A.N.: Hey readers! I'm sorry I left such a cliffhanger on the last chapter.... I wouldn't have liked it if I didn't know what was happening and I had to wait a week.... I'm so happy that I have a little following... thank you so much for sticking with this story! I am really flattered that I get such great reviews! (Not one flame on this story) I'm really excited, and you know- your reviews help me write because I know I have your support!! If you have any suggestions also.... I wrote this story over the summer, and I kind of left it at a drama filled point unable to continue. I mean, I'm really scared that I'll mess up and disappoint! How could I forgive myself if I did that... but I'm trying and I've gotten a couple of paragraphs written, but I think I might need more encouragement or something to push me to work hard. I don't want to stall you from reading! This chapter is great if I say so myself, so enjoy and be sure to tell me what you think! And now- the chapter you've all been waiting for!!!

Disclaimer: This story is mine, but the characters are Rumiko's!!

Chapter 7: The Party

The walk home on Saturday afternoon was lovely. It was a beautiful spring afternoon, and Ranma and Akane decided to take their time. The sun was shining, and it was warm. "These are perfect weather conditions for the party." Akane said. "Yes, and for our trip tomorrow." Ranma said. They were holding hands and smiling. "Just imagine, Ranma. We're going to be a married couple soon, and we still have one more year of high school." Akane said. "Yeah, that is a little shocking if you look at it from the outside, but I love you too much to wait. I want to be married to you. I want to call you my wife, and I'll be so happy to know you are. I must be the luckiest man in the entire universe." "Yes, I want nothing more than to call you husband. Sure fiancé is lovely, for now." Akane said. "Hm... the wedding is in two months. Two whole months... that is perfect. It's not too long to wait, but it's not too soon either. It's perfect." Ranma swooped down and planted a kiss on Akane's lips. She found it most welcome, and she was filled with happiness. "Oh Ranma, I can't tell you how happy I am now that I have you. You complete me. You're my soul mate. I love you so much." She captured him in another deep kiss. There they were, standing in the sunshine on a beautiful spring day, holding each other, and absorbed completely in one another.

They arrived at the Tendo Training Hall a little while later, holding hands. They didn't care who saw them, it was all right, but there was one rule that they had to obey. Their fathers set it in order to "keep the peace" in the house. Ranma and Akane were to live in the house until they graduated high school, and they were to sleep in their own rooms during that time. They found it really unfair, being that they would be married in two months. However, their fathers did say that they could sleep in one room one condition. That was if Ranma agreed to be a girl during that time. It was going to be hard to be married and be forced to live like plain old housemates if Ranma were to keep his pride as a man, but there were ways around this little rule. They would eventually figure it out, nut for now, they agreed. Besides, they saw each other all the time. It would be nice if they spent every second of everyday together, but a little time alone is also good. Although they were in the deepest of love, it would be moving a little too fast to just drop everything and commit themselves 100 to each other. The amount of time they spent together now, was good. They weren't married yet, and this was a good reminder. It brought them back to reality if they ever got too carried away.

"Kasumi," Akane said, entering the kitchen, "Are you cooking dinner for everyone tonight?" Akane asked. "Well, there is going to be a lot of snack food, but I figure, these people are going to be very hungry." Kasumi said with a smile. "Wow, Kasumi, you really know how to please a crowd." Ranma said, following Akane in. "Are you sure there's enough food? A lot of people are going to come." "Oh yes, and I even have my helper with me. He should be out back setting the table. Would you two mind seeing if he needs any help?" She asked. "Oh sure, Kasumi. I really can't thank you enough for what you are doing for us!" Akane said. She left and pulled Ranma by the forearm. "Lets go. Maybe Ryoga needs our help?" She said and they went out to the back yard, where the majority of the party was going to take place. They found Ryoga placing plastic ware and plates on the long table. There was no wind, so nothing was in danger of blowing away. "Hey, Ryoga, do you need any help?" Ryoga looked up at them. "Oh hey, um yeah sure, I just got started. I got lost on my way out here." He said. "I'll help Ryoga!" Ranma said, only too fast. "Um, Akane, this doesn't look too hard, so I think we can handle it. Maybe Kasumi has something else you can do for her?" Ranma said. "Oh, okay. You boys have fun now. I'll be inside then." She said and left with a smile.

