Disclaimer: I do not on Ranma. Enough said about that. This story is a collaboration effort between me and Drakuzz. We hope you enjoy it.
Twin Troubles
By David Knight and Drakuzz
Chapter Six: The Package
The next couple of days were a routine, with Ranma spending most of his time sparring with either Ranko, Genma or Kasumi. Akane continued recovering from her injuries, and watched longingly as the other girls managed to spar with Ranma without losing their tempers. Well... Kasumi didn't lose her temper. Ranko did from time to time.
Damn it. Fighting against us all is going to just make him that much better. And Ryoga still hasn't shown up. Ranko thought to herself as she took a rest. Ranma was getting better having to fight three different people in the same day. And it was insane the level he was starting to rise too.
Thankfully, she had some ideas for Ryoga once he did get back and thankfully she had left a note, after a fashion, for him. I just hope that package I ordered arrives before he does.
Ranma, for his part, spent a considerable amount of time talking with Kasumi when no one else was around. What about only Kasumi and Ranma knew, but he seemed to be more quiet and withdrawn lately, as if considering something important.
Soun wondered what his daughter was thinking of, though he had one hopeful, if perhaps remote, possibility in mind. His distraction cost him as Genma landed a blow. He got back up but still enjoyed their sparing sessions, as he needed to get back into shape. He would not reopen his dojo until he knew he was fit to teach again.
The Amazons and Ukyo had been calm lately, not wanting to upset the routine even if Ranma rarely ever visited, instead opting to remain in the dojo.
Also, they hadn't heard from Ranko's grandfather. Ranko found that oddly strange. Not even a phone call... just what has he got planned?
"You okay, Ranko-chan?" Nabiki asked as she sat next to the redhead, who was staring into space.
"Sorta," Ranko said, holding her hands, bandaged still as a sign of her chestnut fist training. "Grandfather hasn't called me since he left. It's not like him. I am wondering what is going on."
"Maybe he's trying not to let others follow you here," Nabiki suggested.
"Maybe," Ranko sighed. "But even so, it's still strange."
"Why don't you give him a call then?" Nabiki asked. "If you're worried."
"I should," Ranko said, getting up to go make the phone call.
The house was quiet right now, with Ranma and Kasumi sitting by the pond after a vigorous sparring match. Ranko had to admit, Kasumi was becoming very fast and improving even faster.
That's not all she's getting, Ranko said with a smirk, seeing how close they were becoming, even if they didn't. Picking up the phone, she dialed.
After three tones, the phone was picked on the other end. "Moshi moshi," the voice of her grandfather was clearly heard.
"Hello grandfather. How are you doing?"
"Ranko-chan! What a pleasant surprise!"
"It's good to hear your voice grandfather. I wanted to see how everything was."
"Everything is fine, granddaughter. I was just thinking about you. I take it you received my package?"
"Package?" Ranko blinked. "What package?"
"You mean you don't have it yet? Oh dear, and here I'm ruining the surprise for you."
"What are you talking about?" Ranko asked, her curiosity already piqued. "Grandfather what did you send to me?"'
"Nothing, dear. I'm just rambling in my old age."
"Grandfather! Don't play that game with me!" Ranko shouted. She knew she was acting like a child but she was beyond curious as a cat. "Come on! Tell me what you sent me! Please!"
"But my dear Ranko-chan. That would ruin the surprise."
"Yeah but how long has it been since you sent this surprise and I haven't gotten it?"
"What surprise? I don't remember anything about a surprise."
"Argh!" Ranko growled. I HATE it when he pulls the going senile routine.
"Now, was there something you wanted?"
"No. Nothing much. Just wanted to see if you were fine, which I know now, goodbye... gramps," She hung up the phone with a slam. It was when her grandfather pulled something that infuriated her like this was she allowed herselfto get off with calling him gramps. "Damnit! What is he plotting!"
"Something wrong, Ranko-chan?" Nabiki asked from behind Ranko, a grin on her face.
"What are you smiling about?" Ranko asked. She'd learned that when Nabiki smiled, it meant you should be on your toes.
"Oh, nothing really," Nabiki said with a smile that said 'I'm going to milk you.'
Ranko sighed. "Grandfather's got some sort of surprise planed for me. He's already sent his package. Problem is, I have no idea what he's planning"
"And is that a bad thing?" Nabiki asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I don't know. It's just I hate how he does this, then when I call, he mentions it and then goes with the 'senile shtick'. It really ticks me off when he does that."
