Magical Interludes:  December's End
Fanfic by J.K. Hayashi 

Chapter 4:  New Starts - Part II

Nodoka:  "Is there something wrong, Ranma?"
Ranma:  "Umm... hi, mom?"
Nodoka:  (a little sad)  "Are you still uncomfortable around me?"
Ranma:  "I guess... I mean, I talked to Akane and she wishes her 
	mom were still around; I suppose it's just that we don't 
	know each other."
Nodoka:  "Don't worry, Ranma.  Now that we're together there's 
	time to learn.  Though I know you've been spending most 
	of your time with Akane."  (silence)  "Was there something 
	else?"
Ranma:  (embarrassed)  "I was wondering... how much spare money 
	do we have?"
Nodoka:  "Why do you ask?"
Ranma:  "I was thinking... maybe... I could get Akane... a ring?"
Nodoka:  "An engagement ring?"  (Ranma nods)  "Ranma, are you 
	sure that Akane's the one for you?"
Ranma:  "Are you disappointed?"
Nodoka:  "Of course not!  I just want you to be sure; I don't want you 
	doing it because your father and Mr. Tendo engaged the 
	two of you."
Ranma:  "I think this is what I want... things have been so peaceful 
	the last two days."
Nodoka:  "How were things before?"
Ranma:  "We used to fight a lot.  But most of that was because of 
	other people trying to break us up."
Nodoka:  "Do you think that by doing this people will stop?"
Ranma:  (sighing)  "They probably won't.  But maybe we'll stop 
	fighting because we'll know for sure."
Nodoka:  "Don't you know that now?"
Ranma:  "I suppose.  Why are you asking me these questions?"
Nodoka:  "I want you to be sure you're doing this for the right 
	reasons.  Do you really want to marry Akane and be with 
	her the rest of your life?"
Ranma:  "I... I do."
Nodoka:  (smiles and takes out a small box)  "Then this is for you."  
	(hands box to Ranma)
Ranma:  (takes box.  Inside is a gold ring)  "What's this?"
Nodoka:  "An engagement ring that your fathers bought for the two 
	of you.  They were going to try some stupid trick to get you 
	to give it to Akane.  When I came I took it away from them.  
	I was only going to give it to you if you asked for it.  And 
	you just did."
Ranma:  "Umm... thanks, mom."
Nodoka:  (hugs Ranma)  "I hope the two of you are just as happy as 
	your father and I was when we got married."
Ranma:  (looks at door and the futon outside it)  "When are the two 
	of you going..."
Nodoka:  (hears noise, makes a slight gesture to indicate Genma 
	might be listening)  "Maybe in a year I'll forgive him 
	leaving me alone.  I mean, after ten years he's practically a 
	stranger.  I can't just accept him immediately."
Genma:  (from outside)  "A year!"  (rushes into the room)  "Nodoka, 
	please say you'll forgive me!"
Nodoka:  (winking at Ranma)  "I forgive you, Genma.  But you must 
	convince me that you're the same man I married so long 
	ago."
Ranma:  "Pop, why don't you take mom out to dinner tomorrow?"
Nodoka:  "Yes.  Dinner... and maybe some dancing after... or maybe 
	a movie..."
Genma:  "Yes!  Yes!  Anything, beloved!"
Nodoka:  "Good.  Now... outside, Genma!"

Genma looks dejected but goes to his futon outside the door.

Nodoka:  (takes Ranma's hand, whispers)  "Are you going to ask her 
	now?"
Ranma:  (slight smile)  "I guess I'd better... before I lose my 
	courage."
Nodoka:  (kissing him on cheek)  "Good luck, my son."

Ranma goes into the hallway, but his father isn't there.  He knocks 
softly on Akane's door and enters when she answers.  Akane is 
dressed in her nightgown and Ranma's face turns red with 
embarrassment; she smiles at his reaction.

Ranma:  "Everyone's probably listening..."
Akane:  "What was that?"
Ranma:  (puts a finger to his lips)  "Let's go outside."