"That was a little hasty." Ryoga said. "I didn't think you were that eager to help, and you wanted to help me of all people. Something's up." Ryoga said with a sly look. "You are definitely up to something..." "Well, I figure, she can help her sister, and they can do some girly bonding and stuff." Ranma said. "That's mighty considerate of you." Ryoga said raising his eyebrows. "Now tell me, what's really up?" He caught Ranma now. Girly bonding? He was going to have to come up with a better excuse to get his fiancée out of the area than girly bonding. "Well, the thing is, Ryoga, Akane and I are taking a trip tomorrow." Ranma said fessing up. He didn't look guilty of something, he looked nervous. "Yes, you and Akane are going on a trip..." Ryoga said repeating Ranma's words. "Yeah, and we'll be gone for the majority of the week." Ranma said blushing. It was definitely embarrassment. No doubt about it. Ranma never blushed. "You guys will be gone for most of next week..." Ryoga repeated. This was really starting to annoy Ranma. "Yeah, we're going on a trip, and we'll be gone for most of next week and...and..." he was having a hard time spitting it out. "And?" Ryoga asked moving his arm in an impatient manner, trying to irk Ranma enough to spit it out. He was growing redder with every passing second. "What is it already?!" He shouted in agitation. "And I'm taking Akane to meet my mother." Ranma said. He still looked like there was more to it. "Is that it?" Ryoga asked. "Um no, there's more." "I'm not standing around here for my beauty! What are you trying to say?!" Ryoga's patience was almost gone. If Ranma didn't say it soon, he was going to force it out of him. He was actually interested in this conversation. What was Ranma going to do with Akane up at his house? Surely it wasn't anything bad or inappropriate. Ranma wouldn't waste Ryoga's time with that. "I'm going to give her an engagement ring." Ranma said finally. "Oh," Ryoga said. This was interesting indeed. He wasn't one for talks of weddings, especially with Ranma, who was going to marry the girl he really did love, but it was nice knowing that talking about Akane really made him nervous. He was happy that Ranma cared about her this much. He cared about her enough to freak out about an engagement ring. He didn't even have to worry about popping the question. "So, this ring..." "Now that, Ryoga, you will find out later." Ranma said. He was quickly regaining his usual essence. "So then why did you start telling me about this in the first place?" Ryoga was now getting annoyed again. "Well, I wanted your help planning it. All I know is love. I'm not very romantic." "Well then why the hell are you asking me?! I hate Romance! Why would I even make an effort? And for you? No way!" "But don't you have any ideas?" He said pleadingly. "Well, if I was you, I would do it at night. When your mom isn't around. Maybe under the moon even. I think the middle of next week is the full moon." "That's a great idea! Ryoga-see this is why you are the best man! Because you are perfect for helping me out! Thanks!" Ranma was a little embarrassed he had to ask Ryoga for help, but he was too in love to think about anything else. The only thing in front of him was a simple task. He now had an idea to work off of to plan how this task would be accomplished. "Now, can we please, please set this table?" Ryoga said, bringing Ranma back to reality. Ranma nodded and they set the rest of the giant table.

Akane washed some dishes for her eldest sister while talking about girly things. Kasumi expressed her jealousy and her wishes that she had a fiancé of her own. Akane gave her words of encouragement, and they had lots of fun. After the dishes were done, and Ranma and Ryoga reported back for more orders, Kasumi suggested that the "Couple of Honor" get ready. She kept Ryoga at her side, and asked him to chop up some vegetables. Kasumi washed them because vegetables require cleaning in cold water, and she had inkling of why P-Chan always "got lost" when Ryoga was around.

Meanwhile, Ranma and Akane went up to Akane's room. She had been keeping her dress, and his outfit in her closet. They both changed and stood amazed at how fantastic they looked together. Akane was wearing a beautiful black dress. It was knee length, and sleeveless. The material had a beautiful Japanese texture and hugged her every curve. There were beads around the neckline and bottom. "You look stunning." Ranma said, gaping at her. She smiled and blushed. "That's why I didn't show you. I wanted it to be a surprise!" She said. "Now you, on the other hand. Mr. Saotome, You look absolutely dashing." She said. He was wearing a black shirt with short sleeves. The material of the shirt matched with that of Akane's dress perfectly. "This is the first time I've ever seen you wear real pants, I think. And oh my god! Look at those shoes! Haha I think I have a real Gentleman on my hands here." She smiled and smoothed out the collar of his shirt. It was very tight, so his muscular form was more noticeable than usual. She liked this.

"I can't tell you how happy I am with this weather." Ranma said. "I'm happy I don't have to be worried if its going to rain or not." Ranma said. "I can't wait to find a cure for this stupid curse." Ranma said. "Well, its only physical." Akane said, trying to cheer him up a bit. "I mean, you're still you, in any form you have. And I fell in love with you. So no matter who you are, or what you look like, I will always love you." She pulled her fiancé down for a kiss. The depth of her words hit him, and he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against him. She stood tiptoed, her chest and stomach resting on his. After a minute they pulled apart to breathe. "You always say just the thing I need to hear." He said. "Yes, and you always hold me when I need to be held." She put her shoes on, and did her hair and make-up. Ranma sat on her bed, watching her. He loved the gentleness of her hands, and the way her body moved when she fixed little pins in her hair. By the time she finished, the sun started setting, and the first guests were arriving.

