A.N.: Hey guys! I hope you like what is up so far! If not, don't worry—it's going to get better really soon-I know I keep saying that but its true! At least I hope so.... What am I talking about?! Yes—it will be way better! Recently I was shocked to find that my other story wasn't going as well as I had hoped. I feel like I let down all of my readers, but I'm going to try and fix all of the problems and finish it and then I'll put it up all perfect! But it doesn't concern you if you aren't reading that story—this story is going fine I think it's my best one—my first and best. I only have 3 and two are posted. The other one isn't typed. This story is very enjoyable for all of you fans! All of your reviews are valued!! Thank you to those who have reviewed me! don't stop!! Have a nice read... enjoy!

Disclaimer: this story is all mine, but the characters belong to R.T.

Chapter 4: Dinner

The rest of the walk home was very peaceful. It had taken twice as long as usual, however, because the two were taking their time. They walked in to the house and were met by Ryoga, who was apparently waiting for them. "You're late." he said, suspiciously to Ranma. "Oh, I'm sorry, Ryoga. We took our time to look at the cherry blossoms." She said. It was half true, they had taken the long route, which had many cherry blossom trees. As soon as Ryoga saw Akane, he remembered his reason for stopping them at the door and pulled them outside. "Akane, I'm sorry if I acted like a fool, or if I ever did anything that has caused you pain in the past. I apologize, and I would like to congratulate you on your engagement." He smiled. "Oh, Ryoga, you were never a fool. And thank you, it makes me very happy to have your support. I also hear you have agreed to be Ran's best man. It is so nice of you, and thank you for being such a good friend." She bowed and then hugged Ryoga. He was surprised by this, but was happy. "I'm going to go ask Kasumi about dinner, you to can talk if you want." Akane said. She did as she said she would and went inside to inquire about dinner. "Ran?" ryoga said. "Yes, it's what she wants to call me. You can make fun of it, but you'll be beaten to a pulp." He said. "Alright, alright." He said. "Akane and I have decided to go on a trip next week." Ranma said. "We'll probably be gone for the majority of the week. I don't think I want to be around when Shampoo finds out anyway." Ryoga's eyes widened a little. He knew that Shampoo was no fun on a regular basis when she didn't have Ranma, but if and when she finds out, "all hell is going to break loose, you know." He said. "Yes, I do. But, she has her own fiancé. Let her run to him for comfort. At least he'll stop hating me." Ranma said. "Mousse'll not hate you, but Shampoo and the old bag will. I think Happosai might even be upset." "I don't care, they all knew Akane and I were engaged from the get go, so its not my fault." "And what about Ukyo?" Ryoga asked. "She knows. I had to tell her this morning. She was hurt, but she's ok now. I think she's going to come to the party." He said. "What party?" It was Nabiki. She just opened the door to see what Ranma and Ryoga were up to. "What party?" Ryoga asked, trying to throw Nabiki off. "Don't play dumb with me Ryoga. Now tell me Ranma, I heard the word Party, and I want an explanation." She was getting ready to use her interrogative techniques, when a hand appeared on he shoulder, and Akane's voice said "what are you doing, Nabiki? Trying to incriminate them for talking? Hm?" She sounded intimidating. Akane knew how to deal with her sister Nabiki. She only had too many years of this to know how to fight back. "She thinks there's going to be a party." Ryoga said. Nabiki was staring to get mad. She didn't like how everyone was playing dumb. "Fine!" she said, throwing Akane's hand off of her shoulder. "Alright, have your fun, but you three are up to something. I know it! And I'll find out, mark my words, I'm going to find out about whatever it is!" She stormed off and upstairs into her room. The three in the doorway were a little intimidated, but figured 'what could Nabiki do in a single afternoon that could possibly ruin the surprise at dinner?' "Thanks Ryoga" Ranma and Akane said at the same time, and all three stepped back into the house. "What on earth was that all about?" Came Kasumi's voice from the kitchen. "Oh, I don't know. Nabiki is all frazzled up about something." Akane said. "Who knows what she plans to do with her 'experiments.'" Kasumi said. "Ryoga, why don't you help me with dinner. Ranma and Akane, why don't you two work on your homework?" Kasumi said. She was the one who basically treated everyone like they were her children, and she was the mother. She did all of the duties of a mother, ever since her own died years ago. Ryoga said "Coming!" And Ranma and Akane went off to do their homework.

Even though they both worked on their homework in Akane's room, they did it on opposite sides of the table, just incase Nabiki was planning on jumping through the door to catch them at any minute. They worked on their homework, and finished a few minutes before Kasumi called them for dinner. "The moment of truth..." Akane said. "Your sister didn't even do anything. She'll be so mad when she finds out." Ranma said. They both left Akane's room and in the hallway, Akane stopped Ranma before they reached the steps. "When do you want to do this?" She asked. "Well, now is as good a time as any, right?" he asked. Akane nodded and Ranma kissed her forehead reassuringly. She smiled and grabbed his hand. He led them down the stairs.

