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Akane, Ryoga and Mouse arrived at the place ready to train. Ryoga quickly spotted the aditaments required to train the technique Cologne taught him, and went for them. Mouse started doing some katas involving his unique style of hidden weapons. Akane practiced the Amaguriken on the river.
They had been training for fifteen minutes when Ranma and Kima arrived. The others quickly got together with them. "Well, what are we doing today?" Akane asked cheerfully.
Ranma explained very serious. "Your skills have serious weak spots. You need to become more balanced fighters."
"What are you talking about Ranma?" Ryoga asked, a reflex of him to get angry.
Ranma put his hand up to silence his friend. "You are way too slow Ryoga, you have to work on speed. Also, you flexibility is very limited and your defense sucks." Ryoga stepped back and nodded, accepting Ranma's words as the truth. Ranma turned to Akane. "The same goes to you Akane. You have improved a lot, but you need to improve your speed and control your temper."
"What about Mouse?" Asked Ryoga.
Ranma smiled, and Kima spoke. "He is the more balanced fighter of you. But he needs to have a more thorough knowledge of all his weapons." Mouse nodded and took his glasses off.
"I shall train like this. It is my biggest weakness to be blind in the absence of my glasses." Ranma nodded and smiled.
Akane was becoming frustrated. She thought she would be treated as a better martial artist now, but Ranma kept treating her like if she was weak. "Ranma, what will you be doing?"
Ranma turned to her, and could see her frustration. He decided to tell the truth. "I will keep training the same way I've done for the last couple of weeks, plus some special training."
Akane put in. "I've seen you fight Kima and Ryoga, and you are not that much stronger than any of us." She accused. Mouse said nothing, a neutral expression on his face. Ryoga decided to keep quiet, Ranma was always full of surprises. Kima suddenly burst out laughing and Ranma smiled. "What are you laughing at?"
Ranma could see Akane was becoming extremely enraged, and decided to stop it right there. "Akane, please trust me. Why don't you teach Ryoga the Amaguriken and ask him to teach you the Bakusai Tenketsa, that will make both of you stronger." She nodded, and hoped Ranma knew what he was doing.
Ryoga paled at the idea. If he got wet in front of Akane it would be a disaster. "The Amaguriken?" He asked in a strained voice.
Ranma nodded. "Having pressure is the best way improve." Ryoga gulped and nodded weakly. He would have to trust Ranma on this one.
Kima eyed Mouse and told him. "Mouse, you should train harder with swords, since they are, according to Ranma, your most dangerous weapon. They have reach, and they're not a distraction as your chains and knives." The master of hidden weapons nodded. "Here." Kima said handing him two particular swords Akane recognized. She had to stifle a laugh when she saw Mouse fall backwards with the weight of the practice weapons. Ryoga was amused until the helped Mouse up. He took one of the swords in his hands and opened his eyes wide.
Ranma and Kima started to take their shirts off. Ranma had a sleeve-less t-shirt under his shirt. Kima had a short tank top. They also changed their leather pants for black sweat pants. Although Kima had some lyckra shorts under the pants, Mouse and Ryoga turned around with red faces. They finally turned to see Ranma and Kima had tennis shoes, sweat pants, and their t-shirt & tank top. Akane just shook her head and asked. "Why do you change clothes?"
Ranma shrugged. "We don't want to ruin those." And with that Kima took a long staff from her stuff and walked to Ranma. "We'll be fighting to the north. If you need anything just go and get us." And with that they started walking towards that direction. Mouse was shocked to see Kima's wings suddenly grow out of her back. It took Akane some time to explain everything she knew about the couple.
When she finished she said. "Well, we should start training." She picked up Ranma's shirt to place it on another place where the sun would not hit it. She gasped.
"What's wrong Akane?" Ryoga asked concerned. He stepped forward and took the shirt from Akane's hands. "What the? It's damn heavy." Ryoga examined the interior of the shirt and it had little pockets all over, filled with lead.
Akane took Kima's shirt, and it was just as heavy. "They are carrying all this weight every day?" She asked astonished.
