Disclaimer: Rumiko Takahashi, Viz and Kitty own Ranma.
Rating: Pg-13
A/N: I've been procrastinating like crazy and I guess it's because I knew if I wrote the first part to the wedding I'd have to write the second part too, then there'd be the epilogue. I guess I'm dealing with some closure issues. The fic is so close to being done, I want to word it just write but I doubt I can. It's all in my head, now if only I can put it onto paper. School's been tough too and it (sadly) has to come first. If you want to email me you can at tiney_panda@hotmail.com Please, no flames. Thanks for reading!
***
"The backbone of surprise is fusing speed with secrecy." Von Clausewitz (1780-1831)
***
Akane sat down on one of the folding chairs set out in row upon row of her backyard. She didn't know why there were so many chairs, only family was invited. It was too hurried of a wedding to have anyone important come and only the bare necessities were present: cake, a few gifts, a few guests as witnesses. She was glad it was a western wedding and not traditional, she didn't know why but she felt like a small rock was lifted from the heavy boulder on her back at this point.
People in town had been whispering all day about it, how Akane was finally getting married and how cute she and Suru looked. When she was gone though, out of earshot, she knew they all talked of how quickly and easily she had gotten over Ranma's death, how unremorseful and odd it was. Everyone had a different opinion though. Some thought she was brave to go on with her life after someone so important to her left suddenly after just returning, others thought it disgusting and vulgar that she would rush into marriage with such indelicacy of what was at stake. The people who knew her best, her friends from high school and college, knew the truth and were crushed. They knew she was running and that no matter how hard he tried Suru would never live up to her expectations.
She sighed heavily and sunk deeper into the chair. The plastic dug into her skin and she pulled herself up instantaneously. A reaction, when she was in pain she would bolt just like any other person. She rotated her head and settled on staring at the podium where someone would sign her off today, let her be with someone she would love and adore for the rest of her life. Akane let her head drop and started at the dewy grass, she had betrayed marriage. She tried to shrug off the feeling as someone called from inside the house.
"Akane? Akane, where are you? We need to get you in your dress soon, look at the time!" She heard Kasumi's familiar voice chant.
"I'm coming." Akane muttered. She kicked the leg of the chair and walked slowly over to the porch. Kasumi came outside to greet her and studied Akane's sad face.
"This is your day, Akane. You're very lucky, please smile." Kasumi waited for an answer and Akane tried to grin. Kasumi nodded and reached for her arm to guide her in.
"My day . . ." Akane whispered almost inaudibly. Kasumi stopped her and put a hand on each of her shoulders.
"Only if you want it to be," she said distantly, looking past Akane and into the backyard, "only if you want it to be."
***
One Hour Later
Suru clasped his hands in front of him as the music started to play. He was beside the priest and on each side had people in their best gowns and tuxedoes waiting for the person he had been waiting for all his life. He wasn't worried but confident, he knew she would realize what to do. She had always been able to handle herself but it killed him he couldn't help move her in the right direction. Truth be told he didn't really know what the right direction was, he just knew he wanted her. It was so simple he wondered how things could get so complicated.
Now the music was starting and the red carpet leading up to the podium was soon going to fill with the delicate footsteps of his future bride. He couldn't wait and every second felt like an hour.
Time was an odd thing to him, it had always had no bearing but at this point, he couldn't wait another second. He had always been quite patient and part of martial arts was waiting for the opportune moment to strike. If he ever went on a walk to china or the bathroom, he couldn't say how long he'd be gone. All he'd know was where he wanted to be and the fact that he would someday get there contented him.
There was a lot on his mind right now; he was most worried about the guests. Not the bulk of them but a select few made him furrow his eyebrow. There were many spiteful people in this town from Akane and Ryoga's paths and he didn't want anything to spoil the most precious moment of their lives. He had hired security to guard the perimeter in hopes that it would be enough but he couldn't be sure, he could never be sure. If this would just be over with it would be a lot easier to get along with life.
All they needed was this one thing to speed up and for the rest of their lives everything else could be in slow motion for all he cared, as long as that motion included Akane.