They walked into the dinning room, their hands still in a tight grip, their hearts beating very fast. When they reached the table, they remained standing, and before anyone could speak, Ranma held up an hand, to silence the unspoken words. "Soun," Ranma said, breaking the silence, "I-I would like to ask for your permission that I have Akane's hand in marriage." Ranma's heart was beating so hard he thought that it would explode. He had said it so many times in his head before, but saying it out loud was totally different. Soun stared at the two, standing there, their hands still clamped together. He had waited for this day for a very long time. He could see all along that, beneath the mask of 'hate' the two put up, they were really in love, and it was only a matter of time before this would happen. Soun also knew that this was how it would happen also. He knew that Ranma was a real gentleman, which meant that he was going to do everything as if they were never betrothed. "Oh, yes certainly." He said. It was startling because he didn't shed a single tear. "It was only a matter of time." He said. Everyone, except Genma opened their mouths in amazement. "You knew all along, even when we didn't know that we were in love?" Akane said. "Well I do know my own daughter, if I can say so myself." Soun said. "Yes, and if I know my son, I'd say he fell head over heels for you the moment he saw you." Genma said. "So, this isn't a surprise?" Ranma said. "Well it is to us!" Kasumi and Nabiki said. "So," Soun started in again, "How long has it been official?" He asked, and all of the attention moved back to the couple. "Just a couple of days." Ranma said. He was really disappointed that their fathers already knew. Of course they were happy, but everything up to now was an act. He and Akane sat at the table. "and I assume that Ryoga already knows, because he isn't shocked at all either." Soun said. Ryoga nodded. "I'm just happy Ranma didn't go and do anything really stupid with any of his 'so called other fiancées.'" Genma said. "Boys will be boys, but im proud that you kept a level head, son." "So, our noble fathers have figured it out, and you two decided to leave us in the dark?" Nabiki was really mad that she wasn't the one who exploited them. "Nabiki, its not like we were leaving you guys out of the loop. We just needed time to ourselves so we could figure everything out." Akane said. "We're telling all of you now. And we have decided to throw a party." Ranma said. Suddenly Kasumi let out a burst of tears. "I can't believe my little sister is all grown up! And she's getting married! Before me! I need a fiancé!!" She was happy for her sister, of course but she was now getting strange ideas about getting old in her head. Perhaps it was really time to move things along with Dr. Tofu. "Aw, now, now Kasumi. Everything will be all right. You'll be married soon enough, but when you do, you can't leave me! I'll be stuck here with Nabiki for meals! She doesn't cook as well as you do!!" Soun was getting sad too. Somehow, when Ranma and Akane planned on telling everyone of their engagement, they thought their fathers would be spreading more tears of joy, and they would be chanting something about the unity of their schools. Suddenly, Genma remembered something about a party. "Did I hear you say something about a party Ranma?" he said. This brought all of the attention back to the happy couple. "Uh, Yeah. We're having an engagement party on Saturday night to celebrate our engagement." Ranma said. "Well we must send out invitations!" Soun said, his attention back on his youngest daughter. "Well, we were thinking of just inviting people in person." Akane said. "Have you invited Dr. Tofu yet Akane?" Kasumi asked with a bit of impatience. "We were going to tomorrow." Akane said. "we wanted to tell you guys first, before we start inviting people to our party." She said. Ranma, following Ryoga's example, started eating. It had been a long day, and Ukyo hadn't given him his usual platter of okonomiyaki. He was starving and he had said what he wanted to say. Since the conversation was not revolving around him anymore, his hunger took over. He was actually dreading telling everyone before dinner, because he feared he would be too uneasy to eat. He thought that there would be a slight chance of yelling, or throwing things, or attacks from Soun or Genma, but then again, they only knew of the engagement. Everyone followed suit and began eating. Soun especially, savored every bite, thinking it would be one of the last of Kasumi's meals he could enjoy. All of a sudden, Genma started wailing. "Its finally sinking in! I always knew this day would come, but its here and I can't believe it! My baby boy is growing up, and getting married,"

"To my baby girl!" Soun finished the sentence. It was apparently sinking in. The two fathers sat sobbing into each other's arms. Eventually after sobbing about their children growing up, and "birds leaving the nest" and what not, they started sobbing over how their martial arts schools were going to be united. Kasumi and Nabiki tried to comfort the two sobbing men, but Ranma and Akane however, started laughing. They were cracking up. Tears were now streaming out of Ranma and Akane's eyes too, because this was what they expected all along from their fathers. It was frightening to see them with calm faces before, but they were relieved now. Ryoga started to laugh as well. However he wasn't laughing at Soun and Genma like Ranma and Akane. He was laughing at Ranma and Akane, who were laughing at Soun and Genma. He saw the family and how they were all reacting to each other. It was really funny. He saw two grown men, and masters of "Anything Goes Martial Arts" Crying in both sorrow and joy. And then he saw the children of the masters laughing at them because of the crying, and the other two children trying to comfort them at the same time. Ryoga couldn't get over the weirdness of the situation, and started laughing because of the irony of it.