Epilogue:

The sun was rising as Ranma finished their stealthy crafting project. Two months of sneaking out of bed early and trying to master a skill they'd never tried before. Kasumi's help had been vital, both for teaching them and providing a cover by claiming Ranma had begun helping her with breakfast preparations.

Ranma smiled as they walked over to the Tendo kitchen, the cheerful black haired teen lifting up their work to show off to Kasumi.

"Oh my, those look very nice, Ranma," she said, pausing from checking on her rice for the moment.

"I hope they'll like 'em," Ranma replied, still proud to have accomplished so major a task at last. "Gonna have ta be sneaky to get 'em over to Ryoga's place for Christmas."

Hibiki Haruka may have gone just a touch overboard on the Christmas and New Years decorations, but after so many years being away from home over those holidays, she wanted to make up for lost time. Ryoga, currently in cursed form, couldn't help smiling innocently as he watched her. He'd been so young the last time they'd spent anywhere near this much time together. Having the Tendos and Saotomes around to help out was such a blessing.

"So, what are those?" Ryoga asked, watching his mother put up a bit of plant with round leaves and little white... berries? Flowers? It was hard to tell from here.

"Mistletoe. I thought it would be romantic, with your boyfriend and girlfriend staying here."

"What's romantic about it?" Ryoga asked, wandering over to take a closer look. They looked like berries, though Ryoga wished he was in his birth form to have that slightly better view of them. Sadly, he'd not had his morning bath yet, and the trio still felt weird going for co-ed sleeping arrangements.

"Well, when two people in a relationship stand under the mistletoe, they're supposed to kiss," Haruka explained.

"Huh," Ryoga replied, staring up at the plant hanging in the kitchen door frame.

"Whatcha starin' at?" Ranma asked as they came down from the bedrooms. Walking over to take a look, the redhead wasn't sure what to make of it. "Some sorta plant?"

"Apparently you're supposed to kiss under it," Ryoga explained, looking over at the redhead he loved so much.

"Ah, well that's easy," Ranma declared confidently, turning to give Ryoga a confident smirk... and realising what form their boyfriend was in. "R-real easy... totally."

Both teens began to blush fiercely as they stared at the other. Ryoga was still frightened to engage in any such behaviour in cursed form with Akane's explicit permission. Ranma was similarly nervous about the idea. They'd spent most of the time trying to ignore the issue these days, and now it was there in their faces.

They both also grew nervous about the other's inaction. Ranma was sure Ryoga and Akane would have discussed the matter as they so often spent time together, Ryoga's curse giving them a bond Ranma envied. Ryoga meanwhile felt quite certain it had been discussed during times Ranma and Akane spent together doing girl things (not that Ryoga disliked feminine activities himself, but there was a difference between him exploring his feminine side versus Ranma's girl times).

"What are you two doing?" Akane asked, causing the other two to half jump out of their skin.

The pair stuttered nervously through half formed explanations, only really managing to get out the words 'mistletoe' and 'kiss' clearly and causing Akane to roll her eyes.

"Ranma, you've kissed Ryoga's cursed form before. What's the issue now?"

"Er, well... The first time was a mistake, and the second time was just me panickin'," Ranma replied. "Not that I ain't happy with where the first one led, but... it feels like it's wrong ta both of ya? Like I'm tellin' Ryoga I like his cursed face more. An' like I'm stealin' a kiss from you too."

"Oh thank goodness I'm not the only one worrying about that," Ryoga added.

Akane gave her partners a soft smile. "You two... you're both so sweet. But, also kind of dorks. We've been going out for months. I've gotten enough attention from both of you that I'm not worried about kisses being stolen."

"Oh, I-" Ranma began, before receiving a kiss on the lips from Akane.

The youngest Tendo then turned to Ryoga , leaning in and kissing her fanged doppelganger too. "Now then, you two had better kiss soon. It's bad luck not to when under the mistletoe."

Ryoga was still getting over Akane's kiss when he suddenly found Ranma locking lips with him. This kiss had a bit more force behind it than Akane's, as the redhead released some built up tension.

"Well, that's a good starting gift for the holidays," Ryoga said with a smile once Ranma broke away.

Christmas day was here, and it was almost time to head off. Ryoga fussed nervously with his tie as he waited for the others to get ready. He'd been talked out of a full suit, and worried that the outfit of a plaid yellow dress shirt, black tie, and black dress pants just wasn't nice enough. Smiling, Haruka went over to help him with the adjustments.

"Sorry about not staying here all day with you, mom," he said softly.

"Don't be, dear. Christmas is about romance. We'll be together for family time on New Years."