"Not just that." Mouse said. He was examining the boots and pants. "These clothes are heavy as well. It seems to me Ranma was not boasting about his skill. If he could defeat Zin Dar with these on he must be impressively fast."
Ryoga suddenly stood up and started walking towards the south. "I'm gonna see that fight of theirs." He said.
Akane stopped him and said. "Maybe we should go that way." She pointed towards the right direction. Ryoga blushed a little and started walking next to Akane. He could feel Mouse was following them as well.
They stopped in the outskirts of a clearing and hid themselves in the bushes. Mouse put his glasses on to see better. They saw Ranma and Kima suddenly emanate a sharp light and grow a little in size. Akane remembered this and turned to silence Mouse's obvious question as to what happened. She saw Mouse was very serious. *Maybe he saw this before. He must have witnessed the fight with Zin Dar.* Akane turned her attention towards the now grown up couple.
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Ranma and Kima had just assumed their real age. "What do you think of them?" Kima asked.
Ranma smiled. "They'll be ready, they are all very strong and determined." He sobered somewhat. "We should fight for real this time, it's been a while since we last fought full out and we might be out of practice." Kima nodded and she stepped closer to Ranma. They started a pattern of touching certain points in the other's body. They finished with a finger to the forehead. Ranma closed his eyes and breathed hard. Opening his eyes he assumed a fighting stance and said. "Whenever you are ready."
Kima wasted no time and attacked with her long staff. Her attacks were just too fast for the normal eye to see, but Ranma moved with equal speed and dodged all of them. They started moving all around the clearing with blinding fast moves, and the sound of the blows echoed all over the valley. They suddenly parted and stood looking at each other. Ranma had a print of a staff on his shoulder while Kima sported a black eye. They smiled and continued with the fight.
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Akane was speechless. Her eyes opened wide as if they were about to explode. *How can they do that?* She asked herself again and again. She could barely see them moving their limbs. Ranma suddenly crashed on a rock, Kima's staff on his abdomen. The rock cracked under the pressure. Akane thought Ranma had lost, but he effortlessly got up and got the dirt brushed from his t-shirt, then kicked Kima with enough force to send her flying through a tree, which broke in two. Before she advanced any more she corrected her flight pattern and flew towards Ranma, who was waiting with both fists cocked back.
Mouse muttered in a low voice. "They are evenly matched."
Ryoga and Akane nodded lightly. They could see neither of the fighters managed to get the upper hand in the fight. The tempo of the match only managed to increase, and the fighters were now only a blur for the spectators. Cracking stones and trees falling down in pieces were the indicator that the fighters had passed.
Kima suddenly flew high to separate herself from Ranma. She seemed to be breathing heavily, while Ranma was still breathing easily. They were both now heavily bruised, and Ranma had some blood on his lips. Kima was recovering her breathing when Ranma jumped high to attack her with a kick. "He has made a mistake, Kima dominates the air." Mouse said through his awe. Kima easily dodged to the side, and delivered a hard staff blow to Ranma's back. Ranma fell to the ground with Kima in hot pursuit, expecting to take Ranma out with the next attack. Ranma crashed to the ground, creating a huge crater. But no sooner had he hit the floor when he sprang up with the impulse of his arms in a new kick. Kima was taken by surprise and managed to barely block with her staff. Ranma made a reverse flip and punched Kima twice in the stomach before taking her legs and crashing her to the ground. Ranma jumped back, and Kima got up from the center of a new crater.
"Not bad, but you fell for that last one." Ranma said.
Kima smiled while clutching at her midsection. "We're not done yet." With this she jumped forward and started attacking Ranma with Amaguriken speed. Ranma had to block most of the blows. When the attack was done Kima was covered in sweat and gasping, while Ranma had trouble breathing and his arms were purple from the bruises.
Ranma stood straight and closed his eyes. Kima tensed visibly at the sight. Ranma's bruises started to disappear. After a few seconds Ranma was in a perfect state physically. He opened his eyes and smiled. "Time to get serious."
"What did he say?" Ryoga asked stunned by the outburst.
