Ranma 1/2 is the property and invention of Rumiko Takahashi. The following story is not produced for any monetary or personal gain. Its sole purpose is to entertain using the characters and plots developed by Takahashi. ALL rights reserved

Shadows of the Land   Volume II :   Family Ties

 

Chapter 9: Small Proposals

 

Akari and her pet pig trudged up to the forests surrounding her home she really had no idea how she could have run so far in such a short period of time. She was exhausted but filled with the hope that her beloved Ryouga would be home waiting for her. She had plodded on, only stopping to sleep when her pet nudged at her telling her that she could do with some rest. She had slept, though not as much as she could have.

Akane and Ranma finally together: that was good. She had known it from the first time she had seen them together when no one else was around. She did not want to press them though as to why they got married like that. That was their business and she would only ask if they brought it up. At least they had been married before they… consummated their relationship. Or, so she thought.

That was not what kept her up late at night though. It was their advice. ‘Listen to him.’ ’It was all a misunderstanding.’ She could not understand how but she knew Ranma and Akane would not lead her wrong. They had known Ryouga for a long time and she knew that they knew him better than she did. If they thought that, then maybe they were right. She hoped they were right. But she could not be sure. She had seen what she had seen or had she just imagined some of what she had seen. It was all so confusing.

She knew she had seen Ryouga and another girl in the tent. What they were wearing and what they were actually doing she could not remember. She had not taken a really good look. She only remembered seeing his face with another next to it. After seeing him with another girl she had not bothered to stay. The picture of their two faces closer together had been ingrained into her memories and of that she was sure. Maybe it really was all a mistake. Maybe… There was no more time for maybes. Either he had or had not. She hoped it was had not…she hoped. But that was all she could do. She finally broke through to the clearing and saw her house in the distance.

"Grandfather, I’m home!" she called, hoping to hear more than one voice calling back.

*************

 

"Oh, sorry, is this the Tendo residence?" the man in the doorway asked.

Kasumi and Tofu both blushed before Tofu was able to stutter a reply in the affirmative while removing his arms from around Kasumi.

"Ah, then is my son Ryouga here. The last time I was home, the note said he would most likely be here."

"Oh dear," responded Kasumi. "I haven’t seen him for quite awhile."

"That’s alright. Sooner or later, I’ll catch up to him. Or maybe we’ll bounce up each other. Anyway thanks…bye."

"That was weird," murmured Tofu as the man disappeared.

"I do hope Ryouga’s father finds him."

"Oh I’m sure he will," replied Tofu then he took a seat.

After that was said, they stared at each other for a long time, each wanting to say something to the other but not knowing what to say. Eventually, someone had to break the silence.

"Tofu do you live in the clinic?" she asked.

"Yes. Usually I sleep upstairs in the beds if it’s too late to go home to mother. I usually call her though to tell her."

"That’s very thoughtful of you. She must appreciate it. It must be lonely living all by herself."

"Oh mother helps out at the local pre-school. She also has tenets at home, some students from the University. They are very bright, studying medicine and engineering I believe."

"I wish I could have gone to university."

"Really, why didn’t you?"

Kasumi was faced with a dilemma. Should she tell him or shouldn’t she? She looked into his eyes for an answer but found both the compassion and gentleness that she had come to expect from him. Would he understand?

"I…I couldn’t. Not with Akane and father…"

"Oh…I understand," he interrupted. The same questions and the same answers had plagued him while he studied his trade. Kasumi smiled in thanks and again they fell into a spell of silence until Tofu found a question that begged to be asked. One that had to be asked. The question remained in his mind and had been there for a long time but he was scared to ask it. It was a very blunt question but it had to be asked. He did not have to ask it now but he knew it would be better if he did. He only needed to work up the courage to ask it. He took a deep breath and concentrated.

"Ka…Kasumi, why did you ask me to stay last night?"

Kasumi stared at him for a long time, then the tears began to roll from her eyes and she began to sob. Tofu dashed across instinctively and held her in his arms and she cried on his shoulder. She cried, and Tofu did not mind the least. In fact he enjoyed holding her like that, he enjoyed having to pass his hand through her hair to soothe her, he enjoyed having her head pressed against his cheek. She was hurting and he knew she should not be feeling that way but he was, he was enjoying just being this close to her. Her crying diminished into soft sobs and he held her just a little tighter to make her know that he was there.