Ryoga wasn't sure what to say, when some movement caught his eye. Akane and Ranma had both emerged, and they both looked beautiful. Akane was dressed in a dark blazer with a Shonen Knife t-shirt underneath, dress pants, and a tasteful choker adding extra flare (along with her pixie short hair and stud earrings). Ranma had gone for a more traditionally feminine look in a light blue dress that mixed elements of a cheongsam and more western dresses, with a flaring skirt portion. Ranma's hair meanwhile was done up in a crown braid. They were also both wearing makeup, and, while he wasn't an expert (though he was doing his best to learn), Ryoga was fairly certain that they'd done each other's makeup. Ranma's looked a bit smokier than they usually went for, while Akane's seemed brighter and bolder.

"Did ya apply a little blush there, P-chan?" Ranma asked, before bursting into giggles.

"I... er... you both l-look too cute," Ryoga replied, struggling to maintain composure.

"You're going to have a lot of guys very jealous of you tonight," Akane said as she took Ryoga's arm. "Auntie Haruka, don't worry. We'll bring him right back after dinner."

"I wasn't worried," Haruka replied. "I just wish I'd gotten a new roll of film for my camera. You three look too good. Oh! Since you're going back to Furinkan-cho for dinner, maybe you could get Nabiki to take a picture of the three of you?"

"Sure thing, auntie," Ranma said with a smile. "Come on Mr. Studly, you'd better show us girls a good date."

Surprisingly, Nabiki hadn't charged for the photo. This may have been due to the looks Kasumi and Nodoka were giving her, or perhaps it was a bit of altruism from her support for Ryoga and his mother reconnecting.

Now the trio were swinging by Ucchan's, having heard that it was being kept open for Christmas. Peaking in, the three saw Ukyo looking a little tired as Konatsu flitted from table to table, and did her best to help with preparing some of the food (having improved quite a lot in recent months). The restaurant wasn't too busy, not exactly being known as a romantic destination, in part due to how good looking both the workers were. Ranma still marvelled at how nice the repair job was, apparently Ukyo had had very good insurance on the place.

"Yo, Ucchan! Konatsu! Merry Christmas!" Ranma announced.

Ryoga and Akane chimed in with their own 'Merry Christmas' greetings behind them.

"Ranma! Akane! Ryoga! It's good to see you all!" Konatsu declared, rushing over to give them each hugs.

"Hey guys," Ukyo added from behind the grill. "Looking for something to eat?"

"No, no," Akane replied. "We just came to say hello, and hope you two weren't too busy. It's a shame you couldn't take the night off."

Ukyo shrugged. "I was thinking about it, but Konatsu pointed out we could just postpone until tomorrow and have a much easier time with finding a restaurant."

"Europe's so far West that tomorrow's really the more proper time to do Christmas activities, don't you think?" Konatsu added.

Ranma and Akane blinked in confusion.

"You know, that kind of makes sense," Ryoga replied. "Time zones are funny when you stop to think about them."

A bit more small talk followed, but the three did have to get to their reservation on time, so had to hurry off after a few minutes. Plus Ukyo had popped a tylenol while they chatted, which made the others suspect she wasn't feeling the best and should let her relax. (Ranma had ended up giving in and ate an okonomiyaki while they chatted, but the other two didn't quite have the redhead's endless appetite.)

As the trio walked towards the Indian restaurant where they had their reservations, they had fun watching the reactions of passers by. Ryoga was a little embarrassed by some of the glares he got, but there were enough looks of envy from guys that his self confidence didn't get too shot up. Well, that and it was hard to be too defeated feeling when he had both the people he was in love with on either side of him.

"Wait, is that Mousse?" Akane asked, causing the other two to look around.

"You're right, it is," Ranma replied as they also noticed the girl with long blue hair he was walking arm and arm with. It was a little hard to see her face due to the crowd around them, but hair that bright was rather unique. "How in the world did he get Sham-wait, that ain't Shampoo."

The pair watched in stunned silence as the pair emerged from the crowd and they realised it was in fact Cologne, once more using the Schoolgirl spring powder. Mousse, for his part, seemed filled with a determination that did not look like it held any romance in it.

"What in the world is going on there?" Ryoga asked.

"Trouble," Ranma replied. "We're givin' them lotsa space. Come on."

The other two agreed and they hurried off towards their destination.

The Nerima Taj was reasonably quiet, considering it was Christmas. Indian food wasn't exactly traditional for a Japanese Christmas after all. The waiter led the three of them to their table, looking furiously envious of Ryoga the whole time.

As they sat down and went over the menus, each was busy worrying about how the others would like their presents. Ranma's eyes began to wander a little after they'd decided on a order, and landed on a surprise. That was Shampoo... and that was Ukyo!?

"I, uh, I'll be right back," Ranma said quietly to the others.

