Chapter 29 Another Date
Ranma came back to the Tendo home after a long afternoon of shopping. He had disappeared immediately after class that Saturday, knowing that he needed to be alone for what he wanted to do. He had finally found what he was looking for. It had taken him a long time, but he thought the search was worth it. As he entered the house, he met Akane. "Yo, Acchan, would ya like ta go out ta dinner tonight? I'd like ta take my girlfriend out for a change. This was a real long week with Mr. Kuonji here. I could use a night out on the town," he said.
"I'd love to, Ranchan," Akane said, pleased, "I'll tell your mother that we won't be home for dinner. She took one look at Kasumi when they got back this morning and told her to go straight to bed, and not to even think about housework. Apparently, the trip to her mother-in-law took a lot out of her."
"Wear something really dressy, tonight. I'd like tonight ta be real special," Ranma said, "Can we be ready in about an hour? You just go get ready, I'll tell Mom we won't be home."
Akane nodded and went upstairs. Ranma went into the kitchen and told his mother that they were going out. After taking a quick shower, he headed upstairs to change. He came back downstairs, wearing a very nice suit. Kasumi met him at the foot of the stairs, and said, "Oh my, you certainly cleaned up nice tonight. Are you going somewhere?"
Ranma nodded. "Yes, Kasumi-chan. I'm taking Akane out to thank her for being so understanding this past week," he said. Then a vision of loveliness descended the stairs. In a suddenly tight voice, he said, "Acchan, you're simply gorgeous." He wondered why all of a sudden his collar had gotten so tight.
Akane blushed prettily as he took her arm. "Tell them not to wait up, Sis. We'll be out late tonight," Akane said.
Kasumi beamed and said, "You two look very nice tonight. Have fun!"
Ranma slowly escorted Akane out the door and headed toward the gate. There the limo that he had arranged was waiting. After helping her into the car, he climbed in after her. She leaned against his shoulder as the limo drove off. It soon arrived at the restaurant that Ranma had selected.
"Oh, Ranchan, you remembered. This is where we had our first date," Akane said happily.
Ranma smiled as he escorted her to the hostess. He mentioned his name and they were quickly seated. Akane's eyes grew wide as she realized that it was the same table. There on the table, was a small bouquet of red roses with a card attached. Akane's eyes misted as she read the note written on the card. It said, 'To the girl I love, Ranma'
Ranma ordered wine for the two of them when the waitress appeared to take their drink order. When she came back, he ordered shrimp tempura for the both of them, saying that he wanted to remind her again of their first date. They sat there contentedly gazing at each other's eyes. When the dinner arrived, they ate quietly. Finally, Akane asked, "What are you thinking, Ranchan?"
"That I'm the luckiest man alive. I'm with the girl that I love, and my life is starting to make a little sense. School is over for the year, and we will be juniors starting next week. How about you?" Ranma said.
"Much the same. I'm looking forward to the changes we'll see next year," Akane said.
They began to hear some music in the background. They looked up and remembered that there was a small dance floor tucked away in one corner of the room. A music group had just started playing some dance music. Several couples were already out on the dance floor, slow dancing together. Akane looked wistfully at the couples, eyes misting just a bit.
Ranma said, "Akane, would you care to dance."
Akane's eyes widened. She nodded, almost shyly, as Ranma helped her out of the chair and they walked over to the dance floor. Ranma put his arm around her waist, and held her as they began to dance. They began to move gracefully around the floor. Akane rested her head against his chest and sighed contentedly. When the music finally stopped, after several slow dance tunes, she found herself reluctant to let him go. He smiled gently, and led her back to the table.
He hesitated, and then asked, "You 'bout ready to go?" She nodded. He paid the restaurant bill and helped her out of her chair. They left the restaurant arm in arm, Akane carrying her roses. As they were walking home from the wonderful evening, Ranma led Akane into the park. They sat down on one of the park benches near the fountain. Ranma held Akane in his arms for a long time, gazing into the liquid pools of her eyes. She reached up and pulled his head forward and kissed him hungrily. Finally, and reluctantly, he pulled away. He hesitated, and then, pulled a small box from his jacket pocket. He got down on one knee in front of her. "Acchan," he asked nervously, "I know we said we were gonna wait for a while, but I got ta thinking. Akane Tendo, will you marry me?"
Akane's eyes moistened with tears. "Ranchan, you big dope, of course I'll marry you. I've wanted you to ask me for weeks," she said, as she opened the box, heart hammering in her chest. Hearing those words, he took the engagement ring from the box and slowly slid it on her finger. Akane grabbed her fiancé and kissed him with fervor. "Now, you're really mine," she growled as she reluctantly broke the kiss. She gazed at him, her eyes glistening with happiness.
Ranma gazed into those eyes and lost himself in the love he saw there. "Acchan, I'm so glad you said yes. I was really nervous since we had agreed to wait until we graduated but I just couldn't wait any longer." He leaned forward and captured her lips with his own.
