Disclaimers: Sorry, I don't own Ranma 1/2

I'll Be Home For Christmas: Part 2

It was a cold wintry night in the town of Nerima. Freshly powdered snow littered the ground, making the town seem majestic. The people were all soundly asleep in their warm beds, except for one cloaked figure walking through the streets. The figure neither looked left nor right, he just kept on walking, carrying his big duffel bag to his destination. Finally he stopped in front of a set of old big gates. He had arrived at the Tendo Dojo. He slipped in through the gates and made his way to the door, dragging his bag along. Once at the door, he lightly knocked on it, and waited for someone to greet him. After a few minutes a light from inside turned on, and opening the door in her night gown was the eldest Tendo daughter Kasumi.

"Why hello there," Kasumi greeted in her bird like voice.

"Hi," the figure greeted back, never removing his cloak.

"May I help you?" Kasumi asked, noting that the person was very dirty and it seemed that he had traveled for some time.

"Actually you could. I need help with something," the man answered, still hiding his identity.

"And what may that be exactly?"

"May I come inside? It's getting rather cold," he commented, avoiding the question.

"Your right! Come right on in, and warm yourself up." Kasumi side stepped from the door to let the man into the warmth of the house.

"Now, I need help with a very important matter, and I need your help," he said. Kasumi stared, feeling as if she knew this stranger in front of her.

"Well, why don't we go into the dining room and speak about it," Kasumi said, gesturing toward a room down the hall.

"Sure," he spoke, walking toward it. He immediately sat at the low table, while Kasumi made her way around it so she could face him. Once she kneeled down, she caught a glimpse of his face before it was hidden back in the shadows of his cloak. She smiled, as she recognized him.

"What may I help you with?" She asked. The two spoke in hush whispers for some good few hours, before both rose. Kasumi started up the stairs, with the mysterious man right behind. They made their way down the hall, and stopped in front of a door which labeled the owner of the room as Kasumi. "Now, from here on you must remain quiet. If you make any noise to have the others realize that you are here than the plan is ruined. Now come on," she commanded, walking into the room. The man hesitated for a moment before walking in. Once in, the two proceeded to talk of tomorrow and their plans for it.

It is the dawn of a new day, and the sun and just rose. Akane Tendo the youngest of the Tendo girls rose from an uneasy slumber. With a closer look at her, you could see that she was crying, for stains of past tears were marking her face. She lazily rose from bed and put on her yellow robe. The she slipped on her yellow slippers with ducks on it. She smiled at the slippers, remembering how she had come to gain them. Ranma had given them to her once on Christmas. "To match your robe." He had commented when she opened the box. Tears welled in her eyes from the memory, but she bit them back. She walked over to a calendar which hung on the wall, and looked at the date.

"Christmas day," she muttered to the air. Suddenly the tears could no longer be held in, and they made their way gently down her face. "You jerk. You promised you would be home by now. You stupid jerk!" She yelled out into the nothingness. She fell to her knees and leaned against the bed, then brought her knees up to her and buried her face in them, sobbing. She was so absorbed in her crying that she didn't notice Kasumi open her bedroom door.

"Are you okay Akane? I heard you screaming," Kasumi said as she slide the door open. She took a glance and saw her sister's distraught figure, crouching on the floor. "Akane!" Kasumi called out, as she rushed to her side. "Akane what's wrong?" She asked, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"He' . .Christmas." Akane was able to get out through the tears. Kasumi put the words together and realized what was wrong.

"But Akane, he still has time," Kasumi said.

"I know. but. wh-what if. he doesn't make it? Wha-what if. he got. hu-hu-hurt," she sobbed out. Kasumi didn't know what to say to take, so she did the next best thing. She encircled her arms around Akane and gave her a comforting hug. Finally she found some words.

"Akane, I know for a fact, that even if Ranma had two broken legs and a wound, he would still do everything, and I mean everything, in his powers to keep his promise to you. Just have faith in him," she cooed.

"But, I do have faith in him," though some disbelief was evident. "Ka-kasumi, do you believe that he'll make it in time?"

"Of course I do!" She exclaimed with the upmost confidence. It seemed that Kasumi's faith seemed to help Akane believe and relieve her, for she was so calming down. "Akane, are you feeling better?"

"Yes," she answered.

"Good, now get dressed, breakfast is ready," Kasumi said rising from the floor. Akane nodded her head in an 'I understand', and with that Kasumi left the room. Akane rose from the floor and went to her closet to pick out an outfit. She gently placed a red turtleneck and black mini skirt on a nearby chair.