"You haven't been around your father long enough to hear his speeches," Nabiki said in amusement.
"What kind of speech could he give other than one that said 'women are weak' and such?" Ranko snorted.
Nabiki did a passable imitation of Genma as she said, "I can't believe you would do this to your old and suffering father."
Ranko chuckled a little. "As if he's one to talk about suffering."
---
Ranma sighed in contentment as he stretched his legs after another strenuous workout, sitting on one of the boulders that surrounded the koi pond. "That was a great match, Kasumi," he praised.
"The pleasure was mine Ranma-kun," Kasumi smiled, putting her katana back in its sheath. She had gained an attachment to the blade now. It was like an extension of herself.
Ranma assumed a cross-legged position and rested his hands on his knees, turning to look intently at the eldest of the Tendo daughters.
"Something on your mind Ranma-kun?"
"Well... I was just wondering... Kasumi... You... Uh..." Ranma trailed off nervously, not sure about how Kasumi would take his next comment.
"Go on. Don't worry about me. I'm not that easily offended," Kasumi said casually.
Ranma raised an eyebrow, remembering the way she treated that idiot that came to bother Ranko. He shook his head to clear it and firmed his resolve. "I was wondering... Kasumi... Have you decided... what you want?"
Kasumi sighed. She was expecting this question, just not this soon. "Ranma, it hasn't been that long for me make a definite decision, and yet... and yet I what is to find my own piece of heaven." She noticed his look and laughed a little. "I know. It sounds a little corny, true. But, in the end, aren't we all searching for happiness? Abstractly, that's what I want the most. That may not be the answer you wanted to hear, but its all I can offer you now."
Ranma nodded and shrugged sheepishly. "It's just that... you've been listening to me and my troubles and... I wanted to help you too."
Kasumi put her hand over Ranma's. "You have Ranma-kun. Believe me. You have."
With any other girl, Ranma might've felt the urge to bolt at the contact. With Kasumi, however, he felt strangely at ease. "I've had time to think about what you said, Kasumi. About what I want, not what the old man wants."
Kasumi's eyes widened a bit. "And? What is it that you want then?"
Ranma looked down, a little embarrassed. "I thought about what the old man wanted. Me taking after the dojo and all. I... I can't think about a life with no martial arts, Kasumi. It's the only thing I've had since I was little." He looked up to meet her gaze. "Please don't be angry, Kasumi. But I really want to keep getting better at the Art. It's the only thing I know."
To his surprise, she simply hugged him. "If that is what makes you happy Ranma-kun, then that's what you should do." She looked him in the eye before smirking mischievously, planting a quick kiss on his cheek. "I just hope your dedication to the art won't keep you from thinking about... other things."
"Kasumi!" Ranma squeaked in shock, stiffening like a board.
Kasumi chuckled a bit. "You're so cute when you are like that Ranma-kun." She walked away with a bit of spring in her step. Once she got into the dojo though she heard someone knocking on the door. She willed herself back to normal and greeted the person at the door. "Yes can I help you?"
"I have a delivery for a Saotome Ranko here, miss," a man said and pointed at a rather large box that sat on the floor.
"I'm Saotome Ranko!"
Kasumi had to move out of the way as the redhead rushed up and signed for the package. "Thank you. Thanks for bringing it, good bye!" She said, ushering the delivery man out before taking the package and bringing it into the house.
"What is your problem?" Akane asked coming from upstairs. She had planed to start training again until she heard Ranko's shouting.
"It's time I found out just what grandfather has in mind for me," Ranko said as she started to tear the box open.
"Rather impatient, aren't we?" Nabiki said trying to act casual, but curious about that box as well.
"You would be too if you had a grandfather like mine," Ranko replied as she finished opening the box and saw exactly what was inside.
"Aw! How cute! He sent you your teddy bear," Nabiki said teasingly, seeing the rather large stuffed animal.
Ranko blushed furiously. Gramps...
"Hey, sis! What's that?" Ranma asked as he walked into the house, intent on taking a bath.
Ranko stuffed the bear back into the box. "Oh nothing. Just something grandfather sent me."
"That was a cute teddy bear Ranko. She looked so cute looking," Kasumi said kindly.
"Yeah, he's definately kawaii," Akane added.
"Mr. Buttons isn't kawaii!" Ranko snapped... then blushed even more.
Ranma blinked his eyes. "Teddy bear? Mr. Buttons?"
