Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma or any of the characters, they belong to the wonderful Rumiko Takahashi.
oOo
Akane stretched on her bed above the blanket. She felt too hot to cover with anything, she could barely stand the fabric of her the nightgown she was wearing. The summer evening was nice and not as humid as one might believe, but her feelings made her rumble. Somewhat longing she threw a glance towards the window, where Ranma would sometimes hang upside down, checking the atmosphere, before swinging in uninvitedly. Why wouldn't he come by today? They've had some strange encounters like today in the past, and most of the times Ranma would show up to apologize, whether he had done something wrong or not. Was she going crazy, or had they almost kissed in the dojo? Was it just a dream or did she feel like he wanted to touch her? She couldn't believe that karma had always an interruption ready, something always came in the way. She pressed the pillow on her head and let out a small scream into the down. Darn! How could they ever figure out what they both really wanted if nature could never run its course. She took the pillow from her head and sighed. One more look to the window, but no sign from her foot-in-the-mouth fiancé. Maybe she had just dreamed it and overinterpreted things. Ranma was gone for the whole day, run errands for Kasumi and stopping by some friends (and fiancés). She did not mind, she felt like she could concentrate better on her further workout without him hanging around. After all, she wanted to keep her fitness level the way it was. The next time she saw him was at dinner, apparently, he had been home quite a while ago without telling her, was he avoiding her? Darn, Akane, just let him have his peace and a good bath, the boy had lived in the woods for weeks. He seemed tired at the dinner table, she shifted uncomfortably in her usual spot next to him. After dinner, the young family members sat together for a cup of tea. "So, today I let you off the hook, but tomorrow I got something in store for you Saotome." Nabiki enjoyed Ranmas obvious confusion about her statement as he sipped on his tea. "And why is that?"
"Akane, I hope you don't have any plans for tomorrow, either. I need both of you to come along."
"Come along where?" Nabiki looked around, making sure Kasumi was out of sight. She whispered in an exited tone: "We are going to get kimonos for the wedding. We already bought hers and I promised to make sure, the family would dress up nicely and fitting." She leaned back and eyed the two of them.
"What about the rest of the family? We could all go together, that will be fun. Like a small family trip."
"Ha, you do know what happens whenever the 'family' tries to go on a trip." Ranma leaned on the table, head on his elbow. He seemed exhausted from the day. What the heck had he been doing other than stuffing his face with countless okonomiyaki?
"Saotome is right, we will never get to a result when all of us just went together. Aunti Nodika took our fathers shopping. Now we can buy Kimonos for the three of us."
"Can't you just go and get me one, I'll give you my measurements." Ranma yawned.
"No way, you have to try them on by yourself and they arrange the cutting accordingly. Just the best clothing for this special occasion." Nabiki smirked. "I mean, after we all thought, Akane would be the first one at the altar, father is just so happy that at least one of his daughters makes it willingly." Akane blushed, glancing at the tired Ranma, who had not understood the hint. "Anyway, we'll be off tomorrow early, so make sure you get a good rest." She glared at Ranma, who used the opportunity to lift himself up and greeted them good night.
Akane again changed her position. There was no way, Ranma was going to come by her window regarding his weary state. Well, at least they would spend the next day together, even if it was in the presence pf her snoopy sister who most likely was going to annoy the heck out of Ranma about coming clean on their current relationship status.
"If it wasn't for the loss of my own financial profits, I would slap Saotome to his luck. His behaviour towards you is just more than obvious, but the two of you are either too blind or too immature to get your shit together." Nabiki was right, they were quite slow when it came to talking things out. Well, maybe the next day would bring some new insight into his mindset. Akane smiled. Maybe, Nabiki was just the right company to get things started. Finally, she managed to drop off dreaming about a fun upcoming day in the city tomorrow.
oOo
"Haaaa…. if there was one thing I missed about home, it's the simple pleasure of eating parfaits!" Ranmas female-self began to dig in a colourful cup of the sweet ice cream. The two Tendo sisters, only having a cup of coffee watched him indulge his dessert, partially annoyed, partially amused. They were already late as the streets were packed with people, but Ranma convinced them to begin the day with a stop in the café. At least, Ranma-chans infamous charm got them free coffee to start their day with and they could use the time to plan their shopping route. Although he had already been visiting parlours with Akane as a male, making an appearance in the company of two women seemed not manly for his taste. In a way, Akane took that as an admission that their common spent afternoons were somewhat equal to dates. Nabiki smirked at the fact that Ranma chose to linger in his female form. She would need him like that anyways.