Ranma and Akane made their way downstairs to greet the first guests. They were Doctor Tofu, and Ukyo. They had both dressed up and had to convince many people that they arrived at the same time by chance, and were not together. Soun and Genma were the official greeters, and Nabiki was the more active hostess. Kasumi was the less active hostess because she was in the kitchen. Doctor Tofu was quick to find her there and ask if her could be of any assistance. She was only too happy to accept, and Ryoga was forced to go "elsewhere." Ryoga decided to sit with Ukyo, to make her less uncomfortable, but failing. They started an awkward conversation, and were relieved when Ranma and Akane joined them a few moments later.

"You guys look so nice!" Ukyo said. "Oh, thank you Ukyo! You look very nice as well." Akane said. "And this is definitely a first-Ranma's wearing real pants!" Ukyo said with more enthusiasm. Ranma smiled and blushed at this. "Is this your doing Akane?" Ryoga said skeptically. "Well, yes and no." Ranma said. "Akane suggested I wear pants, and I wanted to because they look nice." "And you look nice in them." Akane said smiling. "Yes he does!" Ukyo said, momentarily forgetting that Ranma was going to be married to Akane, and she was sitting at his engagement party. "Oh, I'm sorry! Of course Akane is allowed to compliment your pants, but it is not my place! I'm sorry, please forgive me." Ranma was blushing more, and Akane answered for him. "It's alright, Ukyo. He's still your friend, and I give you permission to compliment Ran any time!" she said chuckling. The girls smiled and blushed and started giggling. Ryoga never had patience for giggling, but there was something about Ukyo that caught his eye. 'Of course!' he thought. 'She's going through the same thing I am! She's had her heart broken too.' He saw her in a new light now. She was a girl in pain, but she was awkwardly trying to hide it in front of the people who caused it. Ryoga found it impressive that she was trying to be their friend. Well, he was doing the same thing, so he understood. "Um, Ryoga?" She was looking at him. "Yes?" He said jumping out of his daze. "Are you alright? Akane and I were joking about your outfit, and we noticed you didn't react. Are you okay?" 'Wow! She's concerned about me!' He thought, and smiled. "Oh, were you? Well, I'm sorry to say since I am a guest here, I don't have any dress pants, and as a matter of fact I don't have any dress pants at home either." He realized with a frown. "I would have gone out to buy some, but I have the worst sense of direction, and Akane's sisters were too busy. Its okay, I don't find them necessary." "Well, I do! You're going to need some for the wedding right? Well, even if you don't, every man needs a good pair of dress pants for all occasions! I'll take you." She said with a smile. "You would do that? For me? Thank you! That's so great!" He was beaming. Maybe Ukyo was his chance at recovery. He could get over his loss, and she could get over hers. Maybe this was why she was being so nice. "Well, is nice to help a friend in need." She said more seriously.

More guests had arrived now. Some of them were from the school, and some were people from town. Ryoga and Ukyo sat talking on the couch for a while, not noticing the new party members. Doctor Tofu and Kasumi were working in the kitchen chatting jovially, and Nabiki started flirting with the high school boys. Akane and Ranma took over the position of hostess and host, and were greeting the newcomers. The amount of compliments they received was innumerable. They were so happy, you couldn't take the smile off of their faces with a crow bar. Soun and Genma assumed the roles of the happy fathers of the bride and groom, and sat chatting with many people.

By the time everyone arrived, dinner was being served and there were just enough seats outside. The large table was lit by candles and it's was relatively warm. It was perfect. The party members toasted to a long, healthy, prosperous marriage, with lots of love "and babies!" one of the people shouted and everyone laughed and cheered. "We would also like to say something." Ranma said to the crowd. "Its not babies is it?" one of the crazy people said. "Haha, no, no, we've decided on a date! Akane and I are going to get married in exactly two months from now! And you're all invited!" There were more cheers, and Ranma sat back down. Ryoga and Ukyo sat together, sitting across from Ranma and Akane. Soun and Genma commanded one end of the table, and Kasumi and Doctor Tofu commanded the other. The food was delicious. It started to get a bit chilly, and everyone went inside. There were about thirty people, and they all stood talking and laughing. Cheers and "congratulations!" followed the couple of honor. All of a sudden the front door burst open.