Kima remained in her stance. *At least I was able to force him to go full out. That means I have improved.* She smiled and prepared for the attack. Ranma did not make her wait long and ran to her. She lunged forward with a straight staff blow, and hit nothing but air since Ranma dodged to avoid the blow by mere inches. The sound of the following blow made even Ryoga wince. Kima flew backwards after being punched in the midsection. Before she reached the ground Ranma was already there, placing an elbow to her back. She crashed to the floor with a moan of pain. The stone cracked horribly, legacy of the fight Ranma and Kima had. Kima did not get up this time.
Akane was running to the scene before she could think about it. "RANMA! How dare you hit her like that?" She screamed as she kneeled besides Kima, who was starting to stir. Mouse and Ryoga followed Akane, but they were walking.
Ranma was surprised to see Akane, but then understood the noise had probably made them come. "Don't worry, she'll be alright."
Akane turned an angry glare at Ranma, who had said that last sentence too calmly. "Ranma no baka. You are talking about your wife." Akane said taking her hammer and hitting Ranma with it. She was shocked to see the hammer blow into pieces and Ranma don't move an inch, looking at her with a confused expression.
Laughter got Akane out of her surprise. Kima was on the floor laughing and started to get up, surprising Mouse and Ryoga. "You are so dense." She accused Akane. "Ranma was careful not to break any bones, although I wanted him to fight me full out." She eyed Ranma, who found a very interesting spot on the ground to look at. Kima simply shook her head.
Akane was getting angry again at being mocked, but her anger didn't reach dangerous levels as she thought about what Kima said. "You mean you wanted Ranma to hit you harder than this?" Akane asked motioning for the ground. Kima nodded.
"Ranma always holds back on his opponents when he is stronger than them. I've told him he can go full out with me, but he does it anyway." Kima said taking Ranma's hand.
Ranma looked at her lovingly and said. "Do your trance. We'll talk when you are healed." Kima nodded and limped to beneath a tree where she sat cross-legged and closed her eyes.
Ryoga finally opened his mouth to speak. "So this is your true strength." Ranma looked at him and nodded his head.
"And you lower your skills with the shiatsu points." Mouse stated, to which Ranma nodded as well.
Akane finally got it. "You trained with the shiatsu limiters to improve yourself. But you were stronger than any of us with them on."
"I found Happosai when I was about to return to a place were I trained. He fought me and since I managed to beat him he got back at me and punched several shiatsu that diminished my fighting skill in all ways. Kima went to Phoenix Mountain to research on the cure. By the time she got back I had trained for over a year with my lessened skills. I had improved to the point of fighting like Akane did when I arrived to Nerima." Ranma saw Akane get a red face, but managed to ignore it. "Kima returned and when she deactivated the points and we sparred I nearly killed her. We found out this was some kind of special training and decided to train that way." Ranma turned to see Kima walking to them, her bruises completely healed. "This are the results."
Akane had a question for Ranma and didn't doubt in asking it. "That's when you asked Happosai to train me?"
Ranma nodded. "I knew Shampoo would try things against you. He agreed knowing you would be the heir to the Anything Goes school."
"But what about you?" Akane asked.
Ranma shook his head. "I don't do pure Anything Goes anymore. My techniques are too varied and too dangerous to teach any longer." He placed an arm around Kima's shoulders. "Besides, I already have students of my own."
Akane nodded and smiled. She didn't realize how much she resented Ranma for taking the dojo from her till now. "How did you heal your wounds so fast?" Mouse asked very interested.
Ranma shrugged. "It's a chi technique from the Neko-ken. When I mastered it I realized that's why I was a fast healer before I left."
"What about Kima?" Ryoga asked.
Kima decided to answer that question. "I trained the Neko-ken as well." They all stared daggers at Ranma thinking he forced her into training that crazy technique. Kima laughed and continued. "I learned it of my own free will, and the training method varied because of my age. I could see Ranma become stronger because of it, so I took the risk. Although I'm not proficient at fighting bare handed like Ranma it helped me with weapons as well." She waved her staff. "That's why Ranma's attacks didn't break my staff, I powered it with chi."
"You were using chi powered blows?" Mouse asked with amazement, they had fought for almost an hour. Ranma and Kima nodded. "You turned into a pair of monsters." They all laughed at the comment, although Ryoga did a little nervously. He was uncomfortable knowing Ranma was unreachable to him right now.
