the top of their lungs, Ranma, Akane, your home!

The two newly returned heirs took one look at their stampeding families, eyes widening to the size of dinner plates, they panicked, looked frantically for a place to run but couldn't manage to move. Uttering one word that covered it all before they were enveloped in a crushing hug,

"Oooh, myyy baaaabyyyyy!" Soun wailed happily as he squeezed his daughter and her fiancé in a bear hug.

they gasped.

What was that? Noduka asked over Soun's joyous wailing.

Can't breathneed air, came the reply from the oxygen deprived teens.

Noduka smiled at the purple-faced teens before shouting loud enough to be heard in China, Alright, move back and let them get some air! When no one moved, she pulled her katana from its sheath with a loud SHING sound. Suddenly, the area around Ranma and Akane was cleared. It was almost as if it had never been occupied. The family had been getting used to Noduka's mood swings that went along with her recent pregnancy so they decided that not getting her upset was the wisest course of action. Not to mention it kept them in good health.

Ranma and Akane blinked in amazement as they saw everyone pressing themselves against the nearest walls, trying to get as far away from Noduka as possible. It was then that they noticed her condition. Akane was the first to speak, Oh Auntie, congratulations! She moved forward and hugged the older woman before turning towards Ranma and said, Isn't it wonderful Ranma, your going to be a brother!

pre..pregn, Ranma said as he took one look at his mother, he went white in the faced and fainted.

Oh my, He's so happy! Kasumi said cheerfully as she saw the pigtailed boy's reaction to becoming a sibling.

"Heh, He's a Saotome alright!" Nabiki exclaimed, smirking.

"What do you mean, Nabiki?" Akane asked her sister.

"Well, when uncle Genma found out that Auntie was expecting, he fainted too," Nabiki snickered.

Akane giggled when she heard this and wondered what Ranma would do if someone told him that he was going to be a father, the picture that formed in her mind almost made her have hysterics. I'm sure he's very excited about it Auntie, Akane soothed her future mother-in-law. In fact, Ranma and I were about to tell you our wonderful news when we noticed your condition.

What could that possibly beyou're going to have a baby too? Noduka said, smiling happily.

Everyone sweat-dropped, another side effect of her pregnancy had Mrs. Saotome focusing on having everyone becoming pregnant. Clearing her throat, Akane replied nervously, Um, no. Actually, Ranma and I have decided to get married.

The two fathers grinned from ear to ear, then stood up and started dancing around the room while singing, "Oh happy day, our schools will finally be joined!" Soun suddenly paused as he realized what must be done and yelled, "Quick Saotome, get the priest before they change their minds!"

"Good idea, Tendo!" Genma said and was out of the room in a flash.

"Hey Nabiki, can you fill us in on what's been happening while we were sleeping?" Akane asked curiously.

"Yeah, I'd like to know what's be goin on too," Ranma piped up as he finally managed to awaken from his fainting spell.

"Sure, no problem sis. Well, hmm...we waited for you to wake up for about a month. When we couldn't wait any longer we had to return home. When you two didn't come back, the Kuno's made pests of themselves because they contiued attacking us and demanding where you two were. Kuno especially, kept askeing where the pig tailed girl was. So we finally had enough and they were finally commited to the asylumn."

"Figures, I always thought that they'd end up there," Ranma interrupted.

Akane blinked as her mouth formed a round '0' of surprise before Nabiki continued with her expliation. "It's been a year now..."

"A year!" they screamed, shocked at how much time had passed and long they were gone.

"...um, yes. Can I finish now?" Nabiki asked. Seeing her sister and Ranma nodd, she continued, "The Amazons went home a few months after we left you two at the estate. Mu-Tsu and Shan-Pu are happily married now and Ukyo and Ryoga are getting married by the end of this month now that you two are here. They wanted to have you two cover as best man and brides maid. Well, that about covers it," Nabiki finished then grinned before she held out her hand and said teasingly, "That'll be five thousand yen, guys"

"Nabiki!" Ranma and Akane screamed in annoyance and started to chase the middle Tendo out of the house.

"Oh my, isn't it wonderful that everything is back to normal again?" Kasumi said grinning.

"Yes, I'm glad that we're a whole family once more," Noduka replied, smiling with happiness.

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A few days later the wedding of Ranma Saotome and Akane Tendo went off with flying colors. This was due to the fact that the fathers had reinforced the dojo walls with steel plates and bars on the windows, just in case the usual crazies decided to show. Which they did, but were unable to get in to stop the wedding. You could hear their screams as they heard the preists words, "I now pronouce you man and wife, you may kiss the bride."

The catcalls and wistles that rang through the doujou were so loud that they could have awoken the dead, but the newlyweds were oblivious to anything around them as they were locked in a deep passionate kiss. When they did break apart Ranma whispered into Akane's ear, "I love you, Akane. Um...how do you feel about going for a short flight? Say...to Hawaii?

Akane grinned mischeviously and replied, "I love you too, baka. And yes, Hawaii sounds nice. We'll leave in the morning, but first we're going to have a little bit of fun." She quickly grabbed his hand and rushed into the house and headed strait for her bedroom.