"I…I’m sorry for asking," he whispered into her ear but as soon as he had said it, her hand came up and covered his mouth.

"No, you were right. (pause) I’m just so lonely…always lonely."

She had always been so lonely. Caring for her family all those years she had not been lonely. But her sisters had grown up. Akane was all grown up and Ranma could take care of her. Nabiki was independent and did not need her attention. Even her father had Uncle Genma to keep him company. She had no one: no one to be with her.

He held her tightly and for some unknown reason, he kissed the top of her head.

"Would you like it if I stayed?" he asked.

The tears began to roll down her face again.

"Yes…" she whispered fiercely. "Yes."

And so he held her and he stayed.

**************

 

Mousse was never an awfully bright young man but the one thing he was sure of was that Ranma Saotome had done something to enslave his Shampoo. Even now, he was watching her beautiful body as she served the customers. He too was serving but watching his beloved was payment enough for the torture he had to endure from the old bat.

He carefully extracted a small camera from his vestments and clicked quickly, taking a few snapshots of his love that he would develop under the cover of darkness. He grinned to himself and then something hit him and he became one with the wall.

"Mu Tzu, stop wasting time!" shouted Kho Lon from across the kitchen.

Mousse growled, but knowing his place, he silently picked up the tray. Someday he would get back at the old woman!

He had been perfecting some new techniques to use on Saotome that he was sure he could defeat him with. He a got the idea from someone else and had kept his training hidden. Soon he knew it would be time for him to spring his trap and when he did, Shampoo would be his.

He knew the disappearance of Saotome with the Tendo girl was all an act to get him to drop his defences. He would show him! Just wait until he came back. Just wait!

 

*************

Kasumi continued to sniffle and Tofu continued to hold her tenderly. He was surprised as she softly whispered that he should lie next to her. He did as he was told and lay next to her as she burrowed her head into his chest and brought her arm to lie limply against his shoulder. A soft sigh escaped and all Tofu wanted was to hold her like that forever.

Kasumi lay there and for the first time she did not want to get up did not want to think, did not want the moment to end. Someone could be threatening the annihilation of the human race for all she cared. All she wanted to do was stay there, lying with Tofu next to her. She could feel the warmth of his body. It was the first time she had ever been that close to a man before and she had to admit that she liked warmth. She liked the feel of having someone next to her. She did not like the idea of spending the rest of her life alone with her family. She wanted her own home to tidy. Her own…

She closed her eyes and imagined it. Her own home with her own children and her own husband to pamper. She smiled; she wanted that.

She had no idea what had caused her to tell Tofu to stay but she wanted him to stay. That she knew. Staying…forever. Would he stay forever?

She chastised herself a little when she realised what she was thinking. It would not do for her to think like that. A pair of arms moved at the top of her shoulders to the middle of her back. She almost gasped at the sensations she felt. Forever…

She turned her head a little, enough to see his face, enough to see that he was looking at her. She shifted slightly allowing herself to stare into his eyes and she stayed like that for the longest time.

She remembered that face after she opened her eyes after that kiss. She could not remember how that had started but she could remember the warmth that enveloped her as he held her in his arms and kissed her. It had been the most passionate and intense moment of her life. She could not remember much, but she could remember the intensity of the emotion that flooded her mind when they had kissed. She had wanted him to continue to kiss her like that, but she was tired and she had felt so comfortable in his arms, she had been so so tired...

An idea popped into her head and she smiled at the simplicity of it. She did not like hassle and complications and this certainly would be no trouble at all. It was just for the time being and did not necessarily have to be permanent. She had heard of others doing things like that. She had heard of people doing things like that. She wanted someone even if it wasn’t for eternity. She knew he was almost perfect for her. She would have to ask him though. She was sure he would not say ‘no’ since he had asked in the beginning. With the idea in her mind, her heart began to race faster and faster.

"Tofu?" she called softly.

"Yes Kasumi-chan," he answered causing her to almost gasp as she recognised the tone of affection. Her heart started beating even faster as she revelled on what he had said and how he had said her name. She liked the way he said her name. She liked him calling her –chan. No one had ever cared to call her –chan.

"Tofu-chan would you do something for me?"

