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

Chapter 5:  Negotiations - Part II

Nodoka walks in and smiles at them.  She mentions that Genma is 
taking her out on a date (again) and asks Akane to help her pick out 
a more modern dress for a night out on the town (having packed 
some dresses over from her house the day before).  Everyone offers 
to help, but Nodoka declines, saying that she also wants to talk 
privately with her future daughter-in-law.  Akane follows Nodoka to 
her room.

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

Newscaster:  "The continued state of chaos in China has prompted 
	drastic changes in domestic policy.  The self-defense force 
	has been changed to the Ministry of Defense.  This change 
	has not been ruled unconstitutional as of this time due to 
	the non-increase of conventional forces.  For more, we go 
	to the Prime Minister's press conference."

	[Press Conference]  "... we do not feel that the state of 
	revolution in mainland China is cause for immediate 
	concern at the present time.  However, to prepare for any 
	eventuality, we plan to develop a nation-wide network of 
	volunteer militia trained in martial arts, hopefully 
	consisting of every citizen.  In addition, we ask that the diet 
	consider the revocation of the anti-firearm law..."

Nabiki turns off the news, musing that business will probably get 
better in the near future.

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

Ryoga and Ranma have gone to the dojo while Kasumi, Midori, and 
Ayuki prepare dinner  (Keiko having gone to Uc-chan's to work).

Midori:  "Well?"
Kasumi:  (after some silence)  "Well?"
Midori:  (after more silence)  "Well?"
Ayuki:  "Well what?"
Midori:  "Aren't you going to talk to him?"
Ayuki:  "I... I can't."
Midori:  "Come on..."
Ayuki:  "You talk to him, Midori."
Midori:  "I'm not the one with a crush on him."
Kasumi:  "That's enough, Midori."
Midori:  "What?"
Ayuki:  "Thanks, Kasumi."
Kasumi:  "If Ayuki's afraid, that's her business."
Ayuki:  "Who's afraid?"
Kasumi:  (after some silence)  "Well?"
Midori:  (after more silence)  "Well?"

Midori suddenly picks Ayuki up and throws her over her shoulder, 
walking toward the dojo.  They pass Nabiki as they leave the 
kitchen.

Ayuki:  "Stop it, Midori.  I don't want to have to hurt you."

Nabiki looks into the kitchen and Kasumi asks her to help set up for 
dinner.

Nabiki:  "What was that all about?"
Kasumi:  "Ayuki's going to talk to Ryoga."
Nabiki:  "Oh."  (sighs)  "Maybe we should have done that to Akane 
	and Ranma."
Kasumi:  (giggling)  "Maybe."
Nabiki:  "So, where are you and Dr. Tofu going on your 
	honeymoon?"
Kasumi:  "Hawaii."
Nabiki:  "Hawaii?!"
Kasumi:  (nodding)  "J.D. invited us."
Nabiki:  "But... what about passports..."
Kasumi:  "Oh, I don't know, but somehow he and Tofu arranged 
	it..."
Nabiki:  "Wow... and what about after?"
Kasumi:  "I'll be moving in with him above the clinic."
Nabiki:  "Have you told daddy yet?"
Kasumi:  (nodding)  "He started crying something about Akane's 
	cooking."
Nabiki:  "Eep!  That's right."
Kasumi:  "Don't worry, Nabiki.  She only needs a little practice and 
	she'll get better."
Nabiki:  "But surviving until then..."
Kasumi:  "Auntie Saotome will still be here.  For a little while at 
	least.  And she can teach Akane."
Nabiki:  "Not for very long, though.  She's thinking of buying that 
	run-down apartment building a block from here.  She wants 
	all the girls to have a room of her own."
Kasumi:  "Can they afford it?"
Nabiki:  "Well, they're looking at a loan, but I can't really see the 
	bank turning them down."

Kasumi and Nabiki start taking the dishes of food to the living 
room.

Kasumi:  "How are you getting along with your 'daughter'?"
Nabiki:  "I don't know.  Pretty good, I suppose.  It just feels a bit 
	weird, though."
Kasumi:  "How?"
Nabiki:  (embarrassed)  "Well, it's strange.  But the way she looks at 
	me makes me want to protect her, though I don't know 
	why.  She can certainly protect herself."
Kasumi:  "Well, maybe it's just your parental side coming out."
Nabiki:  "I hope not."

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

Nodoka:  "So what do you think?"
Akane:  "This one's nice."

Akane picks out a dress with a floral print on it, but Nodoka shakes 
her head.

Nodoka:  "A little too innocent.  I want something that my husband 
	will want to tear off my body."
Akane:  (blushing)  "Auntie!"
Nodoka:  (laughing wickedly)  "Are you surprised, Akane?"
Akane:  "Well... I mean... err..."
Nodoka:  "Oh, here's a nice one."

Nodoka pulls out a black sequined nightgown, slit up the side.  
Perhaps twenty years out of date, but still form fitting and quite 
sexy.  Akane blushes at the sight.

Nodoka:  "So, do you wear dresses like this one for my son?"
Akane:  (shocked again)  "Auntie!"
Nodoka:  (laughs)  "Don't worry, Akane.  I've talked to Ranma in 
	the past few days and I know exactly where your 
	relationship is."
Akane:  "Ranma talks about... us?"
Nodoka:  "Only with me.  I think that he'd be too embarrassed to 
	talk with anyone else."
Akane:  (darkly)  "Except maybe Ukyou."
Nodoka:  "Ukyou... you mean Midori's 'mother'?"  (Akane nods)  
	"Ranma only thinks of her as a friend.  So don't get 
	jealous."
Akane:  "Who's jealous?"
Nodoka:  "Akane..."
Akane:  (blushing)  "Well, maybe a little..."
Nodoka:  "Akane, Ranma would marry you tomorrow if that's what 
	you wanted.  But don't tell him that I told you that."  
	(finishes dressing)  "Now, shall we go downstairs and 
	surprise my family with how desirable a mother they 
	have?"

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

Ryoga:  "All right, Ranma.  You win."
Ranma:  "What did I win?"
Ryoga:  "You know, Akane."
Ranma:  "You don't get it, do you?  I didn't 'win' Akane."
Ryoga:  "You mean you're giving her up?"
Ranma:  "Of course I'm not giving her up.  She's my fiance."
Ryoga:  "So are Ukyou and Shampoo."
Ranma:  "Not anymore.  Look Ryoga, I'm s... I'm sorry about you 
	getting cursed.  But I don't want to fight about it anymore, 
	OK?"

Ranma leaves to go back to the living room, leaving Ryoga sitting 
on the dojo steps.  He watches TV for a short while with Nabiki, 
until she leaves to check on dinner.  A short while later Midori 
walked by with Ayuki thrown over her shoulder.

Ayuki:  "Let go of me!  Midori, let go of me!"

Midori ignored Ayuki's protests and continued toward the dojo with 
her.  Ranma sighs.  Midori reaches the steps where Ryoga has been 
sitting and drops Ayuki onto her feet.  Midori then walks back to the 
living room, leaving an extremely uncomfortable Ayuki and Ryoga 
alone.

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

Akane peeked her head through the living room door and smiled.  
Inside was almost everyone.

Akane:  "Is everyone ready for this?"

Nodoka strolled into view, her black dress hugging her curves 
tightly.

****************************End Chapter 5, Part II