(Music begins)

(Opening Credits roll)

"Jump In (Ranma's Theme)" Opening Theme for

An Ending To All Our Days

I looked into your eyes,

That first time we met,

I was wondering what you thought,

You were wondering too, I bet.

I never thought I could love you,

You never thought you'd love me,

We're finally together-

Jump on in,

Say that I'm the only one,

Jump on in - to my love.

Jump on in,

Our lives have just begun,

Jump on in - to our love.

We see the world through together eyes,

Together we face what comes ahead,

I'll never forget what you shared,

And I'll never forget what you said.

The way you smile lights my heart,

You speak my name and it's the world,

You make me so happy-

Jump on in,

Tell me I'm the only one,

Jump on in - to my love.

Jump on in,

Our lives have just begun,

Jump on in - to our love.

(Guitar solo)

The way you smile lights my heart,

You speak my name and it's the world,

You make me so happy-

Jump on in,

Say that I'm the only one,

Jump on in - to my love

Jump on in,

Our lives have just begun,

Jump on in - to our love.

(Repeat Chorus)

(Fade)

(Title Fades in)

An Ending To All Our Days

by

Joshua Trujillo

Part 4: The Seduction Of Akane

The late afternoon sun shown in the Tendo dojo. Soun and Genma were still at their game of Shogi, though one would dare believe that this is the same game they have day after day, yet both are too stupid to win. Akane noticed that Uncle Genma had on a bandana that bore the Saotome family crest on the top. Akane thought it made his head look like a target, but Auntie Nodoka insisted that this was the best way for him to show his solidarity with his son. Auntie took the news of her son pretty hard. Akane knew that she never did contemplate making them carry out the seppuku, but she still had to punish them for this turn of weirdness. Akane looked over at Nodoka, who was sweeping the walkway. She had a far off look about her. She then looked at Genma, who shifted under the unseen pressure. They did love each other; it was just hard to show it sometimes.

The television was going with an American cooking show on. Kasumi was looking bored, but brightened when Sukido showed up to serve her some tea. She did seem to be in a better mood when Sukido was around. Akane wondered about this. He was supposed to be dating Nabiki. Akane looked to Nabiki at the other end of the table. She didn't seem to be paying any attention to what was going on in front of her. Akane looked closer. Nabiki was doing her nails. Didn't anyone realize there was something missing here? This made Akane angry. She turned to Nodoka.

"I'm really starting to worry. It's been a long time, even for Ranma," She said to Nodoka.

"I'm sure there's nothing to worry about Akane. He'll come sweeping in and start fighting anytime now," Genma said from his game, disregarding the fact that her father just shifted the table on him.

"Now Saotome, don't go wishing for anything you can't handle," Soun said, laughing.

"Ah Tendo, I'm sure Akane would gladly help with any clobbering of my son," He replied.

Both began to laugh.

"It sure has been quiet with Ranma gone," Kasumi said from behind her tea.

"Aren't ANY of you concerned that he might be injured somewhere?"

Sukido sat down beside Akane. He thought for a moment and looked like he wanted to say something.

"Akane is right. My profits have gone way down since he left. But my luck has skyrocketed, so I could care less," Nabiki said, blowing on her nails.

She looked over to Sukido and winked at him.

"Be our good fortune as it may be, I'm sure Ranma will be home soon. Akane, try to believe in him. I mean, one little black pig in all Japan is hard to find," Sukido said, chuckling.

There was a banging noise coming from the entrance to the house.

"Perhaps you're right. Let me get that," Akane said, getting up.

Akane goes to the door and opens it. She is slightly shocked and guarded when she saw Tatewaki Kuno standing before her.

"Akane my sweet, I came to see you sister, Nabiki. I have a...matter, about which I need to speak with her," He said.

Well, at least he wasn't there to either kill Ranma or try to pick up Akane.

"Sure, won't you come in. They're in here," She said, leading him into the livingroom.

Akane sits back down in her place and is slightly embarrassed to see Nabiki nuzzling with Sukido. Sure he's cute and all, but this is in public. Well, okay not really public, but not really private either. It didn't help that Genma was eating popcorn and watching this from the other side of the room. Nodoka noticed this and promptly threw him into the pond. Nabiki seemed to be enjoying her fun with Sukido. Akane looked to Tatewaki and saw that he was about ready to explode. She wondered why since he wasn't dating Nabiki. As far as Akane knew, he wasn't even really interested in her.

"What lout seeks to tarnish the beauty of Nabiki Tendo!?!?" He yelled, thrusting his sword at Sukido.

Sukido stopped and answered without turning around.

