Ryoutou
By: Lord Strife
Disclaimer: I don't own Ranma½ or Sakura Taisen! I wish I did so I could finally skip this part.
Book of Water
Chapter 1: Daiichi no Katana
Twelve years later after prologue…
It was around ten in the evening and the residents of the Imperial Capital Theatre were blissfully asleep, save for one young girl. She had received a letter earlier that day from her grandmother, and what it contained is what she dreaded the most. A matchmaking ceremony was to take place and it was a matter of family honor. And since she is the only daughter, heck the only child of the direct line of the Shinguji family, she had no choice in the matter. "Marriage…I had always thought…no. I guess I can't dwell on what could have been…" Sakura sighed. Somehow she knew she liked her captain, Oogami. But now, it really seems they weren't meant to be. "I just hope, whoever this Ranma is, that he's a nice person."
Sakura gently closed the letter, tucked it into her diary and went to bed. Though it was near midnight when sleep claimed her.
--- The next day ---
Yoneda nearly dropped his drinking cup. Kaede was in an exact state of shock as he was. In front of them Sakura was twiddling her fingers.
Kaede recovered first, "Marriage?"
Sakura nodded, "If nothing goes wrong in the matchmaking ceremony…there's no doubt I'll be married in less than a year." She produced the letter from her obi. "My grandmother has sent me this invite to return to Sendai to prepare for the ceremony."
Yoneda straightened himself; "I can't believe Kazuma got you engage when you were only five! I had thought…" He calmed himself as he seated again. "But I guess it is a matter of honor and…to ensure the continuance of your family line." He grimaced. "So when do you plan to leave and do you intend on telling your friends?"
Sakura and Kaede remembered the chaos that ensued just a few months ago when they (the other members of the Flower Unit) had thought Sakura was being forced into getting married.
"I plan to leave early tomorrow morning. And no, I don't intend of telling them yet. Though the possibility of marriage is high it's better to tell them when there is finality. I'm afraid they may react to it the same as last time."
Yoneda nodded, as did Kaede.
"I'll just tell them you were needed in another of your family's traditional customs." With that Yoneda drank another cup of sake. "I think that fiasco a few months back is enough to prevent them from acting on impulse."
"Thank you, Yoneda-san." Sakura bowed once more before she left.
"Do you think Sakura should really push forward with this matchmaking?" Kaede asked as soon as she was sure Sakura was no longer in hearing range.
"I don't know Kaede. Kazuma never mentioned anything about any engagement or anything regarding Sakura's marriage. But all we can do is hope for the best. And wish Sakura to take the path in which she will attain the most happiness." He took one glance at the photo on his desk and focused on Kazuma. 'And I hope you knew what you were doing back then Kazuma…'
---
Iris happened to pass by Sakura's bedroom and noticed her door slightly opened. She went to take a peek and noticed Sakura packing some of her clothes in a suitcase. She slowly opened the door, catching Sakura's attention. "Ah, Iris what can I do for you?"
Iris stepped into Sakura's room and pointed her fingers at Sakura's suitcase. "Are you…going somewhere Sakura?"
Sakura nodded and resumed packing. "Yes Iris. I'm going to head back to Sendai for another…family traditional custom I need to keep."
Iris titled her head, "Is it something like the last time?" It was obvious she was asking about the time when Sakura attended the wedding of her relative and performed a sacred ritual that has been kept by her family for generations.
Sakura gave a nervous laugh, "Very much like it Iris. Though this one…never mind."
"How long will you be gone?" She asked, putting Jean-Paul down and helping her pack.
Sakura was thoughtful, "I guess that will depend on the outcome, Iris. It can be only a few days or up to two weeks. Depends really."
Iris nodded, "Do you want me to inform the others so they don't jump to conclusions again?"
Sakura smiled, "Thanks, Iris. That would be great."
---
Members of the Imperial Flower were all having dinner when Sumire noticed a certain blue-haired girl is missing. "Ara, has anyone of you seen Sakura-san?"
With that question, every head in the room looked-up and glance at Sakura's usual eating-place. "Now that you mentioned it, I haven't seen her since breakfast." Maria pondered, "I wonder if anything is up with Sakura."
Iris, without looking-up said, "Sakura will be going back to Sendai to perform another of her family's traditional ceremonies."
Every head present swiveled at Iris's direction.
"She told you?" Kanna asked. She was making sure this time before jumping to any conclusions.
Iris nodded, "I just happened to pass by her room and notice her packing. She said she may be gone for up to two weeks."
Kohran rubbed her chin, "I wonder if it's another wedding?" She chuckled, "Maybe it's Sakura's this time!"
Orihime bopped her lightly on the head, "Oh no! Not that one again. I'm not falling for that this time!" Reni nodded in agreement.
Maria chuckled a little remembering that certain event, "Yes, I'm sure Sakura would tell us if she was the one getting married. Though I am curious as to what family tradition it is this time."
"Perhaps we can ask her tomorrow?" Reni said.
"She'll be leaving early tomorrow morning." Iris replied.
