He's mute… He's mute... HE'S MUTE! BUT…how did it happen? Was he born with it? Does that scar have anything to do with it? Oh god, I don't even know what is going on anymore… A million thoughts went through Akane's head but she only said one. "Why?" Mrs. Saotome looked at her and smiled.
"Well its just one of those things that just happened. It could have happened to anyone…" Under her breath she mumbled the words "sort of". The only one that caught it was Akane but she didn't push it.
"Now, I am sure you have a lot of questions about this meeting so I think it is a good time to tell you." She moved into the living room with everyone else in tow.
"Let's see, where to begin." Mrs. Saotome said as she took a seat on the couch. Ranma and the rest of the girls took a seat on the floor, leaving room for their father on the chair. "I guess we should get to the point. I was sent here by request of my husband…" She slowed down while saying "my husband" and Ranma noticeably winced at the name. "His request was that I bring Ranma here to marry one of you young ladies." Almost instantly all of the girls reacted, with Akane having the loudest point. "Married! But I hate boys." She looked over to Ranma. "Especially perverted ones." Ranma flinched and sunk his head lower.
"Well you honestly aren't going to hold that against him. If I remember you had your own "view" as it were."
Akane blushed and changed the subject. "Well, I'm just 16. I can't get married." The other sisters nodded their heads in unison as if they were I the same situation as Akane. This time her father spoke up.
"Actually you can. But we aren't going to do it until you're much older. Mrs. Saotome wants Ranma to finish school first."
"But father." Kasumi spoke up. "What about Dr. Tofu? He and I have been getting so close lately." Now it was time for Akane to wince, which Ranma noticed.
"I'm sorry Kasumi, but this is out of my hands. We made a promise and now it is a request. I can't do anything more or I risk my own honor."
"Hmpf. How come Mr. Saotome doesn't come down and say it himself." Raman's head fell further and Soun closed his eyes. Mrs. Saotome stayed quit for a few seconds. Akane knew she would regret what she had said, and she was right.
"That is because Mr. Saotome passed away a few years ago. We found his will a few months ago requesting this arrangement. You see, your father and my husband used to be trained by the same master. They made an agreement a long time ago, before any of you where born, to marry the families together. Since I only have a boy and you are all girls, we have this certain arrangement." The girls sat there for a moment trying to absorb everything. It was Akane that spoke first. "Well, then I guess we should get this started. Who's the one?" Mrs. Saotome smiled.
"Well that is up to Ranma, but if any of you have any suggestions.
"Akane! Akane is the best choice." Both Kasumi and Nabiki answered in unison. Akane turn and glared at them both, a small blush on her cheeks. Mrs. Saotome just chuckled and turned to Ranma. "Is Akane the one you would like to pick?" Ranma looked up at Akane and stared at her a bit. Akane felt herself flush slightly. He then put his head down and nodded. Again, Akane blushed and turned away.
"This doesn't mean you can look in at me in the bath when you want. I swear, if you do, this marriage is off."
"Well then, it seems that this arrangement is settled. Ranma and I will be setting off for our inn. Good night to you all."
Mrs. Saotome and Ranma stood up to leave but Kasumi was quick to act.
"Oh you must stay here from now on. It would allow Ranma and Akane to get to know each other more." Mrs. Saotome turned and thought for a second. "We will see. Give us until the weekend for our decision to be final." And with that they both turned, left the room and then left the house.
The rest of the night was uneventful as always but unnoticed by Akane, who was deep in thought in her room. I'm going to get married. To Ranma. It was just this morning that I saw him and now I am marrying him. How does this sort of thing happen to people? Since she knew how it happened this time, she just turned over and went to sleep.
Thanks for the review. I enjoyed the thoroughly. This is just a short chapter cause i wanted to get it out of the way and i had time in the morning before work. Will fix it up and fine tune it later. It will be a while before I work on this anymore cause i got WoW things to do as well as get ready for my sophmore year in college. YAY!
-Unspoken Flame