Akane and Ryoga nodded, before they went back to trying to work out what to order. Silently, Ranma slunk over to the table where Ukyo and Shampoo were, watching as Ukyo popped some tylenols, explaining to Shampoo that they had a headache.

"Hey there, Shamps, Ucchan. Wasn't expectin' ta see you two here. I'm very surprised," Ranma said.

"Ah, hello ex-girlfriend," Shampoo replied cheekily. "Are you here with you partners? Ooh, maybe we can have double date. Airen, what do you think?" (Her Japanese had improved suddenly one day when Ukyo had said any spouse of theirs would need to be able to fend for themself in business negotiations.)

"Er, I wouldn't want to intrude," Ukyo replied, before shooting Ranma a look that said 'help'.

"Havin' five at a table would probably get pretty crowded," the redhead replied. "Was wonderin' if I could talk ta ya alone a minute there, Ucchan. A little mano a mano conversation, ya know. Don't worry Shampoo, it'll only be a moment."

"Shampoo is fine with that. You girls have fun."

Ukyo gave an awkward grimace, before following Ranma back towards the washrooms. After a moment of hesitation, the redhead reached out and poked Ukyo's chest.

"So yer in guy mode. Guess we'll have ta lurk out here for a moment then... but whatever. How did ya get here so fast?" Ranma asked.

"I left a little after one pm. I've been with Shampoo for a few hours," Ukyo replied.

"B-but... ya were at the restaurant, cookin' away?"

"Yeah. And I'm still there. I got my hands on some twin spring powder. Shampoo doesn't know. Neither does Konatsu. Does a number on my head, I'll say that."

"S-so yer double timin' em both?" Ranma asked.

"Are you really in a position to talk-No. I'm not talking about your current arrangement. Back when Shampoo and I were chasing after you, there were plenty of times you were romantic to either of us behind Akane's back."

"It was a dumb mistake," the redhead replied, pouting.

"Maybe, but I've got a goal here. I want to try to lead things towards what you've managed to build with Akane and Ryoga. I... I'm pretty sure I love both Shampoo and Konatsu. But they kind of hate each other."

"So, yer tryin' ta buy time while hopin' ta nudge 'em inta not hatin' each other so much? Alright, fine. I ain't gonna say nothin' ta either of 'em, but remember: ya already got yer restaurant blown up once in all this."

Ukyo shrugged, showing the conversation was over. They both headed back to their respective tables, Ranma hoping that Ukyo's decision to play with fire wasn't about to ruin their own Christmas.

Akane and Ryoga had given their orders to the waiter, and the three chatted quietly while they waited for their meals. Ranma explained in hushed tones what Ukyo was doing, which lead to Akane and Ryoga both eyeing that end of the restaurant apprehensively. Their food came soon enough, and Ranma's had vanished not long after arriving, although the redhead was certainly better at table manners than they'd once been. The other two wrapped up their own meals not long after. That meant one thing: it was time for presents.

Akane went first, pulling out two gift bags from her shoulder bag. "I hope you like them."

Ranma was quick to push open theirs. "Ooh! A KATE makeup pack? Thanks!"

The redhead gave Akane a quick peck on the cheek, leaving a little lipstick on the taller girl's cheek.

Ryoga, for his part, was blushing at this point. "Cezanne makeup? I... I guess my curiosity was obvious?"

"Yes, Ryoga. I'll be happy to help you out. You've got a bit of a different palette from Ranma and I in cursed form, but I think I've still got relevant experience," Akane said, smirking a bit.

"And if ya ever wanna rock it in guy mode, let me know," Ranma added. "I'd be down ta join in on the fun."

"I'm not sure those kits would fit his birth colours though," Akane replied, half to herself.

"Er, well, I got you guys these," Ryoga said, pulling out a couple of wrapped presents. Ranma's was compact, while Akane's was rather longer.

Ranma dug into theirs first with a childlike glee. "Nice, weighted gloves. Ooh, 8kg! I've only seen up to 4 kilo ones before, and they were way bulkier than this."

"Tonfa? Wow, and the decoration is so pretty," Akane said as she opened hers and studied the floral pattern painted on. "I think I'd feel guilty using them, in case I ruined the paint job."

"Huh, I suppose that's true," Ryoga mumbled. Maybe that was a mistake of a gift.

"I still like it, don't worry Ryoga. I just might put them on display, rather than spar with them. I could use them for katas too," Akane said, reassuring her boyfriend.

Seeing Ryoga smile again, Ranma decided to move the conversation on and pulled out their two presents. The wrapping job was a little messy, thanks to the soft contents, but it was acceptable in Ranma's eyes.