Tofu smiled.

"Would you pour me a cup of tea with the tea set in the top cupboard?" she asked meekly. She knew what she was asking, but it was up to him to do it. It was out of place for her to ask but it was the only way she could think of telling him what she wanted without being too improper.

"Are…are you sure you want that?" he half stuttered.

"Yes," she replied. "I want that."

She had inadvertently raised her body as she spoke and Tofu rose with her, bringing them both into a seated position with Kasumi seated on his lap. His right hand reached for her face and his fingertips brushed the surface of her cheeks. She blushed but did not look away. Instead her arms snaked around his chest bringing them closer together. His fingers idly traced the outline of her face.

"You are so beautiful," he whispered before closing his eyes and their lips touched.

 

They kissed for a long time and when they broke Kasumi hugged him tightly, reminding him of the Tendo claim to strength.

He absorbed all the sensations of her pressed against him as she hugged him then he whispered into her ear.

"Would you like that cup of tea?" he asked.

A flurry of activity was seen from Kasumi as she let go of him while simultaneously scrambling over the couch to the doorway of the kitchen. She unbalanced the couch so greatly that it turned over onto its back, dumping the two of them unceremoniously on the floor. Luckily they hand not fallen in any untoward situation to both their disappointment. After all if they could not be blamed if they…

Tofu propped back up the couch and chuckled a little as Kasumi held her hand out for him to help her up.

Still chuckling he did not help her up but instead he bent down and placed an arm under her legs and one under her waist, lifting her clear off the floor.

"Ready?" he asked.

She kissed his cheek. "Always."

And they went into the kitchen.

 

After what seemed ages, the call and subsequent sliding of the door allowed them enough time to separate, with Tofu moving to the other side of the table. On the table lay the family tea set and Kasumi had a cup of tea in front of her. Soun, Genma and Nodoka with Nabiki on their heels entered and saw them. When Kasumi raised the tea to her lips and drank slowly until she drained the cup, there was a combined gasp from the doorway. A low sound that could be the beginning of a patented Soun Tendo- ‘My daughter’s getting married wail’ escaped his mouth and all eyes turned to him. What they did not expect was for his eyes to roll to the back of his head and for him to faint.

"Oh my!" responded Nabiki and Nodoka while Kasumi blinked. Wasn’t that her line? Another woman entered the house carrying an absurdly large piece of furniture on her back. Her presence shocked Tofu.

"So my son has finally decided. Oh husband how I wish you could see this day! It’s time to make wedding plans."

Wedding plans! Tofu and Kasumi stared at each other as if passing the same message. Maybe they should have kept it a secret.

While Tofu and Kasumi tried to comprehend what was going on, Tofu’s mother, Nodoka and Nabiki were busy planning a wedding that neither the bride or groom had any say in as yet. The only thing they had done was agree that they might get married in the future. While the other women talked and Genma tried to revive Soun, they stole away to the steps at the side of the house.

They sat there next to each other staring at the koi pond waiting for the other to make a move. Kasumi waited because it was the proper thing to do. Tofu because he was new to this and he was also a bit scared.

Finally though, he could not handle the silence or the presence of Kasumi being so close yet so far away. He lazily inched his hand around her shoulders. He was very much surprised when she shifted her weight so that her head rested against his shoulders.

"I was wondering when you would do that," she informed. He smiled and just hugged her tightly. They continued to stare at the koi pond albeit in a much more comfortable position for both of them. Tofu though was a bit worried. He knew his mother and he knew his mother’s desires. She wanted to see him married before she died so she could fulfil some promise she had made to his father before he passed away. Neither Kasumi nor he had actually decided when or if they wanted a wedding at the moment. Fiancees were one thing, wives were another matter completely. He had to ask her though.

"Kasumi-chan, my mother is a very strong and stubborn woman and well, she has this ability to well…" He stopped for a minute to control himself. He knew he was babbling a lot. "What I’m trying to say is: my mother wants to see me married as soon as possible. Do you want to get married?"

He said the last part very quickly. He rushed those few words out of his mouth and waited as he saw Kasumi’s eyes fixated on him.

Kasumi had been in such a daze after he had called her –chan again that she had almost missed everything he had said, but when he stopped her attention had fallen back to him and she heard everything. It was strange that he was asking her this but what did she want? What did she really want?