Ranma protectively covered Akane, hugging her to him and pinning her against the wall so she was safe from all harm. He had expected this. He had expected there to be some sort of "disturbance." "So she finally found out." Ryoga said. He was protectively covering Ukyo too. "Yeah, I was wondering when she'd do this." Ranma said. He was a bit agitated that she had to bring all of her trouble to Akane's house during their engagement party.

He looked around. She was standing in the doorway, her hair disheveled, her eyes red and her cheeks wet. She was holding her spear and had a look to kill.

"Is it true? You choose silly girl over me, Ranma?" She was eyeing him. Her eyes dropped to Akane, who was being held so tightly in his arms. "Yes, Shampoo." He said. His expression was quite different from what she was used to. Usually when he saw her and she bothered him for dates, he would look annoyed in a playful way. But now, it was different. It was protective. It was a look of warning. Akane was looking out from his embrace. She was looking scared and startled. "Ranma, You-you can't choose her! She's not-she can't-no!" Shampoo held her position, but tears were flowing down her face. "I hate you. I HATE YOU!!!" She was too afraid to attack him. She knew that if she did, he would fight her off, and then shut her out of his life for good. She didn't want that. They were only engaged. They weren't married yet, and she never wanted to be shut out of his life completely. It would make maters worse, and people would start hating her as the girl who tried to sabotage Ranma's engagement. She couldn't attack Akane either, so she had to figure out a way. Even if he would never love her, she was determined to win. She wasn't about to lose to this little silly schoolgirl. "I will win...even if it takes a thousand years! I cannot face humiliation in my village." "I'm sorry for that Shampoo, I really am. I've been betrothed to Akane since before I knew what marriage meant. Besides, I love her." He squeezed her in his arms. "I love her more than anything else in the world! I could never even think about another person the same way I do about Akane. I want to marry her. Only her. There is no one else for me." Shampoo heard the words. They hit her like a million poisoned darts. "So I can never win? I have to face shame in my village?" She started crying again. "No!" a voice said. A handsome young man swooped in through the hole Shampoo made and grabbed a nearby girl. Holding her tightly in her arms, he said "no Shampoo! You don't have to face shame if you marry me!!" Genma tapped him on the shoulder and said, "I think you want this one, sonny." He held Shampoo in front of him and the young man took out his very large glasses and saw his error. "My mistake!" He dropped the girl he was holding, and embraced Shampoo. "Shampoo! You must marry me!" "Mousse! I can't! Not until I lose!! I still have a chance!!" "No you don't." The entire room filled with people said. "Shampoo, listen, its not that bad. You have to let it go. The man's obviously not about to drop the love of his life for you." Ukyo said. "What do you know?!" Shampoo said, and stormed out of the house. Mousse chased after her yelling something in Chinese. A moment later Shampoo yelled something in Chinese, and Mousse came flying back into the house. "Tough luck." One of the boys said. "I will marry her if it's the last thing I do!" He shouted. "Good for you, man. Don't give up!" the boy said. Mousse left a little while later, and some of the partiers started saying their good byes. Everyone else left within the next half hour with the exception of Ryoga, Ukyo, and Doctor Tofu. Ukyo and Ryoga were hitting it off nicely, and Ranma and Akane were happy for them. Everyone already knew that the good doctor was quite taken with Kasumi, and they also knew she was quite taken with him. The most important thing, however, was did they know how the other felt? "Sooner or later." Akane told Ranma and let out o big yawn. "Gosh I'm tired. Its late, we should get some sleep if we're going to be up early for our trip." Ranma agreed and they bid everyone a good night. "Well, I should be leaving now." Ukyo said. "Wait, I'll walk you home." Ryoga said. "Really? Well won't you get lost on your way back?" She looked concerned. "I'll figure that out. I don't want you walking home alone this late. There may be some villainous characters out there who might try and take advantage of you!" He said. "You don't have to go that far. If you want to walk me home, just say it. I don't need silly excuses." Ryoga blushed. Ukyo grabbed his hand and pulled him out the door.

Ranma walked Akane to her room and gave her a kiss goodnight. She pulled him back as he began to pull away. She let go a moment later and said "Thank you, for tonight, for everything." He smiled and uttered a soft "its true, I love you too much to ever let you go." He kissed her again and then went back to his own room, obeying his father's rule. She watched him and really liked how he looked in those pants. She turned and went into her room for a good night's sleep.

Downstairs, doctor Tofu wished everyone a good evening, and left. Kasumi followed him out and wished him a good evening separately from the rest of the family. A minute later, she reentered the house blushing. Nabiki tortured her for it, but she didn't much care. She was really happy about this recent development with the doctor. She smiled and bid everyone good night too. The rest of them decided to go to sleep and leave the cleaning for the morning.