A wise man once said good things come to those who wait and Ryoga had done his fair share of waiting! If only he'd known how things would turn out when he was younger, he wouldn't have wasted so much time with other things like Ranma. People just don't mean as much as they used to when you're so close to getting what you want. Maybe he didn't necessarily have to have her but Akane was his life.
People had always thought of him as either an idiot or a hero, nothing in- between, but he figured he was somewhere in the middle. He knew there was a lot more to him than what everyone said and he wanted to finally prove that. Ryoga guessed that once he had Akane it would be proof that he could get something everyone wanted, he was the one she chose to be with forever, he won. It made him seem like a real jerk and he tried to explain to himself just what he meant. She had meant everything to him since the day she first came into view. She may not have known it but he had fallen head over heels the moment he laid eyes on her. She could never feel the same for directionless, dimwitted Ryoga, but calm, sweet Suru was exactly what the doctor ordered.
He hated thinking of what he was doing as tricking her; she had always been so good to him. The first day they went out, he was going to tell her the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, but then she started to really trust Suru, depend on him for a dose of good ol' fashion life. If she found out the truth, he was afraid all that she would leave after running as fast as her legs would carry her would be fresh footprints and dust rising and falling through the wind.
"Don't you worry Akane, take your time, we've got forever." Suru said knowing full well he was as confused as ever and breathed out as the unfamiliar music chimed onward.
***
Akane stepped out of the sliding doors and onto the carpet only to look up and fall back at the sight in front of her. Every chair that she had scoffed at now occupied townsfolk, even some stood waiting in anticipation some seeming more excited by the wedding than she felt. She followed her gaze to the bride built expertly over the koi pond and the carpet that trailed over it like a track leading to the finish line. She saw flower petals glazed over every chair and had to fight back the tears at the effort put into making this her day, her special, spectacular day.
As her gaze moved on she saw the maid of honor, Nabiki, with a grin slapped on her face that Akane could not decipher as being real or fake. She next saw the priest, an odd old man with glasses tipping over his nose and suddenly flopping onto the book in front of him. He gingerly picked them up, held them to the air for inspection and put them back on. He looked up to her for a moment and then rolled his eyes to his left. He followed his stare and looked to the man smiling in front of her, the wonderful sweet man that seemed to get closer and closer. She stared down at her feet and realized she had been walking up the rows and honing in on her destination. She was almost up at the podium and felt her heart skip a beat as she stepped into place hearing an imaginary sound like the slam of a game piece on its final pounce.
Suru grasped her hands and smiled, "This is going to be great."
***
Nearing the end of the nuptials, the old priest reached a most important part, "If anyone here knows of any reason these two should not be held in holy matrimony then speak now or forever hold your peace."
Ranma's head sank as he tried to calm himself. He watched her up there, grasping onto the bouquet as if it were her lifeline and scanning the crowd every so often to most likely look for him. She wouldn't catch his eye though; he was in the back row and next to a large, teary-eyed old woman on either side. As they blew their noses in unison they wriggled in their seats and pushed him into all sorts of uncomfortable positions but none as unimaginable as the one he would be in if he did something right now. She had to decide.
He had decided, it was her decision and if he did break it up then he would never know if she'd actually go through with this farce of a wedding. He needed, yearned to know if she would betray him. Of course, he had made her believe he was dead but that shouldn't make her want Suru! He was the same piggy that he'd always been just with a better mask.
Suddenly the obvious happened, a loud bang sounded and a lone figure silhouetted in the smoke of a small smoke bomb. Everyone in the audience coughed as far as it could reach its gray-gloved hands. A silhouette appeared of a man and his weapon, a long stick used for Kendo.
"My dear, sweet Akane, too long has it been since thou hast graced my existence. Please, give up this mongrel and take thy heart on lifted wings!" Kuno Tatawaki cried over the murmuring crowd. A few people sighed in relief; others laughed but most knew it was inevitable.