"Hold me?" she asked meekly, a simple request. She was relieved to find herself cradled between his strong hands as she rest her head on his chest once again. She was half sitting on him as he leant against the frame of the house.

What did she want? Before she wanted to be his fiancee because she wanted something else in her life other than taking care of her father. She wanted to live. She did not mind taking care of her sisters, but they were grown now. She wanted a life for herself, but did she want it so quickly. How long had she known Tofu, how long had she visited his clinic to borrow books that she had become interested in. She had known him for a long time. Since he had set up practice in fact. She had found those books on the body and on medicine fascinating, she wondered why she had developed that affection for medical books. She pondered the thought for a minute and the answer came to her. Why didn’t she realise it sooner?

The first time she had asked for one of those books was the second time she had to carry Akane to the clinic. It had been a month since then and she had wanted to see him again but did not have a reason. When she had seen the book on the table, she had thought of that reason: the book. She smiled to herself. He had been the reason all along, she had just forgotten about the real reason after all that time. All she wanted to do was see him and she did get to see him every other week after that.

"Tofu-chan, do you want to get married?" she asked quite softly.

Tofu was bit alarmed as he found his own question directed back at him. What did he want? He knew what he wanted. There was no hiding it from himself.

"Tell you what let’s count to three and after that we say what we want okay."

"That’s, that’s a good idea."

"Okay. Lets do it together."

Neither Tofu nor Kasumi knew why exactly their hearts began beating rapidly.

"One"

…nor why their palms felt sweaty.

"Two"

…nor why the back of their throats felt uncannily dry.

"Three"

"Yes," they both simultaneously replied as softly and hoarsely as their dry throats allowed them to. Then realising what they had both said, they stared into each other’s eyes once again.

"I love you," they said simultaneously and Kasumi giggled as once again they both said the same thing. It was relieving to know that he wanted what she wanted. That she was not the only one who wanted this marriage. That he wanted her. Then she felt a warm hand against her face softly moving her head towards his. She willingly followed its path, right up to the sweet euphoria of emotions that flooded her mind with the touch of his lips. Then she was all on her own as her hands moved by their own power around his neck.

Someone whistled, startling them from their pleasurable activities.

"Hey sis, never knew you had that in you," complimented Nabiki earning blushes from both Kasumi and Tofu. "Wish Ranma and Akane would wise up like you two though." Kasumi hid her smile. If only her little sister knew. "But Nabiki, what about you and your school friend who calls you all the time."

"Kuno? He’s a little too dumb for my tastes."

"You never said Kuno," remarked Tofu as soon as Nabiki was out of earshot.

"No, I didn’t," replied Kasumi.

"Interesting."

Kasumi smiled. "Oh my," she exclaimed quite suddenly. "We can’t get married yet!" She saw Tofu’s puzzled look. "Ranma and Akane aren’t back yet," she explained.

"Maybe us getting married would give them the idea," he pondered.

"You don’t know the half of it," she remarked and received that puzzled look on Tofu’s face again. She giggled and passed her finger over his lips. "Want to know a secret?"

***********

 

 

Ukyou and Jham were back on the train on their way to civilisation once again. Ukyou was tapping her hand noisily against the chair handle as she reflected on the stupidity of the whole expedition. All that way just to give an old man something and then leave. She thought it had been something exciting he was going there for but it had turned out to be nothing at all. She shook her head. What had she done all that for? What had she…then it dawned on her again that she had almost forgot the real reason for the trip. She shoved Jham awake.

"What is it you violent woman!" he shouted as he was jerked awake. Why couldn't he get peace and quiet for a couple of minutes of sleep!

"I carried you to the shrine," she stated. "Now tell me about my Ran-chan."

"Well, what do you want to know?" he asked.

"You already know what," she replied exasperatedly.

"Well refresh my memory."

Ukyou clenched her fists and was somehow able to control the urge to pound the boy in front of her.

"I want to know if Ranma will be with me in the future."

He turned towards her and spoke to her in a serious tone.

"Do you really want to know?"

"Yes. I really want to know. I didn't go to all this trouble for nothing!"

"Okay. (pause) He’s an integral part of your future but I don’t know…."

