I was going to post this as the first couple of chapters to "Behind the Answer," but decided that would require rewriting and moving the other chapters around. I'm currently rewriting "Behind the Answer," but until I get it the way I like it, I thought this fic could work as a stand alone…at least for now. =)
Ranma 1/2 characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi.
Could it be? Prologue
Kasumi addressed the room with her usual quiet strength. "Akane told me about what happened at Jusendo. She told me about how she nearly died, and how it was Ranma's voice that brought her back." Not so much his voice, but a needful plea, a heartfelt confession. "Akane also told me that, despite that fiasco of a wedding," with this she glared at her father, "she thinks that she wants something more from Ranma and from herself." Kasumi thought back to the conversation she had with her sister not too long ago:
"He loves me Kasumi, I heard him say it. He may not have said it out loud, but I swear to you, I heard it, I felt it, somewhere deep inside of me." Akane gripped her skirt tightly. "Before the wedding, when he came to my room, when he asked me why I was marrying him, I wanted to tell him that I love him too, but I couldn't. I wasn't sure. I feel something, I know, but I've never been in love before, how could I know what it feels like? I couldn't tell him I love him, so I got mad instead, and everything, everything was ruined. It was probably good that it never happened anyway. When I get married, I want it to be for love…on both sides." Akane was crying now. "I know the engagement is just an agreement made by our parents, but I think it can be more, I need to know that it can. But I don't know where to begin. How do we start over?
And if we do get to whatever the next step is, who's to say that something won't happen to mess THAT up? Even if we do somehow manage to get married, can you imagine what a circus that would be? Nabiki would probably sell tickets to the honeymoon!"
Kasumi straightened; her posture showed those around her that she meant business. "I think that we should leave Akane and Ranma alone for a little bit, no interfering. This means no more interrupting them when they get two seconds alone together, no more pushing them on each other, and NO MORE SURPRISE WEDDINGS! Let them go at their own pace."
"But Kasumi," Soun interrupted as Genma opened his mouth to interject as well.
"At their own pace," Nodoka echoed, the look in her eyes as sharp as the sword strapped to her back.
A look of contemplation crossed Nabiki's face. Despite all her past actions, she truly wanted Akane to be happy. Why not use her talents to do a little good for others…just this once? Besides, she thought, a catlike grin spreading across her face, I might actually enjoy playing Cupid.