"Get him out of here," Suru said furiously, "he's not in his right mind!" Kuno jumped closer and was face to face with his foe.
Akane gasped and backed away as the priest sighed and looked down as his book again only to find his glasses again fall and graze the smoke ridden pages of the book. He lifted them into the air again and surveyed the dust. He reached into one of the pockets of his robes and pulled out a small bottle of cool water to take all the dirt off his specks. As he went to dab some on Kasumi tripped and fell into the man whose water bottle's content flew over the podium and onto the two unsuspecting victims. Kuno and Suru both looked to their side as the water came inch-by-inch, closer to their faces. They tried to shield themselves but could not.
"Squee!"
A/N: I know, I know, short chapter but the second part'll come real soon! What do you think'll happen? Moreover, do you think Kasumi trip on purpose or by mistake? Hmmm . . .
And now . . .
(drum roll please)
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
My drum roll rules.
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
This drum roll is longer and unannounced. Ooh. Ahh
REVIEWING REVIEWS!
dogbertcarroll: An accident eh?
Imagi chan: Thanks for thinking it's cute!:D
ka_chan: Hey, I'm sorry my two week thing didn't work but deadlines scare me lol
Blanket: Thanks! You think he won't answer the question eh?
Tyverius: I'm sorry to lose a reader but you have to understand that I'm in serious revamp mode. Thanks for the compliment on my spelling and grammar because that's what I thought was my weakest link! Next time you read a story though, please read harder or farther for answers before criticizing! Most f your questions could be answered with reading the chapters harder. Thanks for your input and I'll fix the things you mentioned!
Christine: Thanks for explaining but I doubt Tyverius will check the reviews lol! Ryoga was never put in the situation that would trigger his curse i.e. his no water or swimming excuse along with many others I haven't written that are plausible. Yes, I'm sorry I took so long!!! But the new one will come real soon!
Erie: Where's the review?
Quirky Cellist: Ah advertising! And shameless only makes it better!
Lady Mokodane: Thanks very much! What did you think of the rest?
A/N: Review my story or I might forget to write the next chapter! Next chapter hopefully up soon!
Rating: Pg-13
A/N: I've been procrastinating like crazy and I guess it's because I knew if I wrote the first part to the wedding I'd have to write the second part too, then there'd be the epilogue. I guess I'm dealing with some closure issues. The fic is so close to being done, I want to word it just write but I doubt I can. It's all in my head, now if only I can put it onto paper. School's been tough too and it (sadly) has to come first. If you want to email me you can at tiney_panda@hotmail.com Please, no flames. Thanks for reading!
***
"The backbone of surprise is fusing speed with secrecy." Von Clausewitz (1780-1831)
***
Akane sat down on one of the folding chairs set out in row upon row of her backyard. She didn't know why there were so many chairs, only family was invited. It was too hurried of a wedding to have anyone important come and only the bare necessities were present: cake, a few gifts, a few guests as witnesses. She was glad it was a western wedding and not traditional, she didn't know why but she felt like a small rock was lifted from the heavy boulder on her back at this point.
People in town had been whispering all day about it, how Akane was finally getting married and how cute she and Suru looked. When she was gone though, out of earshot, she knew they all talked of how quickly and easily she had gotten over Ranma's death, how unremorseful and odd it was. Everyone had a different opinion though. Some thought she was brave to go on with her life after someone so important to her left suddenly after just returning, others thought it disgusting and vulgar that she would rush into marriage with such indelicacy of what was at stake. The people who knew her best, her friends from high school and college, knew the truth and were crushed. They knew she was running and that no matter how hard he tried Suru would never live up to her expectations.
She sighed heavily and sunk deeper into the chair. The plastic dug into her skin and she pulled herself up instantaneously. A reaction, when she was in pain she would bolt just like any other person. She rotated her head and settled on staring at the podium where someone would sign her off today, let her be with someone she would love and adore for the rest of her life. Akane let her head drop and started at the dewy grass, she had betrayed marriage. She tried to shrug off the feeling as someone called from inside the house.