Akane smiled at his pure joy of licking the spoon. "Just like you only missed the simplicity of enjoying Kasumi's cooking? Or having a warm bath? Or sleeping on a soft futon?" He has used that sentence quite inflationary after his return. He frowned at her, supressing to add the simplest joy he could think of: being around his tomboy fiancé. Instead he nodded at her cup. "And since when do you drink that piss of bitter brew? You should get awake from your own strength, that stuff messes up your natural consciousness." Akane clenched her fists angry at the red head. "I have been drinking it since I have tried to squeeze the lectures of the past school year in my head after someone decided to make a chaotic mess…"
"Guys, please." Nabiki interrupted her sister, just knowing that any further words could and would stir up a massive argument. She had to get them on one side to finalize her task today. In the end, the organization of the wedding hung on her heels and she made it her personal goal to succeed in giving her elder sister the most romantic day she could possibly dream of. Any plans involving these two love birds here were meant to be dealt with very cautiously.
"We ain't got the time to argue about these things now, we need to find the perfect Kimonos."
"Speaking of which…" the spoon was still hanging out of Ranmas mouth, "if you already got the outfits for our parents, so you do know which tailor to go to. It's a fast visit and we'll be done in an hour, so why the hassle about not having enough time...?"
"Good point, Saotome." Nabiki lifted a finger in the air. "I indeed plan to go organise some other things that I need your help with. Besides the Kimonos we will be having time to look around for other things we require for the wedding. Be it fireworks, decoration or ideas for the menu."
"How exciting, I was hoping to get a look at some other shops!" Akane clapped her hands happily. Again, Ranma frowned. So, it seemed he was doomed to play portier for these two. "We can just have Ukyo and Shampoo take care of the meals, if I ask them the wedding guests will be stuffed ad nauseam." Akane glared at him. Of course, and they'll use the opportunity to ask the priest if he wouldn't mind tying the knot between them and Ranma as well right on the spot. Bad enough that those two hussies were invited. "Your mom has already volunteered to take care of the menu." Ranma smiled broadly at that. "Amazing, that's the perfect idea. I guess that makes the Saotome family present complete."
"Not quite" Nabiki added. "There is more. Besides, your task at the wedding is already set."
"Task?" Ranma and Akane asked in unisono.
"Yes. You will make sure Tofu doesn't go all crazy right before the ceremony. You know his behaviour has been improving but facing the naked reality of marrying the woman of his dream and the prospect of bedding her will likely zone him out sooner or later. If you just keep distracting him with some martial arts gibberish, he can actually make it 'til the ceremony is over." Ranma laughed and winked at Nabiki. "Oh yeah, I can do that."
"And what about me?" Akane felt like she was totally left out of the picture. Nabiki had already given instructions to the other family members what to do and what to prepare, she seemed the only one who was merely accompanying Nabiki with her organisations but not having own responsibilities as if she were expected to mess things up anyway. She pouted. Ranma threw a glance at her and smiled inside, Akane was somehow cute pouting like a child, yet Nabiki was absolutely correct in not letting Akane get her hands on either creative, decorative or culinary matters. There was not much left for planning a wedding. "You'll get your part, but not now" Nabiki waved her off. The case was closed, Akane kept pouting and the trio set off to their first stop, the tailor.
oOo
"Nabiki-san, how good to see you" a short, middle-aged man, well dressed and groomed, with an immensely long beard and a bold head greeted the girls as they entered his small shop. He wore a western style west and the pockets were filled with scissors, needle pads measuring tape. Nabiki greeted the man and they exchanged some formalities. All the while Akane hushed at her still female fiancé. "Shouldn't you become a boy so that the man can take your correct measures?"