He wasn’t given chance to finish the answer as Ukyou hugged him tightly much to his disapproval and began to celebrate. Jham hoped the good doctor was that good, he thought he needed a couple of ribs, a spleen, a liver and various other organs after that kind of bone crushing hug.

************

 

Akane was busy trying to at least touch her husband who afforded her the advantage by him staying in the water of the river while she attacked. All she had to do was touch him or kiss him without getting angry. Yesterday she had to sleep outside since Ranma had to use his technique as he called it too many times for his liking. Today Akane was adamant that she would not get angry. She did not like sleeping outside, alone, without a warm muscular cushion under her head. Without the tender brushes of his hands upon her body…ahhh! She also slapped herself. Got to concentrate on the task. Were those kinds of thoughts she was having even normal?

She forced herself not to blame him. He told her what was going on and she had to agree that he was right. She would not lose control again. She wanted a slave tonight. She rubbed her hands with glee earning a questioning glance from her husband from his position in the water.

Focus she told herself. Ranma had given her the supreme advantage and she had to make use of it. He could not use his feet as effectively when he was in the water. He could jump but not as high, could kick but not as fast. Focus, focus was what she needed to obtain. She took a deep breath and calmed herself allowing all the feelings to be set aside and she found herself thinking surprisingly clearly about her attack. She saw an opening and attacked, and was thrown to the other side of the river. She had forgotten the first rule. This was Ranma, the master improviser, any weakness he showed might not be a weakness. She smiled, with the calm she felt, it was time for her to really attack. That she did, attacking with a ferocity that she never knew existed within her when she was that calm. It was amazing to see everything as she fought, amazing to be able to tell exactly what she was doing without relying on the instinct as she always had. It was enthralling.

That excitement did not last however as she found herself being thrown. She tried to reverse the throw. Instead of trying to stop the reverse, Ranma went along with it. However, he turned ever so slightly while they were in the air making their way to the bank such that, as Akane now realised, she would hit first. Which she did. What also surprised her was that she did not hit the ground very hard and that Ranma landed on her.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Yeah," she replied.

"You were good today. I think you learned how to fight without getting angry."

Akane smiled. "It was amazing, I could see everything as it happened and I didn’t even feel the least bit of anger."

"Good," replied Ranma and he tried to get up. Akane though would not have it. He was wearing a vest in the beginning and the now very wet vest clung to Ranma’s skin. "I want my slave now," she informed him.

He smiled but reversed her hold capturing both her arms and pinning them to her side while the other hand blurred quickly. She had been so intent on staring at his face that she had not felt a thing nor had she resisted. He waved something in front of his breasts to catch her attention. She did not understand until she looked at what was in his hand and looked down at her chest where she could see her nipples protruding from the wet shirt she was wearing then she realised that the pants she was wearing was also clinging rather closely to her private areas. Her panty and bra dangled from Ranma’s hand.

"You hav' ta learn something from being around Happosai that long," he replied to her unasked question. "Catch me if you can!" he taunted as he released her and ran. Akane raised her fist in the air in indignation and ran after Ranma. She wondered why she was running after him, after all she did not mind that he had her underwear since their absence had her feeling very excited and turned on at the moment. Then she remembered why. Slave. Slavery was good, especially if Ranma was your slave. He could do things that had her…occupied for most of he night. Having a slave for the whole night would be much much much much better than to just have a few hours of entertainment.

"Ranma get back here!" she shouted intent on catching her elusive prey. She ran a bit further and found the vest, a little more and found a pair of wet pants and after a tiresome sprint she found hung above the fire a wet pair of boxers. She darted towards the tent and spied the kettle outside. Wasting no time, she dispensed with her clothes and barrelled inside the tent to find …nothing! Then she felt two wet powerful arms lock her in an unbreakable bear hug from behind.

"Tsk…tsk...tsk...you let your guard down Acchan. That means you lost. Tonight you have to be my slave." She began to protest but Ranma touched certain spots that had her moaning before she could get a word out. Ranma seemed to know just what to do to her body to usurp her commands to it. She wanted to protest but his ministrations to her body forced her to moan even more loudly than before. Her legs turned to jelly and she melted before his assault.

"I guess we have to improve your stamina," he whispered into her ear before nibbling it tenderly.

She would not let him get away with that, she had to retort.