Ranma and Kima stepped back and started touching each other. Akane was about to make an embarrassing remark about them getting for a room when she noticed they were pressing some particular points on each other. When they finished, Ranma turned and said. "You should take the remaining time and train. I bet you didn't do a thing because you came to see the fight." The tree of them blushed and nodded.
The rest of the day was spent training. Ranma and Kima, too drained to continue, simply laid under a tree and talked peacefully. "So, what do you think?" Kima asked.
Ranma hugged her close. "You've improved a lot. I could feel several bones cracking."
"Sorry." Kima said apologetically, but Ranma shook his head.
"I'm the one who should be sorry, that last blow must have hurt." Ranma said smiling. They both knew they could take any physical damage if they were not too drained.
Kima looked at him with a wry smile. "It was the only way to stop the fight. You know I will continue on fighting until I'm unconscious."
They both laughed aloud. They reached an agreement to train each other on their respective disciplines. But when they fought seriously they really did a number on the other. The healing trance was extremely chi draining, and although Ranma had a better control of it, it still made him fell dizzy. They waited in silence for the others to finish training for the day.
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Akane is in the living room of the Tendo household. She is nursing a lot of bruises from the Bakusai Tenketsa training Ryoga gave her. She half mastered the technique, but felt like falling down of exhaustion. Ryoga was sleeping soundly in what once was Ranma's room. Ranma had recommended for him to stay there so that he would not get lost, and that way they could watch after each other.
Kima, Mouse and Ranma left for the Saotome household. They were the ones Cologne was after, and didn't want to put the Tendos in any kind of danger. Akane tried to protest, but Ranma was adamant and simply ignored her words. Akane was surprised how fast a learner Ryoga was, although he seemed very nervous he managed to get the chestnut fist right, if not as fast as her's or Ranma's. *Ryoga was always good, although Ranma has always won in their matches. It is weird however, while Ryoga has increased his power with chi attacks, Ranma doesn't seem to use them anymore.* And it was truth, in all his time in Nerima since he returned, Ranma had not once used a chi blast. She decided she would ask him about it tomorrow at school.
Her father had been very upset at the beginning, but calmed down enough to hear Nodoka's explanation. His attitude was still a little strained with the phoenix couple, but it had improved a lot. Akane smiled as she remembered Nabiki's face when Ranma swept Kima in his arms and jumped out of that mob of students. Many yen had just escaped her hands. *It could have been me.* Came the nostalgic thought. Although she knew a relationship between them wouldn't have worked, she still was curious as to how it would have been.
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Kima got out of the bathroom, a worried look on her face. *I must be eating something.* I had been several days in which she didn't feel all that great. Her training sessions with Ranma and the others didn't change, and she kept up with no trouble at all, but she felt dizzy and slightly revolted the rest of the time. She looked straight forward, to a very concerned Ranma. She laughed inwardly at the sight. *A warrior who can fight gods and entire armies on his own is worried sick about a few bad mornings.* Somehow the mirth of the thought didn't last, she was just as worried as he was.
Ranma looked with concern at his wife and said. "Today we skip school." She was about to protest, but he cut her off. "I don't care what you say. We are going to doctor Tofu's to see what's wrong."
Mouse stepped around a corner and said. "It sounds like a good idea. There are Amazon techniques and attacks that are unknown to me, and they may have something to do with this." His tone was completely controlled, but any person who knew the near sighted amazon as well as Ranma could read his uneasiness about the matter. He was concerned about Kima as well.
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Akane and Nabiki were worriedly walking out of school. The school day was over, and not even a sign from Ranma, Kima or Mouse was seen. Nabiki hid her emotions well, living to the Ice Queen title she had, but the speed of her steps belied her apparent calm. Akane made no attempt to hide her inner turmoil. *I hope they are OK.* She fastened her steps, intending to reach the Saotome house as soon as possible.