"Oh" Ranma had totally forgotten. He nodded in agreement and searched the tiny shop for a stove or a water kettle. Simultaneously, Nabiki and the man came towards the couple. "And you must be Ranma and Akane. I welcome you to me little business, I hope we can find some fitting attire for the three of you. I suggest we start off with the females" He threw an especially excited glance at Ranma. "I suggest the two of us will focus on the probing whilst the girls can choose their Kimonos." Ranma giggled nervously. "If you happen to have some hot water, I can change right back to …"
"Oh no, that is perfectly fine" the man replied. His eyed blinked in excitement. "Nabiki has already given me your measures." Astonished Ranma glanced to a poker-faced Nabiki back to the tailor, who promptly pulled out a western style, skinny wedding dress from behind his corner. "I am so happy to finally probe this beautiful creation of mine. It has taken forever to find a woman with a figure as pulpous as yours to finally advertise this piece." His joy was obvious, Ranma stared back to Nabiki who just like magic held her digital reflex camera in der hand, bittersweet smiling. "That, Saotome, is your portion of the wedding gift."
oOo
Nabiki had arranged a fifty percent discount on all the Kimonos for 'renting' out Ranma as a model for a particular wedding dress, that required a petite but outrageously-proportioned body shape to look its best. It was a special creation of the tailor, who wanted to advertise his collection of modern wedding dresses for his shop. "There are not many couples who decide to wear traditional Japanese wedding garb, so I have to diversify my offers." Furiously, Ranma has given in the deal. Resistance was no option, Ranma knew he was not capable of providing financial aid to the Tendo family and saving money on the Kimonos was a great deed to support them anyhow. The pictures were quickly taken, Ranma with his usual brown curled wig he used for disguise clenched his teeth while looking away from the flashlights, making sure only his female shape was caught on camera without revealing his infamous identity to the potential viewers. The Tendo sisters were in the back room, going through the rich collection of Kimonos. After haft an hour, Ranma entered the other room as a male and put on an annoyed look. "Yo, great work Saotome."
"You owe me one, Nabiki." She smiled triumphing. Nodding over to her younger sister she proclaimed: "Maybe you can use your male charms to help that one out. She's been torn between a selection of garbs, as you should wear the same fabric anyways, it might be helpful if you help looking out." Akane was sitting amongst a pile of stacked Kimonos, one more delicate than the other. She cried out in agony "I cannot decide, they are just all so pretty!"
Ranma approached the whining girl and bend down to inspect the selected items. It was a stack Kimonos of very bright colours with huge patterns including animals of all kinds. A big, figurative drop appeared on his forehead. "Have you just selected the ugliest clothes on purpose or what's the matter?" Akane swirled her mallet in Ranma's direction, who just dodged on time. He grinned at her sticking out his tongue. "I knew you had a baste taste, but for the sake of your sister, you don't want to embarrass all the weddings guests…"
"What would you know about traditional wedding garbs, you jerk?" Before making any reference to one of their failed wedding attempts, the tailor came into the room holding two pieces of fabric in his groomed hands. "I might just have the perfect outfit for the two of you." He put down the Kimonos in front of Akane and Ranma and their eyes grew big. They were two silken pieces of a dark night sky blue with golden seam and a fine pattern of red, white, and grey flowers. A small golden ribbon at the belt made it almost appear in a royal fashion. Akane imagined wearing a white flower in her hair would finish the look perfectly. "They are beautiful…" Ranma whistled in agreement. "Ain't those too… well… festive if you are not the centre of attention?" He slightly blushed at the mere thought of having them wedding guests think, Akane and him were to be betrothed. Not that they weren't in a sense… Nabiki interrupted his thoughts: "Don't you worry about that, Saotome. Kasumi's Kimono is out of reach and so is Tofu-san's. I do however question the price of these treasures…" She glanced at the tailor. He winked in amusement "Nabiki-chan, your sense of quality is unmatched, you're correct about these are exquisite pieces, and I am afraid their purchase exceeds your budget. However, Ranma did such a great job with those photos, I am willing to rent them to you for this occasion." Ranma flinched at the memory of the past hour, but Akane pressed her hands together and beamed at the tailer in admiration. "Really? We can wear these?"
"Sure, I trust you will take good care of them." Akane's laughter of joy filled the small store. Her happiness was intoxicating and Ranma couldn't suppress a smile. Kawaii baka… She looked at him. "You like them too, don't you Ranma?" He played cool, trying not to obviously agree with his fiancé. "Sure, they are lightyears from what you had in mind before that…" Surprisingly Akane did not even pay attention to the insult but rushed to take the smaller Kimono to the changing room. Ranma watched her leave with a fond smile on his face, until re realized his dumb butt being watched by Nabiki and the tailor. "What?"
"Oh nothing."
"So, when is the next wedding coming up?" the tailor whispered to Nabiki in excitement.