"Akane? Akane, where are you? We need to get you in your dress soon, look at the time!" She heard Kasumi's familiar voice chant.
"I'm coming." Akane muttered. She kicked the leg of the chair and walked slowly over to the porch. Kasumi came outside to greet her and studied Akane's sad face.
"This is your day, Akane. You're very lucky, please smile." Kasumi waited for an answer and Akane tried to grin. Kasumi nodded and reached for her arm to guide her in.
"My day . . ." Akane whispered almost inaudibly. Kasumi stopped her and put a hand on each of her shoulders.
"Only if you want it to be," she said distantly, looking past Akane and into the backyard, "only if you want it to be."
***
One Hour Later
Suru clasped his hands in front of him as the music started to play. He was beside the priest and on each side had people in their best gowns and tuxedoes waiting for the person he had been waiting for all his life. He wasn't worried but confident, he knew she would realize what to do. She had always been able to handle herself but it killed him he couldn't help move her in the right direction. Truth be told he didn't really know what the right direction was, he just knew he wanted her. It was so simple he wondered how things could get so complicated.
Now the music was starting and the red carpet leading up to the podium was soon going to fill with the delicate footsteps of his future bride. He couldn't wait and every second felt like an hour.
Time was an odd thing to him, it had always had no bearing but at this point, he couldn't wait another second. He had always been quite patient and part of martial arts was waiting for the opportune moment to strike. If he ever went on a walk to china or the bathroom, he couldn't say how long he'd be gone. All he'd know was where he wanted to be and the fact that he would someday get there contented him.
There was a lot on his mind right now; he was most worried about the guests. Not the bulk of them but a select few made him furrow his eyebrow. There were many spiteful people in this town from Akane and Ryoga's paths and he didn't want anything to spoil the most precious moment of their lives. He had hired security to guard the perimeter in hopes that it would be enough but he couldn't be sure, he could never be sure. If this would just be over with it would be a lot easier to get along with life.
All they needed was this one thing to speed up and for the rest of their lives everything else could be in slow motion for all he cared, as long as that motion included Akane.
A wise man once said good things come to those who wait and Ryoga had done his fair share of waiting! If only he'd known how things would turn out when he was younger, he wouldn't have wasted so much time with other things like Ranma. People just don't mean as much as they used to when you're so close to getting what you want. Maybe he didn't necessarily have to have her but Akane was his life.
People had always thought of him as either an idiot or a hero, nothing in- between, but he figured he was somewhere in the middle. He knew there was a lot more to him than what everyone said and he wanted to finally prove that. Ryoga guessed that once he had Akane it would be proof that he could get something everyone wanted, he was the one she chose to be with forever, he won. It made him seem like a real jerk and he tried to explain to himself just what he meant. She had meant everything to him since the day she first came into view. She may not have known it but he had fallen head over heels the moment he laid eyes on her. She could never feel the same for directionless, dimwitted Ryoga, but calm, sweet Suru was exactly what the doctor ordered.
He hated thinking of what he was doing as tricking her; she had always been so good to him. The first day they went out, he was going to tell her the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, but then she started to really trust Suru, depend on him for a dose of good ol' fashion life. If she found out the truth, he was afraid all that she would leave after running as fast as her legs would carry her would be fresh footprints and dust rising and falling through the wind.
"Don't you worry Akane, take your time, we've got forever." Suru said knowing full well he was as confused as ever and breathed out as the unfamiliar music chimed onward.
***
Akane stepped out of the sliding doors and onto the carpet only to look up and fall back at the sight in front of her. Every chair that she had scoffed at now occupied townsfolk, even some stood waiting in anticipation some seeming more excited by the wedding than she felt. She followed her gaze to the bride built expertly over the koi pond and the carpet that trailed over it like a track leading to the finish line. She saw flower petals glazed over every chair and had to fight back the tears at the effort put into making this her day, her special, spectacular day.