They arrived to the tranquilizing sight of Ranma and Mouse sparring in the backyard. Kima was seated next to Nodoka and Genma, watching the fight attentively. It didn't go unnoticed by them that they were both in their adult appearance. On closer inspection, the Tendo sisters noticed something about Ranma, he seemed to be distracted. His movements were as precise as always, but his mind wasn't in the fight. Nabiki's brain worked to its full capacity processing the information. Ranma was out of it, but he seemed to be unconcerned. Akane watched the fight attentively. Mouse had improved a lot with the training. He could probably take her on and win. Mouse had always been a good fighter, but his sight weakened him. Now that he no longer needed his glasses, fighting him was a difficult experience at the very least.
As soon as they came into the yard the fighting stopped, or rather, Ranma stopped it pounding Mouse into the wall with a lightning fast front kick. Mouse got up with a lot of trouble and smiled weakly. "That last attack was good."
Ranma smiled back, his expression retained some of his distraction though. "You were waiting for me to do something fancy, as always. Sometimes the direct approach is much more effective." He turned to Akane and Nabiki, and smiled apologetically. "Sorry for not going to school today."
Nabiki remained calm about it, but Akane frowned and said. "You could at least tell us about it."
Mouse got to Ranma's side and defended his friend. "Something came up this morning." He then headed for the house and called from over his shoulder. "See you later daddy." His teasing voice was a surprise for everyone, he had been too serious since the last fight.
Ranma blushed at that last remark and yelled at him. "I'm getting you back for that." Akane didn't think about it much. We are talking about the person who didn't know P-chan was Ryoga. She missed the hint. Nabiki's brain clicked and a sudden idea came to her. She turned to Kima as if asking about it, and the posture she had made perfect sense. The winged woman was sitting on the border of the house, looking adoringly at Ranma and rubbing a hand against her belly.
The Ice Queen didn't waste time in getting back at Ranma for escaping that day from her questions. "Congratulations Saotome!" She said cheerfully. Ranma's expression at the cry repaid the debt with interest. He was completely flustered, and smiling like an idiot. *I knew it. He has certainly matured a lot, but once you push one of his buttons he becomes a stuttering mess.*
Kima saw the exchange and decided to save her husband of the mess. She liked doing that to him once in a while, but she also knew Ranma would help her out of situations like this without a second thought. She got up and walked to them, hugging Ranma with one arm around the waist. Ranma regained his wits with his wife's support, and placed an arm around her shoulders.
Nabiki noticed how the warrior regained his self-control and marveled at the relation he had with Kima. They strengthened each other's weaknesses. *I can still tease them though.* She thought wickedly. Her attention changed to Nodoka and Genma. The couple was in a happy mood. *Obviously.*
Akane was at a total loss. Here was Ranma stuttering like a child because someone called him daddy, and then her sister congratulated him for something. "Would someone mind telling me what's going on?" She asked tiredly. The looks she received made her more angry. "What?"
Ranma smiled, gave Nabiki a look that said 'good one', and said. "Meet us here at seven in the evening and we will explain. We are having a little party."
Akane only nodded and waved good bye to the Saotomes. She walked with Nabiki in tow.
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The Saotome household was filled with people. Nabiki had seen to it that nearly everyone that knew Ranma was there. Ukyo was talking to Ryoga, Mouse and Akane. Kasumi was talking to Genma and Nodoka. Hinako-sensei was talking animatedly to Soun about something. Even the Kunos were partying with them. It had taken a while, but finally Tatewaki managed to convince Kodachi that her Ranma-sama was off-limits now. Ranma was right now talking to Dr. Tofu about something that had him very nervous when Nabiki approached them. "Hi Saotome!"
He smiled and said. "I knew I could trust you to make this big. Did you ruin the surprise for everyone?" He asked. When Nabiki shook her head and smiled back at him he sighed in relief. "Good. I think my parents would be better telling them."
"And why is that?" Asked Kima's voice from behind him. He was a little startled. His wife was the only person he knew who could sneak up on him.
Ranma hugged her and answered. "You know this kind of stuff is all new to me." He smiled wickedly. "And to you as well." She blushed a little and nodded, kissing her husband on the lips.