Ranko buried her head into her teddy bear, not seeing the shame in it now that he knew. "Grandfather gave it to me when I was seven for Christmas. First Christmas we shared together."
The pigtailed martial artist blinked again. "Why did he send it?"
"I have no idea," Ranko replied. "Mr. Buttons I could have done without."
"But isn't he so kawaii looking," Akane teased, enjoying this moment. Ranko shot her a look but she didn't even care.
"You're enjoying the teasing a little bit too much, sis," Nabiki said and grinned. "So do you use it as a pillow or do you sleep hugging him, Ranko-chan?"
"Neither!" Ranko snapped. "Now let's leave Mr. Buttons out of the way for now."
"Mr. Buttons," Akane mimicked.
Ranko growled, putting her teddy bear to the side. "If this is all he sent me, I swear Gramps is going to have some explaining to do."
She went back to the box to see what else was inside.
And found a manila envelope at the bottom.
"Grandfather no baka," Ranko groaned, grabbing the envelope and opening it up. "It never fails. A joke on top with the prize at the bottom."
As she opened it she saw a key and a letter.
"What's the key?" Akane asked.
"And is that letter..." Kasumi started to say.
"It's grandfather's hand writing," Ranko said as she started to read the letter.
"Ranko-chan,
Since I knew you'd be feeling lonely I decided to send Mr. Buttons to keep you company. You always cried for him when you were little, so now that you'll be living on your own for a little while I thought you'd like to have him around. You won't be living entirely alone, for I arranged housing for you at an old acquaintance's building. You'll get your own small apartment, and even close to the Tendo dojo. Please don't give Tokoro-san too much trouble.
Love, your grandfather."
"... ... ..." Ranko just stood their mutely before falling down on her rear in shock and disbelief.
"You're leaving?" Ranma asked in a whisper, a look of loss on his face.
"I.. I don't know," Ranko said, confused. "I mean, even if I did take the offer up, its not like I'm leaving, is it?"
Ranma closed his mouth, though he still looked troubled. He'd gotten pretty attached to his sister in the short time they'd been together... and now she was leaving.
Ranko saw his face. "Ranma! I'm not leaving you! If I was, I would have packed my bags and gone home to Kyoto. Geez, why do you have to look like that almost every time you think I'm going away."
"One can only guess," Kasumi said, flashing a look over to Genma who was once again about to go to the refrigerator. She half way unsheathed her katana.
The sound of that motion stopped Genma instantly, and he smiled nervously at the eldest Tendo sister.
Ranma shook his head and mumbled, "I'm going to take a walk." Of course, his taking a walk involved roof-hopping all through the Nerima district. He was gone before any of the others could get a word out.
"Baka," Ranko groaned. "Sorry." She then took off in a rush going after her brother.
---
Finding Ranma wasn't hard; he was visible as a blurring shape over the roof tops ahead. What was difficult was keeping pace with the martial artist, who was going for taller and taller buildings, not heeding the danger of slipping and falling several hundred feet.
"Hey bro! You mind slowing down a bit!" Ranko called after him.
But Ranma was too far away to hear, so he continued his trek through the roofs until he came upon skyscrapers.
"Damn it..." Ranko groaned, as she tried to follow. How can he pull off stuff like this so easily?
She finally saw him stop, only that it was on top of the tallest building around... and that last jump was well over forty feet, with a drop that would severely wound her, if not outright kill her.
"Are you nuts!" Ranko shouted.
Ranma finally heard his sister from across the rooftops and looked at her in surprise. "What are you doing here!"
"Going after you, you baka!" Ranko shouted back. "What the hell do you think you are doing!"
"Uh... talking a walk?" A confused Ranma asked.
She barely heard him. "Taking a walk by jumping onto the highest skyscraper there is!" Ranko shouted. "Get your butt down here right now Ranma!"
"Or what?" he challenged, not liking being ordered around.
"Or... Or..." Ranko fumbled around for a right threat but was starting to come up with zip.
Ranma smirked at her, but then took a couple of steps back and rushed forward. Before Ranko could cry for him to stop he was already airborne.
Watching Saotome Ranma in the air was beautiful. There was no other way to describe it. He angled himself in an elegant manner, at the same time taking advantage of both momentum and the wind, and cut the distance between the buildings with an unbelievable ease. He landed on his toes silent like a cat, a grin on his face.
Ranko stared in awe for a moment before frowning. "Showoff."
Ranma's grin widened. He wasn't one for modesty, probably never would be. "You're just jealous."