As her gaze moved on she saw the maid of honor, Nabiki, with a grin slapped on her face that Akane could not decipher as being real or fake. She next saw the priest, an odd old man with glasses tipping over his nose and suddenly flopping onto the book in front of him. He gingerly picked them up, held them to the air for inspection and put them back on. He looked up to her for a moment and then rolled his eyes to his left. He followed his stare and looked to the man smiling in front of her, the wonderful sweet man that seemed to get closer and closer. She stared down at her feet and realized she had been walking up the rows and honing in on her destination. She was almost up at the podium and felt her heart skip a beat as she stepped into place hearing an imaginary sound like the slam of a game piece on its final pounce.
Suru grasped her hands and smiled, "This is going to be great."
***
Nearing the end of the nuptials, the old priest reached a most important part, "If anyone here knows of any reason these two should not be held in holy matrimony then speak now or forever hold your peace."
Ranma's head sank as he tried to calm himself. He watched her up there, grasping onto the bouquet as if it were her lifeline and scanning the crowd every so often to most likely look for him. She wouldn't catch his eye though; he was in the back row and next to a large, teary-eyed old woman on either side. As they blew their noses in unison they wriggled in their seats and pushed him into all sorts of uncomfortable positions but none as unimaginable as the one he would be in if he did something right now. She had to decide.
He had decided, it was her decision and if he did break it up then he would never know if she'd actually go through with this farce of a wedding. He needed, yearned to know if she would betray him. Of course, he had made her believe he was dead but that shouldn't make her want Suru! He was the same piggy that he'd always been just with a better mask.
Suddenly the obvious happened, a loud bang sounded and a lone figure silhouetted in the smoke of a small smoke bomb. Everyone in the audience coughed as far as it could reach its gray-gloved hands. A silhouette appeared of a man and his weapon, a long stick used for Kendo.
"My dear, sweet Akane, too long has it been since thou hast graced my existence. Please, give up this mongrel and take thy heart on lifted wings!" Kuno Tatawaki cried over the murmuring crowd. A few people sighed in relief; others laughed but most knew it was inevitable.
"Get him out of here," Suru said furiously, "he's not in his right mind!" Kuno jumped closer and was face to face with his foe.
Akane gasped and backed away as the priest sighed and looked down as his book again only to find his glasses again fall and graze the smoke ridden pages of the book. He lifted them into the air again and surveyed the dust. He reached into one of the pockets of his robes and pulled out a small bottle of cool water to take all the dirt off his specks. As he went to dab some on Kasumi tripped and fell into the man whose water bottle's content flew over the podium and onto the two unsuspecting victims. Kuno and Suru both looked to their side as the water came inch-by-inch, closer to their faces. They tried to shield themselves but could not.
"Squee!"
A/N: I know, I know, short chapter but the second part'll come real soon! What do you think'll happen? Moreover, do you think Kasumi trip on purpose or by mistake? Hmmm . . .
And now . . .
(drum roll please)
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
My drum roll rules.
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
This drum roll is longer and unannounced. Ooh. Ahh
REVIEWING REVIEWS!
dogbertcarroll: An accident eh?
Imagi chan: Thanks for thinking it's cute!:D
ka_chan: Hey, I'm sorry my two week thing didn't work but deadlines scare me lol
Blanket: Thanks! You think he won't answer the question eh?
Tyverius: I'm sorry to lose a reader but you have to understand that I'm in serious revamp mode. Thanks for the compliment on my spelling and grammar because that's what I thought was my weakest link! Next time you read a story though, please read harder or farther for answers before criticizing! Most f your questions could be answered with reading the chapters harder. Thanks for your input and I'll fix the things you mentioned!
Christine: Thanks for explaining but I doubt Tyverius will check the reviews lol! Ryoga was never put in the situation that would trigger his curse i.e. his no water or swimming excuse along with many others I haven't written that are plausible. Yes, I'm sorry I took so long!!! But the new one will come real soon!
Erie: Where's the review?
Quirky Cellist: Ah advertising! And shameless only makes it better!
Lady Mokodane: Thanks very much! What did you think of the rest?
A/N: Review my story or I might forget to write the next chapter! Next chapter hopefully up soon!