Suddenly, Genma called everyone's attention. By his side was Nodoka. "Konbanwa everyone. It is a pleasure to have all of you here." His loud voice was the only thing that sounded in the room. "The reason why we organized this party is because there will be a new addition to the Saotome family in a few months." He said proudly. Everyone started to congratulate Genma for expecting another child. Ranma and Kima nearly fell to the floor in a laughter attack. Tofu and Nabiki laughed too at the clumsiness with words Genma Saotome had shown.
Nodoka was the one to place everything in order. "Husband, you are an idiot." She said lightheartedly. Few things could ruin her good mood right now. "No, I'm not expecting a child." She started towards the rest of the room. "Well, not really me. What I'm expecting is a grandchild." This brought an incredible silence to the room. Everyone turned to Ranma and Kima, who were embracing each other and regarding them with amused looks. Then hell broke loose. Everyone congratulated the couple and the party went on in full force until four in the morning. Not a person noticed when Kima and Ranma walked out to be alone in the yard.
Ranma turned to the side, and nearly gasped. Kima stood there, looking to the full moon that illuminated the sky. Her silver hair and beautiful features were brightened by the moonlight, and she appeared to be more a goddess than a mortal. He could only think how lucky he was to have met her, and even more lucky to have married her. Now she was giving him a child, a product of their love. He turned her face with his hand and kissed her tenderly on the lips. He did it without any trace of embarrassment or nervousness, it was the right thing.
Kima was looking at the beautiful night. Even with the light from the city, the Moon was a wonderful sight. It reminded her of the night she had confessed to Ranma and herself her true feelings. She felt his gentle touch and then he kissed her. When the kiss was broken, she could see a never-ending love in his blue eyes. "And what was that for?" She asked, although she didn't mind one bit.
"Because I love you." Ranma answered.
It was the right answer. Kima could feel her womb, the new life growing inside of her. She looked at Ranma's face and melted under his gaze. "I love you too." They kissed again, this time for a little while longer, under the moonlight.
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Ranma dodged to the side, just in time to evade another slash from the wicked two handed sword. It was difficult fighting this rival, since she had mastery over so many weapons that it was impossible to read her moves. Fighting against a blade wielder required great anticipation and reflexes, if you took care of your skin. The warrior ducked under an attack that would have made him one head shorter, and delivered a palm strike. He smiled as he said. "This is fun." A kick caught him on the chin for his distraction.
Kima smiled as Ranma did a back-flip to recover from the hit. "Yes, it is." She said as she pressed her advantage. She set herself into an intricate attack. High and low, from both sides. It was very difficult to maintain control of such a heavy weapon, especially when your opponent was as fast as Ranma.
They had been at it for a couple of hours now. Since it was the start of the school break, they could fight for the majority of the day. Nodoka and Genma had just got up, and joined Mouse in watching the pair give it their all. It amazed Genma a great deal the level of skill his son had attained, together with his physical prowess. He could outfight any of the other martial artists in Nerima, and continue one after another without tiring. The fight he was seeing right now was something he could only fantasize about before. Nodoka had tried, during the last couple of weeks, to make Kima into a lady. She felt frustrated at first, but after a while understood. Kima was a soldier, a commanding officer that needed to grow up from an early age. Her manners were those of a noble, if a little unladylike. She definitely thought things over better than her son, and had a confidence in herself that added to her appeal. Nodoka smiled once again, in approval of the choice made by her son. Mouse watched the fight carefully, studying the fighting style of someone he once thought to be an enemy. Maybe watch wasn't the right word, more like felt. He had improved a great deal in his martial arts just from watching Kima use different weapons, adjusting her techniques to complement his own style. Now that he no longer needed his glasses, he had steadily improved himself. It had been weeks now, and he could stand a chance in a fight against Ranma or Kima. A chance to remain standing for more than five minutes, that is. The couple had gone over their way to assure him he was making great progress, they had years to train after all.
Kima was feeling very smug right now, since Ranma hadn't been able to gain a decisive advantage. "What's wrong dear? I think you are losing your edge." She smiled teasingly as she threw a direct thrust to his chest area.
Ranma smiled dangerously. "Really?" He made no attempt to avoid the attack, but instead placed his left forearm in the path of the sword. Kima saw this, and tried to stop it, but the momentum was too great. She watched horrified as her blade drew blood, trespassing Ranma's arm from side to side. To her utmost shock, Ranma didn't even flinch. "Take this." And with that he punched her directly on the jaw with his right fist.