"Lout? Dear brother, I may have been gone for a while, but is that any way to talk to your elder?"

Tatewaki was so shocked; he completely dropped his offensive stance and his samurai sensibilities and just stood there.

"Sukido...What are...Where?" He stammered.

Sukido turned and smiled at Tatewaki.

"Hey little brother. I've come home to help the family. With my wealth that I've made in America and Europe, it should be more than enough to jumpstart the family to glory once again," Sukido explained.

Kuno folded his arms.

"You are only my elder by nine minutes," Tatewaki said.

"Those minutes mean that I'm still better than you."

Sukido got up and faced Tatewaki. Akane noticed that all eyes were drawn to the competition. Nodoka picked up Genma's popcorn and was eating it. Akane sighs. At least Ranma's father wasn't his only influence. Nabiki helped Kasumi get up and both were backing into the kitchen. Panda-kun and Soun sat at their game board, waiting for something to happen. Akane herself backed up.

Kuno smiled at his brother and brought his bokken back down to an attack position.

"Don't make me put you down, Tatewaki."

"I'd like to see you try," Tatewaki said, tightening up his stance.

Akane could see that he was going to attack. Then it happened. Kuno thrust forward in the beginning of his thrust attack and seemed to lose his grip on the bokken. There was a bright flash, like a strobe from a camera going off, and then Kuno went down. Sukido caught the bokken in mid air as it went by him. Tatewaki was unconscious. In one swift move, Sukido had taken Tatewaki out. But...? But...?

"How...I didn't even see you move!" Akane said, incredulously.

"He may be faster than Ranma!" Nabiki said, passionately.

"Oh my!" Kasumi said.

***

"C'mon brother, don't be mad. I've picked up so many techniques in my travels that it's impossible to beat me," Sukido said, looking down at his brother.

Tatewaki was resting comfortably on Nabiki's bed. He had a rag over his forehead and a dour expression on his face. Nabiki was at the basin, as she found herself more often than not. Sukido was standing near the doorway.

"Akane said you came to see me about something?" Nabiki asked to Kuno.

He looked to Nabiki and she could see his eyes soften when he looked at her.

"Yes, two nights hence, my college is holding a formal dinner for it's athletes and I was wondering if you'd give me the privilege of your company for the evening?"

"I don't think that's such a good idea little brother since Tendo-san and I are-" Sukido started.

"-just friends," Nabiki finished for him.

They looked at each other and it was obvious to Nabiki that she would have to talk to the elder Kuno as it seemed he harbored some of the same habits as his younger brother.

"Look, Kuno baby, it's nice that you ask and all, but what about Akane or your pig-tailed goddess?" She asked.

Kuno sat up and looked pensive.

"I'd rather not talk about that around him-"

He threw a thumb at Sukido. Sukido put up his hands.

"Don't mind on MY part," Sukido said.

He turned and sulked out of the room. Nabiki thought it was a little cold of Tatewaki to snub his brother like that, but sometimes she felt that way with Kasumi or Akane, so she understood. Nabiki looked back to Tatewaki.

"My..therapist...says I have to deal with Akane's engagement to Ranma and that my pig-tailed goddess is actually...Ranma. You don't know how hard it is. I don't have my goals to work toward any more, so I've thrown myself into my studies and it's shown, but I'm still not happy.

He stopped there as if it's too hard to admit. Nabiki wondered why he was telling her this? To be honest? It made Nabiki just a little more than uncomfortable.

"Nabiki, I know that this dinner will be little more for you than a free meal, but know that for me it would present to the others that at least I appear happy. And around my nosey and meddlesome friends, appearances count a great deal. I'd never be able to ignore their pestering if otherwise were to happen."

This shocked Nabiki. So many shocks in so little time were difficult to handle. This was the side of Kuno that she had always wanted to see. She thought it would make him a little more human, a little more likable. What it made her realize is that his act, with the gestures and flowers and proclamations of love, were all the things that made him more human. Without it, he seemed, not a smaller or weaker man, but certainly not the self-confident sword wielding hero-type that she'd come to know. There was only one answer to give.

"Kuno...I-I'd love to go."

Tatewaki smiled in his small victory and got up. Both walked downstairs and into the livingroom area. Nabiki thought that Kuno looked like he was nerving himself up to do something, she hoped he wouldn't challenge Sukido again. He just woke up.

"Well, I must be going. Sukido...Kodachi and I would like you to come home," he said finally.

"I'll think about it no," Sukido answered.

This confused Nabiki.

"But why not? At least you wouldn't have to pay for a hotel room anymore," She asked.