Kanna still chewing on a piece of meat, "Perhaps we can accompany her to the train station then and maybe ask her along the way."
"Kanna-san, please! Don't talk when your mouth's full!" Sumire scolded her usual tormentor. And as usual, bickering between the two followed.
Oogami was in deep thought, 'Hmm…that's strange. Usually Sakura would tell me of this kind of things before anyone else. Must have been really important.' He shrugged it off and continued eating. Whatever it was he could probably ask of it tomorrow.
---
Sakura was standing by her window, staring off into the night sky. 'By this time a few days from now…I would meet my fiancé…my fiancé since I was five years old.' She chuckled slightly, 'It's quite funny though, I remember when I was at that age many of the boys were scared of me…I just…' she let out a sigh, 'I just hope…Ranma….' She cleared her head and decided to go out and have dinner. They'll be getting very suspicious if she acted way out of character. So putting on a smile, she went out to eat with her friends.
--- Early next morning at the train station ---
"Are you sure you have everything Sakura?" Oogami asked as he handed her suitcase.
Sakura smiled at him and nodded, "Yes, though I'll only be gone for two weeks. But nonetheless I'll miss you guys."
Iris went to give Sakura a goodbye hug, "Promise you'll write to us when you get there. And are you sure you wont tell us what ceremony you're going to perform?"
Sakura gave a little laugh; she had been asked what ceremony she was going to attend since last night's dinner. And they have been bugging her about it since. Not even this morning was an exception. "I promise to write as soon as I get the chance. And no Iris, that's a little family secret. Though, I might be able to tell you when I get back."
"Really?"
"Yes, really. I'm not in the position to tell anything as of yet until the ceremony is done." 'Because I know you guys would go gung-ho when you hear I'll be attending my own matchmaking ceremony.'
Kohran approach and gave Sakura a little parting gift. "Here you are Sakura-san, this will keep you company for the trip and I promise it won't blow-up. I already tested it last night." She handed her what seemed to be a small music box.
Sakura and the others gave a nervous laugh mostly though it was Sakura. "Thanks Kohran, you shouldn't have after all I wont be gone long."
"Nonsense, what kind of friend would I be if I at least didn't give you a little going away present? "
Sakura gave Kohran a hug saying thanks.
"Are you really sure you wont tell us what kind of ceremony it is?" Orihime asked again, hoping Sakura would give in. Reni nodded too.
Maria chuckled, "I'm sure Sakura would tell us when she gets back. She did promise. Now then take care of yourself Sakura and we'll see you in two weeks alright?" She gave Sakura a little pat on the shoulders.
Sakura muffled a thanks to Maria for saving her from answering…yet again. And nodded her head, "You need not worry Maria. You guys really worry too much."
"Oh-hohoho. Yes, Sakura-san is right. You people really worry too much…though it might be because Sakura-san could be a little clumsy and fear for other people's safety…ouch!" Whatever Sumire was about to add was stopped when Kanna bonked her on the head. "What did you do that for you over bound oaf!"
"Ah, stop pretending you don't worry about Sakura, cactus lady!" Kanna retorted back.
"Who's the cactus lady! I'll show you cactus lady!" With that Sumire grabbed a cactus plant (don't ask where she got it) and attempted to smash it on the aforementioned red-hair woman.
Everyone laugh at the two's antics, until the whistle to board the train was heard.
"Take care of yourself Sakura." Reni said as she gave Sakura one final hug.
"I will. Thanks for seeing me off."
"Kaede-san and Yoneda-san seemed busy today and couldn't come but they did extend their farewell wishes to you." Oogami said as he also gave Sakura one final hug.
"Thanks." Sakura then said something a little less audible that only Oogami could hear. "I'll see you guys then in two weeks and I promise to write as soon as I arrive."
With that, she boarded her train and no sooner after she boarded the train began speeding away towards Sendai. Everyone in the Flower division began to leave to return to the theatre and Maria noticed Oogami was just staring at the train. "Is something wrong Captain?"
Oogami heard Maria's voice that returned him to reality. "Ah, no its nothing Maria. Come on lets head back."
Maria nodded and began walking to catch-up with the others.
He watched as she made her way towards the group before giving the departing train one final look. In his head echoed Sakura's last words, "Don't wait for me." He shook his head to clear it. He must have imagined it. He somehow knew he felt something for Sakura but suppressed it as something inappropriate behavior for a commander towards his subordinate. But at the back of his mind he couldn't stomped down the gnawing feeling that he will never be with Sakura now, whatever ceremony she was going to.
AN: I'm going to screw around the time lines. I know you might say that Sakura is around 20 by the 2nd OAV but I'm still going place her age at 18. After all this IS my fic. Sorry for the Oogami/Sakura fans but she will be paired with Ranma here. The Tendos might be in here somewhere but only as cameo or something. This sets before season 3 of Sakura Taisen, before Oogami leaves for France and after the so-called wedding of Sakura, I think that episode was called Epoch if I'm not mistaken.
AN: The title translates into "The first sword"