"For the party tonight," she said. Then she went back to rummaging through her closet. Finally she pulled out dark blue hip huggers and a bright yellow shirt, which had "Got Attitude" printed across the front. She slipped into the outfit, and then made her way down to the dining room. She sat herself at the table across from Kasumi and her father. Who was a man in his mid forties, with shoulder length black hair, and a moustache that looked like it needed to be trimmed. He was dress in as usual his brown gi. Akane gladly took her bowl of rice from Kasumi, then took a glance down to the other end of the table, where sat Mr. Saotome, Ranma's father. Mr. Saotome was inhaling food like no tomorrow; it seemed as if he was even chewing before swallowing. "Now I know where Ranma got his bad manners from," she muttered.

"Good one Akane, though I don't understand why it took you this long to realize that," a voice said from behind her. Akane turned to see Nabiki standing there.

"Morning Nabiki," Akane greeted.

"Morning to you to," Nabiki said, taking her seat next to Kasumi.

"Hope you slept well last night," Kasumi said cheerily.

"Yeah Kasumi," Nabiki said waving her hand. "Like a baby."

"That's good to hear," Kasumi smiled a wide smile and handed her a bowl of rice.

"Thanks sis," Nabiki said, grabbing the bowl. "Oh and about the party."

"Yes, what about it?"

"Well, there is still some. um. things that we still need."

"Yes, I realized that too," Kasumi placed a thoughtful finger up to her chin. "Well, there's only one ting to do. Akane, would you please get the items?"

"Um. sure," Akane said, a little disturbed at her being elected when she didn't even mention the need to go and get something.

"Fantastic! I'll give you the list when you are done eating," Kasumi clapped her hands together as if to say 'end of discussion!'

"Well, I'm done now," Akane said, finishing up a last bite of rice. She placed the bowl down and gave Kasumi a patient look.

"Then I'll go get the list," Kasumi announced while standing up. "Nabiki, would you please follow so I can add your items on" Kasumi gave Nabiki an impatient wave gesturing for her to go to the kitchen. Nabiki took the obvious hint and followed. The two then emerged from the kitchen after some time, Nabiki looking disgruntled, with a look in her eye that said she was going to uncover something juicy. Kasumi still had on an unreadable cheery look with, like always, a smile, though it wavered somewhat. "Here Akane. Now you be careful out there, stay away from hooligans, perverts, unmanly boys, strangers, prostitutes."

"I think she gets it," Nabiki stated, interrupting Kasumi's list.

"Yes, well. come home as soon as you can. but not too soon. and not too late," Kasumi said, clearly confusing herself along with everyone else.

"Okay Kasumi, I'll make sure I'm home in time so that everything will be ready for the party," Akane said, snatching the list and rising form the table. She left the dining room. "Bye!" She called over her shoulder.

"Bye!" Kasumi called back. The two then rushed to the doorframe which separated the dining area from the hall. They listened intently, waiting for the sound of the door closing. When they heard the satisfying sound, both let out a huge sigh then began to stare quizzically at each other.

"What are you hiding from me Kasumi?" Nabiki asked, wanting to break the silence.

"What are you planning Nabiki?" Kasumi questioned back, instead of answering.

"I asked first Kasumi," Nabiki said, crossing her arms.

"But I'm older, and you should always answer your elders first," Kasumi said back, crossing her own arms.

"Gee Kasumi, I wouldn't want daddy to find out about your little visitor last night," Nabiki whispered. She then pulled out a picture, showing Kasumi entering her room with a tall cloaked figure that was obviously a man, to empathize her point.

"You wouldn't!" Kasumi hissed very unlike herself.

"Wouldn't I?"

"I guess old habits really are hard to break," Kasumi sneered.

"I guess they are, and believe me Kasumi, I've tried."

"Well, you didn't try hard enough!"

"Guess I didn't," Nabiki smirked.

"And I guess I'll just have to tell father about you dating Tatewaki Kuno." Nabiki's smirk was wiped immediately off, and her eyes widened in horror.

"You wouldn't!"

"Wouldn't I?" Kasumi brought her face toward Nabiki's, just centimeters apart.

"Kasumi, I'm impressed!" Nabiki's smirk was back. "But do you really believe that daddy would care more about me dating someone, than you, his sweet innocent Kasumi, sneaking someone into your room. A man no less!" Nabiki was radiating with confidence.

'Drat! How am I going to get out of this?' Kasumi thought frantically.

"So you going to spill or do you want to get married?"

"I highly doubt father would approve of me marrying him," Kasumi snapped.

"Doesn't matter, he'll still find out that you're not as innocent as you act."

"Fine! I'll tell you!" Kasumi practically yelled into Nabiki's ear. "Follow me," she commanded. Nabiki obliged and the two left the dining room and started up the stairs towards Kasumi's room. "Now he has asked for our help and we'll give it to him fully," Kasumi commented, as they stopped in front of her door.

"Okay, I get it. Now open the door," Nabiki commanded. Kasumi slowly opened the door, and Nabiki stepped inside of the room. "Well look what the cat dragged in," she stated as she saw a figure in the room. "Or should I say pig?"