She kissed back, lips parting slightly under the pressure. Her breathing quickened, and her pulse raced. Eventually, they separated., both of them trying to get their passion under control. Akane said, breathlessly, "Ranchan, we'd better stop. Let's go on home. I can't wait to tell everyone."
They walked home, hand-in-hand, sharing the occasional glance and smile. As they entered the house, Nodoka spied the ring on Akane's hand. She gasped, and then rushed over to hug the two of them.
"Ranma, Akane, congratulations, you two. I'm so happy for the both of you," Nodoka said.
Ranma said, "Mom, we still need ya to control our fathers."
"Not a problem, Ranma," Nodoka said with a wintry smile.
"We still need to get out of high school before we marry," Ranma said softly.
Akane whispered to Ranma, "I'm not sure I want to wait that long. Maybe when we're seniors." Ranma looked at her in surprise, and then he nodded happily.
Hearing the commotion, Kasumi walked into the hallway. When she saw the two of them, and the ring on Akane's hand, she smiled, and said, "Akane, I'm so happy for you. My sister is engaged to a wonderful person." 'Finally,' she thought, 'Ranma got up the courage and asked.'
The four of them went into the living room where they found Soun and Gemna playing shogi and drinking sake. Tofu was reading one of his medical journals. Nabiki was watching television. She saw Ranma and Akane holding hands. Akane was blushing, visibly glowing with excitement. She paled slightly when she saw the ring on Akane's finger, and then nodded in reluctant acceptance.
"Father, I have an announcement. Ranma has asked me to marry him, and I have accepted," Akane said.
Nabiki simply walked over and kissed them both. "Akane, make him happy for both of us," Nabiki whispered. Akane's eyes brightened and she hugged her sister.
Soun and Gemna began dancing around, both of them singing, "Now the schools will be joined, oh happy day!"
Shampoo came walking in from the kitchen, and asked, "What's all the commotion? What is that awful racket coming from those two all about?"
In answer, Akane held up her left hand, and said, "Ranchan asked me to marry him!!"
Shampoo smiled and then said, half jokingly, "Your people have such strange customs. In Amazon village, the woman tells the man that he is to marry her."
Nodoka smiled mysteriously and said, "We don't do it much differently here either, Shampoo. Our women are just a bit more subtle."
Tofu walked over and said, "Congratulations. This calls for a bit of a celebration." He got saucers for the rest of the party and poured sake for everyone. He raised his saucer and proposed a toast, "To the happy couple!"
"When can we plan the wedding?" Gemna asked.
Nodoka scowled at her husband. "Gemna, they are still too young for a marriage. Let them get through high school, first. Anyway, it is their decision to make, not ours," she said forcefully.
Gemna took one look at the expression on his wife's face and backed down. "Soun, old friend," he said, sententiously, "We need to trust our children. They will get married when they choose."
"Thanks, Pop, for being so understanding," Ranma said sarcastically. Of course, Gemna was oblivious to the sarcasm.
Akane and Ranma started up the stairs, followed by Nabiki. As they got to Nabiki's room, Ranma turned to her and asked, "Nabiki, could we talk ta ya for a second?"
Nabiki looked at them for a second and then nodded. She opened the door to her room and motioned them to come in. Ranma hesitated, and then asked, "Nabiki, I need ta ask ya for a favor. I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't broadcast the news of our engagement. I'm not asking ya ta lie, though. If someone asks, you can tell 'em the truth."
Akane added, "Even though the Hentaii Brigade has given up on me, the news of my engagement will probably rattle some of the ones who aren't well grounded in reality."
With one voice, each of them said, "Kuno!"
"I know our parents think they took care of those two morons, but I'm sure the fact that we are now officially engaged will drive them over the edge. If they come after either of us, I want it clear that we didn't provoke them, so don't tell Kuno, whatever you do, okay, sis?" Akane asked.
"What will you do to them if they attack you?" Nabiki asked. Two identical wolfish grins answered her. A slight shiver ran up her spine. "Uh, is it possible that I may have misjudged the two of you? Just how dangerous are you?"
"Nabiki, I'm very dangerous. Ranma is even worse," Akane said, "However, neither of us is planning anything permanent. On the other hand, if someone were to come between us,-" She left the threat unsaid. However, Nabiki got the message. For the first time, her little sister had scared her.
"I guess that's everything we needed ta say ta ya, Nabiki. You with us on that?" Ranma said, ignoring the undercurrents between his fiancée and her sister.
Nabiki gulped and said, "Sure, Ranma. I think you made a good point." She was surprised at the relieved expression on Ranma's face. She was even more surprised when he hugged her.
"Thanks, sis. Believe me it's better this way," Ranma said. On that slightly cryptic note he turned and left the room. Nabiki looked at Akane, trying to figure out which of the several messages he might have been saying was the correct one. Akane just smiled, a smile reminiscent of the one the Mona Lisa wore. Then she turned and followed her fiancé out of the room.