Kima was caught completely off guard by the maneuver, and since her hands were on the hilt of the blade, the punch took her with full force. She groaned as she collapsed against the wall, which happened to be about ten feet away from the place they were fighting. She jumped to her feet just in time to evade a kick that would have put her in la-la land. "That was low, Ranma." She hissed, not really angry at him, but at herself.
Ranma smiled as he removed the sword from his arm, dripping even more blood. "I know. But I wanted to make a point."
"That you aren't losing your edge." Kima said relaxing and walking to her love. "I should know by now that teasing you only makes you do crazy things." She said accusingly.
The warrior smiled and bowed to his wife, taking the comment as a compliment. "My lady. I am pleased to hear such sweet words from you." Kima wanted to bash his face into his skull, but was in a good mood and decided against it. She reached forward and embraced her man. "Ooh. You are getting fat." He teased.
Kima smiled. "I have you to thank." She kissed him lightly on the lips. It had taken her and Tofu-sensei several days to convince Ranma he could spar with his wife without any real danger for the first months of the pregnancy. Of course, if the good doctor had seen their fights, he would have taken that statement back. Now Ranma fought with his usual level of brutality, because he knew Kima could take it. They released the other and went to the house.
Nodoka stood up as she saw the maneuver her son had used against his wife. *What's he thinking?* She was about to walk to them and give him a sermon when Genma placed a hand on her shoulder.
The balding martial artist shook his head. "Forget it, Nodoka. The boy knows what he is doing better than any of us. You have seen how fast he heals, anyway." This appeased the worried mother a little. She turned and saw with wide eyes as the wound was no longer bleeding, and it seemed smaller.
Mouse took mental note of the way the fight ended. He didn't expect someone would be able to capture a weapon by letting it hurt you. He smiled ruefully. *I'm light years from catching up to him.* Although he knew he was making an incredible progress, he could tell Ranma was beyond anything he could achieve. It wasn't hard admitting this now. Now that the amazon no longer used his eyes, he could see clearly.
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Kima was happy. That, she knew. She lifted her face and received the kiss from her husband, now also by Japanese law. They had been patient, and finally married under the laws Ranma lived by. She had seen everything as a mere formality, for in her heart she was already married to the man. However, she couldn't deny the pounding of her heart as he told her he would forever take care of her. As she said she would live for him, she felt those words leave from the confines of her heart. This kiss was not the first one, but the significance was something she couldn't begin to describe.
Ranma could only gape at the beautiful woman that he was marrying. He was used to seeing her in her uniform, always ready for action. He knew Nodoka had something to do with it, but seeing her in that dress, with a set up just for him, he felt his breath stop. The ceremony didn't catch his attention, as he couldn't part his gaze from his love. As they kissed, he could feel something inside burst out, just as the first time they ever kissed.
The couple prolonged the kiss for several minutes, and when they parted there was a loud cheer of congratulations. The ex-fiancées could only watch and wonder if it could be them in Kima's place. They erased the thought, mainly because it would never happen now. Ranma didn't have to say anything, it was obvious he loved the winged woman more than anything else.
Nodoka wiped a tear from her face. Even if she knew they were already married and a baby was coming, the wedding was just beautiful. Seeing her son kiss his wife made her feel proud. Genma shared his wife's feelings. He couldn't hold it against the boy to be in love, something he once expected between Akane and him. The bald martial artist knew what it was to be in love, and would not do a thing to destroy his son's future. Not now, anyway.
As the couple walked out of the dojo to hold the reception in the garden, the guests threw rice at them, and more cheers could be heard. They all found it weird about them being married after the announcement of Kima's pregnancy, but after Nabiki had explained everything about them being already married and this being a second wedding, they calmed. Surprisingly, Kuno stood by Nabiki's side during the explanations and assured the ones with doubts that it was true. The best man for the wedding had been a surprise to everyone, though. Instead of Ranma asking Ryoga or Mouse, he said it would be a surprise for the actual ceremony. More than one person fainted when the best man turned out to be Taro. Happosai spilled his sake all over the attendance at the shock of it.