"Ra…Ra…Ra…oooohhh!" she moaned again as those uncontrollable sensations wrecked her will. She knew Ranma picked techniques up quickly but…so quickly! Another wave of pleasure passed through her body and so did the last thought of protest as she held his hands and moved them over her body where she wanted them as if he did not know. She turned around and traced his face with her hand as he kissed her hand lightly when it passed.

"I could only love a tomboy like you," he told her is a husky voice that only served to heighten her excitement.

"And I could only love a hentai baka like you," she replied with the most tantalising and sultry voice she could muster.

"I’ll show you just how much of a hentai I really am," he warned with that cocky grin on his face that she loved.

"Show me," she taunted. 

***********

 

Akari had been home for three days and for three days there had been no sign of Ryouga. She was becoming as depressed as he normally was. She sighed wearily and as the urge caught her, she walked slowly out the door into the slightly drizzling weather to the outhouse.

While relieving herself, she heard the distinct sound of a small animal scraping against the side of the outhouse. She dressed herself again and went to investigate the matter. There was some thunder about and some of the piglets might have got away. When she rounded the corner, she found a small piglet scraping and bweeing mercilessly for its mother. She smiled. The mother must be frantically looking for it. Another generation of sumo pigs was born and surviving.

She smiled at the little thing and tickled it under its chin when she stumbled over something in the way. It was small, a small black…a small black piglet? "Ryouga!" she shouted happily and grabbed him, squashing him against her chest. She quickly ran to the pen to give the mother its piglet then, clutching Ryouga, ran back to the house.

She put him down on the kitchen counter and set the kettle to boil then they sat down to a staring match. Ryouga stared at the ground while she stared at him caught between being excited that he was there and angry at what she thought she had seen days before.

Ryouga was glad she had finally found him. He had seen the house from that distance but had not dared to move in case he got himself lost again. There was no way he was going to get himself lost again especially since it was extremely important that he talk to her.

He stared at the ground intently. He had been going over in his mind for the last few days exactly how he would apologise. He still could not decide on what to do. He was still caught in thought when he felt the hot waterfall against his back. He did the one thing that came to his mind. He knelt on the ground and bowed to kiss her feet as he had seen it done in one of the places he had visited.

"Akari-san, I’m sorry. I’m sorry I was with Ukyou but nothing happened. We just got lost looking for Ranma and had to share a tent. I swear on my life that nothing happened!"

He would have continued ranting but Akari placed her hand on his shoulders. She looked into his eyes. She knew that he was a bad liar and his eyes alone told her that he was telling the truth. She smiled Ranma and Akane had been telling the truth. She had only imagined what she thought she had seen. Ryouga’s eyes told her that nothing had happened between himself and Ukyou. Ranma and Akane knew a lot about Ryouga. It was good to have them as friends.

"I’ll forget I ever saw anything Ryouga, but you have to do something to make sure that never happens again." Akane and Ranma, she thought.

"Anything Akari-sama!" he begged.

"Marry me," she replied. His eyes glazed over.

"Will you marry me Ryouga?" she asked.

Thoughts began to fill his mind about Akari and him alone married…He managed a slight nod before he passed out from blood loss from his nosebleed. Akari took that as a yes.

Akane and Ranma, Akari and Ryouga thought Akari. That sounded perfect to her as she pulled the tablecloth over the nude body of Ryouga to cover him. She blushed when she realised exactly what she was staring at. Not until we are married, she chided herself and quickly scampered away from the room before she could change her mind. She afforded herself a smile though. Akari and Ryouga’s Sumo Pig Farm. She couldn’t wait until Ryouga was awake again.

 

 

 

He awoke feeling refreshed and relieved at the same time. Finding himself naked, he found the stash of clothes where he had left them before and quickly donned them. He wiped his nose of the remains of his nosebleed and called Akari’s name. Then he remembered what he thought she had asked him before he lost consciousness and what he had nodded absently to. Did she really ask him to marry her? Did she? Wasn’t he supposed to be the one to ask her?

Confused, he called her name again and once again he received no answer. He then thought he should search the house for her but made sure that he stayed in the house by making sure the wooden floor was below him all the time. He had been searching for three hours before he finally found her. She was sleeping soundly on her bed and he realised he had suddenly found himself in her room.