Ranma leads Akane out the window and they shiver in the frigid air.  
They sit with their backs to the wall on the eave outside her window.  
Akane notices that Ranma seems extremely nervous and refuses to 
look at her; he takes her hand.

Ranma:  "Akane..."
Akane:  "What is it, Ranma?"

Ranma seems to struggle for words.

Ranma:  "Do you... want to marry me?"
Akane:  "What do you mean, Ranma?  I mean, we're engaged..."
Ranma:  "That was our fathers.  Do you want to?"
Akane:  "I... I do."  (Ranma looks at her face)  "But, I'm afraid..."
Ranma:  "That we'll start fighting again?"  (Akane nods.  Ranma 
	takes out the ring from the box)  "Akane, will you marry 
	me?"
Akane:  (eyes wide)  "Ranma..."  

Akane shyly extends her hand and Ranma slides the ring onto her 
finger.  Akane waits for his shaking hand to complete its task, then 
kisses him.  The window slides open and everyone starts clapping; 
Ranma and Akane blush.

Soun:  "When can we set the date?  With Kasumi?  We can make it 
	a double wedding!"
Akane:  "Dad!"

Nodoka takes charge of the situation.  She chases away Soun and 
Genma as the couple reenter the room; the three 'cousins' all hug 
Akane, then leave making smooching noises at her and laughing.  
Kasumi and Nabiki both happily congratulate Akane and Ranma, 
then Nodoka gives them both a big hug and leaves them alone in the 
room.  Akane hugs Ranma.

Ranma:  "Sorry about that."
Akane:  "About what?"
Ranma:  "About going outside.  I should have known they'd be 
	listening in."
Akane:  "It's OK, Ranma."  (looks at ring)  "It was worth having a 
	little privacy."
Ranma:  (laughs a little)  "I'm not sure how to react to you 
	anymore."
Akane:  "What do you mean?"
Ranma:  "You know... soon, we'll be married, and parents, and..."
Akane:  "How soon?"
Ranma:  "Um, well, when would you think would be a good time..."
Akane:  "Oh, Ranma.  I'm sorry, but I can't see us getting married 
	until after high school, and kids... I can't see having any 
	before we finish college.  Can you wait that long?"
Ranma:  "I can wait.  I understand, Akane."  (kisses her hair)
Akane:  "Ranma..."
Ranma:  "Hmm?"
Akane:  (tilting her head up)  "That's not the part of my head you 
	should be kissing."

*********************

Akane watched as Ranma left her room.  She was a little dazed that 
Ranma had asked her to marry him.  She had been happy about the 
past few days but she never expected him to actually ask her; she 
had just expected that they would remained engaged under their 
fathers' agreement.  She laughed as she heard Ranma's yell of 
frustration coming from his room.  As she lay back in her bed she 
pulled her blankets up; the ring on her finger sparkled in the dark 
and caught her eye.  She thought to herself maybe she should have 
given in to her desires and asked Ranma to stay the night, or just do 
something more than kiss her; she shivered a bit, she wanted Ranma 
there just to hold her in his arms.

**********************

Ranma made his way back to his room, a little dazed that Akane 
agreed to marry him so quickly.  He opened the door to his room 
and was promptly soaked by a bucket of water that had been perched 
above him (and hit by the bucket as well).  He turned female and 
heard laughter coming from the room that his 'daughters' were 
staying.  The house shook with Ranma's yell of frustration.

Ranma:  "If you three were younger than me, I'd spank you!"

Renewed howls of laughter come from the three girls.  Nabiki and 
Kasumi and Nodoka look out of their doors and see a very wet 
female Ranma with a bucket on her head and also start laughing.  
Ranma looks disgusted (after she removes the bucket) and heads 
toward the bath.

**********************

Soun pours another serving of sake for himself and Genma as they 
celebrate the confirmation of the engagement between their families.  
By the time a yell of frustration makes its way to them, they have 
celebrated to the point of not being able to notice it.

**********************

*****************************End Chapter 4, Part II