"Why do you have be an idiot?" Ranko asked. "Do you honestly think I am going to 'leave' you? Granted, I wasn't around for a while, but that was our idiot father's fault. I am not leaving you Ranma. You're stuck with me whether you like it or not. Do you understand that?"
"But you're moving out of the dojo..." Ranma protested weakly, his smile vanished.
"I never said I was moving out. Gramps is just giving me an apartment. And besides we haven't even seen this apartment. Even if I were to go into the apartment, its not like I wouldn't come to the dojo to kick your ass in the morning," Ranko said with a smirk, trying to get through to her brother the way he got to her.
"Not that you could, anyway," Ranma shot back
"I will soon enough," Ranko said to him.
"How? With you training with bacon-breath?" Ranma asked, smirking once more and crossing his arms over his chest.
"What... what!" Ranko's jaw dropped. "How-how did you...I mean, he hasn't even shown up yet...how?"
"Mousse shouted something about me getting what I had coming the other day," Ranma said and grimaced. "The rest I got from Nabiki."
"She'll sell out anyone won't she?"
Ranma shrugged. "It's not that bad."
"Guess not," Ranko returned. "So, how long did it take you to learn chestnuts roasting on an open fire?"
"Once I knew how to learn the technique without burning my hands? A couple of hours," Ranma said. Of course, he'd been trained by Cologne for speed a couple of weeks before that happened.
"And how long did it take you to learn how to do that?" Ranko asked, knowing there was no way it could have taken him a few hours to get the move down.
"Two weeks, more or less. I wasn't as fast as you when I started," Ranma admitted grudgingly. And he would only admit it to Ranko, not to anybody else.
Ranko let out a smirk. "Well tell me, how does this sound to you... KATCHU TENSHIN AMAGURIKEN!"
It was a reversal of what Ranma did to Ranko the first day they met. She was aiming all of her punches around her brother who just stood there feeling the air pressure from the punches.
When the technique was over, and a very satisfied Ranko took a step back, Ranma blinked several times in shock. And then a smirk formed on his face. "You're my little sister, alright. Guess we know who number two will be around here."
"Yeah, you if you aren't careful," Ranko smirked back. "Took me five days to get this down."
"But do you know the weakness already? Or the modified versions to do more damage?" Ranma asked smugly.
Ranko lost her smirk as she saw despite the smugness the truth in his words. Shit.
"You just don't learn the technique, sis. You learn it, improve it and know how to fight it. Let it become a part of you," Ranma said, reciting Genma's words concerning martial arts. "That's what Anything Goes is all about."
"Case you forgot, I disowned that art form when grandfather found me and retrained me," Ranko responded.
"So ya don't take the good points of it?" Ranma asked.
"I was made to focus solely on Tai Chi while learning offensive techniques as a backup incase my opponent wouldn't fall into my hands so to speak," Ranko explained. "Although, I have come to try to adapt every move I learn to fit into my own style."
"Then there's only one thing to do, little sis," Ranma said and smirked. "You get to train with me till you can use the Amaguriken right."
Ranko returned the smirk. "Looking forward to it bro."
Ranma then smirked even more and leaned forward. He pinched Ranko's nose. "Tag! You're it!" And with that he was jumping across the rooftops.
"Oh you are so going to get it bro!" Ranko shouted, jumping after him.
Smiling the entire time.
---
"This is your building?" Ranma asked in obvious surprise. The building was the tallest in the neighborhood and looked expensive.
"Well, grandfather is rich," Ranko stated.
Ranma nodded dubiously.
"Shall we go on in?"
The pigtailed martial artist nodded dubiously and followed his sister. Her apartment was on the top floor, so they had to go up quite a bit of stairs.
Once they reached the apartment, Ranko pulled out the key she had been given, put it in the lock, and opened the door.
A fully furnished apartment greeted the siblings, and Ranko had to admit her grandfather thought of everything. The decoration had a strong Chinese influence, just the way the redhead had been raised.
"All the comforts of home," Ranko breathed it all in and felt like this apartment fit her completely. She turned to look at her brother.
"Nice place," Ranma said neutrally.
"Something on your mind?" Ranko asked.
"Nah... Just looking at the place and..." He blinked. "Is that underwear?"
"Huh?" Ranko blinked but then saw it. "Yes. Yes it is."
"Why would the old man leave that on the table?" Ranma asked curiously as he walked closer, and blinked in surprise. "Teddy bears?"