Taro walked in, gave the couple a nod and stood next to Ranma. As the ceremony advanced, everyone expected for him to transform into his cursed form and try to kill Ranma. Then chase Happosai to get his name changed. They were all wrong as the ceremony ended and he did nothing that wasn't expected from the best man. As soon as it all ended, he got out fast and followed the couple to be the first to talk to them. Nabiki turned to Akane and asked. "What the hell was Ranma thinking?"
Akane could only shock her head in confusion. "I have no idea." Ryoga and Mouse sat next to them, and shared those same doubts. They had all fought Taro more than once, and the boy had made their lives a particular hell just trying to reach Happosai. They all decided to go outside in case something was happening. The fact that the ceremony was over and they wanted to congratulate the married couple was another good reason to get out.
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Ranma and Kima walked out of the dojo with smiles on their faces. They shared another passionate kiss as they waited for the others to come out. "How long do you think it will take for everyone to get out, fem-boy?" Asked an amused Taro as he closed in on them.
Ranma shrugged. "Who knows?"
Taro smiled as he opened his arms wide. "May I congratulate the bride?"
Kima smiled at him. "Good to see you again, Taro." And with that she gave him a hug. "Glad you could make it." And with that she freed herself from him and hugged Ranma from the side. he gently placed his left arm around her shoulders as he shacked hands with a man that once was his enemy.
Taro got serious for a second and said. "We have to talk about important matters." He smiled as he said. "Enjoy the party and then we'll talk." Ranma and Kima nodded, understanding something must have happened in China. They smiled as the rest of the concurrence decided to finally leave the dojo and congratulate them.
The party was enjoyed by just about everyone around. Ranma and Kima were the center of attention most of the time, and they laughed a lot from all the memories of Ranma's younger years. Taro himself had a good time, and he danced a little with Ukyo and Nabiki. They were nervous as they did so, but they either way had fun.
Then the time came for the married couple to dance all on their own. The sun was setting on the horizon, and though the dance was in the backyard, the scene couldn't be more romantic for them. Eyes opened wide at the grace displayed by the two fighters. Many of them could attest to their grace, in the art of fighting, but few had seen them glide like this. The couple flowed like water, and their moves perfectly compensated for the ones of the other. It wasnt anything fancy, no jumps or martial arts moves. Just dancing.
Ranma and Kima felt as if they were sparring. Their activities together, all of them, had a certain something that made them closer together. The dance finished in a few minutes, but for the couple it lasted for ages. Wonderful ages.
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Ranma and Kima were outside by the pond. They were waiting for Taro to appear. "What do you think is the matter?" Asked Kima, still a happy smile on her features. The party had ended a couple of hours ago, and they had returned to the Saotome grounds, but were the only ones. Genma and Soun decided to get drunk, and Nodoka had to stay behind to take care of them. Taro had disappeared early, and they knew he would contact them. As for the others, they were already asleep. Kasumi invited everyone over so that the newlyweds could get their privacy. This thought brought a smile to Kima. They had had plenty of private moments.
Ranma finally answered the question, after some time of thought. "I don't know. I hope its nothing serious."
A third voice contradicted him. "It is." They both turned to see as Taro jumped over the wall and landed a few feet from them. He had a serious expression on his features.
Kima and Ranma quickly feared the worst. They weren't far from the truth. "What is it?" She asked. The moon rays illuminated her silver hair locks in an angelical way, but the expression on Taro's face made the effect go unnoticed.
Taro grimly eyed them both, his eyes covered in shadows, his face hardened. He hated doing this to the couple after they had just married in Japan, but if he didn't they would hate his guts. And so would he. He left out a heavy sigh and turned west. "We are at war."
Kima and Ranma stood up next to him, and followed his gaze. Monstrous shadows elongated themselves from their bodies. An eerie silence filled everything. For they all knew.
They were looking toward dark times. They were looking toward Jusendo.
END PART 5
Author's notes: How about it? Wondered why the amazons hadn't attacked yet? In the next chapter you'll find out, though I think you already know.
See you in part 6. |