"Nabiki my dear, I wouldn't spend it if I didn't have it," He said, turning to Tatewaki, "And I have it!"

Sukido began to laugh. Nabiki thought it sounded too much like Kodachi and that thought made a shiver run up her spine. She chided herself for thinking like that. They were of the same family after all. Nabiki knew that Sukido was trying to bait Kuno into another fight, but it also looked like he wouldn't bite. Tatewaki just took a deep breath and turned sharply. He then stormed from the house.

"Well, you kids don't stay up too late. Oyasumi," Soun said, helping Kasumi to her feet.

Akane looked around. The television program had really been interesting. Something about two American police who found UFO's and monsters and such all around America. It was one of Akane's favorite shows, mostly due to the fact that her life was stranger than the show.

She noticed Kasumi heading for the stairs and that Nodoka and Genma had already gone to bed. It was good that they had reconciled so well. She had noticed a glow around Nodoka for the past couple of days but decided against saying anything. She looked to Nabiki, who was looking into Sukido's eyes like some shoujo manga...big eyes and all.

"Will you walk me out?" Sukido asked.

Nabiki smiled a smile that put her into a different kind of manga. She wrapped her arms around Sukido and made Akane embarrassed just by looking at the two.

"I have a better idea...I'd rather stay UP," She said, putting emphasis on the last word.

"So does your sister," He said, nodding towards Akane.

Nabiki turned to her younger sister and noticed that she had her head down and was blushing considerably. Nabiki blushed herself. She didn't mean to embarrass Akane, but she also remembered that Ranma didn't do things so openly. As far as anyone knew, they hadn't even made love yet. Nabiki untwined herself from Sukido. Nabiki thought for a minute to just be a good little girl, but that wouldn't be Nabiki.

"So? She can watch if she wants...She has to learn sometime," She said, smiling at Sukido.

Akane's eyes grew big hearing this from her sister. What was she saying!? Nabiki couldn't resist laughing as she saw Sukido's face as well. Nabiki looked at Akane and simply burst into a laughing fit. Akane blushed again, but this time in anger. Sukido blushed, but perhaps for a different reason.

"Okay, I've got an idea. I saw a cafe down the street. Let's see if it's still open?" He said.

Akane smiled at this way out for herself. And maybe a chance to get Nabiki back later.

"Oh, you're no fun..." Nabiki said slyly.

Akane breathed a sigh. She thought she was serious there for a minute.

***

Sukido looked this little shop over. The best way to describe it was quaint. Certainly nothing like this in America. They were so into fast food and his diet had gone to Hell. Sukido had to work to maintain his girlish figure after all. He snickered to himself. Nabiki looked at him and he smiled at her. She was so taken by him and yet so clueless. She had no idea what he really was, yet he knew he would never hurt Nabiki even if she interfered. He'd never felt this way before. There was that redhead in America, but she wanted an acting career, not a companion. C'est La Vie.

The cook was gorgeous. Sukido would have tried to pick her up if Nabiki wasn't there. Akane, Nabiki and the cook seemed to know each other. Akane said her name was Ukyou. Sukido could tell she was strong and perhaps even a martial artist from the way she used her spatulas. She had a strange set of spatulas in a bandoleer across her body and a giant spatula was hanging on the wall behind her. He wondered at this but didn't say anything.

"I didn't realize you two knew this place," He said to Akane.

"Oh yeah. Ukyou is someone else that Ranma is engaged to," Akane said. She then giggled at his expression, "His father's fault."

Akane turned to Ukyou.

"Uc-chan, I'm really worried. Ranma hasn't come back yet and it seems we're relying too heavily on Sukido here. He's nice and all-maybe too nice," Akane said looking back towards Sukido and Nabiki, who were too engaged trying to eat each other's tonsils to notice.

"I don't see what's wrong about him, other than the fact that he's dating Nabiki. At least he seems more normal than the other Kunos," Ukyou said, looking after the couple fondly.

Akane nodded. It was so refreshing that Akane could count Ukyou as a friend instead of someone trying to get Ranma. There was a little mess about a year ago that really set Ukyou firmly with Akane. They had gone up against Shampoo and Cologne and won. Shampoo wanted to become their friends after that, but was too scared of Cologne. The old bag vowed revenge and took Shampoo and Mousse back to China for a year. Akane knew they were back, but it seemed that Shampoo won out, but still wasn't going to give up on Ranma. Oh well, at least she wasn't trying to kill Akane anymore.

"I think you're right about him," Akane smiled.

"Don't worry Akane-chan, Ran-chan knows what he's doing. Even guiding Ryouga back, he'll need some time," Ukyou said.