"Gah!" Ranko gasped. Suddenly she looked down and saw it was HER underwear. She also saw the teddy bears were almost copies of Mr. Buttons. It came to one conclusion. One that had Ranko seeing red. "GRAMPS!"
Ranma turned to his sister, a blush on his face. "Is that yours?"
It certainly looked tiny enough to fit the redhead.
Ranko immediately hid it out of sight. "Stupid Gramps. I hate these jokes of his when he does get around to playing them."
"But why teddy bears?" Ranma asked as he followed her down a hall.
"Because I used to have a collection of teddy bears when I was eight," she said, embarrassed. "About fifty different bears."
"So why are you all red?" Ranma asked.
Ranko shook her head. "I'm in high school now and I am martial artist! I am beyond having a teddy bear collection!"
"But you still love Mr. Buttons," Ranma said and smirked. "You're a big softie inside, sis."
"Shut up!" Ranko retorted, elbowing her brother. "You are never going to let me live this down are you?"
"What are big brothers for?" Ranma asked teasingly and poked Ranko's midsection on a ticklish spot.
"Stop that!" Ranko laughed.
Ranma chuckled but stopped tickling his sister. Instead he looked up and saw the door next to them had Ranko's name written on it. "This is your room, sis."
"I am almost afraid to find out what he did to the room," Ranko muttered. Taking a deep breath, she turned the knob and opened the door.
Ranko's entire collection of teddy bears was in there.
Ranko fell over in shock, disbelief... and anger. "Gramps. You have honestly made this joke rather ugly. Teddy bears are not my life any more. How much sicker can this joke get?"
"I don't know, sis. I think you'd look cute sleeping with those," Ranma said, obviously trying to hold in his laughter.
"Funny bro, funny." Ranko said, not amused at all. "Definitely going to need to give this place a makeover. My room is no where near this bad."
Ranma grinned and continued to stare at Ranko in amusement. It was obvious he was getting a kick out of the situation.
Ranko walked out of the room and down a hall way and then a smirk came to her face. "Oh Ranma...you 'gotta' see this."
Ranma blinked and followed after his sister, frowning slightly as he saw a Japanese sliding door. It was really out of place with the rest of the decor.
"Come on... and take a look at your room."
Ranma entered the room that was to be his and noticed that it was mostly bare, whether it was because Seijuro knew he didn't need much or if he didn't know how Ranma actually wanted it, he didn't know. A futon laid to the side, as did three pictures. The pigtailed martial artist walked over to the pictures and saw that two of them were of Ranma and Ranko when they were little more than toddlers.
The third, however, had Ranma's entire body shake in shock. "Is that...?" He couldn't finish the question, faltering as he stared at Genma holding him as a baby, while Ranko was held by a smiling woman.
"Father... and mother," Ranko said, completing the statement. Seeing as she had for most of her life, her parents only as pictures.
Ranma drank in the sight of his mother and turned to look at Ranko. "You're... you look so much like mom."
"So I've been told, so I have seen," Ranko replied.
It was at that moment that Ranma started to think about what kind of person his grandfather was. It was no secret Seijuro didn't approve of Nodoka, yet he placed a picture of her in his grandson's room anyway. "Uh... are you sure this is my room? Maybe it's for you."
"No. My room's the one with all of the teddy bears, grandfather's own personal joke which makes me know that is my room," Ranko said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "This is your room bro." She walked out of the room then, letting her brother look at the picture for a bit more.
His room... It would certainly take time to get used to the concept. He looked around and smiled faintly. It was bare, just the way he liked it.
---
Dinner at the dojo was simple and peaceful, Soun thought. The Master was no where in sight, his training with Saotome had gone well, Kasumi had done well sparing with Ranma, and here all seven of them were having dinner with one another.
"So, did you look into that apartment Ranko-chan?" Kasumi asked.
Ranko nodded. "Yeah. Which brings me to an announcement." Those words brought everyone's attention to Ranko, who was sitting next to her brother, rather closely. "I've decided to take up the apartment that grandfather has given me and when ever I am there for the night, Ranma will be there with me."
The table instantly became completely silent, with Ranma looking down and away from... Nabiki blinked her eyes in surprise. He was avoiding looking at Kasumi, or at least that she could read from his body language.
"What?" Ranko asked innocently
Ranko's question broke the silence that pervaded the room, and with that chaos ensued. "I FORBID IT!" Genma bellowed at the top of his lungs, knowing that would jeopardize the union of the schools.