The pigtailed teen watched as their partners opened up the packages, Akane lifting up her blue scarf with its yellow speckles while Ryoga lifted his yellow one with black speckles.

"Oh, this is really nice... did you make this?" Akane asked as she found the one end of her scarf, with the initials 'A.+R.+R.' in a heart.

"Yep!" Ranma declared, a huge grin spreading across their face. "I started in October. Kinda messed up the first attempt, but I think these two are good."

"It's really soft," Ryoga said. "But, what about you?"

Ranma smiled at Akane. "I've already got a scarf."

Akane blushed a bit in response. "I'll make you a better one next year."

Ryoga was happily trying his scarf on when there was a crashing noise behind them. Turning, the trio saw Mousse smashing through the window and pointing a number of blades out his sleeve and at Ukyo.

"Kuonji! Y-you back stabber!"

"Mousse, what are you doing?" Shampoo asked, before noticing her schoolgirl-ified great grandmother dressed nicely (if a little old fashionedly) and watching confused from outside. "You are on a date with great grandmother? What is going on?"

"I can explain," Ukyo began, only to be cut off by Mousse.

"Kuonji swore to me there'd be no better way to drive you in jealousy than to ask Cologne on a date. That losing to your elder would drive up your feminine fury! I can't believe that I believed that guy, just because he's a girl."

"I don't even know where to begin with that last sentence of yours," Ukyo grumbled.

"You were just trying to distract me, so you could have Shampoo all to yourself!" Mousse shouted, swing back around to point his blades at Ukyo's neck.

"Y-you were just using me!?" Cologne shouted, causing all eyes to turn to her tearful form. "I-I thought you actually cared!"

"I guess that spring makes her fall in love like a schoolgirl too?" Ranma whispered to their partners.

"Er, elder-I... well," Mousse stammered.

His reply was cut off by Cologne delivering him a flying roundhouse kick to the face that sent him flying into a nearby wall. "I have, like, half a mind to fire you!"

Staring up at her, from his position wedged upside down into a wall, Mousse began to blush. That fury. He'd thought it was gone with the Jusenkyo magic she'd been using, but no. Cologne's Joketsuzoku heart was still beating with the fire it had always had. And her youthful form was beautiful. Quite alike to her great granddaughter, but, in Mousse's eyes, more delicate and graceful looking.

With Cologne storming off, Mousse dislodged himself and began to chase after her. "W-wait! I'm sorry! I was a fool!"

The various partons watched in confused silence for a few moments, before Shampoo finally spoke.

"Good work great grandmother. Not the best catch, but not bad for three hundred and four."

New Year's Day at the Tendos' had been a cheerful affair. Now, however, it was evening and Haruka was wanting to head home while the train out to her home were still running well. Ranma, Ryoga, and Akane were accompanying her, all planning to spend another day or two at the Hibiki home before school started again.

It was a short walk north from Hoya station, and the cool night air of Tokyo in January was doing a good job of keeping them awake. Which was needed for Ryoga, who'd ended up eating enough that he was feeling rather drowsy as his body dealt with the amount of delicious food.

"It was really so nice of Soun to host, but I feel I really should host the next gathering," Haruka said, half to herself as they waited for a stoplight to change.

"We do live a little more out of the way than everyone else though," Ryoga replied.

"True, but the Tendos do so much for us. And for the Saotomes. Letting both you and Ranma stay with them. They shouldn't have to host all the time. And our home is large enough for everyone, at least as long as no one starts sparring. Though with the Saotomes around, that may be wishful thinking," Haruka said, laughing to herself a little about the last point.

"You have no idea," Akane muttered. "Nabiki showed me the uptick in our repair bills one time..."

Ranma was prepared to give defense when the black haired teen noticed a shadowy figure on the steps of the Hibiki home. Holding a hand up, the others stopped as well, Haruka moving behind the three martial artists. Ryoga decided to stay back with his mother as Ranma and Akane moved forward silently.

"Really, no mail? I was expecting some flyers," the figure said, poking through the mailbox.

"Hold it right there pal!" Akane shouted as she and Ranma took up fighting stances (Ranma doing it more for intimidation than actually expecting they'd need it).

The figure raised both hands nervously as he spun around. "W-what's going on? Do I have the wrong house?"

"Yushi? Is that you?" Haruka said, hurrying forward.

"Haruka? Ryo? You're both home?" the man said, the light catching his face and glinting off a prominent fang.

"Dad!" Ryoga shouted, rushing forward and pulling his father into a hug.

Haruka hurried after, turning it into a full family hug.

"This is certainly an excellent New Year's day," Yushi said happily. "Who are the others though?"

"Would you believe they're Ryoga's girlfriend and boyfriend?" Haruka offered.

"Pardon?"

"It's a long story dad," Ryoga said.