Ukyou's smile turned to a frightened grin when it finally sank in to her what she had just said.

"Why would he get Ryouga when he's...after...P-chan?" Akane asked.

She seemed to be considering something. Akane's brow furrowed at some thought. It seemed like she didn't want to think in that direction, so maybe Ukyou could get away with it, after all, Ryouga had been there as P-chan for almost three or so years.

"Uh...Uc-chan, what exactly do you know about Ryouga?"

Ukyou chuckled nervously. She wasn't going to let this one slip past was she.

"Nothing Akane really, it's just that...uh..."

Akane grabbed her by the front of her uniform. Akane could be strong when she had a mind to be. This got the attention of the mating pair next to Akane. Sukido looked as though he needed the oxygen, Nabiki went back to eating.

"It's something about Ryouga and P-chan isn't it? Tell me what it is!" Akane screamed.

Some of the regulars to Uc-chan's just hid their food and went on eating. Others saw what was happening and left. Sukido saw that Ukyou didn't really want to tell Akane what was going on and Akane wasn't going to give up until she had some answers.

"Akane, Ryouga would kill me if I ever told. I only found out about it a couple of weeks ago. And that was an accident," Uykou stammered.

Sukido wondered if he should step in between them.

"P-chan wasn't missing two weeks ago. That was when you-returned him? I'm gonna kill you if you don't tell..."Akane faded out and lost her grip on Ukyou.

Ukyou wondered what it would take to make Akane realize. It had been so long, Ukyou wondered that it was a real surprise at all, what with all the strange happenings in Nerima these last few years. She really felt sorry for Akane, and Ryouga for what Akane would do to him.

"Ukyou, if you were ever my friend, you'll tell me where Ryouga is keeping P-chan!" Akane screamed.

Ukyou face-faulted the best she could in this condition. Akane STILL didn't get it. Ukyou didn't want to be the one to point it out, but it looked like she didn't have any other choice. She straightened her spatulas and gathered enough mental strength to say it.

"Akane...Ryouga isn't KEEPING P-chan. He IS P-chan."

The realization slapped Akane across the mouth, which she put her hand to like she'd been hit. She stared down into the grill in front of her and began to shake her head. Then the tears came. She backed away and ran out of the restaurant. Ooo...Ukyou hated to see Akane like that, now Ukyou would make Ryouga pay for making her do that. Ukyou noticed that Sukido had been watching the whole interchange and got up when Akane ran out.

"Akane, wait!" He shouted.

"Well, she was bound to find out sooner or later," Nabiki said from her tea.

Sukido and Ukyou turned to her in surprise.

"You knew?" Ukyou asked incredulously.

Nabiki nodded.

"Akane wanted me to give P-chan a bath one day. Let me tell you THAT was a shock."

"Okay, so go after her. It was obviously a shock to her too, so go comfort her," Sukido said to her.

Nabiki shook her head.

"Nah, she'll come out of it by herself. I know her - she'll..."

"Nabiki! It's because you're her sister that you should go,"

"What are you thinking - that Akane might do something?" Ukyou asked to Sukido.

Nabiki looked from Ukyou to Sukido. It was obvious to Sukido that she really didn't have nay idea how to handle something like this.

"Sukido, I think you'd better go after her. News like this...who knows what she'll do," Nabiki finally said.

"Okay, what's wrong with this Ryouga person anyway?" He asked of Ukyou.

"He's cursed. Just like Ran-chan and his father," She replied.

"And he turns into...?"

"A little black pig," Ukyou said.

" 'P'-chan...Sorry to rush out on you like this, nice meeting you Uc-chan," Sukido said, running out the door.

"Ja Ne, Suki-chan," Ukyou said after him.

***

Akane was running aimlessly and crying. How could Ryouga do that to her? He'd been sleeping with her! He'd known her most intimate secrets! Oh God, she'd even kissed him! How could he be such a JERK! She couldn't understand it.

Akane couldn't see where she was running, nor did she really care. It was just the running that seemed to help. She looked up and noticed that she had run into the park near Uc-chan's. It was the place where she spent most of her time when she wanted to get away from Ranma and everyone else. Hiding in plain sight. One of the tricks that Ranma had managed to teach her early on. She slowed, but wasn't watching where she was going and tripped on a root from the nearby tree. Felt like she might have twisted her ankle. She didn't care, it was only temporary. What Ryouga did was far more lasting. She curled up next to the tree and cried.

