If people want dialogue and humor...go read Shrink in Law.

III. Sakura

Tokyo, Japan

Tsumori Ranma was only twenty-nine years old but already he was one of the most influential people in Tokyo's business and financial world. He was one of the top investment bankers in Japan, a businessman who had the smarts, the connections, the handsome looks that made people want to be seen with him, and the innate sense of knowing what strings to pull. If two companies wanted to merge together, Ranma was the man to go to. If advice was needed, Ranma was sought out. There was no one in the industry who did not know Tsumori Ranma's name. He was by far the most competent, most popular investment banker, and everyone knew it.

One of Ranma's ways of getting to know people in the industry was to host cocktail parties. The social gatherings always took place at the Imperial Hotel and were the hottest ticket in Tokyo. Everyone longed for the coveted invitations. Not only did Ranma use these events to promote relationships between the power players of the world of business and finance, he used them as a way of getting to know those around him so he could gauge their strengths and weaknesses. Tonight was one of those anticipated nights only this time, there was one slight difference. It was a cocktail-slash-engagement party.

"Ranma, I'm nervous." Sakura whispered as they walked down the hallway. They were about to make their grand entrance in the ballroom, to announce to the two hundred or so people in there about their engagement. Ranma looked down at his fiancée, who was biting her glossed red lips.

"Don't be. They're going to love you."

"How do you know?"

Ranma stopped walking and turned to face Sakura. I'm the luckiest man in the world, he thought as he looked at his beautiful fiancée. Dressed in gold lace Chanel with her auburn hair swept up into a sleek chignon, Sakura was the picture of elegance. Except for that little nervous tic of hers to chew her bottom lip.

Putting a finger to her lips, Ranma said, "If you keep biting your lips, you're going to get lipstick smeared all over your teeth."

"It's gloss, Ranma."

"Whatever. They're both used for the lips."

Sakura giggled.

"That's more like it. Smile, laugh, be yourself and you'll charm everyone within the vicinity, baby. Ready?"

Sakura took a deep breath. "Ready."

Together, they walked into the ballroom. The room, which previously had been buzzing with noise from conversations, fell silent as soon as the couple entered. But as quickly as it fell quiet the people in the room once again resumed talking, only this time in hushed whispers.

"Who's that woman with Tsumori-san?"

"She's beautiful!"

"Oh they make a great-looking couple."

"Ladies and gentlemen!" Ranma's voice called out. The quiet chattering instantly died down as everyone turned their attention to the host. "Welcome to another party, another social gathering of the year. But tonight, it's not just a gala. Tonight is a very special night, not only for me, but for the woman standing beside me." Ranma paused to survey the crowd gathered before him, making sure he still had their attention. Satisfied, he continued. "Tonight is an engagement party, and I am pleased to announce that it is between me and a very special lady. Everyone, meet my fiancée, Kinomoto Sakura."

There was a loud burst of applause as Ranma announced the last part. Congratulations were shouted and people rushed up to greet the newly engaged couple. Sakura, new to these situations, smiled shyly as she pressed herself closer to Ranma.

"Darling," she whispered, "I think I'm going to go find people I know."

"Go ahead." Ranma gave her an encouraging smile as she excused herself from the group of people and left to find Naoko, who she knew was there. But as she circled the grand ballroom, Sakura found herself being accosted by so many people who congratulated her and fawned over her.

"Congratulations, Kinomoto-san."

"Oh you are so lucky, Kinomoto-san, to have nabbed one of the top bachelors around!"

"You must be the happiest woman alive, Kinomoto-san."

"You and Tsumori-san make such a beautiful couple!"

"Thank you, thank you," Sakura murmured with a smile forcibly plastered to her face. She tried to stand discreetly on her tiptoes so she could see above the crowd but found it hard as everybody's attention was on her. Trapped in by the crowd, Sakura suddenly felt claustrophobic. Feeling her lungs close up and her vision swim, she opened her mouth to ask a man to repeat his question when a hand gripped her arm strongly and began pulling her out of the mass of people. Turning to her savior, Sakura almost wept with relief when she saw that it was Naoko, who spotted her in the crowd of fancily dressed people and began steering her toward the exit to the gardens. When they were finally out of the hotel and in its tranquil gardens, Naoko led her toward a bench under a large, blossoming cherry blossom tree, where two other women sat.

"Sakura-chan!" They cried as they spotted Naoko leading the dazed guest of honor toward the fragrant tree.

"Give her some recovery time, will you?" Naoko snapped as she sat Sakura down on the cold stone bench. The two other women fell silent as Naoko began to gently pat Sakura's cheeks.

"Sakura? Are you alright?"

"What? Oh, yes I'm fine." Sakura said weakly. Breathing deeply, she bent over and put her face in her hands.

"God," she groaned, "if I knew that marrying such a prominent figure in Tokyo's business world would mean making a damn social debut, I would have said no!"

The other women laughed. "Oh Sakura-chan," one of them said gently, "if you truly love someone you'd do anything for them." A breeze rustled Terada Rika's short, chin-length bob as her large, liquid brown eyes twinkled. "That's what my husband told me when I told him my dad wanted to meet him."

Laughter rang out again. "Rika-chan," Sakura said, "if there's a perfect couple in this world it's you and Terada-san."

"Thanks, Sakura," the woman with her blonde hair pulled into a ponytail said sarcastically, "thanks."

"Oh Chiharu you and Takashi are cute too." Sakura added.

"The problem with you two is that you constantly beat him up." Naoko said flatly.

"What would you do if your husband lies every time he opens his mouth?" Yamazaki Chiharu snapped. "It's not like I have much of a choice!"

"Duct tape his mouth."

"I tried."

The four women giggled. "Marriage bliss, huh? Hey Naoko, when are you going to experience that, huh?"

Naoko snorted. "Me? Married? Don't shit me."

"Ah c'mon, Naoko-chan, every girl dreams of her Prince Charming."

"I don't."

"What the hell's wrong with you?" Chiharu snapped. "Are you lesbian or what?"

Naoko rolled her eyes. "I'm asexual."

The women laughed at her response.

"Okay you know what, it's not me you should be worrying about. Sakura's engaged!" Naoko squealed uncharacteristically.

"Right."

"Where are you guys getting married?"

"Cayman Islands, and honeymoon in Europe."

"Oh Takashi and I have a flat in Paris that you two can take on your honeymoon. Great views, very private." Chiharu winked at Sakura, who blushed.

"Chiharu, stop it!" Rika commanded. "Why are you so vulgar all the time?" Frowning at Chiharu as she smoothed out her skirt, Rika turned to Sakura. "Who's designing the dress?" she asked, her face completely devoid of the previous disapproval she had shown Chiharu.

"I'm going to call this new Japanese designer. I'm asking her to design the bridesmaids' dresses too, which you two will wear!"

"Really?" Rika sighed.

"Oh thank you, Sakura-chan!" Chiharu squealed as she threw her arms around her friend.

"When are you calling her?" Naoko asked.

"Tomorrow."

That was just a short little teaser. Tomoyo makes her entrance next chapter. I just started spring break so hopefully I'll update faster...