Akane was walking back towards the dojo with an armload of shopping bags, grumbling something along the lines of 'ungrateful sisters' to 'lazy sisters.' She finally reached the gates of the Tendo Dojo. She kicked open the gate with her foot and slowly proceeded into the yard. She then entered into the house and gently placed the bags on the floor.

"I'm home!" She called out. She got no response. "Hello! Kasumi! Nabiki! Anyone! Are any of you home?" Akane proceeded o call out, while climbing the stairs. Akane decided to check in Kasumi's room. She stood at eh door, ready to knock, until she heard the faint sounds of voices coming from inside. She placed her ear up to the door to hear better.

"Ah! She's home! Hurry up and hide, before she finds you!" Akane could make out of what she guessed to be Kasumi's voice.

"If you want the plan to work hide now!" She heard of what sounded like Nabiki.

"But." Akane heard a voice which she was almost positive belonged to a man. "But what if she finds out before we need her to?" Hearing more of the voice, Akane's eyes widened.

'It can't be him.' She thought. 'Can it? It wouldn't hurt to check.' She placed her hand on the knob. 'It's now or never.' She decided to open the door. She turned the knob, and threw the door open.

"RANMA!" Akane yelled as she entered the room. There in the middle of the room was Kasumi and Nabiki and. "Ranma!" Akane yelled happily. She ran over to him and threw her arms around his neck. "I missed you so much!" She cried into his shirt.

"I missed you too," Ranma said, hugging her back. "Akane. I um. have something to tell you."

"What is it?" Akane raised her tear streaked face to see his.

"Akane, I think I l-love y-y-you," Ranma said, blushing from neck up. "No. I know that I love you and only you Akane," he reassuringly said.

"I love you too, Ranma," Akane smiled back. She rose her head up, wanting to kiss Ranma.

"What are you doing Akane?" Ranma asked. Akane stopped and looked at him confused.

"Just what are you doing Akane?" She heard Nabiki ask this time. Akane shook her head and her vision of Ranma disappeared. Akane opened her eyes and looked around the room. There was Kasumi sitting on her bed with Nabiki on the couch, but there wasn't a sign of him anywhere.

"Ranma," Akane breathed out. She sank to her knees and began to weep into her hands.

"Oh my!" Kasumi cried out. She and Nabiki rushed to her side, each placing a hand on a shoulder.

"I'm s-sorry. It's just t-that I c-can't help b-but cry. I know you said that h-he would b-be h-h-home in time Ka-Kasumi. But what if he isn't'? What if he never comes home?" Akane wept.

"Nonsense Akane! He will be here! I know for a fact that he will come," Kasumi said reassuringly.

"Yeah sis, just because he isn't here now doesn't mean he won't be here at all," Nabiki added in.

"How c-can you r-really know?" Akane sobbed out.

"Because Ranma isn't a jerk that would break a promise," Nabiki stated.

"I have every faith that he'll be here," Kasumi said.

"I have faith too!" Akane proclaimed. "But what if he got hurt?!" All the pent up worry began to flow with her new tears.

"Akane we already talked about that. You don't have to worry about it," Kasumi said.

"And w-why d-d-don't I?"

"Because sweetie, if anything happened Ryouga or Mousse would have informed us by now."

"I g-guess you're right," Akane let out another sob. "Besides, I doubt anyone could beat him, especially when he has a promise to keep!" Akane exclaimed, cheering up a bit.

'Especially if the promise is to you.' Kasumi and Nabiki thought in unison.

"So sis, did you get what I need?" Nabiki asked, deciding to break all the tension.

"Yeah, but I'm wondering. Why did you need nets, and heavy duty chains, and gags, and."

"Because I do," Nabiki snapped, before Akane could finish speaking.

"Well everything is down by the door," Akane said.

"Ok, well why don't you go and bring it into the living room. Nabiki and I will be down there shortly," Kasumi said, smiling sweetly.

"Okay." Akane exited out of the room. Kasumi and Nabiki listened to the sound of fading footsteps.

"Saotome you better be at eh party," Nabiki muttered. Kasumi nodded her head in agreement.

"Or we'll have a very upset Akane. My goodness, I don't think I would be able to come up with any comforting words," Kasumi sighed. "Well, let's start getting ready for the party," Kasumi said. So the two sisters proceeded out of the room to begin a night of surprises.

A/N: I know it's way past the promised date to finish this, but I've been very busy and had a little writer's block. But it is finished. But since the ending is so long I cut it in half. So this is part one of two for the ending. The other end will be out shortly. If it isn't by Friday, don't expect it over the weekend for I'll be going to D.C. But I'll get it out as soon as I can type it up. My dad has been hogging the computer. Well, sayonara until next time!