Why? Why lie? And Ranma! He must've known, but why help Ryouga keep it a secret? At least Ukyou had the courage to tell her. But did Ranma really help him? Akane began to wonder. She remembered all the times P-chan was there and Ranma looked ready to tell her something, but she always got mad at him and he never told her. Akane felt ashamed because she realized that he did want to tell her, but couldn't for some reason. And she made him go after P-chan. Akane cried more. She wanted Ranma back, she wanted him safe. She was scared and lonely and...

"Akane!" A voice shouted from nearby.

It was Sukido. Nabiki probably sent him after me.

'I'm not ready to go back just yet,' Akane thought.

"Sukido...I really just want to be alone..." She said quietly to herself.

"Why is that?" His voice said from just to her left.

Akane jumped back in surprise. How the Hell does he do that?

"Sukido - I, I didn't even hear you," She stammered.

He put a hand out to her.

"C'mon Akane, it's like I told Tatewaki, I've learned much while I've been gone."

Akane smiled and took his hand. He helped her stand and she flinched from the sudden pain in her ankle. Probably twisted more than she thought. She smiled at Sukido to mask her discomfort.

"You know Akane, I have to ask. Do you love this Ryouga?"

She turned away from him. How could you even ask that after what I've been through. Ah, but he can ask it because he has no idea. She sighed.

"No, of course I don't. How could I ever be in love with that jerk-that..." She tried to work up a head of steam, but found she couldn't,

"Oh, Sukido-san, I wish you understood."

He put a hand on her shoulder and slowly turned her back around to him. Akane let him as she found it almost comforting somehow. Sukido was almost the strong elder brother presence that she'd been lacking for so long. This last week had been more of a comfort than she let herself believe.

"But I DO understand Akane. From what I know of Saotome-kun and Ranma-san, I can tell that people who are cursed lead double lives. And that neither of those lives often constitute the ethics of the whole person," Sukido explained.

Akane looked up at him and realized she'd been getting closer and before she can stop herself-she kissed him lightly on the lips. There was something electric with the way he just stood there. But then...wait a minute...

'What the HELL am I DOING?' Akane thought to herself.

Sukido pulled her back and looks strangely shocked, like he was expecting it, but not like this. He stroked her cheek and leaned down to her and kissed her back, deeply but tenderly. Akane was enjoying this far too much. Much of her mind was still in shock that she was actually doing it. She tired to rebel, but only managed a light moan. She couldn't make her body react, part of her mind didn't want to react.

Let me have this fun, it said. Ranma is always having beautiful women chase after him and fondle him and kiss him. Why can't I have some of that fun. After all, they rarely made out because either one of his fiancées would come crashing through, or Nabiki was taping the whole thing, or we kept hearing his mom whacking Mr.Saotome and her father over the head with her katana to keep them from watching, or one of a hundred other insane things that kept them apart. She found that she was just suddenly sick of it all.

But she loved him still.

'Oh Ranma...I'm...Sorry...' She thought to herself.

The kiss felt like it went on forever and she could feel herself slipping into unconsciousness. She slumped forward in his arms.

"That's right Akane, sleep for now. You were even easier to take than Nabiki. Two down, one to go. Then Ryouga-san, my promise will be fulfilled," Sukido said, as he looked at Akane in his arms, "...This one's heart."

He laughed to the sky and started to carry Akane back to the Tendo dojo.

From the tree where Akane and Sukido had kissed, a white pair of cotton panties drifted lightly to the ground. They were a cute little number with a little lace bow on the front and little pink hearts all around. Something small jumped from it's hiding position in the tree and brought the panties up to it's face. It muttered something and dusted them off. This Sukido person had done something that no one else in Nerima had ever done...It would have to be careful. It jumped over the back fence and off into the night for more of it's favorite fare...panties.

(Fade out)

(Ending Music begins)

(End credits roll)

"Forever Yours (Akane's Theme)"

Ending Theme For

An Ending To All Our Days

Tell me lies,

Set me free,

What first could not,

Suddenly can be.

Love you forever,

Lose me today,

Look in my eyes,

And hear me say-

I'll love you forever,

Just hear me say,

I'll love you forever,

To my very last day,

I'll love you forever.

Seeing the future,

Being the past,

What's now is forever,

And forever won't last.

Love you forever,

Lose me today,

Look in my eyes,

And hear me say-

I'll love you forever,

Just hear me say,

I'll love you forever,

To my very last day,

I'll love you forever.

(Instrumental Solo)

To protect me you said,

As you stepped into eternity,

Into my heart forever,

You gave your life for me-

I'll love you forever,

Just hear me say,

I'll love you forever,

In so many ways,

I'll love you forever,

To my very last day,

I'll love you forever.