He turned to leave when two small arms entwined around his waist.

"You’re not going anywhere to get yourself lost again," she informed, then she took his arm and let him to the bed.

"Akari I don’t think we…"

"Lie down," she commanded and he did as he was told. She lay down next and wrapped her hands around him. "Now go to sleep my iinazuke. I’m tired," she commanded again and soon fell asleep. Her friends once said that you had to be stubborn when dealing with a strong man to make him do what you wanted and Ryouga was doing everything she wanted him to do. She would not have minded a kiss but she was feeling a bit tired and she did not mind sleeping next to his warm body on as cold a day as that. Sleeping next to her fiance. She would settle that claim soon and make him hers permanently. There was no way he was going to wriggle his way out of this one, not even if he got lost. Satisfied with her plotting, Akari easily let the stress from the previous days carry her off to sleep.

Ryouga however was in a different position. This was the first time he was next to a girl who wasn’t Akane who knew he was a boy. He could not believe the hentai thoughts passing through his mind as he felt her body pressing against his. Then he remembered what she had said and how he had responded. He had nodded and that meant he had given his assent. That meant that he had to marry Akari. It was the honourable thing to do and it wasn’t like he did not want to marry her, it was just…

For the first time in his life he now realised why Ranma never said yes to any of his fiancees or Ryouga thought he knew why Ranma never did in any case. If Ranma had said yes to any of them, then he would have to marry them and Ryouga knew something then sleeping next to Akari that he did not know a couple of minutes ago. He was not ready for marriage! He was in no way ready for marriage!

The idea of settling down to the same house all the time scared him a little. He had never much cared for a home after his fight with Ranma and he never really cared if he did get home or not most of the time. It was fun being able to travel and although it got lonely, at least it was never that boring since there was always some action somewhere.

Marriage…

Well, it wouldn’t be that bad would it?

He looked down on her serene face and tried to tell her that he wanted to wait. Even while she was asleep he couldn’t force the words out of his mouth. He sighed softly. Just what was he supposed to do? Strangely enough he found himself wanting to talk to Ranma. He might be an insensitive, lying, dishonourable idiot but at least he knew more about women. Maybe he would be able to give some advice on handling the situation. Then again if Ranma could handle four, surely he could handle just one.

The hand across his chest tightened its hold more. Or maybe one was one too many?

 

************

Ryouga awoke to the smell of food. He actually walked in a straight line from the bedroom to the kitchen and Akari was amazed as he entered and sat down on the table while she cooked. The food was in the last stages of being prepared and Ryouga found himself assaulted by a huge plate of rations. The war was quickly over as a famished Ryouga totally consumed the whole plate in a matter of seconds to Akari’s pleasure.

"How was it?" she asked.

"Wonderful," he replied and pat his stomach then again anything he ate after one of his excursions tasted wonderful. He didn't say that though. Akari smiled and then picked up the trash to put in the compost heap. She was struggling with it and Ryouga couldn’t bear to watch.

"Let me help," he offered and took the bag from her.

He was out of Akari’s sight for two seconds when Akari remembered how directionally challenged he could be.

She ran to the door and shouted his name. No one answered. She almost knocked herself out by hitting her head against the wall. How could she have been so careless? She vowed that next time she would tie a chain from his neck to her little finger so he would not get lost. Then she would make him hers. All that remained were the preparations. She knew she could get her grandfather’s permission. That was not a problem and if it was well there were ways of making him give her his permission. She might be a timid girl but she certainly was not helpless.

 

Akane helped Ranma as they packed up the gear for the trek back home. This time though, she was prepared to lug most of the stuff all the way home. Ranma intended on getting some training done and she had complied. He had been disappearing sometimes into the forest to train alone but he had always given her something to do while he was gone.

Ranma had his back on his back as he walked up to her, then suddenly he jumped and Akane felt an extra weight on her back.

"Ranma!" she shouted.

"No shouting," he instructed. "Now the sooner you get moving the less training I’ll have for you when you get home and the more likely I’ll visit you in your room."

Akane smirked but began running. "You mean if I’ll visit you in your room."

Ranma didn’t reply to that, he only tapped her on the head telling her that she was moving too slowly.

**********

 

"They are on the move Lord."

"Good, send your daughter, it is time."

"Yes, it is time."