He soon found a katana held in front of his face. Katana in question being held by Kasumi. "You forbid it and I'll forbid you eat at this table ever again," the eldest Tendo sister said evenly.
Genma paled at that, backing down almost instantly.
"Kasumi?" Nabiki asked in surprise and turned to regard Akane, who was sure to react badly to this as well.
"What are you doing?" Akane asked.
"Trying to let Ranma-kun and Ranko-chan live their lives however they choose," Kasumi said evenly.
Soun was behind his friend, "Saotome. A word please," he said before dragging him out of the room.
Genma didn't dare refuse going with his friend. Particularly because Kasumi was still holding her katana.
As the discussion progressed Ranma remained silent, looking at the table in contemplation.
"Ranma, why did you want to go through with this?" Akane asked flat out.
The pigtailed martial artist ventured a look at Kasumi, who was looking at him neutrally, and turned back to staring at the table. "Well... I want to spend more time with little sis... And I want to have time to think."
Akane stared at him disbelief... and yet Kasumi looked on with a smile on her face.
---
"Saotome, I would suggest for the future of our plan, that you allow this to happen," Soun said in a low tone.
Genma blinked his eyes. "I must be hearing things, Tendo. I thought I heard you say to allow this to happen," Genma said incredulously.
"I did. It is because Kasumi was the one to threaten you that I feel that this is the right move to make if the houses are to be joined," Soun said sternly.
Genma blinked. "What are you talking about, old friend?"
"What I am saying is that I no longer pin my hopes on Akane marrying Ranma," Soun said with a knowing look in his eyes.
"But Tendo! They are meant for each other!" Genma protested vehemently.
Soun shook his head. "For some time I thought that myself. I was the one who said that, but now I know I was mistaken. Akane does nothing but insult Ranma and doesn't show the proper respect. Ranma too is at fault but that is besides the point."
"But the schools..." Genma started to protest.
"I never said the plan was off, Saotome," Soun said with a smile. "The houses will still be joined. It just won't be who we initially selected."
Genma blinked once more and then his eyes widened in realization. "You mean Kasumi...?"
"You cannot deny the way she favors him ever since the incident," Soun replied. "We have tried too hard to force Akane and Ranma together, only to see our plans burst into flames. Now we simply allow and watch."
"You're right, old friend," Genma said and laughed. "And Kasumi is old enough to start having children already! We'll be having grandchildren before you know it."
Soun clamped Genma's mouth with his hand. "Do you want them to hear us Saotome?" Genma's eyes gave him the answer. "And I am in no immediate hurry to have grandchildren. If they did have one, would you not have to contact your wife? One that would expect certain things from both of your children."
Genma paled but frowned in thought. "Certainly Ranma having children already would appease her, Tendo."
"And what of your other child Saotome, would your wife want her having children?"
Genma winced. "Nodoka wanted Ranko to have a husband and a child of her own by now."
"...I don't think you should let your daughter know that yet," Soun said, concerned for his friend's well being if that ever came out into the open. "Tell me, did you do to Ranko as you did with Ranma over the years, as far as fiancées are concerned?"
Genma started to sweat at that. "Whatever do you mean, Tendo-kun?"
"Forget it," Soun shook his head, already knowing the answer. I do not envy either of those children. Not one bit. Looking back to Genma, he said, "For now, let us allow the twins to chose when they wish to stay at that apartment. From there, we observe, and see how things work out from there."
"But how to make it so the boy doesn't just go with one of the other girls? Being here he'll be closer to Kasumi," Genma reasoned.
"Genma," Soun said, using his friend's first name, and his face serious. "I have done much with you over the years. Followed your lead. I dare say you owe me." His friend nodded hesitantly. "I am asking you, trust in me, and we will see the union of our schools."
"... Very well, Tendo. We'll wait and see what happens," Genma admitted grudgingly.
Soun let out a breath and sent a prayer of thanks to Kami-sama. It worked. I have given them all something they need. Time. He offered up another prayer though, hoping he would hear it and grant him his wish.
That his daughter would find happiness with the one who had her heart.
To Be Continued...
Author's Note: Sorry for the major delay. But stuff happens. On a positive note, we do have more chapters just about done, just needing get them edited for posting purposes. I'd also like to announce that Drakuzz and I have picked up a new project to work on. It's a Naruto fanfic taking place after the Naruto/Sasuke fight in the Valley of the End, which will take a different twist and the Kyuubi is a big part of it.
Next chapter will be a bit of a dozy, believe you me. Seeya next time.